​The​ ​Signal:​ ​Spring​ ​‘20​ ​No.​ ​1

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Vol. LII, No. 1

January 29, 2020

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Impeachment sparks student activism

students are overlooked

By Emmy Liederman Editor-in-Chief Tim Reagan is a 42-year-old from Princeton, N.J., a father of three children and an education student at the College. After struggling to make ends meet and living paycheck to paycheck as a farmer, he decided it was time to go back to school. Reagan is now pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.

“I got my undergraduate degree 20 years ago from Rutgers, then worked on farms for a long time and had a family,” he said. “But working on farms doesn’t pay the bills. Now I’m starting a second career. I’m aiming for middle school math.”

Although the College has historically been focused on meeting the needs of traditional, 18 to 22-year-old undergraduate students, the number of mature students enrolling in higher education is on the rise. More adults are going back to school to strengthen their professional skills, reconsider their career paths and make more money.

Bobbie Schwartz, a 27-year-old English major, is set to graduate in 2021. Like many other non-traditional students, Schwartz tried to pursue higher education after receiving her high school diploma, but did not feel she was emotionally prepared. Schwartz was pressured to join the workforce by her parents, who do not value a college degree.

“My family didn’t care about education at all,” she said. “My mom is a bus driver and my dad works at the post office, which is the same job he had when he was 18. He got mad at me when I told him I was

Campuses across the country are engaging in political protest.

By Kevin Hornibrook Correspondent

Marian Carcel, who was a 21-yearold college student during the Watergate Scandal, remembers being proud to watch her generation speak out against former President Richard Nixon’s corruption.

“Everybody was very much aware of what was going on, and not happy,” she said. “This attitude extended beyond campus.”

Carcel, who is now a 67-year-old retired high school teacher, says that confisee MATURE page 10 dence and pride she had in the American

people in 1974 has since left her.

The United States has seen four presidents face the threat of impeachment, three of which have occurred in the last half century. A different generation watched over each case, each time with a new cultural and political perspective.

No experience stands out more than that of college students — throughout American history, the youngest demographic of voters have demanded change.

The year 1963 saw University of California at Berkeley students stand up for free speech, sparking a nationwide dialogue in their Free Speech Movement. The 2010s saw demonstrations for womens’ rights,

College funds minority-inclusive trips

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Conference locations range from Houston to Niagara Falls.

By Camille Furst Managing Editor

McKenna Samson has always gone to school with students who don’t look like her. Attending the College —

which has a 6 percent black population, according to Forbes in 2018— doesn’t come as much of a culture shock.

“I think for minorities, it can be very hard to be in an all-white space and still have the motivation to keep

INDEX: Editorial / page 5 Opinions / page 7 Student Finance Board Follow us on...

Members suspend bylaws to fund Bill Nye The Signal See News page 2 @tcnjsignal

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going,” she said. “Going to these conferences and seeing these kids that look like me honestly makes me so happy.”

Administrations within the College have sponsored students’ travels to conferences around the nation for as long as many can remember. These conferences surround topics of diversity and inclusion — and for minority students attending the College, these professional and cultural conferences have given them a sense of inclusion, motivation and hope.

While some conferences are careerbased and others are more cultural, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) hosts conferences that intersect both cultural and professional bonds between members in the field of engineering. Students like Ama Nimako, a junior mechanical engineering major and the treasurer of the College’s NAACP branch, and Justin Cruz, a junior electrical engineering student and a senator for the College’s NSBE branch, received funds to attend the

racial equality and environmental issues.

A 2018 piece from Harvard Ed. Magazine dives deep into how effective student protests are today. According to the article, high school and college students are protesting more than any time since the 1960s.

A CNN photo gallery following the 2016 election shows images of Americans protesting directly against the president of their time — signs calling Bill Clinton a pervert, demanding jobs from Ronald Reagan and pleading for Nixon to be impeached were held high in efforts to voice the nation’s concerns.

The protests have changed in magnitude and severity with time. The most active era, especially for college students, was the late ’60s and ’70s, which saw nationwide marches against the Vietnam War, the Kent State shootings and Nixon’s presidency. Spikes in student activism during the impeachment process is a part of the American political climate.

According to a Gallup poll from 1973-1974, Nixon’s approval rating slid from well over 60 percent to 24 percent at the time of his resignation.

Carol Chila, a 46-year-old director of provider recruitment at Inspira Health, did not feel the same about Clinton’s impeachment. She was a 25-year-old junior at Rutgers University at the time.

“I wouldn’t say it was the most important,” she said. “A little fatigue set

College appoints VP of Diversity, Inclusion

By Jesse Stiller Staff Writer

James Felton III, the current Chief Diversity Officer at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland, has been appointed by the College to become the inaugural Vice President for Equity and Inclusion.

President Kathryn Foster announced the news in a campus-wide email on Dec. 13, praising Felton’s work at SUNY Cortland and his accomplishments during his tenure there.

“In his current role, Mr. Felton is responsible for the campus’ inclusive excellence framework, its diversity and inclusion strategic plan, and working with campus constituents to identify, establish, assess and update goals, objectives and initiatives for diversity and inclusion,” Foster wrote.

The email also highlighted his recent accolade as Top Chief Diversity Officer of the Year from the International Association of Top Professionals. His establishment of a bias response team at the campus and other programs included a recruitment strategy for SUNY Cortland to increase the number of underrepresented faculty and staff.

Foster also wrote that Felton was a great choice from

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Features / page 10

see PROTEST page 2

Arts & Entertainment / page 13

see EQUITY page 3 Sports / page 15

Mac Miller First posthumous album receives critical acclaim

Swimming and Diving Swim team comes up short against Rowan

See Reviews page 13

See Sports page 16

Protest / Political controversy mobilizes activists

page 2 The Signal January 29, 2020

continued from page 1

in and people kind of got tired of hearing about the same thing. I was more focused on getting out of college.”

Mackenzee Ballard, a 19-year-old freshman photography major at the Savannah College of Art and Design, spoke about President Donald Trump’s impeachment the way Carcel spoke about Nixon’s.

“This impeachment is easily the most important news going on,” she said.

The difference in perceived importance between generations may be a result of the nature of the scandal, according to Carcel, who called Clinton’s impeachment “ridiculous.” She felt that Nixon deserved his investigation far more than Clinton.

Carcel was present for the peak of student activism but did not participate in, nor see any protests at her relatively small school in New Jersey.

“I sure would’ve liked to join one if I was less busy,” said Carcel, who was balancing a job, college and a marriage at the time. “If I saw one, I’d have to say thank you.

Thank you for what you’re doing.”

Nick Segal, a 19-year-old freshman finance major at Rutgers University, is actively interested in the political process, but doesn’t have the time to read every article he sees.

“I think a lot of people want to know more and are legitimately interested, especially now when it starts to matter,” Segal said. “We’re just so bogged down with college bullshit. Papers due all the time, finals looming, that kind of stuff.”

Ballard found time to go beyond Carcel’s expectation of simply voting, taking to the streets to protest. She participated in the March For Our Lives, a March 2018 protest in Washington, D.C. against gun violence that followed the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be a protest against the president, but eventually we were out there chanting ‘Fuck Donald Trump,’” she said.

Segal said he had not seen any demonstrations on his campus, and he probably wouldn’t join one. He felt his

From Watergate to Trump’s trial, impeachment has polarized college campuses.

time would be better spent focusing on school.

According to Chila, people at Rutgers were talking about Clinton all the time, leading to one big debate of “Team Bill” vs. “Team Monica,” sparking a feminist movement on campus.

Similarly, Segal mentioned that the president and his impeachment trials have a frequent topic of conversation.

The popularity of social media makes this impeachment stand out from the others. Students in the ’70s could not tweet about Nixon, and students in the ’90s could not access a breaking news story minutes after it occurred.

“I think it’s very true that most discourse happens on social media,” Carcel said. “I think a lot of young people make decisions based on what they read online.”

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Ballard and Segal, both 19-year-old college students, shared that most of what they read comes through social media platforms like Twitter. Ballard sees impeachment hearing updates on Snapchat, a popular app among teenagers that has no apparent relation to politics.

Young people’s around-the-clock access to news has shaped the generation’s political awareness. With stories a click away, teenagers can stay up to date if they have any interest in current events — but according to Ballard, that interest is often what’s lacking.

“I feel like a lot of people say they’re more involved than they are,” she said. “People say ‘Fuck Trump,’ but don’t do anything about it. They don’t go out to protest or do research.”

Vital Signs: Tips for a mindful semester SFB suspends bylaws

Productive study groups help students de-stress.

By Victoria Giardina Columnist As the new semester begins, most of us are ready to take on our new schedules.

But when our music is on full blast on the way to class, we fail to be fully present.

We often lack appreciation for the beautiful campus we call home.

And, according to a study by the Journal of Media Education, 97 percent of college students are distracted by their phones and other electronic devices.

After a winter break filled with scouring the Internet for gift ideas and binge-watching television shows, it’s safe to say that we could all use a digital detox.

So, how can we kick off this semester in a mindful manner? Here are some tips to reroute your perspective for a fresh start to the semester.

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Silent Walking Walking to class without being glued to your phone will allow you to become more receptive. To combat the constant stimulus modern technology inevitably brings, try walking handsfree and take advantage of the silence to clear your mind.

Valuing Friendships With what seems like an unending influx of assignments, it’s easy to become a robot at the library. To be more intentional while getting your projects done at the same time, form a study group.

Having a friend nearby will allow you to treat yourself to a muchneeded study break. Ask your friends how their days are going and actually pay attention to what they say. By slowing down and focusing on just the present moment alone, you will remain productive and fulfilled.

The board funds Bill Nye’s visit to the College.

By Ian Krietzberg Nation & World Editor The Student Finance Board (SFB) funded six organizations for a total of $102,730.63 at its last meeting of the fall semester, which took place on Dec. 4 in the Brower Student Center Room 104.

Following a week of uncertainty in the face of possible constitutional violations, the meeting began with a motion to suspend all bylaws, allowing the board the opportunity to fund several events that the constitution had previously barred.

The main issue concerned the guideline that states that the board cannot allocate more than 65 percent of the Student Activity Fee in the first semester, regardless of how much money was actually spent.

With the bylaw suspended, Late Night Take and the Physics Club presented, once more, their Bill Nye event. Details concerning the specific timing of the event are still to be

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determined, but it is set to occur in March. The board funded the event with $84,217.38.

The Korean Student Association requested $10,000 to bring David So, a Korean comedian, to campus. The event, which the board fully funded, is set to take place on Feb. 20.

TCNJ Cheerleading requested $3,280 for “extra expenses” — as the team recently expanded in size, their costs for transportation, gym rentals and nationals have gone up. The request was fully funded.

The board then fully funded the Order of the Nose Biting Teacups, the College’s Harry Potter Club, $2,168 for its 10th anniversary celebration which will take place Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. in the Brower Student Center, room 225.

TCNJ Lion’s Eye, the official literary magazine of the College, was funded $2,031.25 for the costs of the magazine production.

The Haitian Student Association requested $10,090.07 for its Ambiance Event. This event was tabled, pending a more detailed explanation.

Equity / OIDEI welcomes new vice president

January 29, 2020 The Signal page 3

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Left: Felton currently works at SUNY Cortland. Right: The administrator will begin working at the College in March. continued from page 1 an otherwise “outstanding pool” of candidates during the selection process. The search committee named Felton a finalist in November, along with Holy University Associate Vice President of Diversity Nicole Stokes and SUNY Brockport Chief Diversity Officer Cephas Archie.

“We are fortunate that Mr. Felton has agreed to add his tremendous talents to the college’s leadership team in this critical role,” Foster wrote in the email, while also praising the search committee’s and the community’s feedback during the process.

Felton will begin his new position at the

College on March 2.

Alex Holzman, an administrative assistant at the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, feels confident in Felton’s new role.

“James was selected from a very strong pool of candidates and stood out for his candor, experience, and evident passion for the work of DEI,” Holzman said. “His vision for TCNJ is firmly in line with the principles of transparency, accessibility and authenticity established by Drs. Don Trahan and Damon Williams, as well as the day-to-day practices and procedures developed by Ivonne Cruz, Kerri ThompsonTillett and myself.”

Holzman is confident that Felton would provide the campus with “strategic leadership that both the office and campus community has sought and planned for since the establishment of OIDEI,” and is eager to work with him.

Before being considered for the position at the College, Felton, whose career in diversity and inclusion spans over two decades, had also been under consideration for a position at SUNY Plattsburgh in April. News of Felton’s hiring at the College was also featured in The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, a publication dedicated to publishing statistics and updates on racial integration and inclusion

on college campuses.

On top of his work in diversity at various college campuses, Felton is also a member of the National Advisory Council of the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), and serves on the editorial board for INSIGHT Into Diversity, an online magazine that focuses on diversity and inclusion at colleges across the country.

The Signal reached out to Felton for an interview. While he expressed optimism about the community and position, he said he could not be quoted due to his current employment at SUNY Cortland, but is interested in sitting down with a reporter when he begins his role.

Culture / Minority conferences foster cultural, professional connections continued from page 1

association’s fall regional conference in Niagara Falls this past November.

As a black female in the College’s engineering department, Nimako was eager to attend the conference and be exposed to diverse professionals in the field.

“These conferences do give me hope in a sense and refresh my drive to succeed,” she said. “It gives me hope to see so many accomplished women and men who look like me.”

For other students, these conferences have even changed the trajectory of their career paths.

Samson was unsure of which field she wanted to pursue before attending the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) Multicultural Career Workshop in New York City.

After feeling inspired by the panelists, she is more secure in her choice to pursue media and communications.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I want to be like these panelists,’” she said. “Seeing that representation of people who look like me that are in these places, that are in executive positions of these companies, really did give me the motivation that I needed to apply for these internships.”

While many conferences attended by students from the College are geared toward professional networking, others are a space for minorities to build a sense of community based on cultural similarities.

The College allocates funds to the Pride Mentoring Program (PMP) and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF). These programs gave financial aid and sponsorship to students who attended the African American Student Leadership Experience (AASLE), a conference held in Washington D.C., which was designed to “coach you into becoming a great leader,” said Nimako, who attended in January.

Over 30 people from the College — both staff and students alike — traveled to the conference.

“I think these conferences are really building a sense of community for us,” said Samson, who also credits the conference — while not limited to Christianity — to building her faith as a Christian. “It really did change my attitude about a lot of things.”

Many students credit Jamal Johnson, the College’s senior assistant director of mentoring and retention, for finding these conferences and encouraging them to attend.

As the assistant director of the Pride Mentoring Program, Johnson urges students to attend these conferences and strengthen both cultural and professional connections.

“If it weren’t for Mr. Johnson … I don’t know (if) we would have them,” Samson said.

Johnson said that the PMP supports students with transportation and hotels, but that it is not simply an effort by the mentoring program alone — it’s something the College “does for all students.”

“I’ll never forget the first set of students I took,” he said. “It was the

Photo Courtesy of Ama Nimako

Members of the College’s NSBE and NAACP attend school-sponsored conferences. first time a student was on an airplane. It was the first time a student stayed in a hotel. It was the first time that students have gone to the West Coast. It’s important that they have these experiences because they get to see the world beyond the borders of New Jersey.”

While the Pride Mentoring Program was established when Jamal began working at the College, students have been sponsored to attend conferences for as long as he can remember. The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) also sets funds aside.

“This money is not for a

specific category of student, but for leadership and professional development experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Kerri Thompson Tillett, the associate vice president for institutional diversity and inclusion. “Any student who is interested in attending a conference that is centered on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion is welcome to approach OIDEI for support.”

Students who have attended these conferences are eager to bring what they learned back to campus. The College’s NSBE branch is looking to host a conference on campus and Samson

hopes to implement more outreach plans for the College’s NAACP branch.

“When you go to a conference that’s geared more toward culture, now you’re with people that you might be more comfortable with, so you don’t have the imposter syndrome, you don’t have an inferiority complex, you feel comfortable and like you can be your authentic self,” Johnson said. “It gives them a breath of fresh air that empowers them when they come back on campus to be able to … be more assertive, to be more involved and to even be more diverse in their mindset.”

page 4 The Signal January 29, 2020

Center for Student Success

The Center was established to provide students with access to personalized coaching and advisement with the goal of strengthening their academic performance and promoting student retention. The staff is dedicated to the academic success and development of the whole student. CSS also houses the PRIDE Mentoring Program, which is a targeted retention program.

Services Provided: Personalized Academic Coaching - Students can be coached on various academic success skills and techniques to

suit their individual needs. Academic coaching topic examples include; time management, effective reading and note-taking, test taking, academic motivation, and much more!

Supplemental Academic Advising - Serving as a supplement to the Departmental Academic Advisor, CSS can provide resources and support for students seeking guidance in areas such as course selection, transition and major exploration.

Extensive Academic Success Workshops - These workshops teach innovative academic strategies and techniques to assist students with their own unique challenges and experiences.

CSS Spring Workshop Series Wednesdays, 2:00pm-2:50pm, Science Complex P101

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Seven Steps to a Successful Semester

Review/Recharge to Finish Semester Strong

Preparing for Finals

CSS Peer Advising Coaches Not sure what questions to ask your advisor?

Want help navigating PAWS and departmental websites?

Need clarification on college policies and procedures?

CSS Peer Advising Coaches can help!

Helps students prepare for advising appointments (which supports faculty/staff-advisee relationships) Provides student-focused guidance for scheduling questions, researching programs, and policy/procedure clarification

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January 29, 2020 The Signal page 5

Editorial

People should find happiness within themselves

One of the biggest faults I have noticed in modern society is our false idea of happiness. It is common for people to think that happiness is based on how much you have or how much you are loved by others, but in reality, it is something you can only find within yourself.

It is easy to assume that buying a certain item, getting a certain amount of Instagram likes or even being around someone you love will make you happy. Everyone shares that rush of excitement when you finally get your hands on the latest iPhone, but how long will it take for you to start complaining about how it lags or how someone else has a newer version?

The happiness that materialistic items give us is extremely temporary. When we live in a constant state of comparison, it is all too easy to move on once we get what we want without taking the proper time to enjoy it. Suddenly, that wave of happiness is gone and we are left feeling unfulfilled again.

We may be hit with a dopamine rush after posting a photo on social media and seeing those likes and comments role in. But what about the crash when you see that someone else’s photo got more likes?

Constantly seeking approval from others may result in shortterm happiness, but its risks are much more negative than positive. It is hard to ignore these popularity contests when everyone us is so fixated on likes, but it is important to at least try to separate your self-worth from your social media.

Similarly, when people rely on a relationship to make them happy, they will be left feeling lost once it ends. In romantic relationships, it is all too easy to make your significant other your world, but this is both unhealthy and unrealistic. Significant others can’t always meet your expectations. It is crucial to be happy by yourself before being happy with someone else.

We often assume that being in a relationship is the key to happiness, but in reality, relationships are work and not always rainbows and sunshine. Seeking validation through material items, attention on social media or a significant other will never result in long-term happiness.

Instead of looking for the approval of others, focus on yourself. Instead of fixating on the likes on your latest post, think about whether or not you were genuinely happy when taking it.

Instead of looking to others for fulfillment, shift your outlook and create your own happiness.

— Madison Pena News 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.

Discovering joy within oneself is more fulfilling than in the acceptance of others.

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— Eric Van Eck

Class of 2018

Editorial Staff Emmy Liederman Editor-in-Chief liedere1@tcnj.edu Jane Bowden Camille Furst Managing Editors bowdenj1@tcnj.edu furstc1@tcnj.edu Len La Rocca Madison Pena News Editors laroccl2@tcnj.edu penam9@tcnj.edu Anthony Garcia Sports Editor garcia21@tcnj.edu Liya Davidov Features Editor davidol1@tcnj.edu Rich Miller Arts & Entertainment Editor miller20@tcnj.edu Kalli Colacino Opinions Editor colacik1@tcnj.edu Ian Krietzberg Nation & World Editor krietzi1@tcnj.edu Chelsea Derman Reviews Editor dermanc1@tcnj.edu Marlea Maltz Project Manager maltz@tcnj.edu

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“When you go to a conference that’s geared more toward culture, now you’re with people that you might be more comfortable with, so you don’t have the imposter syndrome, you don’t have an inferiority complex, you feel comfortable and like you can be your authentic self.”

— Jamal Johnson

Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Mina Milinkovic Business/Ad Manager milinkm1@tcnj.edu

“We’re finally at the point where you’ve got the children of the baby boomers saying ‘Why are we even doing this? Why would we say we’re Methodist? We haven’t been to anything Methodist in 25 years. Let’s stop saying that.’”

— Tim Clydesdale

Senior Assistant Director of Mentoring and Retention

Sociology professor

page 6 The Signal January 29, 2020

Fun StufF

January 29, 2020 The Signal page 7

Opinions

Your 4.0 won’t change the world — your curiosity will

Left: Focusing too much on grades can hinder the learning process. Right: Studies show that problem-based education improves test scores.

By Daniel Inwood “To learn” is a broad term — we can learn in a classroom, at a job or an internship, or from a friend. It is meant to challenge our thinking and make us smarter, but throughout many cultures and societies, learning has gone from a process to a formula. At a young age, children are taught that achieving in a classroom means absorbing information, practicing a concept meticulously and getting an A. But that is not learning.

Earning high grades is not just highly rewarding — it can prove excellence to colleges or employers, it can merit scholarship and it reflects dedication to academia. Driving for academic success can be healthy, but society has forced us to believe that the ultimate test of intelligence is perfect grades.

Students’ assumptions of achievement polarize their perceptions of a “smart” or “dumb” person, which is damning and toxic. An academic culture that is hyperfocused on grades discourages learning and rejects those who are not natural achievers.

As students, we should be enforcing collaboration, not competition. In one group problem-based learning study, psychologists concluded that this learning style, which allows students to learn through making their own discoveries, has promising results for long-term learning retention. When participants worked together for extended periods of time, their scores on multiplechoice and true/false testing increased.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) concentrates on giving students real-world problems with the goal of finding a way

to discover a resolution.

Issues are better solved in small, selfdirected groups. Learning is a journey and should not be banal — instead, it should be a fun and collaborative process.

Group-based learning allows learners to be more critical of the ideas of those in the group and their own. In doing so, the group can find the most creative solution.

Every classroom across the country should explore more creative learning styles. The Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Model is a process in which students identify a challenge, generate ideas, develop them thoroughly and implement them. This sort of ‘hands-on’ learning encourages learning as a process, which is missing from many classrooms.

An example of the CPS Model in a classroom setting could be a student learning about the American Civil War.

tcnj.edu

Perhaps instead of giving a lecture on The Battle of Gettysburg, a teacher could create an activity in which their students are presented an argument as to why both the Union and Confederacy joined the war. Then, the students can formulate arguments or ideas as to why they believe their side was right in fighting in the war, or they could express whether they believe the war was necessary. This allows students to think beyond simple facts and form opinions of their own.

As students, we have a responsibility not only to be motivated, mindful and meticulous in all that we do, but also to employ a bit of curiosity. The world is complicated, and we can only find solutions to rigorous problems with intentionality and care. We cannot solve the world’s problems by getting a 4.0. We can do it by focusing on goals that matter.

Internship recruiters should consider younger candidates

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Field experience helps students choose the right career path.

By Nancy Bowne When I observed speech therapists at a children’s rehabilitation

hospital, the employees thought I was getting my required hours for grad school. “Oh no, I am actually a first-year undergrad student,”

I told them. “I just want to gain insight into the field.”

“Well, aren’t you ahead of the game! How impressive.”

What I wanted to say was, “No, I want to be prepared and see if I actually like this field.”

Too many students base their perception of a field on what they learn in class, but this does not give you the full picture. You don’t buy a car before you test drive it. You don’t get married until you go on several dates. So why cheat yourself on your career prospects?

LinkedIn, Chegg, Glassdoor and Indeed are just a handful of tabs that have clogged my laptop. Aside from trying to find internships and job opportunities to feel productive, I was way too stressed out about choosing a major.

As a first-year student, I am currently majoring in speech

therapy, but I am also interested in journalism and Spanish. Who knows, maybe even a computer science minor. Since I don’t know what I want to do, internships are the best way to explore the real-life application of possible careers. They can help frame my priorities, as well as help me select my future courses.

When college students enter the black hole of job sites, they will notice that many companies hire interns based on age rather than by motivation and knowledge. These companies assume that freshmen lack the experience and maturity to fulfill the position, but these students don’t even have the opportunity to prove companies wrong.

If freshmen were more widely considered for internship positions, they could build a foundation of skills and establish a

potential long-standing relationship with the company.

Internships are not just the endgame to finding a job— they allow students to gain industry experience and decide if a certain career path is the right fit. If freshmen had more access to these positions, they could also begin to develop transferable skills, like strong interviewing and cover letter writing, at a young age.

In addition to exposure, we should not limit ourselves to one field and try out as many job settings as possible. There are so many ways to make a living, so you might as well do it in a way that challenges and interests you.

All students should have the opportunity to experience the workforce early on in their college career — we can only gain so much insight through textbooks.

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page 8 The Signal January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020 The Signal page 9

Students share opinions around campus “Which type of learning style do you prefer?”

Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Victoria Blankenbiller, a junior mathematics major.

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Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Lakshmi Gurram, a freshman biology major.

“I learn the best alone, but I like to review with groups.”

“The best way to learn is in groups. You get different opinions on how to solve problems.”

“Are internships important?”

Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Alisha Srivastava, a sophomore biology major.

“Yes. Through internships, you can understand the work enviornment.”

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Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Fayez Naimath, a sophomore biology major.

“Yeah, they are extremely important because it gives you experience working in that field.”

The Signal’s cartoon of the week ...

New Year, New Who?

By Tony Peroni and Vinny Cooper Correspondents You’ve heard it all before. It’s the first day of the new year — hell, the new decade.

You awaken from your deep slumber with a pounding headache and a low degree fever and look at the clock. Great. It’s 2:00 in the afternoon. As you roll out of bed, you acknowledge your disgusting and misshapen body in the mirror.

Triumphantly patting your beer belly, you grin from ear to ear, give yourself a quick nod and exclaim, “New year, new me!”

While the celebratory phrase is meant to inspire an air of self-improvement, the new year’s resolution is often forgotten about by early February.

While students return to campus, the

Fitness Center has seen a steady increase of temporary patrons.

“Business is booming!” yells Frankie Fitness, owner of the Fitness Center.

Frankie is so satisfied right now. As he curls his customized 60 pound dumbbell and rubs his meaty fricken bicep, he looks me in the eye, a solitary tear running down his cheek. “I just hope they don’t leave this time.”

“I really think I can keep it up this time around,” claims Miller McIntyre, a junior computer science major who is uncontrollably panting and chugging water from the Fitness Center fountain. “I’ve jogged the loop like three times since I moved back to Ewing.

My bod is gonna look absolutely insane.”

While Fitness Center newcomers enjoy the facility, some of the institution’s regular customers have had qualms with the uptick in business.

“My new year’s resolution was to call my Mom more… Now all these bozos are jacking my iron!” grunted Brent Durgles, a senior finance major.

“This gym is way too packed,” said Rider Student Cary Johnson. “It’s almost not worth sneaking into anymore. I’m considering going back to the Rider Gym.” “I breathe fitness. I am fitness. I eat whey protein powder. Straight up. No milk.

I do 400 pushups. And after that, I do 400 situps. And then I run the loop. Sometimes I look at the ducks in lake Sylva and reflect on the duality of life and the bonds that stop mankind from reaching its true potential. Then I go to the Fitness Center and bench a random amount between the numbers of 100-600. Since the start of the new year, the bench has consistently been occupied, and my routine has been tampered with. I am disappointed, to say the least,” clamored Keith Fish, a freshman health and exercise science major.

When asked whether the Fitness Center newcomers were of any concern to management, Frankie Fitness, who is now doing a

one-handed plank and rubbing his tummy, looked up at me, sweat beading on his bald ass Mr. Clean lookin’ ass forehead.

“Everyone has a right to self-improvement and to lead a healthy lifestyle,” he said. “I have no concern about the uptick in Fitness Center attendance.”

Frankie breaks his planking position, standing an astounding 7ft tall. He begins to sob uncontrollably.

“But they’re just gonna leave! They don’t wanna Fit with Frankie. No one wants to learn my secret to 8-pack abs, or how to get the weird lookin’ blue veins in your legs!”

Frankie has declined further comment on the issue.

It’s a new year, and with every new year, there’s a chance for self-improvement. But reader, be warned — if you pump even the smallest bit of iron, you are at risk of making a grown man spiral out of control and into a sobbing mess.

Disclaimer: This is obviously a satirical piece and does not reflect a real event.

page 10 The Signal January 29, 2020

Features

Mature / Older students turn to higher education

Van Eck poses with Roscoe.

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continued from page 1 going back to college and refused to give me his tax information to do the FAFSA. It’s all, ‘You’re wasting your time. You’re wasting your money.’ It’s really hard to motivate yourself when you have no one motivating you.”

While fewer traditionally-aged students are pursuing their bachelor’s

degrees, enrollment of non-traditional students is the fastest-growing demographic. According to the Center for Law and Social Policy, four in 10 undergraduate students are 25 years or older, and between 2012 and 2022, the non-traditional student enrollment rate will grow twice as fast as that of traditional students.

On a campus that prioritizes traditionally-aged students, 42-year-old Reagan joked that a club for the non-traditional students at the College could function like a nursing home, featuring hourly activities that typically appeal to the elderly.

“We could have knitting on Thursdays and listen to old time 80s music,” he said with a smile.

While some mature students are enrolled in weekly classes for credit towards their degree, others are pursuing a specific certification or are looking to strengthen a new skill set. George Hefelle, the External Program Specialist for the Office of Graduating and Advancing Education, coordinates night courses in topics like teacher development and literacy that cater to the needs of non-traditional students who maybe also be full-time employees.

Hefelle shared that because the College has always been focused on traditional

undergraduates, it is often difficult to find professors that are able to fit these night courses into their busy schedules.

“The most challenging part is getting the faculty to work with me,” he said.

“With most faculty, I need to talk to them and work with them because [their] primary focus is undergraduate education.

Doing continuing and professional education would be in addition to undergraduates. Sometimes, it’s not a priority. I don’t mean that in a bad way — they’re just really focused on undergraduates.”

While some non-traditional students spend minimal time on campus and aren’t focused on much more than getting their work done and graduating, others are more interested in forming connections within the community and getting involved in activities. This has proven to be difficult at a school that heavily caters to traditional students.

“A key factor in succeeding academically is having a social group,” said Reagan. “It’s difficult for me to do that. People are generally friendly, but they’re all busy. I find that I feel kind of isolated. There’s some striking aspects of coming back to school as a 41-yearold, middle-aged white man. There is definitely some isolation based on my

age and gender.”

Eric Van Eck ’18, a 31-year-old former public health major, graduated in the fall after many years of struggling with substance use disorder. Before finding his home in the Lion’s House, a substance-free residence in Townhouse East, Van Eck felt uncomfortable and isolated on campus.

“Since I was older and also in recovery, I felt very different from most students here,” he said. “When I first came back, I felt very out of place. The majority of students are young and right out of high school. Fortunately, there was the Collegiate Recovery Program and a community which immediately connected me to other students that were like me and with activities that were substance-free so I could fill the time that I had here.”

Although Van Eck was lucky enough to find a social group through his recovery program, he acknowledged that his college experience would have suffered significantly if he lacked this support system.

“At the end of the day, it’s about finding your people,” Van Eck said. “If you have people that are in similar circumstances and you can share in each other’s misery, success or triumph, that keeps you connected. That sense of community for older students is very much needed.”

More young Americans don’t really care about religion

By Ian Krietzberg Nation & World Editor

Hinduism is an unforgiving religion. Menstruation is seen as unclean, gender roles are strictly adhered to and arranged marriages are still common.

But for Neel Patel, an agnostic first-year biology student at the College, this is a reality that he has never experienced.

“Unlike other people, my parents never forced Hinduism on me,” Patel said. “Aside from taking me to the Mandir, it wasn’t a part of my life. And, I was also a big science guy, so you know, it was a mix of not being raised with it, and my mind just being science-oriented, that I personally don’t think that it’s smart to believe in a higher power. But at the same time, I’m not atheist because it doesn’t make sense to say flat out that it can’t exist.”

Patel was raised Hindu, but he was born in America, where he believes that people of his faith are less religiously strict.

“In India, this is almost definitely abnormal,” Patel said.

“But if you grew up [in America], everyone is, to varying degrees, less religious.”

America, and the world at large, is facing a dissociation from religion as science continues to evolve and progress.

Those included beneath that umbrella of the religiously unaffiliated are not just atheists and agnostics. Instead, there is a wide variety of people who believe in some form of God, but don’t identify with a specific religion, for a variety of different reasons. This population is known as the unaffiliated.

In 2015, the Pew Research Center reported a relatively significant increase in the population of the religiously unaffiliated in America. As of 2014, the religious nones made up approximately 23% of the total population. This number is expected to be a little higher in reality (closer to 30 percent of the total population), as there is still a fair amount of stigmatization surrounding atheism and other forms of unaffiliation, which can result in less-thanaccurate results, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Tim Clydesdale, a sociology professor at the College, believes that the polling data, although from a reputable source, is a “superficial analysis” of religion in America.

The reality of religion is one that is far too complex to be understood by a series of percentages.

Clydesdale had been studying young adulthood as a sociologist of both religion and education when a colleague invited him to join a research project. Its goal was to discover what was going on religiously, or not, among young adults in America.

The project, which began in 2007, focused on those within the age range of 20-29, and involved comprehensive, in-depth interviews, as well as national polling. The results of this project were published in his book “The Twenty-Something Soul: Understanding The Religious and Secular Lives of American Young Adults.”

Through this project, Clydesdale was able to determine that the number of devout people in their twenties has been consistent at around 25 percent of

the population for about the last half-century.

While he did find that the number of people who identify as having no religion among young adults has risen to about 30 percent of the population, it’s in the typology of this percentage that the picture becomes much more complex.

“Most people who are religiously unaffiliated are, in fact, theists of some type,” Clydesdale said. “Some of them pray, some of them attend religious services — it’s a pretty mixed group.”

In fact, he said the “smallest group of [the unaffiliated], which is about 12% of that population, are the philosophical secularists,” also known as atheists or agnostics.

The largest group, at 55 percent of the unaffiliated, are simply indifferent.

“It’s kind of like asking a vegetarian what kind of steak sauce they like,” Clydesdale said. “(A vegetarian might say) ‘Well, I don’t eat steak.’ They just don’t care, basically.”

According to Clydesdale, a clearer trend is a “decline in organized religion.” The 1950s saw a massive increase in religion, which according to Clydesdale was due to peer pressure and the belief that “you were suspect if you were not somehow affiliated.”

“We’re finally at the point where you’ve got the children of the baby boomers saying ‘Why are we even doing this? Why would we say we’re Methodist? We haven’t been to anything Methodist in 25 years. Let’s stop saying that,’” Clydesdale said.

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55 percent of the unaffiliated are religiously indifferent.

“And I think that’s really what happened. The middle, which used to be socially affiliated with religion, is now increasingly unaffiliated — you’re going to end up with people who are devoutly religious and those who aren’t.

You’re not going to have a middle ground, I don’t think.”

Because religion is such a private thing in America, people think there is less religion than there actually is, hence the apparent rise in the unaffiliated, Clydesdale said.

As each new generation comes through, the number of people who say they have no religion is increasing, and Clydesdale says this number will continue to rise.

“But what I largely find is that most people through their ‘twenty-

somethings’ choose to keep their whole religious-secular identity on the sidelines,” Clydesdale said. “(They think) ‘At some point, I need to decide about all this stuff, but that time’s not now.’”

Religion is impossible to predict or truly understand because it is human. It’s emotional, it’s spiritual and it ebbs and flows for no determinable reason.

Because there are people like Patel, who have been inspired through science and lack of consistent exposure to religion to be agnostic, as well as people who, through constant exposure, are religiously dedicated, it becomes almost impossible to truly determine whether America is experiencing a rise in unaffiliation or a revitalization of religion.

January 29, 2020 The Signal page 11

: Dec. ‘11

Campus Style

Clothing trends face quick changes

The evolution of fashion tells a cultural story.

Photo courtesy of TCNJ Digital Archives

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

As we begin a new semester in a new decade, it’s about time we reflect on the good, the bad and the trendy. When looking back on cultural changes throughout the years, focusing on the evolution of fashion is inevitable. Are ladies wearing too high of heels? Are they cropping any new clothing? Are guys leaning toward dressier or more casual attire? In a fast-moving fashion world, today’s biggest trends will be out of style before we know it.

In an April 1999 issue of The Signal, a reporter reflected on how quickly fashion trends can evolve.

See if you can remember what you wore in middle school. That’s right, it’s coming back to you now, isn’t it? Look­ing back, Skidz pants were incredibly ridiculous — in fact, they were always ridiculous.

There’s a reason why you never saw James Dean in a pair of baggy plaid pants.

Yet, when our parents told us that Skidz were silly, we sneered and told them that they were out of touch. We completely ignored their experience on the matter and because of this attitude, we were doomed

to repeat their mistakes.

I defy anyone to page through his middle school yearbook without wincing at how painfully “cool” they once were.

I won’t even go into some of the stuff we wore when we were even younger. No one should be held ac­countable for that G.I. Joe t-shirt that he wore every day in third grade.

The worst part of our middle school miscalculations, however, is that I guar­ antee that we’ll make the same mistake all over again — it’s a trap that a per­son never grows out of.

Although we realize that we looked pretty silly back then, it never occurred to us that what we’re wearing now could easily make us look just as fool­ish by the time a decade has passed.

Instead, we honestly believe that this time, our attire really is cool — and timelessly cool, at that.

Leg-warmers seem ridiculous 15 years after the fact, but, if you think about it, why aren’t track pants just as goofy? Parachute pants are a huge joke now, right? How do cargo pants make any more sense? Kind of so­bering, isn’t it?

Lions’ Plate

Left: Ditch these chunky ‘dad’ shoes in 2020.

Right: PINK athleisure is tacky and outdated.

By Marina Zupko Columnist

2019’s biggest fashion trends, from chunky sneakers to flashy sunglasses, have taken over our closets by storm.

It is far too easy to jump on the bandwagon in the fashion world, and when college students across the nation latch onto these popular looks, before you know it, everyone on campus is dressing the same way.

When it comes to last year’s trends, there is a fine line to be crossed when it comes to what should stay and what should go. With 2019 coming to a close, let’s take a look at some fashion trends that should not follow us into the new decade.

Chunky Filas These obnoxiously bulky, ’90s dadesque shoes seem to engulf the legs of nearly every girl in my classes. They are the type of shoes that you physically cannot tear your eyes from (in the worst way). Save your classmates the eyesore and leave these monstrosities in the past.

Adidas “Superstar” shoes These white shoes with black straps,

which can be found in almost any girl’s closet, have to be Fila’s runner-up for worst trend. Instead of choosing this specific shoe style, aim for something more classic, like a plain white Superga or even a different style of Adidas.

Sweatpants tucked into high socks There is no shame in rocking a pair of joggers, a sweatshirt and sneakers to campus — there is shame, however, in tucking the bottom of your sweatpants into high, white Nike socks, which is another questionable fashion trend from 2019. Either leave the socks under the joggers or ditch the socks altogether.

Clout glasses Stop chasing clout and start chasing class. It is rare for anyone to look good in a thick-rimmed pair of white sunglasses. There are so many shade styles that are far more appealing – invest in a nice pair of Raybans or a simple pair of Tortoise.

Victoria’s Secret PINK line Remember in 7th grade when every girl would show up to school in a black pullover with the word “PINK” in neon green? This may have been the perfect athleisure outfit at age 13, but as we enter our 20s, it’s important to start distinguishing comfy and tacky.

refreshing kale salad

Left: Chopped kale makes the perfect salad base. Right: This refreshing dish will fill you up.

By Elizabeth Casalnova Columnist It’s officially the start of the spring semester, which for most means getting back into a healthy routine after all of the winter holidays. This salad is my go-to lunch on days I want to feel satisfied but not weighed down. Salads are so versatile and ingredients can be

swapped to fit your taste. I didn’t like the taste of raw kale until I learned how to prepare it properly. Now it’s my favorite base for a salad, and it has more nutritional value than iceberg lettuce.

Ingredients: -Kale, chopped -Arugula -1/2 cucumber, chopped

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-1/2 bell pepper, chopped -1/2 avocado, cubed -1/4 small red onion, diced -1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles -1/4 cup sliced almonds -1/4 cup of chickpeas -A handful of cherry tomatoes -Salt to taste Directions: 1.) Rinse the arugula and kale

separately. Place the arugula in a large bowl. Sprinkle salt over rinsed kale and massage it in to ensure all of the kale is covered. Let it sit for about five minutes.

2.) In the meantime, cut up the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion and avocado. Put it in the bowl with the arugula.

3.) Dab the kale with paper

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towels to remove any excess moisture, then chop it into bitesized pieces and add it into the salad mixture.

4.) Finally, add in the feta, tomatoes, chickpeas and almonds, and mix until the salad is well combined.

5.) Top it off with olive oil or any dressing of your choice, and enjoy!

page 12 The Signal January 29, 2020

Fun StufF

January 29, 2020 The Signal page 13

Arts & Entertainment

‘Circles’ celebrates Miller’s never-ending legacy Posthumous album strikes emotional chord with fans

‘Hands’ touches on the artist’s struggles with drugs and alcohol.

By Claire McFadden Correspondent Mac Miller’s sixth and final studio album, “Circles,” has descended from the heavens as a drifting cloud that leaves wisps of his heart and soul in its timeless wake. Its release comes as a surprise to his grieving fans — Miller died from an accidental overdose in September of 2018.

Producer Jon Brion completed the album “Circles” after working closely with Miller before he died. The album was promoted quietly before it was featured in a Jan. 17 Instagram post on Miller’s account by his family members. The post explained Miller’s vision of “Circles” as a “companion” to his last album “Swimming” (2018), combining the motifs of “completing a circle” and “swimming

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in circles.”

His lyrics provide an honest lens that vividly captures the way he perceived the world, and every melody echoes the reality of the emotional struggle Miller knew others could relate to. As Miller fights to make peace with himself, he urges us to do the same. In the tenth track, “Hands,” he raps “I stay behind the wheel and never half speed,” which is

reminiscent of the DUI charge he received in May 2018. In the song’s chorus, he speaks to the importance of learning and letting go of past mistakes, because “carrying this weight will break your glass knees.”

The album’s single, “Good News,” provides a gentle reminder that “If it ain’t that bad, it could always be worse.” Miller’s soothing voice is backed by pizzicato strings that sound like flowers springing up from the ground after a long winter’s frost.

“Circles” is an album that is focused on one purpose yet varied in its style of expression.

Miller’s choice of muted guitar and somberly-hushed vocals in the opening track, “Circles,” contrasts the electronic groove of the following track, “Complicated.” A barbershop quartet harmonizes in “Blue World” while a synthesizer floats through “Woods.”

In “Everybody,” Miller cries for us all to enjoy life in defiance of the fact that “everybody’s gonna die.” Later, Miller leads us to a calmer approach to find peace in our lives by riding the wave rather than fighting against it in “Surf.” The former track’s sharply-energetic bite

opposes the latter’s chill vibe.

Miller’s unquenchable thirst for creativity is evident in the risks he took to make his craft stand out. Experimental efforts in the studio take time to analyze, and often require fine-tuning. The tenth track, “Hands,” is backed by a distorted voice muttering along with the percussion that distracts the listener from Miller’s rap. We are left to imagine the polished version of “Circles” that Miller would have produced if he had more time.

“Circles” is an unfiltered whirlpool of Miller’s conscience and subconscious in which he meanders and muses his way through twelve tracks that climb mighty mountains of regret and stumble upon clear skies of enlightenment.

His message, albeit delivered through a mesmerizing mix of floating piano chords, funky electronic beats, and widely ranged vocals, is clear.

Miller reminds us that finding yourself caught in the spiral of life is inevitable, but it’s the decision to choose acceptance and forgiveness that gives you the strength to escape the current and complete your circle.

Social media and self-love? This new Netflix show has both

Left: Contestants compete to become the most popular online influencer. Right: ‘The Circle’ promotes anti-judgement and individuality.

By Richard Miller Arts & Entertainment Editor A reality show about contestants vying for social media popularity may sound like a superficial and shallow nightmare, but “The Circle” is quite the opposite. The new Netflix show, which was released earlier this month and is based on a British TV series with the same name, fosters a message of self-love, anti-judgement and individuality.

In the show, contestants live alone in an apartment complex and are forced to cut off interaction with everyone except their fellow contestants. Their only communication is through the in-game social media platform. Netflix’s version follows the U.K. show almost exactly, even filming in the same apartment complex and using the same production crew.

The show’s tagline is “In this game, you never know who you are playing against.” This statement rings true, as all the communication between players occurs through a voice-activated system appropriately called “The Circle.”

Using voice commands, contestants play games, conduct private and public chats and stalk others’ profiles through monitors in their apartments. During each round, the players must garner enough popularity to become the “influencers,” which is determined after they rank each other based off of their interactions. The top two players gain control of the game and choose which at-risk players get eliminated. The last player standing takes home $100,000.

The contestants on the show, as well as the characters they are masquerading, are widely diverse. The cast includes a devout

Christian drag queen from Texas, a self-proclaimed Italian mama’s boy from New York (who could have easily been a cast member of MTV’s “Jersey Shore”), a plus-sized model who is using her slimmer friends’ pictures on her profile and a Boston man who is playing as his girlfriend.

The show has been praised for its diversity in casting — nearly half the cast is from a racial minority group and over a third of the cast identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is often not the case for reality shows on major networks.

An interesting moment that reveals the game’s complexity comes in the pilot episode.

Alana, a 25-year-old swimsuit model from Texas, is one of the contestants who is not being a ‘catfish,’ but still has her identity questioned. “The Circle” is able to even the playing field in a way that other reality shows cannot.

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The positive biases that society would normally show towards the cute, bubbly, blonde model actually work against her in “The Circle.” In an environment where all the contestants have is a few photos, virtual small talk and artificial emotion to make a judgement, the more genuine someone seems, the better.

The best part is the show can provide an introspective look on how we use social media. But that’s not what it focuses on. The show is aware that it is slightly ridiculous in concept and boasts having one of the most entertaining and likable reality show casts.

It definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously, incorporating wacky games and hilarious narration by host and comedian Michelle Buteau. “The Circle,” which is the perfect combination of cultural introspection and entertainment, is a hidden gem among trashy, meaningless reality shows.

page 14 The Signal January 29, 2020

‘Spinning Out’ sticks the landing among fans

Binge-worthy show glides into hearts of Netflix viewers

Dasha, Kat and Justin await their scores after a performance.

By Madison Pena News Editor

Netflix’s latest drama, “Spinning Out,” made its debut on New Year’s Day and already has fans eagerly awaiting a second season.

Created by Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell, the show follows a hopeful Olympic figure skater, Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario), as she attempts to navigate the world of pair skating when an accident on the ice

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derails her athletic career.

“Spinning Out” centers around Kat’s journey to get back on the ice. The greater challenges she meets come from her fluctuating mental health, family issues and attempts to navigate love.

The series takes place in the upscale Sun Valley resort in Idaho, where Kat has grown up skating and training in hopes of one day competing in the Olympics.

When she falls during a competition and

suffers a head injury, she is left afraid to attempt the jumps required in high-level skating routines.

As Kat begins to accept the fact that she may never again skate competitively, she is approached by the owner of the resort, who is looking for a new skating partner for his son after he drives away yet another partner.

Though the idea gives her hope for her future in skating, a brooding Kat turns down the offer with the notorious Justin Davis (Evan Roderick). While she insists to her friends that she rejected the offer because of a mental block, it is clear that there is a deeper history between the two.

The dynamic between Kat and Justin changes fast enough to give the audience whiplash, making me want to keep plowing through episodes just to see what would happen. In the midst of the heavier themes and dramas of the show, this romance was one that I welcomed with open arms.

After the introduction to Kat’s rocky home life, it becomes clear that this series is about much more than the strain that competition can put on an athlete as it delves into topics such as mental health and emotional abuse.

Early on in the show, the audience learns that Kat’s mother was a competitive skater who was driven out of the competitive arena due to her teen pregnancy. Kat’s mother holds a lot of resentment towards her daughter, blaming Kat for her lost career.

It is quickly noticeable that Kat is the rock for her bipolar mother and teenage

sister, while she herself is trying to keep her own bipolar diagnosis in check. I felt that the show did the complicated mental illness justice, highlighting the varying degree of mania and depression between Kat and her mother’s episodes.

Throughout the show, Kat is subjected to the highs and lows of her mother’s manic and depressive episodes, and while they were integral to dramatizing the extent of what she has to deal with, it felt very heavy at times to watch.

Since the show is largely from Kat’s point of view, it is very easy to sympathize with the victimization she faces, making you want to root for her. While this did a lot for Kat’s own character development, it made other characters, who got in the way of her success, unlikeable.

After making it past a few episodes and learning more about each character, it became easier to spot and appreciate the small victories, like Kat and Justin making progress on the ice, Kat’s mother trying her best to stay on her medication to be there for her daughters and Kat even finding love herself.

Aside from enjoying the drama aspect of the show, I was entertained by the ice skating and marveled by how flawlessly the skaters could navigate such difficult routines.

As someone who is not well-versed in skating, I can’t say much in regards to the shows accurate depiction of the sport. As a viewer, the show came off genuine, professional and totally binge-able, leaving this writer excited for a rumored second season.

January 29, 2020 The Signal page 15

Sports Men’s Basketball

Men’s basketball scores three wins

By Ann Brunn Staff Writer

The men’s basketball team picked up three more New Jersey Athletic Conference wins this past week, bringing their NJAC record to 8-3 and overall record to 11-7.

On Jan. 20, the men bested Kean University by a score of 89-68 at home in Packer Hall.

Contributions from sophomore forward Danny Bodine, senior guard Ryan Jensen, junior forward Travis Jocelyn and sophomore guard Sterling White gave the Lions an 11-point cushion headed into halftime.

Kean pulled themselves to be within five points at 45-40, but the Lions ripped off an 18-6 run ignited by a pair of free throws from senior guard Randy Walko. Senior guard Tommy Egan and junior guard PJ Ringel joined in on the action, along with Jensen, Bodine and Jocelyn, who helped give the Lions a 63-46 advantage. They continued their dominance for the rest of the game and secured the victory.

Jensen posted a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds while also dishing out five assists, grabbing four steals and blocking two shots. He also unlocked a milestone in his basketball tenure at the College as he notched his 500th rebound.

Jocelyn also had 23 points being 5-of-7 from behind the arc while tallying seven

boards. Walko picked up 12 points with Bodine, scoring nine off the bench. Ringel accumulated a career-high 10 assists on the afternoon.

The men then traveled to Stockton University on Wednesday, Jan. 22, squeaking out a crucial 82-78 conference victory. The Lions found themselves down early, 21-10, before they rallied off a 14-0 run, started by a three-pointer from Jocelyn and followed by key baskets from Walko, Ringel, Jensen and Egan. They took a 44-38 lead into the break.

With 8:46 to play in the second half, Stockton had built themselves a five-point lead, 6560, and when the Lions went on another run, scoring 12 points, they took a 73-69 edge.

From the 4:33 mark to the 1:44 mark the game was scoreless, with the Lions holding on to a four-point lead.

Crucial baskets down the stretch from Jensen and Walko kept Stockton at bay and solidified the first-place upset.

Walko tied his career-high of 34 points shooting 11-of-17 overall, 3-of-6 from three and 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. Jocelyn and Jensen both notched double-doubles, with Jocelyn going for 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jensen collecting 12 points and 11 boards. Ringel again proved to be a factor with good ball movement, with had seven assists and grabbing six rebounds.

The Lions secured their third win the span

of five days, defeating Rutgers-Newark 7446 in Packer Hall on Saturday, Jan. 25.

The first half was a back-and-forth battle with neither team able to establish a significant lead, as Rutgers-Newark took a one-point lead, 28-27, into the half.

The second half was the complete opposite of the first, as the Lions opened with a 13-0 run, thanks to Jocelyn and Walko connecting behind the arc for three. The Lions maintained control for the rest of the game, outscoring Rutgers Newark 47-18 in the second half.

Jocelyn led the charge with a career-high 25

points, shooting an efficient 10-of-14 from the field going 4-of-6 from three. Walko followed with another high-scoring performance, totaling 23 points on 8-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Ringel tallied eight rebounds to complement his five assists and six points. As a team, the men shot an electric 13-of-25 from the three-point land.

The Lions are looking for their fifth straight win as they head to Rowan University on Wednesday, Jan. 29, for an 8 p.m. tip.

They are back in action at Packer Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1, where they will face Montclair State University at 3 p.m.

Freshman Jim Clemente sets to pass.

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Women’s Swimming & Diving

Women’s swim and dive tops Kean University

By Ann Brunn Staff Writer

The women’s swimming and diving team improved to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in NJAC competition with a 16771 victory over Kean University on Jan. 20.

Right out of the gate, the Lions dominated. Sophomore Meagan Healey, junior breast Chiara Mennonna, sophomore fly Kori Jelinek and junior free Melanie Fosko claimed the top times in the 400-Medley Relay at 4:15.03, which was six seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

Freshman free Cameron Carrazza notched second place in the 1,000-Free event with a time of 11:35.38. Coming in first in the 200-Free was sophomore fly Zoe Chan with a time of 2:00.70, while freshman free Faith Cortright came in second with a time of 2:05.65.

The Lions then secured the top three finishes in the 100Back, with Sofia Harty going 1:03.21 for the win, junior back Katie Doyle posting a time of 1:06.15 and senior free Kazia Moore following close behind at 1:06.19.

Mennonna took first place in the 100-Breast with a time of 1:11.19 as Jelinek swam for second and senior fly Samantha Askin finished in third. Junior free Nikki Meskin swam 11 seconds ahead of the field for a first place finish in the 200-Fly. Freshman free Rachel Hannah along with senior breast Annie Menninger swept the 50-Free as Hannah clocked a time of 25.63 while Menninger touched the wall at 25.77.

The Lions came out of the break and picked up three event wins. Freshman free Shannon Hesse claimed the 100Free with a time of 56.22, Harty notched her second event win of the day in the 200-Back at 2:17.53 and Chan won the

Left: Zoe Chan swims to the finish. Right: Hailey Stack backflips off the diving board.

200-Breast with a time of 2:33.15.

Finishing in 5:31.20 in the 500-Free, Cortright picked up her first event win as a Lion, while Jelinek won the 100-Fly at 1:01.72 which was two seconds ahead of the field.

Fosko grabbed the win in the 200-IM, stopping the clock at 2:20.49. Senior sprint Anna Kisker, Askin, Menninger and Moore won the 200-Free relay, combining for a time of 1:44.97 in the final event of the day.

For the highlight of the diving event, sophomore Hailey Stack posted a regional qualifying score of 409.95 in the 1-meter.

The Lions celebrated their seniors on Saturday, Jan. 25, in their dual meet against Rowan University before heading to William Paterson University on Saturday, Feb. 1, in what will be their last meet as a team before the MET Conference Championships.

Photos courtesy of the Jess Michaud

Sports

Signal

Swim falls to Rowan on senior day, suffers loss in NJAC championship

By Anthony Garcia Sports Editor

The College’s men’s and women’s swim teams hosted Rowan University in a highly anticipated matchup on Senior Day, Saturday, Jan. 25, which decided the winners of the NJAC title. The men’s hot start was not enough, as they lost, 161-139. The women continued to show heart, but fell, 180-114.

Before the event started, the swimmers showed their appreciation for five male seniors, Derek Kneisel, David Madigan, Eli O’Connor, Zachary Volm and Harrison Yi, and four female seniors, Samantha Askin, Anna Kisker, Annie Menninger and Kazia Moore.

The seating area in the College’s aquatic center was filled with fans for both teams, leaving many contestants standing.

“Normally there’s not that many people here,” said Zach Cassidy, a senior economics student who went to the gave in support of his friends. “I’m really surprised.”

The men’s team was pumped up before the meet began, chanting and hyping each other up in hopes of beating Rowan for the first time since 2016.

The meet started with the women in the 200 medley relay; the A-relay team took second with a time of 1.50.41.

The men’s team took first and third in the 200 medley relay, which was a neck-and-neck race until the end. The A-relay men clocked in at 1.32.94, winning by less than a second. The B-relay team also took third with a time of 1.37.06, exciting the crowd.

In the free 1000-yard races, senior Annie Menninger placed third with a time of 11.10.10. The men

took second and third place in the event, with sophomore Mathias Altman-Kurosaki timing in at 9.57.28 and freshman Conrad Hoody behind him with a time of 10.01.79.

Next in the women’s 200-yard free, freshman free Cameron Carrazza came in at 2.01.63 and took third.

As for the men, senior Harrison Yi placed first, finishing tenths of a second faster than Dominick Sheppard of Rowan and uplifting the crowd.

“I’ve never seen him swim like that, that was so close,” Cassidy said.

For the first time in the meet, the women’s team then grabbed first place, with sophomore Zoe Chan finishing the 200-yard fly in 2.06.86. This was followed by a dominating capture of first place for the men by junior Griff Morgan, who was two seconds in front of the field with a time of 1.52.75.

In the 50-yard free events, freshman Shannon Hesse added to a surge for the women, taking first place with a time of 24.60.

In the 18th event, Yi added to his successful day with a second place time of 47.88. Sophomore Meg Healey grabbed first in the 200-yard backstroke for the women. Meanwhile, junior Andrew Thompson took second as freshman Sean Rave placed third in the men’s 200-back. Thompson later went on to take first in the 100-yard fly.

Menniger, Morgan and Chan completed their day in the water with a second-place finish for Menninger in the women’s 200-breast, two more first place finishes for Morgan in the men’s 500-free and 200-IM and two more first-place finishes for Chan in the 100-fly and 200-IM.

Each team’s last effort in the 400-free relay was not enough, but both teams’ A-relay placed second.

The team ended the meet with a chant of “Good job Rowan, see you at METS.” The Lions will travel to New Brunswick on Feb. 21 for the three-day MET Conference Championships after finishing up at William Paterson on Feb. 1.

Photo courtesy of Jess Michaud

O’Connor hits the breaststroke.

Track and field competes at Diplomat Open Women take home first place in medley

By Matt Shaffer Staff Writer The College’s track and field team competed in the Diplomat Open on Saturday, January 25. They were one of 22 colleges to attend the event located at Schnader Field House at Franklin and Marshall University.

The women’s team had an impressive

showing in long distance and field events, while still showing up on the sprinting side. In the 60-meter dash, freshman Karla Matos Gomez finished just outside the top 10. Over in the 200 meter, Ashlyn MacLure and Rachel Lanzalotti finished in 11th and 12th, respectively. In the 400meter, freshman Erin Buquicchio ran at 1:02.46, finishing sixth, yet still three seconds off the lead runner.

In the 800-meter and mile, the leaderboards were dominated by runners Emily Hirsch and Kelsey Kobus, finishing third and fourth, respectively. The lone firstplace finish in sprints was sophomore Kassidy Mulryne, who ran 9.17 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles, trumping the 39 other runners in that particular race.

The College’s women’s team also took first place in the high jump, pole

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Pole vaulter gets ready to take flight.

Lions Lineup January 29, 2020

I n s i d e

Men’s Basketball page 15

vault and distance medley. Sophomore Nicole Lester cleared 3.35m, marking the top height.

As for the men, they had notable performances in the 60-meter, 800-meter and the mile.

The one top-ten finisher for the Lions in the sprinting events was junior Daulton Hopkins, who finished in the top 10 for both the 60-meter and the 200-meter. In both races he was less than a second away from garnering the top spot. Senior Mike Zurzolo and sophomore William Mayhew finished second and third in the mile run, with times of 4:25.3 and 4:27.8, respectively.

The Lions also had a top-5 finisher in the 800-meter, as sophomore Alex Amoia ran a 2:01.2, earning him the fourth best time on the leaderboard. Over in the 3000-meter, senior Evan Bush and freshman Kevin Christensen finished in the top five, each with a time better than nine minutes.

It was a respectable performance for the College’s track and field team, as they will look to continue their success on Friday, Jan. 31 at Stockton University.

Women’s Swim and Dive page 15