The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

February 20, 2020

VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 17 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

College of Education to end five-year master’s program in favor of elementary education major and certifications Emily Shumaker Staff Writer

UMW’s College of Education will be eliminating their five-year master’s program and will transition to offering an elementary education major and a teaching certification through areas of discipline for grades preK-12.

The college made this decision in response to the critical teacher shortage in the state of Virginia. UMW accepted their last class into the five-year program this semester.

“There’s a critical teacher shortage really all across the country. I think it’s worse here in Virginia than in a number of states, in large part, because of the really good economy,” said Pete Kelly, the dean of the College of Education.

“The state was pushing us to do it. They really felt like as a public university, we had an obligation to help solve that problem.”

According to Kelly, the number of students enrolling in education colleges across the country has been on the decline over the last ten years.

A Virginia law that passed in 2018 allowed teachers to teach with an undergraduate degree in education, where previously they were required to complete their master’s degree.

“I think the four-year program will definitely speed up the process of teachers coming out and being ready to start working. I think that it could be

According to Kelly, “Part of the reason they did it was that some people believed part of the reason they had trouble attracting students to education

The College of Education is making changes in response to the critical teacher shortage in Virginia and pressure from the state government.

College of Education / Facebook

good to become a teacher more quickly because of the critical teacher shortage,” said Megan Carney, a junior geography major in the College of Education.

was because they incurred a lot of debt in getting a master’s degree. If they could get that hurdle out of the way and allow teachers to get certified in

four years rather than five, then that might help them attract students into the profession.”

In response to the change, universities are making the switch to offer four-year programs.

“Pretty much everybody has moved most of their programs over to these undergraduate programs. Some of them are going to be in a position to offer both because they are bigger, like [George] Mason and UVA [and] James Madison,” said Kelly.

While it was deemed necessary, it was not an easy decision for UMW’s College of Education.

“A lot of my faculty strongly believed in the five-year program. Colleges of education across the state were under some pressure from the state to really be a part of the solution and to help address the teacher shortage. We are a public institution, so as a public university, we have a public mission and that’s an important part of it. That’s why we set out to develop undergraduate programs,” said Kelly.

With this shift, UMW’s College of Education will offer the courses required for certification to students pursuing elementary and secondary education.

They will also •College of Ed | 7

Physics and chemistry departments set to merge by fall 2020 can, we will be merging the department with chemistry to create a new Department of Chemistry and Physics,” said Keith Mellinger, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

In an email to physics and chemistry majors, Mellinger announced the merging of the two departments.

“This change probably raises several questions for you, and you should certainly feel free to reach out directly to Due to a faculty shortage, the physics me or any of the Chemistry or Physics and chemistry departments will merge faculty with them. For now, I want to before the fall of 2020. emphasize that this change will have “To alleviate administrative strain absolutely no effect on your courses, on the physics faculty and allow them your major, or your degree plans,” the to create the most vibrant program they email read. “Now, after keeping a careful eye on the departments over the last year and a half, we are ready to make some permanent changes.”

Over the past few semesters, the physics department has been gradually losing senior faculty to retirement or relocation – the most recent of whom was George King, whose retirement marked the end of more than 30 years at the university.

His departure was the last of the senior faculty, leaving the junior faculty with the difficult challenge of managing the department.

Chemistry department chair Charlie Sharpless has also served as the physics department chair for the past year and a half.

“It’s all about the combining of manpower,” Sharpless said. “[We have] a program that needs to be brought forward a few decades.”

Sharpless said he is in support of the University’s decision and stressed the benefits to the physics The merging of the two departments will not lead to any reduction in faculty. faculty.

Grace Tian / The Blue & Gray Press “[This] will help the faculty be as

Logan Palmer Staff Writer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Ordinary DAYS

Theatre presents relatable characters and good music.

LIFE | 5

good as they can be,” he said.

The hope is to overhaul classes and how they are taught, allowing professors to pay more attention to academics as the two departments will equally share the burden of administration.

“From my perspective, I am glad to have senior faculty to work with,” said Varun Mahija, a physics professor.

“I need senior faculty to work with.

“It’s all about the combining of manpower. [We have] a program that needs to be brought forward a few decades.”

-Charlie Sharpless [The chemistry department] has been incredibly supportive of me being here and my research as well as giving good feedback. I’m glad to have people to talk to about experience and new methods of teaching. I am very positive about the upcoming changes.”

According to Sharpless, this merger does not involve any reduction in faculty.

Rather, the university is currently looking to bring in more physics professors to add to the new combined program. “Absolutely nothing will be taken from either program,” Sharpless said. He added that •Merger | 2 neither department

Processed Veganism

CAC Champs

When going on a diet processed food is not the way to go.

UMW swimming wins another CAC championship.

VIEWPOINTS | 3

SPORTS | 8

NEWS THE

Editors: Kate Seltzer & Abigail Buchholz | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

BLUE & GRAY PRESS

MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs

Associate Editors Grace Winfield Ginny Bixby

Business Manager Lucas Burkholder

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Kate Seltzer Abigail Buchholz

VIEWPOINTS Alicen Hackney

LIFE Cosima Pellis

SPORTS Jack Hagn

ONLINE Meaghan McIntyre Samuel Cobb

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Students frustrated by lack of transparency regarding loss of merit-based scholarships what the acceptance form [says] on the website,” said Tim Saulnier, director of the Office of Financial Aid. Saulnier also noted that the website’s breakdown of how merit scholarships are awarded has changed.

“A lot of schools award by academic tiers, essentially meaning that when you come in you have a GPA and SAT or ACT scores, and then based on that criteria, you would fall within sort of a grid, and that would determine what level the merit award would be,” Saulnier said. “That’s what was posted

In the end, she was awarded $1500 annually. As of now, she maintains two jobs on top of her status as a full-time When students move off-campus, student. they are sometimes disappointed and Senior Deanna Biondi also lost her surprised to learn that doing so will scholarship, an Eagle award, because mean the loss of their merit-based she participated in a UMW-sponsored scholarship. study abroad program.

Senior Katie Hartraft was awarded “Because this wasn’t a scholarship the presidential scholarship upon I had sought out, I did not know the admission to the school. Having this requirements of the scholarship,” scholarship meant that she would Biondi said. receive $4,000 every year as long as While she was abroad, Biondi she followed the requirements of the checked her email to find a message scholarship, including maintaining from the Office of Financial a 3.0 GPA. Aid, stating she had lost her “There are people who are “I went to the financial aid scholarship. Biondi had made underclassmen that have lost this desk and I asked them if I moved the decision to move off campus off campus would any of my scholarship, and if that is affecting the rest because going abroad meant that scholarships be affected,” Hartraft of their college career that really sucks. I felt she would return from her studies said. According to Hartraft, a cheated by the school. It is very unfair not halfway through the year and representative from the Office only for me but for many other students at did not want to have to move in of Financial Aid told her that the with someone she hardly knew so this school.” presidential scholarship would not late into the year. When Biondi be affected by her moving offreceived the email it stated that campus.

-Deanna Biondi she had the scholarship for that “I went to one of [Financial semester, but by the end of term it Aid’s] meetings called ‘Can We Talk?’ on our website, and we took that down would be revoked. and... I brought up how there was no because other schools saw what we “I basically got the scholarship for way I could find it online, and they were doing and then targeted students one extra semester, which is fine, but just said ‘oh, thanks for bringing in that same frame differently. So say I was annoyed,” she said. Biondi said that up.’ They didn’t seem to want to we were going to give you a $1000 she is grateful this is her last semester try to work retroactively and fix the scholarship, they might [see that and] and the only one that is affected by the problems,” she said. then give you $1100.” loss of her scholarship.

As a result of that meeting, According to Saulnier, the “There are people who are scholarship requirements are now decision to make living on campus underclassmen that have lost this posted on the Office of Financial Aid’s a requirement is based on data that scholarship, and if that is affecting the website in addition to within student shows that students who live on rest of their college career that really scholarship acceptance letters. campus do better and pay more sucks,” she said. “I felt cheated by the “We did hear some feedback this attention in class. school. It is very unfair not only for year about just having that information, When Hartraft moved off-campus me but for many other students at this that renewability more apparent on our and discovered the loss of her school.” website so we’ve added the criteria of scholarship, she appealed the decision.

Rebecca Munsie Staff Writer

Merging of science departments leads to an overhaul of classes

will face budget cuts, and their respective budgets will remain separate.

Senior biochemistry major Chris Amurrio hopes that this merger will bring forth greater collaboration between departments. “I would love to see the physics professors offer electives for chemistry majors and vice versa given

•Merger | 1

“We are thinking of how to get new students in the program,” he said, “I’m always thinking of new ways that we can grow our curriculum.”

As of now, there are no plans for the departments to re-separate. The merge is pending state approval, and this organizational change should occur by

“I would love to see the physics professors offer electives for chemistry majors and vice versa given the [current] lack of choice and variety of electives.”

-Chris Amurrio the [current] lack of choice and variety of electives.”

Sharpless and Makhija confirmed this is a possibility. Merged departments mean an overlapping curriculum will likely take place along with collaboration. Makhija believes that this will allow the physics department to grow and recruit new majors.

Physics and chemistry will not face budget cuts and their respective budgets will remain separate.

Grace Tian / The Blue & Gray Press

CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

2

Thursday, February 20, 2020

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Alicen Hackney | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Lack of research with vegan diet is detrimental to health

SARA WEISMAN Staff Writer

companies for making plant-based beef, sausages and premade burger patties. However, making plantbased, “meat-like” foods comes with a cost. They are extremely processed and can be tremendously unhealthy for your body.

For new vegans just switching over to this diet, they may enjoy the fact that they do not have to give up burgers, or they can easily substitute processed vegan ingredients for what they used to purchase. This is where veganism becomes dangerous. Veganism is supposed to be a plant-based diet, but in 2020 there are so many “easy” options like going into Burger King and

Health and wellness is a key consumer trend. From gummy bears that claim to make your hair longer and tea that will make you slim faster, Millennials and Gen Z will try anything to achieve the promoted healthy lifestyle. However, there is one trend that is doing more harm than good to their bodies: veganism.

People change up their diets for many reasons: weight-loss, disease control, compassion or environmental concerns, personal preference, you name it. With fad diets, no one hears about them for many years, then all of a sudden everyone is on them, and they can be dangerous.

Take the Keto diet. It was created a century ago in the 1920s, yet it has only recently skyrocketed in popularity in the last two years. However, according to some health professionals, it’d be better left in the past.

Doctors are warning to only switch to this extreme diet if patients have a medical condition, as it can be very bad for a healthy person’s health.

“A ketogenic diet could be an interesting alternative to treat certain conditions and may accelerate weight Vegan fast food and processed food damage benefits of the diet. loss. But it is hard to follow, and it can be heavy on Drew Angerer / Getty Images red meat and other fatty, processed and salty foods that purchasing their new Impossible burger. Vegans can are notoriously unhealthy,” said Dr. Marcelo Campos, feel like they are eating a Whopper, yet it is completely contributor at Harvard Health Publishing, in an article plant-based and highly processed, making it just as bad published last July. for your health as a regular Whopper.

Another concerning diet fad in recent years is Not only is the processed food bad for your health, veganism. It is great to try to help the animal population but veganism comes with some other side-effects that by not eating them or their by-products, however, may require monitoring by medical professionals. veganism is becoming a dangerous diet in this day and The first is the vitamin B12 deficiency, leaving B12 age. Veganism can be a great and healthy diet for people out of your diet can lead to anemia, which is a lack of who love animals and want to keep the world clean, but healthy red blood cells. There are ways to prevent B12 it must be done right. deficiency in a vegan diet, however you must do your Because of the popularity of veganism, companies research and be sure that you are still consuming plenty. are doing their best to market to these consumers.

“The only reliable vegan sources of B12 are foods Beyond Meat is becoming one of the most popular fortified with B12 (including some plant milk, some

soy products and some breakfast cereals) and B12 supplements,” said Stephen Walsh, a Trustee of the Vegan Society. “Vitamin B12, whether in supplements, fortified foods, or animal products, comes from microorganisms. Most vegans consume enough B12 to avoid anemia and nervous system damage, but many do not get enough to minimize the potential risk of heart disease or pregnancy complications.”

The easiest way to consume B12 is through animal products. With any diet, it is advised to search for any potential nutrient deficiencies and the necessary alternative sources. For veganism, vitamin B12 deficiency is a concern worth noting before jumping on the bandwagon.

A common protein alternative for vegans is legumes which come with their own side effects. They are very high in protein and fiber, making them helpful for people with certain diseases like heart disease or diabetes. However, they contain antinutrients that can be detrimental to human health. One antinutrient in legumes is lectins, they are not easily digestible and can tear the linings of the digestive tract. Lectins need to be properly cooked to be removed from legumes, but that will also remove around ten percent of the legumes’ protein.

Another antinutrient is phytic acid which weakens the absorption of iron, calcium and zinc-- absorption that is already difficult for vegans as they are eating slow-absorbing iron foods to begin with. Those who eat meat do not have to worry about phytic acid in their diet because they receive lots of highly absorbable iron-rich foods in their diet and phytic acid will not make a dent.

Vegans need to be aware of these two antinutrients when replacing their protein.

Becoming vegan can have many benefits, but for many the switch is due to popularity rather than legitimate health, animal rights and environmental concerns. If you plan on jumping ship from animal consumption, do so, but do your research.

Adopt don’t shop: ethically give a puppy a home

In America alone, there are an estimated 10,000 large-scale puppy mills, not including litters from single families. Every dog bred is quite literally the death of a dog in a shelter. Many Approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year people adopt specific breeds because they wish to train them for because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive particular sports such as duck retrieving, herding, lure coursing, homes, according to the American Society for the Prevention of hunting, pointing, dog show competitions and more. Others Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The existence of puppy farms and desire unique and specific breeds as a sign of wealth and luxury. popularity of purebred dogs hinder the chance of shelter animals But large scale operations of puppy mills are cruel with dogs to find homes. Single breeding facilities like these produce living their lives in cages forced to have puppies until they are hundreds to thousands of puppies each year alone. In total there too old, going on to be euthanized themselves or hopefully are over 2 million puppies bred in mills every year according to adopted out as adult dogs. Even more so, dogs who are bred or the Humane Society. utilized for hunting purposes are abused. Just this past week, a For this reason alone, puppy mills are inherently unethical.

Virginia kennel owner was charged with animal cruelty after Just this past summer on a trip, I visited a puppy farm I heard authorities said they discovered more than 20 dead hunting dogs about from some friends. Immediately, I envisioned myself there.

Dinwiddie County Animal Control went to the property tussling with golden retriever puppies, cuddling the cutest of late Friday based on a tip discovered the dead dogs inside the creatures. This is my idea of heaven. kennel.

And that vision did come to fruition. When I stepped into The abuse must end, along with the exploitation of breeding the pen, all the puppies awoke to gain attention, bounding to dogs solely for monetary value. chew my shoelaces, submissively rolling over awaiting us to Even on my short visit to the puppy farm, this was evident. acknowledge them. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen.

The nearly 50 adult dogs were all the most gentle beings. Though This, unfortunately, was only a small fulfillment of my again--overcrowding was an issue--females were put together in fantasy. A quick turn of the head revealed puppies lying in their a large area together while the males were all in individual small own filth. Overcrowded; the pups were drinking from water cages outside.

There appeared to be very little shelter from the bowls compiled with their own feces. Desperately they crawled chance of extreme weather. on top of one another to avoid the hot concrete. Workers picked It goes without saying that those who do choose to invest in up the puppies harshly as if they were objects. puppies and/or dogs from breeders are not poor caregivers. Many I can’t swear the animals were treated cruelly. In all fairness, results in loving homes for worthy animals. However, with only a I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. Even so, bit of digging, the specific breeds can also be adopted from local it wouldn’t make a difference in the argument that stands-shelters.

The Shelter Pet project, a collaborative project between commercially breeding animals for profit is unethical as an both the Human Society and Maddie’s Fund, whose mission is to industry. revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, is After remarking how adorable the dogs were, the workers’ a reliable source to finding the perfect furry friend. first response captured us in awe: “They start at $1000.”

Even more so, if you are considering adopting a dog in the Fredericksburg area, the local SPCA and other shelters are willing to accommodate experienced and first-time adopters.

If you can’t commit to adoption but want to contribute time toward homeless dogs, Doggy Day Out, a program supported by the Fredericksburg SPCA, allows locals to check out a dog for a day and take them on hikes, to parks or even to get a Puppuccino from Starbucks.

Adopting a pet is a commitment for their lifetime and a mature, costly dedication. Next time you consider adopting a dog, go to your local shelter. Ask what dogs have been there the longest. Ask what dogs are next to be euthanized. I @bk010397 / Unsplash promise you, no matter the cost--you’ll find a forever friend.

Cute pets can be found at animal shelters locally.

MARY GOODRICH Staff Writer

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Staff-Ed: more students should attend Farmer legacy events

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD The impact of Dr. James Farmer’s legacy and work at UMW cannot be understated. His 100th birthday and the 30th anniversary of the James Farmer Multicultural Center are being honored this semester with a wide range of oncampus events. Below is a list of this month’s upcoming events.

Step Show Feb. 22 @ 7 p.m. Dodd Auditorium Farmer Film Series Feb. 24 @ 6 p.m. UC Colonnade Room Creole/Cajun Mardi Gras Lunch Feb. 25 @ 11:30 a.m. Top of the UC Freedom Rides Reflections Feb. 25 @ 6:30 p.m. Colonnade Room Author Rick Bell Lecture: Stolen Feb. 26 @ 7 p.m. Lee 411 Great Lives: Frederick Douglass Feb. 27 @ 7:30 p.m. Dodd Auditorium The Blue & Gray Press highly encourages your attendance at these fun, engaging and educational events. While these events celebrate and highlight our diversity, they should be attended by people of every race, gender and sexual orientation. We encourage you to broaden your horizons and experience and appreciate these events.

This editorial was lead by Lucas Burkholder.

3

LIFE

Editor: Cosima Pellis blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Eagle Experience: navigating courses, culture and cuisine abroad

DEANNA BIONDI Staff Writer

Last semester, I studied abroad in Bath, England through an advanced studies program. During my studies abroad I was immersed in English culture.

Beyond that, I was able to explore my guilty pleasure-new places, new food. Whether it meant choosing the best restaurants during a short trip, testing out every restaurant, pub and bar in the area or navigating the local grocery stores, all of my most vivid memories involve exploration of the cuisine abroad.

Navigating the Grocery Stores One of my most dangerous discoveries while abroad was that I could get a large pack of chocolate cookies for sixty pence. Sixty. That became a regular habit of mine, and with a grocery store less than three minutes from my front door, it was way too easy to satisfy my cravings whenever I found myself without cookies in

The Raven is a popular pub in Bath.

Deanna Biondi

the house. Luckily, the Marks and Spencer’s right down the road was one of the few grocery stores that allowed cash at the self-checkout machines so I didn’t have to look a cashier in the eyes as I paid with coins for a large pack of Bourbon Cremes at four in the afternoon.

The cereal that I eat every morning for breakfast isn’t sold in the UK, so for a while, I was on a mission to find a breakfast cereal that stacked up against Honey Bunches of Oats (bad name for a god-tier cereal). It was a harrowing search because British cereals are, quite frankly, not good. They’re bland due to having fewer sugars and chemicals than American versions (which just makes everything worse), but the strongest contender I found was called Country Crisp Oats and Honey. Unfortunately, this particular flavor was only sold at the furthest possible grocery store from my house. I’m sure there wasn’t a doubt--but you better believe I made the 15-minute walk every time I ran out of cereal.

Local Eats There was a street-food stall two minutes outside my front door called JC’s Kitchen. Now that I’m back home, I crave it almost every day. I don’t even know how to categorize their menu, but my usual order was, in simple terms, a bowl of mashed potatoes with veggies and pork belly. They only opened their stall when the weather forecast was favorable, and given the unpredictability of the weather in Bath, it was up in the air whether or not they would be open. I used to look out the window of one of the classrooms in the academic building to see if I could spot the familiar black tent.

If I was fortunate enough that they were open, I would treat myself to some JC’s Kitchen after class. Halfway through the year, they moved locations without my knowledge to accommodate the annual Christmas market that began construction in mid-November. For a while, I thought they just weren’t coming back. As dramatic as it sounds, it was devastating. I mourned the loss until the day I happened to stumble upon their new location in another nearby part of the city.

There’s a popular pub in Bath called The Raven that I only ate at twice during my time there, although not for want of trying to go several other times. Any attempt to eat at The Raven requires accepting that you might not find a table. The cramped two-story pub almost always had patrons spilling out the front door. The reward for managing to find an empty table is a pint of house ale and the best meat pies I’ve ever had in my life.

Biondi enjoying a redblend at an intimate restaurant in Italy.

Deanna Biondi

Short Trips Everyone asked if I was excited about the food in Italy. And, of course, I was; I’m always excited about food. It turns out, however, that navigating the restaurant scene in the biggest tourist cities in Italy is incredibly difficult, especially when you’re traveling on a budget. It’s hard to wade through the countless touristtrap restaurants, with deceptively nice interior décor and pictures of attractive food just outside the doorways large enough to be seen by passersby, and find the authentic establishments that won’t charge you twentysomething euros for mediocre pasta.

When you find the good restaurants, any dish more elaborate than pasta and sauce will be a little out of the price range of a vacationing college student. On our last night in Rome, we ate at a restaurant recommended to us by our Airbnb host. It was a small basement space packed with as many tables as could fit, all of which were occupied. Getting recommendations from people familiar with the area is the best way to go; our pizzas were delicious and cheap, and they gave me a half-liter pitcher of decent wine for three euros.

“The Witcher” is a thrilling, must-see medieval series FRANCIS NIERMAN Staff Writer

ability to see through the murky visibility and breathe underwater.

The first episode begins with a demogorgon-like monster giving Geralt the work. After disposing of the monster,

boggling and each episode brings a new gore-riddled battle to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

There is also no shortage of romance in this series as Geralt befriends and

If you are experiencing a “Game Of Thrones” hangover and haven’t found a way to cure it, Netflix may have just released a solution for you. Just imagine John Snow as a monster hunter killing the Demogorgon from “Stranger Things” and you have experienced the first five minutes of “The Witcher.”

Based off of the “Witcher” CD Projekt Red video game, the show stars Henry Cavill as the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. Cavill brings the same action audiences have come to expect after portraying Superman in the DC Extended Universe and the villain August Walker in “Mission Impossible Fallout.” Cavill is accompanied by Anya Chalotra who plays Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Freya Allen who plays Ciri.

Set in a land called the Continent, this strange medieval “The Witcher” was available to stream on Netflix starting on Dec. 20, 2019. action-adventure is full of kings, princesses, mutants, monsters and Geralt becomes intertwined with destiny becomes intimate with a witch by the magical misfits. Geralt of Rivia is a as he is hired to track a local witch name of Yennefer. Yennefer used to be Witcher, part of an old order of warriors who is threatening the livelihood of a disfigured, but with the help of black who gain special powers through nobleman. After a seduction gone wrong magic she trades the ability to bear mutations to kill beasts of the realm. For and a massacre, the local populace children to transform herself into the instance, when one monster pins him turns on the Witcher. Throughout the ideal woman. underwater, Geralt has to develop the first season, the order of events is mind UMW alum and Witcher enthusiast

4

Richard Hunter said, “My absolute biggest complaint was about the lack of timeline explanation. How it didn’t explain the jumps in time and how absolutely confusing that was starting off. It was not until after I looked up the timeline of the show that I began to enjoy it.

In the first episode the combat choreography was incredible and some of the best I’ve ever seen. Beyond that Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt was extremely well done and even the author of the books said that it was the best portrayal of his character he’s seen yet.”

Although there are many fans, some students weren’t as impressed. Sophomore Eli Hanisan had some compliments and grievances about the show, “The cinematography and special effects were really good. However, multiple main characters existing on multiple Netflix timelines makes it hard [to tell] who is doing what and when.”

If you are looking to get into a new action-adventure, then this series is right for you. As a college student looking to escape the stress of papers and exams, draw your sword and get ready for some monster slaying.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

LIFE

UMW Theatre highlights the complex beauty of “Ordinary Days”

LINDSEY BROWN Staff Writer

UMW Theatre’s production of “Ordinary Days” is the one of the best shows I have ever seen. There is a relatable quality to each character, and the songs address the innermost thoughts and worries people have in the ordinary days of life.

The 2008 musical was written by Adam Gwon, and it is a comedy, but I am not going to lie, I teared up a bit during the show. The only instrument played is the piano, which gives it a simplistic quality, as each character expresses how they are trying to find their place in the world while living in New York City.

The cast is small, and focuses on the lives of four people, two of which are a couple. The couple consists of Jason, played by senior Jackson Miles, and Claire, played by senior Lydia Hundley. They are at an impasse in their relationship when they decide to move in together. They struggle with combining their lives in one apartment and getting rid of the material items that make up their past. Jason is sure that Claire is the right

explains Claire’s past and its impact on her current life, and it is a tearjerker. Any songs sung by Deb are funny and real. That is the key point in this musical-- it is very real, and there is nothing ordinary about the music.

The set was very simple. It was stationary, and consisted of a shadow of a cityscape of New York in the background. A textured gray frame outlined the cityscape, and by the end of the show, the quote, “the big picture” seemed to portray why the set was designed this way. The lighting brought the whole scene together, as the mixture of colors on the cityscape gave off the different emotions the characters were feeling throughout the play.

This is the third show I have seen Hundley in at UMW, and it was my favorite. She really came into her own in this role. She is also a very talented singer, and did every song in the show justice.

Hundley said, “This is a great final hurrah in Klein [Theatre]; it’s a gorgeous show. I am so grateful to be a part of this, with the three other people, they really helped bring this cast to light. Two of the others are sophomores, and it was really cool to see them step

Riley Salazar as Deb.

Riley Salazar as Deb and Justin Flemming as Warren.

woman for him, but he feels that she is unsure of him. It is more than getting rid of her things that Claire is having a hard time with; her pain comes from a terrible accident that happened years ago.

Deb, played by sophomore Riley Salazar, and Warren, played by sophomore Justin Flemming meet in a strange turn of events when Deb leaves her notes for her college thesis in the park and Warren finds them. Deb is a frustrated grad student, still unsure of what she really wants to do in life.

It takes Warren, a struggling artist/professional cat sitter, to give her some true perspective.

The music in this show is what really made it so great.

The lines were well written, witty, and they left the audience invested in the story throughout the entire show. The simple quality of the piano playing with each piece helped the lines and the personas of the characters stand out more.

“Gotta Get Out” was probably one of the most relatable songs I’ve ever heard in a musical. “I’ll Be Here”

Geoff Greene / UMW Theatre

Seniors Jackson Miles and Lydia Hundley portraying Jason and Claire.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Geoff Greene / UMW Theatre

up to where I was my sophomore year. It is really cool to see the growth of other students in this department.”

Miles is also a senior this year at UMW, though this is not his final show.

“This show was very interesting to play because it is very rare in musical theatre to play a character that is so close to our actual ages. It is also very intimate, with a four person cast. It has been a fun process. Being able to share the character’s life story was very personal,” said Miles.

Overall the show is not just relatable, but it also is a feel-good show. It leaves the audience with the sense that life is hard but no one is alone in the struggles and worries that come with everyday. The show will run from Feb. 13-23 in Klein Theatre.

Geoff Greene / UMW Theatre

5

Thursday

Weekend Events

• Mexican Muralism Abroad: The Diplomacy of Arte Popular, 1920-1940 @ Melchers 207, 5 p.m.

• Ordinary Treasures: The Material Culture of the Enslaved @ Combs 237, 6 p.m.

• Great Lives: American Duelists @ Dodd Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

• Ordinary Days @ Klein Theatre @ Klein Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

• James Farmer: In His Own Words, 1920-1999 Exhibit @ HCC Convergence Gallery • Origins: UMW Ceramics Faculty and Alumni @ duPont Gallery • Julien Binford: A Legacy of Inspiration and Enterprise@ Ridderhof Martin Gallery

Friday

Saturday

• Willard Hall Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Tour @ Willard, 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Ordinary Days @ Klein Theatre @ Klein Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

• James Farmer: In His Own Words, 1920-1999 Exhibit @ HCC Convergence Gallery • Origins: UMW Ceramics Faculty and Alumni @ duPont Gallery • Julien Binford: A Legacy of Inspiration and Enterprise@ Ridderhof Martin Gallery

• Step Show Competition @ Dodd Auditorium, 7 p.m.

• Undeniably Adjacent Improv Comedy Show @ Dodd Auditorium, 8 p.m.

• Ordinary Days @ Klein Theatre @ Klein Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

• James Farmer: In His Own Words, 1920-1999 Exhibit @ HCC Convergence Gallery • Origins: UMW Ceramics Faculty and Alumni @ duPont Gallery • Julien Binford: A Legacy of Inspiration and Enterprise@ Ridderhof Martin Gallery

The Blue & Gray Press @theBlueandGray

theblueandgraypress

bgpress1922

NEWS

POLICE BEAT ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ & KATE SELTZER News Editors

Vandalism Between January 31 at 10:00 p.m. and February 1 at 12:01 a.m. a vehicle was vandalized at 1600 block, College Avenue.

This case is pending.

Between February 1 at 11:40 p.m. and February 2 at 1:05 a.m. a ceiling tile was vandalized in Russell Hall. This case is pending.

On February 1 at 10:40 p.m. there was an incident of vandalism in Mason Hall. This case is pending.

Adjustments to education program aims to address teacher shortage offer a degree in

lot of us worked really hard to build it,” Trinkle Hall, in the future it will move to said Kelly.

Seacobeck Hall following its renovation. elementary education.

Kelly believes the changes will “We share it with math and religion “We’ve proposed and have actually improve the way the college trains departments and as far space goes, a new been approved just recently for our students to be teachers. building would create space for all of the “I’m really education [college], teachers and classes. excited. We’re They’ve been working on it for a long “It was a good opportunity for us to pop the developing time, but I haven't seen any success,” hood on our curriculum and to take a look at our some really said Carney. coursework and develop a sequence of learning great programs “Once we get our funding issues with our local addressed, we’re going to be in a experiences that make sense.” schools. They position to move in and have a new depend on us building and we’re really excited about -Pete Kelly to train great that. It’s going to give us space to elementary major… an undergraduate teachers. It’s really important that we develop community and engage with major in elementary education,” said can do things together,” said Kelly. our students and with each other,” said Kelly.

In addition to the changes within the Kelly.

Because elementary teachers have program, members of the College of Kate Seltzer contributed to the reporting of to teach many subjects and there are Education look forward to a change of this article. many certifications, the college decided location. While it currently has space in to build an elementary education major for students to complete everything in four years.

“It was a good opportunity for us to pop the hood on our curriculum and to take a look at our coursework and develop a sequence of learning experiences that make sense.

We’ve got a bunch of fieldbased kinds of practicum experiences that we have also sequenced in a way that makes sense for our students. So we’re excited for that part. It’s good to College of Education is expected to move into Trinkle Hall following Seacobeck Halls renovation. have the opportunity to College of Education / Facebook build a new curriculum. A

•College of Ed | 1

Petit larceny

Between January 5 at 1:00 a.m. and February 5 at 3:00 p.m. a laptop was stolen from Woodard Hall. This case is pending.

On February 6 at 7:39 a.m. a ceiling tile was stolen from Eagle Landing. This case is pending.

Possession On February 6 at 1:30 a.m. there was an incident of marijuana possession in Russell Hall. An administrative referral was made.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

7

SPORTS

Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Swimming maintains CAC Championship winning streak EMILY SEFF Staff Writer

Men’s and Women’s swim team continues CAC Championship win streak This past weekend the Mary Washington Eagles swim teams competed in the Capital Athletic Conference’s Championship in St. Mary’s City, Maryland.

The four-day event consists of multiple races in two sessions per day totaling 8 hours of activity. The events began with relays first then went on to preliminary races before moving on to the final races to determine overall winners.

Out of 19 events, the men’s and women’s teams each won 16. Both teams won the overall championship with great leads. The women’s team ended the competition with a total of 1,110.5 points with an almost 375-point lead over York College who came in second.

The men’s team also came in first with a total of 1,097 points followed by York College with a lead of almost 475 points.

The teams also accomplished lifetime best performances in over 150 races, 2 team records, and a couple of freshman records.

The teams also won many individual titles including Men’s Rookie of the Year to freshman Kai Green, Women’s Athlete of the Year to junior Julia Geskey, Women’s Swimmer of the Meet to junior Mary Zagrobelny, and Women’s Rookie of the Year to freshman Thalia Costanza.

The seniors of the team were also

very successful, with 8 of the 13 seniors on the team winning a title at the event, some for the first time. Seniors Kaylie Benson, Noah Carpenter, Mark Dye, Austin Farrar, Julia Geskey, Garrett Ross, Carley Vaughn and Erin Whitesell all won a title.

With preparation for the championship starting over winter break, well before the event itself, the teams have been working towards this for quite some time. Swim season begins in September, with practices beginning towards the middle or end of the month.

From then on, swimmers spend six days of the week practicing twice a day

either in the weight room or the pool, swimming 20 miles every week. Leading up to the event itself, the distance swam and hours put into the weight room decrease as the training regime tapers in order to allow everyone to fully recover in the days leading up to the event.

Despite strenuous work, the swimmers thrive off of the competitive atmosphere. “My favorite part of CACs is watching all my teammates do well and I love all the cheering,” said junior Cara Lowengrub.

The teams will compete in their last regular-season meet Saturday against Johns Hopkins.

Feb. 1 L @ Chris. Newport (81-68) Feb. 5 W @ Southern Virginia (80-73) Feb. 8 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (72-62) Feb. 15 L vs. York (Pa.) (74-71) Feb. 19 W vs. Salisbury (84-58)

Women’s Basketball (17-8)

Feb. 1 L @ Chris. Newport (72-52) Feb. 5 W vs. Southern Virginia (49-46) Feb. 8 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (72-46w) Feb. 15 W vs. York (Pa.) (71-46) Feb. 19 L @ Salisbury (55-49) The women’s team have won 30 consecutive CAC championships.

ultimate youth athletes from the east coast competed at a tryout camp in North Carolina to prove they were ready to represent the United States at Worlds.

First-year student Marcelo Ruggiero Ruggiero said, “It was a waiting game has been playing ultimate frisbee for to apply, get accepted to try out, and then the past four years. He played for his to try out.

It was kind of a long process. high school in Arlington, VA and for We had the tryouts in November, and DC’s club youth team, where he had the opportunity to go to Nationals. He didn’t find anything out until January.”

After waiting patiently for two currently plays for the men’s ultimate months, he finally received an email. team at Mary Washington. However, this Ruggiero said, “It was amazing to find summer, Ruggiero is going to be part of out I had made the team. I had been an ultimate team representing the United taking care of my neighbor’s dog. I had States of America at the World Junior just been feeding her, and I was walking Ultimate Championship (WJUC) in back to my place.

My parents had just Malmö, Sweden. got home from work.

I looked on my Ruggiero was persuaded into trying phone, and I got a notification that said out for the WJUC team by his coaches.

‘Congratulations!

You’re accepted.’

I just He said, “My high school coach tried out started freaking out.” when he was my age and he made the Years of experience and dedication team, so he said that I should look into to his sport had paid off. Ruggiero said, trying out. My club coach told me to do “My parents were excited. They saw me it as well. It was really them pushing me grow from starting freshman year [of to try out because they want to help grow high school], to getting leadership roles the sport.” by senior year. It was nice for them to The second weekend of November, see me go up through the ranks.”

Ruggiero and two hundred of the top His parents will continue to support him on this journey to Worlds.

Ruggiero said “They told me they’re saving up to go to Sweden. I think they’re going to get there a week before me and go to all the tourist spots.

Ruggiero is going to the World Junior Ultimate Championship. Marcelo Ruggiero Then they’ll

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Winter/Spring Sports Schedule

Men’s Basketball (15-10)

Susan S / Shutterfly

Marcelo Ruggiero earns spot on US national ultimate team RACHEL GILES Staff Writer

University of Mary Washington

watch me in the competition.”

While his family enjoys sightseeing the week before, Ruggiero will be training with his WUJC teammates.

According to the USA Ultimate website, the WJUC is expecting 54 teams from 30 different countries to participate in Malmö.

Ruggiero said, “The week before we actually fly out to Sweden, the whole team will come together for a training camp because we need the chance to play with the kids from the west coast. We need to build that chemistry before we go off to the tournament.”

The tournament will begin on July 18, 2020. Ruggiero said, “It’s five days of playing Frisbee, which is rough, but I think they’ve switched to a new format. It’ll be two or three games a day depending on how well you do. The championship is the last day. It builds up, from pool play, to bracket play, and then eliminations.”

Ruggiero will soon begin his training regimen, conditioning that will primarily focus on running and agility, which is essential to the sport.

When asked if there was anything he wished UMW students knew about ultimate, Ruggiero said, “A lot of times, when I say I play frisbee, people will think it’s throwing the frisbee into chains, the sport that older people play.

They think it’s stationary. I always tell people to watch our highlight reels. It’s a lot of running. It’s constant running.

There are seven people from each team, fourteen people on the field. We play on the soccer pitch which is pretty big, and it’s just constant running. Points will go on for ten, fifteen minutes. People should know how intense this sport is.”

Women’s Lacrosse (0-1)

Feb. 16 L @ Washington and Lee (17-10) Feb. 22 @ Lynchburg Feb. 26 vs. Randolph-Macon Feb. 29 vs. Franklin & Marshall Mar. 3 @ Meredith

Men’s Lacrosse (2-1)

Feb. 8 L vs. Hampden-Sydney (21-13) Feb. 15 W vs. Shenandoah (15-14) Feb. 19 W vs. McDaniel (17-16) Feb. 22 @ Ursinus Feb. 26 @ Bridgewater (Va.)

Full Schedule not listed above.

Most recent games included.

Bold indicates home game.

8