The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

April 18, 2019

VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 23 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Beto O’Rourke draws a large crowd in Fredericksburg abigail Buchholz Staff Writer

On Wednesday morning, Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke spoke in front of a crowd of over 250 people from atop the stage of Pimenta in downtown Fredericksburg.

O’Rourke is the first 2020 presidential candidate to visit Virginia.

The line awaiting the event stretched three blocks. The event coordinators started ushering people into the room at 9:15. By 10:00, the room was packed.

Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates in the 28th district, Joshua Cole, kicked off the event.

reforms. jail or prison because there’s no other Meryl Menezes, junior psychology option for them [to receive mental major, said that as an Indian American health help],” said Carlton. and a child of immigrants, O’Rourke’s O’Rourke cited climate change points on immigration as being the struck closest to home.

“I think it is important for single greatest “I definitely think challenge the everyone to support each candidates should nation faces. other instead of it being one talk more about these “Changing topics,” Menezes climate has person against everyone like said. “I think bringing warmed one Trump’s campaign was.” personal stories into degree just politics and events since 1980 over like this is really pre-industrial -Drake Dragone important because it revolution puts a personal face, a levels, one personal touch, to a public issue.” degree owing to our own emissions, Sarah Carlton, a junior our own excesses and our own inaction majoring in communication in the face of science and the facts and and digital studies, felt the truth,” said O’Rourke. that O’Rourke’s comments Senior business administration on improving the prison major Bryant Atkins was supportive of system were the most the passion that O’Rourke spoke with, important part of his because he felt that individuals in the message.

Democratic party, such as Nancy Pelosi “I think that not only is and Chuck Schumer, recognize that [the prison system] just a climate change is an issue, but haven’t different form of slavery in talked enough about policy change. modern times, but it’s also “All candidates I think need to tragic that there’s so many address [climate change] especially mental health issues that with such a small time limit until we aren’t addressed, so people reach really irreparable damage to the end up in the prison system. world,” said Lengel.

O’Rourke mentioned that After O’Rourke finished answering Beto O’Rourke / Facebook people put themselves in questions, a group of •Beto | 11

Cole stressed the importance of the election in November, “We have the opportunity to flip the House of Delegates and the Senate because we sit just two seats from both,” said Cole.

After these opening remarks from Cole, O’Rourke greeted the audience.

According to Real Clear Politics, O’Rourke is now polling third in the list of Democratic primary candidates after Biden and Sanders.

O’Rourke spoke for 20 minutes and offered 20 minutes for audience questions. Over the course of the speech, he spoke on a broad range of issues, from women’s reproductive rights, to climate change and prison

A large crowd gathered in the back room of Pimenta for O’Rourke’s speech.

UMW celebrates Special Olympian Grace Anne Braxton lot because I play the same [one]. To accomplish what she did is just an incredible feat. I want her to give me In mid-March, at the Special lessons someday.”

Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, In 1991, Braxton took home the the University of Mary Washington’s gold in swimming at the Special Grace Anne Braxton took to the Olympics World Summer Games in greens, representing the United States Minneapolis, MN. Sixteen years later, and the state of Virginia in golf. Over in 2007, at the Special Olympics World four days, Games in Braxton shot Shanghai, an average of “I try to play golf; [Grace] actually China, 88 and went plays. I see her out on the course a Braxton took on to win the gold in golf lot because I play the same [one]. “where she silver medal.

“I was To accomplish what she did is just won the title very happy by 32 strokes” an incredible feat. I want her to and very according excited give me lessons someday.” to an article [when I won on the PGA the medal],” website. In -President Troy Paino said Braxton.

2011, Braxton Braxton went on to has been a capture the gold medal for the second Special Olympics golfer since 1981 time in golf at the Special Olympics and has been playing the sport since World Games in Athens, Greece. In high school. When Braxton started Athens, “Braxton finished with a playing golf, she realized how much 72-hole 383 aggregate to claim the she loved it and enjoyed practicing her Division I women’s competition” newfound passion. Grace can be seen according to an article on the Perfect out on the course at the Fredericksburg Sense website.

Country Club playing a round of golf Braxton is the number one female with her father, Harrison Braxton.

Special Olympics golfer in the world “I try to play golf; [Grace] actually and still defends that title today. At the plays,” said UMW President Troy World Games this March, Braxton won Paino. “I see her out on the course a by 75 shots.

Hannah Galeone Senior Writer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Country wife

“I was thinking about a couple of them.” things when I was going and playing Participating in international golf,” Braxton said in an impromptu competitions has helped Braxton find speech at the celebration rally held her passions and spend time doing for her on campus on April 11. “I the things that she loves. Braxton has was thinking about my community, also served four years on the Virginia which is here [in Fredericksburg], and Special Olympics board of directors. the United States of America. I was “Special Olympics has helped the only person from Area 11, from me become an active person in my Fredericksburg, VA, representing this community,” says Braxton in her team.”

Special Olympics athlete profile. “I Braxton said that she had a lot of help out as a volunteer with basketball stress during the initial days of the championships and as a volunteer with competition because of the strong new local golfers.” winds on the course.

Braxton is adored by her family, “I had a lot of stress for the first two days because the wind was really windy, you can ask my dad and you can ask my mom too,” said Braxton. “The course was link style. [This] means that they didn’t have any trees [on the course].”

Braxton said that competing in the World Games in Abu Dhabi was a great experience and Grace was surprised by UMW staff and students on Ball Circle.

UMW Website she even was privileged with a police escort to and from Washington Dulles Airport. employers, the faculty and staff, and “It was fun,” said Braxton. “I liked the students of UMW. it a lot. It was different because the “I think she’s •Grace | 10 signs had both Arabic and English on awesome,” said

campus ACCESSIBILITY

Colored hair and wild outfits wow students.

UMW campus hinders student mobility.

LIFE | 7

VIEWPOINTS | 4

MOSES HUTCHISON

Tennis athlete recognized by CAC as Player of the Week SPORTS | 5

NEWS THE

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 Editor Ginny Bixby

Managing Editor Ryan Brauch

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Kate Seltzer

VIEWPOINTS Grace Winfield

LIFE Lucas Burkholder

SPORTS Jack Hagn

ONLINE Ronic Ngambwe Harry Fisher

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Kate Seltzer | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

UMW works to accommodate displaced Eagle residents Meaghan mcIntyre & Savannah Roberts will provide meal swipes redeemable News Editor & Staff Writer on the fourth floor of the University

Center for the remainder of the A burst hot water pipe on the fifth semester. floor of Eagle Landing displaced 112 In an email from the director of students on April 6, and the damage Transfer and Off-Campus Student will prevent 38 students from returning Services, CJ Porter, students were to their rooms for the remainder of the instructed to contact her if they run out semester. The details regarding this of meals and inform her that they need incident were reported by the Blue the “ELEV and Gray reassignment Press on April “All preferences we received were meal plan 11. Further honored and we worked individually with activated.” information a few students who preferred to stay in their An email from assistant sent on April temporary space instead of moving to a dean for 12, nearly a more permanent arrangement.”

Residence week after the Life and incident, said -Dean Dave Fleming Housing that Facilities Dave Fleming will continue revealed how the university is working renovations of affected apartments to accommodate the students who into May, “striving to be as respectful were permanently displaced for the as possible of the students residing in remainder of the semester.

Eagle Landing” and reassured students “We took preferences into that there would no effect on Eagle consideration if students shared Landing residents next year. those preferences with us prior As information continues to be to assignments,” said Fleming. communicated to students and they “Some request[ed] to stay with their adjust to their new living arrangements, roommates while others requested to students have vocalized mixed remain in a place with a kitchen. All reactions to how the university has preferences we received were honored handled the situation. and we worked individually with a few Many displaced students remain students who preferred to stay in their frustrated with the lack of efficient temporary space instead of moving to a communication from the University. more permanent arrangement.”

“The only emails they were giving Of the 38 displaced students, 22 out was the generic ResLife email, so were placed in suite-style living and no one would answer me. I emailed 16 were kept in either the UMW them on Saturday [April 6] and didn’t Apartments or relocated within Eagle receive a response until Tuesday,” said Landing. The university addressed Megan Weeks, a sophomore political plans to reimburse students placed in science major. less expensive living arrangements.

Students were urged to contact “The proration is reflected on their Residence Life and Housing for any student bill,” said Fleming. questions they had regarding their For the 22 students who were belongings and any concerns they placed in traditional housing, campus were afflicted with. However, the line dining is working to provide them to call was inaccessible because the with a reassignment meal plan that emergency happened on a Saturday.

The number they needed to call was only in service on Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

According to some students, the coordinators and directors they attempted to get in touch with were either in meetings or preoccupied with finding solutions to the leak.

“I think it would’ve made a huge difference if I could have actually talked to someone in person,” Weeks said.

Students gave mixed reviews about the ease of the moving process to their displaced locations.

Junior English major Elisabeth DellaRova said that, “The moving assistance was really helpful, because there is no way that we could have transported all our stuff efficiently without it.”

On the other hand, sophomore international affairs major Anna Longacher said that when her mom came to move her out of Eagle, she could not go to her room as the RA’s were in class and unavailable.

“It took forever for an RA to come and when they did I felt rushed because they were standing at the door waiting.

It was an inconvenience for both of us,” said Longacher.

As students started to receive information about their new living situations, their next big concern was the issue of reimbursement over their damaged goods. For many, they were not able to find out what was affected until the following Thursday when they were packing to move out.

“The biggest thing was that my suitemate’s trunk was rusted and damaged on the bottom from the wet floor, so she just left it behind,” said DellaRova. ”The university is not paying for anyone’s damages per the housing contract that we all signed.”

Fleming confirmed that students will not be reimbursed •EAGLE | 10

UMW launches new Japanese exchange program Kristen Lewers Staff Writer

In the fall 2019 semester, three University of Mary Washington students will embark on the university’s first bilateral exchange program with Akita International University (AIU) in Akita City, Japan.

According to an article on the UMW website, Mary Washington alumni Kevin Hockmuth has played an influential role in developing this program. After graduating in 2000, Hockmuth continued on to AIU, where he is currently a political science and Korean studies professor. The article explained that he felt as if AIU shared a kindred spirit with his alma mater and started pushing for the program when he mentioned to his colleague that UMW would be a good candidate for partnership.

Hockmuth stated in the article that he is eager to facilitate a relationship between Akita International and UMW. Through this •JAPANESE | 11 program, class

Tess Darroch, Rahi Taylor and Kaitlin Viloria look forward to the opportunity to travel to Japan.

UMW Website

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

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Thursday, April 18, 2019

SPORTS

Eli Ayer remains dominant with strong faceoff record VINCENT SMIROLDO Staff Writer

Faceoffs are a big part of lacrosse that can change the dynamic of the game by giving a team extra possessions on offense and keeping the ball out of their defensive end. During his time at UMW, senior Eli Ayer has excelled in this part of the game.

“I have been playing lacrosse as long as I can remember,” said Ayer.

Ayer did not start off as a faceoff specialist though, when he first started playing, he was a long stick defensive midfielder. He soon made the switch to short stick midfielder before becoming a faceoff specialist before high school.

“I didn’t really go to camps for faceoffs and I never really had a coach to help me through it. I was more selftaught,” said Ayer. “Faceoffs were not a big thing when I made the switch from midfielder. There were no faceoff academy’s or bigger camps like there are today.”

There are many tactical aspects to facing off like having quick hands, reaction time and grip strength. Lacrosse is one of the fastest games on two feet, but this was a main reason Ayer ended up switching to a faceoff specialist.

“I honestly hated running and being a faceoff specialist decreased the amount of running I had to do. It ended up working out though because I ended up being a lot better at faceoffs then playing LSM or midfield in general,” said Ayer.

Ayer is from Maryland and went to St. Paul’s High School which is a powerhouse for lacrosse.

Reflecting on what brought him to UMW, he said, “I knew I would get playing time and I liked Coach Gordon, who recruited me, he sounded like a solid coach who I could get along with and he knew what he was talking about.”

With three games left in his senior year, he has left his mark in the UMW record books. He currently has the record for ground balls in a career with 328 and

ground balls in a single season with 138. but has turned it on for conference play Even though there is no faceoff statistic going 64 for 91 or 70.3 percent. in the record books Ayer would without a Ayer is furthering his all-time ground doubt hold that record too. ball record this season scooping up 77 These records are even more with three more game to play. He is impressive because the next closest currently second on the team this season person in career ground balls is Johnny trailing Tata with 99. Men’s lacrosse’s Esposito with 217. next opponent is York next Saturday, “I was surprised and didn’t even know where Ayer will hope to continue there was a record. When I saw how his dominant play against another much I beat it by I was very excited,” conference opponent. said Ayer.

The main factors that Ayer credited towards his success was working hard in practice and trying to push himself every day so when game days came around, he would be ready to go.

After Ayer broke the single season record, he kept a looking at the task ahead and not too much on the stats or the record book.

“I don’t even keep track of records I only focus on individual faceoffs,” said Ayer.

Fellow teammate Robert Tata, who is currently second on the all-time ground ball list behind Ayer, was able to give his perspective on what has made Ayer so successful.

“As a wing player who is part of the faceoffs, I’ve been lucky to play with Eli. His technique and speed are incredible Eli Ayer is a faceoff specialist.

UMW Athletics and makes my job easy,” said Tata.

In his last game against St. Mary’s, Ayer was able to go 15-18 on faceoffs and scoop up 11 ground balls.

For the season he is 161-279 in faceoff category Eli Ayer’s faceoff career record is 328 ground balls.

UMW Athletics

Greg Rowson gets Rookie of the Year, makes All-State team MEREDITH JENNINGS Staff Writer

player.

“I think that I played a critical role for a very talented team,” said Rowson. “I UMW men’s basketball player Greg scored consistently through the season Rowson hauled in Rookie of the Year, and helped lead our team to some really as awarded by The Virginia Sports good wins.”

Information Directors. The VaSID That consistency has been duly noted organization is comprised of sports

by Mary Washington, as his stats indicate information professionals from NCAA that he shoots on average 16 points per Division I, II, III, NAIA, independent game. The up and coming first-year institutions and community colleges player shot 40 percent from beyond the from across Virginia. The purpose arc and nearly 84 percent from the freeof the organization is to promote throw line as well. college athletics at all two or four year Becoming the type of player to institutions. garner the attention of VaSID is no small Rowson described how consistency feat, and Rowson points to his family as a source of inspiration and drive. was a trait that made him a valuable His father coached him from second grade to eighth grade, and he really pushed Rowson to work on his game. Even his mother played basketball at the University of Greg Rowson was selected for the All-State second team.

UMW Athletics Virginia, so

Thursday, April 18, 2019

there is always been a love for basketball in his family.

But despite working on his skills from a young age, it was not until high school that Rowson decided to focus on basketball exclusively. He enjoyed playing on his high school team at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, but he notes that there are clear changes between college level and high school level basketball. The biggest change is the level of physicality.

“In high school I was stronger than almost everyone I played against, but in college it was completely different,” said Rowson. “Adapting to the physicality was challenging, but I think I progressed as the season went on by getting stronger and more physical.”

Rowson acknowledges that basketball is a team sport and a team effort.

Winning Rookie of the Year is certainly a distinguished award, but the sport is about individuals coming together to play the game.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing for UMW,” said Rowson. “We’ve got a great group of guys and a great coaching staff, and it’s been a lot of fun getting to know them and to get better with them.”

Rowson was also selected to the All-State second team, along with UMW senior Johnny Cronin.

University of Mary Washington Sports Schedule

Men’s Lacrosse (7-8)

Apr. 6 L @ Chistopher Newport (15-11) Apr. 10 W vs. Southern Virginia (17-16) Apr. 13 L vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) (12-10) Apr. 20 @ York (Pa.) Apr. 24 @ Frostburg St.

Women’s Lacrosse (13-2)

Apr. 9 W @ Southern Virginia (19-3) Apr. 13 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (12-5) Apr. 16 W vs. Catholic (11-7) Apr. 20 vs. York (Pa.) Apr. 24 vs. Frostburg St.

Baseball (10-16)

Apr. 12 L vs. Penn St.-Harrisburg (11-5) Apr. 13 L vs. Penn St.-Harrisburg (17-7) Apr. 17 ? @ Frostburg St. (17-1) Apr. 18 @ Bridgewater (Va.) Apr. 19 @ York (Pa.)

Softball (17-14)

Apr. 6 W vs. Penn St.-Harrisburg (4-2) Apr. 11 L @ N.C. Wesleyan (3-2) Apr. 13 W @ Frostburg St. (8-5) Apr. 18 vs. Southern Virginia Apr. 20 vs. Christopher Newport

Men’s Tennis (18-4)

Apr. 10 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (9-0) Apr. 14 W vs. Swarthmore (6-3) Apr. 17 W vs. Salisbury (7-2) Apr. 27 @ Johns Hopkins

Women’s Tennis (15-4)

Apr. 6 L @ Carnegie Mellon (9-0) Apr. 14 L @ Johns Hopkins (6-3) Apr. 16 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (7-2) Apr. 20 vs. Salisbury Apr. 27 vs. Washington and Lee

Full Schedule not listed above.

Most recent games included.

Bold indicates home game.

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VIEWPOINTS

White privilege must be acknowledged in athletics

JOSEPH LANGLEY Staff Writer

Racism is everywhere and it is not subtle: in the working environment, social environment and even learning environment. Even on this nation’s biggest stages, bigotry, racism and white privilege is extremely visual. Calling out acts of racism and acknowledging white privilege is vital to improving society.

Recently, Utah Jazz small forward and guard Kyle Korver came out with an article via “The Players Tribune,” titled “Privileged.” In the article, Korver sites two instances in which he caught himself exemplifying white privilege. In the first instance, his former teammate Thabo Sefolosha was beaten by police officers outside a Manhattan night club in 2015.

Sefolosha suffered a season-ending leg

Utah Jazz player Kyle Korver hugs his teammate.

injury from the impact of a police baton.

Korver stated he was not aware of the situation until the next morning when he heard about it from the team’s group chat. Korver said he is not proud of his initial reaction. He said, “What was Thabo doing out at a club on a backto-back?? Yeah. Not, How’s he doing?

Not, What happened during the arrest??

I thought, Well, if I’d been in Thabo’s shoes, out at a club late at night, the police wouldn’t have arrested me. Not unless I was doing something wrong.

Cringe.”

Sure enough, months later, Thabo was found innocent on all charges and settled his lawsuit with New York City, receiving 4 million dollars. The other example Korver sited occurred just last month, when the Jazz played a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City star point guard Russell Westbrook was caught on camera jabbering back and forth with a Jazz fan.

Korver was asked post Sports Illustrated game from

a reporter if he had seen the incident, which he did not, but added “But you know Russ. He gets into it with the crowd a lot.” Later, it was found out that the fan was screaming degrading and racially charged insults.

Korver ends the article by expressing the importance in white people holding other white people accountable, and the power of listening. Korver summarized his point, saying, “I believe that what’s happening to people of color in this country right now, in 2019 is wrong. The fact that black Americans are more than five times as likely to be incarcerated as white Americans is wrong. The fact that black Americans are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as white Americans is wrong. The fact that black unemployment rates nationally are double that of overall unemployment rates is wrong. The fact that black imprisonment rates for drug charges are almost six times higher nationally than white imprisonment rates for drug charges is wrong. The fact that black Americans own approximately onetenth of the wealth that white Americans own is wrong. The fact that inequality is built so deeply into so many of our most trusted institutions is wrong.

And I believe it’s the responsibility of anyone on the privileged end of those inequalities to help make things right.”

UMW students shared their

thoughts on Korver’s article. Junior communications major Alex Caldas said, “White privilege in the NBA exists.The fact that 75 percent of the NBA consists of African Americans, and some fans continue to come to games to support their team yet think it is okay to make racist and crude remarks to the players is outrageously unfair.”

Caldas is right. For a sport that was once all white, the fact that 75 percent of the NBA is now African American shows the impact they have made on the league. That requires respect, not only from other famous people, but from society as a whole. The fact that players face blatant racism at their games proves that society has a long way to go toward treating all people with respect.

Senior art major Ryan Lopez said, “Racism in sports is the equivalent to modern slavery.” This is an interesting point, as one can make this point especially from the story about Russell Westbrook and the Utah Jazz fan. The players are directed to ignore the fans no matter what, no matter how vulgar their words are. Westbrook is a human being however, and like all others will not and should not be treated as anything less than that.

It is apparent that people can learn from Kyle Korver, and take on the responsibility of holding one another accountable when it comes to privilege.

sign up for fewer classes with demanding reading loads. Rann felt apprehensive, though, about making space in her day, even if it was space she desperately needed. “There’s a level of guilt, that I should be doing something. That’s what I felt this semester.”

Despite her guilt, Rann feels that she made the right choice. “I need that downtime, I need time to relax in order to feel ready to take on another day. I don’t think that’s something we value enough.”

Rann’s experience doesn’t stray far from other students’ accounts. This begs the question: if you’re stressed every week, why not cut back or make a change?

Don’t get me wrong, joining clubs, picking up activities and focusing on studies are essential components of immersing oneself into the college lifestyle. However, many students should examine their own mindsets to truly determine the reasons behind the opportunities they take and the choices they make: are they doing it for their enjoyment, or because they’ve been trained to feel they must?

Prior to college, high school encourages us to take up an eclectic series of activities, and to fill our schedules with as much as we can possibly fit on an application. “I had so many extracurriculars, I couldn’t fit them on the Common App” has been a common lament heard in circles of high academic achievement.

As a result it’s easy for students feel as if they’re not doing enough, and to overload on activities. Dr. Noelle Leonard, a researcher at NYU, observed in 2015 that many high schoolers’ lives had been reduced to an endless cycle of school, homework and extracurriculars.

The result from this cycle is seemingly obvious: high stress levels. There’s

nothing wrong with being busy, but it is unhealthy to be overworked.

In undergrad and graduate school, sheer momentum can lead students to assume that there, too, high achievement means lack of free time. The very height of this mentality can be seen most prominently in well-known, selective institutions: an article published in Harvard Magazine in 2010 headed itself with the declaration that modern undergraduates do "3,000 things at 150 percent."

The statistics reveal a troubling caveat to this impressive assertion: a study published in the medical journal “Depression and Anxiety” found that three of four college students have experienced high stress within the last year, including highly academic successful students. Between 200910 and 2014-15, student enrollment increased by 5 percent while the number of students seeking mental health assistance increased by 30 percent. Sixty percent of students seeking counseling, as of 2017, reported issues with anxiety.

The college mentality of “busy is always better” leads directly into the adult world. The 2010s have given popularity, as Brigid Schulte claims in her book “Overwhelmed”, to the idea of the “ideal worker,” which she describes as one who never turns down work and wears being busy to the point of exhaustion as a status symbol. In fact, the epidemic

of “bragging about how busy you are,” which Schult calls a “busier than thou” attitude, directly connects to this.

In other words, these overwhelming amounts of engagement are generational and self-perpetuating. Whether it be high school, college or the career field, we’re launched into competition with one another, which we up the stakes on by engaging in as much as possible. We tell each other about it with the implicit implication that if our peers are less busy than us, they’re losing the game. In reaction, we minimize the free hours of our day and build up our resumes until we have little to no time for social lives, introspection or basic enjoyment of life.

College is a perfect time to break the cycle, to participate in extracurriculars and interests that are meaningful to you, rather than what you think will look good on paper. It’s a time to internalize and broaden your studies rather than making the grade and moving on. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it is essential to spend our college years as a time for introspection and self-discovery. It’s time to support not only our peers but ourselves by leaving behind the idea that busier is better at any cost.

Students spend too much time padding their resumes EKATERINA SAVELYEVA Staff Writer

You’re talking to a friend from class, and ask them their plans for the day.

They respond with a detailed overview of their schedule; classes, study routines, extracurriculars, volunteer hours and even how they need to start looking for a job. Five minutes later they conclude, “I’m so stressed.”

You have a few potential reactions.

There’s sympathy and support, wherein you tell them how sorry you are and maybe even provide a pep talk; empathy, because you’ve got a lot going on, too; or perhaps you express admiration, and applaud them for their hard work.

But sometimes, there’s a reflexive guilt – they’ve got so much going on, and you’ve got so little. However, the normalized over-exertion young adults view as a necessity shouldn’t be the norm at all.

Students need to realize that sometimes less is more, especially in terms of mental health.

The mentality that more is always better is visible nationwide, and has taken hold at UMW in particular.

Freshman Carleigh Rann is involved with COAR, volunteering and tutoring on top of her studies, and she loves doing it--to an extent. “There’s a kind of rewarding busyness that I like, but when it becomes tedious, and when it becomes chores, I just feel totally detached from it,” said Rann. She continued, “There’s this sense of, ‘oh my god, I just have all of these things to do, and I don’t feel like I’ll be able to accomplish them all, and none of them mean anything to me.’”

Rann has had to negotiate her level of occupation between her fall and spring semesters. After simultaneously taking several reading-intensive courses on top of her extracurriculars, she decided to

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Thursday, April 2019 Thursday, January 21,18, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Grace Winfield | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

With an inaccessible campus, claiming inclusion is a stretch

MACKENZIE HARD Staff Writer

In 2014, UMW was recognized for its affordability and accessibility by the Social Mobility Index, which took into consideration the tuition costs and the economic diversity of the student body.

This year, the University celebrated the renovation project of Heslep Amphitheater, but this renovation did not include a visible, wheelchair accessible entrance from Campus Walk. In order to get to the amphitheater, one would have park in one of two handicap parking spots next to the amphitheater behind Lee Hall, or brave a steep brick walkway leading from the Sunken Road area.

Shortly after, students and other community members voiced their concerns and frustrations with the renovation. This ongoing conversation begs the question whether the campus’ overall accessibility is up to standard.

Currently the Office of Disability Resources works with our university community to increase awareness, eliminate barriers and to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students with disabilities. However, the current level of accessibility on campus does not reflect a University that prioritizes inclusion. And, according to several students, is a major concern in terms of student mobility.

Students have voiced their concerns with several freshman dorms, a main concern being Virginia Hall. “Virginia Hall only has one ramp on the fountain side, so anyone who needs a ramp to gain access to the building has to enter from the back. Additionally, there is no elevator in the building at all,” said senior psychology major Taylor Mooney.

It’s not just Virginia that lacks an elevator or better ramps. Marshall and Russell Hall have elevators, but lack the appropriate ramps in get into the building. Students with disabilities or mobility-hindering conditions cannot get

Monroe Hall does not have a ramp at the front of the building.

into these buildings. The only routes to these two residence halls is via the steep, pothole-filled hill or by going down several sets of steps.

How was UMW recognized for its accessibility when some of our buildings lack basic access into and out of them for all of our students?

A majority of the residence halls on campus are ADA compliant, offering ramps and elevators. Students haven’t just been noticing the lack of accessibility within residence halls, but that of the academic buildings on campus.

Monroe Hall does not have a ramp in the front of the building so people that are unable to take the stairs have to walk to the back of the building and take the elevator to gain access.

“I have seen many people struggle with Trinkle,” said Mooney. “The elevator is very old and small which makes it much harder for people to use.”

ODR provides classroom resources and accommodations based on individual disability related needs. Most classroom accommodations include the following: extended times on exams, reduced distraction environment for testing, use of assistive technology in class and during exams, use of Sign Language Interpreting or other third-party services and note taking assistance. Despite the resources offered, students still face

umw.edu

obstacles in the classroom.

As reported in the Blue and Gray Press in April of 2016, English major Ashley Riggleson wrote that as one of the student wheelchair-users on campus, she struggled with classrooms that were often too small for her to negotiate with a wheelchair. Bathrooms and classrooms are equally problematic. Classrooms, she said, “are not arranged in such a way as to disenfranchise disabled students.”

When Riggleson wrote her article, she was taking a class in Combs Hall room 139, a room that is a tiered lecture with dim lighting.

The way the room was set up, and still is, offered no hindrance to learning for the able-bodied students.

But for Riggleson learning was almost impossible. “I would argue that this classroom should not be used for lessons if even one student has a mobility impairment.”

This is if students can even make it to class on time. Accessible, and reasonable, entrances are a common problem that several students on campus have noticed around campus.

“I think that there are certainly some obstacles that affect student mobility on campus, and not just the amphitheater.

I’ve personally helped a few students get to their classes because of how steep the ramps are, or just because they had no idea where the accessible entrance

was, like to Monroe,” commented junior Communication and Digital Studies major, Grace Winfield.

Senior business administration and accounting major Ripken Smith has noticed issues with Monroe as well.

He also noticed that many buildings on campus are only accessible from rear or side entrances.

The steepness of pathways, and even the brickwork around campus pose accessibility issues.

“On the way up to DuPont Hall and Westmoreland Hall there is a really steep hill that is all brick. Due to the brick, the path is uneven and hard to walk on,” said Mooney. “It is sometimes hard for me to get up these hills and I can’t even imagine how hard it would be for someone who was in a wheelchair or on crutches.”

If students are coming from the street entrance near DuPont Hall, there are only two options to get to Campus Walk.

One path includes a long, winding, steep ramp leading to the Hurley Convention Center, the other path leads to the end of the tunnel by Vocelli’s, where students must cut through Melchers Hall and head down an even steeper brick walkway, one without railing.

One of the underlying core values of the University of Mary Washington is “a commitment to the responsibility of the entire University community to carry out the institutional values on diversity and inclusion,” per the Disability Resources website.

If our University is so focused on inclusion, we need to make everything on campus more accessible to all our students - better walk ways, up-to-date elevators, larger residence hall rooms and bathrooms, and more visible ramps into our academic buildings. While expanding campus is an idea some students are open to, the school needs to first reevaluate the structure and resources it currently offers.

Staff Ed: Millions devastated across the world as Notre Dame Cathedral and Al-Aqsa Mosque engulfed in flames

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD This past Monday, two historic religious buildings caught fire. The first, and most publicized, was the fire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

The second fire occurred in the Al-Aqsa Mosque located in Jerusalem, Israel. The importance of these sites cannot be overstated. Both Notre Dame Cathedral and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are religiously, culturally, historically and architecturally significant to millions of people around the world.

While it is fortunate that neither fires claimed any lives, the damage resulting from these events is still tragic. These remarkable structures must be preserved and protected. The destruction of iconic and sacred sites has caused palpable pain to many people around the world. The outpouring of support from organizations and individuals from a variety of backgrounds around the world is uplifting in this time of grief. The protection of such significant sites is an ongoing and vital endeavor we can all work hard to achieve. Regardless of political, religious or cultural affiliations, it is imperative that we come together to mourn, rebuild and preserve places of lasting significance.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

NBC.com

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

PBS

5

LIFE

Editor: Lucas Burkholder blueandgray.life@gmail.com

UMW Style: Students accessorize with trendy spring bags Photo Story by Chelsie Valencia

Huda Al-Bana holding her pink mini backpack in front of Pollard Hall.

Christopher Hall styling his Supreme shoulder bag in front of Virginia Hall.

Melina Domenech walking with her black shoulder bag from Papaya.

6

Sehar Jamal with her Louis Vuitton backpack in downtown Fredericksburg.

Victoria Chanthyasak smiling bright with her Calvin Klein fanny pack.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

LIFE

Theatre presents scandalous 17th century play “The Country Wife” LINDSEY BROWN Senior Writer

“The Country Wife” is unlike any show I have seen put on by the UMW theatre department. The play was set in the seventeenth century, and it is about the scandalous lives of men and women that blur the moral lines in marriage.

It is filled with sexual innuendos, dishonesty portrayed in a posh way and the dialogue of the seventeenth century.

The dialogue was a little hard to follow at times because of the different time period. It reminded me of a Shakespeare play because it is different from how we talk today, and it forces the audience to rely on the actors’ ability to portray their character well.

The main character, Mr. Horner, (played by Stephen Nickens) is the town’s ladies man, and he has quite the reputation. Mr. Pinchwife (played by Mitch Coomer) is a middle aged man who just married a young lady from the country, named Margery (played

by Maddie Petroskey). Pinchwife is so afraid of his wife learning about the outside world and wanting more than him, he locks her away in the house all day. The only outing they go on is to see a play, and Mr. Horner sees her and fancies her. This intrigues Margery and the fact that her husband locks her up every day makes her that much more intrigued. Other stories unfold of true love, disloyal wives and oblivious husbands in this interesting period piece.

The actors were what set this show apart from others in my opinion. The actors did a wonderful job portraying interesting characters with little substance, and making them more likable. Some of the lines the actors had were so long, it was impressive that they both understood the dialogue, memorized it, and depicted the character so well to the audience. It is obvious that the director, Helen Housley, worked hard with the actors to make sure they understood the characters and the dialogue.

The costumes and the wigs were elaborate, colorful and almost became a character all their own in the show.

Mitch Coomer (left) as Mr.Pinchwife and ensemble.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

They helped add to the characters themselves, but they also added to the time period and the ridiculous styles. The elaborate make-up on both the men and women was both refreshing and a bit odd. It set the characters apart and made the show that much more interesting.

The sets were impressive in their fluidity of movement from each scene to the next, done by a pulley system. The background went Victoria Fortune (left) as Lady Fidget and Sarah Green (right) as Mistress Dainty Fidget.

Geoff Greene / UMW Theate from downtown stores, the inside of moved the pieces of furniture for the was my favorite part of the show. the character’s houses, and a colorful next scene. They made it comical by the The show will run from April 11 to country scene. In between the scene grunts of determination to pick up the April 20 in Klein Theatre. breaks the actors came out on stage and furniture. The subtle wordless humor

Jackson Miles (left), Ethan Pearson (left center), Staphen Nickens (right center), Justin Flemming (right).

Geoff Greene / UMW Theate

Tommy Kelleher as Sir Jasper Fidget.

Geoff Greene/ UMW Theate

Geoff Greene / UMW Theate

7

Weekend Events Thursday • The Country Wife @ Klein Theater, 7:30 p.m.

• “The Securitization of Urban Space in Authoritarian Turkey” @ Lee 411, 6 p.m.

• Eagle Awards @ Chandler Ballroom, 6 p.m.

• Art Museum Studies Exhibition @ HCC & Simpson Library Gallery, 5 - 7 p.m.

Friday

• • • • • •

The Country Wife @ KleinTheater, 7:30 p.m.

PAC Big Show @ Dodd Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

The LEGO Movie 2 @ Monroe 116, 7 p.m.

Bumblebee @ Monroe 116, 10 p.m.

Holi: Festival of Colors @ Ball Circle, 4 p.m.

Spring Fling @ Ball Circle, 8 - 11 p.m.

Saturday

• Creative Writing Club Poetry Slam @ HCC Digital Auditorium, 12:30 - 2 p.m.

• PAC Big Show @ Dodd Auditorium, 2 p.m.

• The Country Wife @ KleinTheater, 7:30 p.m.

• Wild Love with Chris Hanbury @ the Underground, 6 p.m.

• Bumblebee @ Monroe 116, 7 p.m.

• The LEGO Movie 2 @ Monroe 116, 10 p.m.

@theBlueandGray The Blue & Gray Press

theblueandgraypress

LIFE

Mailroom staff engage with students, brighten lives

SIERRA HORTON Staff Writer

In the modern age of online shopping and Amazon Prime, there are very few things that you can’t order online and let’s be honest, it’s often way more convenient than running to Target. With the ease of online shopping, it is easy to assume that shipping companies and mailroom employees all over the world are handling more packages on a daily basis than ever before. The mailroom here on campus is no exception to this surplus of packages.

The employees in the mailroom make student’s trips to pick up mail one of enjoyment with the caring effort that they put into remembering the faces and names of students on campus.

If you have ever ordered your textbooks with Chegg, bought a new dress from Poshmark, or even stocked your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator with HelloFresh, you’ve probably been to the mailroom more than a handful of times.

Behind the scenes, there are two different organization processes that are necessary in order for the mailroom to function efficiently. The student mail has to be sorted into the corresponding mailboxes and the faculty mail that has to be organized and divided into departments to be delivered to each building across campus, known as the campus run. The most difficult part for many of the employees is getting to know the campus run.

LaTanja Kelly has been working in the mailroom on campus since July 2017 and says, “It’s a different experience because I’ve never worked at a university before, but I absolutely enjoy it.”

Pamela Cannon, who has been working in the mailroom as Mailroom

Supervisor since January of this year, enjoys the change of pace and everyday challenges that are presented in the mailroom compared to her past positions in retail.

With frequent trips to the mailroom, many students find themselves not even having to say their box number upon walking up to the window and, in many cases, the employees know the student’s so well that they LaTanja Kelly has been working in the mailroom since July 2017. memorize their names and box something that has changed about them numbers. This experience is all due [since their freshman year] which also to the friendly faces of the mailroom helps me remember them, and if they employees here at Mary Washington that have a service animal or something go above and beyond the requirements of unique about them, it makes it even their job. easier for me to remember who they are.

“My favorite part of working in the Sometimes I can’t remember a student’s mailroom is getting to know you guys name but for some reason I can easily [the students] and seeing the shock remember their box number, which helps on your faces when I know your box too.” numbers or your names before you even Kelly said her goal with memorizing come to the window,” says Kelly. names and box numbers is to, “make Both Kelly and Cannon agreed that you guys [the students] feel comfortable memorizing faces, names and box and let you all know that you are not just numbers comes naturally as they interact students to us, we recognize and know with students, and it definitely is easier who you guys are because we care about for those who receive many packages. you all.”

“I memorize faces based on the To make their jobs easier, both Kelly amount of packages students receive,” and Cannon greatly appreciate when says Cannon. “Their EagleOne students approach the window with their cards often have different hair or EagleOne cards ready, knowing their

Lucas Burkholder / The Blue & Gray Press

box number and not distracted by their phones or headphones. Even though they cannot look up your box number, they encourage students to ask any questions about tracking packages, problems opening their mailbox or any other problems that students may run into while in the mailroom.

Cannon also shared that there are questions that they are required to ask, like verifying the name on your package.

Even though some students may be annoyed by this, it is a policy that ensures that your package never ends up in the wrong hands.

The employees in the UMW mailroom are a valuable part of the campus community and a positive light in the lives of the students they interact with on a daily basis.

Commuter students respond to recent rise in gas prices SHARJEEL AHMED Staff Writer

UMW commuter students are feeling the effects of a recent increase in gas prices. According to GasBuddy, local gas prices have jumped from an average of $1.91 per gallon in March to the current average of $2.55 per gallon.

Jasmine Abielmona, a junior religious studies major, is one student affected by the change.

“Living 15 minutes away, I usually put in gas once every two weeks, but if I decide to go anywhere other than school, it usually ends up being weekly,” said Abielmona. “It used to cost me a little under $30 for a fill up, but most of my fill ups now are almost $40 or more.

Recent gas prices have reached $2.55 per gallon.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

It stresses me out because I feel like I spend most of my money on gas and it just feels like a lot.”

For commuter students who travel from up north, they feel better filling up in Fredericksburg since gas drops almost half a dollar per gallon in the difference of 20-30 miles. Espayline Marceline, senior business major and commuter, lives in Alexandria and commutes daily to UMW. “I try to tell myself that it’s good because I’m saving a lot by filling up in Fredericksburg, but really, these gas prices have me stressed out,” Marceline said. “Like one day, I’m feeling good about driving around, and the next day, I’m avoiding the gas pump.”

Students in the College of Education

have been directly affected by the rise in prices. Practicum requirements have students, like junior Mackenzie McCotter, feeling like their wallets are substantially lighter.

“The rising gas prices have affected my wallet especially this year because I am in the College of Education, which means I have to drive to an elementary school twice a week, varying in distances from UMW,” said McCotter. “The school does not provide a stipend to accommodate for far distances, so I have to fill up my tank myself. It makes going to the elementary school less fun because I’m burning gas going to and from a place where I’m learning how to be a teacher.”

Other students, such as senior business major, Taha Khan, live nearby and visits family over the weekend in Manassas.

“Within the past couple months, I have noticed that 30 [dollars per gallon] quickly jumped to 35, and before I knew it, I was putting in $40 a week,” Khan said. “Ten dollars could take me for two meals during the week, but instead, I’m burning it away driving.”

Students with larger vehicles say the increased gas prices make their commute especially difficult. Edwin Baca, a junior NBC business major, drives the

family car to work every day.

“To be honest, it’s the only option I have, and it just hurts every time I fill up,” Baca said. “It wasn’t so bad a few months ago, but now, I just wish I had a Civic or Corolla, because I average 19 miles per gallon, and I live 23 miles away.”

Sarah Khalil, freshman, drives a Nissan Altima from Woodbridge to school every day.

“I never realized when I was younger how much money goes into the gas tank, and especially now that I have seen gas under two dollars,” Khalil said. “It’s not really something we can control, but it really does stink when you are used to putting in $25-$30 and it changes to $35$40 within a couple months.”

Some students commented on the tendency for gas prices to increase over short periods of time but decrease over weeks or months.

“I feel like we waited so long to see gas come down to $1.85, but then I remember the price went up 10 cents in one night,” said senior psychology major Zaf Malik. Malik said when the prices initially went up, he planned to wait to get gas until he really needed it, hoping the price would decrease.

“I put off filling the entire tank throughout the week thinking it’ll get cheaper” he said. “By the end of the week, gas was up by 25 cents.”

9

NEWS

Students voice mixed reactions to how UMW handled pipe burst •EAGLE | 2

for damaged goods because, “As noted in the terms and conditions of the Housing and Dining agreement, students are encouraged to carry personal renter’s insurance.”

Displaced students appreciated the universities willingness to work with their preferences during the reassignment process.

“My temporary placement was in Eagle still which was really lucky and I was supposed to be moved permanently to Arrington,” said junior American Studies Ellora Larsen. “I was able to stay in my temporary placement permanently because it worked out well and I still had a kitchen to fit my dietary needs so it was easy to work out for me to stay in my temporary placement.

Although Larsen was satisfied with her permanent assignment, she felt like the overall process could have been smoother.

“I know they had a lot to deal with but it was a difficult situation being constantly left in limbo,” said Larsen.

Other students felt like UMW administration responded well to the emergency situation.

“Given the circumstances, I think they did a great job,” said Gabby Barnes, a sophomore in the Nursing program.

Barnes, a first floor resident, said that there is no right way to handle an emergency, and that “you’re always

going to get backlash” from students because of how the situation was resolved. She did mention, however, that the administration “could have communicated a heck of a lot better” and suggested that sending more updates could have eased her mind a bit more.

Emily Beitzell recognized the unfortunate situation that administration was thrown into, but addressed ways she felt they could have handled the situation better.

“I know this was totally out of the blue, and there’s nothing they could have done about the actual situation, but it would have been very beneficial to students to have someone they could reach out to for an answer,” said Beitzell. “Or even just holding a general meeting for anyone who wants information could come so we can ask questions.”

Fleming said, “While these situations are unfortunate, I am always struck by how well everyone comes together to resolve the situation and minimize the impact on students.

Facilities Services, University Police, Emergency Management, Parking, Dining, Risk Management, and Finance have all been amazing partners through this. I believe my team in Residence Life, especially the Eagle Landing RAs and Desk Assistants, did a remarkable job under the circumstances as well. I’m very proud to be a part of this UMW community.”

DEFENSE AND

STRATEGIC

STUDIES G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M

WASHINGTON, DC A R E A CA M PUS

Grace has won an array of medals from the Special Olympics since she first started competing.

Hannah Galeone / The Blue & Gray Press

Students congratulate Braxton on silver medal golf win •Grace | 1

freshman history and religious studies major Cameron Wills. “It’s always cool seeing her, [and] her accomplishment for what she did is amazing.”

“Grace is a phenomenal individual and she’s had a significant impact on the community,” said dean of student life, Cedric Rucker.

Braxton has been working at the University for 24 years with Sodexo, the campus dining retailer at UMW. “We are just overwhelmed with the support from her employer here at Sodexo, from the college students, and the whole Fredericksburg community,” said her mother, Gail Braxton. “We’re grateful that the Special Olympics has given her the opportunity with these fabulous, fabulous competitions.”

“Grace, she just rocks. I can’t put it any other way,” said retail dining director Kiesha Childs. “She cares about what she does, about helping, and about being part of the team.”

Students, faculty, and staff say Braxton has impacted them and the UMW community. “[Grace’s] heart is huge and she’s made a great difference at the university,” said Rucker.

“She cares about what she does, about helping, [and] about being part of the team. To me, she’s my ‘G.’ I love her, she’s my friend,” said Childs.

As of now, Braxton has no plans to stop playing golf. She plans to continue playing and competing in the sport as well as staying sharp in the pool as a competitive swimmer.

MASTER’S DEGREE AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATES OFFERED

Prestigious faculty with extensive experience in national security and international relations Very affordable tuition rates and numerous scholarships available Exciting internship opportunities and global alumni network Evening seated or online courses

Call 703-218-3565 or email DSS1@missouristate.edu | dss.missouristate.edu

10

Thursday, April 18, 2019

NEWS

Students to visit Japan in fall

of 2020 students of my classes last semester. It was a lot Tess Darroch, Rahi of paperwork making sure that I got my Taylor and Kaitlin Viloria will study at classes approved with my department AIU during the upcoming fall semester chair, International Affairs, other stuff and a Japanese student will attend the dealing with financial aid and things University of Mary Washington during that dealt with the UMW side of stuff,” the fall semester. said Taylor “It is very difficult to find study A big challenge Taylor faced was abroad opportunities in Japan unless putting together the paperwork to you already are a fluent speaker,” enroll in the program.

Darroch said. “As someone who has “I had to make copies of my had no experience passport, I had with the Japanese to get bank language, but has “It allows our students to statements, always wanted to learn taken, experience Japan first hand pictures it, I thought that this and I had to and truly immerse program offered me a fill out Akita’s rare opportunity to do themselves in the culture.” application so, since there are not which was many places around super easy this area of the U.S. actually,” said -Jose Sainz that offer courses in Taylor. “At Japanese.” the same time According to its website, Akita I had to write short essays on why I International University is nestled in wanted to go, my plans for the future, the capital city of the Akita Prefecture and other papers for scholarships. in Japan. Though located in Japan, And to top it all off I had to get a the courses are taught in English, recommendation or two.” excluding foreign languages. This Taylor does not intend for this environment gives English speaking program to be the end of his time in students the opportunity to immerse Japan. His overall goal is to become themselves themselves in the culture an English teacher to children in Japan and language while continuing their after graduation from UMW. It is his studies in English. The university hope that this program will better is ranked number one in Japan by prepare him to be successful in his future career.

Steve Rabson, a UMW adjunct professor, has also pushed for the program. An Army veteran, Rabson became intrigued with Japanese culture after being stationed in Okinawa. It was in Rabson’s class on Japanese literature, film and animation that made UMW partners with Akita International University to form a study Darroch aware of the abroad program.

UMW Website program in 2018.

Touyou-Keizai: Hontou-ni Tsuyoi CIE director Jose Sainz has played Daigaku for their international studies a role in creating this program’s program. partnership. Sainz traveled to Akita Darroch stated that she was excited over the recent spring break to further to meet new people, explore the natural explore the campus. beauty, and be immersed in the culture.

“Akita first contacted us about “I am really excited to explore the a possible partnership given the country, especially the Akita province similarities between both institutions: with all of its mountains and hot both small liberal arts universities with springs,” said Darroch. “I want to learn a strong focus on student learning, how to cook as much [Japanese food] growth and development,” said Sainz. as possible so that I can still make “Akita students must study abroad at some dishes when I am back in the a partner university. For UMW it’s a States.” great partnership in Japan, [and] there Taylor expressed excitement about are already six students who have the opportunities provided by the applied to spend a semester at Akita. It program. is a win-win for both universities.”

“One of the things I’m really Sainz also hopes this exchange will excited about is just being able to stay foster more understanding between on campus in another country,” said Japanese and American cultures.

Taylor. “I’m an off-campus student “It allows our students to experience right now and I think that it’ll be a Japan first hand and truly immerse pretty fun experience to stay in a dorm themselves in the culture,” Sainz said. for a semester and be able to participate “I am looking forward to hosting more on a campus. Aside from that, Akita students who while on campus, I’m just excited to continue studying can share their culture with the UMW for my major but within a more community. internationalised setting.”

Sainz went on to state, “I hope that Taylor stated that he was looking like with any of our other exchanges into three different programs, but Akita around the world, we can continue to was his number one choice. He found support those students who have an that while being accepted felt fairly interest in Japan. But also, be the ideal easy, the paperwork for the application destination for Akita students looking was extensive. for a small campus in the U.S. where “I found out about the program they can really feel at home, make new when Ms. Polensky [from the Center friends and learn all about American for International Education] visited one culture.”

•JAPANESE | 2

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Students from UMW Young Democrates gave O’Rourke a t-shirt as a gift.

Beto O’Rourke / Facebook

UMW club meets a presidential candidate

•Beto | 1

UMW students took the stage. Shawnya Peterson, current president of the UMW Young Democrats was joined by Sam Hartz, the incoming president and Bella Aguirre, the publicity chair. Peterson presented O’Rourke with a UMW Young Democrats t-shirt.

In addition to talking about these issues, O’Rourke also made a point to call for unity within the Democratic party during the upcoming election season. He pushed for candidates to support whoever wins the nomination, and promised to campaign in a way that would keep the party unified.

Several felt that this message was important, especially because they felt that the last presidential election divided the nation more than it should have.

“I think it is important for everyone to support each other instead of it being one person against everyone like Trump’s campaign was,” said Drake Dragone, senior music major.

Karoline Albert, junior political science major, felt that the divisiveness of politics stemmed from the fact that the Democratic party, often called the big tent party, has so many different identities and ideologies and the tent

turmoil,” Atkins said. ”We don’t know what can happen over the next four years.”

Some students felt that O’Rourke’s platform could be more specific and targeted towards college-aged students. ”You can’t just have a story, you need substance to it,” Albert said. “You need the policy messaging to it. He’s not really leading the headlines around policy,” said Albert.

Atkins said he would have liked to hear O’Rourke speak on free college education and education more broadly.

Students are largely undecided about who they will vote for in the primary. However, some students believe there are other candidates who have a clearer platform.

Atkins, who plants of voting for Buttigieg believes that Buttigieg is a very impressive candidate.

“It seems like Pete Buttigieg has his plan down to a science, whereas O’Rourke is still on the message of hope,” Atkins said. ”While that is our signature thing for the Democratic party, we are in a place where we need more than hope to push us over on that wall to get us to the next step of this great experiment.”

Students spoke of their admiration

Beto O’Rourke spoke on issues of climate change and prison reform.

just keeps getting bigger. “[O’Rourke] hasn’t really spoken about how to galvanize all those different sections of our party, so it would be interesting to see further on in the campaign how he proposes to do that,” said Albert.

Atkins feels this unity is imperative to the future of the nation.

“If we are not bound together we’re going to lose this election, and we’re going to send this country further into

Alex Sakes

for O’Rourke’s energy and perseverance on the campaign trail.

“From the get-go he was already losing his voice so it just shows that he just really has been doing this every single day for a while now. I saw on my friends’ stories that he was at UVA yesterday so I know that he’s like not resting right now so yeah it proves to me that he’s worth my vote,” said Carlton.

11

SPORTS

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

Nina Serafin discusses cheer stereotypes and varsity potential

ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ Staff Writer

Ten years ago, a gaggle of fourth graders gathered on the sidelines of a local football game. These girls, members of the B League Knights Cheerleading squad, were about to perform their first ever halftime routine.

Each girl had their face painted, kneehigh socks and enough glitter to fill a craft shop. After performing, both sides of the stands erupted in cheers for the girls. At the end of the game each football player gave the girls high fives and hugs, saying they really appreciated their work. This was UMW sophomore Nina Serafin’s, first experience with cheerleading.

With over a decade of cheer under her belt, Serafin cites her sister as her original inspiration for starting cheer.

“She just talked about how much she loved it and I thought, ‘I wanna be just like my sister.’”

Throughout her life Serafin has made sacrifices in order to continue pursuing her passion. At one point she lost her job because she prioritized cheer practice over expanding the number of hours she could work. Serafin backed up her decision to continue prioritizing cheer by saying, “It’s something I’ve been doing for so long I feel like I kind of just inspire myself. I’d be disappointed in myself if I quit now.”

Now that she is in college, Serafin has embraced cheerleading wholeheartedly, and is proud to be on such an accredited team. The cheer team has several

national titles under its belt, including a first place win at Reach the Beach last year, and a second place win this year.

The team practices for competitions and games three times a week for two to three hours. These practices include intense conditioning such as wall sits and push-ups. On top of this conditioning, push-ups are also used as an incentive during stunting practice, where they are doled out if a stunt group drops their flyer. For these stunts Serafin is the main base, meaning she is positioned to the right side of the flyer, holding her right foot.

When they are not competing the team cheers for both the boys and girls basketball team at UMW. According to Serafin, the lack of a football team at UMW impacts the type of stunts they can perform, “We can’t do the same kinds of stunts or tumbling just because the floors are harder [indoors] and it’s more dangerous. For football the track is a bit softer and you have a bunch of people there to help you in case anything goes wrong.”

As a member of the cheerleading team, Serafin feels as if she is often stereotyped in an unfavorable light, “It’s definitely not something that I fit into anyways, so when people try to classify me in that stereotypes it just kinda gets under my skin.” Serafin does admit that the stereotyping at UMW isn’t as bad as it is at some of the larger schools, like South Carolina, where the cheerleading culture is huge.

In addition to the occasional stereotyping, Serafin feels that the cheer

team at UMW faces a problem with practices and sometimes it overlaps with recognition, “It feels like people don’t another club sport or varsity sport and feel like we do a lot, a lot of people don’t we get kicked out.” even know that we go to competition, a Serafin believes that cheerleading lot of people didn’t know that the team should be a varsity sport at UMW due won nationals last year,” said Serafin. to the titles they have won and the work Part of this lack of recognition stems that the team puts in. from a lack of understanding of the As for the future of cheer at UMW, intensity of the sport. Serafin said, “A Serafin has lofty goals, “I hope that it lot of people laugh when I say that our gets bigger and better. I hope that more routine is two minutes and thirty seconds people want to join whether they’ve to three minutes out on the mat, but in never done it before or they have. I hope reality if other people who didn’t do our that we get our recognition, and I hope sport tried doing what we do and were that after years of trying to become a just thrown into it, to put it quite frankly, varsity sport we do, and I hope we have they wouldn’t survive. It’s very hard.” fun while we do it.”

From throwing their fellow teammates into the air to completing mind boggling-flips, the cheer team never slows down.

“People don’t understand the literal blood, sweat and tears that go into this,” said Serafin, citing the concussions and bruises she’s seen as the team catches girls they’ve hurled ten feet in the air.

Some injuries could be prevented, Serafin claims, if another problem is dealt with: the team’s status as a club sport. Because cheerleading isn’t a varsity sport, they aren’t given a personal trainer, a person who Serafin feels would benefit the team and help prevent injuries during practice.

She spoke on several other disadvantages that club sports face. “We don’t get to go to the weight room. We have to reserve Club Cheer won the Reach the Beach UMW Club Cheer the aux gym at the fitness center for national tournament.

Moses Hutchison named CAC men’s tennis Player of the Week “Pretty much everything I do right now, everything I have done, revolves around tennis for almost my whole life,” Moses Hutchison was recently he said. named CAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Hutchison has had to sacrifice a lot Week, making this the second week in for tennis, including different sports and a row that a UMW tennis player was other interests, but said that he does not recognized by the conference. regret the decisions that he has made “It’s my first big college tennis along the way. award,” he said. “That’s exciting.”

“The rewards I get from my Hutchison, a sophomore business teammates, some of the big wins I’ve administration major, started playing had, some of the upsets I’ve lost, I would tennis when he was seven years old say overall I enjoyed that more than what because his older sister had recently I’ve sacrificed,” he said. “I love tennis. I started taking lessons, and has been wouldn’t keep doing it if I didn’t love it.” playing ever since.

Hutchison’s favorite moment came during a match against the University of Redlands, located in California, earlier this season.

“It was tied four all and it came down to my match. I was down a set and I came Moses Hutchinson is the second tennis player recognized by the CAC UMW Athletics back and SEAN MOORE Staff Writer

this season.

won and we ended up beating that team for the first time in eight years.”

But it has not always been easy for Hutchison. One of his biggest setbacks came when he was in high school.

“I lost interest in tennis,” he said.

“Stopped playing tournaments, thought maybe I wouldn’t play college tennis, but then flipped it around, started practicing again, playing tournaments, moved up the rankings almost 2,000 spots in my section and committed here. I realized I had such a love for the sport, I had to keep going with it.”

Hutchison said that the tennis program was a major factor in deciding to come to UMW. “When I talked to the coach I thought he was a really nice guy.

I thought I would improve a lot here,” he said.

Even though people may think of tennis as an individual sport, matches at the collegiate level are won and lost as a team. Because of this, Hutchison said the camaraderie and friendships that have come from the sport have been some of the biggest benefits.

“All the guys on the team are like my brothers, they are my best friends.

So even though it’s individual and you are on your own court playing your own match, you are right there next to the other guy. I’m playing for you, I’m

winning for you, it’s all for the team. You need five points to win a match and that is not coming from just your individual court.”

“At the end of the day, if I played a bad match but our team still won, I would just be happy for the other guys.

Way to put me on your back, I’ll put you on my back next time,” he continued.

When he is not playing tennis, Hutchison enjoys hiking and making music. “A little bit of everything honestly,” he said. “Little bit of EDM, little bit of rap, alternative, rock. I play guitar and I like to attempt at producing.”

Even though he is only a sophomore, Hutchison already has plans for what he is going to do after graduating.

“I plan on going to law school, so I feel like there won’t be a ton of time for [tennis],” he said. But if I end up going for a master’s program I might be an assistant coach at a college or teach as a side job, something like that. I would never see myself putting it down completely.”

In the short term, Hutchison is hoping to make the NCAA tournament. “That’s probably my biggest goal,” he said. “It just depends on how we do for the rest of the season. It’s a grind but it would be fun.”

Club Sports Scoreboard Club Softball Apr. 13 vs. William and Mary 9-0, 14-0

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Club WoMen's Ultimate Apr. 13-14 @ Conference Championship 5-0

Club Men's Ultimate Apr. 27-28 vs. Regional Championship TBA 12