The Weekly Ringer

UMW community mourns alongside friends and family at

UVa following shooting that left three dead and two injured

JOSEPHINE JOHNSON Associate Editor

The UMW community is mourning the loss of three students at the University of Virginia, UMW’s former sibling school. At around 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, three UVa students were shot dead, and two injured. The deceased are Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. All three were football players returning from a field trip.

“This tragedy comes close to home for us, as the University of Mary Washington mourns with the University of Virginia,” said University President Troy Paino. “As a sibling institution, we share a deep history and respect, and now share our sympathies and support. Many of our Mary Washington leaders have extended calls and checked in with colleagues and counterparts, and our students have stepped in support of their friends and classmates across the state.”

The suspected shooter, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., was apprehended a little after 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14.

On Monday morning, UMW students received an email from Vice President of Student Affairs Juliette Landphair and Chief of Police Michael Hall.

“Our hearts go out to the many individuals impacted, particularly the families and friends who have lost loved ones,” the email reads. “Campus safety remains a top priority.”

The UMW Student Government Association posted a statement on its social media.

“On behalf of the student body of the University of Mary Washington, the Student Government Association keeps our friends and family at UVA in our prayers today,

as we all struggle with the tragic news,” the statement read. “Our hearts are with all of you at our sister school as we navigate this tragedy. UMW supports all those grieving from UVA and will always be an ally for anyone in need during this difficult time.”

Until the early 1970s, Mary Washington College was the women’s college of the University of Virginia. It wasn’t until UVa went co-ed that Mary Washington College was considered an independent college, and then renamed to the University of Mary Washington in 2004 as graduate programs grew.

Despite now being two independent universities, the communities at UMW and UVa often overlap. With UVa so close to campus, many students and faculty have loved ones affected.

Sophomore philosophy pre-law major Aiden Halloran grew up in Charlottesville.

“I received a text in a group chat full of people there that the event had happened and they were placed under the ‘RunHideFight.’ I was extremely nervous about their safety at first and grateful they were all ok,” he said. “It’s also hard trying to understand that this happened only minutes from my house as well and could have put my family at threat as well.”

Junior studio art major Sarah Yowell worried about her friends at UVa.

“I found out through my mom texting in the family group chat a news story and she asked me if I had heard anything from my friends who go to UVA and

I immediately got worried,” she said. “I messaged my friends and thankfully none of them were physically hurt; but the thing that makes me upset was the fact that I have had to worry about this issue with school shootings since kindergarten and it is still happening while I’m in college.”

“As a sibling institution, we share a deep history and respect, and now share our sympathies and support. Many of our Mary Washington leaders have extended calls and checked in with colleagues and counterparts, and our students have stepped in support of their friends and classmates across the state.”

-Troy Paino

Junior psychology and studio art double major Jessey Machado has a younger brother, Nicholas, who is a freshman at UVa. Nicholas texted the family group chat around 11:30 p.m., saying that there was an active shooter on campus.

“I slept horribly that night, and when I had woken up my brother was still in lockdown,” said Machado. “He

UMW Theatre opens “The Rocky Horror Show.”

Cross country reaches finish line of ‘22 season.

UVA shooting victims D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler and Lavel Davis Jr. University of Virginia Athletics

A bouquet of flowers placed on the field at Scotts Stadium in rememberance of the three victims.

@VirginiaSports / Instagram

The

Weekly Ringer

Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Jess Kirby

weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com

Business Editor

Erin Matuczinski

weeklyringer.business@gmail.com

Associate Editors

Josephine Johnson

Norah Walsh

weeklyringer.associate@gmail.com

Copy Editor

UMW reflects on 2019 active shooter threat following fatal shooting at

FROM UVA PAGE 1

hadn’t eaten in hours nor left

his room. By the time the stay in place order was lifted, it was more than 12 hours since the first notice was sent out. Nevertheless, my brother refused to leave his dorm to eat that day.”

The recent situation that happened at UVa has brought up memories of the active shooter threat at UMW a few years ago. In Nov. 2019, UMW was put into a shelterin-place order after a student threatened to shoot via voicemail.

Whitt, senior accounting major. “Can you ever be prepared for an active shooter situation? Plus, we don’t discuss active shooter plans in classes so we literally wouldn’t know what to do.”

According to Hall in a 2019 article by The Weekly Ringer, the threat gave the university an opportunity to evaluate future responses. The UMW Police Department did not immediately respond to The Weekly Ringer’s request for comment.

because the students in Combs didn’t know where to go and they were running around without a safe space to go to,” said Whitt.

weeklyringer.copy@gmail.com

News Editor

Grace Schumacher Callie Harkins

weeklyringer.news@gmail.com

Opinion Editor

Abby Knowles

weeklyringer.opinion@gmail.com

Life Editor

Josephine Good

weeklyringer.life@gmail.com

Sports Editor

Emily Hemphill

weeklyringer.sports@gmail.com

Online Editors

Ally Tingen

Emma Brennan

weeklyringer.online@gmail.com

Photography Editor

Sarah Sklar

weeklyringer.photos@gmail.com

Faculty Advisor

Sushma Subramanian

ssubrama@umw.edu

Advertisement

Please direct all advertising inquiries to Erin Matuczinski at weeklyringer.business@gmail.com.

“I really have no idea if we’re prepared for an active shooter situation,” said Emily

UMW’s current active shooter response lists that students should evacuate, hide out and take action only as a last resort.

“I don’t think we were prepared in 2019

Halloran, a UVa football season ticket holder, watched the three players who died many times.

“One of those identified was Lavel Davis Jr.,” said Halloran. “I am a season ticket holder at UVA as well and have watched him many times as well as met him off the field. Thus I hold this closer to my heart ... all of those associated have my condolences.”

This week, both the UMW and UVa communities are taking time to reflect on the lives lost.

“We’ll be with them to heal, to learn, and to extend care and community from Mary Washington during this difficult time,” said Paino. “UVA is on our minds and in our hearts.”

Gwen Hale Resource Center provides students with produce from local food bank

Throughout the semester, in front of Lee Hall, the Gwen Hale Resource Center has held a food bank pop up market on the first and third Thursday of every month, where students can get fresh produce and a different assortment of snacks.

Corrections

Please report any corrections to Jess Kirby at weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian at ssubrama@umw.edu

Bell tower logo designed by Bernadette D’Auria ‘22

“The purpose is to bring free food to UMW students and the community and raise awareness about food insecurity by providing food and having the food bank there,” said senior history major and coordinator

of the resource center Taylor Coleman.

According to Coleman, the market has been popular in the community with 170 people showing up every two weeks. The resource center

collaborates with the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank to provide the UMW community with produce and various snacks.

“The pop up market is focused on produce, what the food bank calls a ‘fresh market’ so it’s almost entirely fruits and vegetables,” said Associate Professor of sociology Leslie Martin. “It’s the hardest stuff for us to get regularly and we know it’s really important for people’s diets and good produce tends to be more expensive.”

According to Martin, if students who stop by the pop up market don’t find food that they want, they are sent to the fourth floor of Lee Hall to browse more options.

According to a survey that the resource center conducted in the spring of 2021, 20-25%

UVA students place mementos like flowers and cards to honor three killed. @UVA / Instagram

UVa

“I found out through my mom texting in the family group chat a news story and she asked me if I had heard anything from my friends who go to UVA and I immediately got worried.”

-Sarah Yowell

The Gwen Hale Resource Center serves those who are food insecure on and off campus.

Aaron Doucett / Unsplash

“The purpose is to bring free food to UMW students and the community and raise awareness about food insecurity by providing food and having the food bank there”

-Taylor Coleman

PEARL LEE Staff Editor

UMW should hold a separate commencement for those who graduate in the fall and summer

MADISON MCCALLUM Staff Writer

Walking across the stage for graduation symbolizes the end of an era, as it’s a significant accomplishment that signals the start of a new chapter of life for grad uates, wherever that may take them. However, the opportunity to walk during commencement comes with uncertainty for those who complete their education in the fall or summer.

The University of Mary Washington’s only com mencement is at the end of the spring semester in May, which means that students who completed their studies earlier in the year have to wait another full semester or more until they’re able to commemorate the end of their college career. This is the case for anyone graduating in under or over four years, which has been frequent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By not having a fall commencement as they do at the end of the spring semester, students often miss the opportunity to walk at all, since their post-graduation plans often draw them away. Not only is commencement a tradition that culminates the time a student has spent at the institution, but it also provides a time for students to celebrate their accom plishments and hard work before they enter the work force with a degree in hand.

four and a half years at the university—all the while being a full time student.

“It would be nice to have a more formal recognition at the end of fall for students like my self who happen to not have a spring semester,” said Zegada. “It’s super anticlimactic and feels just fake to graduate in the fall, just to come back and walk in the spring.”

As a first generation graduate, Zegada must wait until May to cele brate her accomplish ment, feeling as if the excitement of finishing her studies is disillu sioning.

“It’s a bit disappointing because I’m the first member of my family to graduate from college, and I don’t get a ceremony or anything,” said Zegada. “I wish UMW did more to recognize every student’s accomplishments rather than just the tradition al, spring graduates.”

However, not holding a fall commencement also affects those who graduate early.

Recent communication and digital studies graduate, Maggie Mae Young, completed her studies over the summer after her third year of college, and she has to wait to walk almost a year later in May. She completed her remaining credits over the summer after falling short credit-wise last spring.

summer or fall have to return in the spring if they wish to walk. On top of possible visa restrictions, the price of a plane ticket and hotels may limit them from being able to come back in the spring. Therefore, a fall commencement ceremony would also provide international students with an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishment.

“Being an international student, it could affect me massively as I would not be able to make it back in the Spring,” said international master’s student Bradlee Nicholls, who is from South Africa. “Luckily for me, I’ll be working in the USA and will try to make it back in the spring to walk, but there is no guarantee, which is unfortunate since this will be my MBA graduation.”

For this reason, UMW should offer a commencement ceremony in the fall in addition to the springtime event in order to provide graduating students the ability to close out their education on a ceremonious note. College is a time for students to further develop their interests, which can sometimes prolong their time at the university.

In an article by the Collegiate Parent, some of the main reasons behind students extending their college ex perience include taking lighter class loads, changing ma jors, having a high number of extracurriculars and adding on majors or minors. Some students are also able to finish their degrees in fewer than eight semesters, which means that they also have to wait for spring commencement to walk, even if they technically graduated earlier.

Senior marketing major Kayla Zegada, who came in as a biology major, is facing this problem now. After completing her overall credit requirement, changing her major halfway through junior year from an accounting major meant that she would be required to spend one extra semester at UMW in order to fulfill all of her major requirements. Zegada has not only been responsible for her studies, but she has also taken part in over 14 extracurricular activities and internships over the past

“There is a great number of students that have worked hard—whether they are graduating early or late—and they deserve to experience a celebration of that without having to wait an entire year,” said Young. “I am still a fresh graduate, and the excitement is still being felt. I am not sold on the idea of coming back in the spring, as I will be busy out in the real world, working and creating a new life. It seems silly to come back after an entire year to walk with people I barely know.”

Nicholls originally came from South Africa to Freder icksburg to play for the school’s Division I men’s rugby team. However, the excitement of graduating with a mas ter’s in business administration has been dimmed by the uncertainty of where he will be during commencement in May. Focused on finding a job in the United States to complete his optional practical training, Nicholls must find a sufficient position within the business analytic or financial risk management sector to be permitted to reside in the country, which is the case for many international students who wish to stay because of visa purpos es.

For international students, staying for graduation is even more complicated. The possibility of international students coming back to the United States for spring commencement is not only extremely challenging, but it is also difficult for those who need to ascertain a visa in order to return to the U.S.

According to the University of Mary Washington’s website, there are currently students from over 20 for eign countries attending the university, and those who return to their home countries after they graduate in the

“Mary Washington needs to start offering fall com mencement,” said Nicholls. “It doesn’t have to be nearly as big as the standard one in May, but there should be one to cater to those who worked hard to finish early. People who can’t make it back for the May graduation are basically left without a graduation, which is an important milestone for people and should be allowed to celebrate the exact same way.”

By not offering a fall commencement for recent gradu ates, UMW makes it harder for those who don’t finish at the end of a spring semester to celebrate this milestone. Between staying for prolonged semesters to graduating early, students have worked hard during their college years, and they deserve to be able to celebrate their ac complishments when it happens, not months afterwards.

The class of 2022 participates in graduation in May. University of Mary Washington / Facebook

“It would be nice to have a more formal recognition at the end of fall for students like myself who happen to not have a spring semester, it’s super anticlimatic and feels just fake to graduate in the fall, just to come back and walk in the spring.”

-Kayla Zegada

“Being an international student, it could affect me massively as I would not be able to make it back in the spring.”

-Bradlee Nicholls

UMW Theatre’s “The Rocky Horror Show” takes the audience on a strange and sensual journey

JOSEPHINE GOOD Life Editor

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from UMW’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show,” it’s that men with really toned legs look great in fishnet stockings.

On Nov. 9, UMW Theatre opened up its doors to show off its new production “The Rocky Horror Show,” directed by Gregg Stull with musical direction by Ben Shaver and choreography by Samantha L. Reynolds. Written by Richard O’Brien and first performed in 1973, the show follows a journey of self-discovery and embracing your true self.

In the show, two lovers, Brad Major and Janet Weiss, played by Mason Oberle and Shannon McGowan, stumble upon an unlikely bunch of people. Covered in fishnet, leather and tattoos, the people living in Frank ‘N’ Furter’s mansion guide Janet and Brad through sexual experiences and what many would consider to be a kinky awakening.

The performance has extensive audience participation, mainly shown by the “call-outs” from the audience at specific times in the show. For example, whenever an actor says “Brad Major,” everyone in the audience yells out “Asshole!” Those and other call-outs happen throughout the show.

When asked about how audience interaction affects the atmosphere, senior theatre major Oscar Leon, who plays Frank ‘N’ Furter, said, “Whatever the audience’s energy is, and whatever they’re sending out is reflected on what we do.”

Having seen the show, I can attest to this. However, according to Leon, there are also some difficulties that come along with the call-outs from the audience.

“Sometimes I get a little caught up in the audience participation because it’s a long [call-out] and I’m like

‘Oh, that’s a funny one—what am I going to say next?’” Leon said.

The audience participation doesn’t stop at the callouts. If purchased for an extra $2, audience members will receive a fun pack with different props, including a water gun, newspaper, toilet paper and rubber gloves, they can use throughout the show to enhance and bring the storyline to life. However, five people around me ended up sitting in damp seats because their water guns were not sealed, and one of the noise-making props didn’t work quite as well as audience members had hoped.

Aside from this, the show was a spectacular performance. I grew up watching and listening to “The Rocky Horror Show,” but it’s been a few years since I saw it, so when I saw the actors dancing down the aisles in lingerie, I had an initial shock but was left in awe, wondering how all of these people could be so confident being so raunchy.

Confidence in both your body and your sexuality is a theme that the show portrayed very well. With sex scenes and most of the characters singing and dancing in only underwear throughout the performance, the roles require a lot of confidence, or at least a fake-it-tillyou-make-it attitude.

Sophomore music major Kyleigh Friel, who plays Magenta and an Usherette in the show, discussed the way that being so unclothed affected her personally.

“For me, before I started Rocky, I wasn’t as comfortable in my body, dancing and just being so exposed,” she said. “And

I’m pretty clothed in the show too. But I didn’t expect to feel so much more comfortable just moving around and taking up space, which is kind of a really cool thing that I didn’t expect to get out of this experience.”

There were a few surprising moments as characters revealed themselves throughout the show, one being the moment when a gurney rolled up and a sheet flew off to reveal Rocky on stage in nothing but gold underwear. I had the lovely opportunity to sit in a group of young boys and older women, who all had different reactions. I heard one lady a few seats down shout out “You turn me on!” while the boys sitting behind me couldn’t stop their giggling—I’m talking about you, seat 109F.

With the elaborate, two-story set, the actors danced up and down a spiral staircase, across a balcony and through the audience, making the audience part of the show. The stage was also built out into the area where there are usually seats, making it feel almost like a concert.

With much anticipation surrounding the show, it sold out before it even opened. However, to anyone who is preparing to see it, senior theatre major Shannon McGowan gave some advice.

“Remember that this is a celebration of difference, so embrace it and have a good time!” she said. “Don’t dream it, be it.”

“The Rocky Horror Show” will continue Nov. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.

Kyleigh Friel plays the character Magenta as well as an Usherette.

Photo Courtesy of Geoff Greene

The show portrays the sexual wakening of Brad Major and Janet Weiss, played by Mason Oberle and Shannon McGowan.

Photo Courtesy of Geoff Greene

“The Rocky Horror Show” is a story of feeling confident in your body and your sexuality.

Photo Courtesy of Geoff Greene

Personal essay: Finding my place with the Aubade

DAVy WASHINGTON Senior Writer

In the fall of 2021, I came to UMW in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, wanting to find my place, but worried it would never happen. The social spheres that quickly form and just as quickly dissolve at the beginning of freshman year can be suffocating, and there seemed to be dozens—if not hundreds—surrounding me, even as we were separated by COVID precautions.

As someone who came to college mostly sure of what their major would be—English with a creative writing concentration—I didn’t think that I would give it a second thought when classes started. But my grades didn’t initially match my love for poetry and writing, and I questioned whether English was really the right fit for me.

Aside from my in-class struggles, being an English major comes with a lot of stereotypes. Many think that it’ll lead to struggling with unemployment, but the worst part of my time was struggling with really harsh phases of writer’s block and a lot of selfdoubt about whether or not being an English major was socially acceptable. Growing up, I never heard of people being able to major in English, and even once I learned that it was a possibility, those who did follow that path were seemingly few and far between. This academic uncertainty only made the social uncertainty worse.

When the spring semester started, a lot of my friends had found their place, or were at least beginning to, but I still felt a little clueless. That is, until Club Carnival came around, and I found the Aubade’s table. I was greeted by the directors of marketing and layout, Sarah Miller and Layla Barnes, respectively, who immediately struck up a conversation with me, asking about me and why I was interested in the Aubade.

On Jan. 24, 2022, I timidly walked into my first weekly, 7 p.m. Aubade staff meeting, which was just about to begin. The room was packed with masked staff members buzzing with conversation, and that only drew me in. We had a Google Drive folder full of works—poetry, prose and artwork—to discuss that meeting, and people were still flowing in as the submissions director introduced himself and went over the agenda. As the meeting went on, more and more jumped out at me that I wanted to chime in on.

Weeknight after weeknight spent looking at students’ poetry and prose, I felt a sense of ease, like I had been seamlessly welcomed into a group of people so similar to me. I realized, as one staff member eagerly passed out copies of the magazine from the semester before, that things were clicking into place for me.

The officers of the club at the time I joined—Maggie Millar, Sarah Miller, Layla Barnes and Hollis Cobb—created a community that valued student input and fostered a creative outlook.

The staff members of the Aubade made me feel like my voice was heard, as my comments contributed to lively discussions on what we liked and didn’t like about a piece.

Being part of the Aubade meant discussing works that put my college experience— and thus my major—into perspective. After finding a home in the Aubade’s community, I was able to branch out and find more appreciation for the literature scene on campus. Taking an introductory creative writing class was the perfect choice, as it culminated all of the wonderful parts I had experienced in my extracurriculars into a class, and it exposed me to even more poetry from published writers and fellow students alike.

My worries about being an English major, I realized, couldn’t have been further from the truth; there is so much value and beauty within the literary arts, and there is always a need for those who create this art, too. Through the bright minds that populate the UMW campus, always astonishing me with their skill and creativity, I have been able to witness this beauty firsthand, and I am so lucky for it.

As my fears dissolved, I embraced the English major identity, allowing me to be inspired by the faculty in the English department. Dr. Laura Bylenok was my professor for my Intro. to Creative Writing class, and her words allowed me to see poetry as both writing and a form of art. I remember walking in on my first day of classes in the spring being scared of whether or not I’d fit in or find any use out of the class, but I can say with certainty that I’ve grown exponentially as a writer since then and am able to see poetry in many different ways.

Now, I’m enrolled in Dr. Bylenok’s Creative Writing: Poetry class, and it’s been an invigorating experience. She’s the kind of professor that will give you insightful comments and make poetry a playful learning experience. When we’re learning about a specific form of poetry, we discuss example poems in class before writing our own poems in that style. What I love is that she’s all for breaking the rules of tradition, so I’ve never been afraid to add my own twist to the poems I submit for class.

Growing more comfortable in class and in the Aubade not only tamed the nagging doubts in my head, but it also led me to run for a leadership role on the Aubade as the special programming director. When I was elected, I created a committee of people to plan and run our events to make them as fun and enjoyable as possible. One of these events was a Spooky Story competition that I planned for October. It involved a prize basket of Halloween-themed goodies, along with some UMW swag. It might’ve been small, but it was a creative twist on our usual Open Mic nights that ended up being a fun way to engage with the community.

After finding so much purpose in the Aubade, I founded a poetry admiration club of my own called Fine Print with my friend Elsa Howell, which took off this semester. In Fine Print, we focus more specifically on poetry admiration by looking at poems from past authors and discussing themes, topics and what we enjoy about poetry. We also do activities to bolster creativity and fuel ideas for people to write more poetry themselves.

Though so much has changed, when I think back to when I first held the spring 2022 issue of the Aubade—the first one that I contributed to—I felt how much the Aubade valued my words, as my feedback helped determine which pieces were published. The opportunity to create a free literary magazine for students, to contribute to a longstanding UMW publication and to share our art and our love for creative writing with the entire campus, has been unmatched.

In my time at UMW, I’ve not only grown as a writer, but I’ve gained more confidence in my major and the path it’s leading me down in life. I’ve established a solid presence in the department and on campus by working as a writing consultant, joining the Aubade, founding Fine Print and contributing in my English classes. Moving forward, I hope that from now until I graduate I can make a lasting impact on the literature community at UMW through groups or programs that bring even more like-minded people together to keep the art form alive. My goal is to take Fine Print and turn it into an organization that other college campuses can take on and adopt in some form. But no matter what, through these efforts, I know I’ve found my place.

The Aubade is the official limag for the University of Mary Washington. @umw_litmag / Instagram

Davy Washington has found like-minded people among the staff of the Aubade.

Davy Washington / The Weekly Ringer

Swifties skip class for Eras Tour tickets:

CALLIE HARKINS News Editor

Some Taylor Swift fans at UMW skipped their classes on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to join the millions attempting to purchase tickets for Swift’s “The Eras Tour.” Ticketmaster Verified Fan Presale went live on Tuesday, Nov. 15, and prospective buyers were met with website errors ranging from full page crashes to invalid presale codes.

“Ticketmaster was super frustrating to work with because I had to skip all my classes just to even get a shot at getting tickets,” said freshman Daniella Asnicar, who waited in the queue during her classes.

Freshman Amber Candido waited in the Ticketmaster queue for six hours but was ultimately unable to purchase tickets during the presale. She planned to try again

during Ticketmaster’s Capital One cardholder presale on Wednesday, Nov. 16 but was discouraged by her inability to get tickets on Tuesday.

“It was unpleasant and stressful,” she said.

Students were not anticipating the hours-long wait times that would interfere with their classes.

“I didn’t expect getting tickets would take up an entire day,” said freshman Sabrina Perez. “It was quite frustrating and nerve racking of there being a possibility of getting kicked out in the queue.”

Perez did not get verified for the presale, so she had to rely on a friend to skip her classes and secure tickets for her group.

“Unfortunately I got waitlisted from getting the presale,” she said. “Luckily I did get tickets. My friend skipped her classes in order to get them for our group. It was a larger group and we were able to get tickets in the nosebleeds.”

After waiting in line for about four hours, Asnicar eventually got tickets as well but was not pleased by the fees.

“The fees were ridiculous,” she said. “I bought three of the cheapest tickets available, $109 each, and the fees were $111... the price of another ticket.”

However, she said the fees and skipping her classes were worth it.

“I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it means seeing Taylor but there’s no way there’s not a better way Ticketmaster could’ve done things,” she said.

Perez also said the tickets were worth the wait.

“I expected high fees as mostly social media prepared for that to come,” she said. “I’d pay anything to see Taylor. On top of that the ticket price was not bad at all, well worth the wait.”

11% of UMW students surveyed by resource center report living at high food insecurity level

FROM GHRC PAGE 2

of UMW student respondents reported experiencing food insecurity during the academic year. Approximately 11.05% of students who responded to the survey reported they currently live at a high food insecurity level.

Of the students who reported experiencing food insecurity, 41% were Black or African American, 32% were white, 31% were Hispanic, 29% were

Asian and 27% were students of other races. The survey respondents were 72% white, 8% Black or African American, 8.5% Latinx, 4.2% other Asian or Asian American, 2.7% Southeast Asian and 1.3% each of American Indian, Alaska Native & Middle Eastern, North African, Arab and Arab American.

“We have seen over time more and more of our students really struggling to get basic needs met,” said Martin. “That’s what led us to create the Gwen Hale

resource center 4 years ago and then every semester we expand offerings, the pop up market being an example.”

Currently, the pop up market is hosted every two weeks, but the resource center is planning on including more days to reach more students and others in the community.

“We’re going to continue to have them in the next semester but we’re going to expand so we’re not just going to have them on Thursdays,” said Coleman. “We’re

Crime Column

CALLIE HARKINS News Editor

Petit Larceny

On Nov. 7 at noon, there was a case of petit larceny in Cus tis Hall. This case is pending.

Grand Larceny

On Nov. 9 at 11 a.m., there was a case of grand larceny in Seacobeck Hall. This case is pending.

also going to have them on Wednesdays on alternating weeks so we’re trying to get more people and continue to provide food for students.”

Students have found the resource center useful when in need of food.

“I’ve been to the Gwen Hale resource center plenty of times when I needed food quickly and stuff. It’s great,” said sophomore biology major Leah Reaves.

Underaged Possession of Marijuana

On Nov. 16 at 12:06 a.m., there was a case of underaged possession of marijuana in Marshall Hall. This case is pending.

“I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it means seeing Taylor.”

“I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it means seeing Taylor but there’s no way there’s not a better way Ticketmaster could’ve done things.”

-Daniella Asnicar

Taylor Swift is set to perform 52 shows between March and August 2023. @TaylorSwift / Instagram

Cross country reaches finish line of ‘22 season

ADDy REEHER Staff Writer

UMW’s cross country team finished their season on Nov. 12 at the NCAA Division III South Regional Championship meet at Christopher Newport University.

The men’s team, which runs an 8k, finished in 11th place out of 24 competing schools and the women, who run a 6k, were ranked 15th out of 27. Patrick Murphy led the men’s team with a time of 26:31, earning him a 17th-place finish and all-region honors. UMW’s top female runner at the championship meet was senior Grace Pippin, who finished her race in 61st place at a time of 26:14.

Many former UMW cross country runners came out to support the teams, providing the team with some additional encouragement.

Going into the regional competition, sophomore environmental science and Spanish double major Jessica Oberlies said, “We’re starting to be at the peak of our season so everybody has been scaling back on miles and fine tuning where we’re at. I can tell that everyone feels really strong and this is the most in shape we’ve been all season.”

Murphy, a senior cybersecurity major, had a good chance of making the cut to nationals, but missed the qualification by one spot and 20 seconds.

“I was unfortunately unable to qualify for nationals,” said Murphy. “It was a brutal race in some hot weather that completely shook up the results.”

men’s and women’s cross country teams have fully embraced laying down a solid foundation this year and creating those building blocks to have a successful team year in and year out.”

Because only the top two teams and top seven runners from regionals qualify for nationals, UMW didn’t make the cut. But despite the disappointing results, Murphy is still proud of how far he and the team came this season.

Coming into the season after the loss of several strong seniors, some of the athletes didn’t expect to do as well as they did. Yet, the men’s team ended up only dropping one place in the NCAA D-III rankings, going from No. 10 in the 2021 season to No. 11.

The meet on Saturday not only concluded the team’s 2022 season, but also head coach Asia Hart’s first season leading the Eagles.

With Hart, the cross country team was focused on rebuilding after losing strong runners that graduated. Despite these hurdles, under strong leadership and commitment, the team proved their endurance and surprised themselves with their season’s success.

“My first season here as a head coach has gotten off to a solid

start,” said Hart. “The men’s and women’s cross country teams have fully embraced laying down a solid foundation this year and creating those building blocks to have a successful team year in and year out.”

The cross country team has adjusted well to the new leadership. Senior communication and digital studies major Nick Onorato mentioned that Hart has taken on some of the logistical tasks, such as planning away trips that the runners used to be in charge of, and has also hosted team bonding events that boosted the camaraderie among the teams. One of those was walking around Reading Market in Philadelphia, Pa., after a meet and enjoying some Philly cheesesteaks with the team, Onorato recalled.

Additionally, Hart has been mixing things up in the weight room by instructing the athletes in different exercise routines. She’s also done more to integrate the long-distance runners with the sprinters, helping them feel more like one team.

The new training regimine paid off, as earlier in the season two UMW runners were recognized as C2C Cross Country Athletes of the Week after their strong performance at the Shenandoah University Hornet Harrier race: Murphy and Teresa Guzman. Murphy helped lead the men’s team to a second-place finish, and Guzman led the women to a third-place finish.

University of Mary Washington Fall Sports Schedule

EMILy HEMPHILL Sports Editor

Men’s Soccer (12-4-3)

Nov. 6 W vs. Chris. Newport @ Salisbury (penalty kicks shootout)

Nov. 12 W vs. Marymount (1-0)

Nov. 13 W vs. Ohio Wesleyan (1-0) Nov. 19 @ Amherst

Men’s Rugby (2-6)

Nov. 5 L @ Penn State University (17-29)

Nov. 12 L vs. Kutztown University (12-55) Dec. 3 @ TBA

Men’s Basketball (2-0)

Nov. 8 W @ Lynchburg (85-58) Nov. 12 W @ N.C. Wesleyan (6461) Nov. 16 vs. Randolph-Macon Nov. 22 vs. Hampden-Sydney

Women’s Basketball (3-0)

Nov. 11 W @ Randolph-Macon (75-62)

Nov. 13 W vs. Gettysburg (53-49) Nov. 19 vs. Mary Baldwin

Women’s Volleyball (26-8)

Then, on Oct. 29, the men’s and women’s cross country teams placed fourth at the C2C Conference Championships, racing against Christopher Newport University, UC Santa Cruz, Salisbury University, Warren Wilson College and Pratt Institute.

At the championship meet, the men’s team received 99 points with two of their senior runners among the top fifteen: Patrick Murphy with a 12th place finish and a time of 25:17 and Nick Onorato in 14th at 25:33. The women finished with 117 points as Pippin led with a 17th place finish at 23:41 and Oberlies finished 23rd with a time of 24:29.

Murphy and Onorato, with times of 25:17 and 25:33, respectively, made all-conference at C2C and both ran times one minute faster than the seniors at the 2021 C2C meet.

Overall, the team was able to succeed and learn how to test their limits.

“Distance running isn’t just about getting the fastest time,” said Murphy. “It’s about the bonds formed through fighting through pain and pushing yourself.”

Onorato felt that the season went really well.

“The team ran crazy PRs [personal records] and have been improving a lot,” he said. “I don’t think there was a lot we could have done better.”

Nov. 10 W vs. Cedar Crest (3-0) Nov. 11 W vs. Eastern (3-0) Nov. 12 L vs. Johns Hopkins (0-3)

Men’s Swimming (5-2)

Nov. 11 W vs. St. Mary’s (177-81) Nov. 12 @ Frostburg St. (148-114) Nov. 18-20 @ Franklin & Marshall Invitational

Women’s Swimming (6-1)

Nov. 11 W vs. St. Mary’s (202-60) Nov. 12 W @ Frostburg St. (167-94) Nov. 18-20 @ Franklin & Marshall Invitational

Games are available to watch via livestream on the UMW Athletics webpage

Full schedule not listed above. Most recent games included. Bold indicates home game.

UMW women’s cross country team huddles up before a race. UMW Athletics

Senior Patrick Murphy runs in the NCAA regional preview meet. UMW Athletics

“Distance running isn’t just about getting the fastest time. It’s about the bonds formed through fighting through pain and pushing yourself.”

-Patrick Murphy

“The

-Asia Hart