The Breeze 10.7.21 Family Weekend Supplement

Page 1

FAMILY WEEKEND

DA D

The Breeze


2

Punt, Pass and Kick your way to a chance to win

$25,000 with CommonWealth ONE!

You’re the one calling the shots when you’re on the field! Punt the football from the JMU end zone, pass the football from where your kick lands, then kick a field goal. If your football goes through the uprights, you win $25,000! Ready for some football … and your chance to win $25,000! There are many ways to enter. The more entries you have, the better your odds. • Join the team by becoming a CommonWealth One Member1 • Give your CommonWealth One checking account some playing time2 • Score a low rate by getting a CommmonWealth One loan3 • Huddle-up and meet with one of our representatives for a Financial Check Up4 • Stay in the zone by texting WIN to 833-798-0777 or scan the QR code5 Hurry, your chance to play to win ends October 15! For complete details and rules for CommonWealth One’s Punt, Pass and Kick Sweepstakes, please visit cofcu.org/win. Membership eligibility required. Membership is open to residents of VA, MD, DC, NC, TN, KY and WV. 2Member must have an active CommonWealth One checking account with bill pay activity, direct deposit activity, or six debit card transactions in a month. 3Member must get a personal, car, home equity, or mortgage loan of $5,000 or more with CommonWealth One during the promotion period. 4Member must meet with a CommonWealth One Certified Financial Counselor or meet with a CommonWealth One Financial Network Advisor for a Financial Check Up during the promotion period. 5No purchase necessary to enter or win. Must be a legal resident of the United States who is 18 years of age or older at the time of entry, except residents of Florida, Puerto Rico, New York, Rhode Island, and where otherwise prohibited by law. To enter without purchase, individuals can text “WIN” to 833-798-0777. Our mobile text messages are delivered via USA code 833-798-0777. Up to 6 messages per month. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Standard message and data rates may apply. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm, Friday, October 15, 2021. For complete terms and rules for CommonWealth One’s Punt, Pass, and Kick Sweepstakes, please visit cofcu.org/win.

1

COFCU Punt Pass Kick Ad 10x12.5.indd 1

8/25/2021 4:27:33 PM


3

WHAT’S INSIDE FO L

Family Weekend tour

B R EE Z E O NL I

The Breeze

JMU’S AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1922

10 14

Editorial

Brothers and teammates International students

fAMILY WEEKEND STAFF

1598 S. Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801

EXECUTIVE EDITOR JILLIAN CAREY

ART DIRECTOR MADDIE ROOT PHOTO EDITOR CHRISTINE BRADY

PHONE: (540) 568-6127 FAX: (540) 568-7889

MANAGING EDITOR CONNOR MURPHY

NEWS EDITORS KAMRYN KOCH & ASHLYN CAMPBELL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JAKE CONLEY

CULTURE EDITORS AMY NEEDHAM & CHARLOTTE MATHERLY COPY EDITOR GRANT JOHNSON

Advertising CREATIVE DIRECTOR RITA YOHAM AD DESIGNERS CATHERINE CONNOLLY

Thursday, October 7, 2021

W

E TH

COVID-19 changes

E N

LO

4 7

Photos by Christine Brady / The Breeze


4

Graphic by Madison Hricik / The Breeze

A belated family bash JMU prepares for its first in-person Family Weekend in two years

Some students and parents said they don’t have safety concerns for Family Weekend, citing high vaccination rates in the JMU community. Christine Brady / The Breeze

Thursday, October 7, 2021

By KINGSTON THOMAS contributing writer

JMU’s upcoming Family Weekend leaves many excited, though there are still concerns. Last year, COVID-19 canceled many inperson events, and even now the threat of the virus remains. Sophomore psychology major Liam Payne said he thinks the weekend’s events will go well, though he acknowledges the risks, mentioning the tickets for the football game selling out quickly. “It’ll be fine, I don’t think it’ll spike [COVID-19], but I think it’s a little risky for JMU to have such a big event,” Payne said. “If it sold out that quickly, a lot of people are coming and that’s pretty risky.” Payne said he thinks JMU’s current COVID-19 measures are working well, citing the high vaccination numbers — 91.9% of students and 88% of employees are vaccinated, according to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard. “I definitely think there are some health concerns because a lot of people are coming from a lot of places,” Payne said. He suggested JMU should implement family testing or vaccine verifications to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ginny Cramer, JMU assistant director of media relations, said in an email to The Breeze that JMU is confident Family Weekend will be a success. “We’re excited for JMU families to gather

again in person as a community,” Cramer said in the email. “As always, we’re dedicated to making Family Weekend safe and fun.” Cramer said in the email that JMU’s letting students and families choose which events best fit their interests and comfort level this year. Cramer said students and families will be asked to follow JMU’s current COVID-19 measures, including staying home if they feel sick, wearing masks while indoors and around people and following locationspecific requirements — for instance, specific protocols for places like the Atlantic Union Bank Center, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, the University Recreation Center (UREC) and Bridgeforth Stadium. “The JMU community has come together for a successful start to the new academic year,” Cramer said in the email. “We fully expect that same spirit of community, respect for others and personal responsibility to make this Family Weekend one to remember.” Landen Chanthaphanij, a freshman business management major, said because of vaccines, crowd size has been lessening, so there won’t be as large of a group of people as in previous years. However he said he thinks there will still be a large number of people in attendance. “I’m not sure how well JMU’s current measures will hold up,” Chanthaphanij said. “There will probably be an increase in the spreading of COVID.” Chanthaphanij said he’s not sure what

further measures JMU could implement to combat the spread, saying that even with mask mandates, many people still might not wear masks properly. Hanna Hogge, a junior Spanish major, said her parents aren’t attending Family Weekend due to hotel logistics. She said Family Weekend is going to be “awesome” and can’t imagine it being anything less. Hogge said she doesn’t see many safety concerns due to her and her friends being vaccinated and always trying to maintain social distancing. “I assume some parents are concerned, but if they’re coming, they know what they’re doing,” Hogge said. “I think JMU’s safety measures are good enough because I haven’t heard many complaints so far.” Hogge thinks a spike in cases is possible, or even inevitable, with the influx of new people coming to campus. “You’re bringing a bunch of people from a bunch of different places together,” Hogge said. “It’s inevitable, right?” Michelle Yancy, a JMU parent and elementary school teacher, said she doesn’t have any safety concerns at all regarding Family Weekend. She said JMU has “done a really great job” of keeping parents informed of what the COVID-19 situation has been like on campus. Specifically, Yancy pointed to the university’s high vaccination rates among students and employees — as listed on JMU’s COVID-19 dashboard — as proof of wellbeing in the JMU community.

Yancy said she’s aware that students must wear masks indoors and parents probably will too. She said she’s not worried, though, because her daughter made a full recovery after getting COVID-19 earlier in the semester. “I know what students have lost in the last year and a half, so I feel like they’re doing what needs to be done to allow students to learn as normally as possible and as safely as possible,” Yancy said. “I think it’s a win-win.” Yancy said she believes other parents share her sentiment about the upcoming event’s safety, saying that if JMU hasn’t gone to fully online classes yet, the university “must be doing something right.” This time next year, Yancy said, she hopes to be free of masks and be somewhat back to normal. “If I’m being honest, other than the masks I’m not really sure we’re doing too much differently,” Yancy said. “If that’s what it takes to give people a sense of safety and still do what we need to do, then I’m all for it. I absolutely 100% hope that by next year we are throwing these masks away and celebrating.” All JMU students and families can hope for is a fun, safe and enjoyable Family Weekend for everyone participating. CONTACT Kingston Thomas at thoma2ks@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on Twitter @BreezeNewsJMU.


5

Outside ‘the JMU bubble’ Off-campus spots to check out during Family Weekend

By ASHLYN CAMPBELL The Breeze

While JMU has plenty of activities planned over Family Weekend, families traveling to Harrisonburg may also want to explore the community off campus. Here’s a list of activities in the Harrisonburg community to check out over the weekend.

Caverns in the valley: The Grand and Luray Caverns are two caves in the Shenandoah Valley that offer tours through the natural rock formations. The Grand Caverns offer 70-minute guided tours while the Luray Caverns offer self-guided tours. At approximately 20- and 40-minute drives, respectively, the two sites also have above-ground attractions like mini-golf, museums, parks and trails.

Megan Bradshaw / The Breeze

Farmers Market: The Farmers Market is a staple in the Harrisonburg community and a perfect way to spend Saturday morning with family before the football game. The market is open from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday. Families can shop around for locally grown fruits and vegetables, coffee, candy, arts and crafts and much more.

Valerie Chenault / The Breeze

Harrisonburg history: The Hardesty-Higgins House is the Visitor Center for Harrisonburg, but it also contains the Valley Turnpike Museum, Civil War Orientation Center, Rocktown Gift Shoppe and Heritage Bakery and Cafe. The Valley Turnpike Museum and Civil War Orientation Center explore the history of US Route 11 and the Civil War in Harrisonburg. After learning about the rich history of Harrisonburg, the Rocktown Gift Shoppe and Heritage Bakery and Cafe offer local gifts, souvenirs, coffee and pastries. The Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center contains an exhibit celebrating the life and accomplishments of Lucy Simms, a leader and educator in the African-American community in Harrisonburg. The exhibit, created with the help of JMU students and professors, can be seen in the continuing education center Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Virginia Quilt Museum showcases antique and contemporary quilts in its exhibits. The current exhibits include quilts from American quilter and author Mimi Dietrich, quilts incorporating vintage textiles into modern aesthetics and 3D botanical quilts.

Art creation and exhibits: Downtown Harrisonburg is home to a plethora of art exhibits for families to explore while in town. Oasis Fine Art and Craft is a non-profit that showcases artists from around the Shenandoah Valley. Families can not only explore the local art, but buy it as well. Smith House Galleries, housed in the historic Smith House, showcases local and emerging artists in the Harrisonburg community. The current exhibition consists of paintings and sculptures from a student and professor at Bridgewater College. If families are more interested in making art rather than observing it, You Made It! is a local business that allows individuals to unleash their creativity through pottery making. It’s currently open on the weekends for painting or taking pottery to go.

Breeze File Photo

Breeze File Photo

CONTACT Ashlyn Campbell at campbeab@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on Twitter @BreezeNewsJMU.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Food and games: Ruby’s Arcade is a restaurant and game space with the ability to keep the whole family entertained. Located in downtown Harrisonburg, Ruby’s has everything from pool to bowling and plenty of food to go along with it. Games can be paid for per game or through a $5 game pass that grants access to all games in the main room and half-price bowling.

Farm day fun: If families are looking to get out into nature over the weekend, Harrisonburg has plenty to offer with the agriculture in the area. Back Home on the Farm is a family-owned farm about 15 minutes from JMU. It’s currently hosting fall activities like a corn maze, pumpkin patch and farm animal visits. White Oak Lavender Farm is a family-owned lavender farm and vineyard located approximately 15 minutes away from campus. Families can taste wine, shop for essential oils and bath bombs, explore interactive gardens and go on audio-guided tours around the farm. Jennifer Bell, the Harrisonburg tourism manager, recommended that families explore the more than 250 restaurants in the area, take walking tours or go shopping in downtown Harrisonburg. “There’s just so many fun things people can do in the area no matter what their interests are,” Bell said.


Thursday, October 7, 2021

6

Coupon only good in Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Winchester locations. Limited time offer. Expires 5/30/22. Cannot be combined with other offers. One time use.


DUKES FOR A DAY

7

6 fundamental stops for the perfect Family Weekend tour

tte rlo ha yC sb hic Grap

M

at he rly

By JAKE DODOHARA The Breeze

With the cool October air and anticipation of midterm exams comes the age-old JMU tradition of Family Weekend. For freshmen and upperclassmen alike, Family Weekend provides students with the perfect chance to flaunt Harrisonburg and show their visiting loved ones how Dukes really roll. However, with such limited time, it can be hard to know where to take your family to give them the authentic “H’burg” experience. Here are six essential JMU and Harrisonburg tour stops that’ll pack a punch and make any Duke’s family love JMU just as much as they do.

The Quad

Bridgeforth Stadium

Bridgeforth Stadium is a magnet for JMU pride, hosting approximately 25,000 people for JMU’s football games. During Family Weekend, the stadium’s offering multiple events for visiting loved ones. The first is Friday Night Flights — held Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. — where JMU parents and students can treat themselves to beer and wine tasting. Live music and “heavy hors d’oeuvres” are also offered, along with discounted tickets for underage Dukes and designated drivers. The annual Family Weekend football game kicks off

at 2 p.m on Oct. 9 with JMU facing Villanova. Students should be sure to show their school spirit by encouraging their visiting family members to “start wearing purple” and teaching them the JMU fight song.

Mr. J’s Bagels and Deli

Ideal for a midday snack, Mr. J’s Bagels and Deli is an indispensable JMU food staple. With three separate locations spread around the JMU area, Mr. J’s is the one-stop shop for anything breakfast food. The menu includes unorthodox flavors, including everything from cotton candy-flavored bagels to Asiago Old Bay bagels. Seasonally, they’re also known to make pumpkin, french toast and apple cinnamon sugar bagels. They also bake the perfect game-day grub — JMU-themed purple and gold bagels. When taking your family, you should be aware that Mr. J’s is usually crowded. However, the restaurant now accepts online orders, so make sure to order ahead of time during Family Weekend.

Downtown Harrisonburg

With an abundance of quirky and independently owned restaurants and businesses, traveling into downtown Harrisonburg is the perfect day trip for visiting family.

Amy Needham / The Breeze

Kline’s Dairy Bar

Another JMU staple, Kline’s Dairy Bar, is a homemade, traditional ice cream shop. The shop initially opened downtown in 1943 before expanding to another location on Main Street. Primarily known for two main flavors — chocolate and vanilla — Kline’s also offers a third rotating flavor that changes week to week. During Family Weekend, families can grab the “weekly special” flavors of Brownie Batter and Salted Caramel Crunch. With their instantly recognizable oldfashioned neon sign — perfect for a Family Weekend photoshoot — Kline’s offers customers a timeless experience they won’t forget.

Dorms and apartments

Showing your family your dorm or apartment may seem redundant because many families help their respective students move in. Nonetheless, it can be an insightful experience for both parties involved. In college, your life and surroundings change rapidly. Spending quality time in your new residence can show your family how much you've grown in a short amount of time and the transformative nature of the college experience. You should take the time to show your parents the various changes you’ve made since moving in, as well as the new relationships you may have built with your fellow residents. CONTACT Jake Dodohara at dodohajh@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on Twitter and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

The Quad is a requisite for any JMU tour. Known for being a lush, spacious area for student socialization, the Quad is the campus’ crown jewel. When walking the Quad, you can give your family a peek into what JMU’s student culture is like: students studying, throwing frisbees, walking their pets or simply taking time to soak up some sun. You’re bound to see at least one person you know, making it the perfect location to introduce family to college friends. Students and their families can also make a brief detour past the Quad into the Bluestone area to show their family their daily academic routine. Escorting your family through your class schedule can let them experience the true collegiate lifestyle and day-to-day regimen.

Start by shopping at places like the eclectic Agora Downtown Market, where small businesses offer everything from coffee and vintage clothing to ethically sourced yarn. After that, blow off some steam by throwing darts and bowling at Ruby’s Arcade, where guests can play any game after purchasing a $5 wristband. Then, grab food at family-friendly downtown restaurants like Clementine Cafe — a homey, cafe-style restaurant that offers a plethora of tasty vegan and gluten-free food.

/T he Bre eze


8

Designs By Freya

Created by Freya Garcia, Designs By Freya offers customizable and made-to-order clothes for any school. Freya carries T-shirts, crop tops, tank tops and tube tops with an array of design options, as well as crewnecks, sweat pants, sweat sets and tie-up tops. She takes orders through her Instagram page and offers 10% off for any four-item bundle and 10% off with free shipping for any six-item bundle. Her designs include school logos and pre-made designs where you tell her the school or slogan you want on the shirt.

Totality Designs

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Totality Designs was created by University of Delaware student Annabelle Brame, who started the business to raise awareness about sustainable fashion. On her website, Brame

Etsy

Etsy offers a whole section dedicated to college clothing. Along with the regular T-shirts, Etsy offers other merchandise like jewelry, sunglasses and pins. Most of the section’s options are customizable and come in different colors and styles.

Hype and Vice

Created by and for women, Hype and Vice designs cute garments. The shop says it believes in putting women first, and every time a purchase is made, a percentage goes to that person’s school. Hype and Vice offers clothes for over 75 schools, all with a large variety of styles and designs.

Bleach a shirt

Bleaching a shirt is a quick and easy way to spruce up a simple T-shirt. The technique works best on darker shirts but can be done on any color. Mix a 1-to-1 ratio of bleach and water and use a spray or squirt bottle to put the bleach on the shirt. Bleaching can be in a random pattern, or you can use a stencil. After bleaching the

Fashion tips and trends to show school spirit shirt, rinse it in cold water. Then, wash it either by hand or by itself in a washing machine. This can be JMU themed by bleaching a JMU shirt you may have.

Tie-dye

Similar to bleaching a shirt, tie-dyeing is another way to create a fashionable design. Stores like Walmart and Michaels usually have tie-dyeing kits that come with all the supplies needed. Tie-dyeing works best on plain white or light shirts, and the shirt needs to be wet before applying the dye. The kits usually come with several dyes that turn into different colors once water is added. When it comes to actually tie-dyeing, there’s no one way to do it. Dyeing anywhere on the shirt is the easiest way to do it, but designs can be achieved by rubber banding the shirt into different sections. To make your shirt JMU themed, try using purple and gold to dye it. Like bleaching, the shirt needs to be rinsed and washed once finished.

Make a JMU shirt

To get the perfect design, it’s often easier to create it yourself. Iron-ons are an easy and affordable way to do so. Iron-ons can typically be found at a craft store like Hobby Lobby or can be ordered online. Most patches are simple to apply to a shirt, but certain ones may require transfer paper or other materials. After picking

WE GREW MORE THAN CORN

Breeze

When it comes to college game day, deciding what to wear to the game is an important choice, but finding an affordable and attractive option can be a chore. As difficult as it may be to find spirit clothes at a price that won’t break the bank, here are four websites that cater to college students looking for affordable clothes, as well as four DIY options to spice up your outfit.

says she wants to educate people on sustainable fashion while creating cute clothes. Totality Designs offers customizable hats, shirts, sweatpants, hoodies and sorority big-little reveal shirts.

am / The

By MORGAN VUKNIC The Breeze

dh Amy Nee

Game day garments

the desired design and applying it to the shirt, the look should be complete. To make your design JMU-centric, try finding JMU iron-ons — such as a duke dog or JMU logo patch.

Create a zip-up top

Zip-up tops can be created using one shirt or by combining two shirts. For either technique, craft glue and a zipper are needed. After deciding which shirt to use, cut it down the middle. Then, using the craft glue, attach the zipper in the middle to bring the two sides together. If using two different shirts, cut a line up the middle of the front and back of the shirts. Lay half of the first shirt next to half of the second shirt and glue the zipper in the middle to bring them together. If you want to go the two-shirt route, use one gold and one purple shirt to make the look JMU themed. But if you plan on only using one shirt, you can use any JMU shirt you have. Looking for something to wear to a football game or tailgate can be hard since many options are expensive, but students should try ordering from these shops or making their own festive outfits for the next JMU football game. CONTACT Morgan Vuknic at vuknicma@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on Twitter and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.


9

Thursday, October 7, 2021


Ph ot os

co ur te sy

of JM U

At hl et ic s

10

It runs in the family Clegg siblings take over JMU men’s soccer

By JOSHUA GINGRICH The Breeze

Thursday, October 7, 2021

JMU men’s soccer redshirt junior defender Tyler Clegg has made a career during his time in Harrisonburg. In his sophomore season in 2019, he was named Third Team All-CAA, and last season he was named to the second team. He’s become a key cog on a consistently dominant defense. However, Tyler’s not the only Clegg to make his mark on the program recently — his older brother Brandon played for the Dukes from 2016-19. Tyler said it was nice to grow up in a soccer household. “When we weren’t on the soccer field, we were watching soccer, whether it was Premier League on the weekends or whenever [Team] USA’s playing,” Tyler said. “It was good to start my very young career like that; it made me grow my love for the game.” Tyler and Brandon aren’t the only soccer players in the family; their parents played collegiate soccer in the late ‘80s and early

‘90s. Their dad was a coach when they were growing up, and they said it raised the standard for their athletics. “When my dad would be coaching as we would be growing up, my mom would go watch his games ... and take us with her,” Brandon said. “That’s kind of what started us in growing up in a soccer culture of always [being] at the field and always wanting to play with a ball whenever we had the chance.” Both brothers said there wasn’t a sibling rivalry between them growing up — Tyler called their relationship “more of a healthy competition.” The two added that they both push each other to be better. Tyler, who’s two years younger than Brandon, said he heard comparisons between him and his older brother growing up. Instead of letting it discourage him, he said, he liked the comparison and used it as motivation to improve. “To an extent, I loved being compared to him because of the great player he was,” Tyler said. “I would aspire to be like him when I was growing up and following in his

Tyler said he enjoyed being raised in a soccer household. Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics

footsteps, but at the same time, I like to create my own identity and become my own player.” Tyler and Brandon played together before arriving at JMU. The duo overlapped for two years at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, and Tyler would occasionally join Brandon’s club teams to play against older kids. Both said having that past history of playing together was “remarkable” and helped prepare them for collegiate soccer. “At the time, we didn’t know that four years down the line we’d be playing together at JMU,” Brandon said. “I think it’s one of those things where you don’t really think about it at the moment … and the kind of rare and special experiences it is to be playing on the same team together until later down the line.” Brandon said he and Tyler grew up around JMU because their uncle was a former Duke and that he fell in love with the campus and the culture when he visited. Tyler said he and his family would go watch Brandon’s matches, and it also made him want to play for the Dukes.

JMU head coach Paul Zazenski said even though the Dukes weren’t allowed to recruit Tyler at the same time JMU was recruiting Brandon due to recruitment laws, after the success JMU had with Brandon, Zazenski felt the program should scout the other Clegg sibling. “We recruited Brandon and didn’t expect him to be a starter from day one, but he stepped on campus and proved himself as a starter and, eventually, a captain,” Zazenski said. “And lo and behold, his brother’s also very good, and so we thought, ‘Well, we’d be stupid not to go down that trail and see just how good his brother was,’ and … Tyler is an excellent player, himself.” Brandon was a four-year starter at JMU, starting 62 of his 66 career matches. He was named Third-Team All-CAA as a junior in 2018 and was selected to the second team as a senior. see CLEGG, page 12

Tyler said watching Brandon play at JMU made him want to play for the Dukes. Breeze file photo


11

reunited

AND IT TASTES SO GOOD

Any delivery charge is not a tip paid to your driver. Please reward your driver for awesomeness. Drivers carry less than $20. ©2021 Domino’s IP Holder LLC. Domino’s®, Domino’s Pizza® and the modular logo are registered trademarks of Domino’s IP Holder LLC. 2101004

Thursday, September 23, 2021

FOCUS ON YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. LEAVE THE FOOD TO US.


12

Only 1/2 mile South of JMU on Main St.

1476 South Main Street. Lorem Ipsum Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Redshirt junior defender Melker Anshelm said that when they played together, Brandon’s advice made him more comfortable in his role on the team. Breeze file photo

from CLEGG, page 10

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Tyler and Brandon were members of the 2018 JMU team that came a win away from making the College Cup. Both brothers said it was special that they got to go on the run together. “The team as a whole had a bond that I’d never really seen before within a team — there was a lot of people working who didn’t care who had success as long as the team had success, and that’s a major reason why the team went so far,” Tyler said. “To go through it with my brother, to be on the away trips with him, spending a lot of time with him, you can’t ask for anything better than that.” Redshirt junior defender Melker Anshelm said the Clegg siblings are similar in their playing style. However, he did note some differences, particularly in that Tyler hasn’t played defense his whole career in Harrisonburg. “They’re very similar — their long passes and their passing abilities are very good,” Anshelm said. “The difference I’d say is that Tyler hasn’t been a defender that long in his career … he still wants to go forward a little, which he takes advantage of as well; he takes his space when he has it.” Anshelm has played with both brothers on the defensive line, and he said they’ve impacted his game and made him better in

different ways. “Brandon was the more experienced guy, and he was guiding me and making me more comfortable in my role that I had on the team at that time,” Anshelm said. “With Tyler, we complement each other very well; Tyler’s long-range passing opens up a lot of things … It makes my job easier.” Zazenski said he likes to see that Brandon is still playing. He added that he’s excited to see what Tyler can do, not just for the rest of this season, but also in the 2022 campaign. “When [Brandon] came in, technically he wasn’t the most sound, and I think he worked a lot on that in his game and he came out a much better player,” Zazenski said. “I think [Tyler] has evolved with his positions — we’ve seen him grow in a number of different positions, and that’s not always easy to do.” Even though they’re not playing together anymore, both Tyler and Brandon said the other still impacts their game. The brothers said they still help each other believe they can accomplish whatever they want to do — as long as they work for it. CONTACT Joshua Gingrich at gingrihj@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more soccer coverage, follow the sports desk on Twitter @ TheBreezeSports.

o ot Ph

y es rt u co

U JM of

s ic et l h At


13

Thursday, October 7, 2021


14

Far from home Am

y

Ne ed ha m/

The Bre e ze

International students face challenges participating in Family Weekend

Thursday, October 7, 2021

By KYLEE TOLAND The Breeze

Nguyen, from Vietnam, said she came to the U.S. to study media because there isn’t a university that offers the program in her home country. Cathryn Tateosian / The Breeze

When people think of Family Weekend, they most likely picture a reunion with the people who have been in their lives the longest — not sitting in their room alone, wondering what could’ve been. At JMU, Family Weekend is a time for students to show their loved ones what campus is like and participate in events together. However, for some students, this weekend can look a little different. Coming from various countries around the world, international students make up about 1% of the undergraduate student body. Sixty-three countries were represented by international students at JMU in fall 2020, according to the JMU website. One hundredtwo of 288 international students are from China, which makes up the majority of JMU’s international students. Although Family Weekend is advertised to all students, it may be harder for international students to participate. Whether it’s because of expensive plane tickets, longer travel time or the pandemic, international students may not be able to see their families until winter break or next summer. Senior psychology major Xiaoyu Zhou, who also goes by Chloe, said she’ll most likely spend Family Weekend by going out to lunch with friends or watching a movie with them. Since her family is unable to visit from China, Zhou said she plans to talk to her family over video chat and see her brother who lives in Texas over short breaks such as fall and winter break. She said her family hasn’t had the chance to visit JMU at all since she started studying here, and she sometimes doesn’t even realize when Family Weekend occurs because she can’t celebrate it herself. “They’re not coming because of the pandemic,” Zhou said. “It’s so hard for [my family] to come, and it’s a long trip for them to travel.” Zhou said she first came to the U.S. when

she was 15 to study at a high school in Philadelphia. After she graduates from JMU, she wants to go to graduate school and earn a master’s degree in psychology. She said JMU has given her many memorable moments, including when her friends threw her a surprise birthday party; she hadn’t celebrated her birthday since coming to the U.S. six years ago. “I really enjoy the time I’ve been here with all of my friends,” Zhou said, “but sometimes, I do get homesick because I feel that [my] family members can give me more support than [my] friends.” Since coming to JMU, Zhou said she normally spends Family Weekend surrounding herself with friends and watching movies with them. Zhou said JMU could accommodate the international community on campus by setting up activities for those students — it might help to take their minds off the fact that their families can’t visit, Zhou said. “[International students] can’t enjoy having a Family Weekend,” Zhou said. “We can maybe have different activities, like a movie night or something that is not making us think about our family members.” Senior media arts and design major Jinyi Liu, who also goes by Dorothy, said her birth parents are unable to visit during Family Weekend due to the 21-hour travel time from China. Additionally, China’s pandemic travel protocols call for a 35-day quarantine upon returning. “They really want to come, but the airplane tickets are always expensive,” Liu said. “They just want to give their money to me and let me live a more quality life like that.” However, Liu said her homestay parents, whom she lives with during breaks, are welcome to participate in the weekend with her. When Liu first came to the U.S., she was paired with a family that took care of her during her stay; she got to experience holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas with them. Liu said she’ll most likely visit over Family Weekend and cook them Chinese food.


15

$17.95

Liu said her parents in China are unable to visit during Family Weekend due to pandemic protocols and a 21-hour travel time. Cathryn Tateosian / The Breeze

and seeing people being happy and stuff,” Nguyen said. “But, it’s kind of sad at the same time.” Originally from Vietnam, Nguyen said she came to JMU to study the cultures that the university and the U.S. offer. In Vietnam, she said, there isn’t a university that provides a communication or media program. Nguyen said the flight from Vietnam to the U.S. is about 24-25 hours, and Family Weekend usually falls around a time when her parents have to work and take care of her little brother. Her dad visited once while Nguyen was first studying abroad in 2018, but her mother and brother have never had the chance. She said that since there’s an international student community on campus, JMU could do something to bring them together during the weekend. “[JMU’s] basically our second home,” Nguyen said. “We don’t really have family here in Harrisonburg, but we have each other.” CONTACT Kylee Toland at tolandkm@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on Twitter and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

$9.99

$17.95

Hours: Monday- Thursday: 11am-9:30pm

$21.95

Friday-Saturday: 11am-10:30pm Sunday- CLOSED

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Liu said she was learning media studies and broadcasting in China, but her parents encouraged her to study abroad in the U.S. to gain more experience in the media field. When she graduates, Liu said she’s thinking about getting her master’s degree in the U.K. before returning to China. “I just think I need to go back,” Liu said. “I need to take care of my parents.” As for how JMU could help the international community on campus, Liu said the university could set up an online meeting or livestream for parents to see the campus and what it has to offer. She also said having a homestay family helps her and other international students adjust to living in a different country and learn the English language. “If I don’t know where to go, I can go to their home,” Liu said. “It’s a really good experience for me.” Senior communications studies major Thu Nguyen, who also goes by Helen, said she doesn’t know what her plans are for Family Weekend this year since her family won’t be able to come. She said she usually prefers to stay at home during the weekend and hang out with her roommates because it’s hard to see students with their families. “I really enjoy the crowded atmosphere

$10.95


16

TT BAELUS EA V

JMU

• RENOVATED CLUBHOUSES • • NEW HARDWOOD FLOORS • • UPDATED APARTMENTS •

APPLY FREE ONLINE

THEHILLSJMU

540.432.0600 | LIVE-THEHILLS.COM


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.