Letter from the Editor
America has spoken. What’s next for Dukes and The Breeze?
Election Day coverage and tuned in to Breeze TV’s live Election Show. We appreciate your engagement.
Our political coverage won’t stop this week. As I said in my last Letter from the Editor, The Breeze is an independent, student-run media group financed by student fees, and our focus is informing Dukes. That includes covering relevant elected officials and policies.
On the cover
As election results rolled in, Harrisonburg residents gathered at local watch parties, with Democrats celebrating three city council victories and Republicans commemorating national wins. Dukes expressed mixed reactions to the national outcome, with leaders on both sides reflecting on the impact of a Trump Administration and offering advice on civic engagement.
COVER BY: ELLA AUSTIN / THE BREEZE
COVER PHOTOS:
LANDON SHACKELFORD / THE BREEZE
I encourage you to read my previous letter on our website because its points still hold importance. The Breeze upholds its commitment to unbiased, factual journalism and will treat all elected officials with the same standard of accountability.
It would be careless not to acknowledge that these results cause strong emotions on both sides. I urge you to channel that into activism, on-campus organizations or other productive means. Regardless of whether you’re upset or satisfied, use this time to make your voice heard. The Madison Center for Civic Engagement, the
Student Government Association and local political parties are some places to start. For more options, the Department of Political Science and BeInvolved provide catalogs for interested Dukes.
The Madison Center will also be hosting cooldown events alongside nonpartisan discussions. These are other useful resources for channeling your emotions. For more information, check out the Madison Center’s website and social media.
If you want to make your voice heard, all community members may submit Letters to the Editor for publication online and in
our paper, and Dukes can apply to write for our Opinion section. While submitted letters and editorials don’t reflect The Breeze’s official position, it provides a platform for vocalization.
As always, thank you for reading. Journalism is a critical part of any democracy. The Breeze looks forward to continuing to provide its audience with nonpartisan, fair coverage.
CONTACT Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Shaw at breezeeditor@gmail.com.
EDITORS EMAIL
K. Mauser & Libby Addison
Students, student leadership reactions to election, advice
By LIBBY ADDISON
The Breeze
As election results rolled in Tuesday and Wednesday, a mixture of emotions swept the nation — here’s what Dukes thought of the historic election:
Immediate aftermath: Dukes’ Wednesday takeaways
Sofia Dewitt, who said she voted for Kamala Harris (D), was “shocked” by the presidential election results. She added that most of her peers also voted for Harris and, in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s (R) victory, has drawn the conclusion that her circles must not be “very diverse.”
Under a second Trump Administration, Dewitt said she predicts there will be “less rights for women in regards to our bodies” as well as fewer rights for immigrants. She said she has friends from other countries and she’s “scared that their families are going to get deported.”
Sophomore Olivia Smith also said the results were “shocking,” and said she “doesn’t know what to expect” when the next administration assumes office in January.
On the other hand, freshman Alex Porteon said he woke up to the election results and felt “very pleased.” The reason why? Like most other Trump voters, Porteon’s main concern was the economy. He said he hopes to see lower gas prices similar to what they were “before the Biden Administration.”
Senior Zander Riley said he was surprised by the presidential election’s results, adding that he expected the race to come down to the swing states. While it did, Trump swept the majority of swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina. He also said he felt like the entire election process this year was “hostile” on both sides.
In a poll conducted on The Breeze Instagram page, 21% of 179 student respondents said they’re pleased with the outcome of the presidential election, while the other 79% said they’re unhappy with the result.
JMU College Republicans Treasurer and junior Michael Benfield, who represented the Trump Campaign during the Student Government Association’s (SGA) annual Dukes Debate, said the election results were surprising to him, as he was “certain of a Kamala victory,” adding he was “not too happy” about Trump’s win.
“I thought that 2020 and Jan. 6 would convince a lot of Republicans that he was not the right person for the job, but I guess not,” Benfield said.
He thinks Trump will accomplish unfinished goals from his first term, adding that Trump “wanted to pull out of NATO and it took his entire cabinet to convince him not to, and all of those cabinet members are now ‘traitors,’” he said.
“I think [Trump’s win is] pretty much the nail in the coffin of my father’s Republican Party, my grandfather’s Republican Party, whatever the Republican party was under Reagan and Lincoln is irrelevant now,” he said.
Benfield said he believes there will be a shifaway from the “American-style conservative party” to a more European-style, with greater emphasis on “protectionism, isolationism and nativism.”
“I would not be surprised if at some point another conservative party rises up — an American-esque one,” he said. “For better or for worse, the American people have spoken.”
Senior Erin “E” Smith, interim president of JMU College Democrats ,who represented Harris’ campaign during Dukes Debate, said fellow JMU Democrats were “really
devastated by the results” and were “hoping and praying for a much different outcome.”
Smith said the organization is worried about “the rights of women, LGBTQ+ members, those who are disabled and people of color, and racial minorities in America,” but said the party will continue to fight.
Smith also mentioned College Democrats concerns about “the impact this will have on excessive book bans, public education and an overall access to affordable healthcare.”
“I highly respect Kamala to concede with grace and dignity for a clean and gentle transfer of power come January, since that’s not what we saw in 2020,” Smith said. “Right now, we are just supporting each other through a very uncertain time, but we will get through it … together.”
Looking forward: student leadership reactions, advice
“The democratic process is the democratic process,” Student Body President and senior Brielle Lacroix said.
Lacroix said she stands with the results of the election — as she said she would with any winning candidate — and is now in the process of researching prospective policies of the Trump Administration to “look into what the future will hold.”
Lacroix said she encourages students to look into outlets to be more civically engaged, including “getting involved locally” and “putting yourself in a position to civically serve people in your local area.”
She referenced the Harrisonburgs City Council election and the city’s school board election that, which occurred Tuesday. Lacroix said she recommends students attend city council meetings as well as meet-and-greets to understand more about the local leaders representing them.
“We also have a more local election than that, which is the student government and student body elections,” Lacroix added, which will take place during the spring semester.
Senior Kieran Fensterwald, the SGA's 110th Senate speaker, said the U.S. citizens have spoken and have chosen Trump.
Fensterwald said the SGA welcomes “the diversity of political opinions and beliefs that we have on campus,” adding that these ideas should “be properly and accurately represented.” He also said the SGA acknowledges “the fact that a lot of people are definitely upset about this.”
The Madison Center for Civic Engagement has been a key point of collaboration for the SGA throughout the election process, Fensterwald said, and the Madison Center saw “record turn out from off-campus students” at the polls, and over 1,000 JMU students same-day registered to vote at the Godwin Center precinct. He accredits these stats to the Democracy Fellows and the members of the Madison Center for their work with students, and the student body as a whole.
Fensterwald advised students to check out the Madison Center’s resources for postelection de-stressing activities on its website.
He said he hopes students recognize they are “fully within their right to express their opinions, create student forums, to voice their concerns and hold the upcoming administration accountable, the things that they don’t believe in … and it’s also entirely within the rights of students to show their support for the incoming administration.”
CONTACT Libby Addison at breezenews@gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
In a poll conducted on The Breeze Instagram page, 21% of 179 student respondents said they’re pleased with the outcome of the presidential election, while the other 79% said they’re unhappy with the result. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze
What you missed: City Council and HCPS wins, local election reactions
By K. MAUSER & LIBBY ADDISON The Breeze
Harrisonburg community members convened downtown at partisan watch parties last night — Democrats at The Golden Pony and Republicans at The Offices — to watch local and national election results roll in. Here’s what you missed:
City Council
Deanna Reed (D) came in with the highest vote count of just over 8,000 votes and secured her third term on City Council, while Laura Dent (D) came in second with 7,464 votes, also keeping her seat. Nasser Alsaadun (D) beat Javier Calleja (I) by 527 votes to become the first refugee council member.
Dent, who was reelected, attended the Democratic watch party. She’s “relieved” to finally finish her campaign, referring to the process as a “long slog.”
“The way I see it, an election is a very long, involved, expensive job interview with 55,000 bosses,” Dent said. “A reelection is a very long, involved, expensive performance review, and it looks like I passed the performance review.”
During last night’s Republican watch party, Calleja (I) said he wouldn’t feel defeated whether he wins or not because “we are all Americans,” despite political divides.
“Running as an Independent is beyond my wildest dream,” Calleja said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the community.”
Rockingham County School Board
Timothy Howley, Matthew Snyder and Kaylene Seigle also secured their spots as members of Harrisonburg’s school board for Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS), with Hazzar Maria Pastor Perdomo losing to Seigle by 481 votes.
State, national
“There’s been electricity in the air,” said Ken Mitchell (D), who ran to represent Virginia’s 6th Congressional District against incumbent Ben Cline (R). “That’s what we’re seeing tonight — the culmination of 10 months of campaigning and all the hard work that all these campaign staffs have done, all the volunteers have done, and it’s like, if you will, a championship game where you’ve put everything on the line.”
Mitchell said he decided to run after being disappointed by the Trump Administration’s handling of COVID as well as the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.
Several attendees at the Democratic watch party praised local candidates while vocalizing fears of a second Trump presidency.
Alleyn Harned, chairman of the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee, said the U.S. “experienced deep chaos” during Trump’s presidency and added that he hopes “we don’t have to experience that, but instead that we can experience a rational policy environment.”
Denise Lee, 2nd District chair for Rockingham Democrats, said she spent the day working the polls at Mountain View Elementary and is “feeling hopeful” for the Democratic party.
It’s “unbelievable that anyone is voting for Trump,” Lee said. She added that she cares about LGBTQ+ and women’s rights — which she said would be on the line during another Trump presidency — and has immigrant friends “who think they are ‘on the [chopping] block’ right now.”
Virginia State Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Richmond) said Virginians and Americans need “some change” in current national and local leadership, specifically regarding inflation and housing costs.
“We want to make sure that the American Dream is actually achievable,” he said, “and it hasn’t looked that way over the past four years.”
Traditionally, Obenshain said young voters have mostly been Democrats, but he said he’s recently seen an increase in young Republican voters who are “independent in their thinking.”
“I think that the Trump campaign team had a strategy that was focused on the concerns of that middle American, working family, young African Americans, Latino, Hispanic households, and young voters seeking the American dream,” Obenshain said. “And I guess when we see the outcome, we’ll see whether or not they crack the code.”
Drake Miller, Joelle McKenzie, Emma Notarnicola, Isabella Dunn, Genevieve Bavisotto and Gabi Reed contributed to this report.
To read more on each watch party, visit breezejmu.org.
CONTACT K. Mauser and Libby Addison at breezenews@gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
TOP: Attendees of the Democratic watch party said they were hopeful for Democrats to be elected into offices locally and nationally. BOTTOM: Laura Dent (D) said she’s “relieved” to finally finish her campaign.
Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze
TOP: Locals who attended Harrisonburg’s Republican watch party said Virginians and Americans need a change in leadership locally and nationally. BOTTOM: Javier Calleja (I), pictured below, said he wouldn’t feel defeated whether he wins or not because “we are all Americans.”
K. Mauser / The Breeze
Election Day 2024
Photos by Landon Shackelford
SGA receives election updates, allocates $537 to student org, appoints election commissioner
By SIXUAN WU The Breeze
The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate received election-related updates from faculty advisor and Executive Director of the Madison Center for Civic Engagement Kara Dillard, approved just over $500 for the Asian Student Union’s (ASU) annual Culture Show and appointed sophomore Regan Lovell as election commissioner during its Tuesday meeting.
Election Day follow-ups
Dillard said the number of students who are registered voters this year exceeds numbers JMU has seen in the past, with more than 400 Dukes coming in this past week to register for early or same-day voting.
“I just came from [Godwin Hall]; there were still probably 100, 125 people in line waiting to vote,” Dillard said. “When
I looked at the 6 p.m. results, it said that nearly 200 students on campus who had registered, who were pre-registered, had already voted. But I would assume that that number will look more like 2,500 students on campus, and those are just the students who live on campus who have registered to vote. That blows out any number that this university has done and seen in the past.”
Dillard also encouraged Dukes to support each other as election results are finalized throughout the next few days. She added that the Madison Center will host several events to facilitate civic conversations following Election Day, including election debriefs and other cooldown events.
“As you’re talking with your peers, as you’re talking with your friends, as you’re talking with your colleagues, emphasize the idea that Dukes hold open doors for everybody, not just those that we personally and politically agree with,” Dillard said. “That’s who we are as Dukes, and how we talk to each other in the days and weeks ahead matters far more than how we voted.”
SGA allocates $537 to Asian Student Union
The SGA unanimously approved a $537 contingency fund request for the ASU’s annual Culture Show.
“[ASU] is here to encourage and support the Asian American community and other people who choose to join,” said ASU Culture Chair and junior Anna Harnish, who represented ASU at Tuesday’s meeting. “We’re here to support everybody and just spread Asian awareness and the cultures to the campus.”
ASU has raised $541.51 through various fundraisers this and last semester, according to its presentation slideshow.
The Culture Show is free to attendees and will take place in the Wilson Hall auditorium Saturday at 5 p.m. The contingency funds will cover the auditorium space and staff, said ASU Treasurer and junior Jae Lee, who also represented ASU at the meeting.
“The culture show is a major event that goes annually in the fall where students with different organizations represent their music, art, dance and more,” Lee said. “We’re not making any revenue
from this, and the whole point of this event is for students to learn about different organizations’ talent and purpose.”
Election commissioner unanimously appointed
The SGA unanimously approved sophomore Regan Lovell’s appointment to the position of election commissioner of the 110th Student Senate.
“I think that Regan will do an incredible job as election commissioner,” said junior and Parliamentarian Riley Gilbert. “She has shown enthusiasm and dedication in our committee, and I think that she’s just gonna do a really great job.”
CONTACT Sixuan Wu at thebreezeculture@gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Executive Director of the Madison Center for Civic Engagement Kara Dillard said numbers of students who are registered voters this year exceeds the number JMU has seen in the past Photos by Kimberly Aikens / The Breeze
The SGA unanimously approved a $537 contingency fund request for the ASU’s annual Culture Show.
Camp & Sixuan Wu
No guns, just gloves Fighting organization
By NICOLAS ISAZA SERPA contributing writer
Human nature is rooted in violence — a trait woven into our DNA. Though modern society may feel sheltered, the impulse to fight and dominate still pulses beneath the surface, influencing conflicts, power struggles and everyday interactions. At least, this is what Christopher “Scarface” Wilmore, founder of Streetbeefs and Neutral Corner Boxing Gym, said.
“I think modern society wants to believe that we shouldn’t [be violent] … that [violence] can just be shooed away, but it’s there,” Wilmore said. “I think that’s the important part, giving men with that desire a place to safely have an outlet.”
Streetbeefs is an amateur fighting organization in Staunton, V. It’s founded on a unique premise; through a strict set of rules and safety precautions, the organization takes a conflict between two or more individuals and settles it in a controlled environment without the need for further violence.
In essence, Streetbeefs uses combat to provide an outlet for disputes that would otherwise lead to bloodshed within the community, Wilmore said.
“There’s a young man who used to come to my fights in the first three years. We called him ‘Maniac.’ He fought with us a lot,” Wilmore said. “There was a community figure who didn’t like
Streetbeefs provides safe outlet for disputes
that he was fighting, so he eventually swayed him from it. About four months later, that community figure came to me and said, ‘Hey, can you get Maniac back into your fights?’ Because he [was] picking fights out of the street and getting into altercations.”
Although the initial concept was to settle disputes, Streetbeefs has quickly grown into a gathering of serious fighters and martial artists. People gather from all over the country for the opportunity to test their martial prowess in front of a crowd. The competition level has risen to the point of attracting international fighters as far as Korea to participate, and Streetbeefs has even seen fighters who now compete on the world stage, event organizer Carissa Beckett said.
Neutral Corner Gym, which is attached to Streetbeefs, offers programs and events that empower young people to build discipline while providing opportunities to get involved with combat and enrich their lives physically and emotionally. The organization prides itself on aiding those who feel lost or afraid and offering an outlet to build discipline and connect with a community, Beckett said.
see STREETBEEFS, page 13
JMU freshman Chloe Potes raises awareness for dad battling cancer
By ASHLEE THOMPSON The Breeze
In September, Chloe Potes’ mother, Kristene Potes, made a surprise visit to campus to see her freshman daughter. Chloe was surprised by the drop-in; she’d only been on campus for a few weeks and wasn’t due for a family visit for a while.
Chloe, a justice studies major, and her mom were relaxing in a hotel together when Kristene broke the news: Chloe’s father, Ryan, had been officially diagnosed with stage two multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells located in bone marrow, according to the American Cancer Society. Overgrowth of plasma in bone marrow can crowd out healthy plasma, leading to low blood counts. Multiple myeloma also affects bone strength by breaking them down faster than they’re supposed to, making bones fragile and brittle.
“I didn’t even know how to process it,” Chloe said. “It was so hard for me. I would constantly worry, ‘What if this happens?’”
Chloe returned to her dorm confused and upset. She wasn’t only three and a half hours away from her home of Virginia Beach anymore;
she was now three and a half hours away from her best friend who needed all the support he could get, she said.
Ryan, 49, was diagnosed Sept. 14 after visiting the emergency room for what the family assumed was just a typical illness. He’s currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Chloe said her father’s health seemed to decline quickly once he was officially diagnosed. Ryan’s spine fractured due to the weakening of his bones, making him unable to move around freely. There’s nothing doctors can do to reverse the injury, Chloe said, but they’re planning to run tests to find a procedure that will help restore his mobility.
A GoFundMe was created by a friend of the Potes family to raise money for hospital bills and to purchase items such as an adjustable bed for Ryan to sleep in while at home. For a month, Ryan slept on a recliner chair, since he couldn’t walk up the stairs to his bedroom. Kristene slept beside his chair, bringing a twin-sized mattress down to the living room to stay by her husband’s side.
Streetbeefs, an amateur fighting organization located in Staunton, provides a safe premise for two or more individuals to settle their conflicts in a controlled environment without the need for further violence. Rowan Potts / The Breeze
Freshman justice studies major Chloe Potes received news in September that her father, Ryan, was officially diagnosed with stage two multiple myeloma — a cancer of plasma cells located in the bone marrow. Courtesy of Chloe Potes
Farmers Market’s annual Harvest Fest celebrates seasonal traditions, activities
By ANNABELLE BERRY
The Breeze
As October gave way to November, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market’s annual Harvest Fest was the ideal celebration of fall with pastries, music and laughter galore.
Held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event attracted families and friends eager to partake in a day filled with activities, locally grown food and a sense of community spirit. Attendees were greeted by a lively atmosphere for communicating with vendors, meeting new people and reuniting with old friends.
“The community feeling at the market is so different from the grocery store, because you can actually talk to the people who raise the food you’re eating and have devoted their time to create the goods you’re purchasing,” Harrisonburg resident and writer Sarah Golibart Gorman said. “It’s more than just checking off your list at the grocery store, you know that all of your dollars are going toward the families you’re buying from.”
The festival kicked off with field games, including an apple toss, during which participants aimed to land the fruit into buckets — providing not only a challenge but also friendly competition. There was a playful atmosphere with children running around and JMU student volunteers joining in the fun.
With visitors of all ages, the pumpkin-painting station drew in contestants eager to show off their creativity — from festival hallmarks like painting faces on a pumpkin to out-of-the-box ideas such as Halloween movie characters and superhero paintings. These colorful artworks were later showcased during photo opportunities throughout the festival.
The pie bake-off was another standout feature, inviting amateur bakers to compete with their cherished family recipes. Opponents brought their best creations to vie for the title of the pie bake-off winner, filling the autumn air with mouth-watering aromas. The rivalry added to the festival’s communal feeling, with delicious fall flavors including pumpkin and maple. Other pies had playful hints of banana and cream cheese.
McKenna Schonbrun, a JMU senior and Breeze TV reporter, entered the competition with a blueberry crumble pie and won the pie bake-off, taking home the prize of a pumpkin-shaped canister.
“This was my first time ever making a pie, and I was so nervous about how it would turn out. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have the same pie as anyone else so I found a unique recipe off of Pinterest,” Schonbrun said, adding that she used a sourdough crust to set her pie apart from others.
Elaina Warlick, another JMU senior, assisted Schonbrun in baking her pie.
“Receiving such positive comments on our blueberry crumble and the looks of disbelief when people discovered two college girls baked it made for such a fun, rewarding experience,” Warlick said.
A major attraction of Harvest Fest was its food, with over 50 vendors from numerous states and cities across Virginia. Guests savored locally grown goods, from fresh seasonal produce like pears and squash to delectable baked treats. BMC Bakes, a gluten-free, Harrisonburg-based bakery, served warm pastries that evoked the comforts of home for college students, while Apalache Chocolate offered chocolate bars and hot chocolate.
The variety of gluten-free and vegan options ensured everyone found something to enjoy. Abundant Life Kitchen — a Shenandoah Valley-based business specializing in raw, vegan and gluten-free foods made from local and ethically sourced ingredients — served an array of vegan wraps, cheesecakes, hummus and potato salad, which attracted a large crowd.
“I always purchase a crepe from Mill Song Bakery, made with locally sourced, stone-milled flour,” Gorman said. “I try to get as many toppings as possible on mine.”
Aside from food, a diverse selection of handmade crafts and artisanal goods were featured. Avalon Acres presented floral bouquets featuring sunflowers, zinnias, daisies and more. Hummingbird Creative LLC flourished with jewelry lovers gathered to view its resin and bead earrings. The bouquets and jewelry flooded attendees’ hands as they walked back to their cars, making them the perfect goodies to take home.
Additionally, shoppers wound down with a toast to local wines. Bluestone Vineyard displayed a selection of Rockingham County’s wine — bottled and canned. Whether guests preferred a crisp white or a robust red, it was available.
This year’s Harvest Fest was particularly special as it marked the second consecutive collaboration between the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and students from the JMU Sport and Recreation Management Program.
“We’re excited to celebrate the harvest with our community while also supporting JMU students in learning how to create fun, engaging events,” Market Manager Halee Jones said. “It’s a great way to bring everyone together for a day filled with food, fun and connection.”
Beyond the myriad of activities and food, Harvest Fest brought together local farmers, artisans and residents, cultivating an inviting atmosphere throughout the entire event.
As the event closed, attendees left with smiles and memories of a festive celebration that encompassed the feeling of autumn in Harrisonburg. With a successful event behind them, the Farmers Market team looks forward to future celebrations, encouraging everyone to mark their calendars for next year’s Harvest Fest.
“The thought and care that went into planning the celebration made it an event to remember,” said Siara Benoit, vendor of Soil Hued Mojo, a handcrafted business. “We’re looking forward to next year.”
“It’s a great place to find people who are really cool, really genuine and will love and embrace you for whoever you are,” Dinniman said. “I think that’s just a really, really amazing thing .”
CONTACT Annabelle Berry at berry3aj@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @ TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Attractions such as an apple toss, face-painting, a pie bake-off and locally grown produce brought JMU students and Harrisonburg residents to the Harrisonburg Farmers Market’s annual Harvest Fest last weekend. April Weber / The Breeze
In October, the family raised enough money through the GoFundMe — which is about to hit $50,000 — to purchase the adjustable bed for Ryan.
“That was the best sleep of my life,” Ryan said after his first night out of the recliner chair. “I have not slept this good in so long.”
Chloe was surprised by the amount of people who donated to the fundraiser, some of whom she hadn’t spoken to in years.
“It’s comforting knowing when I’m not there, he still has a lot of support and people helping him,” Chloe said.
Due to the chemotherapy’s side effects, Ryan started to lose hair, so he decided to buzz it all off. Freshman exploratory major Hunter Kelly, Chloe’s childhood friend, did the same thing.
Kelly said he was “shocked” by Ryan’s diagnosis and wanted to offer all the support he could, as he considers the Potes’ family like his own. He’s spent a lot of time with Chloe to make sure she’s doing OK while at school, she said.
Deciding to shave his head wasn’t easy, but it was something Kelly wanted to do show the Potes his unwavering support.
“Shaving my head felt like a really cool thing to do for her dad,” Kelly said. “I look nothing like I did.”
No one told Kristene and Ryan about Kelly shaving his head, so the FaceTime they received immediately after came as a huge surprise. Chloe said her parents were in “complete shock,” which quickly turned into wide smiles and pure gratitude.
Chloe posted about Kelly shaving his head on TikTok, where it’s amassed over 1 million likes and 5 million views. The family has earned over $500 more in donations from this video alone.
Knowing she wouldn’t be home as much to help her dad, Chloe reached out to Dean of Students Hollie Hall to try to raise awareness on campus about Ryan’s illness.
Chloe wants to organize a campus-wide 5K with her gymnastics club to raise money and is currently working out the logistics.
“I know a lot of people around the community also like to support and participate in things like this,” Chloe said. “I’m gauging interest in it right now.”
Hall, whose job includes helping students find resources as well as aiding them in both academic and social endeavors, gave Chloe a rundown of what setting up an event such as a 5K would entail and offered assistance every step of the way.
“The most important message that I want students to get from Chloe’s story is that you are a member of a university that
“You are a member of a university that cares about our students. Regardless of what it is that you are trying to balance while being a student here, you do not have to carry the weight alone.”
Hollie Hall Dean of Students
cares about our students,” Hall wrote in an email to The Breeze. “Regardless of what it is that you are trying to balance while being a student here, you do not have to carry the weight alone.”
Chloe said she’s very thankful to the JMU community — both her friends and the university staff — for checking in on her during her time away from home.
“If I ever talked to anyone about JMU, they always say the community is so nice,” Chloe said. “I didn’t really believe it at first, but after talking to my professors and the dean and my friends, so many people have been making sure I’m okay and checking in on me all the time.”
CONTACT Ashlee Thompson at thomp6ab@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Freshman exploratory major Hunter Kelly, Chloe’s childhood friend, followed Ryan’s decision to shave his head after Ryan started losing hair due to the side effects of chemotherapy.
Courtesy of Chloe Potes
from STREETBEEFS, page 10
“I was really into drugs, and I OD’d at 19, and fighting was the one thing that I found that gave me almost that same high that drugs would, where I could just disappear from the world for a little bit,” coach and Streetbeefs Vice President Esteban Ramirez said. “And when the gym closed down, my father was terrified that I was going to get back into it. I’ll always be grateful [for Streetbeefs].”
Fighters have found that combat’s transformative power reveals itself when walking in the gym with the taped fists, bruised knuckles and silent resolve. Wilmore
said Streetbeefs is a place where grit and determination fuel every movement, where each person is driven to push past their limits in pursuit of their best selves. The environment fosters resilience and a relentless work ethic, encouraging individuals to confront their struggles head-on, according to Neutral Corner’s social media.
No matter their starting point, Wilmore said Streetbeefs offers a unique platform for aspiring fighters to test their skills in a controlled, amateur setting. Fighters are assessed based on their skill level and matched with evenly skilled opponents, fostering a safe and competitive environment. While Virginia
prohibits compensation for participants, Streetbeefs provides an alternative to the often lengthy processes of traditional amateur fight leagues, allowing fighters to showcase their abilities without extensive red tape, according to Streetbeefs’ website.
“The best thing you could do in life is take a step toward anything you want,” said Landon Payne, Natural Corner member. “It’s scary at first. I was scared when I first started, but now I get here and I get punched in the face and I smile about it. We all work with people. We aren’t here to beat each other up, we’re here to grow and to get better.”
At first glance, Streetbeefs may seem like a group of hardened fighters giving their all in
the ring. The reality, however, is that Streetbeefs offers a community for people from all walks of life. It’s a space that welcomes everyone, offering a shared path to self-improvement and camaraderie through the discipline of combat.
“It’s a perfect place for imperfect people everywhere,” Ramirez said.
CONTACT Nicolas Isaza Serpa at Isazasnn@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @BreezeJMU.
You don’t have to lift a hammer to help build and preserve affordable housing in the Central Shenandoah Valley. SHOP, VOLUNTEER or DONATE at the ReStore and help families realize their dreams of homeownership. All proceeds help to fund housing provided by Central Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Some of the fighters in Streetbeefs participate in fights as an outlet to express their emotions, Wilmore said. Photos by Rowan Potts / The Breeze
Streetbeefs accepts fighters of all levels in their competitions and encourages them to improve their craft through the organization.
SPORTS
EDITORS Hayden Hundley & Preston Comer
Preview | JMU field hockey set as No. 1 seed in MAC tournament
By MAEGHAN STOCKLI The Breeze
JMU field hockey has come a long way from last season. Back then, the Dukes finished 5-12 and didn’t take part in postseason play due to competing as an independent.
Now, they’ve finished playing their inaugural season in the Mid-American Conference at 13-5 (7-1 MAC) while being named regular season co-champions alongside App State.
With all they accomplished during the regular season, the Dukes know they have a job to finish in the postseason — especially as newcomers in the MAC. Head coach Christy Morgan, who’s clinched five conference championships in her career, knows how to lead her team to a run when it matters most.
“She’s had a really good mentality of taking it game by game, and I think that helps take a lot of pressure off [being in a conference],” junior midfielder Alice Roeper said.
Morgan was named MAC Coach of the Year for her inaugural year in the conference. This is the sixth time she’s received a Coach of the Year award, after being awarded in 1993, 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2021 while competing in the CAA.
The Dukes have collectively scored 56 goals this season. The top strikers for the team are Roeper with 14 goals, senior midfielder Cassidy Strittmatter with 10 and fifth-year midfielder Carissa Tambroni with nine. Those players — plus senior defender Sarah Beers, redshirt freshman goalie Molly Schreiner and freshman midfielder Lilly Turner — all had nods in MAC regular season hockey awards, with Roeper being named MAC Offensive Player of the Year.
These will be some of the biggest threats for the teams they will face during the MAC tournament. The rest of the MAC has its own big leaders on the offensive end. Miami (Ohio) has graduate student Claudia Negrete Garcia, who led the conference in shots and shots on goal, and is also tied with Roeper in goals. App State trailed behind JMU in goals with 40 and Miami (Ohio) with 37; however, the Mountaineers led the conference in shots with 319 compared to JMU’s 269.
The Dukes also had a drastic improvement in goals allowed between this season and last — from last year’s 48 to 2024’s 28. JMU has used two goalies to stabilize them — Schreiner and senior Katie Fricke.
Conference play didn’t seem to stun JMU, as it was able to get four nonconference games under its belt before facing
Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 20. The Dukes started conference play with a 2-1 win over 2023 MAC Champions Miami (Ohio) — with the Redhawks also polled to finish first in the preseason. After that start, JMU seemed to roll over every MAC rival it faced.
“We came in with the confidence and an expectation to do this, and it is really just a testament of the work that we put in and the belief in one another,” Strittmatter said. “So it almost wasn’t even a surprise, because there is so much we’ve been preparing for even before we even knew we were in this conference.”
The final MAC team the Dukes faced was App State, which resulted in a 4-3 loss. JMU has a 20-4-1 record against App State since 1974. The Mountaineers ended up outshooting JMU 17-7 and dominating the first two quarters. JMU would try its best to make a comeback during the second half, but it wasn’t enough to stop App State. Despite the loss, it still held onto the No. 1 spot in the conference.
“Just from the years past that we’ve played, App State has already lit a fire in all of us,” Tambroni said. “And I feel like having another opportunity of maybe going against them another time is already fueling me.”
The Dukes honed in on selfless play and competing alongside each other, which shows the culture the team has created. The younger players want to give the seniors the longest run possible; even after the championship, the seniors want to leave the program better than they found it. Morgan wants every girl to have the opportunity to showcase JMU in the MAC, after being conferenceless for two years, she said.
“The last two years have been horrible,” Morgan said. “Luckily, they all stayed because we knew this was coming, so it means everything.”
The MAC tournament started Wednesday in Oxford, Ohio. JMU, however, has a bye game for the first day, as it’s the No. 1 seed. The Dukes’ first game will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. vs. No. 4 seed Kent State.
CONTACT Maeghan Stockli at stocklma@dukes.jmu.edu. For more field hockey coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.
TOP: Junior midfielder Alice Roeper was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Dukes with 14 goals and 33 points. BOTTOM: JMU was undefeated in the MAC until losing its last game of the season to App State.
Photos by Reed Marchese / The Breeze
JMU men’s basketball benefits from off-season chemistry building, bonding
By ZACH MENDENHALL The Breeze
Summer is a crucial time to bond and build chemistry with teammates, and with 12 new members, it became an adjustment period for JMU men’s basketball.
These players were recruited or transferred from various schools, with three following’ new head coach Preston Spradlin from Morehead State.
Only five players returned to JMU from last season — four of them walk-ons.
“That time in the summer and the time off the court is extremely valuable in building the team,” Spradlin said. “You spend a lot of time together, team meals, community service, a lot of team meetings, a lot of discussions, and guys just really [start] building trust and gaining respect for one another.”
Spradlin, hired by JMU last March, served as Morehead State’s head coach from 2016-24 before joining JMU. Along with him came redshirt senior guard Mark Freeman, sophomore forward Eddie Ricks III and redshirt freshman forward Matt Hain.
Junior guard Xavier Brown said team chemistry has been a focus since Spradlin arrived in June. Spradlin and his family have also taken an extra step by inviting the team over to their home for events and dinners.
“He’s a great guy. I feel like I can talk to him about anything, not just basketball, so it’s been huge,” Brown said. “I’m really spending all day in Coach’s office just helping him out. If that means I’ve got to go get coffee for him I’ll go get coffee for him. It’s been great, man.”
Spradlin said that while he was an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky, the team had dinners almost weekly at head coach John Calipari’s house. This is a tradition he maintained throughout his coaching career.
From watching games, seeing movies and even playing laser tag together, the team has grown close early on. Brown feels the team hasn’t had difficulty stepping into a new scheme and thinks that as a leader, he’s always been flexible to change.
Brown said he’s enjoyed being someone people can rely on, whether he’s helping someone find a class or a good local restaurant. He’s embraced this role and said “it feels really good to be counted on, that’s all you could ask for as a basketball player.” Brown isn’t the only one relied on for camaraderie, as the team’s coaching staff has also ensured the new team is getting along.
“Our coaches have done an amazing job just making sure that we’re together, going places I mean they showed me so many new places,” Brown said. “They’ve been getting us around to go out and eat and spend time together, so it’s been a great journey. It’s been six months. We’ve been at it, we’ve been after it, we’ve been [a] family.”
Brown has kept these messages of teamwork alive, as they aren’t foreign to JMU.
He said he learned a lot from those who came before him as a freshman. As basketball is a game of five vs. five, it’s important for the entire team to trust one another, no matter who’s stepping out onto that court and going to war, he said.
“You have guys like Terence Edwards and Noah Freidel, other people that came before us and just showed us what brotherhood really means,” Brown said. “All the older guys, vets, we have a bunch of champions in here, so they realize how big team camaraderie is, and just being together, it’s only going to be us out there, our five versus their five.”
When it comes to the Dukes’ adjustments, Spradlin said their recipe is two point guards at all times. This season, that’s lining up to be Brown and Freeman.
Their chemistry is evident on the court, Spradlin said, as they’ve been “electric” in playing off one another. Brown and Freeman’s combination of forces has made the Dukes better and continues to push them, he said.
“[Brown] has a great motor, he has great leadership skills, he has the voice,” Freeman said. “When we build that off the court, it’s like coming in on the court, you have no worries because we just got that chemistry together.”
As his “backcourt mate,” Freeman has established a strong connection with Brown and said the pair is going to have a fun year. The backcourt duo combined for 39 points in the Dukes season-opening 88-78 win over Ohio.
When it came to Ricks’ decision to follow Spradlin to JMU, he said “it wasn’t about basketball.”
“He’s a really big family-oriented guy, he will come and talk to you, not even about basketball, but he will have a three-hour conversation with you, just about life,” Ricks said. “That’s what I love, that he’s family first always, and then basketball second.”
Ricks feels his leadership role is increasing, as he knows what’s going on and what’s expected of him. He teaches the team the same expectations, he said, as they continue to be tested every day.
JMU men’s basketball recorded 15 assists in its 88-78 season-opening win over Ohio on Monday. One of junior point gaurd Xavier Brown’s two assists led to a 3-pointer to senior center Elijah Hutchins-Everett. Photos by April Weber / The Breeze
Another new member of the roster, junior guard Justin Taylor spent the past two seasons with Syracuse, where he played in 61 games — starting 34 of them. His adjustment to JMU was tough, he said, as he missed the summer with an injury, but he’s staying positive entering the season. Taylor’s mom, Kerri, played basketball at JMU in 1986.
“Having Mark and Eddie come from his system has been huge for us, because we get to learn from them,” Taylor said. “Now it’s just about tightening everything up and getting ready for the season, but we’re gelling well together and we’re ready to go.”
Taylor’s now-roommate Brown is one of the main reasons he came to JMU, he said, as the two have known each other since high school.
“We’re like brothers and we’re really gonna take care of each other on and off the court,” Taylor said.
He feels it will be huge for the team to stick together “through thick and thin” during the season, and not let possible negative attention get to them, he said.
If there’s any lesson Spradlin has taught his team, it’s to take life “one day at a time,” Freeman said. The team and its head coach have worked on instilling this into their mentality by making it an everyday habit.
“It might be a cliche saying, 'don’t think too far ahead, or don’t think about your past too much, just think about where you are standing, below your feet right now,'” Freeman said. “I got that from him. Shoutout to Coach P.”
Momentum could flip for the Dukes this season since they haven ’ t played more than one game, but that could change once the season continues, Spradlin said. He said this highlights the importance of his one-day-at-a-time mentality, as it’s crucial for the team to maintain its focus on the present and to not get its identity too wrapped up in the future. The 1-0 Dukes will return to action Saturday at 1-0 Norfolk State at 6 p.m.
CONTACT Zach Mendenhall at mendenzl@dukes.jmu. edu. For more men's basketball coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.
Junior guard Justin Taylor said that Xavier Brown was one of the main reasons he came to JMU. April Weber / The Breeze
EDITORS’ PICKS
OPINION
EDITOR EMAIL breezeopinion@gmail.com Maya Skurski
Want to praise someone or get something off your chest? Darts & Pats is the place to do it. Submit your own at breezejmu.org.
A “house-less” dart to Residence Life for forgetting not everyone has a home for the holidays.
From an international student who wants JMU to understand that if they want more international students, they need to better accommodate them.
A “be-civil” dart to those loosing their minds over the election.
From someone who wants to remind everyone on both sides to be kind; politics don’t come above friendship.
A “literally-served” pat to the waitress at Olive Garden for killing it.
From someone who needed extra breadsticks.
Gluten-free publicity: JMU needs to better advertise alternatives
LACEY SIRBAUGH | Breeze columnist
JMU is ranked No. 8 in the country for best campus food, having a diverse range of eateries and two all-you-can-eat dining halls. JMU is no stranger to versatility and diversity, encompassing many options for vegetarians or vegans; however, it lacks in one specific culinary realm: there aren’t many options for gluten-free eaters, and the ones that are available, aren’t well advertised.
“Nearly 11 percent of adults [in the United States] aged 18 or older have at least one food allergy. This is more than 27 million adults,” according to Facts and Statistics on FoodAllergy.org.
Although only 4% of U.S. adults are glutenfree for medical reasons, approximately 31% of adults eat gluten-free. Not every student is necessarily medically gluten-free. Some students may want to limit, not restrict, their gluten, so they just need easy and straightforward information about how to achieve that on campus.
JMU dining halls have True Balance stations, which provide students with guaranteed meals that are gluten-free, nutfree, soy-free or avoid one of the six other “common food allergies”, according to jmucampusdish.com. There’s proper, clear signage that displays these food restrictions for students.
In addition, there’s a Worry Free Zone at D-Hall, which is an isolated room for students with medically restricted diets. In order to gain access to allergen-free snacks and breakfast items such as bagels, cereal and oat milk, students must meet with a dietician.
“I wouldn’t say it was super easy,” said gluten-sensitive sophomore Ella Rankin, explaining the difficulty she experienced gaining access to the Worry Free Zone.
It’s great that the dining halls have glutenfree options for students in general, but when JMU advertises its holistic campus food as top-ranked, it needs to clearly state what gluten-free options are available on campus.
JMU Dining Health & Wellness Manager Hanna Serrano wrote in an emailed statement to The Breeze that there are glutenfree options at Italian Kitchen in Bistro 1908 and at Tacodillo in Dukes Dining.
“All delis on campus offer made-withoutgluten options, including wraps, sub rolls and bagels, but vary by location,” Serrano said.
Serrano explained that JMU doesn’t offer a published list of gluten-free Duke Deals.
“When meeting with students, I highlight available options,” Serrano said. “JMU Dining offers a robust variety of madewithout-gluten options across campus in 25 of its on-campus dining locations.”
If 25 locations include a gluten-free option, why aren’t they advertised more clearly? Punches are more convenient for on-the-go meals, and, let’s be honest —
we all need a break from dining hall food at times.
After conducting field research, there were more options. Lakeside Cafe had gluten-free bread and wrap options, as well as Market 64’s deli, Freshens, Steak ’n Shake and Festival Burgers. This still wasn’t as much as I’d hoped.
The following message is displayed at the bottom of most menu and ordering screens on campus: “Additional nutrition information upon request” — a vague message that doesn’t specify allergens or dietary preferences. Why is something as necessary as nutritional information so difficult to obtain? Even if every food station doesn’t explicitly identify each gluten-free item, there should be an easier way to browse gluten-free options.
JMU’s Chick-fil-A does have gluten-free buns. However, the only gluten-free options are the grilled sandwich and grilled nuggets — neither for a punch. It’s great that JMU’s Chick-fil-A provides this option, but it’s unfair that glutenfree students can’t punch for this option, as it requires Dining Dollars or actual money.
“We are, however, working on a comprehensive list of dining locations that offer made-without-gluten options on our website,” Serrano said. “Look for that coming soon.”
To three of four questions, Serrano responded, “Students with questions about eligibility should reach out to me at serranhb@jmu.edu.”
see GLUTEN FREE, page 19
A “friend-in-me” pat to my roommate for joining my walk.
From someone who was too stressed and needed to blow off some steam with a friend.
The kiosks give students the option to customize and order their meals on campus with ease. April Weber / The Breeze
Fitness and flavor: the value in UREC’s free classes
ANNABELLE BERRY | Breeze columnist
Picture this: over 100 free group exercise classes each week, ranging in fitness levels — from Pilates, yoga and cycling to high-intensity interval training and boxing. The best part? You can secure a spot in class just an hour before it kicks off. That means not feeling overwhelmed by fitting a workout into your busy schedule. Have a free hour between classes? Perfect, you’re ready to break a sweat at JMU’s University Recreation Center (UREC).
Like many other students, do you ever feel flooded by the adversity of college life — classes, deadlines and that constant dreadful to-do list? You’re not alone; stress and mental health are a main point of discussion on campus. The eminence of physical well-being plays a vital role in keeping our spirits high can’t be overstated. Yet, there‘s a catch: regardless of the copious classes at UREC, many students remain unaware of the resources available to them.
As concentration on mental and physical health evolves, taking part in regular physical activity is essential in perpetuating balance during college. Regular exercise
isn’t just a benefit, it’s indisputable.
We all know college can be a financial maze, so let’s talk accessibility. These free classes offer an inclusive solution. No gym fees, no expensive memberships — just pure fitness. By providing no-cost options, UREC eliminates inconveniences and motivates students to strengthen their health without the stress of additional monetary constraints.
Speaking of schedules, the workout classes seamlessly fit into a busy lifestyle, with class availability from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This flexibility allows students to choose a time that works best for them, whether they’re looking to actively begin their morning with a workout or wind down after a long day of classes with meditation. Most sessions last for 45 minutes to an hour, making it easy to fit in a workout without inundating a set routine.
“I love that I can easily fit a workout in between classes or whenever I am on campus. UREC classes are always a great way to meet other students and become more involved at JMU,” said senior Grace Lastova, a UREC regular.
Engaging in these training sessions gives students another opportunity to create a sense of belonging that’s
often hard to find in a bustling campus environment. Many students find their gym partners and form friendships through shared workouts. These students describe the atmosphere in these classes as welcoming and supportive.
“My favorite part of instructing classes is seeing participants enjoying the classes and having regulars who I get to see every week and form friendships with. I know the gym can be intimidating, so I think group exercise classes are a great way to try new things and have a supportive group around you,” said junior Anabel Shifflett, a Power Yoga instructor at UREC.
Many classes, such as Power Yoga, incorporate calming lights and music — allowing for song recommendations — enhancing relaxation and making each session feel personal.
“I am always refreshing the UREC website to try to get a spot in a class whenever I can. I never regret going to a UREC class,” Lastova said.
But wait, there’s more! Welfare expands beyond exercise, and UREC accommodates that by offering a range of wellness workshops, including cooking classes focused on smart shopping and healthy eating, which equip students with essential
life skills. Whether you’re dairy-free, gluten-free or vegan, there are cooking demonstrations for you. If baking is your forte or you have a sweet tooth, there are baking courses perfect for inviting a friend. If you’re interested in learning a new skill, join JMU Dining’s Chef Marissa as she guides you through the steps of frosting cupcakes in Buttercream Basics 101 at UREC. Who doesn’t love cupcakes?
If you’re feeling the weight of your studies, remember there are tons of resources right at your fingertips. UREC’s free workout and cooking classes are ideal for not only nurturing a healthy lifestyle but also finding a community that uplifts people. Why not check out UREC’s group training website today?
In case you want to sweat it out, expand your knowledge on a new skill or just hang out with some cool people, UREC is the place to be. Your college journey is about to get a lot more adventurous; trust me, your mind and body will thank you!
CONTACT Annabelle Berry at berry3aj@dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Again, it’s great that JMU has these resources, but why aren’t these questions directly addressed? It took 20 days to get a response from JMU Dining. Though
this isn’t a priority, it begs the question: How long does it take them to respond to students?
Serrano and the dietitians all provide great resources, but JMU needs to better promote them. While students may be expected to advocate for themselves, how do they know where to look for help?
“I hadn’t known I needed card access prior to school starting and figured out I needed to schedule an appointment with a dietician,” said gluten-free freshman Vie Dukes, who likes Market 64’s glutenfree muffins and other baked items. “It can get expensive. I don’t have access to the allergy-free room at D-Hall, currently, which would make it a whole lot easier to get those types of small things, but hopefully I will soon.”
When viewing “Nutrition Services” on the University Health Center website, there are different food workshops and resources.
“This workshop is for students navigating food allergies on campus. Campus and community food allergy resources will be discussed, as well as practical ways to safely meet your allergy needs in the dining halls. Guidance for navigating conversations with roommates will be offered. Come for mutual support and sharing of ideas,” the Food Allergy Support section of the website states.
However, the dates and times are TBA, and the only date listed was from Sept. 25 with no upcoming programs. Why have such great programs but limit student access through a lack of updating and promotion?
Our generation has a fear of self-advocating. Whether it’s due to social anxiety or otherwise, a lot of students don’t like asking for an extra scoop of food in the buffet line, let alone asking for help. It should be JMU’s obligation to teach students how to advocate for themselves.
When choosing a meal plan, students should have the option to select if they have an allergy or
dietary preference, paving the way for a dietician to reach out to them — or at least email them an automated message with more information. It shouldn’t be complicated to have some sort of guide posted or emailed with locations that have gluten-free options.
JMU appears to have some great food options for students with allergies, but it isn’t the easiest to find and requires the student to do all the research and communicate on their own. As a freshman, it’s already difficult navigating new culinary environments — how meal plans work and what’s worth a punch — and adding dietary restrictions only heightens that challenge. Better advertising would make their lives that much easier.
CONTACT Lacey Sirbaugh at sirbaula@dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Along with cycle, high intensity training, dance and many others, UREC offers a boxing fitness class, available to students every week. Landon Shackelford / The Breeze from GLUTEN FREE, page 18
Ella Austin / The Breeze
Hookup culture has murdered romance
KATIE MAE YETTER contributing columnist
We live in a world where romance is quite literally dead. Hookups are in; romance is out. You grow up consuming media like “When Harry Met Sally ...” or “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” and you think love is tangible. These set standards for what love looks like, but in reality, we’ve created a society of hookup culture where true love can feel so impossible.
In college, this feeling is only exacerbated. It’s an uphill battle to find someone who wants a relationship, even more so someone who can actually commit to one. It doesn’t matter who you’re romantically interested in; in our generation, it seems nobody wants to commit because we’ve all accepted that hookup culture’s built into our society. I interviewed four female JMU students, and due to the intimacy of the topic, they’ve requested anonymity. All four girls had their share of horror stories, and honestly, so do I.
One girl expressed how difficult it feels to date and how hookup culture deteriorates self-worth. “As a girl, I think in this society, you just want to be appreciated and you want to be loved, and you want to be looked at as beautiful … that need growing up doesn’t really go away. You look for validation, and then, you get it, and sometimes it’s good, and then sometimes it just makes you feel gross, and it kind of ruins what love is,” she said.
Hookup culture allows people to explore intimate relations without having to commit. Dating apps egg on this culture. Sites like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and many others, that were originally made for finding a significant
other, are now used for useless hookups to fill some sort of sexual void. Chances are, you won’t find the love of your life on there.
“People that use [dating apps], most of the time, I feel like it’s just for hookup culture and not to meet someone dating-wise, and it’s just that — I don’t know — they’re feeling lonely in the moment, and we want to be with people,” another girl said.
Almost everyone is guilty of leading people on from time to time and feeling lonely, but these feelings only fuel the ideals within hookup culture. It can become easy to mask loneliness with sexual company, especially with newfound freedom on college campuses. It’s so normalized by every student that it’s almost like they’ve thrown the idea of going on dates out the window.
Young adults no longer value the idea of romance, or if they do, it’s masked. They don’t wish for big romantic gestures and instead settle for a “wyd?” text, or “come over” in the middle of the night. It blurs the line between wanting a relationship versus just wanting some physical intimacy. These kinds of ideas can rip at you from the inside out, making you feel valueless. So it looks like I won’t be getting flowers anytime soon.
CONTACT Katie Mae Yetter at yette3km@dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Julia Tanner / The Breeze
The Breeze
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If
by Patti Varol
By Sala Wanetick
MADISON MARKETPLACE
Madison Marketplace is open for business, and all text-only listings are FREE ! Post job listings, announcements, rentals and more using our online placement tool. Ads run two weeks online and in two print editions.
Sales
For Sale - White Chair Covers
150 White (polyester) Chair Covers for Sale for folding chairs will cover 2” cushions. Used once/washed. Good condition. Call (540) 433-9859. Please leave a message with name and phone #.https://www.songsforvalley.org/
Graphic Designer Wanted
The Breeze, JMU’s award-winning student media organization, seeks a student graphic designer for print and online advertising. Job requirements include creating ads fro clients, collaboration with Advertising coordinator, page layout and design. Must be deadline oriented. Knowledge of Adobe software and previous design experience. EOE. Apply at jobs.jmu.edu
Skye Peterson - ALL THE DIFFERENCE TOUR with Graham Jones
Skye Peterson - ALL THE DIFFERENCE TOUR with Graham Jones 7 PM October 26 - Harrisonburghttps://www.songsforvalley.org/
Josh Garrels - IN CONCERT with Taylor Leonhardt
Josh Garrels in Concert with Taylor Leonardt 7 PM Friday November 15 - Harrisonburg https://www.songsforvalley.org/
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CITY OF HARRISONBURG, VA
multiple part-time and full-time positions available.
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Visit www.harrisonburgva.gov and click on employment for more details.
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The best place for banking isn’t a bank at all!
CommonWealth One is JMU’s trusted, full-service credit union, and student banking is better here. We’re conveniently located on campus and offer everything you might need financially as a student. What we don’t have? Excessive and unnecessary fees.
When it comes to handling your finances as a student, we’ve got your back with:
The secret is out – CommonWealth One is here to help you thrive financially at JMU.
To open an account or learn more about JMU Student Perks, which include special events, free food and prizes, visit cofcu.org/DUKES or stop by our branch in The Union (next to the post office)
The Union (Next to the Post Office) Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm