The Breeze 2.8.24

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February 8, 2024 VOL. 102 NO.18 BREEZEJMU.ORG

Sustainability Savant

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Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 102, No. 18

Giving Day is coming to campus on 2.22.2024!

Every year on Giving Day people choose what is most meaningful to them and contribute what they can. You may not realize how much JMU relies on the generosity of alumni and their families to make the Madison Experience possible. In addition to tuition and state funding, donations of all sizes continue to make JMU the place we know and love. DUKES GIVE BACK and you’re part of that!

The impact of alumni giving is all around you.

Check it out.

GIving Day 2024 theme text

Vol. 102, No. 18

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

On the cover This week’s front page story highlights freshman Hayden Schwartz. During his senior year of high school, Schwartz became the youngest member of Earth Brands, a company committed to helping consumers “drink sustainably.”

The company is best known for their “Earth cups,” an environmentally safe alternative to plastic cups.

Now, Schwartz works full time for Earth Brands while being a full-time student. His day-to-day schedule includes meeting with clients and other members of the company’s team in between his full course load.

E a r t h B ra n d s C o - f o u n d e r Pe t e r Frelinghuysen said Schwartz has had a large, positive impact on the company and that he’s grown into key leadership roles.

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What’s inside...

For more about Schwartz, see page 11.

Correction

In the Starship robot story in the Feb. 1 print edition, it was incorrectly stated that the number of Starship food delivery robots had doubled in size since 2020, when they've actually more than doubled in size since then. There were also originally 16 food options on campus accessible

by Starship robots, not six. The online version of the article has been updated.

Renovations to Carrier Library started during summer 2023 and are scheduled to finish in December 2025, with the new library officially reopening for students in fall 2026. While some students are excited about the upgraded building, they’ve also struggled with the long closure of the only library on Main Campus and lack of other study spaces, especially during exam weeks. Kimberly Aikens / The Breeze For more on the Carrier renovation, see pages 5-6.

The Breeze

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MISSION The Breeze, the student-run newspaper of James Madison University, serves student, faculty and staff readership by reporting news involving the campus and local community.

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NEWS

EDITORS Eleanor Shaw & K. Mauser

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@BreezeNewsJMU

Is parking really a problem?

JMU professor points to American culture as root of students’ gripes

By PJ BARUA contributing writer

Jeffrey Tang used to ask his students what they believed JMU’s biggest problem is, but their answers were inevitably the same year after year.

“I knew they would choose parking,” said Tang, an associate dean and professor in the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE). “They always choose parking, every single time.”

Like those in his class, many JMU students say parking is a daily stressor they’ve had to adapt to. In most on-campus parking decks or lots, Tang — who reviewed a paper for the JMU Undergraduate Research Journal examining whether waiting for a parking space to open up or finding another location was best — said students will often drive up and down congested levels or rows, acting aggressively toward one another while competing for the same spot.

Whether there are or aren’t enough places for students to park on campus, many lean into the latter.

“There are just not enough spots for the amount of people they let have a parking pass,” senior Isabella Antoon said.

According to the Office of Planning, Analytics and Institutional Research (PAIR), which provides data to help JMU make evidence-informed decisions, enrollment has increased 48.5% — 15,326 to 22,760 — since fall 2000. Although this can be viewed as a positive for JMU, it’s an opportunity for students to point fingers at the university’s parking services for not keeping up.

Tang said he thinks students would realize JMU does not have a parking problem if they took a step back and considered the university’s parking landscape. He added there are more than enough spaces for students to park — even with an increasing student population.

Students agreed parking is a daily stressor they've had to adapt to, but Jeffrey Tang, associate dean and professor in the College of Integrated Science and Engineering, said students are better off parking farther from their class than hovering around lots waiting for a space to open. Kailey Garner / The Breeze

Why don’t students avoid using cars?

Abby Paredes / The Breeze

Does JMU have a parking problem?

Benjamin Lundy, field operations manager for JMU Parking and Transit Services, said there is a misconception about the university’s parking capacity. Between 2016 and 2019, he said JMU constructed three new parking decks at a cost of over $50 million, which increased the total parking spaces by nearly 22% from 11,327 to 13,794.

“There is no time at which all student parking on campus is filled to capacity,” Lundy said. “It’s certainly true that some parking lots are closer or more desirable than others, but every building on campus is within no more than a 15-minute walk of at least one student parking facility that never fills to capacity.”

Lundy said he’s seen many students circling parking lots and “camping out,” waiting for other drivers to return to their vehicles while there are between 600 to 1,000 empty spaces across other parking locations. He said eyeing for a specific spot is a personal choice rather than a necessity to find a parking space. Lundy said one underused location is the Ballard Parking Deck on East Campus, which he said is only an additional four-minute walk from most

on-campus buildings or bus stops.

Tang said the root of unreasonable parking expectations is tied to today’s society and culture.

“As Americans, we expect for parking lots to be close to our destination, which leads to the decision of how reasonable we think it is to walk after,” Tang said. “Almost never are there not enough parking spaces on campus. It’s all about how far away it is from where you want to be from parking.”

The paper reviewed by Tang was written by Matthew Lewis (’15) and examined parking congestion caused by East Campus construction, specifically in Festival and Convocation lots.

Lewis found that, depending on timing, it's almost always better to park and walk a little more than usual. Lewis achieved this by running simulations based on parking and the time it took for students to get to class.

Junior Aly Vlassis and her sister, senior Kyra Vlassis, started to park farther from their classes and walk the additional couple minutes.

Compared to past years, Aly said this decision has relieved the stress of having to find a spot and rush to class.

“We would rather walk and know we are going to get to class on time than go to one of the parking decks and try to find parking and then end up being late to class,” Aly said.

Senior Julia Dorf said she would still choose to drive and deal with the stress over looking into alternate transportation.

Dorf said she will only turn to alternative methods of transportation — such as carpooling, biking or busing — on special occasions, such as if her car breaks down. Her reasoning? She wants control of when she leaves for class.

Tang said reasons like Dorf’s are connected to the U.S.’s long history of independence and freedom.

“The car is a part of the ultimate symbol of American independence,” Tang said. “You can live out of it, you can go wherever, whenever, and you don’t have to worry about when the bus is coming.”

Because of this, Tang said America relies less on public transportation. Even with the perception that JMU doesn’t have enough parking spaces, he said students will almost always find one, which creates a disincentive to seek other options.

“It becomes a self-reinforcing process,” Tang said. “A vicious cycle of cutting bus routes makes taking the bus less attractive, which decreases ridership and justifies for the cuts in bus routes.”

Tang said cutting back on parking spaces and, therefore, making it harder for students to park will in turn make driving less appealing.

That, he said, will lead students to change their expectations and decrease the fear and anxiety that may come with taking the bus.

“It’s just that inertia to change up what you are doing to move in one direction or another,” Tang said. “The question is not what should we do to make parking better, it’s ‘Should we be trying to make parking better?’ or ‘What should our priorities be?’”

CONTACT PJ Barua at baruapx@dukes. jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

NEWS

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

Carrier Library construction reaches nine-month mark Students adapt to implications of three-year-long renovation process

Abby Paredes / The Breeze

By DRAKE MILLER The Breeze

As the spring semester moves along, a cacophony of drilling and hammering can be heard from where the renovated Carrier Library is taking shape.

The Carrier construction, which the JMU Libraries website says will encourage “the flow of people, creativity, and ideas,” is scheduled to be completed in December 2025, and the library will reopen for students and faculty in fall 2026. The final product will include the preserved 1939 entrance, 24-hour student study spaces and an unspecified number of reading rooms, among other features.

Carrier Library initially closed in May, beginning the three-year renovation process.

Many students, including sophomore Malcolm Burbano, shared their mixed feelings regarding the library’s long closure.

“My first year, it was great,” he said. “It was a great place to reserve a room to study with a group or just go for a quiet place to study in.”

With the far-off projected completion date, Burbano said there’s one major issue with Carrier Library’s continued closure: the lack of places to congregate with others on Main Campus, making it harder to collaborate on schoolwork.

“You’re forced to go to places you wouldn’t usually go that might have less ideal conditions, like a louder environment, less space or less privacy,” he said.

Burbano shared his varied feelings toward the larger picture of JMU’s plan to upgrade its facilities. He said it’s great the university is renovating buildings, but the downside is the closure of them, which will and has affected students.

Geoffrey Buechter, a junior in the College of Business, said he’s had similar experiences with having to find alternative study spaces, adding that JMU gets extremely busy during finals season — meaning even less space for students to work.

Buechter said his off-campus residence also contributes to his mixed feelings regarding Carrier’s closure.

“I live close to Carrier, so Rose Library is far,” he said. “Location is a big factor — it’s on the other side of campus.”

Sophomore Malcolm Burbano said the continued closure of Carrier Library creates a lack of places to congregate with others on Main Campus. Photos by Kimberly Aikens / The Breeze

see CARRIER, page 6

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In case you missed it...

Photo timeline of Carrier’s renovation

By NEWS DESK The Breeze

from CARRIER, page 5

Media Relations Coordinator Eric Gorton wrote in a press release on Wednesday that JMU Libraries and other campus entities are making a wide variety of study areas available across campus, adding that JMU now offers “study spaces in over 30 buildings.”

Kristen Shuyler, director of communications and outreach for JMU Libraries, said JMU cares about helping students find great places to study.

"JMU has such a variety of beautiful study spaces, and we’re excited that creating a comprehensive study spaces map made them easier for students to find," Shuyler said.

Like Burbano, Buechter is optimistic about Carrier’s eventual completion; he said he's getting acclimated to not having access to the library.

Buechter said while he does miss Carrier, the closure has taught him a valuable lesson in adaptability and flexibility.

Citing past experiences of going to Carrier to study, Buechter now spends time studying at his off-campus residence.

“I look forward to what the future brings with Carrier Library,” Buechter said. “Change comes with time. You just have to embrace it."

CONTACT Drake Miller at mille8dl@dukes. jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

NEWS

The Carrier Library construction project is slated to end in December 2025 and will open to students and faculty in fall 2026. Photos by Kimberly Aikens / The Breeze

The Rockingham County Public School (RCPS) Board voted to temporarily remove 57 books in early January from every public school library.

The board members held an open work session Jan. 30 to discuss forming a comprehensive selection process to determine whether books are appropriate for a K-12 audience.

RCPS District 4 Representative Sara Horst said the school board wants to look at two policies regarding banning books: one that provides guidelines for how books come into RCPS libraries, and a separate policy for how books are challenged.

One community member said he’s noticed an increase of JMU education majors looking to teach outside of Rockingham County as a direct result of RCPS’ temporary book ban.

A few days after the board’s work session, Horst apologized to “The Invisible Boy" author Trudy Ludwig for the board’s decision to wrongfully ban Ludwig’s book.

“From what I can tell and believe, it was wrongfully caught

up [in] our process," Horst wrote in an email to Ludwig. “It is likely the parent making the book challenge meant a similarly titled book, not yours."

Many RCPS community members, including students, teachers and parents, took to downtown Harrisonburg on Saturday to publicly voice their distress over the bans and question the validity of the board’s decision.

Attendees gathered in Court Square Theater, each taking turns on stage to address the audience.

“If you’re banning books that support a certain group of people while ignoring [other books], then something’s up," one protester said.

Want to know more? Track this developing story at the QR code below.

CONTACT The news desk at breezenews@gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

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Vol. 102, No. 18

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

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Vol. 102, No. 18

NEWS

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SGA approves over $20,000 in student org funding

The funds approved by the SGA will go toward Chabad House, Student Ambassadors, Madison Consulting Club, JMU Anime Club and Relay for Life. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

By HANNAH KENNEDY The Breeze

CentralValleyHabitat.org/ReStore

The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate approved a collective $20,785.99 in reserve, contingency and grant funds for JMU organizations on Tuesday. Reserve funds were allocated to Chabad House and Student Ambassadors, contingency toward Madison Consulting Club and JMU Anime Club, and a grant for Relay for Life.

Chabad House, also known as JMjews, is an organization that encourages Jewish students to celebrate the religion’s holidays, socialize

with one another and promote “unconditional love,” according to its mission statement.

Chabad requested $5,000 in reserve funds — which is funding for front-end budget organizations that are leftover — to finance its annual Mega Shabbat on Friday. The event will feature guest speaker Yuri Foreman, the firstever Israeli boxing champion in the world, and host over 100 Jewish students for one “epic” evening, according to Chabad’s website.

“They just are very involved and dedicated to make sure this event happens every year,” junior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Accessibility (DEIJA) Chair Takiyah Monrose-Richardson said.

Relay for Life received a $10,000 program grant, which will go toward its volunteer-run fundraisers and activities that encourage cancer research.

The bulk of the expenses for the Relay for Life event this spring are the costs of a stage ($1,882.13), sound system ($7,617.87) and lights ($1,000). The request was submitted by the Omicron Chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and the Beta Theta Chapter of the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity.

“It gets a big turnout every year, and I see a lot of advertisements for it,” MonroseRichardson said. “We get the reputation of a party school … having something that will be donated to a good cause is always a good reputation builder.”

Madison Consulting Club, an organization formed this past fall, was unanimously granted $3,000 in contingency funds for its consulting recruiter fair. Junior Vice President Carson Tighe is also the SGA’s finance liaison.

Tighe said this event will allow all JMU students, as well as its 44 club members,

SHOP.

to interact with major consulting firms on a more professionally intimate level this spring, as compared to the broader College of Business mixers held in the fall.

“People are applying for internships and jobs in the fall; the difference here is that it’s spring,” Tighe said. “They’re not necessarily just looking for jobs — it’s a lot of opportunities for sophomores and freshmen as well to make connections.”

Tighe explained the club has $25 dues per person and will increase recruitment this semester. So far, the club has only fundraised for a conference they plan to host next year.

“I think it’s important that a new club, such as this, has the opportunity to have these large career fairs where people can network on a personal note,” senior sen. Zach Fox said.

The SGA unanimously approved JMU Anime Club’s request for $2,550 in contingency funds. This money will cover the cost of the $85 tickets for each attendee to Katsucon — an animation convention celebrating Japanese artists and fans — as well as transportation and hotel fees for all 30 of the club’s members.

The anime club raised $1,328 through various activities but still requires support from the SGA as it is unable to cover the full expenses for the trip, which is a decade-long tradition for the organization.

“This is not usual, but we’re still kind of recovering from financial losses,” club President senior Christopher Simmons said, adding that last semester was “low” in participation.

S i m m o n s s a i d m a n y m e m b e r s a re influencers who can share their experiences via their social media, helping them advance their careers and the East Asian art showcased at the event.

DONATE.

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.

The money granted was made up of contingency funds, reserve funds and program grants.

“I think it’s important to help support the very passionate club and being able to represent JMU on a social arts convention,” Fox said.

Student Ambassadors received $235.99 in reserve funding to purchase a karaoke speaker and two microphones. Its junior treasurer Catie Kirkhorn outlined “reliability,” “convenience” and “enthusiasm” as the main motivations for accessing the new device, which will replace a “cheaper” model from last year that, Kirkhorn said, no longer works.

CONTACT Hannah Kennedy at breezecopy@ gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

VOLUNTEER.

CULTURE

EDITORS Morgan Blair & Evan Moody

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EMAIL thebreezeculture@gmail.com

@Breeze_Culture

JMU junior releases single, dreams of career in music

Grace Lastova credits JMU a capella group the BluesTones with helping her as a musician. Courtesy of Grace Lastova

The junior media arts and design (SMAD) major wrote her first song in sixth grade. April Weber / The Breeze

“Lovesick,” Lastova’s most recent single, explores the feeling of falling in love. Courtesy of Grace Lastova

By ASHLEE THOMPSON The Breeze

to for insight because she values her opinion so much.

“She’s not afraid to put her music out there, which, at the end of the day, takes a lot of courage,” Silverberg said. “She is consistently always thinking of the next thing and what can be bigger and better, and I love that she confides in me as a friend.”

Silverberg and Lastova both agree campus a capella groups like the BluesTones have made their college experience better because of the connections they’ve made. Because of the BluesTones, Lastova found her first producer — Leif Jomuad, former member of another campus a capella group, Exit245 — and put out her first single, “Romanticize,” in 2021.

After more songwriting and released singles, Lastova stumbled upon Baltimore singer-songwriter Ashley Kutcher and fell in love with her style. Lastova took a shot in the dark and reached out to Kutcher’s producer, Eric Taft, to work on a song, and he happily agreed.

Taft, stationed in Columbia, Maryland, has worked with Lastova on three songs thus far and has collaborated in the past with artists such as the Plain White T’s. Taft also engineered a song for American rock band Underoath, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2019.

“She sent me a song she had done in the past called ‘Whoops!’ and I thought it had a really cool vibe, and she has a great voice,” Taft said.

Taft said he enjoys working with students, having taught college and high school music classes in the past. He said he admires aspiring student-musicians who take steps to “invest in their craft” and push themselves down the career path they want, a choice he said Lastova made.

“In Grace’s case, I’ve worked with her a few times while she has concurrently been singing with the JMU BluesTones, and she’s a stronger performer and artist every time she comes back into the studio as a result of it,” Taft said. “It’s exciting to see that tangible progress in a performer, and know that they’re really absorbing all that they can from their experiences.”

Lastova’s most recent single, “Lovesick,” explores the feeling of falling in love and how it mirrors the symptoms of drug addiction. In her Spotify pitch, Lastova said the song describes the “overwhelming” and “roller coaster” feelings of infatuation and love, somethings she drew upon.

“The previous songs I’ve put out have all been about heartbreak

and bad experiences,” Lastova said. “Now that I’ve come to a point in my life where I am in a really happy, healthy and loving relationship, getting to that point was almost like being addicted to the feeling of falling in love.”

Lastova had the general concept of “Lovesick” saved for a while but could never find the right lyrics to go along with it.

After writing the first line of the chorus, Lastova said the rest of the song came quickly.

“I would wear your poison kisses / keep you on my mouth like lipstick,” Lastova sang in the chorus, a line she considers to be the main theme of the song.

As a SMAD major, Lastova said her classes have helped her learn how to use social media and technology to her advantage, especially when it comes to TikTok marketing — something she said she loves to advertise her music. These video skills learned in SMAD, combined with her music business knowledge from her music industry minor, are “so important” to Lastova because they have given her the ability to not only market herself successfully but also understand the numbers and business behind the scenes.

Lastova plans on using her time at JMU to progress her career and skills as much as possible, as she is studying abroad this summer through the JMU in LA program, which provides students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in one of the entertainment capitals of the world: Los Angeles, California.

“The dream is to move out to LA after college,” Lastova said. “I hope I’ll make some connections to get a potential job out there, or maybe meet someone so I can eventually sign to a record label.”

As a college student, Lastova knows how hard it can be to start a music career from scratch. Lastova said releasing her first song in 2021 — which she admits isn’t her best songwriting — was terrifying, but the experience gave her the confidence to continue with her craft. “[Students] really need to start,” Lastova said. “I would say my biggest piece of advice is to really just reach out and work with people that you may not have a connection with and build off of that.”

With six singles under her belt, 20-year-old Grace Lastova is no stranger to the music scene. Her most recent single, “Lovesick” — released Jan. 20 — has skyrocketed to the top of Lastova’s popular songs on Spotify, amassing almost 1,000 streams in its first week.

Lastova, a junior media arts and design (SMAD) major and music industry minor, has grown up all around the world, never staying in the same place for more than a few years. Spending her childhood in the U.S., Israel, Japan, Jordan, Panama and India, Lastova said she appreciates the world’s music culture, which sparked her love for the art.

“When I first moved to India when I was 11, my sister and I only had access to Bollywood music because we didn’t have service for anything else,” Lastova said. “Being exposed to a bunch of different genres shaped and influenced my perspective on music, and the types of music I listened to and the artists I looked up to.”

Lastova said she has always processed her feelings and emotions through songs and poetry, so songwriting was a natural next step. She recalled writing her first song in sixth grade — one that explored diversity around the world called “Same is Lame.”

From there, her love and talent for songwriting grew.

Upon arriving at JMU in Fall 2021, Lastova fell in love with the campus’ award-winning a capella group, the BluesTones. Lastova, who served as the group’s 2022-2023 choreographer, credits it with helping her as a musician — not only for improving live vocals but also for allowing her to develop a better ear for harmonies, melodies and other layering sounds that go into a song.

“In a capella, there are no instruments,” Lastova said.

“Something I had the most fun doing in the studios was recording the actual verses and choruses and then going and making the background and the instrumental more interesting.”

Senior independent scholars major and music industry minor Jadyn Silverberg has been alongside Lastova since her first semester at JMU, when they joined the BlueTones at the same time and bonded over similar interests. Silverberg also served as the 2022-2023 BluesTones president.

A songwriter herself, Silverberg looks up to Lastova for putting out songs independently. Because of their strong musical bond, Lastova said Silverberg is the first person she shows new music

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 and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

CULTURE

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Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

Freshman works as executive at sustainable company while managing a full class load

Freshman business administration major Hayden Schwartz works as an executive at Earth Brands, a Forbes-recognized company that makes items to help people “drink sustainably.”

Kailey Garner / The Breeze

By SADIE MCCLAIN contributing writer

On first impression, Hayden Schwartz doesn’t seem any different from other JMU freshmen. Certainly, you wouldn’t think the 19-year-old from Richmond was an executive at Forbes-recognized Earth Brands, a company committed to helping consumers “drink sustainably.”

Earth Brands is most well known for their “Earth Cups,” a 100% biodegradable and compostable alternative to plastic cups. The company is a growing success, becoming the official sustainability partner of Madison Square Garden.

“I started pretty early in my senior year [of high school],” Schwartz said. “Earth Brands had started about a year before … They had had a huge interview pool that went in, and I missed that, so I reached out to one of the founders.”

Schwartz said he thought he could provide expertise to the company and knew it would be an invaluable learning experience if brought on. Not long after, Schwartz was given an opportunity to interview.

“I went to my high school business teacher to help me prepare,” Schwartz said. “They ended up [liking me] and were impressed I had the guts to interview.”

Co-founder Peter Frelinghuysen said Schwartz has become an integral part of the team since joining.

“Hayden’s time on the team is best characterized by taking initiative, starting — and finishing — new projects, and finding creative ways around obstacles,” Frelinghuysen said.

Despite being the youngest at the company, Schwartz quickly rose through the ranks.

“Within the company, Hayden’s grown to

assume key responsibilities and leadership roles, managing personnel on a daily basis,” Frelinghuysen said. “Hayden’s attitude is second to none, always leading with a smile and never-say-never mentality to team meetings.”

Both the company and Schwartz’s life have changed drastically in the past year.

Transitioning from high school to JMU, Schwartz’s schedule has become more flexible, and he now works full time at Earth Brands, on top of being a full-time student.

“It is a start-up, so last year it was a lot slower moving … It was more of, ‘What can you do? and ‘Could you do it well?’ and I could find my niches,” Schwartz said. “But now, it’s more difficult since I’ve got college.”

Working full time as a student with a full class load means Schwartz’s schedule is packed. His day-to-day involves multiple meetings with the founders of Earth Brands and its team as a whole, calls with clients and, of course, classes.

Fellow business-minded student senior and owner of 360 Timber Services LLC, Ian Stasko said Schwartz’s involvement with Earth Brands is “incredibly impressive.”

“I’m sure everybody’s looking forward to see what he does by the time he’s graduating,” Stasko said. “Even further down the line.”

In terms of balancing business ventures and academics, Stasko said he prioritizes his personal learning. For students looking to pursue entrepreneurial pursuits, such as Schwartz, Stasko said passion is key.

“That’s where all your energy in your life stems from,” Schwartz said. “When it comes down to the business world, it’s all about your connections, about who you know and it’s about your knowledge in that field because you’re coming in showing that you’re passionate about something.”

Between managing sales at Earth Brands and studying at JMU, Schwartz doesn’t have much time for other activities but has still found a community in his residence hall and said he’s excited to join campus extracurriculars in the future.

Schwartz didn’t plan on becoming a Duke, but upon arriving at campus, he said he couldn’t believe he “didn’t consider this as a top choice.” Quickly, he said he realized “this is where I want to be.”

“I’ve been finding JMU to be very exciting as it’s helped me see the world in a different lens,” Schwartz said. “My econ class my first semester taught by professor [Zachary] Gochenour, who probably doesn’t even know my name, was a phenomenal teacher. [He] really made me fall in love with econ, and I’ve been able to see how it’s contributed to the business world and the real world.”

Economics is not the only class that’s resonated with Schwartz. He took a media literacy general education course that, while not particularly fun for his business-wired mind, opened his eyes to new areas he hadn’t thought to explore in his education.

“JMU has made me take these classes that weren’t strictly business focused,” Schwartz said. “I’m excited to continue to [try more new subjects].”

College life and Earth Brands have always been closely linked. According to Earth Brands’ website, the founders were inspired to create their main product by the ubiquitous Solo cups, a common piece of litter on and around most college campuses.

Schwartz said Earth Brands is planning to change the single-use cup scene by creating a “completely backyard compostable” material.

This material, he said, can be implemented in forks, straws and more.

Earth Brands’ vision is to reach the younger

generation, who will ultimately decide the fate of the environment, Schwartz said.

“There’s a chance we could help change the climate,” he said. “That’s really important to me, and that’s what makes Earth Brands important … We get to see how much we are contributing to waste not being thrown in landfills, and that you really are making an impact by just doing your little part, and to see that is kind of what motivates me to continue to do it.”

Schwartz said he’s still figuring out where his career will bring him but is open to possibilities of where he can go. He said Earth Brands has given him the opportunity to call his own shots and move in ways he didn’t think was possible.

“I’ve always had a passion for business, and sustainability has always been a part of my life growing up,” he said. “I think if there’s a way for me to stay in [sustainability], I would be interested. It has opened a lot of doors for me.”

The end goal of the company, Schwartz said, is to make sustainable products affordable and available for everybody who wants them. He said the start of 2024 has been “crazy” because his Earth Brands colleagues have had lots of ideas and with everything moving at a fast pace.

“This year is going to be very exciting for what we can do,” Schwartz said. “We want to take over as many stadiums as we can to provide our materials and products.”

Evan Moody contributed to this report.

CONTACT Sadie McClain at mcclaisd@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

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CULTURE

JMU orgs host third annual Roots of Black History Month event

By ASHLEE THOMPSON The Breeze

JMU’s Black Student Alliance (BSA), the JMU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Beta Delta Delta chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc. and the Iota Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc. gathered Feb. 1 to commemorate the start of Black History Month. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

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In Virginia, the roots of Black History Month run deep. Carter G. Woodson — a Buckingham County, Virginia, native and Omega Psi Phi brother — is credited as the founder of Black History Month.

Dating back to 1915, the month marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and slavery’s abolishment in the U.S. In order to keep Woodson’s legacy alive, JMU’s Black Student Alliance (BSA), the JMU chapter of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Beta Delta Delta chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc. and the Iota Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc. hosted the third annual Roots of Black History Month x Black Card Revoked on Feb 1. — the first day of Black History Month.

Senior John Johnson, president of Omega Psi Phi and JMU’s NAACP chapter, organized the event, which saw nearly 50 attendees.

The two-hour program consisted of an educational presentation on the origin of Black History Month and a game to test the attendees’ knowledge of Black roots and culture. “[JMU is] a PWI [predominantly white institution]; oftentimes, people overlook the Black community here,” Johnson said of the event’s importance. “We want to showcase our work and the love we have for one another.”

Evaton Blackwood (’22) was a guest speaker at the event.

Blackwood — a former history major and African, African American, and Diaspora (AAAD) minor — was involved with the JMU chapter of the NAACP and teaches history at Charlottesville High School.

“History has always been important to me,” Blackwood said. “The more you know about your origin, it helps you relive all the things that your ancestors have been through to get you where you are.”

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CULTURE The presentation put a spotlight on Woodson’s historical signifigance, as well as other influential Black people. Woodson, Blackwood said, was inspired to spread knowledge about African American history JMU’s BSA, the JMU chapter of the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc. and the Iota Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc. after attending Chicago’s 50th anniversary of the Civil War jubilee in 1915.

Woodson didn’t like the lack of African American history taught in schools, Blackwood said, so he co-founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), an organization that researches, promotes and preserves Black history, culture and heritage.

By 1924, Woodson and his Omega Psi Phi brothers formed Negro History and Literature Week, Blackwood said, choosing the second week of February to encompass both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays — two influential Americans involved with the abolishment of slavery.

“People got so excited and wanted to learn more and more,” Blackwood said. “It got to the point where in the 1960s, you had universities celebrating [African American history] for a month before it was even recognized as a month.”

In 1976, Gerald Ford became the first president to recognize February as Black History Month. According to the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, Ford motioned to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

“American history is African American history,” Blackwood said. “They cannot be separated.”

Blackwood spent 10 minutes discussing other influential Black figures such as Crispus Attucks, Garrett A. Morgan and W.E.B. Debois. Blackwood emphasized Black artists to highlight the 2024 Black History Month theme: African Americans and the Arts.

Some influential artists mentioned were Aaron Douglas, one of the first to powerfully document the African American experience of oppression and resistance through art, James Van Der Zee, a photographer who captured African Americans in their finest clothing to rid negative stereotypes and Zora Neale Hurston, a writer who focussed on the pressures of in race and gender, for African Americans in the south.

After Blackwood’s talk, the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc. put on a “Jeopardy!” — style game that made the highly competitive audience roar with laughter.

Senior Delta Sigma Theta President JaNiece Woodson hosted the game, doing her best to quiet the room, but attendees seemed

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

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In his presentation, Evaton Blackwood (’22) emphasized Black artists to highlight the 2024 Black History Month theme: African Americans and the Arts.

to have too much fun coming up with answers.

“Everybody was really engaged, which is really important,” JaNiece said. “Having serious moments while also having fun where everyone can feel welcome is what we want.”

The game — called Black Card Revoked — involved both educational and funny, relatable questions spread between five categories: “Black Sayings,” “#BlackTok,” “ROOTS,” “Who Dat” and “Cookout.”

“What does your mom say when you try to argue back?” one question read, which led to laughter and yelling around the room.

“I didn’t know that was an option,” a game contestant shouted out. The answer: “I’m not one of yo little friends.”

While having funny moments, the game also took some matters seriously, such as when Tamir Rice — a 12-year-old African American who was killed by a police officer in 2014 — was a question topic.

“One of the biggest things for our sorority is to serve the Black community,” JaNiece said. “The main point was to get them known on these topics, like when we talk about Tamir Rice and police brutality.”

One of the attendees, BSA freshman Kiara Alexander, said she came to the event because she “supports everything Black” and learned the campus can be “a community” that comes together for important talks.

There are many more events and information sessions on campus throughout the month of February dedicated to celebrating Black History Month, including keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Quaye coming Feb. 22 to discuss Black student activism.

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 and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

SPORTS EDITORS Kaiden Bridges & Jackson Hephner

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‘Rent is due’: No. 6 Dukes ‘eager’ to open season against No. 3 UNC

By HAYDEN HUNDLEY The Breeze

The Dukes have lost 12 of their 16 games against North Carolina all time. Breeze file photo

No one on JMU lacrosse’s roster has beaten North Carolina during their career as a Duke. Breeze file photo

For the ninth time in program history, JMU lacrosse opens its season against North Carolina.

Dating back to 1998, the Dukes have lost seven seasonopening games and 12 of their 16 all-time matchups against the Tar Heels. But, this year, senior defenders Nicholle Marshall and Lizzy Pirisino said “rent is due” in Saturday’s matchup with the opening draw set for noon.

Pirisino — a team captain — said she got the idea for the new team mantra after watching JMU football’s bowl game against Troy. She said she believes the slogan encompasses the values JMU carries as far as “not caring” about rankings.

The ranked Dukes are coming off their longest postseason run since they won the national championship in 2018, which is also the last time they beat North Carolina in a season opener — after a game-winning goal by senior attacker and Tewaaraton Award finalist Kristen Gaudian (2015-18) in double overtime that clinched a 15-14 victory.

This year, JMU is ranked No. 6 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division 1 Preseason Poll, its highest preseason ranking since 2019, when it was No. 4.

North Carolina, whose season ended at the same time last season as the Dukes, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, is ranked No. 3.

The Tar Heels are bringing back 2023 honorable mention all-American attackers Caitlyn Wurzburger and Reilly Casey, an Alexandria, Virginia, native who Inside Lacrosse called the “quarterback” of their offense. Reilly was ranked the 46th best player in the country in the preseason along with allAmerican junior defender Brooklyn Walker-Welch at No. 6, and sophomore attacker Marrissa White at No. 42.

Walker-Welch, White, the No. 1 incoming freshman attacker in the country Chloe Humphrey and 2023 ACC All-Freshman midfielder/draw control specialist Karleigh Harden, will miss the entire season with injuries sustained in the offseason.

On JMU’s side, its defense will have a different look this spring. The Dukes lost starting junior defender Carolyn Thistlewaite to an ACL tear in the fall. Before that, goalkeeper Kat Buchanan (2019-23) graduated — she set the record for wins in a season by a JMU goalie last year — and two former all-American defenders, Mairead Durkin (2019-23) and Rachel Matey (2019-23), also played their last games as Dukes in May. However, the Dukes are reloading on defense with two Inside Lacrosse top 100 freshmen, Madison Weybrecht (No. 97) and five-star recruit Ava Bleckley (No. 20), as Bleckley makes a switch from midfield to defense along

with junior Hazel Garder.

“Rachel and Mariead obviously were great players, and we miss them,” Pirisino said. “We learned a lot from them, but I think that we need to move forward, and we have a lot of faith in the players that are filling the roles.”

Offensively, the Dukes are losing 2023 First Team All-AAC attacker Tai Jankowski but retain six players who scored more than 15 goals last season and 2022 First Team All-CAA attacker Kacey Knobloch, who is returning for her sixth year after missing last season with a knee injury.

The NCAA’s runner-up in goals last year, senior attacker Isabella Peterson, said Knobloch’s presence gives her a sense of “calmness.”

“I think we’re a lot more mature,” said Peterson, who netted 91 goals last spring. “We did lose Tai, but we’re getting Kacey back and everyone else has an extra year under their belt. We have Liv [redshirt junior attacker Olivia Mattis] coming off the bench. We have some really strong freshmen that could be impact players. So I’m really looking forward to what we can do this year because we have so much potential.”

Sophomore attacker Maddie Epke, who trained with the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team over the summer, is expected to make a big jump, as well as sophomore midfielders Brianna Mennella and Josie Pell. With the strong returning cast on offense, expect head coach Shelley Klaes to mix and match players from attack to midfield to use as much talent as possible. “[In the past], we became a defensive team,” Klaes said.

“Right now we’ve had a little bit of graduation, and we’re talking about this being an offensive team. So I love our ability to grow year to year. I think that’s the sign of a great team. Last year, the defense took some pressure off the offense, and our draw unit helped. This year, maybe the offense and the draw unit can take a little pressure off the defense and have each other’s backs.”

Nobody on the 2024 JMU roster has beaten North Carolina, but Marshall said there’s “so much anticipation” surrounding the opener. With the Tar Heels losing four of their top players for the season, this might be one of the Dukes’ best chances to defeat North Carolina in recent memory.

“I’d like to see people not wait until May to come and support us,” Klaes said. “We’re a winter sport, even though they say we’re spring. So I’d love to see people come out early. We have a lot of February games this year, so we’re looking for people who have that mentality to come and join us.”

CONTACT Hayden Hundley at hundlehf@dukes.jmu.edu.

For more lacrosse coverage, follow the sports desk on X @TheBreezeSports.

Senior attacker Isabella Peterson is back for her last year after scoring 91 goals in the 2023 season. Ryan Sauer / The Breeze

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Offensive confidence leads JMU lacrosse after last season’s defensive departures

By ZACH MENDENHALL The Breeze

In past years, defense has been a large part of JMU lacrosse’s identity, but this year, the offense looks to be it. The Dukes lost nine players last season, four of whom were defenders.

Among those four were all-Americans Rachel Matey and Mairead Durkin.

Rebuilds are something JMU is used to, head coach Shelley Klaes said, because of the plethora of talented graduates. The next step remains the same for Klaes: to restructure the unit and see who the next leaders are going to be.

“With a very veteran offense coming back, I think everything’s just built upon,” sophomore attacker Maddie Epke said, adding she believes the offense will be sharper and smoother as each player is more confident in their abilities.

“We know that we deserve to be at the top and that we’ve earned this,” she said.

Senior attacker Isabella Peterson continues to lead the offense that will see the return of sixth-year attacker Kacey Knobloch as well as a strong supporting cast.

“I think we have a little bit more of an understanding of who the offensive unit is at this point,” Klaes said.

Despite the rebuild, expectations for the defense are the same. It will be crucial for the offense to step up its game in passing the ball and winning draw controls amid the “change of guard” on defense. Klaes said she hopes the midfield can take a bit of the offensive responsibility off the attackers by taking more shots and being aggressive.

Alongside Peterson will be three freshmen who add quickness and athleticism around the net. “[Freshman attacker] Emily Simkin is a natural crease player,” Klaes said. “She, I think, just maximizes her athletic ability. She has great stick awareness, great skill and just connects really well with others on the field.”

Freshman attacker Kaitlyn Carney also brings a great 1-v.-1 sense to the team and a dynamic ability to dodge, Klaes said.

Freshman attacker Hannah Lewis is a lefty with potential that Klaes described as a “really high ceiling” if she continues to work on her ball control.

The returning Knobloch offers another confidence builder to the offense as her versatility allows her to fit where needed.

“I love her communication and her ability to slow things down, and her quickness on dodges,” Epke said. “It’s incredible to watch, and I’m hoping that I’m living up to her standards.”

Practices have been very intense so far, Epke said, but the team loves getting the chance to push one another, both literally and figuratively, to the limits for the sake of getting better.

“Like, if I want a defender to hit me harder, I’ll be like, ‘Push

me harder, I don’t care, I’m gonna be OK,’” Epke said.

Another aspect of practice has included JMU mastering its offensive patterns, which differ from individual plays.

“There’s not necessarily always a starting point, a stopping point in the same area versus a play,” offensive coordinator Colleen Shearer said. “The pattern is more free flowing, their structure, but they get to be creative within the structure, so 90% of the game we’re in different patterns.”

This season marks Shearer’s second year at JMU under her current tenure, as she was an assistant on the 2018 national championship team. She said she expects to see a team this season that may be less experienced on defense but holds possession well and wins draw controls.

The Dukes run three to four patterns per month and will change them if goals are not being produced, Shearer said.

The purpose of these patterns is not for the team to perfect them but to get to the point where everyone knows what shots they are looking for and how to move the ball. She said she can create them not only by analyzing lacrosse but other sports such as ice hockey and basketball.

Having players comfortable in one-on-one situations has also been a focus of JMU’s practices. Space is created by ball movement and once a player has that space, they need to be willing to execute a good shot, Shearer said. Working on scenarios such as one on one, two on two and three on three in practice allow players to gain confidence in those situations come game time.

Working in a small space with seven attackers and seven defenders is tricky, Shearer said, meaning everyone has to play their role.

“Sometimes, the best thing you can do for the team is not to move, so you have to figure that out,” she said.

Even though perfect execution is not guaranteed, it makes it easier for coaches like Shearer to have a team that strives to get better every day.

“They hold each other accountable, and they can really go really hard, so you can have what I think are fun, fun practices,” she said.

Despite the loss in defenders, the team has “weathered the storm” in the past and is prepared to do it again this season, Klaes said. JMU does a good job retaining its top status and presence while also finding its identity, she added.

JMU’s season will begin at home against North Carolina on Saturday at noon. The Tar Heels handed the Dukes their only regular season loss last season.

Sophomore attacker Maddie Epke trained with the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team over the summer. Breeze file photo

CONTACT Zach Mendenhall at mendenzl@dukes.jmu.edu.

For more lacrosse coverage, follow the sports desk on X @TheBreezeSports.

Head coach Shelley Klaes said the Dukes might lean more on their veteran-laden offense this season. Ryan Sauer / The Breeze

Klaes said JMU has done well in the past rebounding from losing players and is prepared to do it again this season. Breeze file photo

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Head coach Bob Chesney added 34 total players to JMU’s roster since taking over the Dukes on Dec. 7. Photos by Ryan Sauer / The Breeze

Chesney continues to build roster following National Signing Day

By JACKSON HEPHNER The Breeze

This year’s February National Signing Day marked a significant milestone for JMU football head coach Bob Chesney.

Preparing for his first season at the helm of the Dukes, Chesney is tasked with rebuilding a roster that saw 13 players graduate and 16 more leave through the transfer portal, with two still exploring their options.

“To me, you look at it and you go, ‘You lost two classes worth of guys,’” Chesney said to Dave Schultz on the “Locked on Sun Belt” podcast Tuesday. “So now, this work shows up immediately.”

After nearly two months of recruiting,

Chesney announced the signing of six high school seniors and 17 mid-year transfers as part of National Signing Day on Wednesday.

Of the 23 new signees, 20 are already enrolled at JMU and participating in winter workouts.

“They’ve had a chance to be in this weight room now, going on five weeks,” Chesney said Wednesday, “and everybody’s been very impressed with them.”

Chesney said the recruiting effort began when he first arrived at JMU. As thenacting head coach Damian Wroblewski put together his temporary coaching staff to prepare the Dukes for the Armed Forces Bowl, Chesney built his own recruiting staff to begin planning recruitment. All the while, current JMU players still sat in the transfer portal with their departure uncertain.

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New signees already at JMU - AJ Abbasi (Defensive lineman, West Virginia State) - Ayo Adeyi (Running back, North Texas) - DJ Cotton Jr. (Defensive lineman, West Virginia) - Jacob Dobbs (Linebacker, Holy Cross) - JC Evans (Quarterback, Miami Central) - Tyjai Hopper (Safety, Alpharetta) - Logan Ketcham (Long Snapper, Laney College) - Terry Lockett Jr. (Defensive lineman, Syracuse) - Hunter McLain (Offensive lineman, Virginia Tech) - Pat McMurtrie (Offensive lineman, Holy Cross) - Dylan Morris (Quaterback, Washington) - Eric O’Neill (Defensive lineman, LIU)

Chesney first began recruiting players during the Dukes’ preparation for the Armed Forces Bowl in December.

- George Pettaway (Running back, North Carolina)

“I guess you could look at it as the chicken or the egg,” Chesney said of the portal’s benefit. “Because the portal exists, we needed the portal to fill the voids that we have.

If the portal never existed, then kids couldn’t leave, then, it wouldn’t obviously matter. But it was very important at that point in time because of how many guys were in the portal and possibly on their way out of here.”

When the dust settled, only three Dukes chose to return after entering the portal, but in the place of the 18 departures were 17 new additions.

Chesney said he recruited players based on the needs of the team in each position group. For the positions lacking underclassmen, his staff filled the spots with transfers. For the positions lacking youth, graduating high schoolers will soon fill out the depth. However, the departure of so many players added another wrinkle for the coaching staff.

“Quite honestly on film, a lot of the guys that were on film are no longer here — either graduation or have left,” Chesney said. “So because of that, you’re excited about this next phase of winter conditioning, and really excited about that phase of spring mode to give you an idea of exactly where you stand.”

With so much uncertainty revolving around the roster and

- Nakai Poole (Wide receiver, Mississippi State) - Tyler Purdy (Athlete, Holy Cross) - Jesse Ramil (Offensive lineman, Saint Francis (Pa.)) - Cam Ross (Wide receiver, UConn) - Raymond Scott (Linebacker, Fresno State) - Lloyd Summerall (Defensive lineman, USF) - Dylan Williams (Wide receiver, Roswell)

New signees who will join the Dukes in June - Treyvon Adams (Defensive lineman, Rome) - Trashon Dye (Linebacker, Passaic County Tech) - Sahir West (Defensive lineman, Mount St. Joseph)

with the portal set to open again from April 15-30, Chesney said his staff is projecting where they think their roster is at skills wise using previous tape.

“Spring may tell a different story, where a guy we thought could play maybe can’t play, so now we have to think about replacing that, and we might have guys that can play but don’t want to be here anymore, so we have to think about replacing that,” Chesney said. “There’s a lot in the air right now.”

But for how much the portal has and could still take away from JMU, Chesney expressed confidence in what his staff has gotten out of it, adding he believes some position groups have gotten stronger through the process.

“It’s all projection right now,” Chesney said, “but I’m excited to get a chance to more formalize it and understand it and make it concrete.”

Chesney and his staff will have the opportunity to see his new roster in action when spring practice begins on March 21, before ending with the spring game on April 20 at 2:30 p.m.

CONTACT Jackson Hephner at breezesports@gmail.com.

For more football coverage, follow the sports desk on X @TheBreezeSports.

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However difficult, more staff inside the Counseling Center is imperative 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 “thanks-for-youractivism” pat to the local citizenry and especially the students at Rockingham County high schools for taking a stand against the ridiculous book ban by the county school board.

From a resident who doesn’t want others to decide what Americans of any age can and can't read.

A “what-does-it-evenmean?” dart to The Breeze editors for the headscratching “Petal to the Medal” title of the spring sports preview.

From a faithful reader who is normally impressed but can only visualize flowers somehow contributing to success in athletic performance.

An “it's-my-lucky-day” pat to Bojangles for giving me way more fries than normal.

From a Cajun spice fan.

An “I-already-need-abreak” pat to Assessment Day for canceling all my classes on Tuesday.

From a senior who needs time to rest.

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Instead of investing in virtual mental health resources like TimelyCare, JMU should develop more robust in-person support MAYA SKURSKI | contributing columnist Whether you proudly embrace the title “queen of denial” or find yourself consumed by emotions, mental health plays a central role in your life. Unfortunately, it can become a ruthless force, impacting everything from relationships to school, demanding constant attention and ongoing conversation.

It seems as though JMU is excellent at alerting and directing students toward the Counseling Center in times of emergency; however, outside of extenuating circumstances — a student passing away, for instance — the center simply doesn’t have the facilities or staff available to give every student the mental health assistance they deserve.

JMU has an obligation to offer students efficient and valuable mental health resources, but the routes they take to provide students with successful counseling might not work for everyone. When a student walks into the Counseling Center with a problem such as depression or anxiety, they aren’t always met with available counselors, instead sent to TimelyCare — online therapy — which doesn’t necessarily work for everyone and could leave students feeling unheard or shut down. Having a lack of counselors or in-person support for students isn’t proper practice for a university, and it needs to be addressed — no matter how complex the issue is or how commonplace it is at universities nationwide.

As students, we often find ourselves juggling academic deadlines, social dynamics and personal challenges. The Counseling Center should be another branch of support, readily available to help guide us through the obstacles of the college experience and the intricacies of mental health. Junior Reilly Annable, a client at the Counseling Center since last spring, said she thinks it lacks availability for students.

“I know right now they have very limited accessibility because of how many people they can accept, so you have to have very specific things that have happened to you to actually be able to get in there,” Annable said.

It’s simple: Available counseling for students is essential, but when push comes to shove, we don’t have the widespread help on campus that we need. The solution is as elementary as the problem — Annable acknowledges the dedication of the Counseling Center staff, who undoubtedly work tirelessly to help assist students, we just need more of them.

“They make it a very safe space, especially when they’re doing their intake,” Annable said. “They’re very careful, and they go over all the consent. I’ve never felt like I couldn’t say something.”

I commend JMU for its continuous efforts to boost the Counseling Center through emails especially following tragedies on or around campus. While it may be nice to hear that JMU and the Counseling Center are there for students after devastating news, advertising the center and all it has to offer means nothing if it can't provide a large staff to help students.

If JMU can make mental health resources available to everyone first, then it can focus on perfecting resources and ensuring students get what they need.

“I think they could benefit from expanding and getting a lot more employees and counselors in general … If they were to have a ton more counselors, a lot more students would and could utilize it because it is an awesome resource,” Annable said.

Last year JMU spent $435,000 on a partnership with TimelyCare. This money could be better spent on bigger facilities to host a growing staff and clients. By taking the money we use for a tele-mental health company and hiring inperson counselors to be readily available for students when they walk through the door, JMU would increase their clientele, their mental health resources and, hopefully, create a safe space for students to use for setbacks the world throws at them.

Mental health isn’t just a sporadic or situational issue — it’s an ongoing, complex aspect of students’ lives that requires consistent

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support not just the short-term treatment models offered at the Counseling Center that provide three to five sessions, and definitely not 12 sessions on TimelyCare. JMU already acknowledges the high demand for mental health resources around campus, though it’s now crucial for us to recognize the obligation to offer students not just a Counseling Center but an effective, available and comprehensive mental health support system. This means additional staff, expanding facilities and fostering a safe environment that students want to seek out without fear of being pushed aside because of limited availability.

It’s evident to students, parents and JMU itself that the Counseling Center needs to be revamped to meet the growing demand for mental health resources among current and incoming students.

By addressing the issue of availability head on, we pave the way for a campus able to support its students’ lives, minds and careers. It’s beyond time for JMU to put more money and time not only into our academic successes but also into the overall health of its students. Only then can we truly claim to provide education and be the change that every Duke deserves.

CONTACT Maya Skurski at skurskme@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @Breeze_Opinion.

While students interviewed by The Breeze said the Counseling Center staff is great, they said there are not enough of them to properly accommodate the demand. Abby Paredes / The Breeze

Letters and guest columns should be submitted in print or via e-mail and must include name, phone number, major/year if author is a current student (or year of graduation), professional title (if applicable) and place of residence if author is not a JMU student.

OPINION

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Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

Gypsy Rose’s rise as an influencer is concerning Exploiting people’s trauma for content is unethical and demonstrates what is wrong with modern media Abby Paredes / The Breeze

ORIANA LUKAS | Breeze columnist The case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard has gained media attention since she was releas e d from her 10-year prison sentence Dec. 28 for her role in organizing her mother’s murder. While Blanchard was physically and psychologically abused by her mother growing up, the media’s portrayal of her as a celebrity raises concerns about society’s perception of her case and how we expect everyone to jump into “social influencing” roles.

Blanchard is a 32-year-old w oman a n d v i c t i m o f h e r m o t h e r ’s m e n t a l illness, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, characterized by a caretaker creating symptoms of a disease their patient doesn’t have. Blanchard’s mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, convinced herself and Gypsy Rose that she suffered from various disorders and cancers such as leukemia, muscular dystrophy, asthma, vision and hearing impairments, and seizures.

In addition to receiving constant at-home care, Gypsy Rose underwent numerous unnecessary surgeries that Dee Dee believed were essential. Gypsy Rose told People Magazine the hardest surgery she endured was the removal of her salivary glands. Gypsy Rose said whenever she tried to persuade her mother against the surgery, she would lash back with hurtful threats.

When doctors questioned the legitimacy of Gypsy Rose’s conditions, Dee Dee would lie, claiming all her medical records had been destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.

Though successful at times, some doctors — including Gypsy Rose’s former neurologist, Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein — were skeptical about the ploy.

Unfortunately, recognizing Munchausen by proxy isn’t easy. JMU social work professor and College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Associate Dean B.J. Bryson said children’s hospital staff aren’t typically trained to see adult mental health disorders.

Even when aware, it’s still hard to recognize them because the focus is on the care of the child.

“Getting a good social, family and medical history requires an interdisciplinary team approach and good documentation,” Bryson said. “Each member has a role. As a medical social worker in mental health crisis work and family dynamics, we can start to see worrying and concerning behaviors, but again, in children’s hospitals, the focus is on the patient, who is the child.”

As Gypsy Rose grew older, she became more aware of her toxic environment Her

first attempt to escape was in 2011. After she was caught, Gypsy Rose told ABC News the conditions only worsened as Dee Dee destroyed her devices and tied her to her bed.

Shortly after the failed attempt, Blanchard started an online relationship that ultimately led to her mother’s murder. After over three years of communication with 26-year-old Nicholas Godejohn, they devised a plan to liberate Gypsy Rose. In 2015, the lifeless body of Dee Dee was discovered with stab wounds, leading to the arrest of Gypsy Rose and Godejohn.

Eight years later, Gypsy Rose was released from her sentence and has gained an enormous online presence since, with 8.2 million followers on Instagram and 9.8 million on TikTok. She has also been on various talk shows and podcasts, including “Good Morning America,” “ABC News,” “Lifetime” and the podcast “Viall Files,” hosted by social media star Nick Viall.

While her goal to share her story and advocate for Munchausen by proxy is honorable, there seems to be a certain unsettling online idolization around her.

Since her story had gained popularity in the true crime realm, the news of her release sent many of her fans into a frenzy. According to the Washington Post, a video depicting a TikToker waiting outside her prison with a “Welcome Home Gypsy Rose” sign garnered 22 million views. Another fan brought blownup pictures of Gypsy Rose and cupcakes with her face frosted on them.

Along with these bizarre actions, some people have labeled her as a social media influencer, anticipating a polished online presence. Another fan told the Washington Post she expects Gypsy Rose will post “‘get ready with me’ videos” and daily vlogs.

While Gypsy Rose has accepted she’s a hot topic in the media, she’s had difficulty adjusting to it. On “Viall Files,” she said it’s been a roller coaster being in the limelight. “ I’v e a l w ay s h a d a v e r y l ov e - h a t e relationship with the media and the attention from all of it,” Gypsy Rose said on the podcast.

“At this point, I’ve come to accept it, but in the past, I’ve hated it. I used to cry on my bed, and I just want a normal life.”

Society should refrain from treating her like a celebrity. Accepting a role and desiring one are distinct, and people should understand this. Under this significant pressure, Gypsy Rose told NBC’s “Today” that her only desire is to honor her mother and raise awareness.

see ROSE, page 20

Overturning the Chevron deference could result in widespread deregulation PATRICK HANOVER | Breeze columnist Imagine you’re part of a family business that provides seafood to your local community, and a federal agency has rules and regulations in place that aren’t decided by Congress or a federal judge. You’re willing to allow a monitor on board in the name of a shared commitment to environmental protection, someone who makes sure you are following standards in relation to overfishing.

But one day, that same agency suddenly decides you need to pay for the monitor on board.

Yes, you need to pay a large fee multiple times to ensure the salary of this monitor that is employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This new rule could cause you financial hardship, as it might to Loper Bright Enterprises, potentially crushing your business.

That is why three fishermen from Loper Bright are bringing this case to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). They are arguing that this new regulation — which requires them to pay for the monitors due to NOAA running out of money and, instead of asking Congress for more money, decided to force the fishermen to pay for the monitors instead — isn’t within the boundaries of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that gave the NOAA the authority to require monitors on board in the first place.

Due to the Chevron deference of 1984, established in Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., the NOAA doesn’t need to worry about this because under the doctrine in the deference, federal courts must defer to federal agencies for regulatory rules when a law is ambiguous. In this specific case, the SCOTUS could, and should, rule in favor of the fishermen without completely stripping away the Chevron deference altogether.

The ruling for Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo is being considered, and the ruling is expected to come in June. If the court establishes that the NOAA doesn’t have the right to charge Loper Bright Enterprises for the salary of the monitors, but not to throw out the Chevron deference, the implications of the ruling will only apply to the NOAA and the MagnusonsStevens Act in particular.

Unfortunately, given the nature of the 6-3 conservative supermajority in the SCOTUS, this could lead to the end of the Chevron deference, which basically deferred regulation of industry to federal agencies. If the deference is completely overturned, it could essentially change how the government can regulate any industry.

What does this mean for us? Well, besides the issue of climate change, the safety of our food could be put in jeopardy, especially for people with food allergies.

In the case of the Chevron deference being discarded, accountability and regulatory standards for companies that produce foods such as cookies and chocolate could suddenly become a festival of confusion, with a temporary period of these companies having free reign to do as they please in the manufacturing process.

Another large industry heavily regulated by federal agencies is the tobacco industry.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has various rules and regulations that tobacco companies must abide by. With the heavy use of vapes and cigarettes by many college students, JMU’s included, I would warn against their use if the Chevron deference is scrapped because of the risks that could be associated with the sudden deregulation of industry in the U.S. The fallout from the overturning of the Chevron deference will probably not cause mass casualties or some drastic spike in anaphylactic shock, but it’s important for people with food allergies, especially severe ones, to abide by the old adage: “When in doubt, don’t put it in your mouth.” Only this time, the doubt spikes drastically. Even if you don’t have a food allergy, you are still at risk.

The SCOTUS can easily rule on just the matter of the Magnuson-Stevens Act in respect to the herring fishermen businesses while still acknowledging the importance of deference to more vital agencies that we take for granted, such as the FDA. This way, the SCOTUS allows for a more reasonable regulatory practice for these fishing businesses without stripping away safeguards that play a key role in public health and safety.

Read the full story online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Patrick Hanover at hanovepv@dukes.jmu.edu. For more commentary on the Supreme Court, stay tuned for future editions of the “Court Corner” column, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @Breeze_Opinion.

20 from ROSE, page 19

“The choice that I made to commit murder was never the right choice,” she said. “So my mission now is to take what I’ve done and what [my mom] did and make it worth something. So I think it’s really important for me to get out as much awareness about Munchausen by proxy as I can and really try to focus on mental health.”

When examining this case, it’s crucial to explore the potential psychological effects stemming from Munchausen by proxy and overall childhood abuse. Due to the condition’s rarity, little is known about the long-term effects of it. However, a comprehensive study encompassing a survey of 10 self-diagnosed adults ranging from ages 33 to 71 revealed several psychological outcomes.

In the survey, subjects completed a questionnaire and a phone interview. They each explained various experiences, ranging from poisonings, induced bone fractures and symptom exaggeration. As a result of these tenacious actions, they conveyed a sense of feeling unloved and unsafe in childhood, which led to significant emotional and physical problems that persisted into adulthood including insecurity, avoidance of medical treatment and PTSD symptoms.

In addition to the psychological harm caused specifically by Munchausen by proxy, Gypsy Rose probably suffered from the overall effects of child abuse. Aside from the delusions she was forced to believe, she said on the “Viall Files”’ podcast that she was sexually abused multiple times as a child and young adult. Adults who suffered from childhood abuse are more likely to encounter future violence and endure toxic stress, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This stress can impact brain development, increasing the likelihood of symptoms such as PTSD, as well as challenges related to learning, attention and memory.

Carrie Landis, a licensed clinical social

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org worker and founder of Riverside Family Support in Harrisonburg, said providing resilience is crucial to overall development — something Gypsy Rose lacked.

“As parents, you want to build resilience in children,” Landis said. “Resilience looks like providing them a safe space to talk about their feelings and giving them their basic needs, sort of filling their resiliency bucket so that when something happens — a car accident, someone passes away, a pet dies — they have the tolerance to deal with it. But when you are a family that is maybe divorced or struggling to keep your lights on ... your reliance bucket isn’t as full as someone’s who has the privilege to have that bucket full.”

Gypsy Rose suffered from prolonged abuse, which probably still affects her today.

During her interview on the “Viall Files,” she mentioned how she’s aware of certain tendencies she has that her mother had, such as shoplifting, and is actively in therapy working on them. She also said while she’s free physically, she isn’t mentally, as she suffers from severe PTSD. “Really, if you zoom in, she had this mom with factitious disorder, but then she has medical trauma from having her teeth removed for no reason along with being a part of Hurricane Katrina and losing friendships as she moved around,” Landis said.

While the popular show “The Act” is a portrayal of her life, this is her reality. The story of Gypsy Rose is nuanced. She’s a victim of long-term childhood abuse and shouldn’t be treated like the next rising actress in a hit show. This is her life, not fodder for a movie.

CONTACT Oriana Lukas at lukasok@dukes. jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @Breeze_Opinion.

OPINION

June 2015 Gypsy Rose arranges the murder of her mother and is arrested.

March 2019 “The Act,” a television series based on Gypsy Rose’s life, first airs.

December 2023 Gypsy Rose is released early from her 10year prison sentence.

January 2023 Gypsy Rose appears on podcasts, publishes a book and grows her social media following.

Evan Weaver / The Breeze

MULTIMEDIA

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Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

TASTES AROUND THE WORLD As part of Study Abroad Week at JMU, the program hosted an event for students to sample foods from around the world in the Hall of Presidents in D-Hall on Wednesday. The event gave students the opportunity to speak with program directors and student advisers about their experiences abroad. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

This week on Breeze TV Top Stories Live coverage of Washington and Lee’s mock election convention JMU softball heads to Florida for season opener Behind the scenes of student-led musical “The Last 5 Years” New music industry major seeks more students to join program

For more photos of the study abroad event, view the full gallery online at breezejmu.org/multimedia.

Weekend weather forecast

Tune in to Breeze TV LIVE from the Alison B. Parker Studio every Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Scan the QR code to view our YouTube livestream.

CONTACT Landon Shackelford at breezephotography@gmail.com. For more multimedia content, visit breezejmu.org/multimedia.

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Vol. 102, No. 18

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol

DOWN 1 “__ Mia!”: Meryl Streep film with ABBA music 2 Zodiac ram

2/5/24

By Aidan Brand & David Karp

3 2014 civil rights drama set in Alabama 4 Was dressed in 5 Hot 6 Weather report backdrop 7 Cybersquatter’s target, for short 8 Gathers bit by bit 9 Enormous number 10 Fire up, as an engine 11 Dollar bill 12 “That’s correct” 17 Whiteboard wipers 18 “90 Day Fiancé” channel 22 Vegetarian pita filler 23 Insistent 24 Reino __: England’s country, in Spanish 25 Tried to chomp on 26 Eyelid woes 28 The NBA’s Cavs, on scoreboards 30 Sojourn 31 “Bless you!” trigger

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

stumpe

find the answers online

d?

ACROSS 1 Reduce to a paste 5 Self-confident and then some 9 City in “Aeneid” and “Iliad” 13 Field of expertise 14 __ Grey tea 15 Philosopher Descartes 16 Elements of a PG-rated outburst 19 Computer capacity 20 __-purpose flour 21 Yoga pose 22 Groups of groupies 27 Oodles 29 Still contending 30 Vehicle for a large family, perhaps 33 Jazz legend Fitzgerald 34 __-toity 35 Dessert served in a goblet 38 Former Iranian rulers 39 Ferris wheel locale 40 NBA tiebreakers, for short 41 Speck 42 Covers for outdoor wedding receptions 43 Common accessory at a construction site 45 Larceny 50 Charged particle 51 Baby’s foot warmer 52 Allergy warning, and a description of 16-, 22-, 35-, and 43-Across?

57 Color associated with the L.A. Dodgers 58 “Checkmate!”

59 Adjust for space limitations, say 60 Long-term goals 61 Addendum to a real estate sign 62 Strong urges

www.breezejmu.org/ site/crossword_ answers/

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

32 “Peachy keen!”

34 “Their Eyes Were Watching God” author Zora Neale __ 36 Goblets 37 Take a load off 42 Sport played on a variety of surfaces 44 “Get off the stage!”

46 Mead need

2/5/24

47 Many a Chopin piece 48 Feel at home 49 Class challenges 51 Tie 52 Deg. for a CFO or a CEO 53 “Rumble in the Jungle” boxer 54 “Tastes great!”

55 Early afternoon 56 Feel poorly

Vol. 102, No. 18 DUKE DOG AUTO ALLY LOCAL AUTOS FOR SALE

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

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Vol. 102, No. 18

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | breezejmu.org

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