February 14, 2023

collegiatetimes.com

NEWS VIRGINIA TECH HOLDS TOPPING OUT CEREMONY IN HONOR OF INNOVATION CAMPUS PROGRESS

victoria weber | managing editor

The campus is anticipated to open next fall.

According to VTx, the last beam of Academic Building One at the Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard, Alexandria, was raised to its highest point Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Construction workers, university leaders, faculty, alumni and a multitude of individuals associated with the project signed the beam before it was put into place on the 11th story.

Lance Collins, Innovation Campus vice president, commented on the project in the campus’s future auditorium.

“We are building a tech community perfectly positioned to connect talented students with Northern Virginia’s growing tech ecosystem,” Collins said. “In this process, details matter, and I am thankful for the contributions of everyone involved in the planning, design, and construction of our campus to date.”

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According to the Washington Post, the building is gem-shaped for solar power generation purposes.

The Innovation Campus also incorporates Virginia Tech’s signature Hokie Stone into its buildings, as reported by the Virginian-Pilot. In a statement to the Virginian-Pilot, Virginia Tech architect Liza Morris said the material was used in “a more tailored aesthetic that will be complementary to this urban environment.”

Construction on the 3 ½ acre campus began in September 2021 and is set to open fall 2024.

The campus will contain three buildings for approximately 750 students and 50 faculty members. Currently, 300 graduate students attend classes in Falls Church, Virginia.

Academic Building One is 300,000 square feet and combined with the other two

buildings the university plans to construct, will total 600,000 square feet for the campus.

The new campus is a product of the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program. The $1 billion project is intended to increase computer science graduates at Virginia schools by 25,000 students over the next 20 years.

Research at the Innovation Campus will emphasize quantum information sciences, intelligent interfaces, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The campus will have a two-story drone testing cage, maker space and cyber lab. It will be located a couple blocks from the Potomac Yard-VT Metrorail Station, which is set to open in May of this year.

The campus was also a factor in Amazon’s decision to establish headquarters in Arlington.

payment of construction workers.

While Virginia law requires state officials to pay a “prevailing wage,” a wage competitive with the private sector, for the majority of public works projects, Virginia Tech is one of four other institutions excluded from the law.

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands commented on the magnitude of the ceremony, alluding to Virginia Tech’s growing role in the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. area.

“The Innovation Campus will be an important source of tech talent for the greater Washington, D.C., region — and is vital to Virginia Tech’s growing presence in the area,” Sands said.

Sands further discussed the physical and logistical investment in the campus.

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Additionally, as the campus’s largest supporter, Boeing plans to sponsor a Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families on site. Like Amazon, Boeing recently moved its headquarters to Northern Virginia.

Virginia Tech and its general contractor, Whiting-Turner, have been criticized for

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OPINIONS

THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, LET’S BROADEN OUR HORIZONS

kayleigh kalagher | opinions contributor

This holiday should expand to highlight all forms of love and make more people feel included.

Most of us have experienced the same feeling as we rapidly approach a holiday such as Valentine’s Day. Stores like the Dollar Tree and Target are suddenly full of pink and red, and every inch of the store is covered in hearts, flowers and teddy bears. Above all, there are dozens of tchotchkes depicting a traditional couple — a boy and a girl holding hands, surrounded by some cheesy saying like “Yes, we still like each other!” or “I am yours, no refunds.” It could be a card depicting two slices of pizza hugging, and you think “what could two slices of pizza possibly have to do with Valentine’s Day?” But then you open it and read the words “This may be cheesy, but I love you!” Makes you shudder a little, doesn’t it?

Not only is Valentine’s Day notorious for promoting these sorts of clichés, but it also showcases only one type of relationship. Wouldn’t it be far more beneficial to “open up” Valentine’s Day to be inclusive to all sorts of love — making sure that you can find just as many cards depicting guys hugging guys, girls hugging girls, a family dinner and everything in between? Not only would this be inclusive to people wanting to tell their family and friends that they love and care for them, but it would benefit those companies producing the Valentine’s Day items to sell more and to

broader audiences.

To start, it’s important to highlight the history of the holiday and why it shouldn’t be as “lovey dovey” as it’s become. Despite the fact that there were actually multiple St. Valentines, these people were not necessarily romantics. In one story, St. Valentine defied the emperor’s decree to cease all marriages, and as a result he was beheaded. All of the St. Valentines were martyrs and were buried in multiple different places. Despite these deaths and no known connection to “love,” Christians highlighted the death of a beloved saint, and over time the bones of these Saint Valentines were put on display. The bones were used for all sorts of things as well, including stopping disasters from occurring, almost like a good luck charm. According to The Conversation, “In 11th-century Brittany, for instance, one bishop used what was purported to be Valentine’s head to halt fires, prevent epidemics, and cure all sorts of illnesses, including demonic possession … as far as we know, though, the saint’s bones did nothing special for lovers.”

So, you may ask, how is it that Valentine’s evolved into such a romantic holiday? It was actually in Geoffrey Chaucer’s time where the idea of love in February came about. Chaucer actually declared the February feast of St.

Valentine to “the mating of birds.” Apparently, during Chaucer’s time, it started to be known that many birds mate and produce eggs in February. This knowledge spread among the people at the time, and people began to habitually send letters of love and endearment during the month of February. In the thousands of years that followed, Shakespeare used this idea in his famous work “Hamlet,” referring to Ophelia as “Hamlet’s Valentine.” Companies started to manufacture chocolates to represent the idea of “sweethearts” for this holiday, now defined as “Valentine’s Day” to be celebrated on February 14. When the holiday has been formed around the premises of birds mating and love letters, it’s easy to see how the holiday became what it is today. However, as our world changes and evolves, so must Valentine’s Day.

Now, with this historical context, it’s important to focus on ensuring that both society and manufacturers highlight all kinds of love in addition to romantic love. The reality is that there are so many different forms of love, and every sort of relationship deserves to be highlighted and celebrated. Valentine’s Day has been slowly working towards a more open and symbiotic relationship, using terms like “Galentine’s Day” to celebrate the friendships between women. This is an excellent example of Valentine’s Day evolving to be more open, but why stop there? Galentine’s Day shouldn’t have to be separate from Valentine’s Day itself, but rather under the umbrella of “Valentine’s Day.” In addition to friendships, Valentine’s Day can be a celebration of familial love, where siblings can celebrate their bond with each other. Even the relationship between parents and kids is an important one to many people and deserves to be highlighted in some way. The list of different forms of love is practically endless, and Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be so black and white for those wishing to spread a little extra love on February 14.

Kaitlin Espejo, a freshman majoring in neuroscience, commented on Valentine’s Day and its tendency to highlight traditional relationships.

“I think a lot of the time when you see Valentine’s Day stuff, it’s usually between a guy

and a girl … it’s very based on romantic relationships and just in your face a lot.” Espejo said.

Putting the relationship aspect of Valentine’s Day to the side, this sort of progression would also greatly benefit companies and product manufacturers for the simple reason that it provides a larger group to advertise and sell. Instead of only focusing on the relationship between a man and a woman, companies should put all sorts of images on cards and balloons, put two women holding hands or two men hugging. If companies and manufacturers incorporated all different kinds of people in all sorts of friendships and relationships, pretty soon there would be triple the number of products and more people would feel included. This could lead to an increase in sales and an overall better experience for all parties involved. In terms of the people purchasing these products, it could provide them with a seemingly catered product designed just for them and their special connections.

Espejo discusses the importance of providing inclusive products on Valentine’s Day.

“I think it is beneficial just because a lot of times people like to get things that feel like it represents them,” Espejo said.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a separate holiday for all of those who aren’t involved in a traditional relationship — no more lonely-hearts clubs or sitting at home. All relationships, regardless of if they are romantic or not, are worth showing off and appreciating, especially on a holiday. It can be a day that equally highlights all relationships and embraces the fact that people love differently and are yet still worthy of representation.

AMBER WILLIAMS / COLLEGIATE TIMES

The Valentine’s Day aisle at Target is stocked with cards, Jan. 26, 2022.

Love! It’s one of the most plentiful and pleasurable human emotions out there. Its depth and complexity is second to none. It can be romantic, sexual, platonic, familial — the list goes on and on. Sadly, the world is a cruel place and love can’t always be close by. People often have to relocate due to school or career-related reasons, and sometimes those places can be miles away. Perhaps college students are one of the populations most affected by this, as high school couples move on to different schools for their higher education.

But that doesn’t mean that love has to die out alongside this change. Indeed, love can

Aidan Mason | Lifestyles writer

thrive long-distance just as it did before the shift in location. With that can come new challenges and hardships. At the same time, it can bring a stronger bond that keeps the relationship together.

It may seem hard at first. That’s why I interviewed two people currently in such a situation to gather their experiences and hopefully help yours.

How do you plan for a long-distance relationship?

When freshman Ava Geltinger, a wildlife conservation major, knew her relationship would become long-distance, she made sure to plan out time to spend with her partner. This

included things such as Monday date nights and making sure to call at least once a day. “We were always planning to do long-distance if we made it to college,” she said.

As for Jack Parmeley, a freshman general engineering major, he has a different take on preparation.

“I did plan to have a long-distance relationship, but I didn’t really do much to prepare,” Parmeley said. “I’m not sure there is a whole lot you can do to prepare; it’s more of a figure it out as you go from what I’ve experienced.”

How do you make it work?

Perhaps one of the most pressing questions

on the mind of a person about to enter a long-distance relationship is simple: how do you do it?

“I honestly don’t think there’s one specific key that works for every relationship,” Parmeley said. “It depends on how long you’ve been with the person, how often you see them when you’re not long distance and how much you like them. It takes a lot of effort to make it work, however you have to be willing to put in that effort to make it work.”

Geltinger emphasized talking about issues that are important at the beginning before

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they spiral into something more serious. “If something happens that you’re even slightly upset by, you need to let the other person know,” Geltinger said.

How often should you see your partner in person?

Of course, even with digital communication, partners still travel countless miles to see each other in person. Love cannot be stopped by mere mortal things such as distance (although it can be slightly slowed down by traffic) and nothing will stop a pair of star-crossed lovers from seeing each other.

But how often should it be? Well, according to both people, it should be as often as you can, although they all have slightly different ideas on when that should be.

“Around twice a month if you can,” is Parmeley’s advice. He and his girlfriend decided to follow a system where one would go down to visit the first time, then the next

time the other would be the one visiting.

Geltinger and her boyfriend try to see each other at least every three weeks. “It’s like two weeks of waiting and by the third week, it’s like, ‘Oh, I get to see him this week!’ So it’s only like two weeks in my head,” she said.

What do you do if you’re struggling?

Even if you see your partner as often as you can, there can still be an up-hill battle to keep the relationship healthy. Both noted that finding things to do with your partner, such as watching shows simultaneously with apps such as Teleparty and playing games like “Words With Friends” can help keep the relationship fresh and hold off the threat of stagnation.

But sometimes even that isn’t that enough. Sometimes there are problems that can’t just be fixed with a new episode of “House of the Dragon”or another round of “Among Us.” In that case, what do you do?

Parmeley noted that you should ask yourself

if you’re really happy with the arrangement. “Sometimes, it’s better to be single than to be in an unhappy relationship,” he said.

Geltinger affirmed the importance of making sure the barrier of long-distance doesn’t hamper the connection between you and your partner. “If they really love you and are committed to you, you will make time for them and will go the extra mile,” she said.

What’s the one thing that everyone in a long-distance relationship needs to know?

“One thing I will stress is that it’s not as bad as everyone thinks it is. Sure, it’s not ideal, but if you really love someone you can definitely make it work,” Parmeley said.

For Geltinger, talking often is key. “Definitely make time for your partner,” she said, noting that even if you’re tired, a five minute call is much better than nothing at all.

A long-distance relationship can seem scary at first, but many things are scary. Your first trip to the doctor as a child was scary. Going to

school was scary. Once you pull back the veil of the unknown, it can soon become routine.

And hey, maybe it’s still scary. That’s okay — not everything works out for everyone. Love is a complicated thing, after all. Everyone experiences it differently, and that doesn’t make your relationship any less valid.

What is certain, however, is that love can find a way if the people involved put in the effort to preserve it. That’s proven by the fact that when Geltinger was asked if there was anything else she’d like to add to the conversation, she had this to say:

“I love my boyfriend, Nicholas Bond! The end.”

THE CT STAFF’S FAVORITE LOVE SONGS

Collegiate Times staff

Check out some of our staff’s list of tracks that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, some of the Collegiate Times staff and editorial team compiled a list of our favorite love songs.

Olivia Ferrare, lifestyles editor

There’s something about a smooth, slow country song that just strikes a chord in my heart. So many country artists have gotten it right, where I can’t listen to them without sighing or getting in my own head. Maren Morris’s “I Can’t Love You Anymore” has a confusing title at first, but the song goes on to say, “I can’t love you anymore than I do now.” It’s sweet, catchy and tells a story that I can relate back to my own life.

Emanda Seifu, lifestyles assistant editor

When it comes to music, anything with a great rhythm is a winner for me. Some of my favorite Valentine’s songs are “Love on Top” by Beyoncé and “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. Both might be throwbacks, but they never go out of style. The upbeat and catchy tune of Beyoncé’s single is a great contrast with Ed Sheeran’s slow ballad, giving the perfect mix to add to your playlist for the big day.

in time, two of my well-loved instrumental pieces are Glenn Miller’s 1939 “In the Mood” and 1944 “Moonlight Serenade” — featuring a fast and a slow dance. If you’re a fan of live music, Coldplay’s “Yellow” off of their “Live 2012” album is an all-time favorite of mine.

Michaela Scott, lifestyles assistant editor

During the month of February, my favorite way to appreciate the holiday is to play love songs that embrace the warm feeling that Valentine’s Day brings. Although people may categorize songs by Lana Del Rey as depressing, she has several singles that make you want to fall in love, such as “Happiness is a butterfly,” “National Anthem,” and my all-time favorite, “Love song.” Her soft voice and the emotion in every lyric always makes me feel at peace with the world, no matter what mood I am in. One of the best aspects about this artist is that her music has been around for over a decade, and she has never released a song that has been a miss. If you want to listen to anything soothing that will make you forget about the chaos in your life, I recommend any album by Lana.

Laurel Molloy, lifestyles writer

listen to on this day of love, I would recommend “I Wanna Be Yours” by the Arctic Monkeys for alt-rock listeners, “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls and “Fields of Gold” by Sting for older rock lovers. For anyone who enjoys a self-empowering song, “Rolling in the Deep’” by Adele is a great choice. Listen to whatever you want and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

Angela Nell-Tascon, lifestyles writer

that, the majority of my playlist is love songs. My favorite love song, however, is “I’ll Follow You” by Shinedown because it is going to be me and my fiancé’s first dance. I think it’s unique because it’s not about love being perfect, but about sticking together even when situations get complicated. My favorite artist, Ed Sheeran, has a lot of amazing love songs. Out of all of them, “Afterglow” is the best in my opinion. It has lyrics that are like poetry and the instrumentals are calming and have an intimate feel. It talks about simple moments with a partner and how beautiful they can be.

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Emelia

Delaporte, lifestyles assistant editor

I find that the best music carries a full sound, whether it’s live or instrumental. For a turn back

Valentine’s Day brings the prospects of love, joy and catchy music. Some love songs are undeniably powerful and dance-worthy while others are calm and feel like you’re spinning in the rain. If you are looking for something to

I find that making playlists that correspond to the months of the year allow me to engage with the days not only physically, but musically. Some songs I have in my February playlist that have allowed me to do just this are “I Have the Moon” by Lush, “Instant Crush” by Daft Punk feat. Julian Casablancas and “invisible string” by Taylor Swift. These songs are the perfect way to step into the month of February and they set up a dazzling musical landscape. “I Have the Moon” by Lush is a bit of an older song so there is a nostalgic feeling with this track, yet still very sweet. “Instant Crush” by Daft Punk feat. Julian Casablancas is more electronic and experimental with its sounds, and “invisible string” by Taylor Swift is a beautiful ode to transformation and human connection. Whatever you choose to listen to, have fun and listen to what makes you happy!

Amber Williams, sports editor I am a hopeless romantic and because of

THOUGHTS ON SCARS

Amber Williams | Sports editor

Sports editor Amber Williams reflects on learning to love a permanent wound.

Scars — we all have them. Some of ours may be invisible, etched into our minds in the form of PTSD or anxiety, for others they are more prominent. Some are carved into our skin and become a visible reminder of physical trauma which we are not allowed to turn away from. But they don’t always have to be a beacon of pain.

I had heart surgery when I was a couple of hours old. In total, I have been cut open three times. This left a line down my chest that was placed before I even touched my mother’s skin. This experience is similar to what almost every congenital heart defect survivor has lived through.

Often heart defect patients are coined as “heart warriors” and there are plenty of quotes about our “battle scars.” The truth is, I don’t remember any of it. It was a “battle” that I “fought” without any consciousness.

What I do remember is the poking and prodding growing up, the scary doctor appointments at five years old while I clutched a kitty cat stuffed animal and the strange looks at my chest —at my scar.

My mother told me when I was in the nursery of our church as a baby, having just got out of the hospital after months, a grown woman came in and saw my scar. It was obviously more inflamed at that point because the surgery was relatively new. The lady screamed, “Eww! Stay away from her” to her toddler child.

My mom stood up for me and essentially told her to “shut up” and that the scar was because I survived something a lot of people don’t. The lady was speechless and profusely apologized. Again, this is something I remember none of, but my mom kept that same spirit as I grew up and taught me to be proud of my scar.

Fast forward to kindergarten and I got my first taste of school and how cruel children can be. I wore a baggy shirt to class one day and one of my “friends” saw my scar for the first time. She essentially asked what was wrong with me. The reality was that I didn’t know. I didn’t understand what a heart defect was and as far as I knew, everyone had scars. That’s when I learned that they apparently did not.

I came home very upset and my mother told me that next time someone asked to tell them the scar was why I was alive and she explained — at a level I could understand — what had happened to me.

Sometimes, this explanation wasn’t enough for people growing up. My best friend at one point, who I know cared for me dearly and just didn’t understand because we were so young, would ask me almost every day to explain it. And I really couldn’t. It was exhausting. Eventually, I told her that I didn’t know but that I was tired of talking about it.

When I was in high school I took the initiative to really learn about my condition. At every annual and semi-annual appointment, depending on how my development was going, I would ask tons of questions. I read any medical journal I could get my hands on and I joined groups on Facebook specifically for people like me. I learned to not just be OK with my scar, but to love my scar.

When I went to college, I had to explain my condition many times to almost every new person I met. There were always questions once they saw the scar, but I was comfortable with it and actually liked sharing my story. I realized it was a great conversation starter to spread awareness of a condition that affects 2.4 million Americans, not to mention its worldwide impact.

Thankfully, with improvements in medicine, survivors with more complicated defects such as mine (dextro-transposition of the greater arteries) are living much longer lives. People need to get used to seeing the scars.

Intimate relationships are also vastly different when you have a heart defect. Your body is a visible map of all the trauma it has endured, meaning you look a lot different than other people. The scar on my chest is not the only physical scar I have from my time in the NICU. I was on ECMO, as most babies with CHD are, meaning my chest has little indentations on it from the tubes.

Your partner will likely be the one taking care of you when you are very sick and will have to endure a lot of doctor trips. Sometimes these trips involve a decent amount of travel because cardiologists who are actually able to treat adults with CHD are not overly abundant. For those in this position, here’s a tip from a pro — if your significant other is going with you, after hours of tests and the constant waiting, turn the rest of the afternoon into a date where you can enjoy whatever location you have been dragged to.

I like to say that everything is normal when you have a heart defect and yet everything

is also incredibly not normal, which I realize makes no sense. But neither does this disease.

I’ve grown with my scars. They have changed in shape and pronouncement as my own body has also evolved. And honestly, they look weird, but I’ve never liked normal, anyway.

When I was shopping for my wedding dress recently, I was asked by someone I love dearly a genuine question that I was not offended by, but which made me kind of laugh. Would I choose to hide my scar on my “big day” or was I going to show it off? The answer? I never once thought about it. I chose my dress without a single thought about whether my scar was showing or not.

We are defined by our experiences, but we do not have to live in the shadow of them.

I have a very visible scar. It has an incredible story. However, I am so much more than my heart defect. The scar has been and will be a part of every chapter of my life, whether I want it to be or not, but there are hundreds of

pages of my personal novel where it will never be written about.

I will always wear my scar proudly; I will never go out of my way to hide it — I’ll keep wearing my V-neck shirts and my bikinis to the beach — but my body and my soul has many more stories to tell. My scars are just one page of a much larger book.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY VALENTINE DATES FOR BROKE LOVEBIRDS

MICHAELA SCOTT | LIFESTYLES ASSISTANT EDITOR

Find a fun-filled Valentine’s Day activity to do with your partner this Tuesday.

Valentine’s Day can be one of the most affectionate days of the year, though many college students run into the challenge of making the day memorable when they are on a budget. Face it — who would want to let down their significant other? Despite the stigma some people associate with a day full of love, this holiday should be a special moment for an individual and their lover no matter how much cash they have in their bank account.

So, what can you do in the New River Valley when you are trying your best to stretch the last $20 in your wallet?

Kendall Street Company at the Milk Parlor

At only $10 per ticket, Kendall Street Company is performing at the Milk Parlor this Valentine’s Day at 9 p.m. and is prepared to perform for anyone willing to have a night they will never forget — just remember to stay hydrated. The band is composed of University of Virginia graduates who are currently on their “Kendall Street Company is for Lovers Tour.” The group is traveling around the East Coast, and will only be performing in Blacksburg on Feb. 14, 21 and 28. The band plays a wide variety of genres such as folk rock, presenting music from the Grateful Dead, to hip-hop and rap, with covers from Soulja Boy. In addition to these artists, the praiseworthy band has also incorporated their musical talents into creating over 100 original songs that are selectively chosen to be played during the tour. The excitement does not end there — this crew is dedicated to giving their audience an unforgettable experience, which is why they embody a wide range of components into each show, namely their crowd engagement, comedic bits and occasional musical company. If you and your significant other have an affinity for concerts and a night on the town, the Milk Parlor is an ideal location to take your date on this momentous night.

Puzzlr Escape Room

In the heart of downtown Blacksburg, located on 700 North Main Street, Puzzlr

Escape Room is a renowned spot to take game nights to a whole new level. Puzzlr consists of five distinctive rooms that incorporate several themes such as prison break, witch’s curse in the woods and a detective’s office. Tickets are $25 per person and each group contains eight individuals, so you and your lover can turn this night into a fun-filled adventure with your other friends looking for affordable date activities. The 60-minute rooms allow you and your partner to step away from reality, embark on a journey and use your imagination and creativity to shape Valentine’s Day into an incredible holiday. If you can’t seem to go a second without your significant other, try being locked in a room with them while solving a series of challenging, unprecedented puzzles.

A local animal shelter — adopt a pet!

What is cuter than seeing a variety of animals that crave your love and affection? Being with your partner while doing so! The Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center located in Christiansburg, Virginia, is a non-profit volunteer organization that accommodates cats and dogs of all ages, despite their health or backgrounds. The shelter is a joyful place for you and your significant other to pay a visit to if you can’t get enough of those adorable furry friends. Additionally, these fourlegged companions are all between $25 to $80, which gives you the option to buy a pet that you and your significant other can take home and love for years to come. No matter if you and your lover are searching for a new member of your makeshift family, or are just looking to fall in love with little creatures for one night, the shelter is a spot that will turn your Valentine’s Day into an adorable adventure.

Burger ‘37 on campus

If you and your significant other just don’t have the time between your academic schedules or simply don’t have the money in your pocket to go into town, Burger ‘37 located inside the Squires Student Center is a classic spot. What’s more romantic than making Valentine’s

Day a night to remember with old-fashioned milkshakes and some American-style food? If you’ve never stopped by during your time here at Tech, this spot offers a wide range of mouthwatering milkshakes that incorporate a variety of toppings to personalize your treat. Despite this date night being on campus, Burger ‘37 is reminiscent of an old-style diner that will transform your holiday into a charming night. In addition, as a limited time offer the restaurant is promoting their signature red velvet milkshake during the month of February. Who wouldn’t want to order two straws and a milkshake? Being able to use your dining dollars and saving the money in your bank account is the cherry on the top — literally!

Pillow fort movie night

If going out isn’t you or your significant other’s thing, or school has already drained every bit of ambition in your life, hosting a cozy movie-themed night filled with snacks and blankets is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Spicing this night up with a pillow fort takes movies and snacks to an entire new level. To prepare, stop by Kroger, or even the Xpress Lane at Dietrick Hall and stock up on cheap candy, microwave popcorn or ice cream, and get started on the pillow fort at home. Creativity is the last aspect required in this low-cost date night and can be very amusing while forming a comfy area to watch your favorite rom-com with your lover. You can even move around your furniture, add twinkling lights and decorate your secret clubhouse to make this date even more memorable — just use your imagination.

Bake a dessert

If you and your partner have an obvious sweet tooth, why not skip right to dessert on this holiday? Whether you consider yourself a master baker, or have yet to open your oven this year, the baking process is a harmonious activity to spend with your lover. Watching the sweet ingredients blend, smelling the scents while the treat rises and seeing your scrumptious surprise

while taking the dish out of the oven are all delightful pleasures to partake in with your significant other. Whether you grab a quick ready-made mix or choose to make a pastry from scratch, this activity can be a relaxing way to spend time with your valentine.

Valentine’s Day can create some anxiety for students who want to please their loved ones but can’t drop loads of money on presents. The only real importance comes from making this a meaningful holiday by spending it with the one you have a soft spot for. Don’t fret that this won’t be a special day just because you can’t put together a costly date night or go over the top with gifts — the New River Valley offers a series of adventures to turn an average Tuesday into one of the most unforgettable days of the year.

SPORTS MEN’S BASKETBALL GETS IMPORTANT AWAY WIN AGAINST NOTRE DAME, BOUNCE BACK

JAVIER MICo-CRUMP | sports staff writer

Tech secures first ACC away win this season.

The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team (15–10, 5–9 ACC) got their first away win in conference play this season, beating Notre Dame (10–15, 2–12, ACC) 93 – 87 on Saturday. The Hokies have won their last five games against the Fighting Irish, and they have now tied the all-time series against their conference opponent at 9–9.

Coming off a disappointing outing against Boston College last Wednesday, the Hokies needed to rebound quickly for game two of their three-game road trip. The game against Notre Dame, a team that has struggled in ACC play this year, was the perfect opportunity.

The Fighting Irish jumped out to a lead early in the first half, one which they held until the game neared the break. Notre Dame’s graduate forward Nate Laszewski was on fire in the first half and was the main factor keeping the Irish in front. He scored 20 in the first and ended with 33 points on the day.

After trailing nearly the whole half, Lynn Kidd made a layup with just under four minutes to play to retake the lead for the Hokies. With the clock expiring, Sean Pedulla dribbled up the court and drilled a contested three, beating the buzzer to put the Hokies up 43-40 at the half. Pedulla went on to finish the game with 12 points and five assists, shooting 57% from the

field.

The second half started with a lot of back and forth between the two teams. Eventually, the Hokies were able to pull away to a ten-point lead in the waning minutes of the encounter, where they were led once again by Grant Basile. Basile did it all in another big performance, converting three pointers and finishing contested shots in the paint for a total of 33 points on the day. It’s his second consecutive game scoring 33 after doing so against Boston College, and he has now scored more than 30 points in three games this season.

Much of the Hokies’ second half success came from their ball movement as they out-assisted the Fighting Irish 10–4 in the second. Justyn Mutts accounted for nine of the Hokies’ total assists, and he finished close to a tripledouble after also recording 19 points and eight rebounds. MJ Collins was the last Hokie to finish the game with double-digit points, scoring 12 at 57% from the field.

As the game came to a close, Basile converted both his free throws to seal the victory 93-87. The Hokies finally got the away win they were looking for in Notre Dame, and they will try to do it again as they travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to face Georgia Tech (9–15, 2–12 ACC) on Feb. 15.

Facing the Yellow Jackets will be the end of the Hokies’ three-game road trip, and one they will need to win to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive. Despite a seven-game losing streak and other close results, the Hokies have shown they can compete with the top teams in the country on several occasions. They will need to keep up the positive form and

perform well at the ACC tournament if they want to have a shot at playing in late March. @CTSPORTSTALK

LACROSSE WINS SEASON-OPENER AT VCU

COLBY TALLEY | SPORTS EDITOR

Hokies open the season with a 14–8 victory over the Rams.

Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse traveled to Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday for their season opener against the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams, coming away with a 14–8 win.

This win marks the 200th win in the history of the program.

The Hokies’ offense was paced by attackers Paige Tyson and Hannah Mardiney, both of whom scored three goals

each. Guarding the net for the Hokies was Jocelyn Torres, who finished the day with eight saves and the win.

The Rams struck first three minutes into the game and jumped out to a 2–1 lead, but the Hokies went on to score four unanswered goals to jump ahead. The Hokies scored three more goals to head into halftime with a commanding lead.

Much like the first half, the start of the

second half was dominated by the Rams, who scored three goals to cut their deficit to two. However, the Hokies would regain their footing, outscoring their opponents 6–2 throughout the rest of the game.

The Hokies will continue the early portion of their season on Wednesday as they host James Madison University (0–1) for their first home game of 2023. @CTSPORTSTALK

HAMAD ALHENDI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies forward Justyn Mutts (25) going for another dunk, Feb. 8, 2023.