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Hudsonian Creative expression Hud. blooms in Threads
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OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Volume 73, Issue 10
April 25, 2018
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www.thehudsonian.org
PHOTO BY VINCENT GIORDANO
By: Isabella Kokoszko Layout Editor
STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS
OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Student writers and artists who shared their pieces and were published in Hudson Valley’s literary magazine, Threads, were invited to come and listen to writers read their poetry during a ceremony last Friday. Threads is published once a year by members of faculty. They handpick submissions of work from poems, short stories, essays and artwork. “I am so proud of all these student writers,” said Hudson Valley President Andrew Matonak. This publication keeps getting better and better each year.” Threads is put together by faculty members Jessica Brouker, Paul Charbel, Sara Kennedy, Joshua Kohan and Noah Kucij. All students were free to submit work, regardless of their writing experience. The members of the Threads
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Hudsonian Writing award winners pictured from left to right: Grace Sgambettera, Sydney Carey, Department Chair of English, Foreign Languages and English as a Second Language Maria Palmara and Shuling Chen.
committee started the ceremony by congratulating all the students and their hard work. Professors also spoke for the students who were not published. “You should be proud of the
work that you submitted, and that you took the first step to becoming published,” said Maria Palmera, the Department Chair of the English, Foreign Languages and English as a Second Language
department. “If you didn’t get published this year, try again next year and keep writing. Keep striving to be creative and writing beautiful
Let your voice be heard, VOTE!
SEE THREADS PAGE 4
‘The Last Pig’ screened at Hudson Valley By: Emily Lougee Guest Contributor Students and community members gathered in the BTC to watch a documentary about an Upstate New York farmer and his connections to the pigs he helped raise. “The Last Pig,” screened last Thursday, is a film that shows what it’s like the be a creature who is not only capable of feeling but also able to kill. It follows pig farmer Bob Comis from Schoharie, New York and the ethical struggle he experiences when he is supposed to slaughter feeder pigs. A panel and audience discussion with director Allison Argo, pig farmer Bob Comis and Kathy Stevens, director of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, where a number of Bob’s animals were relocated after he retired from pig farming, was held after the screening. During the audience discus-
sion, someone directed a question to Comis, asking if sitting in the audience watching the film invoked any kind of emotional response from him. He answered the question by recalling when they toured in Italy. “At one point, I say to the pig, ‘Come on, buddy’ as he lead the pig to the slaughter house,” Comis said. “For some reason, the juxtaposition of me saying, ‘Come on, buddy’ [stuck with him. He] drove home thinking about how hypocritical and paradoxal my relationship with the pigs was.” Comis went on to explain he realized that when he beckoned his pigs warmly he was really saying, “Get in the trailer so I can take you to the slaughter house and have you killed.” He realized how seeing the pigs be that trusting of him when they followed him so willingly was difficult and how it really touched home with him. He also said he got emotional when
INSIDE NEWS:
There are men on the roof? PAGE
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Pig farmer Bob Comis, pictured with one of his pigs.
seeing parts with his dog, Monk, who has passed since the film finished production. One question everyone on the panel discussed was how Comis’
two pigs had such human-like per- personalities of the pigs. sonalities. Comis and Argo menThe two pigs that stuck out tioned how when the amount of the most to both Comis and Argo pigs dwindled from around 250 to SEE PIGS PAGE 6 20, the two were able to notice the
INSIDE CREATIVE:
Importance of Being Earnest PAGE
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COURTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
INSIDE SPORTS:
Lacrosse close season with victory PAGE 8
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April 25, 2018
NEWS
HUDSON VALLEY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS DEPARTED MEMBERS
This Week’s Events
Wed 25
Student Senate Elections Transfer Information Table: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Siek Campus Center, first floor lobby Spring Fest/Viking Cup Challenge 11:30 am – 2:00 pm Joseph L. Bruno Stadium Business – Business Administration HonorScholar Informational Reception 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Siek Campus Center, Room 204 PTK Spring Induction Ceremony 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Maureen Stapleton Theatre, Siek Campus Center
Faculty, Staff, Retirees Students
James B. Hanley Benjamin J. Harris William J. Kress Chad M. Malarchuk Ronnilla Marshall Logan A. Penzabene William F. Rowe Edward C. Ulmer, Jr.
Senate Thurs Student Elections 26 Transfer Advisor
Fri 27
Visit: Siena College 10:00 am – 2:30 pm Siek Campus Center, Room 290 Transfer Information Table: SUNY Buffalo State 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Siek Campus Center, first floor lobby Mindfulness Meditation 11:00 am – 11:30 am Wellness Center, Siek Campus Center Suite 270 Transfer Advisor Visit: University at Albany 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Siek Campus Center, Room 290 End of the Year Banquet 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Franklin Plaza Ballroom, 4 4th St, Troy, NY 12180, USA The Music of Joni Mitchell 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Maureen Stapleton Theatre, Siek Campus Center
Weather WEDNESDAY 04/25/18 High/Low 57/47
Edward H. Benton Cheryl H. Birdsall Patricia M. Colongione Wadad T. Frangie Margaret A. Gilbert Minnie B. Glusko Margaret M. Grant Maureen P. Hood Judith M. O’Connor Kathleen M. O’Connor Jeanne L. Petropol Lorraine A. Schmiedeshoff Linda F. Sharp Richard J. Spence Paula C. von der Lancken
Trustee
Abbott L. Wiley
Members of the Hudson Valley community who passed away in the past year.
By: Richard Decker Staff Writer
can sustain us in our grief and give witness to the love freely given to us by those we remember today.” Following traditional mourning customs, Thivierge provided a reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: 43:1-2, 66:13; Jay Dietchman, Coordinator of International Student Services, a reading of the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer; and Sayema Matin, a student at the college, a reading of the Islamic Sacred Texts. During the eulogies, Michelle Thivierge presented a flower — a universal symbol of life, affection, and beauty — to representatives from family members and the Hudson Valley community. Thivierge also took this time to ask anyone who would like to speak about their lost loved ones to take the podium. “My dad, Abbot, would be so proud to see everyone gathered here today, said the daughter of Abbott L. Wiley. He died this past summer at the age of 100. He was a legislature during the seventies and was part of the committee to
A memorial service was held on April 16 by Hudson Valley to remember the students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees and friends of the college who have passed away during the past year. The service was led by Michelle Thivierge, Campus Chaplain. The service was held in the BTC auditorium and began with a greeting and prayer. “We welcome each of you here today as we gather in the protective shelter of the Creator’s healing love,” Thivierge began. Following the opening, Vonnie J. Vannier, an assistant professor in the English, Foreign Languages and ESL department, memorialized the lives lost with a reading. “We come to comfort and to support one another in our common loss,” Vannier said, before reading the names of the late students, faculty, staff and trustees. “We gather to hear words of hope from various faith traditions that
THURSDAY 04/26/18 High/Low 52/41
The Hudsonian Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave. Troy, NY 12180 Phone: 518-629-7568 Email: hudsonian@hvcc.edu Editorial Policy All views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the The Hudsonian or the College.
Editor-in-Chief Julio Rodriguez Managing Editor Grace Sgambettera Copy Editor Hunter Wallace Layout Editor Isabella Kokoszko
FRIDAY
04/27/18 High/Low 64/46
News Editor Zoe Deno Creative Editor Joseph Lyle Sports Editor Hunter McIntyre Staff Writers Skylar Blankenship
form the college. He was a friend of Joseph Bulmer, the first [Hudson Valley] president, and he was later named a trustee who served for [a] year so graciously.” “My mom was Pat Colongione, exclaimed Colognione’s daughter. I was truly blessed to work three generations with her, and last year I had three generations: my mom, myself and my daughter. She said she would work until the day she died, and yes, she did just that.” The students remembered were: James B. Hanley, Benjamin J. Harris, William J. Kress, Chad M. Malarchuk, Ronnilla Marshall, Logan A. Penzabene, William F. Rowe, Justus R. Simon and Edward C. Ulmer, Jr. The faculty and staff remembered included: Edward H. Benton, Cheryl H. Birdsall, Patricia M. Colognione, Wadad T. Frangie, Margaret A. Gilert, Minnie B. Glusko, Margaret M. Grant, Maureen P. Hood, Judith M. O’Connor, Kathleen M. O’Connor, Jeanne L. Petropol, Lorraine A. Schmiedeshoff, Linda F. Sharp,
SATURDAY 04/28/18 High/Low 59/42 Richard Decker Nick Fisk Guest Contributor Emily Lougee Faculty Adviser Rachel Bornn
Richard J. Spence, Paula C. von der Lancken and Abbott L. Wiley. Jen Avila, a student vocalist, and faculty pianist, Mary Ann Gulyas then performed “On Eagle’s Wings,” by Michael Joncas, and Vance Valerio, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Development, gave a reading of “On Grief,” by John O’Donohue. President Matonak, along with Jim Slattery, English professor and the first 50-year anniversary employee at Hudson Valley, presented an honorary 50-year pin to the family of Maureen Hood, who started at the College in 1967. After a musical interlude, students Stephanie Tyski and Jesse Rock performed “Hallelujah,” by Leonard Cohen, and Student Senate President Nathanael Savasta led a call and response with the audience. President Matonak concluded the memorial service with the Sending Forth: Buddha’s Discourse on Good Will.
SUNDAY 04/29/18 High/Low 54/38 Letters to the Editor Letters can be delivered to CTR 291 or emailed to hudsonian@ hvcc.edu. Readers may have their letters published anonymously as long as their identity can be verified. Letters will be edited for grammar, style, libel and length.
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The Hudsonian is the exclusive student newspaper of Hudson Valley Community College. It is published every week. To join The Hudsonian, attend our weekly meeting on Mondays at 2 p.m. in ADM 107.
April 25, 2018
NEWS
3 COURTESY OF 4FREEPHOTOS.COM
HOW TO LOWER YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
By: Julio Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Mark Dunlea came to Hudson Valley last Tuesday to share some steps you can take to decrease your carbon footprint and help ensure the longevity of future generations. There is a 30-40 percent chance the human race may go extinct by 2070 as a result of climate change. It’s agreed that the main cause of current global warming trends is human expansion of the “greenhouse effect” — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space, according to research compiled by scientists at NASA. The gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane
and water vapor. Essentially, these molecules become trapped in our atmosphere when they’re expelled and cause warming on the planet. We can, however, take steps to help reduce the emissions of these gases into our atmosphere at a more micro-level. Move to a completely plantbased diet “A pound of beef has 18 times the carbon footprint as a pound of pasta,” Dunlea said. “If an average family of four was to cut their meat consumption in half, that’s roughly three tons of emissions annually. One of the problems is that the [people of the] U.S. eats a lot of meat because we’re richer.” Dunlea continued, “If you personally want to [do] something, people have meatless Mondays. Young people tend to
be very good about this. Older people will migrate back to meat eating.” Have less children “Want to fight climate change? Then have less children,” Dunlea said. “If you truly want to fight it, have less white children. The typical American burns twice as much as the average person in Europe and Japan, in terms of carbon emissions, but ten times as much as the average person in India.” Reduce personal car use “Transportation is about a third of the total carbon footprint,” Dunlea explained. “Ride a bike to work [and] school. I live about ten miles from here, out in Poestenkill, and the last time I checked, we had one bus for one day of the week. So, you could ride the bus into town to go to the
doctor’s or go to the store for senior citizens. But, there is no mass transit in a good part of Rensselaer county.” Dunlea continued, “I’ve found that millennials are very good about using mass transit. They tend to live in big cities which have much less of a carbon footprint when compared with suburban areas.” 100 percent renewable energy in NY “There’s a gentleman named Mark Jacobson — he’s a professor,” Dunlea said. “He wrote a report on whether it’s possible for New York state to move to 100 percent clean energy for everything by 2030. The answer was yes. More recently, from putting out reports, it says that it’s 2050. We can do it by 2030 with current technology.”
New sustainable housing “I live in a community in Poestenkill, which organized 30 years ago around sustainability principles,” Dunlea stated. “Every house that we’ve built had to be high efficiency, in terms of insulations. What we would do is build the house facing the southwest, so that way, it’s facing the sun.” Avoid heating with natural gas “Natural gas contains methane,” Dunlea said. “Methane is 82 times more potent as a greenhouse gas over 20 years. Carbon dioxide is worse over time — about a century or two. Short term, you have to get methane out as a greenhouse gas. We should stop building natural gas plants.”
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April 25, 2018
NEWS
COURTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
FROM PAGE ONE
THREADS
literary pieces.” Palmera spoke passionately about Threads and how she has loved to see it grow and get better every year. She continues to support the students and faculty and their accomplishments with this magazine. The Threads Committee also gives out awards each year for the Best Writing and Best Art published in the magazine. In 2018, writing awards were given out to Sean Madey for “Copenhagen With a Side of Denmark,” Shuling Chen for “Nostalgia,” Brian Rozmiersk for “Sweet Desires,” and Grace Sgambettera for “The poet herself, pictured in red.” The Art Award was won by Sydney Carey for “Now You See Me,” which is featured on the cover for the 2018 issue. “I was absolutely thrilled to hear that I had won an award for my writing,” said Grace Sgambettera. “There are a lot of great writers featured in this issue, and I am humbled that I got to be a part of it.” Sgambettera has experience writing for The Hudsonian, where she was the Creative Editor and now works as the Managing Ed-
Emma Hall reading her poem, titled “Time.”
itor. She oversees all of the editors and works directly with the Editor-in-Chief to ensure everything runs smoothly in the newsroom week-to-week.
“Writing is a really satisfying form of expression because you have a relationship with that form of expression, Sgambettera said. “There is no other better feeling
than getting to make something beautiful with just words.” Any student who is interested in being published in the 2019 issue of Threads can visit its
website, https://clubs.hvcc.edu/ wordpress/threads/. Submissions are open now until February 29, 2019.
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Skylar Blankenship reading her short story, titled “Security of Childhood (A Piece of Home).”
Matonak commended the published authors works prior to the readings. COURTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
COURTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
The Threads committee.
Thomas McWatters reading his poem, “The Angry Machine.”
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April 25, 2018
NEWS
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Do you know why there were men on the roof? COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU
By: Nick Fisk Staff Writer Many Hudson Valley students have seen workers on the roofs of several buildings across campus, from Lang to Amstuz, yet few know what they’re actually doing up there. The company, an outside contractor brought to inspect many of the buildings on campus, has been asked to come in by the college’s administration. They use special tools to determine the stability of the roofs across campus. Contractor David Blair was able to provide some detail about the whole process. “It’s sort of a non-destructive test method [used] to determine the scope of the work,” Blair said. Blair explained the tool they were using was a “Troxler 3216 Nuclear Moisture Gauge.” “It basically locates and quantifies all the wet insulation, so that when a contractor comes in they know exactly where to go, and they can budget for it ahead of time,” he said. The college’s Administration board started this project several years ago, under the title of “Roof Replacement Projects and Critical Facility Maintenance.” To date, the project is said to have roughly five million dollars put toward ensuring proper building stability. Of course, with a name like Nuclear Moisture Gauge, some people raise concerns over the device’s safety. However, the workers reassure people that the devices are perfectly fine.
A view of Administration building at night.
“They are incredibly safe devices,” Blair said. “[Although] they do have a small amount of radioactive material in them, it’s as much as [in] a smoke detector.” The company has other means of detecting weak roofs with different scenarios. There’s a different way to scan the roofs at night using infrared cameras, and they mainly do this when the roofing isn’t stone, Blair said. “It’s a snap at night,” Blair ex-
plained. “The stone is all hot, so the [infrared] camera can’t distinguish between wet and hot.” The company has done 3 or 4 surveys at Hudson Valley in the past couple years. “It was Brahan, Fitzgibbons, we did Marvin and Cogan last year” Blair added. The company also examined the McDonough Sports Complex last year as well. When considering repairs and changes to infrastructure of
the buildings, it’s worth considering the price of completely replacing a roof versus finding salvageable areas by calling in a company with these special tools. For a company like this to come in, pricing could all depend on the building itself. “It depends on how big it is [and] how hard it is to get to it,” the other worker explains, as taller, harder-to-reach roofing areas require special tools.
When it comes to roofing, “The rule was 10 to 12 bucks a square foot 10 years ago,” Blair said. “It’s probably $20 now, so on a 100 thousand square foot roof, if half the insulation is salvageable, that’s 50 thousand bucks you’ve saved them.” The company is expected to do more work throughout the rest of the season as part of the project to ensure every building is as safe as can be for students and faculty.
Attention Composition I Students Additional Writing Assistance Available for Composition I Students Who Are Working on Their Final Research Paper for Composition I!
WRITING AND RESEARCH CENTER Located on the 2nd floor of the Marvin Library Beginning Wednesday, April 18, in addition to the regularly scheduled writing assistance available in the Writing and Research Center, Hudson Valley Composition I instructors will be offering additional assistance. We ask that you please bring a copy of your final project assignment in Composition I as well as any notes, pre-writing materials, drafts, and sources you may have. Please remember to bring your ID card. THEHUDSONIAN.ORG
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April 25, 2018
NEWS
PIG
COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU
FROM PAGE ONE were named Audrey and Mario. Audrey was described not as the runt of the litter but definitely smaller than most pigs. She was also said to be the leader. Mario, however, always wanted to be petted and would start nuzzling your leg when you stopped petting him. These two pigs stuck out so much that Bob refused to let them go to the slaughter house and made sure he found a home for them. Comis was able to get the pigs into the Catskill Animal Sanctuary under the direction of Kathy Stevens. There’s a sort of mantra that explains the philosophy of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary: “In the ways that truly matter, we are all the same.” While preparing for this event, both Valerie Lang Waldin, faculty advisor of the college’s Animal Outreach Club and Maria Zemantauski, head of the Cultural Affairs Program, had high hopes for this screening, as both groups co-sponsored the screening. “Last night far exceeded our expectations on every level — the film, the people, the engaged, articulate, probing audience, the crowd — all of it,” Waldin said.
“The Last Pig” movie poster.
Foundation Board maintains campus from afar PHOTO BY ZOE DENO | HUDSONIAN
Pictured from left to right: Technical Assistant, Lisa Mattes and Coordinator of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Jana Putzig read an informational brochure in the Foundation office at Fitzgibbons, Room 131.
By: Joseph Lyle Creative Editor “The Board oversees a $5 million fund that exists for the benefit of the school and the awarding of scholarships and funds for projects like the new construction for the advanced manufacturing program as well as funds for programs like the purchase of equipment for the dental program,” said Vice Chair, Mark Michell. Michell joined the Board be-
cause he wanted to give his time and talent back to the school that gave him a start in life. “As Vice Chair, I am involved in providing oversight and guidance to the Foundation’s management team regarding their operations, the management of finances, the awarding of scholarship and program funds to the college and compliance with laws and regulations affecting not-for-profit organizations,” Michell said. He has been a member for four years.
Michell is one of many members of the Foundation Board. Chat Robinson is the current treasurer, and Frank Sarratori is the Chairman of the Board. “I have been a board member for the past three plus years,” Robinson said. “I now work directly with the Foundation staff and accountants to ensure that we are moving forward. I am the chairman of the finance committee as well, thus it is my responsibility to focus on the financial growth
of the Foundation. I present the financial information monthly to the Board and Executive [Committee] to highlight our path, review processes and focus on the investment portfolio to ensure that we are growing such that we can provide more assistance to the college, its programs and directly to the students.” Sarratori has been a member for about 10 years in total. “I oversee the Board and am a direct conduit to the Board of Trustees of the college,” Sarratori said. “I provide guidance and assistance to staff along with actively participating in all Foundation events.” The members of the Board are all volunteers. “This is a labor of passion and interest,” Robinson said. “That is the basis of being an active volunteer. I get paid through the achievements of the Foundation and seeing what we can do to strengthen HVCC.” “The HVCC Foundation is [a] not-for-profit organization, otherwise known as a 501(c)(3). Since it is a not-for-profit, any payment would be received at the expense of being able to provide as much as possible to the college, so it does not make sense for a non-profit board member to be paid,” Michell said Some members are Hudson Valley alumni. Michell, for example, is a graduate of the Class of 1974 at Hudson Valley. Some members attended other institutions and still decided to join the Viking family.
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“I am not a graduate of HVCC,” Robinson said. “I went to St. Lawrence University for my undergraduate studies. I moved to the Capital Region 10 years ago and found that HVCC is such a great institution that becoming involved was easy and enjoyable. The rest is history!” Sarratori is not a graduate, either. The Board is also not just limited to graduates. Students are more than welcome to get involved as well. There are two ways students can get involved. “I think the best way for students to get involved with what the Board does is to start by getting involved with the Alumni Association,” Michell said. “We need to identify fun ways to have today’s students stay connected to the college, and only students can provide those kind of insights.” “Students that are interested in getting involved with what the Board does should contact the Foundation and let them know that they would like to volunteer,” Sarratori said. As a non-profit organization, the Foundation Board relies heavily on donations. Many members, although not required to, often donate to the organization — as do many local businesses. The Foundation Board, located on the first floor of FITZ, just before the transition to Brahan, is the invisible force that helps students without them knowing it. Without the Board, there would be no Science Center, CAMS building or any other campus infrastructure.
Apirl 25, 2018
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OPINION
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ performed at Hudson Valley COURTESY OF VINCE GIORDANO
COURTESY OF VINCE GIORDANO
A tale of love and deceit, “Importance” is over a century old but no less entertaining.
Robert Epps (left) and Ahmet Vargonen starred in “Importance of Being Earnest”
By: Hunter Wallace Copy Editor The Hudson Valley community was transported to a whimsical upper-class Victorian England during a rollicking student performance of Oscar Wilde’s acclaimed stage play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” last Thursday. First performed in 1895 at the St. James’s Theatre in London, “The Importance of Being Earnest” tells the story of aristocrats Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff and follows the fictions they construct to escape burdensome social situations. Jack goes by his given name in the country and assumes the persona of Ernest, a libertine and free spirit devoid of social obligations, while traveling in the city of London. Similarly, Algernon pretends to have an imaginary invalid friend, Bunbury, of whom he “visits’ from time to time and uses as an excuse to avoid undesirable social protocols. Soon after the play begins, we discover Jack in part maintains his dual identity as a means to marry his love, Gwendolen Fairfax, who insists she could only spend her life with a man named Ernest. Algernon, like Jack, takes advantage of the many guises floating around by referring to himself as Ernest, the reclusive uncle that Jack created to mask his trips to London from his country estate, which leads to him falling in love
with Cecily Cardew, Jack’s ward, who also claims she cannot imagine a life spent devoted to anyone other than a man named Ernest. From this point forward, the plot become increasingly ludicrous, and the audience discovers just how far the two men will go to find true love. Although this was a student production, you couldn’t really tell because of the superb acting. While the entire cast certainly proved their merit on stage, it was Robert Epps as Algernon and Ahmet Vargonen as Jack who stole the show. As Algernon, Epps not only portrayed this aristocratic joker with immense success, but he also brought with him a diverse sense of style, precision and vision that breathed new life into this otherwise typical and classic noble. Likewise, Vargonen played the role of Jack with finesse, really making the audience feel how stubborn and irrational he was when it came to affairs of the heart. Unsurprisingly, it was the scenes where both of these men interacted and argued with one another that depicted not only how absurd men can become for women’s hearts, but also how the frivolity and capriciousness found throughout this show reflected the fanciful attitudes of the aristocratic upper sphere of Victorian society. All the performers in this play were dressed in exquisite
dress reminiscent of late 19th century high society, in no small part due to Costume Manager Sarah Gray and Wig and Hat Assistant Jen Avila, who worked to replicate facsimiles of expensive men’s suits, large and luxurious women’s dresses and ostentatious and almost comical sun hats. Thanks to Gray and Avila’s creative efforts, attendees were treated to a realistic entourage of English aristocrats that filled the room with an air of culture. The lighting throughout this production was admirable in its efforts to progress the story along. With Rachel Fowler operating the lighting board during the night, we saw Act I set in a dim foreground, Act II in an overflow of
brightness and Act III return to its dim roots, effectively conveying the men’s aspirations for finding love start as unlikely pipe dreams, change to laudable goals and then relegate back to moot points. The only quibble found within this showing was the issue of accents (or lack thereof). Simply put, “The Importance of Being Earnest” was first shown in London. It’s a British play with British characters, yet none of the actors or actresses in this production are British. Now, this would be find, except that some performers took the liberty of creating their own cadences. Most noticeable with Jewel Winant as Lady Bracknell and Scott Brown as Brown, you
heard a mix between fake British and screeching American and just fake British, respectively. Of course, vocal experimentation is always encouraged, but perhaps it’s better to stay true to your own voice during some performances — this would be one of those times. Overall, this Hudson Valley production of Oscar Wilde’s famous theatrical work was a very worthwhile and rewarding experience. The story may be over a century old, but its themes of lies, deceit, double lives and how all coalesce to provide a pathway to love still offer views of morality that still remain in our society to this day, and so it was absolutely worth the watch. COURTESY OF VINCE GIORDANO
The Importance of Being Earnest ran April 19-21 in the Maureen Stapleton theater.
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April 25, 2018
SPORTS
Lacrosse closes with a victory
By: Skylar Blankenship Staff Writer The Vikings’ lacrosse team finished their regular season this past week with an overall record of 9-3. Their final game of the season was a win against Finger Lakes Community College with a score of 17-3 this past Wednesday. In the first quarter, Hudson Valley added five points to the board and the Finger Lakes won. The second quarter was quiet for both teams. Then, in the third, the Vikings scored a total of 8 points, while the Lakers added nothing to the board. During the final quarter, the Valley sealed their win with another four points. The Lakers
also scored two points during the fourth quarter. Sophomore attacker Aaron Thorpe, a business marketing major, scored four goals and three assists throughout the game. Thorpe was also named a NJCAA Region III Player of the Week this week. The Calicha brothers, both freshmen engineering majors, together scored a total of seven goals and two assists. Freshman goalie Trevor Ham, a physical education major, spent the whole game saving five of the eight shots made by the Lakers. The Vikings scored a total of 163 goals during their twelve game regular season, averaging 13.58 goals per game and 46.5 shots per games. The team had a 6-game win streak overall.
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The Vikings beat Finger Lakes 17-3.
Vikings experience early season troubles
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By: Hunter McIntyre Sports Editor
The women’s softball team played a 5-inning doubleheader against Onondaga Community college last Thursday. Their early season struggles seem to continue, having losing both games 8-0 and 10-0, respectively. The first game was rough for the Vikings, as they only collected three walks. Onondaga’s pitcher played very well, striking out eight Hudson Valley batters and only allowing three walks. The three walks belonged to Ashley Pulcher, of Stuyvesant/ Ichabod Crane, Gina Patricelli, of Troy/Lansingburgh and Amanda Kenyon, of Mechanicville/Mechanicville. Our Vikings didn’t fare well in the second game, either, losing 10 to zero. While the Vikings struggled at the plate, they still managed to collect three hits during the game. Shortstop Amanda Kenyon, catcher Elizabeth Brooking, and first baseman Gina Patricelli had the three hits during the game. Amanda Kenyon also had a
With women’s softball underway, Hudson Valley experiences some difficulty.
stolen base. Hitting wasn’t the Vikings’ only weakness over the weekend, as the pitchers struggled to con-
tain Onondaga’s offense, allowing 15 hits in only ten innings. The softball team’s next contest is a doubleheader against
Monroe Community College, due to a postponement earlier in the season. The game took place last Sunday at Monroe.
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We wish our Vikings the best of luck as they look to get their first win and turn their season around.