May 1, 2023

THE FREE PRESS

May, 2023

Vol. 54

ISSUE 11

Inside:

What’s Going On in Pop Culture pg. 4

Next Chapter of USM is Here pg. 8

Year-In-Review in Photos pgs. 12-13

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kelly Ledsworth

NEWS EDITOR Doug Banks

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ben Reed

COMMUNITY EDITOR Dakota Eddy

SPORTS EDITOR

WEB EDITOR Deklin Fitzgerald

STAFF WRITERS Cayley Bowman, Kayla Hoggard, Deja Driscoll, Rhiannon McQuaide

COPY EDITORS Robin Davis

EDITORIAL BOARD: Kelly Ledsworth, Will Fudge, Ben Reed, Doug Banks, Deklin Fitzgerald, Dakota Eddy.

BUSINESS MANAGER Lucille Siegler

DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN DIRECTOR Kelly Ledsworth

DESIGNERS Alivia Halza

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Will Fudge

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Cammie Breuer, Deklin Fitzgerald, Deja Driscoll

FACULTY

FACULTY ADVISOR

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING MANAGER

CITED SOURCES ARE POSTED ONLINE

COVER BY KELLY LEDSWORTH

To advertise, contact our Advertising Manager at 207.780.4080 x3 and look at out advertising rates on our website. We reserve the right to reject advertising. We will not accept discriminatory ads. In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, veteran or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The University will regard freedom from discrimination and discriminatory harassment as an individual employee and student right which will be safeguarded as a matter of policy. Any employee or student will be subject to disciplinary action for violation of

listing of available positions or email editor@usmfreepress with a copy of your resume and cover letter to apply directly.

The Free Press is a weekly student–run newspaper paid for in part with the Student Activity Fee. One copy of The Free Press is available free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies are available for 25 cents each at the office of The Free Press, 92 Bedford St., Portland, Maine.

I’ve never liked it when things have to end, especially when I’ve enjoyed them so much, and I also hate change. There are so many mixed emotions when it comes down to it because it’s so sad and bittersweet that it almost hurts, and yet somehow it can feel like a relief. I never want to say goodbye–I always want to say see you again soon. Maybe down the line someone I’ve never met before will talk to me at an event and ask me questions and then say, “hey I’m writing for the USM Free Press paper, can I quote you and take a picture of you in front of your art?”

I remember on my first production day being so excited and in my element. Doing paper layout was my jam. I knew Adobe products and once I was shown what to do I could do it. It was so nice to be able to just put my headphones on and just slowly but surely put everything together. It was something I am good at and I love being able to piece things together and figure out where everything should go until it’s all aligned right. I remember how surprised everyone was by how much I loved doing the paper layout. To them it must have seemed tedious and boring. To some degree, it can be a little boring. To me this was art. I was able to make art that would become something physical that so many people would hold in their hands. It

the time but never on a scale like this. Printing about 500 copies per issue, that’s 500 potential people holding something that I made. Not to mention that on top of all of this I was making the graphics, art, and a few ads here and there. This was one of my first jobs where I felt like I made an impact and was treated with respect. I wasn’t just some cog in the machine, I was the whole machine. Now I know that I can be a leader and that I set out to make something beautiful.

I’ve grown so much on my path to become an Art Educator. I’m no longer just a student. I’ve gone by many names now: Design Director, Teacher Kelly, Artist-in-Residence, Editorin-Chief, and Artist. Some highlights have been that I changed my hair to pink (finally), got my motorcycle license, changed my gender marker on my license, got proper treatment for my mental health, and gone out and been an artist out in the world. These are all monumental things for me that I’ve accomplished in the last 5 years.

I feel really proud of myself because I never thought I’d make it this far in life or in college. I’ve learned It’s going to take a really special teaching environment to have me. I have so many options and possibilities of what I can do with my life that I will be able to have a job I enjoy after this. There was a big narrative pushed in my life growing up that if I have a job that makes a lot of money, I can

then do whatever I want even if I am miserable in that job. However, on the flip side of this, I’ve also heard that if I have a job I like then I never “work” a day in my life because of how much joy I would get out of it. I don’t like either of these sentiments. Whether you’re happy or not in the job that you have you will still work hard for it. I love art so much but even if I was a full-time artist I’d have to work hard on running my own small business. Also, creating a new artwork isn’t easy. It takes time and effort and energy just like everything else. The benefit of being a creator is that in the end, I have a finished piece of art that I can show people and talk about everything that went into it.

I leave this paper in good hands knowing it will thrive without me. The amount of time I have dedicated towards this and all the love I have poured into this art makes me really happy. I want to say thank you to Ben Reed (my deputy) who was my righthand man from the start. Without him this paper would not have happened at the beginning of this year and would not have stayed this solid throughout. Thank you Lucille for believing in me and all of us, guiding us through. Finally thank you to this year’s amazing staff who worked as a team in this wonderful collaboration we call the USM Free Press. For now it’s goodbye. I loved spending just over 800 hours in the last 3 years at this paper.

Kelly Ledsworth / Design Director Kelly in fall of 2020 with brown hair, then Kelly now 2023 with shorter pink hair.

Kelly Ledsworth / Design Director Kellys work station in the ceramics studio at the end of the school year.

Hello Tomorrow, Goodbye Yesterday A Warm Welcome From Next Years Editor-in-Chief Deklin Fitzgerald.

Deklin Fitzgerald Web Editor

body. A month into my freshman, for better or worse, my life took a turn. I found my friends or better described as a found family. I became a more active member of the Free Press and I started the journey down a path that would ultimately lead me to where I am now. Your new Editor-in-Chief.

Since January of 2023 I have been the Free Press Web Editor, or simply put as the little goblin behind the screen updating the website, the social media(s), and of course an Editor. When I am not dedicating my time to the paper with writing articles or capturing moments in photos, I am working towards my degree on a fast tracked pace. What does that entail? It means that I am not graduating at the same time as many of my peers. Instead I am seeking to graduate a year ahead of schedule.

When I am not with the Free Press I can either be found at: the South Portland Olive Garden as a host or busser every weekend, or behind the lens of a professional camera capturing photos as a hobby of mine. A hobby that I got into at the start of my freshman year of college.

the Free Press. To say the least, I think that might be me.

It is my plan to keep the momentum my predecessors have achieved, from the low the paper was at in September of 2022 into September of 2023. It is my plan to work tirelessly this summer towards completing my summer courses, garner a summer income, and finally work towards planning out and putting together the “welcome back” issue of the Free Press for the fall semester.

As of now I have a good editorial team lined up for next semester. A team that will work together to help make this paper run with ease. Our news editor position will be filled by Dakota Eddy; Our Sports editor will be filled by Rhiannon McQuaide; Our Director of Photography will be filled Will Fudge.

“You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise.”

- Maya Angelou

I can say that growing up in a small town high school, my teachers often preached that college is not for the faint of heart. That college professors are difficult, that they aren’t lenient, that they don’t care if you are sick. A due date is a due date, and as an adult it must be adhered to the T.

It has been because of Resilience that I have made it through my first year of college and without the typical amount of support that many of my peers have.

Growing up on the coast of Maine comes with the benefits of a cool ocean breeze and consistent access to the water. However, some of the disadvantages of growing up in the small town of Rockland is there are one to two people who know everyone.

When my freshman year started I went from being a known name to being a no-

Jacqueline Edmondson USM President

I applied for the Editor in Chief position because I knew I could do it. Something that I have been asked a dozen times in the last two months is “what is your plan after college?” My answer is that I want to be a War Correspondent. To quote something the current editor said the other day is that some people just “live and breathe”

Being a college freshman and having received the position of Web Editor earlier this semester and now Editor-in-Chief. I have been asked how I plan on accomplishing that goal. It has been a great experience, a wonderful opportunity, and I am truly glad to have been trusted with this paper.

To be frank my freshman year has not been the easiest in terms of stress, anxiety, and just learning how to navigate being a freshman in college. However, to quote a snippet of “Still I rise”, a poem about resilience by Maya Angelou.

To quote “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons. It is because of the Perseverance presented by the Editorial staff when the Free Press was without an Editor in Chief back in August of 2022, that it became “time to build from the bottom of the pit. Right to the top”, and from there a campus group rose “like air” to a well staffed paper. When our starting issue only had twelve pages with only four being in color. To a final piece with sixteen pages, and all sixteen of them are in color.

It is the resilience in Maya Angelou’s poem that resonates with me.

I am excited to be your new Editor in Chief; and with that the 2022/23 academic season comes to an end.

A Letter From Our President

This month marks one year since I was first announced as president of the University of Southern Maine. To say it has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of my life would be an understatement. My husband Michael and I have been so warmly welcomed. We are both humbled by the extraordinary people we have met, the strong commitment many have to our University, and the incredible potential of USM to transform lives and be a critical change agent in our region and beyond.

One of my greatest joys over this past year has been getting to know our students. Michael and I have attended sporting events, arts and theatre events, and other student activities. One of our great

joys is having students at the President’s House for dinners and special receptions. These moments allow us to learn more about where our students come from, what their experiences are like at USM, and what their hopes are. I am continually impressed by the talent, vision, and excellence I see in our students, and I find inspiration in the promise and commitment they bring to our community. One of the reasons I wanted to be president at the University of Southern Maine is because of the service promise of “student focused every day,” and I have consistently witnessed this commitment throughout the year. I am proud of the dedicated faculty and staff who intentionally create educational opportunities for our students, and I am humbled to see so many extend themselves in extraordinary ways to ensure our

students’ needs are met. I am also grateful to the many friends of our University who support scholarships and other philanthropic efforts that make a USM education

possible.

Michael and I have also enjoyed traveling throughout the great state of Maine. We find this place, our new home, to be so beautiful. We enjoy the rocky coasts, the sandy beaches, and the lakes, mountains, and trees. We plan to spend some time throughout the summer exploring areas we have not been able to visit yet.

As this semester, and my first year as your president, comes to a close, please know I am committed to your continued success and the future of our university. I invite you to reach out to me any time with your observations, stories, and suggestions as we work to ensure our community is a place where everyone can thrive and do their very best work.

Have a wonderful summer!

Photo courtesy of President Edmonson

Photo courtesy of Lila Weirich

A Portrait of Deklin Fitzgerald.

What’s Going On in Pop Culture

There is a lot “Popping” off in pop culture today, and don’t worry, I have tea. From Beyoncé’s extravagant Renaissance concert tickets costing a life savings, to AI being on the rise and creeping the entire population out with replications of their favorite artists’ voices, to the infamous festival called Coachella that all the known influencers go to, only to take five pictures pretending they are having the time of their lives and then renting an Airbnb instead of attending the actual festival. We have a lot to cover today, so let’s start right in!

Starting off with Beyoncé’s long awaited Renaissance tour, fans have been raving with excitement. Her new album, Renaissance, was released on July 29, 2022. The album, now certified platinum, was so beloved by fans that anticipation has built up for the upcoming tour.

I have to say I‘ve been preparing for this moment ever since the renaissance album came out.” Fans were surprised about the pricing here in the United States for Beyoncé’s concert tickets, but they were also surprised to hear how inexpensive the tickets are outside of the States. Some fans are even flying out of the country so they can see Bey for a more reasonable price! NBC News tells us that ticket prices can go from $800 in the United States to $200 for floor seats in London! They talked about how Kylyn Schnelle, a major Beyoncé fan, got to save tons of money by just leaving the country: “When Kylyn Schnelle, 28, looked at floor tickets for Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance World Tour’ stop in Louisville, Kentucky, where she lives, she found some seats that were being resold for over $800. Given the steep price tag, she decided to take a look at floor tickets in London to see whether she could find a better deal. ‘When I looked in London, it was 167 pounds [about $200], and the flight was, like, $660,’ she said. ‘I was like this is genuinely the same cost.’” Overall, it does look like fans will be enjoying Beyoncé’s long-awaited concert even if it is at the expense of their savings account. That’s how you know you really have one of the strongest fan bases in the world! Shout out to the Bey Hive!

Loren’s overall message to everyone who

Fans took to Twitter to talk about their excitement for the tour:

While fans are clearly extremely excited

In other news, it looks like the TRUTH has been exposed about the influencers and big names and what they really do while attending Coachella.

Coachella kicked off its annual celebrat ion last weekend on Friday April 21, 2023, and ended on Sunday, April 23, 2023. With a star-studded roster, the festival featured big names such as Frank Ocean, Bad Bunny and Blackpink. Many influencers and celebs were in attendance, including Kendall Jenner and her new boyfriend Bad Bunny, TikToker Charli D’Amilio with boyfriend Landon Barker, Francesca Farago from Netflix’s hit show Perfect Match, Youtube star David Dobrik, Instagram influencer Tana Mongeau, and of course, many more.

We all know that attending Coachella comes with many, many….. MANY photos showing that you were in attendance.

taking over the internet but now the music industry?! Everyone has heard of AI before, but not like this. Artificial intelligence is on the rise and people are starting to think that not only will it take working classes jobs, but also rappers’ and singers’. Lately, AI creators have been taking famous rappers’ and singers’ voices and creating never before heard songs which are immediately going viral! From Drake to Ice Spice and Coi Leray, AI is creating a whole new fan base with their voices. It has gotten to the point where record labels are doing everything they can to protect their artists. Vibe.com quoted a statement put out by Universal Music Group (UMG): “We have a moral and commercial responsibility to our artists to work to prevent the unauthorized use of their music and to stop platforms from ingesting content that violates the rights of artists and other creators.” According to Vibe Magazine, “Variety reported the process includes AI companies uploading music from the platforms into technology that allows bots to process the tracks and create songs or melodies in the same style.”

about the world tour, they are also very taken aback by the price of the tickets themselves! “If you still have a chance to get tickets, this is how much you need to be prepared to spend,” said one fan on TikTok. She shared that she spent $6,000 on securing tickets. “We had no choice. But

Although these photos are glamorous, tea got spilled that influencers do not even stay at Coachella when they go! Not only do they not stay but they literally just take pictures and go to their Airbnb mansions afterwards. TikToker and influencer Loren Gray had all the insight on what influencers really do while at Coachella. She referred to it as “The influencer Olympics.” (Rightfully so, as most of the influencers just show up for clout and to get their “bag” from whatever brand they got

invited by to attend the festival for free!)

“Most influencers, or a lot of influencers don’t even go to Coachella and I think that this is such a wild fact” she said. “They’ll go out to the desert, get on an Airbnb, stay with someone, get their outfits, get their makeup and post up Coachella day one, Coachella day 2, and they don’t even go to the festival! They don’t have wristbands! They just drive their little butts out to the desert to take Instagram photos, make TikToks and get ready with me’s.”

Word has it that the biggest music companies are now requesting streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and others to block AI companies from being able to upload music to their platforms and make a profit from the “fake” music. Musicians are also speaking out on how they want the copyright law to be changed when it comes to music and other artistry. Young Guru, an American audio engineer stated that “We have to add voice to this law. We have to learn from past mistakes. You would be a fool to chase every person that is going to do this. We learned that lesson with Napster. The only way I see to deal with it is to change the law. There are so many different opinions. We could change the United States law tomorrow but the internet is world wide. What a time we live in!”

Mykayla Hoggard Staff Writer

Album cover art for “Renaissance” by Carlijn

Influencer photos from Coachella Via. Instagram & paparazzi.

Photo courtesy of Carlijn Jacobs on instagram

Music by Bryan Bielanski Super Happy Fun Time Three

Cammie Breuer Staff Writer

Singer, songwriter, and musician Bryan Bielanski has just released his third album, Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time 3. He has been playing guitar and making music since he was a teenager. In his many years of being on tour he has been all over the world, traveling everywhere from Canada to China to Costa Rica. Bielanski is inspired and influenced by a wide variety of artists and rock bands from the ‘60’s and ‘90’s, which he categorizes as “golden ages” in music. Having grown up listening to those artists, his musical sound is influenced by musical icons of the ‘60’s like Elvis Presley and the Beatles, as well as 90’s rock bands like Nirvana, Weezer, and Green Day.

Bielanski’s own music is a unique mix of pop and modern folk. With catchy lyrics, pop rock, and an upbeat melody, listening to his music will make you feel like you are having a happy and fun time with nothing but good vibes all around. The overall vibe of the album is catchy and you cannot help but tap your foot along. With it being

the third “Happy Fun Time” album, it had to have more joy and energy than before. He used his time in between shows on his 2022 tour for Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time 2 to work on creating this new album. Bielanski explained in an interview with the Free Press that the vision going into this album was to give fans what they wanted. More happy, fun times, more pop culture references, and covers. A staple of a Bryan Bielanski song is a good old fashioned pop culture reference. With them being fan favorites, Bielanski ensured that he bumped up the amount of references in this album. This album included a fun and flirty song called “Star Wars Marathon” where he makes references to a bunch of beloved characters from all episodes I-IX. However, not every song on the album is a Bielanski original. He often performs covers of some of his favorite songs. For the first time ever he has included a select few on his new album, including two absolute classics, “All the Small Things” by Blink-182 and “Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears. Just like

his originals, you couldn’t help but sing and dance along to these songs.

Despite having toured five of the world’s continents, he has never performed in Maine until now. This summer Bielanski will be performing at the Saint George River Cafe in Warren, Maine on Tuesday, June 20. In his goal to perform in all 50 states, Maine will mark #47, and as a Steven King fan he is excited to visit the author’s home state. If you’re unable to attend the concert, you can catch Bielanski on 90.9 WMPG in a pre-concert appearance. Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time 3 is also available to stream on both Spotify and Apple Music.

**To stay up to date with Bielanski’s appearance at WMPG, check out our website or follow us on social media**

https://usmfreepress.org/category/arts-culture/ Instagram: @usmfreepress

Got The Grad Hat

in either a high school or college setting, which the masters program would afford me, though I feel comfortable enough to work in the mental health field that is not either of those should I need to. Such would likely be the case if I did not finish my master’s immediately.

all close in my heart for being there with me in the weirdest time to start college (and even a really weird time for the world).

Hello, Free Press readers! My name is Ben Reed, and I have been the Arts & Culture Editor of The Free Press for this whole academic year. Previously, I was simply a staff writer, and wrote a column called, “Ben There, Done That.” As you’re probably aware, that is the name of this current article you’re reading via the graphic above. This is my final act for the Ben There, Done That column. For now.

I am graduating on May 6 with the Class of 2023, and am on track to enroll in USM’s masters program for counseling for the next few years. For me in my experience, I call this the end of the “mandatory” part of college–I have my bachelors, and everything else is now “optional.” My end goal is to be a mental health counselor

Thus, I am living and thinking of my college experience as though it ends in the first week of May this year. In the three years I have attended USM for undergraduate school, it has been transformative, as well as informative of who I am. I graduated high school in 2020 in what I refer to as “peak-pandy” time. COVID precautions were huge, while campus life was not. Despite this, I have appreciated my first year of college living in Robie Andrews for what it was. Through all of the masking, COVID testing, and quarantine protocols, I still managed to find my footing with a great group of friends that I met through happenstance. During the three-day post-move-in quarantine period, I walked past an area of the building where the windows faced each other, and these kids stuck their heads out and were chit-chatting with each other. I remember standing outside, and staring up at the cacophony of faces and open windows as I went around and introduced myself to all of them. I spent a majority of my first year with them out on the blue square of pavement by the sand volleyball court on the Gorham campus. Every night, the Blue Square group would meet out there, and we’d talk about anything and everything in the dark, well into the winds of November. Even though we have mostly disbanded and don’t see each other as much, I keep them

Since that first year, I have navigated through online class after online class with the Social & Behavioral Sciences department, while living in an in-person world. I struggled a lot in my second year with finding community in general. All of my friends suddenly had in-person classes, which barred them at times to hang out beyond class within my wide-open schedule. With a strong backing of community suddenly fraying, I threw myself into activities and clubs around campus, such as becoming a residential assistant (RA) on the Gorham campus, writing for The Free Press, playing with the men’s club volleyball team, and giving tours as a student ambassador. I didn’t know that community was that important to me until I sat through the discomfort of not having people around me.

When I look back on prior installments of Ben There, Done That, I cringe, though I am also thankful. The Ben that wrote those columns was going through it. He was not doing too well, and didn’t quite have as clear of a picture of who Ben Reed was compared to now. This may sound a little reminiscent of those sob stories, but this is now my version of summiting Everest, or basically just overcoming something really hard. College is one of those really hard things, and factors such as mental health struggles do not make it easier. Sitting in the discomfort, and learning more about how I think and how I feel helped a lot to get here. In sitting alone with myself, I

learned that I need a good sense of community of friends and colleagues in these groups to thrive. Although my schedule has looked like a coloring book with all of the different color-coded entries, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with other students that have since become my community at USM.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is that college, regardless of where you go, is hard. Acknowledge that it’s hard, for whatever reason. For me, it was realizing that I didn’t have as strong of a personal community as I had in the past. For me, graduating with my bachelor’s not only reflects the completion of my degree program, but also reveres this era of my life, where I overcame a lot of personal hardships, and learned more about myself. The symbolism of getting my physical degree also encapsulates a participation trophy of the best kind; it says, “I went and did this really hard thing that challenged me personally, more than anything else.” The certificate reflects that climbing this hill was not as easy or smooth sailing as it looks. Regardless of anyone’s experience, there is always something that has tripped us up on our way here. For others, it may be the academic component, paying for college, mental health struggles, family emergencies. It could really be anything. The idea of being handed my degree on stage seems a lot like Neil Armstrong planting the flag on the moon. It took a lot of time and energy to get to the moon, but the image of the American flag planted there–just the same as the thought of walking across the stage and getting my degree–reflects so much more than just the flag. Ben out.

Ben Reed Arts & Culture Editor

Kelly Ledsworth / Design Director

use to.

Please enjoy this zine that you can cut out and fold into your own little book. This was inspired by my own struggles with depression and the feelings of not enjoying what you

US,

The Next Chapter of USM is Here

The past, present and future: what happened this year and what will be next for USM

Doug Banks News Editor

This past school year saw changes that we will not see the results of until next semester and beyond. To borrow an overused metaphor, this semester was spent planting the seeds for the flowers that will bloom in the future. It was an interesting endeavor to sit back and watch all of these changes occur over the last seven to eight months - watching people within the Student Government and USM community who were driven by school pride and ambition trying to make a difference knowing next year will be a new and unknown chapter in USM’s history. Whether this new chapter will be the start of new adventures, or the last page before the back cover, the outcome will rely solely on you.

It would be delusional of me to believe this past school year was different from the rest. I only gave myself time to think upon that belief because I actually paid attention to what was happening outside of my own life. If I actually did pay attention to what was around me, I’d say the school year we all had to go home because of COVID would be the most extreme version of “different.” Because in 2020 I was a person who took pride in being an outcast, an anomaly, an enigma, as opposed to the person I am now who actually cares about the people here at USM, all I can do is wish I hadn’t waited so long to pay attention. With that in mind, what facts I can write about are the events that transpired from September, 2022 to April, 2023, and why those events had to happen, how these things will affect the future of USM, and about the people who are behind these changes meant to set USM apart from the rest of Maine’s institutions.

When you decide to read this, whether it’s April of 2023 or September of next semester, understand that even if 2022-2023 brought back what college used to be before the pandemic, this past school year was in fact some form of “different” whether you recognized it or not. For the ones who know this already, then allow this to be a recap for you. For the ones who are unaware then let this serve as a time-capsule of a time when USM students were riddled with the contradictions of hope and uncertainty while the students who were graduating were jealous they couldn’t stick around to see what happens.

Let’s start with the Student Activity Fees. Back in March, two changes were made to the structure of how those fees are applied to students. One was changing how much a student is charged. The original structure of $40 for 0-5.99 credits, $60 for 6-11.99 credits, and $80 for 12+ credits was changed to $5 per credit hour. The other change was including all undergraduate students who are on-campus, commuter, online, and everyone in between to be represented by the Student Government Association (SGA) and pay the student activity fee when originally the fee only applied to students who took classes in-person. It’s important to note that these two proposals were created by the SGA and brought to the attention of students by email from Director of Student Engagement & Leadership David Lewis. From there, USM students voted via Google Forms on whether or not they wanted this to happen. Did both referendums pass unanimously? No. Was it a close call? Not really.

The reason for these changes may not be a direct result of the lowering enrollment numbers over the past few years, but instead were designed for students who

found it better to live off-campus after COVID. Over 50% of students enrolled at USM commute to their classes or are strictly on-line students; they originally didn’t have to pay the student activity fee which prohibited them from joining clubs. Now that they will be paying the student activity fee, they won’t be turned away. “We are going to be able to support all of our undergraduate students, and not say yes to a few and no to others,” said Lewis. “We are going to be that ultimate resource for all students. That has been the goal for several years for SGA, and it definitely takes time. With the successful referendum, there is a good platform for next year and a new student leadership to truly support all of our undergraduate students.”

When it comes to the decreasing enrollment numbers, this is not an issue that is happening uniquely to USM, it is happening to all four-year universities across Maine–except for the University of Presque Isle, for some reason. There are many speculations as to why this is happening. One of the beliefs is the “2025 Enrollment Cliff,” a domino effect of the Great Recession of late 2007 to 2009 and how there will be fewer college-age students in 2025. The other potential cause for low enrollment in four-year universities is the fact that community colleges in Maine offer free tuition for students. Because of this, students in Maine now see the possibility of attending a community college like Central Maine or Southern Maine Community College for two years to get all of their core classes out of the way and get an Associates Degree, then transfer to a school like USM and spend two years taking classes for their major and only pay the price for two years of school.

This route is becoming the most cost effective way to go to school. With growing inflation and the bill for student loan relief going nowhere in Washington, why would a student pass this up? Even though USM can’t change their financial structure to offer free tuition, what USM can offer is a student-focused experience with a multitude of educational platforms. I attended Central Maine Community College (CMCC) before coming to USM and for me personally, USM is more connected with and compassionate for the students than at CMCC. During my time at CMCC, I found it difficult to connect with faculty and tutoring services, and if it wasn’t for their TRIO program, I most likely would’ve been stuck there for much longer then I wanted to be. Even with CMCC being a much smaller school in terms of enrollment, USM offers far better services for students that need help in school or finding a place for community and connection.

In order for USM to not fall into the same rut that other universities have found themselves in when it comes to enrollment, they have been campaigning with a “Student Focused Every Day” promise for students. USM President Jacqueline Edmondson says that this promise has and will situate USM in a direction that will see the school succeed for years to come. “The University of Southern Maine has a service commitment of Student Focused Every Day and that is evident in the high experiences students can access here,whether it is through our advising offices, our student life experiences, or the many other clubs, sports, and activities they can engage in,” said President Edmondson. “But one of the most important reasons students should choose USM is because of the excellent academic programs we offer and the broad array of majors and minors that will help them realize their goals. We have extraordinary fac-

ulty who are committed to student success and faculty who are here because they care about the students we serve.”

Aside from enrollment, during the SGA meetings this past school year a common trend was a lack of funds for the SGA as a whole and the clubs under the SGA and the Board of Student Organizations (BSO). The BSO is the organization that governs the student clubs and groups while also reporting to the SGA when it comes to big decisions with their constitution and money. One instance in particular was back in January when American Sign Language (ASL) Club President Maia DeRosear came to a Student Senate meeting asking for $2,625 from the SGA to help fund their 19th annual Maine Deaf Film Festival. In the past the ASL Club received $5,000 from the SGA for the festival, but with the lack of funds the SGA could give out she asked for $2,625 from the SGA. After long deliberation between the SGA, DeRosear, and the BSO’s Vice President, the SGA could only give the festival $500. I might be terrible at math but $500 is severely less than $2,625, let alone $5,000. The SGA stressed to DeRosear that they are not ignoring the importance of this festival, but that the SGA and BSO have a lack of money to give out at this time and that every club should make room for the adjustments that are coming with this lack of funds.

Nevertheless, the 19th annual Maine Deaf Film Festival took place on April 22nd. Four days after the festival, DeRosear spoke about the adjustments that had to be made. “We had to think a lot more critically about our resources, where we could seek additional funding, and we had to cut certain costs to allocate money to other aspects of the festival. When seeking funding, we found that like USM, every organization is lacking funding. We were able to get lots of food donations, and interpreters will volunteer their time to make MDFF accessible to everyone. We made some really cool connections with the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) and reached out to the Deaf community, but we only received a few small donations. Many organizations were shocked at USM’s lack of funding for the Maine Deaf Film Festival,” DeRosear said. “In addition to this, later in the semester, when BSO had already minimized the amount of funds allocated to different organizations (including myself, and a few other campus groups), their budget suddenly jumped from $8,000 for the semester to over $15,000. No clubs were told there was additional funding and instead we continued to use our own funding instead of the USM money allocated towards BSO. I don’t know what happened or how they got this money, but I would have liked to see BSO reach out to clubs and see if they were still seeking more funds.”

The cause behind both the lack of funding and the miscommunication on what funding is available is the faceless villain USM is battling. Maybe it’s not a faceless villain, but instead they just don’t want to tell me what’s actually going on. On the surface, USM is thriving with new buildings and celebrity funding from Tony Shaloub, but when I talk to students and go to these senate meetings, on some level they’re fighting to keep USM afloat for the students. While these individuals are overwhelmed by this anxiety, on the surface they’re all cool, calm, and collected about the new direction USM is heading.

momentary high isn’t worth the debt.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

You don’t need to act tough to get what you want. Allow yourself to be a little vulnerable to get what you truly need.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

You’re ready to be the best person you can be, so brainstorm how you can show yourself in the best light.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

You’ll have a tough time speaking up when a friend crosses an emotional line. Set stronger boundaries, Cancer.

Level of difficulty: Medium

The object of a sudoku is to fill in the remaining squares so that every row, every every 3 × 3 box of the numbers

Sudoku

You might have a hard time keeping emotions and personal feelings out of the office, especially when you have to hear some tough criticism.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

Private emotions could have you feeling isolated from others. You’ll need a lot of time to sort out your feelings before putting them into words.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

You’re ready to follow your goals and dreams. This is a great day to change careers, switch jobs, or even start your own business.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

You’re in a battle between your heart and your head about what you really want and where you want to be. Don’t make any hasty decisions today.

Word Search

flowers bees

beach surfing camping waterpark

ice cream

lemonade

sun beach ball sandcastle boating swimming shark fishies flipflops bonfire

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

You’ll have a hard time staying focused with all your big feelings. Allow yourself to sit with your emotions and take a mental health day.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

Take charge today, Capricorn, and take a stand for what you believe in even if others may disagree.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Spend the weekend getting your home in order by creating better habits. Invest in your home and make some needed repairs.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

You’ll have everything going for you if you just use your voice. Speaking your truth will give you a big reward later.

Evil Dead Rise

Ben Reed Arts & Culture Editor

Evil Dead Rise is the latest installment to the legendary demonic possession horror franchise, Evil Dead. The franchise has mainly delved into the presence of “deadites,” or a parasitic demon that plagues the people around it to possess them as well. The story in each of the franchise’s films remains to be rather uniform, with the involvement of a Book of the Dead being misused, and summoning a horde of deadites to hunt down the characters on screen. Evil Dead Rise follows three children and their distanced aunt as they uncover the Book of the Dead, and fight the demons that begin to possess their mother. With discussion of parts of the film, I’ll caution readers waiting to see the movie with a light spoiler alert.

I have never seen any of the Evil Dead films, and went to see this on recommendation from a friend, who knew I’d write this very review about it for The Free Press. Although I skipped five other movies worth of lore and mythology, this movie did not disappoint in the slightest. The opening sequence has received a lot of attention for the placement of the title card, featuring a deadite levitating over a lake after killing the film’s first victims, with the title rising up from behind the trees. The gruesomeness of the opening sequence laid the foundation for the rest of the film. The amount of violence presented was expected, though the production team was very creative in the way they went about each kill. The creativity of the gore was cringe-worthy, but the kind you’d want out of a horror movie if you like to be scared.

Where the mother, Ellie, played by Alyssa Sutherland, was the main antagonist of the movie, a lot of the cat-andmouse elements were explored through the relationship between mother and children. The three children, whose ages ranged from nine to adolescence, allowed for different levels of intensity with Sutherland’s character in the way she interacted with her children. With the youngest daughter, Kassie, a lot of emphasis is placed on the motherly, nurturing relationship that is present between a mother and their young children. Under the control of the deadite, Ellie’s character builds upon this close relationship to have Kassie unwittingly aid the deadite in getting closer to the children, such as unlocking the door that keeps them apart, for example. I thought that this was a predictable, yet well executed element to the storyline that used the motherly

Event listings

May 1, 2023 - May 5, 2023

Graduation Cap Decorating

Lower Brooks, Gorham Campus

2nd Floor Abromson, Portland Campus

9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M.

May 1, 2023

By The Slice

The ROCC Spot, Gorham Campus

5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M

May 2, 2023

Natural Selection

Southworth-Planetarium Science Building, Portland Campus

1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.

$6.00 - $6.50

May 2, 2023

Communication and Media Studies Academic Film Showcase

Talbot Lecture Hall-Luther Bonney, Portland campus

5:00 P.M - 7:00 P.M.

figure to its fullest capacity. One line that stands out from the movie is one that the deadite says from Ellie’s body to the children: “Mommy is with the maggots now.” As a horror movie fanatic myself, this is an example of dialogue within a horror movie that makes me excited to watch movies like this.

This movie is one for horror movie fans. If you are someone who doesn’t like horror movies, stay away. If you enjoy a good horror movie, but cannot handle a lot of gore or novel violence, then proceed with caution. Seeing this in the theater with a friend had me balancing the dark tone of the movie with my own lighthearted humor by cracking jokes to my fellow movie-goer about the events on screen. According to my own Letterboxd review of this movie, “This one is for the [horror movie] FREAKS, I see.” Although the plot of Evil Dead Rise is excellent in my opinion, and could really be a standalone movie, the violence would be enough for those who are squeamish at the sight of blood to hold off on seeing this flick.

May 7, 2023

School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Sullivan Gym, Portland Campus

Doors open at 10:00 A.M.

Ceremony 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

May 12, 2023 - May 14, 2023

Visit to the Good Life Center

The Good Life Center, Brooksville, Maine

Contact sage.tocci@maine.edu with questions or interest

10:00 A.M. Friday - 4:00 P.M Sunday

Want to submit an event?

arts@usmfreepress.org

Photo courtesy of IMBD.com

One Cup at a Time The Food Waste Crisis at USM

Dakota Eddy Community Editor

As an out-of-state student, during your first time in a new state you often spend a fair amount of time comparing and contrasting the differences between your home and your new surroundings. Being born and raised in Vermont with little knowledge of life in other states, the first things I noticed about USM were the blue recycling and trash bins. Ever since I was in elementary school, Vermonters have had a separate bin for our food scraps for compost. This was especially apparent working in a fast food restaurant when our manager had told us the restaurant was going to get fined if we didn’t properly sort the compost. It was never something that any of us put too much thought into–it was always there. So, why is this not being done at USM?

On all three campuses, and even offering support online, USM has many different projects going on through the Office of Sustainability, directed by Aaron Witham. The goal of the Sustainability office is to mitigate impact on the environment while also providing education and support. If you’ve ever been to The Free Store in Lower Brooks, you’ve participated in a Sustainability project run by Eco-Reps. Eco-Reps are student workers, whether that be through work-study, internship, or volunteering, and they focus on different projects around sustainability on campus.

The Pollinator Garden on the Portland campus between Luther Bonney and Payson Smith is managed by EcoReps that are specifically called Pollinator Garden Specialists. “They’re installing native plants, they are doing research about relationships between plants and pollinators,” said Witham. “They’re looking at how plants and native habitat can help people with mental health issues.”

Another group of Eco-Reps are focused on transportation sustainability. They encourage people to carpool, take

the bus, bike, or walk more frequently to help the environment. Alongside the Eco-Reps working at The Free Store and in residential halls, this group of Eco-Reps are also just focused on providing general information about sustainability to students.

The Eco-Reps are also overseen by Steven Sweeney, the Resource Recovery Supervisor. Sweeney specifically is in charge of trash and recycling programs, along with composting on all three campuses.

“I’m totally cool with Vermont’s composting laws,” said Sweeney, “but public composting just doesn’t work here.” Currently, the only composting being done at USM is through Sodexo, at Brooks Dining Hall and the cafés in Luther Bonney and Bailey Hall. The employees are responsible for separating the food waste from trash and recycling, which is then picked up by Garbage to Garden, a curbside composting service operating in parts of Maine and Massachusetts as well. One-third of all the food served at USM becomes waste, and so far, we have produced 73.3 tons of food waste this year. Pre-COVID, USM had collected over 108 tons of food waste in 2019.

Sweeney explains that public composting hasn’t worked on campus because there aren’t enough students that care. As soon as one plastic silverware ends up in a compost bin, it’s contaminated. While public composting hasn’t shown signs of success, volunteer composting has. Currently, people in Wishcamper Center have expressed an interest in composting, so Sweeney gives them a Garbage to Garden bucket with instructions on where to bring the scraps when filled. Before construction started where the Woodbury Campus Center used to be, people there also participated in composting. Similar projects have been conducted in the past by USM students in their own residential dorms. While this doesn’t bring in a lot of food waste, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

There have been a few small changes attempting to reduce the amount of food being wasted at the dining hall specifically. One of these improvements was getting rid of the trays students used to carry their plates of food. “We noticed that with these trays, students were piling as much food as they could, and they wouldn’t eat it all,” said Sweeney. Since the change to smaller plates, students are less likely to over-fill their plates, reducing the amount of waste. Ideally, according to Sweeney, USM should shift away from the buffet-style to further cut back on food waste: “But that’s what the students want.”

Another thing that many students aren’t aware of is that if they bring their own reusable cup to the cafés on campus, they will receive a discount on their coffee. Sweeney says this is due to the cost of packaging, manufacturing, and transporting these coffee cups. To bring more attention to this, Sweeney built the large sculpture made from coffee cups seen in Luther Bonney.

One of the unique things about the blue trash and recycling bins is the liquid waste compartment which reduces a lot of weight being thrown into the trash. By reducing the amount of weight in our trash, we are saving space and money, as these liquids can be poured down the drain without any cost.

Sweeney had hand dryers installed in the bathrooms a while back to cut down on the amount of money USM spends on paper towels, including transportation, as well as save on the amount of paper towels going into the trash.

The staff at USM can only do so much. We, as students,

need to take responsibility for our waste and do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint. While USM has made the commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040, as individuals we need to accept that we have a part in this as well, and we can take steps now to help.

“Don’t get discouraged,” Witham said. “Just start with one thing you can make a difference on. If you’re lucky enough where you have the space, see if you can plant some native wildflowers. If you’re somebody who doesn’t have control over that, maybe you can compost with a worm-composting system.” Red Wiggler Worms are available online, which is a great way to start composting at home. “Just think of one thing you can make a difference on in your daily life, and focus on that one thing.”

“Everyone can make a difference one cup at a time, one bottle at a time,” said Sweeney. “The more we do in recycling and composting, the more money and resources we save. Think about what you want future generations to have.”

To get involved, contact the Office of Sustainability through the USM website or by emailing Aaron Witham at aaron.z.witham@maine.edu, or calling them at 207753-6507 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

A big coffee cup made of recyclable coffee cups.

Will Fudge / Director of Photography

A close up of the big coffee cup sculpture.

Will Fudge / Director of Photography

A Year in Review

Cammie Breuer / Staff Photographer Husky Fest kicked off the beginning of the academic year.

Deklin Fitzgerald / Web Editor Bushes trimed into the letters U.S.M. covered in Snow.

Will Fudge / Director of Photography Husky Fest kicked off the beginning of the academic year.

Will Fudge / Director of Photography A map of the world with flag shaped pins at the cultural fest.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Furrugia Baked goods donated by Panera Bread to the USM Oakhurst Campus Food Pantry.

(Left to right) Ielaf Khalil, Norrie Crocker, Montana Kalian, Bianca Arcencio unveil the USM Peer Career Guide. Cammie Breuer / Staff Photographer Homecoming weekend minigolf on the USM Gorham Campus.

Photo courtesy of French’s Fotos

Photo courtesy of USM office of Peer Career Guide

The cast of Into The Woods preforming on stage.

Kelly Ledsworth / Design Director

Photo courtesy of Haley Rice

The USM Free Press Editorial board along with Lucille Seigler our office manager. From left to right (Top row) Deklin Fitzgerald, Will Fudge, Doug Banks, Ben Reed. (Lower row) Kelly Ledsworth, Lucille Siegler, Dakota Eddy.

Deklin Fitzgerald / Web Editor Doug Banks after winning the first prompt in a creative writing contest.

Will Fudge / Director of Photography

A view of the USM Fall Craft fair.

Eydie May, DJ at WMPG. Detail shot of a vintage button at WMPG’s 27th Annual Fat Tuesday party.

Will Fudge / Director of Photography Kelly Ledsworth in front of their large ceramic rabbit at the USM student Juried Show.

Embracing Change and Preparing for Future Transitions

Transitions are an integral part of life: the changing of the seasons, moving, ending of relationships, the end of an academic year, changing jobs, and graduating college. Small or large, life transitions have the potential to become significant memories and milestones. While these transitions can often be positive and sometimes exciting, they are inherently a change, requiring adjustment. It is perfectly normal to anticipate a significant change with a mix of emotions such as excitement but also trepidation.

To embrace change and better prepare for future transitions, consider these 14 strategies:

1. Prepare: Identify the tasks needed for the upcoming change. Break those tasks into smaller steps, prioritize the order in which to address them, and create manageable action steps that keep you moving forward toward your goals.

2. Identify your values and long-term life goals: What is important to you as you move forward in your life? This identification can help improve focus and motivation related to what you are working toward.

3. Expect to feel uncomfortable: Acknowledge that change can be challenging and that it’s normal to feel uneasy during the adjustment period.

4. Take care of yourself and establish new daily routines as soon as pos-

sible: This provides a foundation of stability amidst the change and contributes to overall well-being.

5. Reach out and connect with your supports: Remember you are not alone, even if your support network is far away. Maintain connections with friends, family, and mentors to create a strong network.

6. Acknowledge what has been lost or left behind: Practice self-compassion, making space for grief, and allowing yourself to process emotions related to the change.

7. Adjust your perspective: How we interpret change can impact how difficult it will be. Try to view transitions as opportunities for growth and development, rather than focusing solely on the challenges.

8. Stay organized: Develop a system to keep track of important tasks, appointments, and goals. Staying organized can help reduce stress and increase your sense of control during transitions.

9. Learn from past experiences: Reflect on previous transitions and identify what worked well and what didn’t. Apply these lessons to future changes.

10. Embrace flexibility: Be open to modifying your plans and expectations as needed. Adaptability is a key component of navigating transitions suc-

cessfully.

11. Celebrate accomplishments: Recognize and reward yourself for making progress during transitions. Celebrating achievements, no matter how small, can boost your confidence and motivation.

12. Practice patience: Adjusting to change takes time. Be patient with yourself as you navigate the transition and try not to judge yourself too harshly.

13. Seek out new opportunities: Embrace the change as a chance to explore new interests, hobbies, or social connections. Engaging in new activities can help you develop a sense of belonging in your new environment.

14. Develop coping skills: Cultivate healthy coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing, journaling, or seeking support from a therapist or counselor, to manage stress and emotions related to transitions.

By embracing change and incorporating these 14 strategies, you can effectively prepare for future transitions and thrive in various aspects of your life. Cultivating resilience, staying connected, and maintaining a growth mindset will serve as valuable tools as you navigate the ever-changing landscape of life. Remember, each transition is an opportunity to learn and grow, shaping you into the person you are meant to become.

“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus

Anna Gowdy LCPC, LADC

Party Smart & Party Safe

Mykayla Hoggard Staff Writer

We all know that everyone loves a good party–the music, the dancing, the vibes and making friends! But if substances are involved, it is always a smart idea to be aware and take precautions so that everyone has a safe and fun night!

Know Your Limits

When you’re out drinking with friends it is very easy to lose track of how much you are drinking. You’re enjoying the music you’re listening to, you’re playing games, you’re just having a great time being out with your friends. Sometimes it is easy to forget how many drinks you’ve had until the last minute. Sometimes it can not only make us feel sick in the morning but it can also make us do things that we would regret very easily. One way to help this situation is to know your limit! As a veteran in the party scene, knowing my limits not only saved me from being sick in the morning but it also saved me from having any regrets and embarrassing moments. One way that I practice knowing my limits is to be conscious of myself and how I am feeling. You can tell when you are starting to feel a lot more under the influence than you’d like. Pay attention to your body–if you’re sweating a lot, using the bathroom a lot, or engaging in a lot of impulsive actions that you normally wouldn’t do. These could possibly mean that you have had a little too much. Another way that I am learning to limit myself with my drinking is to have water in between my first, second, or even third (but that’s pushing it for me personally) drinks. When you have water along with your drinks it hydrates your body and it prevents a hangover. One last way that I practice knowing my limit is to eat a good meal before I drink, and also eat an even better meal after I drink! You should never–and I repeat NEVER–drink on an empty stom -

ach! The reason why this is the last thing you want to do is because when you drink on an empty stomach the alcohol you drink will get absorbed way too quickly causing you to become intoxicated faster than you would want. And no, this doesn’t mean eating one package of ramen noodles, or one slice of pizza. You need to have a carb-filled meal. One of my favorite meals to have before a night of drinking would have to be any type of pasta, a full meal with chicken and a vegetable, or even some oatmeal.

Know Who You’re With

When it comes to going out and partying you want to make sure that you are with people you trust–people that will not leave you alone anywhere, will not treat you badly if you do happen to have too much to drink, and will be by your side if you ever feel uncomfortable. There are many scenarios that can happen when you go out to a party. You want to make sure that you go out with people that will NOT leave you alone. It’s very important to stick with the people you came with and leave with them as well, even if you’re the only one who wants to leave or vice versa. My rule is to always leave with who I came with, even if it means leaving early or staying a bit longer. An alternative option is to call someone you know to come get you or to stay with the person who wants to leave. The goal is to never leave ANYONE behind.

Of course, you always want to make sure that you are helping out the people you came with as well. This means that if they ever feel uncomfortable, have had too much, or feel like they want to leave, you will be by their side. This way, everyone feels included and safe.

Have a Sober Driver

Lastly, the most important part of going out for a party or a night on the town is getting

back home safe! It is important to ALWAYS have a sober driver. This is important because you want to make sure that everyone you came with gets back home safe and well. NEVER get into a car with someone who has been drinking. This seems like the most basic rule but believe it or not a lot of people do not follow it. They either get into the car with someone who says “I’m fine” or “I’ve only had one drink,” or they themselves have been drinking and decide to get behind the wheel. This not only jeopardizes their life but also other people’s lives! Either have someone on call or simply call an Uber. Driving drunk, buzzed, or having someone give you a ride home who is either of those things is NEVER worth it and could cost you your life or your friend’s life. Overall, partying is fun. But it’s important to be smart and put safety first! I always make sure that I am making the right decisions while I’m having a good time and enjoying myself.

Stay safe, stay smart, and happy partying!

BESAFE

Kelly Ledsworth / Design Director

Rhiannon McQuaide Staff Writer

This Week in Sports

The Countdown Until Tournament Play is On.

The women’s lacrosse team has played all but one of their seven conference games, earning five wins along the way. They currently boast the third best record in the Little East Conference (LEC) behind Plymouth State (2nd) and Western Connecticut University (1st) who they will face on March 29. With leadership from powerhouse attacker Rachel Shanks (56 goals) and dependable goalkeeper Cece Racine (5x LEC Goalie of the Week), the Huskies will be strong contenders for this season’s LEC Championship title.

The men’s lacrosse team sits seventh in theLEC, tallying two wins in seven conference games. Despite not achieving the record they had hoped for, numerous Huskies have earned impressive numbers on the stats sheet, including seniors Nick James (41 goals) and Omar Contrearas (33), and junior Schuyler Wetmore (37).

The women’s softball team has collected six wins in the ten conference games they have played so far this season. In the LEC, the Huskies currently hold the best fielding average and the second-best pitching average as a result of talented pitching tandem Lauren Merill (2.39 ERA) and Lexus McIntosh (2.26 ERA). They enter tournament play on May 11 and look to capture the title after finishing in second place last year.

The men’s baseball team currently sits in fourth place in the LEC, winning seven of the eleven conference games they have played so far this season. They begin tournament play on May 10 where they will battle for another LEC title after bringing one home in 2021. Jason Komulainen leads the team with a .329 batting average and 18 RBIs, while junior pitcher Bryce Afthim has an earned-runs-average of under 3 in 48 innings.

USM Athletes Prioritizing Mental Health

Rhiannon McQuaide Staff Writer

It’s no secret that playing a collegiate sport requires athletes to be at the pinnacle of physical health. However, in recent years, it’s become apparent that in order for athletes to reach peak performance, they must acknowledge and prioritize their mental health too. USM’s Athletic Department and Mental Performance Coach

Jim Karcanes are on a mission to end the stigma around mental illness in athletics here at USM by encouraging more athletes to seek help when they need it.

Karcanes works with student-athletes to ensure that their mental health is on par with their physical health because he believes the two are equally important for ensuring that athletes perform to the best of their ability. On top of busy sports schedules, college athletes are full-time students. Combined, these two commitments can cause a lot of stress. Karcanes advises that the best way for student-athletes to manage stress is to focus on

what they have control over rather than what they don’t. These include “the amount of sleep that they get each night, their physical activity level, the people and influences they surround themselves with, the amount of time spent on social media, and how they prioritize and meet their obligations.”

Jim commends the effort USM has put into the counseling center in the past couple of years, including offering a wide range of programs and events for all students and faculty to participate in that promote mental health. The Athletic Department has followed suit by offering more resources and opportunities for athletes to improve their mental well-being. Karcanes himself is one of these key resources– he holds open office hours for student-athletes to work out problems they may be facing as well as to learn mental health skills and coping strategies. He also holds a Mindfulness for Athletes class on Monday evenings where he helps athletes work through anxiety, improve focus, and master the skill of

being present. He also works with teams on team building, conflict management, and goal-setting.

When a college athlete is injured, there are infinite resources available to them for getting better. This hasn’t always been the case with mental injuries however, as in the past there has been a stigma around college athletes discussing their mental state with coaches and teammates. Jim is hopeful that eventually visiting a counselor to discuss mental health will be as normalized as visiting the athletic trainer for an injury. “I’m not sure we can ever really end the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health concerns,” Jim states. “I do believe, however, that when prominent athletes start to speak up and share their mental health struggles–thus making it seem normal–other athletes may feel more comfortable seeking help.”

Photo courtesy of Little East Conference

Little East Conference Logo.