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girls who skate Kian Deshler kian.deshler@uvm.edu

The sun dipped lower into the Adirondacks, casting a golden glow on the skaters.

Sophomore Ivana Djiya and junior Abby Trombley rolled up in a 2008 Subaru Outback, hopped out, dropped their boards on the sidewalk and glided straight into the bowl.

Djiya, Trombley and junior Paige Van Patten are three of the

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female skaters who frequent the Andy A. Dog Skate Park on Waterfront North.

Four years ago, Burlington invested $1.75 million in the construction of the park.

Today, the park continues to attract countless skateboarders.

The park’s creation has also been a catalyst for women to gain confidence and find empowerment through skating, although the journey hasn’t always been smooth.

Djiya reflected on the percep-

@vermontcynic

tion of skaters in her home state of Pennsylvania.

“Back in my hometown, skaters are seen as degenerates and lowlifes,” she said. “I feel like the common stereotype [of skaters] is more negative, like a counterculture.

They don’t respect people or authority, but in the Burlington scene, it’s completely different. People are motivated.”

The video game “Rocketpower” was Djiya’s first exposure to skating when she was younger, she said.

instagram.com/ vermontcynic

“I always tried doing it in high school, but my friends were whack so they never wanted to do it with me,” Djiya said. “I started the summer after senior year and I love it.

I’m obsessed now.”

Djiya recalled her first experience coming to A-Dog Skate Park with laughter.

“Oh my god, dude,” she said. “It was so intimidating.”

Skateboarding continued on page 4

youtube.com/ cynicvideo

www.

vtcynic.com

NEWS

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Digital Exclusive Content Girls who skate photo slideshow

The women who skateboard at the Andy A. Dog Skate Park are often outnumbered. Find additional photos of them doing what they do online.

MLB wild card system creates issues

There is a flaw with the design of the wild card system because the winner would be the lowest seed in the Division Series and play the league’s best team.

Men’s soccer breaks losing streak After a physical confrontation at the end of the second half, the UVM men’s soccer team defeated Siena College to bring their record to 6-2.

Get the full story at vtcynic.com

Correction In a Sept. 18 story about UVM students working at Burlington High School it was stated that a practicum student worked with counselor Mario Macias despite requesting not to.

The student was working on a practicum and was invited back for an internship the next year at the high school, which she declined to participate in.

When she requested not to work at BHS, it was in response to this future offer.

The University counseling faculty would not have allowed students to return the following year because of the concerns that had been raised from practicum students, said Lance Smith, school counseling program coordinator.

The Cynic regrets this error.

The Vermont Cynic

Sept. 25, 2018

SGA pushes syllabus policy update Lindsay Freed lafreed@uvm.edu

Ben Drape benjamin.drape@uvm.edu

Seneca Hart shart6@uvm.edu

Students will have access to detailed course and textbook information before registering for classes this semester.

The faculty contract was updated this summer and now requires professors to provide an extended course description with information about textbooks two weeks before course registration, said junior Jamie Benson, chair of the SGA academic affairs committee.

Last spring, SGA passed legislation that asked for language to be added to the faculty contract that requires professors to provide course information before registration, he said.

The policy change is meant to make it easier for students to gain access to information and to help them make better decisions when choosing courses, Benson said.

“Historically, at UVM there’s been a disconnect between the information that students really should have available and what’s been provided at the time of course registration,” Benson said.

A problem that students often face is that it’s difficult for them to find information about

Photo Illustration: Tori Scala

courses.

“I was sitting on my bed the day after I got here stress-ordering textbooks off Amazon because I did not know what I needed,” first-year Kira White said.

The previous faculty contract encouraged professors to provide expanded course descriptions, but it wasn’t mandated, said Bill Falls, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The issue for faculty is that they often make changes to how they’ve structured a course be-

tween registration and the start of classes, bringing into question whether the new mandate removes flexibility, Falls said.

“If I have a faculty member say [they’re] going to use this book in March, are they precluded from changing their textbook now that they’ve communicated it, or can they update that expanded course description during the summer to use a new textbook in the fall?” he said.

Professors often view the syllabuses as their intellectual property. There are some con-

cerns that information could leak, Falls said.

“We’re concerned about how our ideas are referenced,” he said. “The concern around that is not so much that other people would steal the ideas, but that in doing research and doing scholarship your ideas evolve.”

There are different ways for students to figure out their courses, like talking to other students or going to office hours, said professor Tom Streeter, president of United Academics, the faculty union.

Med center and nurses’ union reach compromise

Sawyer Loftus swloftus@uvm.edu

After months of bargaining, UVM Medical Center nurses and administration have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, according to a Sept. 20 press release.

The Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals have been negotiating their next three-year contract with the UVM Medical Center since the end of March. The nurses have agreed to a 16 percent base salary increase over the next three years, according to the press release.

The union represents around 1,800 nurses and other medical staff that work at the UVM Medical Center. The union initially asked for a 28 percent salary increase over the next three years and an end to “chronic understaffing” inside the UVM Medical Center.

Molly Wallner, lead negotiator for the nurses, said the reason for bringing this contract back to the membership was because it gives more nurses more pay than any other offer from the medical center, but not everyone is happy.

“Are we 110 percent thrilled about this contract? No,” she said. “At the same time we do

feel proud of the gains were able to make overall.”

If approved by union members, the contract will go into effect October 2018. It’s difficult to predict whether the contract will pass or not because it won’t please every nurse, Wallner said.

Senior nursing student Emily Scott said that this tentative agreement is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t seem like enough.

“This has been such a battle for the UVM Medical Center nurses, one they shouldn’t have had to fight,” Scott said. “As someone who works at the hospital and sees what my incredibly talented nurse colleagues do every day it makes me sad to think that this fight is still ongoing.”

Sophomore nursing student Molly McKenna said it should not have been this hard for UVM Medical Center nurses to make only a little progress. The nurses should not have had to strike and go through months of negotiations just to get a fair contract, McKenna said.

The nurses will be voting on the contract starting Sept.

23 and ending Sept. 24, results are expected by Sept. 28, Wallner said.

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EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Greta Bjornson editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Ben Elfland newsroom@vtcynic.com Operations Manager Sorrel Galantowicz operations@vtcynic.com

EDITORIAL Copy Chief Sophia Knappertz copy@vtcynic.com Culture Bridget Higdon cynicculture@gmail.com Features Caroline Slack cynicfeatures@gmail.com News George Seibold news@vtcynic.com Opinion Sydney Liss-Abraham opinion@vtcynic.com Podcasts Chloe Chaobal Kim Henry vtcynicpodcasts@gmail.com Sports Sabrina Hood sports@vtcynic.com Video Ruby Bates video@vtcynic.com Web Connor Allan web@vtcynic.com

Staff Editorial

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or some students, their advisers are the most valuable resource of their UVM experience. They’re open for office hours and let their advisees in on internship opportunities.

For far too many students, however, an adviser is inaccessible and unconcerned with each student’s personal experience. It is an understandable predicament; professor’s are often overbooked and non-incentivized to understand the technicalities of class requirements.

Most students rarely see their advisers. With exception of first-year registration blocks or switching majors, many don’t see the advantages of taking time to visit office hours.

This is a shame, as they are a valuable source of information to draw from to plan a curriculum or career path.

It is implied that advisers are best used to navigate UVM’s often confusing technical side instead of helping you grow as a student or discussing possible research options.

UVM’s website states that “your adviser is the best place to start if you have questions about your audit, degree requirements or university services.”

In practice, however, many students find that their assigned adviser is just as clueless about what classes to take as they are.

Professors can often, under-

Photo Alek Fleury photo@vtcynic.com Assistant Editors Henry Mitchell (Opinion), Addie Beach (Culture), David Cabrera (Podcasts), Nickie Morris (Sports), Sawyer Loftus (News), Lee Hughes (News), Kian Deshler (Features), Caroline McCune (Layout) Copy Editors Genevieve Rossi, Dalton Doyle, Zoe Sheppard, Alyssandra Calhoun, Enola Mercer, Liv Marshall, Fallon Clark, Luke Zarzecki, Mariel Wamsley, Lindsay Freed Page Designers Corttney Feldman, Lindsay Freed, Stephanie Hodel, Sarah O’Brien, Meilena Sanchez

Faculty Adviser Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu

HOLLY COUGHLAN standably, seem to have better things to do.

Some advisers don’t hold office hours, opting instead for an appointment-based system where students arrange to come at a certain time to discuss a certain topic.

The most successful students form close relationships with a staff member who can serve as mentor, according to an Aug. 17 New York Times column.

An important step in this process, the author points out, is the student going out of their way to connect with a suitable

professor.

According to the column, a survey given to recipients of a prestigious scholarship showed that nearly all of them found “relationships with faculty members” one of the most valuable elements of their college experience.

Incentivizing advisers to be accessible and invested in their advisees’ success is an important part of making sure that every UVM student gets the most they can out of their college experience.

Advisers are one of the most valuable resources avail-

able to students.

To make advisers more accessible to students, we need to give them more incentives to interact with students and take their concerns seriously.

Staff editorials officially reflect the views of the Vermont Cynic. Signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so.

The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to opinion@vtcynic.com.

Dialogues come from openness, not anger Emily Johnston ejohnst2@uvm.edu

Illustrations Holly Coughlan illustrations@vtcynic.com Layout Kyra Chevalier layout@vtcynic.com

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Students need helpful advisers

Social Media Peter Hibbeler socialcyniceditor@gmail.com

ADVISING

OPINION

Sept. 25, 2018

I

t’s a typical day during a typical week. Someone opens Twitter and does what many have done before: sends an offensive tweet.

Everyone’s seen it while mindlessly scrolling through various social media apps. A post that triggers an alarm inside, blaring “this is not right.”

For many, this voice overtakes them and they comment back harshly. They callout the person for their wrongdoings and even sometimes go so far as to “cancel” them, the younger generation’s version of blacklisting.

While pointing out a problem with what they said feels like the right thing to do, insulting them only further drives them away from realizing their mistake.

When it comes to dealing with someone you disagree with online, you should start a dialogue with them instead

VALENTINA CZOCHANSKI

The Vermont Cynic

of immediately shutting them down.

Fifty-nine percent of people found discussing politics online with people they disagree with to be stressful and frustrating, according to a 2016 Pew Research Center poll.

If more people work toward open dialogue rather than immediately shutting down the opposing party, discussion wouldn’t be as stressful and frustrating.

I know it’s tiring to have to

explain basic concepts, but if energy is already being spent to comment, there is no reason not to try and change their mind.

The time it took to type “you’re canceled,” a common phrase among Twitter users, could be used to explain the basics of a situation. Once educated in a respectful manner, a debate partner may change their mind.

Martin Buber, a famous philosopher most known for

his work about dialogues, wrote in his book “I and Thou” that dialogue is openness to the opinions of others. It is working to understand a side which one may disagree with.

It is this openness, this respect, that creates change.

Only by giving a chance to learn can people correct their mistakes.

The Pew Research Center states that people overall agree that virtual political discussions are angrier, less respectful and less civil than those in other areas of life.

If society can apply the same energy they do for discussions in real life to those online, people will begin to listen.

Callout culture doesn’t defeat political polarity. If anything, it leads to further polarization.

In order to create a world in which people can work together to solve issues, we must use dialogue.

Emily Johnston is a firstyear environmental science major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2018.

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FEATURE

The Vermont Cynic

Sept. 25, 2018

Female skaters find empowerment It turns out all of them were met with a bit of hostility when they first began skating, and it took a while to feel like part of the community, Trombley said.

“It’s kind of intimidating putting yourself in a new group while also trying to learn a new sport when everyone else seems really good,” she said.

Last year there were only two other female skaters, seniors Honor Klinkner and Amanda Brunham, with whom Djiya and Trombley instantly felt comradery, they said.

“We all just ended up coming on the same day at the same time,” Djiya said.

Klinkner and Brunham eased some of the discomfort they were experiencing starting out, Trombley said.

“They were like ‘oh, we don’t ever see girls here,’ and they said, ‘let’s skate, we’ll show you some stuff’,” she said.

Klinker reflected on being one of the first female skaters at A-Dog with her penny board, even before the park was fully finished.

“It kind of sucks skating by yourself, so having this huge group of girls is really awesome,” Klinkner said.

Van Patten quickly became part of this dynamic when she started skating just a few months ago and recalled a comment from a male skater when she fell the other day.

“I fell and ripped my pants and my knee was bleeding,” Van Patten said.

“This guy told me, ‘now you’re a real skater.’”

While this kind of experience isn’t frequent, it does happen.

Trombley remembered a time when

LILLY SHARP/The Vermont Cynic

Skateboarding cont. from page 1

a fellow skater, Kate, received a misogynistic comment from a male skater.

“He was watching and said, ‘If she can do it, I can do it,’” she said. Kate completed the trick and the man came up to her and said, ‘You’ve just become a man.’”

Trombley said she and her friends have been called “ramptramps.”

“They thought we were just coming to fuck the guys,” Trombley said with a laugh.“It’s kind of bad, but kind of funny. It doesn’t hurt my feelings.”

Van Patten said that some male skat-

SAM LITRA/The Vermont Cynic

PAGE 1: (Left to right) Junior Paige Van Patten, junior Abby Trombley and sophomore Ivana Djiya pose for a photo at the Andy A. Dog Skate Park on Waterfront North.

TOP: Junior Paige Van Patten gets ready to drop-in Sept. 22.

BOTTOM: Sophomore Ivana Djiya grinds across the coping of a ramp Sept 22.

ers condescendingly try to teach her about skating, which is annoying even if the men think they have good intentions.

“This one guy was telling me the rules of the bowl and pointed at a younger boy and said, ‘even the little kid knows what he’s doing’” she said.

For these women, part of skating is developing thick skin and not letting misogynistic comments get to them. Letting negativity bounce right off has become empowering, Trombley said.

“It’s very uncomfortable at first. It’s a social space and I’m normally socially anxious, so it helped me work on that,” she said.

Thick skin has allowed these skaters to persist and foster a community and their love of skating.

Trombley said there is a feeling of empowerment that comes with getting a trick for the first time.

“You might fall a few times before you get it, but you get it and you’re like, that was incredible, and you feel like you can do anything,” she said.

Van Patten said it’s made her more confident and braver.

The skating community can feel more forgiving at times than the culture on campus, she said.

“It’s a fun environment where you don’t feel like you’re trying to be perfect for anybody. You don’t have to walk on eggshells,” she said. “You’re not trying to impress anyone.”

Van Patten wants other girls to have an empowering experience similar to the one that she’s had, she said.

“I’ve heard a lot of girls talk and say, ‘I’m too scared,’ but no one is really bothered by the fact you’re learning,” Van Patten said.“It’s improved my life and happiness so much. There might be one or two assholes, but girls should just go for it.”

Trombley also encouraged other girls to try it, even though it may be challenging at the beginning.

“Push past the discomfort,” she said.

“You start to build that inner self-worth that, ‘yes, I can do this.’ We just completely ignored the boys who thought we were coming just to try and impress them.”

Distinctions in identity are something that some female skaters think about. “I want to feel empowered by be-

“

You don’t feel like you’re trying to be perfect for anybody. You don’t have to walk on eggshells. You’re not trying to impress anyone.

- Junior Paige Van Patten

ing a female who skates, but not limited to expectations regarding female skateboarding,” Trombley said.

For Djiya, the distinction of being a female skater is only present when the male-to-female ratio is low.

“I’m only hyper-aware of being a female skater if I go to the park alone or with one other girlfriend,” Djiya said.

While the addition of the skatepark has had an immeasurable impact on the community, it is clear that for these female skaters, it has given them a chance to foster a community of women within the larger skating culture here.

Each day at the skate park, there are at least a few of these determined female skaters pushing each other to get the next trick.

Currently, Djiya hopes to complete a trick called the “backside disaster.”

In this trick, a skater lands on the middle of the board after doing a 180-degree turn.

It’s favored by pro skaters, and there is no doubt that Djiya will land it with the tight-knit female skating community behind her.

The women skating in Burlington count on each other for support, but are also motivated by the community they’ve formed.

“We’re constantly challenging each other, we all have very different skating styles so we’re always pulling different pieces from each other,” Klinker said. “It makes us really close.”

The Vermont Cynic

Sept. 25, 2018

CULTURE

5

Harvest festival rings in autumn Amanda Anderson Amanda.Anderson@uvm.edu

On an 81-degree, sunny day, the breeze carried the sweet smell of corn roasting over an open fire at Shelburne Farms.

Hundreds of people visited the farm to participate in the Harvest Festival Sept. 15. The Harvest Festival is one of Shelburne Farms’ many programs that build community connections through food and agriculture, according to their website.

Junior Ani Hsu Obrock volunteered to sell lemonade at the Common Roots tent, a non-profit group that provides food education, she said.

“The Harvest Festival is a time for families and friends to come together to celebrate local artisans and performers, eat delicious foods and learn about the various organizations that make our community unique,” Obrock said.

Caramel apples and cider donuts bobbed in the hands of children and adults as they got a sweet fix from the Shelburne Orchards tent. Orchard owner Nick Cowles smiled as he spoke, stirring a boiling cauldron of golden caramel.

“We love coming here. It’s not about the money. It’s about being a part of it all,” Cowles said. “It’s cool to see it become a tradition for people, and that makes me happy.”

Cowles and his tent have been part of the festival since its first year, he said.

“I’ve seen little kids getting their first caramel apple,” he said. “And from the look on their faces, they’re hooked.”

Kids sauntered into the children’s tent, full of crafts and live music, and exited sporting necklaces made of wood from the farm, covered with hand-

drawn marker designs and faces painted with rainbows.

In the hands of many were corn cakes they made with Jen Cirollo, the director of professional learning at Shelburne Farms. She is also a current Ph.D student in the Rubenstein school at UVM. “We changed our recipe [for the cakes] this year,” she said.

“We are using an open-pollinated corn variety and everyone is raving about how these corn cakes are the best ever.”

Standing in the cool shade provided by the farm building’s shadow, people milled about licking ice creams from four different vendors including Lake Champlain Chocolates and the Scoop. A cool breeze provided relief from the sun.

Read the rest at vtcynic.com/harvest

ALEK FLEURY/The Vermont Cynic

(Top) A festivalgoer pets horses Jake and Minor, owned by Pat Palmer and a part of the Green Mountain Draft Horse Association, while waiting for people to board the carriage at the 40th Annual Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival Sept. 15. (Bottom) A festivalgoer pets a calf on the front field of the 40th Annual Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival Sept. 15.

Hozier cries power with long-awaited album Allie O’Connor aoconno8@uvm. edu

I

rish singer-songwriter Hozier is back after four years of silence with a strong new EP titled “Nina Cried Power.”

Filled with tributes to his musical inspirations as well as to current and lost loves, Hozier’s album sweeps listeners off their feet with four new songs, each with a different style and sound he masters.

The titular song, “Nina Cried Power,” is a soulful collaboration between Hozier and powerhouse singer and activist Mavis Staples.

Referencing music greats such as Nina Simone, James Brown, Joni Mitchell and Curtis Mayfield, Hozier and Staples pay tribute to artists

who are not afraid to protest through their work.

“NFWMB,” which stands for “nothing fucks with my baby” is arguably my favorite.

It begins with a deep guitar riff similar to the one in “It Will Come Back,” a song off of Hozier’s self-titled album, and relies heavily on the singer’s talent to romanticize death and darkness all while shaping a beautiful ode to a lover.

Described as “a love song for the end of the world” by Hozier at a Sept. 9 performance, the song is a shadowy, passion-filled favorite.

“Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue)” draws on similar religious allusions as his hit “Take Me To Church,” but for me, while the lyrics are powerful and relevant, the song as a whole falls just a tiny bit flat.

His vocals are powerful and assertive, but the riffs seem a little too familiar and the song

COLE THORNTON

draws on the same choral vibes as “Nina Cried Power,” as well as older songs such as “Take Me To Church” and “Jackie and Wilson.”

Closing out the EP is “Shrike,” a gentle ode to a past lover. Hozier’s guitar skills

have been proven over and over again in his past songs like “Cherry Wine” and “Like Real People Do,” but hearing the first few sweet and melodic riffs of this song was a breath of fresh air.

Considering his tender and

poetic lyrics about returning to a love after taking it for granted, this song has made me cry more times than I’d like to admit.

If this album does anything for Hozier fans who’ve been waiting anxiously for more music, it reminds them of the lyrical god he is.

Each song displays Hozier’s talent as an artist in different manners — be it his soulful belting, deep acoustic timbre, mastery of dark topics or gentle, loving melodies — but again and again, I’m brought back to the strength and depth he brings to his lyrics.

While the styles of these songs aren’t new to Hozier, they are unique in sound, and triumphant in songwriting.

Allie O’Connor is a sophomore English major. She has been the assistant culture editor since fall 2018.

CULTURE

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The Vermont Cynic

Sept. 25, 2018

Near and far: trails to try this fall Gordon Coates gcoates@uvm.edu

V

iews for miles in all directions, a new perspective, a greater appreciation for life and a good workout all come from summiting one of the many mountains within an hour’s drive from UVM. Whether it’s a leisurely walk for a picnic, a great view of the lake or a physical challenge, Vermont has it all.

One of the most popular and accessible mountains in the area is Mount Philo. It is a 20-minute drive or a 60-minute bike ride away.

After a quick 30-minute walk to the summit, there are picnic tables, campsites, Adirondack chairs and a breathtaking view of Lake Champlain.

Mount Philo is great for parents, dogs and anyone looking for a killer picnic.

Find out when sunset is, grab a Tupperware and bring your favorite meal up Philo for an unmatched sunset supper.

One stand-out mountain with a unique shape is Camel’s Hump. Its profile is recognizable all over the state.

The Burrows trail is 45 minutes from campus and offers a three-mile hike to the summit.

The mountain’s constant

GORDON COATES/The Vermont Cynic

Centennial Woods, located just across from the medical center and behind Centennial Field, has many trails that are perfect for running, walking, and birding. uphill gets the blood pumping and the scenery sparks the imagination. Play word games with friends or admire the surrounding nature all the way up to the summit.

While you climb, keep an eye out for the subtle changes in tree types and sizes as you approach the summit.

At about 2,500 feet in elevation the forest will change from mostly broad-leafed trees like maple, beech and birch to mostly conifers like spruce and

fir. This change happens on all mountains but the elevation differs based on latitude.

Continue up a couple hundred more feet and the trees will shrink until they more closely resemble shrubs.

Just a small amount farther and the trees disappear almost entirely. Now you are on the summit and in the alpine zone.

There are sensitive tundra plants at the summit like cushion plants and mountain sandwort, according to Rick Para-

dise, former director of UVM’s natural areas, in a 2007 New York Times article.

These plants are rare in New England because there are only small pockets of alpine tundra on the peaks of the tallest mountains.

In good weather, one has a terrific view of Vermont. In bad weather, harsh winds and dark clouds buffet and block hikers.

Both outcomes are an epic example of the wilds of Vermont.

The hike takes a couple of

hours to complete. Solid shoes, two liters of water and a snack are all necessities.

Bring an extra layer because the temperatures drop and winds pick up above the treeline.

On the way back to campus, treat yourself to a pastry, gluten-free granola bar or a coffee at Sweet Simone’s, a local cafe in Richmond.

For those without a bike or a car, Centennial Woods is a break from classrooms and buildings on campus.

Located just across from the medical center and behind Centennial Field, the area has many loops and trails that are great for running, walking, birding and enjoying a mixed hardwood forest.

A surprising amount of wildlife can be found there, from barred owls and cooper’s hawks to beavers and foxes.

Take a walk down early in the morning or between classes and experience what one of UVM’s natural areas has to offer.

Vermont’s natural world is no more than a short trip away.

Get some water, grab a friend and get out there.

Gordon Coates is a senior environmental science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2018.

Club raises heritage flag Mateo Cardenas-Clarimon macarden@uvm.edu

A breeze blew across the oval as a crowd slowly gathered outside of the Davis Center.

Students and Alianza Latinx members stood in the shade as they waited for the event to begin.

Alianza Latinx, a Latin and Hispanic identity group, raised a flag displaying a collage of flags from different Latin American countries Sept. 15.

The flag was raised to honor the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Last year we decided to raise a flag,” said Amanda Martinez, Alianza Latinx’s community and political outreach coordinator. “So it can be known that this is our month.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is important to Martinez because she was born and raised Puerto Rican. “[The Alianza Latinx] wants to be represented, and it’s a way to feel at home [at UVM], even for a few months,” she said.

In total, nearly 20 students came to the flag raising.

As Alianza Latinx President Ariel Tubbs began the event, the crowd cheered and whooped, and she laughed along with them.

“I would like to tell you why this day, why this month is very important to me,” Tubbs said.

“I can comfortably step into my identity and learn about myself more.”

As the speeches ended and the final student stopped clapping, Tubbs went to the flag pole, gripped the crank and slowly raised the flag.

A small breeze caught the flag and it unfurled to claps and cheers.

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a tradition that first began as a week-long event established in 1968 by Congress.

In 1988, Congress passed and established Hispanic Heritage Month according to the Law Library of Congress.

The law celebrates “the anniversaries of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as well as Mexico’s independence,” according to the Law Library of Congress website.

Daniel Tovar, a recent hire at the Mosaic Center, said this flag-raising event was very important to him.

“We are at such a predominantly white institution,” he said.

Tovar said he could celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at UVM because of the community he found here.

The Vermont Cynic

Sept. 25, 2018

CULTURE

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fresh fall fashion Alek Fleury Aleksandr.Fleury@uvm.edu

A

s the temperature falls and the leaves turn orange, students all across campus are breaking out their jackets, boots and sweaters, preparing for the beautiful fall weather.

This season, you’ll spot layers everywhere, from the classic UVM staples of flannels and hoodies to military jackets, denim button downs and knit pullovers.

Before everyone pulls on their snow boots but after they’ve stashed their Birkenstocks (or slipped some socks on with them) they’re wearing Vans, Blundstones or Doc Martens.

Small touches like patterned socks, a colorful scarf or some classic shades always elevate fall outfits.

Junior Izzy Siedman modeled her denim vest Sept. 20. She said she’s glad the warm weather is turning cool so she can change up her wardrobe.

“I’m definitely excited for layering,” she said.

“Bring on the sweaters and jackets and cute, but not super useful, scarfs.”

Fall in Vermont goes quickly, but students here know how to make the most of it. Next time you’re walking to class, glance around and you might see some fashion inspiration for your next fall look.

LILLY SHARP AND ALEK FLEURY / The Vermont Cynic

(Counterclockwise) Sophomore Rochelle O’Brien, junior Izzy Siedman and sophomore Jeremy Ames dress up in their favorite fall fashion. “I’m very glad summer weather is over because I think there’s a pretty limited number of combinations of shorts and t-shirts you can make,” Siedman said.

SPORTS

8

The Vermont Cynic

Sept. 25, 2018

Ultimate Frisbee prepares for season Seneca Hart Seneca.Hart@uvm.edu

A typical women’s Ultimate Frisbee practice begins with turning on the music.

While Rihanna or Eminem blasts, the team breaks into groups to throw frisbees around as more players arrive.

Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, a UVM club sport team, has already started practicing, accepting new members and preparing for tournaments.

UVM had the largest women’s Ultimate team nationally last year with 55 rostered women, head coach Daron Byerly said.

“There aren’t many college sports where someone can join a competitive travelling team without experience, which is one of the reasons we have three different divisions; A, B and C”, Byerly said.

This year team A hopes to compete at the national level, team B is focusing on winning the regional competition and team C is learning the game through practices and tournament play, he said.

The women’s Frisbee team practices twice a week, senior Jessica Godes said, who is on team A. Sophomore Grace Valickis said about the second practice that warms up are her favorite.

“I was throwing with a girl

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Senior Kyle Weatherhogg of UVM RUCKUS, UVM’s Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, throws a pass in last year’s game against Boston College. RUCKUS is looking forward to the tournament they are hosting Sept. 29. and she talked about her life while teaching me how to correctly throw a frisbee,” Valick said.

Togetherness extends beyond the individual teams to the larger Ultimate community, junior team co-captain Bettina Fahndrich said.

“It’s a unique sport that draws a group of friendly, fun and creative people,” she said.

The name, RUCKUS, and the dinosaur mascot embodies the playfullness of the team.

They go bowling, dance, dress up and sing frisbee-themed songs, Godes said.

“In Ultimate there’s ‘spirit of the game,’” she said. “If the other team scores, you give them high-fives.”

RUCKUS competed in Maine, Florida, California and

Washington last year, she said.

Ranking 19th nationally was the highest point of last season, Fahndrich said.

RUCKUS looks forward to hosting a tournament Sept. 29, Byerly said.

Several seniors graduated last year, Fahndrich said.

“When a team loses seniors, people step up to these roles,” she said.

The welcoming atmosphere is a part of what makes the sport fun, Byerly said.

“We are always interested in bringing new people and helping them discover something that will make the college experience more memorable and meaningful, with healthy lifestyles, great friendships and amazing experiences,” he said.

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