The Commonwealth Times; November 9, 2022

Donald McEachin

wins 4th District

KATIE FARTHING Contributing Writer

Donald McEachin has won the 4th District election with 63.86% of the vote as of 1:25 a.m., according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Donald McEachin was the incumbent for this election.

After winning the 4th District, McEachin thanked both his campaign and office staff and his wife Colette Wallace McEachin, who is also Richmond’s Commonwealth’s Attorney.

“We do this because we like service,” McEachin said on election night. “Campaign staff, office staff and myself like to serve. We like to make government work. We like to try to address issues. We like to fix things. Sometimes we’re successful, sometimes we’re not, but we always give it our best.”

McEachin said he is honored to serve the 4th Congressional District and that this election is important for keeping control of the House and the Senate leading into 2024.

“It’s not control for control’s sake. It’s to make sure that we protect and enhance our democracy,” McEachin said. “So that you and yours have the right to vote. So that women have the right to make their own healthcare decisions and so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we’ve enjoyed for the past 200 years.”

McEachin was the incumbent Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives of the 4th Congressional District. He won in 2020 with 62% of the vote, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. He was first elected to the House in 2016.

that will bring financial relief to families and businesses affected by COVID-19, his website states. His other priorities include access to healthcare, education and the criminal justice system.

The Commonwealth Times reached out to Donald McEachin for comment on the race seven times through phone calls and emails and did not receive a response.

Leon Benjamin was the Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. Benjamin is a U.S. Navy veteran, senior pastor of New Life Harvest Church and founder of the Coalition of Leaders United, according to his website.

McEachin refused to debate with Benjamin unless he acknowledged the presidential and local 2020 election results, according to VPM News.

ern border. He believes in school choice, similar to Gov. Glenn Youngkin, according to his website.

There are many issues of concern for Keelyn Grant, a junior anthropology student. Seeing these concerns represented in future legislation is important to her.

“I really hope that regressive ideas that don’t believe in climate change, that don’t believe in gay rights, that don’t believe in women’s rights, that don’t believe in civic equality, I really hope that they phase out,” Grant said.

For Kaeli Jarvis, a freshman social work student, abortion is a large issue of uncertainty.

He previously worked with several law firms and formed his own McEachin and Gee Law Firm. He served as a legislator in both chambers of Virginia’s General Assembly, according to his website.

During his first congressional term, McEachin co-founded the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Congressional Task Force, according to his website.

McEachin plans to focus on legislation

Benjamin stated in an email why college-aged students should have voted for him. He stated his goals would be to lower inflation, keep neighborhoods safe and create business opportunities.

“We will be stopping the excessive spending and securing the border. By doing so, we will be giving the college kids a FUTURE that is safe and in which they can prosper!” Benjamin stated.

Benjamin advocates for law enforcement funding and domestic energy produc tion, according to his website. His website states that he supports closing the south

“I am a little concerned that if a lot of senatorial candidates who agree with Youngkin and are against abortion, that could have a lot of dire effects,” Jarvis said.

“That could keep his policies in place rather than changing them back, which is where I would like our country to go.”

After the last presidential election, violence and poor reactions to the results are a concern for Jessica Rojas, a senior political science student.

“We just want to see what’s going to happen, how are people reacting and how healthy is our democracy right now?”

It’s not control for control’s sake. It’s to make sure that we protect and enhance our democracy."

Donald McEachin, 4th District representative MULTIPLE

BLUE ON TUESDAY with reproductive rights in mind

Some students voted at the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art

Photo by Jay Stonefield

Voters can collect a voting sticker after performing their civic right. Photo by Jay Stonefield

Multiple students vote blue on Tuesday WITH REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN MIND

KATRINA LEE Contributing Writer

I guess sometimes it doesn’t feel like it really does make a difference, but I’d rather take time out of my day especially on a day like this where we don’t have classes. The university gave us the day off, specifically giving us time to do this. Yeah, I think it’s important just to give it a shot.”

Chandler Girman, senior English student

Our generation is the worst to vote. So I am trying to make a difference as cheesy as that sounds. Everyone is like ‘it’s one person’ but this one person can change everything.”

Lillian Dunns, junior voice performance student

cAMPAIGN SIGNS FOR both Democrat incumbent Donald McEachin and Republican Leon Benjamin surrounded the University Student Commons Tuesday morning, as students and Richmond residents gathered to vote for the 2022 midterm elections.

VCU’s campus resides in the 4th Congressional District, which has been represented by McEachin since 2017. The congressional seat was the only race on the ballot this year in the city of Richmond.

VCU alum Tahjana Shields said she has voted in every election since she turned 18. Shields said she was motivated to return to the polls once again on Tuesday to exercise her right and have her voice heard.

“I just feel like, you know, specifically Black Americans have always been underrepresented,” Shields said. “So if I can offer my ability to seize the rights that were won by my ancestors, I feel like I can contribute to what they were fighting for.”

Along with many others at the commons, Shields said she was there to vote for the incumbent, with reproductive rights as the issue on the forefront of her mind.

“My biggest issue is that a lot of Republican candidates never match up with my beliefs. And it’s not to say all democrats do. But right now, that’s the best way to combat the right,” Shields said.

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, dismantling the federal right for individual’s access to abortion and giving individual states the power to limit, ban or protect abortion rights.

Girman said although she felt a responsibility to vote in this election, she sometimes feels like her vote is a “drop in the bucket.”

“I guess sometimes it doesn’t feel like it really does make a difference, but I’d rather take time out of my day especially on a day like this where we don’t have classes,” Girman said. “The university gave us the day off, specifically giving us time to do this. Yeah, I think it’s important just to give it a shot, why not try?”

Others at the polls felt more optimistic about their vote. Junior voice performance student Lillian Dunns said she was motivated to vote on Tuesday because she hopes to change the current voting trends.

“Our generation is the worst to vote. So I am trying to make a difference as cheesy as that sounds,” Dunns said. “Everyone is like ‘it’s one person’ but this one person can change everything.”

In the 2020 presidential election, 1824 year olds had the lowest voter turnout among voting-aged people at 48%. However, this was an 8.6 percentage point increase from 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Students were able to vote at other polling locations near campus, such as the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU and George W. Carver Elementary School, according to the student’s registered address on campus, according to the City of Richmond’s website.

Polling locations were open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the Virginia Department of Elections website.

More student voices

1. Emily Wood holds up an ‘I Voted’ sticker after voting in the University Student Commons.

2.Lillian Dunns, poses for a photo after voting on election day

3.Olivia Carlton, holds up an ‘I Voted’ sticker after voting in the University Student Commons.

4. Nico Lopez, poses for a photo after voting in the University Student Commons.

Photos by Jay Stonefield

Senior English student Chandler Girman shared Shields’ concern over the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Girman said she is personally affected by the decision, for she has an illness that can cause difficult pregnancies.

“There’s a high chance that I, at some point in my life, if I do get pregnant, I will need like an abortion for my own safety. And I’m really scared about the fact that might not be able to happen. So I figured that we should get a representative in there,” Girman said.

Richmond resident Kinsely Vamzamet said he decided to vote to maintain “basic human rights” and said he is worried about the state of our country. Vamzamet voted for McEachin, in opposition to the republican candidate, Leon Benjamin.

“My primary reason for voting is just to have a Democratic majority, so we can retain some of those rights,” Vamzamet said.

A total of 470 seats, 35 Senate seats and 435 House of Representatives seats were up for election, according to BallotPedia.

Indispinary studies senior Emily Wood said she came early to the polls in order to“vote blue.”

“Especially at the local level, I feel like that’s where the most change will be and have the most direct effects,” Wood said.

Megan O’Casey, senior fashion design student

It’s so important. It’s kind of like there’s a lot of people that complain about stuff but they don’t vote and that’s really your only chance to have any say whatsoever.”

Sam Pruyn , senior political science student

My motivation for coming to vote today is to keep republicans out of office.”

If people aren’t voting they should be voting.”

Olivia Carlton , junior vocal performance student

ABIGAIL SPANBERGER W INS 7TH DISTRICT

Greene County

Culpeper County Culpeper County

Orange County

Albemarle County

VARSHA VASUDEVAN Staff Writer

Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger won the House of Representatives election of the 7th Congressional District on Tuesday.

Spanberger maintained her seat with 51.93% of votes, while her Republican challenger Yesli Vega received 48.07%, according to the Virginia Public Access Project website, as of 1:47 a.m.

“I stand before you this evening with a deep and abiding love for this country and a profound sense of responsibility,” Spanberger said in her victory speech. “Thank you and I look forward to serving you all again these two years.”

Spanberger declared victory before all precinct reports and before the Associated Press called the election in her favor.

Spanberger was a former U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer, who in 2018 became the first elected Democratic representative of the 7th District since 1968, according to her website.

Spanberger helped introduce the Student Loan Disclosure Transparency Act and legislation that allowed Head Start programs to receive federal work study aid, according to her website. The Student Loan Disclosure Transparency Act of 2021 requires federal loan lenders to disclose in-

Stafford County

Prince William County Fredericksburg City King George County

Spotsylvania County Caroline County

formation monthly about interest rates and the estimated owed balance, according to Congress.

Spanberger’s platform includes advocating for strengthening national security and lowering costs for healthcare and consumer goods. She voted in favor of legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, which required proof of job-related reasons for pay disparities, according to her website.

As a parent with children attending public schools in Virginia and a 2001 graduate from the University of Virginia herself, Spanberger is passionate about “strengthening” the public education system, her website stated.

Spanberger raised a total of $8.4 million for this election as of Oct. 19, according to VPAP.

Spanberger’s challenger, Vega, is the “embodiment of the American Dream” as the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants and is passionate about honoring law enforcement and “conservative principles,”

according to her website.

Vega’s platform focused on funding law enforcement, advocacy for a free-market driven economy through a “constitutionally limited government” and election reform by requiring photo IDs to be able to vote, according to her website.

Vega raised $2.9 million for the election as of Oct. 18, according to VPAP.

Senior homeland security and emergency preparedness student Jorion Tinsley said he is registered to vote in Richmond, but does not plan on voting because he distrusts most politicians.

“I kind of feel like they’re all dishonest and kind of self-serving,” Tinsley said. “That’s why they’re running for office. Just to advance their own name.”

Tinsley said he does not feel as though he has enough power as a citizen to make a change in the government system through voting.

“Sometimes I feel like it’s just one vote; it gets lost in the shuffle,” Tinsely said. “I’ve never thought that my vote really made a difference.”

I stand before you this evening with a deep and abiding love for this country and a profound sense of responsibility. Thank you and I look forward to serving you all again these two years.”

Abigail Spanberger 7th District representative

Infographic by Clare Wislar Information compiled by Diana Ho

Stat of the week

The Atlantic 10 named four field hockey student-athletes to A-10 honors: VCU graduate student Litiana Field to the A-10 First Team, graduate student Janne Wetzel and senior Lonica McKinney to the A-10 Second Team and freshman Ana Iglesias to the A-10 Rookie Team, according to VCU Athletics.

From across the pond: London native adapts to VCU basketball

ARRICK WILSON Sports Editor

London native Toibu “Tobi” Lawal visited VCU for the first time this summer, considering his commitment.

“When I came for my visit — I could see myself being here,” Lawal said. “Richmond is a beautiful city.”

The VCU freshman and men’s basketball forward decided VCU was the place for him, committing to the black and gold in May. Lawal has spent the fall semester adjusting to VCU and Richmond as a college student.

Prior to arriving in the United States, Lawal went to the City of London Academy. From there, Lawal went to Lee Academy in Maine where he averaged 14.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, according to VCU Athletics.

The VCU coaching staff found Lawal by a video highlight reel, according to assistant coach J.D. Byers. Byers said when watching the video, the staff was interested in bringing Lawal to Richmond to wear the black and gold.

“He was just impressive, and he had a lot of attributes that fit our style of play,” Byers said. “His character, the work he had put in — it seemed like a really great fit.”

Lawal is entering his fourth year of

playing organized basketball. Lawal said soccer and track were his sports of choice before taking to the court, but he decided to try out basketball due to his 6-foot-8-inch height.

“I enjoyed playing football for a long time, but I don’t know because I started to grow — I stopped playing because obviously, my friends are like, ‘Why don’t you try basketball?’” Lawal said. “It [basketball] can go from zero to 100 in a matter of seconds. It’s really quick, it’s exciting.”

Lawal said he’s found the transition from London to the United States manageable because of his focused mentality.

“It wasn’t really hard for me to adapt. When I came here, I had a goal. I knew what I wanted to get out of coming here,” Lawal said. “Me coming to the states was me taking basketball seriously, me saying I’m going to share this as far as I can.”

Lawal’s concentration has been on display to the coaching staff, as Byers said it has led to massive skill advancements over the offseason.

“He’s focused, he’s very determined and he brings a tremendous work ethic every day,” Byers said. “I think that’s why he continues to make these large improvements.”

VCU head coach Mike Rhoades said Lawal has improved greatly since he joined the black and gold this summer.

“He’s only getting better and better. I mean, how much he’s improved since June fourth, when he got here. It’s been pretty crazy and he’s a great listener,” Rhoades said.

Lawal took 12 credits over the summer, earning three As and a B, according to Rhoades. Rhoades said this is already a sign of Lawal being an exceptional student-athlete.

“He’s a great student. He really cares about learning and he cares about getting better. He’s a pleaser,” Rhoades said. “When you have that mentality as a freshman, he’s gonna play a lot for us.”

Lawal said his experience with summer classes helped him transition to becoming a college student business major at VCU.

“Obviously, it was something that I had to get adjusted to. It wasn’t really easy,” Lawal said. “I think I adjusted well — it helped me, especially coming into the start of school now, because now it seems much easier to handle.”

Lawal said he is looking forward to seeing the distance the black and gold can advance and develop as a team in the approaching season.

“I’m just trying to see how far we get because I know this team is very capable of going far, especially in March,” Lawal said. “I just want to see how far we can get.”

pick of the week

MARCUS WILSON Contributing

For this week’s pick, we’re going to the NBA as the New York Knicks square off against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Nov. 15.

The Jazz, who were initially predicted to have a lackluster season, have started off their regular season hot, and are looking

to extend their winning record throughout the season, according to ESPN. The Knicks, on the other hand, have a losing record, according to the NBA.

Led by guard Jordan Clarkson, the Jazz’s best basketball has yet to be seen, averaging over 15 points for the season, according to Basketball-Reference. The players are noticing the chip on their

shoulder that has given more motivation, with such bold predictions for their 2023 downfall season, according to the NBA.

“If we keep playing with the same energy, come with the same fight, this is a team that can continue to win games,” Clarkson said in an interview.

The Jazz will continue their winning season by taking the win in front of

a home crowd in Salt Lake City. The cultivation of doubt from sources and the home court advantage gives the Jazz the push they’ll need to come out with this win.

With key players such as forward Malik Beasley and young guard Collin Sexton, the Jazz are looking for a successful season.

VCU freshman forward Toibu ‘Tobi’ Lawal shoots a free throw in a scrimmage against Shippensburg University on Oct. 29. Photo by Guy Enkh

Writer

Women’s volleyball look to attack A-10 postseason

WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY - VS. NO. 1 SAINT JOSEPH’S LOST 2-1 Atlantic 10 Tournament

MEN’S SOCCER - VS. NO. 6 DAYTON LOST 1-0 Atlantic 10 Tournament

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL - AT DUQUESNE LOST 3-1

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL - AT DUQUESNE WON 3-2

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - VS. LAFAYETTE WON 65-42

MEN’S BASKETBALL - VS. MANHATTAN WON 73-56

THAILON WILSON Staff Writer

VCU women’s volleyball is the sixth and final guaranteed playoff seed in the Atlantic 10 conference.

The team’s recent win at Duquesne University gave the black and gold an even conference record of eight wins and eight losses, locking them a spot for the Atlantic 10 playoffs.

Throughout the season, senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley has led the team in kills and points helping a numerous amount of times to secure sets for the Rams, according to VCU Athletics.

Bentley has won two A-10 conference player of the week awards and she is third in the entire A-10 in points scored and kills, according to the A-10.

Getting honors was one of her personal goals alongside working hard with the team, Bentley said

“One of my personal goals was to earn like an A-10 weekly honors, which I achieved,” Bentley said. “Then my only other team goal was for everyone to enjoy themselves and come out of a different type of culture and adapt to the change.”

In a similar suit, redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Knight has had an impactful sophomore campaign so far as she is second in points scored for the team, according to VCU Athletics.

Knight said she is happy her and Bentley can provide for the team in key situations that the team sets up for them.

“It’s really good that our team can count on us and like hard situations and good situations. I’m really grateful for my teammates to be there for me to help me,” Knight said.

The Rams have an even record within the conference but they also currently have an overall record of 13 wins and 15 losses.

Bentley said she is happy with how the season has been going. She sees an upward trend in the team’s play.

“We’re trending upwards on skills and performance wise, and I think our record doesn’t show how hard you’ve been working in the gym week after week,” Bentley said. “We’ve had a lot of adversity to go through this semester with team members injury, stuff like that.”

The Rams have gone through some changes, including the resignation of former head coach Jody Rogers. Former assistant coach Kevin Maureen Campbell is serving as head coach, according to VCU Athletics.

Campbell said she knew coming in that coaching was going to take a lot of work but she is thankful for the amount of effort the team has put in.

“They give me and our staff a lot of energy, and they want to be great. So we have a great group of young women,” Campbell

said. “We’re very lucky.”

The Rams will be hosting their final weekend rally here at the Siegel Center on Nov. 12 and 13 against George Wash ington University. VCU already has a guaranteed spot in the A-10 play offs, but the team could potentially move up to the fifth seed after the GWU two-game weekend matchup.

Campbell said the team looks to work for a po tential spot in the NCAA tournament while at the A-10 tournament.

“After GWU, we’ll go to A-10 tour naments, and at that point, everybody there’s record is zero. We can then work our way into a NCAA berth,” Campbell said.

VCU redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Knight looks to spike in a game against Liberty University on Aug. 26.

Photo by Alessandro Latour

VCU players huddle during a game against the University of Dayton on Oct. 14.

Photo by Alessandro Latour

On this day

‘GOOD VIBRATIONS’ TO THE VCU STAGE: Students perform under new Jazz Orchestra leadership

LEAH LANDRY Contributing Writer

TAYLOR BARNETT FELL IN LOVE WITH music long before taking his talents to the VCU stage after hearing “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys as a kid, he said.

“I remember sitting on the ground in front of the little CD player,” Barnett said. “I just wanted to crawl into the world of the song.”

After years of teaching, touring the country and arranging his own music, Barnett became the new director of jazz studies in August, with the most recent concert on Nov. 3.

In addition to being the director, Barnett is an assistant professor of music at VCUarts and a member of No BS! Brass, according to the VCUarts website.

Barnett began playing the trumpet in middle school. He said he was inspired to become a professional musician after watching the 1990 movie “Mo’ Better Blues” when he was a high school freshman.

“I’ve always had a slightly obsessive mind about things,” Barnett said. “Once I kind of zoned in on that, it was like things happened along the way that gave me the fuel to start.”

Barnett’s promotion follows Antonio García’s 21 year run as the director.

One of the valuable lessons he learned from García was maintaining a positive energy with the students and faculty, Barnett said.

“Even when things were going bad, like during the pandemic, he was able to maintain that optimism,” Barnett said. “I think that really helped to kind of see the ways in which he did that and to know that it’s not without a cost.”

“The job is interesting because there’s an infinite amount of things that I can just do,” Barnett said. “I can just pour 24 hours a day into it.”

One of the classes that Barnett teaches is Jazz Orchestra I. The class began rehearsing for the Nov. 3 orchestra concert the second week of the semester, according to Barnett.

The orchestra performed seven arrangements last Thursday. The concert included 17 musicians, along with faculty guest performers Rex Richardson and Trey Pollard.

The concert included arrangements from a diverse lineup of musicians such as Duke Ellington, Toshiko Akiyoshi and a piece from García.

Three of the songs were world premieres. The first two performances were entitled “How Deep is the Ocean” by guitarist Thomas Windley and “King Macabre” by Brian Jones. The final piece was written by Barnett, entitled “Remember the Future.”

said. “I really like how jazz incorporates a baseline foundation, but then you can basically do what you want with it.”

Miranda has seen the orchestra perform a few times in the past. He said he is excited to see what else the group has in store.

“It is the coolest thing to see what they can do and how talented these musicians are,” Miranda said.

Trombone player and senior music performance student Patrick Gadams said the class taught him valuable lessons such as the history of jazz, and how to keep an orchestra together. Gadams will take these lessons with him as he continues with his musical journey, he said.

“I’ve taken jazz classes but it’s not my primary focus,” Gadams said. “Even just hearing good players play, you’re able to internalize what this language of jazz is and how you’re able to really feel it and let it come out.”

The role of director involves several tasks, according to Barnett. He teaches jazz arranging and other upper level jazz classes, assists with the adjunct faculty and recruits players for the faculty ensemble.

Violin player and sophomore music performance student Tyler Miranda came out to support the orchestra Thursday night. Although classic music is his favorite, Miranda said he enjoys jazz for the freedom it allows.

“Classical music is so structured that you have to follow X, Y and Z,” Miranda

Gadams said the highlight of the class was improvisation. Barnett gave the orchestra the freedom to improvise in both the audition and the performance.

“In that moment you’re really free to express yourself through your music,” Gadams said. “It’s definitely something you’ve got to practice a lot to be able to do.”

‘The Nat King Cole Show’ debuted on NBC in 1956, the first time an African American hosted a variety program.

Taylor Barnett conducts the VCUarts Jazz Orchestra I. Photo courtesy of Paris Boynes

The job is interesting because there’s an infinite amount of things that I can just do. I can just pour 24 hours a day into it.”

Taylor Barnett , director of jazz studies

The Craftsmen’s Classic returns for its 43rd year

PEGGY STANSBERY Staff Writer

The Richmond Raceway Complex transformed into a bustling market featuring the work of artists and craftspeople from across the nation this past weekend for the annual Craftsmen’s Classic.

The organization holds seven festivals a year, two of which are in Richmond, according to the festival’s website.

The Craftsmen’s Classic began 49 years ago in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to Carly Gilmore Cook, the advertising and marketing director for Gilmore Shows. She said the show first came to Richmond 43 years ago.

The idea for The Craftsmen’s Classic emerged when her father began creating and selling jewelry at farmers markets and small events at 10 years old, according to Cook.

After watching his son sell his jewelry at a variety of events, her grandfather wanted to create his own show, Cook said.

The company began small and now is one of the highest nationally ranked production companies for events, according to Cook. The festival first came to Richmond because they saw an opportunity in its market, Cook said.

“There are a lot of good customers and exhibitors here,” Cook said. “We wanted to explore that market.”

The Craftsmen’s Classic’s company Gilmore Shows organizes the production of the event, according to Cook. Gilmore Shows handles contracting with the exhibitors chosen for the festival. The exhibitors are accepted through a jury and committee, she said.

“First they apply to our shows. They send in photos and information about their work and what they do,” Cook said. “Then it goes to a jury and committee who takes a look and looks at the level of talent and their setup and if it would add a good piece to the show.”

There are between 250 to 300 artists at Richmond’s Craftsmen’s Classic, according to Cook. She said Gilmore Shows additionally works with organizing the

facilities. They rent out the facility and work out logistics such as how many benches are needed and how to set up the box office.

“Then we get into the facility the week of the show and we start setting up on Tuesday,” Cook said. “When we walk into a building it’s completely empty.”

Gilmore Shows also organizes The Craftsmen’s Classic’s marketing through helping buy and create TV and radio advertisements, according to Cook.

Cook said she hopes in the future they can continue keeping business strong and producing a good, high standard show. She said she feels grateful they survived the pandemic.

“COVID did a number on the event industry in general, and a lot of other production companies went out of business,” Cook said. “Right now we are just thankful we made it through COVID and hope it continues to stay strong.”

Cook said she hopes people appreciated the hard work and talent of all the exhibitors at the festival.

“Because these people work harder than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Cook said. “Many of these people are traveling 40 weeks a year doing this all over the country and that’s a lot of hard work.”

Artist Judy Wobbleton is the co-founder of the North Carolina Basketmakers

Association. She has been selling her work at Richmond’s Craftsmen’s Classic for many years.

Wobbleton said she has created and sold fiber art basketry for over 35 years. She created her business after taking a class in basketry offered on base during her time as a military wife.

Native Americans as well as the Appalachian mountain people.”

Wobbleton said she found the process of preparing for this year’s show to be “quite easy.”

“It’s like coming home. When you’ve been here for so many years it’s sort of a routine,” Wobbleton said.

Wobbleton said she enjoyed how receptive the attendees were, along with how they appreciated the work of the exhibitors at the show. Visitors at The Craftsmen’s Classic had the opportunity to meet the exhibitors and watch their creative process as they shop, according to the festival’s website.

Wildlife artist Randy McGovern painted live while selling his artwork at this booth. McGovern said he describes himself as a “romantic realist.”

“By that I mean, you want to paint a real deer but you want to give it a noble pose and a pretty setting with beautiful colors,” McGovern said. “You want to romanticize it so it’s a pretty picture.”

McGovern found himself gravitating towards wildlife art because of his upbringing, he said.

“My hobby when I was in eighth grade was hunting snakes in the swamps of Louisiana. I was used to the outdoors, I did bass fishing as well,” McGovern said. “So I gravitated towards wildlife. Wildlife is just a natural thing.”

McGovern has been a professional artist for almost 40 years and has participated in The Craftsmen’s Classic for about 30 years, he said.

Wobbleton teaches her craft in her business and her work has been published, she said. Wobbleton said she hoped visitors of The Craftsmen’s Classic learned about basketry as they shopped.

“There is a lot of history to basketry. We had this before we had paper or plastic bags,” Wobbleton said. “They were used on the farms and they are influenced by the

McGovern said that over the years people have begun to know him as “the guy who hides the little things” in his paintings. In each painting McGovern includes small details, such as a hidden chipmunk, that can’t be seen at initial glance, according to McGovern.

The show takes a lot of work to put together, McGovern said. He said it involved a lot of unloading, lifting and moving heavy objects.

“Everything is a mess and then you have to take a mess and make an organized thing of beauty,” McGovern said.

Everything is a mess and then you have to take a mess and make an organized thing of beauty,”

Randy McGovern, wildlife artist

Randy McGovern paints at The Craftmen’s Classic show held at the Richmond Raceway. Photo by Peggy Stansbery

Judy Wobbleton poses with her basketry at The Craftsmen’s Classic Show. Photo by Peggy Stansbery

English Language Learners in Richmond high schools are struggling

ISHAAN NANDWANI Opinions Editor

LET’S FACE IT — HIGH SCHOOL IS HARD.

Between challenging classes, novel social expectations and the impending uncertainty of adulthood, it can be draining and overwhelming on many occasions. I certainly felt that way.

Now picture attending high school in another country, with an entirely different language and culture. On top of that, your parents are unable to assist you in navigating your education because they themselves do not understand. Without any support, high school is no longer just draining — it’s next to impossible.

Unfortunately, this is the reality for countless immigrant and refugee English Language Learner students across the United States. The increased barriers that these students face in their education have led to high dropout rates in this population.

This issue is especially pronounced in Richmond Public Schools. In 2022, just 38.2% of English Language Learners in RPS graduated, with numbers falling to 27.9% at George Wythe High School, where English Language Learners make up 38.4% of students.

I’ve been fortunate enough to serve as a bilingual tutor in the science department at George Wythe, and through my interactions with the students and conversations with faculty members, have identified solu-

tions to these barriers. Additionally, I affirm George Wythe assistant principal Jennifer Blackwell’s list of recommendations to the Richmond School Board, and will provide my ideas to feasibly implement them.

One of the most significant challenges facing English Language Learners is the

this is not an effective or long-lasting solution. One of Blackwell’s recommendations at George Wythe is to implement bilingual tutors into every classroom, which I believe will make a significant improvement in students’ grasp of the material and their self-confidence. In my personal experience

ship with George Wythe and the VCU School of World Studies, through which foreign language majors can get course credit for serving as bilingual classroom tutors for a specified number of hours each week throughout the semester. This can also be implemented at other local colleges and universities, such as the University of Richmond.

Parent involvement in their children’s education is also low at George Wythe, which serves as yet another barrier for students. However, this isn’t from a lack of wanting to be a part of their kids’ lives — language barriers provide yet another constraint, with only one bilingual office assistant at the school who is available to speak with and support parents.

students’ ability to comprehend content in class. The teachers are predominantly English-speaking with a classroom full of students to teach.

Although they try their best, it’s impossible to cater instruction to each student without support. As a result, students are often lost and withdrawn. Many resort to using translator apps on their phones, but

Nick ’s Picks

working with individual students using Spanish to familiarize themselves with the concepts, I’ve seen significant improvements in their understanding.

I understand the difficulties of implementing a wide-scale effort to further bilingual instruction in this way, in terms of both obtaining qualified tutors and funding. One strategy could be to create a partner-

There’s another opportunity for VCU to fill this gap. Students in the Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation program have the opportunity to select from a variety of internship placement sites to fulfill a requirement towards their certificate; adding this position as one of the encouraged placement sites for students can provide students with critical experience and George Wythe with the support that they need.

The problems facing English Language Learners aren’t unique to George Wythe, but understanding and filling the gaps at this institution can serve as a model for the work we do across RPS and the entire nation.

Try Harrison Street Cafe’s vegetarian breakfast and lunch

NICHOLAS BARAHONA Staff Writer

WELCOME TO NICK’S PICKS. Join me, Nick Barahona, on our journey through the city of Richmond where I review and showcase the different cuisines and restaurants in close proximity to campus, from the lens of a VCU student. I welcome you to an exciting time ahead filled with great deals and good eats.

Today we have our palates set for an all-vegetarian cafe with an assortment of vegan options to choose from. With a great location on campus, let’s take a look at what Harrison Street Cafe is serving up.

Located at 402 N. Harrison St., Harrison Street Cafe is right next to the extremely popular Christian’s Pizza, about a six minute walk from Monroe Park.

The cafe takes pride in serving an all-vegetarian menu, while also providing a wide selection of vegan options. Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the cafe only serves breakfast and lunch.

Harrison Street Cafe is open for takeout, delivery and dine-in. You can place an order easily through the cafe’s website or by calling in. The cafe also delivers within a 2 mile radius.

Along with the espresso, coffee, tea and assorted pastries, Harrison Street Cafe offers breakfast burritos and sandwiches. For lunch, it offers wraps, sandwiches and salads. Some vegan highlights are the soysage biscuit, vegan breakfast burrito, vegan breakfast scramble, vegan potato salad and vegan cinnamon sugar cream cheese bar.

My experience at Harrison Street Cafe was a quick and easy one, with little wait and no hiccups. I placed my order online, and within minutes walked in and picked up my food. I went with the vegan deluxe burrito, which had the cafe’s signature breakfast tofu, potatoes, tomatoes and vegan sausage in a warm tortilla.

The cafe brings a sense of good vibes — perfect for anyone looking to dinein or drink a cup of coffee and do some work. There are lights hung across the walls and paintings and art scattered across the building.

The staff was kind and helpful and made my visit a quick and happy one.

The burrito was exactly what I was looking for to satisfy my breakfast craving. The potatoes in the burrito is what really did it for me, as it was well seasoned and had a little char to it that added flavor. When ordering the burrito, you also have the option to add extra sides such as cheese, spinach, onions and mushrooms. I was happy with the burrito’s size, as it was enough to fill my morning appetite.

At the cost of about $10, this vegan burrito — to my surprise — got the job done. As someone who is not vegetarian or vegan, I thoroughly enjoyed this burrito. As a bonus, there are no other places on cam pus where you can easily snatch up a breakfast burrito. Thus, this cafe is a great place to order from when on the way to or coming back from class and in need of something quick and enjoyable.

Although Harrison Street Cafe is one of the few vegetarian places I’ve tried, it’s one of many in Richmond. Its quality of taste makes me eager to search for more vegetarian and vegan locations around town. Considering its convenient

grab and go style, fair price point, diverse diet selections and quality, I give Harrison Street Cafe an easy 5 out 5 stars overall.

As always, eat up!

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— Kamala Harris

Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter

— here’s what we can do

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Holidays Inbound by Anthony Duong

Virginia Weather by Killian Goodale-Porter Major

by Ollie Hoffmaster

By Scott Hogan & Katie Hale

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SCALE IT BACK

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AnnaSophia of “Bridge to Terabithia”

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NAACP co-founder __ B. Wells

E-signature alternative

AnnaSophia of “Bridge to Terabithia”

Celebrity mag since 1977

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Transform (into)

Drops from above

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Body art medium

Roam

Glom __: take hold of

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Problem with 82-Across

Celebrity mag since 1977

Biodegrade

Resort with moguls

Transform (into)

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Rate at which romaine salads come out of the kitchen?

Biodegrade

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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Impressionist Claude

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Twee

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Goes long?

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Scored 100 on

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DIFFICULTY LEVEL 1 2 3 4

Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

By The Mepham Group

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nicholas Lewis