The Commonwealth Times; February 28, 2024

ABORTION, PALESTINE AMONG ISSUES ON STUDENTS’ MINDS FOR MARCH PRIMARY

BRI STEVENS

Contributing Writer

Virginia’s primaries are taking place on Tuesday, March 5 — also known as Super Tuesday — according to the Virginia Department of Elections. The VCU community shared their views on the upcoming elections.

Nicole Patterson, the assistant director for student organizations and one of the advisors for VCU Votes, said it is important to check voter registration status at vote. elections.virginia.gov.

Keith Balmer, general registrar for Richmond City, said students can find out where to vote by visiting rva.gov/elections.

Balmer said if a student is registered in Richmond using their college address, they must update their registration every time they move residences. If a student is registered at home, then they must vote at home or use an absentee ballot.

“College students tend to be transient, they move around quite a bit, and whenever they move, they need to update their registration,” Balmer said.

Connor Eppley, a third-year political science student and VCU Votes student, said he votes in every election to ensure his voice is heard.

“The fact that you voted, it’s on your voter record and elected officials can see what elections you voted in and they’re more likely to take your concerns more seriously,” Eppley said.

Destinee Tola, a fourth-year biology student, said it’s vital to vote in the primaries because it affects the general election.

“It’s very important to vote, even in your area district because it could potentially be the person you want to vote for during the general election,” Tola said.

An issue that’s at the forefront of many students’ minds is Palestine and the large role the U.S. is playing in it, Tola said.

“They’re not supporting Palestine and giving Israel military weapons to kill Palestinians for no good reason,” Tola said. “Everything is just about money when it comes to the U.S.”

Tola also said there should be “more rules when it comes to regulating guns.”

Suhylah Sharif, a fourth-year creative advertising student at VCU, said how Palestine is being treated will impact her vote.

“Taking accountability for actions and being real to the point of, we are funding a genocide in the Middle East of the Palestinians,” Sharif said. “I’m not going to vote for somebody that is denying that.”

Sharif said Trump won’t be on the ballot because he’ll be in jail.

“I don’t think that Trump is going to get there,” Sharif said. “No, I think that Trump is going to go to jail.”

Jonathan Sanchez, a fourth-year studying exercise science, said abortion is a key issue.

“As a Christian, abortion is an important issue for me, and I’m probably going to vote for Trump because of that, even though I kind of like Biden more,” Sanchez said.

Maji Umar, a second-year health services student, said women’s reproductive rights are important.

“My main thing is women’s reproductive rights,” Umar said. “Certain parties are against women’s rights to their bodies and what they want to do with them. I’m leaning toward the person who wouldn’t have as much of a negative impact on that.”

Levi Thompson, a third-year computer science student, said healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community has become inaccessible.

“One of my main concerns is healthcare, as someone who is LGBT, especially as a trans man. A lot of the issues surrounding that have only really been getting worse,” Thompson said. “It’s becoming very unaffordable and very unavailable.”

Vee Civil, a second-year psychology student, said an important issue is race relations and talking about race and critical race theory.

Faye Healy, a second-year kinetic imaging student, said there shouldn’t be financial barriers between students and education.

“I think everyone should be able to have

an education, and so with that should come a lot of debt relief so that there’s more access to it,” Healy said. Healy said neither candidate is suitable to be president.

“De facto I would have to vote for Biden because he’s the lesser of two evils, but I don’t think either of them are fit,” Healy said.

Sift Ahmad, a fourth-year biology student, said Nikki Haley is “cut from the same cloth” as Trump and that this election will end badly no matter the result.

“I’m not looking forward to this one because I see a bad end on both sides,” Ahmad said.

Amanda Wintersieck, a VCU political science professor, said older people vote at a higher rate because voting has become a routine for them, whereas younger people haven’t developed this habit. College students are also more likely to move their residence, which causes the hassle of updating registration and locating the correct polling place, she said.

“It’s important to acknowledge that we put hurdles in front of young people to vote that we don’t place in front of older people,” Wintersieck said. “Young people want to vote at the same rate as older people.”

Wintersieck said through the efforts of VCU Votes, voter turnout among VCU students has increased.

“Compared to a decade ago, VCU students are registered to vote and vote at a much higher rate than many other students,” Wintersieck said. “The data shows that we went from a student body turnout of 20-30% to now being well over 70%.”

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are both behaving as incumbents in this election, Wintersieck said.

“This year we have this weird incumbency effect, where we have a sitting president, Joe Biden, who is running unchallenged for the primary, and you have a former sitting president, Donald Trump, who is also behaving like an incumbent,” Wintersieck said.

Wintersieck said this isn’t a typical primary season since both candidates are well known.

“There isn’t really a choice on either side, so you don’t see a lot of the effects that you would typically see,” Wintersieck said. “Excitement and energy that voters get by getting to know new candidates.”

Wintersieck said she doubts the capability of either candidate because of their age.

“The added layer to that is that Donald Trump is committed to authoritarian values, it’s terrifying,” Wintersieck said. “To have a presidential candidate who fundamentally doesn’t understand U.S. or world history to the extent of understanding the role that NATO has played in ensuring that we haven’t had World War III.”

Illustration by Liz DeFluri.

Keith Balmer outside of Richmond Public Library during the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election. Photo courtesy of City of Richmond Office of Election.

Stories of the week

national: Donald Trump trounces Nikki Haley in South Carolina primary by near 20% margin international: Sweden to join NATO after Hungarian approval

VCU MAY HAVE RACIAL LITERACY REQUIREMENT AFTER YEARS OF PETITIONING

ANDREW KERLEY Audience Editor

VCU is making final preparations to implement a racial literacy course requirement starting in the fall 2024 semester, according to an update the provost released last week.

If implemented, students would be required to take a course about understanding institutional race and racism, ranging from justice and equity in visual arts to racial literacy in analytics, according to the provost. It would apply to incoming first-years and transfer students.

Mignonne Guy, Ph.D. and former chair of the African American studies department, first posed the requirement to a panel of Virginia college and university presidents in 2019. President Rao was the only panelist to imply the idea could come to fruition and asked Guy to start the conversation.

Committee On Racial Equity, a student group, made a petition calling for the creation of the racial literacy requirement in 2021. The course “CSIJ 200: Introduction to Race and Racism in the United States” was first offered in the spring 2022 semester, but students and faculty continued to push for it to be a requirement, according to previous reports by The Commonwealth Times.

The requirement was delayed multiple times over the years, according to previous reports by The Commonwealth Times.

VCU garnered public backlash after the provost indefinitely postponed its implementation three weeks before the fall 2023 semester, saying there needed to be “more courses and more course sections” fulfilling the requirement for VCU’s largest class ever.

CSIJ 200 and another course teaching racial literacy were still taught that semester but were not required as promised, according to the 2022-23 bulletin.

Amy Rector, Ph.D., who co-chaired the group developing the courses, said she didn’t believe the provost’s reasoning in a previous report by The Commonwealth Times.

“If those reasons were true, then we had two years to come up with solutions for those particular problems,” Rector said. “The fact that those didn’t seem to come across the provost office as real concerns until three weeks before the start of the semester is an indication that they’re not real barriers.”

The team behind the requirement never intended for every first-year student to complete it that year, according to Rector. The idea was to increase class availability each year. The group came up with a plan to train any professor wanting to teach the course, to which 60 to 70 professors expressed interest.

The NAACP chapter at VCU protested the postponement in October 2023, marching from the

Student Commons to Monroe Park, according to a previous report by The Commonwealth Times.

Anesia Lawson is the chapter’s vice president. She took CSIJ 200 as a first-year student and said it “opened her eyes” to institutional racism in the United States. After the protest, she began serving on the student advisory group helping to develop the racial literacy courses.

Lawson said students aiming to become doctors and lawyers — students aiming to do big things in corporate America — need to think critically and understand racism in society, Lawson said.

“You have people thinking, ‘Oh, you just need to work harder,’” Lawson said. “You have to look at it from this bigger lens of like, ‘Why are there more black people in jail? Why are more people of color subjugated to these types of living conditions? Why do they live in these areas?’”

The workgroup developing the racial literacy courses is wrapping up work on 15 new courses, bringing the total number of courses fulfilling the requirement to 17, according to the provost. The courses will have to meet the required number of seats and be approved by the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

Just yesterday, George Mason University shared syllabi for their own diversity, equity and inclusion requirement with Republican Gov. Glenn

Youngkin, which his administration called a “thinly veiled attempt to incorporate the progressive left’s groupthink on our students,” according to a report by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The teams developing VCU’s racial literacy requirement fear they may receive similar sentiments from Youngkin, who appoints the members of VCU’s board of visitors, Lawson said.

Ana Edwards is the course coordinator for CSIJ 200 and serves on the racial literacy work group. She said the group is excited about the update, but concerned about the language used in the announcement.

“There’s a lot of ‘ifs,’” Edwards said. “In particular, continuously referring to ‘if’ the requirement is implemented, which is different than ‘if these courses are approved.’”

The workgroup still feels encouraged by the interest coming from departments that have introduced courses for the requirement, Edwards said. Students are opting to take the class despite it not being required.

Edwards said she believes students need to take the class because they will eventually encounter the issue of race.

“They will say, ‘I don’t know enough to respond, or even when I should respond,’” Edward said. “That’s a kind of social illiteracy. They are finding this class helpful to them.”

Professor Ana Edwards teaches the course “CSIJ 200: Introduction to Race and Racism in the United States” at VCU’s Oliver Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Incoming VCU students would be required to take a racial literacy course if implemented. Photo by Andrew Kerley.

RETAIL SALES OF MARIJUANA POSSIBLE WITH TWO NEW BILLS

ALYSSA HUTTON

Contributing Writer

Bills hoping to establish a retail marijuana market in Virginia have advanced in the General Assembly.

Virginia has no retail marijuana market in place, despite the General Assembly decriminalizing the drug in 2020, according to the Virginia Code.

Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, introduced Senate Bill 448 which creates a framework for a retail marijuana market, according to the bill.

Decriminalizing marijuana but not creating a regulated market has caused a public safety and health crisis and made the state miss out on potential millions in revenue, Rouse said during a House meeting.

“Since that time, we’ve seen a major expansion of the illegal market,” Rouse said. “Unregulated, untested and untaxed products are sold oftentimes to minors.”

SB 448 sets up a system to regulate and tax marijuana being sold illegally, rather than creating an adult-use market, Rouse said.

The General Assembly created the Cannabis Control Authority in 2021. It’s the governing body on cannabis in the state and can develop and enforce rules within the medical market and, if the legislation passes, the retail market, according to the bills.

Adults 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and are allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants per household, according to legislation passed in 2021.

VCU prohibits marijuana on campus. Possessing it can result in a student code of conduct violation.

However, there is no prohibition on smoking paraphernalia, excluding hookahs, tobacco products and vapes, according to the VCU guide to residential living.

Items such as bongs, pipes, bowls and roach clips were previously against the student code of conduct, according to a previous report by The Commonwealth Times.

Del. Paul Krizek, D-Alexandria, introduced House Bill 698, a similar measure albeit with stark contrasts to Rouse’s bill.

Harshini Kanala, a VCUarts first-year, said she doesn’t think the creation of a retail market would make a difference.

“I hope it’s for a good cause — they’re making it legal so people don’t buy it illegally,” Kanala said. “I think people are still going to buy it illegally.”

Emily Gomez-Ponce, a fourth-year criminal justice student, said she supports its creation.

“It’s not hurting anyone, I fully support it,” she said.

Rouse and Krizek came together on Feb. 22 on a compromise to hash out the differences in their bills, according to Krizek.

The bills already had agreements such as increasing the maximum level of THC in edible cannabis products and allowing localities to vote on whether marijuana establishments should be prohibited.

“After these bills passed their respective bodies, Sen. Rouse and I went to work immediately with the stakeholders to harmonize them,” Krizek said at a House General Laws meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22.

The two came to agreements on tax rates, timing for licensing and opening the market,

which means how much space people and facilities have to grow plants and equity, according to both the bills’ substitutes.

TAX RATES

There will be a 4.5% state tax rate on retail sales of the drug and localities can choose to add an additional 4.5% tax, according to the bill. This is the same as the original House bill.

The Senate bill includes a 16% tax.

Rouse and Krizek agreed on the lower tax to keep prices low and reduce the cost advantage of buying the drug illegally, Krizek said at the Feb. 22 meeting.

TIMING

HB 698 originally had prioritized licensing for small businesses, pharmaceutical companies and up to five hemp processors. The facilities would have

been licensed as early as this July and able to start selling on Jan. 1, 2025.

SB 448 had the same timing but excluded prioritized licensing.

The compromise made it so licensing will begin Sept. 1, with the retail market opening in May 2025.

SPACE

The House bill originally aimed at limiting the area that facilities had to cultivate their plants. Marijuana cultivation facilities would have up to 150,000 square feet of space unless the facilities were a part of a small business, which would’ve been given 10,000 square feet.

Outdoor growing would be prohibited under the House bill.

The Senate bill didn’t mention how much room cultivators had to grow, but rather how many marijuana plants facilities could grow based on its type of license.

“We will provide a variety of options for both large and small cultivators,” Krizek said at the meeting. “We will also allow outdoor growth on a limited basis for the small growers.”

Depending on the type of licensing a facility has, they are given either 2,000 or 10,000 square feet maximum to grow indoors or outdoors. Indoor growing can range from 25,000 to 70,000 square feet.

EQUITY

HB 698 includes a plan to promote small businesses’ participation in the market. Medical marijuana processors would be required to mentor six of these businesses and pay $400,000 to each, a total of $2.4 million.

SB 448 aimed to establish a minority and small business support team to look for barriers that make it hard for these businesses to enter the market.

The compromise instead creates a small business support program funded by the CCA, according to the Senate bill. The money will come from licensing fees between July 2024 and July 2025. The funding will be continued through 60% of the tax revenue from retail sales.

There will be licensing preferences for small businesses, according to the Senate bill.

“These preferences, which will be race-neutral, will offer significant economic opportunities for economically disadvantaged persons, including persons who have suffered hardship or loss due to this country’s war on marijuana,” Krizek said.

Stat of the week

VCU second-year Toibu “Tobi” Lawal had a 16-point doubledouble in the black and gold’s 73-69 win over Saint Joseph’s University, according to VCU Athletics.

The Explosive Art of TOBI LAWAL

BERSABEH

Staff Writer

KEMAW

Toibu “Tobi” Lawal is a second-year forward from London who came to the United States to play at a higher level.

Lawal is, as most of his teammates and coaches say, freakishly athletic, and he’s very aware of that. He acknowledges his physical abilities, but he gives glory to God for those talents and skills on the court while quoting Romans 11:29, Lawal said.

He recorded a 49.5-inch vertical in 2023 and has since continued to make great strides athletically, according to VCU Athletics

There are six key things that contribute to the explosive art of Lawal.

1. FORCE

Force is a key fundamental in basketball, on a general level, according to Trifecta Therapeutics.

For example, you have to apply upward force when you go to shoot a basket, then gravity naturally brings the ball back down, according to Pitsco Education.

Lawal has a level of force every time he jumps off the ground that puts him on a different level than his peers, according to VCU strength and conditioning coach Daniel Roose.

“Tobi has a unique physiology that I’ve only seen maybe one other time,” Roose said. “That allows him to propel his body off of the floor of greater force than anybody else around.”

2. POSTERIOR CHAIN STRENGTH

The posterior chain is the makeup of back muscles that allows you to make important movements required for daily living and is essentially a powerhouse for the entire body, according to Shape.

Roose emphasized that posterior chain strength is important because of the level of force that Lawal puts into the floor.

“Obviously the higher you jump, the more that comes into those landings,” Roose said. “The main thing about that is just his posterior chain strength. So with that, hamstrings, the low back, hips, glutes and things like that is where we focus.”

3. CONTROL

The ability to control your body weight is important because it can assist in accentuating speed and strength, according to TRUE Fit.

However, Lawal said control was something he lacked when he first came to VCU.

“When I first got here, I didn’t have that much control, I was just all over the place,” Lawal said.

Lawal spoke about how core and leg strengthening and ensuring they are in proper positions when he lands have helped him have more control over his body and movements on the court.

4. JUMPING AND LANDING MECHANICS

Jumping is something that comes naturally to Lawal but it’s also something that he continues to work on in order to perfect, according to Lawal.

“All my coaches throughout my career, especially coach Roose when I got here, we work on that type of stuff, especially in the summer,” Lawal said.

On the other side of jumping, is landing, which is just as important, if not more important than taking off, Roose said.

Coach Roose said the goal is to be injury-free, which is where appropriate landing mechanics come in. Not only are they important for injury prevention but they are also a big contributor to knee health.

5. GENETICS

An athlete’s performance can be attributed to their work ethic, but it is also influenced by their genetic makeup, according to MedlinePlus.

Roose said It’s safe to say that genetics play a key role when it comes to Lawal’s athletic abilities and talents.

“That’s all genetics,” Roose said. “It’s all thanks to his parents. He arrived here being able to jump like that.”

Being naturally gifted in this department makes it enjoyable for coaches to work with, Roose said.

“Anytime you get a guy with genetic gifts he has, it makes it a lot of fun,” Roose said.

6. WORK ETHIC

Lawal’s overall performance is a direct result of his work ethic as an athlete and as a person, according to Roose.

“His work ethic is tremendous,” Roose said. “He does everything asked of him.”

Lawal is cognizant of the importance of being a hard worker and emphasizes working to sharpen and harness his “Godgiven” talents to get better and continuously improve, Lawal said.

“In the Bible, it says that a lazy man is a poor man,” Lawal said. “So all I can do is work as hard as I can with the gifts and the blessings that God’s given me.”

VCU women’s basketball DEFEATHERS Hawks, 59-48

VIOLET VELASQUEZ Contributing Writer

The VCU women’s basketball team defeated the conference No.1 ranked Saint Joseph’s University on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 59-48. The two teams have not matched up since the 2022-23 season. After this victory, the Rams are now 24-4.

This was a night for the books as VCU head coach Beth O’Boyle became the VCU basketball all-time women’s basketball wins leader, according to VCU Athletics.

“There’s so much time, energy and love that goes into each one of those wins,” O’Boyle said.

VCU won the tip-off to start the first quarter, and quickly got to the point, secondyear-guard Mary-Anna Asare made a pullup jumper at the 9-minute mark.

The Rams held the Hawks scoreless while gaining another point off of a driving layup by second-year guard Timaya Lewis-

foul line. She went two for two, tying the score 38-38.

As the quarter came to a close, the clock ran slow due to timeouts and fouls.

Scoring on both ends of the court continued as VCU had trouble getting rebounds under the opponent’s basket.

O’Boyle said the third quarter was crucial to the team’s success.

“Those rebounds down the stretch in the third quarter, I think it really changed the tone and we really started to get things going right after that,” O’Boyle said.

As the third quarter came to an end, TeBiasu found herself at the free throw line, having to break the tie score. She made both free throws, putting the Rams in the lead 42-40.

This was the first time since the first quarter the Rams were in the lead, according to Statbroadcast.

SJU scored a layup 30 seconds into the fourth quarter, bringing the score once again

sent to the line with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Each of them scored one of two free throws, bringing the final score to 59-48.

The Rams fought until the buzzer called the game and successfully upset the No. 1 ranked team in the Atlantic 10 conference.

VCU women’s basketball will head to Kingston, RI to face off against the University of Rhode Island Rams at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

VCU second-year guard Timaya Lewis-Eutsey gets hype ahead of player introductions.

Photo by Andrew Hill.

VCU fourth-year guard Sarah Te-Biasu goes up against Saint Joseph’s defenders.

Photo by Andrew Hill.

VCU second-year guard Mary-Anne Asare dribbles during a transition play.

Photo by Andrew Hill.

RAMS WIN first series of season

DAN ELSON

Contributing writer

The Rams on Sunday, Feb. 25 bounced back to beat the Merrimack Warriors 7-5 to secure their first series win on the season. The Rams are now 4-3 this season.

“It’s always good to get a win and win a series,” fourth-year third baseman Brandon Eike said. “Bummed we couldn’t sweep. A series win is a win and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

SUNDAY, FEB. 25

The Rams were losing 2-0 and hitless through the first four innings of the game. The bottom of the fifth inning was the turning point.

The Warriors got off to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single from graduate student shortstop Cavan Brady and a sacrifice fly RBI from designated second-year hitter Frankie Ferrentino.

With a runner on second base in the top of the second inning, second-year Rams pitcher Maison Martinez came in to relieve Will Greer after he only pitched 1.1 innings. Martinez was able to get two quick outs.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, firstyear Warriors pitcher Campbell Cassidy left the game after walking three batters in a row. The Rams scored their first run of the game on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 2-1.

Second-year right fielder Aden Hill hit a sacrifice fly that scored redshirt fourthyear catcher Nic Ericsson to tie the game up at two. Later in the bottom of the fifth, graduate student outfielder Eli Weisner, who came in and pinched hit for the Rams, drove in two runs on an RBI single to make it a 5-2 ball game.

Fourth-year third baseman Brandon Eike said that pinch-hit single gave the Rams momentum.

“That’s huge when we have guys that can come off the bench in a big situation and get a big knock for us,” Eike said. “That was a big jump for us there.”

In the top of the seventh, Merrimack scored two runs — one on a fielding error from fourth-year shortstop William Bean to shorten the lead to 7-4.

Eike belted his fourth home run of the season into left-center field in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Rams a 7-2 lead.

“He’s a really good player,” Rams head coach Bradley LeCroy said. “He’s an AllAmerican and they’re pitching to him, and when they make a mistake he’s taking advantage of it.”

Martinez pitched 4.2 innings, struck out five batters and allowed three hits in relief.

“I think just me going out there and putting up zeros really just kept us in this game and brought some energy in this dugout to heat up at-bats,” Martinez said.

SATURDAY, FEB. 24

The Rams struck first in the game off of an RBI double from fourth-year shortstop William Bean and VCU scored another run on a passed ball in the bottom of the first inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Warriors scored three runs to take their first lead of the series on three hits to make the lead 4-2.

In a 9-9 game going into the top of the eighth, the Warriors scored five runs to extend the lead to 14-9.

The Warriors started off the eighth inning with back-to-back singles from second-year center fielder Hayden Bond and graduate student shortstop Cavan Brady. Bond scored on a passed ball from Rams pitcher Owen Tappy, who earned his first loss, which gave the Warriors a 10-9 lead.

Warriors second-year left fielder Chris Goode extended the lead to 11-9 off an RBI single that scored Brady. Shortly after, the Warriors blew the game wide open when the ball got past redshirt fourth-year center fielder Cooper Benzin which allowed three runs to score.

Rams head coach Bradley LeCroy said the team didn’t throw enough strikes and execute pitches in the top of the eighth inning.

“We threw too many balls in the middle of the plate,” LeCroy said. “Give their hitters credit, they made us pay for it. And then we had a defensive miscue, and that led to a big inning.”

LeCroy said he thought the Rams swung the bats “really well.”

“Anytime you score 12 runs, you probably should win the game. So offensively yesterday, we had a really good day.”

Rams 16-12 to earn their first win of the season.

Eike homered, doubled and knocked in four runs on the day. Third-year second baseman Casey Kleinman went three-forfour and scored two runs. Graduate student left fielder Ethan Iannuzzi finished the afternoon with a two-for-four day and had three RBIs.

Bryce and Brady both produced three-hit games for the Warriors. Goode and second-year catcher Frankie Ferrentino both had multi-hit games for the Warriors. Firstyear pitcher Andrew Heffernan allowed seven runs in 3.2 innings pitched. Fourth-year pitcher Michael Dragon, who earned the win, struck out seven and gave up three runs in three innings.

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

12-3 to take the first game of the series. The Warriors gave up 14 walks to the Rams — a season-high for Merrimack.

the Warriors’ four errors in the first inning and scored three runs. The Warriors made five errors altogether.

LeCroy said the team took advantage of the errors, walks and hit by pitches.

“We’re fortunate they gave us a bunch Friday and we took advantage of them and scored a lot of runs,” LeCroy said.

Graduate student left fielder Ethan Iannuzzi went two for three at the plate, drove in a run and scored twice. Fourth-year third baseman Brandon Eike and redshirt fourth-year Cooper Benzin combined for six walks.

The Rams scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning to blow the game wide open. Redshirt fourth-year catcher Ericsson extended the lead to 4-0 off of a single that drove in Iannuzzi, who walked in his at-bat.

Redshirt first-year outfielder and first baseman Devan Zirwas tripled to left center to drive in Ericsson and Benzin to extend the lead to 6-0. The Rams kept piling it on with an RBI single from third-year second baseman Casey Kleinman.

Second-year shortstop Samuel Sherman scored the Warriors’ first run in the top of the fifth off of a single from outfielder Cam Marshall to cut the lead to 11-1.

GAME RESULTS

DATE FEBRUARY 21

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SAINT JOSEPH’S WON 59-48

WOMEN’S LACROSSE AT OLD DOMINION LOST 8-7

DATE FEBRUARY 23

WOMEN’S TENNIS VS. WILLIAM & MARY WON 4-1

WOMEN’S TRACK VS. ATLANTIC 10

PLACED 1ST OUT OF 14

First-year infielder Dawson Bryce reached on a fielder’s choice and first baseman Logan Castellano singled to the opposite field. Third-year catcher George Athanasiadis knocked both of them in which made it a 12-3 ball game in the top

Pitcher Zachary Peters, who earned the win, pitched three scoreless innings and struck out three. The Rams bullpen gave up LeCroy said Peters made adjustments to

“The biggest thing is he and coach Thompson, during his time off, worked on his breaking ball,” LeCroy noted. “It was a lot better Friday night. It was sharper, cleaner. So that was very effective for him.”

MEN’S TRACK VS. ATLANTIC 10 INDOOR

PLACED 3RD OUT OF 9

MEN’S BASEBALL VS. MERRIMACK WON 12-3

DATE FEBRUARY 24

MEN’S BASEBALL VS. MERRIMACK

LOST 16-12

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AT LA SALLE WON 75-50

DATE FEBRUARY 25

MEN’S TENNIS AT MIAMI WON 4-3

WOMEN’S TENNIS VS. GEORGE WASHINGTON WON 6-1

WOMEN’S LACROSSE VS. HARVARD

LOST 19-7

MEN’S BASEBALL VS. MERRIMACK WON 7-5

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SAINT JOSEPH’S WON 73-69

VCU second-year pitcher Zachery Peters sets up on the mound before a pitch.

Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore.

VCU MEN’S BASKETBALL RALLIED PAST SAINT JOSEPH’S IN HOMECOMING GAME COMEBACK, 73-69

THAILON WILSON Sports Editor

VCU beat Saint Joseph’s University 73-69 on Sunday, Feb. 25, to cap off their celebration for the black and gold Homecoming game.

The men’s basketball team faces an A-10 opponent every year during Homecoming, while also celebrating the night with a tailgate before the game and festivities during the game.

VCU head coach Ryan Odom said that winning the game in front of the sold-out crowd was special.

“The crowd was great, they gave us energy,” Odom said. “I can’t say enough about the crowd that we had here tonight.”

The Hawks are the No. 3 offense in the conference with an average of 76.5 points per game, according to Atlantic 10.

The Rams are ranked the No. 3 defense in the conference and only allow opponents to score an average of 66.3 points per game, according to Atlantic 10.

The tip-off commenced with SJU winning the first possession after the soldout crowd applauded for the starting lineup announcements.

Neither team was able to score during the first two minutes until SJU second-year forward Rasheer Fleming made two free throws to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead at the 18-minute mark.

VCU graduate student forward Kuany Kuany was fouled on the next possession on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws, giving the 3-2 lead right back

to the Rams.

The Rams and the Hawks went backand-forth trading buckets, with VCU maintaining a 5-4 lead, going into a 15-minute-mark media timeout.

Coming off the timeout, both teams continued to trade baskets, but Saint Joseph’s took a 10-7 lead off a three-pointer by SJU first-year guard Xzavyier Brown at the 13-minute mark

VCU second-year Toibu “Tobi” Lawal scored a dunk off a pass by VCU fourthyear guard Max Shulga to bring the Hawks’ lead to 10-9 with 11 minutes remaining in the first half.

Lawal led the Rams with 16 points and 10 rebounds this game.

Coach Odom said Lawal’s potential is through the roof and we are only seeing the beginning of it.

“He’s just scratching the surface,” Odom said “The best is coming for him.”

Neither team was able to score the ball, but Brown hit another three-pointer to increase the lead. This started an 8-0 run for the Hawks and they led 18-9 at the sevenminute mark.

VCU graduate forward Sean Bairstow was fouled and made both of his free throws to lower the lead to 18-11 with six minutes remaining in the first half.

The black and gold and SJU went shotfor-shot making baskets but the Hawks maintained a 23-16 lead with three minutes remaining in the half.

The Rams scraped away at SJU’s lead, but the Hawks maintained a 6-point advantage heading into halftime.

VCU shot only 20% from the field as well as only 10% from the three-point arc for the entire first half, according to Statbroadcast.

During halftime, VCU held the Homecoming divinity celebration, where current VCU students who have been running for Homecoming royalty came onto the court.

Each classification had two members of royalty announced, and each of the winners received a stache and a crown to represent their royalty and school spirit.

After halftime ended, VCU started the half with the ball, and Bairstow was fouled and made both free throws to give the Rams the first points of the second half.

VCU fourth-year guard Joe Bamisile said coach Odom told the team they did great defensively and that offense would come naturally in the second half.

“Coach was like ‘if we keep doing what we do on defense eventually the tide will turn on offense’ and it sure did,” Bamisile said.

This initiated a 9-0 run for the Rams, giving them a 30-27 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the game. This was the Rams’ first lead since they led 5-4 early in the first half.

Saint Joseph’s and VCU traded a pair of buckets, but VCU still held a 32-29 lead with 15 minutes remaining in the second half.

The Rams then went on a 5-0 run to increase the lead to 37-29 with 14 minutes left. SJU’s Brown then scored a threepointer to weaken VCU’s momentum.

This initiated more back-andforth scoring between the two teams, but the Rams were up 40-34 at the 12-minute mark.

SJU third-year guard Erik Reynolds II made back-to-back three-pointers, lowering the black and gold’s lead to 42-40. Bamisile made a three-pointer in response, making the lead 45-40 with nine minutes remaining.

Shulga said Bamisile’s ability to score was key in this game.

“That’s what Joe does, he scores the ball,” Shulga said. “It’s really great for us and I know he’ll continue to do that.”

VCU and SJU went shot-for-shot but the Rams held a 47-43 lead after a Lawal dunk at the seven-minute mark.

Bamisile hit a three-pointer followed by another Lawal dunk to give the Rams a 52-43 lead over the Hawks. This quick 4-0 run by the black and gold caused a timeout call by SJU.

SJU went on a 5-0 run, but Bamisile snapped it with a three-pointer, increasing the Rams’ lead to 55-48 with five minutes left.

The Rams and Hawks went back to the shot-for-shot aggressive style of play, but the Rams held on until the final buzzer and won 73-69.

VCU plays against The University of Rhode Island on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

VCU men’s basketball came back in the second half against Saint Joseph’s University during the Homecoming game. Photos by Andrew Hill.

On this day

In 1996, KISS reunited at the Grammys in full makeup and costume.

JEWELRY POP-UP SHOP FEATURES LOCAL DESIGNER WITH GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

JOSHUA MIKLOS Contributing Writer

With roots in Richmond and a global perspective, Ashley White, founder of jewelry and home accessories brand Styledentity, creates jewelry and accessories inspiring confidence and individuality, according to the VMFA Shop website.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosted a pop-up shop for Styledentity, whose motto is “Style is the armor in the battle for identity,” from Friday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 25. Attendees could meet White and purchase her handmade jewelry.

As well as being a craftswoman, small business owner and seasoned traveler, White is a Richmond local and VCU alumnus who graduated in 2007 from the fashion design and merchandising program, according to White.

It can take her anywhere from 30 minutes to several days to create a piece,

The collection she presented for the popup included white bone beads and sea glass beads from Ghana and Tibetan coral and turquoise mixed together, according to White.

Inspired and partially taught by her mother who her own art, White began making things at an early age, she said.

“I hoard things like beads and wires, strings and ropes, all sorts of things,” White said. “I like to mix mediums together — kind of things that you wouldn’t expect to go together or things from cultures that aren’t the same. That’s kind of a big thing for me because I like to travel; I like to experience different cultures.”

White emphasized the importance of experiencing and learning about other cultures, especially in the United States where the population is made up of many diverse cultures that influence fashion and style,

The emphasis on creating jewelry that incorporates diverse cultural mediums and surprising motifs stems from her goal to create unique pieces that can reflect and express personal identity, White said.

Virginia, picked up a couple of Styledentity pieces to purchase. Wesley said she likes that the VMFA Shop hosts frequent popup events.

The style reminded Wesley of her trip to West Africa and similar styles she saw there, she said.

“I just love to make things,” White said. “I was always interested in art and I started getting more formal training by going to the Visual Arts Center — back then it was called the Hand Workshop — ever since then, I just kind of got into jewelry making and just kind of making home goods.”

White’s business came to be almost by accident, she said. Needing a pair of earrings to go with an outfit for an event in 2010, she decided to make her own. While at the event, White was encouraged by admirers of the handmade pieces to make and sell her designs.

White made an Etsy shop the very next day, not expecting her brand to become what it is today, she said.

“I do like to create a lot of one-ofone pieces or just a limited number of pieces — I think that we live in a world where everybody copies everybody, so I kind of like to make it harder for everybody to look the same,” White said.

Style should be a reflection of oneself and not of others, White said.

“I’m an advocate for personal style,” White said. “I think people should spend more time tapping into what makes them feel good instead of what looks good on somebody else.”

On top of style being a method of expressing personal identity, she also interprets her motto, “Style is the armor in the battle for identity,” to mean style as a defense mechanism in protecting personal identity, according to White.

Style can be a way for introverts, like herself, to remain introverted while expressing themselves in bold ways, White said.

Maureen Wesley, a self-proclaimed museum shop lover visiting from Northern

This is Styledentity’s second popup event with the VMFA Shop after it successfully carried her work in-store for almost two years, according to Katie Carr, the VMFA store manager.

“We were excited to try and get her in to do a pop-up event — her first one was probably spring of last year, and it was super successful, and both her and I were eager to do it again,” Carr said. The pop-up event program began in 2011, but after being derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, it began to pick back up this past year, according to Carr.

“Ashley’s work is so fun because truly anyone could walk in here and see a piece they love and take that home with them,” Carr said. “Her styles are fun, they’re lively, they’re colorful, so it truly is a great fit for the store and projecting the mission that we want.”

The VMFA Shop’s mission is to provide visitors with a continuation of their experience at the museum, according to Carr.

Styledentity accomplishes this goal by reflecting the art featured in the museum while also appealing to the VMFA’s wide range of visitors, from museum members to people from all over the world, Carr said.

Carr feels White’s global outlook influences her to craft unique pieces out of materials that reflect many different cultures, she said.

“Allowing the artists to have a space and an opportunity where they can just truly come in and focus on telling their story like talking about their inspiration, showcasing their products — being able to just provide that platform to give that exposure to someone is just really fun and meaningful for us,”

Illustrations by Jada Artis.

DURAN DURAN BASSIST SPEAKS ON ‘SOUND AND VISION’

SOFIA HUSSAIN

Contributing Writer

People gathered at In Your Ears Studios on Thursday, Feb. 22, for a conversation and Q&A with John Taylor, lead bassist of Duran Duran, who tuned in through Zoom.

The conversation was based around the theme “sound and vision” and was hosted by Robert Milazzo, professor of the MASC 410 Media Entrepreneurship course, and 410 Productions, a production company organized by the course’s students, according to Rams Connect.

People were constantly developing original ideas in media production during the 1980s, Taylor said.

“If you are a visual artist, chances are you saw things that stayed with you,” Taylor said. “It was a very innovative time.”

It was easy to be original with ideas for music videos in the ‘80s compared to now, Taylor said.

Taylor discussed influential music videos from artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift and how music video

production has changed since the ‘80s.

“Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé is his favorite music video from the past 20 years, Taylor said.

Music production is an industry that requires people to get out of their comfort zone in order to gain experience, Taylor said.

“You can get a lot more done together than individually,” Taylor said. “After being in Duran Duran, I’m a big believer in teamwork.”

Taylor hopes students can recognize the importance of teamwork in music production and feels it’s important to be surrounded by people who share the same passions when beginning a career in music production, he said.

“Find people who share your goals and stay close to them,” Taylor said.

The conversation focused on Taylor’s work in music video production as a multifaceted artist, according to Milazzo.

“When I think of John Taylor I think of many types of art,” Milazzo said. “His artistic background is very interesting. Duran Duran has an important legacy in

video production.”

Milazzo hopes students attending the event who are aspiring to work in media production can gain a deeper insight into Taylor’s work in video production, he said.

It’s inspiring to see a mix of generations in the audience that have been influenced by Duran Duran, Milazzo said.

“I want people to leave knowing something about John they never knew,” Milazzo said. “I want it to ultimately be a form of education.”

The event has influenced VCU students’ perspectives on generational music, according to Kristen Furlo, fourth-year at VCU, event manager and president of 410 Productions.

The event allowed different generations to connect through Duran Duran’s music, Furlo said.

The event was inspiring from a nostalgia standpoint since fans got to witness the evolution of their music videos, said Karen Wilder, an audience member.

“They were really inspiring and their music videos were the epitome of my childhood,” Wilder said.

Duran Duran is inspiring in the way they care about their fans and how they reinvent their music, according to Jennifer Wood, an audience member.

“They always want to do amazing things for us, and that’s very inspiring,” Wood said.

‘A PERSPECTIVE OF QUEERNESS’: Life drawing event supports queer artists

LELIA CONTEE Contributing Writer

Queer Life Drawing, a figure drawing event, debuts on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m at Gold Lion Community Cafe and will give attendees a chance to meet artists, models and to be creative in a fun place, according to the event’s page.

RVA Thriving Artists, a nonprofit organization that aims to bring resources to local artists and connect artists with the community, hosts the event, according to the event’s page. Attendees will be required to bring their art supplies to the event and can draw the featured models; queer couple Qing Blaze and Jo’rie Tigerlily.

The event has a suggested donation of $10 at the door which will go towards paying the models and fundraising for the “Color Theory: The Richmond Queer Art Experience,” an exhibition and gallery show at Art Works, Inc., where people can purchase the art of LGBTQ+ artists, according to Chris Schoen, the community engagement manager at Art Works and the program administrator at RVA Thriving Artists.

“I felt like doing a queer figure drawing class as a fundraiser was the perfect opportunity for us to both get to know more of the queer artists,” Schoen said.

All artists are welcome to join, even if they only draw stick figures, Schoen said. They believe events like this will foster community amongst artists and may inspire others to start their own collective.

Schoen stresses the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in art, they said.

Once upon a time, LGBTQ+ artists had to code their art to fit into heteronormative culture, now, they’ve come to a place where coding isn’t necessary because it’s the beginning of new art paradigms, Schoen said.

“To use queerness as the subject of your art, I think that’s really cool and somewhat unique,” Schoen said. “With this, it’s like you get to attack the art from a perspective of queerness.”

This event is not just about art, but a step towards normalizing how people can love in different ways, said Qing Blaze, a multifaceted artist and featured model at the event.

“When you think about what love is, when you’re thinking about Valentine’s Day, I think that still a very hetero cis-gendered couple normally comes to mind,” said Blaze. “I think it’s really cool that we were invited to do it because we are not.”

He not only recognizes the importance of LGBTQ+ representation but also the importance of highlighting Black LGBTQ+ representation in these spaces, especially during Black History Month, Blaze said.

“We are Black, and I think that’s another thing that sometimes when you do see queer representation it often is not in celebration of Blackness also,” Blaze said.

Jo’rie Tigerlily, a creative artist and model featured at the event, said she is excited and looking forward to seeing how people’s artwork turns out.

“Sitting and posing for figure drawing is not easy work; you’re working whether you are clothed or unclothed,” Tigerlily said. “But it’s very rewarding in the end to see what people are able to capture from their different

vantage points.”

While Richmond has a lot of opportunities for people to express themselves, there is still conservatism that they still deal with, Tigerlily said. There’s hope that showcasing LGBTQ+ love gives people the chance to be more free.

“Despite whatever bubblings of adversity might pop up,” Tigerlily said. “This is a place where people can be supported and be loved and be safe and have community and be able to find their family chosen or otherwise, and this event is a perfect place to potentially meet those people.”

John Taylor, lead bassist of Duran Duran, answers questions from the audience over a Zoom call. Photo by Anthony Duong.

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Why dining robots don’t belong at VCU

JESSICA HOLGADO

Contributing Writer

Walking through the open spaces of George Mason University, I encountered something that seemed straight out of a sci-fi flick — a dining robot humming along the sidewalks. It was the first time I ever laid eyes on one.

I found myself charmed by the idea of having my food delivered by one of those automatons, saving me the trip across campus on a busy day. They were honestly cool, and I could not help but find them adorable even though I didn’t think too much about them beyond that.

The thought of these robots navigating through crowds of students, dodging hurried pedestrians and facing potential acts of vandalism seems impractical, if not impossible.”

Jessica Holgado contributing writer

When VCU Dining introduced the idea of Starship robots to our urban campus, my initial enchantment gave

way to skepticism. VCU’s environment is a stark contrast to the orderly confines of GMU.

As a student on a busy campus, the sight of delivery robots cruising along the sidewalks is becoming increasingly common. These high-tech couriers promise convenience and efficiency, whisking packages and meals to busy students and faculty. As I watch them glide by, however, I can not help but feel concerned for the delivery drivers whose jobs are at risk because of this automation.

The truth is, while these robots are marvels of modern engineering, they represent a significant shift in the job market. For years, students and locals have relied on delivery jobs for income, flexible hours and even human interaction. These are not just jobs; they are opportunities for people to connect, support themselves and in some cases, work their way through school.

I understand the appeal of delivery robots. They do not get tired, they do not need breaks and they are not prone to human error — but at what cost? The introduction of these robots could lead to a loss of jobs for real people; individuals I pass by every day who have stories, ambitions and financial needs.

The thought of these robots navigating through crowds of students, dodging hurried pedestrians and facing potential acts of vandalism seems impractical, if not impossible. The charm of the robots is overshadowed by the logistical nightmares that a busy cityscape like VCU’s could present.

With all the gunfire, armed robberies and hit-and-runs around campus, it is already chaotic. Throwing dining robots into the mix could just crank up the mayhem. Every time I get an alert about another incident, I am reminded of how unpredictable things can get here.

Navigating the uneven sidewalks and pavement in this city is a challenge on its own. Imagine those dining robots trying to wheel around with a tray of food — it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Jessica Holgado contributing writer

Adding robots that could get tagged, hijacked or just plain run over seems like it would add another layer of disorder we really don’t need. It’s tough enough to navigate campus as it is, and I can’t imagine robots making it any easier.

Another major concern is the risk of theft and vandalism in a city environment. Given the high population density and diverse urban population, it is difficult to predict how these robots would handle

unpredictable interactions.

Robot malfunctions are another problem. What if they just stop working in the middle of a delivery? Navigating the uneven sidewalks and pavement in this city is a challenge on its own. Imagine those dining robots trying to wheel around with a tray of food — it’s a recipe for disaster. With our luck, it would probably happen during finals week when everyone depends on a quick bite.

And let’s not forget about traffic. People run red lights like it’s a sport. A robot trying to cross the street could easily get caught up in that mess. Moreover, the dynamic and crowded campus setting could pose navigational difficulties for the robots, which could disrupt the efficiency and the overall flow of the campus.

Considering these factors, it becomes evident that VCU requires a more humancentric approach to dining services that can adapt to the unique needs and challenges of our campus community. It seems like we’re better off keeping things simple and sticking to what works.

Illustration by Abigail Gleeson.

‘Animation is cinema’: Ghibli vs. Spider-Man

RYAN HUMPHREY

Contributing Writer

“Animation is cinema.” It’s a mantra that has become increasingly popular online, especially after Guillermo del Toro used it when his stop motion adaptation of “Pinocchio” won Best Animated Feature at the 2023 Oscars. The phrase speaks to an important truth that often goes overlooked in Hollywood: Animation isn’t just a genre for kids — it’s a medium capable of producing meaningful art for all ages.

If anyone has the right to say it, it’s del Toro, whose remarkable interpretation of “Pinocchio” reworked the classic moral tale into a story of heroic defiance in fascist Italy. Despite its PG rating, it featured mature themes and beautifully crafted visuals that truly made it deserving of the term “cinema.”

It is harder to justify claiming “Animation is cinema” when referring to something like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” — though the film’s online fans have gleefully adopted the mantra. In the most literal sense, sugary kids’ movies are

Oscar Picks

DYLAN HOSTETTER

Opinions and Humor Editor

It seems the 2024 Oscars have a lot more eyes watching than previous years, and I imagine that is due to the extreme popularity of some of the films featured — from the tight race for Animated Feature Film between “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “The Boy and the Heron,” to the insanely popular films in the Best Picture category “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” As a film fan, I am glad to see the Oscars’ flame stoked once again. Here are my picks for some of the major categories:

part of the medium of cinema, but if being a movie is all it takes for something to receive the label of “cinema,” then it does not seem very useful as a descriptor.

To many, Martin Scorsese became a real-life supervillain when he argued that superhero films are not cinema. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying superhero films — I certainly do — but there is truth in Scorsese’s idea of cinema as an art form capable of introducing you to revelatory and meaningful experiences.

Despite the genuine care behind many of them, mass-produced franchise movies are designed above all else to make a profit, and in their quest to achieve as wide an audience while cutting as many corners as possible, they often lose much of the artistry that would make them worthy of a lofty term like “cinema.”

One notable exception is the apparent frontrunner for Best Animated Feature at this year’s Oscars: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” the dazzling sequel to a previous winner of the award. Every one of the film’s gorgeously rendered frames bursts with artistry and care, and despite the

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINEES:

Bradley Cooper - “Maestro”

Colman Domingo - “Rustin”

Paul Giamatti - “The Holdovers”

Cillian Murphy - “Oppenheimer”

Jeffrey Wright - “American Fiction”

MY PICK:

Cillian Murphy - “Oppenheimer”

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE NOMINEES:

Mark Ruffalo - “Poor Things”

Ryan Gosling - “Barbie”

Robert De Niro - “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Robert Downey Jr. - “Oppenheimer”

Sterling K. Brown - “American Fiction”

MY PICK:

Robert Downey Jr. - “Oppenheimer”

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINEES:

Carey Mulligan - “Maestro”

Annette Bening - “Nyad”

Sandra Hüller - “Anatomy of a Fall”

Lily Gladstone - “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Emma Stone - “Poor Things”

MY PICK:

Emma Stone - “Poor Things”

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE NOMINEES:

Emily Blunt - “Oppenheimer”

Danielle Brooks - “The Color Purple”

America Ferrera - “Barbie”

Jodie Foster - “Nyad”

Da’Vine Joy Randolph - “The Holdovers”

MY PICK:

Da’Vine Joy Randolph - “The Holdovers”

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM NOMINEES:

“The Boy and the Heron”

“Elemental”

“Nimona”

“Robot Dreams”

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

MY PICK:

“The Boy and the Heron”

multiversal scale of the storytelling, the film hones in on the personal, relatable struggles of its characters.

“Across the Spider-Verse” immediately gained a passionate and widespread fanbase, making it undoubtedly the fan-favorite to win the award.

The other frontrunner is Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron,” the newest “final film” from Hayao Miyazaki, who seems to love cinema too much to ever retire for good. Beneath its fantastical surface of magical worlds and talking birds, “The Boy and the Heron” is a textured and dense meditation on the life, art and legacy of the man who has arguably done more for animation than anyone else alive.

It isn’t as accessible or easily understood as “Across the Spider-Verse,” and naturally does not have the same immense popularity, but anyone willing to seriously engage with it will almost certainly find something of value to take away.

I always took it for granted that “Across the Spider-Verse” would win Best Animated Feature, but after “The Boy and the Heron” triumphed at the Golden Globes, a terrifying future began to make itself known — a future where Miyazaki’s film wins the Oscar over its fan-favorite competitor and is promptly torn apart by a legion of self-professed fans of animation. I can’t see the future, but this one seems distressingly plausible.

It would not be a bad thing for “Across the Spider-Verse” to win the award over the more mature Ghibli film — both are tremendous artistic accomplishments. It’s a shame, however, that many of the most outspoken proponents of animation only seem to support a very limited selection of animated

DIRECTING NOMINEES:

films — specifically English-language kids’ movies.

“Perfect Blue,” “Fantastic Planet” and “Princess Mononoke” are a few stunning, relatively well-known animated films that never seem to be included in the “animation is cinema” posts — likely due to either their foreign origins or to their often more mature content.

It’s hard to escape the sense that some proponents of “animation is cinema” are actually trying to justify their enjoyment of kids’ movies rather than animation specifically. Animated kids’ movies absolutely have value — Miyazaki’s filmography alone is proof of that — but animation being inseparable from children’s entertainment is a major barrier to it getting the respect it deserves.

“Animation is cinema” shouldn’t just be used as a shield to validate our own viewing habits. It should be an invitation for us to step out of our comfort zones and seek out everything that the medium has to offer. Whether or not “The Boy and the Heron” wins the Oscar over “Across the SpiderVerse,” I hope that both fans of animation and general audiences will give it a shot — although they might be better off watching some of Miyazaki’s earlier work first.

And who knows — maybe we live in the bizarre timeline where “Elemental” beats them both.

Justine Triet - “Anatomy of a Fall”

Martin Scorsese - “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Christopher Nolan - “Oppenheimer”

Yorgos Lanthimos - “Poor Things”

Jonathan Glazer - “The Zone of Interest”

MY PICK:

Christopher Nolan - “Oppenheimer”

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY NOMINEES:

Cord Jefferson - “American Fiction”

Greta Gerwig and Noah

Baumbach - “Barbie”

Christopher Nolan - “Oppenheimer”

Tony McNamara - “Poor Things”

Jonathan Glazer - “The Zone of Interest”

MY PICK:

Christopher Nolan - “Oppenheimer”

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY NOMINEES:

Justine Triet and Arthur Harari - “Anatomy of a Fall”

David Hemingson - “The Holdovers”

Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer - “Maestro”

Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik“May December”

Celine Song - “Past Lives”

MY PICK:

David Hemingson - “The Holdovers”

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM NOMINEES:

Italy - “Io Capitano”

Japan - “Perfect Days”

Spain - “Society of the Snow”

Germany - “The Teachers’ Lounge”

United Kingdom - “The Zone of Interest”

MY PICK:

United Kingdom - “The Zone of Interest”

ORIGINAL SCORE NOMINEES:

Laura Karpman - “American Fiction”

John Williams - “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

Robbie Robertson - “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Ludwig Göransson - “Oppenheimer”

Jerskin Fendrix - “Poor Things”

MY PICK:

Ludwig Göransson - “Oppenheimer”

ORIGINAL SONG NOMINEES:

Diane Warren from “Flamin’ Hot” - “The Fire Inside”

Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt from “Barbie” - “I’m Just Ken”

Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson from “American Symphony” - “It Never Went Away”

Scott George from “Killers of the Flower Moon” - “Wahzhazhe”

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell from “Barbie” - “What Was I Made For?”

MY PICK:

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell from “Barbie” - “What Was I Made For?”

BEST PICTURE NOMINEES:

“American Fiction”

“Anatomy of a Fall”

“Barbie”

“The Holdovers”

“Killers of the Flower Moon” “Maestro”

“Oppenheimer”

“Past Lives”

“Poor Things” “The Zone of Interest”

MY PICK: “Oppenheimer”

Illustrations by Killian Goodale-Porter.

Illustration by Victor Romanko.

Joke of the week

“Being a famous print journalist is like being the best-dressed woman on radio.”

— Robin Williams

TWIN TROUBLES

DYLAN HOSTETTER Opinions and Humor Editor

My brother Tom and I have always had a close relationship — it would be hard not to, we look identical after all. My mother always said we were too perfect to be just a single child — but I think that was just a way for her to mentally cope with giving birth to twins.

Even before we could walk, people were confusing us with each other. We always played pranks on babysitters and unsuspecting drive-through window clerks. Once we successfully convinced a random man on the street that Tom was me from the future. We even got him to max out his ATM card with the promise we could use our time travel powers to fix sports games in his favor.

It just so happens that my brother and I decided to go to the same college, though our areas of study differed greatly: My brother is a chemistry major and I am an English major. Our interests have always varied — that was until one day when we decided to relive our youth and play a little prank.

It was right before spring break and we were both getting a little burnt out with our respective schedules. It was Tom who proposed the idea of switching places. We would attend each other’s classes for a week and see how many people we could fool.

The moment I stepped foot in the chemistry lab, I was thrown for a loop. All the numbers, carbon chains and boiling points gave me a raging headache. Looking back, it could have just been all the chemical solutions I was inhaling. They tell you to waft, but wafting is for babies.

I have read and transcribed Chaucer manuscripts with ease, but reading the periodic table was like reading a foreign language. In just the first two classes I not only set my lab coat on fire with a Bunsen burner, but also shattered several beakers — some containing strange acidic solutions

— on the floor. I do not know what was in them exactly, but needless to say, the third floor now has a new skylight.

At the end of the week, my brother and I reported back to each other. I told him of my utter destruction of the chemistry department and waited eagerly to hear how poorly he had done in all of my classes.

I was surprised to hear he had actually excelled. He said “the life of an English major is easy,” and that “all we do is read books and write essays.” I told him he was being ridiculous, that we do much more than that — we also write discussion board posts sometimes.

The next week I had assumed we would go back to normal — only, when I arrived at my first class of the day, I found my brother already there, sitting in my seat. When he noticed me, he smiled and waved.

I asked him what he was doing in my class, but he acted completely unaware. He started calling me “Tom” and asking why I wasn’t in the chemistry lab. All I could do was stare at him with a stunned expression as my professor, who I had a good relationship with, shunned me out of his classroom. I could not believe it.

A few hours later, there was a knock at the door of our apartment. I opened it to see my girlfriend standing with a large bouquet of flowers in her hands.

“Oh, hey Tom,” she said. “Can you believe your brother bought me these flowers? It’s so unlike him.”

I looked at her confused as Tom stepped in behind her and she turned around and kissed him. Stealing my seat was one thing, but my girlfriend? I could not let this stand. I tried to explain to her what Tom was

doing — how he was trying to take over my life — but she would not listen. She said that even if what I was saying was true, she liked the new me much better anyway.

I rushed out to find the dean and put an end to all this. I found her talking to my professor, and as I approached them, I overheard him saying how I had really made a positive change this past week, how I “used to be such a little jerk,” but now I was his favorite student. I could not believe my ears. Embarrassed, I left.

My life is now in shambles. My brother still refuses to switch back or even acknowledge the truth. He and my now ex-girlfriend have planned a spring break cruise together. I was not able to make any plans, as I will need to spend all my time studying — it looks like I’m going to have to give this chemistry thing a go after all.

Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.

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The

FREE BOOZE

By Ed Sessa

4

6

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, please visit sudoku.org.uk

Solution to Saturday’s puzzle