Skip to main content

Cardinal Points Issue #5 Fall 2026

Page 1

FRIDAY, OCT. 9

Fall 2026 | ISSUE 5 WHAT’S INSIDE:

Photo Page

A&C

Cardinal Creative: Kayden Nelson

Mens Soccer

Student Association

ANYA KERN/Cardinal Points

The Student Association votes to approve the Organization for Women of Color during the senate meeting Oct. 7.

SA approves student resolution one BY GRANT TERWILLIGER Editor-in-Chief

The Student Association approved Student Resolution One regarding sexual assault prevention, approved the Organization for Women of Color for permanent status and approved senator ex-officio positions. Student Resolution One was approved to start conversations between the Title IX office and the student association as well as allocate funds to help prevent sexual assault. “In light of recent events in the news, a conversation has been started among the student association about what we can do to reduce the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, our college campus,” Speaker of the Senate Sami Goodman said. A student resolution communicates the intentions of the student association, so there is not an exact amount of money being allocated for the student resolution yet. Goodman said that it will be decided on for the spring budget in collaboration with President Hassani St. John and Treasurer Angel Almaraz Castillo. “So we are committing to funding,” Goodman

said. “But we want to keep it open so that that funding can best suit the needs of this campus and the needs of our collaboration with the Title IX office.” The Student Association will commit to having one meeting per semester with the Title IX office to receive updates, trends, and initiatives to facilitate cooperation, according to the student resolution. The Organization of Women of Color was approved by the student association for permanent status unanimously. Giovanni Samuel, president of the Organization of Women of Color, said that the events they’ve previously held are events on issues that affect women of color in society, body issues and other educational events. Samuel said that they receive eight to ten people at each event. Active members of the Organization of Women of Color are expected to show up to at least half of the general meetings throughout the semester. “The Organization for Women of Color is a social club that is meant to be a safe and open space for women of color. We do not ignore those who fall out of that category,” the constitution for the Organization for Women of Color said. “Our goal is to use this

space to empower women of different backgrounds.” The student association unanimously approved ex-officio positions to senators. “So to get an overview on ex-officio positions, the vice president is given the authority through a student bill and the 58 legislation to appoint members of the senate to various positions that are created,” Vice-President Dominick Andre said. Shana Wright is the activities representative, Sofia Tabares is the college auxiliary services representative, Ava LaVine is the student affairs and diversity representative, Hrudayee Jagtap is the finance representative, Nicholas Bilow is the legislative review representative, Lillyana Vargas Bradshaw is the public relations and recruitment representative and Justin Thomas is the student services representative The SA senate will not meet on Wednesday Oct. 14 as a result of fall break and office hours for SA representatives next week are cancelled. Email GRANT TERWILLIGER cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Cardinals Fall to Saint Michael’s in Road Rematch her No. 2 singles match against Gredenhag, 6-1, 6-0. Marino competed at No. 3 singles against Ricaurte, falling 6-1, 6-1, while graduate student Marena Tubo (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) was defeated by Stein, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 4 singles. At No. 5 singles, Westfall fell to Annabelle Aldrete, 6-1, 6-0. Macdougal rounded out the singles lineup at No. 6, falling to Johnson, 6-3, 6-3. With the loss, the Cardinals move to 9-4 on the season. Plattsburgh State will look to close the regular season on a strong note Saturday, when the Cardinals return home to host Cortland at 1 p.m. in their regular-season finale.

BY MATTHEW PITARRESI Athletic Communications Associate

The Plattsburgh State women’s tennis team traveled to Vermont Wednesday afternoon, falling to Saint Michael’s, 7-0, in a rematch between the two teams. The Cardinals entered the contest with a 9-3 record, looking to snap a two-match skid against a Saint Michael’s squad they had previously faced earlier this season. Saint Michael’s took control in doubles play, sweeping all three matches to earn the opening point. At No. 1 doubles, senior Jacklin Mitchell (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Peru)and sophomore Carmen Marino (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) fell to Emma Gredenhag and Ana Maria Ricaurte, 6-1. The Purple Knights followed with a 6-0 victory at No. 2 doubles, as sophomore Ava Perry(Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh)and sophomore Mirabelle Nonni (Essex Junction, Vt./Essex) were defeated by

Photo by Gabe Dickens

Sophomore Ava Perry gives the ball top-spin over the net. Lucy McPherson and Kasey Johnson. At No. 3 doubles, sophomore Paige Westfall (Brewerton, N.Y.) and sophomore Abigail Macdougal (Keeseville, N.Y./ AuSable Valley) battled Julia Stein and Katie Rocha before falling, 6-0, as Saint

Michael’s completed the doubles sweep. The Purple Knights continued their strong play in singles competition, winning all six matches in straight sets. At No. 1 singles, Mitchell fell to Olivia Larsen, 6-0, 6-0, while Perry dropped

Email MATTHEW PITARRESI mpita002@plattsburgh.edu


FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 2026

Cardinal Creatives: Kayden Nelson Nelson creates sculptures to shed light on wildlife conservation issues lab clean and mixes chemicals for developing photos and film. Nelson said he became a lab technician to gain more experience and understand photographic processes such as printing photos. Nelson has had work in multiple exhibitions such as the Saratoga Arts, SUNY Plattsburgh’s Studio Select and the Downtown Artist Cellar’s Student Takeover in Malone. Currently, Nelson has a sculpture and an astrophotography series displayed in the Myers Lobby Gallery. Being in his junior year, Nelson said he hasn’t thought about the specifics of what he will do after graduation. He said he hopes to keep creating art. “Ideally, I’d like to make more art in the sense of conservation,” Nelson said. “If that’s not an option, I’d like to end up being a professor of some sort of art, whether it’s sculpture or photography.” Nelson said he hopes that people remember the importance of art and how it serves to give a different perspective. “Whether it’s something as little or as big as pollution, which goes unnoticed oftentimes and it’s such a part of society,” Nelson said. “It’s just more about bringing change.”

BY ADAM BLANCHARD Managing Editor

Art Major Kayden Nelson creates large-scale sculptures and experiments in photographic styles at SUNY Plattsburgh. From Potsdam, Nelson’s first exposure to art was tattooing. Nelson said he practiced small tattoos on various parts of his body, but his largest tattoo is his last name on his leg, an eight hour long process. “It wasn’t that painful,” Nelson said. “It was more painful in the way that I was sitting trying to do it.” Nelson didn’t start off as an art major in college. He attributes his change in major to Adjunct Lecturer of Photography Sheri DuMont. “I was an early childhood education major with an interdisciplinary concentration, so I took a little bit of everything,” Nelson said. “I took intro to photography and intro to sculpture and I found that I really liked both of those classes.” When working on sculptures, Nelson’s go-to material is metal. Nelson said he prefers not to treat metal as he enjoys the look rust gives his pieces over time. He uses the medium to tackle wildlife conservation issues. Nelson said he enjoys creating large-scale animals as his subjects of sculpture. Last semester, Nelson created a sea turtle to draw attention to water pollution. He sources inspiration from within rather than looking at other artists.

ADAM BLANCHARD/Cardinal Points Kayden Nelson beside his current work, a large-scale sculpture of a mounted moose head.

“I see an animal or something that I’m super interested in and then I just try to put a vision together and make that vision come true,” Nelson said.

Nelson’s photographic style is loose as he is still experimenting. He said he’s done astrophotography and still lifes and is working on self-portrai-

ture for his current series. Nelson has worked as a lab technician in the photography department. He maintains the photo studio, keeps the digital

Email ADAM BLANCHARD cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

JOIN CARDINAL POINTS If you are interested in reporting, writing or taking photos for the Newspaper, come meet the staff at one of our weekly meetings. Meetings are held in Ward Hall room 114 on Mondays at 7 p.m.


3

▪ Arts & Culture Editor Adam Blanchard

▪

ARTS & CULTURE

Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Nelson’s collection of artwork Artwork by Kayden Nelson

“Untitled,” Scrap Metal Sculpture, Fall 2026

A tattoo Nelson gave himself on his leg. The tattoo took him eight hours to finish.

“Untitled,” Digital Photo, Spring 2026

“Untitled,” Digital Photo, Spring 2026 “Untitled,” Digital Photo, Spring 2026

BY GRYPHON AKRIDGE-PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

You are building a firm foundation, but more patience and planning are required before all the pieces are in place.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

You may receive a message from a distance or make a journey, at this time there is rapid movement.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

You may come to experience a cycle of unstable emotions.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Spend wisely; you will gain personal and financial security only after a hard struggle.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Abundance and prosperity will allow you to help someone else. You may be able to repay debts at this time.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Unexpected good news will help you move forward in your plans.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

There are important forces affecting the effects in your life. Be certain you are on a positive path to take advantage of them.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Hard work will bring rewards and satisfaction.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

An involvement in social events will brighten your life. Now is also a good time to take action on financial and business plans.

There may come a time when you need to protect yourself from a lover or a friend who seems controlling. If this arises, cut your losses to get out of this negative situation.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

Any move you make at this time will be positive. There may be visits from distant friends and family.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

This is an emotional time in your life where you should think through every action twice. If you have self discipline and are responsible, then you will benefit greatly in the end.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)


▪ Photography Editor Anya Kern

▪ Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

PHOTOSPREAD

Cardinals stalemate against Red Dragons

Midfielder Michael Rodriguez and forward Tristan Laundree go wild after scoring a goal Oct. 3.

Anya Kern/ Cardinal Points

Sophomore Robbie Kapovic falling after trying to regain the ball.

Senior Erick Vargas being held back.

Anya Kern/ Cardinal Points

Teagan Brown/ Cardinal Points

Anya Kern/ Cardinal Points

Midfielder Rocco Ruscitto catching the ball with his chest.

Rodriguez in pain after injuring his arm.

Anya Kern/ Cardinal Points


Students, join the staff of Cardinal Points, the college’s independent and award-winning student-run news organization! We are seeking reporters, writers, photographers, copy editors, editorial cartoonists, illustrators, page designers, graphic designers, multimedia creators and videographers. Cardinals of all skill levels are welcomed. Cardinal Points can be taken for credit or as a club and all majors are welcome. We meet at 7 p.m. Mondays in Ward Hall, Room 114. Come by any Monday evening to check us out! Working on a college newspaper, in any capacity, is an opportunity to gain experience, build clips or a portfolio and add to your resume. For more information or help enrolling, please email Jack Downs, jdown001@plattsburgh.edu or Editor-in-Chief Grant Terwilliger at gterw002@ plattsburgh.edu. Editorial Board Editor in Chief Grant Terwilliger

Managing Editor Adam Blanchard

News Editor Grant Terwilliger

Arts & Culture Editor

Sports Editor Vacant Graphics Editor Kimora DeCoteau Multimedia Editor Sydney Blake

Adam Blanchard Opinion Editor Vacant Photography Editor Anya Kern Web Editor

Evan Rando

Faculty Adviser Jack Downs

Awards

Cardinal Points has received the following awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP):

ACP Hall of Fame Inducted in Fall 2010

Contact CP cp@cardinalpointsonline.com 118 Ward Hall SUNY Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY 12901

All American Spring 2018, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2016, five Marks of Distinction Spring 2014, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2012, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2011, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2010, five Marks of Distinction Fall 2009, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2009, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2008, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2005, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2004, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2003, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2002, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2001, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2000, four Marks of Distinction

First Class Spring 2013, three Marks of Distinction Fall 2012, three Marks of Distinction Fall 2011, three Marks of Distinction Spring 2010, two Marks of Distinction Spring 2008, three Marks of Distinction Spring 2007, one Mark of Distinction Fall 2007, three Marks of Distinction Pacemaker Recognition Fall 2010, Honorable Mention 2006-2007, Newspaper Finalist


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Cardinal Points Issue #5 Fall 2026 by Cardinal Points - Issuu