Plattsburgh artist shares manga inspirations, art
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MLAX wins first SUNYAC game in over 700 days
OPINION
A star’s trip to the stars sends the wrong message.
International student’s visa revoked
BY MICHAEL PURTELL Editor in Chief
A SUNY Plattsburgh student is facing sudden deportation due to recent changes to federal legislation by President Donald Trump.
The federal government has made changes to the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System, leading to students nationwide losing access to their visas. An unidentified Plattsburgh student had their visa revoked, and has been given a date to leave the United States. The student will need to reapply for their student visa in order to reenter the country.
“My concern is for the student that’s been impacted,” SUNY Plattsburgh President Dr. Alexander Enyedi said. “Our focus has been 100% on supporting that student, providing them the best possible guidance and advice, but also providing them follow-up care on campus and pointing them in the direction of how they can actually resolve and figure out what their next steps are. We will work on this one student at a time.”
Reports of unexpected changes to student visas have come from colleges and universities across the nation. SUNY
Chancellor John B. King Jr. said the cases have SUNY “very concerned.”
“We have had students have their visas revoked across the student system,” King said. “This is something you’re seeing across higher ed institutions around the country. The real worry is that the United States has had this incredible asset of a higher education system that attracts the best talent from around the world, and it has helped to drive innovation in our economy. It’s helped to build many of the great companies of today who benefited from the academic work and research done on our campuses by students who are international students. So it’s very worrisome that we’re seeing this backsliding from our commitment to serving international students.”
Plattsburgh is currently the host of around 80 international students, according to King. The school wrote in a campus-wide email that it is currently helping students on visas assess their individual needs, and is working with the New York State Office for New Americans to keep information for students up to date and offer legal counsel.
This support system is available across SUNY campuses and includes personal support as well as legal, King said.
“Yeah, so we’re working closely with
the students to provide them with support in various ways. For some students, it’s mental health support because this is a very traumatic disruption to their vision for their own education. It’s academic support to help them figure out how to navigate given their changed immigration status,” King said. “it’s very difficult for students, and I’m very worried for the students who are experiencing these disruptions, and again, worried about the impact this will have on the American higher education sector and the American economy.”
Future students may also be impacted by the changes to SEVIS, and may be pushed to reconsider pursuing their studies in America.
“We want to be the place where people around the world want to come to contribute to research and innovation economy, and we don’t want them to feel discouraged. I’m worried about potential decline in applications from international students, which would be a shame. It would reduce the quality of academic experience for all students.”
The changes to SEVIS come alongside the federal government’s crackdown on DEI programs, defined as “forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs,” by the whitehouse.gov website.
SUNY remains steadfast in its support of its DEI offices, King said.
“It’s in our enabling statute. More than 75 years ago when SUNY was created, it was created with the intention to serve all New Yorkers, all segments of New York and to provide, in the words of the statute, ‘the broadest possible access.’ The very principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in our enabling statute. We’re committed to that,” King said.
“We also comply with all laws and court orders, and we’ll continue to do so. You know, there’s litigation happening now around some of the directives that have been issued by the administration, we’re very confident that everything we’re doing at SUNY is consistent with the law.”
While SUNY’s hands are tied by federal law, trust is placed in the judicial and legislative branches to aid universities.
“I hope that the courts will step in,” King said. “I also hope Congress will step in to ensure that the United States can continue to be a beacon of higher education for the world.”
Chancellor visits to celebrate CCC move
BY MICHAEL PURTELL Editor in Chief
The historic move of Clinton Community College onto SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus reached a new milestone.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. joined SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi, Administrator in Charge of Clinton Community College Ken Knelly and President and COO at CVPH Michelle LeBeau to sign ceremonial agreements to mark the move as official April 16.
“The finances have been stabilized, a new building has been identified and prepared for the Fall, the work of the accreditors who really saved the accreditation of that campus,” King said. “So today is really a celebration, an opportunity to say thank you to all the community leaders who stepped up, and we’re very excited that this fall we’re going to see a new, revitalized Clinton Community College here on the Plattsburgh campus.”
are commuters as the college hosts no dorms, so bringing them closer to the city will benefit both parties.
“I think it’s going to be real positive for the community too, because you’re adding all those employees, you’re adding all those students who are going to be circling in the community, whether it’s going down to Zuke’s, downtown, or something like that,” Knelly said. “ It’s just going to help bring that life on campus aspect.”
The move will also help bolster the local CVPH hospital, as Knelly and LeBeau discussed how CVPH will welcome in the nursing students of CCC as a part of the move.
“The nursing program has a long history in this community,” Knelly said. “It’s critical to the community, the pipeline of nurses.”
The first-of-its-kind move will redefine the relationship SUNY schools have with their local community colleges, strengthening the already strong bonds usually shared by the schools.
with Adirondack Community College, for example.”
necessary to protect the student experience,” King said.
“This will be the first time that we have a community college physically located on the campus at one of our four year institutions, but close collaboration is not uncommon,” King said. “And in fact, Plattsburgh has a very close partnership
The new bond between Plattsburgh and Clinton will help both institutions support their student bodies in a revolutionary way.
“This is a model of saying we’re going to put students first. We’re going to make sure that we take the steps
“Students at Clinton Community College are going to have access to more resources and more opportunities because of this move.”
Knelly said he believes the move will be good for the greater Plattsburgh community as well. Most CCC students
Plattsburgh’s is not anticipating any strain on existing structure, namely dining and residential, that incoming CCC students may rely on, due to the commuter nature of most current CCC students, Enyedi said.
Illustration by JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points
MICHAEL PURTELL/Cardinal Points
SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi,SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., Administrator in Charge of Clinton Community College Ken Knelly and President and COO at CVPH Michelle LeBeau pose with their signed agreements at the press conference April 15.
Student Association
SA approves partial fund as semester comes to close
BY ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME Staff Writer
As the end of the semester approaches, the Student Association needs to make hard choices as it reaches the end of its budget.
The African Unity club originally requested $2,385 to fund its event this weekend. The group was approved for partial funding of over $900. The club requested additional funding, concerned the original fund was insufficient for providing the best experience possible.
During the April 9 meeting, the senate decided against giving the group the full requested amount, and approved an additional $500 for the event, leaving the group with a total of $1,435.
African Unity will be hosting their King and Queen event tomorrow, Saturday April 19, at 7 p.m. in the Warren Ballrooms in the Angell College Center. The event is a celebration of African culture while promoting African designers and talent from students on campus.
Naomi Adebayo, president of African Unity, wants to put on a successful event, but said the club needs more support as many vendors and outside guests have raised their initial prices.
“We’ve had a tradition of bringing people in to come and showcase and celebrate culture, African culture specifically. This is supposed to engage our community,” Adebayo said.
Election results
At the event, the club holds a pageant in which two people will be named the King and Queen of Africa, as well as a fashion show with clothing featured from African Designers. This year they are adding a hair show where they will showcase traditional braided styles and traditional African headpieces. Hair plays a major role in African culture and African Unity said it feels it is an important addition to the event.
To encourage more campus involvement, the group is collaborating with the organizers of the Cardinal Creatives Art Festival, which is being held the same day. The art festival will flow into the start of the pageant.
Senator Charlotte Feliz brought up that many other clubs on campus host fashion shows, and it could be possible to collaborate with them to just do one fashion show a semester.
Due to the mission of King and Queen of Africa, a collaboration with other fashion shows would not hold the same value, Adebayo said.
“Our event showcases African culture specifically. When it comes to fashion, art, music, the way we speak, our language — all of that is so prominent in our culture and that is what our event is highlighting specifically,” Adeayo said.
African Unity is bringing in two outside designers to provide 10 to 15 different pieces. The cost of the two designers alone is $950.
Adebayo and the African Unity club said they feel their event is important to our campus and students
and the Student Association is overlooking this.
“It wasn’t an easy task as we faced a lot of contention from the senate board. It’s understood that their goal is to stretch the little funds they have throughout the remainder of the semester, but it becomes frustrating when I don’t see the same kind of interactions when asking for money from other clubs and organizations,” Adebayo said.
Senator Jack Sweet explained during the board meeting that the Student Association runs short on funds towards the end of the semester.
“We have three weeks left in the semester, right? When it comes to our budgeting, the extra usually will go to the people planning and asking for it first. I wish you came for funding for this event earlier in the semester because it is really important and a successful event,” Sweet said.
Coordinator of Arts: Grace Pamaka Ebere
MICHAEL PURTELL/Cardinal Points Suny Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi andSUNY Chancellor John B King Jr. shake hands as they swap spots at the speakers podium April 15.
Continued from page 1
“Clinton Community College’s student population is around 350 to 400 students. If 10% of those students take advantage of dining, that’s 30 or 40 more additional students. They operate on a different time schedule than many of our students, so I don’t foresee there being an issue for demand,” Enyedi said.
The preparations for the move have taken well over a year so far, but the involved parties are committed to seeing the project through for the benefit of everyone involved and around Plattsburgh’s campus.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to build capacity in the north country that drives economic prosperity, economic vitality. We’re going to be able to help increase the number of teachers, health care workers, in many ways, business and entrepreneur and entrepreneurial individuals. This is a true win for the community,” Enyedi said. “We’re going to be able to grow our own in terms of our local residents to be able to be prosperous, so I’m happy about that.”
Email MICHAEL PURTELL cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME/Cardinal Points
Members of the Senate during the SA meeting April 9.
Coordinator of Student Affairs and Diversity: Storme Hutton
Crowds rally, support suicide awareness
BY CHRISTIAN TUFINO Staff Writer
SUNY Plattsburgh’s Out of the Darkness walk shines some light on the importance of suicide awarness and prevention April 11.
Starting and ending at the Amite Plaza between the Angell College Center and Myers Fine Arts Building, the walk follows the Saranac River and loops back in a circle.
Prior to in-person registration, 365 participants were signed up to walk, and made up over 40 teams. More than $6,400 dollars were raised for this year’s Out of the Darkness event.
Before the walk started, collaborating organizations SUNY Plattsburgh University Police, Morgan’s Message and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention tabled across campus, providing shirts, food and various other items that showed support for suicide prevention.
Robert Henn, a volunteer tabling for the America Foundation for Suicide Prevention, gave out beads that represent those in the participants’ life who have struggled with suicidal ideation or mental illness.
“So each bead represents a different struggle, and the whole idea is that you put them around your neck and show that you’re open about your struggles,” Henn said.
For example, white beads represent walking for a participant’s child, green beads represent someone walks to support their personal fight and blue beads show a participant walks to show support for all people struggling.
There were many colors available, and the walk was
made vibrant by the collections of beads worn by walkers.
Chief of University Police
Patrick Rascoe was tabling for UP’s team before the walk.
Roscoe handed out coffee and snacks to participants while telling people about the support they can receive on campus from University Police.
“It’s a big part of UP’s work to make sure our students feel welcomed, that they feel happy, that they feel supported — and UP includes our therapy dog,” Rascoe said.
One way UP has shown its commitment to supporting healthy students is with its new Crisis Intervention Team. Five UP officers received special training to become certified in handling mental health related emergencies on campus with a softer and kinder disposition.
Amanda Eohen, a Morgan’s Message representative tabling before the walk, explained how the group is committed to spreading awareness of the mental health struggles student athletes face.
“Morgan’s Message is about taking a shot at mental health, specifically student athletes, we just want to spread the message that our mental health matters to,” Eohen said.
Morgan’s Message holds monthly meetings with students on campus. They talk about communication in meetings, and have dedicated games where each sport has a written speech discussing mental health.
Karen McGrath, vice president for enrollment and student success, has been participating in the Out of the Darkness event for two years, and works to destigmatize and support those facing mental health challenges.
“We’re really dedicated to bringing light to suicide prevention and mental health, and making sure everyone knows they’re not alone,” McGrath said.
The Out of the Darkness staff worked hard to reach out to other departments to spread awareness and support to as many people as they can.
“We really leveraged different departments and different organisations and different athletic teams, we even wrote to some of our community partners to really ask for participation,” McGrath said.
CHRISTIAN TUFINO cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Trans athletes find safe space: gymnastics
BY WILL GRAVES Associated Press
Raiden Hung can’t imagine a life without gymnastics. And to be honest, he doesn’t want to.
There’s always been something about the sport that’s called to him. Something about flipping. Something about the discipline it requires. Something about the mixture of joy and calm he feels whenever he steps onto a mat.
“It keeps me sane, I guess,” the 21-yearold student at Northeastern University in Boston said. “Gymnastics is the love of my life basically.”
The hours in the gym have long served as a constant for Hung. The one thing he can always depend on. The one place where he can truly feel like himself.
Still, Hung feared he would be forced to give up gymnastics when he realized in his late teens that he was non-binary. He had identified as female most of his life and competed in women’s events growing up. He says he now identifies as trans-masculine.
Part of Hung’s transition included beginning hormone replacement therapy, something he considered putting off over worries that it meant he would no longer be able to compete.
“It was sort of like, ‘Do I have to make a choice?’” Hung said. “And that would have probably been awful for my mental stability, like having to choose between the two.”
The National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs gave Hung safe harbor. The stated mission of the steadily growing organization that includes more than 2,500 athletes and 160 clubs across the country is to provide a place for college and adult gymnasts to continue competing while “pushing the boundaries of the sport.”
That includes, but is hardly limited to, being as gender-inclusive as possible.
During local NAIGC meets, for example, there are no gender categories. Athletes compete against every other athlete at their designated skill level, which can run from novice/developmental routines to ones that wouldn’t look out of place at an NCAA Division I meet.
Gymnasts can also hop on whatever apparatus they want. Women on parallel bars. Men on the balance beam.
Just about anything goes. At its annual national meet, the NAIGC even offers the “decathlon,” which allows athletes of all gender identities to compete against each other across all 10 disciplines — six in men’s, four in women’s — of artistic gymnastics.
“(We want) people to be able to continue doing gymnastics into adulthood in a way that feels comfortable and safe and supportive for them,” said Ilana Shushanky, NAIGC’s director of operations.
A CHALLENGING CLIMATE
The approach comes as transgender athletes find themselves the target of increasingly heated rhetoric.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February that gave federal agencies wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth. A day later, the NCAA said it would limit competition in women’s sports to athletes who were assigned female at birth.
The message to the transgender community at large was clear: You do not belong here. Several trans and/or non-binary members of the NAIGC, which is independently run and volunteer-led and does not rely on federal money to operate, felt it.
Multiple trans or non-binary athletes who spoke to The Associated Press said they pondered quitting following last fall’s election, despondent over what at times feels like an increasingly hostile environment toward their community.
None did. One viewed stepping away as ceding power over a part of who they are to someone else. Another pointed to the social aspect of gymnastics and how vital the feeling of acceptance in their home gym was to maintaining proper mental and emotional health.
“Part of my identity is as an athlete and to see myself as strong and able to do hard things,” said Wes Weske, who is non-binary and previously competed in
the decathlon before recently graduating from medical school. “I think (gymnastics) really helped my self-image and was just an important part of understanding myself.”
A SENSE OF NORMALCY
That sense of belonging was everywhere at the NAIGC’s national competition in early April. For three days, more than 1,700 athletes, including a dozen who registered their gender as “other,” turned a convention center hall in downtown Pittsburgh into what could best be described as a celebration.
Not just of gymnastics. But of diversity. And inclusion. It all looked and felt and sounded like any other large-scale meet. Cheers from one corner following a stuck dismount. Roars from another corner encouraging a competitor to hop back up after a fall.
For Hung and the 11 “other” competitors allowed to choose whether to compete in the men’s or women’s divisions, nationals provided the opportunity to salute the judges and stand alongside their teammates while being seen for who they really are.
When Hung dismounted from his uneven bars routine, several members of Jurassic Gymnastics, the all-adult competitive team based in Boston that Hung joined, came over to offer a hug, pep talk or both.
The group included Eric Petersen, a 49-year-old married father of two teenagers who competed on the men’s team at the Air Force Academy 30 years ago. He now dabbles in women’s artistic gymnastics alongside Hung at Jurassic.
“Certain people want to convince people that this is a big issue and people are losing their (minds),” Petersen said. “But it’s not like that. Other groups can be uptight about that if they want. But in this group, it’s about the love of the sport. If you love the sport, then do the sport and have fun, no matter who you are.”
FINDING THEIR WAY
Ten Harder got into gymnastics after being inspired by watching Gabby Douglas win gold at the 2012 Olympics. They spent their childhood competing as a
woman but became increasingly uncomfortable at meets as they grew older. Harder, 22, now a Ph. D. student at Boston University who identifies as non-binary/trans masculine, felt like they had to make their own path. They connected on TikTok with a non-binary gymnast from the Netherlands and started competing in a uniform that felt more natural, a practice leotard similar to a tank top and shorts. Over the last couple of years, they have run across other non-binary or queer athletes, easing their sense of loneliness.
While there are times Harder admits they still grapple with feeling self-conscious about their gender identity even around teammates who have become friends and allies, there is also something greater at play.
“I think it’s important to remember that trans athletes are just people, too,” he said. “We deserve to be in the sports that we love. And we deserve to get a chance to compete and do everything just as other people do.”
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CHRISTIAN TUFINO/Cardinal Points
Walkers leave Amite Plaza to embark on the Out of the Darkness walk April 11.
CHRISTIAN TUFINO/Cardinal Points Participants in the walk gathered in Amite Plaza on April 11.
GENE J. PUSKAR/Associated Press Raiden Hung, of Jurassic Gymnastics in Boston, relaxes after competing on the uneven bars at the 2025 NAIGC national competition in Pittsburgh, April 4.
BFA exhibit signals end of program
BY GRANT TERWILLIGER Arts and Culture Editor
The last SUNY Plattsburgh Senior BFA Exhibit allows for graduating BFA students to reflect on the work they have created throughout their time at Plattsburgh.
The BFA program no longer exists, making Noah Honsinger and Kayla Lester the last BFA students at SUNY Plattsburgh.
The BFA final exhibit is on display in the Regina Shoolman Slatkin Art Collection Study Room in Myers Fine Arts Building. Honsinger and Lester collaborated with faculty and museum staff to create one of their first major exhibitions.
“Over the course of the year, students are expected to write a proposal and produce a body of work that investigates an idea or set of concerns that are meaningful to them,” Museum Director Tonya Cribb said.
After students put together a proposal and a body of work their work is critiqued by professors in the arts department. This process allows for the artists to receive feedback on their work and find what direction to go when putting together the finished exhibit.
“When they looked at my work they were generally just saying that they want to see more fantasy stuff, less of the concept art such as a character drawing with no background, or just generally less fully developed work,” Honsinger said.
Honsinger, from Troy, New York, has always been fascinated with the middle ages and mythology, both of which have directly influenced his artwork. He has had a passion for visual storytelling and has been drawing since middle school. He aspires to help young artists find their creativity through teaching high school art.
Honsinger seeks to make his illustrations more than fantastic and whimsical, and allow the landscape to tell the story.
“I want the characters to feel real, but above all I want people to become absorbed in the world I am creating,” Honsing-
er wrote in his artist statement. Lester’s preferred medium is photography and graphic design and she focuses her BFA work on her Jamaican heritage and spaces that have been reclaimed by nature. She has had her work featured in the 2023 and the 2025 Frederic Remington College Student Juried Art Show and the 2025 Best of SUNY Art Exhibition.
Lester is from Elmont, New York and has had a passion for digital media ever since she took AP 2-D Design in high school and became a lead editor for her school yearbook. She has been involved in the student outdoor publication
DoNorth since her freshman year and gained hands-on experience with design and visual layout for the magazine.
“Together, my photography and graphic design remind us of the beauty in what has been left behind and the enduring power of culture and music to connect us,” Lester wrote in her artist statement. “My creative work reflects a journey of rediscovery — capturing the forgotten through photography and celebrating vibrant culture through graphic design.”
Lester said she aims to evoke emotions in her work and invite viewers to reconnect with forgotten places through the
use of light, focus and color in her photographs. The photographs represent spaces that once served a purpose in society and now are overlooked and abandoned.
“While some now remain in use today, their eventual abandonment seems inevitable,” Lester wrote.
Artist shares manga inspirations, art
BY GRANT TERWILLIGER Arts and Culture Editor
Sophomore art major Max Alexander draws character designs for clients, creates original video games with their friends and creates manga inspired art.
Alexander’s path to Plattsburgh’s art program was untraditional. Alexander applied to the BFA program at SUNY Plattsburgh, but the program was removed. They originally thought about majoring in English, but on a whim decided to instead major in Art. Alexander’s love for art and drawing started when they were seven years old, copying from their sister and from anime cartoons on television.
“My sister was an artist, and I was super jealous of her, so I started tracing everything she was doing when I was a kid. That was kind of fun, so I just kept doing it,” Alexander said. “I was really into the anime ‘Fruits Basket,’ and I used to trace the characters all the time. I was like, ‘Well, I’m good at it.’ Even though I was tracing I was enjoying doing it, so I kept doing it. After that I stopped tracing everything, and then I kept drawing on my own.” Alexander kept drawing throughout their life and in high school took a computer programming class. This allowed Alexander to make their characters and stories come to life. Alexander has been working on a game with a couple of friends since freshman year of high school. The project caused Alexander to realize that they are passionate about story building and character building, and making a game with others allows them to combine their love for these practices.
“It’s a kind of psychological horror rpg. It’s a two part game. So we’re about three quarters the way done with the first half of the game,” Alexander said.
Alexander is inspired by a lot of RPGs that they played as a kid for game design including ‘Omori’ and ‘Undertale.’
Alexander also has a freelance job creating drawings of characters for games such as “Dungeons & Dragons.”
One of Alexander’s biggest inspirations for their art is Akira Toriyama, the creator of the anime series “Dragon Ball Z.”
“He cares so much about his art and it inspires something in me to want to care about my art the way he cared about his art and his stories. I’ve been a lot more productive since discovering him, and I looked up to him a lot as an artist and as a creator in general,” Alexander said.
Alexander’s artistic process starts off with ideas of what they could do a week before the project begins. After that,
they begin sketching and the process continues until the piece is complete.
“I usually start with a crap ton of thumbnail sketches — I make 50 or 60 — It’s insane,” Alexander said. “Then, I pick the best one, make it a little bigger, and then I usually draw it digitally before I transfer it to paper, so that way I can block out the colors and everything. I am more of a digital artist than I am a traditional artist.”
Alexander not only looks up to anime artists and games for inspiration, but also their friend and fellow Plattsburgh student Virginia Lucchetti.
“I look up to her a lot because me and her work on similar stuff, and we have pretty similar passions. She’s just awesome. I love her art, and I think that I want to do the things that she does, be-
cause it’s really cool. And the way she works too is motivating,” Alexander said. Alexander is looking forward to focusing on their art and allowing themself to be represented more in their artwork and develop a more distinct artistic style.
“I’m really excited to focus a lot more on how I can be more passionate about what I’m doing, and put myself more into my work, because I feel like I’ve struggled with that a lot,” Alexander said.
MICHAEL PURTELL/Cardinal Points
Max Alexander sitting next to a picture that they created.
Art created by Max Alexander
GRANT TERWILLIGER/Cardinal Points
Noah Honsinger’s art in the Regina Shoolman Slatkin Art Collection Study Room.
Art by Max Alexander
Rises in egg prices across the country lead families to improvise for Easter
With egg prices stubbornly high, the internet has offered up a host of alternatives, with crafters painting rocks and influencers dyeing everything from marshmallows to potatoes.
“Finally a use for B sized potatoes!!” one commenter wrote in response to a video posted on Facebook.
But amid the laughing emojis, LOLs and people simply posting “huh,” there has been a lot of interest from price-conscious parents as U.S. egg prices increased again last month to reach a new record high of $6.23 per dozen. Relief could be coming: There is evidence that prices are falling, and grocery stores may start offering discounts to get shoppers in the door.
But even with all that, egg prices are higher than ever. That has the idea of coloring potatoes or rocks, which first made the rounds after a 2023 spike in prices, making a resurgence. Marshmallows and potatoes spark video dyeing craze
One video that is circulating shows a grinning mom filling cupcake tins with dye. Her child then skewered marshmallows with toothpicks before gently lowering them into the dye and proudly displaying
the creations on a glass platter. Another influencer created marshmallow chicks by dipping marshmallows in yellow food coloring, dabbing dots of black icing to create eyes and then attaching orange M&Ms for a nose and feet.
Other videos feature shoppers plucking hefty bags of potatoes off the shelf, along with egg dye.
“Potatoes are about the only thing I can afford,” one grateful online commenter posted. Another boiled it down into a single-word response: “Cheaper.”
Foil eggs become a new tradition for one family
Kelly Friedl of Chicago dyes eggs for Easter with her two kids every year. But because of this year’s high prices, she came up with an alternative: foil eggs. Cut egg shapes out of cardboard, wrap them in foil, and you have shiny eggs to decorate and reuse.
“Our mom used to buy three dozen eggs,” said Friedl, 59, who leads a childcare products company called Urban Infant. “I don’t think we even ate all the eggs, but it’s the memory of doing something with your mom.”
For many families like Friedl’s, dyeing eggs isn’t so much about eating eggs. That meant having some go bad in the fridge wasn’t such a big deal when a dozen cost less than $2, as they consistently did for years, outside the 2015 bird flu
CONROY/AP Eggs are displayed in a grocery store in Carmel, Ind., Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
outbreak and the current one. But not now.
Paas, a supplier of egg dyeing kits, said that while 94% of those who celebrate Easter will dye eggs this year, 78% of families said they would dye fewer of them than in past years due to the expense.
Plastic eggs, crafty kits and other holiday fun
The craft retailer Michaels said their craft egg kits are flying off the shelves. Sales of two of the kits are up 20% compared
to the same time last year, said Melissa Mills, senior vice president and general merchandising manager at Michaels. Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, declined to comment on sales of dyeable plastic eggs and other alternatives, but said it wasn’t the first year it carried them. Among some options for shoppers: a carton of 12 plastic eggs that include four liquid dye packets and four egg-dyeing bags and Play-Doh Easter eggs. Despite the change in tradi-
tion, Friedl’s family is looking forward to the holiday.
“We’re a super crafty family and the most valued gift in our house is a gift that someone has made you,” Friedl said. “We get together every year and do eggs, and we love it.”
Email HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH AND SARAH RAZA AP.org/contact-us/
This week you may be working on maintaining balance in your life. Positive things are coming your way.
You may be feeling a sense of joy or success in your life. Be creative and embrace new ideas and ways of being.
You may be on a new path in life this week. If you experience any roadblocks, remember to stay present and reflect.
You could be having some frustrations with yourself this week or you may feel growth. Remember to take care of yourself.
Turn obstacles into opportunities this week. You may be feeling stagnant. Listen to your inner self.
This week you may be experiencing abundance in your life. Whether this be health, finances or joy.
This week you may be feeling stressed when it comes to making decisions. Reflect on your options.
This week you may be able to connect with others more. Notice how you feel around certain people. Examine your current relationships with others.
This week you may be very busy and be facing some issues. All will be well. Take your time.
This week you may be feeling a sense of balance in your life. Take time to work on yourself. Life is beautiful.
You may be experiencing difficult times and called to face your challenges head on. You’ve got this, all will be well.
You are on the edge of new discoveries and transformations that may bring you joy. Be present in the moment and reflect.
Aries (March 21 –April 19)
Cancer (June 21 –July 22)
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Gemini (May 21 –June 20) Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)
Scorpio (Oct. 23 –Nov. 21) Virgo (Aug. 23 –
Pisces (Feb. 19 –March 20)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –Dec. 21)
Capricorn (Dec. 22 –Jan. 19)
Aquarius (Jan. 20 –Feb. 18)
MICHAEL
BY HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH AND SARAH RAZA Associated Press
Faces behind the paper
Photos by Jayne Smith & Michael Purtell
All participants are members of Cardinal Points. Their involvement has no bearing on our coverage of Cardinal Points.
Cardinal Points Editor in Chief Michael Purtell marks up a story during the newspaper’s production night Wednesday, April 16.
Arts & Culture Editor Grant Terwilliger checks off his to-do list.
Opinions Editor Kolin Kriner lays out text on his pages.
Associate Sports Editor Emma Deo (left) and Sports Editor Justin Rushia react after looking at the clock.
Photography and Managing Editor Jayne Smith makes her photo spread page.
Men’s Lacrosse
Cards break conference loss streak
BY JUSTIN RUSHIA Sports Editor
The Plattsburgh State men’s lacrosse team earned its first conference win since April 20, 2022, by defeating the Canton Kangaroos by a score of 19-6 April 9.
“It was great. Coming into the season with a new coach and a new group of guys, that was a main goal of ours,” senior midfielder Logan Vilardi wrote.
Softball
Plattsburgh had nine Cardinals record multipoint performances, led by sophomore attacker Dylan Ruland, who tallied five points with four goals and one assist.
Seniors Donald Woods and Ely Bruhns both added three points, with Woods securing a hat trick while Bruhns scored one goal and provided two assists. Vilardi, first-year attacker Tatum Cipp and junior midfielder Tim Keenan each scored two goals, with Cipp netting the first
goal of his career. Firstyear face-off specialist Owen O’Hara also scored his first career goal, and senior defender Matt Gannon contributed one assist on the day.
Sophomore midfielder/ attacker Jamie Gipe and first-year midfielder Ethan Francey each recorded one goal and one assist for a total of two points. Sophomore attacker Justin Ortiz also contributed to the scoring with an assist.
Senior Jimbo Farrelly showed off in the face-
off circle, winning 13 out of 19. Farrelly also picked up a game-high six ground balls.
“I feel like we had our first overall team win,” Nedbalski said. “The defense knew their assignments and did a great job and the offense was clicking with each other up top.”
Plattsburgh came out in dominant fashion, scoring the first seven goals of the contest.
The scoring barrage began five minutes into the first quarter when Woods
Plattsburgh looks to climb standings
BY ROSIE SCULCO
Associate Sports Editor
The Plattsburgh State softball team (5-12, 2-4) fought through two double headers and pulled away with one win, coming up short in three tightly contested matchups.
“We battled every inning of every game — even when we were down — that fight and focus is something we are going to carry into the next series,” junior Gwen Noll wrote in a message. “We are staying hungry for more wins and finding ways to compete until the final out.”
The Cards hosted both doubleheader series at Cardinal Park on April 11 and April 12.
FREDONIA
Plattsburgh fell short of the win, losing 1-2 to start off the series against Fredonia State (5-11, 0-1).
Senior Carly Gemmett threw all seven innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs and striking out 13.
Both teams were scoreless in the first inning of play.
In the top of the second inning, Fredonia put points on the board from a two-run home run that would set them up for the win.
The hope for Plattsburgh sparked in the bottom of the fourth inning while first-year Bel-
la Toleman singled with two outs.
Junior Megan Pillus followed with a single, and first-year Meghan Stork walked to load the bases, but all three were stranded to keep Fredonia ahead 2-0.
“Leaving runners stranded on base means we are missing scoring opportunities and having those timely hits are crucial because it gives us the chances to bring those runs in,” Noll wrote.
Three scoreless innings passed for both teams until Plattsburgh put up their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Isaacs singled to left center with one-out and advanced to second on an
error by the centerfielder to be in scoring position.
Pillus came through with a single through the right side, scoring Isaacs and putting the Cards within a run.
“Over the past few games, we’ve been struggling on the offensive side of the field,” Isaacs wrote in a message. “As a team, we have seen what the kind of damage our bats can do, but we need to consistently have trust and belief in ourselves every pitch in our at bats.”
Gemmett had a quick top of the seventh inning to get back to offense but Fredonia’s pitcher did the same, ending the game giving Plattsburgh the loss.
Pillus went 2-3 with an RBI and Senior Mikayla Manalo, Isaacs, and Toleman all had one hit.
The Cards earned the split in the second game of the series, defeating Fredonia 10-2 in 5 innings of play.
Plattsburgh jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with a two-out rally as Isaacs, Pillus, and Toleman singled one after another.
Isaacs scored on Toleman’s single to give the Cards one run to Fredonia’s zero.
capitalized on a penalty against Canton, netting a man-up goal assisted by Gipe. Ruland followed with his first goal at the 7:54 mark. Urso and Woods both added another goal apiece, giving Plattsburgh a 4-0 lead going into the second quarter.
“We had good success early on dodging the field, and again, Jimbo at the face-off X was having another very good day,” Nedbalski said.
Ruland struck again with an unassisted goal
Rugby
just one minute into the second quarter. Francey and Bruhns continued the momentum with back-toback goals for Plattsburgh. Canton finally got on the board at the 3:57 mark with a goal from Devin Guerriero, making the score 7-1.
Rugby ignites in TNT tournament
BY EMMA DEO Associate Sports Editor
For the first time ever, the Plattsburgh State women’s rugby team took home the TNT Rugby tournament championship on their home pitch Saturday.
The current Plattsburgh State men’s rugby team also participated in the tournament, but the Plattsburgh alumni team was able to take home the men’s trophy. Saturday marked the 27th year of the Plattsburgh State TNT Rugby tournament, but there is more to the tournament than just competition on the pitch. All proceeds from the day are donated directly to the Anthony Santandrea Memorial Scholarship Fund, which pays scholarship money for one Plattsburgh undergraduate student. The scholarship is an homage to Anthony Santandrea and Trevor Green, two former Plattsburgh State rugby players who died as students.
“We had food, music and raffles, everybody had a really good time. It feels good to be able to provide for the alumni and the community,” senior men’s rugby captain Ethan Ehrensbeck said.
EMMA DEO/Cardinal Points
Senior midfielder Ely Bruhns pushing past the Cortland Red Dragon defense as Plattsburgh battled the Red Dragons through the rain April 5. at the fieldhouse.
Provided by Collin Bolebruch
The current Plattsburgh men’s rugby team group tackling a player on the Plattsburgh alumni team.
CP File Photo
Mikayla Manalo loading her swing as the Cards took on Canton last season at home.
Cards drop conference series against Hawks
BY ZIAIRE FERRELL
Staff Writer
The Plattsburgh State Cardinals’ baseball team endured a three game sweep against the New Paltz Hawks, the defending conference champions, in this weekend’s SUNYAC series, losing 1-8, 4-15 and 2-14.
New Paltz opened game one with two runs in the first inning and did not give up the lead for the rest of the matchup, cruising to an 8-1 win.
Senior outfielder Josh Foglia had a two-hit outing for the Cards while senior catcher Adam Wein had one hit and scored the lone Plattsburgh run of the contest. Junior left-handed pitcher Kwintin Nurse tossed 1.1 scoreless innings for the Cards in relief.
The Cards came within two runs in the third inning, but could not complete the comeback. The Hawks took advantage of the Plattsburgh bullpen and exploded for five runs to close out game one.
Plattsburgh started the second game strong, taking a 3-0 lead in the third inning. The Cards held on 3-1 until the sixth inning as the New Paltz offense exploded for eight runs, and then tacked on six more in the eighth.
a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
Senior infielder Kyle Cremin had two RBIs while sophomore infielder Michael Piccirillo was 2-3 with
The Cards rallied in the eighth with a back-toback one out walks and a Piccirillo RBI single, but the Hawks turned a
double play to end game two, dominating the Cardinals 15-4.
The Hawks completed the series sweep with a 14-2 win over the Cards. Senior Colin Ross led the Cardinal
Paul Smith’s College, Albany Law, Potsdam and Hamilton College all competed for the championship along with the current Plattsburgh men’s and women’s rugby teams and their alumni counterparts.
The Plattsburgh women’s team was dominant, defeating every team they faced Saturday, ultimately taking down Potsdam in the championship.
Senior women’s rugby president Evie Hatch said TNT is the event of the year that everyone on the team looks forward to.
“I think we were all just excited to be there. Morale was high, communication was good and I think we were just focusing on playing and enjoying everything and less on winning,” Hatch said.
Hatch said that a lot of preparation goes into the event, from inviting teams to come up to the North Country and play to getting to the field early to set everything up, so it becomes a community event for the rugby squads.
82
WLAX - Junior attacker Cynthia Barnosky set the program career goals record with her 82nd goal that she scored in the team’s contest against New Paltz on April 15.
offense with a homerun, scoring both of their runs. Piccirillo had his second multi-hit outing for Plattsburgh State in the loss.
The Hawks scored two runs in the first and four
1.95 26
T&F - First-year high jumper Jackson Hooper leapt to a career-best 1.95 meters, earning himself a first place finish at the RPI Under the Lights Invite.
BASE - The baseball team exploded for 26 runs, the highest run total since March 2022, in their dominant win over Saint Lawrence University.
Senior women’s rugger Natasha Sheffer credited a lot of the team’s success Saturday to the camaraderie of the Plattsburgh rugby programs coming together to put on the event.
to be able to provide for the alumni and the community,” Ehrensbeck said.
Moving forward, the men’s and women’s programs are focused on increasing recruitment efforts and keeping the programs operating at a high level.
“It’s really important to have numbers, getting more kids to come out and play and teaching the newer guys the game so they can get out and compete,” Ehrensbeck said.
Hatch said the women’s squad has a large senior class leaving so recruitment and getting students to realize that there is much more to rugby than just the sport, there’s an entire community aspect.
SB
“The men’s and women’s teams are together and the alumni from both sides are there,” Sheffer said. “A lot of the teams that come are teams that we play against a lot so it’s very fun playing and makes a very good atmosphere.”
As a program, the men’s team also had a good day out on the pitch, although the current team fell in the first round to the Plattsburgh alumni, they were able to defeat Hamilton College and take home the championship.
Ehrensbeck said the men’s team came together to set up for the day and created a great sense of community for the players, alumni and fans.
“You feel a great sense of pride hosting a bunch of teams and having them come up to you and say that they love coming up here and that they had a great time. It feels good
Friday, April 18
“We also got a good chance for our seniors to take a step back off the field and let some of our younger players take a chance and be on the field. There were a few games where neither one of our captains were on the field, so one of our younger players could step up and take control. I think that is always good to see, as a senior, to know that your team is going to thrive, even when half of them graduate,” Hatch said.
more in the second, securing a 6-0 lead.
CP file photo
Senior catcher Adam Wein turns on an inside pitch as the Cardinals took on Clarkson on April 11, 2024.
Provided by Collin Bolebruch
Current Plattsburgh rugger Lauren Gonyo trying to get around a Saranac Lake Mountaineer rugger.
SOFTBALL
Donald Woods, Men’s Lacrosse
This season, Donald Woods has helped propel the men’s lacrosse team to one of its best seasons in recent years.
The senior midfielder from Rocky Point, New York, has racked up 18 points this season, 13 of which have come from goals and five from assists.
Woods also contributed heavily in the Cardinals’ first conference win of the season over the Canton Kangaroos, tallying three goals in the matchup
This question and answer was conducted with Don over email April 16.
Question: I saw that you have a podcast called Burgers with the Birds. How did you guys come up with that idea?
Answer: My roommate and partner on the show, Logan Vilardi, came up with the idea of creating an interview show. We were inspired by the Barstool Sports channel’s “Sunday Conversations” and decided we would roll with the comedic values of that show and also include information on our sports teams here at Plattsburgh.
The burgers were just a random idea that we thought would be funny, so we stuck with it.
Q: When can we expect to see the next episode?
A: We are currently working on an episode with Aaron Catron on Men’s Hockey, we just need to finish filming it. I would keep your eyes peeled for it in the next week or two as is it definitely a good one.
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals? If so, what are they?
A: Yes, but nothing major. I always make sure to put War Pigs by Black Sabbath on the speaker right before we go out to get the adrenaline pumping. Then, during the national anthem, for the past two
years, my good friend Anthony Faber and I have stood next to each other at the top of the box and we have not switched that up once.
Once the anthem is done, I give one more look at the American flag and then yell to get the team going. The anthem would be my biggest ritual.
Q: What’s your favorite hobby outside of lacrosse? Do any skills from that hobby translate to the lacrosse field?
A: My biggest hobby off the field, I would say, is drawing. I’ve always enjoyed being creative and putting whatever comes to mind down on paper without any stress. I just feel it helps clear the mind and relax. I wouldn’t necessarily say drawing translates to lacrosse, but being creative allows you to try new things on the field, whether that be on the spot or pre-planned.
Q: What’s been your favorite game you’ve played this season and why?
A: My favorite game this season would honestly have to be this most recent New Paltz game. Although it was very upsetting that we lost, you could see the dedication and enthusiasm from everybody on the team during every quarter of that game. Both teams are just going goal for goal and back and forth, putting all they have into every play, which is every athlete’s dream. I can confidently say that I have been the most mentally, physically and emotionally focused I have been all year.
Email JUSTIN RUSHIA cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
SOFTBALL
MENS: 100m: 2. C. Cypress (10.94) 5. Williams (11.21)
200: 8. C. Cypress (22.45) 20. E. Cypress (23.55) 400M:
Beltran (50.84) 16. Gregory (55.87) WOMENS:
MENS: Long Jump: 4. Baker (6.67m) 6. Ritter (6.42m)
Jump: 1. Hooper (1.95) 7. Webber (1.60)
(1:59) 1500m: 13. Zimmerman (4:37)
(13.8) 13. Wise (14.08)
200m: 5. Yarkosky (26.77) 14. Mahoney (28.49) 400m: 1. Yarkosky (59.17)
BASE
Continued from page 8
The Cardinals pushed back in the third inning, with a solo home run right to center by Ross.
The New Paltz offense continued on to put up three more runs in the fourth.
Ross’ momentum earned the Cardinals another run in the fifth inning but the Hawks battled back, tallying six more runs.
The Hawks plated their final run of the game on a throwing error during a double steal.
New Paltz outhit Plattsburgh 16-4 in the loss. The Cardinals now fall to 7-13 overall and 0-6 in the SUNYAC while the Hawks fall 20-8 in their season and 9-2 in conference play.
Cardinals Points reached out to members of the baseball team and didn’t receive comments on the series.
Email ZIAIRE FERRELL cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Provided by Plattsburgh Athletics Department
Don Woods sports his signature mustache in his roster photo.
Provided by Plattsburgh Athletics Department
Continued from page 7
Plattsburgh responded with three consecutive goals from Vilardi, Woods and Urso, giving the Cards the 10-1 advantage going into halftime.
The third quarter was even more impressive for the Cardinals. They outscored the Kangaroos 7-0, bringing the score to 17-1 by the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter remained quiet until the 8:37 mark when Canton broke Plattsburgh’s 10-goal scoring streak, scoring back-to-back goals on the Cards. O’Hara then ended whatever momentum the Kangaroos had with a transition goal assisted by Gannon.
Cipp knocked one more in for the Cardinals, sealing the game at 19-6.
“When you hold a team to six points, it speaks volumes to how well you’re playing,” Vilardi wrote. “Offensively, we played as a unit and all of our guys were contributing.”
Sophomore Cole Orehosky made 12 saves in over 39 minutes of play for Plattsburgh, earning him SUNYAC Athlete of the Week. Junior Jack Mulcahy added six saves in 12 minutes. Sophomore Zachary Nacheman and first-year Gavin McQueeney also played in goal for the Cardinals.
“We were having fun and finally showing what we can be when we play our brand of lacrosse,” Vilardi wrote. Plattsburgh faced the New Paltz Hawks later that week April 12, where the Cards ultimately fell to the Hawks at home 9–10.
After finding out two hours into their trip that the game had been delayed two hours due to a scheduling issue, the Cardinals had to do their best to stay locked in during the wait.
“The guys did a good job adjusting their mindset, and their attitudes were all about being ready to go
from the start, which was good to see,” Nedbalski said.
Plattsburgh’s offense started hot in the first quarter, scoring the first four goals of the game. Bruhns opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the match, followed by goals from Woods, Ruland and Keenan, giving Plattsburgh a 4-0 lead halfway through the quarter.
The Hawks finally got on the board at the 6:18 mark when Anthony Senecal took advantage of an extra-man opportunity, scoring a man-up goal assisted by Scully, making the score 4-1 in favor of the Cardinals. Vilardi quickly responded, restoring Plattsburgh’s four-goal lead. Following a back-and-forth exchange of goals, the Hawks ended the quarter with two consecutive goals, reducing the deficit to 6-4 for the Cardinals after the first quarter.
After a high-scoring first quarter, both teams’ offenses slowed in the second quarter, with each team scoring only two goals, giving the Cards an 8- 0 lead going into halftime.
The third quarter was a defensive battle. The Hawks held the Cardinals scoreless on five shots while adding one goal, narrowing Plattsburgh’s lead to 8-7 going into the fourth quarter.
Urso netted an unassisted goal just under a minute into the fourth, extending Plattsburgh’s lead to 9-7.
The Hawks scored three consecutive goals to take a 10-9 lead with 3:55 left in the game. With less than a minute remaining, the Cardinals had a chance to tie the game and got off two shots. Neither found the back of the net, giving the Hawks a 10-9 win.
The Plattsburgh will shift its focus to its matchup against the Oswego Lakers on April 19.
“I told the guys that every game is important. Every game is meaningful for the program,” Nedbalski said. “We’re definitely taking a lot of time this week to work on what we think is going to best suit us against Oswego.”
Email JUSTIN RUSHIA cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
“Everyday,
both Coach Miller and Coach Brad remind us of the importance of finding joy in the process of improving, learning and developing our skills rather than solely on our desired outcomes.”
Sara Isaacs, Softball
SOFT
Continued from page 7
The lead was extended 2-0 in the following inning as Noll singled and advanced to second on an error by the centerfielder, scoring sophomore Michelle DeFina.
A homerun in the top of the third inning for Fredonia made the score 2-1.
In the top of the fourth, the Blue Devils tied the game after a double scored the runner.
The Cards did not score in the third, but dominated offensively in the bottom of the fourth.
“I think offensively, we just came together as a unit, and we brought the energy and the effort. We just showed up, and they wanted it,” head coach Jessica Miller said. “All the pieces kind of came together a little bit for us and we took advantage of their mistakes, like any good team should.”
The Cards used five hits and three errors to score eight runs and take a 10-2 lead.
Noll hit a one-out RBI double, and an error allowed a run to score in the next at-bat to give the Cards a 4-2 lead.
Noll stole home and after a hit from Isaacs, Pillus singled through the left side to bring home another run.
Sophomore Emma Deo and Stork had back-to-back RBI singles, and the Cards scored their final run of the inning when DeFina was caught in a pickle on a steal attempt, allowing the tenth run for the Cards to score, also putting the mercy-rule in effect.
The Blue Devils made no comeback in the top of the fifth and the game was concluded because of Plattsburgh’s impressive eight-run lead.
“You always want that sweep, but the split was good because we got a couple points out of it and it helped us going into Saturday with that confidence boost, putting up those 11 hits,
and the runs, you end that two games with a little bit lighter of a feeling,” Miller said.
Noll led five Cardinals as she finished 2-3 with two RBIs, a double and a run scored.
Isaacs was 2-3, with two runs scored, and Pillus drove in one run.
Toleman and Deo were each 2-3 with an RBI.
In the circle, Junior Morgan Ormerod went all five innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out five.
BUFFALO STATE
Plattsburgh fought long and hard during both games against Buffalo State (12-10, 6-0) ultimately taking two more conference losses.
In game one, three scoreless innings passed until the top of the fourth, when the Bengals scored three of their four runs.
Buffalo’s points on the board came from a two-run homer, resulting in a 3-0 lead.
In response, Manalo and Isaacs singled to begin the bottom half of the fourth inning, and
Pillus walked to load the bases with no outs.
Toleman made good contact, allowing Manalo to score on an RBI single to center field.
However, two strikeouts were to follow and end the Cardinal comeback that inning and keep Buffalo State ahead 3-1.
Plattsburgh had just three hits, which all came in that fourth inning.
After a scoreless fifth inning for both teams, the Bengals picked up a run that started with a double, an advance to third on a sacrifice bunt, and then a score on a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cardinals had two base runners with two outs.
However, DeFina hit a lined shot that may have scored two runs, but Buffalo’s third baseman made a standout play.
A scoreless seventh inning allowed Buffalo to take the win 4-1.
“Our defense showed up and we were able to get out when we needed to keep ourselves in the game,” Miller said. “Offensively, we gave ourselves a better
opportunity to get those hits to string together a good inning and put up the runs that they scored in order to win a game. We’ve got to put up more than one run.”
Gemmett was strong in the circle, striking out nine over seven innings of work, allowing four runs and seven hits.
Toleman had the RBI single, and Manalo had a single and scored a run while Isaacs also had a single for the Cards.
Game two stung a little more for the Cards as they fell short to Buffalo again, 3-4.
“Every day, both Coach Miller and Coach Brad remind us of the importance of finding joy in the process of improving, learning, and developing our skills rather than solely on our desired outcomes,” Isaacs wrote.
Ormerod gave up four runs in the first inning but retired 18 of the next 19 batters she faced, with the only one runner reaching base after that because of an error.
Ormerod finished with seven innings pitched, allowing five
hits and four runs while striking out two and walking none.
On the other side, the Bengals defense succeeded as their pitcher tossed 6 scoreless innings and struck out five while allowing three hits and three walks.
Although Buffalo came out strong in that first inning, leading 4-0, Plattsburgh answered immediately in their half inning, similar to game one, all with two outs.
Manalo doubled with one out and Pillus doubled Manalo home with two outs.
Toleman followed with a single that could not score Pillus, but an error by the left fielder allowed her to score.
Toleman made her way to third, and Stork singled Toleman home to put the Cards only down 4-3.
From there on, the game was scoreless, securing a Buffalo win.
The only runner that was allowed by Ormerod because of an error was not until the fifth inning.
In the seventh, Manalo hit a single up the middle with one out and moved over to second base after a ground out to make the second out.
With the tying run in scoring position, the Cards grounded out to short to end the game.
“Even in our losses or our own personal failures, we continue to learn, grow, and use this as motivation to believe in the process of this team,” Isaacs wrote.
The Cardinals are scheduled for a non-conference game on April 15 against Clarkson (14-11, 4-2) on the road and will follow that up with another two day double header series.
Plattsburgh will travel and take on New Paltz on April 18 (7-13) and follow that up against Oneonta (8-10, 2-0) on April 19.
Provided by the Plattsburgh Athletics Department
Senior pitcher Carly Gemmett has recorded 13 strikeouts in a game three times this season.
EMMA DEO/Cardinal Points
Don Woods (12) embraces his teammate after a goal.
College is a commitment for academics and emotion
BY KALIYAH GREEN Staff Writer
College fosters a lot of commitment, personal growth and self-discovery. Behind every assignment turned in at 11:59 p.m. and every cup of coffee consumed to survive a 9 a.m. lecture, there are students navigating a whirlwind of emotions; self-doubt, pressure and hope.
In college you learn about yourself and the things you do and don’t like. You meet new people and explore differences in mindsets and the way people think.
From the moment you apply, you’re placing yourself on the line. Your dreams, your past achieve-
ments and your goals for the future all go into that one application; half the time we students are filling that out alone.
However, doubts can quickly set in once you get there. Imposter syndrome, a behavioral issue that causes you to doubt your own skills and accomplishments, starts to seep into your dorm rooms and classrooms.
Asking yourself, “am I really supposed to be here?” becomes a daily thing. Many students have the pressure of being a first-generation college student or coming from a low-income family. Some may feel like their voice doesn’t matter in rooms where others seem more confident and established.
Sometimes it can feel like people back home — or your professors — are waiting to see you fail. Professors can be harsh with grading or not be understanding of your situations when you’re going through personal issues.
“College is definitely an emotional investment, especially here. We left our homes to come here and these classes are no joke,” sophomore Elishua Oviedo said. “You adjust to being here, but first coming is very hard because you’re nowhere near home.”
Katy Perry launches, looks dumb doing it
BY KOLIN KRINER Opinion Editor
Katy Perry went to space earlier this week, proclaiming we need to work to protect the Earth.
So Perry, how exactly are you protecting the earth by pumping up carbon emissions for an 11-minute trip to space?
That seems to make a whole lot of sense.
The utter irony that she sang “What a Wonderful World” while up on the border of the Earth and space.
For Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos space company behind this adventure, to call this a mission in general is outrageous.
A mission for what? To promote their space tourism business where a ticket costs $28 million?
That’s pure insanity.
Space should be for trained astronauts and scientists to do research, not pump tons of emissions into the air for the sake of celebrity entertainment.
I’m siding with all the other celebrities who have made comments online about how absolutely blasphemous this is.
My personal favorite of these is Wendy’s response on X, “Katy Perry has returned from space. Can we send her back?”
Kesha made this even funnier by posting a selfie later that day smiling while holding a Wendy’s cup.
Those aboard the ship have responded to the backlash defending themselves but I mean come on.
This wasn’t an important mission. This was celebrities trying to make a headline while damaging exactly what they are claiming to be trying to protect.
The environment didn’t like that. The planet didn’t like that. I didn’t like that.
I personally won’t be supporting those who thought this was a good idea.
Point.
Blank.
Period.
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Awards
Cardinal Points has received the following awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP):
ACP Hall of Fame Inducted in Fall 2010
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
Kolin Kriner
Email KOLIN KRINER
Graphic by Cameron Greaves
Unexpected masterpieces and instant classics
BY SOPHIA ALBERTIE Staff Writer
Now that 2025 is a third of the way through, I wanted to take a moment to explore some of the best movies released this year. With that, I present to you my top five movies of the year so far.
“A MINECRAFT MOVIE”
Coming in strong and alive for five: “A Minecraft Movie,” directed by Jared Hess, released earlier this April in theatres around the globe.
With a whopping 47% on rotten tomatoes, it’s a literal blockbuster and fun for the whole family.
Follow Steve as he leads a ragtag group of characters through the different biomes of a pixelated world in an attempt to find their way back home.
Objectively speaking, this isn’t “Pulp Fiction” or “The Godfather,” but with the reactions that have stemmed from various parts of the film and the anticipation of its arrival from kids and adults alike, it ought to be placed in an even higher tier.
Fun movies are back, and they are even worse than I remember in the best way possible.
“MICKEY 17”
A core fourth, “Mickey 17,” directed by Bong Joon Ho, follows the story of Mickey Barnes and his adventures through several lives.
Robert Pattinson’s scrappy character just can’t seem to die. After one iteration of Mickey
succumbs to an unfortunate fate, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories still intact.
Will Barnes be able to distinguish himself from all other versions, or vanish into obscurity with the rest of his lookalikes?
Bong really outdid himself with this one.
A trippy two hour and 17 minute long kafkaesque tale that will leave you humored, disturbed and existential beyond reason.
“THE BATTLE OF WALLIS ISLAND”
If you have some viewing time to spare on a more indie, slice of life film with a mystical undertone, I highly recommend “The Battle of Wallis Island.”
A strong contender for number 3 on this list, because it certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect for the intended audience.
The film follows Charles, who has just won the lottery and lives alone on a remote island. His one wish? To have his favorite folk band reunite and perform at his home. This quirky, dry lighthearted tale is not necessarily conventional, but if you’re a fan of British humor you’ll appreciate this sweet story.
“I’M STILL HERE”
Up next is “I’m Still Here,” starring Fernanda Torres as Eunice Pavia, the wife of Brazil’s Rubens Pavia.
Following the forced disappearance of Rubens, Eunice must grapple with her new life and hold her family
together in the midst of total political meltdown.
Torres’s groundbreaking performance is truly what makes this film stand out. Viewers observe the complete transformation of a wife and family in distress as they journey to find out what happened to one of the
most influential figures in Brazil, as well as a husband and father.
Viewers are in for a whirlwind of emotions for this one.
“ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL”
The top movie of 2025 so far and the most un-
derrated is “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.”
Directed by Rungano Nyoni and set in Zambia, this film follows main character Shula and her family as they process the sudden death of her uncle.
What lies beneath the surface? What secrets will be revealed? This black comedy and meditation on life and loss is a must see, if you’re looking for a fresh story with smart writing and incredible performances, this is the film for you.
COMMIT
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It isn’t just about lectures and GPAs. You have to fight to believe in yourself when everything and sometimes everyone makes you feel like you shouldn’t.
“If it’s looked at in the perspective of what it takes to meet the requirements of passing classes,” senior Nekaybaw Ross said. “College can become very draining both mentally and physically. Both of which can affect you as a person drastically.”
Students have to navigate complex social environments, develop lifelong friendships and encounter diverse perspectives that challenge their beliefs.
College is a space for students to learn to confront their fears,
Email SOPHIA ALBERTIE cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
surpass all obstacles and develop resilience. College students are tasked with the responsibility of balancing their academic life with personal life or managing relationships with friends and sometimes significant others. This can be daunting for students, but it leads to a developed sense of emotional maturity. So when people talk about the price of college, they should also talk about the emotional cost. The courage it takes to stay when it’s easier to give up and the power in saying, “I do deserve to be here,” because you do.
And having that belief? That’s the real degree.
Email KALIYAH GREEN cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Graphic by Mia Oquendo
Graphic by Cameron Greaves