Opinion
Movie Review: “Pizza Movie”
Arts and Culture
Cardinal Creative: Natalie VazquezMartinez
Photo Page WLAX vs. Potsdam
Student Association SA referendum passes, senators elected
BY SIERRA BABBIE Staff Writer
During the Student Association general election and referendum, Hassani St. John was elected president, Dominick Andre won the vote for vice president and the student body opted for the continuation of the SA fee.
St. John achieved 56.37% of the presidential vote with 332 votes in total, and Andre achieved 59.59% of the vice-president vote with 351 votes.
Angel Almaraz Castillo won the race for treasurer against three other candidates by achieving 50% of the vote with 295 votes.
For the referendum, 516 students, or 87.61% of voters, chose to keep the Student Association fee.
The election for SA senate was competitive, with 23 candidates running for 10 spots. The 10 candidates who achieved the greatest support, in order of most votes to less votes, are Sofia Tabares, Lillyana Vargas Bradshaw, Krishma Karki, Ava LaVine, Sami Goodman, Justin Thomas, Hrudayee Jagtap, Juliana Praino, Sanam Baniya and Nicholas Bilow.
During the meeting on April 8, the SA senate approved funding for several campus organizations.
The Criminal Justice Club sought funding for several upcoming trips to
Student Association senators
local facilities relating to potential careers for students in the major. These trips include visits to the Clinton County Correctional Facility, Federal Correctional Institute Ray Brook and New York State Police Troop B headquarters.
“It’s more of a hands-on experience that students don’t necessarily get in the classroom. They’re able to see things and talk to professionals in
the field, which isn’t necessarily always offered in criminal justice classes,” president of the Criminal Justice Club, Ben Weldon said. “It’s providing experiences and opportunities to students that aren’t already there.”
The Student Association approved the club for $750, the full requested funding, in a 12-1 vote.
House of Divinity, the campus modeling club,
GRYPHON AKRIDGE-PHILLIPS/Cardinal Points
listen to a club representative during the meeting March 25.
was approved for $750 in funding for a fashion show in a 10-3 vote. The event took place on April 16 in collaboration with K.I.N.K.S., and was inspired by New York Fashion Week. Ashley Rufino, president of House of Divinity, shared some of the aspects of this year’s event.
“We’re having a collaboration hair portion with K.I.N.K.S. People that are
part of that collaboration will be able to get their hair done for free in exchange for modeling the hairstyle,” Rufino said. “We’re also having dance teams perform. We’re having some students that are interested in music also collab and do a musical performance. We just want to bring the creativity that we see on campus.”
K.I.N.K.S. was approved for $300 in funding to
compensate three stylists who attended the New York themed fashion show in an 11-2 vote.
“Last year, we weren’t able to pay our stylists what they deserved. I want to make it fair for the stylists that are spending their time and their craft,” president of K.I.N.K.S. Deney Jackson said.
Email SIERRA BABBIE cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Late Night brings sexual assault services to light
BY GRANT TERWILLIGER
Editor in Chief
Late Night for the Planet brought members of sexual assault services to the stage for their final game show of the semester April 8.
The first speaker of the night was Shelli LaVoie, director of sexual assault services for Planned Parenthood of the North Country.
According to LaVoie, the mission of sexual assault services is to support victims and survivors through trauma informed care.
“I love being part of a system that helps people work through challenges and empowers them to find hope and strength,” LaVoie said. “We are able to offer these services completely free of charge to anybody and all that you need to do is come to us and tell us that you would like some assistance. We don’t ask any questions.”
Some of the sexual assault services that Planned Parenthood provides are legal advocacy, counseling services, accompaniment and trainings.
The second speaker of the night was Gail Bjelko, an emergency room RN at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. Bjelko works with physical trauma at the emergency room, but is also a sexual assault nurse examiner and the coordinator of the program.
According to Bjelko the emergency
room only receives 40 or less cases of sexual assault a year. Bjelko mainly works in the emergency room treating patients with physical injuries, but said that she finds that being a sexual assault nurse examiner is about being there for patients.
“Being with patients, being with the advocates, and really doing and providing the best care possible for those patients who have been traumatized,” Bjelko said. “The care the nurse provides for the patient is really based on what the patient wants. So there’s nothing that we do that they don’t consent to.”
Bjelko said they partner with St. Peters health partners out of Albany for their telesafe program that provides a sexual assault nurse examiner via telemedicine if there is not a nurse specialized in sexual assault exams on site. Services are available 24/7.
CVPH also collects evidence up to 120 hours or five days after an assault as well as offers sexual assault exams, accompaniments, STI prophylaxis and HIV prophylaxis.
The third speaker of the night was Emily Stanley, a community impact manager at Planned Parenthood of the North
Country and a certified rape crisis counselor through their services.
According to Stanley, trauma informed care focuses on the individual and their experiences and on what kind of support they need at the time such as person first language and skill building.
“When we’re working with people who’ve experienced sexual violence, sometimes we use words like victim and survivor, but those are things that we don’t assign to a person,” Stanley said. “We kind of follow the lead of how they identify, and they may not identify with either, and that’s okay too.”
Stanley emphasized that the sexual assault services hotline for Planned Parenthood, 877-212-2323, is available 24/7 and provides supportive services and accompaniment services.
“We don’t require anyone to share any type of information, whatever they’re comfortable with sharing,” Stanley said. LaVoie highlighted the importance of the individual and their choice on what actions they would like to take following a sexual assault.
“We talk often as a program that everything that brings someone to see us was not their choice,” LaVoie said. “So really it is, hopefully, the beginning of empowering them to the future.”
Khadka, Kilbon, Lavine and Nessler
HIRAM COWHEY/Cardinal Points
Gail Bjelko, Shelli Lavoie and Emily Stanley discuss sexual assault services in the North Country April 8.
‘Pizza Movie,’ lively stoner humor
BY GRANT TERWILLIGER Editor in Chief
For a film called “Pizza Movie,” there was barely any pizza in the movie. Instead, the film focused around the college experience and told a classic coming of age story fueled by a wacky hallucinogenic drug.
Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher’s directorial debut, “Pizza Movie,” is an absurd and comedic journey starring Gaten Matarazzo as Jack, Sean Giambrone as Montgomery, Lulu Wilson as Lizzy and Daniel Radcliffe as a butterfly named Lysander. Radcliffe as a butterfly is probably one of the best things I have seen recently, but at the same time we never actually see Radcliffe; he’s there in spirit and voice.
The film takes place during a rough day in college when Jack is being taped to a clock for ruining the school football team and Montgomery is struggling to fit in and catch the attention of Ashley, played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee.
Following this rough day of events and a bottle of whisky being broken by the main bullies in the film, they find a tin of mints that fell out of the ceiling tiles. What follows is the comedian Sarah Sherman as Frankie, rambling about a homemade first of its kind British drug known as Mind
Saturday, April. 18
WLAX vs. Fredonia 12 p.m. @Fredonia
SB vs. Oneonta 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.@Home
MLAX vs. Canton 1 p.m. @Canton
BB vs. Oneonta 3 p.m. @Home
WTEN vs. Castleton 3:30 p.m. @Castleton
Igniting Neural Tuning Stimulants, or M.I.N.T.S.
The M.I.N.T.S cause Jack and Montgomery to go through seven phases listed in order; make baby like it, no bad words, flashbacks, the ol’ switcheroo, Nothing but the truth, we are all one and “Your worst nightmare comes to life and shoves a chainsaw up your ass.”
Going back to the title “Pizza Movie,” the only way to escape the drug is to eat pizza. The only way to get pizza is to pick it up from the robot Snackatron 3000 on the first floor. What at first seems like an easy journey turns into a nightmare, will the main characters be able to pick up the pizza and make it out alive?
The themes of coming of age, facing adversity, making mistakes and college culture are a huge part of this film. The main antagonist Blake, who is played by Jack Martin, acts as an authoritarian dictator of resident assistants. The antagonists in the film are militaristic resident assistants who want to eliminate the party culture and the noise of campus life by sending misbehaving students to an old sinister looking dormitory off campus, Gralk Hall.
Surviving the different drug phases, getting pizza to avoid a
nightmare and escaping the RA’s happens at the same time creating a linear storyline with complex and comedic scenes.
The cinematography was pretty simple, but at times the cinematography definitely made me question what was actually happening on the screen, were they really in the hallway or were they hallucinating?
The cinematographers definitely had their fun trying to make simple color grading and common camera compositions interesting by adding in a weird cartoon octopus, a silhouette puppet show of Grail Hall and just strange and oftentimes absurd sequences.
The film to me felt like “Everywhere Everything All at Once,” but “High School Musical” edition. I will give this one four stars for creativity.
UPCOMING SPORTS
Sunday, April. 19
BB vs. Oneonta 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.@Home
Monday, April. 20 Tuesday, April. 21
SB vs. Clarkson 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. @Home
BB vs. Clarkson 3:30 p.m. @Potsdam
Wednesday, April. 22
WLAX vs. Oneonta 4 p.m. @ Oneonta
MLAX vs. Oneonta 4 p.m. @Home
Friday, April. 24
SB vs. Potsdam 3 p.m. @Home
BB vs. New Paltz 3 p.m. @New Paltz
SB vs. Potsdam 5 p.m. @Home
BB vs. Canton 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. @ Home
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
Cardinal Creatives: Natalie Vazquez-Martinez
Vazquez-Martinez creates surreal pieces of work with extravagant texture
BY ADAM BLANCHARD
Natalie Vazquez-Martinez has turned the painting medium into an experimental area to explore herself, having fun while doing so. Originally from the Borough of Queens in New York City, Vazquez-Martinez came to SUNY Plattsburgh for a sense of independence. After going to a college in Queens for a year living with her family, she knew it was time to mix things up.
Vazquez-Martinez has a concentration in both drawing and painting as well as a minor in art therapy. She focuses on portraiture with the two media, but approaches them with different goals. Vazquez-Martinez considers her art contemporary, yet unique in subject matter.
“It’s not what people think of art. They think of landscapes, like really detailed work. Mine isn’t that,” Vazquez-Martinez said.
Vazquez-Martinez focuses on herself as the subject of many pieces, creating large scale paintings with thick, coarse textures. To achieve the texture, she applies modeling paste to her canvas and shapes it with ceramic tools to vary the tightness of the lines, creating pieces she invites others to feel and interact with.
Her approach to the drawing medium is similar, but focuses less on herself.
“In the beginning, I have an outline of what I want to draw, but I mainly focus on the color harmony of the pieces,” Vazquez-Martinez said.
Vazquez-Martinez takes inspiration from social media such as DeviantArt, Instagram and Twitter. She also takes inspira-
tion from contemporary artist
Lim Nam Hum, a Korean painter who creates colorful full-body portraiture. She had connected to Nam Hum through Instagram where language barriers created discourse, but Vazquez-Martinez has since made friends with him.
“His English wasn’t the best, but it was very direct, so I thought he was mad at me,” Vazquez-Martinez said. “I would say he’s the one that helped me get more interested in abstract textual art during my undergrad years.”
Vazquez-Martinez has had plenty of work shown in SUNY
You may need to think quickly and clearly to make timely decisions in order to avoid making mistakes by misinterpretation.
There is rapid movement in your life; be prepared to take action to gain success. You may receive a message from a distance.
Spend your finances wisely; there will be gain after a hard struggle.
A financial situation is changing for the better, and there is a feeling of stress evaporating.
Plattsburgh exhibits, with some of her work currently being displayed in the 2026 B.A. Art and Design Senior Show, located in the lobby of the Myers Fine Arts Building. She has also submitted work to different art magazines, with one piece getting accepted into the Gandy Dancer magazine, a SUNY Geneseo literary magazine featuring creative work from SUNY students.
As she nears the end of her senior year, Vazquez-Martinez looks for internships in New York City. She has applied to work for The Frick Collection as well as The Metropolitan Muse-
um of Art. At these internships, Vazquez-Martinez would be aiming to create a more inclusive space within the museums.
Vazquez-Martinez is also considering looking into graduate school for art therapy.
She got into art therapy after a conversation with a teacher in high school. Vazquez-Martinez looks for a career where she would make money while doing something she enjoys.
“She was like, ‘You know there’s a really niche job market for arts, right?,’” Vazquez-Martinez said. “And that kind of sent me into a spi-
ral of researching art therapy and art therapy techniques.”
Vazquez-Martinez hopes that she can make an impact on other’s lives, helping people express themselves in ways they aren’t able to through words. “I have struggled for the longest time to talk about myself or how to explain things,” Vazquez-Martinez said. “Art has helped me turn a con into a pro and translate what I think into my works.”
Email ADAM BLANCHARD cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
BY GRYPHON AKRIDGE-PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER
Thoughts which are directed towards change allow you to take on a new role.
At this time, there may be something important missing from your life.
Channel your emotions into more creative endeavors.
You may feel you are unable to leave an unpleasant situation.
You are awaiting the results from something you have started. Focus your energy; it will fulfill your desires. However, be certain the end result is what you want.
In the future, you may have to juggle two jobs at a time and make firm financial decisions. Be prepared to stand by them.
You must release what is no longer needed to bring in new opportunities and events.
Abundance and prosperity will enable you to help someone in need. You may also be able to repay debts.
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 – Sept. 22)
Pisces (Feb. 19 –March 20)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –Dec. 21)
Capricorn (Dec. 22 –Jan. 19)
Aquarius (Jan. 20 –Feb. 18)
ADAM BLANCHARD/Cardinal Points
Natalie Vazquez-Martinez beside two of her paintings. The right painting invites viewers to tie masks to threads of string to express them-
Arts & Culture Editor
B.A. exhibition gives seniors sendoff
SYDNEY
Senior art students exhibit their best pieces at the Myers Fine Arts Building
BY SYDNEY BLAKE Staff Writer
SUNY Plattsburgh Art Museum celebrated graduating art students during an art exhibit in the Myers Fine Arts Building on April 10.
According to Museum Director Tonya Cribb, the 2026 B.A. Art and Design Senior Show can be a stepping off point for students going into their future careers and gaining experience in the
professional art world.
The exhibit held works ranging from sculptures and ceramics to painting and drawings. The gallery was open to the public and was set up by Cribb and the art department.
“It highlights what the faculty are able to teach the students,” Cribb said. “Our faculty are able to get the best work out of the students, which is their own voice.”
Each work offered insight into the students’ artistic processes, allowing
for students to pick the best of their works to present.
Alexis Adamkowski’s work consisted of three paintings that represent human sexuality and sexual liberation. Her work featured nude models with flowers blooming around them. When creating her work, Adamkowski interviews the subject she draws to better understand them. She then chooses botanicals to incorporate into the piece based on the interviews.
JOIN CARDINAL POINTS
Want to learn how to write? Want to learn how to take photos? We’ll teach you! Already experienced? Even better! Join Cardinal Points to get involved in the campus community.
“Because of my themes of immunity and ideas about sex, I really wanted to portray this very innocent female friendship, where they’re just very comfortable with each other, and very caring,” Adamkowski said.
Kate LaPoint had many pieces to share within the gallery, including ceramic mugs that brought a marsh setting to life. The mugs were unique in design, each having a lily pad handle with a frog perched on it.
LaPoint said she first creates a design and changes it throughout the building process. She had refired the mugs in the kiln, causing them to become an unexpected color, but said it worked out for the better. She gets help and guidance from her peers and teachers when needed.
“Sometimes we give each other critiques and bounce ideas off each other. So that’s really helpful when being in a community studio,” Lapoint said. When creating work for the exhibit, art professors help whenever possible. According to Assistant Professor of Art Bright Kontor Osei, his role isn’t to tell the students what to do, but rather help them create and choose works that they want to be a final display for their exhibits. Osei encourages students to take more away from art while still enjoying it.
“Just enjoy or love art, and then the message is clear,” Osei said. “Let people know that art is not just about having fun, but also sending serious messages.”
ARTS & CULTURE: In the article “Cardinal Creatives: Bright Kontor Osei,” Bright Kontor Osei was incorrectly stated to have a Master of Fine Arts in art education. This has been corrected to a Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing.
BLAKE/Cardinal Points
Attendees admire senior Kate Lapoint’s “Barn Owl Moth,” a piece made from wool, floss, denim and recycled fabric.
SYDNEY BLAKE/Cardinal Points
Seniors Lillian Gilroy and Alexis Adamkowski celebrate Adamkowski’s work.
Cardinals face a 11-8 loss against the Bears
By Anya Kern
Ashley O’Hara juking out an opponent.
Caterina Gonzalez facing off.
Taya Balfour trying not to collide with the defense April 8.
Chase Calandra cradling the ball.
Olivia Bustamante and Abby Guasconi intercept the ball.