Coachella brings nostalgia
Einsteins set to be replaced by Saxbys
BY GRANT HOCHMUTH Staff Writer
SUNY Plattsburgh will see a major change in campus dining by the fall semester as Einstein Bros. Bagels is being replaced by Saxbys, a change that college administration said is centered in expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students.
“The decision was made by the CAS Board of Directors, with assistance and support from the campus, to move from Einstein’s to Saxbys to offer valuable experiential learning opportunities for our students,” said Catherine Keleher, executive director of College Auxiliary Services. “Hands-on learning is an essential part of our college curriculum and Saxbys provides a unique and powerful solution for students looking for experience in leadership management, marketing, hospitality, finance, and more.” Saxbys operates with a hands-on experience
learning model that allows students to take an active role in running the restaurant. Students will be involved in daily operations such as ordering supplies and managing inventory while receiving mentorship from Saxbys staff.
While students will help run the cafe, responsibility for food safety will remain with Cardinal Way.
“All food safety and health regulations remain the responsibility of the contracted food service operator, Cardinal Way, in accordance with state and local health codes,” Kehleher said. “Students participating in the Saxbys program will receive training and mentorship in food safety and operations, but compliance oversight and accountability remain with Cardinal Way under CAS supervision.”
In addition to the operational shift, Saxbys will have a menu with dairy free, plant based and gluten free options.
Students will still be able to use meal swipes, dining dollars and Cardinal Cash at the new location. Ad-
Student Association
ministration said the transition will create not only a new dining option, but also a student driven space focused on leadership and real world experiences. Saxbys is slated to open at the start of the upcoming fall semester, replacing Einsteins in its current campus location. As the transition moves forward, college administration said students can expect more information on hiring opportunities, training and leadership positions in the months leading up to the grand opening.
SA denies funding for Beauty Bar event
BY SIERRA BABBIE Staff Writer
At the Student Association meeting April 15, Beauty Bar was denied funding for an event as a result of budgeting concerns and Club Caribbean was approved funding for an upcoming cookout.
Beauty Bar requested $500 in funding to support a water wars event in collaboration with other campus clubs. The event would feature water related activities, team shirts, snacks and prizes.
Originally, Beauty Bar applied for $800 to fund the event, although a meeting with the SA Finance Board resulted in the club altering this number to $500.
The SA expressed concerns about the updated plan. Senator Goodman in particular spoke about the price points of items listed for the event in comparison to the total funding requested by the club.
“You mentioned buckets, coolers, snacks, sponges, maybe a slip and slide, if that’s allowed. And I’m wondering if you have a price breakdown for any of those things, because I’m looking at this, and none of those are
particularly expensive things,” Goodman said. “I’m kind of still wondering how we arrived at the 800 number, and I know we reduced it to five, but what would that break down to?”
Destiny English, vice president of Beauty Bar, addressed Goodman’s concerns about funding.
“I feel like everything does add up, and things are not cheap. It’s not only sponges and buckets and the slip and slide. We’re trying to have an actual good turnout. A lot of people come and we want to have a fun event,” English said.
However, Senator Nessler spoke about the necessity of an exact financial breakdown.
“We want a very specific idea of what you’re getting, who you’re collaborating with, where you’re getting other funds,” Nessler said. “It’s just making sure we have a clear plan.”
The SA unanimously denied the request, although senators encouraged Beauty Bar to return with a revitalized plan.
Club Caribbean also requested $500 in funding for a cookout that is planned to take place on May 1. The event was
explained as an opportunity to create cultural connection and would feature food from Cardinal Way, a caricaturist, games and music. Part of the funding for the cookout will be from the revenue generated from Club Carribean’s last pageant.
The SA approved Club Carribean’s funding unanimously with one abstention. Kamille Allen was approved for a position with the Finance Board. Allen is a freshman majoring in accounting who has recently become involved with the Student Association by attending finance board meetings and working with the organization through her role as the treasurer of Quake Productions.
“All the E-board members are seniors, so I’ve had to take over for the semester since they’re all busy with doing their senior stuff,” Allen said. Allen was approved unanimously for the position.
Hiram Cowhey/Cardinal Points
Einstein Bros Bagels sign in Hawkins Hall.
Coachella brings nostalgia back
BY SYDNEY
The 2026 Coachella Music and Arts Festival succeeded my expectations. Normally I forget that it is coming around until I see posts online, but this year stood out to me.
The look of Coachella was beautiful with its cylinder building with rainbow colored glass featured every year along with other colorful landscape art that brought life into California’s Empire Polo Club located in the Colorado desert.
My satisfaction with the aesthetic continues with the festival goer’s outfits. Looking through influencers online, I noticed a lot of inspiration was taken from the style of 2016 Coachella. This can be seen in the boho style and head crowns; there were also layered pieces that had lowrise micro shorts or skirts.
I thought that this year’s outfits were done well, an example of this is the Kalogeras sisters, who are popular siblings on TikTok and Instagram. The three had low waisted skirts with small tops along with a chunky lowrise belt. Their outfits were also monochromatic with matching prints and colors.
Like seen with the Kalogeras sisters, the clothes had lace and leather fabrics, and the girls also utilized accessories to bring more character to their outfit with necklaces, rings, scarves wrapped around heads, sunglasses and hair clips.
Another outfit theme that caught my eye was the mermaid style that had flowy skirts with more pops of color such as pink, blue and sparkles. I also enjoyed the cowboy look with denims, cowboy boots and hats, thick belts and more statement pieces like bold chunky jewelry.
One of the weirdest and most uncomfortable looking outfits of the musical festival was Lele Pons and Hannah Stocking’s white and red dress that was knitted together. The dresses didn’t match the vibe of a dessert party atmosphere, and seemed more unnecessary and attention seeking.
The outfits of Coachella this year felt more organized because the majority were worn on specific days depending on the performer. The more girly outfits, such as the mermaid ones, were worn on the first day when Sabrina Carpenter performed. Carpenter’s sets were fun and exciting especially when Madonna appeared as a special guest during her set. The two strutted the stage singing Madonna’s famous song “Like a Prayer.”
Another artist that stuck out to me was Karol G, a Latin singer that I wasn’t familiar with. Her use of space and set design on the stage was done amazingly with a colorful rock wall that had many people dancing in each panel. She herself danced on stage and
had an exciting performance in her blue two piece with rainbow colors peaking on the bottom of her skirt. Her outfit reminded me a lot of the movie “Rio” with the bright colors and dance.
I had to save the best for last, which is Bieberchella, when Justin Bieber performed. If you are like me, then you had Bieber fever when you were growing up, and were excited to see that he played his old hits like “Beauty and the Beat,” “Sorry,” “Baby” and “One Less Lonely Girl,” where he pulled up Billie Eilish on stage. The set became emotional as Eilish has always been a fan of his.
I do have to acknowledge his performance went a little out of the ordinary when he projected his computer for the crowd and played videos of his younger self running into a glass door on repeat. Now some people thought this was a bad set and him being immature. Maybe, but I thought it was hilarious and nostalgic for his fans.
He made up for this screentime section with his performance of “Daisies” where he used stage lights with smoke to create dramatic shadows making it surreal.
The overall experience was carried by Justin Bieber, which had people online talking the most, either posting memes or special moments from a fan perspective. Coachella usually feels the same each year, but 2026 was fun nostalgia and reclaimed the original festival feeling it once had a decade ago.
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
Email SYDNEY
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Regular Season as of April 24, 2026
Via Adobe Stock Ferris wheel at Coachella Music and Arts Festival.
BLAKE Staff Writer
BLAKE
Cardinal Creatives: Jaay Carbonneau Carbonneau creates layered paintings
BY ADAM BLANCHARD
Arts & Culture Editor
Carbonneau’s adoration for the arts may not be readily apparent, but once Carbonneau starts speaking, their knowledge of the arts paints a picture of their appreciation for media.
Originally from Florida, Carbonneau moved to Plattsburgh in recent years to be closer to their grandmother, who lives in Laval, Montreal. After researching colleges in the North Country, SUNY Plattsburgh seemed like the perfect fit for Carbonneau.
Carbonneau found passion in painting, choosing it as her concentration. She finds herself using oil paint, as she enjoys the colors and texture she can draw from the medium. Recently, Carbonneau has experimented with different subject matter and ideas, receiving guidance from Assistant Professor of Art Bright Kontor Osei.
“This semester with Bright, I wanted to go into a different direction because I was stuck,” Carbonneau said. “I decided I wanted to just go for it. Whatever my mind created, I’ll just slap that down onto that canvas.”
Through this experimentation, Carbonneau created “Serenity,” a large-scale painting that depicts a yellow serpent leaping through a green sea. The piece uses oil paint to create a scaly, shiny texture. The piece was displayed in the 2026 B.A. Art and Design Senior Show, where it was bought by SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi. Carbonneau found out about the purchase through Associate Professor Drew Goerlitz.
“I am very grateful and very happy to have something of mine speak to president Enyedi,” Carbonneau said. “He found and saw emotion within my piece that I put into it.”
with fantastical beasts
Despite the material and time put into “Serenity,” Carbonneau sold the piece for $210. Prior to the exhibition, Carbonneau had talked with their peers about how to price their artwork.
“My thought process behind it is that I want to get my art out there and make art affordable for people to enjoy,” Carbonneau said.
According to Carbonneau, “Serenity” is part of a series that focuses on the beauty she has seen in nature, which she textualizes onto the canvas.
She then adds a fantastical or mythological creature across each piece to connect them.
Carbonneau has worked on large canvases throughout her series, enjoying the texture that she can create with oil paints.
“Going bigger gives you more area to work with,” Carbonneau said. “Doing tiny textures can get very frustrating very easily, and I like to be happy when I paint.”
Much of Carbonneau’s inspiration is drawn from contemporary artists. According to Carbonneau, American contemporary artist Sydney Swisher has influenced Carbonneau’s textural choices and experimentation. Carbonneau cites Swisher’s “The Meaning of Enough” as inspiration, a painting that uses a pearl necklace hanging off of the canvas to create depth.
Carbonneau grew up watching cartoons and animations, with “Avatar: The Last Airbender” being particularly impactful.
“Seeing, watching and growing up on animated shows about
people putting their heart and soul into art, whether that be, like flat 2D work or animated stuff. I knew that was something I wanted,” Carbonneau said.
Carbonneau found interest in curatorial work during her time working under the Nina Winkel Internship. Working under Kara Jefts, the manager of collections and academic engagement, Carbonneau would work within the Rockwell Kent Gallery and around campus curating displays.
After graduation, Carbonneau plans to take time to obtain Canadian citizenship in order to move to Quebec City. After moving to Quebec City, she hopes to attend graduate school for curatorial studies, with Concordia University being her first pick. Carbonneau
Carbonneau’s creations
By: Jaay Carbonneau
hopes to continue experimenting with textures inspired by different animals while pursuing the curatorial studies certificate.
Carbonneau has welcomed art into every part of her life. She believes that art is in every person’s life, whether they realise it or not. Carbonneau said she understands not everyone can make appealing art, and pushes people to keep creating art in any capacity.
“Even if it’s just designing a poster or creating a bulletin board, that’s just creating art,” Carbonneau said. “As long as we keep being creative, I think that is what will keep humanity going as well.”
Adam Blanchard/Cardinal Points
Jaay Carbonneau beside their piece “Serenity,” which was bought by SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi.
“Valentine” portrays a nude figure, differing from Carbonneau’s current subject matter.
A lino diptych, “Celestial Harmony” was entered and displayed in the Best of SUNY 2024 exhibition.
“Untitled.” This piece depicts a starfield using Carbonneau’s favorite color palette.
“Untitled.” Using thicker media alongside oil paint, Carbonneau creates scaly textures.
Spreading tradition through social media Creator shares indigenous identity and culture
For Giiwedin Indizhinikaaz, social media is more than a simple platform. It is a tool for cultural preservation, education and advocacy.
Giiwedin Indizhinikaaz has used social media to advocate for cultural preservation and education. WIth a following of 230,000 on Instagram and 16,800 on TikTok, their efforts have shown great success.
An Anishinaabe Two-Spirit educator and content creator from Minnesota, Indizhinikaaz visited campus to share their experiences speaking about identity, indigenous history and the power of storytelling in the current landscape of social media.
Their journey into content creation began during the coronavirus pandemic, when isolation pushed them to engage more deeply online.
“During the pandemic in 2020, I was holed up at home,” Indizhinikaaz said. “I’m Gen
Z, so I’ve always been posting. I started hopping on trends, but I began indigenizing them, putting my own twist on it with Ojibwe culture.”
What started as a creative expression quickly grew into a platform with a purpose. As their audience expanded, Indizhinikaaz began using their reach to raise awareness about the Line Three oil pipeline and indigenous-led resistance efforts in Northern Minnesota.
“I was using my platform to amplify the resistance that was happening there and inviting people to come out,” Indizhinikaaz said. “That evolved into sharing more about my language, my culture, and my Two-Spirit identity.”
Much of Indizhinikaaz’s current content centers on culture teachings and everyday practices including harvesting wild rice, a traditional food that holds deep significance for Ojibwe communities.
“It’s an aquatic grass that grows naturally in lakes and rivers in Minnesota,” In-
said. “It’s something that we harvest every fall, and people love watching that content.
Indizhinikaaz uses their videos to draw viewers in, then teaches lessons about identity. According to Indizhinikaaz, the term Two-Spirit reflects both cultural and historical understanding.
“Two-Spirit is a contemporary umbrella term created in 1990 to replace an outdated and offensive term,” Indizhinikaaz said. “It was created by Native people for Native people.”
They emphasized that gender diversity has long existed within indigenous cultures including their own.
“My people’s language is gender neutral, and we have about 15 or 16 different gender descriptors,” Indizhinikaaz said. “That’s something that has existed since before contact.”
During their visit to Plattsburgh, Indizhinikaaz led discussions and panels focused on gender identity, personal experience and community. They described their work as part of
a broader effort to reclaim indigenous narratives that have historically been misrepresented time and time again.
“A lot of things were written about our people through a lens that was not our own. Now I’m able to record things that are true for me and for others in my community,” Indizhinikaaz said.
Their creative works extend beyond digital media.
Indizhinikaaz also practices bark biting, a traditional Anishinaabe art form that involves folding and cutting birch bark to create intricate, symmetrical designs. The piece they shared alongside their visit offered a visual representation of culture connection and artistic expression.
Beyond correcting misconceptions, Indizhinikaaz hopes to broaden understanding. They point to common misunderstandings about reservation land and the economic systems as common examples of how Native communities are often oversimplified.
“Native people are not a mono-
lith,” Indizhinikaaz said. “There are thousands of tribal nations, all with their own cultures, languages and experiences.” Despite ongoing challenges across the nation, Indizhinikaaz remains focused on building connections and fostering understanding.
“I think acceptance looks like continuing to be in a community with people, even when you don’t always see eye to eye,” Indizhinikaaz said. “Approaching people with kindness can open the door to change.”
Those interested in learning more about Indizhinikaaz’s work and to follow their story can find them on Instagram @ giiwedinindizhinkaaz.
There are powerful forces affecting the events in your life. Be certain you remain on a positive path to take advantage of them.
You feel as though you may be in a sea of uncertainty; something is missing.
Important news and messages will soon come to your attention.
You need to channel your emotions into more useful endeavors.
You are currently in an emotional time in your life where you must think through actions before committing. If you have self-discipline and responsibility you will benefit greatly in the end.
Good news concerning money is on the way. At this time you should pay attention to messages from dreams.
It may be that goals are abandoned too soon; there is a drift between different places, people, or jobs, and this brings disappointment.
There is danger of a possible financial loss this may be because you look for security in the wrong places.
Be careful with emotional involvements, there is a emotional risk which will be taken.
Currently you are in a strong position to carry your dreams and desires to success.
Professional progress is being made; your hard work will bring rewards and satisfaction.
There is a balance in all areas of your life and some aspects which might emerge are a new job, location or experience.
Grant Hochmuth/Cardinal Points
Speaker Giiwedin Indizhinikaaz and SUNY Plattsburgh Museum Director Tonya Cribbs talk about gender diversity in Native American culture.
dizhinikaaz
BY GRANT HOCHMUTH Arts & Culture Editor
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)
Cardinals win SUNYAC series against SUNY Oneonta
Photos By: Grant Terwilliger
SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons upset Plattsburgh Cardinals in the first game of the series closer April 19. Oneonta jumped out with a 7-0 lead after two innings, resulting in a 12-2 victory. Plattsburgh responded in game two with timely hitting and clutch runs to secure a 7-4 victory and the SUNYAC series over Oneonta.
Junior Michael Piccirillo dives back to second base to avoid getting out.
Junior Johnathan Beale throws the ball to the pitcher.
Keefe gets ready for a strike.
First year William Keefe gets ready to run after hitting the baseball into the outfield.
First year Max Palermo winds up for a pitch.
HIRAM COWHEY/Cardinal Points
A model proudly displays their streetwear by Just Pierre.
HIRAM COWHEY/Cardinal Points
A modeling duo rocking clothes by Just Pierre.
HIRAM COWHEY/Cardinal Points
A model sports a hoodie by iHateGarments.
ANYA KERN/Cardinal Points
A model showcases braids by Layed by Lacey
HIRAM COWHEY/Cardinal Points
A model posing with an iHateGarments leather jacket.
ANYA KERN/Cardinal Points
A model wearing clothes by Clashtown while wrapped in their flag.