Issue 8

Campus responds to false shooter threat

BY ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA News & Managing Editor

Editor’s note: Some passages within the article were reconstructed based on accounts obtained through interviews and were not personally witnessed by the reporter.

Plattsburgh Police Department received a report of an active shooter at Plattsburgh High School the morning of Thursday, March 30. The threat turned out to be false, but real were the worry and fear at Sibley Hall, the SUNY Plattsburgh building closest to the school and a community hub serving some of its most vulnerable populations.

UNIVERSITY POLICE

At 9:27 a.m., while in his office, University Police Chief Patrick Rascoe heard a calm transmission from Plattsburgh Police Department, stating there were seven active shooter victims in a PHS bathroom. Rascoe came out of his office and yelled down the hall of the station, “Is the

City Police drilling today?” They were not.

UP Officer Conrad LaVarnway transmitted that he was on his way to the school. It is a 45-second drive from the station. LaVarnway was the first at the scene by at least 30 seconds, arriving at 9:28 a.m. When he entered the school, it went into lockdown. LaVarnway began

looking for signs of an active shooter — alarms, smoke and panic — but saw none. All seemed normal.

Rascoe donned his vest, identification jacket and radio and queued up an emergency notification that there may be a shooter at PHS. He was out of the station by 9:29 a.m. — a minute and a half after the initial call.

When Rascoe arrived, the school was no longer under lockdown. In the main office, the first room to his right, he saw the staff. Rascoe knocked on the office window and asked, “What’s going on?”

The staff responded, “I don’t know. You tell me.”

THREAT > 3

Meet the two running for SA president, VP: Carter Mosher and Sumeet Vishwakarma

BY ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA News & Managing Editor

Last year, the Student Association saw the highest ever voter turnout and the largest pool of candidates in general elections, with two candidates for each of its two top leadership positions — president and vice president. Now, they have one candidate each, and are missing candidates for treasurer and three senators entirely.

Carter Mosher and Sumeet Vishwakarma are running uncontested for president and vice president respectively.

MOSHER

Mosher has been involved with the Student Association in some way since he began his studies at SUNY Plattsburgh in fall 2020. He aims to spend his senior year at the top of the SA as its president.

In his first semester, Mosher became senator for public relations through a special election held within the SA Senate at a

time when it “desperately needed” someone to fill the position.

“It’s not often you see a firstsemester freshman on Senate,” Mosher said.

He served as the 58th and 59th SA legislations’ public relations chair and managed their social media.

Last year, also as part of the 59th legislation, Mosher was also appointed coordinator of activities and helped plan trips that proved especially popular among students — two shopping trips to Burlington, Vermont, and a Halloween trip to Salem, Massachusetts, the tickets for which sold out within hours of going on sale.

He currently serves as senator for the arts within the Senate after being voted in during the special election Feb. 23.

Mosher knew he wanted to run for one of the eight positions on the Executive Council, but wasn’t sure which he would be most comfortable in. He said he is “quite close” with the current SA President Taiba Azeem and “re-

ally close” with her predecessor, Ahmed Metwaly. SA Executive Council Adviser and Director of the Center for Student Involvement Jacob Avery gave Mosher the push to run for president, knowing what he’s capable of.

“He kind of encouraged me to run for president because he knows my potential and he knows how much I’ve done for the SA,” Mosher said. “It’s not like I didn’t want to run for president and that I needed convincing, but that definitely helped me make the decision fully that I really wanted to take on that leadership role.”

Mosher said he understands his running uncontested may make students feel like they don’t have a choice, “which can be really frustrating,” especially if the candidate is meant to represent them. Mosher said having competition would be more fun for him, too.

Mosher’s goals as president of the SA are to increase awareness among the student body of the SA and what it does, tune his stu-

dent advocacy toward events that happen on campus and continue the current legislation’s work in boosting student involvement.

A big goal for Mosher is awareness. He recalled his own experience as a first-year.

“It took me the first two months before I realized what the SA was,” Mosher said.

He aims to include information about the SA in orientation programs for new students and promote it to the student body, which he also believes will result in higher participation in SA elections.

“I feel like the SA maybe didn’t do enough promotion of [elections], and I feel like that’s something that’s always been an issue, students either not wanting to get involved or not knowing how to get involved,” Mosher said.

Mosher also hopes it will increase student involvement to the levels the college boasted pre-COVID-19, with more than 150 clubs and always something happening on campus.

During COVID, the number slipped down to 30, and currently there are about 60, according to Avery.

“COVID really just killed the school,” Mosher said. “I feel like COVID-19 really brought down a lot of the joy of being on a college campus, and I want to bring back that joy.”

In regards to advocacy being timely with current events, Mosher mentioned conversations about campus safety in light of the recent false shooter threat at Plattsburgh High School. Advocacy, requiring strong communication skills, comes easy for Mosher.

Mosher double majors in marketing and international business and is from Johnstown, New York. He said he is social, outgoing and “always with people,” looking to have a good time, start discussions and get to know them.

To Mosher, communication and rapport within a team is key to its success and stability.

ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA/Cardinal Points

the North Country Teacher Resource Center in Sibley Hall. She followed the police sirens into

son Jacques goes to,

thinking

the worst might be happening right across the street.

Weekly Meme

Student Association Coverage

SA approves up to $15,000

BY HAYDEN SADLER Staff Writer

The Student Association approved club funding requests amounting to almost $15,000 April 5. Additionally, two clubs were granted provisional status and the Desi Club was granted permanent status.

One of the approved requests was granted to the Hospitality Management Club, for provisional club status. The club's aim is to educate students about the various accomplishments individuals can achieve in the hospitality management field. The request was granted unanimously.

A club representing a chapter of Amnesty International, an organization founded after World War II that advocates for human rights, also requested provisional club status. The group's goal is to educate people and promote human rights education. Its most recent event had a significant turnout, and the club received approval for their status request.

The Desi Club, represented by Senator Arshita Pandey, requested permanent club status. The club aims to educate others about South Asian cultures, and has hosted several successful events since its establishment last semester. The request was approved unanimously.

the 12 club members attending to gain valuable experience and network. During their trip, the club members will explore history and visit the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. The request was approved unanimously, with the club members being asked to budget for their food during the trip.

The African Unity Club requested $5,000 for their upcoming 11th annual pageant. The cost of Chartwells catering will be $1,700, in addition to $438 needed for lighting at the event. Tickets will cost $8 for students and $10 for others interested in attending. The event will feature a photobooth and, for the first time in three years, a male contestant competing for the Africa crown. The club received approval of their request.

tional $2,500 in allocations for their remaining iftars — Ramadan dinners. At the time of the meeting, there were eight of these dinners left. The MSA received unanimous approval.

SYDNEY HAKES/Cardinal Points

CP Corrections

NEWS:

1) In Issue 6's article "Greek life signs on inclusive language," Molly Bowen's organization is incorrectly listed as Delta Sigma Tau. It is Sigma Delta Tau.

If you see an error in Cardinal Points, email cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

GOT A NEWS TIP?

Contact the news editor at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com.

MEET

Continued from page 1

He plans to get closer with the rest of the 61st legislation during its meetings over the summer.

“[A stable team means] knowing each other, working together and knowing what it means to advocate for students and to basically be the voices of students,” Mosher said.

VISHWAKARMA

Vishwakarma, like Mosher, knew he wanted to run for an Executive Council position.

To prepare, he asked current serving officers about their responsibilities while he was in the process of gathering the 115 signatures required to run for Executive Council. Vishwakarma concluded that the position of vice president suited his goals and what he wants to "improve in the university and bring to the students.”

The VP responsibilities that attracted him are presiding over meetings, supporting the president and advocating for students as well as building relationships with them. Like Mosher, Vishwakarma is especially good at the latter,

as he said he is always “open to everyone” and works to be involved in conversations and understand any questions that come his way.

Another approved request was that of the Anthropology Club, which requested $2,000 to fund an upcoming trip to Boston. The trip will provide a unique opportunity for

The Public Relations Student Society of America requested $885 for their upcoming professionals dinner, which received a grant from College Auxiliary Services and ACE for a speaker. The event will not have tickets, but interested people should RSVP in advance. The club received unanimous approval from the senate.

The Muslim Student Association requested an addi-

Representing Biketopia, Eirik Lavigne requested $550 to acquire new parts and tools for the club's bike repairs. The club currently has six bikes that can be signed out for student use as an alternative form of transportation. The bikes are free of charge, but without the necessary parts and tools, the club would be unable to maintain the bikes for student use. The club will use $140 for tools, oils and grease, while the remaining $410 will allow them to obtain the parts they need to roll out new bikes for student use.

Finally, the club Nepalese at Plattsburgh and Club International requested $3,500 for their Holi Dinner, a celebration aimed at spreading joy and color in life. The cost

of the event will include Chartwells catering. CAS granted the club $1,000. Although the event will not require tickets, interested attendees should RSVP. Approximately 50 to 60 people attend the clubs’ general meetings, and the club is expecting a large turnout of around 200 people. Snacks will be available for all attendees, but the dinner will be served on a first come, first served basis. Funding for the event was approved. During the meeting, the Senate also approved new members to the Activities Coordination and Finance boards. Sandesh Poudel and Aryan Rajbhandari were approved as ACB members. Dhir Jain, a business major, was accepted to the Finance Board. All new members were voted in unanimously.

Vishwakarma has been a senator in the SA for almost two months, which he said will help him in his vice president role because he is already familiar with how SA functions. He was elected in the most recent special election alongside Mosher, among the four winning candidates out of nine total. Vishwakarma called Mosher a “good competitor” and a “really good senator” and said he looks forward to both assisting Mosher as part of his duties as well as learning from him.

During his term, Vishwakarma aims to improve student activity, as well as the quality and variety of campus food. Campus safety is also a concern for Vishwakarma following an accident March 8, in which a student was hit by a car. He said he will be addressing some of the complaints he heard even before he becomes vice president by appearing in Senate and Executive Council meetings.

In regards to student involvement, Vishwakarma said he wants to keep the current momentum in the rise of student activity and see more diversity in club events. He believes this can be achieved by encouraging programming that appeals to the entire campus.

“We have observed that clubs are growing, though events are mostly based on their ethnicity and not involving everyone, which we can try to improve in the next academic year,” Vishwakarma said. “I think this whole academic year was really successful for the SA, and I would keep up the same work and try to improve more, if possible.”

Vishwakarma acknowledged the worry his running uncontested can have on

students, but the position can’t stand empty, either.

“We need people to stand up for this position,” Vishwakarma said. “Even, in the future, if I have a competitor, the most capable person should get elected.”

Vishwakarma’s goal is to steer the college closer to environmental sustainability. He said there is a lot of funding for environmental sustainability projects with no ideas on how to use it, and likewise, a lot of ideas that haven’t yet been implemented. The 60th legislation has already passed a resolution for environmental sustainability at SUNY Plattsburgh Nov. 3, 2022, and Vishwakarma will continue its work.

Vishwakarma is a sophomore from Ahmedabad, India majoring in computer science

with plans to pursue a minor in management information systems. Besides his involvement in SA, he is vice president of Club International as well as a student ambassador in admissions and a summer orientation leader. He works at Einstein Bros. Bagels and interns for the ITS Helpdesk in the computer lab. For fun, he likes to sing, dance and venture into the nature surrounding Plattsburgh. Vishwakarma said he is “fascinated” by the college’s location and sees it as more conducive to studying rather than a city, “which is a very stressful place to live.”

Detective Burghy has nothing to report this week.

Provided by Carter Mosher

Carter Mosher is the sole candidate running for the position of president of the 61st SA legislation.

Provided by Sumeet Vishwakarma Sumeet Vishwakarma is the sole candidate running for the position of vice president of the 61st SA legislation.

Continued from page 1

Rascoe became confident the threat was false. He was almost certain of it toward the end of the responders’ secondary search of all locked areas at the school, including the bathrooms. At 9:37 a.m., Rascoe made it to the school’s auditorium and notified the Plattsburgh PD of a “preliminary clear.”

“We hit all the bathrooms off the hallway and knew there was nobody injured in the bathroom and this was likely a false report,” Rascoe said. “We radioed that information out of the building to the City PD, but the whole world was coming. State Police were coming, sheriff’s department was coming — everybody was en route.”

SUNY’s Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Reporting procedure, also known as the Clery Act, requires colleges to “Immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency.” Total confirmation is required before an “all clear” signal can be sent.

It wasn’t until 9:54 a.m., almost half an hour after police cars started lining up outside the school, when Rascoe stepped out and drafted the alert the whole campus would receive.

“Local police agencies are investigating a false report of an active shooter at Plattsburgh High School. There is no shooter. There are no injuries. This was a false report,” the alert read.

Half of the UP squad was undergoing training in South Plattsburgh, so its remaining three officers responded to the threat.

“I am really proud of my officers,” Rascoe said. “All of us were in the building within three minutes, without hesitation.”

Two weeks prior, March 13, Rascoe and every other law enforcement agency in the North County had been notified by the FBI of a “very large increase” in swatting, or prank calling with the intention to bring a large number of police to a particular place, across the nation. Already, more than 220 schools in New York state have been targeted, and PHS was one of 36 swatted March 30.

This information, combined with the fact that City Police’s report was the only one coming in out of all possible channels, subconsciously made Rascoe doubt the validity of the threat. But three days after the lethal shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, it was all real.

A week later, Rascoe wonders, “Should I have stopped at the door and then assigned people and sent them on their way?”

“Would it have been better to send the message to the campus about an unconfirmed report of an active shooter and then follow up as soon as practicable, as soon as you could? That’s a very difficult thing for me to send a message from an authority with a speculation,” Rascoe said. “My biggest worry is to cause panic, but in this case, the presence of so many police cars and the way that, through social media, so many people found out so quickly, it’s making me challenge whether or not it’s a better idea to send an unconfirmed report, just so people have information that can be somewhat accurate.”

As the chief of UP, Rascoe has the responsibility to notify the campus of emergencies. But as one of the first responders to an emergency, “there is a responsibility to go after the threat.” He complied with SUNY policy and did not take it upon himself to report an unconfirmed threat, but he knew people in Sibley could see and hear the commotion.

“Unfortunately, Sibley is right there. They can hear the sirens, they can look out their windows — it’s a wall of windows — and they can see all the police cars,” Rascoe said, referring to the clear view of PHS from the North

Country Teachers Resource Center. “They were in a fishbowl, watching this unfold. How could they not feel the way they felt?”

SIBLEY

When Amy Gervich, lecturer in childhood education, heard the sirens, she walked down the hall to the NCTRC and watched it all unfold. Police cars were parked in layers at the school, and officers with rifles ran into the high school her 14-year-old son Jacques attends and her friends work in.

“I knew it wasn’t a drill, and I knew it could only mean one thing, because there’s only one reason why that many law enforcement officers would be coming so fast with all their weapons — so quickly — to a

In her letter, Miller describes that after the event, she went to her car and cried. She went on with the rest of her day feeling “like I was sleepwalking.”

“Luckily, I’ve processed it and moved on, but I know that some of my classmates and friends are having a harder time,” Miller’s letter read.

Denise Simard, dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Services, was in the hallway talking to a colleague when she heard more sirens than usually respond to a drill. The more they talked, the more sirens they heard.

“In some ways, we become a little immune to it,” Simard said. “The only way we recognized it on Thursday was more sirens than usual.”

out it was a police officer. Bonati said it was “very upsetting” to not know what was going on.

Bonati remained in hiding for almost half an hour, until she received Rascoe’s “all-clear” notification by email. In that time, she was texting her husband, hoping she would see him and their dog again.

“I was very worried that something bad was about to happen at our building,” Bonati said. “I was concerned that people in our community were going to be harmed, and that I might be harmed, and that we would just be another statistic of gun violence in our country.”

Many vulnerable communities call Sibley their home: children as young as 6 months old, professionals, both practicing and

Assistance Program. Additionally, participants exchanged not only their experiences, thoughts and feelings, but ideas for how the campus can move forward from this incident.

“I think that really helps people heal, when they’re really thinking about making change for the better,” Minck said. “They were coming up with some really great suggestions right from the very beginning.”

Minck said the most helpful thing one can do to support their community members is to listen to them.

Enyedi also addressed the campus in a mass email sent March 30 at 11:29 a.m.

“This morning’s false report of an incident at nearby Plattsburgh High School was disturbing and traumatizing to many of us. Simply seeing emergency responders en route and on the scene at the school evokes deep emotions,” the email read. “In today’s environment at schools across the nations, this is understandable. As a campus, it is a reminder to care for each other at all times.”

SA President Taiba Azeem addressed the “regretful situation” in an Executive Council meeting April 3, stating she is happy there are conversations on campus on the topic. Azeem acknowledged students’ experiences were “mentally jarring and emotionally traumatizing.”

school,” Gervich said. “There’s only one reason.”

Gervich had come even closer to a real shooting almost exactly 16 years ago — April 16, 2007 — when her husband Curt was working on his doctorate at Virginia Tech. Gervich taught at an elementary school in Blacksburg, Virginia. She had held herself together in front of her class of 6-year-olds, some children of the officers responding to the shooting 40 minutes away. Now, every time Gervich is in a classroom on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus or a school in the surrounding area, the first thing she thinks about is how she would keep students safe “if something were to happen.”

“I was thinking, but it wasn’t just Virginia Tech that I was thinking about. I was thinking about Nashville, I was thinking about Parkland, I was thinking about Columbine,” Gervich said. “I don’t think my experience [at Blacksburg] impacted me Thursday. It just affects my life every time I go into a school or a classroom.”

Stella Miller, a student at SUNY Plattsburgh, wrote a letter to the Student Association describing her experience that morning in Sibley. Attempts to schedule an interview with Miller have been unsuccessful.

Miller’s letter describes how, while she was in class, she began to hear sirens. Moments later, her professor excused herself from class to “check on a family member who teaches at the high school.” The class found out through social media that police were responding to a reported shooter threat. Immediately, they barricaded themselves, covering the windows with pizza boxes that the class would have used for an activity.

“We sat for what was probably another 20 minutes, but felt like an eternity, waiting. Wondering just how many of our community’s children were being slaughtered next door. Wondering if we were next,” Miller’s letter read.

Simard ran to the exit closest to the NCTRC and contacted UP. She asked what was going on, but the dispatcher was unable to give her an answer. Simard then took matters into her own hands and exercised an “abundance of caution.” She notified the Child Care Center of what she was seeing.

Child Care Center Director Sally Girard wrote in an email that the center has a shelter in place protocol they call the “‘quiet mouse game’ so as to not frighten the children.” Girard wrote that both children and staff “did beautifully” sheltering according to the protocol while police investigated the threat.

Simard grabbed an Allen wrench to lock the doors that don’t lock automatically, nor can be locked with a key. She secured the building, stopping by classrooms and telling students to be alert. It took four minutes to lock three sets of double doors within the entryway closest to Simard’s office.

But some, like Associate Professor of Teacher Education Michelle Bonati, thought the danger was right at Sibley. Bonati was working in her office when she heard noises in the lobby area. When Bonati walked out to see what was going on, Simard announced

in-training, and patients with Alzheimer’s or traumatic brain injuries. The UFirst Credit Union branch on Rugar Street almost a mile away went into lockdown when the high school did, but Sibley did not.

“We are unique. We’re not just an academic building, we’re not a dining hall, we’re not a residence hall — we’re a community hub,” Simard said. “We have that obligation to protect those who entrust us with their care during the day.”

Emotions among students, faculty and staff were running high.

“It can be really scary,” Gervich said. “I almost had to call an ambulance for a student who was having such a difficult time with the idea that somebody could have been in Sibley Hall.”

Bonati, Gervich and Simard wished to have gotten a notice, even if it didn’t specify the threat.

“Everyone has responded really, really well. It was as close as we can get without it being real,” Simard said.

COLLEGE

Christy Minck, assistant director of counseling services and a licensed mental health counselor, visited Sibley Thursday, March 30; Friday, March 31; and Monday, April 3, to debrief with the teaching department and offer crisis counseling.

College President Alexander Enyedi came with Minck to address students Thursday, and Provost Anne Herzog accompanied Minck Friday.

The incident came up in discussion at the teaching department’s monthly meeting the day after. Bonati said Gervich started making a list of the expressed safety needs, ideas and deficiencies. After the meeting, Bonati and Gervich drafted a statement, which more than 110 faculty and staff signed on in agreement, which was presented and discussed at the Faculty Senate meeting Tuesday, April 4. “We didn’t want to lose momentum on the conversation,” Bonati said.

The statement expressed that, ultimately, neither students nor faculty were sure of what to do in the situation they found themselves in. The statement demanded “clear protocols for emergency situations,” notifications of potential emergencies even if they don’t specify the threat, and emergency training for faculty and staff. It also asked administration to “communicate an action plan for these demands” by today, April 14. In compliance with this demand, there will be an afteraction analysis with Emergency Management Director Michael Caraballo today.

“I don’t want anyone to think that administration isn’t taking this serious,” Gervich said. “I do feel as though we’re being heard, which feels good.”

Associate Professor of Political Science Raymond Carman was not on campus when police received the threat — Thursdays, he works from home. As chair of Faculty Senate, he was able to provide a “venue” for those affected to share experiences, present questions and complaints and discuss the incident “while it was fresh in everyone’s minds.”

“It was really great to speak at Faculty Senate and share our concerns and our demands,” Gervich said. “I’m hoping that there’s now a catalyst.”

To Carman, the incident showed the university’s connection with the surrounding community.

an unscheduled lockdown.

“And I could tell by the way she was saying it, something real was happening,” Bonati said.

Bonati closed her office door, pulled her window blinds down and hid on the floor behind her desk — a practice she learned as a former high school teacher. Bonati heard banging noises, which she later found out was people in the building “attempting to close the doors.” Right out her office window, she saw someone run past, carrying a gun. She would only later find

“Christy [Minck] has been amazing through this,” Simard said.

Minck said she saw a “wide array of experiences” among the people she met with at Sibley, including fright, shock, anxiety, frustration or anger. All these emotions are “perfectly natural,” Minck said.

At her sessions, Minck not only debriefed with participants, but told them about the mental health support resources available on campus: counseling services at the Student Health and Counseling Center, where she works, and the online Student

“It reminds us of the fact that the campus community — the college — is centered in the community around us,” Carman said.

Rascoe addressed the concerns and demands presented at the Faculty Senate meeting, saying they were all reasonable.

“Hopefully, the result of all this is a better plan and a safer campus,” Rascoe said. “Never let an emergency go to waste.”

ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA/Cardinal Points

Plattsburgh High School is just across the road from Sibley Hall. Thursday morning, police cars were parked in layers.

“They were in a fishbowl, watching this unfold. How could they not feel the way they felt?”

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness

BY BRYN FAWN Opinions Editor & PR Chair

Our bodies are special. We get only one, and while they might not always be what we want them to be, they’re ours.

That is why one of the most despicable things someone can do is violate personhood. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

One in five women have experienced sexual assault and about a quarter of men have experienced some unwanted sexual touch, according to National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Most women experienced their first assault between ages 11 and 17.

Campus has participated in raising awareness, as the Amitie Plaza in front of the Angell College Center had its trees covered in teal tablecloth. Teal is the color of the ribbon for sexual assault awareness. Organizers and volunteers wore teal t-shirts that read “Plattsburgh stands with survivors.”

Rates of reports of assault have continued to decrease over the years, according to NSVRC.

Often, our culture does not help victims feel confident in being believed. Personalities such as Andrew Tate or Kevin Samuels have perpetuated online the belief that women are nothing but sexual gratification tools to make children with and take care of a home.

Novel changes name, minds

BY ALEXA DUMAS Web Editor

“She looked in the mirror and gasped. Melissa gasped back at her. For a long time, she stood there, just blinking. George smiled, and Melissa smiled too.”

Six large letters in the colors of the rainbow sit on the cover of Alex Gino’s children’s novel, “George.” There is nothing else on the white cover, besides Gino’s name and the Scholastic Inc. logo.

Despite what the title suggests, the main character is a 10-year-old transgender girl named Melissa.

The novel follows Melissa as she searches for her true identity, struggles to find her voice and faces bullies at school.

Melissa wants to be seen as herself, but she struggles to find the confidence to come out to her friends and family, as they may not understand her identity.

Since Melissa is not out at school, words like “man” and “boy” are used to describe her, which clearly pains Melissa to hear.

Not only does Melissa struggle with her identity, but she also struggles at school. It is revealed that Melissa’s class will be putting on a stage production of E.B. White’s children’s novel, “Charlotte’s Web.”

As this is announced, Melissa yearns to play the role of Charlotte, but is turned down by her teacher. After feeling rejected, Melissa and her best friend Kelly craft a plan to make Melissa “RA-D-I-A-N-T,” a reference

Murder of actress changes pop culture

BY BRYN FAWN Opinions Editor & PR Chair

The high seas are beautiful, but also deadly. The waves lap up against the hull of the ship Durban Castle as the crew buzzes about. The smell of salt hangs in the air. You would never guess that your fellow shipmate would be the biggest threat to your life as opposed to the lingering nazis in the world.

to “Charolette’s Web.”

Published in 2015, the title Gino originally chose for their novel was “Girl George,” a play on Boy George, the androgynous lead singer of the 80s new wave band Culture Club.

David Levithan, Gino’s editor and young adult fiction author, stated that the child audience wouldn’t get the reference and a one-word title may remove any ambiguities for the novel, according to Publishers Weekly.

It’s the late 1940s, and the world is still recovering from the shockwave that was the second world war. James Camb was a steward aboard Durban Castle sailing from Cape Town, South Africa to Southampton, England in March of 1947.

Camb had a single victim, Camb killed Eileen Gibson, often going by the nickname Gay Gibson. Gibson was born in Jaipur, British India and was an actress. She was on a theater tour at the time, and was returning to London to do more performances in a local theater. Gibson was 21 years old at the time, while Camb was 30 years old.

Gibson was under

Camb’s care, in cabin 126, B deck, sailing first class. The two were seen being friendly with one another, which was against company policy. Camb was reprimanded for his behavior.

The night Gibson lost her life was March 17, 1947. She had been dancing late into the night, and was brought to her room by two friends around 11:30 p.m. There was no sign of her until 3 a.m. as Frederick Steer, a watchman, was awoken by a summoning done from

Gibson’s cabin. As Steer approached her room, he noticed the duty steward and stewardess were also called, indicated by Gibson’s lights by door. Gibson did not answer the door, but it was Camb who greeted Steer. Camb lied and said that everything was alright and Steer took Camb by his word.

As the sun rose over the sea, a stewardess came to clean Gibson’s room.

ALEXA DUMAS/Cardinal Points

Sourced from Southampton Police James Camb, 1947.

ASSAULT > 5

MICHAEL HLOPKO/Cardinal Points

Students and faculty attend “Teal the Quad,” an event to spread awareness about sexual assault.

Trump’s legal battles

Cardinal Points previously published an editorial explaining the possible indictment former president Donald Trump faced. Trump was officially indicted March 31.

Trump has been indicted for falsifying documents to cover up hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump has 34 charges pressed against him, and his arraignment was in New York April 4. The next day, Trump claimed court officials were “crying” over his situation, and the media swiftly debunked his claims. Trump told Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the officials had tears streaming down their cheeks, reminding him of his future term in 2024, allegedly stating “2024.”

The incident with Daniels occurred before Trump’s presidency. Daniels and Trump had an affair long before his presidency, but became a common subject in 2016 in an attempt to ruin Trump’s character. Trump allegedly paid Daniels around $130,000 to keep silent. Daniels took the money and feared for her and her family’s safety, but did not remain quiet on the issue. She has done several interviews with media over the affair, and shared the details of even the night in the hotel.

It is either illegal for the former president to have an affair, nor to pay his mistress to be silent. The illegality is in where the funds came from. Allegedly, using his business to hide

that he paid Daniels is illegal, as the affair had nothing to do with his businesses, and it led to falsifying documents.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts. If found guilty, Trump faces more than 100 years in federal prison. This indictment is historical, as no president has been

indicted before. Presidents have been impeached, but that is simply a determination if a crime was committed, it is not a charge. This can possibly pave a way for other criminals to face the consequences of their actions, as Trump is a figurehead for radicals.

Trump has stated that this

indictment is illegal and just an attempt to silence him.

Trump can still run for presidency as the situation currently stands. As the election approaches, it will become more evident if President Joe Biden will be facing DeSantis or Trump.

The stewardess noted the bunk was empty, there were strange stains on the sheets and the porthole was open. It was brought to the attention of an officer of the ship, who then interviewed Camb about where Gibson had gone and what happened.

Originally, Camb denied being in Gibson’s room in the first place, but once Steer

testified he saw Camb, Camb quickly spun a story the ship’s captain and doctor could believe. Camb claimed that he and Gibson had consensual sex, yet somehow during the act, Gibson died. A freak accident.

Camb said he panicked at the realization that Gibson was dead, claiming he feared losing his job and the support for his family, and so he disposed of Gibson. His method was to toss her out the porthole of her cabin, which is why this case has been given the moniker “The Porthole Murder.”

As “George” was published and time moved on, Gino released a statement in fall 2021 that their novel will officially don the title “Melissa,” the true name of the novel’s protagonist.

If readers have a novel that still contains the title of “George,” readers are encouraged to participate in #SharpieActivism by crossing out the old title and adding “Melissa” on the cover with a black felt-tipped marker or printing out the new title and pasting it to their original book.

The ship was near London at the time. Police were on scene for a “complication” on board as it came to dock, the captain said overcommunication.

Gibson’s cabin was locked so as to not destroy evidence. Camb was arrested and placed in custody as an investigation took place.

Because of how Gibson was disposed of, her body was never found.

Camb’s trial was rather remarkable at the time, due to the lack of a body. It also gained attention because the details felt like a novel, with Gibson being a

Since the spring of 2022, Scholastic Inc. has thus published Gino’s novel by its new title.

Not only is the title important for the novel as a whole, but the novel itself includes valuable information for the child reader pertaining to the experiences of transgender youth.

As Melissa comes out to her best friend Kelly, she explains how transgender people have struggled for being who they are, while also explaining what transitioning can look like. Melissa is knowledgeable about her own experience and the experiences of other transgender people, even though she is in fourth grade.

Although “Melissa” is an

beautiful actress and her murder being a crime of passion.

Police and investigators found urine on the sheets, a sign that Camb may have strangled Gibson.

After 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Camb guilty and sentenced to death. However, British law changed soon after his conviction and so Camb was never executed. Camb served a prison sentence until 1959. However, Camb was later incarcerated again for assault. He remained imprisoned until his second re-

empowering tale, administrators, library patrons and parents have tried to ban or challenge this novel in schools and libraries across the country. From 2018 to 2021, “Melissa” was the number one banned book on the American Library Association’s list, while having challenges from 2016 to 2022.

A simple and heartwarming novel about a child’s journey of discovering her gender identity has been under fire for depicting a transgender child, including sexual content, depicting LGBT themes, while being deemed unsuitable for the intended age group.

The censorship of “Melissa” sends a message to trans-

The “alpha male” movement has swept the internet and has caused serious concern, as many young men began to look up to these misogynists.

There is no such thing as alphas, betas or sigma males, as the philosophy is dependent on a debunked wolf study by L. David Mech. Alpha males only make themselves look like fools and predators when they put their methods into practice, such as acting dominating to random women or slut shaming.

The mindset that women are inherently sexual deviants and cannot help but sleep around is not only incorrect but dangerous. It dehumanizes women and creates an attitude that they in fact

lease in 1978. Camb died a year later from a heart attack.

Camb denied ever killing Gibson, but the murder has since become a part of pop culture, spurring novels, like “Death of an Actress” by Antony M. Brown. The tale of a young actress at sea, only to be taken advantage of and discarded like trash enthralled readers and media.

gender youth that their experiences are not valid. This shouldn’t be the case.

For the child reader, this information provides a window into the lives of transgender youth. Young readers can learn about gender identity and the life experiences of others, all while establishing a sense of empathy toward Melissa, as she finds her voice and becomes an advocate for herself and others.

wanted the assault. Women are allowed to have sex. Adults that are consenting are allowed to have sex. There is no moral qualm to have sex.

Victims need to be believed and have their stories heard. Anyone can be raped or assaulted. Unwanted sexual attention such as touching or comments are sexual assault. No means no, but so does silence, “not now,” “I don’t want to,” or any response that is not a clear and enthusiastic yes.

If you have been assaulted, call 911 or visit University Police. UP will direct you to Title IX and the Counseling Center for resources.

Spring

CARDINALS SOAR, TOPPING SUNYAC

Waite walks off twice to sweep Red Dragons

BY MIKAI BRUCE Staff Writer

In its first conference games of the season, the SUNY Plattsburgh softball team played two double headers, one against the Oswego Lakers, and the other against the Cortland Red Dragons, its first conference games of the season. The games were dramatic and action-packed and the weekend was a huge success for the Cardinals as they went 4-0, bringing their overall record to 11-3. It now tops the SUNYAC standings.

The weekend featured not one, but three walk-off victories by the Cardinals. In game one against Oswego, after being scoreless for the first seven innings, the game tied in the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, Julia Golino hit a walk-off single to right field to bring Claire Palmer home and win the game.

“I was super excited, I didn’t produce at the beginning of the game, so I knew I had to come in clutch,” Golino said.

The second game against Oswego went even better for the Cardinals, as it blew the Lakers out 9-1. This game started off close and seemed to be heading toward a similar ending to the first game, but that all changed in the fifth inning. The Cardinals scored eight runs, leading to the game being called.

A staggering amount of errors in the fifth inning by Oswego led to the Cardinals getting multiple unearned runs, causing the run-ahead rule to be put into effect. The rule states that if one team is up by eight or more runs after five innings, the umpire can stop the game.

This dominant showing capped off a successful Friday afternoon for the Cardinals.

“Our bats were on fire this game — that’s really what it was. We had good defense, good pitching, and just great at bats,” Maggiacomo said. Winning its first two conference games is huge for morale and truly bodes well for the season when it started off so hot.

“I think we started our season off with a bang, especially our season opener playing at home. I just think the sweep kind of gave us a little boost moving forward,” Head Coach Sam Van Dorn said.

The next day, the Cardinals

Lacrosse suffers winless conf. week

BY COLLIN BOLEBRUCH Sports Editor

The Cardinals lacrosse teams continued their seasons last week, dropping three total conference matchups. After strong starts to both seasons, the Cardinals have hit rough patches in conference play. Both head into the most decisive games of their seasons on losing streaks, vying for a playoff berth.

MEN

Men’s lacrosse (2-9, SUNYAC 0-3) hosted the Geneseo Knights (9-3, SUNYAC 3-0) in another conference test, losing 11-21. The game was the Cards’ first home conference game of the season. The Cardinals have lost nine straight games after starting 2-0 and are yet to win a conference game this season.

Midfielders Owen Lorenzetti and Michael Swift had three goals each, followed by attacker Mike Walsh with

two and attacker John Eiseman, midfielder Donald Woods and defender Kyle Ruland with one apiece. Eiseman and midfielder Logan Vilardi both added two assists. Defender and seasonleader Julian Pigliavento had five ground balls and Dan Clements started in the net. Clements remained on the field for 60 minutes, saving 20 of 41 shots sent toward the net.

LAX > 7

faced off in a double header against Van Dorn’s alma mater in the Cortland Red Dragons.

“It’s definitely surreal, you know? It feels like a fever dream, being on the other side of the line,” Van Dorn said.

Game one saw the Cardinals take an early lead of 4-2, which was extended to 5-2 until the Red Dragons caught fire in the seventh inning. After some outstanding hitting by the Red Dragons, including a home run, things were all knotted up at five. For the Cardinals to avoid extra innings, it had to

come up big in the final inning. After Maggiacomo found her way to third base, it was Kelsy Waite who stepped up and hit a walk-off single to bring Maggiacomo home and ultimately win the game.

Game two saw the Cardinals yet again jump out to an early lead of 4-2. Toward the end of the game, Plattsburgh relinquished the lead after some inexplicable errors in the 6th inning, giving the Red Dragons a one-run lead. This was another moment where the Cardinals had to find their composure and dig deep in order to pull out the win.

The team’s confidence never waned after they lost the lead — the coaching staff and the dugout encouraged its defense.

MLAX & WLAX

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Kelsy Waite (center) celebrates with her teammates following her walk-off sacrifice fly in game two against Cortland, shortly after walking the Red Dragons off in game one.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

George Rhatigan (front) attempts to get past a Geneseo defender behind the goal.

“It’s definitely surreal, you know?,” Sam Van Dorn said. “It feels like a fever dream, being on the other side of the line.”

BASEBALL

SOFTBALL

SOFT

Continued from page 6

At the bottom of the seventh inning, Maggiacomo was at bat, and hit a single to right field, sprinting to second on the throw. Her hit brought Kristen Langdon home, tying the game.

MEN'S LAX

After a heroic performance in game one, Waite was up to bat next. Waite had two runners on base, including one at third. Once again, she stepped up in a high pressure moment by connecting with the pitch

for a sacrifice fly, bringing Gwen Noll home and sealing the second game for the Cardinals.

“I just put it in place somewhere and hope for the best,” Waite said. “The team did well, and I was happy I could add on to that”.

These were two statement wins by the Cardinals against a Cortland team that was on top of the conference standings.

“Coming out on top, especially coming 4-0 in the beginning of the season, it’s a great feeling, unmatched,” Van Dorn said.

The Cardinals were the embodiment of clutch, with some fantastic wins that showed that it will be a force in the conference this season. The pitching was strong and the batters stepped up every time it needed them to, making for an incredible weekend that should boost the confidence of the Cardinals going into the rest of the season. The Cardinals play an away series April 14 and 15 against the Potsdam Bears.

MLAX

Continued from page 6

Plattsburgh didn't hold a lead all game, but it put together scoring stretches in the fourth quarter it was proud of.

“We didn’t give up at all today,” Walsh said. “We kept pushing, kept fighting the whole game.”

The Cardinals have played at home five times this season and are still searching for its first home win.

WOMEN'S LAX

“It’s a different energy. We love playing here,” Lorenzetti said. “The family, the boys from the school, all your friends get to come out. It’s just a great atmosphere.”

Men’s lacrosse’s season continues April 15 in Oneonta to take on the Oneonta Red Dragons (6-3, SUNYAC 2-1).

“I told the guys, ‘Tough times don’t last, tough people do.’ At the end of the day, we’ve got some tough dudes in that locker room,”

Head Coach Darry Thornton said. “In years past, we probably would have rolled over and just quit.”

WOMEN

Women’s lacrosse (5-6, SUNYAC 1-4) played two conference games last week, losing 5-15 to the Brockport Golden Eagles (45, SUNYAC 3-1) in Brockport April 7 and 5-19 to the No. 19 Cortland Red Dragons (9-3, SUNYAC 5-0) at home.

Midfielder Lindsay Guzzetta was the top scorer through both games, netting three goals in both games. During 90 minutes of action, goalie Lilla Nease saved 18 of 40 shots. Emma McLaughlin set a program record for the single-season total for ground balls at 40.

Since comfortably winning its first conference game against the Buffalo State Bengals (4-6, SUNYAC 0-4) 13-9 March 25, the Cardinals have been on a 4-game SUNYAC slide.

Head Coach Kelly Wall has stressed team mentality

during the stretch.

“We’re getting there. I still think we have some hurdles to jump over, but it’s definitely gotten better in the last couple of weeks,” Wall said. “Obviously, everyday isn’t perfect and real life gets in the way, but I think they’re taking steps in the right direction.”

Cortland is the top team in the conference. Plattsburgh will be able to use the experience going forward into the most important games of the season.

“I think by versing a team of this caliber, it just shows you that is the best [competition]. I think we played pretty well against them, despite the score,” Guzzetta said. “I think that will push us to play harder next game.”

Plattsburgh plays the Oswego Lakers (8-3, SUNYAC 3-1) April 15. A win would go a long way for the Cardinals' playoff hopes.

Email COLLIN BOLEBRUCH cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

HOME RUGBY ACTION

RECREATIONAL & INTRAMURAL

Friday, April 14: Fuerza's Battle of the Boroughs basketball tournament at Memorial Hall 7-10 p.m. Corec pickup cricket at Memorial Hall 2-4 p.m.

Saturday, April 15: Memorial gym closed for construction all day

Women's rugby Dog Daze at Clarkson Men's rugby Saratoga Collegiate 7's in Saratoga Springs

Monday, April 10 & Wednesday, April 12: Open men's basketball at Memorial Hall 3-5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11 & Thursday, April 13: Open women's basketball at Memorial Hall 5-6 p.m. Corec pickup indoor soccer at Memorial Hall 6-8 p.m.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

The softball team celebrates the weekend sweep, circling Assistant Coach Jessica Miller, who dances in the center. The Cardinals top the SUNYAC.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Kristina Maggiacomo (1) races to beat the catcher at home.

Email COLLIN BOLEBRUCH cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

The women's rugby team participates in its traditional chant before a scrimmage against Paul Smith's.

What does being a NCAA Division III athlete mean to you?

"Playing college softball is something I've worked towards my whole softball career. It's a great experience."

"For me it means continuing to pursue my dreams, playing the sport I love while getting an education."

THE CARDS

Athletic trainers silently support athletes

BY COLLIN BOLEBRUCH Sports Editor

Athletes get hurt. From hyper-physical sports like hockey to helmet-less sports like tennis, players are liable to get banged up. Both professional leaguers and Division III student-athletes hurt in the same ways, but the latter don’t have LeBron James’ recovery budget and have to attend class the next day. At Plattsburgh, sports medicine takes care of its Cardinals.

Jason Pachter has been with SUNY Plattsburgh sports medicine for 22 years, originally joining the school as head athletic trainer. Five years ago, Pachter stepped into his current role as director of sports medicine. He’s joined by Associate Head Athletic Trainer Lisa Vicencio and Assistant Athletic Trainers Jonathan Edwards and Stephanie Varin. Together, they oversee the health and wellness of approximately 400 Cardinal athletes.

Trainers are present at all NCAA-affiliated practices and sporting events on campus and will travel with a few select sports to away games. Pachter, Vicencio and Edwards are assigned to different sports and Varin serves to “float around” wherever she is needed.

A typical game day is an all-day affair for the sports medicine staff. Beginning with treatments and rehabilitations, the staff is in charge of putting together injury reports before the games start, determining who should and should

not play. The trainers will then provide the proper braces and tape for players to wear during the game and set up medical equipment on the field.

During the game, the crew is at notice on the sideline for any stretching or injuries the players from either team may suffer. They get the final say as to whether or not athletes can return to the game after a visit to the sideline.

The trainers remain at the facility for more than an hour after the game for postgame treatments of injuries both new and old. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals, not coaches or strength and conditioning staff. Athletes need to go through the treatment and recovery process to be ready for their next game.

The staff is joined by student assistants on the field.

The students come from both Plattsburgh and other, partnered colleges. One of these students, Reyna Riesgo, attends Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, but works in-person at Plattsburgh.

Riesgo takes on similar responsibilities as the full and part-time athletic trainers while also taking online classes. She’s found her experience at Plattsburgh “really cool,” especially because of the athletic department she’s been able to become a part of.

“I think just being able to see the athletes every single day [is rewarding],” Riesgo said. “And just being able to see an athlete grow from beginning of season to the end of season.”

BY COLLIN BOLEBRUCH

Sports Editor

TRACK AND FIELD

Plattsburgh’s men’s and women’s track and field participated in their second meet of the outdoor season Saturday, April 8 in the Cortland Red Dragon Open. No team scores were kept and competing schools included Plattsburgh, Cortland, Cobleskill, Finger Lakes Community College, Ithaca, Oneonta, Oswego, Potsdam and Syracuse. Four Cardinals qualified for the AARTFC Championships and 15 qualified for the SUNYAC Championships.

Regionals qualifiers include Noah Bonesteel’s 800m run in 1:56.78, Michael Brockway’s 10000m run in 32:36.36, Brexton Montville’s 100m dash in 11.02 and Janyll Barber’s 400m hurdles in 1:02.07.

Conference qualifiers include Jorge Cabrera’s hammer throw of 40.99m, Charles Cypress’ 400m dash in 50.16, Aidan Masten’s long jump of 6.34m, Cody Monnat’s 400m dash in 51.81, Aidan Tous’ shot put of 12.53m and discus throw of 39.52m, Logan Van Buren’s 800m run in 1:59.46, Jordan Williams’ 100m dash in 11.24 and 200m dash in 23.00, Kaitlyn Bjelko’s shot put of 11.44m and hammer throw of 35.37m, Rebecca Christie’s high jump of 1.45m, Ginny Lucchetti’s 1500m run in 5:09.16, Aislyn McDonough’s 800m run in 2:21.77 and 1500m run in 4:58.81, Michaela Schaffer’s long jump of 5.06m and triple jump of 10.17m, Sarah Smith’s 1500m run in 5:08.97, Morgan Thompson’s 400m dash in 1:04.55 and Deanna Zoch’s 100m dash in 13.82.

The Cardinals compete today, April 14, in the RPI Under the Lights Invitational and tomorrow, April

Riesgo, Pachter, Edwards and Varin all do their jobs for the same reason — the student-athletes. Edwards appreciates that he can be the one to assist athletes through rough patches.

“They love playing sports, so when they get hurt, it’s typically a really hard time for them,” Edwards said. “So being able to help them through that tough part and get them back to the sport

15, in the Southern New Hampshire Penman Relays hosted by Southern New Hampshire in Manchester, N.H. and the Larry Ellis invitational hosted by Princeton in Trenton, N.J. McDonough was named Women’s Indoor Track & Field Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year April 12.

BASEBALL

A month and a half into the season, Cardinals baseball returned to Chip Cummings Field April 7. Plattsburgh (6-14, SUNYAC 0-6) started the home season by beating the nonconference Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers (16-9-1) by a score of 13-3 — its largest margin of victory this year.

Second baseman Alex Kornblau and right fielder Conner Gonzalski led the team with two hits each and five other Cardinals recorded one. First baseman Kyle Cremin had three runs batted in, followed by Kornblau, Gonzalski, catcher Adam Wein and center fielder Jack Defayette with two. Wein and Kornblau had three runs each.

Chris Santic pitched seven innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out six on 28 batters faced. Kolby Mordecki and Matt Edwards pitched the last two innings and Santic was credited with the win. All of the Engineers’ runs came in the last four innings.

Plattsburgh then hosted the Clarkson Golden Knights (6-14) April 11, losing 6-23. The non-conference matchup included the largest margin of defeat and the most runs allowed in a game this season.

Designated hitter Christian Ott led the Cards with three hits, followed by shortstop Andrew Veit and left fielder Matt Blair with two. Ott also batted in two runs. Plattsburgh turned to eight different pitchers

they love is definitely my favorite part and I think it’s the most rewarding part of my job.”

Varin pointed to being in on the action on the sideline and seeing hard work pay off.

“I always say I’m kind of spoiled,” Varin said. “It’s really rewarding to see your athletes, especially if it’s their first game back, whether they’ve been out for a few weeks or a few

CARDINAL CLIPS

during the game, with none throwing for more than two innings. Mordecki faced the most batters with 15, allowing eight earned runs and earning the loss.

The Cardinals’ April 12 matchup with the Norwich Cadets in Northfield, Vt. was postponed and eventually canceled due to scheduling conflicts. Plattsburgh resumes its conference season today, April 14, taking on the New Paltz Hawks (615, SUNYAC 0-9) at home. The Cards then play a doubleheader with the Hawks tomorrow, April 15 with a chance to separate itself from the bottom of the SUNYAC standings.

TENNIS Tennis kicked off its spring season Wednesday, playing the Northern Vermont University-Johnson Badgers at home in doubles and singles scrimmages. The team finished its season in the fall, and though it typically plays regular season conference games in the spring, will not this season. Having been eliminated from the playoffs, the Cardinals will not play SUNYAC teams this April.

Plattsburgh will then host NVUJohnson and the Russell Sage Gators in a doubles tournament tomorrow, April 15, at 11 a.m. The tournament will round out their 2022-23 season and will prepare the Cardinals for its Spring Community Clinic Saturday, April 22. Session one will be for ages 5-12 and run from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and session two will be for ages 13-17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each session will cost $40 and those interested in attending can find the registration link at gocardinalsports. com/sports/womens-tennis.

months. It’s really exciting to see their excitement up close and personal when they get their first big play coming back or just that first moment of getting back into the game and to be not only a part of getting them to that point, but just being able to celebrate that win with them.”

Pachter finds athletes’ growth as both a person and a player through sports medicine the most fulfilling.

“They put their healthcare into my hands,” Pachter said. “The decisions we make to get them healthier and better and then back onto the field just as good, if not better than they were before they got hurt, is the most rewarding for me.”

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Student assistant athletic trainer Reyna Riesgo helps a men’s lacrosse player stretch inbetween quarters April 9.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Cydney Bond serves to a NVU-Johnson opponent April 12.

JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points

Ryan Nista throws a pitch to a Clarkson batter April 11.

JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points

Jack Defayette recovers from a head-first slide April 11.

Duprey hosts Language Swap on campus

BY KIYANNA NOEL Arts & Culture Editor

Languages are a part of different cultures and connect people all over the world. English Language Support Therapist David Duprey held a Language Swap at James Augustus Wilson Commons room in Champlain Valley Hall to discuss how language is woven into Plattsburgh’s culture.

The event allowed faculty and students to exchange cultures and experiences through different languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Native American languages.

The hour-long event allowed people to form groups and create a space for people to share their backgrounds through games.

Each game had its own theme for people to learn how to write, speak and explore different languages. The first station had everyone use white boards to learn how to write certain names, clothing and words. The second station encouraged everyone to share experiences about questions being asked. The third game was about teaching pronunciation of specific phrases in different languages. The final station was a board game

that encouraged everyone to say words in their language in order to win.

Hosting this event created a positive influence on campus for people of all backgrounds to come and share their culture.

Karin Killough, director of the Learning Center, acknowledged that in her undergraduate years at Plattsburgh, it was a good way for her to connect with people from different cultures.

“In this little community, I got to learn so many beautiful things,” Killough said.

LANGUAGE > 10

Fuerza brings back Battle of the Boroughs

BY KIYANNA NOEL Arts & Culture Editor

Representatives from Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island battle it out to win Fuerza’s 7th annual Battle of the boroughs event from 7 to 10 p.m. April 16 in Memorial Hall.

In between games there will also be a dance performance from African Unity Dance. The annual event is about settling the long debate of which of the New York City boroughs is the best. Everyone from the winning borough will receive bragging rights until the next tournament.

During last year’s tournament, Brooklyn took home the win, but this year Fuerza President Shelby Disla thinks her team, Queens, will “take home the W.”

This event features five teams with coaches being different members of Fuerza: The BIPOC Student Union.

The coaches include Event Coordinator Lauren Sealey representing Brooklyn, Historian Jeidy Aloi representing the Bronx, Treasurer

Glenadaliz Espinal and Public Relations chair Nekaybaw Ross representing Manhattan, Disla representing Queens and Event Coordinator Christopher Navarro representing Staten Island.

Although Disla is not from Queens, she is determined to lead the team to victory after last year’s loss.

“I’m excited to coach Queens because I’m here for the competitive borough drama,” Disla said.

“If you’re from the city you know you’re riding for your borough, it’s your bloodline thing forreal so I’m excited to see all our roots and passions come out.”

To Aloi, this event means a lot to her. She had reservations about creating the flyer for the event to being a coach for the first time, but knowing this was a big event, she used it as motivation to persevere.

“The event in general means a lot to me,” Aloi said. “I’ve been looking forward to it since I’ve joined Fuerza just because there’s always a lot of people in attendance and it’s fun to see

how competitive people get for their boroughs.”

Nursing major Aloi, though not from the Bronx, is ecstatic to represent them.

“I’ve seen how passionate people are from the Bronx, especially the players on the team, so I’m excited to be the coach and represent the borough,” Aloi said.

The Bronx is big on pride, but other teams and coaches are not going to take it easy on them. Espinal, representing Manhattan, is ready to finally win while repping her hometown.

“I love to watch basketball, so I’m excited to learn from the experience,” Espinal said. “I’m still trying to learn and make sure that everyone has their time on the court and everyone gets to play and to have fun.”

Although the tournament is about team members representing their borough, it’s also about bringing the campus community together to bond over a sport that many people enjoy.

“I went to Battle of the Boroughs as a freshman before I was a Fuerza member

and I enjoyed the unity,” Espinal said. “I feel like this event will help us be more together as a school.”

Students are also excited to attend and represent their friends, especially if they share the same borough.

Angelina Briggs, from the Bronx, is excited to support Rashad Nicholas, winner of Mr. BSU, as he represents the Bronx.

“The Bronx is going to win,” Briggs said. “Especially with Mr. BSU on their team there’s no way that they could lose.”

The event will take place in the Recreational Room in Memorial Hall and will be one of Fuerza’s biggest events for the semester. This event is intended to make campus closer together while also being divided during the friendly competition.

“I’m not much of a talker, I’m more of a shower,” Disla said. “May the best borough win.”

KIYANNA NOEL/Cardinal Points

On the left, the boardgame station is being lead by David Duprey while on the right, Elin O’Hara-Gonya is practicing her pronounciation of different phrases in Japanese.

KIYANNA NOEL/Cardinal Points

Elin O’Hara-Gonya shows off Japanese skills by saying japanese-term for “delicious.”

ROLDNARDY NORELUS/Cardinal Points

LANGUAGE

Continued from page 9

Duprey wants this event to encourage students and faculty from different backgrounds to connect in a cohesive way.

“It is the first event that I’ve created for the university,” Duprey said. “I saw a need to bring second English language learners or just people who are learning a second language and then those who are primary English language speakers together in a non-academic setting.”

Japanese student Aoi Inagaki was told about the event by Duprey and came to further her understanding about

Toure’s Ramadan abroad

BY JESSE TAYLOR Staff Writer

Ramadan is the holy month for followers of Islam. At SUNY Plattsburgh, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) provides students a sense of community during this time of celebration. Fatoumata Toure, vice president and one of the founders of MSA, has had an unusual experience this Ramadan. Toure has been studying abroad in the UK for the entirety of the spring semester. Although being away from home has presented some difficulties for Toure in terms of celebrating Ramadan, MSA has been doing what it can to ensure that one of their founders still feels included within their organization.

As a follower of Islam, Toure usually celebrates Ramadan in the typical way, fasting from sun-up to sun-down, praying and gathering with friends and family to break fast or iftar. Having a sense of community during Ramadan is important. However while studying abroad, Toure has had difficulty finding that sense of community.

In preparation to study abroad,

Toure had researched clubs and societies that she could celebrate Ramadan with. Her experience celebrating Ramadan in the UK has not been the best.

“They’re not very welcoming to new people, and it’s something that I had to learn the hard way,” Toure said. She did everything she could to put herself out there, but felt as if they were not accepting her.

UK colleges are currently on spring break for the month of April, making it even harder to find a community to celebrate Ramadan with. Despite this, Toure has still been doing what she can to celebrate Ramadan and recognizes that studying abroad is an amazing experience.

“I’ve met so many new people, I’ve met so many friends that I never thought I would ever make,” Toure said.

Despite her difficulties finding a community to celebrate Ramadan with, Toure has been doing what she can to participate. In addition to fasting, she keeps a journal that documents her experiences studying abroad.

“I write everything in there,” Toure said.

Although Toure has been celebrating Ramadan away from the MSA, she has still been doing everything she can to interact with the club.

“As a vice president, she is my righthand person. She is always there for me to bounce back on,” Saran Kaba, president of the MSA, said. On the flipside, MSA has been doing everything they can to ensure that Toure still feels included and has support in Plattsburgh.

Throughout the semester, Kaba sets up a Zoom call at the club’s general meetings, so Toure can still present her ideas and give presentations. Although Toure is not in Plattsburgh physically, MSA can still feel her presence.

“Even though she is thousands of miles away, we still want her to be part of this club because she helped create this club,” Kaba said.

“We definitely miss her,” Kaba said. “I think I can speak for the whole club, we miss her presence.”

cultures in America and to connect with American people as an international student.

“It’s really interesting because I don’t have many opportunities to talk with American people, and this is a way I can know American culture,” Inagaki said.

The different games gave opportunities for everyone to share experiences and not only learn a language, but to teach a language.

Elin O’Hara-Gonya, director of Feinberg Library, brought her 9-year-old daughter Annika who told everyone that she is learning five languages: English, French, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish.

Throughout the first game they played about saying phrases in another language, O’Hara-Gonya encouraged her daughter to practice words in Japanese, impressing native Japanese speakers.

“This opportunity is for them to share that,” Duprey said. “The idea is for them to bring multiple cultures, multiple languages, multiple age generations together and give them opportunities they may not talk about in the classroom.”

Although this is the first language swap event, Duprey hopes to make this a twice a month event at different locations around campus. For more information, email Duprey at dupr6217@plattsburgh.edu.

Photo provided by Fatoumata Toure Fatoumata Toure poses for a picture in Milan, Italy.

Email JESSE TAYLOR cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

KIYANNA NOEL/Cardinal Points

Student Tokiya Mizoguchi shows JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig and David Duprey how to write “parka” in Japanese.

KIYANNA NOEL/Cardinal Points

On the left, Aoi Inagaki is showing a map on her phone of Japan to Karin Killough. On the right, David Duprey explains to Killough how the Korean alphabet works together to create certain sounds.

CALENDAR April 16 - 21

ALL WEEK: Conscientious Collectors exhibition - Myers Fine Arts Building

Origins: The Evolution of an Artist and His Craft exhibition - Rockwell Kent Gallery, Feinberg BFA Senior Art Exhibit- Myers Fine Arts Building

SUNDAY 4/16

Group Exercise:

- 30MinSpin with Kristina

- Traditional Yoga with Saanvi

- 15MinMeditation with Saanvi

Algonquin Hall

6 - 7:45 p.m.

All group exercise classes will be held in Algonquin Hall. Please bring water; clean and sanitize any equipment prior to and after use. Cleaner and sanitizer will be provided. Registration required for all group exercise classes. To register, visit: www.IMLeagues.com/plattsburgh.

MONDAY 4/17

Group Exercise events:

- Bootcamp with Connie

- HIIT/Core with Lauren

- 30MinSpin with Jasmine

- Hardbody with Grace

- Zumba with Kaylynn

Algonquin Hall

noon - 8:45 p.m.

All group exercise classes will be held in Algonquin Hall. Please bring water; clean and sanitize any equipment prior to and after use. Cleaner and sanitizer will be provided. Registration required for all group exercise classes. To register, visit: www.IMLeagues.com/plattsburgh.

TUESDAY 4/18

Group Exercise events:

- 30MinSpin with Nina

- Yoga with Sylvie

- Cross Cycle with Connie

Algonquin Hall

noon - 7:45 p.m.

All group exercise classes will be held in Algonquin Hall. Please bring water; clean and sanitize any equipment prior to and after use. Cleaner and sanitizer will be provided. Registration required for all group exercise classes. To register, visit: www.IMLeagues.com/plattsburgh.

WEDNESDAY 4/19

Group Exercise events:

- Kickboxing with Jillian

- Yoga with Nicole

- 30MinSpin with Dimitra

- Hardbody with Connie

- Zumba with Kaylynn

Algonquin Hall

noon - 8:45 p.m.

All group exercise classes will be held in Algonquin Hall. Please bring water; clean and sanitize any equipment prior to and after use. Cleaner and sanitizer will be provided. Registration required for all group exercise classes. To register, visit: www.IMLeagues.com/plattsburgh.

THURSDAY 4/20

Group Exercise events:

- Yoga with Shawna

Algonquin Hall

noon - 7:45 p.m.

All group exercise classes will be held in Algonquin Hall. Please bring water; clean and sanitize any equipment prior to and after use. Cleaner and sanitizer will be provided. Registration required for all group exercise classes. To register, visit: www.IMLeagues.com/plattsburgh.

Kasennisaks: I’m Looking for a Name (A Mohawk Woman’s Story of Survival)

Krinovitz Recital Hall

7 - 8:30 p.m.

For more information visit: https://www. plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/events/index. html

FRIDAY 4/21

Neuro Pride Space

Relaford Room ground level Macomb

12:30 - 2 p.m.

Take a break from the neuro-typical world in a space made by neurodivergent students for neurodivergent students.

Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir

Rehearsals

300 Myers Fine Arts Building

5 - 6 p.m.

Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir rehearsals for spring semester. Open to students, faculty, staff and the public. Opportunities to perform with the band and Praise Dance and Step Team as well. For more information email gospelchoir@plattsburgh.edu.

More information can be found on the SUNY Plattburgh Calendar of Events. To have an event featured, email cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

BY KIYANNA NOEL Arts & Culture Editor

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 19

The Chariot card represents moving forward and becoming one with your mind, body and soul. Let your mind continue to guide you in the right direction.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

The Sage of Wands card represents awakening. Allow this new enlightenment to mediate your emotions and help you gain discipline.

VIRGO

August 23 - September 22

The Ten of Crystals card represents delusions. You have an imaginative mind, don’t let it get out of hand.

AQUARIUS

January 20 - February 18

The Eight of Crystals card represents connecting your creative side to your logical side. Find the balance between your irrational and your rational side to be the best version of yourself.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

The Ace of Worlds card represents being successful. Your hard work has paid off, so continue to keep yourself organized.

LIBRA

September 23 - October 22

The Nine of Wands card represents your integrity. Continue being a strong and positive person despite outside influences.

PISCES

February 19 - March 20

The Four of Crystals card represents using logic to get through your problems and situations. Not every action requires a reaction, so think before you act.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

The Art card represents being creative in different states of mind. Allow this creative side to drive you closer to your aspirations.

SCORPIO

October 23 - November 21

The Fool-Child card represents being open to having new experiences while allowing yourself to take risks. Be mindful and take accountability for your actions if things don’t work out.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

The Eight of Cups card represents being stagnant and flat. Try to get out of this funk that you’re in by taking a break to regenerate and keeping your focus on your goals.

LEO

July 23 - August 22

The Man of Worlds card represents working toward your goals. Allow yourself the room to create a plan and set it in motion.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22 - December 21

The Three of Crystals card represents opening your mind to new ideas. Be receptive to new influences that can grow your influences.

This Week in Photos:

Unrestrained spring fun

Photos by Jayne Smith

LEFT: Enjoying the warm weather, students take to picnic tables and hammocks to soak in the sun.

BELOW: A student has a moment of relaxation in a hammock.

ABOVE: Two students share snacks on a picnic blanket.

RIGHT: Students sprawl on the grass with laptops and drinks.

ABOVE: Students goof around in hammocks next to Saranac River.