Concordiensis - May 13, 2021

Concordiensis T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F U N I O N C O L L E G E S I N C E 1 8 7 7 Volume. CXLIV, Issue XVI

concordiensis.com

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Union College celebrates Pride Week amidst COVID-19

By Daniel Wilcox Emeritus Editor-in-Chief

Pride Week returned to Union’s campus on Monday, May 7, with a plethora of events to raise awareness of the LGBTQIA+ members of the Union College community and beyond. Beginning with the annual painting of nails, first held in response to an incident in 2019, involving a student identifying as gay who was wearing nail polish being asked to leave a fraternity house, and now being held to “both challenge toxic masculine gender roles and stand against the hate LGBTQ students have faced over the years”, according to an email sent out by Union Pride president, Eva Erickson ’21, when advertising the events of the week.

Along with the nail painting

social media campaign, the week included a informative discussion about LGBTQ sex education, held in conjunction with Planned Parenthood and PPGEN. Co-President of PPGEN, Haley Newman ’22, explained that PPGEN wanted to partner with Union Pride on this event “in order to have an intersectional discussion.

LGBTQ sex education is often left out of high school sex education curriculums and I wanted to provide a safe space for people to ask questions to an LGBTQ educator.”

Other events held throughout the week included a collaborate queer Spotify playlist, in collaboration with WRUC, a discussion of the television series POSE, and opportunities for student ally training.

The week ended with a Pride Fest, a twist on the usual Pride Walk that has previously been a fixture of Pride celebrations at Union. Erickson

said that “this year’s Pride Fest was a resounding success!

With 40+ Union organizations represented and a huge campus-wide turnout, the festival was a great COVID-friendly alternative to our usual Pride Walk.” Regarding the attractions at Pride Fest, Erickson noted that it “featured passionate speeches, impromptu dance performances, games and prizes, and more! Personally, as Pride’s president, I was very grateful to have the platform to highlight LGBTQ students’ achievements and call Union to action to take a stand against the homophobia and transphobia that still exists today.” The day ended with a virtual drag bingo event, hosted by the winner of the 12th season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Jaida Essence Hall.

With the previous spring term being completely virtual, and COVID-19 requiring most events to be online also, Pride

Trey Everett | Concordiensis On Saturday, May 8th, Union’s Pride Club held Pride Fest from 2-4 PM. Various tables and booths were set up for students to get various items and speak with people about LGBTQ+ pride.

Fest was one of the few in-person events at Union over the past year, although there is a desire for more events to be held as normal going forward.

Erickson spoke of her hopes going forward, regarding the aftermath of the Pride Week events, saying

that she is “hoping that the campus continues to show the same energy and support for Union’s queer community year-round.”

Union College makes COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for fall term

By Dante Sasso Jr. Editor-in-Chief

On Friday, May 7th, 2021, Union College’s COVID-19 Updates account sent an email out to all students regarding fall term. In this email, students were made aware of new restrictions for fall term: in order to return, all students must be vaccinated against COVID-19. This statement comes after weeks of silence

on the matter, with over 200 other universities declaring vaccinations mandatory before Union.

For students who will be performing research or other activities on campus over the summer of 2021, Union mandates that they are fully vaccinated by July 1st of 2021. Current students are able to sign up for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine through the Union College student health portal.

In addition, students are able to schedule their vaccinations off-campus through the Sche-

nectady County COVID-19 website. Vaccinated students must use the Emocha app to supply proof of vaccination to the college.

With these vaccination requirements being imposed for fall term, it is also of note that remote options will be done away with for fall term. The fall 2021 course schedule dictates that there are no online classes, nor hybrid classes that students will be offered, meaning that all classes will be in-person for the first time since the beginning of the

pandemic.

At the moment, the vaccination requirements only apply to students, not staff or faculty. In an interview with the Times Union, Union College spokesperson Philip Wajda stated that “We expect our employees to be vaccinated and are still working through additional protocols and requirements for employees for fall.”

As of Tuesday, May 10th, 49% of Union’s total population, including students and staff, are fully vaccinated. 67%

have had at least one dosage of a vaccine between students and staff, while 33% currently have no recorded dosages of any vaccines. The Union College COVID-19 dashboard does note that the individuals without recorded doses also include “any employees who reported vaccination dates not yet verified by Emocha, or any employees without access to Emocha or who have not yet reported vaccination status in Emocha.”

See COVID on page 2

We’re beautiful on the inside, too

Opinions. page 3 Academic burnout plaguing students

Sci/Tech. page 5 Long term effects of COVID-19

807 Union St., page 7 Union Fencing Club during COVID-19

World, page 4 India in critical condition due to COVID-19

Sports, page 8 Student-atheletes recognized on Prize Day

News

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Concordiensis

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Diane Guerrero speaks with Union College’s Speakers Forum

By Sydney Lewis co-News Editor

Diane Guerrero, renowned actress from Doom Patrol, Orange Is the New Black and Jane the Virgin, joined the Union College community on May 11, 2021. The event was hosted by Union College Speaker’s Forum with Union students moderating the event.

Guerrero has starred as “Crazy Jane,” “Maritza Ramos” and “Lina” within the series listed above. Throughout the evening she stressed the fact that at times she was surprised by the positive feedback she received by viewers of the series as she was not sure whether her characters would always be liked. Guerrero began her acting career as a young girl by participating in clubs and activities within her school that introduced

COVID Continued from page 1

This does mean that there is a possibility of a higher percentage of individuals who are at least partially vaccinated.

It is currently unknown how Union College will be handling sports games played against other colleges that do not mandate vaccination.

When asked about the subject of playing sports with schools that do not have mandatory vaccination, Union College’s Director of Athletics, Jim McLaughlin, stated that Union “will be engaged in League meetings to finalize policies and protocols for the fall season in the coming weeks.”

her to the arts. She says she had to grow up quickly in her home so she stayed busy by watching many hours of film and television.

As stated in a Vogue article author Julia Felsenthal writes, “At the age of 14, Guerrero saw both her parents detained and deported back to their native Columbia. Most shockingly, the U.S. government, having effectively orphaned a minor, never once checked up on her.”

Guerrero dives deeper into her family history and life story within her memoir, In the Country We Love. During the Zoom call she mentioned that her memoir is meant to be consumed by all audiences as she wants it to be accessible to a younger adults as well due to its importance in sharing her story. This memoir was a way for her to not let the media control her narrative, and allow her to share her story on many important issues

that she faced throughout her lifetime such as mental health and confrontation with trauma. Guerrero says writing her book was a form of healing and “if she didn’t tell her story it would be as though it never happened.”

Guerrero also has recently started a podcast where she interviews various people across different fields and backgrounds. When asked how the podcast, “Yeah No, I’m Not OK” has changed her career, she shares that creating the podcast has been a difficult process and much different than she expected.

She wanted to “take a seat and decenter herself as much as possible to bring on voices that had interesting perspectives and who value mental health.

Her career, the podcast and her memoir, have allowed her to speak her mind on issues that have affected her. She did not want to be

As COVID-19 policies are updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccinated individuals have been increasingly gaining more and more freedom by the day. As of Thursday, May 13th, the CDC determined that fully vaccinated Americans can stop wearing masks in most indoor and outdoor areas. This determination still explained that public transportation, planes, hospitals, doctors offices and prisons still require mask wearing.

The CDC’s advice does not overrule state mandates on mask wearing though, so for most areas masks will still be necessary. It is also important to note that New York’s governor Andrew Cuomo stated that the CDC guideline update is

currently under review by New York State health officials.

At Union specifically, fully vaccinated individuals are also gaining more freedoms as the vaccination rate increases. At the beginning of May, Union’s COVID-19 Updates account explained that students do not need to wear masks with other fully vaccinated individuals in specific areas such as residence halls or Minerva houses, and that double masking is no longer required from students.

Union has only had one positive COVID-19 test in the past 20 days as of May 12th, 2021. This could be due to higher vaccination rates or rather due to less mandatory testing for vaccinated individuals.

Photo of Diane Guerrero

ashamed of who she was, and that began her transiton to growing into who she wanted to be. “Self care isn’t putting a mask on, it’s doing the hardwork” which in turn created a metamorphosis for growth.

Guerrero continues to be

Courtesy of Vanity Fair

an active advocate for immigration reform.

Courtesy of Union College Percentage of Union College population that is vaccinated as of May 10, 2021 (above), and total tests and cases in the past 20 days since May 12th (below).

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Sarah Davenport

OPINIONS C

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Concordiensis

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davenpos@union.edu

The strenuous transition back to in-person classes

By Leila Warde Contributing Writer

Since March of 2020, we have faced tremendous alterations to the way we attend school; suddenly changing to a fully remote schedule at home, then back on campus juggling online, in person, and hybrid classes. This spring, many students are experiencing a term with their full course schedule in person for the first time in over a year. The number of changes we’ve seen as students has been tiring; learning how to use Zoom at home, learning the new rules and restrictions back on campus, balancing in person and online classes, back to an in-

person schedule.

Switching to online learning was a challenge for many students, as many of us had only ever experienced a traditional classroom setting. Professors expressed to us the difficulty they faced as well, having to restructure their curriculum to accommodate students through a video camera. This change presented obvious challenges with learning, especially considering the uncertainty of the pandemic on a global, national, and personal scale.

It feels as though just when students and professors finally got the hang of taking class online, it was time to transition back to in person. The fall and winter terms on campus offered a new set of challenges for students. In person

classes were still not totally normal, requiring masks and assigned seating to make contact tracing easier, and every part of campus life was altered: dining halls became grab-and-go, standing in line became ordering on an app, and socializing became taboo. Most people I know have experienced at least one hotel quarantine by this point, the procedure becoming part of normal life.

Learning these sets of changes and new has been strenuous and frankly exhausting. In addition to the academic burnout students have been experiencing from the lack of a spring break, the constant changes have affected our academic performance. The expectations for students in an online class versus an in

person class have proven to be very different and require a different approach to time management, studying, and homework.

While we all complained of the difficulties of learning online, we are now realizing that we have a new problem: we’ve gotten so used to online class that we’re having trouble switching back. I have been discussing with friends the shock we experienced realizing we would have to take exams in an actual classroom, and joked that we had forgotten how to study for them.

As we get closer to the end of spring term, more students and faculty are being vaccinated and less are testing positive for COVID-19. If the past year has taught us anything, it is that we can’t pre-

dict the future. While we won’t know today what the Fall term will look like, I believe I speak for the majority in saying that I’m looking forward to a class free summer after a tiring year of changes.

Academic burnout: the silent disease plaguing students

By Sarah Davenport Opinions Editor

As I sit here, it is hard to move my fingers across the keyboard without my hands and eyes feeling heavy. The cause, I deduce, is something that all college students are currently experiencing in one way or another: academic burnout. Endurance of pure exhaustion, frustration, and lack of motivation are not foreign to the college experience, however, in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, these struggles have been extremely heightened.

A source of this, without a doubt, is the recently easy and universal accessibility of the online classroom. During times of lockdown, this mode

of education made sense, as there was no other option. It seemed as if it would be temporary, marking itself as a piece of history that we would associate and leave with the spirit of the pandemic. However, it has become a permanent and tormentous part of our lives.

Although in person classes are starting to resume, their ability to be hybridized with online elements is causing many college students to loathe an educational experience they once loved. It is allowing for educators to infiltrate the personal lives of their students and fill them with inescapable academic stress. We are living in a time where breaks are nonexistent and overcompensation for lost time, due to the pandemic, is all anyone is concerned about.

I, along with most of my

peers, are experiencing this phenomenon to its full extent as we near the end of the academic year. The absence of a spring break and the ever increasing course loads do not bode well for our spirits.

I have never felt so run down or seen the personalities of my friends so dull and empty.

I feel that attending college has become a survival game, one in which the health and happiness of the individual is second to obeying scholastic demands.

Education should be something that individuals are passionate about and it is sad to see how enjoyable it has become for everyone.

Defeat and exhaustion are all anyone ever feels. Mental and physical health are on the decline, grades are lower than ever and socializing is limited.

Young individuals should not

constantly feel that they have no control over their lives, but this is what academic burnout is causing. We are too young to be this tired and unhappy; too young to feel this terrible.

Concordiensis Vol. CXLIV, Issue XVI, May 13, 2021 Dante Sasso Jr. Editor-in-Chief Megan Brown, News Editor Sydney Lewis, News Editor Ariel Cooper, 807 Editor Isabelle Yee, Sports Editor Kari Kimball, Sci/Tech Editor concordiensis.com Email: concordiensis@union.edu Office: 406 Reamer Campus Center

Sarah Davenport, Opinions Editor Chris Doyle, World/Business Editor Trey Everett, Photo Editor Mail: Concordiensis Box 2577 807 Union Street

Do you have something you want to say? The Concordiensis is now accepting Letters to the Editor. Share your thoughts about campus, news, trends, or anything you want to write about!

All letters should be sent to sassod@union.edu. They should be less than 250 words in length and must include the writers full name and email address. Any letters longer than 250 words may be edited for length, word choice and accuracy.

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Chris Doyle

World / Business Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Concordiensis

doylec@union.edu

India remains in critical condition due to COVID-19

By Meesha Gupta and Nimra Shabbir Contributing Writers

The pandemic hit every country in the world, leading to a devastating impact on individuals and their families. One country suffering the most at the moment is India. “India has reported more than 300,000 new cases daily in the last two weeks, and has encountered more than 226,000 deaths,” according to CNBC and the Health Ministry of India. Even though the government had hoarded oxygen supplies and vaccines, they have yet to distribute it to the public, causing homeless people to die on the

streets without access to any amenities or safety. Moreover, oxygen supplies at hospitals dwindled, and still the government did not distribute any of the resources. Doctors could not save lives after immense trials because no one was providing hospitals with the supplies they would need to eradicate the virus from human bodies. According to The Guardian, “despite being one of the most populated countries and largest economies in the world, Indian state and federal governments spend less than 1% of its GDP on healthcare.”

Cemeteries in cities like Delhi are overcrowded with dead bodies, and the Indian Government explains that the

issue lies not in an oxygen shortage, but rather a difficulty in transportation, according to BBC. Despite the agony of the people, the government has taken little measures to address their suffering.

India is receiving help from other countries like Pakistan, Europe and the United States.

Despite the decades of unstable political relationship between India and Pakistan, the two countries cooperate on humanitarian grounds. One of Pakistan’s most renowned non-profit charity organizations called “Edhi Foundation” offered to help India by providing 50 ambulances and all the other medical expenses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received this offer in

a letter written by Faisal Edhi-Edhi Foundation’s Director.

Edhi wrote, “if permission is given by the Indian side, we are mentally and physically prepared to go across and do whatever we can to help. We will fully cooperate with the Indian authorities and are prepared to operate in any city they allow us to operate in,” according to the Hindustan Times.

Along with Pakistan, “the EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance,” said EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen. According to Deutsche Welle, the UK is also sending more than 600 oxygen concentrators and medical supplies to India, along

with France and Russia. Additionally, President Biden declared “just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need.”

Modi is being blamed by the public for the religious and political gatherings that were held amidst the crisis, according to Deutsche Welle. The situation in India was not this critical until the government of India took brutal measures to hinder the distribution of vital resources that could have prevented the spread of the virus while saving lives.

Violence in Northern Ireland escalates during COVID-19

By Jing Chen Staff Writer

Protesters in Northern Ireland have been targeting and throwing petrol bombs, masonry, bricks, iron bars to police officers since March 29. They have also hijacked police cars and blocked police intervention, according to multiple sources. Rioters continuously attacked officers using petrol bombs in Tullymore and Londonderry for five days after the initial outbreak, according to CNN. On April 2, a small protest escalated in South Belfast, and left 15 officers burned or injured. NBC News reports that over 90 of-

ficers have been injured as of April 21. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) tells CNN that protesters as young as 12 and 14 have participated in the attack.

A contributing factor to the violence is political turmoil resulting from Brexit. Irish and British politicians have warned that Britain’s decision to depart from the EU will harden the long tension between Ireland and Britain. Following Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol has been implemented, frustrating many Northern Ireland unionists who have been supporting a united U.K. and Northern Ireland. As the New York Times explains, the Protocol imposed stricter economic difficulties for goods passing through Northern Ire-

land, forcing businesses to file additional paperwork and leading to some British companies exiting the Northern Irish market altogether. This led to shortages on supermarket shelves, enraging unionists who want equal treatment from Britain, but ultimately feel the Good Friday Agreement—the framework for peace between Northern Irish republicans and the UK—was betrayed.

COVID-19 lockdown anxiety has also evoked rage and riots in cities and towns.

According to BBC, dissent has aroused after the Public Prosecution Service issued a decision to not prosecute republican Sinn Fein—led by nationalists—leaders for attending Sinn Fein chairman Bobby Storey’s funeral last

June. While Sinn Fein claims that no more than 30 people attended, BBC observes that about 120 actually attended without complying with COVID-19 guidelines.

Besides the controversial Storey funeral, the Irish Times states that it is unlikely that the young generation is frustrated with the Northern Ireland Protocol, as much of the dissent comes from the deprivation from education and entertainment as a result of COVID-19.

Darren Guy—a second-generation Ulster Unionist Party councilor of Waterside—said to the Irish Times that “a lot of young people haven’t had school, band, football, whatever their usual social activities are, they are bored out of their heads. Everyone is

frustrated, including myself.”

According to NPR, political leaders including Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Arlene Foster of the Unionist Party, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill of the Sinn Fein have both condemned the civil unrest and violence.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he is “deeply concerned by the scenes of violence in Northern Ireland, especially attacks on PSNI who are protecting the public and businesses, attacks on a bus driver and the assault of a journalist. The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality.” However, replies have largely been sarcastic statements like “the joys of Brexit.”

60-Second News

Debris from a 30 meter Chinese rocket landed safely in the Indian Ocean after an uncontrolled reentry, avoiding injury

A landslide in Guinea has resulted in the death of 15 workers in a unregulated gold mine in Siguiri

US federal prosecutors believe the Honduran President Juan Orlando to be a co-conspirator in narco-trafficking after investigators found links all across the government aparatus to the cartels

Kari Kimball

Sci/Tech

Thursday, May 13, 2020 | Concordiensis

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kimballk@union.edu

What is known about the long-term effects of COVID-19

By Olivia Egan Staff Writer

Since the world went into lockdown in March of 2020, more than 155 million people have had COVID-19. A year has now passed since cases spiked, meaning that long term effects are being discovered. The virus primarily targets the lungs and respiratory system in severe cases making them swell and fill with fluid, but effects on other parts of the body are also being discovered. Some even experience what is being called “Long COVID” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Long COVID” patients experience COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and extensive coughing for months after actually being diagnosed,

sometimes even after testing negative for the virus. While long term effects such as the loss of taste or fatigue are not optimal, they are far from the most severe.

The virus puts a massive strain on our lungs. Being a respiratory disease, COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs, starting by attacking the cells that protect our airways. The destruction of these cells leads to an increase of debris within the lungs, and can lead to pneumonia, coughing, and inflammation. According to UC Health, more severe cases of inflammation in COVID-19 patients can cause extensive damage to the air sacs in our lungs known as alveoli, creating scar tissue that results in what could be permanent breathing problems. COVID-19 can also cause microthrombosis which is microscopic clumps of red blood cells and platelets that

can cause further respiratory problems, primarily thought to be on the vascular side of the lungs. It’s estimated that about 50 percent of people who had COVID-19 have some type of lung damage, however the severity of it is still unknown.

The body’s immune response to COVID-19 can sometimes be overactive, sometimes resulting in inflammation spreading, causing very negative impacts on our hearts, which can result in Myocarditis. Myocarditis makes the heart muscles swell, resulting in difficulty pumping blood and may also lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rates. According to Mayo Clinic, studies and imaging taken months after patients have recovered shows damage to the muscles in the heart, even for patients who experienced mild cases. It also doesn’t appear to discriminate based on age;

symptoms of heart damage were found in a study by JAMA cardiology on a group of college athletes who had mild symptoms. Four showed signs of inflamed hearts, and others had evidence of injury to their hearts but no signs of swelling. This tells researchers that even young, fit patients who show very few, or very minor, symptoms upon contracting the virus can be severely impacted by it in the long term.

The virus also is thought to have massive impacts on the brain. One of the most broadcasted symptoms is the loss of smell or taste, which is a sign of the virus reducing our cognitive function, suggesting that the virus could have the ability to impact our nerve cells. Some patients also experienced confusion, hallucinations, and headaches, which could potentially be caused by inflammation

caused by our body’s immune response to COVID-19. One more alarming diagnosis published by Lancet Psychiatry discovered that, based on the health records of approximately 236,000 people who survived COVID-19, one in three people received a psychiatric or neurological diagnosis within six months of being infected. While a majority of these diagnoses included mental illnesses such as depression, some went as far as strokes and brain bleeds.

While these impacts of COVID-19 sound frightening and severe, more research is being done every day on ways to lessen the impacts and help those with long term side effects work towards a return to normalcy. The National Institute of Health is in the process of conducting a clinical study into potential over the counter medicines that could help to treat COVID-19 symptoms.

The use of antibodies for new era for migraine treatments

By Avanti Khare Contributing Writer

Despite migraines being the third most common disorder in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO), surprisingly little is known about the mechanisms that cause them. According to Science News, one theory that has gained prominence in the scientific community is that overexcitation in the brain can lead to stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensations of

pain in the face. To block this response, researchers have developed drugs that target the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neurotransmitter that amplifies the pain signal in the trigeminal nerve.

CGRP levels in the brain are currently controlled using synthetic peptides called monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies block CGRP by binding to it and changing its shape so the molecule no longer fits in its receptor. Some of the most common side effects of CGRP inhibitors are constipation and an increased risk for upper respiratory tract

infections. Fortunately, the work that has been done with monoclonal antibodies so far has paved the way for new drugs that cause less side effects. One of these drugs, Erenumab, binds to CGRP receptors so that CGRP has nowhere to attach in nerve cells.

Three more drugs that are still in clinical trials–galcanezumab (Emgality), fremanezumab (Ajovy) and eptinezumab (Vyepti)–use the same mechanism as traditional monoclonal antibody therapies but produce fewer side effects.

Gepants are another class of drugs that are being eval-

Courtesy of iStock Photos Migraines are one of the most common disorders in the world

uated as an alternative longterm treatment for migraines.

Two gepants, atogepant and zavegepant, are being currently evaluated in patient tri-

als where atogepant is showing promise as a preventative treatment that can be a less expensive alternative to monoclonal antibody treatments.

Migraines are the most common between the ages 18 and 44.

Over 90 percent of people suffering from a migraine are unable to work or function regularly.

60-Second Sci/Tech

Migraines are the third most prevelant illness in the world.

Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households include someone who experiences migraines.

12 percent of the population, including children, experience migraines.

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

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Courtesy of Trey Everett ’22 | Concordiensis Students performing for the Japanese Drummming Ensemble (U-L), Students at the Pride Fest photobooth (U-R), Pride Trivia with Kappa Delta Phi (L-L) The Nott during the drumming ensemble. (L-R).

CRIME & FIRE LOG 05/07/21 - 05/13/21

05/08/21 4:10 a.m. Person attempting to enter cars on street - under surveillance. Closed. Referred to Police. Park Place.

05/11/21 6:35 a.m. Theft of campus sign - student identified - property recovered. Referred to Campus Judicial. Alexander / South

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Ariel Cooper

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Concordiensis

coopera2@union.edu

Club survival during COVID-19: Union’s Fencing Club Michael Rosenbaum Contributing Writer __________________________ The pandemic, which has forced change into every aspect of student life, has also severely impacted the way the clubs have been able to function.

Club meetings, once held in classrooms and auditoriums, have moved online. Likewise, gym access has been limited the whole year in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus.

One of Union’s smaller clubs, Fencing Club, has had to meet challenges on both of these fronts.

Normally held in the back of the first floor of the gym, Fencing has made its way online according to club President Hannah Monack ’23.

Now, weekly online meetings held on Zoom take the place of the in-person meetings held last year.

The content of the meetings has changed as a result, with an emphasis on learning the rules of fencing rather than practicing in person. This is sometimes done through watching examples of Olympic fencing and analysing the strategies used or why referees called a point in favor of a competitor.

Though, some parts of the meetings have stayed the same. Fencing drills, previously practiced side by side, are now practiced with every member in their own room, drilling back and forth at the call of one of the senior members of the club.

New traditions have also been added, the club watched The Princess Bride during the Winter term owing to its large number of fencing scenes.

Perhaps surprisingly, the membership of the club has not diminished despite the fact that the club has been unable to do any fencing at all

this year. Fencing is particularly difficult to translate to an online experience, as it relies heavily on footwork and coordination that is difficult to develop without a sword in your hand.

Despite this, the club has maintained its membership and welcomed several new freshmen, even adding some of them to the club’s board according to Monack. She expects even more people to return to the club when they can all gather together.

With the end of lockdown on the horizon, the future of the Fencing Club is bright.

Monack is already working with Student Activities to restart in-person fencing and she is optimistic that fencing may be able to resume even before the end of the term.

Fencing has it easy; opponents already must maintain distance between each other and already wear masks.

However, this is perhaps

Courtesy of iStock Photo The fencing club at Union has been pushing through COVId-19 balanced by the Fencing Club’s typical meeting place inside a smaller room within the Breazzano Center. It’s likely that the regular meeting of Fencing Club and other clubs like it will be a significant step in the end of COVID-19 re-

strictions on campus.

Union College’s Woman of the Week: Katie Moss ’21 Marcy Forti Staff Writer __________________________ Class of 2021, Volleyball Team Member, Delta Phi Epsilon former New Member Educator and VP of Membership Development, Alumni Gym Work-study Student, Biology Department thesis student, Honor Council Member Nominated by: Abi Cardello Nomination: She has taken a leadership position in both her personal life as well as every aspect of her campus involvement. She is a great help to the Alumni Gym as a work study student, she developed and executed improvements and programs that supported her sorority in the two leadership positions she’s held with them. She’s a senior on the volleyball team and has done so much to support her teammates during COVID-19. She is also highly involved in the biology de-

partment at Union and is currently working on her senior research looking into muscle types in grasshoppers. She is also an active member on the Union College Honor Council. She is always willing to help, support, and nurture her friends and fellow peers.

Overall, a highly involved student leader who deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments.

What are you passionate about?

I’m most passionate about my time on the mini term to China where I was able to study at the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I am looking to go into a healthcare profession and it was amazing to blend my love for traveling and learning other cultures with my drive for biology. I learned so much both within the classroom and the country itself.

What are your proudest accomplishments?

I am most proud of my ac-

complishments on the volleyball court here at Union. As an athlete, I had the amazing opportunity to develop friendships and connections within my sport and the rest of the athletic department as a whole that will last me a lifetime.

I am also an Alpha Class member of Delta Phi Epsilon, where I developed and implemented programs within my sorority that helped women make deep connection to each other and support their Panhellenic sisters within this community. I couldn’t be prouder of the friendships I have made through the organization.

Who do you look up to?

The person I look up to the most is my grandmother, Tommie Dee Moss. She has been an incredible support system to me and my closest friends through my entire academic career and her support and leadership has helped me overcome any challenge I have faced so far. Her strength

Katie Moss ’21 inspires me to follow my passions and do it with grace.

What does being a woman at Union mean to you?

Being a woman at Union, to me, means cultivating a space for fellow female classmates to connect and support

Courtesy of Women’s Union each other as we all face similar challenges. My goal is, and always has been, to connect with others, learn and understand through their experiences and find ways to lift each other up even through difficult times.

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Isabelle Yee

Thursday, May 17, 2021 | Concordiensis

yeei@union.edu

Nineteen student-athletes recognized on Union Prize Day

By Isabelle Yee Sports Editor

On Saturday, May 8 Union College recognized their students for their achievements in academics, research, services and governance. Nineteen student-athletes were recognized.

Jennifer Mutch ’21, a member of the women’s crew team, led the way with four awards. She was awarded the William H. Bloom, M.D. (1945) and Jonathan R. Bloom (1988) Poetry Prize, the Kerrie Droban (1987) Award for Writing Excellence, the Daniel F. Pullman Classical Prize and the Eugene I. Yudis (1955) Prize, producing the best piece of prose fiction.

Conor Willsie ’21, a member of the men’s soccer team, was awarded three prizes.

He received the Warner King

(1906) Prize, the Daniel F. Pullman Engineering Prize, and the Ralph W. Stearns (1907) Prize for being an outstanding student.

Marina Angelopoulos ’21, a member of the women’s crew team, received two awards. One was the Rotary Foundation Endowed Prize for International Study and the Albert Hill Recognition Award.

Matt Toy ’21, a member of the baseball team, also received two awards. He received the Elias Peissner Prize given to an economics major who has done work of outstanding merit. The second is the Alan Lake Chidsey (1925) Citizenship Award, for contributions to the advancement of government in student affairs.

Amanda Ashmen ’21, a member of the women’s soccer and track and field team received the R.E. Morgan Memorial Award.

David Bates ’21, a member of the cross-country team and the track and field team was awarded the William W. Thomas Award in French and Francophone Studies.

Jonathan Caputo ’21, a member of the cross-country and the track and field team, received the George H. Williams Prize for showing excellence in computer science.

Claudia Dalterio ’21, a member of the cross-country and track and field team was awarded the William E. Lasnik (1968) Prize.

John Germinerio ’21, a member of the football team, received the Samuel S. Feuer (1925) Prize.

Corina Lindsay ’21, a member of the women’s basketball team, received the Joel A. Halpern (1961) Prize. This is for a student who has made a commitment in service to the local community.

Chris O’Brien ’21, a mem-

ber of the baseball team, received the General Electric Energy Steinmetz Award. This award is given to a senior mechanical engineer who completes the best senior project.

Danté Scott ’21, a member of the football and track and field team received the Eugen W. Hellmich (1923) Memorial Prize.

Abigail Stack ’21, a member of the field hockey team, was awarded the Minerva Prize. The Minerva Prize is for a female student who best combines the scholarly study of women or gender with activities that enhance the life of women on campus.

Kaylee Velasquez ’21, a member of the volleyball team, received the Geology Faculty Prize.

Serina Beebe ’22, a member of the women’s crew team, received the Hans Hainebach Memorial Prize in German Literature. This prize is given to

a sophomore or junior who has demonstrated particular promise as a student of German literature Katarina Zahedi ’22, a member of the women’s crew team, received the Harold and Ellen Nagorsky Memorial Prize.

Aidan O’Brien ’23, a member of the men’s tennis team, received the Robert M. Fuller (1863) Sophomore Prize.

This award is for showing outstanding work, ability, and promise in chemistry.

Justin Regis ’23, a member of the men’s basketball team, was awarded the Hans Pasch Memorial Prize for having the best essay written about the Holocaust.

Benjamin Weiss ’23, a member of the men’s crew team, was awarded the Hans Hainebach Memorial Prize in Judaica for offering the best performance in the field of Judaica.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field place second at champs

By Tyler Mar Staff Writer

On Saturday, May 8, the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field team travelled to Vassar College’s Weinberg Track to compete at the 2021 Liberty League East Outdoor Track & Field Championship.

The Dutchwomen finished the meet with 195 points for a second place finish, placing behind Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with 266 points.

In the 100m dash. Sheena Wolliston ‘23 took second place with a time of 13.93.

Steph Heiberger ’22 won the 100m hurdles with a time of 17.42. The third event was the 200m dash where the Dutchwomen took three of the top four places.

Glory Moncion-Allen ’24 won the event with a time of 28.36, Wolliston was third with a time of 28.87, and Kasey McGerald ’24 was fourth in 28.94 seconds.

Moncion-Allen also won the 400m dash with a time of 1:03.23 while teammate Anna Trancozzo ’23 finished in fifth place. In the 400m hurdles, Caroline Stanton ’24 took second place, finishing in 1:10.30.

McGerald was second in the 800m, Gabriel Gavala ’24 was fourth, and Allison Maltesta ‘24 followed in fifth place.

Amanda Ashmen ’21 and Sophie Chesnut ’24 finished in first and second place in the 3000 Steeplechase.

Claudia D’Alterio ’21 was third in the 10000 race.

The 4x400 relay found success as the group of McGerald, Moncion-Allen, Stanton, and Malatesta won by more than 17 seconds.

Alesandra Campedelli ’23 took second place in the discus throw, with a distance of 31.64m. She also took second place in hammer throw with a distance of 35.76m.

Caroline Stanton won the high jump in 1.45m. Denesha Lafontant ’23 and Steph

Heiberger were third and fourth respectively in the long jump.

Campedelli won the shot put in 10.20m and Lafontant won the triple jump in 10.57m.

The Dutchmen also finished in second place with 150 points, behind Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with 344 points.

The men started off with a sweep in the 100m dash where Joseph Korongy ’24 finished first in 11.62 seconds, Will Sirmon ’21 took second and Anhad Gande ’23 was third in 11.94 seconds.

In the 200m dash, Ryan Hilliard ’24 was first and Korongy was second, where less than .30 seconds separated the two. Hilliard took a second palace finish in the 400m dash.

Aiden Rowley ’23 placed third in the 800m. The men won the 4x100 relay with the quartet of Hilliard, Korongy, Scott and Sirmon in a time of 43.90 seconds.

Ryan Ehrets ’21 finished

Courtesy of Union Athletics Joey Korongy ‘24, Danté Scott ‘21, and Glory Moncion-Allen ‘24 post Liberty Leagues. third in the hammer throw, throwing 36.49m. Korongy finished first in the high jump in a time of 1.80m.

Danté Scott ’21 won the long jump in 6.66m.

William Raeter ’24 won the shot put with 12.40m, he was followed by teammate Ryan Ehrets who finished .04m behind. In the triple jump, Danté Scott won in a distance of 13.08m.

Highlights of this meet included Glory Moncion-Allen was named Track Athlete of the meet. Joey Korongy was named Co-Track Athlete of the Meet and Danté Scott was named co-field athlete of the meet.

This was the final meet of the team in the regular season. Next week, select members will compete at the Redhawks Capstone Meet.