Mirror PDF 3/10/21

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of March 10, 2021

Photo contributed by Kaitlyn Drake

Every Voice Fairfield is a new club on campus that aims to bring students together to change the conversation around sexual violence. On March 3, the FUSA Senate successfully passed a bill that advocates for “consistent and supportive sexual assault prevention policies across Connecticut colleges.

The Fairfield University Student Association Senate successfully passed Bill 6374, The Every Voice Bill, which advocates for the consistent and supportive sexual assault prevention policies across all Connecticut Colleges on March 3. The bill’s resolution was first drafted by senators Ryan Assarian’23, Noelle Guerrera’21 and Alexia O’Brien’21, and then was presented to the FUSA senate committee on Community Safety and Relations before being passed to the Senate floor.

The resolution was unanimously passed with acknowledgment from the Senate that the Fairfield Student Body would support Bill 6374’s plans to increase more support for sexual assault victims and more action on preventing sexual violence across Connecticut’s college campuses.

The resolution for the bill explicitly details how The Every Voice Bill plans on creating a statewide campus culture survey and amnesty policy consistent across all Conn. colleges.

The bill will include a Campus Climate Survey as well as an amnesty policy that will help further the

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Every Voice Bill Passed

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mission of awareness of sexual violence on campus. The survey would allow survivors to anonymously report any act of sexual violence that happened while on campus, and the amnesty policy would protect a survivor of sexual violence from legal consequences if found under the influence at the time of the incident.

Fairfield’s chapter of Every Voice CT will be joining forces with other Conn. universities such as University of Connecticut, Yale and Connecticut College in passing this bill to prevent sexual assault and promise safety for all victims. The resolution also states that FUSA will work closely with Every Voice Fairfield and provide the necessary resources in order for the organization to properly advocate for the student body.

Every Voice Fairfield’s Campus Lead Kaitlyn Drake ‘23 was first introduced to Every Voice when talking with her resident assistant who wanted to start a branch at Fairfield. She attributes her interest for Every Voice to her passion for social justice and desire to make a meaningful impact.

To present the plans for the chapter and clarify the types of support the chapter was looking to receive from FUSA, Drake reached out to Assarian.

One of the main goals of Every Voice Fairfield is to create a relationship between Every Voice and CONTINUE READING ABOUT EVERY VOICE FAIRFIELD ON PAGE 4

Six Positive Cases Send Campion into Quarantine

By Madeline West Assistant News Editor In an email sent out to all students on March 9 Fairfield University Vice President for Student Life Karen Donoghue announced that Campion Hall would be placed under “specific mitigation strategies.” Effective on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 9:30 p.m. and going through Friday, March 12, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. Specific details were communicated directly to Campion residents.

These efforts come after six residents of Campion, a building with about 200 students, tested positive as of Tuesday night.

Campion residents were made aware of this at 4:35 p.m. via an email sent by Meredith Smith, the associate director and dean of residence life at Fairfield. Her email explained the rules and regulations to ensure the safety of students during the quarantine.

At the time the email was sent, only five residents had tested positive so far.

In Donaghue’s email, she expressed that these mitigation efforts were made in consultation with the Town of Fairfield Health Department.

Campion residents will have to “revert to entirely virtual experiences for the next three days” and there will be active communication with the professors of the students impacted.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPION’S QUARANTINE GO TO WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM

FUSA Members Advocate for Free Menstrual Products

By Jessica Colloca Contributing Writer

FUSA Senator and President-Elect Tyler Heffern ‘22 is committed to seeing that change come to life during his time at Fairfield. Ever since Heffern was a FUSA Senator, he has been pushing for menstrual-product availability. The initiative started in 2019.

The conversation around menstruation and the complications that come with it is a taboo subject. However, many universities across the country have decided that it is time to break the stigma surrounding periods by providing free menstrual products in restrooms across their campuses. Several members of the Fairfield University Student Association believe that Fairfield University should be next to take action.

“We noticed a number of menstrual hygiene product dispensers were empty in public restrooms on campus,” Heffern said. “Some restrooms did not have dispensers at all.”

FUSA presented their initiative to implement more dispensers around campus to the Vice President for Student Life, Karen Donoghue, and the Vice President for Facilities Management, David Frassinelli. By the spring of 2020, dispensers that CONTINUE READING ABOUT MENSTRUAL-PRODUCT AVAILABILITY ON PAGE 3

Fairfield Celebrates International Women’s Month

By Emily Miller Contributing Writer

INSIDE

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the arrival of female undergraduate students at Fairfield University.

Fairfield is celebrating this anniversary through various events and programs that pay homage to the first female students who paved the way for current women students, administration, faculty and staff at Fairfield. The commemoration is particularly appropriate as March is International Women’s Month.

Fairfield University is promoting both the 50th anniversary and National Women’s

Month with events including panels and lectures, as well as performance and fine arts programming by the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Students can learn more about these events by visiting Life@Fairfield.

The University is also encouraging the Fairfield community to “Get Social,” where current Stags and alumni can celebrate the milestone through updating social media profiles with fun 50th anniversary cover photos and profile filters. These filters work through Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. The Women’s Leadership Council has long supported Fairfield University’s network of women. This organization excels in helping women CONTINUE READING ABOUT HOW FAIRFIELD IS CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH ON PAGE 4

News

Opinion

Vine

Sports

Campus Ministry’s Woof Wednesday event brings smiles to students’ faces

Diverse representation is necessary in the film industry.

In honor of International Women’s Month, learn seven female artists to jam out to.

Men’s lacrosse has a slow start to the season, with a losing 2-0 record.

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News

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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Barks and Crafts Campus Ministry Woof Wednesday’s Bring Sense of Normalcy to Students old Bailey accompanies Katie to work and creates a day of excitement for the Fairfield community.

“I thought it would be a great study break for students!” said Brynes on her inspiration behind the idea. “We work so hard here to create a home away from home for students, but sometimes you just need a little puppy love!”

Byrnes’s idea not only achieved immediate success, but it has also grown into one of the most popular traditions here on campus. Bailey spends every Wednesday in the office with Katie, and while the Woof Wednesday program technically does not start until 1 p.m., visitors flock into Campus Ministry all day.

“We have a Photo contributed by Katie Byrnes few regulars, but new folks come every week,” said Campus Minister Katie Byrnes began bringing her dog Brynes. “We take a quick Bailey to Fairfield’s campus five years ago. Bailey now visits break at [11 a.m.], and she campus every Wednesday for Campus Ministry’s Woof does a little parade for the Wednesday event. folks quarantining at the old Fairfield University Campus Minister Dolan School of Business to Katie Brynes decided to bring her English bring a smile to their faces….and then we bulldog Bailey to work one day five years are back!” ago, and in doing so, she birthed one of the Bailey celebrates Woof Wednesmost popular traditions here at Fairfield days by wearing a different costume for University. each week’s program. Brynes prepares Each week, Woof Wednesdays takes a craft for people to partake in every place in Campus Ministry where six-yearWednesday, and whether they do the craft

By Andrew Murphy Staff Writer

or just hang out and feed Bailey treats, got to know many new people,” commented students appreciate this great environment.

Francis. “Now, I am a Woof Wednesday Liana Marino ‘23 has been going regular.” to Woof Wednesday events since her freshFrancis says this program provides man year. her a much needed break from school “Being both a very creative person work. It allows her to relieve stress in a and a huge dog lover, these craft sessions comfortable, welcoming environment while helped me feel as though I was at home meeting new people and catching up with again as those are two big things that I miss familiar faces. when I’m at school,” said Marino. “Woof “Campus Ministry as a whole is a Wednesdays are so much fun for me, and I very calming and supportive place and the always try to bring new faces in to experiaddition of crafts and Bailey always make it ence the fun.” even better,” added Marino.

Marino appreciates how this program Byrnes and Bailey look forward to brings her so much joy in such a brief perigreeting familiar faces and meeting new od of time. She is not the only student who friends each and every week. They both advocates for this enjoyable experience. encourage everybody to partake in this Peter Toutlouis ‘22, a work-study student weekly event, and the students that frein Campus Ministry, enjoys these social quently attend capture the event’s enticing gatherings because it helps provide a fun atmosphere through their reactions. sense of normalcy amidst the disruption of the pandemic.

“When I was an underclassmen, it really helped me meet students who were older than me and make new connections that lasted throughout my college experience,” said Toutoulis. “It’s a really nice experience to be able to hang out with my friends, or people I don’t know, and just talk.”

Ruby Francis ‘22 came across the program during her first year and also used it to immerse herPhoto contributed by Katie Byrnes self in the Fairfield commu(Photo taken at a pre-COVID event) Bailey comforts students nity. while they complete crafts. Bailey also visits students quaran“Everyone was very welcoming and I soon tining on-campus “to bring a smile to their faces.”

News

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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Rotondo Creates Recycling for Refugees

Compiled by Colleen Vann Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

3/3 3:30 p.m.

Two individuals tried to enter through the North Benson Road entrance. One of the individuals had a stag card, though they are not actually a student. The student trying to pass the non-student off as a roommate was referred to student conduct for violating COVID-19 protocol policies.

3/5 2:26 a.m.

A group of students were observed fleeing from Rafferty Stadium, which is a secured field. Three of the individuals were later identified.

3/6 12:57 a.m.

A group of students were spotted in the Japanese gardens, and they fled on foot when approached by Department of Public Safety Officers. A backpack found on scene led to one of the individuals and two others were later identified.

1:26 a.m.

A non-student was found on campus as a guest of a student. The student was cited COVID-19 protocol policy violations and the non-student was sent off campus.

3/7 12:30 a.m.

A neighbor to an off-campus residence called to report a large gathering with fireworks. When DPS arrived, approximately 30 individuals fled in different directions. The residents were identified, narcotics and paraphernalia was confiscated from the residence and damage was detected in the unit as well.

1:53 a.m.

A vehicle was observed in front of the Jogues Hall gate and five people were seen entering campus. Only one of the individuals was a student, who was documented for COVID-19 protocol policy violations. The non-students were sent off campus.

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Photo contributed by Vinny Rotondo

Sophomore Vinny Rotondo created the new club Recycling for Refugees after being inspired by a class taught by Professor Christopher Madden this spring semester.

By Grace Williams Contributing Writer

Sophomore Vinny Rotondo could be seen as an extremely involved student at Fairfield University. He has a double major in Politics and Public Relations, is a Tour Ambassador, a resident assistant in Loyola Hall, a Fairfield University Student Association Senator and serves on the Chair of Academic Affairs.

Yet, Rotondo has recently added another project to his list of achievements and activities.

Rotondo recently created, “Recycling for Refugees” that was approved last Wednesday, March 3, to take place on campus later in the year. This project will work to collect donations for refugees as students move out of their university housing at the end of the semester. Essentially there will be lists of items acceptable to be donated, sent out

via email and located on various social media platforms. Students can then set aside those items as they move out.

This list includes small bedroom furniture (side tables, small dressers), lamps, small garbage bins, small rugs, dining and kitchen sets, couches, armchairs, coffee tables, TVs and computers. Essentially, anything that is not too large and can be shipped through the mail.

Rotondo had quite a lot to say about what inspired him to create this meaningful project and where he hopes it goes.

“My inspiration for starting this project is rooted in the global awareness I gained from having taken Emerging Questions last semester, which is a course offered through the Honors Program,” Rotondo said. “I specifically took the Global

Engagement and Service course taught by professor Julie Mughal, and my experience in her class enabled me to experience a transformation in myself.”

He continued on describing how he saw the relevance between the class he took and the values of the university.

“Not only this, but I also became able to understand the importance of Jesuit education — specifically in the context of our mission that fosters being people for others,” said Rotondo Rotondo felt extremely inspired by this particular course with Mughal and continued to expand his knowledge and interest in the global refugee crisis through his courses this semester as well.

“This semester, I am taking another class taught by professor Mughal, as well as a different course by professor Christopher Madden, and the course topic, Finding Answers, is specifically concentrated on finding answers about the growing refugee crisis”.

In the course taught by professor Madden, Rotondo felt particularly inspired through the first assignment of the class.

They were assigned to read Alan Gratz’s book “Refugee” which allowed Rotondo to look into the narratives of three separate refugees.

After reading this, he came away with the key concept that while there has been a lot of progress made, the refugee crisis is an issue that still remains and continues to grow.

All of this information that has inspired Rotondo aided him in the

decision to create “Recycling for Refugees” with the help of both professor Julie Mughal and Professor Christopher Madden, as well as a partnership with the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

Rotondo has ambitious goals that he hopes to achieve with the recent approval of his project.

“Some goals I have for this project are that we receive lots of donations from our community, our team works interdependently with one another in a collective effort, and that each member of our future team will be committed with their hearts to perform their tasks,” he said.

There are some big things ahead for Rotondo and his “Recycling for Refugees” project.

With the Jesuit education given at Fairfield, Rotondo hopes that he instills critical, as well as compassionate thinking through this new endeavor.

He hopes “Recycling for Refugees” will provide an exciting, new opportunity for Fairfield University and its students to give back.

Rotondo said he “plans on building a team of members in our Fairfield community” and more information will be coming soon on how to get involved.

“I look forward to working with everyone who is going to be involved,” Rotondo said. “I think that the event of bringing our team together is going to be a memorable experience for each and every one of us.”

FUSA Looks to Make Menstrual Products More Accessible CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

were already on campus were restocked, and by that summer, dispensers were placed in bathrooms in newer buildings like the Dolan School of Business and the Egan School of Nursing. Though this is just the beginning of FUSA’s menstrual product initiative.

FUSA Vice President-Elect Cailyn Fiori ‘22 stated, “Now that the dispensers have been stocked, our next step is to seek to improve the quality of the products in the dispensers.”

Free the Tampons was founded

by Nancy Kramer in 2013 and works to advance restroom equality. The company defines restroom equality as, “The state of restrooms being equal and freely offering all of the necessities.” The organization believes tampons and sanitary pads are not luxury items or amenities; they are necessities and should be considered just as important as the stocking of toilet paper and hand soap.

In a study of 18 to 54-year-old women, conducted by Free the Tampons, 86 percent said they have started their period unexpectedly in public without the supplies they needed. 79 percent of those women said they have improvised with toilet paper to create a makeshift pad or tampon, and in their experience only eight percent of

women said dispensers in public restrooms work every time.

Due to the pandemic, people are stocking up on toiletries and relying on unemployment insurance to buy their household necessities. Furthermore, hygiene products are not covered with food stamps or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as the WIC. Heffern acknowledged this, “We also realize that cost can be a barrier for some students and so we have advocated for free menstrual hygiene products, an initiative that was started many years ago, and that continues today.”

So far, the only sort of pushback from administration has been associated with the cost of the project.

Heffern stated that, “As FUSA President and Vice President, [Fiori] and I will prioritize working with the administration to improve the quality of the products in dispensers and, if needed, work to acquire new dispensers that can hold these improved products.”

Part of FUSA’s initiative is working to get rid of the current cardboard applicators and replace them with better quality plastic applicator products.

Heffern also mentioned menstru-

al products have been made available on Fairfield’s campus in common areas like the John A. Barone Campus Center and DiMenna-Nyselius Library as well as most academic buildings. However, he would like to see dispensers implemented in residence halls as well.

Brown University’s student government began a pilot program, providing free menstrual products in all bathrooms (women’s, men’s, and gender neutral) in 2016.

The president of Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS) Viet Nguyen, and six other student government representatives snuck through their campus at midnight to secretly fill bathrooms across campus with hygiene products. Since then, the UCS has tasked itself with replenishing the campus stock once a week, allocating funds in their budget to do so. Many universities have followed suit.

If you are interested in learning more about this initiative or have any questions, concerns or suggestions, students can email fusa@fairfield.edu. Students are also welcome to drop a comment in the FUSA Comment Drop Box. Fiori said students can also come talk to them whenever they want; they are open to hearing students’ opinions and aim to be inclusive of all voices.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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Fairfield Female Trailblazers Honored During Celebrations and Events CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

succeed at Fairfield and donates funds to support the vital missions of WLC each year.

Fairfield University was originally founded by the Society of Jesus as The Fairfield University of St. Bellarmine on March 17, 1942. It began its institutional life as an all-boys prep school. On Nov. 6, 1968 it was formally decided that Fairfield University would become a coeducational institution.

The 70s offered many firsts for women at Fairfield.

The first class of 234 female undergraduates was admitted to Fairfield University in September 1970, and women’s intramural sports were introduced one month later. Fairfield introduced its first female Editor-in-Chief of the Manor yearbook in 1972. The first female security guard, the first woman president of the student legislature and the first woman student to earn the St. Ignatius Loyola Medal were also featured in this decade.

Women at Fairfield continue to trailblaze. The first female president of the Fairfield University Student Association was Karen Donoghue ‘03. Since then, there have been five women to serve in this position. FUSA held an event in the Spring of 2020 to celebrate these individuals and discuss lifting women up within the university community.

In February, Cailyn Fiori ‘22 was elected to be Fair-

field University Student Association Vice President for the 2021-2022 academic year. Fiori has been heavily involved with campus life at Fairfield as a Senior New Student Leader, Class of 2022 FUSA Programmer, Tour Ambassador, among other leadership roles.

She recognizes the importance of National Women’s Month and the 50th anniversary of women at Fairfield, as her predecessors have paved the way for her own accomplishments.

“National Women’s Month has always been a time for me when I look to powerful women that have come before me for inspiration,” Fiori said. “It feels all the more special this year as it is the 50th anniversary of women at Fairfield.”

She said she feels “inspired, challenged, and ultimately grateful” for her predecessor. As Vice President, she hopes to “make all women at Fairfield feel as though [she] can be someone who will work to represent the many brilliant voices and ideas that we have as women at this institution.”

Fiori is no stranger to the hardships that come with being a strong, determined female leader.

“Being a woman that has continuously sought out leadership positions in many aspects of my life, I have come to understand the challenge of being both a leader

and a woman,” Fiori said. “Often, there are times when I may need to speak louder or work harder than a man in my position, to simply hold the attention of a room.”

Female trailblazers for the past 50 years have paved the way for leaders like Fiori and others. Today and everyday we honor the women who have shaped the Fairfield community and hope they will continue to ignite change.

@internationalwomensday_global Instagram

This year’s International Women’s Month is falling in the same year as the 50th Anniversary of Women at Fairfield.

Fairfield is hosting several events to celebrate both.

EV Looks to Change Discussion Surrounding Sexual Violence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Fairfield’s Counseling and Psychological Services. “[Every Voice Fairfield’s] Vice Campus Lead Christina Carucci ‘23 has been getting in touch with counseling and psychological services in order to set up meetings where students on campus can share their stories and talk about what can be done to help them,” Drake said.

The group plans on hosting a virtual “coffeehouse” session where students can have an outlet to share their stories and discuss what Fairfield can do to better improve

their response regarding sexual violence on campus.

Drake believes that as a student-run organization they can work closely with students and gain a larger response in promoting awareness of sexual violence. Along with raising awareness, the group strives to improve and change the practices that have become normalized not only at Fairfield but across college campuses of how they respond to sexual violence.

The FUSA Senate echoed a similar sentiment stating

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“we hope this resolution will emphasize, both at Fairfield University and in the state of [Conn.], the importance of being people for others and assessing policies to better support victims of sexual assault.”

Editor’s Note: Kaitlyn Drake is a staff writer for The Mirror within our Opinion Section.

Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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Residence Life Minimizes Student Stress of Housing Lottery

By Kaitlyn Drake Staff Writer

During one of the most stressful parts of the semester, Fairfield University students have an added stress to deal with: housing assignments for next year. Though I am a resident assistant, I know just how stressful the trials and tribulations of the housing situation are for both my friends and my residents. Especially for residents looking for gender-neutral housing next semester, looking for housing has been rough. Now moving out of McCormick Hall’s fourth floor, an official gender neutral residency, some sophomores have expressed concern over who they can live with next semester. However, things seem to be looking up for them as they speak with the Office of Residence Life, who has been working tirelessly to make the housing lottery a lot less stressful this time around.

From the perspective of rising juniors and seniors, finding a roommate has been a lot easier than it was last year. Most have assembled a group early on that they planned to live with, but some need extra roommates. Out of curiosity, I went on the Housing Directory, the program used for housing by the Office of Residence Life, and decided to find out how it worked for myself. I found that, had I needed a roommate, it would have been easy for me to find people with similar interests and schedules through this system. Coupled with the function to message students, the entire process seems to be straightforward and easy. Those who I have spoken with on campus also give the Housing Directory shining reviews for the ease of navigation.

Other than the Housing Directory, a Google Sheet has been emailed to all of the students who are looking for roommates for next semester. The Google Sheet does what the Housing Directory fails to do: it gives a list of people who are actively seeking roommates. The Housing Directory shows everyone who meets your requirements whether or not they have a roommate - in fact, I can search for myself and find that someone could request me as a roommate if they did not know my position. This is not the Housing Directory’s fault, though since no one has been assigned to rooms, it is impossible for the Creative Commons/ Newman Architects system to know who has plans

to room with who. This is where the Google Sheet comes in and allows for more insight into roommate selection. I think this is a genius plan that benefits everyone, especially those who are looking for an even number of roommates that just need one more person.

Personally, I remember last semester’s housing situation to be anxiety provoking for my friends. I had sprung the fact that I applied to be an RA about a week or two after we had established our plans to live together. By some stroke of luck, I got the job, leaving them to be forced to go random for their last roommate. Fortunately, this turned out well for them, but the housing lottery is so close to RA decision time that the potential roommates of those who are accepted do not have time to find anyone new. This new system, though, has made it a lot easier and more comforting for most students who are waiting for RA decision letters, for their friends.

From first year students, I have heard that COVID-19 has made it harder for them to make a lot of friends. In my first year, I remember everyone on the first and second floors of my buildings being connected to each other through Living and Creative Commons/ Fairfield University Learning Communities. This year, I have seen that community in some respects, but when speaking to some residents, it becomes evident that the community that was present in my first year did not carry over. We cannot blame anything but the pandemic for this: RAs are trying their best to put on engaging programs and remain in contact with their residents all while balancing their own studies and extra curriculars, and residents are trying to get involved as much as they can even though there are only a few events that are taking place off of Zoom. Though many restrictions have been lifted this semester, a lot of groups have already been established, and first year students are having a hard time being as connected as I was, even as the most introverted of my friends.

Although picking housing can be stressful, the overall system is well-established and there to support you. There have already been massive improvements from last time, so as time goes on, I think that the roommate selection process will continue to get easier.

Measures Need to be Taken Towards Menstrual Hygiene Products

By Carmen Phan Contributing Writer

Imagine you are a 12-year old girl living in a remote village in India, and someone gives you a bright colorful box. You open it and take out one of the white objects.

You notice it’s oblong shape and lift up the strip of paper on the back to reveal a sticky side. What is it? The person tells you it's a pad, yet you have never heard that word before. According to an article by NDTV, this is the reality for 23 million girls in India every year who are forced to drop out of school because they do not have access to this simple sanitary pad. It is a human right for those who menstruate to manage their periods in a healthy and dignified way. Implementing education on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and addressing taboos surrounding menstruation would help girls in India continue their education. In addition, investing in solutions from local communities would provide people who menstruate with affordable materials to empower them to live a healthy and productive life.

Comprehensive education on menstruation and MHM needs to be implemented in schools and communities for both girls and boys of puberty age to build awareness and make progress towards gender equality. Menstruation, or having a period, is a natural bodily process of vaginal bleeding that happens as part of the menstrual cycle that girls, women, transgender and non-binary people (menstruators) experience. According to the 2014 “Spot On!” report by the non-governmental organization (NGO), found in the same NDTV article, since 71% of adolescent girls in India remained unaware of menstruation until their first period, education would help to reduce their fears and confusion.

While menstruation is a natural function of the body, the lack of awareness means menstruators are ostracized.

For example, in the documentary, “Period. End of Sentence.”, which explores the stigma around menstruation in

Rural women are taught how to make the pads usa rural village of the Hapur district, India, one of the young men explains he heard menstruation is “ a type of illness ing the machines. They also host demonstrations and sell that mainly affects women.” This conveys the ignorance and pads. This solution enables women to make money while lack of education on these topics. Some of this is due to the also managing their menstrual cycles in a safe and hygienic cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. When a person way. Similar practices of employing women to make afin the family is menstruating, they are not allowed to be in fordable yet high quality sanitary pads occur in the slums the temple because they are considered to be ‘dirty.’ In the of Mumbai, India through the Myna Mahila Foundation. documentary, some girls shared that elders tell them “your Furthermore, improving access facilities that prioritize waprayer isn’t heard no matter how much you pray.” That is ter access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices would empower menstruators to have dignity when heartbreaking and shatters the fragile confidence of a girl that is becoming a young woman.

Moreover, change starts at home with open dialogues about menstruation in families to foster the support needed for menstruators. By educating mothers, they can help educate their daughters and reduce the shame and stigma around menstruation. Educating females on their menstrual cycles can aid them in making informed decisions about sexual and reproductive health in the future. This relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: gender equality which aims to empower women and girls.

Investments for menstrual products and proper facilities have to be increased to improve menstruators’ health and futures.

One local solution highlighted in Creative Commons/ TAJ Foundation the documentary is Arunachalam Girls pose with products given by WE Project Women`s Empowerment Program.

Muruganantham’s machine that makes low-cost sanitary pads. He was inspired after learn- they menstruate. Specifically, having toilets that ensure priing his wife used old rags because she couldn’t afford sani- vacy, water and soap for hand washing, and containers for tary napkins. According to a NDTV article by Aishwarya proper disposal of used materials are needed. These would Upadhyay, this is a common dilemma as only 36% of In- make progress towards SDG 6.2 which aims to improve sandia's menstruating females use sanitary napkins. Others itation while focusing on the needs of females and those in resort to using old vulnerable situations. With the proper resources, those who cloths, leaves, mud menstruate can continue their education and work.

While some say that sanitary pads are not the soluand other unsuitable materials to tion to helping menstruators manage their periods, the manage their flow. other alternatives are not as effective to those living in rural According to the areas. While commercial disposable pads contain signifisame NDTV ar- cant amounts of plastic, the pads that those in rural areas ticle, these mate- make are biodegradable and don’t use plastic. Additionally, rials can contain menstrual cups and reusable cloth pads are not feasible for bacteria that can menstruators of rural areas because they do not have access lead to contracting to hot water to wash them. They also need to be dried in cervical cancer, and direct sunlight because when a damp cloth is reused, it can infections of the cause infections. Even though the pandemic seems to halt reproductive and our daily activities, those who menstruate still have to manurinary tract. These age their periods. We need to support local solutions that infections can be provide those who menstruate with sanitary pads because it prevented by using will help improve the health, education and earning potential of millions of girls in India. sanitary pads.

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THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

Opinion

Religion Would Withstand Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life

By Tomas Di Leo Contributing Writer “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”, these words uttered by Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969 have solidified themselves in human history. Once man placed his breath upon the embers of this phrase, a metaphorical flame was born. No longer is our species tied to the Earth by means of roots and rock. Rather, as a caterpillar molts into a butterfly, we leapt from the comfort of our homes into the infinite abyss of the cosmos. While the roots that allowed this dream to grow sprouted from the hate and greed of Cold War competition, they gave us an opportunity. An opportunity to go beyond our perennial habitation of Earth and indulge our wildest extraterrestrial fantasies.

The arrival of the Perseverance rover on the dunes of Mars, once again places us on the cusp of greatness. With the advent of advancing technology, we are now able to use this newly constructed instrument to explore the possibility that life is or was present on Mars. Hypothetically speaking, if we assume that Perseverance finds evidence of extraterrestrial entities then life will forever be changed. We no longer voyage through boundless darkness alone. While this event will question and reshape many theories Creative Commons/ Wikimedia Commons that came before its arrival, I would like to focus on the dilemma that will face religion if this event comes to pass. With the majority of religious belief systems across the globe being egocentrically centered upon humans, how will these ideologies possibly survive in the wake of extraterrestrial life?

To the unread person it may seem that this discovery would deal a devastating blow to the institutions of religion. Some would argue that since many religions are so centrally focused on human beings and their nature, the discovery of life outside of our plant would confound religious text and thought. This argument does have some merit; human interpretations of the divine word have naturally been focused on humanity. With no one else on Earth capable of understanding, interpreting and living the Word of God, it

is natural that we would focus the complete attention of religion onto ourselves. But what this argument fails to account for is the omnipotence and infinite wisdom of God. Many religious people hail God as the creator and call upon him as Father and Lord. They wrestle with the understanding that human knowledge is fallible and finite, while praising the Lord, for his knowledge is infallible and infinite. They accept within themselves that they know nothing, while God is aware of everything. He is infinitely close yet far from our reach. Within all of creation lies his infinite wisdom; He sculpts the mountains, fills the oceans, flattens the plains, forms the plants and breathes life into the cosmos.

So, after these descriptions I pose a counter question: How can a being like God truly not be aware of life outside of Earth?

There’s an important distinction to make when speculating about the death of religion: It is not God who is unaware, but his subjects. Considering that some believe that all of existence was forged upon God’s anvil, it’s safe to assume that he is aware of everything in the known universe. It is humanity that has erred, not religion. Anyone who is truly religious will understand this as simple fact and will be unbothered by developments brought by perseverance. Instead, religion will simply adapt to the new circumstance. Surely it will take time for religion to grasp and philosophically tackle this new dilemma, but in time it will adjust.

Additionally, this is not the first time that scientific evidence has questioned the constitutions of religious belief. Think back to when the evolutionary model was first presented. We can only imagine the great trouble that this brought upon the religious institutions of the time. However, religion held fast and adapted to the new circumstances.

Science and religion, however different they may be, can both be appreciated equally without one jeopardizing the survival of the other. Science seeks to explain that religion worships God's creations. In Islam, people are prompted by the Qur’an to discover and study the natural world because all creation reflects its creator. And by attempting to understand what God has created, it leaves a person in awe of the infinite wisdom it must have taken to create such complex designs. As such, in certain religions views, the study of the natural world is seen as another tool to appreciate God. The advancement of human understanding should not be seen as the axe that will cut the roots of religion; instead, let it serve as another path for devout people to appreciate their creators.

Rebranding of Mr. Potato Head is Not Beneficial to Children of Today

By Catherine Howley Contributing Writer The iconic Hasbro’s children’s toy, Mr. Potato Head, is now going gender neutral. This past February, it was decided that Mr. Potato Head would no longer have the title “Mr.” and will now go by “Potato Head,” according to a story from ABC News. The infamous Mr. Potato Head has been around since 1952, a time in which non-binary gender identity was not heavily discussed. Today, there is much more dialogue surrounding the topic of non-binary gender identity. However, the change of name of this children’s toy has stirred up a bit of controversy itself, with some consumers, including myself, being upset that the toy they grew up calling “Mr. Potato Head'' will now just be “Potato Head.”

Mr. Potato has been a fan-favorite of children for many many years. Growing up, Mr. Potato Head was one of my all-time favorite toys, so I was a bit sad to hear the news of the rebranding of this product. However, this revamping of the name that will start to be seen this Fall will be an immense change for consumers. It is very understandable as to why Hasbro has made this decision, as our country is continuing to make strides towards gender inclusion for all. With that in mind, I do not think Hasbro had to go as far as to change the entire rebranding of the product. I believe that there were many alternatives Hasbro could have made in order to avoid a rebranding of the product.

The adaptation to shifting to cultural cues is something that many toy companies have been doing for numerous years. Hasbro’s rebranding is one way the company is adapting to our society’s everchanging cultural cues. This rebranding and new addition of a non-binary potato head will offer kids an opportunity see toys as toys, rather than as binary male and female toys. In an article from CNN Business it was stated that Hasbro believes this new implementation will encourage children to be their authentic selves by going beyond the traditional norms of gender. While the name of the physical toy will be changing, the box for the packaging of the toy will still display Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head’s names in remembrance.

When I would play with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head as a child, I

always found that I was given much freedom to decorate and dress the potato heads. Thinking back on this made me question why Hasbro may have thought their product was not up to date on today’s cultural cues. Unlike many other childrens’ toys, such as Barbies, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head were much more open-ended for children, allowing them to express the characters however they pleased. With all of this in mind, this led me to believe that maybe Hasbro was receiving some pressures in regards to the name of the product. This would make much sense, as the name is “Mr. Potato Head,” making it specific to the male gender. However, I personally do not see an issue with the name.

The name does not dictate who is and who is not able to use the product, nor does it distinguish in any way that the toy is strictly for males only. As I mentioned earlier, growing up as a young girl I would play with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head all the time. To my recollection, I never once questioned the acceptance behind the product due to its name.

Despite my disagreement towards the change of name to this renowned toy, I did find that the rebranding of Mr. Potato Head was a well-intentioned decision made by Hasbro. I think it was great that Hasbro did not choose to completely remodel the original Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, as that very well could have been an option they were considering. I do not necessarily think the addition of a non-binary potato head baby was necessary to implement, as most children playing with the Mr. Potato Head products are very likely to not even be familiar with the terms binary and non-binary. This could stir some confusion in children’s minds to be playing with a non-binary toy.

Due to the young age of the children who typically play with Mr. Potato Head, the introduction of a non-binary potato head will most likely prompt the child to ask questions in regards to what nonbinary is and means. While this will be a form of exposure to our society’s gender cues, I feel as though children will not still have a firm understanding of what it means to be non-binary because of how young they are. As a twenty year old myself, I still find that I do not have a full understanding of our society’s gender norms and cues, and could only imagine how much more difficult it would be for young children to

try and formulate an understanding and meaning of this terminology.

With the cultural and gender cues alive in our society today, many brands, companies, and organizations strive to keep up with those norms and cues in order to remain alive. Companies such as Hasbro want to continue to be a company in which consumers continue to buy their products. The goal of this rebranding could have been Hasbro’s way of being more accepting, but also could have been their way of their company and products being more accepted by consumers. Whatever the reasoning may have been behind Hasbro’s rebranding, I do believe the decision was well-intentioned. It will be sad for me, and many others, going forward and no longer seeing “Mr. Potato Head’s” name on boxes. Many people are already in a bit of an uproar about this rebranding, so it will be very interesting to see how the public reacts once the name is officially changed this upcoming fall.

Creative Commons/ The New York Times

From Disney Heroines to Black Superman: Growing Representation in Media Matters

By Pedro Garcia Contributing Writer

Growing up, almost everyone is shaped in some way by the icons that exist within the pop culture of their time. Whether it be a princess or a superhero — we play with their toys, we buy their backpacks and lunchboxes, we dress up as them for Halloween and even for the briefest moments, we try to see ourselves as them. Regardless of the fiction or the make-believe, the characters that we grow up with mold us into who we are and what we value as important. For many kids, it’s where they first start learning about things like love, responsibility, helping one another and standing up for what is right.

Over time, however, the context around these ideas evolve. Real-world events, changing social norms, the journey towards a just and equitable society — all have brought more and more complexities to the messages that these stories of old would convey. And with the changes in the messages, comes changes in the fictional characters as well. As someone who was born in the early 2000s, it is staggering to see in retrospect just how much these cultural icons have changed within the span of just the past few years.

What were once stories of damsels in distress have blossomed into action-packed female-led adventures. What were once collections of white heroes have transformed into entire universes of diverse characters. The difference between a Creative Commons/ Comic Years Cinderella and a Batman, to a Moana

and a Black Panther.

While this may not mean much to the casual consumer, for an inspired young generation striving for change, this recent surge in representation means more than just new posters on the wall. Whether it be brand new original characters, or “remixed” interpretations of the classics, the push for diversity in movies is real — and it has only just begun.

Like with most things, the movement towards representation is not without its critics. The most recent example of this is the discourse over a recent report from Deadline, which details a brand new Superman movie in the works that is being written by an author by the name of TaNehisi Coates. With Coates’ previous work being focused on sociopolitical issues regarding African Americans and white supremacy, as well as rumors of Michael B. Jackson (“Creed,” “Black Panther”) being sought out for the role, the implication is that this new feature film will introduce the first-ever Black Superman to the big screen.

Despite the bold change, there has also been a fair amount of backlash to the announcement. Mirroring a similar response that Disney received when they announced a Little Mermaid movie starring Black actress Halle Bailey, many fans of the character have come out in opposition to the idea of a race-swapped version of the character. Most of the support behind this conflict comes from the idea that Superman’s white, Middle-American farmboy identity is crucial to the ethos of the character —something that would likely change if they chose to adapt it to a more modern setting.

That being said, it is vital to take the purpose of these characters into account. While some people have grown attached to the look and identity of specific icons, it is important to realize that in essence, these characters are vessels for compelling stories. The same way people have grown to love and look up to the classic version of Superman, a brand new generation of children will be able to witness the story of a modernized Black Superman (and all the themes and messages that may come with it.

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THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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By Tatiana Ryan Contributing Writer International Women’s Month is upon us once again, which means there is no better time to celebrate the mark female artists have left on music. And what better way to honor these singers than to do so with a list of some of the best albums made by women? Ranging from impeccable songwriting to heart-stopping vocals, here is a compiled list of seven of the best female albums made!

“Back the Black” by Amy Winehouse: The seminal album “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse was as bold and influential as an album can be. Released in 2006 by Winehouse, a relatively new artist from England at the time, with her immediately identifiable voice and unapologetic demeanor, “Back to Black” went on to become a universal album filled with heartache, grief and drugs. Winehouse was nominated for six Grammys at the 50th Grammy Awards and won five of them, including Song and Record of the Year for the Mark Ronsonproduced lead single, “Rehab.” The album as a whole is embedded with several expressions of Winehouse’s dark and dangerous lifestyle and her own infidelity affecting her relationships, as told in “You Know I’m No Good” and “Rehab.” These themes of Winehouse’s struggles with her brazen existence occasionally turn into complete honesty over her own loneliness and loss, as told in the album’s raw ballad, “Love Is a Losing Game.”

“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” by Lauryn Hill: In 1998, singer and rapper Lauryn Hill released her debut album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” After discovering she was pregnant, Hill left touring with her band and found herself in a creative supernova, which resulted in her writing this album. “Miseducation” stands as a neo-soul album with hip-hop and R&B roots featuring Hill’s ability to move between rapping and singing effortlessly. The album contains elements of God and motherhood, love and heartbreak, liberation and career. From the heartbreak-driven duet with Mary J. Blidge on “I Used to Love Him” to the sympathy over resentment on “Forgive Them Father,” Hill stands tall on top of the soulful mountain she created in 16 tracks. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” is renowned as one of the best albums of all time and the only solo studio album Lauryn Hill ever made.

“21” by Adele: If there is any album that dominated the early 2010s the most, Adele’s “21” stands front-and-center. The soulful pop sophomore album from the British singer-songwriter topped just about every international music chart there is. Recorded in the aftermath of a horrible breakup, 21-year-old Adele Adkins created a work of art so time-

By Brooke Lathe Vine Editor Slip on your best pair of walking shoes and grab your wallet; we’re going into town!

Only seven minutes away from campus and the second stop on our Stag bus route, Post Road is filled with some of the most mouthwatering restaurants I’ve ever visited. From raw fish to homemade fresh pasta, here are my top picks for venue recommendations and my personal favorite meals that I highly encourage you to try!

Pokemoto: Calling all sushi lovers, if you have never heard of a poke bowl before, you need to try this!

Poke is basically deconstructed sashimi but in your choice of a bowl or burrito. This amazing location provides you with the absolute freshest choice of ingredients, including mix-ins, sauces and toppings. With each bite of salmon, clump of rice or crisp vegetable, I’m always rushing to throw my entire wallet at them. But, while you would think such a filling and tasty meal would cost a fortune, in reality, Pokemoto provides customers with reasonable and affordable prices.

These bowls range from $12-$15 depending on

less and profound that it is renowned as one of the greatest albums ever made. Adele won six Grammys at the 54th Grammy Awards for “21,” most notably for Song, Record and Album of the Year. “21” extended the Motown style prevalent in her debut album “19” but embraced Southern blues and folk combined with her heart-wrenching lyrics and once-in-a-lifetime voice. “21” is an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. One minute listening to the confident, revenge anthem called “Rolling in the Deep” to the next minute hearing the tragic piano ballad that is “Someone Like You.” Between the gossip-filled friends on Rumour Has It to the show-stopping vulnerability of “Take It All,” “21” continues to earn its place in the lives of listeners everywhere.

“1989” by Taylor Swift: Anybody who is a fan of Taylor Swift has their own opinion on which of her albums is her best. A case can be made for every one of them, but it’s impossible to look over how “1989” redefined not only pop music itself but Swift’s entire musical direction.

“1989” came at the climax of Swift’s career, as she had been slowly slipping away from outright country into pop music. “1989” was her first official pop album and served as a new start for Swift, who had cut her hair, moved to New York and found happiness in a world where she was not in love. Beginning with the release of “Shake It Off ” in August of 2014, the album was perfectly set-up for a new sound of pop music.

From the satire and sarcasm of “Blank Space,” the perfect pop masterpiece of “Style” and the feud-instilled anthem of “Bad Blood,” Swift created some of the most formative pop hits of the 2010s. She received ten nominations at the 57th and 58th Grammy Awards for “1989,” including her second win for Album of the Year, which made her the first woman ever to win this award twice.

“Jagged Little Pill” by Alanis Morissette: The pop-punk, smash hit album from 1995, “Jagged Little Pill,” showed the departure of Alanis Morissette’s dance-pop sound from her two previous albums to a new alternative-rock masterpiece. “Jagged Little Pill” was renowned at the time for its unabashed, unapologetic anger and hurt from Morissette after her failed relationship. The album won four Grammys in 1996, including Album of the Year, and even resulted in a Broadway musical based on the album being made in 2018 and resulted in 15 Tony Awards nominations. “Jagged Little Pill” goes from the life-lessons and fullest potential of “You Learn” to the unfortunate irony of situations on “Ironic.” Morissette’s upfront, unashamed persona echoes through in the confrontational angst on “All I Really Want” to the understandable acceptance of “Hand in My Pocket.” “Jagged Little Pill” remains

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the epitome of boldness and post-grunge aggression told through the distinctive rasp of Alanis Morissette’s iconic voice.

“Lemonade” by Beyonce: In the Spring of 2016, Beyonce Knowles released her sixth studio album, “Lemonade.” “Lemonade” deals with the feelings and aching surrounding her husband’s known infidelity in a racial and cultural context. Beyonce, who was beloved for her empowering hits and killer vocals, presented unbelievable vulnerability within the tracks of “Lemonade.” This concept album consists of Beyonce’s emotional journey from frustration to sadness to forgiveness that made it a universal connection to all who heard it. “Lemonade” went on to debut at the top of the Billboard 200, win two Grammys and is critically acclaimed as the best album of Beyonce’s career as it is featured on many ‘best albums of all time’ lists. The opening track, “Pray You Catch Me,” begins the album with such a raw, emotional expression of suspicion over her husband’s infidelity and lets the listener know just exactly what she was feeling while singing, “Pray to catch you whispering/I pray you catch me listening.” “Lemonade” also consists of effortless transitions between genres from the country-bluegrass sound of “Daddy Lessons” to the empowering, hip-hop anthem of “Freedom” feat. Kendrick Lamar. “Lemonade” made its mark as a formidable concept album from one of the world’s greatest superstars.

“Tapestry” by Carole King: The 1971 singer-songwriter classic “Tapestry” by Carole King remains one of the most prolific, honest albums of all time. With this album, King made a name for herself with her unfettered truthfulness in her own self-discovery. “Tapestry” won four Grammys in 1972, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year “You’ve Got A Friend” and Record of the Year “It’s Too Late.” Her songs “So Far Away” and “Where You Lead” (what many know as Gilmore Girls’ theme song) emphasize a soulful simplicity. From the confident love song “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman” that King wrote for Aretha Franklin, to the life-long journey depicted in the title track “Tapestry,” the album as a whole remains a perfect deliverance of escapism and simple truths that are understood by all.

Spend this International Women’s Month celebrating your favorite things made by women, whether that be films, works of art, books or even more of your personal favorite female music artists.

Take this time and opportunity to expand your horizons and honor the women in your life who make things better!

holds a special place in my heart and will stay on my list of recommendations for quite a while.

Menu Pick - Pepperoni and mushroom pizza Molto: While I would usually suggest a clam and linguine dinner from any Italian restaurant, I visited Molto recently with my boyfriend, thus I come bearing a myriad of menu recommendations.

There have been a few occasions where I have ordered the manzo sandwich or a chicken parmesan grinder, but on Valentine’s day, I tried my boyfriend’s penne alla vodka meal. Let’s just say I had to refrain from shoving an entire forkful of his dinner in my face.

There was an overwhelming amount of spices and herbs that truly made this dish so tasty, and the sauce was just overall to die for.

Additionally, the price of the meal was surprisingly sensible and affordable for a decent-sized portion. We also shared their mozzarella appetizer, which was the perfect mix of salty and savory. It was crunchy, filling and definitely worth disregarding my lactose intolerant issues.

Menu pick - Clams and Linguine or Penne alla Vodka Old Post Tavern: During the pandemic, if I were to go out to eat, it was super important to me to have an outdoor seating area. Luckily, Old Post Tavern had one of the most beautiful scenic settings. Each time I went there, I got to enjoy the calming view and fast service. I’ve ordered everything from their salads to clam chowder and pasta. Every meal was so fresh and delicious; I kept eating even when I was beyond full. Additionally, the prices here are very reasonable since you can order a ‘half ’ meal and still leave 100 percent satisfied.

Menu pick - Farfalle and grilled chicken pasta So far, these are my all-time Post Road favorites, but I still have yet to visit every restaurant on this main street. If the same thing applies to you, I hope you take my recommendations into consideration and indulge yourself at any of these tasty dine-ins the next time Photo Courtesy of @pizzeriamolto Instagram you go into town!

the amount of protein, avocado or caviar you add to your meal. Usually, whenever I visit a sushi restaurant, a single roll would come to the same amount, so I was over the moon excited to learn the cost of this delicious meal upon my first visit.

Menu pick - Poke bowl with sushi rice, salmon, edamame, cucumbers, spicy mayo, avocado and seaweed salad.

Colony Grill: If you’re a Fairfield resident, there’s no doubt that you already know about Colony. This pizza joint is one of the town's most popular places to order some greasy pies and hang out with friends. The thin crust, friendly staff and social atmosphere make this pub a must dinein experience. On my first night in town as a Fairfield University student, I chose here to eat. I split a generous-sized pepperoni pizza with a friend and went back to campus later that night with a full stomach and a grin from ear to ear. This unforgettable night at Colony

Clams and linguine served by Molto.

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THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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By Tyler Zikias Film Columinst The first week-by-week series on Disney+ for Marvel Studios has made quite a bit of noise the past few weeks.

It seems like, with every episode, the hype around “WandaVision'' has grown so much that the creator and director of the series thought fans would be disappointed by the finale because of rampant speculation and theories. There’s no doubt that “WandaVision'' has won over fans everywhere, but my relationship with the show is a little more complicated than that.

I started it off absolutely loving “WandaVision.” The first two episodes that heavily leaned into the tropes of 1950s and 60s television were a complete delight and strange to the point that I thought this was a big swing for Marvel. I really thought that this would be taken in a unique direction down the line. Unfortunately for me, I thought every following episode started to steer into safe Marvel territory. Ideas were introduced episode-to-episode that screamed big implications for the story but were ultimately never explored. Now, after the finale, I can finally form an opinion on the series as a whole after not being entirely sold on it. “WandaVision” is a pretty solid Marvel fare but could have been something far more special.

My favorite parts of “WandaVision” are when it takes bold risks outside the normal Marvel movie standard. Marvel characters running around in black and white with a laugh track in an “I Love Lucy” style sitcom? I was sold from minute one because it is something different. The final moments of episode three were also a highlight because it felt like the show was embracing how wild its concept could be. These types of big swings are what Marvel desperately needs to avoid becoming stale in the near future. The decade hopping sitcoms from episode to episode was fun and well-executed. It was definitely an odd choice but is revealed to serve a purpose later in the story and connects the dots very well.

The real stars of the show are Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany as Wanda and Vision, respectively. They’re the pair that makes this story’s core themes, loss and grief come through to the surface. Their chemistry carries the show through the first two or three episodes that some may not have liked due to lack of a clear narrative. It is safe to say that any time these two are

on screen, it is absolute fireworks, Olsen especially. Episodes eight and nine dig deep into Wanda’s past and psyche, which allows Olsen to shine in some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most powerful emotional moments. In terms of exploring a character’s headspace, I love what Marvel has chosen to do with Wanda in this series and for the future.

My first issue with “WandaVision” is my general issue with Marvel as a whole now. The way I can describe this problem with the state of the franchise is its somehow ambiguous predictability. The best example I can use to describe this phenomenon is “Avengers Endgame,” where every fan in the world predicted how the film would play out.

While I liked the movie, I left the theater thinking, “there is quite literally no other way for this story to have concluded.”

“WandaVision” struggles in a similar way. The first three episodes threw me for a loop since I thought I knew where the story was going, but once I watched episode four, all of my suspicions and ideas were confirmed. Lo and behold, aside from a few minor details that weren’t big players in the overall narrative, I was pretty much on the money.

This dampened my viewing experience because this show treads a lot of water at times. Episodes six and seven especially did not do a lot for me in terms of progressing the plot and character, but knowing what direction the story is going does not help the intrigue of these slower episodes.

That being said, some episodes just didn’t do it for me in terms of progressing story and character, namely episodes 6 and 7. There is a lot mentioned and set up in these episodes that either is not resolved or explained in horrible ways.

One character especially that screamed the loudest and bore the most interesting implications for the MCU was completely wasted in the final episode. There are also other characters mentioned throughout the series by side characters that never appear. I’ve seen many excuses for this series in this regard by saying it is just set up for the future of the MCU, but the story at hand should always be most important.

“WandaVision” has a strong emotional core and powerful themes that I wish weren’t bogged down by seemingly unimportant material.

“WandaVision” was a show that I was looking forward to,

Photo Courtesy of @marvel.com

and it was definitely a solid entry to the ever-growing MCU. Despite its shortcomings in a strong, consistent narrative, the series makes up for its strong core themes and knockout performances. I expected a little more when it came to bigger swings and bolder choices, but “WandaVision” connects more than it doesn’t and is definitely worth your time if you’re a Marvel fan. Also, Kathryn Hahn is a rockstar and deserves roles in everything.

Grade: B

By Olivia Burke Contributing Writer Due to the pandemic that we have been coping with for around a year now, we students have been forced to sacrifice our spring break to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19. With this virus still wreaking havoc on our safety, social lives, schooling and countless other things, including this break that we have looked forward to every year, I thought we could lighten the mood by reminiscing on less socially-distanced times.

Spring break is normally a time when students can enjoy a time of rest and relaxation away from their schoolwork, and maybe go on vacation. However, since we presently do not have the luxury of enjoying this, I like to think back on the time I went on one of my favorite vacations: when my friends and I stayed in a beach house together in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

I was in high school at the time, the summer after my junior year, and my friends and I stayed at a beach house in Narragansett, which my friend’s aunt so graciously let us

Olivia Burke/TheMirror

The graffiti park at Fort Wetherill.

stay at for a week. Our fun-packed vacation days were spent soaking up some sun, taking a dip in the ocean at the beach and eating out at restaurants like The Coast Guard House, where we splurged on some fancy seafood.

We’d occasionally take a break from our fun at the beach and visit some other nearby tourist spots, such as Fort Wetherill. This graffiti park is a cool spot where visitors can view and make their own graffiti art on things like

staircases, rocks or buildings. After admiring the street art, my friends and I visited a rocky cliff face at this same spot, where we sat and looked out on the crashing waves. At night, we’d return to the beach house, cook meals together and have movie nights. One night, we decided to visit Old Mountain Lanes for some late-night food and bowling. When our trip finally came to an end, we got ice cream on the way home, looking back on all the fun we had throughout the week. That week, my friends and I made memories that we’ll never forget, and that I still look back on fondly.

During these troubling times, we can find some solace in reminiscing times like these before COVID-19, and look to the future where we will hopefully be able to enjoy times like these again without worrying about catching or spreading the virus. For now, although it is difficult to limit our time spent in person with our friends and family, we can spend our time finding creative ways to enjoy ourselves together in socially-distanced ways, such as by face timing or watching movies together online. Until this pandemic comes to an end, we can keep our spirits up by reminding ourselves that one day we will be able to once again see our loved ones without worrying about our safety or the safety of those around us.

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

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By Madison Feely Contributing Writer With the one-year anniversary of COVID becoming a national pandemic, we begin to reminisce about the original quarantine and how our lives have changed since. When we recall our daily lives, we think of Tik Tok trends, Outer Banks and endless family time. It was a time of making do with what we had. Fast forward a year and here we are, still loving Tik Tok and all its fun trends.

Some current favorites both nationwide and worldwide are the feta pasta, tortilla wrap, whipped coffee and last but not least, the nacho table. I sat down with two seniors who have all in the past week tried these famous new recipes!

Eleanor Davis ’21 hopped on the bandwagon and made the feta pasta last Saturday for her and her roommates. “I found the most liked Tik Tok and followed the way they did it. I boiled the pasta, and, in a casserole dish, put my tomatoes, a block of feta and several spices,” she said. “It smelt great and looked beautiful. However, when we ate it, we didn’t like it.

I love feta cheese, but I think that this recipe would be better combined with ricotta or goat cheese.” She finished off her review by adding that she would like to recreate the dish this weekend, however, instead of cheese, she believes that a spinach and artichoke dip would be really tasty.

Allison Witheford ’21 decided to get creative one winter day and spice up her lunch. “I had seen this trend on Tik Tok and had been wanting to try it,” she said. “Like you see on Tik Tok, I added four things to the wrap. On one side, I added one slice of

By Brooke Lathe Vine Editor The first time I toured Fairfield University as a senior in high school, my mom and I excitedly visited the town’s surrounding hangouts after it was over. This included dining in at Molto, shopping at the school bookstore and browsing around the well-known boutique, Apricot Lane. While the store was crowded with teenage girls and had racks filled with endless cute shirts, jeans and dresses, I devastatingly found myself leaving the store emptyhanded.

Photo Courtesy of @apicotlaneffld Instagram

peppered turkey. On the next side, I added spinach and cherry tomatoes. I then added mozzarella and Trader Joe's Kale pesto.” She went on to follow the instructions, folding each side, so that it looked like a pocket. “It looked and smelt great when it came out of the press. I was so excited!”

She said. Sadly, as they say, Tik Tok did it better. “I was so disappointed. The inside was still cold, and it was really dry. I found it hard to fit everything I wanted into the tortilla. Overall, I think it was definitely better demonstrated on the app.”

I tried this trend myself to see what all the fuss was about and was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. I followed the directions and, in my tortilla included arugula, pesto, mozzarella and tomatoes. I don’t have a panini maker, so I wrapped the tortilla and toasted it in the toaster.

It was perfectly cooked and was an easy, healthy snack! I would definitely recommend playing around with different ingredients and ways of doing it until you find what you like best!

Last but certainly not least, we must discuss the famous nacho table. Although I have not had time to try it yet, we plan to Sunday. It is something that feeds a lot of people and is great for entertaining. However, it is a big mess, and I would imagine pricey when you include all the fixings.

Stay tuned for how this turns out!

However, after recently having the opportunity to go into town again, I was excited to have another chance at searching Apricot Lane for a second time. My friends and I browsed the shelves for a while, scanning the jewelry, masks and clothing. Everything could’ve easily been labeled as trendy and ‘in’ right now, which seemed to have been a recurring theme for them. Behind their cash register, I could see a myriad of certificates that they won. It included “Best Teen Fashion” in the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019, “Best Women's Fashion,” “Best Teen Fashion,” “Best Jeans'' and “Best Costume Jewelry” in the years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and “Best Accessories'' and “Best Designer Boutique” in 2018 and 2019 from Best of Gold Coast Connecticut.

Nevertheless, I found myself super disheartened by the price tags each time I turned over the little slips. One pair of jeans was around $130. Due to this, I was left curious as to why it was so expensive. Through further research, I found that this is because they are an independently owned franchise and send most of their proceeds to the charity “3Strands”. This organization’s primary cause revolves around human trafficking as they provide sustainable employment opportunities for survivors of human trafficking and those at risk. So while the prices may seem a

Photo Courtesy of @miss_gruenkern Instagram

Tik Tok's feta pasta recipe outcome.

Photo Courtesy of @apicotlaneffld Instagram

Apricot Lane's Fairfield location.

little high, it is for a good reason.

I ended up leaving the store super cheerful as I finally purchased an affordable, super cute tie-dyed sports bra. Additionally, each of my friends left with a filled bag of pretty items too,

which made me even happier. It was definitely a successful shopping trip. If you’re looking for a store with trendy, high-quality and extensive range of clothing, I would 100 percent suggest visiting Apricot Lane if you don’t mind making a dent in your wallet!

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THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

The Vine

By Lauren Gasek Contributing Writer Astrology has become more and more popular through social media over the past few years, and I will admit, I’ve been getting increasingly invested in it. Whether it be horoscopes on Twitter or fun astrology posts on Instagram, I scroll through each post for hours. I know my exact birth time and calculated my birth chart, which means I know my sun, moon and rising sign. More recently, though, spirituality has been “trending” on social media as well, especially on Tik Tok, where users post tarot card readings or crystal recommendations to buy based on their zodiac. Quarantine pushed me to start my tarot and crystal collection, and since I’ve been using them more and more, I thought I would do a Stags tarotscope (tarot horoscope) reading and give us some guidance for this week!

Message for the collective: The Moon We all might be feeling a little anxious or stressed right now, as everything may seem uncertain. This tells us to listen to our gut and intuition but to be wary about making quick and big decisions. Try to be more in tune with yourself this week to quiet your fears and navigate through this current confusion.

Themes for the signs this week: Aries: Four of Swords in Reverse On the same note as the collective message, prioritize taking a break and resting this week! Focus on your wellbeing so that you can recharge in whatever way works best for you.

Taurus: Three of Pentacles in Reverse You might be experiencing disharmony in a group, whether it be family, friends or a group for a class project. Strive to come to agreements with group members so that you can all understand and work with each other and plan out your next steps.

Gemini: Ace of Cups Love is overflowing from you this week! Now

is the time to be open to new creative endeavors or connections if you are not already involved in one.

Share this radiance and happiness by helping others.

Embrace this energy and seize new opportunities!

Cancer: Six of Wands You may have just reached a significant milestone/goal or will be reaching one this week. You are putting a chaotic or stressful situation behind you and are receiving well-deserved recognition for

Pexels

your success. Be proud of yourself for this and how much you are accomplishing and growing, and keep going!

Leo: Four of Pentacles If you tend never to spend your money or make investments, take some time to reevaluate this. It might be better to be overprotective of your

By Sydeny Weis Contributing Writer It often seems easier to focus on the negative interactions in life versus the more positive ones.

Especially over this past year, the horror that was 2020, it is important to focus on the positive moments. I find that some of my most memorable moments with people are with strangers. Sure, family and friends create endless memories that make a subconscious lasting impact on our lives, but interactions with unknown people can make or break my day.

With a retail and service background in the food industry, making conversation with strangers is a huge part of my job! Having a bad day while working can create tension in your voice or movements, which are aspects of a personality that are unprofessional and off-putting to customers. Because of this, I have gathered a considerable amount of respect for those who work around the general public, as we encounter all kinds of characters.

Since the start of my senior year, I have religiously gone to the same Dunkin Donuts drivethrough every morning. The uniqueness of my never-changing food order has created a sense of bonding with the employees at that location. A bond to the point that they can complete the rest of my order at the drive-through before I can even

savings than carelessly spending them all, but not spending any money can cut a part of happiness and fun out of life. Focus more on what matters most in life rather than placing all of your energy and fears on your finances this week.

Virgo: Queen of Swords This week, you’re in your element with a clear and driven state of mind. Your communication is direct, and you’re feeling very confident in your

finish speaking. I count on this Dunkin Donuts to get me through my world of online school and inability to cook for myself.

But on a November morning, I raced over to my favorite drive-through like every other morning, approaching the pick-up window that came to a total of eight dollars. Reaching into my wallet, I felt a sense of panic. I didn't have enough money.

Some days are better than others, and on this particular morning, my day had seemed to implode on itself. My lack of funds was the cherry on top of this disaster cake.

“I’m so sorry I don’t have enough money. This is so embarrassing,” I said to the worker.

The familiar cashier smiled at me and responded, “I see you every day; just give me what you have. It’ll be alright.”

Tossing my four dollars into the window, the cashier waved and wished me a great rest of my day. I haven’t forgotten about this interaction, and in fact, it creates a friendly relationship for the rest of my morning at that Dunkin drive-through. A small act of kindness can go a long way for anyone, so I encourage everyone to act on good instincts whenever they can!

boundaries and self-expression amid this stressful time!

Libra: Two of Cups in Reverse Focus on loving yourself this week! Believe that you are deserving and worthy of happiness, and it will come to you. When you learn to love yourself, you will be able to show others more love. You

may be experiencing a breakup or falling out due to a lack of communication or trust, or you might not be on the same page as each other. Hang in there!

Scorpio: Page of Cups in Reverse Don’t doubt your creative projects or plans!

Share them with others and put it out there rather than continuing to worry that they are lacking or will fail. You also may be having a creative block.

Tune more into your intuition!

Sagittarius: Ten of Swords in Reverse The difficult period that you’ve been going through is finally coming to an end. Although it might take some time to heal or move on, you are hopeful for the future and better things to come.

Capricorn: Nine of Pentacles in Reverse Release doubts of attracting the right people, things and more money into your life. Know and believe in your worth and practice some self-love.

If you’re overworking yourself, make sure to take a break and recharge.

Aquarius: Five of Cups in Reverse You may be feeling disappointed or experiencing a setback and fear that you will look like a failure to others if they know about this. This card says that you’ll feel much better opening up about your feelings with someone close to you. Forgive yourself and move on as a lesson learned, and you will bounce back.

Pisces: Temperance Even though life is stressful right now, you’re learning to remain calm and keep balance flowing from day to day. You are starting to see a clear vision of what you want to do down the line, and you are carefully taking your time to achieve this. You’re comfortable where you are right now and are loving what you’re doing!

I hope these readings resonated with you. If you’re stressed over midterms or just have a lot of work in general, hang in there and have a great week, Stags!

By Brandon Robles Inkwell Writer And I walked away from the ship Because there had been nothing else to see In the Garden of Sea So I walked to the entrance, the gates of the Blue Menagerie Blue cats, blue dogs The menagerie was strange Blue squirrels, blue possums And the cages kept going Blue weasels, bluefish I had only now felt the water Blue beatles, blue bees Now my clothes had been drenched Blue walruses, blue camels I had only felt the weight of the water Blue jays, blue penguins And I realized what they needed Blue unicorns, blue leprechauns The most mythical creatures of all But not as unreal As the blue man in the menagerie

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

Coffee Break

Page 12

COFFEE BREAK Editor: Tristan Cruz tristan.cruz@student.fairfield.edu

The Coffee Break Team has put together a word search consisting of different Marvel Universe Characters! Be sure to check back for more next week!

If you would like to submit ideas for games and different word searches, DM us @FairfieldMirror on Twitter!

• • • • • • • • • • •

Captain America Iron Man Spider Man Ant Man Thor Loki Hulk Scarlet Witch Thanos Black Widow Deadpool

• • • • • • • • • • •

Groot Black Panther Drax Gamora Rocket Wolverine Nick Fury War Machine Winter Soldier Vision Doctor Strange

Creative Commons / Pixabay

Puzzlemaker / Discovery Education

FUSA Sustainability Initiative Plans to Remove Giant Pile of Burning Trash from Campus

By Nathan Schmidt On March 2nd, the FUSA Environmental Sustainability Meeting led to a wild success as students resolved to get rid of the giant pile of burning trash on Fairfield’s campus.

The meeting, held over Zoom by concerned members of the student body, allowed many students to raise valid concerns about the university’s environmental policies. Nevertheless, most of these concerns were related to the smoke-belching pyre of plastic, cardboard and old homework that covers the entire surrounding town in noxious black soot.

“I guess everyone’s kind of used to it being there,” said Uriel Pontiac ‘23, who interviewed Stagnation reporters in the BCC lower level, with the giant bonfire of toxic refuse visible just outside in the parking lot. “I’m not sure how much money the university makes every year, but I hear budgets are pretty tight these days. Still, I’m hopeful that if we raise enough money, some of it will go towards disposing of our trash in a way befitting the 20th century.”

The fire, which has been burning continuously since it was installed by another sustainability initiative in 2003, replaced an earlier strategy in which all of the university’s trash would be left outside the BCC unignited for the birds to pick at. After that technique’s impromptu landfill resulted in a threatening number of non-turkey birds appearing on campus, administrators acted quickly and urgently to convene a body that produced a solution after about fifteen years.

“I remember back in ‘85 we still had the trash just piled up and not on fire,” said associate professor of philosophy Dr. Jacob Facob. “Kids now just don’t know how good they have it.”

There has been a steady stream of complaints each year about the choking smoke from the Fairfield fire, but the constant blaze continues to be a selling point for campus tours, and public will to dispose of the trash some other way is low. Nevertheless, after the sustainability meeting, FUSA has committed to a new initiative to get rid of the flaming trash pile that distinguishes Fairfield from its Jesuit counterparts. The first step: Stopping the flow of campus library books going into the pile.

r ape em p s h newheck t l a tiricre to c a s is a be su n o i at us, so n g Sta camp on t! ou

SPORTS Sports

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THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

Sports Editors: Julia Lanzillotta and Tommy Coppola >> julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu >> thomas.coppola@student.fairfield.edu

Upcoming This Week: Thursday, March 11th -Women's Tennis vs. Wagner, 2 p.m.

-Men's Soccer at Canisius, 4 p.m.

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

On Tuesday, March 9, the Fairfield University field hockey faced the State University of New York at Albany at home. The field hockey team has received many preseason accolades, including being ranked #24 in the nation in a National Collegiate Athletic Association poll.

The two squads last clashed on October 8, 2017, where the Great Danes routed the Stags by a score of 8-2. Since 2007, the Stags have faced Albany ten times, but have not beaten the Great Danes once. This streak was broken on Tuesday, as the Stags shut out the Great Danes 3-0. Fairfield already seems to be shaping up to be a league powerhouse. After facing the University at Albany at home, the Stags will hit the road to Long Island, NY to play Hofstra University on Friday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Friday, March 12th - Men's Tennis at St. Johns, 12 p.m.

- Field Hockey at Hofstra, 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 13th - Women's Tennis vs. Stonybrook, TBA - Women's Lacrosse vs. Niagra, 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 14th -Women's Volleyball at Iona, 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.

- Men's Lacrosse at Massachusetts, 1 p.m.

Monday, March 15th -Men's Golf Peacock Invitational Branchburg, N.J. All Day -Women's Swim vs. Sacred Heart University 9:30 a.m.

-Men's Lacrosse vs. Lafayette, 4 p.m.

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

Last Saturday, March 6, the Fairfield University men’s tennis team played in an away match against Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. The Stags came away with a 4-3 win. Although the team had a little bit of trouble at the start, they were able to pick it up and bring home a win.

In the doubles matches, Fairfield could not find their groove, dropping all three sets to Merrimack. In the singles rounds, however, the Stags showed up with five out of the six matches won. In this upcoming week, the Stags will face St. Johns in an away game on Friday, March 12.

In this week's issue...

-

Final Farewell to Alumni Hall (Page 14) Stags Set Pace For Strong Season Back (Page 15) Cross Country Competes in MAAC Championship (Page 15) Men's Lacrosse Lacks Luster During First Week (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

Final Farewell to Alumni Hall

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

On Saturday, March 7, the Fairfield University community said farewell to Alumni Hall for the last time before it undergoes major construction which is set to be done within 18-24 months.

In place of Alumni Hall, Fairfield University plans to build an 85,000-square foot, 3,500-seat Convocation Center, which was originally projected to open in 2021. The arena will host the Division I basketball and volleyball programs, Fairfield College Preparatory School basketball, and will host convocations, concerts and gatherings for the University.

Deputy Director of Athletics Zach Dayton said, “The arena and Convocation Center will be a state-of-the-art venue that will serve as the home of the Fairfield University men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, academic gatherings, concerts and Fairfield Prep events. Athletics has been working collaboratively with University leadership on all aspects of the project throughout every stage of planning.”

Due to COVID-19, construction was delayed until early spring of 2021. The construction timeline for the Convocation Center is 18-24 months, therefore the first athletic game to be played in is still to be determined.

A historic building on campus, Alumni Hall was sent off with love and appreciation from the Stags community. Although the New Arena and Convocation Center is very exciting, the town of Fairfield will never forget the importance of George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall.

By Zachary Stevens Contributing Writer The Fairfield Community launched a final “Last Call at Alumni Hall" farewell reception on Saturday, March 7, in Alumni Hall. The campaign was developed to engage the Fairfield University fan base during the final days of Alumni Hall before its demolition.

As one of the longest standing buildings on the Fairfield campus, Alumni Hall is a place that holds many valuable memories in the history of Stags athletics. Remarks were given by Fairfield University President, Mark R. Nemec, PhD, and by Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., University Chaplain and special assistant to the President, who led a special prayer.

The event allowed guests the opportunity to spend time in the building and share stories about their own experiences in Alumni Hall. Attendees were encouraged to show their Stag spirit by wearing red or Fairfield gear to the event.

Opening on Dec. 5, 1959, Alumni Hall has been a vital part of the identity here at Fairfield University. Alumni is home to the University’s MAAC Champion men’s and women’s basketball teams, who have won the championship three times each, and the 11-time MAAC winning volleyball team.

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

Tommy Coppola Assistant Sports Editor

Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

Sheila McCombs Executive Editor

Your 2020-2021 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Tommy Coppola, Molly Lamendola and Sheila McCombs

Should fans be allowed at on- Do you think Fairfield students What do you think of the new campus sporting events? should have been given a ‘ice rink’ behind Campion? spring break?

Are fines an effective way of disciplining athletes?

What do you think of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine recently being approved by the FDA?

I see no reason why we can’t go I get why we don’t have one, to outdoor games with social but we should get a day or two distancing! off in the middle of the week so that we have some sort of break.

I think it’s about time. Now we have to get a DI hockey team.

Maybe, but they really mean nothing to higher-paid athletes, and instead are really only impactful to lesser-paid athletes.

I guess any vaccine is better than none but for only 66 percent efficacy, I would much rather get Moderna or Pfizer.

Absolutely! As long as we are six feet apart with masks, what’s the harm?

I agree with Julia here. I don’t think we need a spring break this year, but a day or two to unwind would be nice.

I’ve played hockey most of my life… I can already see myself spending hours out there.

Some fines make sense, but most of the time they seem like a slap on the wrist. Suspension makes more sense for serious offenses.

It’s a step in the right direction, but the other ones look a lot safer to me.

I think if all the social distanc- We at least need the random ing, masks and business are mental health days some applied then we’re completely schools are doing. okay.

Wow… “Ice Princess” with the girl who knows math anyone?

Depending on the amount of money, but if these athletes are already millionaires and have the brand deals… it’s not going to matter to them.

I think it’s a step in the right direction, the efficacy truly doesn’t mean anything as that only happened in trials. Science is all about marketing nowadays!

Please let me go to a sports game, literally any would be great! But seriously with more things being open on campus this semester, I think it's time!

Not to brag but I took figure skating lessons from the ages of 5-11, so safe to say I am absolutely stoked!

I agree with Tommy! I think that the best way to get through to really high paid players is a lack of playing time!

I like what I’ve heard about this vaccine but I also agree that the efficacy looks a little doubtful to me!

I really would love some time off just to take a minute to breathe, so I get why we don’t have one but I am really going to miss it!

Sports

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THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

Stags Set Pace For Strong Season Back

points. They don’t know who people are and who are playing which can be great.”

Underclassmen make up over half of the roster, with 24 freshmen and sophomores and 17 juniors and seniors. It is clear that throughout such an uncertain year, the upperclassmen After a 363-day long break, the Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team has finally have really helped guide their younger teammates in more ways than one. returned to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. The Stags challenged interstate rivals and a fel“I, as a human, rely on their leadership, their guidance, their pulse and I always have. low Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference team, the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, for the 2021 They're a very strong class in terms of personality and a very strong class in terms of play and season home opener on Saturday, March 6. ability,” said coach Field of these older players.

Head coach Laura Field was ecstatic for competition to be underway, describPractices have been a time where the teammates can bond and find their ing the new season as “cathartic” and joyful. “It has been really healing to have the footing as a unit. During this time, all types of talent and styles of play are able cadence of a normal season starting in an abnormal environment,” she said. to come together to prepare for a cohesive experience on MAAC stage. Uptempo The Stags seemed to feel the same way, and that showed on the field. They drills have been used to condition and keep the energy high and ahead of the season played with a vengeance managing to dominate the Bobcats, 13-10, to secure their opener. first win since March 1, 2020.

One of the major factors that set this “I can see the weight lifting from the girls. I can hear their laughter… season’s preparation aside from that of Just to hear them on the field has been the greatest indicator that we’re back. past years is that there was no true basis Things are becoming more like they were,” said Field of the girls, many of of a previous season to compare anything whom haven’t played in almost two years. to. “This isn’t a direct parallel,” said Field, The top four goal-scorers of Saturday afternoon’s game were mostly “this is a whole new year.” She went on to say veterans to the team, with two juniors and two seniors on the top of the that there is no fair or accurate benchmark to base leaderboard, along with Brooke Lennon ‘24. Leading the charge were midthis year on, so it is best to prepare for anything. fielders Diana DeVita ‘21 and Ellie Grefenstette ‘22 who each contributed In addition, typically at this point the athletes would be well into the three goals and one helper apiece to the victory. Both Arianna Lavelle ‘22 season. Constant pauses, COVID-19 quarantines and abbreviated semesters have and Lennon added two goals and an assist, while Kelly Horning ‘21 scored made it challenging for the Stags to be in the best shape, however this is not a two goals and dished out two assists. precarious situation unique to Fairfield. Nationwide, Division I teams are grappling The Stags played their second match of the season two days later with the same effects of COVID-19, so these challenges have no real impact on the on Monday, March 8, again against Quinnipiac, and narrowly edged out goals which are set at the beginning of each year. “Our goals remain the same,” said the Bobcats, 14-13. Unsurprisingly, Horning netted three goals that Field with confidence. “We want to defend our MAAC championship. Our goals are afternoon, setting the pace for scoring. Other Stags who had a hand to win the MAAC. Our goals are to advance in the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic in upending the Bobcats were Grefenstette, Lennon and DeVita, Association] Tournament.” each with two goals and two assists, Lavelle with two goals, Rylee Field assures Stags fans that her, along with the rest of the coaching staff anticipate Harrell ‘24 who added a helper and a goal, as well as graduate that this season will be a great one for the team, as they are prepared to face anything. “We’re student Meaghan Graham with a pair of goals herself. up for the challenge. We’re up to handle the adversity. We have a good group of people that Last year, the group never saw conference play, were able to lean on and we are as resilient as anybody out there so I have confidence in that ending on a rather low note cemented in by a 21-11 loss and I take a lot of stock in that,” said Field. against the then #14 University of Denver pioneers. BeAs for Fairfield’s second place designation in the MAAC preseason coaches’ poll behind cause of this, current sophomores are right alongMonmouth University, Field and her athletes are prepared to fight to establish themselves side the rookie class in terms of MAAC experiwhere it counts. “We have to prove people wrong,” said Field confidently. ence. “If you think about their year we pretty The next game on the schedule will be another home game, this time against much have two classes of freshman in terms of Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk Niagara University on Saturday, March 13 at noon. The game will be streamed on their time played,” noted Field. “When we talk ESPN+ and ESPN3.

Kelly Horning '21 tallied seven points so far this season. about MAAC teams they have no reference

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor, Managing Editor

Cross Country Competes in MAAC Championship

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor, Managing Editor The Fairfield University men’s and women’s cross country teams ran in their first race on Friday, March 5 since Nov. 15, 2019. This year and a half-long pause is shocking no matter the circumstances, however it is important to note that the Stags’ return to the course happened to be for the 2020-2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship, which usually takes place in the fall. After such a long pause, it is surely unusual for their season debut to be at a meet of this caliber. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meet was moved to this spring, luckily giving the rosters’ seniors an opportunity to close out their career.

“It’s been a challenge for sure,” said Scrivines, “but our student-athletes and coaches have worked through it and remained positive and optimistic.”

Going into the afternoon, head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams David Scrivines had high expectations for the runners. “Our goal was to move up one place in both races,” he said, referring to the teams’ placements from last season. On the men’s side, in 2019 they finished the meet in ninth place of the eleven teams competing. Unfortunately, this year the men were not able to achieve this goal set by coach Scrivines, placing in ninth again, but this time out of ten teams represented at the meet. The Fairfield men’s average time for the 8,000 meter race was 28:35.38, placing them just ahead of St. Peter’s University who managed an average time of 30:37.72. Fairfield’s average time was about a minute slower than that of last year’s MAAC Championship (27:32.59), however this marginal difference was to be expected considering the volatility of this year’s practice schedule, as it pertained to COVID changes.

Unsurprisingly, sophomore Robert Dillon ‘23 led the charge for the Stags, placing 22 out of 127 male runners. He clocked in a time of 25:47.44 for the 8k race, shaving off approximately a minute and a half from his rookie performance at the 2019 MAAC Championships, where his time was 27:11.99, leaving him in 47th place.

Other notable showings were put on by twin brothers Pacifico Flores ‘23 (28:36.42) and Devin Flores ‘23 (28:37.59) who finished back-to-back in 96th and 97th place respectively, as well as Timothy Burschinger ‘23 (29:53.85) in 111th place and James Vizzzard ‘23 in 113th place (30:01.58). The top four runners for Fairfield were all sophomores, speaking to the capabilities of the underclassmen on the roster.

The final five finishers on Fairfield’s men’s roster were Thomas VanderSlice ‘23 (31:05.40), Mike Dzubia ‘21 (31:43.16), Bryce Zapusek ‘23 (32:09.02), Benjamin Breton ‘21 (33:46.56) and Connor Secora (34:04.22) in that order. The men claimed spots 121 to 125. For the 30th consecutive season, the Iona College Gaels have taken the top spot as the 2020-2021 MAAC Men’s Cross Country Champions, with an average 8k time of 24:31.55. The Gaels claimed the top seven spots of the meet, with graduate student Jack O’Leary being the fastest male runner (24:28.10).

The women’s team was able to one-up their own performance from last year, sitting pretty in seventh place of the ten participating teams. Last year they placed eighth out of eleven rivals. The women Stags average time was 24:22.37 for the 6,000 meter race, sandwiched between Rider University (24:07.77) and Manhattan College (24:35.30). Of the 112 runners, three runners represented Fairfield at the top half of the leaderboard, namely Courtney Kitchen ‘23 (24:11.45,

50th place), Jane Frawley ‘22 (24:15.25, 51st place) and Anna Weissenberg ‘23 (24:18:00, 53rd place).

Fairfield’s final two scorers were Catherine Lanahan ‘24 (24:32.47) who showed up strong at her first collegiate meet and Mia Melao ‘22 (24:34.66) who was the fastest Stag at last year’s championship meet with a time of 23:44.24. Just behind Melao was Molly Silvestri ‘22 (24:37.84) in 65th place.

Much like the men’s side, the Iona Gaels took home the top honor as the 2020-2021 MAAC Women’s Cross Country Champions for the fifth year in a row. Their average time was 22:08.91 and first, second and third place went to Gemma Nuttall (21:43.93), Kaitlyn Ohrtman (21:48.23) and Holly Smith (21:55.24).

Coach Scrivines stated, “There were certainly mixed results- we met our goal on the women’s side, but not the men’s side. We have our work cut out for us the next seven or eight months to try and move up in our conference.” He continued with a plan moving forward, saying that he will “sit down with both teams in the coming weeks and start setting goals for the goal and monthly goals leading up to our MAAC Championship in late October.”

Although the journey to MAACs was a challenging one, all in all, Scrivines thought that his runners “did a nice job of competing” once they got to the MAAC Championship meet.

Photos Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University men's cross country team placed ninth at the 2020-2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship meet, while the women's team placed seventh overall.

@Fairfield Mirror Week of March 10, 2021

THE MIRROR | Week of March 10, 2021

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS

Men's Lacrosse Lacks Luster During First Week

By Thomas Coppola Assistant Sports Editor

Last Wednesday, March 3, the Fairfield University men’s lacrosse team began their season in a showdown at Providence College. Although they battled hard until the end, they were unable to secure their first victory of the season.

With a final box score of 18-17, the Friars advance to an even 2-2 record while the Stags fall to 0-1. The game was back and forth throughout the entire match, until the Friars ended up scoring two insurance goals with less than three minutes left to steal the lead away from the Stags for the final time.

After a seemingly endless 51 weeks without lacrosse, head coach Andrew Baxter and his squad were greeted by a socially distanced Providence College student section. This was a surprise, as they figured they would be playing in front of an empty set of bleachers under the bright stadium lights.

Leading up to the game, electricity was in the air, as this was the first chance for the Stags to show everyone what they worked on over the long break from play.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect from the game itself, but there’s definitely a buzz among the team about getting back onto the field,” Baxter said.

Graduate student Matt Chlastawa felt the same way. “It felt unique to be able to do the pregame ritual, hop on a bus, and play competitively again,” Clastawa said. Finally, there is a sense of normalcy returning to college sports everywhere, and Fairfield athletics are no exception.

Frankie Labetti ‘21 acknowledged how the season is a bit different from past seasons, but has accepted the challenge. “We talk about controlling what we can control as a team, and one important thing was just bringing the juice as a unit,” Labetti mentioned.

A large part of coach Baxter’s philosophy as a leader is putting emphasis on the smaller victories and turning that positive energy into success. When a great play happens, Baxter calls it a “spark play”, and the team focuses on creating a scoring opportunity from it. Examples of a spark play could be a big save by the goalie or an impressive defensive play.

The new starting goalie for the men’s lacrosse team, Colin Consoli ‘24, proved to be the creator of many opportunities just like this, with a quick save and outlet pass that turned into a goal for the Fairfield offense early on into the game. Consoli made an impressive 16 saves in his collegiate lacrosse debut.

Although the team did not secure the result that they were hoping for, players up and down the field applauded

their teammates’ efforts. Graduate student Travis Ford reflected on this idea after the game, noticing a key trend.

“The team gets a lot of momentum when there is a defensive stop, and it is when we can use that to take the ball down on the offensive half and score a goal that gets the team fired up,” Ford said. This was the case many times, as Taylor

Strough ‘21 and Patrick Drake ‘22 both added three goals each in Wednesday’s contest.

Chlastawa, who netted two goals and one assist in Wednesday’s contest, wishes he could have a few of his shots back. “But again, we have coaches who help us break down

the film, and we have to look forward just as much as we have to reflect on what we need to improve,” Chlastawa said.

Each and every day, the members of the team look to improve just one percent each day.

Through this goal-oriented mentality, they are able to build up more momentum through film sessions, practices, and workout sessions so that they can be the best version of themselves every time they step out onto the field on gameday.

“We talk about working to get one percent better everyday as an individual and as a team, and I think if we can continue to work that process and stay true to Fairfield men’s lacrosse the better the results we will see,” Labetti commented. The team clearly will not let one loss get in the way of the long road ahead, which ends with a Colonial Athletic Association Championship taking place on May 8 at Hofstra University.

Improving little by little each day could mean something small that plays a large impact on the player’s well-being.

“Some guys need to work on shooting, some need to work on their stick work, and some need to work on sleeping an extra hour,” Baxter explained. “I think if we can cumulatively do that, then we’ll be in a better spot than we were on Wednesday.”

Even though a lot clicked on offense and defense, Coach Baxter realizes that there is still work to do on the field and in the film room. “I think part of that was nerves for the first game, and part is that we need more practice and more games to get those reps under our belt,” Baxter stated.

On Saturday, March 6, the Fairfield University men’s lacrosse team took on the University of Delaware Blue Hens, once again falling short of a win with a final score of 17-9. The Stags are now 0-2 on their season, but still have plenty of time to make adjustments and continue forth.

The Fairfield defense was surrounded by precision shooters of the Blue Hen’s offense, who scored a total of seven unanswered goals towards the end of the game. The Stags were held scoreless throughout the entire fourth quarter.

The University of Delaware’s attackmen line proved to bring their best, as both Tye Kurtz and Charlie Kitchen netted five goals apiece and Mike Robinson secured four of his own.

The Stags have a chance to correct their mistakes in their upcoming game, hosting the Lafayette College Leopards on Wednesday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. This game will be played on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium and will be streamed on Lax Sports Network.

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University men's lacrosse team had an unfortunate start to the season, losing 18-17 to Providence College and 17-9 to the University of Delaware in their first two games of 2021.