The Fairfield Mirror 11/15/23

THE MIRROR Week of November 15, 2023 | Vol. 50 Issue 8

Independent student newspaper

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Politics Department Hosts Israel-Gaza Teach-In

BY JULIAN NAZARIO Copy, Head News Editor

Kathleen Morris/The Mirror Julian Nazario / The Mirror

During her Quick Center appearance, the CNN anchor answered questions from students, faculty and audience members regarding the navigation of modern media and the role of journalists today.

This Just In: Kaitlan Collins Shares Lecture on Journalistic Integrity at Fairfield

BY SAMANTHA RUSSELL Assistant News Editor CNN’s Kaitlan Collins revealed with veracious transparency the importance of truth in journalism during her lecture at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Sunday, Nov. 12.vv The anchor of “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” airing on CNN every weeknight at 9 p.m., Collins holds extensive experience with political news coverage and stands as one of the news outlet’s youngest White House correspondents.

During her preliminary address to the Fairfield community, she taught the key facets of ensuring effective modern journalism. Following her talk, she engaged questions and concerns of listening ears.

“It’s not about you, it’s about the answers and the reporting you are getting,” Collins declared. In regards to any story, she said, “It’s the audience that matters.”

The speaker immediately expressed that media is a deeply personal topic for her. She continued that, in a highly technological and connected world, it matters to everyone and everything. Throughout her nearly thirty-minute speech, she explained what she believed to be three necessities in navigating this increasingly media-focused field.

Telling the truth is a journalist’s number one job. Aside from this foundation, however, Collins disclosed that showing how one arrives at a claim along with exhibiting specific evidence is just as vital, if not more.

Walking readers and viewers through researching and reporting

processes will increase trust in the media as well as a journalist’s own credibility. Collins relates this topic to a high school student showing their work during a math test and further attests that she typically allows her interviewees the chance to explain a pre-spoken quote in pursuit of complete accuracy.

Her second point veered towards an emphasis on accountability. “Hold people to account,” she exclaimed as she told rising journalists to make sure every question is asked—even the tricky ones.

“

The most important part of an interview is the follow-up," -Kaitlan Collins, CNN Anchor

“The most important part of an interview is the follow-up,” she began.

“If you don’t get an answer, ask the question again.”

Most public officials do not look forward to the “tricky questions” that Collins speaks of. However, a good journalist asks them despite complicated circumstances. Or, she added, if inconceivable, highlight that said official did not wish to answer the question: a tactic she jokes all politicians “love”.

She reminded her audience that they, as reporters, must also keep their composure as well as their focus in the midst of lies.

In the eyes of Collins, the role of a

reporter is not to argue with politicians but to ask required questions. Under situations of deceitful, agitated or defensive interviewees, she noted that the key is to “keep your cool and not respond.” Certainly frustrating, Collins’ tactic often leads to calling frustrating behavior out and reminding everyone of the truth—channeling her inner “nasty woman,” in the words of former president Donald Trump.

Collins’ final point regarded the significance of empathy. She urged her audience to remember that “we are all people,” and that people are at the center of every story we tell.

With regard to the recent conflict in Israel and Gaza, Collins shared a deep need for empathy and emotional control. She recalled a mother who, after losing her son, wished for a news story that would share the materiality and realness of his life.

The heartbreaking emotion behind stories like these brings into presence the true weight of her career.

Nonetheless, they mean the world to her.

Collins’ relayed another interview with a 21-year-old college student who discussed her personal experiences with rape and restricted abortions as part of her show’s coverage of the 2023 elections. After years of silence, the woman finally felt empowered to tell her story.

“Everything we cover, it always comes back to the people,” Collins said. “I think as a reporter, what your responsibility there is to treat those stories with dignity and respect and to tell them in a way that, it’s a personal story, but it has applied to everyone,

As the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict turned to its fifth week of action, Fairfield University's politics department hosted a “teach-in” on Nov. 9 to discuss the “historical context of the Palestine and Israel region.”

The event, titled “Beyond the Headlines: Unearthing the Deep-Seated Roots of the Israel-Gaza Crisis,” was originally scheduled to be held in the Barone Campus Center but was moved to the Egan School of Nursing building to allow for additional seating capacity.

“Each of us, as part of our commitment to the university’s Jesuit mission, should strive to educate ourselves, as best as we can, on the complexity of this critical crisis and its devastating human toll and significance, along with its political and economic ramifications,” said Professor Gwen Alphonso, Ph.D. in an email sent to the students and faculty of the politics department before the event.

Marcie Patton, Ph.D., professor emerita of politics, kicked off the event by first addressing the question of why Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, an event that left hundreds of Israelis and Gazans dead and dozens kidnapped by Hamas militants.

“So I’ve been listening to a lot of these teach-ins on YouTube, and one of them had a powerful impact among the speakers. And the speaker said, in answer to this question, ‘Why did Hamas attack Israel?’ [is] that the media uses the present tense in order to answer this question,” Patton said while inferring that “for that reason, the media labels Hamas and its actions as terrorist actions.”

Patton went further and expressed that to “accurately” explain Hamas’s attacks on Israel, their actions needed to be contextualized both historically and politically. However, she clarified twice to the audience that “explanation is not a moral justification. Killing civilians is a war crime.”

She then continued the conversation by giving the audience, almost equally divided between students and faculty members, a brief demographic

overview of Gaza and contextualizing the idea of it being an “open-air prison”. According to Patton, the term comes because of the high population density, the inability of Gazans to leave the territory and “because Israel controls who can enter and exit Gaza.”

The politics professor then transitioned into a detailed, chronological explanation of the history of Palestine and Gaza, from the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the occupation of Gaza by Egypt and Israel during the late 20th century, the two Palestinian infantadas protesting Israeli occupation and Hamas rise to power during the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.

“In 2007, Hamas took over governance of Gaza. In response [...], Egypt and Israel imposed an illegal, according to international law, an illegal land, sea and air blockade of Gaza,” said Patton 11 minutes into her lecture.

As Patton explained, Hamas is an acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement in English. The political wing of the movement based in Qatar calls for the liberation and creation of a Palestinian Islamic state while the military movement of the group is based in Gaza and its goal is “to resist Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.”

During the lecture, Patton also mentioned the two covenants authored by Hamas: a 1997 document that calls for

“

Explanation is not a moral justification. Killing civilians is a war crime.”

-Marcie Patton, Ph.D. the destruction of the state of Israel and a 2017 charter that affirmed that Hamas is fighting against Zionism and not the Jewish people.

“Voters in the 2006 elections, the elections for the legislature, voted for Hamas not because they wanted really an Islamic state, but because

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Collins Emphasizes Need For Empathy in the News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

has resonance with everyone.”

At the conclusion of her lecture, the stage transformed into a panel of Fairfield professors and students. Of these guests were Art History Professor and Open Visions Forum Director Philip Eliasoph, Communication Professor Karla Barguiarena and Digital Journalism majors Annie Tomosivitch ‘24 and Peyton Perry ‘24.

The panel began by warmly welcoming Collins to her first-ever Connecticut visit. While Collins gushed about the beauty of the state’s fall leaves, Barguiarena emphasized its particularly good pizza.

Each panel member took turns asking Collins personally written questions concerning the topics of media and modern journalism as a whole. Although each question differed, a vast theme among her answers remained the vitality of truth, transparency and people.

Barguiarena started off the discussion with a question on mediating controversial news topics. By revisiting the topic of current tragedies in Israel, Collins explained that she balances emotional and factual aspects by including a wide array of voices, such as affected families and doctors on the field.

“We just want the truth,” she stated: no spin. She added that a mere voice note can establish a story that is much more real to the public than a story focused solely on politics.

When questioned by Tomosivitch about Collins’ apolitical background and later about the skills of a journalist, Collins confessed that her upbringing ultimately assisted her in creating an unbiased and trustworthy public image. People know that she addresses every politician the same way. Moreover, she noted that CNN always works toward “[challenging] controversial wisdom and norms,” shying away from shared knowledge and seeking the unknown.

Challenging norms is just what Collins achieved, according to junior Angelo Corsini, a Communication and Theater double major. Typically avoiding “biased” news sources such as CNN and Fox News, Collins stood out to Corsini as a candid journalist dedicated to integrity.

“She pulled back the curtain on broadcast news and her time as a White House Correspondent,” he stated. “It was

fascinating to hear her stories about Presidents Trump and Biden, flights on Air Force One, her reactions to the Israel/ Palestine war and the upcoming presidential election.”

He further admitted his interest in watching the anchor’s 9 p.m. slot as well as a “renewed faith in the mainstream media.”

Regarding the strength of journalism skills, Collins conveyed that a journalist can arise from any background. Put simply, to be a journalist is to be curious. Additionally, she reminded aspiring journalists that their greatest skill, and most revealing strategy, is listening.

“Something that you can just benefit from, in any job, is to truly listen,” she said, “and to approach your interview, approach your subject, without those preconceived notions.” To her, going into an interview with a desire to learn is the most meaningful way to conduct one.

With the upcoming presidential election in 2024, Barguiarena asked Collins her thoughts on the course of this next year.

“I think it’s going to be one of the most fascinating elections of our lifetime,” she stated. According to the journalist, the feelings of the voters seem relatively unknown, and she is interested in discovering what they truly want in a post-pandemic world, after the Jan. 6 attack and after the revoking of Roe versus Wade.

Collins described polls not as predictions but as snapshots; she has learned that we must always wait for the polls to close to unveil people’s true feelings. And, as a reporter who has previously covered both Trump and President Biden, she is “grateful to have a front-row seat” for the potential rematch.

Radio and TV Legal Analyst Michael Zeldin, credited with bringing Collins to the Quick Center, initially welcomed Collins to the stage. He attributed her with an “unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity” and a “willingness to speak truth to power.”

Before her inaugural entrance, snippets of the reporter’s televised work on CNN demonstrated her apparent perseverance towards truth as well as her battle with uncomfortability. Throughout her speech and those following questions, Collins stressed that successful journalists must accept the

Photo Courtesy of CNN

During a New Hampshire Town Hall event in May 2023, former president Donald Trump called Collins’ a “nasty woman” after requesting he answer one of her questions.

feeling of discomfort in order to push through tough yet critical questions.

“It’s your job,” she repeatedly stated.

As a final segment of Collins’ presentation, Eliasoph voiced additional questions submitted by the audience.

While some sought political insight and thoughts around modern media, many questioned Collins’ devotion to Alabama collegiate sports, particularly the chance of the Crimson Tide taking the championship game, as well as the source of her stunning gold medallion necklace. Collins responded that the necklace means “good luck”.

At the end of the question-and-answer exchange, Collins was treated with a hearty round of applause. She further expressed her gratitude for each audience member’s attendance- especially on a Sunday afternoon- and left her crowd with a new understanding of mediating primetime news.

“I appreciate her commitment to telling the truth while showing the work,” commented Barguiarena. A former TV news worker herself, the professor commends Collins’ for her work in the midst of modern media and misinformation.

“Unfortunately, there is so much distrust in news right now, that it’s important for journalists to be as transparent as possible,” she said. “[Collins] is a great example of that.”

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Compiled by Kathleen Morris Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety 11/9 8:40 a.m.

An altercation between a Fairfield Prep Student and a Stag Bus driver occurred due to a disagreement regarding the use of lights and stops whilst on campus. The argument was heightened to a personal level, but was eventually resolved.

11/9 10:55 a.m.

A female student reported an interaction with a suspicious person via the LiveSafe app. She was made to feel uncomfortable by an individual in the Quick Center parking lot. The individual was non-threatening and did not appear to be a student. DPS has video footage of the encounter and is in the process of tracking down the subject.

11/10 12:45 a.m.

There was a full building fire alarm at 42 Langguth Road. Fairfield Fire Department arrived at the scene and suspects that the alarm was set off by smoke from marijuana or a vape.

11/11 1:45 a.m.

DPS asked the Fairfield Police Department to intervene in an altercation with an Uber driver. The Uber driver came to campus with the intention of returning a phone left behind by a student.

The driver refused to present identification and began to engage in disorderly behavior, causing him to be prohibited from returning to campus.

11/11 3:45 a.m.

Students in Townhouse 10 Block were excessively sounding their car horn. When DPS arrived, they confiscated two fake IDs. The students have been referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

11/12 3:30 a.m.

A student activated a fire alarm pull station in the East corridor of the second floor of Dolan Hall. It was determined to be a false alarm and DPS is combing through video footage to identify the suspect. In Connecticut, tampering with a fire apparatus is considered a felony. DPS stated that the punishment will remain within the university, but the consequences will be serious.

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Fairfield’s faculty forum on the Israel-Gaza conflict saw multiple instances of disagreement debate between Dr. Marcie Patton, Dr. Silvia Marsans-Sakly and Dr. Glenn Dynner regarding how each presented their information to the audience.

Heated Debates Dominate Faculty Discussion on Israel and Gaza CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Hamas had been providing a lot of welfare and social services to the population and were not seen as not corrupt,” Patton described as a way to contextualize Hamas’s softening their anti-Israel stance in 2017.

Dr. Patton also attempted to address the “failure of Americans to relate to Palestinian suffering and why have the victims been portrayed as perpetrators, and I’m not referring to Hamas.”

She argued that the lack of mainstream support for Palestinians can be attributed to a mix of a settler mentality and guilt.

“One of the answers I’ve read is that the United States was established basically by settlers, very heroic settlers, and they [the United States] very much identified with the Jews settling and establishing Israel,” Patton said. “And then, of course, is the Holocaust guilt; because the United States did next to nothing to rescue Jews during the Holocaust in Egypt.”

After delivering a 36-minute-long explanation on Gaza and Hamas, Dr. Patton ceded the floor to Glenn Dynner, Ph.D., Director of the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University.

He introduced himself to the audience as an expert in Eastern European history and someone who takes a real personal interest in the region. “I try to do so with empathy. I try to do so with an understanding of this conflict,” said Dynner while talking about his experience and connections to Israel.

Dynner continued his reflection by saying he was “pretty upset at the version that we just got.” He pointed out that the previous presentation ignored the involvement of Egypt in the blockage and movement of people in Gaza and only presented a one-sided context that “sounds a lot like a justification.”

The religion professor started by mentioning that if he were to recommend reading to the audience, he would encourage them to read the Hamas charter. “Because the Hamas charter is calling for the complete destruction of Israel, the eradication of any Jewish autonomy or self-determination whatsoever and the charter is calling for Islamic rule over these areas.”

His comments gave space for the first of multiple interruptions by Dr. Silvia Marsans-Sakly, who was slated to give her presentation on Palestine after Dr. Dynner. The heated moment marked a shift from a lecture-style event to a faculty debate over the topic. “[The 2017 charter] calls for Islamic rule over this entire area,” said Dynner again while Marsans-Sakly searched in her folders for a piece of paper. “I mean if you can find it, please go ahead.”

“Yeah, I do, I have it,” Dr. Marsans-Sakly responded, eliciting the audience's laughs.

Once the exchange concluded, Dynner continued his speech by saying that there is an indigeneity argument that could be used to counter the claim used by Palestinian supporters who argue the conflict is another example of Israel’s settler and colonialist goals.

“I suppose that depends on your definition of colonization or who’s a colonizer.”

While affirming Israel’s “colonialist routes in certain instances,” like the expansion of the West Bank and the recent rise of extreme right-wing, racist movements, Dynner did problematize the “settler-colonialism” concept. He argued that the term seemed to justify any kind of moral atrocity in the name of resistance and decolonization.

“The attack on Oct. 7th did not happen against settlers […] It happened against Jews living in Israel and non-Jews as well. It didn’t come from occupied Palestine, it came from Gaza, which is unoccupied,” argued Dynner while explaining why the Oct. 7 attacks are not justified under the settler-colonialism theories. “You can call it what you want, [an] open-air prison, but Israel left. Israel is not occupying Gaza.”

A second debate challenging Dynner’s comments ensued, with all three professors talking at the same time.

“So let me finish, because I let you go through the whole thing,” said a frustrated Dynner.

He continued his presentation by talking about the atrocities that were committed during the music festival on Oct. 7 and “there’s nothing in decolonization or resistance in murdering toddlers and kidnapping babies and massacring peaceful gatherers at a musical festival.”

“If we can condemn those acts, without ifs, ands or buts. I think we are lost in the humanities because we have lost moral clarity,” said Dynner, which elicited gasps in the audience and made a student-attendee leave the room. Questioned by the other panelist, Dynner condemned Israel’s killing of people as a result of their military operations.

Dynner concluded by stating that his goal was “to give a Jewish perspective here, which is unfortunately constantly silenced.”

Dr. Silvia Marsans-Sakly, an associate professor of the practice of History and a faculty of the Islamic World Studies program, started her visual-heavy presentation 56 minutes into the event.

At the start of her presentation, Marsans-Sakly highlighted how Israel declared war on Hamas immediately after the Oct. 7 attack and questioned who “really” controls Gaza if the Israeli response has resulted in the destruction of universities, hospitals, water tanks and restricted access to basic resources to the 2.3 million population.

“I’m going to give you guys some context, zooming out, because I’m interested in this [as a] whole,” said the professor while anticipating the connections she would make between what she described as the “Israel project” and the ideas of colonialism.

She proceeded to display a graph that displayed the human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as documented by the United Nations. “To give you a sense of the context of wars, you have had six or seven wars and these are the deaths and injuries on both sides.”

Marsans argued that the evident disparity in casualties was due to Israel’s “mowing the lawn” strategy, a phrase first used in an article made by Efraim Inbar and Eitan

Shamiras in 2014. The metaphor implies the never-ending cycle of the Israel-Palestine conflict and suggests Israel should limit Palestinian militants’ capacities.

After explaining key moments of Palestinian history, she continued to read selections of The Jewish State, which declared the aspiration of establishing a sovereign state of Israel, and the Balfour Declaration, in which England declared support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.

The second leg of her presentation focused on the population changes over time in the disputed area, but before, she reminded the audience that the conflict was about land and people. “In order to establish a Jewish state, you need a Jewish majority, right?”

By using graphs and demographical data, Marsans-Sakly showcased how from the rule of the Ottoman Empire to 1946, a year before The Partition Plan was presented by the British at the United Nations, the Arab population still remained the majority.

The plan would have divided Palestine into three different zones: a Jewish state, an Arab state and an international zone in the city of Jerusalem.

“The partition, it’s not 50-50; the partition gave 56% of the land to the Jewish state, 44% to the Arab state,” she explained. “The Arabs had doubled the population. Population became a problem and to this day, the Arabs pose a demographic problem according to Israeli authorities.”

During the presentation, Dr. Dynner questioned the explanation Marsans-Sakly presented on the Palestine refugee problem in the late 1940s and early 50s as she narrated how Arabs were leaving their homes at gunpoint.

As the event went past the 8:45 p.m. end-time, Marsans-Sakly moved her presentation with a faster pace and skipped a few slides from her presentation. However, she still talked about the issues surrounding Arabs getting evicted from their lands and discussed Israel’s tiered citizenship system.

Lastly, she presented multiple short clips that presented how Arabs experience day-to-day life, with clips from 2021 and 2023 showing heavy Israeli police presence.

She also addressed the recent events in which Harvard students were doxxed after writing a letter holding Israel “entirely responsible” for the conflict.

“Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism,” the professor repeatedly expressed as she explained comments made by Israel’s Prime Minister in which he justifies Israel’s actions with biblical passages.

She concluded the lecture by asking the audience to participate in a petition organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace calling for a ceasefire.

“Ceasefire, or urging for a ceasefire should not be a dirty word,” she said. “Calling for a ceasefire should not be tantamount to support for terrorism and it is for some reason.”

The event concluded with a Q&A session highlighted by a student who confronted Dr. Dynner’s presentation by stating, "It wasn’t your job to bring a perspective.”

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Podcasting Event Sparks Conversation on Heritage Speakers

BY MAX LIMRIC Managing Editor Students and faculty gathered in a small classroom in Canisius Hall on Thursday, Nov. 9, and eagerly listened and engaged in conversation with Gabriela DeRobles, Ph.D. Professor in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Colorado Denver. DeRobles’ event featured a discussion about a podcast she co-hosts with two others.

Her podcast, “Heritage by Design,” shares the voices of heritage speakers. In a press release, Fairfield News acknowledged that the “podcast at the heart of this discussion serves as a medium to amplify the voices of heritage speakers: individuals whose native language is not the dominant language in their community.”

However, a correction should be made to the use of “native language”. Debates surrounding the term “native language” are commonplace. Merriam-Webster defines native as “one born or reared in a particular place, belonging to a particular place by birth.”

But is anyone born speaking a language, or do they learn it? The podcast focuses on heritage speakers, who DeRobles affirms as “anybody who comes from a home where they have some kind of cultural connection, a kind of historical family connection to a language. Regardless of whether or not you actually speak the language or understand it or not.”

DeRoble’s distinction indicates that not all heritage speakers share the same native and heritage language. She explains that bilingualism is fluid, thus, one’s productive and receptive Spanish abilities can change throughout one’s life, yet their status as a heritage speaker never changes.

For example, a heritage speaker can learn and reclaim their heritage language in their adult life; therefore, in this scenario, their first or native language was not their heritage language.

Sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures; The Latinx, Latin American, Caribbean Studies Program and the Humanities Institute, the event engaged listeners as she explored identity, language and community-building through a digital medium. DeRobles proclaims that through a podcasting medium, she attempts to connect with a “whiter” audience.

Heritage speakers make up 22% of the United States population, or roughly every one out of five people, according to the Census Bureau Report.

Both of DeRobles' parents are from Mexico and she grew up in a bilingual community in California. She teaches a class titled, “Writing for Latinos,” a “writing class for students who grew up speaking Spanish, especially those who grew up in

the United States.”

Colorado University—a university whose student body is 24% Latinx/Hispanic—offers just two Spanish courses for heritage speakers, known Heritage Language Education (HLE) courses.

Moreover, the university received federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution for one year in 2021 as its student body was over 25% Latinx or Hispanic; however, that title was taken away last year as the population dropped a percentage.

At the event, DeRobles spoke about HLE and the lack of institutional support and resources it receives.

At Fairfield University, Latinx and Hispanic students account for 7.4% of the student body. The institution offers one Spanish course for heritage speakers.

Sophomore Isabella Palacio, a Spanish major whose parents are of Hispanic descent and who speaks only Spanish in her home in Miami, “a city where Hispanics thrive,” sees “Spanish not just as a spoken language but also as a tool to enhance my reading and writing abilities.”

“I am committed to making constant development in these areas, even though I recognize that my Spanish language proficiency, especially in reading and writing, is still a work in progress.

It involves more than just speaking; it involves becoming fluent in every aspect of the language,” she contributes.

Her statements portray the necessity for Spanish courses that teach Spanish language skills, such as writing, that are not usually learned at home.

Palacio also describes that a factor in her decision to be a Spanish major was her father’s desire for her to keep speaking the language and to maintain her Spanish skills. She recounts that her father told her it is important to keep her heritage language “close”.

Palacio also notes that “people who grow up in multilingual environments occasionally lose their second language proficiency. I am determined to prevent that from happening to me.” Through a Spanish major, she is determined to maintain her Spanish proficiency while away from home.

DeRobles explains that HLE maintains the heritage language, promotes the acquisition of academic skills in the heritage language, cultivates positive attitudes toward the heritage language and develops cultural awareness.

Because Fairfield University’s Magis Core Curriculum requires students to take courses with a focus on social justice and racial and cultural awareness, a conversation around the need for more HLE courses has been sparked.

Furthermore, a lack of knowledge about HLE courses is present among heritage speakers.

“I didn’t know about the heritage speakers class. I would’ve taken the class if I did. But since Fairfield University placed me in my Spanish class my first year, I had to take a different one,” states Jennifer Fajardo ‘25.

“My professor told me about the heritage speakers class halfway through the year, but there was no reason to take it next semester because it would be a repeat course,” she continued.

The lack of HLE classes can speak to the fact that heritage speakers' languages are often stigmatized, which can contribute to linguistic insecurity as police and schools criticize the use of heritage languages. Through her podcast, DeRobles hopes to destigmatize diverse linguistic backgrounds and foster understanding and appreciation for them instead.

A future episode of the podcast will focus on the “no sabo” trend, which stigmatizes Spanish speakers whose language is influenced by English, as both languages are constantly in contact within the U.S. The “no sabo” phenomenon shames young Latinx and Hispanic people who often did not learn the language because their parents did not want them to go through the same shame and discrimination they faced.

Moreover, research published by the Pew Research Center at the end of Sept. 2023 corroborates the fact that heritage speakers are shamed and stigmatized as a result of their inability to speak “pure standard” Spanish.

While heritage speakers are not only shamed by the general population, but also by fellow heritage speakers, the necessity for HLE is evermore present.

Sergio Adrada-Rafael, Ph.D., associate professor of Spanish at Fairfield describes the need for HLE education. “First of all, there is a bigger and bigger number of Latino heritage language students all over the U.S. More so in state schools, but the number is increasing at Fairfield, faster than the number of any other minority students.”

He continues to detail Fairfield’s obligation to ensure each student feels belonging on campus— belonging that can be promoted through HLE courses. “It is important for HLE students to feel like they are both a part of the community but also that they have a voice on a very white campus.

“With more and more heritage speakers in the Modern Language Program, it is more necessary to have HLE courses for them,” he holds.

Junior Natalia Llano affirms his statement.

“I wish I took an HLE class. I feel like it would’ve worked better for me as the class would’ve related to my life.”

Even though DeRobles, Fairfield professors and students affirm the necessity of Modern

Language courses and HLE courses, modern language departments across the U.S. are in danger.

Entering this academic year, West Virginia University (WVU) planned to eliminate the entirety of its Modern Language Department because of a budget shortfall. In the end, WVU cut the Modern Language Department staff from 24 to five and will only offer elective courses in Spanish and Chinese – no majors or minors.

However, the elimination of modern language programs is not new. The American Association of University Professors covered the reductions and eliminations of modern language departments in 2011, writing, “Recent draconian cuts to language teaching in colleges and univer-

“

Students should care because the Latino population surrounding Fairfield is big, we only have to look at Bridgeport and NYC to know that.

Students need to be able to communicate with all people,” -Sergio Adrada-Rafael, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Spanish

sities are exacerbating an already serious problem.”

Both DeRobles’ event and podcast stress the fact that knowledge about and the ability to understand diverse languages is essential.

Dr. Adrada-Rafael seconds her statement and describes why universities all over the U.S. should protect their Modern Language Departments.

Likewise, he also explains why students at Fairfield University should care about learning another language.

“Students should care because the Latino population surrounding Fairfield is big, we only have to look at Bridgeport and NYC to know that.

Students need to be able to communicate with all people,” he states.

Across the U.S., Hispanic people make up 18.9% of the population. In New York City, N.Y., a location where many Fairfield students choose to work after graduation because of its proximity and robust business world, the Latinx population makes up 25% of the population.

Near Fairfield University, Bridgeport’s Hispanic population accounts for 41.7% of the city.

Furthermore, by 2025, one out of four children in classrooms will be English as Additional Language Learners.

Dr. Adrada-Rafael also references the professional advantages of knowing another language.

“There are more and more articles, specifically written by Forbes, that prove that being bilingual can help you find a job and give you an advantage in the professional world.”

Palacio’s beliefs align with the statements of Dr. Adrada Rafael as she notes that “my fluency in Spanish will undoubtedly help me in my future professional endeavors. I know that being fluent in Spanish gives me a distinct edge in the communication industry.”

Dr. Adrada-Rafael concludes that “it’s not just about finding a better job with higher pay though, it’s about being able to understand the language and connect with the culture of the largest minority group in the U.S.” Even though minority languages are currently under attack—in education, in daily life, in the government—the podcast’s message remains simple yet profound: “I am not the only.” DeRobles’ podcast creates a community that promotes security and avoids isolation in the face of a “narrowly normative culture” that often promotes the alienation of diverse identities and languages.

With these attacks on language and the lack of HLE courses in mind, DeRobles hopes that her podcast promotes heritage language education and educates others on “who we are: the identity of a heritage speaker.”

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

Opin ion

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Editor: Liz Morin Email: elizabeth.morin1@student.fairfield.edu

Finding Courses At Fairfield: My Never-Ending Struggle

BY LIZ MORIN

Opinion Editor

An all too familiar feeling is finding that class you really want to take next semester when planning your courses, but realizing that the class is not offered. It’s even worse when it happens again. And again. And again.

This was something I, and many others, had to experience yet again when registering for spring semester courses. It wasn’t the Magis Core classes that got me, though I still found difficulty finding Social Justice courses that could align with my schedule. However, many other people still struggled to find Magis Core courses.

Sophomore Communication major Caroline Hart says, “It’s difficult to find courses available.

Especially when it comes to finding a course required for Magis Core, there are not many courses offered. For instance, I need a visual arts credit, and there are so few classes being taught.”

I know many people who have struggled to find Magis Core courses that align with the required attributes, even though the university has made considerable efforts to include more social justice courses, as noted by an article published by The Mirror on the week of Nov. 8. The years with a lack of available classes with the attributes have caused a build-up, so many courses have filled up quickly.

Personally, I avoided a lot of the struggle with finding available Magis Core classes by taking summer and winter classes, but this time, it was my major courses that I struggled to find. I am an English major with a Creative Writing concentration, so it’s required of me to move to intermediate-level creative writing courses after my introductory ones. But to my surprise, only one section of Intermediate Fiction Writing is being offered. And it’s already filled. When I went to see if Intermediate Poetry was being offered since that was the other introductory-level course I took, it wasn’t offered either.

I do give the English Department credit for handling this situation. In a packet sent to English majors, they wrote that if you contact Professor

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The difficulty behind finding social justice courses has been a commonly discussed issue for several months. However, the overall lack of classes offered each semester is a concern that has yet to be addressed.

Sonya Huber and notify her that all other creative writing courses are filled, she will contact the Registrar to have the Intro to Nonfiction class be considered an Intermediate course. That makes my life and many other Creative Writing major's lives easier, so I thank the English department.

The entire process would be less stressful if all majors offered something like this.

It wasn’t just Creative Writing courses lacking for the upcoming semester. Sophomore Julia Fuggetta is an English major with a concentration in Professional Writing. “For next semester, I need to take Grant and Proposal writing, but only two sections were being offered. One of them filled up after the seniors registered.” This lack of available courses puts a lot of stress on students, specifically underclassmen, who have to lose out on classes they want because it has been filled by juniors and seniors.

The next thing that I needed was a literature course at the 2000 or 3000 level, but when I went to look, there were less than 10 courses available from the low 2000 to high 3000 level. Of course, this drops even more since many are already full,

and others do not meet some people’s schedule needs. For example, getting home for a break or a long weekend can take up to five hours.

My parents, rightfully so, prefer that I travel on Fridays so that I can actually enjoy my breaks.

This personally limits my course options even more, and I’m sure many other people are in similar situations. This limited me to about three available courses, none of which I have a strong interest in the topic (though I’m sure they are wonderful courses). And while I don’t mind turbos myself, I know many people do not learn well in classes that long, so any turbo courses are also removed as options.

I know some people are very lucky with registration and have no issues. I had an easy time with registration for this current semester, so I understand both sides. I also know that there can be many circumstances regarding how many courses can be offered that are out of the department's control. So it is a really tricky situation that I know cannot just be solved by adding more courses.

But this is the second year I have experienced immense stress trying to register for classes

or have watched my friends panic because every class they want to take is full. I believe the registration system needs to be addressed more, not just the offered attributes. Much of the focus in the past years has been on the lack of courses offered with social justice attributes, but not much has been said about the lack of courses entirely.

I believe that departments need to recognize the frustration that students are experiencing and look into ways to add more courses. I know that this can be a long process but it would be nice to know that our frustrations are being heard.

I was excited about college because I could finally take classes I wanted to take. I spent 13 years learning the same exact thing that every other kid had to learn and I was eager to take classes like Sociology and Philosophy and so many English classes. However, most of what I’ve taken has been limited to the leftovers of upperclassmen registration and the few available courses. Then they aren’t offered, and by the next year, you have to move on to a different requirement for your major.

I’ve expected it every semester, but it’s disheartening every time.

Students Should Not Take The Tully For Granted

BY TOMMY COPPOLA

Editor-In-Chief

As a senior living off-campus, I never realized how much I relied on my meal plan to get me through each day.

I sound dramatic when I say this, but I miss the convenience of the Tully dearly.

Now that I am a senior off-campus, there really isn’t a point in me having a meal plan with meal swipes. Commuting to campus is a piece of cake, and I’d like to think I’m a pretty decent chef—but finding the time to make an actually good meal in between courses is not something I have found easy about the adjustment to living off-campus.

The Tully is centrally located on campus and is very easily accessible from any area; whether you’re coming back from class in the Dolan School of Business or live on the Quad, it is a short five-minute walk to our dining hall.

I never realized how much time the Tully actually saved me in this way. When you factor in the commute on top of the time to make some food, the time adds up.

I also miss the food itself. Like I said, I like to think of myself as a pretty decent cook; I like to follow recipes and venture out of my comfort zone with what I am making myself.

But I tend to buy some of the same,

easy-to-make things from the grocery store that I know will help me sneak in a meal in a pinch.

The food in the Tully is always great. They always have so many options, so not only was I able to work healthy foods into my diet, but it was also so quick and easy.

If I were to make myself the same meal at home, it would take me a good hour on top of washing all the dishes that I used.

I will admit that the StagBucks go an extremely long way. I still can eat up in the Tully if I pay the price with dining dollars or StagBucks, but I find that sometimes the cost seems too much.

The Stag, Levee or even Dunkin are places where I can get a small bite to eat for less, so I look to save my extra dollars wherever I can.

As a tour ambassador, I find myself up in the Tully around twice a week; of course, I am only there to walk prospective families through so they can see all the great options, but I don’t get to eat in it. So, twice a week, I am reminded of exactly what I am missing out on.

The workers in the Tully are always kind and helpful, which is just another part of the experience I wish I could have back regularly.

As a busy student, I suppose that the time management skills I’m teaching myself are a valuable life lesson, but at the same time, the

Photo Courtesy of @stagshospitality instagram

The convienience of the Tully is often overlooked as an undergraduate and a meal plan is required, but its avalibility should be appreciated more.

convenience of the Tully cannot be unmatched.

I believe that I took the Tully for granted over my first three years here at Fairfield, and I’m just now realizing how much I miss it.

To the first and second-year students at

Fairfield University, don’t take your time in the Tully for granted.

Cherish the dining hall as much as you can because later on, you will wish to have back the convenient experience it offers.

Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

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Lack of Presidential Options Has Voters Frustrated

By Fiona Killeen Contributing Writer

In certain ways, the 2024 presidential election appears similar and reminiscent of the 2020 election. The most striking similarity between the two elections is the anticipated return of President Joseph Biden and former President Donald Trump as the nominees.

President Biden announced his re-election campaign this past April and will likely secure the Democratic nomination next summer during the Democratic National Convention. In my opinion, the likelihood of another Democratic candidate receiving the nomination is slim, considering how incumbent presidents can usually depend on obtaining their parties' primary nominations. Historically, modern-times incumbent presidents running for reelection have seldom lost the primary nomination.

On the Republican side, even while Trump faces multiple court cases, it seems as though his base remains unwavering in support. A CBS News Poll reported that 61% of likely GOP primary voters would choose Trump as their 2024 nominee.

When thinking about the 2024 election and the similarities it reflects from the 2020 election, you start to wonder about the candidates' true electability.

While it seems as though the election will come down to Trump and Biden as the choices, I wonder if political circumstances were different, would voters opt for candidates of a different nature? A complaint I often hear about Trump (77) and

Biden (80), is their age and how that translates to their political priorities.

Gen-Z seems to be a particularly politically engaged generation, yet they are decades younger than many elected officials.

Of course, there is an argument to be made that the necessary experience required to be a well-informed and educated political leader takes years to develop. However, I think voters struggle when candidates are old enough to be experiencing age-appropriate declines that, while perhaps natural, lead to complications when thinking about leaders of the country.

The current challenges that any political leader must face are only increasingly more complex. Between responses to the climate, foreign affairs and immigration, the future president must come equipped with immense problem-solving capabilities

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and enduring visions for the country's success. Both Trump and Biden come with the benefit of already having four years of experience as president, which should lead to less time spent on adjusting to office and more time spent following through with campaign ideals and promises.

While Biden faces scrutiny as the oldest-sitting president, Trump will have to contend with the public's perception of him if he is convicted. Even if Trump is acquitted, the concept of having a potential presidential nominee facing legal troubles, including but not limited to cases of fraud or election subversion, does not bode well for the political world.

When considering the ethical and moral obligations that holding elected office should promote, I begin to wonder where and how the standards for elected officials diverged.

A recent study organized by the Pew Research Center found that across the board, 65% of Americans interviewed reported that when thinking about political affairs, they often feel exhausted. What concerns me about this statistic is the possibility of that exhaustion transitioning to apathy and detachment from the political process. Although people feel exhausted by politics, the last three elections have demonstrated extremely high voter turnout.

Looking ahead to the 2024 election, it will be interesting to observe whether or not the trend of high voter turnout continues, as well as the policies and platforms people support. Now more than ever, it appears people yearn for inspirational and innovative candidates to rally around.

Politics Have Turned Into A Popularity Contest

By Liz Morin Opinion Editor

The world has been a mess for…pretty much forever.

I can’t think of a time when there hasn’t been something going on in the world that hasn’t made me question the morality of humanity.

I’m not sure if the world has actually become more awful as I’ve gotten older or if I’m just becoming more aware of world issues, but either way, not a day goes by that I don’t think about the age-old debate of if we’re morally good or bad people.

I suppose the obvious answer is that we’re morally bad- I mean, just look at how people worldwide treat each other in the name of “helping.”

But I feel like the answer is so much more complicated than that, so complicated that I certainly can not answer it myself.

However, with the world engaging in multiple wars and humanitarian crises, I think it is a valuable topic to consider.

A study by the Reno Gazette-Journal found that 47% of people who participated believe that the people of the United States have poor morals.

Only 16% believe we have mostly good morals, with the remaining percentage being people who believe we are somewhat in the middle of good and evil.

Another study by Barna Group found that 80% of participants are concerned about the moral state of the world.

I believe that the fundamental issue with why the United States is turning downhill is because the line between right and wrong has faded.

Right and wrong is subjective, obviously, but in terms of politics, it seems the definitions of the two words have more of a set definition.

When politicians are doing their jobs

“right,” people aren’t dying because of homelessness and drug crises.

People can get jobs and aren’t turned away because of their identities.

People aren’t killed in public. The right to healthcare is available to everyone, even if it goes against the religious beliefs of others.

These are pretty basic necessities that are considered right because a politician's job is to protect the people of their district.

The line between right and wrong in modern politics has become inevitably blurred, and it’s affecting regular citizens as well.

Good and bad vary by party, sure, but the overall goal that a politician should have is to protect their people.

Instead, the focus has shifted to public appeal.

Elected officials from either party tend to speak out on issues that are popular in their party, commonly leaning toward the popular belief of the party.

Even if the official doesn’t agree with their statement, there has become a new obsession with power and saying whatever they can to get into power.

Chris Christie is a fascinating example of this.

During Former President Trump’s time in office, he was considered a friend and adviser of his, even spotted attending dinner together a few times.

He even encouraged him to hire rightwing judges, even though the public concern was that these judges would implement laws that harm many groups of people, specifically by removing the legality of abortion.

Christie is now running for President in 2024 to try and provide as much challenge as possible to prevent Trump from being reelected.

Why would he suddenly make such a political turn?

Many people theorize he wanted to be

Photo Courtesy of Time Modern day politics are causing people to question if the leaders in charge are losing their morals.

Chris Christie is one example of a politician who gave up his morals in order to have approval from his party.

accepted by other Republicans, so he was willing to throw away his own beliefs in order to be liked by the rest of his party.

The ultimate turn came when Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon removed him from his position on Trump’s team.

Now that he didn’t have a group to appeal to, he could return to his beliefs. But the damage he caused by losing his morals for party acceptance has already occurred.

When writing about the morality of American politicians, James Lemroine of the University of Buffalo said, “Members of one party are likely to attack the moral flaws of the other, but they somehow always manage to find excuses for members of their own party: “He’s not immoral, he’s just working the system.”"

He uses the example of Brett Kavanaugh's sexual assault allegations and how his own party, Republicans, tried to find ways to explain his behavior, whereas Democrats believed he was guilty.

Lemroine notes that the percentage of Democrats and Republicans who support Kavanaugh remained the same before and after the accusations came to light.

“This represents either a startling statistical coincidence, or it suggests that members of both parties judged Kavanaugh not on the

basis of the evidence around the allegations, but on whether they personally hoped to see him as a Supreme Court justice.”

Some could argue that this political shift came when Trump entered office in 2016, while others would say it dates back to when Obama was in office in 2008.

A way to look at this is discussed by The Conversation, who spoke with two political philosophers on ethical politicians.

They came to the conclusion that poor ethical character outside of office reflects on how the individual will do in office.

“Bad ethical character can get in the way of competence, and politicians are no more able than the rest of us to turn their character traits on and off at work.”

This statement isn’t entirely out of placemany politicians today are being indicted for some sort of behind-the-scenes illegal matter.

USA Today wrote an article with a list of politicians who are criminals, such as Sen. Bob Menendez, Sen. Ted Stevens, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and more—all of them of different political parties.

While the issue of an entire country's morality is hard to solve, it’s pretty easy to say that our politicians have been ethically corrupt for a long time now.

The Vine

By Fiona Wagner Contributing Writer

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and I know we are all looking forward to a nice break.

However, don’t you want to celebrate the holiday with your friends in Fairfield?

I have come up with the ultimate guide to having the best Friendsgiving before we go home for the holiday.

Host A Dinner Part y The first and most obvious thing you can do to celebrate Thanksgiving is to host your own dinner party!

I know that a lot of students here don’t live in suites or apartments with kitchens, so this idea is for those who do.

Personally, I can’t cook very well, so I would advise you to get some friends who are great cooks to help.

I would also split up the cooking and divvy up who brings what—that makes it easier for the host.

Some of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes that I think are essential are turkey, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing and of course, apple pie! (Make sure you have a list of everyone's allergies and dietary restrictions!)

Se t The Holiday Mood Along with the food, you need to set the

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

holiday mood with the TV, games and decorations.

Not everyone will be helping out in the kitchen, so you need to find ways to entertain your guests.

I recommend having the TV as background noise or if anyone wants to watch it.

My recommendation would be to put on a Thanksgiving-themed episode—“Friends,” “Modern Family” and “Gilmore Girls” all have really good ones.

Also, having board games or card games out can be a good way to break the ice if some of your guests don’t know each other.

Uno is my personal favorite but I would also recommend any game that gets people talking.

Decorate It also wouldn’t hurt to decorate your house for the dinner party.

I suggest getting Thanksgiving-themed plates, cups, napkins, etc.

Also, there are a

By Caitlin Shea Contributing Writer

It may be the presence of the murderous turkeys on campus, or the crisp autumn air sending a chill down our spines, but it is evident that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

For some of us, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate loved ones and give thanks over a delicious meal.

For others, the meal may not seem so delectable. Before the ovens are pre-heated, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is turned on and the tables are set, I am here to relay a list of the best and worst Thanksgiving foods, no questions asked.

F for Foul Let's be honest here, we all know that at the center of each Thanksgiving spread is a large turkey stuffed to the brim with

lot of cute Thanksgiving-themed banners and balloons that you can put in your living room.

Both Amazon and Target have a lot of great decor options. Another idea is to create a “gratitude” board in which you have your guests write down things they are grateful for.

You can get a corkboard and sticky notes or even a whiteboard with markers.

different spices and herbs. But no amount of extra flavor can make the bird worthy of all of the attention. Dry and flakey, turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition I am ready to move past.

Although, this may just be my hatred for the campus turkey’s showing. Seriously, they are terrifying.

E for Enjoyable Alongside the turkey are the other conventional Thanksgiving foods. Enjoyable, but kept on the table for tradition, side dishes such as; green bean casserole, broccoli casserole, squash and basically any other casserole can elevate—but not make, a holiday spread.

D for Delicious

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After all, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, so this is a cute and unique way to express that.

If you don’t have access to a kitchen on campus, that's okay!

The Tully is having a Friendsgiving event on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 4-8 p.m.

There will be all the classic Thanksgiving food along with holiday-themed desserts and treats. I highly recommend going to this if you still want to have a Friendsgiving with your friends.

Whether you are planning on hosting Friendsgiving, attending one, or going to the Tully celebration, I hope you find this guide helpful and have a wonderful holiday!

Unpopular opinion, but I love my vegetables. Green beans, brussels sprouts, asparagus and corn can heighten any Thanksgiving meal. On the other hand, the not-so-healthy stuffing can make or break the main course.

C for Can’t Put Down The more appealing alternative to turkey, ham can act as a delightful main dish. For some extra flavor, honey glaze can leave anyone's mouth watering for more.

B for Better Than Everything Else An absolute staple for any dinner had on the 23rd, cornbread and buttered rolls find themselves high on my list.

Mash potatoes and cranberry sauce, controversial I know (I’m choosing to ignore all the haters, I mean seriously, it's delicious) are also some of my favorites.

A for Awesome Now, you may see a trend with these foods, but you can’t blame a girl for having a sweet tooth. Sweet-potato casserole, chocolate pie, pumpkin pie—I mean really any type of pie and cookies are always top of my list.

No matter how much food I find myself enjoying on Turkey Day, I always make room for dessert.

With Turkey Day fast approaching—and I am not just alluding to being chased by a horde of angry birds while attempting to get to class—students' stomachs all across campus are preparing for the biggest meal of the year.

Wishing to end one debate often held at the Thanksgiving dinner table, I hope my list can provide some insight into the best and worst foods found on this November holiday.

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THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

The Vine

By Christina Silvestri Contributing Writer

What is a Hot Girl Walk?: The term has been adopted by young women post-pandemic when walks became a daily activity. In true Gen Z form, young people found a way to romanticize the chore. Now it is important to note that none of this is revolutionary, it is just a walk.

What makes a Hot Girl Walk (HGW) important is the whole aesthetic of the experience. In my experience, I am more motivated to work out if I have an outfit that makes me feel confident and a playlist that will make me want to move.

The HGW not only focuses on the physical wellness of your body but also your mind. We go on Hot Girl Walks to clear our heads after midterms, to get outside after sitting in classes all day and to stretch our legs after watching TV all day.

Important Elements: I am going to list some items that will upgrade your HGWing experience; however, I want to make it abundantly clear that you do not need to buy ANYTHING to have a fabulous hot girl walk.

You can pick anything that makes you feel comfortable and confident from your closet and head out your door.

But if you are an avid walker and want to enhance your walks, here are some things to do.

I know that nothing motivates me to get active more than a nice athletic set. A new outfit is a great way to treat yourself after making the effort to be mindful of your wellness.

You do not have to break the bank to have a fun new outfit to motivate you to want to wear it out on a walk. The most important thing is not the outfit itself, it's how it makes you feel. Comfort and confidence

must come first here, otherwise, it will be all you think while you Hot Girl Walk (yes HGW is a verb too).

I would recommend that if you are walking around your college campus, you devise a solid route to stick to.

This way, once you pop in your earbuds, you can stroll around campus without having to necessarily watch for traffic or for any suspicious activity. If you are walking off campus, be more aware of your surroundings. In this case, I recommend changing up your route frequently to prevent potential attackers from knowing your

routine. On this type of walk, I also recommend that you do not have noise-canceling headphones and to be on alert and possibly take a personal alarm with you.

Do not let fear overcome you on your hot girl walk, but I do want you to be safe and aware of your surroundings.

Another element of a Hot Girl Walk is having the perfect playlist to properly set the vibe of your route. I personally recommend having a few different playlists for different moods ready to go.

For instance, a crisp fall stroll may call for one of two vibes. One is a moody/indie mix consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzie McAlpine, Suki Waterhouse and even the Twilight Saga Soundtrack. These lowkey sounds will allow your mind to drift to a peaceful and serene place, however sad.

An alternate path for an autumn walk can be what I can only think to describe as “Gilmore Girls.” What I mean by this is for you to pick any song that sounds like it would make an appearance on the hit sitcom of the same name.

Usually, though not required, these songs are native to the early 2000s and have a chill yet upbeat tone.

Some artists that immediately pop into my head are the Cranberries, Sixpence None The Richer and The La’s. This is the direction I have been favoring recently.

I always find that “Linger” by my favorite Irish band never fails to put some pep in my step. With the right soundtrack, it is easy to soak up whatever beautiful weath-

Thanksgiving dinner: 1. The Daniel Grace and Tully Dining Common’s hydration station: I love drinking the freshest, crispest, coldest water on the daily.

By Sophia Cossitt-Levy Contributing Writer

With Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday!) right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about all the things I’m grateful for.

Here’s a list of 10 random things I’m thankful for, things that don’t usually make our lists when we go around the table and share at

er is around you and envision yourself as the main character.

While it would be wonderful anytime we decide to embark on a Hot Girl Walk, the sun would be shining and birds would be chirping, which is wildly fanciful.

Especially in the autumn and winter months, it can be impossible to get moving outside without getting drenched or slipping on black ice.

In this case, head to the gym. I have to be real, the gym is not my favorite place or where I feel the most safe.

It can be full of judgemental people who tend to make us feel self-conscious or uncomfortable.

However, the point of a HGW is to block out the negative energy and put all of the focus on our goals, whether that be a certain amount of time you want to be walking or the mileage you want to hit.

While I never recommend putting yourself in a dangerous situation, do not let it be insecurities that prevent you from putting yourself out there.

When I brave the gym, I make a b-line to the treadmills, put on my music, and block out the world.

After my walk, I typically catch my breath and head straight to the shower.

These are usually days I opt for an “everything shower”.

I will do a deep wash of my hair. If you really want to continue your self-care, I would recommend putting on a face mask (I love this one from Neutrogena and this one from Mario Badescu) and turning on The Vampire Diaries.

I will leave you here in your comfiest sweats, the way every hot girl walk should end.

I hope that this guide has sparked something in you to try something new that will exercise both your body and your mind.

4. The Confectionary at the Tully: I need my daily sweet treat.

5. The fact that I live in McCormick and have a cute room (shoutout to the hardwood floors!).

2. Books: I’m an English major. Need I say more?

6. Google Maps and Waze: I literally don’t know where I would be without them.

3. My skincare routine: I spent a long, long time curating the perfect routine, and I’m glad I have something that works for me (a special thank you to my blush that keeps me from looking like a sickly Victorian child.).

7. My phone, especially the lack of storage: I guess that means I have a lot of great memories, right?

8. Taylor Swift: To be totally honest, I don’t

know how to make it through a day without her music.

Keep an eye out for my Spotify wrapped this December!

9. My roommate, for letting me into the building when I inevitably forget my StagCard and keys.

10. Starbucks: I am nothing without my black iced tea lemonade.

So, this Thanksgiving, when your families have you listing the things you’re thankful for, make sure to give a nod to the random and unique things in your life!

The Vine

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

the Tennessee Titans at Tottenham Hotspur.

I was fortunate at the first game I attended as tickets were only around $40. As I am living in Vauxhall, the trip to Wembley Stadium was rather quick and getting home was not difficult. However, the second game I attended at Tottenham Stadium was much more expensive, and getting home was an absolute disaster, as the streets were closed off and train stations were closed due to overflow; a two-hour bus back was the only option.

When attending the first game, it was incredible to see how well Wembley Park was decorated. Colors of teal, black and gold flooded the streets with pictures of the Jaguars players everywhere. As we walked into the stadium, there was about half of a milelong area where food trucks and stands with merch and apparel were on both sides of you.

Wembley Stadium was definitely a cleaner, and more efficient stadium for an NFL game to be held at, compared to Tot-

tenham Stadium. In addition, Wembley Park is a way more accessible area, and even after

By Amy Magagnoli the game, their crowds were way more manContributing Writer ageable to exit the building as there were way In the heart of London, I was able to feel more pubs and restaurants surrounding the a sense of home as I stood alongside fans in stadium for people to exit.

Wembley and Tottenham Stadium. WitnessBefore both games, the National Aning the two games of the 2023 NFL Series in them of the United Kingdom was sung, “God London was an incredibly captivating expeSave the King,” followed by the National Anrience. It was remarkable to see supporters them of the United States, “The Star-Spanfrom diverse corners of the globe uniting in gled Banner”. their shared love for football.

The juxtaposition of “God Save the The National Football League has hostKing” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” shed ed a total of 36 games in London since 2007 light on the unity in diversity within the NFL and has hosted at least one game a year since, as a whole. The visual representation of both except for 2020. The NFL hosts games in flags held side by side, with the NFL logo London in hopes that football will be permacentered in the middle, efficiently communently present in the country and expand its nicated that the love for football transcends fanbase in the long run. borders.

On Sunday, Oct. 1, I was able to watch Fans at the game, wearing different jerthe Atlanta Falcons play the Jacksonville seys, demonstrated support for all teams in Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. In addition, I the NFL, even in London. In addition, overwatched the Baltimore Ravens play against hearing diverse accents on the trains highlighted the international appeal of the sport, which was successfully achieved. Many fans at the game were specifically only in London for the game and were not even specifically fans of the teams on the field.

From a marketing perspective, I was able to see how successful the NFL is at bringing a football fan base to London, a country where football is not a prioritized sport. At the Jaguars game specifically, they had a successful idea of handing out flags with both teams on them, which stated to them how the game was being held in London. The flags were given to every fan, and it was a great way to market the game as fans were all waving their flags throughout the game.

Photo Contributed By Amy Magagnoli At both games, the atmosphere was overall positive, and On Oct, 1, 2023, fans packed Wembley Stadium to see the Falcons play the Jaguars in the NFL. people not only shared their comSince 2007, the NFL has been creating a strong fanbase in he United Kingdom. mon love for football but for music

By Brooke Lathe Executive Editor

I’m always looking for new meals that are quick, easy and tasty; which is why when I saw a Trader Joe’s flatbread pizza recipe trending, I knew I had to try it.

The dinner calls for a multitude of ingredients, but it’s enough to make four fulfilling servings and leaves some leftovers to make other meals out of.

Talk about the best of both worlds!

Directions: 1. One half of a single pizza crust is more than enough to fill you up.

Cut a flatbread in half and slather it with a layer of the garlic spread and pesto rosso sauce.

2. Add mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto and salami.

3. Once your oven is preheated to 400 degrees, put your pizza in for eight minutes.

4. Then, top your flatbread with arugula tossed in olive

oil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and hot honey. Enjoy!

The best thing about making your own dish is that you get to customize it! I’m not the biggest fan of sundried tomatoes or balsamic so I pushed those to the side and saved a couple of dollars in the process.

I was kind of skeptical about the recipe going into it—especially with trends that flopped like the tomato feta pasta—it just seemed like there would be too many flavor combinations.

To my surprise, however, it actually works so well together!

The honey paired with the cured meat in addition to the sauces and nutty arugula turns into a perfect blend I would not have thought to try otherwise.

I got around four meals out of this dish and ate them all this week.

Will I be returning to Trader Joe’s to make it again sometime soon? Absolutely!

I definitely recommend you do the same as this is a super simple and balanced dish.

Page 10

as well.

A distinct memory I have from the game at Tottenham is watching all the fans on the screen singing “Mr. Brightside”. Just like music, sports can be a universal language, uniting people from all over the world, by creating a shared experience that goes beyond cultural and geographic boundaries.

The success of the NFL in drawing fans to London was evident not only in the attendance but also in the vibrant atmosphere created. The flags that were distributed at the Jaguar game were not just accessories, they were symbols of the shared experience, waved by fans from all different parts of the world.

The diversity among the fans not only reflected the global appeal of the NFL but also showcased a cultural exchange happening right there in both of the stadiums.

Watching fans converse with different team jerseys and sharing the joy of the game highlighted how the NFL serves as a platform for people from various backgrounds to connect through a common passion.

Before the start of the game at Tottenham, a moment of silence was held for the Israeli-Gaza conflict. This moment of silence revealed potential challenges in managing diverse opinions within a global fanbase, as during the moment of silence, fans shouted their stance in this conflict.

This part of the game served as a reminder that, even though sports can unite fans, they can also become arenas for the expression of deeply held and diverse perspectives that are beyond the realm of the game itself.

In essence, attending two NFL games while studying in London went beyond the thrill of the sport, as it provided a unique lens to the interconnectedness of a global fanbase and the power of sports in transcending borders, and challenges that could potentially follow when navigating diverse perspectives.

Both games left a lasting impression on me, not just as a football fan, but as an observer of the cultural exchange and values that the NFL portrays on an international stage.

The Vine

Page 11

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

As Priscilla Presley served as the production’s Executive Producer, she made sure that the screenplay was very open about how It seems to be the year of the Presleys. abusive the two lover’s relationship was. The In 2022, the film world was buzzing afbond began when Elvis was drafted during ter the release of “Elvis” starring Austin the Cold War and was placed in Butler and Tom Hanks as the feature Germany—where he met Prisled to countless nominations and wins cilla when she was 15 and he from the Academy Awards, Golden was 24.

Globes and other critically acclaimed Elvis had formed a concompetitions. nection with her due to his This past month, however, Butler’s overwhelming homesickness stardom has been pushed to the side as since she was an American, the new story of “Priscilla” debuted in whereas Priscilla was in awe of theaters. Rather than glamorizing the his fame. star that so many music fans adored Despite the age differin the 60s, this new perspective opens ence, long distance and lack the door for us to analyze his long-term of communication the couple partner instead. still managed to stay together.

I went into the theater with somePriscilla left her school in Gerwhat average hopes. On the positive many and moved into Graceside, my expectations for Sophia Copland, waiting for him to return pola who served as the director and Jafrom his movie shoots and tour cob Elordi who was cast as Elvis were dates. set pretty high. Yet, up until the film’s Priscilla was homebound release, I hadn’t heard much about the and alone as she never left feature. While the cast was unable to the Presley estate. While she promote the feature due to the SAGsaw him more on the covers AFTRA strike, there still seemed to be of magazines where rumors of little to no marketing in terms of conPhoto Courtesy of @priscilla Instagram him and other celebrities were tent compared to last summer’s blockin a relationship or even enbuster.

Photo of Elordi and Spaeny portraying Elvis and Priscilla from gaged, she still waited for him.

Throughout the entire movie, I Ultimately he proposed that @priscillamovie on Instagram couldn’t help but have a silly grin on they got married and had their

By Brooke Lathe Executive Editor

my face as I watched Elvis and Priscilla’s (Cailee Spaeny) romance blossom. This, I believe, is directly attributed to the performances rather than the story considering how heavy their lives were.

By Thomas Senesac Contributing Writer Emily Dickinson was born on Dec. 10, 1830, in Amherst, Mass. Dickinson—though she only started writing poetry when she was 22—wrote 1,775 poems (Johnson, v).

However, in her lifetime only seven were published (Johnson, v).

Unlike other poets who are often obsessed with fame, Dickinson chose for her poems not to be published when she was alive and intended to remain obscure (Johnson, v).

Dickinson’s poems are often very terse and have very minimal use of punctuation, apart from the use of ‘em dashes’ ( – ).

The discordant sounds of Dickinson’s poems reflect the most experimental forms of ‘stream of consciousness’ writing, as in the works of Woolf and Joyce sixty years later, in that there is a degradation of structure.

Particularly with the use of dashes–Dickinson’s lines are often made static. Instead of the lines flowing from thought to thought–they jump.

This can be seen, for example, in poem no. 465, or no.

591, when Dickinson writes, “I heard a Fly buzz - when I died / The stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness of the Air - / Between the Heaves of Storm -” (Dickinson 39).

The dash placed before “when I died” and “Between the Heaves of Storm–” creates a drop within the line, recreating, sonically, a shift in thought (Dickinson 39).

As with all good poetry, there is an element of mystical participation in the role of the reader.

However, very few modern poets have made that participation so vivid.

Not only are Dickinson’s poems vivid because they are terse, but because the associations are often strange yet natural; and the sounds of her poems are melodic yet harsh.

Dickinson has poems of beauty and of nature and she has poems of death and loss.

Dickinson, I would say, should not only be revered as the greatest American poet but should also be seen as an ideal for an artist.

Because Dickinson was not continually or widely published, and because she was never famous in her lifetime, her art was free.

Readers often feel entitled to certain things from contem-

baby, Lisa Marie.

At times, it was hard to watch. Between the mental and physical abuse Priscilla endured, the movie itself felt slow in its pacing—which is to be expected. It’s hard to sit in the theater and watch a girl basically sit in the living room trying to pass the time until her lover returns.

I felt it also lacked character development as Spaeny remained soft-spoken even over the course of the 10 years she aged.

While the movie is based on a real story where Priscilla believed she had no voice, I wanted to witness some sense of growth before the final scenes in which she leaves him.

Overall, I somewhat enjoyed the movie. I think the production design nailed the costumes and set.

The score matched the period and tone perfectly and even played a majority of my “liked” songs on my 60s playlist. And the acting was phenomenal, particularly for Elordi—I would be shocked if he isn’t nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

I understand that Priscilla Presley wants the world to know her side of the story, but at the same time, I feel like she can only say so much before it starts to look like she’s trying to hold on to the fame that her late ex-husband gave her.

The story is eye-opening for those who were ignorant of her abuse, but stands to be nothing new.

porary authors, and publishers try to interpret those desires. All this leads to restrictions and limits, both visible and invisible, on the artists’ creative capacity.

But art should not be created out of pressure, or out of expectation. Art should be as innocent as a child.

Emily Dickinson, in this way, did not write for newspaper editors, she didn’t write for the crowd, she didn’t write to be famous; Emily Dickinson wrote poems for herself and for her friends only.

Dickinson’s works are probably the closest we will ever come to poetry that is entirely natural, innocent, beautiful and sublime.

Sources: Dickinson, Emily. "130." The Poems of Emily Dickinson, Thomas H. Johnson, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1991, p. 92-93.

Dickinson, Emily. "1732." The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry, edited by Richard Ellmann and Robert O'Clair, W. W. Norton, 1973, pp. 247-48.

Coffee Break

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

Coffee Break Satire, games, Puzzles and More Editors: Brooke Lathe, Max Limric, Kathleen Morris

Page 13

Sports

Sports

Head Sports Editor: Ryan Marquardt >> ryan.marquardt@student.fairfield.edu

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

Assistant Sports Editor: Billy McGuire >>william.mcguire@student.fairfield.edu

Interim Head Coach Chris Casey Cements First Win At Home

By Trevor Russell Contributing Writer

The Fairfield University men’s basketball team kicked off their season last week with two away games at Boston College and the University of Rhode Island. The team has faced many challenges over the past few weeks, with injuries to many key players, an extremely late departure into the transfer portal and the loss of three out of their four main coaches just weeks before the opening tip off. With that being said, the team has handled the adversity admirably at all levels, and has shown they will continue to compete at the highest level.

The first game of the season tipped off at 8 p.m. on Monday Nov. 6 with the Stags squaring off against a very good Boston College team. The Stags were without four players who were thought to be key pieces of the team heading into the season, with probable starters Jalen Leach ‘24, preseason all-MAAC second team pick and graduate student Caleb Fields, preseason all-MAAC third team and graduate student Alexis Yetna and Birima Seck ‘25 all missing due to injury.

The injuries to Yetna and Seck particularly hurt the team as they were left with only one remaining big man who had never played in a collegiate game prior to Monday, Peyton Smith ‘27.

This left the Stags essentially without four out of their predicted starting five when fully healthy, along with a key reserve.

Boston College started off the game hot with seven-footer Quentin Post getting some easy buckets. Post was on fire all night and finished the game with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. The Stags were outmatched from the tip, but managed to keep the game relatively close the whole first half.

The Eagles started to pull away in the second half, but good shooting performances from the Stags kept it from getting out of hand. Redshirt Senior Brycen Goodine had a very strong performance after being injured almost all of last year. The six-foot-four guard led the stags in scoring and finished with 22 points.

Redshirt Freshman Michael Rogan had a great debut, scoring 18 on four-for-six shooting from deep. While the Fairfield squad was outmatched due to size and experience, there were many positives to take away from the game. One such positive was that they managed to win the turnover battle, an important aspect of any game.

The new freshman Smith, who committed to Fairfield late in the summer, also appears to be a great find, and will have time to develop more once Seck and Yetna return from injury.

“I'm proud of our effort and our fight tonight. We knew going in that Boston College represented a challenge, but there were also things within our control that we can improve upon,” said Interim Head Coach Chris Casey according to the game’s official recap.

The Stags fell 89-70.

"I look forward to what's to come for this group of guys starting with another test on Thursday at URI," he continued. This was Casey’s first game as the head coach after working as an assistant coach on the team for the past four campaigns.

Next, the team traveled to South Kingstown, R.I., on Thursday, Nov. 9 to take on the University of Rhode Island. The Stags played with only a seven-man rotation this game, as they only had eight scholarship players available.

Goodine once again had a strong performance, matching his point total from the first game. Recent St. Joseph College transfer Louis Bleechmore ‘24 had a great performance, finishing with a

career-high 24 points along with 12 rebounds and three steals.

Newcomer Jasper Floyd ‘25 also had a strong performance, as he played the full forty minutes and almost finished with a rare triple double.

Unfortunately, the final score of this game tells a different story than what the game was actually like. While the Stags only lost by 13 points, this was mostly due to a late push with less than nine minutes to go in the game. During this time, the Stags outscored the Rams by 21 to close the gap. They put up a fight, but lost 93-80.

The team did not show any signs of defeat and played hard until the final whistle. The Rams were red hot from the start and did not let up at all until the final minutes of the game.

High Point University transfer Jaden House scored 18 points in the first 10 minutes of the game, going four-for-five from distance. He would go on to finish the game with 22 points. The Stags were also sorely lacking size on the interior, and it was quite obvious from the jump.

Peyton Smith did his best to defend the Rams’ big men, but it was a tough task when multiple of them played at the same time.

Fairfield’s next tallest available players were Bleechmore and Rogan, with the former being listed as 6-6 and the second being more of a guard and perimeter wing by trade.

"In the second half, we showed some signs of the team we are capable of being this season. The effort and the intensity were there for 40 minutes, but we need to be more consistent in our execution," said Interim Head Coach Chris Casey according to the game’s official recap.

CONTINUED ON WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM

In this week's issue...

- Carly Thibault-DuDonis Reflects on Journey to Stag Country (Page 14) - Opinion: Eagles, Ravens Dominate Midterm Power Rankings (Page 15) - Cross Country Concludes Season in NCAA Division I Northeast Region Championship (Page 15) - Opinion: Jokic, Webanyama Among Players to Watch in Renewed NBA Season (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

Carly Thibault-DuDonis Reflects on Journey to Stag Country

BY BILLY MCGUIRE Assistant Sports Editor The Fairfield women’s basketball team ushered in a new era last season with the grand opening of their new home, the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. The unit had a solid showing at home, going 8-5, including 7-3 in conference play, with all three of their losses being decided in the final minutes of overtime. The brand new barn, along with the rejuvenated Red Sea, gave the squad high levels of excitement and momentum for years to come.

In addition to the new arena and what it has to offer, there is a lot more to be excited about going for the herd as well. If you attended any home games last season, you may have glared at the Fairfield sidelines at one point or another.

There, you may have noticed an unfamiliar face leading the charge: it is head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis, who enters her second season at the helm. She could not have arrived at a more perfect time, as her energy and passion for the game of basketball meshed perfectly with the excitement of the new barn and its Red Sea. On another note, this is Thibault-DuDonis’ first coaching opportunity. She has been around the game of basketball for the entirety of her life. She credits her family, in particular her dad, who is a coach, as one of the reasons why she is in the position that she is in today.

“I grew up around it. I think

Photo Courtesy of @FairfieldStags YouTube

Head women's basketball coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis credits her father and one-time boss, WNBA Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen as her biggest inspirations in the game of basketball. my whole life was kind of decided around basketball,” coach Thibault-DuDonis explains. “Actually when my mom was pregnant with me I was induced so that my dad could get to the NBA Summer League. So I think I was born to be in basketball, but with my dad coaching in the NBA, I obviously got to watch a lot of great basketball, but I think the shift happened for me when we moved to Connecticut when I was in seventh grade, and that's when my dad started coaching women.”

“He coached the WNBA and that was the first time I'd seen not only professional women's basketball players, but also professional female coaches. That was the first time I've ever really seen female coaches. So I got to have great role

models. I always really liked if you can see it you can be it and that was the first time I'd seen high level women's basketball players. I played it. I started playing AAU. I started getting more competitive in basketball and that was really kind of a turning point for me in basketball.”

Her father, Mike Thibault, has a wealth of coaching experience in both the NBA and WNBA. He has been an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks in the past, but has seen his greatest success as the coach of the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics. He is a three-time WNBA Coach of the Year, along with winning the 2019 WNBA Championship with the Mystics.

Thibault-DuDonis notes that her father never forced her to be in the gym. It was her choice. She credits her fathers’ supportive nature as one of the reasons why she fell in love with the game.

“My dad and I had kind of a deal, when I was in high school, that if I wanted to work out, I had to ask him to put me through a workout or rebound or shoot or, you know, watch film or anything like that,” Thibault-DuDonis says.

“I had to ask him to do that. So that allowed me to develop my own love and passion and not have it forced on me. I mean, for a long time I thought I would be like a normal college student and he was totally fine with that. I don't really listen, you know, to direct advice, but one of the things that really stuck

with me is when he was coaching, I would go talk with him a lot and because the WNBA plays in the summer, I would go to work at six or seven in the morning and be there from shooter ons and early practices to the coaches meetings.

And it never seemed like work you know, it's something you love to do and get a lot of passion for. I mean, you need to be in the gym for a living. And so I saw that from an early age you can love what you do.”

“And then I think the second thing that has always stuck with me and it wasn't I wouldn't say specific basketball advice but he's a lifelong learner and so he would go to any practice. High school, college, professional, wherever, with a notebook and jot down a couple of ideas. Take a practice plan, take a pen and whether it's a drill or you know a play that is part of a system, there are ways you can continue to make yourself better.”

The younger Thibault-Dudonis truly got motivated by coaching when she was the Director of Recruiting at Florida State University, her first stop on her coaching journey. One of the reasons why she took the job was because of that postgraduate program in Sports Psychology that Florida State offered, as she considered establishing a career in that field.

She then went on to coaching, but she has not stopped ignoring the importance of mental health in athletes.

The Weekly 5x4

READ FULL ARTICLE AT WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR. COM

Five People. Four Questions. Because we have witty things to say.

Julian Nazario Copy, Head News Editor

Ryan Marquardt Head Sports Editor

No. Overrated. I love seeing my family, but football and turkey, what could be worse.

Imagine starting the holidays without Thanksgiving! I can't.

Yes it is easily a top two holiday and it ain’t number two.

DUH!

Yes, stayed for the whole first half.

I was attending responding to emails and reviewing articles!

No, I was doing this.

Stuffing, sweet potatoes, turkey…all the staples.

Broccoli and cheddar casserole or stuffing.

Dessert. All the pies and cookies.

Arroz con gandules, turkey/pork y ensalada de coditos.

Stuffing for sure is atop the list.

All skills. Every new week is a new chance to put my amazing football IQ to the test.

I don’t know anything about this.

Um, I don’t know.

Let’s say that I’m 5-5 because I’m not lucky enough.

Honestly, most of it has to do with luck, unless I win, in which case it's all skill.

Tommy Coppola Editor-in-Chief

Brooke Lathe Executive Editor

Max Limric Managing Editor

Is Thanksgiving an underrated holiday?

Agreed with Ryan.

Definitely top two for me – best meal of the year.

It’s my favorite! Food, football, family … What more is there to ask?

Were you at the Men’s Basketball home opener at the Leo D. Mahoney arena?

I couldn’t make it, but I watched some of it!

It looked like a good game.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

How much of fantasy football is luck?

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of November 15, 2023

Opinion: Eagles, Ravens Dominate Midterm Power Rankings

By Aidan McGr ath Contributing Writer 1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) Kind of like Kansas City, it feels like things have come harder for Philadelphia.

But again, they stand at 8-1 with their best football ahead of them. The Eagles’ ceiling is probably the highest in the league, and they’ve shown that their floor is similarly lofty. Jalen Hurts has been his usual self, and A.J. Brown has already topped 1,000 yards. Combine that with the best offensive line and a defense that hasn’t even performed up to its expectations, and you have the likely favorite to lift the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Deebo Samuel (left) and Odell Beckham Jr. (right) both helped their teams win important games this season.

7. Dallas Cowboys (6-3) Much like Detroit and Miami, it’s almost like the Cowboys’ fate is predetermined before the season starts. Have a loaded roster, look like the best team in the league at times, and then choke when the lights shine brightest.

And while Dallas is solid, they have shown nothing that would make anyone believe this season will end differently.

2. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) Baltimore has outscored their last three opponents 106-33, including victories over the Lions and Seahawks by a combined score of 75-9. Injuries tend to bite the Ravens more than most, but John Harbaugh’s team has shown that when healthy, they are as good as anyone.

Ph ot oC ou rte sy of @ ra ve ns Ins tag ra m

5. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) Fully healthy, San Fran has the best all-around roster in football. The one weakness? It might actually be their quarterback.

Brock Purdy has looked lifeless at times with Deebo Samuel out of the lineup, and it feels like one injury by a skill position player could be their downfall.

m agra Inst ers @49

4. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) An 0-2 start to the season led many to ponder whether or not Cincinnati could assert itself as a contender once again. However, over the past four weeks, the Bengals have looked like the best team in football.

Quality wins over the 49ers and Bills coupled with a healthy Joe Burrow mean Cincinnati is not going away anytime soon.

8. Detroit Lions (7-2) Don’t get me wrong, the Lions are a fantastic team.

There is no reason to hate Detroit. Their offense remains one of the league’s best, with Ben Johnson dialing up plays and Jared Goff slinging the rock to Amon-Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Like Miami, though, can you really count on them when it matters most? After all, Detroit normally can’t even make it to January.

of tesy our to C Pho

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) They haven’t been convincing, but sometimes you just don’t need to.

Halfway through the season, the Chiefs are in a tie for the number one seed in the AFC, and that’s with the offense looking as bad as it has during the Mahomes era. You have to believe that gets sorted out sooner rather than later.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) Jacksonville looks every bit like the contender it’s billed to be after coming up just short of a victory over the eventual champion Chiefs. However, we haven’t seen them do it yet. Protecting Trevor Lawrence will be this team’s biggest challenge (and priority).

9. Miami Dolphins (6-3) Currently sitting atop the underwhelming AFC East, it feels like this year’s Miami team is a slightly better version of their predecessors. Obliterate the bad teams and lose to the good teams. The firepower of their offense cannot be denied, and their front seven has some juice. In the end, I just can’t be confident that Tua Tagovailoa can win four straight games in January.

10. Buffalo Bills (5-4) All season long, everyone has been too high on the Buffalo Bills. After years of coming up short, I think the same theme resonates in 2023. Playoffs? Perhaps, but Buffalo will be lucky to make it out of the first round unless they can overtake the Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East.

Read full article at www.fairfieldmirror.com

Cross Country Concludes Season in NCAA Northeast Region Championship

By Ryan MArquardt Head Sports Editor

On Friday, Nov. 11th, the Fairfield University cross country men’s and women’s teams concluded their fall campaigns at the NCA A Division I Northeast Region Championship at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y. The men’s team competed in the 10k event and Jack Putnam ‘26 finished first for the Stags, placing 227th out of the 259 player field with a time of 34:06.6 according to the official results, which was his personal best.

Following Putnam was Olli Muniz ‘27, who finished 30 seconds after Putnam placing him 231st. Alex Petersen ‘26 placed third for the Stags with a time of 34:48.4, following Petersen was Colin Shand ‘27 (34:59.3), Ryan Lindley ‘26 (35:04.6), Chase Orciuch ‘27 (35:04.9) and Kenny Power ‘27 (35:19.7), who all finished within 20 seconds of each

Providence. Fairfield placed last out of the 37 team field.

The women’s team competed in a 6k race in which Mia Strazzella ‘27 finished her stellar freshman campaign with another race where she finished atop the Stags which she did in all six meets this season. Strazzella finished with a time of 22:32.0 which placed her 162nd of the 265 runner field. Following Strazzella was Isabella Colabatistto ‘27 who placed 233rd with the time of 23:54.5. Catherine Lanahan ‘24 (24:27.5), Emily Dalla Riva ‘24 (24:27.5), and graduate student Claire Mason (24:31.7) finished back to back to back.

Rounding out the Stag participants were Megan Furlong ‘26 (25:24.6) and Photo Contributed by The Sports Information Desk Michaela Kenny ‘27 (25:35.2).

Sophomore Jack Putnam set his own personal best at the cross country's final meet of the year.

Syracuse placed first overall with three top 20 finishers. They were folother. Lindley’s time was his personal top score including two top three finish- lowed by Boston College, Providence best. ers and five top 15 finishers. They were and Harvard. Fairfield placed last out of Ional placed first overall with the followed by Harvard, Syracuse and the 37 team event.

@Fairfield Mirror fairfieldmirror.com

Week of November 15, 2023

Sports 16

Opinion: Jokic, Webanyama Among Players to Watch in Renewed NBA Season

By Br ady Carter Contributing Writer At long last the National Basketball Association season is back and fans are excited to watch their favorite teams play and simply enjoy the sport they love. The start of the new season comes with teams that will be successful and those that will not.

A team that I have an exuberant amount of confidence in this season is the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics finished last season second in the Eastern Conference and recorded a 57-25 record throughout the regular season.

They lost in a seven-game series to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals after failing to mount a 3-0 comeback.

This season, the Celtics’ roster looks stronger than last season even, with the loss of guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and Robert Williams III to the Portland Trail Blazers. During the offseason, the Celtics signed center Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year, $60 million contract, giving the Celtics that shooting big that they desperately need.

In addition, the Celtics signed guard Jrue Holiday who is a terrific defender and also fills the void that Smart leaves. On top of this, guard Jaylen Brown signed the largest contract in NBA history, totaling $303.7 million over five years.

Also, the Celtics have their

franchise player in forward Jayson Tatum, who keeps improving each season. The Celtics have come close to a championship in recent years, but with all the pieces they have this season, this is the year they bring a title back to Boston.

While many teams are bound for success in the NBA this year, many are poised for a tough season. One team that fits this category is the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies had a tremendous season last year, finishing second in the Western Conference with a record of 5131. They lost in a six-game series to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals.

This success was mainly due to the play of superstar guard Ja Morant, but his absence at the beginning of the season will be why they will fail to live up to expectations. Morant was issued a 25-game suspension in midJune for posing with a firearm in a live-stream video on Instagram in May. The absence of their star guard is the main reason they may not see the results they want, but it isn’t the only reason.

Center Steven Adams sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last January.

That would force him to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season and the playoffs. He is expected to return for the 2024-25 season, but his defensive presence will be missed as the Grizzlies

Photo Courtesy of @spurs Instagram

Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama has started his career averaging 19.7 ppg, with 8.8 rebounds per game. progress throughout the season.

These two factors will cause the Grizzlies to have a rough year.

The Most Valuable Player

Photo Courtesy of @nuggets Instagram

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is a two time MVP and NBA champion leading the Nuggets to the top this past year.

for the upcoming season will be center Nikola Jokic. The 6’11 center from Serbia averaged 24.5/11.8/9.8 shooting 63.2% during the regular season. This team also went on to win the championship and their roster has stayed perfectly intact for this year. Jokic is the best player in the world at the moment and this is the season that brings home his third MVP award in the last four seasons.

The Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season will be Victor Wembanyama. I don’t think there’s too much debate over this one, as Wembanyama is the most hyped-up prospect since LeBron James. The 7’4 phenom from France possesses all the necessary qualities for success in the NBA. Wembanyama is simply a player that the NBA has never seen before and is truly a generational talent. He can shoot from range, has great ball handling and his eight-foot wingspan makes him a great defender too. This Rookie of the Year race won’t be close and the hardware will go to Wembanyama.

The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) will be Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers. Last season, Mobley finished third in DPOY voting while averaging nine rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. He is poised for a breakout season on both ends of the ball, but his dominant defensive skills will once again shine through as the season goes on. This will be the

year when Mobley takes home the award.

The Most Improved Player this season will be Cade Cunningham. The number one pick in 2021 for the Pistons had a very disappointing 2022-23 season that ended early by means of a foot injury that needed surgery.

Cunningham is a dynamic player who can put up big numbers day in and day out. The Pistons also have the potential to break out as a competitive team this year, which only helps Cunningham’s chances.

The Sixth Man of the Year will be Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley. He averaged 14.9/4.2/3.4 coming off the bench and finished second in voting last season. He was extremely impactful when he was in the game with an extremely high plus/minus. Quickley is known to be able to shift the momentum of games whenever he steps on the court. This will be the year when Quickley wins the award.

The Coach of the Year (COTY) will be Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla. Last season Mazzulla had a successful season, as he led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals even though they lost to the Miami Heat in heartbreaking fashion.

This year, Mazzulla will build on this with the help of superstars Tatum and Brown. The Celtics will finish with the best record in the East this year and go on to win the NBA Championship which is why the COTY award will go to Joe Mazzulla.