Following the withdrawal of Nelson Peña de Jesús, president of Nestlé USA’s Global Culinary Kitchen, as the 2026 commencement speaker, University officials have selected Sheena Collier, CEO of Boston While Black, as the new speaker.
President Nancy Niemi announced Collier as the new speaker in an email to the Uni-
versity community on April 14.
Founded by Collier, Boston While Black is a “network of professionals, creatives, community and business leaders, and some of the city’s largest employers - all united by a shared vision: where everyone can find connection, grow their network, explore what the city has to offer, and have fun doing it,” according to its website.
In her email, Niemi said throughout Collier’s career,
“she has created spaces where individuals can build meaningful networks, find support, and thrive - work that has had a profound impact on our region.” Collier has also been recognized as one of the ‘Most Influential Bostonians’ by Boston Magazine.
By Sarah Daponde Arts & Features Editor
College students run on caffeine.
At $4.25 for a 12-ounce can of Celsius from the Framingham State Snack Bar, there is only one plausible option after a late-night study session - coffee.
FSU has its very own Dunkin - as any university in Massachusetts should - and another coffee place, the Red Barn Café, tucked obscurely away in the library.
But the city of Framingham has dozens of options, and FSU students are not missing out on any of them.
Ollie Mainguy said she occasionally gets drinks from on campus, but during her sophomore year, she has been branching out to places in the surrounding area.
“You’d be surprised how many coffee places exist - and how different they all are,” said Ollie. She said coffee is not her first choice of beverage, but she loves to try new teas and lemonades.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Catcher Jocelyn Pepe preparing to throw the ball back to pitcher Audrey Gauthier in win against Mass. Maritime on April 14.
Adrien Gobin
(Left) Alyssa Domrose, Miranda Allicon, Kendall Winston, and Professor of Art Jennifer Dowling chatting at the MazGal show on April 14.
E ditorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Sophia Oppedisano
Associate Editors
Adrien Gobin
Dylan Pichnarcik
Multimedia Editor
Antonio Machado
Copy Editor
Cole Johnson
News Editor
Bella Grimaldi
Asst. News Editor
Avery Slavin
Opinions Editor
Izayah Morgan
Sports Editor
Izabela Gage
Asst. Sports Editor
Taylor Kimmell
Arts & Features Editor
Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
Sarah Daponde
Photos & Design Editor
Alexis Schlesinger
Asst. Photos & Design Editors
Christy Howland
Onyx Lovely
Illustrations Editor
Marcus Falcão
Staff Illustrators
Rileigh Kelley
Tobias Cotton-Selman
Staff Writers
Zaynab Ahmed
Jesse Burchill
Kristel Erguiza
Julien Fernandez
Paul Harrington
Dan Lima
Anita Loughlin
Kate Norrish
Wenchell Pierre
Nathan Piette
Andrew Ramirez
Staff Photographers
Meg Dame
Advisor
Desmond McCarthy
Asst. Advisor
Elizabeth Banks
Graduate
Emma
Gatepost Interview Maureen Dutile Student
By Antonio Machado Multimedia Editor
What is your academic and professional background?
I earned a Bachelor of Arts at Assumption College, now called Assumption University. My professional background that is most relevant to my position now is in auditing. I was an auditor at U.S. Trust, which is not around anymore. … I was a teaching assistant at an elementary schoolnot that that really prepares me for higher education - but it did teach me to work with children. It got me used to working in a cycle during academic times. It’s fast paced, but you also get your downtime to catch up and prepare.
What drew you to Framingham State?
I’m from Framingham, and I grew up in Framingham. I’ve always had an interest in Framingham State. The campus has always been beautiful, and I always felt that it provides a great education.
What do you like best about your role at FSU?
I love working with the students the best. I get a variety of personalities every day, and I learn so much from them, and I also hope they learn from me, too. I’m hoping that I can be in this role so another person like me can be in my own children’s lives. It would be nice to talk to more students.
What is something you appreciate about FSU beyond your position?
I really love the look of the campus. I think our grounds crew does a spectacular job. I appreciate all the people I work with. I mean, there really isn’t anything on campus I don’t appreciate. It would be nice to talk to more students. I do have to say, I take some exercise classes, so I have met a lot of students through that, and I have never, ever met a student who hasn’t been absolutely friendly and happy to be there. … And the instructors are really good.
Payroll Coordinator
Do you have any hobbies or things you enjoy outside of your professional life?
I like to travel. I went to London last year, which was really fun. I went with some friends because “The Devil Wears Prada Musical” opened, and we really wanted to see that, and we’re getting together again to go see the movie’s sequel in a couple of weeks. I also go to plays frequently. I love live theater. I often visit my son, Andrew, in New York, and catch some live theater while I’m there, or even one of his shows, because he performs drag.
What advice do you have for students at FSU?
Soak up what you can at FSU because you’re not just getting an academic education - it’s really an education on life. I think no matter what you think about your experience here now, you’re going to look back on it fondly.
WITH ANTONIO MACHADO amachado4@student.framingham.edu
Courtesy of Maureen Dutile
FSUPD introduces Autism Awareness Month patch
By Avery Slavin Asst. News Editor
The Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD) announced a new Autism Awareness patch campaign for the month of April.
This is a new campaign the police department has introduced, alongside their Breast Cancer Awareness “Pink Patch Project” and their Childhood Cancer Awareness Month campaign.
Sergeant Harry Singh said that FSUPD was inspired to begin the project after attending the Law Enforcement and Autism Co-Response Collaboration hosted at William James College in Newton.
The training was hosted by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, and Singh described it as “incredibly insightful, providing valuable knowledge, real-world strategies, and practical tools to enhance communication to and understanding for individuals on the spectrum.
“It highlighted the importance of collaboration between first responders, clinicians, and community partners to create safer and more effective interactions,” he added.
Singh said during the training, he learned about the foundation’s Police Patch Fundraising Initiative for Autism Awareness, in which “hundreds of police departments partner with the Flutie Foundation each April to raise funds and promote awareness through the sale of autism-themed patches.”
He said a “meaningful moment” from the training was being chosen to receive a $1,000 grant through a foundation-sponsored raffle. Those funds “made this project possible” and were used to design and purchase the patches and flex badges the officers wear on their vests.
Chief Philip Di Blasi said FSUPD supports the foundation’s mission to promote autism awareness, safety, and acceptance.
He said Sergeant Singh and the rest of FSUPD’s Community Engagement team worked hard to build a relationship with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Singh said autism awareness is especially important to FSUPD because it “directly influences how officers serve, protect, and communicate with members of the campus community.”
He said it allows for more effective responses, as individuals with autism may respond differently in high-stress situations. They may avoid eye con-
tact or be unable to respond to verbal commands.
Awareness allows officers to adapt accordingly, so situations stay calm and collected, as well as ensuring trust from and support of a diverse campus community.
FSUPD has collaborated with the Counseling Center for this project, specifically in support of the Blue Envelope Program, allowing any member of the campus community to obtain a blue envelope that holds important documents and communication guidance for officers to quickly recognize that “extra patience, clear instructions, and de-escalation techniques may be needed,” Singh said.
He added the Center for Academic Success and Achievement also supports the initiative and helps spread the word about accessible resources for individuals who may need extra support, especially during interactions with law enforcement.
The patch itself, finished with a rainbow infinity symbol, was designed by Dirty Water Collectibles.
Run by a full-time Saugus police officer, the company has created specialized patches for FSUPD in the past, such as a breast cancer awareness patch, a childhood cancer patch, and this year’s autism patch.
“He’s the one who makes my ideas a reality. I told him what I wanted, and we came up with our own design,” Singh said.
Di Blasi said the best way the campus community can get involved is by “attending awareness events, participating in campus or local programs, supporting autism-focused organizations, sharing educational resources, and engaging in conversations that promote acceptance and inclusion year-round - not just during Autism Awareness Month.”
Sophomore Ria Padayachee said, “I think the autism awareness project is a great way to inform the community. I think it teaches people how to be more inclusive to those who have autism.”
Freshman Rachel Smyers said, “As a future educator, I understand that people with autism are very, very misunderstood. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many autistic children for the past year and have noticed that they’re the most insightful people I have ever met.
“Any awareness of autism is important, not only for autistic individuals to be more accepted in communities, but also for their safety. Awareness can shed so much light on how people on the spectrum may think or act. I am all for it,” she added.
Sophomore Elizabeth Rivers, who works and lives with individuals on the spectrum, said she loves that FSUPD is raising awareness about it.
Rivers said, “I think it’s very important for people to be educated on the topic. There are still a lot of people who don’t understand disabilities, which is OK. That’s why it’s important to talk about it.
“It’s also important to spread awareness to spread acceptance. There are still so many people who don’t accept people with disabilities and discriminate against them. The more people show their support to those with disabilities, the more likely people will be accepting of them,” she added.
Senior Parker Winters said the officers wearing the autism patches brings a “positive attitude toward the community and makes sure people are being more inclusive. It’s good to see their excitement about it.”
Junior Quincy Leary said he thinks FSUPD raising awareness allows students to “be more cautious and not judge others. They won’t look at them like they are lesser than anyone else.”
Courtesy of Harry Singh
New GenEd model approved by University committees
By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor
After a semester of revisions, the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) voted to approve an updated General Education (GenEd) model at a meeting on April 3.
The committee unanimously approved the model, which will replace the current GenEd domain model, in effect since 2013. The new model is set to be adopted by the University in Fall 2027, UCC Chair Aline Davis, a biology professor, said.
ple to touch. There were a couple of problems with it. For one thing, it was a little more restrictive with how it was lined up.”
Davis said when the University originally adopted the model, it was believed it would provide students with flexibility. “But then, students got a little pinched because they had to find specific courses to fulfill specific domains that fit around their schedules and fit around their work, and oftentimes, that was a little more difficult.”
The new model, which was
come to a consensus about what they wanted GenEd to look like. It did not match what the GEAB wanted or what the GEAB had approved,” Davis said.
After the model was withdrawn, a memo was sent to GEAB outlining areas that needed revision, Davis said.
At the beginning of this academic year, a revised model was submitted to UCC, which incorporated many of the changes requested by UCC.
Lynne said during last year’s UCC proceedings, “There was too much controversy, and the
a world language course. Students will also take two courses in the humanities, two social and behavioral science courses, and two mathematics or science courses. The new model also allows for more departmental flexibility, removing the restriction that students cannot take two courses with the same prefix in GenEd, Davis said.
Lynne said with the new model, “it’s going to become much more about ‘what do I want to do. What’s a skill set that’s going to complement my major?
“ It’s going to become much more about ‘what do I want to do. What’s a skill set that’s going to complement my major? My professional goals? What am I just jazzed by?’ ”
- Patricia Lynne GEAB Chair
Referring to the current GenEd system, Davis said the domain model “is very specific about this. [In domain GenEd], this is everything we want peo-
previously proposed by the General Education Advisory Board (GEAB), chaired by English Professor Patricia Lynne, was withdrawn because UCC “did not
way UCC was running, it was not going to move forward as it was. So it was sent back to the General Education Advisory Board with the idea that we would reconsider and bring forward what we felt was best, and we reconsidered and brought forward about the same thing.”
Regarding the new model, Lynne said, “One of the things that the General Education Advisory Board is supporting, supported, and I have supported, is the amount of student choice in this model that we stop telling you what you need to take, and we instead start asking you to think about what you want to take.”
The “core” model consists of 10 GenEd courses, making up one-third of the institution’s degree requirements as outlined by Framingham State’s accrediting body, the New England Commission of Higher Education. The University mandates a minimum of 30 credits to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Davis said the model is also aimed at providing more choices for students. “What we have done with this model is give students the power back. We want to give you the ability to make your decisions.
“My philosophy on GenEd is it is an opportunity for you to learn new things, and most of all, it is an opportunity for you to put interests together,” she added. “What this model does that the [previous] domain model doesn’t is if you find that new interest, you can actually pursue it a little bit more than what you could have done.”
Davis said the model is “not flashy, but I actually think it’s going to be more functional.”
At the core of the model, students will be required to take a RAMS first-year or honors seminar, a Composition II or writing course, one math course, and
my professional goals? What am I just jazzed by?’” When students plan their academic schedule.
Additionally, the laboratory science requirement is removed from the new model. “We had a really long discussion about that, and that was probably one of the closest votes,” Davis said.
She added, “We had a lot of students who, due to their major, due to their internships, due to their working schedule, finding an additional three hours during the semester to take a course … was really problematic.”
She added labs, which typically run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., are “really tight for athletes.”
The removal of the laboratory requirement from GenEd does not remove it as a major requirement.
“If there is any particular program that believes that their students should be taking a laboratory course, you make it a major-related requirement. … There’s nothing holding programs from doing that if they believe the loss of the lab is going to cause a major issue for their students,” Davis said.
This model was approved by the All-University Committee on April 10, 8-1-0. It will be sent to the provost and president for institutional approval and adoption.
OPINIONS
THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL
Sheena Collier is the right choice for commencement
President Nancy Niemi notified the Framingham State community about the new 2026 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony speaker, Sheena Collier, on April 14.
The announcement came only five days after Niemi emailed the community that Nestlé USA’s Global Culinary Kitchen President Nelson Peña de Jesús had withdrawn as the 2026 commencement speaker.
Niemi said Peña de Jesús “expressed concern that the attention surrounding his participation could distract from what should be a joyful and celebratory moment for the Class of 2026.”
The most pressing concern was that the Nestlé corporation does not represent the values, morals, and mission of the University due to its controversial humanitarian practices, including a historic use of child labor.
The speaker from Nestlé was chosen to spotlight alumna Ruth Graves Wakefield, the inventor of the chocolate chip cookie.
The Gatepost Editorial Board remains disappointed by the decision to platform Nestlé to highlight the work of an incredible female inventor whose work continues to impact the global community.
To truly honor Wakefield, a strong female pioneer would be a better choice. The Gatepost Editorial Board believes Sheena Collier is a speaker far better suited to honor not only Wakefield, but also other incredible alumnae.
The University made the right choice in selecting Collier, the founder and CEO of Boston While Black, to deliver the commencement address as well as receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Collier stayed in Boston after graduating from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and began working to build connections among the Black community to redefine Boston as a city “where Black people don’t have to choose between opportunity and authenticity - because community, culture, and connection are built in,” according to the Boston While Black website. Collier’s mission should feel familiar to Framingham State students. Niemi said, “She speaks to the importance of building community, navigating new environments, and creating opportunity - not just for oneself, but for others. These are lessons that resonate deeply with the journeys our students are about to begin.”
Further, Collier’s experience, mission, and success reflect the
University’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Collier wrote on her LinkedIn in reference to her selection, “There is something powerful about being in spaces where people are on the edge of what’s next, figuring out who they are and who they want to become. To be invited into that moment is not something I take lightly.”
Our community is dedicated to truth, innovation, and opportunity. Framingham State students are hard-working and passionate, and they strive to improve our community. The Class of 2026 will be the latest group of students who will bring these values out into the world.
They deserve a speaker who will inspire them with her success story of how it is possible to make change and connect people in the real world.
This is the message our 2026 undergraduates deserve to hear on their commencement day.
We look forward to welcoming Sheena Collier on May 23 and embracing her as a permanent member of the Framingham State community and the Class of 2026.
Campus Conversations
What’s one way the University can better serve its students?
By Izayah Morgan, Opinions Editor, and Alexis Schlesinger, Editorial Staff
“More
“There needs to be more on-campus events so students can socialize with each other, so they can build community.”
“Making the more affordable housing options be more up-to-date on necessities and amenities.”
- Aniyah Silvestre, freshman
“I think with dining, we can provide more vegetarian options for students. I know vegetarian students who are not able to eat because of lack of variation.”
“Instead of taking a RAMS class only freshman year, I think we should have a refresher for people who forgot.”
- Grace Delisle, freshman
activities to bring the campus together. I feel like we’re too cliquey.”
- Anderson Herrera, junior
“More places for us to sit and hang out. Also, a lot of students can benefit from not having to pay for parking passes.”
- Quincy Leary, junior
- Bianca Ferguson, junior
- Zen Crosby, senior
Seeking the truth
My experience at Framingham State
By Izayah Morgan Opinions Editor
Framingham State is one of nine public state universities for any future educator in Massachusetts. I would say this is undoubtedly the best option.
In my experience, the professors in my department (psychology) have not only prepared me for my graduate experience next year, but they are figures who will have my back when it comes to anything I might pursue afterward. Other departments, such as English, sociology, and education, have all provided me with a robust experience and educational opportunities.
The community of students has taught me to be inquisitive and seek the truth. Even though we are a small campus, the friends I’ve made at social events, clubs, and small hangouts have fostered a sense of belonging. More importantly, they feel earned and lifelong.
Physically, this University has helped me grow into my full adult form. Coming into my freshman year, I was extremely underweight because of previous medical issues combined with the fact my muscle mass was also extremely low compared to my total body weight.
Because of the friends I made, open gym access here seven
days a week, nutritional options at the dining hall (and being able to eat as much as I wanted), I am now a healthy weight for my height, and I have adequate amount of muscle mass, with around 22 Body Mass Index (BMI).
I’ve won more awards at this
Gatepost.
Academically, socially, and physically, I have reached my peak - thanks to Framingham State University.
However, that doesn’t mean the experience has been all award ceremonies and inspirational instruction.
University than I have space for - so I’ve had to buy a trophy case for the first time in my life. The awards recognize my work experience at the Center for Inclusive Excellence, the Center for Academic Success and Achievement, and The
There’s an old saying that has never left my mind since I was a child: “You have to work twice as hard for half as much.” As a Black man, I have had to show up in spaces biting my tongue.
In those same spaces, I have been asked if I belong there or if
what I’m wearing is appropriate. Then, I have to think to myself, “If I were a white man wearing the same clothes, would I get this feedback?” Even though almost half the enrollment at FSU is BIPOC students, the comments and microaggressions from others never really stop.
I’ve been in classrooms where the professor slips up and says something insensitive to people in the room. And when you try to bring it up to people who seem to be in a position where they can do something about it, the concern instead gets pushed to the side, and you are made to feel your experience is invalid. This is hard because oftentimes, it can feel as if you’re the only person seeing this behavior, so you don’t feel strong enough to come forward. I want the University to do better with supporting their students when they come forward about issues of this nature.
Imposter syndrome was also something I experienced in my first year at FSU - feeling as if I wasn’t smart enough, bold enough, or extroverted enough to fit in. The feeling lasted for a little longer than I wanted, but once everything clicked, that feeling vanished.
Overall, would I go back in time to experience FSU again? ‘Ram’ straight I would.
Social media is blocking you from reaching your personal style
By Anita Loughlin Staff Writer
The many trends we are exposed to on almost every social media platform are beginning to drown out the true meaning of personal style.
What would you wear if you didn’t have the constant access to consuming a whole trend cycle that rises and falls daily through your phone?
TikTok, specifically, has transformed into a platform that has spun out of control, categorizing niche aesthetics into rules and shopping lists. Endless videos box aesthetics into moodboards with the exact clothing required to achieve them.
Although the platform can be a valuable source of inspiration, the line between inspiration and replication has become drastically blurred. As Shenea Walker argues in her Substack article, “You Don’t Have Personal Style, You Have WiFi,” many people are no longer developing style - they are copying it.
Over the past decade, trend cycles have accelerated faster than we even have time to meaningfully participate in them. Fast fashion has made aesthetics widely accessible, and the ones that are pushed out the most aggressively are the same ones that are the quickest to fade away.
“We’re not even given time to decide if we actually like something before we’re sick of it, and by the time we want to play into it, it feels almost too late,” said Walker.
This speed adds an immense pressure to owning an item before it becomes outdated and too embarrassing to wear. Social
media hands us every styling tip, every OOTD (Outfit Of The Day), and every link to copy and purchase the exact same outfit everyone is wearing. The steady process of developing style is becoming replaced by the ease of just copying it instead.
You don’t have to spend time searching for your favorite de-
signers to take inspiration from anymore when you can just search for a video breakdown telling you how to style something, and social media makes this more mindless than ever.
The result is a loss of originality when everyone is dressing as carbon copies of each other, taken from the same ref-
erences. According to a Vogue article, “Did Micro-trends Kill the Trend Cycle?” written by Madeline Schulz, even the fashion industry hesitates including hyper-specific trends on to the runway.
“Less ‘cores’ are making their way from TikTok feeds to fashion publications, and the fashion crowd is wondering whether the coolest thing to do is not to trend at all, a question posed by Vogue’s Julia Hobbs for the British Vogue’s June issue,” said Schulz.
Fashioning an identity is slow. It simply cannot and should not be rushed, just like how getting to know a person should not be rushed.
Developing a personal identity through clothing requires an inner truth that doesn’t change as well as years of consistency and repetition. This is what puts you at the ultimate level of ‘Coolness.’
When you know who you are, the clothes you wear and the aesthetics you choose should tailor to your accommodation. Your “aesthetic” should not be a shield for who you are at your center, and you do not need to own something just because it’s popular.
There are ways to engage with trends and aesthetics subtly without rebuilding your whole wardrobe on something that may only exist temporarily. Instead of looking for what’s trending, look for yourself first. Trends will continue to rise and fall, but when personal style is genuine, it’s never temporary.
Courtesy of Anita Loughlin
Courtesy of Renee Robinson
SPORTS
Baseball sweeps MCLA in three-game series
By Izabela Gage Sports Editor
After a 7-5 win in 11 innings on April 10, the Framingham State Rams completed their sweep over the MCLA Trailblazers with two wins, with scores of 9-1 and 2-1, on April 11.
These three wins improve their conference record to 4-10 and their overall record to 6-17.
In the first game, the Rams had a quiet first inning, but after two outs, the Trailblazers hit a single and then earned a walk. They hit another single to center field and made it home to take the lead 1-0.
After a hitless second, third, and fourth inning for both teams, sophomore Rosco Palmer brought back the energy in the top of the fifth when he hit a home run to left field.
Freshman Zach Kern then advanced to first on a fielding error before sophomore Jakob Lindkvist singled. Junior Colin Johnson hit a single of his own, moving the bases, and Kern was able to score unearned.
The Trailblazers responded quickly in the bottom of the fifth inning, when MCLA’s Benjamin Jacob singled and then advanced to second on a throwing error. Their next batter grounded out, and Jacob made it to third.
After another single by MCLA’s Jake Jasminski, Jacob made it to home unearned, successfully tying the game 2-2.
Both teams remained scoreless in the sixth inning, and in the seventh, both the Rams and the Trailblazers were retired in order.
In the top of the eighth, Johnson singled through the left side and stole second, but the Rams were unable to capitalize after a double play.
Framingham had a strong defense and prevented MCLA from scoring in the bottom half, with two groundouts and a strikeout.
The Rams were unable to generate offense in the ninth. In the bottom of the inning, freshman pitcher August Hayes entered in relief.
MCLA doubled to left center and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, but the Rams’ defense held firm, sending the game into extra innings.
Kern and Lindkvist got out in the 10th inning before junior Scott Paquette singled up the middle. Johnson followed with a flyout, leaving Paquette stranded.
Good pitching and fielding by the Rams made the Trailblazers go down in order in the bottom of the 10th.
The Rams broke through at the top of the 11th. Junior Massimo Mondi led off with a walk, followed by sophomore Christian Cox being hit by a pitch.
A sacrifice bunt by junior Johnny Lynch advanced both runners into scoring position.
Sophomore Nicholas Kutcher then singled down the left field line to bring home Mondi. Palmer followed with a single to left field, loading the bases.
Kern delivered a two-RBI single down the right field line, scoring Kutcher and Cox, and
later stole second. Lindkvist added to the rally with a two-RBI single up the middle, bringing in Kern and Palmer.
Paquette struck out swinging, and Johnson fouled out to end the inning, but the Rams had a 7-2 lead.
MCLA attempted a comeback in the bottom of the 11th. Christopher Gallagher singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and their next batter followed with a single to right center, moving Gallagher to third.
Joe Sardo followed with a single through the right side to score Gallagher, while Roshan Warriar advanced to third.
Their next batter grounded out, bringing in Warriar.
Jacob reached first on a fielding error, and Sardo advanced to third and scored on a throwing error, unearned.
With two outs, Jacob was thrown out at second to end the game 7-5 in favor of the Rams.
In the second game of the series, the Trailblazers struck first at the top of the first inning.
Warriar tripled to right field and later scored on a sacrifice fly to give MCLA a 1-0 lead.
Framingham responded immediately in the bottom half with a six-run inning.
Cox singled and stole second while Lynch drew a walk. Kutcher doubled to left field to bring Cox home and move Lynch to third.
Palmer followed with a twoRBI single to bring in both runners and then stole second.
Kern extended the rally with an RBI triple to right field, and Lindkvist added another RBI with a triple to center.
Paquette capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to score Lindkvist, giving the Rams a 6-1 lead.
The Trailblazers reached first on a fielding error and a muffed throw at the top of the second, but the Rams ended the inning without allowing a run.
Framingham went down in order in the bottom of the second, and MCLA was again held score-
less in the third despite a walk and a single.
Palmer added to the Rams’ lead in the bottom of the third when he tripled to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly from Kern, extending the advantage to 7-1.
The fourth inning was quiet for both teams.
The Trailblazers then recorded a single in the fifth, but were unable to convert a run.
The Rams added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Cox doubled to right field, and Lynch singled to move him to third. Kutcher then singled to bring Cox home.
After a sacrifice bunt by Palmer advanced the runners, Kern grounded out to score Lynch, making it 9-1.
MCLA put two runners on with walks in the sixth inning, but they were unable to score.
Framingham threatened in the bottom half with a double from Johnson, but left him stranded.
In the seventh, the Trailblazers reached on a fielding error and a hit-by-pitch, but the Rams closed out the inning to secure the 9-1 win.
In the final game of the series, both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings.
In the third, MCLA hit a single, and the runner advanced on a wild pitch, but was left stranded after two outs.
Framingham managed a double from Mondi, but he was thrown out to end the inning.
MCLA broke through in the top of the fourth inning. After reaching on a throwing error and adding a single, the Trailblazers loaded the bases with a walk.
Their next batter then drew a walk to bring in a run, taking a 1-0 lead.
Framingham’s batters went out in order at the bottom of the fourth.
MCLA added two hits in the fifth but were unable to score after a strikeout.
In the bottom of the fifth,
Palmer walked and stole second, but the inning ended with two strikeouts.
The Trailblazers went down in order with two strikeouts and a groundout at the top of the sixth.
The Rams responded in the bottom half, when Johnson walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Cox then singled to bring him home, tying the game 1-1.
In the bottom half of the seventh, Kutcher tripled to right field, and Palmer followed with a single to center field to drive him in.
The Rams secured the 2-1 victory to complete the three-game sweep over MCLA.
Kern tallied three runs, five RBIs, and two hits throughout the three wins.
Kern said, “My mindset with runners on base is to stay simple and get a good pitch to hit. I’m not trying to do too much, just put a solid swing on the ball and move runners.
“When you keep it simple and put the ball in play, good things usually happen, especially with guys in scoring position,” he added.
He said the offense builds “momentum through the lineup. Once we start stringing hits together, it puts pressure on the defense and keeps everyone locked in.”
Cox had three hits, three runs scored, and one RBI across the three games.
He said, “I found pitches to drive, stayed very disciplined up there - only attacking pitches that I thought would be gamechanging. Staying balanced and trusting my hands is what I turn to when it’s crunch time.”
The Rams lost to the Mass. Maritime Buccaneers 6-2 in a conference matchup April 14.
Cox said the team’s biggest improvement this season has been their hitting. “Everyone is being more disciplined and grinding at bat to get on and score for the team. … We still look to clean up our defense so we can win more ball games.”
The Rams defeated the Curry College Colonels 9-8 April 15, but fell to the Emerson College Lions 19-5 April 16, bringing their overall record to 7-19, while their conference record remains 4-11.
The Rams face the Westfield State Owls in a three-game series April 17 and 18, aiming to improve their conference record.
Cox said, “It’s a team sporteveryone has to plug away and work together. If it wasn’t for guys getting on and executing, we wouldn’t be able to do what we did. When everyone does their job, there is no stopping us.”
Kern said, “Moving forward, we’re focused on tightening everything up and playing more consistent baseball. Our goal is to make a strong push for the playoffs and compete to win it all, and we believe we’re capable of that.”
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Sophomore Jakob Lindkvist swinging at a pitch in loss against Worcester St. on March 31.
Softball dominates Mass. Maritime in doubleheader
By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor
In a set of conference games April 14, the Framingham State Rams defeated the Mass. Maritime Buccaneers with a score of 6-2 in game one and a score of 9-4 in game two.
These wins improve the Rams’ conference record to 7-3 and their overall record to 11-13.
Framingham took the field at the top of the first inning, with junior Peyton Farris on the mound.
After Farris struck the first batter out swinging, the second sent a ground ball to freshman Nina Buda at shortstop, who threw the ball to sophomore Ava Gray at first base for the second out.
The Rams closed out the first half of the inning with another strikeout by Farris, catching the batter out looking.
A strong lead-off performance by FSU sophomore Ellie EtemadGilbertson saw a single to left field, followed up by a successful bunt by sophomore Isabella MacDonald.
Captain Eliza Carignan, a junior, was next to bat for the Rams, loading the bases with a walk.
A wild pitch during Gray’s atbat allowed all runners on base to advance, scoring Etemad-Gilbertson.
Gray’s at-bat yielded a walk, then a wild pitch during the following at-bat allowed MacDonald to cross the plate and Carignan and Gray to advance to third and second, respectively.
Sophomore Amanda Roche finished her at-bat by grounding out to second, but her contact brought Carignan home and moved Gray to third.
Captain Jocelyn Pepe, a sophomore, grounded out to third, then sophomore Giana Paolino lined out to third, ending the first inning.
Early singles by the Buccaneers’ fourth and fifth batters put runners in scoring position, allowing a hit by Mass. Maritime’s Cassie Lynch to get one across the plate, bringing the score to 3-1.
Plays by Farris, Carignan, and freshman Mikayla Yuricheck closed out the top of the inning.
Despite successes by Buda and Etemad-Gilbertson at the plate, no runs were scored by FSU in the second inning.
The third inning passed quickly, with two outs made by Yuricheck and one made by Buda. In the bottom of the inning, Carignan, Gray, and Roche all made contact, but were each thrown or caught out.
FSU kept the Buccaneers scoreless in the fourth inning as well, with a catch by Paolino in right field and plays by Yuricheck and Carignan in the infield.
Pepe and Paolino struggled at the plate. Buda singled, allowing her to advance to third on an error. This started the Rams’ twoout rally.
Yuricheck hit a single to right field, bringing in the run from Buda. On the next pitch, Yuricheck stole second, putting her in scoring position on EtemadGilbertson’s single to left field.
Etemad-Gilbertson stole second, then a triple hit to right center by MacDonald brought her in. Carignan walked during her at-bat, but runners were left on base after Gray fouled out.
Inning five was scoreless for both teams, with great plays by Carignan and MacDonald. FSU’s only success at the plate came from Pepe, who singled to shortstop.
The Rams left only one runner on base during the sixth, but plays by Farris, Carignan, and Yuricheck left the runner stranded.
Yuricheck and MacDonald both singled in the bottom of the second, but neither was able to cross home plate.
The Buccaneers made a lastditch effort to put up some runs during the seventh inning.
Mass. Maritime’s first batter made it on base with a single, the second was thrown out at first by Carignan, and then the third was caught on a fielder’s choice, advancing the leading runner to third.
Another fielder’s choice got the out at first, allowing the third base runner to cross the plate.
After the following batter hit a single to center field, Farris struck the final batter out looking, ending the first game 6-2 in favor of Framingham.
The opening inning of the second game was scoreless, with both teams accumulating one hit each, FSU’s coming from Etemad-Gilbertson with a single hit up the middle.
After a successful defensive inning in the field, the Rams stepped back into the batter’s box.
Gray started the action with a single up the middle, then Pepe walked to first, advancing Gray to second. A single by Roche advanced both runners, loading the bases.
Paolino was next up, hitting a drive back to the pitcher, who made the play to throw Gray out at home.
During her at-bat, sophomore Audrey Gauthier popped the ball up and it was grabbed by the catcher, making two outs for the Buccaneers.
Yuricheck made contact next with a ball hit to shortstop, advancing Roche and Paolino and scoring Pepe.
With the bases still loaded, Etemad-Gilbertson stepped to the plate, sending a hard shot to the outfield for a triple and
bringing in runs from Yuricheck, Paolino, and Roche.
After Etemad-Gilbertson scored, stealing home on a wild pitch, MacDonald fouled out to first, ending the inning.
The top of the third saw a run for Mass. Maritime on an RBI single, but the team made no other moves during their at-bat.
The Rams loaded the bases with their first three batters, with singles by Carignan and Pepe and a walk by Gray.
Roche hit a double to send all three baserunners home, raising the score to 8-1.
Before the Buccaneers could make three outs, Roche also scored, crossing the plate on a single by Paolino.
Farris struck out two batters early in the fourth, but Mass. Maritime brought in three runsone on an RBI hit and two on a fielding error - before a catch by Paolino in right field ended the inning.
A double by Carignan was the Rams’ only hit during the fourth.
Inning five passed uneventfully, with the only hit by either team coming from Gauthier on a single.
The sixth inning went similarly, with no hits by the Buccaneers and only one by the Rams - a double by Etemad-Gilbertson.
Framingham quickly closed out the final inning at the top of the seventh, with a strikeout by Farris, a catch by MacDonald, and a play by Gray at first.
Already at an advantage, FSU ended the match after the third out, securing a 9-4 victory.
Yuricheck said the team’s success came from “maintaining a competitive energy and playing at a level that we are capable of playing at.
“We got ourselves into a few situations defensively where Mass. Maritime was threatening to score, and we were able to work out of those jams. … We were able to play with grit and hustle that allowed us to manufacture runs,” she added.
Gray said, “Having two MASCAC doubleheader sweeps is a huge confidence boost for us, especially heading into tough matchups. … As we approach these next three games, it is important that we maintain our en-
ergy from start to finish, and attack early.”
Gray said she found success in the field by having “confidence in my team. We communicate really well, and when runners are in scoring position, we trust our pitchers to hit their spots. When the ball is put in play, we trust ourselves to make the plays.
“Our team chemistry has been a huge strength for us this year. … If I’m struggling, I know my teammates will step up. I’ve been in a bit of a hitting slump, but I trust that our lineup, one through nine, will always pick each other up,” she added.
Yuricheck said this recent string of wins “has helped us to find so much additional joy for playing with each other and caring about each other more than just on the field. When we have good chemistry, it sets us up for so much future success.”
Her performance in the Rams’ April 11 doubleheader against MCLA earned Gauthier the title of MASCAC Pitcher of the Week April 13.
On April 15, the Rams split games in a doubleheader against Clark University, winning the first match 1-0 and losing the second 5-3 to bring their overall record to 12-14.
Framingham will travel to Westfield State University April 18 to take on the Owls in a conference doubleheader.
Yuricheck said the Rams are looking forward to this matchup. “They are obviously a stand-out team both in our conference and at the Division III level, which provides us with a good ‘Why not us?’ mentality.
“We feel as though we deserve that level of success, too, and if we play our game with confidence, we have the opportunity to play some very competitive softball,” she added.
Gray said, “Westfield is a great team, but we need to go into that game believing we can beat anyone when we’re playing at our best and sticking to our game.”
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Sophomore Audrey Gauthier pitching in win against Mass. Maritime on April 14.
ARTS & FEATURES
Bryan Alexander predicts the future of higher education
By Sarah Daponde Arts & Features Editor
Arts & Ideas hosted “Higher Education in the Storm of the Future,” a lecture held by Bryan Alexander, on April 14.
The event was held in the Heineman Ecumenical Center and over Zoom.
Yumi Park Huntington, professor of art history and interim coordinator of Arts & Ideas, introduced Maria Alessandro Bollettino, professor of history and director of CELTSS.
Bollettino described Alexander as an “internationally known futurist, researcher, writer, speaker, consultant, and teacher working in the field of higher education’s future.”
Alexander, a professor at Georgetown University, is the author of several books, including “Universities on Fire: Higher Education in the Climate Crisis,” “Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education,” and “The New Digital Storytelling: Creating Narratives with New Media.”
His newest book, “Peak Higher Ed: How to Survive the Looming Academic Crisis,” was published this year.
“Thank you all for coming here and thinking together,” Alexander said. “I think that the best gift you can give someone is your attention - so thank you for giving that gift to me.”
He runs an ongoing research
“If you’re not reading science fiction, you’re not really prepared for the 21st Century.”
- Bryan Alexander Lecturer
project called “The Future of Education Observatory,” which includes the tracking of a series of trend lines impacting higher education.
The three major categories he discussed included “polycrisis,” current issues, and the ways in which higher education could be headed.
“There are major forces acting on what we do,” Alexander added.
He described a “polycrisis” as a social science term for a situation with multiple, overlapping crises. The examples he gave included the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexander said another major topic affecting higher education is the development of artificial intelligence.
There are a whole series of current challenges with AI, including its threat to business models, law, culture, the climate, and education.
“There’s also the quality problem,” he added.
“Humans will put up with a lot of bad technology,”
Alexander said. “But it’s really risky to have an AI hallucinate.”
He presented some scenarios of where AI and education could be headed, which he said were based on trend lines.
Alexander said eventually, everyone might have to collectively agree on academia over AI or AI over academia.
Alexander said, “There’s one possibility that over the next, say, five, 10 years, we decide as a species - humanity - we think that academia is better than AI.”
AI is reliable, and sometimes creepy, he said. Professionally trained people may always be more trustworthy.
However, he said it is possible “the world may decide that AI is actually better than the academy.”
Because academic cheating is made easy with AI, a degree could be seen as less valuable, Alexander said.
“Somebody gets a biology degree - did you really? Did you really take all those steps?” he added.
There is a spectrum of how
people view new innovations, he said.
Alexander said on one side are the innovators, who get excited over new technologies. On the other side are the laggards, who refuse new inventions. In the middle are those who adapt to technology as it becomes popular.
“So think about cell phones. When they first started off, a few people have them, few more, then suddenly - whoah! Everyone goes nuts for them,” he added.
He said the technology itself doesn’t matter as much as how people proceed with it and adapt to it. With AI, Alexander said the time to “act boldly” about it is now.
Alexander said everyone should read more science fiction.
He added, “If you’re not reading science fiction, you’re not really prepared for the 21st Century.”
CONNECT WITH SARAH DAPONDE sdaponde@student.framingham.edu
The Lexicon: Getting away for the weekend with SARIKA
By Alexis Schlesinger Editorial Staff
Mark my words, SARIKA is someone you will adore.
Sarika Rao, a Boston-based pop star, embarked on her first tour - “The United States of SARIKA Northeast Tour” - from March 31 through April 4.
The tour hit four cities, two of which I had the absolute pleasure of attending.
This tour celebrated the release of her six-track EP “The United States of SARIKA,” released on Nov. 4. Throughout the tour, her setlist consisted of the full EP, a few older songs, and an unreleased track.
I joined SARIKA to photograph her shows in Providence, Rhode Island at AS220, and Somerville at Warehouse XI.
I would do anything to go “Back In Time” to attend all four shows, if I could.
While I can’t speak much on the openers for the shows I didn’t attend, I can confidently say that SARIKA not only knows how to write incredible music, but knows how to recognize incredible music.
From Yonks and The Olivia Dolphin Band in Providence, to Grace Lucia and Sofia Devitt in Somerville, all of these rising stars seemed to align perfectly for two nights of shining talent.
Following her incredible openers, SARIKA took the stage with humor, beauty, and fantastic music.
And her three white boys?
Mid-set, SARIKA tells her anecdote of a fan interaction where she was asked, “Do you always play with these white boys?”
The answer is yes, of course.
SARIKA is joined by drummer Steven Nisotel, bassist Ben Conley, and guitarist David Batten, the perfect accompaniment for her energy, and backing vocals for her track “From Inside The House.”
SARIKA uses her pop instrumentation and witty lyrics to explore themes of love, growth, and queer identity across her discography.
A favorite track of mine from her recent EP has to be “Back In Time,” a song as equally humorous as it is relatable.
“Back In Time” is a stabbing tribute to that ex-lover who wasted your time, but wants forgiveness despite lack of change.
SARIKA sings, “Is there anything you can do?” and follows with a plethora of answers, all ultimately expressing the same sentiment.
“Pay me back in time.”
This upbeat “diss track” of sorts includes a rap portion amidst its pop verses that got the crowd going every night, as SARIKA turns up the heat on her antagonist.
Another, more sentimental favorite of mine has to be “What I Wanted.”
“What I Wanted” is a completely different take on heartbreak than “Back In Time.”
Rather than looking for re-
venge, SARIKA urges the listener, “Don’t tell me what I wanted, cause you didn’t want to try.”
Tension builds in the bridge as she finally tells us exactly what she wanted - dinner for two, real talk, and circular drives and manicured lawns - making it increasingly clear that her time has been wasted yet again.
Despite her seemingly endless romantic plights, SARIKA always comes back with a sense of humor. In between every song of her set, she always had a fun story or joke to tell.
Her unreleased single, “Lad Killer,” is an- other example of how her humor shines through in her music.
While it isn’t necessarily an attack on men, it takes a critical stance on the widely shared experience women have had with men who just can’t get over their inherent need to be in charge of everything, including women.
Courtesy of Alexis Schlesinger
“Lad Killer” is a response to that behavior, with SARIKA stating, “I’ll do what I want” and “wear what I want,” among other statements.
SARIKA’s Warehouse XI show in particular had an unforgettable ending.
The largest show of the tour, with over 100 attendees, concluded with a cover of “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” by Fall Out Boy.
The crowd went wild for the extra poppy version of the poppunk song as SARIKA left the stage to enter the crowd, inviting them to join her in song. Don’t be a forever no-show to “The United States of SARIKA.” Stream her music, and hit her line.
CONNECT WITH ALEXIS SCHLESINGER aschlesinger@student.framingham.edu
Funky
Continued from Page 1
Ollie first discovered The Coffee Loft with some friends of hers who are adamant coffee drinkers - and their artistically extensive menu kept them coming back.
Though The Coffee Loft does not have seasonal flavors, their menu features creative combinations all year round, such as “tuxedo,” “pumpkin cupcake,” and “honey bee,” that can be added to a cold brew, latte, or any other type of coffee.
Yes, you can get a pumpkin spice latte in April.
“At first, I went for the London fogs - which they make perfectly - but now, I’ve started really loving their coffees too,” Ollie added.
For those wondering, a London fog is an Earl Grey tea with steamed milk and a hint of vanilla.
The Coffee Loft is located a hop, skip, and a jump away from campus - right near the Marlborough Public Library. The cafe hosts open-mic nights, sells crafts made by local artists, and, according to Ollie, makes a delicious “Almond Joy” iced latte.
She said parking is the only downside, as most customers will have to park on side streets. But as someone who doesn’t own a car, she doesn’t mind this small inconvenience.
“The vibes are worth it,” she added.
Those looking for a closer caffeine fix, like sophomore Angel Marin-Caceres, could make the shorter drive to Fresscafe - or “Frescafe,” as some spell it.
Angel said she recently
discovered Fresscafe while on a class field trip to the heart of Downtown Framingham, and she would recommend the hidden gem to anyone.
The cafe just celebrated their three-year anniversary, according to their Instagram.
Don’t be fooled by the spelling. Sometimes it’s “Fresscafe.” Sometimes it’s “Frescafe.”
Angel said she was welcomed by hand-painted signs and green plants, which made the cafe feel “fresh.”
She ordered a classic iced chai latte, which she said did not disappoint.
“Fresscafe is a good place to visit because it has good food and drinks, but the atmosphere is what makes the place,” she added. “Even the staff were very friendly and outgoing.”
Unlike Fresscafe, who has two locations - one in Framingham and one in Natick
- Marylou’s is a chain company, but students still love it.
Marylou’s, clustered in the easternmost parts of New England, opened their Framingham location late last year. Senior Kristel Erguiza says she enjoys working there as a barista, and enjoys their drinks as well.
The cafe may be located in a gas station, but being decked out in hot pink and checkered prints in a retro-diner style, Marylou’s is hard to miss.
Their menu features several different categories of coffee - including gourmet coffee, specialty coffee, extra specialty coffee, and the “Funky Fanabla,” which Kristel said is her go-to order.
For those wondering, she described the “Funky Fanabla” as a coffee with mocha and whipped cream shaken into it.
Their online menu said it
also includes “secret flavors.”
“I do recommend Marylou’s - not only because I work there,” said Kristel. “It’s a nice change of pace from Dunkin and Starbucks. And it’s pink!” Ollie said she loves Marylou’s as well, but not for the coffee. She is a fan of the “Red Bull infusions,” which are a mix of a Red Bull energy drink and flavored syrups of the customer’s choice.
Her favorite is a strawberry apricot Red Bull with mango syrup.
“I love FSU, but I love fun drinks way more,” Ollie added.
[ Editor’s Note: Kristel Erguiza is a staff writer for The Gatepost ]
WITH
‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ - one of the films of all time
By Cole Johnson Copy Editor
Video game movies feel a lot like compilation albums. They offer a condensed experience of something we love dearly, but ultimately, it’s stripped of the passion and care that made it valuable, and I try to avoid them whenever possible.
That said, they’re not going anywhere. The success of the “Sonic” movies kickstarted a trend that’s still going strong, and with “The Legend of Zelda” and “Street Fighter” on the horizon, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a painfully hollow sign of things to come.
It’s been demoralizing watching recycled properties systematically devour the mainstream film industry like the monster out of “The Thing.” At this point, any movie advertising a repurposed franchise is going to need miraculous prowess to convince me it’s worth the time.
In the case of Illumination Entertainment, that expectation applies tenfold. Summing up this studio’s filmography as animated slop would probably be letting them off easy, but the proportion of effort they put into movies compared to the effort I’d need to adequately express my distaste for them would be hopelessly imbalanced. I refuse to be the one putting all the work into this relationship.
The initial “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was textbook Illumination. It was a bland product that rode its way to a billion-dollar box office on the
back of brand recognition.
Needless to say, my expectations were not high going into “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” I expected another safe and forgettable watch, and as the film kicked off with music virtually indistinguishable from the pre-movie AMC ads, I knew not to get my hopes up.
Right away, the fight scene between Princess Rosalina and Bowser Jr. puts Illumination’s lazy writing front and center. Let’s get this out of the wayRosalina is a prop character. She exists to get captured to set up another generic rescue operation.
With a budget of over $100 million, you’d think the studio would dream up something a little more inspired than “someone gets captured” again, but instead, one of the most anticipated characters is relegated to lying down uselessly in a box for much of the runtime.
The defining princess of the Mario Galaxy games takes a backseat to cameo characters like Fox McCloud from the Star
Fox game series. In a movie offering only fan service, his presence doesn’t carry a ton of weight, especially when it appears to have eaten up time that could’ve been spent on more essential characters.
Like the previous movie, there are large-scale set pieces all over, but they have little impact on the overall procession of events. There’s the initial incident and the final confrontation, sandwiching a bloated collection of scenes cobbled together from shallow references.
Performances range from average to well below. Chris Pratt as Mario is the obvious lowlight, showcasing a staggering black hole of charisma that makes the movie’s namesake feel like an afterthought.
Donald Glover as Yoshi is a casting decision that borders on s**tposting, though it is funny he was called into the booth just to say “Yoshi” in various inflections. He brings nothing to the film beyond his name credit.
It’s not all bad. The fight scenes are competent and occasionally interesting. The Nintendo character cameos were charming, even if it gave me the same uneasiness I felt watching every noteworthy franchise get stuffed into the cultural singularity of Fortnite.
Ultimately, these moments of mild amusement do not make a good movie. This film breezes by without stakes, development, or emotion. The scene of Bowser’s hand-puppet show had more personality than the rest of the movie put
together.
Right before the movie began, one ad stood out to me in particular - “We come to AMC theaters to love, to cry, to laugh - to care.” I wish more people were aware of the irony of that statement coming from the company who killed off a Walking Dead character so they didn’t have to pay his actor an adult’s salary, but I digress.
There’s value in great movies, obviously. There’s value in horrible movies, too - nothing brings me joy like a group viewing of a cinematic trainwreck. But movies like this that take no risks and say nothing are the worst of the bunch. There’s no love, no crying, and no laughter. I didn’t care.
This is simply one of many impending feature-length advertisements. Barring some explosion of creativity from future sequels on the level of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” this is the last Nintendo movie I’m going to see.
Cole Johnson / THE GATEPOST
Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST
23. Fruit drink suffixes
24. Longtime British sports cars
25. Heaviest fencing weapons
27. Word after “high” or “herbal”
28. Nintendo avatar
29. Ancient character
31. ’20s-’30s architectural style
33. Like cash on hand
37. Praising poems
38. 2-2, e.g.
39. Oom-___ (tuba sound)
40. Popular Japanese beer
43. Text that might get “ur welcome” in response
44. Raced (through)
45. Cup that might say “Don’t mocha me laugh”
46. Birdlike
49. “The best thing ___ sliced bread”
50. Cookie with a candy corn flavor
52. *“Pretty, pretty please!”
54. Classic science class experiment ... or a hint to the starred clues’ answers
56. Some figures on wedding cakes
57. “Help me, please ...”
58. They enforce mob rule
59. Nile reptile
60. “I Want It That ___” (1999 Backstreet Boys single)
61. Colony insects
DOWN
1. Censoring sounds
2. Perform better than
3. Nickname for Wally’s brother, in a ’50s-’60s sitcom
4. Chords whose notes are played sequentially
5. Cove or bay
6. Suppress
7. Rds.
8. Genre for Bob Marley
9. Signify
10. Wise sayings
11. Premium spot at the opera
13. (I’m a goat!)
14. Popular dating app
16. Sporty Mazda
17. Apple platform
21. Feel
24. Little squeakers
26. ___ rally
28. Magazines and such
29. Tulip O’Hare portrayer in “Preacher”
30. Early operating system
32. Play-___
34. People after whom things are named
35. DEA agents, slangily
36. Grp. for Cyprus and Czechia
40. One-celled organism
41. Power spikes
42. Generational disparity
43. Bar bill
44. Tiger-lion hybrids
47. Cello cousin
48. Suggest
49. Stuck-up sort
51. Peculiar
53. Element in steel
55. Column’s counterpart
CAPSTONE CAPTURED!
Spread by Assistant Photo and Design Editor Onyx Lovely
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Attendees looking At Artwork by Autumn rAy At the mAzmAniAn gAllery senior CApstone showCAse on April 14.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
ChArlotte Jupiter with their fAmily members At the mAzmAniAn gAllery senior CApstone showCAse on April 14.
ziyuAn zhAng in front of their Artwork At the mAzmAniAn gAllery senior CApstone showCAse on April 14.
yumi pArker sitting with ChArlotte pArker’s Art At the mAzmAniAn gAllery senior CApstone showCAse on April 14.
