Maynard mayhem
By Izabela Gage Editorial Staff
Framingham State has partnered with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass, located in Worcester, to offer a pathway program designed to prepare undergraduate, low-income, and first-generation students for entry into medical school.
Dean of STEM Lauren Nolfo-Clements said the Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program was developed by UMass Chan several years ago and initially included only one partner institution, Worcester State University.
She credited professors Aline Davis and Shelli Waetzig for bringing the opportunity to Framingham State, as they “were the ones who have been maintaining this relationship with UMass Chan.”
According to the website, students apply to become medical scholars in their sopho-
By Izabela Gage Sports Editor
In the MASCAC Quarterfinals, the fifth-seeded Rams made program history with their first-ever playoff appearance and win after scoring five goals in the third period to upset the fourth-seeded Anna Maria Amcats 6-2 Feb. 25.
The Rams entered the playoffs with a conference record of 1-11 and an overall record of 5-20-1.
Sophomore goaltender Lila Chamoun said winning in the playoffs is “an incredible feeling. After struggling last year for wins as a first-year program, it’s so awesome to see how far we’ve come.”
Framingham started the action less than a minute after the
more year. The program offers students a broad range of academic and clinical immersion opportunities, including book clubs, interactions with physicians and medical students, and observations at clinical sites at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Nolfo-Clements said the program includes two full summers of experiencing what medical school is like, beginning after a student’s sophomore year and continuing after their junior year.
She said participants live on the UMass Chan campus during the summer sessions, and they are compensated, so they don’t have to stress about working a second job, “as many students do.”
She added, “Over the course of the two years of the program, they get to take multiple practice MCATs, which are usually really expensive.”
She said students meet with
first puck drop. Sophomore Petra Cernicek took the first shot on goal, which was saved by Anna Maria’s goaltender, Emma Brewer, followed by a wide shot by sophomore Alyssa Tansek.
The Amcats took over offensively in the following minute with two shots, both of which were stopped by Chamoun.
After four shot attempts by the Rams, Anna Maria took nine shots on net in the following 3 minutes, but four were saved by Chamoun, three were blocked by the Rams’ defense, and two were wide.
Following a blocked shot by the Amcats, the Rams were on the penalty kill. Sophomore Amy Tansek took possession of the puck and tried to net a shorthanded goal, but was stopped by Brewer.
Following the successful penalty kill by Framingham, Anna
mentors who review their test performance and provide guidance. “It’s a holistic program that really prepares students for what it’s going to be like to be in medical school, and also gives them the tools to succeed.”
Waetzig said, “The prestige and proximity to Framingham State make the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass incredibly desirable for our students to attend. … We were looking to increase opportunities for students to matriculate to UMass Chan. Dr. Aline Davis and I approached representatives at UMass about the possibility of creating a pathway for our students, and they were very receptive to including us in their already established BaccMD program.”
Nolfo-Clements said what makes this program so unique is how UMass Chan “really wants to diversify the doctors who are moving through their programming and saying, ‘This
Maria took three back-to-back shots on net, but Chamoun stood tall in the net.
The Amcats put the first point on the board with a minute-and-a-half remaining in the first period.
The period wrapped up with four back-to-back shots by Anna Maria, three of which were saved by Chamoun, and one was stopped by freshman Katie Creath.
The second period started with six saves by Chamoun and two by Brewer.
Anna Maria was then put on the power play, in which one shot was saved by Chamoun, two were wide, and one was blocked.
Back on even strength, AMC took four shots on goal, but FSU’s defense remained strong.
matters to us so much. We want to see that doctors actually represent the people that they’re serving so much that we will support them for two summers while they’re in college to show them the ropes.”
She added, “Oftentimes, if you’re a first-generation college student, probably by definition, you’re not related to anyone who’s ever been into medical school or who’s ever gotten into healthcare. So to actually hear firsthand from current students and the faculty, and to really have that exposure and to be on campus and just be able to live there - that’s a major advantage.”
Nolfo-Clements said, “Across the nation, most students take a gap year between when they get out of college and when they go to medical school. That’s typical.” But this program offers “a pathway where students could
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST Assistant Vice President of Facilities & Capital Planning Ryan Hacker (front) assists students in
E ditorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Sophia Oppedisano
Associate Editors
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Opinions Editor
Izayah Morgan
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Asst. Sports Editor
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Emma Lyons
Gatepost Interview Erin Nechipurenko
Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs
By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor
By Dylan Sibley Staff Writer
What is your academic and professional background?
I went to Wheaton College as an undergraduate, and after I graduated from Wheaton with my English degree, I worked for a company called Arts Marketing Services, which is based in Toronto, and they raise money for arts organizations and nonprofits. And so that was my first job out of college - setting up and managing telemarketing campaigns for them. I got the opportunity to work with the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Utah Opera, and the Milwaukee Ballet. I moved around for about six months at a time at each place, and then, after doing that for a couple of years, I decided that I wanted to be back in Massachusetts, and so I moved to Massachusetts, and then got a job in HR for a fundraising company called Integral Resources. It doesn’t exist anymore, but they raised money for political organizations and some nonprofits, and that was my first HR position. I was hired as a human resources director, and when I was there, I realized that I wanted to work somewhere where I could have a mentor in human resources. The position at Mass Art opened up, and that’s how I made the transition over to Mass Art, and I worked there for 10 years. I started as the assistant director, and when I left, I was the director. … And then the position for assistant director of human resources opened up here, and so I applied and got that position, and sort of worked my way up through just different progressively responsible HR positions, and I was here for 13 years, and then went to St. Paul’s, and now I’m back.
What made you choose to study law?
human resources at Mass Art, and I decided that I wanted to stay in HR and use my law degree to help with the work that I was doing in HR and Mass Art - it’s a sister institution of Framingham State, and we share collective bargaining agreements across schools. And so when I was in law school, I took every sort of law-related class that was related to the work that I was doing. So I took labor relations, arbitration, mediation, workers’ comp, and employment law, so it was like anything and everything related to the work in HR that I was doing. I took those classes, and then all the other required classes like torts, constitutional law, and contracts.
What do you love about Framingham State?
What advice would you give to students at FSU?
I’ve been working in public higher education for quite a while. My first job in public higher education was at Mass College of Art and Design. While I was at Mass Art, I knew I wanted to go back to school, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. Working in human resources, I realized that I was very interested in trying to take some of the gray out of the work that I was doing. And so a law degree made a lot of sense. So I went to law school at night at Suffolk University, while I was working full-time to put myself through law school, which was great. After I finished law school, I had been promoted to director of
I love the fact that it’s a small regional school. I think that it’s a place where, as I said before, the faculty is amazing here, and people can get an amazing education, and it’s really what you put into it, right? I think the programs are amazing. And then my kids went to the child development lab. So, when they were little, I just became enamored with the education department and the programs there. … And then, when my kids were in public school, we had Framingham State people who had worked in the lab that was in their schools, and so they’d already built connections with students. And so it was nice to be able to see the regional connections. And I really like the people here. It’s been great being back. And I don’t know everybody, so I’m still meeting people, but I do know a good number of the faculty and staff here, and it’s felt really heartwarming to be back and to be welcomed back to the community.
Your time studying in university is so short. You don’t realize that when you’re studying. … We have amazing programs, amazing faculty, and my advice would be to really get to know your faculty and to try to develop those oneon-one relationships, where they can really get to know you and help you think about how you’re going to use your degree when you leave. That’s probably the first thing I would recommend. Then, this is a time in your life where you can really explore what it is that you want to do, and it doesn’t have to be forever. So just as an example, I was an English major, and people always said, “Oh, what are you going to do with an English degree?” And I think there’s a lot that you can do as an English major. It’s about really learning how to write. Some people know how to write when they come to school, but learning how to write and think critically about things is something that you really need for any type of career. And I think if there’s something that you’re interested in, you should pursue it and give it a shot, but know that you, depending on what your degree is in, you can always reinvent yourself and move in different directions. But just doing things that you’re really passionate about, I think, is important.
CONNECT WITH DYLAN PICHNARCIK dpichnarcik@student.framingham.edu
CONNECT WITH DYLAN SIBLEY dsibley@student.framingham.edu
Feb. 25 10:20 Fire Alarm, Pierce
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
‘Long Live Wil’
Campus community celebrates Wilmani Castillo’s memory
By Sophia Oppedisano Editor-in-Chief
As the sun set over Framingham State on Feb. 16, friends, family, faculty, and staff gathered on the basketball court behind Miles Bibb Hall, armed with blue balloons and candles to celebrate the life and legacy of Wilmani Josiah Castillo.
Wilmani, a junior business management major, tragically died in a car accident on Feb. 9. He was 22. The Framingham State community has been mourning the loss of his kind, caring, approachable spirit.
The Dean of Students Office assisted Wilmani’s family and his girlfriend, Jaya Kasparian, Class of ’25, in organizing the vigil and balloon release on the basketball court as well as a celebration of life in the McCarthy Forum.
Prior to the service, Facilities plowed the basketball court so the community could gather in a space where Wilmani often spent time with his friends.
Wilmani’s family and close friends stood on the basketball court, surrounded by students, faculty, and staff, as they arranged candles into the letter ‘W’ and a heart.
The group held a moment of silence before everyone released their balloons, painting the sky in shimmering blue and silver, and shouting, “We love you, Wil!”
After the balloon release, the celebration of life was held in the McCarthy Forum. Items belonging to Wilmani were laid out along with decorations,
framed photos, and posters for students to sign and share memories or words of kindness and support with his family.
A video, created by Wilmani’s family and friends, was played for everyone and featured pictures of Wilmani as a child, on vacation, and clips of times he spent with his friends on cam-
Weather
Saturday, Feb. 28 Sunny with a high near 50.
Sunday, Mar. 1 Partly sunny, with a high near 35.
pus. The crowd laughed openly at Wilmani’s jokes in the clips and shared smiles over the photos - proof that he will continue to provide everyone with joy long after his passing.
Many of the clips were of Wilmani speaking directly to the camera, sharing advice on making the most of life. “This life is what you make it,” he said in one of the clips.
During this time of shared grief and remembrance, students and family members were invited on stage at the conclusion of the video to share their memories of Wilmani.
His older brother, Armani Tejada, said Wilmani was “the happiest person I ever met,” and described him as the “life of the party” and a “good-hearted kid with the most love.
“He was an old soul with all this wisdom. I would be like, ‘You’re my little brother! I’m supposed to share my wisdom with you,’” Tejada said.
One of Wilmani’s cousins also spoke - “I want to speak for all my cousins,” she said.
She shared how much Wilmani’s love impacted her and their cousins, and how she will always miss the fun he brought to every gathering. “Long live Wil,” she added.
Monday, Mar. 2 Partly sunny, with a high near 25.
Tuesday, Mar. 3 Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.
Students ranging from those who knew Wilmani as a “brother” to those who only knew him in passing stood up to share memories of moments as small as when he said hi to them in the hallway to times his advice or spirit changed their lives.
Friends recalled memories from living in Larned Hall with Wilmani, which brought laughter from the crowd. They remembered always feeling as though they could talk to him for hours.
One student expressed how she felt she was “only just getting to know Wil. I wish I had more time.”
Another student shared that no matter what, Wilmani always said hi, and he never wavered in treating people with kindness, no matter who they were or what they were going through. “There aren’t many people like that,” she said.
One of Wilmani’s close friends said, “Wilmani didn’t grow up to be a good kid - he was always a good kid. … He changed my life.”
CONNECT WITH SOPHIA OPPEDISANO soppedisano@student.framingham.edu
Wednesday, Mar. 4 Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
Thursday, Mar. 5 Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.
Sophia Oppedisano / THE GATEPOST
Students gathered at the Miles Bibb Lawn basketball court with balloons and candles for Wilmani Castillo’s vigil on Feb. 16.
Sophia Oppedisano / THE GATEPOST
A student signing a poster for Wilmani Castillo at his celebration of life on Feb. 16.
Women’s ice hockey receives new storage space at Loring Arena
By Izabela Gage Editorial Staff
The Framingham State women’s ice hockey team began using a newly installed storage and meeting space adjacent to Loring Arena in early February, according to Robert Totino, vice president of Administration, Finance, and Technology.
The trailer unit, located outside the city-owned rink, provides the team with a designated area to store equipment, change, and hold team meetings before practices and games.
According to Ryan Hacker, associate vice president of Facilities & Capital Planning, the initial trailer rental cost $14,397.50, with a monthly $2,451 rental cost for February and March.
During the program’s inaugural 2024-25 season and the beginning of the 2025-26 season, players were required to store their equipment at the Maple Street Athletic Facility before traveling to Loring Arena for ice time.
Due to security concerns, the Maple Street facilities are locked when students or staff are not using them. Head Coach Robert Lavin had to unlock the storage room for the team to obtain or return their equipment and uniforms before and after every game and practice.
The Maple Street Athletic Facility is roughly an 8-minute walk off campus and a 5-minute drive from Loring Arena.
Unlike the women’s team, the men’s ice hockey program has had a permanent storage situation within the arena.
Totino said the University began working with the City of Framingham in March 2025 to explore options for an on-site storage solution.
He said after discussion about finding a space inside Loring Arena, adding a trailer outside of the building “was a better direction for the City of Framingham.”
Hacker said the general contractor and permitting process cost $16,363.
He said the electrical installation cost $7,000, and the electrical costs have not been determined, but he assumes it will be approximately $2,000 for January through April, which will be reimbursed to Loring Arena.
Deputy Director of Athletics Carey Eggen said the total cost of $53,662 is “not included in the budget numbers” of the women’s ice hockey team for FY26, and the Athletic Department “will be paying for this out of the Athletics Trust Fund.”
According to Totino, the University has been “working aggressively, especially this past fall, with multiple departments in the City of Framingham, like the building division, the Parks and Recreation division, and the City Solicitor’s Office to move this along.”
Totino said a general contractor, One Source Construction, was selected in December, and the University worked to secure building and utility permits from the city.
The trailer was originally scheduled for delivery in late December but was delayed due to weather conditions, according to Totino.
Totino said the trailer arrived on Jan. 5 after approximately one week of delay, and mem-
bers of the Office of Facilities & Capital Planning then worked weekly with city officials to obtain required permits and finalize installation specifications, including electrical and safety features.
Assistance from Keefe Regional Technical School was used to install the conduit for electricity to power the unit, and additional permitting was required after the city requested overhead electrical installation, according to Totino.
Totino said city inspectors conducted multiple site visits during January as installation progressed, and the timeline was delayed because it was “a lot of agreement on the process to have this unit on their property. You have to follow city rules.”
Totino said the final occupancy permit was issued Feb. 4, and “the Facilities team gave the keys to the athletic staff on February 5.”
He said Loring Arena is expected to undergo a roof replacement this spring and summer, which will require removal of the trailer at the conclusion of the current season. The University is considering bringing the trailer back for the 2026-27 season.
“We will take important feedback,” Totino said. “We hope to see if this is an environment that is conducive for the women’s team.”
He said if the roof project proceeds as scheduled, the University will hopefully store the trailer somewhere off-site and bring it back after the new roof has been installed on the arena.
According to Hacker, the trailer removal will cost an anticipated $9,000, which will also be paid for out of the Athletics Trust Fund.
Totino said now knowing it’s “a multi-month process, we can start to work with the city well in advance to have it ready by the time practice starts in October 2026.”
Totino said he is “very appreciative of the women’s ice hockey team for their patience. It’s been a much longer process to identify work, find a trailer company, find a contractor to install it, work with the City of Framingham on all the necessary permits, and then have it ready.”
For FY25, men’s ice hockey was allocated $140,071, and women’s ice hockey was allocated $131,971. In FY26, men’s ice hockey was allocated $144,145, and women’s ice hockey was allocated $127,144.
Eggen said the women’s ice hockey program required more funding for equipment during its inaugural season.
When the women’s ice hockey program was starting up, the team needed more money for jerseys, helmets, and other equipment, and going into their second season in FY26, they did not need as large an allocation as they did in FY25, she added.
According to Eggen, differences in annual operating costs between the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams are largely related to busing and ice fees.
She said because the men’s ice hockey team has 29 players, they pay for a larger bus, compared to the women’s ice hockey team, which rosters only 22 players.
She added ice cost fees are
the largest component of each team’s budget. The fees are more expensive depending on the time slot during which the teams practice.
Lavin said he and the team are “pretty excited” about the new space.
He said, “It’s a nice and open spot, and I think it’s going to be a really good spot in future years. … It’s a lot easier leaving from the rink and less movement going from the locker rooms and to the field and back.”
Lavin said he believes it’s “going to be probably the best scenario for us, and it’s going to be great next year once we have time to personalize it more.”
He added, “I think everyone is happy. The girls are happy. I’m good. It gives us a place to put our pucks and not just lug them around anymore.”
Lavin said he thinks the team feels respected. “It just legitimizes it - somewhere that’s theirs and not like a public space. So, it gives them their own little spot that they can personalize a little bit better. … They don’t have to leave as early, and they can get back a little earlier. It probably saves them half an hour a day, which adds up.”
He said the team just “wants to play hockey.”
Sophomore Sarah Lewis said, “We were all super excited and grateful when we first saw the new space. We know a lot of work was put into getting it for us.
“The new space at the rink has made it easier for us since we get to sleep in a little longer every morning,” she added.
She said, “We understand that a lot of work was put into this and appreciate everyone, especially our coach, for making this happen.”
Sophomore Amy Tansek said the field house was being used by other teams, so “our stuff sometimes would be moved, and we couldn’t really air things out. Now we can air out our stuff and not have to worry about it being in the way.”
She said, “Everything has a process, and I’m just glad now that we have the foundations down, we get to finish this season with a locker room, and will probably get to start off next season with one.
“After two years of not having one, this tells us all that changes are being made for the better, and we can only go up from here,” she added.
Sophomore Finley Hogan said, “It makes it a lot easier. … We can’t really forget anything for home games, which is nice.”
She said the team is happy, but “not overjoyed.”
Hogan said she believes the Athletic Department “made the best of what they could have at the time, and when something better presented itself, the opportunity was taken to go for it.
“I would say we felt respected before at the attempt to help us, but it definitely makes us feel more even with the accommodations that the men’s team has,” she added.
Sophomore Brigid Milligan said, “We are able to just wake up and go straight to the rink rather than having to get up earlier to go to the athletics field and load our cars up and unload them.”
Milligan said, “It would have been nice for it to happen sooner, but we are young and a new
team, so there’s going to be some flaws we have to expect and be patient with.”
She added, “We definitely feel more valued. I think our shared space is able to bring us closer together.”
Sophomore Alyssa Tansek said, “Getting this upgrade means a lot to the girls. … Knowing that future classes will have a space to call their own is essential.”
She added having a space to themselves “definitely makes us feel like a more established program.”
Sophomore Lila Chamoun said, “The team is super excited to have our own space at the rink. It makes things so much easier, especially in the morning before practice. It’s just so much more convenient.”
She said the biggest difference with the new space is “the amount of time we have between waking up and getting on the ice. Not having to make the extra stop at the athletic fields gives us more time to get ready and really wake ourselves up before having to skate.”
Chamoun said, “Our coach worked super hard to try and find somewhere for us, and once the Athletic Department finalized getting us a trailer, we were really excited and really grateful.”
She added, “Obviously, we would’ve liked to have it sooner, but we understand how much work had to be put in to get us this space, and we appreciate having it.”
Freshman Ella Conway said, “We were all very excited about it. It has a lot of open space for us to store our gear. It has hooks and shelves, which is nice for airing out our gear, and there are three different rooms inside the trailer. There’s even a bathroom. It’s very nice and spacious inside.”
She said it’s easier for the team to access their gear and sticks because they don’t have to move their equipment back and forth. The bus situation also improved because the team used to have to be picked up at the field house for games, but now they are able to be picked up at Loring.
Conway said the team was told the trailer would “be here at the end of October. … But we didn’t end up getting it until the beginning of February. We were all excited about this trailer, but we didn’t see it until about four months later.”
She said, “I know it’s our second year as a program, but at the same time, we shouldn’t be storing our gear in a field house while the men get to store their gear at the rink in a locker room.
“If you know you are starting a new program, you need to have an accessible space for them to store their gear, no matter what sport it is - men or women,” she added.
She said, “Some of our jerseys don’t even fit us. The shoulder pads are big, and jerseys can’t be tight because you need your shoulders to hold a stick, to move, and to make a save. Some girls have holes in their socks so big that you can see their whole kneecap, but it’s fine for the men’s team to do a whole new jersey reveal one night.”
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
UMass partnership
potentially get in directly after they graduate from college.”
Waetzig said, “Students have to meet all of the benchmarks to remain in the program in order to be provisionally accepted. I think that students should plan to apply to multiple schools. … While the program creates a pathway to medical school at UMass, the provisional acceptance is not something I would have students rely solely upon for getting into medical school.”
To ensure eligibility, Nolfo-Clements said the University reviewed its existing pre-med and pre-health curriculum. “We wanted to make sure that all the students in that curriculum would automatically have the classes that they need by the end of their sophomore year to be able to apply.”
According to Waetzig, eligibility for the first cycle required students to be from an economically disadvantaged background or be first-generation four-year college students, in addition to meeting academic standards and expressing interest in the medical profession. She said one student has applied in the first cycle, and the University is evaluating ways to expand eligibility in the future.
University President Nancy Niemi said, “The program is in direct alignment with FSU’s institutional goals for greater access and success for first-generation students and financially challenged students. By creating a pathway and securing it for motivated students, the program offers guidance through all of those challenges, as well as support and encouragement.”
“Our job as a regional public university is to provide education to students so that they, in turn, can serve the community. This program would help produce physicians who, in time, serve our region,” she added.
Rosco Palmer, a sophomore pre-medicine major, said, “A lot of students come into college interested in medicine,
but don’t always have access to strong advising, hands-on experience, or structured MCAT prep. Having individualized pre-med advising and guaranteed summer experiences at medical schools gives students direction and clarity early on. It
gram is being provided to give students who may not have originally had the opportunity, the chance to explore the medical field. I also think the program would support students who may not have prior experience in healthcare settings in
cational prowess.”
He added, “It is very important to see structured support systems not only for advanced degrees, but all degrees, and from what I have seen here, Framingham has an amazing support system for all majors,
“It sends a message that students’ financial backgrounds shouldn’t limit their professional goals, especially in a field like medicine, where representation and access matter.”
- Rosco Palmer
Sophomore Pre-Medicine Major
makes the path feel more realistic and achievable rather than overwhelming.”
He added, “For many students, especially those balancing work or other commitments, removing financial barriers makes a huge difference in whether they can fully commit to pursuing medicine.”
Palmer said he thinks FSU is “being intentional about equity, not just talking about it. First-generation and low-income students often don’t have the same built-in networks or financial flexibility to take unpaid internships or expensive prep courses.
“By providing paid summer experiences and MCAT resources at no extra cost, the University is actively leveling the playing field. It sends a message that students’ financial backgrounds shouldn’t limit their professional goals, especially in a field like medicine, where representation and access matter,” he added.
Junior Justinne Quinanola, a pre-medicine major, said, “I think it’s great that this pro-
the sense that they’re getting a real toe in the water to really see if it’s a career they want to pursue.”
David Forgione, a first-generation sophomore who is majoring in information technology and business, said the school offering these resources “allows for students to share similar opportunities. When these opportunities become available, it opens the doors for more success for students who would have otherwise gone unrecognized.”
He said it means a lot to him as a first-generation student to see the school taking initiative, as “it shows they think about all their students and value each and every one of us and our time.”
Brady Pettit, a junior chemistry major, said, “Framingham’s ability to give first-generation and low-income students an opportunity to go into the medical field is amazing. It not only gives them an opportunity to go into a strong field, but also an opportunity to show their edu-
which is one of my favorite things about this college.”
Junior Alcapone Pujols, a first-generation marketing major, said, “It’s heartwarming to know that FSU wants to see their students succeed past college and to become professionals in their respective fields. I only hope that it continues to progress into other programs as well.”
He said as a first-generation student, he thinks “this is good for the community as a whole. When you know the school you’re attending genuinely wants to help you out, it only motivates you more to go to school, participate in events, and be involved in general. It’s only one step toward more opportunities.”
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
Don’t
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THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL
let the wintertime blues beat you
New England winters are often portrayed as peaceful and picturesque - blankets of snow decorating the landscape and snow days filled with pond hockey, hot chocolate, and reading novels under cozy blankets.
However, the reality of a New England winter is quite different than Hallmark movies often depict.
It certainly isn’t news that Massachusetts has been pummeled by snow since we returned from winter break and having class on a Monday has become rare this semester.
As the snow piles up over long dark days, it’s likely your emotions reflect the look of the world outside your dorm room.
The stretch from December to April can be a hugely taxing time of year for all of us, but with so many dark, dreary, snow-filled days, the start to this semester has felt more difficult than most.
This anxiety can contribute to what most of us call seasonal depression, which is medically referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is a type of depression caused by a decrease in daylight. It typically begins affecting people around late fall and lifts during early spring. SAD is characterized by sadness and low energy.
While information and conversations about SAD are increasingly prevalent, it can still be an invisible battle. It is important to remember you never know what your peers are going through. Whether it is an official SAD diagnosis or simply the wintertime blues, there are a few ways you can help yourself and each other get through this final stretch to spring.
First and foremost, getting involved in the campus community is incredibly important. Leaving the isolation of a dorm room is essential to feeling hopeful, being more productive, and spending time face-to-face contact with friends.
For instance, the Henry Whittemore Library is hosting a “Cozy Winter Reset” on March 3 from 12-2 p.m. in UM-14 for students to relax with cocoa, snacks, aromatherapy, and relaxing music.
Resident assistants in every hall put on fantastic events that feature community building and self-care. Events in your building are listed on flyers in each residence hall and on RamLink.
In addition, every residence hall has a Rejuvenation Room that features a massage chair, games, and light therapy lamps that specifically help students with SAD.
Residents can request access cards to the Rejuvenation Room
at the security desk in each residence hall.
Light therapy boxes are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $20-150 and are scientifically proven to help people with SAD combat their symptoms.
The urge to stay inside under the covers, compounded with the stress of routines getting thrown off, can make things that much worse for students.
Missing so much class is a stressor for both students and faculty, as the pressure of falling behind in the syllabus throws off the flow of class time and assignment due dates.
A disruption in the rhythm of academic routines can make students feel ill-prepared or as if assignments, reading, or due dates are piling up faster than they can handle.
Staying organized and writing things down, or using a calendar app, can be incredibly useful in visualizing your weeks and the semester as a whole. Having a specific place to plan your weeks from assignments to work shifts is valuable, especially if classes and commitments continue to be cancelled or rescheduled due to the weather.
It is also important for students to ensure they are staying on top of their syllabi, looking ahead as much as possible, and attending office hours with professors if they begin to feel overwhelmed.
Professors on campus are not immune to the frustrations that can come with snow days - they are here to help and support you.
Further, for students who have jobs, every snow day means a day of work cancelled and a day of pay lost, adding to the stress they may be feeling.
The Gatepost Editorial Board urges students to brave the cold and see their friends as much as they can during this bleak winter.
Engage in activities that make you happy and fill your cup. Take a break from your studies to read a book, watch a movie, go to the Dining Commons, or attend an event. Treat yourself to a coffee or time with friends off campus.
If the struggle ever becomes too much for you to handle, the Counseling Center is always available to students.
This winter may be a tough one, but supporting each other is something our community does amazingly well.
It may feel like a long way to May, but we’re all in this together.
Campus Conversations
“What did you do during the unexpected four-day weekend?”
By Sophia Oppedisano, Editor-in-Chief
“I didn’t really do much - I was sick.” - Jill Dimo, freshman
“Over
the long weekend, I went on a date - it was nice. I also just watched a lot of theater-related stuff.”
- Truman Shulga-Morskaya, freshman
“Over the long weekend, I ate my mom’s cooking and I was hanging out with my dog!”
- Amy Bickford, senior
“I worked a lot, and I hung out with my boyfriend and my friends.”
- Lia Currie, freshman
“I was luckily able to get most of my work done over the weekend. … It was actually pretty helpful.”
- Zachary Morrison, junior
“I worked, and applied for graduate school!”
- Jordayn Padilla, senior
SPORTS
Men’s basketball beats Bridgewater, advances to semifinal
By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor
In a nail-biter first round of the MASCAC playoffs, the fourthseed Framingham State Rams netted a layup in the final 6 seconds for an 87-86 victory against the fifth-seed Bridgewater State Bears Feb. 25.
The Rams entered the playoffs with an overall record of 14-11 and a conference record of 6-7.
After winning the jump ball, FSU quickly advanced down the court, where junior Joshua Saint Jean scored on a layup for the first points of the game just 15 seconds in.
Bridgewater battled back immediately, tying the score with a jump shot, but the Rams regained the lead with a layup by junior Lorenzo Washington.
On the next drive, junior Isiah Alexander netted the ball from behind the 3-point line. Washington scored on a layup in the same minute to bring the score to 9-2 - an early lead for Framingham.
FSU’s scoring streak continued for the next two drives, with shots from Washington and junior Fallou Koite increasing their lead.
Bridgewater broke through the Rams’ strong defense 5 minutes in with a layup, which senior Vondre Chase responded to with a 3-pointer.
After Framingham held BSU from scoring on the next turnover, Saint Jean stole the ball, bringing it to the hoop for a dunk.
Though the Bears added another layup, a 3-point jump shot by Koite widened the gap even more.
On their next two possessions, the Bears scored on a layup and a 3-pointer, but Washington battled back for FSU with a layup and a 3-pointer of his own in the following minute.
BSU worked to close the gap with 5 more points, fouling Saint Jean in their efforts and allowing him to sink two shots from the free-throw line.
Just under a minute later, junior Domonick Victor scored for the Rams on a layup.
Two fouls by Framingham in the following minute allowed Bridgewater’s Jacob Stull four free throws, each of which he was able to net.
Five uneventful possessions passed before either team could sink another shot, with a layup by Washington breaking through.
The Bears’ offense found their rhythm during the final 5 minutes of the half - Louis Jennings starting their push with a layup from Zach Taylor closely following.
BSU fouled Koite with 3:27 left of the first half, and he successfully shot both free throws. Bridgewater rebounded the ball, and Stull drove to the hoop for a 3-pointer, assisted by Taylor. The Bears netted another jump shot after holding off the Rams on the following turnover.
Fouled by BSU once again, Koite stepped to the free-throw line and scored on both of his shots
With a minute left, Framingham committed a foul against
Taylor, allowing him to make both of his free throws.
Washington made a layup on the Rams’ next possession, but was fouled by the Bears’ defense on the same play. Unfortunately, his free throw bounced off the rim for BSU to rebound.
On that rebound, FSU’s offense fouled Stull, who made two free throws. Both teams failed to make their next shots, and the clock ran down to end the half with a score of 46-40, the Rams still holding onto the lead.
Bridgewater opened the scoring in the second half, with Jennings scoring on a layup 16 seconds in.
Next to the net was Washington, who scored on a layup after a steal by Alexander.
Following a missed layup by the Bears, Chase snagged the defensive rebound. He passed to Koite, who was fouled by a defender and then sank a free throw.
BSU capitalized on their next possessions, draining a 3-pointer and forcing FSU into a foul to earn the Bears two free throw shots.
Regaining possession, Koite tried for a layup. When his shot missed the net, Saint Jean went for the rebound but was fouled by a Bridgewater defender. He then made both of his free throws.
A minute later, Jennings made a layup for Bridgewater, bringing the score to a close 51-49, still in favor of FSU.
A little over 4 minutes into the second, Chase made a dunk, widening the gap, but a 3-pointer by BSU on the ensuing turnover brought the score to a 1-point difference.
With two free throws 40 seconds later, Bridgewater took the lead for the first time all game.
Bridgewater built on their lead with a 3-pointer and a layup despite a 2-point field goal by Koite.
The Rams kept pace with the Bears, with Chase contributing a layup as Taylor netted a 3-pointer for BSU.
Koite was fouled a minute later, making one of his two free throws.
Within the following minute, Taylor scored on two layups and a free throw for Bridgewater while Saint Jean and Koite scored on a layup and a dunk, respectively.
Both teams were awarded free throws in the following minute, with BSU making one of two and Saint Jean making both.
Stull scored for the Bears with a dunk, which Saint Jean quickly
followed with a layup.
A Bridgewater 3-pointer followed suit, increasing BSU’s lead to 73-66.
Koite reduced the Rams’ deficit with two successful free throws, but the Bears added more points with a layup.
Chase and Saint Jean each contributed a layup, then Saint Jean sent up one more to bring the score within 2 points.
BSU pulled ahead with another layup, but shots by Saint Jean and Koite allowed FSU to take back the lead 78-77.
Framingham and Bridgewater maintained a steady defense for the next minute before Washington broke through for a layup. On the same play, he was fouled by Taylor and made a free throw.
Five free throws in the next 30 seconds enabled BSU to take back the lead, but Koite stole it back for FSU with two free throws.
Another lead change occurred as Taylor sank a jump shot for the Bears, but free throws by Washington returned FSU’s advantage once again.
With 30 seconds left, a layup by Stull put the Rams at a 1-point deficit.
Possession returned to FSU, and the crowd in the Logan Gymnasium went ballistic as the Rams completed a series of intricate passes around the key, finally sending the ball to Chase, who made a layup to bring the score to 87-86.
The Bears could not manage a hail-mary basket as the clock ticked down, securing the Rams’ place in the next round of the tournament bracket.
Earlier this season, FSU fell to BSU 101-98 in a match Jan. 24. Saint Jean said they learned from this loss. “Skills that we utilized for this game were being point dominant in the paint, and slowing down the game. Using these skills helped us in the long run.”
Washington said the match “came down to making the right reads. Against Bridgewater, I just wanted to control the pace and make the game easier for my teammates. That balance opened everything up for us.”
Not only was Saint Jean tied as a top scorer for the match with 22 points, but he also led the Rams in rebounds, contributing 14.
Saint Jean said these stats were relevant because the Rams “are a team that tries to hold teams to one shot per possession. Our rebounding on defense and even on offense led to us getting a
whole lot more opportunities to succeed during the game.”
Washington said throughout this season, the team has “preached defense and discipline. We didn’t switch up just because it was the playoffs.
“We trusted our system, communicated on defense, and took good shots. Our chemistry from the regular season really showed - we know our rotations. That consistency carried over big time,” he added.
The Rams travel to Worcester State to take on the secondseeded Lancers in the MASCAC Semifinals Feb. 27.
Saint Jean said beyond getting the home game the Rams previously hoped for, seeding holds little weight, as now the focus will be on “staying together and trying to knock off these top teams.
“We plan on winning against Worcester by slowing the tempo down and not making the game a track meet, which Worcester thrives off of … and by continuing to do what we usually dokeep on executing and defending,” he added.
Washington shared a similar view, saying during playoffs, “everybody’s playing their best basketball. For us, it’s more about preparation and energy. If we lock in defensively and execute, we feel like we can compete with anybody, no matter the seed.”
Washington said he is proud of the team’s growth this season. “Not just wins, but how we respond to adversity. We had moments this season where we could’ve folded, and we didn’t. Personally, I’ve grown a lot as a leader, being more vocal, holding guys accountable, but also supporting them.
“I’ll miss the day-to-day grind with this group - the locker room jokes, practice battles, road trips. That stuff goes by fast - you don’t really realize it until the season’s almost over,” he added.
Saint Jean said he’s proud that this year’s team has “just continued to get better. This school has gotten better every single year since I came as a freshman.
“The thing that I will miss the most about the junior season is the seniors that I played with this year. They worked their tails off all year and I will miss their presence on the team,” he added.
Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Fallou Koite and some of the men’s basketball team celebrating a 3-pointer in quarterfinal win against Bridgewater St. on Feb. 25.
Women’s ice hockey
Continued from Page 1
The Rams took two of their own shots before freshman Molly Murphy tied the game 1-1.
This goal gave Framingham some momentum, and they tried to break through Brewer’s defense seven times in the following 5 minutes.
With a minute-and-a-half remaining in the second period, AMC tried to take the lead and tallied five shots on net, three of which Chamoun saved, and the other two were blocked by Amy Tansek and Murphy, respectively.
Chamoun made two quick saves in the first 30 seconds of the third period before the Rams took control of the puck and took
a shot on goal, but were unsuccessful.
AMC attempted to break Chamoun’s defense three times, but was unable to, and freshman Alexis Brown netted the second goal for the Rams.
Anna Maria took seven shots on goal in the next 3 minutes before they were able to tie the score once again.
The Amcats remained aggressive, but the Rams’ defense didn’t falter, as they blocked three more shot attempts, and Chamoun saved one.
Framingham was put on the power play, and Hogan took two shots on the net, and freshman Rylee Bogren took one, before Murphy took a 3-2 lead for the Rams with her second goal of the game.
The Rams were put back on the power play after both a hit-afterwhistle and a tripping penalty, and they tried to break through Brewer’s defense four times before Alyssa Tansek broke through to take a 2-point lead.
After twoshots by the Rams, both of which were saved by Brewer, the Amcats went empty net, and just over 40 seconds later, Brown scored unassisted, bringing the score to 5-2.
In the next 16 seconds, Bogren and Cernicek tried to find the back of the net before Anna Maria took back offensive control, and they pulled their goalie once again.
Chamoun faced four more shots by the Amcats, three of which she saved, and the last was blocked by Creath.
The Rams won the following faceoff, and Murphy scored her third goal, making history with the program’s first-ever hat trick.
The last minute closed out with one last shot attempt by the Amcats, which was blocked by Creath, and Framingham took a dominant 6-2 victory to move on to the semifinal game.
Murphy said, “It was definitely an awesome feeling to be able to contribute to such a big win. It is good to have some success after a long season and coming up short in so many games.”
Chamoun made an impressive 47 saves in the victory.
She said, “Our defense did an amazing job keeping any threats to the outside, which helped me stay confident and aggressive. I
wouldn’t be able to play the way I do without their support and skill.”
Chamoun said the team was “able to pressure them enough to break the puck out pretty quickly, which helped us sway the momentum down to their defensive zone.”
The Rams travel to Worcester State to face the first-seeded Lancers in the MASCAC Semifinals Feb. 27.
Chamoun said after scoring six goals, the team knows what they’re capable of on offense. “We are going into the next game confident and ready to work our hardest. We’ve come a long way since the start of the year and are looking to extend the season as much as we can.”
She said, “Don’t count out the Rams! We know we are just as capable as any other team, even as a new program.”
Murphy said, “We are excited to move on and continue in the tournament, but we know it’s not going to be an easy win. We just need to stay focused, play our game, and work together.”
She said as a second-year team, “This season wasn’t the best record-wise, but most of our games were tight scoring, and we have the potential to be very successful next year.”
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
Women’s basketball surpasses Amcats in regular-season finale
By Izabela Gage Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams dominated the Anna Maria Amcats 77-51 in their Senior Day game, taking the win in their final regular-season matchup Feb. 21.
This victory brings their conference record to 11-3 and their overall record to 15-10.
Anna Maria opened the game by taking a 3-0 lead after scoring on a 3-point jump shot.
The Rams answered confidently. After Captain Kelsey Yelle, a senior, missed a layup, Captain Abigail Martin, a senior, converted a layup to put the first points on the board for Framingham.
A relentless sequence on the offensive glass followed, as Martin and sophomore Jacqueline Schels collected multiple rebounds before Schels finished a layup to give Framingham a 1-point lead.
Free throws from junior Ava Mckeon pushed the Rams ahead 6-3, and although the Amcats briefly tied the score, Yelle responded with a layup off a Martin assist.
Senior Kiara Cerruti later drained a 3-pointer to extend the margin, and added a jump shot to stretch the lead to 13-5.
Freshman Zaria Anderson was fouled and made one of the two awarded free throws.
Anna Maria’s Arianna Gonzalez scored on a layup and then made a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 14-10.
Schels made two free throws, but the Amcats earned 2 points off free throws to narrow the score to 16-12.
Yelle’s layup, assisted by freshman Zaria Anderson, brought the score to 18-12 before Anna Maria scored late to trim the lead to 1814 at the end of the first quarter. In the second, Mckeon made two free throws to extend the lead to 20-14, and Cerruti buried another three-pointer to make it 23-14.
Martin added three free throws off two fouls, and Mckeon later converted two more from the line, stretching the lead to 28-14.
Anna Maria tried to stay within reach with free throws, but Martin scored on a layup to make it 30-16.
The Amcats answered again with two earned free throws, but Anderson made two of her own
to push the score to 32-18.
The Amcats made two more free throws, but Yelle responded with a layup for a 14-point advantage.
Martin added two more free throws to extend the lead to 3620.
Anna Maria made a threepointer, but Anderson countered with a layup and a free throw.
After another two free throws by the Amcats, Schels matched with two of her own, sending the Rams into halftime ahead 41-25.
The third quarter began with Schels and Yelle adding two free throws each to extend the margin to 45-25.
The Amcats gained a spark following a jump shot and a layup, but Yelle answered with another layup and a free throw, keeping the Rams comfortably in the lead 48-29.
After Anna Maria scored on a jump shot, Schels made two more free throws.
Martin added a layup for a 5231 lead.
Anna Maria put points on the board with a layup and one free throw, but freshman Evi Higgins responded with a layup.
The Amcats tried to shrink the deficit with two more layups and a free throw, but Schels converted two free throws to give Framingham a 15-point edge. Cerruti then sank a jump shot just before the end of the third quarter to make it 58-41.
In the fourth quarter, Yelle opened the scoring with a layup.
Anna Maria answered with two jump shots, but Yelle made a free throw.
The Amcats made three free throws of their own, and Yelle
responded with a layup and two free throws to push the lead to 65-48. Cerruti then made a free throw to extend the margin to 66-48.
Mckeon made another two free throws for the Rams, and after a three-pointer and a layup by Anna Maria, Cerruti responded with a 3-pointer of her own.
Gonzalez was able to add two free throws with only 30 seconds remaining in the game, but by the final buzzer, the Rams secured a 71-55 victory to end their regular season.
Martin tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
She said she has “tried to step into more of an offense role this year while also creating opportunities for my teammates to thrive in those aspects as well!”
Martin said, “Winning our last regular season game heading into the playoffs is an amazing feeling. We, as a team, try to hold each other to high standards and remind each other that every game counts, whether it’s a nonleague, league, or playoff game.”
The second-seeded Rams have the home-court advantage when they face the fourth-seeded Salem State Vikings in the MASCAC Semifinals Feb. 27.
Martin said in her last season, she hopes the MASCAC sees that the Rams “can compete with anyone!”
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Kelsey Yelle dribbling the ball in win against Anna Maria on Feb. 21.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Alexis Brown skating with the puck in loss to Albertus Magnus on Dec. 6.
ARTS & FEATURES
Kugel’s
By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor
Driving along Route 9, there’s a surplus of restaurants, all with exciting menu items and flashy drinks that lure you in, tucked behind attractive neon signs.
Some of these restaurants may leave you feeling hungry for more and low on cash. Where do you go when you just want food? Better yet, where do you go when you want affordable food?
Look no further than Kugel’s New York Style Deli in Trolley Square at 855 Worcester Road.
Kugel’s is about a six-minute drive from campus and is tucked in a small corner of the brick building behind IHOP.
Today, if you aren’t look-
By Alexis Schlesinger Editorial Staff
For nine days, I couldn’t get out of bed.
Well, that’s an exaggeration. And a lyric from Escape Durgin’s song “9 Days.”
But for those of us lacking a Valentine, the days leading up to Feb. 14 can certainly drag on.
Between the corporate boom of pink, heart-shaped decor, and an increasing number of friends revealing romantic plans, I have to admit, there were moments where the insistent choruses of “You can still enjoy Valentine’s Day without a partner!” started to piss me off rather than give me hope.
After being dramatic for a few days, I ended up making plans for myself.
I went alone to two shows on Feb. 14, and saw six artists I had never seen before.
ing for it, it may be easy to miss Trolley Square, but at one point, it served as a car depot for the Boston and Worcester Street Railway Company, according to a Kugel’s menu brochure.
When entering Kugel’s, you’re greeted with an instant feeling of warmth, like walking into a relative’s kitchen. The Deli is small in size, but large in presence.
There’s minimal decoration outside of the Boston sports memorabilia, menu boards, and TV, which is playing local news or other cable television.
What isn’t lacking is Kugel’s menu, which surely has something for everyone. Kugel’s serves breakfast all day long and has just as many lunch options.
However, if you’re going to Kugel’s, my recommendation would be one of their signature sandwiches.
All sandwiches can be ordered as halves or wholes with a choice of potato salad, coleslaw, or potato chips, along with a half sour pickle with your choice of bread, cheese, and condiments.
My go-to order is a chicken salad sandwich on a toasted everything bagel with lettuce and onion. I substitute my side for french fries, which is an upcharge.
The bagels at Kugel’s are always fresh and piled high with whatever you order. The chicken salad is a savory mix of chicken, mayonnaise, and
Now, I’m happy to report, the cornballs were right.
You do not need a romantic partner to enjoy Valentine’s Day - or any other day for that matter.
You need to engage in your community though, if you want to make the kinds of connections that will sustain you.
I’ll take the time in a future article to rattle on about how important community is, and how the community I’ve found in my local music scene has healed me in ways I can’t describe, but there is a much more pressing matter to address.
Lowell is home to one of the greatest rock bands to ever hit the scene.
It’s no secret that the Lowell scene is packed with talent, but the striking energy of Escape Durgin makes them stand out as a community staple.
Escape Durgin is made up of Quinton Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Michael Sirard on guitar and vocals, Sean Connors on bass and vocals, and Avery Stout on drums.
The love this band has for each other, their music, and their community lights up the room, and is rightfully returned to them tenfold by their fans.
The show I attended was one of two back-to-back show days for Escape Durgin, for which the band stated they would be playing two entirely different sets.
While I have absolutely no idea which songs they played on Feb. 13, I did have the pleasure of hearing seven songs off of the band’s self-titled album, as well as two unreleased songs
black pepper, and is a perfect midday lunch.
If you’re in the mood for something extra special to accompany your sandwich, a potato latke goes well with any breakfast and lunch option.
The latkes are cakey and perfectly crisp and will remind anyone of homestyle latkes. They are served with sour cream or apple sauce, but my pro tip is to mix the two dips - it’s unconventional, but take my word for it.
Since Kugel’s is by definition a New York Deli, it feels obligatory to try one of their cured meats.
I can’t say enough about Kugel’s Romanian pastrami.
Prior to reading through Kugel’s menu, I had never heard of “Romanian” pastrami, but after a quick Google search, I learned it was a slightly spicier version of the traditional cured pastrami found in delis.
My sandwich on light rye bread, with swiss cheese, and yellow mustard was nothing short of the perfect sandwich.
Kugel’s loads their sandwiches high with whatever meat you order, which is great if you’re starving or if you want leftovers to enjoy at 2 a.m. while you’re writing essays.
I was pleasantly surprised by this sandwich. I was led to believe it would be spicy. However, upon my first bite, the pastrami was much sweeter than I expected. There was a slight kick that came from the spices the meat was cured in, which
- “Hands” and “Make things right.”
It’s one thing to have well-written and well-recorded songs on your discography, but it’s another to be able to perform even better live.
To go back to my earlier point, connection is everything. Escape Durgin’s songs are performed so tightly, and while it’s clear they’re also well-practiced, it’s their passion and care for the art they make that ultimately transforms the room.
Of all the songs performed that night, my favorite was easily “Free Shipping,” and this seemed to be a shared sentiment from a good portion of the crowd.
“Free Shipping” is a breakup song. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Ironically, hearing “Free Shipping” live felt like anything but heartbreak.
“Free Shipping” builds in tempo and hope as Escape Durgin tells a story of moving on from someone you still have so many things to say to.
Gibbons, the vocalist for this song, goes from “wondering what it’s all for,” to “seeing a man who looks just like him” and “realizing he will be fine,” after ripping a fantastic guitar solo.
As a full-time hopeless romantic and enjoyer of metaphoric use of star imagery, I was also particularly taken by “Skin.”
I think the lyric: “If you looked inside my brain / would you be surprised / that it looks like a shooting star every time
was pleasant.
The flavor profile of Romanian pastrami is entirely different from traditional pastrami, but now that I’ve had both, I would say I prefer its Romanian counterpart.
While these menu items make up the excellence of Kugel’s lunch menu, there’s one item that is the shining star of this establishment regardless of the hour of the day.
Kugel’s has the best cup of coffee I have ever had.
Now, their menu doesn’t feature a $14 mocha frappuccino - although if you asked, I wouldn’t be surprised if they could make you one. Their coffee comes in two iterations - hot or iced. You can add cream or sugar if you like, but I drink it black.
If you enjoy coffee that you can dissect and debate the flavor profile, don’t come to Kugel’s - it’s just coffee. But its simplicity and its signature diner coffee flavor is what makes it great.
Kugel’s, like their coffee, is simply great. It serves as a testament to an era where people went to restaurants for a few things: good food at a decent price and a welcoming and comfortable environment.
The final word about Kugel’s? I’d say its slogan says it best: “The way it should be.”
CONNECT WITH DYLAN PICHNARCIK dpichnarcik@student.framingham.edu
you cross my mind,” speaks for itself here.
After being completely charmed by what I heard from Escape Durgin that night, I listened to their self-titled album in full.
While I am slightly bummed out that this is the only album they’ve released so far, it’s been on repeat ever since the show.
For now, I’m anxiously, but happily, waiting for announcements of future shows and releases.
Escape Durgin, whoever told you they “don’t love you no more” is really missing out.
CONNECT WITH ALEXIS SCHLESINGER aschlesinger@student.framingham.edu
The Lexicon: The shooting stars crossing my mind
Courtesy of Alexis Schlesinger
New York Style Deli
ReDiscover The Discworld
By Kate Norrish Staff Writer
Ten years ago, on Aug. 27, 2015, the last Discworld novel, “The Shephard’s Crown,” was released shortly after the series’ author - Terry Pratchettdied from a rare form of early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
To those who had been following the series since its first book, “The Color of Magic,” was released in 1983, it was devastating. As soon as I started the series, I understood why.
I cannot emphasize enough how good this series is, to the point where I’m tempted to declare that Pratchett may be the best author of the 21st century so far.
The premise is simple - The Discworld is a flat planet. It sits on top of four elephants, which, in turn, are on top of a giant turtle named A’Tuin swimming through space. Each book is about an incident in the lives of those who live on The Discworld. You will not believe how well Pratchett utilizes that concept.
These books are famous for so many reasons. Almost all the characters are impeccable. Whether it be Death himself trying to raise a child; Nobby Nobbs, a messy individual who needed to get government documents to prove he’s human; or Lord Vetinari, an uptight yet compassionate ruler who may be the most complex fictional character I’ve ever seen.
Of course, you cannot talk about these books without acknowledging that they are hilarious - I have burst out laughing in public multiple
times while reading them. After all, this is a world where tax evasion is legal as long as you don’t mind a professional thief stealing your stuff to make up for what you owe.
To give you just a taste, let me show you Death’s reaction to a man asking for cake after he dies: “NO. THERE IS NO MORE TIME, EVEN FOR CAKE. FOR YOU, THE CAKE IS OVER. YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF CAKE.”
It does not end there. Remember Nobby Nobbs and Vetinari? They get stuck in a submarine together. Have you arrested a dragon? The charac ters here have. Oh, and see that little tortoise in the watermel on patch? Yeah, he’s God. Don’t worry about it.
I should mention that this series is 41 books long, and most people, myself includ ed, agree that you should not start with the first book of the series. Why is that? “The Col or of Magic” is an amazing book by pop-fiction standards, but by Terry Pratchett standards, it’s mediocre. The plot, about a wizard who can’t do magic teaching a tourist, is fun, but its themes are not near ly as well-woven as they are in the rest of the series.
I started with “Guards! Guards!” about an incompe tent group of policemen fight ing a dragon. If that doesn’t sound like your kind of book, “Mort,” featuring Death taking on an apprentice, and “The Truth,” about a vampire, some dwarves, and their friends starting a newspaper firm,
are also great starting points. “Guards! Guards!” and “Mort” are also the start of several books featuring the same characters. You can easily Google which books feature which characters.
Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series affected me, and many other people, in ways that can only truly be described in an essay as long as several of his books. From a gay celibate trying to find his place in the LGBTQ+ community, to Lord Vetinari learning to live with a disability, to a dwarf discovering her femininity, Pratchett
are respectfully written into the story. This is never treated as something bad, or even unusual, and on The Disc, almost every non-harmful behavior is shown in a positive light that celebrates humanity. Never in my life have I read a book series so equally funny, complex, and powerful. It is completely worth the commitment. It helped me end a nearly 12-year self-harm addiction, and got me through the navigation of being a semi-verbal autistic teenager. I would like to finish by repeating a rest in peace message used by fans, based on a plot point in his Discworld book, “Going Postal.” GNU Terry
Even background characters played a huge role in helping me in my teen years. Characters regularly have speech impediments or vocal tics that
Marcus Fãlcao / THE GATEPOST
24. Seamy
28. *Air Force facility in many conspiracy theories
33. Safeguards for castles
34. ___ money (initial capital)
35. Org. that funds research
36. Penthouses, e.g., briefly
37. Bouncing off the walls
39. “___ ever so humble ...”
40. Latin for “lion”
41. SAG-AFTRA president Astin
42. Decadent dessert
43. *Last minute
47. Young child
48. Bring on
49. “Don’t contact me again!”... or a hint to interpreting each starred clue’s answer
55. Fiend
58. Sleep in a tent
59. Disney parrot voiced by Gilbert Gottfried
60. Literary twist
61. It is blackand-white but might get twisted
62. Jason’s ship
63. One end of a rainbow, perhaps
64. The “e” in i.e.
65. Bird’s home
DOWN
1. Shade
2. It could flake on you for Christmas
3. Lot size unit
4. Caps for wet days
5. Contraction commonly confused with its homophones
6. Painter Klimt
7. Burst ___ flames
8. “SNL” castmate of Belushi and Radner
9. Make less threatening, as a bull
10. Texan philanthropist Hogg (really!)
11. “Yikes!”
12. College, to Brits
15. Cry of exasperation
21. Pitch lightly
22. Chemical compound that’s an anagram of “reset”
25. Money, in Monterrey
26. As found
27. More skillful
28. Picturesque Italian coast
29. Involve sneakily
30. Use as a plate
31. Channel for ACC and SEC games
32. Formerly named
37. Lifts with effort
38. Basketball great Ming
39. Countercultural and artsy
41. Crossword clue, often
42. Drive-___
44. Hawk’s claws
45. Near and dear to each other?
46. Like an inferior tyrant
50. Prefix with “system”
51. Filly, after it turns four
52. Minimal, as essentials
53. 65-Across contents
54. Square ___ (two, for four)
55. Downturn
56. Miss the mark
57. “Me?!”
Puzzle solutions are now exclusively online.
Second-hand Stacks & Racks
Fashion club hosted a Thrift pop-up where they sold second-hand donations to combat clothing waste on Feb. 26.
Spread by Associate Editor Adrien Gobin
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST