Eversource cuts power unexpectedly
By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor
Eversource, the University’s energy provider, cut power to the west side of State Street at approximately 2:25 p.m. on Nov. 20, according to Associate Vice President of Facilities and Capital Projects Ryan Hacker.
Hacker said Eversource did not notify the University of the planned outage.
He said Eversource had to cut power to service a transformer located at the intersection of Maple and State streets.
The outage impacted the McCarthy College Center, the Welcome Center, and the residential homes along State Street, Hacker said.
The McCarthy Center, which houses the Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD), the Dining Commons, the Student Transportation Center (STC) dispatch desk, student club rooms and offices, along with classrooms, operated on generated power during the outage.
There were no interruptions to FSUPD phone lines or STC dispatch phones.
At 2:52 p.m., an email was sent by FSUPD notifying the FSU Community that the McCarthy Center Elevator was out of service.
According to Hacker, all of the building’s safety equipment, as well as emergency lights and generators, functioned as expected.
Additionally, an email was sent by the Office of the Dean of Students at 3:08 p.m. notifying the community about the outage in the McCarthy Center.
The email stated there would be no interruptions to service in the Dining Commons.
According to Director of Dining Services Michael Newmark, the outage occurred during a transitional period between meal times when only select items are available.
Power was restored to the McCarthy Center and the Welcome Center at 3:13 p.m.
By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor
By Avery Slavin Staff Writer
The Framingham State Rams dominated in their home opener, defeating the Colby-Sawyer College Chargers 79-64 in a non-conference match Nov. 18.
This win improves the Rams’ overall record to 3-2.
Head Coach Donald Morris Jr. said winning the home opener was “a good start. We always want to try to do our best and hold down the home court.”
Morris said he thought the team “played pretty well. Without our best player, Joshua Saint Jean, we have some guys stepping into different roles that they haven’t been in before. I think they stepped up and showed that we have some depth, and we have some guys that can meet the challenge when it’s presented.”
FSU made the first basket of the game, with a jump shot by junior Domonick Victor.
Colby-Sawyer then attempted a jump shot. After they failed, FSU junior Lorenzo Washington got the rebound and brought the ball down the court.
Unable to score, Washington turned over the ball.
Washington said the team’s “biggest mental challenge was bouncing back from a tough loss on the road. This was our first home game of the season, and we were also missing one of our key players, so we had to adjust on the fly.
“For me, it was about staying locked in, keeping the group together, and making sure we didn’t let that last game affect how we performed tonight,” he added.
On their next possession, the Chargers were stopped when senior Vondre Chase stole the ball, passing it down the court until Washington sent it to ju-
nior Dyree Rogers, who was able to net a 3-pointer.
Colby-Sawyer battled back with a 3-point shot of their own, bringing the score to 5-3.
Not 20 seconds later, the Rams regained their 5-point lead on another 3-pointer made by Rogers on an assist from Washington.
With the ball on the Chargers’ side of the court, Framingham fouled, allowing CSC’s Sean Peterson to score on two free throws.
After nine scoreless possessions by both teams, Colby-Sawyer finally scored on a layup.
Following a turnover by the Rams, the Chargers were able to score on a layup, taking the lead 9-8.
CSC scored two more 3-pointers on their next two drives, and with a jump shot by Rogers, the Chargers held the lead 15-10.
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Amy Bickford and Leah Hall at Pie SJP on Nov. 20.
(Center) Vondre Chase going up
E ditorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Sophia Oppedisano
Associate Editors
Adrien Gobin
Dylan Pichnarcik
Copy Editor Antonio Machado
News Editor Bella Grimaldi
Opinions Editor
Izayah Morgan
Sports Editor
Izabela Gage
Asst. Sports Editor
Taylor Kimmell
Arts & Features Editors
Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
Owen Glancy
Asst. Arts & Features Editors
Sarah Daponde
Liv Dunleavy
Photos & Design Editor
Alexis Schlesinger
Illustrations Editors
Ronnie Chiu-Lin
Marcus Falcão
Staff Illustrators
David Abe
Staff Writers
Zaynab Ahmed
Jesse Burchill
Kristel Erguiza
Julien Fernandez
Paul Harrington
Cole Johnson
Dan Lima
Kate Norrish
Wenchell Pierre
Andrew Ramirez
Avery Slavin
Kennedy Thompson
Staff Photographers
Corban Allen
Meg Dame
Christy Howland
Onyx Lovely
Advisor Desmond McCarthy
Asst. Advisor
Elizabeth Banks
Graduate
Emma
Gatepost Interview Clara Machado
Area Director of Larned, Pierce, and Horace Mann halls
By Sophia Oppedisano Editor-in-Chief
What is your academic and professional background?
I went to Clark University. I studied management in undergrad, and then I got my master’s degree at Clark University as well. I got a master’s of science in management, too, so very management heavy. I didn’t go straight into grad school. I took a little bit of time off when I started as a [resident director] at the College of the Holy Cross. So my whole professional background is very student affairs [and] residence life. I did my internship with RHA - the Residence Hall Association, so pretty tied to residence life. I worked as an office assistant in our student affairs office, and then I’ve done some variation of the residence director, area coordinator, that type of role since I graduated college.
What drew you to Framingham State?
I think I was looking for a change in student population. I’ve traditionally worked at small private institutions, working with a lot of students who had access to a lot of resources, and I felt that in my position, it was becoming very operational. I didn’t think that students really needed a lot of support from me, and I was having a hard time connecting with students. I’m a first-generation college student. I’m an immigrant. I was born in Brazil, so I think I was really looking to find a population where maybe there were more students like me that I could connect with. When I was in undergrad, and especially my first year, and my first year being an RA, I really relied so heavily on my RD and my RA just kind of helping me navigate how things worked. My family just really couldn’t offer me that support, and my life was really changed by my RA and my RD in my first two years. So I think I was looking for a community where I could maybe be that person for somebody else.
What is something our campus community should know about you?
timidating coming to a staff member who you see as a professional who works for the college, and maybe they’re going to think a question is silly, or they’re going to look down on you for not knowing the answer, but I think that I really want to be a resource for people who don’t know what they don’t know, and help them figure that out. There’s really no problem that you can’t solve if you communicate with your faculty and staff.
Do you have any hobbies or things you enjoy outside of your professional life?
I’m a really open person. I always say that I’ll answer any question. I just want to help people with everything. I think that there’s a lot of processes in college that are just really hard to navigate if you don’t know what you’re doing, and it can be so scary to ask for help, and sometimes, you don’t even know what the help is that you’re asking for. You don’t know what you don’t know. I think it can be really in-
I’m a big reader. I’m really into sci-fi and fantasy. That takes up most of my time. I have a dog. His name is Orwell. He’s a border collie. He’s a year old, and he lives here on campus with me. He’s my emotional support animal, so he’s definitely still adjusting to Framingham life living in a big apartment building like Larned, with the elevator and the lobby and all of that, but most of my free time is taken up by going on hikes with him and walks and playing fetch and all that fun stuff.
Do you have any advice for Framingham State students?
I think just trying everything and not being scared to talk to people. I think something I wish
I would have known more when I was in college is that everybody feels the same way that you do. Everybody’s nervous to talk to a new person, or wants to make new friends and doesn’t know how to make that connection, or wants to go after an opportunity but feels like they’re not going to get it, or they’re not good enough, or somebody else is more qualified. So really, just putting yourself out there and trying for as many opportunities as you can. I know it’s so cheesy, but “You miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take.” You really would be surprised how many opportunities there are if you just connect with people. If you’re interested in being an RA, get connected with your RA. Get connected with your hall staff member. They can give you so much advice on the application process. And I know I already said this, but really emphasizing that everybody here is looking to make connections, and that’s half the reason that people go to college and live on campus is to network and make friends and make a community. So not being scared to just talk to somebody or go to a new club or do something, even if it’s by yourself.
Courtesy of Clara Machado
Administrators’ Forum addresses transfer experience and elevator difficulties
By Cole Johnson Staff Writer
SGA held its first Administrators’ Forum of the academic year to raise student concerns to administrators on Nov. 18.
The forum was attended by President Nancy Niemi; Provost Kristen Porter-Utley; Meg Nowak Borrego, vice president of Student Affairs; Robert Totino, vice president of Finance, Technology, and Administration; Iris Godes, vice president of Enrollment Management; Lorretta Holloway, vice president of Student Success; Jeffrey Coleman, vice president of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement; Glenn Cochran, assistant vice president of Student Affairs; Ryan Hacker, associate vice president of Facilities and Capital Projects; Stephanie Crane, director of Residence Life and Housing; Sara Gallegos, executive director of Student Experience and Career Development; Michael Newmark, director of Dining Services; and FSUPD Officer James Devens.
SGA President César Matos opened the forum and said he would be asking from a list of pre-prepared questions provided by both club representatives and senators.
Matos asked if actions were being taken to improve the experience of transfer students regarding the application of transfer credits, citing “extreme difficulty … this past semester across the board.”
SGA Publicist Taylor Royal followed up, saying, “For some incoming students, they might not feel as comfortable to self advocate with their professors and for themselves up to a higher level. So I guess the extreme difficulty is, how can we bridge that gap where they can feel comfortable to go to the people they need to go to?”
Porter-Utley said there were a variety of resources available to students.
“I find that the chair of any of the relevant departments is one of the best touchpoints in terms of talking about transfer and transfer equivalencies,” she said. “They’re all super nice people, so you shouldn’t be intimidated by that title, and they enjoy having students.”
Porter-Utley also said there were “resources in the Registrar’s Office if people are experiencing frustration with that. … They also assist in ensuring that [students] have transfer credits in place.”
Porter-Utley added if students still weren’t getting their questions answered, they should contact her. “Send me an email. I want to be able to help - I was a transfer student.”
Holloway said she conducts business process analysis of the transfer procedure. “It’s just the process [of] what happens from the deposit to registration.”
SGA Events Coordinator Alix Ayoub said, “I know last year, there was a discussion about making a database of all the transfer credits that can be brought in.” She asked if that was still being implemented.
Godes said there was a platform students could access called Transferology to check for transfer equivalencies between universities.
Matos asked what the plan was for the McCarthy elevator,
as it broke down more often this year compared to previous years.
Hacker responded he was “somewhat concerned” about the amount of downtime on the elevator.
“We actually ran into a situation where the service elevator went down as well,” he said. “So there was at one point a period of time where there was no working elevator in this building. That’s not a great situation.
“Our elevator service vendor has maintained very detailed records. … So one of things that I will be doing is an audit of those reports to see if there’s anything we can do to be more proactive about some of the issues that come up instead of being reactive,” he said.
He added he asked the service vendor for a list of available parts to more easily replace common parts more susceptible to wear.
He said it would be more efficient to have the parts on hand, “as opposed to having to place an order and then wait for the part to come in, which will add some days, if not weeks, to the downtime of the elevator.
“We hope to have better preventative means of planning moving forward - for the whole campus, not just the McCarthy elevator,” he said.
According to Hacker, one matter that was “out of our control” was the need for state elevator inspections after certain repairs. “We can’t open up the elevator until it’s been given the all-clear.”
For situations in which the elevator in need of inspection was the only elevator in a building, Hacker said he could advocate for the urgency of the matter. “The head inspector’s getting a call, and we’re saying, ‘This is critical,’” he said.
Matos asked if there was a way to bridge the gap between resident and commuter student experiences.
“In terms of the different spaces that exist on campus … it feels like a lot of services are tailored for the resident students,” he said.
Niemi said, “I long for the day … that there’s really as little difference as possible, certainly between commuter students and resident students.”
Both Niemi and Gallegos said The Gatepost Editorial from Oct. 3 drew their attention.
Gallegos said, “Commuter programs have just been handed over to me this semester, so it’s slow-going.”
For the Student Lounge and Game Room in the McCarthy Center, Gallegos said, “We will look at trying to update [them] within our means to make them a little bit more cozy and social.”
She added, “We will be doing the commuter survey hopefully by the end of this semester, so that we’ll get some more insight.”
Niemi said the survey would be important for gauging commuter opinions. “It might be that people who live [in] one place and come here for classes might simply not want the same things that resident students have.”
Holloway agreed. “It’s not just resident students versus commuter students. It’s different demographics of resident students and commuter students.”
Nowak Borrego said, “I was asked by our VP for finance, who’s coordinating the Campus Master Plan, if the student government would be willing to have a special opportunity to give feedback on the plan.
“We’re seeing you as our first presentation group. … They’re presenting [ideas] to us and smaller subsets of more engaged students, and then they will make some changes from those, and then we’ll put the final ones out within the spring semester,” she said.
Olivia Ostrander, who was sworn in as a senator later during the SGA meeting, said, “I notice that a lot of students here do go home on the weekends. I’m wondering if there’s anything for students that maybe live a little bit too far to be able to go home on weekends?”
Crane responded, “We have weekend numbers for the resident students every week. … Of the resident students, 73% of the population actually are here on weekends.
“We asked some questions on our resident survey, which we did last spring, and [we’re] just trying to assess and look at that and figure out how we can best provide that support, because we do hear that a lot,” she
added. “Keeping us informed of what you’re interested in is huge.”
Crane said she was also considering hiring a student intern to help restore the Residence Life social media. “Our Instagram needs a facelift,” she said.
Kira James, president of Framingham State Activities Board, asked Devens if he could prioritize installing cameras on the fourth floor of the McCarthy Center.
“My club has had a lot of issues with people coming to our office and taking things from our office, and it’s very unfair to the students who have been [losing] these items,” she said. “And it’s very ‘un-fun’ to have to order all these things, and use more money that should go to other events that we’re having.”
Devens said installing cameras was a long and “very involved” process, but “we’re always open to talking.”
Following the forum, SGA held a short meeting, starting by unanimously appointing two new senators: Luke Coutu and Olivia Ostrander.
Afterward, Royal said volunteers were needed for this year’s SGA Benevolence Awards, both for the Nomination Committee and to help with organizing and running the event.
Royal said Nomination Committee members would not be eligible to receive awards, but host volunteers would.
The ceremony will be hosted in the McCarthy Center Forum on April 15, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Royal presented the U-Rock to Jobe Murphy, recognizing him for his “initiative with working closely with Nate [Piette] for the Safety and Security ad hoc.”
“Without the both of you, the Safety and Security Walk would not have been as successful as it was, and especially with your initiative to take into account the food insecurity on campus, how we can address it, how we can [continue] to be a beacon of hope within all of these committees and push people to do better,” she said.
Matos presented the U-Rock Ram to Ayoub.
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Robert Totino, Sara Gallegos, and Stephanie Crane at the Administrators’ Forum on Nov. 18.
All residents return to Towers after fire
By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor
All residents displaced from Corinne Hall Towers after a fire on Nov. 12 have reoccupied the building as of Nov. 19, said Robert Totino, vice president of Finance, Technology, and Administration.
Twenty two students were temporarily relocated to Linsley Hall while water damage was assessed and repaired by 24 Restore, a disaster restoration service based in Easton, which arrived on campus at approximately 4 a.m. on Nov. 12 to begin assessing and servicing damage caused by the incident, according to Ryan Hacker, associate vice president of Facilities and Capital Projects.
As of Nov. 19, all students were relocated back to Towers, according to Totino.
The fire, which started in room 671, was caused by a light fixture purchased by the student who occupied the room, according to Totino.
Totino said the student who occupied room 671 has been permanently relocated to another room in Towers.
The light fixture lacked the proper certification for approved electrical safety testing, which includes heat generation, according to Totino.
The fire started in the early hours of Nov. 12, Totino said. Smoke within the room set off the building’s emergency alarms, alerting occupants they needed to evacuate.
He added the water pendanta type of sprinkler system - activated shortly after, suppressing the flames.
A water pendant is a sprinkler system that activates when enough heat in a space shatters a glass ampule, releasing water into an area, Totino said.
Totino said the emergency response technology, including the sprinklers and fire alarms, worked as expected and were tested prior to the start of the academic year.
Totino said he is thankful students “follow the guidelines that are presented by the Residence Life staff, to not cover [smoke detectors]. It’s important to keep those safety devices free and clear, and that was done here, which was appreciated.”
According to Hacker, only the sprinkler system in room 671 activated, which limited the amount of water that spread throughout the building.
Most of the water was contained to room 671 and the surrounding common areas on the sixth floor of Towers, he said.
According to Hacker, when he surveyed the sixth floor on the night of the incident, approximately 1.5 to 2 inches of water had spread from room 671 to the common areas.
Additionally, water had flowed down to levels five and four in between some of the walls made of drywall.
Hacker said due to Towers being primarily constructed using concrete, the building acted as a “bathtub” and contained most of the water.
Water that did travel down to the lower levels of the building came from areas in the drywall. To combat the moisture stuck within the walls, 24 Restore has used industrial fans and has drilled holes into the bottom of walls within Towers to allow
them to dry properly.
Twenty four Restore has also completed moisture readings throughout the building to ensure any trapped water is removed to avoid the formation of mold, according to Hacker.
Hacker said Towers are “in pretty good shape” and the building should be completely dried shortly. After 24 Restore completes its work in the building, additional repairs will be made to cover the holes drilled by 24 Restore with new rubber wall runners.
Additionally, damage to the fire alarm panel was caused by the water, which was fixed a day after the incident, according to Hacker.
Funds from the facilities budget will be used to pay for all repairs to the building.
According to Totino, a final cost has not been determined but is expected to be between $100,000 and $200,000.
On the night of the incident, Vice President of Student Affairs Meg Nowak Borrego was notified by the administrator on duty, Sara Gallegos, executive director of the Center for Student Experience and Career Development, at approximately 1 a.m. that a fire had occurred in Towers.
After she was notified by Gallegos, she alerted members of the Executive Staff, including President Nancy Niemi; Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Glenn Cochran; Deputy Chief of Police Martin Laughlin; Director of Residence Life & Housing Stephanie Crane; Hacker; and Totino.
Shortly after they were notified, each administrator arrived on campus.
Niemi said she believes it was her job to be “present and be supportive without being in the way. I am not the leader of that [emergency] response. The police are - the fire are.”
She added it was her responsibility to “be a witness to it then and understand in real time what was happening structurally, but [also determine], was everybody safe? People were displaced - what’s going to happen? And then to hear the students and to give aid where I can.”
Throughout the morning, members of the Executive Staff arrived on-site to support efforts in returning students to Towers or relocating them to Linsley Hall, according to Niemi.
She said she, along with members of the Executive Staff, briefed students who were sent to Hemenway Hall to avoid the cold while the building’s damage was surveyed.
The Executive Staff remained on campus until students were readmitted to non-damaged areas of Towers.
Niemi said while in Hemenway, she spoke with students and heard concerns about personal items, if classes would be canceled, and what the next steps were.
At 4:33 a.m., an email was sent to members of the FSU community on behalf of Niemi and Nowak Borrego, notifying people about the fire and asking faculty members to grant permission for Towers residents to miss class without penalty.
The email read, “These students spent most of the night awake due to this ordeal, and we want to provide them with
as much flexibility to rest and recover from the event.
“In moments like this, we are reminded of the strength and compassion that define the FSU community. We take care of one another - through challenges big and small - and it’s that sense of unity and care that makes our campus such a special place to call home.”
Additionally, students are encouraged by Nowak Borrego to take photographs of and inventory any items damaged by water and notify the Dean of Students office so a replacement or compensation can be given through the University’s Financial Crisis Response Team (FCRT).
FCRT can grant students access to emergency grant funding provided the Office of the Dean of Students receives and verifies the requesting students’ information, according to Nowak Borrego.
She added her office has received claims from students and is working with the FCRT manager and the University’s Business office to disperse funds to students. Additionally, some items have already been replaced by the Rams Resource Center.
Nowak Borrego added some students have also utilized the loner-laptop program through the Office of the Vice President of Student Success due to water damage to their computers.
Hours after the fire took place, students who occupied floors seven through 11 of Towers were readmitted to the building with instructions to avoid moving throughout the building, according to Niemi.
Students who could not return to their rooms were told they would be housed in Linsley Hall or could make arrangements to stay elsewhere on campus or return home.
Members of the Framingham State Police Department were stationed in the building to ensure students did not enter the sixth floor, she said.
Students who were displaced and chose to take a room were later given keys and I.D. access to Linsley Hall and given the opportunity later in the day on Nov. 12 to retrieve personal items from Towers, according to Totino.
As of Nov. 19, all students have moved out of Linsley Hall and have returned to Towers.
Sophomore Kira James said she was doing laundry at the time of the fire and left her clothes in the third-floor kitch-
en of Towers as she was leaving the building.
She said she called a friend who lived in the building to bring her a sweatshirt because of the low temperature. She waited for her friend inside until she was told it was an actual emergency.
James said she spent most of the night in the McCarthy Center so she could charge her phone. Another student who remained in Hemenway Hall sent her updates throughout the night.
James said she understood the severity of the situation but believed there should have been emails sent to impacted students throughout the night to keep students updated.
Senior Abrianna Ouellette said she housed another student in her room after she was readmitted to Towers. Her friend was unable to be admitted to Linsley until the Office of Residence Life opened for normal business hours.
Junior Autumn Bailey, who stayed with Ouellette for the remainder of the evening, said she heard the fire alarms in the hallways going off and departed her room at the time of the fire.
She said the fire alarms in her room are not functioning but she has put in a request with the Office of Facilities to have them repaired.
She said at the time she was unsure if there was an actual emergency in the building but departed anyway.
She said when keys were distributed for room assignments in Linsley she was not present, so she had to wait until the Office of Residence Life opened for the business day.
Bailey said the conditions of Linsley were poor, citing the light fixture in her room was not functioning and there were no shower heads in the building.
To combat this, Bailey showered in Miles Bibb Hall and borrowed a lamp from a friend.
Bailey said she would not be filing a claim to replace belongings damaged by water.
She said she believed the administration handled the event well and appreciated being excused from class.
[ Editor’s Note: Additional student comments can be found on the web edition of The Gatepost. ]
Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST
Smoke damage in room 671 of Corinne Hall Towers.
FSU recognized as a College of Distinction
By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Editorial Staff
Framingham State was named a College of Distinction for the second year in a row in early June, according to Dan Magazu, executive director of the Office of Marketing & Communications.
President Nancy Niemi said the University was recognized as a College of Distinction with specific areas of recognition, including public colleges, affordability, career development, diversity and inclusion, business, and education.
Colleges of Distinction is a nonprofit organization that awards distinctions based on whether the university has “engaged students, great teaching, a vibrant community, and successful outcomes,” Niemi said.
The Colleges of Distinction conducts research and many interviews when deciding whether to award a recognition, she added.
It’s different from the U.S. News and World Report College
to pay to be part of the U.S. News and World Report College Ranking System.
Niemi said, “U.S. News is a much bigger organization, and it’s well known, but its ranking system is entirely different and it does rank colleges and universities against each other, and it’s almost always because of money and prestige.
“That’s not the way I think you rank or you assess a university or school,” she added.
The recognition is “a different way to acknowledge what we say, what we are proud of, and what we say about ourselves,” she said.
“That way, you don’t have to just take our word for it,” Niemi said.
Magazu said the Colleges of Distinction is an organization that invites colleges “showing distinction in certain areas” to apply to join the group.
was living to the truth because we don’t really believe in the ranking,” he said.
He added using the U.S. News and World Report College Ranking System logo costs approximately $17,000 now.
Colleges of Distinction looks for educational impact, he said.
“They want to make sure that we have first year seminars and collaborative projects for undergraduate research. They want to make sure we offer global learning and internships,” Magazu said.
Iris Godes, vice president of Enrollment Management, said she doesn’t have a way to measure the impact the recognition has on enrollment.
However, she hopes prospective students and families are impressed with the recognition, especially in areas such as equity, inclusion, and affordability, she said.
es and ideologies and beliefs,” that environment will recruit students on its own.
“Equity, inclusion, diversity work, and belonging: … all of those efforts are not going to ever disappear. The need is not going to ever disappear,” Coleman said.
Freshman Cameron Higbie said the school’s diversity is welcoming and “overwhelmingly positive.”
Sophomore David Forgione said the recognition would have impacted his choice to come here.
“When you’re choosing a college, you want to pick somewhere where you know you’re going to get your money’s worth when it comes to your education,” Forgione said.
Junior Josh Gillen said it’s great that a small school like FSU is being recognized.
Ranking System in the sense that it doesn’t rank you against other colleges, she said.
The U.S. News and World Report College Ranking System is an annual set of rankings that compares institutions of higher education across the United States.
According to the official U.S. News Best Colleges website, “U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings can take some of the stress out of the school research and selection process and help students find a college that’s a good fit.”
The Colleges of Distinction recognition is not a financial award, but it does allow the University to use their badges on its website, Niemi said.
The recognitions are one way for the University to see how people from outside the FSU community evaluate their work, she added.
She said this is the first year the University has decided not
According to Magazu, the cost of applying to be considered as a College of Distinction is $3,312 this year and “covers everything.” This includes the application fee, marketing materials, and recognition on their website.
Sarah Rodriguez, director of Career Development, said it’s helpful to see an external organization recognize their efforts.
She said, “When you’re doing
“I really didn’t think anyone would have known of us outside of local areas,” Gillen said.
“Less than $5,000 isn’t a huge investment, and it’s something we can feature on our website. We can feature it in communications to prospective students. We can feature it in social media,” Magazu said.
He said it’s different from the U.S. News and World Report College Ranking System because they base their ranking on statistics without getting to know the university well.
“I think a lot of schools have problems with U.S. News and similar rankings trying to order us from one to 100 or whatever the case may be, where it doesn’t really capture what a college is all about,” Magazu said.
One of the reasons the University is pulling out of the U.S. News and World Report College Ranking System is, “Using that ranking didn’t really feel like it
things that are innovative and on the cutting edge, it can be hard to brag about that sometimes when you’re so busy doing them.
“So it’s really nice to be able to pause and say, ‘Hey, not everyone’s doing this. Not everyone has a career community model,’” Rodriguez added.
She said students should take advantage of the services they have available in Career Development.
Jeffrey Coleman, vice president for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, said the recognition is an opportunity to show prospective students that the University is a place they’ll feel welcomed.
He said last year, their work around creating an environment where students feel seen, valued, and heard was noted.
He said when creating a campus that “embraces people from all backgrounds and experienc-
Junior Dheralth Carmo said he’s concerned about accessibility on campus, but otherwise, he agrees with the recognition.
Senior Joshua Reissoares said he’s proud of the opportunities he’s had while at FSU, though he thinks “it wouldn’t necessarily change whether I went to here or to UMass Amherst, or even somewhere across the country.”
He said he was pressured to go into college, but over time, he “embraced the opportunity.
“Some of the best relationships I’ve had in college come from the personal interactions I’ve had with professors,” Reissoares said.
Freshman John Feeney said many people look down on state schools and “it’s a real shame because they’re a real resource and they’re awesome. FSU Pride - two years in a row!”
THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL
Providing security for the food insecure
As the semester begins to wind down, the holiday season is ramping up.
While this is always recognized as a time of year to give thanks and relax with friends and family, the holidays can be a stressful and worrisome time for many people.
Over the last month, food insecurity has dominated news coverage and continued to weigh on many people’s minds in the wake of the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown.
The shutdown stopped the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program that provides food assistance to low- and no-income individuals and families.
Approximately 156,304 college students are eligible for SNAP benefits, according to the College SNAP Project, and only 20% of eligible students use them, according to The Hope Center. You can apply online at mass.gov to find out if you are eligible for benefits.
The government shutdown brought conversations about SNAP and food insecurity to the forefront of news coverage and social media, and these reports and conversations have persisted even after the government reopened on Nov. 12.
SNAP benefits were reinstated at least through September 2026, according to mass.gov.
However, even with the return of SNAP benefits, people are still suffering.
Hunger can negatively impact students’ emotional, physical, and mental health, and as costs to attend universities continue to rise, students may be forced to forgo nutritious meals to save money.
To combat food insecurity for college students, it is increasingly important to communicate the resources students have access to both on and off campus.
On campus, the Rams Resource Center (RRC) provides non-perishable food items, toiletries, and resource referrals for students, faculty, and staff.
The RRC is located behind West Hall and though they are closed in observance of holidays such as Thanksgiving, they are open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The RRC donation box is located outside of the Dean of Students office on the fifth floor of the McCarthy Center. Rams can lend a helping hand by donating brand new toiletries, unexpired food,
Behind the Post: Izabela Gage, women in sports and journalism
By Izayah Morgan Opinions Editor
Izayah: Hey, how are you? Like, seriously, my friend?
Izabela: I am doing well. I got four hours of sleep and just had a delicious lunch, and now I’m here. How are you?
Izayah: Well, I got a full night’s rest. I’m excited to talk to you about women in journalism and women in sports. Can I ask what got you into sports journalism?
Izabela: I originally got into sports about four years agoprobably my junior year of high school - because of my best friend, who works as a sports photographer. I didn’t really consider sports journalism as an option as a career until I joined The Gatepost freshman year of college, and no section really spoke to me other than sports.
Izayah: You’re breaking my heart - not even the opinions section?
Izabela: Not to break your heart, as I have since written opinion pieces. But in all seriousness, sports really stuck out to me as the most inviting section. From there, I just fell in love with sports writing and photography.
Izayah: You’re a whole junior now. From what I’ve seen, you have grown up, not just in the physical sense, going from 18 to
20, but mentally, your mind is sharper than it’s ever been. Did you ever think you would be in this position today?
Izabela: Absolutely not. I think joining freshman year, I didn’t even know if I would be able to do it. I was so convinced that sports writing was like a skill that I would never understand or be able to learn. But everyone was so naturally supportive. They pushed me to be a better writer and to expect the best for myself. Just writing about sports, going to games, and doing interviews was just so heartwarming - it was the best experience.
Izayah: It sounds like it’s been a really positive experience for you, and I love that. Whether you were going to games, writing, or trying to get interviews from people, did you ever face any challenges? If so, were those just challenges, or were those challenges tied to the fact that you’re a woman in sports writing?
Izabela: FSU has a great community when it comes to sports, and there’s no stereotype of someone not being able to do something because of their gender. The Gatepost has been more than inclusive when it comes to women’s sports, and our sports section has always been heavily
and other amenities such as laundry detergent, bedding sets, and towels.
People who struggle with food insecurity usually struggle with paying for other basic needs, so donating items such as toiletries and bedding is also important.
The University takes donations to support students in a number of ways.
Suits for Students is a program that allows students to take donated business clothing for job interviews, conferences, and other professional settings. Suits for Students is often in the McCarthy Center right inside the main doors on the third floor and students can take items they need and keep them.
The Health Center stocks the health care vending machine on the third floor of the McCarthy Center, where students can access sanitary products, pain medication, and sexual protection. The vending machine is free for the campus community.
Off campus, there are many food pantries in the region, including A Place To Turn in Natick, Hope Worldwide Framingham Food Pantry, and the Sudbury Food Pantry.
A comprehensive list of food pantries and organizations that can help with meals can be found on the RRC’s Instagram as well as on the Metrowest Food Collaborative’s website.
You can also call Project Bread’s food source hotline at (800) 645-8333 for further assistance and resources.
It is important to note that members of our campus community may be struggling with challenges we cannot see.
Even as the end-of-semester stress begins to weigh on us, we always have the opportunity to spread love, kindness, and empathy to our peers, our professors, and our staff.
Food insecurity and fundamental needs are not exclusive to the holiday season. If you are able, donate to the RRC throughout the year.
Even small acts of kindness make a big difference.
If you or your family are dealing with food insecurity, know that you are not alone. The resources listed above are available to you at any time.
No student should be afraid to reach out for help this holiday season.
influenced by women. But that doesn’t mean everyone in the FSU community is always the nicest to women working in sports.
There was one sports writer last year who actually told me and my colleague, verbatim, that we wouldn’t be able to make it in the sports world without his help, and unless we were covering Caitlin Clark 24/7, we would not make it in the sports world. He graduated last year, so he was older and making these claims, when he had only been working as a sports writer for that semester, whereas my colleague and I had been on it for a while - I’d been on it for about a year and a half, and she had been on it for about a semester and a half at this point. The hardest thing was hearing it at 19 and 18 years old, respectively. That’s the harshest reality check I think we’d gotten by a man in the sports field at this point in our careers.
Izayah: Wow, I didn’t even know that happened. I’m sorry, truly. To have the ego, after only one semester in sports journalism, is outrageous. You both were doing this for so long - the disrespect.
Izabela: Yes, and I doubt if we were male, he would have reacted that way.
Izayah: True, and that’s a segway into my last topic, women’s sports.
I’ve been actually watching the WNBA more than the NBA,
which is something I would never have thought in my youth. I see it in many comment sections of WNBA videos. There will always be somebody talking about that - women deserve less pay, or they deserve the terrible inequalities that they face.
Almost the mentality of, “It’s a boy’s club, and we want to prevent women from entering that space.”
Izabela: Women who work in sports are scrutinized so much worse than men are. On their appearance, their personality, or even their behavior, whether or not they’re too emotional or too dramatic.
They’re always going to question women far more than they do men. And even outside of sports journalism - just in the sports world, just in society. I’ve seen so many people on social media try to ask or speculate about the sexualities of some of the WNBA players or PWHL players - it’s always at the forefront of people’s minds.
Izayah: What advice do you have for the women trying to break into that domain?
Izabela: If you deserve a seat at the table, you’re going to get a seat at the table, and you’re going to be there for a reason. No matter how many men are trying to steal your seat from you, if you work hard enough to get there, that’s what matters. You deserve your seat at the table.
Women’s stories matter - they just matter
By Antonio Machado Copy Editor
The queen bee once asked a poignant yet concise question, “Who run the world?” and the answer? “Girls!”
Her answer was indisputable, because for the last 100 years, incredibly talented women have sung their way into the hearts of society, becoming cultural pillars that shape fashion, language, and at times, the world itself.
These women are known as The Pop Divas, and they are an immutable part of our historyone that needs much more recognition for their impact.
From the early 20th century Maria Callas, to the incomparable Whitney Houston, to the wickedly talented Ariana Grande, and the newly anointed Sabrina Carpenter, these women have decorated each and every decade of the past, pushing the needle musically and culturally, reforming the way society perceives itself.
In a patriarchal society that repeatedly tries to diminish the light inside women while simultaneously saying they are “Too much,” these Divas take the stage and say, “More.” They are able to imbue their ambition with an unabashed, unapologetic femininity, a beautiful form of self-expression that resonates deeply with so many different demographics.
That mass appeal is the precise reason why the Diva is a constant pillar of social and cultural reform, specifically when it comes to women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Amidst the crisis of the AIDS epidemic, some of the biggest pop stars at the time, Madonna and Cher, utilized their immense platforms to advocate for the spread of knowledge
and kindness for any affected individuals.
Cher co-hosted the American Foundation for AIDS Research Benefit at the Cannes Film Festival with Elizabeth Taylor in 1998, and Madonna included a pamphlet called “The Facts About AIDS” within the booklet for the “Like a Prayer Tour” in 1989.
The Diva does not just reflect the era they are a part of - they build it. These women are the North Star of culture, pushing every single boundary to reshape the world the way they
“Anaconda” flipped gender and race paradigms to empower women in a vulgar manner - not exploitative, but a deliberate ownership of hyper-sexuality that changed the standard of the way women could express themselves in music from then on.
These songs sparked controversy, but controversy is an old friend to the Diva.
Ariana Grande’s “God is a Woman” was deemed blasphemous by the general public, but it was an anthem that expressed pride in women’s sexu-
see fit.
Music has the potential to completely change the way things are perceived. It is a transformative form of art that is interwoven into history. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” was not just a pop hit, but a political anthem celebrating queerness.
Just as Madonna’s “Human Nature” (1994) reclaimed her sexual autonomy, Nicki Minaj’s
ality, deeming it divine.
Beyoncé’s “Formation” faced scrutiny for its incredibly proBlack sentiment, which at time of release in 2016, was not very welcomed.
This defiance of societal standards is an integral part of being a Diva. The term used to be derogatory, utilized to shame women who knew their worth and were not afraid to express
it. Now, it’s a term of endearment endowed upon these immensely talented women.
Although many Divas have shaped the world of beauty, be it fashion or makeup, they are musicians first and foremost, and their influence in that realm is far more than anyone might expect.
Dua Lipa’s “Future Nostalgia” alone revitalized disco in the 2020s, completely reshaping the way pop music sounds currently, according to an article by UrbanMusicRadar.
If “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry was the first Pop Bible, Taylor Swift’s “1989” was the new testament - each one completely overtaking the year they were released and informing the way pop music was made from then on.
When the music scene was completely dominated by HipHop and trap, Ariana Grande combined elements of both in her hit record “thank u, next,” reintroducing pop into the public’s forebrain.
“RENAISSANCE” by Beyoncé quite literally brought a renaissance to house and ballroom music, a genre and culture that had been for the most part been forced underground since the early 2000s.
These women have always and will always sing for a freer, more beautiful world - one where we are able to express ourselves more freely.
It is imperative that we acknowledge their importance and influence, and continue to platform women whose voices are able to penetrate the public psyche in this manner.
Divas are a reminder that culture does not evolve, but is rather pushed forward by those willing to use their voices.
I want to see you get better, but I’ll settle for hoping
By Alexis Schlesinger Editorial Staff
There’s no easy way to tell if, or when, you should stop believing in someone’s ability to change, and just start believing them when they repeatedly show you they won’t.
It’s not your fault if you want to see the best in people, especially those you hold close to you.
You may have a loved one who struggles with addiction, or mental health conditions. Maybe you’re thinking of a friend who’s ditching their responsibilities or other relationships for a toxic partner. You could be feeling hurt by a family member, who, no matter how hard you try, just can’t seem to bond with you.
The people closest to us are the last ones we want to see treating us - or themselvespoorly.
As hard as it is to watch people you love struggle, there may come a time when you need to step away from them to protect your own well-being.
This isn’t to say you should be leaving your loved ones and friends in the dark during tough times just to make your life easier. However, if you are repeatedly telling someone you need
better treatment from them, or find yourself begging them to take care of themselves, the lack of positive change on their end will put both of you in a rough place.
Eventually, you’ll start to resent each other for opposing reasons. They’ll hate that you want them to change, and you’ll hate that they haven’t yet changed.
There have been times where I’ve found myself wondering why a person I care for can’t change.
Sometimes, the hard truth isn’t that they can’t, but they won’t.
They won’t change for you, or whoever else asks them to, if they aren’t ready to change for themselves.
Watching people drift away from you, fall apart, or “lose their spark” causes a unique kind of grief.
They aren’t dead, or gone, or missing, but at the same time, there is something very clearly absent.
How can you accept, nevermind begin to process, the grief of losing someone standing right in front of you? Someone you’ve got class with tomorrow? Someone who called you just last night?
I’m not really sure of that. I’m still learning to do that myself.
Here’s what I do know. You don’t have to abandon these people if that doesn’t feel right to you.
The first and most important thing is keeping yourself safephysically, mentally, and emotionally - and setting boundaries.
Honesty is required for this. Tell them why you’re concerned about them. Tell them what they’ve done or how they’ve acted that has hurt you.
If you’re choosing to take time and space away from them, be honest about the reason why.
Ghosting someone is almost never the answer, unless they are displaying dangerous or harmful behavior toward you or other people you know.
If you feel comfortable doing so, help this person find other support systems besides yourself.
You could do that by giving them a list of resources or simply by talking to their other friends or family. Knowing that this person has other support might make it easier for you to step away to take care of yourself.
Don’t feel pressured to get rid of sentimental items attached to this person. You certainly don’t have to keep them either, but if it means something to
you, let it.
Connection is connection, and it doesn’t change that you were once connected to that person if you are less so now. Leave your letters from them in that shoebox that stores every card you’ve received since you were in elementary school. Take that T-shirt they got you off the hanger in your closet and put it in your pajama drawer. Carry your matching bracelet in your wallet instead of on your wrist.
Try not to resent the good times now that they’ve passed, but be careful not to idolize them either.
I can’t say that it’s easy, or that it’s right for every situation, but try to keep not only an open mind, but also an open heart.
Every person is capable of change if they choose to. It is part of being human. The door is locked. Don’t forget where you left the key I gave you. It’s about time you open the door for yourself. I’ll wait on the other side for now, but I can’t promise I’ll stay there forever.
Liv, Laf…: Fire Burning by Sean Kingston
By Liv Dunleavy Editorial Staff
Campus Conversations
“What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?”
By Adrien Gobin, Associate Editor and Bella Grimaldi, Editorial Staff
“I’d say watching football with my family and eating a nice big meal.”
- David Forgione, sophomore
“Probably hanging with my family.”
- Rory Forde, sophomore
“Probably watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
- Kyler Sheldon, freshman
“I love spending time with my family and friends - having turkey for sure. “
- Benvido Sessa, freshman
“My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is eating turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes.”
- Ismael Zouaui, junior
“Just seeing my family members, especially the ones I haven’t seen in a while.”
- Heidi Faria, sophomore
SPORTS
Volleyball falls in MASCAC final, sets sights on redemption
By Izabela Gage Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams were defeated 3-1 by the Bridgewater State University Bears in the MASCAC Championship game on Nov. 15.
This wraps up the team’s season with a conference record of 6-2 and an overall record of 1813.
Junior Natalie Reynolds said, “At the start of this season, we had certain things to work on to make the court run smoothly. Staying aggressive on the court was the biggest. We improved dramatically on that throughout the year, and it’s what helped us punch a ticket to the championship.” Bridgewater started off the match with the first two points off a service error and a service ace.
Reynolds earned FSU’s first kill off a set by Captain Stella Bailey, a senior.
BSU answered with a kill, but a service error brought the score to 3-2.
The Bears remained aggressive, delivering three consecutive service aces.
Sophomore Sarah Medeiros broke through with a kill assisted by Bailey, but Bridgewater followed with three more kills and another ace to take a 12-3 lead.
Framingham forced two attack errors, but BSU responded with two kills, a service ace, and a forced attack error to maintain a nine-point advantage.
Junior Jaimee Lowe set up junior Emma Dobbins for her first kill of the game.
A BSU block kept momentum on their side as they added another ace and kill for a 19-6 lead.
Although the Rams forced another attack error, Bridgewater countered with two kills and capitalized on an FSU attack error. Two kills and a service ace closed the first set 25-7 for BSU.
The second set began with a BSU point off an FSU attack error, but Framingham took a 2-1 lead after Bridgewater committed a service and attack error.
BSU tallied a kill, but Reynolds blocked their next attempt and followed with a kill of her own.
The Bears regained the lead with two kills, an attack error, and a service error by FSU, but the Rams stayed steady, forcing two attack errors.
Bridgewater’s defensive pressure forced three straight attack errors, evening the score.
The Rams responded with a Medeiros kill, assisted by Captain Carly Beaulieu, a senior, and two Bailey-to-Reynolds connections.
BSU answered with two kills, an ace, and an FSU attack error for a 17-17 tie.
Medeiros struck again, but the Bears responded with two kills, a service ace, and two attack errors.
The teams traded points as the Rams regained the lead behind three Dobbins kills and two forced attack errors.
A service error gave BSU a 2524 advantage, but the Rams re-
service ace by Lowe brought the Rams within one. But BSU responded with a kill and an attack error for a two-point lead.
Medeiros broke through the Bears’ defense once again for a kill, and Reynolds earned a service ace to bring the score to 1110.
Bridgewater took a 14-10 lead off an attack error and two kills.
Junior Jamie Moniz put down a kill to bring the score to 14-11, but BSU responded with a kill and a service ace.
Moniz tallied another kill, but the Bears answered with one of their own.
A service error by the Bears gave the Rams another point, but BSU followed with three kills and forced an attack error for a 21-13 lead.
Reynolds broke through with a kill off a set by Bailey, but Bridge-
The Bears then produced a run of kills and an ace for a 13-10 lead, prompting a timeout.
Bridgewater forced two attack errors, but Cedrone broke through with a kill.
BSU countered with four straight points for an 18-11 edge.
Reynolds added a kill, but the Bears extended their lead with two consecutive kills.
After another timeout, BSU added an ace and two more kills.
Framingham answered with points from a service error and a service ace by Bailey, but BSU closed the set 25-15 with a kill, winning the match 3-1.
Reynolds said, “This team never gave up. No matter what the score was, we played like it was the last point and put up a good fight. I am so proud of how hard we fought for this.”
fused to let up.
Each team added a kill, but FSU surged ahead with back-toback kills by Cedrone and Bailey to lead 27-26.
Forced into an attack error, Bridgewater dropped the final point, giving the Rams the second-set win.
Framingham opened the third set 1-0 with a kill by Cedrone from freshman Kristina Santiago-Alers, but a service error tied the score.
A bad set and a service ace pushed BSU ahead, followed by a kill and two attack errors for a 6-1 Bears lead.
Dobbins broke their point streak with a kill, assisted by Cedrone, and an attack error and Reynolds kill brought FSU within two points of taking the lead.
A service ace by Beaulieu closed the gap to one before a service error deepened the deficit to 7-5.
Bridgewater extended their lead with a block on a Reynolds’ kill attempt and a kill.
Reynolds and Medeiros answered with a kill each, and a
Bailey delivered an ace for a two-point lead before BSU answered with two kills to tie the set. Kills by sophomore Madysen Cedrone, Dobbins, and Lowe pushed FSU ahead 13-10.
water blocked Reynolds’ next attempt to earn another point.
Bridgewater forced another attack error and added a kill to bring the score to 22-14.
Framingham earned their last point of the set off an attack error, but three consecutive kills closed the set 25-15 for BSU.
FSU started strong in the fourth set, taking a 4-0 lead with kills by Santiago-Alers and Cedrone, a service ace by Beaulieu, and an attack error.
BSU answered with a kill and an attack error, but Reynolds counterattacked with a kill for a 5-2 lead.
The Bears tallied another kill, but Reynolds struck again from Bailey to make it 6-3.
Medeiros broke through the Bears’ front row and extended the lead before BSU added two kills to close the gap.
Medeiros delivered again, and an attack error pushed the Rams ahead 9-8.
Bridgewater tallied another kill before Reynolds added one of her own, but a service error tied the set once again.
Moniz said she believes the team has a powerful bond.
“Throughout the season, we got better in harder games, playing over nerves, and coming together to play as a team.”
She added, “I’m extremely excited for next year. … I’m ready to get back in the lab and start working even harder.”
Reynolds was named 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, earning her a spot on the 2025 All-Conference First Team for the second year in a row.
Reynolds said being recognized by the conference is “definitely such a great feeling, but I really couldn’t do it without my teammates. They push me to play my best every time, and I wouldn’t be here without every single one of them.”
Bailey was named to the 2025 All-Conference Second Team for the fourth consecutive year.
Moniz said, “I hope that after losing in the championship and taking a match in the game, it lights a fire for all of us to work hard to get back there and maybe be on the other side of it next time!”
Reynolds said the team proved “that anything is possible, and the standard for next season is to return to the championship and bring home the title.
“Getting ready to leave the program is definitely bittersweet, but we upcoming seniors have one more year to leave it all on the floor,” she added.
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Kristina Santiago-Alers bumping the ball in quarterfinal win against Salem State on Nov. 11.
Cross country concludes season after NCAA Regionals
By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor
The Framingham State men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled to the Hopkinton Fairgrounds in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, to compete in the NCAA Division III East Regional Cross Country Championship, hosted by Suffolk University on Nov. 15.
Of the 32 teams that participated in the 8K, the men’s team placed 25th, with an average time of 29:15.
The top finisher for the Rams was sophomore Vincent Gauthier with a time of 27:57, placing 122nd of 216 runners.
Gauthier said, “NCAA Regionals is a very important meet for some schools, and knowing I performed well on that day feels like I was able to respect the competition, and I’m happy that I was able to leave this season with another good performance.”
He added the course was “a very difficult one compared to what we’ve been running on, so some people had tough days because of it.”
Crossing the finish line next for Framingham was sophomore Aaron Corlette with a time of 28:03, placing 125th.
Junior Ayden Giombetti was next to finish the race, coming in 160th place with a time of 29:32.
Senior Parker Winters crossed the finish line for the final time of his collegiate career at 29:51
in 169th place.
Robert Perruzzi, a junior, followed approximately a minute later at 30:52, placing 181st and rounding out the Rams’ top five finishers.
The next Ram to complete the race was freshman Jeremy Gale, placing 198th with a time of 32:20.
After suffering the effects of an injury at the beginning of the season, Gale said he was happy to be back in action for the meet, having “healed up and qualified for regionals, which was a really cool experience to be a part of.”
Only a place behind Gale was Captain Bruno Barbosa, a senior, who rounded out Framingham’s top seven with a time of 32:58.
In the 5K, the women’s team finished with an average time of 26:20, ranking them 25th of 30 teams.
Junior Natalie Grimaldo was the first finisher for the women’s team in the 5K, crossing the finish line at 25:51 in 130th place out of 214 runners.
Captain Meghan Johnston, a senior, was the Rams’ next finisher, ending her final race for Framingham with a time of 25:56 and placing 133rd.
Directly following Johnston in 134th place was junior Justine Pickard, crossing the finish line at 25:57.
In 150th place, sophomore Grace Avery approached the end next, with a time of 26:35.
Rounding out Framingham’s
top five was junior Camille Graffeo, who placed 165th with a time of 27:20.
Sophomore Abby Flanagan finished her race in 165th place at 27:20.
Captain Lydia Marunowski was runner number seven for the women’s team, wrapping up her final race for FSU with a time of 27:29 and placing 168th.
Marunowski said, “Ending the season, I am very proud of my individual performance! I have never been one of the fastest runners on the team. I do cross country more for the team environment, but I achieved some time goals this season that I had no idea I was capable of!
“We show up for each other as a team, since this sport can be difficult physically, mentally, and emotionally. Showing up for each other through tough races, hard practices, and all the small moments is something that is crucial to the success of the team,” she added.
Gale said as the season comes to a close, “I feel great about my individual performance. I ended the year running 4 minutes faster than I started.
“I’d say the most improved areas individually were my stamina improving tremendously and my will to fight the pain. As a team, I think our chemistry was really good. Being a first-year, I was kind of scared, but they welcomed me into a wonderful community of people,” he added.
Gale said coming into next season, his goals are “to break 30 minutes in the 8K and to just continue to get stronger - both as a person and runner.”
Gauthier said, “As a team, I think we’ve improved our mindset. We’re growing more competitive physically for sure, but also mentally, we’re pursuing goals. The culture is changing. I think we’re going to grow into a top team if we can hold onto that.”
He said his main goals “between this season and the next are to keep my body healthy while I continue to build off of what I have. I’m running my third marathon this spring, and after that, I’m going to be trying to train for some ridiculous mileage. I plan on coming into next season at the top of our alltime list.”
Marunowski said what she will miss most about the team is its warm and welcoming environment. “These girls are like family to me, and the team is where I’ve made some of my best friends.
“I’m going to miss looking forward to practices after a long day of school and the anticipation of the races on Saturdays! I love this team with my whole heart, and I’m so grateful to have experienced it,” she added.
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH TAYLOR KIMMELL tkimmell@student.framingham.edu
Women’s ice hockey falls to Worcester State
By Avery Slavin Staff Writer
The Framingham State Rams fell to the Worcester State Lancers in a conference matchup on Nov. 19.
This brings their record to 0-50, and their conference record to 0-3-0.
The first period began with three back-to-back faceoffs, all won by Framingham.
The first shot was made 2 minutes in by freshman Avery Wolfe, but was saved by Worcester’s goaltender, Maverick Margraf.
Sophomore Adrianna Rizzotto attempted another shot for the
Rams, but Margraf didn’t let the puck pass her.
During the first power play for Worcester after Framingham got a penalty for hooking, Avery Ireland and Cailey Ryan tried to score a point for the Lancers, but couldn’t get it past Framingham’s goalie, Lila Chamoun.
In a power play for Framingham, sophomore Lily Wilson tried to get the Rams a point but was unsuccessful.
Sophomore Sarah Lewis attempted a goal next, but couldn’t make it past the goal line.
In the second power play for Framingham, after winning the faceoff, Wilson sent the puck to-
ward the net, but it was saved by Margraf.
Worcester shot the puck toward Chamoun three times, all of which were saved.
On the Lancers’ fourth attempt, Lindsay Wagner scored the first goal of the game.
Freshman Ella Conway was able to break Margraf’s defense on Framingham’s next shot, getting the Rams their first point and earning Conway her first collegiate goal!
The Lancers tried to make another goal, and after unsuccessfully sending the puck into Framingham’s defensive zone three times, Madelyn Franta scored Worcester their second point.
At the beginning of the second period, after Framingham won the faceoff, the possession of the puck was passed between the teams for the first 10 minutes.
Freshman Rose Brien and sophomore Isabella Nappi were the first to shoot for the Rams.
Chamoun stayed strong on defense and saved three of Worcester’s shots.
Margraf didn’t allow Wolfe or sophomore Petra Cernicek to get the puck past her.
The Lancers became aggressive, not letting the Rams even try to score a goal.
Worcester tried seven times to get the puck past the goal line, but Chamoun didn’t back down and saved each one.
Cernicek was able to gain possession of the puck and slapped it toward the back of the net, but the shot was blocked by Margraf.
Lewis and freshman Katie Creath also attempted to get the Rams their second point, but
were both unsuccessful.
Chamoun was able to save six more shots before Kaia Carlson scored Worcester’s third goal, concluding the second period.
Chamoun saved five shots in a row from the Lancers.
Nappi and Cernicek tried to get the Rams ahead, but the Rams still couldn’t break Margraf’s defense.
Worcester sent the puck into Framingham’s defensive zone three more times before they were successful. Emily St. Johns scored the fourth point of the game for the Lancers.
Alexis Brown made three shots on goal, although Margraf saved them all. Wolfe, sophomores Amy Tansek and Alyssa Tansek, and freshman Sophie Brien tried to help the Rams catch up, but weren’t able to do so.
Chamoun was able to make nine saves in the last 4 minutes, and the game ended with a final score of 4-1 in favor of Worcester.
Lewis said, “There were lots of positives that we will take into future conference play. With so many freshmen and such a young roster overall, games like these are huge learning opportunities.
“At this point in the season, the score isn’t our main focus. We are more concerned about competing hard and building team chemistry. And last night, I think we did exactly that,” she added.
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH AVERY SLAVIN aslavin1@student.framingham.edu
Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Lila Chamoun making a save in loss against Worcester State on Nov. 19.
Men’s basketball
Continued from Page 1
Thirty seconds later, senior Fallou Koite scored for FSU on a layup, closing the gap.
Not allowing Colby-Sawyer to pull away, Washington stole possession and brought the ball down the court for a layup.
After getting fouled by the Chargers’ defense, Victor stepped to the foul line, sinking both foul shots awarded to him - the first to tie the match, the second for a lead change.
Framingham’s defensive plays kept CSC from coming within shooting distance of the net, and on their next offensive drive, Chase scored on a jump shot.
On the Chargers’ next possession, they missed a 3-point attempt.
Shortly after, Framingham fouled, granting Colby-Sawyer two foul shots, only one of which they were able to take advantage of.
On the next play, CSC was fouled. Yet again, they succeeded on only one of their two free throws.
Framingham’s next points were put on the board by junior Ja’Quin Taylor, who scored on a 3-point jump shot, assisted by junior Makyle Hayes.
The two teams traded baskets for the next few plays.
Colby-Sawyer scored two points on a jump shot and two on free throws, and the Rams followed with a layup from Rogers.
The Chargers capitalized on their next two plays, taking back control of the game with a jump shot and a dunk.
The lead changed again when Hayes scored on a 3-point jump shot.
This did not last for long, as on their next drive, CSC scored on a 3-pointer of their own, pulling ahead by one point.
Koite regained the lead for FSU with a 3-point jump shot on the next play, bringing the score to 32-30.
Over a minute passed with neither team able to score. Finally, with 5:15 left before the half, Colby-Sawyer tied the game with a jump shot.
Washington continued to be a key offensive player, scoring on a layup and allowing Framingham to pull ahead once again.
Following another foul, the Chargers attempted two free throws. Finding success with both shots, the game was tied 34-34.
Rogers broke the tie, earning four points on two layups.
Both teams set their focus on defense for the next few turnovers, with neither team scoring for the next 1:30.
The next points came on two successful free throws by the Chargers, shrinking their deficit to two points.
With 1:46 left before the half, Victor scored two points on a layup.
Colby-Sawyer fouled FSU once again, resulting in Framingham earning a point on a free throw.
The Chargers, having yet to learn their lesson, fouled the Rams once again. Victor stepped to the line for his two free throws, sinking both shots to bring the score to 43-36 - the largest gap in the score so far.
CSC spent the following minute chipping away at Framingham’s lead, scoring on a layup
and two free throws.
Both Chase and Victor attempted 3-pointers as the clock ran down, but the first half quickly wrapped up, the scoreboard showing 43-40 in favor of FSU by just three points.
Framingham’s momentum heated up in the second half, with a layup by Chase just 15 seconds in.
Colby-Sawyer battled back with two jump shots, a layup, and a free throw, taking the lead 47-45.
court with renewed determination, holding Colby-Sawyer scoreless for the next two possessions.
At 11:18, Washington scored on a layup. A minute later, Colby-Saywer battled back with a jump shot.
Two minutes later, Rogers stole possession of the ball to make a layup, keeping the Rams in the lead.
After being fouled on the same play, Rogers missed his first free throw, but made his second.
and hoping that by the time we get to January, we’re that much better,” he added.
On the next play, Rogers fought to tie the game with a layup.
With not much action from the Chargers, the Rams were able
After an uneventful minute, the Chargers capitalized on a free throw, earning the team a one-point lead.
Chase regained the lead for FSU with a 3-pointer, following up with a jump shot on the very next possession.
With a 3-point jump shot and a layup, CSC stole back the lead. On the next play, Chase once again caused a lead change, contributing to the score with a 3-pointer.
A foul by the Chargers earned the Rams two free throw attempts, one of which went in.
Following a brief timeout, Framingham returned to the
Morris said he just wants the team to work on improving consistently. He said, “Last year, we had the most wins in the last 15 years. I thought that was due to the fact that we had so many guys who had been there for the last two or three years, so the cohesiveness had carried over. I think this year, with so many new faces, it just depends on how well we can channel that cohesiveness. If we can do that, we can do something very special.”
Morris said the non-conference games are a good way for the team to gel before playing other teams within the MASCAC.
He said, “Every team has a different identity and brings a different challenge. Some of them are similar to what we’ll play in our conference, and some of them are very different, but I think it’s great for us. For a team that has so many new pieces and new parts, it gives them a chance to play a bunch of games.”
Washington said, “Even though we’re a new group, we’ve already shown a lot of resilience and toughness. Our defense has really been a strength early on, and you can see how committed everyone is to compete.
“I want to keep growing as a leader for this group and help us continue to mesh as the season goes on. The more chemistry we build, the better we’ll be,” he added.
Morris said the team’s defensive skills have greatly contributed to their overall success so far this season. “That’s the thing we try to hang our hat on. We’re not so much worried about scoring ninety or eighty points - our big thing is, ‘Can we hold people in the 30s?’”
He said, “We gave up too many points in the first half, but then we did a better job, only letting [Colby-Sawyer] have 26 points in the second half.
“I think if we’re a team that can maintain what we do defensively each and every night, then regardless of whether we’re shooting the ball well, if we’re making them miss shots, we’ll always be in the game,” he added.
Washington said, “We know these non-conference games are going to prepare us for conference play. We’re taking it one game at a time, staying locked in, and doing whatever it takes to reach that goal.
to score on a jump shot, a layup, and a dunk without any points from CSC.
Junior Korbin Gann made two free throws in a row, and Rogers made a jump shot a minute later.
Washington scored on a layup in the last 45 seconds, ending the game with a final score of 79-64, securing the victory for Framingham.
Morris said the team is taking things “one day at a time. We have so many new faces, and some of these games are getting really close.
“I think that’s a big thing - taking these games, learning from them, building more cohesiveness with some of the new faces,
“We’re 3-2 right now, and honestly, as a group, we feel like we should be 5-0. That alone is motivation as we move into a more intense part of the season. We all share one common goal, and that’s to win the MASCAC Championship,” he added.
As of press time, the Rams lost 83-67 in a non-conference matchup against MIT.
Framingham travels to Roger Williams University for another non-conference game Nov. 22.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
Lorenzo Washington making a layup in win against Colby-Sawyer on Nov. 18.
ARTS & FEATURES
Human Library showcases different international experiences
By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Arts & Features Editor
The inaugural “Human Library” was hosted by the Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad, Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE), and the Henry Whittemore Library for International Education Week on Nov. 18.
A series of short lectures were given by the “Human Books,” in which they shared their experiences related to international education.
Biology Professor Sandra Sanchez started with a lecture about her experience as a Colombian in the United States.
When her family moved to the United States, they settled in Los Angeles, which doesn’t have a large Colombian population, she said.
She went to graduate school at Indiana University and felt like the area was mostly white, she said.
“At least in LA, there was a mixture of everyone and everything,” Sanchez said.
She said in Indiana, people told her she was “so Latina,” but in LA people told her “you’re so white.”
Part of this was because she tried to “temper down” the details people pointed out, she said.
“This - talking with the hands - the hands would go in the pocket. I used to wear bandanas and lipstick and earrings, and so all of that tempered down,” Sanchez said.
While in graduate school, her grandmother passed away and she had trouble figuring out how to mourn her, she said.
She decided to start an altar at her house, even though her family said that’s not how Colombians mourn, she said.
She added the way they mourn didn’t fit her very well.
“I want to celebrate my loved ones. I want to remember them. I want to think of all the good times,” Sanchez said.
Art History Professor Yumi Park Huntington gave a lecture about her experience traveling the world and learning through the different art forms it provides.
She grew up in South Korea, she said.
Through her undergraduate to her PhD degree, she studied art in museums, where she learned that art should be religious and naturalistic, she said.
Park added it’s a “very prejudiced way of evaluating and judging … That’s how I grew up.”
When she first saw art from the Aboriginal people of Australia, she was shocked because it was different from what she was used to, she said.
She realized this form of art was still beautiful, and it changed her perspective, she said.
She said while in Indonesia, she saw a Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple while hearing calls for prayer five times a day because the country consists mostly of Muslims.
“Three religious activities are simultaneously practiced, without having any conflict,” Park said.
She said it’s important to experience the world and its
cultures through its various art forms.
“That’s why I’m wandering around the desert every two years in Peru,” Park said.
Assistant Director of the Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad Cecilia Reyes Alarcon shared her experience as someone who’s lived in multiple countries throughout her life.
She grew up in Chile but moved when she was 17 to Norway, where she lived for over 23 years, she said.
The cultures in each place are very different, she added.
She experienced some culture shock, such as less hugging and physical affection, she said.
The opportunities were different there as well, such as more opportunities for women, she said.
In Chile, she felt she and her family had to be Catholic, she said.
“It’s like, ‘You have that. You’re born there, this is what you need to believe. This is the way you need to do things,’” Alarcon said.
In Norway, she felt more free, she said.
“Norwegian culture is very open minded. It’s not very religious,” Alarcon said.
In terms of identity and which country she identifies with more, she said she has a “third identity” that isn’t tied to any country.
“I think when you have experienced so many places and so many cultures, I think you’re very aware of what you want to keep and who you want to work with,” Alarcon said.
Director of the CIE Jerome Burke gave a lecture about growing up as LGBTQ+ in Jamaica.
He said he was taught from a young age to love the country and culture of Jamaica.
He spent some of his childhood living with his grandparents, who were “extremely religious,” and went to church multiple times a week, he said.
From both his community and the church, he was told that boys needed to like girls, he said.
“I didn’t necessarily feel guilty at the time, but I just knew that this was what was being preached to me,” Burke said.
When his grandmother passed and he went to therapy, the therapist suggested he move in with his parents in the city, he said.
He was more exposed to harsh language directed at the LGBTQ+ community at the new school, he said.
This attitude was also engrained into their music, especially in their popular songs, he added.
Burke said a particular song by Buju Bonton, a Jamaican artist, uses lyrics that mean “that gay men should get a gunshot. And that’s a very, very popular song in Jamaica that’s played on local airwaves and everything.”
He believes it’s important for him to advocate for human rights and LGBTQ+ rights back in Jamaica, he said.
He hopes to help inspire other people in similar situations
that there’s hope, he said.
Department Chair and Coordinator of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, John Palabiyik, gave a lecture about Istanbul and his family’s history there.
The first time he left Istanbul was to study abroad in London, which was supposed to last for the summer but ended up lasting six months, he said.
“I learned in six months more about Turks and Turkish culture than in 20 years in my life over there,” Palabiyik said.
He always tells his students that when they study abroad they don’t come back the same, he said.
Palabiyik and his parents were born in Istanbul, but his grandparents were born in Greece, he said.
They were caught in a population exchange between Greece and Turkey, where Turkey sent people they identified as Greeks to Greece and Greece sent people they identified as Turks to Turkey, he said.
He said his grandparents were forced to leave, and they were never allowed to return.
“It’s a disaster for them, but probably the best thing that happened to us, because we ended up in Istanbul,” Palabiyik said.
A DNA test said he’s 100% Greek, he added.
He said Istanbul can be considered a “center of the world.”
It was a capital city for 2,000 years, for multiple empires, he added.
He said there’s “so many different religions, different cultures.”
Spanish Professor Inés Vañó García gave a lecture about the impact linguistics has had on her life.
She’s from Spain, but her home language is Catalan.
“In Spain, there are more languages besides Spanish. We have Catalan and we have Basque too,” Vañó García said.
She’s not from the Catalonia region of Spain, so some people say her language isn’t really Catalan, she said.
She went to college to study English, though the way the system worked there meant she had to decide early on in high school, she added.
One of the requirements was phonetic English, which she struggled with and had to retake three times, she said.
“It was phonetics. It was about pronunciation, so it was … when I probably started thinking about my accent and how to pronounce it,” Vañó García said.
She had to record herself reading “The Cat in the Hat,” which she now hates, she added.
She worked for a summer in a hotel in England, and her skills in their language improved, she said.
She went to Boston College to get a master’s in linguistics, but she didn’t finish the program, she said.
“I can say that that experience taught me what I didn’t like about linguistics,” Vañó García said.
Someone told her recently that she has a beautiful accent, but she questions what makes an accent beautiful, she said.
Senior Charlotte Johndrow shared her experience studying abroad in Northern Ireland. It was her first time living alone, living in a city, and being out of the country, so she was overwhelmed at first, she said.
She didn’t talk to anyone during her first week, which was discouraging for her, she said.
Once she met a group of friends, the trip became easier, she said.
She took part in a public art competition, and she put a lot of time into her submission, she said.
During the competition, she saw next to her submission “a rock surrounded by five chicken eggs on the floor,” Johndrow said.
“I realized that this is where my wall is with art. I do not consider this art,” she said.
The type of art wasn’t the issue, but “to work so hard on this project … and then it’s put next to a rock, something like a piece of cement, and five chicken eggs just on the floor. No title, no tag,” Johndrow said.
In the art studio, the tag highlighting her space was labeled “Charlotte USA,” she said.
“Everyone else had their last name on their little tag, and I was Charlotte USA. And I kept that up the entire time. I think I actually brought it home with me,” Johndrow said.
Her takeaway from the trip was that, while she didn’t do research on the place beforehand, that actually allowed her to learn through the experience, she said.
Junior Marlín Polanco shared her experience studying abroad at Harlaxton Manor in England. She almost didn’t go but Alarcon’s encouragement changed her mind, she said. It was a program specifically for first-generation students, she added.
At first, she was jet-lagged and homesick, but she kept telling herself she’d enjoy the trip, she said.
She arrived before most of the other students did, so the manor wasn’t full at first, she said.
During one of their first trips to town, she heard a little boy tell his mother that they “sound weird,” she said.
“And she goes, ‘It’s because they’re American, love,’” Polanco said.
That was when they first felt like outsiders, she said.
During the trip, she went to Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and France with friends and Hungary on her own, she said.
Going to Hungary was especially out of her comfort zone, particularly because she doesn’t know any Hungarian, she said.
She said she won’t lie about being scared, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.
“It kind of taught me I can do difficult things even though they’re scary,” Polanco said.
The angel wears Schiavoni
By Antonio Machado Copy Editor
Stars are usually born when atoms of light are squeezed under enough pressure for their nuclei to undergo fusion, but Aili Schiavoni was born after breaking into her mother’s art supplies to paint a pair of Christmas pajamas to look like Samus Aran from Metroid.
She said, “It worked when it was wet, but when it dried, it was really stiff, and you couldn’t put it on.”
Since then, designing has been her passion, and her cosplaying has improved, too. She has had her work featured in multiple Framingham State fashion shows, became president of the Fashion Club, and even received a Student Spotlight Award at the Nov. 4 Board of Trustees Meeting.
When the Fashion Club needed help the most, Schiavoni rose to the challenge after a recommendation from Fashion Department Chair Haewon Ju.
Schiavoni said, “I didn’t think I could do it, or I didn’t think I was capable,” but after an email exchange with Ju discussing Schiavoni’s qualifications, in which Ju said “something along the lines of, ‘Now is the time for you to step up as Fashion Club president.’
“I care about this department so much, and I do everything I absolutely can in order to - whether it’s faculty or staff - help. And I was like, ‘You know what? Screw it. I’m going to do it, and I’m going to put everything I’ve got into it,’” Schiavoni added.
Since becoming Fashion Club’s president, Schiavoni has grown to better understand herself and has undergone a change in her career trajectory.
Schiavoni said, “When it happened, it was just like, for some reason, a door just opened up. And I was like, ‘Why do I think I’m not capable of doing things like this?’ And it made me start thinking about how much I enjoy taking a leadership position.
“It’s always so nerve-wracking when you think about stepping up into it, but when you actually do it, and you’re actu-
ally confident in your abilities to lead, it makes you wonder why you were ever scared of it in the first place, right?” she added.
Schiavoni is planning on taking a gap year based on when she completes her senior portfolio before pursuing graduate school to become a professor of fashion design.
“I found out from being [in Fashion Club]. This is something that I’m so passionate about, and more than just the design aspect - the helping others aspect of it.” she said.
She added, “I like an ever-changing environment. I like being able to always work with my hands, and especially work on something new. But I also really loathe the idea of stagnation, and the fact that I’m even ending my education come spring was something that heavily weighed on me, because I love learning, and I always wanted to.
“I wanted to pursue potentially higher education, just so I could keep learning new techniques,” Schiavoni said.
Learning is a passion of hers, so being selected for the Student Spotlight Award was a moment of immense validation that Schiavoni has learned the right things.
“I wasn’t thinking of it too much as a career opportunity as much as I was thinking of it as an opportunity not to puke in front of the president of the University,” she laughed. “In light of what I want to be doing with my life now, I saw it as a good opportunity to almost further validate my experiences, in a way.
“I know, historically and on paper, these are all things that I’ve done, and I’ve participated in this department: programs, activities, committees, and I costumed for the theater group and all this other stuff. But in a way, it was a validation to know that these things are actual qualities that people would be looking for in a person, hopefully as a faculty member one day,” she added.
Fashion is an intrinsic part of Schiavoni, having been part of her since she was very young.
Being a child of divorce who was eventually adopted by her
best friend’s mother, Schiavoni was forced to relocate schools several times during her teenage years. “When I started moving schools, I struggled adapting socially because I lived in this one place my entire life, and I just kind of grew up being the kind of kid that I was, and then I suddenly had to learn how to be a new person in a new environment, and I had to do it over and over and over and over again,” she said.
This time period was when fashion was thrust into the forefront of her life, as Schiavoni found that clothing was a means through which she could express and establish herself in these new schools. “It’s hard to speak about yourself when you feel like you were hiding for so long. Fashion allows you to express yourself in a way I wasn’t able to when I couldn’t speak,” she said.
“It’s also a form of escapism, I feel like,” Schiavoni paused, “what you wear can be a way to escape how you feel about yourself. You put on an outfit to show how you want to feel. With everything that happened growing up, I think I turned to these creative outlets as a means of escapism,” she added.
However, ever since studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, Schiavoni’s relationship to her clothing has shifted.
“I really feel like the thing that I took away from it was confidence. And I feel like, even coming back this semester, I’m way more glib. I’m more gregarious. I feel way better just having small talk. And that’s such a funny thing, because before I went, the thing I was most nervous about was talking to people, and it’s something that hasn’t even crossed my mindhow little it concerns me anymore,” she said.
“I’m not wearing makeup! Do you know how often I don’t wear makeup these days? Like, even that is crazy. I used to wake up at, like, 4 in the morning in high school to curl my hair, do my makeup, put together an outfit, and try not to cry,” she added.
Senior Emily Crossin, who is one of Schiavoni’s suitemates, knew her in high school, she said. “We were both way shyer
than we are now. … I was trying to make friends, and I didn’t know how, and she was always really nice to me.
“I could immediately tell she was a ray of sunshine and a really intelligent person and really brave. … I just got the vibe that vibe immediately - that she holds herself to a really high standard, which I really respect,” Crossin added.
Another one of Schiavoni’s suitemates, senior Sage Sampson, said, “I don’t know what the trajectory of my life would look like if I hadn’t met her when I did.
“She’s so caring and compassionate. … If you could give the word ‘role model’ to anyone, it would be her - like, dictionary definition. She’s just always been there for me when I need her to be but will also, you know, she’ll call you out,” Sampson said.
Schiavoni’s compassion does not limit itself to her friends, however, as she is a major advocate for the environment.
Schiavoni said, “One of the things that I wanted to do as president for the reimagined trashion and upcycling project was to encourage designers to think of fashion more as an ecosystem … and think about their own impact on the fabric that goes into their clothing and waste management. Because unfortunately, the truth is that our industry is not very eco-friendly at the best of times, and there have been wonderful movements to change that, but it really does need to start at a smaller level.”
She added, “I think there’s this misconception with fashion that when you hear it, you think of runway models and haute couture. Fashion is for everyone in some capacity, whether you consider yourself not to be particularly fashionable and you just buy things off the rack at Walmart, or you specifically seek out small designers who make very specific patched denim pants.
Everyone experiences fashion in their own way,” she said.
CONNECT WITH ANTONIO MACHADO amachado4@student.framingham.edu
Courtesy of Aili Schiavoni
Courtesy of Aili Schiavoni
CIE hosts discussion panel for International Education Week
By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Arts & Features Editor
By Sarah Daponde Asst. Arts & Features Editor
The International Student Services and Study Abroad Department held a discussion panel in the Center for Inclusive Excellence as part of International Education Week on Nov. 19.
The panel featured FSU international students and students who have previously studied abroad.
The panelists were asked questions by Joanne Farley, director of International Student Services and Study Abroad, Cecilia Reyes Alarcon, assistant director of International Student Services, and Study Abroad, and Jerome Burke, director of the CIE.
“We can all learn from each other. We can all learn from different cultures,” Farley said.
She said the week used to be celebrated by the federal government, but not this year.
Farley said they’re celebrating International Education Week because “everyone comes from a different culture, or a different country, or people study abroad in different countries, and you can just always learn something from somebody else.”
Thiago Magalhaes, a sophomore from Brazil, is studying health and wellness at FSU.
A “culture shock” Magalhaes received when coming to America is how people socialize and communicate, he said. He said playing soccer at FSU
helped him find his community. “Sports have a power to bring people together.”
Taimoor Khan, a senior from Pakistan studying computer science at FSU, said he found his community during Orientation, and found friends in his classes.
Khan said working in the CIE also helped him make many connections.
Khan said being the president of the Muslim Student Association has been a positive experience because Massachusetts is such a diverse place and the people he has met have been “good at accepting [religions] they don’t believe in.”
Alisson Alvarez, a junior Criminology student from Columbia, said she finds her community through other Latin people, and through dancing.
“Latin people are very warm and friendly,” she added.
Cameron Doyle, a junior history student, studied abroad in Greece in Spring 2025.
He lived with people from different countries during his stay and said it was “great to see all these different people from all over the world come together.”
He said in order to meet new people, he made it his “mission” to talk to as many people as possible and to be his authentic self.
“I said to myself, ‘You’re in Europe - just have a good time,’” he added.
Khoa Bùi, a junior finance major from Vietnam, said he was shocked at how straightforward people are here.
He said people will say “the
truth to your face … for better or for worse.”
The food is also really different, he said.
“What’s the word here? Indulgent, I’ll put it that way. It’s a lot more indulgent and has a lot more sugar,” Bùi said.
Alvarez said the first two years here were difficult, as she missed her family.
She used to update her family very frequently on FaceTime and WhatsApp, she added.
“Every 15 minutes I was checking in, like, ‘I’m still alive!’” Alvarez said.
Doyle said making friends helped him deal with homesickness while abroad.
“Just because I had such a real, genuine group of friends that I could hang out with … that definitely made things easier as well,” Doyle added.
He said he appreciated what he had more when he returned home.
Khan said it’s helpful being able to message his parents and sister.
Making good friends on cam-
pus is also important, he added.
“People are more than willing to listen to you, give you advice, and comfort you when you need it,” Khan said.
While discussing favorite cultural restaurants, Khan said Americans tend to expect particularly good service and get offended if their expectations aren’t met.
“People aren’t as empathetic anymore when it comes to treating service workers the right way,” Khan said.
Bùi said in his culture, people go into a restaurant and simply find an open table, rather than wait to be seated.
“Even when the table is not clean, you just sit there and wait for people to clean it up, and that’s your table,” Bùi said.
CONNECT WITH FRANCISCO OMAR FERNANDEZ RODRIGUEZ ffernandezrodriguez@student.framingham.edu
CONNECT WITH SARAH DAPONDE sdaponde@student.framingham.edu
There’s no place like ‘Wicked: One Wonderful Night”
By Antonio Machado Copy Editor
Somewhere over at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 6, the cast of “Wicked” held a prerecorded live music special to celebrate the phenomenon that was the first film and build anticipation for the soon-to-be cultural behemoth “Wicked: For Good.”
“Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” which featured cast interviews and skits, brand-new song arrangements performed live, exclusive behind-thescenes looks into both “Wicked” films, and exclusive snippets of new music featured in the upcoming film, was an absolutely spectacular showcase of why people are so drawn to the world of Oz.
There has been an incredible amount of rumor, speculation, innuendo, and “outuendo” about whether or not the leading ladies actually sang live on set, but Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who star in the film as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, reminded audiences that they were cast in their once-in-a-lifetime roles because they are once-in-alifetime talents.
Accompanied by a 37-piece live orchestra led by Stephen Oremus, Grande came down in a bubble and immediately dropped the house down with a performance of “No One Mourns the Wicked.”
The special reimagined and combined the magic of “Wicked” on the screen and “Wicked” on stage to create a “thrillifying” experience for fans across
the globe. Grandiose dance ensembles were accompanied by the stupendously talented cast. Set against the backdrop of a gorgeous Emerald City-themed set with costume changes galore, every aspect of “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” served to create an unforgettable experience.
Alongside Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard, Erivo took to the stage to perform a stripped-down jazz standard rendition of “The Wizard and I” - that is until the dancers come in and we are transport ed back to the con fines of Shiz.
In between performances were a combination of prerecorded sketch comedy skits and in terviews. Most of them were incred ibly corny filler, at times infuriatingly so, but they at least gave some perspective into cast dynamics.
A medley of “What Is This Feeling?” “Dear Old Shiz,” and concepts of “Sentimental Man” absolutely stopped the show. It’s insane how Erivo and Grande sound both exactly like the studio version and simultaneously much better than it - star doesn’t begin to describe how brightly they shine in this.
The mockumentary-style interview where the cast were asked things they had stolen from set was a definite highlight, mostly due to Goldblum’s off-kilter, kooky style of comedy.
The audition tape fake-out was particularly annoying, although it did elicit a giggle. Notably, these comedic bits are not what audiences came for - they were watching for the music, and the music was delivered tenfold.
In an interview with Evan Ross Katz for his podcast, “Shut Up Evan,” Grande detailed that the “Wicked” team wanted to approach the press tour for the second film differently, focusing more on fan experience, which is why they chose to hold a concert. So naturally, Grande used the opportunity to makeover a 4-year-old fan, Remington, in her performance of “Popular.”
It’s hard to gauge who, between Remington and Grande, was funnier, but their combined charm made for a beautiful cushion for what was to come.
Grande and Erivo performed their rendition of the musical’s closing track, “For Good,” at the Gershwin Theater in New York City. And, with an unexpected twister of fate, they were joined by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, the originators of their respective roles.
In the absence of People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Jonathan
Bailey (Fiyero), ensemble cast members Bowen Yang (Pfannee), Ethan Slater (Boq), and Marissa Bode (Nessarose) all took to the stage to “scandalociously” perform “Dancing Through Life,” and they rocked it!
Before previews of the new upcoming original ballads “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” played, Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible) presented Grande as she performed a never-before-seen arrangement of “Thank Goodness,” one of Glinda’s most important solos from the second act.
Without ever missing a single note, Erivo flew above audiences as she sang “Defying Gravity.” She would’ve easily brought the house down were it not for the closing number, “Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again,” one of the most important duets in gay history and one that Grande and Erivo absolutely demolished.
“Wicked: One Wonderful Night” was first and foremost an opportunity for the fans to witness the immense talent of the movie’s cast live, but it also serves as an undeniable Emmy Award contender and a great way to spend an evening.
So if you care to find me, look to your local AMC Nov. 21 when “Wicked: For Good” releases in theaters.
Ronnie Chiu-Lin and Liv Dunleavy / THE GATEPOST
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Emma Schor, Cecilia Reyes Alarcon, and Khoa Bùi at the International Education Week Panel on Nov. 19.
‘The Phoenician Scheme’
By Owen Glancy Arts & Features Editor
This past summer saw the release of acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s latest feature film, “The Phoenician Scheme.” While many were excited, many more were skeptical. Anderson’s latest works, specifically “The French Dispatch” and “Asteroid City” were divisive even amongst Anderson fans with the main criticism levied against them being that they leaned too far into style and left behind substance.
While I personally don’t agree with that testament, there is a reason it’s become so widespread. Anderson’s style has evolved and expanded, becoming so idiosyncratic that his films have started to separate from those he made in the early stages of his career in the 2000s. “The Phoenician Scheme” feels like a return to that era of his filmography.
The film follows Sister Liesl (Mia Threapleton), who is summoned home by her estranged father Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) so that she may learn to take over the family business. This is a classic Anderson storyline, playing with his usual themes of estranged families, the effects of wealth on humanity, and how we deal with death and its inevitability. While these themes may be familiar to Anderson, they’re not repetitive.
Korda has regular run-ins with death, with someone trying to kill him in what feels like every scene. He’s intimately familiar with death, yet as the
film goes along and he becomes more and more attached to the daughter he once left behind, he finds himself more and more frightened by death. del Toro’s performance here is one of his best, solidifying his place as one of Anderson’s new go-to actors as he single-handedly makes Korda the most compelling Anderson pro tagonist since the duo of Gustave and Zero in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
Outside of del Toro, veteran actor Mi chael Cera also plays a role as the quirky, bug-ob sessed Bjorn Lund. While not quite as good as del Toro, Cera brings a uniquely awkward energy that perfectly fits this role. His hilariously cheesy Swedish accent is the icing on the cake as he proves why he is the perfect fit for Anderson’s style.
This is “aesthetically pleasing” taken to a ludicrous degree, it’s so incredibly obvious how much control Anderson has over his production design. While not as colorful as something like “The French Dispatch,” the film still obtains that same level of “piz-
freshing as it was to see a more straightforward story from Anderson again, this is clearly not the type of story Anderson likes to tell anymore.
story-telling techniques to this “older” style of his.
Many of the performances fail to distract from this as well. Cera and del Toro are acting circles around the entire cast, something that becomes incredibly noticeable when they’re put up against Threapleton’s performance. She does a good job, but when compared to two career bests, it’s hard to find her as compelling.
Tons of other big-name actors also show up in this such as Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeffery Wright, and Riz Ahmed, and they unfortunately do not get to do much. While the story definitely does not revolve around them, and they do give memorable performances, they feel incredibly wasted for how talented they all are.
Ultimately, “The Phoenician Scheme” is a return to Anderson’s prior style that comes with the ups and downs that returning to his younger self brings. The production design is great, and there’s some excellent performances, but it’s all bogged down by some truly baffling plot decisions and some wasted performances.
Korda may be an expert at escaping death, but it seems like even a director as prolific as Wes Anderson cannot escape mediocrity.
Despite this being a return to his more focused style of story-telling, this film still retains the evolutions in Anderson’s style that his last two films put forth. Every shot has his signature symmetrical composition.
The plot takes so many left turns, that it often finds itself getting lost. It feels very much like Anderson is trying to replicate his former films’ style rather than continuing to innovate or to adapt his newer
CONNECT WITH OWEN GLANCY oglancy@student.framingham.edu
The Book Report: ‘The Children of Captain Grant’
By Kate Norrish Staff Writer
If you’ve heard of this book, you likely have some thoughts right now. Love it or hate it, I think it’s worth the reading experience.
“The Children of Captain Grant” - sometimes translated under the title “In Search of The Castaways” - was published serially between 1863 and 1864. It was written during an odd time to say the least.
British colonialism was in full force, the Emancipation Proclamation in America had just come into law, and that’s excluding timeless issues like environmentalism. Jules Verne used his “Oceanic Trilogy,” which also includes “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” and “The Mysterious Island” to help children understand these complexities, with mixed results.
The plot is about a message in a bottle sent by a ship captain. However, due to it being retrieved from the stomach of a dissected shark after floating around in the ocean for several years, all that can be made out is the name “Captain Grant,” and a latitude, which could apply to Chile, Australia, or New Zealand.
Captain Grant’s childrena teen girl named Mary and a 7-year-old named Robert, along with the married couple who found the note and some friends - decide to take a sailing ship to go find him.
They are joined by Paganel, who could easily be one of the most underrated characters of
1800’s literature - a highly respected, and yet easily distracted geographer, he is considered by many to be the origin of the “absent-minded professor” trope.
He comes along in an introduction scene that deserves to be iconic, where he appears on deck a day after leaving the harbor. A stranger to everyone, he got on the wrong boat, believing that he was boarding a steamship to go to India. The reason he didn’t notice earlier? He heard that sleeping for 36 hours straight prevents seasickness, and did exactly that.
However, despite his bumbling demeanor, he becomes a valuable resource in traveling throughout the latitude (the 37th parallel, for all the geography loving Paganels who may be reading), and his lack of social ability makes him open toward everyone’s perspectives.
While “20,000 Leagues” has undertones focusing on The British Raj, and “The Mysterious Island” tackles - though sometimes not well - a formally enslaved man developing his own autonomy, “The Children of Captain Grant” is about the relationship between various Indigenous groups and colonists.
This book’s themes were a little odd. Jules Verne had a habit of creating racial stereotypes, and then using them for interesting anti-colonialist commentary. Despite things getting extremely uncomfortable in places, I do think the book is worth a read to understand how he handles these complexities, and start a dis-
cussion on what that means.
For example, in my favorite scene in the book, the characters meet an Aboriginal boy who has been fed large amounts of British propaganda. Later, after by far the most racist scene in the story, where the characters are taken prisoner by a Māori community, they use this conversation to come to the conclusion that the missionaries are in the wrong due to how uninformed they are when it comes to the inner workings of both the local wildlife and cultures.
There is also a moment where, despite having a cook on hand, Paganel insists that he can make dinner because he’s French, ending in a disgusting meal. This seems to be a criticism of stereotypes, which could have been much more self aware, but it prepares the characters for various flawed, but thought worthy discussions focusing on the concept of violent Indigenous people.
In a nutshell, this is a book about perspective, and it is well overdue for a modern adaptation. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find a good English copy. I would personally rec-
ommend the J.B. Lippincott translation. It is free on Project Gutenberg.
Another criticism of this book is that the scenarios the characters are presented with are unrealistic. While I wouldn’t quite describe it like that, I think these plot points add some fun. Little quirks like Robert being carried off by a large bird, and the crew thinking they can get away from rough seas at ‘Cape Catastraphe’ may not be super realistic... but come on, you’ve got to admit they’re charming.
This is hands down the most complicated review I have written for this column. I wrote it, rewrote it, questioned if it was my place to write it, and reread various chapters of the book, questioning if I even should like this book.
I would recommend “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” as your introduction to Verne, but after that, take a deep breath, prepare for a time capsule on colonial perspectives, make sure you got on the right boat, and travel with “The Children of Captain Grant.”
Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST
David Abe / THE GATEPOST
29. Swarm 31. “___ Miz”
32. Address on base
33. Shrug, in a text
34. Olympic distance measures
36. Genre for Stray Kids
38. Unrefined metal
40. Singer DiFranco
41. *Carouse
43. Civil War prez
45. German for “the”
47. Opposite of SSW
49. Gronk, before his second retirement
51. Made, as a pool shot
54. Edge
57. Letter before sigma
59. Stick for a pool shot
60. *CGI-ready background
61. Defense grp. 63. Suffix with “velvet”
64. Atlanta-based channel
65. Emmy or Espy
67. ___ it up (have a laugh)
69. “Friendly” lead-in
71. Anthony of the “Redeem Team,” familiarly
72. Remove, as six blocks from this puzzle’s grid ... making space for letters that complete the starred clues’ answers and spell an apt word
76. Shade trees at Central Park
77. ___ carte
78. Drizzled, perhaps
79. Actress Seydoux
80. Hairstylist’s goo
81. Pink school supply DOWN
1. “___ I do that?”
2. Night before 3. 16-oz. units
pursuer
23. Frodo Baggins, for Elijah Wood 24. (Woof!) 27. *Ski patrol vehicles
S
I
4. Dictaphone insert
5. Pickleball enthusiast Andre 6. ___ chi
7. *Being pulled
8. Cyclone, for one 9. Card in the Big Slick hand
10. *Recipients of “Celebrity Jeopardy!” winnings
11. Singer King 12. Hairstylist’s cylinder
13. Appraise
18. *They accept bad behavior
22. *Southern Plains tribe 24. Question 25. Gravestone letters
26. Grown-up tadpole
28. Veggie found in “bookracks”
30. Flex
35. Formal neckwear
37. *“Bonanza” ranch 39. Taper off
42. Upturned
44. “I understand it now!”
46. Trash pandas
48. Med. drama settings
50. Michael of “SNL”
52. Catholic sister
53. Doll played by Ryan Gosling
54. Subpar effort
55. “Animal Farm” author
56. Person I truly am
58. Like some garages
62. Word after “carbon” or “news”
66. Civil Rights icon Parks 68. *Not at all urban
70. “Pet” plant
72. Sofa problem 73. Three, in Rome 74. Charge 75. “Fireside chats” prez
Getting crafty on campus
Photos and Spread by Photos & Design
Editor Alexis Schlesinger
(Left) Hudson Maher and Miranda Allicon at Art Clubs “Bring Your Own Craft” event on Nov. 20.
A student’s painting at Art Clubs “Bring Your Own Craft” event on Nov. 20.
(Left) Ari Winston, Meredith Winston, Tyler Winston, and Kendall Winston at Art Clubs “Bring Your Own Craft” event on Nov. 20.
Crafts provided for students by the Art Club at the “Bring Your Own Craft” Event on Nov. 20.
(Left) Emily Agnelli and Kendall Winston at the Art Club at the “Bring Your Own Craft” Event on Nov. 20