Hemenway Laboratories to be renamed
By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor
Hemenway Laboratories is to be renamed Professor Thomas and Joan Eames Laboratories in recognition of a $2.22 million endowment given to the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by the Eames’.
Notification of the award and the renaming of Hemenway Labs was sent to faculty and staff on Sept. 5 by President Nancy Niemi.
The name change was approved at a meeting of the Board of Trustees by a unanimous vote on Sept. 18 and was subsequently sent to the Board of Higher Education for approval.
Each year, 5% of the total endowment will be given to the College of STEM beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, according to Eric Gustafson, vice president of Development and Alumni Relations.
For the first year, $100,000 from the total endowment will be dispersed to the College of STEM.
As the endowment grows yearly, more funds will be dispersed.
Niemi said the yearly allotment “goes directly to students, to faculty, to the work of what the college does. We aren’t at the whims of a state grant or another grant saying, ‘These are the parameters.’”
“It’s just such a rich and wonderful way to give to an institution and to see the immediate effect,” Niemi added.
According to Niemi, use of the funds will be determined by Provost Kristen Porter-Utely and STEM Dean Lauren Nolfo-Clements.
According to Porter-Utley, plans for the funds are still being determined.
“These funds to support the College of STEM will be truly transformative for students, staff, and faculty. The funds will ensure we have state-of-the-art resources available for educational and scholarly work in the College,” she said.
CASA expands resources with SUCCESS grant
By Bella Grimaldi News Editor
A portion of a $1.3 million grant awarded to the University was used to expand the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), according to LaDonna Bridges, dean of Student Success and Persistence.
Over the summer, CASA used the grant money to expand into the Peirce Annex and add four new success coaches, said Bridges.
She said the $1.3 million Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services (SUCCESS) grant funded the renovation and the new success coaches.
According to Robert Totino, vice president of Finance, Technology, and Administration, Gov. Maura Healey’s office announced in December 2024 that the nine state universi-
ties would receive the SUCCESS grant.
According to President Nancy Niemi, this is the first year this grant is being offered to state universities.
She said, “It’s the first of what we understand is a three-year funding. So what we’re applying for now would be year two, and we’ve made some modifications.”
According to Totino, the guidelines for the FY25 funding required that 50% of the grant be allocated to payroll benefits.
Totino said $300,000 of the grant went to the hiring of the new success coaches.
According to Bridges, success coaches are staff at CASA who work with students to develop goals and help them make academic plans to reach success.
Bridges said success coaches help connect students to resources outside of CASA.
Students laughing and talking during the record-painting event
(Center) Samantha Collette
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
Jesse Burchill
Kristel Erguiza
Paul Harrington
Dan Lima
Kate Norrish
Andrew Ramirez
Avery Slavin
Kennedy Thompson
Staff Photographers
Corban Allen
Meg Dame
Christy Howland
Advisor
Desmond McCarthy
Asst. Advisor
Elizabeth Banks
Graduate
Emma Lyons
Gatepost Interview Emma Laurie
Program Coordinator, Center for Inclusive Excellence
By Sophia Oppedisano Editor-in-Chief
What is your academic and professional background?
I graduated from Framingham State in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology with minors in psychology and sociology. Before that, I earned my associate’s degree in liberal arts at MassBay Community College, and then I transferred to FSU. I interned at the Center for Inclusive Excellence during my senior year of college, and then when I graduated, the person who was in my position before me actually quit, and my former boss reached out to me, and he asked, “Do you want to apply for this job?” and I said, “Yeah, that sounds really cool.” I had no idea I wanted to go into higher education. When I graduated with the criminology degree, I thought I wanted to go into nonprofit work, maybe doing something with unhoused people - that sort of thing. I was freshly 22 at the time, and I was like, “OK, sure, I’ll do this for a little bit, and then I’ll find my footing and do something else.” So this job was actually my first job in higher education. I did this part-time, and then I also worked at MassBay part-time as an educational coach for their transitional scholars program, helping disabled students transition from high school to college. So I was an educational coach over there part-time, and then a program coordinator over here part-time. … I realized within that first year that I really wanted to do higher education, and luckily, after that first year, Framingham State got the funding to offer me a fulltime position. I’ve been in this position, really, my whole postgrad life.
What do you love about working at Framingham State?
I personally love how closeknit of a community it is. I know that’s something that everyone says, but genuinely, I drive past Worcester State, I drive past WPI, I drive past all these colleges that are so big and large, and I’m like, I run into people I know all the time at Framingham State! I could not imagine working on a campus where I do not see someone I know every day. I love how close-knit of a community it is. … Everyone cares for everyone. Everyone will go out of their way to help and support people as much as they can. I love how tight-knit a community it is - that’s my favorite part.
What do you enjoy about working in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space?
I like when the work that you do ties to someone’s livelihood, someone’s identity, that sort of
thing. So, really putting on programming and events that a student will come to, and you can see the look on their face when they step in, and they’re like, “Oh, this is my identity. My identity is being recognized and represented.” Just being able to see the look on their face when they see that somebody’s acknowledging [their identity] is my favorite part about working in diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially because colleges and universities were originally made for one group of people to attend. I really love that. I work and I live in a space that embraces diversity and different identities, and celebrates them. I think it’s really great to be able to do that every day.
Do you have any hobbies or things you love to do outside of your professional life?
I’ve been baking a lot recently! I’ve been really loving to bake. I wish I could say I do more than watch really trashy reality TV when I get home, but sometimes, you just need to decompress like that. I love going on hikes. I love thrifting, reading, all these sorts of grandmother hobbies.
If you could give a piece of advice to students at Framingham State, what would it be?
The biggest thing is to get involved with clubs and organizations, specifically because you are paying so much money for tuition. You should utilize every opportunity you can to do stuff that you
will not be able to do when you graduate. For example, clubs like Black Student Union, the Outing Club, and the History Club all do these really cool trips. They go to Washington D.C., they go to Six Flags, they go to museums, and I always tell freshmen, once you graduate, these things are going to cost big bucks. … You will not be able to do this when you graduate. Do all of these things, get involved, make friends, make these connections. I would not have this job if I didn’t put myself out there and join clubs and organizations, and I get it - when I was a freshman, I really just wanted to go to class and pass - that was my biggest thing. But had I not stuck around for that extra hour to go to SGA meetings, go to a club that even semi-interested me, I would not have been able to do all these things that I do now. I would not have this job. I would not have all these experiences that I’ve had. … I’m able to go on these trips as a staff member that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to do for that. So I would say, put all of your tuition to use. You’re paying not just for classes, but you’re paying for resources. You’re paying for opportunities. Use that and join as many things as you can. Utilize all the resources you can. Go on all the trips. Go for all the experiences.
Courtesy of Emma Laurie
New SGA committee to focus on campus safety concerns
By Izabela Gage Editorial Staff
Student Government Association (SGA) held a club representative meeting followed by a Senate meeting Oct. 7.
SGA President César Matos opened the club representative meeting with an interactive survey. He said the information collected from club representatives and senators would help SGA better represent student perspectives at its upcoming Administrators’ Forum on Nov. 18.
“We are collecting data from you all, and this is going to be an initiative that SGA is going to be hosting for the next few weeks,” he added.
“This isn’t a time to necessarily bash certain parts of the University. We are just trying to get as much honest feedback
of you to go over menus, ideas, whatever it may be. That’s my job - I want to make it easy for you, I want to make it fun for you, and I want to collaborate with all of you,” Fahey said.
She said Sodexo now has an organized list of food trucks available for clubs to use for their events. “If you have a budget for what you’re looking to spend, I can reach out to the food truck companies. Say you pick four trucks - let me know which ones would best fit within your budget, and we can go from there.”
Student Trustee Luke Yubeta said regarding catering for events, the Center for Student Experience (EXP) can’t use any catering services from a third-party vendor. “Any type of catering has to go through Sodexo.”
SGA Vice President Shubham
the problem that they’re looking at, or they exist for a certain amount of time, and then they get dissolved once that time comes through.”
He proposed an end date for the committee shortly after the Administrators’ Forum.
A motion to implement the safety and security ad hoc committee with the proposed end date of Nov. 21, 2025, was made by Matos and seconded by Senator Nathan Piette.
The committee’s work will include both the physical and procedural aspects of campus safety.
Piette said the purpose of the safety and security ad hoc committee is to survey the property that is Framingham State and determine any faulty areas or lack of safety in a certain area.
He added they will also “have a group walk to determine any
there a way that this can be expanded, or is there another way for it to run?”
Matos said, “When we create the committee, we would have to give the committee a chair. The chair essentially sets what the structure of that meeting is going to look like and what that committee is going to oversee.”
The Senate moved to appoint committee leadership. Piette and Senator Jobe Murphy both presented their cases for the chair position.
Piette said, “I have served most of the last 10 years in a safety setting, both in orchestrating crisis mitigation tactics with the group and the documentation they’re after, and the meetings regarding the documentation for that. … Without getting more personal, it means a lot to me. I think I have very good experience.”
about some of the services that the University has to offer,” Matos said.
After the survey, Matos introduced Tristan Fahey, catering manager for Sodexo, who attended the meeting in response to club representatives’ request to meet with a Sodexo representative.
Fahey said the catering team is always open to suggestions for event menus per the request of the clubs.
“I know with organizational parties, budgets are always a concern, but we can work with you on that. Just because it’s not on the menu doesn’t mean we can’t do it,” she added.
“I’m happy to sit with any
Saturday, Oct. 18
Sunny, with a high near 63 and light wind.
Valand called the senate meeting to order.
Matos proposed the formation of the safety and security ad hoc committee after concerns were raised about campus safety during the recent SGA retreat Oct. 4.
He said, “We want to make sure that we address these concerns in a way that incorporates all the feedback that we received today from folks of each club.”
Matos explained that ad hoc committees are temporary groups created to address specific issues. “They don’t exist throughout the entire year. They simply exist in order to either resolve the solution to
Sunday, Oct. 19
points we’re missing - anything you haven’t thought of, or any ideas for the future.”
Matos said, “I would also include overseeing things that are outside of the properties of the campus - sort of the systematic things of this campus. … In terms of looking at what the procedure is for sexual assault cases on campus, having a better understanding as to what that encompasses, and what ways we are better able to address those concerns.”
Events Coordinator Alix Ayoub said, “I argue that we do not currently have a chair for this committee, and there is no organizational leadership. Is
Mostly sunny, with a high near 68 with gusty winds.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
Partly sunny with a high near 65. Chance of showers.
Wednesday, Oct. 20
Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Chance of showers and gusty wind.
Murphy said, “I have gone through the ideas of leadership, understanding other people’s opinions on ideas, and listening to others. … I’ll probably revoke as chair if I could be put onto the vice chair to work with them, because I think he is probably more experienced than me.”
The Senate voted with 15 in favor and one opposed to approve the motion to create the safety and security ad hoc committee with Piette as chair and Murphy as vice chair.
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
Monday, Oct. 20
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of showers.
Thursday, Oct. 21
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST
(Center) SGA Events Coordinator Alix Ayoub speaking at the Oct. 14 SGA club representative meeting.
Eames endowment
Continued from page 1
Porter-Utley said she believes renaming Hemenway Laboratories in honor of the Eameses is an appropriate way to honor their legacy.
“Professor Eames dedicated his professional life to Framingham State University, and I am excited to honor his work at our institution,” she said.
Thomas Eames, 81, is a professor emeritus of chemistry and food science, having worked at FSU for 40 years, according to Niemi.
Eames received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1966 and a Ph.D. from Northwestern in 1971.
Eames said it is an honor to have a building named after him on campus, something he did not expect to happen.
“FSU is truly dedicated to serving students, educating students who would otherwise have to work many hours or not even be able to attend college. A Framingham State education provides opportunities that they would not otherwise have been able to obtain, such as jobs and further education,” said Eames.
Eames said he hopes the gift will go toward “helping students financially so they can concentrate on their studies instead of having to work at an outside job or even drop out.”
While working at FSU, Eames “cared deeply” about students and was passionate about advising the Student Government Association, Niemi said.
Eames said he recalled many fond years working with SGA, including working with the late Donna Bourasa, a former SGA President.
According to Eames, during the presidency of Paul Weller, he was offered an administrative role. “I was greatly honored, but did not accept. My place was with my accomplished students in the FSC labs.”
Eames said, “We are most grateful that our contribution will benefit the STEM program, and provide some financial as-
sistance for the benefit of students.”
Niemi said this is the first gift given to the University that she has stewarded during her presidency.
In her role, she works with Gustafson to foster relationships with alumni and donors who may provide financial support to the University.
Niemi said it was “an important learning experience about how [she can] serve the University well, from my role in terms of making sure that we can have other people do the same thing.”
mindset,” Niemi said.
“We never, ever talk about, ‘So how much do you think you can afford?’ It’s not like a public radio fund drive. It’s about building a relationship. So my job is to understand that that is what I’m doing. I’m being respectful of people who care deeply about this institution and to give them the best of my presence as we learn about them,” she said.
Gustafson said he had previously worked with the Eames family to establish an endowed scholarship to support students within the Chemistry and Food
“ We are most grateful that our contribution will benefit the STEM program, and provide some financial assistance for the benefit of students.”
- Thomas Eames Professor Emeritus
She said during the process of securing potential donations to the University, she is briefed by Gustafson about members of the community who could provide financial support.
Niemi said in addition to reading the briefings, she also meets with community members frequently.
She said she spends time getting to know members of the community and to hear what is important to them prior to securing a donation.
“It could feel so much like you’re just after their resources, and that is never, ever my
Science Department.
He said the Eames later decided to make a larger contribution to the University in the form of the gift to the College of STEM.
“We’re deeply grateful to Tom and Joan [Eames] for this investment they’re making in the University - it’s a phenomenal boost to our STEM program,” Gustafson said.
Hemenway Laboratories is one of three buildings named after famous Boston-area philanthropist Mary Hemenway, according to Gustafson.
Hemenway Hall and Annex will continue to be named after
Mary Hemenway.
The laboratory portion of the building was completed in 2016 after three years of construction and renovation to the Hemenway building complex, according to Gustafson.
Hemenway Hall was completed in 1963 and initially served as the home economics building on campus. Hemenway Annex was built in 1973, according to the Framingham State University website.
Junior Merlin Clive said they think it is wonderful that the College of STEM has been given this gift by the Eames.
Clive said renaming Hemenway Laboratories makes them “a little sad because it’s been Hemenway since I came here two years ago. I always joke around that I live in Hemenway. … I’m excited to see what they do, but it is a bit of a bittersweet feeling knowing the building name I’ve been so accustomed to is going to change.”
Sophomore Jordan Lyon said she was happy to hear about the award.
Lyon said she thought it was “really sweet that [Eames] became so successful and decided to donate that much money back to the place where he started teaching.”
Senior Zachary Sorel said they are “all for” any donations that support education.
Sorel said they did have concerns about the cost associated with renaming a building.
“People don’t always realize how much money that can be. So off the top of my head, signs in the building between the annex and labs will all need to be replaced. All the door signs that say labs will need to be replaced,” they said.
Niemi said for Eames “to have his name on a place where students are and where great learning [happens], I think, is a wonderful thing to do.”
SUCCESS grant
She added they focus on eight areas for intervention, including academics, commitment to degree completion, health and emotional support, and finances.
“One of the things we needed to do was to look at our staffing issues. … The work that needs to be done toward retention and persistence is very high-touch, and you need more people to do that,” she said.
Bridges added two of the coaches were hired in March and the other two were hired in June.
She said CASA was able to add these positions and needed space to put the new coaches.
According to Bridges, the renovation created five new offices and a conference room.
Totino said the renovation of the second floor of the Peirce Annex started at the end of May and concluded at the end of August.
The renovation cost approximately $290,000, according to Totino.
He said the main contractor to complete the renovation was One Source Construction, a general contracting company based out of Framingham.
“There were some other smaller type groups which have specialization in other areas, but the largest contractor was One Source Construction,” Totino said.
Bridges said before the new spaces were constructed, almost every office in CASA was shared by two people.
“If I had a private conversation as one of those people, with the students, someone had to leave the office,” she said.
Totino said the new offices are “going to be just a great space for students because we’re going to be able to have more employees interfacing with our Framingham State students. … It’s been well received and it’s going to be well utilized by all of the folks here at Framingham State.”
According to Bridges, the grant was also used to pay for 15 employees to participate in the Foundations of Coaching certification training through InsideTrack coaching.
She said the coaching sessions occur once a month until
April 2026.
This training costs upward of $70,000, according to Bridges.
InsideTrack is a nonprofit coaching company founded in 2001.
According to the firm’s website, “InsideTrack coaches work directly with your learners, on your behalf, helping them identify, address and overcome barriers in order to achieve their educational and career goals.”
Bridges said the training wasn’t exclusive to CASA staff.
Maribeth Ford, senior financial aid counselor, and Carey Eggen, deputy director of Athletics, have participated.
Bridges said, “We worked with InsideTrack on intensive work over the summer, and then every month, we meet with them throughout this year to make sure that we are honing our skills on this very specific approach to student coaching or success coaching.”
She added she, among the other participants, recently took part in a strategy session with InsideTrack where they worked on listening skills, thinking about the way to ask questions, and how to get stu-
dents to co-create the steps they need to accomplish.
She said, “It’s not about us doing [it] for the students. It’s about helping us help students with their own agency to solve their own problems.”
Junior Diego Abzun said he has had a positive experience with CASA and its services.
He said, “They helped me by accepting my IEP, which is accommodations for when I take tests.”
He added the accommodations CASA provides are one of the qualities that drew him to the University.
Abzun said he believes the addition of CASA resources will be helpful to his peers and the accommodations they need.
Sophomore Emma Schor said, “My freshman year, I went in for some math tutoring and some writing tutoring. And this year, I’m a Rams Peer Mentor, so I work for [CASA].”
They added the expansion was good but believes there are other accommodations that could be put in place to help some of their friends. One of the accommodations they said was making sure students have a
note taker and a note taker that does their job well.
Junior Jimmy Driscoll said he has used CASA’s services once.
“The people there gave a good impression when I went. It’s a service that I think is valuable to the students,” said Driscoll. He added, “I didn’t know [the expansion] happened, but I figure it’s a good use of school resources.”
Junior Elaina Cardenas said, “For my academic accommodations, they’ve been very helpful and I think that’s what they’re more well versed in.”
Sophomore David Forgione said he has used CASA to help with math assignments and preparing for math quizzes.
He said he believes it was a great idea for CASA to expand and that all students should use CASA’s resources.
Forgione added, “And I think expanding it will only help the students have more time, like one on one or in groups, to study and to work on assignments they’re struggling with.”
Corban Allen / THE GATEPOST
The front of the CASA building.
It’s
The Framingham State community will come together to celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend, a tradition shared by many universities across the country, on Oct. 17 and 18.
After the stress of midterms and before the mad rush toward the end of the semester, students are given the opportunity to connect with their families, friends, and alumni for a weekend of activities.
Homecoming Weekend is an opportunity for all of us to share our love for FSU.
This occasion provides current students with the chance to see the value in coming together as a community to celebrate the unity between past and present Rams.
Homecoming brings alumni back to campus for the chance to reconnect with the culture, atmosphere, and memories that make Framingham State special to them.
These moments of connection and friendship are exactly what make this campus so special.
For alumni returning to FSU, we are so happy to have you on campus! We recognize what a cherished weekend this is to have an opportunity to return to
THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL
the best weekend of the year!
the place where you found your passions and professional direction and made lifelong friendships.
Your commitment to Framingham State is admirable and appreciated.
Although our campus may look different, our values have not changed. We are still a community of hard-working, ambitious, and kind people who care deeply about our campus community and the ways in which it and the world at large can be improved.
Homecoming Weekend traditions such as the annual football game at Bowditch Field, Fall Fest, and the Moonlight Breakfast are events that foster unity among students, alumni, and their families.
Homecoming is not just for alumni - it is for new and returning students too!
Take a stroll down State Street for Fall Fest with your family or a group of friends and get reacquainted with all that Framingham State’s student organizations have to offer. Approach a new group or get information from a club you may not have been interested in at the start of the semester.
Along with the football team,
athletes on the men’s soccer team and field hockey team are also competing at home on Saturday Oct. 18. Show your school spirit and cheer them on!
Homecoming Weekend is the perfect chance for students to get out of their residence halls and celebrate the first half of the semester.
There are so many events and traditions that are planned for you and they will be here long after you graduate. Bring your friends and families and use this weekend as an opportunity to connect with our campus.
Whether you’re on the sidelines at Bowditch, representing your student organization at Fall Fest, or enjoying french toast sticks at the Moonlight Breakfast, we are all united because we chose Framingham State and we belong to this community.
Opportunities like Homecoming only come around a few times a year - take advantage of the chance to spend time with your friends and family.
Although we can only live, study, and work on this campus for a brief period, it will always be home.
Once a Ram, always a Ram.
Liv, Laf... Roni: Mid-semester crash out
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
By Izayah Morgan Opinions Editor
Movies, especially horror movies, have connected the most with me since I was a child. Specifically, the psychological horror subgenre that explores the minds of individuals and groups is fascinating to me.
“Sinners” was another installment to director Ryan Coogler’s catalog, with Micheal B. Jordan returning to star in another Coogler film (previously “Fruitville Station,” “Creed I-III,” and both “Black Panther” films). He stars in a dual role playing twins, Smoke and Stack, who specialize in combat, and return home to Mississippi after working for Al Capone in Chicago.
The film follows Sammie More (Miles Canton), as he leaves his home and responsibilities of the church to pursue the opening of a juke joint Smoke and Stack want to open.
Throughout the beginning of the movie, we gather multiple characters: Slim (Delroy Lindo) a sleazy but hilarious musician; Annie (Wunmi Mosako) the love interest of Smoke; Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) the fleeting lover of Stack; Pearline (Jayme Lawson) married and love interest of
‘Sinners’ was for the culture
Sammie; the lovable Cornbread (Emonie Ellison); and the lovers Lisa and Bo Chow (Helena Hu and Yao respectively).
During the recruitment of characters we see everyone’s personalities, specifically Smoke being the more “straight man” of the twins and Stack being the more hotheaded one. After the gathering of all the characters, the juke joint is finally opened.
It is a place of comfort many Black Americans flock to after a hard day. Setting the re minder that even though we were labeled as “free,” barriers existed to prevent that freedom. That freedom would come out in the night, i.e. the purpose of the juke joint.
Sammie would eventually be come the star of the show. Throwing what can be only described as a mesmerizing musical experience in the juke joint. His music was so powerful it called upon the past and future interpretations of Black music - a performance that left me tearyeyed and silenced the theaters.
introduced to Remmick (Jack O’Connell) who is running from a group of Native Americans hunting him. He stumbles upon a white couple, who are a part of the KKK. Appealing to their white supremacist views, they allow him refuge. Eventually, Remmick turns the two into vampires.
Eventually, they stumble upon the juke joint and the power of Sammy’s music. Wanting to take it for himself, he attempts to take Sammy by force. This takes up the whole second half of the movie where Stack, Mary, Cornbread, Bo, and almost all of the juke joint participants are turned into vampires.
For a moment, it felt like everyone was truly free. Unfortunately that freedom only would be enjoyed until people came to steal it.
During the movie, we are
This leaves Smoke, Annie, Slim, Pearline, and Lisa to protect Sammy. The night ends with only Smoke and Sammy remaining on the human side and Stack and Marie on the vampire side. The movie finally ends with Sammy returning home only to leave the church to pursue music, where he becomes a mega star.
The movie is a masterclass in music but presents heavy themes of many things. Such is the nature of holding on to re-
ligions that have been used to subjugate not just Black people but other groups as well.
The power of music, and through each generation of music within the culture (Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, Rap, and R&B), was heavily expressed in the middle of the movie. In this power is a freedom of expression - until the rich music executives and the larger white power structure wants to appropriate that culture, making it lose the original glow it had. This is what Remmick represents.
We learn at the end of the movie that Smoke and Stack unknowingly bought the juke joint from the grand dragon of the KKK - and he was not going to let them have it for long. Eventually, that night of freedom would have to end for the patrons. They would either be assimilated into the power structure or killed by it.
It’s not all blues, however, as the power structure and assimilation were defeated for that moment and because of the sacrifice of many Sammy was able to see his dreams. And just like our ancestors not so long ago it allows me and other Black people to live out our freedom.
I suppose freedom may come at the cost of making us seem like sinners to others, but if they were already going to and did inflict those sins on us, what does that make them?
Sinners is definitely for the culture.
Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST
Campus Conversations
“What is your campus tradition?”
By Izayah Morgan, Opinions Editor and Sarah Daponde, Editorial Staff
“I really like hanging out with friends.”
-Kyle Boyton, senior
“D-Hall 6:30.”
-Jarivis Despeignes, senior
“Getting breakfast every morning and going to the gym at 3 p.m.”
-Peter Rubini, sophomore
“I pray, go to the gym, and have a nice healthy breakfast. Make sure my friends are OK.”
-Lord Agyakwa, junior
“A little bit of yoga right when I first wake up.”
-Madison Verdoia, freshman
“I get up early, go to the gym, do some workouts, and come back to my dorm to get prepared.”
-Jeo Jeanpierre, senior
“I always pray when I wake up and thank God for the day.”
-Vivian Vasquez, freshman
“Honestly, I use my phone like a lot of people.”
-Braeden Flores, junior
“I usually get up for whatever class I need, go back to my dorm, and study.”
-Zaephaniah Masson, sophomore
“I live off campus, but I run cross country before practice to get there early to talk to everyone and stretch.”
-Olivia Poole, senior
“I pray and open my Bible. Pray for myself and everyone on campus.”
-Zion Ayala, junior
“I read my Bible first thing in the morning.”
-Peyton Farris, junior
SPORTS
Volleyball snaps MCLA’s perfect conference run
By Izabela Gage Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams overcame the MCLA Trailblazers 3-2 Oct. 15, handing the Trailblazers their first conference loss of the season.
The Rams’ overall record is now 13-6, and their conference record is now 4-1. They’re tied for second in the MASCAC standings.
The Trailblazers put the first point on the board after an attack error by the Rams, but junior Natalie Reynolds responded and tallied her first kill of the game.
After the teams exchanged points for the next few plays, Reynolds earned a service ace, bringing the score to 5-3.
Following an attack error by Framingham, kills from sophomores Sarah Medeiros and Emma Dobbins, and a service ace by Captain Stella Bailey, a senior, expanded the Rams’ lead to 9-4.
The Trailblazers tried to close the gap, earning a point off a kill, but the Rams remained strong on defense, putting more points on the board with a block and a service ace by junior Anneli DiVirgilio.
Framingham kept the lead despite MCLA’s efforts to keep up, and freshman Kristina Santiago-Alers earned a service ace to bring the score to 14-8 before the Trailblazers called a timeout to regain their composure.
senior. The Rams took an 18-13 lead.
MCLA was able to tie the game 21-21, but kills from Medeiros, Cedrone, and a block by Dobbins kept Framingham ahead by 2.
The second set ended with a service error by the Trailblazers, and the Rams won 25-22.
MCLA had a strong start to the third set, with four unanswered points on the board.
Dobbins earned a kill to restart Framingham’s faltering momentum, with Beaulieu subsequently tallying a service ace.
The Trailblazers’ efforts were consistent despite the Rams’ attempts to claw their way back, and MCLA took a significant lead of 13-3.
After a drought of point-earning plays, Framingham put two points on the board after a service error by MCLA and a kill by junior Jaimee Lowe.
The Rams earned two points off errors by the Trailblazers, and DiVirgilio tallied a service ace to bring the score to 15-8.
deepened the deficit, followed by a service error, giving the Rams a point.
MCLA tallied another kill, but Cedrone responded with one of her own.
Following two kills by the Trailblazers, they were six points away from winning the set with the Rams trailing by seven, but FSU’s determination didn’t falter.
A kill by Reynolds and a block by Medeiros inched Framingham closer to the lead, but MCLA responded with two kills to stay ahead.
After an attack error by the Rams and two kills by the Trailblazers, the set ended with a score of 25-14, forcing a fifth and final set.
The Rams came out strong for the decisive last set, with Dobbins earning the first point with a kill.
Following a service error by Framingham, Reynolds tallied another kill.
The teams fought for the lead
“Making the decision of ‘I will get every ball up, and if I don’t, then I will at least give it my all’ is crucial in these games when they start getting close,” she added.
Sophomore Sabrina Stadelman said, “We talk a lot about focusing on our fundamentals, as well as on playing with intensity always, because that extra effort and energy is what will help us to make the tough plays and keep up our momentum during tough matches.”
Medeiros said, “I think a lot of the teams that we play against have talent, but don’t necessarily have the chemistry that we do. I believe this will be a major advantage for us as the season continues.”
Stadelman said, “We’ve all made a commitment to ourselves and each other to give our best effort at all times, so that we as a team can be the best we can be. When we’re on the court, we’re playing for each other, and I think that constant support is so important to everything that we do.”
A kill, an attack error, and two service aces by the Trailblazers helped to close the gap to 18-13, but the Rams didn’t let up on offense.
Framingham fought to keep its lead with two kills and a block, only allowing MCLA to earn points off attack errors.
Sophomore Madysen Cedrone ended the set with a kill, with a final score of 25-17 in favor of Framingham.
The Rams’ momentum carried into the second set, with Reynolds tipping the ball over the net in the first play to tally another kill.
MCLA tied it and then took the lead 3-1 after two attack errors by Framingham and a service ace.
Following a service error by the Trailblazers, Medeiros closed the gap with a kill, and Reynolds put the Rams in the lead with one of her own.
The score remained tied after each team earned points, but the Trailblazers ran with an 11-6 lead after errors by the Rams proved costly.
Framingham made a strong comeback from the 5-point deficit, including a block and a kill by Cedrone, four kills by Dobbins, a kill by Renyolds, and a service ace by Captain Carly Beaulieu, a
MCLA didn’t let up, and after a handful of hard-fought plays, they were up 18-10.
Framingham hoped for a comeback, but couldn’t close the gap completely.
After a kill by Cedrone, the Trailblazers found a gap in the Rams’ defense and responded with a kill of their own, winning the set 25-20.
MCLA earned the first point of the fourth set from an attack error by Framingham.
A service error by the Trailblazers tied the score, which was followed by an attack error, giving the Rams a 2-1 lead.
Framingham’s lead was stolen swiftly after that due to a block and kill by MCLA.
The Trailblazers used the momentum in their favor, giving the Rams a 3-point gap to close early in the set.
Despite their efforts, the Rams were unable to tie the score.
After an exchange of points, with MCLA still in the lead 8-5, Reynolds tallied a service ace after the ball rolled over the net.
Both teams capitalized on each other’s errors, with Framingham earning 4 points and MCLA earning 5, leaving the Rams behind 13-9.
Three kills by the Trailblazers
until the set was tied 5-5. Junior Jamie Moniz blocked a kill, which gave Framingham the lead, followed by a kill by Medeiros.
MCLA tried to find its footing after breaking through Framingham’s defense and earning a kill. However, Medeiros and Moniz both blocked a point each, and Dobbins sent the ball to the back row that the Trailblazers could not save, deepening MCLA’s deficit to 10-6.
DiVirgilio stayed dominant on offense, earning three backto-back service aces to bring the Rams one point away from winning the match.
MCLA unfortunately earned a point off a service error, followed by a kill, to bring the score to 148.
Framingham bounced back, with Cedrone earning the gamewinning kill, and the Rams winning the match 3-2.
Captain Stella Bailey, a senior, tallied 40 assists and 15 digs in the hard-fought win.
She said, “MCLA’s best hitters were their outside hitters, who were absolutely targeting the one spot where Carly and I were playing. It’s important to have the mindset in practice that the other team is purposely targeting us to win the game.
DiVirgilio said, “We’re out to prove that we can compete with anyone. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re learning and growing with every match.
“Our goal is to be one of the top teams in the conference by the end of the season, and naturally to win the MASCAC,” she added.
Bailey said, “As a team, we’re insistent on winning the MASCAC trophy. We’re focusing on one league match at a time with the knowledge in mind that we will see these teams again when it matters most - in the playoffs. We want to leave the impression on teams when we get paired with them of, ‘I hope we don’t have to play Framingham.’”
Cedrone said being over halfway through the season, the team wants to prove how hard they have worked. “We deserve to not only be on the court, but to win. I can confidently say that we Rams want it more, and we are excited to show it.”
She added, “It’s an opportunity to play on a team like ours, but an even bigger one to play with the people I see when I look next to me. So far this season, our team connection and chemistry have promoted trust, confidence, and pride in our game. We all strive for the same end goal - to win.”
The Rams travel to Wheaton College for an out-of-conference matchup Oct. 18.
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
The volleyball team celebrating a point in loss against Emmanuel College Oct. 9.
Men’s soccer triumphs over Anna Maria
By Avery Slavin Staff Writer
The Framingham State Rams earned a victory against the Anna Maria Amcats in a matchup on Oct. 11, bringing their record to 5-7-1 and their conference record to 2-3.
The Rams started the game strong with freshman Colin Holt blocking a shot from Anna Maria.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Captain Kaio Santos Da Silva, a junior, earned Framingham their first point of the game.
After a few more minutes of fighting for possession of the ball, Colin Holt saved a header shot from Kyle Brocker.
Santos Da Silva sent the ball toward junior Jack Holt, who earned the second point for the Rams.
Santos Da Silva rode this wave of momentum to make yet another shot, but couldn’t manage to get around Anna Maria’s goalie, Romain Baert.
The first half ended with a wide shot from the Amcats right as the clock hit zero.
The second half began with another shot from Anna Maria, but it flew above the net.
After one more failed shot attempt from the Amcats, Hugo Drougard assisted Nils Cofalka and earned the Amcats their first point.
Cofalka tried to tie up the
match with a header shot, but it was saved by Colin Holt.
Captain Thiago Magalhaes, a sophomore, then tried to hit the back of the net for the Rams, but was unsuccessful.
Colin Holt stood strong in front of the net, blocking another shot from Anna Maria.
Santos Da Silva did not rest and unleashed another shot toward the goal, but it was saved by Baert.
The Rams didn’t let up, and freshman Shawn Amposah went for the shot next. It was successful, earning him his very first collegiate goal!
With the Rams in the lead, the Amcats retaliated and earned their second point of the game, courtesy of Clayton Foster with another assist from Drougard.
The second half ended with a final score of 3-2.
Jack Holt said, “Anna Maria was a very important game for our record and for us mentally. After a long stretch of unfavorable results, it was a vital time for us to get back in the win column and motivate us to push hard in the final games of the season.”
The Rams fought hard and were motivated throughout the game.
Santos Da Silva said, “Our team, at times, struggles in the conference, but from the beginning of the week to the start of the game against Anna Maria, our motivation was really high,
and we believed in the end goal. … Now, we have to focus on keeping that energy for the next game and the rest of the season.
“[We] just have to trust each other and know that our chances will come,” he added.
Amposah said he was thrilled to contribute to the team’s win. He said, “[I] want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for everything. I was extremely happy that I got my first goal to help the team. It was a must-win game for us, and I got to contribute to helping us win the game.”
This is Amposah’s first season with the Rams. He said, “When I first came, [the upperclassmen] were welcoming, helping us settle into the team. From personal experience, it’s been OK. They are uplifting and all-around
good teammates and people in general.”
Jack Holt said, “We have a lot of personality in the squad. The dynamic with the team is positive and is the primary factor in us achieving good chemistry with each other on the field and progressively improving and growing as a team.”
Santos Da Silva said, “The team dynamic and chemistry have been getting better and have 100 percent helped with our growth this year.”
The Rams host Westfield State during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 18.
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
Women’s soccer annihilates Anna Maria
By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams defeated the Anna Maria Amcats in a shutout, scoring 2-0 in a conference match Oct. 11.
This win brings the team’s conference record to 3-2.
Just five minutes in, Anna Maria had their first attempt on goal, shooting far to the right.
A shot at 7:17 was aimed right between the posts, but was saved by FSU goalkeeper Savannah Goba, a sophomore.
With a strong punt from Goba, the Rams were on the offensive.
Freshman Abigale King had the first shot on net, which was saved by Amcat’s goalkeeper, Brooke Austin.
Freshman Bethany Serrano had the Rams’ next shot on net, also saved by Austin.
Austin’s punt allowed the Amcats to regain the offensive ad-
vantage for the next 9:30.
During Framingham’s next drive to the net after regaining possession, sophomore Isabella Fischer sent a pass to Bethany Serrano, who rocketed the ball toward the net. Her shot flew just out of reach of Austin to net FSU’s first goal of the match.
Bethany Serrano said, “Scoring the goal definitely gave us momentum, but it was really a reflection of how well we were working together as a team.
“Everyone contributedwhether it was winning the ball back, making the right pass, or creating space. Once the goal went in, it just lifted our energy and confidence across the field. And of course, our little team dance afterward probably showed how close we all are and how much fun we have together,” she added.
Two minutes later, junior Ana Serrano shot on net once again, the ball bouncing off the top post and into the Amcat’s possession.
On FSU’s next possession, Captain Grayson Tellier, a senior, shot on goal, with Austin blocking her attempt.
Framingham maintained the offensive advantage for the next 13 minutes.
Tellier had the Rams’ next shot on goal, and Austin saved the ball once again.
At 32:27, Austin procured another save while diving to the left corner of the net to block a ball sent in by sophomore Beyonce Gray.
Within the minute, sophomore Hailey Ring sent in a shot that sailed over the top of the Amcat’s net.
Not a minute after being subbed in, sophomore Bella Grimaldi attempted a shot on
goal that was saved by Austin.
King took FSU’s last shot of the half, sending a ball to the bottom left corner and into the arms of Austin.
The Amcats had a final push toward Framingham’s goal and Goba blocked that shot, sending the ball back into play for the final three minutes before halftime.
Within the first three minutes of the second half, the Rams scored their second goal of the game on a corner kick by freshman Sophia Thimm, who crossed the ball to freshman Lily Gouveina, who broke through Austin’s defense.
An offside penalty against Anna Maria allowed a shot from Bethany Serrano that sailed over the net.
Ten uneventful minutes later, the Rams brought the pressure back to the Amcats’ net with a shot from Thimm, followed by one from Gray.
The Amcats stole back possession a minute and a half later and shot on net, allowing Goba to tally another save.
Within the next five minutes, FSU stole back possession, allowing Ana Serrano an attempt at a goal that proved unsuccessful.
During the final 15 minutes of play, Framingham held control on the offensive end.
The Rams tallied two more shots, one from King and the other from Captain Abigail Pratt, a sophomore, before the match concluded with a score of 2-0 - a hard-fought and well-deserved victory for Framingham State.
Both goals during the match came from freshmen, proving the strength of the younger members of the team.
Pratt said, “Having so many young starters, it was hard to find that chemistry at the start. Further into the season, we have found that chemistry has become so strong that it makes it harder for other teams to break us apart.”
Bethany Serrano’s performance during the match and others last week earned her the title of MASCAC’s Rookie of the Week.
Bethany Serrano said earning the recognition is “definitely an honor, but I see it as a team recognition more than an individual one.
“I wouldn’t be in this position without the constant support from my teammates and coaching staff - they push me every day to be better. The award reflects the environment we’ve built as a team. We’re all focused on continuing to improve and peaking together as we head into the playoffs,” she added.
The team lost against Lesley University 1-0 Oct. 15, bringing their overall record to 5-7-2.
The Rams travel to Westfield State University for a conference matchup Oct. 18.
Pratt said, “After Anna Maria, the team felt we played well, but we can play faster and stronger on and off the ball. Having that mindset of thinking before the play and what our next step will be can help us in the game against Westfield.”
[ Editor’s Note: Bella Grimaldi is the News Editor for The Gatepost. ]
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Thiago Magalhaes kicking the ball in win against Anna Maria Oct. 11.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Abigale King dribbling the ball in win against Fitchburg St. Sept. 20.
ARTS & FEATURES
Drag queen discusses importance of drag events
By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Arts & Features Editor
Arts & Ideas hosted “More Than Glitter and a Good Time: Drag and Community Building” Oct. 8 in the Alumni Room.
Xavier Guadalupe-Diaz, professor of criminology, introduced Marc Settembrino, also known on stage as drag queen Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews, as a community builder who works in both scholarship and drag.
At Southeastern Louisiana University, Settembrino teaches courses on social movements and focuses on issues of
small town, and it’s where she started doing drag performances as an act against political hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community, she said.
“I decided to start doing drag to push back against these fascist policies and also to begin building community where I live,” she said.
She’s the advisor of her campus’ LGBTQ+ organization, so she decided to reserve space for a sexual health drag show, to which over 300 students showed up, she said.
A few weeks after graduation they held a drag show to
not sure if she’s allowed to be teaching it, she said.
One of the main reasons for campus drag shows is that they’re fun, she said.
“That’s listed first because I think we often don’t associate fun with learning. And I think we need to acknowledge that fun is a big part of what we do as human beings,” Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said.
But they also foster inclusion and provide a space for self-expression and community building, she said.
Her campus gets visited by the Consuming Fire Fellowship
She was frequently thanked throughout the parade, she added.
“They never expected to see Pride here … It was families, it was queer teenagers, it was elders,” Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said.
They later hosted a Drag Bingo, where over 200 people showed up, she added. They have continued hosting Bingos since then.
They always feel like intimate family events where people are able to be themselves, she said.
When planning the event
“I decided to start doing drag to push back against these fascist policies and also to begin building community where I live.”
- Dr. Tuffy Love
Andrews Drag Queen and Professor of Sociology at Southeastern Louisiana University
inclusion and justice, Guadalupe-Diaz said.
He added Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews is known for her “colorful and unapologetically political performances that embrace drag as a tool for resistance, joy, and solidarity.”
Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said, typically, when people think of drag, they tend to think of female impersonation, but she sees it as a “queer art form that invites both performances and critiques of femininity and masculinity, and even brings in more expansive gender expression.”
She said since 2002 there has been a “proxy war” against trans people primarily fought in the South and Southeastern states through bills targeting drag.
Some states approached drag as adult entertainment, such as a strip club, she added.
The bills often targeted anyone dressing in a way that’s not expected for their assigned gender, meaning it would affect more than just drag queens but also trans people and others who wear that kind of clothing, she said.
The Texas A&M University system tried to ban drag shows, arguing that they’re not appropriate for college campuses, she said.
But the courts decided that infringes on students’ free speech rights, so it’s technically allowed, she added.
However, a faculty member at Texas A&M was fired for teaching about trans people in a children’s literature course, she said.
She said as a college professor “living in Louisiana, very close to Texas, it’s a bit scary for me in that sense.”
Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews is from Hammond, Louisiana, a
celebrate, she added. She performed along with other entertainers.
To get the students involved, they held a costume contest and walk-off, which 70 students took part in, she said.
To her, it was obvious why having drag shows on campus was important, she said. The students were showing up and having a good time.
But at a conservative institution, she got questions from colleagues and the provost about why the shows were necessary and if they should be done, Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said.
two or three times a semester, which stages mass demonstrations that harm the university’s LGBTQ+ community, she added.
“They’re attacking right to choose. They’re attacking queer people. They’re attacking trans people as well. This is a big point of contention on our campus,” Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said.
Some students have been physically assaulted during these visits, she said.
Louisiana state law requires their university to allow any organization to exercise their free speech rights, she said.
“Showing up as your full, most joyful, unapologetically queer self is the protest.”
- Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews Drag Queen and Professor of Sociology at Southeastern Louisiana University
She said their university assumes their students are straight and they don’t have much responsibility to help them.
She added because of this environment, it’s not uncommon for students to transfer out so they can feel safe and express themselves.
As a professor, she teaches courses on sexuality and social movements, and in the current political environment it leads to situations where she’s
“Whether or not it’s hate speech is another conversation,” she said.
Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews was invited to join the board of Queer Northshore, a regional LGBTQ+ organization in Louisiana, she said.
She was involved in planning their first Pride parade, which took place in 2024, she added.
At the parade, there were religious protestors, which Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews took several pictures with, she said.
in 2025, they decided on the theme “Protesting with Pride,” she said. There was instant backlash, both within and out of the community. They were told they were being divisive, she added.
“We weren’t being divisive. What they actually meant to say but they would never say is that we were going to make conservatives uncomfortable,” Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said. These people were uncomfortable with queer people regardless of if they’re protesting or hiding, she said.
She added Pride has always been political, and protests don’t need to be as scary as our American culture makes it feel.
“Showing up as your full, most joyful, unapologetically queer self is the protest,” Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said.
Drag can be a tool for fighting fascism, she said.
“The very nature of fascism seeks to control and presents a very narrow version of the world that everyone must comply with. Drag queens say ‘f**k you, right?’” Dr. Tuffy Love Andrews said.
Living in a red state as an LGBTQ+ person is challenging, particularly when it feels as though everyone hates you, she added.
People who aren’t drag queens can still help by showing up to LGBTQ+ events in their communities, she said. It can be difficult to organize events if people don’t show up, she added.
‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’
By Owen Glancy Arts & Features Editor
Of the European countries known for their robust film industries, most people often think of France, Italy, and Germany. However, an oft overlooked equal among them is Spain, a country whose cinema and the masters born of it
is often passed over.
While filmmakers like J.A. Bayona and Luis Buñuel have both left their marks, no other Spanish filmmaker has had more success than Pedro Almodóvar. He has one of the largest filmographies in the industry, but his 1988 film “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” stands out amongst the crowd.
The film follows a woman named Pepa who, after her boyfriend breaks up with her, resolves to end her own life with spiked gazpacho, only to be repeatedly interrupted by increasingly absurd events. Despite the dark plot synopsis, this is a film that is anything but depressing.
Almodóvar takes lots of inspiration from Buñuel in this film’s structure, specifically from his film “The Discreet
The Lexicon: Chemistry
By Alexis Schlesinger Editorial Staff
Gigi Perez played a sold-out show at the House of Blues in Boston, on Oct. 15, as the fourth stop of her second headline tour.
Perez’s tour, named the “At The Beach, In Every Life Tour,” started just a few days ago in Texas, and will hit a total of 10 cities across the United States.
The tour is named after her debut album, “At The Beach, In Every Life.” The album was released on April 25.
Perez followed the album with her tour announcement on June 2.
Perez’s opener, Hannah Jadagu, is joining her for the entirety of the tour.
Jadagu took the stage at 8 p.m. for her half-hour set. Roughly half of her set consisted of songs from her debut album “Aperture,” while the other half were tracks from her upcoming album, “Describe.”
Jadagu was a fantastic choice of opener for Perez. Jadagu has lighter, airier vocals, which felt like the perfect warm up for Perez’s deeper sound.
Jadagu played a great set, but her most memorable song was her last.
In the track “My Love,” Jadagu asks the listener to tell her “when you’re coming to stay” because she’s starting to miss “not waking up to your face.” In the chorus, she tells the listener she hopes they get all her time.
The song captures the feeling of waiting for someone you want, knowing how you feel about each other, and express-
Charm of the Bourgeoisie.”
That film follows a similar plot structure of characters determined to fulfill a task, only to be routinely interrupted by increasingly absurd events.
Considering the fact that Buñuel’s film came out in 1972, and given how similar the tones of the films are, Almodóvar absolutely was inspired.
However, unlike the film from which he was inspired, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is far more focused on the central characters.
Pepa, played by Carmen Maura, is one of cinema’s most sympathetic characters. Her feelings of downward spiral following a bad breakup are universal - I don’t know a single person who couldn’t relate to her struggles in this film. Seeing her sarcastic brand of humor slowly crack as hope re-enters her life through the absurdities of her companion’s problems is truly inspiring, it fills the audience with hope.
We also see an early Antonio Banderas performance as Pepa’s ex-boyfriend Carlos, and he does an excellent job. He perfectly encapsulates this slimy, pathetic man who, while not anywhere near the realm of “evil,” is a frighteningly realistic “terrible partner.”
However, despite the plethora of red flags, Banderas’ charismatic performance also makes you see how a woman as headstrong as Pepa could fall in love with a man like Carlos.
The performances aren’t the only defining feature of the film - the cinematography is just as important. Every scene is filled with vibrant
colors that perfectly outline the characters and make them stand out in the frame.
Even in crowded airports, maze-like offices, and cluttered apartments, the visual noise never drowns out the characters - a feat made possible thanks to the film’s brilliant blocking and framing. The main characters are always the focus of the frame, always standing out from the crowd.
These phenomenal aspects didn’t go unnoticed, as this film became Almodóvar’s first big success, especially internationally. The film earned over $7 million in U.S. ticket sales alone, and was the highest grossing film in Spain at the time of its release.
It was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, Almodóvar’s first nomination. The film is one of the very few to earn both box office success and critical praise, two things that can often be mutually exclusive.
“Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is a deceptively witty and charming film, hiding behind the guise of a heavy plot synopsis and wordy title. It earns every bit of praise it received at the time of its release, and it especially deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of film lovers who will inevitably fall in love with its characters, story, and construction.
“Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is not currently streaming anywhere for free, but can be bought or rented on services like Amazon Prime.
CONNECT WITH OWEN GLANCY oglancy@student.framingham.edu
is rare. So is the talent of Gigi Perez.
ing how badly you want to give your time to them.
I hope you’ll consider giving her your time, and your streams, once “Describe” is released on Oct. 24.
Perez came on shortly after 9 p.m. her set lasted until 10:45 p.m.
This was one of the longest sets I’ve seen from a single artist.
Perez’s set consisted mainly of tracks from “At The Beach, In Every Life,” but also included some older tracks, and a few covers.
Her cover of “Instant Crush” by Daft Punk, which came toward the end of her set, was my favorite of the four covers she included.
The namesake of the tour, and the album that preceded it, can’t be left unmentioned.
“At The Beach, In Every Life” - both song, and album - are largely a tribute to Perez’s older sister Celene, who died in 2020.
The raw vocals and lyrics of the track capture bittersweet emotions, as Perez sings, “How could you be no one when you’re everything to me?”
This tear-inducing tribute ends with the heartbreaking voice message, “I just wanna say I love you one more time. I love you, goodbye.”
Perez also surprised everyone that night by adding a song to her set that she normally wouldn’t play.
Fans had been requesting for her to play “Glue,” a track off of her 2023 EP “How To Catch A Falling Knife.”
Perez said she hadn’t played “Glue” in a long time, and be-
fore she started, she told fans she would have to see if she even remembered how to play it.
Despite forgetting a few words to the first verse, the song was beautiful and clearly moved the audience.
Perez is most well known for her queer love song, “Sailor Song.” The song covers the struggle of being in a same-sex relationship due to the harmful views of people who believe it’s “sinful.” Despite the struggles, the song describes a longing, loving, and triumphant relationship between two women.
“Sailor song” quickly captured the hearts of those who identify with the queer community, and went viral in the summer of 2024. The song now
has over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify.
The relatability of the track, combined with stunning vocals from Perez, and the incredible live instrumentation of her band, made for a beautiful closer to the concert. The crowd sang along, the loudest it had been the entire night. I just want to say, I love Gigi Perez, and her music.
Hearing Gigi Perez live is the kind of thing that would make you proud.
CONNECT WITH ALEXIS SCHLESINGER aschlesinger@student.framingham.edu
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST
‘HamilTen’
By Liv Dunleavy Asst. Arts & Features Editor
-
it was only a matter of time
How does a high-school outcast, awkward and picked last, cultivate an interest in a founding father’s collapse? Back in 2015, this would’ve done numbers on Tumblr, but after a decade, I fear I may be missing the mark on what’s cool to write as an opener to this article. With the announcement of the musical’s 10th anniversary, many Hamilfans realized just how old we are.
Looking at where we are compared to where we started, Lin Manuel-Miranda’s HipHop musical “Hamilton,” has carved itself into history, pace relentless, and wasting no time capturing the hearts of many. I remember clearly the days I would sit in class and listen to the soundtrack, hoping for a chance to see it live and somehow learning more about the American revolution through the musical than from my high school U.S. history teacher.
Every year has been a consistent yet endless cycle of “I have definitely outgrown my Hamilton phase” and “I can’t believe I haven’t listened to Hamilton in so long - this is pure art.”
“Hamilton” celebrated its 10 years of success Aug. 6 with an original cast reunion performance on Broadway and an extremely coveted fan lottery. With a prize of two seats in the crowd of the matinee perfor-
mance, a VIP experience, and a chance at limited edition merchandise all for just a $10 donation, it seemed thousands of Hamilfans were entering every day of the sweepstake’s duration. The lottery supported the charity Hispanic Federation’s “Immigrants: We Get the Job Done Coalition,” with an estimated $3 million raised.
There is a reason “Hamilton” has thrived and survived through the test of time, and will continue to change the musical scene forever. At the time it debuted, it was exactly what the world needed. It spoke to America’s political climate and though it may be 10 years later, the musical has only gotten more pertinent.
In an interview with Ashby Florence, Christopher Jackson (who portrays George Washington in the musical) responded to the question of why this show in particular has such staying power in the musical scene after all these years.
He said, “In the moment that we shared it, it was really speaking to the highest of all of our aspirations. It’s also a really interesting take on the fact that although we have changed and everything has shifted around, we are still kinda doing it the same way.”
“History repeats itself,” said Florence.
“If it doesn’t repeat, it definitely rhymes and echoes,” replied Jackson.
And today that has never been more relevant. Every step of the way, “Hamilton” reminds us of the power of resilience and strength in numbers. The show is more relevant now than ever, with today’s sociopolitical climate, the lessons learned from Hamilton and his comrade’s commitments to the revolution show us just how much passion it takes to revolt against a corrupt power.
From the very start of Act I, “Hamilton” captures the listeners attention like no other. The amalgamation of stories that meld into one man’s life in just under three hours somehow tell everything you need to know about Alexander Hamilton while also leaving you with a desire to learn more.
Each character you meet in his life, the complicated pieces of his puzzle, are somehow complete by the end if not lost or broken. And that’s the tragedy of the story in itself. Knowing how the story will end and yet you watch it every time in hopes it will somehow end in a happy satisfying way.
There is something so satisfying in the unsatisfying ending. Watching through the whole musical, feeling every feeling with each and every character and living their lives alongside them. It gives them a human side that, although they were alive once, we never got to see.
The portrayal of Hamilton
and all of the cast within is a statement in itself but also legacy. A legacy grown from seeds of thought, planted in a garden they never got to see.
There will never be another “Hamilton.” We play it loud, we say his name, in vain, in painHamilton has written himself into history.
Hopefully, we will one day raise our own glass to freedom, something they should never have taken away.
For now, as the world turns upside down, I thank Hamilton for what he has given us, and “Hamilton” for what it can continue to teach.
And you, reading this? Remember from here on in, history has its eyes on you.
CONNECT WITH LIV DUNLEAVY odunleavy@student.framingham.edu
The Nintendo Switch 2 is ‘Switchin’ things up’
By Paul Harrington Staff Writer
If you know me, then you know I LOVE Nintendo. If you also know me, then you know that I am always seen with a Nintendo Switch on me as my trusty time-killer.
To me, the concept of a hybrid console is perfect for at home when you want to spend time in bed with it hooked up to your television, and perfect for when you’re on the subway or have some downtime on your hands.
Nintendo’s successor to the Nintendo Switch had been talked about for years.
rio Kart World.”
The bundle (which is the version I treated myself to) is about $500 including tax.
The Switch 2 feels like and is a sizable upgrade to its older brother model.
upon.
Now that the Switch 2 uses magnetic Joy-Cons, they are less likely to fall out over the course of long gaming sessions.
The Switch 2 has also been given another USB-C charging
Countless YouTube videos rumored a “Switch Pro” would hit the shelves in times before the holiday seasons - the usual video game rumor rhetoric.
During the April 2 “Nintendo Direct,” the curtain was unveiled and a successor had been named.
The Nintendo Switch 2 was given a June 5 launch date, which was followed by a twomonth period of chaos with trying to secure orders.
On June 5, the console hit the shelves, and my hunt to find the console began.
Although I did not find the console in any stores during my ventures in Massachusetts, I was fine with waiting.
But after a summer of not being able to find it in stores, I waited until fall so it could “fall” into my hands.
The launch included two versions of the console: One with no copy of “Mario Kart World,” and a bundle version with “Ma-
It measures in at about 4.5 inches tall and 10.7 inches wide. My OLED switch measures about 4 inches high, and 9.5 inches long.
Surely this is just a few inches bigger, but I suppose size does really matter when you’re gaming.
One thing that the Switch 2 does better than previous generations is the inclusion of magnetic Joy-Con controllers.
In the past, you would slide on the Joy-Cons to their respective sides and use them with the console.
But the problem is that they would begin to deteriorate over time, and be infected with what we gamers call “Joy-Con drift.”
This is when the analog sticks start to move on their own.
It became clear to myself and others that the design of JoyCons could easily be improved
port that is right where you put your cartridges in.
In the past, the cord sometimes lies at an uncomfortable angle when using the switch in handheld mode.
Now that there are two locations, gamers have the comfort of using either one when charging their companion.
With over 256 gigabytes of storage and video output that make games old or new pop out, this console does an exceptional job of standing on its own.
For pre-existing users, I can happily assure you that the data transfer process is as smooth as a stick of butter.
The cloud has been nesting all of your data, so you really just need to make sure you have your old console next to you the whole time.
I timed my transfer, and my Switch 2 was up and running in exactly 15 minutes. Now that is
what I call a worthwhile wait! All the spec talk aside, this console is a blast and I am more than happy that I made the upgrade. I understand that the pricepoints are more than surely to turn people away. There’s no shame in waiting for a discount or a sale.
I also understand for newcomers, that only having two launch titles to start with is underwhelming, one of the main factors in my A rating. But if it’s something that makes you happy and you can afford it, then you should get a Switch too!
Rating: A+ The show may be Temporary, but the love lasts forever
CONNECT WITH PAUL HARRINGTON pharrington@student.framingham.edu
Ronnie Chin-Liu / THE GATEPOST
Liv Dunleavy / THE GATEPOST
“Paint”
Art Club and WDJM hosted a CDs and record painting event Oct. 16. Students came to create paintings on used CDs and records.
Photos by Staff Photographer Christy Howland Associate Editor Adrien Gobin Spread by Associate Editor Adrien Gobin
30. Walks off the stage
32. Tennis tourney held in Queens
33. Slimeball
35 Guitar legend Clapton
37. “Challenge accepted!”
38. Not strict
39. “Dance the Night” singer ... or, parsed differently, a hint to the pair of drinks in row 3, 5, 11 or 13 of this grid
41. The “O” of IOU
42. How oysters are served
44. Used a loom
45. Hits up on Insta, maybe
46. Rough
48. Prolonged attack
50. Chopper’s landing area
52. Graphics that can easily be added to presentations
56. Little bugs
58. Flood barrier
59. “Keep playing without me”
62. Make a quarter turn?
65. Actress Sevigny
66. Noble below a marquess
67. Walk ona trail
68. Ovens that aren’t for food
69. Deli breads
70. Make changes to
DOWN
1. Actress Viola
2. How checks must be signed
3. Popular pop originally named “Brad’s Drink”
4. Exchanged
5. Letters on a phone’s
2. button
6. Band ___
“___ be great”
Button for bypassing online commercials
“The Girl From ___” (Brazilian song)
7. Ship post 8. It comes in rolls 9. 1940 Disney movie with
classical music
10. Words of denial
11. Chop (off)
12. Exec’s degree, often 13. Harden 18. Sweet-talk
22. ___ Nahasapeemapetilon (“The Simpsons” character)
24. God, in French
25. Word before “poll” or “hat” 27. ___ salts
28. Needy cats’ noises
29. Boleyn who was queen of England
31. Grain towers
33. Boat on a lake
34. Type of symmetry
36. Palindromic Honda model
38. ___ Ness monster
39. Abhors
40. Orange’s cover
43. Deep red
45. “Enjoy the Silence” band ___ Mode
47. Consume
49. ___ monster
51. Put off
53. Hide from, perhaps
54. Japanese healing technique
55. Principle
57. Do really well, slangily
59. “Gross!”
60. Flyers, on scoreboards
61. Word before “encompassing” or “knowing”
63. Red state?
64. “Thx” counterpart
Puzzle solutions are now exclusively online.
Suit Jackets and scenes from a hat
On Oct. 15, the Suit Jacket Posse hosted an improv show in the McCarthy Center Forum
PhotosbyAssociateEditorAdrienGobin
Spread by Photos & Design Editor Alexis Schlesinger