October 23, 2026

Volume 95 • Issue 6

October 23, 2026

FSUgatepost.com

Nine questions hit the ballot this fall

By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Associate Editor

the Massachusetts Public Records Law should be extended to most of the records of the Legislature and the Office of the There are nine questions on Governor. the ballot in Massachusetts this The Public Records Law alyear. This ties the record for the ready covers other government most ballot questions in one entities, including municipal election, which also occurred in offices, public school districts, 1972, 1976, and 1994. and state agencies. Question One asks whether Various groups, including the

press, rely on the law to get access to public records. However, the Massachusetts state government is known for not being very transparent. The Society of Professional Journalists named Massachusetts the recipient of their “annual dishonor” Black Hole Award this year. It recognizes government entities that have a

Pumpkins and painting!

lack of transparency. Massachusetts is the only state that exempts the state legislature, the state judiciary, and the governor’s office from public records laws, and it is one of eight that exempt the legislature, according to Ballotpedia. See ELECTION Page 4

Annual Week of Poetry celebrates creativity across campus By Sarah Daponde Arts & Features Editor

Christy Howland / THE GATEPOST (Left) Siena Sandini and Dez Ellis at FSAB’s pumpkin painting event on Oct. 22.

Framingham State celebrated the annual Week of Poetry with celebrations across campus Oct. 19-23, including a poetry reading by poet Edgar Kunz, a faculty poetry reading, and an open mic hosted by the Onyx Literary Magazine. The English department hosted Kunz in the Heineman Ecumenical Center on Oct. 20. He was introduced by Jennifer De Leon, English professor and longtime friend of his. See BOOKS Page 13

Falling into Framingham FSU offers new financial literacy initiative By Sarah Parron Staff Writer

The Dean of Students Office is promoting financial literacy among students, faculty, and staff through the Kindros Foundation. Coordinator of Student Support Resources Nathalia Faria said the initiative is a product of a collaboration between the University’s Financial Literacy Committee and herself this summer. Faria said the mission of the program is to “empower stuAlexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST dents to make informed deci- The statue of Sam the Ram stands proudly as the colors of fall fill Crocker Grove. sions, develop healthy financial See LITERACY Page 5

Men’s soccer takes early control in win over Lesley

By Andrew Louis Staff Writer

two-game win streak, placing them second in the MASCAC. This grew their overall record The Framingham State Rams to 5-7-1, and their conference took control early and finished record to 3-1-1. the job late, with a 3-1 non-conference win over Lesley Oct. 21. The Rams currently hold a See MEN’S SOCCER Page 11

INSIDE: OPINION 6 • SPORTS 10 • ART & FEATURES 12

News GPI pg. 2 SGA pg. 3

Sports WOMEN’S SOCCER pg. 10 VOLLEYBALL pg. 11

Opinion POP INTO CULTURE pg. 8 THE VERDICT pg. 8

Arts & Features POPSTAR pg. 12 DIVA TALK pg. 12

NEWS

2 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

Gatepost Interview JoAnne Amann

OUR STAFF Editor-in-Chief Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editors Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez

Antonio Machado By Sarah Parron Staff Writer

News Editor Avery Slavin Opinion Editor Alexis Schlesinger Sports Editor Taylor Kimmell Arts & Features Editor Sarah Daponde Photos & Design Editor Onyx Lovely Asst. Photos & Design Editor Christy Howland Illustrations Editor Tobias Cotton-Selman Copy Editor Cole Johnson Staff Illustrators Grace Doyle Abi Little Marcus Falcão Meghan Petrone Susay Toe Staff Writers Desiree Ambila Jesse Burchill Julien Fernandez Dan Lima Kate Norrish Nathan Piette Izabela Gage Heather Luster Andrea Zereski Louie Ranieri Audrey Rice Cooper Davis Sydney Youde Gracie Wyatt Sarah Parron Andrew Louis Ollie Mainguy Staff Photographers Julien Fernandez Rose Hamilton Meg Dame Advisors Desmond McCarthy Sabrina Grammatic Asst. Advisor Elizabeth Banks

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TH E G A T E

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Asst. Advisor of Digital Engagement Ben Watanabe

T TH EGATEPOS

100 State Street McCarthy Center Room 410 Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 626-4605 Fax: (508) 626-4097 gatepost@framingham.edu

Career Counselor

What is your academic and professional background? I have a bachelor’s degree in social welfare from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and I entered the field of social work. Initially, I worked as an alcoholism counselor at a very comprehensive alcoholism center in Long Island. Then I came up to visit friends in Massachusetts and just walked into a potential employer’s opportunity just to introduce myself. And suddenly, I was being interviewed, which I didn’t plan. So I had to make that decision. Should I move to Massachusetts? Which I did. And I worked in that field for a while, and then I also worked as a social worker for what was then the Department of Social Services, working with families and children dealing with child neglect and abuse. I stayed there for about six years, and then started to explore what I could do with my previous skills in counseling and guiding people in a different type of setting. And I conducted many, many, many informational interviews with people in all sorts of areas. And I ended up going back to school. I went to Worcester State to start with a certificate program in human resource development and training and development. I became very involved with a professional association, American Society of Training and Development, and started to make a lot of contacts. Eventually, I completed my master’s with Worcester State, and I ended up completing a master’s in education with a concentration in adult learning. So it was really interesting to me because when I went back to school, I wanted to find out what motivated people to enter certain careers, or change their career. I had this natural curiosity, and I ended up working for a company in the outplacement field. We helped companies when they had to lay off large groups of employees, and we would greet them. Many times, they were shocked if they weren’t anticipating that. And then we offered them support with a resume, job searching, interview preparation, all of that. So I spent quite a few years doing that. And then - because I love to network and keep in touch with people - a friend of mine, who I worked with in the outplacement business, had entered higher ed. So she worked at BU for a while, and then she worked at Simmons University. And I had a conversation with her, and she said, “You know, JoAnne, what we did in the out@T placement world is very similar to H ATEPOST what I’mEGdoing now in higher ed, in career services,” So I said, “Oh, I’m definitely interested,” and at some point, she did get in touch with me, and she said, “JoAnne, would you be interested in a tem-

porary contract to join our team at Simmons?” And I said, “Yes, that would be great.” So that’s how I started. And then I worked there for about five years, and I also worked at Worcester State, going back to where I went for my graduate degree, and I worked part time for them in the career services office. At the same time, at that point, I applied here, and I joined in the fall of 2014.

What are some of your responsibilities that you have in your role? As a career counselor, a big part of what I will do is meet individually, one-on-one with students, and they are able to sign up on Starfish, and they can initiate what we’re going to be talking about. When they sign up on Starfish, they can select resume, which I will say is probably one of the most popular requests for appointments, and we help in so many other ways. If someone doesn’t know what their major is, we can help them explore. We have amazing resources such as what to do with a major, and we can guide the student through what you could do with a major that’s not very specific - like, an education major knows exactly what steps they’ll be taking, but what if you’re a history major, or psychology major, or a criminology major? There’s so many ways and directions to go. So we definitely help with that. And if people want to learn a little bit more about themselves, their interests, we have a strong interest inventory test assessment. We can help students learn a little bit more about their interests and the kind of work environments that might match their personality. And it’s very helpful for anyone, but especially someone who has not determined their major. So that’s a big part of what I do. We also, as career counselors, are invited into classroom presentations. What are some hobbies and activities that you like to do? So one of the things that I started a few years ago, because I always wanted to, was learn to play the piano. I started to actually take lessons virtually, and a lot of people think that can’t be done, but I have a good friend who is trained in teaching, but also she is an amazing piano player. So during COVID times, when she wasn’t able to go into the classroom, she opened up this opportunity to teach virtually. So I started, and I had to basically tell her, I just know the basics. So I’ve continued to do that, and I occasionally will have virtual recitals for just my friends. I’ve made progress. I really enjoy it. I have a few favorite [songs] that I continue to go back to. What do you love about FSU beyond your job?

Courtesy of JoAnne Amann

I just like the fact that it’s a smaller campus, and I feel like I can really get to know other staff members in other departments and work in conjunction with them. I think the students benefit from that. I would hope that maybe that’s one of the reasons why students have selected Framingham State, because it is a smaller campus setting where you really can get to know your professors and the staff members and get involved. Anything else you’d like to tell us? We do every Wednesday, midday - we have what we call coffee chats, and that’s when employers have requested to come on campus to meet with our students. So I would hope that students practice talking with employers at something mild like that, versus that big, huge career fair, you know? ’Cause the more comfortable students are, just having a nice friendly conversation with employers, the more prepared they’ll be when it counts when they’re interviewing for an internship or looking for that entry-level job. So watch for us on campus. I think we’re easy to find in the McCarthy Center, on the 5th floor, room 510. But you will see us out there and about on campus.

CONNECT WITH SARAH PARRON

sparron@student.framingham.edu

Police Logs Monday, Oct. 19 16:16 Fire Alarm Miles Bibb Hall

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Wednesday, Oct. 21 2:07 Threats Union Lot

Wednesday, Oct. 21 11:57 Welfare Check West Hall

NEWS

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 3

SGA sets dates for upcoming activities By Audrey Rice Staff Writer

By Sydney Youde Staff Writer Two clubs came to SGA to discuss budget requests over $1,000 on Oct. 20. Corban Allen, the treasurer of Onyx Literary Magazine, presented a budget request first. Onyx is a yearly publication of student works, such as creative writing, fashion, and photography. Allen requested a budget of $4,357.50 to pay for a merchandise giveaway event taking place on Nov. 18, according to SGA Treasurer Jobe Murphy. For a club to be given money outside their set budget for merchandise items, there must be an opportunity for all FSU students to obtain one, according to Vice President Nathan Piette. The request was first motioned by senator Kate Eller and seconded by senator Louie Ranieri. However, senator Khoa Bùi brought it up for debate by questioning if this would be considered a promotional item. If an item is considered promotional, then clubs cannot spend more than $1,000 on it. Bùi referenced Article 4 Section 6 Subsection A.G of the SGA bylaws. A debate ensued about what a “promotional item” is and whether the Onyx’s merch giveaway fell under this term. Due to this, Piette moved to table this event until the next SGA meeting taking place on Nov. 3. Next, Gaming Club, in collaboration with the Pokemon Club and D&D Club, presented a budget request of around $3,000 for Rhode Island Comic Con tickets. The original request was for $2,950, but due to changing price estimates, the budget request was increased to $3,000. They need $2,080 for about 40 tickets. The rest of the requested money will go toward transportation to and from the convention.

(Left) Jayden Jefferson and Vilmarie Santana at SGA’s meeting on Oct. 20.

However, since they had leftover money in their budget, they were told to submit budget request forms for the Spring 2027 events. Their officers must decide how they are going to use the rest of their money before receiving the unallocated FSAT funds. Two new club constitutions were reviewed, leading to the official instatement of the Nourish and Flourish club, and the STEM club. Publicist Cia Rosado announced the formation of her new Publicity Ad Hoc Committee. Here, SGA members will

participate in the filming of TikToks and Instagram posts for SGA social media accounts. This motion was passed unanimously. Following this, senator Jonathan Sundberg motioned to appoint Rosado as the chair, and senator Jayden Jefferson seconded it. Rosado abstained from the vote. As is tradition, Rosado also announced the Senator of the Week. This week, freshman Jamila Daikha was recognized for her involvement in the Security Ad Hoc Committee. She has also “been very active in all the

Cooper Davis / THE GATEPOST

committees,” according to Piette. She received her picture and “U-Rock” rock. However, she will receive her certificate at a later date. [ Editor’s Note: Nathan Piette and Louie Ranieri are staff writers for The Gatepost. ] CONNECT WITH AUDREY RICE

arice1@student.framingham.edu

CONNECT WITH SYDNEY YOUDE

syoude@student.framingham.edu

Weather Saturday, Oct. 24 Sunny with a high near 60.

Monday, Oct. 26 Sunny with a high near 70.

Wednesday, Oct. 28 Mostly sunny with a high near 55.

Sunday, Oct. 25 Sunny with a high near 65.

Tuesday, Oct. 27 Sunny with a high near 60.

Thursday, Oct. 29 Mostly sunny with a high near 60.

Correction Due to incorrect information provided to The Gatepost, two individuals were incorrectly identified in The Gatepost. Their names are Jenna James and Kate McGovern.

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

NEWS

4 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

Election Continued from Page 1

Even if this law passes there would still be exemptions, such as policy developments and constituent communications. In favor of Question One is auditor Diana DiZoglio and the group Act on Mass. In the voter guide, DiZoglio states everyone has a right to see what the government is doing with taxpayer money, especially at Beacon Hill. There is no official opposition group. The voter guide’s opposition statement, from the Secretary of the Commonwealth as per law, is that the proposed law is overly broad and doesn’t exempt constituent communications enough. A Yes vote would be for making most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. A No vote would be for making no change to the current law. Question Two asks whether workers with the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) are able to collectively bargain. CPCS is the state agency that offers legal representation to criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. Right now, they cannot form a union or otherwise collectively bargain. If this question passes, CPCS would have to request funding to support it. The fiscal impact is considered difficult to project, according to the official voter guide. In favor of Question Two is the “Labor Unions for Public Counsel Workers Rights,” and the argument in the voter guide was authored by Tom McKeever. They said this question would give the right to unionize to CPCS employees, but it would still be up to them to decide. There is no official opposition group. The voter guide’s opposition statement, made by the Secretary of the Commonwealth as per law, is that allowing CPCS employees to collective bargain creates financial and operational risks to the judiciary. A Yes vote would be for allowing CPCS employees to form a union to collectively bargain. A No vote would be for making no change to the law regarding labor relations for CPCS employees. Sophomore English major Desire Fausta said it’s strange for these lawyers to not have this workers’ right. “I feel like they should be able to [unionize],” Fausta said. Question Three asks to remove political party primaries altogether and establish an all-party primary system instead. Massachusetts has political primaries that separate Democrats and Republicans. Voters request the ballot for one party. If Question Three passes, that is replaced by a different system. Every voter sees every candidate on the ballot. The top two candidates advance to the general election. Alaska, California and Washington are the only states that hold all-candidate primaries. The latter two use top-two candidates systems, while Alaska uses a top-four system. In favor of Question Three is

the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, and the argument on the voter guide was authored by Danielle Allen. They stated this will bring more competition to Massachusetts elections, and with it more accountability. They stated two-thirds of the legislature are running unopposed this season, and that takes away accountability. The opposition argument in the voter guide was authored by Vanessa A. Snow of Voter Rights MA, a coalition of various organizations against an “All-Party” ballot. Their official argument stated that in California and Washington, these systems ended up favoring wealthy candidates and sidelined historically underrepresented groups. They also argue that limiting the general election in November to only two candidates actually reduces competition. A Yes vote would be for eliminating political party primaries and establishing an all-party primary system in its place. A No vote would be for making no change to the laws governing primary elections. Question Four asks whether citizens should be able to register to vote or update their voter registration on Election Day. For the Fall 2026 election season, citizens must make sure they are eligible to vote by Oct. 24. The deadline is always the tenth day before the election, unless this question passes. If so, elections after Jan. 1, 2028 would allow registration on Election Day. To do so, one would show up at the polls with proof of residence, fill out an application, swear an oath, and vote. If someone shows up without the documentation, they can vote provisionally, and the vote would only count if they return with the documentation. In favor of Question Four is Norma B. Shulman of the group YES on Election Day Registration. Their argument in the voter guide is this is something the rest of New England already does, and it enhances election security. In opposition to Question Four is Amy Carnevale of the Massachusetts Republican Party. Their argument in the voter guide is that without the advance period between the registration date and Election Day, errors and mistakes are more likely to go unnoticed. A Yes vote would be for allowing eligible citizens to register to vote or update their address on Election Day. A No vote would be for making no change to the laws regarding voter registration. Senior English major Dylan Sibley said it makes sense for people to be able to register to vote on Election Day because a lot of people forget until it’s too late to register. “As long as you have ID and you’re a citizen, I think you should be able to register on the spot,” Sibley said. Question Five asks whether the state revenue collection law should be altered so that the state’s tax cap would be based on the prior year’s revenue collection, adjusted for growth in wages and salaries. Also, surtax revenue from high income earners would be

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

included in the allowable tax haul. This money is often referred to as the Millionaires’ Tax. Essentially, it asks to change the formula the state uses to determine if a refund to residents is in order, and include the money from the Millionaires’ Tax in that. Right now, the tax cap gets raised each year based on the growth of wages and salaries. It is compounding, while Question Five changes it to the actual collections of the prior year. The money from the Millionaires’ Tax isn’t part of this right now, but it would be included as part of the changes Question Five makes. The statement of fiscal consequences on the official voter guide stated that this would make less money available for the state budget and reduce the amount available for the “rainy day” fund. In favor of Question Five is the group Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts. Their argument is that this will ensure more refunds and that it won’t cut state spending for public services. On their website, they state that Massachusetts taxpayers would have received refunds 24 times in the last 40 years if this model was already in play, instead of only two times. In opposition to Question Five is Colette Berard of Protect Massachusetts’ Future. Their argument is that this would cause budget cuts to education, healthcare, affordable housing, and public safety. They state that “millionaires would get frequent tax rebates, while the rest of us pay the price.” Framingham State University is one of the state universities that receives money from the Millionaires’ Tax. A Yes vote would be for changing the limit on state revenue collection, as well as what is included in it. A No vote would be for making no change to the laws regarding state revenue collection. Question Six asks to create a Nature For All Fund that would use 50% - and after July 1, 2028, all - of sales tax from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and the use of golf courses, for natural resource conservation. It does not create a new tax to pay, but rather uses money from existing sales taxes. It would also create a 15-member Nature For All board that would decide how the money is used. The board would be made up of five state officials and 10 members of the public appointed by the Governor. The official voter guide stated this proposed law would have a significant impact on budgets. While a full analysis isn’t possible yet, it’s expected to “divert tens of millions of dollars of tax receipts currently supporting the state operating budget to the new fund.” In favor of Question 6 is the group Mass Audubon, a nature conservation organization. Their argument is that the proposed law would dedicate up to $100 million a year to protecting clean water, reducing pollution, and conservation of wildlife and farms, without raising

taxes. There is no official opposition group. The voter guide’s opposition statement, made by the Secretary of the Commonwealth as per law, is that this would require reallocation or reduction of funds currently meant for other initiatives. Also, there is no guarantee the Legislature would allocate funds to Nature For All, even if it is approved by voters, according to the opposition statement. A Yes vote would be for creating a Nature For All fund. A No vote would be for making no change. Sophomore psychology major Logan Cantin said he supports this, but wants to know what areas would lose money from this. He said he’s afraid that it “would take away from other things, because I don’t want other things to be defunded because of this.” Question Seven asks whether the lot requirements for single-family homes should be set to 5,000 square feet across the state, except for Boston, which does not fall under Chapter 40A. Regulations such as height, parking, whether it can be rented out, and more would still fall under local authority. Throughout most of the state, single family home requirements, decided by local governments, are at 40,000 square feet, or an acre. In favor of Question Seven is the group Legalize Starter Homes. Their official argument is that Massachusetts is the hardest state for young people to buy a home, and that they’re leaving the state to find places they can afford. Their website states that they were endorsed by the New York Times Editorial Board. In opposition of Question Seven is the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Their official argument is that local officials understand their communities best and this law overrides their decisions. They state communities should expand housing through local measures, instead of a blanket solution such as this law. A Yes vote would be for allowing single-family homes to be built on lots of 5,000 square feet. A No vote would make no change. Question Eight asks whether to prohibit recreational marijuana sales and change the penalties for it. The official summary, written by the State Attorney General, is that the proposed law would still allow people 21 and older to possess one ounce or less and to transfer to another person 21 or older one ounce or less. Anyone under 21 with two ounces or less would be “subject to a $100 fine, forfeiture of the marijuana, completion of a drug awareness program and community service, and notification to their parents or legal guardians of the offense and the penalties,” according to the summary. The Cannabis Control Commission would stay but its authority would shift to only medical marijuana. See ELECTION Page 5

NEWS

Election Continued from Page 4

In favor of Question Eight is the Coalition For a Healthy Massachusetts. Their argument is that there has been a rise in driving while high since commercial legalization. It also states that for every dollar that is gained in tax revenue from marijuana, “taxpayers spend $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization from societal expenses, including increased healthcare, lost productivity, and crime (like DUI’s).” In opposition to Question Eight is the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition. Their argument is that the proposed law would shut down hundreds of small businesses and end billions of dollars in tax revenue.

They also argue that arrests related to marijuana have historically “disproportionally impacted communities of color.” A Yes vote would be for prohibiting the legalization, regulation, and taxation of recreational marijuana sales and changing the penalties. A No vote would make no change. Question Nine is a referendum on an existing law. This means that a Yes vote would keep the law in place and a No vote would remove it. This is different from how the other questions are formatted. It asks voters if they approve of a 2024 law regarding firearm regulations. The law, “An Act Modernizing

Firearm Laws,” is what makes Massachusetts one of the states with the strictest gun laws in the country. It changed definitions of various firearm terminology, imposed penalties for creating, possessing, and transferring untraceable firearms known as “ghost guns,” and otherwise updated firearm laws in the state. In favor of Question Nine is the group Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts. Their argument is that the 2024 law has saved lives and that the state has a gun death rate 70% below the national average. In opposition to Question Nine is the Civil Rights Coalition. Their argument is that Massachusetts already had very

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 5

strict firearm laws before the 2024 law. They also stated that the 2024 law limits citizens’ rights. A Yes vote would be for keeping the 2024 law in place, and thus make no change. A No vote would be for repealing the 2024 law. Sophomore pre-engineering major Aesyn Lane said people do need the right to own guns at home, but if they take them to other places, they need to be checked on to see if they can be trusted with one. CONNECT WITH FRANCISCO OMAR FERNANDEZ RODRIGUEZ ffernandezrodriguez@student.framingham.edu

STC Instagram post generates controversy By Kristel Erguiza Staff Writer

A recent Instagram post on the Framingham State Student Transportation Center (STC) Instagram generated significant student attention and response about the use of AI at Framingham State for outward facing documents. The Framingham STC Instagram posted an AI generated 2026-2027 schedule of the shuttle service. Despite the comments being disabled, the post generated considerable student discourse. The Instagram post was posted on August 31, 2026. Dan Magazu, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, had not heard of the AI post until it had been brought to his attention by The Gatepost. Magazu’s office manages the main Framingham State University accounts that are overseen by his social media team. Magazu said his team is “working on” refining our social media policies right now and that it’s discouraging but not prohibiting using AI to create a post for their social media.

Literacy

Continued from Page 1

habits and create a strong foundation for the future.” Through a SharePoint site, students can access information about financial education that helps grow confidence and expand financial knowledge. “It’s a great platform. You’ll learn a lot and engage with financial literacy,” said Faria.

“We have some social media policies that need a refresh. I do want to get into our best practices about not using artificial intelligence, graphics, things like that … and so we need to do a better job, in my office, to educate those users on those policies, and also maybe updating some policies to address AI.” Magazu added he had talked to their Marketing Manager, Marissa Hanson, who oversees social media, about “less of a policy and more like guidelines that we want to add in some more clear guidance around AI use and what’s recommended, and what’s not recommended.” Magazu said, “There is no committee that oversees social media in Magazu’s department. Their Marketing manager gathers other social media managers on campus, especially some of the main accounts like Athletics, alumni, just to hold best practice meetings and talk about trends.” Whoever is running the account can post an Instagram post without a review from his office, and “people are responsible for their own content when they sign up for a social media page. They agree to follow the

policies of the University,” according to Magazu. Magazu added, “it’s more of a recommendation not to use AI first, and to explore other options.” Kim Galvani, director of Transportation, oversees the Instagram account, the vehicles, the gas, extra shuttle requests, and a myriad of other things. When asked about the AI post, Galvani said she had created it, and she had quickly thrown it together before the semester started. “As soon as the students came back, they called me out on it,” she said. She added, “We normally don’t do that. Normally, we have our own schedule created, and the students that work for me create these schedules as well as part of some of their jobs,” Galvani apologized and said the AI post was “a fluke” and she took full responsibility. She was asked to do it very quickly, and she said if she had known Canva better, she would have utilized it instead. Galvani said the students who work at the STC desk run the social media page, and the

student who had control of the social media page took it down as soon as there was backlash. “All our posts we do in Canva, and we don’t use AI for anything. We have most of the stuff I want to have digitally instead of printing them,” Galvani said. Senior Autumn Bailey said that she doesn’t understand why the STC account used AI for the post when it already existed before and they could just update the dates or times. “I think in comparison to the other departments, like EXP, they always have super creative videos,” she said. Senior Peyton Farris, who works at the STC desk in McCarthy Center, said that she did not mind the post, but “at the same time, I feel like it does take artistic integrity away, in some aspects.” There is no updated Instagram post on the Framingham STC page regarding the schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.

They can track their progress, view earned credentials, and download or share completed certificates on LinkedIn.” Faria said the use of the platform by students has been low so far. “Unfortunately, we haven’t had a lot of students use it, but a lot of our faculty, our staff, a few students, they’ve actually found it very easy to get to,” she

gram, the Dean of Students Office created postcards with sayings intended to grab people’s attention. Faria said one of the postcards states, “Your situationship is complicated. Your finances don’t have to be.” Another postcard says, “You can’t fix your ex. You can fix your budget.” Faria added the Dean of Students Office is hoping to expand

she said. Faria encouraged students who are interested in serving as a Money Mentor to contact her. “We’ll be having trainings for you, and then hopefully letting you out in the wild in the spring to work with students,” she said. Corban Allen, a sophomore, said, “I definitely think that financial literacy is important.” Ayoub Essaoui, a senior, said, “People need to know how to use money and not spend it carelessly. Especially in this economy and this time.” Magnus Handren, a sophomore, said, “I think I have a decent amount of financial literacy knowledge, but I really think I should learn some more.”

“We’ll be having trainings for you, and then hopefully letting you out in the wild in the spring to work with students.” - Nathalia Faria

CONNECT WITH KRISTEL ERGUIZA

kerguiza@student.framingham.edu

Coordinator of Student Support Resources

According to the Kindros Foundation, “Students can earn a financial literacy certificate by completing all three modules within a learning track and passing the required assessments.

said. She added she’s heard feedback that the “content was personable” and the platform was easy to understand. As a way to promote the pro-

programming around financial literacy by training students as Money Mentors in the spring. “It might be easier to hear from a student than to hear from an adult about finances,”

CONNECT WITH SARAH PARRON

sparron@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

6 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

OPINION THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

FOIA and find out with Question One

T

he spirit of the American Revolution started in Boston, and the idea that people have the right to question those in power was an Enlightenment-era ideal of figures such as John Hancock and Samual Adams. Two-hundred-and-fifty years after these men championed independence, Massachusetts now finds itself as a state where those who hold power are above the law. This must change. The way forward lies with the people. This election season, Massachusetts voters have the capability to improve our current Public Records Law. We, The Gatepost Editorial Board, endorse a yes vote on Question One, which will ensure that the commonwealth is making positive efforts toward becoming more transparent and accessible. Massachusetts is the recipient of the not-so-distinguished 2026 Black Hole Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, which names government entities that demonstrate a lack of transparency and disregard for the public’s right to know. Question One asks voters if they approve a law that would make most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. This initiative exempts certain documents relating to public policy and communications between legislators and constituents if they are related to a request for assistance. Several positive advancements would come from approval of this law - records that have not previously been available to journalists will now become accessible if requested through the proper channels. It would also promote governmental transparency in an age when misinformation is becoming synonymous with American politics. It would also be a message to the people of Massachusetts, and the rest of the country, that no one is above the law.

This is especially important as the laws of the United States continue to be tested. It’s time for Massachusetts to be an example of a transparent government. Passing Question One is important for both sides of the political spectrum. Regardless of where you fall politically, more governmental transparency is always positive. The approval of this law will ensure the people of Massachusetts are well informed about their government. Adopting Question One will also be positive for journalists. As the watchdogs of government, it is the responsibility of journalists to seek truth and ensure all avenues of investigation are explored. How can they do this if information regarding public officials isn’t reasonably accessible? Journalists will tell you the best example of bureaucracy at work is requesting public information. Clerks quickly become friends of reporters after countless visits and numerous requests for city or town documents. While it is reasonable for journalists to accept that public records requests take time to process, the added uphill battle and cost to obtain information about the operations of government is unnecessary. Public records laws exist so we can hold the government accountable, not to create unnecessary obstacles for those seeking answers. Under the current system, the Massachusetts Legislature and the Office of the Governor are exempt from the state’s Public Records Law. Approval of Question One would change that by making most records held by those offices subject to the law, allowing journalists and residents to request information that could shed light on government spending and administrative decisions. The issue is not simply that obtaining records is a time-consuming process. Rather, it is that two of the most powerful parts of the Massachusetts government are allowed to operate outside the current Public Records Law. Residents should not have to rely exclusively on the willingness of elected officials to share information about their own work. A government that serves the public should also be accountable to the public. Question One is a safeguard, allowing the public to pull back the curtain on Beacon Hill and see just where their taxpayer dollars are going. The benefits of Question One extend far beyond the newsroom. Residents also deserve to know exactly how their government is operating. Transparency allows the public to examine those decisions rather than simply accept them. A yes vote on Question One is a yes vote for transparency.

Unsigned Editorials reflect the opinion of The Gatepost Editorial Board, signed Op/Eds reflect the opinion of the writer.

The Gatepost welcomes signed letters to the editor sent to gatepost@framingham.edu. All letters are subject to review. @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

OPINION

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 7

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A special thanks to our alums Last week, two of our esteemed alumni returned to McCarthy 410 to lend a hand to our current staff. Sophia Harris and Ryan O’Connell, both class of ’25, spent last Thursday copyediting, connecting with new staff members, and enjoying a slice of late-night pizza, proving that once you’re a member of The Gatepost, you’re always a member. Sophia, former editor-inchief of The Gatepost, serves as the editorial director for Essex Media Group (EMG) based in Lynn. She oversees the production of The Daily Item and EMG’s other publications. Despite her very busy schedule, she spent time on campus offering invaluable advice and support to our staff and journalism students. I continue to be grateful to be mentored by her and am fortunate that The Gatepost’s staff had the chance to hear from someone in the field. Ryan, who now works for the city of Framingham as a system project manager, is never too far from campus, but it’s always

a privilege to connect with him. As a master feature writer during his time as associate editor, Ryan spent a Thursday at home with our Arts & Features staff. His humor is sorely missed at The Gatepost. I’m thankful he was able to visit and offer his insight as we produced last week’s paper. The Gatepost has a rich network of alumni who show time and time again that they continue to support us long after they graduate. Our staff truly benefits from their wealth of knowledge. It really shows the best of Framingham State: students working collaboratively to produce an outstanding product with the support of the many individuals who share the same passion for and commitment to our community. With gratitude, Dylan Pichnarcik Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of Desmond McCarthy

JASON DEFRONZO

How a fraternity changed my life The word “fraternity” can spark a negative reaction in many people, yet there are some unknown groups that truly mean well and have changed people’s lives, including mine. For the past seven years, I’ve been working with a fraternity that works to help young men become leaders and successful adults: DeMolay. I joined as soon as I could, shortly after I turned 12, as that’s the minimum age to join. At first I was confused, quiet, and unsure what the point really was. In August of this year, I stepped down from my position as the third-highest officer in the state. I needed a break, and I wanted to focus on my college experience. I wanted to do more, but I didn’t know what more I could do. DeMolay is an entirely member-run organization. The people in the fraternity call the shots. While the members are the ones in charge, they have access to a group of advisors who are in charge of handling money, insurance, and safety. My first experiences with DeMolay were nothing special, just enjoying the events that other people had planned while I got my footing. However, not long after, COVID hit. For the next two years, there were no in-person meetings or events. I didn’t participate much during this time - I wasn’t very invested. When DeMolay returned to in-person meetings, there were significantly fewer members. At the same time, my brother wanted to move up to serve on the state board for DeMolay. Our chapter - our city’s division - had four active members, and it was my time to be in charge. I was elected to the head

position for the next term, which lasted nine months. During that time, I learned more than at any other time in my life. Not only was I now running the chapter, but I was also a freshman in high school. This forced me to adjust to a new stage of my life while also trying to manage my local chapter. Balancing school, family, and DeMolay was especially difficult during this time, but it only got easier. A few months into my term, a large number of people would end up joining our chapter. I went from being in charge of two or three people to nearly 11. During this time, I learned how to run effective meetings and keep things on track. I learned how to come up with fun and engaging events and how to fundraise effectively. I learned how to use other people’s skills to their benefit. I’d say this is when I learned how to lead people. After my term ended, I took a backseat. I was the only person regularly attending meetings who had been in charge in the past. I made sure I was available for people to ask for help. This period of time was just as important as being in charge. I was given the opportunity to see the people I mentor grow more confident and capable as I learned to stop being in charge. There were people who joined after me who now need to learn the lessons I did. It’s hard to take a backseat, especially after working so hard and seeing people take your position, but it’s necessary to know when your time is up. After all, I have other opportunities to grow further. Eventually, I would be asked to join the state board. It’s the same as a chapter, but instead of taking on a city or town, it covers the entire state. For the

first year on the state board, I was appointed - chosen by the head of the state - to be the state senior deacon. I was now in the position to do the work, rather than being in charge or being asked for advice. I set up rooms, moved chairs, and planned more detailed events. When I was told to do something, I was expected to do it. I had to learn how to follow instructions. I had always been in charge before. However, that wasn’t always going to be the case. That lasted for a year. I made sure to make myself available and reliable. I wanted people to think of me when they needed someone to do something. In that, I succeeded. The following year, I was elected to the third-highest position in the state. I was neither at the top nor the bottom of the totem pole. This was another adjustment for me. Unfortunately, due to the size of DeMolay and member conflict, the members I was in charge of were unable to attend regularly. This often put me

Courtesy of Jason DeFronzo

in the position of having to improvise and do things myself. I’m grateful for DeMolay. It has given me more life experiences than anything else. DeMolay teaches you to be a good person. Every organization has flaws, and DeMolay is no exception. But the reason so many people love it is because of the people. You’ll struggle to find someone you don’t like. These people teach you that the most important thing is to be true to yourself. That’s why it’s called DeMolay. It’s named after Jacques DeMolay, the last grandmaster of the Knights Templar, who died to protect his brothers. The greatest lesson of DeMolay, both the person and the organization, is something I now carry with me into my next chapter of college, and that is to “Live to the Truth.”

Jason DeFronzo is a staff writer for The Gatepost. He is an undeclared freshman and can be reached at jdefronzo@student. framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

OPINION

8 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

MACHADO - POP INTO CULTURE

Gay Christmas Different holidays have different appeals and uses. Some holidays are for building rapport with family members, some are for gifts, and some are for food. Halloween, however, is for looking fierce. It’s “the one night a year a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” I don’t quite remember which Greek philosopher once said that, but whoever they were, they were one of the greatest minds in human history. It gives people who celebrate it the opportunity to dress up as whatever they want in whichever means they have available. It’s a holiday about self-expression through the lens of a costume - with candy to boot. But like any opportunity for self-expression, it also offers an opportunity for rebellion. As the pendulum swings further and further toward the conservative side and purity culture attempts to neuter expressions of femininity, this Halloween is the perfect opportunity to use sex to retaliate - as so many people have before in the past. Women and Queer people alike have historically used sexuality as a way to advocate for their freedoms, and in a time when those freedoms are once

again under attack, dressing loudly and unapologetically is a direct rebuttal to the idea that modesty equals morality. Halloween in itself is already a day when the rules of polite society are overturned - when the doors to promiscuity are unlocked and any who wish to enter the room are welcomed with open legs. Of course, this is a time to have fun. Dressing like the Lorax or a Minion a n d

looking an absolute fool is commonplace every Halloween, and it’s imperative to cut through the bloody monsters of the spooky season with glee, but it’s also important to utilize every opportunity you have to fight. When your identity and rights are a political bullet point, taking up space is a political statement, and it has never been easier to do so.

This Halloween falls on a Saturday - an event that won’t happen again until 2037 - and you are no longer restrained by having to face your parents as you leave your house. You are an adult and college student. You can be a sexy nurse and cure some sexy cancer. Purity culture relies on shame to uphold the moral frameworks that shrink body autonomy. It demands people be modestly

to demonstrate the psychological impact of simply being here. Mass participation in promiscuity is a statement even if it only lasts a weekend. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were sex symbols. Defiance doesn’t have to be a riot or a protest. Defiance can be wearing a Judge Judy costume that leaves very little room for the imagination. Defiance can be a shirtless Mickey Mouse or a SpongeBob whose shorts have an inseam way shorter than they possibly should. Sometimes, the most potent cultural pushback is hedonistic and fun. We live in a world of so much rigidity and shame, yet there is so much space to find joy everywhere. Transmute shame into a weapon to spread joy. Strip shame of its impact by stripping for everyone to see. This Halloween, lean into outrageousness as a direct ashamed of middle finger to the status quo. their bodies. Laugh in the face of judgement When you take the and run around wearing thing you’re instructed to something your grandma would conceal and find power in it, disapprove of. you break the circle of shame. Promiscuous reader, you Promiscuity is not an know what they want, and you invite for policing; nor is it have what they need. intellectually degrading. It’s Pop Into Culture is a provocative. It’s ownership reccurring column written by of your own form. It won’t Antonio Machado, Associate dismantle systemic inequality - Editor of The Gatepost. He can but it’s not supposed to. be reached at amachado4@ Halloween is an opportunity student.framingham.edu

SLAVIN AND ZERESKI - THE VERDICT

Ticketmaster - you’re a mess. Ticketmaster, a commonly used website for buying tickets to concerts and sporting events, has been a stressor for many trying to attend them. It’s gotten to the point where people have adopted the phrase, “I won/lost the Ticketmaster war” when talking about whether or not they were able to acquire tickets - specifically, concert tickets. Artists allow fans to sign up to receive a presale code to get early access to tickets for a tour, but typically have no limits on the number of signups. During the presale timeslot, you are placed in a queue on the Ticketmaster website. Since there are no regulations on how many people can receive the code, you could be placed in a queue with 10,000 people ahead of you - maybe more. It can take as long as an hour to get through the queue and onto the ticket selection screen, and there is no guarantee tickets will be left for you. Panic sets in when your place in the queue starts to rapidly get closer to zero, as that usually means there are no more tickets to buy and people are leaving the website, likely frustrated. This is what it means to “lose the Ticketmaster war.” A few days later, general sale tickets become available on Ticketmaster’s site, but many times, it’s people trying to resell the tickets they bought during the presale with an upcharge. After clicking on a concert you might want tickets for in the app, an acknowledgment @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

screen pops up and states, “Resell ticket prices may exceed face value.” After experimenting with this, we saw that this is certainly true. This December, indie-rock band Lord Huron is holding a concert at a venue with a 5,000-person capacity in Boston. There are a few more tickets available, and the cheapest seat -

labeled w i t h “verified resale ticket” was $190. During their last tour in the summer of 2025, the face-value tickets were between $75-$110. Assuming this tour is similar, that extra fee for a resale ticket is a bit excessive, but necessary in order to attend the show if someone really wants to. For this reason, usually when people don’t get tickets during the presale, they don’t get them at all. To make matters more frustrating, according to what we’ve seen online, the queue for presales is randomized, meaning if you join early, you could still get booted to the back of the queue where now hundreds, maybe thousands,

are in front of you. The website is just overall unreliable. It crashes and glitches at the worst possible times, sometimes right before you get tickets to an event you really want to attend. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour had record numbers of people waiting in the queues. Then it crashed. Thousands of people, including one of our moms, were in the queue when it happened. Two tickets in the lower bowl were secured, but seconds before the payment was processed, t h e s c r e e n f i l l e d w i t h statements saying we were bots. The tickets were gone. Any hope of attending the tour I’d been anticipating for years was gone. A few weeks later, Ticketmaster followed up with the deal of a lifetime: two tickets at face value. We were part of the few lucky ones who received this offer. For presales, big artists usually only go through Ticketmaster, so when we click a link to try to get tickets, we have no other choice than to use that disastrous site. The only time we like

Ticketmaster is when we get lucky. This week, one of us was able to get tickets to see Calvin Harris, a globally known EDM artist with over 56 billion streams worldwide. He announced his first-ever North American tour a few weeks ago, with fans new and old excited to get the chance to see him. I didn’t think I’d get the tickets. My friend, also in the queue, had thousands upon thousands of people ahead of her. I ended up only having about 3,000 people in front of me, and was able to score reasonably priced tickets. I had finally won the Ticketmaster war. Our Verdict: Ticketmaster… figure it out. We need a better system in place for presales and general sales.

The verdict is a reccurring column written by Avery Slavin, News Editor of The Gatepost, and Andrea Zereski. They can be reached at aslavin1@student. framingham.edu and azereski@ student.framingham.edu

OPINION

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 9

KATE NORRISH COMMENTARY

Coping With Spotted Lantern Fly Death

Over the summer, during my frequent hiking trips and lake swims, I often saw paper signs in informational stands near the entrances of hiking trails. They showed pictures of spotted lanternflies with text saying to kill any you may come across, because they eat the trunks and stems of local plants, causing intense damage. The photographs portrayed a lima bean-sized insect with a black head and large, pale purple wings forming a rounded shape over its body. The wings have several black spots throughout their surface, and their tips are striped. Some posters I saw also showed pictures of the insect’s larvae, which are orange-red and shaped similarly to ticks, with black and white spots on their backs. I was told soon after by a local ecologist in my small, rural town that the bugs have not actually entered Western and Central Massachusetts yet, and therefore most of those informational pieces were in preparation. A couple of weeks after I moved onto campus this semester, I realized that is no longer true. While the first few specimens I saw were stompedon remains around FSU’s brick paths, I soon found a live one on the way to class. I tried catching it in my hands to absolutely make sure it was a spotted lanternfly, and that a similar insect was not being killed for no reason, but soon after, it flew

away, and because I didn’t want to be late, I could not take the time to find it again. I have never been averse to ripping invasive plants, such as bittersweet root and peppermint out of the ground when needed. However, I am not alone in saying that I am not as comfortable killing an animal. I’ve always felt that ideally, invasive species should be killed for the purpose of being eaten, such as the nutria rodents residing in North America’s Pacific Northwest, as well as the coast of The Gulf of Mexico. I don’t think it’s an unpopular opinion to say this is not a great option for a bug. I am not alone in my discomfort. I have talked to multiple people who said they would not stomp on the bugs, and some have even claimed that there is no reason to, as they only eat crops used for agriculture, causing no harm to native species. While that fact is true - with the spotted lanternfly’s main victims being the wood of stone fruit trees and grapevines according to the USDA, we need to remember that all of us need those crops to be able to eat. A New England without spotted lanternflies would be beneficial to the environment, as it would lead to farmers being able to plant a smaller amount, prevent carbon emissions from shipping crops in from other areas, and limit the amount of pesticides needed to maintain the crops. This is a moral dilemma I

have dealt with since I was a young child. When I attended a yearly agricultural camp, we would collect invasive Colorado Potato Beetles from the crops we were managing and drown them in a bucket, which I found extremely cruel. I would also frequently rescue Japanese Beetles I found in bodies of water in the summer, even after I was told they caused harm to native species. By contrast, it was not uncommon for me to see elements of animal death as a child. Beyond my history with keeping pet rodents and coping with their short lifespan, I lived near a slaughterhouse, and therefore was relatively accustomed to seeing the corpses of cows and pigs. It was never unheard of to smash the head of a groundhog or rabbit with a rock when they were in pain and nothing else could be done about it. Therefore, I imagine this would be even more difficult for those who did not grow up with those kinds of experiences. To this day, I will always try to trap insects that end up in my home under a cup and drop them off outside, but spotted lanternflies require a different emotional experience. For the fellow insect lovers reading this, it is unfortunately important for our community to prevent these insects from further permeating the environment we live in. Personally, I plan to say a prayer when and if I have to

Onyx Lovely / THE GATEPOST kill a spotted lanternfly, but if that’s not for you, eat a small snack you like afterwards, or think about the positive impact your action will have. And for those of you who hate bugs, consider this your opportunity to stomp out your feelings. Kate Norrish is a staff writer for The Gatepost. She is a senior English major and can be reached at knorrish@student. framingham.edu

Campus Conversations

“What is one hobby or activity you wish more people would participate in?” By Alexis Schlesinger, Opinion Editor, Gracie Wyatt and Cooper Davis, Staff Writers

“This school could use a lot more people that are into movies. I feel like movies are a good way to connect people.” -James Brothers, junior

“Probably more people being involved with sports. I feel like that would be fun - you get to meet a lot of people, and you’re working together.”

“Probably volunteer work. I feel like you connect with more people that way.” - Ali Santos, freshman

- Mel Soto, sophomore

“I’ve been doing a lot of reading. I feel like a lot of people just need to sit down and read a book every once in a while.” - Dante Basquiat, senior

“Photography. I think it’s a cool, creative, anti-AI, artistic thing that you can do.” - Ryan Martinka, freshman

“I really like charity work. I think it’s actually really fun and fulfilling, and I think a lot more people would like it if they just gave it a try.” - Alex Todisco, freshman

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

10 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

SPORTS

Women’s soccer congratulates graduating seniors

bringing their overall record to 5-7-2 for a third place ranking in the MASCAC. The Framingham State Rams Romeiro said this placement battled the Westfield State Owls “puts us in a good position, but to a 1-1 draw in a conference we know there’s still a lot of work matchup Oct. 17. to be done. We’re still a game beThis tie brings the Rams’ conhind, so the standings can easily ference record to 3-0-2, rankchange, and our goal is to finish ing them third of the MASCAC’s in that top spot. eight teams. Their overall record “I think that motivates us sits at 5-5-2. even more to stay focused, keep Senior Tarynn Smith said the pushing each other, and not team’s current ranking “shows get too comfortable. We know that up until this point, we have what we’re capable of as a team, set ourselves up for success. We and I genuinely believe we have still have two more conference what it takes to compete for the games left while the top two MASCAC championship. It’s reteams have one, so we have the ally about taking it one game at a opportunity to jump them in the time and making sure we’re playstandings if everything goes to ing our best soccer when it matplan. ters most,” she added. “We want to keep building on Framingham travels to Mass. what we have done, compete in Maritime for a conference Gatepost Archives matchup Oct. 23. every game, and finish the season strong. As a senior, and one Romeiro said, “More than anyof two four-year members in this posters my teammates make next, with a shot by Romeiro that thing, I hope to leave an impact class, I want to give everything I for us. I think it’s really special went wide. that goes beyond soccer. I want because you get to see yourRomeiro did not let up, and have to help this team succeed the younger girls to remember for as long as we can. … To get a self through their eyes and how her next shot in the following me as someone who led by examshot at the title would be the ic- they interpret your personality 3 minutes made it past WSU’s ple, worked hard, and genuinely and the kind of person you are. goalkeeper, Kayla Santucci, net- cared about the people around ing on the cake,” she added. Prior to taking the field for the Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes ting the first goal of the game off her. opening half, the program gave it’s sentimental, but it’s always an assist by sophomore Leyani “As a captain, I’ve always beceremonial recognition to its meaningful knowing they put Buckner. lieved that leadership isn’t just Westfield attempted to even about what you say, but what you graduating class, composed of that thought and effort into makseniors Ana Serrano, Brynn Dan- ing something for you. It’s one of the score with a header a few do and how you make others feel. ley, Captain Melissa Romeiro, those little traditions that makes minutes later, but Finley was I hope I’ve helped create an enyou realize how much the people there to block the shot. and Smith. vironment where everyone feels Finley defended a shot off an supported, motivated, and conSmith said during the open- around you know and appreciate Owls’ corner, but was unable to fident in themselves. If there’s ing ceremony, it was incredible you.” She said having her family block Libby Puttick’s shot just one thing I want them to take to hear her stats and those of the other seniors read out. “It made there to support her during the over 3 minutes later, which tied away, it’s to never take these mome reflect on how much I have game “honestly means every- the match at 1. ments for granted because four Serrano attempted to recap- years goes by a lot faster than you grown over the past four years, thing to me. Being a studentboth as a player and as a person. athlete comes with a lot of sac- ture FSU’s lead with a shot, but think,” she added. When you are in the middle of a rifices, and having people who Santucci saved it. Smith said her goal “is to make have supported me through the FSU earned a corner kick a season, you do not always stop to the most of every opportunity I highs and lows makes this mominute later. Buckner took the think about everything you have get and give everything I have for ment even more special. My fam- kick, sending the ball to sopho- my teammates. At this point in experienced. “Hearing that I have played ily has always been a huge part of more Sophia Thimm, who took a the season, my minutes and the over 60 games here at FSU is my journey, and my teammates shot on net that was defended. games are limited. We have three have become a second family to Buckner took another corner amazing and shows how much regular season games left. After me. Being able to share that mokick at 22:52, and the Rams kept I’ve worked the last four years. that, it’s win or go home. Hearing those accomplishments ment with the people who have the ball on WSU’s side of the field “I just want to enjoy these last helped me get here is something until freshman Eliza Contreras reminded me of all the hard work, few weeks of a sport I’ve played could attempt a shot just 40 sec- for over 18 years. I want to finish challenges, and memories that I’ll always be grateful for.” “Soccer has always been about onds later. The ball was saved by my time at FSU knowing I gave have shaped my time at FSU. It more than just the game for me. Santucci. made me appreciate the journey my best. As a team, I want us to Romeiro had the next shot for keep pushing each other, comand everything soccer has taught It is about the people, the memories, and the connections you Framingham, but it went wide. me,” she added. pete for the conference title, and The Owls regained control on make the most of our postseason Romeiro said, “It was defi- make along the way. Having my nitely a bittersweet moment. You family there to support me makes offense, with two shots in the opportunities. Most importantly, spend so much time focused on the moment even more mean- following minute, both saved by I want us to finish together and the next game, the next practice, ingful, especially knowing every- Finley. create memories we can look thing that has gone into getting WSU kept up the pressure on and how you can improve that back on long after the season you don’t always stop to look here. Their support means more the Rams’ net, but Finley saved ends,” she added. back at everything you’ve accom- than they probably realize,” she each of the three shots, mainRomeiro said, “Our biggest added. taining the stalemate going into plished. Hearing those things goal as a team is to win the MASSmith said when she leaves the second half. made me realize how much I’ve CAC championship. I genuinely the program, she hopes she has Both teams came into the secgrown, not just as a player but as believe we have the talent, chemshown the team they “can bring ond half with strong defense, the istry, and determination to make a person and a leader. “I’m proud of what I’ve accom- your heart into everything you first shot coming from Captain that happen. Personally, I want plished, but when I look back, do, and always put your team Isabella Fischer 7 minutes in, but to finish my last season knowit’s not necessarily the stats I’ll first. I want the younger players it was saved by Santucci. ing I gave everything I had, not to know that being a good teamThe following 13 minutes saw remember most. It’s the friendjust for myself, but for my teamships, the memories, and all the mate is about more than what three shots each from FSU and mates. little moments that made these happens on the field. It is about WSU, all of which were saved by “As a senior and captain, I want showing up, supporting one anFinley and Santucci. years so special,” she added. to continue pushing the team, Westfield’s next two attempts leading by example, and making She said her favorite part of other, working hard, and being Senior Day is “being able to cele- someone others can count on. were also futile - the first saved sure we stay together no matter brate the journey and everything Being that supportive teammate by Finley and the second a head- what challenges come our way. that has gone into getting to this and friend means more than any er that sailed above the crossbar. At the end of the day, I want us to Finley and Santucci each tal- look back on this season knowpoint. Soccer has been such a big accolades on the field for me. “I hope to be a role model for lied two more saves. Then, Fin- ing we left everything on the field part of my life, and Senior Day these girls because they are some ley tallied one more by blocking and have no regrets,” she added. gives me a chance to appreciate all the memories, friendships, of my best friends - they’re my a header in the final minute of the match, keeping it a 1-1 draw and experiences that have come sisters,” she added. Westfield opened the action as the clock ticked down to zero. with it. It is also special to have The Rams fell to the Keene Stats sourced from fsurams.com the people who have supported with a shot on net 3 minutes into and MASCAC.com me along the way be part of that the match. Rams’ sophomore State Owls 3-0 in a nonconfergoalkeeper Amelia Finley en- ence match Oct. 18, and 3-0 to moment. the Plymouth State Panthers Oct. CONNECT WITH TAYLOR KIMMELL Romeiro said her favorite se- sured the attempt was diverted. Framingham took possession 21 in a nonconference match, tkimmell@student.framingham.edu nior day tradition is “seeing the By Taylor Kimmell Sports Editor

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

SPORTS

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 11

Volleyball sweeps Worcester in conference action

By Taylor Kimmell Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams hosted and defeated the Worcester State Lancers in a 3-0 conference sweep Oct. 17. This improves their conference record to 4-1 and their overall record to 14-5, ranking them second of the MASCAC’s eight teams. The Rams tallied a quick 3 points to open the first set, with two kills by Captain Natalie Reynolds, a senior, and one by junior Sarah Medeiros. A service error by FSU earned the Lancers their first point. Then, another two kills by Reynolds increased the Rams’ lead. Worcester then went on a 5-point run, bringing the score to 6-5 in their favor. Seniors Jamie Moniz and Emma Dobbins each contributed kills, but WSU scored 4 points, once again increasing their lead. More kills by Moniz, Reynolds, and Dobbins shrunk the deficit, as well as a string of errors by the Lancers. A service ace by Reynolds, paired with kills from Moniz, Dobbins, and freshman Isabella Spaulding, allowed the Rams to catch up, bringing the score to an even 18-18. After another Moniz kill, FSU took the lead and ran with it, closing the set 25-21 with a combination of WSU errors and three kills by Medeiros and one by Reynolds, offsetting the Lancers’ scoring. Reynolds opened the next set with a kill. Then, the Lancers took the lead with two kills. Medeiros had another kill. Then, WSU battled back for an early 4-2 lead. With two more Reynolds kills and forced errors from the Lancers, the Rams took control of the match.

Worcester pulled ahead by a point following two kills and a service ace. The Rams regained the lead with two kills by Moniz and several WSU errors, bringing the score to 9-7. Worcester attempted to keep pace with Framingham, coming within one point of the lead, but kills by Dobbins, Reynolds, and Medeiros ensured WSU remained at a disadvantage. A kill by Spaulding and a service ace by junior Madysen Cedrone brought FSU to an 18-15 lead, creating a 3-point gap that remained for the rest of the set despite effort on the Lancers’ side. Kills by Moniz and Reynolds, as well as a service ace by senior Jaimee Lowe allowed the Rams to close out a decisive second set with a score of 25-18. The third set opened at an even pace for the Rams and Lancers, allowing for a good back and forth for the first 12 plays to tie the score at 6-6. A Cedrone-assisted kill by Dobbins broke the stalemate, starting a 9-point run for FSU. During this run, Dobbins and Medeiros added to the score with kills while Lowe tallied three service aces. Worcester broke through and earned points on an FSU service error, but the Rams evened it out by forcing an error. WSU scored for points - two errors and two kills - to bring the score to 16-11, the Rams still leading. Following a service ace and two forced errors, FSU increased its lead once again. Worcester battled back with a kill and a forced error before the Rams again found their rhythm for 4 more points scored on WSU errors. A kill from the Lancers was matched by a kill from Reynolds.

Then Worcester scored 4 points on three kills and a Rams’ error, briefly holding FSU from scoring their match-ending point. But Framingham’s eventual victory was inevitable, and, with a kill by Moniz, the Rams cinched a 25-18 win in the final set, solidifying their 3-0 match victory. Medeiros said the Rams “really tried to put pressure on Worcester so we could capitalize on their mistakes. We minimized our errors significantly from the last time we saw Worcester, which helped us sweep them.” She said compared to the team’s 3-2 win against WSU Sept. 23, having now swept them “shows we’ve been working to clean up our game. We plan to continue to learn from teams and come back stronger the second time we play them, which I Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST think will continue to be true as Jamie Moniz blocking the ball in win we face some teams again in the against Worcester on Oct. 17. playoffs.” Medeiros added sweeping field State Owls 3-0 in a conferteams is a “really great mo- ence matchup Oct. 21. rale booster. ... It gets everyone Following these games, the pumped and sends a message to Rams current conference record anyone looking at our schedule is 4-2 and their overall record is that our feet are on the gas pedal 15-6. no matter how much we’re up With their current record, that we’re not satisfied until the Framingham ranks third in the game is over.” MASCAC, just under Westfield Medeiros tallied seven kills and Bridgewater. and two digs during the match. Medeiros said, “We’re all excitShe said, “I try to keep my head ed for the post season. Playoffs in the game by reminding my- are a completely different game self that every play I make takes than the regular season. A lot of pressure off my teammates. upsets happen and everyone is “Our back row is really strong hungry, so anything is possible.” and puts a ton of effort into makFSU travels to Keene State ing plays, so it’s important as Oct. 24 for back to back matchfront row players to block every- es against the Keene State Owls thing we can and pick up what- and the Rhode Island College ever balls we’re able to. When Anchormen. I’m attacking, I try to do whatever I can to find the floor and Stats sourced from fsurams.com end the point for my team” she and MASCAC.com added. Framingham recently defeated the Bay Path Wildcats 3-0 the CONNECT WITH TAYLOR KIMMELL same day, but fell to the West- tkimmell@student.framingham.edu

Men’s soccer Continued from Page 1

The Rams didn’t let up on that momentum-building shot. Eight minutes later, senior Landon Medeiros set up an assist for junior Michael Jokic for his first goal of the season. This would increase the Rams’ lead to 2-0. Tensions rose between the two teams in the first half. Both teams were called for eight fouls, totaling 16. Both teams played with a chip on their shoulder on both sides of the ball, offense and defense. Neither team wanted to let up. With the fouling going back and forth, Captain Kaio Santos Da Silva wanted it to be known that keeping composure was a key factor in this win. Wearing the captain’s armband also helped set the expectation, but wasn’t the only contributor. “Being a captain helps, but it starts with the coach telling us to stay composed and focus on the end goal,” he said. Lesley’s own Wassim Chaib was able to spot a vulnerability in the Rams’ strong defense. He immediately took advantage of it, finding Adrian Esparragoza to score their first and only goal of the game at 43:22, bringing the score to 2-1 Rams. The half ended just under 2 minutes later with the score still the same.

With this deficit entering the second half, the Lynx came out trying to score to build momentum. The Rams’ defense wasn’t letting up. Tensions were at a game high, with Lesley not being able

which was to win the game.” The Lynx tried to do anything in their power to stay in the game, but nothing seemed to work. They were taking a handful of shots, but nothing seemed to go

goalie Michael Walker blocked the shot, sealing the Rams’ 3-1 victory over the Lynx. A win like this pushes the Rams’ momentum in the right direction. Junior Walbee Pierre said, “This game added to our momentum. We will be heading into Saturday with a two-game win streak against a strong opponent in Mass. Maritime.” The Rams are playing each game with the goal of reaching the playoffs. According to Pierre, “This is a big game for us, as a win solidifies our place in the playoffs and clinches a second seed in the conference, which would automatically have us play a semifinal game at home!” The mindset of the Rams isn’t Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST just to win a few games. They Gustav Hemmingsen preparing to accept a pass from Michael Macdougall in loss want to win it all, and Saturday, against Roger Williams on Sept. 29. they are given the chance to do so. Pierre said this win adds “fuel to break the Rams’ defense. in their favor, missing six shots, to the fire and helps boost the The Lynx got called for a to- with four of the six blocked by confidence and morale of the tal of 13 fouls in just the second the Rams. team.” half, as well as two yellow cards, The Framingham State Rams The Rams will be heading to as they tried everything, and were given a penalty kick at Mass. Maritime on Oct. 24 to seal nothing seemed to be working 72:57. Senior Jack Holt stepped to their number two in-conference for them. the line, draining his fourth goal ranking. When asked about the ongo- of the season, sealing any hopes Stats sourced from fsurams.com ing fouls, Santos Da Silva said, of a comeback for the Lynx. and MASCAC.com “Just staying composed and just With the game coming to an worrying about the game was end and the Lynx having little to CONNECT WITH ANDREW LOUIS enough for us to not get distract- no hope of winning, they tried alouis1@student.framingham.edu ed and just focus on the end goal, to score a goal at 88:84. Junior FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

12 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

ARTS & FEATURES

The Sisyphean Myth of the ‘Popstar’ By Antonio Machado Associate Editor

Superstardom is allegedly very difficult. Repeatedly, pop stars sing of their struggles with stardom, with glowing so bright that people repeatedly try to diminish their glow. The topic, like many of the aforementioned stars, is incredibly tired. And yet, Tinashe finds an angle to tell her story with inescapable fervor. “Popstar” is a story of a woman who has been far too many times rejected in the mainstream, yet continues to swim in defiance - ever striving for the fame her talent demands in an almost sisyphean manner. Decorated with nuances, buzzwords, and incredible melodies, Tinashe combines elements of R&B, pop, electronic, and dance music in a concoction that defines the sound of the mid-2020s. Ever since parting ways with RCA and becoming an independent artist, Tinashe has been making strides toward immortality in the musical world the size of the grand canyon. She’s operating completely in the confines of a frequency only the greatest musicians have tapped into. For Tinashe, hitmaking is “Too Easy.” Every track is constructed surgically, placing production at the forefront

‘One Way or Another,’ Blondie is back By Louie Ranieri Staff Writer The iconic blonde of “Blondie,” Debbie Harry, is releasing the group’s first album in nine years! The band got back together in 2022 in New York City to start recording “High Noon” with producer John Congleton, who had worked with the band on their 2017 album, “Pollinator.” This is the group’s 12th studio album and last album with their drummer, Clem Burke, who died in April 2025 after a cancer diagnosis. He played drums on the group’s most iconic hits such as “Heart of Glass,” “One Way or Another,” and my personal favorite, “Call Me.” Debbie Harry spoke out about this album, stating, “This album is classic Blondie - an amalgamation of all our different influences and eras into something new. This music feels grounded in the present, shaped by who we are and how we’re living now.” It is truly beyond amazing that the group is making an album with different elements

and allowing listeners to be an eerie track where she delves consumed. She sings much into the amount of work she less than usual on this record, does to achieve her success. but never to Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST “Popstar” is her detriment. the story of its Every track antithesis. A is absolutely musician whose captivating. attempts T h e l e a p s topline toward of every stardom hook is h a v e

irrevocably captivating. This record is impossible to put down once picked up. The thumping bass in “Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore” is less of a complaint and more like a form of hypnosis. It’s incredibly refreshing to hear a record so astutely aware of itself and with such a refined sense of purpose. It doesn’t overstay its welcome nor does it ever leave you asking for more. It’s an endlessly satiating listen from front-to-back. There is an incredible control in her delivery, yet Tinashe is discernably hungry. “I don’t wanna work for love, no / We live in a society / I’m gonna feel the love / 25/8, I’m grinding,” she sings on “Twentyfive Eight,

On “Melatonin,” she sings about how the general public has been sleeping on her on a track that sounds very much as though it were a DJ remix of an existing song. The record is very meta. There’s an everpresent self-awareness that keeps it both grounded yet alien. These contradictions are what make the album amount to greatness. Tinashe has nothing to lose with “Popstar.” There’s a dangerous authenticity. She is not just surviving in a landscape where fame is handed out like candy; she is fighting tooth and nail repeatedly to win, yet has come to terms left her with defeat. disappointed. Tinashe offers precise It dances on the line critique of an industry obsessed of being too successful to with synthetic virality and a be normal yet not successful bold display of undeniable enough to be satisfied. artistic authority. She is not “When I realize I’m alone a survivor of the brutal music / I’ve been singing so long business, she is a creative who and nobody hears it / And I’m is completely free to explore standing on the stage just herself and master her craft waiting for applause that’ll while existing in the periphery never exist,” she sings on of fame. “Empty Stadium” And yet, this record proves the very opposite. Now, at the apex of her relevance since Uplift Tinashe “2 On,” Tinashe is no longer A+ seeking approval from the general audience. Her sound is no longer appealing to a mass audience; it is Tinashe CONNECT WITH ANTONIO condensed, refined, yet MACHADO uninhibited. amachado@student.framingham.edu

that they are known for. Their first single “Spectral Eyes” is a classic punk song. I am not the biggest fan of punk, but I personally like their rock ’n roll songs that have a little punk infused into them more. My favorite part of the song is Harry’s vocals. She still maintains a very clear yet gritty attitude in her voice - I can definitely hear her signature sound. I love when an artist doesn’t change with time but rather evolves with time as many other legends do by reinventing themselves while maintaining their iconic traits. Debbie Harry has truly held on to her authentic self over the years. She has had a life with many stories worth telling and I feel are important to be told. She was adopted at 3 months old, always fantasizing that her biological mother was Marilyn Monroe, which became the reason she dyed her hair blonde, to later being in the band “Blondie” named after her appearance. Growing up, she always knew she was adopted, but knowing this left her with trauma. Every day, this caused her massive fears of being abandoned. Even if a group of friends went their separate ways for the day, she’d fear that they’d never come back. This next story’s content may trigger some readers. Later on in the mid-1970s, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein (her boyfriend from 1973-1989 and the group’s guitarist) were ambushed at the door of their New York apartment by an armed robber. The attacker forced his way inside, held them at knifepoint,

and tied Stein to a bedpost using a pair of pantyhose. After tying H a r r y ’s h a n d s behind her back and ransacking the home for guitars and cameras, the robber untied her h a n d s , forced her onto a mattress, and raped her. She shocked the public with her uniquely detached perspective on this outrageous event, writing in her autobiography “Face It” - “I can’t say that I felt a lot of fear. ... In the end, the stolen guitars hurt me more than the rape.” She explained that the guitars were their actual livelihood, and she refused to let the attacker strip away her dignity or leave her feeling mentally battered. This occurrence just shows how strong of a woman she is. The fact that she went on wanting to protect the music more than herself displays her strength and passion for music. Before meeting Stein, Harry was trapped in a deeply abusive relationship with a violent man. After she finally built up the courage to leave him, he began stalking her. One night, he tracked her down, shattered her bedroom window, burst into her room, and held a pistol directly to her cheek, threatening her life.

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Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST

I typically wouldn’t write about this subject, but I feel that it is important that people hear her story. Debbie Harry deserves so much more. She doesn’t get the flowers she deserves in the music world and for being an amazing woman who has survived and overcome horrendous situations. Debbie Harry is now 81 years old and still a powerhouse of a woman, still performing and now releasing new music! I am looking forward to this album being released on Feb. 26, 2027. Until then, I’ll be listening to the iconic sounds of “Blondie” and taking notes on how to have the longevity that Debbie Harry continues to carry herself with.

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lranieri@student.framingham.edu

ARTS & FEATURES

We’re capable of seeing everything By Nathan Piette Staff Writer

“You Can See Everything” arrived with numbers almost as attention grabbing as its subject. Its estimated $15 million North American opening nearly doubled initial projections of $7-8 million, with more than 2,000 sold-out screenings. Playing in 855 theaters, it averaged roughly $17,544 per location. It delivered the second-largest opening for a non-concert documentary, behind Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.” Its domestic earnings passed $20.8 million against a reported $7 million production budget. Early reception was equally remarkable - a reported 99% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.8 average on Letterboxd, described as an all-time high. Those figures suggest audiences were eager to look inside Elizabeth Holmes’ world, a former CEO convicted of fraud. Whether looking brings us closer to understanding her is another question. I expected to spend “You Can See Everything” trying to figure out Elizabeth Holmes. Instead, I found myself watching Billy Evans. In Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s documentary, the Theranos founder prepares to enter prison while living with Evans and their two young children. The access is intimate, sometimes painfully so. But the longer I watched, the more I questioned whether access was helping us understand Holmes, or simply bringing us closer to a story someone else controlled. Holmes built Theranos around the promise that a few drops of blood from a finger prick test could accomplish what traditionally required much more. That promise attracted powerful supporters,

enormous investments, and enthusiastic media coverage. Behind it were unreliable technology and patients receiving inaccurate results. Her conviction for defrauding investors is established history. What this film leaves unsettled is how consciously she continues to shape other people’s perceptions. Evans became the most revealing part of that question, and it wasn’t solely from his jaw-dropping full frontal nudity.

That does not prove profit motivates their relationship. It does make his management of her image harder to separate from his own interests. His confrontations with Amanda Seyfried, the threats toward Fielder, and his control over access to Holmes after she enters prison deepen that impression. Each encounter made me wonder how much the filmmakers could challenge their subjects before losing the ability to keep filming. Seyfried’s participation

Consider breakfast. His commanding takeover while Holmes stirs eggs might seem insignificant beside the scandal surrounding her. To me, it introduces a pattern that becomes harder to dismiss as the film continues. He interrupts, ends conversations when questions become uncomfortable, and appears determined to decide how encounters unfold. One breakfast cannot explain a relationship. But repeated attempts to control conversations deserve attention in a documentary supposedly built around openness. Then there is money. Fielder recounts Evans asking, during an unrecorded meeting, for a share of the film’s proceeds. Holmes had left the room, leaving uncertainty about what she knew. Although Evans eventually relinquished that financial interest, the request changes how I understand his participation. His relationship with Holmes offers an opportunity to benefit financially from the public’s fascination with her.

Meghan Petrone / THE GATEPOST

gives the documentary another layer. Having portrayed Holmes in “The Dropout,” she now helps reconstruct moments the cameras missed. Watching an actress interpret a woman who is already interpreting herself for an audience is fascinating. It also makes the title increasingly slippery. We may see more, but we still depend on someone to arrange what we see. That uncertainty is both the film’s strength and my greatest reservation. Former Theranos employee and whistleblower Tyler Shultz offers an important challenge. He says the device Holmes promoted is an unfinished later model, rather than the machine used on patients. His criticism suggests that an apparently revealing scene can redirect attention from the evidence that matters. Taking something apart on a table is not the same as explaining what happened. The documentary’s emotional intimacy creates a similar problem. Watching Holmes face separation

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 13

from her children is painful. Sympathy is a reasonable response. But sympathy cannot resolve questions about responsibility, and suffering does not establish innocence. By the end, I suspected Fielder’s hesitation reflected more than uncertainty about Holmes. Evans’ behavior made me wonder whether the possibility of repercussions influenced how directly the filmmaker was willing to judge her. Billy Evans makes bonechilling eye contact with the director as he explains how his ultra-wealthy family can hurt people that hurt them. I cannot know Fielder’s private reasoning. The documentary does not establish that fear determined its ending. Still, the pressure I perceived around his questions became part of my experience watching him ask them. “You Can See Everything” succeeds as an unsettling portrait of access, influence, and the difficulty of interpreting people who know they are being watched. Its ambiguity kept me engaged, but it also left me suspicious. I wanted stronger resistance when openness became another performance. The film invites us to study Holmes’ face for an answer. I kept looking toward Evans, wondering who controlled the conditions under which an answer could emerge. “You Can See Everything” is a perfect title, an imperfect promise - someone wanted it that way.

This movie is nearly 3 hours long, and I wish it was longer. A+

CONNECT WITH NATHAN PIETTE

npiette@student.framingham.edu

‘Metamorphoses’ - Ovid By Kate Norrish Staff Writer I would like to start this article by apologizing to any Greek mythology fans reading this, because this is the only time in “The Book Report” where I will be talking about literature from the Greek Classical era. I have a confession to make - I find the study of ancient Greece and Rome really boring, probably because I have heard the same facts repeated over and over again since I was in elementary school. “Metamorphoses” is the only major exception I’ve been able to find. Written in the 8th century by Ovid, I would be surprised if you didn’t know at least a little about this book’s plot through the grapevine. It features a number of famous Greek myths, such as Cassandra, who could predict the future, and my favorite - by which I mean the myth that I don’t mind hearing over and over - Arachne the spider woman. I should also note that none of those myths include a guy turning into a giant beetle, a fact which has confused literature students for decades. This book begins when humanity does - sort of. Before

the actual plot starts, Ovid, speaking as the narrator, asks the gods to help him write the book. I don’t know if that was a trope in literature of the era, but I found it to be an interesting plot point, which I interpret to be a way for the narrator to admit his bias. After that, we are told about the gods being created, which is also something that I found jarring in the best possible way. Because most of the classic literature I read is European, the concept of gods being born as a plot point - at least in a non-metaphorical way - is refreshing to see when much of my personal canon was created by Christians who believe that God has always existed. Humans are then created, and the development of the world springs from there. The point of the book is to show us how the workings of the world as they currently exist began. There is an almost Lovecraftian feel to this book. Perhaps it’s because of the uncanny similarities it has with The Bible, but I also think it’s because Ovid repeatedly reminds us of all the weirdest parts of being a living thing. The whole book is ethereal, David Lynch levels of surreal, and gives us no break from that craziness. There is an eerie

sense of mystery as to why the world is no longer like the one Ovid portrays, even though I am also left wondering if the ancient Greeks believed that the world never fully changed from this state. For example, in one of my favorite essays that I have written in college so far, I wrote about how you can interpret rabies as a big part of how this book views the behavior of animals, including humans. This is because some of the oldest texts we have are about rabies, and many, many moments in the book reflect how a rabid animal would behave. When Io is turned into a cow by Hera to keep Zeus from seeking a romantic relationship with her, she behaves like a rabid cow - solemn, fearful, and lazy. The boundary between humans and animals is possibly the most major part of this book, and it makes me curious how ancient Greek society as a whole saw those boundaries. While “Metamorphoses” did sometimes give me the same sense of boredom as other Greek tellings, its style, as well as the fact that much of the book is both connecting myths together and showing atypical versions of them, diluted that feeling a little.

Grace Doyle / THE GATEPOST

Rest in peace to those who confused Ovid with Kafka, but they’re both good. If you’re like me and are sick of Greek mythology, this is the book you should get a hold of. I’m still not a fan of hearing these stories, but at least this will give you a rebuttal when your friends once again start bugging you about how Greek mythology is actually pretty fun. Any Greco-Roman history fans now have permission to smite me. CONNECT WITH KATE NORRISH

knorrish@student.framingham.edu

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ARTS & FEATURES

14 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

Poetry

Continued from Page 1 De Leon described poetry as, “putting together words like different parts that on their own might not mean much … but together in the right places, it becomes a vehicle that can take you anywhere.” Kunz, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and 2026 Guggenheim fellow, has published two books of poetry, “Tap Out” in 2019 and “Fixer” in 2023. He was also awarded fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts, the Hawthornden Foundation, the Maryland State Arts Council, the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, Vanderbilt University, and Stanford University. Kunz began his reading with poems from “Tap Out,” a book the Washington Post described as a “gritty, insightful debut.” “These poems feel like another person wrote them,” said Kunz. He said while “Fixer” is much more reflective of his personality, “Tap Out” was something he felt he needed to write. “I had to write this first book to make sense of where I come from, and what happened to me,” Kunz added. Kunz, a native of Framingham, said this was his first time reading his work in his hometown. He lived next to Route 9, and the memories of his childhood played into his poetry. The titular poem of his book, “Tap Out,” depicted him and

his friends wrestling together when they were children. Kunz said they were obsessed with WWE. “We would pretend to be our favorite wrestlers and beat the crap out of each other in the backyard. … Just a classic Massachusetts childhood.” He wrote other poems in “Tap Out,” including “Tester” and “Model,” based on odd jobs he took to make extra money in college. Along with being a poet, he was a taste tester for McCormick spices. “Can you imagine a better job for a poet? Just sitting there, eating, and writing my little poems,” he said. His second book, “Fixer,” turned out much different than he expected due to two drastic changes in his life. Kunz said, “My dad died, and I fell in love. … so the book was likewise interrupted.” The photo on the cover is of his father’s real lighter, which Kunz said felt “really personal and really public.” His poem “Piano” was published in The New Yorker. Kunz said he was inspired to write the deeply personal poem based on a conversation he had on a plane with a piano tuner. He said the piano tuner told him, “‘I love the work, but it’s grueling. The second I step away, it’s already falling back out of tune,’” which he wrote down in his notebook. Years later, during a conversation he had with his mother, he remembered the line and wrote “Piano,” said Kunz. Kunz said he found himself taking on a less-serious tone in

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his second book. “Really, we’re always different from who we were a month ago, a year ago, 10 years ago. I’ll be a different person, even if I try to write the same poems,” he added. Kunz said, “There are always more poems, you know what I mean? I really have to convince myself of that every time I finish a poem. I’m devastated … and then the magic is that they just keep coming.” Lisa Eck, chair of the English department, said, “What writers need are other writers. Writers need a community. … So that’s what we’re doing we’re celebrating the talent of creative writers in our midst.” The faculty poetry reading took place Oct. 21 in the Center for Inclusive Excellence. Five members of the English department shared their work, beginning with Talia Adry, a lecturer at Framingham State. She said most of the poems she chose to read were older, except one she wrote recently. Hannah Baker-Siroty, lecturer at Framingham State, read next. As a finalist in the sonnet section of the Massachusetts Poetry Olimpics, Siroty read aloud a new sonnet she wrote for the contest. She said the contest has made her think more in depth about how her poetry sounds spoken aloud, not just how it looks on paper. Colleen Coyne, English professor, presented next some poems she said were “new and slightly unfinished.” She said she did extensive research into how medical conditions were written about in the 1800s and earlier, and incorporated the

language and ideas into her poetry. Next, Rachel Trousdale, another English professor, read her poetry, which she said mostly revolved around themes of hope, joy, beauty, and politics. One of her poems was structured in the shape of a Bingo card. Another was dedicated to Renée Nicole Good, a poet herself, who was killed by ICE agents in January. Sam Witt, English professor, read his poetry last. One poem he shared incorporated part of a letter his wife, Adry, wrote. The Onyx Literary Magazine will hold their own open mic at Sandella’s on Oct. 23. This reading is dedicated for students to share their poetry and other creative work. Marlín Polanco, a senior English major and social media manager for the Onyx, said she always looks forward to attending these open mic nights, which the English department and the Onyx host at least once a semester. Polanco added, “I love getting to hear other people’s work, connect with other writers, and share some work of my own. I’ve always been a writer, and I think poetry can create this unique connection between people that can be really meaningful and powerful, and this event allows our community to create and explore these bonds.”

CONNECT WITH SARAH DAPONDE

sdaponde@student.framingham.edu

ARTS & FEATURES

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | 15

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16 | OCTOBER 23, 2026

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PHOTOS