Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 55 no. 20

Joy and

Purpose

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

GV alumna features motivation, leadership in greeting card line

GV Laker Vets president named finalists for Student Veteran of the Year award LAKER EFFECT | A2

Rec & Wellness promotes small adventures, big impacts RECREATION | A9

M O N D A Y, M A R C H 8 , 2 02 1 // VO L . 5 5 N O. 2 1

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE

The GVSU community has had a cumulative total of 2,542 COVID-19 cases since Aug. 1. The university’s update for this brief was from Friday, March 5.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 32 current active cases including 2 staff members, 11 on-campus students, 13 “off-campus Ottawa” students, 5 “off-campus Kent” students and 1 “off-campus other” student with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 58,754 tests overall since August 21, for a cumulative positivity rate of 1.40% from the latest update as of last week.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/ Spectrum administered programs of: randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups, and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters. A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/exposure tests administered by Spectrum.

VACCINE OFFERED TO INELIGIBLE GV STUDENTS

The GVSU community received an email on March 3 announcing that a limited amount of COVID-19 vaccines were available.

The email sent out by the GVSU Virus Action Team said these doses were now available because of no-shows and cancellations. Students, faculty and staff were directed to call to schedule an appointment if they were interested in this opportunity.

However, the next day the Virus Action Team sent out an email saying that the opportunity was only supposed to be offered to students and faculty in clinical roles. The email apologized for the miscommunication and cancelled any appointments that were scheduled by anyone not eligible for the vaccine.

Some students and faculty were still able to take advantage of this opportunity and got vaccinated before appointments were cancelled.

GRAND RAPIDS

GV begins construction on Mount Vernon Avenue pedestrian mall

BY TREVOR HUBERT NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Last week, GVSU broke ground on a new construction project that will turn Mount Vernon Avenue on its Pew Grand Rapids Campus into a pedestrian mall. The $3.9 million project was approved by the Board of Trustees on February 26th and construction began March 1.

The school hopes that the project will help revitalize the downtown campus and get students to enjoy more of the amenities that will be offered. The new Mount Vernon Avenue is set to feature more outdoor tables and benches, a bike trail, and more open green space, which could create the opportunity for more university events on Pew Campus.

The new mall is also intended to make Pew Campus more accessible and easier to navigate, connecting Secchia Hall, Seidman Center, Winter Hall and the Bicycle Factory.

The project will move some of the campus utility lines underground.

“I think right now, Mount Vernon is an old brick road,” said Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning Karen Ingle. “It’s barricaded off at Fulton Street. It’s not very pedestrian-friendly. It just looks like it’s out of commission, under construction. So this

CONSTRUCTION: GVSU began construction this week Monday on a newly approved $3.9 million project that will turn Mount Vernon Avenue into a pedestrian mall near Pew. GVSU | JONOTHAN ELOI

is going to really energize the area and bring together all of our buildings on the south side of Fulton.”

Ingle also emphasized that the upcoming improvements to the downtown campus will benefit the city of Grand Rapids as a whole.

“It’s going to really be an improvement to the area for students and faculty and staff and really for Grand Rapids as well,” Ingle said.

“There will be a bike path going through the area that connects to the city bike path, so it’ll be open to the public. It’ll improve the visibility of the campus, so it doesn’t look barricaded off and under construction.”

Other improvements to the area will include the additions of patio areas, raised planters and seating walls.

The project is expected to be completed in August of 2021.

LAKER EFFECT

GV Laker Vets president named finalists for Student Veteran of the Year award

BY JACOB DEWEERD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

MINI-GRANT OPPORTUNITY AWARDED TO STUDENT

The mySuccessCheck survey was sent out to all GVSU first year and transfer students. Students who completed this survey were automatically entered to win a $500 mini-grant. MySuccessCheck is intended to provide an opportunity to check in with students new to the University.

The winner of this year’s mySuccessCheck mini-grant is transfer student Patrice Scott. Scott is a GVSU Film and Video Production student from Ypsilanti, Michigan.

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

VETERAN: Cameron Zbikowski spent time in the Navy before returning to Michigan to attend GVSU for the vet program. COURTESY | TIM PRIEST

After spending eight years in the Navy, two years studying abroad, and on the cusp of completing two majors, Cameron Zbikowski has been very busy following his passions for the last 15 years. Now, as president of Laker Vets, Grand Valley State University’s branch of Student Veterans of America (SVA), Zbikowski is one of ten finalists for Student Veteran of the Year.

Zbikowski was originally accepted to GVSU before he joined the military. But, because he could not afford to live on campus, he decided to enlist in the Navy instead.

After completing his service in Key West and staying in Florida for another couple of years, Zbikowski moved back to Michigan to attend GVSU. GVSU’s excellent student veterans program was the reason why Zbikowski decided to stick with his original college choice after such a long time. In 2019, GVSU was named a gold-level mili-

tary-friendly university by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

Under President Mantella, Zbikowski said GVSU’s veteran’s program has gotten even better.

“The senior leadership — so President Mantella and her administration — have openly listened to our concerns and identified ways that the university can improve their services,” said Zbikowski.

He also said that Mantella helped Laker Vets upgrade the veteran’s lounge, transforming it into the new Laker Military Resource Center. The center is located in the Kirkhof Center on GVSU’s Allendale Campus.

Zbikowski joined Laker Vets and SVA in 2019 after returning from a two-year study abroad trip in Australia. Since then, he has become president of Laker Vets and a valued member of the SVA community.

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MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS

A3 | NEWS POLICE

GRAND RAPIDS

| A2

Speeding incidents increase as weather improves

EDITORIAL

| A4

BY ADAM TROMBLEY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

CAMPUS

| A5

The COVID-19 pandemic seems like it has slowed down many parts of our lives, but it certainly has not slowed down the speeding incidents throughout the United States. The death toll of motor vehicle accidents has increased as the number of drivers going faster on the roads has increased.

Even in Grand Valley State University’s community, the Grand Valley Police Department noticed that speeding has become a much more habitual thing during the pandemic.

“Obviously, the weather in the past week has gotten much better,” said GVPD Capt.

Jeffrey Stoll. “But with the reduction of hazards associated with snow, ice, and rain, it clearly seemed to be reflective in the driving approach from people going pretty fast.”

Over the weekend, GVPD cited three people for going 65 mph on West Campus Drive, and two others were cited going 40 mph on North Campus Drive by the archway. This was surprising to Stoll when he heard of the speeds because it was 20 mph over the speed limit on West Campus Dr. and 15 mph over the speed limit on North Campus Dr. Stoll said that speeds tend to shift as the winter weather goes away. Although the shift from year to year is nothing new, he said the increase in speeding throughout the United States is concerning.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, California had an 87% spike in citations handed out for people driv-

LAKER EFFECT

| A6&7

EDUCATION

| A8

RECREATION

| A9

MUSIC

| A10

SOCCER

| A11

TRACK

| A12

VOL. 55

NO. 21

Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF

Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

Editor-in-Chief NICK MORAN Associate Editor OLIVIA FELLOWS

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN News Editor MARY RACETTE

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO ADVERTISING STAFF

Sports Editor ZACK GOODROW

Advertising Manager SHANE MCATAMNEY

Laker Life Editor YSABELA GOLDEN

BUSINESS STAFF

A&E Editor MARY DUPUIS Image Editor MEGHAN LANDGREN

Business Manage RACHEL MCDOWELL

ing over 100 mph between the months of March and April of last year. This coincides with the story from the Washington Post where Minnesota had 42 people killed in traffic collisions in the first 45-day span of the stay-at-home-order. This spike was alarming considering there were 16 more deaths during that stretch last year than there were in 2019.

Stoll says that because GVSU’s Allendale Campus is relatively small, the idea of people going faster on the roads can be very dangerous and will ultimately only save them around 15-20 seconds. Going high speeds can also cause you to have a substantial finan-

cial penalty brought against you.

“You have a dangerous risk when driving to yourself, for others, for the community, and also a financial risk associated with the possible penalty associated with speed,” said Stoll.

While giving tickets comes at the discretion of the officer, if someone has had enough violations and points added to their license, the state may restrict or suspend your license. In Michigan, the cost for low-level violations can range from $105-$135.

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MENTAL HEALTH

Assistant Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

Animals provide source of comfort for college students

BY MARY RACETTE NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

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POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401

SPEEDERS: The GVPD has reported an increase in drivers speeding in the Allendale area and believe it is due to the nicer weather that has arrived with Spring and snow melt. GVL | ARCHIVES

FURRY FRIENDS: Many college students have found help with stress through having pets.

COURTESY | WEST MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY

The everyday life of college students has changed due to the shift in virtual learning and gathering. However, one thing that has stayed constant is the stress caused by heavy workloads. Some students have looked to their pets and emotional support animals for comfort during this especially difficult era of stress and isolation.

Psychology professor Mary Bower Russa referenced various recent studies that show the relationship between pets and their owners. Her research found that having an animal in the house can have positive physical and psychological effects on an owner.

While Russa’s research focuses on pets, she said the literature on the positive impact of pets on its owner may also apply to students with registered emotional support animals.

Director of GVSU’s Disability Support Resources Shontaye Witcher clarified the difference between emotional support animals and pets.

“An assistance animal is not a pet and is recognized as a ‘reasonable accommodation’ for a person with a disability,” Witcher said. “Emotional support animals have been known to assist disabled individuals with severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many other emotional and psychiatric disabilities.”

Students are required to go through the process of registering their emotional support animal through DSR. Bryce Thomas, a communications and criminal justice student at GVSU has a labradoodle as a registered emotional support animal.

“If I wouldn’t have had him to lean on during the pandemic, I know I would’ve been way worse off,” Thomas said. “I really counted on him when it got harder over the summer, and now I feel like maybe I rely on him a little too much.

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A4 | OPINION GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Lauryn Syrba

EDITORIAL

Dr. Seuss “controversy” product of frivolous sensationalism

D

3/8/21

editorial@lanthorn.com

Golden Globe winners set stage for Academy Award predictions WINNER - “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” This was Borat’s category to lose.

The win almost certainly guarantees a Best Picture nomination for the film, but don’t expect it to make much noise come Oscar night. The Academy always shuns comedy and horror.

BY SIMON WAGNER SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

The Golden Globes are in the books, and although the annual ceremony provides many surprises and questionable decisions, it still offers insight into what to look for heading into the Academy Awards. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the winners of some of the most important categories and see if we can predict what’s to come for this year’s Oscars.

Best Motion Picture - Drama WINNER - “Nomadland” Heading into the ceremony, it seemed like the only competitor to this film was “The Trial of the Chicago 7” because of its political relevance and showmanship. But even with all its craftiness and bravado, nothing compares to the beauty and intimacy of “Nomadland.” This film is going to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Best Director - Motion Picture WINNER - Chloé Zhao The “Nomadland” filmmaker looks poised to make history at the Academy Awards. Not only would Zhao become the second female ever to win the directing award, but she would also be the first Asian-American woman to win. All signs point to a victory, and I honestly don’t think it’s close.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama WINNER - Chadwick Boseman The late actor won for his performance in the film, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” The posthumous win was the most emotional part of the ceremony, and there’s a good chance it will be again. The race is tight, with performances from Riz Ahmed and Sacha Baron Cohen also in the mix, but it seems only right to award Boseman for his inspiring presence on screen.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama WINNER - Andra Day This was hands-down the most surprising victory of the night. Not to say that it wasn’t deserving, but the

film itself, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” hasn’t received great reviews.

Going into the night, I would have pegged Frances McDormand and Carey Mulligan as the clear frontrunners. I would even say Day was the last person I’d have expected to win because of the lack of noise the film has been getting.

This win may shake up the entire discussion heading into the Oscars, and it almost certainly gives Day a nomination. But, with all that said, I still find it unlikely that she will take home the top prize at the Academy Awards. I’ll put my money on McDormand.

Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture WINNERS - Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Foster When it comes to Kaluuya, he’s a lock for the Oscar. But with Foster, things get interesting. The only thing working against her is that the film, “The Mauritanian,” continues to lack buzz. She’s going to have to do a lot of promotion and press work in order to keep the momentum her way. The win is a great start in securing a nomination, but I still think even that may be a long shot. The film just isn’t being talked about.

Well, there it is. With the Oscars just under two months away, (April 25) I look forward to seeing if any of my insight pays off. But then again, I’m not part of the Academy, so don’t yell at me if your pick doesn’t take home an award.

r. Seuss Enterprises has chosen to cease publication of a select few of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s books, and the internet erupted into flames. Op-ed pieces create controversy as they decry liberals for censoring the past, while others chime in to say that they thought Dr. Seuss was problematic before it was cool.

The specific books being discontinued have been presented in a conflicting way, with Fox News discussing books like “Horton Hears a Who” and “Green Eggs and Ham” while the actual discontinued books include six lesser-known titles in “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.”

The actual issue and the internet’s response to it aren’t cut-and-dry, which makes them candidates for a more complex discussion than most of what sensationalist opinion writers are saying.

Dr. Seuss isn’t a pillar of goodness that’s being soiled by snake-tongued leftists, nor is he an irredeemable racist that’s being protected by sinister right-wing pundits.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was a vaguely anarchistic, anti-isolationist cartoonist who did racist caricatures in some of his work, which he apparently acknowledged and regretted in his later years.

Based on Geisel’s regret, it seems like Dr. Seuss Enterprises isn’t acting against

his interests or doing anything he would object to.

The reactions to that decision – from left-wing people and right-wing people alike – aren’t necessarily merited in this instance. Opinion writers, news networks, and everyone with access to social media aren’t reacting to a controversy; they’re generating one.

Cancel culture isn’t necessarily old, and neither is alarmist news coverage.

Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote about how Black celebrities and other members of persecuted groups have always been “canceled” by white supremacists or patriarchal authorities. Jon Stewart and his team at The Daily Show have been wise to the dangers of the 24-hour news cycle since the Bush administration, but there’s a new facet to the Dr. Seuss discourse and to every other issue these days.

In his op-ed on cancel culture, Coates says that when people on social media “cancel” something, it’s just the free market in action; products or commodities – like celebrities – stop being profitable or have the potential to stop being profitable and are discontinued.

This is, arguably, what happened with that small group of Dr. Seuss’s books.

But the internet isn’t just an extension of the free market, it’s an extension of interpersonal relations.

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GVL OPINION POLICY The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by— nor do they necessarily represent those of—the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty

or staff.

Letters to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

CAMPUS

Students fight for better campus dining experience

BY MACKENZIE KELLER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

A new student group on Grand Valley State University’s campus, Students for Food Sovereignty (SFS), aims to change the way that students experience campus dining.

In November 2020, two student senators decided to form a chapter of SFS in response to the issue that they noticed in the campus dining system. Their goal is to make food education more accessible and empower students to build a system of food sovereignty on campus. They believe that the first step for making a change would be to end GVSU’s contract with Aramark.

Aramark is the company that currently supplies food to GVSU’s campus. The contract with them started in 2001 and was renewed in 2019 for several more years. However, some students, especially those in SFS, have taken an issue with Aramark.

“I joined SFS at GVSU because I believe GVSU needs to be held accountable for its lack of nutritious, fresh, and dietary-inclusive foods, as well as its blatant apathy towards Aramark’s profiting off the prison industrial complex,” said Gracie Barrett, the Administrative Director of SFS. “I believe all GVSU students will benefit from a self-operated dining system.”

SFS aims to replace Aramark with a self-operational dining system. This

would involve the dining system becoming a part of the university’s structure as opposed to a third-party contractor. This would also allow the students more access to the knowledge of what food is being served, how it is being served, and where to find their best options.

“As a vegetarian ...I was faced with the same three options- salad, a vegetable sub sandwich, or mac and cheese that both my friend and I got sick from. There were days that I would choose to eat nothing at all or microwave food in my dorm rather than walking to the dining hall for food I didn’t want,” said Jaden Russell, the Events Coordinator of SFS, “This is just one way food insecurity can look on a university campus, and we shouldn’t be forcing our students with alternative diets to be making this decision.”

Currently, SFS is working to submit a proposal to GVSU about cutting their contract with Aramark. They are working to organize a feedback session in order to get more student opinions and collaborate with other student organizations.

“I joined SFS because all students, regardless of race, economic background, or dietary restrictions, deserve to have food available to them that is healthy and culturally appropriate,” said Alex Hicks, the Communications Coordinator of SFS. “Student activism has always been some-

SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY: Students for Food Sovereignty seek to improve the campus dining experience, starting with ditching using Aramark. COURTESY | STUDENTS FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

thing that is important to me, and I believe that SFS has the capacity to create positive change on our campus.”

Though GVSU does have some food options, the SFS believes it is often not enough for the students who need them.

“Something that drew me in about GVSU was their ‘inclusiveness’ and willingness to change,” Russel said. “However, the

more time I spend as a Laker, the more I realize this to be untrue. GVSU loves to talk the talk but not walk the walk. I’m joining SFS to hold GV accountable for the things they do”.

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DISCUSSION

Reach Higher Together huddle focuses on GV’s future

BY OLIVIA FELLOWS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

TEAMWORK: Reach Higher Together huddles seek to get student perspectives as GVSU continues to evolve. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

Grand Valley State University’s second Reach Higher Together 2025 huddle took place Monday, March 1, via Zoom. The first of the huddles took place Feb. 25, and included perspectives from students on how GVSU can be improved for future students.

The second huddle invited students, staff and faculty to share their thoughts and insight into making improvements.

The goals of the huddle in phase two included discussing refining GVSU’s mission, vision and values. Currently, the draft mission statement highlights transforming lives, professions and communities through active inquiry across inclusive learning environments, and the current draft values statement focuses on the university being a leader in learner-driven experiences that integrate liberal and professional education to achieve a lifetime of growth and purpose.

Tara Bivens, who works in Senior Manager Benefits in GVSU’s Human Resources department, said that this new phase will continue to expand upon the goals of the statements that GVSU leadership wants to highlight.

“As we begin to continue moving forward with our strategic planning, we recognize that work still needs to be done on our draft mission, vision and values, which is what this

second phase will focus on,” Bivens said.

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A6&7 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

BRAND: Cohen’s brand inspires through stationary, stickers and mugs, as well as through a pair of books and public speaking. COURTESY | GVNEXT ADVICE: Cohen gave students five pieces of advice, ranging from investing in themselves to building relationships. COURTESY | RAPID GROWTH MEDIA

GRABBING GREATNESS: Cohen helms “Tough Skin Soft Heart,” which she said expresss the words she always wanted to share. COURTESY | GVSU

KEEP SHINING: Cohen fills her greeting cards with motivational phrases, like “shine on sis.” COURTESY | FOX 17

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

To quote one of her infamous greeting cards, Grand Valley State University alumna and Detroit native Shannon Cohen decided to “start living at the intersection of joy and purpose,” — and she hasn’t looked back since.

After graduating from GVSU Cohen became the principal of Shannon Cohen Inc. where she has a line of inspirational products called, “Tough Skin Soft Heart” (TSSH), runs a blog and podcast, and holds speaking events on encouragement, motivation and leadership.

TSSH includes stationery, stickers, mugs, a lookbook, two of her own books, and “affirmailtions.” Each card features something inspirational or kind, including phrases like, “Girl you have greatness in your bones,” “Speak life to the dreams of your soul,” and, “Growth looks good on you.”

Today, grocery stores, boutique shops and retailers throughout Michigan and 15 other states carry Cohen’s hard work. On top of this, as of very recently, 1,700 Target retail stores have taken on Cohen’s greeting cards where they will be prominently displayed through March.

Although she has succeeded in so many arenas, Cohen places much of her focus on

everything that it took to achieve that success.

Graduating from GVSU with a double major in Political Science and Advertising and Public Relations, Cohen said she spent the first nine months after college with no job and no car because the Government job she was offered was retracted because of 9/11.

Fast forward to 2009, Cohen went to grad school and worked a full-time job until she started a business where she did consulting work and began to work for the White House Drug Control Policy, later beginning TSSH. “I started ‘Tough Skin Soft Heart’ as a blog,” Cohen said. “I started writing to talk about all of the difficult things the leaders I worked with were navigating behind smiles and hard faces. I gained 3,000 subscribers in the first year.”

Cohen then started to travel and speak until 2015 where she spoke at a Blue Cross Blue Shield event in Michigan and an executive came to her looking for more.

“She challenged me,” Cohen said. “She said, ‘Next time I see you, I want you to have a product and a book.’ So, I began learning a lot more about business and I’ve always loved handwritten cards. Encouragement is my superpower. I was always buying blank cards and writing love letters because no cards in the market said what I wanted to say.”

LEADING LAKER: After 20 years of self-discovery and growth, Cohen is now inspiring many others. COURTESY | GVNEXT

Cohen said although it was a challenging journey, it’s one that she is grateful for.

“I think about my journey of becoming, which is what I call it, and it has really been 20 years long, and I think that’s okay,” Cohen said. “That’s important to share. Some things look like an overnight thing and that’s not what it is. It’s truly a journey of becoming. Sometimes we get frustrated because we’re comparing our day one to someone else’s day 1,001.”

She said that the hardship she faced while building her business is actually what continues to motivate her the most.

“I think what inspires me every day is memories from my years in obscurity,” Cohen said. “This particular milestone of Target is really visible but what inspires me are those daily small acts of courage, consistency and resilience that it took to get here.

Doing every pop-up, taking my 2-year-old to events, building a business in my basement. I’ve proven to myself that I’m not a questionable investment.”

Cohen’s tale of perseverance and determination is something that she hopes GVSU students can build off of as well. She said there are five main things she wishes to tell students.

First and foremost, Cohen said you must believe and invest in yourself prior to graduation.

“I think sometimes as students we get caught up in thinking what’s next is post-graduation, but what’s next can be seeded today,” Cohen said. “You can become an industry disrupter with a cellphone and an idea. Stop thinking about post-grad and start thinking about right now.”

Secondly, Cohen said students should know that the top three platforms right now for brand building are LinkedIn, Twitter and TikTok. “We’re living in a place where we’re dis-

tant, but not disconnected, and I think because of that you have to think of social media as a digital storefront,” Cohen said. “As a student don’t just think of social media as a way of connecting with friends. Start to think of yourself as an industry thinker. Use social media as a digital footprint towards the next step as you’re living in your now.”

Third, Cohen said to remember the present, but know that the future is important to build towards.

“College is about remembering that you’re living in your now but every day you’re living towards your next,” Cohen said. “Publish your paper on Linkedin, build relationships, reach out to the author of a book from class over Linkedin or Twitter and share your work. The people who used to be harder to touch are at home just like us. It causes hierarchies to be flatter -- take advantage of that. People are more touchable now than ever because they’re at home.”

Fourth, Cohen said to build relationships with the other students in your classes.

“You never know where the other students will end up on the Earth,” Cohen said. “Future networks are in your classes.

Build authentic, meaningful relationships with classmates. There are people I met in undergrad and grad school that I’m still deeply connected with today. The Laker Nation is strong. Reach out to people who are Lakers for a lifetime.”

Finally, Cohen said your most important supporter must be yourself.

“Root for somebody today — starting with yourself,” Cohen said. “I’ve been so hard on myself and so critical of myself. I think that’s what my encouragement for others is — to root for yourself, and root hard. Listen to the words you’re saying about yourself or your life, and speak life to the dreams of your own soul.”

JOY AND PURPOSE: Cohen said she lives at the “intersection of joy and purpose” and hasn’t looked back. COURTESY | SHANNON COHEN

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A8 | NEWS EDUCATION

President Mantella announces program intended to meet the needs of the nation’s K-12 students

BY KYLIE ELWELL NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

President Philomena V. Mantella announced the NextEd Accelerator program at Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 26.

This new accelerator program is for K-12 students, aiding them in having success with virtual learning and tutoring. It will contain programs made to address the issues around equity and opportunity.

The university also has a program called K-12 Connect. Since this program was introduced last summer, it has already aided more than 1,800 students, as well as providing more than 7,500 hours of tutoring for these students.

“It will be a space to develop innovative solutions that support K-12 educators and learners,” said Rob Kimball, Associate Vice President for Charter Schools. “GVSU has a long history of embracing innovative ideas that advance teaching and learning in K-12 education. We are building on this rich history. GV NextEd Accelerator draws from our value for innovation and will further GVSU’s mission to find meaningful solutions for all learners.”

The College of Education will be a major partner for NextEd since this program is aiming to support learners and educators more. NextEd Accelerator is geared

towards creating more space for programs like K-12 Connect, implementing more low-cost and high-impact programs for education and learning.

There have been many learning complications and setbacks due to COVID-19 and virtual learning, this program is working towards improving hardships within schooling for students, educators and more.

“GV NextEd Accelerator will be a space to support education entrepreneurs, including brilliant faculty, staff, students, and K-12 educators, explore cutting-edge ideas that can improve public education on a statewide, national or global scale,” Kimball said. “It will allow these innovators to work across the university, especially with the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Every idea or initiative GV NextEd Accelerator explores must enhance equity in public education.

We must be able to meet the diverse needs of our communities, especially communities where the need is the highest.”

This Accelerator will be dedicated to meeting the needs of K-12 Students, as well as educators and education entrepreneurs involved in schools across the nation. This program was introduced to test new ideas and implement the ones that work well, so there can be efficient and effective learning outcomes for students.

“GV NextEd Accelerator is a for-

EDUCATION: GVSU President Philomena Mantella announced a new acclerator program aimed at help K-12 students with online learning and being successful in online learning. COURTESY | GVSU

ward-looking initiative to allow the best of Grand Valley to connect with like-minded partners to advance opportunity and equity,” Kimball said. “It’s a space to help transform public education to be more learner-centric and responsive. It’s the future, and GVSU is leading the way.”

GVSU continues to introduce programs and initiatives that will benefit educational partners, students, and more. The university’s faculty and staff are committed to strengthening and developing educational programs to benefit K-12 learners, as well as their K-12 Connect program.

COMMUNITY

Roundtable focuses on notable local women in history

BY AUDREY WHITAKER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

WOMEN’S MONTH: The annual Local History Roundtable highlighted women in the area who’ve made a difference. COURTESY | GVSU

The Kutsche Office of Local History is turning their focus to women for the 12th Annual Local History Roundtable, which is spread throughout March with three events.

The Roundtable event began with “Solidarities: White Women and Women of Color’s Activism to Secure the Vote” on March 1, and will continue with “Lesser Known Women in West Michigan History Roundtable” on March 17, and “Grand Rapids Women & Their Work During the Great War” on March 24, said Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History.

“Our theme for this year reflects a desire to demonstrate women’s interventions in social justice movements,” McKee said. “We’re particularly interested in the role of women in history and how women’s activism helped shape our local communities.”

David McCord of the Ionia Historical Society explores the roles of women in local history in the Lesser Known Women in West Michigan History Roundtable. Mc-

Cord said that being able to share these stories is inspiring.

“Women in history are unsung, and they play a terrific role in the goings-on in their community, but for whatever reason, never quite made the headlines,” McCord said. “In many ways, these stories are the building blocks of our heritage” In her research, Brenda Nemetz of the Lakeshore Museum Center uncovered the story of Rosie Wilkins, a Muskegon woman with a prolific quilting career.

“The first thing we did was look at our own collection and we had nothing about her, and nobody we knew anything about her,” said Nemetz.

Like many women, Rosie’s accomplishments hadn’t been celebrated by her local community. Nemetz said that events like the local history round table are one way to change that.

“It’s really about the struggles that we had with researching her, and making sure that this doesn’t happen again, that women in our community are not overlooked,”

Nemetz said. “We can look at our own collection as a museum at our exhibits and make sure that there’s a representation of the community we’re supposed to serve.”

Historical research presents many challenges, which Nemetz hopes will encourage attendees to document the lives and accomplishments of themselves and their family members.

“I’m hoping people are really inspired to document their own stories document, women in their own families, and make sure that they capture those stories while they still can,” Nemetz said. “Even if it doesn’t end up in a museum, exhibit it’s still important for your own history, your own legacy.“ Katelyn Bosch VerMerris researched women’s role in the West Michigan workforce during World War I. VerMerris said that in addition to sharing an important part of history, she is inspired by the stories she has uncovered.

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A9 | LAKER LIFE

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

A LOOK AT LIFESTYLE WORK LIKE A LAKER AIMS TO “STEER YOUR CAREER” This week, GVSU’s Career Center is once again holding a conference of events and lectures to help students learn more about the professional world. The Work Like a Laker series lasts from Monday, March 8 to Wednesday, Mar. 17, and will be followed by a Career, Internship and Summer Job Fair on Thursday, March 18.

The conference has three kinds of sessions. Explanatory preparation webinars at the beginning of the week, such as a Resume Review Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. Professional development panels and workshops, such as Researching Employers and Evaluating Workplace Culture from 4-5 p.m. on March 9. And industry information sessions, such as the Healthcare Experience Panel from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16. A full schedule of all virtual events, as well as links to the Zoom sessions, are available on the Career Center’s website at www.gvsu. edu/careers.

RECREATION

Rec & Wellness promotes small adventures, big impacts

BY AUTUMN PITCHURE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer who graduated and set off on his bike to travel the world. He didn’t get back home for over four years, and during that time traveled 46,000 miles, experiencing over 60 countries.

He went on adventures involving riding across the Atlantic ocean and walking across deserts. In a realistic sense, Humphreys took a step back and realized that not everyone has the time in their busy schedules to go on big adventures every day.

“People stare at websites and watch films with adventure and think, ‘Oh man, I would love to do that,’” Humphreys said. “There are COUNSELING CENTER TEACHES COM- so many things that stop people from doing such things as walking across deserts. PerMUNITY ABOUT BODY IMAGE haps the difficulty is getting going, or startIt’s not a secret that advertisements and ing, or knowing even how you get going on media messages can fuel unrealistic and a project that is big and daunting.” even unhealthy expectations for people’s With these thoughts, Humphrey decided bodies. The myth of attainable perfection to try and make adventure easy, small, atcan not only lead to dissatisfaction with tainable and short on people’s time. He did reality, but disordered eating and other this so there was no reason people could coping strategies that do a body more have not to get started. He started doing miharm than good in the long run. croadventures, which are small adventures For National Eating Disorder that have a big impact on how people view Screening Day, the Counseling Center is seeking to share strategies for developing and maintaining a healthy body image, as well as spread awareness of the ways in which these cultural ideals can be harmful. From 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday March 10, those interested can watch live as a seminar is streamed on the Center’s Instagram @gvcounseling. An online eating disorder screening is also available through their website at www.gvsu.edu/counsel.

OMA CONCLUDES CELEBRATION

MICROADVENTURES: The Rec Center is promoting exploring the outdoors through microadventures and finding fun with their challenge calendar in the outdoors in the Allendale area. COURTESY | GVSU

and experience the world around them.

Humphrey isn’t the only one interested in this concept. Grand Valley State University’s Rec & Wellness’ Outdoor Adventures program (RWOAP) is hosting, “Microadventure March” to try and get students out into nature, exploring their surroundings and experiencing the beauty that life has to offer.

They are asking people to share their microadventures in the newly-formed

Outdoor Adventure Collective, which is a growing group of students who engage in a Facebook group. The mission of the Collective is to provide an online space for students to ask questions, connect with each other and learn new skills that can be brought into the outdoors.

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ORGANIZATIONS

Farm Club adapts with the season

BY KATHERINE ARNOLD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

HERITAGE

Since Jan. 29, GVSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs has been hosting their a virtual version of their usual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration. The series will end this week with the annual R.I.C.E conference, a seminar dedicated to realizing and addressing issues of prejudice in our culture, and especially in education.

R.I.C.E will be held virtually over Zoom from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 12. Those interested in attending can RSVP for the event on the OMA website, www.gvsu.edu/oma.

GREEN THUMB: The GVSU Farm Club helps support the Sustainable Agriculture Project and are seeking new members. COURTESY | GVSU

During this highly-virtual past year, the student organization experience has changed to accommodate online spaces and limited contact regulations. For the Farm Club, their experience has been an interesting one since their organization is more reliant than most in-person experiences as they spend time supporting the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP).

“The Farm Club is dedicated to practicing and promoting the principles of sustainable agriculture,” said Maisie Wiler, president of the Farm Club. “During the growing season, our membership provides a volunteer corps to the SAP just south of campus.

We welcome students from all majors and courses of study, because the work we do is important for more than just students of environmental science.”

With the restrictions on in-person meetings, a majority of their events as an organization weren’t able to be held. Their initial meetings in the fall semester saw fewer members, from a combination of students

adapting to new schedules and a lack of typical work.

“For most of the fall semester, we were not permitted to hold volunteer hours at the SAP,” Wiler said. “Our workshops, too, have transitioned from in-person to virtual; we haven’t been able to gather like we’re accustomed to.”

This academic year has been a hard one in terms of member recruitment. With students constantly adjusting to school and work changes in addition to the normal work of a semester, many have found it hard to keep up the same club engagement as in previous years.

“Student engagement in the club has been dishearteningly low throughout the academic year,” Wiler said. “We’re still welcoming new members and rejoicing when someone expresses interest in the Farm Club, because it’s difficult to articulate to prospective members what exactly an agriculture-based club does when we can’t be on the farm.”

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A10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE GRAND RAPIDS CIRCLE THEATRE WELCOMES PERFORMERS BACK, OPENS 2021 AUDITIONS This year, the Circle Theatre will be hosting virtual auditions for three of their main productions, those being: “The Gin Game,” “Always... Patsy Cline,” and “Cabaret.”

From March 1-14, virtual auditions will be open for “The Gin Game” and “Always...

Patsy Cline” and from March 1-28, auditions will be open for “Cabaret.” This show will include intentional color casting in the roles of Master of Ceremonies, Sally Bowles, Clifford Bradshaw, and others.

“The Gin Game” and “Always...Patsy Cline” will both be “Circle On The Lawn” productions, meaning the performances will be taking place outside on a stage set up on the Circle Theatre lawn.

In July, Circle Theatre is planning to move back into its theatre with the production of “Cabaret.”

GV CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD PREPARES FOR IN-PERSON JUST DANCE PARTY The Grand Valley State University Campus Activities Board (CAB) will be holding a “Just Dance Fitness Hour” in-person at the Kelly Family Sports Center.

On Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m., students are invited to join in a fun new way to dance around with friends and work on some fitness with CAB. There is a 50-person limit, and students are required to RSVP to the event on LakerLink.

CDC Social Distancing Guidelines will be adhered to, and students are encouraged to bring a water bottle with their masks.

GV CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD SET TO HOLD THEIR OWN VERSION OF PAINTING WITH A TWIST

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

MUSIC

Grand Rapids Symphony holds virtual concert, gala celebrating diversity, local impacts

BY ALLISON RAFFERTY ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Combining a concert and a gala into a completely virtual event, the Grand Rapids Symphony was able to host their Celebration of the Soul: Soul of the City event — a blending of two of their annual staples.

Taking place on Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m., Celebration of the Soul honored recipients of the Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award and featured musical performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony, Debra Perry and Majestic Praise, and Bishop Marvin L. Sapp.

The event was also held to help support the Mosaic Scholarship Program, a program designed to give African American and Latinx students the opportunity to have private lessons with a Grand Rapids Symphony musician, music supplies, and tickets to Grand Rapids Symphony performances.

The Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award is given to individuals and organizations in the West Michigan community who have been recognized for their efforts and accomplishments in celebrating the importance of diversity, cultural awareness and inclusion.

This year’s recipients were the Grand Rapids Black Nurses Association; Keli Christopher founder and executive director of STEM Greenhouse; and Jermale and Anissa Eddie, owners of Malamiah Juice Bar. The Grand Rapids Black Nurses Association promotes nurses advocating for Black community members to have access to high-quality healthcare and to seek equity in the field of healthcare for underserved populations.

Students are invited to take a break from their online classes and midterms by venturing to the Grand River Room in Kirkhof for Grand Valley State University’s Campus Activities Board’s “Paint and Sip” event.

On Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. students are welcome to join in an evening of painting and music to help unwind and eliminate some of the stress of the semester.

Students are asked to RSVP for the event on LakerLink before attending.

SOUND: The Grand Rapids Symphony held their Celebration of the Soul event that helps to support the Mosaic Scolarship Program, which caters to Black and Latinx students. GVL | KATHERINE VASILE

In order to address health care disparity in communities of color, the Black Nurses Association partners with local organizations to offer health and wellness seminars, resources, workshops, scholarships and mentors.

President of the Grand Rapids Black Nurses Association, Aundrea Robinson, said the award and the evening meant a great deal to them.

“It was very humbling and we were very, very grateful and very honored to be receiving this award in her name because of how much MaLinda Sapp contributed to the community,” said Robinson.

Christopher also said the award meant a great deal to her, having known Sapp personally.

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HISTORY

“Victors of Character” centers around themes of social justice

BY PARKER LEARMAN-BLAAUW ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

GRAND RAPIDS WILL HOLD LAST “SEASONAL WONDERS” PROJECTION SHOW THIS WEEKEND This weekend will be the final showing of the World of Winter Festival’s “Seasonal Wonders” Projection Show.

As part of the World of Winter festival, shows take place every Saturday and Sunday evening at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. and will continue through March 14 on the facade of the Civic Auditorium in Downtown Grand Rapids.

The installation showcases the four seasons of Grand Rapids, and each show lasts about 20 minutes.

PRESIDENTIAL: Before becoming 38th president, Gerald Ford played football Michigan.

COURTESY | GVSU MUSIC, THEATRE AND DANCE DPT.

Serving as president of the United States is enough of an accomplishment on its own, but there have been many instances where those in office have done exemplary things beforehand, too.

Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States, was one such man, and his actions are being recognized and reproduced by the Grand Valley State University Theatre Department.

Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan until he graduated high school and enrolled at the University of Michigan. There he had an outstanding football career, helping to claim two national championships and an MVP award. During his senior year, how-

ever, Ford almost quit the team due to a disagreement with the university.

In 1934, Georgia Tech announced that it would not participate in its scheduled game against Michigan if Willis Ward, a Black player, was allowed to take the field. Despite numerous protests from students, alumni, and fellow players, the university submitted, and disallowed Willis from playing.

Ford, who was close friends and roommates with Willis, was furious, and threatened to leave the team if the ruling stood. Willis, however, asked him to play anyway, to which Ford obliged.

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A11 | SPORTS

MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS SHORT IN GLIAC TOURNAMENT

After finishing the regular season at 11-6 , the men’s basketball team earned the second seed in the GLIAC tournament. The Lakers won their first game and lost their second last weekend in the tournament.

GVSU beat Lake Superior State University in their first game of the tournament 72-57. After a slow start, GVSU went on a 9-2 run to close the first half. During the second half, they continued their streak by outsourcing Lake Superior 31-10. GVSU outscored Lake Superior 44-24 in the second half.

Christian Negron led the team with 22 points, 13 rebounds and a season high five blocks. Issac Gassman contributed 19 points and eight rebounds. Jake Van Tubbergen added seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

In their next matchup, GVSU fell to Michigan Technological University 65-59.

In a closely-contested matchup, the Lakers were tied with Michigan Tech 30-30 before the closing seconds of the first half.

Coming into the second half, Michigan Tech held a four point lead that the Lakers couldn’t overcome. Van Tubbergen had 19 points, Negron scored 12 points, and Gassman added another 11 points.

While it was a disappointing way to end the GLIAC tournament, two GVSU players did receive GLIAC honors. Negron was named to the All-GLIAC team and the All-Defensive team. Negron averaged 13.4 points this season and led the conference with 32 blocks.

Van Tubbergen was also named to the All-GLIAC team. He led the Lakers with 13.6 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game.

After their loss in the GLIAC tournament, GVSU will have to wait until the NCAA tournament selection announcement to see if they will continue their season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES FIRST, ONLY GAME IN GLIAC TOURNAMENT

The GVSU women’s basketball team fell short in a tight game against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, losing 77-72. GVSU started out hot, finishing the second half with a score of 40-33. The Lakers were unable to keep this lead, however, as Parkside came back to tie the game before the end of regulation. In overtime, Parkside outscored the Lakers 17-12 to win the game.

This was a disappointing finish to the GLIAC tournament for the team. While the loss hurts, three Lakers received GLIAC honors at the event.

Juniors Hannah Kulas and Emily Spitzley were selected to the All-GLIAC First Team.

Kulas and fellow junior Samantha Gehrls were also selected for the All-GLIAC Defensive Team.

LAST SEASON: Senior forward Ava Cook is looking toward one last season on the soccer field with the GVSU women’s soccer program, who are looking to get some more wins on their rap sheet. Cook is allowed to play under the NCAA’s new COVID-19 eligibility extension rules. COURTESY | GVL ARCHIVES

SOCCER

Cook to return for fifth, final season at GV during fall 2021 semester

BY ZACK GOODROW SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

On Dec. 14, 2019, the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

Before they were able to return to the field and defend their title, COVID-19 struck the nation. The team’s spring tournament was cancelled, along with their fall 2020 season.

“It was a heartbreaker,” said senior forward Ava Cook. “It was tough knowing that we had just won the championship and we were trying to keep our title this year. We thought we weren’t going to get the chance to do that. It was very tough putting the idea together of me not ever playing again into perspective.”

For Cook, 2019 was potentially the last time she would ever play soccer as a GVSU Laker. Fortunately for her and the rest of her team, their season was rescheduled for spring 2021. Cook will be around next year too, thanks to the NCAA COVID-19 eligibility rules.

Student athletes normally have five years to play four seasons of their sport. The NCAA extended this eligibility into six years to play all four seasons. In Cook’s case, since the team’s fall 2020 season was cancelled, Cook will be eligible to return even after the competition this spring.

In a normal year, the GVSU women’s soccer team may play a maximum of 26 games, like in their 2019 championship season.

With their conference-only schedule this year, they will only be able to play 13 games if they make it to the championship.

Since they will be playing only half the games they normally would have, the

NCAA has deemed that this season is not a full one. This allows Cook to come back for another year of competition at GVSU. Another year of playing soccer at GVSU was of course something that Cook was interested in. But it was a difficult decision to make, as there were many factors leading into her final choice.

Cook had to pick between graduating with her degree this semester or going another several months to get her hard-earned diploma. If she was to return, she would

also have to change her schedule in order to stretch out her classes for another semester.

She also had to decide if she was going to graduate school or extend her undergraduate program.

Despite the issues involved with extending their eligibility, continuing to play the sport she loves was in the forefront of her mind.

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MARCH 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS TRACK

GV Track and Field run away with GLIAC title for fourth straight year

BY JOSH ROCHETTE SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

For the fourth straight year, the Grand Valley State University track and field team won the GLIAC title. With the regular season finished, both the men and women’s teams were looking dominant going into the GLIAC conference tournament on Feb. 27 and 28.

Both teams ended up doing just that. The men finished with 249 points and the women ended the event with 255.33 points.

The women and men have stayed on top of the national rankings for most of the season, an impressive feat that showed off both the depth of the men’s roster and the raw firepower of the women’s roster. These rankings were reflected on the score sheet with both teams coming out on top with dominant wins.

“The good thing about our sport is that the numbers don’t lie,” said coach Jerry Baltes. “It’s still a team sport so we still have to go out there and perform, but if we do that we will continue to be right around where we rank.”

When the men weren’t securing first place finishes, they were getting almost every other point for the event. In the men’s 800-meter for example, Ashland University’s senior Ian Johnson earned 10

points for first place, but GVSU earned 25 points across the five athletes who placed behind him.

The men’s team saw a handful of strong first-place finishes with freshman Caleb Futter in the mile. Freshman Andrew Hylen and senior Enael Woldemichael placed first and second in the 5,000-meter run respectively.

Senior Justin Scavarda finished in first place for shot put and second in the weight throw.

Scavarda was named GLIAC Field Athlete of the Year following his performance, though both he and his coach know better than to soak up too much praise.

“He got in the next day and went to work just as hard as he did the day before,” Baltes said. “Justin is one of those blue-collar student athletes. He commits to his own personal growth as well as the team.”

Sacavarda has been with the team for the last 3 years and has gradually improved over since his debut.

“We went in and took advantage of our depth,” Scavarda said. “We outscored Ashland in the weight throw. That’s something that’s never happened since I was in college, so that was a big stepping stone. We did really well and performed the way we should have, and we didn’t really have any slip-ups.”

Moving to the women, they had at least one athlete in the top three finishes for every event except one. Even with the 400-meter finals, the Lakers scored at least

CHAMPIONS: The track and field team placed first in the GLIAC Tournament and showed off their depth by scoring a variety of points from second and third place finishes. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

6 points across both the track and the field.

This largely contributed to their 115-point gap over the runner-up, Saginaw Valley State University.

Senior Angelica Floyd got a first and second place finish in the 60 and 200-meter dash events respectively. Senior Sreenan

Nicole qualified at nationals for the 60, the 200, and the 400-meter events. Ellianne Kimes was atop the four pole vaulters to both win the event and qualify for nationals.

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SOFTBALL

GV Softball goes 3-2 in Indiana for weekend series

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

SLUGGER: After a long weekend series in Indiana, the GVSU softball went 3-2 and are now 6-2 for the season. COURTESY | GVSU SOFTBALL

The Grand Valley State University softball team had a busy weekend in Evansville, Indiana, playing split doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday and ending with one game on Sunday for the Midwest Region Crossover. The Lakers started the weekend off with a 3-0 record, but two losses against Trevecca Nazarene and a win against Kentucky Wesleyan and Lake Erie brought them to 3-2 as of Saturday. They played Lake Erie again on Sunday, winning 7-0.

COVID-19 has brought on a variety of issues for every team at GVSU. Coach Dana Callihan and the team have been forced to adapt to playing less games each week than in previous seasons. They are also missing out on their annual trip to Florida to compete over spring break, which the NCAA cancelled.

“It’s not ideal by any stretch,” Callihan said. “The NCAA reduced the number of maximum games we could play and the fact

that GVSU cancelled their spring break, that forced us to cancel the Florida trip. Usually once we get started, we want to keep going, but it is what it is. We just have to adapt and come out and play.”

In the first game on Friday against Trevecca, the Lakers fell 8-6, but were able to grab some home runs in the seventh inning.

Nikoma Holmen, Taylor Rieger and Lydia Goble all hit home runs Friday morning, with Rieger hitting a two-run HR sixth inning to push the Lakers forward. Ashley Platek pitched and retired ten straight in the first inning, but Trevecca held onto their lead to win the game.

“We knew they were going to be a tough team going into it,” Callihan said. “I don’t think we were quite ready for some of the things that they threw at us and we didn’t adjust soon enough. They threw some pitching that we hadn’t seen in a while.”

In their second game of the day against Kentucky Wesleyan, the Lakers started strong with Rieger’s double and Holmen’s

sac fly in the first inning. That was followed

by Rieger with two more home runs in the third. Sophomore pitcher Hannah Beatus took the mound for the game, only allowing three hits and a walk, striking out nine people and no hits. The Lakers ended up shutting out Kentucky 8-0 Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning, the Lakers played a strong first inning against Lake Erie with a solo home run from Goble, followed by home runs from Brooke Henning and Megan Koenigshof in the fourth. Hannah Dieck pitched five innings, allowing one run, three walks and striking out three players. Ashley Platek closed out the game with two perfect innings, bringing the score to 6-1.

When they played against Trevecca again, the Lakers came back from a 2-0 deficit in the sixth inning with a home run from Henning and an RBI single by Koengshof to tie up the score.

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