InGeneral Fall 2019

INGENERAL MAGAZINE

FALL 2019 ISSUE VOL 17, NO 1

A PUBL I C HE A L T H E P I D E M I C ?

 C OVE R STO RY The InGeneral staff explores the potential consequences of vaping as well as its prevalence at Washington and Lee.

OP INION

F O R E I GN FASH I O N

AN I C O N

Is the Honor System under attack?

Students from around the world show off their styles.

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The tranformation of party house Munster into Paxton House.

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ISSUE 17.1 FALL 2019

InGeneral Magazine is an entirely student-run publication dedicated to showcasing the activities, opinions and interests of Washington and Lee undergraduate students.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kara Lough ’20

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Killian Green ’21

MANAGING EDITOR

Elizabeth Bell ’21

L AYO U T D I R E C TO R

Coleman Martinson ’21 PUBLICIST

Isabel Chiodo ’21 DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS DIRECTOR

Jack Jahries ’20 STAFF

Brendan Black Katie Larkin Anna Lutrell Gabriela Gomez-Misserian Emry Wright Lizzie Figuieras Simona Radeva Sarah Stephenson PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ann Douglas Lott Emma Coleman TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OR FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT

InGeneral Magazine John W. Elrod Commons Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 24450

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR DEA R INGE N E R AL R E AD E R S,

H

ave you heard the saying “time waits for no one”? You probably have. As a senior, I often think about time, because many of us are very aware that our W&L student life is coming to an end.

I think for the most part people are stressed about making the most of their time left at W&L. Hearing that saying above may even worsen some seniors’ anxiety, but for me, the saying gives comfort.

Time waits for no one because it’s not something a person can control. Time will pass; life and the world will go on.

By accepting that I have no control over time, I don’t feel so burdened by its course.

I am neither too preoccupied by admiring the past nor by worrying about the future. Seniors should definitely reflect on their time at W&L and look ahead, but they shouldn’t become so fixated on making this the best year yet that they don’t’ truly live in the present.

For myself, I have stopped analyzing each choice and more so just enjoy its day to the fullest.

Have you seen the super cheesy Netflix movie, About Time? Slight spoilers ahead if you haven’t. The plot revolves around this man who’s a time traveler but at the end of the movie, he realizes he doesn’t need or want to time travel anymore.

He just tries to live each day like it’s his last and experience as he says his “extraordinary ordinary life.”

I told you that it was cheesy. But I like it because it’s all about living in the moment. If I’ve learned anything over the past few years, life isn’t about a job, that I don’t actually even have right now, or anything that people use at this university to measure themselves.

Life is about being with people and feeling however you want to feel, whether that’s anger, sadness, or happiness. It’s about being true to who you are and going after what you want. I am not advising to not think ahead or to not fondly look back at memories; I am just saying to balance those things with checking in with yourself right now.

You may be wondering what any of this has to do with this magazine (which I really hope you take the time to read). I have been involved with InGeneral since I was a first-year and I never imagined that I would be Editor-in-Chief of it my senior year. So far, I am frustrated while simultaneously in love with my role as I push the magazine in a different, modern direction.

With time, I’ve changed; the magazine has changed. I would like to think both have changed for the better. Hopefully this magazine and the stories within it will make you feel something. The students who run this magazine have put so much work and energy into all of it. I hope in return it has some impact, no matter how tiny, on your ‘right now’ moment in time.

H APPY R E AD I N G,

TA BLE OF CO NTE NTS

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FROM MUNSTER TO THE PAXTON HOUSE

C OVE R STO RY

A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC?

Named after a house in a 1960s sitcom, Munster has been a fixture of the Washington and Lee community for decades. But this year, it’s received a transformation and a new name— the Paxton House.

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ON MY HONOR, I HAVE SWIPED.

As mysterious, vaping-related illnesses gain increasing media attention, it’s time that Washington and Lee University students examine the prevalence of e-cigarettes and other vaping products on campus. In interviews with fellow Generals, the reality of addiction among undergraduates became too conspicuous to dismiss.

This semester, the Washington and Lee administration appears to be cracking down on the student-run honor system.

Dining services has doubled down on enforcing students’ meal swipes.

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SAME BRIDGE, DIFFERENT VIEW

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FINDING YOUR POLITICAL VOICE ON CAMPUS In light of Mock Con and the upcoming election, the opportunity to engage one’s political voice on campus is especially at the forefront of many students’ minds. Fortunately, Washington and Lee’s campus has several opportunities to join organizations that allow students to engage in the political conversation.

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Something that us students admire about our school is its timelessness–– the tall white columns and perfectly groomed greens have been cherished for years by students and faculty alike.

However, take a picture of a view as simple as the bridge between Cadaver and Commons, at the same time every day, and this is not the case.

A WALK OF DIVERSITY Students, parents and staff were able to observe the cultural richness of the campus during the Multicultural Fashion Show, which took place on October 5th during Parents’ Weekend.

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THRIFTING AROUND LEX As campus moves towards a greater degree of environmental awareness, students are looking to thrifting to be sustainable in their daily lives.

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DRAWING IN ITALY

SCREAMING MINKS

In the 2019 Spring Term Abroad studio art class, “Drawing Italy,” fifteen students spent five weeks traveling across the country, drawing their surroundings.

To some people, rugby seems like madness. Despite the pain and the risk of injury, Washington and Lee students have been successfully representing their school on the pitch for years.

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yoga and gatherings that the six girls living there, including Ernest, enjoy. The new name is in honor of the house’s original owner, and the extensive renovation has maintained the house’s historic charm while also given it a more modern feel.

“We made the downstairs open with lots of seating to host many

LE X I N G TO N

ICON T H E

R E B I R T H

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A LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF MUNSTER AND ITS TRANSFORMATION INTO PAXTON HOUSE

SARA STEPHENSON

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Named after a house in a 1960s sitcom, Munster has been a fixture of the Washington and Lee community for decades. But this year, it’s received a transformation and a new name— the Paxton House.

Located on the corner of Lee Avenue and Nelson Street, the large Victorian house across from the Lexington post office was rented by members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity for decades.

Last year, the house was bought by its tenth owner since 1896, Steve Ernst, the father of Emma Ernst ‘20.

Munster’s unfinished attic, which was used to host fraternity parties, has been transformed into a gorgeous living space. A space now used for

people,” Ernest said. “We kept the integrity of the Victorian in the beautiful woodwork while adding modern art and other touches because we are young, fun girls!” The family hoped to preserve the elements of the past, such as the handmade bricks composing the house, while giving the Paxton house a revitalized, fresh look.

Everything from the basement to the attic, from a finishing standpoint, is newly furnished, including the walls, ceilings, and floors. Rocking chairs were also added to the front porch.

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We all miss it a bunch, but... we just hope Munster can give them the same home it was to us.

JAC K J O NES ’2 1

While the Paxton House is now home to Emma Ernst and five of her friends in Chi Omega and Kappa Alpha Theta, it was home to Phi Psi upperclassmen for years. When the fraternity got suspended in 2015 because of a hazing incident, the members stayed together and formed the Phi Society, a legally chartered non-profit social club but lost their fraternity house. Munster became the place where they hung out, held rush events, and threw parties in the attic. Although the fraternity is back on campus and in their house on Washington Street, they said Munster was still the heart of the fraternity after the suspension was lifted in 2018.

“To understand why we love Munster so much, you have to understand that it was our home when we were kicked off campus,” said Jack Jones ‘21, a member of the last pledge class to join the fraternity when it was still the Phi Society. “It’s symbolic of a bunch of guys sticking together and fighting the system.”

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hen news of Ernst purchasing Munster spread on campus, it sparked some tension that has notably faded. “We all miss it a bunch, but it looks like the people living there now are really enjoying it, too,” Jones said.

“We just hope Munster can give them the same home it was to us.”

Tension between Greek organizations isn’t the only drama the Paxton House has been at the center of. The house is one of the stops on the Lexington ghost tour. It’s rumored that a ghost lives in Munster and every night leaves a different window open.

Steve Ernst says he doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he loves history and folktales.

Over the years, Munster has been home to controversy, to the Phi Society’s signature attic parties and maybe even to ghosts. It’s remembered fondly by generations of alumni. It is unclear who will be renting the Paxton House in the coming years, but it is clear that the house across from the post office will continue to be a fixture in the W&L community for years to come.

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HO N O R SYSTE M

ON MY HONOR, I HAVE SWIPED. KATIE LARKIN

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his semester, the Washington and Lee administration appears to be cracking down on the student-run Honor System. Dining services has doubled down on enforcing students’ meal swipes whereas before students were trusted to stay true to their number of allowed swipes on their own. But no staff or administrator has directly stated any distrust of the students.

When students arrived on campus in September, they were greeted with a renovated dining hall; changes included another dish return entry point, brand new carpeting, and a fresh coat of blue paint. The register and swipe machine were moved to just outside of D-hall, which was arguably the biggest change that impacted students’ dining experience.

The new location is less invasive but brings into question the administration’s motives for this seemingly unnecessary change. The honor system is one of the most important aspects of student life on campus, but some students said this change is aiming to enforce students swiping for their meals.

Andrew Watling, the Assistant Director of Dining Services, said the change was only made to improve the layout and flow of the dining hall. But, at peak lunch rush hour, the line of students waiting to swipe often snakes along the stairs and onto the main floor of Elrod Commons; this problem is one that will hopefully be addressed soon. Plus, the handle on the outside door that many students use to access the dining hall when coming from the library or class was removed, noted Ella Hall ’22. This has also decreased accessibility to the dining hall.

Gavron Campbell ’22, a sophomore representative on the Executive Committee, wouldn’t say for sure whether not swiping for a meal is an honor violation because the Honor System isn’t codified. “What is an honor violation depends on the community’s standards for that year and that Executive Committee,” she said. “Is it a dishonorable act? I would say yes.”

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On sorority row, more extreme measures have been taken to ensure students are swiping for their meals. Until last year, sorority women weren’t required to swipe for their meals on sorority row.

They were expected to keep track of their meal swipes themselves.

Last year, swipe machines were installed in all six sorority houses, but it’s taken a while for dining services to get sorority women in the habit of swiping for their meals.

Since the beginning of the school year, a member of the Dining Services staff has sat next to the swipe machine at each of the houses, reinforcing that women swipe for their meals. After a few weeks of this process, Dining Services concluded that the numbers still weren’t adding up —more diners were eating on sorority row than were swiping. “People forget to swipe at the sorority houses,” said Maddie Hoagland ’21. “So I understand their reasoning.”

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They kind of go against everything W&L values about trust and doing the right thing.

GAV RO N CA M P B ELL ’ 2 2

Then, Dining Services began requiring women to fill out a slip of paper with the honor pledge and their name and student ID number. Campbell and Olivia Indelicato ’21, who is also a class representative on the Executive Committee, voiced their concerns about this system to Dining Services. Since then, Dining Services has begun only requiring sorority women to write their name on a clipboard to pledge that they swiped for their meal.

“They kind of go against everything W&L values about trust and doing the right thing,” Campbell said in regards to the implemented slips.

PH OTO SE R I E S

SAME BRIDGE DIFFERENT VIEW ANN DOUGLAS LOTT

omething that us students admire about our school is its timelessness-- the tall white columns and perfectly groomed greens have been cherished for years by students and faculty alike. However, take a picture of a view as simple as the bridge between Cadaver and Commons, at the same time every day, and this is not the case. You’ll realize that though it’s the same picture over and over again, they’re all different.

Different people, different weather, different moments even the way the light hits the trees is completely unique each time. I’ll admit, it’s easy to get caught up in our own daily routines, but sometimes, when you’re walking through campus, remember it’s okay, encouraged even, to stop and take it all in.

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VAPING K LLS?

C OV E R STO RY

A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC? EMERY WRIGHT AND KARA LOUGH

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s mysterious, vaping-related illnesses gain increasing media attention, it’s time that Washington and Lee University students examine the prevalence of e-cigarettes and other vaping products on campus. In interviews with fellow Generals, the reality of addiction among undergraduates became too conspicuous to dismiss.

W&L student Becky Winter describes her usage of JUUL, a popular vaping product, as gradually changing from recreational to addictive. “Last year I was so addicted—my Juul was just as crucial to my well-being as water or oxygen,” said Winter. “If my Juul was dead or I was out of pods, I would have to solve that problem immediately.”

JUULs are particularly popular among individuals between the ages of 14 and 25. According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose from 2.1 million in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2018.1 These numbers in mind, W&L student Charlie Stevens declared, “I define it as a public health crisis… I would say anywhere from 6080% of people [in my immediate social circle] have or are willing to rip JUUL at any given time.”

The CDC continues to monitor and address the health issue of vaping. As of October 29, 2019, the CDC accounted for 1,888 lung injury cases and 37 deaths tied to the use of vaping products.2 While most of these patients reported using e-cigarette products that contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), some suffering lung injuries reported exclusive usage of nicotine containing products.

As such, the CDC cautions against vaping nicotine as well.

By following this advice, students can protect their lungs as well as their wallets. JUUL currently dominates the e-cigarette market, forecasting a revenue of $3.4 billion in 2019, according to Bloomberg.3 W&L student Stevens admits to spending somewhere between $2,000 to $3,000 on JUUL products over the past three years. “As an active JUUL user, I consumer anywhere from 1 pack of pods to 1.25 packs of pods a week. At $15-17 a pack, the money adds up,” he said. “I just feel like there are better things I could be doing with my money.” ome account JUUL’s success to the product’s sleek, compact design that allows for convenient transportation and discreet use. Others blame the various e-liquid flavors such as “Fruit Medley” for expanding the product’s market of struggling smokers to include teenage consumers.4 But some students said they begin vaping not from individual, flavor-induced temptation at gas station checkouts but rather due to peer pressure. Stevens explains, “I can’t say it was because I was drawn to nicotine–it was more that my friends were drawn to nicotine and I felt that

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THE REALI TY OF THE SI TUATI ON I S THAT I AM A SEVERELY AFFLI CTED NI COTI NE AD D I CT.

in order to be a functioning member of society, I had to engage in nicotine consumption with them.”

Many students who use JUUL, however, wish they could quit out of their own will. Stevens remarks, “[m] y hope is obviously that I quit Juul, but the reality of the situation is that I am a severely afflicted nicotine addict.”

Another self-defined “extremely addicted” W&L student, Carly Jones, explained how she managed to quit over the summer but has quickly fallen back into the habit of vaping since returning to campus. “I’m not as addicted as I was, but I am addicted again,” said Jones. Just as many cigarette smokers struggle and require many attempts to quit, many vaping addicts on campus relapse due to the convenience and availability of other students’ devices.

Winter, who successfully abandoned her usage of JUUL, describes discomfort in overcoming her nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, extreme irritability, mouth ulcers, constipation, and insomnia. “It was actually the worst few days,” she said. “One of the reasons why I don’t hit my friends’ JUULs at parties is because I never want to feel that horrible again.”

Many W&L students are attempting to quit, or have quit, in part due to the recent change in Virginia Laws—the legal age for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarette products increased from 18 to 21 this past summer.5 With an external motive, Winters states it also helps to quit when your friends quit with you.

“A lot of my friends have started quitting too… you know, monkey see, monkey do,” Winter said. “Now, it’s crazy to think about how much power over my life I gave JUUL.” * FOR ANONYMITY ON THE BEHALF OF THE INTERVIEWEES, THE NAMES OF THE W&L STUDENTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. 1 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/

tobacco_use/index.htm

2 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/se-

vere-lung-disease.html 3 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-22/juul-expectsskyrocketing-sales-of-3-4-billion-despite-flavored-vape-ban 4 https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/juul-e-cigarettes-and-youthwhat-you-need-to-know.html 5 https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2019-07-01/virginia-raises-tobacco-purchasing-age-to-21 INGENERAL

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PO LI T I C S

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

ELIZABETH BELL & LIZZIE FIGUIERAS

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ith the 27th Mock Convention just months away, the opportunity to engage one’s politicalvoice on campus is especially pertinent. Washington and Lee’s campus has numerous opportunities for students to join organizations that allow them to engage in the political conversation.

Washington and Lee is home to traditional political organizations that encourage debate andparticipation, like the College Democrats and College Republicans. Other organizations, like the Pink Elephants, and publications, like Diverge, The Spectator and The Vigil aim to highlight specific voices and opinions on campus.

With so many groups to join, students have a place to share their perspectives, whatever theymay be. Through these organizations and publications, students from all different backgroundsand majors can come together and learn from each others’ experience. At Washington and Lee, these extracurricular opportunities are an example of the beauty of a liberal arts education, and are part of what makes the community so strong.

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I do believe W&L has a diverse range of political opinions, though there is definitely a stereotype that would state otherwise.

KYLI E P IOTTE ’2 1

“You can see it’s true by looking at various student organizations tabling in Commons or hosting various events; nobody really seems to notice just how broad all of our interests are,” continued Piotte. Though not a political organization, Diverge is a publication that “seeks to keep pace with our changing student body by amplifying complex ideas and

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perspectives through articles and events.”

The Vigil has a similar goal, to create “a platform for underrepresented, opinionated or silenced individuals.”

“Yes, there’s a diverse range of voices, but in my opinion, sometimes you need to be looking for the diversity to see the diversity,” said Mathilde Sharman ’20.

These publications have been serving as a platform for the diverse opinions that aren’t always represented on campus. Several times a year, these publications’ articles are sent out to the entire student body, and

they often spark a larger conversation on campus about topics like mental health, race, and privilege.“I do see W&L’s student body making strides to make sure different perspectives are a part of the conversation,” said Enuma Anekwe-Desince ’22, “which is an important step alone at a university that is historically known for being inhabited by rich, male, conservative southerners.”

The Spectator is Washington and Lee’s only conservative publication on campus, according to Jacob Flood ’21, a contributing writer. “It’s the only publication on

C ULT U R E + FAS H I ON

A Walk of Diversity »

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campus where conservative student writers can be published consistently,” he said.

Another conservative organization, the Pink Elephants was founded this year by Seren McClain ’22, because she wanted to “identify as a feminist, embrace it and talk about it” and “to eliminate the barrier between being a feminist and a conservative.” The group discusses issues that affect women on campus, like the Greek system and installing more blue lights on campus, brings in speakers and plans to volunteer at Project Horizons.

Students can also engage in political discussion through non-partisan organizations, like Mock Convention.

“Because it’s based on facts, polls and research instead of opinion, it breeds political discussion in the best way,” said Kylie Piotte ’21.

“It’s an amazing experience where students separate how they feel versus how the nation mayfeel, and it allows for an empathetic reflection on why other people feel the way they feel,” remarked Piotte, the Director of Operations for Mock Convention.

“It’s not about telling someone they’re wrong; it becomes a conversation. I think it’s a really great opportunity here at W&L to both examine your beliefs and learn more about various other viewpoints.”

“While our campus continues to make progress towards encouraging diversity of opinion, we still have a ways to go,” said Anakwe-Desince.

Groups that foster debate and publications that highlight unique perspectives are a step in the right direction, but as our campus climate continues to change, student organizations should continue to reflect that change.“Conversations can be had and forums can be created but until these voices are taken seriously enough that they evoke change at the administrative level, we can really only go so far,” Anakwe-Desince said.

Did you know that almost a hundred students originally from places outside the United States are currently walking around the W&L campus? What about the fact that the current freshmen class has around 30 international students in comparison to less than 20 last year?

S I M O N A R A D E VA

Students, parents and staff were able to observe this cultural richness during the Multicultural Fashion Show that took place during this Parents’ Weekend.

The Sudent Organization for International Learning (SAIL), which aims to bring the world to the W&Lcampus and promote an exchange between the global cultures represented here, organized the show.

More than 15 cultures got to showcase their traditional clothing and celebrate the diversity on campus.

The countries represented include Nepal, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Bulgaria, India and more.

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The way you see your culture is embraced... you feel proud.

N O BE L MAN AYE ’ 2 3 ET HIO P IA

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S T U DY ABR OAD

DRAWING IN italy AN IMMERSIVE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE GABRIELA GOMEZ-MISSERIAN

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ays were snapshots of a private garden blooming with wisteria, smooth green Venetian canals, and smiling faces framed by cones towering with gelato, in Professor Kathleen Olson’s 2019 Spring Term Abroad studio art class, “Drawing Italy.” The fifteen students all girls spent five weeks across the country, branching out from a tiny hilltop home base of Corciano. They traveled toVenice, Rome, Florence, and Naples while also stopping at smaller cities within Perugia.

Unfortunately, Washington and Lee University’s social media accounts and website never featured the class abroad or posted photos becausethe class’s camera was lost. The digital camera and high resolution pictures were gone for good, last spotted inthe Roman Forum around the third week of the program.

Though there are a few lowresolution iPhone photos of the “Drawing Italy” students all together, many of the students regard their own art, especially that intheir “One a Day” journals, as their most meaningful record of the trip.

These small five-by-eight inch sketchbooks actas a visual archive for the class, filled with vibrant watercolors, ink, collages, and flower-pressed pages. Each page representsone of the thirty-five

days spent in the program--from the beginning of the nine hour international flight to Rome until the final day in the airport in May.

GABRIELA GOMEZ-MISSERIAN ’21

While the journals were personal reflections of every day, they were also frequently shared between students. They sparked inspiration among them as each student passed around their journal within a circle to observe how their peers remembered different days.

Students were able to draw creativity from one another or bond over their favorite patterns or techniques. Giotto’s Scrovengi Chapelwith its fresh blue, starsmattered pattern was a particular favorite. Repeatedthroughout many of the “One a Day” journals, the pattern created unity between students as they shared soures of inspiration.

The journals may have been tiny, but Virginia Billings ‘21 said she recognizeshow much the small, daily drawings influenced her end of the term project. She pairedher meticulous architectural pen work of a Perugian monastery with geometric pieces influenced by Mondrian.

ANNA LUTTRELL ‘21

VIRGINIA BILLINGS ’21

GABRIELA GOMEZ-MISSERIAN ’21

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“I came into the class not knowing what I wanted my series to be,” Billings recalled. “Ironically, I never thought it could be architecture-based, because I thought I was terrible at it. But I knew I needed to practice it, and I forced myself to include my attempts in my One a Day-finding thatI actually enjoyed creating them.”

At the end of the course, Billings and the other students set up an exhibit of all of the art they had created.The students said this exhibit helped to show off all that they worked on and accomplished together.

ANNA LUTTRELL ’21

ANNA LUTTRELL ‘21

“After we lost our camera I think that we were all upset at first,” Anna Luttrell ‘21 admits. “But, at the end of our class, we set up our exhibit, and all of our art was hanging on the wall together. You could see the connections between all of our series so clearly. They were all very representative of specific moments on the trip. In all honesty, I think that our art as a collective piece narrates the trip better than any photo could.” ”“Drawing Italy” invites students of any background of study to participate in the Spring Term Abroad program, forming bonds between the art department and the extensive variety of other academic interests on campus. With only a Drawing 101 prerequisite, the class welcomes students from all walks of life regardless of their skill beyond drawing.

The students said that “Drawing Italy” fosters community between students who mayhave never crossed paths. It allows them to consider new methods for creating art beyond drawing, discuss historical Italian masterpieces, and navigatetheir own ideas for an artistic focus. The “One a Day”journals serve as a space to explore mixed media methods, record patterns found throughout daily life in Italy, and come together as a class to share pages and memories of the day.

VIRGINIA BILLINGS ’21

“I was always really inspired by the beautiful work of my classmates and how they interpreted our real life experiences together to translate them into artwork,” Bella Fucigna ‘21 reflected.

These small pages represent the personal experiencesof the class

andalsoremind the students of the sense of unity and community that is essential to the program. This unity was even more present to the students when the class returned back to Lexington to view their journals—and larger exhibits—side by side, having clearly takencolor, subject, and other artistic forms as inspiration from one another.

GABRIELA GOMEZ-MISSERIAN ’21

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LE X I N G TON

THRIFTIN’ AROUND LEX ANNA LUTTRELL

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s Washington and Lee’s campus moves towards a greater degree of environmental awareness, students are constantly being challenged to make personal, sustained efforts towards this goal. One way of integrating environmental sustainability into our daily lives begins with where we buy our clothes at.

Gaining traction not only within W&L’s student body, but also within our generation around the country, thrift shopping offers an economically and environmentally sustainable way to curate our closets. The allure of fast fashion, which are stores like Zara, Forever 21, and H&M, is that they provide consumers with fast, trendy styles at low costs. But many people don’t realize that this industry thrives at the cost of environmental harm and unethical working conditions for employees.

“It’s easy to forget how consumerist culture does actually affect our planet with water pollution and textile production energy waste,” said Gabriela Gomez ‘21.

In addition to being an ethically and environmentally conscious alternative to fast fashion, buying secondhand clothes also allows consumers to find products that will last.

Isabel Ryan ‘21 said shopping at thrift stores for clothes and home goods can help you avoid unethical and poor quality brands.

“Many thrift stores these days are busting at the seams. Whenever I’m in need or want of an item that I’ve been eyeing from a retailer, I search for lookalikes at thrift stores,” said Isabel Ryan ‘21. “This helps you avoid promoting a brand that isn’t transparent or ethical about their clothing, and you’re giving home to something that is still worth wearing!”

Some thrift stores aren’t well organized, so you have to search within the racks to find hidden gems, said Joe O’Connor ‘22.

“Thrift stores are also a really good place to find jeans or just plain khakis. Also, thrifting typically helps a good cause.” he said. “Most

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thrift stores are either local shops or benefit a charity, so either way you’re giving to a good cause or giving back to your community.”

Walk into a thrift store, and the odds that you find two of the same thing are nearly zero. Additionally, thrift stores consistently offer customers with clothes from different decades, which can be combined with modern pieces or altered by a seamstress to create a new look.

“I thrift shop to find great pieces that aren’t necessary part of a bigger fashion movement and to find unique pieces others won’t have,” said Harris Billings ‘20. “Some of my least favorite questions are ‘Where did you get this?’ Or ‘where do you shop?’ I’d much rather get ‘what’s the story behind this outfit?’ Someone’s thoughtful choice to pass on clothes leads to a thoughtful shopping experience that then leads to fun outfits.”

Becoming an environmentally and ethically conscious thrifter doesn’t require you to live in a big trendy city. In fact, Lexington and its surrounding areas offer ample opportunity to find great pieces. Lexington Goodwill on Highway 60 is a necessary first stop. Downtown Staunton holds two classics — Nanny June Vintage and Augusta Health Thrift Store. And Charlottesville has Low Vintage, located on the historic downtown strip, and ReThreads, which both offer upbeat and fruitful thrifting experiences.

“There are so many great thrift shopping opportunities in the Lexington area, and I think it is important that we support them,” Bridget Bartley ‘21.“Think of all of the clothes that we already have in this world, we have such great potential to give new life to our wardrobes.”

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It’s easy to forget how consumerist culture does actually affect our planet with water pollution and textile production energy waste.

G A BR I E L A G OM E Z ’21

AT H L E T I CS

A HOOLIGAN’S GAME PLAYED BY GENTLEMEN BRENNAN BLACK MEMBER OF THE RUGBY CLUB

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o some people, rugby seems like madness. Trying to watch the game without knowing the rules can be dizzying and the sport definitely doesn’t have the greatest reputation for safety. Thirty men running around on a field with no pads or helmets, violently crashing into each other for eighty minutes. Black eyes, bloody noses, twisted ankles, scars, and broken fingers are not uncommon occurrences. Yet, despite the pain and the risk of injury, Washington and Lee students have been successfully representing their school on the pitch for years.

The W&L Screaming Minks Rugby Club, which was founded in 1966, has been uniting men from different class years, greek organizations and backgrounds, in pursuit of a “Gennies Win Day’ for decades. “It’s a beautiful thing when everyone is out at practice and waking up early on Saturdays to come together and play for a win,” said Sam Louman ‘21, who has played for the team since his freshman year. Now as a junior, he is a leader on and off the field for the team.

The actual origin of the Minks’ name is unknown, but it is rumored that it came from Virginia Military Institute students who called the W&L students “minks,”

potentially as a comment on their wealth.

The team has been dominant in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) Challenge league for years. The Minks are 5-time defending state champions and have participated in the Regional Championships multiple times. Last year was the most successful year in team history, with the Minks making it to the NSCRO National Championship in Albany, NY last April. The Minks made it to the Championship game but lost a hard fought 21-30 game to Azusa Pacific University.

The Screaming Minks face a lot of changes this year. Previously, the Minks drew players from both W&L and Southern Virginia University, located in nearby Buena Vista. This year, SVU created its own varsity rugby team, which means that the Minks can now only recruit W&L students.

“The future of the team looks good, however, we need to continue to recruit to be more competitive,” said John Welsh, the coach of the Minks.

Recruiting efforts have already been successful and new members have joined the team from all four undergraduate classes.

With fresh talent, the Minks are focusing on building on their success last season.

They defeated the Radford University Highlanders 47-19 in their first game.

Even with all of the team’s success, it is still fair to ask why the players choose to play rugby. Given all of the risks of injury, the struggle of learning a new game, and the commitment to go to practice, and travel far for games, why do students choose to play rugby?

“I honestly don’t know what I would do without rugby. It’s changed my W&L experience for the better,” Louman said. “It expanded my social circle and allowed me to meet guys who I otherwise would never have met.”

As a member of the Minks I can attest to this. This team has been one of the best things that I have ever been a part of. At a school where Greek life is so strong and social lines are so clearly cut, it is refreshing to be around different people and socialize outside of the normal W&L party scene.

Playing rugby forces you to work as a team and to be selfless, even if that means running and taking big hits or throwing up in the middle of a game out of exhaustion only to keep playing. Such intensity necessitates teamwork and creates strong bonds of friendship between teammates — the brutality of the game is its beauty.

ISSUE 17.1 FALL 2019

 I N G E N E R AL MAG AZINE

John W. Elrod Commons Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 24450