April 9, 2026

The Marlin Chronicle

Nationwide No Kings protest sets records

Of the three major protests organized by the No Kings Coalition, the Washington Post reported the most recent peaked with an estimated attendance of 8 million across 3,300 national locations.

BY MIA DIEHL mjdiehl@vwu.edu

For the third national No Kings protest, 3,800 people gathered at Virginia Beach Town Center on March 28 for the largest singleday protest in United States history.

“I think what the organizers are trying to do is get people in the habit of protesting and organizing and paying attention,” Dr. Leslie Caughell, chair and associate professor of political science, said.

The first protest, on June 14, 2025, the day of the US Army’s

250th Anniversary Parade and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, gathered over 5 million people. The second, on Oct. 28, 2025, saw over 7 million.

Attendees protested the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Trump administration and the war in Iran.

During the Virginia Beach protest, a black truck hauling a boat with the inscription “Trump Train” and a crown on top circled the area.

Impacted students speak up after ODU shooting

BY AIDEN CROGHAN accroghan@vwu.edu

The Hampton Roads community mourns the loss of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, chair and professor of military science and alumnus ‘07 of Old Dominion University (ODU) ODU, who was killed during a recent shooting on ODU’s campus.

On March 12, a shooter opened fire in Constant Hall on the ODU campus, killing Shah and injuring two others before being subdued by a group of ROTC students and killed by another student, who stabbed the shooter.

Shah was awarded a Bronze Star for his military service, as well as posthumous awards of a Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit. Authorities are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism due to the shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh’s ties to the Islamic State group, previously known as ISIS or ISIL. FBI confidential informants received confirmation of Jalloh’s connections to the Islamic State group in 2016, and he later pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group.

VWU’s ROTC program is partnered with ODU,

requiring VWU students to participate in ROTC classes at ODU. For members of the VWU community, the tragedy was close emotionally, and for some, physically.

VWU senior and ROTC member, Hannah Gautreaux, shared her experience of the event with the Chronicle.

“I was in the back of the classroom when the shooter walked into the room. Once he pulled out the gun, I dropped to the floor along with many of my classmates and remembered thinking, ‘I am going to die,’” Gautreaux said.

See ODU Page 3

From overlooked to All-American

BY COY CAMISCIOLI clcamiscioli@vwu.edu

In his final season, Men’s Basketball senior Omari DeVeaux racked up impressive awards, including being named a First Team All-American and ODAC Player of the Year. DeVeaux has cemented himself as one of the best basketball players in VWU program history.

“He will go down as one of my all-time favorites,” said Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Macedo, who will enter his 27th season at VWU in the fall.

An injury that sidelined DeVeaux for nearly a year distinguishes his career. He rehabbed a torn ACL, MCL, lateral meniscus and quadriceps tendon less than two years ago.

“I thought I was going to be a shell of myself after the injury. I knew I could get back to helping the team win, but not like this,” DeVeaux said.

VIRGINIA

Liam Castellano|Marlin Chronicle

Protester Jessica Brooke Pinsky faces arrest in Town Center Virginia Beach for disorderly conduct after kicking a truck that circled the area displaying pro-Trump messaging.

Aiden Croghan|Marlin Chronicle

Atop ODU’s Monarch Fountain on campus, the lion represents ODU pride.

Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle

Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle

Community members report on-campus recycling challenges

BY ISAAC FICK & LILY RESLINK

Effective recycling on campus faces concerns due to complexities, inconsistencies and lack of information which results in recycling malpractice, according to members of the campus community.

“It’s not something a lot of people talk about or really know or want to care about,” freshman Logan Gilbert said.

“A lot of what we think is being recycled isn’t being recycled because people put trash in the bins,” Dr. Annika Quick, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences, said. She said this problem is larger than people not putting recycling in recycling bins.

Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, professor of ocean and atmospheric sciences and director of sustainability, said she has noticed the same issue.

Quick said requirements varying across cities and individual neighborhoods contribute to incorrect recycling: “If you have a different recycling provider, they may have different things that you can accept,” she said, pointing out greasy pizza boxes and yogurt containers as being recyclable through some companies but not others.

Placing trash in recycling bins hoping it is recyclable, known as wishcycling, often contaminates recycling dumpsters full of otherwise recyclable materials.

Chief Operations Officer Jason Seward said VWU’s recycling contractor, Bay Disposal, has sent several batches of recycling from VWU to the landfill due to contamination. He said this most frequently happens at the Brock Village dumpster.

Seward said the facilities team has climbed into dumpsters to remove trash, which has sometimes resulted in the dumpster contents being accepted.

Malcolm said in her 21 years at VWU she has heard frequent comments about housekeeping combining recycling and trash. She said in cases of food contamination, they have to put recycling in the trash.

Housekeeping Manager

Tabitha Frost has experienced the misconception from the side of facilities. “A lot of people say ‘well, we see the recycling being thrown in the trash.’ It’s because they’ve contaminated it,” Frost said.

Senior Madison Hayes said that there are students, such as herself, who do recycle properly, but the campus as a whole might benefit from a communication blast to dispute misconceptions and confirm “recycling is real.”

For communicating guidelines, Hayes said, “I think social media’s probably the best outlet.”

Quick said varying company guidelines add to confusion about rules and if it’s unclear if it is recyclable or “if it’s contaminated, just put it in the trash, which hurts, but in the long run, that’s going to be better.”

“Also, some people just don’t

know how to recycle,” junior Michael Morris said.

Gilbert said while he has seen signs on campus with recycling rules, he does not think the information is communicated well. “Most people will look at it for five seconds, and then they won’t care.”

The university has communicated about recycling via social media, email and flyers, Director of Residence Life Elyse Rosen said.

She said students filter through the media they see several times, which Hayes echoed from a student perspective.

Rosen has found word-ofmouth to work better. “Peer advocacy goes a long way,” Rosen said.

Seward said grassroots efforts are effective because passion spreads among students. “It just takes over like wildfire.”

He said the university supports grassroots recycling initiatives by providing necessary resources, but needs students who recycle regularly to carry the message.

“Part of being a community member is having the maturity

and the integrity behind it to do the right thing when somebody else isn’t looking,” Seward said.

Seward said the university wants students to take what they learn here and apply it to their communities.

Rosen said recycling concerns can be solved through collaboration. She said she encourages students to communicate when they notice an issue because Residence Life would rather have more reports to address than waiting until the end of the year.

Gilbert said he suggests there be more recycling bins, as he’s seen how rarely his dorm hall recycles because the bin is hard to find. “If you never see a recycling bin, you don’t think about recycling. You just see trash.”

“If you put a trash can on every single sidewalk or corner, it becomes a convenience thing,” Seward said.

Malcolm said Bay Disposal picks up trash and recycling, which is part of the misunderstanding on campus that trash and recycling ultimately get mixed.

for all of this. So if I can’t come out here and stand for my ancestors, who will I stand for?” Britt said.

Several veterans attended the event. 757 Veterans for Peace (VFP) Chapter

Jessica Brooke Pinsky was recorded on video kicking the truck. After this instance, Pinsky tripped, and Virginia Beach Police Deputy Chief Jeffery Wilkerson walked over to the scene. “I thought they were helping me up, then they pick me up and arrest me,” Pinsky said.

According to 13 News Now’s WVECTV, she was charged with disorderly conduct and being a pedestrian in the roadway.

“She got arrested for a cause that did no injury or damage,” protester and sophomore Paige Ziegler said.

Attendee Angela Britt, an activist for gun violence awareness and racial justice, wore a Stitch onesie at the event. Britt said her reason for being an activist and attending the No Kings Protest is her opposition to slavery.

“I feel as though my people was burnt, beat, raped, stabbed, dragged, murdered

President Clayton Tye spread awareness of the rights military members have in the face of illegal orders and resources for active members and veterans.

Tye, who was deployed in Afghanistan twice, said he joined VFP due to the withdrawal and violence he had experienced during his service.

“Then the war in Gaza and Israel took place, going on currently, and I saw that a lot of the information being put out was not true,” Tye said, pointing to hospitals being bombed and being told it did not happen.

Speaker of the event, Danitza James, president of Repatriate Our Patriots and an US Army combat veteran, spoke on the current military effort’s effects on service members.

“We’re asking them to deploy into a conflict that Congress was not asked about, to stand in harm’s way, to carry the

weight of war once again, and the cost is real,” James said.

James said 13 US service members died and 10 to 12 were injured during the conflict.

“I raised my right hand and swore to defend the Constitution and we served honorably, and we were promised a pathway to citizenship,” James said.

“Right now, currently serving, 45,000 service members are risking their lives defending our Constitution, who made that same promise, who may not have an opportunity to apply for naturalization, and they are still protecting our rights. All we are asking is for the promise to be honored.”

Erin Beaudry, senior and president of VWU’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter, said that while she may not align herself with the same beliefs as those attending the protest, she thinks it is important that people are able to voice their concerns.

“I do support the protesters exercising their First Amendment rights,” Beaudry said. “Peaceful protest and freedom of

“Campus members will see the truck with the same name picking up recycling as picking up trash, and they sometimes mistakenly think that the recycling is going to the landfill,” Malcolm said Quick said that while recycling is beneficial, it is better to prevent waste in the first place by reusing items or reducing unnecessary purchases.

She said it is important to be educated on what is recyclable through the recycling contractor and where to recycle.

Bay Disposal accepts recycling in green translucent bags rather than black trash bags, which Seward said is a guideline the facilities team strictly adhere to.

E-waste, such as lithiumion batteries, is not recyclable through curbside services, but the IT office collects it in a bin by the printer.

Rosen said the university is motivated to recycle due to the work of the facilities team, university policy and living on campus. “It’s the students’ home, it’s our home.”

“I feel a deep responsibility to protect and take care of this place,” Seward said. He said he wants others to have that same pride.

Quick said recycling takes effort, but it is worth thinking about where the things we use end up. “We are all responsible for that.”

Seward said he has noticed that people think their individual actions don’t make a difference, but he said to be responsible by avoiding making waste someone else’s problem. He said he hopes people ask themselves, “Am I doing the right thing?”

“It starts with a straw sitting in a Cookout cup sitting in a parking lot at Virginia Wesleyan University,” Seward said, and waste left behind can wash into a drainage pond, to Lake Taylor, to the Elizabeth River, to the Chesapeake Bay, ending up in the Atlantic Ocean.

speech are fundamental freedoms in the United States, and it is important that people are able to voice their concerns about the government without fear of punishment.”

TPUSA, founded by Charlie Kirk, focuses on conservative grassroots activism. Rooted in giving voices to young citizens by building an activist network on high school and college campuses, the organization has faced criticism for being provocative and controversial, according to the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom.

TPUSA’s website states their main purpose, to “empower informed civic and cultural engagement grounded in American exceptionalism and a positive spirit of action.”

Beaudry said she is concerned when demonstrations such as the No Kings protest become violent.

President Trump is not the only reason protesters mobilized against the current administration and government. Protesters said they are also dissatisfied with federal and local representatives.

“I think citizens are organizing because they’re looking at people who are supposed to be representing them in Congress and the like as largely being ineffectual,” Caughell said.

Speaker Cody Conner said to uphold democracy, people need to act now.

“More than 250,000 people marched on Washington, D.C. and listened to [Martin Luther King Jr.] share his dream from the steps of Lincoln Memorial. That’s democracy in practice. That is needed now, not just here in this movement, but everywhere in every school meeting, every city council meeting, every community meeting and most importantly at the voting booth,” Conner said.

Speakers at the event urged citizens of Virginia to vote yes by April 21, 2026. According to Virginians for Fair Elections, this amendment is designed to give Virginians a voice in response to attempts to redraw congressional maps without voter approval.

Carter Kellam|Marlin Chronicle

Housekeeping manages smaller trash and recycling receptacles on main student walkways.

Liam Castellano|Marlin Chronicle

Protesters mobilize against administrative action from federal and local governments at Town Center’s Fountain Plaza.

Professional degree definition determines loan limits

BY MARS SMITH rssmith@vwu.edu

The “Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law on July 4, 2025 imposed federal student loan limits, meaning undergraduate students could take out a maximum of $57,500 in federal loans, and graduate students could take out a maximum of $224,000 in federal loans.

The Department of Education (DOE) later identified 11 additional professional degree fields on Nov. 24, 2025 that qualify for higher federal student loan limits (up to $200,000 total). These rulings go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The DOE said that for a program to be classified as a professional degree and qualify for higher loan limits, it must represent a “level of professional skill beyond what is normally required for a bachelor's degree.”

The 11 fields named as of Nov. 24, 2025, were: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology and clinical psychology.

Degrees must also fulfill the academic requirements to begin practice in that specific profession, generally result in a doctoral-level degree and require professional licensure to practice.

According to the DOE, the definition of a professional degree is an internal definition used by the Department to distinguish among programs that qualify for higher loan limits, not a value judgment about the importance of programs and has no bearing on whether a program is professional in nature.

“Although my current degree is considered professional, I originally started out in the nursing program,” senior social work major Molly Brennan said.

ODU

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

“The time I spent preparing for nursing school was intense and rigorous, more than anything I have experienced in my field of study now.”

“The recent changes have not affected how I view my degree because I understand the work I and my other peers have put into our degrees,” senior history major Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo said.

Senior music education major Aviana Medina said she agrees because although certain majors are not considered professional, “it hasn't changed how I personally view my degree.”

44 other fields could potentially qualify if they meet these standards, with institutions responsible for making the initial determination. Professional Student Degree Act H.R. 6718 grants the Secretary of Education the authority to determine other degrees.

Some of the fields that can potentially qualify are social work, audiology, occupational therapy, nursing, business administration and management, accounting, architecture and education.

“I definitely think that misconceptions about these careers can dissuade future students from partaking in them,” Brennan said.

“As a music education major, I'm not just learning content, but I'm also learning how to teach, perform, manage a classroom and connect with students and staff,” Medina said. “Regardless of how it's now perceived, I believe these are benefactors that every profession should require.”

“I haven't noticed any shift in perception of my major; as a history and social science major, it's been about the same,” Kareem-Ojo said. “Usually, people ask me if I want to use my degree to become a teacher, mostly because people outside this major don't have an understanding of

other careers that can be obtained with my degree, other than teaching.”

“I've definitely experienced points in time when people would tell me that [music education] is a less demanding path, when in reality the workload is probably double what they're used to and requires a lot of discipline and training,” Medina said. “If anything, I think the shift has made those misconceptions more noticeable.”

Medina said she thinks misconceptions of careers being considered professional could discourage students. “When a field is seen as less professional, it can definitely make people second-guess their choice of profession,” Medina said.

“I believe that passion can outweigh perception,” Medina said.

Kareem-Ojo believes misconceptions could discourage future students since

these fields aren't labeled as professional degrees. “But I also believe that if future students really have a drive and passion for a certain field, they'll pursue it no matter how it is labeled.”

The DOE website says the intention behind the loan limits is to discourage borrowers from taking on more debt than they will be able to handle and to encourage institutions to rein in tuition costs.

On Nov. 24, 2025, the DOE website said that because the negotiated rulemaking committee unanimously agreed to a proposed definition for ‘professional student’ for increased loan limits, the DOE is required to publish the agreed-upon language in its proposed rule. However, the DOE has not prejudged the rulemaking process and may make changes in response to public comments.

done.

Shah will always be my reason to be better, push harder and become a stronger leader,” Gautreaux said.

Gautreaux said. “Shock flooded my system that day. It’s still hard to imagine that it truly happened, but it did. It’s something I will never forget and it’s an event that will impact the rest of my life.”

Gautreaux reminisced on lessons learned from Shah. “LTC

“I’m forever grateful to have had a heroic LTC and classmates who did not falter in the face of fear. If it wasn’t for their courage and the decisions made in that moment, I’m not sure what my life would look like today,”

“If it wasn’t for their courage and the decisions made in that moment, I’m not sure what my life would look like today.”

VWU senior ROTC student Hannah Gautreaux

VWU senior and former ROTC member Becca Haegele also corresponded with the Chronicle about her reaction to the event.

“My first response was ‘Oh my God, are my friends okay?’ I thought about everyone in the engineering program and ROTC program that I've been friends with throughout college, and I just hoped they were ok.

“It's horrible to think I almost had classes this semester in that building, and know others that were,” Haegele said.

Kenya Mcchell Chapman is facing federal charges for providing the weapon to Jalloh.

According to WTKR, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a straw purchaser warning letter to Chapman in 2021 for buying firearms and selling them to people not able to legally buy firearms for themselves.

Chapman wrote a letter of apology in response. According to WALB, Chapman told federal agents during an interview that he stole the gun last year and sold it to Jalloh after he claimed to need it for self-protection in his work as a delivery driver. Chapman claimed to be unaware of the intended use of the weapon.

On March 15, ODU staff members held a memorial event for Shah, displaying candles, military gear and a banner reading, “Shah Strong.”

“At the memorial at ODU, a speaker quoted Winston Churchill: ‘Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.’ That is something I will carry with me and try to live by for the rest of my life,” Gautreaux said.

Students also held impromptu memorials for Shah around campus, including the Dominion Rock, a large rock on campus that students and organizations are encouraged to decorate.

In response to the shooting, students and the community have directed pressure toward the university administration to improve student safety precautions. Many students disagree on how this should be

In the week following the attack, ODU sent an email to students that included a questionnaire asking about prior legal convictions. ODU has told news outlets that the questionnaire is not required, however, the email said, “we ask that you complete the questionnaire by Thursday, March 26, 2026.”

John Mickley, an ODU student interviewed for WTKR, said that students have not been happy with the university’s response, with some students protesting by not filling out the questionnaire.

An article from Mace and Crown detailed emails between the ODU Faculty Senate and the ODU Board ofVisitors. On March 25, the ODU Faculty Senate shared with the Board of Visitors an email from 2024 to the ODU president, from a redacted staff member, that detailed security issues in Constant Hall, including the inability to lock certain doors in the building.

The following day, the Board of Visitors shared an email with the student body accusing the Faculty Senate of “exploiting a tragedy to advance a pre-existing political or personal agenda.”

The Faculty Senate is an elected board of ODU faculty members, while the Board of Visitors is appointed by the governor and has control over the bylaws of ODU and appointing the organization’s president, according to the ODU website.

“I can’t speak on politics or topics like gun reform in the community because I don’t know enough to have an educated opinion. I do believe, however, ODU and other universities should have background checks during the application process,” ODU student Mohamed Houssni said.

Gautreaux said safety cannot be overlooked. “Doors should stay locked, and while you shouldn’t live a life constantly looking over your shoulder, you should always remain cautious and not rely on statistics to guarantee your safety. Simple actions, like being aware of your surroundings and not opening the door if you don’t know who is on the other side, can make a

difference. Staying vigilant and looking out for one another is important and we should never forget the importance of safety,” said Gautreaux.

“I feel Virginia Wesleyan, especially since we pair with ODU for ROTC and engineering, should be doing more,” Haegele said. She said that Virginia Wesleyan’s safety measures are insufficient.

“Security doesn't even check IDs most of the time, and even though it's a one entrance campus, I feel there should be more checking of who's there and when, as well as active shooter drills or at least information on what to do. A self-defense class is not enough. More also needs to be done for mental health across campus. We walk around it like eggshells, and it's time it stops,” Haegele said.

Gautreaux said this event influenced her current outlook on the importance of community and kindness in the aftermath of a tragedy.

“It’s a reminder that every day is a gift, to hug your family and friends and never miss the opportunity to tell people you love them. The world can be a scary place, and you never think that the things you see on the news could happen to you until they do. The reality is that these events affect so many people, and we should continue to support one another and remember that,” Gautreaux said.

“Don’t get caught up in petty things and let little things pull you from your loved ones,” Gautreaux said. “Live your dreams and push yourself to do hard things. Do things that make you feel alive. Don’t take everyday life for granted. Love people and be kind. Don't forget the importance of choosing to be kind, choosing the higher road and being a good person.”

ODU students returned to campus following the shooting on March 23. Constant Hall will remain closed for the rest of the 2026 Spring semester as the university decides on long-term plans for the building. On April 2, a memorial service paid tribute to Shah with commemorations and a 21-gun salute.

Kyla Robberecht|Marlin Chronicle

Aiden Croghan|Marlin Chronicle Students, staff and community members leave signs, flowers and balloons at Constant Hall in memory of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah.

The MARLIN CHRONICLE

Editor-in-Chief

Lily Reslink lbreslink@vwu.edu

Managing Editors

Victoria Haneline vfhaneline1@vwu.edu

Isaac Fick

ihfick@vwu.edu

News Editors

Isaac Fick ihfick@vwu.edu

Aiden Croghan accroghan@vwu.edu

Community Editor

Kami Whisenhunt kjwhisenhunt@vwu.edu

Opinions Editors

Victoria Haneline vfhaneline1@vwu.edu

Elena Lichtenwalner eclichtenwalner@vwu.edu

Sports Editors Coy Camiscioli clcamiscioli@vwu.edu

Eli Casey emcasey@vwu.edu

Bailey Gray bcgray@vwu.edu

Weekender Editors

Calee Lukowski crlukowski@vwu.edu

Gabrielle Barnett gabarnett@vwu.edu

Photo Editor

Laila Jones ljjones1@vwu.edu

Online Editor

Lillian Glenn adglenn@vwu.edu

Copy Editors

Victoria Haneline vfhaneline1@vwu.edu

Elena Lichtenwalner eclichtenwalner@vwu.edu

Julia Ware jpware@vwu.edu

Phoenyx Clifton tclifton@vwu.edu

PR Director

Isabella Grosswiler idgrosswiler@vwu.edu

Marketing Coordinator

Bryant Cotterell bccotterell@vwu.edu

Engagement Editor

Sarah Czapp sczapp@vwu.edu

Adviser

Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne lpayne@vwu.edu

Community

Spring breakers: Canada, Chic’s beach and campus

BY ABIGAIL CULLEY ahculley@vwu.edu

Students spent their break working toward their goals, making memories in tropical places or embracing their free time.

Sophomore Ally Peck went on multiple trips this break. First, Peck went to Canada for the Lang Sustainability Conference at Guelph University with a few other students. The conference covered AI and sustainability,

focusing on finding green energy methods and solutions.

“I feel like me and my peers effectively represented Virginia Wesleyan and the Batten Honors College at this sustainability conference, as it is truly one of our core values,” Peck said.

Being from Arizona, Peck highlighted the cultural experiences she encountered in Canada. This was Peck’s first time outside of the US, first time seeing snow and first time using public transportation.

After the conference, Peck drove for 13 hours to Florida. Peck said her favorite moments from Florida were “playing bingo with the old folks and seeing dolphins swim.”

Peck said spending some time on the Florida beaches gave her the opportunity to feel relaxed and rejuvenated from the chaos of the semester.

Relaxing doesn’t have to happen only on a tropical beach. Freshmen Tiffanie Heng and Gavin Juhas used their spring break to spend quality time together. This quality time included taking Juhas’ dog, Raven, on walks, taking trips to Chic’s Beach, experimenting with cooking and relaxing in nature.

Worried that they may be bored from being stuck on campus, Heng and Juhas got creative and cooked fun meals for themselves.

“We made a baked macaroni and cheese with barbecue chicken, baked barbecue chicken and spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread,” Heng said.

When the weather neared 80 degrees, they took a trip to Chic’s Beach, where they tanned in the sun, watched the sunset and played volleyball.

“I came to the school for the beach, and I’ve just been sitting and waiting for warm weather to go out,” Heng said.

Heng and Juhas also enjoyed staying inside and spending time together.

“Just hanging out, going out and trying to take advantage of the little, little spurts of warm weather that we got,” Heng said. “A lot of my days have also just been us in our room playing games or relaxing, which is a good thing.”

As a music student, one way Heng relaxes is by practicing her repertoire. Heng will be performing in the upcoming musical, Avenue

Q, and used her free time to prepare for her performance. Avenue Q will premiere during Alumni weekend, April 9 through 11, 7:3010 p.m., and April 12, 2 - 4:30 p.m.

Freshman Braden Lanier used his free time to improve his lacrosse abilities. Lanier’s average day included waking up, going to practice, running through plays, preparing for games and spending quality time with his teammates.

“We had back-to-back games, so we wanted to stay fresh and not be on our feet too much, and just went over plays,” Lanier said.

As a student athlete, Lanier’s schedule can be tightly packed. For him, this time off from school allowed him to focus on his role on the team. Part of Lanier’s improvement was creating better bonds with his teammates.

“I’m not really in a leadership role, but I would say I’m a big hype person. I like to bring the energy on the sideline, on the field and just in general getting the team pumped up,” Lanier said.

During their time off from practices and games, Lanier and other members of the team spent time at the beach enjoying the water, playing football and soccer and making memories.

Security partners with Securitas, appoints a new director

BY LORA YOUNG llyoung@vwu.edu

Campus security has made changes in staff, protocols and technology by partnering with the company Securitas.

Following recent transitions in VWU’s security, the university has promoted Carl Cartwright to the director of Campus Safety and Security.

Victor Dorsey retired from his role as director of Campus Safety and Security in February after 21 years of service. He held the director title for eight years and was a security officer for 12 years before that.

He passes the role to Cartwright, who has been at VWU for two years and has 25 years of experience as a corrections officer and eight years in private security.

“The Lord moves in mysterious ways,” Cartwright said.

He had retired and was bored of sitting at home when he noticed a job opening as a security guard. He decided that would be how he would spend his free time and get out of the house.

The Director of Campus Safety and Security role has more components than Cartwright thought.

“There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes that I didn’t see before. Some things are easy and some things are a challenge,” Cartwright said.

He said he must file reports, send emails and more that can take time out of the day.

Right before the new year, VWU security began a partnership with Securitas Security Services. With this partnership, the university gained more officers, training integration and technological support.

VWU security officers trained the Securitas officers to know the campus and protocols. All campus security officers undergo campus security training through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services first aid training.

Cartwright said it’s important to gain more officers so there can be two officers at the DeFord Gatehouse at all times. Officers at the gate answer phone calls, check for student IDs and

BY HANA MCCAIN hemccain@vwu.edu

navigate the traffic flow coming onto campus.

Cartwright said adding officers improves response time.

“I have seen more smiling and welcoming faces at the front gate, bringing a warm sense of community and welcoming to new guests at VWU,” Caden Barth, a freshman security office assistant, said.

Cartwright said before the partnership security officers were working 12-hour shifts at times, but they can now lower their hours to eight. Cartwright said the shorter shifts will help keep officers sharp.

“I already knew Carl, he’s a great worker, he always comes in and checks on how everything is going, he seems responsible. I respect him a lot,” Hannah Kolarcik, freshman and security office assistant, said.

Kolarcik said Cartwright has brought improvements with his leadership.

“It doesn’t stop when your shift is over. Officers really do care about the students,” Cartwright said.

“Mr. Cartwright and many of the other officers are very personal and sensible to others and are open to discussions and opinions. The students often reciprocate this and treat them with the same sense of respect,” Barth said.

Cartwright said that approachability is a huge priority for him as a leader.

“I want to treat people how I would want to be treated,” Cartwright said. He said approachability is something the officers view as a component of the job and their role on campus.

Barth described Cartwright as optimistic, personal and patient.

Minnis said. Minnis said he could not boil down his proudest accomplishment to one thing.

“I think I’ve become a much better teacher over time, and I’m happy about that,” Minnis said.

With a combined 85 years dedicated to our school’s education and mentorship, Professor of Media and Communication Dr. Stuart Minnis, Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Lydia Kennedy and Associate Professor of English Carol Johnson met service milestones at VWU this spring.

Reflecting on the 25 years of service, Minnis’ contributions to media and communication studies have guided students and helped the department evolve as our society develops into an increasingly digital world.

“I always wanted to work at an institution that was focused primarily on teaching and that was small enough where I could be a generalist,”

Minnis said that he is proud of the film projects that he has worked on over the years. Minnis said what changed the trajectory of his career at this university was when Dr. Steven M. Emmanuel, professor and chair of philosophy, asked him to help make a movie with students. It was reliant on a grant and required Minnis to spend a month in Vietnam.

Minnis said that the month in Vietnam was a great experience when he worked with those students, moved around the country and drove out into the countryside on a moped during his free time.

Ally Peck|Courtesy Sophomore Ally Peck travels to Florida.

Tifannie Heng|Courtesy Freshmen Tiffanie Heng and Gavin Juhas spend time with his dog Raven.

Tiffanie Heng|Courtesy Freshman Gavin Juhas and his friends visit Chic’s beach on a warm spring break day.

Stuart Minnis|Courtesy Dr. Stuart Minnis, professor of media and communication, travels to Vietnam for a film project, collaborating with Dr. Steven Emmanuel, professor and chair of philosophy.

Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle

Ally Peck|Courtesy

A capella fest brings a new sound to campus

BY KAMI WHISENHUNT kjwhisenhunt@vwu.edu

This year, the annual A Cappella Festival collaborated with the Juke Vox event, bringing together performances from VWU’s Vox Vera Choir, Hampton Roads Academy and St. Catherine’s School.

“We have two groups joining us that are really established a cappella ensembles at their schools. They’ve competed in regional competitions, so they’re quite experienced in a cappella music,” Bryson Mortensen, director of choral activities, said.

For this event, each group prepared its own songs, and Deke Sharon, a cappella producer for “Pitch Perfect” and “The Sing-Off,” led workshops with students before the performance.

Sharon said they worked on connecting with the audience and each other, not just the technical aspects of the music.

Aviana Medina, senior Vox Vera member, said Sharon is outgoing and gives helpful insight on how to improve their music and talents. She said she appreciates getting a perspective different from those who hear her sing often.

Medina grew up singing in church, but as she got older, she said she was too shy to sing in school alone, so she joined choir.

“I just went for it, and honestly ever since, it’s kind of changed my life.”

Isaac

Nathaniel Samuel, senior Vox Vera member

“The main challenge that we have is coming together with all of the different parts that we had to learn separately and finding a groove of working together, and also looking like we’re having fun instead of making it almost seem like a project or a class assignment,” Medina said.

Mortensen said a capella performances are cool because he is not standing in front of the students directing them. When it comes to performance time, they have to make it their own.

“I’m teaching the music, but then at some point it transfers over to them, taking ownership of it and wanting to solve the problems themselves and make it the best performance it could be; that is the most exciting part every single time,” Mortensen said.

Performers moved across the stage, danced with one another and built off each other’s energy. St. Catherine’s School brought an audience member on stage, serenading the songs “Hey Jude” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” directly to them, which sparked laughter

and enthusiastic reactions from the crowd.

“We sing as a group. We connect as a group,” senior Vox Vera member Isaac Nathaniel Samuel said.

“The songs have a lot of meaning, and because they’re different from the original, it’s just a different way to express ourselves,” Samuel said.

Samuel said guest groups usually perform one song at the end of Vox Vera’s set list, but combining these events this time, they each performed four to five songs, so they all got a chance to sing without making the show too long.

The groups performed a mix of modern and older songs, coming together to do “Since You’ve Been Gone” in the style of the audition scene from “Pitch Perfect,” which Samuel said they do every year when Sharon comes. The audience was loud and involved, waving their arms, dancing, clapping and snapping along.

“It’s just a different style of music,” Samuel said. “I know not everybody loves a cappella

Gearing up for Earth Week

BY CARL SWORD cmsword@vwu.edu

On Earth Day, April 22, the VWU community will come together to recognize environmental challenges and work toward a better world. Some events include a coastal resilience session, a tree planting and sustainability programs.

“Earth Day is one day out of the year where we stop and recognize that the Earth really matters, but the goal is to make every day Earth Day,” sophomore Marlins Go Green (MGG) President Jocelyn Kaelin said.

VWU will celebrate this year’s Earth Day through a week-long series of events during “Earth Week,” taking place April 20 to April 24.

Kaelin said on April 21 from 2 - 4:30 p.m., MGG will host a table outside Boyd Dining Center and volunteer work in Brock Commons.

On April 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., the club will host a leaf identification event, followed by a recycling drop-off on April 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

On April 24, events include a birdwatching walk from 1 to 2 p.m., a coastal resilience session from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., gardening from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. and the Marlin Earth Day Bash from 12 - 4 p.m. In addition to campus-led efforts, Earth Week connects students with different environmental events happening in the local community.

“We are going to have different organizations like the City of Norfolk

environmental sustainability division and the Virginia Aquarium. They’re going to have different information, pamphlets and flyers and giveaways of different merchandise,” senior and MGG Vice President Erin Beaudry said.

Beaudry said there will be eco-friendly activities so students will be able to receive something physical from different events they can make and remind them of Earth Day.

Off campus, Beaudry works for the City of Norfolk’s environmental sustainability division, which focuses on climate and public safety initiatives.

Beaudry said she has “helped develop a heat mitigation guide,” which she described as “a public safety guide” designed to educate residents about rising temperatures and help them find safe places during extreme heat.

One of MGG’s initiatives, campus composting, has helped divert food waste by taking compost from bins in the Boyd Dining Center and Brock Village parking lot.

Aside from sustainability promotion through campus programs, students can gain a more in-depth view through classes and coursework.

“VWU does a great job promoting sustainability across campus, but it’s really in the classroom where we dive deeper into these issues,” junior earth and environmental sciences major Haley Cummins said.

Last fall, Cummins worked with Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, associate professor of atmospheric and oceanic science to plant trees in Portsmouth to combat heat.

“During that planting, with the help of many VWU and community volunteers, we were able to plant 117 trees and shrubs,” Cummins said.

The environmental sciences department also focuses on hands-on learning experiences outside of the classroom,

music, but in a way, I’m a music nerd, and I love the way that you’re able to connect with people and sing with people that also really love singing.”

Samuel sang in church when he was young but had no plans to audition for Vox Vera until his choir director asked him in his freshman year.

“I just went for it, and honestly ever since, it’s kind of changed my life,” Samuel said.

Samuel said transitioning to using microphones after not practicing with them is a challenge. All of the Vox Vera members used a microphone, while in other groups, only the soloist used one.

Samuel said his love for music and opportunity to have an impact on people keeps him motivated to perform.

Medina said she finds it fun to sing with her friends, creating an environment that allows her to get away from the stress of her regular classes and schoolwork.

according to Dr. Annika Quick, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences.

“For all of our classes, we try to do field work and go on field trips and have guest speakers,” Quick said.

Students are also able to find more opportunities to prepare them for life after graduation. “We have a lot of students who are getting internships and going to grad school,” Quick said.

She said the department has also developed a strong alumni network to help and support current students.

“We have a really active group of alumni who are really excited to help our current students figure out what they’re doing next,” Quick said.

Beaudry said that even the smallest actions can make a huge difference. “If you see some trash on the ground or anything, just pick it up and dispose of it where it should be,” Beaudry said.

From participating in Earth Week events to picking up trash, environmental responsibility does not end after celebrating it for a week, but continues through daily actions that help protect campus and the surrounding area.

Carter Kellam|Marlin Chronicle New lounge areas open in the Bray and Allen

Megan Raines|Courtesy Students plant trees led by student researcher Haley Cummins with Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm and Dr. Maynard Schaus for a heat mapping research project.

Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle

Senior Vox Vera member Aviana Medina takes center stage for her solo.

Laila Jones|Marlin Chronicle General ecology students Elly Moore (LEFT) and Emerson Taylor (RIGHT) compare native and non-native plants as a class activity.

Spring break in the rainy countryside

BY ELENA LICHTENWALNER eclichtenwalner@vwu.edu

While some students were heading home for spring break, a small group of 18 travelers went off to the rainy city of Oxford in England. From March 15-20, the students, along with Drs. Holzer, Lindvall and Fraser, walked the streets of Oxford, visiting churches, museums and shops. The group also took the hour and half coach ride up to Stratford Avon, the home of Shakespeare. Whether it was their first time out of the United States, or their third time visiting England, many students embraced the new place with curiosity and excitement. These photos are from the week long trip, showing many of the fun and exciting events from the trip.

BY SELUANI NAVARRETE-PEREZ snavarreteperez@vwu.edu

Getting the opportunity to participate in a study away was really rewarding because without the knowledge and financial help from the school I would never have gotten the experience to travel to Europe. I feel even more appreciative of the privilege I have of being a college student. I encourage anyone who is slightly interested in studying away to reach out, because you never know what opportunities are awaiting you.

Rats:

BY LIESE HAZELWOOD ljhazelwood@vwu.edu

The trip to Oxford was my first time abroad, and I can’t imagine a better experience. Each day we were there was packed with so many interesting destinations, like the Oxford Museum of Natural History, the Bodleian Library, the C.S. Lewis house and various beautiful churches. I made many new friends and felt immersed in the culture of Oxford.

BY MIAH BOATENG jeboateng@vwu.edu

My favorite part about traveling to Oxford was definitely the sense of curiosity that came upon me whether it be the curiosity to explore the new part of the world I’m in or the curiosity to explore the people I traveled with of which both experiences were wonderful.

Studying abroad can most definitely open one’s eyes to the possibility of being somewhere new and opening out of your shell because there’s nothing familiar here but that’s the exciting part.

Comparing dorms

BY DAVID GABBIN dgabbin@vwu.edu

David Gabbin is a media and communication major at VWU. He spends his time working at the YMCA and relaxing on any day off. He will be studing in Estonia in Fall ‘26.

Dorms are an important part of the “college experience” and these dorms usually come at an outrageous price. For what students pay for these dorms, they should meet basic needs including (but not limited to) cleanliness, accessibility and privacy.

Virginia Wesleyan overall is truly an amazing campus filled with natural beauty and eco-friendly buildings. With these positives come the negatives when it comes to the dorm rooms and the surrounding areas. When you compare these dorm rooms with rooms from other countries, there is room to question if the price for staying on campus is worth it.

VWU dorms, while they are spacious and offer lots of room to store your belongings, it is hard to look past how many of the residence buildings seem to be outdated with very few renovations. Specifically in halls like Teagle, which look like older, less polished versions of halls like the Batten Honors College or the apartments.

These dull older buildings look like they have not been updated or touched in decades. Many of the windows are filled with cobwebs, and the overall cleanliness of bedrooms and living areas are subpar upon moving in.

Accessibility for students is also a huge issue, with moving in and out being hard when elevators in the apartments do not work or you are having to lug your things across parking lots on the other side of where your dorm is. This makes moving in by yourself or moving your stuff out extremely difficult as you must continuously go back and forth across parking lots and place stoppers on the door to keep them open.

While blinds are provided in the dorms, when trying to open windows or raise them to let sunlight in, they easily break and then expose your room to anyone that can look in. This mixed in with the thin walls, which allow for any conversation you have in your room to be heard by the people next or across from you, truly makes for an uncomfortable living situation.

While these issues seem minimal, the cost being over $6,000 makes it feel like it is not worth the expensive price students pay for minimal living conditions. Simple renovations to the inside of halls and the effort to fix issues like drainage, air conditioning and windows could easily help to make these residence halls a more inviting and comfortable place to live for students paying high tuitions to be there.

On the opposite end, international dorms like the University of Tartu in Estonia have dorm spaces that are inviting and accessible to its students both local and international. This residency hall located in downtown Tartu is vibrant with colors and decor. While the space seems to be smaller, the modernized feel of the living spaces makes up for this. The accessibility from the dorms to the streets of the city is also side by side, which makes it easier to move your stuff in and move it out.

For students traveling abroad using their finances for these dorms, the cozy atmosphere and clean supplies provided make these dorms well worth it. VWU has a lot of potential and with minor renovations to its dorms they could be on the same level if not better than what international dorms provide to their students.

When most people think of pets, they think of dogs, cats, fish or maybe even birds. So when I tell them I have pet rats, I get mixed reactions: Some have also had rats or other rodents (bunnies, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, etc.) before and think they’re adorable while others are repulsed by just the idea of a rat. They think I cuddle with New York sewer rats.

Why are rats so hated? So resented? So mistreated? For most of human history, the mere existence of rats has gained them unwarranted notoriety. But rats are adorable, amazing and intelligent little creatures. I want to dispel some of the myths surrounding them.

Myth #1: Rats are bad for crops.

Reality: Rats, like birds, butterflies and other more socially accepted creatures are pollinators in the wild. In their hunt for food, or even just frollicking in grassy areas, rats help to spread pollen from plant to plant. Sure, they may eat crops, but just keep a cat around. Rats are very smart creatures and would learn to stay away from where you don’t want them.

Myth #2: Rats spread the bubonic plague.

Reality: Rats were victims of the Black Death, just like humans were. The real culprits transmitting the disease were fleas — parasites that attached themselves to the rats. The rats are innocent.

Myth #3: Rats are only beneficial to humans via scientific research.

Reality: Rats are amazing as pets. They’re very emotionally intelligent, are able to understand the concept of their own thought processes and can develop a level of intelligence equivalent to that of a human toddler. They have their own habits, likes, dislikes and personalities, just like any other pet. Rats can also be taught a variety of skills: tricks, how to drive tiny cars, how to sniff out disease and landmines. Really, they’re like tiny dogs with stronger teeth. Next time you see a rat, check your disgust. They do not deserve the bad reputation they get from the misinformation spread about them over the centuries.

Phoenyx Clifton|Marlin Chronicle Phoenyx

Phoenyx Clifton|Marlin Chronicle

VWU|Courtesy Tartu Downtown Hostel |Courtesy

Lily Reslink|Marlin Chronicle

Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle

Seluani Navarrete-Perez|Courtesy

Kellie Holzer|Courtesy

Miah Boateng|Courtesy

Benson Fraser|Courtesy

Races, relays, records, oh

BY CASTON CHRISTMAN cbchristman@vwu.edu

For the VWU Swim team, all the early-morning lifts and late-afternoon practices came down to competing at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships (ODACs) on February 1114, when all of the relays placed in their events.

The men’s team ranked 7th and the women’s team ranked 6th. Top finishers include freshman Lana Macchi, who placed 7th in the 100-yard freestyle and senior Cael Long, who placed 8th in the 100-yard butterfly.

Everyone on the team saw personal improvements in their times, including senior Captain Sarah Czapp. “I felt very happy with my performance at ODACs, knowing everything that was going on between injuries and being in my last couple of races. I was proud that it was my last ever swim meet, especially being able to break records to end my season,” Czapp said.

Sophomore Emery Garza broke multiple school records during ODACs, including the 50-yard freestyle, 100 and 200-yard backstrokes. The Marlins as a whole finished the weekend with six broken records, Lana Macchi set the new 100yard breaststroke. The 200 and 400-yard

freestyle relays also both broke records.

“Being on the podium felt different this year because it felt like something we truly earned,” Garza said. “I was really proud of our team, especially in the 400 and 200 freestyle relays. It was exciting because we beat teams like Roanoke in the 200 and Bridgewater in the 400, who normally beat us.”

Sophomore Captain Mason Pifer spoke highly of the changes to the team’s mindset this year compared to last year.

Pifer said training in the pool twice a day and in the weight room during winter break helped the team excel in the January meets, despite the physical and mental challenges.

“There was more commitment on the team. Our drive was higher this year compared to last.” Pifer said.

The coaching staff, including Head Coach Cassandre Wilburn and Assistant Coach Summer Wilburn, had non-stop support for their swimmers, especially during ODACs.

“After a good race, the coaches and teammates were really supportive. If the swim was in prelims, the coaches would usually give us one specific thing to focus on for finals to help improve even more,” Garza said.

The team atmosphere and support are very important to the captains. “The

team environment was very uplifting at ODACs. It was great to be around people who supported one another during every race. It kept things fun and took away a lot of pressure. Being around supportive teammates made it easier to stay relaxed and swim our best,” Czapp said.

Pifer said he wants to keep the team in check during off-season practices. “I think we had a great season this year and a lot to be proud of. We need to be more

prepared for next season,” Pifer said.“We have some great recruits coming in next year, so I’m super excited to see their improvement and the impact they will have on the team,” Pifer said. The Marlins will add five recruits to the team next season, while losing four swimmers. “On top of the recruits coming in, we have a really strong core of swimmers who will be returning to the team next season.” Pifer said.

Star duo leads the way for Women’s Lacrosse

Morgenthaler, Duplechin drive

BY CAMERON MAILLOUX cjmaillouxr@vwu.edu

The Virginia Wesleyan University Women’s Lacrosse team has been on a roll as of late, going 7-5 in their first twelve games and currently 2-2 in conference play. Under first-year Head Coach Emerson Foster, the Marlins find themselves in no. 6 in the ODAC standings.

“I think Coach Foster has come into this program and helped us in so many ways. Many new coaches are hesitant at first, but she came in with a plan and high expectations for us. She continues to push us every day, and I have seen so much individual and team growth in general just this season,” sophomore midfielder Kenna Duplechin said.

A big chunk of this success comes from sophomore midfielders Kenna Duplechin and Reese Morgenthaler. The two have put up a combined 76 goals and 92 draw controls so far this season.

On March 9, 2026, Morgenthaler recorded her

100th draw control against Lycoming College, marking a milestone in her collegiate career.

“I was excited that my team and I were able to find such success early in the season by accomplishing something so big early in my career. I owe it all to them and the hard work we all put in together, and how we all collaborate and are able to connect and execute on the field,” Morgenthaler said.

Morgenthaler came to VWU in Fall 2024 from Anacortes, Washington. “Being so far away from home, I’m always reminded of how lucky I am to have this opportunity to go to college and play a sport I love. My family and friends continue to support me and reach out, and that always keeps me going,” Morgenthaler said.

Making a major scene change, she embraces the challenge and works hard to make the most out of the opportunity she has in front of her.

“Reese is one of our team captains and is one of the most accountable people I know. She communicates with the

team and is always putting in work outside of practice,” said Duplechin. Many qualities make a good leader; communication and accountability go a long way when trying to win.

Morgenthaler and Duplechin met just before they both arrived at VWU. “We were told we would get along by our last coach, so Reese reached out to me,” Duplechin said, and they became best friends from there. “We decided to room together once she committed,” Duplechin said.

The two carry this friendship out to the field, where they command the midfield, causing turnovers and scoring goals. “We work together all over the field. It starts on the draw, either Reese or I take the draw, and we

lanes have a plays where we work together using draw-anddumps. Finally, on defense, we work together to double-team and cause turnovers,” said Duplechin.

intense, forcing a combined 47 turnovers and 80 ground ball possessions, where they compete with the other team to get a loose ball recovery.

hard work and teamwork are some of the qualities that have helped her be so successful as a Marlin. Morgenthaler continues to work hard to win for her team and wants to help the team in any and every way she can.

ODAC in goals per game while ranking second in shots per game and third in points per game.

ODAC Championship|Courtesy

Sophomore Emery

VWU Athletics|Courtesy

James Hill|VWU Athletics Reese Morgenthaler

Nichols.

James Hill|VWU Athletics

SportS

DeVeaux was just scratching the surface of his potential before injuring his knee, having a career night and scoring 22 points in 21 minutes against North Carolina Wesleyan.

“I went up for a layup, got bumped by another player and my knee hyperextended,” DeVeaux said. ACL injuries often require a full calendar year to rehabilitate and some athletes never get back to their original form after the injury.

Basketball is one of the more difficult sports to return to pre-injury form due to all the pivoting, jumps and hard stops that occur on the court.

Athletic Trainer Dr. Kerri Zamora worked with DeVeaux throughout his rehabilitation process and managed the challenge of effective but controlled rehabilitation.

Due to the extent of the damage to DeVeaux’s knee, Zamora knew it would be a tough road with lots of setbacks.

“I never could have predicted that he would come back to be one of the most successful players in Division III basketball,” Zamora said.

“She checked up on me every day and made me stick to a plan,” DeVeaux said.

When asked who was most responsible for his comeback success, DeVeaux said Zamora.

DeVeaux also credited his success to his best friend and teammate senior Austin Smith, his girlfriend, Makiya Himes, and his parents for constantly checking in on him.

“They always knew what to say and do if I was having a bad day to try and keep my spirits up,” DeVeaux said.

DeVeaux and Smith were rehabbing different injuries at the same time.

“Rehab was difficult, but not impossible, especially going through it with your best friend,” Smith said.

Smith, DeVeaux and Zamora are getting matching tattoos later this month to represent everything they went through together.

“We are getting will o’ wisps, because Dr. Campbell’s office is on Will O’ Wisp Drive,” Zamora said. Dr. Campbell was DeVeaux’s doctor and surgeon.

Another aspect of DeVeaux’s journey was his unique recruitment process. DeVeaux was undersized in high school, listed at 6’1”, 160 pounds on Hudl (a recruiting website), and had his senior basketball season canceled due to the pandemic.

“Omari’s high school coach reached out to us and said he had a special player that was not being recruited and kind of fell through the cracks,” Macedo said.

It is uncommon for a future AllAmerican to have few suitors coming out of high school. Due to limited recruitment opportunities, DeVeaux visited once, observing a practice at VWU, and knew what his decision would be.

“It wasn’t much of a recruiting process. He kind of just came to us,” Macedo said. DeVeaux quickly established himself within the program.

“We didn’t quite know the player we were getting when we got him and about halfway through Omari’s freshman year is when he emerged on the scene for us,” Macedo said. By the end of DeVeaux’s freshman year, he was in the starting lineup.

DeVeaux appeared in 25 games in his freshman year, averaging 6.9 points per game with a 34.4% 3-point percentage.

DeVeaux shut down any doubts of his potential the year after his injury, shooting

a career-high 39.6% on 3-pointers with a high volume (61/154). A 40% 3-point percentage is generally considered elite in basketball and indicates a player as a threat to score on every possession.

While DeVeaux’s 3-point percentage took a slight dip in 2025-26, his overall field goal percentage rose to 47.5%, which is an increase of more than 5% from the prior season.

DeVeaux was named First Team AllAmerican, First Team All-District, AllDistrict Player of the Year, ODAC Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and D3Hoops.com Second Team All-Region, according to the VWU Athletics website.

DeVeaux is uncertain if he wants to pursue basketball after his collegiate career.

“I’m still stuck in between if I want to play some more, or if I don’t. So, I don’t really know. I guess time will tell,” DeVeaux said.

Regardless of what is next for DeVeaux, he will go down as one of the all-time greats in Virginia Wesleyan Basketball history.

Track and field: art of throwing

BY JAIDEN MITCHELL jimitchell@vwu.edu

Over the years, the VWU Track and Field team has worked up the ranks. The team is led by Head Coach BT Pham and Assistant Coaches Jacob Balot, K’Vonte Scott and Richmond Letterio. Throughout the past few weeks, Indoor Track has finished and the throwers have had a competitive start to their season.

that athletes

a throwing event. Discus is spinning in a circle to throw a flat disc. Hammer is rotating with a metal ball on a wire and releasing it.

furthest.

Senior Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo is a thrower on the Track and Field team. He explained that during his freshman year, his friends encouraged him to join now he has had a great four years with the team. As a thrower, he takes part in shot put, javelin and discus.

important for an athlete to shift their weight to help the ball travel further.

This event is only for indoor track and hammer is only for outdoor track. All events are measured and the winners are determined by who can throw the

“I like that it’s an individual sport, so whatever you put in is what you get out of it.”

Freshman thrower

Kareem-Ojo said the best part of track is the people he has met at Wesleyan and the people who he has met at other track

He explained

getting a personal record (PR) is the “greatest feeling, you get hyped up and your friends get hyped up.”

Kareem-Ojo keeps himself motivated by talking about

Desirae Hill

strategy to the coaches. He said he always “trusts his training and the coaches” to get where he is today.

Freshman thrower Desirae Hill said that she began track and field in high school, and followed in her mother’s footsteps, who was also a thrower.

Hill participates in the shot put, discus, weight and hammer events. “I like that it’s an individual sport, so whatever you put in is what you get out of it,” Hill said.

Freshman thrower Jade Turner participates in shot put, discus and hammer. Similar to Kareem-Ojo, Turner finds PRs very exciting. During spring break, she set a PR in shot put, discus and hammer. “Everyone else around is super excited too; it’s a really

great feeling,” Turner said.

A lot of the members of the men’s and women’s track team explain how the community on the team is the best part of track and that everyone is super nice.

One of her favorite memories is “team bonding and bowling. It was a fun time seeing everyone goofy and joking around,” Turner said.

To prepare for meets and events, Hill said that she participates in

practice, eats well and sleeps well throughout the entire week before the meet.

This ensures that she is ready mentally and physically to be able to compete.

Hill compared beating a PR to breaking down a wall. “Every time I beat my PR, it makes me want to do better,” Hill said. Their next meet is April 11 at the Duke Invitational in Durham, NC.

James Hill|VWU Athletics

DeVeaux shot 45.6% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the 3-point arch in his collegiate career.

Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle

Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo practices his javelin throw.

James Hill|VWU Athletics DeVeaux shakes off a defender in the paint.

Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle Freshman Will Hepburn works on his discus throw.

James Hill|VWU Athletics The Marlins celebrate their seniors during the Betty S. Rogers Invitational.

Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle

Bean there, done that

BY BRYANT COTTERELL bccotterell@vwu.edu

On a quiet Monday afternoon, Equinox Coffee Co. was paused in time. Outside on the patio, one other couple sat at a small table, talking as if they had nowhere else to be. The air held the warm and rich scent of coffee roasting, the kind of smell that settles in and makes you slow down without realizing it.

There was no rush, no line forming at the counter, no background noise of a crowded room, just the low hum of the espresso machine and the occasional click of a cup being set back down on a table. It felt less like a busy café and more like a place people come to sit, breathe and decompress for a bit.

Inside, the shop had an industrial vibe with a few niche design elements. Exposed

brick walls, polished concrete floors and wooden tables gave it a minimalist look, while plants and natural light from high windows kept it from feeling cold.

A row of small tables along a bench created a quiet space for working. Small details like a vase of tulips, stacked books and vinyl records displayed on the shelves added personality.

“It almost feels like a studio here with all the vinyls on display,” patron Kaleb Hulse said.

A record player near the counter and a small clothing rack gave the space a creative vibe, making it feel more curated than commercial. The space itself is limited, but it was thoughtfully arranged and enhanced by its decor.

The menu was stripped down to the essentials: just coffee, with options like espresso, cortado, cappuccino and a few filter methods such as pour-over and cold brew. After ordering a standard filter pour over, something simple but solid was expected, but the result didn’t quite land.

The coffee leaned heavily acidic, with a sharpness that overpowered any deeper flavor. It wasn’t necessarily undrinkable, but it lacked balance, making it hard to enjoy the whole cup.

One guest, Christian Flynn, described the coffee as having a pretty sour flavor profile, and said, “I’m not really a fan of it, but maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.”

Although the shop kept a minimal menu in the store, its social media suggests there is more to it than what is immediately visible.

According to its Instagram, the cafe offers a daily happy hour from 1 p.m. to close with $2 drip coffee, flash-chilled brew and double espressos, along with occasional tastings that highlight different offerings. This adds a layer of accessibility and experimentation that was not necessarily accounted for in the time of the visit.

The menu seen online also appeared to be more extensive with options for matcha, various teas and pastries and other specialty drinks listed, which were not available at the moment.

All together, the shop seemed to operate with a “work in progress” menu, or a list of items which are subject to timing or availability rather than a fixed and fully displayed list.

Beyond the brews, Equinox felt like a space built more for presence than for turnover. The quiet patio and open interior made it feel like it’s not meant for quick stops, but for sitting and staying awhile.

“It kinda works for me as a study spot or a place to chill out, especially on the patio when it’s warm out,” patron Sherman Johnson said.

The layout seemed to encourage people to spread out without feeling crowded, and the calm atmosphere makes it easy to focus or hold a conversation without competing noise.

Staff were unavailable for interviews duing this visit, which left much of the cafe’s story untold. There’s little information in-store about its origins, ownership or overall mission, and even online details are somewhat limited. As a

result, the shop ends up speaking for itself primarily through its design, menu and overall atmosphere rather than through a clearly communicated narrative.

While this didn’t take away from the experience entirely, it did make the place feel a bit mysterious, especially for a firsttime visitor looking to understand what sets it apart from other coffee shops.

In the end, Equinox Coffee Co. left a mixed impression. The space itself stands out through its calm and thoughtfully designed demeanor, but the coffee doesn’t quite match that same level.

It feels like a place you’d return to for the atmosphere more than the product, especially if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to work or relax. While the shop hints at a broader identity through its social media and curated aesthetic, that identity doesn’t shine through in person. What sticks most is the feeling of the space rather than the taste of the coffee, which ultimately defines the experience.

Redhead Bay Cafe ties multiple aesthetics for memorable brunch

BY CALEE LUKOWSKI crlukowski@vwu.edu

Tucked away on the quiet back roads of Virginia Beach’s Pungo community is a small patch of hustle and bustle: Redhead Bay Cafe, bringing life to what might be considered a quiet neck of the woods. If travelers are not careful, they just might miss it – literally, because it sits on a bend.

What might appear to be a nondescript, barn-like structure is actually home to one of the best brunch places around. Though Redhead Bay Cafe serves only brunch, there is no lack of variety. The menu offers many different types of brunch foods from omelets to burritos.

“It’s a cozy place deep in the heart of Pungo where the staff are friendly and welcoming and the food is basically southern comfort breakfast with a flair,” patron Isabelle McGrath said.

Redhead Bay Cafe combines classy, rustic and comfort to make the perfect spot for everything from a lively girls’ day out to a quintessential family meal after weekend morning activities.

“Redhead Bay Cafe is a cute little breakfast place that felt very family friendly. It was relaxing but lively at the same time,” junior Haley Cummins said.

With wooden tables, a bar area and a chandelier made of antlers, Redhead Bay Cafe may seem more rustic than classy. But black and white accents throughout the dining area, including white fabric draped artistically outward from the chandelier, transform the space from backwoods bar to classic cafe. Floor to ceiling windows along one wall open the space up, making it feel welcoming and airy.

The comfort comes with the service and food provided at Redhead Bay Cafe. Redhead Bay Cafe was able to take simple, comfort breakfast foods and make them next level. The loaded breakfast burrito wrap was large in size and in flavor. Their tater tots expanded beyond the ordinary and certainly weren’t just waiting for a casserole dish with their seasoning.

Juniors Geordie Chagalis, Cooper Seidner and Cummins all agreed that the food at Redhead Bay Cafe was delicious.

“You get the bang for your buck,” Cummins said. “It’s not necessarily overpriced because the food is such good quality. You can tell it’s homemade and not frozen stuff. The prices are not outrageous for the quality. It’s just not somewhere you would go every Saturday.”

The drinks were beautifully crafted, with presentation coming in second only to their taste. The mint chocolate chip latte was the perfect blend of chocolate, coffee and mint.

were made up in such a cute way, it made the experience fun.”

The staff are professional, friendly and seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to anticipating the requests of customers. The service was quick, courteous and high quality.

“Redhead Bay Cafe definitely has a long wait, if you go on a busy day,” Seidner said.

For as quick and efficient as the service is, do not expect this place to be somewhere to grab a quick bite. Particularly on the weekends, the Redhead Bay Cafe can be quite crowded. They do not take reservations ahead of time and instead you are put on a list after the valet takes your car.

“It does take awhile to get a table,” Chagalis said. “But the food is good.”

Redhead Bay Cafe offers plenty of outdoor seating reserved specifically for patrons waiting for a table. While they wait, patrons are encouraged to grab a drink from the bar – both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are served – and either enjoy the outdoors’ peace and quiet, or entertain themselves with a variety of lawn games.

Redhead Bay Cafe may not be an every weekend breakfast spot, but it offers an experience that is both welcoming and lively. With friendly staff and good food, this brunch spot has the makings of a wonderful break from the craziness of the modern world.

“The drinks seemed customized,” Cummins said. “They

Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle Junior Haley Cummins with an iced Biscoff latte and a mint chocolate chip latte.

Bryant Cotterell|Marlin Chronicle

The open kitchen helps to convey a connected and welcoming space inside.

Haley Cummins|Courtesy Eggs Benedict and homestyle potatoes.

Bryant Cotterell|Marlin Chronicle

The first impression of Equinox Coffee is their industrial vibe.

Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle

The loaded breakfast burrito and tater tots.

Strawberry Fields focuses on naturally sourced ingredients

BY OMARI JONES ozjones@vwu.edu

Strawberry Fields, a neighborhood gelato store, has been serving handcrafted desserts for 14 years, building a reputation for quality and the connections it creates with customers. On a lively stretch of Colley Avenue in Norfolk, this small shop has made a lasting impression on the local community.

According to Co-Owner Heather Wynn, the shop’s success comes down to a simple but powerful idea: consistency.

“Strawberry Fields is special because we take pride in what we do and the product we put out there,” Wynn said. “One of the big ways a small business can compete with the major chains is to have an exemplary product and maintain that excellence over time so that people come to rely on that consistency,” Wynn said.

Wynn’s passion for small business began early in life. Growing up, both of her parents owned their own businesses, and she spent much of her childhood working in their stores. She also developed a love for baking, which later influenced the way Strawberry Fields operates today, inspiring its focus on quality, hands-on work and attention to detail.

Behind the scenes, the shop’s top chef, Allison, a culinary school graduate, plays a major role in bringing each flavor to life. “With her training and attention to detail, Allison helps ensure that every batch of gelato meets the shop’s high standards,” Wynn said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining that excellence over time for customers. In an industry where cutting corners can be tempting,

the shop has made it a priority to never sacrifice quality.

“We are obsessed with fresh, all-natural ingredients,” Wynn said.

This dedication is clear in the way their gelato is made. Strawberry Fields does not use artificial food coloring, relying instead on natural alternatives to achieve its signature look.

For example, the mint chip gelato gets its green color from spinach, while the lavender flavor uses elderberry for its soft purple tone. Even when the price of vanilla beans skyrocketed in recent years, Strawberry Fields refused to switch to imitation flavoring.

Wynn noted that using real ingredients can sometimes surprise customers who are used to artificial flavors.

“We get the occasional ‘this peach doesn’t taste like much,’ but that’s because some people are conditioned to like imitated peach flavorings more than the real thing,” Wynn said. Despite that, the shop remains committed to serving the most authentic product possible.

Another factor that sets Strawberry Fields apart is the gelato itself. Unlike traditional ice cream, which can contain up to 80% air, gelato contains about 20%. This creates a denser texture and allows the flavors to be richer and more pronounced. According to Wynn, this is how frozen desserts are meant to taste.

Wynn’s interest in gelato started about 20 years ago when she first heard about it and decided to learn more. After trying authentic gelato, she was convinced it was something special.

“Once I tried real gelato, I never looked back; it is superior in every way,” Wynn said.

At Strawberry Fields, that passion is reflected in a hands-on approach. Many of the mix-ins used in the gelato are made in-house to ensure freshness and quality. The shop also rotates its flavors based on what ingredients are currently in season.

“If you want to know what sorbets are going to be in the case this week, just look around your local grocery store at what looks best,” Wynn said. “That’s probably what we will be serving.”

While the gelato draws people in, it’s the sense of community that keeps them coming back. Over the years, Strawberry Fields has become part of many customers’ personal stories.

Wynn shared that she never gets tired of hearing about couples who had their first date at the shop and are now married, or people who have moved away but still make a point to visit whenever they return to Norfolk.

“We have formed bonds with many of our customers over the 14 years we have been in business,” Wynn said. “It still amazes me how much love the shop has garnered over the years.”

Looking ahead, Wynn mentioned the possibility of bringing back a tradition: an anniversary celebration for the shop. While nothing is confirmed yet, the idea of celebrating 15 years in business reflects the strong relationship the shop has built with its community.

Strawberry Fields continues to thrive by staying true to its core values: quality, authenticity and genuine customer care. Its focus on doing things the right way has helped Strawberry Fields stand out in a competitive market and earn the loyalty of its customers.

In a fast-paced world where convenience often comes first, Strawberry Fields proves that taking the time to focus on quality and relationships can make all the difference.

Growing community in Virginia Beach

BY ABBE CASSIDY arcassidy@vwu.edu

PlantHouse, located in Virginia Beach’s Hilltop area along Laskin Road, is a build-your-own-plant experience created by Bailey Ryan. The shop offers a handson experience for those looking to try something trendy and new by customizing a terrarium. PlantHouse isn’t far from the Virginia Wesleyan campus either, about a 25-30 minute drive, making it an easy trip for students and staff looking for something new to try on their own or with friends and family.

PlantHouse is especially beginner friendly, with employees like Jason Barilla and Rae Macias to guide customers through each step of the process.

“We always like to say, there’s no dumb questions,” Barilla said. Employees are quick to offer extra assistance, creating a welcoming environment for those new to plant care and those who aren’t.

If building a terrarium doesn’t sound like a good fit, PlantHouse is also a plant shop and has other plants to offer.

“A popular plant combo that comes to mind is the Maranta Lemon-Lime and the tatas pot,” Macias said.

“Snake plants and ZZ plants are the easiest plants that we usually carry,” Barilla said. PlantHouse will also cater to your own personal plant needs. “We offer complimentary repotting when you purchase a plant in a pot. That’s kind of what makes us stand out,” Marcias said.

Barilla pointed out that they have a “dirty zone,” which are buckets of soil from repotted plants.

PlantHouse offers a large display of colorful plants in every green shade imaginable and a beautiful vase collection, which can be purchased. PlantHouse also

has a variety of nutrients for your plant such as food, mister bottles, succulent water bottles and some gift shop items.

After taking in the display of plants and amenities, customers can signal to staff they’re ready to start the workshop.

Customers are then guided to a well-kept wall of shelves of different terrariums to choose from, in a variety of sizes.

“For a new plant parent, it depends on the kind of sun that they have and where they want to put it,” Barilla said.

If customers are planning to keep their plants in a shaded area and water them frequently, it’s best to choose an air plant. If they’re planning to keep it in a sunnier area and water it less, then they recommend a succulent or cacti.

“It really just depends on what’s better for the person,” Barilla said.

After selecting the terrarium and type of

plant, customers chose a table and design their new plant’s home with a variety of soils, colorful sand, rocks, fake flowers, shells and moss.

PlantHouse is not just a one-time experience. They encourage customers to return to shop in person or online, and participate in their workshop again.

“I hope they are comfortable enough to come back and not be afraid to ask questions,” Barilla said.

“There’s so many times that people come in and shop and then they end up talking

to each other and hanging out during their time, so that’s always nice for us to see,” Macias said. PlantHouse loves to host events for new and returning customers, such as parties encouraging new and familiar faces.

“There wasn’t a market for something that brought everyone together,” Macias said. “She wanted more community within Virginia Beach.”

Ryan, the owner of PlantHouse, encourages more activity in the community of Virginia Beach.

Jordan Crallé|Marlin Chronicle

Omari Jones|Marlin Chronicle The store is as colorful and lively as the sign outside.

Omari Jones|Marlin Chronicle Strawberry Farms cycles gelato flavors weekly.

Abee Cassidy|Marlin Chronicle

PlantHouse is an artistic space for workshop classes as well as a functioning plant store. The shop has a large selection of plants and related accessories.

Abee Cassidy|Marlin Chronicle

One of the workshops offered at PlantHouse allows customers to build their own terrarium with different types of plants, moss and other decorations.