The Marlin Chronicle
STUDENTS CREATE STUDENTS CREATE
Freshman brings expertise of poetry and performance
BY KAMI WHISENHUNT
Freshman BreAnna Downing, known as Verity, went from singing and dancing in front of the pews of her church as a child to finding her passion for poetry soon after.
“When I was seven years old, I performed at an auction for the first time,” Downing said. “Me performing has just always been a getaway, in a sense.” Downing began taking poetry seriously at 14, when she joined Teens with a Purpose (TWP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping teens express themselves, build confidence and find community through art and service.
“When I got the opportunity to start being able to share my poetry, I took it very seriously, and then I got immediate gratification for it, so I never stopped,” Downing said.
This year, Downing earned the title of Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate in March 2025 at an event called Slam Fest Season. She’ll hold this title until 2026, representing her community.
See POET Page 4
BY MARS SMITH
Student feature film turns vision to reality -- Page 5
Junior Liam Castellano planned the plot of “Lila” in Nov. 2024, finalized the script in April 2025, finished filming in August and released it to the world on Oct. 18.
-- Page 5
As of 2024, Virginia Wesleyan is the first four-year institution in Virginia to offer an Incarcerated Persons ReEntry Program, where professors adapt the university’s courses to teach at prisons.
“We are an institution that values service to our community. This is what we do here, and I think this is our opportunity to serve a community that will be very valuable,” said associate professor of English Dr. Rebecca Hooker, who teaches for the program.
Dr. Katie Harrington, assistant professor of psychology, also teaches in the program. “For a lot of them, the fact that there may be some community when they’re released is part of the benefit,” Harrington said
“I see this as an opportunity for them to do something with their minds,” Hooker said. She said she also sees the program as offering students at the prison a different perspective.
“For a lot of them, connecting them to Virginia Wesleyan gives them not only a community that they can hold on to, but also potentially a community that I hope they will enrich with their experiences,” Harrington said.
There are two prison campuses, the St. Brides and Indian Creek Correctional Facilities in Chesapeake, and Hooker has taught English and humanities courses at both. Hooker’s teaching content and process remain the same as in VWU classrooms, but preparation and delivery methods differ because incarcerated students do not have computer access.
“Most of [the professors] that are teaching are either teaching a course as it already exists or slightly modifying a course,” Harrington said. “It’s really just making a few adjustments to what we already have.”
“One of the largest issues getting things into the prison is physically getting things into the prison,” Harrington said. “Papers have to be cleared, so the biggest changes to my process have been in pre-planning. I make sure I can do everything purely with pencil, paper and dry-erase board, and I make sure that all of my materials are at the facility ahead of time.”
The Compact asks universities to change policies in exchange for federal funding advantages. -- Page 2
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is one local
The program brings VWU professors to local prisons to teach courses adapted to technologyfree limitations. Coaches must adapt to recruiting changes or pack their bags VWU coaches share perspectives on the recruitment strategies of today. -- Page 7
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle Whiteboard art by Kyla Robberecht.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle Slover Library
Liam Castellano|Courtesy
Verity Downing|Courtesy
BreAnna “Verity” Downing takes the stage at the “Unseen to Unstoppable” Fashion Show Gala & Youth Move Maker Awards on Nov. 1, hosted by Teens With a Purpose
Virginia Wesleyan responds to the ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education’
The Compact asks universities to change policies in exchange for federal funding advantages.
BY ISAAC FICK ihfick@vwu.edu
The Compact
The federal administration asked nine universities to sign a compact which outlines priorities of the government and its relationship with higher education.
Sent on Oct. 1, the administration requested the universities to sign the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” by Oct. 20.
“The Compact signals a significant test of the historic balance between institutional independence and government oversight,” President Dr. Scott Miller said in his Oct. 29 response to The Chronicle regarding the implications for the future of higher education.
“If widely adopted, it could reshape governance, restrict institutional autonomy and narrow the scope of academic inquiry,” Miller said.
In an Oct. 2 CBS News article, May Mailman, a senior adviser for special projects at the White House, said that schools that sign the Compact agreement would receive priority in receiving federal funding.
The sections of the Compact are “Equality in Admissions,” “Marketplace of Ideas & Civil Discourse,” “Nondiscrimination in Faculty and Administrative Hiring,” “Institutional Neutrality,” “Student Learning,” “Student Equality,” “Financial Responsibility,” “Foreign Entanglements,” “Exceptions” to the values and “Enforcement.”
The agreement gives a statement on civil discourse: “A vibrant marketplace of ideas requires an intellectually open campus environment, with a broad spectrum of ideological viewpoints present and no single ideology dominant, both along political and other relevant lines.”
The Compact said that signatories would commit themselves to “transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”
University responses
Miller said several higher education associations have negatively reacted to the Compact. “The American Council on Education, which represents VWU and hundreds of colleges and universities, published a statement on Oct. 17, 2025, urging the administration to withdraw the Compact,” Miller said. He said the organization argued that the Compact would hinder freedom of expression.
According to an Oct. 20 NPR article, seven of the nine universities said they would not sign the Compact, starting with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, “for those Institutions that want to quickly return to the pursuit of Truth and Achievement, they are invited to enter into a forward looking Agreement with the Federal Government to help bring about the Golden Age of Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” thus signaling the opening of the Compact to all institutions.
Miller said most private institutions have rejected the Compact, adding that he knows of only one private institution that supported it and one that offered feedback.
The University of Virginia’s Oct. 18 rejection followed a conversation between it, the administration and other colleges and universities on Oct. 17, according to the article.
An Oct. 18 Forbes article said UVA’s interim President Paul Mahoney said the university agreed with much of the Compact’s content.
UVA wanted “no special
university’s future in higher education.
treatment” but looks forward to “working together to develop alternative, lasting approaches to improving higher education.”
“UVA’s decision does not set a meaningful precedent for small and mid-sized private institutions,” Miller said.
He said this is due to these institutions facing “a very different financial and operational reality, often without comparable public subsidies or medical revenue. Each college
must evaluate the Compact based on its own scale, mission and sustainability.”
Moving forward
Miller said “the long-term implication is whether higher education remains self-governing or becomes increasingly defined by political compliance rather than mission-driven leadership.
“VWU will proceed cautiously, grounded in its mission and responsibilities as a private institution,” Miller said. He
said as the university continues to monitor the situation, it will consider similar peer institutions and how the Compact will impact freedom and the longevity of the university.
“We will not rush to adopt external mandates that compromise these core principles,” Miller said. He said the university will move forward deliberately, thoughtfully and with consultation.
Carter Kellam|Marlin Chronicle
The Presidential Suite, located in Godwin Hall, houses the decision makers regarding the
MOCA progresses on schedule
BY BRUCE BLANCHARD bcblanchard@vwu.edu
With construction moving on schedule, the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is expected to open its doors for a soft launch in late February or March.
According to Dr. Sally Shedd, dean of the Susan S. Goode school of arts and humanities, the community can expect a formal grand opening in April. “Construction on the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is continuing to advance on schedule and within budget,” Shedd said.
The week of Oct. 27, “flooring was laid on the second floor, work on the plaza area in the front commenced, external finishes continued on the façade, landscaping began on the west lawn and progress advanced on the east side loading dock,” Shedd said.
“I think the Virginia MOCA’s move to our campus is a game-changer for our campus and the region. It will bring greater visibility to our thriving arts programs,” Dr. Travis Malone, professor of
theatre, said. The museum will be free for all VWU students to visit, providing them with easy access to contemporary art just steps from their classrooms. It is expected to bring new opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate with community members and professional artists through exhibitions, workshops and community events.
“I hope it brings a lot of diversity and is a nice place for people to learn about different cultures,”
freshman Morola Odunlami said. “It is always nice to
see multiple different kinds of art.”
“I think the new museum being built on campus is a great opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing creative art,” freshman Shelby Walters said. “In my opinion, this upcoming project could bring much more life to our campus and give many students a chance to find inspiration to pursue their passions and interests here on campus.”
According to MOCA’s website, the new location will offer greater accessibility for both locals and visitors.
The facility expands educational and exhibition space by 20%, creating more opportunities for engagement and learning. The new museum will host a mix of exhibitions, performances and educational programs.
“I think it's a great move to bring in an outside organization to this school, and I think that once it's finished, it’ll be a great addition. I hope there will be opportunities for campus events and student events there,” senior Erin Beaudry said.
The museum will rotate art pieces, meaning new
exhibitions will come onto campus every four to six months.
On the MOCA website, Executive Director Alison Byrne and President Dr. Scott Miller both commented on the upcoming museum.
“This incredibly exciting initiative strengthens our ability to educate and collaborate with the community alongside presenting exceptional, locally relevant and nationally resonant contemporary art. By working together, we can unlock Virginia MOCA’s full potential as a vibrant
educational hub,” Byrne said.
“By further integrating the arts into our campus, we are creating an environment that enhances creativity, critical thinking and cultural appreciation. This collaborative effort with Virginia MOCA will further strengthen our commitment to providing a well-rounded education for our students,” Miller said. According to a WAVY article, discussions of the change began in June 2022 and the construction broke ground in August 2024.
REENTRY
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To make the classes accessible for a computerless format, Hooker prints or handwrites all materials used.
In the Psychology 101 course taught by Harrington, assignments are modified to accommodate the incarcerated learners’ schedules and access to materials.
The developmental portion of the course is focused on adult development. For the prison education program specifically, Harrington discussed adult development more in-depth.
“I pulled articles about aging in an institutional setting, or institutional outcomes around high blood pressure, because quite a few of my students not only are non-traditional, but are middle-aged or in the beginning of older adulthood,” Harrington said. “They’re interesting articles that they might want to share with someone else.”
In the humanities courses she has taught, Hooker said she uses role-playing as a method of immersive teaching. Hooker said she has instructed activities such as writing the Constitution and a game based on Frederick Douglass's autobiography, which help to apply learned knowledge and teach the relevance of historical events to current society.
“A degree teaches so many skills, not just business skills, but speaking and writing and thinking skills,” Hooker said, which she added are topics that incarcerated students are commonly interested in.
Harrington echoed this pattern in student interest, adding that she has incarcerated students who
are interested in understanding childrens’ learning and motion regulation, especially those who became grandparents while incarcerated.
Junior Miles Pifer said the program made him think about the societal and individual impacts of a free education for all students. “I think it's a positive initiative for VWU to be involved in ... education is a privilege that all individuals deserve the chance to pursue,” Pifer said.
“With a prison education system, how will they be effectively taught if several of the inmates haven't achieved a GED or high school diploma?” Pifer said. “It [still] limits who can and can't achieve an education.”
Regarding requirements to take courses, Harrington said the principal of the prison facility determines student eligibility based on behavior and previous program participation.
Despite a difference in preparation, Hooker described the classroom environment as similar to a college classroom.
“My students at the prison are students,” Harrington said. “They’re not prisoners, they’re not numbers, they are students and I teach them just as I would any of my other students.”
For students at the prison, Harrington said the program offers a connection to a community that is not tied to their chances of parole, which provides incarcerated students with a sense of dignity and growth.
“For the students at Virginia Wesleyan, [the program] offers an understanding for them that education is necessary for society, but also continues outside of spaces that we think of as purely educational spaces for a lot of our students,” Harrington said.
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Laila Jones|Marlin Chronicle
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More than a run: empowering girls in Hampton Roads Community
BY ISAAC FICK & BRENNAN BLACK ihfick@vwu.edu btblack@vwu.edu
When Olivia Highton started working with her mom, Erin Highton, for Girls on the Run Hampton Roads (GOTR), she described it as a “full circle moment.”
She started in the program as a participant in elementary school; “After I participated, my mom started coaching, and since then we have both stayed involved in the program in some way,” Olivia said.
GOTR is an organization that fosters connection and strength for girls at a young age, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental health. The Hampton Roads office is located on the VWU campus.
The GOTR Hampton Roads website explains its core values, which focus on teaching girls about intentional decision making, embracing differences, expressing joy, nurturing health, assuming positivity and standing up for themselves.
Executive Director of the GOTR Hampton Roads Ellen Carver said the current social media-driven mental health crisis affecting girls is heart-breaking. “The program is screen-free and treats girls to fresh air, friendship, nutrition and exercise, which are all panaceas to sedentary, screen-addicted depression.”
Carver said she got involved in the program because it is “transformative in serving thousands of girls on a lean, volunteer-based budget.”
Olivia is the marketing and communications manager for GOTR Hampton Roads, responsible for everything related to design, branding and communications.
Erin is the senior program director for GOTR Hampton Roads. Erin said the most rewarding part of her job is “hearing the countless stories from family members and coaches about how girls are using the skills and strategies they are learning at GOTR.”
When she signed Olivia up for the program, she said she
profession,” Downing said.
thought it was a running program.
“Throughout the course of the season, however, I began to see that GOTR was so much more,”
Erin said.
Erin said Olivia made connections and found her voice, then her confidence grew.
“Seeing the impact GOTR had on her inspired me to launch the program at the school where I was teaching,” Erin said.
After stepping into her new role, Olivia said she didn’t know how it would go, saying she was worried about earning the respect of her coworkers as a fresh college graduate. “However, it’s been amazing,” Olivia said. “I look up to everyone I work with — they are all amazing, strong women who bring a variety of experience and knowledge to our team.”
“GOTR is such a unique place where girls are praised for being strong, unique and confident,” Olivia said. “Being able to work
for such an organization alongside people, including my mom, who exemplify our mission has been more than I could’ve hoped for.
“I hope the girls develop and grow their confidence and sense of self. In a world where women and girls are constantly told who they should be and what standards they should live up to, that is so important,” Olivia said.
“It is my hope that every past and future GOTR girl realizes that her voice has the power to make positive change,” Erin said.
Regarding the future of the GOTR Hampton Roads, Carver said “my dream is to have full teams with waiting lists at every school in the Hampton Roads area. It is easily scalable if we can identify and train volunteers in each school.”
This year, the GOTR Hampton Roads is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with over 20,000 girls served.
CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
She won her first title, “Spirit of the Slam,” at Brave New Voices in 2024, an international poetry competition held in Washington, D.C. She said this title is given to a poet who demonstrates an appreciation for the art, is loud and passionate at the mic and shows strong support for other poetic performers.
“What I admire the most about BreAnna is her resilience. I’ve seen her overcome obstacles coming from all angles, then writing beautifully honest poems and songs,” Richard Andre Love, co-executive director of TWP, said.
Through Teens With a Purpose, Downing has performed numerous community events, including at TWP’s Unseen to Unstoppable Fashion Show Gala & Youth Move Maker Awards. She opened the event with a performance, as well as walking in the fashion show.
“I honestly just basked in a fullcircle moment. Being the picture for the flyer this year, of me during the last Move Maker award that I got. It was very heartwarming,” Downing said.
But the road to finding her confidence as a writer wasn’t always easy and came with some doubt.
She said “four years of showing people my work, having people critique my work” made her feel like she wasn’t a good poet. “The Brave New Voices event ... was the hardest year for me when it came to writing poetry. I was putting myself in competition with the current laureate at the time, which wasn’t a bad thing. He’s a great poet, and you should always want to strive for more in your
Downing said this time in her career forced her to make a choice: push through the doubt or walk away from poetry altogether to focus on music.
“We had already come so far, traveled out of state to perform among hundreds of insanely talented poets. I almost put my pen down just to win an award that made me feel proud enough to be able to keep going, just to get the title that I thought I would never have,” Downing said.
“She won’t let anything get in the way of her creative outlet. It has been a pleasure watching her develop with Teens with a Purpose, as a member of the Hampton Roads Youth Poets, and as my little spirit sister,” Love said.
Downing said that with talent and recognition comes pressure to perform well academically. She also carries the responsibility of representing others through her work.
“I feel like having a mouth is one of the most important things you
can have if you know how to use it. So every time that I find myself trying to find a new topic, I make sure that it’s intentful, whether it’s about the government, a boy, a friend group or just simply me being me. My main goal is to say how I’m feeling, or my opinion in the best way possible for it to sound good and for somebody else to connect with it,” Downing said.
“Verity’s final presentation in our WesBridge class was an original spoken word creation. Her delivery was superlative. She is a very talented poet and artist,” Dr. Sally Shedd, professor of theatre, said.
Downing said the most difficult yet rewarding part of writing poetry is allowing herself to be vulnerable and recognizing that her work is more than just words on a page.
She said one of her favorite pieces comes with a trigger warning, and while memorizing and repeating it might make performing it easier, this also risks losing its emotional weight.
To keep her performances authentic, she revisits the feelings she had when she first wrote it, reminding herself that it’s not just a poem, but a story.
“My passion comes from my pain. Most of the topics that I am speaking on, they are personal, and other topics are because it just hurts me to know that they’re happening,” Downing said.
Downing said she encourages others to try poetry because of how freeing it’s been for her. She often encourages her friends who express themselves well but don’t always open up to write poetry, as a way to learn more about themselves and their limits. She also urges them to share their work at an open mic, even if it feels intimidating at first.
Erin Highton|Courtesy
Erin (FAR LEFT) and Olivia (SECOND FROM THE LEFT) with their team for last fall’s 5K.
Verity Downing|Courtesy
BreAnna “Verity” Downing holds the title of Hampton Roads youth Poet Laureate until 2026.
Gabrielle Barnett|Marlin Chronicle
Student feature film turns vision to real ity
BY GABRIEL BAUBLITZ gabaublitz@vwu.edu
“Lila,” released on YouTube on Oct. 18, is a film written, directed and produced by Liam Castellano, a junior media and communication major. “Lila” is the prequel to another film that Castellano originally released on YouTube on Dec. 31, 2024, with a remastered version released on Oct. 14, called “Hazard Lights.”
“I was in Intro to Filmmaking here and as part of that class we wrote a roughly five minute film script, and then some of the scripts written by students get produced as group projects into actual films. Mine was one of the ones that was selected to be produced,” Castellano said.
Castellano said they were not happy with how the first film turned out, feeling it didn’t match the vision they had in mind. Instead of giving up, they decided to take what they had learned and try again.
With the help of some high school friends, they reworked the project, and that effort became “Hazard Lights.” This film would eventually become the precursor to “Lila.”
Castellano said they are “hesitant to put any sort of label on what it’s about” in regard to “Lila.” They said their objective interpretation of the film is that it’s about a young woman named Lila who gets involved in a drug dealing operation, and
along the way falls in love with someone from an opposing drug empire who she was sent to assassinate.
However, Castellano said the meaning extends far beyond that surface-level interpretation.
Professor and Chair of Media and Communication Stuart Minnis has had Castellano as a student in multiple classes. Minnis said Castellano came into his classes already having goals in mind and a lot of skills to back it all up.
“I first had Liam in class ... in the Intro to Media Studies and also in Understanding Film. And I knew from that experience that Liam was interested in production, and they’ve taken several other classes since then. They also did a directed study in the Documentary Production [class],” Minnis said.
Minnis said Castellano is an excellent student beyond production. He said the Intro to Media Studies and Understanding Film were both academic culture and media studies classes and that Liam did spectacularly.
Castellano said their film is a critique on societal power structures that are meant to keep less fortunate people in unfavorable positions, not just economically but also socially. This is best exemplified in the form of the first character that we see Lila meet, Erebus, the one who got her involved in drug dealing in the first place.
Growing the community of clubs
BY OMARI JONES ozjones@vwu.edu
A wave of new student organizations is giving Marlins more opportunities to connect through faith, art, advocacy and creativity.
New clubs to get involved with include Catholic Ministry, Morgan’s Message, Puppetry Guild, Mosaic Project, Unframed: Arts and Crafts Club, Urban League Marlins, and World’s Stage Improv, which started last fall.
In the film, Erebus preys on Lila’s financial, mental and emotional vulnerability at the start of the film and uses these flaws to manipulate her into getting involved in her drug business, which she intentionally lays out as a “job opportunity for those with nowhere else to go.”
“As we were working on ‘Hazard Lights,’ I realized, I like leaving a lot of things ambiguous, but there was so much ambiguity and there was so much more story in my head.” Castellano said they were compelled to do something more with this story. “So I think November of last year, I ended up writing out my brainstorm for the ‘Lila’ plot,” Castellano said.
Junior Gabrielle Barnett met Castellano in an acting class over J-term and agreed to play a role in “Lila.”
“I would say Liam is specific, but fun,” Barnett said. “They have a very clear vision for how they want things to look and I think they’re really good at communicating that and letting us be able to kind of play with it and have fun with it.”
In the spring semester, Barnett became involved in Tik Tok videos that Castellano was making for the school and has also since been involved in a series of videos about campus called “Marlene.”
Barnett said she had a really fun time working with Castellano in “Lila” and that the hardest part of the project was scheduling due to the fact that the project
who do not have the time to participate in a mainstage production,” Bolt said.
The idea for the club sparked during a campus improv theatre lab last fall. Bolt said he and a friend of his thought an improv club would fill a specific need on campus.
“To join, all students need to do is show up. We don’t have any real requirements for joining the club,” Bolt said. “All we ask is that you show up with an open mind and a positive attitude for improv.”
For Bolt, the club is about building confidence, communication skills and opening up new avenues for students to further develop their acting skills.
“We offer a fun and low-stakes environment for people to be a part of something and explore collaborating with others,” Bolt said.
For many student-athletes, balancing academics, sports and personal well-being can be a silent struggle. Morgan’s Message is a new chapter on campus for an organization aiming to address that.
was filmed over the summer and many people were very busy.
“I think everything that Liam does is really awesome. I think it’s so cool to have somebody with that talent, but also that dedication and that drive to be able to create things like ‘Lila,’ to just say, ‘I’m going to do this and I’m going to see it through,’ Barnett said.
Barnett commended the initiative to independently create a film, and said she feels glad to have been a part of it. Minnis said, from what he has seen of Castellano’s filmmaking style, it follows the traditional rules for making narrative fiction and documentary films.
“I don’t recall ever having a production student who understood fundamentals as well as Liam did,” Minnis said. He added that while calling it a “gift” sounds grandiose, Castellano distinguishes themself as being “very driven and self taught and knowledgeable from the getgo.”
Castellano spent approximately five months writing, rewriting, editing and polishing the script for “Lila” before finishing in April. Filming spanned from June 12, 2025, to August 14, 2025, the last day of filming with actors.
Editor’s Note: Gabrielle Barnett, quoted in this article, is an editor for the Marlin Chronicle.
learned the value of deep cultural immersion. She said meeting locals “changed [her] perspective and my entire experience” and pushed her to finally create the cultural club she had once been too nervous to start as a freshman.
Clark hopes students gain friendships, cultural
The Unframed: Arts and Crafts Club is a creative outlet founded by freshman Layla
“When the school put out those club interest forms, I was one of the many who wanted to join. Turns out the club hadn’t existed for around six years,”
Kaza Dayton, success and engagement coordinator, emailed students, including Haskins, who had shown interest in an art club.
After a GroupMe chat room discussing interest in roles, she became president and creative director of the club. To join, students can attend a meeting, they can come with a friend or see a flyer for meeting times.
“I think this club is a really great way for students to meet fun people with similar interests, wind down from outside stressors and do something with their hands,” Haskins said. “Our club can offer students new friendships and new hobbies.”
In the same creative vein, junior Pauly Bolt founded The World’s Stage Improv Club, which invites students to experiment with acting and improvisation in a relaxed environment. No prior experience is required.
“Our club primarily aims to create an environment for individuals who want to begin their journey in acting or
“Morgan’s Message is a non-profit organization that aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health,” freshman Mikaela Brunda, the leader of the club, said. “Our goal is to make people feel heard and valued, and know they are more than their sport or struggle. This club was created for athletes, but everyone is welcome to join.”
Morgan’s Message originated in Nokesville, Virginia at Kettle Run High School in 2019 after a graduate, Morgan Rodgers, lost her battle with mental health the year prior.
Morgan played lacrosse at Kettle Run and went on to play Division I at Duke University. The club was created to raise awareness for athletes struggling with mental health. Brunda believes the club’s presence at VWU will make a lasting impact.
“Our club will educate students on the importance of mental health and their role in eliminating the stigma,” Brunda said.
Meetings incorporate discussions about common challenges including anxiety, exam stress and depression, along with learning coping mechanisms and engaging with the message through hands-on activities.
By opening up conversations about mental health, Morgan’s Message gives students the tools and community to feel supported on and off the field. Students who wish to join can follow @marlins_morgansmessage on Instagram to stay updated on meeting times and events.
The Mosaic Project is a cultural club founded by senior Stephanie Clark to connect students through global traditions and shared experiences.
“My club is all about bringing cultures together so that students can learn about the world around them and even share their own traditions,” Clark said. She chose the name because “America is like a big, extravagant piece of mosaic art. Each person has their own part that they contribute to,” Clark said.
Clark was inspired by her 2025 study-abroad experience in Galicia, Spain, where she
experiences and a sense of representation. She said the group offers interactive activities, off-campus cultural outings and a welcoming environment. The Mosaic project has held events like creating a campuswide ofrenda for Dia de Los Muertos, a Diwali Celebration and an international game night.
“There will always be people in our club who are interested in learning more about you. If someone wants to tell us about a family recipe, this club will gladly make it for them, or try their best to replicate it.”
Other new clubs on campus are also finding creative ways to connect students. The Puppetry Guild, for example, is preparing for its end-of-semester puppet show and handcrafting the puppets for the performance, according to their Instagram.
The Urban League Marlins club focuses on building community and supporting one another through learning and service. Their projects include mentoring youth, organizing volunteer events, and celebrating culture and personal growth.
The “Student Organization” page on the VWU website has a list of official organizations, as well as points
Liam Castellano|Courtesy
“Lila,” Liam Castellano’s passion project, originated during a class assignment.
TOP Layla Haskins|Courtesy, LEFT Mikaela Brunda|Courtesy, BOTTOM Pauly Bolt|Courtesy
What Color is Math? A synesthete weighs in
BY ABIGAIL WIGGINTON jpkaelin@vwu.edu
When children are young, they pick out folders and notebooks for class. Roaming the aisles, this is the decision that will affect how they see this subject for the rest of their lives.
Is English blue or red? What about math? This is the debate of many teenagers to this day, and we’re going to debunk which is which. I have synesthesia, and I say that math is blue and English is red.
First, what is synesthesia? According to the dictionary, synesthesia is “the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body.”
In other words, it’s a sensory crossover like hearing colors or seeing them where they aren’t. My friend hears colors, so she would tell someone their voice is purple or blue to her. I can do this too, but my synesthesia is more rooted in words and association.
For example, I can read things in black and white but see color. I also have a strong color association and in general, word association.
Some examples of this are all of the following being the same to me: navy blue; saturday nights; rainy days; 11:59 p.m.; cold, foggy forests; 9+9=18; movie night vibes; and a guy who wears hoodies everywhere.
While this might make sense to some, the majority of people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them some of my associations. Others are fascinated and list things off for me to categorize.
Based on this synesthesia, I feel confident in saying that math is blue. Most people I meet say it is red, which causes a long debate. Their viewpoint is that math induces anxiety, signals “warning” and is generally something that makes them mad.
While I understand this perspective, I believe math is only viewed that way because of a lack of understanding. Math is a simple algorithm that never changes. It’s a problem that itches the brain but gives a sigh of relief and a feeling of pride once understood.
Some people never get to this
understanding, and therefore feel as if it is just an itch they can’t scratch. This brings them to the color red. I always viewed math as something that was relaxing, simple and consistent. This led me to associate it with blue.
On the other side of the spectrum is English. English and math are seen as opposites: writing and reading versus numbers and problems. Personally, English doesn’t induce any strong negative feelings. It’s just the opposite to math, which causes it to be deemed as red in my head.
People don’t typically explain to me why English is blue; it’s math that is discussed more. This leads me to believe that people also categorize it as the opposite to math.
Finding a spot to study
BY ELENA LICHTENWALNER
eclichtenwalner@vwu.edu
Elena Lichtenwalner|Marlin Chronicle
Elena Lichtenwalner is a senior English major at VWU. As the Creative Writing Club president and the Mosaic Project Secretary, she spends most of her time helping set up events for the campus. Elena is an Opinions editor and copy editor for The Marlin Chronicle.
Over the 300 acre campus, the library foyer and the Grille area are gaining more students studying for finals and working on presentations. With the construction, events and movement of offices around campus it leaves the student to question: where else can you study?
Lounges, galleries and atriums are made for students and faculty to find inspiration and talk to each other, but not everyone knows about them. As a senior English major, I have taken to reading wherever I can find a place, so here are some of my top study spots.
My guidelines are good lighting, especially with daylight savings time over, multiple styles of seating and aesthetics.
If you are looking for a place of artistic inspiration, consider visiting the Neil Britton Gallery and Barclay Sheaks Gallery. They are on the far side of the Hofheimer Library with large glass windows that allow light into the rooms. While both of these places do lock up when the library closes, they are great for a quick hour study session in between classes or just a quiet place to write a discussion post.
For a more closed off area that offers multiple spots for friends to meet up, check
out the Truist Lighthouse Suite in Clarke Hall. Along with the multiple table setups, the space opens up onto a brick patio that offers a great space to take in the breeze.
The Lighthouse is a floor below the Learning Center and their staff of tutors. Additionally, the Lighthouse offers free coffee.
On Fridays, the Global Engagement office shares coffee from different countries at the Lighthouse, with Vietnam, Bosnia and Honduras scheduled to finish off the year.
The Greer Environmental Sciences Center offers a variety of study spaces, such as the study rooms, bar seating looking towards Honors Village, couches upstairs and the atrium downstairs.
All of these spots offer great views of campus and natural light. One can also take a break by going out to the wildlife gardens and sitting out on the benches.
This building is typically unlocked until 11 p.m. on weekdays and students can stay until they are done with their studying or projects.
Students are able to find inspiration in what is around them, as proven by the varying setups that each of these study spaces provide.
As VWU is a living and learning community, faculty and staff spaces are intertwined with student spaces. While this is wonderful for the outgoing students who are comfortable talking to new people, it can scare other students from using these spaces.
One of the more unknown spaces is the Sports and Recreation Suite. Offering a space for students to talk to their professors, it also has a pool table and distant seating.
The mathematics department also has a lounge in Eggleston Commons. Another student and faculty space is the Lawrence D. Hultgren Atrium in Blocker Hall towards the Honors Village parking lot.
Finding and using these places is just as meaningful for the students as it is for the faculty. Only through students feeling comfortable in these spaces will faculty be able to offer their insight and encourage exploration in the many fields that are offered at VWU.
Hopefully, more students will find inspiration at the new MOCA building when it opens next spring, but until then, students have to remember that these spaces are meant for them to use. In the long run, students using these spaces will make a larger impact on campus, as they are able to expand their connections and world views by connecting with their campus.
When math and English are combined to make word problems, people tend to all believe the same thing: ‘I hate this, they shouldn’t be combined, this is really hard.’ This causes us to think that they are bad together, which contributes to the feeling of them being
Overall, everyone has a right to their own opinions. Due to my
synesthesia, I feel strongly about colors in everything whereas most people only feel strongly about subjects.
Math is a calm form of relaxation, causing it to be blue, and English is its opposite, causing it to be red. If this piques your interest at all, I encourage you to look into both synesthesia and color theory, and next time wonder why you associate a color with a subject or word.
Abigail
and social
is a
that wants to become a high school history teacher. She enjoys both choir and theater on campus and loves a good book with some coffee. Abigail believes everyone interested in history has either a strong love of coffee or tea.
“I believe that these results are largely due to a growing dissatisfaction and unease felt by many Americans about the current presidential administration. This, combined with the current government shutdown, ... occurring under a Republican-controlled government, is contributing to a large wave of anti-Republican and especially anti-Trump sentiment.”
Sophomore Daren Abramaitys
“I’m worried about growing acceptance of political violence or violent rhetoric. We saw an Attorney General win by substantial margins despite having a scandal of that nature, and we have Young Republicans glorifying Hitler, rape and racism in their private chats. Politicians and politically-minded individuals across the spectrum have contributed to this issue, and I am concerned if this trend continues.”
Senior Andrew Steiner
“I’ve always wanted to vote. I preregistered when I was 16. I went with my mom to vote in the 2016 presidential election, and it’s been a goal of mine ever since. My friends think it’s kind of strange. “Super happy about the blue sweep that we should have had in 2024. It’s really about the platform and what you push. This election, Democrats did a good job, and enough people are seeing the issues within the Trump administration; it’s simply too extreme.”
Freshman Ella May Livingston
“I think that the Republican Party was borderline embarrassing. I don’t think that [Winsome] was the right candidate for the Republican Party. They slacked on a lot of issues and were really lacking on their campaign fund. “They didn’t stand on any platform — they tried to stand on people, and the people they chose to stand on were not sufficient to their means.”
Alumnus Rowan Stuart ‘24
Abigail Wigginton|Courtesy
Wigginton
freshman history
science major
Jordan Crallé|Marlin Chronicle
INTERVIEWS BY LILY RESLINK HEADLINE GRAPHIC BY VICTORIA HANELINE
Laila Jones|Marlin Chronicle
Coaches must adapt to recruiting changes ...or pack their bags
BY COY CAMISCIOLI clcamiscioli@vwu.edu
For aspiring collegiate athletes, it can be tough to understand the recruiting process, as every coach looks for different traits in a player. There are some traits that will never hurt a recruit’s stock, such as hustle and sportsmanship.
Each sport has recruiting websites, camps hosted by each school, social media exposure, club teams and more that help promote the athlete. It has made recruiting for college coaches crazier than ever.
“There’s overexposure in so many areas that you could go see an event every day of the week, and certainly every weekend.
I just think it’s a never-ending process,” said Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Macedo.
Macedo has a track record of bringing in great talent and also has a National Championship ring to his name. It has been important for Macedo to adapt to the changes in basketball recruitment to remain successful over the years.
“I think the summer AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] recruiting is big. Everything that gives us the ability to get in front of kids. Now there’s VHSL [Virginia High School League] putting on high school tournaments. Everybody is in that game, including us,” Macedo said.
Considering the evolution of recruitment and the addition of NIL [Name, Image and Likeness] deals for athletes, it can be difficult to find perfect-fits for a program. Coaches can be quick to cross players off their board when their personality could be a problem.
“You could tell a lot of times if the kids have bad body language. Do they complain to their teammates? Do they complain to the referees? Are they ‘me-guys?,’” Macedo said.
These are traits that college coaches will shy away from during the recruitment process, according to Macedo.
Another way Macedo evaluates talent is picturing how these players would fit on other teams in the Marlins’ conference.
“Is he somebody that we feel like we would have trouble boxing out?” Macedo said they not only consider their own needs, but also who they would not want to play against.
It is not uncommon for talented Virginia
basketball players to have offers from multiple ODAC schools, which does make the recruiting process even more crucial in a tough conference.
Macedo emphasized the importance of understanding if the recruits are easy to coach and develop.
Athleticism is also a key in order to play most sports at the college level. If coaches do not believe that a player has the athleticism or skillset to play at their school, then the recruit’s personality does not matter.
It is important to have both of these qualities in order to have a chance at playing at the next level.
Men’s Soccer Head Coach Shane Kohler said that a high school soccer player has to have a certain level of pure athleticism in order to compete in the ODAC.
“The overall work rate throughout the entire year has to be there as well. I think we sometimes talk to guys who think they’ve worked hard in the past. But, we want to bring in guys who want to work year-round,” Kohler said.
The difference between practices and training with a high school team compared to a college team are vast and can be surprising to freshmen joining their college teams.
“Some guys get here and realize that it’s a lot more than what they were expecting and they don’t end up working out, and that’s okay too,” Kohler said.
For Kohler and the soccer team, their primary source of recruits have come from showcases and events with athletes’ club teams, which is similar to Macedo’s response discussing AAU camps for basketball.
“High school is not really as much of a [consideration] for us anymore. Sometimes we’ll go just to show some love for our guys, but for the most part, it’s more going out identifying these kids,” Kohler said. It is important for recruits to stay consistent in their sport as coaches will watch you for months and sometimes years. Kohler said they try to watch a recruit at least five times at different events to get the best possible scouting report on that player.
Between Macedo and Kohler, a lot of talent has come through their programs. Every coach has a different mindset and secrets when it comes to recruiting and it all depends on the program.
Virginia Wesleyan|Courtesy
Graduate student Omari Deveaux was recruited five years ago by Coach Macedo.
Photos by Laila Jones. Design
Sportshead: Dodgers go back-to-back in game seven thriller
Yoshinobu Yamamoto earns three wins in the series and is named World Series MVP.
BY BRYANT COTTERELL
Early in the morning on Sunday, Nov. 2, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their second straight World Series title, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in an intense 11th inning.
Most baseball fans expected the Dodgers to come out on top, but not many could have predicted how close and dramatic the series would be.
Before the 2024 season, the Dodgers made two large acquisitions, signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and spending over one billion dollars in the process.
Their investments paid off as they defeated the New York Yankees in five games last year in the World Series. They carried that same momentum into this season, losing only one playoff game on their road to the Fall Classic.
On the other side, the Blue Jays had one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent memory. After finishing last in their division in 2024, they blew through the American League this year, taking down both the Yankees and Mariners when it mattered most.
Their bats got hot at just the right time, achieving a +20 run differential and multiple blowout wins on their way to the World Series. Despite their remarkable run, most baseball fans counted them out before the series even began. After all, they were up against the best team money can buy.
The series was filled to the brim with excitement as momentum swung back and forth with every game, none more memorable than the record-tying 18-inning game three that ended with a Freddie Freeman walk-off home run. Still, the two teams saved their best for last in a heartracing game seven that had both the U.S.
and Canada on the edge of their seats.
The scoring started with Bo Bichette’s three-run homer in the third inning off the arm of Shohei Ohtani, firing up the Rogers Centre crowd. Two sacrifice flies by Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman put the Dodgers within one run, but the Jays added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth when Andrés Giménez hit an RBI double, pushing the lead to 4-2.
Staring down the end of their season, the Dodgers began to claw their way back.
Every Saturday, a handful of college football coaches walk off the field not just thinking about next week’s game plan, but about whether they’ll still have a job by Monday. In a sport that is now driven by money, media and message boards, the head coach’s office might be the most unstable seat in all of sports.
This year alone, Division 1 programs have fired a total of 13 head coaches, notably James Franklin from Penn State, Brian Kelly from Louisiana State University and Mike Gundy from Oklahoma State.
There is clearly a new reality in college football and it’s “win now or get out.” According to Mike Huguenin from ON3 Sports, “the average tenure of a FBS [Football Bowl Subdivision] head coach is 3.7 years” while coaches lasted around five or six years in the
early 2000s.
Social media apps like Instagram and Twitter are more involved in the sports world than ever before. There is constant scrutiny day and night if teams lose any game, and it can keep the coaches from preparing for the next game because they have to give a response to the media or they will appear as someone that doesn’t care for the fanbase.
The fan pressure can also impact the school’s Athletic Director’s (AD) decisions, giving them the fear of donor backlash and public embarrassment, which would accelerate the firings.
“I think the reason that coaches are getting fired in college football is because of the NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness] deals. I think that’s just because donors and people are convincing ADs and college staff to fire the coach and get a better option,” senior William Detweiler said.
The NIL transfer portal has affected the job security of head coaches by causing roster instability. At any year, any player can transfer to another school without the head coach knowing.
This leads to coaches being judged on quick roster turnarounds instead of long-term development.
Boosters and NIL collectives have reshaped the power structure of college football, leaving head
Max Muncy sparked the rally with a solo shot in the eighth, cutting the lead to just one again.
Soon came the ninth, and Toronto was two outs away from capturing its first World Series title since 1993.
But Miguel Rojas had other plans, launching a game-tying homer into the left-field stands that silenced more than 39 thousand fans in the stadium and about 40 million Canadians watching from home.
The Jays had a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth, but a brilliant catch on the warning track by Andy Pages, followed by Miguel Rojas’ second gamesaving play, a laser to home that beat the runner by just inches, kept the Dodgers alive and sent the game to extra innings.
The tenth inning went scoreless, but in the top of the 11th, Will Smith broke the tie with a solo home run to put the Dodgers ahead by one. In the bottom half, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto’s most important offensive piece, led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt with one out.
The Jays ultimately failed to bring him home, as Mookie Betts turned a clutch double play to seal the win. With that, the Dodgers became the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles since the Yankees’ three-peat from 1998 to 2000.
coaches more accountable to deep-pocketed donors than to athletic directors.
The constant firings are creating a coaching carousel. With head coaches getting fired, the teams need replacements, so they look at another open position, and the cycle will just repeat itself.
Recruiting instability has proven to be a problem throughout the year. When a player commits to a school, they commit there for the coach that they connect with. When that head coach leaves unexpectedly, those recruits tend to want out.
Yamamoto’s MVP performance cemented his status as one of baseball’s elite pitchers, demonstrating the outstanding ability of the Dodgers’ international scouting and player development.
For the Toronto Blue Jays, the loss was heartbreaking, but also affirming; their first trip to the Fall Classic in over three decades proved that the franchise has the young talent and depth to contend for years to come.
On a larger scale, the series’ recordbreaking viewership and dramatic finish upheld the MLB’s enduring global appeal and the emotion of a game seven showdown.
Despite the Dodgers’ recent dominance, critics argue that their success is tainted by the team’s reliance on deferred contracts. These allow the team to sign high-value names now and pay them later.
Many believe this gives the Dodgers an unfair advantage by combining the power of Los Angeles’ big market with no formal salary cap.
For now the team looks unstoppable, but questions remain about sustainability. Will this bold financial strategy keep the Dodgers on top, or will the weight of deferred payments eventually come back to haunt them?
According to ESPN, eight Penn State football commits decommitted following the firing of Head Coach James Franklin.
James Franklin was a renowned college football head coach known nationally. He was the head coach at Penn State for 12 seasons where he had a 104-45 record. Penn State fired him this season with a 3-3 record.
With one loss to a top 10 team, in my opinion his firing was not justified at all. He won them the Rose Bowl in 2022, a Big Ten conference championship in 2016 and gave them five top 10 finishes.
He did so much for the program at Penn State, and it was heartbreaking to see them throw him away after a bad start to the season.
The modern college football coach operates on borrowed time, caught between boosters’ wallets, the transfer portal’s chaos and the endless stir of public opinion.
Unless schools rediscover the value of stability, the cycle will only accelerate and the sport will continue to trade long-term growth for short-term satisfaction.
AP News|Courtesy
Will Smith (BOTTOM) sprints out to celebrate with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (TOP) after the final out of game seven.
Sportshead:
AP News|Courtesy
The $1.031 billion trio of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.
Jordan Crallé|Marlin Chronicle
Warm feelings and cold scoops
REVIEW
BY J’DN TAYLOR jataylor1@vwu.edu
Have you ever craved ice cream even though it’s no longer summer? Maybe it’s the comfort of something sweet, or maybe ice cream is just too good to be limited to a summer treat.
Founded by father and son Dom and Joey Launi, the shop not only shows its heartfelt compassion for the community through its great service, but also through its rich and smooth ice cream flavors. Dom spent over 40 years in the food industry, and Joey, after college at James Madison University, wanted to bring a locally inspired ice cream experience back home to Hampton Roads. Together, they turned that dream into reality.
The name “Lolly’s” carries an even sweeter meaning, as “Lolly” was the name of the Launi family’s beloved dog. Her happy spirit became the foundation for everything the business stands for. Till this day, Lolly’s Creamery makes it their mission to make sure you can feel the love and cozy vibes the second you walk in.
Lolly’s Creamery has carved out its place in Virginia Beach’s dessert scene by doing something simple but powerful: creating joy. Between the friendly faces behind the counter, the heartfelt family story, and the variety of creative flavors, it’s hard not to walk out smiling regardless of the season. It feels local, it feels personal, and it’s proof that ice cream season doesn’t have to end.
Lolly’s Creamery has family at its core.
Since opening its doors, Lolly’s has grown from one storefront into several locations across Hampton Roads. There’s the Vibe District shop on Virginia Beach Blvd., the Boardwalk along Atlantic Ave., and another located at Loehmann’s Plaza
Each location has its own atmosphere, but they all share the same handmade ice cream and community-driven charm. They’ve even taken their treats mobile with the “Joy Bike,” a vintage-style ice cream cart that makes appearances at
Over the past years, locals and visitors have loved the ice cream and vibes they get when visiting Lolly’s Creamery. With flavors on rotation, many also come to try flavors they may not have had before. For example, some seasonal flavors that are popular are mango passion sorbet, gingerbread, and the fan-favorite
Many enjoy that the shops keep things simple but intentional, from the clean design to the locally sourced ingredients.
Lolly’s Creamery feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the chain ice cream spots along the Boardwalk, which seems to capture what the Launi family was going for: local quality over commercial quantity. When asked what their personal experience
from ice
was visiting Lolly’s Creamery, Aaron A. says, “The cookie monster flavor is awesome. I’ve had it both visits ... maybe next time I’ll give another flavor a chance ... highly recommend Lolly’s.”
“I’ve frequented the Lolly’s Creamery near the Oceanfront many times, but this was my first time trying this location and it did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the amazing smell of freshly made waffles and the wonderful staff. The sweet aroma was very inviting and immediately put us in the mood for ice cream,” Leah J. said.
As the years have gone by, prices have been seen to be quite expensive for some customers. Many say the prices reflect the quality of the ice cream, while others blame it on inflation. Overall, there are mixed feelings towards the prices of Lolly’s Creamery ice cream, but the flavors are still known to be among the best in Virginia Beach.
For anyone visiting Virginia Beach or
Handsome Biscuit undersells expectations
BY CALEE LUKOWSKI crlukowski@vwu.edu
Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but that doesn’t mean it has to be limited to the morning. With a menu that remains the same all day, Handsome Biscuit does not let the time dictate whether a customer can bite into a breakfast sandwich.
With two locations, one in Norfolk and another in Virginia Beach Town Center, Handsome Biscuit is a great spot to stop,
regardless of which direction you are headed. While Handsome Biscuit is not quite part of the corporate restaurant scene, it’s far from the personable ma-and-pa shops. I visited the Norfolk location, despite the Town Center location being closer to the VWU campus.
At first glance, the building looks small, almost like it should be a drive-thru only location, even though it did not have a drivethru. The inside room was small and not in a cozy way. Instead of being greeted by
a person, the Norfolk location greets its patrons with a small waiting room and the cold reception of computers to take your order. There are no tables to enjoy a sit-in breakfast, meaning the Norfolk location is designed for grab-and-go food runs.
“The atmosphere left something to be desired. It felt more like fast food, not like a homey small business, but it had the potential to be something cool,” junior Haley Cummins said.
The shop was also presented like any typical fast food
locals looking for a new go-to spot for a sweet treat, Lolly’s Creamery is worth the trip. Grab a cone, stroll along the oceanfront or stop by after dinner you’ll understand why this family-run shop continues to win hearts one scoop at a time. Learn more on their Instagram page @lollyscreamery.
restaurant, with clean, cold decor that sucked the life out of the building and gave no personality to the store or its products.
What Handsome Biscuit lacks in atmosphere, they don’t make up for in food. From breakfast to lunch to interesting side dishes and desserts, Handsome Biscuit offers great selections but not anything particularly unique.
The quality of the menu items is great and there is no denying that the options are tasty but the price of the dishes may outweigh the flavor.
Cummins, who had the bacon, egg and cheese wrap, said, “the taste was banging. They used good quality ingredients and the food tasted fresh. It was overpriced though. The food was really good and above average fast food, but it was also almost seven dollars for something I could have easily made at home.”
Handsome Biscuit is at its heart a sandwich shop that revolves around biscuit sandwiches. This may initially be taken to mean
that breakfast sandwiches are the main menu item.
This is a bad representation of the menu, as most sandwiches are biscuit and chicken sandwiches, which might be more unique than their breakfast items.
The classic sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, called the shorty with sausage, was exactly as one might expect. There was nothing special about it, even if it is a basic menu item. If anything, the biscuit, while delicious, was rather large and seemed to overpower the rest of the sandwich.
“Personally, I would not go back. The food was tasty, but simply too expensive and the atmosphere was just giving fast food. At that rate I’d just go to Dunkin,’” Cummins said.
While the Norfolk location of Handsome Biscuit certainly leaves something to be desired, it might better suit the needs of someone looking for a quick place to grab something to eat
Marlin Chronicle
J’dn Taylor|Marlin Chronicle
Aside
cream, Lolly’s Creamery also has fun branded merchandise for purchase.
J’dn Taylor|Marlin Chronicle Lolly’s Creamery is the perfect combination of clean decor and personality.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle
Handsome Biscuit’s shorty with sausage was large, but primarily biscuit, with very little egg and sausage to match.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle
Even from outside, Handsome Biscuit immediately falls short of expectations, with a building better suited to being a drive-thru place rather than a walk-in store.
Budget-friendly,earth-friendly ideas for weekend fun
BY LILY RESLINK lbreslink@vwu.edu
With weekends being when many recuperate and take their minds off work, they can become a period of higher spending. This article is dedicated to the broke college student readers, but is meant for anyone looking to return to the week ahead feeling both refreshed and with an unscathed bank account.
Because they involve using community resources and items already on hand, these budget-friendly weekend suggestions work in harmony with zero-waste values.
Cook!
Of course, this is not free, but you already bought it. Or acquired it by other means. Instead of the contents of your fridge getting older, they can be a source of weekend fun by turning them into a delicious and money-saving alternative to takeout.
Sophomore Jocelyn Kaelin said she uses sustainable cooking methods, such as reusing tofu water for cooking and sharing a compost bin with her housemates.
The budget-friendliness and earthfriendliness of your cooking increase the more you prioritize leftovers and perishable ingredients. During the weekend, take on a challenge. Find the ingredients that will expire first and figure out what to make with them. Invent something new. Make a blog. Or a vlog. Patent your dish. Get famous. Become rich. The possibilities are endless here.
Libraries!
Speaking of endless possibilities, libraries have enough free resources to keep the good times rolling all weekend. As a hub of knowledge and fun, local libraries can be your go-to for easy entertainment. Most libraries have board games, puzzles, movies and more. There is no need to spend any money on game nights when libraries exist.
Virginia Beach Public Library has 10 branches, two of which are within 15 minutes of campus. The Norfolk Public Library has 13 branches, the closest to campus being the Janaf Branch Library at 10 minutes away.
Outreach and Access Services Librarian at VWU Kelsi Dunman spoke of the opportunities for fun that these local libraries offer.
While Dunman said the community events they host “are different every
weekend,” these libraries provide consistent free access to equipment.
Across its branches, The Norfolk Public Library has equipment checkouts that support exploration of a wide range of hobbies. This includes a crochet kit, a GoPro, ukuleles, a telescope and an ‘I Love Virginia State Parks Nature’ backpack adventuring kit.
The Virginia Beach Public Library also has a vast “Library of Things” across its branches. Checkout options include a Dungeons & Dragons kit, cookware, an outdoor exploration kit and crafting supplies.
At Norfolk Public Libraries, Dunman said, “they also have online resources for doing ancestry… if you want to look more into your family heritage.” For curious individuals seeking to learn about themselves, these resources are at your disposal as long as you possess a library card. If you want a library card, bring proof of address (like a letter addressed to you at the school) and a photo ID.
Customize clothing!
While sporting the jean skirt she made from her partner’s old pants, senior Meadow Schmitt said she practices this hobby often.
Schmitt said this “upcycling” hobby works best when you view clothes as just fabric. “At the end of the day, as long as you’re doing something with it, at least it’s not going to a landfill,” Schmitt said.
“There are even tons of no-sew options for how to upcycle clothes,” Schmitt said. While it may seem intimidating, Schmitt said it is fairly accessible to start.
The hobby is a way to reduce waste and save money by using what is on hand.
“There are tons of projects you can do with even tiny scraps. Most things can be turned back into a bag or a little pouch,” which Schmitt said is great to use as gifts.
Scrapbook!
This hobby particularly appeals to collectors of paper mementos. Scrapbooking can incorporate these into an artistic documentation of your day-to-day.
“I like to put my keepsakes on my wall, which is my form of scrapbooking,” senior Liese Hazelwood said.
In any form of scrapbooking, you might include clippings from a newspaper, such as The Marlin Chronicle. Make a clipping of these words and put it in a scrapbook. I dare you.
You might also include a wristband from a concert. Or a hospital. Or an amusement park. Or ones you’ve gotten at events to prove you’re over 21. If you made a chart of all the wristbands you’ve acquired, which category would have the most? A dedicated zero-waste scrapbooker could return to their archives and figure this out.
Attend a free event!
City event coordinators spend hours planning, promoting and hoping that someone like you adds it to their weekend itinerary. Showing your face at community events helps build community by connecting with people who live nearby. They are also a way to meet people with similar interests and values.
Graduate student and Coordinator for Success & Engagement Kaza Dayton frequents events around the 757. “Some free local events I’ve attended include PRIDE at the beach, the NATO festival, VB Neptune Festival and NashFest.”
Being from out of state, Dayton said she enjoys events that help her meet people.
“When I went to the NATO festival, I got so many freebies and had the opportunity to learn about cultures from all over the world,” Dayton said, “it was like Disney’s EPCOT for free.”
“I think it’s important to make events accessible, so there is not a financial burden for people in the community to attend,” Dayton said.
Looking at Facebook events, social media accounts of cities and local organizations and bulletin boards are ways to stay informed about free weekend fun near you.
“I’m always on social media looking for new events to attend because there is always something going on,” Dayton said, adding that many students are not aware of the constant free opportunities for fun in the area.
Hardcore budgeters might have to rifle through countless markets amid local event promotions to avoid technically free events with spending temptations. However, entirely free events are most certainly out there. Believe in yourself to be scrappy enough to find them.
Jordan Crallé
Lily Reslink|Marlin Chronicle
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle The Slover Library in Norfolk is a great place to find your next weekend adventure.
Meadow Schmitt|Courtesy Meadow Schmitt made a new skirt with her partner’s old jeans and TLC.