The Current Vol. 33 Issue 8

PERFECT SEASON, 36-0!

Men’s basketball wins national championship

See page 13

The 25th annual STUEY’s celebrates NSU’s community

By: Bryce Johnson

The 25th annual Student Life Achievement Awards (STUEY's) will be held on April 11 in the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.

The STUEY’s is an award show that honors the NSU community. Like the Academy Awards, there are golden trophies, student hosts and bands playing on stage. Some of the awards include Athletic Team of the Year, Undergraduate Organization of the Year and Alumnus of the Year.

Brad Williams, senior vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Mark Cavanaugh, associate professor in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, co-found-

ed the ceremony in 1999.

Years later, Williams is still proud to be part of the STUEY’s, seeing it as a vital part of NSU’s community.

“We wanted to try to do something that created a sense of community at the university,” said Williams. “We wanted to create this kind of award show that just had a feel like it was the Academy Awards,” Williams said. “And for a night, people were nominated and people are awarded.”

Sean Stanton, second year junior education major, resident assistant and president of the Student Alumni Association, is one of the finalists for the Student of the Year award at this year’s STUEY’s.

See page 3

CREATE: NSU’s human trafficking awareness program

By: Ashley Diaz and Cassandra Stevens

CREATE, the Coalition for Research and Education against Trafficking and Exploitation, is hosting an event at the Alvin Sherman Library from April 21 to May 5. The event is an opportunity for students to learn about human trafficking and to support the victims.

The event is a photo exhibit that will feature anonymous pictures of what the victims felt like when asked questions about their healthcare while in CREATE.

“It is brave of these survivors that although they are remaining anonymous, they are telling their story in the way that re-

spects their privacy but shares with other people how they go through an aspect of their healing,” said Briana Kent, co-founder of CREATE and assistant dean of Professional Development and Education.

Students can support the victims by donating or sending a legacy gift on the NSU website. All donations and gifts are used for the victim’s health care needs, like buying them glasses, contacts, dental care, etc.

“Any money we get through donations goes 100% to providing services,” said Sandrine Gaillard-Kenney, associate dean in the College of Health Care Sciences and co-founder of CREATE.

See page 4

NSU Street Sharks is changing the game

Women’s track team sprints to success in 2023

Associate Professor Kandy Lopez’s solo exhibition

Players celebrate after winning the national championship. COURTESY OF NSU PUBLIC RELATIONS

Letter from the editor

By: Bryce Johnson Dear Reader,

Hello! Thank you for reading Issue 8 of The Current, a Mako Media Network production. For those who may not know, I'm Bryce, The Current's editor-in-chief, and I'm delighted to welcome you to another issue.

We're already at the end of March! Only one more month to go until the end of the semester. It’s been an exciting journey watching The Current evolve over the semester, and we hope to keep the momentum going with our remaining issues.

As NSU's student-run newspaper, our goal is to amplify the voices of students, faculty and staff. As the paper continues to publish new issues, we hope to share stories about NSU, and also stories that everyone in South Florida can relate to.

With that said, I am incredibly proud of the NSU community and our recent achievements. The women's swimming and men's basketball teams became national champions, associate professor Kandy Lopez is presenting her artwork at Miramar Cultural Center, and both the College of Business and Entrepreneurship and College of Allopathic Medicine received full accreditation. These are all amazing achievements.

If you're looking to learn about the effects of yawning, more ways

international students can pay for tuition, NSU's Street Sharks club or if "Daisy Jones & The Six" is worth a watch, Issue 8 is the right paper for you. We have a wide range of stories and topics, so take a look through and see what interests you.

If you have ideas for stories, want to share your comments or just want to talk with us, we would love to hear from you. Our office is inside the University Center in room 328. We're always looking to hear from more voices, so stop by during the day. We would gladly have you.

Our talented reporters, designers, photographers and advisers all work hard to make each issue of The Current better than the last. On behalf of the team, thank you for reading through our stories.

Happy reading,

Bryce Johnson

Wonder Women: Lauren Gray wins award

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Editorials, commentaries and advertisements in this publication reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its officials, The Current or other advertisers. The Current will not publish unsigned letters except under special circumstances at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Current reserves the right to edit.

By: Ashley Diaz

As part of Women’s History Month, Lauren Gray, senior behavioral neuroscience major and president of Delta Phi Epsilon, won NSU’s Wonder Women Award on March 22. Out of 31 nominees, Gray

received a $500 scholarship for her high academic achievement, community service, leadership qualities and participation in activities at NSU.

“It was a complete surprise and a true honor,” said Gray.

Contributing writers must not be directly involved with their coverage. Coverage by contributing writers must be meaningful and of interest to the NSU community. The Current reserves the right to edit, publish, or deny submitted works as it sees fit. The Current shall remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility or otherwise create bias, real or perceived.

Bryce Johnson is the editor-in-chief of The Current.

PHOTO BY CHLOE ROUSSEAU

From left to right, Licenia Rojas, TD Bank’s senior vice president, Susie Levan, serial entrepreneur, and Elaine Wallace, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, lead the Wonder Women panel.

PHOTO BY INDAYA BYER

The 25th annual STUEY’s celebrates NSU’s community

“[April 11] is when they choose the overall student of the year,” said Stanton. “So, of course that's what I'm hoping for, but I'm honored either way to be a finalist.”

Stanton found out he was nominated for Student of the Year through several professors and other students congratulating him.

“I was surprised to be on the list,” said Stanton. “One hundred percent of the work I do is in the Fischler Academy, and it benefits the whole NSU community, but it's within the Fischler Academy, which is only 300 students. So I was very surprised and honored to be picked out of such a small group of people in my academy, but also the college.”

Alumni

Amanda Alvarez, CCC-SLP, Jennifer Zolman, O.D., Lori L. Eickleberry, Ph.D., Kevin Melendez, DPT, Monica Puga, MSN

Athletic Team

Men’s Basketball Team, Women’s Swimming Team, Women’s Tennis Team, Softball Team

Co–Curricular Adviser

Sherrol Reynolds, O.D., Paula Brochu, Ph.D., Emily Kolankiewicz, Paul Arena, Ph.D.

Corporate Partner

Publix Super Markets, Inc., AFA Visuals, LLC, Montachem International Inc, Rod Colas, Ed.D., Van Horn Law Group (Chad Van Horn, Esq.)

In Stanton’s two years in the Fischler Academy, he has helped organize picnics, ice skating events and Friendsgiving, as well as helped students go to Key Largo and Miami Dolphins games. Stanton has also created two committees in the Fischler Academy with more than 60 students and is president of one of them.

“I’ve been able to, myself, directly impact over 3,000 students through events, so I would say that’s probably my best bet as to why I was recognized and nominated,” Stanton said. “I think I just have been like a facilitator of people starting to be recognized from the college and from the academy. I'm hopeful that it continues.”

Additionally, Jonathan Banks, associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and director of the Master of Science in Experimental Psychology program, is a finalist for the Professor of the Year award.

“I'd be honored. I'd be flattered to win that award, because I know it's a very high honor for faculty members to receive the Professor of the Year award,” Banks said.

In his 11 years at NSU, Banks studied stress management and attention control factors, and has presented his research at local and international conferences. He has also worked with graduate and undergraduate students on collecting and analyzing data.

2023 Finalists

Executive

Linda S. Rouse, O.D., Karen S. Fiano, Pharm.D., Terry Mularkey, CFRE, Holly Lynn Baumgartner, Ph.D., Marcella Rutherford, Ph.D.

Graduate Organization

College of Optometrists in Vision Development Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity (PDC), Ethnic Minority Association of Graduate Students (EMAGS), Student Osteopathic Medical Association, NSU Tampa Bay Shark Motion

Staff Person

Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Toni Spadaro, Esther Espinoza, BSBA, Judith Slapak-Barski, Ed.D., Aaron Sager

Professor

Jonathan B. Banks, Ph.D., Arkene Levy, Ph.D., Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D., Darshana D. Palkar, Ph.D., Aarti Raja, Ph.D.

Administrator

Laura Macias, M.S., Juan Saavedra, M.A., Bryan Roberts, MPA Rod Colas, Ed.D., Vanessa Mezquia, M.B.A.

Regional Campus Student

Alejandra Oliva, Mark VanEvery, B.S., Glenda Romero, Kathlyn Lorge, Gregory Pierre Louis, A.S.N., Viviana A. Monserrate, Lohitha Guntupalli, B.S., Vanessa Mezquia, M.B.A.

Student

Sean Stanton, Major Gray, Jim Skaff, Janelle Gardner, B.S., Abigail Sundberg, Catalina Uribe, M.S., Lexi Frankel, Lauren Taylor, B.S., Sarah Repasky, Alexandra Lugo, Daelan Mangiafico, B.S., Olivia Singleton, Kelly Campbell, MSN, Sunny Suaya, Summer Book

“Dr. Jamie Tartar and I just this last year received a large federal grant to fund our combined work, and I think that wouldn't have been possible without the [supportive research environment] here and then the excellent students we have in the classroom,” said Banks. “So, I'm happy to be in that position, and feel honored to be able to help mentor students at Nova.”

The STUEY’s will start at 6 p.m., with the reception in the Carl DeSantis building.

“It’s the 25th. That’s a big deal. That’s a quarter of a century,” said Williams. “We are just almost doing a dead knockoff of the Academy Awards, which is what makes it fun.”

Undergraduate Organization

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Chi Chapter, Filipino Student Association (FSA), Inter-Organizational Council (IOC), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., The Gamma Alpha Delta Chapter, Sociodrama Club Stage for Change Student Government College of Optometry Student Government Association, Arkene College of Psychology Student Government Association, Undergraduate Student Government Association, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine Student Government Association, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Student Government Association

New international student payment plan

By: Ronald Martinez

In the fall 2023 semester, NSU will introduce a financial payment plan for international students. Currently, the option is only available for American students.

“We had a lot of international students over the years requesting the payment plan, so that’s what drove us to rethink that,” said Director of the Bursar’s Office Elizabeth Gutierrez.

Initially, international students were required to pay their entire tuition at the beginning of the semester. With the new payment plan, international students will have to pay 50% of their tuition up front as well as

a $75 service fee, with the rest payable monthly.

“I definitely think it’s helpful as it could be quite demanding to pay the full amount up front,” said Chukwudum Okpalaoka, sophomore biology major and Nigerian student.

There will be only one stan-

dard plan available to international students to start with, and students must have a credit card or an electronic check from a United States bank account in order to enroll into the plan.

If the plan proves to be successful, there may be the possibility for additional payment

plans to be made available to international students in the future.

“It’s also quite fair as citizens also have a payment plan. It’ll definitely make returning students more excited to come to Nova and make more people want to come,” said Okpalaoka.

Scan

CREATE: NSU’s human trafficking awareness program

The idea to form CREATE started after Gaillard-Kenney and Kent attended an international symposium in 2010 on child sex trafficking at the Child Health Institute. During the symposium, there were many panelists, but none of them were in healthcare.

After attending the symposium, Gaillard-Kenney and Kent felt healthcare should be more involved in the issue of human trafficking. So they founded CREATE.

“As we walked back to our offices, we said to each other, ‘We need to do something about the problem of human trafficking,’” said Kent. “As women, as mothers, and as people, we were both changed after attending the symposium. We didn’t think we would be researching human trafficking for 12 years.”

This started a passion to help victims by educating others and researching more ways to assist victims and raise awareness.

“The first survivor we helped was in 2017. It was a 23 yearold Ukrainian man,” said Kent. “When he was rescued, he had to leave everything behind, and we

were called to provide him with vision services.”

CREATE received its first grant for a series of developments for the faculty of the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, formerly known as the College of Allied Health and Nursing. There were four sessions that trained faculty on human trafficking. Part of the training was to increase awareness of the indicators of human trafficking. Another part of the training was how faculty would respond to victims of human trafficking in a clinical setting.

Kent and Gaillard-Kenney received a second grant to replicate the sessions they did with their faculty across other academic units.

“We have partnerships with the College of Dental Medicine, the College of Optometry and the College of Psychology. Thanks to our grant and the partnership with those colleges, we are able to provide services to human trafficking survivors free of charge,” said Gaillard-Kenney.

These services are free for the first year and help provide dental care, eye care and counseling

for victims.

The founders noticed it was important for health care providers to be aware of this problem as the victims were denied these services when they were with their captors.

They said these services allow the victims to heal their physical body and their minds and empower them to see a change that can be a visual reminder of moving on from their traumatic experience.

“Being able to change if there has been trauma to their face by their trafficker, to be able to change how they look in the mirror and see themselves, it’s very, very powerful,” said Kent.

For the education branch, Kent and Gaillard-Kenney conducted assessments to understand whether the healthcare fields would be interested in educating students about assisting victims of human trafficking. They reviewed syllabi to identify the fields already involved in educating students about human trafficking. Before, there were only classes that mentioned human rights, but no mention of human trafficking. They then

created a course to educate students about human trafficking for each college level.

Gaillard-Kenney said she teaches an undergraduate class every fall about global issues in human trafficking. The course is online, open to everyone and runs for eight weeks. Students read various materials regarding the topic, like a book written by a victim of trafficking.

“It’s a very sad topic; it was informative, interesting and appealing,” said Elisa Flanagan, senior health science major. “The professor was very laidback and was really good at explaining everything. She spent a lot of time making sure that everybody understood everything about human trafficking.”

The goal is to educate the next generation, so it can be aware of the issue and work to protect everyone from becoming potential victims.

“We need to keep bringing this, especially to your age group, because you are the ones that are targeted,” said Gaillard-Kenney, referring to college students.

H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship receives full accreditation

By: Ashley Diaz and Cassandra Stevens

H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship recently received the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation. The AACSB, which accredits all classes throughout the university under any business program, marks a major accomplishment for the university.

“There are over 17,000 business colleges and universities and less than 6% of them are accredited by AACSB, so it is a very high achievement,“ said the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship

Dean Andrew Rosman.

Dean Rosman came to NSU in 2019 with previous accreditation experience from two former deanships.

“This is my third deanship, and every university I was at was AACSB accredited,” said Rosman.

“I think they brought me here to really start up the effort.”

For the AACSB accreditation, students and faculty contribute through interviews, research and peer-reviewed journals.

“I participated in the interview process for that as a student because I think it’s extremely important and fairly rare that a college or university gets [AACSB accredited],” said Thomas Gug-

lielmo, MBA candidate.

To get re-accredited, professors have to write at least three peer-reviewed journals in a fiveyear period. The College of Business and Entrepreneurship also has to produce a 100 page report to get re-accredited. The report should demonstrate learning goals, mission-based learning and the work faculty have completed in the five years.

The accreditation allows for recognition in the Princeton Review and enters other rankings, like the U.S. News ranks. It can also raise enrollment as students search for business schools.

Rosman said that the AACSB accreditation can open doors for

degree programs, grants, foundation money, and the building and selling of NSU products like artificial intelligence.

“The AACSB has a huge social impact, so the direction we took on our vision, mission and strategic plan is impacted by the accrediting body,” said Rosman, who feels the accreditation is an official acknowledgement and statement of the remarkable things the students and faculty are doing at the College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

“The AACSB accreditation is like our golden ticket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” said Rosman.

Barry and Judy Silverman give transformational gift to NSU’s pharmacy program

By: Sofie Daiberl

Barry and Judy Silverman, Board of Trustees Vice Chair and Chair of the NSU Health Professions Division Board of Governors, have gifted NSU’s pharmacy program a transformational gift that will change the lives of pharmacy students at NSU. In their honor, NSU College of

Pharmacy has been renamed the Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy.

"Education is something near and dear to our hearts, and to be able to provide a gift that will change the lives of students and the next generation of pharmacists and doctors was something we could not pass up," said Barry Silverman.

Michelle Clarke, dean of the Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy, said the gift, of an undisclosed amount, will help to lessen students' financial stress.

“The gift from the Silvermans really is to support scholarships or various scholarship activities that are needed to allow our students to graduate with a lower

financial burden,” said Clarke. With the transformational gift, one student who most exemplifies the pharmacy’s core values will receive the Barry and Judy Silverman Award at the commencement ceremony on May 12.

NSU’s Street Sharks is changing the game

By: Brielle Aguayo

Last March, NSU’s car club Street Sharks hosted its first car meet with a turnout of 120 cars. Almost a year later on Jan. 6, the car club hosted its biggest event to-date with 726 cars and more than 1,000 participants.

In car meets, car enthusiasts can build a community and present their cars to each other. The meets can sometimes be dangerous if people are irresponsible, like if drivers raced through parking lots.

Alejandro Santana, sophomore biology major and president of Street Sharks, said he hopes to grow the club even more under his leadership by changing the bad reputation of car meets, known to be dangerous because of the power of automobiles.

“We want to show that car shows aren't bad, and that they

can be formal," said Santana.

"There can be laws in place, and we want to see people have a good time.”

Austin Chatoori, junior professional studies and biological science major and vice president of Street Sharks, added that the community shares a passion for cars.

"At Street Sharks, we try our best to provide safe and proper car meets and events for everyone to enjoy together, hopefully impacting the car community in a positive way," said Chatoori.

Santana wants to make Street Sharks not just a safe but also a welcoming environment.

He said the club has an opportunity to show the NSU community there can be safe and legal ways to enjoy being a car enthusiast.

The car meets usually take place at NSU's AC17 general

parking, but as the club grows, more events will be held in the Mailman parking lot.

“We usually fill up the lot with 125-175 cars," said Chatoori.

Street Sharks provides two police officers to help maintain safety at every event, which includes music, a food truck, opportunities for photos, as well as people giving advice to one another about their cars.

Chatoori said the club built a family and community at NSU because of members' initial passion for cars that helped build connections as well.

Santana also said the club wants to grow its membership engagement collaboratively.

The club has communicated with other car lovers, such as Miami Infinity, Car Meets Miami and Street Racing Made Safe, which are other groups that have similar goals and passions.

Street Sharks' biggest car meet to-date was on Jan. 6 at Tropical Park in Miami, Florida, in collaboration with Street Racing Made Safe. The event was sponsored by V&V Upholstery Supplies, and there were food trucks, music and 1,000 participants.

Santana said that the car meet at Tropical Park encouraged Street Sharks to be determined and find ways to never stop its dream of expanding its meets and having fun while being safe.

“We realized we did that, and we have the potential to do something great,” said Santana.

For more information, visit Street Sharks’ Instagram @nsu.streetsharks for upcoming events.

How will NSU Sharks celebrate upcoming holidays?

"It's a little different from the traditional Easter, because I celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter, which is where we go to a midnight mass on Saturday, but then it becomes Sunday at midnight," said Nikolas Thiakos, sophomore law major.

“All I’m doing is just not eating the entire day basically in my room. From sunrise to sunset I don’t eat, drink, smoke, curse, listen to music, all those stuffs, so all that just makes me more isolated to my room,” said Fatoumata Kanoute, sophomore public health major, who celebrates Ramadan.

“We pray and, at night, we have a long meal, which we call the Passover Seder, where we tell the story of the Jewish people’s journey in Egypt during the times of the Torah," said Yosef Nahon, junior computer science major, Mako Media employee, who celebrates Passover.

“I actually don’t celebrate Easter, but a majority of my family does. So typically, I’ll go over for a Sunday dinner; they’ll cut a steak. My younger cousins will do an egg hunt in the backyard, but I’ll usually help with food preparations in the kitchen,” said Liona San Lucas, freshman art and design major.

Street Sharks host a meet at Ashley Furniture in Davie on March 25, 2022. COURTESY OF BRANDON NEAL

Raise a mug to Un Tinto

By: Danna Bertel

Last semester, junior Marcela Briggs stopped at the entrance of the Carl DeSantis building once a week for a lecherito, coffee and condensed milk, on her way to class.

The taste of the coffee and unique recipes kept Briggs returning to Un Tinto.

“I only go to campus three days out of the week, so I visit once or twice a week,” said Briggs. “Their coffee is different from others I have tried. I never had coffee with condensed milk. I never thought to mix them together.”

Un Tinto’s founders come from different Latin American backgrounds with the dedication to share their diverse culture with the rest of the NSU community.

The students running the business are Daniel Poveda, senior entrepreneurship major, from Venezuela, Laura Gutierrez, senior marketing major, and Daniel Angel, senior accounting

major, both from Colombia, and Michael Graham, senior entrepreneurship major, and Isabella Drumond, senior entrepreneurship major, both from Brazilian heritage.

The Razor’s Edge Shark Cage Scholars Program, which provides students with resources to open an on-campus business, welcomed 14 new businesses this academic year.

The team behind Un Tinto, which refers to what a cup of black coffee is called in Colombia, spent the summer creating business ideas that would reflect on their ethnic background, as well as passions and offer unique coffee and pastries from Latin America.

“We all remember how good coffee is and how good our pastries and our food is. The idea came as an opportunity to show the NSU community a little bit of our culture as well as the flavors we have back in our own countries,” said Poveda.

Location/Time:

Un Tinto opened for business last semester, holding its grand opening in Mako Hall.

With a group of students running the business, they have separated their work into three areas, each managing different aspects of the business. Poveda and Gutierrez make up the marketing team and run the social media accounts. Drumond and Graham are in charge of product inventory, as well as conducting research on what students like most and how they can improve the product. When it comes to financials, creating income statements, and figuring out where the money comes and goes, Angel is in charge.

Though they all have designated roles, they work together to plan daily operations and plan for the future.

The founders of Un Tinto meet every two weeks to discuss the different sides of their business and plan toward expanding Un Tinto outside NSU.

Contact: untintountinto@gmail.com

Price Range: $3 - $5

: @untintocoffee

Co-founder Angel shares the struggles as a new student-run business.

“Everything we make is homemade. We make it every morning, so it’s fresh. Getting those recipes coming out with the flavors and getting exactly what I wanted was a hustle. It was not easy at first,” said Angel.

The menu offers a variety of drinks, ranging from homemade coffee, cold drinks and iced lattes. Cheese bread and brigadeiro cake, typical Brazilian flavors, are sold as well.

This semester Un Tinto does not have a set location. It is offering its services through catering and events.

“Their baked goods are simply amazing, I’ve had all of them and they are fresh and delicious every time,” said Stella Stanzione, senior entrepreneurship major. “Their various coffees are so energizing and leave me ready for class. I love having Un Tinto on campus.”

Un Tinto displays its menu board that shows the drinks and food it sells.

COURTESY OF UN TINTO

Daniel Poveda, senior entrepreneurship major, and Daniel Angel, senior accounting major, serve a customer during a business bash.

COURTESY OF UN TINTO

There is more to yawning

By: Maya Totev

Going to sleep, waking up in the morning, attending a meeting, or sitting in a two-hour long lecture can all have one thing in common: a deep inhalation of air, a phenomenon we call yawning.

“I never really thought about how yawning interacts with the rest of your body. It seems like something that just occurs,” said Madeline Hsu, freshman psychology major.

Omar Eldakar, biology professor at NSU, and a former colleague, Andrew Gallup, researched the real reason for yawning and its effects on the brain.

One of the most common misconceptions is that yawning occurs to increase oxygen levels in the brain, but Eldakar said that it is not triggered by the excess or lack of oxygen.

“We yawn spontaneously to cool the brain. You inhale air and that cools the blood around your lungs," Eldakar said.

Eldakar said heart rate and blood pressure increase with yawning, and the flexing of the jaw muscles helps push the warm blood out of the areas. Cooler blood is introduced and helps reduce the temperature of the brain.

Jack Walsh, freshman biology major, said he never knew why people yawn and the purpose it serves.

“It turns out yawning is kind of like an air conditioner system in which yawning is doing the cooling for our bodies,” Walsh said.

Factors that increase brain temperature and cause people to yawn include exercise, external temperature, stress, anxiety, drugs like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), drug withdrawals and certain diseases.

“The problem is that the brain is such a big metabolic energy user, so it can just simply run hot,” said Eldakar.

Several NSU students attribute yawning to being tired or bored, based on personal experiences.

“I yawn most in the morning and at night before bed. Last year, I would yawn so hard every single time I specifically went to English class,” said Walsh.

But Eldakar noted that yawning occurs mostly during certain times of the day due to bodily temperatures, not tiredness.

“Before you go to sleep or when you wake up, you experience a lot of yawning. This is because your body temperature is the greatest at both of these times,” said Eldakar. “When brain temperatures are elevated, you fall asleep, and yawning is a method

to counteract those effects.”

Yawning is further constrained to an optimal thermal zone depending on the temperature outside.

“If it is cold outside, yawning can cool your brain too much. If it is hotter than your body temperature outside, yawning will heat your brain further,” said Eldakar. “Too hot or too cold of temperatures are outside of the thermal window, so yawning should be diminished. Within that range is the thermal neutral zone, where we expect yawning to occur.”

If a picture or video of someone yawning, known as a contagion stimulant, is presented to an individual who is in very hot or cold temperatures, the contagion stimulant will not act upon them.

“If an individual is freezing, the contagion effect is telling the person to yawn, but the thermoregulatory aspect is telling the person to not do it because the air is too cold. They are counteracting each other,” said Eldakar, who is also interested in the relationship between stress and yawning, and whether stress is suppressed or accentuated.

“When individuals get an increase in bodily temperature that accompanies stress, you want to preserve it since it means the body’s awareness is height-

ened. When the stress is officially gone, you want to spill off that extra heat,” said Eldakar. “This was seen when the test subjects had elevated body temperatures as a response to stress until they began yawning like crazy after 20 minutes.”

Psychopathy and contagious yawning also have a relationship.

“We conducted the largest study ever on contagious yawning and measured psychopathy traits in people. Individuals that scored higher on the psychopathy scale were less likely to yawn contagiously,” said Eldakar.

Students can learn more about topics like yawning and how it works in a course that NSU offers, taught by professors including Eldakar.

Thomas Steckman, freshman business marketing major, previously took the class.

“I took a course called the Study of Darwinism and we did a couple of chapters regarding humans, part of which included yawning,” said Steckman, who found it interesting to learn about important concepts regarding humans.

Ohio train derailment raises concerns

By: Adam Sadik

On Feb. 3, the Norfolk Southern freight train derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, causing 38 rail cars to go off track and crash near a town of 4,700 inhabitants.

The freight train was carrying dangerous chemicals, including vinyl chloride and ethylene glycol. The chemicals were leaking on the site, and on Feb. 6, the governors of Ohio, Mike DeWine, and of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, gave the order to evacuate the area for anyone within a 1-by-2-mile distance.

“I am very worried for my uncle who lives in the area,” said Matei Popescu, a freshman biology major. “He is an old man and who knows what these chemicals can do to him.”

These chemicals pose a threat to human health as symptoms experienced by the residents in the area where the derailment

occurred include vomiting, heheadache and rashes.

Vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate are not natural substances. These two chemicals are also considered an extreme threat to the environment.

Patricia Calvo, an NSU professor in organic chemistry with a Ph.D. in organic polymer chemistry from the University of Florida, said these chemicals pose a threat to human and animal health.

“Vinyl chloride is a carcinogen [cancer-causing agent]. Now as a chemist, certain concentrations of these compounds lead to a higher likelihood of developing certain types of cancers in usual animal models. It depends on the concentration that the people are exposed to,” said Calvo.

The colorless vinyl chloride gas is used to make PVC pipes, kitchenware and wire coatings.

It is known to increase the risk of liver cancer and leukemia.

The gas was released from five train cars and burned to avoid an explosion.

Butyl chloride is a flammable liquid that causes lightheadedness and fainting if exposed to high levels.

According to CBS news, over 43,000 fish and animals have died near the site and counting. Most of these deaths are minnow fish. Animals are dying as far as 20 miles away from the site of the derailment.

“Small animals are going to be exposed to much larger concentrations relative to their body mass. They don’t weigh very much, so their toxic dose, lD50, is significantly lower than in humans. They also metabolize and absorb things very differently. We don’t know how concentrations of these chemicals are in the local water, compared to in the air,” said Calvo.

The extent of the devastation is still unfolding. Many residents

are comparing this toxic event to the Russian nuclear power plant explosion in Chernobyl, 1986.

“For Chernobyl, we are talking about radioactive material which is dependent on the half-life of that material and the half-life is thousands of years typically. There really isn’t anything you can do to remediate the radiation from the area,” said Calvo. “Now with chemicals, especially these types of compounds, [they] can react. They can decompose and dissipate.”

Residents near the area are calling for a change in the infrastructure to have more secure and updated train tracks. They plan on suing the Norfolk Southern Railway company.

Ten movies, shows and books to celebrate International Mermaid Day

By: Sofie Daiberl

International Mermaid Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating the mythical creature known as the mermaid. Observed annually on March 29, it is a day for people to dress up like mermaids, watch mermaid-themed movies and indulge in other activities related to these magical creatures. In honor of International Mermaid Day, here are 10 movies, books and shows to watch out for.

The Waterfire Saga

The Waterfire Saga, by Jennifer Donnelly, is a series of four books about six teenage mermaids who team up to destroy a monster named Abbadon. They go on a quest to find six talismans, forming a strong sisterhood along the way. The mermaids have different backgrounds and strengths, but together, they become an unstoppable force. Donnelly describes one of the mermaids, Serafina, as brave, kind, loyal, nerdy, tough and devoted to her people. The series is available to purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.

"H2O: Just Add Water"

"H2O: Just Add Water" is a classic Australian TV series with three seasons. The show features Emma, Cleo and Rikki as three normal teenage girls. One day, when coming in contact with water after a full moon, they suddenly gain magical powers and transform into mermaids. The series follows their journey facing challenges and villains. It first aired in 2006 and ended in 2010 and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

"The Little Mermaid" (1989 film)

"The Little Mermaid" is a Walt Disney animated film released in 1989. The story follows Ariel, a mermaid who saves Prince Eric

and falls in love with him. Ursula, a sea witch, offers to make Ariel human in exchange for her voice, giving her three days to make Eric fall in love with her. In the end, Ariel ruins Ursula's plan, regains her voice and marries Eric with the blessing of her father, King Triton. The film ends with a grand wedding celebration. "The Little Mermaid" is now streaming on Disney+.

"Barbie in A Mermaid Tale"

"Barbie in a Mermaid Tale" is an animated film about Merliah, a teenage surfer who discovers her true identity as a half-mermaid. Merliah journeys to the underwater kingdom of Oceana to save it from Eris, an evil sea monster. The film's vivid animation brings Oceana to life and imparts a valuable lesson about being true to oneself. It remains a beloved favorite among Barbie enthusiasts and has a sequel, "Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2," which are both available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, YouTube and Google Play.

"Aquamarine"

"Aquamarine" is a 2006 American romantic comedy fantasy film. Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, the story follows two best friends, Claire and Hailey. They encounter a mermaid named Aquamarine in the swimming pool of the beach club where they work. Aquamarine, on a quest to prove that love exists, enlists the girls' help to win the heart of a human boy, Raymond, in exchange for granting them a wish. As the girls aid Aquamarine in her quest, they find their own romantic interests and overcome obstacles, such as mean girls at the beach club and Aquamarine's father, who is determined to take her back to the sea. This film is another classic known for its lighthearted and exciting storyline, and is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.

"Ponyo"

A well-known Studio Ghibli film, "Ponyo," released in 2008. The film’s plot revolves around the extraordinary tale of a young adventurous fish named Ponyo. Ponyo is able to transform into a human being and in this film, she forges a bond with a young boy named Sosuke. As her magical abilities become more powerful, she ruins the balance of nature. This Japanese film shows the special bond that humans have with nature and goes in-depth to show the importance of a healthy balance between humans and nature. The music and visuals in "Ponyo" give it the quality that every Studio Ghibli film is famous for. The film is available to stream on HBO Max.

"Fishtales"

The 2007 film "Fishtales," starring Billy Zane, Kelly Brook and director and actor Alki David, is another movie that many of us grew up with. This story is about Thomas Bradley, a classics professor whose wife died. Thomas spends a summer on an island in Greece to finish some of his research on ancient love spells. The professor brings his daughter with him to the Greek island and she goes on a quest to find a mermaid for her lonely father. He falls in love with the most beautiful mermaid and battles an evil sea captain for her love. "Fishtales" is a comedy and romance movie all in one. This movie is available to rent or purchase on YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV.

"The Thirteenth Year"

The 1999 movie, "The Thirteenth Year," is about Cody Griffin, a 13-year-old boy who faces some new challenges. Cody is a regular boy with adoptive parents, but when he turns 13 years old, he discovers some new things about himself that he did not know before. Cody begins to

grow scales on his hands when coming into contact with water, as well as fins on his arms. Cody soon discovers that his own birth mother is a mermaid. Cody’s friend soon discovers his merman features and becomes fascinated with his abilities. Cody is able to do things like generate electricity, stick to the walls and ceilings, and grow scales and fins on his body. Since this movie is made by Disney, viewers can watch it on Disney+ or Amazon Prime.

"The Little Mermaid" (2023 film)

"The Little Mermaid" is a live-action remake of the 1989 Disney classic, starring Halle Bailey as the titular character. The film's storyline remains faithful to the original animated version, and the trailer features a glimpse of underwater scenes and Halle Bailey singing "Part of Your World." David Magee, Rob Marshall and John DeLuca are producing the movie, which is set to be released exclusively in theaters nationwide on May 26.

"To Kill A Kingdom"

"To Kill A Kingdom" by Alexandra Christo, published in 2018, features Princess Lira, a siren who is transformed into a human by her mother, the Sea Queen, after she kills one of her own. In order to regain her siren form, Lira must deliver Prince Elian's heart to the Sea Queen before the winter solstice. The book contains similarities to "The Little Mermaid," including a sinking ship. "To Kill A Kingdom" is available to borrow as an e-book from the Alvin Sherman Library.

ONSHORE CALENDAR

Recycling Awareness

Poster Making

March 31, Noon

Mako Courtyard

Shine Tye-Dye Totebag

Night

April 10, 5 p.m.

Mako Multipurpose Room

Study with NPREMA

April 11, 12:30 p.m.

Don Taft University Center, second floor lounge

Are you smarter than a Gamma?

April 11, 6 p.m.

Mako Multipurpose Room

Paint a Panther

April 12, 11:30 a.m.

UC Shark Circle

The Reel - NOPE

April 12, 6 p.m.

Mailman Auditorium

OFFSHORE CALENDAR

Slow Burn Theatre Co: Disney’s Mary Poppins

March 25 - April 9

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

“To Kill a Mockingbird”

March 28 - April 2

Au-Rene Theater at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Annual Downtown West Palm Beach Art Festival

April 1-2, 10 a.m.

700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, FL

“Hits! The Musical”

April 1, 7:30 p.m.

Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker

Sunday Jazz Brunch

April 2, 11 a.m.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Arts & Entertainment

Associate Professor Kandy Lopez presents artwork for Women’s History Month

By: Danna Bertel

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Kandy Lopez, associate professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, is exhibiting her work “Phenomenal Woman" at the Miramar Cultural Center.

The exhibit runs from March 8 to May 10 at the Ansin Family Art Gallery, open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lopez, who is also program director of Art + Design, explores the idea and history of women

of color through different mediums, such as portraits made out of yarn and thread, as well as paintings and collages.

“I wanted to showcase work of people of color, specifically women of color, or this idea of a woman,” Lopez said. “I really focus on representing the amazingness of people of color, specifically women."

There will also be a workshop at the Miramar Cultural Center on April 1 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where Lopez will explore gender and identity through portraits.

“A lot of people see some of the figures in the show as women and some of them don't identify as that. Some see it as males, when in reality, they're women,” said Lopez. “I like to showcase the plethora of what people of color, specifically women of color, are. So, we usually put into a stereotype for being a certain way, when in reality, there are so many combinations of us that we have, that should be highlighted in spaces where you normally wouldn’t see it.”

Lopez invites everyone who lives in the South Florida area to experience and see her art.

“Melo in the city” made with mixed fiber.

OF KANDY LOPEZ

The artwork “Loriann” is a yarn and spray paint on plastic canvas.

COURTESY OF KANDY LOPEZ

From left to right, “Br00klynBetty,” yarn and spray paint on plastic canvas, “Sue,” yarn and acrylic on plastic canvas, and “Br00klynBetty2.0,” yarn and spray paint on plastic canvas. COURTESY OF KANDY LOPEZ

NSU dance majors and minors attend the American College Dance Association conference

By: Brielle Aguayo

NSU dance majors and minors attended the American College Dance Association Southeast Regional conference March 1114. Different colleges showcased their dance pieces and took classes.

“They got to see a lot of performances,” said Elana Lanczi, director of NSU’s dance program. “They took a lot of master classes from different faculty members and they were able to receive feedback.”

The students attended dance and fitness classes like Pilates, West African dance, commercial dance, jazz technique, musical theater and ballet.

“It’s a great experience because you can take the classes you want to, and so it’s a great way to customize to what you enjoy as a dancer,” said Ysabella Lupercio, sophomore dance and business management major and student choreographer.

NSU showcased three dance pieces, including a solo performed and choreographed by

Justin Tran, freshman marketing major, for the informal concert, which was a contemporary piece. There was also a group performance, an open-contemporary piece choreographed by Lupercio, for the Adjudication Concert. The third and final dance was a contemporary piece choreographed by Alonzo Williams, a new faculty member and alumni, for the Adjudication Concert as well.

The conference was not in a competition setting, but instead had qualified adjudicators that

critiqued and gave feedback on performances.

Lupercio felt that the conference helped prepare the students for upcoming dances.

“I definitely think we came back as a more unified group of dancers. We also felt so inspired and all of us are so excited for all the upcoming chances we have at NSU to choreograph and dance to show all the inspiration we have gained,” said Lupercio.

“Blithe Spirit” play comes to the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center

By: Danna Bertel

Cardinal Gibbons High School will present its rendition of “Blithe Spirit” at the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center from March 31 - April 2.

“Blithe Spirit” is a 1940s comic play that follows novelist Charles Condomine. When searching for content for his new book, Charles hires a medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct a seance. The seance backfires for Charles, and it summons the spirit of his temperamental de-

ceased wife Elvira. The spirit of Elvira then makes attempts to disrupt Charle’s marriage with his current wife Ruth.

High school senior Jacqueline Maniscalco is preparing to take on the role of Elvira from “Blithe Spirit.”

Maniscalco said her favorite thing about playing Elvira is her mysteriousness to the audience and being out to mess with her husband’s current marriage.

“I think people can expect to see a lot of ghost activity, mystery and just strange acting from

the seance,” said Maniscalco.

Laurence Christopher, drama teacher and director at Cardinal Gibbons, encourages others to watch the play for its narrative themes and mystery elements.

“It’s a pretty cool journey about Charles’s wife and you sort of watch as the husband changes his approach to addressing and speaking to women,” said Christopher. “The technical aspect of the show is the most exciting. The show has a lot of magic and mystery behind it.”

If you go:

Location: The Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center

Time: March 31 - April 1 at 7:30 p.m. April 2 at 2 p.m.

Price: $20 per ticket

Contact: miniacipac@nova.edu

NSU dance majors and minors perform “Misconception,” which was presented at ACDA’s dance conference.

PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO

Arts & Entertainment

NSU’s annual Fins Festival returns

By: Danna Bertel

The Undergraduate Student Government Association is hosting Fins Festival, NSU’s annual carnival.

The festival will take place on Saturday, April 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the temporary residential parking lot.

The festival will include food trucks, rides, midway games and carnival treats.

The festival is free of charge for all students, only requiring an event pass. This year students are allowed to bring one guest not from NSU.

If you go:

Location: Temporary residential parking lot

Time: April 1 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Price: Free

Contact: usga@nova.edu

MUSIC

Want to be a volunteer DJ at Mako Radio? Scan this code!

Want to know The Current staff’s favorite songs by female artists? Check out Women’s History Month, our collaborative Spotify playlist!

Mako Radio: evening shows

Tune into 88.5 daily from 6 p.m. to midnight to see what’s playing. Here’s what you can expect from the lineup of DJs.

Monday: DJ Classica Classic Latin Music

DJ @ -Mr.Ë Alternative Rock and Pop

Tuesday: DJ Blossom Caribbean Music

DJ Luvrfly

Love Music

Wednesday: DJ Flackie Latin Hits

DJ @ -Mr.Ë Alternative Rock and Pop

Thursday: DJ Sirena International Music

Friday: DJ Dream Indie Music

DJ Tranquilo

Soul and R&B Music

Women’s swimming team wins National Championship

By: Abraham Velasquez

Between March 7 and 11, NSU’s women’s swimming team won the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time in the program’s history. The Sharks were led by Emily Trieschmann, sophomore, who was named the CSCAA Swimmer of the Year. The championship was a result of consistent performances from the Sharks throughout the season, culminating in a display of athleticism and determination at the championship meet.

“I knew a national title was possible when I joined the team in June, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” said Trieschmann. “I didn’t want to stress out.”

Emilia Ronningdal (1:47.06), Ilaria Murzilli (1:50.06), May Lowy (1:49.32) and Trieschmann (1:47.21) broke a meet record in the 800-freestyle relay on Day 1 to break Queens University of Charlotte’s 2015 mark of 7:13.65.

On Day 2, Trieschmann won the first of three individual events, setting a new meet record for NSU and reducing her personal Division II record in the 1000-freestyle with 9:43.25. In that competition, Estelle Bauer placed seventh, Murzilli placed 10th, and Victoria Ortiz placed 11th. Ronningdal won the 200 IM in 1:57.78 as a follow-up. She was joined in the finals by Celina Marquez (10th), Savanna

Best (3rd), and Lowy (7th). With a victory in the 200 medley relay in 1:39.90, Mollie Morfelt, Best, Aleksandra Maslova and Trieschmann brought Day 2 to a close.

Day 3 began with Maslova and Marquez placing 12th and 15th, respectively, in the 100 butterfly. In the 400 IM, Lowy triumphed (4:13.80), and Best came in third. In the 200-freestyle, Ronningdal (1:47.11) and Trieschmann finished 1-3. The 400 medley relay team of Morfelt, Best, Maslova, and Ronningdal won gold to cap the evening (3:38.34).

With a dominant 4:45.56 in the 500-freestyle, Trieschmann won her second individual title to kick off Day 4. Additionally scoring were Murzilli (7th), Ortiz (11th), and Bauer (15th). In the 100 back, Morfelt and Marquez

finished second and seventh, respectively. In the 100 breaststroke, Best (1:01.13) and Claire Gass finished 1-3, and Ronningdal won the consolation final to place ninth. In the 200 butterfly, Lowy came in third, and Maslova came in 12th.

Trieschmann won the 1650-freestyle by 12 seconds in a time of 16:30.11 to open Day 5 with her third individual victory. In the 200 backstroke, Marquez finished fourth while Lowy finished 10th.

The IU Natatorium in Indiana is considered the cathedral of USA Swimming, and it was where Hewitt had grown up swimming. It was a dream come true for him to win a national title at the same venue where he competed. As a Division III Swimmer at Wabash College, he had never imagined that he

would come back as a coach to win the national title.

“I experienced some true happiness with what the team accomplished as a group,” Hewitt said. “It was a release of energy and a lot of fun.”

The Sharks had finished third nationally in 2018 and 2022, and this year, the team was determined to take home the title. The Sharks won a total of 11 individual titles during the championship meet and amassed 536.5 points to take home the championship trophy.

Emilia Ronningdal, Ilaria Murzilli, May Lowy, Mollie Morfelt, Sasha Maslova and Savanna Best all won national titles during the swimming meet. The Sharks had a total of 12 NCAA All-Americans on the women’s team.

Women's swimming statistics

Emily Trieschmann – 800-freestyle relay; 1000-freestyle; 200-medley relay, 500-freestyle; 1650-freestyle.

Emilia Ronningdal – 800-freestyle relay; 200-IM; 200-freestyle; 400-medley relay.

Emily Trieschmann, sophomore, prepares to dive during the championship swim meet. COURTESY OF SHARK ATHLETICS

Emilia Ronningdal, freshman, swims freestyle during a race. COURTESY OF SHARK ATHLETICS

Men’s basketball wins national championship

By: Abraham Velasquez and Bella Giaquinto

NSU’s men’s basketball team has made history by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time. The Sharks defeated West Liberty Hilltoppers 111-101 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. NSU completed the season with a perfect 36-0 record, and the team broke the Division II National Championship record for points in the first half (55) and game (111). The team waited for this moment for a long time, months of hard work and dedication had let them to the biggest stage in college basketball ‘the national championship game.

The victory was particularly special for head coach Jim Crutchfield, who led the team to its first national championship

and has turned NSU into a Division II powerhouse.

“It’s been a storybook season and perfect ending. To play in the National Championship against West Liberty -- where I got my start – is special, this game had a lot of intensity and a lot of emotions, but I’m proud of our team and thrilled to bring a national title back to Nova Southeastern,” Crutchfield said in a Sunshine State Conference interview.

The Sharks’ win means that it is only the sixth team in NCAA Division II history to finish the season as undefeated national champions. Will Yoakum, graduate student pursuing a business marketing certificate, also broke the single season record for points, scoring 727 in his lone season as a Shark.

“In basketball today, nobody goes undefeated. But these guys

did. I love these guys,” said Crutchfield to the Miami Herald.

Former Miami Marlins playby-play announcer Rich Waltz recently acknowledged the success of college basketball teams in South Florida, including the Miami Hurricanes (both men’s and women’s teams), Florida Atlantic and NSU.

“It’s an exciting time to be a college basketball team in South Florida! The Sharks are really making a splash.” Waltz said.

The Sharks took an early 6-0 lead in the opening minutes. Dallas Graziani, junior sports management major, and Yoakum contributed with jump shots to give NSU an 18-8 lead. The Hilltoppers rallied, cutting the lead to 18-14, but Yoakum and Graziani responded with two consecutive three-pointers. In the second half, NSU maintained their momentum, with Graziani

hitting another three-pointer to extend the lead to 60-50. Although the Hilltoppers fought hard and cut the Sharks’ lead to 106-101, Kobe Rodgers, sophomore sports management major, sealed the deal for NSU by hitting three consecutive free throws. Yoakum was the star of the game, scoring 28 points. Yoakum and RJ Sunahara, graduate student in the business marketing program, were both awarded the Co-Most Outstanding Player title in the tournament. Dallas Graziani was also named to the All-Tournament team.

The win marks a major milestone for NSU, which has steadily built its men’s basketball program over the past few years. The Sharks are a combined 67-1 over the course of the past two seasons.

Breaking barriers: a women’s college basketball story

By: Abraham Velasquez and Bella Giaquinto

Suzan Kinran, junior communication major, heard about the women’s basketball team when the coach reached out to her. She decided to join the team at the beginning of the season, immediately after visiting NSU.

“My coach is an amazing woman and has great history within the school,” said Kinran. “I wanted to play for her because she’s very successful.”

Kinran and other players ended the women’s basketball 2022-23 season on March 10, losing to Eckerd College 73-79 and putting an end to its NCAA Tournament journey.

Throughout the season, the Sharks compiled a strong record, going 21-9 overall and 13-7 in conference play. The team had victories in 12 of 14 home games and 9 of 11 away games this season, including winning against the University of Montevallo and Auburn University Montgomery. The squad continued to have success in January and February when it defeated Barry University twice, 78-69 and 97-65, and Embry Riddle University once, 78-60.

One of the team’s most remarkable qualities this season has been its ability to score effectively, putting up substantial scores, such as a 107-68 win against Florida Tech in December. The team’s exceptional record can be attributed to its strong offensive tactics and robust defense. Its turnover margin stands at 4.1, and their assist-to-turnover ratio stands at 1.2, indicating the team’s skill in effectively distributing the ball and minimizing turnovers.

Kinran said playing for the team has been an amazing experience.

“I love being a part of the team. We have so much fun on and off the court. The coaches are the best people ever, very close to us and care about us, compared to any other coach I’ve had over the years. It makes it easy to play for them,” said Kinran.

In the last game on March 10, Hailey Conley, graduate student, scored 11 points and Kyannah Grant, graduate student, led the team with a season-high 20 points. The Sharks had a 17–14 lead after the first quarter, but Eckerd seized charge in the second and third frames to increase its advantage to 54–42 entering the final frame. Despite a late rally, the Sharks were unable to over-

turn the gap, and its season finished with 21 victories.

Next season, LeAnn Freeland-Curry, head coach of the women’s basketball team, believes Kinran will be an important member of the team and continue to make an impact on the court in the years to come.

“Suzan is a highly competitive, tough-minded player with great skill and size. When we watched Suzan on film, we were immediately impressed by her overall skill set and three-point shot,” said Freeland-Curry. “She can be a game-changer on both ends of the floor. We are excited to see how well she fits into our system and expect her to evolve over the next four years.”

Kyannah Grant, graduate student, calls a play while she begins to dribble. COURTESY OF SHARK ATHLETICS

Madison Frederick, graduate student, drives towards the basket. COURTESY OF SHARK ATHLETICS

Women’s track team sprints to success in 2023

By: Angeline Gilliard

After a great season in crosscountry, the NSU women’s track team is sprinting toward success.

Bryan Hagopian, head coach for NSU’s men’s and women’s outdoor track and cross-country team, said the season, which started on Feb. 18, is off to a fine start.

“Right now, we [the track team] are looking better than previous years. We are coming closer as a team and since we had a great cross-country season, it kind of rolls into the next season,” said Hagopian.

In 2022, Kamila Soja, sophomore biology and pre-med major, finished second at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship and broke the school’s record in the 6k. On March 3, Soja led the team to victory after

winning first place in the 5000m in the Tampa Spartans Classic.

Soja has always been very interested in sports and comes from an athletic background. She has participated in a variety of different sports like dance, swimming, soccer and pole vaulting. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit during her senior year in high school, she used the opportunity to do winter track and swimming. Since there is no pole vaulting in winter track, she tried distance running.

“I loved that so much, and it carried out into my outdoor season, then into summer. And then, eventually, I came here as a walk-on,” said Soja.

Soja is looking forward to competing in longer distances like the 5k and the 10k. After her successful cross-country season,

Soja said she feels the pressure

of having to beat her records this season, but she’s sticking to her routine and continues to progress.

Ally Jakubiak, freshman human nutrition major, said that having the experience in cross-country guides NSU’s women’s track team.

“I definitely think that helps to get all that training under my belt,” said Jakubiak.

After doing track throughout high school, Jakubiak completed her first season in cross-country in 2022 and finished in the top 50 at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship. She plans to participate in other distance events with the track team and see how much she’s improved after her cross-country season.

Hagopian said that the women’s track team is composed of

driven and passionate runners who love the sport.

“When you look at cross-country and how successful we are, and then you turn around and look, there’s only one of me. And you see about 50 people running around, but you notice that everybody knows what they’re doing and they’re working hard. They’re trying to be successful. And those are qualities you can’t coach. That’s something that’s in your heart,” said Hagopian.

The women’s track team will meet Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Lee University on April 7, and the University of Miami on April 7-8. Afterward, the team hopes to compete in the NCAA National Championship on May 25-27.

Kamila Soja, sophomore biology major, trains at morning practice.

PHOTO BY INDAYA BYER

Megan Winterbottom, warming up during a meet. COURTESY OF SHARK ATHLETICS

“Daisy Jones & The Six”: From must read to must watch

By: Suzan Kinran

Hop on in the little hippie Volkswagen Microbus. We are going back to the ‘70s! Amazon Prime Video’s new mockumentary series, “Daisy Jones & The Six,” aired its first season finale on March 24, transporting fans to a world of flared pants, arena rock ‘n’ roll and backstage melodrama.

“Daisy Jones & The Six” is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s New York Times best-selling novel of the same name. The novel released in March 2019, with Amazon buying the TV rights nearly a year before it

reached the shelves.

Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen and other ‘70s artists, the show takes us on the journey of a fictional rock band called The Six, which is later called Daisy Jones & the Six. The band is led by an intriguing and talented women named Daisy Jones.

The story mostly follows the same plot as the original novel, more or less. The series focuses on the love triangle between Daisy, portrayed by Riley Keough, Daisy’s co-songwriter, Billy Dunne, played by everyone’s favorite rom-com boyfriend Sam Claflin, and Billy’s wife,

Camila Dunne, played by Camilla Morrone. Other cast members include Suki Waterhouse as the keyboardist, Karen, Sebastian Chacon as the drummer, Warren, Josh Whitehouse as the rhythm guitarist, Eddie, and Will Harrison as Billy’s brother, Graham.

In the series, Daisy Jones & the Six becomes one of the most popular bands in 1970s America. From their starting roots in Los Angeles to their growing reputation as one of the most iconic bands in history, as well as the drama surrounding their split at the peak of their stardom, this mockumentary explores the

band’s rise to fame. The series deconstructs what tore the band apart over 10 episodes, recounted through interviews with Daisy Jones and The Six.

The soundtrack of the series is a masterpiece of its own, and it sounds better than most TV shows’. Big stars including Phoebe Bridgers, Madison Cunningham and Jackson Browne contributed to the series soundtrack, with Blake Mills leading the production.

The series is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Commuting to campus is not as bad as you think

By: Danna Bertel

As an incoming freshman in fall 2021, I had to make an important decision that would affect the following four years of my college life: stay at home or live in a dorm.

Writing the pros and cons on a piece of paper made me question whether dorm life would truly benefit me. If I lived in a dorm, I would be leaving behind a queen-sized bed, homecooked meals and the comfort of my own room. If I moved to campus, I would be going to a different environment 30 minutes away from my family and gaining a sense of independence. After weeks of pondering, I

chose the most economical option and stayed at home.

As my first semester at NSU flew by, the truth is, at times, commuting felt time-consuming, inconvenient and exhausting. I had to plan my mornings to have enough time to get dressed, eat breakfast and arrive to class on time. There were times I missed out on events that usually occurred at night.

Even then, I don’t regret my decision to commute.

At home, I am filled with a supportive environment and privacy when needed. The feeling of getting home after a hard day is something I wouldn’t exchange for a small space on campus.

I can’t deny that making

friends was a hassle, especially as an introvert. That just meant I needed to go out of my way to make friends. The small-sized classes came as a benefit to me, as I was able to connect with others and form friendships. However, these connections would only last the span of a semester, leaving me back where I started. These situations pushed me to try to get involved somehow on campus. Therefore, when the opportunity to get a job at NSU’s student-run newspaper came to me, I took it. After working at The Current, I found myself surrounded by friends that shared the same career aspirations and goals. Finding a community or group of people who share

the same interest as you is the best way to make friends. NSU has around 465 organizations, meaning everyone can find at least one thing they enjoy and be a part of.

It’s true that as a commuter, I missed the opportunity to move away from home, have roommates and take care of myself. I have to put in more effort, and it takes a bit longer to meet new people. But for me, these challenges make my college experience more worthwhile, allowing me to grow as a person. As more years of higher education await me, I am more willing to risk stepping out of my comfort zone and create my own college experience.

Danna Bertel, sophomore communication

major, leaves the Alvin Sherman Library to commute home.

PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO

THE CURRENT’S CORNER

INTERNATIONAL MERMAID COMMUTING SPIRIT YAWNING

TIC TAC TOE

AWARENESS DERAILMENT TRACK TEAM WONDER MOVIES

STREET SHARKS PHARMACY FINFEST STUEYS ACDA

DOTS AND BOXES

Tic Tac Toe is a game where two players seek alternative ways to complete a row. One player is a circle while the other one is an X. Whoever completes three in a row is the first to win the game.

This is a two-player game where you take turns at joining two dots together (vertically or horizontally) to make the side of a square (a box). When you make a box with a line, write your initals in it and take another turn. The person with the most boxes at the end of the game wins.