NEWS | p. 3
Medical students learn their placements on Match Day
THURSDAY
FEATURES | p. 5
Virtual reality gives students experience being astronauts
SPORTS | p. 14
Sharks advance to third straight final four
THE CURRENT
NSU's
Women’s swimming wins third consecutive national championship
By Bella Giaquinto
The women’s swimming team
earned the third consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship on March 15 and set a new NSU and
Sunshine State Conference record in the 400 Freestyle Relay. Entering the fifth and final day of the
championship with 353 points, the team trailed Drury University by five points.
“In the last session, we were just focusing on having fun -- that’s what our coach said. Just go out and have fun because we all have trained for this,” said Emilia Ronningdal, junior interdisciplinary studies major and national champion in the 800 and 400 Freestyle Relay.
That mentality proved to be crucial as the championship came down to the wire. With just two points separating the teams in the last event, the Sharks needed to secure a victory in the 400 Freestyle Relay to surpass Drury. The group performance of Zsofia Kurdi, Emilia Ronningdal, Maria Goncalves and Maya Esparza pushed the Sharks to earn the championship title and set a new NSU and SSC record with their time of 3:19.09. Overall, the Sharks earned three individual NCAA national championships.
Ben Hewitt, head men’s and women’s swimming coach and College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America DII Women’s Coach of the Year, said that even opposing coaches recognized the team’s passion during their performances.
Starship Technologies Inc. robots deliver food on campus
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon and Allen Worrell
Starship Technologies Inc. launched its autonomous robot delivery service at NSU’s Davie/ Fort Lauderdale campus on March 10. The robots deliver food from the on-campus Starbucks, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Sambazon and College Ave Subs to those on campus who order through the Grubhub app.
There are currently five robots on campus. Marc Crocquet, vice president of business services, hopes to have more than 15 by the fall.
“Obviously, if we see a lot of traffic, see a lot of demand, that will increase the robots to make sure
that we can serve the students in a timely way,” Crocquet said.
Starship Technologies Inc. designs and distributes robots to universities internationally.
“[Starship Technologies Inc. is] an autonomous logistics company, and it focuses on the billion-dollar question: How do you get the lastmile delivery from point A to point B? Whether that be food packages, things in warehouses and all that stuff,” said Chris Krnich, customer success manager for Starship Technologies Inc.
PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO Razor and Marc Crocquet, vice president of business services, demonstrate how the Starship Technologies robots’ lock feature works.
PHOTO BY MADISON KASPER
Women’s swimming was recognized during halftime of the NCAA South Regional championship basketball game on March 18 for winning its third consecutive national championship.
THE CURRENT
The Student-Run Newspaper of Nova Southeastern University @makonews / makomedia.nova.edu
Located in the Don Taft University Center Room 328
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The Current serves Nova Southeastern University from its location in room 328 of the Don Taft University Center. The Current is NSU’s established vehicle for student reporting. All community members are invited to contribute.
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
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Dr. Shanti Bruce Chair, Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts
Letter from the editor
Dear Readers,
Hello Sharks! Thanks for reading another issue of The Current, Nova Southeastern University’s student-run newspaper. I’m Bryce, The Current’s editor-in-chief, and this issue has plenty of exciting stories.
Nominations for Student Employment’s 2025 Supervisor of the Year and Student Employee of the Year close on March 28 at 11:59 p.m. To nominate a student or supervisor that you’ve worked closely with in the 2024 - 2025 academic year, visit sharkfins.nova.edu.
Voting for the next Undergraduate Student Government Association begins March 31 at noon on SharkHub. Students can vote for positions like president and executive vice president. For more information, email nsu.usgaelections@ gmail.com or attend the Presidential Debate on March 31 at 6 p.m. in the Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Title IX is hosting several events to raise awareness, including Day of Action, the Clothesline Project and Sharks Run on Empowerment. You can read about more of the events in this issue.
This issue has articles about Ryan Romero, interim director of athletics; The Night Market at Pembroke Lakes Mall; and the Undergraduate
The Current, alongside Mako TV and Mako Radio, is part of Mako Media Network. If you ever have any questions, comments, concerns or story pitches, you can find us in the UC in room 328.
Thank you to everyone reading The Current. Whether this is your first issue, or you’ve been with us for a while, your support means the world to us. Be on the look out for our next issue on April 10.
Happy reading,
Bryce Johnson
circumstances at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Current reserves the right to edit. 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.
Student Government Association’s Fins Festival. It also has exclusive interviews with artists like Za the Band, Angie K and Kevin Griffin.
Bryce Johnson, editor-in-chief of The Current
Sexual Assault Awareness Month promotes standing together
By Bryce Johnson
“Together We Act, United We Change” is the theme for this year’s national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sam Giordano, Title IX case manager and sexual violence prevention educator, said this year is the 24th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“They’re highlighting collective action when preventing sexual abuse, assault and harassment,” Giordano said. “A lot of our events are really here to empower students with the tools that they can use to navigate relationships and their personal safety.”
Title IX is hosting several on-campus events in April to raise awareness of sexual assault. Its first event, hosted alongside NSU CARE Team, is Day of Action on April 1
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., where students can learn more about self-empowerment.
“We are also going to be partnering with the Nancy J. Cotterman Center, which is Broward County’s only certified rape crisis center, and Women In Distress, which is Broward County’s domestic violence shelter,” Giordano said. “They are putting activities together for students related to self-empowerment and bystander intervention.”
The next event is the Clothesline Project from April 7 to 11. In collaboration with Residential Life and Fraternity & Sorority Life, the Clothesline Project lets students customize T-shirts with inspiring messages.
Markensley Francois, graduate assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Programming, said there were roughly 50 people a day at last year’s
Clothesline Project.
“The Closeline Project is a yearly event in collaboration with the Title IX Office and Res Life, in which all three offices have designated days in which students can come write messages about sexual assault awareness,” Francois said.
On April 11, the T-shirts will be on display in the Don Taft University Center and Commons Courtyard. Title IX will also host the Clothesline Project with the Health Professions Division on April 9 from noon to 1 p.m. at the HPD Clocktower Patio.
Other events include a baseball game on April 11 and a softball game on April 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. Consent with a Side of Fries, from noon to 1 p.m. on April 28 in the UC Spine, will provide free food and teach students about consent.
Kathy Yanes Pérez, graduate
assistant for Title IX, said the event Sharks Run on Empowerment, on April 14 from noon to 1 p.m. in the UC Spine, will promote empowerment for students.
“They can come and get some little treats from Dunkin’ Donuts, and also learn a little bit more about their role during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and how they can be an advocate for change,” Yanes Pérez said.
In Denim Day with Residential Life, on April 30 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the UC Shark Circle, students wear jeans in support of sexual violence survivors.
“With Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we do so much of this work throughout the year, but this is one month that we really can dedicate to spreading awareness about sexual assault prevention,” Giordano said.
Medical students learn their placements on Match Day
By Bryce Johnson
Chad
Perlyn,
NSU executive vice president, chief medical officer and dean of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, said Match Day lets students celebrate their achievements.
“Match Day is a wonderful day for our students. It’s the day where they find out after four years of hard work in medical school where they will be going to train, do their residencies and really develop the skills that will carry with them for the rest
of their careers,” Perlyn said.
Match Day is a national ceremony that takes place on the third Friday of March. During Match Day, students learn where they will spend their residencies and advance their medical careers.
Two Match Day ceremonies took place for NSU students on March 21 - one in the Rick Case Arena for students in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, and the other in the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation for students in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel
College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Arkene Levy Johnston, professor and assistant dean of community engagement in the College of Allopathic Medicine, said her college has a graduating class of about 50 students. She said Match Day is a collective experience for medical students nationally.
“I get more excited than the students themselves. I love seeing the smiles on the faces of the students,” Levy said. “I especially just love seeing the family members here because this is really a collective effort.”
At noon on Match Day, students nationwide opened envelopes contains their results for Match Day.
Tanner Blaylock, graduate student in the College of Allopathic Medicine, matched to general surgery at the University of South Florida.
“I thought I was prepared for it, but it’s just a different feeling, opening up an envelope and seeing for the first time where you’re going to spend the next five years of your life,” Blaylock said. “It was a crazy experience. It was a lot of fun and it was great.”
Skylar Harmon, class president of the class of 2025 and graduate student in the College of Allopathic Medicine, matched to
anesthesiology at the University of Kentucky.
“I’m just very proud of all of my peers for getting their top choices and matching the specialties of their dreams. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone and I’m excited to see what they do in their futures,” Harmon said.
For students going into Match Day in the future, Donald Pritchett, assistant dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, encourages them to continue working hard.
“I always get excited by watching the students go on stage with their loved ones and opening their envelopes. Just the sheer joy you see with them and their families,” Pritchett said. “Be diligent, be focused. Don’t give up on your dream, and one day hopefully you’ll get to celebrate like this, as well.”
Maria Pereira, graduate student in the College of Allopathic Medicine, matched to internal medicine at Vanderbilt University. Pereira said students going into Match Day should try to enjoy it.
“You already matched and you’re going to be a doctor no matter where, so try to take a deep breath, bring people you love, and you’re going to be ok wherever you go,” Pereira said.
Voting for student government opens March 31
By Antonio Miguel Escorzorn
Voting for the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Student Government Association runs from March 31 to April 4 on Sharkhub. The Presidential Debate will take place in the Carl DeSantis Building Knight Auditorium on March 31 at 6 p.m.
The Shark Wave and Sharks United parties have candidates running for president, vice president and chief financial officer. Four independent candidates are running for other positions.
In the Shark Wave party, Alina Andrews is running for president, Harris Siddiqui is running for
executive vice president and Lukah Varghese is running for chief financial officer.
In the Sharks United party, Akeziel Edwards is running for president, Benelda Edouard is running for executive vice president and Jaylen McClanahan is running for chief financial officer.
Independent candidates running are Khushi Faldu for upperclassmen senator, Kirsten Zonkowski for law senator, Hansi Parmar for speaker of the Senate and Naitik Patel for president.
The results of the USGA 38th administration election will be announced after April 4.
PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO
NSU students from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrate receiving their Match Day letters.
ROBOT DELIVERY SERVICE
Krnich said that the last-mile delivery, the final phase of the delivery process, is a unique, daunting task to complete. He said Starship Technologies Inc. invented robots for students to have easy access to get food delivered to them, without having to leave campus grounds.
“NSU [has] an interesting setup,” Krnich said. “So on campus, your point-of-sale and ordering system is done by Grubhub. So in this situation, Starship is a subcontractor of Grubhub. Grubhub provides the ordering platform for pickup and delivery, and then Starship provides the means of the food to get from the merchants to the students or faculty on campus.”
Naitik Patel, external affairs
director for USGA and junior computer science major, said USGA and Shark Dining had biweekly meetings where they talked about how Starship is planning to deploy robots for the delivery system.
Jenifer Brinkman, associate director of dining, is excited to have the robots on campus.
“We’re the first university in South Florida to launch this innovation, and our mission is to be constantly innovating and getting the latest and greatest technology here,” Brinkman said.
The delivery robots are designed with security features that allow users to track them on their phones. Also, each robot locks automatically once food is placed inside and
remains locked until the recipient unlocks it via the Grubhub app.
“So you’ll get a tracker on your phone. You get to follow the robot. Once it gets to you, you go out there and hit unlock, and then that’s when the lid unlocks,” Krnich said. “So on campus, as it’s driving, you can’t just stop it and try to open up the lid. It’s going to be locked, so nobody’s going to steal your frappuccino.”
The robots have wireless charging, which allows them to run 24/7, Krnich said. However, the robots are confined to the operational hours of Starbucks and Einstein Bros. Bagels to conduct deliveries. The robots are maintained on campus through Starship staff, including technicians and fleet attendants.
The fleet attendant role helps ensure the robots are presentable and functional to consumers.
“I would like to say that our robots never break down, but that is not the case. Every now and then, they need a little bit of help,” Krnich said. “So our fleet attendants will go out and grab them, and then do spot checks here and there. They’re a super important part of the Starship family.”
The use of the delivery system is convenient for students who are not close to on-campus dining locations or when nightfall comes, Patel said.
Patel said for students who live on campus, if they are uncomfortable with walking alone at nighttime, there is a benefit having the robot deliver to their dorm.
“If there’s an issue with somebody to get from their dorms to the dining hall in order to eat food, the robots could offset that. Instead of having to go all the way across campus, you could just go down to the lobby and pick up your food,” Krnich said. “And so being able to order food to your dorm without having to go across the college campus is really nice.”
Haya Shoukry, freshman entrepreneurship major, saw the robots around campus and decided to order using the delivery service because she felt it was convenient.
“It’s easier because normally in the morning, I need time to get ready, so it’s just more convenient if [the robot] comes towards where my dorm is versus me going,” Shoukry said.
Sharks Speak: What’s your favorite NSU sport and why?
“I would have to say my favorite sport here at NSU is cheerleading. I’ve wanted to do cheer and I tried out for the cheer team here. I think it’s really cool with the things they do and how they represent the school with unique uniforms. I think it is a very different kind of sport and they still maintain a great team mentality, even though each performer has their own unique style. I’ve gotten to go to some of their practices and I just find it so cool,” said Kirsten Zonkowski, junior law major.
“My favorite NSU sport here is volleyball. Volleyball, in general, is a favorite of mine and I feel the volleyball team here is really dedicated to their practices. I’ve been able to go to a couple of their games and it’s just a great environment. It’s overall a very carefree and fun culture and there’s a great amount of support for the team, which is great to see,” said Kaylyn Lee, freshman psychology major.
BY DARIA GROSS AND KAYLE HAGE
‘‘My favorite NSU sport is basketball, primarily because they are one of the most successful teams on campus. I think that it’s a pretty entertaining sport and I really like attending the events because it helps me get to know the team more,” said Santiago Arango, sophomore business management major.
“My favorite NSU sport would have to be the men’s basketball team. I say that because it is awesome to be part of a community as one of the best DII championship-winning teams in South Florida. They have had a number of wins, which is also super cool to be part of a community with a team with such talent. As a basketball player myself, it’s really cool to see such a great team represent the sport so well,’’ said Jared Scott, senior applied professional studies major.
PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO
Marc Crocquet, vice president of business services, and Razor present the Starship Technologies Inc. robots.
Attendees enjoy Pi Day activities in front of the Parker Building
By Antonio Miguel Escorzorn
For the first time in NSU’s celebration of Pi Day, attendees formed a large human circle in front of the Parker Building on March 14. The Department of Mathematics co-hosted the event with the NSU Mathematics Club. In honor of Pi Day, attendees ate different kinds of pizzas and pies.
Jason Gershman, associate professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics, said Pi Day at NSU has been celebrated almost every year on March 14, since it represents 3.14, the first three digits of the math symbol pi.
“It’s been happening at NSU for about 15 years. [COVID-19] kind of slowed things down in March 2020, so we had a little hiccup there, but since then, we’ve been back in the last three years having full Pi Day events. It’s been very successful and a lot of fun,” Gershman said.
One of the attendees, Isha Swamy, senior computer science major and president of the NSU Mathematics Club, said it was fitting to host Pi Day in front of the Parker Building because the Department of Mathematics is located in the building.
Once many attendees arrived, Gershman gathered participants to the front of the building, giving them soft measuring tapes. The tapes were used to measure how big
their human circle was.
“So every year we do a fun activity and this year we tried to form a human circle to measure pi,” Gershman said.
Gershman said the dimensions of the circle’s circumference was 1,550 centimeters and the diameter was 500 centimeters. Dividing those two yields gets 3.1, which Gershman said was a pretty close measurement to 3.14.
Swamy said that the circle forming activity was cute. She was satisfied with the turn out of people who attended.
“Dr. Gershman came up with this fun activity and it was the first time it was done,” Swamy said.
Another attendee was Mashfiqur Rahman, sophomore math major. Rahman received a $25 gift card prize at the event after he participated in the Department of Mathematics’ most recent Matrix contest and correctly answered its two questions.
“[The Matrix] was a two-part question. Both very challenging, advanced mathematical parts,” Gershman said.
Abdelkrim Bourouihiya, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, helped provide the two questions, which are regularly posted in the department newsletter. Bourouihiya wants every NSU student, including alumni, to try the
PHOTO BY BRYCE JOHNSON
Matrix. He fashions the questions so they can be applied and understood by anyone.
“What we want about [the Matrix] is just to stimulate the curiosity of students and to make them understand that math is not only numbers and equations. So it has applications,” Bourouihiya said.
Rahman said he would like more students to participate in the Matrix and attempt to solve the problems.
“I want people to attempt to do it and see what happens, even if they do not get the correct answers,” Rahman said. “Attempting to solve problems is how I built up my mathematical ability.”
Swamy said Pi Day allows NSU students to get involved with the NSU Mathematics Club. Gershman said the event also attracted visitors from Shark Previews and hoped it made an impact on them.
“It was a fun event, great turnout. Again, being a Friday, [we got] students leaving class or coming to class in the Parker Building. So, [we] had a lot of foot traffic from classes. [We] had Shark Preview parents, Shark Preview students who are incoming sharks. Hopefully, the event impressed them as well,” Gershman said.
Virtual reality gives students experience being astronauts
By Bryce Johnson
Students in the HONR 2020MPacking for Mars course used virtual reality headsets on March 18 and 20 to simulate being in the International Space Station, a space museum and NASA Mission Control. They were also able to watch 360-degree videos.
Amanda Furiasse, professor of the Packing for Mars course and
assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Politics, said the course gives students an authentic astronaut experience.
“Students are effectively putting themselves in the role of an astronaut preparing to go to Mars, and undergoing the emotional, psychological, cultural training that they would need to go to Mars, and VR is a part of this,” Furiasse said.
The Learning and Educational
Center designed the VR simulations from NASA’s materials.
“When we were in our discussions with Dr. Furiasse, I looked at some of the resources that NASA provides. They provide all kinds of 3D models and images,” said Tim Hoeck, instructional designer with the Learning and Educational Center.
Walter Milner, instructional designer with the Learning and Educational Center, helped set up the VR headsets.
“In modern learning theory, we’re always trying to have what’s called experiential learning, which is to actually experience things rather than just read about them in a textbook,” Milner said.
Sativa James, freshman nursing major, said it helped her see things and not just hear about them, especially by letting her explore the ISS.
“It made me more invested in space. The VR, as a visual, makes you see there’s things out there that people don’t know. I’ve learned a lot,” James said.
Emma Pinard, senior environmental science major, explored the ISS and went through zero gravity.
“These hands-on experiences really bring light to everything we’ve been learning about. You can actually see it in time, which we wouldn’t
get to do without VR,” Pinard said. Montunique Van Staden, junior law major, said using the VR technology in class was helpful and gave her a new way of understanding what she’s learning in class.
“For classes like this where we talk about exploration, it costs a lot of money for the class to take a trip to the moon and stuff like that. Obviously this just gives students the perspectives to be able to look outside the box,” Van Staden said.
Adam Cohen, director of Instructional Design and Media Production with the Learning and Education Center, is open to working with more professors to implement VR technology in their classes.
“This was our first adventure, I like to say, in deploying VR content, not content that’s purchased. It’s customized by the faculty member,” Cohen said. “We have the ability to manipulate it, add our own custom information or logos.”
Lia George, sophomore biology major, hopes to see VR technology applied to a biology course.
“Even biology, you could go inside the cell or something like that. It’s a really good way to visualize and learn in a different way other than just memorizing. You can actually remember being there,” George said.
Students and faculty attempt to make a human circle to match the circumference and diameter of the pi digit.
PHOTO BY BRYCE JOHNSON
Montunique Van Staden, junior law major, uses virtual reality in the Packing for Mars course.
Games, rides and Shark spirit: Step right up to USGA’s Fins Festival
By Hannah Krebsbach
The Undergraduate Student Government Association will host its annual Fins Festival on April 4 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Bill Gessner Sports Complex. The event is only open to NSU students.
The Fins Festival takes place every winter semester. The event is free for students and will have carnival rides, games with prizes and a variety of food options like popcorn and cotton candy. Students can expect to see attractions, such as the zero-gravity ride and a sharkthemed bull machine ride, as well as fried OREO cookies and other foods.
Naitik Patel, junior computer science major and USGA external affairs director, oversees all events, including social media events.
“The Fins Festival is an annual event that is meant to be just a fun time for students to come together at the end of the year,” he said. Patel said, this is one of the most popular events on campus with more than 1,500 students in attendance last year.
The rides and food are courtesy of carnival company South Florida Events, hired by the USGA for the event.
“We got feedback from commuters that it was a little tricky for them, so we switched to Friday to try to get as many students to be able to attend as possible,” Patel said.
Ella Riddle, sophomore exceptional student education major, works as a Shark Preview leader and highlights this event to prospective students.
“This was one of the things that I remember from last year and the carnival rides and food were really good, so I always recommend it to my preview kids,” Riddle said.
The festival originally began as a means of encouraging student engagement during the winter semester, Patel said. It also serves as a final event before students graduate or leave for the summer.
Shireen Chimal, sophomore public health major, attended last years festival and plans to attend all future festivals as well.
“I had a great experience last year with all the rides and different activites. It was really fun. I think it was a great way to end the semester and a nice break from doing school,”
Chimal said.
USGA accepts student
Due to commuter feedback, USGA is hosting this year’s festival on Friday instead of Saturday like it was last year.
recommendations for the rides and games. For example, many students were unhappy with the zipline during the 2024 festival, so it has been removed for the 2025 festival. The rides and games may change year-to-year to reflect students’ interests.
“We get a lot of feedback from these events, and we want students to continue to attend the NSU events and get more engaged on campus,” Patel said.
USGA aims to encourage student engagement on campus.
“Sometimes it can be hard for students to feel engaged and welcome, so I think the festival kind of helps with that because it’s a fun event that students can come to and interact with others,” Patel said. There will be pre-waiver events, where students can fill out waivers in advance, in the Don Taft University Center on April 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and April 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will be able to fill out the consent waiver for the festival and then receive a wristband.
Angie K, Kevin Griffin and more to play at Tortuga Music Festival
By Bryce Johnson
Michelle Mair, graduate student in the Marine Science program, will be at this year’s Tortuga Music Festival for the NSU Coral Reef Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Lab. “This year we’re doing a Build the Reef mural, so we have a mural of the ocean and then kids can come up and paint different coral species and turtles, dolphins and stuff like that,” Mair said. “We also have a dice trivia game where they roll a big inflatable dice and then whatever number they land on, that’s how many trivia
questions they have to answer.”
Tortuga Music Festival is an annual event, featuring country and rock music, from April 4 to 6 at Fort Lauderdale Beach. The festival will have performances from musical artists like Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Marcus King and Luke Combs. It hosts more than 100,000 guests annually.
Angie Keilhauer, known professionally as Angie K, will perform on April 4 at 1:45 p.m. on the Main Stage. Angie K is a former contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” She is also one of the singers of “Happily
Ever After,” a song that plays at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort.
“My music relates to people in college because the music industry is very similar. It feels like every decision you make is everything. And there’s these people that are older than you telling you, you’re doing it wrong, or this is how you have to do it,” Angie K said. “These songs like ‘Death of Me’ or ‘Red Dirt on Mars,’ when you’re navigating these heavy feelings, I feel like it could really relate to somebody going through a lot.”
Kevin Griffin, along with Mark McGrath and Emerson Hart, will perform as part of the band Ezra Ray Hart on April 5 at 5 p.m. on the Sunset Stage. Griffin has previously written songs performed by artists like Taylor Swift, Blondie and Christina Perri. Griffin also co-founded Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in Tennessee, which has hosted artists like Jon Batiste and Justin Timberlake.
“I love seeing other bands perform live, because I always learn something that they do cool. Like, oh, that’s a cool thing to do on stage. That’s fun. Maybe we could do that,” Griffin said.
The CRRAM Lab is a part of Tortuga Music Festival’s Conservation Village. Groups and organizations, including the CRRAM Lab, Keep Florida Beautiful, the NSU Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation
Program, and the NSU Marine Environmental Education Center, will come and help guests learn about ocean conservation.
“I’m most looking forward to reaching out to the general public and just educating people about coral restoration, because it’s a huge issue and Florida’s coral reef is such a big part of our economy and our culture in this state, and for the whole country, honestly,” Mair said.
For more information about the CRRAM Lab, students can follow its Instagram account, @ nsu_crram_lab.
Tortuga Music Festival is open for all ages. Tickets are available for purchase at https://tortugamusicfestival.com/passes/.
“Get out to Tortuga Festival this year. If you don’t have tickets yet, grab them. Come see Ezra Ray Hart. It’s songs that you know, it’s fun, it’s silly,” Griffin said.
For more information:
Scan the QR code for tickets to the Tortuga Music Festival
PHOTO BY JAROD JOHNSON
Attendees ride an attraction at Fins Festival 2024.
COURTESY OF ANGIE K
Angie K will perform at Tortuga Music Festival on April 4 at 1:45 p.m. on the Main Stage.
Breaking up with fast fashion: How NSU students shop sustainably
By Alexandria Munroe
Taliah de Miranda, senior psychology major, said fast fashion brands like Shein can be an accessible option for students.
“A lot of their stuff is $5 for a whole dress,” de Miranda said. “You’re not going to find that anywhere else.”
According to a 2023 report by BBC, more than 100 billion items of clothing are produced globally every year.
Some students, like Jaquez Moorer, freshman marine biology major, find that buying fast fashion comes with hidden costs.
“I, personally, don’t buy from Shein,” Moorer said. “When I bought something from Shein, it ripped really easily.”
Fast fashion items aren’t made to last, so they often fall apart quickly, which can lead to discarded pieces and more purchases.
14.5 million tons of waste in the United States come from textiles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With popular brands increasing prices and fast fashion quickly ending up in landfills, some students are seeking more sustainable alternatives – even on a tight budget.
Thrifting, or secondhand shopping, is one way that students are lowering their fast fashion footprint.
“I like [thrifting] because it’s usually a lot cheaper than buying something new that’s overpriced,” Moorer said.
Students can also donate clothing
they no longer use to places like Goodwill or THRFT, an on-campus secondhand store started through the Huizenga Business Innovation Academy, keeping pre-existing textiles in circulation and out of landfills.
Clothing swaps offer another sustainable option for students who want to refresh their wardrobe without adding to textile waste. These events allow participants to exchange gently used clothing for free, giving unwanted pieces a second life.
“You can always get clothing from a sibling or a cousin or anyone you know who doesn’t wear some of their clothing anymore,” said Lauren Solovey, senior biology major and president of the Green Sharks
Sustainability Club. “I’ve personally borrowed so much clothing from my friends and it’s a really great way to save money and be sustainable.”
The Green Sharks Sustainability Club has also hosted clothing swaps and thrifting events to encourage more eco-friendly fashion habits.
“Our goal is to help make the campus environment more sustainable, so that partaking in sustainable practices is more convenient than not,” Solovey said. “You have to think twice about your actions. Think about how that purchase affects not only the money you’re paying, but the environment and the world around us.”
Night Market offers something to sink your teeth into
By Luqman Gbenro
For six days out of the week, the Pembroke Lakes Mall overflow parking lot is a vacant extension of the surrounding parking area. But on Thursdays, from 4 to 9 p.m., food trucks pull in to these ancillary parking spaces and transform them into The Night Market at Pembroke Lakes Mall, Pembroke Pines’ hub of culture and community.
“It’s really fun. We are a very tightknit group. Someone seems to know everybody, and we always help each other. It’s a really good community,” Ronald Ramsden, co-owner of the If And When Eats food truck, said.
Oxtail quesadillas, jerk salmon and curry chickpeas are a few staples on the If And When Eats menu. Ramsden and his co-owners, Robert Blackwood and Jonathan Cifuentes, create modern takes on dishes they grew up with—a trend shared by many other establishments at the night market.
“My grandma in Puerto Rico always did everything from scratch. And I was always looking at everything she was doing, and that’s what I’m doing right now,” Denise Benique, owner of Puertorican Dream Cakes, said.
With more than seven years of home-baking experience under her belt, Benique has crafted a menu featuring personal favorites like almond cake and popular choices like her cheese pastries and doughnuts. The Night Market is Benique’s opportunity to spread her connection with home through confection. “It’s history, it’s memories — it’s more than a job. When people come here and they see what they’ve known since [they were] little, they say, ‘Oh my God, it’s been more than 10 or 20 years [since I’ve] seen this,’” Benique said. “They don’t
need to go to Puerto Rico [to] have that [because] every piece of what they eat brings back a memory.”
The Night Market has a variety of choices. People from all walks of life and levels of skill unite under a canopy of fairy lights to cook from their hearts.
“We’re a Dominican Puerto Rican food truck, and there’s a lot of different trucks you can try. You can go from Haitians to Jamaicans and [then] jump to Greeks, Americans, and even try Jamaican BBQ. We have a little bit of everything,” Guillermo Vasquez, co-owner of Fye Stars, said.
Vasquez runs his food truck with his wife, Gabriella. Initially, he wanted to impress her with dishes from his home, but the local Dominican options didn’t meet his standards, so he decided to make them himself.
“When I met my wife, I tried to seduce her with Dominican food, and [we] went to a lot of restaurants, and [they] were cooking just to make money,” Vasquez said. “They weren’t showing love to the food, and it was a bad representation of my country. So I started cooking so she’d see the difference, and that’s when we [said], ‘You know what? I can cook.’”
Vasquez’s pride in his heritage and family is the reason why the burger buns, the vegetables, and everything in between are fresh to order. Family is important to many of the other mom-and-pop shops at The Night Market.
“When you think barbecue, you think family, and one of [our truck’s] goals was to bring us closer together. There’s something about barbecue. You got all your sides, all your fixings, and most importantly, you got family. Everyone’s together,” Mike Merrit, who co-owns Indulge in
BBQ with his son, Chris, said.
While the Merrits show their love by keeping family close, the folks at Lo’s Doughs are spreading the love and expanding the family through the fans of their doughnuts.
“We’ve coined our loyal followers our dough-lovers, and [they] are our family; we treat them as such. We’ve seen our dough-lovers go from having baby showers [to] now having first, second, and third birthdays. We’ve matriculated with them through life experiences,” Kiah Jones, co-owner of Lo’s Doughs, said.
Jones’ parents also operate the mobile doughnut company with the help of friends and other family members. Cooking is an expression of love for Jones, and being able to work with The Night Market is
another means of showing that love to her community.
“We’ve always loved and enjoyed food in our community, [and] in the Black community -- that’s how we show love,” Jones said. “We hope that when people come, they feel love and take that with them.”
For more information:
Address: 11401 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Visit: @floridafreshmarkets on Instagram
Hours: Thursday 4 - 9 p.m.
PHOTO BY LUQMAN GBENRO
Guillermo Vasquez, co-owner of Fye Stars, presents his menu options to customers.
ADHD diagnoses on the rise for women
By Sneha Subhash
A 2023 study from Epic Research found the percentage of young women diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder doubled from 2020 to 2022.
This shift is partly due to changes in how ADHD is diagnosed and recognized, as well as a growing awareness of how it can present differently in various demographic groups.
David Reitman, associate professor in the College of Psychology, is also the director of the ADHD Assessment Consultation and Treatment Program. Reitman has a B.A. in psychology and political science from Emory University and a M.A. and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Mississippi. He has dedicated his career to studying ADHD and its effects on individuals.
“One of the most significant reasons for the increase in ADHD diagnoses among adults is the revision of diagnostic criteria in the [The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders],” he said.
DSM-5 guides how mental health conditions are diagnosed.
“Among the most important changes in this regard were the reduction of the number of symptoms, from six to nine, to five of nine, (for individuals 17 years and older) as well as raising the age of first onset of symptoms from age 7 to age 12,” Reitman said.
Reitman said that during childhood, three boys are diagnosed with
ADHD for one girl on average. The number is more evenly distributed in adulthood.
Reitman said that women are more often diagnosed with the inattentive (non-hyperactive/impulsive) type of ADHD, which can be subtler and harder to identify.
He added that due to majority of child and adolescent ADHD evaluations being recommended by teachers in a classroom setting, children with an inattentive variant of ADHD are more likely to be overlooked.
“Children presenting with overt behavioral problems characteristic of the Hyperactive-Impulsive type are far more likely to cause classroom disruption or experience social problems,” Reitman said.
This lack of recognition during childhood often leads to ADHD being underdiagnosed in women.
Many people mistakenly believe that ADHD symptoms disappear with age or that adults grow out of it. Reitman said that this is a common misconception.
“In some cases, adults are able to manage their symptoms more effectively because they have more control over their environment, such as their work or personal life. But, this doesn’t mean the symptoms vanish,” he said. “Rather, adults with ADHD often adapt by choosing careers or lifestyles that suit their needs better.”
However, the challenges of ADHD do not simply disappear.
“Inattention, forgetfulness and difficulties with organization can
still pose significant challenges for adults, especially in demanding environments like college or the workplace,” Reitman said.
For college students, ADHD can have a significant impact on both academic performance and daily life.
“I think ADHD can make it way harder to keep up with everything, especially with the workload here. Deadlines can feel like they’re coming out of nowhere at times,”
Vanessa Miro, sophomore health and wellness coaching major said.
“With ADHD-PI [predominately inattentive], the problems will manifest as difficulties with completing work, forgetfulness, missing deadlines, or a tendency to work less efficiently—taking far longer to complete tasks than their peers. Poor work quality might also be observed due to a failure to pay attention to important details,” Reitman said.
These challenges can make managing coursework and maintaining good grades particularly difficult for students with ADHD.
For students diagnosed with ADHD, managing symptoms effectively is crucial for academic success and personal well-being.
“It’s interesting to see how ADHD affects focus and deadlines for some students. It makes me realize that factors like stress and lack of sleep can make these challenges even harder to manage,” Maya Sanchez, sophomore biology major, said. Reitman emphasizes a combination of medication and psychosocial
treatments.
“Medications like stimulants can be effective when used correctly, but they should be managed by a qualified healthcare professional,” he said.
In addition to medication, non-pharmacological treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and organizational skills training, can provide significant benefits.
“It’s important for students to build structured routines that foster productivity, and they should also focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle—getting enough sleep, eating well and managing stress,” Reitman said.
Reitman also cautions against viewing ADHD as the cause of all personal struggles.
“ADHD should be seen as a condition that legitimizes the struggles a person may face, rather than the cause of all their problems. It helps people understand their challenges and access professional support,” Reitman said.
For more information:
If students suspect they might have ADHD or are struggling with symptoms, they can contact a mental health professional or the NSU Center for Student Counseling and Well-Being, at (954) 4246911, for counseling services for support and evaluation.
Increased number of food recalls in the United States
By Madison Kasper
The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a series of food recalls, including Stouffer’s frozen meals on March 18, Savage Pet cat food on March 15 and Wangzhihe hot pot sauce on March 11. The FDA warns consumers about potential health risks from contaminated products and advises them to check labels for affected items. As a part of Mako Media Health Update, Aarti Raja, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, discussed the increase in food recalls.
Q: We’ve been hearing that this year is the highest food recall since 2019. Why is that?
A: In reality, the numbers may seem that way, where we’re seeing a lot of food recalls especially in 2023 and 2024. But if you look at the overall numbers, we’re not that far off from pre-COVID days. There are a couple of reasons, why we may be seeing increased food recalls. One of the things could be we are consuming more food that’s coming from lots of different places. We’re importing a lot of food. The second thing is we’re also consuming a lot more processed food. In general, these are some of the reasons why they think there may be an increased food recall. And the biggest of them all is we’ve probably gotten a lot better at screening and tracing food recalls with better technology. So, with that, we’re probably
catching more of the things that we may never have caught before.
Q: What symptoms should someone look for if they think that they’ve eaten a food that’s been recalled?
A: The classic symptoms, if you end up consuming food that you think may have been contaminated in some form, would be abdominal cramps. You may get nausea, vomiting and maybe diarrhea as well. Any of these symptoms could be an indication that maybe you ate something that was contaminated.
Q: What is the most common health risk that’s associated with food recalls?
A: For a normal, healthy individual, if you end up consuming a food that has been recalled, you probably
will have some kind of gastrointestinal trouble that is usually mild. The problem is more in people who are immunocompromised, either young children or people who have some other condition or disease, the complications can be greater. Sometimes the unfortunate and harsh complication and could end up being death.
Q: What steps should someone take to prevent these health risks?
A: Keep your hands clean, keep the area where you keep your food clean. And for the most part, cook your food before you consume it.
Q: How effective is the food recall system in reality?
A: In the United States it’s very effective. They do a very good job of monitoring, the agencies that are
out there do a good job of monitoring our food, catching things that may be problematic, and reporting things that may be problematic. So, to be fair, our food is actually quite safe to consume. Yes, we may be seeing increased numbers, but I see it as I think the system is working. Then, they’re doing what they’re supposed to do.
Q: Any last thoughts?
A: It is important to pay attention to what the reason is behind the recall. While foodborne illnesses and microorganisms are one of the reasons why food gets recalled, it’s not always the only reason. Paying attention to that also matters.
Shark Talent presents Starstruck
By Hannah Krebsbach
NSU’s Shark Talent program is hosting the biannual Shark Talent Showcase event on March 28 in the Don Taft University Center, showcasing students’ talents in both performing and visual arts. This semester’s event is called Starstruck
The visual arts portion will take place in the Black Box Theatre at 6 p.m., while the performing arts will be in the Performance Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Both the visual and performing arts showcases will exhibit pieces submitted by students. This includes acting, dancing, singing, paintings, drawings and more.
Shark Talent is one of the Hochberg-Miniaci Razor’s Edge programs along with Razor’s Edge Global, Razor’s Edge Leadership and Razor’s Edge Research. Shark Talent offers scholarships to students studying in the performing or visual arts programs at NSU. It also hosts various events on campus, such as the Starstruck showcase, to increase community involvement with the arts.
Olivia Knerr, junior double major
in dance and sports and exercise science and reporter for Mako TV, serves as chair of the performance committee, alongside her vice chair, Kyra Triepke, junior human nutrition major and editor for Mako TV.
Knerr said their roles include running audition checkpoints, selecting students to participate, selecting the theme, and putting the show together before passing the baton to the stage manager on show night.
“When it comes to show day, the stage manager takes over and we get to just sit back and see everything roll out,” Knerr said.
This event showcases the talents of the students in the arts programs, as well as anyone interested in performing or visual arts.
“Even if students are not involved with the arts at NSU, they may have participated in them in high school or growing up and just love it. This event makes it so they can still get to be involved with the arts in college even if it has nothing to do with their future career,” Triepke said.
Shark Talent hosts this event once each semester, so students of all years and majors can show off their skills, even if they are not involved
with Shark Talent.
“This show started as a way for us to all collectively show our talents in one big show. Theater, dance and art all have their own shows, so this is just one big show where we can all work together,” Triepke said.
Music will also be a featured part of the production.
This upcoming showcase will be in collaboration with both the student businesses as well as the Shark Pantry. Knerr said this is the first time the show has collaborated with the Shark Pantry. Students will be encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the showcase as donations to the pantry. The businesses, including Melt-U and La Creperia, will also be selling food before the event.
“The president of Shark Talent really wanted to bring together the other organizations to get our name out there. The collaboration also brings together the business side with the arts which you don’t get to see very often,” Triepke said.
All students are encouraged to attend and engage with both the Shark Pantry, as well as the participating student businesses.
“What we are doing is truly just trying to entertain and get people to know about the arts. So, students should come so that we can continue to spread the love and passion for the arts that these performers have,” Knerr said.
Student’s solo choreography selected for national conference
By Bryce Johnson and Brielle Aguayo
Justin Tran, junior marketing major, first started dancing during his freshman year of high school.
“I just loved it. I loved how physically and also mentally challenging it was. It is very physical, but it’s also creatively taxing,” Tran said. “I personally love choreographing more than I love dancing itself.”
Last year, Tran performed his solo choreography piece, “Compliance is Key,” in NSU’s DanceWorks 2024.
Elana Lanczi, associate professor and program director for dance, said
Tran continued working on it since then.
Tran performed “Compliance is Key” at the American College Dance Association Southeast Conference in early March. It was then selected for the 2025 ACDA National College Dance Festival in May, representing NSU and the Southeast region.
“I think Justin has a natural talent as a choreographer and as a dancer, and I always tell him that, so it’s not the first time he’s hearing it. He really has a natural ability,” Lanczi said. “The piece has pretty much stayed the same, but as he’s rehearsed it and as he’s continued
to perform it, he’s found different things in terms of emotion or different timing in there to help reinforce the message that he’s trying to get across.”
Tran said the inspiration behind the piece was the feeling of having to comply with society’s expectations.
“There’s this narrative that you need to comply with whatever someone else tells you to be essentially. So that’s why I stuck with it so much and that’s why I thought I should really go at it,” Tran said.
Kilee Morgan, junior management major, first met Tran when they were both freshmen. Morgan appreciates being able to work with Tran and watch him grow.
“I am so beyond proud of Justin and the work he has created. He is such a talented dancer and choreographer. He creates a story through movement that makes an impact on those who watch,” Morgan said.
Kyra Triepke, junior human nutrition major and editor for Mako TV, enjoys working with Tran and listening to his feedback. Triepke said Tran’s “Compliance is Key” dance is moving.
“It almost brings you to tears. Watching it, I get chills because you can really see his story come to life,” Triepke said. “Every time he performs it, especially this past time at ACDA, everybody was like, ‘Oh my God. That piece brought me so much emotion, so much feeling,’ and you can really tell that he put a lot of work into that.”
Lanczi said Tran’s piece being selected gives the dance program
more recognition and visibility.
“I talked to one of the adjudicators after the conference and he said, ‘If we didn’t know where Nova was before or what Nova was before, we know now.’ So it helps really to bring visibility, not only to the program, but to the university as a whole,” Lanczi said.
For students who are interested in dancing or choreography, Tran encourages them to take advantage of any opportunities they come across.
“If you have an opportunity to dance, I’d say take it. Here, there’s a bunch of shows you could audition for. You don’t have to be the best dancer. We have a lot of beginner dancers in our upcoming show, the Student Choreography Showcase. I am really happy to see that there’s so many new faces,” Tran said.
COURTESY OF ALONZO WILLIAMS Dance students attend the American College Dance Association conference from March 6 to 10.
COURTESY OF MORGAN SOPHIA PHOTOGRAPHY
Justin Tran, junior marketing major, performs his solo “Compliance is Key.”
DCMA’s technical theatre director and artist guides students
By Brielle Aguayo
Jennifer Lopez, counselor at the NSU Center for Student Counseling Services and Well-Being, remembers when her husband, Pablo Antonio Alvarez, who is also known as Tony, technical theatre director and adjunct professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, gave away the belt he was wearing to a homeless person.
“If you see Tony from the outside, he may seem a little scary, very manly, because his voice is very deep and the way he presents himself. But deep down inside, he’s like a really soft teddy bear,” Lopez said.
Alvarez first stepped into the ceramic workshop at NSU in 2021.
Kandy Lopez, associate professor in DCMA, brought Alvarez to the Don Taft University Center because he was going to teach drawing.
“Then, she took me to the ceramic shop and she told me this is not even being used because we need
someone to teach,” Alvarez said. “I was like, ‘I do ceramics and pottery all the time. I would love to do this.’
That’s where everything started for me.”
Alvarez teaches all things that are three-dimensional, such as sculpture, ceramics and pottery. He also builds theater sets and advises students in the scene shop.
Alvarez taught Fidel Perez, senior double major in communication and sociology, in Ceramics I and II. Now, Alvarez is working on a public sculpture to create 64 ceramic pots outside the Mailman-Hollywood Building, alongside Perez and Sofia Dakkuri.
“The idea started through Pablo, and I was just really excited because I’ve never had the opportunity to do art. I never had a lot of access to the art world. So him sharing the opportunity with us, it was a good opportunity to exercise these things that I love doing,” Perez said. Reagan Singer, junior elementary
education major, worked with Alvarez on From Page to Stage in 2024. Singer remembers when Alvarez painted a book on a wall for the production.
“Tony painted the book part of it, and it was beautiful. It was great, and he stayed there until 3 in the morning and did it,” Singer said. “He’s really great with working with us. We’re not children, but young adults. I think that he does it very well.”
Alvarez said making art has empowered him and helped him realize his own potential. Art made him think of himself in a positive light.
“It’s thinking of myself in a really negative way to realizing I could also do beautiful things like [other artists] do. I grew calluses on my fingers when I was 20 or so because I realized I could do this thing, and I would do it all the time. I became obsessed with it,” Alvarez said.
Carey Courson, administrative coordinator for DCMA, helped Alvarez when he first started working at NSU.
“Right away, I was impressed with his kind nature. He just seems to have a great spirit,” Courson said. “He has an eagerness to learn, and he is just a positive person. His energy is just contagious. There’s nothing that he won’t try.”
Before NSU, Alvarez earned a BFA from New World School of the Arts in Miami and an MFA from California College of the Arts in San Francisco.
“I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I did pottery and ceramics as a class, and I became obsessed with it. I had never thought of myself as someone that could make something beautiful, and ceramics allowed me to do that,” Alvarez said.
Jennifer Lopez met him while he was finishing his master’s in San
Francisco.
“I decided to basically leave San Francisco, because that was my home, and move across the country with him,” Lopez said. “I gave love a chance and moved to Florida.”
Other than Alvarez being passionate about art, he also loves spending quality time with his family. Lopez likes seeing their 5-year-old daughter Emma draw with Alvarez.
“She’s so proud of the things she creates. She goes and she shows her dad like, ‘look what I created,’” Lopez said.
Alvarez said he loves teaching and being able to personally connect with students.
“A lot of people think of teaching as you’re inputting for the student, but it’s really to withdraw from the student. Teaching is really that. It’s bringing out what the student can do,” Alvarez said. “I really love that moment where they have struggled so much and then they achieve this. It’s like this joy I feel, this happiness that I really don’t feel with anything else.”
Bryce Johnson contributed to this report.
Music students and faculty perform Fauré and Friends at NSU
By Bryce Johnson
Bill Adams, music and theatre program director in the Department of Communicaiton, Media, and the Arts, and Jihong Adams-Park, associate lecturer in DCMA, performed Fauré and Friends on March 19 in the Adolfo and Marisela Cotilla Gallery.
Adams sang “Rêve d’amour,” “Clair de lune” and “Mandoline” in French, while Adams-Park accompanied him on the piano. Adams enjoyed performing with his husband, Adams-Park.
“It’s romantic, French mélodie. I’ve always loved that music and have sung a lot of it in my life, and I have a great pianist who happens to be my husband, so we can practice and argue at home while working on music,” Adams said.
Adams-Park, who also performed
on the piano “Duo des fleurs,” “Etude Op. 10, No. 1,” and “Somewhere” and “America” from “West Side Story,” liked seeing the audience.
“Seeing the audience react to the sound really inspires me,” AdamsPark said.
Carlo Ricchi, adjunct faculty in DCMA, played “La cathédrale engloutie” on the piano. Carmela Cinnante, senior music major, and Samyuktha Chaganti, sophomore speech language and communication disorders major, sang “Duo des fleurs” with Adams-Park. Chaganti and Teresa Arroyo, sophomore marine biology major, sang “Barcarolle.”
“It was fun to learn songs together that I think were somewhat of a challenge for all of us but gave us something to hone our skills with as well,” Cinnante said.
COURTESY OF PABLO ANTONIO ALVAREZ
Pablo Antonio Alvarez, technical theatre director and adjunct professor, works on his art piece titled “I Cancel All Bad Thoughts in the Name of God.”
PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO
(From left) Jihong Adams-Park, associate lecturer, performs alongside Carmela Cinnante, senior music major, and Samyuktha Chaganti, sophomore speech language and communication disorders major, at Fauré and Friends.
COURTESY OF PABLO ANTONIO ALVAREZ
Pablo Antonio Alvarez, technical theatre director and adjunct professor, draws with pen and ink on a 12-by-8 paper.
Za the Band: A look into the Jersey Shore music scene
From legendary musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and even Whitney Houston, to the underground artists shaping today’s sound, what’s often overlooked is the effortlessly booming live music scene on the Jersey Shore. From Asbury Park down to Seaside Heights, punk rock, indie and alternative bands are constantly emerging, taking advantage of the revolving door of opportunities to showcase its talents. One band in particular has made a name for itself down the Jersey Shore: Za the Band. Made up of four members, Za the Band brings a dynamic and eclectic energy to the Jersey Shore music scene. This jam band lineup includes Danny Niederhauser on drums, Will LaCasse on guitar, Danny Barker on guitar with Kyle McLaughlin on bass and trumpet. Each member contributes to the vocals, creating a dimensional sound.
From the live trumpet solos to the nostalgic feel of its music, its ability to blend instruments and lyricism gives its sound a unique edge that sets them apart from other rising acts in the area. Performing at smaller venues such as Wonder Bar, The Break and Wild Air Beerworks, all in Asbury Park, to larger venues like Rockwood Music Hall, The Strand Theatre and the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, it has created a reputation for immersive live shows.
The band first started performing at The Sawmill, just off Seaside Park Boardwalk, where it built relationships with venue managers and gained frequent opportunities to play live. Those early performances helped the band create its stage presence and develop its signature sound.
“It’s kind of cool that the relationship has really flourished and they’ve given us a lot of creative freedom
lately to kind of do what we want,” Barker said.
Its songwriting process is ever-evolving, with no single formula guiding its creativity. Niederhauser said that ideas can emerge in various ways, but the real magic happens when the band collaborates to shape and refine them together.
“It’s really unique each time,” Niederhauser said. “Once that idea or thought kind of enters the room, we all kind of get to modify it and shape it together. Our creative process has never been more than one. I think every song we’ve ever written was created in a different way.”
The band’s latest single “Whose to Say,” released March 15, is an example of its ability to blend intricate instrumentation with introspective lyricism. The track showcases its signature mix of jam-inspired improvisation, layered melodies and
The Chart Buzz
The NACC Chart highlights the most popular and up-and-coming artists gaining momentum on college and community radio stations across North America, offering a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-evolving tastes of college students and young adults who value authentic and innovative sounds. This past week’s list features a blend of new and emerging artists, each pushing musical boundaries with experimental genres, deep themes and thought-provoking lyrics. From Gothic New Wave to lo-fi post-punk or soulful experimentalism, these albums represent a diverse range of sounds that are resonating with listeners today.
1. Saya Gray - SAYA
At No. 1 on the NACC Chart, Saya Gray and her newest album SAYA, makes its mark on the music industry with her unconventional approach to production and lyricism. This Japanese-Canadian artist is best known for her collaborations with artists like Willow Smith and Daniel Caesar, but it’s her solo work that truly showcases her unique and genre-defying style. Released on Feb. 21, “SAYA” simultaneously blends electronic elements with
soulful R&B-like melodies, producing an album that is innovative and deeply emotive. Touching on the complexities of modern relationships, with tracks like “10 WAYS ( TO LOSE A CROWN )” and “CATS CRADLE!,” she navigates themes of love, longing and self-reflection with an experimental edge.
2. Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart
Led by Jessica Dobson, Deep Sea Diver and its fourth studio album “Billboard Heart,” emerged from a period of creative struggle in the recording studio. As many of the album’s lyrics reveal, the band faced a standstill, feeling uninspired and creatively stuck. However, Dobson and the band found their way out of this rut by returning to their artistic roots, revisiting previously written songs and letting go of the fear that the music industry often creates in artists. From the lead track “Billboard Heart,” to “Always Waving Goodbye,” the lyricism in the indie pop tracks touch upon the journey of creative struggles and renewal, with powerful guitar riffs and layered harmonies that create emotional soundscapes.
3. Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory - Self-Titled
With Sharon Van Etten’s departure from her solo career, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory released its self-titled album on Feb. 7, and is guided by Sharon Van Etten, Devra Hoff, Kristina “Teeny” Lieberson and Jorge Balbi. If you’re familiar with bands such as The Cure or New Order, Etten and her band embrace a similar post-punk sound, characterized by distinct sonic textures and driving basslines woven throughout the tracks. The album explores themes of mortality, parenthood and the complexities of life and relationships, offering a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant listening experience. With “Afterlife” and “Idiot Box” being stand out tracks, they exemplify the band’s ability to balance haunting lyricism with dynamic instrumentation.
4. Squid - Cowards
Squid, an alternative, post-punk rock band originating from the UK, showcases a unique view of society and an exploration of dark subjects with its newest album “Cowards.” Lyrically, it created an album that portrays a grim dystopia, touching
dynamic shifts in energy. Combining smooth jazz-influenced rhythms with bursts of rock-driven intensity, the song highlights its ability to blur genre lines while maintaining a cohesive and expressive sound.
Za the Band’s fluid and collaborative songwriting process reflects the ever-evolving and diverse nature of the New Jersey music scene. With no rigid formula guiding its creativity, the band embodies the spontaneity and raw energy that define the local music culture.
From legendary artists of the past to today’s rising stars like 070 Shake, My Chemical Romance and Söūp, Za the Band continues to stand out as an innovative and down-to-earth group. Its sound blends nostalgia with fresh, forward-thinking musicianship, capturing both the essence of classic jam bands and the authenticity of the Jersey Shore music scene.
on cannibalism and societal fascinations with true crime. Musically, the production of the album is groovy, with layered harmonies reaching into both a jazzy and electronic sound that leaves listeners a little unsettled yet entranced. Squid’s ability to blend post-punk urgency with jazz-inspired rhythms and electronic textures makes “Cowards” a compelling listen.
5. Horsegirl - Phonetics On And On
Coming down to the No. 5 spot on the NACC Chart, Horsegirl, an indie band from Chicago, is composed of singer-guitarists Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein, along with drummer Gigi Reece. Its second studio album, “Phonetics On and On,” follows its 2022 record “Versions of Modern Performance” and showcases the band’s growth in both sound and songwriting. Producing interesting sounds and toying with different musical compositions, this indie group has heavy influence from underground bands and creates a very unique and consistent sound. Listeners who enjoy bands such as Modest Mouse or Cavetown may find this release particularly engaging.
WOMEN’S SWIM
“It was said to me at the meet by one of the coaches, he walked up before the last session started. And he goes, ‘congratulations.’ And I’m like, ‘what are you talking about? This thing’s not over? Don’t tell me
that.’ And he goes, ‘did you see those girls today? They care way too much about this,’” Hewitt said.
The team’s ability to consistently come together and perform under pressure for the past three seasons
embodies Hewitt’s roster-building strategy.
“It really just comes down ultimately to how we’ve been able to put the right kind of person in the roster that understands the team. This is a team that has grit and desire and hunger, which a lot of the time can outweigh the talent that another team can have,” Hewitt said.
Having experienced the team’s dynamic firsthand as a freshman and national champion in the 200 and 800 Freestyle Relay, Kristina Orban validates the team’s consistent success.
“It’s definitely the team dynamic and the willpower of the team and the unity. This whole year, and I’m certain this energy was the same as the last three years, we focused so much on having fun and not taking it too seriously,” Orban said.
Hewitt explained that the team environment, which Orban highlights, provides unique opportunities for athletes like her and
Ronningdal, particularly those from Europe.
“These are opportunities for Emilia and Kristina, and a lot of the other Europeans, since they don’t have college sports.They don’t really have high school sports, so sometimes when you bring them in here and you put that team environment in front of them, they just blossom,” Hewitt said.
With now three championships under their belt, Hewitt outlines his forward-looking approach for next year, focusing on building a new team without pressure.
“We are trying to do this in the most present way possible, and come next year, there will be a new group. We’ll recruit some new swimmers and that group is just going to have to build and buy into the core principles, then we’re going to teach them and get them in the right shape so that they’re swimming fast at the right time of the year,” Hewitt said.
Former baseball assistant named interim director of athletics
By Isabella Fernandez De Cueto
Ryan Romero, who was appointed interim director of athletics in February, has always been around sports, having played basketball and baseball and practicing martial arts in his youth.
“For a lot of kids that grow up playing a sport your whole life, all of a sudden you’re not playing anymore and trying to figure out where to go from there. From my experience, it’s not so much missing the sport itself, it’s missing what we call the ‘hang’ in baseball, missing all the guys and being together,” Romero said. “So, once I finished playing, the best way to get into that was to start coaching.”
Romero, a Broward County local, has been a part of NSU Athletics for 24 years. He began as a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s baseball team in 2001, working alongside Michael Mominey, then head coach and former NSU director of athletics.
“When Michael Mominey became the athletic director, it created opportunities for me to grow into the next role as he was growing because while he was coaching, he was also the director, so he was split in time and I had to take up a lot of responsibilities to keep everything moving,” Romero said.
Romero was part of the baseball staff for 14 seasons, where he achieved nine consecutive 30+ win seasons and helped the Sharks to consecutive NCAA Championship Tournament appearances. During this time, Romero also served as the athletic equipment manager from 2009-2014. Romero transitioned to administration in 2017, serving as the associate athletic director for Athletic Facilities and External
Operations until 2023.
“He’s been my boss ever since I got here. He’s taught me everything that I do now and he really paved the way for me. He’s always been on my side with anything that I need,” said Tommy Barberi, athletic operations and event manager. “He really sets a standard for everyone of what we should look like and what we’re striving for.”
He subsequently had a brief stint as the associate athletic director for athletic operations before his promotion to interim director of athletics in February 2025.
“This is a great opportunity Dr. Moon gave me, and I’m looking at it as a great experience to grow. I think our department is moving in the right direction, and I hope we continue to grow that way,” Romero said. “I want to continue to grow and see how I can help move us forward.”
Having held several different positions within NSU Athletics for almost two decades, Romero has a one-of-akind perspective that will help him in his new role.
“My experiences are unique to Nova Southeastern. I’ve been here so long that I remember when we didn’t have any of the things we have, so I appreciate the things we have more. When I started here, there was no pool or gym, we didn’t have anything. We had a baseball field, a softball field, and the library was just getting built. I think this makes me uniquely qualified because I’ve seen where we were, I see where we are now, and I still think we’re the best-kept secret in NCAA Division II,” Romero said.
Robert Barionel, assistant athletic director of athletic external affairs, also believes Romero’s years of experience with NSU Athletics will help
BY MADISON KASPER
him be successful in his new position.
“Very few people have been a part of this department as long as Ryan has. He’s seen generations of student-athletes come through these doors, and each of them have been impacted in some shape or form by the area that Ryan and his team have overseen,” Barionel said. “He’s seen a lot and I believe his background as a coach and an administrator make him a great fit for the future of NSU Athletics.”
Romero is looking forward to expanding and growing NSU athletics, specifically through new sports and facilities.
“We’re in a great place because we can start to add sports, I’m doing a lot of learning about lacrosse, so
we’re growing to new sports and branching out to new things. We also have some opportunities to add and upgrade some facilities, which is great and something we’ve been trying to do for years,” Romero said. Romero is confident and excited about what is to come for NSU sports and the Department of Athletics. “In five years, I feel like we’re at least a household name at the Division II level,” Romero said.
For more information:
To keep up with NSU Athletics, follow them on Instagram and X @nsusharks.
PHOTO
Ryan Romero, interim director of athletics, cuts a piece of the net as a part of the celebration after the men’s basketball team won the NCAA South Region Championship game on March 18.
COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
Women’s swim team dives into the water during the national championship.
Sharks excel in first home meet at NSU since 2022
By Eric Tovin
The NSU men’s and women’s track and field teams had their first home meet since 2022, during the NSU Shark Invite on Feb 28. Robert Baroniel, assistant athletic director of athletic external affairs, said that scheduling would not allow NSU Athletics to host one for the past three years.
Jonathan Carter, head cross country/track & field coach, was excited for the teams to compete at home in front of NSU staff and students.
“When you actually get an opportunity to see [the meet] happen live and in-person, it does wonders for
not only the student-athletes, but for the staff and the fans that were there watching it,” Carter said. “They can really see how energetic the student-athletes were about it and how committed they are to representing the NSU track team.”
With three meets remaining in the 2025 season until the NCAA Divison II Outdoor Championships from May 22-24, the Shark Invite established momentum for success as both teams accumulated 25 total top five finishes. The women’s team was led by record-breaking performances from Jillian Thorning, sophomore biology major, as she broke the school record in the 800M and 1500M events with final times of 2:14.75 (800M) and 4:31.80 (1500M).
“I definitely surprised myself at this point in the season with the times I ran. I wasn’t really expecting to have the speed yet, so I’m kind of excited for the rest of the season,” Thorning said. “I think that there’s more to come from me and my teammates as well.”
Thorning attributed her performance to the energy of competing at home and the support of her teammates.
“I’m proud of my teammates and it was really cool to do it at our home meet,” Thorning said. “I’m happy with all the support I’ve gotten and I’m excited to see where the rest of the season goes.”
Phillip DiMarco, freshman exercise sports science major, who led the men’s team by earning top-two
individual finishes in the 400M and 200M dash, also acknowledged the unique atmosphere of the home meet.
“It was cool competing at a meet where there’s actually people I know there because in Tampa and places like that, people don’t travel to see it,” DiMarco said. “Because it was so close to campus, there were a lot of people there, like friends and family.”
Following the Shark Invite, the Sharks competed in the St. Thomas University Under The Lights Invite on March 7 where they earned 14 top-10 finishes on the women’s side and 11 on the men’s side. Both teams went to compete in the Alan Connie
Sport Shorts
Shamrock Invitational in South Carolina from March 21-22, where both teams earned 11 top-10 finishes. The Sharks will race again April 4-5 during the ERU Running Elements Classic at Daytona Beach.
Bella Giaquinto contributed to this report.
For more information:
To stay up-to-date on Sharks track & field, follow them on Instagram and X at NSU_XCTF.
By Isabella Fernandez De Cueto
Men’s track, March 20-22
The men’s track team competed at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational. Jamie Blazquez placed first in the one-mile race and Phillip DiMarco placed third in the 400 M Collegiate and fifth in the 200 M.
Women’s track, March 20-22
The women’s track team competed at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational. Leena Saidi placed first in the 10,000 M, Bella Butler placed first in the 400 M Open and third in the 800 M, and Jillian Thorning placed first in the 800 M and one-mile race.
Men’s baseball, March 22
The men’s baseball team swept a doubleheader against Palm Beach Atlantic, winning 12-2 and 15-1. Game 1 saw three RBIs by Xavier Moronta and six strikeouts by pitcher Edwin Alicea, while Game 2 saw two RBIs from Boris Peña, Ronny Medina and Xavier Moronta.
Women’s softball, March 22
Men’s baseball, March 21
The men’s baseball team dropped its series opener against Palm Beach Atlantic 6-5 in extra innings. Justin Wachs recorded two RBIs and pitcher Keyler Gonzalez had eight strikeouts.
Women’s softball, March 21
The No. 19 women’s softball team beat Palm Beach Atlantic 9-1 to open the series. The Sharks were led by Maliyah Lawson and Lauren Margolis, who each had two RBIs, and pitcher Gracelyn Wallace had six strikeouts.
Women’s tennis, March 20
The No. 2 women’s tennis team defeated Lubbock Christian 6-1. Kristyna Hranacova, Ita Habekovi, and Isabella Ciancaglini won their doubles and singles matches, while Julia Moraes and Noemie Dadoun won their singles matches, and Sofia Shing won her doubles’ match.
Women’s softball, March 19
The No. 19 women’s softball team split a pair of games at the Space Coast Games, falling to Franklin
The No. 19 women’s softball team swept Palm Beach Atlantic, winning the remaining games in the series 6-4 and 5-2. Game 1 saw three RBIs by Brenna Lokeinsky and two RBIs by Abbey Moore, while Game 2 saw 10 strikeouts by pitcher Gracelyn Wallace.
Pierce 6-2 and defeating Molloy 10-0. Game 1 saw seven strikeouts by pitcher Gracelyn Wallace, while Game 2 saw two RBIs each by Brenna Lokeinsky and Abbey Moore.
Men’s basketball, March 18
The No. 2 men’s basketball team defeated Alabama-Huntsville 76-69 to advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the fourth consecutive season. Ryker Cisarik led the Sharks with 21 points, and South Region tournament MVP MJ Iraldi had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Men’s baseball, March 18
The men’s baseball team beat Barry 7-3 in conference play. Boris Peña had three RBIs, Gabriel Esquivel had two RBIs, and pitcher Christopher Perez had four strikeouts.
Men’s golf, March 17-18
The No. 20 men’s golf team placed sixth place at the Bobcat Invitational (+20/294/280/286). The Sharks were led by Bruno Marques, who finished inside the top-10, finishing tied for sixth place (E/4/66/70).
Women’s golf, March 17-18
The No. 11 women’s golf team earned its second consecutive tournament win, finishing in first place at the Barry Invitational (+35/303/305/291). Sharks finished in all three top spots in the standings, with Lua Pousa Dacasa (76/76/71) winning first place for the first time in her collegiate career, and Haruka Muta (73/75/77) and Maria Torres (78/73/74) tying for second place.
Women’s basketball, March 17
The No. 24 women’s basketball team fell 65-60 in the NCAA South Region Championship game against No. 9 Union (TN). The Sharks were led by Jess Moors, who had 10 points, and Madison Cloonan, who had nine points.
Men’s basketball, March 16
The No. 2 men’s basketball team defeated Lynn 80-72 to advance to the NCAA South Region Championship game. The Sharks were led by Ryker Cisarik, who tallied 31 points, and MJ Iraldi, who added 17 points and a career-best 16 rebounds. This win also marked head coach Jim Crutchfield’s 200th win at NSU.
COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
Women’s track team competes in the first home meet on Feb. 28.
COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
Men’s track team competes in the first home meet on Feb. 28.
Sharks advance to third straight final four
KASPER
Ryker Cisarik, fifth-year sports management major, attempts to make a basket during the NCAA South Region Championship game on March 18 against the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
By Bella Giaquinto
The second-ranked NSU men’s basketball team defeated Assumption University 102-93 to advance to its third consecutive Final Four appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament at Evansville, IN.
The Sharks will compete against Washburn University in the national semifinals on Thursday, March 27 at 9:30 p.m, with the winner advancing to the national championship on Saturday, March 29.
The national semifinal game will be available on ESPN+ and the national championship game will be available on CBS Network. A watch party will be hosted on campus for the national championship game in
the Championship Club Room at the Rick Case Arena.
During the game against Assumption, Tyler Eberhart, graduate student, led the Sharks with 24 points, followed by Dallas Graziani, junior sports management major and MJ Iraldi, fifth year interdisciplinary studies major with 22 points and Ryker Cisarik, fifth year sports and recreation management major with 20.
On March 24, The National Association of Basketball Coaches announced the 2024-25 All-District teams and District Coaches of the Year, with Iraldi and Graziani both named to the first-team, Cisarik receiving second-team honors, and head men’s basketball coach,
Jim Crutchfield, named as the South District Coach of the Year.
The Shark’s winning consistency was also evident during its 76-69 win over the University of Alabama in Huntsville on March 18, which secured the fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
During a post-game press conference after advancing to the Elite Eight, Coach Crutchfield attributed the team’s consistent success to its inherent drive and self-motivation.
“These guys are self-motivated. I feel like I don’t really have to do a whole lot to motivate them,” Crutchfield said. “I’m very fortunate I’ve been in this position quite a few times, but it really doesn’t get old.”
That self-motivation was displayed in Cisarik’s performance against Alabama-Huntsville, who explains how he maintained such intensity throughout the game.
“It’s just knowing that in the back of your head, you have to play harder. Play harder every single second,” Cisarik said.
For more information:
To keep up with the Sharks on social media, follow them on Instagram and X @nsu_mbasketball
Women’s basketball season ends in sweet 16
By Isabella Fernandez De Cueto
The women’s basketball team finished its season in the NCAA South Region Championship game for the second consecutive year, falling to No. 9 and first-seeded Union University 65-60 on March 17. The team was one of 16 left in the national championship race.
The Sharks ended the 2024-25 season with a 27-7 record. It pulled off some upsets during its regular season campaign, most notably against then No. 9 Embry-Riddle on Feb 26, then No. 12 Tampa on Jan. 1 and then No. 8 Pittsburg State on Dec. 19. Aubrey Stupp was named to the All-SSC First Team, and Payton Graber was named to the All-SSC Third Team and All-Defensive Team.
Its performance in the regular season earned it a third-place finish and a No. 3 seed in the SSC Tournament, where it defeated Palm Beach Atlantic and upset Tampa once again to advance to the SSC Championship game for the first time since 2015.
The Sharks fell 55-51 in the championship game against Embry-Riddle. They qualified for the NCAA South Region Tournament, earning a No. 3 seed.
It opened its NCAA tournament campaign with a win over Alabama-Huntsville, in which Corina Conley scored 30 points and her 1000th career point. It subsequently took down Embry-Riddle in the second round of the tournament, avenging its SSC Championship loss and advancing to the South Region Tournament final for the second consecutive year.
For more information:
Follow the women’s basketball team on Instagram and X @nsu_ wbasketball to keep up with them as they gear up for next season.
PHOTO BY MADISON
PHOTO BY MADISON KASPER
The men’s basketball team celebrates its win of the NCAA South Region Championship.
COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
The women’s basketball team ends a huddle during the game against Union University on March 17.
EVENTS CALENDAR
MARCH
THURSDAY 27
I’m Every Woman: Women’s History Through a Global Lens
12:30 p.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine
Granny Square & Keychain Workshop 12:30 p.m. - DeSantis 2073
Mark Lindsay Duncan Legacy Endowment for the Arts Donor Reception
5 p.m. – Alvin Sherman Library, Cotilla Gallery
14th Senior Showcase Art Exhibition
5 p.m. - Alvin Sherman Library, Cotilla Gallery
Sunset Yoga Session 5:30 p.m. - Commons Lawn/Quad
FRIDAY 28
FRIDAY
4
SATURDAY 5
Fun in the Sun with Sharks United Noon - Flight Deck Backyard Fins Festival
4 p.m. - Bill Gessner Sports Complex
CGHS PRESENTS CLUE: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
7 p.m. - The Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center
MONDAY 31
Social Hour Sweetness with Shark Wave
11 a.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine
Rodeo on the Reef: Shark Pride Friday Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
Author Talk with Wanda M. Morris
1 p.m. - The Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center
Starstruck - Art Gallery
6 p.m. - Black Box Theatre, Don Taft University Center
Starstruck Showcase
7 p.m. - Performance Theatre, Don Taft University Center
Cool Off and Connect with Shark Wave
11 a.m. - Don Taft University Center Shark Circle
Popping in with Sharks United Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
USGA Presidential Debate
6 p.m. - Knight Auditorium, DeSantis
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Origins & Opportunities Workshop
6 p.m. - DeSantis 2066
Dance Film Festival
6:30 p.m. - Performance Theatre, Don Taft University Center
APRIL
WEDNESDAY 2
USGA Meet the Candidates Tabling Event Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
SUNDAY 6
CGHS PRESENTS CLUE: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
7 p.m. - The Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center
MONDAY 7
CGHS PRESENTS CLUE: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
2 p.m. - The Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center
TUESDAY 8
The Clothesline Project Noon - Commons Courtyard
Bracelets for Cancer Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
The Clothesline Project 12:30 p.m. - Commons Courtyard
Brain Bowl 2025 12:30 p.m. - Parker 338
WEDNESDAY 9
The Health Professions Division (HPD) Clothesline Project Noon - HPD Clocktower Patio
Brain Bowl 2025 Finale and End of Year Celebration Noon - Parker 204
Denim Day Decorating Noon - DeSantis 2073
THURSDAY 3
Paws For A Break with Shark Wave 11:30 a.m. - Flight Deck Backyard
THURSDAY 10
The Clothesline Project 12:30 p.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine
The Reel Movie Night - Top Gun: Maverick 6 p.m. - Mailman-Hollywood Auditorium
CHOREOGRAPHY PEMBROKE TORTUGA TRACK SWIM
BASKETBALL
DELIVERY
ROMERO MARKET MARS
MATH CORNER
FESTIVAL SHOWCASE ROBOT MATCH TONY
Please send your answer (no need to send any additional scratch work or justification) to Dr. Jason Gershman, chair of the Department of Mathematics, at jgershma@nova.edu no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. The correct answer to this question will appear in the next issue of The Current.
All members of the NSU community are invited to submit their answer and participate. Every member of the NSU community who submits at least one answer during the 2024-2025 school year will be invited to attend a celebration in April as part of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.
The undergraduate student who submits the most correct answers during the contest year will receive the grand prize of a $50 gift card courtesy of the Department of Mathematics. If, at the end of the contest year, multiple students are tied for the contest champion, a tiebreaker question to determine the grand prize winner will take place where the fastest person to answer correctly wins the grand prize.
Tax Day is April 15th. Suppose student Sally Jones wants to buy a new Toyota Camry. A dealer in Weston (Broward County5 miles each way) is offering the car for $25000 plus a 7% county sales tax. A dealer in Naples (Collier County- 75 miles each way) is offering the same car for $23500 plus a 7.5% county sales tax. A dealer in Daytona Beach (Volusia County- 250 miles away) is offering the same car for $23000 plus a 6.5% county sales tax. Assume the costs incurred for Sally’s travel to and from these dealers would be $1 per mile (tax included.) Which dealer should she buy from and how much would she pay?
Answer to the question from the last issue: 3142413
THE CURRENT’S COMIC
