The Signal: Fall '16 No. 13

Breaking news, blogs and more at TCNJSignal.net.

Vol. XLV, No. 13

December 7, 2016

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

Clinic staff sad over closing

Loser’s past causes campus clamor Government-recognized organization named after a civil rights group that formed in Trenton in the mid-1940s — has spearheaded a campaign to change the name of Paul Loser Hall.

By Mia Ingui Managing Assistant

“Consultation with entities across campus indicates that the TCNJ Clinic is not crucial in meeting campus needs.

Therefore, after much study, the TCNJ Clinic will be closed at the conclusion of the 2016-17 Academic Year.”

The staff of the TCNJ Clinic received this dismissal notice by email. The staff received no prior notice to this memorandum that their place of work, love and healing would be closing.

The TCNJ Clinic provides counseling at low cost for individuals, couples and families regarding difficulties with work and school, anxiety, depression, gender identity and more. It is only $10 per session for students, though. It is the only location on campus where patients can receive long-term treatment from clinicians, who are graduate students supervised by licensed psychologists.

The Clinic serves 40 to 50 students per month, and its closing signifies the loss of a safe space for students and community members alike.

“This is impacting community members,” said Katie Warga, a graduate student interning at the Clinic. “TCNJ is see CLINIC page 2

Students urge for a name change.

Sydney Shaw / Editor-in-Chief

By Sydney Shaw and Chelsea LoCascio Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor

Fast forward nearly 20 years after the building’s dedication: This month, a team of six students unveiled their semester-long research into the history of Paul Loser, during which they uncovered documents that indicate the Trenton superintendent of schools from 1932 to 1955 actively opposed the desegregation of the region’s schools.

After the documents were discovered, a newly formed group calling themselves the TCNJ Committee on Unity — a non-Student

For years, only the rough outlines of Paul Loser Hall were known. In 1987, Tom Loser and his wife, Carol, donated a record-setting $1 million to the College, and in appreciation, the new building, which would house the Office of Admissions and the School of Nursing, Health and Exercise Science, was named after Tom’s father, Paul.

The research In September, six students began an archival research project on the history of Trenton education, overseen by Robert McGreevy, a history professor at the College. They scoured the Trenton Public Library’s Trentoniana archive, as well as the Trenton Evening Times archive at the New Jersey State Library, for McGreevy’s 20th century Trenton history independent research course.

That’s where Kevin Moncayo, a senior history and psychology double major, found a letter written to Paul Loser from a doctor named Leroy Morris that lead to the discovery of far more than the team expected. In the letter, Morris asked Paul Loser to stop asking for his support for segregation, since he didn’t personally believe in the institution. Moncayo shared his findings with research teammates Tim Osborn, a senior physics major, and Chris Loos, a sophomore history major.

“This prompted us to look into why Loser might be trying to label someone as a supporter of segregation,” Osborn said.

Documents indicate that Loser fought to keep children of color in New Lincoln School, the district’s all-black school, even though Junior High School No. 2 was closer see LOSER page 3

Alumni speak on sports opportunities Students’ right to

Guido serves as president of the San Francisco 49ers.

By Michael Battista Staff Writer In a night filled with laughs and lessons, the College welcomed back three former students to teach the current class about post-college careers in the sports world.

Alumnus Tom McCarthy

(’90), the play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies, moderated a discussion about the panelists’ current jobs and how their time at the College impacted them.

The panelists included alumnus Al Guido (’03), president of the San Francisco 49ers, and alumnus Luis Perez (’83), the

INDEX: Nation & World / page 7 Editorial / page 9 Hunger Banquet Follow us at...

Students learn about resource inequality The Signal See Features page 13 @tcnjsignal

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

former executive vice president and chief operating officer of Palace Sports Entertainment, which represents a number of Detroit teams and venues.

“It’s been exactly 30 years since I graduated here,” Perez said. “What’s happened here is astounding to me on campus. It really is a point of pride for me Opinions / page 10

— like I get proud when I get the notes about the accomplishments the school is making.”

All three alumni told stories about how they reached the places they are now. None of them came into the College knowing exactly what they wanted to do, but all three encouraged students to explore their options to find what suited them best.

Guido said emotional intelligence is equal, if not greater, than intellectual intelligence.

He credited former Lions football coach Eric Hamilton for helping him reach the College in the first place since he persuaded him to come to the College rather than become an Army Ranger.

“If someone asked me what were the things I learned, here is two things: accountability and work ethic,” Guido said.

“Being part of the school or being part of the football team,

vote lost in mail

By Elizabeth Zakaim Social Media Editor

Ashley Lai, a senior psychology and music double major, didn’t make it this far in her academic career without learning to plan ahead and participating in the election was no exception.

She knew that being a full-time student, a Brower Student Center employee and an e-board member of four out of the five clubs she is in meant she could not go home in the middle of the day to vote. She applied for a mail-in ballot in August, yet did not received it by Election Day or, in fact, at all.

Lai realized when she checked her mailbox on Election Day that she wouldn’t be voting by mail this election.

While she acknowledged that she should have checked her mailbox sooner, she still intended to vote.

“I was really frustrated, and I tried calling my county’s office and they told me that my ballot was mailed at the end of September and that it wasn’t returned,” Lai

see ALUMNI page 6

Features / page 13

see MAIL page 5

Arts & Entertainment / page 15

Sports / page 24

iCabaret Students sing compelling a cappella

Men’s Basketball Lions avenge last-season loss against Stockton

See A&E page 15

See Sports page 20

Heroin happening sends students to hospital page 2 The Signal December 7, 2016

By Ellie Schuckman Staff Writer

• On Friday, Nov. 4, at approximately 9:50 p.m., a Campus Police officer was dispatched to a Campus Town parking lot in reference to a possible fight near a white van. Upon the officer’s arrival, he observed two white males standing near the driver’s side door of a parked van, police said. According to reports, one of the two males appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and had difficulty standing upright. The officer also observed a red mark in the shape of a hand on the left side of his face. When the officer ordered the two males to sit down on the curb, the other male said, “I’m not going to lie to you, I have a record.” More officers arrived on the scene and the two males were separated, police said. The male with the record said he called the other male regarding a concern for his friend’s safety. He stated that the male who appeared to be under the influence “sounded crazy on the phone, so I wanted to meet up with him.” According to reports, the male met with his friend in the parking lot and entered the van his friend was in. His friend began slurring his words before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell into the seat, according to police. The male got out of the car, pulled his friend out of the car and then laid him down on the ground. The male stated that his friend was unresponsive, so he began CPR. According to reports, the unresponsive male had a slow pulse and his face began to turn blue. At this time, the male said he began yelling and hitting his friend in an attempt to wake him up. The unresponsive male then sat up on his own and took a deep breath in, police said. The officer asked the male if his friend was under the influence of narcotics to which he replied the other male had taken heroin. The officer then asked if the male himself was under the influence of narcotics, but he denied being under the influence. According to reports, the male admitted to taking nine shots of vodka earlier that evening.

The officer observed him to have constricted pupils, however, he did not have an odor of alcohol emanating from his breath or person. At approximately 10:10 p.m., Ewing Basic Life Support (BLS) arrived on scene and evaluated the other male. BLS deemed it necessary he be transported to the hospital for medical treatment. BLS

then went to evaluate the male who helped his friend.

The male said, “If you were to draw my blood, I would probably test positive right now… I used heroin about an hour and a half ago.” Both males were then transported to the hospital, police said. All of the officers on the scene observed white wrappers labeled “PANDA” around the van. At approximately 11:35 p.m., the van was towed from Campus Town, police said.

• On Friday, Nov. 18, at approximately 9 p.m., a female came to Campus Police Headquarters to report damage to her father’s vehicle. She said that between Monday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m., her father’s vehicle was parked in Lot 13. According to reports, when she went to the car on Friday, she noticed two scratches on the trunk’s hood. Two magnetic bumper stickers were removed from the car, as well, police said.

• On Thursday, Nov. 17, at approximately 11:40 a.m., a Campus Police officer conducting foot patrol through Roscoe West Hall passed by the Office of Career Planning when he was stopped by an employee. The employee asked the officer if he knew if a report had been filed regarding fraudulent activity against a College student, police said. When the officer told her that he was unsure, she proceeded to tell him about the incident. The woman stated that a student had contacted the Career Center office and that she had received a suspicious email regarding an internship possibility on LionsLink. Another employee confirmed that the posted internship was fraudulent, police said. According to reports, an email was sent out to students advising them of the fraudulent posting. On Wednesday, Nov. 16, at approximately 4 p.m., a student contacted the Career Center office in reference to the fraudulent internship. The initial employee on scene stated that the student received an email requesting his social security number and other personal information, police said. The student received a check for approximately $2,000 and deposited it into his account. The employee stated that approximately 38 students applied for the posted internship, yet she was unsure how many students went through with the process.

According to reports, at 1:40 p.m., the officer spoke to the male student who stated that approximately three to four weeks prior, he applied to the internship. Approximately

one week after applying, he received an email regarding the job and application process. They requested his home address for payment purposes, police said. On Tuesday, Nov. 15, he received an email stating that he would be receiving a check, which he should then cash and send the money back to them. According to reports, the student received the check on Wednesday, Nov. 16, for $1,860 and went to deposit it. He then received the email warning students about the fraudulent internship posting. After contacting the Career Center, the student contacted the bank and explained the situation, police said. According to reports, the bank employee stated that this was a common scam and that the student need not worry.

• On Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 2:50 p.m., an officer met with a student at Campus Police Headquarters who reported a bike theft. The student stated that between Tuesday, Nov. 22, around noon and Sunday, Nov. 27, at approximately 7 p.m. his bike was stolen from a stairwell in Lot 13. According to reports, the bike was attached to a staircase with a cable lock. The student was advised to contact Campus Police if he sees the bike or has any further questions.

There are no suspects at this time, police said.

• On Wednesday, Nov. 30, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Campus Police was dispatched to the Travers Hall fifth floor men’s bathroom, following the report of an intoxicated male. Upon the officers’ arrival, they met with two Community Advisers who directed them to the bathroom where an intoxicated male was located. According to reports, the student was visibly intoxicated and there was vomit on the floor directly outside of the bathroom door.

The intoxicated student directed the officers to his dorm room where he showed them his driver’s license, police said. The student admitted to drinking “a couple of shots of Hennessey.” Further questioning revealed that the student also consumed an unknown amount of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. According to reports, the student admitted to drinking the alcohol in his dorm room. TCNJ EMS arrived on scene and evaluated the student, deeming it unnecessary to provide him any additional medical treatment. The student was issued a summons for underage drinking, police said.

Anyone with information can contact Campus Police at 609-771-2345.

Clinic / Door closes on long-term care and internships

TCNJ Clinic provides care to about 40 to 50 students each month. continued from page 1

tied to the community, and its relationship with the greater community is important to its reputation. The clinic has served over 1,300 clients and families.”

The clinic’s atmosphere is somber as the close-knit staff are saddened by the news.

“We’re a family here,” said Jennifer Sparks, director of TCNJ Clinic. “There are students who have come here specifically because there is a place where they can do their internship on campus. Our students and our clients are really upset.”

Sparks also said people need to understand the difference between the clinic and the College’s Counseling and Psychological

Services (CAPS).

“It’s important to know that the clinic is separate from CAPS,” Sparks said. “CAPS includes all licensed professionals, but myself and who helps me out are the only licensed professionals here at the clinic. All the counselors are students finishing their Masters. Our clinicians are new in the field — excited and passionate about what they are doing.”

Sparks said CAPS is not the place for students who seek long-term treatment options.

“Because CAPS can’t do long-term (treatment), it becomes complicated to place kids who are really struggling and need long-term help,” Sparks said. “This is the only on-campus place for that.”

Randall Carrido / Staff Photographer

Julia McKinnies, a senior special education and English double major, agrees with Sparks since she benefitted more from the clinic than CAPS. “I was extremely saddened to hear that the Clinic was closing,” she said. “I know countless people who have benefited greatly from the clinics services, myself included…

(CAPS) run on a more short-term counseling plan and, from personal experience, there is not nearly enough time for the proper rapport to be established between the patient and the counselor.”

The closing of the clinic has Warga wondering what will happen to the people that used it.

“The only thing that keeps running

through my head when I get phone calls now is, ‘What is this student going to do next year?’” Warga said. “There is already more demand than can be met with both us and CAPS. Without us, I don’t know what happens to them.”

Clinical intern Jennifer Peck-Nolte started a petition has for the students to sign and show their support.

“There have been several student groups that contacted us and want to be more involved and take up our cause,” Warga said.

According to Peck-Nolte, career and community studies (CCS) students with intellectual disabilities receive aid from the clinic, and CAPS does not provide the same services.

Ashley Taconet, a senior special education and psychology double major who works with CCS students, agrees with PeckNolte that CAPS cannot provide close attention to the entire student body of the College without the help from the clinic.

“I am upset that the clinic is closing,” Taconet said. “I personally have not gone to the clinic, but know many people who do utilize their services… The TCNJ Clinic is available for all CCS students to attend, while CAPS is not available. Many CCS students, as well as typical TCNJ students, do not have access to cars on campus and therefore, cannot travel off campus for counseling services.”

Peck-Nolte is concerned about not only the College community, but the Ewing, N.J., community that the clinic serves, as well.

“This is impacting community members,” Peck-Nolte said. “Some of the families that we serve come here because they don’t have the financial means. And don’t we all need to get access to someone who can listen to us and help us and believe in us?”

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 3

Loser / Hall’s namesake called into question

continued from page 1

to the children’s homes. After this information came to light in McGreevy’s class, Osborn, Loos and Moncayo distributed flyers and petition sheets that called for Loser Hall’s name to change.

“Changing Loser’s name is the short-term goal, but in the long term, it’s hoped that (the TCNJ Committee on Unity)... will be sustained and able to bring students together across organizational lines to collaborate in action around social justice issues pertinent to the campus,” said Rosie Driscoll, a member of McGreevy’s research team and a junior history and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major.

The case According to Hedgepeth and Williams v. Board of Education, Trenton, NJ, parents Gladys Hedgepeth and Berline Williams sued the Trenton Board of Education in 1943. Their children — Janet and Leon, respectively — lived only two blocks from Junior High School No. 2, but were, instead, forced to attend the all-black New Lincoln School.

Court documents state that New Lincoln School was significantly farther away than Junior No. 2, and the classes and resources it offered were far inferior. All of Janet and Leon’s white neighborhood peers were allowed to attend Junior No. 2 without resistance. In 1944, the case reached the New Jersey Supreme Court, where Paul Loser was called to testify. Trenton NAACP lawyer Robert Queen, who represented the parents, questioned Paul Loser on his role in assigning students to New Lincoln School.

In the context of history, Trenton’s school segregation might not seem too unscrupulous. After all, segregation was the norm

Sydney Shaw / Editor-in-Chief

Loser Hall greets guests near the College’s entrance. across the country at the time. But in the case of Trenton and Paul Loser, segregation violated the district’s own written policy, as well as state law.

“The law states no child between the ages of 4 and 20 years shall be excluded from any public school on the grounds of his religion, nationality or color,” Queen told Loser in a hearing, according to the case files.

After Paul Loser acknowledged this fact, Queen continued his questioning.

“Aren’t both Leon Williams and Janet Hedgepeth excluded from Junior Two on the ground of color?” Queen said.

“Yes, in accordance with the policy and philosophy of education,” Paul Loser responded.

When Queen asked if separate schools should be set up “for such minority groups in the city as Italians, Poles, Jews, Hungarians, and Germans,” the elder Loser said that “he had not given this

proposal any thought.”

The State Supreme Court ultimately sided with Queen, Hedgepeth and Williams, and the Court’s decision struck down segregation across the state. In 1991, the Trenton Board of Education changed the name of Junior High School No. 2 to Hedgepeth-Williams School to honor the mothers’ fight for equality.

“We think it clear that the children are unlawfully discriminated against. It is unlawful for Boards of Education to exclude children from any public school on the ground that they are of the negro race,” the New Jersey State Supreme Court wrote in its decision.

A decade later, the case was cited in a much more impactful case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS, in which the Supreme Court struck down school segregation throughout the U.S. Despite the legal defeat, documents show that Paul Loser continued to delay the integration

of public schools in Trenton. In response to his reluctance, an organization known as the Trenton Committee for Unity (TCU) was formed in order to place additional pressure on the board. In late April 1945, upset parents began writing letters to Paul Loser and the board to decry the continued segregatory policies.

During the TCU’s administrative committee meeting that month, Paul Loser “maintain(ed) that the majority of colored parents wish their children to attend Lincoln School; that Negro Educators of the highest authority say that segregation in the junior high school period is best,” according to the meeting minutes.

The reaction “I find it egregious that a school that markets itself as an inclusive and — in many ways — progressive public institution has a building on campus in honor of a segregationist who would not have

wanted a significant portion of our community to be here,” Driscoll said. “As someone who is fairly connected on campus and trained in grassroots organizing, I feel responsible for engaging in action to raise awareness and engage others in a campaign to change the name.”

College President R. Barbara Gitenstein addressed concerns through an email sent to the campus community on Thursday, Dec. 1.

“In the last two days, aspects of Dr. Paul Loser’s past have been brought into focus on campus. The information that was shared first in posters and later in news articles is due to the diligent archival research of several of our students,” the email reads. “Our students documented that he espoused beliefs that run counter to our commitment to an inclusive campus.”

Gitenstein wrote that she hopes to hold a campus presentation for students, faculty and staff to weigh in on the matter.

“TCNJ must be thoughtful in understanding the full historical context but forthright in confronting the facts,” she wrote. “We must decide what is the most productive plan of action when we learn that our campus has honored someone whose belief system is inconsistent with our mission, including building an inclusive community of learners.”

College spokesperson Dave Muha said such a meeting probably won’t be feasible until the spring semester begins in January.

“The conversation that we’re about to begin is not a debate about whether or not to change a building name,” Muha wrote in an email. “The dialog will be a sharing of what the students learned through their research, an opportunity to consider additional information, as appropriate, and a processing of what this means to us as a community.”

SFB approves funds for three spring CUB events

By Olivia Rizzo Staff Writer

The Student Finance Board (SFB) looks to the future as it grants funding for some of the most highly anticipated events of the spring semester.

The College Union Board (CUB) received funding for three of its largest events for the spring semester. The organization’s Spring Lecture was fully funded the amount of $28,996.

“CUB’s Spring Lecture always successfully attracts a large amount of students based on the quality and fan base of the entertainers. The lectures will appeal to different types of students by sticking to the traditional but successful and popular topic of discussion that the TCNJ community has expressed interest in pop culture and the entertainment industry,” the proposal packet said.

The organization was fully funded $1,850 for its Spring Comedy Show. CUB’s annual comedy show attracts a large number of students. In previous years, comedians such as John Mulaney, Bo Burnham and Nick Offerman have visited the College.

The cost of the talent, agency fee, hospitality, creative publicity as well as building and security fees are covered by funding, for both events.

The Spring Lecture and Spring Comedy Show will take place on separate evenings during the spring semester in Kendall Hall.

The Spring Concert received $191,243 in funding.

CUB’s annual concert is the largest concert of the year, bringing in a large portion of students at the College.

“We aim to make this concert one of our largest and most high-energy events of the year. We plan on making this

year’s concert even better than ever before,” the proposal packet read.

Funding covers the cost of talent, staffing and security, catering and hospitality for staffers, and water giveaways.

The Spring Concert will take place in April in the Student Recreation Center.

Chi Upsilon Sigma was fully funded $750 to host its 2017 winter retreat. The retreat allows the organization to plan and organize their spring semester events, as well as providing a bonding experience for older sisters and newer members.

TCNJ Musical Theatre was fully funded $1,000 for its

spring production of WIRED. “WIRED is a 24-hour play competition involving the writing, casting, producing and staging of several plays,” the proposal packet read.

Funding for the event will cover the costs of Library staff supervision, along with costumes, props and food for all participants.

WIRED will take place within the first weeks of the spring semester.

Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.

SFB grants funding for CUB’s lecture, concert and comedy show in the spring.

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

76933 page 4 The Signal December 7, 2016

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Scott Fried shines light on AIDs epidemic December 7, 2016 The Signal page 5

By Thomas Infante Reviews Editor

When you’re young, you often feel invincible. Those who are fortunate enough to be in good health often shrug off risky behavior with no further reasoning than “Nothing bad will happen to me.” Scott Fried had the same thought the first time that he had unsafe sex with another man. As he would later find out, he was wrong.

“Nothing bad ever happens the first time, right?” Fried asked the audience in the Physics Building.

Unbeknownst to him at the time, Fried’s partner was HIV positive, and the encounter would change Fried’s life forever.

Fried has been HIV positive for 29 years and travels around the country to educate people about the virus. A proud Jewish-American with a youthful smile, Fried combatted his positive diagnosis with an even more positive attitude.

In honor of World AIDS Day on Thursday, Dec. 1, PRISM hosted Fried as he shared tender and humorous anecdotes.

Fried opened the event with some kind words to the audience.

“You are a beautiful generation,” Fried told the audience. “Each and every one of you are beautiful and deserves to be alive.”

Fried believes most of our problems come from the part inside us that feels unloved or insecure. By appealing to this side of people, Fried hopes they will feel strong enough to not be pressured into unsafe sex.

As a gay man, Fried has been subject to discrimination throughout his life. The first standout moment was in 1981, when Fried was at

David Colby / Photo Assistant

Fried entertains students with a blend of humor and touching anecdotes.

George Washington University. He was having a great time for the first few weeks until, one day, he found a picture taped to his door.

“It was a picture of a muscular guy in a G-string,” Fried said. “In black ink someone wrote, ‘Hey Scott, this picture is for you. I love you, fag.’”

The anonymous message shook Fried to his core, and he transferred to New York University soon after to study dance. By the time he graduated, the AIDS epidemic throughout the U.S. was in full swing. Many groups were being blamed for the spreading of the virus, including homosexuals.

Still, Fried told himself, “It won’t happen to me.”

By 1987, Fried was working a starting position on an offBroadway show set. One day, the carpenter on the set approached him out of nowhere and said, “I know your secret. You should call me sometime” and gave Fried his

phone number. Fried was both taken aback and intrigued.

“It was such a new feeling,” he said. “He seemed dangerous and attractive. It was exciting. Do you ever go to a restaurant and the waitress tells you, ‘Don’t touch that plate. It’s hot.’ How many of you touch the plate anyway?” he asked and most of the audience members raised their hands.

He eventually called the man and a few days later, Fried found himself going to his apartment.

Inside, the man sat down at a keyboard and played a song he said he wrote for Fried.

“The song sucked,” Fried said.

“And I knew he was lying. He didn’t write that song for me, but when he asked me if I liked it, I told him it was great. Our first real interaction was predicated on lies.”

Fried asked the man if he had ever been tested for HIV, and the man told him that he had been tested six weeks prior. He didn’t ask

what the results of the test were, and even if he did, a six-week-old test could have been totally irrelevant if he had unprotected sex since then. In addition, neither of them had a condom.

“I didn’t even care what the results of the test were,” Fried said. “I was willing to go so far for someone that knew my secret just to feel comfortable again. I was at the intersection of risk and need, and I didn’t know how to say, ‘No.’” A few weeks later, Fried began developing sores on his stomach and feel ill. He went to get tested for HIV among other diseases, and his partner was upset that he did so.

“He told me that if I ever told someone that he infected me with AIDS he would kill me,” Fried said.

“Then he moved to (Los Angeles), and I never saw him again.”

When Fried’s HIV test came back positive, he asked himself if he was finally ready to accept who he was.

“I got infected with HIV because I didn’t know if I was enough,” Fried said. “No one ever came to my school to tell me that I’m beautiful.”

Fried is thankful to live in an age in which one with HIV can live with few inhibitions. Thanks to daily medication, his HIV count is so low that the virus is unable to replicate. He is classified as “positive and undetectable.” Fried said if he stopped taking his medicine tomorrow, the virus would kill him in about six months.

He spoke highly of post-exposure prophylaxis pills that act as a preventative measure for those who fear that they may have been infected. When taken within 48 hours of having unsafe sex, it can be extremely effective in stopping the transmission of HIV. He also advocated for clean needle exchange programs that would curb the rising HIV rates in areas with rampant drug addiction problems.

Fried closed the evening with a slideshow of his friends who have died from AIDS. “The moments we create with each other are eternal,” Fried said.

“I know some of you may have felt awkward hearing these things. My friends wished for more time to do things like this. All the awkwardness leads to healing.”

Few have witnessed as much healing firsthand as Fried, who said Jonathan Larson, author of the play “Rent,” used to sit in on their HIV group therapy sessions. It was there that one of Fried’s friends said, “I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of losing my dignity.”

Now, Fried is making sure that America’s youth will never have to face that fear again.

Mail / Some students’ votes never reached the ballot box

Some students are not able to vote in person. continued from page 1 said. The secretary told her there was no way she could vote unless she drove all the way back home.

Lai vented her frustration on Facebook where she found an unexpected solution.

Someone commented on her post, suggesting she call a voter protection hotline.

From there, she was told to call a lawyer from the American Civil Liberties Union, which, according to its website, works to defend citizens’ constitutional rights. Lai was given a lawyer free of charge, and he defended her right to vote in court.

AP Photo

“I signed some forms, and he went in front of a judge,” Lai said. “In the end, I was able to vote via email.”

Voting by email is usually reserved for people serving overseas in the military, but in Lai’s case, the judge made an exception, and she was able to vote in the election.

When trying to figure out who is at fault, sophomore biology major Jessica Kopew did not blame the College or her county clerk’s office in Camden, N.J. She did not receive her ballot until two days after the election. She said she had applied for it in either late September or early October.

“It could be Camden County itself, but

I know plenty of people who don’t live in my county who didn’t get their mail-in ballot, so I think it’s the post office,” she said.

Anne-Marie Manko, the Camden County supervising elections clerk, said students who called to complain to the elections office about their ballots were those who applied too late. She said students also have to consider that the College’s mail system does not operate on weekends, and that the applications must be submitted at least a week before the election.

However, both Kopew and Lai said they did abide by those policies and did not receive their ballots on time. Lai said her only regret was waiting until Election Day to check her mailbox.

“If I do an absentee ballot again, I’m going to know this time that I should be getting it weeks in advance,” Lai said. “So if I don’t, I know to call in advance.”

Regardless of who is at fault, Lai said she was very annoyed when she realized she could not vote in the election.

She knew that a lot of other college students who also did not get their ballot on time. Lai said all of the mail-in ballots that did not come in time for the election could have made a difference.

The Supervisor of Mailing and Receiving Services at the College, Sebastiano Carnevale, denied that the late ballots were the College’s fault. Carnevale said the College gets its mail from the West Trenton Post Office around 9 a.m., and the mail gets distributed to the residence halls the same day that it arrives in the mailroom.

He said he saw a lot of ballots in the mail being sent and received. While he

does occasionally get some service complaints, he did not receive any complaints from students about their ballots not being mailed to them on time.

Halbert C. Clark, the postmaster of the West Trenton Post Office, said he did not have time to discuss the issue, while other post office representatives could not be reached to comment.

There are other ways mail-in ballots might never reach their destination besides getting lost in the mail. According to npr. org, some applications weren’t accepted because they were filled out incorrectly or the signature on the ballot did not match the one on people’s voter registration forms.

Even if the ballots had been sent out on time, there was still room for error somewhere down the line.

According to cavotes.org, mail-in ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the appropriate county elections office no later than three days after Election Day. Some county elections offices allow their website users to check if their mail-in ballots were received. The application for the ballot must be received by mail at least seven days before the election.

Lai said a lot of her friends were fed up with the application process. They didn’t vote because they didn’t feel like going through the hassle.

“I know some people don’t even bother with the application because they find it too annoying,” she said. “My friends have been throwing out this term ‘voter suppression.’ It’s so difficult for you to vote, and so you end up not wanting to vote.”

page 6 The Signal December 7, 2016

Alumni / Panel discusses sports careers Book club approved

By Megan Kelly Staff Writer

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

A panel of alumni discusses how the College helped them break into sports.

continued from page 1

the quote-unquote brotherhood of lifting each other up through tough times. I was one who didn’t do so well in high school, I had a bad year that I went through academically and sort of set me back. My teammates really were an extension of my family.”

Both Perez and Guido stressed the importance of communicating and working with others as a team to succeed in the sports industry.

McCarthy, whose two sons currently attend the College and participate in both baseball and the Sports Information office, said opportunities available at the College give students a chance to learn what it is like to hold positions outside of being a student.

“The advantage now is that there’s more to do,” McCarthy said.

“They’ve always had students involved in the Sports Information department, but I think Mark Gola has

done a great job in not only getting (my sons) involved, but also giving them the responsibilities to do it.”

Both Perez and Guido were members of Lions athletics, playing on the baseball team and football team, respectively, during their time here. They agreed that the experience had an impact on them.

“I’ve learned as much from that experience here than I did inside a classroom,” Perez said. “You talk about taking a group of people (with) very different backgrounds, different goals, different motivations, different styles and bringing them together to go and capture a common goal. There’s so much that I’ve learned from my time here that I apply now.”

The alumni also discussed how the vastly changing sports world has not only affected the field play, but the business of sports, as well.

Guido said young people need to understand how each major sports league is run differently.

For example, Guido pointed out how the NFL relies on revenue from the entire league prospering, and Perez followed up with how the NBA mostly relies on revenue coming from the team itself.

After the talk, all three members fielded a few questions from the audience ranging from the recent debates over NCAA athletes being compensated to how the creation or moving of teams affects the sports world from a business sense.

When it was over, Guido said he hopes his words, along with the stories and advice given by the rest of the panel, can help lead students into a career they care about.

“Talking to people who have an interest in the world of sports, I feel like I can try and help however I can,” Guido said. “If I was able to provide some type of advice tonight that leads itself to someone going and looking and searching out a job opportunity that they’re passionate about then I’ll take that as a win.”

Student Government (SG) approved a new club, the Between the Covers Book Club, and passed a new bill that would offer current members two levels of membership in SG. SG approved of Between the Covers Book Club, making it the first and only official book club at the College. Rebecca Ramp, a sophomore English major, started the club with the goal of encouraging students on campus to read more.

“It’s just a pretty relaxed setting where… you can come if they read the book — or even if they didn’t — and just talk about what they liked about it or what they didn’t,” Ramp said. “I know, personally, why I wanted to start this club is because not a lot of my friends read so I would read a really good book and want someone to talk to about it.”

Members will not have to purchase books since Ramp will pick up copies of the books from the Ewing, N.J., branch of the Mercer County Library herself. Ramp is hoping that once the club’s membership increases, the group will be able to start doing more activities like trivia nights.

Bill BF2016-07 was also passed by SG during its meeting. This bill now offers SG members two different levels of membership: general and associate. Associate members will have to meet a certain level of accountability, as decided by a point system, or they will be dropped down to a general member.

General members will not be allowed to participate in debates, but they will be able to sit in on them. They will also be allowed to sit in on the closed session at the end of every meeting, but the President now has the power to ask these members to leave.

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

Students discuss the Between the Covers Book Club.

TCNJ EMS earns recognition at conference for exploits

By Ashton Leber Staff Writer The TCNJ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team accepted the 2016 New Jersey Outstanding Volunteer EMS Agency award at the New Jersey Statewide Conference for EMS at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., on Friday, Nov. 18.

Alumnus Stephen Vetrano (’94), the medical director of TCNJ EMS, nominated the group to the New Jersey Office of EMS, which hosts the event every November.

The group was one of 10 EMS volunteer agencies from municipalities across the state that were nominated for the award.

“The award means a lot to us because it’s great to be recognized by the state of New Jersey for all of the work that we do,” said Kaitlyn Dickson, president of TCNJ EMS and a senior chemistry major.

TCNJ EMS was founded in 1998 as a

student club and is now recognized under the division of Campus Police.

The College’s EMS responding team is composed entirely of student volunteers who are either certified in First Aid, EMT or both, providing its services to ensuring campus safety.

“This award just reassures for me that TCNJ EMS is truly a top-notch emergency medical agency in the state of New Jersey,” said Scott Sferra, supervisor of TCNJ EMS. “I’m very happy for each member of the organization that made this award possible.”

After 20 years in EMS, Sferra said TCNJ EMS provides some of the best care he has seen in the emergency response field.

The group is funded through the College with its own uniforms, equipment and vehicles, according to Dan-anh Tran, chief of TCNJ EMS and a senior psychology major.

Throughout the school year, students volunteer on weeknights, responding to

the campus’s 9-1-1 calls starting on Sundays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 24 hours on the weekends.

The response room is located in Decker Hall, where the student volunteers work on homework and can sleep while waiting to be dispatched. A majority of the calls are due to incidents involving an intoxicated person, according to Dickson.

If a student is interested in becoming a part of TCNJ EMS, but is not qualified, they can become an auxiliary member who helps with campus outreach, fund-raising and other administrative responsibilities, Tran said.

Dickson started as an auxiliary member of TCNJ EMS in the spring of her freshman year and took classes to become a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) that summer.

Now serving as president, Dickson has watched members of her squad grow and learned from her team members, too.

Left: TCNJ EMS wins award. Right: The organization only comprises volunteers.

“I love everyone on the squad, and I love being around people who are so dedicated, self-sacrificing and eager to help,” she said.

Dickson hopes to pursue a career in the medical field and will apply the skills and qualifications she has learned through TCNJ EMS. In addition to serving the College’s community, TCNJ EMS promotes health and wellness, and teaches hands-only CPR classes throughout the academic year.

“Both past and present members have put a great amount of time into constantly improving TCNJ EMS,” Dickson said.

Vetrano has seen many changes since he joined the TCNJ EMS team when he was a student at the College. Vetrano has many hopes and aspirations for the program’s future.

“My goal is to improve the system one class at a time, one squad at a time, one EMT at a time,” Vetrano said.

Photos courtesy of Ian Malik

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 7

Nation & W rld

Eleven injured in Ohio State University attack

AP Photo

The attack remains an ongoing investigation.

By Ashton Leber Staff Writer

At least 11 people were injured on the morning of Monday, Nov. 28, at Ohio State University (OSU) after a student ran over pedestrians with a car and then stabbed passersby with a butcher knife, according to The New York Times. A campus police officer then shot

and killed the man suspected of committing the violent acts, OSU Public Safety Director Monica Moll said at a press conference on Monday.

Campus police officer Alan Horujko responded to the call less than a minute after the dispatch at 9:52 a.m. and shot the suspect seconds after he exited his vehicle, according to Moll.

“We believe the threat was ended when the officer engaged the suspect,” Moll said. “We’re very fortunate that an OSU (police department) officer was there and took action and we believe that injuries were minimized as a result of that.”

Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, was a logistics management major of Somali descent at the university.

According to The New York Times, he graduated cum laude with an associate of arts degree and was on the Columbus State Community College’s Dean’s List before transferring to OSU. The victims’ identities have not yet been released, but they remain in the hospital with injuries while one is in critical condition, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andrew Thomas said at the press conference.

OSU Police Chief Craig Stone said the incident is still an ongoing investigation, but was definitely not an accident.

“To go over the curb and strike pedestrians and then get out and start striking with the knife — that was on purpose,” Stone stated during the press conference.

Student Jacob Bower told CNN he saw the attacker on campus by Watts Hall where the incident took place.

“He pulled a large knife and started chasing people around, trying to attack them,” Bower said.

According to CNN, the university sent an emergency alert out to students at 9:56 a.m.: “Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on Campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.”

Students ran for shelter at numerous locations throughout the campus. Student Cydney Ireland spoke about the incident to WBNS-TV from a restroom.

“I’m a little shaken up at first,” Ireland told WBNS. “I do feel safe based off the room I’m in.”

Fox News reported the alert was lifted at approximately 11:30 a.m.

According to the same news outlet, authorities said the FBI is currently investigating whether or not the attack was related to terrorism and are searching for others who may have been linked to the incident.

The university is one of the largest in the nation with approximately 60,000 students currently enrolled at the main campus in Columbus, Ohio, according to CBS. OSU President Michael Drake announced at the press conference that he plans to visit those who were injured in the attack.

“I want to give our thoughts and prayers and hopes and wishes for speedy recovery to all those who were injured,” Drake said.

Castro dies at age 90 after 10 years of poor health

By Sarah Pawlowski Staff Writer Cuban revolutionary and dictator Fidel Castro passed away on Friday, Nov. 25, at the age of 90.

His brother, Raúl, reported his death to the Cuban people on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 26.

“With profound pain I come here to inform our people, our friends of America and the world, that today — 25 Nov., 2016, at 10:29 p.m. — died the chief commander of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz,” Raúl Castro said.

The Cuban government declared a nineday period of mourning after the news of Castro’s death broke, calling the period “Duelo Nacional,” which translates to “national mourning,” according to The New York Times. The same news source reported that flags will be flown at half-staff and public activities will be suspended during this time.

Those who benefitted from Castro’s early political reforms are mourning his death while those who were born into the period

of Castro’s later, more restrictive rule do not share the same allegiance to him, according to The New York Times. The same news outlet reported that Castro appealed greatly to the lower, laboring classes in Cuba by promising them better working conditions.

Castro was also responsible for giving property to poorer citizens and decreasing unemployment through government spending, according to the The New York Times. Despite his popular social programs, Castro lost favor among his people through the Cuban Missile Crisis and United States embargo, The New York Times reported. The same news source reported that as Castro struggled to keep the island nation from American influence, his policies turned authoritarian.

A plethora of world leaders have released statements in response to Castro’s death. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on his official website that Castro held “tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people” and Castro was a “remarkable leader.”

Despite America’s historically tense relations with Cuba, President Barack Obama offered his condolences in the wake of Castro’s

The Cuban people have mixed reactions after Castro’s death.

death, according to USA Today.

“Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people,” Obama said. “For nearly six decades, the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that

AP Photo

we share as neighbors and friends.”

There was a two-day memorial ceremony held for Castro on Monday, Nov. 28, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Cuba’s Plaza de la Revolución, according to The New York Times. A public memorial mass in Havana occurred at the Jose Marti Revolution Square on Tuesday evening, CNN reported.

Castro’s remains were cremated and transported on the reverse route Castro used when taking control of the island in 1959, according to CNN.

New Orleans shooting kills one and injures nine French Quarter on Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street was especially crowded on Saturday night due to the Bayou Classic College football game, which had ended a few hours prior and a few miles from where the shooting took place, according to NBC News.

The cause of the shooting that occurred around 1:30 a.m. is unclear. According to NBC News, the most plausible theory is that an argument between two men in the street became so violent that it escalated into AP Photo a shooting.

People mourn Toliver’s death.

The victims of the shooting were

By Danielle Silvia 10 people were shot in New Or- two women and eight men, ranging Staff Writer leans on Sunday, Nov. 27. from 20 to 37 years old. The one faAccording to ABC News, tality, 25-year-old Demontris ToliThere was a casualty after the shooting happened in the ver, was a resident of Lafayette, La.

Toliver was an aspiring tattoo artist who lived a “promising life,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said, according to CNN. The 40 police officers who responded to the shooting and tended to the victims were already in the area for the football game, NBC News reported.

“Shots rang out, we responded,” said Michael Harrison, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. He did not know the cause of the shooting, according to NBC News.

The police officers are still working on tracking down the perpetrators, however, CNN reported that law enforcement has been making progress on who they believe is responsible for the event.

At the scene of the incident, police officers arrested two men for illegally carrying weapons, including firearms. Additionally, 11 people were arrested over the weekend in New Orleans for carrying illegal items like guns.

According to CNN, Harrison said despite the shooting, police officers in the area were “vigilant and prepared” throughout the weekend.

Landrieu believes this shooting speaks to a larger issue throughout the country.

“Totally unacceptable. The violence continues to spin out of control with people brandishing weapons whenever they think they can. It’s really unfortunate,” Landrieu said, according to NBC News.

page 8 The Signal December 7, 2016

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 9

Editorial

Making memories should mean more than giving gifts

When my supervisor approached our staff this week and asked if we would be interested in doing a Secret Santa, I was surprised to see one of my colleagues on the verge of tears.

“I don’t have the money,” she said. “I’m begging you guys — please can we do something else?”

The thick-rimmed glasses that framed her face couldn’t hide the tears that began to spill over. Finances were tight, she explained.

Christmas was fast approaching, and she was expected to buy gifts for every member of her family, second cousins included. Simply put, she didn’t have the money to spare for Secret Santa.

So, we scrapped the idea of gift giving and settled on decorating each other’s clipboards instead. But as I walked out of our staff meeting that night, the moment stuck with me.

In the four months we had worked together, I had never seen my colleague cry. She was always bursting with positivity during tough times and was, without fail, the first person to step forward and lend a helping hand.

She had demonstrated time and time again that she cared for each member of the staff and didn’t need to buy us any gifts to prove it. Yet in American culture, materialism is often associated with meaning.

Every time a birthday or holiday rolls around, we break the bank buying gifts. But for many students at the College, bank accounts are already low. Between buying overpriced textbooks at the start of the semester and getting groceries each week, spare money can be scarce.

Perhaps it’s time to let go of the antiquated notion that the amount of money you spend on a person correlates to how much you care for them. Surely it is the memories we make, not the materials we give that truly matter.

I know I can’t remember half of the gifts I was given for Christmas last year, but ask me to name a fond memory for every friend and family member I received a gift from and I could talk for hours on end.

As the holiday season approaches, let’s remember to be grateful for the loved ones we have who have shown their affection for us all year long in ways that money can’t buy and time cannot erase.

- Elise Schoening Features Editor

Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted.

Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.

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Instead of obsessing over what gifts to give this season, students can embrace the memories and friendships they have with others.

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“I got infected with HIV because I didn’t know if I was enough. No one ever came to my school to tell me that I’m beautiful.”

— Scott Fried, HIV survivor

“The only thing that keeps running through my head when I get phone calls now is, ‘What is this student going to do next year?’

There is already more demand than can be met with both us and CAPS. Without us, I don’t know what happens to them.”

— Katie Warga, a graduate student interning at TCNJ Clinic

“The dialog will be a sharing of what the students learned through their research, an opportunity to consider additional information, as appropriate, and a processing of what this means to us as a community.”

— Dave Muha, college spokesperson

page 10 The Signal December 7, 2016

Opinions

Trump could spell trouble for women’s rights

By Vincent Aldazabal

After Donald Trump was elected the next president of the U.S., some feared that there could be a national ban on abortion, which would likely threaten the biological and psychological security and health of American women.

During the late 20th century, Nicolae Ceausescu a fascist dictator in Romania, forced women to sacrifice their mental and physical health, and caused one of the world’s greatest orphan crisis. Bans on abortion in Romania were underpinned by the state’s invasion into the sexual practices of private citizens and by a strictly enforced national quota — women were expected to provide the Romanian nation-state with at least three or four children.

I was adopted from Campulung, Romania, at age 2. I am a product of fascism, the totalitarian horrors of Nicolae Ceausescu and one of the most severe orphan crises the world has ever seen.

National bans, or partial bans that forced women to obtain dangerous birth control alternatives in Romania, led to mass health epidemics, economic turmoil, widespread depression, despair and alcoholism. As a result of the bans on all forms of birth control, Romanian mothers tragically abandoned hundreds of thousands of children, and the state placed them in orphanages.

Google Books summarizes what life was like under Ceausescu’s rule in Gail Kligman’s book “The Politics of Duplicity Controlling Reproduction in Ceausescu’s Romania.”

According to Google Books, Kligman’s book summarizes how “Ceausescu’s reproductive policies, among which the banning of abortion was central, affected the physical and emotional well-being not only of individual men, women, children and families, but also of society as a whole. Sexuality, intimacy, and fertility control were fraught with fear, which permeated daily life and took

Trump administration may abolish Roe v. Wade.

AP Photo

Restrictions on women’s rights in US could lead to protests. a heavy moral toll as lying and dissimulation transformed both individuals and the state.”

If you are for birth control, that’s fine.

However, we should talk about what the actual efforts to honor these restrictions have looked like in the past and how we should implement such policies here in the U.S. What will happen if we overturn Roe v. Wade? What will America’s totalitarian erasure of women’s autonomy look like in your family? How do you actually think a government can prevent abortion? How can a nation and a government live with the severe consequences, such as the horrific orphan crisis of Romania and post-war Europe?

Cynthia Paces, a history professor at the College and a historian of modern Europe and gender, taught the students of her Holocaust Genocide Studies class this past summer that we should shy away from an exclusive focus on Adolf Hitler’s vision. Instead Paces, and many

AP Photo

others in her field, suggest that we fixate on how everyday Germans perpetrated and tolerated anti-Semitic ideologies and white supremacy that galvanized around the National Socialist Party and the toxic rhetoric of Hitler, Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels.

In the 1930s, Germany oversaw mass deportations and enacted to prevent the problem of illegal immigrants based on racist stereotypes that fabricated and claims about the Jews. I have had conversations with people who adamantly assert that the American state is justified in abruptly and violently deporting Latino and Muslims based on the similar stereotypical notions of their racial makeup.

If you oppose immigration, or forms that you deem to be “illegal,” what are the policies you expect us to support? Choose carefully America. Trump may not be Hitler, but Germany and Romania are part of the world we live in, and we are deeply embedded in it.

Buzzfeed app deserves more appreciation

By Mia Ingui

As soon as you wake up, you roll over and check your phone. C’mon, admit it. We’re all guilty of doing it.

If you’re an avid Buzzfeed user like I am, you know that the first app you open is not Facebook or Twitter, but Buzzfeed, which greets you with its logo — a beautiful red circle with a white cutting arrow.

I think Buzzfeed is one of the most necessary and informative apps on the market, no contest. Where else can you find out about what kind of cat you are based on your zodiac sign and fun foods for a Harry Potterthemed birthday party?

Buzzfeed has only continued to grow since it first was developed and founded in 2006. It describes itself as a “social news and entertainment company,” as well as a platform for “the most shareable breaking news, original reporting, entertainment and video.”

That could not be a better description. The app acts as a launchpad for informative breaking news, a variety of video channels from cooking to beauty tips, and most famously, it’s highly entertaining — though sometimes bizarre— quizzes. I’m here to break down the best and the worst parts of the Buzzfeed app.

Though there isn’t much room for complaint, Buzzfeed receives a C+ for its news section and app. If you’re

looking for hard-hitting news from a credible, renown news source, don’t turn to Buzzfeed News first. They are among the last to provide information and rarely ever get useful comments from whomever the story is about. Let’s just say that if Kim Kardashian is going to provide any news source with a comment, it will not be Buzzfeed. Turn to a more reliable source like The New York Times or ABC News when looking for breaking news.

Buzzfeed gets all A’s from me for the creative outlets that it has developed. Among my favorites are “Tasty,” Buzzfeed’s video comfort food channel, “Ladylike,” one of Buzzfeed’s video channels that has a group of ladies who try out crazy things, and, of course, the famous Buzzfeed quizzes, which range in topics from Disney to pizza to “What percent ‘cool’ are your parents?”

Whenever I have some spare time, I love checking out the new posts on all of these channels since they are updated frequently. I’m talking multiple times a day.

It’s a great way to unwind and see some fun, positive things online for once, and sometimes the channels can prove to be super useful, especially “Tasty.”

I’ve used so many “Tasty” recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas and all of the times in between, because who wouldn’t want mini pumpkin pies or churro ice cream bowls? “Tasty” has coined a method of filming

where they speed up their process to keep the video engaging and simple. “Tasty’s” short and sweet videos are equally as useful as they are adorable, and if you are looking for some easy-to-make treats, “Tasty” is perfect for you.

Whenever you get sick and tired of seeing your relatives’ political opinions posted on Facebook, or the same post over and over on Instagram of that one girl who tries way too hard, or the stale, boring feed of your Twitter timeline, try killing some time on Buzzfeed. You will have zero regrets, I promise.

Buzzfeed is an underrated app.

Buzzfeed

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December 7, 2016 The Signal page 11

Students share opinions around campus “Do you think Paul Loser Hall should be renamed?”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Claudia Siniakowicz, a freshman biology major.

“I think it should be reconsidered because of what he said in the past. It doesn’t represent our current values at TCNJ.”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Anna Kisker, a freshman elementary education and history double major.

“I haven’t looked into it enough, though I’ve seen articles on Facebook about it.”

“How do you feel about women’s rights under Trump?”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Lucine Beylerian, a freshman philosophy major.

“I think that it’s something that everyone needs to be more conscious of since he is not conscious of it.”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Klara Eieniasz, a freshman public health major.

“I feel like we’ve come so far progressively, so there won’t be any setbacks.”

The Signal’s student cartoons of the week...

page 12 The Signal December 7, 2016

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December 7, 2016 The Signal page 13

Features

Student United Way fights against hunger

By Brielle Bryan Staff Writer On the evening of Friday, Dec. 2, Student United Way hosted its second annual Hunger Banquet in the Education Building.

Donte Ingram, president of Student United Way and a senior business management major, began the event by welcoming the crowd.

“Tonight we are advocating on behalf of the millions of people who are negatively affected daily by poverty and hunger,” Ingram said.

According to Ingram, Student United Way is a service organization dedicated to volunteering and advocating in areas that concern education, health and income.

Student United Way’s goals align with Oxfam America, a charitable organization focused on alleviating poverty who provided the model for the activities at the Hunger Banquet.

Ingram finished his opening speech and handed it over to keynote speaker Antonino Scarpati, assistant dean of Nursing, Health and Exercise Science.

While Scarpati used the model Oxfam America provided to run the event, he added his own touches, as well, such as playing a video by Harvard Law on global wealth.

“This event is a metaphor for how food and resources are inequitably distributed around the world,” Scarpati said after playing the video.

Scarpati said there are 2.2 billion people in the world living in poverty and 795 million of them are living with chronic hunger.

Scarpati turned to the audience and asked them to look at the cards that they were handed when they walked into the room.

Each card was categorized as either

Randell Carrido / Staff Photographer

Students are asked to sit on the floor to represent low-class living. high, middle or low income, and contained a specific person’s name and background story.

Students who received cards marked as high income were asked to sit in a chair at a table. Those with cards labeled as middle income had to sit in chairs that were not next to a table while those with a low income card had to sit on the floor.

Most students sat on the floor. A small percentage of students sat in chairs that were not next to a table while four students sat in chairs next to a table.

Scarpati said 20 percent of the students had a high income, 30 percent had a middle income and 50 percent had a low income.

Scarpati called out a few names written on the student’s cards and talked about the background story of the named individual.

Scarpati went on to discuss situations in which individuals could experience economic mobility.

“It was so crazy how you could go from middle to low income in the blink of an eye,” said Luisanna Lugo, a senior math and secondary education dual major.

When it came time to eat, Scarpati said the students in the high-income group would be served pasta, salad and sweet tea. The students who were middle income would have to walk up to the buffet and could only eat rice and beans. The low-income students were only allowed rice, and women had to wait for the men to eat first.

“It was very eye-opening,” said Tyler Law, a communication studies major who was in the low-income group. “It’s one of those things that is in the back of your mind.

You know about poverty, but you never really experience it until you see the charts, hear the speeches and hear the stories.”

According to Lugo, experiencing the situation of poverty firsthand makes people grateful for what they have in their lives.

Sophomore nursing major Dianelis Mendoza said she volunteers at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK).

“I see a lot of little kids,” Mendoza said.

“They didn’t choose this for themselves.

They were just born into it.”

According to Scarpati, every 11.5 seconds 8,000 children die from hunger.

What could the students do with their newfound knowledge on poverty and hunger?

Scarpati and Ingram suggested students should get involved with nonprofits, such as HomeFront and TASK, or service organizations like the Bonner Institute or Habitat for Humanity.

Most clubs give students the opportunity to do charity work, or even co-sponsor an event that is dedicated to advocating on the behalf of a specific cause.

The clubs that co-sponsored the Hunger Banquet were Black Student Union, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., Haitian Student Association, Chi Upsilon Sigma and TCNJ Red Cross.

Students can also participate in Student United Way’s annual PB&J race in the spring semester.

Scarpati said he hopes students become more involved following their attendance at the event.

He encourages students to reflect on what they’ve learned, share their experience with at least five people and to get involved with one organization that does something to address hunger and poverty.

Students take a Trip Around the World

Left: Students learn about diverse cultures. Right: Students try new foods.

By Melissa Guerrero Correspondent

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, students from the International House hosted its second annual Trip Around the World in the Education Building.

Trip Around the World showcased the College’s multicultural and ethnic clubs, such as Union Latina, Asian American Student Association and Muslim Student Association, and aimed to inform students of life outside of America.

Students and residents of the College’s International House planned and executed Trip

Around the World. Junior international studies major John Walsh, senior biology major Ruth Sanchez De La Ros and sophomore accounting major Ariana Macaraig Berberabe worked together to bring different cultures to life.

“Trip Around the World is a fundamental event to the College campus because it showcases various cultures in a light of authenticity that I do not believe any other event can hold parallel to,” Walsh said.

The cultures that were represented at the event included Germany, Latin America and Italy.

Each country had its own table,

serving food and facts from each respective culture. Students were encouraged to try foods they have never eaten before.

“My favorite part of Trip Around the World is always when people try a new food for the first time and learn to love it,” Walsh said.

The event gave students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the different cultures throughout the College’s student body as well as meet students at the College who are from overseas.

“The event benefits students by giving them an ability to see the many cultural clubs we

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

have on campus and to meet the international students who are ever so proud to showcase their traditions,” Walsh said.

Trip Around the World set up an illustrated setting to make students feel engaged and involved in each country. Students were directed to circle the room and stop at each country to receive a ticket.

At the end of the event, a raffle took place to motivate student participation. Prizes consisted of gift cards to restaurants and clothing stores, with the grand prize being a $100 gift card for Southwest Airlines.

Impressive performances by

iTunes, Chinese Student Association, DragonFlies and TCNJ Jiva showcased how dance is different throughout various countries.

TCNJ Barkada presented Tinikling: a traditional Filipino folk dance. Later, the freshmen members of the Chinese Student Association, called the Next Generation, performed a dance.

With thousands of students at the College, students are destined to meet people with different cultural backgrounds.

Trip Around the World provided an interesting experience for attendees to learn about different cultures and discover the diversity on campus.

page 14 The Signal December 7, 2016

: Oct. ‘05

Campus Style

Stranger follows student into Bliss Hall

Alyssa Gautieri / Production Manager

In 2005, a stranger wandered into an English class at the College.

Every week, Production Manager Alyssa Gautieri hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.

In October, the College heightened its security measures after an intruder was caught on security footage sneaking into dorm rooms. The intruder reportedly entered Decker and New Residence halls in the early hours of the morning on different occasions.

An emergency text alert from the College was sent to students to warn them of the intruder: a 5-foot-9 white male with a thin face reportedly wearing light shorts and a dark shirt. In October 2005, a similar incident occurred on campus in which an older man uninvitedly entered a classroom in Bliss Hall.

A middle-aged man reportedly smelling of alcohol interrupted a 4 p.m. romanticism class being taught by Harriet Hustis, associate professor of English, last Thursday afternoon in Bliss Hall.

After hanging around the halls for a few minutes, and making students giggle by peeking in the door window, the man entered uninvited, Hustis said.

He told Hustis he was assigned to teach the class, argued with her for less than five minutes over whether he could teach the class, and then left on his own, she said.

Hustis said the man was white, in his late 40s to mid-50s, and had short grayish hair.

She said he was clean, presentable, and relatively articulate. She added that he wasn’t

aggressive or mean, and went so far as to call him jovial.

“He just walked in here and said ‘I’m here to teach this class,’” Hustis said. “I think when he realized he wasn’t going to get to teach, he decided to leave.”

After he left, a female student in the class told Hustis that the man had followed her there. Students sitting near the doorway where he was standing also told her he smelled of alcohol, Hustis said.

Gloria Arminio, a senior English major in the class, said the class was more confused by the incident than scared. “Everyone was just waiting to see what would happen,” she said.

Hustis reported the incident to Paulette LaBar, secretary in the English department, who then called Campus Police.

According to Arminio, police officers entered the classroom 10 minutes later and talked to the class to get details.

Arminio said an officer told the class the man was also caught trying to “tutor” young girls outside the Library. There have also been reports of him at the Brower Student Center, Hustis said.

The officer said Campus Police would put the man on a list of people banned from the College, so that legal action could be taken if he was found on campus again.

Sneakers are comfortable.

Flickr

By Jillian Greene Columnist

As the end of the semester approaches, students are struggling to find time to do just about anything, let alone time to find a cute outfit. The Library is getting increasingly crowded as students stress to finish group projects, write final papers, submit late assignments and begin studying for finals.

How can we possibly pull it off? I ask myself this at the end of every semester, yet I still don’t have an answer. I don’t think anybody does. Stress is at an all-time high among students. This stress can affect many things, such as our eating habits, sleep schedule, overall health and, more importantly, our outfit choices.

I’m seeing an increase in students on campus dressed in their pajamas. This leads me to assume that they have been studying all night and were too tired to pick out an outfit.

Of course, I am not saying there is anything wrong with wearing pajamas to class or the Library. In fact, pajamas are an acceptable outfit in college.

However, don’t forget: Dress well, test

well! During the next two weeks, comfort is key as we cram and spend an unthinkable amount of hours in the Library. However, just because an outfit is comfortable, does not mean that it cannot be stylish, too. Dressing nice on the days of your finals will boost your confidence and overall attitude going into the exam.

Yes, I admit my outfits this week have not been my finest. However, I’ve made it work. If you’re thinking about your group project or finals creeping up the second you open your eyes in the morning, then you may decide to get dressed without any logical thought process. I promise that you are not alone.

My advice, which I have implemented in my own life, is to pick out an outfit the night before. It’ll save time, and any extra time is valuable to stressed-out students. I usually turn to leggings and a long sweater with sneakers because the outfit still has the comfort of pajamas, but is cute enough to keep you feeling confident. Good luck studying, fashionistas!

Girl pulls off a casual look.

Flickr

: Hectic year for celebs will end

Twitter

Hadid walks the runway and The Weeknd performs at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show.

By Mackenzie Cutruzzula Columnist As the end of the year approaches, we can begin to reflect on 2016. As a culture, we followed the highly contested presidential election, saw an outpouring of memes and paid close attention to the whereabouts of Taylor Swift.

The year has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride filled with emotions, and I think everyone is excited for it to be over. Possibly besides President-elect Donald

Trump who will actually have to take the White House in 2017.

This week, “Saturday Night Live” maintained its streak of making fun of Trump’s antics.

Attacking Trump’s tweeting habits, the show commented on how Trump’s focus on social media is taking away from his White House preparations.

Trump fired back via Twitter, saying that the show is biased.

He also wrote that Alec Baldwin’s impersonation “can’t get any worse.”

Baldwin retaliated by tweeting

back that he would stop the gig if Trump released his tax returns, which has been another hot topic in 2016.

Jennifer Aniston also made an appearance on “SNL” during its “Weekend Update” segment.

Aniston asked cast member Vanessa Bayer to stop impersonating her “Friends” character Rachel Green.

The two squabbled over the accusation that Green never contributed much to conversations during her run on the sitcom.

Bayer and Aniston are appearing together in the upcoming movie “Office Christmas Party.”

As if 2016 couldn’t get anymore cringeworthy, Bella Hadid and The Weeknd proved the year had more to give. After their recent breakup, the two were forced to run into each other on the Victoria’s Secret runway.

Hadid walked in her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, where her ex-boyfriend also performed. Photos were released that showed The Weeknd trying to serenade his ex on the runway.

The model stayed calm, cool and collected as she strutted past him. The two exchanged polite

smiles before Hadid stole the spotlight back.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher were able to provide some good news in this desolate year as they announced the birth of their second child together. Dimitri Portwood Kutcher, who was born in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 30, joined the couple’s other daughter Wyatt Isabelle.

Kutcher and Kunis say they keep their children out of the spotlight.

According to the couple, the children can decide if they would like

to be in the public eye when they are older. I would like to personally thank Kunis and Kutcher for reminding us that there is still good in the world.

As the semester finishes off, I thank you for another wonderful semester of keeping up with celebrity drama. From the Royal Family to award season, I’m excited to see what 2017 will bring us. Mostly, I’ll continue patiently waiting for Taylor Swift to release new music throughout the new year.

Twitter

Kunis and Kutcher announce birth of their second child.

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 15

Arts & Entertainment

Punk rock rules in closing CUB Alt show

Kimberly Ilkowski / Staff Photographer

Left: Four-piece punk band Pentimento plays a varied and lively set. Right: Save Face performs an energetic array of pop-punk songs.

By Gianna Melillo Correspondent With performers like PWR BTTM and Alex G setting the bar high for CUB Alt shows all semester long, the last show had to go out with a bang. CUB Alt’s final show on Friday, Dec. 2, did just that with Save Face, Born Without Bones and headliner Pentimento.

The bands jammed out in the Decker Social Space from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to a large crowd of students and local music lovers.

“I’m so excited for this show.

It’s going to be sick,” said Karin Flannery, a sophomore interactive multimedia and graphic design

double major and sister of alumnus Chris Flannery (’16) in Save Face.

Pentimento, a punk rock band from Buffalo, N.Y., headlined the show. The band comprises two guitarists, one of whom is the lead singer, as well as a bassist and a drummer who provided additional vocals.

Sophomore English major Morgan Lubner was excited to see the band perform.

“I’ve been following them for about four years now, and I’ve never seen them before,” Lubner said. “They’re really, really nice guys and they’re super engaging with their fans, which is really cool. I’m really happy CUB Alt

was able to book them here because they’re a great band and they deserve all the exposure they can get.”

Pentimento’s first project, “Wrecked,” was released in 2011. The band’s latest fulllength album “I, no Longer” came out in 2015.

The upbeat, fast-paced set was well-received by the audience who cheered and sang along to the lyrics. In between songs, lead singer Jeramiah Pauly interacted with the crowd, reminding them of the merchandise for sale in the back of the venue. At one point he shouted, “Part of Christmas spirit is buying stuff” and

thanked the audience for supporting them.

The set included 10 songs off the band’s two full-length albums.

After wishing the crowd “Happy holidays,” Pentimento played its final song to a room full of people swaying arm in arm.

Dana Gorab, CUB Alt cochair and a junior communication studies major, couldn’t have been happier with the turnout.

“Pentimento is so good, I love them,” she said. “They were really excited to play, and since it’s the last show of the semester, I’m glad we got to end on a high note.”

Save Face, which includes

alumni Flannery and Tyler Pavonda (’16), opened the show.

The band just came off a twomonth tour throughout the U.S. and Canada in support of their first EP, “Folly.”. The pop punk band’s set included five songs that revved up the crowd.

Hailing from Boston, Born Without Bones played next.

The band’s main genre is emo and its first album, “Baby,” is available on Spotify and other music-streaming websites. The members toured with Save Face over the summer and played a fast-paced set, complete with headbanging and cheers from the audience.

Students sing stunning songs in first iCabaret

By Mia Ingui Managing Assistant

iTunes, the College’s largest a cappella group dedicated to incorporating international tunes into its repertoire, held its first ever iCabaret on Saturday, Dec. 5. The evening was filled with solo acts from many of the iTunes members.

“In the past year, we’ve had more opportunities,” said Lauren Agho, a member of iTunes and a junior biology major with a specialization in psychology who organized the event. “We thought having a night to showcase our individual talents would be great.”

Since it was founded in 2007, iTunes has grown immensely and incorporated contemporary pop songs into its lineup, as well.

The iCabaret was filled with a variety of tunes from pop to Broadway to Frank Sinatra. The first act of the night was a group piece from all the iTunes members — the classic Christmas carol “Carol of the Bells.”

Junior Jordan Virgil started the evening off strong with an impeccable cover of “Still Hurting” from the Broadway musical “The Last Five Years.”

Next up was freshman Ian Gray, who followed Virgil with another song from “The Last Five Years” called “Shiksa Goddess,” an amusing lament in which Gray said anything goes, except for being Jewish.

iTunes sings a diverse set ranging from jazz to pop.

After Gray was Emme Mcgilligan, a sophomore who sang the tender and sweet Adele ballad “Make You Feel My Love.”

Members of iTunes then brought out an extra guitar microphone for the next act: junior Tim Smith singing and playing Panic! at the Disco’s “The Ballad of Mona Lisa.”

Next up was sophomore Taylor Solomon, whose crystal clear vocals shone in her rendition of “Arms” by Christina Perri.

The guitar microphone was brought back up for freshman Amanda Hyland, who performed the iconic “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. She prefaced the song with a

Kim Iannerone / Photo Editor

quick note, saying that this song held a special place in her heart, as it was the first one she ever performed to which the audience let out a collective “Aw.” Sophomore Mallory Ives took the stage next, accompanied by her brother on guitar. They performed “Just Ask” by Lake Street Drive.

To close the first act, freshman Joey Stambouly sang “Santeria” by Sublime.

The second act opened with senior Ally Marcino, who performed the smooth and soft “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones.

She gave a disclaimer at the beginning of

her performance that “there is an 18-second musical interlude” and that “to the dismay of my family, I will dance through the entire thing.” She did.

Freshman Berto Crespo followed Marcino with the tender love song “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur.

Junior Tim Smith and his guitar took the stage again, this time to perform the Rascal Flatt’s ballad “Here’s to You.” He dedicated the song to his mom, which caused the audience to “Aw” again.

Joey Stambouly came back out onstage after Smith in a full suit, ready to now serenade the audience with Sinatra’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” and everyone swooned.

To challenge Stambouly was Gray, whose second act of the night was Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”

The whole group then took the stage to perform the last number, Sia’s “Alive” arranged by former iTunes member and alumnus Cameron Schiff (’16) and featured soloist senior Derek Carper.

Agho, who organized the event, felt that the first ever iCabaret was a success.

“It went well,” Agho said. “All of the soloists were great and so was the turnout.”

This will not be the last iCabaret, according to Agho, who would like to make it a biannual event.

The iTunes’s Winter Concert is coming up on Sunday, Dec. 11, in Mayo Concert Hall.

page 16 The Signal December 7, 2016

Student artists show talent at Arter’s Market

Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer

Left: Students sell handmade jewelry at tables adorned with lights. Right: An artist sells crafts and prints.

By Kristin Dipede Correspondent Under the starry, evening sky, students at the College displayed their artwork at the Winter Arter’s Market outside the Art and Interactive Multimedia (AIMM) Building on the night of Friday, Dec. 2, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the AIMM courtyard. Each piece of displayed art demonstrated the artists’ creativity.

Hosted by Rebel Arts Movement, a student organization comprising artists and art lovers, the festive string lights adorning the balcony and the music set the mood as the artists displayed and sold their work. Upon entering the event, one may have seen a grand dirt pile, which the respective artist spoke with great satisfaction about his vision in seeing dirt as art.

Further down the path were items sporting the College’s letters that students were sure to swoop in and grab. There were canvas paintings of New Jersey filled in with various patterns and colors while another seller distributed tie-dyed TCNJ Trendy Tees with a paint-splattered “TCNJ” written across the front and multiple colors and designs from which to choose.

Danielle Davis, a junior graphic design major, used the art sale to sell and display her various paintings. Her designs included anime characters and interesting patterns. Along with her paintings and pastel drawings, Davis had detailed graphic design drawings.

“Ever since I was young, I just liked to draw and paint,” Davis said. “Some of the artists here have had this artistic skill and passion since they could talk.”

Although she is a graphics design major, Davis now prefers a specific method of drawing.

“I used to prefer paintings, but now I just really like to use pencil,” she said.

Other students used their abilities in a more practical way by placing their artwork of animals, for example, onto iPhone cases.

Colorful and comfortable pillows and blankets with either a swirled tie-dyed or floral knit pattern was another option that customers could purchase.

Unlike the common jewelry pieces, artists sold white lace chokers in a variety of patterns and sizes. More fashionable art pieces included knit scarves with multi-colored, plaid patterns just in time for the winter season.

The inside of the AIMM Building provided a world of artistic, creative pieces that included human portraits that displayed the artists’ true attributes. Despite the cold weather, everyone from artists to visitors enjoyed the evening.

The Filharmonic serenades audience in Mayo

By Jennifer Goetz Web Editor

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the talented all-male a cappella group featured in NBC’s “The Sing Off” and “Pitch Perfect 2,” The Filharmonic, performed in Mayo Concert Hall. Hosted by the Asian American Association, the group consists of Filipino-American members who entertain audiences with hip-hop and pop covers, along with their own original music.

Vocalists VJ Rosales, Joe Caigoy, Trace Gaynor and Barry Fortgang, vocal bass Jules Cruz and beatboxer Niko Del Ray entered the stage in sync with one another. While their movements and choreography were not always exactly alike, they all gave off the same energy during each song.

“They can balance a small group and have such a strong sound,” said Derek Carper, a member of one of the College’s a cappella groups, iTunes, and a senior marketing major. “(They have) a super great stage presence.”

The Filharmonic performed songs such as “Chains” by Nick Jonas, “Shut up and Dance with Me” by Walk the Moon. Every song was well-known, so the audience could easily pick it up and sing along with them, except from their original song, “Get up and Go.” However, the group taught the audience the verses, so they could sing, too.

The group encouraged audience participation throughout its performance.

They called up a volunteer to serenade, got the audience to create different sounds to make a collective rhythm and dedicated a song,“Sugar” by Maroon 5, to New Jersey’s signature dessert: cannoli. Remi Hoff, a freshman applied math major, was impressed by their performance, describing

them as “really personal and interactive.”

Fortgang said he thought it would be nice for the audience to appreciate how much fun they have performing a cappella music.

“There’s a lot of work that we put into it, so hopefully that shows,” he said.

After the show, the audience was treated to a meet and greet, so fans could take a quick picture with the group.

“They were so entertaining and fun,” said Kamy Reyes, a junior communication studies major. “(They gave) charismatic performances.”

The Filharmonic is currently embarking on its first nationwide “Get up and Go” tour and are traveling to 120 college

campuses. In addition to its work on “The Sing Off” and “Pitch Perfect 2,” The Filharmonic has appeared on the “Late Late Show with James Corden” in a segment with Anna Kendrick.

The group also has an active YouTube channel where the group uploads covers of popular songs and original content.

Currently the channel has more than 140,000 subscribers.

The Filharmonic were not the only a cappella group to grace the Mayo Concert Hall stage. iTunes, which cosponsored this Student Activity Feefunded event along with TCNJ Barkada, opened the show with songs like “Lego House” by Ed Sheeran and “Cake by the

Ocean” by DNCE. Through beatboxing, clapping and stomping, the group made the audience forget that there were no instruments. iTunes will be performing its own concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, in Mayo Concert Hall.

As for The Filharmonic, the group looks forward to taking on new projects and plans to focus on releasing more YouTube covers and additional original content this upcoming year.

If there is one thing the group hopes the audience takes away from their performance, it was to always have fun.

“We have fun all the time up onstage,” Fortgang said. “And hopefully we get to share that with the audience.”

The Filharmonic displays impressive a cappella abilities with covers of popular songs.

Mason Moran / Staff Photographer

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 17

New ‘Pokémon’ revives series

Photo courtesy of Nintendo

Pokémon like Raichu have new tropical forms in ‘Sun and Moon.’

By Sean Reis Arts & Entertainment Editor

Another adventure awaits in the “Pokémon” franchise’s latest game “Pokémon Sun and Moon,” and there’s no time to waste if you “want be the very best, like no one ever was.”

In the seventh generation of the series, “Pokémon Sun and Moon” is a four-island journey across the Hawaiian-inspired Alola region. This may be one of the best “Pokémon” games to come out in over a decade, and no, “Pokémon Go” doesn’t count.

The sixth generation, “X and Y,” was a strong attempt to revive the franchise, but “Sun and Moon” gives “Pokémon” fans the chance to return to their roots with a change of pace from previous titles.

Familiar faces such as Pikachu, Eevee and Magikarp, along with Alolan versions of

Pokémon, will greet you as you begin your adventure. I specifically enjoyed playing with the Alolan form of Pikachu’s final evolution, Raichu, which features a new twist on the powerful evolution that I rarely used in past games. Pokémon, like Grimer and Muk, each have Alolan forms that, again, encouraged me to catch these Pokémon for battle, despite rarely using these Pokémon in past titles.

“X and Y” had included other generations of Pokémon with similar reasoning, however, “Sun and Moon” does so in a way that the classic Pokémon blend well with the Pokémon that are native to the new region. Pikachu and friends pick up the slack from their “Sun and Moon” colleagues who don’t quite reach the creative standards that previous “Pokémon” generations have required.

Not to say that the Alolan Pokédex was not filled with cool, new Pokémon to catch, but

many clearly took more thought than others.

The new fan favorite Mimikyu was well-designed by the “Sun and Moon” team, while Klefki — the Pokémon that resembles a key ring — was not.

Besides the Alolan Pokémon, “Sun and Moon” has the richest plot — excluding the first three generations, which will forever hold a special place in my heart. With a beginning reminiscent of the third generation, the story starts after you move to Alola with your mother. It seems simple, but embarking on a new adventure with a similar background story for the character serves as a nostalgic vehicle for fans of the classic titles.

In Alola, you’re also welcomed by other dynamic characters, such as Lillie, Gladion and Acerola. The vast majority of the nonplayable characters (NPC) who you meet on your adventure feature dense and well-written lore that adds to the game overall. Though this may not be the case for every NPC you meet on your travels — especially your one-dimensional rival Hau — these characters help drive the story as you progress from island to island by defeating several trials on each. Started in “Sun and Moon,” this trial system has replaced the gyms found in previous generations.

Among the many odd extras that the seventh generation decided to add, such as Festival Plaza or “Poké Pelago,” “Sun and Moon” would have been incomplete and less successful without a team of Pokémon thieves to stop your fun. Although the “Sun and Moon” successors to the original Team Rocket may not be my favorite team to fight, Team Skull did make for humorous competition on my adventure.

Overall, “Sun and Moon” has been the best “Pokémon” experience in years, and I highly recommend it to all fans of the franchise, young and old.

Metallica returns with rad new album

This week, WTSR staff members Tommy Strafaci and Rachel Miller highlight some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.

Band: Sires Album: “Soul for Sale” Release Number: 1st Hailing From: Waterloo, Iowa Genre: Pop Rock Label: Station 1 Records Waterloo-based band Sire debuted a solid rock album with “Soul for Sale.” Running the gambit from seductive balladry to poppy and lighthearted to pure rock ’n roll, the band knows how to create a sound all of their own.

Taking influences from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, but with an undeniably modern twist, “Soul for Sale” is memorable. The combination of frontman Dylan Sires backed by Ross Klemz and Graham Howland, and mixed by Brandon Darner, creates a high-energy, nonstop-fun rock album that is sure to leave listeners excited for more.

Must Hear: “She’s Into Me,” “Deep in the Dark,” “Hands are Shakey” and “Don’t Black Out”

By Matt Baginski Correspondent In 1981, guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield joined forces with drummer Lars Ulrich. Add lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo to the mix, and you’ve got one of the greatest heavy metal rock bands of all time: Metallica. In the 35 years since, Metallica has been able to close the distance between hardcore heavy metal headbangers and the average music listener.

“Hardwired... to Self Destruct” contains just about everything a Metallica fan could ask for from one of their albums.

Fast-paced, headbanging, eardrum-deafening heavy metal –– the same stuff your cooler older brother would listen to back in college. Seriously, though, the album is solid, receiving high ratings from Rolling Stone and The Guardian, and placing No. 1 in the charts worldwide.

Metallica is back, making a name for itself amongst a generation whose constituents weren’t even alive when their first few albums were released.

I’ll be basing my review off the standard edition, which kicks off with a single released earlier in the year, “Hardwired.” According to an interview on The Howard Stern Show from Monday, Sept. 26, Ulrich and Hetfield wanted a quick introduction to kick things off.

“Hardwired” sets the tone for the first disc of the album with high octane guitar riffs and classic Metallica double kick drum madness. Although frantic, the music flows well and seems as if it is progressing linearly — a difficult feat to accomplish when playing at such high beats per minute.

Hetfield on the vocals, screams, “We’re so fucked! Shit out of luck!

Hardwired to self-destruct!” — a classic example of the angst and semi-controlled chaos that has propelled Metallica into stardom.

The following track “Atlas, Rise!” is a true to form Metallica classic –– seven minutes of vicious, adrenaline-pumping rhythm with periodic momentary rests before diverting back into pandemonium. The third track on disc one was not released as a single ahead of the album’s release, but that does not stop it from being just as, if not more, heavy and brooding than its predecessors.

In “Now That We’re Dead,” Hetfield vocalizes a story of love gone too soon, and the optimism in death that one will be united with their friends and family. Metallica is known for their themes of mortality, sadness and pain that comes with being human, and

Band: Slaughter Beach, Dog Album: “Welcome” Release Number: 1st AP Photo Hailing From: Philadelphia Metallica plays with chaotic power and energy.

Genre: Emo “Now That We’re Dead” is a testament to these motifs. Throw in Label: Lame-O Records a fantastic guitar solo backed by Ulrich kick pedaling like a madman, and this song makes for one of the best tracks on their 10th If you had told any Modern Baseball fan bealbum. The rest of disc one finishes out strongly with two more fore this year started that they would be gettracks including another pre-released single “A Moth Into The ting a new MoBo album and the debut album Flame” and “Halo On Fire.” of Slaughter Beach, Dog (the side-project of Disc two doesn’t contain any singles off the album, and is not as MoBo’s Jake Ewald), they would’ve said it polished as the first. “Here Comes Revenge” and the conclusion, was a dream come true. While sometimes “Spit Out The Bone,” are the strongest tracks on the latter end of overshadowed by the popularity of MoBo, this album. “ManUNkind” is very choppy as Ulrich and Hammett Slaughter Beach, Dog is an awesome band in play quickly and often not at the same pace. I’m not sure what they its own right. In the debut album “Welcome,” were going for here, but the chaos is much less controlled, to a point Ewald plays the role of storyteller, delivering where it can really irritate you if you pay enough attention to it. fans with 10 songs, each displaying the difThe three remaining tracks are not exactly filler, but also not quite ferent perspectives of fictional people from on par with the rest of the album. They reside in a sort of forgettable the imaginary town of Slaughter Beach. If limbo and are part of the reason, along with the clumsiness of “Ma- that idea isn’t creative enough to get you to nUNkind,” that some critics have given this album a lower rating listen, then the poignant yet honest lyrics and than it deserves. the catchy hooks should. Opting for the role “Hardwired” is as true to Metallica as most of their earlier of narrator rather than protagonist, Ewald works. It’s an album that long-time fans will adore and perhaps shows his uncanny ability to pen interesting catalyze a newfound fondness for heavy thrash metal among and cohesive lyrics that seem relatable to just younger audiences. Classic themes of death, love, pain and free- about anyone. “Welcome” is one of the best dom are all expressed throughout the two-disc, 12-track set. albums of the year, so do yourself a favor and The masterful talent of Hammett, Ulrich, Hetfield and Trujillo just put it on repeat. are apparent, despite the faults on a few of the tracks from the second disc. Metallica fans like myself will adore this album, and Must Hear: “Politics of Grooming,” if you’ve never heard their music, I suggest you give it a listen at “Drinks,” “Monsters,” “Toronto Mug” and the gym or during a caffeine-fueled study binge.

“Mallrat Semi-Annual”

page 18 The Signal December 7, 2016

Fun StufF Finals Week Crossword Puzzle

Down:

1. A social media website where you’ll spend most of your time procrastinating.

2. When your friends think you’re joking about how you’re going to fail your finals and acting _____, but you’re actually serious.

4. The skies of the College student’s future darkened as he handed in his final exam. This sentence is what type of figurative language.

5. How to study in advance for finals: ____ _ ____.

7. When you’re a bad _____ _____, you won’t do well on your exam no matter how hard you study.

10. A way to relieve stress during finals week. Meredith and Christina from “Grey’s Anatomy” do this when they are stressed, as well.

11. While studying alone for finals _____ ______, my books have become my friends.

13. If you did well on these mini tests all semester then you have nothing to stress about.

14. If you realized that you don’t know the meaning of half the words in your textbook, you can find their definition in this book.

16. This is the type of pencil you bring to your exam.

17. Stories of students receiving an A on all of their finals seems like a _____, or fairytale.

Across:

3. An adjective that describes the kid you get your notes from.

6. Fiction is to nonfiction as english is to what?

8. The type of look you gave your professor all semester when you were not paying attention in class. 3 words 9. You haven’t done this all semester and now you need to catch up, so open your textbooks!

12. This project is almost always due at the end of the semester and you either do all the work or barely anything.

15. General education majors learn this type of English for middle and elementary schoolers.

18. You don’t need to check this out of the Lib because you get your sources online.

19. When you try to _____ your friend in your class the material because they haven’t been paying attention all semester, but you have. :) 20. ____ _ _____ of cookies from Eick after finishing all of your exams.

21. At the end of ____ ____ ______, you will hopefully graduate and get a job.

ANSWERS ON NEXT PAGE

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 19

Fun Stuff

CROSSWORD ANSWERS Down: Across: 1. Facebook 2. silly 4. metaphor 5. create a plan 7. test taker 10. dance 11. appears lonely 13. quiz 14. dictionary 16. number two 17. myth

3. smart 6. math 8. a blank look 9. reading 12. group project 15. language arts 18. library book 19. teach 20. enjoy a plate 21. your senior year

page 20 The Signal December 7, 2016

Sports

Lions come back to beat defending NJAC champs

By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor

The Lions continue their blazing start to the season with consecutive wins against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponents. After falling to Skidmore College, 84-96, on Monday, Nov. 28, the Lions defeated Stockton University, 66-62, two days later. The following Saturday, Dec. 3, the Lions crushed Kean University, 77-43.

In Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the Lions could not keep up with the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds consistent shooting led by sophomore guard Edvinas Rupkus’s 37-point performance. The Lions fell to a 6-2 deficit in the beginning. The Thoroughbreds senior guard Aldin Medunjanin was the mailman of his team’s offense with five assists in the first half.

Senior forward Bobby Brackett played physical against the Thoroughbreds as he registered a double-double performance.

During the game, Brackett recorded his 672th rebound, passing alumnus Bill Burr (’99) and becoming fourth in the Lions alltime rebounding list.

The Lions offense stumbled in the second half, while the Thoroughbreds hung on until the 96-84 result. Senior forward Corey Stanford and Brackett missed back-to-back layup attempts during the first two minutes of the second half. By the 25th minute, the Thoroughbreds junior center Marcus Jackson and Rupkus sunk in three layups and the Thoroughbreds lead grew to 58-38.

Even though junior guard Eric Murdock

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Freshman forward Ryan Jensen grabs six rebounds.

and Stanford fought hard in the second half, the Thoroughbreds remained ahead and almost reached 100 points.

“We can improve on so much,” Brackett said. “I don’t even think we realize how good we can be. There have been signs of us playing better together, but we have yet to play our best for an entire game.”

After the loss, the Lions journeyed to Galloway, N.J., to compete against the Stockton University Ospreys: the defending NJAC champions who defeated them in last season’s NJAC final. Unlike the finals match the previous February, the Lions came out with a 66-62 victory.

“Going into the Stockton game we

definitely had a little extra motivation since they beat us in the conference championship last season,” Brackett said. “It’s always fun playing against them, and it was no different this time.”

Like the previous match against Skidmore, the Lions quickly fell 0-8 deficit.

Ospreys sophomore guard Kashaun Barnes was the centerpiece of his team’s offense.

Barnes twice shoveled a pass to senior guard Tom Catanoso as he threw in two three-pointers.

Starting in the 10th minute, the Lions furiously erased their deficit thanks to Murdock. The Lions finished the first half only three points behind, 31-28.

The Ospreys responded immediately in the second half with a 12-4 run. Ospreys sophomore guard/forward Brandon Hamilton speared through the Lions defense and scored 10 points on multiple jumpers. With 13 minutes remaining, the Lions found themselves far behind, 47-36.

The Lions began to rally when Bermudez leaped for a layup. Murdock instantly followed up with a pair of three-pointers behind the arc. Meanwhile, Ospreys junior forward Darius Jerkins slowed the Lions momentum by forcing fouls and draining free throws. By the fifth minute, the Lions were only trailing by three points.

Two minutes later, sophomore guard Joe Montano fed a pass to Murdock, who proceeded to tie the match, 62-62, with a three-pointer. Afterwards, the Lions built their first lead of the match and won, 66-62.

After the close game, the Lions returned to Packer Hall and crushed the Kean University Cougars, 77-43. The Lions began the match with a 9-0 lead and never looked back. At the beginning of the second half, Murdock swapped the ball from Cougar’s sophomore guard Jodrell Thompson and recorded his 100th career steal.

The Lions remain home for the week as they take on the Delaware Valley University Aggies at Packer Hall on Monday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Lions compete in another conference matchup at home against the Rowan University Profs at 8 p.m. The Lions then finish the week away at New Jersey City University on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Cheap Seats

Chapecoense tragedy brings the soccer world together

Chapecoense fans come out to see their beloved team for one last time.

By Rohan Ahluwalia Staff Writer The soccer world woke up to the most dreadful news imaginable on Tuesday, Nov. 29: A flight carrying the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense crashed in Colombia just outside of Medellin.

Of the 81 people on the flight, which included players, coaches, journalists and airline staff, only six survived.

Goalkeeper Jackson Follmann and defenders Alan Ruschel and Norberto Neto were the only three players who managed to survive from the crash. The team’s main

goalkeeper, Marcos “Danilo” Padilha, also initially survived the crash and was sent to the hospital, however, he soon succumbed to his injuries and died.

Chapecoense was traveling to Colombia to face off against Atlético Nacional on Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana final matchup, the second biggest international club competition in South America.

Chapecoense, who plays in the top-tier Brazilian soccer league, Serie A, managed to qualify for the final of the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

The matchup against Atlético

AP Photo

Nacional was set to be the biggest soccer match in team history for Chapecoense. The team, founded only 43 years ago, comes from the impoverished city of Chapeco, in the south Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.

It was only as far back as 2009 when the team was still playing in the fourth-tier of Brazilian soccer.

At that level, teams are not even considered to be semi-professional. The team managed to gain promotion to the third-level, Serie C, and then to the second-level Serie B in 2012. After one season, Chapecoense was promoted to the top-tier Serie A.

In only five seasons, the club went from being an amateur team to playing and competing in the same league as some of Brazil’s most famous soccer teams. They went from sharing the field with players who were not professional to playing with former Brazilian greats such as Ronaldinho. Only one word could describe the journey of the club — fairytale.

The Copa Sudamericana matchup was to be the pinnacle of the team’s fairytale. Now all of that will be remembered as what could have been and how much these two matches meant to the players and the community they represented.

“The dream is over,” said Plinio David de Nes Filho, chairman of the club’s board, to Brazil’s TV Globo. “Yesterday morning I was saying goodbye to them. They told me they were going in search of the dream, to make this dream a reality. Now, it’s gone.”

Since the horrific crash, there has been an outpour of support for the club. All South American soccer matches that were to be held that week were suspended. Many Brazilian soccer teams took to social media and changed their profile pictures to a black version of the Chapecoense logo while also offering to loan their club players from their teams. Many teams also called for the Confederação

Brasileira de Futebol to exempt Chapecoense from relegation for three seasons so the club could properly get back on its feet.

Support for the club also extended beyond South America with moments of silence before matches around the world. Many teams also wore black armbands, while several Brazilian players playing abroad commented about the tragedy.

Finally, on Wednesday, Nov. 30, the day in which Chapecoense were supposed to play against Atlético Nacional, more than 45,000 fans arrived at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, the stadium the match would have been held at, in order to honor those who lost their lives. Shouting and chanting in the same vein as they do for their own team, the Atlético Nacional fans started to sing “Força Chape.”

Meanwhile, FOX Sports Brasil honored the journalists who worked for the network and who were on the ill-fated plane, decided to broadcast a black screen that said #90MinutesofSilence during the time the match would have taken place.

In the end, nothing can be done to bring those who were lost, but it is through thes e tributes that they will be remembered. For Chapecoense, the only thing they can do is move forward. They can do this knowing that the entire soccer and sports world are behind them.

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 21

WINTER SESSION AT TCNJ! JANUARY 3–20 Travel, blended and online courses may start sooner.

Check for summer courses, too.

Winter Housing is available! Check out more about TCNJ Winter Here: wintersession.tcnj.edu Learn more about TCNJ Winter Housing: https://housing.tcnj.edu/living-oncampus/winter-housing/

Winter Housing: $200 + Meal Plan Cross Country

Cooper / Striving for success Want to be on the Want to be on the other other side of this paper? side of this paper?

We have a number of The Signal has a positions number of available! positions available!

:H·UH ORRNLQJ IRU We’re looking for: :ULWHUV %H WKH RQH ZKR EULQJV WKH VWRU\ WR - Writers to cover various onWKH FDPSXV campus events.

3KRWRJUDSKHUV &DSXWUH HYHQWV RQ FDPSXV - Photographers to bring the DQG EULQJ WKH VWRU\ WR OLIH events to life. $VVLVWDQWV -RLQ RXU HGLWRULDO VWDII DQG KHOS - Assistants to join the staff PDNH WKLV SDSHU KDSSHQ and help make this paper happen week after week! &RQWDFW 8V 6LJQDO#WFQM HGX /RFDWHG LQ WKH %URZHU 6WXGHQW &HQWHU Contact: signal@tcnj.edu EDVHPHQW 8VH WKH VWDLUFDVH WR WKH OHIW RI /RFDWHG RQ WKH VHFRQG ÀRRU RI WKH LQIR GHVN

Forcina Hall. &RPH WR WKH RI¿FH DQ\ WLPH RQ 0RQGD\V 6XQGD\V DW S P

continued from page 24 Louisville as a team. Cooper picked up her phone and sent a text to a friend back in New Jersey.

Between seasons, Cooper increased her mileage. Competing as a distance runner in indoor track and field, Cooper ran a PR of 11:02 in the 3000-meter and 19:11 in the 5000-meter. In outdoor track, she ran a PR of 17:56 in the 5000-meter event. Cooper continued to run over the summer, as well.

Returning for the 2016 cross country season, Cooper beat her PR in the 6K by more than 20 seconds. By the Atlantic Regionals in November, her time was 21:03. One week later, she was on her way to nationals. To Cooper, it seemed things were “starting to come together in a real way” after her legs caused her so much trouble in high school.

Lindsey owed the success partially to Cooper’s mental fortitude.

“She doesn’t get intimidated easily and she focuses on herself and how well she can execute her race plan,” Lindsey said.

Cooper said her success came from the training. Walker devised a training regiment for her that helped her progress without taking time off, according to Lindsey.

Walker believes strongly in finishing the last one and a half miles of a race with finesse, so much of the training was geared toward achieving this. Having a plan on race day, according to Lindsey, is “paramount” in cross country.

Cooper’s ability to accommodate her new training leaves Lindsey optimistic.

“My hope is she becomes a mainstay at the national level and ultimately contend for a national title,” Lindsey said.

In New Jersey, Allison Fournier received a text message from friend and teammate Natalie Cooper.

“Al,” the text read. “Next year we are going to Nationals. It’s going to happen.”

Cooper is the 2016 NJAC Runner of the Year.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

page 22 The Signal December 7, 2016

December 7, 2016 The Signal page 23

LIONS

D RM AROUND THE

Miguel Gonzalez “The Ref”

Matt Ajaj Staff Writer

Connor Smith News Editor

Otto Gomez Lions TV

In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, “Ref” Miguel Gonzalez asks our panel of three experts — Matt Ajaj, Connor Smith and Otto Gomez — three questions: Should the Ohio State Buckeyes be in the College Football Playoffs? Who will win the MLS cup? Do you believe that the Philadelphia 76ers patience and development strategy is working?

1. Should the Ohio State Buckeyes be in the National College Football Playoffs despite not competing in their conference championship?

Matt: Yes — not a question in my mind. The Buckeyes have beaten some of the best teams in the country, including Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Michigan. Their only loss was a fluky, 21-24 nail-biter versus Pennsylvania State University, which just won the Big 10 Conference Championship. The “They didn’t even make the conference championship” sentiment for leaving Ohio State out of the College Football Playoff is redundant and flawed logic. Ohio State did not make their conference championship because they had that one fluke loss. A narrow defeat on the home turf of a division rival that is currently ranked fifth in the country should not be the Buckeyes downfall.

Leaving the second-best team out of the playoffs for such a reason would lead to nothing short of a college football crisis.

Connor: No. 2 Ohio State’s place in the College Football Playoffs was legitimized with

a solid 11-1 record against college football’s toughest schedule compared to Penn State’s 15th. Who cares about some arbitrary title that no one will remember once the real games are played? Penn State had a good season and pulled off a great upset on Ohio State, but that doesn’t erase the fact that Michigan thrashed them 49-10. Ohio State was a better team that beat better opponents, and the rankings validate that. If we’re going to judge one game

over an entire season of work, then let’s just put Pittsburgh in the playoffs and call it a day.

Otto: Absolutely, without a doubt. They have been among the top four teams in the country all year and, more importantly, they have been the best team in the Big 10, even though they didn’t win the conference championship. For one, they only have one loss, something Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin cannot say. After that, Ohio State only lost to

Penn State by three points on a blocked field goal attempt, and Penn State fell to Michigan by a lofty 39-point margin. Ohio State has a more explosive quarterback and offense, leading the Big 10 in points scored. They have been in the top five all year and without a doubt should have been in the conference championship if not for the division rules.

Last resort, their point differential in the entire year was a resounding 342 points.

AP Photos

Everyone gets 3 points for their detailed analysis on Penn State and Ohio State.

2. Who will win the MLS cup? The Seattle Sounders or the Toronto FC? Matt: Toronto FC has the home field advantage with an impressive 11-3-6 home record. I would already cite them as the favorites. Then I looked at the Seattle Sounders road record, 5-10-4. With these two facts in tow, the probability formula heavily favors FC. However, if I’m being brutally honest, I know nothing about MLS. I quite literally cannot name a single player in MLS. I keep hearing that MLS is on the rise amongst American youth, but I fail to see it hitting the mainstream when American soccer lacks the legacy of baseball and the excitement of football, basketball and hockey. The sport — or at least the league — needs something to help it stand out from the crowd. Until then, the average American will continue to draw their attention to whatever dazzles the eye or tickles the nostalgia bone. I hope that MLS can eventually capture some sort of interest

across the country, and perhaps I will one day be able to answer the question “Who will win the MLS cup?”

Connor: The Sounders overcame a lot to make it to the MLS cup finals. They beat top seeds like FC Dallas in the western conference and asserted strong defensive efforts.

That said, Jozy Altidore is an absolute monster, and I doubt the Sounders can hold back Toronto FC’s explosive offense. Toronto scored 17 goals in just three playoff matchups. If they can drop five goals on New York FC in one leg, I think they can beat out the Sounders in a high-scoring shootout.

Otto: I think Toronto FC will win for a couple of reasons. I always have a hard time thinking the underdog is going to win, but in this case, the Sounders are a resounding underdog. Their goal differential during the regular season was only one compared to 12 by Toronto. I also think soccer can often become a game of superstars, especially in

the playoffs. Toronto’s roster includes two former United States National Team heavyweights, Michael Bradley and Altidore as well as last year’s MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco. These guys know the stage and the pressure and will be very successful in the Cup match on Saturday, Dec. 10. While

the Sounders house big name players, they have barely squeaked through the playoffs.

Aside from their 3-0 victory against FC Dallas in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals, the rest of their four games have been decided by one goal. I think Toronto will come out on top, 2-0.

AP Photo

Otto gets 3 points for mentioning Bradley and Altidore. Connor gets 2 points because Toronto FC does have an explosive offense. Matthew gets 1 point for writing off topic.

3. Do you believe that the Philadelphia 76ers patience and development strategy is working?

Matt: The 76ers are 4-16, which is good for last place in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia’s season records of the past three seasons, in chronological order, are 19-63, 18-64 and 10-72. We have been told to “Trust the process,” which requires tanking seasons in order to acquire better draft picks. In many

AP Photo

instances, this strategy of suffering in the present in order to create a better future actually works quite well. Take a doctor, for example.

Throughout their 20s, the life of an aspiring doctor is miserable. However, upon acquiring a medical degree, they will presumably be set for life. Sounds great, but easier said than done. However, in sports, this mentality does not work. Losing here and there can serve as a reality check and inspiration to improve. But continuous losing while expressing no desire to change or progress is downright cancerous to a team. Once you become numb to losing, you become fine with losing and lose the will to win. That’s exactly what’s happening to the 76ers — no matter how much they stack their roster, the organization has become apathetic to losing. So the desire to win — and thus their likelihood to win — has been quashed.

Connor: The NBA is in a weird position. If you don’t have two or three superstars, you have no chance against the likes of LeBron James or the Golden State Warriors. Given the 76ers position as a loser, the promise Joel Embiid has shown, and the recovery of Ben Simmons, the Sixers are in a position to grow. Compare that to a team that still tries to piece together winning rosters, like the Knicks, and you start to see the process

having some merit. The Knicks are bad.

They’ve been bad, and they will be bad for the foreseeable future. At least the Sixers have something to look forward to, though.

If it falls apart... oh well. They weren’t going to win anything anyway.

Otto: Without a doubt, Embiid is the real thing — no one can deny that. Simmons is going to be incredible. They have already shown great glimpses into what their possible future. More importantly, they have shown that they are going to have to make roster moves to get more assets, trading

Nerlens Noel and possibly even Joel Okafor in the near future. When Simmons comes back, they will be able to shoot and score in transition. However, the development stage is not over. With this season not panning out well, they will have a top-five lottery pick once again. They will also most likely get the Lakers first round pick because it is only protected for the first three picks as well as Sacramento’s 2019 first pick. The latter is incredibly dangerous because if the Kings deal Cousins, they will be in tanking mode for awhile.

Otto gets 3 points for his optimistic response. Connor gets 2 points because the Knicks are really bad. Matthew gets 1 point because doctors and basketball are different.

Winner’s Circle

Signal

Sports

Sophomore runner journeys to nationals

By George Tatoris Sports Editor

Far away from the cross country team’s usual stomping ground, clouds lingered and winds slashed temperatures down to a crisp 40 degrees in Louisville, Ky., as sophomore Natalie Cooper crossed the finish line without her team by her side for the first time in the 2016 cross country season.

Cooper was the only Lion on the women’s team to qualify for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship hosted in Louisville’s E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The entirety of the men’s team was also there, having earned an at-large bid after a third-place Regionals finish.

Cooper finished 47th with a time of 21:29. It was her last runaway success in a season full of them. Even her older teammates are starting to look up to her.

“Last year, Natalie did not race at the NCAA Regional meet, and this year, she finished 47th in the nation,” said junior Allison Fournier, one of Cooper’s teammates. “She is an inspiration to me.”

The week before she placed sixth in the Atlantic Regionals, and the week before that she won the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title. Getting to nationals came as a surprise to the sophomore.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Cooper finishes 47th in the NCAA Division III cross country finals.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Cooper said.

Assistant coach Michael Walker was more surprised by the time frame in which she got to nationals.

“I could see it happening later on as a senior, so this is ahead of schedule from what I thought was possible,” Walker said.

Cooper previously played soccer, but did not enjoy it, so her mother suggested she try cross country. The new sport resonated with her.

Unfortunately, during junior and senior year of high school, fractures and shin problems

prevented her from running.

Upon graduation, she chose to attend the College because her brother graduated from there, and if she wanted to continue to run, the cross country program was there, ready and waiting.

When she first became a Lion, Walker and head coach Justin Lindsey noticed there was more to her skill than what laid on the surface. They knew right away she had not met her full potential in high school.

“The first thing (Walker and I) noticed is she manages pacing with a rhythm that showed she would be able to push the training

intensity and not break down as quickly as others,” Lindsey said.

Cooper was just thrilled to return to her favorite sport.

“My mindset was just happy to be running again,” she said.

Over the course of her rookie season, Cooper’s time in the 6000-meter decreased with each race. Forty seconds were cut between her first and second 6K, then 40 more and then nine more. For her final race of the season, the NJAC Championship, Cooper crossed the finish line at 22:46, ending her season with a new personal record (PR) exactly two minutes faster than

her first 6K of the season.

“We were careful about her training last year as a frosh, and it took her awhile to build up endurance in order to practice and compete at a high level,” Walker said.

Early on, Fournier noticed Cooper’s success.

“Without being able to run higher mileage last year, she still ran very well,” Fournier said. “I couldn’t wait to see how much faster she would race with more training.”

Over the course of the season, Cooper also became friends with her teammates. She always looked forward spending time with them at practice.

“Practice is one of the most fun parts of my day,” Cooper said.

Walker believes the team’s relationship is key to their success.

“All the women work well together and bonded in a way that allows them to think big,” Walker said. “(Cooper) has great potential at the national level, and I think the team will follow and be part of that overall success in the next few years.”

Back in Kentucky, Cooper was alone. As she watched the men’s team savor their hardfought success, she could not help but think of her team back home. Starting the season, the goal was to get to see COOPER page 21

Cougars outlast Lions in NJAC nailbiter

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Junior guard Cindy Napolitano dribbles to the basket.

By Dylan Calloway Correspondent

In the final moments of the game that had fans out of their seats, the Lions lost to their conference opponents, the Kean University Cougars, 56-58, on Saturday, Dec. 3. The loss came three days after a

Lions Lineup December 7, 2016

I n s i d e

win against Stockton University.

The game was an absolute defensive standstill, where there was no guaranteed winner until an attempted three by senior guard Kim Dana was missed at the final buzzer.

“I had an opportunity to win the game, but was unable to follow through,” Dana said. “Although it hurts losing the game by a basket, I know the team will be able to bounce back.”

Both teams halted each other’s offenses with multiple turnovers. The only difference between the Cougars and Lions turned out to be one player.

The Cougars were led by sophomore guard Marajiah Bacon, who had a dynamic performance. Bacon is currently the top scorer in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. She scored a majority of the team’s points with 37 and even hitting a buzzer, beating three at the end of the first quarter.

“We knew she was going to get her points,” sophomore guard Kate O’Leary said. “It was just about how well we were going to stop the other players.”

The first quarter of play was a struggle for the Lions, who seemed as though they

Sports Panel page 1

could barely hang on to the ball. When they got the opportunity to take their shots, it was as if a lid was placed over the basket. At the sixth minute, Dana was able to steal the ball and sprint toward the hoop on a fast break. She then drained in a free throw to keep the Lions only one point behind, 6-5.

Meanwhile, the Cougar’s shooters, Bacon in particular, had the green light to take shots from outside. At the end of the quarter, the Lions had fallen into a 6-19 deficit.

The Cougars had all the game’s momentum going into the second quarter. However, a couple hustle plays by the Lions and several key free throws swung the tide of the game into an unpredictable spot. The Lions had fought back to behind by only two points.

From then on, it was a race to the finish.

A finish that was only reached at the final buzzer, where Bacon’s performance proved to be just enough for a Cougar win.

“Our biggest takeaway from yesterday’s game was that we have to be ready to play every game and come out strong,” O’Leary said.

The Lions will look to defeat Rowan

Cheap Seats page 20

Men’s Basketball page 20

University on the night of Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. in Packer Hall. Then they will go on the road to play against New Jersey City University on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Freshman forward Jenn Byrne records a double-double.

Around The Dorm page 23