​The​ ​Signal:​ ​Spring​ ​‘20 ​No.​ ​5

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Vol. LV, No. 5

February 26, 2020

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

Over a year after fatal crash, students continue to heal

Emmy Liederman / Editor-in-Chief

The Fraternity brothers sport customized shirts to honor Sot’s selfless spirit.

By Emmy Liederman Editor-in-Chief

The last thing Anthony Galante remembers is calling his friend for a ride home. When he woke up, the whole month of December had passed by.

“The doctors thought I was going to be a vegetable,” he said. “They thought if I was going to live, I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.”

On Dec. 2, 2018, Galante’s life changed forever. His fraternity brother, Mike Sot, who was the designated driver for a party that night, was hit by a drunk driver who crossed

the center line and struck his car head-on. The crash killed Sot two days later and left four students, including Galante, in the hospital, some in worse condition than others.

“I didn’t find out Mike passed away until the end of January,” Galante said. “I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it.”

According to Casey DeBlasio, the public relations officer at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the case remains pending and the defendant continues to await a court date.

As the driver awaits his sentencing, students at the College are still healing from the night that sent shockwaves through campus.

“Just recently, we had the one-year anni-

Eating disorders affect everyone, regardless of their size

By Jane Bowden Managing Editor

Adrianna Green has struggled with her weight her entire life. After being pressured by her mother, she tried dieting, walking around her neighborhood and exercising with Nintendo’s popular Wii Fit — but nothing worked.

When the sophomore psychology major started to lose weight as a result of her eating disorder, no one seemed concerned. “You look great!” was all she remembers hearing from her friends and family members.

Green is part of the 30 million American adults who will have an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime, a number that’s on the rise for young women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and athletes, according to the National Eating Disorder Association.

As reported by the NEDA, there are a few common types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa (self-starvation and significant weight loss), bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by vomiting, starvation or other forms of compensatory behavior) and binge eating disorder.

The NEDA identifies the common emotional and psychological symptoms of an eating disorder, which includes “behaviors and attitudes that indicate weight loss,” concerns about body size and shape and appearing see DISORDER page 13

INDEX: Editorial / page 7

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versary of the accident,” said Eric Struble, a senior history and secondary education dual major who was the fraternity president of Phi Kappa Psi at the time of the crash. “Delta Zeta girls came over, who had a sister that was injured in the crash, and we ordered food and had everyone hang out for a couple hours. We lit some lanterns and set them off in honor of Mike. It was really nice.”

Brothers of Phi Kappa Psi, as well as Sot’s family, have teamed up with the HERO campaign, an organization that works to put an end to drunk driving. The campaign calls designated drivers like Sot, who just wanted to safely take his friends home from a party,

“HEROES of the evening, helping to keep us all safe.”

The HERO campaign has displayed two billboards in New Jersey, which feature a photo of Sot and the words, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”

“We are currently planning a 5k with the HERO campaign, which will probably be sometime in April,” Struble said. “We’re still working on the details, but we wanted to work on that just to get everyone together to remember Mike and to continue to spread awareness.”

Andrew Keenan, a senior communication studies major and Phi Kappa Psi brother, shared that since the crash, he and his fraternity brothers are much more likely to be proactive in stopping drunk drivers.

“There was already a zero-tolerance policy with drinking and driving, but now it’s kind of just exemplified,” he said. “Whether it happened at one of our parties or somewhere else, if we saw someone drinking and then attempting to drive, I think we are way more inclined to step up since we had to deal with the repercussions first hand. Now that we’ve seen the effects. I hope that a situation like this really shows people that in any aspect of life, when people are doing something that’s really wrong like drinking and driving, to stand up and say something.”

Friends and family are also keeping his spirit alive with custom “Live Like Sot” shirts.

Struble estimated that the fraternity has sold over 400 shirts to both students at the College see GRIEF page 5

Keke Palmer electrifies Kendall Hall

By Emmy Liderman and Richard Miller Editor-in-Chief and Arts & Entertainment Editor Growing up as a black female entertainer, Keke Palmer was determined to never be put in a box. Instead of being held back by racial stereotypes, she developed her own identity as a vivacious spirit, providing a comedic and uplifting outlet in a world full of negativity.

“If I have anything left in me, it’s some love to give,” she assured the audience. “Something that’s positive and can give you a break from any negativity you may be feeling.”

The actress, singer and television host filled Kendall Hall with laughs, nostalgia and infectious energy on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 8:30 p.m. The former Nickelodeon star led CUB’s Spring 2020 lecture, which was co-sponsored by the Black Student Union.

Palmer also sat down with The Signal for an exclusive interview before the event. Throughout the night, she touched on everything from her least favorite zodiac sign to black representation in the media.

“When it comes to representation, even if you have people of color in the movies, what about the people behind who are making the movies?” she said. “The grips, the sound engineers, the director, the writers.”

Although Keke has found success in many forms of media, whether it be singing, acting or talk show hosting, most know her for her breakout role as True Jackson in Nickelodeon’s True Jackson VP. The show centered around 16-year-old Jackson being unceremoniously named the vice president of ‘Mad Style,’ the show’s fictional fashion company.

Opinions / page 9

Features / page 13

Photo courtesy of Patrick Riordan

The actress’ charisma has students excited.

“The moment I was in the groove of my career was when I started doing True Jackson VP,” she said. “My life changed quite a bit after that.”

The lecture was defined by a mix of heartwarming and lighthearted moments. Whether Palmer was discussing her faith or her unconventional skin care routine, all eyes were on Keke the entire night. At the end of the show, one audience member even stood up and asked for her hand in marriage.

Arts & Entertainment / page 17

see STAR page 3 Sports / page 19

Lion’s Plate A recipe for the perfect buffalo chicken dip

Vagina Monologues Students describe life before #MeToo

Basketball Women defeat William Patterson in overtime

See Features page 16

See A&E page 17

See Sports page 20

page 2 The Signal February 26, 2020

Bonner teaches engineering to Trenton students

By Garrett Cecere Former Editor-in-Chief

Creation, teamsmanship and smiles filled the room as the students of Trenton Central High School (TCHS) assembled into their groups and put their creativity to work.

The students welcomed members of the College’s Bonner Community Scholars Program along with Johnson & Johnson to TCHS on Feb. 19. They participated in an activity that allowed students to put their engineering knowledge to the test while enjoying a moment of hands-on innovation with friends.

The high schoolers — all senior STEM students — were split into four groups and had a 30-minute time frame to use simple items to create makeshift prosthetic hands.

Johnson & Johnson, the Bonner Community Scholars Program and the College’s iSTEM department helped coordinate the event.

According to Mitchell Joseph, a junior psychology major and Bonner student, the goal of the activity is for high schoolers to take away ideas that they will then use to lead similar activities for younger students.

“The plan with this is that the

students are learning this activity, and then they’re going to teach the students over at the elementary school and … take the roles of the STEM students with them,” Joseph said.

Before the activity, Robbie Wetzel and Kayla DeVosa — both of whom are sophomore technology and engineering education majors in the Bonner Program — presented a slideshow to the students. They discussed the real-world application of prosthetic limbs and famous people who have a missing arm or hand, such as NFL linebacker Shaquem Griffin and Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen.

The presentation also included a video that showed the anatomy of the hand and how bones and muscles work together to move it.

Once the students were in their groups, they got to work using materials such as tape, straws, yarn, glue and cardboard. As Wetzel observed a group, he noted the importance of letting the students be inventive.

“We like to keep it open to imagination and creativity,” Wetzel said.

“You know that no two designs are going to be the same.”

As the groups created their

projects, a few used straws to mimic the bone structure of a hand. Others attached yarn to each of the fingers so they could pull it and allow the hand to squeeze.

But building the hands was just the first part. The students then had to test them by picking up items, such as bottles or tubes of toothpaste. Representatives from Janssen Pharmaceuticals — which is part of Johnson & Johnson — observed the groups and served as judges for the activity. Business analyst José Hernandez admired the students’ strategy as they built.

“It was fun to see the kids think about … ‘how are we going to do that? How are we going to design (the hand)?’” he said. “And then, everyone having a separate responsibility ... one’s doing the cutting, one was doing the thinking of the functionality of the hand. So it was fun to see that.”

Although one group received first place, all the high schoolers showed excitement for gaining practice and using skills that they hope to pass down to younger students.

Destiny De La Rosa, one of the site coordinators for the Bonner Program’s education division, enjoyed

Garrett Cecere / Former Editor-in-Chief

THCS collaborates on the prosthetic hands. the students’ takeaway of applying prosthetics to the real world.

“It was good to have the TCNJ iSTEM students here to really be able to guide them in an understanding that … something that you may not think is important and use every day (like a hand), we take it for granted,” she said.

According to Joseph, the Bonner Program has already worked with the chemistry department to coordinate a similar event earlier

this month. The program will work with the physics department in March.

De La Rosa ultimately admired the students’ desire to learn and apply their talents.

“I love the students’ curiosity and their way to learn information and use their imagination to ultimately achieve a task,” she said. “Today’s task was to create a prosthetic hand, but tomorrow, it can be completely something different.”

Freshman student dies surrounded by family members

By Len La Rocca News Editor

The flag waved for 24 hours in Palmer’s honor.

Len La Rocca / News Editor

Matthew Palmer, a freshman mechanical engineering major, died at the age of 18 on Friday, Feb. 21, while surrounded by loved ones. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

“I think about the future that was waiting for Matthew and how the world and our community are diminished by his loss,” wrote College President Kathryn Foster in a campus-wide email.

“Please join me in keeping his family in our thoughts during this profoundly difficult time.”

The Floral Park, N.Y. native adapted quickly to life at the College and thrived in social circles. In a statement released by his family, “in the short time he was at TCNJ it felt like a second home where he

made friends that would last a lifetime.”

Palmer formed many of these friendships after becoming a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity.

In a final act of courage, Palmer made the decision to give the gift of life back to the world by donating his organs through a local donor network.

On Saturday, Feb 22., Palmer’s friends and family gathered at Helene Fuld Medical Center for a flag raising ceremony in his honor. A massive crowd gathered around the flagpole outside the front of Helene Fuld Medical Center to honor Palmer’s heroism.

Family, friends and brothers embraced in mourning as the flag rose to the top of the pole.

The words “Matthew Dana Palmer.

The power of love” were written on the flag that honored his organ donation.

Foster discusses strategy to improve College at SG

General body votes in favor of Surf and Beach Club

By Gabriella Lucci Staff Writer Student Government recognized a new organization on campus and listened to a presentation by College President Kathryn Foster regarding a potential strategy plan at their general body meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Education Building Room 115.

Foster discussed her strategy to make improvements at the College, outlining a possible course of action.

Areas that Foster hopes to improve include campus diversity, broadening access to the College’s education and becoming more prominent in the region.

Diversifying the College in size, scope and access could include capping first-year undergraduate enrollments while increasing transfer student and graduate enrollments, as well as increasing the enrollment of students from different backgrounds, Foster said. The College could also look to reduce out-of-state costs, making it more accessible to everyone.

According to Foster, differentiating the College based on strengths, rather than weaknesses, would be another improvement. This would mean focusing on

where the College is already strong and continuing to improve those areas, rather than trying to improve weaker areas.

“When you differentiate, you’re directing your resources to what are your true strengths,” Foster said.

“Take everything that may be an A or A-minus about your organization and you make it into an A-plus, and by doing that you’ve differentiated yourself from others.”

Foster also hopes to focus on the College’s standing in the larger region and state. She noted that collaborating and making connections with neighboring communities could have a much larger impact on the outside world.

“In the world going forward, being alone and not having allies or not having collaborators would be a very dangerous place and could jeopardize our future,” Foster said.

She also emphasized that these are suggestions about what the campus community needs to be talking about.

Foster will be presenting the entire plan to the campus community on Monday, Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. in the Education Building Room 212.

The Surf and Beach Club presented on why it should be a recognized organization on campus. With a majority of the general body votes being in favor of the club’s recognition, the club is officially a recognized organization.

After being presented at the last general body meeting, the Ad-Hoc Committee, which aimed to re-evaluate the College’s policies surrounding previously incarcerated faculty and students, was then voted on and passed unanimously.

Student Trustee Chris Driscoll presented a new bill to clarify the regulations for voters to write-in a candidate for Student Government elections. It would no longer require students to submit the email of the person being written in for elections.

If this bill is passed, the voters would only need to provide the first and last name of the write-in and email the Election Chair 72 hours before the polls open.

The original bylaws for a write-in candidate stated that a candidate has the option to be written-in and if they had enough votes, they would be elected. In the new bill, a minimum of 10 percent of the votes is required for the write-in to be elected.

The bill will be voted on at the next general meeting.

Star /Actress shares her ‘True’story Bill Nye bails

February, 26 2020 The Signal page 3

The speaker matches the excitement of the audience. continued from page 1 “I’m already married, I just don’t wear a ring… to the lord!” she said, setting off applause and roars of laughter.

As someone who has lived such an unconventional life defined by uncertainty, Palmer offered advice to students on how to handle the unknown — no matter what career path they choose.

“You’re not gonna have all the answers,” she said. “There is no end result. There is a constant journey.

You’re not gonna all of a sudden know it all. Instead of being afraid of that, embrace the fun of it.”

Palmer radiates unwavering confidence, which she says is a product of her family encouraging her to stay true to her own identity and ignore the negativity.

“My mom always raised me to just be 100% authentically myself

and not allow ignorance to deter me, or change me or put hate into my heart.” she said. “I love playing characters, but my favorite character to play is Keke.”

Although Palmer’s parents were not granted the same opportunities that she was, they made sure their daughter was not underestimated the way they were. This support from her family is something that she is determined to never forget.

“I don’t come from a lot of money,” she said. “Making sure that I never forget where I came from and remembering to give back is very important. That’s how my parents raised me.”

Towards the end of the night, CUB invited the audience to live tweet their own questions. One student asked her for advice on how to handle the stress of being a busy college student.

“Spend time with your friends.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Riordan

Relax. Have fun. Let your hair down. Watch a movie. Watch reality TV. Let go of perfectionism and have fun,” she said.

When it comes to choosing a career path, Palmer emphasized that students should pursue something that they genuinely love without ever sacrificing their own self worth and dignity.

“In any position, a lot of times you feel like you can’t speak up,” she said. “If you’re somewhere where you’re not respected, then you shouldn’t be there.”

One of the most powerful moments of the night was when Keke assured the audience that a troublesome past cannot prevent a successful future.

“It doesn’t matter if your mother is a crackhead or your daddy’s a drug dealer,” she said.

“You can be anything you want in this world. I swear.”

Alex Baldino / Staff Writer

The board discusses replacing the science guy.

By Alex Baldino Staff Writer The Student Finance Board (SFB) met to discuss replacing the previously scheduled Bill Nye event on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Brower Student Center Room 104.

Nye, who was originally slated to appear sometime in March, has left an opening in the schedule. Yes Theory, a Canadian YouTube group, will be taking his place.

Yes Theory first gained national media attention with its message of inclusivity in the wake of terror attacks. The group’s motto, “Seek Discomfort,” motivates fans to break out of their comfort zones.

The event was funded

$56,259.91 and is set to take place in Kendall Hall from 7 to 11 p.m. on April 7. The event will be free for students and will feature a Q&A, followed by a meetand-greet. Negotiations are not yet complete.

The $102,730.63 allocated to the Bill Nye event is currently frozen. If Nye changes his mind and decides to come to the College, the funds are still there to fund his visit.

Proposals from the New Jersey Christian Fellowship (NJCF) and the Healing Arts Club (HAC) were also discussed at the meeting. NJCF was funded $205.00 for its “Love Pours Over - Coffee House” event and the HAC was funded $400.00 for general supplies.

Students showcase ambition at Spring Career Fair

By Elliott Nguyen Correspondent

Ambitious students made their way into the Student Recreation Center to kick off the College’s 2020 Spring Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over 150 companies were present including Amazon, Bank of America and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Each company was assigned one of the many tables arranged in rows throughout the room, with representatives available to answer prospective students’ questions as well as gauge interest.

“It’s a little chaotic … it’s just the nature of a career fair,” said Aaron Kopew, a freshman economics major who aspires to be either a lawyer or a data analyst. He said he attended the

fair because he was curious about valuation firms.

Although the companies in attendance represented a wide variety of fields, some students were unable to find the opportunities that they were looking for.

Kevin Ehresman, a junior computer science major who is looking for an opportunity as a software developer or data scientist, said there was “not a whole lot that’s for me.”

He added that he has been to several career fairs at the College and hoped to secure a job or internship from this one.

Victoria Maamari, a sophomore political science major who is planning on becoming a lawyer, said that she was attending the fair for her first time and had yet to find any law firms.

Another student agreed that finding jobs or internships requires hard work,

and younger students often find it even more difficult to land a coveted role.

“As a sophomore, it’s tough to get an internship,” said Joe Wagner, a sophomore civil engineering major.

Representatives from various companies offered insight on what makes a student stand out.

“Dress to impress,” said a representative from Ciocca Dealerships. She said students should have high energy, a positive attitude and a drive to succeed. “Follow-up is huge in this industry,” she added.

Representatives of One Beacon Insurance Group described their ideal applicant as a “sponge” — eager and willing to absorb everything. They said that having leadership skills and taking initiative were also important qualities.

Despite the competitive nature of the job and internship hunt, companies say

Left: The U.S. Department of Labor recruits individuals. Right: Students impress potential employers at the fair.

the opportunities they can provide students are beneficial, despite the draining process that comes with attaining these roles.

The representative of Ciocca Dealerships stressed that their paid internships would offer students plenty of “opportunities to grow.”

The representatives of One Beacon said their company was close-knit, “like a family.” They said students that came in at an entry-level position had plenty of room to climb.

“I’ve had an internship every summer, but I’ve never gotten one from here,” said Jacob Willsey, a senior management major.

Although some students are skeptical of the career fair, the Career Center seems to be open to making improvements, sending out a campus-wide email with a survey after the event.

Sam Grala / Staff Photographer

page 4 The Signal February 26, 2020

Korean Student Association hosts viral YouTuber page 4 The Signal February 26, 2020

Instagram

Photo courtesy of the Korean Student Assocaition

Left: So gives a behind-the-scenes look at his personal life to the audience. Right: KSA executive board members take a photo with the celebrity.

By Alex Baldino Staff Writer The room was packed with students on the edge of their seats, anxiously waiting for the star to arrive.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, The Korean Student Association (KSA) hosted popular YouTuber David So in the Brower Student Center Room 225. So, a Korean American comedian, YouTuber and entrepreneur, has amassed 1.47 million subscribers and over 310 million views on his main YouTube channel.

He began his comedy career at 16 years old and transitioned to YouTube while enrolled in

California State University at Sacramento. After his video “Vlog #4: Asians in the Library” went viral, he dropped out of college and sold everything to pursue a full-time career in comedy.

Today, So has a podcast called GeniusBrain, has co-produced and starred in the 2017 film “Gook,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and is a partner of Junbi Matcha & Tea, which is set to franchise in New Jersey this year.

The event was mainly comprised of a Q&A moderated by one of the KSA board members. The moderator asked about So’s personal life, his relationship with his parents and other

behind-the-scenes topics. After the moderated Q&A, audience members were invited to ask their own questions.

When someone asked So about representation in media, he said that representation should come from the people who want to be represented.

“If I have a story to tell I’m gonna tell it the way I want,” he said. “You can’t let someone else tell your story. They’re going to butcher it.”

Representatives from the KSA of Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Stevens Institute of Technology were in attendance, as well as a diverse group of students from the College.

Tim Nerveza, a freshman biology major, has known of So for a while and enjoyed seeing him live. When asked what he thinks about So, Nerveza said that “he is an important teacher for people.”

Eliot Cha, a senior finance major and president of the Chinese Student Association (CSA), was one of the volunteers who helped the KSA set up and run the event.

He’s known of So since middle school and remarked that the event was “very well run” and was happy so many people showed up because “it’s hard to get people out.”

The president of the KSA, senior accounting major Antonio Carollo, was hoping to start off strong with this David So event.

He wants to strengthen ties with the KSA of other schools and hopes to collaborate with them in the future, as well as continue to provide opportunities to showcase Korean culture at the College.

“Fame doesn’t matter,” So said in response to a student asking for advice in the audience.

“Go back to the reason you’re doing what you’re doing and let that motivate you.”

While Carollo himself does not come from an Asian background, he said he receives “a lot of love” from the members of KSA. Carollo is hoping to inspire other students to remain curious and interested in exploring other cultures.

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 5

Grief / Fraternity continues to honor brother’s legacy

continued from page 1

and residents of Sot’s hometown of Clark, N.J. Giancarlo Santo, a junior finance major who was one of Sot’s closest friends, said the slogan is meant to remind people to care for each other the way Sot did.

“You could take him aside and talk to him about any issue you were having, and he was there for that,” Santo said. “He would always sit there with a smile on his face and make everyone happy. It sounds cliche, but that was literally who he was.”

Struble echoed Santo’s words, sharing that the phrase keeps the brothers grounded and Sot’s memory alive.

“When we decided to make the ‘Live Like Sot’ shirts, we didn’t just throw that phrase on there for no reason,” he said. “He really was a selfless person. We still talk about it today. We always try to remind each other to ‘Live Like Sot’ and remember what he was all about.”

Following the crash, the brothers remember feeling a strong sense of support from the college community — people that they didn’t even know dropped off food, flowers and piles of cards, sometimes with no name on them.

Even over a year after the tragedy, they shared that this support has not wavered, specifically from administrative staff like Jordan Draper, the assistant vice president for student affairs and the dean of students.

“When a crash at Rowan

happened, Jordan Draper just gave me a call out of the blue just because she thought it might bring up memories,” said Santo.

“They’ve been really on top of it. It gave me a new perspective on TCNJ Administration.”

Although the crash is no longer the subject of major news source headlines, Sot’s memory remains in the hearts of many students at the College.

“He was legitimately one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and I’m not just saying that,” Keenan said. “Sometimes you’re in the room with people and talking about certain people behind their back.

That’s just the nature of college.

He would never take part in any of that. We were fans of the same sports team, so he would always come to my house and we would watch games together. He was really into it. Now sometimes when I’m watching games, I’ll think of him and how he would have reacted to it. These are not just qualities we are saying about him because he’s not here anymore. I think they are legitimate things that were true to him and things we would’ve said straight to his face.”

After the crash, Galante spent three months in full-time treatment and ended up in Kessler Rehabilitation Center of West Orange, N.J., with his fraternity brother Ryan Moore, who was a senior at the time. One of Galante’s first memories following the crash was on Jan. 6, when all of his brothers showed up at the center to surprise

Emmy Liederman / Editor-in-Chief

Following the crash, Phi Kappa Psi received an outpour of support.

him for his birthday.

“I was so happily surprised,” he said. “It just showed how much they were there for me.”

Galante is now back at school pursuing a health and

exercise science major, which he said was inspired by his own journey. Although the doctors did not have high hopes for Galante, and he still wakes up in the morning with

pain, he was able to make an incredible recovery.

“I had a goal in mind to walk out of there with no wheelchair, and I did it,” he said. “I’m still trying to prove everyone wrong.”

Vital Signs: How to combat insomnia Campus Police responds to drunk students

An overbooked schedule and anxious mind can result in insomnia.

By Victoria Giardina Columnist

Two things probably come to mind when you hear the word “insomnia” on campus: the delectably warm cookies from Campus Town’s treasured dessert hub or the not-so-great feeling of getting two, maybe three, hours of sleep before a full day of classes.

The National Institute of Health states that up to 60 percent of college students suffer from the burden of sleepless nights, of which almost 10 percent have characteristics of insomnia disorder.

If you’re feeling extra sleepy, try these tips to fix your schedule and get back on track.

Cultivate a New Study Routine It seems like opening your textbook is not the doctor-approved method to remedying your restless sleeping habits, but effectively studying is linked with

Flickr

better sleep patterns.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine published a 2008 study, disclosing that almost 70 percent of college students with low GPAs had difficulty falling asleep.

The Sleep Foundation also found that academic stress has a positive correlation with insomnia-related symptoms. To catch more Z’s, a new study routine may help.

Start a Worry Journal Mental stress is certainly not the soothing lullaby that is going to have you drifting off to sleep.

Instead of running around on a hamster wheel of anxiety while under the covers, write about your midnight miseries in a journal, instead.

Well + Good deems this as an excellent mindfulness practice to combat insomnia once and for all, leaving you counting sheep instead of reasons to be stressed.

An intoxicated student was found at Norsworthy Hall.

By Colleen Rushnak Staff Writer

Police Respond to Unconscious Student On Feb. 5 at approximately 1:45 a.m., Campus Police were dispatched to Wolfe Hall after receiving reports of an unconscious person.

Prior to the officers’ arrival, the Community Adviser who reported the incident had called TCNJ Dispatch and was transferred to Mercer County Central Communications for further medical advisory. Upon arrival, the Community Advisor directed Campus Police to the unconscious person. The CA stated that she had observed the individual being carried down the hallway because he was unable to walk on his own.

Campus Police then observed the unconscious student laying with his head and shoulders on the floor while his lower body was still on the bed. Despite attempts to wake him up, the unconscious student remained unresponsive, before eventually waking up.

There was an odor of alcoholic beverages

tcnj.edu

and vomit emanating from the individual’s breath and he told officers that he drank beer.

His roommate stated that he found the student passed out in the bathroom and another friend had to carry him back to the room. They did not actively seek assistance. TCNJ EMS arrived and assumed patient care.

Police Respond to Intoxicated Student On Feb. 7 at approximately 3:31 a.m., a Campus Police officer was dispatched to the thirdfloor bathroom of Norsworthy Hall regarding an intoxicated student.

Upon arrival, the officer found three girls in the bathroom stall, two of which were helping the third, who appeared to be intoxicated and needed help sitting up.

A CA on the scene said that she was alerted that the intoxicated student needed help. According to a witness, the intoxicated student drank an unknown amount of vodka. The individual was unresponsive. Ewing Township EMS transported the student to a medical center for treatment.

page 6 The Signal February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 7

Editorial Failure does not stifle emotional growth (Trigger Warning: the following article discusses self-harm, which may be triggering to some readers.)

For almost two and a half years, I didn’t self-harm. It was a badge of honor I silently held on my sleeve to prove to myself that I was no longer the damaged 19-year-old girl I once was. Although I still had many urges to self-harm throughout that time, I believed that the longer I could go without it, the stronger I was.

Then, a few days into 2020, I started to struggle with a depressive episode that was particularly difficult to cope with. I was fast approaching the spring semester of my senior year and already dealing with anxiety about post-graduation life. I have had many depressive episodes before, as I’ve struggled with mental health throughout most of my life, but this felt different — like nothing I was doing was helping even in the slightest.

Feeling like I had zero control over my emotions, I could sense my old unhealthy coping mechanisms trickling to the surface, and I couldn’t overcome them like I had been able to in the past. That’s when one night, for no particular reason at all, I simply thought to myself, “I’m going to cut myself,” went into the bathroom and did it without much thought or hesitation. In fact, the only thing I said to myself repeatedly was, “I don’t want to do this” — but I did it anyway, breaking the streak I had spent years building.

A few days later, I talked to my therapist about the depressive episode I was experiencing that led me to self-harm. It was difficult to admit to her — and to myself — that I had broken my time span of two and a half years being self-harm free within just a few seconds; that what I had valued as tangible proof to myself and others that I was doing better had crumbled to pieces.

But it was when I said to my therapist, “I’m not proud of what I did, but I’m not upset, ashamed or disappointed with myself. It’s just a thing that happened, and that’s that. It doesn’t mean it has to happen again,” that I finally realized for the first time ever — I love myself.

What I realized was the streak I idolized as freedom from my past was, in fact, the opposite — it was a prison in disguise. I felt restrained and pressured to maintain that perfection of being self-harm free, because I feared failure and felt ashamed of who I was. I was terrified that breaking that streak would mean I was weak, that I was resorting back to the broken girl I had been running from for almost two and a half years.

But when I broke that period of being self-harm free, the world didn’t burst into flames like I thought it would, nor did I time warp back to the scared 19-year-old version of myself. Instead, I felt peace, relief and, most importantly, acceptance of who I was then and who I am now.

Breaking that streak showed me how much progress I really had made over the past few years. Through therapy and support from my friends and family members, I learned that I was able to live a life without self-harm, and I developed healthy coping mechanisms, such as writing and exercising, to help me navigate my emotions. I had really grown in the last two and a half years, and self-harming in January didn’t erase that progress.

It hasn’t been through my successes that I’ve realized how strong I am, but rather through my failures. From breakups and bad grades to job rejections and the end of this self-harm-free streak, every time I thought “I can’t do this anymore,” I’ve been able to prove myself wrong by persevering. I’ve needed failure to show me that even when life feels like it’s moving backwards, I’m moving forward in growth.

Does self-love mean that I’m incapable of feeling insecure, depressed and hopeless, or that I still don’t have progress to make? Of course not.

But what self-love does mean is that even when life feels like it’s falling apart and I want to give up, I won’t. Instead, I’ll accept the hurdles that life throws at me, know that I’m capable of overcoming whatever happens and continue to do the best that I can without expecting perfection.

— Jane Bowden Managing 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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Through their failures, people discover more about themselves.

Quotes of the Week tcnjsignal.net Email: signal@tcnj.edu Telephone: Production Room (609) 771-2424 Ad Email: signalad@tcnj.edu

Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718

Editorial Staff Emmy Liederman Editor-in-Chief liedere1@tcnj.edu Jane Bowden Camille Furst Managing Editors bowdenj1@tcnj.edu furstc1@tcnj.edu Len La Rocca Madison Pena News Editors laroccl2@tcnj.edu penam9@tcnj.edu Anthony Garcia Sports Editor garcia27@tcnj.edu Liya Davidov Features Editor davido11@tcnj.edu Rich Miller Arts & Entertainment Editor miller20@tcnj.edu Kalli Colacino Opinions Editor colacik1@tcnj.edu Ian Kreitzberg Nation & World Editor krietzi1@tcnj.edu Chelsie Derman Reviews Editor dermanc1@tcnj.edu Marlea Maltz Project Manager maltzm1@tcnj.edu

“(It’s important to) keep telling yourself that every day is a new day. There’s no be all end all, and there’s always a chance to recover.

It gets better.”

— Sydney Smith Junior communication studies major

Julia Meehan Photo Editor meehanj3@tcnj.edu Madison Oxx Production Manager oxxm1@tcnj.edu Jennifer Somers Web Editor somersj2@tcnj.edu Leigha Stuiso Alea Ferrigno Social Media Editors stuisol1@tcnj.edu ferriga1@tcnj.edu Travis Beni Distribution Manager benit1@tcnj.edu Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Mina Milinkovic Business/Ad Manager milinkm1@tcnj.edu

“I had a goal in mind to walk out of there with no wheelchair, and I did it. I’m still trying to prove everyone wrong.”

— Anthony Galante Junior health and exercise science major

“Fame doesn’t matter.

Go back to the reason you’re doing what you’re doing and let that motivate you.”

— David So Famous Youtuber and comedian

page 8 The Signal February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 9

Opinions

Hustle culture is toxic to mental health

By Madison Pena News Editor

In recent years, posts surrounding “the hustle” have taken over social media feeds.

This content can range from a motivational post telling you that you’re ready to “crush the day” to college students discussing the many business ventures that they pursue in addition to their school work.

Although these constant affirmations and reminders of opportunity can motivate students, they can also burden them with unnecessary stress.

On social media, there seems to be an idealized concept that if you are working constantly, you will see instant results.

This can be daunting for someone who has been putting in the work, but has yet to reach their end goal.

Hustle culture creates a toxic environment that pressures people into working constantly, making them feel like they can never say no to an opportunity. People want to have the reputation of being able to handle anything and everything, but that’s not normal and should not be an expectation.

Yes, I’ll admit that I strive to work hard so I can attain my goals – and I spend a lot of time making sure that I completed everything to the best of my ability. I also actively look for things to help boost my experience level and resume to help me achieve my long-term goals. However, I also am a huge advocate for self-care and taking time for yourself.

Self-care seems to have been left by

the wayside while hustle culture has taken over, leaving many students and professionals more stressed and fatigued than ever.

It’s not uncommon for people to look around and compare themselves to others.

This is one of the silent killers of hustle culture. There’s a constant need to be the best by doing more and achieving more than those around you – but this leaves little time to focus on things that would actually benefit you as a person.

Sure, it might be great to have that extra club on your resume, but you should ask yourself if overloading your schedule is worth sacrificing a good night’s sleep, hanging out with friends or simply relaxing.

Yes, that’s right. I said it. The ‘r’ word – relax.

The need to constantly be busy and working can take quite a toll on your mental health. There have been times where I’ve found myself taking on way more than I have time for, which leaves me feeling run down and with an overall loss of motivation.

Hustle culture can go from a push in the right direction to a one-way trip to a burn-out, leaving you with more work to do while you try to pick yourself back up.

In college, it can be especially tough to set aside enough time for yourself. Between trying to balance school, having a social life and looking for jobs/internships, it can seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day.

With the world’s weight on our shoulders, it’s easy to prioritize everything except ourselves, so we keep grinding it out, feeding

Students who overload their schedules often burn out. into the hustle mentality.

This never-ending cycle can only last for so long before you crash and burn.

In the long run, it will serve you better to take breaks throughout your day to do things you enjoy, like hanging out with friends. Not only will you have something to look forward to while you go through your day, but you’ll feel better after getting some social interaction.

tcnj.edu

We live in a society that glamorizes being constantly busy, when what we should really be thinking about is how to be productive. You many spend hours rewriting notes, but unless you are actually retaining the information and learning, it isn’t productive and won’t bring any long term benefits.

Instead of feeding into a mindless hustle culture, focus on taking care of yourself.

Your responsibilities can wait.

It’s time to break up with Valentine’s Day

A holiday dedicated to love is unnecessary, expensive

Instagram

Couples should express their love every day, not just on the holiday.

By Mathias Altman-Kurosaki Love is in the air this time of year, and Valentine’s Day is the day when we tell our significant others

how much we love them. Many couples often celebrate by going out to fancy dinners or giving each other extravagant gifts.

But not everyone loves this

holiday, including myself. While this is a great time for couples, single people are often left with nothing to do.

The biggest issue with Valentine’s Day is that it is a day set aside for people to tell their significant others how much they love them. Most couples express their love to each other every day. The fact that we have to set aside a date for people to say this to each other is sad. If you aren’t telling your loved ones how much you love them on a daily basis, then you aren’t being appreciative enough of the people who love you. People would be much more appreciative of each other if there wasn’t just a day in the middle of February when you are supposed to be extra appreciative of your loved ones.

The history of Valentine’s Day provides very little meaning to why it is even a holiday.

According to New Advent, the

holiday is named after Saint Valentine, who was executed for being a Christian in the Roman Empire around the Fourth Century. Valentine apparently cured the jailer’s daughter of her blindness before he was executed and wrote her the first ever Valentine card once she was able to read, which set forth the idea of having a holiday in his honor.

A lot of people try to go out to dinner to celebrate the holiday, causing restaurants to overbook with reservations. This can cause a lot of people’s plans to go awry— it’s hard to celebrate when you can’t even find a place to go for an outing.

Additionally, Valentine’s Day is right after college students go back to school after winter break. Unless it falls on a weekend, students are busy with work and don’t have time to celebrate. If Valentine’s Day was scheduled in the middle of the

spring, it would be more favorable amongst college students.

It’s hard to enjoy holidays when you have to stay inside because of the cold.

Another problem with the holiday is how expensive it becomes. A common tradition of Valentine’s Day is buying candy, especially chocolate, and flowers for significant others. While this tradition is fun and a great display of love, it costs a lot of money. According to the National Retail Federation, people spent an average of $196 on Valentine’s Day this year.

It’s time to move on from Valentine’s Day. The holiday has become over-glorified and doesn’t carry any meaning. It’s a super expensive day that involves doing something that people should be doing on a regular basis. If Valentine’s Day was eliminated from the calendar, the world would be a happier and more loving place.

Policies

The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors.

The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via email to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office.

Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason.

All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs.

The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or email us at signal@tcnj.edu.

page 10 The Signal February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 11

Students share opinions around campus “Is hustle culture beneficial or harmful to society?”

Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Emily Heiden, a freshman economics major.

Instagram

Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Rajas Karajgikar, a junior biology major.

“It’s up to the individual to know their limits and make sure it doesn’t affect their health.”

“It depends. When people are exposed to hustle culture abruptly, it can affect mental health.”

“How do you feel about Valentine’s Day?”

Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Victoria Maslov, a junior biology major.

“It’s a polarizing holiday. I like Galentine’s Day more.”

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Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor

Jonathan Vogel, a sophomore chemistry and second education dual major.

“It’s nice. I’ve just never felt an attachment to it.”

The Signal’s cartoon of the week ...

The Chip: Hmm? Townhouse South bamboo forest mysteriously catches fire in the middle of February

By Ramsey Phillips Correspondent Campus police are currently investigating a fire that occurred in the bamboo forest outside of Townhouse South on Thursday, Feb. 20. Once ripe with a variety of lush greenery, the forest is now filled with ash.

I decided to do some investigative reporting and headed to the scene early Friday morning. Amongst the smoky remains were a number of puzzling items: folding chairs, milk crates, cigarillo wraps and bottles of iced tea. It is unclear at this time how campus deer managed to drag these unrelated objects deep into the forest.

Unsatisfied, I staked out the entrance to Townhouse South in hopes of speaking to students. After roughly four and a half minutes, I managed to secure an interview with Timothy Hoffman, a junior biology major.

“I’m really not surprised about the burning trees,” Hoffman said. “Bummer about the forest, too.”

Also at the site was Dave “Cheech” Watterson, a senior music major. Watterson, 23, has been a community advisor in

the Townhouses for the past three years.

Originally, the bamboo forest was intended to be a garden, according to Watterson.

“Students were highly disappointed when the plants went up in smoke,” he said. Controversially, the administration opted for planting the bamboo.

Later, I spoke with Chief Leif Johansson, head of the College’s campus police, for more information. Johansson was quick to acknowledge the tremendous response time from Ewing’s fire department, who arrived at the scene almost immediately.

“We rarely see fires on campus,” Johansson said. “We are very fortunate that our local volunteers were able to handle the situation.”

Townhouse South resident Marley Schultz was at the scene when police arrived late Thursday night. Schultz, in an exclusive quote, thoroughly explained

what she saw.

“I was on my way back from Slocum’s when I saw smoke in the distance,” Schultz said. “At first, I thought maybe some locals were burning their trash again.”

As she got closer to campus, however, it became clear this was not the case.

“As I arrived on campus, I could hear a commotion from inside the forest, as well as music by the band Phish,” Schultz said. “I’m really not sure what was going on in there, but it had to be where the fire started.”

Johansson ensured me that he and his team are thoroughly investigating all possible explanations for the incident.

Any students with information are encouraged to contact Johansson, get together and feel alright.

Disclaimer: This is obviously a satirical piece and does not reflect a real event.

page 12 The Signal February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 13

Features

Disorder / Students develop healthier relationships with food continued from page 1 uncomfortable when eating around others. A few of the physical warning signs are dizziness and fainting, stomach cramps and feeling cold all of the time.

Although signs of an eating disorder vary from person to person, there is a common misconception that young women are the only people with body insecurity and that in order to have an eating disorder, they must look a certain way — so skinny that their bones stick out of their body.

While studies show that eating disorders affect more women than men, the NEDA reports that “one in three people struggling with an eating disorder is male.” Many men feel pressured by society to maintain the “ideal” male body type, which typically means being muscular and lean.

In many cases, the signs of an eating disorder actually aren’t as obvious. A person can exhibit eating disorder behavior and mentality but not lose or gain the amount of weight that would raise concern in others, while some eating disorders may be overlooked entirely.

“When you are already skinny and you lose a drastic amount of weight, people are concerned,” Green said. “When you are fat and lose 60 pounds in four months, people applaud you. They are happy for you.”

Raised in a Jamaican-American immigrant household, Green says her home life was toxic when she was younger, as mental health was never discussed. If Green and her sisters were unhappy, their mother would tell them to pray to God rather than talk about their feelings.

From an early age, Green’s mother tried to control her diet and body. She recalls her mother frequently asking the doctor how much Green weighed or getting upset when they’d go shopping and Green couldn’t fit into the clothes.

“My parents placed constant concern on my weight, even though I was still really young and had a few pounds of baby fat leftover,” Green said. “It created a huge pressure on what I was eating. I love (my mother) very much, but because she was so hard on me, it made me turn to food for more comfort.”

When Green was a freshman in high school, she began to eat “way too little,” which left her feeling tired and faint.

The following year, she began to eat “too much,” even when she wasn’t hungry, as a way to cope with her repressed emotions. She soon developed binge eating disorder and body dysmorphia disorder, an illness in which an individual has an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in their appearance, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Because I couldn’t explain what I was feeling…was in a constant binge eating and undereating relationship… and people were excited for me (when I lost weight), my mental health worsened,” Green said.

According to the Eating Disorder Recovery Center, several factors that can contribute to the development of an eating disorder include genetics, childhood trauma and periods of transition. Like Green, eating disorders can also be triggered or accompanied by other mental illnesses.

“Though some may assume eating disorders are mainly about food and weight, they are often about much more than food,” said Dr. Hue-Sun Ahn, a licensed psychologist and assistant director of the College’s Mental Health Services. “Attempts to control one’s eating and body size and shape are usually only a way one is coping with other underlying issues and distress that are much more complex.”

Junior communication studies major Sydney Smith said she developed an eating disorder when she was a junior in high school after the prospect of going to college and leaving behind her hometown triggered her depression and anxiety.

When her feelings began to interrupt her daily life, she subconsciously looked for a way to distract herself — by controlling what and how much she ate.

“I started a diet to fit into my prom dress,” Smith said. “But the diet, which had become a coping mechanism for (my depression and anxiety), quickly spiraled into full-on anorexia. By the end of the month, I had lost (more weight), and by the end of the year, I was (at) the lowest possible weight for my height.”

At first, Smith didn’t acknowledge that she had an eating disorder.

What her parents and friends recognized as symptoms of anorexia nervosa, she perceived as dieting.

In today’s diet culture, eating disorder behavior can be disguised by partaking in fad diets, such as intermittent fasting and juice cleanses, as well as frequent dieting and refusal to eat entire food groups, according to the NEDA. The association also reports that “those who dieted moderately were five times more likely to develop an eating disorder,” and with more social media influencers promoting diet shakes and pills, that rate is expected to rise.

Smith, who was seen as the “happy-go-lucky and bubbly child who never stopped smiling,” suddenly felt empty and disconnected from reality, spending many of her days crying and sleeping in “secret rooms” to avoid eating with her friends, she said.

But when Smith attempted suicide at age 17, her life changed forever.

“In that very moment, I felt a survival instinct kick in, and that was the first vibrant and raw emotion I’d felt in months,” Smith said.

“It was the day that turned my entire life around.”

With encouragement from her parents, Smith started to see a therapist and psychiatrist, where she was given antidepressants and intensive counseling. By her freshman year of college, she made immense progress, suddenly feeling

Eating disorders have a range of symptoms, such as concerns about body size. “like an active part of a wonderful world again,” she said.

“Without professional help, there’s no way I’d be where I am now,” Smith said. “Therapy helped me to discover the root of my mental health issues and the insecurities that induced my negative coping strategies. In addition to this emotional help, the antidepressants I was given were a huge component of my progress.”

During her freshman year, Smith also joined MHS’ Food, Mood and You group, which provides “a safe and confidential setting for students who are struggling with their eating, body image and/ or exercise,” Ahn said.

“Those who are struggling with eating disorders often wrestle with a sense of shame, isolation and lack of control, not only about their eating but likely also with other areas of their lives,” Ahn said. “Being in a supportive group with others who can understand those similar struggles and learning to have compassion for others and for themselves can be therapeutic and healing.”

Green, who also participated in a Food, Mood and You group, agreed, adding that professional help and support has made a significant positive impact on her mental health. “(How you get better) may be (by talking to) your friends or parents, but for me, it was a licensed psychologist that started the conversation of what actions are abnormal and unhealthy,” Green said. “It took a lot of internal findings and therapy to be where I am now. Every day is still scary, but I take it one day at a time, and I understand that recovery takes time and it cannot be rushed.”

Another individual who has also found peace in the encouragement of others is Jake Giordano, a junior criminology major and member of the College’s wrestling team. His support system? His teammates.

“My teammates and I all struggle together, and it is comforting to know that I am not alone and that they’re pushing through the same struggles as me,” Giordano said.

“My teammates are always there to pick me up when I’m feeling down at practice or after a tough loss, and I am always there for them in the same ways.”

Giordano said that although he didn’t start to cut weight for the sport until he was in high school, he

has been aware of his appearance since he started wrestling at age 5.

Today, he follows a strict training routine with his teammates, which includes wrestling, running and lifting once or twice a day. As for his diet, Giordano cuts weight by eating “much less” and not snacking on unhealthy foods, he said.

Although Giordano himself doesn’t identify as having a mental disorder, the NEDA reports that athletes who participate in sports that focus on an individual’s appearance, weight or muscularity, rather than the team as a whole, are more at risk for developing an eating disorder. According to the association, 62 percent of female athletes and 33 percent of male athletes have an eating disorder.

Giordano said everyone on the wrestling team stresses the importance of mental toughness and positivity. Their coach, Joe Galante ’07, also encourages his players to “advocate for (themselves) and talk to someone if (they) are struggling,” Giordano said. “(Training for wrestling) is very difficult and can get you down, but it makes you mentally tough and teaches you discipline,” Giordano said. “I do try to stay positive as much as I can through a difficult wrestling season to keep my mental game strong. (It’s) all worth it when I get my hand raised after winning a big match.”

While some communities bring a sense of support, others have been known to promote insecurity, comparison and poor body image.

“Gay Twitter” refers to a wellknown online platform, where gay men who are “visibly athletic and built” post photos of themselves with captions that read “I look fat” or “I need to work out more,” said James Mercadante, a senior English major. Gay Twitter’s toxic environment often makes Mercadante and other gay men feel like they need to “constantly work on (their) physiques and look a certain way in order to seek validation from everyone.”

Growing up gay in a private school that Mercadante described as “homophobic,” he struggled with depression and anxiety, and didn’t know how to deal with his emotions.

According to the NEDA, “beginning as early as (age) 12, gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens may be

Flickr

at higher risk of binge-eating and purging than heterosexual peers.”

Being a victim to bullying, fear of rejection from friends and family members, and internalized negative beliefs about themselves because of their sexual orientation are a few of reasons an individual may develop an eating disorder.

“As a member of the LGBTQ community, I know about the constant feeling of not fitting in,” Mercadante said. “We are constantly trying to prove ourselves towards the heteronormative world and one of the ways we do that is by trying to attain a traditional, masculine image. It’s almost like we’re trying to prove our worth to (society and) ourselves.”

Through the support of not only members of the LGBTQ+ community, but rather society as a whole, Mercadante believes change is possible.

“Since we live in such a heteronormative society that celebrates cis-gendered, heterosexual-based images,” Mercadante said. “it would be most beneficial if members of the LGTBQ+ community no longer felt like outsiders.”

Ahn agreed that progress is only possible if society begins to accept people’s differences, instead of making them feel like they have to change. “(We need to) help to create a social climate and an environment that embraces people of all sizes and shapes and sees people for more than just what is seen on the outside, valuing all that a person brings to a diverse community,” Ahn said.

If someone thinks a friend is struggling with an eating disorder, Ahn recommends they educate themselves about eating disorders and treatment resources, such as MHS, and then express their concerns in a gentle way, encouraging their friend to seek professional help.

Smith, who was able to heal through the compassion of her friends and family members, said continued therapy, as well as using music, meditation and self-reflection as outlets for her emotions, has helped her mental health the most. “(It’s important to) keep telling yourself that every day is a new day,” Smith said. “There’s no be all end all and there’s always a chance to recover. It gets better.”

page 14 The Signal February 26, 2020

Students TCNJ is administering the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA). If you are randomly selected, you will receive an email on February 19th & 25th.

The online, confidential ACHA survey is the Gold Standard for data collection on student health, safety, behaviors, and perceptions.

PRIZES: Two $100 B&N gift cards, two $50 Panera gift cards, one $20 Piccolo Pronto gift card/t-shirt, one $10 Redberry gift card, 1 month of unlimited yoga from Empower Yoga, or a free parking spot in Lot 5 for a year.

We will be using a “Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket” theme for marketing the survey to students.

Your survey responses will help us make a happier and healthier campus community.

Contact: Joe Hadge 609.771.2572 hadgej@tcnj.edu

Christina Sargiss 609-771-2451 sargissc@tcnj.edu

page 15 The Signal February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 15

Pantsuits & professionalism: students dress for employment

Julia Meehan / Photo Editor

Left: Employers often favor candidates who wear professional attire. Right: Students make successful first impressions at the Career Fair.

By Nancy Browne Staff Writer When it comes to 8 a.m. classes, attire is the last thing on college students’ minds, let alone laundry and ironing. But one day, those 8 a.m. classes will become 8 a.m. client meetings and presentations that bring home money to put food on the table.

As undergraduates make their way through college, there are more opportunities to attend job fairs, interviews and networking events. What they wear can truly make a first impression.

The College hosts a job fair once a semester, inviting vendors from the police force to accounting firms to nonprofits alike. But what does a college student wear to these events? In addition to preparing a resume, crafting a pitch and creating career goals, dressing to impress is just as important.

“When I hear professional business wear, I think nice pants, a jacket, an ironed shirt and no silly printed tie,” said John

Montagna, a senior economics major. “An interview also gets you a perception of the place and how they view dress code.”

While there are several terms thrown around pertaining to proper dress etiquette, casual business wear and professional business wear are the leading types of outfits that students refer to. Some professional offices may now accept a more casual dress code, allowing employees to wear a t-shirt and jeans, but expectations vary greatly based on the type of workplace and boss.

At a previous internship, Montagna was able to pull off a polo and sneakers during the work week, but this casual style is unlikely to suit every internship.

Sophomore computer engineering major Michael Ralea said that students can always get away with khakis and no tie, taking on the business casual look.

Ralea even researches beforehand to “interpret business casual and professional business correctly.”

“Professional business wear has become more adaptable and has responded to larger trends,” said Shannon Conkley, the newly-appointed director of the career center at the College.

She spoke about how some retail businesses, such as Urban Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch, want to see more creative, casual clothing expressions other than the “blue, black, gray fields.”

“It comes down to knowing your target,” she said.

Researching a company’s dress policy is key to understanding how to prepare. But regardless of the job position, most agree that an interview calls for formal attire.

“At SpringPoint Senior Living Center, employees have uniforms provided by the company,” said Iris Weiss, a recruitment coordinator at SpringPoint. “But we still expect a level of professionalism. Especially for employees working in administration, it is important to be presentable.”

Presentation is everything, especially

when undergraduates become more immersed in professional businesses. In lieu of the rising popularity of tattoos and piercings, the workplace faces some new conflicts within dress code appearance and professionalism as young employees are hired.

“Employers are now bending towards applicants,” said Michael McDyer, the marketing director at RRBB Accounting Firm.

“Although, you should match the level of dress of your client or exceed it.”

While many students at the College seem to be on the right page with dress code attire, it’s important to recognize the resources available on campus to aid in the process of job search and professional development.

“TCNJ career center wants to hear insight about what students want, including access to professional business wear,” Conklin said. “Not every student has the same background and access to professional dress.”

page 16 The Signal February 26, 2020

: Oct. ‘02

Seniors balance their final semester

Campus Style

Photo courtesy of TCNJ Digital Archives

Students learn how to divide their time between friends and school.

Every week, Features Editor Liya Davidov hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.

The spring semester brings colder dorm rooms, tougher courses and new challenges, making it difficult to find a balance between living in the moment and looking forward to the next break. In an Oct. 2002 issue of The Signal, the former editorin-chief reflected on what life as a senior means in terms of balancing school work, job applications and friends.

Last night, for the first time all semester, I sat down and hung out with my friends.

Yes, that’s right. You heard me correctly. Last night was the first time this semester I got to hang out with my friends. And that’s sad.

This is my last semester here at the College. I’m not going to get too many more chances to sit down and have a good time with people. 1 have to finish up my classes.

I have to make sure Records and Registration is not going to surprise me on Dec. 16, and tell me I don’t have enough credits to graduate. 1 have to start the dreaded job search and pray to God (and anyone else) that I find a job.

I’m so wrapped up in the stress of senior

year that I think I’m forgetting to enjoy it.

So, right now, I’m going to remind you: enjoy this. Don’t get all wrapped up in deadlines, papers and books that you have to read (but will never remember). Remember that there are two sides to college: the academic side and the fun side.

By no means am I advocating shunning your academic duties, but there are so many more things to do. This past weekend, a friend went to her first NCAA Division III game, and watched our school beat RutgersNewark. And she had a good time. We threw a birthday party for my house­mate, who turned 21. For once, a group of us got together to do something besides have a meeting about the newspaper.

Then, my friends and 1took time out of our busy schedules to cook a meal for each other. There we were in this 2-by-4 kitchen, making meatballs, gravy (yes, gravy!), macaroni, salad, garlic bread and dessert.

By no means was this an easy task, but we got it done. And when we all sat down to eat, the smiles around the table were ones that I will never find in any class, homework assignment or all-nighter.

Lions’ P late

Left: Two-piece sets are simple and sophisticated.

Right: Make a bold statement with a bodycon dress.

By Marina Zupko Columnist Formal and date party season is approaching at the College, and everyone wants to look their best. Getting a head start on your look will allow you to simply focus on the night ahead.

With so many dress options out there, it is easy to personalize your luck based on your style and comfort level.

1.) High-low For the girls aiming for a flirty look, try a high-low dress that shows some skin, but still remains modest and flowy.

With the right color, this dress will make you stand out among the crowd—and show off your legs, too. The floral pattern featured on this dress looks great on every skin tone.

2.) Jumpsuit Do you want to stand out at your formal? Opt for a jumpsuit, rather than a dress. Jumpsuits come in various colors

and patterns, so there is always something for everyone. Some come with details such as a belt, open back, or everyone’s favorite: pockets. If you end up rocking a jumpsuit, you’ll steal the spotlight and be much more comfortable on the dancefloor.

3.) Two-piece set Two pieces are all the hype this season. Get your hands on a dainty white, lace dress! The color stands out on every girl, and the two piece adds the flare you’re looking for. After the party, you can mix and match the top and skirt with other pieces in your closet, making this look a smart investment that you can utilize all year round.

4.) Bodycon Do you consider yourself a baddie?

Rock a bodycon dress that radiates confident girl energy. The cinched detailing down the sides hugs your body in all the right places, making you feel your best.

Pair this look with gold jewelry and you’re ready to hit the town.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Left: This savory dip is perfect for dinner with friends. Right: Serve this dish with tortilla chips or vegetables.

By Elizabeth Casalnova Columnist While this recipe isn’t as healthy as the others I’ve shared, it is still the perfect dish to bring to a potluck with your friends or neighbors. Buffalo chicken dip is easy to make, transport and serve. It is one of my favorite things to bring when my friends and I have group dinners because everyone loves it! The recipe is ideal for busy

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college kids who don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

There are a few different ways to make this, but I’ve opted for a slow-cooker recipe. If you choose to make the dip in an oven, don’t leave it unattended for long periods of time. To save even more time, use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the chicken yourself. They’re about the same price you would pay for a package of chicken breast at the grocery store.

Also, if you’d prefer it spicier, you can always add more hot sauce. For the best results, add another layer of the shredded cheddar on top about 15 minutes before it’s served.

Ingredients: -4 cups of shredded chicken breast, cooked -1 8oz package of cream cheese -1 cup ranch -3/4 cup buffalo sauce

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-1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Directions: 1.) Combine all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook it on low for about four hours.

2.) Serve hot with tortilla chips or veggies, and enjoy! It’s handy to transport this dish in the slow cooker as well, and leave it on the “warming” setting to keep it heated throughout an event.

February 26, 2020 The Signal page17

Arts & Entertainment

Empowering Vagina Monologues celebrate femininity

By Angie Tamayo Staff Writer Dressed in black, several student actresses stood in unison in Mayo Concert Hall to perform empowering monologues of one of the most talked about subjects in politics and the media — women’s sexuality.

The College’s Women in Learning and Leadership held the annual production of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues on Friday, Feb. 21. The show included performances by 13 student actresses, a pianist and the College’s acapella group, the Treblemakers.

Each student performed an individual monologue that foretold heartwrenching and rage-inducing stories from women before the #MeToo movement, highlighting the struggles women have endured and the progress that has been made.

The first monologue performed was “Hair,” which discussed the stigma surrounding vaginal hair and the cultural idea of what is an “ideal” vagina, which is typically shaven and clean. The monologue began with the thought of vaginal hair being seen as cluttered and dirty, but then it shifted the perspective to hair playing a vital role in femininity. This piece enforced the idea that women should love their vaginal hair, because they cannot pick the parts of a vagina they want and the ones they want to erase.

“The Vagina Workshop” emphasized how women have been conditioned to believe that vaginas, clitorises and orgasims exist on an abstract plane — these words are taught to be perverse and only to be discussed in private. However, as the theme of the show suggests, it is important

for women to discuss these factors in their everyday life in order to normalize it.

A “Vagina Happy Fact” was announced as well, a fact that contradicts the idea that women’s vaginas are solely for baby-making and men inevitably receive all the pleasure: The clitoris is the only organ designed purely for pleasure and has twice the nerve sensations as the penis does. After this piece was delivered, audience members stood up to cheer.

While many of the monologues had happy endings, there were also sensitive stories that highlighted the brutal hardships many women face, such as sexual assault and rape.

The “Not-So Happy Fact” brought attention to the process of female genital mutilation inflicted on 200 million girls in Africa. The process involves girls ages 5 to 14 having their clitorises cut off with a knife, razor or glass shard, which can lead to hemorrhages, infection or death.

The monologue “Because He Liked to Look At It” focused on how many women in the past hated their vaginas and pretended their body part did not exist.

Through the monologue, a woman meets a man who enjoys looking at vaginas as a way to fully see the woman he is with. In a heartwarming and comedic discourse of exploring one’s sexuality, the woman has newfound confidence, studying her vagina as if she were studying herself and claiming it as an extension of who she is.

“My Angry Vagina” touched on the subject of physical comfort and social commodity around vaginas. The monologue ended with a list of desires for the vagina: pleasure, freedom, touch, orgasms,

Julia Meehan / Photo Editor

The actresses deliever stories that promote sexuality and womanhood. chocolate and “to be loose and wild, not held together.”

The last monologue was titled “I Was There in the Room,” which described the beauty and importance of a woman giving birth. The vagina was described as an archeological tunnel that sang with strength.

At the end of Vagina Monologues, the actresses, singers and producers stood in unison, forming a semi-circle.

They sang “Praying” by Kesha as they took their final bow and the audience gave a standing ovation.

After the show, students shared their reactions to the performances.

“I really enjoyed the show,” said

Madison Calello, a freshman biology and elementary education dual major.

“I thought that it was somber at times and humorous at others. The cast really showed great courage in their acts and made the show a wonderful experience.”

Nathan Moncayo, a freshman physics major, said each performance gave him a fresh perspective on the struggles that women face every day.

“I absolutely loved it,” Moncayo said.

“The show was very dear and personal to me, and it gave me a perspective that I have not seen before. To walk into the lives of these women’s stories, and somehow relating and sympathizing with them. I love it.”

Tuesday Recital Series dazzles Mayo Hall audience

Silverman plays ‘III. Rondo’ on the clarinet.

By Julia Duggan Staff Writer

Mayo Concert Hall hosted another Tuesday Afternoon Recital on Feb. 18.

There were four student musicians, who each performed on a different instrument and were accompanied by Kathy Shanklin, one of the College’s collaborative pianists.

First to perform on the clarinet was Alexis Silverman, a senior music education

Julia Meehan / Photo Editor

major. She played the “III. Rondo” movement from the “Clarinet Concerto in A Major K. 622,” which was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

“It’s a standard piece for my instrument and I have fun performing it,” Silverman said. “I wanted to pick something I have learned really well, and that myself and the audience will enjoy.”

Although the piece covers most of the clarinet’s range and requires careful planning of places to breathe, Silverman

made the piece sound effortless. The audience responded with a loud round of applause — one person even gave a standing ovation.

“I’m usually a little nervous before a performance, but I’ve learned to accept the nerves rather than trying to go against them,” Silverman said. “I am also very excited, since it is my last Tuesday recital and my parents came.”

Next to perform on the alto saxophone was Maxwell Mellies, a senior music education major. He performed “Brilliance, for Alto Saxophone and Piano” movements “I. Déclamé” and “II. Désinvolte” by Ida Gotkovsky.

Mellies started with a powerful sound in the first movement that surrounded the audience. The second movement contrasted the first by having a gentler start, but it made just as much of an impact on the audience, as they gave a thunderous applause at the end.

The third performer was Giovanni Delgado, a sophomore elementary education with a specialization in music, on the tuba. He played Benedetto Marcello’s “Sonata in G Minor Op. 1, No. 4,” movements “I. Adagio,” “II. Allegro,” “III. Largo” and “IV. Allegro.”

“I picked this Sonata because of its jaunty feel,” Delgado said. “Each movement built off of each other and flows like a sea shanty.”

The audience was excited to hear a solo tuba performance, as its energy

during the performance was attentive and vigilant to every note. Delgado filled the concert hall with a beautiful, rich tuba sound. He moved through the various movements with ease, and the audience responded with another grand round of applause.

Last to perform on the flute was Sophia Isnardi, a senior music education major. Isnardi performed George Friedrich Handel’s “Sonata in B minor for Flute and Basso Continuo” movements, “I. Largo,” “II. Vivace” and “III. Presto.”

“I always enjoy listening to the different playing styles and musical interpretations of other musicians,” Isnardi said.

“I find that listening to these recordings inspires me to experiment with different musical interpretations of the piece.”

Isnardi did not disappoint, gracefully playing the first movement with a stunning tone. Played with ease and control, Isnardi’s rendition of the second movement was an intriguing contrast. The final movement continued to build in excitement and speed until the final note echoed throughout the hall, as the audience clapped and cheered in response.

“I love these recitals because three of (the performers), were seniors and they have their senior recitals coming up,” said Natalie Donohue, a senior music education major. “It is like a fun preview for their recitals, and it is just so exciting.”

page 18 The Signal February 26, 2020

‘P.S. I Still Love You’ fails to tug at heartstrings Highly-anticipated sequel disappoints excited viewers

Netflix

Lara Jean and Peter’s love story continues.

By Jane Bowden Managing Editor

“Pretty in Pink,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” “A Cinderella Story” — prime examples of high school romantic comedies that are timeless classics for singles and couples alike. Whose face doesn’t turn into a real-life heart-eyes emoji after seeing Heath Ledger dance across the bleachers and sing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie

Valli and the Four Seasons?

But while watching “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You,” which premiered on Feb. 12, all I wanted to do is take my eyes off of the screen. Why? Because waiting for this film’s plot to be entertaining was like waiting for rain in a drought — it was useless and disappointing.

In 2018, the world fell in love with Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centino) in the film adaptation of author

Jenny Han’s book series, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Directed by Susan Johnson, the first movie follows high school student Lara Jean (Lana Condor) after her sister sends out her childhood love letters to their proper recipients.

Lara Jean suddenly finds her love life go from nonexistent to messy and confusing, as she starts a fake relationship with Peter (one of the recipients of her love letters) in his attempt to make his ex-girlfriend

jealous. However, by the end of the film, Lara Jean and Peter fall in love and decide to make their relationship official.

In the second installment of the film series, Lara Jean and Peter’s love story continues, as the couple navigates their newfound relationship. Soon into the film, Lara Jean, who’s never been in a relationship before, starts to feel insecure about being the perfect girlfriend and compares herself to Peter’s exgirlfriend, Gen (Emilija Baranac). As a result, Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship starts to take a turn for the worst.

Then, in the midst of her trouble with Peter, Lara Jean receives a letter from John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fisher), who she had written to in the first film. A few days later, Lara Jean and John Ambrose meet face-to-face, igniting her internal debate: did she choose the wrong person to date?

In a slight nod to the beloved “Twilight” franchise, “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” makes a poor attempt to sway the audience towards Team Peter or Team John Ambrose. But instead of choosing between a twinkly, 180-year-old vampire or a tan, ripped werewolf, Lara Jean has to decide if she should be with John “I can serenade you on the piano while I tell you how I’ve been in love with you since middle school” Ambrose or Peter

— who can do what? Wear Lara Jean’s scrunchie on his wrist? Of course, in classic “love triangle in a romantic comedy” style, Lara Jean has difficulty navigating her feelings throughout the entirety of the film.

Although “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” promises entertainment, heartache and tension, the “P.S.” in the title should be renamed to “P U,” because, boy, did this sequel stink.

The plot lacks the spark found in the first film. Instead, it is loaded with too many over-the-top corny moments that feel forced and a weak storyline where nothing really happens. If anything, the movie only made me like Peter much less.

The only good aspects of “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You”? The addition of John Ambrose, who’s attentive, charismatic and tugs at the heartstrings of the hopeless romantic within me, and the most interesting character of the series: Stormy (Holland Taylor). With plenty of sass and iconic lines like “Almost every one of my love affairs overlap with another one,” I would much rather learn about Stormy’s love life than Lara Jean’s.

What’s going to happen in the third and final installment of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” film series? I’m not so sure.

All I know is if it’s anything like the sequel, I’m leaving Lara Jean on read, because I’m not going to even bother watching it.

‘Locke and Key’ brings fantasy, drama to Netflix

By Chelsie Derman Reviews Editor

The new Netflix original series, “Locke and Key,” lures viewers into a world of secret fantasy elements, with a mystery waiting to be solved. This supernatural drama series debuted Feb. 7.

For the Locke household, everything changes when the father — Rendell Locke (Bill Heck) — is murdered and the rest of the family is left in shock. They move to Matheson, Mass. and into the Keyhouse, which is Rendell’s old childhood home.

The Keyhouse, an old and abandoned mansion, is portrayed in a creepy manner from the very first episode. Rendell’s youngest son, Bode (Jackson Robert Scott), hears voices upon moving in that no one else can hear.

I thought it was interesting how odd occurrences kept coming in the show.

Right from the start, there is something suspicious about the Keyhouse and its rich history. Keyhouse, the name dedicated to the Locke’s ancestral home, does not bear its name coincidentally. Keys are stationed all over the home in secret locations and discovered through soft, unmeaningful whispers that grow louder as one approaches the key.

These sound effects furthered my intrigue while watching the scene unfold in front of me. The odd noise matched my confusion as the characters scoured the house for keys that bare magical powers.

I also liked the creation of characters that “Locke and Key” included. While at first I was hesitant to watch this show, thinking it would be childish because of its portrayed trailer, the introduced characters made me think otherwise. The show delves

into the lives of a broken family. Between a recovering alcoholic mother (Darby Stanchfield), a fear-driven teenage daughter named Kinsey (Emilia Jones), a distant teenage son named Tyler (Connor Jessup) and the youngest, naive son Bode, it is clear that the family is not in a good place.

The teens also go through relatable situations, which I thought was a positive addition to the show. Kinsey, for instance, struggles making friends at her new school. This relatable situation makes the show feel more real, despite its outlandish elements.

Aside from finding the mystical keys and dealing with teen drama, the growing threat of the Locke’s enemy adds more intrigue to the storyline.

Dodge, introduced as Well Lady— or so Bode calls her — speaks to Bode from the bottom of the well during the first episode. At first, Dodge puts on a trusting front, solely through the sound of her voice. That is, until she tricks Bode into handing over a key, snapping her credibility and posing as a threat to Bode and the rest of the Locke family.

The fight between Dodge and the Locke’s made me more curious— why is Dodge after all of these keys?

While viewers do not know Dodge’s true identity until the last couple of episodes, they do get a sense she is not human.

With extra strength and abnormal hunger, Dodge hunts for a particular key — the omega key, with no explanation as to why.

Nevertheless, throughout the course of the show, I kept on wondering who Dodge really was. If she is not human, what is she? Fortunately, the end of the show provides a solid explanation, but still keeps my

The Locke family works together to solve the mystery.

thoughts racing and wanting more.

While from the first episode you get a sense of the fantasy elements — the keys with mystical functions and the murmuring voices that lead the Locke children to new, hidden keys — I did not expect the depth this show provides, especially with the family dynamic. The bonds between the family members, or the lack thereof, add to the emotional pain of the story.

Nevertheless, as the characters had hurdles thrown at them, I found myself rooting for them to win as the woman that came from the well destroyed their lives.

Netflix

Right from the start, “Locke and Key,” hooked me with the fantasy element and then drew me in with its deep, wellthought out characters.

As the show goes on, the plot deceives viewers, leading them to believe something entirely different than the truth. The plot twist left me stunned, leaving me eager to watch a second season.

“Locke and Key” provides just enough fantasy and mystery to keep the viewer satisfied. I recommend this show to anyone who is interested in a unique fantasy that will pull you in right from the start.

February 26, 2020 The Signal page 19

Sports Men’s tennis drop first game, women continue streak Tennis

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

The men’s team jump-serves to the opponent.

By Kevin Hornibrook Staff Writer

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams competed on Sunday, Feb. 23, as the men picked up their first loss of the season against Babson College and the women remained perfect with their eighth win over Wellesley College.

The women’s team took down Wellesley College in an expedient fashion, as Wellesley dropped their first dual match of their season and the College moved on to an impressive season total of 8-0.

The women’s team dominated doubles, winning each of the three sets in 13 games or less. Freshmen Charlotte Roarty and Jenny Landells started with a convincing 8-3 win. Freshmen Anusha Rangu and Alexa Vasile finished their set next, winning 8-4. The sophomore team of Katherine Luddy and Liya Davidov also won, remaining undefeated together at 6-0.

The dominance continued in singles play. Luddy followed with a straight set win that put the College in striking distance to clinch the match. Roarty delivered next with a 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4 score to win the match for the team. Davidov’s 6-0, 4-6 and 6-0 win at first singles made the victory sweeter.

Both Roarty and Luddy have yet to lose a singles match in dual-match play, with 7-0 and 5-0 records, respectively.

Wellesley College took the final three points after the match had been decided, rounding out the final score at 6-3.

An hour later and three miles away, the men’s team suffered a 6-3 loss against Babson, sending the Lions to a 1-1 record on the year. Babson continues its successful season, 4-1.

The College started well, winning two of the three doubles sets. Seniors Thomas Wright and Gokul Murugesan earned an 8-3 win as freshmen Nick Matkiwsky and Akul Telluri followed with a competitive 8-7 victory.

Babson College began to run away with the match once singles matches got going, winning all but one of six points. Four of their wins came in straight sets.

Sophomore Matthew Michibata took his opponent to a third set, losing 1-6.

Matkiwsky, at the fourth singles spot, had the Lions only point in a three-set win that came down to a tiebreaker.

The men’s team at the College looks to rebound when they come home for their next match against Haverford College on Friday, Feb. 28. The women hope to remain undefeated against Dickinson the following day on Saturday, Feb. 29.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

The player returns the ball in doubles.

Signal

Sports

Lions place second at MET Championships

By Jacob Malik Staff Writer

Both the men’s and women’s swim teams dominated from Friday, Feb. 21, to Sunday, Feb. 23, at the MET championships. Both squads placed second behind Rowan University, with the men scoring an impressive 1,478.5 points while the women scored even more, with a final tally of 1,523 points.

The Lions got off to a strong start on Friday. In nearly every single event there was at least one top-five finisher per race. The main highlights of Friday were two new program records. Both records came in the 200-yard individual medley. The first record set was by sophomore Zoe Chan when she placed first with an incredible time of 2:07.48.

This was followed by a fourth-place finish from junior Melanie Fosko and a seventh-place finish by sophomore Kori Jelinek. They finished with times of 2:12.44 and 2:14.02, respectively. But this was only the beginning of the records. In the men’s individual medley junior Andrew Thompson placed second and set a program record with a time of 1:50.61. The Lions also had junior Griff Morgan place third with a time of 1:52.98 and an eighth-place finish from senior Elias O’Connor with a time of 1:55.25.

Saturday was just as dominant for the Lions. Early in the day they were crushing the competition. They would go on to have first-place finishes. Not only did they finish first in those three races, they also would have three top-10 finishers in those races.

The first race would be the men’s 400-yard individual medley. Morgan finished first with blazing speed and was able to achieve an impressive time of 4:00.69. He would be followed closely behind by teammate freshman Conrad Hoody who finished second with a time of 4:03.84.

The Lions would round out the top-five of the race with

junior Jimmy Keane taking fifth and finishing with a time of 4:07.21.

The Lions had pure dominance in the following race, the women’s 100 yard butterfly. Chan turned in yet another incredible performance, finishing first with a time of 56.14. This was Chan’s second first-place finish for the weekend. Jelinek was also successful, placing second just behind Chan with a time of 57.06. To round out the race, junior Darby VanDeVeen finished seventh at 1:00.61.

If two first-place finishes in a row wasn’t impressive enough, the Lions nabbed a third straight first-place finish in the men’s 100-yard butterfly. Thompson also grabbed his second-first place finish from the weekend after finishing at 48.86. If that wasn’t enough, the College had three more top-10 finishes within the same race. Freshman Sean Rave finished fifth at 50.35 while seniors Derek Kneisel and Zach Volm grabbed the 9 and 10 spots with times of 51.48 and 51.91 respectively.

To round the day out, in the final races of the day, the women’s team placed second in the 800-yard free relay while the men nabbed the Lions fourth first place of the day and sixth overall. Freshman Rachel Hannah, freshman Cameron Carrazza, Chan and junior Melania Fosko placed second with a time of 7:55.16. The team of Thompson, Morgan, senior Harrison Yi and freshman Dixon Kahler finished first with an impressive time of 6:43.23.

The last and final day, Sunday, Feb. 23, was filled with more of the same achievements. The Lions would go on to claim four more first-place finishes as well as have yet another program record be crushed. The women got things started with a first, fifth, seventh and eighth place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke. Senior Annie Menninger would claim first with an impressive time of 2:25.99, and she would be followed closely behind by teammates Fosko, as well as juniors Chiara Mennonna and Haley Crispell. They would finish with times of 2:28.96, 2:29.98 and 2:30.20, respectively.

Women’s Basketball

Photo courtesy of Jess Michaud

Morgan places in third for the Lions.

For Chan, however, one program record didn’t seem to be enough, as she would go on to set yet another record in the 200-yard butterfly. Chan posted a record time of 2:05.91. Jelinek didn’t finish too far behind in second place with a time of 2:09.06 senior Samantha Askin finished in sixth place with a time of 2:16.15.

The Lions weren’t quite done yet, they would round out the weekend with consecutive first-place finishes in the 400-free relay. The women grabbed first place with a time of 3:32.66, with the relay consisting of Fosko, freshman Shannon Hesse, Hannah and anchored by Chan. For the men, Kahler, Yi, Morgan and Thompson placed first with a speedy time of 3:02.06.

The weekend as a whole was a great success, with both the men’s and women’s swim teams just narrowly falling short to Rowan, managing to get the silver medal.

Men’s Basketball

Women’s basketball team Men’s basketball secures No. 1 seed advances to NJAC semifinals

By Ann Brunn Staff Writer In an exhilarating 67-59 overtime victory over William Paterson University in Packer Hall on Saturday, Feb. 22, the women’s basketball team advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference semifinals. The Lions are seeking their first NJAC championship since the 20082009 season.

With less than a minute left to play in regulation, the Lions were down 56-52 when they rallied to force overtime. Their

Devitt looks to pass.

Lions Lineup February 26, 2020

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I n s i d e

stifling defense and crucial offensive possessions propelled the College over William Paterson in the overtime period to reach the semifinals.

Junior guard Elle Cimilluca paced the Lions with a career high 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. With 10 rebounds, junior forward Shannon Devitt inserted herself into second place all-time in the College’s history. She has 857 boards for her career and is 106 rebounds from passing Candy Kaschak for the overall program record. Devitt also added 17 points and four blocked shots.

Senior forward Jen Byrne scored nine points, which put her in sixth place in program history in scoring with 1,280 points in her career at the College. She tallied six rebounds as well.

The Lions will head south to Rowan University on Tuesday, Feb. 25 for a pivotal semifinal game. The teams split the regular season series with Rowan winning on Dec. 4, 2019, and the Lions winning on Jan. 29. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

If the Lions beat Rowan, they would play the winner of Montclair State University and New Jersey City University on Friday, Feb. 28 in the championship game.

By Ann Brunn Staff Writer With a 87-76 victory over William Paterson University on Wednesday, Feb. 19, the men’s basketball team won the regular season title in the New Jersey Athletic Conference for the first time since the 1997-1998 season. The win locked the College in the No. 1 seed in the tournament, as well as a bye to the semifinals.

Ending the regular season with a 14-4 conference record, senior guard Randy Walko led the Lions past William Paterson University with 23 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Travis Jocelyn tallied 19 points and six rebounds as senior guard Ryan Jensen added 14 points. Sophomore center Danny Bodine chipped in with 13 points and went 4-of-4 from the field while junior guard PJ Ringel grabbed 11 rebounds.

Starting the season 4-6, the Lions turned it around to go 13-2 down the stretch. With the No. 1 seed comes home-court advantage throughout the NJAC Tournament, and the men are 9-1 at home. Their sole loss came in a close game early in the season against Stockton University, the No. 2 seed in

Tennis page 15

the tournament.

The Lions will face Rutgers-Newark University in the semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in Packer Hall. If victorious, the men will play the winner of the Rowan University versus Stockton University game on Saturday, Feb. 29, in Packer Hall.

Walley pulls up from three.

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