Breaking news and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. L, No. 8
March 27, 2019
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PRISM hosts Big Gay Bingo
Gabby Douglas reflects on career accomplishments By Caleigh Carlson Staff Writer
The drag queens dazzle the crowd with their dance moves and spunky attitudes.
By Len La Rocca Distribution Manager
Things got raunchy at PRISM’s Big Gay Bingo event. A night full of dancing, comedy and of course, bingo, became a lively show of flamboyance, entertainment and laughter. The bingo night was run by visiting drag queens Rhedd Rhumm and Victoria Cortez on March 14 at 8:30 p.m in the Brower Student Center Room 100W. The room was packed with students at tables decorated with light blue and pink table cloths, streamers and bingo chips in rainbow colors, all in the name of gay pride.
To start off the night, Rhumm teased the crowd with a dance routine that included splits and a rainbow-beaded bracelet that scattered against the wall into colorful pellets after she flung it across the room. Cortez’s dance routine followed. She gallivanted across the room in a leopard one-piece and was met with many smiles and applause. “It was amazing,” said junior biology major Andie Shae. “I think the queens did a great job dancing.” Rhumm and Cortez’ humor was apparent as soon as they took the stage and commented on not having to share a microphone for once. “Oh they’ve got two of them
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
them today,” Cortez said. “This year they’ve got a budget.” The queens explained the general rules of bingo and presented the prizes –– gift cards to Insomnia Cookies, Panera Bread, Dunkin Donuts and Barnes & Noble. They kept the grand prize a secret until the final round of the night After a practice round, the queens began the official game. They were adamant about their no-cheating policy and laid out the punishment for a false bingo. “If we get a false bingo, you’re getting spanked on stage,” Rhumm said.
Gabby Douglas, an American artistic gymnast, 2012 Olympic all-around champion and 2015 World all-around silver medalist, humbly shared her experiences and career successes with the College on March 12 in the Brower Student Center Room 100. The accomplished 23-year-old gymnast faced an eager audience as she shared, without hesitation, her proudest accomplishment –– all the times she had failed. “Winning is definitely a bonus,” Douglas said in response to a rather taken-aback audience. “But even my mom said (about a competition 2011) that that was one of her favorite competitions because I fell several times on national TV and kept getting back up, fighting and fighting. I think those are the best moments — when you fall and get back up and keep pushing.” Douglas’ words encapsulated the two apparent elements of her character — her humility and love for her family. She was inspired to become a gymnast by her older sister, who had already developed the hobby. “My older sister was a gymnast before I was,” Douglas said. “She did gymnastics and when I was younger, I was like, ‘I want to do what you’re doing.’” However, her mother was not quite so eager to send Douglas down the same path as her sister, who had already injured her wrist twice in the intense sport. “It took her about four years to finally put me in, but then I fell in love the first day of gymnastics,” Douglas said. It was the hesitant approval from her mother that led Douglas to become the first African-American in Olympic history to win gold in both the gymnastic individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic games, accomplishing such greatness in the London games of 2012. When asked further about her family’s role in her career, Douglas beamed with enthusiasm over their support. see SPORT page 8
see GAME page 15
Production honors Women’s History Month By Len La Rocca Distribution Manager Feminism and female empowerment has become a contemporary theme in politics and society. Some artists have also adapted these themes into their works— and plays in particular—in order to share certain perspectives on these issues through a fresh medium. In honor of Women’s History Month, TCNJ Lyric Theatre performed two one-act plays, “A Woman’s Honor” and “Trifles,” written by the late feminist playwright, Susan Glaspell. The performances attracted students, parents and faculty to Don Evans Black Box Theater on March 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. Themes of patriarchal oppression dominated the night. Although Glaspell’s works were created in the early 1900s, her messages still resonated with a contemporary audience.
INDEX: Nation & World / page 9
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Audience members were eager to experience the performer’s rendition of these classic plays and support familiar cast members. “I’m really excited because three of my friends are here,” said Aliyah Nasir, a sophomore psychology major. “They’re really talented performers and I’m really excited to see what they have to show us.” The night kicked off with “A Woman’s Honor,” which is set in a New York City interrogation room where where Gordon Wallace is being held for an alleged murder. In the satirical comedy, Wallace pleads guilty to a crime he did not commit for the sake of “defending a woman’s honor.” Wallace would rather suffer in prison than admit he spent the night with a woman and possibly tarnish her reputation, a theme that poked fun at traditional gender roles and expectations.
Editorial / page 11
see GENDER page 20 Opinions / page 13
Features / page 15
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
The gymnast seeks support from her family.
Arts & Entertainment / page 18
Sports / page 24
(Her)Story Sorority acknowledges female empowerment
Recital Series Students perform in Mayo Concert Hall
Baseball Lions defeat Alvernia University 7-3
See Features page 15
See A&E page 19
See Sports page 24
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Speaker stresses impact of microaggressions
Series part of effort to foster campus inclusion By Len La Rocca Distribution Manager
In an effort to minimize microaggressions on campus, faculty and some students pooled into the Brower Student Center Room 222 at noon on March 12 for the third Diversity Education Series event titled, “Small Things Matter.” The goal of the Diversity Education Series is to inform staff on how to promote the capacity to further campus inclusion at the College. The first event was about how social-cultural identities such as gender, race and sexual orientation affect people’s behavior, perspectives, assumptions and communication, while the second one dealt with bias and different ways to combat it. Spearheaded by Diane Goodman, a diversity and equity consultant with 35 years of experience in her field, the third presentation in the series highlighted the effects of microaggressions and the subtle oppression of others due to underlying bias. The audience was fully engaged in the presentation and held a group discussion about possible situations in which they have heard of or experienced microaggression. A microaggression is a subtle comment that carries a marginalizing assumption of someone, thus hurting the person hearing it and applying assumed characteristics, according to Goodman. She began by acknowledging that most people are capable of using microaggressions, yet the behavior is often disguised behind seemingly good intentions. A lot of times, microaggressions come out as a compliment,” Goodman said. “The reason these statements come across as offensive is because of underlying bias.” According to Goodman, people usually do not use microaggressions intentionally. It usually happens when a person is trying to make conversation with someone, but reverts to referring to certain stereotypes instead of asking about the person’s interests. These are more prevalent when an individual pretends to be unaware of another’s identity instead of acknowledging its existence. “Often, people pretend that they don’t see color or that differences don’t matter as a way to say, ‘oh well if I don’t see color, then I can’t be biased in any way,’” Goodman said. “But the problem is that we do notice differences. If we are to really have authentic relationships and to be able to create equitable, inclusive environments, then we
Goodman engages attendees in a discussion regarding implicit bias. need to recognize that we’re not all the same and we’re not all having the same experiences.” Comments such as “you’re so well-spoken” or “wow, you read the New York Times” can be undermining because the comment reduces the person to a biased stereotype and disregard their complexity. Goodman played a video for the audience made by Fusion Comedy titled, “How microaggressions are like mosquito bites: Same difference.” The video compared microaggressions to mosquitos — annoying and draining. “It’s like getting a papercut,” Goodman said. “You’re going to survive, but if you get papercut after papercut after papercut, you’re going to end up with a huge gash.” As common as microaggressions can be, Goodman explained what to do if people find themselves using them. “Apologize,” Goodman said. “Usually, people don’t want a whole song and a dance. Just listen to what the person says and apologize compassionately.”
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
After the presentation, members of the audience discussed how to be more empathetic toward those who have experienced microaggressions. Joanne Bateup, the assistant director for the Center for Global Engagement at the College, was concerned with the feelings of the many people on campus who are victims of microaggressions. “We have a lot of work to do,” Bateup said. “Our campus may not be at the place where we need to be in terms of confronting microaggressions as a community.” Goodman felt the event had a significant impact on the attendees. “I think people were really receptive,” Goodman said. “I think the issue of microaggressions really speaks to people’s experiences and everybody has experienced them, seen them, enacted them. I think it’s a way for people to share their stories and start to understand the impact that they have and what they could do about them.”
Campus Police find student vomiting in toilet
Student reports online harassment via gaming website
By Raquel Sosa-Sanchez Columnist TCNJ EMS transports student On March 6 at approximately 1:52 a.m., Campus Police was dispatched to Townhouses East on a report of an intoxicated female. Upon arrival, officers were met by a student and resident who escorted them to the second-floor bathroom. Campus Police met with the female student, whom they observed to be conscious and alert. She appeared to be kneeling and vomiting into a toilet. Campus Police proceeded to question the student on how much alcohol she had consumed. The student stated she had consumed several mixed drinks at an off-campus party. At approximately 2 a.m., TCNJ Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene and proceeded to evaluate the student. Professional Staff arrived shortly after to further evaluate the student. Following evaluation by TCNJ EMS, Ewing EMS arrived on the scene to transport the student to a nearby medical facility. The student was not charged or issued a summons as a result of the New Jersey 911 Lifeline Legislation Act amnesty policy and her cooperation
with TCNJ EMS and Campus Police. Harassment on gaming website concerns student On March 7 at approximately 3:39 p.m., a female student met with Campus Police to file a report of harassment. The victim had told officers that she became involved in an online gaming website called Steam Gaming Platform two months ago. According to the report, she said that over the last few weeks, she had been receiving messages from another game player that were concerning to her and what she believed to be harassive in nature. She stated that the messages said phrases such as, “you are a compulsive liar,” “you belong to a site/network full of people to harass me” and “you belong to a GoFundMe to get money.” She stated that she had decided to delete the harasser from the game, to which he responded by telling her, “if you block me or don’t respond to my messages, I will kill myself.” The student then proceeded to block him from the gaming website. She was unable to provide Campus Police with a
record of the alleged messages because they had allegedly been deleted from the website. The student stated that she had started visiting a different gaming website and began to receive similar harassing messages. She told Campus Police that she believes that this is the same individual from the previous gaming website. One message she had received read, “I know your mom and dad’s name, home address and that you are a student at the College of New Jersey.” He then again proceeded to send her a message saying, “I will kill myself.” She was able to provide a copy of these messages. The student was advised not to sign into any other gaming sites for the time being. She was also advised to contact Campus Police if she received any other messages of this nature. Student reports missing wallet On March 13 at approximately 7:40 p.m., Campus Police met with a student on account of a theft report. The student believed that her wallet was stolen, though neither the student nor Campus
Police are sure of whether it was stolen in the two locations the student visited –– the Library Cafe or Forcina Hall. She advised that at approximately 4 p.m., she arrived at the Library Cafe, where she purchased food with her wallet. She then sat down at the cafe and ate her food for approximately 30 minutes. The student then proceeded to walk to Forcina Hall. She said that she was in a room in Forcina Hall for approximately two hours and left only to use the restroom for approximately 10 minutes. The student stated that the wallet was a phone wallet that is typically attached to the back of her phone. She advised that it contained her student ID, a driver’s license and a bank debit card. She was advised by Campus Police to cancel the debit card immediately. The student told Campus Police that she had checked with the library’s circulation desk, as well as the cafe. She said that she had already retraced her steps prior to reporting the theft. Campus Police was unable to find evidence of theft after viewing security footage from the library and Library Cafe. The student was advised to contact Campus Police if she recovered any of the stolen items.
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fun stuff
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Pop-Up Shop bags returning thrift store patrons By Rachel Skerker Correspondent
In one trunk on the floor, a cluster of scarves swirled and spilled out in a vibrance of color. A few steps away, tables heaped with striped sweaters and flowery shirts commanded the attention of passersby. Students milled around the shop, slinging shirts, jackets and miscellaneous items over their arms before heading to the cash register in the center of the Education Building lobby to pay for their clothes. On March 13, the Bonner Scholar Program held its Spring Pop-Up Shop, a clothing charity that attracted the attention of students who had heard about the shop through advertisements or came across it as they passed through the building’s lobby. The clothing was from the thrift shop of the Trenton Rescue Mission, located on Carroll Street in Trenton, which provides the homeless population of Trenton and Mercer County with resources such as housing, job training and drug treatment. All profits from the sale went directly to the mission. “The thrift project is a site run through the Bonner Scholar Program and we volunteer with the rescue mission of Trenton to raise funds to provide for their services,” said Allie Davanzo,
a junior public health major and one of the site-leaders for the thrift project. Davanzo and her site coleader, Meghan Feeley, a sophomore art education major, go every Wednesday to the thrift store and select clothing to sell at pop-up shops. The group puts on two pop-up shops each semester, along with satellite events occurring at locations such as the Punk Rock Flea Market in Trenton. Davanzo and Feeley store the bags of clothing they obtain each week in a storage locker in Forcina Hall before bringing them out for the each pop-up shop. “We have a whole mix of clothes,” Feeley said. “When we’re in the store, we just try to think ‘Would I buy this?’ Or if we see something really, really cool, we just grab it.” The pop-up shop attracted both students and faculty, some of whom were returning patrons. “I’ve been here two other times, and I look forward to it every single time,” said freshman art education major Renee Garzillo. “I got this red shirt that I ended up wearing for Christmas last time I went to one.” A week before the event, Davanzo and Feeley, along with other Bonner Scholars and volunteers, conducted a photo shoot of students modeling clothing that would be sold at the pop-up shop. “I always do the photo shoots
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
Students peruse through the Education Building lobby for clothing.
and I always like to come here and see the finished product,” said Alexandra Raskin, a sophomore journalism and professional writing major and Bonner Scholar who volunteered at the event. “Sometimes I can recommend things to people that I’ve worn and that I’ve liked, so that’s always fun for me.” Davanzo and Feeley explained that while the pop-up shops bring the clothing to campus, College students and general members of the community
are welcome anytime to go to the rescue mission’s thrift shop. “I think it’s important that TCNJ students know that they can go into Trenton to support their community,” Davanzo said. “Because we’re a part of that community too.” Two more pop-up shops will be held during this semester. One will be on April 24 on the Green Hall Lawn and the other will be held toward end of the semester as a final sale, with the date to be determined.
Feeley explained that students who are not Bonner Scholars are encouraged to participate in the pop-up shop event. “Whenever anyone asks what the pop-up shop is, I try to explain and help them realize where this is all coming from and who this is benefiting, and that they can go to the rescue mission whenever they want,” Feeley said. “This is all about getting people involved in the community that they themselves are a part of.”
Foster presents budget framework to SG
Sophomore class announces trip to Philadelphia
Left: SG recognizes PSA as an official student organization. Right: The new water resolution bill requires annual lead testing. By Alex Shapiro Columnist Student Government welcomed College President Kathryn Foster and approved a new club at its meeting on March 13. The general body introduced a resolution titled, “B-S2019-04: Student Org Bylaws Changes,” which is intended to better align the responsibilities of the Office of Student Involvement and the Student Organization Recognition Process. The bill will be debated further at the next meeting. SG then welcomed members of the Pakistani Student Association, who gave a presentation on why they believe they should be a recognized student
organization by the College. PSA wanted the College’s recognition for booking space, advertising events and growing its member base. The organization hopes to host regular meetings and cultural events to foster intercultural understanding. SG voted for PSA to become a student organization at the College. SG then welcomed Foster, who presented the “Framework for Budget and Priority Setting.” Foster gave the presentation to inform the general body about her ideas for budgeting in the future at the College. According to Foster, there is an increased demand for school services, which include mental health and academic support. There is also a demand for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution.
Foster explained that the College holds values of excellence, engagement, integrity, inclusiveness and self-reflection very strongly. She mentioned various institutional priorities, all of which were created to ensure that students have the resources necessary to complete their higher education. Those priorities include being a national exemplar of excellent, affordable, public higher-education and creating an engaged, collaborative and inclusive community. The priorities involve, increasing mentoring programs and closing graduation gaps, increasing full-time equivalent enrollment and graduate programs and further developing alumni engagement and public relations strategies. Next, the general body voted on
Alex Shapiro / Columnist
“R-S2019-02 Water Resolution.” The bill “requires institutions of higher education to test for lead in drinking water annually, report test results and install lead filters or treatment devices.” This bill was made out of concern for the quality of Ewing’s water and the recent reports released by Trenton Water Works, which listed various contaminant levels in the water the College receives. After a general body vote, the resolution passed and will be put into effect immediately. The Class of 2021 announced the sophomore class trip to Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philadelphia, which will take place on March 31. The Class of 2022 announced that it is still selling tickets until March 30 for the Spring Formal.
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SFB funds Asian American Association
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Club plans trip to Japanese cultural festival By John McCarthy Correspondent Eight organizations were fully funded and two were partially funded at the Student Finance Board meeting on March 13 at 12:30 p.m. The board fully funded the Society for Creative Endeavors $4,938.10 for a day trip to a Japanese cultural festival, the Sakura Matsuri, in Washington, D.C. on April 13. The event provides live music, authentic Japanese dance performances, shows and food. Students will be able to broaden their horizons by experiencing and celebrating Japanese culture, according to Michael Weiss, a junior marketing major and president of the Society for Creative Endeavors. Bus seats for students will be reserved for a $5 fee and the festival will charge $10 per ticket. The Japanese Student Association will co-sponsor the trip. The Sophomore Class Council’s bus trip to Philadelphia was fully funded for $2,150. The trip is scheduled for Sunday, March 31 and will transport students to nearby restaurants, museums and Spruce Street Harbor Park. “The goal of this trip is to promote unity among the class of 2021,” said Thomas Astaria, a sophomore business major and president of the council. As April approaches, the Asian American Association is planning Mystique, its annual showcase of cultural performances from different regions of Asia. SFB fully funded Mystique for $2,968.41. This year’s event will be Pokémon-themed and will showcase performances from Dragonflies, Taiko, Barkada, the Korean Student Association and more. The funding will go toward reserving the venue and providing costumes and props for the performers. It is scheduled to take place on April 28 at 6 p.m. in Kendall Hall. The board fully funded Dancers of New Jersey $781 for a showcase on April 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Kendall Hall. The club plans to present its members’ routines and bring in the Tap Ensemble, a tap dance
group at the College. “We want to show the hard work our club members have put in and inspire others to come out and try something new,” said Abigail Litterio, a junior and iSTEM and elementary education dual major and the president of Dancers of New Jersey. SFB partially funded the Haitian Student Association $9,720.07 for its event, “Ambiance,” in the Decker Social Space on April 20 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event will function as a celebration of Haitian culture through music, cuisine, dance and comedy. It will begin with a recitation of the National Hymn of Haiti in English and Creole. Afterward, participants will be able to listen to music, eat Haitian food and observe ancient Haitian artifacts displayed throughout the room. The board tabled funding some of the centerpieces that were included in the organization’s plan. The club wanted real roses while SFB maintained that its members could find fake flowers for a cheaper price. Instead, the funding went toward music, food, entertainment and other aspects of the event. The Senior Class Council was fully funded $1,500 for a cooking class in the Lion’s Den on April 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Directed by Executive Chef Frank Rette, the class will provide participants with hands-on cooking experience, a variety of recipes and a chance to taste their results afterward. The theme for the class is comfort food. According to Christina Vassalo, a senior iSTEM and elementary education dual major and treasurer of the council, the goal is to teach College students culinary skills that they will be able to use later in life. Synergy Dance Company was partially funded $2,832 for its event, “Synergy Spring Spectacular.” The event will showcase the different styles of dance that the organization’s members have been practicing, which include jazz, ballet, hip-hop and more. “This event gives us the opportunity to show off what we’ve been working on these past two semesters,” said Katie Napolitano, a junior psychology and
The board hears HSA’s event proposal.
marketing double major. The event is scheduled to take place in Kendall Hall on April 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Expenses will go toward costumes, a pre-performance meal and the utilities provided by Kendall Hall. The board fully funded Union Latina $3,309.13 for its event, “COPA.” The purpose of the event is to celebrate all LatinAmerican cultures, and Mexican heritage specifically, through performances, traditional Latin food, music and Latin-American history. The event will also include a DJ and a live band that plays traditional Mexican music. “We want a band to show TCNJ the traditional side of Mexican Culture,” said Karla Flores, a senior early childhood education and sociology dual major and chair of Latinx awareness for Union Latina. The event will take place on April 18 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Decker Social Space. SFB zero funded the Association of Students for Africa for its event, “Akwaaba,”
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
which is still scheduled to take place in the Decker Social Space on April 26 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event, which according to ASFA will still be held, is meant to showcase African culture through cuisine, live music and other performances, according to Tiffany Thimba, a senior sociology major and president of ASFA. The event was denied funding because it was publicly advertised before its club requested finances from SFB. Lastly, the board fully funded the Italian Club $3,698.80 for its event, Viaggio d’Italia (A Trip Around Italy), which is meant to immerse students in Italian culture through cuisine, music and various interactive activities. Participants will experience aspects from different regions of Italy, according to Nathaniel Hirschman, a senior finance major and president of the club. The event is scheduled to take place on April 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Brower Student Center Room 100.
Career fair promotes professional connections
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
Students network with potential employers.
By Craig Giangiulio Correspondent
After it had been rescheduled due to weather, the College’s annual Spring Career & Internship Fair provided a variety of
interested students a chance to meet with more than 50 employers in the Brower Student Center on March 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students had the opportunity to meet with representatives
from interested employers — many of whom were alumni of the College — to learn about job and internship opportunities open to them either for the summer or after graduation. The fair featured a wide variety of employers, such as Target, Bank of America and Merck Pharmaceutical. Government agencies such as the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Jersey State police were also recruiting. “The College did a great job putting this together,” said Matthew Krauss (’18), who attended as a representative for Cenlar FSB, a mortgage lender based in Ewing Township. “We’ve been talking to interested kids all morning. It’s great to be back on campus.” The selection of employers from both the public and private sectors provided opportunities for students of all majors. State police networked with criminology majors, while larger companies such as Merck and
Johnson & Johnson offered positions for people with a business and other backgrounds. “We hire people from a bunch of different majors,” said Kyle Thomas, another representative of Cenlar FSB. “We take a lot of finance majors, but we also look at communications and political science people for our customer service department. There’s definitely a lot of great candidates here from all backgrounds.” Matt Ranieri (’18), a representative for Merck, reflected on the fair’s turnout and was proud of the talent he noticed. “We’re looking at different people for different departments,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent here and Merck has really liked the TCNJ interns we’ve had so far. We’ve talked to a lot of good candidates today. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some future Merck employees here.” Students were eager to see the extent of the College’s alumni network. “I was surprised at how
many (alumni) I ran into that I knew,” said Freddie Eyer, a senior health and exercise science major. “I’d see someone and be like, ‘oh wow, you work here?’” Eyer also felt that having a chance to meet with various organizations was a good starting point for future employment. “The whole thing was really cool,” Eyer said. “There were a lot of companies there. I don’t have a job lined up for postgrad, but I got some leads today and I’m really excited about it.” In addition to the networking opportunities for older students, the career fair offered valuable information for freshmen and sophomores about what companies look for in an employee and what candidates can do to boost their chances of landing a job. “Merck doesn’t have any programs for freshmen, but we’ve been answering a lot of questions about what we’re looking for,” Ranieri said. “It’s important to think about that stuff ahead of applying for jobs.”
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Comm department displays semester’s accomplishments By Victoria Giardina Staff Writer
The communication studies department hosted its first annual #SpringHasComm Showcase on March 13 at 11 a.m. in the Brower Student Center Room 100 to present various projects that students have been working on throughout the semester. The event was also an opportunity for those interested in the various fields of communication studies to meet other students, create a more positive perception of the communication studies department for the campus community at large and allow the communication studies students to showcase their accomplishments. The department offers three specializations for its majors — public/mass, interpersonal/organizational and radio/TV/film. Susan Ryan, who teaches Introduction to Film Studies, Introduction to Television Studies and Documentary Production, believes that her home department has much more to offer to students. The idea for the showcase stemmed from the notion that the campus community is relatively uninformed of classwork and research within the communication studies department, according to Ryan. The event was also open to students outside of the department.
“People had a problem understanding what goes on here,” Ryan said. The event showcased students’ original screenings, which included topics such as economics, lifestyle and health. “I have a bunch of documentary students presenting in the showcase,” Ryan said. “We were working on a special project on the Puerto Rican population in Trenton, so they produced a series of films of musicians and visual artists working in Trenton. There will be three documentaries revolved around this topic, so we are very excited for that.” The communication studies students who presented at the event were eager to share their documentaries, which they felt proved successful in the eyes of the attending campus community. “I think that the projects were a bit overwhelming because the communication studies department has never done anything like this before,” said Alana Adams, a communication studies and public health double major and one of the presenters. “We realized how many people were interested in showcasing their work and it just got easier and more exciting from there.” Another presenter, junior communication studies major Lorriann Guzman, also offered insight on the showcase’s value.
“I think the event is important because a lot of the times, communications majors are undervalued when compared to STEM,” Guzman said. “It is one of the biggest events we have ever done and it will definitely set the stage for the future.” The event also provided two 15-minute individual student video-screening breakout sessions, based off of the department’s courses, Intermediate Video: The Art of Editing and New Media & Health Communication. Along with these sessions, students got the chance to network with presenters and attendants to learn more about current internships and career opportunities in the field. They learned that some of the College’s communication studies alumni have gone on to work for CNN, NBC and shows such as “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Presenters provided an open forum for participants to understand the filming and editing processes and gain a better understanding of the technicalities behind the department. The showcase embodied the universality among students’ differing studies within the communication studies department. It expressed the multitude of opportunities for its graduates and highlighted the program’s invaluable skills that can be applied across a diverse
Sport / Olympian visits College Vital
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
Students network with presenters.
array of professions. Adams highlighted the reasoning behind her involvement in the showcase. “Communication studies is a worthwhile major to pursue,” she said. “It’s a major with a rigorous and fulfilling academic course load, which will provide students with a variety of internship opportunities … and great faculty and student relationships.” Yifeng Hu, the department chair, was pleased with the high level of interest in the event, which she felt showed “the pride and
engagement of the communication studies community.” Hu believed that this event is only the beginning of sustaining an excellent running within her department. “I am most proud of the enthusiasm and partnership of our own students, especially the planning team who spearheaded the idea of communication studies awareness and I was thrilled to support their initiatives through this journey,” she said. “This is our first event and we definitely want to make this a new tradition going forward.”
Signs: Allergy season arrives
Douglas emphasizes the important role her family plays in her career.
A pollen allergy can evoke symptoms of hay fever.
“They were so amazing throughout the whole journey,” she said. “They were there with me until the end and I love them so much. There was never any jealousy, never any envy. All day long, they supported me and poured so much into my career. At the end of the day, I can say I’m so grateful to have a family like them.” As with any career, Douglas said that she faced some challenges, especially while living as an African-American female playing such a competitive sport in the public eye. “For so long, people were telling me that I couldn’t do it, it was way too much, and I would never make it,” Douglas said. “Unfortunately, I listened to those haters and doubters and
It’s officially spring and the weather has been warming up. While this is great for spending time outside and getting some fresh air, many people will also suffer from seasonal allergies. The Mayo Clinic defines allergies as reactions to foreign substances by your immune system that most people’s systems don’t react to. For people who have allergies, their immune systems identify allergens as harmful even though they aren’t. Common allergies include bee venom, pet dander and pollen. Pollen allergies peak in the spring because the substance is released as part of the plant fertilization process.
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actually wanted to quit gymnastics before the Olympics.” Now that she has learned her lesson and proven those haters wrong, she encouraged the audience to block negative comments out and push forward to one’s goals. “Never let anyone determine your talent and your success,” she said. “At the end of the day, you know what you can do, so just go out there and do it. Don’t listen to the negative comments and the haters — if you know you can do it, then go for it.” After the audience broke into applause, the interviewer, junior finance major Martins Osasuwen, who serves as an associate member of the College Union Board, fittingly stated, “to family.” “Yes,” Douglas said smiling. “To family.”
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
By Anna Kellaher Columnist
Flickr
Pollen causes a type of allergic reaction called allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. The symptoms of hay fever include itchy eyes, nose or roof of the mouth, sneezing, a runny, stuffy nose and red, watery or swollen eyes. If you have an allergy that is heightened in the spring, you can try to avoid the allergens by staying inside and keeping the window closed on days when the pollen count is high. Most weather services and websites will have the daily pollen count. You can also use over-the-counter allergy medications like Claritin or Zyrtec. Pay attention to the side effects of these drugs because some can cause drowsiness. If your symptoms are not relieved by over-the-counter medications, contact your doctor to explore other options.
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 9
Nation & W rld
Parents face charges in college admissions scandal By Ariel Steinsaltz Staff Writer
On March 12, the Justice Department announced its largest ever prosecution of counts related to college admission and charged 50 people with various white-collar crimes. Thirty-three wealthy parents, which included Hollywood celebrities and prominent business leaders were among the accused who allegedly used bribery and fraud to get their children into top schools such as Yale University, Stanford University and the University of Southern California, according to The New York Times. Among those involved were actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, various business leaders and athletic coaches at the colleges, who accepted bribes to pretend that students were top athletes in order to get them athletic scholarships to schools, The
New York Times reported. The parents and school officials who carried out the scandal, which expanded to six states, are accused by the Justice Department of “cheating the system,” as well as cheating harder-working students out of their chance at having a good education. None of the universities or students were charged in the scandal, with prosecutors saying many of the students “were not aware” of what their parents were doing, The New York Times reported. Each parent involved in the scandal was charged with “one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of honest services mail fraud.” Some of the people involved have taken career hits and several of the students are having their admission reconsidered, while others are being allowed to remain, according to New York Magazine. New York Magazine stated
that Loughlin and her husband had their two daughters admitted to USC as part of the rowing team despite neither of them having ever rowed. Her younger daughter, Olivia Jade Giannulli, is reportedly not returning to USC and has been dropped by many of the companies for which she has advertised, such as Sephora and Estee Lauder. Loughlin was released from jail on $1 million bail and has been dropped by both Hallmark and Netflix. “When Calls the Heart,” where she was a series regular, is on a “‘creative hiatus.’” Loughlin will also no longer appear as the character Aunt Becky in “Fuller House,” New York Magazine reported. Other people involved in the scandal include Gordon Caplan, who paid Rick Singer, the fraud plan’s reported mastermind, to doctor ACT scores for his daughter by making a $75,000
Huffman and Loughlin are among the accused.
donation to Singer’s foundation. Another parent, Bill McGlashan, allegedly paid Singer $250,000 to create a football career for his son despite his high school not having a football team. Transcripts also showed that McGlashan asked Singer to make sure his son was not aware, according to The Los Angeles Times. Some also faked learning disabilities for their children so that
YouTube
they could get extended time on standardized testing. These accommodations are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act to give students with disabilities a fair chance at success. Singer took advantage of those accommodations to bribe a proctor who would allow cheating; he then paid a test taker to take the test for the student or change their answers, Fortune Magazine reported.
Mueller report finds no proof of collusion with Russia
Trump approves of Mueller’s findings.
YouTube
By Viktoria Ristanovic Nation & World Editor
On Sunday, March 24, Attorney General William P. Barr. announced that Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not find sufficient proof that President Donald
Trump or his aides colluded with Russia to interfere with the 2016 election, according to The New York Times. The almost two years worth of investigation resulted in Mueller discovering that no one in Trump’s election team “‘conspired or coordinated with the Russian government,’” Barr’s four-page synopsis of the special counsel’s report concluded, according to Reuters. On Friday, March 22, Mueller ended his 22-monthlong investigation after he brought charges against 34 people. The list included Russian agents and Trump’s past allies, such as his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, lawyer Michael Cohen and former national security adviser Mike Flynn, according to Reuters. The New York Times reported that despite Barr writing a letter to Congress that described findings from the report, congressional Democrats are pressing that more information be revealed about Mueller’s discoveries. Barr’s letter “could be just the beginning of a lengthy constitutional battle between Congress and the Justice Department” on making Mueller’s complete report public. Democrats have also requested for the attorney general to submit all of the special counsel’s investigative files for public knowledge. Barr forewarned that part of the report was rooted on grand jury material that “‘by
law cannot be made public,’” according to The New York Times. Congressman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, reported via Twitter that he planned to contact Barr to testify about what he said, any discrepancies and the final decision making at the Justice Department, The New York Times reported. Barr’s letter stated that Mueller’s office hired 19 lawyers and was aided by around “40 FBI agents, intelligence analysts, forensic accountants and other staff.” Thirteen foreign governments were requested to submit evidence and there were around 500 witnesses interviewed, according to The New York Times. Although Mueller’s search came up evidenceless, according to Fox News, Trump called the special counsel’s report a “‘complete exoneration’” and said it was shameful that “his presidency had to deal with the investigation for two years.” Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s current personal lawyer and former mayor of New York, said to Fox News that “‘there has to be a full and complete investigation, with at least as much enthusiasm as this one, to figure out where did this charge emanate, who started it, who paid for it.’”
New Zealand prime minister urges gun law changes By Amani Salahudeen Staff Writer
On March 15, 50 people were killed and 50 others were injured in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, according to CNN. The youngest of the victims was a 3-yearold boy, The Washington Post reported. According to The Mirror, three men and one woman involved have been arrested. CNN reported that 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant has been charged with murder. In the aftermath, local churches welcomed Muslims who wanted to pray and mourn. “‘We never had any trouble here, it was completely unexpected,’” said 35-year-old Radhika Kumar, who came to pay her respects. “‘People are scared. Nobody ever thought something like this could happen in New Zealand,’” according to Time Magazine. According to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, various weapons
were found where both of the attacks occurred, CNN reported. At a press conference in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, on Thursday, March 21, Ardern announced that “‘every semiautomatic weapon used in the terror attack on Friday will be banned.’” She said that the legislation will be drafted and will be urgently instituted, ABC News reported. According to ABC News, Arden stated that “all military-style semi-automatic weapons, assault rifles and high-capacity magazines will be banned in the country” after the shootings. She hopes that the new law will go into effect by April 11. During the conference, Ardern said that she believes the country was targeted due to its tolerance of other cultures, reported NPR. “‘We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism,’” Ardern said, NPR stated. “‘We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things. Because we represent
Ardern pays her respects to the Muslim community. diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those who share our values, refuge for those who need it. And those values, I can assure you, will not, and cannot, be shaken by this attack.’” The White House delivered a statement condemning the attacks at the
YouTube
mosques, according to the NPR. “‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,’” the statement said.’“We stand in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and their government against this vicious act of hate.’”
page 10 The Signal March 27, 2019
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 11
Editorial
People should take gluten-free allergies seriously
Over the past few years, many people have followed the glutenfree diet trend because they think it will lead to massive weight loss or an altogether healthier lifestyle. This is a misconstrued message that needs to be debunked because people without gluten allergies should not be taking this protein out of their diets. Gluten is a protein that can be found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Foods that commonly have gluten in them are breads, cereals, pastas and many processed foods. According to Scientific American, whole grains that contain gluten also have necessary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Gluten-free foods are usually low in nutrients, and people with the allergy have to get them through other foods or supplements. Studies show gluten-free diets can be deficient in fiber, iron, folate, niacin, thiamine, calcium, vitamin B12, phosphorus and zinc. Many people who have taken gluten out of their diet reported weight loss, but it’s not because of the lack of gluten. When people try to avoid gluten, they cut out many desserts, junk food and processed food, which leads to the weight loss and healthier feeling. Another harmful result of removing gluten unnecessarily from your diet is the perpetuation of the diet’s negative connotations. Because so many people tried cutting out gluten to be “trendy” or “skinny,” people with real, severe allergies are not taken as seriously. I have recently been diagnosed with a severe gluten allergy, and when I go to restaurants, I have to basically spell out that I have the allergy, not that I am just “gluten-free.” I’ve seen this misunderstanding with other allergies as well. I’ve talked to a friend who is very lactose intolerant that has gone to a coffee shop and asked for almond milk — the barista did not take her seriously because she didn’t specify it was an allergy, and gave her dairy milk anyway. On the other hand, many restaurants and grocery stores have made extreme accomodations for people with these needs, such as supplying separate menus and having whole aisles dedicated to allergy-free foods. Many companies have been making cleaner and less processed foods to try to combat the stigma around processed foods that contain a lot of these common allergens as well. I would do anything to be able to eat bread and pasta without all of the hassle, so if you do not have a gluten allergy, stick to your whole grains and please eat a piece of bread for me. — Lily Firth Social Media 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.
People without food allergies should not cut gluten out of their diets.
Quotes of the Week tcnjsignal.net Email: signal@tcnj.edu Telephone: Production Room (609) 771-2424 Ad Email: signalad@tcnj.edu
Editorial Staff Elizabeth Zakaim Editor-in-Chief zakaime1@tcnj.edu Emmy Liederman Garrett Cecere Managing Editors liedere1@tcnj.edu cecereg1@tcnj.edu Camille Furst Nicole Viviano News Editors furstc1@tcnj.edu viviann1@tcnj.edu Christine Houghton Sports Editor houghtc1@tcnj.edu Jane Bowden Features Editor bowdenj1@tcnj.edu Nicole Zamlout Arts & Entertainment Editor zamloun1@tcnj.edu Isabel Vega Opinions Editor vegai1@tcnj.edu Viktoria Ristanovic Nation & World Editor ristanv1@tcnj.edu Lara Becker Reviews Editor beckerl3@tcnj.edu Miguel Gonzalez Photo Editor gonzam23@tcnj.edu Kalli Colacino Production Manager colacik1@tcnj.edu
Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Muhammad Siddiqui Web Editor siddiqm4@tcnj.edu Lily Firth Alexandra Parado Social Media Editors firthl1@tcnj.edu paradoa1@tcnj.edu Len La Rocca Distribution Manager laroccl2@tcnj.edu Richard Miller Opinions Assistant miller20@tcnj.edu Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Derek Falci Business/Ad Manager falcid1@tcnj.edu
“I think those are the best moments — when you fall and get back up and keep pushing.” — Gabby Douglas Olympic gymnast
“If we get a false bingo, you’re getting spanked onstage.” — Rhedd Rhumm Drag queen
“You have to give thanks to women that empower you and continue to empower other women.” — Sandra Phan
Senior public health major, Sigma Lambda Gamma president
page 12 The Signal March 27, 2019
fun stuff
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 13
Opinions
Reality TV promotes dangerous stereotypes
It is wrong to view stars as ethical role models
The events in reality TV shows are often dramatized to entertain viewers. By Alexa D’Aiello While reality television is a central source of entertainment for many people in America,
it is still important to question whether the behavior featured on these shows promotes dangerous behaviors for an impressionable audience.
Channels like E!, MTV and Bravo feature many series that deliver messages, behaviors and attitudes can have a negative influence on their younger audiences.
I have watched my fair share of reality shows and I definitely think they convey a poor message to impressionable viewers. The “reality” in reality television is often distorted and fails to display the consequences of the actions committed by the stars of the shows. The events are glamorized and the drama is intensified to lure audiences. One of my favorite reality shows is “Keeping up with the Kardashians” on E!. I definitely enjoy watching it, but I will admit that the Kardashians are not the best role models. An unforgettable scene from the show is when Kim loses her diamond earring in the ocean during a vacation to Bora Bora. Although the earring was worth about $75,000, her family cannot understand why Kim is so upset about losing it. To a majority of people, this amount of money is life-changing, but on reality television, Kim is depicted as being overly dramatic for crying over her lost jewelry. If I were to lose something worth $75,000, I can’t imagine the distress that both my family and I would face. However, the other
stars make Kim look dramatic, and this tension creates a more enjoyable scene for viewers. Another reality TV show that encourages dangerous ideals is “Teen Mom 2” on MTV. Raising a baby while completing school is unimaginably difficult, but the series almost encourages teen pregnancy by giving teen moms their own show and stardom. Reality stars are paid for their time on air, which is a fact viewers often forget. The purpose of these shows is to feature scandals and drama so that fans remain interested — the situations and conflicts featured on reality television shouldn’t be taken literally or used as an example for audiences to follow. Even if viewers acknowledge that these shows display a false reality, this doesn’t mean they will stop watching, but a good first step is acknowledging that you can watch a certain show for entertainment while disagreeing with its message. As long as viewers like myself can realize that these shows don’t always portray the best example, there is no harm in enjoying the entertainment.
Students should practice healthy grieving methods By Danielle Silvia Losing someone invokes a pain that is indescribable. Whether you were able to say a last goodbye or not, dealing with loss is a feeling like no other. If you or someone you know has experienced loved one’s death, they are likely going through a grieving process. It can be hard to cope with grief, but there are healthy habits out there to keep people on the right path. From my experiences, I have learned a lot about grief and how it affects how I live my life. After facing a harsh battle with cancer, my grandmother passed away the day before Valentine’s Day at 88 years old. My grandfather, 92, with a broken leg and dementia, would be all alone for the holiday. Only 19 days later, my grandfather passed away, too. The American Psychological Association offers many options for handling grief in a healthy way. Talking about the death of your loved one is a good way to feel supported and to keep from feeling isolated. According to the APA, it also helps to accept your feelings –– it’s easy to try and bury your pain or frustration, but it’s important to recognize that these emotions are helpful for the grieving process and that we need to accept and experience them. Building healthy habits are also important –– spending time with family, eating well
and exercising are all ways to achieve better habits and feel productive. Most importantly, the APA recommends remembering and celebrating the lives of the loved ones you’ve lost. I have done my best to incorporate this and other strategies into my life as well. I had never really lost anyone close to me in my life before I lost my Nan and Pop. While I was very close with both of them, my Nan was truly my best friend. A multitude of letters, phone calls and postcards defined our relationship, since they lived in California for my entire life. When I miss them, I tell myself that I can carry on their memory by living a life filled with love for myself and others. Personally, I have found grief to be so inspiring in this way because I am discovering ways to honor their lives and also continue to flourish in my own life. I never really understood what loss is like, but I can now say that although missing someone is difficult, I live with enough of their love to sustain a lifetime of happiness. I wake up each morning and take a few moments to feel grateful about the day I’m about to experience. I’ve been trying to smile more, even at little things, like the glow of the flowers in the garden, the breeze on my arms as I go for a jog and my mom’s freshly-baked banana muffins. Overall, my loss has taught me to
Silvia poses with her late grandparents. appreciate life. If there is someone you love, share your feelings with them while you have the chance. Foster treasured memories and savor the love you feel, because one day, these cherished moments are what will help you get through grief. I believe that a person can make the most of his or her time by greeting each day with a positive attitude. Just like all things, grief fades and one remains with the memories of their loved ones that helps them move forward. Relying on happy
Photo courtesy of Danielle Silvia
memories has made me a happier person and able to grieve. Yes, I miss my grandparents dearly. I miss updating them with photographs of myself and my siblings in the mail, I miss calling them on the phone and I miss hearing their laughs. I’ve learned that I will never truly be alright because my heart will always ache for one last phone call. But their love for one another and for me is what has gotten me through this grieving process — it is something that can never be taken away.
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 14 The Signal March 27, 2019
Students share opinions around campus “Does reality TV promote dangerous stereotypes?”
Isabel Vega / Opinions Editior
Kendel Stiles
Johnathan Calabrese, a freshman political science major. “Yes, reality TV stars can influence viewers with their over-dramatic behaviors. “
Isabel Vega / Opinions Editor
Megan O’Keefe, a junior fiance major.
“Yes, because behaviors shown by celebrities on TV can have a negative impact on people.”
“What are some healthy ways to cope with loss?”
Kendel Stiles
Isabel Vega / Opinions Editor
Ben Delano, a freshman fiance major.
“Surround yourself with family and friends, but leave time for independence.”
The
Signal’s
Spring Broken: Satire Columnists Go Missing By Tony Peroni and Vinny Cooper Correspondents Spring break is a time to travel, see old friends, spend time with family and unwind from the stress of midterms. While many students from the College could be seen visiting every corner of the country, from the roaring waterfalls of Niagara to the arid plains of Texas, others took the time to regain a sense of perspective on life. “I love spring break,” said Patty Goldblum, a sophomore English major. “I like seeing my family and being with my friends! I also like spring break because the sun is usually warm!” But not all that glitters is gold — while the students of our beloved school were out on the town, letting their worries flow out like their hair in the wind, The Chip went
cartoon
into Maximum Overdrive. Tony Peroni and Vinny Cooper went into Maximum Creative Mode. The laptops on which they were typing on went into Maximum Overheating. They had to go to Best Buy three times to buy New MacBook Pros. “I have never seen investigative journalism like this before,” said Monica Trisko, a behind-the-scenes editor of the very esteemed publication, “Day in and day out, it was just typing, typing, typing!” “I mean, three newspapers worth of articles a day? Who does that? Who comes up with this?” clamored Chip president, Ringo Carr, “Have any of you guys seen Tony or Vinny around? I wanna tell them how much of a good job they’re doing before the day is done!!” To this writer’s surprise, Tony and Vinny were nowhere to be found. Their shared office was left in disarray. Their seats –– warm. Laptops –– missing. Their articles –– fresh off the press and waiting to win awards. Where could our dynamic duo have disappeared to? As I scanned the room for clues, my eyes were drawn to a particular set of dots and dashes. A lone string of morse code hung from
of
Leighanna Skene, a freshman mathematics major.
Isabel Vega / Opinions Editor
“Exercise and spend time with family. Surround yourself with positive outlets.”
the
the edge of The Chip’s company telegraph, a gift from Fabio Morse himself. The message read “.-- .... .- - / .- / --. .-. . .- - / -.. .- -.-- / .. -. / - .... . / --- ..-. ..-. .. -.-. . .-.-.- / ... . . / -.-- --- ..- / .- .-.. .-.. / - --- -- --- .-. .-. --- .-- -.-.-- / .- .-.. ... --- / ... - .-. . .- -- / . ...- . .-. -.-- / -.. --- --. / -... -.-- / -.-. .... . -.-- . -. -. . / -.. .- -. .-.-.-” “Drats,” I said. “I can’t speak Morse, and Fabio, the only human I know fluent in the ancient language, is still in Cancun with all 30 of his lovers.” Search parties investigated the authors’ most frequented locations, including TDubs, Bass Pro Fishing Shop and Big Bobby Ink Blot’s Type Writer Factory.“I haven’t seen ‘em,” said a T-Dubs cashier. “Vinny and Tony know very well they are banned from this Bass Pro Shop for life,” said Philly Rivers, owner of the Bass Pro Shop located on Christopher Columbus Blvd, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. “Tony and Vinny? Vinny and Tony?” asked Big Bobby Ink Blot. “... Ohhh!! You mean Peroni Boy and Coops?!? Ahhh, I haven’t seen em since they rushed every single fraternity at TCNJ and one of them got sent to Greece. I think it was Tony… Or was it Vinny?...”
week
...
Nothing’s worse than a cold trail. Not even swallowing a spider in your sleep, or stubbing your toe or even the feeling of impending doom of adulthood lurking around a corner. With the weight of the world on my shoulders, I walked back into The Chip HQ with the bad news that our writers in shining armor were nowhere to be found but deep down in our hearts. “Hank, what the (expletive) you think you’re doing? Who gave you the idea that me and Vin were missing?!” asked Tony, whacking me upside the head with his Pulitzer Prize. “Yeah Hank, do you have any common sense? Do you know how office hours work? Don’t you go home at night?” yelled Vinny, absolutely giving me the business, waving his Nobel Peace Prize in my feeble and defeated face. To this reporter’s surprise, The Chip’s office hours are indeed confined to the nine to five paradigm in which 90 percent of society runs on. Mission accomplished! DISCLAIMER: This is obviously a satirical piece and does not describe a real event.
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 15
Features
Game / Drag queens award 15-inch dildo at bingo
Performers promise scandalous entertainment
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
Right: Cortez and Rhumm call out numbers. Left: Cortez entertains the crowd with her raunchy humor. continued from page 1 As the queens called the numbers on the bingo balls, Rhumm couldn’t allow his comedic opportunity to go to waste. “These balls are old and brown,” Rhumm said. “I’m not sure where they were, but I’m concerned.” After each bingo game, the queens
looked into the mysterious grand prize box beneath their table and hinted at the contents to the audience. “This looks very...un-human,” Rhumm said. As the night went on, sporadic “bingos” were yelled from the audience as students popped up from their seats to snag their prizes. After two girls screamed “bingo!” on the same turn, Rhumm explained the rules
for settling a tiebreaker. “In the event of a tie, there will be a twerkoff,” Rhumm said. But the students opted for a thumb war to settle the bingo differences. After a night of laughs, prizes and anticipation, it was time for the final bingo game. While the innuendos throughout the night left few students surprised, many
were overcome with laughter when the hosts presented the grand prize – a 15inch dildo named, “The Great American Challenge.” “It was shocking and quite large,” Shae said. Students looking for an escape from hectic midterm exam studying certainly got what they were looking for in a night of flamboyant dancing and hilarious jokes.
(Her)Story celebrates Women’s History Month
Sigma Lambda Gamma recognizes women’s achievements
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
Hormaza and Phan discuss female empowerment. By Colleen Rushnak Correspondent
For many students at the College, March is a month of cramming for midterms, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and catching up on sleep during spring break. But on March 14 at 8:30 p.m. in Ed 115, the sisters of Sigma Lambda Gamma celebrated National Women’s History Month with their event, (Her)Story. The event was co-sponsored by the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. Sandra Phan, a senior public health major and president
of Sigma Lambda Gamma, and Andrea Hormaza, a junior public health major and the organization’s moral and ethics chair, organized (Her)Story to celebrate unrecognized women in history. “We wanted to talk about the history of women and highlight women that people don’t know a lot about,” Phan said. Hormaza added that minority women should also have fair representation. “I hear a lot about women that have done things that are important in history, but we hear about it much later after their life,” Hormaza said. “We wanted to
celebrate women empowerment, specifically minority women, to empower them to do anything that they set their minds to.” To begin the night, Phan and Hormaza showed a video from the Heritage Foundation that featured women such as Nellie Bly, a world-renowned investigative journalist of the 19th century, and Alice Ball, an AfricanAmerican chemist who found the cure for leprosy in the early 20th century. The event continued with a slideshow that showcased women from diverse backgrounds and careers. Some of the featured women included Patsy Mink, the first Japanese-American woman to practice law in Hawaii and who later became elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives in the 1950s. The other women featured were Patricia Bath, the first African-American to complete a residency to ophthalmology and Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. As a librarian, she held storytimes in both English and Spanish. “You never think about the impact a librarian can have on the community,” Hormaza said. Kristen Frolich, a junior communication studies major and Alpha Kappa Psi’s Vice President of Administration,
felt that the event resonated with her organization. “We chose to co-sponsor this event because women were not accepted into Alpha Kappa Psi until 1976,” Frolich said. “We think it’s really important to highlight women and see how far we have progressed.” Following the presentation, attendees were invited to make vision boards of images, quotes and objects that inspired them to live confidently and pursue their dreams. “I used pictures of bold
(makeup) looks,” said sophomore computer science major Linh Ngo. “These bold looks inspire me to be more confident.” For Phan, the event showed the importance of empowering all women not just during this month, but throughout the rest of the year. “You have important women in your lives that you may not even realize, like your mom,” she said. “You have to give thanks to women that empower you and continue to empower other women.”
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
Students craft inspirational vision boards.
page 16 The Signal March 27, 2019
Fall 2019 AND Winter 2020 REGISTRATION PERIOD Initial Registration Period for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Tuesday, April 2 through Friday, April 12
Your enrollment appointment reflecting the first time you will be eligible to register for the Fall 2019 semester can be accessed via your PAWS account. To view your scheduled enrollment appointment, visit the Enrollment Appointment section in the PAWS Student Center. Once eligible, students remain eligible throughout the registration period. Undergraduate students who do not register for Fall 2019 by 11:59 pm on Sunday, April 14, will be subject to a late registration fine. Undergraduate Late Registration Fine : $150
The Fall 2019 Schedule of Classes is available on PAWS and can be viewed by using the Search for Classes button. Both Summer 2019 and Winter 2020 registration are also open, along with Fall 2019 registration. Check PAWS frequently for any updated summer/winter course offerings and consult with your advisor for appropriate course selections.
Visit the PAWS HELP website for complete information on how to log-in to PAWS, search for classes, browse the Course Catalog, view your Holds, add courses to your Shopping Cart, and register for classes: http://pawshelp.pages.tcnj.edu/
Use the Validate feature directly from your PAWS Shopping Cart to check for potential pre-requisite issues before registration! For more information on the Validate feature, visit: http://pawshelp.pages.tcnj.edu/files/2011/07/validate1.pdf
Check PAWS early and frequently for Holds that will prevent you from registering. All Hold Flag information can be viewed under the Holds section in the PAWS Student Center.
Access your Academic Requirements Report on PAWS to view your degree requirements via the Advising Tools link.
Make an appointment to see your advisor to discuss your Academic Requirements Report. Your advisor’s name and email address can be located in your PAWS Student Center.
Double-check course numbers and course sections prior to your registration appointment for schedule changes and periodic updates.
Graduate Students: If you are a non-matriculant who is applying for Fall matriculation, you should not register during this timeframe. If accepted for matriculation, you will be invited to register during the Graduate Orientation session on May 30, 2019.
THE OFFICE OF RECORDS AND REGISTRATION Green Hall 112, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 17
: April ’05
Campus Style
Students address gender inequality
Photo courtesy of the TCNJ Digital Archive
The event advocates for more awareness of sexual harrassment.
Every week, Features Editor Jane Bowden hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. In the age of the #MeToo Movement, Women’s History Month has become a time to not only honor women’s accomplishments throughout history, but to also shed light on the obstacles they face every day. The Signal has covered different initiatives the College has taken to acknowledge women’s rights. In an April 2005 issue of The Signal, a reporter wrote, “What Would You Do?: Issues Affecting Today’s Woman,” a discussion on the issues surrounding sexual harassment and abortion rights. The Cromwell Hall main lounge housed a discussion full of fresh ideas about issues affecting women today on March 31. Approximately 30 students, both male and female, attended the lecture and discussion “What Would You Do?: Issues Affecting Today’s Woman,” featuring a guest speaker from Pakistan. Anila Kamal, associate professor of psychology at the National Institute of Psychology, Centre of Excellence at Quaid-eAzam University in Islamabad, Pakistan, was the main speaker for the event. Kamal’s area of expertise lies in sexual harassment. In fact, her reason for visiting the United States is to gather data for
a study on the cross-cultural comparison of sexual harassment in the United States and Pakistan. Kamal based her 45-minute presentation in a question and answer format on five myths that surround sexual harassment. These included claims that sexual harassment is easy for women to handle, women enjoy it, sexual harassment only happens to certain types of women, sexual harassment is a judge of femininity and sexual harassment will go away if ignored. Kamal gave some background on her home country of Pakistan, where most of her study took place, before delving into the myths. She noted how the society is incredibly conservative and does not encourage malefemale interaction on any level. The women are expected to stay in the home, and schools, even at the college level, are segregated by sex. Sexuality is not to be discussed and sexual harassment is almost never talked about because women cannot complain about it. Kamal talked about dealing with sexual harassment. “When we were younger, no one told us how to deal with sexual harassment,” a girl near the front of the crowd said about the topic. “We were never given classes or advice on this.”
Lions’ Plate
Left: Cropped jeans are the perfect springtime staple. Right: Add originality to your outfit with a DIY belt. By Danielle Silvia Columnist
Now that it’s officially spring, it’s time to pull out your T-shirts, cropped pants and sandals to celebrate the warmth. Although it’s tempting to buy a whole new spring wardrobe, it can be tough when you’re trying to save money. Instead of going to the mall for spring deals, you can make the most of your existing wardrobe by “DIY-ing” a few trends. Whether some of your clothes don’t fit or are worn out, there is always something creative you can do to spice up your style just in time for spring. Here are some trendy ideas to get your wardrobe ready for spring and save your money. 1. Ripped denim. Last season, one of my favorite pair of jeans began to fray and fade at the ankles and knees. Because they still fit me well, I wanted to see if I could salvage them with a pair of scissors. You can cut your jeans around the ankles to either make a v-shaped cuff, add more frays or cut the ankles shorter for cropped pants. For the ripped-knee look, use one side of
the scissors to lightly scrape the kneecaps until you get a few rips. 2. Cropped bathing suits. I had a few tankini bathing suits that didn’t fit well anymore and started to fade, but instead of getting rid of them, I grabbed a pair of scissors and a pencil to help turn my old tankini into a cute bikini top. Before you begin cutting, use the pencil to draw a horizontal line on the flowy part of the bathing suit where you’d like the suit to end. As you cut, stick to using straight edge — fringes can cause the bathing suit to fall apart. 3. Layered belts. Throughout the winter, I noticed I have a lot of belts that I never wear, so I decided to weave together different parts of my belts to make the most of my wardrobe. If you’re looking to create a new accessory that’ll go with everything in your closet, use three neutralcolored belts, such as tan, black, brown or navy. Begin by cutting each belt into thin strands and gently braiding them together. When you’ve reached your desired length, detach the belt buckles from the two other belts to create one belt.
Broccoli Mac n’ Cheese
Left: This homemade dish is the ideal March Madness meal. Right: Top the pasta with bread crumbs for an added crunch. By Shannon Deady Columnist
With March Madness in full swing, having a supply of easy, fan-favorite meals handy is a must. Since I already shared my buffalo chicken dip recipe during football season, I decided this week’s feature meal would be homemade mac and cheese. Since I don’t have an authentic recipe for mac and cheese, I asked one of my friends for her mom’s special version.
Her mac and cheese, which she usually tops with crackers, is famous for having a vegetable inside, which is usually broccoli. It’s a clever way to sneak nutrients into a dish that is otherwise more indulgent choice. Adding broccoli also adds a touch of color and pairs well with cheese. Makes: 8 servings Ingredients: -1 pound cellentani pasta
-3 tablespoons butter -3 tablespoons flour -1 tablespoon powdered mustard -4 cups milk -1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced -1 bay leaf -1/2 teaspoon paprika -12 block sharp cheddar, shredded -1 block Gruyere cheese, shredded -Salt and pepper to taste -1 cup fresh broccoli finely chopped Topping (if desired): -3 tablespoons butter -1 cup bread crumbs or your
choice of crushed crackers
Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until its al dente or for two minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt butter and cook the onion until translucent. Whisk in the flour, mustard and paprika, and stir for about five minutes or until golden brown.
Stir in the milk and bay leaf. Simmer for 10 minutes and remove the bay leaf. 4. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into casserole dish. 5. Add in one cup steamed broccoli. 6. Top with cheese. For topping, mix bread crumbs and melted butter. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. 7. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
page 18 The Signal March 27, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
‘Fragments’ fuses array of classical works
Left: The concert features music from a variety of composers. Right: The orchestra plays as a collective unit on stage. By Julia Duggan Staff Writer The melodies of the TCNJ Orchestra rang through Mayo Concert Hall on March 13 at 8 p.m. as the audience was surrounded by a beautiful blend of strings, woodwinds and brass instruments. The performance, titled “Fragments,” showcased the orchestra’s talent, collaboration and hard work. “If you look at a piece of art from ancient times that is fragmented, there is only a portion of it — sometimes it is a bigger draw than if you had an actual thing because the mind always wants to complete what is missing,” said Uli Speth, music professor and orchestra conductor, about the concert’s name. Speth wanted to feature several small pieces from famous large orchestra works. The idea behind this is to show how music from different composers can connect to each other along with the depths of human imagination, since the player has to fill in the blanks themselves. Speth hoped that hearing fragments of orchestra pieces would inspire the audience to explore further by listening to the rest of the works outside of the concert. The orchestra played the first movement from Mozart’s “Concertone for Orchestra in C Major,” which was played elegantly.
The orchestra then played the first two movements from Johannes Brahms’s “Serenade for Orchestra No. 1 in D Major.” The first movement had a variety of dynamic changes, which showcased the talent of the performers, while the second sounded more peaceful. Both movements had solos that featured a variety of instruments. The concert finished with Gioacchino Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri” (The Italian Girl in Algiers). It is a quick and exciting piece that proved how advanced the orchestra members were. Speth challenged the orchestra in a new way this semester by increasing the number of performances, which gave the group more incentive to practice more diligently and showcase their work. “We usually just have one concert per semester, but we are doing two this time,” said Ashley Krebs, a senior music education major who played first flute in the concert. The orchestra had roughly two months to prepare for the concert instead of the usual four months. “We definitely have worked hard to put on this concert,” said Jess Richter, a senior music education major who also played flute. “I think (the shortened practice time) has been pushing everyone ... and it is pushing the ensemble to the next level.” The preparation was more involved than simply learning
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
which notes to play when. “The orchestra prepared for the concert by not just practicing the music, but by feeling and experiencing it,” said Amanda Spratt, a freshman music education major who played the oboe. “There’s no better way to prepare than experiencing the emotional connections in the music, because that’s what you take and share with others.” The audience responded with a thunderous round of applause after each piece. After the concert, audience members gathered in the lobby to praise the performers happily. “I was engaged the entire time,” said Melissa Smith, a freshman music major. “The entire ensemble did a great job playing as a collective unit, instead of just playing as individuals. I loved that the pieces that were played were fragments of larger pieces, because sometimes ensembles will just not bother to play them because they are too long.” The orchestra members are excited for their next opportunity to perform in the concert hall. “It is a wonderful experience playing in the Mayo Concert Hall.” said Makenzie Miller, a freshman music major who played the oboe. “The echo of the auditorium adds to the performance on stage. It is my favorite place to perform so far during my time here at TCNJ.”
‘Mixed Signals’ troupe sprouts fresh spring comedy
The performers take pride in their work. By Ariel Steinsaltz Staff Writer Mixed Signals, the College’s improv comedy troupe, was met
Ariel Steinsaltz / Staff Writer
with cheers from the audience as its members took the Library Auditorium stage on March 10 at 8 p.m. For the first half of the show,
the group performed its standard series of short improvisation games. The troupe led games like “Ding,” in which any member of the group outside of a scene requires those in the scene to change the topic of the last discussion, and “Hollywood Director,” where a director character has three actor characters do a scene in a number of different ways. During the skit for the game “Ding,” a character learned they were pregnant with the antiChrist, after other previous options were changed. They asked their partner where they were from, and he replied, “The ninth circle of hell.” These games then transitioned into the long form segment of the show, which allowed the troupe to interact with the audience. After the crowd came up with a topic of conversation, that topic was used to start a discussion between three special guests, who were students in the audience.
Kate Augustin, a junior elementary education and psychology dual major, served as one guest in the performance. She spoke about a prom held at her high school, which was described as the best prom in the U.S. in 2004 according to USA Today, and featured performers such as Drake Bell. After the show, Augustin was quick to comment on how much she enjoyed the night. “It was so much fun,” she said. “The Mixed Signals can take nothing and make it the funniest thing ever. I like to support my friends, and also they are genuinely hilarious. I don’t think I’ve not, like, cried laughing at a show.” Mixed Signals Vice President and senior communication studies and English double major Samantha Franz explained that there is a certain selection process that takes place in order to find the ideal troupe guest stars. “The guests are selected through sort of a process of the
people who attend our show every month and collective audience members who come to every show and know the kind of jokes we like,” Franz said. “People who can tell a very cohesive story.” She also talked about how the improv group often incorporates short games and activities to entertain the audience. The longer activities were newer for the group, but they were pleased with the reception. “This is a theme that we do every year,” Franz said. “Long form is not something that we do very often. We’re a very short form troupe and we prefer to stick to two to five minute games, so this is kind of a stretch for us.” The performance was wellreceived by audience members and kept them entertained throughout the night. “My mouth hurts from smiling so much,” said freshman history and secondary education dual major Molly Hurst.
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 19
Student introduces multiphonics at recital This week, WTSR Music Director Brian Marino highlights some of the best new music that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Nina Brossa / Correspondent
Left: Mellies showcases his saxophone skills. Right: Anderson surprises the audience with ‘Fnugg.’ By Nina Brossa Correspondent A senior recital is an important step in the journey to earning one’s bachelor’s in music at the College. It takes both nerve to perform in front of others and dedication to play music to the best of one’s ability. The performers at the senior recital, which featured senior music major Jonathan Anderson, had plenty of both. The recital was held on March 10 at 8 p.m at Mayo Concert Hall. The original event date was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Anderson, on the euphonium, opened the recital with “Concerto en Fa Mineur”, written by renowned composer George Handel, which was followed by “Euphonium Concerto” and “Concerto for Euphonium” before intermission. In the Handel piece, his euphonium sounded off proudly with a loud and brash tune. In the other concertos, the euphonium retained its volume, but had a smoother and more melodic sound. After intermission, Anderson played two
more pieces, “Fnugg” and “The Debutante.” While the latter piece closed the recital fittingly, it was the former piece that surprised and delighted the audience—Anderson beatboxed into his euphonium. Anderson employed a technique called “multiphonics,” which involves singing into one’s instrument. The particular multiphonic he used is called “lip beat,” he says, which is no easy technique. “It involves double tonguing,” he said. “For each tongue, or ‘k’-sound, (the music) says to only let your lips smack once. If you let it go more than once, then the pitch comes out.” Anderson was not the only one to perform that night. Before he closed the first act, a double-bass player named Shrish Jawadiwar, a junior music major, performed a piece that he wrote himself, and before the final song, junior music major Maxwell Mellies performed a concertino on his alto saxophone. Most of the pieces were accompanied by collaborative pianist Kathy Shanklin. All
performances were well-received by the audience and showcased talent and passion. After the show, Anderson explained his preparation process. Two pieces were chosen by the department instructor, while he chose the others himself. He had been working on four of the pieces since the previous semester. Anderson had stumbled across “Fnugg” on YouTube and said it was his most challenging project. “It took about two weeks to actually start with multiphonics and another two or three weeks to get good at it,” he said. “And then a week after that, I finally got it to blend.” Anderson’s hard work paid off—he received nothing but praise from the audience, which included his father and peers. “John was incredible,” said Wesley Pena, a sophomore music major. “He employed a lot of nice, neat techniques.” Gabrielle Curcio, a sophomore computer science major was also impressed. “(John) and all the guest players on stage ... they all played their hearts out,” Curcio said.
Concert starts out week on high note
By Amani Salahudeen Staff Writer
The melodic sounds of flutes and pianos filled the room as students and faculty filed into Mayo Concert Hall on March 12 at 12:30 p.m. for the Tuesday Afternoon Recital. The first performer was Gina Luizzi, a freshman music education major. She was accompanied by Kathy Shankin, the department’s collaborative pianist, who played with each of the performers. “I felt like I did really great overall,” Luizzi said. “Although there were some minor mistakes because of nerves, I’m very proud that I was able to play such a beautiful piece to my best interpretation. It was the first time I ever performed solo.” Luizzi played Beethoven’s Op. 79 on the flute. The combination of the flute and the piano made for an entrancing performance. “My favorite thing is the sense of confidence I feel after it is over, knowing I put myself way out of my comfort zone,” she said. Carlos Orta, a freshman music education major, performed second with his rendition of “Romance in E Flat” by Leroy Ostransky. The performance was
powerful and kept the audience entertained as each note of music hit the air. “I thought my performance was good, despite some note cracks.” Orta said. “My favorite part about performing is getting to share my music.” Amanda Spratt, a sophomore music education major, performed “Concerto in E flat for Oboe and Piano” by Vincenzo Bellini. Spratt’s oboe skills, combined with the sounds of the piano, made for a mesmerizing performance. She credited her dad for her love for music. “I’ve been playing the oboe since the seventh grade, so it’s been about six years,” Spratt said. “One-hundred percent my dad inspires me to play. He inspired me to become a music education major. My dad is a saxophone player, and was my elementary and middle school band director. He has always been a huge inspiration to me and continues to be today.” The final performer of the afternoon was Nicholas Napier, a sophomore music education major, who played “Fantasia for Alto Saxophone” by Claude T. Smith. Napier was candid about how his performance could be improved for future recitals. “I think the performance went
Band Name: Alkaline Trio Album Name: Is This Thing Cursed? Release Number: 9 Hailing From: Illinois Genre: Dark Punk Rock Label: Epitaph Records This album sounds just as great as the band’s older music. The groups low-tone vocals and occasional dark lyrics lead to an overall darker tone, but their choruses bring a positive-sounding tone that is easy to sing along with. Energy-wise, they’re relaxed when compared with most punk bands, but they definitely wouldn’t be considered a slow or calm band. If you’re looking for music that has that punk rock kick but without the harsh vocals and fast tempo heard in a lot of punk, this is the album for you. Must Hear: “Blackbird”
Band Name: Interpol Album Name: Marauder Release Number: 6 Genre: Alternative Rock Label: Matador
Luizzi performs her first flute solo.
okay for me,” he said. “I’ve ran it several times over in the practice room and for my peers, and although I’m satisfied, I know I could’ve done better. I’m very humbled and grateful for the positive feedback I’ve received from so many friends and colleagues.” Napier is grateful to be a part of the College’s music department due to all the opportunity and inspiration he has been granted. “I’m inspired by all of my musically-inclined friends and more
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
importantly, my private instructor Kathleen Mitchell to work hard and improve at everything I do,” he said. Several students came out to support the performers and enjoy an afternoon of music. “(The show) was really good,” said Lorena Frieda, a senior music education major. “This is the first time we get to see the performances and I came here to support a lot of my friends who were performing.”
This album is able to adapt and improve upon the classic Interpol elements. Like other Interpol songs, tracks such as “If You Really Love Nothing” and “The Rover” contain simplistic yet memorable guitar riffs that encapsulate the early 2000’s alternative sound. Interpol sticks to its guns in this album and is able to create a well produced album with Marauder. Must Hear: “If You Really Love Nothing,” “The Rover,” “Flight of Fancy,” “Stay In Touch” and “Party’s Over”
page 20 20 The The Signal Signal March March 27, 27, 2019 2019 page
Gender / Performance honors late playwright Show sheds light on timeless feminist ideals
Photos courtesy of TCNJ Lyric Theatre
Left: ‘Trifles’ questions traditional gender roles. Right: ‘A Woman’s Honor’ highlights the dangers of a patriarchial society. continued from page 1
“A Woman’s Honor” was followed by “Trifles,” which shed light on the toxicity of classic patriarchy through the story of a domestically-abused woman who becomes fed up with her oppressor. This play takes place in a couple’s abandoned farmhouse during the 1930s. A sheriff and a county attorney are brought to the house to investigate the husband’s murder, suspecting that his wife, Minnie, committed the crime. The men are accompanied by their wives, who find
overwhelming evidence that Minnie was a victim of domestic abuse but refuse to share this with their husbands. As a result, Minnie’s motives are unacknowledged, highlighting the theme of female oppression. At the end of the night, performers from both plays came out for a bow and were met with a roaring round of applause. Nicholas Tarantino, a senior nursing major, worked as the cast’s hair and makeup artist. Although it proved to be a challenging task, Tarantino said that watching the plays come alive on stage made the process worthwhile.
Graduate Studies
TCNJ | Leads the Way It’s your move.
Find out more by visiting www.tcnj.edu/gradstudies Or call 609.771.2300
“I was with the cast (for three days before the show), so it was interesting coming so close to the end and seeing a finalized product and putting that last touch of color on top,” he said. Aaron Agustin, a sophomore health and exercise science major, was happy to rise to the challenge that his roles presented. He starred in both plays as Gordon Wallace in “A Woman’s Honor” and the sheriff in “Trifles.” “It was actually a lot of work,” he said. “At first I didn’t have a thought of what would happen, but working with the cast, we made the story come alive.”
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March 27, 2019 The Signal page 21 M a r c h 2 7 2 0 1 9 T h e S i g n a l p a g e 2 1
Sports Tennis
Men’s team continues winning streak
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Sanders eyes the ball to continue his volley.
By Christine Houghton Sports Editor
On March 16, the men’s and women’s tennis teams both took on New York University during a home match. The men continued their winning streak, while the women fell in their first loss of the season. The men finished their match up 5-4 over NYU, starting with a strong performance in doubles matches. Freshman Matthew Michibata and senior Tim Gavornik
dominated the competition, finishing with a score of 8-1. Senior Mitchell Sanders and junior Thomas Wright followed suit easily, coming out on top 8-3. The team then went on to win half of the singles matches with every player winning in straight sets. Freshman Justin Wain came out on top in two sets, winning 6-3 and 6-4. Gavornik followed by winning 6-4 and 7-6 in two sets. Wright closed out the match for the men, winning his singles in two sets by scores of 6-3 and 6-4.
Baseball
Spring / Lions win in Florida
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Rowan’s pitching helps the team secure a win.
continued from page 24
On Friday, March 22, the Lions kept sizzling, as they blanked McDaniel College 11-0 in seven innings. Sophomore pitcher Joseph Felipe pitched a shutout, as he struck out five batters and only allowed one hit. Meanwhile, the Lions offense continued to flex its muscles and recorded 14 hits. Later in the day, the team’s five-game winning streak was stopped by Endicott College. With the team holding a 6-5 lead at the top of the ninth inning, Endicott loaded the bases. Sophomore pitcher Zachary Padersky then walked a batter, which allowed Endicott to tie the game at six. Endicott then gained the lead off a sacrifice fly. Down 7-6 in the last half of the ninth, the Lions scrambled to score.
Endicott senior pitcher Liam Burke first hit Cardona III and senior infielder Tommy McCarthy. With players on first and second base, senior outfielder Matt Giacose successfully got McCarthy to third base off of fielder’s choice. However, Burke got the next two batters out to end the rally and seal the loss for the Lions by a score of 7-6. On Saturday, March 23, the Lions concluded their spring break trip with a resounding 10-0 victory against Framingham State University. As junior pitcher Michael Walley tossed a shutout game, McCarthy got his 100th career hit when he blasted a single to the left field in the top of the second. With the RussMatt Invitational wrapped up, the Lions will hit the road for a match against Haverford College on Thursday, March 28.
The women suffered a 6-3 loss against NYU, giving first tick in the loss column of the 2019 season. Performing well in doubles, the team took two of the matches in its favor. Freshmen Liya Davidov and Katrine Luddy topped their opponents 8-3. Seniors Grace Minassian and Alyssa Baldi won second doubles and came out on top 8-6. Davidov won the team’s only singles match in three sets, 7-6, 2-6, and 7-6. On March 20, the men’s team took on Haverford College at home, grabbing a 5-4 win to keep its streak alive. Winning two out of three doubles matches to start the day off, the teams of Michibata and Gavornik, as well as Sanders and Wright both topped their opponents 8-7. Struggling early in the singles matches, the team bounced back to win the final three and ultimately the match. Gavornik and senior Matt Puig both took their matches in three sets, while Wright won his in two sets. On Friday, March 22, both teams took on the University of WisconsinWhitewater. The men won 6-3, while the women fell 5-4. The men’s team again won two of the three doubles matches, with the teams of Sanders and Wright, as well as Puig and Wain both outscoring their opponents
8-4. The team also excelled in singles, winning four out of six matches. Sanders and Michibata both took their matches in two sets, while Puig and Wright played three to take down their opponents. While the women did not fare as well against Wisconsin, they had a great start to the day, winning two out of three doubles matches. Davidov and Luddy just passed their opponents 8-7, while Navya Yemula and Sarah Phung won by a score of 8-6. Baldi and Yemula were the only two to take singles for the Lions, winning in two and three sets respectively. On Saturday, March 23 both teams traveled to the University of Mary Washington, where they unfortunately came up short. The men’s team was handed its first loss of the season, 8-1. Puig was the only winner for the College that day, taking his singles match in three sets. The women’s team also fell to Mary Washington by a score of 7-2. Davidov and Baldi were the only two to win matches and won by player retirement and in three sets respectively. The men return to the court on Saturday, March 30 to play on the road against Ramapo College, while the women take on Ithaca College at home on April 6.
page 22 The Signal March 27, 2019
fun stuff
March 27, 2019 The Signal page 23
Lacrosse drops two games over break Women’s Lacrosse
M a r c h 2 7 2 0 1 9 T h e S i g n a l p a g e 2 3
Left: Blair puts up a career high in ground balls. Right: Chrone looks to pass the ball back into play. By Christine Houghton Sports Editor The women’s lacrosse team came up short during spring break, and fell to both of its opponents. Traveling to Amherst, Massachusetts for the first matchup on March 16, the team battled Amherst College in a non-conference game that unfortunately lowered its record to 4-2. The team began the game down five goals, as Amherst dominated early on, but the Lions eventually got on the board through a goal by graduate student midfielder Erin Harvey. Later in the first half, Amherst would score two more goals, which were only answered by one goal from the Lions’ junior attacker Olivia Cleale in the final minutes of the first half. The second half was much more eventful for the Lions,
T r y t h i s c o o l c r y p t o g r a m !
as Harvey opened with a goal less than 45 seconds into regulation. Amherst soon answered back with a goal, but the Lions rebounded quickly. The Lions scored three in a row from junior midfielder Alexandria Fitzpatrick and back-to-back goals from junior attacker Kasey Donoghue. That would unfortunately be the last time the Lions scored, as Amherst added to its tally and ended the game on top 11-6. Despite the loss, senior goalkeeper Miranda Chrone had a strong game with nine saves, while sophomore defender Brittany Blair put up a valiant effort to tie a career-high four ground balls. The second matchup came on March 20, where the Lions took on Tufts University at home. The College got on the board first off a goal from Fitzpatrick, who has now scored in every game this season. After a response by Tufts, junior defender Jessica Allen was able to find senior midfielder Kathleen Jaeger for
Photos courtesy of the Sports information Desk
a Lions’ goal and their second lead of the game. However, after three unanswered points from Tufts, the team went into halftime down 4-2. A goal early in the second half by Tufts moved its lead up to three over the College, the largest for either side during regulation. Junior midfielder Allie Gorman and Jaeger scored back-to-back goals, cutting the difference to one goal. With a little under nine minutes remaining, the team was down 7-5, neck and neck with its opponent. The deficit was soon closed after Harvey and Donoghue both scored seconds apart. Chrone had 11 saves on the day, but they were not enough, as Tufts was able to force a turnover and eventually score the final goal with just minutes left, helping it win by a final score of 8-7. The Lions will return to the field on Thursday, March 28 as they hit the road to take on Gettysburg University.
fun stuff
8VH WKH EDQN RI QXPEHUHG OHWWHUV WR ÀOO LQ WKH EODQNV DQG s o l v e t h e p u z z l e ! ( E . g . _ H _ = 4 . S o , T _ E = T H E ) 4
Sports
Signal
Lions dominate at Sunkissed Games
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Sweet winds up to pitch during the team’s eight-game winning streak.
By Malcolm Luck Staff Writer
While a majority of the College’s campus benefitted from a spring break, the softball team took advantage of a trip to Lakeland and Spring City, Florida, where it won nine of its 10 games after a shaky 2-4 start to the season. The Lions now sit at 11-5, good for fourth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings. A trio of doubleheaders on March 16,
17 and 19 against Babson College, New York University and Stevens University yielded consecutive sweeps for the Lions. They earned six straight wins to start their hot streak. In these victories, the College outscored its opponents 5010 in large part due to dominant pitching and timely hitting. Reliable pitching and hitting was also the name of the game against Oswego State on Thursday, March 21, as the Lions secured a 9-0 win in five innings. The offense exploded for six runs in
the bottom of the third beginning with an RBI infield single from junior outfielder Helena Coppola. Following a run-scoring wild pitch, sophomore catcher Marissa Devincenzo scorched a two-run single down the left field line. Sophomore outfielder Allie Immerso followed with an RBI double of her own before sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy knocked in the frame’s sixth run with a sacrifice fly. Sophomore starting pitcher Alanna Namit mowed down Oswego’s lineup, striking out seven batters in four innings. She earned the victory and improved her record to 5-2 on the season. Shortly following the game’s last out, the Lions faced Messiah College in what would be the team’s second and final contest of the day. Messiah posted an early run in the bottom of the first but the College would respond with five unanswered runs to support sophomore starting pitcher Eliza Sweet’s commanding performance. The Lions took the lead in the top of the third after junior infielder Megan Mayernik led off the inning with a walk. Senior outfielder Gaby Bennett tied the game with a sacrifice fly and Conroy put her team on top with an RBI single to left center. Conroy’s RBI walk and senior catcher Jess McGuire’s two-run single in the top of the seventh extended the lead to four. Ultimately, four runs were more
than enough insurance for Sweet, as she struck out seven batters in her complete game performance. The lone loss at the Sunkissed Games would come in the team’s first match on Friday, March 22. Sophomore outfielder Kaitlin Kocinski was the sole source of offense for the Lions against NYU, as a pair of doubles scored two in the second inning and one in the fourth. However, NYU tagged freshman pitcher Tori Aguilar for eight hits and five earned runs in her five innings pitched. In the end, the College fell by a score of 8-3, halting its winning streak at eight games. Luckily for the Lions, their final game in Florida against Oswego paralleled the same result as it did just one day prior. The College breezed past Oswego by a score of 9-0. McGuire sent a two-run single to left center to open scoring in the first inning. In the third, Conroy’s two-run triple to right and Mayernik’s RBI single to left added three more. Bennett joined in on the scoring in the fourth, as she contributed an RBI double down the left field line. She would come in to score on Conroy’s two-out RBI single three batters later before freshman infielder Camryn Davies added an RBI single of her own. Sweet went on to pitch her second complete game in two days, sending the Lions back home with newfound confidence. The softball team’s next two games will be a doubleheader at home today at 2:30 p.m. against DeSales University.
Baseball
Baseball brings fire to Winter Haven By Miguel Gonzalez Photo Editor
After numerous postponed and canceled games, the College’s baseball team laced its cleats and cracked its bats for the 2019 season. Following a stellar season where they qualified for the NCAA tournament, the team is set to dominate on the diamond. During their first home game at George Ackerman Park on March 13, the Lions outplayed Alvernia University and collected their first victory by a score of 7-3. While many students headed down to Florida for relaxation and fun during spring break, the team competed at the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Auburndale and Lakeland, Florida from March 16 to Saturday, March 23. The Lions ended up winning seven games and dropping only two. During its opening match against Benedictine University on March 16, the team utilized
Lions Lineup march 27, 2019
senior pitcher Andrew Rowan’s shutout performance to win. When the Lions were down 5-4 at the top of the fifth inning, Rowan kept Benedictine scoreless for the rest game. In the bottom of the sixth, junior outfielder Thomas Persichetti launched a two-run home run to put the Lions ahead 6-5. Senior infielder Ryan Fischer added an insurance run during the bottom of the seventh inning when he hit a sacrifice fly and drove in a run. The Lions ultimately won 7-5. The next day, March 17, the Lions faced their first challenge of the season when they played against Concordia UniversityChicago, which was ranked fourth in the nation by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Concordia proved to be a tough opponent—the Lions would only score two runs. With the game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth inning, Concordia had gathered runners on second and third base.
I n s i d e
Senior pitcher Zac deRocco then balked, resulting in a 3-2 win for Concordia. The Lions quickly shook off the loss and dismantled the University of Southern Maine 15-4 on March 18. The team blasted 18 hits, led by junior catcher David Cardona III’s three-hit performance. The game marked the beginning of a five-game winning streak where the Lions offense consistently produced many runs. In a doubleheader on March 19, the Lions swept Hamilton College, winning both games 9-1 and 7-1. Freshman infielder/pitcher Matt Volpe had a stellar collegiate debut, where he tossed five hitless innings and recorded six strikeouts during the 9-1 win. In the second game, freshman pitcher Tom Kelly and Rowan limited Hamilton to one run, while the Lions offense collected six hits and four walks. The team then endured an offensive battle against the University of Wisconsin-La
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Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Volpe throws five no-hit innings in his college debut. Crosse. The Lions first jumped to a 6-1 lead by the top of the fourth inning. Wisconsin-La Crosse responded by slowly gathering runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With their lead cut to 6-5, the Lions ripped four singles to score three runs in the top of the sixth inning to lead 9-5. Once again, Wisconsin-La Crosse erased the lead. Only this time, both teams put on a hitting clinic until the final out.
Wisconsin-La Crosse bombarded the team with four hits in the bottom of the sixth and tied the game at nine. Both team’s offenses then went back-and-forth each inning until the Lions came out victorious, 15-13. Senior infielder Danny Borup led the team with four hits, while Persichetti, Cardona III and sophomore infielder Aydon Chavis collected three hits each. see SPRING page 21
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