Jan./Feb. 2022 Issue

January/February 2022 • Volume 16, Issue 4

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Record-setting season for winter sports JOSH WOLMER & LJ VP LAFIURA 1851 staff

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANARD JONES/LASELL ATHLETICS

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANARD JONES/LASELL ATHLETICS

EJ Day dribbles on Anna Maria defender Jakai Alexandre during a recent game. He surpassed 1000 career points earlier this season during his senior season.

Kevin Vanderhorst attempts a free throw in a game earlier this season. On top of collecting career point 1000, he broke the school rebound record with 27. The next game he had 26.

The winter season for Laser sports is almost over and it has been historic. Men’s and women’s basketball as well as track and field are having some of their best seasons in recent history. Multiple players have recorded individual program records and milestones.

“Records being broken at this rate has never happened before,” Director of Athletics Kristy Walter said. “It is amazing to see all these athletes who play together be able to celebrate everything at once.”

Men’s basketball racked up four individual achievements on the way to the third best record in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). Seniors EJ Day, Kevin Nunez, and graduate student Kevin Vanderhorst each passed

found out when my teammates were going crazy in the locker room. It was a surreal moment.”

First-year guard, Jasmine Depina, set the single game rebound record last month with 27.

The men’s track team has also set four program records this season. At the John Thomas Terrier Classic meet at Boston University, three Lasers broke records. First-year Brady Mackechnie recorded a time of 9.57 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. Junior Zachary Kirsch reached the mark of 12.89 meters in the triple jump. Junior Ben Abely also recorded a time of 23.12 seconds in the 200-meter dash. A couple of weeks later, Abely was at it again, beating the record of the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.26 seconds.

“It means a lot,” said Abely. “It shows that

the 1,000 career point mark during this season.

Nunez completed the feat in November, while Day and Vanderhorst hit 1,000 a couple of weeks apart in January and February.

Vanderhorst also set the single-game rebound record, grabbing 27 rebounds during a win against Colby Sawyer, he nearly surpassed this record in the following game.

The women’s basketball team broke two records this season. In November, senior Meg Carroll set the single game scoring record, scoring 39 points versus Northern Vermont University - Johnson in her team’s first win of the season.

“At the time I had no idea that I broke the record . . . Assistant Coach Jamal [Smith] told me I had that many points,” Carroll said. “I only

I could come back, work hard at practice and show I hadn’t fallen off since the pandemic.”

With more games left to play this season there are still opportunities for records to be broken. The men’s and women’s basketball playoffs are just beginning and track and field athletes will still compete at the New England Division III Championships on Feb. 26 and 27.

The spring season provides more chances for Lasers to break records. Men’s lacrosse goalie Alex Beauchemin already broke the record last year for most wins in team history and should continue to add to it during his senior season.

Lasell fans will have to follow closely this spring to see if any other records can be broken.

78 students displaced due to hidden mold in dorms SAMANTHA VEGA-TORRES & JOSH WOLMER 1851 staff

Lasell began a specialized cleaning of the Whalen heating and ventilation units in Bragdon, Butterworth, and Forest Hall to remediate mold on December 27. Air quality tests revealed hidden mold in Bragdon and Butterworth.

Director of Administration and Operations Peter Hayes said at least 36 wardrobes from Bragdon and Butterworth Halls were replaced.

The pipes in these dorms are on the side of the unit, according to Associate Vice President of Administration and Operations Diane Parker, meaning there was no proper insulation. The lack of insulation meant there was no airflow which is what caused the mold to grow.

“We had to displace some…78 students,” Director of Residential Life Scott Lamphere said. “It was a bit of a challenge for those students. We had a lot of space available and set aside for isolation. Most of those students were able to move back…10 days past the move-in and all those folks were able to return, except for one suite in Bragdon that continued to have a problem that required some further investigation.”

Lamphere said displaced students received a $500 credit on their student account as compensation for being displaced.

Junior communications major Sam Roberts, along with other affected students, was notified of their displacement on January 16 via email from Lamphere.

“If you had the information prior to move-in day [spring semester], that’s when you should have done the testing,” said Roberts.

Junior hospitality and event major Meghan McDonald reached out to Residential Life and Facilities and Sustainability Management about the mold last semester.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PHOTO BY SAM ROBERTS

PHOTO BY MEGHAN MCDONALD

Hole in shower shows spores growing on piping in the Bragdon 104 bathroom.

“We had already contacted them about the mold in our room multiple times and didn’t really get help on it. It was frustrating,” McDonald said.

McDonald’s suitemate and junior psychology major Helen Bugaev discovered in the fall that the mold impacted her health.

“The bottom of our shower had black mold and there was a hole in the wall,” said Bugaev. “I started like dry coughing a lot, it was really hard to breathe. I told my mom about it, so me and my brother went to see our doctor. He was just looking at how our heart was and like how we were breathing…he was like, you’ve been exposed to black mold.”

In an email from Parker following up on Bugaev’s diagnosis, she said that SchoolDude,

An eight day stay at the Holt hotel Page 2

Different paint shade seen above Whalen unit vent in Sam Robert’s suite.

FSN’s work order system does not have record of three work orders asking someone to look at potential mold in this suite.

Parker said that the first work order was dated October 31 and it was addressed the next day by FSM. The second and third work orders were both submitted on November 29 and addressed December 1.

“I can confirm that the air quality tests conducted by the environmental hygienist do NOT indicate the presence of black mold in this suite,” Parker said in the email. “While I cannot comment on health issues due to privacy, I would encourage this student to reach out to Rich Arnold, Director of Health Services, so that any concerns can be addressed.”

Lamphere sent an email to Bugaev on No-

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion update Page 4

vember 30 asking her to inform Health Services of the diagnosis.

“I am concerned that the damaged floor and wall by the shower seems like an unlikely cause, for such a serious diagnosis…In the meantime, do you want to consider a temporary housing accommodation,” Lamphere said in the email.

“He told me that he wanted me to go to health services to get checked out by the nurses from here but I said no, because I was already diagnosed from my actual doctor,” said Bugaev.

“Very soon after he offered us the housing, they had sent out an email about how the mold issue would be resolved over break,” said McDonald.

Lamphere said in a follow-up email that there were some students throughout the process who had indicated they may have had medical issues related to mold exposure, and that in all of these cases the students were directed to report it to Health Services. “...I have no knowledge of any students providing any such medical documentation related to a diagnosis of mold poisoning,” Lamphere said.

Junior fashion design major Sophia Mark said, “they didn’t tell us that there was actually work done to our rooms …I hope Lasell notices this and that they do better in the future.”

“We’re really appreciative of everyone’s patience and the massive inconvenience this has caused the students and the stress,” said Parker.

If there is an issue that needs to be looked at, students can submit a SchoolDude report as soon as possible through the MyLasell website under the university resources section.

Meg Carroll tearing through the GNAC Page 8

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January/February 2022

EDITOR’S CORNER

Transferring to Lasell

Opinion & Editorial An eight day stay at the Holt hotel KAIE QUIGLEY editor-in-chief

At the end of the fall semester, one of my friends told me his girlfriend and her suitemates were moving out of Forest Hall into Holt Hall due to mold. I knew there had been rumblings about mold in the dorms on campus, but I figured it wasn’t a serious problem.

Little did I know, I would soon be in the same situation. Days before I was set to move back into Bragdon Hall for the spring semester, I got an email informing me that over the winter recess, inspection by an outside expert environmental hygienist revealed hidden mold spurs in my suite, and I would have to relocate to Holt for up to two weeks.

I knew a handful of suites had evacuated their dorms before we left campus in December, and I assumed my suite wasn’t the only additional case. However, upon returning to campus I had to pinch myself.

It felt like I was moving in at the start of a new year. The parking lot was full and students were pushing carts, rolling luggage, and carrying fridges into the building one after another. This was a full hall— residents from different corners of campus coming together for a two week, all expenses paid vacation while the mold remediation took place. Except we weren’t exactly staying at the Ritz.

I found my room tucked in the corner on the first floor behind the kitchen fridge. Instead of a plaque, our room number was painted on the wall. Our common space and natural light were replaced by a bathroom and LEDs, and

ILLUSTRATION BY FELIPE BIDA

the situation caused, I can’t think of how the university could have handled it better. With a finite amount of available housing and resources, and a vast number of students displaced, there weren’t many other plausible solutions.

Senior week is weak

PHOTO BY ABI BROWN

ABI BROWN arts editor

My journey getting to Lasell was a relatively long and very emotional one. Like many other transfer students, the fear of “am I making the right decision?” lingered.

I was unsure if the safety of a big state school as a business major would be worth it if I was unable to do what I truly find interesting, which is fashion. In the end, transferring to Lasell was the best thing I could have done for myself.

It is easy to be quick to judge Lasell given its size and a comparatively small budget to UMass Boston, where I transferred out of. However there was a massive difference between the two schools, besides my major choice, that really verified I made a good decision.

It is quite easy to go under the radar at a big school. Everything from meeting with your advisor, to making new friends, to figuring out what your resources are becomes more challenging when there are over 15,000 other students they need to take care of. It creates this feeling like you have been forgotten.

When I finally transferred to Lasell after my freshman year, I moved in with my best friend who took a gap year. She had gone to the University of New Hampshire for about two weeks and decided it wasn’t for her, thus creating an opportunity to work until the next year. As we entered our first year at Lasell, we were both amazed by the stark differences between the state schools we attended and Lasell. Here we felt heard, we knew we could easily get involved on campus, the smaller classes encouraged us to participate more, and overall we felt comfortable in our new community.

Transferring was a fantastic decision, it was still not an easy one. With transferring came dealing with transferring credits and settling into a new environment. I will unfortunately have to graduate a semester late because not everything transferred.

There sure are some downsides to being a transfer student, however I was able to study something I am passionate about and figure out a way to make it feasible.

For this, I will always be grateful for Lasell as it reminds me I could be in an unfitting environment, doing something I find mediocre. Transferring is not easy, but it can be worth every ounce of effort.

we had to wear sandals in the shower to avoid stepping in paint chips.

Thankfully, the temporary stay lasted just eight days, as we were cleared to move back into our suites on January 26. Moving back into Bragdon felt like snapping back into reality. My torch card worked again, we had a common room, and I no longer had to wear shoes in the shower.

In the aftermath, there was little pushback when displaced students called for compensation. Many of the students’ living situations, including my own, cost more than the rooms we were relocated into; either traditional residence halls or houses. Therefore, a 500 dollar refund was given to students to make up the difference.

Despite the frustration and inconvenience

CLAIRE CRITTENDON editor-in-chief

Lawn on … Arnow? Casino night … in Arnow? As the class of 2022 begins to close out their undergraduate careers, I believe the heavily anticipated senior week is in desperate need of reconfiguration - for many reasons.

First, aside from the generally underwhelming itinerary, if a senior is under 21 years old, four out of the eight events are completely inaccessible. Casino Night, a trip to Tavern in the Square, the beer garden, and senior formal all require 21+ government IDs. Lasell prides itself on its three-year track options, yet leaves these students and others who skipped grades in the dust.

Second, many events revolve around alcohol and gambling, students struggling with or early in their sobriety, are alienated from their peers. Drinking is an incredibly personal choice, and while students obviously aren’t in any way required to consume alcohol, handing out drink tick-

ets to an age group infamous for its drinking issues is tone-deaf at best. Students should not be forced to choose between their sobriety and their community.

Third, while all seniors will be refunded their $333 if COVID-19 restrictions ravage plans, immunocompromised students aren’t going to feel safe gathering in bars or an over-crowded second floor of Arnow. All of these events have food and drinks available, masks are inevitably going to come off. We don’t need a super spreader immediately before we cross Taylor Field.

Senior week has been a well-loved tradition for years, and I’m not suggesting its abolition. It’s a wonderful time for seniors to spend their last few moments as an undergraduate making core memories with their peers and professors; it just needs to be made accessible to all.

newton ma, 02466 co-editors-in-chief

Claire Crittendon Kaie Quigley art director

Mike Maruk copy editor

Rachel Shepard news editor

Kait Bedell opinion editor

Holly Feola features editor

Rebecca Osowski arts editor

Abi Brown sports editor

Equity gaps in Hollywood KARISSA GAUGHAN

Taylor Viles digital sports editor

Kaie Quigley digital editors

1851 staff

Hollywood’s long standing issues of equity and inclusion have extended past the conversations of race, ethnicity, sex and gender, and continues to infect improvement of LGBTQ+ representation in media. Hollywood’s Diversity report conducted by researchers at UCLA came out showing audiences favored shows that reflected different backgrounds and experiences that resonated more with them.

According to GLAAD in their 2020 to 2021 report, almost every one in five LGBTQ characters appearing on a series is tied to just one of four producers/writers; Shonda Rhimes, Greg Berlanti, Lena Waithe, or Ryan Murphy. GLAAD, being a leader organization in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media advocacy, has helped to change the culture of our media and its narrative.

Lena Waithe and Shonda Rhimes are both Black cis women, while Greg Berlanti and Ryan Murphy are both white cis gay men. Lena Waithe is a masculine-presenting lesbian. It’s well known in Hollywood that these four producers are responsible for the majority of LGBTQ+ representation in the media today. “The only way you really see change is by helping to create it,” Lena Waithe has stated.

Greg Berlantis said, ”I think in television there is more of an awareness about a need for more diversity, but there still needs to be great practical strides taken to improve diversity in front of and behind the

lasell university

1844 commonwealth avenue

camera.”

In 2014, Rhimes responded to audience intolerance of gay scenes stating, “there are no gay scenes, just scenes with people in them.” This was the tone she’d set for many of her top productions, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How To Get Away With Murder;” all including LBGTQ representation.

“Glee,” produced by Ryan Murphy in 2009, has helped pave the way for serious representation of gay characters as well.

GLAAD’s annual report also stated for the first time in five years, LGBTQ representation has fallen from 10.2% to 9.1%. However, over half of the LGBTQ characters on cable television are people of color, meeting the organization’s challenge towards one of their racial gaps.

“I don’t understand why people don’t understand that the world of TV should look like the world outside of TV,” stated Rhimes, who just premiered her new series “Bridgerton” on December 25. This proved to be a new diverse show on Netflix. Ryan Murphy, famously known for his work on “American Horror Story,” also released “Pose,” shot in New York City. The show, nominated by The Golden Globe Awards, also features the largest cast of recurring LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series.

Bailey Klingaman Rayana Petrone staff

Hanna Babek Pat Carbone Cameron Deniso Casey DiBari Karissa Gaughan Owen Kwet Harley LaCardo LJ VP LaFaiura Nico Manganiello Samantha Vega-Torres Alexandra White Josh Wolmer

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Felipe Bida Photographer

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January/February 2022

News

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Study Abroad available for Lasers again CLAIRE CRITTENDON & OWEN KWET editor-in-chief & 1851 staff

At 2 p.m. on February 2, The Office of Study Abroad hosted the annual study abroad fair for prospective students. Held over Zoom in place of the typical de Witt Hall, the event lasted 45 minutes and gathered around 40 attendees.

According to Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs David Hennessey, representatives from over 20 countries were present. Break-out rooms were offered for students wanting to learn more about specific programs.

“A nice thing is, our partner program in Paris, Paris American Academy, was able to attend, and they never come to our city abroad fairs in person because it’s just too much to fly to get here,” Director of International Student Services Maria Adkins said. “So it was nice to have them there despite the time difference.”

Among the attendees were representatives from London College of Fashion, a frequented destination for School of Fashion students at Lasell.

Information about additional programs were provided. Semester in the City, The Disney College Program, and the Washington D.C. exchange programs are all currently back and running. Semester in the City and the Washington D.C. program are both linked to full time internship opportunities. DC is specifically recommended for communication majors.

Alumna Emily Long (‘20) completed a semester in the nation’s capital her spring semester junior year, while interning under Congressman John Katko.

Additionally, Adkins said in an interview in February that she thinks there is a loophole in the terms and conditions of the school’s current state of study abroad.

Adkins said students can take a leave of absence at Lasell, enroll at another university, and transfer their credits to Lasell.

“It’s not something that I advertise, but it’s an optional channel, kind of just to let people know about it,” Adkins said.

There are still programs being offered, but some countries still have strict COVID-19 policies for study abroad participants. Adkins said that Australia, Japan, and South Korea are countries that have students quarantine for one or two weeks once arriving, and require vaccinations. “...I think students are super excited that study abroad is back,” Adkins said. “A lot of people were very disappointed they wouldn’t be able to study abroad for the last two years. We’ve been very busy seeing students every day. Some of the more popular programs are in Florence, London, and Switzerland, as well as Semester in the City in Boston, or the Washington Semester.”

PHOTO COURTESY BECCA VAN SPALL-HOOD(‘19)

Becca Van Spall-Hood (‘19) pictured outside on her semester abroad in Ireland.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKLYAR DIAMOND (‘20)

Skylar Diamond (‘20) in Tokyo, Japan, a study abroad program she designed herself.

Spring COVID-19 2022 protocols HANNA BABEK & HARLEY LACARDO 1851 staff

As the pandemic nears its two year mark, the COVID-19 task force continues to update campus protocols to protect community members. As of February 19, masks are not required indoors except for in classes, and weekly testing is no longer mandatory.

COVID-19 Task Force Chairman David Hennessey said that since students returned from winter break, the campus’s positivity rate has ranged from under 1% to 2.5%. This, combined with the vaccine and booster rate of more than 98%, has led the task force to the decision to relax protocols.

Community members with vaccine exemptions are still required to test weekly and wear masks in all indoor facilities besides the dining hall and residence halls.

Some students said they are grateful for

the updated protocols, and feel previous regulations, although necessary for the community’s safety, were sometimes inconvenient.

First-year graphic design major Erin Tilley felt this way about the previous testing system and is happy that testing is no longer mandatory, but grateful that it is still an option.

“The fact that Lasell has available, free testing for students and is keeping their cases down is more important,” Tilley said.

If a student does test positive, they can quarantine at home or on campus in Holt Hall, Pickard House or Chandler House. Director of Health Services, Richard Arnold, said “I reach out directly by telephone and answer their questions at that moment and provide guidance, followed up with an email.”

On day five of isolation, students are

required to take a rapid test. If negative, students should go to Health Services for a confirmatory test so they can return to campus.

Lasell is modeling their COVID-19 guidelines in reference to the mandates that Newton has set in place. For the first semester, masks were required in publicly accessible buildings, such as athletic events and the library. Because areas such as residence halls aren’t considered publicly accessible, students were not required to wear masks within them.

However, with the Omicron surge at the beginning of this semester, the school announced on January 7 in an email from Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs David Hennessey that there would be a mask mandate for all indoor spaces. This did not include residence halls and the dining hall.

PHOTO BY HANNA BABEK

Prior to the February 19 protocol updates, students, faculty, and staff were required to test weekly, often waiting in long lines outside the testing center.

Students connect with Lasell Villagers in career panel

KAIT BEDELL news editor

Lasell saw its first Village Career Panel on February 11 in the Village Dining Hall.

The event was run by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Student Alumni Association (SAA), which brought together Lasell students and villagers for an open discussion about different career paths.

According to SAA President and Junior marketing and entrepreneurship major Spencer Fulone, the two clubs had talked about organizing an event like this in the last few weeks of the fall semester, then began the planning stages of contacting the village to organize the event.

Fulone said he was happy with the event and thought things came together well.

Fulone said the two clubs have shifted their focus to intergenerational learning as Lasell offers a “unique” opportunity to approach learning.

“I think some people definitely got a lot out of it,” Fulone said. “Not just myself, but I think a lot of our members of SGA got a lot out of it and really enjoyed the experience as well.”

In addition to the students, Fulone said he thinks the villagers also enjoyed the event.

“I feel like they’re always really anxious to get involved with our community on campus and try to help out the student body as much as they can, so I think they enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed it,” Fulone said.

The event featured an hour-long panelist discussion with four speakers from the village representing various career paths. This discussion was followed by an hour of breakout tables where stu-

PHOTO BY KAIT BEDELL

Lasell Village panelists open up a discussion about various career paths in the Lasell Village Dining Hall.

dents could talk one-on-one with retired members of different fields.

“I think the conversations themselves were just really rewarding,” Fulone said.

Junior Celeste Hunter-Pines said she also en-

joyed putting together the event and was happy with the results.

Hunter-Pines said she was happy to be able to bring together students with villagers in person particularly after everything being digitized due to

the pandemic in recent years.

“The levels of conversation were just so different, and you can just tell that people really enjoyed interacting with each other, especially people from different generations and time eras,” she said.

Hunter-Pines said it was a really good “community moment” and that they hope to continue to better the experience in the future.

“I think really our goal is always improvement, especially with SGA, and just really curating the student experience and then making it better,” Hunter-Pines said.

Hunter-Pines said the event had a good turnout for it being the first time the event was held.

“We did get a lot of positive feedback, especially from the villagers, and they just loved having the students come,” Hunter-Pines said. “So, I think our goal of the event was accomplished.”

After seeing how well the career panel went, Hunter-Pines said that the two clubs do hope to hold more events that bring the students and villagers together more often.

Some ideas that are currently in the brainstorming stages include a gardening event or an “adopt a grandparent” event.

“I highly encourage students to not even just attend these types of events to visit villagers, but also to just go out on their own and meet them because pretty much all of them would love to speak with the students and just have a connection even outside of academics,” Hunter-Pines said.

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January/February 2022

Features

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion update

CLAIRE CRITTENDON & KAIE QUIGLEY editors-in-chief

On April 29, 2021, The 1851 Chronicle spoke to President Alexander, Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Jesse Tauriac, and other campus leaders about the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Lasell community.

Now, 10 months later, we return to the topic. Is the momentum still there? Have promises been fulfilled? What is currently being done to ensure the safety, comfort, and development of our minority students?

According to CDO Tauriac, “it’s not always fully linear. I definitely would say that the progress is there, and that the support is there for sure. I think that there are real signs of progress and things that we can point to and can say… we really made strides. And along with that there are things where we go, okay, we need to keep pressing forward to make sure that this stays on our radar.”

In August 2021, The Donahue Institute gained a third full time staff member. Alanis Perez (‘21) was hired as the Coordinator for Intercultural Engagement and Commuter Life. James Perry was hired as full-time Associate Director for Equity and Inclusive Initiative, the old position of newly appointed Director of Student Activities Thomas Morgan.

A new course, SOC104: Equity & Intersectionality, is now a requirement for firstyear students. With nine sections currently running, this class is co-taught by a mix of full-time faculty and staff.

“For years, students have been really requesting a class that would focus on issues around social identities and around inequities that would really help people to have firm footing, in terms of understanding things related to diversity and equity, how that operates with our societies, how that relates to people’s personal lives, but also their professional lives,” said Tauriac.

Director of Residential Life Scott Lamphere said the course will give a baseline on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for

students, especially those who may not have elected to take the course on their own.

“We’re getting at a cross-section of the campus that, you know, it’s not challenged by choice anymore,” said Lamphere. “Everyone is getting some information, so I think that’s a huge, huge step forward for the community as a whole.”

Education for the community has also come from the Bias Education and Support Team (BEST). Lamphere, a member of the team, said, “for the most part, we’re talking about educating students and trying to create some growth and development.”

According to Lamphere, part of that growth and development is helping students foster healthy relationships so incidents of bias do not go ignored.

“I think it’s having a positive impact.

And certainly, BEST is a big part of that,” said Lamphere. “Before there was, you know, a place to report these things, students might not have had an outlet for it to be addressed.

And so, you know, it looks kind of ugly when you see all these things that have been reported. But if you think about it, without BEST, some of these things may have never been addressed.”

According to the BEST report from Spring 2021, four of the 22 incident reports occurred in residence halls. In addition, at a Student Government Association (SGA) meeting in September, a group of Resident Assistants (RAs) reported incidents of racial bias and microaggressions from within the Res Life office dating back to last year. According to Lamphere, intense conversations took place between RAs and staff regarding DEI-related issues, but he expects nothing less.

“I sort of see it as, you know, we brought a really diverse group together, we should expect some friction and challenges,” said Lamphere. “I think some of that angst and upset is rightly placed, and then some of it,

you know, is a reflection of bringing people together and creating dialogue. We can’t have dialogue without expecting some difficulty to come from that… it’s part of the process of learning and growing, is having difficult conversations… We definitely have folks who have voices and use them. And, you know, that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

According to Lamphere, Case House, the Equity and Intersectionality house, is making connections with the Donahue Institute to ensure students who choose to live in that community have opportunities to be activists.

In Summer 2021, a virtual faculty workshop - “Creating the Inclusive Classroom” was launched and required for current and future faculty, regardless of full-time status.

Last October, a campus-wide DEI and cultural climate survey was sent to all stu-

dents and full-time faculty and staff, which is currently under review.

A new Accessibility Team has also been formed according to Lamphere, who is disabled himself. “We’re looking at accessibility issues on campus, and how can we make campus more accessible to folks with disabilities, make it a more welcoming place.”

According to Lamphere, gender-neutral housing will no longer be confined to 75 rooms. “It’s a little premature, but we will be having room draw in a couple of weeks, and we’re going to be promoting it, but all of our returning students will have an option to form groups and select into ungendered housing options, and that’s going to exist in our suites, all of our buildings with internal bathrooms,” said Lamphere.

PHOTO BY REBECCA OSOWSKI

(L-R) Professor Christina Alejandre and Professor Sara Large teach a section of SOC104: Equity and Intersectionality.

Access Lasell brings awareness to accessibility issues SAMANTHA VEGA-TORRES & NICO MANGANIELLO 1851 staff

PHOTO BY NICO MANGANIELLO

A set of stairs and no elevators separate students from the dining hall to essential offices such as health services, residential life, and the career center.

Nick Shelley (‘21) is working to improve accessibility on campus through his project Access Lasell. The program is the Lasell chapter of the Campus Access Network, which Shelley describes as a “network of students rallying for disability and rallying for radical change [on their campuses].”

“Freshman through junior year I was not in a wheelchair, I was able-bodied.

I walked around campus and Lasell was the ideal school for me, it was perfect,” Shelley said. “I didn’t have any problems, but then when I came back after my injury, I just couldn’t…I couldn’t get into some of these rooms. I can’t even get in my classroom, I can’t even pull up to the desk, I can’t go up any of the hills at all.”

During the connected learning symposium in the fall of last semester, Shelley made a video to illustrate the lack of accessibility on campus for students and faculty with physical disabilities.

“We floated the idea of a video and it just took off from there,” said Shelley.

“So immediately Eric Turner came to me and he said that things will get done... I had actually invited the Senior Management Team to the viewing of the video.

They kind of got grilled a little bit.. and they took it seriously.”

Associate Vice President of Plant Operations, Diane Parker, invited Shelley to join a committee called the Accessibility Improvement Team that will be working on the accessibility issue on campus.

One of Shelley’s main short-term goals is to have the university install more automatic door buttons on campus.

“We’ll definitely be working on getting actual stuff happening because door buttons are really cheap and should be installed. There’s no excuse at this point,” Shelley said.

Senior Director of Academic Support, Technology and Accessibility Dolores Radlo says door buttons are being looked into by the Accessibility Improvement Team. “Diane Parker and the team had discussed the next steps in terms of the buttons and taking a look at the is-

sues that Nick’s video brought up, using that as a starting framework…a checklist of the different buttons that need to be installed or replaced,” Radlo said. Radlo stated that this was a problem that should be short-term, and would like to put together a feasible plan to fix it.

A more long-term idea Shelley had for accessibility on campus is more elevators, specifically in the Edwards Student Center where Shelley had to find alternatives when his Personal Care Attendant (PCA) was unable to get him up for a COVID-19 test.

“I think an outdoor elevator would fit perfectly where that winding stone staircase on the side of Edwards is that would bring us up three or four levels, even with a tunnel there that could poke out towards the STC and that can connect the whole campus on a flat level surface,” Shelley said.

Radlo says the accessibility to Edwards is one of the most pressing topics the team has discussed. “We started talking about what kinds of options are there, whether or not it’s large scale, expensive construction, or whether or not it makes sense to recommend relocating some of the most critical offices, people, [and] resources that students access day to day,” Radlo said. “So that was definitely a topic of conversation with a very complex but urgent need to figure out what the next steps might be for that, because there’s definitely accessibility challenges within that building.”

Radlo believes those in power are committed to seeing change moving forward. “I think that the Board of Trustees, the administration of the institution are

PHOTO BY NICO MANGANIELLO

The elevator in East residence hall has been out of operation since last semester.

very committed to seeing change. I do.

I think that [Shelly’s] video definitely brought immediate awareness. I do know that over time, there has increasingly been greater awareness and greater urgency,” Radlo said.

Features

The Drama Club presents: Playlist REBECCA OSOWSKI

PHOTO BY REBECCA OSOWSKI

Coming off of “RENT,” director and alum Jamie Imperato (‘15) wanted to keep theater alive during the spring semester. With lower audition numbers for the spring play than expected, Imperato decided to focus all her energy on the original Spring Cabaret “Playlist.”

“Playlist,” according to Imperato, is “a mix of Back to the Future with the Rock’s Jumanji,” where a group of kids are sent back in time to their parent’s senior year of high school. To return to present day, they must beat their parents in the talent show, a memory their parents still talk about. The children debate letting their parents win but realize the win could have changed their parents’ lives, therefore impacting their own.

Imperato and her husband Bobby, who will co-direct “Playlist,” came up with the idea and reached out to local playwright Kevin Michael Morin to piece it together.

This cabaret is different from any play or musical done by the club in the past. “None of it’s going to be musical theater,” Imperato said. “It’s going to be all period songs of the early 2000s [and] 90s.” Music from the 80s will also be featured.

Cabarets offer a less strict audition process.

“The cabaret has always been a sense of if you want to be in it, then we’ll have a part for you in it,” Imperato said. “The cabaret is always a chance for people to grow as performers to maybe get opportunities that they didn’t get in previous shows.”

Cast members will work one-on-one with a vocal coach and one-on-one with Imperato, creating more of a workshop experience than they would get with traditional plays or musicals.

Junior fashion design and production major Cassidy Phillips and sophomore radio and video

5

Tips to maintain mental health

HOLLY FEOLA & CASEY DIBARI

features editor

Director Jamie Imperato stages the cast during rehearsal.

January/February 2022

opinion editor & 1851 staff

production major Jennifer Frechette, who both performed in “RENT,” will also be featured in the upcoming production of “Playlist.”

“I’m really excited…we get to have it in person,” Phillips said. “I think it is going to be kind of fun to incorporate real pop [and] rock music in with kind of a play dynamic. I think it will be an interesting combination.”

Frechette is also excited to see how the two ideas come together and experience the music. “It’s got songs from my childhood and before then… I’m so excited to sing some of the songs because some of them are so good and I’m pumped to hear them all,” Frechette said.

In addition to undergraduates, the Cabaret was opened to Regis students.

“Both schools are clubs, so for them being able to come over on this is great. They weren’t allowed to audition for the play just because that’s strictly Lasell students only but being able to extend it to people who just want to perform, that’s kind of the goal,” Imperato said.

“I’m really excited to see everyone from Regis again but also just to finally have some sense of normalcy,” Phillips said.

Frechette, while excited to see Regis students, just hopes to continue her time with the drama club. “It is so much fun and you get to build this amazing community,” Frechette said.

Playlist will be performed on April 8 and April 9 in Yamawaki Art and Cultural Center.

PHOTO BY REBECCA OSOWSKI

Members of the cast practice a dance on stage during rehearsal.

PHOTO BY REBECCA OSOWSKI

A bulletin board in Edwards features resources on how to stay well and tips on how to be self-appreciative.

The Office of Health Education tries to engage students to think about their mental health and encourage wellness. Juggling everyday stressors while trying to be productive and hold a social life can be considered as balancing mental health and wellness.

In an article published by American Public Media in August of 2021, a 2020 survey found that 40% of college students deal with depression, one in three deal with anxiety, and one in seven have had suicidal thoughts in the past. A question to ask is, how can students work on their mental health, and how can college campuses support them?

According to Adela Hruby, Peer Health Advisor, health educator, and clinical counselor, a way for students to help decrease stressors is to stay focused on the now. “Generally, the number one thing is to have a pretty clear or reasonable idea of what is in your control and what is not.”

Hruby said, “We all can experience feelings of despair or anxiety or stress over things we have no control over.”

Hruby oversees the Office of Health Education which produces informative health and well-being campaigns on campus. One campaign led by the Office of Health Education was a “Normalize” series, where flyers were put up around campus to help reduce stigma and start a conversation around disorders such as depression, OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and Bipolar disorder.

On February 14, the Office of Health Education ran a tabling event to help promote self-acceptance and self-appreciation. Activities were available for students to appreciate themselves

in ways they may not normally think of.

Students were given the opportunity to reflect on what they love, appreciate or accept about themselves. A posterboard defined self-appreciation as “seeing yourself exactly the way you are, valuing yourself for it, and showing yourself compassion.”

First-year Ariana Varnum says Lasell does a good job addressing students’ mental health, saying “the counseling center being available is a huge help, I’m very grateful.”

Sophomore communications major Jalynn Hilton has her own personal strategies to help her mental health. “I try to focus on my time management because it gets so busy when you have a packed schedule like I do,” Hilton said.

“I try to focus on certain things at certain times.

So I leave my homework for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... another thing I do is I don’t take my work back to my room. I try to leave my room as a special place I can relax and if I do my homework in there it throws off the energy.”

Hruby also mentions there is still room for improvement. “There’s a lot of stuff that maybe we’re not even aware that we could be doing... part of that is figuring out the ways we can support our community in terms of mental health,” said Hruby. She also encourages students to share any ideas they have.

In the future, the Office of Health Education will be holding Fresh Check Day on March 3 and another tabling event in April. In the meantime, yoga sessions are held every Wednesday in de Witt Hall to help promote physical wellness and wellbeing for students.

Senior Melaney Jenkins makes her mark

KAIT BEDELL news editor

Senior elementary education major Melaney Jenkins has one semester left as a Laser, but her impact will be everlasting.

Jenkins has been the Vice President of Student Government Association (SGA) for the past two years, a Resident Assistant, a Class Committee member, a part of Tomorrow’s Teachers, and works in the Admissions Office as a Blue Key Society Ambassador. In addition to her work on campus, Jenkins is also working full-time as a student-teacher.

While Jenkins likes to keep busy, she said her involvement in so many activities on campus is mostly because she wants to make Lasell a “better place for people.”

As she has found new ways to try to make the community around her better, Jenkins said she has met people along the way who have improved her own life. “[I’ve met] some lifelong friends,” Jenkins said. “I was shocked to meet people that I would have never expected or thought that I would become friends with and now they’re some of my closest friends.”

Jenkins plays a large role in her com-

PHOTO BY PHOTO COURTESY OF MELANEY JENKINS

Senior Melaney Jenkins holds the position of Vice President of Student Government Association.

munity, but said the biggest challenge she faces is finding time for herself. Between

her full-time student teaching, meetings, schoolwork, and being a normal college student, Jenkins said it can sometimes be hard to balance everything.

Although the days can be long, Jenkins said she “wouldn’t trade her experiences for the world.”

Junior management and marketing major and SGA President Michael Woo, who has worked with Jenkins for the past two years said Jenkins balances all of her activities in a way that allows her to form deep connections with those around her.

“She’s a golden example of what being a student leader is all about,” Woo said.

“It’s about being able to not only do well academically and do well in co-curricular activities, but really to be able to connect with other students and have a fun college experience.”

Woo said Jenkins is a “bubbly, downto-earth person” who is assertive in professional situations and is genuine.

“It’s hard to find someone who has this level of commitment and level of dedication that she has and have the passion to do all that she does well,” Woo said. “She’s

a really unique person and someone that I’m really lucky that I got to work with and maintain a solid friendship with.”

Senior Blue Key Society Ambassador and creative advertising major Sophia Gadsden has worked with Jenkins and admires her dedication to the community.

“I feel like the legacy Mel will leave behind at Lasell will be her work ethic,” Gadsden said. “She has always been really involved here at Lasell and always knows how to bring involvement to students.”

Jenkins said she hopes to continue to form relationships in her future endeavors similar to the ones she made at Lasell.

Although she doesn’t know what she wants to get involved in yet, Jenkins said she hopes to keep busy as a teacher and get involved the same way she did at Lasell.

“We’ll see what happens,” Jenkins said. “I never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, a new door could open, and I could run down that path and leave behind everything else.”

6

January/February 2022

Arts & Entertainment

Combatting full speed burnout 32 minutes BAILEY KLINGAMAN & MIKE MARUK digital editor & art director

Ushering in a new semester la Hruby, these classes or private can be an exciting and motivating meditation time can be exactly time. However, this excitement what you need to quiet your mind. can be diminished by the lack of Along with taking time for motivation students experience yourself, socialization is a major in their first few weeks back to contributor to mental health. This class. Whether it is from a busy can be by keeping in touch with schedule, the effects of prolonged friends and/or getting involved COVID-19 isolation or any othwith clubs or fun projects. Being er factors, the Director of the social and sharing aspects of your Counseling Center Sharon Harlife with friends or a campus counrington-Hope says cases of burnselor means receiving the opporout are not uncommon. tunity to hear a different perspecAccording to an article in the tive, and gain someone to rely on.

Harvard Business Review (HBR), “I think we’re all kind of exhaustion, lack of achievement, burnt out globally…so, I do think and negative feelings toward work that it would be nice for students are all signs of burnout. Burnout to be that much kinder and gencan lead to health problems intler on themselves….I think evcluding mental illness, difficulty eryone can probably benefit from sleeping, and high blood prescounseling at some point, espesure. In addition to the physical cially in the college years,” says issues burnout can cause, it can Harrington-Hope. also “ruin relationships and jeopAnother social activity could ardize career prospects.” be eating a healthy meal with To prevent or counteract friends. Aside from being a great burnout the HBR suggests prioriway to catch up, you can monitor tizing self-care, changing perspecyour health habits. tive, and focusing on important Healthy eating, exercise, relationships. and fresh air don’t just keep you PHOTO BY MIKE MARUK A simple way to organize Outside Mott Counseling Center, which is open Monday through Friday in shape physically, they can clear priorities is to set up a calendar from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. your mind and boost mental or planner. This method of orgahealth as well. nization helps plan what your day, week, or and lack of clutter contributes to increased foIf you do find yourself struggling with month will look like and sets a schedule that cus and efficiency. As the saying goes, “a tidy mental health or needing additional support, can be looked back on. You won’t have to wor- house is a tidy mind.” the Counseling Center in Mott House is availry about remembering plans, and you can set If you find your mind to still be cluttered, able Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to aside time for activities or self-care. meditation or quiet time can be beneficial. Free 4:30 p.m. To schedule a free appointment, stuOne form of self-care involves maintaining weekly yoga classes are held every Wednesday dents can either call (617) 243-2181 or email a clean environment. According to an article in from 5 to 6 p.m. in de Witt Hall. Organized by CounselingCenter@lasell.edu.

Psychology Today, a tidy desk, open windows, Health Educator and Clinical Counselor Ade-

Art review: The Rose Museum

CLAIRE CRITTENDON & RACHEL SHEPARD

editor-in-chief & copy editor

PHOTO BY CLAIRE CRITTENDON

PHOTO BY CLAIRE CRITTENDON

‘Self-Portrait with Diego on my Breast and Maria on My Brow’ by Frida Kahlo.

‘Standing in the Shadow of Love’ by Betye Saar of Los Angeles, California.

Less than 10 minutes away from Lasell is Frida Kahlo’s sketchbook at the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University.

With free admission, a simple online reservation system, and presentation of a vaccination card, visitors can access every wing and see original works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Yoko Ono, Frida Kahlo, and more.

The Rose is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The building itself is fully wheelchair accessible, with outdoor ramps for entrance and elevators for ease of navigation. Manual wheelchairs are available for guests if requested. Multiple gender neutral bathrooms are available, and free parking is offered directly in front of the building.

Closed captions are also available for all virtual programming. Quiet visitation hours are listed on the museum’s website, brandeis.edu/rose.

The entrance, Gerald S. and Sandra Fineberg and Lower Rose Galleries, hosts the museum’s “re: collections” exhibition. It showcases 60 years of artwork collected and donated to the university that highlights its self-proclaimed radical roots and future transformations. Here, visitors can view a Picasso and Ono orig-

inal as well as examine installments of various Black artists.

Frida Kahlo’s works have recently become available to the public as of February 10, downstairs in the Lois Foster Wing. This exhibit, open through December 30, 2022, hosts three of Kahlo’s original self portraits.

Additionally in the Lois Foster Wing is the Barkley L. Hendricks photography collection, “My Mechanical Sketchbook.”

His photographs and polaroids display his artistic process by capturing artworks, his models for paintings, and other art installations.

The gallery provides binders with Barkley’s descriptions for each photograph for those who want a more in-depth understanding of the installment. A virtual tour of the exhibit is also available on the museum’s website.

The newest exhibit, entitled “Displaced: Raida Adon’s Strangeness,” opened on February 17. This work focuses on Adon’s journey as an Israeli in America. It is a fully virtual piece, and the trailer is available for viewing on The Rose’s website.

Directions and parking information is available online for first-time visitors.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE CRITTENDON

‘Self-portrait in the blue bathroom’ by Nan Goldin of Washington, DC.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE CRITTENDON

‘Reclining Nude’ by Pablo Picasso of Malaga, Spain.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE CRITTENDON

‘Abstraction (Greene Street)’ by Beauford Delany of Knoxville, Tennessee.

after three years

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL SHEPARD

RACHEL SHEPARD copy editor

Mitski has had a love affair with music, and her fans have been put through the wringer. After taking a hiatus from music in 2019, she released her newest album “Laurel Hell” on February 4, and it was only 32 minutes in length. According to Mitski, this is the longest she has spent working on an album and has been working on various songs since 2018.

The title of her new debut, “Laurel Hell” is a play on a folk term for a field of laurel flowers in the Appalachian region.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, she talks about how the flowers are small yet beautiful, and poisonous with low branches that tangle together and make it impossible to travel through. Mitski is quoted in the interview saying, “there are laurel hells that are named after people who died in them, supposedly.”

The overall vibe of the album is reminiscent of 80’s pop. There are synth beats and funky baselines, but with Mitski’s little original twists in the instrumental segments and vocals. The theme appears to be about a breakup, aside from “Working for the Knife,” which talks about Mitski’s relationship with the music industry.

However, the first and only song on a Mitski album not written completely by her was “The Only Heartbreaker,” which she co-wrote with Dan Wilson, who’s worked with various other artists such as Taylor Swift and Adele.

For people who are unfamiliar with the artist’s music style, the songs that are most likely to appeal to wider audiences are: “Should’ve Been Me,” “The Only Heartbreaker,” “Love Me More,” “That’s Our Lamp,” and “Working for the Knife.”

These songs in particular embrace the 80’s pop synth style that has become popular again. Aside from “Working for the Knife,” these songs are upbeat, fun, and easy to sway to. The last song is more grungy and mechanical, but it has been added to this list because of its subject matter and the positive reception when Mitski released it as a single.

Overall, this album was made for Mitski lovers, for those who are going through relationship problems, and people who love the vibe of the 80s. As a bonus, the album is short and concise. Meaning, that if this is a listener’s first time listening to Mitski, it’s a good place to begin, because each song was tailored for the album and is part of the artist’s passion project.

January/February 2022

Sports Wuorio, lucky number three?

TAYLOR VILES sports editor

When Assistant Athletic Director Cait Connolly told Director of Athletics Kristy Walter she wanted to go from coaching two teams down to one, Walter was torn.

She understood coaching two collegiate teams every year for almost 10 years can take a toll on someone. But, she was dealing with a head coach who had a combined record of 217-159 between women’s lacrosse and field hockey over her tenure; a .732 winning percentage.

Replacing someone like that is near impossible, but that’s what Walter was tasked with doing for the women’s lacrosse team during the 2020 season. “It was hard because we lost the consistency,” said Walter, about Connolly.

The replacement Walter found was Kelsey Russell, a former Salem State twosport athlete who had assistant coached under Connolly for the previous three years. Although she was qualified, Russell had other commitments and couldn’t give the team the effort required from a head coach, according to members of that team.

She stepped down from her position before the spring season even started.

Connolly returned as a courtesy to coach the 2020 season but only two games were played due to COVID-19. Walter had ample time to find a proper replacement for the longtime coach.

She chose Al Eaton, a high school lacrosse head coach with two years of college coaching experience as an assistant.

When he was hired, Walter said this via the athletics website: “[Eaton] has a passion for the sport and was impressive to our search committee. I’m confident that he will be a valuable asset to our staff…”

Former women’s lacrosse player senior Leticia Farias said the way Kristy described Eaton is how he began the 2021 season as head coach. “I think he started with a really good motto that we were going to learn from each other,” said Farias, who left the team at the season’s conclusion. “I think the first practice he really showed us that. He came in with new techniques and new ways of doing things.”

But Farias said the good times didn’t last long. She explained the team would have meetings to discuss possible issues but Eaton seemed unwilling to listen to their requests. One particular meeting early in the season made an impression

on Farias. “I just remember it ending really poorly with [Coach Eaton] trying to defend his own coaching and the girls feeling like they were not heard,” she remembered. “From that point on, the dynamic changed.”

The main issue addressed with him was his lack of attention during practices. According to current senior captain Sydney Brady, Eaton would have the team start a drill, then he’d receive a phone call and turn his back to talk on the phone while the team was performing the same drill over and over for a half-hour.

Farias and Brady think the team wasn’t Eaton’s top priority. “It didn’t feel like he was all there,” said Brady. “I think we did well as a team, but we could have been a lot better had we had the right coaching.”

The team went 6-2 during the season and made it to the semifinals in the playoffs, but much of this was due to existing talent and seniority. Jordan McComb, Morgan Choquet, and Chloe Shugrue were all in their graduate year giving the team the leadership lacked with Eaton.

According to Walter, the athletic department had addressed similar concerns as the team with Eaton following the season and the department was expecting improvements for 2022. But in a surprise move over winter break, Eaton resigned from his position leaving Walter looking for her third coach in three seasons.

“We didn’t really get much of an explanation,” said Brady about Eaton’s resignation. With the spring season right around the corner, the team was stuck in a position of “what’s next?”

The answer to that question was Britney Wuorio (‘14). Wuorio played all four season’s under Connolly’s team leadership and it was Connolly who reached out to her network of former students and lacrosse connections, eventually finding her former student-athlete.

During her playing career, Wuorio was among the most prolific scorers in Laser history. She ranks number one in alltime points (420), assists (152), and shots attempted (453) while ranking second in goals (268) and games played (73).

Following graduation, she began her first coaching opportunity at Newton South High School, a job she held through last season.

When Walter came calling in late December, Wuorio was excited, “How can I let down an opportunity to coach for the college that I played for?” she remembers thinking.

With Wuorio’s hiring, she becomes the fourth head coach in just three season’s. She said she knows how important her tenure will be for the women’s lacrosse team in determining their future.

It may not be up to her though. Wuorio hopes to become the next full-time head coach, but as of now, her title is “Interim Head Coach.”

She quit her regular job as a firstgrade teacher to fully commit to her new team and their recruiting needs. “I’ve had more time to be able to do the recruiting which has been really helpful,” she said.

“I’m talking to probably three recruits a day.”

Brady says the team operates better under female leadership and feels Wuorio has been a “great fit” early into the season.

“I feel like there’s a lot of positivity on the team and we do have a lot of skilled players,” said Brady. “As long as we keep working together like we are now…I think it could be another great season.”

Walter acknowledges the team’s numbers are smaller than usual but thinks the team is still in position to be competitive.

Wuorio may have the most realistic view of her new team. In her interview with the 1851 Chronicle, she used the term “rebuilding.” Although she didn’t explicitly say the team wasn’t going to have a successful season, she said the goal is to build this team for the future.

The women’s lacrosse team hasn’t experienced a down year in over a decade.

The last time they missed the playoffs was the year before Connolly took over in 2010. There’s no way to know if this is the year when the team returns from their reign of excellence, but given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Walter can only hope the third coach she has picked to replace Connolly turns out to be the right one. “I think that she’ll be a different presence for that team,” said the long-time athletic director. “So I think it’s what they need.”

PHOTO BY MIKE MARUK

Senior Sophia Gadsden carries the ball across midfield in a matchup against Dean College last season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANARD JONES/LASELL ATHLETICS

The women’s lacrosse team breaks from a celebration after scoring a goal during the 2021 season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANARD JONES/LASELL ATHLETICS

Senior Sydney Brady looks for options down the field during a game in the 2021 season.

7

Meet Trevor Wenners: New SID LJ VP LAFIURA

1851 staff

PHOTO BY LJ VP LAFIURA

Trevor Wenners proudly poses on the basketball court at his new job.

The athletic department found its next Director of Athletic Communications last month in Trevor Wenners.

Wenners replaced former Director of Athletic Communications, Kent Cherrington. In late October, Cherrington left to pursue a similar job at Babson College. Athletic Director Kristy Walter and the Lasers found Wenners during a hiring process that lasted until mid-December. After multiple phone interviews, two finalists were found.

“He will fill most of Kent’s roles,” said Walter. “He’s responsible for the event management, scheduling, and all the website and sports information stuff.”

A Nashua, New Hampshire native, Wenners did his undergraduate studies at Northeastern University, majoring in journalism. He spent time in various roles with Merrimack College, Tufts University, and Wesleyan University before moving to Georgia to take a job as the Assistant Director of Sports Information at LaGrange College.

“I really felt like I was ready to take the next step in my journey and move from an assistant director position to a director of athletic communications position,” said Wenners on deciding to come to Lasell. “I was also interested in moving back to the New England area.”

The journalism background, as Walter explained, was one of the things that stood out about Wenners during the hiring process. In addition to his work at several schools in the region, Wenners served as a freelance writer in parts of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts during his college years and his time working in the northeast.

“I’m a very detail-oriented writer, and I really like to be an in-depth writer too,” said Wenners.

“When I’m telling the stories of what’s going on in the sports, I’m not just going by the statistics from the games, I’m really telling the bigger picture.”

The writing focus that Wenners brings to the role creates an opportunity to explore student-athletes outside of their respective athletic arenas. The athletic department intends to begin moving forward with more “human interest” features on the athletics website as Wenners warms up in the role. “We’re excited to identify some people that we can do that with,” said Walter.

The majority of Wenners’ first few weeks on campus have focused on learning the area, the role, and the athletic department. So far, Walter has been pleased with how Wenners has acclimated to the position in which his predecessor, Cherrington, spent the past four years.

“He’s very dedicated to doing a good job and working with the student-athletes,” Walter said about Wenners. “I can see him growing into the position more as he gets to know more of the people here and how we do things.”

Under Wenners are two graduate assistants, Stephen Kemp and Janard Jones, and the student event staff. In his second year in the position, Kemp focuses mainly on athletic communications tasks, while Jones, in his first year, works more with social media. Despite how brief Wenners has been in the role, he has already established a good working relationship with his graduate assistants as he tries to understand their capabilities better.

“We’ve been communicating pretty regularly to make sure that things get done,” said Kemp. “I think as the year progresses, he’ll be a little more hands-off and will work a little bit more freely. I think he’s just trying to figure out what works best right now. And obviously, that’s going to take a little bit of time.”

8

January/February 2022

PAT CARBONE

Sports

Men’s volleyball aims for success

1851 staff

the first place spot in the conference.

Head Coach Jeff Vautrin (‘17) has high expectations and could not be more excited to show the GNAC what the Lasers are made of this year. “I think this year is the showcase of Wentworth vs. Lasell once again. Looking forward to the upcoming years, I think that’ll be the way it is for the near future,” said the third-year head coach.

Vautrin also described how his team PHOTO BY PAT CARBONE has improved since First-year Theo Zaharewicz listens to advice on the bench from his head coach. their last time stepping onto the court and how As the spring semester is underway, so is they’ll use those attributes to their advantage the men’s volleyball team’s quest for a Great this season.

Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) cham“This year, our strength is definitely our pionship. The 2022 season will be the first time size,” said Vautrin. “Across the board, we’re in three years the team has gotten the chance pretty much at every position 6’6 or taller… to compete for the title due to COVID-19.

He mentioned how the team’s blocking and Following a two match sweep at the ath- hitting abilities have become a great advantage letic center on February 19, the team improved on the floor, especially on the defensive side their overall record to 8-5 overall and remained of the ball. the only undefeated team in the GNAC at 4-0.

Part of that great defense is grad student Before the beginning of the season, the team Dillon DeSouza, who is playing his final season was voted to finish third overall in the GNAC as a Laser. “My final season means a lot to me. I preseason poll, finishing behind Wentworth have been playing sports since I could walk, so Institute of Technology and Rivier University. the fact that this is my last go of an organized With Saturday’s triumph, the team leapfrogged sports season is very surreal,” said DeSouza.

Wentworth, ranked number five in the nation Born in Enfield, Connecticut, the Rehab for division three, and Elms College, to claim Science major feels mixed emotions during his

final year. “It is exciting because I see myself playing at such high competition, but still getting better every day,” said DeSouza. “It is scary because I will no longer be looking forward to another season.”

While some players are finishing their long careers, others are just beginning. This is the case for first-year Lee Naea, who studies radio and video production. Moving across the country from Pearl City, Hawaii, the 6’0 tall Naea will be playing the position of outside hitter for the Lasers.

“I was excited with the whole team, we’re pretty good. Look at the size of us, the whole

front row Jordan [Shinuat], Tucker [Merritt], Theo [Zaharewicz] they’re all about 6’6 plus,” said Naea.

Along with his head coach, Naea has some pretty high expectations for his team this year.

“I guarantee we might win the GNAC [championship] and be in the NCAA tournament,” said Naea.

This season should be one to remember for the men’s volleyball team. Hailing from eight different states across the country, these athletes will come together and try to capture their first GNAC title since the spring of 2015.

PHOTO BY PAT CARBONE

Dillon DeSouza gives a pep talk to his team before a match against Regis College on February 17 in the Athletic Center.

Meg Carroll tearing through the GNAC

JOSH WOLMER & CASEY DIBARI 1851 staff

In the past three seasons, Meg Carroll was nothing more of a role player for the women’s basketball team. She came off the bench in most games or received a rare start, never averaging more than 4.3 points per game in a season.

This season though, Carroll has demonstrated abilities no one has seen before. Carroll has become a focal point

of the Lasers offense, scoring 15.8 points per game while collecting rebounds and being an important leader. “​​It’s been incredible for me personally,” said graduate student and teammate Peyton Young.

“Fun fact, I don’t know if most people know this but Meg and I have actually been playing basketball together since

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANARD JONES/LASELL ATHLETICS

Meg Carroll drives hard in the paint against St. Joseph (Conn.). She led the team with 15 points in that game.

fifth grade. I’ve been able to watch her not only grow as a person, but as a player. For her to just have an absolutely amazing senior season has been very special for me to watch,” Young said.

Carroll has won two “Player of The Week” honors for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) this season.

The first was for the week of November 29 when she averaged 33.5 points and 17.5 rebounds, shooting 62.2% from the field (28-45) in a week where the Lasers took home two victories. This included their first conference win of the year.

When asked about the accomplishment, Carroll said it felt unreal. “It was better than the school record, I think. It was just a feeling that I still can’t believe. I remember at the beginning of the season we all set our own individual goals...and I really wanted to win GNAC player of the week,” Carroll said.

The school record Carroll is referring to is when she scored 39 points and 20 rebounds in a game against Northern Vermont University - Johnson in November.

This performance also helped her win the United States Basketball Writers Association’s national player of the week in division three basketball.

“Yeah, unbelievable,” said head coach

Kelley Sundberg about Carroll’s excellence that week. “I think that’s an unbelievable accomplishment. That week specifically, she had two really good performances that got us two wins. So obviously really proud of her,” she said.

Carroll’s second GNAC player of the week win was for the week of January 16.

In the one game the Lasers had, she had a dominant 24 point and 14 rebound game.

Young had nothing but praise for her longtime friend. “It’s been great. I think she really stepped up into a role that she wasn’t always comfortable in. So I think with me being out [with an injury], she had to be a more vocal leader which isn’t always her thing. But she definitely fits the shoes.”

Young explained how she observed Carroll’s leadership in different ways, explaining that it is Carroll’s cheerful and supportive personality that helps light the way for the team. “Sometimes she needs to be that person that is like, ‘okay, it’s okay.’ You know, we’re in a little bit of a lull right now, but we’ll get it back.”

The team is now gearing up for playoffs and sits ninth in the GNAC with a 7-11 conference record.

Brady says goodbye, New Englanders react KAIE QUIGLEY editor-in-chief

On February 1, Tom Brady officially retired from the game of football after 22 seasons at the age of 44. As a member of the Patriots for two decades, Brady has had a pronounced impact on the Boston area, and New England as a whole.

“My favorite Brady moment was when I went to Cleveland to see him return from his suspension for Deflategate. It was such a special moment seeing him get back on the field,” said fall 2021 graduate Olivia Faulkner of New Hampshire. “I have been a Patriots fan my entire life and

we have had season tickets since 2007.

Having Brady lead the Patriots formed my entire childhood, I was proud of the team that I was cheering for.”

Patriots fan or not, Brady has left his mark on the game, and this community.

Sophomore Cam Ames, who is originally from New York, and a Giants fan, believes Brady is the greatest of all time despite being a rival fan.

“My favorite Brady moment has to be the comeback in the Super Bowl against Matt Ryan and the Falcons. I think that re-

ally cemented him as the greatest player ever,” said Ames.

One of the main reasons Brady gave for his retirement for the game was his want to spend more time with his family.

“I am happy that he is able to retire to be with his family. I hope that he stays involved in the football world and still is able to have a good relationship with his family,” said Faulkner. “I personally cannot wait to go to Canton to see him get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and I will also be there when he gets

inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.”

Ames said, “It stinks he’s retired now but that’s just me being a selfish sports fan that wants to see more greatness. I understand he has a family he needs and wants to be there for and he is getting older.”

Brady finishes his illustrious career with seven super bowl rings, more than any franchise alone. He also finishes with the most winning record (243-73), pass completions (7,263), passing yards (84,520), and touchdown passes (624) of all time.