The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

VOLUME 90| ISSUE 3

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

Fifth floor offices in Lee Hall expose students to hazardous risks ESTER SALGUERO & IZZY BRIONES News Editors

Lee Hall’s dirty little secret

Alex Sakes/The Blue & Gray Press

Campus Recreation offers a new outdoor program to the UMW community SARAH GRAMMER Staff Writer

New this fall, Campus Recreation is offering the Outdoor Recreation program for students, faculty, staff and alumni. OREC gives the UMW community the opportunity to get their exercise with campus recreation outside of the Fitness Center walls for the first time while providing fun and adventure.

OREC’s main goal, according to Kevin Sullivan, the Student Administrator of Outdoor REC, is to promote wellness through outdoor activities.

Right now OREC is gauging student interest based on the 250 student signatures and emails they received at club carnival.

“We are a program of UMW’s department of Campus Recreation focused on promoting wellness through outdoor activities,” Sullivan said.

The first and only trip that has happened so far this semester was a sunrise hike up Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah Valley.

Senior biology major, Jenna Eggborn shared her experience from the recent hiking trip.

“We started hiking around 3 a.m. in the pitch black,” Eggborn said. “We were able to see the stars clearly during parts of the hike and we made it to the

IN THIS

ISSUE

summit around 6:20 a.m., the sunrise was beautiful and much worth the 3200 foot hike up to the top.”

Eggborn views the new program as a way for students to define fitness for themselves and fit it into their lives in ways that they may not have thought of before.

“Taking students outdoors and off campus allows them to see that being healthy and happy is not just playing a sport or lifting weights,” Eggborn said.

Junior marketing major, Amik Kler, was also on the trip and described it as being enjoyable as well as challenging.

“The trip consisted of an immense amount of rock climbing that I was not prepared for, especially in the dark,” Kler said, “but I definitely enjoyed the adventure.”

The sunrise hike up Old Rag was one of many trips that OREC is offering this semester. The program has been divided into three different tiers. Tier one trips, like the one to Old Rag, are ones that are considered more local. These trips will include exploring High Bridge Trail in October as well as rock climbing at Peak Experiences climbing gym in November. Tier two trips are located a bit farther from campus, but still manageable in one day. These trips

•OREC | 11

1922

Outdoor Recreation Rental Center Prices

Students $5 $7 $3 $1 $4 $1 $5

2 Person Tent 4 Person Tent Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad Camp Stove Dry Bag Cornhole

Faculty, staff & alumni 2 Person Tent 4 Person Tent Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad Camp Stove Dry Bag Cornhole

$10 $14 $6 $2 $8 $2 $10

Prices vary between students and faculty, staff & alumni.

For four years, members of the Honor Council and Judicial Review Board have had to tolerate the unsafe conditions of their offices in the attic of Lee Hall. The ceilings of the office are unfinished and covered with foam insulation, which is known to be hazardous to a person’s health. For that reason, attics are primarily used as storage space, but this is not the case in Lee Hall where the attic has been turned into a makeshift office for students.

In addition to the health concerns these offices pose, the doorway leading to the fire exit is faulty and locks students in unexpectedly, which is a fire hazard. At times the elevator does not work, leaving these students at risk and with the thought that if a fire were to occur it would be hard to escape or that they might not make it out in time.

Honor Council president Jackie Khawand, who is a senior, said that the offices have been in use since she was a freshman and that the president before her would warn prospective Honor Council members of the ‘sketchy’ conditions.

“I feel uneasy being up here because I have concerns for my health and for my safety regarding the fire hazards and the health hazards,” Khawand said.

Senior international affairs major Molly Miller works in the offices in Lee Hall along with Khawand. She shares similar fears about her health when it comes to the concerns that the offices pose.

“I don’t feel comfortable in an environment with no functional emergency exit, which is why I only work in the office if it is absolutely necessary,” Miller said. “The insolation in the ceiling is exposed to the room, so I have no idea what kind of chemicals I’m being exposed to when I’m working there.”

The Honor Council members have gotten into the habit of going to their office in pairs because of the concerns and fears of getting locked into the attic.

“I kind of have taken the initiative to come up here by myself, but it is scary,” Khawand said.

Khawand’s father is an infectious disease physician and has visited her office before. Her father’s initial reaction to the conditions was sock and even advised her to wear a mask to work every day to prevent any longterm respiratory problems.

The offices have been in use since 2008, according to Khawand, but they

•LEE HALL | 10

FASHION FORWAD

iPHONE SEVEN

LEVEL UP

Wardrobe essentials for comfortabe campus living

Apple removes headphone jack

One athlete’s transition from highschool to college level

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 4

SPORTS | 12

NEWS THE

UMW offers 110 free passports to students

BLUE & GRAY PRESS

MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Markham

MANAGING EDITOR Tess Osmer

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alex Spence

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Ester Salguero Izzy Briones

VIEWPOINTS Tessa Cate

University Relations

KELLY O’GRADY Staff Writer

“The CIEE’s goal is to get under represented populations abroad, any kind of minority students, men, first generation college students and break down those barriers,” said Education Abroad Coordinator Kate Jordan. “Studying abroad is a way to broaden your perspective and students come back so much more confident with an understanding of the greater world out there.”

The event succeeded in drumming up interest for study abroad programs, even among younger college students.

“I would like to go to Italy. I went to interest meetings about studying abroad, but this is my first time actually looking into it,” said freshman Savara Gunn.

The process of obtaining the passports, which can be a tricky process, was described by Gunn as “very easy and not overwhelming at all.”

Senior computer science major Nathan Nuval participated in the Passport Caravan event. The opportunity the event offered provided Nuval not just a free passport, but also a chance for him to feel he would no longer be “missing out.”

According to

“Studying abroad is a way to broaden your perspective and students come back so much more confident with an understanding of the greater world out there.”

This past week, flyers were everywhere on campus advertising a free Passport Caravan event to encourage studying abroad. The Council of International Education Exchange is providing $20 million in scholarships for college students to study abroad through the Generation Study Abroad Initiative.

This initiative includes free passports that are to be given to 10,000 American students.

The University of Mary Washington was included as a part of CIEE’s grant, receiving of $13,500 for the chance to offer its students 100 free passports at a Passport Caravan event on Ball Circle. In addition to the grant, UMW’s Center

-Kate Jordan for International Education was able to provide an additional 10 free passports by contributing $1,350.

•PASSPORTS | 11

Senator Mark Warner speaks to students about life out of college

SGA Beat MONDAY, SEPT 12 & 19 The Student Government Association gives students a voice to the administration.

Check it out here!

LIFE

All motions were originated and passed in the student senate, and then approved by the executive cabinet.

Kelly Emmerich

SPORTS

MOTIONS •

Mikey Barnes

ONLINE Ethan Tobin

PHOTO Alex Sakes

SOCIAL MEDIA Mark Warner/Facebook

Sarah Grammer

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

2

VIRGINIA BIXBY News Writer

On Friday, Sept. 9, Senator Mark Warner visited the University of Mary Washington to speak to political science and sociology students about the economy, mostly regarding the nature of work and wealth. The event was held in Monroe Hall Room 116 at 1 p.m. and was hosted by Dr. Eric Bonds. Senator Warner spoke to Bonds’ Intro To Sociology class. Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, political science and international affairs pro-

fessor, handled the logistics of Senator Warner’s visit, including organizing the timing and location of the event with the senator’s staff.

“We try to get political figures on campus when we can,” Farnsworth said, who in the past has helped organize visits from Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Rob Wittman.

“I find it a great experience for students to see politicians firsthand. When you learn about politics through the media, you are only going to get a little

•MARK WARNER | 10

To work with student senate and its Publicity committee to work on a logo to represent the student organization; student senate.

• • That Student Senate appoint a member to coordinate tabling twice a month on either Campus Walk or the University Center to gauge public opinion on important issues • • That Buildings and Grounds do work with buildings and grounds department to create additional smoking spots on campus.

PASSED MOTIONS •

A movement to the Buildings and Grounds committee work with the student affairs to supply commuter students with a larger, more accommodating lounge, rather than an existing one on the first floor in the University Center.

• • A movement that student senate work with the office of Residence life to repeal the ban on shot glasses within student rooms.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

SPORTS

UMW women’s soccer looking to take CAC by storm MIKEY BARNES Sports Editor

UMW Athletics

UMW Athletics

Sitting under the lights at the Campus Rec Field, you can see fans lined up along the sidelines screaming and cheering. You can hear one University of Mary Washington student consistently screaming “Randolph Bacon,” to get in the heads of the UMW opponent, Randolph-Macon College.

All the while UMW women’s soccer team battled it out on the turf field next to the Anderson Center on the evening of Sept. 14. The women’s team won that game by a score 1-0, after a goal by freshman Brielle Mitchell. At just about the halfway mark on the season, the Eagles currently have a record of 4-3-1.

In that game against Randolph-Macon, it can be seen outside the field snow cones and free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches being handed out to fans. The fans and players seem to have a few interactions themselves, as smiles can be seen around the fenced off arena, by both the players and fans throughout.

Currently sitting at fourth in the Capital Athletic Conference, UMW is set to kick-

“’WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND WORK FOR EACH OTHER. WE NEED TO STAY STRONG AND KEEP THE INTENSITY UP FOR THE ENTIRE GAME” -Lizzie Brooks off conference play Saturday, Sept. 24, against Marymount University.

Mitchell currently stands as the leading goal scorer on the team with three and sophomore goalkeeper Madeline Duvall has proven to be a force at the net, as Duvall was just chosen as the Capital Athletic Conference defensive player of the week due to her consecutive shutout performances.

Duvall has been a force in the net in her

six games this season, despite playing in just two games and starting one all of last season. Duvall has 20 total saves on the year and is allowing an average of below one goal per game.

This season, behind the skill of Mitchell, Duvall, head coach Corey Hewson and the rest of the Mary Washington team, they will look to compete in their third straight Capital Athletic Conference championship game, with hopes and ambitions of coming away with this years title.

The women’s program has not won the CAC title since 2009, when the team went 12-5-5 and advanced to the NCAA tournament, which was the second season in Hewson’s tenure. That was the first CAC championship and NCAA tournament berth since 2004, under recently retired men’s lacrosse coach Kurt Glaeser.

Sophomore Lizzie Brooks knows what it is like to compete in the conference title game and along with the rest of the program is looking to do that again and understands what it takes to get there.

“To win the conference, I think team

chemistry is the key to winning,” Brooks said, “We need to work together and work for each other. We need to stay strong and keep the intensity up for the entire game until the last whistle blows.”

As winning the conference is the overall goal for the program, Brooks feels her team’s best effort is to focus one game at a time, “I think that we need to focus on each individual game at a time so each week we have a new goal….we find out what our weaknesses are what we need to sort out to succeed.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Eagles fell in a heartbreaker to Catholic University by a score of 2-1, even with the phenomenal performance of Duvall, who recorded nine saves. Despite being predicted to finish sixth in the conference this season, the Eagles are looking to prove themselves in the conference and bring a title back to Fredericksburg.

The women’s soccer team will be back in action Saturday against Marymount and then will travel to Salisbury University, then will be back home Oct. 5, for

Will big contract from Redskins to Norman pay off DUSTIN THOMAS Staff Writer

On April 22, a new swagger was brought to the D.C. sports scene. The Washington Redskins announced the signing of Pro-Bowl cornerback Josh Norman to a 5-year, $75 million contract. Norman, who spent last season being a dominate force in the secondary for NFC Champion Carolina Panthers, signed with Washington because of “the sense of wanting to win,” as he explained in an interview on Sportscenter just days later. Because of this key addition to the roster and a successful training camp and preseason, many analysts predicted to repeat as NFC East champions this season.

The spotlight could not have been any bigger for the Redskins to show the nation

that they were ready to repeat. When you play on Monday Night Football, the viewer numbers are a lot higher, more people are watching, especially the very first MNF game of the year. The talk of the whole pre-game show was the highly anticipated matchup between Norman and four-time Pro-Bowler Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers who many consider to be the best wide receiver in football.

The Redskins run a zone defensive scheme, which limits Norman to only playing cornerback on the left side of the defense. The Redskins claim that they have “faith in Bashaud Breeland” and “in a zone defense, it messes up the scheme to have a corner shadow a specific receiver all over the field.” This allowed the Steelers to pick apart Breeland in their 38-16

trounce on national television. Brown caught eight passes for 126 yards, 113 of which came against Breeland, and two touchdowns.

After the game, former and current players let their frustrations be known as to why they are paying someone so much money to not do what he does best. New York Giants receiver, who the Redskins will face this Sunday, called out Norman by saying, “Especially if he calls himself -- I don’t call him this, he calls himself the best corner in the league -- then you have to go cover the best receivers on the other team.” Norman has history with Cruz’s fellow teammate Odell Beckham Jr. and many hope to see the Norman vs. OBJ matchup later this season.

Norman had a chance to quiet his

critics this past Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys but before the game the team announced that they, “plan stick to their scheme and Josh Norman will be covering the left side of the field and not Dez Bryant.” Even though two time Pro-Bowler Bryant did not have as big of a game as Brown, seven catches for 102 yards, the Redskins lost 27-23 and the Redskins’ defensive scheme was brought up in question.

Now all eyes are on Sunday’s matchup against the 2-0 New York Giants and Norman’s test against Beckham Jr. to see if the reigning NFC East champions can dig themselves out of an 0-2 hole.

Weekly Scoreboard

field hockey:

Sept. 21 @ Lynchburg (W) UMW: 3 v. Lynchburg: 2

Sept. 20 @ Catholic

Sept. 21 @ Dickinson (L) UMW: 1 Dickinson: 3

women'S sOCCER:

(L) UMW: 1 Catholic: 2

women's soccer:

VOLLEYBALL

Sept. 21 vs. Washington and Lee (W) UMW: 4 Washington and Lee: 1

men's soccer

VOLLEYBALL

Sept. 24 @ Marymount (Va.) 5:00 P.M.

Sept. 28 @ Souther Virgina 6:00 P.M.

Sept. 24 @ Tufts

Sept. 24 @ Marymount (Va.) 7:30 P.M.

field hockey: 1:00 P.M.

men's soccer

3

VIEWPOINTS

The iPhone 7: Apple’s courageous step backwards KAITLYN WIEDMANN Staff Writer

Apple’s keynote presentation on Sept. 7, 2016 confirmed the rumors: the 3.5mm audio jack is out, anti-consumerism is in. It seems that quite a lot of people are willing to put up with inconvenience for the sake of a brand, which sets a precedent for companies successfully ditching universality in favor of greed.

“The reason to move on,” explained senior vice president of Apple marketing Phil Schiller onstage. “It really comes down to one word- courage. The courage to move on, do something new that betters all of us.”

Yes, removing the jack is a bold move that few other companies would dare to make, but is it better? Absolutely not. Taking away a universal port inconveniences the consumer by forcing them to choose between a limited (and more expensive, as Apple-compatible accessories tend to be) selection of headphones or being burdened with unnecessary dongles in order to use an old favorite pair. However, this suits Apple quite nicely, as they stand to make money off of you no matter which option you choose. The inconvenience of carrying an extra cable around will boost sales for their Lightning-compatible ear buds, while those who stick to their 3.5mm devices

will likely lose the tiny adapter cable the phone comes with and be forced to buy a $9 replacement. Ouch.

Is there a legitimate reason to exploit consumers like this? Apple claims that the headphone jack needed to go due to the space it takes- which could be used for other tech. Fair enough, but what did they do with that space? They put in a barometric vent, which can be used to take precise altitude measurements.

That’s right, your new iPhone will not be able to use universal headphones without an adapter, but it will know when you have walked up a flight of stairs.

Needless to say, the possibilities afforded by a barometric vent will only benefit a small handful of users, while nearly the entire user base can benefit from access to common headphones.

Another defense is that the phone could not be made water-resistant if the jack was left in, but this makes little sense. Sony has had water-resistant phones with 3.5mm jacks on the market for years, and Samsung, one of Apple’s biggest competitors, put out a water-resistant version of their flagship phone earlier this year. Yes, it has an audio jack.

There is exactly one upside to Apple’s

www.apple.com

nonsense: the Lightning port offers a digital audio signal, which does indeed allow for higher-quality sound than a traditional analog signal. However, that point makes a better argument for increasing digital audio availability, not reducing analog’s. Digital signals have a significant downside, as they allow DRM to more easily interfere with audio playback. Often, companies place restrictions on what you can do with your hardware and/or content in an effort to combat piracy, but many perfectly legitimate users face difficulties with DRM inconveniencing legal usage or even locking them out under the assumption that they are trying to do something illegal when they are not. Analog signals have no issue with DRM, so keeping the 3.5mm jack as an option would save a lot of users a lot of headaches.

This junior’s declassified school survival guide ZACHARY WOHLEKING Staff Writer

University of Mary Washington Facebook Page

I am sure all of you freshmen have been hearing advice from plenty of different people on how to “survive” your first year at the University of Mary Washington.

I assure you that you will survive, but surviving and thriving are two different things. If you want to “thrive” as a freshman and make the most of these first two semesters, I have some tips you will want to pay close attention to. These are just some things I have picked up during my time here at UMW. However, I would like to preface what I have to say by making it clear that I am not a straight-A student by any means. I am about as average as they come academically, but that is why I feel I can give students similar to me an edge as this year gets going. This also gives me the opportunity to prevent students from

4

making the same mistakes I did. So, if you are interested, read on.

The first thing I will mention is your living arrangements. As freshmen, your living conditions will probably be below the standards of what you are used to at home.

Your room will most likely be one of three things: hot, cramped or old. Each dorm on this campus falls victim to at least one of those three things.

Your rooms are not the best places to do much of anything except sleep and watch Netflix. If you want to do homework, go to the University Center or the Hurley Convergence Center – both provide a better work atmosphere than your room ever could. The dorms can be very distracting due to all the people coming in and out who may not be concerned with others who are trying to study.

Unfortunately for all of you introverts, you will most likely be living with a roommate and at least two other people just a wall away. This is probably the biggest adjustment for freshmen. It’s as if the school has turned your life into a reality TV show and all the cast members are your floor mates. Best advice for that?

Learn how to deal with all the drama that will ensue in the coming year, because there will be drama, I guarantee it.

And please, by all means do not let other people get between you and the reason you are here: your education. When you get mad or annoyed with someone, remember to take a step back and look at the big picture. Once you do that, the drama and even the people you thought you cared about will not seem as important.

Another aspect of freshman year that will be crammed into your head is the

concept of time management. Everyone knows how to schedule things out – we have been doing it for years and hopefully you no longer have problems with it. That being said, you will notice that you actually have more free time here than you did when you were in high school. That is because college professors usually just give you the information and expect you to run with it and learn it fully on your own time.

Make sure to set aside some time for work that has not been assigned to you. Doing this for even an hour will give you a huge edge.

Finally and most importantly: go to class. Even if you know you will fall asleep, just go. Every time you skip class, you are wasting money. I guarantee some of the material the professors teach you will stick and pop into your head when you are taking a test. And do not think it’s cool to not go. Do not be that kid that thinks they are smart enough to not go.

I have seen potential valedictorians fail classes because they thought they could “learn it on their own.” Trust me. Do not do it. It is very simple, and in all honesty, you can forget everything else as long as you never miss a class. From my personal experience, if you go you will pass freshman year.

That is really all there is to it. Freshman year is a fun and rewarding experience if you let it be one, so enjoy your time here.

So with barely any points in favor of the consumer, why did Apple decide to go through with removing the jack? The answer is simple: the Apple brand is extremely powerful, enough so that they have very little to fear when it comes to backlash putting a significant dent in their profits.

They were proven right when the iPhone 7 went up for preorder; all versions of the larger iPhone 7 Plus sold out completely, as well as the new jet black color of the regular edition.

But hey, if you have to have the new iPhone and want to avoid the audio jack issue, you could always go Bluetooth and put up with an inferior connection, an extra pair of batteries to charge, and occasionally losing one or both ear buds in the couch.

Or you could choose not to support Apple.

Editorial: Back to the 90’s Social media has become an essential part of the, specifically, teenage American culture. As the discon-nect continues between us and our parents, typically concerning the birth of memes, a revitalization of our childhood has ensued.

The definition of memes alone befuddles parents as they are described as “an element of culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by non-genetic means, especially imitation.”

One would think this progression of social media would spawn new ideas, new jokes, new entertainment. Alas, it has brought us back in time. It is not a loss, however, because we all know and accept that the 1990s were the best years of our lives.

The bandwagon of meme viewers begins with Arthur. Written in 1976, The Arthur Adventure Series was read in almost every household. At least, it was read aloud in ours. Fast forward to 2016 and Arthur has become a cultural icon. His fist, most commonly used, is everywhere.

Coming in close second are memes concerning Harambe. Since the killing of Harambe at the Cincinnati Zoo memes have been created referencing both Arthur and the infamous gorilla. Though this is a recent event internet users have transported him to the past.

With this social culture drumming on the feel-good times of our childhoods Netflix has decided to revive 90s television shows. The site now streams iconic cartoons such as Animaniacs, Courage the Cowardly Dog, the Magic School Bus, Dragon Tales, the Powerpuff Girls and Pokémon Indigo Leauge.

Even fashion is beginning to back track. Thrifting has become increasingly more common than shopping at Forever 21. “It’s the find,” said Alex Spence, senior English major. Indeed it is, for seniors especially.

Relishing in our childhood becomes so much easier as it only takes one click to connect to social media.

Day in and day out we are constantly reminded of our favorite teachers such as George Feeny, our friends Arnold, Tommy Pickles and Ash Ketchum, and our dogs Courage and Scooby.

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

Thursday, 22, 2016 Thursday,September January 21, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Tessa Cate | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Our beauty, Our say https://twitter.com/ShawnJohnson/media

MEAGHAN MCINTYRE Staff Writer

I am a female member of Generation Y and from the day I was born, my life has been full of stereotypes and generalizations that society has tried to make me conform to. While my family has always encouraged me to be my own person, their message is contradicted by what big corporations claim should be important to me. I recognize that this is not an age or gender specific issue, but for the sake of this article, the female side of the story is going to be told.

Stereotypes are all around us. Magazines only show models with “perfect” bodies, kids are taught that it is bad to

https://twitter.com/ShawnJohnson/media

“throw like a girl” (or do anything athletic looks, you don’t see her at all.” To back like a girl), society treats both beauty and their claim, Dove lists sexist remarks on popularity as top priorities, and the list the campaign’s website that reporters goes on. The messages that our society have actually made about female athletes. sends to females are toxic. The unreaFemale athletes put their hearts and souls sonable standards that females are held into their sport; they deserve to be recto cause girls to develop low self-esteem, ognized as incredible athletes rather than quit sports and feel as if they are not eye-candy. enough.

From competing in sports to particIn many aspects of our lives, females ipating in everyday activities, few parts get judged more on their looks than their of a girl’s life are safe from society’s abilities. Take female athletes for examjudgments. This is because, as a line in ple. From a sociologist Eryoung age, ving Goffman’s females The Presentaconstantly tion of Self in have to push Everyday Life back against reads, “There the idea that are many social “playing contexts in like a girl” which it would is a bad be improper for thing. As a woman not an athlete https://twitter.com/ShawnJohnson/media to misrepresent myself, I was always herself as being aware of how boys treated me differentmore youthful and sexually attractive than ly until they felt I had proved that feis really the case.” Despite the book being male-athlete stereotype wrong. published in 1959, this statement is still Many believe that sexism in sports true today; just look at what Alicia Keys ends during childhood but that belief is is currently going through. After doing a wrong. Dove’s recent campaign, #Myphotoshoot makeup-free, Keys came to BeautyMySay, calls out the media for its the realization that she feels empowered sexist nature towards female athletes. It without it. But because of the stress that contains a powerful line that reads, “Dear society puts on a female’s appearance, Media, when you focus on an athlete’s Keys has received much backlash over

https://twitter.com/ShawnJohnson/media

her decision. It truly makes me sick to my stomach that we live in a world where a female cannot choose to embrace her own natural beauty without facing criticism.

The fact that this is the 21st century and females are still being objectified is a disgrace. I am through with being stereotyped because of my gender. It is time that society stops treating females as if we are pieces of clay that can be molded into “perfect” women. Instead of telling us all the ways that we “need” to change, how about allowing us to carve our own paths and be our own people. In the words of my favorite organization, She Rocks the World, we are all enough just how we are.

I may be a teenage girl living in a society that constantly tries to put me down for refusing to conform to their standards, but I do not care what they say. I am my own person and I will not live my life as a stereotype.

Practice what you preach TERRI LA RUE Staff Illustrator “If people don’t want to get shot by the cops, they shouldn’t break the law. I mean, what do criminals expect?” . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Prison would ruin his future.”

“Alleged sexual assault...”

“Such a talented athlete.”

“One mistake shouldn’t destroy his life.”

“He’s just a kid, really...”

5

LIFE

Editor: Kelly Emmrich blueandgray.life@gmail.com

UMW fashion essentials focus on comfort and effortless style

AMIR KOREHI Staff Writer

Every student also needs to own a minimum of two sets of dress clothes College is a time for people to grow for class presentations, job fairs, interand mature and discover themselves. It views and formals. is also a time to develop your personal Spirit-wear and UMW clothing is sense of style. also an essential part of a college stuWhen in college, there are some esdent's wardrobe. Luckily UMW is alsential pieces everyone needs in their ways giving away free merchandise. clothing rotation.

There are events almost every week With having to walk from class to on Ball Circle, and they often require class, the average University of Mary student volunteers to run smoothWashington student’s main priority is ly. These volunteers usually get free comfort. The t-shirts from must haves the event. or staple Outside of pieces are a having to comfy hoodwork for the ie and sweatshirts, sportpants. These ing events are both always have great to have chances for to lounge fans to get around in on free gear Sundays, or from the to throw on school. when you Basketball wake up late games will for your 8 usually have a.m. a sponsor I personalat them and Amir Korehi/The Blue & Gray Press ly make sure give out free to grab a few shirts to fans fresh white t-shirts at the start of evthat arrive to the games early. These ery semester because they match evshirts are great to wear in the gym and erything. The basic white tee can be to any UMW sporting event to show either dressed up or down to fit in with out against the team we play. any occasion. Having an extensive colIn addition to the clothes, every lection of different cuts and styles of college student needs some shoes to shorts and pants will also pay off.

go with their outfits.

Sperry’s and Rainbows seem to be some of the most popular footwear on campus for daily life. In addition to those, a pair of dress shoes is necessary. A comfortable pair of running or walking shoes like Nike Free Runs will also come in handy when making the trek from Combs to Jepson during the week.

When fall and winter make their way to UMW, the most essential pair of shoes a student needs is a pair of waterproof boots. Any student who has lived through a full year at UMW knows once rain starts Campus Walk becomes a river, which can be nearly impossible to walk down without a dependable pair of boots.

Another good pair of shoes to have with you in college is a pair of cleats, for when you and your friends want to make an intramural sports team.

Overall the stu-

Amir Korehi/The Blue & Gray Press

dents at UMW like to dress for comfort, so these essential pieces will be helpful in putting together a balanced closet.

Amir Korehi/The Blue & Gray Press

UC Hacks: makeshift waffle cones, cereal, and homemade Blizzards RIPKEN SMITH Contributing Writer

Since its opening, many students have complained about the choices at the dining hall in the University Center. To solve these problems I have created a list of tips for learning the ins and outs of the UC. If you have ever felt limited with the choices of toppings or dipping sauces for sandwiches or fries then remember the salad bar. For example, there is blue cheese, ranch, French, honey mustard, Thousand Island, Italian, and vinaigrettes.

The salad bar has many different

kinds of toppings that would go great on a sandwich, such as shredded carrots, spinach, hummus and many others.

Similarly, if you enjoy cereal and feel that one bowl is not enough then do not worry all you have to do is get a bigger bowl. There are bigger bowls which are mainly used for salad that can be used for cereal instead. The salad bowl can fit about two small bowls in it. This makes it easier to have a free hand instead of carrying two regular sized bowls of cereal.

If you are a big fan of Blizzards or McFlurrys, then this is the hack

Ritzni Nashrin/Flickr

6

for you. Start by putting ice cream into a cup. Then mix in your toppings, and stir it with a spoon. I personally like Oreos, sprinkles, and chocolate chips all together.

Stir it well with a spoon and you have your very own Blizzard or McFlurry.

Everyone can agree that waffle cones are really tasty, and it is heartbreaking that the UC does not have any. However, you can actually make your own waffle and ice cream concoction. If you are a big fan of waffle cones with ice cream and are wondering if the UC will ever get them, stop waiting and take down this idea.

First go get a big salad bowl, then head over to the waffle iron. Pour enough mix to cover half of the waffle iron, more if you really feel like it. The waffle should not take long to cook since it is only half of one so be careful not to burn it.

The texture of the waffle is up to your discretion. Place the waffle in the salad bowl then grab a knife to cut the waffle into bite-sized pieces. You

Kathrin/Flickr

could also opt to not cut up the waffle and just dribble the ice cream on top of the waffle.

After getting your waffle ready, go to the ice cream machine. Pick the flavor of ice cream and then pour it into the bowl. Add some toppings such as sprinkles or Oreos then add a light amount of syrup. Syrup with ice cream sounds kind of weird, but trust me, it is life changing. After applying the syrup you are ready to enjoy with either a fork or spoon.

We are paying thousands of dollars to eat at the UC every year, so finding food to eat there should not be hard.

Keeping your eyes open and being a little bit creative and adventurous with your food will help out when you go there to eat.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

LIFE

Senior bucketlist: Fredericksburg hidden treasures and sunrise hikes

CAITLIN WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Brian Goulet/Contributing Photographer

Two UMW students look out over the clouds to watch the sunrise atop Old Rag Mountain.

crete goals such as travComing into college as a fresh- eling. man, most of us have a set of perIn college, funds are skimpy sonal goals that we hope to accom- so we do not have a lot of monplish. For example, we have all ey to just throw away on expenseen the Buzzfeed and Odyssey sive trips or weekend adventures. articles, “College bucket lists.” Because of that it may be hard to Some of these give examples such achieve everything on your bucket as chugging a beer or going streak- list. Here are some cheap and easy ing, but others focus on more con- things to do or go see in or around Fredericksburg.

First, everyone should go to the swimming hole at Alum Springs Park Waterfall at least once. This hidden gem in Fredericksburg is so much fun.

In the water hole there are rocks to jump off of. I am terrified of heights, but jumping off was doable and worth it. It is a pure rush of adrenaline for the first time jumper. After that initial jump, it is nothing but pure fun.

Then, take a picture with the brick wall paint in Downtown Historic Fredericksburg. It is incredibly hard to find and it will take a little bit of walking around, but once you find it, it is the perfect spot for a Brianna Martino/Contributing Photographer couple’s photo or a Caitlin Williams jumps into the water hole at Alum Springs. photo with your best

Brad Smith/Instagram

Two friends pose for a photo in front of the hidden wall in Downtown Fredericksburg.

friend. All you need is someone to snap the perfect shot.

Finally, make sure to do a sunrise hike up Old Rag at least once.

Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park is a hard hike, especially in the dark. The drive from Fredericksburg to the park is about two hours, so if you are going to make the sunrise, you have to leave Fredericksburg at 1 a.m. If you are not a night owl or a morning person it can be incredibly hard to do, but let me tell you, it is worth it.

Like I said, it is a difficult hike, so you will want to plan accordingly. There is a rock scramble at the top, so make sure that you

know what you are doing especially in the dark. The hike is about 9.1 miles, so bring lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Even though this does involve a lot more planning than the other two, if you wake up and go, even on a cloudy day, you can see some of the best sunrises of your life. It is one of the most eye opening, jaw-dropping experiences, and in my experience, it made me feel extremely small in the world.

These were just a few things on my bucket list that I wanted to do before I graduated and I’m sure that there are many more that will pop up throughout my senior year.

7

FOLLOW US!

@theBlueandGray

Business and Advertising Mangers Needed for 2016-2017 academic year

BlueandGrayPress

Email blueandgray.press@ gmail.com if interested • Great workplace environment • Networking opportunities • Resume builder • Professional experience

The Blue & Gray Press

Join us!

LIFE

Dorm DIYs make UMW students’ dorm rooms homey

KELLIN GIBSON Contributing Writer

DIY aka “Do It Yourself” projects are not just for Pinterest users, but they are also for UMW dorm room decorators. When students are a long way from home, DIY crafts and creations are a way to subside the symptom of homesickness.

When asked to describe her favorite style, senior and English major Jordan Schultz shares her creative perspective.

“I decorate my room in a way that feels like home to me,” Schultz said.

One way Schultz feels at home is by framing the walls with a combination Japanese lanterns and Christmas lights.

“I like to study in a warm light,” Schultz said.

Along with a photo collage of friends and family, extensive maps of Europe cover the once bare walls.

A hand-painted canvas with Christian scripture and Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on the dresser gives a hopeful message.

“My room tells the story of why I’m here and what I hope to pursue at Mary Wash,” Schultz said.

The maps and Eiffel Tower magnets on the mini fridge proudly displays Schutz’s travel bucket-list.

Schultz currently resides in Jefferson Hall, along with the many other residents whose unique dorm rooms do not go unnoticed.

Saurbie Lamichhane

English major and Linguistics minor Maddie Van Dyke is a fan of floral. Her DIY dad presented her with a hand-painted bookshelf for her freshman year. She also shows off her sentimental souvenirs from past events. From tarot cards to buttons to Drag Queen glasses, senior Dyke houses a serious collection.

“Everything has a place,” Dyke said.

Her room is also decorated in a shade of turquoise blue, along with a painting of an elephant holding onto a red balloon given to her from her sibling’s artistic hand.

“It was something I saw in a dream and my sister wanted to paint for me,” Dyke said. “The floral pattern also makes me feel comfortable and relaxed.”

Dyke is both a resident and an RA at Alvey Hall.

Also an RA, biology and anthropology major Saurabi Lamichhane’s dorm room in Russell Hall continues the floral and turquoise theme. With a motto of “The Room Where it Happens,” an extract from the play “Hamilton,” a fantastic display of washable duct-tape frames flaunt fun photographs of spring flowers and uplifting

quotes.

“I was born in March and spring is my favorite season. Everything grows and is a new beginning,” Lamichhane said. “I look at my motivational wall

Maddie Van Dyke

and remind myself that it’s time to make things happen.”

Sophomore Lamichhane also expresses her colorful personality with a pair of hand-painted gold and blue pails for her pencil and toothbrush storage, along with a hand-painted jewelry box in a jungle of red, blue and green that sits proudly on the nearby dresser.

DIY is a fun way to express one’s creative self, and where UMW dorm rooms are concerned, the popular trend continues to flourish.

Studio 115 actors explore new characters in “Miscast”

EMILY AINSWORTH Staff Writer

University of Mary Washington’s theatre department presented “Miscast” on Saturday, Sept. 17, a one-hour production about actors who portrayed characters that they would never in a million years be casted as in the world of professional theatre.

The actors got to explore and become other characters that were outside of their usual type. Type casting is prominent in professional theatre, movies and television. Actors in the real world discover their type in order to get roles and make money. While a miscast experience would not fly in real life, the actors were excited to play the characters they dreamed of playing, but would never actually get to portray. The audience was happy to see the actors having fun with their opposite typed characters.

There were a variety of silly songs and dramatic ballads provided by the cast. Amongst these cast members were Lily Olson and Bev Kippenhan. Both shared their experiences of being in the show and their thoughts about the show, as well as type casting. She had some thoughts about the production and the type casting discussion.

“It was a lot fun, especially with the people involved, this has a unique energy because it is so strange,” said junior psychology major, Lily Olson, who was a producer, the house manager and an actor in the show. “It was such a different opportunity and it was very enjoyable to do dream roles that you can’t really do.”

Olson talks more in depth about type casting and how the show addresses it.

“The goal is to go against type and let people do completely the opposite be-

cause in acting you do get set into type, so this is an opportunity to break and do what you want,” Olson said.

Bev Kippenhan, a senior theatre major and an actor in “Miscast” had very similar responses about her experience on this production and the whole typecasting discussion.

“Nicky is the part that I’m singing, so just the process of being able to learn how to use the puppet the way that they did in Avenue Q was very cool,” Kippenhan said.

Kippenhan enjoyed playing Nicky her character in Miscast and liked the whole experience of being able to be a part of this unique show that allows actors to play these “dream roles” as Olson called it. Kippenhan discussed the theme of Miscast and the freedom of not being type casted. “I really like how this has given students opportunities to do what they really want to do, when in the professional world they might not have access to the things they really want to do,” Kippenhan said.

The audience seemed to enjoy this unique and unusual energy Studio 115/Facebook that “Miscast” provided.

Studio 115/ Facebook

Sarah Gerde, a sophomore and a communications major, watched the play from the audience’s perspective.

“I think it was a good chance for them to explore other options that normally they would have never gotten to play,” Gerde said.

Looks like the unique and unusual energy that Olson and Kippenhan talked about got the approval and the attention from the audience. Just like the actors, the audience seemed to like the idea of a “miscast” play and the opportunities it provided the actors with to explore different characters.

9

NEWS POLICE BEAT ESTER SALGUERO News Editor

Felony On Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. a student was robbed of their phone off of 900 Block, Sunken Rd. The Fredericksburg Police Department is conducting an investigation. Case is pending.

Larceny On Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 p.m. an incident of larceny occurred off of 900 Block, Sunken Rd. The theft was reported to have been personal property from a vehicle. The case is pending under the Fredericksburg Police Department.

On Saturday, Sept. 10 an incident of petit larceny was reported to have occurred at Westmoreland Hall between Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. the next day. The case is pending.

On Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. an incident of petit larceny was reported. A bike was taken from the Brent Hall bike rack. The case is pending.

On Wednesday, Sept. 14 between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. petit larceny was reported from the William St. apartments. The case is pending.

On Wednesday, Sept. 14 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. an incident of petit larceny was reported from the William St. apartments. The case is pending.

Vandalism On Friday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. an incident of vandalism to a vehicle was reported off of 1200 Block, Snowden St. The Fredericksburg Police Department is investigating this case.

On Tuesday, Sept. 20 between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. an incident of vandalism was reported from Virginia Hall. The case is pending.

CRIME COVERAGE POLICY The Blue & Gray Press will publish the names of students who are formally charged by the University of Mary Washington Campus Police or the Fredericksburg Police Department to have committed acts of extreme violence against members of the UMW community or pose a large threat to that community, when names are released to the public. The Blue & Gray Press will publish names and write articles about criminal acts on a case-by-case basis according to the aforementioned parameters.

The information was compiled with assistance from UMW Police Manager James DeLoatch and Fredericksburg Police Department Public Information Officer Sarah Kirkpatrick.

10

Warner gives students insights into the current conditions of the job market •MARK WARNER| 2 snippet here and there of what the reporter chooses to say, so these kinds of opportunities to ask questions of elected officials are really valuable,” Farnsworth said.

Farnsworth said that the University had been trying to schedule a visit from Senator Warner in the Spring 2016 semester but decided the timing would be poor for students since it would occur during the time used for preparing for finals. Therefore, the visit was postponed to the Fall 2016 semester to afford more students the opportunity to attend the discussion. However, plans for this fall’s visit were finalized at the last minute.

Farnsworth and his colleagues had to determine how to host the event when it was scheduled at a time when many students were in classes. The best apparent solution was to integrate the visit into one of Dr. Bonds’ class meetings, mostly due to the compatibility of the time frame with Warner’s schedule and the size of the location. Dr. Bonds asked his students if they would be interested in hosting the event, and the majority of the students voted in favor of bringing Senator Warner in to speak.

While questions from students about issues like the presidential election and individuals such as Donald Trump or Edward Snowden came up, Warner’s discussion with students focused on the nature of work and of wealth. Many students brought up topics especially relevant to today’s youth, such as affordability of higher education.

Freshman Joey Leclaire, who attended the event with other students from his U.S. Elections and Campaigns FSEM, said that he found Warner’s discussion of the economy in relation to the current college generation enlightening.

“He talked about how college students and people who are just now getting into the workforce are going to have to deal with the overwhelming debt,” Leclaire said. “He discussed investing more money in trust funds to help beat down the debt, and also discussed how we need to bring back jobs to the continental United States instead of outsourcing to other countries.”

Freshman Alexandra Cooper, also a student in the U.S. Elections and Campaigns FSEM, was impressed by the senator’s willingness to answer a full range of questions from students.

“He seems to listen to what both parties say and knows how to compromise when that is necessary,” Cooper said.

“The students asked some tough questions about issues they are concerned about, and he answered all of them. He gave me a lot to think about in terms of the future of Virginia and of the U.S.” UMW students can look forward to another political event featuring elected officials on campus at the congressional debate being held on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium.

Honor Council and JBR are left with inadequate office spaces

•LEE HALL | 1

are not suitable even for practical matters, such as using the computer, because the Wi-Fi connection does not work.

“If I wanted to work up here on Honor Council related stuff I wouldn’t be able to,” Khawand said.

As President of the Honor Council, Khawand is required to use Maxient, software used to report and document behavioral records, which are to be maintained confidential. However, it is impossible to do work in the office because there is no internet access and there are no private quarters for Khawand to use on-campus.

Khawand works up to 15 hours per week, excluding hearings, on Honor Council related business.

She finds herself looking for spaces to use in the University Center or in the Hurley Convergence Center but these locations simply do not provide her with the privacy she needs.

She would like to use her office in Lee Hall for office hours but is unable to because of the lack of internet access.

“I would like to spend those hours up here because it is a very closed off space,” Khawand said, “but the conditions of the office are unsafe and the internet connection is unavailable from the attic.”

Dr. David Rettinger, Executive Director of the Center for Honor, Leadership and Service, has made his office available to Khawand whenever she may need it. It is located on the third floor of the UC, but she really desires a space of her own for the Honor Council.

“I feel that the Honor Council office is entirely inadequate for the work that we do,” Miller said. “We work with sensitive information, and we meet with students who are in tough situations, but we have no acceptable space to call our own in which to host these meetings.”

Recently, Khawand has invited Dr. Juliette Landphair and Rettinger to visit the office so that they can see the conditions for themselves because students are the only people who use those offices.

Landphair has said that she would go up to the attic to check the conditions of the office and see what could be done for them, according to Khawand.

“She has told me that she is willing to come up here, look at the conditions and then see if there are any options on campus for us to move somewhere,” Khawand added. “So the administration is working with us but this is something that has been going on for a super long

time.”

Khawand wishes to have an office to hold weekly meetings in and to have the option of giving student advisors the ability to join their advisees during private conferences in a space that protects the confidentiality of the students.

“My work days are a little bit thrown off because you know I can’t come up here or I don’t feel safe coming up here,” Khawand said.

As a student living off campus she would prefer an office space on campus where she is promised confidentiality because of the records that she deals with and their need to be kept private.

“Since I am a commuter it is kind of hard for me to go home randomly throughout the day,” Khawand said.

Both the HCC and UC are options she has considered. However, the walls are made of glass panels and that makes students uncomfortable when they have to meet with her for sanctions involving violations of the honor code. The meeting rooms in the HCC are known for their pervious walls that are far from being soundproof.

But these options are not suitable for the Honor Council’s needs and requirements when it comes to needing a private area to hold appeals.

“A lot of people who are accused of a violation want to keep it as secretive as possible,” Khawand explained.

When the UC was being constructed, the previous Honor Council president was notified that they would receive an office, however the office spaces were filled and there was nothing left over for them.

“I would like to find a long term solution, for the future of the council and for the health of the council,” Khawand said.

This past Friday, she submitted a report about her concerns of the safety of the offices to the Board of Visitors on behalf of the Honor Council.

“They were unaware of all the hazards our office presents and insisted on helping us work towards a solution,” Khawand said.

She requested that the fire door to the stairwell remain unlocked and that the office be thoroughly cleaned.

“My goal for the future is to find a more accessible office space,” Khawand said, “so that the Honor Council is more of a consistent presence on campus, rather than being hidden away in the Lee Hall Attic.”

“MY GOAL FOR THE FUTURE IS TO FIND A MORE ACCESSIBLE OFFICE SPACE SO THAT THE HONOR COUNCIL IS MORE OF A CONSISTENT PRESENCE ON CAMPUS, RATHER THAN BEING HIDDEN AWAY IN THE LEE HALL ATTIC.” Jackie Khawand

Thursday, September 22, 2016

NEWS

Outdoor Recreation takes students on adventure through Blue Ridge Mountains

•OREC | 1

give students the opportunity to explore more of Virginia and will include activities such as Geocaching and Caving. The first tier two trips is scheduled for Sept. 24.

The only tier three trip being offered for the fall semester will take place over fall break and will include four days at Ace Adventure Resort in Fayetteville, West Virginia. A range of events and activities will be offered for students to participate in such as whitewater rafting, hiking and attending Fayetteville’s Bridge Day. More details about the trip are located on the Campus recreation website.

Included on the OREC website is information on the rental program, a new and exciting service which Outdoor Recreation is offering. The program allows all students, faculty, staff and alumni the opportunity to explore the outdoors on their own without having to invest in expensive camping and hiking equipment themselves. The prices at the rental center are very affordable ranging from the most expensive item (a four person tent) at $7 for students and $14 for faculty, staff and alumni.

Information about the rental program and all trips can be found through Campus Recreation on the university website, CREC social media accounts or CREC on Orgsync.

Danny Turner

POLICE BEAT ESTER SALGUERO News Editor

Public Intoxication On Sunday, Sept. 11 at 12:30 a.m. a student received an administrative referral due to public intoxication on Campus Walk.

Possession Violations On Saturday, Sept. 10 at 2 a.m. a student received an administrative referral due to underage possession of alcohol off of 1200 Block, Sunken Rd. Danny Turner

Grant from CIEE allows UMW to hold passport caravan

“THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST AFFORDABLE TIME, I DON’T THINK I AM GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR A WHILE TO AFFORD IT.” -Madison White •PASSPORTS | 2

the CIEE webpage, fewer than 300,000 American students study abroad each year, averaging to fewer than 10 percent of all U.S. undergraduate students. Through the Generation Study Abroad program, CIEE hopes to at least double the amount of students who study abroad within the next four years by breaking down barriers.

“This is going to be the most affordable time, I don’t think I am going to have another chance for a while to afford it,” said junior communication and digital studies major Madison White.

“Everybody has been great and very willing to help.”

To qualify for the event, students were required to bring a Passport Application Form, proof of U.S. citizenship, proof of identity and an official passport photo. Upon CIEE’s approval of their documents, students were given an appointment time to receive their free passport. In total, the Center for International Education gave away 61 free passports through this event.

On Thursday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 a.m. a student from Eagle Landing received an administrative referral due to underage possession of alcohol.

On Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. a student from Bushnell Hall received an administrative referral due to possession of marijuana.

Sexual Assault On Saturday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 a.m. an incident of sexual-assault was reported from a third-party. The victim and location are unknown.

The case is pending.

CRIME COVERAGE POLICY The Blue & Gray Press will publish the names of students who are formally charged by the University of Mary Washington Campus Police or the Fredeicksburg Police Department to have committed acts of extreme violence against members of the UMW community or pose a large threat to that community, when names are released to the public. The Blue & Gray Press will publish names and write articles about criminal acts on a case-by-case basis according to the aforementioned parameters.

The information was compiled with assistance from UMW Police Manager James DeLoatch and Fredericksburg Police Department Public Information Officer Natatia Bledsoe.

University Relations

11

SPORTS

Editor: Mikey Barnes | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Transition from high school sports to college made easier by team chemistry, family

UMW Athletics

EMILY GROTTLE Staff Writer

After four years in a familiar high school setting, freshman year of college can be an intimidating new adventure for many students. However, for the three starting freshman volleyball players Savannah Powers, Rachel Voketaitis and Skyler Sisk, college volleyball has only increased their love of the sport.

Powers, Voketaitis and Sisk all played volleyball for their high school teams and were scouted early on. “I knew I was going to play for Mary Washington since the beginning of my junior year,” said Powers, who also noted her appreciation for playing for a Division III school. “I really like that they want you to focus on school work, because you’re not being paid to play. Everyone playing wants to be there.”

However this has very little impact on their positive attitude and love for the sport. “I always knew I was going to Mary Washington,” Voketaitis said. “I committed myself to the team spring of my junior year of high school, so I was able to build a relationship with the coaches and the girls before I started here.” Voketatits

“THE UPPERCLASSMEN HAVE ALWAYS MADE US FEEL THAT WE’RE THE SAME AS THEM AND WE’RE PART OF THE SAME TEAM” -Rachel Voketaitis went to Loudon County High school, where her volleyball team won states five years in a row. “Everyone was committed to play in college, which only furthered my desire to play at Mary Washington,” Voketatitis said.

Like all academic teams at Mary Washington, the women’s volleyball team has academic standards which each player has to meet. The team makes sure each player has an average GPA of 3.3 and the team goes to study hall daily. “It really helps with time management,” Voketatitis said.

The academic standard is not the only thing different from high school. “The lev-

UMW Athletics

el of play was always much slower in high school,” Sisk said. “College is a lot faster pace compared to high school,” Powers said. All girls appreciate how fast the level of play is in college as compared to high school. Powers went to Fairfax High School, where according to her, there were “really only three girls on my team that were committed for college,” she said, exclaiming that because of this she really loves the fast pace of college volleyball.

Sisk went to Battlefield High School, where in her senior year the volleyball team won their conference championship.

This not only helped her confidence playing in college, but helped her continue to learn how to lead in college.

Because the three girls went to high schools in the same area, they were all on the same club team. “We have been playing together since we were 15,” Voketatits said, which aids in the chemistry between themselves and the rest of the team.

The three girls all agree that their team has great chemistry. “The upperclassmen have always made us feel that we’re the same as them and we’re part of the same team,” Voketatitis said. “We’re one big happy family,” Sisk said.

The team does have excellent chemistry on the court and their talents show through. The volleyball team was in Atlanta this past weekend where they were excited to show their talent and hard work.

The team went 3-1 over the weekend, with the only loss being their first of the season, and at the hands of the No. 9 team in the country, Emory. Powers, Vokeatitis and Sisk hope that they can lengthen the team’s run into the NCAA Tournament, which last year’s team participated in.

“The coach scouted all of us so we all play really well together,” Powers said.

Even though the transition from high school to college can be rough, these three students were lucky enough to find a home at Mary Washington through volleyball. This speaks volumes about the sports teams at UMW, as we can only hope all teams have this kind of chemistry.

After a fifth set victory over Lynchburg, the Eagles have improved to 11-1 on the season and will be looking to improve their record when they travel to Galloway, New Jersey Saturday, September 24 where they will be competing in the Stockton Tournament.

UMW women’s rugby ready for a new season

UMW Women’s Rugby/Facebook

VALERIE GIBSON Staff Writer

The University of Mary Washington’s women’s rugby team kicked off their second conference game Saturday, Sept.

17, 2016, at the Battleground Complex against Longwood University. The team pulled through with a 66-0 win against the Lancers. Improving their record 1-1 in the Capital Area Conference.

The team consists of 29 members, according to the UMW Athletic website.

Sophomore Shelby Sencindiver is one of the team’s fullbacks and the team’s secretary. It is her job as a fullback, to sweep behind the defense.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

“[Rugby] was something new to try, unlike anything she did in high school,” Sencindiver said. She enjoys the “tight knit community” that she experiences with each practice, game and study session.

Freshman Emily Gaetjen is new to the team but not to the sport. She plays the position of prop. Her rugby experience started on a club team in her hometown when she was just a freshman in high school. Additionally, her whole family has been playing and following rugby for as long as she remembers. Despite her prior training the team considers her a rookie because she’s “new to the Mary Wash team” and appreciates how welcoming

UMW Women’s Rugby/ Facebook

they all are.

Sophomore Temi Ogungbade plays forward for the team. She mentioned that she joined rugby to “join a tight knit community” here at UMW. Like many other players, she adds that she is part of the “rugby family” and she enjoys all of her teammates and the opportunity to “tackle the opposition and get cheered for because of it.”

Another sophomore, Logan Burum, is one of the team’s wings. She joined the team last year because she had friends that joined and wanted to delve into the rugby community at UMW. She really loves being part of a team “that is so passionate

about the sport that it is contagious.”

The general consensus of the team is that the women’s team is “very welcoming” and they feel as if their fellow teammates are their second family.

The team plays home games at the Battleground Athletic Complex on the rugby field most Saturday mornings and afternoons.

The women’s team will be back in action Saturday, September 24 ath the Battleground Complex against UMBC at 10 AM and St. Mary’s immediately following.

12