The Weekly Ringer

The University of Mary Washington’s Independent Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922

The

Weekly

Ringer

VOLUME 97 | ISSUE 14

February 2, 2024

Forrest Parker, founding director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center, passes away at age 64

jenny wolfe Staff Writer

On Jan. 1, Forrest Parker, the founding director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center, passed away at the age of 64. Parker also co-founded UMW’s Annual Multicultural Fair, which will celebrate diversity and inclusion, along with Parker’s life and legacy, on March 13.

According to Parker’s obituary, he was a devout man, a sports fan and someone who had an unwavering dedication to his community. Before he joined the UMW community, Parker spent the majority of the 1980s working at his alma mater, James Madison University, as a diversity recruiter. There, he worked to admit students from diverse backgrounds to assist JMU’s efforts to comply with Virginia’s revised desegregation plan.

Parker also helped create Brothers of a New Direction and Women of Color, two organizations that sought to help minority students find community and comfort at the university. Following his tenure at JMU, Parker joined the UMW community as the Associate Dean for Admissions in 1989 and was promoted to Vice President of Multicultural Affairs in 1993.

At UMW, he directed the Summer Orientation Adventure Retreat and the James Farmer Scholars Program, according to his obituary. What Parker is most recognized for on campus is being the co-founder of the Multicultural Fair, which attracts individuals from UMW and

the Greater Fredericksburg community.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Multicultural Affairs Marion Sanford spoke about Parker’s character.

“He was a very humble person,” she said. “He didn’t talk a lot about different awards that he had received.”

About how the general community felt about Parker, Sanford said, “He was well-respected and well-loved in the community. He had a wonderful, outgoing personality, and if he was in the room, you knew it.”

Even after leaving UMW in 2001, Parker consistently attended the Multicultural Fair. Sanford spoke about Parker’s legacy at UMW. Parker co-founded UMW’s Annual Multicultural Fair, which celebrates diversity and “The thing that mattered to him the inclusion.

UMW Voice most … was the impact he had on stuAlong with this diversification of student organizadents,” said Sanford. “It really mattered to him that stutions, Parker also cultivated the JFMC’s Cultural Awaredents knew that they felt valued and also had the confiness Series, which educates students and community dence to succeed at whatever they were to do.” members about the different cultures in the FredericksAlong with the fair, Parker was a leading advocate on burg community through celebrating cultural arts. campus for various cultural organizations, as he encourThe students in these culturally focused organizations aged students of different heritages to create clubs cenSEE PARKER, PAGE 2 tered around their cultures.

Activist Tylik McMillan discusses modern-day social justice for UMW’s 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

grace wagner Staff Writer

On Jan. 24, civil rights activist Tylik McMillan spoke at UMW for the 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

McMillan discussed modern-day social justice and King’s legacy.

In his speech, McMillan encouraged the audience to take action for the things that they are passionate about.

“You’ve got to know what you specialize in and become an expert in what that is,” said McMillan. “Then, from there, use your influence to be able to inspire folks, to become educated on those issues, understanding we all have influence in some shape, way or form.”

McMillan said that it is essential that people continue to fight for what they believe in and not get comfortable

|2 INSIDE News McMillan

THE

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challenges students to get involved at UMW

sitting by and doing nothing.

“My greatest challenge is folks getting comfortable,” he said.

“The fight for social justice is not a passive endeavor,” he continued. “It is an active, ongoing commitment, and that commitment is a collective commitment.”

McMillan discussed King’s dream and how important it is to continue the fight for social justice and equity to make that dream a reality.

“Let us also recommit ourselves to dare to dream, to dare to move, to dare to stand up, to dare to be unapologetic in this fight for the world that works for us all,” said McMillan.

Many audience members talked with McMillan after his speech.

Opinion | 3

Students push for free laundry on campus following dryer incident

Devin Schwers, a senior political science major, commented on McMillan’s approachability, highlighting that McMillan’s similar age makes him easier to connect with.

“He’s a young guy—he talks like us like we talk to our peers,” said Schwers. “That helps you engage, and you get a different connection when you’re listening to somebody who you feel is a part of your culture, your generation.”

Others shared a similar impression, noting how they felt after McMillan’s speech.

“I just thought that he was really inspirational,” said Amber Villalobos, a sophomore biomedical science major.

For some, McMillan’s words even changed their approach to activism.

“The main viewpoint that it changed in me is definitely

Life | 4

England Run waterfall provides perfect setting for picnic lunch

SEE SPEAKER, PAGE 2

Sports | 8

Almariento makes opponents eat bubbles in the pool

News

Friday, February 2, 2024

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Weekly Ringer Mary Washington remembers Parker’s legacy The

Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief Norah Walsh weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com Associate Editors Callie Harkins Emma Brennan weeklyringer.associate@gmail.com News Editor Ky Huynh weeklyringer.news@gmail.com

FROM PARKER, PAGE 1 are still participating in this series after more than 30 years of its existence, and the JFMC boasts the participation of more than a dozen of these organizations and offices in the series as well as many of their other programs.

Junior political science student Nahjah Wilson spoke about what the JFMC means to her.

She said, “[The JFMC] is a safe space for underrepresented students on campus so anyone who does feel they need a safe space, this would be the place to go.”

“Gratitude is the first word that comes to mind when I think about the legacy of Mr. Parker.”

- Shavonne Shorter

Opinion Editor After 11 years with UMW, Parker became the Chief Executive Margaret Jackson Officer at the Rappahannock Chapter of the Boys & Girls Club. weeklyringer.opinion@gmail.com Life Editor Charlie Li weeklyringer.life@gmail.com Sports Editor Abbey Magnet weeklyringer.sports@gmail.com Online Editor Davy Washington weeklyringer.online@gmail.com Photography Editor Abbey Magnet weeklyringer.photos@gmail.com Faculty Advisor Sushma Subramanian ssubrama@umw.edu

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Please direct all advertising inquiries to Norah Walsh at weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com.

Corrections Please report any corrections to Norah Walsh at weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian at ssubrama@umw.edu

There, he brought the skills he cultivated throughout his years in higher education to help coordinate the organization that helps atrisk youths in Fredericksburg and surrounding communities.

Sanford said that when Parker attended the Multicultural Fair, “he would bring young people from the Boys & Girls Club with him as well, so he did a lot to really continue his support of the different programs.”

Parker joined the UMW community as the Associate Dean for Admissions in 1989.

UMW Voice

In remembrance of Parker, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Shavonne Shorter shared her thoughts on Parker’s legacy.

“Gratitude is the first word that comes to mind when I think about the legacy of Mr. Parker,” she said. “I am so very thankful that he championed diversity, equity, and inclusion in so many ways at UMW. He set the standard for what we mean in our ASPIRE values when we say that we commit ourselves to inclusive excellence … his indelible impact will never be forgotten.”

McMillan challenges students to get involved FROM SPEAKER, PAGE 1 his ‘stand on business’ mindset,” said Mohammad Ali Hassan, a freshman biomedical sciences major. “It encouraged me to want to be more active in organizations that I feel passionate towards.”

McMillan stressed that everyone needs to do their part and become more engaged in social justice and activism. He reminded the audience that there is no one way to be an activist.

“There is not a certain look to what activism looks like. Each one of you are activists in your own right,” he said.

In his speech, McMillan challenged the audience to become more involved in their communities and their passions.

“I challenge you to get involved in local organizations and get involved in community organizations that are dear to your heart,” he said. “Find what your passion is.”

“There is not a certain look to what activism looks like. Each one of you are activists in your own right.”

- Tylik McMillan

He continued, “I challenge you today to embrace your dreams with some courage and some determination. Risk it all for the vision that only you can break free from the constraints of doubt and McMillan stressed that everyone needs to do their part and become more engaged in social justice and activism.

UMW.edu the constraints of fear.”

McMillan also asked students to seek opportunities outside of to action from people like President Paino.”

In the Jan. 26 Life article about Liz Larson’s their standard routine as a way to become a part of change.

McMillan also spoke about his recent dinner with several memnovel “Fireflies and Zeroes,” the character Tara He said, “I came today to challenge you. To challenge you in your bers of the King family, offering insight into King’s legacy through was described as a bassist. In the novel, Tara own comfort. To feel the fire of what moves us to be able to do more. their message to the Mary Washington community. is the band’s drummer. The online edition of To be more selfless in our lives and to dream like the dreamers of a “I mentioned to the King family that I was speaking at two unithe article has been updated to reflect this world that we have yet to see.” versities, and particularly I said I was coming here,” said McMillan. correction.

Students suggested ways that they could take McMillan’s advice “They wanted me to send their warmest regards and to remind you seriously. to keep the dream alive.”

“Joining student-led organizations and clubs that actively proTo conclude his speech, McMillan left the audience with a mesBell tower logo designed by test injustices is really important,” said Hassan. “The ‘Students for sage: “The work starts with you, it really does start with you,” he Bernadette D’Auria ‘22 Justice in Palestine’ is a great club that actively protests the geno- said. cide in Palestine and calls for an immediate ceasefire as well as a call

Friday, February 2, 2024

Opinion

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Dryer incident in UMW Apartments elicits student frustrations, opinions about free laundry on campus

CLAIRE WATKINS Staff Writer On Jan. 22, two fire trucks rushed into a parking lot at the UMW Apartments to address a dryer in Building 2 that had smoke coming from its lint trap.

That evening, Devin Schwers, a senior political science major, went to take his clothes out of a dryer when he noticed another dryer was billowing smoke. He contacted his RA about the incident, who instructed him to contact campus police.

Responders unplugged all three dryers in the building, which forced residents to use the laundry facilities in the building next door. As of Jan. 31, the dryers have not yet been fixed.

For Schwers, the smoking dryer compounded frustrations he and others have about the cost of laundry on campus.

“I think it’s a little ironic that we have to pay $1.75 for wash and then another $1.75 for drying, especially if our dryers are going to be shut down,” said Schwers. “I think it’s a little ridiculous, especially if these aren’t going to be well kept, and this is an issue.”

What surprised me about the incident wasn’t that a washer or dryer might break down; it was that students pay $1.75 for each cycle in the washer and the dryer.

“I think it’s a little ironic that we have to pay $1.75 for wash and then another $1.75 for drying, especially if our dryers are going to be shut down.”

- Devin Schwers This is my first semester at the University of Mary Washington, and as a commuter student, I do not have to pay for campus laundry services. However, at my previous college—Hollins University in Roanoke, Va.—I never had to scrounge for quarters or otherwise pay out-of-pocket to wash my clothes because they did not charge to use the laundry facilities.

To wash and dry their clothing on campus, students pay a total of $3.50.

According to the University of Mary Washington’s website, there are 116 washers and 118 dryers on campus. The machines accept quarters as payment, and students can also use the Speed Queen App. But another issue arises with the Speed Queen App, as students have to deposit a minimum of $10 every time they want to add more funds to their accounts. Additionally, the website notes that “funds added to the Speed Queen App are not refundable.” As a result, if a student overestimates how much they may spend on laundry, they may lose money that sits in the app after they graduate or move off campus.

The alternative to the app is using quarters for the machines, but this is especially inconvenient since our society is turning more and more towards going cashless, which means The three dryers in Building 2 have been unplugged following the Jan. 22 incident Lauryn Taylor / The Weekly Ringer students may not always have quarters to use when one of them started to emit smoke. for laundry. people going into debt being in college,” she said. “Just If a student only does one load of laundry per week being able to do laundry without having to pay would be during the 16-week semester, it averages to $56 per se- nice.” mester. While that may not seem like a lot, this cost does In 2023, the Young Democratic Socialists of America’s not factor in detergent, dryer sheets or laundry baskets. chapter at UMW began a campaign against a tuition inBesides, students are likely to do more laundry than crease. As part of said campaign, they are looking at pothat. For example, students need to wash their bedding tential areas where the university could cut costs, as well and towels, and some people separate laundry loads into as where to reallocate funds. The campaign is ongoing. lights and darks. Student-athletes may also need to wash sports uniforms and merchandise more frequently.

“I definitely think laundry should It is unfair to charge students who are paying for room, board and tuition to also pay for laundry. In addi- be free, especially with people going tion to these costs, the estimated cost of attendance for into debt being in college. Just being an on-campus student at UMW factors in over $5,000 of auxiliary fees per school year. According to UMW’s able to do laundry without having to website regarding undergraduate tuition and fees, these pay would be nice.” auxiliary costs provide “funding for student services and activities.”

Besides Hollins, which is a private school, some public - Sydney Bronski universities in Virginia, such as Radford and George Mason, offer free laundry for on-campus students. Similarly, Donald Glander, a sophomore history and socioloOld Dominion University residents may use their ID cards gy double major who is also the current acting chair for for 30 free loads of laundry per semester and add funds UMW’s YDSA, spoke about the campaign. through their student accounts as needed.

“We will not accept a tuition increase nor cutting of This is what students like other necessary programs; we believe the school should be Schwers think should happen able to take some of the funds from somewhere like the at UMW. salaries of higher-level administrators,” he said. “We have For Sydney Bronski, a junior yet to sit down and do the math, but as one part of the biology major, doing laundry at campaign, we plan to look at the school’s budget and give her family’s home is more con- suggestions where they could reallocate funds when we venient than using the universi- submit our demands to the administration.” ty’s facilities.

In March 2023, the YDSA chapter at Brown/RISD was “Luckily I live very close and successful in its campaign for free laundry for on-campus I’m usually going home to pick students. According to the chapter’s Instagram post, over up food or a book or something 1,000 students petitioned and emailed Brown’s adminisI had shipped there like once a tration until free laundry was implemented. week anyways. So, I just put all In addition to the hundreds of dollars students spend my laundry in a bag and take it on required books every semester, the added out-of-pockthere and wash it and bring it et charge for laundry is an unwelcome reminder of how back,” she said. expensive higher education is. Therefore, UMW should Although Bronski goes home ditch the app and the quarters and provide free laundry to do laundry, she shared her to their students. opinion about the cost of the machines on campus.

“I definitely think laundry should be free, especially with Lauryn Taylor / The Weekly Ringer

Life

Friday, February 2, 2024

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The perfect picnic: Biking to England Run waterfall proves fruitful, features scenic journey

Max Steinbaum Staff Writer I had heard legends of a towering waterfall across the river on the other side of I-95, and it had intrigued me for quite some time. After plenty of research and multiple expeditions, I can confidently report that a five-mile bike ride can lead you directly to the England Run waterfall, and I am convinced that everyone should experience the journey for themselves.

Our story began in 1969 when Fredericksburg gained land along the banks of the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers from the Virginia Electric Power Company—according to the City of Fredericksburg’s website. Today, this Fredericksburg Watershed-owned land is sparsely dotted with trails, and the most dense trail system is located at England Run, just two and a half miles from campus as the crow flies.

A sign reading “City of Fredericksburg Watershed Property” indicated that we were in the right place.

Max Steinbaum / The Weekly Ringer

What I found was so much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, so I had to go back for a picnic the next day.

Christina Baker ‘23 and I decided to park in the back of a Holiday Inn and ride to the waterfall, as part of the sidewalk that leads from campus is still under construction.

Additionally, although there is a five-mile road that leads you to the waterfall, accessing a fire road off of Truslow Road cuts two miles off your ride.

The whole ride is accessible for any bike. To prove this point—and because my Salsa Timberjack named “Barney” was in the shop—I took my Schwinn Prelude, “Luda,” and Christina took her Salsa Timberjack, “Odysseus.”

Sometimes we were more hiking than biking, but things were fairly smooth throughout, even on the trail.

Even cutting through subdivision was a piece of cake, since nobody was out on a windy winter day.

Due to the heavy rainfall during the previous days, we were greeted by a thunderous cascade.

Max Steinbaum / The Weekly Ringer

My initial journey ended unsuccessfully, as I couldn’t find parking and felt unwelcome in the subdivision because of various security measures that were required to pass through to get to the waterfall.

However, I recently received a road bike from some local friends, Zach Santulli and Jon Reed, as I plan to participate in the weekly Bikes and Beers rides, so I took it on a shake-down ride to England Run. With no parking involved, I was confident that I could zip through the subdivision without causing a disturbance.

trip being shared as one of the Fredericksburg area’s best quick hikes?

Firstly, there is a subdivision that creates a barrier to this local, natural wonder, restricting access to public land. In addition, maps of the trail system can only be found on Fredericksburg’s website rather than Google Maps or Gaia GPS, which I usually use.

I hope that documenting this trip inspires more adventures to come for anyone reading this. Regardless of how or where you do it, getting out and exploring nature is vital to preserving one’s mental and physical health.

Living in Fredericksburg, we are incredibly lucky to live close to so many natural destinations that attract and encourage visitors. Additionally, Fredericksburg’s trail systems—Alum Spring, the Canal and Rappahannock Heritage paths, the Quarry and Motts Run—are all splendid sites that are within four miles of campus. Conveniently, these trails are also mapped out and open for public access, so I encourage you to go out and explore somewhere new this semester; you never know what you might find.

Artist spotlight: Mima Manton

“Regardless of how or where you do it, getting out and exploring nature is vital to preserving one’s mental and physical health.”

- Max Steinbaum When we finally arrived at the waterfall, we set up for a picnic and enjoyed basking in the spray of the falls and the sun coming through the trees.

The actual trail was enjoyable, flat, comfortable and fairly accessible, which raises the question: why isn’t this

Following her love of music, Manton plans to move to New York after she graduates.

Davy Washington / The Weekly Ringer

AMANDA SHEWARd Staff Writer

Christina Baker ‘23 enjoys a picnic lunch.

I’m pictured about two miles into the ride. We were happy the fire road shortcut had led us to the Max Steinbaum / The Weekly Ringer correct subdivision. Max Steinbaum / The Weekly Ringer

Music isn’t just a major for Mima Manton, a singer/ songwriter and UMW junior; it follows her out of the classroom and around the world.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Manton released her first song, but she has been writing songs since she learned how to write. She knew that she wanted to get out of her hometown in Birmingham, U.K., and her uncle helped connect her with a sporting scholarship agency to find music scholarships to attend college in the U.S.

SEE MANTON, PAGE 5

Friday, February 2, 2024

Life

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Manton balances music, life & academics at UMW

FROM MANTON, PAGE 4 As a music major, she receives both the Henry and Grace Spicer Philharmonic Scholarship and one of the Baker Philharmonic Orchestra scholarships. At Mary Washington, Manton is the lead singer in the UMW Jazz Ensemble, and she plays bassoon in the University’s Philharmonic Orchestra. She also is the assistant director of UMW’s Pep Band and sings the national anthem for sporting events.

Manton is working on a new song called “Dance in the Night,” which she expects to release in a couple of months. She also plans to shoot a music video for the song in Canada over spring break. She often films her music videos abroad, but it’s unintentional.

Margarita Korsakava, a junior business administration major and Manton’s roommate, discussed Manton’s

involvement in various bands on campus and how she balances these commitments with her personal career in music.

“She is involved in a multitude of musical programs on campus, including UMW Pep Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band,” said Korsakava. “However, no matter how busy she is, she finds free time every single day to work on her own new songs. She works on recording her singing, adding instrumentals and even creating music videos for her songs daily.”

Sydney Tadlock, a junior elementary and music major, reminisced about how she met Manton.

“I met Mima outside Pollard when we were both late for a concert band, and she immediately treated me like a friend,” she said. “Mima takes music very seriously and gets excited and passionate about it.”

Caroline Caton, a sophomore music and elementary major, plays oboe in the Philharmonic Orchestra. She expressed her admiration for Manton and her work.

She said, “I am a big fan of hers, but I think I’m just more proud.”

Manton spoke about the process of releasing music and her own personal path as an artist.

“First, I’m going to start off with an EP because I don’t have enough songs to do an album and because I produced them all myself and that takes so much time, especially in college,” she said.

After college, Manton hopes to move to New York.

“I want to stay in America and make music doing stuff on this side of the world,” she said.

Visiting Language Coordinators organize UMW Overseas project to promote multiculturalism

irene cASTELLET Staff Writer Every year, international students attend the University of Mary Washington to fulfill the Visiting Language Coordinator role. By teaching about their language and culture to fellow classmates, VLCs move away from conventional teaching that might focus more on grammatical aspects and instead work to create cultural experiences; I myself am one of them.

A couple of months before I graduated in 2022, Director of the Center for International Education Jose Sainz contacted the University of Deusto where the UMW in Spain program takes place. Sainz was looking for someone who wanted to spend a year studying and teaching Spanish a couple of times a week in the United States. As I had never set foot in the U.S., it seemed like the perfect shot.

Left to right: Lyson Piasecki, Irene Castellet, Charlotte Handwerk, Linda Dimitroff and Anna Vilain.

Photo courtesy of Irene Castellet.

The Department of Modern Languages has a VLC for German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Arabic. While also taking classes, VLCs offer tutoring

and conversation hours, lending their expertise as native speakers to students who seek to practice their language of study.

During conversation hours, VLCs speak in their native language or English depending on the level of those attending. The sessions address a range of topics from local gastronomy to the national music scene.

In addition to offering weekly academic assistance through tutoring and conversation hours, the VLCs also organize the UMW Overseas project. The project’s purpose is to encourage multiculturalism through events such as movie nights, trivia nights and cooking sessions.

Instead of focusing on the culture of one language during these events, the VLCs promote the interculturality and shared qualities of different countries and cultures.

The program is not only a great chance for local students to learn from people their age, but also for students studying abroad at UMW. Being here, we can take part in the university experience in a way that we feel we contribute something to the community.

Initially, Charlotte Handwerk, the VLC for German, was not supposed to stay at Mary Washington for more than six months.

“At first I was only going to come to do a semester of study abroad as a normal international student, until one day they contacted me from UMW to offer me the German VLC position, meaning that I could stay for a year,” she said.

After completing her initial semester, the prospect of a longer stay was an opportunity she’s happy she took.

“I had two days to think about it, so I decided to give it a chance and be spontaneous and here I am,” said Handwerk. “I must admit that I love it, and I’m so glad I did it.”

Meanwhile, Lyson Piasecki, the VLC for French, has a totally different story, as she is a legacy student of the university.

“My sister Margaux was the French VLC last year … when I came in April to visit her, I had the chance to see the university, and I fell in love with it,” she said.

While she enjoyed her visit to the university, Piasecki was also intrigued by the cultural differences between European and American academic life.

“I have always been kind of obsessed with the American high school and college experience, as it is so different from Europe, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to live this little life for a while,” she said.

Mary Washington is relatively small compared to oth-

er universities in the nation, which are larger and more associated with the traditional American college experience. Nevertheless, Piasecki and Handwerk have taken advantage of UMW’s more intimate size as they get involved on campus.

“The people are so kind and welcoming,” said Handwerk. “I feel like I matter here, and I really appreciate that someone can make you feel like that.”

According to Piasecki, attending an American university has also given her the opportunity to join different clubs on campus.

“We don’t really have clubs at European colleges, so it’s really nice to be able to explore different clubs while getting to know people who share your interests,” she said. “I’m a Theater major, and I enjoy singing and dancing … here, I had the chance to join UMW Symfonics, the acapella group—something I really wanted to try since I saw ‘Pitch Perfect.’”

Last semester, both Handwerk and Piasecki were part of the Performing Arts Company, and Piasecki will continue to dance with the Company during the spring semester. Meanwhile, Handwerk has opted for a change and is now part of the women’s rugby team.

On Feb. 1 at 5 p.m., Piasecki and I—as the respective French and Spanish VLCs—will host our first Overseas event in Combs 211. There, we will show photos and talk about Pays Basque Francais—a region that spans from the north of Spain to the south of France. Instead of using photos from the internet, we will show photos of the region provided by my friend from back home, Irati Diego.

Additional information about the UMW Overseas project can be found on the @umwoverseas Instagram page.

The VLCs help create a diverse and educational experience on campus.

Photo courtesy of Irene Castellet.

Friday, February 2, 2024

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Students and faculty commend Melissa Wells for 2024 State Council of Higher Education Outstanding Faculty Award tayin rivera-dorazio Staff Writer On Dec. 21, 2023, the State Council of Higher Education presented the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award to 11 faculty members throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. One of them was Melissa Wells, an associate professor in the College of Education at Mary Washington.

According to the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, the award seeks to recognize faculty members who “exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship and service.” Wells received the award due to her engagement inside and outside the classroom.

Wells came to Mary Washington in 2017, and she now serves as an associate professor of education as well as the secretary of the College of Education. Additionally, she is part of the University Faculty Council, which decides faculty governance matters. Wells is also involved with the Student Virginia Education Association, an association for students who plan to work in the field of education.

“She really understands the needs of her students and will always strive to improve. She never stops taking on projects or researching in order to make herself an even better teacher. She is truly at the top of her field.”

- Logan Kurtz Recently, Wells began working on the Noyce Discover Grant that the University was awarded this past year. The grant supports teachers in STEM, focusing on education in high-need schools. She also is one of the directors of the Search Advocates Program, which seeks to ensure that faculty searches are as inclusive and equitable as possible.

Students spoke about Wells’ commitment to diversity and how she aspires to implement these values in her classroom.

“With students, she never discriminated or made things exclusive,” said Emily Roets, a senior elementary education major. “[She] was always open to all ideas, and she really pushed us to be more open to including all sorts of things.”

Students also described how Wells has inspired them in their career goals.

“I really look up to her for her way of teaching, especially because she’s really good at it—being diverse in how she does it,” said Ashley Palin, a sophomore history major who is pursuing a teaching license.

Logan Kurtz, a senior history major in the secondary education program for social studies, spoke about Wells’ dedication to her field.

“She is so kind and is an inspiration for future educators,” said Kurtz, “She really understands the needs of her students and will always strive to improve. She never stops taking on projects or research in order to make herself an even better teacher. She is truly at the top of her field.”

Wells came to UMW in 2017, and serves as associate professor of Wells addressed how she felt about winning the award, as well as her reaction to the praise the award elic- education and secretary for the College of Education. UMW Voice teachers across the United States. She helps the NCTE ited from students, faculty and community members.

“It is quite an honor,” she said. “When you read some of find candidates for their awards in children’s literature.

Additionally, in 2019 Wells received a grant from Virthe bios of some of these people online, you think, ‘Wow, they’re pretty amazing!’ So it was quite a surprise to re- ginia’s Academic Library Consortium to revise and develop “Foundations of Education: A Critical Lens.” The book ceive it.”

College of Education Faculty Head Kyle Schultz spoke was released in 2021 and is an Open Educational Resource for education students and teachers alike. about his reaction to Wells receiving the award.

As she celebrates her recent accolades, Wells empha“I was surprised because it’s a big honor and it’s one that doesn’t come along very often, but I was also not sizes the importance of kindness.

“We can really make someone’s day by showing gratsurprised that someone like her were to receive it,” said Schultz. “It just seems like everything she does turns out itude for the people that make a difference in our lives, with or without winning an award,” she said. well—no pun intended.”

This isn’t the first time Wells was recognized with an award while teaching at UMW. In 2020, seniors at Mary Washington voted to recognize Wells with the Mary W. Pinschmidt Award, an award that recognizes the awardee as “the person they will most likely remember as the one who had the greatest impact on their lives,” according to UMW’s Faculty Awards website.

Wells also works on the Institutional Review Board, which seeks to ensure ethical research practices, and she recently was awarded a Jepson Research Fellowship so she can pursue her research as well.

Outside of the classroom, Wells is involved in the National Council of Teachers of English, a professional organization that works as a collaborative venture among English language Students described how Wells is an inspiration to them in their career goals. UMW

Crime Column Ky Huynh News Editor The Crime Column is based on UMW Police reports from Jan. 24–Jan. 30.

Assault and Battery

Vandalism

Vandalism

On Jan. 29 at 1:00 a.m., there was a case of assualt and battery reported at Mason Hall. This case was sent to OSCAR.

On Jan. 29, there was a case of vandalism reported at Russell Hall.

This case is pending.

On Jan. 29, there was a case of vandalism at Marshall Hall. This case is pending.

Friday, February 2, 2024

Sports

Almariento makes opponents eat bubbles RACHEL BLISS Staff Writer

“[He is] an exemplary member of the UMW swim team,” said Sullivan. “His work As Mary Washington’s swim team pre- ethic and attention to detail in the pool is adpares for their final home meet of the season, mirable and something we should all strive sophomore geospatial analysis major Larry for in every facet of our lives.”

Almariento was injured for most of the Almariento discusses his swim career, expesummer and unable to fully train. This semesrience at Mary Washington and how the seater, he has been prioritizing recovery. son has gone so far.

“My season as of right now is not going Almariento has been a part of the men’s as well as I personally would have hoped, but swim team for two years and has previously it’s not going terribly,” he said. “We’re getting won swimmer of the meet—an award that back into it.

We’re trying to build our way recognizes his hard work on the team. back up to the top.”

Ryan Sullivan, the assistant coach of the Almariento started swimming when he swim team, described Almariento’s perforwas seven years old on his neighborhood mance in the pool. swim team in Virginia Beach, Va. Around the age of nine, he started getting more serious about the sport, and he joined Old Dominion Aquatic Club, a year-round program where he could swim at a higher level. He still trains with this team during his off-season as well as over the summer.

Almariento noted that high school and club swimming careers prepared him to swim in college. However, he found that his high school swim team was not very collaborative compared to other team sports. Coming to Larry Almariento has been on the UMW swim team for two years. Mary Washington has been a He swims freestyle and butterfly.

Photo courtesy of Larry Almariento. great change from that aspect, he

On Jan. 25, the UMW women’s basketball team pulled out another win, beating Salisbury University 71–47. This win comes just under a month away from the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, which runs from Feb. 22–24.

The team played a great game, staying ahead by at least two points throughout all four quarters, and Head Coach Deena Applebury has played a large role in the team’s success and strategy.

“We just want to try to make sure we’re controlling the tempo and being consistent with ball movement,” said Applebury. “And, again, just trying to get everybody involved, having everybody be an offensive threat and keeping everybody and putting people in situations where they can get good shots—and hopefully high percentage shots.”

This philosophy came to fruition when 10 out of the 12 players on the roster scored points during Wednesday night’s game.

Mary Washington got out to a strong start, ending the first quarter 18–11. The Eagles continued to expand the gap during the second quarter with a score of 39–20 by the time they reached halftime.

Jordan Carpenter, a senior cybersecurity major, put up 11 points in the first half and finished the game with 21 points total. As the star player on Wednesday night, she spoke about the dynamic with the other players on the court and how they prepared for the game.

“We knew our first conference game was going to be scrappy,” she said. “Everybody’s trying to get a win, especially with the size of our conference, so we were prepared for it. We worked on it all week, and we knew it was coming.”

Megan Baxter, a junior biochemistry major, finished the game with 13 points. In addition to her successful offensive skills, she also

University of Mary Washington

explained, as there is a lot more camaraderie Spring Sports amongst the team.

“I appreciate the close-knit bonds I’ve creSchedule and Scores ated on this team,” he said.

Almariento’s favorite events are the 500-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter butterfly.

His primary event, where he excels the most, is the 200-meter freestyle.

So far this season, the men’s swim team has won 4–3, taking home wins over the University of Lynchburg, Randolph-Macon College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Catholic University.

Almariento attributed these wins to their Abbey Magnet strong start to the semester.

Sports Editor “I believe we set out on the right foot this year with the ability to start a little bit earlier within the season, and the training im- Men’s Basketball (13-7) plemented by our coach was more rigorous,” Jan. 31 vs. Averett he said.

Feb. 2 vs. Valley Forge When talking about the team and Almar- Feb. 7 vs. Salisbury iento’s success, teammate Johnathan Zim- Feb. 10 vs. Chris. Newport mer, a sophomore business major, said that Feb. 14 vs. Salisbury Almariento’s “commitment to excellence in Feb. 17 vs. Hampden-Sydney the pool is a beacon of hard work, setting a high standard for our entire swim team.”

Women’s Basketball (12-7) The UMW swim team competed in their Jan. 31 vs. Chris. Newport final home swim meet on Jan. 27. They will Feb. 3 vs. Salisbury compete in the NJAC Championships from Feb. 7 vs. Chris. Newport Feb. 15–18 and the NCAA Division III Cham- Feb. 11 vs. New Jersey City pionship from March 20–23.

Feb. 15 vs. Hood

UMW Women’s basketball slams Salisbury GEOFFREY carlisle Staff Writer

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Men’s Tennis (0-0)

Feb. 3 vs. George Mason Feb. 13 vs. Belmont Abbey Feb. 17 vs. Averett defended the net from a potential 3-pointer from Salisbury, according Feb. 24 vs. Kenyon Feb. 25 vs. Stevens to the UMW Athletics website.

Baxter has had a momentous season thus far, as she scored all of UMW’s three-point shots in the game against Christopher Newport Women’s Tennis (0-0) University on Jan. 31. She talked about her efforts to improve her out- Feb. 10 vs. George Mason Feb. 17 vs. Washington College side shooting.

“The beginning of this year wasn’t necessarily my greatest. I wasn’t Feb. 24 vs. Vassar doing so well in it, so I started going into the gym a little bit early be- Feb. 25 vs. Swarthmore fore practice, and I think it’s reflected in the games and just built up my confidence,” she said. “Honestly, I don’t think I became a better Men’s Baseball (0-0) Feb. 10 vs. Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.) shooter, but I think I just got a little bit more confident.”

Salisbury never scored more than 14 points in one quarter, and 35 Feb. 11 vs. Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.) Feb. 17 vs. Washington College of UMW’s points were scored from Salisbury’s turnovers.

Applebury explained her plans for gameplay that helped lead the Feb. 18 vs. Washington College Feb. 24 vs. Westminster (Pa.) team to a win.

“We definitely want to pick up the tempo, and part of that is by Feb. 25 vs. Westminster (Pa.) pressing,” she said. “If we can get up early and get people to turn the ball over, that can help us coming down the stretch for sure.”

Carpenter highlighted the team’s efforts and explained that working as a unit is their main focus.

Games are available to watch via She said, “We have talked a lot about keeping our energy high, livestream on the UMW Athletics making sure we play as a team. So just making sure we do the little webpage. things so that we finish the game how we want to.”

“When we play as a team and we’re on the same wave and we’re https://at.umw.edu/athletics/ working together, we play our best basketball,” she continued. calendar On Feb. 7, the team will compete on their home court against Christopher Newport University. While there aren’t enough games Full schedule not listed above. left in the season for the Eagles to take the number one spot from the Most recent games included.

21–1 CNU Captains, a win over CNU could be the motivation these Bold indicates home game.

Eagles need going into the Coast-to-Coast Athletic conference.