Volume 54, Issue 15

The Captain’s

EVELYN DAVIDSON EVELYN.DAVIDSON.20@CNU.EDU

Former Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Rear Admiral William G. Kelly

They enjoy being here. And so that’s something that attracted us.” He continued, “We love to interact with students, as I said in my remarks today, the students are the sprinkles on top of life. You are the best part of CNU.

Interim President Adelia Thompson said in a statement to The Captain’s Log, “I’m so grateful to our board of visitors and to our search committee for the thoughtful and caring manner in which they approached this incredibly important search for this marvelous place and they brought us the next great leader. We are grateful and proud to welcome Admiral Kelly and his wife Angie and their family into our Christopher Newport family, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for all of us on his watch. As Paul Trible said - our best days lie ahead of us!”

Kelly comes to CNU after 36 years in the Coast Guard, including serving as the 42nd Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut since 2019.

Kelly grew up in Yonkers, New York. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1987 and attended Florida State University where he received a Master’s in Instructional Systems Design. He also taught as an adjunct professor for Florida State University’s graduate program.

According to the United States Coast Guard website, Kelly worked as the As-

All photos taken by Wyatt Mile, Staff Photographer

sistant Commandant for Human Resources at the Coast Guard Headquarters. During this time, he was in charge of their Diversity and Inclusion plan. He also managed the first study in women’s retention issues that the Service had conducted in more than 25 years.

As Superintendent, Kelly led the U.S. Coast Guard to become the first Federal Service Academy to implement a new transgender policy.

Kelly has been married to his wife Angie for almost 35 years and they have two sons and a 9-month-old grandson. Angie’s career

has focused on childhood development and she does volunteer work for military families.

In a news release, Rector Lindsey Carney Smith said, “President Select William Kelly exemplifies a life of distinguished service. His dedication to the principles of scholarship, a life of purpose, and to student success makes him the perfect compassionate leader for Christopher Newport as the University begins its next Chapter.”

Trible, now Chancellor of CNU, stated in the news release, “Admiral Kelly is an inspired choice. His life of

“...the students are the sprinkles on top of life. You are the best part of CNU.”

public service embodies the principles of leadership, honor and service that define the Christopher Newport experience and I am confident that CNU’s best days lie Ahead.”

In an interview with The Captain’s Log shortly after the announcement was made, Kelly shared what attracted him to CNU, “Sure, it’s a beautiful campus, right? We know that. It’s got beautiful dorms, it’s got great athletic teams. But there seems to be a very real sense of respect and caring on this campus. My sense is that the students here truly want to be part of this institution.

When asked how he plans to foster a connection with students, Kelly emphasized his focus on “listening and learning” and being “fully engaged.” He noted that he and Angie plan to attend sporting and arts events, and that he has already listened to all the CNU on The Lawn Podcast episodes.

“Main thing that I want students to know is, students are what matters most. I am fully committed to ensuring each and every student that comes on this campus and walks The Great Lawn has an opportunity to be successful. Regardless of their race or gender, their ethnicity, or sexual orientation, or religious affiliation, everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said Kelly.

Kelly will step into this new role on July 1 after Thompson finishes her run as Interim President.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, CNU announced that Rear Admiral William G. Kelly will become the 6th university president. This comes after a year of meetings and discussions held by the Presidential Search Committee following former President Paul Trible’s retirement announcement on Sept. 24, 2021.

If I’m having a bad day or there is something tough going on, I say to myself, ‘come on, spend some time with the students. They’re going to lift you up.’ The students are really what attracted us to this university.”

Editor and CLog Staff

Contact Information

Editor

in Chief

Grace Griles grace.griles.20@cnu.edu

Business Manager

Justin Heller justin.heller.21@cnu.edu

News Editor

Evelyn Davidson evelyn.davison.20@cnu.edu

Sports Editor

Trey Greenwell trajan.greenwell.21@cnu.edu

A&E Editor

Fiona Sullivan fiona.sullivan.20@cnu.edu

Lifestyle Editor

Savannah Dunn savannah.dunn.21@cnu.edu

Photography Editor Savannah Dunn savannah.dunn.20@cnu.edu

Head of CNUTV

Allison Silverman allison.silverman.21@cnu.edu

Check out our website and social medias!

cnuclog.com

@cnucaptainslog

Sonnet for my Younger Self

by Anna Sine

Trudging on through fiery Hell

Out of my own infernal rubble

Would it be too much trouble

To say I knew her well

Hear the bright tinkling of a bell

And hear emotions bubble

To feel her soft heart crumble

Knowing I can no longer dwell

Go gentle my lost love

To where quieter minds may rest

And know there was never an inch I did not treasure

Sweet and sentimental little dove

Now you have withstood the test

And my tender affections will never know any greater measure

Editor of the Week

Evelyn Davidson

Evelyn Davidson, News Editor, has earned the title Editor of the Week for being the first amongst the CLog staff to interview the president. The interview opportunity came as a huge shock to her, but Davidson took it with stride. She represented CLog well, and the entire staff is proud of her hard work and constant dedication.

Staff Writer of the Week

Jarrett Connolly

Jarrett Connolly earned the title of Editor of the Week for his consistent dedication to CLog. Lifestyle Editor, Savannah Dunn, is especially thankful to Conolly this week for his willignness to write a story for her section last minute and being understanding when she didn’t use it this week. CLog appreciates you Connolly! Keep up the good work!

Valentine’s Day Crossword

Answers will be posted on our Instagram @cnucaptainslog!

(all past crossword answers are in our Instagram highlights)

That ‘90s Show Review

News Editor shares her thoughts on the That ‘70s reboot

EVELYN DAVIDSON EVELY.DAVIDSON.20@CNU.EDU

Last month, Netflix released “That ‘90s Show,” which takes place in 1995, 15 years after the original “That ‘70s Show.” As a huge fan of the original show, I have many thoughts on what this sequel series did right and where, in my opinion, it fell short.

When I first heard about the show, I had my doubts, especially considering that reboots and sequels have a history of damaging the legacies of their predecessors. Way too many Hollywood writers believe they can sell an entire show on the basis of nostalgia, without actually having a compelling, worthwhile plot.

too

Additionally, it seemed odd to me that Netflix would create a series sequel on their platform, yet not offer its subscribers access to the original “That ‘70s Show.”

Given that the show takes place in the Forman’s house, I was expecting an exact replica of the original set: lots of harvest gold and avocado green. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how they revamped certain aspects to fit the ‘90s style. They even moved the infamous yellow living room couch down to the basement; these small details made it feel all the more realistic. It always weirded me out when reboots replicated the original set, as if people in the sitcom universe never develop different tastes or decide to redecorate.

I definitely had concerns about how “That ‘90s Show” would pick up where season eight of “That ‘70s Show” left off. As most fans of the original show would agree, season eight

was a horrendous mistake: Eric leaves for Africa, the writers force new guy Randy into the mix, Hyde marries a stripper, and Jackie starts dating Fez. So my first thought when I heard about the new show was, how will they fix the mess they left fans with originally?

Another issue was the inclusion of the original cast, some of whom have limited appearances or are not included at all. Topher Grace (Eric) currently stars in another show, “Home Economics” on Hulu. While he made a few appearances in the new show, I assume we won’t see much of him in the future. Danny Masterson is embroiled in court issues involving SA allegations made by multiple women. Additionally, Lisa Robin Kelly (Laurie) and Tanya Roberts (Midge) have both passed away since the original show’s end.

For the original cast members who made guest appearances, I think the writers did a solid job of incorporating them into “That ‘90s Show.” At first, I worried they would rework the old characters into completely different people, but this wasn’t the case. ‘90s Donna and Eric are now parents in their thirties, but they still maintain the humor and personality of their younger selves. Eric attempting to bond with his daughter, Leia (yes, like Princess Leia), over Space Camp and Star Wars felt very on brand for his character. It was also heartwarming to see him grapple with being a dad and learning how to let his teenage daughter grow into her own person.

Jackie and Kelso made a far too brief cameo in one of the episodes, when it is revealed that Leia’s new friend/crush is their son. While it was fun to see them return (especially since Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are married in real life), I didn’t like how the writers incorporated them into the show; it felt rushed and added very little to the plot. The writers also provided a vague, unsatisfying explanation for how Jackie went from dating Fez to

getting back together with serial cheater Kelso. It seems like the couple’s appearance mainly served to attract fans of the original.

In contrast, I like how they included characters like Fez, Bob, and Leo. It’s quite fitting that Fez would run a successful hair salon. I also liked the little competition Bob and Red had over Leia’s birthday gift. As for Leo, he randomly popped up a couple times, and honestly, his character has always been so bizarre that it makes sense for him to appear out of nowhere.

ters fell flat for me, especially Leia’s love interest, Jay Kelso. He’s basically a knockoff Joey Tribbiani from “Friends.” The writers gave absolutely no original thought to Jay’s character and they forced an unnecessary romance between him and Leia.

Another issue is that the writer’s want us to believe these kids are best friends, but their friendships seem surface-level and forced. While I appreciate that they aren’t exact copies of the old cast, they still lack substance. Maybe since there’s only ten episodes, the writers felt pressure to develop a rapport between characters that just didn’t pan out.

When it comes to the main characters, I believe Red and Kitty are the heart of “That ‘90s Show.” The writers crafted genuinely funny, true-to-character interactions between Leia and her grandparents. I appreciate that they didn’t copy the original relationship between Eric and his parents, instead they gave Leia her own unique experience with Red and Kitty. That being said, the new generation of teen characters is where the writers really messed up. It was a good idea to have Leia’s new bestie, Gwen (a female version of Hyde), living next door in the old Pinciotti house. Focusing on a strong female friendship is much better than reusing the boy-nextdoor trope. I also like that Leia reflects a perfectly balanced combination of her parents, awkward like Eric, but strongminded like Donna. Another good character is Gwen’s mom, Sherri, who appears to be a mix of Bob and Laurie. While she’s over the top, she does provide a nice break from the kids’ plot. Unfortunately, these are the only enjoyable aspects of the new cast. All the other charac-

As for the plotlines, I loved that they paid homage to “That ‘70s Show,” like the kids discovering pot in Eric’s old candyland game or the keg episode. Sadly though, many of the other episodes gave serious Disney Channel vibes. What were the writers thinking when they had Leia running around the mall food court forcing boys to kiss her? In another scene, Leia nervously pumps a pile of ketchup into her hand in front of Jay and his new girlfriend. Does anyone else remember almost the exact same scene in “Hannah Montana” when Miley runs into her crush?

Honestly, without Red and Kitty, “That ‘90s Show” would just be another average coming-of-age sitcom. Admittedly, the last episode did have a surprising twist, which redeemed the show a little. Overall, I will probably continue watching, but only with the hope that it will improve. For season two, I want to see more of the original cast and more developed characters for Leia and her gang.

“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the Press.”

CNU Chancellor PAUL TRIBLE

Photo from Unsplash

Way

many Hollywood writers believe they can sell an entire show on the basis of nostalgia, without actually having a compelling, worthwhile plot.

When it comes to the main characters, I believe Red and Kitty are the heart of “That ‘90s Show.”

Peace symbol, photo from Unsplash

Should Unreleased Music of Deceased Artists Be Released? The Comeback of Uggs

JARRETT CONNOLLY JARRETT.CONNOLLY.20@CNU.EDU

Shortly after Michael Jackson’s sudden death, his family discovered a multitude of unreleased music written and recorded by Jackson over the years. A year later, his estate signed a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to release posthumous albums, of which three have been released. The release of these albums received mixed reception from fans. Many were glad to hear new music from the King of Pop after his untimely death. But a lot of fans felt it wasn’t right for the estate to release these songs, some of which were incomplete, as Jackson isn’t around to consent to it. I happen to agree with the latter, Jackson and other deceased artists had their reasons for keeping certain songs kept unreleased and these labels taking advantage of the fact they aren’t around to make a quick buck is an act of disrespect towards their legacy.

It isn’t just Jackson either, Tupac Shakur, Juice Wrld, Aaliyah, and Whitney Houston are just some of the artists who have had their unreleased music and demos released to the public after their sudden deaths. It rubs me the wrong way that the record labels have no issue altering and releasing the music of a deceased artist. It’s different when they are completed songs/albums that were set for release before their sudden death, such as the final albums of Prince and The Cranberries but these are songs either discarded or unfinished by the artist. These songs are never the artist at their best, it’s released without their creative input or touch. Take Tupac’s last posthumous album, Pac’s Life, released 12 years after his murder, the main complaint was that the modern mixing ruined its sound and it didn’t sound like Tupac. You can never truly replicate their sound without them alive.

It’s hard to believe the motives of releasing this music are motivated by anything other than money. Record labels have never been the good guys and that’s not a secret but the consumer is at part to blame. When someone buys a Whitney Houston demo as a NFT for a million dollars, it sets a precedent that makes releasing this music as an acceptable thing to do. There’s talk now of unearthing the unreleased music of Aaliyah, something which Aaliyah’s longtime collaborators

GRACE GRILES GRACE.GRILES.20@CNU.EDU

have been opposed to. The record labels are never going to grow a conscience, so the consumer has to take responsibility to not consume these deeply unethical albums.

There is a lot of debate on the ethicality of releasing these songs. But there’s something deeply wrong with the idea that people can do whatever they want with the image and art of a deceased person because they aren’t here to argue against it. Imagine if you died and someone showed all your loved ones your private and unfinished texts and journals. That would be immensely disrespectful to you. We have to treat musicians as human, they aren’t a commodity, they’re human. Ironically, humanizing artists is the only way we can escape the toxic pitfalls of celebrity worship culture. Respecting their right to keep their unfinished art vaulted, unless something is explicitly stated in their last will, is a step in the right direction.

Uggs have been resurfacing into the mainstream fashion world for long enough without their being an honest conversation about them. I am happy that we are in the age of allowing people to wear what they want as long as it doesn’t harm anyone and makes them happy, but I do want to take a moment to discuss why Uggs have come back into fashion in the way that they have without judging those who wear Uggs. Fashion trends say a lot about what is occurring culturally, and lately there have been a lot of 2000s and 2010s trends resurfacing. This is due to many reasons. One being microtrends moving so fast that we are already recycling trends from ten or less years ago to find something new to fixate on. Another being that objectively the projections of the future are looking rather grim, so people look to the good ol’ days of the past to bring them comfort.

This phenomenon is not just seen through the resurgence of Uggs. There has also been a resurgence of low rise jeans, layering tops like Vampire Diaries character Elena Gilbert, faux fur, and many more. However, no other fashion trend has taken storm the way Uggs have. What is interesting about the resurgence of Uggs is that it can be added to the modern style that is often seen in modern streetwear, Kim K athletic, skin tight bodysuit or matching set. The Uggs are not just coming back. They have been reinvented meaning that they will probably stick around for a while, or that their resurgence will be even more cringey to look back on.

There are many different styles of Uggs. The ones that can be seen the most are the Classic Mini Platform that have a shorter leg that barely covers the ankle unlike the Uggs that were seen in the early 2000s. The Ultra Mini Uggs are also platforms. I love a good platform, and the platform on the Uggs make them look more high quality. However, there are moments when I see TikToks of people’s “get ready with me” videos and they put on the Classic Mini Platform Uggs with leg warmers and it looks like horse hooves. I am very torn about whether this means Uggs are not for me. On one hand the overall aesthetic of putting on a one piece bodysuit with a shrug and leg warmers lets me live my ballerina fantasy, but on the other am I going to cringe at how giant my feet look in Uggs one day? There are also the Tazmin Uggs that also come in a platform option. I have decided that those are too hoof-like for me to participate

in, and also somewhat pointless because the sheepskin inside does not cover the ankle leaving them to freeze.

Overall Uggs are coveted for reason besides their looks. They are genuinely comfortable and keep your feet extremely warm. For the comfort alone they are almost worth the price. The issue is I think Uggs look better without a platform, but the platform allows for outside wear that can withstand most weather. Therefore, the decision comes to do I want to pay over $100 for really comfortable house slippers or horse hooves?

Screenshot of Classic Mini II taken from Ugg

Screenshot of Tasman slipper taken from Ugg

Screenshot of Classic Mini Platform taken from Ugg

Screenshot of Tazze Suede Platform Slippers from Saks Fifth Avenue

Wireless Service Leaves Students On Campus Frustrated A survey of students’ thoughts on the recent Wi-Fi Issues

EVELYN DAVIDSON EVELYN.DAVIDSON.20@CNU.EDU

In the past few weeks, many CNU students experienced issues with the reliability of on-campus Wi-Fi. Once CNU IT Services (ITS) became aware of the matter, they sent several updates to the student body as they worked to resolve the issue.

On Jan. 18, ITS released an email stating that they were aware of “intermittent issues” with the wireless service on campus, but that they intended to reboot their equipment in order to troubleshoot. In a follow up email the next day, ITS wrote that they believed the issue had been fixed and they encouraged students to disconnect and reconnect to the “eduroam” Wi-Fi.

They also said, “We apologize for the inconvenience and our goal is always to provide a consistent and reliable wireless experience. We understand how important wireless is to your success as students, faculty, and staff here at Christopher Newport.”

When the Wi-Fi problems continued, ITS announced on Jan. 20 that they were aware of an issue and their technicians and vendor support were working to solve the problem.

Four days later on Jan. 24, students received another email from ITS who said that the issue was identified and fixed. They noted that students should reach out to the ITS helpdesk if they are still experiencing problems.

Such issues left many students feeling frustrated with the quality of the Wi-Fi on campus. One student even created a petition for better WiFi that received 116 signatures.

To gauge how the Wi-Fi problems have specifically affected students’ day-to-day lives, The Captain’s Log conducted an online survey. A google form survey was released through The Captain’s Log official Instagram shortly after the Jan. 24 email from ITS.

24 different students filled out the survey, sharing what types of issues they experienced and whether or not they were satisfied with how the matter was handled.

Of the surveyed students, 95.8% said that they had issues with CNU Wi-Fi recently. 87.5% of the students said that they were not satisfied with how ITS handled the issue.

Students reported a variety of problems, such as dropping connection in and out, lagging, refusal to connect, and the inability to load some websites.

Junior communication studies major, Whit Flores, wrote in the survey, “In Potomac, I have had trouble loading my email, much less videos. I’m in media studies and I have to watch stuff for HW. My class had trouble connecting to eduroam at all in Luter. I am normally not one to complain about partially losing a privilege many don’t have. In this case however… [a]ccess to the Internet is required as a student at CNU. We are expected to have it, so I argue we are allowed to expect it (for all that we are paying).”

Other students expressed frustration with how the faulty WiFi affected other aspects of their lives, beyond classroom time.

For example, Sydney Johnson, a junior communication major, said, “I had an interview for a very important internship and the Wi-Fi made my zoom call lag and made me unable to hear what they were saying and I couldn’t

see it either. It’s frustrating how Cnu’s Wi-Fi is going to affect my future.”

Another student, Chip Herrera, a sophomore theater major, said, “My phone signal is already very

and my calls were constantly dropping, resulting in me having to delay these appointments as a result. My signal is constantly cutting out, and even when connected it is extremely slow.”

Most students were unhappy with the fact that the recent WiFi issues often prevented them from doing certain things, and sometimes even created more work.

“I couldn’t even make phone calls let alone face times. My mom was worried [about] me because texts wouldn’t send. I had to redo assignments because I kept losing them because I would get knocked off the wifi. It still isn’t working on my computer,” wrote freshman Annabelle Dreher, a communication major.

When asked what they hope ITS will do in the future, many felt that whatever fixes had been implemented were not enough. While a few students acknowledged the efforts made by ITS, others hope for a more permanent solution or at least faster identification of the problem.

One freshman student, Nolan Reynolds, said, “I wish that CNU IT would not put out misleading statements such as “we have solved connectivity problems” when they have clearly not, or what they claim worked in only their controlled environments, not when thousands of users are on the system.”

The Captain’s Log reached out to the university and ITS to ask about the issues, but have not heard back yet.

poor in this area, so I rely on the school Wi-Fi to carry me through the day. However, neither my phone nor computer can do simple tasks as open up Scholar half of the time. Certain spaces on campus are practically signal dead zones, when eduroam is supposedly supposed to have a further reach than the old Wi-Fi system.”

Herrera continued, “I had to make some very important doctor’s appointments the other day, and only had time to do them while on campus. Yet even when in the library, the websites would not load

Wifi photo from Unsplash

“Access to the internet is required as a student at CNU. We are expected to have it, so I argue we are allowed to expect it.”

“Certain spaces on campus are practically signal dead zones, when eduroam is supposedly supposed to have a further reach than the old Wi-Fi system”

A Recap of the Most Recent Board of Visitors Meeting

stricted budget to be used for staff raises, utilities etc.. The dining expense for food has increased by 30%.

Effects of Richneck Felt on Campus

An interview with the Director of CNU’s

Teacher Preparation Program

It’s been one month since the shocking incident at Richneck Elementary School when a 6 year old student shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, in the chest with his mother’s handgun. In that month accusations have been leveled at the administration for inaction the day of the incident (something that now former Richneck principal Briana Foster Newton denies involvement with), Zwerner filed a lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools (NNPS), and the Newport News School Board ousted Superintendent Dr.George Parker III.

The whole world watched this unfold, publications from the BBC to The Times of Israel were writing about the shooting. But how has this incident, and the greater issue of school violence, affected the programs here at CNU that prepare the teachers of tomorrow?

The program for future educators here at CNU is the Teacher

Preparation Program, directed by Dr.Jean Filleti. The National Council on Teacher Quality reported in 2021 that the program is one of the best in the state for preparing the next generation of teachers.

Newport News Public Schools and the Teacher Preparation Program have had a working relationship for years. All future educators do at least 80 hours of their student teaching at one of the city’s public schools.

On the day of the incident, no student teachers from CNU were at the school as they were still on winter break. However, students did go back to begin their internships at Richneck when the school reopened on Jan. 30.

Filleti praised the student teachers for their professionalism in the wake of this incident. Filleti also emphasized that the program’s relationship with NNPS will continue and she hopes that it will strengthen with the city’s new leadership.

She says, “I think it is an amazing school district with diversity

The Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting on Feb. 3 was marked by President William G. Kelly’s appearance, just one day after the presidential announcement event. After an opening speech by current Interim President Adelia Thompson and then some remarks by Kelly, the meeting began.

To begin the meeting, the board acknowledged the two Outstanding Faculty Award winners, Dr. Margarita Marinova and Dr. Kelly Cartwright.

Thompson announced that CNU received an “A” grade from the nonprofit organization, American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA). According to whatwilltheylearn. com, “What Will They Learn? rates each institution on how many of seven core subjects are required in the core curriculum or general education program.” Only 22 institutions out of 1,135 received an “A,” with CNU being the only public institution.

Thompson talked about a grant that had been announced at the last BOV meeting. The university had received this grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to expand the counseling services offered at CNU. The BOV can expect a report on mental health from the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Kevin Hughes, at the upcoming April meeting.

After that the BOV began discussing the topics for the meeting. They started off with Finance and Facilities by talking about the construction of the Integrated Science Center. This will be an expansion onto the Luter building, with an estimated cost of $90.7 million, increased from the original estimate of $58.5 million. This construction project had been discussed in previous BOV meetings, but new images from CNU’s BoardDocs site show more detailed renderings of the building’s interior and exterior. The building is supposed to be completed and ready to use in fall of 2025.

The board also discussed how the house and senate budget will be different. The house will most likely adopt some form of Governor Youngkin’s proposed tax cuts of $1 billion, while the senate will probably not. The board would prefer the senate’s budget. They have asked for $3.2 million for the unre-

that a lot of teacher preparation programs cannot expose their students to.”

Virginia has been one of the states hit the hardest by the teacher shortage, something the state government is desperately trying to solve. Low pay, political interference in the classroom, and school violence all factor into why teaching has become a seemingly undesirable profession.

Filetti, a former public school teacher herself, pointed out several problems that she thinks schools should fix. For example, she believes that the student-teacher ratio in classrooms needs to be decreased and that the classes who lost classroom time during covid need more attention than before.

“We continue to put a lot on our teachers’ plates,” says Filletti.

Regardless of all of the problems within the world of education, Filleti, and the many CNU students

Next on the agenda was Operations, Audit and Risk Report. One of the things they talked about was how HR partnered with an outside consultant to do a compensation study on the classified and wage staff, which is about 530 employees. This study resulted in over 45% getting pay increases. Then the BOV continued discussing different audit reports.

For the section of Academic affairs the first thing that was announced was that CNU Professors have gotten $450,000 in grants. The BOV also talked about how they are getting ready to offer a new B.A. in arts and music. This will begin being offered in the Fall semester of 2023. They also approved a new compensation plan for the professors to be implemented in the 2023-2024 year.

In addition, the BOV mentioned that CNU is on track to gain their targeted amount of students for this upcoming year. They also said the average GPA for high school students for the upcoming CNU class is now a 3.85 with an SAT average of 1200. There was an increase in overall student success support services use. There was also an increase in people using counseling resources. They continue to look for more ways to improve mental health.

The board discussed their 2023 MLK celebration, along with some clubs such as WECARE and MAPS (Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students). Then they discussed how they intend to appoint two members from the board to be a part of the president’s council.

For the Student Life section the first thing talked about was the Meet the Counselor Day, which took place on Jan. 26. Another event that was discussed was the upcoming Staff Appreciation Day on March 14. They also mentioned that at the next BOV meeting, they will meet the new Student Government President. They wrapped up the Student Life section with a speech from senior Matilah PamieGeorge about her experience at CNU.

who seek to become teachers, hope that the program is going to prepare the teachers of tomorrow with the best strategies to make a positive difference in this extremely complicated time.

ALEXANDER NOTH ALEXANDER.NOTH.22@CNU.EDU

Luter Expansion digital models, images from CNU’s BoardDocs

School supplies, photo from Unsplash

Captains Defeat UC Santa Cruz

TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU

On Sunday afternoon, the Captains women’s basketball team faced off against UC Santa Cruz in their second C2C Classic game. After a slow first half, the Captains rebounded in a huge way in the second half and defeated Santa Cruz 73-62. This kept the team’s perfect season alive, putting them at 22-0 for the season.

The first quarter was a back and forth affair. The Captains scored the first four points of the game before Santa Cruz went on a 7-0 run. Back-to-back threepointers from Graduate Student Sondra Fan allowed the Captains to regain the lead but Santa Cruz tied the game right back up. The remainder of the first quarter involved both teams trading baskets with the Captains having a slim 18-17 lead at the quarter’s conclusion.

In the second quarter, Santa Cruz gained momentum. Back-

The Perfect Season is Still Intact

to-back threes gave them a four point lead, the largest lead any team had at that point. While the Captains were able to cut it to two, Santa Cruz then extended the lead to seven with 03:39 left in the quarter. The Captains tried to keep pace but a few made threes from Santa Cruz put them in the driver’s seat with a five point halftime lead.

In the third quarter, the Captains began to embark on their comeback. A layup from Senior Anaya Simmons made it a one point game. With 4:02 left in the quarter, Junior Guard Camille Malagar hit a jumper that gave the Captains a 47-46 lead, their first lead since the early stages of the second quarter. The Captains defense was tenacious, forcing several missed shots from Santa Cruz which allowed them to go on a 7-0 run to end the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Captains came out rusty. A couple

missed shots allowed Santa Cruz to cut the Captains lead to one point. However, the Captains were able to stay in the lead thanks to some key made shots from Anaya Simmons and Sondra Fan. A threepointer with just over four minutes left gave the Captains their first double digit lead of the afternoon. Following the made three, they never looked back and ended the game with a 73-62 victory.

Sondra Fan and Anaya Simmons led the way for the Captains with 27 and 24 points. Senior Katy Rader led the team in steals with two and Sophomore Hannah Orloff led the team in blocks with two.

Up next, the Captains will be on the road against Salisbury University on Saturday before returning home on February 15 against Mary Washington to complete their C2C classic schedule.

Sean Payton Becomes Broncos Head Coach

A First Step in the Right Direction for the Broncos

TREY GREENWELL

On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos agreed on a deal to make Sean Payton their new head coach. Since he was still under contract by the New Orleans Saints, the Broncos had to trade a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick as well as a future third-round pick to acquire his services.

Payton is taking over the Broncos after former head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired after 15 games. Hackett was unable to improve an offense that was supposed to be great given the addition of longtime Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. However, the season was anything but a success and the Broncos will be looking to find ways to ensure that next season will be better.

After leaving the New Orleans Saints after the 2021 season, Payton spent this past season as a studio analyst for Fox Sports. Besides the Broncos, he had interviews with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers,

and Houston Texans for their head coach openings.

Despite the one year hiatus, Payton is still seen as one of the league’s best coaches given his 152-89 record with the Saints that includes a Super Bowl victory. The Saints won 10 games in nine of the seasons he coached and longtime Saints quarterback Drew Brees led the league in passing five of the seasons Payton was there.

The Broncos will be hoping for similar results. Payton will have to improve an offense that averaged a league worst 17 points per game. At the helm of it, quarterback Russell Wilson had a career-low 16 touchdown passes and a 61% completion percentage. As a result, he endured most of the blame for why the Broncos finished with a 5-12 record. The Broncos have missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, their last appearance being

when they won Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season.

However, the road to achieving success will be very difficult. The division the Broncos are in features some of the NFL’s best quarterbacks including Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. The Las Vegas Raiders will also be looking to improve their roster in the offseason so making the playoffs will be far from a given.

But Payton was the best name on the list of head coaches available and the Broncos should be very happy that they landed him. The other head coaches that were available were either going to be a head coach for the first time or did not have the track record that Payton has. While Broncos Country still has a long way to go before they can ride again, hiring Sean Payton is an excellent first step in the right direction.

“After a slow first half, the Captains rebounded in a huge way in the second half”

TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU

Basketball taken from Flickr.

“While Broncos Country still has a long way to go before they canride again, hiring Sean

Payton is an excellent first step in the right direction.”

Denver Broncos logo taken from Flickr.

Captains Overcome Shooting Woes, Best UC Santa Cruz

A Poor Shooting Night Still Results in a win

TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU

On Saturday, the Captains Men’s basketball team faced UC Santa Cruz in front of 1,632 fans. They were not disappointed by the outcome as they overcame a poor shooting night to defeat UC Santa Cruz 7461. This victory improved the Captains record to 20-3 on the season.

After a couple lead changes early in the half, Santa Cruz began to build a lead due to missed turnovers and free throws from the Captains. A 16-10 Santa Cruz lead quickly became a 16-16 ballgame when Freshman Scott Mullin and Fifth Year Senior Matthew Brodie hit three-pointers. After Santa Cruz broke the tie, they remained in the lead for the rest of the first half. However, the lead was never larger than four and they entered the break

with a slim, 29-26 lead.

tended the lead to eight with slightly over two minutes left in the half. A bunch of made free throws towards the end of the game resulted in a double digit Captains victory.

Trey Barber had a big day for the Captains, recording 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds and three blocks. This victory also made the Captains 6-0 when trailing at halftime. Matthew Brodie was the only other Captain in double figures with 10 points. Sophomore Ty Henderson led the Captains in assists with seven and Junior Jahn Hines led the team in steals with two.

they were much better in the second half, shooting 52% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc, and 69% from the free throw line. The Captains also recorded 32 points in the paint and had 47 of their 74 points come from the bench.

This game was not a back and forth contest as there were only four lead changes. However, none of those leads were overwhelming as the largest lead of the day was the 13 point lead the Captains had at the end of the game.

Coming soon in CNU

Sports:

*Games listed are happening at CNU

February 10th

*Men’s Tennis

CNU v. Center College

Location: Newport News, VA

Time: 3:30pm

February 11th

In the second half, the Captains regained the lead thanks to a made three-pointer from Junior Trey Barber. Both teams traded the lead early on in the second half but a fastbreak layup from Trey Barber sparked a run that helped the Captains build a seven point lead. An attempted comeback from Santa Cruz ended when a three-pointer from Matthew Brodie ex-

As a team, the Captains struggled offensively. They shot 27% from the field, 19% from three, and 50% from the free throw line. However,

Men’s & Women’s Track & Field

CNU v. Kenneth Giles Invitational

Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Time: TBA

Here’s What You Missed!

Headlines from the Wacky World of Sports....

1) Kyrie Irving has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round pick, and multiple second-round picks.

2) Longtime Cincinatti Bengals Wide Reciever AJ Green announces his retirement.

*Women’s Tennis

CNU v. Johns Hopkins University

Location: Newport News, VA

Time: 12:30 PM

Women’s Basketball CNU v. Salisbury

University

Location: Salisbury, MD

Time: 2:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

CNU v. Salisbury

University

Location: Salisbury, MD

Time: 4:00 PM

All photos taken by Wyatt Miles, Staff Photographer

“What a Man Gotta Do” to Get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

SAVANNAH DUNN SAVANNAH.DUNN.21@CNU.EDU

Hollywood is ‘Burnin’ Up’ with the newest star to The Walk of Fame added last week. Almost four years after the release of their comeback album, Happiness Begins, the Jonas Brothers were inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, The Jonas Brothers, along with friends and family, gathered together for the unveiling of the new star which is located in front of 7060 Hollywood Blvd.

Lupita Sanchez-Cornejo, the Chairman of the Board of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, opens the ceremony with the history of The Walk of Fame. “The Hollywood Chamber has proudly hosted this globally iconic Walk of Fame since 1960,” Sanchez-Cornejo said.

Sanchez-Cornejo then goes on to mention the successes of The Jonas Brothers. “Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas first rose to prominence in the early 2000s as The Jonas Brothers.” She highlights their albums from that time as well as their accomplishments with Disney. Sanchez-Cornejo also emphasizes their individual successes be-

fore and after the band got back together in 2019.

Two of the guest speakers at the ceremony included the Co-Founders and Chief Executives of Republic Records, brothers Monte and Avery Lipman. Monte said to the brothers, “You’re being recognized as individuals who continue to inspire millions of people by sharing joy and happiness with your music.” He goes on to say, “But you also rise to the occasion and always answer the call of humanity by making the world a better place through your artistry and charitable efforts, and for that we respect and love you dearly.”

When talking about their first time working with The Jonas Brothers in 2019, Avery said, “They became the first group in the 21st century to debut at number one on the Hot 100 with the global smash, Sucker.”

After the four guest speakers concluded, Kevin, Joe, and Nick each had the opportunity to address those watching. Each brother took the time to thank their wives and daughters for the love and support that they give, as well as a thank you was ex-

tended to their entire fan base.

Nick closed his speech out with some exciting news. “We are excited to announce today that our new album, ‘The Album,’ will be coming out May 5th.” As the crowd cheered, Nick threw in another piece of exciting news for fans, “And we can’t wait to see you on tour later this year!”

To stay up to date on all things Jonas, follow @jonasbrothers on social media and pre save ‘The Album’ at Jonasbrothers.com.

Remembering Lisa Loring

Actress who played the original Wednesday Addams, dies at 64

KATHERINE ZICKEL KATHERINE.ZICKEL.22@CNU.EDU

SAVANNAH DUNN SAVANNAH.DUNN.21@CNU.EDU

Lisa Loring, best known for her role as Wednesday Addams in the original The Addams Family television show, died on January 28 at 64.

Her daughter, Vannessa Foumberg, confirmed that her mother had died from a stroke caused by high blood pressure. After being on life support for three days, Foumberg said, “She went peacefully with both her daughters holding her hands.”

Loring was born Lisa Ann DeCinces in the Marshall Islands in 1958. After her parents divorced, she moved to Los

Angeles with her mother. She began modeling when she was three before landing her first role on the medical drama Dr. Kildare.

At only six years old, Loring starred in the first live-action adaptation of Charles Addams’ New Yorker cartoons. The Addams Family ran from 1964 to 1966, producing 2 seasons and 64 episodes. The character Wednesday recently regained popularity following the new Netflix series Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams.

In light of Loring’s death, Ortega shared two photos on Instagram of Loring

with the words, “Absolutely devastated. Thank you for everything.” Ortega choreographed the famous viral dance Wednesday does on the show in just two days, and was inspired by “The Drew” frug dance that a young Loring performed in the original sitcom. In an interview on The Tonight Show, Ortega said, “I did a little bit of her shuffle that she [Loring] does. Of course they cut out of camera when I did do it, but it’s there! I know it is!”

Lisa Loring shared in an interview that when she auditioned for her role as Wednesday Addams, she couldn’t read yet. The producer of the show wasn’t

prepared for this, but her long hair and “pout” landed her the part. Loring explained that sometimes playing the character was difficult because she wasn’t allowed to smile. “The pout was the thing, and yet I worked with these people... who were so funny and so wonderful and I was just so happy,” she said.

She also appeared on various other shows, including The Pruitts of Southampton, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., Fantasy Island, and the soap opera As the World Turns. She reunited with other members from the original cast for the 1977 film Halloween with the New Addams Family.

Loring’s friend Laurie Jacobson wrote, “She is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams. Lisa’s legacy in the world of entertainment is huge, and the legacy for her family and friends – a wealth of humor, affection, and love will long play in our memories. RIP, Lisa. Damn, girl…you were a ton of fun.”

Lisa Loring is survived by her daughters, Marianne and Vanessa, as well as her grandchildren, Emiliana and Charles.

The Jonas Brothers finally get recognized for their talent and impact on pop culture

Photo of The Jonas Brothers posing with their Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame from People

Photos of Lisa Loring as Wednesday and as herself from Alton Telegraph and TMZ

It Ends With Us Cast Announced for Upcoming Adaptation of Bestselling Novel

MAGGIE GAMMONS MARGARET.GAMMONS.21@CNU.EDU

Fans of the bestselling novel “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover are in for a treat as the cast for the upcoming adaptation has been announced. The novel, which explores the complex dynamics of love, abuse, and healing, has captivated readers with its raw emotion and powerful message. The film adaptation promises to be just as impactful, with an all-star cast that is sure to bring the story to life on the big screen.

Leading the cast is star Blake Lively who will play the role of the protagonist, Lily Bloom. Lively, who started acting in her childhood and rose to fame by playing Serena Vanderoon in 2000’s coming of age show, Gossip Girl. She has starred in many other productions including; The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, and A Simple Favor.

She is sure to bring character and poise to Lily Bloom. Yet fans of the novel were shocked when news broke since Lively is not a natural redhead as Lily Bloom and is older than most believed Bloom to be. However, with her outstanding career and skills she is sure to shine in this role.

Joining Blake Lively is talented actor and filmmaker, Justin Baldoni who will play the role of Ryle Kincaid. Ryle, a neurosurgeon, is one of Lily Bloom’s two love interests, along with Atlas Corrigan. Baldoni, best known for his performances in “Jane the Virgin” and “Five Feet Apart,” brings a magnetic presence to his performances, and his casting as Ryle is sure to bring a new level of intensity to the story. Baldoni will also be directing and producing the film with

School Is Back In Session!!

Celebrating Schoolhouse Rock’s 50th Anniversary

help from the book’s author, Colleen Hoover.

With such a talented and diverse cast so far, the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us” is sure to be a standout in the coming years. The film is set to explore the complexities of abuse, love, and healing in a way that is both raw and emotionally charged. With its powerful message and all-star leading characters, this is one film that is not to be missed.

Production for the film is set to begin later this year, and fans are eagerly awaiting its release and the announcement of the rest of the cast. Whether you’re a fan of the novel or just looking for a powerful and thought-provoking film, “It Ends With Us” is sure to be one of the most important releases of the year.

FIONA SULLIVAN FIONA.SULLIVAN.20@CNU.EDU

Take some time to think back on your elementary education. How did you memorize your times tables? How did you learn about the English language and constructing sentences? And what about history? Did you ever have to memorize the preamble? Chances are that if you were given these tasks, “Schoolhouse Rock!” was an instructional tool that helped you grow your mind. First airing on ABC in 1973, Schoolhouse Rock is a series of animated musical shorts designed for children in order to make learning fun and enjoyable.

Topics range from grammar and math to science, history, and even economics. There is something for every child, teenager, and even adult to gain from watching and listening to Schoolhouse Rock whether it be singing a catchy tune to brush up on your eight times tables or just feeling nostalgic for these classic songs that raised several generations. Schoolhouse Rock hit a milestone and celebrated their 50th anniversary this past January which can certainly make people of different ages reminiscent of a time when the show brought millions of kids and families together on Saturday morning to listen to educational songs while munching on your cereal.

In honor of the show’s 50th anniversary, ABC released a special hosted by Ryan Seacrest on February 1st to celebrate its impact on society and jam out to your favorite Schoolhouse Rock songs reimagined and performed by some of your favorite celebrities. Entitled “Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong,” the special promised family fun and certainly delivered with a punch of nostalgia as well.

Dancer and actress Julianne Hough began the night with a bright and fun rendition of “Interplanet Janet” and her brother Derek Hough and his fiance Hayley Erbert danced to “Figure Eight.” Raven-Symoné and Kal Penn sang Interjections and even the Muppets graced the stage where they sang an adorable version of “Unpack Your Adjectives” to a group of students. Finally, the Black Eyed Peas closed out the show with a performance of the iconic song “Three is a Magic Number” which was the first song to ever air in the program. If you missed the special, don’t be alarmed though because it is available to watch on Disney+.

However, lets go back to the beginning. How did such a successful car-

toon come to be? It all started back in the 70s when ad executive David McCall noticed his song was struggling with math but could memorize pop songs like it was no big deal. He brought it up to creative director George Newall and art director Thomas Yohe that they should write songs about math. Then they pitched it to Michael Eisner, the director of children’s programming for ABC at the time, who was immediately sold. Flash forward fifty years later and Schoolhouse Rock is still a timeless classic that grandparents show their children who in turn show their children.

It is a franchise that will never be forgotten or lose its meaning for many reasons. Yes, nostalgia embedded in the videos but that’s not what made the program popular in the first place. Firstly, the animation itself is so unique and colorful that it’s impossible to look away from. Characters all have their own distinct look and many of them are even inanimate objects but come to life in the show and still have a personality.

Comedy is at the center of Schoolhouse Rock which is reflected in the clever and funny lyrics that still draw on emotion and real life problems. The bangerfilled music is incredible and many of the songs are so iconic that people can still sing them word for word even if they haven’t listened to them in years. In addition, many kids weren’t even aware that they were learning when watching the show because they were so entertained by every other aspect. I know I certainly was.

Ultimately, the 50th anniversary special exemplifies how Schoolhouse Rock raised several generations and that you should never forget your roots. Sometimes it is completely acceptable to go back to the basics yet Schoolhouse Rock is also a reminder of how far America has come.

Top Photo from Wikipedia and bottom photo from Ryan Seacrest’s Instagram

All About The Rear Admiral

20 Questions with the new president courtesy of OCPR

1. Last Book you read:

“Literally just finished up two great books – The Storm Before the Calm by George Freeman and Baseball as a Road to God by John Sexton.”

2. Favorite Food: “ Eggplant Parmesan.”

3. Top of your bucket list:

“Hike a portion of the Appalachian Mountain Trail with best friend who happens to be a parent of a Christopher Newport University grad!”

4. Coolest place you traveled:

“The Mediterranean.”

5. Who is your hero: “My dad.”

6. Smartest person you ever met:

“Admiral Charlie Ray, U.S. Coast Guard.”

7. What is your useless talent:

“I am an excellent laundry folder :)”

8. Best place you ever traveled to:

“South Korea.”

9. What book changed your life:

“THEM by Senator Ben Sasse.”

10. Best concert you’ve attended:

“Old Dominion at The Anthem in Washington D.C.”

11. Morning person or nocturnal:

16. Describe yourself in three words:

12. Favorite type of exercise:

“Literally anything that doesn’t require skis or skates.”

13. Favorite pet:

“Our Grand Puppy Lola! She is a goldendoodle.”

14. Song that will get you on the dance floor:

“Dancing with my wife Angie to Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.”

15. Last TV show you binged:

“Ted Lasso … can’t wait for the next season!”

17. Best advice you ever received:

“Do Right, Do Your Best and Care About Others.”

18. Worst advice you ever received:

“I think I only really followed bad advice once and I probably learned more from the negative impacts of following that advice than most of the best advice I have received throughout my life.”

19. Definition of success:

“In a life dedicated to the development of others, success is defined by the accomplishments of those you have had the privilege to help along the way. As a Captain, I will always look to my wake to see the success of those I have had the privilege of serving and interacting with .. did I raise them up and help them to be the best version of themselves? That’s how I strive to define success.”

20. What are you passionate about:

“Faith, Family, and the Development of Others!”

Rom Com Ranking

Editor ranks her top 10 rom coms

FIONA SULLIVAN FIONA.SULLIVAN.20@CNU.EDU

With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, many people are probably trying to figure out their plans for the holiday, whether it be going to a fancy dinner with your loved one or celebrating with your best friends known as ‘Galentines Day.’ Even if you don’t have any specific plans and are dreading the commercial holiday, there are still so many fun things you can do to enjoy the day. One of my favorite things to do on Valentine’s Day is have a self-care night and watch a romcom (romantic comedy) with friends so here is my official ranking of my top ten romcoms from a girl who probably watches too many.

10. My Best Friend’s Wedding - the ultimate friends to lovers (somewhat) trope that is hilarious but realistic at the same time and of course full of yearning and unrequited love. Starring romcom icon Julia Roberts, it centers around childhood friends Julianne Potter and Michael O’Neal who have a deal to marry each other by 28 if they’re both still single. However, when Michael announces four days before Julianne’s 28th birthday that he’ll be marrying a young girl named Kimberly, Julianne realizes she’s in love with Michael and decides to stop the wedding at any cost. The movie is relatable, fun, and refreshing for its ending, though Julia Roberts’ character can be super annoying at times. However, I give extra points for the iconic running scene between Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Dermott Mulroney.

9. You’ve Got Mail - Another classic that stars romcom veterans Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, this movie is the perfect example of enemies to lovers without even knowing it since the main characters are two rival bookstore owners who are secretly chatting online anonymously. Much of the style and setting of the movie is nostalgic since people hardly chat with email anymore but it is a perfect time capsule of how complicated love can be and that you should always strive to be yourself despite any obstacles. Ryan and Hanks prove that they are the perfect team in the third movie they star in.

8. Crazy Rich Asians - Many will argue that this isn’t a romcom but I have to disagree. A movie with an all Asian cast that illustrates the decadence of the wealthy and showcases the stark differences between Asians and Asian Americans all while having a beautiful, realistic relationship between the two protagonists Nick and Rachel. Crazy Rich Asians has romance and comedy but it also has incredibly serious moments and highlights the importance of Asian culture and how one must make their own way in the world in order to survive. Rachel, the main character, is also super lovable and you root for her the whole time.

7. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before - The movie that had all teenage girls in a chokehold in 2018. Adapted from the novel and eventually made into a trilogy, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is one of the rare romcoms where most people can actually relate to and see themselves in the character. Add in the fake dating plot with a headstrong protagonist and a swoon worthy love interest and you have a high school movie that becomes a classic.

6. Clueless - One of the most defining 90s movies with quotable content, Clueless is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma just with retro clothes, perfect one liners, and a ditzy, lovable main character who thankfully experiences much growth as the movie

progresses. This movie introduced much of the world to Paul Rudd as Cher’s ex-step brother Josh and he and Alicia Silverstone are the perfect combination together and you can’t help but laugh and aww everytime you see them on screen. Clueless knows much of its plot is silly but it uses it to its advantage so the movie becomes an instant classic.

5. The Proposal - Similar to the fake dating trope but using a fake marriage trope, this movie stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds as the uptight CEO of a publishing company and her lowly assistant. This movie has everything from hilarious arguments, beautiful scenery, characters you root for, and even Betty White. It’s a simple plot but that’s what makes it so endearing and the growth the characters all have is something to celebrate by the end of the movie.

4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - This movie recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and people are still discovering and enjoying it every single day. The plot is super interesting and complex since the two main characters played by Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are trying to seduce each other for work related reasons yet neither wants to back down or leave each other, even after the truth is revealed. The movie is fun and bubbly, Hudson and McConaughey have great chemistry, and the “we met under false pretenses but then fell in love” story works perfectly.

3. When Harry Met Sally - What makes this movie so perfect compared to other romcoms is not just its setting of being in New York in the 80s and having a stellar cast, but it focuses on the buildup of a relationship and if it can last instead of when it actually happens. Set over the course of 12 years, it centers around two friends who eventually fall in love with each other though they are both very stubborn and deal with many obstacles. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan compliment each other perfectly and this is a movie that has and continues to be shown to generation after generation.

2. 10 Things I Hate About You - The 90s, the music, the one liners, the characters, and of course, Heath Ledger. This movie has everything you would ever want in a romcom and starred some of Hollywood’s favorite actors at the time while also bringing in some newcomers. Based on The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare, 10 Things I Hate About You brings the story into a modern light with the main character Kat Stratford who continues to defy social norms and live for herself despite being surrounded by her naive, lovestruck sister and classmates who don’t understand her. Classic highschool stereotypes are used in this film but that’s what makes it so lovable and the growth most of the characters experience is incredible. We also get many iconic scenes like the bleacher scene where Heath Ledger sings his heart out and towards the end of the movie, when Bianca finally comes to her senses and fights back against the guy she had a crush on for years.

1. Crazy Stupid Love - The romcom to end all romcoms. This movie is certainly newer compared to the classics but it sets a new standard for what a romantic comedy can be. With an all star cast of Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, and Ryan Gosling, this movie explores the different relationships between various characters and if there’s a way to resolve your issues and simply love each other. The characters are vulnerable but also hilarious at the same time and the kids in the movie also have their moment to shine, proving that kids can experience love just as much as adults (though it may be misguided). It has one of the best plot twists of all time in a romcom and movies in general and I can’t help but laugh every time I watch the specific scene. Go watch Crazy, Stupid Love if you haven’t yet. Seriously.

Crazy Rich Asians poster from IMDb

Crazy Stupid Love poster from JustWatch

SNAPSHOT Pink Out Game

Senior Anaya Simmons, #32, shoots a free throw

All photos taken by Wyatt Miles

Head coach, Broderick, leads the team in a huddle during the game

Junior Gabbi San Diego, #3, makes her way down the court

Junior Camille Malagar, #5, shoots a three pointer

grace.griles.20@cnu.edu