The Captain’s Log
@CNUCAPTAINSLOG
VOLUME 56, ISSUE 25
Uncle Vanya: Deforestation of a man
latest production tackles a vulnerable environment
ELLORA HOUCHINS
ELLORA.HOUCHINS.24@CNU.EDU
If you’ve ever wanted to be a fly on the wall, “Uncle Vanya” is the play for you. The stunning set, situated with all around seating, allows this reimagined production to feel like a conversation with the audience. “Uncle Vanya,” written by Russian playwright Anton Chekov,
was first published in 1897 and produced by the Moscow Art Theatre in 1899.
The modern twist to this production introduces a new and engaging dynamic. The light fixture, a looming branch strung above with fairy lights, is a reminder for the environmental themes that stay constant throughout the performance.
The costumes in Christopher Newport University’s (CNU) “Uncle Vanya” are best described as bohemian and botanical.
With junior Anthony Hearn’s memorable humor, junior Maggie Bowan’s striking glances and freshman John Proulx’s grounding guitar playing, audience members from the Apr. 10 preview were excited to see an old script with fresh eyes.
(Story continued in A & E, page 8)
Movies to start summer
Car on fire in library circle
Electrical malfunction leads to flames
KATHERINE ZICKEL KATHERINE.ZICKEL.22@CNU.EDU
If you happened to be around the library circle at Christopher Newport University (CNU) this past Saturday, April 12, you might have noticed a car on fire in the roundabout. According to senior Patrick Wood, the car was said to have an electrical malfunction which caused a fire. The leaking fuel from the vehicle caused a larger fire to spread. Since there was a flammable liquid involved, the fire department was required to use foam to put out the fire.
Due to the circumstances of the situation, Newport News Police and Fire Department responded to the incident while CNU Police (PD) handled traffic control on campus. No signs of the driver or any passengers were seen by bystanders.
Freshman Colin Sparrow witnessed the entire event, and told The Captain’s Log that he “saw that the first responders were able to quickly adapt to the situation as it was actively changing.”
At this time, The Captains Log was unable to receive comments from CNU PD, Newport News Police or Newport News Fire Department.
(To see images of the car, see News, page 2)
Five small life lessons
Using AI in college
Double standard of professors
A group of student in Uncle Vanya acting while the audience watches from behind, photo by Ellora Houchins/TheCaptainsLog.
ELLORA HOUCHINS
ELLORA.HOUCHINS.24@CNU.EDU
Russian missile attack
On Sunday, April 13, Russian ballistic missiles struck the center of Sumy, a city in northeastern Ukraine. Officials reported to New York (NY) Times that at least 34 people were killed–in what appears to be the “deadliest attack against Ukrainian civilians this year.” The attack comes after the Trump administration’s push for a cease-fire. NY Times reported from officials that the city center was crowded with civilians who were celebrating Palm Sunday, a Christian celebration popular in Slavic countries. Ukraine’s emergency services claim two children were among the dead and at least 117 people were wounded. Similarly, last week on April 9, another Russian missile hit near a playground in Kryvyi Rih, killing 19 people, nine of which were children.
Ecuador’s president re-elected
Daniel Noboa, a conservative millionaire, was reelected by popular demand on Sunday, April 13. Noboa’s first win came after Ecuadorians expressed outrage over the widespread corruption, extortions and murders that grew from the presence of international drug cartels. AP News called Noboa’s attack on politics a “no-holds-barred crime fighting” strategy. Friday, April 7, Ecuador’s government broke into the Mexican Embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas sought asylum after being indicted on corruption charges. Noboa was there, AP News reported, in a bulletproof vest and a leather jacket. Noboa’s opponent, Luisa González vowed to seek a recount and described the election as “grotesque fraud.”
Sudan Refuge Camp Attacked
Residents seeking asylum from Sudan’s civil war have faced devastating attacks, BBC News reported on April 14. El-Fasher and two nearby camps experienced more than 100 deaths, among them being 20 children and a medical team. The UN claimed the series of assaults began a few days before in Sudan’s western Darfur region. The attacks have been blamed on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as the group declared control of the Zamzam camp but denied all reports of attacks. BBC reported that the camps, Zamzam and Abu Shouk, provided temporary homes to more than 700,000 people.
Images of car fire
Story continued from cover
Photos of vehicle on fire in the Christopher Newport University Trible Library circle with Newport News Police and Fire Department responding and CNU PD managing traffic control. Photos taken by freshman Colin Sparrow.
KATHERINE ZICKEL KATHERINE.ZICKEL.21@CNU.EDU
Image design of a ship steering wheel, designed by Gemini 2.0 Flash AI.
United States added to international watchlist for human rights Added among several others on the list of countries with “narrowed” civic freedoms
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
The CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist is a research tool that publicizes the status of freedoms and threats to civil liberties worldwide. The Watchlist draws attention to countries where there is a serious decline in respect for civic space, based on an assessment by CIVICUS Monitor research findings, their research partners and consultations with activists on the ground. On Sunday, March 9, the United States was added to the list.
The U.S. joins the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Chile, Slovakia and 37 other countries on the list of countries with “narrowed” civic freedoms. CIVICUS’s “narrowed” category means people in the country can exercise civil freedoms but there are occasional violations of those rights. It is the second-highest rating tier after “open.”
For part of President Donald Trump’s first term, the U.S. had been categorized as “obstructed,” due to the administration’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests and restrictive state laws that were enacted limiting the rights of environmental justice protesters. Under the Biden Administration, the classification went back to “narrowed.”
The watchlist placement came after President Trump’s mass firing of federal employees as part of his crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs earlier this year. CIVICUS stated that replacing these civil servants with President Trump loyalists could “severely impact constitutional freedoms.”
In a March 10 press release, CIVICUS pointed to several civic freedoms under threat, the first being continued protest crackdowns and authorities repression of pro-Palestine protests. The press release then goes on to mention the freezing of federal funding and foreign aid, “risking U.S. organisations’ vital work with marginalised communities.” CIVICUS also mentions the intimidation tactics against journalists, including the barring of the Associated Press (AP) from presidential press briefings. A federal judge last Tuesday ordered the Trump White House to let AP journalists return to the Oval Office and other spaces immediately to cover news events, ruling it was unlawful to block the news service in a dispute over its choice of words.
In the coming weeks and months, the CIVICUS Monitor will closely track developments in
each of these countries as part of efforts to ensure greater pressure is brought to bear on governments. For more information, visit https:// monitor.civicus.org/watchlist-march-2025/.
Weather Report
Several areas at risk of wildfires due to rising temperature
LINDSAY DEYTON LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@CNU.EDU
As dry conditions continue to sweep across the Plains, West and South, millions are put at risk for wildfires. In combination with rising temperatures and strong winds, roughly ten million people from South Dakota to Texas and Arizona are vulnerable to wildfires at any given time.
The biggest cities in the south, such as San Antonio, California, Tucson, Arizona and Santa Fe, New Mexico, are cities with the highest risk factor. With winds reaching a high of 3040 MPH, these temperatures create a dangerously easy environment for a fire to start, along with low humidity levels and dry vegetation. In recent weeks, temperatures across the West and Southwest have surpassed normal levels
by 10-25 degrees. Temperature highs reaching between 80-100 have the potential to break records in Dallas, Amarillo, and Lubbock, Texas and Tucson, Arizona.
Another big weather risk for those in the southeastern part of the US are high-risk for dangerous winds, quarter-sized hail, and a chance for a couple of tornadoes. Heavy snow and rain are impacting areas such as Montana, the Dakota’s and stretching to Wisconsin. As temperatures continue to rise, the Southwestern, Western and Southern states continue to stay at risk for all-consuming wildfires, which could lead to the heavy destruction of surrounding forests. The domino effect has a great chance of unraveling with something as small as this rise in temperatures.
Image of United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories at Human Rights Council at the United Nations event in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 26, 2024. Photo from Reuters photographer Denis Balibouse.
Image of an atmospheric river storm, aka a Pineapple Express, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-West weather satellite on Feb. 4, 2024. Photo from Reuters.
Gabriel Landeskog returns to hockey
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GRENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
Gabriel Landeskog with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2013-2014 NHL season. Gabriel Landeskog Avalanche by 5of7 is licensed under the CC By AttributionShareAlike 2.0 Deed.
A three-year absence
For the first time in three years, Colorado Avalanche center Gabriel Landeskog returned to the ice.
Landeskog’s first game was with the Colorado Eagles as he is currently on a minor league conditioning assignment given to him by the Avalanche. This game is a huge step for Landeskog in returning to the National Hockey League (NHL).
His first game was on Apr. 11, where he participated in pregame drills and was serenaded with chants of Landy prior to puck drop. Fans cheered when he left the ice after his first shift as well as when he went to the penalty box as his face was shown on the video board.
Landeskog’s contributions played a part in the Eagles 2-0
victory over the Henderson Silver Knights.
Landeskog’s last appearance on the ice was in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, when he recorded an assist in a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. This game gave the Avalanche their third championship in franchise history. Since their cup win, Landeskog has been sidelined with a knee injury that has led to other surgeries. If his assignment goes well with the Eagles, he could return to the team roster for Game 1 of the Avalanche’s first round playoff series. The Avalanche will begin the postseason on the road as the Central Division’s No. 3 seed.
After winning the Stanley Cup, Landeskog missed the
2022-2023 season after having surgery on his right knee before the season. He then got cartilage transplant surgery on May 10, 2023, leading to him being ruled out for the 2023-2024 campaign as well as the current campaign to this point.
Selected by the Avalanche with the second pick in the 2011 draft, Landeskog has recorded 571 points in 738 regular season games and 67 points in 69 playoff games.
10 defining moments in women’s history
LINDSAY DEYTON
LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@CNU.EDU
Women are one of history’s greatest gifts. They make history, they are our future and they make the present amazing. Especially in the sports world, women have had some of the most amazing moments that have become the foundation for sports history. Here are some of those moments.
1. Title IX Passed in 1972
Before the federal Title IX law was passed, education programs that received federal funding were not prohibited from sex discrimination. Once this law was passed, the trajectory of sports was forever changed, making it illegal for programs to discriminate against women.
Changing the sports landscape
2. Billie Jean King defeats Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes” in 1973
In a televised tennis match watched by over 90 million people, Billie Jean King defeated the former men’s tennis champ Bobby Riggs. With this victory, King proved that women could beat men in tennis.
3. First Women’s Olympic Marathon in 1984
For the first time in Olympic history, women were allowed to compete in the Olympic marathon. One Olympic icon, Joan Benoit Samuelson of the United States, was
one of the first women to compete in the marathon. In the race, she defied all odds and proved that women were able to run long distances.
4. 1999 U.S. Women’s Soccer wins the World Cup
In a groundbreaking penalty shootout, the U.S. women’s soccer team won the 1999 World Cup, with an iconic celebration by Brandi Chastain that became a symbol for women’s empowerment.
5. Serena Williams defines tennis
Serena Williams has become a household name. With a whopping 23 Grand Slam single titles, she has broken records and barriers all around the
world. Her accomplishments on the tennis court have allowed her to become a role model for young girls and women everywhere. Off the court, she has served as a symbol for racial and gender equality.
6. Katherine Switzer runs the Boston Marathon in 1967
Becoming the first woman ever to run the men’s-only Boston Marathon, Switzer went against the rules and joined along her male colleagues. Despite the many attempts to remove her from the race, she defied all odds by spearheading a movement that led to the inclusion of women in future marathons.
7. Becky Hammon becomes first female NBA assistant coach
In 2014, Becky Hammon was hired as an assistant coach by the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first woman to coach in a male sports league.
8. Ronda Rousey’s UFC debut
In 2014, Ronda Rousey became the first woman to ever compete in an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match, paving the way for future female fighters and athletes in combat sports.
9. Simone
Biles making history
Along with being one of the biggest mental health advocates in the sports community, Simone Biles set several records in gymnastics that include the most World Championship medals with 30. Her other achievements include the record for the most consecutive all-around titles and seven Olympic gold medals.
10. The creation of the
WNBA
Before the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded, female basketball players were not publicized as they were not taken as seriously as the men. However, after the WNBA was created in 1996, the world of basketball was forever changed as women’s basketball was given a platform.
Derek Carr injures shoulder
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GRENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is still battling a shoulder injury that could sideline him for the entire 2025 regular season.
With the Saints beginning offseason workouts, Carr’s injury impacts his participation as the Saints prepare for the new season under new head coach Kellen Moore.
Carr’s 2024 campaign was difficult as he missed seven games with oblique and hand injuries. The most recent occurred in week 14 against the New York Giants, an injury to his non-throwing hand that kept him out for the rest of the season. Carr’s absence proved to be costly as the Saints finished with a 5-12 record, finishing last in the National Football Conference (NFC) South. The quarterbacks that filled in for Carr included Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
However, this record gives the Saints options to improve their roster as they currently
A potential season-ender
hold the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft. They can choose to trade up and draft one of the quarterbacks available this year such as Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. Or, the Saints have $27 million in cap space which can lead to them acquiring someone who is available from this year’s free agency class or for a trade such as Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins.
While Carr has two years remaining on the
contract he signed with the Saints in 2023, he has expressed an interest in entering free agency earlier than what the contract states. As a result, the Saints restructured Carr’s contract, keeping him with the club through the 2025 season when he can enter the market one year earlier than expected.
With the National Football League (NFL) Draft fast approaching, the Saints will need to find an answer to the quarterback
position as the team looks to become more viable in the NFC. With the team having other areas within the roster that also need improvement, fixing one area before this year’s draft can be a good first step to returning to contention.
Coming soon in CNU Sports: *Games listed are happening at CNU April 17th: *Men’s Baseball CNU v. Marymount University
Location: Newport News, VA Time: 3:00 PM April 18th: *Women’s Softball CNU v. Virginia Wesleyan University
Location: Newport News, VA Time: 2:30 and 5:00 PM
*Women’s Tennis CNU v. Randolph College
Location: Newport News, VA Time: 5:00 PM April 19th: *Men’s Tennis CNU v. Johns Hopkins University
Location: Newport News, VA Time: 1:00 PM
To look at events off campus and for future weeks, visit cnusports.com
Derek Carr with the Las Vegas Raiders during a game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium on December 5, 2021. Derek Carr WFT at Raiders by All-Pro Reels is licensed under the CC By Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Deed.
SNAPSHOT ASA’s Phoenix Fest
Left to right: juniors Hannah Tanega and Maggie Watson pose in front of the ASA letters at Phoenix Fest, courtesy of Maggie Gammons/TheCaptainsLog.
Left to right: freshman Autumn Dryden, senior Kass Rohrbach and freshman Erika Friel smile for the camera, courtesy of Maggie Gammons/TheCaptainsLog.
The wing eating contest at Phoenix Fest, taken by Darby Shrout.
Animals on Campus
Red-tailed hawk perched on a tree outside James River Hall, taken by Amelia Barrett.
Two ducks walking across the great lawn, taken by Claire Hall/TheCaptain’sLog.
Caramel the bunny hiding under a table on the great lawn, taken by Claire Hall/TheCaptain’sLog.
Uncle Vanya: Deforestation of a Man
CNUTheatre’s latest production tackles a vulnerable environment
ELLORA HOUCHINS
ELLORA.HOUCHINS.24@CNU.EDU
Content Notice: This production contains themes of alcohol abuse, mental health challenges, guns, suicide and death.
Master electrician of the show, senior Jimmy Grimes, shared his excitement with The Captain’s Log after the preview.
“I can’t wait to see what happens for the first time,” he said, while discussing the intimacy of black box theater. Grimes, who played a lead in “Carrie” and the title character in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” explained that although musical theater is extravagant in its own right, this type of production takes both the actors and audience members on a journey of self discovery. He hopes that those who enter the black box leave wanting to pursue intimate theater further. The Captain’s Log was able to talk with a few actors about their roles.
Freshman Paige Kelly plays Marina, the elderly housekeeper of the country estate. Her character is comforting, as she often is relied upon as a motherly figure. Unlike the main characters, Marina is content with her position in life. Kelly referred to her as “the calm before the storm.”
Freshman Juliet Marsh plays Yelena, the young, second wife of Professor Sebraikov. Despite not intentionally doing so, her presence in the house as the desired object for several characters results in her character as a catalyst. She means well, but without a noble purpose to keep her busy, she is fated to cause chaos in the house. Marsh quoted “Perks of a Wallflower” while discussing her character.
“She accepts the love she thinks she deserves,” she said. “Yelena doesn’t see love as a feeling, more of a strategy.”
Freshman Brett Conway plays the antagonist of “Uncle Vanya,” Professor Alexander Sebraikov. In a play full of miserable characters, the professor believes he is the most miserable of all. Without any fulfilling work, Sebraikov obsesses over his health issues (particularly his gout) as he “wastes away” in his country estate. Gout has been long known as the “disease of kings,” Conway
briefed, it’s associated with rich foods and alcohol consumption. Conway claimed the professor clings to whatever is left of his status through the ailment. Conway doesn’t deny the professor has some sort of disease; however, he believes whatever affliction it is, the professor believes it’s worse.
The Captain’s Log was able to sit down and interview senior Brayden Crickenberger, who plays the title character.
Vanya, who is notably 47 years old, is twice the age of Crickenberger’s 22 years. Instead of trying to grasp at something that he can’t comprehend yet, Crickenberger focuses on what effects age has had on Vanya in order to personify him.
“[Vanya] has lived a long time and he feels like he’s wasted it,” he said. The emotion pulled from that, whether it’s regret or ruefulness, is an emotion that is easily relatable; people make decisions they wish they could go back and change all the time.
The cast was encouraged to not engage with other productions of “Uncle Vanya.”
“You run the risk as an actor of seeing someone else’s work and wanting to do the same, but in doing
so you’re not being genuine,” Brayden said. “You’re trying to emulate something. [CNU’s production] is going to be my interpretation and it’s okay that it’s different.”
Crickenberger played the role of Mr. Darcy last semester in “Pride and Prejudice,” alongside senior Cora Barr who played the role of Elizabeth Bennett then and now Sónya in “Uncle Vanya.” Crickenberger was asked if he was able to find similarities between Vanya and Darcy.
“They both suffer from this problem of feeling vulnerable. Darcy didn’t want to be ridiculed in his high class society with his high class status. He put on a suit of armor every time he stepped out. For Vanya, it’s also a struggle with being vulnerable. His shield is a sort of bitterness that he can carry.”
Crickenberger believes Darcy’s fear of being seen as foolish parallels Vanya’s upsetness of being made a fool. An intrinsic fear links the two characters, while the difference is how they approach the world.
The advertisement of “Uncle Vanya” around campus has emphasized environmental crisis themes. Despite this, the show primarily follows a family’s dynamic with a subplot dedicated to
deforestation. Crickenberger thinks the themes are more connected than what meets the eye. He explained the concept of deforestation as taking an abundance of resources and tearing away at them until there’s nothing left. Chekov, Brayden noted, drew a parallel in “Uncle Vanya” between how that works for forests, but also how people can be torn down.
“[The play] is laced with messages of pro environment and reforestation,” Crickenberger observed, “but we’re watching as a man’s psyche and mental state is being pulled away in the same way that you would pull resources from a forest. It’s the deforestation of a man.”
Without mentioning spoilers, Crickenberger explained his thoughts on the final act of “Uncle Vanya.” The final act is designed to be quiet. Sebraikov and Yelena were the catalysts for the chaotic environment in the house, but before, everything was normal. Crickenberger tied his explanation back to the emphasis on deforestation.
“The cyclical nature of the play is to emphasize how quickly something can happen. How quickly you can tear down a forest and see that there’s nothing left. And after you’ve done all that cutting down, it’s just silent.”
Brayden gave an example of a piece of paper. You can crumple it, uncrumple it, and the paper can lay flat again. But you’ll never get rid of those wrinkles.
This stunning production of “Uncle Vanya” can be watched this weekend, Apr. 17-19, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Student tickets are free and are able to be picked up at the ticket office in the Ferguson Center between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. or before the show. the “disease of kings,” Conway briefed, it’s associated with rich foods and alcohol consumption. Conway claimed the professor clings to whatever is left of his status through the ailment. Conway doesn’t deny the professor has some sort of disease; however, he believes whatever affliction it is, the professor believes it’s worse.
Brayden Crickenberger and Cora Barr captured together in Uncle Vanya, photo taken by Ellora Houchins
Top 5 movies to jumpstart your summer with
LINDSAY DEYTON LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@CNU.EDU
No matter what season it is, I always love a good movie to help me get in the mood for it. Fall time? Halloween movies, of course. Wintertime? Hallmark movies are a go. Summertime? Here are some ideas for you!
1. “Mamma Mia”
If any movie perfectly encapsulates the summer vibe, it’s gonna be this one! “Mamma Mia” takes place on the Greek Island of Kalokairi with a wedding to surround its plot with. What better way to scream summer than a sunny island?
2. “Teen Beach Movie”
This one may be an unpopular opinion, but it’s a guilty pleasure of mine. This story takes place on the beach through the perspective of two teenagers in love, but torn between summer fun and school. They take a journey through time to the summer of the 1960’s. I 10/10 recommend this to anyone who wants a good summer
feel-good movie!
3. “The Notebook” In my eyes, nothing says summer more than a summer love story with young lovers and an endless road of possibilities ahead of them. I’m definitely a sucker for romance movies, but “The Notebook” is a movie I think everyone can find joy in.
4. “The Spectacular Now” Surprise! Another young summer romance story. “The Spectacular Now” is one of those movies I could watch 1,000 times over again. I’ve seen it just about that many times. It follows two teenagers through their journey of highschool graduation as they navigate their future and their love.
5. “Crazy Rich Asians” No summer is a real summer without some good laughs. If I could go back and choose to watch a movie again for the first time, it would be this movie. It’s full of comedy, love and all-around summer feels.
“Carrie” to be remade by Amazon Prime Video
WILLIAM BURK
WILLIAM.BURK.24@CNU.EDU
Carrie may have triumphantly come and gone from CNU’s theater department, but she’ll be returning to spook audiences once again in an eight-part Amazon Prime Video miniseries.
After multiple trades reported that the miniseries was in the works in late October, it has been officially confirmed that Amazon Prime has ordered a new “Carrie” remake to series; this will mark the fourth onscreen adaptation of Stephen King’s debut novel and the fifth overall.
The book was first adapted in 1976 in a film that received two Academy Award nominations and is still regarded as a true classic to this day. Since then, the film received two remakes and a Broadway musical. There’s been no official word yet on who will star as the eponymous telekinetic for the new generation, but there have been rumors of negotiations with young actresses such as “Hereditary” star Milly Shapiro and “Curse of Chucky” standout Summer H. Howell.
Here’s what you missed at Coachella
Post Malone closes out weekend one
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
Lady Gaga headlined the festival last Friday night with a nearly twohour set full of both new songs and classic hits, plus several elaborate costume changes, and larger than life sets that looked like a gothic garden party. For “Poker Face” she staged a chess battle with her dancers as living game pieces. “Perfect Celebrity” and “Disease” had her writhing in a shallow grave surrounded by the undead. For “Paparazzi” she donned pieces of chrome armor and strutted across the stage on a pair of crutches.
“Beautiful Things” singer – and impressively acrobatic performer –Benson Boone made his Coachella debut on the main stage in style. Boone performed on Friday night and brought out Brian May, the original and legendary guitarist for Queen, to accompany him on the guitar while he sang a cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Boone, of course, wore his signature light blue bodysuit.
justice and racial justice.”
Charli XCX took the main stage on Saturday just before headliner Green Day and put on a show with some extra starpower. The British singer performed hits off her Grammy-winning album “Brat” with the help of Coachella veteran Billie Eilish, plus Lorde and Troye Sivan. Eilish appeared on stage with Charli XCX to sing their collaboration “Guess” together, while Sivan joined her on “Talk, Talk.” Lorde assisted with a performance of their hit “Girl, so confusing”.
Green Day’s Coachella debut had a powerhouse setlist made up of decades worth of hits. The political punks began their performance with “American Idiot,” the title track from their Grammy winning 2004 album. Though the song was originally designed as a rebuke of George W. Bush’s Iraq War politics, the band updated the tune to take aim at Donald Trump, with Armstrong notably declaring “I’m not a part of a MAGA agenda.”
However, the miniseries has already found its Sue Snell in the form of “Resident Evil” actress Siena Agudong. Amazon is expected to announce its other prom guests as the miniseries approaches production.
While critics have expressed skepticism at yet another prom night for Carrie and her classmates, Amazon has already begun to build up a promising team behind the camera, particularly in the form of the miniseries’ showrunner Mike Flanagan.
Flanagan is no stranger to Stephen King’s work. He has already successfully adapted novels “Gerald’s Game” and “Doctor Sleep” as films. Before “Carrie” is set to begin shooting, Flanagan has in the works a “Clayface” movie at DC Studios as well as the next installment in the “Exorcist” franchise. He may be busy, but neither his talent nor his affinity for King’s work can be denied.
While it’s true that “Carrie” has already been adapted flawlessly both on the big screen and in CNU’s own Peebles Theater, only time will tell if she can conquer the television format just as easily.
Sen. Bernie Sanders made an appearance on Saturday to introduce indie-pop singer Clairo.
“This country faces some very difficult challenges and the future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation,” Sanders said on stage, addressing the young-skewing crowd. “We need you to stand up, to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social
Rapper Travis Scott made a powerful return to Coachella 2025, delivering a high-energy set that not only showcased new music but also featured a heartwarming moment — a special shout-out to his daughter, Stormi. Post Malone closed out the first weekend of the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday night (April 13). This is the second time in Malone’s career that he’s played the Indio, California festival.
cover. Image from @theweeknd
Jennie performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, U.S., April 13, 2025, photo from REUTERS/Daniel Cole
LIFESTYLE
Trivia revamped
“The Vampire Diaries” fans take on Thursday Night Trivia
ALYSSA TILLMAN ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@@CNU.EDU
Thursday Night Trivia is a weekly tradition at Christopher Newport University, with themes ranging from general knowledge to last week’s theme: “The Vampire Diaries.” Fans of the show gathered in the Crows Nest last Thursday for a fun night of trivia and raffle prizes based on the various seasons.
The rules are simple. There are four rounds with four questions each, where you wager two points, four points, six points or eight points based on how confident you are in your answer. In addition to the four rounds, there is a picture round and a final question round. The picture round requires you to name the objects or people in the pictures. The final question is where you can wager as many points as you have earned from the previous rounds which is often the make or break question of the game.
The first thing teams must do is come up with a team name. These can be especially fun when there is a specific theme for the night–Team names for this night included “Matt Haters,” and “I thought the theme was ‘Twilight’ and ‘The Heretics.’”
The initial four rounds were based on the eight seasons of “The Vampire Diaries.” Round one was about seasons 1-2, round two was about seasons 3-4, round three was about seasons 5-6 and round four was about seasons 7-8. Most teams began to get stumped during rounds three and four. The question that stumped most groups was, “What was the date that Bonnie and Damon were trapped in the prison world?”
Raffle winners were announced in between each round and the suspense was high. The raffle prizes included a sticker pack, a license plate from the show, a tote bag, a shirt with Damon on it and a necklace.
For the picture round, the teams had to name objects from the show. Some of the ones pictured included the Gilbert compass, vervain, the moonstone and the phoenix stone. The final question required teams to name the main villain from each season in order. If you got less than five pictures correct, you lost all the points your team wagered. At the end of the night, , team “Matt Haters,” took home a Captain’s Cash prize.
Note to self: Five small life lessons that everyone should know
LINDSAY DEYTON LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@@CNU.EDU
People sometimes learn life lessons way too soon, and some learn them way too late. No matter when that canon life event happens, it’s bound to happen regardless. I’m only in my early 20s, but I’ve learned a thing or two in my short time here. Here are some of those lessons I’ve learned one way or another.
You grow apart from friends sometimes, and that’s okay.
I believe there is such a stigma around losing friends or growing apart from them. However, people change, life changes and it never stops. Sometimes, people just grow apart and there’s not anything you can do to help it. Whether it be a career change, or a change in what you each want, friends will grow apart and go their separate ways… and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean that anyone did anything inherently wrong. It just means we live in a world of constant change and we have to adapt.
You don’t always need to be on the go
I feel my best when I’m productive and busy. When I have a full schedule, I feel as though I’m doing my absolute best in life. However, I’ve had to learn that a small break doesn’t make me any less worthy or productive. It means I’m human, and I deserve to rest when I need it. And you do too. Everyone deserves a day where their schedule doesn’t demand their undivided attention.
Not every person you meet is here for a lifetime
I’ve met hundreds of people throughout my lifetime. Whether it was a cashier in the store, or my bestest friend. Regardless, a lot of people are in my life, and equally as many have left it. Sometimes, people come into our lives for just a chapter. I may not always know why they were brought to me, but rest assured, they taught me something. Each
person has an important role in my life to play in some way, shape or form. I will love them how I want to be loved, whether they’re here to stay or not.
People can only meet you as deeply as they’ve met themselves.
As I’ve mentioned, I have a lot of people in my life. I understand that not everyone is comfortable sharing their deepest feelings and emotions. It’s not my job to pry it out of them. However, if they haven’t met themselves this deeply yet, they won’t go this deep with you. I’ve learned this particular lesson the hard way. Trying to make people open up to you when they haven’t even opened up to themselves about something never works. It’s nothing wrong with you. These things take time, and maybe this person hasn’t gotten there yet.
Don’t stay because it’s comfortable or familiar
I’ve had to do a lot of selfreflection and internal checks. With these comes outgrowing situations and routines. Growth can hurt. Don’t go back to a place you’ve outgrown because it’s the only thing you know or are familiar with. You owe it to yourself to stay within healthy boundaries.
Vampire Diaries Stickers, photo taken by Alyssa Tillman/TheCaptainsLog.
Digital Media Manager Lindsay Deyton posing, photo taken by Claire Hall/TheCaptainsLog.
Phoenix Fest:
ASA’s annual philanthrophic event
DARBY.SHROUT
DARBY.SHROUT.24@CNU.EDU
Alpha Sigma Alpha’s (ASA) Theta Gamma chapter at Christopher Newport University held Phoenix Fest, an annual philanthropic event that raises money for one of their philanthropies, Special Olympics. Special Olympics provides yearround sports, athletic training and competition for young athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Phoenix Fest is a carnival-style event that CNU students and community members can attend. This year’s event was held on Apr. 9 from 5-8 p.m. Many of CNU’s clubs and organizations are invited to participate, such as other Greek organizations like Alpha Delta Pi (ADPI) and Gamma Phi Beta (GPhi), as well as the Men’s Rugby Club, to name a few. Other booths are run by varsity sports and other clubs on campus.
Popular attractions and booths from the event included the chemistry fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma, who had a chemistrythemed cornhole toss. Delta Gamma held a knit clothing drive, while Alpha Delta Pi ran a ‘guess the amount of soda can tabs’ booth. Many tables were selling baked goods, such as Special Olympics Gymnastics and Gamma Phi Beta. Meanwhile, Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) was selling lemonade. A popular event that drew a large crowd was the buffalo wing eating contest wherea representative from various organizations (and two sisters from ASA) competed in a wing eating contest that lasted around five minutes and consisted of eating 10 spicy wings clean off the bone. ASA’s Service and Giving Director, Hannah Tanega, explained that Phoenix Fest is a relatively new event, with 2025 being the fourth year the event has been held.
“All of our proceeds go to the Special Olympics,” she said.
The name Phoenix Fest actually comes from within Alpha Sigma Alpha’s organization.
“One of our animals for our sorority is actually the phoenix, hence Phoenix Fest,” Tanega said. Freshman Yaqeen Bahjat worked with Tanega on the Service and Giving Committee to put the event together. She explained that the committee’s job is to reach out to different organizations on campus, such as varsity and club sports,
other greek organizations and other community organizations in order to help raise money for the special olympics.
“It’s just a great time for people to network together and then raise money for a good cause,” Bahjat said.
Sophomore Vanessa Newman was sitting at the booth for Special Olympics Gymnastics, who was tabling in order to raise money for new t-shirts to wear during practices.
“During practices we help those in the community with disabilities. We help them in the gym and it’s just kind of a place for them to socialize and practice gymnastics,” Newman said. Paiton Jones, the incoming president for Special Olympics Gymnastics, mentioned that they are nationally recognized and represented by Special Olympics, ASA’s philanthropy. Special Olympics Gymnastics was selling baked goods as a way to fundraise for their organization.
Gamma Phi Beta, another Greek organization on campus that was in attendance, was holding a bake sale in order to support their philanthropy Girls on the Run.
“I’m coming to support ASA. Two of my roommates are in ASA and GPHI has a bake sale going on to raise money for girls on the run, so I’m supporting everyone and catching up with friends in frats and sororities,” sophomore Michaela Calcagno said. ASA’s event drew many people to come and support the Special Olympics, but it also let the organizations promote and fundraise for their own philanthropies, which is part of the draw.
Claire’s Corner
Your go-to advice column for college
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
How can I prepare for final exam week?
Final exam week is right around the corner and there is no better time to be prepared than right now. As we prepare for the last couple of weeks, it is important that you are doing everything you can to be successful. Here are some tips to help you prepare for final exam week.
Start studying now
Even though final exam week is not until the first weeks of May, it is important that you start studying now. Most classes are already on their last unit of study, meaning that now is the best time to open those textbooks or notes and start reviewing them. The best method of studying is to make sure to take multiple breaks in between while focusing on one subject at a time.
It’s okay to ask for help
Remember, it is okay to ask for help. There are many resources that are available for you to knock out all your exams. The Center for Student Success is a great resource as they have many different tutors that can help you prepare for your exam. However, you have to be open to help. Do not resist or be embarrassed because you do not understand a concept. There is a reason why we have tutors.
Organize your work
One thing that people tend to forget about during final exam week are the worksheets and papers they have received in class throughout the semester. Do not throw these papers away. Instead, use them to your advantage to study. They can be a great resource for studying if you forgot to take notes one day in class.
Check your grades now
I know that looking at Scholar can be painful right now, but it is better to figure out what your grades are before you reach the final stretch of the semester. This can help you figure out how well you need to
perform in order to maintain a stable grade in a class. It is also important to check your grades in case a professor accidentally made an error in grading an assignment or exam.
Go to office hours
Professors have office hours for a reason. Go to them. They make these office hours so that students can come to them if they need to ask questions or are struggling with content. I know that going to office hours can be embarrassing or feel like defeat, but not everyone is good at everything.
Show up
During the last couple weeks of classes, showing up can be very important. Even though the last couple of weeks before finals can be rough, showing up proves that you are taking each day by storm to prepare for final exam week. Professors also tend to do final exam reviews in class, so make sure you are not absent.
Take care of yourself
Lastly, make sure that you are taking care of yourself. This means eating enough meals, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. Final exam week can be rough on your body, so make sure you are doing as much as you can to stay healthy.
Photo courtesy of Claire Hall /TheCaptainsLog
Left to right: junior Hannah Tanega, junior Maggie Watson, courtesy of Maggie Gammons/TheCaptainsLog.
OPINIONS
AI in college:
12
“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the press.”— CNU Chancellor Paul Trible
Give me the feedback:
Is it a good or bad idea?
RECUPERO
There has been a heated debate for a while now on whether or not the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is good or bad in college. There are many pros and cons of the use of AI in college or just in general. It is a tool that we will all need to learn to use eventually, or at least that is the way we are headed. I have read articles from 15 different schools and other sources of all of the pros and cons regarding AI usage. Through this research, I have found the top three pros and the top three cons.
The first pro is the aspect of personalized learning that AI creates. You can scan in the notes you take, and it can re-organize them into different learning styles. This option is super beneficial for visual learners who work best with graphs and charts but don’t have the time in class to create them. I personally am a visual learner and have a hard time in class keeping up with writing the notes in the first place, so the option to scan my class notes into a program to organize for me into my personal learning style is so incredibly beneficial.
You also have the ability to create practice questions while studying for exams. You can scan in your handwritten notes and then ask ChatGPT to make up practice questions of different styles based off of the notes. It is an excellent study tool. You can then send in your answers and it will grade you. I have used this aspect a couple times myself and it has really helped me get the best out of each study session.
Last, you have the ability to have AI “peer review” your essays. Before submitting an essay, you can run it through Grammarly (yes Grammarly is AI) to ensure mechanically it’s written correctly. This is especially useful if you can’t get an appointment in time with the Christopher Newport University (CNU) Writing Center or have a friend or family member review it. I personally send my papers to my dad most times but when I am short on a deadline or he is busy, I
have been able to use Grammarly to ensure the mechanics of my essay aren’t lacking.
AI can be an amazing study tool to aid the process but not when it is the only tool being used. Now let’s look into the top three cons regarding the use of AI in college.
The first con is the innate dependance on the tool. It’s easy to think that AI is so fast and easy to use that we can just do things at the last minute because it can just do it for us. This also leads to just making the different AI programs do the work for you, resulting in lack of creativity for people and dependance on a robot to solve our problems.
AI also increases the risk of cheating and plagiarizing. Relying on these AI platforms to complete assignments is just plain cheating. Using it to study in preparation for an exam based on your own personal notes is not cheating, but rather just using the full force of resources you have in your pocket.
Our final con is the risk of inaccurate or incomplete information. AI is still new and still being tweaked with, so we can’t fully trust that the information it provides us is all of the information out there. A good example of this is the fact that some interns at law firms are being fired because they are having ChatGPT write the documents for them, and the platform just does not have access to the databases needed for these legal documents.
There are so many other ways that AI can be harmful to our learning. Not everyone has the same access to AI tools, which can create an unfair advantage for some students. So, while these are the big three, they’re definitely not the only things to be aware of.
AI can be a great tool, however if used incorrectly, it can be detrimental to a student’s learning. All in all, it is a tool that is useful in many ways, but again has to be used correctly and in moderation. A lot of things are good in moderation, and I think AI is another great example of this concept.
Why constructive criticism is important
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
Let me tell you something. In today’s world, I feel that constructive criticism is very important. Having constructive feedback really helps people improve in areas that they might be struggling in. With that being said, something that really irritates me is when you get rejected and you don’t get a reason why.
It’s pretty common for individuals to face rejection every once in a while. We’ve all seen this one email that reads like: “this was a difficult decision to make as there were many great candidates, however, we regret to inform you that you will not be considered for this position.”
I appreciate the communication, but the one thing that gets me everytime is “why?” Why is it so difficult for employers to give constructive feedback for those who apply for jobs or internships? I would like to know what I could improve on in the future. Do I need to refurbish my interview skills? Do I need to make changes to my resume? Am I lacking in some qualification or skill? I think it’s a bit ridiculous that we cannot explain to people the areas that they can improve in. It’s one extra sentence you
need to type out in an email. I know constructive criticism is difficult for people to digest, but how successful can a workplace be if we don’t tell people what they need to improve on? This could be as simple as telling someone, “We regret to inform you that you will not be considered for this position due to there being more qualified applicants for this position.” How difficult was that exactly? It was short, sweet and straight to the point. It’s literally like making a claim in an essay and backing it up with evidence. Now, I do draw the line if constructive criticism is said in a rude manner or tone. The important thing to note about giving constructive criticism is that you have to keep it respectful. If you feel that tone may be an issue via email, maybe scheduling a time to meet with this person in an office would be more helpful. I just think that if you are going to reject people, give them a reason why. It’s not that hard and will help the person out in the future when they apply for more jobs.
Thumbs down symbol, from Unsplash.
The double-standard:
College students versus professors
LINDSAY DEYTON LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@CNU.EDU
Oh. My. Lord. Forgive me, because I’m about to hop on my soapbox.
I’ve had my fair share of professors throughout my college career. I’m a junior, so I’ve had six semester’s worth of them. I can bet I’ve had every professor in the book. Professors who are the strictest of the strict, the funny professors who should also host comedy shows, the professors who couldn’t care less if you turn in an assignment two months late, etc. Every professor, I believe, teaches students something valuable. However, there’s one type of professor that I can’t stand. Absolutely no disrespect, because our professors work hard…it’s just a big pet peeve of mine.
I’m a full-time student, I have two jobs, I play sports and I also have a social life to maintain and family to check in with. God FORBID I let one assignment slip through the cracks and turn it in late by a day or even an hour. The professors who get it, get it. “Yeah that’s fine Lindsay, no points de -
“The
talking phase:”
Please get over this
LOGAN CARAS LOGAN.CARAS.23@CNU.EDU
Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but is anyone else tired of all the hoops you have to jump through just to take somebody to dinner? What ever happened to seeing someone attractive, asking them out then and there, and then getting to know them over a nice meal? Even if it doesn’t work out, that’s still free food and a story to tell your friends at the very least.
Nowadays it seems like everyone has to find out everything about a person before they’d ever dare ask them out on a date. People will text for weeks before they finally just spend some time together in a romantic setting. At that rate, what are you even supposed to talk about when you finally do go out together? All of the icebreakers and conversation starters that are literally designed for the first date have already been used up in snaps and text messages, so you both end up sitting there quietly and wondering why dates are so awkward.
are public places after all, and it is always okay to get up and leave if something feels off.
Now if you meet online, that’s a different thing. In that case, maybe you should spend some time texting and/or calling the person before making plans to meet up. A person’s general vibe is important, but it can be hard to accurately pick up over the phone, so spending time talking first makes sense in that case. When someone asks you out in person though, you can see how they look, how they act and even (I can’t believe I have to say this) how they smell.
You have so little time to be young. Do you really want to spend it staring at the cold, bluish glow of an iPhone keyboard? Or would you rather spend it looking into someone’s eyes through the warm, flickering light of a candle lit table?
ducted.” GREAT! Amazing. No harm, no foul. Here’s where my problem comes in. The professors who preach deadlines and don’t give any leeway are the same ones who take the whole darn semester to grade one assignment. Personally, I turn in every assignment on time. I’m pretty good at doing things on time. However, a few times in the year, I’m having a rough day and I can barely muster up the energy to make a sandwich. The last thing I need is a professor who doesn’t grade anything until the end of the semester so I can’t even see how I’m doing in the class. Then they tell me there’s absolutely nothing I can do to make up for it or turn it in late just this once. Then, in a big snowball effect, that zero isn’t put in until the very last minute and I have no time to fix it. Respectfully, either let me turn it in a few hours late or put in my grades that have been sitting there since the first week of classes. But, that’s just my two cents.
Unfortunately the world we live in has prompted lots of
“I cannot control how I feel. I can control what I do with these emotions, and where I put my energy...”
safety concerns, especially for those of the finer sex, but I still think that in many cases it’s totally okay to go out with someone you just met. Restaurants
I can’t be the only one who feels this way, so come on, let’s normalize first dates. Instead of getting to know each other over the phone, let’s get to know each other over dinner. If you meet someone you like, skip the BS and just ask them out, you’ll be glad that you did.
Couple talking, from Unsplash.
Cartoon of a teacher talking to a student, photo from Unsplash.
Student poetry
By: Tori A.B.
Sudoku
Fill the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9
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“1000 University Place(s)”
1 2015 "gesture of triumph or playfulness" now considered cringe 4 Initialized sign-off for the Leadership Studies department chair 7 USD alternative across the pond
Jerry's counterpart 13 Superimpose 15 Minecraft resource
16 Friendship ending card game
17 Interrupt
18 HS junior's evening class, maybe
20 Water feature found near the Pope Chapel that is supposed to sound like wings flapping
22 Tolkien's talking tree
23 Notoriously difficult chem class
24 Environmentally friendly prefix
26 Large glass structure that houses the Shylight and the lobby for the Fine Arts center
31 Sink 34 Dr. of rap 35 "Raggedy" doll 36 Lure in
Arcane 40 Voiceover in film, for short 41 Apple software updates 43 Sounding congested
44 Campus center where one could find many student orgs. advertising
49 Fanfiction subjects, colloquially
50 Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire
51 Sheep's cry
54 The football player's place at the center of TownBank Stadium, named for the longtime coach of the Captains
59 Spanish sausage
61 2-Dimensional platforming game wherein the hero climbs the titular mountain as a metaphor for anxiety and depression
62 Payment promise
63 A ways away
64 Uncomfortably close to home
65 Fitting
66 Historical period
67 ___-Cone
68 Amount past due? DOWN
1 Evasive maneuver
2 French plane
3 Inebriate
4 Feeling down
5 "They've got an ______ good music"
6 The Terminator, for one
7 CNU lawn with a permanent desire path across it
8 2024 lime green summer phenomenon 9 Animal rights gp.
11 Undivided
12 Swab the deck
14 Amendments 1-10 subj.
19 ___ Piper
21 Trendy boot brand
25 It meant everything to Caesar
26 ___ na nÓg, the Otherworld in Celtic mythology
27 Live
28 "Uhh" alternative
29 Praetor of New Rome in "The Heroes of Olympus"
30 Included within a letter (abbr)
31 Friendship bracelet bit
32 "Thus..."
33 Had a bad at-bat
37 "The Cask of Amontillado" writer
39 Put into words
42 Upscale cosmetics chain
45 Someone who's full of it, for short
46 Extremely chill
47 Votes into office
48 "It's a date!"
51 Under attack from all sides
52 Place to exchange vows
53 "Skyfall" and "Hello" singer
55 The ___ of the party
56 Old Russian ruler
57 ____ powder, the dust that fuels magical fireplace transportation in "Harry Potter"
58 Little less than "iest"
59 U.S. spy org.
60 Little jump