The Captain’s Log
Take Note takes on ICCAs
A capella
competition season begins
ELLORA HOUCHINS
ELLORA.HOUCHINS.24@CNU.EDU
A cappella competition season is upon us! Christopher Newport University’s all-female a cappella group, Take Note, secured a spot in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella—affectionately known as ICCAs. After holding a small Valentine’s Day fundraiser in Einsteins, Take Note traveled to John Hopkins University in Baltimore to compete in the second weekend of the Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals. Before they left, The Captain’s Log had the chance to interview rising sophomore Victoria Grimes.
The Christopher Newport University (CNU) Captains fought their way to securing two wins against the United States Naval Academy at Chilled Ponds in Yorktown on Saturday, Feb. 15 (6-1) and Sunday, Feb. 16 (5-3). The wins pushed the team back up in the ranks from third to first in its conference with a successful re-
cord of 15-2, drastically different to last season.
During Saturday’s game CNU was able to tie the game up by the end of the third. In a tense overtime, senior forward Michael Cali secured the winning shot.
Cali, who’s ranked #26 in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Division III, said that final shot in Saturday’s game was a “top career moment” for him. Despite
the chaos, Cali had fun finishing off the regular season.
“My dad was right behind me at the glass when I scored and that honestly was my favorite part of the entire experience,” he said. “Overall, it felt amazing to secure us our playoff spot and just seal the deal on that roller coaster game.”
On Sunday’s game, CNU senior forward Ethan Hoffman raced down the ice to score the final winning shot.
After joining Take Note last semester, Grimes ran for and won the title of next year’s President of the a cappella group—a club she holds dearly to her heart. Grimes shared that Take Note had been rehearsing their ICCA choreography since November. The songs they performed over the weekend were in the order of “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey, “Falling” by Harry Styles and “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan.
The songs were decided and composed by Music Director Abiy Hailu before what was another successful Glow-in-the-Darcapella last November.
(Story continued in A & E, page 9)
President Bill Kelly drops the first puck of the CNU ice hockey game against the United States Naval Academy on Feb. 16, with Navy player Ben Grieb and CNU hockey captain senior Dean Jones, taken by Bre Dorrian/ TheCaptainsLog.
International Affairs Update:
BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU
Ukraine-Russia conflict
CNN reported on Feb. 18 that United States and Russian officials met to discuss resolutions and plans for moving forward with the UkraineRussia conflict. European leaders also met to discuss the process. Russian officials stated that it would be “unacceptable” for NATO-affiliated troops to be present in Ukraine.
Previously in the war, Russia had stated it wanted Ukraine to give up democratization efforts and that they “must cede control of large swaths of its territory,” according to CNN.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European officials have stated that there is potential for peacekeeping forces to be placed in Ukraine if an agreement is made.
CNN also reported that “US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Ukraine joining NATO is not ‘a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.’”
Hostages in Gaza
AP News reported on Feb. 18 that a leader of Hamas has stated that they will surrender and release the last six living Israeli hostages, along with the bodies of four other individuals. The releasing of these hostages is part of the first phase in the ceasefire plan, with more negotiation to come over the remaining phases.
Executions in Sudan
BBC News reported on Feb. 18 that “more than 200 unarmed civilians have been killed in a cluster of villages in Sudan over three days by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that is involved in a brutal conflict with the military.”
As conflict persists in Sudan, roughly 12 million individuals have been displaced with several thousands dead. RSF leaders in Kenya are anticipated to “announce plans to form their own government in areas under their control.”
For more information on any of these topics and other global and national updates, The Captain’s Log encourages readers to check out Reuters, AP News and other outlets.
Presidents Day protests across the country
Controversy over new age of Trump-Musk, “No Kings Day” and “Not My President Day”
BRE DORRIAN
BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU
On Monday, thousands gathered in Washington, D.C. to protest President Trump. Many protesters were calling it “No Kings Day” and “Not My President Day.”
Since President Trump took office, many Americans have expressed concerns over billionaire Elon Musk’s role in the Trump Administration and his hand in politics. Musk is currently the new leader of the Department of Government Efficiency and has previously been called out for making white supremacistlike gestures and statements, more specifically his hand gesture that resembled the same as the Nazi salute.
AP News reported that protesters in East Coast cities were chanting “No kings on Presidents Day” while “attempting to enter the Arizona Statehouse to oppose a bill that would bolster fast-changing federal immigration enforcement.”
Protesters in Florida and California expressed similar sentiments, all “denouncing” the Trump Administration and Musk.
These demonstrations follow a line of ex-
ecutive orders made by President Trump and several layoffs across federal agencies.
Christopher Newport University student Madison Schmeling expressed similar sentiments to those protesting, pointing out flaws in politics since President Trump took office again.
“Centuries of American history and activism has been overruled, dismantled and dismissed within less than a month of Trump’s inauguration,” she said. “The average American’s quality of life is low and we cannot afford to go lower, backwards.”
Schmeling also emphasized the importance of voters being informed on who exactly they’re voting into office and who those people appoint.
“We must remain properly informed and continue voting for representatives who have everyone’s best interests in mind, not a select few or, worse, their own,” Schmeling said. “We are stronger and smarter together.”
Presidents Day protests in Columbus Circle in New York, NY, in 2017, photo from WikiMediaCommons.
Another aviation disaster for 2025
Delta Air Lines plane crash in Toronto adds to list of recent aviation disastes
LINDSAY DEYTON
LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@CNU.EDU
AP News reported that on the afternoon of Feb. 17, 2025, a Delta Airlines flight headed out of Minneapolis experienced a snow turbulence while landing in Toronto. Flight DL4819 was landing on the runway at approximately 2:15 p.m. when a gust of wind going 40 mph flipped the plane onto its roof, trapping a total of 80
people onboard. Of the people on the plane, 76 were passengers and the remaining four were crew members. Some of the passengers had still been strapped into their seatbelts and hanging upside down when the plane had crashed. Other passengers made their escape onto the runway shortly after the touchdown.
Of the 80 people onboard, 18 were affected
with minor injuries and sent to the nearest hospital. However, no one was severely injured or killed in the crash. Allegedly, communications between the flight crew and the tower were normal, so it is unknown what went wrong between the time of descent and the crash. In 2025, this crash was ‘the fourth major aviation accident in North America in the past three weeks.’
Skyline of Toronoto, Ontario, from WikiMediaCommons.
Jets move on from Aaron Rodgers
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
A disappointing stint
The New York Jets have announced that they will be moving on from Aaron Rodgers next season.
The announcement came after general manager Aaron Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn met with Rodgers to discuss his future with the team. While Rodgers lobbied to return to the Jets next season, it was unsuccessful as the team chose to move in a different direction. This was not surprising as Rodgers had publicly expressed how much he enjoyed his time with the Jets and how he hoped to continue his career there. However, it is also not surprising that the Jets decided to move on from him.
While this decision can be attributed to the fact that Rodgers will be 42 years old entering next season, it was likely made as a result of his publicity off the field. Most notably, his ap-
pearances on the Pat McAfee Show as the organization told him that he would have to stop making his weekly appearances on the show if he wanted to stay in New York.
With free agency as well as April’s National Football League (NFL) draft fast approaching, Rodgers will have to decide what he does next. He currently has yet to decide between retiring or putting on a different uniform for his 21st NFL season. With teams beginning to prepare for the offseason, Rodgers will have to make a decision soon in order to give teams clarity about his status for next season.
Last season, Rodgers threw for 3,897 passing yards with a completion percentage of 63. He also accounted for 28 passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 90.5. While the numbers are not as stellar as they
were during his time with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers should still have some suitors this offseason if he were to decide to play as he would be one of the top quarterbacks available in free agency.
“...Rodgers had publicly expressed how much he enjoyed his time with the Jets and how he hoped to continue his career there.”
Rodriguez, Lore set to buy Timberwolves
TREY GREENWELL
TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
The end of a four-year wait
After a long wait, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore will buy the Minnesota Timberwolves. A four-year wait came to an end as arbitrators ruled in favor of Rodriguez and
Lore acquiring both the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Minnesota Timberwolves as well as the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) Minnesota
Lynx.
Once the NBA Board of Governors approve of the sale, the transaction will be made final. Rodriguex and Lore had initially agreed to purchase the Timberwolves and Lynx from then owner Glen Taylor for $1.5 billion in 2021. Their initial purchase was a 20 percent stake, with options that could give them the majority shares of the team in future years. Last year, they were set to take control of the team with an 80 percent stake before Taylor announced that the team was not for sale. Taylor’s reasoning for backing out of the deal was that Rodriguez and Lore had missed a deadline. Both Rodriguez and Lore were shocked by the announcement, attributing it to the team’s recent improvement as
well as the Phoenix Suns being sold for $4 billion a year after their deal was agreed to. This resulted in a lengthy arbitration battle that led to a threemember panel ruling 2-1 in favor of Rodriguez and Lore.
Despite this announcement, the sale needs 23 of the 30 NBA owners to approve the transaction. Once this is done, Rodriguez and Lore will have full control of the Timberwolves. It remains unclear if they will plan to buy the remaining 20 percent of the franchise owned by Taylor and his partners.
As of last fall, the Timberwolves were valued at $3.1 billion, the thirdleast valuable team in the league. Only the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies are worth less. With a change in
ownership as well as better play on the court over the last couple of seasons, this number could steadily increase in the near future.
“Once the NBA Board of Governors approve of the sale, the transaction will be made final.”
Aaron Rodgers during a 2018 regular season game with the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers by All-Pro Reels is licensed under the CC By Attribution Sharealike 2.0 Generic Deed.
The Target Center during a 2005 NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Timberwolves game by Amy Mingo is licensed under the CC By Attribution 2.0 Generic Deed.
Dad assaults two child referees
An unforeseen tragedy
by SounderBruce is licensed under the CC By Attribution Sharealike 4.0 International Deed.
A Seattle father has been charged with assault after shoving two child referees at his son’s youth hockey game.
The man was accused of knocking the referees, aged 12 and 14, onto the ice in what was reported as an unprovoked attack. The man claimed he was defending his son after he had been involved in a fight with a player on the opposing team.
However, police reports do not support this claim.
According to reports, no fight had broken out and the game was stopped. It went on to explain that the man walked up to a referee and knocked him on his back with a shove. Witnesses supported this claim as there was a fight that lasted no more than 10 seconds before officials broke it up. Following that, the officials were speaking about penalties before the father walked onto the ice.
The Seattle Fire De-
partment responded to the incident to treat the referees. Both were wearing protective gear during the game and neither injury required hospitalization. The man stated that he did not know that the referee was a minor and would participate during the investigation.
In court documents, it stated that the man, Uriel Isaac Cortes, was being charged with two counts of fourthdegree assault, a misdemeanor charge.
In a statement on social media, Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association President Jody Carpenter said the organization was investigating the incident. The statement went on to inform all members of the hockey community that respecting officials and showing good sportsmanship were essential to the sport.
The Kraken Community Iceplex, the venue of where the incident occurred, also released a statement.
It announced that they would be assisting USA Hockey in an investigation of what had happened. They also launched a Cool Down Challenge on social media where everyone is reminded to respect referees. This campaign will serve as a reminder that referees are human and any violent conduct towards them is unacceptable.
“The man claimed he was defending his son after he had been involved in a fight with a player on the opposing team.”
Coming soon in CNU Sports:
*Games listed are happening at CNU February 22nd:
*Women’s Tennis
CNU v. Methodist University
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 12:30 PM
Men’s Basketball
CNU v. University of Mary Washington
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Time: 4:00 PM February 25th:
*Men’s Baseball CNU v. Roanoke College
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 2:00 PM February 26th:
*Women’s Softball
CNU v. Randolph College
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 3:00 and 5:30 PM
Saturday, breaking Bob Knight’s record for the most Big Ten conference wins.
To look at events off campus and for future weeks, visit cnusports.com
The main rink at the Kraken Community Iceplex, the training facility for the Seattle Kraken at Northgate Station. Kraken Community Iceplex main rink
SNAPSHOT
Around Campus
Sunset view of campus from across Warwick Boulevard, taken by Amanda Eacho/TheCaptainsLog
Image of Christopher Newport Hall against the blue sky, taken by Emily D’Alba
Image of the cloudy sky above McMurran, taken by Emily D’Alba
Sunset view of The Great Lawn, taken by Lindsay Deyton/ TheCaptainsLog
CNU Tonight delivers in their 99th show
Check out CNU’s sketch comedy club!
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
CNU Tonight returned for their 99th show last Saturday in Gaines Theater. The sketch comedy club is led by their president, Andrew Emerson, who the opening sketch was centered around. After getting a lot of laughs from the audience, the members on stage ended the sketch saying “we’ll be CNU Tonight!”
Once Emerson announced the cast members, the second sketch started. “I’m from the north but I must yee” features a northerner who teaches his “disciples” how to live in the south. He has split personalities–one from the north and one from the south–who fight with each other in funny accents.
Unlike most sketch comedy shows, CNU Tonight does the entire show without cue cards! So the preparation that goes into each show is impressive. The next video sketch is about an ultimate wingman, who receives a call from a maidenless man to help him out on his date with a girl. The wingman gets up to many antics, including pretending to be their waiter at a restaurant and pretending to be his roommate. The guy ends up being fed up with him and jumps him at the end.
The next sketch is “Asbestos Man”, who makes an appearance three times throughout the night. He ruins a painting in a museum with asbestos, tries to ruin a couple’s picnic with asbestos and in the end questions what he’s been doing with his life before getting taken away by the cops.
In what seemed to be the crowd favorite of the night, “guy who thinks everything is an escape room” took the stage three times. The first time he mistakes an office at a 9-5 job as a “prison themed escape room”. Then, he crashes a wedding and “escapes matrimony”. His final appearance is his funeral, where he becomes a ghost and takes being trapped in the mortal plane as a challenge to escape.
The Valentine’s Day sketch titled “Cupid Crisis” centered around Cupid making mistakes with his matches. He matches Susan with two guys, but she’d prefer to be matched with Cupid instead. Dating clients is forbidden, but he gives her his number anyways. He matched two girls together who claim not to be queer, but Cupid is not so sure about that by the looks of them. The last
but he gives her his number anyways. He matched two girls together who claim not to be queer, but Cupid is not so sure about that by the looks of them. The last complaint he gets is from a guy who was shot in the behind with an arrow and seems to be quite allergic to it by the looks of his behind.
The next sketch is “Beastie Boys”, which is about a producer who becomes frustrated with the rap group for not playing into their bad boy personas well enough. He ends the sketch with a rant–“You make hip hop for folks who are afraid of Black people.”
We then move on to “Since the Last Show”(SLS), a segment resembling Weekend Update from Saturday Night Live. Many topics were covered, including the Luter expansion leaving CNU Tonight’s meeting room demolished, the Chiefs blowing it at “Drake’s funeral” and the Marching Captains performing at the London New Years Day Parade. After SLS, another video sketch is displayed on the screen. “Guyentines” is about a group of guy friends trying to figure out a manly enough way to spend Valentine’s Day together. One of them is a little too excited and has visions of them doing activities like
Valentine’s Day together. One of them is a little too excited and has visions of them doing activities like spa night and an ABBA dance party. He keeps these ideas to himself and suggests activities like playing pool and drinking whisky, though.
The next sketch is about the absurdities of working at Dunkin Donuts. The barista has to deal with a guy who needs “more ice than Vanilla Ice himself”, a girl with a ridiculous coffee order who wants to speak to the manager (who comes out swinging) and a guy who is very weird about the amount of cream he wants in his coffee.
“Meeting of the Supervillains” takes place in an office space–not exactly an evil lair. The supervillains show up dressed in business casual and the most diabolical thing they encounter are paper cones instead of cups at the water fountain.
The last short video sketch of the night is “Sex-quantences”. A sexquantence is someone you’re casually hooking up with, but wouldn’t exactly call a friend or a relationship. The person hearing about this is baffled, but is caught
or a relationship. The person hearing about this is baffled, but is caught more off guard by the mention of sex enemies.
The last sketch of the night is “Cartoon Idol”, a spin on American Idol, but the judges include Minnie Mouse and Shaggy from Scooby Doo. Goofy sings “Singing in the Rain” but can’t get through it without chuckling. Scooby Doo sings “Please Please Please” and Toad sings “The Phantom of the Opera”. These impressions were hilariously spot on and had everyone in the crowd laughing.
CNU Tonight’s 100th show is on Mar. 29 at 9 p.m. in Gaines Theater. You don’t want to miss it!
“Unlike most sketch comedy shows, CNU Tonight does the entire show without cue cards! So the preparation that goes into each show is impressive.”
CNU Tonight cast members on stage. Photo taken by Alyssa Tillman/ TheCaptainsLog.
ELLORA HOUCHINS
Take Note takes on ICCAs
A capella competition season begins
ELLORA.HOUCHINS.24@CNU.EDU
“Good Luck, Babe!” was the only song Take Note performed at Glow and ICCAs, with rising sophomore Sarah Gingerich as the soloist. Other mentionable soloists for “Young and Beautiful” and “Falling” were senior Cecile Chemezova and rising sophomore Bea Hancock, respectively.
“Well, we’ve kind of created this storyline,” Grimes told us when asked about the show’s choreography, something she created for Roan’s single. “It’s the tragedy of a woman losing herself through other people and unknowingly chasing chaos and self-doubt,” she said. However, the finale is the start of recovery; the start of revenge. Grimes emphasized the team effort with other choreographers, such as rising sophomore Katie Scharlat and current Take Note President Chemezova—whose successor is
Grimes—being the key factor in telling the story.
When asked about what sets Take Note apart from the other groups competing, Grimes didn’t hesitate to give an answer. “We’re diverse in a lot of different manners, even though we’re an all-female presenting group.” She told us how despite Take Note having the typical a cappella first impression, they don’t conform to the stereotypes of what makes a clique, well…“cliquey.”
Grimes shared how her confidence and work ethic have grown since she started regularly rehearsing. “These people really make me want to work hard. To achieve a goal that we all want to achieve.” She said this with a smile on her face, perhaps thinking about a moment somewhere in between the latenight rehearsals and the inside jokes.
“I think [that] having the connection we have sets us up to have a great performance.” Grimes
chuckled after saying this, thinking she got too philosophical and sweet. With or without a victory, the chemistry between each member in Take Note is undeniable.
The Mid-Atlantic Region has a total of 47 competing groups over five quarter-final rounds on weekends that span through February and March. Take Note competed in the second weekend with nine other groups, including James Madison University’s Noteoriety and Virginia Tech’s Juxtaposition.
However, Take Note isn’t CNU’s only a cappella group competing in the ICCAs! University Sounds and Extreme Measures are competing the weekend of March 1 at Oakton High School in Northern Virginia. University Sounds members are selling T-shirts for a limited time to help cover any costs of ICCA. You can find the Boo Sounds design and the link on their Instagram page until Feb. 21.
When vacation goes wrong:
“The White Lotus” returns to screens
WILLIAM BURKE
WILLIAM.BURKE.24@CNU.EDU
In theory, a vacation is embodied relaxation. It’s a view of the Grand Canyon or a swim in the waters of Fiji. It’s where you leave your old self behind and forget about your worries for a finite period of time. Unfortunately, such an idea can be a stark impossibility because you can never truly leave who you are as a person; as a result, a genuine vacation is an impossibility.
“The White Lotus” is both a display of that impossibility and the dangers of the wealthy and influential when they’re faced with it. In short, “The White Lotus” is what happens when a vacation goes wrong.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began and studios were forced to pause production and filming of their projects, HBO had a major gap in its schedule. To combat this, the studio filmed a COVID-friendly project involving minimal side characters and set locations—ideally, it was a series that could take place in one location and boast a small cast of characters.
That series was “The White Lotus,”
a black comedy limited series surrounding one drama-filled week at a fictional Hawaiian hotel known as the White Lotus. Employees and wealthy guests alike found themselves intertwined in each other’s lives to humorous results. The limited series starred well-known actors, such as “The Office” alum Jake Lacy, “Legally Blonde” actress Jennifer Coolidge and “Euphoria” breakout star Sydney Sweeney, in her first post -“Euphoria” role. The series was well-received for its intricate characterizations and storylines, scoring nine Primetime Emmy nominations and winning five. The season focused on themes of money and the different dynamics it can lead to, specifically between the spoiled guests and overworked employees.
A mere month after its premiere, “The White Lotus” was quickly renewed for a second season, alongside the announcement that the show will return as an anthology series with a new cast of characters. Season two premiered the following year in October 2022, starring new players like “Parks and Recreation” Aubrey Plaza and “Pirates of the
Caribbean” actor Tom Hollander.
The season followed a week at a new White Lotus location; instead of Hawaii, this season was set in the gorgeous city of Sicily, Italy. Rather than focusing on the dynamics of money, the series used Italy’s sensuous beauty to provide a commentary on sex and the intricacies of it.
“Unfortunately, such an idea can be a stark impossibility because you can never truly leave who you are as a person; as a result, a genuine vacation is an impossibility.”
The season was met with similar praise as its predecessor, and the show was renewed for season three. The
third season was since delayed by Hollywood’s writer and actor strikes but finally premiered Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. on HBO. This time the series takes place in Thailand, including actors like “Mission Impossible” star Michelle Monaghan, “Harry Potter” star Jason Isaacs and “Fallout” actor Walton Goggins.
Not only does “The White Lotus” allow people to see gorgeous places they may never be able to travel, but it does so in the lens of rude and cynical people who can’t truly escape themselves even in some of the most attractive places in the world.
“The White Lotus” has embodied relaxation, managing to meet both the high bar it’s set for itself and poke fun at its own impossibility.
Take Note performing onstage, photo courtesy of Victoria Grimes.
Sustainable fashion: F.I.T or miss?
CLAIRE HALL
CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
How to build an eco-friendly wardrobe hand
In a world where fast fashion dominates and trends come and go at lightning speed, the impact on the environment has never been more evident. From the pollution caused by the textile industry to the enormous waste generated by discarding clothing, the fashion industry is one of the leading contributors to environmental degradation. However, there is a growing movement towards sustainable fashion, and more consumers are making conscious decisions to build wardrobes that are not only stylish, but also healthy for the planet. Whether you are a seasoned, eco-conscious shopper or beginning your sustainable fashion journey, these tips will help you make mindful choices that align with your values and personal sense of style.
Find your personal style
Before you decide to thrift a bunch of clothes, you have to figure out your personal style. This comes down to asking yourself a series of questions: Do you like pops of color? How do you feel about patterns? What colors look good on you? Asking these questions helps narrow down your preferences on what you would like to wear, making it easier for you to find clothes when thrifting. Finding your personal style is also important, as you do not want to spend money on clothes that you might not even wear.
Create a Pinterest board to manifest
Creating a Pinterest board is very important, especially when you are on the hunt for a specific item. Having a vision board dedicated to certain prints, styles, textures, etc., can be helpful in the long run when you are thrifting. The best part is that you get to manifest the items that you want. Shop only in thrift/second
stores
If you are committed to shopping sustainably, you should only be shopping at thrift and second hand stores. Sometimes if there is a specific item that you are searching for and cannot find it at the thrift store, it’s okay to buy it retail. Your main goal is to buy a majority of the items in your closet at the thrift. Obviously not everything has to be thrifted. Some individuals don’t like buying shoes, swimwear, or sleepwear at the thrift store, which is a good boundary to set with yourself. You only purchase what you feel comfortable wearing secondhand.
Are you going to wear it? Is there something wrong with it?
In order to thrift sustainably, you need to thrift consciously. Don’t just buy something because you see it. Ask yourself: are you ever going to wear it? Are there holes or stains that you cannot fix? Do you have other clothing items to match it? That way, you are saving money and not buying items that are taking space in your closet.
Wash! Wash! Wash! thrifted clothes
If you purchase something from the thrift store, please wash it. Even if it smells or looks clean, you should be running it through the washer. I would also recommend throwing in some laundry scent beads to get rid of any thrift odor.
I hope these tips are helpful for when you want a more sustainable closet. Just remember, every piece of clothing you buy at the thrift store is saved from the landfill. With that, I hope you enjoy thrifting your new favorite pieces of clothing all while saving the planet.
Staff writer reviews smoothie shop in Freeman
CLAIRE HALL
CLAIRE.HALL22@CNU.EDU
As you enter the Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion for an intense workout or perhaps scurry through the Freeman Center for a shortcut to class, you might notice a new addition to the Christopher Newport University dining services. F.I.T., which stands for Fresh, Incredible and Tasty food, is the newest on-campus eatery located in the game concessions stand neighboring the Fieldhouse. It serves as a testament to Christopher Newport’s mission to offer healthier, more natural options for their students.
The smoothie joint made its debut in September 2024 and has extended its menu to include to-go salads and nutritious grain bowls this semester. F.I.T. allows students to create their own liquid concoctions or choose from selected recipes.
Senior Ally Miller currently works at F.I.T. and reports that the best-selling flavor is the orange juice blend entitled “The Captain Punch.” She added that the best sellers will fluctuate however, and that “sometimes the F.I.T. smoothie is the bestseller on another day.” Another smoothie option for the fruit and berry lovers is the “Think Pink,” for your dose of strawberries, bananas, pineapples and yogurt for a sweet and silky texture. The ingredients are displayed for students to see to ensure that the ripe fruits and vegetables they are consuming are as fresh as advertised. The student employees pluck the bright, juicy ingredients and blend the elements in front of the consumer.
Miller makes her own blend. “I throw everything in there. I use strawberries, mangoes, blueberries and sometimes spinach,” she said.
The mediterranean-style grain bowls that premiered on Jan. 13 also struck well with customers, reminding them of hit restaurants such as Cava or Chipotle.
“The bowls are pretty popular. It’s unique. The other dining options don’t do something like this,” Miller said.
My personal favorite is the “Think Pink” smoothie, followed closely by the “Captain Punch,” as I prefer tropical and berry flavors. I’ve tried all of the options except the iconic F.I.T smoothie, as leafy greens in my smoothie scare me. If you need a quick pick-me-up before heading to your next lecture or you’re looking for some healthy food to refuel after a workout, this dining spot is perfect for you. I am honestly surprised I don’t spot more students walking with a smoothie in hand, as the taste is better than bonafide off-campus smoothie joints. I expect the eatery will boom in popularity as the new wave of freshmen students (Class of 2029) arrive at CNU, as many current admitted students still are not aware of this new dining experience.
CNU Students with a meal plan that includes dining dollars or Captain’s Cash can quickly pay with their student ID instead of out of their pocket and the F.I.T. punch card allows your 11th smoothie to be free after 10 previous purchases! F.I.T. is open during the weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The “Think Pink” smoothie from the Freeman Center, photo taken by Brooke Martin / TheCaptainsLog.
Creme De Menthe Brownie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 family size brownie mix
- 1 stick melted butter
- 3 c powdered sugar
-1/4 c creme de menthe
Steps:
- Mix the above ingredients together and spread over cooled brownies
- Place in the fridge at 1hr
- Melt and combine: 1/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cups hot water
- Pour over creme layer, cool in fridge for 1 hour
Claire’s Corner
Your go-to advice column for college
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
How do I avoid comparing myself to others on social media?
When it comes to social media, it is easy to get caught in the trap of comparing ourselves to others. Whether it’s seeing friend’s highlights or strangers’ seemingly perfect lives, it can leave us feeling inadequate or overwhelmed. The curated nature of social media often doesn’t reflect the full picture of someone’s life Making it difficult to remember when scrolling through our feeds. However, learning to avoid comparisons and shift our focus can be a game changer for our mental well being. Let’s dive into some strategies to help you embrace your own journey and enjoy social media without the unnecessary comparisons.
Limit social media time
Try to limit your time on social media. Dedicating too much time to mindless scrolling can cause many negative effects on mental and physical health. This can lead to worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as sleep problems, fatigue and stress. Not to mention, the more time you spend on social media, the more you will compare yourself to other people. To solve this problem, try indulging in other activities such as reading or exercising as these are more beneficial to your mental health.
Curate your feed towards positivity
If you do spend a lot of time on social media, curating your feed towards positivity is a great way to avoid comparing yourself to others. Follow accounts that make you feel inspired, happy or motivated, and don’t be afraid to unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel down or envious. Your feed should be bringing you joy, not causing an unnecessary amount of stress.
Remember, it’s not real
Social media often shows the best
moments of people’s lives and not the full picture. The one thing that people are good at is showing their wins or triumphs, not their struggles. Therefore, when you start to struggle in life, you feel that it’s not normal or out of character. Try not to compare your whole life to someone else’s, because at the end of the day, they could be struggling with something too.
Focus on your own progress Instead of comparing yourself to others, try to focus on your own growth and achievements. Sometimes, life doesn’t always go up. You will hit rock bottom several times. It’s important to celebrate each and every milestone and achievement that you hit, no matter how big or small they seem. Take the wins as they come and don’t let anyone else affect how you view your progress.
Social media can be a powerful tool for connection and inspiration, but it’s also important to remember that everyone’s path in life is different. Focusing on your own growth and setting healthy boundaries with social media can help you stay away from the negative impact of comparisons. Remember to celebrate the progress that you’ve made. You’ve come so far and there’s a lot more in store for you. As always, stay safe Captains and I’ll see you next time!
Photo courtesy of Claire Hall /TheCaptainsLog
“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the press.”— CNU Chancellor Paul Trible
Super Bowl celebrations: Tradition or turmoil?
Staff writer shares their opinion on fans taking it too far
TRINITY TOMPKINS TRINITY.TOMPKINS.24@CNU.EDU
The Super Bowl seems to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year for many Americans. Even if you’re not an advent sports watcher, you probably have some strong opinions in regard to who the halftime show artist will be, how good the commercials actually are, or which team you would prefer to win. Some people even show their devotion to the sport by going all out and spending hundreds and thousands of dollars for one ticket to this fa-
mous game. However, what happens once a team has won? Does the team’s hometown celebrate? It is completely normal to feel a sense of pride and elation for your team’s success and at what point does this celebration take a step too far?
This is something that has been recently seen and debated in the wake of the Philadelphia Eagles’s groundbreaking win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9, 2025. While it may be typically
expected to celebrate with fireworks or maybe a small parade around the city, this is not what some Eagles fans did. Many of the winning team’s fans rallied among the streets of Philly to commemorate their win and started rioting. In some parts of the city, public property was ransacked and destroyed. This was seen through acts such as mass vandalism, looting, setting small fires and light poles being torn down. These violent acts forced police intervention to occur in which multiple individuals were arrested onsight.
While this rioting may not have been a complete surprise to the residents and government officials of this city as there have been previous instances of sports related riots in Philly, the consequences of these actions and impacts are still severely real. Mayor Cherelle Parker even expressed pleas to residents to limit city destruction before the impending game, CBS news reported. These riots unnecessarily put individuals in danger, forced the city to pay for incurred damages, caused roads to temporarily close and could have impacted local businesses, CBS news added. While not all the rioters were residents of the city, and thus do not have to live with the damages that they caused, I think it is important to understand that people do live and work in areas that were impacted, even if not
for an extended period of time. Imagine if this riot had lasted longer. There could have been more damage done. What if irreplaceable architecture and art was destroyed? People and businesses could have been more heavily impacted, and what was once a joyous occasion, could turn into mass protests and extreme public unrest.
With that said, what is the point in purposely intending to ruin buildings and roads? What is the long term goal? It is imperative to understand the underlying purpose and effects of the group’s actions no matter the situation. If Eagles fans simply wanted to celebrate, then they could have had some parties. However, instead they banded together with the purpose to make a national scene, not just express their content for their local team’s success. Therefore, a line must be drawn between acceptable and unacceptable forms of public celebration. While peoples opinions on this matter may differ, I think this line is drawn when actions are no longer harmless and fun, but violent, aggressive and have a direct negative impact on locals and the environment. Therefore, by my standards Philly’s Super Bowl celebrations were too extreme and more precautions should be taken in the future to limit these destructive behaviors.
A football sits on a field, from Unsplash
Four-Nation Face Off fist fight
A breakdown of the U.S. versus Canada hockey brawl
BRE DORRIAN BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU
Every American hockey fan should have Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” playing on loop in their heads today.
The 2025 Four Nation Face-Off is an international hockey tournament where the top four nations, the United States of America, Canada, Finland and Sweden, of the sport go head-to-head. Hockey is a naturally aggressive sport with passionate fans and players.
The showdown last Saturday on Feb. 15 at the Bell Centre in Montreal was nothing short of that.
When the U.S. faced off against Canada, players weren’t met with Canada’s typical level of hospitality. Before the first puck drop, Canadian fans uncharacteristically booed loudly across the entire stadium as the U.S. national anthem played.
The response? True to their unbridled patriotism, the U.S. responded in the most American way possible. Within the first nine seconds of the first period, the gloves were thrown and three fights broke out. The U.S. not only physically pummeled the Canadians, but also beat them with a 3-1 win. Take that Canada.
To kick off the “fight-night,” Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (U.S.) dropped gloves with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel (Canada).
Shortly after followed Tkachuk’s brother, Ottawa Senators left-winger Brady Tkachuk (U.S.) facing off with Panthers forward Sam Bennett (Canada).
Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (U.S.) finished off the opening trifecta by taking on St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayk (Canada).
NHL Boston Bruins’ captain and left-winger Brad Marchand, who played for Canada, spoke in an interview that he felt the booing was completely inappropriate.
Marchand himself is known for his trash talk, bold coming from such a little guy, but he backs it up with his on-ice performances. Good diplomacy, Marchy.
Although the timing post booing was quite ironic, these fights were no accident. Instead they were all very intentional.
Many people have speculated that the tensions have stemmed from the U.S. imposing hefty tariffs on Canada, with Canada responding with their own intense retaliatory tariffs right back at us.
Politics aside, the U.S. hockey team wanted to make a point.
“We needed to send a message,” Matthew Tkachuk told ESPN. “We’re here in Montreal on a Saturday night. We want it to be our time, and that message started right from the get-go.”
Personally speaking, I have a lot of problems with the U.S. as a whole. As an institution, as a nation and as a global superpower we are quite frankly a train wreck. Gun violence, lack of human rights, billionaires corrupting politics and the whole sha-bang. We have a lot to work on to say the least. I will be the first to say this country is short of deserving mass celebration.
However, that being said, nothing makes me more patriotic than going against other nations in sports, especially when they speak disrespectfully about the U.S. Problems aside, booing another nation’s national anthem is just plain rude and someones gotta stick it to them.
It’s like when you make a joke about your sibling and someone laughs and joins in. I can joke about my brother’s dumb face, you can’t though.
Was the fighting a good demonstration of good sportsmanship? No, of course not. Does starting a brawl fix our problems? No, obviously not. However, this is hockey. Like it or not, it’s part of the fun. Chirping at games is arguably one of the best parts, but not when it is outright egregious.
Lesson learned, if you’re going to talk smack, you have to be able to back it up. Especially if you’re going to boo another nation’s national anthem, maybe make sure they’re not better at hockey than you first.
The Naked Truth: “Green
flags in the bedroom: Signs of a healthy sex life”
By Guest Columnist, in collaboration with the editorial team
Alright, let’s talk about it— the thing that makes people giggle uncomfortably but also Google frantically at 2 a.m. A healthy sex life. Because, let’s be real, good sex isn’t just about acrobatics and movie-style passion—it’s about trust, communication, and, yes, actually enjoying yourself (shocking, I know). So, if you’re wondering whether your sex life is thriving or just meh, here are the green flags to look for.
1. You can actually talk about it without cringing
If you and your partner can openly discuss what you like, what you don’t, and what you really want to try without feeling like you’re delivering a PowerPoint presentation, that’s a big win. A healthy sex life isn’t just about the act itself—it’s about feeling safe enough to communicate, even when it’s a little awkward.
2. You’re both enthusiastic participants
Hot take: Sex should be fun for both of you. If one person is consistently just going along with it to “keep the peace” or treating it like a chore (yikes), that’s a problem. Enthusiasm is key—whether it’s a spontaneous make-out session or a well-planned event with themed playlists and mood lighting.
3. Consent is a given, not a conversation stopper
Consent isn’t just sexy—it’s the absolute foundation of a healthy sex life. If you and your partner naturally check in with each other, respect boundaries, and make sure
you’re both into it, you’re doing things right. No pressure, no guilt trips—just mutual respect and understanding.
4. You laugh—a lot
Sex isn’t always going to look like a perfectly choreographed romance scene. Sometimes, socks stay on. Sometimes, a weird noise happens. Sometimes, your cat jumps on the bed mid-moment. If you can both laugh it off and keep going, congratulations—you’ve reached peak comfort and connection.
5. There’s no scorekeeping
A healthy sex life isn’t about keeping track of who initiated last or who “owes” who (biggest red flag, BTW). It’s about mutual enjoyment, not a transactional exchange. If you both feel comfortable initiating and know that intimacy isn’t a one-way street, that’s a green flag waving high.
6. It’s about more than just the physical
Sure, chemistry is great, but the best intimacy comes from emotional connection, trust, and genuine care for each other. If sex is just another way you show love and appreciation—not just a physical act— you’re in a really good place.
Bottom line? A healthy sex life is about communication, mutual respect, and, most importantly, fun. So if your relationship checks these boxes, keep doing what you’re doing (and maybe high-five your partner for being awesome).
Disclaimer: Over the coming four weeks, this column will be introducing you to a new voice as we explore innovative approaches to advice-giving. Our March 13 issue will give a full introduction to this up-and-coming resource. In the meantime, if you’d like to take a guess about the identity of today’s columnist, please email us at clog@cnu.edu.
Student
By: Tori A.B
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Organizations Around Campus
“Organizations Around Campus”
45 The only player on a Quidditch team who matters, for some reason
46 CNU's fraternities and sororities
49 Speak with a sore throat
Tomato, for one
Natural burn medicine also found in tropical drinks
Strong and healthy
Neon fish
Cat calling?
Test
CNU organization focused on educating and raising awareness about sexual assault
Offline, for short
Picture abbreviation
Awning
CNU's former anchor org. focused on extended service trips
Transport for people who didn't pick a designated driver, perhaps
Get going
The loneliest number
with two screens
50 Letters before Fridays?
___ room (play area) 53 Anchor organization who produced this very newspaper!
Every
Undiluted 63 Opinion surveys 65 "Don't ____ fool with me!"
66 Biblical garden
67 "It's as clear _____"
68 Famous WWE finisher named for the initials of the wrestler who invented it 69 Out of battery 70 Opposite of wants
Frequently, poetically
Make, as in tea or beer
Writer, for short
Swampy ground
Video game pioneer
Actor for Luke Skywalker and Fire Lord Ozai
Pub Beverages
Owl sound
Recent payroll addition
Old school alternate to 35-Across
Computing forefather Turing
Internet joke
15 The first name of one of Hogwarts' founders
20 Taylor's most recent tour
21 Come out 24 Reverberation
25 Together (with) 26 Venomous snake
27 First responder, for short 29 Controversial cabinet member Gabbard
30 England's primary news network
31 Author of "The Metamorphosis"
32 Locations
34 New York cornerstore
37 Recommended cost acronym
39 Alternative to backspace
41 Less than -iest 44 Didn't go to class 45 Looked over
A square kind of Sketch? 48 More than an acquaintance 52 Congressional cable channel
Eye drop
Gain access to digitally
Ghostly type of plasm
Backtalk, slangily
Space
Misplace 59 Ye ____ shoppe
Hefty competitor?
Network abbr.