August 24, 2021

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August 24, 2021

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

WELCOME BACK, HOKIES.

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

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Opinions

PAGE 2 August 24, 2021

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Expectations of a perfect freshman year don’t leave room for personal growth

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Going into freshman year — or any part of college — expecting perfection will only lead to disappointment.

Author’s note: I first published this piece in August of 2019 when I was a newly-hired opinions editor. Though I originally wrote this for the class of 2023, I believe my words still hold true today and embody a lesson that we all need to remember. Whether you’re a freshman, a senior like me, or someone with your feet firmly planted in the adult world, I hope this piece can give you some comfort and remind you that while perfection is impossible, kindness to yourself and others is always possible — and necessary!

-Lexi Solomon, managing editor

fter the nonstop stress and anxious anticipation of high school graduation, college is supposed to be the reward. As your parents and commencement speakers have reminded you, your arrival at Virginia Tech is the product of over 12 years of hard work, the light at the end of a tunnel filled with countless all-night study sessions, last-minute essay writing and plenty of tears. Your family and friends are no doubt excited for you; if they’re anything like mine, they’ve jokingly warned you not to party so much that you forget to check

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in. Before I began my freshman year, my aunt told me, “You’ll have so much fun from the second you get there, you won’t even get the chance to miss your parents.”

The stereotypical portrayals of movie characters’ college antics, marked by spontaneous late-night adventures and ragers almost always broken up by the cops, only heighten the excitement for thousands of incoming freshmen.

College will be great, they say; you’ll instantly find friends who get you, and you’ll have something to do every weekend. Best of all, this “fun” starts nearly the second your parents pull away for that long drive back home.

There’s some truth in all that. I definitely had my share of spontaneous outings my freshman year courtesy of my roommate, who is far more outgoing than I could ever hope to be; and if I had looked hard enough, I probably would have found something to do every weekend if I didn’t want to be stuck in my dorm room. You can always check out Weekends Well Spent if you need help on that front. However, unlike what my friends, family and the movies had promised, college wasn’t great for me from the moment I arrived. In fact, my first two months in Blacksburg were miserable at times.

Don’t get me wrong — I wholly believe that my decision to attend Virginia Tech is the best I’ve ever made, and my Facebook friends can attest to the unabashed pride in my posts about school. It’s just that after years of looking forward to college, anticipating independence, new buddies and an entirely new environment, what I found when I got here was a bit of a letdown. It wasn’t the town; Blacksburg is lovely, and the locals are incredibly kind. It wasn’t being away from home and my parents (sorry, Mom and Dad). As much as I did miss them, I enjoyed getting to set my own schedule

and doing my own grocery shopping.

Rather, my biggest disappointment upon entering college was the loneliness I quickly felt.

Nobody talks about the loneliness, even though a 2017 survey found that 64% of college students reported feeling “very lonely” within the previous 12 months. Despite being surrounded by thousands of other new students in the same situation as you, there is oftentimes a disconnect where you believe you’re the only one who hasn’t instantly clicked with a group of new friends, the only one doing laundry on Friday nights and the only one who is desperately homesick by Labor Day. If this is where you find yourself, don’t look at social media. That will only make it worse; scrolling through your Instagram feed, you’ll see Lizzie from high school, who has already joined a sorority and met her “besties,” or Tim from your neighborhood, who has been to 20 parties by the end of the second week of classes. Here’s the thing — social media is where everybody puts real and metaphorical filters on how they’re feeling, creating a brilliant facade to conceal what’s truly going on. Remind yourself that most people aren’t going to get an Instagram account just to tell their followers how miserable they actually are. If you let yourself indulge in the temptation to compare yourself to your acquaintances from high school, you’ll only feel more alone, and the sadness will simply spiral from there.

The hard truth about college is that there will be moments where you wonder if you made the right choice.

Later, you’ll look back on those moments and chuckle at yourself for ever questioning your decision to be a Hokie. Understand that a large part of college is learning how to be continued on page 3

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comfortable and happy being on your own. Know there will be times where the stress of it all feels overwhelming, and those are the times where I would encourage you to seek out the wonderful resources of Schiffert Health Center or Cook Counseling Center.

I won’t sugarcoat it — college is a place for you to grow, and growth often requires a lot of hard reality checks and difficult obstacles to conquer. But I would encourage you to use the challenges you encounter as opportunities to grow and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. If you can’t find a single spot at Turner, ask someone if you can join them at their table — you might make a new friend. If you end up having three roommates instead of the single you’d originally pictured, hone your conflict-resolution skills as you learn to live peacefully with others in a small space. Accept that private moments are a luxury now that you perform personal-hygiene routines in a synchronized ballet with your hall or suitemates. If, like me, you are a liberal arts major who gets stuck with a class at the Math Empo, do the best you can, take advantage of Tech’s tutoring services and use the class as a chance to prove to yourself that you can conquer math.

Of course, the biggest stressor that adults can’t prepare us for is the struggle many college students face as we try to figure out exactly who we are. With college being the first lengthy time away from home for many freshmen, the pressure to discover who you can finally be free from parental supervision can feel crushing. If you have friends from home coming to Tech with you, you might feel tempted to stick with your old crew, doing the same activities you did in high school. The temptation is understandable; college is scary enough on its own, and more terrifying when you consider switching up your usual routine and trying something new. But I’ve found that when you don’t even attempt to experiment,

A group of freshmen are “hanging in there” on campus, Sept. 7, 2020.

you end up watching everyone around you discover new sides to themselves — new interests, new talents, new friend groups — while you’re left behind and growing stagnant. That’s a feeling you want to avoid.

To get even a taste of that electric exhilaration college movies portray, you have to let go of the familiar. With around 800 clubs and student organizations at Virginia Tech, there is a group of like-minded souls for everyone. If your roommate is a total mismatch, there are plenty of other students in your dorm, on-campus organizations and in your classes. My best memories from freshman year were all made while I was doing something I’d never done before, hanging out with new people, or trying my hand at a new skill like writing for the Collegiate Times.

It might be scary, but I promise the reward is worth the risk.

Live with up to 7 roommates in our 5 bedroom!

Looking back on how unhappy I was when I first came here and comparing it to the joy I feel now, I am able to treasure the friends I’ve met here and the adventures I’ve shared with them.

My highs wouldn’t feel nearly as hardearned or appreciated if I hadn’t powered through the lows to get to them.

Rely on upperclassmen who have walked the path into this university before you. Follow their breadcrumbs to find the shortcuts to classes and dining halls, though we’ll beg you to avoid the temptation to Grubhub Jamba Juice on a daily basis. We’re all waiting to share how many times we’ve changed our majors, had a midnight freakout at the library or insisted our parents let us FaceTime the pets for the 12th time that week. However, we’ll also tell you all about jumping to “Enter Sandman,” singing along to

ANISHA KOHLI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

concerts at Burruss Hall and watching a beautiful Blacksburg sunset from the Pylons. Benefit from our mistakes and listen to our advice (on most things) — we don’t bite.

Congrats on becoming Hokies, and welcome to the best college campus on Earth. Your perfect collegiate experience won’t just happen; you’ll have to make it for yourself. With all the cultural, educational and athletic opportunities here, that’s doable for anyone. Every time you wonder if you’ve made the right choice in coming here, let me be the first to remind you — you definitely have.

LEXI SOLOMON • senior • national security and foreign affairs and Russian

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Orientation is one of many necessary evils Long hours of discomfort and unfamiliarity provide vital guidance to students of all ages and stages at Virginia Tech.

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he transition from high school to college is rife with fear and anxiety. We’re suddenly removed from our parents for the first time, far away from friends we’ve known for years and often hundreds of miles away from where we grew up.

All of this to say, college is an exercise in discomfort. From moving away to meeting new people, it’s a poster child for what life will be like once we graduate. For most students, this begins with the intake process at orientation.

In-person orientation began way too early in the morning and ended way too late at night. Students were stuck in groups of people they had never met before and were often paired with orientation leaders who had too much energy for 7 a.m., and from there, students got a crash course in college within two days.

Orientation can be overwhelming, but it is essential to the freshman experience. The wisdom students acquire during this time never quite fades from memory.

There are many things that college students must get taken care of during orientation. They are issued Hokie Passports, fully register for classes, learn how to navigate the transit systems and become familiar with the campus.

Orientation has everyone constantly on the go from early in the morning to near midnight. Students’ days are packed full of activities, in the span of a day and a half, designed to introduce them to college. In this perspective, orientation does its job. Students get all of them done in a short amount of time and go home happy and prepared, albeit exhausted.

“I have loved being an Orientation Team Member for New Student and Family Programs at Virginia Tech,” said Audrey Rowe, a junior majoring in public health and current orientation leader. “I have learned valuable leadership skills, developed personally and

professionally and made some of my best friends along the way. I became an Orientation Team Member because I love Virginia Tech and wanted to help welcome incoming Hokies, and their families, home.”

Orientation leaders are the backbone of the experience, and the messages they instill in the students they lead are not quickly forgotten. As echoed by Rowe, most leaders join out of a desire to help their fellow Hokies. Their work has immeasurable impact: For example, my orientation leader in 2018 made me feel welcome and safe, despite the craziness of the days I was there. My opinions were validated, and my orientation leader created an environment where each group member felt comfortable opening up. She made college feel more real and accessible because of her own openness and willingness to share her experiences with us — experiences that often validated our fears as well as our excitement for the upcoming years.

“Orientation is an important part of a new Hokie’s transition to college because they have the opportunity to meet other students, learn about Ut Prosim and the Aspirations for Student Learning and hear about the experiences of current students at Virginia Tech,” Rowe said.

While orientation can be an overwhelming experience, perhaps the discomfort of it all is necessary; it serves as a prelude to the often arduous and disagreeable first few days of school.

Many students meet their first friends in their orientation groups, while others may find mentors in orientation leaders, but everyone will leave orientation with the tools necessary to succeed in their first few days of university.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from college it’s that we all must get comfortable being uncomfortable. From working internships sophomore year to job hunting during junior and senior year, much like orientation,

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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES An outdoor orientation session, July 25, 2019.

we will be forced out of our comfort zones constantly and sometimes pushed to limits we did not know we had. Often, we come out better on the other side of them.

Orientation is an experience that never fades from the collective consciousness of students and serves as a prelude for what’s to come. It is filled with good and bad, triumphs and failures, early mornings and late nights and fears of what’s to come — but often, we look back on those days as new, bright-eyed Hokies in a refreshing light. We are happy that our worst fears never occurred, and we all made friends and grew as people.

Orientation is a preparatory course in the college experience; while it can be tedious,

it offers us a chance to see what the next four years will bring. College is ultimately a test of how uncomfortable we can all be while pushing ourselves through. We’ll have good times and bad, but often when we look around, even the bad times are good in their own way.

MARCUS LEWIS • senior • national security and foreign affairs

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WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING HOKIES! As we come back to campus this fall, looking forward to once again enjoying an in-person Virginia Tech experience, we are grateful to everyone who worked diligently over the past year to keep our community safe and prepare for a successful and fulfilling semester together. Virginia Tech is stronger than ever, focused on our mission and goals, and energized by the passion and creativity our students bring to a fully engaged campus.

This fall, enjoy your freedom while remaining vigilant, and honor the work and sacrifice that brought us to this point by living and learning in the spirit of our motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). And in keeping with our Principles of Community, let’s continue striving to build a society that values diversity, respects our differences, and affirms our common humanity.

We look forward to being together, President Tim Sands

vt.edu

News

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Virginia Tech ramps up COVID-19 protection measures for the fall 2021 semester Restrictions were put back into place amid the Delta variant’s spread throughout Virginia.

MOMIJI BARLOW news editor

On Aug. 5, Virginia Tech issued an updated mask requirement for the fall 2021 semester stating that all students and faculty, regardless of vaccination status, are required in designated areas indoors.

As of Aug. 10, all faculty, students and visitors at all Virginia Tech-owned or leased facilities in communities with substantial or high community transmission must wear a mask in indoor spaces, according to a VTx article published on Aug. 5.

“These include all lobbies, foyers, atriums, hallways and elevators accessible by the general public, as well as auditoriums, arenas, theaters, museums,

concert halls, or other areas used for a performance or an exhibit,” the statement read.

Within residence halls, masks are not required for those who are fully vaccinated due to the lower risk of transmission in a largely vaccinated student community. Dining facilities still require the use of masks when not eating or drinking. Currently, masks are not required in outdoor settings.

These changes are emerging as the Delta variant of COVID-19, first discovered in India, is causing a rise in new cases in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health. All areas of Virginia are seeing this growth, with 32 of 35 health districts experiencing surges.

During a virtual town hall on June

24, Assistant Professor of Medicine of the Divisions of Infectious Disease and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine at the University of Virginia Dr. Taison Bell talked about the vaccines’ ability to protect against rising variants.

“The problem with the Delta variant is that it’s really a one-two punch,” Bell said. “It has increased transmissibility, so somewhere between 40% – 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was already about 50% more transmissible than the regular variant, and we saw that there was an ability to escape the vaccine.”

According to the Virginia Department of Health’s weekly COVID-19 modeling report, vaccines are the best defense against the Delta variant and prevent serious illness and death, and wearing masks indoors is necessary in reducing local transmission rates. Virginia Tech has already held one vaccine clinic in Blacksburg on Aug. 11 and will be holding another on Aug. 26.

Despite the tightening restrictions, many students remain warily optimistic about the coming semester. Lucy Han, a junior majoring in mathematics, says she is excited for the switch back to in-person classes and to get more involved in

communities on campus without the Zoom component.

“Personally, because I will be wearing a mask no matter what and am fully vaccinated, I feel a little more comfortable (going back to campus), but since I know some people refuse to get the vaccine and try to fake vaccine cards, that makes me uncomfortable,” Han said. “I’m more afraid for other people than myself, because I know I’m going to protect myself.”

For David Cox Jr., a sophomore majoring in political science and economics, the upcoming school year will be vastly different from his first year, with classes being in person and the ability to attend sporting events.

“I am most excited about the school year being relatively normal, since last year wasn’t normal at all,” Cox said. “I’m excited to go to in-person classes, go to football games and have a more in-person experience with everyone on campus now.

I’m ready to have the full Virginia Tech experience that I was promised when I applied and came to VT.”

@CollegiateTimes

ANISHA KOHLI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Students around campus are donning masks as they begin to return for the fall semester, Aug. 17, 2020.

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OUR CORE VALUES Impartiality means reporting, editing and delivering the news honestly, fairly, objectively and without opinion or bias.

Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium, and impartiality is the greatest source of credibility.

To provide the most complete report, a news organization must not just cover the news, but uncover it. It must follow the story wherever it leads, regardless of any preconceived ideas on what might be most newsworthy.

The pursuit of truth is a noble goal of journalism. But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. Journalists’ role is

therefore not to determine what they believe at that time to be the truth and reveal only that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth.

When a news organization delivers both news and opinions, the impartiality and credibility of the news organization can be questioned. To minimize this as much as possible there needs to be a sharp and clear distinction between news and opinion, both to those providing and consuming the news.

Virgo Horoscope, Aug. 24

Leo Horoscope, Aug. 24

Have patience this week. Virginia Tech Parking Services will test you in the worst ways possible. Be careful of anyone who drinks black coffee or wears Vibram FiveFingers. You cannot trust them this week. Classes can become overwhelming, but remember what is important to you and focus on that.

Be conscious of your financial spending habits this week. TOTS is not your friend. Be careful on wooden stairs. They will be your downfall. Design a savings plan listening to “Enter Sandman” and manifest free turkey legs at football games. Milk Parlor milkshakes are not the answer for your lactose intolerance.

Editor’s note: These weekly horoscopes are written with satirical intent.

NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2022!

321.455.0748 TerraceViewBlacksburg.com

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August 24, 2021 PAGE 9

Fashionably Lane: A guide to Virginia Tech game day outfit trends Stressed about what to wear on game days? Writer Elise Mccue has you covered on today’s latest fashion insights.

ELISE MCCUE lifestyles writer

Life in sweatpants sure was sweet this past year, but Virginia Tech students are itching to dress up in their Saturday best and get back to the sidelines this fall. The return to Virginia Tech football is almost among us, and students will not only be jumping to “Enter Sandman,” but also to the chance of showing off their style. Since Virginia Tech is home to students from all across the country and beyond, every student brings a piece of their personal style to the game. Adorned in burnt orange and Chicago maroon, students are sure to make a triumphant return to Lane Stadium. Here is the all-encompassing guide to game day fashion this upcoming season.

The Classics

No matter the year, college football maintains tried-and-true tailgate fashion staples. These items are usually plain and not too detailed, making them perfect for mixing and matching. Here are three classic examples: Jerseys This one is obvious but a must-have.

Anyone can sport a jersey on game day to show their spirit in the comfiest way possible.

“One of the most iconic game day fashion staples for Virginia Tech is definitely denim shorts and an oversized football jersey,” said Jessica Church, a sophomore majoring in marketing management.

Moreover, jerseys are a versatile piece of tailgate clothing. Dress them up in the warmer months by folding them as crop tops or wearing them as an oversized dress, or layer them over sweatshirts as the weather gets colder. While they may be expensive, jerseys are a worthy investment for any Virginia Tech student who plans on getting the most out of them for years to come.

Striped Overalls While not quite “plain,” these maroon and orange striped overalls are spotted at least once at every game. The ostentatiousness of these make for an easy tailgate outfit –– throw them on and the entire outfit is good to go. These overalls are sure to make you stand out from the crowd, even at Center Street.

Winter Accessories and Sweatshirts

COURTESY OF KENSLEY BULLINS Members of Virginia Tech’s Marching Virginians wearing Hokie-themed overalls for a football game, Sept. 21, 2019.

The Virginia Tech football season starts out in the heat of the summer and finishes with chilling winds. Stocking up on crop tops and shorts is fun, but it is important to have pieces that will bundle you up as well.

The solution to spice up your winter looks is accessories. Bucket hats, scarves, fun shoes, colored sunglasses and face paint are perfect for dressing up an outfit in both warm and cold weather.

Additionally, a sweatshirt is a game day staple — and a Virginia Tech student staple — to turn your game day outfits from drab to fab during sub-50-degree weather.

“When it gets cold, you’ll wanna stay warm, so cute orange or maroon sweaters — especially fluffy sweaters — add to the fit,” said Frannie Simkins, a junior studying psychology.

Layer your sweatshirt over a turtleneck or under a jersey and you can’t go wrong.

Incoming Trends

For those who want to stray away from the basics, here are incoming trends and other ways stay ahead of the curve: The “Y’allternative” and Y2K aesthetics While the term “y’allternative” has not been inducted into Merriam-Webster, it is a trend that is on the rise in addition to early 2000s-inspired fashion looks.

The “y’allternative” aesthetic had its genesis on TikTok, and is described to cater toward “people who appreciate the music, art, style and heart that puts the ‘y’all’ in ‘y’allternative’,” but with more rock, mainstream and Y2K influences, according to Vice and Young Hollywood.

“Y2K and chunky jewelry/accessories have been ‘in’ for a while, so we will probably see more low-rise jeans and corset tops with chunky sunglasses,” Simkins said. “Also, we will definitely be seeing more cowboy boots. Every girl will be wearing dresses with cowboy boots in a fashion way, not a country way.”

While we are not sure how long these trends will last, they sure do fit the hip, Southern culture of Virginia Tech well.

Cowboy Boots This brings us to the next trend: cowboy

boots. While the concept of cowboy boots is nothing new, they will be given a new connotation with the aforementioned Y2K and “y’allternative” aesthetics on the rise. Typically considered a very “country” pair of shoes to sport, cowboy boots are going to find a wider audience when paired with more trendy pieces such as low-rise bottoms, mini dresses or crop tops.

Interesting Bottoms In a sea of jean shorts and mom jeans, fun bottoms are a great way to spice up and stand out in your tailgate outfit. This past summer has seen a lot of midi and mini skirts, which will surely find their way into the stands during the beginning part of the football season.

“I suggest pairing biker shorts with jerseys or painted pants with a solid maroon or orange top,” said Lucia Arevalo, a junior studying food science and agribusiness.

At the end of the day, the best tailgate outfits are the ones worn with confidence.

Arevalo has some advice when it comes to picking out outfits.

“Comfort is key. If you have to keep adjusting your outfit, then you won’t have fun at games,” Arevalo said.

Whether you opt for an out-there homemade set, striped overalls or a staple jersey with shorts, an outfit that you are comfortable and eager to wear is the best kind.

Church also noted how students can always maintain a classic game day look.

“There’s no better way to show support for the Hokies than by wearing the iconic color combo,” Church said.

On game day, remember to bust out your maroon and orange gear, Hokies, and start jumping!

@CollegiateTimes

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We’re all freshmen now: Navigating our new ‘normal’ After a year like no other, students are aching to be back on campus, but the return may bring more challenges than first anticipated.

OLIVIA FERRARE lifestyles editor

No matter how many years back we graduated high school, this coming semester will be new for every Virginia Tech student. The class of 2025 will descend upon a campus that has been relatively empty and completely different from what it was like in March 2020.

However, the class of 2024 has never truly lived on that same “normal” campus either. Even the class of 2023 only experienced the true Virginia Tech experience for a couple of months before being sent

home. How long has it been for the class of 2022 since they’ve felt as if they were really living the life Blacksburg promises?

It’s as if every student that will walk into class on Monday is as lost as the next. Do any of us actually remember where our classes are, the fastest routes to the dining halls in between rush times, the buzz of excitement right before the first chords of “Enter Sandman’’ in Lane or even that awkward feeling when someone takes your unassigned seat in a huge lecture hall?

It first dawned on me that this year would change everything when I saw a

building name and room number listed next to my classes during registration instead of just “VIRTUAL.” Suddenly, I was pulling up Google Maps to scour the academic side of campus and looking for buildings I’d formerly passed by aimlessly, buildings that at last mean something to a new student like me … if you can consider a sophomore “new.” Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I ventured out to buildings all over campus just to feel like I was a real Virginia Tech student. The desk on the third floor of Major Williams Hall overlooking Lane Hall was my getaway from my cramped dorm room and the

anxiety that came with virtual learning.

Every freshman I talked to about this had their own “spot”: a lounge in a dorm they didn’t live in, the fourth floor of Newman Library, the couches at Squires. They all had found some place that got them out and about and seeing new people, even through masks. For every other student during this past school year, their “spots” weren’t necessarily on campus.

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connected when it seemed like everything was at a standstill.

The only solace I can offer is that everyone is going through this together, and that every class (from scared freshmen to super-seniors) will have to adjust to being back in action. That first day of classes will bring its own challenges; it will be a crazy day for us all.

Hokies help Hokies, so don’t be afraid to ask the person in front of you in the line at Bruegger’s Bagels for directions to your next class or walk the campus a couple times just to familiarize yourself with your home away from home. That first few weeks of adjusting to life on your own and trying to find out who you are in this new setting is scary to all, and those feelings are completely normal.

Those simple moments passing by or the quick interactions between fellow students in a large lecture hall can mean so much more than we know, especially after 18 months of online learning. The Hokie spirit (as cheesy as it may sound) runs throughout Blacksburg and can be illustrated to every student during that first walk to class. @CollegiateTimes

Campus is bustling again with mask-clad students, Aug. 17, 2020.

ANISHA KOHLI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Studying abroad in 2021: What does the COVID-19 pandemic mean for students crossing the pond?

Our lifestyles editor explains her journey trying to plan her perfect study abroad experience so that it’s safe, inspiring and educational.

MOLLY DYE lifestyles editor

When it comes to readjusting college lifestyles as institutions change their pol icies rega rdi ng t he pa ndem ic, in-person learning is not only going to be a big change for regular students, but also for students who plan to study abroad. While study abroad has been promoted as an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experiential learning in a foreign culture, it now comes with several heavy burdens ranging from safety concerns, travel restrictions and potentially coming home early. Students going abroad this semester may be some of the first who have to worry about a fast-spreading virus on top of everything else that comes with traveling to a new country.

As an incoming senior studying abroad

in Lugano, Switzerland, this fall, I have already pushed back and adjusted my courses of study, taken extra COVID-19 precautions to ensure smooth international travel and accepted the limitations of traveling in Europe based on COVID-19 regulations in each country.

Like everyone else in my program, I will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to leaving the country. If anyone is unable to provide a test result or a negative test, they will not be able to participate in the program, demonstrating one aspect of the uncertainty of study abroad.

Moreover, the progress of vaccinations as well as COVID-19 positive cases can impact the experience of studying abroad for students leaving and entering the United States. In my case, the rates of COVID-19 vaccinations in Switzerland have increased over the past few months,

whereas in Virginia, vaccination rates have decreased since May. The increase in vaccination rates in Switzerland may mean that my peers and I will have more travel freedom and leniency on mask-wearing as the upcoming months progress, whereas students entering the United States may have to adjust to tighter COVID-19 restrictions.

Despite all of the limitations, testing and complications that may come along with studying abroad during the pandemic, schools are still pushing for students to take advantage of the opportunity. According to the Forum on Education Abroad, out of 216 colleges and universities, 44% said that they would continue study abroad programs this fall.

Additionally, recent research from the education company Cialfo has found that as many 60% of students out of a group of 3,785 who plan to study internationally in

college stated that the pandemic had no impact on their intentions.

After missing out on going abroad last semester, this is my final chance to achieve that study abroad experience that college students blabber on about for months later. Knowing the risks, uncertainty, limitations to traveling and the potential for a third wave of COVID-19, I still believe that the opportunity to have a life-changing learning experience is worth it, even if we get kicked out by week five. This won’t be the traditional study abroad experience that I expected, but it will surely be something unique and memorable that I can look back on for years to come.

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Sports

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Analyzing the Hokies’ 2021 football team Sports editor Amber Williams takes a look at the football roster by position.

AMBER WILLIAMS sports editor

The highly anticipated start of the Virginia Tech football season is getting closer, with the home opener set for Sept. 3 against the University of North Carolina.

This will be a special year for the Hokies with Lane Stadium back to full capacity and the ACC preseason forecast listing Tech as No. 3 in the Coastal Division.

Looking ahead to what will be an exciting

season with teams like Notre Dame and Miami on the schedule, it’s time to take stock of the football team as a whole.

Offense

Quarterback The starting quarterback for this year will be Braxton Burmeister. No. 3 is 3 –1 as a starting quarterback from the 2020 season after leading the Hokies to a 45 – 24 win over N.C. State in his first start for the team on Sept. 26. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound quarterback also threw a career-high of 212

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yards against rival UVA in his initial season of action.

During spring camp, it was very clear that Burmeister led the pack over his fellow quarterbacks.

As far as backups, Knox Kadum emerged as the clear No. 2 quarterback for the Hokies following spring practices. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound quarterback was able to play once last year against Clemson, following injuries to Burmeister and Hendon Hooker.

From his entrance late in the third quarter he completed four of six passes for 68 yards and rushed six times for 24 yards.

The Hokies struggled with consistency in the quarterback position last season and are looking to finally settle with one — hopefully star — player. Burmeister might be what the Hokies are looking for this year in leadership and Kadum should be able to develop more in case he is needed.

Running Backs The Hokies have experienced players in the running back position with key names returning to the lineup this fall.

Raheem Blackshear, who started in five games and appeared in all 11 of the 2020 season, is the face of the Hokie running backs heading into this year. Blackshear totaled 255 rushing yards and completed two touchdowns last season. It would not be surprising if Blackshear starts in every game for the 2021 season.

Another important element in this position for the Hokies this year will be Jalen Holston. Holston played in 10 games and put up 189 yards and two touchdowns on 40 rushes. The running back had 58 receiving yards tacked on for last season as well.

Keshawn King is another important piece for the running back squad, playing in three games in 2020. King mainly participated on special teams, returning three kickoffs for 65 yards last season. As a freshman, King started once and played in 11 games and finished third on the team with 340 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Kenji Christian, Malachi Thomas, Jordan Brunson, Chance Black and Jalen Hampton are new freshmen added to the position for this coming season.

Wide Receivers Tré Turner is a well-known name in Hokie Nation, and he is poised to live up to expectations once again in the upcoming season.

“Big Play” Tré was second on the team last season with 34 receptions for 529 yards and tied second for touchdowns with three.

Turner put up arguably his best performance of the season against Pitt, when he raked in two touchdowns for the Hokies. Turner will undoubtedly return to the field with moves to once again dazzle the Hokie fans in attendance.

The 2019 All-Freshman First Team wide receiver Tayvion Robinson continued to put up big plays in the 2020 season, starting in every single game for Tech. Robinson led with 38 receptions for 529 yards and had three touchdown catches. The rising junior is expected to once again bring his all for the Hokies and keep putting up promising numbers.

Kaleb Smith is another wide receiver to keep an eye on for the upcoming season; this year has the potential to be his breakout season. Smith saw some action in 2020, playing in eight games, starting in four and putting up a career-long 32-yard reception against Miami. Although Smith has not seen nearly as much action as the other wide

editor@collegiatetimes.com from page 14

receivers on this list, he has shown he will likely be an important asset to the Hokies this season.

Freshmen who will don burnt orange and Chicago maroon for the first time as wide receivers will be Da’Wain Lofton, Keli Lawson, DJ Sims, Christian Moss and Jaylen Jones.

Tight Ends The top two tight ends for the Hokies this season will be James Mitchell and Nick Gallo. Mitchell started in nine of the 10 games he played for the 2020 season and ended with a total of 26 receptions for 435 yards. Mitchell caught the team-high of four touchdowns and tacked on a rushing touchdown as well. Mitchell is a clutch tight end and is poised to be the standout for this position in 2021.

Gallo was active in the 2020 season, playing in all 11 games while starting in four of them. The 6-foot-4 tight end tallied 11 receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Gallo should be able to put up even more impressive numbers this season.

Two freshmen, Jared Gibble and Cody Duncan, were added to this position lineup for the upcoming season.

Offensive Line Some moves were made in the offensive line during the off-season, with Luke Tenuta moving to left tackle and incoming freshman Parker Clements taking over at right tackle.

Tenuta earned 2020 All-ACC Third Team and started in nine games as a right tackle last season.

New this year are transfers Bob Schick and Johnny Jordan. Schick comes from Snow College and is dynamic, with experience on both left and right tackle. Jordan transferred from Maryland and started in six games as a center in 2019. Last season the senior was named 2020 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.

This offensive line is young and new to the Blacksburg turf. It will be exciting to watch them develop, hopefully create valuable holes for Hokie running backs and protect Burmeister to keep him healthy.

Defense The defense for the Hokies was an element in need of improvement following their performance in recent years. Over the last three years, the Hokies have allowed

August 24, 2021 PAGE 15

collegiatetimes.com over 31 points per game for two seasons.

Justin Hamilton is entering his second year as the defensive coordinator for the Hokies and has some promising talent to work with to improve the team this season.

Linebackers Dax Hollifield started in six of his 10 appearances for the Hokies and had a total of 52 tackles, 21 of which were solo to come in at sixth on the team. Hollifield also registered 1.5 sacks in the 2020 season. This will be the North Carolina native’s fourth year with the Hokies.

Another North Carolina native, Alan Tisdale, will be notable at the linebacker position this season. In 2019, Tisdale registered 52 tackles and 3 sacks after playing in all 13 games. In 2020, Tisdale started in five games and played in nine, coming up third on the team in tackles with 59.

Defensive Line The key to the Hokies’ defensive line is Amaré Barno, who boasted incredible stats for the 2020 season. In 2020, Barno led all Power Five players with 16 tackles for loss, registering third in the Football Bowl Subdivision and accounting for an ACC-high. Barno moved from linebacker to defensive end last season and proved he is an essential player for the Hokies’ defense.

Emmanuel Belmar, who should be making his return to the field this year, will be important in this position as well.

Belmar started in the first five games of 2020, but was unfortunately sidelined for the remainder. Focusing more on his 2019 record, he posted 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. Belmar’s return to the field will be immensely beneficial to the Hokies’ defensive abilities.

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES The 2021 season’s football camp, day one, Aug. 9, 2021.

Taylor made 55 tackles to come in at No. 4 on the team after playing in 10 games for the Hokies. Taylor started in the final eight games for 2020 after transferring from Illinois State in August.

Other important names to note in this category are Brion Murray, with 36 tackles in 2020, and Tae Daley, who opted not to play in 2020 but came from Vanderbilt with

108 tackles for 35 games. Jalen Stroman also enters as a freshman defensive back.

Special Teams The kicker for the Hokies will be John Parker Romo. Romo was in charge of kickoff for the entirety of the 2020 season, kicking off 55 times with 35 touchbacks.

Peter Moore will punt for the Hokies after

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Tech also scooped up Clemson transfer Jordan Williams ahead of this season.

Williams put up good numbers for the Tigers with 55 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks during his tenure, and the Hokies will look to integrate his skills into their defensive line.

Secondary Two of the ones to watch are defensive backs Chamarri Conner and Devin Taylor.

Conner started in every game of the 2020 season as cornerback and led the Hokies with 81 tackles, including 60 solo. Conner was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week twice over the course of last season and will hopefully bring that same leading energy to the Hokies this season.

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having one opportunity in 2020 against UVA. He made 99 yards for three attempts, with a record of 39 yards.

Tayvion Robinson will be the punt returner for Tech after a successful season last year. Robinson started in every game and led the team with 38 receptions. Robinson returned 10 punts for 21 yards, rushing the ball seven times for 48 yards.

Keshawn King played in three games last season, with a focus on special teams. King returned three kickoffs with a season-long high of 29-yards on the kickoff return against Boston College.

Counting down to kickoff Virginia Tech has a promising team heading into the 2021 season. The Hokies have a strong mixture of new recruits, wide-eyed freshmen and tried and tested athletes. Fans are ready to return to the stadium and cheer on these talented players and all of Hokie Nation is eagerly awaiting the first look at this year’s talented team on Sept. 3.

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Taking a look at the Hokies’ football schedule Devin Shepard predicts game outcomes for the season.

DEVIN SHEPARD sports editor

The 2021 college football season is right around the corner, and that means Hokie football is too. After finishing with a disappointing 5 – 6 record in a pandemic-complicated 2020 season, Virginia Tech will be looking to bounce back and reclaim recognition as one of the better teams in the ACC. Let’s take a look at this year’s schedule and predict how the Hokies might fare as the season goes along.

Week 1 vs. North Carolina: Loss

Virginia Tech will open up 2021 with an exciting matchup against one of the best teams in the country in Lane Stadium. The Tar Heels, who went 8 – 4 last year, came out on top in the 2020 showdown, winning a shootout, 56 – 45. North Carolina returns one of the best players in the country, quarterback Sam Howell, along with a lockdown secondary that will make it extremely hard for new quarterback Braxton Burmeister to move the ball through the air. It’s unlikely the Hokies will be able to make the plays on either side of the ball to beat the Tar Heels this year.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com Week 9 @ Georgia Tech: Win This is one of my early favorites for game of the year, along with the West Virginia matchup, due in part to the excitement that surrounds the Yellow Jackets’ football team this season. Despite last year’s 3 – 7 record, this may finally be the year that new coach Geoff Collins’ team breaks through.

Headlined by exciting mobile quarterback Jeff Sims, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and safety Juanyeh Thomas, Georgia Tech may be surging coming into this game.

Fortunately, I think Virginia Tech may have just enough firepower to beat a still-suspect Yellow Jacket defense in this one.

Lane Stadium, Sept. 7, 2019.

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Week 2 vs. Middle Tennessee State: Win The Hokies will look to bounce back at home against a much less menacing opponent in Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Raiders went 3 – 6 last season, finishing 10th of 13 in Conference USA. Middle Tennessee State’s strong secondary, led by cornerback Quincy Riley, should prove to be another tough matchup for Burmeister, but it’s unlikely the Hokies will have to move the ball through the air much against the Blue Raiders.

Week 3 @ West Virginia: Win In Week 3, the Hokies will head to Morgantown to face off against the neighbor-state Mountaineers for the first time since 2017. In that matchup, Josh Jackson used his arm and his legs to lead Virginia Tech to a win in a thriller against a pretty good West Virginia squad. That fall the Hokies went 9 – 4. Could a win this season, once again utilizing the running talent of the quarterback, be the spark that leads Virginia Tech to its best record since that season?

Week 4 vs. Richmond: Win The Spiders’ 2021 spring season was thrashed by COVID-19 issues, but Richmond was able to finish with a strong 3 – 1 record despite the complications.

Nevertheless, the Hokies shouldn’t have much trouble getting past this opponent with a strong running game and defense.

Week 5 BYE

Week 6 vs. Notre Dame: Loss Virginia Tech should be feeling good coming into this game 3 – 1 with likely one of the best rushing attacks in the country headlined by Burmeister and graduate running back Jalen Holston. Unfortunately for the Hokies, they’ll be facing off against a monster rushing attack in its own right in the Fighting Irish, along with one of the best defenses in college football, headlined by do-it-all safety Kyle Hamilton. Even with the help of a fully packed Lane Stadium, I don’t expect Virginia Tech to come away with a win in this one.

Week 7 vs. Pittsburgh: Win The Hokies will come into this game trying to prove their 3 – 1 record into the bye wasn’t a fluke. The Panthers are a tough matchup, with their experienced quarterback Kenny Pickett and one of the best defenses in the ACC. Though, if Burmeister can break through as a passing threat in this game, that along with the home field advantage may be enough to push Virginia Tech past Pittsburgh.

Week 8 vs. Syracuse: Win The Orange football program is in a rough place after looking like an ACC contender as recently as 2018. Syracuse finished with the worst record in the conference last season, as well as last in both offense and defense. The Orange don’t intimidate on either side of the ball and shouldn’t cause much trouble for the Hokies at this point in the season.

Week 10 @ Boston College: Loss Here it is, the heartbreaking loss. It happens every year, and Boston College is liable to do it. The Hokies have lost two of the last three matchups against the Eagles, and Boston College is likely to be a good team this season. I could see the Eagles being one of the best offenses in the ACC this year, due to the talent of quarterback Phil Jurkovec, wide receiver Zay Flowers, and a dominant offensive line. If Boston College gets a lead early, I doubt the Hokies can keep up in this one.

August 24, 2021 PAGE 17

Week 11 vs. Duke: Win Duke doesn’t figure to be much of a challenge for Virginia Tech, as they are in a similar position to Syracuse right now. The Hokies should be able to outplay the Blue Devils in every aspect of the game, in what should be a dominant win after a crushing loss.

Week 12 @ Miami: Loss Three losses at this point likely take Virginia Tech out of the race for the Coastal Division, but it would still be beneficial to get a win over the Hurricanes. That’s unlikely to happen, though, as the Heisman-level talent of D’Eriq King is going to be way too much for the Hokies to handle. In what is likely to be a shootout, Virginia Tech won’t have near enough passing prowess to keep up.

Week 13 @ UVA: Win After a 5 – 5 season last year and the return of the Commonwealth Cup to Blacksburg, it seems the Cavaliers are back to being their usual selves. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong is admittedly talented, but there’s not much else to worry about. The Hokies should be able to end the season on a high note with a win against their rivals.

Record Prediction: 8 – 4

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Club sports spotlight: Virginia Tech men’s ice hockey The team prepares to hit the ice for its 2021-22 season.

AMBER WILLIAMS sports editor

Virginia Tech has a plethora of club sports available to students who want to stay active and continue playing the sports they love at a competitive level past high school. One of the coolest teams around — pun most definitely intended — is the Virginia Tech Men’s Ice Hockey club team.

The team was founded in 1984 and was able to compete in their first full season the following year. Since then, the team has gone through many changes, including switching divisions multiple times. The team has been very successful; in 2009 and 2010 they won back-to-back championships in the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL).

In the 2010–11 season, they defeated Liberty to grab their first Mid Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) title. The league then changed to the MACH and the Hokies dominated the competition in the 2013 playoffs to get the title.

The team has been going strong ever since, despite having their games postponed through the end of 2020 due to COVID-19.

They are gearing up for another exciting season as their home arena, the LancerLot Sports Complex, plans to reopen fully in time for the 2021–22 season.

For the players, being on the team allowed them to acclimate quickly to campus.

Nicholas Messuro, a forward from Buffalo, New York, was especially grateful for the community the team offered.

“I’m from Buffalo, so I didn’t know too many people here, but then once you got a group of guys that you could call your teammates, it (made) going around campus and being at school a lot easier,” Messuro said.

For both Messuro and teammate Drew Wissler, a forward from Massachusetts, they have gained many valuable memories throughout their time playing for Virginia Tech, but they each have a special moment they remember the most.

“My favorite memory would definitely be the first goal I (scored),” Wissler said. “It was against UVA (University of Virginia) so that made it a little bit sweeter.”

Wissler prepares, along with the entire team, with off-ice warm ups and then “goes with the flow” and trusts his instincts and skill throughout the matchups.

driving 45 minutes, twice a week, skating for an hour and 15 minutes, getting back to campus at 11 a.m., still (having) school work and (getting) up for 8 a.m. (classes).”

“My favorite memory was freshman year taking a bus trip down to UNC (University of North Carolina) Wilmington and on the way back, they had this thing called Rookie Radio,” Messuro said. “You put the headphones on rookies and they hear the music that’s playing and no one else can and then they have to sing the song and everyone votes who had the best performance.”

When their hard work pays off and they bring home the win for the Hokies, they turn up their victory song, “Every Time We Touch” by Cascada, and celebrate by hanging out together as a team.

Speaking on this commitment, Wissler highlighted why he and his teammates work so hard.

Messuro was crowned the champion of Rookie Radio that day.

For head coach Joseph Mullen, who was promoted from assistant coach towards the end of the season in 2010, there are many fond memories from his time leading the team.

“There’s probably two; beating Liberty to go to nationals my first year coaching, and then the next year we won our league championship beating three of the top five seeds in the southeast,” Mullen said.

The team now plays division two hockey in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and both players have their picks of who are the most difficult to face on the ice.

For Coach Mullen, Wissler and Messuro, hockey has been a huge part of their lives since they were young. Wissler and Messuro both took to the ice around five years old and never turned back. Mullen grew up surrounded by hockey greatness, being the nephew of two former NHL players.

Mullen’s uncle won 3 Stanley Cups and was the first American player to ever score 500 goals.

Mullen is very proud of his team and the hard work they put into their sport.

“I don’t think a lot of people understand the time (the players) put into it, the work they put into it and the dedication,” Mullen said. “I would put it up there with what the NCAA guys are doing, plus these guys are

“It’s a really big commitment, but I mean, we all do it because we love hockey,” Wissler said. “We are able to manage everything because we love hockey, and if people understood that, then maybe we would get more attendance at the games, and they would enjoy it as much as we do.”

The Virginia Tech Men’s Ice Hockey team puts a lot of effort into the sport because it’s their passion and they want to share it with their peers. The team should be back in action this upcoming fall, and they look forward to having their fellow Hokies jump with them to “Enter Sandman” as they skate into the new season.

“N.C. (North Carolina) State always seems to give us a hard time, but we played them . . . this year, and I think it was a lot closer than the score represented, but they are a tough team,” Messuro said.

“N.C. State, they always play us pretty tough,” Wissler said. “UVA, just because it’s UVA, that’s always a good game.”

Wissler and Messuro each have their own ways of preparing for these difficult matchups, including some superstition.

“I always try to put my left skate on first or my left shin pad,” Messuro said. “I always have to do that before games.”

COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH ICE HOCKEY @CTSportsTalk

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