‘THEY SAY NO CHOICE, WE SAY PRO-CHOICE’:
Students protest anti-abortion advocates
KATIE FARTHING
Managing Editor
“Fuck Trump, Free Palestine,” “Free our pussies,” “Abortion is a right” and other chants echoed throughout campus as students filled the VCU Compass around 10 a.m. on Nov. 7 in response to Students for Life of America spokesperson Lydia Taylor Davis’ campus appearance as part of her SFLA tour.
Some students hovered around the prolife table to engage with Davis, while others lined up outside of James Cabell Branch Library for their own protest. Students held signs reading “Hands off my vagina” and “Can’t be trusted with a choice, but you trust me with a child?”
Responding protestors played music and sang along with participating students as engagement continued outside of Hibbs Hall at the SFLA table. Davis held up a small fetus figurine to “demonstrate” an abortion and defended her anti-abortion stance to a host of students and protestors.
The VCU SFLA student organization reserved the space in cooperation with the interim Campus Expression and Space Utilization Policy, according to an email statement from Michael Porter, VCU’s
associate vice president of public relations.
There were around five to 10 police officers and multiple university Division of Student Affairs staff, including Vice President Aaron J. Hart, who were overseeing the students and ensuring pathways through the Compass for those passing by.
Liam Hadley, a second-year nursing student and the president of VCU’s SFLA chapter, said he found the pro-life movement in high school and that being a nurse influences his perspective.
“We know that humans have intrinsic value and that no student, no children are lesser than simply because of how they were conceived or whether they are wanted or not,” Hadley said.
Hadley said the goal of Davis’ appearance was to engage in conversation and dialogue about “abortion violence” with VCU students.
One protestor spit at SFLA’s camera equipment and another stole the group’s flyers before being detained by VCU Police.
The detained protestor is not affiliated with VCU and was charged with larceny and trespassing. They are not allowed back on campus, according to an email statement from Jake Burns, VCU PD’s public information officer.
“Obviously, there has been a larger response that does not want to have conversations,” Hadley said.
Last Tuesday’s election featured many wins and losses for the pro-life movement, according to Hadley.
Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Montana all passed abortion rights amendments. Nevada approved an amendment that will need to be passed again in 2026 that allows for an abortion up to 24 weeks and to save the pregnant person’s life, and New York banned discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes,” according to the Associated Press.
Missouri established abortion rights in its constitution and undid a near-total abortion ban, one of the most restrictive in the United States, according to the AP.
Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota all struck down abortion rights amendments, according to the AP.
“We keep moving,” Hadley said. “We’ll continue to support women and our goal doesn’t change.”
Zach Sprouse, the Virginia regional coordinator for SFLA, said the group hopes to talk about the negative impacts of abortion for women and change “hearts and minds with peaceful conversation.”
VCU is primarily a left-leaning campus, which encouraged the group to speak at the Compass, according to Sprouse.
“Strictly going to conservative campuses would not really accomplish our goal,” Sprouse said.
SFLA previously came to VCU in the spring of 2023, according to a previous article by The Commonwealth Times.
The group’s last visit resulted in an event shutdown, multiple assaults and ensuing protests demanding an apology from VCU, according to the article.
“We’ve been met with a ton of adversity before at VCU,” Sprouse said. “And so it was very much expected.”
Everest Clauberg, a second-year premedical lab science student, held a sign reading “Church/State” with a transgender pride flag attached below. He said he came to the Compass with friends to organize and show support for the pro-choice movement. Clauberg was raped when he was 14 and said he feels very strongly about the experiences other protesters shared.
Students object to Students for Life of America spokesperson Lydia Taylor Davis’ appearance on campus for SFLA on Nov. 7. A Q&A and speech was held at the Commons later that evening, bringing boos and jeers as well. Photo by Arrick Wilson.
“I just wanted to join in and help how I could,” Clauberg said.
Clauberg is trans and said he feels unsafe when conservative organizations come to campus.
“A lot of pro-life ideals also cross over into anti-LGBTQ+ ideals,” Clauberg said. “I support free speech, they can 100% come to campus and speak, but it is scary.”
The election results were “terrifying” but he hopes people remember to “keep community,” Clauberg said.
“This isn’t the end and we can’t just roll over and die,” Clauberg said. “We have to continue talking about what we want and what we need.”
William Spencer, a third-year environmental studies and sociology student, said he was upset with the election results, but that community organization is still important.
“Things obviously went wrong,” Spencer said. “It’s pretty depressing, but at the same time, I’m glad people are turning out.”
Spencer said he noticed more new people than just the regulars he typically sees at Palestine or environmental justice protests on campus. He is hopeful about the next generation of young students becoming involved in civil disobedience.
“Trans rights are human rights. Free Palestine. Make abortion legal,” Spencer said.
Stories of the week
national: A federal judge blocked a Louisiana state law mandating the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms on Nov. 5.
international: Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual leader of millions of Anglicans, resigned on Nov. 5 following a report alleging widespread abuse in the church.
The afternoon protests ended shortly before 2 p.m., though Davis spoke at the Student Commons Salon 1 at 6 p.m. The session was a Q&A and speech.
There were multiple police officers and Division of Student Affairs staff present during the event.
Students filled the salon to capacity after 40 minutes of the session. At least five people were in line to ask Davis a question throughout the entire event.
Students were very responsive throughout the Q&A, often booing, laughing or loudly disagreeing with Davis’ statements.
Theodosia Cirtain, a first-year international studies student protested outside of the library
earlier that day with her roommate after seeing someone holding a sign reading “Fuck Donald Trump” on Nov. 6. That student was alone and Cirtain was motivated to join them in protest the next day.
Cirtain held a sign reading “I’m glad I miscarried. I was 14.” At the Q&A, she claimed Davis laughed at her sign, though Davis denied doing so.
Davis began her speech at around 8:20 p.m., by then, most students had left and it was almost two and a half hours after the event began. Davis had to shorten her speech to fit into 10 minutes.
“We are sugarcoating it,” Davis said at the event. “It is violence.”
Priceless artifacts, technology stolen from VCU Curation Lab
ANNABEL GRANGER
Contributing Writer
Burglars stole over $20,000 worth of 3D printers and other electronics as well as priceless artifacts from the VCU Curation Lab at 911 W. Grace St. on Oct. 8. The case is ongoing as the police have not caught the suspects, according to Channel 8 News.
The suspects broke into the lab through the back door between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. the night of Oct. 8 or the next morning, according to lab director Bernard K. Means. Although the doors were securely locked, the thieves somehow got past the security lock and began their spree, stealing a variety of items.
“There were a number of Megalodon teeth and then some fossil crabs were primarily what was stolen,” Means said. “They also stole a couple of laptops, hard drives, a desktop and three of our 3D scanners.”
Of the three scanners that were stolen, one was recovered by VCU Police just a block away from the lab, according to Means.
“When they talk about the stuff being recovered, they talk about it from a monetary standpoint, so half of the value was recovered,” Means said.
Means assumed that the robbers didn’t
know what to do with the items they had stolen and were taking things that looked cool to possibly pawn or resell, but would not be able to.
“If they tried to sell them to a specialized collector, that collector is going to know they were stolen,” Means said.
Means requested steel cabinets from VCU that will be more difficult to unlock, and is taking measures to keep the recovered scanner safe until he can ensure the security of the lab.
Brooklyn Griffin, a third-year anthropology student and an intern at the lab, was the first student in that morning and was shocked to hear that the lab had been broken into.
“Everything was in disarray back here,” Griffin said. “It was shocking, and almost felt like it didn’t happen.”
The lab mainly consists of anthropology students who use the printers and scanners every day for projects, so the loss was something the students had to adjust to.
“The lab was a place that a lot of students didn’t think that would happen, so that violation was definitely hard for us,” Griffin said.
Thai Top Ten and Harrison Street Cafe were also broken into on the same night, with the burglars stealing both money and technology, according to employees at both establishments.
“The back door was wide open when we
walked in, and then we walked to the front and the two cash registers were missing,” said Tuk Naruecha, the owner of Thai Top Ten. Naruecha estimated the damages added up to over $1,000, which includes new locks and the money stolen from the registers.
Harrison Street Cafe’s cash drawer was also stolen during the robbery, forcing them to go paperless until they can get a new one, according to Scarlett Musgrave, an employee at the café.
“One of the two suspects in this breaking and entering investigation has been identified by detectives, but VCU Police is asking for the public’s help identifying the second person,” said VCU Police public information officer Jake Burns.
Safety on and off campus is a priority for students and faculty alike, so it is important to be aware of crimes in the surrounding areas.
Students were surprised to hear about the burglary, especially since it was so close to campus.
“I thought VCU property was more secure, so knowing that VCU’s facilities have been broken into makes me question my own living situation since I live in a VCU building,” said Paolo Yepez Hurtado, a sophomore majoring in Mass Communication.
Amanda Gary, a third-year art education
student, said she feels safe during the day on campus but not as much at night.
“I’ve had night classes before and it’s been a little scary,” Gary said. “I’m like holding my pepper spray and on edge the whole time just trying to get to the parking deck.”
Gary lives off campus and doesn’t feel scared when she’s at home, but is aware of the crime that takes place around campus and she said she worries for her friends when she gets alerts from the campus police.
Madeline Badach, a third-year political science student, also feels safe during the day but is extra cautious and aware of her surroundings at night.
“I try to walk with my friends, especially if it’s nighttime,” Badach said. “If I’m walking home really late at night, I hold my phone in case I need to make a call, and I always lock my doors.”
Badach said VCU has done a good job at ensuring safety for students and staff but could improve RamSafe by making it more convenient and faster for students walking at night.
Information or tips about these robberies can be submitted to VCU Police at 804-828-1196.
Illustrations by Killian Goodale-Porter. Collage by Milena Paul.
uncertainty from afar:
Lebanese international students navigate displacement, war
AMANY BOUALI
Contributing Writer
A group of students from the American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University venture to VCU every semester to experience American culture and education. However, this semester’s cohort is also managing feelings of guilt and sadness as their peers back at home deal with bombings, evacuation and uncertainty, according to the students.
Our future is blurred — until now actually. Now I’m talking to you and I don’t know what’s going to happen in my life.”
Rima Sfaxi, VCU exchange student
More than 3,100 people have been killed and over 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon since October of last year when Israel “ramped up” its campaign against Hezbollah, according to The New York Times.
actually,” Sfaxi said. “Now I’m talking to you and I don’t know what’s going to happen in my life.”
Yasmine Ghriss, a Tunisian third-year computer science student at AUB in the MEPI program, is currently at VCU for her exchange semester.
As peers and professors are living through the violence in Lebanon, it creates a “very painful” and “isolating” environment for Ghriss here at VCU, according
Lebanese Minister of Education Abbas Al-Halabi suspended classes across several governorates in Lebanon on Sept. 23, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.
Although UNICEF supported the Ministry of Education to help students return to class on Nov. 4, Lebanese American University and the American University of Beirut students have still been experiencing many changes to their education.
Fourth-year marketing student at LAU Rima Sfaxi evacuated Lebanon when the bombardment of Beirut began in early September.
Sfaxi came to VCU during the spring of 2024 on The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative, with the Department of State. The program brings a cohort of fully-funded students to VCU and other universities across the United States every semester to build community leaders in the Middle East and North African region.
The Ministry of Education was persistent in keeping students in school, according to Sfaxi. She said she remembers hearing and feeling the impact of bombs dropped eight miles away from her LAU residence hall in Jbeil, around 23 miles away from Beirut, shortly before she evacuated.
“Our future is blurred — until now
“My best friend who I had lived with for two years texted me, ‘they’re bombing my area, this might be the last time I speak to you,’” Ghriss said.
There was a time when Ghriss skipped class due to an inability to do anything, she said.
There are many resources for students who might be experiencing similar emotions on campus, according to Sarah Carrier, the associate director of global learning in the Global Education Office at VCU.
The GEO sends resources to MEPI students as well as other international students who are experiencing crises in their home countries from other programs to utilize such as counseling services, crisis hotlines, information about emergency funding opportunities and additional academic support.
The GEO also hosts trips, such as hiking or apple picking, to get all international students off campus to create memorable experiences.
A Lebanese student, who asked to remain anonymous for visa and immigration reasons, is a fourth-year pre-medical student at LAU who currently lives in Lebanon and is also in the MEPI program.
His family lived in the town of Jezzine in south Lebanon, but they are currently displaced to a hotel in Beirut after their house and town were damaged by Israeli strikes.
Many once-tourist hotels are currently filled with displaced families who can afford them, according to The New York Times.
The student still lives in LAU’s dorms and
said after the evacuation of the international students, it has become a safe house of sorts for faculty and their families.
He is an aspiring physician who was planning to apply to complete his residency at VCU’s School of Medicine, along with other U.S. schools. However, with the MCAT canceled or inaccessible in surrounding testing locations, he cannot apply to any medical school outside of Lebanon.
The student’s access to scientific equipment has affected his current cancer research and future resume opportunities, he said.
LAU counselors set up a mental health support group, offering students a platform to share their challenges, according to the “Talk It Out” program website.
Normal tasks become hard in traumatizing times; the student said he had new feelings of extreme fatigue and the need to always check on loved ones to ensure their safety.
“I’m studying, but in my heart, I’m not studying fully because I know something might happen that could ruin this,” the student said.
Myriam El Khoury-Malhame, an associate professor of psychology at LAU with a PhD in neuroscience and clinical psychology, grew up in Lebanon and was a student at AUB between 2000 and 2006. She recalled the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005 and the instability that resulted in her education.
“I would not have wished for more generations to see this, or to live this, or to witness this or to tell stories about this,” Malhame said.
“My best friend who I had lived with for two years texted me, ‘they’re bombing my area, this might be the last time I speak to you.”
Yasmine Ghriss VCU exchange student
This generational trauma is why she decided to specialize in trauma therapy. Lebanon has had a few times of peace to reflect on collective memories and try to move forward in a more positive way, according to Malhame.
international and have evacuated Lebanon, according to Malhame. Students in Beirut, though, are still encouraged to attend classes in person.
“Social bonding has always been shown to be the best of protective factors in times of crises and war and atrocities,” Malhame said. “So, they’re there in person for each other, they’re not alone.”
To accommodate student limitations, exam dates are unconfirmed and school transitions from synchronous to asynchronous in reaction to the changing circumstances each week, according to Malhame.
The curriculum has also been affected, with professors teaching their respective subjects while also drawing direct examples of how students can impact their current environment. For example, Malhame’s colleagues in public health are teaching their students about white phosphorus, an incendiary weapon spread by missiles, and how to deal with their aftermath in a sustainable way.
The Israeli army fired artillery shells on civilian neighborhoods containing white phosphorus, a violation of humanitarian law, on multiple occasions in October 2023. The indiscriminate attack should be investigated as a war crime, according to Amnesty International.
Civil engineering students are also now learning about the effects of bombings on the structural integrity of buildings and how to address destroyed cities post-war, according to Malhame.
“My way of contributing to a narrative is that there’s nothing ‘post’ to the traumas in our part of the world,” Malhame said. “And it’s very different from what the Western concept of PTSD is.”
Around 20% of the faculty of LAU are
Israel’s military campaign has reduced dozens of towns and villages in southern Lebanon to gray craters on satellite imagery, according to Reuters. The MEPI cohort of students will return to their home countries at the end of the fall semester. Carrier, the director from the Global Education Office, explained that although all these students must leave VCU in a few weeks, they can coordinate with the Department of State about other locations they can go to in the event they cannot return to Lebanon. Their MEPI advisors are also assisting with academic planning amidst the uncertainty.
Stat of the week
VCU
VCU defeats University of Maryland Eastern Shore in season opener, 75-60
BERSABEH KEMAW
Staff Writer
ALEXIS
WASHINGTON
Contributing Writer
VCU women’s basketball took down the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in their first game in their non-conference schedule on Nov. 6.
Both teams went back and forth up until the six-minute mark when the Hawks made a jumper off a black-and-gold turnover, giving them a two-point start.
The Hawks then went on a 7-0 run –which gave them their largest lead of the night – before VCU second-year guard Zoli Khalil made a driving layup that gave VCU their first points on the board, making the score 7-2.
The Hawks answered back immediately with a fast break layup.
After a personal foul call on the Rams, the other team was sent to the charity stripe where they made one out of two free throws.
The Hawks made a free throw after an opponent turnover, putting them at a 10-2 lead over the Rams, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU third-year guard Timaya LewisEutsey, a key player in the game, put up her first points after a successful three-point jumper around the two-minute mark of the first quarter.
The Hawks returned to the free-throw line shortly after, making both shots and increasing their lead.
VCU third-year guard Mary-Anna Asare made a second-chance three-pointer off an opponent turnover to close out the first quarter.
The Rams had a slow start, and were down by 4, as they prepared to head into the second quarter.
VCU head coach Beth O’Boyle said the shots didn’t drop for them in the first quarter.
“We were running what we wanted to, and they just — they just didn’t fall,” O’Boyle said. “So we really talked about staying together.”
At the start of the second quarter, Lewis-Eutsey made a driving layup and drew a foul, sending her to the free-throw line, where she made the shot.
Redshirt fourth-year guard Grace Hutson and Lewis-Eutsey went on an 11-0 run, according to StatBroadcast.
This run, during which Hutson had back-to-back three-pointers, gave VCU their first lead against the Hawks, which remained consistent throughout the rest of the game.
The Rams closed out the quarter with a ten-point lead and a score of 35-25.
Lewis-Eutsey set the tone for the third quarter, putting up the first points by making a second-chance layup at the eightminute mark.
The Rams had a 37-30 lead at the sevenminute mark.
Hutson had an offensive streak and hit a three-point jumper at the six-minute mark
followed by a layup at the four-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
Hutson said “prayer and practice” was the answer for her performance. She kicked off the season opener with a career-high of 17 points and went 5-5 from the threepoint line.
The Hawks responded with a fast break layup by graduate guard Zamara Haynes at the two-minute mark.
VCU and UMES had back-to-back turnovers and fouls in the last two minutes, according to StatBroadcast.
The Hawks tried to end the third quarter with points on the board but missed a layup by third-year guard Aleah James.
VCU led going into the last quarter, 55-44.
Lewis-Eutsey started the fourth quarter with a personal seven-point run.
UMES graduate forward Mahogany Lester tried unsuccessfully to stop LewisEutsey offensively, and the Hawks were up, 60-47.
Lester fouled Lewis-Eutsey, who made both free throws.
Asare grabbed a defensive rebound and passed it to Lewis-Eutsey for a fast-break layup at the eight-minute mark.
VCU went on an 11-point run in the middle of the fourth quarter.
Third-year forward Dakieran Turner ended the Hawks’ scoring drought with a layup at the six-minute mark.
In the last five minutes, both teams were putting points on the board.
VCU redshirt third-year guard Adebukola Akomolafe made a driving layup as the game boiled down with 57 seconds left.
The crowd went crazy and VCU secured the win, 75-60.
Lewis-Eutsey played a huge offensive role. She set her career high with 28 points and six assists, according to StatBroadcast.
“I thought today that we shared the ball,” O’Boyle said. “We got some really good assists that helped both of these two get some really great shots.”
VCU women’s basketball will be hosting Temple University on Nov. 15 at the Siegel Center at 7 p.m.
third-year guard Timaya Lewis-Eutsey scored a career-high 28 points in the black and gold’s 75-60 win against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Nov. 6, according to VCU Athletics.
VCU women’s basketball’s bench celebrates a bucket in their 75-60 win against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Photos by Kayelyn Tate.
VCU fourth-year forward Valentina Ojeda scores a layup over Hawks defender.
Pick of the Week: The Suns will scorch the Magic
MARCUS LEARY
Contributing Writer
For this week’s pick, we’re headed to Arizona for an NBA matchup between the Orlando Magic and the Phoenix Suns.
The two teams will play at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Monday, Nov. 18 at 9 p.m.
Last time these teams faced off the Magic won 113-98, but Phoenix holds a 41-28 all-time winning record against Orlando, according to Land of Basketball.
The Suns are going to win at home and continue fighting for the No. 1 ranking in the Western Conference.
The Suns are off to an explosive start to their season, with an 8-2 record, and winning seven straight, before their most recent loss. The Magic dropped five straight to start the season 4-6 before winning two back to back according to ESPN.
Phoenix outperforms Orlando on offense, averaging 6.8 more points per game and shooting 2.8% better from the field, according to ESPN.
On the other hand, both teams have nearly identical numbers on defense, with the Suns out rebounding the Magic by 1.5 per game, according to ESPN.
Phoenix also brings star power to the matchup with power forward Kevin Durant and shooting guard Devin Booker.
Durant and Booker played for Team USA in both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. Durant was top three in scoring on the team in both 2020 and 2024, scoring 83 points in 2024. Booker came fifth in scoring in 2024, scoring 70 points and second in assists with 20, according to Basketball-Reference.
Durant impacts the game on offense and defense. He is ranked No. 10 in the NBA in points per game with 27.6, and No. 12 in blocks per game with 1.4, according to ESPN.
Orlando is heavily affected by the loss of their star forward Paolo Banchero.
Banchero averaged 29 points a night and shot 49.5% from the floor before he tore his right oblique against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 30, according to ESPN.
The Magic are now being led offensively by small forward Franz Wagner who averages 19.9 points per game, according to ESPN.
While the game will be competitive, the Magic are too banged up to pose a threat to the Suns.
While the game will be competitive, the Magic are too banged up to pose a threat to the Suns.”
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Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
Freedoms for some, but not others
KYLER GILLIAM
Contributing Writer
Freedom of speech, in my opinion, is a slippery slope. It can lead to justifiable criticism of an institution or issue and increase overall awareness of problems, but it also opens doors to presenting and legitimizing harmful rhetoric to the public.
In the sports world, most professional and collegiate leagues are funded and run by elites and old money. Family names like Rooney, Hunt and Jones are eminently present in the National Football League’s sphere of influence.
Boosters for college athletic programs decide which coaches get hired and paid, as well as how much money an athletic department receives.
In a world where athletes receive their paychecks or NIL payments from the owners and boosters, some might feel inclined to be silent about certain beliefs they have to appease their bosses.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa put on a “Make America Great Again” hat after his team’s victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 27. He interrupted his teammates’ interview on a national broadcast to show off his hat.
During his post-game press conference, Bosa mostly avoided the incident but did give a small comment to address his antics.
“I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an
important time,” Bosa said.
Bosa did not fully stand on his decision to endorse President-elect Donald Trump. He backed down to curb some of the backlash he expected to receive, unlike a former 49er, who is still paying the price for his decision to this day.
Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem in the 2016 season to protest racial injustice and police violence against Black people.
settled a collusion lawsuit with the NFL in 2019 due to the blackball, according to NBC.
The difference in reception of Bosa’s and Kaepernick’s decisions highlight the disparity in how freedom of speech is received.
If someone expresses change and progress, they are demonized, while upholding the status quo only gets you slight pushback.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham stated athletes should “shut up and dribble” after NBA players LeBron James and Kevin Durant voiced their beliefs about Donald Trump in 2018, according to NPR.
They should be able to stand ten toes down on their morals and beliefs. If it leads to disagreement, let the conversations happen and we can progress from there. Only Bosa was able to get that treatment, while Kaepernick was shown the door and was never let back in.”
He received instant backlash for doing so, but stood behind it. After that season, Kaepernick was essentially forced into retirement due to a league-wide blackball. He
Ingraham then defended former New Orleans Saint Quarterback Drew Brees after he had some slight disagreements with the anthem protest in 2020 in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
Ingraham was hypocritical because she called out LeBron and Durant for their beliefs but defended Brees’ right to free speech, adding to the discrepancy of freedom of speech of certain athletes.
Both Bosa and Kaepernick should be able to express their beliefs without fear of ostracizing themselves to their teammates, management or the media.
They should be able to stand ten toes down on their morals and beliefs. If it leads to disagreement, let the conversations happen and we can progress from there.
Only Bosa was allowed to do so, while Kaepernick was shown the door and was never let back in.
NOVEMBER 10
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AT HOWARD WON 72-48
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
In 1789, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin wrote “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
‘Fulfill your vision’: Dance, choreography students premiere capstone
From left to right, the choreographers of ‘INTER9’ are Olivia Gwinner, Kailah Doles, Chynia Harris; Mars Dunston, Eliza Seaton, Armony Santos; and Imani Abney, Amaya Weston, Emma Wynkoop. Photos by Arrick Wilson. Collage by Victor Romanko.
EMILY MCCAULEY
Spectrum Editor
VCUarts Dance presents the VCU Dance and Choreography senior capstone project “INTER9” part one on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Street Theater and part two on Nov. 23 at p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. at VCU’s Dance Center, according to the VCUarts website.
Kailah Doles, Mars Dunston, Armony Santos, Emma Wynkoop, Eliza Seaton, Olivia Gwinner and Imani Abbey will present their choreographed pieces in part one and Amaya Weston and Chynia Harris will present theirs during part two, according to the VCUarts website.
Each student has their own titled piece performed by a group of dancers they chose from auditions, according to Autumn Proctor Waddell, an advisor for the project and assistant professor of dance and choreography at VCU.
All of the dancers are uniquely individualized and have their own special voice, Waddell said. She is excited to watch their pieces come to life after all of their hard work.
The process started with the students submitting a written proposal, getting approval and then working on their project throughout the semester, Waddell said. The students have to pass the project in order to graduate.
“The students’ processes have really been well organized and put together so it has been a really fun endeavor to work with them collaboratively,” Waddell said.
All nine of the dances are individually created and choreographed by the Class of 2025 cohort made up of nine different students — hence the name “INTER9,” according to Chynia Harris, fourth-year dance and choreography student.
The choreographers of “INTER9” started auditions at the end of August with local dancers and other VCU dance students and chose their own group to fit their vision and vibe, according to Harris.
“You have to see who is dancing in a dynamic way to fulfill your vision,” Harris said. “I guess for me I look for people who looked confident in what they were doing — who have confidence within themselves.”
Harris’ dances are focused on hip-hop music, she said. It is something she grew up on since listening to Jay-Z in her dad’s blue Honda civic.
In her dances, Harris uses Kendrick Lamar’s discography to emphasize how she has used hip-hop to process grief while utilizing dialogue from her cast to support their involvement, she said.
“VCU dance gave me what it was supposed to give, and I am glad I chose here,” Harris said. “I just feel very content and excited for what the future can bring.”
The nine dancers started the planning and creative process during their junior year and began the auditioning process at the beginning of senior year, according to Kailah Doles, fourth-year dance and choreography student.
“Our show ‘INTER9’ — it is involving all nine of us and our nine different lives and showcasing the differences between us all and allowing the audience to find that between us,” Doles said.
The title of Doles’ piece is “Forever Changing: SAOKO,” which ties into her journey changing over the past four years at VCU, she said. SAOKO is a South African and Latin term that means rhythm, joy and music.
Dole said her choreographing style is more relaxed than the other eight in “INTER9.”
“I tend to go based off intention in the moment — I don’t like to pre-choreograph my pieces,” Dole said. “I like to go based off the people in the room and when I am in the room with the cast so my piece is very on the happy side, joyous and community based.”
Dole said she wanted her dancers to appreciate being on stage and appreciate performing with one another. “Forever Changing: SAOKO” involves aspects of rhythm and sound, and includes a tap dancer.
“I want people to be so comfortable on stage that it feels like they are almost dancing in their room with a bunch of their friends, but also having that constructive concise movement quality throughout all of them,”
Dole said. “The main idea is to have fun and to be connected with one
another and being aware of each other.”
Ego is something we need as human beings to portray what we want and what our needs and our morals are, according to Dole. Dancers go into this profession because they want to be seen, and that is a way to connect with other people.
Mars Dunston, a fourth-year dance and choreography student, crafted their piece on interpersonal relationship issues and romantic partners, they said.
Their piece, “rushing for a wait, waiting for a rush” is full of songs by artist Frank Ocean and it reflects on Dunston’s struggles with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder, and how that has affected their relationships.
“I took aspects of relationships I had in the past and I allowed myself to find a new perspective when talking to each
You have to see who is dancing in a dynamic way to fulfill your vision — I guess for me I look for people who looked confident in what they were doing — who have confidence within themselves.”
Chynia Harris fourth-year dance and choreography student
of the duets and telling them the intention behind the songs,” Dunston said. “That really helped me shape my choreography — I wanted to know how my dancers related to the experience even if they’re not diagnosed with anything, it’s relatable to have relationship issues.”
Dunston said VCU changed their perspective on dance as a whole.
“Like a genuine full 180 — I never enjoyed it as much as I do now,” Dunston said.
Observing upperclassmen’s projects and pieces come to life and being a part of them and seeing what VCU Dance and Choreography graduates create outside of VCU is inspiring, Dunston said.
“I never felt as inspired to create until I got to VCU,” Dunston said. “I am really interested in creating my own works and being a guest artist for companies — anything that deals with dance I am ready to be a part of. I just want to be a part of the dance world so bad.”
Tickets are available for purchase here for part one on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Street Theater. Part two on Nov. 23 at VCU’s Dance Center is sold out.
The choreographers of ‘INTER9’ pose alongside one another. Photo by Arrick Wilson.
Chynia Harris. Photo by Arrick Wilson.
‘Embracing the Native heritage’: VCU initiative honors Indigenous
history, culture
LUJAIN MOHAMED
GHAILAH NYEANCHI
Contributing Writers
VCU’s Humanities Research Center started its “On Native Ground” initiative in 2021 with the aim of making Indigenous histories visible across the Americas and working with local tribes to establish a strong Native community and scholarship at VCU, according to the Humanities Research Center’s website.
This year will be the third for the “On Native Ground” initiative at VCU and will include the newly-inaugurated Land Acknowledgement working group, a guest lecture series spotlighting Indigenous scholars and the Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist Residency program, according to HRC’s website.
The HRC established the Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist Residency program in November 2021, according to their website. It provides an opportunity for Indigenous artists to create, spend time at VCU and connect with local tribes.
“When we started, the first part of the initiative was to launch a Native artists residency,” said Christina Stanciu, the director of the Humanities Research Center at VCU.
She said the residency program was named after Karenne Wood, an artist and anthropologist who passed away in 2019.
“She was a dear friend of VCU and mine so we dedicated this program to her,” Stanciu said.
The initiative’s goal is to address some of the gaps about Indigenous issues on campus, according to Stanciu.
“We invite local speakers, academics and Indigenous scholars from across the state to participate in the ‘On Native Ground’ initiative,” Christina Stanciu, the director of the Humanities Research Center at VCU said.
Something new the HRC is implementing is the “Empowering the Self through Indigenous Frameworks” workshop
on Wednesday, Nov. 20, Stanciu said.
The workshop is hosted by Ray John Jr., an educator and teacher of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, an Indigenous reserve in Ontario, Canada, according to Stanciu.
Stanciu said she met John when she was on a Fulbright Scholarship in London, Ontario, which is home to many Indigenous nations. Their meeting sparked the collaboration between John and the “On Native Ground” initiative.
The workshop aims to teach attendees to be their best selves through Indigenous frameworks, according to Stanciu.
“We are hosting this two-event series with him to learn more about ourselves,” Stanciu said.
The HRC has co-sponsored Pocahontas Reframed, a local Indigenous film festival, for the past 10 years, according to Stanciu.
She said the festival premieres films about Indigenous histories across North America.
“It’s a good community engagement opportunity,” Stanciu said. “We have a lot of local community members who come from Indigenous nations.”
The 8th annual reception of the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival will be held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Nov. 23 and will feature some community and contemporary dances and socializing opportunities for attendees, according to Stanciu.
VCU President Michael Rao is also expected to make some remarks at the reception of the film festival, Stanciu said.
“For us, it’s very important to have him there to witness how vibrant local Indigenous communities are and to meet some of the filmmakers at the film festival,” Stanciu said.
Christina Davis, a VCU alum with Cherokee ancestry, interdisciplinary studies
program advisor and instructor at VCU, said “On Native Ground” is a great opportunity for students to have some exposure to Native culture.
“We don’t currently have many classes here at VCU to speak to Native students in regards to history, culture and many other facets of who Native Americans are,” Davis said. “Through ‘On Native Ground,’ it allows our students to have some exposure and to learn some education from the webinars or the presentations that they have.”
The main thing Davis hopes the VCU community will take from this initiative is learning directly from Native Americans, she said. The community will be “hearing different perspectives of different Native and Indigenous folks statewide, locally and nationally.”
The VCU community will get the opportunity to learn about environmental issues, historical issues, mixed-race Native Americans and Native American law from actual Native Americans through the guest lecture series, according to Davis.
“Bringing in those guests to talk about the different issues in the Native American community here in Virginia also gives our students access to hearing firsthand from them and not always from those who don’t identify as Indigenous,” Davis said.
Davis said she is especially appreciative of students who make the time to attend these events.
“The more student input and the more student participation that we receive,” Davis said. “It allows us to pretty much petition our supervisors or those who help sponsor and budget or fund the initiative, so we really appreciate it when the students come out.”
One of the guest speakers Davis highlighted is Lora Chilton, a VCU graduate, member of the Patawomeck Tribe
of Virginia, and author of “1666: A Novel,” one of Parade’s 26 picks for the Native American Heritage Month book list.
“‘1666: A Novel’ is the story of survival of the Patal tribe in Virginia,” Chilton said. “They originally lived along Potomac Creek, and now their headquarters are in Fredericksburg.”
Chilton’s novel follows the tribe in 1666, where the general council, which was the English governing body at the time, decided to kill all the men and sell the women and children into slavery to work the sugar fields in Barbados.
“But from that two women made it back, and partially because of that, the tribe still survives to this day,” Chilton said. “And so, while it’s a hard story, it’s also a forgotten story.”
Chilton said as she started to learn about her own Native heritage, she felt compelled to tell the women’s stories.
“I found out about my Native ancestry when I was in my forties, and it was through my father,” Chilton said. “One night when I had gone to visit my parents, and my father just very casually, as if he had never, as if it was just common knowledge, said something about his Indian grandmother.”
Chilton said that moment drove her to explore her heritage and ancestry, which eventually led her to write her book.
As a former VCU student, Chilton said she thinks “‘On Native Ground’ is a very important initiative.
“It’s very important and I’m very proud of VCU for having an initiative like this, because of, particularly, what has happened in Virginia.” Chilton said “The Racial Integrity Act wasn’t repealed until 1967, and Native voices in Virginia were really shut down, ignored and clearly tried to be erased. I’m just really proud of VCU for embracing the Native heritage in Virginia.”
Participants join hands during an afternoon of history about Indigenous Rappahannock people. Photo courtesy of the Humanities Research Center.
Quote of the week
“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.”
— Oprah Winfrey
Practicality vs emotion: VCU’s lack of grad prep
JESSICA HOLGADO
Contributing Writer
As I approach graduation in December, I am finding it hard to put my emotions into words. Happy? Sad? Excited? Nervous? It is a mix of all of these feelings, but none of them seem to fully capture what I am truly experiencing.
Graduation is supposed to be a celebratory moment, but it feels more like leaving behind something familiar and stepping into a future that is completely unknown.
After four years of college, I expected to have a clearer idea of what comes next. Instead, I find myself with more questions than answers. The pressure to have it all figured out in a world full of high expectations is overwhelming.
While I am proud of what I have accomplished, I still cannot shake the feeling that I am an imposter — that I have somehow made it this far, but am not really ready for what comes next. There is excitement about the future, though it is mixed with a nagging doubt that makes me second-guess everything I have done and everything I am about to do.
As I try to make sense of it all, I cannot help but wonder: How is everyone else handling this? It is hard to tell if I am the only one feeling this way, or if everyone else is just better at hiding it.
The truth is, feelings of doubt and uncertainty are more common than we realize. One of the biggest challenges many recent graduates face is imposter syndrome — a constant fear that, despite all your hard work and accomplishments, you do not actually deserve to be where you are, or that you are somehow “faking it.”
It is completely normal to question your abilities, wonder if you have made the
right choices or feel like you are waiting for someone to give you the answers. These feelings are not only common, but largely unfounded.
College is supposed to be the foundation for our future — a stepping stone into adulthood and a successful career. But when it comes to preparing students for the emotional and psychological challenges that come after graduation, universities often fall short.
At VCU, we were given the tools to succeed academically, but how well were we prepared for the overwhelming anxiety of making real-world decisions with no safety net?
In my experience, VCU prepared me well for the practical side of things — how to network, how to think critically and how to excel in the classroom — but it did not teach me how to handle the emotional weight of the real world.
One of the most impactful parts of my college experience was meeting people, connecting with professors and building relationships.
I was not prepared for the loneliness of trying to carve out a career in a job market that feels like a black hole. I certainly was not ready for the isolation that comes with being surrounded by older, more experienced professionals constantly questioning whether I belong in the same space.
College gave me the tools for success, but not the strategies to handle those uncertain moments that come when you are on your own and navigating the unknown.
This is why so many recent graduates experience imposter syndrome. We are
expected to go from students to professionals immediately, without enough support for such a mental and emotional adjustment.
Then there is the issue of expectations. We are told graduation is the gateway to our dreams — whether it is landing the perfect job, getting into a top graduate school program or building the life we have always imagined.
But life after college is far messier and more complicated than we are led to believe. No one prepares you for the disconnect between your idealized future and the everyday struggles of paying bills, endlessly applying for jobs and dealing with rejection after rejection.
I am not saying VCU could have solved this problem in just one semester, but they could have done more to help us cope with the inevitable letdown after graduation.
Yes, the career fairs, resume workshops and mock interviews were helpful, but the question remains: Did anyone really sit us down and say, “You might not get hired right away. You might not have everything figured out by 25, and that is okay?”
We were taught technical skills and academics, but the emotional and psychological challenges of transitioning into adulthood were never properly addressed.
That is where imposter syndrome comes in. It does not go away once you get your first job or paycheck, or even after a few years of experience. Instead, it sticks around, like a constant reminder that you might not belong. It can feel like trying to balance between proving yourself and worrying you are not up for the challenges ahead.
So, what could VCU do better to prepare
students for life after graduation? VCU could place a greater emphasis on mental health and career readiness, not just in terms of landing a job, but in building resilience for the journey ahead.
Career counseling should do more than just help with resumes and mock interviews. It should also support students in dealing with the emotional challenges of job hunting — like rejection, self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy — that are a natural part of the process.
Another area for improvement is changing the idea that graduation is the “finish line” to recognizing that life is an ongoing journey. Life after graduation is full of uncertainty, and colleges could do more to help students embrace that and cope with the unexpected.
VCU should make it clear that feeling lost or uncertain after graduation is normal, not a sign of failure. We do not need to have everything figured out right away. More focus on long-term career development, mentorship and emotional support would help students transition from the classroom to the real world.
The good news is that imposter syndrome is not a permanent condition. In time, you begin to see that no one really has it all figured out.
Despite how overwhelming things may feel right now, the truth is that everyone is figuring it out as they go. Life after college is not about immediate success; it is about learning how to navigate the uncertainty and build the resilience to keep moving forward, even when it feels like you are failing.
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
The lost art of the hobby
LAUREN PRATTIS Audience Editor
Lately, I have been feeling really disconnected from myself. I initially thought it was strange because I love spending time alone, but when I did a mental inventory of what I was actually doing with that free time, it clicked.
I realized the majority of time I am not in class or at work, I am consuming some sort of digital media — my down time has turned into screen time.
Recently, scrolling on TikTok or binge watching a TV show has been my main form of self care; but I now realize those activities often make me feel worse.
I am not trying to shame people out of enjoying a good TV show every once in a while — and who doesn’t want to laugh at videos of cute animals running into things — I just think these activities fall short of providing the enrichment you can get out of a legitimate hobby.
I have come to terms with the fact that television and TikTok are my default
because they’re easy and accessible, providing me with a temporary distraction from whatever is going on around me — but I wish that wasn’t the case.
When I was in elementary school, I had more hobbies than I could count. I was always reading a book, playing a game or doing a craft. If someone were to ask me my favorite thing to do, I could never pick just one — one day it was songwriting and the next it was painting with watercolors or embroidery.
It makes me sad that there is a collection of the forgotten hobbies from my past life collecting dust in a box under my bed. This constant stream of hobbies not only created a sense of accomplishment, but internal magic. It is bittersweet to think about the days where I would let my mind run wild to explore every inclination I had towards creating something. Now, I have to rack my brain to find anything I do that truly brings me joy.
I was talking to some friends about why none of us are doing the things we used to love, and the common denominator was a
lack of time. I am coming to terms with the fact that “not having enough time” is a sorry excuse for why I haven’t sat down at a piano in years, or why it takes me forever to finish a book.
I realize that sometimes when I do have the time, I might not have the energy. There are rare occasions when I intend to be productive and creative, but I inevitably stay glued to a screen of some kind because frankly, it takes less effort.
The harsh reality is that I have to force myself to physically turn my phone off in order to do something that I know will make my heart happy — it is embarrassing how life changing not having this giant distraction has been.
The beauty of traditional hobbies lies in their ability to force us to slow down and ground us in reality. In times of uncertainty, doing something active that pulls me out of a spiral will make me feel significantly better than watching the same show over and over again.
Everyone has the time, it just boils down to how you intend to spend it.
Joke of the week
“The church basketball team cannot cut you, they have to let you play, which is nice. I guess they could cut you, but you’d be pretty bad if they were like ‘Look, we think you’re pretty good, but Jesus does not think you’re that good. He is our captain, so —’”
Disorder on the court
DYLAN HOSTETTER
Opinions and Humor Editor
There are two types of people in this world: those who play sports, and those who watch sports. I fall into the latter category. Whether it is my height — which I am told is completely average — or my inability to run ten feet without wheezing, it was decided from a very young age it would probably be best for me to stick to the sidelines.
That choice was made for me fairly often by the other kids in school. I was never the last picked for a pick-up football game, I just wasn’t picked. By the time it got down to me, the other kids would point to something behind me and say “Hey, is that Shakira?” And when I turned back around from looking they would all be gone.
Times like those never discouraged my love for sports. I vigorously consume every game I can find, which made it surprising that I had never actually attended a VCU basketball game. Going to VCU without attending a basketball game is like going to Costco without trying the chicken bake, although a basketball game won’t give you fiery diarrhea.
I arrived at the game a few minutes before it was scheduled to start, and almost every seat had already been taken. I refused to sit in the nosebleeds for my first VCU basketball experience, so I kept searching until I happened upon the perfect seats. And when I say perfect, I mean it. These seats were better than courtside — they were actually on the court.
Once I settled in, I removed my sweatshirt to reveal my custom Joe Bamisile jersey. That’s right, I went all out. I bought a VCU basketball pennant, I was drinking my soda from a VCU cup and even my underwear — though you couldn’t see them — were VCU branded. I was a walking advertisement for the black and gold.
Finally, the game began and all of the players came running onto the court. Oddly enough, they all came and sat next to me — they must have also realized how good the seats were. I offered them some of my popcorn, but they refused me. I guess they were too preoccupied to snack.
When the playing began I was absolutely dialed in. My eyes were locked on the ball for every dribble, pass and jumpshot. Focusing so intently was actually making me a little dizzy — that ball moves around a lot.
Before I knew it, Rodney the Ram was trotting onto the court for a halftime performance. I don’t know who was in that suit, but they had to have been sore the next morning. The last time I saw anything close to a breakdancing ram was when I had drunk one too many Celsiuses on a camping trip. What a world we live in.
Soon, the players were returning from the locker room. The Rams were down almost thirty points going into the second half. This was the part in most games where the coach would point to a key player on the bench who would valiantly join his team and beat the deficit.
As I looked up I realized the coach was pointing in my direction. I looked behind me just to make sure Shakira wasn’t there, and when I turned back around I realized he was in fact pointing at me. I froze.
“Bamisile, you’re up!” he said.
Somehow the coach had mistaken me for the real Joe Bamisile. I may have been wearing his jersey, but I was also a 5-foot9-inch red-headed white man. I had no clue how he couldn’t tell the difference; the heat of the game must have been too much for him.
I had no choice but to join the rest of the team on the court — they were counting on me. I looked up at the rest of my new teammates in the huddle, and listened intently as they shouted the game plan down to me.
I had never played a game of basketball in my life — certainly not at the collegiate level — but to my surprise, once the ball was in my hands, I took off. The flow of the game came naturally to me. I was draining three point shots and setting posts like a professional.
I think the opposing team was a bit less blinded by the excitement of the game, especially once I began scoring so many points. I could see the fear and confusion in their eyes at the little feisty leprechaunlooking guy darting around them.
By the time the real Joe Bamisile had returned from the bathroom, I had already scored 40 points for the Rams. If only those stupid kids from elementary school could have seen me.
Sadly though, the team figured out their mistake after the game ended. Despite my winning performance, I was banned from attending any and all future VCU athletics games for “impersonating a basketball player,” whatever that means.
It wasn’t my fault, it was the coach’s. If anything, they should be thanking me. Without me they would have lost that game. I think I even had a chance of going pro.
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Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
By Chandi Deitmer
Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Patti Varol
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
66 Common childhood fear, examples of which may jump out at you four times in this puzzle?
By Chandi Deitmer
Edited by Patti Varol
Floors 75 “Well, isn’t that fancy!” 76 Blonde, brown, or red drink 77 Symbol on many a flag
66 Common childhood fear, examples of which may jump out at you four times in this puzzle?
74 Floors
80 Comic Margaret 83 Penicillin origin
Singer Zayn 86 Wonderland resident who starts out as a chess piece
75 “Well, isn’t that fancy!”
76 Blonde, brown, or red drink
90 JV player’s goal 92 Gin flavorer 93 Buccaneer’s cry 94 Arrived nonchalantly
77 Symbol on many a flag
80 Comic Margaret
83 Penicillin origin
Worth-y things 98 Evidence board need
84 Singer Zayn
86 Wonderland resident who starts out as a chess piece
Vision-ary?
One looking for on-deck loot
Queens neighborhood on the East River
who “don’t cry,” per a Brooks & Dunn song
Leader in Kuwait
Rapp of “Mean Girls”
Momofuku founder David 9 Chuckle syllable
Like a 6-Down
“Case of the Ex” R&B singer
90 JV player’s goal
Big name in brut
92 Gin flavorer
93 Buccaneer’s cry
Diamond overlay?
103 Farm-centric org.
94 Arrived nonchalantly
96 Worth-y things
Staircase 44 Ryan Gosling’s role
Capital on the Svislach
98 Evidence board need
in
100 “Case of the Ex” R&B singer
101 Big name in brut
102 Diamond overlay?
103 Farm-centric org.
107 Capital on the Svislach
Runs like a gazelle
109 Sound judgment
Dig into an issue
Songwriter Sands
115 Big name in baking products
118 Newspaper sect.
119 Conway Twitty ballad covered by Blake Shelton
121 Poem of tribute
122 Runs like a gazelle
123 Dig into an issue
124 Songwriter Sands
125 Geologic span
126 Basic question type 127 Kumquat color
128 Neptune’s domain
129 Retired jet DOWN 1 Polaroid need
By The Mepham Group
Sputter out
Puts money in 108 Accolades
mackerel!”
Instrument similar to a suona
Breakfast brand
Edited by Patti Varol
