CHARGED-UP RESULTS

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Did you recognize my name? Maybe not, let me introduce myself! My name is Haiden Leach, and I am a senior here at the University of New Haven. Where do I reside on this campus, you ask? Well, I know you didn’t, but I’m telling you anyway! Surprise, it’s the best place ever, our communications department! I bounce between Maxcy Hall and the newsroom in our Bergami Science Center. You are reading this article because I am the new columnist for Horseshoe Magazine , and we are starting on this journey together. Last year, I was fortunate enough to write for our sister media in the school newspaper! I took on the role as the politics editor in our fall 2024 semester, and it unlocked a passion for me that I now want to pursue post-grad education. After stepping down from that role, I was seeking something to fill my time and the void I had in my semester. What I’m seeking in this column is for everyone who reads it to connect with my content. I named it The 2 AM Perspective  because, at 2 a.m., we often have our deepest thoughts. I want to hear from my readers—and anyone interested in writing for me—about what you’d like to see in this column. What’s on your mind? Do you crave life advice from students who are living it? Campus drama? A thought-provoking op-ed to spark discussion? Staff and student recommendations? This space is a shared one—both yours and mine—so let’s make it meaningful together! Ideas are never bad and can be molded into amazing things! For this week’s edition, here are some things on my mind recently, and if you find yourself up for a discussion or looking to drop a comment, please reach out to us on these pieces! Okay, back to it! Parking on campus, we all hate it. If you love it, you are lying to yourselves. We have one of the worst and most unconventional parking systems I've ever seen. I talk to friends who go to different schools and big colleges, at that. No one has parking issues like the Charger community. Sadly, I’m not sure there’s much we can do because staff also need parking, and no more trees need to be dug up for spaces. However, this doesn’t mean the student’s frustration and concerns over why we only have one golf cart operating aren’t valid. These are questions we need answers to, and in my opinion, I know that Steven Kaplan was not walking down from the North parking lot. Here are some tips for my fellow peers: Most freshmen have classes in the morning hours, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., it’s our busiest time on campus with parking. If you need parking, try to get to campus at least 20 minutes earlier than your class to ensure a spot. If you’re commuting and you don't want to argue with other cars, park at North and ride down in our shuttles or our courtesy vans. They operate on a scheduled 15-minute route! Suggestions I think the university should take into consideration are as follows: Don’t worry, I've pitched these ideas to students on campus before, and the reviews were stellar. We have empty lots across from CVS, the CVS lot itself, and the empty building by Railroad Salvage. My idea is to convert these empty lots into one of two things: housing or parking. A parking garage would need to be simply just for commuters or residents who live in the building closest to the garage for convenience and to eliminate the fights on campus. If we do housing, do buildings for lower classmen because they can’t have their cars, so they either catch the shuttle or walk the rocky terrain as we all did once upon a time. This housing addition would possibly make students enrolled now even happier due to the ongoing battle of not having enough spots for commuters on campus. I'm just going to say it because we all think it: Why can residents park on campus? It makes no sense, and those should be the cars at North and commuters and staff on campus. Maybe this is just a 2 AM Perspective , but we all find ourselves cussing out the lack of spots when the clock is inching closer to class starting. As a final thought, I leave my readers with this question that I’m still trying to answer myself. Why exactly did we take those parking spots away for the Sheffield Quad of Shame in 2022?

Asher Duke Mar. 7 2024 Courtesy of the University of New Haven The University of New Haven as an academic institution has existed for over 120 years. With over a century of operation, the university has had a just a handful  of presidents—seven to be exact—with each one contributing something to create the college we attend. Ellis C. Maxcy, PhD. (1932-1937) The university’s first president (then director), Ellis C. Maxcy, Ph.D., had his work cut out for him. Presiding over the young institution (known then as New Haven College) during the height of the Great Depression, Director Maxcy was responsible for keeping the college alive and functioning during a time of great economic strife. The university’s Maxcy Hall (formerly known as the “Main Building”) was named in honor of the late director. Lawrence L. Bethel, PhD. (1937-1953) New Haven College’s second director, Lawrence L. Bethel, Ph.D., further expanded the university’s role as an academic institution. Taking the success gained from Director Maxcy, Director Bethel would go on to pave the way for the further development of the university through his push for accreditation via the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Upon his retirement in 1953, Director Bethel would be appointed as the president of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The university’s Bethel Hall dormitory is named for the late director. Marvin K. Peterson (1954-1973) Upon the appointment of the university’s third president, Marvin K. Peterson, the college would undergo drastic changes in location, construction, and academic achievement. Four years after his appointment to the role in 1958, President Peterson’s efforts to authorize the offering of a Bachelor of Science degree were approved. Just two years later, in 1960, the university moved  its location  to its current West Haven campus through the purchase of a former county orphanage (known today as Maxcy Hall). Only five years later, in 1965, President Peterson would oversee the construction of the Student Center, which remains in operation. In 1966, President Peterson helped the university receive accreditation for baccalaureate programs, which helped boost student enrollment. Just two years later, in 1968, he would oversee the construction of the engineering building. In 1969, President Peterson opened the graduate school program and constructed the first residence hall for its students. By 1970, President Peterson would help rename the school from New Haven College to the University of New Haven. Just a year later, in 1971, President Peterson approved the creation of the athletic complex. Through president Peterson’s leadership, the University of New Haven entered the modern age and began to form into the campus that students attend today. The only president of the university not to hold a Ph.D., President Peterson is honored by the university’s library, which is named after him. Phillip S. Kaplan, PhD. (1973-1991) The fourth president of the university, Peter S. Kaplan, Ph.D., would help ensure that the university grew from an undergraduate commuter college to a residential-based institution. President Kaplan is credited with the expansion  of the university’s residential program via the construction of new dormitories and creating more than 20 graduate programs. Under Pres. Kaplan, the university constructed the Marvin K. Peterson library, purchased Harugari hall, Echlin hall, Dodds hall, Vieira Field, the Robert B. Dodds Athletic Field, acquired the Arbeiter Mäeneer Chor and constructed several dormitories. In 1993, the Graduate School was renamed in his honor. Lawrence J. DeNardis, PhD. (1991-2004) The fifth president of the university, Lawrence J. DeNardis, Ph.D., led the institution into the 21st century . Having served in the 97th U. S. Congress, Pres. DeNardis had the solid political and social influence required for the university’s advancement. Upon his election as university president, DeNardis significantly bolstered the international program, which allowed students from different countries to attend. President DeNardis passed away at age 80 on Aug 24, 2018. Steven H. Kaplan, PhD. (2004-2022) President Steven H. Kaplan (no relation to the previous president) was the sixth University of New Haven president. Under President Kaplan’s leadership, the university would be transformed into the current-day institution . Among the hundreds of changes  that President Kaplan was responsible for are the opening of the Prato and Orange campuses, the establishment of the Magnet School, the creation of the Charger Challenge, which raised over $100 million for the university and opened the Bergami Center for Science, Technology and Innovation. During Pres.t Kaplan’s leadership, 618,679 square feet of new space was constructed, enrollment grew more than 65% and over 40 academic programs were launched. Upon exiting the presidential role in 2022, Kaplan was named the university’s first chancellor and CEO. Chancellor Kaplan resigned from his position on Jul 1, 2023. Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D (2022-2024) Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., served as interim president at the University of New Haven during a transitional period. Having served as the university’s athletic director for three years before his appointment as interim president, Zenger had the experience required to run the school. Now serving as the university’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer, Vice President Zenger continues his work as an essential member of the university’s continued success. Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D (2024-Present) The new president of the university, Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., holds six degrees from Vanderbilt University. Having previously served  as executive vice president of Fisk University, President Frederiksen is an experienced and educated leader. President Frederiksen will follow in the footsteps of accomplished leaders before him, a fact that he acknowledges  and says he sees as a reason to work hard. As the latest leader of the university, Pres. Frederiksen will be watched closely by students and faculty alike, and only time will tell what exciting changes he brings to campus.

Kaylee Salazar Apr. 11 2014 Historical Fiction: There once was an old person who lived in ancient times and did old people things because there was nothing else to do since there was no iPhone, no Facebook, no YouTube, no Instagram, no Pinterest, no notes app, no Tumblr, no fanfiction.net , no linkedin, no mycharger, no canvas, no walmart.com , no TikTok, no Snapchat, no... Adventure: As Harper traversed the thick bush that was the jungle in order to steal the artifact, she realized that she read the date wrong and was supposed to start the quest last year. Sci-fi: Laser tag would ordinarily be a great recreational game for a family, except that people kept forgetting that they were replaced by gamma rays. Horror: Sadie was a walking zombie with her matted hair and crepe skin and green skin beneath her eyes and slow ambulatory gait and moaning and groaning and lack of health care to properly deal with her depression. Purple Prose: She stood there, the wind in her hair, caressing it, licking the strands and writing script with them against the cerulean sapphire skin of the sky that spread across the terrain like silky butter across a warm, crusty bread made with three different kinds of wheat that can only be bought with a coupon on Sundays at 2. Detective On the third box of the fifth page of the calendar, also known as a Tuesday in May, the venerable, dashing leader of the freedom-defined nation, the president, realized that his small, fluffy, war-criminal hamster went missing. The new sleuth that the dyslexia-ridden boss hired was a particular one indeed, partly because he was hairy, and small, and had long craggily nails, and was languid, and ate from every plant that he passed, and walked on all four legs, and clung to branches, and was a sloth.

Abigail Riggins Nov. 7 2024 “Over the Garden Wall” is a Cartoon Network miniseries created by Patrick McHale, aired Nov. 3, 2014. This miniseries follows the journey of the two main characters, Wirt and Greg as they miraculously wind up lost in the forested world of “The Unknown” during Halloween.  The main setting of this series takes place in the woods which is referred to as “The Unknown” by the characters. In the last episode, it is revealed that Wirt and Greg were not lost in a real forest but drowning; they were actively dying.  What their journey symbolized was never specified in the show. However, the miniseries as a whole alludes to the realities of mental health issues and death, all wrapped up in a digestible childlike manner. The Fear of Living and The Burden of Holding on:  Wirt, at surface level, is the older step-brother to Greg. He is full of teenage angst and melodramatics; Wirt is the average angsty pre-teen who laments over the difficulties in his life.  Wirt uses poetry to convey his feelings of loneliness, feeling out of place, and out of control over himself.     “Sometimes I feel like I’m just a boat upon a winding river, twisting towards an endless black sea, further and further drifting away from where I want to be, who I want to be.”  (Elijah Wood, voicing Wirt in “Over the Garden Wall”).  While his wording seems theatrical and dramatic, Wirt’s character is a representation of the struggles many young adults feel about growing up. Wirt has no specified age, but he can be inferred to be around 17-18 years old; he is on the cusp of adulthood.  The National Library of Medicine published an article stating high school junior and senior adolescents are highly susceptible to develop depressive thoughts and tendencies.   Wirt, as an estimated upperclassman resembles the mental struggles and fears many young adults have for their future. His melancholic attitude increases when he is reminded that he and Greg are lost in “The Unknown”. His sadness and anger over his situation is increasingly common in adolescence his age due to the uncertainty… or the unknown, their future holds.  Wirt is not only depicted as a young adult, but a male, furthers the symbolization of the depressive mental state in teenagers. The Journal of Adolescence Health supports that suicide is the leading cause of death in young men .  Societal standards lead boys to struggle or never share their feelings. Wirt using poetry: a complex form of storytelling, to express his feelings, represents the difficulty many young men have explaining themselves and the struggle for society to understand their mental struggles.   In the miniseries Wirt humors that staying in “The Unknown” seems better than going home. Taking into account the idea he represents the depression and poor mental health in young adults, Wirt is deciding that giving into the mental battle is less scary than fighting and confronting the changes and situations happening in his life.  The Woodsman is a tortured man; he is stuck listening to The Beast's rules as he attempts to cling onto the past where his daughter was alive. His refusal to let go, and instead chase after the impossible of bringing his daughter back, is direct representation of the real struggle many people face to let go.  Many people can relate to the struggle of the inability to let go of the past, whether it be a past situation, an old job, or a relationship. For many it is easier to cling to the past rather than face the change that is their new way of life.  There is a sense of safety that clinging to old memories provides. You don’t have to process what you’ve lost and accept what you have left. The Woodsman listens to The Beast against his better judgment for the belief that is keeping his daughter by his side, rather than accepting her death until the very end.     The Only Thing You Have to Fear is… :  In contrast, Greg is the physical embodiment of the fearlessness and sense of invulnerability that young children, pre-puberty, harbor. He treats the journey he and Wirt are to embark on as a field trip and in many cases a fun game.  The gravity of their situation does not sit on his shoulders like it does for Wirt. A study conducted by researcher Patrick Hill, states that this sense of fearlessness young adolescents have can be beneficial when it is time to make important life decisions, because they do not overthink the situation . Greg’s character is representative of the unfiltered enjoyment and the courageous attitude of young children before they fully understand their surroundings and the emotions attached to serious situations.  This can be further supported when Greg attempts to sacrifice his own life without care if it meant Wirt wouldn’t be upset anymore. It’s reminiscent of young children trying to grasp why someone is sad. It is similar to Greg trying to understand Wirt’s symptoms of depression.   McHale refers to Greg’s personal heaven, where he decides to sacrifice himself, as his pure essence  during an interview with Eliza Brooke in The Scumbler. Greg is the embodiment of the young mind before it is burdened with the fears and responsibility of adulthood.  Greg and Wirt are symbols for the two different stages of growing up and the significant changes that life experience and maturity creates, and the decline of joy and confidence due to mental health struggles.  The Most Difficult Journey: Death is a natural topic many young children have questions for. “Over the Garden Wall” expertly introduces death in an age appropriate manner for young minds, and serves as a gentle reassurance for the older, more knowing, audience.  “Over the Garden Wall” packs a punch of symbolism that correlates with the concept of death and spirituality. The placement of the oncoming train used as the force that sends the boys to their near death feels intentional.  Trains as a whole, symbolize a warning of a difficult journey one is about to embark on.  Using the train and coloring it black, alters the meaning. The use of a black train in media is an allusion for the journey to the afterlife or the process of dying. The act of a black train pushing Wirt and Greg off of the tracks and falling to their pending death, reveals that the weird and silly journey we the viewers witnessed, was actually the journey through the inbetween of living and dying.   Death is a common topic that intrigues young children. As they grow, they strive for answers to difficult topics. Greg does not shy away from the situation he is in, but embraces the journey and in some cases seeks out the experiences in “The Unknown”.  Wirt contrasts Greg’s approach. Teenagers and young adults have more fear and apprehension when confronted with death. The unanswerable questions strike dread rather than curiosity, and mortality becomes much too real and imminent. Wirt’s journey is filled with uncertainty and great fear for their situation.  The cartoon uses the song, “Old Black Train” composed by The Blasting Company, during the train scene. The implications of the song are easier to view when breaking it down. [Verse One] There's an old black train a-coming  Scrapin' 'long the iron  You don't need no ticket, boys  It'll take you when its time   The usage of “take” in this context provides the sense that this train ride, no matter what, is inevitable. There is no need for a ticket because when you are ready, the train will be there for you to board for free. This is direct symbolism for the act of dying. Death is one of the few universal experiences everyone and everything will go through at some point in time. Death is a topic that is deemed too taboo to talk or think about, but is still important to understand as eventually everyone will experience it.  [Verse 5] This journey is a long one It'll take you all around Life rushing by your windows Before it lays you down This verse has two meanings linked together. Life flashing before your eyes during a near fatal incident is common. The imagery of staring out the train window watching the scenes pass by provides the connection to the idea of evaluating your life before you die.  There is also a gentler meaning behind this verse. This verse serves not only as an allusion to dying, but provides the gentle reassurance that while death is terrifying, it makes living sweeter.  Life, not death, is the longest journey many will take. Rather than being young and living in fear, enjoying your journey is the most important thing to put your energy into. In other lines there are strong allusions to the point that there is no need to rush to death. In a religious sense it is reassurance that you and your soul will be taken care of in the end. In an atheist perspective, it is reassurance that your body and your belongings will be cared for in the end.  Both views provide the importance to live, because in the end, there is no need to worry, you will be taken care of.  We see this many times with the boys while they are lost. As they enter Pottsfield, a resting place for the dead, many townsfolk tell them they aren’t ready to be there yet, or it doesn’t seem to be their time to join the town.  The Beast:  As expected of a villain, The Beast acts as a force pursuing to hinder Wirt and Greg and stop them from getting back home. He, however, has a deeper meaning than being The Devil in the afterlife.  If Wirt is symbolism for declined mental health and The Woodsman is symbolism for the struggle of holding onto the past, The Beast is depression and failure personified.  Throughout the show He, The Beast, puts all his efforts into straying Wirt off the path home, and keeping The Woodsman chasing the dream of his daughter. He is what makes these two characters spiral into either giving up or straying on the edge of madness doing what he commands.   The National Institute of Mental Health defines major depression as a severe mood disorder that causes the suffering person to have prolonged bouts of sadness, extreme disinterest, and irritable moods.  The Beast’s influence on Wirt causes him to lash out on Greg, and lose all hope and motivation he had for getting home. The animators go as far as to show Wirt becoming overtaken by the forest: The Beasts domain,  after he laid down in defeat. The Beast actively seeped the joy and faith out of Wirt, the same way depression does to the affected person.  The Beast forces The Woodsman to grasp onto the seemingly last moments of happiness he had, forcing him to feel stuck in place unable to move on, much like symptoms of depression making people feel hopeless and compare their life to the past where things were seemingly better.  One Small Step:  The specific choices for Wirt’s symbolism and the carefully curated music feel intentional. The consistent battle of mental health due to depression and struggling to live is shown as a winnable war.  The last episode of this miniseries shows Wirt pushing forward. This character symbolizes the mental struggle and the exhaustion depression causes, yet he refuses to give in and thus brings he and Greg back to life to live another day. While many dark themes were touched upon, “Over the Garden Wall” sends the message that while many aspects of life are harsh and hard to swallow, there is always a reason to keep pressing forward and seek out the joy in life.

Ava Bestulbi Nov. 14 2024 New horror movies come out every year, each more unsettling than the last. However, the scariest movies are the ones that were not meant to scare!  Hundreds of movies are marketed to kids every year, but the movies we loved as kids are some of the most unsettling movies I have seen. Now as an adult rewatching these ‘innocent’ movies that were directed towards a young audience, is terrifying. Let’s look at some examples:   “Coraline” directed by Henrik Selick Hear me out with this one. I love this movie, and it is a Halloween staple. However, I should not have watched it at the ripe age of four years old.  Coraline’s mother has got to be one of the creepiest villains of all time. She wanted to replace her “daughter's” eyes with buttons, and she threw her into a room until she was more loving. I was scared of my mom after this but I made sure I told her I loved her.  The idea of “Coraline” was scary enough to be considered horror, but how about that scenery? It was so descriptive and visual, that it almost felt real. Yes, I called a cartoon real. It sounds crazy but it emphasizes the fear factor when it’s visually stimulating to the eye “Matilda” directed by Danny DeVito   Matilda suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her family and that was targeted to children in her age range!  She was also shown attending  a violent school. I’d imagine as a kindergartener watching this movie they would think that is what school looked like. That is traumatizing!  “The chokey” was an unrealistic but, visually stimulating addition to the movie. It looked so real, and Mara Wilson, acting as Matilda, played into it so well. The idea of the chokey is inhumane- and not to mention beyond illegal. If you remember correctly; tThe chokey was a closet with walls filled with rusty needles and screws and, it was filthy and dark inside.. Not to mention it has the word ‘choke’ in it. It was a torture device with All things that could easily hurt someone, or become life threatening. And yet it was portrayed as completely normal! The Willy Wonka Series by Roald Dahl  I had to save the most controversial for last. Willy Wonka was traumatizing, especially the one with Johnny Depp, who was creepy in his own right.  First off, what happened to all the kids, did they die? The chocolate tube scene always throws me off, I was scared to eat chocolate for at least a month. I still think about the tunnel of terror scene 15 years after watching that movie. There is no way it should be targeted for kids.  Reflecting on the movies listed above, most of the ‘horror’ is stemmed from negative parental figures. Why is that such a common theme in children's movies? As a child it is not as scary compared to looking back at these figures as an adult.  It is not normal to have such a negative view on parenting at such a young age, and that is something we did not notice until we were older. Now, it gives us an unsettling feeling as we re-watch these movies. Parental figures are blessings, in my opinion, that’s what should be shown to a child audience. A childs’ mind is still developing Which means that movies they watch on repeat should be  a positive influence.  As we got older, we grew up to watch real horror movies for  our age group, such as “Halloween”, “Scream”, “Friday the 13th”, etc. However, I fully believe all these children’s  movies were equally as scary, if not scarier. The kids' movies are the unsettling ones,and we should rethink our target audiences and genres.  These movies should be counted as horror!

Natalia Lizack Nov. 21 2024 Many forms of media we consume daily alludes to themes having to do with the world of politics. Whenever something is created and brought to life fictionally, creators tend to always have a meaning hinted throughout their story that ties into the real world.  The themes not only aid to the plot of stories within these media forms, but additionally bring viewers in to further analyze their works in which the story portrayed is more than what meets the eye.   One of the first, and newer forms of media is the video game, “Mouthwashing”. The video game released in September of this year, has taken over consumer’s minds recently. “Mouthwashing” follows the story of five crew members working for the company Pony Express on a freighter spaceship that one day mysteriously crashes. Leaving them stranded in space, the crew is left with a severe lack of supplies and a captain that was left mutilated after the crash.  Majority of the time you play as Jimmy, one of the crew members of the ship. After the ship crashes, they decide to open up their cargo holder to  utilize whatever they had on the ship. Shocked, the crew was not met with what they expected, as every single box they were carrying on this ship only contained bottles of mouthwash.   Without spoiling the rest of the plot and the insane events and twists this game’s story has to offer, the game itself covers topics having to do with capitalism.   Let’s speak on the idea of the company, Pony Express. The company puts the crew members to live on a ship in horrible conditions. The ship is run down and they have low quality food, and it continues to neglect their employees.  Specifically when speaking on the mouthwash, the company seems to care more about what products they carry and whether they are getting delivered safely, versus their employees safety on the ship.. We see this lack of safety with the lack of locks present aside from the cockpit and medical bay.  It’s jarring to hear how the company is an unreliable and cheap shipping service, yet all employees have to deal with these circumstances that eventually lead to unfortunate events due to the company’s lack of safety and precaution. When it comes to themes of capitalism with specific characters, Jimmy is the definition of self-interest, a key characteristic in capitalism. He acts in the pursuit of his own good: getting the job done and not caring about what others feel. He thinks that if he gets to the same level as Curly, the captain, he won’t be held as responsible for his actions from climbing that corporate ladder and gaining that higher title.  “Rules made from the top leave them exempt,” is something that Jimmy follows, thinking that when he climbs the ladder to get to that top what he did would go away and he would never deal with the repercussions of his actions. Jimmy’s thoughts on Curly show throughout the story. For example when Curly gets news of the Tulpar crew being laid off and how the company is going under, Jimmy states how Curly will be “headed for bigger and better,” because of how well off he is from his high position as captain.   Anya is a character that deals with the effects of men under capitalism. A common phrase in political theory  used to describe the situation between the characters in this game is “man to man is wolf”. Capitalism is what forms the situation that lets these wolves be able to thrive and feast, the main wolf in this story being Jimmy and one of the main victims being Anya. This was all caused by the conditions that Pony Express put them under. The company let this wolf on the ship and lack of safety from that wolf leads to no protection against him.   “No longer to each other are they human, but only their job.” Each character becomes stripped from being a human to becoming only their titles. Curly becomes known as “the captain”, Anya becomes “the nurse”, Daisuke is known as “the intern” under control of his “boss” Swansea. They are all valued in their abilities to perform their jobs and not their personalities.

Monica Dobson Mar. 28 2024 I sit bolt upright in bed at five fifty-five in the morning.  Did I put the clothes in the dryer ? Snooze button, twice. Days melt into one another, and I find myself in a familiar, sometimes tedious routine. Grabbing a t-shirt from the drawer that had been hastily put away after being in said dryer too long. It doesn’t matter; I don the shirt without a second thought.   The morning drive is when I get the day lined up in my head. This accounts for a lot of thinking overall: 29,000 miles on the odometer in the last 12 months to accommodate all of my commitments.  As I sit in a morning meeting with a crumpled mess of a t-shirt hidden under my jacket, I remind myself how close I’m getting to my goal of a career change. I recall alluring job postings, and in my mind, was the ideal candidate -until the roadblock inevitably revealed itself: Submit portfolio of writing samples.  I was not an employable writer by any stretch; I had an unremarkable, short-lived stint writing for a forgotten publication, reviewing independent short films for the Tribeca Film Festival circa early 2000s. My announcement one day that I had to curtail my assignment to care for my young child met with incredulous disbelief that I would put my child over such an opportunity.  The words were, “You have a what?”  Yes, I missed a deadline, but this endeavor was akin to that infamous participation dance, the Hokey Pokey. I had one foot in and one foot out of this job. The timing was all wrong.  Fast forward to the spring of 2020. My livelihood as a professional makeup artist was gone overnight.  Did I mention I was a newly minted single mom at this juncture?     Consequently, survival mode kicked in. I had to reinvent myself. No small task, but I thought of this as a second chance. I was going to finish my degree so that I could get the type of job that I wanted but never applied for because I simply was not qualified. I hit submit and sent my application to the University of New Haven and never looked back.     I now juggle a schedule that consists of, but is not limited to: two teens, a full-time job and a full-time course load, and I must not forget the three sets of eyes that quietly stalk me each morning when I rise. If you asked my kids about my absence due to work and school, it presents as a sacrifice for sure. Like other nontraditional students, life outside school does not stop, and sometimes it gets overly complicated because of school.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “ Nontraditional status  is based on the presence of one or more of seven possible nontraditional characteristics. These characteristics include older than typical age, part-time attendance, being independent of parents, working full time while enrolled, having dependents, being a single parent, and being a recipient of a GED or high school completion certificate.” I mirror six of these seven criteria.     Notably, nontraditional students make up 21%of the student body at University of New Haven. Josh Bird, a junior, is here through the Yellow Ribbon Program , which is available to veterans who want a higher education. The program covers any tuition fees not paid by the post-9/11 GI Bill. Bird and his wife, who has a full-time job, manage a household while caring for their young daughter, who is a toddler now.  “The [course]work itself is not the biggest challenge- it’s the time,” said Bird, an English major with a concentration in writing. He wants a career in creative writing.   Indeed, finding quality time is of essence, as Bird explained from an empty lounge on campus that I will be seeking out as soon as possible. My knowledge of this lounge was previously nonexistent. As a commuter, I limit myself to exploring the campus beyond what is necessary to my schedule, regularly leaving after classes.This experience differs greatly from student residents who engage in the college experience in a more traditional manner. Additionally, reasons vary for those who, seek higher education well into their thirties, forties and even fifties. Can shifting economic commitments such as expecting a child, getting married, or even losing a spouse contribute to the desire? Furthermore, people seeking to upskill , reskill , or simply find a more satisfying career are among the students who seek higher education, which can result in higher income and more preferable work settings. Traditional students also fall into some of these categories, and we all have unique sets of circumstances. The challenges of attending college at a traditional age may seem no less daunting at times than that of a nontraditional student.      How can someone incorporate undergraduate or graduate-level courses to an already busy life? Learning to prioritize is the chief component of managing a complex and demanding schedule, think of it as being in a constant state of improvisation.      Managing commitments requires a stockpile of tactics that can help neutralize a chaotic docket: chase goals by completing small tasks (all the time); define your boundaries; learn to say “no” to anything that is not linked to your success; find someone, even if it is just one person,that believes in you,; know in advance, you will miss momentous events with friends or loved ones at some point.   When things go sideways, being flexible is a must. Feeling  flexible is even better. Inner dialogue can manifest a much-needed mental boost, aiding in resilience and motivation. Rest when you are tired to avoid burnout and decision fatigue. The best way to beat down blues quickly and economically is an Epsom salt bath.      Ultimately, whether traditional or non-traditional, the goals we share make us more alike than different. If one day you find yourself in a set of circumstances that point to returning to college, and are fortunate enough to return to pick up where you left off or start anew, embrace it.  For now, take a moment to consider the present and your desired future. Imagination is the author of your reality.

Ashley Ramirez Mar. 28 2024 She misses her cats. That is the first thing she thinks about in the morning, her abuela’s breakfast, her mom’s hugs. To be an exchange student is to wake up not knowing where you are sometimes, missing your bed, looking at a different ceiling, not remembering where your classes are, or whether you finished your homework. Did she call her mom? Something is missing. She has a language of her own, she can not go to the people around her and say Pura vida instead of greeting them with a good morning.  To be an exchange student is to get on a roller coaster for the first time, not knowing what is ahead of you. One day, you are at the top of the world and the next you are in an ocean of tears. You have a stranger in the mirror, not knowing that's you.  She had a language of her own, she would meet people, and realize how different she is from them, how they realize she has an accent, but she's proud of it because it lets her talk about her country.  She misses her friends from Costa Rica.  You meet people, strange, wild and free, young souls, happy, sad and cold.  She had a language of her own. August late summer, she just moved to a new country with no friends, no family, just hope and dreams, fixing her hair blowing in the wind hoping someone says hi.  To be a foreign student is to watch your leaves fall in autumn and bloom in spring. To never experience watching those leaves change in your country. But it is different, it is brave.  She is brave for waking up in the morning, knowing she is not saying Buenos días  to her little sister, getting up in the morning with a heavy soul and teary eyes, missing what once was.  She had a language of her own, where she showed love differently and cared deeply, like her Abuelo once taught her.  She has a language of her own, talking to her older self as if she's a child missing her mom: "Please leave the lights on in case I lose you.” She says she thinks she lost herself, once again but now in a different country, being quiet where memories reside.  She speaks a language of her own, she sings her favorite song “Then I got on a plane and flew far away from you though unwillingly I left and it was so, so hard to do. The streets here at home have rapidly filled up with the whitest of snow and they don't make no excuse for themselves and there's no need, I know now I miss you more..” (“To A Poet” by First Aid kit).  It is true, she doesn't make excuses for herself, there is no reason to be sad, the weight of what once was, it's bittersweet, but she's brave.  She had a language of her own, like leaves in autumn, a chapter concludes, and a die is cast. No more crying about what once was, the echoes of yesterday slowly falling by, but not my culture, she always stuck with me, she reminds me that i am me, that the girl in the mirror is not a stranger, she’s beautiful, she has past, a present and a bright future, she can do this, she is strong, she's my language, shes me. Costa Rica, the country of peace they say, her true language, her own.

Gabriella Pinto Mar. 28 2024 A woman imprisoned for the murder of her mother was praised upon her December release on parole from the Chillicothe, Mo. prison that held her for eight years. Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, has been chosen as society’s next person to become a fierce fan of, but how long will it last and what consequences can occur because of this? Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, according to Medline Plus , is a disease that impacts the caregiver of the child where parents look for some form of pity by making up illnesses for one of their relatives. Munchausen Syndrome rarely occurs, as showcased by a report  from the American Academy of Pediatrics. In Blanchard’s case, her mother was the caregiver experiencing Munchausen’s. This, which Al Jazeera  claims was the disease Clauddine Blanchard suffered from. Clauddine Blanchard claimed  her daughter had “muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, leukemia and vision impairment.”  She also lied about her daughter’s age.  The deception resulted in Blanchard convincing her boyfriend to murder her mother for her. This case drew a lot of attention, and was eventually turned into the limited series “The Act” on Hulu. Blanchard was charged with second-degree murder and was released after finishing “85 percent of her original sentence,” Al Jazeera  said.  Her reentry into society did not go unnoticed, as people online turned this 32-year-old woman into an influencer. To understand how this could happen, there was a discussion with Taylor Pigott, a school counselor who specializes in mental health at Ryerson Elementary School in Madison, Connecticut as well as an interview with Shantae Fyffe-Simpson, another school counselor. Fyffe-Simpson did not know much about Blachard’s case but said the situation mirrored other, similar cases. Pigott said she studied Blanchard’s case in college, mainly from a mental health perspective. Both counselors agreed that shows tend to glamorize or romanticize the story. Pigott said casting actors such as Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” on Netflix, can lead viewers to make excuses for certain behaviors.  "When you come back to it, people's lives are really affected by the things that they did,” said Fyffe-Simpson. Both women agreed that people latch onto individuals like Blanchard  because they feel sorry for them. Fyffe-Simpson said when people learn what Blanchard went through, they may feel she was justified in persuading her boyfriend to kill her mother.  “People held captive tend to hit a developmental age and don’t go past it,” Piggot said. “She looks really innocent and sounds really young.”  Blanchard still talks with a baby voice, and that could make people believe that she couldn’t possibly be devious enough to orchestrate a violent crime.  Media exposure, said Piggot, can muddy the waters. She said the people who cover such crimes are rarely experts in mental health, and they report only Blanchard’s side of the story.  “The media can bring light to things that are not right,” said Fyffe-Simpson. She said that media exposure can help audiences be more aware, but coverage can also glamorize a topic and obscure the fact that Blanchard broke the law. While critiquing the way that the media made this victim into a meme or viral moment, people can still hold empathy for her, though too much empathy for someone you do not personally know can be unhealthy. Piggot said that people should not become fangirls or fanboys of crime victims with mental health issues. There needs to be boundaries.  “We shouldn’t be making this person a role model for kids,” Piggot said. Fyffe-Simpson said she questions if the media response to Blanchard is born of empathy. She said people make outlandish posts to jump on the bandwagon and make the situation about themselves instead of caring about the victim.  “True empathy can’t cross a line,” she said. People might like Blanchard for a while, but then that support can change. Overexposure can be damaging, the counselors said. Fyffe-Simpson said that Gypsy Blanchard might act like a child because of her stunt in cognitive growth from her upbringing. She said she believed that the woman had an “insecure attachment” created from the trauma with her mother. People switching their views on her could have a profound effect on her.  “She could go into a crisis,” Fyffe-Simpson said. Pigott predicted there would be backlash.  “I always felt like instead of prison, she should have gone to a mental health facility,” she said.  Right now, Gypsy Blanchard is getting a lot of attention that she is not used to and was never allowed to have. In one interview, said Piggot, Gypsy Blanchard spoke about receiving letters from “hundreds” of men while in prison. The counselor said there could be a regression if the public changes their minds about her, which is common in internet culture. Gypsy Rose Blanchard is not a trend. She is a person who suffered years of abuse, which was then publicized by the media.  She is a victim who also committed a crime. Viewers of true crime shows should do the diligence of remembering these people and their stories are real. Although empathy may never cross a line, the same cannot be said for media exposure.

Elisa Broche Mar. 28 2024 A long time ago, a solitary whale lived in the immense sea. This one was pink and smaller than the others. Because she was different, the other whales didn't like being with her. Her grandmother always told her that being different made her unique and that, in the future, would make her shine in the immense sea. But the little pink whale wanted to know what was beyond. She dreamed of telling the stories she learned of the people she talked to, the stories that her grandmother's friends told her, the ones that she heard in the streams. When she got older, she told her mother and grandmother she would swim further away to another sea. They doubted the pink whale; they didn't want her to go. She was still very small, but they decided to let her discover her true self. The whale swam and swam without looking back because she knew she would want to return. However, she had a bigger goal: to tell stories. Not much time passed, and the whale felt alone and sad; she had no one, and the sea was infinite! There was no end. All the other animals in the sea were large and different; she was utterly invisible. She missed her grandmother but knew she had to be strong and shine like her grandmother had always told her. For a long time, the whale roamed the sea alone. She tried to talk to the other sea creatures, but they ignored her. However, the pink whale would not give up so easily. She kept talking to them until the people slowly began to answer, and they started to smile at her. But although the pink whale adapted to this side of the sea, she still was not fulfilling her dream! She asked and asked until someone guided her to a cave. They told her that in this cave, people gathered to tell stories. The whale approached nervously; what if they didn't like her stories? What would happen if they didn't want her because she was pink? With a lot of nerves, she entered the cave and found whales of many colors. They were all different, with patterns of all colors, big and small. They shone with their own light, as Grandma had always said. The Pink Whale was no longer alone; she knew she would shine brighter with many more people around.

Elisa Broche Mar. 7 2024 In January 2024, I watched a film that left me questioning my emotions. The movie depicted a tragic plane crash that claimed numerous lives, and the survivors had to face unimaginable difficulties. However, I found comfort in their journey, and I was not the only one since the movie became a massive success.  J.A. Bayona's film, "Society of the Snow," tells the story of the 1972 Andes flight disaster. It follows the survivors as they face physical, moral and emotional challenges. Bayona skillfully balances respect and realism in his approach to the story. The film features impressive performances by a mainly Uruguayan and Argentine cast, many of whom are  new to acting. The cinematography captures the isolation and beauty of the Andes, and Bayona's direction immerses the audience in the unforgiving environment.   The film doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truth that the survivors had to resort to cannibalism to survive. It presents this as a dire necessity rather than sensationalizing the situation. This approach adds depth to the ethical difficulties faced by the characters. The film is thought-provoking and prompts viewers to reflect on the lengths they might go to survive in such extreme circumstances. The cinematography is breathtaking, effectively capturing the isolation and harsh beauty of the Andes. Bayona's directorial prowess shines through, intensifying the emotional impact of the survivors' journey. One of the film's standout features is the exceptional performances delivered by the cast. Their authenticity and raw emotion bring the characters to life, making the audience feel the weight of their decisions and the desperation of their circumstances. The ensemble cast's chemistry is palpable, capturing the camaraderie and internal conflicts that arise as they physically and morally navigate the treacherous terrain.   But then I realized—there is no mountain too high or too cold to climb, and no challenge too difficult to overcome. All of us need a constant reminder that we are capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it may seem. The story of Fernando Parrado is a perfect example of this. After the crash, Parrado was left unconscious for three days, and everyone assumed he was dead. However, he survived and was one of the two survivors who walked for ten days to save the rest. They saved him so he could save them all.   So, no matter where you are in life or what challenges you face, always remember that you can climb that mountain. Remember, no matter how tough the journey may seem, you can get through it.

Jessie Hymowitz Mar. 7 2024 Hello, and welcome to the third column of Reading Odd Films where I look at odd film adaptations of books. Today we’re looking at “The Legend of Earthsea” (2004), adapted from the first two books of Ursula Le Guin’s beloved “Earthsea” series (“A Wizard of Earthsea” and “The Tombs of Atuan”) which was split into a two-night “mini-series” on the Sci-Fi channel, but is essentially three-hour long movie.   The first red flag that told me this movie was not going to work was the odd decision to combine the first two books of the series, which are both open-and-shut stories  (although I have not read “The Tombs of Atuan”).  This forces the film to divide itself into an “A-plot” and a “B-plot” which are tied together with a vague connection and, as with the last season of “Game of Thrones, ”  these plots are jammed together like a square peg in a round hole. The only reason I could think of why the producers wanted to do this is so they could cast Isabella Rossellini, and couldn’t find a role for her from the first book.   The second and biggest red flag is the whitewashing. In the original series, our main character, Ged (played by Shawn Ashmore) is repeatedly described to be brown-skinned and his form of magic is tied to Taoist philosophies. But Shawn Ashmore is a white man. In fact, almost everyone in this movie, adapted from a book where most important characters who are canonically not white are played by white people. The only two exceptions are Danny Glover, who plays the roles of Ged’s mentor Ogion, and Kristen Kreuk (whose mother is Chinese and father is Dutch) who plays the female lead of the second book, Tenar.  Speaking of Taoist influence on the “Earthsea” series, there is an odd Christian undertone of having “faith” with Tenar’s plotline. This is quite contradictory to what I’ve heard of the original book considering that “The Tombs of Ataun” is against blind obedience, which is rewarded in this movie.  Additionally, there is a CW-esque attempt to sexualize the characters. This is creepy for two reasons: this book series is meant for 12-year-olds and both of the protagonists start as minors in the original and are ambiguously aged up by 20-something actors.  On the topic of weird sexualization, there’s a poorly developed romance between the two protagonists, an element of the original series. However, there’s a whole book to develop their chemistry. In the movie, there are ten minutes of screen time and “visions” they have of each other. Tenar’s character is one-dimensional and passive which is the opposite of her character in the original, who is praised for being a strong leader with an interesting character arc.  The movie’s obsession with fate is a blatant misunderstanding of the series’ themes. At many points, the characters around Ged, especially his friend Vetch (played by Chris Gauthier) talk to him about how they were fated to meet and how nothing is ever a coincidence. Ascending Ged to “chosen one” status, which, in my opinion, makes Ged’s arc less interesting.  Ged never has to face any real consequences for his actions, though, in the original book, Ged, trying to prove how much better he is than his rival Jasper, summons a spirit, which costs one of his professor’s lives. In the original, this is meant to make Ged realize that magic is not something to play with, but in the movie, the professor lives because now the spirit is possessing him and Ged must get rid of it, making Ged learn nothing.  This film was likely made to cash in on the success of the “Harry Potter” franchise, which was ironically accused of ripping off Le Guin’s series. I think this is true because the movie essentially turns the wizard school of Roke into Hogwarts. Ged’s friend Vetch, who is the subject of many fatphobic jokes, is essentially Ron. There’s a shoe-horned-in female character, who does nothing, who is Hermione, and Jasper, whose rivalry with Ged is much more equal in the books, becomes Draco. He even betrays the wizard school for the invented-for-this-movie evil king.  “Legend of Earthsea” is another in a long line of book-to-screen adaptations that take anything interesting or unique from the original and chuck it into the wind. This movie’s plot is not even worth recounting, it’s every “chosen one defeats the evil king” fantasy movie you’ve ever seen. This is a shame because the source material has incredible world-building and a wonderful take on the hero’s journey. I hope one day, there is a faithful adaptation of the original source because it would be great to see on the screen.