Home Blog Page 192

Students advocate for accessible menstrual care

Morgan Fry
-
0
Students advocate for accessible menstrual care
From left to right: Elena Thomson, Luna Plaza, and Sofia Del Mar Gomez Mahecha help pack menstrual care packages. Photo Credit: Lex Calderon
From left to right: Elena Thomson, Luna Plaza, and Sofia Del Mar Gomez Mahecha help pack menstrual care packages. Photo Credit: Lex Calderon

Women’s History Month celebrates women throughout the month of March, but one campus organization works year-round to promote women’s health.

PERIOD at UM seeks to raise awareness, destigmatize and put an end to period poverty, which describes the poor accessibility and affordability of menstrual products and education for menstrual hygiene.

The club’s main events include period packing parties, where volunteers assemble menstrual care packages for local women’s shelters, homeless shelters and LGBTQ+ centers.

PERIOD at UM is the University’s chapter of the Period Movement, which was founded in 2014 by two high school students in Portland, Oregon. Since then, the movement has expanded to schools nationwide, with the UM chapter starting in 2020.

“I think PERIOD made me realize how big of a problem [period poverty] is, once you actually dive deeper into it and you interact with the people that are going through it and you’re hearing these stories,” president of PERIOD UMiami and senior health science major Lex Calderon said.

The club currently consists of around 20 active members and an executive board that meets every week to plan their events. PERIOD’s events focus on the movement’s three pillars: service, education and advocacy.

“For us, it’s important that we also have an education component,” Calderon said. “We teach our peers why we’re doing this, why it’s important to us and just highlight why it should be important to them.”

Period kits include 6 pads, two panty liners and one or two feminine wipes. The bags also come with uplifting notes written by volunteers written to help the community feel loved when they receive the kits.

“We have so many shelters and so many homeless [people] here in the Miami-Dade community that need menstrual supplies,” Calderon said. “It’s more than just a period. It’s their hygiene. It’s their health that’s also been affected by not having access to clean menstrual products.”

PERIOD often collaborates with other campus organizations to host these period packing parties. Club members come together to volunteer their time and learn about the significance of period poverty.

“We kind of intertwine our education components with the period packing things,” Calderon said. “So when someone asks for a collaboration, we say ‘yes, we’re able to do a collaboration but we also want at least 15 minutes before to speak on what period poverty is.’”

Calderon joined PERIOD as a freshman and served as secretary during her junior year. She credits PERIOD for a lot of the growth she has had as a female leader.

“For me as a leader, [I’ve been] able to come forth and create a beautiful, wonderful, strong team of females,” Calderon said. “It’s amazing to see the impact that they are able to do and see the passion that they have for it.”

Sophomore Luna Plaza is a gender studies and gender and sexuality studies major. She also serves as the outreach coordinator and sees PERIOD as a platform to connect with and learn about different organizations in the community.

Plaza is currently working to start a period pantry with local reproductive justice organizers at the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

“I am a youth activist and community organizer,” Plaza said. “I am thankful for PERIOD at UM, as our organization has helped me network with many community groups and organizations in need of period products.”

Calderon and her majority female leadership team work to provide empowerment and support to individuals in need. Women’s History Month is a time when Calderon reflects on being a role model for women today.

“Women tend to get looked down [on], or maybe overlooked in society,” Calderon said. “I think this month is the time that we can really highlight the success of women in multiple areas and the contributions that they have made to society.”

PERIOD’s next packing party will be held in the Shalala Iron Arrow Room on March 28 at 5 p.m. Anyone is welcome to volunteer.

Be sure to follow PERIOD @period.umiami for more updates on future events.

‘Breaking up with spring break’: What students need to know

Grace Tylee
-
0
‘Breaking up with spring break’: What students need to know

With an influx of over 40,000 tourists for spring break in South Beach last year, the Miami Beach Police Department has struggled to maintain security in the neighborhood during one of its busiest times of the year.

Having dealt with hundreds of arrests, DUIs, gun confiscations and rowdy crowds in the past, the City of Miami Beach is cracking down on crime this spring break to ensure safety for tourists and locals alike.

In the city’s recently published public service announcement, precautions including bag checks, DUI checkpoints, curfews and even $100 parking fees are set to be enforced throughout March, with some focus on “high-impact periods,” referencing every weekend during the month between Thursday-Sunday.

Molly McKenna, a senior at UM, aims to avoid the South Beach experience altogether.

“I almost make it a point to stay out of South Beach due to all of the tourists and college students who are taking advantage of the area while in town,” McKenna said.

“It’s a highly popular getaway, and with that comes an immense amount of reckless behaviors and an unsafe environment. It’s not all bad, but the option to not deal with South Beach is one I’d prefer, with just as good alternative options while staying in Miami.”

Miami is certainly a vast city to explore, yet South Beach seems to be the area that all college students flock to for their week-long excursions.

According to NBC News, spring break crowds are already starting to gather on South Beach in large numbers. In anticipation of the chaos that has struck Miami Beach in past years, the following is how MBPD and the City of Miami Beach are planning to tackle any potential threats to safety.

Gun Violence & Permitless Carry

Last spring break, two people were killed in relation to gun violence on the streets of Miami Beach. Over the past few years, MBPD has also confiscated hundreds of guns brought in by out-of-towners, and the department is now looking to limit as much violence as possible.

As of July 1, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s permitless concealed carry law also passed in the state, allowing the majority of residents and visitors to carry weapons without a government-issued license. This has posed a new threat to the City of Miami Beach, leading the local government to create measures restricting the presence of guns as much as possible in the community.

A heightened police presence is expected at Miami Beach throughout the month, including reinforcement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, MBPD’s Marine Patrol and other municipal law enforcement agencies.

“City staffing will also be increased with the presence of the Miami Beach Fire Rescue, Ocean Rescue, Code Compliance, Park Rangers and Parking & Sanitation,” MBPD said in a statement.

Checkpoints and bag checks at beach access points will also be implemented throughout the city, specifically during “high-impact” weekends.

“The MBPD will implement an enhanced alpha/bravo staffing configuration during these high-impact weekends,” said public information officer of MBPD, Christopher Bess. “This means that every MBPD officer will work 13-hour shifts, and there will be an additional 18 law enforcement partners deployed.”

Alcohol & Drug Control

South Beach is also known to become extremely popular at night during these busy weekends in March, creating an attraction for alcohol and drug use.

This year’s new measures include strict regulations on alcohol or drug possession, with liquor stores in the Entertainment District now being required to close as early as 8 p.m.

The consumption of alcohol, narcotics and marijuana is already prohibited on the beach. The City of Miami Beach also has a new law, effective Jan. 1, 2023, that makes the smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products illegal, resulting in fines between $100-500 or up to 60 days in jail.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) sobriety checkpoints will also be placed in the beach town, specifically along 5th Street on March 8-9 and March 15-16.

South Beach is no stranger to UM students with its endless nightlife and restaurants, becoming a breeding ground for substance abuse. The beach seems less appealing to students when crowded with tourists for spring break, like for freshman Aarya Shaikh. Yet she plans to simply minimize her time there while still getting to experience all Miami Beach has to offer.

“I’m going home for the first five days of break and then heading to South Beach with a couple of friends to spend the next five days down here,” Shaikh said.

“I think it will be packed with students and prices will be much higher, but overall manageable.”

Parking & Transportation

As the city gears up for the influx of visitors during the upcoming spring break season, Miami Beach authorities are implementing a series of stringent measures to manage parking and transportation effectively.

During high-impact periods, a flat parking rate of $30 will be enforced at city parking garages and surface lots, with that price rising to $100 at 42nd Street garage (G6). The flat parking rate does not apply to Miami Beach residents, access card holders, permit holders or employees with proper identification.

To ensure compliance with parking regulations, authorities will also increase towing of illegally parked vehicles, with the towing fine doubled to $516 for non-residents. Spring breakers are urged to adhere to designated parking areas to avoid penalties, as several parking garages and surface lots in South Beach will also be closed during specific periods.

To address congestion effectively, enhanced traffic monitoring and management strategies will be in place. This includes real-time updates, modified traffic signal timing and increased staffing during peak hours.

In light of parking limitations, visitors are encouraged to explore alternative transportation options such as public transit, ridesharing services, or utilizing the city’s free trolley service, which will operate on an enhanced schedule during high-impact periods.

As the city strives to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike, cooperation with parking and transportation regulations is being prioritized by MBPD. By planning ahead and adhering to these measures, spring breakers can contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable visit to Miami Beach, if they choose to do so.

The MBPD will certainly be aware of the number of students, especially from last year’s violence and violations, but there is a hope that with these enforced rules and regulations, South Beach will remain a safer environment for all those stopping by the tropical neighborhood.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Gabby Giffords ignite change in a dynamic roundtable on gun violence with student advocates

Trenton Campbell
-
0
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Gabby Giffords ignite change in a dynamic roundtable on gun violence with student advocates

At a roundtable with former congresswoman Gabby Giffords and ex-House Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, students discussed pressing issues like gun violence and resilience. The urgency of the topics emphasized the need for proactive dialogue and decisive action from more than just individuals in Congress, calling on students to help fight for gun law reform.

Giffords is a living testament to resilience after surviving a gunshot to the head in 2011 at an “On Your Corner” constituent event in Tucson, Arizona; she had to learn how to walk and talk all over again.

At age 24, Powell lost her father to gun violence when he was shot and killed outside his home in Ecuador.

“It was that traumatic incident that changed our lives forever and led me and Giffords to continually fight for gun law reform in Congress,” said Powell.

As they joined forces in a roundtable discussion on Feb, 28th, there was a sense of urgency to share their mission to confront the alarming surge of gun violence in schools. Together they shared a compelling narrative of survival, advocacy and determination, binding these two women in a powerful partnership against a backdrop of societal unrest.

The Gun Safety Roundtable welcomed over 20 students and student organizations to listen and voice their concerns about the dangers of gun violence.

“I think this was a great way to start talking about gun safety on college campuses because I feel like it’s not talked about enough. This roundtable discussion is a first step in starting the conversation about gun violence at the University and what students at UM can do to help this cause,” said Karrington Lawson, a sophomore double majoring in political science and history.

Also in attendance were faculty members including political science professor and head of the UM Hanley Democracy Center, Dr. Gregory Koger, as well as members of the Young College Democrats at the University of Miami, who helped plan the roundtable.

Powell is currently running for a U.S. Senate seat against former Florida governor and current senator, Rick Scott, while Giffords runs an organization in her name dedicated to saving lives from gun violence.

Giffords and Powell also had the opportunity to ask the student guest speakers about their experiences with gun violence.

Powell asked Emily Dazinger, a junior political science student and finance intern for Powell’s ongoing Senate campaign, to describe how gun violence has affected growing up in their generation and culture.

“It comes down to something as simple as someone popping a bag in the cafeteria and everyone freezing and being subjected to monthly shooting drills,” Dazinger said. “”In addition, there’s the issue that, although you sometimes hug your parents good-bye before leaving for school, you never know if you’ll get to see them again because of tragedies like mass shootings.”

Powell asked the same question of Lawson.

“I am grateful to go to school every day because I know not every day is promised or guaranteed. I was in private school my whole life,” Lawson said. “And after the Marjory Stoneman Stoneman Douglas shooting in 2018, I remember having resource officers on campus, which made me question why schools can’t be a safe space for students to grow and learn anymore.”

Dazinger and Lawson’s comments were followed by a discussion among other students about what individuals like Powell and Giffords can do to help make students’ voices feel seen and heard surrounding the gun violence dilemma.

“Having student-led meetings and discussions with elected officials would help me and my peers feel seen, as we can discuss issues about gun violence together,” said Miguel Blas, a freshman computer science major.

“Listening to students’ voices and concerns by magnifying their voices,” were more common answers from many of the other students in the room who were in attendance.

Powell recommended that a way for students to help take part in their campus safety is to report anything that seems suspicious and let anyone know about any safety concerns they might have by using their voices.

Before the roundtable ended, Giffords wanted everyone in the room to leave with a powerful message that students could use when fighting for reform.

“Stay passionate, courageous and be your absolute best,” and to continue pushing for gun violence reform through the power of voting and informing other students on campus” said Giffords, as she explained to students that they should continue being resilient.

Visit the Giffords website and Powell’s website for more details on gun violence reform and events happening on and off campus.

Hurricanes men’s tennis falls to No. 27 Louisville

Blake Stern
-
0
Hurricanes men’s tennis falls to No. 27 Louisville

Concluding an ACC road trip that included an away win over Boston College, Miami Hurricanes men’s tennis fell to the No. 27-ranked Louisville Cardinals, 4-3, this past Sunday afternoon in Louisville. The match drops the team’s record to 8-5 (1-2 ACC).

Louisville won the doubles point with quick wins on courts one and two. On court one, UL’s #20-ranked doubles pair of Etienne Donnet and Natan Rodrigues defeated UM’s #27-ranked doubles pair of Vladislav Melnic and Adrien Burdet, 6-1. The Cardinals’ Will Mayew and Andre Steinbech took down the Hurricanes’ Nacho Serra Sanchez and Sam Baumgartner, 6-3 on court two.

The home team continued to push the advantage with a 6-1, 6-2 win for Donnet over Melnic on court one.

But the Canes did not take long to respond, tying the match 2-2. Miami’s victories came from Antonio Prat, who defeated Louisville’s Andre Steinbach, 6-1, 6-3, on court three, and Sam Baumgartner, who beat UL’s Kosuke Nakanishi, 6-1, 6-4, on court six.

With the match tied, the teams split the next two singles matches. On court two, Louisville’s Natan Rodrigues defeated UM’s Martin Katz, 7-6 (3), 6-1. On court five, Miami’s Adrien Burdet responded with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over the Cardinals’ Piet Steveker.

On the deciding court, Miami’s Nacho Serra Sanchez got off to a strong start with a quick first-set win. However, Louisville’s Will Mayew came storming back, topping Serra Sanchez in a three-set battle, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The Hurricanes will return to the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in a non-conference affair with Penn on March 7.

Hurricanes to send three to NCAA indoor track and field championships

Shea Mcdonald
-
0
Hurricanes to send three to NCAA indoor track and field championships

The University of Miami will have three representatives in Boston for the indoor track and field national championships. After a season of elite performances, sophomore Edgar Campre, sophomore Kennedy Sauder, and senior Russell Robinson will have a chance at glory at the highest level.

A Lisbon, Portugal native, Campre has been a standout all season for his versatility and ability in the heptathlon. More importantly, as the season has gone on, he has only continued to get better.

In Kansas earlier this season, he set the school record in the event with a score of 5,778. Only a couple weeks later, Campre beat his own record by 125 points against the ACC’s best, taking first and setting new personal bests in five of the seven events. Making his first NCAA Championship appearance with a score of 5903, Campre will come in as the No. 11 seed.

Liberty transfer Sauder also ended the season with his strongest showing. A height of 2.21 meters (m) at the ACC indoor championships moved him from second all-time to first all-time in the indoor high jump and gave him first in the event.

Sauder has been crushing it throughout the season, constantly topping the field in the high jump, and now he has a chance to prove himself at the highest level. This isn’t the first time for Sauder, as at Liberty last year in New Mexico, Sauder earned his way to the national championship, finishing in 15th and being named a second-team All-American. With the No. 10 seed this year, Sauder will have a chance to make a statement.

Robinson will represent Miami in the triple jump. He set the bar high for himself early this season. In the Corky’s Classic in January, Robinson broke his own school record in the triple jump, going from 16.36 to 16.59.

Though he hasn’t necessarily replicated that distance, Robinson has continued to top the charts with strong performances in the triple jump. He was in the ACC championship, where he took second place with a distance of 16.25m.

Robinson will head into the national championship listed as the No. 5 seed. It will be his second appearance after making it last year and earning All-American honors with a 16.30m and taking eighth place.

The national championships will take place between March 7 through 9. As for when you can watch these three, their events will take place on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday at 1 p.m. is the high jump for Sauder, and 3:30 p.m. will be when the triple jump with Robinson takes place. As for Campre, the heptathlon holds seven events between the two days. The lights will be bright, the stadiums will be packed and the eyes of Miami will be glued to see what these three will do.

Tragic and immeasurable loss as student struck and killed by car

Jenny Jacoby
-
0
Tragic and immeasurable loss as student struck and killed by car

The University of Miami is mourning the death of senior mathematics and psychology major Daniel Bishop, who passed away Monday morning after being struck by a car while riding a scooter to campus near Coral Gables Senior High School.

The news was announced to students at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning in an email from interim Provost Guillermo Prado and senior vice president for student affairs & alumni engagement, Patricia Whitely.

The email detailed Bishop’s extensive involvements at UM. He was the chair of Hurricane Productions, a President’s 100 tour guide, Orientation Leader and an It’s On Us Ambassador, among others.

“Danny was a role model, investing in what he loved and working hard to create a caring ‘Cane community,” the email read.

“He was a student leader who would rise by uplifting others. Whatever he did was with authenticity and he cared for everyone he interacted with and tackled each task he undertook with determination.”

Beyond his leadership roles, Bishop was driven by and committed to the study of mathematics, maintaining a near-perfect GPA and earning a spot on the President’s Honor Roll almost every semester. He also started his own math tutoring company and had secured a post-graduate job as a math teacher at local K-12 private school Gulliver Preparatory.

He was originally from Coral Springs, Florida, and attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting that killed 17 students and faculty and injured 17 others.

“His friends shared that Danny was filled with positivity and passion for life,” the email continued.

“Often, you would find him at Richter Library tutoring many of his fellow students, and then hear him at a Hurricane Productions event belting out his signature ‘Woo!’”

During his time at UM, Bishop affected many students’ lives, including The Miami Hurricane’s news editor, Caroline Val.

“Daniel was a very close friend of mine, and one of the very first friends I made after I transferred to UM. He was the type of person who would keep dino nuggies and ice cream sandwiches in his fridge and make time for every one of his students and friends, even with his crazy schedule,” Val said.

“I was lucky enough to be at almost every one of his birthdays and celebrate the amazing life he led. I already miss him so much, but it’s beautiful to see how many people he’s touched with his kind heart, his witty humor and unwavering determination.”

The accident is currently under investigation by the CGPD. This is a developing story, with more details to come soon.

As of now, The Hurricane knows the accident involving a motor vehicle occurred at Le Jeune Road and Altara Avenue, according to a post on X by the Coral Gables Police Department. A public meeting was held by the Florida Department of Transportation on Jan. 23, 2023, to discuss pedestrian safety improvements on these streets. The plans included the construction of medians, pedestrian countdown signals, improved signage and upgraded curve ramps. Construction is set to begin in November 2025.

A celebration of Bishop’s life will be held by the University, with details also yet to be announced. In the meantime, It’s On Us will host a candlelight vigil tonight, Tuesday, March 5, at 6:45 p.m. at the Rock Plaza. All students are welcome to attend.

The University has also compiled a list of resources for students including:

Counseling Center

305-284-5511 (After-hours hotline available)

University Chaplains

General University grief resources

Speaking Grief website

Editor’s Note

Daniel was a well-known and impactful student here at the University of Miami and was known by members of our staff. When the time is right, The Miami Hurricane will attempt to capture his life and legacy at UM with words and photos. In the meantime, if you have any stories, memories or pictures you would like to share of Daniel, please contact editor@themiamihurricane.com.

Managing Editor Lauren Ferrer contributed to the reporting for this article.

This story was updated to the reflect the change in location of the vigil from Lake Osceola to the Rock Plaza.

‘Still, I Rise’: The 11th annual Whitely Women’s Leadership Symposium

Anya Weller
-
0
‘Still, I Rise’: The 11th annual Whitely Women’s Leadership Symposium

Surrounded by female trailblazers, students recently joined together to participate in informative workshops, network, and learn about women’s leadership in honor of Women’s History Month.

On Saturday, March 2, the 11th annual Whitely Women’s Leadership Symposium was held in the Shalala Student Center. This year, the event revolved around the theme, “Still, I Rise.”

“All of you are committed to being here because you are going to rise up,” said Dr. Patricia Whitely, the senior vice president of student affairs and host of the annual symposium.

Since its initiation by the Butler Center for Service and Leadership in 2011, Dr. Whitely has been heavily involved with the symposium. The Butler Center was founded with the goal of being a catalyst for students to inspire social change, and the goal of the symposium is doing just that for female students.

“I think it is important to have space for women, who are up-and-coming student leaders at the University of Miami, to hear from role models that have had an interesting and challenging journey before them,” said Whitely.

After opening remarks from Whitely, students heard from Luisa Santos, a representative from District 9 on the Miami-Dade School Board for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Santos became fluent in English just a year after moving to Miami from Bogotá, Colombia, thanks to her English education growing up in Miami-Dade County.

Despite discovering that she was undocumented in high school, Santos persisted in her studies and went on to study at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

“I thought I had it all figured out but realized there was a very limited path,” Santos said. “I had to not let this define who I am. I had to carve my own path.”

Attendees also had the opportunity to attend workshops ranging from personal finance to advocacy and activism.

The hosts of these workshops included advocacy groups and members of the student program, Enough. Established in 2021, Enough strives to create an empowering and uplifting community for women of color on campus. After being invited to the symposium for the first time this year, student leaders from the program hosted a workshop on imposter syndrome. Especially common among females and minorities, imposter syndrome is the experience of not feeling successful internally, even when performing very highly externally.

“I think Enough brings in people who are willing to learn and then they can go outside and teach others,” said junior Kevmely Antione, a member of the planning team for Enough.

Madison Rodas, associate director of multicultural affairs at UM, emphasized the importance of creating a space for women to have important conversations about what they are passionate about, and more importantly, how they can bring this to the rest of their community.

“You want to create the space for other women to come in and feel like they belong,” Rodas said. “The fact that there is a symposium that’s centering women is something that already attests to the fact that there are women that are wanting to create this space for you.”

The 11 female student members of the Whitely Women’s Leadership Symposium committee spent the entirety of the fall semester planning this past weekend’s symposium. The committee includes Ashley Babulal, Illiana Bennett, Sydney Corrodus, Marina Deane-Gonazalez, Zina Martinez, Leslie Diaz, Maggie Roberts, Krystelle Emogene, Eliza Lee, Keira Hamilton and Emma Tews.

“I came to the symposium my freshman year. It was so inspiring. During my sophomore year, I applied to stuff that I was lacking the confidence to do my freshman year. This year, I applied to be part of the committee. It’s a full circle moment,” said junior Sydney Corrodus, workshop chair of the symposium committee.

The symposium concluded with a networking event, where students were able to converse with female experts in fields ranging from law to psychology.

Ashley Babulal, a junior and the co-chair of the symposium committee, helped plan this event with the hope that women would continue to foster these skills in their respective communities.

“I hope attendees get an opportunity to network with women, along with being able to uplift and empower themselves,” said Babulal. “I hope this event builds a community of women back on campus.”

REVIEW: “Lisa Frankenstein” is just for the girlies

Vivica Dunlap
-
0
REVIEW: “Lisa Frankenstein” is just for the girlies

“Lisa Frankenstein” marks another recent film debut for a female director in the last year. Despite the historic lack of female recognition in Hollywood, it has become more and more common to see women helming films that are geared toward a female audience.

Embed from Getty Images

Starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse, “Lisa Frankenstein” is about Lisa Swallows, a teenage girl who has been traumatized by the murder of her mother and her dad’s remarriage.

After being attacked at a party, she ends up bringing a dead man back to life. As their relationship develops into something more romantic, so does their taste for blood.

Written by Diablo Cody, this film marks her first big project since “Jennifer’s Body,” which initially received negative feedback from critics but has now gained cult status. Her most recent film explores similar themes and ideas of female autonomy.

It is also the feature-length directorial debut of Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams. This movie proves her comedic chops.

Cody’s dialogue hasn’t lost its sarcastic and sardonic touch in the almost 20 years since “Jennifer’s Body,” and the actors fully lean into its campier elements.

Newton, who plays Lisa, embraces exaggeration in this project and accentuates the more dramatic moments with a twinge of ridicule and mockery at her own self.

The creature that comes to life is played by Sprouse. Though he doesn’t speak and largely communicates through grunts and headshakes most of the film, he develops both personality and chemistry with Newton that makes their dynamic entertaining to watch.

Another important character in this film is the step sister Taffy, played by Filipino actress Liza Soberano in one of her first major American roles. She is a foil to Lisa’s more edgy personality providing a lightness to the project while still keeping up with Newton’s energy.

The camp aspect of this film is most obvious in the sets and fashion. Set in the 80s, it focuses on bright neon colors, and a large part of the film is lit in a blue and pink glow. Lisa’s fashion also plays a large part in her character development.

Visual choices like these have been seen before from other female directors before like Sofia Coppola and Emerald Fennell. “Lisa Frankenstein,” through these same choices, makes it clear that it is more interested in pleasing its female audience than a male one.

Since its release, “Lisa Frankenstein” has been largely disliked by critics, but it has managed to find its audience with young women. In a month lacking good films — colloquially known as Dumpuary — it has created a spot for a specific market that rarely gets the love it deserves.

In the past year, there’s been an uptick in female-led projects like “Barbie,” “Bottoms,” “Priscilla” and “Poor Things.” However, these women struggle to be taken as seriously as their male counterparts.

While “Lisa Frankenstein” may not be as poignant as recent female-led projects like “Barbie,” “Bottoms” and “Priscilla,” it’s just as enjoyable. It provides its own type of commentary with staying power about performative feminism and how we portray femininity in film.

“Lisa Frankenstein’s” embrace of the feminine aesthetic could land it a sort of relevance in the future despite the criticism it has received. It certainly has won my heart.

Rating: 4/5

Senior Ian Fischer explores the stages of love in first-ever EP, ‘Starcrossed’

Sofia Davis
-
0
Senior Ian Fischer explores the stages of love in first-ever EP, ‘Starcrossed’
Ian Fischer, a senior modern artist development and entrepreneurship major, released his first-ever EP "Starcrossed" on Feb. 28. The four songs explore the process of falling in and out of love.
Ian Fischer, a senior modern artist development and entrepreneurship major, released his first-ever EP "Starcrossed" on Feb. 28. The four songs explore the process of falling in and out of love. Photo credit: Maximillan Held

Ian Fischer, a senior studying modern artist development and entrepreneurship in the Frost School of Music, released his first-ever EP “Starcrossed” on Feb. 28.

Rooted in personal experiences and a yearning to connect on a profound emotional level, this four-song EP navigates the intricate stages of love, from hopeful beginnings to heart-wrenching endings.

The EP opens with “Everyone, Anyone, Someone,” a soul-searching anthem that captures his quest for love.

“This track is the first part of love, which is me in the search for love, wondering if there is anyone out there for me,” Fischer said.

Set against a backdrop of stirring melodies, he candidly explores the uncertainty and longing that accompany the search for a soulmate, ultimately finding comfort in the possibility of love’s existence.

Transitioning seamlessly into “First Thing, Last Thing,” Fischer delves into the euphoria of falling head over heels for someone. With heartfelt lyricism and infectious rhythms, he paints a vivid portrait of love’s captivating embrace, conveying the all-encompassing nature of infatuation.

“I wrote this about thinking of that person 24/7, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed,” Fischer said.

The title track, “Starcrossed,” takes center stage as he confronts the harsh reality of love’s impermanence. Drawing inspiration from Shakespearean tragedy “Romeo and Juliet,” in which he describes it as “love that is doomed to fail,” harboring a glimmer of hope for reconciliation in another time or place.

Closing out the EP is “Better Without You,” a cathartic anthem of liberation and self-discovery. Infused with raw emotion and empowering refrains, Fischer bids farewell to a toxic relationship, embracing newfound freedom and self-assurance as he moves forward with his life.

In a candid discussion about his creative process, Fischer shares insights into his meticulous approach. Collaborating closely with his producer, he painstakingly refines each melody and lyric, ensuring that every song resonates with authenticity and depth.

“I want each of my songs to have a story behind it and a meaning for writing it,” Fischer said.

Looking ahead, Fischer remains committed to his musical journey.

“Next for me is going to be writing and releasing some singles,” Fischer said. “I am [also] personally working on a music application for iOS that I think will help shape and change the industry for the future,” Fischer said.

Drawing inspiration from esteemed musicians like John Mayer, Lewis Capaldi and Cian Ducrot, he stays true to his artistic vision while leaving an indelible mark on listeners.

As audiences immerse themselves in “Starcrossed,” Fischer wants fans to know that they are not alone in their heartbreak.

“Everyone goes through this at a point in their life, and my music is here to listen to in order to make them not feel alone or help them get through what they are going through.”

Through vivid storytelling and soul-stirring melodies, he invites listeners to join him on a heartfelt exploration of the human experience, one song at a time.

The “Starcrossed” EP is available on all music streaming platforms.

UM News Brief: BLQWEEK, University of Georgia murder suspect found and Aaron Bushnell

Kseniia Novichkova
-
0
UM News Brief: BLQWEEK, University of Georgia murder suspect found and Aaron Bushnell

THIS WEEK AT THE U

Black Leaders for the queer community host a week of events

Beginning on Feb. 26, Black Leaders for the Queer Community initiated a week of events aimed at honoring the impact of the African-American, Latino and LGBTQ+ underground subcultures.

The week-long celebration, BLQWEEK, had a focus on amplifying ball culture, in which members of these communities would perform in different categories influenced by pop and queer culture while meeting in underground “ballrooms.” The week started off with the opening ceremony at Lakeside Patio, featuring food and music from black queer artists.

The next day featured a night filled with exciting game night activities along with queer student organizations SpectrUM, TransCendence, oStem, Obus, OutLaw and GradOUT. On Feb. 28th, participants were involved in a voguing workshop which involved a booth of makeup and glam.

BLQWEEK also featured the anticipated first-ever Ballroom Showcase at UM, which took place on Friday, Mar.1 at the Newman Alumni Center with performances, DJs and refreshments.

The final event, titled “Serving 10s,” took place on Sunday, Mar. 3. at the UC Canopy. Volunteers will be partnering up with Foo Society, a new LGBTQ non-profit organization, to create a space of mentorship at the U.

IN CASE U MISSED IT

Nursing student murdered on University of Georgia campus

University of Georgia student Laken Riley was tragically murdered on campus while jogging in the morning.

On Feb. 22, Laken Riley was reported missing by her friend after she failed to return from her morning run. At 12:38 pm the same day, Riley was found unresponsive with visible injuries. She died from blunt force trauma to the head, Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson Morgue said.

UGA police were able to identify the suspect as Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26. An Athens-Clarke County Police Department officer approached him because he matched the description of a suspect in the investigation and Ibarra presented his U.S. permanent resident card.

“The card was determined to be fraudulent. Ibarra is a citizen of Venezuela and was processed for expedited removal but claimed a credible fear of return to Venezuela. He was consequently released from immigration custody pending adjudication of his claim for asylum on April 30, 2023,” wrote the United States Attorney Office Middle District of Georgia.

The undocumented Ibarra was charged with possessing a fake green card. The charges against Mr. Ibarra also include murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, University of Georgia Police Department and Clarke County Sheriff’s Office.

More than 22,000 people signed a petition urging for emergency lights to be installed in the wooded area where the student’s body was found, so that police may be directly notified in the event of an emergency..

U.S. Air Force senior airman sets himself on fire in protest of the Israel-Palestine War

On Feb. 25, Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire outside of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC, in what he proclaimed as a protest against the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Bushnell began a livestream on his phone before 1 p.m. standing in front of the embassy gates, dousing himself in flammable liquid from a bottle. As he lit himself on fire, he repeatedly screamed, “Free Palestine.”

After the flames were extinguished by Secret Service officers who responded to the event, Bushnell was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead at 10:06 pm last Sunday.

Prior to his death, Bushnell emailed left-leaning websites, informing them of his extreme protest, known as self-immolation, for the Palestinian people.

This was not the first time self-immolation occurred in the events of the conflict. In December, a protester set himself on fire at the Israeli consulate in the state of Georgia, with a Palestinian flag discovered at the scene.

“Many of us like to ask ourselves … What would I do if my country was committing genocide? The answer is, you’re doing it. Right now,” said Bushnell in his final Facebook post.

He filmed his protest on Twitch, a livestream social media platform. The video since then has been removed, yet blurred clips continue to circulate on the internet.

Sims: Baseball Weekend Takeaways vs. Florida

Luke Sims
-
0
Sims: Baseball Weekend Takeaways vs. Florida

In front of amazing crowds at Mark Light Field, the Miami Hurricanes lost their weekend series with the fourth-ranked Florida Gators but put up a competitive fight. After losing the opening night, Miami responded with a huge win on Saturday. UM was unable to secure a victory in the rubber match.

Here are three takeaways from the Hurricanes’ first series loss of the season.

‘Canes can play with anyone

Miami showed heart in all of these games against an impressive Gators team. The Hurricanes were able to start fast and hold off the Gators for a while until they pulled away late.

In game two, Miami came out swinging and took the early lead against the Gators. This time, though, the Hurricanes kept it. Led by strong starting pitching and efficient hitting, Miami was able to get a marquee win early on in the season.

The team was not able to keep the energy up in the final game, as aside from co-captain Dorian Gonzalez Jr.’s grand slam, the Hurricanes’ bats were pretty quiet.

“I don’t think we were outclassed in any way,” Miami head coach J.D. Arteaga said. “There are little things in the game of baseball that you have to do in order to win when you’re matched up against a good team, and we didn’t do those things.”

This should give Miami confidence that it can play with any team in the country. Battling in these games against tough opponents early on in the season will pay off down the line for the ‘Canes.

“We’re working our tail off,” Arteaga said. “We’re going to continue getting better and we’re going to keep fighting, every inning, every pitch, every at-bat. It’s right around the corner. We’re going to get to where we need to be.”

Miami might be a little too reliant on the long ball

While hitting home runs is fun, Miami might be banking on homers to fuel its offense a bit too much.

14 of the 17 runs that Miami scored during the weekend series were by way of the long ball. While it’s exciting and gets the crowd on their feet, that is not sustainable throughout the season. Miami must find a way to score runs in other ways more consistently.

Starting pitching solid again

All three of Gage Ziehl, Rafe Schlesinger and Herick Hernandez were impressive in their starts.

Schlesinger delivered a key Saturday win, as he struck out 11 batters and set the tone for the team. All three starters only let up three runs to an incredibly dangerous Gator offense.

If these three can keep delivering quality starts as the young Miami bullpen develops, the ‘Canes could have an elite pitching staff in every weekend series.

Miami (6-5) welcomes Stonehill to the Light next Wednesday. The first pitch for that game is set for 6 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network.

Hurricanes celebrate seniors, drop season finale in overtime

Caleb Shapiro
-
0
Hurricanes celebrate seniors, drop season finale in overtime

In an afternoon featuring Miami guard Shayeann Day-Wilson’s career-high and two Hurricanes celebrating Senior Day, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (GT) pulled away in overtime against the ‘Canes, winning 71-66.

Miami (19-10, 8-10 ACC) finished off its regular season on Sunday in nail-biting fashion, a tug-of-war battle featuring 18 lead changes, eight tie scores and neither team leading by more than five.

However, despite the teams going punch-for-punch, no one could contain Day-Wilson. The junior dropped 21 first-half points on an electric 8-of-10 shooting from the field as UM led by one at the half, 36-35.

Six points later in the second half and the Toronto native had eclipsed her previous point record of 26 at Duke, now standing at 27.

“I felt good, I haven’t felt good in a long time so I was just staying aggressive and I knew I had to step up big today,” Day-Wilson said.

She was one of just two ‘Canes to get into double-figure scoring on the day. The other was forward Lazaria Spearman, who registered a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

“[Spearman] was unbelievable,” head coach Katie Meier said. “Focused, rebounded, caught the ball, [she] didn’t have a single turnover.

She got into double digits on one of her more impressive plays, knocking down a shot-clock buzzer-beating fadeaway jumper midway through the third, which grabbed Miami the lead at 44-43.

The lead stayed within one possession the entire third frame, and Miami took a one-point lead into the fourth.

Guard Ja’Leah Williams got the scoring started in the fourth with a steal and score for the ‘Canes off a fast-break layup, yet any potential momentum-shifting plays for Miami were stifled by the Yellow Jackets (16-14, 7-11 ACC).

Miami retained a single-possession lead up until just under two minutes left when Georgia Tech guard Tonie Morgan knotted the game at 60 with a free throw. Seconds later, Day-Wilson clinched her career-high with a layup, adding another lead change to the total.

Free throws would tie the game up once again for GT at 62 before the brawl headed to extra time. The Yellow Jackets had a chance to walk it off, but guard Ines Noguero missed the potential game-winning jumper.

Throughout overtime, foul shooting continued to tell the story of this physical game. Tech converted all six of his free throws, as Miami committed two untimely fouls before fouling intentionally.

Tech was ultra-efficient from the stripe, shooting an 89.5% clip, a stark contrast to the Hurricanes’ 38.5%. When the dust settled, free throws were the glaring difference in the opponent’s performances.

“We did not get any shots to fall in the fourth quarter or overtime,” Meier said. “We killed ourselves at the free throw line.”

Even with the loss, the ‘Canes still have a lot of potential basketball to play in March.

“It’s not over and we play Thursday and we’re just going to rest up and get ready for that,” Day-Wilson said.

In the meantime, Miami can celebrate what it has, including the two seniors spotlighted today, Jaida Patrick and Sophia Zulich.

Patrick, a transfer graduate student, made an immediate impact on and off the court for ‘Canes this season.

“Jaida came in the first month and was voted captain, which I’ve never seen in my life,” Meier said.

Zulich is also a graduate transfer. She walked on to the team after dealing with injuries much of her collegiate career.

“The sacrifices she made to even try to participate on this team,” Meier said. “She’s just an inspiration to the team.”

Miami enters its most important stretch of the ACC gauntlet, heading to Greensborough, N.C., where it’ll take on the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday in the ACC Tournament. Tip-off is at 1:30 p.m.

1...191192193...2,127Page 192 of 2,127