Network News April 2021 journal : simplebooklet.com

Network News celebratesover 16,000 views! The Bay Path Student Newsroom extends gratitude tothe faculty, staff and students who have contributedefforts to produce the Network News. The Network News was born in Professor Janine Fondon's office inthe summer of 2018. Janine imagined an opportunity forUndergraduate Communications students to create a new studentmagazine that is designed and produced through a digitalnewsroom. She invited Laurie Cirillo from the careers team topartner with her to launch this initiative. The student newsroomcame together to publish the first issue in September of 2018. Sincethat time, the students have published 17 magazines over threeacademic years! Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, students wrotetheir Spring 2020 issue with readership at an all-time high! Withcontinued increases in readership for 2020-2021, the Newsroomnow celebrates over 16,000 views. Let's celebrate these dedicated,creative and inspiring students who have been fortunate to have theleadership of Megan Griffin, student editor for Spring 2021, andAllison Zaczynski, student editor for Fall 2020 and an inauguralalumni editor, for 2021. Congratulations to our community forembracing the Network News. Thank you to many of our faculty and staff who have supported theNetwork News in a range of ways. President Sandra J. Doran, Lisa Ruch,Dinah Moore, Elizabeth Cardona, Laurie Cirillo, Maura Devlin, JanineFondon, Anne Chapdelaine, Courtney Patrick-Weber, Ramona East,Gretchen Heaton, University Communications (Karen Woods, RobynRawson, Melissa Wert), Emily Thompson, Crystal Senter-Brown, AshleyPereira, Tatiana Resende, Stacey Sweeney, Tom Loper, Maria Arroyo,Yadilette Rivera Colon and others.

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Thank you to the 2020-2021 Bay Path Student Newsroom foryour leadership, courage and teamwork to produce NetworkNews during this challenging year. We appreciate your efforts,creativity and vision. Together, you have set your own pace,broken your own records, and inspired the campus throughan uncertain time. Much success! Keep sharing your storiesand inspiring others.-Laurie Cirillo and Professor Janine Fondon Cora Swan '23Bay Path StudentNewsroom Art DirectorSpring 2021Cora will serve asNewsroom Digital Artistand Art DirectorMakayla Francis '21Bay Path Student NewsroomLayout & Design CoordinatorSocial Action SeriesWriter/Columnist Spring 2021Megan Griffin '21Bay Path StudentNewsroom EditorSpring 2021Liz Hall '22Bay Path StudentNewsroom AssociateEditor Spring 2021. ForFall 2021, Liz will serveas Editor.Student Newsroom Contributors:Kassidy Lopez Aprell May Carly Paluck Kayla VanceRebecca WehnerCoriann Willingham Allison ZaczynskiJulia DeRidder '23Bay Path StudentNewsroom Creative Arts& Events SupervisorSpring 2021. For Fall 2021,Julia will serve asAssociate Editor.BAYPATHUNIVERSITYSTUDENTNEWSROOMSPRING 2021Table of contentsCelebrating theClass of 2021The WELLProgramOn the MoveRecapCareers EventsSpring 2021Internship FundAlumni SectionSocial JusticeSectionCreative SpotlightTAWC RoseCeremony

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Congratulations, Class of 2021! Your time is here. You did it! We are so proud of you and look forward to following you on your journey andcelebrating your future successes. Once you are part of the Bay Path Community you are always a part of the BayPath Community!As you near graduation, now is the time to reflect on your experiences that have brought you to this incrediblemilestone. From those all-night study sessions for exams, the group projects, your commitment to your internships,club participation, countless presentations, and virtual learning (just to name a few!) have given you qualities that arenow part of your personal toolbox: resilience, adaptability, and persistence.Along the way, you have made countless new friends and met professors and mentors who have supported andencouraged you to do what may have been impossible just a few years ago. These relationships are priceless. Now isthe time to say, “Let’s keep in touch…” Networking, mentorships, and relationships will be a valuable part of yourfuture and career path and networking is a skill you excel at!Most important, during your time at Bay Path, you have found your voice and embraced the art of storytelling. I speakon behalf of the entire Bay Path Community when I say we look forward to the curated content each month inNetwork News. Under the tutelage of Professor Janine Fondon, this student-led newsletter has been a positive forcekeeping us connected in the campus community. I encourage you all to continue to speak out, speak up and writeabout issues that are part of our national dialogue. We are counting on you to help make our communities and countrya more robust and better place. Network News has reached a significant milestone—a record 16,332 views. This achievement directly correlates to allof your hard work and dedication to its success. Congratulations to the Network News team! I would also like to thankand wish best of luck to our Network News graduating seniors Megan Griffin ’21, editor, and Makayla Francis ’21,layout & design coordinator and social action series columnist.My wish for the graduating seniors of the Class of 2021 is best reflected in the words of the great American poetMaya Angelou: “If one has courage, nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”Continue to live courageously! Carpe Diem!President Sandra J. Doran

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A memorable moment -- wishing Dr. Carol Leary and herhusband Noel well with the car parade in May 2020 - prior totheir departure from Bay Path. This happened in my junioryear at Bay Path. I was able to attend the parade with one ofmy best friends, Lucy. This was one of my fondest memoriesbeing at Bay Path. It was truly amazing to see the communitycome together for such an amazing individual.Halloween 2018, during mysophomore year, was one of thebest nights of my life! My friendsand I dressed up as our heroes,Donna and the Dynamos fromMamma Mia! We went floor tofloor in our dorm buildingperforming song with fullchoreography. I’ve never feltmore fabulous! SENIOR HIGHLIGHTSAimee HeinzeMadison HaraklesNetwork News Editor of Fall 2020, AllisonZaczynski, welcomed the incoming President Doranwith an interview and front page coverage in NetworkNews. It was great to get to know President Doranand share with the Bay Path community fun tidbitsabout her life and plans for the future.Bay Path Newsroom

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SENIOR HIGHLIGHTSMegan GriffinThe One America trip in January 2020will always be one of my favorite BayPath memories. It was amazing totravel to the South with my friends andvisit places we had learned about inDr. Surbrug's course. Atlanta,Savannah, and Charleston each have aunique and rich history. On our tripsbetween each city, we had fun sight-seeing and playing music. This pictureis a few of us with our beloved busdriver James, right before we got onthe boat to visit Fort Sumter inCharleston, NC.Allison ZaczynskiInterviewing Ellie Krug alongsideMegan Griffin in September 2019 wasa definite highlight for me. It was myfirst assignment for Network News as Ihad just transferred into the traditionalprogram at Bay Path. I appreciatedworking with Megan because in manyways I felt like the “new kid” and sheis so professional. Meeting Ellie andgetting to know her was incrediblypowerful and impactful. Telling herstory in Network News felt soimportant. I am grateful that Bay PathUniversity provided this experienceand many others for me.

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Were there any staff or faculty members that playedan important role in your college career?Oh, I can name a lot of faculty members that helped me.Ever since I transferred to Bay Path I was lost because Ididn’t know where to start. I started off as anexploratory major because I needed to know what Ineeded to do until I found my passion which isneuroscience. Dr. Weins, who is also my academicadvisor, was incredibly helpful to me during this time.She helped me study and change my study techniques sothat I could learn the information and get better grades.Not many professors would sit down with you face-toface to help you understand your study techniques andmethods to help you improve in any college course youtake. Dr. Rivera-Colón, who also taught biochemistry, wassuch a fun teacher to be around. Her class ischallenging, and no joke, but she makes you understandthose challenging classes which I appreciate. If you lookat the long lectures you think you’re not going to getthrough it. We need to break it down and compose theparts. I formed that in my mind and it made me think“This isn’t so bad." It helped me define opportunitiesthat are out there and are related to my experiencebecause she knows I want to do anything neurosciencerelated. She was really helpful with that. She is alsohelping me with writing and structuring my grantproposal, to make sure I am framing it right and I am onthe right path. Continued. What lessons have you learned from your time at BayPath?In the WELL program's WEL310 course, we had tocreate our resume and learn to negotiate our salaries. Iwill definitely be using those methods and techniques.We can empower ourselves and say: “This is myexperience and level of education, I deserve to havecompensation as anyone else." It was a great takeawayfrom the WELL program that I will not take for granted. Suelita Delorme is a Neuroscience major with aconcentration in Neurobiology and is excited tograduate and enter adulthood. She is multilingual,speaking three languages fluently and currentlylearning two more.BY LIZ HALLA RESILIENT WOMANA RESILIENT WOMANWhat is a highlight from your time at Bay Path?I transferred to Bay Path during my senior year. Iattended an adventurous week of excitement fororientation. This was where it all started. I metintelligent and inspiring young women whom I cancall my best pal. The moment that we started to beopen with each other came when we did the 'trust fall.'At that very moment, we felt close and welcomingamong each other. I do not remember the campsite wevisited, but I can still picture and feel the joy of beingthere. It was one of the moments I will not forget andI will always deeply cherish it.

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How long have you been a WEL100 peer mentor?Has there been a class or an individual that stuckout to you? I have to say… it’s been a year now… time flies sofast. It was during the time when I was apart of DEIand so I had to juggle both those things.I enjoyed all of the students. I love to see how engagingthey are despite them coming in as students from thepandemic and saying this is the new normal. I’m gladhow well they were able to adjust well to that. I knowit’s not easy. If I was a freshman I don't know if Iwould be able to handle it because I would need theface-to-face personally to teach me what it’s like tohave the BPU experience. Getting to see theinvolvement and engagement was very impactful. Toall the students who tried their best even though it wasso challenging I really applaud them. Why did you decide to restart the ASL Club?American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural languagefor me because I have two deaf siblings. In the past, Ididn't know what it meant to be deaf because I wasn'treally taught about the deaf community. Growing up Ithought it was just a natural language to learn, likeEnglish is a natural language for us to learn becausewe grew up in this culture. It was a second languagethat I didn’t know was a second language until I gotmuch older.I revived the ASL group because I think it's importantfor students to learn a second language. ASL is verysimilar to English and so it wouldn’t be hard forEnglish speakers to learn ASL. And I think it is verycrucial for that club to be incorporated intoclassrooms. There are plenty of students who come tome and ask if there are courses where they can learnASL, and I wish I had the answer. Once I started thisclub I was so surprised by the attendance and howmany people wanted to learn the language. I hope itcontinues on in the future and that students have thatpassion like I did to hold this club together and keep italive. What made you want to get involved in the DEIsubcommittee?I was actually recruited. Elizabeth Cardona reached out tome and said “Hey, you could do this." I was hesitant becauseI didn’t know if it was the right area for me and if I would beable to meet the expectations, as they challenged me. I spokein front of plenty of high ranking people at the Universityover Zoom meetings and I was so nervous at first. But thatnervousness went away because I’m getting used to it andthey put me in that leadership position. It’s like they put mein a seat and told me to take the role, and we can tell themwhat we need and what Bay Path needs for a change when itcomes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. I feel like such aconfident, resilient, and empowered young women. Just acouple years ago, I was this shy timid girl. And look at menow! I’m talking in front of professionals and presentingwork that I worked hard on and lost nights from, but it wasso worth it. Because I’m getting my voice heard and it’s soimportant for students to get their voice heard, it was anincredible time for me when I was a part of DEI. And noneof it would have happened if I didn’t go to campus activitiesor if I stayed in my dorm room. It was because I put myselfout there that I was able to get those opportunities. What plans do you have for after graduation? Right now I’m going to take a break, because after what’sbeen going on with the pandemic we all deserve a break asgraduating seniors. I’m going to take a year off to explore,and travel. If everything starts to open back up I’m going totake those opportunities and go somewhere. And then I wantto get involved in my career. I’m not a “set in stone” person,I'm a more versatile person who likes to explore differentopportunities in my career. When it comes to neuroscience,I’m looking for internships for exposure to my career field.I’ll land into something that I really want to do as I get older.

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Madison Harakles is a General Psychology majorwith a Performing Arts minor. In her senior year,she served as the president of the StudentGovernment Association, Gay Path Alliance, andEnvironmental Club. BY MEGAN GRIFFINMARVELOUS MADISONMARVELOUS MADISONHow have you transformed personally in your timeat Bay Path? I came out at Bay Path and am now the President ofthe Gay Path Alliance. I have also grown inconfidence in general and have come into myselfmore as a person. I know who I am, and I like her.She’s cool! My mom sent me this quote today that Ithink perfectly exemplifies my growth at Bay Path: “Iwill never have this version of me again. Let me slowdown and be with her” - Rupi KaurAre there any faculty/staff members that were key playersin creating a formative experience for you these past fewyears?Yes definitely! The first one is Dr. Wallace. He has taught mostof my psychology classes so I know him well. He reallybelieves in me and what I can accomplish and has pushed me tobelieve in myself as well. Professor Kevin Barlowski has also had a big influence on me. Ihave had the most fun being in the theatrical productions here atBPU. He made me feel like the star I am and also is one of myfashion inspirations.What is one of your most cherished memories from yourtime here?Going on the Broadway trips with my friends. I had never seena Broadway show before coming here and as a theatre fan it wasa big dream of mine, and Bay Path helped that dream come true.My Fair Lady was the first show I saw in the fall of mysophomore year.What are your post-graduation plans and how will you takethe lessons you learned at Bay Path along with you into yournext phase of life? One thing I learned about myself at Bay Path is that I thrive inleadership positions. I know wherever my professional journeytakes me I will always feel comfortable taking the lead in anyposition I’m in. I plan to work as a case worker for DHHS(Department of Health and Human Services) in my home stateof Maine, then apply to PhD programs for Clinical Psychologyin the Fall of 2022.

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BY MAKAYLA FRANCISAryanna Wiggins-Gamble is a Neurobiology andMedical Science: Pre-Med Major, with a Minor in Biotechnology. She is also Resident Assistant, a part ofthe Women in Science Honors Program, alongside beinga member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion StudentSubcommittee.How have you transformed personally in yourtime at Bay Path? Over time I came out of my shell a lot more andgot involved on campus. I think that I have becomea lot less shy and a lot more assertive. And I’m alot better at setting goals and working towardsthem.What were some of the negative experiences atBay Path that you’ve had and taken action tochange?I think that some of the courses were very difficultand that was very hard. I had a lot of nights whereI stayed up until 4am studying and woke up at 6amjust to study some more. The only things to do inthat situation was to power through it. Anynegative experience outside of academia, I usuallytried to speak up for myself and the situation.Calling attention to the problem and myperspective.What are some of the accomplishments you aremost proud of, even if they weren’t associated withBay Path?I am proud of all of it really. I did a double major witha minor. I entered the Women in Stem Honorsprogram. I completed two thesis projects forneurobiology and WiSH. And I was able to be aresident assistant through all of that. It was hard but Igot through it.Is there a faculty/staff member that was a keyplayer in creating a formative experience these pastfew years? If so, who are they and how have theyimpacted you to become who you are today? The entire science staff was very motivational andsupportive for me. It is difficult to only name a fewsince many of them really influenced me. But I wouldsay that Professor Quadros-Menella and Dr. Rivera-Colon were very influential for me. What are your post-graduation plans and how willyou take the lessons you learned at Bay Path alongwith you into your next phase of life? I will be involved in biomedical sciences and the field ofneuroscience.Do you see yourself returning to Bay Path in the nearfuture, yes or no? Explain why and your perspectiveon the university.I would like to return so that I can greet my professorsand maintain the connections that I have made. I thinkthat they played a large role in my progress and I wouldlike for them to remain in my own network/supportsystem. ARYANNAARYANNAWIGGINSWIGGINS

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BY KAYLA VANCEJENNIFER WILSONJENNIFER WILSONJennifer Wilson is a Child Psychology major witha minor in Education, and a certification in AutismSpectrum Disorder. Jenn is a Student AmbassadorLeader, in Psi Chi, the Event Coordinator forSAAC, and a two sport athlete in Soccer andLacrosse. Is there a faculty/staff member that was a key player increating a formative experience these past few years? Ifso, who are they and how have they impacted you tobecome who you are today?My advisor, Dr. Wiezbicki-Stevens has been absolutelyamazing and super supportive throughout my time here.Also, I always looked forward to my classes with Dr.Wallace. He always knew how to make my day. Healways encourages me in the classroom and on thesoccer field. These two individuals helped me be able tofully believe in myself and what I can do in and out ofthe classroom.What is one of your most cherished memories fromyour time here?Looking back at these past three years, I have madethe most amazing group of friends. At the college Ifirst attended, I struggled to find those life longfriends, but I found them almost instantly at Bay Path.I am always making new friends, even with a monthbefore I graduate. My time spent with them issomething that I will cherish forever.How has athletics transformed your experience at Bay Path?When I decided to go to college I knew I was not going tocontinue playing soccer with a lack of confidence within myselfto perform at this level. Bay Path opened up an athleticopportunity to continue playing soccer and to play lacrosse,which was so new to me. With athletics I was able to step out ofmy comfort zone, challenge and push myself, and have the besttime with the best teams.How will you take the lessons you’ve learned from your timeat Bay Path and apply them to the next chapter in your life? The most important lesson that I have learned from Bay Path isthat stepping out of your comfort zone is scary but totallyworth it. If I never pushed myself the way I did here I wouldhave never played a new sport, been a student ambassador andleader, got inducted into Psi Chi, be the event coordinator forSAAC, and so much more. Doors are constantly opening andclosing here and it is okay to make that change, it will be soworth it. My high school self would have never believed me ifI told myself that this is where I would be today, doing thesethings.Any post-grad plans?After I graduate with my Bachelor's degree, I plan to continuemy education at Bay Path in the Masters of OccupationalTherapy program and complete the two years of eligibility inthe NCAA that I have for soccer and lacrosse.

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How has it affected your business?I was inspired to create a body-positive yoga program forbeginners for many different reasons. Firstly, with thepandemic, people are seeking outlets for coping with stressand anxiety and yoga is perfect for that. However, Zoomclasses are hard for beginner yogis and instructors alikebecause it is not easy to give the one-on-one support thatbeginners need. I remembered how I felt as a beginner. Ihad a DVD that I was practicing at home, and the firstpose was "Mountain," which is a standing position. Theinstructor had their feet together and when I tried to dothat, I just fell over. I felt like a failure in the first posebecause I couldn't stand correctly. I've since learned thatthere are different ways to modify poses and how to useprops to make positions more comfortable. However,beginners don't have all of that knowledge from the start.So in my program, I break down each yoga pose anddemonstrate different modifications so that you find yourown personal way to express that pose. Going forward,should you attend a yoga class, you will be comfortable inhow to make yoga suit your body, and not the other wayaround.How has body positivity affected you personally?Like most people, I have been extremely self-consciousof my body and how I look. When I first startedteaching yoga, I was self-conscious of being a plus-sized woman in the health and wellness field. I am verygrateful to those who have embraced me. But I havealso encountered those who have chastised me for"promoting" being unhealthy. In my mind, all I wasdoing was living my life with the body that I have. Iwas not making a statement. However, I have sincerealized that being a plus-sized yoga instructor thatpromotes body positivity is the statement I need tomake. Increasing visibility for different body types inyoga is important. Our bodies are our homes and theonly consistent thing we have in life, so we deserve tobe comfortable and love the bodies that we have.How has the pandemic shifted your business?My original intent for my business was to practice yoga inbeautiful places. I'm going on my fourth year of teachingoutdoor yoga at Hilltop Farm in Suffield, George Hendeeof Indian Motorcycles gentleman's farm. I also ran my firstyoga retreat in October 2019 and the goal was to run morebut the pandemic put a pause on that. The pandemicshifting my business ended up being a gift. I have sincecreated two online courses, one that is a body-positivebeginner yoga program and another for women with PCOSto manage their symptoms with yoga. I am also workingon another course for beginner chair yoga. I have found acreative flow zone working on these online courses as wellas making myself of service in the pandemic. Continued. YOGA, GRADUATION, ANDBODY POSITIVITYYOGA, GRADUATION, ANDBODY POSITIVITYBY JULIA DERIDDERAllison is well-spoken, kind, and a real life successstory. Her business, Peace Bound Yoga, has a lotto offer. I hope you enjoy learning more about her,her take on body positivity, graduating, and yogain general.

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You graduated just a few months ago! Do youhave any advice for the graduating seniors?My advice is to take that dream or idea that feels toobig and figure out how to make it happen. Thepandemic has taught us that there are ways to modifyjust about everything. Our small world was madeeven smaller. There are many resources available andways to educate yourself.People will tell you to take the "dependable" job evenif it isn't your goal or of interest to you. I disagreewholeheartedly with that advice. Your time is sovaluable.Do you feel that Bay Path provided you with toolsthat have helped you sustain your business? Bay Path, the Communications program, andProfessor Fondon have been incredibly helpful to me.Professional Writing taught me how to tailor mybusiness bio and copy to different audiences. UsingCanva and Zoom at Bay Path helped me to build myconfidence with these tools and transfer thatknowledge to my business. Bay Path has providedmany opportunities for public speaking which hasbeen extremely helpful because I have always beenafraid of it. I've gotten comfortable enough withpublic speaking that I was approached to give aseminar on self-care for mothers on InternationalWomen's Day and enjoyed it! I also learned a lotabout networking by watching Professor Fondonmodel it. And knowing that the Bay Path communitywants me to succeed means so much.Lastly, do you have any advice for people who arelooking to get into yoga?I truly believe there is a yoga practice for every person. Idon't think that flexibility or any other physical goals arethe purposes of yoga. It's about creating a mind-bodyconnection. There are ways to modify poses and use propsto help practice poses for your body. And there are alsoyoga practices that are not reliant on any type of physicalability like yoga Nidra or restorative yoga. There really isyoga for everybody. Website: http://peaceboundyoga.teachable.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaceboundyoga/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaceboundyoga/Email: peaceboundretreats@gmail.com

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The WELL ProgramThe WELL ProgramKassidy, your school children will absolutely respect andadore you! Know that you are influencing and making ahuge impact on our next generation of learners to be thenext presidents, CEOs, doctors, entrepreneurs, andexperts in the future workforce!Rachel, your school children will look up to you and youwill be their light with your knowledge, easy going spirit,and peaceful presence. You will be encouraging and showthem that they could be anything that they would like tobe as long as they put their mind to it. You will inspirethem to be the next generation of movie producers,lawyers, company owners, and the most skilled at whatthey do. Suelita, you will invent a cure for something very veryimportant! I cannot wait to see it and see you reachheights of full fruition!Megan, you will continue to write and communicate inways that set new standards and expectations because youbring that level of professionalism, communication, anddedication each and every single time! Kassidy, Megan, Suelita and Rachel: wishing you nothingbut the best because that is what you each brought to thetable not only as a peer mentor, but in everything that youdid! Congratulations on being a part of the Class of 2021!The traditional undergraduate WELL Program wantedto recognize their four senior class peer mentors, allgraduating in Spring 2021: Suelita Delorme, MeganGriffin, Kassidy Lopez, and Rachel Robinson. The Peer Mentors were asked to not only be peermentors, but to serve as a role model for their studentsduring an academic year and pandemic that greatlyaffected them personally. This year, as we know, wasone like no other. The peer mentors made themselvesavailable to their peers who faced mental healthchallenges, academic struggles, personal storms withintheir own circles, and a completely different life fromhow they originally knew it to be pre-COVID. Kassidy,Megan, Suelita, and Rachel stepped up and embracedevery new or different endeavor that they were facedwith total engagement, flexibility, positivity, andoverall resilience. From being asked to help lead avirtual welcome week, to coordinating an engagingvirtual office hour, and to think creatively of virtualways to keep their first year students feel welcomed,these peer mentors stepped up to a challenge that theydid not know would exist at the time that they appliedfor this position. Our hat goes out to each of them,wishing them nothing but overall happiness andsuccess on the next chapter of their life and journey.We know that they will be successful because theyknow no other way to do it!Shining a Light on our Senior WELL Peer Mentors!A special thanks to WELL Program Director Dinah Moore for this submission.

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Victoria Thomas ‘21 has held many leadership positionson campus including a Multicultural Advocate, Presidentof Student Government and most recently an activemember of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion StudentSubcommittee. Each of these roles have given Victoria anopportunity to hone in on her own cultural capital, listenintentionally to peers, and lead with a criticalconsciousness as she advocates for and affirms theexperiences of students on campus. Victoria has anentrepreneurial spirit, no-nonsense attitude and positivemindset that is both refreshing and admirable to watch asshe has evolved and pursues her next professionaldevelopment opportunity. It has been a joy to work withand learn from Victoria. I am certain she will continue toflourish, succeed, and serve Bay Path well as an esteemedAlumni.The Office of Multicultural AffairsThe Office of Multicultural AffairsShining a Light on our Senior OMA Student Leaders!A special thanks to Elizabeth Cardona, Director of Multicultural Affairs for this submissionAnjuli Thapa ‘21 is a quiet leader with a passion to serveand play a leading role in the development of hercommunity. During her first year at Bay Path, sheconnected with the Office of Multicultural Affairs andbecame part of the OMA family. Anjuli served as aMulticultural Advocate. She is hardworking, creative andhumble, action oriented and passionate about how studentlife can develop programs to expose scholars to networksand meaningful experiences. As a member of the team, sheoften designed brave spaces where sisterhood wasencouraged and practiced. In her roles in the E-Boards forALANA and Women of Culture, she always came up withthe best icebreakers to ensure everyone felt included. Hercreativity and ability to be resourceful were put to good useduring the first months of Covid. Realizing the dangers ofthe global pandemic and risks to people who live inextreme circumstances, she and other community membersorganized to make hand-made masks for homelessindividuals. We are so proud of Anjui’s accomplishmentsand wish her our very best as she begins the next chapter inher life.Suelita Delorme ‘21 is saluted for her thoughtfulapproach to considering the many dimensions ofdiversity, equity and inclusion. Suelita transferred toBay Path from another institution and was eager to giveback to Bay Path. She was especially interested incultural languages and breaking down barriers for thedeaf to increase access to information. It was with thatin mind she started a Sign Language Club and wasactive on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion StudentSubcommittee where she and other peers dedicatedtheir time, good thinking and energy toward thedevelopment of a Strategic Plan focused on approachesto support a more inclusive and equitable campuscommunity. Suelita has been an incredible collaboratoras she helped shape and execute many cultural events.She is celebrated through this communication filledwith warm wishes for her future endeavors.Megan Griffin ‘21 has been a champion forDiversity, Equity and Inclusion at Bay Path. She hasserved in many student leadership roles at Bay Pathincluding Editor of the Network News, Peer Mentor,and member of the Diversity Equity and InclusionStudent Subcommittee. In addition, she hasvolunteered her time to advance cultural anddiversity, equity and inclusion events such as DiverseVoices Peer Dialogue, a critical conversation virtualprogram aimed to instill a brave space for Bay Pathcampus to consider trending issues through criticalthought and purposeful engagement. Lastly, Meganhas been a team player, while often working behindthe scenes developing videos to support eventscoordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.Megan has a bright future and we recognize herleadership, enthusiasm, and solidarity.

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The Office of Multicultural AffairsThe Office of Multicultural AffairsAryanna Wiggins-Gamble '21 has been an integral partof student leadership in many areas across campus. Sheserved as a member of Motherland Dance ensemble,where she cultivated a passion for dance and developedfriendships. She is an advocate for social justice andinclusion who understands the importance and value ofequity to achieve sustainable change. Aryanna is a deepthinker and has a natural curiosity for learning and makingconnections. This past year she has been part of theDiversity, Equity and Inclusion Student Subcommitteewhere she worked with peers to explore the meaning ofequity to then develop initiatives to promote courselearning and encourage positive student experiences oncampus. Aryanna has a growth mindset and is alwaysseeking to learn and grow. It's not difficult to imagineAryanna assuming a critical role in the medical field thatwill allow her to leverage her intellectual meta-levels ofthinking to advance a career in neuroscience.Congratulations and our very best wishes for success!Shining a Light on our Senior OMA Student Leaders!A special thanks to Elizabeth Cardona, Director of Multicultural Affairs for this submission

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"When I came into Bay Path I was unsure of what I trulywanted to do. I knew that I wanted to do psychology. I wasnervous to talk to anyone about my options and Professor Hallcould see that and she saw the potential that I had. She pulledme aside and talked to me about her program. Not only that,but the first year into Bay Path I decided that I wanted to add amajor and do the three year program along with study abroad.I did just that but if it weren't for Diane Hall none of this couldhave been a possibility. She really pushed me to be my best anddo my best. She has been there for me day and night. Evenwhen I was studying abroad she would always check in on meto see how I was fitting in, how I liked the classes, and just ingeneral how I was doing. I studied abroad at a time when theworld shut down and the first person to contact me wasProfessor Hall. She made sure that I was safe and how I wasgetting back to the USA and checked in because I had theclasses over Zoom with my teachers in France. She has not onlybeen there for me as a teacher, as an advisor, but she is my rolemodel. She has shown me so many things and I am forevergrateful.""Rob has been one of my favorite people throughout mytime here at Bay Path. He makes staying healthy fun,and helps your goals seem more achievable. Rob hastaken the time to get to know me as a person, andgenuinely cares about all those who he works with. Wejoke and say that we are best friends, but all jokes aside,a friendship has grown, and I can honestly say that mytime here would not have been nearly the same withouthim."Amber BaushAlivia RiveraSENIOR GRATITUDESDr. Diane Hall - Psychology Rob Panetti - Fitness Center

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"Dr. Weins was new to Bay Path like I was. I connected with herbecause we were both exploring Bay Path life. She is an incredibleand selfless person who puts the needs of her students first. She will dothe most when it comes to students' success and ambitions. Shedemonstrated that countless times. Dr. Wiens truly impacted mebecause she helps me to understand what type of learner I am andfigure out methods of what I can do to improve my studies. When sheis not working, Dr. Wiens will continue to find materials andresources to help her students. Also, she shares opportunities forothers on what they can do with their major, so none of them are leftbehind. She is a remarkable professor that Bay Path is proud to havein their community. I am thankful to have her as my professor andadvisor for all the dedication and hardwork she put in for all of herstudents."SENIOR GRATITUDESSuelita DelormeKatie M. Weins, Ph. D. - Neuroscience"I will forever be grateful to have a professorlike Dr. Wallace who believes in me so much.He empowered me to make the big decisionto apply to Ph.D. programs, and has offeredso much council and support as I plan myfuture."Madison HaraklesDr. Wallace - Psychology

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SENIOR GRATITUDESfrom Allison ZaczynskiProfessor María Luisa Arroyo - WELLDr. Lisa Ruch - Liberal StudiesProfessor Janine Fondon - Communications"I am so incredibly grateful for Professor Fondon. I don’t think Icould have made it to the finish line without her. She sees herstudents for who they are and wants to do everything she can tohelp us get to where we want to be. She champions us every stepof the way. Professor Fondon provided me so manyopportunities and experiences as a student that I feel confidentgoing forward with the skills I acquired at Bay Path.""I am grateful for Professor Arroyo’s mentorship. Takingher WELL 400 class in my final semester at Bay Path helpedgive me so much clarity for life after graduation. ProfessorArroyo saw me as a multi-faceted whole and understood myvision for a non-traditional future after Bay Path.""I appreciate Dr. Ruch for hercreative teaching style and theway she structures her classes toappeal to various learningstyles. Being challenged by Dr.Ruch held me to a differentstandard and made me into astronger writer. I am alsoincredibly grateful for all of thetimes that Dr. Ruch providedsupport and solutions to helpkeep me on track forgraduation."

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Story and photos submittted by TAWCThe Rose Ceremony at the American Women’sCollege is an annual celebration of the graduates andaward winners at The American Women’s College.The first students ever to enroll with our One DaySaturday program was in 1999, as a result of thevisionary leadership of Dr. Vana Nespor. The firstgraduates of this program were honored that very nextyear in our very first Rose Ceremony. Dr. Nesporwanted to give each graduate a rose as a symbol oftheir accomplishment. One student, after receiving herrose, took it upon herself to dedicate that rose to thepeople in her life that helped her fulfill her dream of aneducation. From that one students’ dedication, ourtradition was born.In years past, Rose Ceremonies were held at eachcampus (Longmeadow, Sturbridge, and Burlington).Starting in 2019, all ceremonies were combined intoone Rose Ceremony held on the Longmeadow campusthe day before the University’s commencementexercises. This ceremony provided the opportunity forTAWC students to be inducted into respective honorsocieties, recognized recipients of student and facultyawards, and allowed students to dedicate a rose to thosewho had a significant impact on their educationaljourney. In response to COVID protocols, the 2021Rose Ceremony will be held virtually.Any questions regarding the ceremony can be sent toJamie Van Zetten at jvanzetten@baypath.edu.2021 Virtual Rose Ceremony

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Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many of us were forcedindoors and unable to attend classes or go to work. Just asCovid hit, I was looking for an internship to fulfill mygraduation requirements here at Bay Path. After realizing Idid not want to attend an in person internship during thepandemic, and struggling to find something remote, I wasable to reach out to my career coach and work out a plan tocomplete a self study project in place of an internship. The self study project could be anything related to my majorthat would teach me basic skills I would need in the industryI am planning to pursue after graduation. I am a film majorand would like to pursue a career that involves video editingand scriptwriting after graduation. Therefore, I needed tolearn more about those skills. The website Masterclass wasthe perfect place to learn. Courses from top industryprofessionals such as Martin Scorsese, Jodie Foster, andSpike Lee were just a few of the leading professionals I wasable to learn from. Each month I was assigned to watch two to three coursesand then complete a “journal of learning” which was asummary of what I had learned that month. Additionally, Iwas able to utilize the skills I learned by applying them invideos I created and wrote a script one month to further myskills in that area. Following the first month of Masterclass learning, I createda video to show off my skills. The first video was forNetwork News and focused on the issues that people caredmost about in the 2020 election. I was grateful to be able toshare information about the election with the Bay Pathcommunity and encourage voters to understand everythingthey would be voting for.After the second month of learning, I createdanother video! The second video was created forthe Bay Path COMMunity Awards that the BayPath Student Newsroom held back in December. Iwas able to include some members of thenewsroom, myself, and our university PresidentSandra Doran. Showcased at the awards ceremonyand included in the December 2020 edition ofNetwork News, the video showcased our thoughtson the new narrative of women. In the third month, I took courses aboutscriptwriting and created another short film script.Short film scripts are generally only five to fortypages. I always love telling romance stories, so Idecided to go down that route and ended up withtwelve pages. It wasn’t a lot, but I got the story Iwanted to tell down on paper. If you would like toread it or any of the other short films that I’vewritten click the link to my portfolio down belowcontinued on next pageCovid Creates NewOpportunitiesKate Beebe is a senior at Bay PathUniversity studying Digital Arts andFilm.

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A special thanks to the WELL (Women Empowered asLeaders and Learners) Program for their positivepresence during the school year. There have been manyevents to uplift us, inspire us and empower us. Theseevents discussed what we experience, what we need todo to enact change, and what we aspire to do. The events were attended by students, faculty, and staffwho joined to learn more about how to stay centered inan unpredictable time and how to excel in a world thatchanged faster than ever expected -- due to COVID-19.This section will highlight the programs and some ofthe lessons learned. A huge thank you goes out to the thumbprint committeemembers (Professor Janine Fondon, Professor MariaArroyo, Dinah Moore, Tatiana Resende, Crystal Senter-Brown, and Anna Austin), the Women Empowered AsLearners and Leaders (WELL) program and theNetwork for Vocation in Undergraduate Education(NetVUE) for providing WELL with a grant tofinancially support this event.The WELL program collaborated with the Bay PathAdvisory Council and Bay Path’s Alumni Associationto pair peer mentors from the WELL program and theAmerican Woman’s College with professional mentorsbased on common interests and career buildingopportunities. Accurate feedback from participants hasshown to be promising. This is a pilot program that has run throughout theSpring 2021 semester with hopes to expand theprogram to include other students in the Bay Pathcommunity. The WELL Program wants to thank all ofthe participants in the pilot program as well as the othermembers of the planning team (Kathy Cotnoir,Stephanie O'Leary, and Andrea Hill) and thank theNetwork for Vocation in Undergraduate Education(NetVUE) for providing us with a grant to make thispossible. The WELLProgramProfessional Mentoring for our Peer Mentors!Special Thanks

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On Tuesday March 9, the Bay Path community welcomedBay Path graduate school alum, Dr. Latoya Bosworth, knownto many as “Brenda’s Child.” Dr. Bosworth is a life coach,keynote speaker, and adjunct professor of human servicesand education.With the theme “Living Life with Purpose and Passion,” sheshared her powerful story of overcoming childhood tragedy,adolescent eating disorders, body image issues, poverty, andadult interpersonal violence. WELL Program Director DinahMoore said, "Her willingness to share her story that nightwith others speaks to her dedication to help those around her.Her willingness to share also let others know that they are notalone and can accomplish all that they set their mind to!"The WELL ProgramThird 'Virtual' Thumbprint Lecture withDr. Latoya Bosworth Dr. Bosworth inspired attendees to find their magic. In herown experience, she has acknolwedged her own innermagic: "It's always been there, even if it's unclear." According to Bosworth, the 'magic' is your potential andhow you use your potential to achieve your purpose. Shesaid that "Purpose is always there, even if you cannot see it.It will eventually pop up to guide you along your way.""Your purpose is so divinely chosen that things will manifest- seemingly out of nowhere. You are meant to do somethingbigger than who you are."Dr. Bosworth advised attendees to identify what you aregood at and what gives you joy. Then, you should be open tonew experiences.Dr. Bosworth also encouraged attendees to acknowledgethat purpose keeps us alive and that people with purposelive longer. While focusing on purpose and passion, we alsoneed to sometimes share or get to know what makes youvulnerable.While Bosworth appears as this energetic, hopeful bundleof motivation, she shared some of tough moments in herlife. Bosworth was just 12 when her grandmother died onChristmas Day. As her grandmother's first grandchild, shewas heartbroken. Also, Bosworth has weathered manyhealth challenges. She emerged from these life situations toeducate and advocate for others through her ownexperience. "I needed to go through these trials to get towhere I am today," she said. She inspires everyone to movethrough their own obstacles to realize their wildest dreams.Thank you for sharing your story!

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"Far too often, we feel as if we do not belong inspaces we are clearly qualified to be in-- which is asymptom of imposter syndrome. Erika Dawson-Head,the speaker at the WEL310 Leadership event, revealedher own experiences with imposter syndrome and howshe learned to know her worth. She has had her fairshare of anxieties in education and life, from enteringcollege as an adult learner with two children, beinglaid off from her job, filing for bankruptcy, andeventually finishing graduate school with a 3.83 GPA.From her challenges, she was able to develop herstory and identity. Erika Dawson-Head encouraged usto remember that we are all unique, and therefore ourvoices are important. Halfway through thepresentation, she said, “I want you to know to be kindand patient and love who you are, because you areworthy of being loved”. Even if we can’t believe inourselves just yet, at least we have each other tobelieve in in the meantime." - WEL310 student Julia DeRidderThe Women Empowered As Learners and Leaders(WELL) Program and the Sullivan Career and LifePlanning Center hosted the WEL310 Women's VirtualLeadership Experience on Thursday, March 4. Pre-COVID-19, this event was held on ground. But wewere able to hold this event virtually, thanks to thecoordination efforts of WELL graduate assistant AnnaAustin, as well as the efforts of the WEL310 instructors,Laurie Cirillo, and peer mentors. This semester’s event,as a part of the final week of the WEL310 course,featured guest speaker Erika Dawson-Head, Director ofDiversity and Inclusive Community Development for theCollege of Information and Computer Sciences at theUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst. The students lovedher down-to-earth personality, genuineness, energy, andpositive spirit. Dawson-Head is driven by her strongbelief in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She used herown life’s journey and challenges as an example in orderto teach the students about imposter syndrome, feelingvalued, and ways to increase their self-esteem andmotivation. She encouraged students to use their purposeand passions in order to reach their career goals. WELLand the Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center thankErika for this experience and Dinah Moore personallythanks everyone involved for making this such a success!The WELL ProgramWEL310 Women's Virtual Leadership Experience

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The WELL program partnered with BPU professorsDr. Diane Hall and Dr. Vernon Percy to bring a two-part mental health series to our students. This eventwas open to all students and focused on identifying andcoping with long term and short term stressors. Thefirst part of the series, that occurred on March 16,engaged students in a conversation about short termstressors and identifying coping mechanisms andstrength, not only within themselves, but that can bebuilt on within their community. Part two took place onMarch 30, and engaged students in a conversationabout long term stressors. It was a collaborative effortin identifying and building skills around the copingmechanisms presented. The WELL Program thanks Dr.Percy and Dr. Hall for their willingness to serve BPUstudents and the Network for Vocation inUndergraduate Education (NetVUE) for providing uswith a grant to make this possible. On the evening of April 6, the Bay Path students were ableto engage in a discussion, led by Student Life and HealthServices, that featured representatives of PlannedParenthood (Sasha Jimenez) and the YWCA (MariahCabrera) about signs to look out for when engaging in anunhealthy relationship. Students were also introduced toTitle IX resources and representatives, Dinah Moore(WELL Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator) andPeter Testori (Dean of Academic Support Services &Assistant Coordinator, Title IX). The session wasmoderated by students Sam Brantigan and Kate Naron. The WELL ProgramMental Health Series for StudentsApril 6 was National Sexual Assault Awareness Day. TheOffice of Title IX, Student Life, Health Services, andInstitutional Marketing collaborated to lead the Bay Pathcommunity in wearing teal to help bring awareness to suchan important topic. The community was invited to wearteal and/or to place their pictures on Bay Path’s Instagramstory and the Bay Path App.Sexual Assault Awareness & Health RelationshipsHealthy Relationships

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On April 6, the fourth and final BPU Thumbprint lecture took place for the 2020-2021 academic year. The guest speaker was Elizabeth Suárez who shared ways to gain balancein your life, feel empowered,and stay connected withothers, despite the dynamicsof COVID-19. Most importantly, Suárez focused on how one can gain back control in their life. WELL Director Dinah Moore commented: "This thumbprintexperience was different for everyone because the breakoutsessions allowed participants to take a deeper dive into theinformation. Each breakout section was facilitated by variousmembers of the Thumbprint Committee and a WELL peermentor. A huge thank you to peer mentor, Sawyer Harris, formonitoring the chat and leading a breakout session."Suárez encouraged attendees to do three things -- 1) Manage negative responses 2) Seek true balance3) Gain controlFourth 'Virtual' Thumbprint Lecture with Elizabeth SuárezCreate/Follow a to do list.Think about the futureGive yourself incentives and rewardsConvene safely with friendsSeek helpStay activeStay connectedBe still, breathe deeply and be mindful. Eight ways to gain balance:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.Suárez also suggested that we think of the word'NO" as new opportunities and to do 5-3-1Networking -- have 5 conversations, 3questions within each, and 1 follow-up atanother point in time. The WELL Program

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Bay Path University,Springfield Museums, andcommunity collaboratorsconvene at 2021 On the MoveForum to Advance WomenOn the Move Celebrates Fifth YearOn March 8, almost two hundredstudents, faculty, and speakers joinedtogether on Zoom for the fifth annualOn The Move forum. On The Move isa forum created by Bay PathUniversity, Springfield Museums, andUnity First to further advance womenin the workplace. This year’s themewas “Women in Leadership: This isWhat Change Looks Like- Past,Present and Future.” The majority ofthis year’s forum was led by NikaiFondon, daughter of our very ownJanine Fondon. The On the Move Forum 2021 featured an openingperspective by Dr. Ariana Curtis, Director of Content, OurShared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past atSmithsonian Institution. The keynote presentation will begiven by On the Move’s inaugural scholar, Dr. Laura Lovett,Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh,Department of History and author of With Her Fist Raised:Dorothy Pitman Hughes and the Transformative Power ofBlack Activism.This has been a challenging year. The COVID recessionhas greatly affected women in many different occupations."This most recent On the Move was the most powerful oneI have attended yet, perhaps because of the sense ofurgency that this past year has brought to many of us," saysstudent Julia DeRidder. Women have taken the brunt of thedownfalls of the pandemic and therefore we must worktogether to be the center of the solution. There were somany incredible women who joined and spoke about theirexperiences and what they think we as women need to do inorder to create change. by Liz Hall

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#ChoosetoChallenge pledge led by President DoranAs a student at the seminar who loves history and art, Iwas greatly interested in the work of Dr. Ariana Curtis.Curtis works at the Smithsonian Institution as the Directorof Dontent for the Smithsonian new initiative called “OurShared Future: Reckoning With Our Racial Past." Shebrings up a great point that as a Black woman in her field.She cannot be afraid to speak up and say that all women’sexperiences are not the same. Our representation ofwomen must include and not be limited to: Black women,Afro-Latinas, immigrant women, queer women, nativewomen, disabled women, Asian women, African women,trans women, Muslim women, intersex women,incarcerated women, women over 65, undocumentedwomen, young girls, etc. The list of unrepresented womenis far too long. Dr. Laura Lovett introduced her novel, the first biographyto be written about Dorothy Pitman Hughes. Dorothy wasan African American activist who is most famous for herphoto standing next to Gloria Steinem as they both heldup their fists in solidarity. The photo is one of the mostimmortalized pieces of art for the women’s movement.While numerous biographies, autobiographies, artwork,and films have been made about Gloria, the same wasn’tdone for Dorothy. The book goes into detail the strugglesof Dorothy as she was set back behind Gloria in theiractivism against the powers of society. According to Catalyst, in 2020 women of colorrepresented only 18% of entry-level positions and fewadvanced to leadership positions. While White womenheld almost one-third (32.8%) of total managementpositions in the US in 2020, women of color held a muchsmaller share: Asian women (2.2%), Black women (4.1%)and Hispanic women ( 4.5%)."Hearing about her background, her book, and how she’scurrently editing a collection of essays on AfricanAmerican women leaders helped me gain hope for ourfuture as women leaders. That being said, she was myfavorite speaker at On the Move. I learned that I am ableto build whatever future I want as a woman, and to alwayspersevere through the difficult times. I’ve also learned thatnot all women have the same opportunities as I do, so it’simportant to lift others as I lift myself" says Bay Pathstudent Kayla Vance. Attendees were also treated to a video by Dr. DemetriaShabazz who capture the comments and creativity of localwomen who represent a younger demographic. Also, aninformal survey was conducted and it showed that womenare still impacted by a range of disparities.On the Move also included a range of voices from NataliaMunoz of Holyoke Media to our students including NetworkNews Editor Megan Griffin and Bay Path President SandraJ. Doran and other community collaborators and supporters.A special thanks to the Bay Path Team who help plan theevent and also facilitate the wonderful breakout sessions,directed by Bay Path's Andrea Hickson Martin.Network News' founder, Janine Fondon, concluded theforum by letting peers and students know that 'On theMove' will continue and special 'gifts' will be given towomen to further their efforts. Also, the Republican’s ThePower of Women is available at a speciala price so reachout to her for information. “I just want to express gratitudeto everyone who participated - this is what makes thiswonderful forum so special, ” said Fondon. The first thing I noted about the forum was aquote from Natalia Munoz aboutremembering to be kind no matter howambitious we become. It seems very simple butsometimes an unexpected reminder puts intoperspective how important it is to make theconstant effort just to be kind where we can.-Carly Paluck, Bay Path Student

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The celebration started off with President Doran’sopening remarks. She thanked the Office ofMulticultural Affairs and the St. Patrick’s DayCelebration committee for putting the night together.She remarked, “we embrace inclusivity fiercely”, astatement that rang true throughout the night. Itwasn’t just a celebration, though there was plenty oflaughs, dancing, and well wishes. It was also anopportunity to learn about St Patrick Day's history,Irish immigration, and a chance to be exposed to theballad-like tunes that are Celtic music.St Patrick’s Day occurred on March 17th this year,but it was officially kicked off for many on March11th, when Bay Path held a virtual St Patrick’s EventCelebration. The evening was full of history,comradeship, and music. Abbots Cross, a Celtic bandfrom Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the mainattraction. IRISH ANCESTRY, MUSIC, ANDCULTURE APPRECIATED AT IRISH ANCESTRY, MUSIC, ANDCULTURE APPRECIATED AT S T . P A T R I C K ’ S D A Y C E L E B R A T I O NStudents and members of the planning committee,Khyarah Gaston-Feliciano and Ajanay Hill, walkedus through a brief history of Irish immigration in theMassachusetts cities Holyoke and Springfield. Theinfamous Potato Famine of 1845 led the Irish to fleeto America. Upon landing in Massachusetts, they hadto take low-paying jobs and live in slums in EastBoston. The American population was notwelcoming; the Irish immigrants were stereotyped asviolent and drunks. Over the next few decades, Irishimmigrants moved to Western MA and createdsubstantial communities in Springfield and Holyoke.Catholic churches were crucial in bringing the Irishtogether. St Jerome’s Church in Springfield inparticular became a haven and brought about Irishpride. In 1952, the first annual St. Patrick’s DayParade was held in Holyoke. It hadn't skipped a yearuntil COVID-19 hit. The absence of the parade hasbeen felt deeply in the Western Massachusetts Irishcommunity, which was all the more reason that BayPath’s event was a joyous and welcomed occasion.

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Dr. Sweeney next took over to share some reflections onSt. Patrick, who was alive around 400 A.D. He was bornin Britain but was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as aslave. St. Patrick is credited for bringing Christianity toIreland, thus being one of their patron saints. Dr.Sweeney noted that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated morejoyfully and intensely in America and other countriesthan it is in Ireland itself. Irish citizens view it as a day ofchurch and respite from the Lenten Season, but IrishAmerican fervor has brought about more celebration inthe recent decades. With the history of St. Patrick’s Day and immigration inmind, the band Abbots Cross began to play. Alan Boothis the vocalist and guitarist, while Mike Clancy playedthe flute. Their playful banter lends credence to the factthat they have known each other for 20 years. Songssuch as “The Star of the County Down”, an instrumentalversion of “Danny Boy”, and “Back Home in Derry” ledthe event to its next section, where a slideshow playeddepicting what it meant to various Bay Path communitymembers to be Irish. Audience members were thenencouraged to also share in the comment section what itmeant to them to be Irish, to be compiled into a wordbubble by Cora Swan.Abbots Cross resumed their concert, with the songs“Where the Streets Have no Name”, “Pastures aPlenty”, and “Black Velvet Band”. The music,alternatively soulful and reflective, and upbeat andjoyous, was a hit with the audience. People wereswaying in their Zoom boxes, singing along, andsmiling. The last song of the night, “Rattlin’ Bog”,had the biggest reaction, with people dancing andconnecting through the screens. While Bay Path’s St.Patrick’s Day could not be celebrated together, theevening brought a sense of unity and optimism incelebrating ancestry, family, music, and culture-- asconveyed by the word bubble.

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As a sophomore, I can’t pretend to know what it’s like tobe about to graduate, and in a pandemic, nonetheless.Luckily, I do have someone whom I feel can give advice tostudents getting ready to enter the workforce: my sister,Lydia. She graduated last spring from Wheaton College inNorton, MA. Lydia currently works for AmeriCorps buthad her own ups and downs before settling into the job. Iasked her a few questions while she was on her break fromwork:How did you prepare for the workforce when yougraduated last spring?Last spring was an extremely stressful time for manyreasons, hence why I decided to wait to apply for jobs untilafter I had graduated. I had the privilege of being supportedby my family. It was hard not to look for jobs, but my mentalhealth wasn’t great and I knew I had to take it one step at atime or else I wouldn’t graduate.When I did graduate, I used my college’s career center tohelp refine my resume. I then did a lot of research andapplied to many jobs, keeping an itemized list of each job Iapplied for. That’s a big recommendation I can give: stayorganized.How have you found success?By the end of the summer of 2020, I had three job offers.One to the YWCA, another to an AmeriCorps program calledUMBC Choice, and the third as a nanny. I am currentlyemployed as an AmeriCorps member and love it. I gotta say, people always ask, ‘what can you do with aSociology and Women’s and Gender Studies double major?’And I’d like to point to all the jobs I got during college, andthe three job offers I received during a pandemic. Is there anything you wish you had known goinginto graduation during a pandemic?I’m not sure I could have ever prepared myself forgraduating during a pandemic. All my dreams werecrushed, there was financial instability, politicalunrest. And my mental health just collapsed. But Iwould probably tell myself to take a break and beeasy on myself and to try to trust that everythingwould work out. The human race is resilient, as am I,as are you.Have any resources helped you?My college’s career center helped me. I also usedall the job sites, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, etc. I lookedup companies/organizations I liked to see if theywere hiring.Lydia DeRidderStaying Organized and Other Advice from the Workforce by Julia DeRidderLydia and JuliaNot to boast, but if you are in these fields I promiseyou there will always be job openings. Peoplealways need help.

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One of Gretchen Heaton’s favorite things is talking aboutsalary negotiations. As the Dean of Career and LeadershipDevelopment here at Bay Path, she has had extensiveexperience navigating her own salary negotiations as wellas helping to coach students. Her PowerPoint presentationwent over the five steps to successful salary negotiations,while providing tips and tricks along the way.Dean Heaton started out by discussing why salarynegotiation is so important. Your starting salary impactsyour future income significantly. Alarmingly, whitewomen can lose out on $400,000 over their workinglifetime by not negotiating their salary, while women ofcolor can lose up to $1 million. This is clearly astructural issue, exacerbated by the pay gap betweenmen, women, race, and ethnicity. By being paid more, ithelps secure your own future, that of your family, andthat of your community. Regardless of the fact that itshows that you know your value, it also creates a crucialdomino effect. 1. Conduct ResearchLook into how much people are making in your line ofwork. Focus specifically on the region you’re in; salarycan vary widely across the country. Dean Heatonrecommends considering the current overall economicfactors (such as a pandemic), and how well the career isdoing in general. Once you have an understanding ofhow much others are making, set a realistic budget, andcreate a salary range. Your target salary should be thebottom number, and the top should be around 20%higher than that figure.2. Craft Your PitchIt’s extremely important to be unemotional andemphasize the data you compiled. Start with anexpression of gratitude, and follow with a moment to behuman. Dean Heaton suggested talking about somethingyou have in common, to help relax you and the employer.To avoid boxing yourself in, try to get the employer togive a money suggestion first. Then, give a concise valuestatement that explains why you deserve the salary. Keepin mind that data says that women do better when talkingabout how much of a team player they are, while men aremore effective when coming across as assertive andindependent. 5. Make the AskWhen the meeting is set, the last step is to make the ask.Staying positive, friendly, and grateful is paramount. Stateyour prepared pitch, and stop talking. A common mistakepeople make is getting so nervous that they end uprambling, and selling themselves short, according to DeanHeaton. Use the deflection and assertive skills youpracticed as the conversation continues. Think of thenegotiation as a long-term relationship; even if theemployer says no, you can always set up another meetingin the future. 3. PracticeRehearse with a variety of real people. Have them createdifferent scenarios that you may encounter, and come upwith your responses in those events. Keep in mind thatit’s illegal in Massachusetts and some other states foremployers to ask what your salary was in past jobs, butthey still may do it-- so practice deflection techniques.Overall, the more you practice, the better you’ll be. 4. TimingConsider the best time to set up the meeting. Don’t askfirst thing on a Monday morning, nor at the end of theday. Think about the time of year fiscally for thecompany. Make sure that you and your employer are ingood moods.T H E S T E P S T O A S U C C E S S F U LS A L A R Y N E G O T I A T I O NDean Heaton also provided the following resources:Scheduling link for SCLP Coaching AppointmentsFree online AAUW salary negotiation trainingList of Professional AssociationsO*NETF IVE S T E P S T O S U C C E E S S F U L S A L A R Y N E G O T I A T I O N S

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On March 23rd, the Criminal Justice Career night,hosted by Dr. Gwen Jordan, was held via Zoom. A panelof four professionals from different careers in thecriminal justice system helped show the wide scope ofjobs available and provided advice on getting into thefield. Our first speaker was the current Director of PublicSafety at Bay Path, John Stankiewicz. He shared hisbackground in public safety and discussed the majorsystemic changes that have taken place since hegraduated from the New Jersey Police Academy 35 yearsago. After he started in Longmeadow in 1982, herecalled in 1990 when the department hired the firstwoman police officer in that agency. Although fourofficers in that department are women currently, thisserved as a reminder of how male-dominated the policeforce is. Setting the tone for advice from most of thepanelists, Chief Stankiewicz reminded us how importantit is to have an honest record and maintain a steady workethic while trying to find a career as an officer. Our final speaker was Bay Path alumna, AttorneyDelmarina Lopez '17. She provided a differentperspective on getting into the law field being anattorney and being so early in her career. She reallyfocused on the importance of getting involved oncampus and how these activities “trained her” for herprofessional life. She also reminded us to ask for helpwherever possible and how having women mentorsreally benefited her. Attorney Lopez discussed howcompetitive law school is and the small number ofavailable scholarships. She also reinforced having aclean social media and going outside of your comfortzone when looking for a career. Most of the speakersbrought up that they wouldn’t have imagined workingin the position they do, but also how rewarding it is.They provided practical advice as well as inspiringanecdotes about working in the criminal justicesystem. The contact information for the speakers isavailable, as well as a recording of the event, throughthe Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center.Professor Meghan McBride, the director of a localcommunity program, was the next to give her insighton working in the criminal justice system. ProfessorMcBride spoke on her experience growing up in afamily with many members working for the legalsystem. She explained the many different positionsshe’s had in the system as well, like being a SuperiorCourt probation officer out of Worcester and her firstjob as a dispatcher. She said she felt like she had doneeverything before finding the position she currentlyworks in. Speaking again on perseverance, she wentfurther explaining that early jobs in the system can betaxing, having to work night shifts and being on callalmost all the time. She also expressed how rewardingthe work can be as long as you’re determined. A newpoint she brought up was the importance of having aclean social media while getting into a position in thecriminal justice system. Next, Special Agent Julia Cowley spoke of herexperience as an FBI agent of 22 years. After working inthe behavioral analysis unit, she started working out ofSpringfield for the Boston division of the FBI in 2014.She emphasized the importance of diversity in the FBIand the necessity of translators for languages anddialects. The push for STEM and cyber professionalswas highlighted as well. Special Agent Cowleyexplained the many different types of jobs available inthe FBI in areas we may not expect. When it comes toentering the field, she gave realistic advice on thedifficulty of finding an internship but did encourageanyone interested to research through FBIjobs.gov. Aninteresting point that she brought up was how little of achoice new agents have for their first assignment andhow this ties into the commitment of working for theagency. Similarly, Agent Cowley’s advice focused onhaving a strong work ethic, integrity, and perseverance.C R I M I N A L J U S T I C E

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7. Understanding the Four Levels of ConnectionsThe way you are able to view the profiles of others dependson what kind of connection you have with them on the site;this will be shown next to their name. First-degreeconnections refer to people you are directly connected toand are well known to you; you can see their full profiles.Second-degree connections are connected to your first-degree connections, but not directly to you. Third-degreeconnections refer to more distant connections.1. Formatting your profileIn order to showcase your personality and credentialsthrough your profile, include as much relevant informationabout yourself as possible, including your level ofeducation, contact information, and current employer. Useyour full name, and if you have a common name, considerusing your middle name or initial as well. For names thatmay be hard to say, there is a Pronunciation feature on theLinkedIn app that can be used to make it easier.6. Navigation and Use of the SiteIf you are not automatically directed to the home screen,the page can be accessed by clicking on the blue squarelabeled "IN" on the upper left corner. Notifications can beviewed by clicking on the bell icon, and messages can befound by clicking on the word bubble icon. You areadvised to remain active on LinkedIn even if you have ajob, updating your profile as you learn new skills and earnnew credentials, and write recommendations for others.4. Citing Education and ExperienceWhen listing your educational history, include all notableexperiences, such as study abroad and exchange programs,GPA, and significant activities/clubs. When listing yourwork experience, you should go in reverse chronologicalorder like Education; include all internships and side gigs,and write in paragraphs rather than bullet points. Useindustry-specific terms and cite results if possible. 3. Creating the Perfect HeadlineThe addition of a creative and enticing tagline can be justwhat is needed to make you stand out from others pursuingsimilar goals as you. It should take no longer than 30seconds for a viewer to read, and it should provide insightsto questions such as, "What makes this person unique?"and "How would others describe them?" If you aresearching for a specific career opportunity, it is importantto include that in this section.2. Including a PhotoStudies show that LinkedIn profiles with a profile pictureare 14 times more likely to be viewed than those without!Presentation is extremely important, so it is best to dressprofessionally for your photo and avoid any excessive ordistracting jewelry. Use a neutral background, face thelight, and make sure to smile. 5. Referencing your InterestsAdding a list of influencers and outlets that you like toreceive news and updates from can create more connectionsthrough your profile. The influencers that you prefer to viewcan have impressive reach through a variety of industries.The channels on the site organize their news articles bytopic.8. Utilizing your Networking SkillsWhen it comes to making connections on LinkedIn, youshould begin by finding and connecting with people youknow, such as friends, classmates, and coworkers. Youshould aim to have at least 50 connections to really establishyourself on the site, and send a personalized message to aperson each time you invite them to your network. Do NOTask for a job or internship in this way. 9. Searching for Jobs and InternshipsTo obtain the most relevant results through your search, usethe advanced search tool when looking for job postings.Search by keyword, company, location, experience level, oranything else that is relevant or important to you. After youconduct searches, you are able to create a "saved search",which will then give you updates through email either daily,weekly, or monthly so that you may be kept up to date onyour interests. 10. Researching CompaniesWhen you follow a company on the site, you will receiveupdates from them on your home page. Under the Jobs tab,you can see what career opportunities the company isoffering, as well as employee reviews. If you have first-degree connections that are attached to the company, thatcan help you get to the next level. LinkedIn Tips & Tricks

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Andrea Hill-CataldoAnne C. Fitzgerald '65Deborah E. Schreier '71Erin HornyakDean and Eunice K. Kavanagh '42George C. KeadyGladys B. SullivanJanit P. RomaykoJonathan & Melissa BessePeter & Kasia NovakKate Low '70Kathleen S. CotnoirLouise A. Kursmark '76Marilyn L. Walter '63Natalie E. Jurkovics '55Thea E. Katsounakis '70Tina Malley '96Trudy A. Pierce G'15 Thanks to the Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center(SCLP) and 18 generous donors, the Internship Fund hasprovided application-based funding to 5 Bay PathUniversity undergraduate students that completed unpaidinternships in the summer and fall of 2020, in addition toone student receiving grant funding from the Charles H.Hall fund for their unpaid internship. Each student workedtirelessly anywhere from 120 to 240 hours to earn 3 or 6credits towards their degree. For many, this was their firstexperience working in their chosen field and their firsttime in a remote work setting. We applaud each student for dedicating their time to theirinternships on top of their coursework and many otherpositions they hold. The Internship Fund would not bepossible without our incredibly kind donors, who believein SCLP's mission to uplift students in this amazing stepin their career journey. Each semester, this fund providesfinancial support to a group of students through anapplication process. There are not enough words to thankthese donors for their investment in students' futures andall that they contribute to the Bay Path community. The Spring 2021 Internship FundInternship Fund Recipients Internship Fund DonorsCindy BrandonLegal Studies MajorSpringfield District CourtEmily Clare EgersheimChild Psychology MajorSpecial Education ClientSamantha LsiBiotechnology MajorRhode Island AnalyticalHaylie Ann PruckerMedical Science MajorStafford AmbulanceAllison ZaczynskiProfessional Writing MajorSpringfield MuseumsCharles Hall Grant RecipientMorgan HarrisHealth Science MajorSquare OneThe Charles Hall Grant is awarded each semester to a student thatinterns with a local non-profit.

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Haylie Prucker's internship was with StaffordAmbulance in Stafford, CT. Haylie shared some of herexperience in her science courses and how theybenefited her internship experience. How did the Bay Path curriculum help you succeedin your internship? My undergraduate degree while attending Bay Path wasMedical Science with a focus in Pre-PA. Because ofthis, I was required to take Anatomy 1&2, Pathology,and introduction to Human Disease. In each of thesecourses, I learned about different medical conditions andthe anatomy of the human body. This was extremelyhelpful during my internship as an EMT as I had priorknowledge of various medical conditions and a greatgrasp of human anatomy. How did your internship impact your future careerpath?My internship was impactful to my future career as itallowed me to practice in a variety of different medicalspecialties. I was fortunate enough to see cardiac,trauma, gastro, and neurology emergencies whichhelped me determine the fields of medicine that I enjoymost and will want to practice as a PA. How grateful are you to the Bay Path donors formaking this fund possible?I am extremely grateful for the Bay Path donors whomade this fund possible. I am beginning PA school inJune and this money will help me to be able to buy thenecessary medical equipment and textbooks. COVIDhas created a lot of financial hardship for me, so to bethe recipient of the Internship fund was a blessing that Iam very appreciative of. Internship Fund RecipientsAllison Zaczynski was a public relations intern at theSpringfield Museums. Allison shared how grateful she isto receive the fund and how her Bay Path coursesprepared her for the experience.How did the Bay Path curriculum, WEL310 or othercourses, help you succeed in your internship? WEL310 helped me to tailor my resume for the particularposition that I am applying for. I also benefited from allof the communications courses that I took because a lotof the position was event planning as well as research andwriting. How did your internship impact your future careerpath?My internship taught me the value in telling otherpeople’s stories. Researching, fact-checking, and editingthe panels in the Voices of Resilience exhibit wasincredibly rewarding and I will utilize those skills goingforward. What is one takeaway from this experience that youwill apply to your future professional positions?The importance of networking and working as a team. Isaw how many people it took to make magic happen atthe museum. I’d love to work on collaborative endeavorsin the future. How grateful are you to the Bay Path donors formaking this fund possible?I am so incredibly grateful to the donors for theirgenerosity. Especially through this pandemic, yoursupport of students is appreciated.

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Cindy Brandon’s internship was at The SpringfieldDistrict Court. Cindy shared some of her experiences inthe WELL classes and important pieces from herinternship below.First, what were some of the benefits of the WELLcourses that helped you work towards yourinternship?The WELL courses were very helpful to me as I had beenout of the workforce for quite some time due to attendingschool, a work injury, and then a reconfiguring of mycareer goals. Being able to create a working resume, aLinkedIn profile, and some of the letter writingassignments we were given to help with securing a jobwas immensely helpful. Also, being able to have thevolunteer experience that I had at the Kelly School inHolyoke, definitely helped me to gain some new andvaluable experiences that would help me in any careergoing forward. Without the assistance with my resumeand the experience working with the girls at the KellySchool, I don't think I would have been remotelyinterested in applying for the internship at the CourtService Center. If any, what parts of your career path did yourinternship clarify for you?My internship was incredibly helpful in letting me seesome of the things that people go through when having toaccess the courts, the court webpages, or court services ingeneral. Honestly, none of it is very user-friendly tobegin with, but add in a pandemic and it was even moreimpossible to get done what a litigant would need to doon their own. I was happy to have had the experience inhelping those that had no idea how to navigate thecomplicated court system made even more complicatedby the pandemic and the court closure. It was anexperience that most will never get. I learned the value ofempathy and how important it is for everyone to haveaccess to basic needs. What was the biggest takeaway from your internshipthat you'll use in your future career?I have become way more understanding of other people'scircumstances. Before my internship, I never realized howtough it is for some people to access the internet, or forthose without transportation to make it to a hearing ontime, etc. I have become much more aware of these thingsand find myself being helpful in ways that I had neverconsidered before. I am hoping at some point to look intosome volunteer work in the court system. I don't knowwhere my career will take me, but if it does involve anylegal work, I definitely will offer my time to help those inneed. It's amazing how many people are involved in oneway or another with the court. Whether it's with DCF, thehousing court, a parking/speeding ticket, or probate andfamily cases, there is so much help needed. I hope thatothers will get the opportunity to be a part of the CourtService Center. The only thing that could have made itbetter was for it to have been in person. The Spring window for InternshipFund applications is open until June 25! If you completed an unpaidinternship this past academic year,please complete the UndergraduateInternship Fund application in theRegistrar's Student Forms sectionof the portal, and contact theinternshipfund@baypath.eduwith any questions!Internship Fund Recipients

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During the spring, the earth awakens—It may beconsidered a springtime of justice.A time to celebrate new growth in the garden,A time to witness justice unfold or demand justice toprevail,And equality to sprout into millions of seedlings,For racisms to be eradicated from the garden, For racism unfortunately exists like growing weeds ofimplicit biases with little sun or water.Is this a springtime of justice?A time where many colors of the garden appear and areoften revered, Where we implore many cultures, ethnicities, and racesto thrive and live-in harmony together, While some want to continue to live apart.Is this a springtime of justice?Weeding the garden requires advocacy andperseverance to stomp out the ever-growinginequalities of elitism, sexism, genderism, classism,homophobia, xenophobia, and hatred.Acceptance, inclusivity, love, peace, and beauty lives inthe gardens of valuing diversity and equity.This is a springtime of justice.Join me in the garden—for all are welcome to stopracism and smell the diverse types of flowers—blossoming in the garden.Justice is in springtime and in summer, fall, and winter—For every season is a time for justice,As justice deserves a place in every season for all. A Springtime of JusticeApril 2021By Phyllis Williams-ThompsonFlower Enthusiast and graduate of Bay Path UniversitySee below the poem she dedicated with the flowers.Bay Path Alumna participated in the Springfield Museums' Festival of Flowers show

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Stop Asian-American Pacific Islander Hate. Asian hate has been a prominent social issue inAmerica (and globally) for years, going backcenturies. However, in 2020 specifically, there hasbeen a horrifying shift socially in turn of theCOVID-19 pandemic. Many people began toassociate the virus with Asians because of reports of the pandemic in China and a groundswellxenophobic rhetoric on many fronts followed. Just recently it was discovered that since 2020, hatecrimes targeting Asians have increased 150 percent;those statistics are only from 16 of the largest citiesin America, New York City being at number one(Yam). As stated, Asian hate has always been a social issue.However, because of the ‘Model Minority'myth/stereotype, many did not take prior raciallytargeted incidents towards Asians very seriously,including some in the Asian community as well. Right now since the start of the pandemic, there hasbeen an estimate of 3,800 Asian hate incidents.Through some of those hate crimes many Asians havepassed. For instance,75 year old Pak Ho who resided inOakland was walking on a Tuesday morning, March 92021, where he was approached and attacked by 26year old Teaunte Bailey, who not only assaulted Ho butrobbed him. Unfortunately Pak Ho passed from hisinjuries two days later after suffering brain damagefrom the attack. Thankfully, Bailey was arrested andcharged with murder (Wong). It's sad to say that PakHo was not the only one to pass this year. Alas, the listgoes on, and just recently, 21 year old Aaron Longwent to two Asian run businesses, “Young AsianMassage” and “Golds Spa,” killing 8 people, 6 of thembeing Asian. At both locations combined, those victimswere, Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33; Paul Andre Michels,54; Xiaojie Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; Julie Park, 74;Hyun Jung Grant, 51; Yong A. Yue, 63; and SunchaKim, 69, (Arnold).When the crime first happened, many tried to debunkthe fact that this was a racially targeted crime becausetwo of the victims lost were not Asian. However, it isno coincidence that both locations were Asian ran. It isunsettling to think of what else can happen this yeartowards AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders)following such a horrific tragedy. That is why we mustall collectively stand up for this injustice and bringawareness towards this problem. What is the “Model Minority” myth/stereotype? The model minority stereotype is an expectation thathas been placed upon Asian Americans cultural andsocial life. They are expected to be smart, wealthy,hardworking, submissive, and always enlightened(UTexas). Because of this stereotype, manyassociated being good at math, constantly studious,and always being academically successful to Asians.The stereotype also further creates a divide in thegeneral minority community, allowing society topick and choose the racial group that is mostacceptable to fit the standards of a majority Whitecountry. By Makayla Francis

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WH AT A RE YOU READINGTH IS S UM MER?As we enter the end of the school year, we can nowcelebrate by relaxing in the sun and socially distancingourselves at a beach. Nothing says don't come over to melike being engrossed in a book. I must confess, I have a particular taste in my genres. 95%of the books I read are young adult fantasy andcontemporary. I tried to gather what my book groups andfriends have read in other genres to get a well-roundedreading list for you to choose from. If you also like fantasy,feel free to email me for more recommendations. Red, White, and Royal Blueby Casey McQuistonAlternate 2020 universe where the First Son of theUnited States and the Prince of England get into a relationshipThe Song of Achillesby Madeline MillerIliad retelling about Achilles in Ancient Greecebut it's about his "not gay" relationship with hisbest friend Patroclus Rosencrantz and Guildensternare Deadby Tom StoppardA comedy retelling of Shakespeare's Hamletthrough the prospective of the twocharacters: Rosencrantz and GuildensternThe Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan Post-World War II era female roles insociety and widely credited with sparkingthe second wave of feminismFrom Blood and Ashby Jennifer L. ArmentroutAdult fantasy series with the third bookcoming out at the end of April. Vampire-styleclasses The Conference of the Birdsby Farid Attar 12th century Persian mystic poetryChildren of Blood and Boneby Tomi AdeyemiEpic fantasy series inspired by WesternAfrican cultureMexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Gothic mystery that takes place in Mexico A Thousand Naked Strangersby Kevin HazzardAutobiography of a former paramedic as herecalls his decade in the field in a dramatic,comedic, and often sad wayB Y L I Z H A L L

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If water is life, then women are bodies of water,Deeply moving and always flowing We are rivers, oceans, seas and lagoons Mary Magdalene, Princess Di, Ramona African, andCelia CruzWe watched while they walked in courageLifting as they climbed, being the changeA nurturing that transcends divinity beyond graves,Only a love our ancestors like Mary Church Terrellcould have given Just like themWe are moving in harmonyStrong tides and deep currents,Captivating audiences with poetry! Amanda Gorman is breaking those glass ceilingsWe are taking up space Bold, radical, revolutionary, and braveKicking ass and then taking namesI saw a meme that read, “We can never compete with men, and we birth them!”We are women on the move embracing our beautyWomen like AOC, we are out there, feet on the pavement, making actual changeRolling up our sleeves doing good the communityRemembering the Breonna Taylor’sStanding on our ancestors' shoulders Recalling their legacy, reclaiming narrative and speaking their names Becoming like Mrs. ObamaHashtag #RESPECTFULLY!We are the change! My vice president is a Woman on the moveGiving hope to all little girlsThings for women will improve. We are drinking water, progressing and glowingAt Bay Path University and around the worldWe are empowered learners and leaders And it's showingW O M E N O N T H E M O V E

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To her, winter is best seen with the colors gray and white.People usually talk about white winters, with the snow glittering next to the bright blue sky, but winter always seemedmuch more gray to her. Whatever color winter was, it made her yearn for color.It’s then, in the dark of winter, that she pulls out the old fabric squares.Her mother had given her the bag of precut squares as she left home the first time. “There’s enough here for a simplequilt, Sylvie, and you’ll want something to do with your hands. It’ll help warm you up on the coldest nights.”The first square was a bright red, and it made her feel different. Lighter, somehow. She looked at it, tracing the finevine patterns with a finger, and noticed the pin.Pinned to that first square was a small piece of paper. She slid out the pin carefully, trying not to rip the old paper, andthen slowly unfolded it.Part of the note was covered in drawings and diagrams, notes for the way that the quilt was supposed to look. Thesecond half of the paper, though, had a note on it.“L, please don’t throw this away. I just want to say sorry, and this is the only way I know how.”Sylvie stared at the note for a second, reading the words carefully, and then went back to looking at the diagram. Yes,she could finish the quilt that way. It would take effort, more than she had anticipated, but there was really nothing elseshe could do at the moment. Her apartment was lonely, her job was dull, and she had not enough time for a social life.Why not complete the quilt the right way? At the very least, it would be interesting.After a few weeks passed, Sylvie remembered exactly why she had stopped quilting in the first place. Making a quiltwas dull, finicky work at the best of times for her. Now, during a winter that was so void of most entertainment, it wasrepetitive and tedious. There were only so many times that Sylvie could rip out a seam, after all.Finally, she called her mother and complained about it. Her mother was the one who had given her this project in thefirst place, after all.In the end, though, Sylvie’s mother simply said, “Well, it’s your choice to continue it. If you want my help figuringthings out, ask me. If you just want an excuse to quit, that’s a different story.”Sylvie sighed. She couldn’t just stop.Sylvie found the second note near the middle of the bag of precut squares. It was a rainy morning in early March, whenthe weather was trying to make up its mind about what to be.This note was pinned to a bright yellow square, one that reminded her of the black-eyes Susan’s that her grandmotherhad loved once. It was a cheerful sort of yellow, even if the note wasn’t cheerful at all.“L,” the note started again,“Remember that picnic we took in that summer when we were twelve? You insisted that the only proper way to hold apicnic was to have a blanket to hold it on. I was more used to picnic tables, so I disagreed. I think I understand betternow. Yours, R.”Sylvie carefully set the note aside, and grabbed the notebook she had been using to help chart her quilting plans. Shewrote the words, “Ask Mother where she got the quilt squares” in a corner, circled it, and then went back to sewing.Mother didn’t remember, which was terribly disappointing. “I got the bag at a donation shop, I think,” she said. “Itmade me think of you.”By the time the quilt top was finished, Sylvie had found three more notes, each written from R to L. Some reminiscedabout the past, and others begged forgiveness.W R I T E O N C O N T E S T W I N N E R

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The final one, though, was different.“L,” it began, “you are never going to get this letter, are you? You will never sit under this quilt, or have a picnic withit, or think of me again. Don’t worry— you will never see me again, either. I’m writing this for myself, like I’ve beendoing all along.I loved you, you know, L. I don’t think you understood that. It’s out of the ordinary, for someone like me to lovesomeone like you. Never mind the memories we share or our commonalities.I just wanted you to know, I think, even if I never actually tell you.Yours,R.”When the blanket is done, it’s early summer, and Sylvie decides to go for a picnic. She leaves her lonely apartment forwhat feels like the first time in months, and she goes out to sit on it in a local park.The blanket with its bright colors fits right in with the bright flowers and soft grass. She could hear birds singing, andchildren playing in the distance, and even the lapping of water in the lake.She lets herself look at the blanket and be proud for a minute. She made this. It is probably the most intricate thing shehas ever made, and she actually did it. She lays back on her blanket and laughs at the bright blue sky.“Could we sit here with you?” A voice asks, startling her.Sylvie sits up and looks over. An elderly woman looks at her, accompanied by her partner.“I’m Rose,” the woman says, and she smiles a little. “You made this, didn’t you? I always thought I’d make it for you,Lily, you know. I think, young lady, we have a lot to talk about.”Sylvie smiles a little, and pats the blanket next to her.They talk for hours. In the end, Rose looks at her closely “Keep the blanket, Sylvie, and remember to be brave. Love isworth it.”She does.Coriann Willingham transferred to Bay Path University from HolyokeCommunity College (HCC) this last fall. She is a third-year psychologymajor and enjoys reading, writing, and knitting, and also has a wire foxterrier named Apollo. Coriann started the Creative Writing Club because she had participated inone at HCC that really helped her get to know other people and improve herwriting skills. She hoped to create a space here where students of differentbackgrounds could come together and create something new. Over thecourse of the last two semesters, the club has held short-story contests, sentout email prompts, and held meetings every other week. They hope tocontinue with even more prompts and members next semester. If you areinterested in learning more about the Creative Writing Club, email Coriannat cwillingham2001@baypath.edu or club advisor, Janice Berliner, atjberliner@baypath.edu.

Network News April 2021 journal

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