Volume 76, Issue 9 Wednesday, April 7, 2021 www.liupostpioneer.com Diversity in Veterinary Medicine Fencer Laura Fekete Becomes LIU’s First NCAA National Champion about his team, especially after the adversity they faced throughout the season. “It went very well. We battled several quarantines, injuries and a shortened schedule, but still finished with a winning record, three All-Americans and a National Champion,” he said. The Student Veterinary Emergency and Lee is very proud of the three fencers who com- Critical Care Society held a virtual event peted the weekend of the tournament. called Let’s Talk Diversity on Tuesday, “They all fenced very well, and I’m sure that they March 30. The event featured a panel con- DYLAN VALIC will draw from this experience to continue putting up sisting of multiple professionals specializing stellar results in the future,” he said. in veterinary medicine. Fekete was very confident after finding out she pg 5 Laura Fekete winning the competition Courtesy of athletics was selected to play in the championship. BY ANDREW SCARPACI & JAMES BONNER “I was expecting it, I did really good in the regular Animal Crossing New Horizons SPORTS EDITOR , STAFF WRITER season, but I was still happy to see my name on the Celebrates One Year Anniversary Freshman Laura Fekete made history when she list officially,” she said. “I was looking forward to the won the Fencing NCAA National Championship in competition. I was excited about it.” Epée, becoming the first national champion for the Fekete knew she had to keep a strong mentality Sharks in program history. going into the initial rounds of play. The championship was held on Saturday and “I knew I had to be as untouchable as I could Sunday, March 27-28, in State College, Pennsylvania. because not only the wins but also the touches I got Animal Crossing” is a time-waster for some, Three Sharks were selected to compete in the tour- counted,” she said. “Even though I did not finish the but a sense of routine for many others, nament. Anna Szántay finished 12 of 22 in Foil, and poles as I wanted to, I still got into the top four, which especially during these unprecedented Chejsa-Kaili Seck finished 11 of 24 in Sabre. I wasn’t even brave enough to dream about.” times. This virtual world is full of possibili- Head Coach Ivan Lee had great things to say The opening five rounds were split with the first ties and its impact is prevalent even a year continued on page 2 later. pg 6 Students Remember Jessica Students Speak on Commencement Format Walker BY DYLAN VALIC so family and friends can be part of don’t want to put their well-being EDITOR-IN-CHIEF your special day.” at risk for something that at the A follow up email sent by the end of the day is just one day of my The university is currently Long Island University Commence- life,” she said. “We can celebrate in considering options to host an in- ment Team on Friday, April 2, other meaningful ways, even if it person commencement ceremony reaffirmed the universities goal for does suck a little.” On March 25, Walter passed away in her for the class of 2021, according to an in-person ceremony. Ludwig would prefer the event sleep at the age of 80. Walter was beloved an email sent to students by Chief “Our goal is to hold an in- to be held virtually. by many, and her death caused a social of Student Affairs Michael Berthel person ceremony for graduates to “If circumstances were differ- media uproar. on March 29. attend that would be streamed live ent, then of course I’d want in-per- pg 7 “The health and well-being of so family and friends can be part of son, but virtual is both the safest our graduates and community is your special day,” the email stated. and most realistic option for how New York Ready for Major our number one priority, and the Students have mixed feelings 2021 is going,” she said. League Baseball’s Return University is awaiting additional about what format they would pre- Senior psychology major Shayla information from health and safety fer for their ideal commencement Harris agrees with Ludwig, and officials before deciding our final ceremony. would prefer the event to be held plan for Commencement,” the Senior psychology major Nicole virtually for the safety of everyone email stated. “As we await further Ludwig would not be comfortable involved. direction, the University is explor- attending an in-person ceremony. “I’m fully vaccinated, but I Though most of the stadiums will be only at ing options to hold an in-person “COVID-19 is still a concern to would not be comfortable with about twenty percent capacity (including the ceremony for graduates. The me and I have several immuno- such a large gathering where most Mets and Yankees), most student fans are ceremony would be streamed live compromised family members. I people would not be fully just grateful to attend. pg 12 continued on page 4 2 NEWS THE PIONEER Fencer Laura Fekete Becomes LIU’s First NCAA National Champion continued from page 1 said. “I am really happy I could put the LIU remember how much I love fencing in competi- fencing program on the map, hopefully attract- tions.” ing more talented fencers to the school, making Seck is very pleased with the way everything Shark history even brighter, more known and turned out and is looking forward to the future. more feared among other schools.” “Having performed well at championships Fekete claims Coach Lee and her upper- made me happy to be a shark and want to classman teammates by her side played a huge continue performing well for my team as well role in all these achievements. as the school,” she said. “The memories that I “Ivan helped me with everything he could. made with Laura, Anna and Ivan are some that He was always by my side. My teammates I will cherish forever.” always supported me, cheered on me, helped Szantay shares a very similar sentiment. me at practices with preparing,” she said. “Ivan “I have experienced a lot of new and in- arranged my preparation by helping me go to a teresting things. The vibe there was more like strong club in the city, where I could fence with a celebration than a competition. The people members of the USA team and other college were amazing. I have already had a good con- Courtesy of athletics fencers.” nection with my teammates, but we are more Laura Fekete competing at the competition Fekete loved the experience and everything bonded now than ever with Chejsa, Laura and she took away from it. even with the whole team,” she said. “They sup- three on Saturday, and the last two Sunday “I really enjoyed the competition, but I ported us while we were there, and it gave us morning, the top four from each competition think the most important thing I took away is energy, and of course, I have learned that LIU played in the finals Sunday afternoon. the lessons it taught me about what I need to has the best coach of all time. He is a character, Fekete did not play as well as she would focus on more when fencing. The competition and we are so lucky to have him here.” have hoped on Saturday but kept her confi- pointed out things about my fencing that I nev- dence up to compete at her best all Sunday. er really used and knew. This led me to win the “I finished the first-day seventh on the list. competition,” she said. “I learned that I have to I had mixed feelings about this, but mostly I get out of my comfort zone and believe in what thought I did not have any chance left to make I do to be able to give my best. Apart from just the top four. I remember talking to my mom, looking at myself fencing in the competition, it saying I’ll be happy if I stay in top eight, com- was really good to see how my teammates were ing home with an award,” she said. “When I cheering for me, even some people I didn’t even saw my name on the third place after the poles, know, in the finals.” I could not believe it. I called my mom again, Fekete has been fencing since she was eight crying, she picked up crying.” years old when a few recruiters came to her Fekete knew she did want to miss the op- primary school, and she has loved the sport portunity she had right before her when the ever since. round-robin kicked off. Anna Szántay was very excited when she “When the finals came, Ivan told me that all found out she was selected to play in the cham- I had to do was enjoy fencing. One thing about pionship as well. me, I am really competitive, so I did exactly “I felt like I was above the ground! I was what I was told to do,” she said. happy and started to inform my family mem- Fekete played the top two ranked finishers bers and my friends what I have achieved,” she in the finals. She knocked off the #2 qualifier said. Miriam Grady 15-13 and then defeated the #1 Szántay always enjoys the thrill of the com- ranked player in the tournament, Kaylin Hsieh, petition but always remembers to take it all in in the final round.