THE

PublishedC by the Studentsolby of Colby College since 1877 Volume CXXXXIII, No. 17 CHO April 15, 2021 E Waterville, Maine College gives Lovejoy Award for Courage in Journalism to Leonard Pitts

By Sonia Lachter events in person, with Pitts, Board of Trustees Chair Eric get to engage in person,” Jack- also a change made to connect tory,” Jackson explained. “So, News Editor the selection committee, and Rosengren `79. Jackson serves son said. the Lovejoy Award with the we like to see this every year as people from Waterville and as the secretary of the Com- Part of that effort to increase student and intellectual life of an opportunity to educate the The College gave its annual beyond able to participate mittee. engagement with the award the College. community on him and why Lovejoy Award for Courage in as they normally do. But, be- The committee’s selec- was moving the ceremony Additionally, this year, Jack- we honor him and why he was Journalism to journalist Leon- cause of campus COVID-19 tion process begins with to homecoming week in fall son worked with a group of so important in American his- ard Pitts of the Miami Herald. pandemic restrictions, this nominations in the spring, 2019 “to give families the op- faculty to think about how tory.” Pitts spoke to the campus was not possible and so the which are currently open for portunity to engage in this big Pitts’ work could be used in “I’ve really enjoyed seeing community in conversation event was held virtually with- next year and can be sent to moment in the life of the Col- their courses. This year, Asso- how, the moment you tell a with Mindy Marqués, Lovejoy out events surrounding the [email protected]. The nomi- lege” and talk about the issues ciate Professor of Sociology journalist that they’ve been of- Award Selection Committee award ceremony itself. nation opportunity is distribut- around which the Award cen- Christel Kessler required stu- fered the Lovejoy award, they member and Miami Herald Vice President and Chief of ed to working journalists and ters, Jackson explained. “The dents in her Introduction to know immediately who Elijah editor, on April 6 in a virtual Staff of the College Ruth Jack- journalistic publications such chapel was more packed than Sociology course to view the Parish Lovejoy was and why ceremony. Members of the son said that there are so many as the Poynter Institute and I’ve seen it and people loved event. And, Jackson shared he was important and they’re College community could virtual events these days that Columbia Journalism Review. the opportunity to be a part of that in 2015, winner Kather- really really honored,” Jackson view a screening of the event they opted for just the main As mentioned above, the that,” Jackson added. ine Boo’s book was taught in a said. in Lorimer Chapel. event because “we wanted to committee members evaluate The committee also added class at the time of the award, Jackson also hopes that the The Lovejoy Award hon- make sure that people were nominees on integrity, crafts- the fourth criterion, potential which increased student in- award makes students think ors the life and work of Elijah able to tune in for the big one.” manship, and courage. In re- to stimulate campus conver- terest in the event. She hopes about freedom of the press. Parish Lovejoy, Class of 1826, Pitt’s award marked the first cent years, the committee has sation, with the same goal in to facilitate these academic Going back to Lovejoy’s day, who was killed for publishing live-streaming of the event, a also taken into consideration a mind. connections with the Lovejoy freedom of the press has been anti-slavery editorials before method that Jackson predicted fourth criterion: the potential “It was clear that if we really Award even more in coming threatened, so she hopes peo- the Civil War. He is known as will continue into the future. of nominees’ to stimulate cam- want the Lovejoy to be part of years. ple who engage with the award America’s first martyr to the “This was the first year pus conversation on import- the student and the academic Jackson hopes that the come away with that lesson. freedom of the press and the where we were able to in- ant issues. experience, we need to priori- Lovejoy Award will connect She hopes people realized selection committee has tra- vite the entire world to the LJ The committee then makes tize that,” Jackson said. the College to the personal his- that “freedom of the press is ditionally awarded journalists award,” she said, adding that a recommendation and no- Jackson emphasized that tory of Elijah Parish Lovejoy. an essential element of the working for U.S.-based outlets the College promoted the tifies the winner, an exciting the award winners of recent While students walk by the first amendment and that who exhibit integrity, crafts- event in Miami to invite Pitts’ moment for Jackson. years have reflected that value, plaque on Miller Lawn or take freedom of expression, broad- manship, and courage in his home-base of readers to watch “There really isn’t an award especially Leonard Pitts. classes in the Lovejoy building, ly, is central to Colby’s values, honor. the conversation, something quite like this that is so focused The Goldfarb Center’s in- they “don’t necessarily know and that journalism is critical Pitts, besides being a profes- they would not have been able around courage and coura- volvement in the award was why he is so honored in his- to democracy.” sor, radio producer, lecturer, to do if the event had been geous reporting, so it’s really and author of many books, is solely in person. meaningful to people. The best known for his national- Assistant Director of Me- moment I got on the phone ly-syndicated column in the dia Relations Hayley Barton with Leonard Pitts he just Miami Herald in which he has shared that nearly 300 attend- jumped into ‘Oh, Elijah Parish discussed race, racism, and ees joined the virtual event Lovejoy!’ and started telling politics for many years. synchronously. It is available to me everything he knew about The award is normally giv- stream on Youtube and Face- him,” she said. en in the fall semester with a book, where it has received Jackson hopes that Pitts can slew of related events, like a close to 150 views so far. come to campus in the future Goldfarb Center-sponsored The Award Selection Com- to participate in smaller events panel of journalists, culminat- mittee is made up of seven or perhaps Lovejoy-related ac- ing in the award convocation journalists, Charles A. Dana tivities in future years. in Lorimer Chapel. Professor of Sociology Neil “I hope we’ll be able to make This year however, the com- Gross, and Ex-Officio mem- that happen because he’s real- mittee opted to postpone the bers President David Greene, ly remarkable and typically we event to the spring semester Goldfarb Center Director like to have our Lovejoy award in the hopes of having these Kimberly Flowers, and Colby winner and our community SONIA LACTHER College admits 8% of applicants for Class of 2025, will host prospective students virtually By Fiona Huo in recent years through the to an unprecedented college Vice President of Enroll- tional applicants. addition to a conversation News Reporter Colby Commitment, guar- admissions process. ment and Communications Victoria Dimock, an admis- with Provost Margaret Mc- anteeing a $0 contribution Conor Mynahan `25, spoke Matt Proto noted the unique sions counselor at IvyWise Fadden and Dean Karlene The College released reg- for families earning less than with The Colby Echo about admissions process as a result College and Former Assis- Burrell-McRae `94. ular admission decisions to $65,000, and the Fair Shot some of the hardships he of the pandemic. tant Director of Admissions Proto said the events being the Class of 2025 on March 19. Fund, ensuring that families and other high school seniors “This is one of the most at the University of Chicago offered should be the same as This year 1,279 students were making between $65,000 and faced. innovative years in college and Sarah Lawrence College, the in-person experience, but offered admission out of the $150,000 will make a maxi- “The biggest impact of the admissions. One of the most said in an email to The Colby he also acknowledged that record-breaking 15,857 who mum contribution of $15,000. pandemic on my application interesting things for us is Echo “I have seen more and one of the things that is lost in applied, once again lowering The College hopes to build on process was the ability to vis- that we actually visited more more students over the past a virtual environment is the the acceptance rate to just 8%. these programs by eventually it schools and get a feel for high schools and communi- few years gravitate towards ability for students to meet The College expects to yield becoming a need-blind insti- which community would be ty-based organizations than strong liberal arts colleges like other students. about 560 students for the in- tution, meaning they wouldn’t best for me,” Mynahan said. we ever have using Zoom and Colby that offer a wonderful While they do miss out on coming first-year class. consider financial need at all “Missing out on in-person other virtual programs,” Proto education and a smaller, vi- some opportunities, the Class The accepted students hail during the admissions pro- tours, information sessions, said. brant, community of learn- of 2025 will also be the first to from 48 different states and cess. and accepted students events He added that nothing is ers. I think the school is be- fully experience the new Da- 60 countries. 35% of U.S.-ad- The incoming Class of definitely made the process truly like being on campus ginning to have much more vis Center for Artificial Intelli- mitted students identify as a 2025 has had one of the most challenging.” and getting a feel for the recognition outside of the east gence when it opens in the fall person of color and 11% are unique college application Mynahan’s sister, Abby school, but the Office of Ad- coast and New England area of 2021 and the Paul J. Schupf international students. The processes to date, spending Mynahan `23, expressed her missions has hosted virtual because of this, which helps Arts Center in downtown Wa- median SAT score is 1520, the latter half of their high excitement to welcome her tours and conversations with attract even more students to terville in late 2022. and the median ACT score is school career in the midst brother to Mayflower Hill. admissions counselors to give apply and want to attend.” Only time will show how the 34. Nearly 95% of the students of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am super excited for my potential students a taste of Because of the College’s COVID-19 pandemic might are expected to graduate in Cancellation of on-campus brother to come to Colby next the College. no visitors policy, the Office have permanently altered the the top ten percent of their college tours, college fairs, year. We get along really well, Many colleges and univer- of Admissions is unable to college application process. high school class. and modified testing environ- so I think that it will be a fun sities, including all of the Ivy host its traditional admitted Proto believes the typical high The College has expand- ments for the SAT, ACT, and experience to be at Colby to- League schools, modified students program. However, school senior applied to more ed its financial aid program Advanced Placement tests led gether,” she said. their testing policies to ac- prospective students are invit- colleges this year compared to commodate applicants after ed to attend the virtual admit- previous years. a difficult year. Proto said be- ted students program from Dimock also said of the pan- cause Colby went test option- April 19-24. demic that “for many students al two years ago, there hasn’t “Last year we had to make this caused some fear that been much change to the ap- the unfortunate decision to they may not ‘know’ a school plication process here. make our admitted students as well and led some students While much of the world program virtual,” Proto ex- to apply to more schools than has been watching the plained. “In that time, our usual as their feelings towards U.S. struggle to control the team had to quickly come given colleges were a bit more COVID-19 pandemic, a loom- together to come up with in- up in the air.” ing question has been wheth- novative solutions to help stu- It also remains to be seen er this would impact the num- dents experience Colby.” whether some institutions ber of international students One of those solutions was will choose to keep their applying to schools in the U.S. to connect students with fac- test-optional policies beyond While general numbers are ulty and allow prospective the pandemic. For Colby’s ad- not yet known, Proto said this students to sit in on virtual missions process, Proto said has not been the case for the classes on Zoom or mock they will keep some of the vir- College. Applications are up classes. As for programming, tual connections even when 13% overall, with increases current students have also travel for the admissions SARAH WARNER in both domestic and interna- been asked to host events in counselors resumes.

Waterville Seed Spotlight on The Colby Blue Spa bananas vs Game of the Library opens in Bunche Scholars week: Baseball time for Spring Lights Dana bananas p. 4 p. 7 p. 3 p. 5 p. 6 Page 2 | The Colby Echo News April 15, 2021 Some students unhappy with SGA election ballot, candidate actions By Mat t Rocha “However, I recognize that said. “In recognizing that the will help SGA in the future. this repost, Brown asked ing ‘I understand that it might News Reporter this preliminary round of election forms both required “I feel strongly that this students to donate to Colby not have been intended as ranked-choice voting has all voters to vote for unop- past election will provide Mutual Aid if they had par- such but it can still be used for In the College’s recent Stu- exposed some of the flaws posed candidates, regardless crucial guidance as to how to ticipated in any of the ac- good in this way,’” Brown con- dent Government Associa- that must be improved upon of whether they supported improve the ranked-choice tivities on the bingo board. tinued. “I thought their bingo tion (SGA) elections, students in subsequent elections.” the candidates, the possibility voting approach as we eval- “Laura and Lukas contact- board could easily have been had the opportunity to vote As Rockett noted, SGA im- of a candidate receiving less uate how to approach fu- ed me on the day that I repost- repurposed for a good cause, for their class officers and the plemented ranked-choice than 50% of the vote needed ture elections. Moving for- ed their board on my story. as they posted it without con- SGA executive board. For the voting this academic year. to win was negated, inadver- ward, SGA must ensure that They stated: ‘While we appre- text or explanation of what most part, the elections ran While SGA has yet to meet tently undermining the rea- elections are carried out as ciate the work of Colby Mu- students should do or accom- smoothly; however, some to discuss this past election son ranked-choice voting was democratically as possible, tual Aid, this activity was not plish upon receiving a ‘bingo’ students raised concerns they had already exten- especially since the switch meant for fundraising and we of winter activities. There- about the voting process. For sively covered the election to ranked-choice voting was kindly would ask you to stop.’ fore, I reposted it with the cap- example, If a candidate ran process in past meetings. “The failure to done so to do just that. This I interpreted their message tions, ‘@Colby for every box unopposed for an SGA posi- “We did spend a consid- include a write- election was not exempt from as a request for me to delete you get, donate $5 to @col- tion, then the online ballot re- erable amount of time this mistakes, but it certainly will my story,” Brown said. “I did bymutualaid and donate $25 quired students to vote for that past summer amending the in space did serve as an example of how for every bingo,’ and ‘Donate candidate. Students could not SGA constitution to ensure present a con- to improve the SGA elections $50 for every time you went to turn in their ballots until they that ranked-choice voting flict with the re- as a whole,” Rockett said. Sugarloaf this year and anoth- “I did not com- had selected a candidate for was able to be implemented cently amended While a few positions saw er $50 for each night of your every position, so the voting effectively. In fact, we voted candidates run unopposed, ply with their Airbnb over break,’ with the language of the process compelled students upon a motion pertaining none warranted as much request to re- intention of sparking reflec- Constitution.” to vote for candidates that to adopting ranked-choice controversy as the election move the post, tion among wealthier class they had no interest in sup- voting this past September, of SGA President and Vice members and encouraging porting. They did not have which allowed for the ranked- Jackson Rockett ‘23 President, which Lukas Alex- because I was the redistribution of their the option to write-in anoth- choice voting approach ander `22 and Laura Powell and am in my wealth to Colby Mutual Aid as er candidate or abstain from to be utilized once spring `22 won, respectively. They own right to re- an action step,” Brown said. voting on that specific office. rolled around,” Rockett said. employed in the first place.” ran unopposed, but because post any of their Following this exchange, In an email interview, The When SGA amended Rockett acknowledged of a dispute before the elec- Alexander and Powell said Colby Echo discussed this its Constitution to change that the past elections did tion, some students did not content on my that they would like to part- controversy with Jackson the voting process to that not follow the new con- want to vote for them. The own story.” ner with Colby Mutual Aid

Rockett `23, a Senator who of ranked-choice voting, stitutional amendment. ballot forced them to do in the future. Brown is not recently won re-election. it added a section requir- “The failure to include a so anyways. Lutie Brown Lutie Brown `22 affiliated with Colby Mutual “To my knowledge, the ing the ballot to have space write-in space did present `22 discussed this contro- Aid, but encouraged Alexan- requirement for students for write-in candidates. a conflict with the recently versy with The Colby Echo. der and Powell to reach out. to cast votes for unopposed “The motion also further amended language of the On the Class of 2022 In- “The last two sentences candidates was not inten- stipulates that space to write- constitution. These two sig- stagram page, Alexander not comply with their request of their response was ‘The tionally included and was in candidates is required, as nificant shortcomings of and Powell posted a bingo to remove the post, because class of 2022 would love to simply an error in the on- articulated in the newly cod- the first attempt at ranked- board containing winter ac- I was and am in my own partner with the mutual line voting system. Given ified Article VII, Section 1 § choice voting have been tivities. Critics argued that right to repost any of their aid for an event in the fu- the lack of other candidates D-i, which reads as follows: recognized amongst SGA some of these activities, such content on my own story.” ture. Could you reach out running, it is somewhat dif- ‘In all SGA elections, one members and will certain- as skiing or tubing, are not “I responded to their frus- to us with times for us to ficult to argue that any of the blank line must be included ly influence the handling accessible to all Colby stu- tration with the fact that I brainstorm an event?’ to results would have changed for write-in candidates. The of future elections mov- dents. Brown, one of these was ‘using [their] bingo board which I responded ‘I do not had there not been a require- write-in candidate is ranked ing forward,” Rockett said. critics, repurposed the bingo activity which was meant for ment to vote for unopposed in the same manner as all However, Rockett believes board and posted it to her our class as a fundraising tool continued on page 4 candidates,” Rockett said. formal candidates,’” Rockett that the recent election Instagram story. Through for Colby Mutual Aid’ by say-

Date: Time: Location: Comments: 03/22/21 2:02 AM LEONARD SMOKE ALARM 03/23/21 6:35 AM OBSERVATORY CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 03/23/21 10:33 AM DRUMMOND DRUG VIOLATION (2 COUNT) 03/23/21 10:50 AM DRUMMOND ALCOHOL VIOLATION (2 COUNT) 03/24/21 1:18 PM DANA ALCOHOL VIOLATION 03/24/21 2:15 PM DANA ALCOHOL VIOLATION (4 COUNT) 03/27/21 1:06 AM DANA GATHERING CHECK 03/27/21 8:59 AM MITCHELL CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 03/27/21 9:26 PM DRUMMOND GATHERING CHECK 03/27/21 9:50 PM WOODMAN GATHERING CHECK 03/27/21 10:01 PM MITCHELL CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 03/28/21 12:18 AM HEIGHTS GATHERING CHECK 03/28/21 12:28 AM MARY LOW ALCOHOL VIOLATION 03/28/21 1:22 AM LOCKWOOD HOTEL GATHERING CHECK 03/28/21 7:13 PM ALFOND COMMONS TRESPASS 03/29/21 3:37 PM ALFOND APARTMENTS ALCOHOL VIOLATION (5 COUNT) 03/29/21 3:46 PM ROBERTS ALCOHOL VIOLATION (3 COUNT) 03/29/21 3:54 PM ROBERTS DRUG VIOLATION (2 COUNT) 04/01/21 1:52 PM CAMPUS WIDE NO CONTACT ORDER 04/01/21 2:05 PM TAYLOR DRUG VIOLATION 04/01/21 8:09 PM MILLER LIBRARY ALARM-DOOR 04/03/21 12:14 AM TAYLOR ALCOHOL VIOLATION (3 COUNT) 04/03/21 1:01 AM MARY LOW ALCOHOL VIOLATION 04/03/21 1:33 AM DANA ALCOHOL VIOLATION (3 COUNT) 04/03/21 6:04 AM DANA BURGLARY 04/03/21 6:04 AM DANA CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 04/04/21 1:13 AM FOSS ALCOHOL VIOLATION 04/04/21 4:40 AM COTTER UNION BURGLARY 04/04/21 4:40 AM COTTER UNION CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 04/04/21 9:56 AM AVERILL CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 04/05/21 12:36 PM CAMPUS WIDE NO CONTACT ORDER 04/05/21 11:26 PM WEST NOISE COMPLAINT 04/06/21 2:32 PM AVERILL ALARM TROUBLE 04/06/21 11:50 PM CAMPUS WIDE ALCOHOL VIOLATION Security 04/06/21 11:50 PM MARRINER MEDICAL CALL 04/07/21 12:08 AM OFF CAMPUS SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 04/07/21 2:30 AM LEONARD MEDICAL CALL Incident 04/08/21 1:49 AM HEIGHTS ALARM 04/08/21 4:39 PM OBSERVATORY GATHERING CHECK Report 04/09/21 1:10 AM DANA SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 04/09/21 1:52 AM DANA MEDICAL CALL 04/09/21 2:45 AM DANA 911 HANG UP Log 04/09/21 2:47 AM MITCHELL ALARM 04/09/21 2:54 AM FOSS ALARM 04/09/21 7:44 AM ATHLETIC CENTER ALARM 04/09/21 8:02 AM COTTER UNION ALARM 04/09/21 10:31 AM DANA ALARM 04/09/21 11:49 AM CAMPUS DR VANDALISM (2 COUNT) 04/09/21 1:08 PM ALFOND COMMONS SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 04/09/21 1:22 PM ALFOND COMMONS SUSPICIOUS ACITIVTY 04/09/21 3:49 PM ALCM PARKING VIOLATION (10 COUNT) 04/09/21 5:47 PM JOHNSON POND GATHERING CHECKS 04/09/21 6:20 PM COBURN GATHERING CHECKS 04/09/21 6:29 PM DANA NOISE COMPLAINT 04/09/21 9:50 PM ATHLETIC CENTER 911 HANG UP 04/09/21 10:41 PM MITCHELL MEDICAL CALL 04/09/21 11:14 PM WEST GATHERING CHECKS 04/10/21 3:13 AM SSW DOOR ALARM 04/10/21 5:44 AM ROBERTS CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 04/10/21 5:44 AM ROBERTS VANDALISM 04/10/21 11:48 AM ALCM PARKING VIOLATION (15 COUNTS) 04/10/21 5:03 PM DANA GATHERING CHECKS 04/10/21 5:52 PM OBSERVATORY GATHERING CHECKS 04/10/21 6:46 PM WEST DOOR ALARM 04/10/21 7:42 PM TAYLOR DOOR ALARM 04/10/21 10:20 PM OBSERVATORY UNAUTHORIZED FIRE (5 COUNTS) 04/10/21 11:39 PM DANA NOISE COMPLAINT 04/10/21 11:49 AM STURTEVANT CONDUCT VIOLATION (14 COUNTS) 04/11/21 12:52 AM HEIGHTS GATHERING CHECKS 04/11/21 8:36 AM ROBERTS DOOR ALARM 04/11/21 8:51 AM PARKING LOT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 04/11/21 9:32 AM OFF CAMPUS ALARM-HVAC 04/11/21 10:18 AM AMS DOOR ALARM 04/11/21 1:09 PM PERKINS WELFARE CHECK 04/11/21 6:13 PM HILL FAMILY HOUSE DOOR ALARM 04/11/21 6:45 PM WILLIAMS FIRE ALARM 04/12/21 9:51 AM AVERILL CRIMINAL MISCHIEF/VANDALISM 04/12/21 11:48 AM LOVEJOY MEDICAL CALL Page 3 | The Colby Echo Local News April 15, 2021 The magic of maple sugaring By Chloe Shader aring as a child growing the old fashioned way, cess, syrup is distrib- magic. Besides tasting Contributing Writer up in New Hampshire, I and they have been for uted to students who good, maple syrup can had no previous knowl- years —probably lon- helped along the way, also be good for you. Here at Colby, I think edge of sugaring, but “I love the ger than most of the recording their hours According to the Food a lot about trees. It’s when I first visited Col- process of current students have in an excel spread- Network, it is high in easy to walk in the ar- by’s tapping site I was been alive. sheet. The syrup that antioxidants as well boretum and lose your- enchanted by all of the sugaring After transferring sap gets distributed in Col- as nutrients includ- self in the world of tree small buckets hooked to because you from the buckets on by dining halls, on the ing riboflavin, zinc, trunks and overlapping the trees as sap dripped trees to large trash cans other hand, is all pro- magnesium, calcium, branches, but I find out of the trunks like get to take a full of sap, it is time for vided by True Moun- and potassium. myself thinking about leaking faucets. little break boiling to evaporate tain Maple, a local two- This maple magic the trees even as I’m The sap was clear the water and isolate person business, Horne isn’t guaranteed. Maple just walking to class, and not viscous at all, from real- the sugars, and later, it said. sugaring is only pos- or sitting in a Hillside which was the first ity. It’s im- would be time for bot- Also local to Maine sible because of the common room, where surprise – I had been possible to tling. Boiling the sap is the tradition of fluctuation in positive the wide windows high- expecting a substance was much smokier than Maine Maple Sunday, and negative pressures, light how the white closer to the syrup I stress about I anticipated, but it was the fourth Sunday of or the alternation of pines move and sway in knew, brown and sticky things when exciting — you could March when maple sug- freezing and thawing. the new spring wind. and sweet. In fact, sap see the sap starting to ar houses will sell any- Advancing spring tem- Despite all these is about 90% water, and you’re hang- look more and more thing you can imagine peratures due to cli- tree-centric musings, I it takes a lot of boiling ing out in like syrup. with maple in it, Sarah mate change shortens usually don’t have ar- to evaporate that water In general, the whole Jaroz `24 said. Jaroz has the amount of time that boreal thoughts on my to create our familiar the woods.” process is very peace- attended many a Maine tapping trees is pos- mind as I eat choco- syrup — every gallon ful. I know I felt calm- Maple Sunday, which sible, meaning that we late chip pancakes or of maple syrup is made er surrounded by the she calls “her favorite can’t take our sap gath- orange-scented french from around 40 gallons Grace Horne `21 maple trees, and Horne holiday.” ering days for granted. toast from Dana. In of sap. agreed, saying “I love On Maine Maple Sun- Advocating for our en- fact, I used to pour After my companions the process of sugar- day this year, I visited vironment is essential, my maple syrup on my Joseph Savage, `22, up the tree. Sap then ing because you get to a sugarhouse and tried but so is appreciating breakfast haphazardly, Lilly Craig `24, and I frosts on the walls of take a little break from a maple candy for the it. The next time I get throw away the little emptied the tree buck- these cells, and in the reality. It’s impossible first time, which is es- syrup from Dana with plastic container, and ets into larger trash morning, when temper- to stress about things sentially maple syrup if my breakfast, I’ll think think nothing else of cans full of sap, we atures rise again, this when you’re hanging it was boiled a little lon- of the dance inside it. Now, though, as my returned them to the frost turns back into out in the woods.” ger until it turned into the trees that makes it first winter as a Mainer trees, where the drip- liquid sap and the gas At the end of this pro- a solid – it tasted like all possible. is coming to an end, ping of sap made a sat- cells re-expand, creat- isfying clunking noise ing a positive pressure as it hit the bottom of in the tree that pushes the bucket. the sap out of any hole I was en- All of this is pos- it can find, such as the sible because of a ones tapped by our very chanted by special choreography own Colby students. all of the between positive and The trees make more negative pressure that sugar through photo- small buck- goes on inside sugar synthesis than they will ets hooked to maples, according to need for energy, so los- the trees as the Vermont Evapo- ing some of their sap is rator Company and not an issue. sap dripped MapleResearch.org. Native Americans out of the All trees have water were the first to dis- channels that they use cover this extraordi- trunks like to draw water up from nary feat of nature, leaking their roots. These chan- according to “Time nels are surrounded by Magazine.” They passed faucets. many fibrous cells. their knowledge to ear- In most trees, these ly settlers, and later cells are full of water, dairy farmers started that’s changing. so at night, when tem- selling syrup. I was first introduced peratures drop below Today, instead of us- to the idea of maple freezing they expand, ing the bucket method sugaring on campus pushing sap out of the like we do at Colby, through the Colby Out- tree. In maple trees, most sugarers use a ing Club (COC). The these cells are full of tube system that brings Maple Sugaring Club is gas, so instead when collected sap directly an offshoot of the COC, temperatures drop be- to a heat source that Grace Horne `21, its or- low freezing they con- evaporates the water ganizer, explained. dense and create a neg- from the sap, making CHLOE SHADER Unlike Grace, who ative pressure inside it into syrup. Here, Clara Lehv `24 stirs boiling maple sap in order to isolate the sugars and create maple syrup. first encountered sug- the tree that draws sap Colby sugarers do it Waterville Seed Library opens just in time for spring

By Sarah Warner food at no cost,” the Wa- pumpkins, green beans, ment and the Waterville seeds the library required every day trying to get my Local News & Features Editor terville Public Library summer lettuce mix, and Public Library on the Seed — although not with- order in and it took me al- wrote in the announce- more. While supplies last, Library since fall 2019, out some bumps along most a week to get it.” The Waterville Public ment on their website. those interested can place there had already been a the way. Stinson hopes that her Library announced the “The Seed Library helps orders through the Water- seed library in Waterville “It was actually really labor makes gardening launch of the Waterville to reclaim seeds as a ville Seed Library website before. Unfortunately, the challenging to get [the and getting outdoors just Seed Library on Monday, public resource and fos- or by calling the Library at woman who ran it moved a little easier for anyone April 12. ters a culture where lo- 207-872-5433. out of town, and the pro- who is interested. “The Waterville Seed cal growing knowledge is The idea to start the Seed gram became defunct. “We want people to have Library provides com- easily shared.” Library wasn’t a new one. “[The Waterville Public “We want access to growing resourc- munity members the The Seed Library fea- According to Ketty Stinson Library] wanted to revive people to es and knowledge without resources to grow their tures 12 different seed vari- `21, who has worked with the program,” Stinson have access having to pay extra to do own healthy, sustainable eties, including tomatoes, the Office of Civic Engage- said. “They reached out to that,” Stinson said. “Wa- [Caroline Wren `20], who to growing terville, we don’t think of then reached out to me resources it as a city, but there’s a lot and asked if I wanted to of people that do live in get involved. Together we and knowl- apartments or places that built everything in order edge without don’t have a lot of land, so to make it happen.” I wanted to aim the library The Seed Library was having to towards pots and small originally supposed to pay extra to scale stuff.” open in March of 2020. Aside from seeds, the Unfortunately, the CO- do that.” launch of the Seed Library VID-19 pandemic brought also includes various pro- the program to a grind- grams including a weekly ing halt, leaving Stinson Ketty Stinson `21 Local Voices Storytelling to build the library up Series on Wednesdays on from scratch. the Library’s Facebook, “We had all these seeds seeds],” Stinson said. a three-part live virtual donated, and then we had “With [COVID-19], people lecture series with Will to get rid of them,” Stinson are really excited about Bonsall, director of the said. “They weren’t good gardening and other out- Scatterseed Project, and anymore, and Caroline door activities, which is a pollination-themed graduated, and I had to great for us because that “Crafternoon” on April 27. start all over.” means people will use the To learn more about these Fortunately, Stinson has library. But when I was events or to get your hands had a crew of fellow Col- trying to order seeds, it on some seeds, visit the by students to help her: was so hard to get them. Waterville Seed Library GABRIELLA KIM Gabby Kim `21, Izzy Ward I ordered from FedCo, a website at https://sites. `21, Sophie Lee `22, and local seed company, and google.com/view/water- The Waterville Seed Library was a product of joint collaboration between Ketty Stinson `21 and the Water- Torsten Brinkema `22. they would open order- villeseedlibrary/ or email ville Public Library. The project has been in the works since fall of 2019. With their assistance, she ing every day at noon. I’d them at watervilleseedli- was able to acquire all the be setting alarms at 11:58 [email protected]. Some students unhappy with SGA election ballot, candidate actions

Continued from page 2 the fund going forward, image.” switched to ranked-choice ing system this year, not and instead were more When Brown realized voting, but did not inform a single member of SGA represent Colby Mutual interested in asking me “SGA ap- that the online ballot com- the student body that they seemed to have noticed Aid myself, but would rec- to stop asking my peers to parently pelled students to vote for had removed the write-in the issues with not having ommend that you reach reflect on their status and overhauled Alexander and Powell, option or that there would a write-in or abstain op- out to their account via In- redistribute their wealth,” she was outraged. be no option to abstain. tion. SGA’s changes quiet- stagram to discuss collab- Brown said. “I reposted the election “Now, they are our SGA Such elections are com- ly affected the entire vot- orations going forward.’ my story with screen- procedure President and Vice Presi- pletely undemocratic, ing process, and our own They liked my message,” shots of the conversation when they dent for 2021-2022 hav- and the general student student representation Brown said. last week, and they have ing received 100% of the population had no idea and governance for the Despite Brown’s encour- since removed the entire switched vote, not because 100% such changes were in the next academic year. Such agement, Alexander and bingo board from their to ranked- of the student body sup- works and thus could not egregious errors have Powell never approached Instagram account, there- ports them, but because voice our opinions against sacrificed my faith in the Colby Mutual Aid. fore also removing my choice vot- in order for any student to the changes.” integrity of SGA elections, “According to the orga- original story (captioning ing, but did submit their ballot for any The mistakes made in and I am further disap- nizers, Lukas and Laura the board) from my High- not inform ticket in the SGA election implementing ranked- pointed in how SGA has never followed through lights page. These actions this year, they were forced choice voting have eroded yet to take accountability on their statement and show that they have no the student to affirm their vote for -Lu Brown’s confidence in for their actions and ad- never contacted Colby genuine interest in work- body.” kas and Laura — with no SGA. dress them to the student Mutual Aid to discuss a ing with Colby Mutual Aid option to abstain or write- “SGA had all year to body,” Brown said. partnership. Judging from to redistribute the wealth in another candidate,” prepare for this election, The Colby Echo reached their silence, I believe that at this school, and are in- Lutie Brown `22 Brown said. “SGA appar- and I find it alarming that out to Alexander and they had no intention of stead most interested in ently overhauled the elec- while they were switching Powell but received no re- actually partnering with preserving their own self tion procedure when they to a ranked-choice vot- sponse. Page 4 | The Colby Echo Features April 15, 2021 Facilitating access and opportunity at Colby: Bunche Scholars program who believe in social great peace in watch- By Hae-Jung Kim justice and equal- ing people do amazing Features Reporter ity,” Bunche scholar things and being a part Kai Goode `24 said. of their journey — it’s As part of its on- “The group of Bunche my way of paying it for- going mission to en- Scholars establishes a ward, because I have hance diversity, eq- platform for people to had some amazing uity, and inclusion, transparently discuss a mentors and friends Colby has established variety of controversial to push me through various programs to topics, everything from my life with kindness attract promising, race, gender, class, and love.” high-achieving stu- and morals.” One unique feature dents from under- In addition to high of the Omprakash pro- served backgrounds levels of academic gram is their EdGE to campus. achievement, another classroom, an online characteristic that the learning platform that program looks for when Bunche scholars use to selecting students is engage with challeng- significant community ing political, social, involvement. and cultural challenges “Being a “In high school I facing our world today. Bunche participated in a vast “The EdGE classroom amount of commu- is a space that is cre- scholar nity service within my ated for Bunche schol- means en- own community and ars to come together communities abroad. and reflect, critically gaging in a Through a variety of analyze and study their community civic engagement in surroundings in a chal- high school I was able lenging and supportive of like-mind- to gain a deep sense of space. It is especially ed people empathy for others,” created to think about who believe Goode said. big questions of race, The Bunche scholar inequality, justice, and in social program also partners the intersections that justice and with Omprakash, an occur within these organization that pro- larger structures,” equality.” motes social justice Krishnakumar said. advocacy and civic en- “Mentors from Om- gagement by offering a prakash are there to Kai Goode `24 variety of social impact related internships and WIKIMEDIA COMMONS learning opportuni- The Ralph J. Bunche Scholars Program, named in honor of Nobel Prize-winning diplomat and civil rights ties. Bunche Scholars activist Ralph J. Bunche (above), offers a select group of students of color exclusive access to leadership are assigned mentors development opportunities and grants for independent scholarship, internships, or humanitarian projects. The Bunche Scholars through Omprakash, “Learning program, named after who serve as guides facilitate these discus- opportunity to explore ally feel depending on the Nobel Peace Prize and resources as they about others’ sions and ensure there material beyond a sin- where you grow up,” award recipient, diplo- navigate through experiences is space for scholars to gular academic experi- Tegh Khosla `24 said. mat, and civil rights ac- the program. be supported as they ence, to understand the “For myself, my high tivist Ralph J. Bunche, One such mentor is and how sift through compli- intersections across school experience was is one such initiative. Jo Krishnakumar, who they handled cated thoughts that disciplines that exist like a bubble where I According to their web- lives in Great Britain they have to play with not only in academia, never thought of my site, the Bunche pro- and is currently pursu- certain situ- and unpack as Bunche but in the world. This race to be a part of gram recruits a select ing their PhD. ations offer scholars. Personally, as sort of learning allows my identity because number of students of “I’ve been a men- a mentor, I see my role for college students to I was never in a situ- color passionate about tor with Omprakash great lessons in the classroom as a expand their world- ation where that sta- social justice advocacy for the past year. I’ve and insights person who asks you view and grapple with tus dictated any sort and civic engagement. been mentoring and whether you thought their identity and place of outcome. The most Participants in the pro- facilitating for a while into your of a perspective that in the world, some- amazing aspect of the gram receive exclusive now, and Omprakash own life and might move you out thing that the Bunche Bunche Scholar pro- access to opportunity provided the perfect ” of your comfort zone Scholars program fa- gram is the idea of liv- grants, civic engage- opportunity for me to as a leader. — there should al- cilitates on a funda- ing through your peers. ment projects, and get back into the edu- ways be discomfort mental level. Learning about others’ leadership develop- cation system through Tegh Khosla `24 in learning, because “I think the Bunche experiences and how ment workshops. this mentoring pro- growing is messy program is really inter- they handled certain “Being a Bunche cess,” Krishnakumar and uncomfortable.” esting for understand- situations offer great scholar means engag- explained. “I really Indeed, part of the ing a dynamic that lessons and insights ing in a community enjoy working in sup- appeal behind a liberal exists in our country into your own life and of like-minded people port roles, and I find arts experience is the that is hard to person- as a leader.” Pushing boundaries and margins with Baratunde Thurston

related to participating explained as lim- by the government some shame, some history has shaped By Jenna Boling in conversations about its in understand- and media. fear,” Thurston said. the present. Locals Reporter the nation’s current so- ing, especially as the “They said that it “But when we face it “History is present,” cial, economic, and po- ongoing COVID-19 [unity] would be a fea- and deal with it, there Thurston said. “I am Baratunde Thurston, litical state. pandemic pushes sev- ture, not a bug of a is always relief on here because someone a bestselling author, During the live- eral national issues to global pandemic, that the other side. There else was before I ever comedian, and activist, streamed discussion the forefront. it would bring us all is freedom on the arrived. [History] af- attended this year’s hu- held on April 8, Thur- Thurston recalled together and treat us other side.” fects the now, and we manities event as the ston discussed the the early stages of all the same ... that “With boundaries have an addiction to keynote speaker, pro- importance of push- the pandemic and all we would ride in the and margins, I want us amnesia, seeing it only viding Colby attendees ing “Boundaries and the lies and misinfor- same boat or sink in to push them,” Thur- as an upside in this with valuable insights Margins,” which he mation propagated the same boat, as the ston added. “I want country when it serves phrase might suit it- us to push them and the few to forget cer- self to that particular get uncomfortable be- tain things.” circumstance ... that cause discomfort is Although American [COVID-19] was some growth. That’s how history is tainted by kind of great uniter, you know something is discrimination, war, that it doesn’t pick win- happening.” and inequality (to ners and losers, that it name a few), Thurston doesn’t discriminate,” discussed how every Thurston said. “‘We’re person can implement all in it together.’ their knowledge of the That’s what they said. past to reimagine a You go back and check “With better tomorrow. the tapes, and that did boundaries “The story, even of not happen.” how we talk about jus- Thurston explained and mar- tice, is out of balance that the dispropor- gins, I want because it maintains tionate impact of CO- a story that is built on VID-19 on minorities us to push imbalance and giv- has emerged from the them. I want ing power to the pow- systemic issues within erless. We all have the country. us to push power, and it’s up to “The systems that them and get us to tap into it, to ac- we have designed to tivate it, to use it for protect us from such uncomfort- all of our benefits,” threats do [discrimi- able because Thurston explained. nate]. They choose “Everything that we who wins and loses, discomfort know is just a story. and the results of that is growth. Mostly, we don’t tan- decision skew towards That’s how gibly interact with the people with a bit more world. I don’t know melanin and certainly you know what’s real and what’s a lot less money. We something is not except for what built [these systems], somebody told me. So, a long time ago, and happening.” if that’s the case, that have failed often to re- most of our experience construct something of reality is something better. So instead, Baratunde somebody told us, and we fell deeper into a Thurston something we chose truth that we denied,” to believe, then let’s Thurston shared. Bestselling Author choose to tell a differ- Over the course of ent story and believe the night, Thurston something else.” argued that to break Thurston urged the through socially con- audience to “choose to structed boundaries Historical events de- tell a bigger story and and margins requires tail the pain and suf- believe in a bigger us embracing the discom- fering people haveen- that is not predicated fort each sensitive dis- dured, which are on winners and losers.” cussion brings. elements of the past According to Thurston, “We need to face the too many would prefer pushing that boundary truth through our his- not to face. However, can help the nation re- tory and move through according to Thurston, orient its relationship COURTESY OF BARATUNDE THURSTON it. And I know it’s confronting the past with the past in order Baratunde Thurston is an American comic and writer who has worked for satirical publications like The scary. There is always is essential for mov- to achieve true equal- Onion in the past. some embarrassment, ing forward because ity in the future. Page 5 | The Colby Echo Arts & Entertainment April 15, 2021 Success in the age of COVID-19: Colby Blue Lights

opening up. If we bulb, which allows Robinson joined the rooms [to rehearse] fall semester, the B y M i lo could have an in- them to sing with the Blue Lights as first- we just found places. Blue Lights put L a n i -C a p u t o person club fair, I’d group. Nicknames years, the group has [We] worked outside. on an exclusive A&E Editor feel really fine … We are also an important seen its strength We were outside performance in have a lot of pretty part of “Blights” lore. tested. Conflict within in November last Lorimer Chapel. With the spring talented people in the However, not every the group interfered semester because They are planning semester coming group, and I think ritual has survived with rehearsing and of COV ID[-19]. on performing again to a close, seniors we’ve got something COVID-19. performing. Especially [Robinson at the end of this in the class of ’21 special going on. We “We couldn’t do “It was very has] done a good job semester. are preparing to can’t just let it [die].” the stuff that we did different [a few with that, to bring “[Last semester] we graduate. Clubs and An integral part traditionally,” Cole years ago],” Robinson people [together]. figured we weren’t student organizations of the Blue Lights’ “C-Therium” Turner, explained. “People It’s tough because we going to be able to are determining how recruiting strategy current vice president didn’t think it was a can’t go to apartments learn that many new to fill the empty is the fall club fair, of the Blue Lights club anymore, they or [do] stuff that we songs,” Robinson spaces their seniors where first-years can explained. “It forced thought it was gone. used to be able to do.” said, “We resorted to leave behind. The learn about clubs they us to come up with We brought it back Robinson continued, going back to our old Colby Blue Lights, may be interested in. things that people somehow.” “It’s just [a matter of] songs for a throwback an a cappella group concert instead, on campus, is one which ended up such group. The working out perfectly nine-member group fine … it was the is losing five of its best we’ve done in years and [we are] also probably one of the most active clubs on campus when it came to performing “I think the because we we worked with what we had … if Blue Lights this [spring] festival pans out, then we’ll haven’t just have a legacy here.” The Blue Lights’ survived success during the past year has the COVID-19, members’ spirits high. As the pandemic we’ve kind abates, restrictions are likely to be of thrived.” relaxed, helping Colby Cole a cappella groups “C-Therium” Turner return to normal. Turner is optimistic about the Blue Lights’ CARTER ROBINSON resiliency. members this spring. Back row: Milo “M3” Lani-Caputo, Austin “Oakes” Oakes, Cole “C-Therium” Turner, Ryan “Big Rye” Moore, Samuel “Skwonathan” “I think it’s been “If we can get three Kwon, Tony “Toni Pepperoni” Penate not just the Blue [or] four people Front row: Derek “Ruck” Zapata, Carter “C-Money” Robinson, Ben “Benny Flow” Southwick Lights, but it’s been then we can deal group effort with with it,” Ben “Benny There, students sign actually wanted to Now, the Blue Lights bringing each other most all the acapella F l o w ” S o u t h w i c k , up to audition for do. We have eight is a prosperous club. together. Even if we groups to help thrive rising president of the the group. Like many people out here [at “I think the Blue couldn’t hang out in dur i ng COV ID[-19],” Blue Lights told T he groups on campus, rehearsal], which is Lights haven’t just person, we still tried he explained, “But Colby Echo. “I think the Blue Lights are more than the group sur v ived COV ID[-19], to do things to keep the Blue Lights have how comfortable I’ll steeped in ritual. was two years ago.” we’ve kind of people in contact and definitely filled a be going into next Accepted members Since Turner and thrived,” Turner get to know each other power vacuum.” semester depends are granted a blue current president explained. “Even if a little bit.” a lot on how we’re incandescent light Carter “C-Money” we couldn’t reserve At the end of the “Seaspiracy” on Netflix is a problematic documentary By Tanvi Iyer A&E Writer environment. to make you genuinely Content: 5/10 The other issue that Lastly, the film itself Through interviews contemplate your actions. many are finding is the seemed to hold an Anti- The documentary with those involved in The scenes are never so Unfortunately, even blanket assertion that Asian attitude. The film Seaspiracy, released on the industry and direct gruesome that they make with redeeming qualities all corporations are focused on problematic Netflix on March 24th, explorations of different you want to look away, but of the film, it has received inherently bad. fishing in Japan and made quite the splash. spaces, it aims to raise just upsetting enough to a lot of criticism due to the It completely ignores Hong Kong, which only This 90-minute film awareness imperative tug at your heartstrings. plethora of information companies and businesses further perpetuates has led people to claim to the health of our that it shared. In fact, the that are trying to make a troublesome attitudes that they will never eat environment. Cinematography: 9/10 filmmakers were forced difference and use more about such places and seafood again. Others to retract their claim that sustainable practices. their communities. have criticized the Storyline: 7/10 The documentary it takes 5 - 20 kilograms Its overall message of Despite its issues, I documentary as a whole. cinematography may of forage fish to make 1 “eat less seafood/stop would still say that it is Directed by and starring The film effortlessly be my favorite aspect of kilogram of salmon. eating seafood” is also a film worth watching. British filmmaker Ali covers a weighty and this film. Every clip is Many of the facts used slightly problematic and It presents the current Tabrizi and produced by complex topic. Some aesthetically pleasing, in the documentary classist. Such a message is issues in the fishing Kip Anderson, who is may say that it is even the gruesome clips. are either outdated or only applicable to wealthy industry and our oceans known for documentaries oversimplified, but I In addition to interviews, misconstrued, which societies that have in an approachable ‘Cowspiracy’ and think given the platform the film incorporates made me question the access to more diverse manner that is easy to ‘What the Health,’ the on which it was released animated scenes that overall reliability of the diet options. Many low- understand. Ultimately, it documentary aims to and the audience that help break up the heavy film. This has forced income communities rely changed my perspective convey the damage it will inevitably reach, topics covered in the others to look more on seafood as one of the on human use of the the fishing industry simplicity is not a flaw. documentary. closely at the claims made main components of their ocean, and I am sure it does to the oceans and The information is used in the film. diet. will change yours as well. Two guests per graduate at commencement I s a b e l A d l e r of Planning at the we would need to make entering into Maine increase the amount transitioning away C o n t r i bu t i n g W r i t e r College, stated that adjustments.” If cases from a different of people travelling from conservative the college’s decision continue increasing, country. The Maine to Waterville, the restrictions there will In a brief email to to allow each graduate particularly in Maine Moving Forward plan, end of May marks the always be a degree of the class of 2021 last to invite two guests “is and on campus, as Maine’s reopening beginning of Maine’s risk. week, President David based on the ability they have been at guide geared towards busy tourist season. Greene announced the to safely distance peer institutions, bolstering the summer “The fact is we’re College’s intention to outside on Miller commencement plans tourism economy, likely to have many allow two guests per Lawn, increasing will be changed. predicts that the tourists from out of student at an in-person vaccination rates in The current state will remove state coming in for the Colby is not commencement Maine and beyond, and COVID-19 travel travel restrictions on summer season shortly ceremony on Sunday, our proven ability to restrictions require all states by May 1, thereafter,” he said. the only May 23, in addition manage the virus.” that all travelers making it possible for Lenny Carver, the to live streaming the Though the College coming into the state graduation guests to General Manager college event. This decision is committed to of Maine must either travel into the state of the Waterville came amid an ongoing permitting limited have a recent negative without restriction. Holiday Inn Express, in Maine national conversation guests at graduation, test, be vaccinated, Waterville City believes the college’s about reopening Greene did note in have had COVID-19 in Councilor Erik Thomas decision to allow planning on during ongoing his announcement the previous 90-days, wouldn’t categorize graduation guests is vaccination efforts that “given the or quarantine for ten the College’s decision safe as long as guests hosting an despite COVID-19 ongoing uncertainty days upon arrival. as safe, but he said follow precautionary cases continuing to in the public health Certain neighboring that “it’s an acceptable measures, such as in-person be on the rise for the environment, we will states are exempt from amount of risk in order mask wearing and fourth week in a row. need to continue to these restrictions, and to continue to move social distancing. graduation. Brian J. Clarke, assess this plan; should additional restrictions towards some sort of Carver noted how the Vice President it be deemed unsafe, are in place for those normalcy.” He also hard the pandemic has cited the importance of been on the tourism a graduation ceremony economy, particularly Colby is not the for seniors and their for hospitality, and only college in Maine families. expressed eagerness planning on hosting an for people to start in-person graduation. travelling again in Thomas College and accordance with state Bowdoin College will regulations. At his be hosting in-person hotel, Carver has graduation ceremonies “It’s an ensured that necessary and permitting two COVID-19 precautions guests per student. acceptable are in place such Bates College has also as masked staff and elected to have in- amount of increased sanitation person graduation with procedures in order two guests per student risk in order to minimize the risk but will be splitting of transmission of graduation up into two to continue to COVID-19, particularly identical ceremonies with guests from out of on two different days move towards state. in order to minimize Both Carver and the amount of people some sort of Thomas agree that with present at one time. the right precautionary In the time leading normalcy.” measures, and up to graduation at hopefully good weather the end of May, Colby . Erik Thomas, allowing people to dine will be continuously Waterville City outdoors, the risk to the monitoring the public Councilor Waterville community health environment could be minimized to in order to ensure an acceptable level. that inviting guests to Both also echoed the Mayflower Hill will SARAH WARNER Thomas also desire for a return to a be safe for both the noted that though semblance of normalcy Colby and Waterville Senior commencement will be the first event at Colby open to the public this year. graduation will and noted that with communities. Page 6 | The Colby Echo Opinions April 15, 2021 Unjust and Unfair: the size of Spa bananas vs. Dana bananas By Colin Alie Opinions some background. huge ones. though.” corner and snickering writers in the late Hailing from family There was one The way I see it, at the students who fall 90s, explained the The Colby Echo today Musaceae and genus unfortunate incident there’s two plausible for their cruel prank. 20th century tragedy: intends to issue a Musa, a banana is a in which I tried to explanations for I should know “a fungal outbreak of colossal mea culpa long, tube-shaped escape with the entire the massive banana about proper banana Fusarium oxysporum regarding last week’s edible fruit which presentation tray’s disparity, neither of harvesting practices; broke out, decimating issue, specifically the experts confusingly worth of bananas which makes much both my father and his the world’s banana claim that the author’s label as a berry, stuffed into my paper sense. In scenario A, father before him spent plantations [...] banana IQ was hovering around botanically speaking. bag and overflowing the Spa and Dana have their entire careers at plants died en masse.” At 200. They have since For those interested in from my pants pockets. two separate, distinct the US Department of the time, it was thought double-checked my learning more about Due to a tactical error, I supply chains, possibly Weights and Measures, to be a cataclysmic results to find, much to the curious snack, take had tripped—or rather, even spanning as far and became intimately extinction that was my chagrin, that I fell some advice from me: slipped—on a peel back as the original familiar with enforcing often compared to the on the opposite side of be careful about where from a banana I had banana suppliers. the department’s Battle of Waterloo. the bell curve than I you stick your snout. snuck in to snack on One supplier, whether laws, regulations, Thankfully, through claimed to have, despite As part of my while I was waiting in it be due to climate, and standards. This cross-breeding of the many online tests I investigation into these line for my turn in the geography, agricultural consists of taking a similar fruits, the paid for and took. This bizarre circumstances Spa carousel. The scab techniques, or anything measurement gauge bananas we love today was apparently one we find ourselves in, on my knee has since else, clearly produces along the spine of the were able to return to case where paying the I questioned some healed but I fear my miniscule, microscopic banana in order to their former glory. premium price doesn’t of the food service emotional scars from bananas (if you would determine whether Truly, those Dana get you the premium employees. The Spa the incident are here even dignify them with each piece of fruit falls bananas offer a result. workers, in a united to stay. The workers such a classification) within the specified legitimate threat to This week, I decided front, consistently insisted campus while the other legal size range. Too those stuffed bananas to conduct some much- invoked the fifth when security need not get supplier, for reasons small or too large and that you would win needed investigative questioned about involved but I remain equally baffling, the banana is thrown at the town fair journalism here on the size discrepancy unconvinced. exports absurdly back to either grow for knocking down campus. I stumbled between the fruits, I now recognize gargantuan bananas. to the requisite size enough milk jugs. The across some fiery instead electing to shift that I should have In scenario B, the or to reproduce in incongruity between conclusions. I see the onus to myself, picked up on the bananas are first order to help keep banana selections is myself as the people’s asking why, as a full- many warning signs supplied to the campus the population alive. truly an affront on champion and as such, time student, I didn’t that were portending food storage space, These are necessary gourmet society as a I feel like I should give have anything better the calamity that was then filtered by hand precautions that are whole! the people what they to be doing than asking publicly befallen upon to be sorted by size. clearly not in place As a direct result, I need to hear, even if it an “insane” amount me. In truth, I had Each bunch of bananas here at Colby. The will be out of office for may not be what they of banana-themed previously slipped on would be inspected College is single- this upcoming spring want to hear. Of course, questions. countless peels though and measured. The handedly culling the break weekend as I you never want to look I’ve developed a bit it had always been tiny little baby shrimp population of Maine’s intend to dedicate all ugly in the face, yet here of a cult following behind closed doors. bananas that should native bananas! of my brain power and I am staring down the amongst these workers That’s not the point. have been thrown There exists most of my time toward barrel of what seems and I had mistakenly When The Colby Echo back are distributed legitimate historical manifesting doom to be a smoking gun of believed they had come reached out to Spa to the Spa, while the cause for concern here, unto whichever party sorts. To put it plainly, to see me as their peers. info desk employee comically-oversized as well. Internet website is responsible for this there is a conspicuous Our “friendship” began and self-confessed bananas that don’t www.10best.com, the cold-blooded victimful and inexcusable after I started double- gastronomic pinhead even fit in the paper online form of a hard- crime. It’s not going discrepancy betwixt swiping at the Spa to Sally Burke `21, she to-go bag are brought hitting journalistic to help me per se, but the average size of the get 16 of the largest conceded she was aware to Dana. Erstwhile, the heavyweight that it is certainly going to bananas offered at the bite-sized bananas to of the phenomenon, jokesmiths behind this famously poached up hinder these perps — Spa and those offered tide me over for my admitting “only that elaborate conspiracy some of the longest- and as we all know, the at Dana. walk to Dana, where I I’ve observed it … I are presumably peering tenured and most fruit trade is a zero- I feel obliged to offer would fill a bag of the don’t like bananas out from behind a well-respected NYT sum game. Post on Civil Discourse to make the world a better place Discourse? Opinions article. So evolution. Evolution By Milo L ani-Caputo Maybe we don’t care I write one, and the occurs when the A&E Editor about Civil Discourse. problem is resolved. weak things that are College is a never That problem has a poorly suited to their I love reading Colby’s ending line of time simple solution, unlike environment don’t Civil Discourse forum. consuming activities. many of the problems survive, and those It’s always interesting Who would go out of we face in life. It takes that are better suited to see the diversity their way to write an much deeper thought to their environment in thought among the extra essay about their to determine the live. We, the clever student body. Over opinion and post it solution to problems human race, have 2,000 people, including to some dark corner such as, “What should found a way to imitate both students and of ColbyNow where it I be working towards?” this phenomenon to staff, have access will never be seen? We “How should I treat help us find truth. to the forum on aren’t being graded for other people?” “How When we debate ColbyNow. And yet, it, so why bother? Well, should I treat myself?” over a specific issue, Civil Discourse gets we should care about The issue with we are engaging in one or two posts a civil discourse. problem solving is that the evolution of ideas. SARAH WARNER month. What’s up Being able to think our initial reactions to Falsehoods are pointed with that? Why aren’t critically is arguably a problem tend to be out, weak arguments You only stand a chance humans does not start people posting on Civil the most important impetuous. And many are attenuated, if your principles are and end with ourselves. contributor to success problems are larger and contradictory based on ideas that are Nor does it start and in life. We all have the than just ourselves: statements go the way strong and factual. end with our children, capacity for organized, “What should we do of the Dodo bird. By Living truthfully or our extended family. deep thought. But the about gun violence in putting two or more is better than living It encompasses all Being able brain is much like Tony the United States?”, ideas into competition by way of deception. of humanity. Telling Stark’s Arc Reactor — it or “What should with one another, we So why, then, doesn’t ourselves lies does to think has enormous power we do about police can see which one is everybody seek the nothing to make sure and potential, but its brutality?,” or “What stronger. We can even truth all the time? that future humans critically utility is determined should we do about incorporate parts of There are countless can still inhabit the by the way it’s used. climate change?” If we one idea into another. reasons I’m sure, but Earth. It doesn’t help is arguably We would be wise to don’t think carefully After all, if you live I think it’s because we people who are, or will put our brains to work about addressing in accordance with are afraid. be, innocent victims the most solving problems. problems that span principles that are A person’s place in the of violence. If you Life is a series entire nations or the founded on weak world is based on the ask me, it’s cowardly important of problems world, we are likely to ideas, you are at a way they think about to resign ourselves that necessitate be wrong. Fortunately, disadvantage. You the world. If you don’t to our own personal contributor to amelioration. I have nature provides us can’t change the way have a mental model realities when we have a problem right now: with a solution. the world works by of your environment, the ability to make the success in life. my section needs an We are products of believing something. how will you figure out world better by seeking how to act? You need the truth. principles in order to be We are incredibly a human. A hedonistic, fortunate people. We unorganized life is the as young adults are life of a wild animal. It enjoying the peak of might sound fun, but our fluid intelligence. most employers aren’t That means that we are hiring wild animals, more able now than we and even fewer people ever will be to engage are marrying them. with complicated You’re in good company ideas and apply the if you decide to have strongest ones to the some principles. We real world. We are use principles to living in a bubble decide what to do. with our basic needs These principles are fulfilled, surrounded integral to our ability by thousands of other to function. If one intelligent young of your principles is people. Colby is ripe based on a faulty idea, for discourse. We need that means you’re not to take advantage of really living in the real our vast opportunities world. to make the world a The idea that I am not better place. living in the real world, We should be but rather a fantasy fulf illing our based on lies, is pretty responsibilities as scary. It means that intelligent agents, my entire life, up until and vigorously vetting this point, didn’t really ideas in order to happen the way I think make the world a it did. My grounding to better place. We must reality is threatened overcome our fear of by the criticism of my being wrong — you principles. But I can’t can’t be right without just ignore the truth being wrong first. and opt to remain in And most importantly, my fantasy world. That we need to be patient means that I would be with those who we intentionally setting disagree with because myself back. I’d never both strong and weak be able to live better ideas are essential to than I already do. The the evolution of ideas. lies we tell ourselves Maybe some ideas are the bars in our are wrong, but we all personal jail cells. need to understand Maybe you think it’s precisely why they are fine to live in your wrong. Maybe our own own personal prison. ideas are wrong. The Though limiting, only way to find out it is comforting to is to let all the ideas take solace in false compete. And that certainty. But our can start with a Civil responsibility as Discourse post. Page 7 | The Colby Echo Sports April 15, 2021 Weekend recap with the Mules

scoring only two runs played aggressive de- Ultimately, the Mules setts. The Jumbos broke four, with a 9-13 score- By Will Bedingfield to the Jumbo’s four. fense against the Jum- proved conclusively their school record for line as Tufts began to Sports Editor In another game later bos, forcing five free- that they can compete most goals scored with pull away. that day, Colby held position shots, while with the second best a whopping 29 goals. Tufts ran away with BASEBALL: Tufts scoreless for the trying in vain to force team in Division III Starting off as a close the game in the second This week’s athletic first two innings, while errors from the experi- Women’s lacrosse. game, the Mules were half, scoring nine goals events kicked off Tues- also failing to score. enced Tufts team. Despite losing each able to overcome two in the third quarter and day in Gorham, Maine Come the bottom of the While the first half half by three, Satur- Tufts goals with five seven in the fourth, between Colby Base- third with Tufts at bat, ended 8-5, a score so day’s results confirmed unanswered to make with Colby answering ball and the Univer- the flood gates began to high it might be con- that the Mules have the game 5-2 Colby. The with only two goals sity of Southern Maine open and Tufts scored fused for a final score, a bright future. They Jumbos were able to over the span. The fi- Baseball. Colby came four runs in the in- the second half saw should impress even put in two more goals nal score was a lopsid- into the game against ning. The next inning even more goals. Con- more this weekend at before the first quarter ed 29-11. a dominant USM team was even worse, see- tinuing their high-risk home against the Bates ended to make it a tight Looking forward, Col- who they had failed to ing the Jumbos score high-reward defensive Bobcats. 5-4 scoreline. by Men’s Lacrosse will beat since 2001. seven runs and leave style, Colby let up ten Colby Men’s Lacrosse The next quarter take on Bates in Lewis- The first two innings the Mules with eleven goals in the half but had a disappointing showed Tufts’ rising ton this coming week- saw the Mules in a runs to score in the last scored seven in their Saturday against Tufts momentum, scoring end in what should be deadlock, holding the inning to tie. Sadly, the second half. in Medford, Massachu- nine goals to Colby’s a closer matchup. Huskies scoreless with- Mules failed to score out scoring themselves. even one. In the third inning, After returning to the Mules were able to Waterville for Sun- score two runs against day’s pair of games, the Southern Maine. The Mules showed more Mules piled on another promise in the first two in the fifth inning, game. Colby, again, marking the end of failed to record a single scoring for the game. run all game, but held The Mules defense the Jumbos to a single shocked the Huskies, run. not letting up a single Game two on Sunday run, despite letting up went much like the 6 hits. This was due to second game on Satur- the formidable pitch- day, with Tufts scoring ing from Elijah Cohen three runs in the top of `23, Julian Erro `22, the first and pouring and Matthew Scibilio on another five as the `23, in addition to the game went on. Colby, skill of the infield and again, was held to zero outfield players. runs. Looking forward, af- ter such a historic win LACROSSE: the Colby Baseball Men’s and Women’s team had two double- Lacrosse challenged headers against Tufts Tufts as well this week- both Saturday and Sun- end in two high-scoring day. Unfortunately, games. The Women’s these four games did Lacrosse game, play- not go as well as Tues- ing in Waterville, was day. a relatively close affair. The Mules ended up SOFTBALL: losing 18-12 against Colby Softball also the number two ranked faced off against the Jumbos, who boast an Jumbos on Saturday experienced group that and Sunday. Kicking consistently ranks in the weekend off in the top of the division. Medford, Massachu- The six goal deficit, setts, Colby knew they however, is an achieve- were facing a histori- ment for the up-and- cally tough opponent coming Mules, who that had started their have also been ranked season off 2-1. highly this season. Tufts was the measure The two teams traded of consistency, scor- goals back and forth in ing a run in four out the first half, with the of six played innings. Mules trying to keep up WENDY WEI The Jumbos wore Colby with Tufts’s high-flying down, with the Mules attack force. The Mules Colby’s Sarah Stark `22 recovers a face-off draw for the Mules against the number 2 ranked Tufts Jumbos. Forum Pen to Paper

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SUDOKU We accept all kinds of writing and all subject matter. Length should be 5 1 3 9 6 2 under 1200 words, if possible. Email any and all submissions to 4 2 8 The Colby Echo’s Creative Director Sarah Warner at sewarn21@colby. edu. Pieces can be submitted anony- 6 7 5 mously, if desired.

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https://sudoku.com/medium/ Page 8 | The Colby Echo Sports April 15, 2021 Game of the week: baseball double header

improve in the third once more in the sec- `23 clobbered the Jum- made the game worry- Colby baseball is By Will Korsh inning with first-year ond game of their dou- bos’ pitches. ingly close, but infield- scheduled to play the Sports Reporter pitcher and outfielder bleheader weekend. At The game then pro- er Brady O’Brien `24 Jumbos in another dou- Patrick McConnell `24 first, things were look- gressed to the sixth and Maher scored two bleheader next week- Warm weather and batting in a crucial run ing just as dismal as inning and the Mules RBIs before the game end — we wish the best high spirits made for to get Colby up on their the previous day; the managed to pull ahead ran its course, giving of luck to the Mules as a delightful and com- feet. Following this, Tufts Jumbos were able of the Jumbos for a the Colby Mules a de- they prepare to face petitive doubleheader pitcher and designated to score three runs score of 10-7. Two more cisive 12-9 victory over their troublesome op- weekend between the hitter Cabot Maher `22 right off the bat, so to runs from the Jumbos the Jumbos. ponent once more. Colby and Tufts base- scored a double, allow- speak. ball teams. The Mules ing the Mules to score However, with typi- got off to a rough start another run, making cal Mule moxie, Colby on defense in the first the score 5-2 with the was able to claw its way game, allowing Tufts Jumbos still leading. back — Maher scored batters to crush pitch- Unfortunately, the an RBI off a well-placed es down the infield and Jumbos were able to single, and catcher Jo- over the fence. respond to the Mules’ nah Katz `21 batted in In addition to strong pressure and put up two more runs to tie offense on the part of three more runs. These the game up. the Jumbos, the Mules runs came primarily The Jumbos respond- suffered a series of er- due to a series of walks ed with a three-run rors in the infield and from Colby, letting homer, pulling ahead walked a few of the Tufts round the bases once again. Deter- Tufts batters. After the of Coombs field with mined not to go down first inning, the Jum- ease and bringing their once more, the Mules bos lead the Mules 3-0. lead to 8-2. The Mules were able to score Heading into the sec- were able to score two two more runs thanks ond inning, the Jumbos more runs, but sadly to Caleb Jung’s `23 continued to capitalize this was not enough to fourth-inning homer on the Mules’ errors, prevail over Tufts, and for a score of 6-5, Tufts. crushing away a homer the game ended in an As the game made and batting in a run 8-4 Jumbos victory. its way to the third in- to make the score 5-0, Despite the unfortu- ning, the Mules man- Jumbos. nate result on Satur- aged to score three Although things were day, the Mules still had runs after McConnell, looking bleak, the the chance to square Katz, and infielder and WILL BEDINGFIELD Mules finally began to up against the Jumbos outfielder Matt Panker Coombs Baseball Field, site of Colby’s baseball games, captured beautifully at sunset. Sustainability The Colby Echo Cartoon Caption Sunscreen and our oceans Contest By Adrian Visscher or use a pool, the sunscreen would Sustainability Columnist stay on your skin. Taking a shower or washing your hands would then carry After a long winter, temperatures the chemicals down the drain. are finally rising, and as the weath- According to the NOAA, water er begins to warm, new spring and sanitization systems do not filter for summer activities begin to open up. things like triclosan before releasing Fortunately, Maine is home to a long them back into the environment. In coastline, enabling numerous aquatic this case, even without swimming in opportunities, and even if not in the the ocean, by using a toxic sunscreen, state this summer, many Colby stu- there are still many negative impacts dents of the College will still be in on the environment. close proximity to water. Inevitably, However, there is hope. There is people will spend time swimming. an emerging economy of brands that When thinking about immediate pride themselves on being environ- sustainable impacts an individual mentally-friendly, and with a quick can make, it is important to consider Google search, many of these compa- sunscreen choice when intending to nies can be found. swim at the beach.The health of bod- For example, a popular sunscreen ies of water is crucial to supporting manufacturer is the Australian Blue ecosystems, and pollution, whether Lizard. They choose to eliminate it be sewage or oil, poses great risk to oxybenzone and octinoxate from the sanctity of these environments. their formula, as both are known for While many of these threats are contributing to coral bleaching. This posed by larger entities, like corpo- is just one example of an ethical ap- rations or municipalities, individuals proach to sunscreen. can cause harm as well. A typical criticism of environmen- A report by the National Oceanic and tally-safe sunscreens is their ability Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to blend into one’s skin. However, this explains that topical products are seems to be a small price to pay when vastly under-regulated by the United considering the larger implications States Food and Drug Administration. sunscreen has on the aquatic world. The study notes that other places, like As people who have grown up able the European Union, have banned to enjoy the oceans, it is important thousands of compounds, while the we make an effort to preserve them United States has only banned eleven. for generations to come. Making a This lack of regulation allows toxic small decision like choosing which chemicals to be released into the wa- sunscreen to buy at the pharmacy is a ter without the user’s understanding. step in the right direction. Most notably, sunscreen is known to have negative ramifications for coral reefs, but many other aquatic organ- Each week, The Colby Echo will post a isms also face potential harm. The National Library of Medicine captionless cartoon on Instagram. found that triclosan, a chemical found in cosmetics, has negative hormonal effects on fish, causing issues with species reproduction as byproducts of Comment or DM us (@colbyecho) your cleverest caption. the exposure reduce the sperm count in male fish. Triclosan is also found in Our staff will choose two finalists. You, the reader, will hand sanitizer, something to consider when using the product before swim- then get to vote for yor favorite caption. The winning ming. The toxic chemicals found in sun- caption will be published in print. screen (and other products) reach the ocean ecosystem in ways other than direct contact with the water. For ex- ample, if you were to sunbathe outside Happy captioning! SARAH WARNER ‘21 COVID-19 update for April 7 to 13

By Sonia Lachter Maine residents above the age of 16 can get vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April News Editor 7. The College will not require vaccinations this semester but encourages community members to do so. There are currently 28 positive cases in isolation and 17 students in quarantine. Athletic competitions have resumed, with spring season teams allowed to play other All of the 22 new cases in the past week are students, not faculty or staff. Ten ad- schools in Maine and set to begin NESCAC competitions this month. ditional positive cases have recovered in the past two weeks, bringing the total to 94. Members of the testing program receive two PCR tests and one antigen test a week. Dean of the College Karlene Burrell-McRae `94 announced protocol changes on April The College has been at the yellow health code level since the start of the semester. 7 due to the steady rise in COVID-19 cases on campus and in the state of Maine. There This means lower dining hall capacities, face masks required within dorms, increased were 117 total students in isolation or quarantine at the time. She shared that of the cleaning, and remote learning for classes above 50 students. positive 23 cases on campus at the time, 13 were connected, and that 94 students were in quarantine. Burrell-McRae warned students not to let their guard down as the weather warms and more students get vaccinated. She shared that some peer institutions have moved to fully remote learning, perhaps alluding to Bates Colleges’ lockdown in recent weeks. Burrell-McRae shared that the College has noticed several trends from its contact tracing process. They noticed social gatherings in dorms, students eating in restau- rants and bars, people travelling together in vehicles without masks, and students making pods among their friends with whom they do not mask or distance. However, Burrell-McRae said cases have not risen because of in-person classes, din- ing halls, or athletic activities. To avoid a full lockdown, the College updated protocols in accordance with these ob- servations. Students can only access their own dorm, are “strongly discouraged” from going to restaurants and bars and should only go on “essential visits” for other sorts of trips, all programming was virtual through Saturday night, the Jitney is only allowed for grocery shopping, medical appointments, and vaccinations, and only residents of the Alfond Commons or Lockwood Hotel can use the shuttle. Dean of Students Barbara Moore updated students on April 11 that, through April 14, the above measures will stay in place except in-person programming is back on, and Jitney and shuttle access is no longer restricted. 119,407 total tests have been administered, 1.4% of which have been inconclusive (a 0.1% decrease from last week). President Greene told the class of 2021 that commencement will happen in person on May 22 and 23 and that each graduating senior will be allowed to bring two guests each. The testing portal no longer shows cases by county in Maine as of April 7 because “as of March 31, 2021, Maine CDC no longer provides recovery figures as part of its daily public data. As we relied on this number to calculate active cases in each county, we are no longer able to update the map.”