UMF Soccer Honors Seniors in Final Home Game

UMF Soccer Honors Seniors in Final Home Game

Derek Taber Contributing Writer

     The last home game of the year for the UMF soccer teams welcomes family and friends as the team recognizes senior leadership, and accomplishments. The women’s and men’s teams celebrate “UMF Senior Day” in front of a home crowd, where all seniors will get to have their names introduced at half time. After a sub-par starts to the season both teams have rallied recently to win three of their last four games.

    There are playoff implications in the women’s game. Fern Calkins, the junior defensive midfielder, is ready to defend the NAC title while honoring the seniors. “We are all super excited for our conference match-up this weekend against SUNY Canton and looking forward to recognizing our seniors,” said Calkins. “Our seniors have definitely played a big role in our success these past years and we really want to get this win for them.” 

    The women’s team started the year having lost their first five matches, but have turned things around as of late. The women have put themselves in a position to defend the conference title they won last year. Currently holding on to the sixth and final playoff seed, a win against a conference rival will greatly help the chance of defending the title. 

Eden LeBlanc, Women’s Soccer (Photo courtesy of Molly Wilkie)

    SUNY Canton is coming to Farmington with losses in four out of their last five games, and will try to defend the fifth seed in the conference matchup. A win would further cement their place in the standings. The UMF team is honoring four seniors at the game: Libby Ouellette F, Morgan Tortorella D, Eden Leblanc D, Mikayla Cameron GK. 

    The men will also play SUNY Canton in their last home game of the year and have an opportunity to climb back into the playoff hunt to grab the final seed in the conference tournament. A record of 1-4 in the conference and 7-7 overall, the men’s team will need this win to stay alive as the last four home games have ended in a loss. 

    Andrew Longhurst, a senior and center on the team, is looking for a victory in his final home battle. “If we win this game we are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs which will give us a chance to go for the NAC championship,” said Longhurst in an email interview. “I am expecting a win in my last home game. The guys have been working really hard over the past 3 weeks in preparation.”

    “It’s also exciting to have my family up here for the game because I live in Delaware so I don’t get to see them too much during soccer season and throughout the year,” said Longhurst.

    SUNY Canton is sitting comfortably in the fourth seat, and could wind up playing spoiler to the Beavers if they leave town with a win. However, SUNY has struggled of late losing three out of four games, so the momentum could be on the side of the Beavers. 

    The team is practicing hard with the season on the line. Longhurst knows the importance of preparation. “We are doing everything we can to give ourselves an advantage on them by studying film, getting our injuries taken care of, staying on top of our academics, and working incredibly hard every practice,” said Longhurst.

     The Men’s team carries seven players on the roster that will be honored with their families on senior night. The team seniors are Nick Marshall C, Jake Heimlich C, Jon Randolph C, Nate Campbell D, Derek Mclaughlin D, Hunter Michaud C, Andrew Longhurst C.

Stressed About Finances? The #FinLit Squad Can Help

Stressed About Finances? The #FinLit Squad Can Help

Leanna Farr Contributing Writer 

     When it comes to finances, the UMF Financial Literacy Peer Educators (FinLit), is the place to go. The program was created last year after Janet Mills, former state attorney general and the current governor of the state of Maine, donated $901,000 to a grant to fund the program which was set to be implemented at all seven public universities in Maine by 2021. 

    FinLit provides various financial services, such as one-on-one appointments and exit loan counseling on top of organizing presentations and events. The peer educators are experts on FAFSA, credits, loans, budgeting, investing, taxes, and saving. 

    With coordination from Sarah Hinman, the Financial Literacy Peer Education Coordinator, UMF was the first campus to implement the financial literacy program. Hinman has implemented the same program at the University of Maine at Augusta and University of Maine at Orono this year.

   Caleb Grover, a senior business economics major, has been a peer educator since the program began last year. “Our most popular service is filing the FAFSA with students,” said Grover. “One of the program’s missions is to increase the number of students filing their FAFSA in the state of Maine.” Only around 40% of students are filing their FAFSA to receive financial aid, grants and work-study.

Sarah Hinman, Jacob Leonard, and Caleb Grover, Members of the #FinLit Squad (Photo courtesy of Leanna Farr)

    To try and help students with filing their FAFSA, FinLit held an event where peer educators helped students file their FAFSA for free while eating cake. They also advertised a drawing for a $25 gift card. “It went really well, even better than last year which went really well for the first year having it,” Grover said. “This year there was even higher attendance. There was at least one student there at all times.”

    “The key to our success is definitely partnering with other offices to promote and have support for bigger campus-wide events,” Hinman said. They achieve this by giving presentations for admissions with visiting high school students and working with the career services and Merrill Hall.

    When discussing the work as a peer educator Grover said “it’s a professional but relaxed environment where we help students face challenges so they don’t make the same mistakes we did.” Working with other students has made him realize “there are a lot of situations you don’t realize are going on until you hear someone’s situation,” he said, “it is grounding working with people that have it a lot worse than you and you offering them help. 

    Jake Leonard, a junior in the computer science major, also works as a financial peer educator. “There is a lot going on with other student’s finances that you wouldn’t expect. Some people come it not knowing that they owe $30,000 and others are really stressed but only owe a minimal amount,” he said. “There’s a visible weight lifted when people come in and sit with us and understand.” 

    For more information about upcoming events, learn more about the peer educators, and get financial tips, check out their Instagram @umf_finlit. The peer educators can also found in room 201 at Franklin Hall.

Trick or Treating Through the Residence Halls

Jocea Jordan Contributing Writer

    UMF and the Farmington community will be coming together soon for trick-or-treating through the residence halls, as well as a wide variety of additional activities. Children and families are encouraged to join in on the trick or treating event which is hosted by Alpha Phi Omega (APO), dress up and connect with the students and campus community.

    APO is a co-ed service fraternity that hosts community service and friendship events catered towards the members of the club and the community. The main goal of the club is to “provide service to the university, community, and nation, as well as foster fellowship and leadership among the brothers and members,” according to the APO page on the University’s website.

   Madison Vigeant, a junior psychology major and vice president of APO, has been helping to organize and plan the trick-or-treating event and activities that are going to be taking place. “It’s just really fun to see how much of a community we can get together for this one event,” said Madison, “seeing how many people turn out is really amazing.”

    Kaden Pendleton, a junior elementary education major, is a member of APO as well as a mentor community assistant (MCA) for the Scott residence halls. The MCA’s role is to assist other community assistants with any questions or concerns they may have as well as working closely with the Area Coordinator.

     “I think it’s a way for people in the community to feel connected to the campus. This event kind of dissolves [campus] from being this big scary place that’s in their town and makes us more a part of their town. I think it’s good for them to feel included in what we do here,” said Pendleton.

    “All of the residents that want to participate can open their doors and give out candy to the kids as they’re walking by,” Pendleton said, “or they can just put a bowl outside of their door with candy that says take one.”

    Pendleton said he also enjoys seeing all of the professors and staff members from campus come to the event with their children because “you get to see the professors in a different role from when you normally do.” 

     “It’s not just trick or treating in the halls. In the Ed Center there are all kinds of activities. Families and kids can play games and get a whole bunch of candy and then the kids can walk around the dorms and get even more candy,” Pendleton said.

    “APO usually does activities like face painting or musical chairs,” said Vigeant “just fun social activities to help the children to interact and get to know each other.”

    Making sure everyone is accommodated is important to APO. Pendleton said, “We really try hard to ensure that everyone is accommodated and can feel included.” he also likes being involved in the MCA role and said “It’s fun to get the dorms ready, we encourage residents to decorate their doors… so that the kids are all excited when they walk through the halls.” 

    Mariah Langton, a junior early childhood major, who is also a community assistant for the Dakin residence hall, said in an email interview, “I’m excited because I love both Halloween and children, hence why I’m an early childhood major. Seeing the children excited and all dressed up is the best part of Halloween.” Langton also feels at ease knowing that the children “are doing something fun and safe in the community.”

    Sydney Goodridge, a sophomore elementary education with a concentration in English major, said, “ I love seeing the kids’ costumes and giving out the candy. “I loved trick or treating when I was younger and enjoy being on the other side of it now in college.” Goodridge also looks forward to “seeing how creative the kids will be with costume designs. Also I can’t wait for leftover candy.”

    Trick or treating through the halls will happen on October 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and children and their families can meet in the Theodora J. Kalikow Education Center for various activities. For any questions or concerns contact Madison Vigeant via email at Madison.Vigeant@maine.edu

Students’ Stress in the Pre-Registration Quest

Students’ Stress in the Pre-Registration Quest

Melissa Wood Contributing Writer 

    The pre-registration process can be an uphill battle for students as they juggle lists of general-education requirements and core classes for their majors. Freshmen tend to be particularly vulnerable to getting lost in the process as they are often faced with misinformation and a lack of guidance, resulting in falling behind in their course completion and having to stay in school for an extra semester, or year, to complete graduation requirements.

    Community health major and freshman, Julia Halley, spoke about her experiences so far with pre-registration. Coming into her freshman year, she had no idea what pre-registration even was. When Halley attended the Summer Experience week for incoming freshmen this summer to get a taste of the college experience, she realized that she hadn’t registered for any of her classes for the upcoming fall semester. 

    Halley had to enlist the help of CA’s that week to put her schedule together as she was lost on how to do it herself. “They were very helpful, of course,” said Halley. But with everyone else already signed up for their classes, she wasn’t left with many choices.

    Since Halley signed up for classes late she came across a difficult situation.“I only had 14 credits starting out,” she said, “but next semester I will have 18 so I can catch up.” 

    The knowledge that she will have to take 18 credits in only her second semester at UMF has Halley feeling the pressure. “I’m a bit stressed with knowing I have to take that many credits next semester but I know I will be able to figure it out,” she said in a follow-up email interview. The credit load may force her to drop a few of the eight dances she is in, one of which she is choreographing for Bust A Move Beavers (BAM). 

    Halley is also facing a crisis of missing out on specific courses she needs. “I signed up for classes such as calculus and [First Year Seminar (FYS)], but I didn’t get into them because I signed up later than most people,” said Halley via email. She will have to take her FYS as a sophomore. 

    Halley is currently looking into winter term courses to get her up to speed with the rest of her class and keep on track to complete her studies in the standard four-year timeline. “I just wanted to catch up ASAP to ensure I’ll graduate on time,” said Halley via email. 

Julia Halley (Photo courtesy of Julia Halley)

    As a community health major she must also have a concentration within the major. “I am very stressed about my Nutrition and Physical Fitness concentrations,” said Halley, “and mostly not being able to get into the classes I need.” 

    Her advice to next year’s freshman to avoid falling into the same tough spot she’s in is to, “Get in contact with your advisor as soon as possible. Know what you are going to be doing before you get here.” 

    She’s optimistic for next semester to get easier since she has been walked through the process now. “Even though it was stressful it should get easier,” she said.

    When freshmen and other students in Halley’s position need more help than their advisor can offer, or need someone easier to relate to, they can turn to peer advising. That is why sophomore Bailey Blow has become a peer advisor for early childhood special education first-year students.

    When she started out as a freshman she explains how “it was kinda of stressful,” said Blow, “I didn’t know what Mainestreet was, Mycampus, basically anything.” But she found success with peer advising. “They helped me get less confused,” said Blow. 

    As her time came to register for classes she had a lot on her mind. “{The] Actual day of registration was stressful,” she said, “Making sure I was prepared for that morning was helpful.” 

    With all the help she received her first year, she wanted to become a peer advisor. “Having a peer advisor is beneficial; they help you understand everything, connect with you, and are always there to answer your questions.” 

   She explains that the freshmen are stressed because they are doing it on their own, but peer advisors are there to help and answer any questions. “Some advice to any freshman, I encourage you to ask any questions or express any concerns you have,” said Blow, “We are here to help.” 

     Vanessa Schaeffer embarks on her 5th year and last journey through the pre-registration and registration process. She remembers her difficult and easy times with it all. 

    During her first semester she had a hectic introduction to pre-registration. “I came in as a visual and performing arts major and had many requirements,” said Shaeffer, “but my advisor wasn’t the best when it came to helping me. They didn’t clarify what I needed for classes and why.” 

Bailey Blow, Peer Advisor (Photo courtesy of Melissa Wood)

    When she wasn’t able to get the help she needed from her advisor she had to seek support from other people on which direction to take. “It seemed like even they didn’t know what to do either.”  

    She came across Dawn Nye, her other advisor in this process. “[She was] the best person to get help from,” said Shaeffer. “She was amazing! [She] was extremely organized and well put together and knew what she was doing.” 

  After wading through the pre-registration process once, though it was difficult, she found the second round of registration in her second semester to be much easier. “My advisor was very surprised with how quick I could go through the process each time,” she said.

    Shaeffer decided to switch her major her second semester of her junior year to just performing arts. “Just having to switch advisors was the hardest part,” she said. 

    With all that Shaeffer had learned throughout her years here at UMF she shared some advice for any freshman out there. “You don’t need to know your major,” she said, “just try and get all of your gen eds out of the way.”

Affordable Items Offered at New Sharon Thrift Store

Affordable Items Offered at New Sharon Thrift Store

Miranda Gould Contributing Writer

    An old, red building stands tall and proud in the heart of New Sharon. It is located right on the corner of Route 2 and Water Street, next to the Sandy River Farm Supply store. Deb Kendall has owned the building for around 23 years. Although the building wasn’t always a thrift store, the three story building has now become an important factor in Kendall’s life. In the 1860’s the building used to be a boot and shoe shop that was powered by the nearby Sandy River with a water wheel. Now, upon entering Kendall’s New Sharon Thrift, you are greeted with the same antique charm that existed in the 1800’s, with original wooden floors, rustic windows, and the fully intact water wheel that once powered the building.

    From various furniture items to cookware, jewelry, and other knick-knacks, the store is brimming with both beautifully new and old affordable items. 

   “I’ve always wanted a thrift store,” said Kendall. She has always enjoyed spending her time thrifting wherever she goes. “I’m on the road a lot…I kind of know the spots now. I’ve always been a thrift store shopper,” said Kendall. 

    Although the store is located outside of Farmington, Kendall hopes to extend her business to the college community. “I think I have a lot of really good stuff here,” said Kendall, “Something for everyone.” She has three giant rooms filled with copious amounts of affordable furniture and other household items that would be perfect for college students moving in to, or living in, college apartments around town. She gets quite a few regulars, and sees people of all ages enter her store, but thus far has yet for someone to not be excited about something she has to offer.

   Kendall’s favorite items to pick up and sell are lamps and mirrors. Although mirrors are cheap to make, new ones are expensive to buy, and for half the quality. Kendall takes pride in picking up beautifully crafted mirrors that she can sell for an affordable price. 

(Photo courtesy of New Sharon Thrift Facebook page)

    Another popular item in her store right now are miniature stools. “A lot of people like to buy them to put their plants on. Plants are really popular right now,” said Kendall.

    Kendall likes to keep her items vintage, including shutters she has displayed on her front porch. “I don’t like to mess with anything too much…such as these shutters, if I were to paint them, then I would have to sell them for more,” said Kendall, “I like to sell things affordably and let people get creative on their own.” 

    As styles fade in and out, each item serves different purposes to different people at different times. “When people ask me what something is, I like to tell them it’s whatever you want it to be!”

   As of right now the New Sharon Thrift is only open on Saturdays, for Kendall feels her life is too busy at this point in time to religiously keep it open every day. In the future, she hopes to solely focus on her store and be open more days a week. “Sometimes if I’m doing something in the store I’ll open up for a couple hours,” said Kendall. If someone can’t catch the store open at a good time, she is reachable through messaging on her Facebook page, New Sharon Thrift, where she is more than willing to accommodate those who would like to check out her store on 4 Water Street in New Sharon on their own time.

    Kendall is willing to extend the offer to anyone who would like to stop by her store, if they mention having read this article, that they are qualified to receive five dollars off any purchase at New Sharon Thrift.