Mar 30, 2018 | Feature |
By Emilee Eustis Contributing Writer
Zackary Lavoie is a pickleball master, a heavenly singer, the owner of a guinea pig named Gerald, and now a pu-
2017 Graduate Zack Lavoie published his first chapbook in early 2018.(Photo courtesy of Zack Lavoie
blished writer. The UMF graduate is making waves in the business of poetry writing with his recently released chapbook Upheavals.
Though Lavoie majored in English, his interest has always been in poetry. “I find a lot of beauty in the brevity of [poetry],” said Lavoie. “It forces one to read intensely, and I think that is a great thing.”
Today, Lavoie works as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Specialist Editor for a global platform and edits documents for those whose language is not primarily English. But when Lavoie is not editing, he is feverishly working on his poetry.
During Lavoie’s time at UMF, he was awarded with the Alice James Books Director’s Chair Fellowship, which gave the benefits of working one-on-one with publishers to strengthen his skills. Like many successful writers, Lavoie’s publication did not come without struggles.
“Grammar plays a different sort of role in the book. Capitalization, spacing, and even spelling all shift and wobble, and letting that happen is difficult,” Lavoie said, “Sort of like holding the leash of an angry, out of control, ten-thousand-pound dog.”
Through his journey, Lavoie has made many connections to remind him that the struggles are worth the outcome. “I’ve been lucky enough to meet some really wonderful poets, editors, and other incredibly influential folks while writing Upheavals,” said Lavoie. After two years of meeting and greeting, long editing processes, and publication work, Lavoie’s chapbook Upheavals has made it to print – but his work does not end there.
Lavoie has much to celebrate, but he understands that work cannot always be perfect. Lavoie quickly learned that it is easy to become “to
Zack Lavoie’s chapbook, “Upheavals.” (Photo courtesy of Zack Lavoie)
o poetic” and let a poem become bigger than it should.
“It’s important to remember to be observant, and sometimes that means narrowing your focus to little moments,” Lavoie said. But Lavoie also realizes the boundaries that poetry can challenge, and said, “It’s our jobs as poets to translate it.”
Lavoie has poems online and in print in Empty Mirror Magazine, OCCULUM Journal and Dirty Paws Poetry Review, with his next piece waiting to be published in the Longleaf Review. As for more books, Lavoie said he has a manuscript for a full length that is being worked on, but it is “still in infancy.”
On April 12th, Lavoie will be attending a reading at the Farmington Public Library with Jeffrey Thomson, a UMF poet and professor, and another UMF grad, Audrey Gidman.
Copies of Lavoie’s chapbook can be purchased online at Amazon, online and in-stores at Barnes & Noble, at the Farmington Public Library, and on his website zackarylavoie.com.
Mar 25, 2018 | News |
By Jeremy Austin Contributing Writer
In the spirit of forging strong, beneficial relationships between members of the LGBT community and its allies, senior Matthew Wyman will be hosting a workshop titled, “How Do You Ally?”
Wyman, a gay and transgender member of the community, spoke of why he chose to host an event like this. Wyman said, “I find a lot of people who really want to help and want to be good allies, and they’re like, ‘I have absolutely no idea of how to do that.’” He continued by saying that he finds the problem most often is not that people do not want to help – they simply do not know how, and/or are scared to ask.
As the secretary of the Rainbow League and an advocate at the Health Center, Wyman was inspired to put on an event like this based off of a workshop a fellow Rainbow League board member attended in Washington, D.C., which had an allyship component also titled “How Do You Ally?” Wyman then wondered what they were teaching folks, and decided to host an event of his own on campus.
One of the most common misconceptions, according to Wyman, is that many consider being an ally an identity, when it’s a role best expressed with actions. Wyman mentioned that this can actually cause harm, as “allyship is rooted in action – it’s something you do, it’s not something you are, because if it’s something you are, then the problem is there’s this thought that it can’t get better.”
Wyman went on to say that one cannot critique someone for who they are, and if allyship is considered an identity then constructive criticism may be deflected. “I want people to be really good allies,” said Wyman. “I’ve seen good people fall into the pitfalls of allyship, and that can get really sticky.”
Another topic Wyman wants to cover in the workshop is what do when someone messes up. The topic of misgendering came up, and Wyman commented, “When you’re in a play and you mess up a line, you don’t stop the whole show. You don’t want to disrupt what you’re doing.”
Wyman also said he wanted to take the fear out of being an ally, and explained that, “a lot of people are paralyzed by the fear of being a [bad] ally. It’s OK if you mess up in not doing – It’s just good to be helpful.”
Wyman spoke of “ally theater” or “performative allyship,” which Wyman said was more about the “attention, and the honor, and the ‘A stands for Ally!’ kind of people. But when push comes to shove, you see the badge, but you don’t see them doing anything else.”
Wyman described the event as a “Frankenstein”, as he piled together resources from both the Health Center and The Rainbow League. “I hope a bunch of people show up,” said Wyman, “because I’ve been working on this for weeks and I’m very excited.”
The workshop, which will involve a slideshow, presentation and interactive elements, will be held on March 26th and 29th in The Landing from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Mar 2, 2018 | Exclusive |
By Emily Thibodeau Contributing Writer
The Student Senate has plans to “brighten” campus up as they have been working to improve lighting on campus. Stephen Riitano, the Vice-President of the Student Senate, recently met with Jeff McKay, head of Facilities, to talk about lighting improvements.
Riitano and McKay discussed lighting options and later put out a survey for students. The survey asked students’ opinions on the lighting and where more lighting is needed. Out of the 30 responses reported, a majority suggested improvement at the walkway to the Emery Community Arts Center, the Admission Courtyard and a light shining down on the Mantor Green.
UMF students are worried about the lack of lighting at certain locations across campus. (Photo by Eryn Finnegan)
“Facilities has planned to update the spaces listed above and many others,” Riitano said. “Facilities work out of a ‘Green Fund’ that was established to update the campus and make it more efficient. Student Senate’s Student’s Rights and Affairs Committee (SRAC) is tackling the issue.”
SRAC members include Chair Stephen Riitano, Senator Sudeep Stable, Senator Nathan McIvor and Senator Samuel O’Neal. SRAC is currently proposing a plan to the Student Senate General Assembly and waiting for approval.
When asked about the timeline of this project, Riitano said, “The hope is that when the money is transferred to Facilities, they will start making the upgrades and improvements when the ground thaws. Some exterior and interior lights that are affixed to buildings may be done sooner. However, Facilities has a long to-do list, and I am unable to pinpoint an exact timeframe for when this would be done. My hope is that some improvements and upgrades are made this spring or summer.”
When interviewing UMF students, a main concern was if the new lighting would be energy efficient. Riitano said, “the lights will be much more energy efficient and save the campus in lighting costs.”
In regards to the budget, Riitano commented that it costs anywhere from $200-$600 to replace and/or update the current fixtures. “The idea is to make the campus safer, listen and act according to student requests, and to leave a lasting legacy for the campus and Student Senate for the 2017-2018 school year,” he said.
Public Safety student worker Talon Hutchinson, a Sophomore Anthropology major at UMF, was interviewed about the lighting on campus. Public Safety is often walking around at night to motioner the campus, check that doors are locked and offer their escort service. The escort service is to “help people feel safe while being walked safely somewhere,” Hutchinson, who worked this service last year, said it was used almost every night.
In Hutchinson’s opinion, “Lots 21 and 22 [freshman parking on Prescot Street] don’t have enough lighting.” Hutchinson also said that the crosswalks in front of Mallet and the Student Olsen center need to be better lit at night.
First-year student Ella Russell commented that “Walking back alone from the FRC parking lot at night is scary.” Russell suggests more outdoor lighting should be installed near the parking lots of campus.
Mar 2, 2018 | News |
By Sara Lamb Contributing Writer
The University of Maine at Farmington Men’s basketball team boasts a nine game winning streak as their season comes to a close. The men’s team came into th
Billy Ruby returned to compete in the conference semifinals. (Photos Courtesy of UMF Athletics)
e North Atlantic Conference (NAC) in 5th place as they headed into the semifinal round of playoffs at New England college after Defeating the Thomas Terriers 92-83 at the quarterfinals.
Although the team fell short of the final match with a score of 71-56, they had a season for the record books, winning 14 of their 26 games and beating the top two teams in the conference. Alan Young, a Junior forward, called their nine game winning streak “a great confidence booster for us.”
Prior to the game, Eric Berry, a Senior captain of the team, said in an email interview, “We’re peaking at the perfect time. We have high confidence, and now we just have to win three more.” Berry said the team was hopeful that they could win it all because they had beaten the top two teams.
Berry said that it felt good to be the captain of a tight-knit group of guys who all got along and shared a unifying goal. Berry took it upon himself to personally prepare for the first playoff game.
“I [was] watching film of the opposing team, getting treatment from the athletic trainers, and getting shots and practicing,” Berry said.
Young expressed that the sport will always be important to him no matter what.
“I have played my whole life and I’ve worked very hard to get to where I’m at,” Young said. “Basketball is a sport that has made me a more competitive and successful person and I owe that to the sport.”
Dick Meader is the head coach of the men’s basketball team and has achieved success with the team over seasons.
Dick Meader is the head coach of the Men’s Basketball team and has coached at UMF for 25 seasons. In that time, Meader has brought close to 20 of his teams to the playoffs and has won the North Atlantic Conference championship once in 2010. When asked about the game plan for the first playoff game, Meader said, “nothing really different except we got a couple guys back.” Meader is referring to the return of players Billy Ruby and Amir Moss, who were in better shape than when they played the Thomas Terriers.
Meader added that the Men’s Basketball team is “a group of guys that are very unselfish, and it’s fun to watch them play. They work hard in practice trying to get better, they do what you ask them to do, and it’s just a good group of guys, good students. It’s always fun.”
Mar 2, 2018 | News |
By Richard Southard Contributing Writer
UMF will be holding its annual Dean’s List Reception, an event that will congratulate the academic achievements of first year and transfer students in March. The event is specifically held to honor those who made the Dean’s List during their first semester, and encourage further success in their upcoming semester.
Lori Soucie, the coordinator for the reception, commented in an email interview that the event has value from an education perspective. “A well-known formula for success in higher education is high achievement in the first semester. Students who are successful in their first semester are often successful thereafter.” The reception is an opportunity to celebrate new student’s academic achievement.
While UMF certainly honors Dean’s List recipients, the way it affects the lives of students can vary. Second-year Creative Writing major Sylvia Schulze, who has been on the Dean’s List since her first semester, commented that its effects on her work effort are neutral.
“It’s kind of a personal goal,” Schulze said. “It motivates me a bit, but I’m more self-motivated.”
Schulze values the Dean’s List as a goal, but does not let the idea of it cause any stress. “If I don’t get it, it’s no big deal to me,” Schulze said, who did not hear about the event during freshman year.
Third-year Health major Bethany Berger holds a similar opinion towards the Dean’s List. “I think being on it in high-school kind of set up the expectation, but took away all the excitement.” Berger said. “I don’t ever aim to be on it or check to make sure I’m on track for it.”
Berger still sees value towards the Dean’s list, and said “If I’m not on it at the end of the semester, I feel like I should’ve tried harder, and I’m a bit disappointed.” Berger did not attend the Dean’s List Reception during her first year.
Creative Writing professor Patricia O’Donnell stated in an email interview that the Dean’s List is a good way to honor student effort. “I think the Dean’s List is a congratulations to students,” O’Donnell wrote. “They should be proud to see their name there, a sign that they worked hard and were given this honor.”
While O’Donnell sees the Dean’s List as a valuable honor, it does not shape her expectations for students in any specific ways. “Sometimes students are very bright and creative, but have rough semesters.” O’Donnell said. “It happens. Other times they pull together and make the Dean’s List. I expect good work from all of my students.
The event will also introduce students to groups such as Student Leadership, the Honors Program, Career Services, and Alpha Lamda Delta, who along with faculty and staff, will be providing information on various academic, leadership and experiential opportunities.
“This event is an opportunity to celebrate students’ success and to show them opportunities at UMF that may attract their interests,” Soucie said.
The reception is being held on March 6th at 5:30 p.m. in the North Dining Hall. If you qualify and are interested in attending, contact lori.soucie@maine.edu for more information and to RSVP.
