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Articles by Sheila McCombs
Stag Spotlight: Jenna Schlatter
There is no shortage of big things happening for the Fairfield University Cheerleading Team. Two weeks ago, they traveled to Austin with the Fairfield women’s basketball team to the first round of the March Madness tournament. In eight days, the cheerleaders will attend the College National Cheerleading Tournament in Daytona, Fla. for their first time as a nationally competitive team. But one of the biggest bright spots of the team has to be Jenna Schlatter.
The Mirror Radio Ep. 4
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Opinion: Who Will Win Super Bowl LVI? Original
Sheila: Playoff season in the National Football League has shocked me this last month. If you have been following any of the games recently you know that the level of drama has been incredibly high, with a lot of very close games and shocking eliminations. If you had asked me a month ago who would be in the Super Bowl my answer would not have included the Los Angeles Rams or the Cincinnati Bengals but here we are.
Remembrance of Musical Theatre Legend Stephen Sondheim
Throughout my life, I have always loved musical theater. My parents were huge theater people and every year for Christmas I got tickets to a broadway show. Following this, I performed in shows during middle school and high school, which are all some of my most cherished memories. All of these connections help to make sense of why I cannot stop thinking about the legacy of Stephen Sondheim, who passed away at the age of 91 on Nov. 26.
Sheila’s Perfect Pumpkin Bread
Ok, it is Thanksgiving day and you are trying to figure out what to make for dessert. You already have a cooking marathon ahead of you, and the thought of making a complicated pie or cake is physically impossible. This pumpkin bread recipe comes in just for this moment. It is easy, quick to make, all while still having all of the great fall flavors of Thanksgiving that you need on your table. I also think that something simple like bread is more palatable to people who have been eating all day.
Opinion: The NFL Season Has Been Full of Surprises
Can you believe that we are already halfway through the 2021 season for the National Football League? I feel like just yesterday I was turning on my TV to watch the kickoff between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys. This season has been filled with twists and turns, and it already looks so different from when we started two months ago. Though it is so upsetting to even think about the season winding down, this is the perfect time to reevaluate my predictions for the season.
Battle of the Holidays: Which Has Better Music? Christmas.
Picture this; you are sitting on your couch in your matching holiday pajama set, trying to figure out which Christmas movie to watch. There are cookies in the oven and it is snowing outside, all while the soothing voice of Michael Bublé plays in the background. Now, tell me that what I just described doesn’t sound like the perfect night?
Social Media Spotlight: Tik Tok!
I am not proud to admit that I was one of those people who refused to get a Tik Tok account when the app first began to get popular at the end of 2019. All of my friends were talking about the platform and sending me videos from it, but I refused to get involved. I couldn’t imagine what could be so amazing about another social media platform that to me seemed to just be a different version of Vine.
Mirror Radio Show Ep. 3
Listen to episode 3 of The Mirror Radio Show now! Listen to Managing Editor Toby and Sports Editor Tommy go through the articles of the week and talk about what goes into putting out the sports section! Broadcasting live from WVOF every Wednesday night at 7, and posted weekly on our website!
What Are The Best Sports Documentaries?
My love for the niche genre that is sports documentaries holds no bounds. There is something so different about combining the cinematic element of filmmaking with the real-life excitement of sports that make for the best viewing experience. It has always been my favorite thing to watch, so as you can imagine, I have seen a lot of different movies and shows alike that fall within this category.
Double The Fun: Food And Fundraising!
Picture this. It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and you are standing on Jennings Beach at a food truck festival. Tell me that does not sound like a dream come true and I will 100 percent call you a liar. I was lucky enough to get to attend the Food Truck Festival on Sunday, Oct. 3 which was hosted in benefit of the Fairfield Public Library. Since there were about 15 trucks there, I didn’t get to try food from all of them.
The Fairfield Mirror
The Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team has won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship for the last four years in a row and they show absolutely no signs of slowing down. This year gets even more exciting with the reintroduction of a fall schedule or “fall ball” for the Stags, which is something that they were not able to have last year due to COVID restrictions. Ahead of their first game of the fall on Sunday Oct.
Mirror Radio Show Ep. 2
Listen to the second week of The Mirror Radio show now! Here our editor in chief, Molly Lamendola, and our news editors, Madison Gallo and Maddy West, talk about the stories of the week and go over what goes into putting out the paper. Broadcasting live from WVOF every Wednesday night at 7, and posted weekly on our website! 384 total views, 121 views today
Being Back on Campus Brings Excitement
Looking around campus these last three weeks, I am continuously shocked by how many students I see walking around. Ever since we shifted to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have become totally unfamiliar with actually being on campus. Doing things like, going to class and other activities that had been part of my everyday life during the first half of my time here at Fairfield, now feel foreign.
The Fairfield Mirror
It is finally the most wonderful time of the year. For some people fall means pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween, but for me and all of the other football fans, it can mean even more: that perfect time of year when college and professional football both seem to be on whenever you want. College football always brings a special kind of magic, and I am so excited to see teams from across the National Collegiate Athletic Association back in action.
Met Gala 2021: The Best and The Worst
The Met Gala is back, and everything is once again right in the world. Every year the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds a fundraiser for their costume institute. The event is based around a themed exhibit and celebrities from all walks of entertainment attend in outrageously amazing outfits that work with the theme of the exhibit. The event, which has been held since 1948, is hosted by Vogue magazine, along with having multiple celebrity co-hosts.
March Madness and Female Athletics' Lack of Recognition
The end of March is enough to bring a tear to any sports fan’s eye as one of the most watched sporting events in the world comes to an end. March Madness is one of the great unifiers in terms of college sports and I was so sad when this tournament came to an end. Through this one tournament alone the National Collegiate Athletic Association makes about 850 million dollars in TV rights, making it the most profitable event that they put on all year.
Four New Book Recommendations
As spring and summer begin to roll around, the world of book publishing always comes abuzz with new releases for the season. I love reading, but I never have as much time during my busy semesters. To fill my non-reading hiatus, I research what new books are coming out, and I compiled a list of which ones I want to read over the summer.
Time to Open Elementary and Middle Schools!
There have been a multitude of topics in the news about COVID-19 and school closures, and no shortages of opinions either. Lately I have been reading and thinking about young kids and what impact this prolonged period of distanced learning is going to have on their education overall. As an aspiring teacher and current education student here at Fairfield, this topic has been deeply discussed in all of my education classes since last spring.
Swift Takes Back Control
One of the fundamental parts of my personality is my absolute love for Taylor Swift, and I have never been shy about admitting this fact to almost anyone who will listen. So, these last couple of months of surprise albums, with the release of “Folklore” in July and “Evermore” in December of 2020, have been great for me. When I heard that she was finally going to begin the process of re-releasing albums and was releasing her recording of “Love Story” on Feb. 12, I was so excited.
The Sweet Joys of Baking
The joys of baking have taken over social media since the beginning of quarantine in March and I, for one, couldn’t be happier! I have been a baker since high school, but since college I haven’t really had the time. Most years I haven’t even had a kitchen to bake as much as I wanted to.
Songs to Get You in the Study Mood
I have always made listening to music an essential part of my study and homework routine. I am sadly not one of those people who can listen to nothing at all and remain focused, especially now that most of the schoolwork I’m doing is self-directed. This is even more true during the “Study in Place” period on campus. Odds are, you and your roommates are spending even more time studying in the same space.
The Fairfield Mirror
Catherine Santangelo, Julia Lanzillotta, Molly Lamendola and Sheila McCombs 1. What was your experience like starting the semester from home? Julia: It was not as easy as starting off in-person and ending online. It feels strange not being able to make a personal connection with a professor, and I certainly feel less engaged than in previous semesters, but we’re making it work! Catherine: I moved in during Phase I, so I was actually able to start the semester at school.
The 4 x 5 | The Fairfield Mirror
Catherine Santangelo, Julia Lanzillotta, Molly Lamendola and Sheila McCombs I. Do you prefer to take finals remotely, or in person? Julia: Neither. Both are absolutely dreadful! Catherine: I agree with Lanz! I would rather not have to take finals at all. Sheila: I wish we got to take them in person, it’s so hard to focus at home! Molly: I only enjoy elaborate dioramas with lots of glitter. II. When do you think the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines will come out in the United States?
A Christmas Wishlist for Every Book Lover!
Here we are once again dear Mirror readers, my favorite time of year: the holiday season. Now, you may be struggling with what to give your loved ones this unusual holiday season, so I am here to introduce you to the perfect gift: books. There is truly nothing more adaptable to anyone’s personality than gifting a book because you can always find something for anyone on your list.
A Recipe for the Perfect "Friendsgiving"
While I have always loved Thanksgiving, I have never been able to host a friendsgiving. It has always seemed like too much work or that too much skill was needed to pull it off. It also always felt like everyone was too busy for an entire day devoted to cooking, cleaning and eating.
Power to the People
This year has been defined by so many things: COVID-19, the confluence of insane events and, of course, the presidential election. As this campaign season finally comes to an uncertain end on Nov. 3, it will be remembered as one of the most historical elections, probably of our lifetime. One of the things that marked this election was the overwhelming amount of voter turnout and civic engagement, on a record breaking scale.
Editorial Board: "Looking Past This Election Season"
Election season is rapidly coming to a close, as millions of people have already voted early or by mail, and millions more will continue to do so until Nov. 3. This election has been high stakes from the onset, and this frantic energy grows everyday that we get closer to it being over. The 2020 election has also been a story of chaos and outrageous moments from the onset. This was shown in the first presidential debate on Sept. 29.
Technology + Sports = Fun
A couple of months back, the very concept of live sports returning, even with no live audience, seemed like a pipe dream. Now, we have all of the major sports back and playing, and we even had the first day ever where all four of the top sports in the United States played (football, baseball, basketball and hockey). Back when the world of sports was just beginning to come back from their abrupt stop in March, I read an incredible article in the New York Times called, “Sports Have Been on Pause.
Summer Reads to Bring into Fall
As the seasons begin to change, many things change with it. Fall comes to usher summer, and all of the elements that make the season what it is, away, including beach days, sunburns and many more amazing things. For me, this seasonal change has always signaled the end of one important thing: summer reading. In the summer, I have seemingly unlimited time to read for fun, and I take full advantage of this by reading as much as I can.
Q & A: Senior Spotlight With Meagan Morelli
Meagan Morelli ‘21 is a guard on the Fairfield University women’s basketball team, and is currently looking forward to her last season as a Stag. After the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament ended so abruptly due to COVID-19 on March 12 of this year, and the Stags had made it to the semi-finals, Morelli is eager to get her next shot at the championship. Despite her final season looking much different than what she imagined, she remains full of optimism and a love for her team.
Reality TV Tries to Social Distance
Reality television is as American as baseball and apple pie. People cannot seem to get enough of watching people cry and scream at each other on television. This is showcased in the truly amazing number of reality shows available on cable and streaming services these days. I am one of these people who loves reality television. I am not the least bit ashamed to admit it! For obvious reasons, this year reality television is going to need to change, and every show is taking to this change differently.
The Restaurant Struggle is Real
The world around us had changed irreversibly. This is a realization that has been hard for me to come to terms with over the past six months, but it is one that has brought me significant peace as well. There is no way around this fact, but it can give you hope if you look at it the right way. This is how I felt when reading the New York Times article entitled “How to Save Restaurants” by one of my favorite chefs and food writers, Priya Krishna.
NFL Season's Kickoff Stirs Up Excitement
The National Football League is back! I have been screaming this to anyone who will listen because I couldn’t be more excited! I love professional football, and the prospect of a canceled season this fall had me so sad during the entire off-season. I was so desperate for NFL content that I watched all three nights of the virtual draft, which I have detailed further in my piece in the opinion section from last year.
4 x 5- June 17, 2020
Catherine Santangelo, Colleen Vann, Julia Lanzillotta and Sheila McCombs I. The school has finally announced that we will be returning to campus in the fall! What are you most excited to do, upon your return to Fairfield?
A Letter to Future Students
Catherine Santangelo, Julia Lanzillotta and Sheila McCombs Dear Class of 2024, Welcome to Fairfield University! During your time here as a Stag you will meet remarkable professors, make lifelong friends and grow into the best version of yourself. I implore you to make the most of this unique opportunity and take advantage of all that Fairfield has to offer.
Our Favorite Food Stops for your First-Year!
One of the best parts about having Fairfield be your new home is the amazing restaurants in the town around campus. There truly is some of the best food in the world (at least in my opinion) right next door.
Resources to Support the Fight for Change
As protests break out around the country in reaction to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. on May 25, many are left wondering what they can do to provide support and assistance to the movement. There are so many ways to show as much support as you are able to provide; this list is just a starting point for those looking for a way to reach out and help. There is no substitute for action, and no amount of help is too small.
Football Fans Desperately Yearn the Return of their Favorite Sport
It may come as a shock to most people who meet me, but I am a huge football fan. I have loved it since I was a kid, back when my father used to tell people that I would be the first left-handed quarterback at Notre Dame (despite the fact that I am right-handed). While I’ll watch college football, my biggest love has always been the National Football League. I follow the Dallas Cowboys religiously (even though I am from New York), both in season and during the off season.
4 x 5- April 29, 2020
Catherine Santangelo, Colleen Vann, Julia Lanzillotta and Sheila McCombs I. We made it to the last issue of the semester! What is a message you have for the staff who were faced with the challenges of adjusting to their position at The Mirror while also having to acclimate to remote schooling? Julia: I am so impressed with how this staff has seamlessly transitioned to working online.
Tiger King Take Two: An Update in Madness
I read a tweet the other day that said something similar to, “When this quarantine is over, you will definitely be able to convince me that ‘Tiger King’ was a mass hallucination.” We have talked about Tiger King as a newspaper before, but we couldn’t just give this show only a little bit of coverage. I have not seen anything else that really encompasses the crazy energy that this show has in all of the media coverage that it has been given.
The Fairfield Mirror
Catherine Santangelo, Colleen Vann, Julia Lanzillotta and Sheila McCombs I. Do you think that the Office of Study Abroad should refund deposits even if the program continues as scheduled, to account for people who may no longer feel comfortable going abroad Julia: Absolutely. I am becoming increasingly anxious about my program in Italy for the spring of 2021.
Music is the Ultimate Form of Love
Mirror readers, I really pondered over what to write about for our Ed Board column this week. There is so much content out there, and it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed or worry that there isn’t any more to say. Then, I just thought of something that makes me happy, that I could share with you all to maybe give you some happiness. Something that has always brought me a lot of joy is music, and more specifically making playlists.
Catch a Break with these Captivating Chefs!
So, dear readers, here we are, all stuck inside with oodles of free time. Everything is weird and scary, but let’s look on the bright side! You can finally do all the things you never had time to do, like start a new hobby, read that book that everyone is talking about or if you are like me, get caught up on all of the TV shows you missed.
The Fairfield Mirror
Catherine Santangelo, Colleen Vann, Julia Lanzillotta and Sheila McCombs I. Have you taken up new hobbies or rekindled any old ones with all this free time at home? Julia: I have been reading a lot more and recently renewed my subscription to The New York Times! It’s nice to get back into reading every single day rather than relying on live broadcasted news so much.
Pilot Pete In For a Crash Landing
It is one of the saddest times of the year: the end of this season of “The Bachelor.” Now it will be another couple of months before ABC’s Bachelor content picks up with a new season of “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise,” and I couldn’t be sadder. Bachelor Monday is treated as an event with the utmost importance to me and my friends, and I never want it to end. However, that is the way these things go and I just have to accept it.
Fine Things to Eat Listening to 'Fine Line'
1: “Golden” This song is the perfect vibe to go into a first date with, so it only makes sense to pair it with a first date food. For me, I think that the ideal food for a first date is sushi because it is quick, easy to eat and not messy. Of course, the most important part of a first date is confidence! 2: “Watermelon Sugar” You are at a summer barbeque and this song comes on, and the moment is perfect. It is hot, you are getting sunburned but you are still having a great time.
Bon Appétit: Changing What It Means to Be a Magazine
So, dear readers, last week I was sick with an upper respiratory infection and did absolutely nothing but lay down for about five days. During this time, the amount of media that I usually consume went way up, from movies, TV and so many YouTube videos. I was kind of lonely and miserable because I was sick, but I found the perfect thing to make me feel better: Bon Appetit videos on YouTube. I don’t think I am overstating by saying that I think I watched every single video on the whole channel.
Broaden Your Knowledge with Nonfiction Novels
I have made it very clear in this paper that I love books. There is nothing that makes me happier than two things: reading a good book and recommending books to others. I know that my taste in books, characterized by the phrase “I’ll read anything with words,” may be too broad for some people. So, in this article I am focusing on one genre: nonfiction.
Halsey's Newest Album is "Manic"
I am going to be honest with you, readers. I love Halsey. I have loved her since she released “Badlands” back in 2015. Does that mean my article reviewing her new album “Manic,” released on Jan. 17, is going to be a little biased? I mean, yeah. However, I promise to try and do my best to remain objective! To me this album felt like Halsey showing off the range of talents she has amassed in terms of both style and songwriting over the last five years of being a major star.
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