Originally formed as “Corazón de Dahlia” to aid children in Peru, the organization was restructured in 2020 because the COVID-19 pandemic caused issues with contributing to a Peruvian community center, and Corazoncitos was born. They then shifted their focus to address more local issues. Dana Diaz, Corazoncitos’ events coordinator and a junior majoring in English, shared how the organization connects with the community.

“We also emphasize that everyone is welcomed and is essential to our organization’s mission statement,” Diaz wrote. “We also strive to create an inclusive environment on campus by hosting general body meetings every Wednesday, community service events and other collaborations!”

Since then, Corazoncitos has created an inclusive environment — and this year is no different. The organization’s biggest event of the semester is “Mis Quince con Cora,” inspired by the quinceañera tradition practiced across several Latin American countries that honor and celebrate a young woman’s coming of age at 15.

“Mis Quince con Cora” will bring a piece of Latin American culture to the campus community, celebrating Latine culture with lively music and heartfelt moments to foster connections between the organization and the community. It will feature performances from other student organizations, an amazing menu and interactive activities for guests to enjoy.

This year’s theme is “Mariposa,” meaning butterfly in English. Norysa Nelms, the organization’s president and a senior double-majoring in political science and Latin American and Caribbean Area studies, explained the theme’s origin.

“First, it plays on the symbolism of a butterfly, a metamorphosis similar to the one honored in the traditional quince,” Nelms wrote. “Secondly, it honors our nonprofit this semester: Mariposa DR. This nonprofit organization is based in Cabarete, DR that aims to end generational poverty through providing a safe space for the empowerment of girlhood through recreational activities, educational programs, and mental health resources for Haitian and Dominican girls ages 6-16 on the island.”

Last year, Corazoncitos raised around $1,300 for Acomer PR, a nonprofit that raises awareness of food insecurity in Puerto Rico, and around $2,400 for the “Adopt a Family” program at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital in collaboration with the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program and the Men of Color Scholastic Society. This year, Corazoncitos has raised over $1,000 through constant fundraising efforts, the most popular of which was a recent tres leches sale.

At the end of the semester, all proceeds from “Mis Quince con Cora” will be donated to Mariposa DR.

Corazoncitos does constant outreach and holds collaborations with other multicultural organizations, including the Latin American Student Union, Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate, the Society of Hispanic and Professional Engineers, the Asian Student Union and the Dominican Student Association. These events ranged from discussing women’s empowerment and educational meetings on cancer disparities among minorities to more interactive and hands-on events like Paint and Sips. This semester, they have even more exciting collaborations and events planned for students to enjoy.

Following the recent presidential election, Corazoncitos has met with other multicultural organizations on campus to discuss how the recent executive orders have begun to impact the Latin American community. The organization held an informational meeting with LASU, Candela: Latin Dance Club and Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier, and they co-sponsored a rally and march against deportation earlier this month.

Nelms said that despite a significant rise in hostility toward the Latin American community, Corozoncitos will continue to support its community.

“We do not plan on ceasing our political advocacy, we will continue to use our platform and influence as a multicultural organization to inform people on these issues,” Nelms wrote. “We vow to keep our events and general body meetings as a supportive, safe space for any and all who have been affected by the recent political events.”

This includes popular dances like Merengue, Bachata and Salsa and lesser-known dances like Huapango, a Mexican folk dance performed by couples, and Punta, a Central American dance. The organization is always looking to incorporate new styles to expand the diverse and varied range of Latin dances.

Melissa Sanchez, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law who serves as Candela’s president, shared the organization’s impact on her cultural experience.

“Candela has truly become my safe space at Binghamton,” Sanchez wrote in an email. “Coming to a PWI on my own was intimidating — I was scared I wouldn’t find a place where I belonged. I was first introduced to Candela during a cumbia workshop in my first semester. Coming from an Ecuadorian family, I wasn’t exposed to many Latin dance styles growing up, so I was initially shy. However, Candela gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, explore new dance styles, and grow both as a dancer and a leader.”

The organization also hosts monthly socials similar to their general body meetings. The first hour allows for E-Board members to introduce the dance style and teach a choreographed dance, and the second hour is for open-floor social dancing and includes food.

Last October, Candela celebrated “Día de los Muertos” — a Mexican holiday celebrating family and friends who have passed — by hosting a social in collaboration with the Student Association’s vice president for multicultural affairs. In light of the theme, the organization decorated the space with skulls, streamers and glow-in-the-dark accessories and led a reggaeton workshop for the first half of the event.

Afterward, members of the club connected and socialized over drinks and birria tacos catered from Los Tapatios. The vice president for multicultural affairs’ office documented the social to later include in one of their meetings.

In addition to working with the vice president for multicultural affairs, Candela has also collaborated with a variety of organizations to lead their workshops, including the Dominican Student Association, Undivided, the Caribbean Student Association and Quimbamba to encourage students of all backgrounds to experience new styles of dance and culture.

“Someone should join Candela because it’s a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new,” Sanchez wrote in an email. “Dancing isn’t always easy for everyone — some people are shy or feel like they have no experience at all. But Candela is extremely beginner-friendly, and we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and supportive community for all our general body members. It’s also a space to celebrate and explore different cultures while connecting with others who share a love for dance. Plus, dancing is a fun way to relieve stress after class, stay active, and make lasting friendships!”

Candela isn’t about perfecting the right steps or choreography of a dance, said Stephanie Bedon-Cabrera, Candela’s vice president and a senior majoring in biology. She emphasized the importance of creating an inviting community space where students feel comfortable being their authentic selves.

“I still remember when Candela was just an idea, something my friends dreamed up, hoping to create a space where people could dance, connect, and celebrate Latin culture together,” Bedon-Cabrera wrote. “Watching it grow into what it is today has been incredible, but what’s even more special is getting to be a part of it.”

Amanda Monteros, Candela’s secretary and a junior majoring in psychology and art and design, spoke to the valuable and fruitful community created by Candela.

“Candela isn’t just a club — it’s a community where everyone is welcomed and valued,” Monteros wrote in an email. “Whether you have years of dance experience or have never danced before, it’s a space where you can learn, grow, and have fun. It helps build confidence, fosters friendships, and allows students to connect with Latin culture in a meaningful way.

“Beyond dancing, it’s about the memories we create together, the support we give each other, and the sense of belonging that comes with being part of something special,” Monteros added. “If you’re looking for a place where you can express yourself, make new friends, and be part of an incredible team, as well as a group that feels like family, Candela is the perfect choice.”

Nearly two decades later, PULSE is continuing to provide this sanctuary through bonding sessions, informative programs like its annual reproductive rights fair and breast cancer awareness walk, community service, campus leadership initiatives and professional networking events.

At the organization’s core, where these values are tethered, lies “Heartbeat of PULSE Embodied.” Also known as “HOPE,” it is a monthly magazine that the publication coordinator designs to foster meaningful conversations and inform the general body of campus resources and upcoming PULSE events, creating a vibrant platform for diverse voices to be heard and represented.

The publication began in 2011 when Shanel Boyce ‘14, MSW ‘18 amended the organization’s constitution to include the role of publication coordinator. Arlene Arisme ‘14, MSW ‘18, was the first person to take on the role and played a pivotal role in shaping the position into its current form by designing flyers and other materials. From the beginning, HOPE served as a platform for conversations on important social causes, and the first issue showcased this necessity for open dialogue by including a piece that addressed abortion rights from both female and male perspectives.

Arianna Garcia Rasuk, PULSE’s publication coordinator and a junior majoring in environmental science, described what a current “HOPE” publication looks like.

“A typical HOPE Publication is vibrant and engaging, featuring plenty of eye-catching graphics and photos of our e-board and general body members,” Rasuk wrote in an email. “It often includes a Women Who Lead section, highlighting inspiring women in the Binghamton University community who embody our core values. We also cover current events affecting women of color, from health and social issues to fashion trends. Every publication is designed to be both informative and visually appealing.”

In her position, Rasuk brought a new element to the magazine — a PULSE Press section, where the E-Board and interns can discuss and share the media they’ve loved that month. This can include movies, books, TV shows, music and more. By implementing a personal touch to each issue, Rasuk hopes it will continue to strengthen the sisterhood of PULSE and offer an engaging aspect for readers.

“I’ve also incorporated games and dynamic, ever-changing sections to ensure each issue offers a fresh and unique experience of girlhood,” she wrote.

Rasuk said that one of her favorite spreads she put together was the January 2025 issue, which was curated to mimic a sticker book. Described as a personal passion project, the issue reflects an animated and maximalist flair. Readers were invited to learn the fashion history behind Black women on the runway during the 1973 Battle at Versailles fashion show and discover ways to add texture and statement pieces to their personal style.

“I usually brainstorm themes during school breaks and plan my schedule accordingly,” Rasuk wrote. “I draw inspiration from other magazines, especially early 2000s editions, and then gather diverse content to fill each issue — such as artwork, current events, and student shoutouts. Each issue is carefully curated to be engaging, relevant, and reflective of our community.”

For future issues, Rasuk wants to add more interactive elements like quizzes, polls and even reader submissions to elevate the magazine’s connection to its readership. She hopes to further grow this connection by including coverage of issues that affect all women of color from a range of cultural backgrounds and involve them in conversations relating to health, activism and lifestyle goals.

“I want BU students, especially Black women and women of color, to feel seen, inspired, and connected when reading HOPE magazine,” Rasuk wrote. “Whether it’s through highlighting powerful women, discussing current issues, or sharing fun media recommendations, each issue is meant to celebrate our sisterhood and spark meaningful conversations.”

“We aim to create a space where women of color feel included, valued, and always welcomed,” she added. “It can be tough at a predominantly white institution, but HOPE is here as a reminder that we’re stronger when we stick together. Ultimately, I hope it feels like a place where students can learn, reflect, and embrace all the diverse facets of girlhood.”

To find the latest “HOPE” publications, check out the organization’s website.

Over the decades, the organization has evolved into a space for Korean American students to express both their cultural heritage and spiritual identities and is only continuing to grow in its size and cultural diversity.

“While we retain the K(orean-American) in KCF to give homage to our cultural roots, we find beauty in accepting people from all cultural backgrounds to partake in the unity of loving God together,” Mina Lone, the president of KCF and junior majoring in psychology, wrote to Pipe Dream.

BU is home to several Christian organizations, including the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and the Campus Bible Fellowship, which creates a unique ability to collaborate. Specifically, the Korean Baptist Church of Binghamton has needed guest speakers since its search for a new head pastor began, prompting Chaplain Dave Mayner of the Campus Bible Fellowship to volunteer to organize a rotating weekly schedule of local pastors who could serve as temporary speakers.

Bible study leaders currently offering guidance and support include Mayner, Pastor Devon Bartholomew, Pastor Joel Garrison, Pastor Scott Roloson, Pastor Tim Dodd and the Deacon Steering Committee. In addition to working closely with these local religious leaders, KCF collaborates with the Baptist church to provide students with resources and mentorship that help them grow in and live out their faith.

“It’s not a national group — they are specific to Binghamton University,” Mayner said. “They used to not be as tied in with the church, and I kind of encouraged them to get tied in so they’d have some adult oversight.”

Students who need transportation to the Sunday worship services at the church, located at 901 Murray Hill Road, can catch a free van ride from various locations on campus, including near the bus stop by Catskill Hall (12:40 p.m.); Lot L next to Cleveland Hall (12:42 p.m.); the Susquehanna shuttle stop (12:45 p.m.); at the Mountainview College shuttle stop (12:48 p.m.); and by the main entrance of Mohawk Hall facing the University Union (1:00 p.m.). Although the church also offers Sunday services in Korean, the English Ministry worship service for students begins at 1:30 p.m.

Those looking to get involved throughout the week can find weekly prayer nights in Lecture Hall 14 on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and bible studies every Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Classroom Wing 211.

“KCF seeks to be an organization that challenges its students not only in their internal faith, but to also put their faith into action by sharing the love and goodness of God on campus,” Lone wrote. “We welcome all, whether you are an established Christian or someone who is curious to know more about what we believe in.”

KCF will be hosting its largest outreach event of the year, Living Water on March 2 at 6 p.m. in the Mandela Room, with John 7:37-38 as the guiding verse. The event will feature performances, a short sermon and a Q&A to share the Gospel, and last year, the organization saw over 100 attendees.

“Please join us if you’re interested in hearing about how Jesus Christ is not simply a concept, but is the living God who loves and invites everyone to experience the beauty of living life with a purpose and a hope,” Lone wrote.

Earlier this year, Rainbow Pride Union rebranded to an organization focused on fostering queer community and liberation. What sparked this change?

“Rainbow Pride Union has always been a social club for having queer community and celebrating our LGBTQ+ identities. However, we noticed there was a need for a group to educate and inform others on campus about LGBTQ+ rights, especially in the new air of the political climate of the United States. With so much legislation being pushed to oppress LGBTQ+ individuals, we knew that education and speaking on the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ issues and politics would be good for us.”

How has the Rainbow Pride Union blended its roots as both a politically focused with its social element? 

“We are having GBMs in our usual fun fashion. We’ve done record painting and bracelet making, but we also have an educational component. We want people to talk and learn about each other and know that they have support systems, which we know we can also convey through our educational activities, which include PowerPoint presentations and discussions.”

In September, Pipe Dream published a feature on the Rainbow Pride Union to highlight its shift in focus. What political activism has RPU engaged in since this article? 

“We are hosting a meeting with Students for Justice for Palestine to discuss Pinkwashing, and we are making efforts to educate our student body on what they can do to support LGBTQ+ individuals during our GBMs.”

Since the organization’s rebrand, how has the membership of RPU changed, and what do your members take out of joining? 

“We’ve had a lot of new faces pop up and new collaborations. We hope that members take away a new piece of information and leave with more knowledge than they came in with. We’ve already done a few educational events and I’m proud to say people are leading their lives with a more inclusive lens.”

How has the Rainbow Pride Union created a safe space for queer students?

“We recently did an event surrounding Aromantic Awareness Week with bracelet making where we had an open discussion about the stigmas around aro-ace identities. Most people said that they never had the opportunity to discuss their identity and that it made them feel seen! Additionally, we host events that are as simple as a movie showing of a queer film, so that we can promote movies with LGBTQ+ representation.”

Is the Rainbow Pride Union hosting any upcoming events this semester? 

“Our Second Chance Prom, an event for LGBTQ+ students to have a “second chance” at prom is Friday, March 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Old Union Hall. We will have drag performances, photo booths, fun mocktails, a prom court and more! Second Chance Prom is an opportunity for any LGBTQ+ individual to have a safe haven to dress up and express their queer identities. The theme this year is fairytale!”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Follow us on Instagram @rainbowprideunion!”

“Their goal was to create a space where women could prioritize their health and build self-confidence while fostering a supportive community,” wrote Tiffany Ajijola, the organization’s vice president and a senior majoring in biology, in an email. “Through their efforts, they successfully introduced the PGS initiative to Binghamton University, providing a space where students could focus on both their physical well-being and mental empowerment.”

This organization’s main focus is to foster healthy lifestyles, all while building a strong sense of community and friendship among its members.

“We strive to encourage and support women who are embarking on their journeys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no matter how they envision that to look like because we try to touch on more than just the physical aspect of being healthy,” Gianna Peña, the president and a senior majoring in psychology, wrote in an email. “On the Binghamton campus, our goal is to create a safe and motivational environment where women feel comfortable to join our workouts, open discussions, and overall sisterhood.”

Pretty Girls Sweat’s E-Board meets weekly to plan future events and opportunities. Meetings are also a way for members to connect — a central theme at the organization’s core. After getting through the event planning, members can find themselves discussing moments from their day, sharing worries and making jokes, Ajijola said.

“It’s a good mix of getting things done while strengthening our [connection] as a team,” she added. “My favorite part about the E-board meeting is that we always start with the quote of the day and a share, where each of us gets to open up about something personal. It’s a nice way to set the tone for the meeting and help us connect on a deeper level. At the end of the meeting we also share our highs and lows of the week, which gives everyone a chance to reflect and support each-other.”

Popular workshops and events include HIIT — high-intensity interval training — exercises, pilates, yoga and an obstacle course competition last semester called “Survival of the FITtest.” However, fitness is not the only way the organization gets active on campus. They’re also known for hosting their annual Pink Brunch, a tea party-themed event with performances from other student groups and awards to students, alumni and supporters.

The organization is also looking to broaden their horizons. Whether with different approaches, free samples or a simple educational pitch, Pretty Girls Sweat is ready to incorporate new ideas to continue growing. Peña emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming space for women.

“The thing I like to stress the most to prospective members is that you definitely don’t have to eat, sleep, and breathe fitness to be a part of our organization or come to our events,” Peña wrote. “All that matters is that you want to be around a community of like-minded women who want to work towards a healthy and happy life to not only support yourself, but support others as well. I would say we’re a very easy going group who welcomes in any and everyone. So whether you participate in all of our workouts or just one or two a semester, we’re always happy to have you join us.”

A national nonprofit with chapters at over 800 colleges across the U.S. and Canada, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University, ColorStack’s CEO, Jehron Petty, established the organization after recognizing the lack of resources available for minority students in Cornell University’s computer science program. Motivated by Petty’s mission, Julian Ortiz, ColorStack’s founding president and a junior majoring in computer science, saw a need to dedicate a similar space at Binghamton.

“I was a part of ColorStack at the national level and saw the opportunities and community it provided for underrepresented students in tech,” Ortiz wrote in an email. “Once I saw Stony Brook University had a chapter and we didn’t, I knew it was time for us to catch up.”

As ColorStack continued to grow on campus and expand its membership, the Executive Board dedicated itself to reaching even more students and making bigger strides towards ensuring diversity in the technology field.

Janelle Mosquera, ColorStack’s president and a sophomore majoring in environmental science, reflected on her experience being a part of the organization.

“From the moment I joined, I felt welcomed into a supportive community and was supported with networking, professional, and technical development opportunities,” Mosquera wrote in an email. “Being a part of the executive board, I’ve been able to help execute our mission of supporting underrepresented minority students in computer science in the Binghamton community and It’s been such a valuable experience.”

General body meetings and events generally revolve around three themes — technical, professional and social — that promote both skill development in preparation for software-related roles and a sense of belonging among members with shared backgrounds. In the past, ColorStack has hosted interactive coding workshops, guest speaker panels and corporate-sponsored collaborations with representatives from companies like Google.

“Currently, we’re partnered with Bloomberg and Chobani, which has allowed us to provide our members with technical workshop events, networking opportunities, and creating a direct pipeline between them and various tech fields,” wrote Hamid Ajose, the corporate relations chair and a sophomore majoring in computer science. “These connections are crucial because they help bridge the gap between underrepresented students in tech and industry professionals, increasing access to career opportunities.”

With support from Chobani, ColorStack also coordinated their first ever hackathon in September. During the daylong CodeFest, participants were challenged to create projects addressing issues in the larger University community. Winning entries included a website that tracked events around campus in real time and a tailored course recommendation tool that filters through Rate My Professor scores.

“Overall, I’ve focused on helping the organization become more well-rounded by expanding our events, strengthening our community, and ensuring that we’re providing the resources and support students need to succeed,” Mosquera wrote.

Daniela Bloom feels like she’s “truly found a place” within ColorStack as a member and now vice president. Coming to Binghamton as a transfer student from Westchester Community College, ColorStack reached out to Bloom personally and helped her clarify her career ambitions.

“Before transferring, I didn’t have a strong STEM-focused resume, and I had little experience with technical interviews,” wrote Bloom, a junior majoring in computer science. “Through the workshops and networking events we host and collaborate on, I’ve gained the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate the tech industry. I now feel comfortable networking with peers and professionals, and I truly appreciate the opportunities ColorStack has provided me.”

With success stories across the board, ColorStack intends for students to leave with the proficiency to land competitive internships and jobs. However, Mosquera explained that it’s just as important to help inspire the confidence in members needed to take on the industry.

“We hope that students who get involved with ColorStack gain not only valuable professional skills but also a strong sense of community and support,” Mosquera wrote. “We want them to feel empowered in their academic and professional journeys, knowing that they have access to so many opportunities and resources to help them succeed in tech. Ultimately, we hope that students walk away from their involvement feeling more prepared, motivated, and inspired to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry while contributing to a more diverse and inclusive space for future generations.”

The national organization was founded 50 years ago in Los Angeles by civil engineer Rod Garcia as a response to the lack of diversity in engineering. Despite California’s technology boom at the time, Garcia’s workplace was primarily white, which stood in contrast to the rich blend of cultures seen throughout his city, so in response, he gathered Hispanic engineers with similar concerns. Ryan Saco, SHPE’s vice president and a senior majoring in computer engineering, expanded on the organization’s origin story.

“Together, they held meetings in his garage and shared their passions and ideas to contribute to diversifying the STEM field,” Saco wrote in an email. “That was how SHPE was born, and these stories of hispanics feeling lonely and unheard in the STEM field and just working in America, is something that our families and grandparents felt as well, so it is something worth fighting the long fight for.”

At a predominantly white institution, SHPE plays a crucial role in encouraging members of underrepresented groups to thrive in STEM. Janelle Mosquera, a co-fundraising chair and a sophomore majoring in environmental science, described its significance on campus.

“It’s so important to have SHPE at Binghamton University because our organization offers a supportive community for diverse students in STEM fields on campus,” Mosquera wrote in an email. “Historically STEM fields have been known to be dominated by specific demographic groups and with an organization like SHPE, there is more representation, support, and advocacy for those who may not be able to find it elsewhere.”

The organization aims to achieve its goal through hosting events in three primary categories: technical and professional, social, and cultural. Past professional and technical events have included LinkedIn workshops and building a go-kart, while activities like paint and sips, or Jarritos and Dibujitos, encourage connection with the general body and other organizations. On the cultural side, SHPE has hosted events like Loteria game nights and Recuerden su Cultura, where members discussed their own identities during Hispanic Heritage Month.

SHPE recently attended its biggest event where members flew out to Anaheim, California to attend the association’s national convention in November, allowing students to forge connections with like-minded colleagues and network for internships and jobs with top companies from around the world.

“In addition to our mission, we have access to countless alumni and resources from within Binghamton’s chapter as well as scholarships, mentorship, and conferences run by our national organization,” wrote Nicholas Reyes, the president of SHPE and a senior majoring in computer science, in an email. “In fact, our organization very consistently grants full funding to motivated students looking to attend the annual SHPE National Convention, which is the largest gathering of Hispanics in STEM in the country (last year’s convention garnered 15,000+ attendees).”

This semester, SHPE is set to host a soccer tournament and a Women in Stem panel — now called FLAMES — where women will share their advice and experiences from the workforce.

For many, SHPE’s community makes it a home away from home — a family of friends and a network of supporters on campus. The organization stresses that anyone is welcome to join, even if they aren’t Hispanic or a STEM major.

“The people I met here are all so amazing and I don’t see myself disconnecting from these people for a long time,” Saco wrote. “I miss the seniors in SHPE that graduated last year, but I still talk to them and even hang out in the city with them during breaks. I love all the people in this organization, and the great thing is that this organization gives back not only with life-long friendships, but with amazing opportunities to reach my professional goals and dream career.”

Reyes described how the vibrant community that SHPE has built has shaped his college experience academically and personally.

“As I look back on almost 4 years of an undergraduate degree, I’ve come to realize SHPE has been the most impactful thing I could have participated in,” Reyes wrote. “I’ve gained more professional opportunities and grown academically because of SHPE; however, while both of those are nice to have, they are not why I decided to lead and ultimately dedicate so much time to a student organization.”

“The community SHPE offers is unique,” he added. “They are simultaneously the type of people you can pull overnight study sessions with and struggle together with, but also have a good laugh with and enjoy procrastination while it lasts. SHPE is both a professional team and a home away from home. A Familia and a place to help grow into who you want to become.”

Precious Ademokun, the group’s president and one of its music directors, and Chinemerem (Mira) Emenogu, the vice president and another music director, caught up with Pipe Dream, describing the work they’ve done over the past year and some new initiatives and projects the organization has begun.

“When you come to Undivided, because we are multicultural and have so many different cultures within, it’s supposed to be a safe space for everyone,” Emenogu, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law, said in an interview.

The organization was founded in October 2022 to cater to those within the multicultural community who want to share their vocal abilities while focusing on cultural music beyond mainstream genres. Most recently, Undivided members have performed alongside other campus groups like the Black Student Union and Black Dance Repertoire. They also performed singing telegrams on Valentine’s Day.

Expanding their presence off campus, members went to the American Legion at the start of Black History Month to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song often referred to as the Black national anthem. They made an appearance at SHADES’ Sex Carnival on Saturday and said they were looking forward to collaborating with the Charles Drew Minority Pre-Health Society again later this spring.

Ademokun, a sophomore majoring in political science, said one of the organization’s central goals has been to hold a spring showcase so that they could perform numbers they have been working on and improving upon throughout the year. Undivided’s second-ever showcase will be held in Old Union Hall on April 19.

Now that Undivided is fully chartered by the Student Association, a “weight has been lifted” off their shoulders, Ademokun said, adding that the lack of a budget for unchartered organizations can create challenges.

“It means a lot that we’ve taken the [organization] this far, and it shows that we have an impact on the campus, which is really nice,” Ademokun said.

Emenogu said that they were proud to continue the work started by the organization’s founders, especially as sophomores taking on the immense responsibility of leading the group.

Undivided’s social media features a range of segments like “Artist of the Month,” where they feature artists to educate people on the culture surrounding R&B. They now include mashups of two songs by the selected artist and have members sing them, and this month’s featured artists are Coco Jones and Lauryn Hill.

They also have a segment called “Voice Unfiltered,” which sees members moving around to interview different people, asking them questions about music and artists, including their artist of the month. For instance, in the newly released fourth episode, they asked people on campus, “If they could have dinner with three R&B artists, who would they be and why?”

“I feel like this year has really been cementing tradition, because last year a lot of things were done for the first time, and we’re really getting into the groove,” Emenogu said.

Each year embraces a different theme. Following last year’s “Trail We Blaze” campaign, which paid homage to past music and artists, this year’s is “Make Your Mark,” which celebrates individuality. The artists of the month reflect these themes as they choose a new and an old artist to demonstrate how older icons have inspired the work of more modern-day idols.

Emenogu said they do not shy away from approaching people, even strangers, to market their organization. Taking advantage of club fairs and other campus events, they have continued to spread the word about Undivided.

The group ensures everyone feels safe in their space and strives to include R&B-focused education as part of their programming, giving them a unique presence among musical groups on campus, Ademokun added.

“We’re not just a music group — we also try to involve creating community and teaching people about R&B,” Ademokun said.

The club has members comprising their performance group in addition to members who prefer not to perform. Ademokun and Emenogu both emphasized how critical all of their members, 29 now, are to their organization’s success, both onstage and off.

As she works to move the organization forward, Emenogu added that efficiency has grown within the group’s E-Board as they learn to “work together and really move as a machine.” Ademokun reflected on the challenges faced since joining the club as a first-year student, noting that it taught her a lot about forming and building a community. During divided times, both noted the role of music in creating common ground.

“We are a source of unity,” Ademokun said. “And that’s what music has been for a really long time. It’s a method of unification for people.”

The shop, co-founded by Edan Amos, a freshman majoring in business administration, and Milo Raimes, an undeclared freshman, began in early September after the duo bought a $12 espresso machine at the Goodwill NYNJ Store & Donation Center on Vestal Parkway East.

As Binghamton still sees fairly warm days in September, Dichotomy Coffee started as a pop-up shop. Around once a week, Amos and Raimes would set up shop either on the Spine or outside of their dorm building. Their goal was to draw in as many people as they could, and in exchange for coffee, they would ask customers for ways to improve their drinks, experience and branding.

Currently, Dichotomy Coffee is operating out of their dorm room. The setup, all of which fits on a desk, sits to the left of the room’s entryway. Customers are welcome to come in and chat as they have their drinks. Raimes explained the origin of their shop’s name.

“So we were in C4 and there was this guy who was obviously a little bit inebriated, walking past us with his friends and he looked at us cause I was wearing a leather jacket,” Raimes said. “And he said, ‘Wow, the dichotomy of C4 leather jackets.’ And then we were like, ‘wow, Dichotomy Coffee. What a great name.’”

Their marketing, which can best be described as a frenzied and vibrant display of their drinks, speaks to the shop’s mission of creating a visual space in contrast to big corporate coffee chains.

As of now, the shop offers several different coffee roasts and matcha. Drinks can be made hot or iced, and customers can include add-ins such as caramel, mocha and vanilla syrups, whipped cream and milk substitutes.

“We have what’s called a Panda Latte, and we’re trying to make that our signature drink,” Amos said. “It’s brown sugar in the portafilter with coffee, and then you pull that and you basically make a latte. And I think that could catch on. It’s really good. And we found that when we went on a trip to Japan, and I saw it in a cafe there. I was like, we have to provide this.”

Along with their Japan trip sparking new ideas for their business, the duo also have plans to compete in the New York Business Plan Competition. Amos mentioned the help they have gotten from Chou-Yu Tsai, an Osterhout associate professor of entrepreneurship in the School of Management, as well as conversations with Leighton Blackwood ‘21, the founder of 2nd Heaven in the Marketplace who recently reopened the Chroma Cafe & Bakery. [RECENTLY REOPENED: https://www.bupipedream.com/news/chroma-cafe-and-bakery-reopens-in-binghamton/159837/]

Recently, the shop has also started a few other baked goods with the help of Hatim Husainy, a newly added team member and a freshman majoring in political science.

Initially, the shop’s desserts were made using the kitchen in their dorm, but after filing some paperwork, Husainy explained that moving forward, they plan on using the Culinary MakerSpace in Hinman Dining Hall for efficiency and ease.

Current treats customers can expect include chocolate chip cookies, banana bread with walnuts and Earl Grey shortbread cookies.

“Our end goal is not to operate out of a dorm,” Amos said. “We really want to work with the University to be able to operate somewhere on campus or somewhere else. And this is really a proof of concept to show that it’s something that people want, and something that we are capable of doing.”

Now, nearly three decades later, Pipe Dream sat down with Nikoleta in a cozy corner booth on a frigid Binghamton afternoon to hear her story.

Nikoleta met Hristos in Greece before both moved to the United States separately around 45 years ago. They opened the diner to support their young family, she explained.

“We have to, because we have our kids,” Konstantakos said. “And we have a lot of bills, and we say, ‘We want to open diner.’”

The diner’s decor, including an Ancient Greek-style mural on the building’s exterior and photos of Greek landmarks and islands, serves as an homage to Konstantakos’ heritage.

Her husband, who had experience cooking for others, took on the role of head chef, operating the grill. Nikoleta handled the soups and the specials, and as their son, Panagiotis, got older, he began to work.

Konstantakos credits the diner’s success to word of mouth, which has built customer loyalty. She described her business strategy simply: “They come, they try, they like it and they always come back.” But her journey hasn’t been without its challenges, particularly stubborn rising costs and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s not as busy as it used to be,” she said. “The weekends, we do get busy now, but people don’t have any money, you know, like people have tough times. Everything’s so expensive.”

“The students do help us a lot, and we’re very thankful for that,” she added.

A family endeavor, Konstantakos said that all of her children started at the diner, and her daughter and younger son went off to college. Panagiotis, her older son, stayed at the diner to help as it started to get busier.

In the past, Chris’ Diner was open every day until 7 p.m., but now, it’s closed on Mondays. Konstantakos said that running a diner was “a hard business.” She used to have nine waitresses every day, but now, she has four.

“It’s tiring,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, yes. But we enjoy it at the same time. We love people.”

The diner is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. It serves breakfast all day and an expansive lunch and dinner menu after 11 a.m. The menu, which spans four pages, features American favorites like fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon and sausage, a variety of omelets, hot sandwiches, salads, pasta and seafood. Customer favorites include the soups, the spinach pie and the entire breakfast menu, she said.

As she and her husband get older, she said having her son work the grill has been a big help. He may take over the family business in the future, she added.

“I hope so,” she said when asked if the diner brought her family closer together.

Decorated with gold trim mirrors, French Rococo-style furniture, scattered vintage heels and warmly lit lamps, the store cultivates a welcoming and lived-in environment. The boutique’s owner, Heidi Weeks of Binghamton, acquires the store’s clothing and accessories from consignors, local closets and estates.

“Shopping in my store is like shopping in my living room,” Weeks wrote in an email. “And Mabel D. Orr is an experience store. I have decorated it with family photos and artwork, furniture, ornate lamps, and lots of BoHo chic style. My staff and I love to help people with personal styling. Shopping for clothing can sometimes be very tiresome and intimidating and we like to make everyone feel comfortable. Each person has their own style that can be built on.”

Unlike the standard secondhand clothing store, Mabel D. Orr focuses on unique and detailed pieces of clothing, many of which include lace, embroidery or vibrant patterns. The store offers anything from decades fashion and vintage-inspired accessories to lingerie to graphic socks and skincare, all existing in this wonderfully niche spot of fashion and gift-giving.

As a lover of vintage clothing, Weeks has a long history with fashion and styling. She said that she and her sister had been shopping secondhand since they were in high school and had since then looked forward to opening a boutique of their own. In May 2013, Weeks and her sister pursued that dream with their first opening of Mabel D. Orr in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where Weeks and her sister grew the store’s charm and brand.

After spending three seasons on Cape Cod, Weeks reopened Mabel D. Orr in her hometown of Binghamton in 2016. For two years the store was located on Clinton Street, a historic boulevard that houses Antique Row, a cluster of eclectic secondhand stores. The store was then moved to the heart of Downtown Binghamton on Washington Street in 2018. Beyond being a vintage store owner, Weeks’ love for fashion extends into her 35 years of professional acting, as it provides her the opportunity to work with costumes and older clothing.

Reflecting on the responsibilities of being a business owner, Weeks highlights the importance of secondhand shopping.

“I think the most valuable part of owning my own vintage store is that I’m helping to recycle previously loved clothing,” Weeks wrote. “The world is filled with almost 6 generations of unwanted clothing. I like to breathe new life into them and display them in a way that makes them loved again. I also have a strong mission of keeping clothing out of our landfills. Recycling and repurposing is something that I’ve always believed in. Plus, you never know what’s going to walk through that door. I love what I do.”

“I like to think that we are in the business of clothing rescue,” Weeks added.

Mad Hatter Antiques 

Located at 284 Clinton St., this shop specializes in furniture that you can’t find anywhere else, and everything’s truly one of a kind. If you’re looking for unique, secondhand items to give your apartment or living space a maximalist feel, Mad Hatter would be the place to go. The store boasts over 6,000 square feet of retail space over three floors. True to its name, the inside of the store is decorated like a scene from Alice in Wonderland, with a full selection of antiques creating the feel that you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole. With a cozy and stuffed-to-the-brim atmosphere, any true antiquer is bound to find something they’ll want to take home.

Treasure Hunt 

At 300 Clinton St., this store is true to its name. With a crowded, cozy interior and items stacked to the ceiling, finding treasures in this shop is not difficult. The store has a vast selection of books, posters and pictures, perfect for any vintage trinket-seekers looking for their next big find. But it’s not just those items — Treasure Hunt specializes in having something for everyone, from pretty china plates and glassware to vintage Santa Claus statues and retro decor. If you’re looking for affordable pieces of art or even to add some character to your kitchen, Treasure Hunt would be a great place to start.

Clinton Street 99 Antiques 

Clinton Street 99 Antiques, located at 10 Clinton St., specializes in antique and vintage furniture but also features a few pieces of intriguing antique jewelry. This store is a cornerstone of Binghamton’s antique scene and contains two large rooms of items to search through. This store is perfect for shoppers searching for a beautiful piece of antique furniture and can appreciate the intricacies and hand-carved details of these vintage pieces.

Your Needful Things

Although not located directly on Antique Row, this store is just as much an asset to the city’s antiquing scene. The shop says it specializes in “top-quality and tasteful” antiques, collectibles and artwork. Your Needful Things spreads out over 10,000 square feet of items to look through that are collected from over 100 dealers. The store also contains an in-house cafe where shoppers can enjoy coffee or tea, called The Dot Cafe. It’s clear that it’s not just a store but an experience as well.

All these stores are just a few of the colorful small businesses that our community has to offer. Whether you’re into shopping for furniture, jewelry or anything in between, shopping secondhand is a great way to save money, avoid overconsumption and support small businesses.

Dan Polhamus ’00, one of Iron Agave’s owners, had always thought of opening a restaurant in Downtown Binghamton with his business partners after the success of their first restaurant, Food & Fire BBQ-Taphouse in Johnson City. They were drawn to the revitalization of the arts culture and restaurant scene in the area, and Polhamus was particularly excited with the University’s increasing presence downtown and the creation of various outreach programs that fostered community engagement. Wanting to contribute to that growth, Polhamus and his partners saw Iron Agave as a way to bring something unique to the Downtown area.

When it came to crafting the menu, Polhamus made it clear that Iron Agave is not a Mexican restaurant but rather Tex-Mex fusion that allows for creativity. Drawing from their experience with Food & Fire BBQ-Taphouse, the team incorporated smoked meats and protein-rich dishes into the menu. The approach is experimental, blending influences from Sonora, Mexico, the southwestern United States and even California.

“We might put spiedies on the menu one day,” Polhamus said, referring to the marinated meat sandwich local to Greater Binghamton. “You can have fun and do fusion with anything. We want to be able to think outside of the box and put food flavors together that might be unique.”

Among all the menu items, Polhamus has a personal favorite: the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, described as a playful take on a taco — almost gyro-like — with slow-braised leg of lamb, tender strips of meat and Tex-Mex-inspired toppings. The crema, tomatoes and warm spices give the tacos a rich, earthy and slightly spicy flavor profile.

“I just love lamb,” Polhamus said. “The fact that we’re putting lamb on a taco makes me super happy.”

My meal started with chips alongside guacamole, queso and salsa. The guacamole was fresh and creamy, the queso had just the right balance of richness and spice, and the salsa brought a tangy, slightly smoky depth. The presentation was fun, with the three dips arranged in a stoplight-inspired design.

For the main course, I opted for Polhamus’ Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, which arrived alongside rice and beans. Served on flour tortillas, the tacos had a well-balanced filling ratio, ensuring each bite delivered a combination of flavors. The shredded lettuce, diced onion and wedge-like shape gave the tacos an almost gyro-like presentation, echoing Polhamus’ description. The slow-braised lamb was juicy, packed with warm, earthy spices and a slight kick of heat.

Drinkwise, I went with a Mexican Coke, which added to the ambiance of the experience.

To finish the meal, I ordered the Churros Sampler, which was served with strawberries, Mexican chocolate mousse and dulce de leche. The crispy and soft churros had a perfect cinnamon coating, and the dips were both authentic.

If you’re downtown and craving a laid-back lunch, a great night out, or just some good tacos, Iron Agave is worth the visit.

LaRue Simmons, the 39-year-old owner and founder of Stellar Human, was inspired to open this store after hearing the term “stellar human” in his early sobriety. Simmons is now six years sober, describing how Stellar Human is not just a vintage store but a philosophy.

“What it’s come to represent is always wanting to improve,” Simmons said. “Our goal as humans, I think, should be to become the best versions of ourselves — each day waking up and wanting to be better and just, you know, improve.”

Not having had any previous experience owning and running his own business, Simmons ran into obstacles when opening Stellar Human. It began as a thrift store and later shifted toward selling primarily vintage clothing, which drove away a few customers. He also found the store’s location to be out of the way. However, Simmons, overcoming these obstacles, will be moving his store downtown within the next month to cater to a wider range of customers.

Simmons also found it hard to reach community members in Binghamton who understood the work he was trying to do and were interested in vintage pieces. Though this was frustrating, he believes customers will find him, and for this reason, he works tirelessly to build a community around Stellar Human.

“One of my favorite things that I’ve been able to do with the events that I do here is bridge the gap between the student community and the local community,” Simmons said. “I think that there was — and I think still kind of is — a disconnect between the two, unfortunately.”

He added that through events like music shows, he seeks to bridge the gap between the two. Priding himself on his ability to style pieces and help customers, Simmons described his success with the Japanese principle of “Ikigai,” which emphasizes meaning in everyday experiences over solely professional success.

“I’ve never felt more of my purpose than when I’m up here, with a customer and helping them find something,” Simmons said.

Stellar Human has a comfortable, citylike feel with its vintage posters, records, couches and instruments. Every piece is carefully curated and everything in the store is repurposed, from the clothing to the sports cards used as tags on the clothing. Simmons added that he wants Stellar Human to feel like a welcoming space for anyone to enjoy.

“I’ve had the pleasure of having people come in and tell me that they feel the things that I envisioned people to feel like,” Simmons said. “I’ve had people come in and say, you know, ‘I feel safe. I feel welcome.’ And, a lot of spots you go into, it feels a little cold. You feel like you’re walking into a store. I want you to come in and be like, you are walking into your homie’s closet kind of thing, you know? I think the experience is above all, the main thing.”

“I’m just like a creative who stumbled into owning a business,” Simmons added.

This is done through satirical lyrics that point out the contrast between stereotypical adult responsibilities and the iconic, instrumental rush of the indie punk rock scene. John Mikulski, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, produces whiny vocals for this single that call back to the age of angsty punk rock bands of the 2000s like Green Day.

While such bands dealt with the daily struggles of teen life or anti-establishment thinking, “Last Of A Dying Scene” is a song that laments the experience of aging while trying to maintain passion for the music. The song was inspired by the band’s experience of trying to pursue their dreams while surrounded by aged veterans and angsty young adults who all reminded them of their own aging.

“In August 2023 we had the opportunity to open for the ska-punk band Catch 22,” Mikulski wrote in an email. “At that show, our bass player, Andrew, noticed this older guy — drunk and a little grungy — hanging by himself watching the bands play. That was the initial inspiration for the song — the symbolic last man standing from the previous music scene generation. But in a way, the song is also a little introspective for us. We’re all veteran punk rock fans and so many of the bands we play with are early 20-somethings. We’re the old guys. This song is also about holding on desperately to youth, and we identify with that feeling.”

This song will likely resonate with punk rock fans in a similar stage of their lives but the frustration that Mikulski expresses can be felt by anyone who feels left behind by the flow of time.

This track marks their first release following their EP “Never Disappear,” released earlier this year. “Last Of A Dying Scene” is a recognizable evolution of these songs and though its lyrical content is similar, its production is a lot cleaner.

It’s safe to say Skyway isn’t slowing down anytime soon nor are they afraid to make a statement, as only one day after the release of “Last Of A Dying Scene” the band released a follow-up called “Uncomfortably Numb” in response to the recent election. Mikulski described the studio session when the song was composed, during which the band spent the entire night working on it, showing their commitment to the craft. In the coming months, they are set to release a Christmas song as well.

It can be argued that as a genre, punk rock has fallen out of favor with the mainstream. The scene’s biggest artists have either lost their relevance or turned into legacy acts with few exceptions like Paramore — though many would consider them more pop-punk. Mikulski shared his thoughts on the evolution of punk rock.

“Punk rock is timeless,” he wrote. “Like, we’ve played shows where teenagers cover bands like My Chemical Romance and Blink 182, but not in an ironic way. Some of these songs came out before they were born but they still resonate with kids today. That’s really cool. There’s no such thing as ‘oldies punk.’ At the same time, there are a ton of new bands that are forging their own paths — Neck Deep, Youth Fountain, and Bad Luck — to name a few.”

Being from Buffalo seems important to the band’s identity, as their community has allowed them to build a friendly network with local bands within the thriving punk rock scene, including Robbery Club, Pilot-Field, Pretty Good State University and Hyperview.

Although Skyway may seem like established artists, they formed in the summer of 2022 and have stuck by each other for the last two years. In this time though, they have composed two extended plays, along with various singles that have gotten their name out there.

Ultimately, “Last Of A Dying Scene” offers a unique perspective on music that you will most likely not find represented in the mainstream and is a merit on its own. Whether you’re a punk rock fan or not, this song will leave you with a lot to think about regarding the state of the genre.

Whether you are a new student at Binghamton University or want to get involved on campus, clubs are a great way to make connections. As some of the biggest organizations on campus, club sports are a popular way for students to remain active while making new friends. With many options to choose from, students can find an organization that fits their interests. While club sports offer classic sports like basketball and soccer, here are some of the more unique clubs that BU has to offer.

Kickline

Kickline is a dance group that performs at BU’s athletics games and other campus events. The 60-member organization performs Rockette-style kicklines, as well as styles in jazz, pom and hip hop. Kickline practices two days a week with one to two performances each week. As well as performing at halftime, Kickline cheers at soccer, basketball and lacrosse games, as they are the only club team of the Athletic Spirit Squads.

Outdoors

Binghamton Outdoors provides a space where students can enjoy exploring the world around them. The club engages in many outdoor activities including hiking, caving, camping and kayaking. Outdoors offers smaller and larger activities to support the needs of their different members.

Ava Zuckerman, the vice president of the Outdoors Club and a junior double-majoring in theatre and environmental studies, explained how being a part of the organization has impacted her relationships.

“I met some of my best friends through the Outdoors Club on a camping trip my freshman year,” Zuckerman wrote in an email. “This club has also introduced me to a wide circle of people I would not have had the opportunity to meet elsewhere. I found that being disconnected from our devices and going on a hike with complete strangers is one of the best and most genuine ways to get to know someone new.”

Aikido 

This group practices a purely defensive form of martial arts that focuses on redirecting the opponent’s energy. Aikido promotes itself as being for everyone since it relies on using the opponent’s movement, as opposed to physical strength. The club provides an easy, low-risk start for those interested in learning a new skill but progresses through more complex techniques as the year progresses.

Equestrian

Based off campus, Equestrian allows former and aspiring riders to develop their skills. Lessons are taught under the guidance of an experienced competitor and trainer, who helps members reach their goals and stay safe. The team competes throughout New York state against other collegiate club teams and promotes lessons, shows, fundraising and club participation as the cornerstones of being a great team member.

Rowing

Rowing is a competitive and co-ed sport that allows students to continue rowing or foster a new love for the sport. Like many other club sports, Rowing offers a space for students to improve their skills while making new friends.

Gael Hong, the club’s head of public relations and a senior double-majoring in geography and Asian and Asian American Studies, described how being a part of the crew has strengthened their skills in and out of the boat.

“The trust you need to have in your squad cannot be overstated,” Hong wrote in an email. “More than that, though, is the grace you must grant one another. When we place during a regatta, it’s pretty easy to feel united and strong! However, being with my boat when we don’t perform as well has been more valuable; since joining the crew, I have grown more patient, understanding, and open. I learned to admit my wrongs while keeping my head up and shifting conversations from blame to how we can improve.”

Triathlon 

Triathlon promotes itself as a way for members to learn and improve the components of a triathlon — swim, bike and run. Along with practicing one to two days a week for each discipline, the team also completes in multiple triathlons and trial triathlons throughout the year. While one of the smaller club sports on campus, triathlon prides itself on supporting its members in reaching their athletic goals.

Club sports at BU provide many students with the opportunity to stay active, regardless of experience levels. The popularity of the organization as a whole can be attributed to the student leadership that brings everything from early morning practices to travel games to life.

“Athletes are dedicated to building community and collabing with other club sports,” Zuckerman wrote. “This creates a broader encouraging environment amongst students, making an active lifestyle also a social one.”

Binghamton University’s Speech and Debate team won at the Cross-Examination Debate Association’s (CEDA) National Championship hosted by the University of California at Fullerton from March 22-26, preserving their legacy as one of the top programs in the country.

The historic accomplishment comes after BU won the District Qualifiers earlier this month, with an undefeated streak of 12-0 against the likes of Cornell University and Dartmouth College — preceded by success at several other debate competitions since the start of the season. The first-place win also marks the second time an institution based in New York state has won the championship title, with the other being New York University over 20 years ago.

The partnership that led Binghamton to victory consisted of Eli Louis, a senior majoring in Africana studies, and Akif Choudhury, a junior majoring in economics. Louis and Choudhury were ranked as the second and 19th best speakers in the country at the CEDA tournament, respectively.

“A lot of time is spent practicing the clear articulation and delivery of arguments, so being able to successfully apply what we’ve practiced gives a rewarding experience,” Choudhury wrote in an email.

According to Joe Schatz, the director of the Binghamton Speech and Debate team, the University consistently competes at the national level against other programs on full scholarships and three times the coaching staff. Rather than strictly recruiting talent out of high school or participating in regional novice debate, the “underdog” program prides itself on involving members of all experience levels and backgrounds. Approximately 30 members meet with their team and coaches for hours each week, familiarizing themselves with research, strategy and skill-building often over late nights and weekends.

Schatz, who attributes Binghamton’s success to their collaborative and supportive team dynamic, elaborated on the similarities among students who join the program.

“Our students have always been incredibly clever, dedicated and hardworking,” Schatz wrote in an email. “They all have found ways to carve niches for themselves in the academic literature so that they can become an expert [in] a way that sets them apart from other teams in the country who approach debate in a more normative way.”

Binghamton’s team is divided into two sections — one oriented around the various arts of speech like poetry, prose and humor, and the other on policy debate, of which this team primarily competes in. The sections then travel to compete at different regional, national and occasionally international intercollegiate tournaments up to seven or eight times per semester.

This year’s debates focused on whether or not the United States should reduce its nuclear arsenal, a topic previously voted on by the community last May. Both BU students and their coaches have been hard at work since September, planning both basic and specific arguments for the upcoming season. During nationals, teams had to be prepared to defend either the affirmative or negative side over 14 rounds of debate averaging two hours each.

David Michael Woodward, the team’s head debate coach, explained that members completed their preliminary research on nuclear weapons and their impact on society, government and military prior to the start of the tournament, allowing the team to successfully interpret and add on to their arguments before each round.

Woodward further discussed how the team crafted their approach.

“Most if not all of our strategies were based on philosophical strategies, oftentimes discussing the racist or sexist practices that had existed in the design, use and testing of nuclear weapons,” Woodward wrote. “But there were other debates where we looked at more postmodern thinkers such as Jean Baudrillard and others.”

As they battled their way through the breakout bracket at CEDA Nationals, two of Binghamton’s teams ended up debating against each other, guaranteeing the University a spot in the final four for the second year in a row. The opportunity allowed two graduating members, Kate Marin, a senior double-majoring in psychology and linguistics, and Sonnie Picallo, a senior majoring in philosophy, to end their undergraduate debate careers on a monumental win. Marin and Picallo ranked eighth and ninth at CEDA Nationals, respectively.

Despite the intensive time and energy commitment to the team, Picallo explained how this was a fulfilling end to their Binghamton debate career after first joining during the peak of COVID-19.

“Watching the Binghamton Speech and Debate Team win one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year and ending my eight-year-long debate career in one day was a lot, but I truly could not have asked for more out of our performance,” Picallo wrote in an email.

As the team advanced to the finals after defeating CSU Long Beach, BU went up against Wake Forest who were the reigning 2023 and 2022 champions. Despite Wake Forest’s nearly 200-year old program founded in 1835, BU managed to beat them on a 5-2 decision.

This month, Louis and Choudhary represented Binghamton in the National Debate Tournament hosted at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In recognition of the team’s achievements, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has officially proclaimed March 25 “Binghamton University Speech and Debate Team Day.”

“It’s exciting that it all paid off,” Schatz said. “The work that Eli and Akif put in is really truly amazing. In fact, the entire squad this year were all among the best students I’ve gotten to work with over my close to two and a half decades coaching debate at Binghamton.”

On Sunday, April 14, the McKenna 5k Committee — a subcommittee of Binghamton University Rowing Club — will be hosting their annual John J. McKenna IV Memorial 5k. This race honors John J. McKenna, a BU alum who passed as he was serving as a United States Marine. The McKenna 5k committee has been hosting this event for 17 years, allowing the Binghamton community and alumni to come together in McKenna’s memory.

Catherine Strong, finance chair of the McKenna 5k committee and a freshman majoring in biology, highlighted the significance of this event and the meaning behind the John J. McKenna 5k.

“The 5k is about remembering [McKenna] as a person and what he represents,” Strong wrote. “[McKenna] was a rower and soldier who always put 110 [percent] into everything he did. His passion for rowing and serving his community is something everyone should strive to achieve.”

The John J. McKenna IV Memorial 5K aims to fundraise for Captain John J. McKenna IV Military Courtesy Room at the Albany International Airport, in addition to ensuring that the BU Rowing Club is able to hold the annual race going into the future.

Kayla Opalecky, coordination chair of the McKenna 5k committee and a senior double-majoring in English and biology, explained the hard work and preparation that went into planning the 5k. Event preparation began in August and involved reaching out to local businesses and corporations, such as Wegmans, for sponsorships.

“The University’s own dining services are donating bananas and water for the runners once they complete the race, and the alumni organization is supporting us as well,” Opalecky wrote in an email. “Total preparation takes anywhere from seven to eight months depending on what date is chosen that year. We appreciate and would like to thank everyone that supports this event year after year making it possible for us to remember [McKenna] and everything he stood for.”

The John J. McKenna 5k is a very important event for the BU Rowing Club that has a much deeper meaning than just hosting an annual 5k race. During his time at BU, McKenna served as the Varsity Men’s Captain of the Binghamton Rowing Club.

Natalie Pan, the public relations chair of the McKenna 5k committee and a junior double-majoring in history and philosophy, politics and law, further elaborated on the significance of this event.

“[McKenna had] been such an integral part of the Binghamton Rowing Club … that the club decided to honor his legacy by creating a fundraiser 5k,” Pan wrote. “[He] was an extremely accomplished alumni of [BU], and he was a student and rower, just like us. Our constant communication with the McKenna family, especially his father, makes the race all the more relevant, and the dedication of our committee [is] why this race continues to be held year after year.”

The John J. McKenna 5k is an event that hundreds of people attend every year. Not only do BU students, alumni and members of the Binghamton community participate, but people travel from around the northeast to be a part of the event.

Opalecky expressed her hopes for the participants of the John J. McKenna 5k and what those who signed up for the event can expect.

“I hope [the participants] gain a deeper appreciation for the United States Military being that John served as a United States Marine for three tours,” Opalecky wrote. “Mr. McKenna, [John’s father], speaks at the race every year to tell us stories about [McKenna] and his time while part of the Rowing Club, as well as his time in the Marines. I hope it gives participants a greater sense of togetherness when they see how many people support this event and its cause. We strive for this event to connect the on-campus community with the rest of Binghamton to show that no matter where you are from, you can come together when it matters.”

The 5k will kick off at 10:15 a.m. at Recreation Park. The race offers a student and military discount and requires a charge of $20 for all other participants. Anyone looking to participate in this event can sign up until the morning of the race.

Binghamton University alumni turned business partners when they opened a Venezuelan food business to share their culture and passion for food.

Ay Cachapas was founded in 2020 by Kevin Zhao ’17, and Sai Ho ’17, college friends who got their start on BU’s campus in Mountainview College living community. After graduating from BU, they established their business in New York City. Zhao, who is Chinese-American, and Ho, who is Chinese-Venezuelan, found a passion in cooking and food as a way of sharing their cultures with their friends and vice versa.

“[Ho] and I met during orientation and became roommates in our junior year at Mountainview College, where we held most of our dinners,” Zhao wrote in an email. “Fortunately, the living room design in Mountainview [College] made it possible for our group of friends to comfortably relax in our suite and enjoy a home-cooked meal.”

Food had always been a way to connect people to culture for Zhao and Ho, but it wasn’t until their time at BU and cooking for friends that they found their dream of opening a food business. After graduating and feeling that their dream had not wavered, they pursued it.

When starting their business, Zhao and Ho had found a lack of Venezuelan food in New York City. So, they pursued their passion for the food at Queens Night Market where they have been selling the business’ staple food, cachapas — Venezuelan sweet corn pancakes with a meat and cheese filling — for the past three summers.

Starting a new business from scratch was no easy task. As the children of immigrants, they faced the personal challenges of their families’ expectations for their careers, while also facing a lack of background experience. However, these challenges only drove them to success and gave rise to motivation rather than hesitation.

Zhao shared his thoughts on the challenges they faced when starting Ay Cachapas.

“The journey to what Ay Cachapas is now was tough as we had no culinary or business experience at all,” Zhao wrote. “But we had the same values, goals and passion that gave us the strength to push through the hard times and continue our business. There are many factors that made Ay Cachapas what it is today, whether it [be] our background, determination, mindset, etc. What is most important is the support that was shown throughout our journey from friends and family. ”

Not only have Zhao and Ho established a passion for food, but they have turned their love for their business into motivation for other small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They wrote that their favorite part of running their own business is “inspiring others to start something from nothing.”

Specifically, they hope to inspire BU students. They credit much of their success to their experiences at BU, as the diverse population and friends gave them the support and confidence to pursue their business. Zhao shared how they hope that current Binghamton students can see their business success as inspiration to pursue their passions.

“I hope that Ay Cachapas can be an inspiration to the students at [BU] and everyone who wishes to create businesses based on their passion and hobbies,” Zhao wrote. “We want to encourage people to go out there and take a risk no matter how silly the idea may be because we have seen our share of doubters but we persevered and do not regret anything. Fear is an emotion that holds most people back from moving forward with their ideas whether that may be time, energy or capital.”

Zhao and Ho hope to expand their business through catering, which can be found on their website, and eventually a permanent shop. Currently, Ay Cachapas can be found at Queens Night Market which runs from April to October.

Joe Schatz, director of debate at BU, described how the team, which accepts members of novice to varsity skill levels, has started to gain recognition on a national scale.

“We have consistently been ranked in the top-10 nationally and have repeatedly qualified for the National Debate Tournament,” Schatz wrote in an email. “In recent years, we have shifted our focus to national competition over regional dominance and our successful showing at our district tournaments stands testament to our strength at the top level of competition.”

The BU Speech and Debate Team participates in a style of competition called cross-examination policy debate. Teams debate one topic the entire year, focusing on both the affirmative and negative sides of the argument at hand. Schatz explained that the BU team holds weekly practices where they run debates, watch videos of competitors and focus their research on their rivals’ arguments in order to try to gain the upper hand in debates. This season, the subject that students are debating involves the United States’ nuclear posturing, and competitors must be prepared, especially as the season goes on and arguments evolve.

“[The] tournaments toward the beginning of the season often have teams presenting new arguments to catch opponents off guard,” Choudhury wrote in an email. “In contrast, tournaments toward the end of the season have nuanced renditions of arguments teams have been reading throughout the season that we must think through.”

The District 8 Qualifier Tournament, which took place at the end of February, put BU up against schools such as Cornell University, Dartmouth College and New York University for a chance to obtain a bid to the NDT. There are six rounds of debates, each evaluated by two judges, and the teams that collect the most ballots from the judges over the course of the competition receive a bid. Choudhury and Louis completed the tournament without dropping a single bid, going 12-0. This is the first time a BU team has ever gone undefeated at the District Qualifier.

Louis reflected on competing at the District Qualifier and how it led to her receiving a bid to the NDT.

“I believe it is important that people question and [re-question] their thoughts, motives, ambitions and relations in the spaces they occupy — self-accountability and awareness,” Louis wrote in an email. “However, because I am hard on myself, I am often unsure of whether I am going the right direction, whether I am making sense, et cetera. But because I knew my material, I was able to just sit and say, ‘I’ll let the universe take it from here.’”

However, this tournament was not the BU Debate Team’s only success this season. The varsity team won the West Point Debate Tournament this past October, while Choudhury and Louis reached the quarterfinals of the Harvard Debate Tournament. The pair will travel to Atlanta, Georgia for the NDT, which will take place at Emory University from April 5 to April 8, 2024.

Louis expressed her excitement about being able to make “herstory” at the NDT this year.

“My existence in debate is kind of enigmatic,” Louis wrote. “So, I have a goal — grandiose, but who cares. I want to, and will, meet it.”

The Film and Production Society of Binghamton (FPS) put on a four-episode show titled “The Johnny Charisma Show.” The show is a drama with comedic elements that show the natural destruction of a man due to circumstance.

“The Johnny Charisma Show” follows a failed comedian, Johnny Charisma, who is starting his own late-night show and his sidekick, Logan Kelso. Logan is a barista who is hired by Johnny out of nowhere to help his career as a late-night host start-up. Each episode is filled with unique special guests that help to show the true nature behind Johnny and his eventual downfall. The show comments on the struggles of normal people and shows how situations can affect the way people act and perceive themselves.

Aryan Joshi, the showrunner and a junior majoring in economics, explained how he created this show to make something he has wanted to see in the TV world.

“It’s a show that makes commentary on masculinity, celebrities and mental health struggles,” Joshi wrote in an email. “It tells the story of a bad person made worse by the circumstances around him. I’m hoping that other people find those concepts to be just as interesting as I do and appreciate the effort to tell a story through a unique lens.”

Joshi further explained how the show’s script and his ideas for creating this unique show came to life on screen.

“Making the script and details come to life was a long, long task, but I made the script knowing the limited resources we have as college students,” Joshi wrote. “The entire project is filmed in-universe, from cameras that exist in that world, but not with a horror tag associated with it.”

The cast of “The Johnny Charisma Show” consists of many talented Binghamton University students who used their skills to perfectly portray the characters that Joshi envisioned for the show and wrote them out to be. The three main characters of the show include Johnny, a failed stand-up comedian who is creating his own late-night show — played by Jack Harkins, a senior majoring in cinema — Logan, a barista who is hired to help start up the late-night show and Luma Astrella, played by Katherine Quinn, a first-year graduate student studying film and English.

Harkins described his experience playing the “bad guy” or antagonist of a show, as Johnny Charisma becomes the antagonist because of the situations his life has put him through.

“My experience playing Johnny has been really fun,” Harkins said. “Playing an unlikable character is so unique to what I’ve done in the past. The way I’ve been portraying him is with a lot of research on talk show hosts, especially those who have been shown in an unlikable light. Those people are in such unique positions, so having those few examples is really useful to know where the character is coming from.”

Harkins also mentioned how he approached the mindset of such a complex character.

“Getting all the knowledge of the character, their headspace and everything they’ve been through, is essential to acting and helps immensely with portraying those emotions,” Harkins said.

Kate Ivanov, a senior majoring in psychology, also touched upon the casting of the show.

“The casting for this show has been better than we could have ever hoped,” Ivanov wrote in an email. “[Harkins], who plays Johnny Charisma, could not be any more perfect for the role. He captures the charisma and charm that is necessary for the character while upholding all of his flaws and negative attributes that cultivate his complexity.”

The set copies that of any regular old late-night show and even the backstage of a late-night show. The show is supposed to be timeless and ambiguous, so they created a set with a bright and rich red curtain, a city skyline, a couch, a desk and a sparkly blue backdrop.

Ivanov talked about the making of the show when it comes to the set, costumes and humor.

“Costume progression reflects internal changes within the characters,” Ivanov wrote. “As Kelso becomes more confident, his outfits become more casual. As Johnny experiences a decline, the humor becomes darker. The nature of the show requires lighting and setting to stay the same, so we were limited in that aspect.”

Although this show is mostly drama, the darkness and lightness of its humor are a huge aspect of it. Ivanov discussed the complexity of the show’s humor.

“Sometimes, the humor is dark, as we are faced with a twisted main character who slips out of his late-night show star persona from time to time,” Ivanov wrote. “Overall, Johnny Charisma will have you both laughing with and at the characters — something that was important when writing the script.”

“The Johnny Charisma Show” can be viewed on FPS’s YouTube channel free of charge and is the perfect show for anyone who needs a little drama and humor.

Last year, Johnson City’s historic district got a little sweeter with the addition of Gabriella’s Cakes & Co, a boutique bakery.

Founded by Gabriella LoPiccolo, 28, of Johnson City, the bakery is known for its colorful pastries and adorned custom cakes. The freshly baked sweet treats are made with inspiration from traditional French and Italian baking techniques, as well as modern American baking approaches.

LoPiccolo, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, began working for her father’s restaurant in Maine, New York, after college. Simultaneously, she started working out of her own kitchen on custom orders and wedding cakes, and eventually expanded to having pop ups at local businesses. With the growing popularity from an increasing social media following and the encouragement of her friends and family, LoPiccolo decided to open her own spot for retail full of elegant and decorated desserts where people could sit and enjoy sweet treats and time with friends.

LoPiccolo described the initial process and what she and her team hoped to achieve when opening Gabriella’s Cakes & Co.

“The process has been difficult, discouraging at times, but I am proud of the beautiful spot we have created and the precise and attractive baked goods we put out,” LoPiccolo wrote in an email. “We wanted to bring something to the area that would stand out and make you feel like you are in another city — and help our city become a place of attraction for our locals, students and visitors.”

LoPiccollo went on to express her favorite aspect of opening the bakery.

“Being able to stay true to my aesthetic and to create things I truly enjoy making,” LoPiccolo wrote. “Also that we’ve brought items that are more nuance to our area, such as French macarons and our brioche bun ice cream. [We are] always trying new flavors, such as matcha or ube, [and] new trends such as cookie stuffed croissants and more.”

Mira Pasquale, 20, the head baker of Gabriella’s Cakes & Co and a Johnson City resident, was the first employee at the boutique bakery. Her job involves assisting with orders, planning and retail production. Pasquale expressed the goals she has when baking and coming up with new ideas for the business.

“My goal is to put out products I am proud of,” Pasquale wrote in an email. “I love coming up with new and interesting flavor combinations. My favorite idea I have had was to turn peach rings into a marshmallow fluff … Another goal I have is improving my skills. An example of this is royal icing sugar cookies. I try to find one thing I can improve with every set I make. I believe there is always room to learn, even if you think you’ve perfected a skill. My last goal is to make everything here artistic. We love to add bold colors, flowers and glitter to accentuate all our baked goods.”

With a mission of making Broome County sweeter by providing elaborately decorated and delicious treats, Gabriella’s Cakes & Co has further fostered its connection to the community with events including the bakery’s first birthday in February, which was commemorated with a ribbon cutting, and being featured in the Markets of Broome “Sweets and Treats Market,” where they had a colorful array of baked goods for sale.

Gabriella’s Cakes & Co is located on 265 Main St. in Johnson City and is open Wednesday through Saturday. The boutique bakery’s building can easily be spotted by the giant and vivid mural on the side — further emphasizing the vibrance that the business hopes to bring to Johnson City and the surrounding community.

After graduating from Binghamton University in 2023, Chloe Van Caeseele landed a once-in-a lifetime job — driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

Once an anthropology major at BU, Van Caeseele now drives the 27-foot vehicle with fellow ambassador Mary Clare Kammer, University of Missouri – Columbia ’22. Kammer and Van Caeseele are among the 36th class of Hotdoggers — 12 recent college graduates who drive the iconic Wienermobiles.

Hotdoggers travel the country with the aim of serving as brand ambassadors for Oscar Mayer and “spreading smiles,” according to Kammer. During their time behind the wheel, Hotdoggers travel 20,000 miles across on average 20 states, while making media appearances and creating content for Oscar Mayer.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile first hit the roads in the 1930s, when it was conceptualized by Carl Mayer in 1936. In 1988, Oscar Mayer launched the Hotdogger program. With only six Wienermobiles in operation across the country, the hot dog on wheels has since become an American icon.

Recent college graduates are eligible to apply for the one-year position. With over 2,000 Hotdogger applications and only 12 spots, the hiring process is extremely competitive — a less than 1 percent acceptance rate.

For Van Caeseele, the possibility of working as a Hotdogger began when she saw the Wienermobile parked at a mall in Rochester, New York. This led to a moment of “epiphany” during her walk to class at BU.

“I thought to myself, oh my gosh, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile — ‘I wonder who drives that thing?’” Van Caeseele said. “So I did my research, looked it up online and the mission and the experience and the opportunity … was way too cool to give up or not take a stab at. It was all about making people smile, carrying on tradition, adventure, exploring, just this crazy experience … I have to at least try.”

Kammer was drawn to the position from her childhood experiences. Though Kammer hails from St. Louis, Missouri, her father grew up in Chicago — the birthplace of Oscar Mayer.

“[The Wienermobile] came down his street all the time,” Kammer said. “He would sing the jingle to me when I was little, and then when the Wienermobile came to my college campus, they said they were looking for Wienermobile drivers. And I was like, no way this is a real job. This is iconic — I would absolutely love to do that.”

Going into the position, their undergraduate experiences served as solid foundations for becoming the faces of the largest brand under Heinz-Kraft.

At BU, Van Caeseele interned at WBNG 12 News and BU’s media and public relations department, worked as an RA in Hinman College and served as the program coordinator for BU’s Tour Guide Program, among other achievements. Van Caeseele described how her time as an RA helped her learn how to live and work in the same place, while her media-focused jobs prepped her for the PR and content-creation aspect of working at Oscar Mayer.

As Hotdoggers, Van Caeseele and Kammer have developed skills including marketing, pitching media and appearing behind the camera, according to Kammer. In addition, they have acquired the unique experience of traveling with one other ambassador.

“This is truly your partner through everything,” Van Caeseele said. “Traveling to different countries, learning new skills, going on a crazy adventure and also, in your downtime, pretty much the only person you know when you’re in a brand new city.”

Kammer has appeared at events as large as Mississippi’s Cruisin’ the Coast show and USA Pickleball National Championships. On Jan. 20, Kammer and Van Caeseele appeared on national television for the Fox & Friends show.

Despite these high-profile appearances, small moments stand out the most to Van Caeseele.

“I’ve had some of my most impactful moments when I’m not ‘on the job,’” Van Caeseele said. “Because people will come up to me and tell me, you know, ‘This was something that me and my dad would do when he was still alive, we would track the Wienermobile … and I was just really missing him today, and this was my sign from my dad because I was really missing him.’”

Kammer’s most memorable moment came from a small town in Missouri, where she was touring with another ambassador.

“Right when we were leaving someone left a note on our windshield,” Kammer said. “It had rained all night long — I don’t know how that note was still there or how it was still easily readable — but it said, ‘could you mail me a wienie whistle for my daughter?’ and left an address.”

After discovering that the house was only five minutes away, Kammer and her partner delivered the whistle right to the family’s doorstep.

“It had stopped raining, and the dad happened to be outside in the front lawn,” Kammer said. “[We] pull up with this giant 27-foot hot dog … and the daughter and the mom came out on this glorious Sunday morning after a long night of rain, and it felt like a movie. It did. I was like, you can do something as big as a national pickleball championship and then go from just dropping off a wienie whistle and making someone’s Sunday morning.”

Van Caeseele and Kammer are starting their second week together as the east team. In the first half of the program, Hotdoggers are assigned to different partners and regions. Last half, Van Caeseele was touring the Central region and Kammer was traveling through the south. So far, Van Caeseele has visited 17 states and Kammer, 12. They have many more states to explore, with five more months before the 37th class of Hotdoggers takes the helm.

After her time with Oscar Mayer, Van Caeseele plans on pursuing opportunities that involve travel, interacting with people and working toward a strong purpose, wherever her path takes her.

“I think that more people should go into things that they really, really, really love because you can really create so much magic and make an impact,” Van Caeseele said. “Because if your heart’s in it, everyone else around you is going to feel that.”

Editor’s Note: Van Caeseele was an assistant News Editor fall ’21.

With a familiar December chill in the Binghamton air, Just Breathe, Downtown Binghamton’s cannabis lifestyle hub, heralds the holiday season with its anticipated merchandise drop. This month’s drop features a festive crewneck designed by Lauren Walencik, Binghamton University ’23.

Following a successful merch drop in September featuring a Twilight Zone-inspired design and active participation in the LUMA festival, Walencik’s design is Just Breathe’s second merch drop, featuring a nostalgic pin-up girl elf design. Aligned with Just Breathe’s mission, this merch drop intertwines brand promotion with the exhibition of local artistry.

Just Breathe presents cannabis not merely as a product but as a lifestyle that caters to the body, mind and soul.

Olivia Cornwell, Just Breathe’s social media manager and BU ‘23, spoke on Just Breathe’s mission to reflect their ethos in their merchandise designs.

“We like to maintain a fun, relaxed vibe to the brand and try not to take things too [seriously],” Cornwell wrote in an email. “We like to keep that hometown feel without feeling too corporate or disingenuous.”

The brand remains unwavering in its commitment to highlighting the abundance of local artistic talent within the Binghamton area. Just Breathe has a consistent presence in the Binghamton art scene through involvement with the Broome County Arts Council and being a regular stop in the First Friday Art Walk.

Cornwell shared insights into Just Breathe’s brand strategy, emphasizing the significance of incorporating local art.

“In keeping our designs local, not only do we showcase the unique talent Binghamton has to offer, but it also serves as a kind of preservation of legacy,” Cornwell wrote. “We really have a mission to enrich the community we serve and by keeping things ‘in house’ so to speak aligns heavily with those values.”

Walencik, the designated merchandise designer for this month and a seasoned artist, brings a unique perspective to the collaboration. Cornwell shed light on Just Breathe’s decision to partner with Walencik.

“[Walencik’s] work ethic and creative process are amazing, her work has so much heart and personality and she really has a pulse on that vintage vibe we wanted to create for this particular project,” Cornwell wrote. “Her work is so unique because it so clearly has a point of view without compromising aesthetics.”

Walencik’s artistic endeavors reflect a long-held passion for art. Throughout her life, artistic expression has remained her ideal medium to express her feelings and emotions. Walencik spoke on how her emotional connection to art is reflected in her current pieces.

“I always hope that people who view my art are able to feel the heart that goes into everything I make,” Walencik wrote. “I think if I had to describe myself as an ‘artist,’ I would say that above all, I’m just a person seeking to share a little piece of my heart with the world in the best way I know how.”

For her latest design, Walencik drew inspiration from vintage Christmas cards, integrating ideas for elf outfits into the pin-up girl design. Combining self-taught artistry with insights gained from BU graphic design courses, this marks Walencik’s first official merchandise release.

Her design, a collaborative effort with Just Breathe, encapsulates the essence of the holiday season, radiating a whimsical and carefree attitude that the brand aspires to share with the Binghamton community. Walencik expressed her aspiration for audience impressions.

“When people see the merchandise, I hope it gets them feeling a little bit of the laid back, holiday spirit that Just Breathe is hoping to spread throughout the community,” Walencik wrote. “The holidays can be stressful, and I hope that my design can help bring a little bit of levity to the season and get people talking about supporting local businesses this time of year.”

For those interested in staying up to date with Walencik’s future projects and gaining a more comprehensive view of her creative endeavors, she can be found on Instagram @laurenwalencik. Additionally, she is currently updating her website and co-hosts a podcast with her best friend during their free time. More details can be found in her Instagram bio.

As for Just Breathe, Cornwell anticipates a future of continued merchandise drops in partnership with local artists, hoping to expand on their clothing styles and even introduce an entire streetwear line at some point in the foreseeable future. The collaboration between Just Breathe and Walencik not only signifies a remarkable union of artistic talents, but also serves as a testament to the brand’s commitment to fostering and celebrating the vibrant local arts community within Binghamton.

This year’s Student Experimental Film Festival (SEFF) will be held Dec. 2 and 3. The theme of the student film submissions will be dream states.

SEFF has been hosted annually by Binghamton University students enrolled in CINE 300: Curating Film and Video. Since 2010, SEFF has highlighted student films from around the United States with a particular focus on innovative film.

Andrew Frangella, lead coordinator and fundraiser for SEFF and a senior majoring in cinema, described experimental film as the unique premise of this festival.

“Experimental film tends to be less about stories or narratives, and it can take many forms, but for the most part it’s about exploring ideas, the self, the mind,” Frangella wrote in an email. “Sometimes it can take the form of literal experimentation with things like video art or materialist films. But it has so many forms, really.”

The festival has been hosted in various places from the Union Underground to the Bundy Museum of History and Art in Downtown Binghamton. This time, the curated collections of films will be shown throughout the two days at HCS — an art center in Vestal. The first day will be accompanied by a reception with food and drinks.

Emma Brace, fundraiser of SEFF, a member of the festival’s social media team and a junior double-majoring in cinema and business administration, greatly looks forward to the showings.

“It’s such an exciting event not only for those of us who put it together, but for all of the students of [BU] who appreciate film,” Brace wrote in an email. “The venue is also super cool, and we’re really stoked to have it there.”

This event, like others of its kind, allows for young filmmakers to reach a wider audience. Frangella discussed the significance of SEFF being solely a college film festival.

“I think it’s wonderful for student filmmakers to have a chance to showcase their work to other students and those in the community,” Frangella wrote.

BU’s SEFF entry web page specifies this year’s theme as work “related to, invoking, or inspired by dream states, dreams, other worldliness and the subconscious mind.” Creators were free to interpret and build upon this prompt, and films of any reasonable length were welcomed for submission.

Brace elaborated upon the theme of this year’s festival.

“Our theme for this year’s festival is … anything pertaining to dreams, otherworldly states and so on,” Brace wrote. “I don’t want to give away any specifics for the festival, but the films submitted this year are looking fantastic, and they mesh super well together.”

Frangella is also very excited about this year’s spin on the curation process. Frangella is responsible for outreach and communication with participating filmmakers, as well as contacting professors and making them aware of SEFF’s existence. Students in CINE 300 are assisted by their professor Anna Kipervaser, lecturer of cinema.

Frangella described the process of rating the film submissions.

“Films are rated based on their relevance, quality and personal enjoyment,” Frangella wrote. “We are students, not professional curators, but we have had great readings and presentations from both our professor and another faculty member, Eli Horwatt, [lecturer of cinema], who has had extensive experience curating.”

Frangella explained how Horwatt reminds SEFF organizers that curate means, etymologically, to ‘care for.’ This shows for students like Brace and Frangella, who put this care into their work.

The Student Experimental Film Festival is free to attend. More information can be found on the BU website and SEFF’s Instagram page, @seffbing.

Editor’s Note (11/16): This article has been edited to fix the venue’s location.

Nestled within Fine Arts 236, the Art Co-op provides a haven for creative minds. The student-run co-op welcomes students and community members Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to access affordable, quality art supplies. Unlike many campus organizations, the Art Co-op is an Student Association (SA) business, not a club. The organization is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing Binghamton University students and community members together, hosting sales and opportunities for students to access affordable materials.

As the only fine arts store at Binghamton, the Art Co-op provides supplies unavailable in typical craft stores like Michaels. The Co-op achieves its primary goal of affordability by selling supplies at cost, undercutting the prices of larger department stores.

Samantha Ballin, co-president of the Art Co-op and a senior double-majoring in painting and English, elaborated on the Co-op’s efforts to be an accessible space for all individuals.

“What I love most about the Co-op is how we exist to bring quality supplies to students,” Ballin wrote in an email. “We are here solely to help students. As an art student I greatly appreciate being able to get what I need for my courses in the same building as my classes without having to pay for shipping or wait weeks, sometimes months, for supplies.”

The Art Co-op is entirely volunteer-run and offers volunteers perks for their efforts, including a 15 percent discount in exchange for working a minimum of one hour per week. Ballin encourages students to volunteer, a process as simple as emailing or stopping by the Co-op to learn more about volunteering.

Kaitlyn Park, co-president of the Art Co-op and a junior double-majoring in biology and mathematical sciences, reflected on the Art Co-op’s role in connecting people.

“We’re always eager to have new volunteers to join, and volunteering is a great way to get some retail experience, meet other volunteers with similar interests and enjoy a discount on already great prices for everything that we sell,” Park wrote.

Since reopening in the fall of 2021, following a temporary close shortly before COVID-19, the Art Co-op underwent two years of renovations to make the space more inviting for students, including a new window, freshly painted walls, new shelving and an accent wall designed by art student at BU.

Ballin expressed her satisfaction with the improvements.

“Over the last two years, the art Co-op has become a passion project of mine,” Ballin wrote. “There is such a difference between when we reopened to now, like night and day. It is just so special to see that the [hundreds] of hours we have put into it was well worth it.”

Park added what her favorite parts of the business are.

“My favorite part of the Co-op is its role in bridging gaps at [BU],” Park wrote. “Although my majors are completely unrelated to art, I’ve met a lot of really cool people through the Co-Op, whether they’re volunteers, professors or just someone who stopped in to check out the Co-Op.”

The Art Co-op organizes opportunities for students through sales, with discounts of up to 60 percent on over 100 items. Ballin looks forward to hosting another sale later this semester. Moreover, the Co-op has started displaying student art, allowing students to showcase and even sell their creations.

In addition to sales, the Art Co-op introduced class kits in spring 2023. These kits are collaboratively created with professors to provide kits tailored to art classes for the upcoming semester. The Co-op orders the supplies in bulk, saving significant costs and provides students with supplies during the first week of classes. They also cover shipping costs.

Looking ahead, the co-presidents aim to welcome more volunteers and continue increasing the Co-op’s presence on campus making it a go-to place for art supplies.

“I hope we can contribute to the art community at [BU] and bring students together,” Ballin wrote. “I hope we become students’ go-to place for art supplies. I want the Co-op to be a place where everyone feels welcomed.”

Park elaborated further.

“My biggest hope would be to continue our current momentum in increasing our presence on campus,” Park wrote. “Many people still aren’t very familiar with us, and having people interested in volunteering is what makes the whole thing work. We have a great group of volunteers, and some of them will eventually take over when the current E-Board graduates, so their passion for improving the Co-op will allow it to continue thriving.”

The Art Co-op, through the dedication of its passionate co-presidents and volunteers, has become an affordable and welcoming resource for art supplies. Their commitment to serving the campus community and fostering creativity is reflected in their ongoing collaboration with professors. For updates on sales and events, visit their Instagram (@bingartcoop) and discover the many ways the Art Co-op is making art accessible to everyone.

The Binghamton Tech Collective (BTC), a recent addition to Binghamton University’s array of student clubs, is making waves on campus with its mission to foster a thriving tech scene through innovative campus-based projects. Co-founded by Mishu Kaur, president of BTC and a junior majoring in computer science, and Jenifer Weng, vice president of BTC and a senior majoring in political science — BTC’s journey is both inspiring and transformative.

BTC’s story began during the 2023 finals season when Kaur reflected on the lack of opportunities for students to gain tech experience on BU’s campus.

“It is so difficult to gain tech experience on campus, which is a problem because the tech industry is growing really fast, and people’s interest in tech is growing really fast,” Kaur said. “A lot of other universities have tech clubs, and those are the students that [BU] students are competing against in the job market. So we wanted to create BTC to have a space for students to gain actual experience, but also to make an impact on campus with projects.”

With this vision in mind, Kaur went to Weng, a classmate and friend who shared a similar vision.

“Before [Kaur] had come to me last semester with the idea, I had already been doing a lot of thinking because on campus, especially for a social science major who is interested in tech, it’s really hard to get into tech without prior experience,” Weng said.

In addition to making tech opportunities readily available, the two founders envisioned a project-based club that could create a space for students to tackle campus-wide issues with effective solutions.

“It’s really heartbreaking because what can you really do on campus,” Weng said. “You can do your research, but after your research, you know what the problem is, but what resources do we have on campus to actually solve it? But with a club like BTC, I feel like it would really inspire a lot of students to actually realize that there is a place on campus where if they have a good idea, and it’s an idea that a lot of people feel the same way about, it is something that we can actualize and create positive impact for.”

To make their vision a reality, Kaur and Weng embarked on a series of student surveys, identifying a myriad of on-campus problems. The surveys revealed a wide range of project ideas, such as redesigning the Off Campus College Transport SPOT app, helping students find off-campus housing, creating a platform for making study groups on campus and even finding ways to help students make friends.

While these projects are not yet official, Kaur and Weng confirmed that they would each select and head a project within the next few weeks, with a focus on benefitting the campus community.

Following an application and recruitment process, Kaur and Weng appointed over 90 general body members to head these projects, embracing students from various disciplines, including STEM students, School of Management (SOM) and Harpur College students.

Kaur and Weng were keen on inclusivity and gender diversity, recognizing the need to break away from male-dominated tech culture.

“A lot of the [tech] clubs on campus have a lot of men, and there’s not really a place where it’s super inclusive [for women] besides Girls Who Code and Women in Tech,” Kaur said. “So we want to make sure that BTC is an inclusive club for all, and promote that you don’t have to be one specific type of computer science student to be in the club.”

Weng reinforced this idea, emphasizing that BTC aims to include students outside of typical tech fields.

“You don’t have to be an engineering major to be involved in tech either,” Weng said. “I want to make sure that people understand that you can break into tech. It is possible.”

While E-Board, design and software engineering team positions have already been filled for this semester, students can get involved through BTC’s student workshops. Collaborating with the Product Management Development Program, BTC offers workshops aimed at enhancing technical skills and career development. Additionally, BTC’s director of technical education will be posting a website-building workshop, and the director of career development will host a career development and LinkedIn workshop.

While BTC is in its early stages, both founders are optimistic about the future of the club. After receiving over 100 applications over the span of two weeks in their first semester of operation, Kaur and Weng hope to accept more applicants in the coming semesters as the club continues to grow.

BTC, beginning as an idea, has grown into a promising space for students to gain tech experience and work to promote positive campus improvements by students, for students. With an eye on a future filled with innovation and progress, BTC hopes to make a significant impact on Binghamton’s tech landscape.

At the corner where Robinson Street intersects Griswold Street is Stellar Human, a vintage clothing store owned and operated by LaRue Simmons. Featuring all sorts of eclectic pieces from jackets and dresses to graphic tees and hoodies, Simmons has been expanding his shop since opening in February of 2021.

Originally from Johnson City and now a resident of Binghamton, Simmons was excited for Stellar Human to become a prime opportunity to bring something new to Broome County that was not there before.

“I knew that what we were doing was special and different, and I just had a feeling that it was going to work,” Simmons said.

With the popularization of thrifting among younger groups comes the appreciation of vintage pieces. Instead of packing the store with as many clothes as possible, vintage stores like Simmons’ seek to scale down the overwhelming amounts of items by carefully selecting pieces that are unique and worth more than thrift stores may list them for.

“When I first opened the store, it was definitely more geared toward just a thrift store,” Simmons said. “Maybe like a curated thrift.”

He explained that after much research and learning from other vintage sellers, he was able to look for valuable details on tags or in the fabric composition and stitching of the item.

“As time went on and my eye grew sharper, I ultimately decided to switch the shop over from being labeled [as] a thrift store to vintage,” Simmons said.

Currently, Stellar Human exists as more than just a store, but also a hub for residents and students to come together and connect. Simmons couldn’t help but contain his enthusiasm about meeting new people and creating connections with individuals of all different backgrounds and interests.

“It was a lost art to have conversations with somebody that you don’t know,” Simmons said. “I think that having a space like this where I’ve been able to see people who didn’t know each other meet here and then go outside of here and create something together … stuff like that is something I can’t put a price on. I’m just super grateful for that.”

Furthermore, Stellar Human prides itself on being “a safe space for all,” and Simmons stresses the importance of places existing as an outlet for people to gather and explore new interests.

“One of my goals for the shop was to be able to bring people who had similar interests, whether it was fashion or music or just dope stuff in general out of the woodwork,” Simmons said. “My ultimate goal is just to have a room full of people who just all are into dope stuff and just having a cool conversation.”

Simmons gets to see this vision come to life every Monday night with an event called “Stellar Records,” where all are welcome to bring a record, sit and bond over music.

Stellar Human welcomes all to come in and find pieces that they love. Simmons truly personalizes his store inventory by picking items that he could see himself and others wearing that could work with different styles.

“I pick based on my style, but my style is super eclectic,” Simmons said. “There are days where I want to do streetwear. There are days where I want to do the ‘70s thing and wear bell bottoms, but I think that’s what makes the shop a little more unique.”

Simmons encourages shoppers to find pieces that work and personalize those items to make them their own.

“Everyone wants to be different, and what better way to be different than wearing something that’s hard to find and is your own thing,” Simmons said.

Stellar Human is on Instagram @stellar.human and is open from Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

FlipFlop, a brand new social media app, made its debut about a month ago. With a strong focus on college life and interconnectedness, the app’s mission statement is to help students discover clubs, social events and new friendships.

Alex Grzechowski, a junior majoring in economics, first developed the idea behind FlipFlop during syllabus week of his freshman year.

“Many clubs and Greek life would slide paper notes under my dorm room door as an invitation to their event,” Grzechowski wrote in an email. “Simply put, I thought that this inconvenience could be translated to a social networking application.”

With his brother tackling the business side of their fledgling project, Grzechowski spent the next two years learning the programming language Swift so he could eventually program the app.

“Both my brother and I had little to no knowledge when it came to programming fall of 2021,” Grzechowski wrote. “While I was learning code, my brother was learning how to grow a brand and a business. We divided and conquered and when I felt ready to code the app, we jumped right into it and never looked back.”

College students can already communicate with each other on campus through YikYak, but Grzechowski had concerns regarding YikYak’s interface which FlipFlop aims to address.

“YikYak is an anonymous feed with no post credibility that provides redundant information to other students,” Grzechowski wrote. “FlipFlop users have integrity and credibility that instills a sense of purpose behind each post. Due to posts being anonymous, it can also lead to an unsafe university environment. FlipFlop gives a face to the user, thus making each post uploaded with personality and proper intent.”

FlipFlop sports an intuitive and inviting interface that makes finding other people on campus a no-brainer. Once a user has selected their campus, they are free to see a feed for general posts and a feed for events at their college. Additionally, users can engage with students from other schools through the explore tab, further emphasizing the app’s focus on connection. FlipFlop is available to over 120 colleges nationwide, with plans to someday expand internationally.

“Our goal is to encourage students to be engaged with their university through joining clubs, attending school events, attending social events, etc.,” Grzechowski wrote. “We hope to have FlipFlop in every university nationwide with it being the number one social networking platform catered to college students. A future goal is to create a college lifestyle brand that coexists with the app.”

Part of what makes FlipFlop so accessible is the cues it takes from other social media platforms, allowing users to create polls, save posts and events and upload images and links in addition to the typical text posts. All the features one would want in a social media app are here, just focused to better, capture the college experience and bring students together.

Grzechowski emphasized this focus further.

“We hope students gain a sense of unity and also direction with their university while using FlipFlop,” Grzechowski wrote. “College is often a triumphant journey. Finding a group of relatable people and finding activities students want to be involved in can be difficult. FlipFlop adds value to ‘the college experience’ by providing more opportunities for users to not only connect with other students at their university but discover what is happening socially around campus as well.”