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Every Thursday night, a concert is held by the waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach. This event is called Clematis by Night and is organized by the City of West Palm Beach. These concerts are held for several weeks during the fall at the Palm Stage of the Great Lawn. The last concert on Sept. 28 was a Jimmy Buffett tribute show, which brought friends and family together to enjoy live music and food. The concerts, started nearly three decades ago, have become a tradition for the city. Every week a new artist or music group performs. The Carribean Chillers, a music group that recreates Jimmy Buffett concerts and plays “standard” band music, was that night’s performers. Carla Trivino attended the concert with her girlfriend and their son. She said it was the first time in years she had gone, but expressed how the Jimmy Buffet tribute made her want to rediscover Clematis by Night. “My girlfriend was driving by and saw the stage being set up. She heard that it was a Jimmy Buffett honor concert, so we said it would be fun to go and check it out. It has been great so far,” Trivino said. Trivino said her favorite part was the location of the concert by the water, and she appreciated the nice weather. “It has been raining so much lately. I am glad the weather is nice as long as we can have it,” Trivino said. Trivino would recommend Clematis by Night to anyone looking to leave the house for a couple of hours. She said the event was great for people of all ages because it was a big space by the stage where children could play, but where adults also could sit and enjoy the music. “I think it is a great place for people to come and get together and enjoy a night out after work with their families not too far from home,” she explained. That night the Great Lawn was filled with hundreds of people singing and dancing. Many visitors also brought their own blankets and chairs to sit on while eating, drinking and enjoying the concert. Sofia and Sarah Monjaras, two sisters who were invited by their friends, attended the concert for the first time. They said the different food options were their favorite thing about the event. “We did not know what concert it was, but so far it has been a positive experience. There are some really good food options,” Sofia said. “So far the doughnuts are the best,” Sarah added. They said it was a good family, especially for children. And, they expressed that even friends could make an excellent hang of Clematis by Night. “We will definitely come back to another concert night,” they said. By Hedda Jarhall

Girls on the Run is a national nonprofit organization designed to build girls' self-worth and help them feel greater confidence in themselves. The organization was first established in 1996, in Charlotte, North Carolina. What was started by 13 brave girls now serves more than 200,000 girls annually and is found in every state in America. "As the girl who was bad at making friends, I was that person in the crowd. Then, I joined Girls on the Run. It changed my life. Now, I have people who understand me. I love my life because of Girls on the Run,” said Colleen, a 9-year-old from the program. By using activities, the organization helps girls recognize their personal strengths and teach them how to stand up for themselves and others. “The point of Girls on the Run is to build their confidence and show that who they are is just enough,” said Kristen Skladd, board secretary for Girls on the Run Palm Beach. It is a three-month-long program for girls in elementary school or middle school. During this time, they do exercises designed to boost their confidence, make themselves feel good about their decisions and see all of the good things about their personalities. At the end of the program, they run a 5K race. “It’s about so much more than running -- building their confidence is the focus,” said Skladd. Diane Evans, council director, is responsible for planning programs throughout Palm Beach County. “During the three-month program, the girls have a 20-lesson curriculum. Each lesson has a different topic, which presents self-team and community, and we create running into the program,” said Evans. The program also includes a service project that the girls choose, plan and complete. One example would be beautifying their school by planting flowers. The program has been extremely successful. "We have heard so many girls say that having this program in their lives has made so much difference," Skladd added. The girls are self-conscious, trying to figure out who they are, who they want to be and who their friends are. Some girls come into the program afraid to talk to others, fearful of tests or even stressed about social situations. “Whatever it might be, none of the girls had the confidence to do it,” said Skladd. Instead of leaving the program with the same negative outlook, according to Skladd, girls say, “Hey, I can do this -- I have made so many friends, I have run this 5K race and I can do anything I want.” “It is very common to hear something like "You run like a girl," so we want them to be confident about that. Yes, you run like a girl, but that’s not a bad thing. Challenging the negative stereotypes the girls hear growing up is very important,” Evans on the stereotypes that girls face. One of the coaches mentioned Kayla, a girl who recently joined the program. “She is a bright and outgoing girl but struggled with body image and self-esteem. She often compared herself to others and felt insecure about her appearance. The program's lesson about self-acceptance really resonated with her and she began to appreciate her unique qualities," one coach mentioned. Even though the project has had great success, there are some challenges. Most locals have never heard about the organization. Skladd simply wishes for more program recognition among the community. The challenge is to raise awareness of the program, not just to the parents and girls, but to teachers and principals as well. “I want people to get an understanding that we are not just a running club,” Evans said. At the end of the program, Kayla said, “Girls on the Run helped me see that my worth isn’t based on how I look or what other people think of me. I’m learning to love myself just the way I am, and that feels really empowering.” By Anna Hanstveit

Palm Beach Atlantic University started the new school year with exciting news for students who are passionate about gaming — the introduction of a new eSports club. The esports club in development for over a year, was officially announced at the commencement of the Fall Semester in 2023. In a previous interview with The Beacon Today, Vice President of Student Development Bob Lutz said that the club was still in its early development stages but was slated for a Fall 2023 launch. Now that it is officially here, students can sign up for the upcoming at-home tournaments starting this week. Jared Stewart, founder of Video Game Ministries (VGM), joined PBA as the head coach of esports this fall. Growing up in the late 90s when video games expanded to include classics like Pac-Man and Super Mario, Stewart found it inevitable to not become involved in the industry. During his tenure as a local church pastor, he grappled with questions like “Am I playing too much?” and “Is this beneficial for me?”. Upon reflection, he concluded that gaming could offer substantial rewards when approached with the purpose of redemption. He sought opportunities to promote a Christian perspective on video games for organizations, churches, nonprofits and individuals. While the primary goal of esports on campus is to be competitive, it also offers students an opportunity to utilize their leisure time when the Rinker Arena is available. “We are looking to be more competitive, but we still are leveraging and utilizing video games to create Christian game changers,” said Stewart. Unlike any traditional esports club, Stewart aims to make it more than just a competitive space. “We want Christ-following game changers in the esports community,” Stewart said. “There's going to be so much more that will be built into esports.” Rather than focusing solely on the competitive side of the club, it is Stewart’s goal to provide an opportunity for every interested student to find their place. According to Stewart, the main objective is to compete with other universities while also allowing on-campus gamers to practice their skills outside of competitions. “I want PBA students who are esports inclined to have opportunities elsewhere because of their experience and time.” Esports, both an unconventional sport and form of entertainment, is still not universally recognized as a sport, though it is. Many people stream esports events through platforms like Twitch, often free for the audience. Stewart says that many at-home tournaments and future competitions will be streamed on Twitch, requiring a broadcasting team. “I want to build a gaming community at PBA. Do you like sports broadcasting but you find yourself as a gamer? Do you want to be the John Madden or the Stephen A. Smith of the eSports world? Well, let's create that opportunity for you,” Stewart said. In addition to broadcasting, the club is looking for an event planner, leadership structure and production manager. The club will give students the chance to stream and create content while having the ability to view multiple screens on one monitor and switch between cameras for Twitch. While the gaming arena is fully set up and ready for use, internet access remains limited. Stewart has already filed a complaint to the head of the department of athletics. However, the decision remains unchanged. “I’m going to get a hold of IT to see how quickly we can get one dedicated port,” he said. According to the Head Department of Athletics, students cannot enjoy gaming sessions at the arena without the presence of the head coach, a decision that is bothersome for many students on campus. Seth Tinner, one of the first students to join the esports team, expressed his frustration. “I find it stupid to limit students like that,” Tinner admits. “What if the coach’s schedule does not allow him to be there with us? What is the whole point of this club then if we can’t play?” Recruitment has already begun, but the official competition will not start until the fall of 2024. According to Stewart, this gives the department time to assemble a skillful and dedicated team. “I'm not going to field a team for Super Smash Brothers when we don't have the right players,” Stewart says. “In the meantime, we're preparing the foundation before we build the house on it.” By Alisa Koryagina

The ocean can be a therapeutic escape. But, as the ocean becomes full of rage, waves rush and crash against each other creating currents that will tear anything away from the shore. Lifeguards and swimmers express concern over strong riptides this hurricane season. Early Tuesday morning, on Sept. 9, an on-duty lifeguard Paul Scott, for Municipal Beach expressed concerns regarding the rip currents. “Rip currents are a serious danger to locals and tourists, especially during hurricane season. It's important to be aware of the red flags posted at local beaches,” said Scott. Scott's experience emphasizes the dangers the ocean holds and how to avoid them. “If ever caught in this situation, never fight and or swim against the waves.” Scott tells folks to stay calm and relaxed while floating on their back. The currents can be fast-moving and extremely unexpected. These currents are forming near the Atlantic Coast, due to water piling up between the breaking waves on shore, which often appear perpendicular. As temperatures over land increase, including the Arctic ice caps melting, this increases the sea levels. According to NPR News, riptides injure and kill more people than hurricanes and even tornados combined. The East Coast of Florida has rarely experienced hurricanes, national weather issues or even storm surges. “Since the beginning of June, 18 people have died in rip currents across the country, representing more than 30% of the 55 people who have drowned from the fast-moving water phenomenon this year. On average, 71 people die in rip current drownings each year,” as stated by the National Weather Service to the Washington Post. The currents rush and race, creating a strong enough force to pull any swimmer directly out to sea. “In my five years of living here, I have never seen such powerful waves and riptides as I have seen this past week. Being a local I have seen several young children and even surfers being pulled to sea by unexpected currents,” said local Lavender Leon. Leon explained how easy it was to be dragged out to sea in just the blink of an eye. Most swimmers do not notice they are close to a ripe tide. They can be almost invisible, yet extremely dangerous. “Riptides can be unexpected and terrifying to get caught in. As a surfer, I have had experience with dangerous currents. It is important to never swim against the current and stay calm,” Leon added. All beach lifeguards are fully trained and are made sure to be the strongest swimmers. The Red Cross has more to add on lifeguard qualifications stating, “The lifeguard staff training includes passing biannual qualification testing and becoming First Responder Certified.” Plus, lifeguards on Florida beaches must be qualified to fit the requirements. “Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current or float until the current dissipates then swim diagonally to shore,” mentioned the Red Cross on how to escape rip currents. Rip currents are taking full effect in West Palm Beach and along the Atlantic Coast. “It is easy to get pulled away from shore without even knowing it. Stay aware and cautious of colored flags held high on beaches before entering waters,” Scott said. By Avery Ehrig

Christian Davidson made his initial court appearance on March 21, 2022, at the Orange County Jail, facing two charges. Davidson was accused of aggravated assault and domestic violence battery, and he has a documented history of mental illness. The alleged incident involved Davidson, who resided with the victim, a male, and was charged with a third-degree felony for reportedly brandishing a knife near the victim's head. Davidson was assigned a temporary public defender, who promptly asked the judge to screen the defendant for mental health. His lawyer showed evidence of multiple cases of mental health issues since 2018, including one case from this year. This case was filed in Orange County Circuit Courthouse located in Orange, Florida. The judge overseeing this case is Chad K. Alvaro. While the case has not been dismissed, no trial date has been set at this time. During his court appearance, Davidson revealed that he suffers from "bipolar schizoaffective" disorder but has been without medication for three months due to financial constraints. He has been unemployed for over six months, and unfortunately, this is the case throughout many trials. In cases like Davidson's, access to social services may play a crucial role in helping individuals in similar situations obtain necessary medication. Mental illness tends to impact various aspects of a person’s life, such as work, interactions with friends, family engagement and personal relationships. In contrast, abuse primarily impacts personal relationships. According to The Domestic Abuse Hotline, many callers attribute abuse to their partner's mental health condition, including conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, narcissistic personality, borderline personality or antisocial personality. Although this can be a common trait amongst abusers, mental illness is not necessarily the cause of the abuse. Since abusive behaviors happen primarily in one’s intimate partner relationship, it is common that an abusive partner will not show his or her negative or harmful behaviors with friends, co-workers or family members. Abuse and mental illness can coincide. There are cases of individuals who have mental illness and are also abusive to their partners. However, it is equally important to recognize that many individuals with mental illness can be healthy and supportive partners, with mental illness not being the root cause of abusive behavior. A study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2022 found that one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness. In a March 2015 report titled "The Processing and Treatment of Mentally Ill Persons in the Criminal Justice System: A Scan of Practice and Background Analysis," the Urban Institute stated, "An estimated 56 percent of state prisoners, 45 percent of federal prisoners, and 64 percent of jail inmates have a mental health problem." Notably, inmates with mental health issues tend to have longer stays in the criminal justice system, with those in Florida's Orange County Jail averaging 51 days, compared to the 26-day average for all inmates. This extended detention is often due to difficulties in understanding and complying with jail and prison rules, as well as the wait for available space in psychiatric hospitals. Incarcerated individuals with mental illness face challenges in adapting to prison life, with their behaviors stemming from their conditions potentially resulting in rule violations, leading to consequences like solitary confinement or program exclusion. Mental health treatment, including screenings, timely access to mental health providers, access to medications, and recovery support programs, is provided to inmates with mental health needs. Kaylee Penya, an assistant to Judge Alvaro, confirmed that Davidson is facing charges of domestic abuse. As part of his pre-trial release conditions, Davidson is prohibited from contacting the victim or coming within 500 feet of the victim. He is also collaborating with Social Services to secure the necessary medication and assistance for his substance addiction. By Luiza Desouza

The city of West Palm Beach has temporarily closed the 300 block of Clematis Street to traffic as Roxy’s rooftop pool is installed, affecting local businesses in the area. The city approved the street closure, which has been closed since July 12 and is expected to reopen later this month. While street traffic on that section of Clematis will be closed, pedestrian traffic is still permitted. Paula Janella, a server at Sushi Yama, has noticed the negative impacts on business, and she worries it might be due to the traffic restrictions making people think the restaurant is closed. “Normally we get fewer people because of the off-season, but ever since construction has started we’ve been getting less than half of the regular amount – even to-go orders decreased,” Janella said. Roxy's has been approved to install a 100-by-30-foot pool, 16 private cabanas and a full-service bar and restaurant atop its building at 309 Clematis St., which was erected in 1896. “The road closure is taking place during the summer to minimize disruption during the peak season," the city hall said. Unlike Sushi Yama, Grease, a sports bar on Clematis, has become increasingly popular and restaurant host Sarah Ledne believes it is because of the blockage. “We’re usually slow during the off-season, but we’ve been at a steady increase since the road shut down. We have had a ton of people come in and try us out for the first time,” Ledney said. Ledney told us she was sent home because the restaurant was at full capacity and she was not needed for the job. Roxy's has been approved to install a 100-by-30-foot pool, 16 private cabanas, and a full-service bar and restaurant atop its building at 309 Clematis St., which was erected in 1896. Roxy’s business has slowed down but customers are eager for the new and improved rooftop. “Honestly it has been slower, the customers only have a small point of entry so it doesn’t look like we’re open unless you come to check,” said Roxy's bartender, Steven Ross, who believes business has slowed down. How the businesses have been impacted varies with the location of the business. There is proof that each business has been impacted by the closing of traffic in the highly populated area. For some businesses, the street being opened is necessary for them to prosper. Local resident Stephanie Greene is happy about the road being closed because it gives her children a safer place to bike. “It’s great, we can bike down without worrying about upcoming traffic, they (her children) love it,” she said. Construction has had many impacts on businesses and people around the strip. It is expected to end by Sept. 29. “The city of West Palm Beach has mandated that Clematis be reopened in time for the GreenMarket in October,” City Hall said. By Luiza Desouza

Mark Ambor, the 25-year-old and up-and-coming musician, recently had his first big break when his song “Curls in the Wind” blew up on TikTok with over 980 thousand views. The song was published on July 7, 2023, but received real traction when Ambor posted a TikTok video promoting the song, earning him a real taste of fame. Ambor grew up in New York, about forty minutes outside of the city, where he played piano as a child but never expressed interest in music until high school. The summer before his freshman year of college was when the idea of being a musician first entered his mind. “I never sang for anyone,” Ambor said. “I decided where I was going to college, but I was not going to school for music at all.” Ambor’s sudden inspiration to write music was brought on by the sadness one typically feels when leaving home for the first time. As he recalls it, he was home alone for the afternoon, his friends had already all left and he was at home “bored and lonely.” “I didn’t really want to leave and go and start a whole new world in college,” Ambor said. Those feelings were what brought on his first songwriting experience, though, and after writing his first song, he simply never stopped. While Ambor studied in college, his passion for music grew as he learned to play guitar. “Covid then happened, and I basically took that opportunity to pursue music because no one was pursuing anything, and my friend told me to make a TikTok,” Ambor said when describing the early days of promoting his music. Through TikTok, Ambor was able to connect with fellow artists and grow his following. After years of work, Ambor signed with a record label and honed in on the type of music he wanted to produce. “I like songs that aren’t super abrasive – I want my music to sound like I'm just in the room singing to the person listening to that song,” Ambor said. Fame did not come to Ambor quickly. He currently has over two million monthly listeners, but that is after nearly six years of dedication and hard work. The first song he produced was put up on SoundCloud, where barely anyone even knew who he was. But, Palm Beach Atlantic University student Abby Knox was one of the few who were listening to Ambor when he was only 19 years old. “I’m a huge fan of his,” Knox stated. “I’ve been listening to him since my sophomore year of high school. It’s been really cool watching his whole journey progress to what it is now.” Ambor has nine songs on Spotify and is considering an album. “I love the idea of an album,” Ambor stated. “I feel like you’re looked at more seriously as an artist when you have an album.” The idea of a tour and an album is still in the works for Ambor and his team, but both are dreams he is actively pursuing. “I think it would be really cool for someone who doesn’t have quite as big a following yet to put on a performance!” said Emily Moses, another fan from PBA’s campus. “I would be really excited to attend a concert of his and am excited to see how his music grows.” Ambor hopes to continue producing new music and have an album someday. Currently, he plans to travel to Los Angeles to meet people who will help him take his music career further. By Ashlyn Knaebel

DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go is expanding to South Florida, with new locations set to open soon in West Palm Beach and Delray Beach. The company, which specializes in made-from-scratch fresh pasta and homemade sauces, is adding to its existing locations in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Sarasota. Originating in Venice, Italy, DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go offers a new concept in high-quality Italian food, with four types of homemade pasta and eight sauces, including vegan and vegetarian options. The food is ready within minutes and served in to-go boxes, catering to busy customers who may not have time for a sit-down meal. DalMoros will open the largest location yet early this year, with indoor and outdoor seating on Clematis Street, the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, known for its foot traffic, tourism and food culture. The second location in Delray Beach will offer delivery and takeout only, with some outdoor seating, and is expected to open this spring. “We couldn’t be happier to expand to South Florida,” DalMoros Franchisee David Caruso said. “Since opening our first three locations on the West Coast of Florida in the Tampa Bay region, we’ve had many people asking when we’re going to open on the other coast.” Although only three locations are currently open in Florida, DalMoros’s is in high demand. “West Palm Beach and Delray Beach each fit the mold of what DalMoros is looking for: foot traffic, tourism, foodie culture and a fast-growing market, not to mention premier locations on Clematis Street and Atlantic Avenue,” Caruso said. Unlike its Italian food competitors on Clematis, DalMoros caters to people who may not have time for a sit-down meal. The food is served in a way that customers can easily enjoy no matter where they are headed. The to-go boxes will allow busy people to grab and go quickly, something difficult to find on Clematis. Local resident Shelby Roth and her roommates are among those excited about the opening of the new location. “I’m glad to hear about this; Clematis needs a place that’s easy to grab and go. There are too many sit-down places around here and the only walkable grab-and-go food place I can think of is Jersey Mikes on Clematis," Roth said. "I’m so excited about new Italian food, I’ve heard nothing but good things about it online.” DalMoros, which opened its first U.S. location in 2021, is looking forward to continued growth and success as it expands into South Florida. By Luiza Desouza

With simple internet access, students all over the world now have unlimited information at their fingertips. Annabel Mowbray tested this on April 13 in the Warren Library at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She fed the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, a hypothetical research prompt. “Write me an essay about the effects of social media usage on teenager’s depression levels,” the PBA psychology major wrote. Within seconds, ChatGPT provided five paragraphs of in-depth information on this topic organized in an essay format. The bot included statistics of what appeared to be accurate information, and Mowbray found the essay barely distinguishable from a student-written paper. “I was shocked with how quickly it wrote a very academic paper,” Mowbray said. “It brought in different studies, and pulled actual real-life studies off the internet.” ChatGPT was launched last November by OpenAI, an AI company owned by Microsoft, based in San Francisco, California. ChatGPT is able to adjust its responses if it makes mistakes, respond to follow-up questions and reject inappropriate topics, according to its website. The bot is one of the greatest AI advancements yet, sparking multiple conversations on its potential impacts. While the list of potential effects of AI is endless, the potential effect of ChatGPT on education has become specifically prevalent. Some of the bot’s other skills consist of writing poetry, creating codes, summarizing long texts and writing substantially accurate research papers, which raises concerns about the growing opportunity for plagiarism. At PBA, discussions surrounding ChatGPT are on the rise among students and professors as universities everywhere attempt to properly react to such skillful technology. Dr. Jenifer Elmore, the chair of the English Department at PBA, expressed concern about ChatGPT. “It’s just frightening to think of a world where people haven’t practiced using their own minds, interpreting information on their own, synthesizing information on their own and evaluating conclusions,” Elmore said. Emily Moses, an English and education student at PBA, says that professors are not the only ones wary of the new technology. She recognizes the unfairness it could create in the classes for students as well. “It can be really frustrating to people who work really really hard on what they do,” Moses said. “It just skews the whole system.” Despite the concerns, there is a wide range of opinions when it comes to AI. Ryan Kivett works as the senior technical support analyst at PBA, and views ChatGPT as a new tool for humanity that will require adaptation. “I’m assuming the implication is a lot like the implication of a calculator for mathematics,” said Kivett, regarding how ChatGPT affects education. “It’s important to know the concepts but it’s also important to know how to use the tool that can pretty much do all the concepts for you.” Kivett claims that adjustments to AI could include changing personal outlooks on plagiarism. “If your classic view of plagiarism is the borrowing of someone else’s work, I haven’t yet really concluded yay or nay on whether or not work generated by an AI is plagiarized,” Kivett said. “Is it plagiarism to have a tool assist you in the creation of a paper?” Professors at PBA are attempting to answer this question through a task-force created to update the university’s policy on ChatGPT and plagiarism. Dr. Elizabeth Stice, a history professor, has taken the lead on this force, and states that the school policy will prevent students from using ChatGPT without permission. Stice added that there are instances where ChatGPT could be used as an educational tool, but any outside use of these assigned instances would be considered academic dishonesty. Like Kivett, Stice also acknowledged the ways in which teaching styles will have to catch up to the improving technology of today. “If we’re giving an assignment that a machine can do, is it the right assignment? And the truth is sometimes it still is,” said Stice. “There should be points at which you’re offering the kinds of assignments that machines can’t do.” Presentations, oral exams and hand-written finals are examples of assignments that are immune to the effects of ChatGPT, according to Stice. Meanwhile, assignments such as research papers are more vulnerable. Even with more vulnerable assignments, there are still some weaknesses within the AI tool as of now. She described cases in which the bot would make up sources, and even entire books. “It knows things, but it doesn’t know why it knows things,” Stice said. Through her work in local schools as an education major, Moses has also seen a need for teaching styles that can adapt to Chat GPT. She claims that, partly due to COVID-19, many of the students she works with are about two years behind in their education, and she worries that AI technology could worsen that fact. “It’s really intimidating to be entering that field,” Moses said. “To have this way to to kind of cheat, and do less of the work, and not learn how to think for yourself – I think that’s really concerning.” Elmore took the conversation surrounding ChatGPT even further by claiming that there are negative implications for how human life is valued when technology like this is used in school. “There’s also the bigger picture of valuing human life, and valuing human dignity, and valuing human reason,” Elmore said. “You’re trying to basically eliminate all other talents and skills that make everybody valuable and replace them.” Kivett is not new to conversations on the ethical implications of AI and remembers discussing this when he was a student 11 years ago. Although he sees ChatGPT as a useful tool, he is also in favor of asking the big-picture questions for both education and humanity as a whole in light of AI. “The question of my generation was privacy, and it may still be a question for yours, but a new question for your generation is automation,” said Kivett. “What does it mean to automate so much of the world that we no longer need to labor as much? ” The general consensus among faculty to make efforts to adapt is giving professors like Stice hope for the future of education. “If the faculty are committed to also learning, as we go about it, and about how to avoid it, it’s not that it’s not a threat, but it doesn’t have to destroy everything necessarily,” said Stice. By Grace Mackey

Mary Veckman has defied all odds, having survived two major epidemics, lived through World War II and witnessed both the dominance and struggles of the U.S. Veckman was born in 1915 in New York City to two Russian immigrants who arrived on one of the many boats landing at Ellis Island. The 107-year-old lived in New York City for most of her early life. At just 3 years old, Veckman contracted the Spanish influenza, which swept through her house and claimed the life of her father, Joe. Despite her children being stained by grief, Veckman eventually recovered. In 2020, Veckman donated blood to Vanderbilt University, a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, to test if her immunization to the Spanish flu could have anything in common with the COVID-19 pandemic. “She wanted to help science, she told me,” said Nina Hutchinson, Veckman's daughter. Hutchinson reflected on the multitude of history her mother had lived through and is still living through today. She shared that when her mother was at a baseball game in her 20s, the game was abruptly stopped due to an announcement: Pearl Harbor had just been bombed. Soon after, World War II began, and Veckman and her husband moved to Evansville, Indiana. There, they experienced war blackouts where the shades were drawn closed, and the lights were shut off to confuse any enemy planes overhead of the whereabouts of big cities. Veckman’s husband worked for a helicopter repair business where war-damaged helicopters were sent, and Veckman volunteered at a nearby hospital, helping those injured from war. Theodore Roosevelt, the president at the time, had come to Veckman’s husband’s job to visit the site and repairmen. At the time, Roosevelt only rode in Cadillacs, but his Cadillac was so large that it did not fit through the aisle of the work site. Veckman had a Cadillac at the time, and it was a small convertible. After she offered her car to the president and his men, they accepted. Roosevelt’s men ripped and gutted the inside of Veckman’s Cadillac, looking for anything that would harm former President Roosevelt. “He rode around in our car!” exclaimed Hutchinson. In 1965, Veckman and her husband moved to Florida. Her husband has since passed, but Veckman continues to reside there. Veckman said that she does not have any words of wisdom to offer younger generations. Kids will go to school, go out and they will have fun. If that was the way to live 107 years ago, then in her opinion, we all will be alive in 2107. By Gianna D'Occhio

Roughly 2,500 acres of estuaries in Florida are polluted. Because of this, seagrasses have been decreasing by 7% each year. This issue stretches across many different ecosystems in the area. Dr. Thomas Chesnes, a professor of biology at Palm Beach Atlantic University, said, “We have seen a decrease in species abundance and this is also being shown in the decline of manatees, which eat the sea grasses.” Manatees, which are known as the cows of the sea, can usually be seen off the coast of Palm Beach basking in the sun. This decline of seagrass has resulted in a loss of 24% of manatees in Florida due to starvation. Many college students are encouraged to participate in beach cleanups. PBA requires their students to earn volunteer hours through its Workship program, which increases awareness about nonprofit organizations and encourages young adults to become involved with helping the community. Nathan Chau, the director of Worship at PBA, said, “The source that I direct students to is keeppalmbeachcountybeautiful.org. There you will see monthly beach cleanups that are happening all the time.” A small step in the right direction can help change the course of the future. Beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities can aid the preservation of wildlife. “Just doing the little things! There are 8 billion people on this planet. That cumulative action will add up,” Chesnes said. Locals can also become involved by visiting townofpalmbeach.com, marinlife.org or floridadep.org today to help clean Florida's ecosystems. By Kalie Thacker

Two freshmen at Palm Beach Atlantic University contemplate their spring mission trip experiences as they prepare for additional trips this summer, reflecting on the significance of short-term service. Emmie Turner spent almost three months preparing for her week-long mission trip to Brazil, which was organized by PBA's CMGlobal and Campus Ministries. The purpose of the trip, which costs $2,225, is to provide medical and dental care to communities along the Amazon River. Turner believes the cost is worth it since one action or word can significantly impact an individual. Lieanna Dalton will be serving on a two-week mission trip to Guyana, a country in South America, to minister to victims of human trafficking. Dalton believes that the $2,500 price tag and the preparation for the mission trip are irrelevant compared to her divine purpose of sharing the gospel. She has been fundraising for the trip on social media and is happy that the money will be spent helping others spiritually and physically. "I think that no cost or preparation is too great for this beautiful cause," Dalton said. In addition to finances, both students described devoting time out of their schedule for the trips. Dalton met with her team to discuss how to operate in a different cultural context, attended a mandatory missions training weekend and believes no amount of preparation is too great for the cause. Turner anticipates her trip and understands why young people might be hesitant to go on such a trip due to finances or the discomfort of being away from home. “A lot of kids my age want to stay in their bubble and not help those who have less than them," Turner said. Dalton said the main reason more students do not participate in mission trips is because they are unaware of the need to spread the gospel internationally. She believes this is due to ignorance of God's command to spread the gospel through missions by participation, praying or giving to the cause. Turner participated in mission trips during spring break when she was younger. For Turner, the idea of not using that time to help expand God's kingdom feels weird. Turner said mission trips are an excellent way to use that free period from school to benefit others. Meanwhile, Dalton is excited about taking a prominent and independent role in mission work for the first time. Turner learned about the trip through a friend, while Dalton has been closely monitoring CMGlobal's social media after hearing about their mission opportunities. Dalton attended their Mission Night event, where she heard about the trip to Guyana. Both students are excited about the opportunities to serve and share the gospel on their upcoming trips. By Sarah Gale