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Christian Segovia/Fourth Estate

BY GABRIELLE PAMOR, STAFF WRITER

George Mason’s APAC Night Market, held Friday, April 4, transformed the campus into a bustling celebration of Asian-American culture, inviting students, faculty and local residents to experience an immersive world of food, art and vibrant performances. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Mason Pond and the surrounding mini plaza by the Center for the Arts and Buchanan Hall came alive with a panorama of colors, sounds, and aromas that reflected the diverse spirit of the APAC community.

Upon arrival, attendees were greeted with a goody bag containing snacks, stickers, and a take-home crochet project, adding a fun and creative touch to the evening. As people entered the market, the atmosphere felt like a fusion of festive street markets and a lively block party. The air was filled with the sounds of music, laughter, and sizzling food. 

The central stage was positioned behind the food vendors, with continuous acts ranging from energetic dancers to soulful singers and indie bands. Every performance added a new layer of excitement, drawing attendees from all corners of the market toward the stage.

Ryan Pascual, a senior IT major at Mason and guitarist for the band msgloria, reflected on the market’s layout,  “The setup had an area for various types of vendors of different small businesses selling various arts and crafts. There are a lot of Asian-owned businesses, some of them owned by Mason students themselves.” 

Pascual’s band performed on the main stage with a dynamic set that energized the crowd. “Being able to perform on that stage with that crowd filled with energy was amazing and definitely a highlight,” Pascual said. “The atmosphere was great. APAC Night Market is always a great place to reunite with old faces and meet new people. The performances were the highlight as it gives the opportunity to show off everyone’s incredible talents.”

Food trucks lined up several feet from the stage, drawing visitors with irresistible aromas . From savory grilled meats to sweet cultural desserts, there was something for every taste. Pascual shared his favorite: “[The] lychee strawberry lemonade from [the] Thai vendor tasted very refreshing.” 

Nearby, HoMade Sweets offered an assortment of cookies that ranged from taro to lavender tea, while Yummie Thai Kitchen served mouthwatering curry dishes. Everywhere, people were eating, laughing, and enjoying the lively ambiance.

The market was also a place to discover unique art and cultural items. Vendors displayed handcrafted jewelry, vibrant stickers, tote bags, and cultural merchandise. On the left side of the plaza, Mason organization tables showcased student-led initiatives, while the other side was filled with booths selling art and other creations. 

Justine Arenas, a senior majoring in business management information systems at Mason and bassist for both Viloria and msgloria, noted the diverse crowd. “It was really fun seeing familiar faces. It was cool seeing people crowd the stage for the performers,” Arenas said. “It’s my second year performing here, and I really enjoy sharing music with people and seeing them get hype. We even had a mini mosh pit, which was sick.”

(Courtesy of Ryan Pascual)

Christian Segovia, sports editor at Fourth Estate, captured the camaraderie the event fostered. “Honestly, just being able to cheer on my buddy Ryan and scream for his band, msgloria, as they performed, because they did amazing,” Segovia said. The sense of community and shared enthusiasm was palpable as friends cheered on performers, and strangers struck up conversations over food or at the art booths.

“The setup had an area for various types of vendors of different small businesses selling various arts and crafts,” Pascual noted. “The atmosphere was great. You could really feel the bond in the crowd.”

As the night wound down, the market was still buzzed with excitement. Whether it was the lively performances by Viloria and msgloria or the delicious food, every corner of the market offered something special. “It was great to see everyone reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, and cheering each other on during the performances. You could really feel the bond in the crowd,” Segovia said, reflecting on the community spirit that made the event memorable.

Colorful lights, festive decorations and upbeat music converged to create a space both celebratory and inclusive, offering everyone a chance to connect and appreciate the rich cultural traditions that make the APAC community so special.

Katie Perschau/Fourth Estate

BY KATIE PERSCHAU, STAFF WRITER

The Black Student Alliance (BSA) at George Mason hosted its fourth annual fashion show, Love and Lust, on Saturday, March 29. The show explored a range of emotions through handmade and curated looks, a live DJ, and talented performances on the runway. 

BSA models walked a candle-lined runway lit with glowing colors, immersing the audience in a journey of emotions to tell the story of love. The show began with red lights to symbolize the first emotion: lust. 

“Red is bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. It embodies passion, intensity, and undeniable allure…red is the color of attraction, stimulating the senses and waking deep emotions,” the show’s narrator said. 

As dramatic music played, models prowled the runway in reds, velvets, lace and leather. They struck powerful and seductive poses while engaging with the audience by dancing and blowing kisses. One model stripped off a black silk robe, revealing chain-link body jewelry, and another wore a corset dress accessorized with pearls and a feather fan. 

To signal the end of the first theme, three models slunk down the runway in simple yet bold dresses, drawing in the audience with confidence and daring glances. 

When the lights blended into green, the narrator explained how the color embodied envy, desire and longing. Models wore earthy greens, softer fabrics, vests and buttoned coats. 

To emphasize the theme, some models pretended to argue and push each other aside. They strolled casually, and several sent teasing waves to the audience. The final look for the green theme featured an outfit made entirely of crocheted fabric. 

The next color, black, was a stampede of leather accessorized with masks, shades and purple lights. Rhythmic rap music played for the models’ energetic walks. Wearing streetwear and gesturing insults at the audience, the models commanded the runway for one of the show’s most upbeat and intense segments. 

“In fashion and visual media,” the narrator said, “Black often conveys seriousness, defiance or hostility, emotions that arise in moments of anger.” 

Katie Perschau/Fourth Estate

Purple lights faded to blue to signify the transition to sadness. A model wearing a veil of beads resembling tears walked the runway, followed by models in flowing blue outfits pretending to wipe away sobs. The looks included striking details such as gems on the models’ cheeks and shimmering silver jewelry. 

The final theme of the show was true love. This theme was depicted using the color white to symbolize the pure, unconditional aspects of love and true affection, the narrator said. Models wore white lace, dresses, pearls and suits, and some handed flowers to the audience. 

Praising the BSA’s creativity, audience member Meagan Raubenolt said, “I thought it was fabulous. Everyone was so confident and looked beautiful, and it was a lot of hard work put together from a lot of great people.” 

Rehearsals for the show began in the fall of 2024. The BSA’s fashion show not only told a beautiful, emotional story of love but also showcased the organization’s talent and originality. 

“It was definitely a surreal experience seeing my vision from a Google Doc come to life…I’m so beyond proud and grateful for all the work everyone put into the show, and it was a beautiful success,” said Director Skye Callaway.

Sam Douglas/Fourth Estate

BY BRIAN A. HAYUM, STAFF WRITER

On April 1, the Mason Board of Visitors held a meeting to review the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget details a 2.5% increase in tuition and mandatory student fees. The budget, if approved at the April 10 Finance and Land Use Committee meeting, would raise tuition price for undergraduate and graduate programs by a minimum of $264 for in-state students and $528 for out-of-state.

 “George Mason continues to prioritize access and affordability despite rising costs and operating in the most expensive region in the Commonwealth,” read one presentation slide. The price hike is said to “support critical infrastructure investments” in response to “rising costs and market compensation.”

(Courtesy of Board of Visitors)

Despite highlighting the affordability and accessibility of attending Mason, the budget calls for additional investment to match the university’s ascendance in state and national rankings.

“We are very proud of our continued increases in rankings across the Commonwealth and United States….We believe these rankings help strengthen the value of a George Mason degree….

 However, we still have a funding shortfall,” said Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Deb Dickenson.  

“We are doing what we can on limited resources. We need the tuition dollars to support our faculty and staff retaining critical staff, expanding in innovative fields and building our infrastructure where our systems and infrastructure are behind,” said Dickenson

A tuition increase constitutes a large part of the cost of admission but not all of it. Mandatory student fees would also increase by 2.5% and would total $96 for both graduate and undergraduate students. The increase “covers all the services and programs and infrastructure that all students have access to,” said Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell. 

 The partnership between University Life and athletics was highlighted as another need for investment. “One of the ways we want to invest is in athletics,” Pascarell said. “The partnership that university life has with athletics really provides us with an opportunity to increase engagement.”

“We [Mason Athletics] have been underfunded for a number of years, and the resources have not kept pace with the expenses to maintain a competitive program,” Athletic Director Marvin Lewis said. “My goal is to provide a holistic student athlete experience and one that the university can be proud of. To do that, we have to increase the investment in athletics.” 

Despite the call for additional investment, Visitor Horace Blackman highlighted the balance between the school’s affordability and need for additional funds. “There is a bit of a chicken and egg problem,” Horace explained. “To raise more money, you have to have more infrastructure. To get more infrastructure, you need more money. At some point, it is like living in a house that is really old, and you cannot do any more attachments or upgrades. You have to knock it down and build it again.”

The Finance Land and Use Committee will vote on the proposed budget on April 10. If approved, the full board will vote on the bill on May 1.