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Photo Courtesy of Cuesta-McAulay Press Office

BY NYLAH MITCHELL, STAFF WRITER

On Thursday, Oct. 3, Student Government collaborated with the First-Gen+ Center to launch a “how-to” website. Catered towards first-generation and migrant-origin students, the site gives a comprehensive guide on navigating college.   

The launch kicked off in Merten Hall, with Spanish top hits welcoming attendees. Mason Student Body President Maria Cuesta announced the collaboration with First Gen+ Center Assistant Director Rommel Aguilar. Aguilar shared that the website’s goal is to be “first-gen ready” and “promote undocufriendly spaces.”   

The website, “How To Guide: A Navigation Tool for First-Gen College Students and/or Students from Migrant-Origins,” provides various resources such as links to connect with student services, scholarship opportunities and more. Additionally, the website introduces students to the Mason community and provides a list of clubs and organizations surrounding identity and Greek life.

Photo Courtesy of Cuesta-McAulay Press Office

Though it doesn’t include every registered student organization (RSO), Undersecretary of Website Management Jake Dillenburg shared that “the [guide] is updateable. It is a living website.”  

The “Tips + Student Testimonials” page offers perspectives from current and alumni Mason students who may have felt “lost” or “uncomfortable” about receiving higher education. “It alleviates the pressure of getting an education,”  Cuesta said.  

Cuesta was elected as Student Body President in the Spring 2024 election. “On top of being a first-generation, I’m also an international student,” Cuesta said. “At Mason, I understood and saw the need of people being able to understand how to navigate college.” 

Cuesta credits her involvement with various student organizations and departments on campus for expanding her view on the different needs within Mason’s community. Cuesta shared that any efforts to enhance the experience of certain communities is an attempt to bring the community together. 

“It did start from a first-generation and immigrant background, but it’s not limited to that. It serves all students,” Cuesta added. 

Students can access the full guide on the official student government website.   

Amelia Jane Sand/ Fourth Estate

BY BARRETT BALZER, STAFF WRITER AND AMELIA JANE SAND, STAFF WRITER

Editor’s Note: Fourth Estate uses language in accordance with AP style guidelines. For more information on the use of the “Israel-Hamas war”, please visit the AP Stylebook. 

On Oct. 7, students gathered in Wilkins Plaza to attend the Israeli vigil observing the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war. The remembrance vigil was hosted by students from Mason Chabad, the Israeli Student Association (ISA), Mason Hillel and Students Supporting Israel at GMU. 

On Sept. 25, Mason Hillel made an Instagram post inviting the Mason community to the vigil. Described in their caption, the purpose of the vigil was to “mark the first anniversary of October 7th.”   

The vigil featured a long table decorated with plates, cups and yellow flowers with chairs holding pictures of the faces of several victims. The photos were accompanied with the names of the individuals and the words “kidnapped” or “murdered.” According to one organizer, the Shabbat table Installation was intended to represent those who were kidnapped, died or both during the first days of the Israel-Hamas war.

Amelia Jane Sand/ Fourth Estate

A giant Tzedakah box was placed at the end of the table nearest to Horizon Hall. The organizers handed out yellow shirts with a heart-shaped earth on them. 

Key speakers included Rabbi Daniel Novick and Rabbi Ezra. Additionally, Mason President Gregory Washington gave a speech addressing attendees. 

“By the Rev. Martin Luther King, darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” Washington said.

When asked about his attendance, Washington said, “I came out because the students asked and because it was a vigil. This was to help students mourn.”  

At the end of the vigil, Rabbi Ezra led the group in a song, Psalm 121, and instructed the attendees to cover their eyes with their right hand for the quick prayer. After, attendees passed out small yellow Tzedakah boxes at Wilkins Plaza, from Southside to the statue of George Mason next to the Johnson Center.

Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate

BY CHRISTIAN SEGOVIA, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

On Sept. 28, Mason men’s soccer dominated George Washington, defeating their rivals 5-2.

Starting the game off with possession, Mason moved the ball around the field showing chances of a breakthrough goal through using corner kicks and free kicks; however, their chances were met with the ball either going over the crossbar or being blocked by George Washington. The Revolutionaries started the scoring with a free kick from Finn Roberts in the 30th minute of the first half.

In the 32nd minute, Mason was given a penalty. Forward Marek Gonda took the penalty and kicked the ball down the middle, tying the score 1-1. 

In the 42nd minute of the first half, Mason defender Luis Maestre would start his run from the defense side into the midfield, finding Gonda, who would then pass it to forward Abdul Kamara on the right side of the field. Kamara would cross the ball from the right side of the field into the box to midfielder James Eliuda, who passed the ball to midfielder Henry Wachsman. Wachsman scored to put the Patriots up 2-1 at halftime.

Mason continued their possession game as the second half started. In the 50th minute, Gonda dribbled past a defender, having a chance at goal but George Washington goalkeeper Tom Macauley came out and grabbed the ball before he could shoot. From the 50th minute to the 63rd minute, Mason kept possession, passing the ball around and attacking to find any holes in George Washington’s defense. 

In the 63rd minute, Mason lost the ball on their defending side to George Washington midfielder Roee Tenne, who passed it inside the box to forward Jaden Dubon. Dubon kicked the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, forcing a 2-2 tie.

In the 73rd minute, Mason defender Leo Lemoine took a shot outside the box that would go over the crossbar to the left. In the 76th minute, Mason forward Quentin Clain scored on a rebound to put the Patriots in front 3-2.

Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate

In the 80th minute, Gonda crossed the ball from the right side of the box into Clain with another chance at goal but it was saved by Macauley. In the 83rd minute, Eliuda got the ball in the middle of the field and passed to Clain. Clain knocked in his second goal on a breakaway against Macauley. 

Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate

In the 84th minute, Eliuda shot the ball from outside the box directly at Macauley, who blocked the ball. The ball rolled right to Gonda, who put the ball in the bottom right of the net to clinch a 5-2 win for the Patriots.