Media Arts and Deisgn (SMAD) major and creative writing minor senior Lily Arseneau reflects on her college experience that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares the difficulties of forming connections with social distancing and how relieved she felt when restrictions were lifted.

Last March, Donica Hadley was named the Lab School for Innovation and Career Exploration’s first executive director. The new school partnered with Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) and Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) to reach students from beyond JMU’s campus. 

Senior Sarah Blais is a health sciences major from Virginia Beach. Every so often, she picks up leftover pastries and bread from her on-campus Panera job, and delivers them to the emergency department at Sentara Hospital.

Live theater is returning to The Little Grill, a quaint, community-based breakfast and lunch spot that’s hosted its brand and patrons since the ’40s. The production “Private” is a one-act play by Mona Pirnot that opened April 25 and runs through Saturday.

“The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD),” complete with “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” are the latest projects from phenom Taylor Swift. TTPD is lyrically brilliant and aesthetically gorgeous.

The Levitt AMP Music Series is returning to Harrisonburg for its second year this summer. Coming off of the success of last year, organizers are looking to improve accessibility, translations of materials and the volunteer system.

The depth and complexity of Taylor Swift's lyrics provide a rich tapestry for interpretation, leading to ongoing debates and discoveries within her discography. Here's the Dukes' guide to prepare for listening to her newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.”

The annual Purple Reign music festival featured student bands, a dj, a student a capella group and headliner Dayglow. Community and togetherness were through lines for the event. 

Not a Saint, an indie funk-rock band made of JMU students, is coming out with a new song and EP. This being their first studio release, the band members have worked to maintain their status as well as their student work.

“The Greatest Hits” follows Harriet traveling to the past by listening to songs that bring her back to moments with her deceased boyfriend. While the film finds strength in its plot, performances by actors are unfulfilling. 

Senior Jack Cobetto is a competitive race car driver. In a single season, he will compete in seven to ten races. 

Town of Grottoes’ parks and tourism director Austin Shank assumed his position in 2021. Since doing so, he has implemented new programs, a new career system and provided educational opportunities to the public.

Alpha Sigma Tau’s (AST) annual Mr. Fraternity beauty pageant took place on Tuesday in Wilson Hall. Event planners said it “brings the Greek community together” because fraternities and AST sorority are working together to raise money for their philanthropy. 

Since 2019, Arbab Ahmad has been a prominent figure in the JMU community after purchasing the popular gas station and convenience store Mad River Mart. With his enthusiastic social media postings and face to face interactions, he builds personal relationships with Dukes.

Conan Gray put his heartbreak in writing and sent it right to listener's ears in the form of his third studio album, “Found Heaven.” The album was released on Friday consisting of dance tunes and classic Gray piano ballads with an ’80s production twist.

Colorado State University professor and autism advocate Temple Grandin spoke Thursday as part of Disability Advocacy Week. The presentation touched on the existence of different kinds of thinkers in relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia.

As temperatures being to rise in the valley, songs begin to sound even sweeter. Here are the best albums to soundtrack your Shenandoah Spring. 

Allie Taylor is a junior exercise science major who was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in 2022. After three months of treatment at Acupuncture Medical Center, Taylor saw a positive shift in her wellbeing. 

At the annual diversity conference, attendees discussed diversity in higher education, identity, experience and ability on campus. JMU has hosted a version of this event every year for almost two decades, where student groups, faculty, community members and university leaders attend.

The University Program Board (UPB) holds an annual competition to determine which student bands will open for the headliner at the Purple Reign festival. This year, South House and Von Berger will open for Dayglow.

Students enrolled in HTH 100 are required to attend four events that relate to four distinct dimensions of wellness. Although students have mixed emotions regarding the events, coordinators have seen them bring students together and form lifelong relationships.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Marcello Hernandez performed at Wilson Hall this past Saturday to a nearly full auditorium. Students lined up for Hernandez's set hours before doors opened and appreciated having latino representation from his showing.

Katie Cozzens, a senior music education major, began her time at JMU at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite struggling at first during her freshman year, Cozzens was able to overcome her struggles through her membership in organizations like the Marching Royal Dukes and Pep Band.

JMU RAs share their responsibilities and processes overseeing residents as well as JMU’s benefits for their work. RAs must balance the duties of being the first point of contact in case of emergency for the students who live in their residence hall while also doubling as a friend and peer adviser.

After four years since her last album, “Positions,” Ariana Grande released her uptempo, mature album “Eternal Sunshine.” The album ranked No. 1 on the Billboard 200 post release, making this the sixth time Grande has accomplished this impressive feat. 

“Dune: Part Two” is a near true adaptation of the source material that is a “can't-miss” blockbuster film. With gorgeous cinematography and captivating performances from a star-studded cast, the sequel is a must-see for all sci-fi fans.

The 96th Academy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. With 13 nominations, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” looks to make a historic evening.

Dolley Madison is an English bulldog that has become the unofficial mascot for JMU. JMU Athletics is currently not considering another live mascot but said it would be considered if the right opportunity surfaced.

Located 25 minutes away from JMU, Sill & Glade Cabin operates as a studio, a photo location, a yoga studio and more. Local artists, including JMU students have recorded music at the studio, which is placed in a scenic part of Shenandoah Valley.

Illustrator Drew Moss signed copies of his latest project, the revamped version of “ThunderCats,” at The Secret Lair Comics in Harrisonburg on Saturday. Secret Lair co-owner Chris Barcomb said more visitor events like the one Saturday are to come. 

“One Day” is a British TV show adapted by a novel of the same name. The series follows the 20-year relationship of Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley. 

Jodi Picoult's 2018 novel, “A Spark of Light,” centers around a shooting in a women’s reproductive health clinic. The story is told in reverse chronological order, and packs a punch with simplicity.

“The SpongeBob Musical” premiers at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday to March 2. Elliot Davis, a junior musical theatre major and the lead actor, said the show is nothing like the JMU theatre has ever done before.

Universal Music Group (UMG) recently made the decision not to renew its contract to keep its music on TikTok after problems with artificial intelligence being used to replicate its artists’ voices on the app. Junior media arts and design major and music artist Grace Lastova said the conflict between the two organizations will give independent artists more of a chance to promote their music on the app.

‘COMING HOME’ is USHER’s ninth studio album and debuted prior to the artist’s halftime performance at the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. With a tour on the horizon, this project is both nostalgic and revealing for the now independent artist. 

“Madame Web” is the latest film installment in Sony’s Spider-Man universe; it released Wednesday. Despite a highly anticipated cast, the film falls short with poor dialogue and bad timing. 

JMU alum band Palmyra played a set in a cave at the Grand Caverns’ new Subterranean Sound series. The series debuted earlier this month, and it is the first phase in several ventures planned to revitalize the area as a venue space.

7 Brew, a drive-thru coffee stand, opened in Harrisonburg in November through Turner Garza, an Arkansas native passionate about the franchise and its products. Employees of the Harrisonburg location described their workplace as “inviting,” drawing in a customer base of mainly college students.

New and Improv’d, a JMU improv troupe that describes itself as “the oldest and boldest” troupe on campus had its first show of the semester Thursday at Taylor Down Under (TDU). The show was a “Doppelganger” show, a style of show where every member of the troupe dressed as a different member and included games that incorporated audience participation into the show.

Cope60 is an installment of the JMU Counseling Center’s workshop series and focused on dealing with stress and anxiety. Students said the Feb. 6 workshop helped them understand that said emotions can be differed and coped with. 

JMU freshman Hayden Schwartz works between classes as an executive for Earth Brands, a company committed to helping consumers drink sustainably. Its “Earth Cups” product is a 100% biodegradable and compostable alternative to plastic cups.

Rachel McRady, an Emmy-award winning entertainment journalist and JMU alum, stopped at Parentheses Books in downtown Harrisonburg while touring for her debut novel, “Sun Seekers.” The novel, which follows a 6-year-old girl and her grandfather escaping from his nursing home, draws on aspects of McRady's own experience with her grandfather.

Multiple JMU student organizations hosted the third annual Roots of Black History Month x Black Card Revoked event Thursday. The program placed a spotlight on Carter G. Woodson, who is credited as the founder of Black History Month, and featured a quiz on Black roots and culture. 

Junior media arts and design (SMAD) major and music industry minor Grace Lastova released her latest single, “Lovesick,” on Jan. 20. With dreams of moving to Los Angeles after graduating, she looks to study in the city this summer.

The “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” TV series is the latest rendition of the “Percy Jackson” book franchise. While the show has its flaws, it is a bright spot in a slew of adaptations.

Jim Hall spoke about his book, “Condemned for Love in Old Virginia: The Lynching of Arthur Jordan,” at Rose Library on Thursday and explored the implications its story holds today. The book is about the non-fiction romance in 19th century Virginia between a Black man and a white woman that resulted in the man being lynched by the local community.

After falling in love with JMU's campus, programs and Harrisonburg's atmosphere, class of 2024 senior Kendall Divers experienced an abnormal freshman year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back on her time at the university, Divers is thankful for the lessons she learned in unconventional circumstances. 

Local “discodelic space funk” band The Norms played a set at Restless Moons Brewing in Staunton, Virginia, on Friday. The group consists of two JMU faculty members, with philosophy professor Mark Piper on drums and adjunct art professor Dan Hall on guitar. 

At the beginning of the spring semester, students may be reevaluating their major choices. With 46 majors and even more minors to choose from, students said it's important to pursue paths for their passions.

In below freezing temperatures and snowy terrain, students may find less exercise opportunities available on campus. With University Recreation Center (UREC), JMU's award winning workout facility offers students chances to exercise without facing the cold.

Following the theatrics of the 81st Golden Globe Awards, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards finally arrived on Jan. 15, delayed from its usual fall showing. In its showing, “The Bear,” “Succession” and “Beef” took home a majority of the awards in their respective categories. 

With limited options available within Rockingham County due to staffing shortages and child care facilities at full capacity, a few parents are turning to the Asbury Days program, hosted by the Asbury United Methodist Church. The program is scheduled around school holidays, accommodating for both Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County schools.

Isaac Weissmann committed to the JMU 2020 freshman class after seeing the Marching Royal Dukes perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Upon his entry, the widespread pandemic made for an abnormal semester, stripping Weissmann of band performance opportunities until the spring.

The first chapter of Girl Gains was established in the fall semester at JMU, and its presence has begun to make ripples throughout the campus community. Girl Gains’ mission is to educate beginners and create a safe space to lift no matter what expertise members may have.

From “Barbie” to “Saltburn,” celebrities from all corners of the movie industry donned striking and original outfits to kick off 2024 awards season. Here are The Breeze’s picks for the best-dressed stars of the 2024 Golden Globes Awards.

In her second edition of Bibliomania, Avery Goodstine reviews "Educated" by Tara Westover. The book, which Goodstine calls "an inspiring tale of self-fulfillment" is Westover's memoir, detailing her experience with mormon parents who didn't believe in public education or modern medicine, her experience with abuse and her eventual escape from her situation.

For many students, winter break coincides with the holiday season, and with that comes a diverse set of holiday experiences. Staff writer Grace Reed interviewed students of different backgrounds to explore their favorite winter holiday traditions.

Ottessa Moshfegh’s debut novel, “Eileen,” hones an obnoxious protagonist that becomes infatuated with a counselor while working at a juvenile boy's prison. An addicting page-turner, the story is sure to shock audiences with its twist. 

In her new, recurring column, “Bibliomania,” Avery Goodstine sets out to review books that are popular on TikTok and bestseller lists.

With an overwhelming selection of holiday movies to chose from, it may be difficult to find one that'll leave a cheerful impression. Here are The Breeze’s top five picks to feel the holiday cheer. 

Nicki Minaj released her new album, “Pink Friday 2” on Dec. 8, as a continuation to her first album, “Pink Friday,” which was released in 2010. Reviewer Mallory Evans writes “Minaj is a songwriting and musical genius who unites her profound compositions with the ever-evolving socio-cultural landscape of the 21st century.”

In part of its annual Funny Freakin’ Friday event, the University Program Board (UPB) invited comedian Derrick Knopsnyder to perform at Taylor Down Under (TDU). At the event, Knopsnyder interacted with the audience and geared his jokes toward the student crowd. 

With final exams beginning as soon as Saturday, Dec. 9, students discussed their varying levels of anxiety coming into the end of the semester. To mitigate stress, students seek on campus resources and perfect study habits. 

Matthew Cohen is the general manager of Coffee Hound, a local coffee spot that's dog friendly and has a wide selection of beverages. After facing obstacles in the COVID-19 pandemic, Cohen enjoys guiding his team and ensuring the quality of the store.

JMU biology professor Heather Griscom has biked to campus everyday for the past 18 years to avoid using fossil fuels. Her example has inspired several of her students to pursue a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Mercy House, an organization that specializes in homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and has an emergency shelter in Rockingham County. The organization partners with local businesses to offer holiday gifts and financial help as part of its Snowflake Wishes campaign.

With a lack of singular study and dining spaces, some students are having difficulty finding spots to be. The current renovation of Carrier Library, especially, can be attributed to the lack of space. 

Ridley Scott's “Napoleon” follows the mythic leader's accession to power as depicted by Joaquin Phoenix. While the film finds strength in thematics, it casts a shadow on the protagonist's legacy. 

7 Brew, a drive-thru coffee stand, opened in Harrisonburg in November through Turner Garza, an Arkansas native passionate about the franchise and its products. Employees of the Harrisonburg location described their workplace as “inviting,” drawing in a customer base of mainly college students.

New and Improv’d, a JMU improv troupe that describes itself as “the oldest and boldest” troupe on campus had its first show of the semester Thursday at Taylor Down Under (TDU). The show was a “Doppelganger” show, a style of show where every member of the troupe dressed as a different member and included games that incorporated audience participation into the show.

Cope60 is an installment of the JMU Counseling Center’s workshop series and focused on dealing with stress and anxiety. Students said the Feb. 6 workshop helped them understand that said emotions can be differed and coped with. 

JMU freshman Hayden Schwartz works between classes as an executive for Earth Brands, a company committed to helping consumers drink sustainably. Its “Earth Cups” product is a 100% biodegradable and compostable alternative to plastic cups.

Rachel McRady, an Emmy-award winning entertainment journalist and JMU alum, stopped at Parentheses Books in downtown Harrisonburg while touring for her debut novel, “Sun Seekers.” The novel, which follows a 6-year-old girl and her grandfather escaping from his nursing home, draws on aspects of McRady's own experience with her grandfather.

Multiple JMU student organizations hosted the third annual Roots of Black History Month x Black Card Revoked event Thursday. The program placed a spotlight on Carter G. Woodson, who is credited as the founder of Black History Month, and featured a quiz on Black roots and culture. 

Junior media arts and design (SMAD) major and music industry minor Grace Lastova released her latest single, “Lovesick,” on Jan. 20. With dreams of moving to Los Angeles after graduating, she looks to study in the city this summer.

The “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” TV series is the latest rendition of the “Percy Jackson” book franchise. While the show has its flaws, it is a bright spot in a slew of adaptations.

Jim Hall spoke about his book, “Condemned for Love in Old Virginia: The Lynching of Arthur Jordan,” at Rose Library on Thursday and explored the implications its story holds today. The book is about the non-fiction romance in 19th century Virginia between a Black man and a white woman that resulted in the man being lynched by the local community.