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I had the opportunity to interview Sam Morril in anticipation of his upcoming show at the State Theater in Portland as part of his national “Class Act” tour, the stand up comedian’s set this June 2nd. Morril has been doing comedy since his teenage years and all throughout college. ”I kind of infiltrated the student activities board that was...
USM Free Press Editor Staff + LucilleL-R Back: Deklin Fitzgerald, Will Fudge, Doug Banks, Ben ReedL-R Front: Kelly Ledsworth, Lucille Siegler, Dakota EddyCourtesy of Haley Rice
Growing up on the coast of Maine comes with the benefits of a cool ocean breeze and consistent access to the water. However, some of the disadvantages of growing up in the small town of Rockland is there are one to two people who know everyone.
When my freshman year started I went from being a known name to being...
Hello, Free Press readers! My name is Ben Reed, and I have been the Arts & Culture Editor of The Free Press for this whole academic year. Previously, I was simply a staff writer, and wrote a column called, “Ben There, Done That.” As you’re probably aware, that is the name of this current article you’re reading. This is...
This past school year saw changes that we will not see the results of until next semester and beyond. To borrow an overused metaphor, this semester was spent planting the seeds for the flowers that will bloom in the future. It was an interesting endeavor to sit back and watch all of these changes occur over the last seven...
Evil Dead Rise is the latest installment to the legendary demonic possession horror franchise, Evil Dead. The franchise has mainly delved into the presence of “deadites,” or a parasitic demon that plagues the people around it to possess them as well. The story in each of the franchise’s films remains to be rather uniform, with the involvement of a...
I've never liked it when things have to end, especially when I've enjoyed them so much, and I also hate change. There are so many mixed emotions when it comes down to it because it's so sad and bittersweet that it almost hurts, and yet somehow it can feel like a relief. I never want to say goodbye–I always...
It’s no secret that playing a collegiate sport requires athletes to be at the pinnacle of physical health. However, in recent years, it’s become apparent that in order for athletes to reach peak performance, they must acknowledge and prioritize their mental health too. USM’s Athletic Department and Mental Performance Coach Jim Karcanes are on a mission to end the...
There is a lot “Popping” off in pop culture today, and don't worry, I have tea. From Beyoncé’s extravagant Renaissance concert tickets costing a life savings, to AI being on the rise and creeping the entire population out with replications of their favorite artists’ voices, to the infamous festival called Coachella that all the known influencers go to, only...
The women’s lacrosse team has played all but one of their seven conference games, earning five wins along the way. They currently boast the third best record in the Little East Conference (LEC) behind Plymouth State (2nd) and Western Connecticut University (1st) who they will face on March 29. With leadership from powerhouse attacker Rachel Shanks (56 goals) and...
This month marks one year since I was first announced as president of the University of Southern Maine. To say it has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of my life would be an understatement. My husband Michael and I have been so warmly welcomed. We are both humbled by the extraordinary people we have met,...
As an out-of-state student, during your first time in a new state you often spend a fair amount of time comparing and contrasting the differences between your home and your new surroundings. Being born and raised in Vermont with little knowledge of life in other states, the first things I noticed about USM were the blue recycling and trash...
Transitions are an integral part of life: the changing of the seasons, moving, ending of relationships, the ending of an academic year, changing jobs, and graduating college. Small or large, life transitions have the potential to become significant memories and milestones. While these transitions can often be positive and sometimes exciting, they are inherently a change, requiring adjustment. It...
We all know that everyone loves a good party–the music, the dancing, the vibes and making friends! But if substances are involved, it is always a smart idea to be aware and take precautions so that everyone has a safe and fun night!
Know Your Limits
When you're out drinking with friends it is very easy to lose track of how...
Singer, songwriter, and musician Bryan Bielanski has just released his third album, Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time 3. He has been playing guitar and making music since he was a teenager. In his many years of being on tour he has been all over the world, traveling everywhere from Canada to China to Costa Rica. Bielanski is inspired and...
Children of Nintendo and the Super Mario Bros. video game saga have rejoiced with the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The animated film stars an ensemble cast of Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as Mario & Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach and Jack Black as Bowser, with Keegan Michael-Key as Toad, and Seth Rogen as Donkey...
As part of the Queer-Straight Alliance’s (QSA) Week of Pride events in March, the Royal Majesty Drag Show took Hannaford Hall by storm on April 1. The Abromson Center was full of queer people and their allies, with colorful, pride-filled outfits and decorations in full view. Community resources for LGBTQ+ programming, such as the U=U campaign, which advocates for...
It’s easy to say college students spend too much money, from room and board for a dorm that’s too small, to a Sodexo meal plan where the salads sometimes have caterpillars and razor blades in them. Textbooks are some of the most regular and expensive purchases a student will make. Sometimes it’s for a class that will serve no...
On March 29, the Russell Scholars gathered together with Lisa Hibl, director of the Russell Scholars Program, and traveled to Hawkes Preserve in Gorham. The academic group was led through the trails by Brenna Crothers, who works for the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust and knows the trails well. The trails wind all the way along the Presumpscot River, including...
As the final act in their main stage season, the USM Department of Theatre has produced their show of Eurydice Rising, in collaboration with the opera workshop program and Rachel Price Cooper. The story follows the Greek myth of Orpheus, a man who was blessed by the gods with supernatural musical abilities, who follows his bride Eurydice into the...
Portland, Maine–a quaint city by the ocean with a population of just under 70,000 people. Like other cities, every avenue in Portland is unique. Some are home to stunning new apartment buildings and tall skyscrapers, while others contain some of Maine’s best restaurants and bars. There’s an ice rink at the intersection of Spring Street and Cross Street, home...
On a roster made up of Americans and Canadians, Jakub Suran is unique. He is the first athlete from the Czech Republic to play on the USM Men’s hockey team.
Suran is from a city called Liberec, a place that is geographically smaller than Portland but home to over 100,000 people. It is about an hour from Prague, the capital...
Many of you might have heard the term credit or credit score or FICO score. How do credit or credit scores affect your life? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a good credit score? Understanding these questions is essential for financial wellness and using credit cards effectively. Credit allows people to purchase goods and services using borrowed...
Every year, USM’s Kate Cheney Chappell ‘83 Center for Book Arts holds their Book Arts Bazaar, which they have been hosting since 2011. It’s a craft fair like no other. On April 2nd, scattered throughout different rooms in Wishcamper Center on the Portland Campus, vendors were selling their various crafts, from sketchbooks, cards, prints, lampshades and poetry books to...
