Latest Fourth Estate Articles

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

BY NATHAN FERRARO, MANAGING EDITOR

Hello everyone, and happy spring semester! 

I hope you had a restful winter break and are excited to get back to work this semester. I know I am. 

Five months ago, I was hired as Fourth Estate’s only Copy Editor for the fall 2025 semester. Even though I loved my job, I excitedly jumped into the position of Managing Editor a few weeks later — one that Fourth Estate has not had for several semesters. 

It took a few weeks, but Editor-in-Chief Sam Douglas and I found our flow and began working together in earnest: we published stories and photo galleries for over 40 consecutive days.

We are doubling down on that record this semester. I am committed to delivering you better newsworthy coverage faster than before. We are planning exciting projects to improve Fourth Estate, including adhering to a publicly available, strict set of editorial policies and journalistic standards (coming soon).

I am personally dedicated to seeing our return to print. It may not look exactly like it once did and it may not be weekly, but I strongly believe in the tangibility of a printed newspaper and its significance to a community like ours. My ultimate goal is seeing more Mason students, staff and community members equipped with information about everything they need and want to know about our university. 

Last year was a particularly turbulent one for George Mason and its key governing entities: President Gregory Washington, the Board of Visitors, and Student Government. I edited stories about each of those topics, and am proud to report we published 23 live election updates on Nov. 4. 

There may not be an election this semester, but there is certain to be news unfolding as the new Visitors work to execute the policies endorsed by Virginia’s recently inaugurated Governor, Abigail Spanberger. 

Fourth Estate is here, and we are ready to deliver all the news you need to know about university policies, local politics, sports games, cultural events and more. 

Thank you for reading and for your support,

Nathan Ferraro, Managing Editor

nferrar@gmu.edu

(Kate McCarney / Fourth Estate)

BY LOUIS VOLKER, COPY EDITOR

Hello! 

My name is Louis Volker, and I am one of Fourth Estate’s Copy Editors for the spring 2026 semester. I’m a junior Communication major concentrating in Journalism, and I primarily oversee News and Opinion editing. As a huge nerd that also happens to play for Mason’s women’s basketball team, I’m enthusiastic about the variety of stories I get to work with in my role for Fourth Estate. 

My main role is to work with different writers and make sure that articles adhere to AP news style and Fourth Estate style while still keeping the writer’s distinct voice. My goal is for every article to be as accessible as possible to readers and reflect the writer’s unique perspective.  

I decided I wanted to be a journalist in 2016 when Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor broke the news that Harvey Weinstein had been sexually assaulting women in Hollywood for decades, beginning the #MeToo movement. I fell in love with the wide range of topics that journalism has to offer and the unique ways that it connects people, keeps them informed and tells their stories. 

My hope for this semester is to help bring Mason the information and connections that matter. This might be breaking national news, opinions on local developments or even pop culture reviews. Mason’s diverse array of perspectives and stories are invaluable parts of what makes the university special. I believe it is vital that Fourth Estate gives writers the platform and ability to tell these stories. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you’d like to write for Fourth Estate. What you have to say matters! 

Best, 

Louis Volker, Copy Editor

lvolker2@gmu.edu

(Evan Parfitt / Fourth Estate)

BY EVAN PARFITT, COPY EDITOR

Hello there, 

My name is Evan Parfitt, one of two amazing Copy Editors for Fourth Estate. I am responsible for editing the Sports and Culture sections. I am a freshman from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, majoring in Forensic Science. I’m quite excited to return for this semester as part of the editorial team. 

Since middle school, I’ve always had a fascination with the press and what news reporting entails. As the years went on, I joined my high school newspaper, becoming its entertainment editor my sophomore year. I was invited to join a group of students from across the nation at Mason’s very own Washington Journalism and Media Conference, giving me a deeper look into the world of reporting.

Even though I’ve since left behind that passion of being a career journalist, the role of journalism has still played a large part in my life. With Fourth Estate, I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated and driven people at Mason, and I can only hope to uphold those values. Fourth Estate is the perfect place for your voice to be heard, no matter what major, background or stance you have.

Thank you, 

Evan Parfitt, Copy Editor 

eparfitt@gmu.edu

(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)

BY YONATAN DANIEL AND RITHVIK HARI, STAFF WRITERS

The Patriots took a devastating 79-63 loss against A-10 powerhouse Rhode Island on Feb. 14. 

After starting the season 10-0 in conference play, Mason suffered their second conference loss in a week.

Despite the impressive performance from graduate forward Hawa Komara, who recorded 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, the story of the game was Rhode Island’s conference-best defense. The Rams suffocated Mason, holding them to 31.5% from the field and 11.1% from beyond the arc.

“We had 50 missed shots at home,” Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis said while discussing the Patriots’ “unacceptable” shooting performance. The Patriots had 20 more shots than the Rams due to the impressive offensive rebounding from Komara, but failed to use that to their advantage.  

Komara, a transfer from Rhode Island and a former team captain, was greeted by a round of applause from the Rhode Island fans in attendance as she walked off the court at the end of the game. Even though she was playing for a different team, the visiting fans still supported her during her standout performance. 

“When I came [to the U.S.] four years ago, they were here for me,” she said. “They’re my second family. When I came, I could barely speak English and everything. My parents and siblings were far from me, and I just love that they showed today. That was amazing.” 

Junior forward Zahirah Walton struggled from the field, opening the game 0-7 and not making her first basket until the fourth quarter. Komara’s six offensive rebounds in the first quarter gave Mason multiple second chance opportunities, but Mason shot 26.1% from the field compared to Rhode Island’s 53.8%. 

The Patriots only trailed 16-13 after the first quarter, but Rhode Island took even greater control with a 9-0 run midway through the second. 

Rams senior guard Brooklyn Gray was a handful for the Patriot defense, tying her career-high in scoring with 30 points. Gray scored 9 points in the second quarter, going 5-5 from the free throw line. 

Mason’s cold shooting streak continued in the final seven minutes of the second quarter, managing only one field goal in that stretch. 

Both teams dealt with foul trouble and turnover issues in the first half. The Patriots committed seven fouls and seven turnovers through the opening 20 minutes while the Rams had eight fouls and ten first half turnovers. The Rams, in particular, were playing a sloppy brand of basketball as their ten turnovers at the half nearly matched their 11.1 turnovers per game. 

The Patriots would go into halftime trailing 36-25. Despite a 7-0 run by Mason midway through the third, Rhode Island’s lead was too much to overcome.

The Patriots have a quick turn-around, facing Richmond today. 

“If you sit right here and stay in this moment, then you’ll never be ready for the next moment,” Blair-Lewis said. “When we’re back at practice, we won’t be getting ready for Rhode Island, we’ll be getting ready for Richmond”.

Rhode Island Head Coach Tammi Reiss praised Coach Blair-Lewis and the Patriots. 

“I really want to congratulate George Mason on the season they are having,” she said. “I knew when Vanessa got this job, they were going to get good really, really quick and they did. She’s an excellent coach and they have some dynamite players.” 

(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)

Richmond handed Mason their first conference loss of the season on Feb. 7 and, with both teams fighting for seeding at the top of the A-10 standings, the stakes are high for the conference rematch. The game was originally scheduled for late January, but was rescheduled due to snow.

Monday’s game against Richmond tips off at 4 p.m., and fans can watch the game on ESPN+.

(Mason Cru / Fourth Estate)

BY BASIL MUSTAFA, STAFF WRITER

Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle from the YouTube channel “Give Me an Answer” discussed Christian faith at a public event hosted by Mason Cru to over 3,000 attendees on Thursday, Feb. 5.

The pair spent a total of seven hours in the Hub Ballroom, and the line to get in frequently stretched two floors down to The Hub’s basement. The event was catered to skeptics who wanted to see if the tenets of Christianity can hold up to real scrutiny.

Topics such as discerning the difference between major and minor aspects of Christianity, sectarianism and colonization surfaced throughout the event.

Cliffe maintained a stance against sectarianism, the devotion to a particular sect of a religion. When the topic of Mormonism arose, he asserted that those who truly follow the word of Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, are not Christian. He added that his Mormon friends “put their faith in Jesus” and don’t understand the message of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

Cliffe also argued that academics are being “racist and bigoted” when they assert that colonization is the sole reason that the black diaspora believe in Jesus.

Questions about faith were also asked outside the Hub Ballroom. While waiting in line for the event, one attendee asked, “What do you guys think of Jesus?” to two others.

Cliffe has been showing up on college campuses for over 45 years, and he has videos of his discussions that date back to 2007. His videos have amassed over 90 million views on YouTube alone. His son, Stuart Knechtle, joined his father’s campus talks after graduating from seminary.

Junior Ian Rodgers described Cliffe Knechtle as “very informed” when asked what made him such an effective pastor. 

“He backs up all his statements with Bible and scripture,” junior Ian Jones said.

At the end of the event, many students bowed their heads as Cliffe led a prayer asking for forgiveness and guidance toward the right path.

(Basil Mustafa / Fourth Estate)

“[The event] was something that one of the affiliate staff had been dreaming about,” said Bridget Hite, a staff member involved with Mason Cru. “And once he shared it with everyone, they were like ‘What? Is that really a possibility?’ … so it was really a group dream.” 

Junior Emma Messer, a member of Cru, attributed the large turnout to a hefty amount of prayer.

“We’ve been praying for weeks on end to prepare for this moment,” she said. “We had a vision for 5,000 people and we were like, ‘God can do something really great with this,’ but when we wrote that number down, we were like ‘there’s no way.’” 

Messer added that there were only 250 sign ups when the event was first announced.

Senior Brennan Lasher, also a member of Cru, said Mason’s diversity allowed the event to “plant a lot of seeds,” and provide “a lot of direction” to students who have questions about faith. 

Lasher also said the event helped show the resources that Cru has access to and will hopefully inspire others to join the club.

As the event wrapped up, six attendees huddled together with their heads bowed in prayer before leaving the room.

(Andrew T. Yarbrough / Fourth Estate)

BY KATIE KOHLER, STAFF WRITER

Despite freezing temperatures, the Mason community celebrated its annual Homecoming from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7 with a week of traditions, events and athletic victories.

Homecoming festivities began Thursday, Jan. 29, with Rally at the Court in the Johnson Center, highlighting school spirit. On Friday, Jan. 30, the Patriot Activities Council (PAC) hosted the Homecoming Tip-Off Party and Lip Sync Battle.

At the Lip Sync Battle, all seven Panhellenic sororities partnered with Interfraternity Council fraternities to compete for first, second and third place prizes. Alpha Omicron Pi and Phi Sigma Kappa won first place, earning $300 for their philanthropies.

Following the Lip Sync Battle, PAC hosted a bingo event featuring prizes including a Nintendo Switch, an Amazon Fire TV Stick and a digital camera. All attendees received a free 2026 Homecoming T-shirt.

Taco Tuesday Trivia, originally scheduled for Jan. 27, was postponed due to weather and rescheduled for Feb. 3, and was catered in The Hub by the restaurant Banditos.

Mason’s annual Day of Service was held on Wednesday in the new Activities Building behind the RAC, featuring a blood and food drive. On Thursday night, comedian Josh Johnson headlined the homecoming comedy show.

Saturday’s tailgate festivities ahead of the men’s basketball game were moved indoors to EagleBank Arena due to extreme cold. Despite this, many students continued tailgating, though grills were prohibited due to high wind gusts.

Junior Sarah Jubiz expressed that her tailgating fun was cut short because of the cold temperatures, but added, “A Mason truck was handing out hot chocolate and hand warmers, which made the experience more enjoyable.”   

Mason’s Office of Alumni Relations, Mason Athletics, the Mason Maniaks and Student Involvement hosted booths inside the arena. Arcade games, esports games and yard games were also available.

(Andrew T. Yarbrough / Fourth Estate)

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams won their homecoming games. The women’s team defeated Saint Louis 66–51 on Saturday, Jan. 31. The men’s team closed homecoming week with a 60–52 victory over Saint Joseph’s University at Eagle Bank Arena.

More than 7,000 fans attended the men’s game according to Mason Athletics, cheering on the Patriots, who now sit second in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings.

Homecoming 2026 brought together students, alumni and the George Mason community for a week of events, service and athletic success. Despite weather-related challenges, traditions continued, allowing Patriots to connect, celebrate school spirit and close the week on a high note. 

(Detra Bell / Fourth Estate)

BY DETRA BELL, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Hello everyone,

My name is Detra Bell, and I am excited to introduce myself as the Social Media Editor for this semester. I am a junior majoring in Business with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in International Business.

Social media has always been a big passion of mine. There is nothing I love more than making connections and learning new perspectives, and social media has made that easier than ever. It serves as a bridge that connects individuals and communities to the world on a larger scale.

Fourth Estate is more than just a campus newspaper, it is a community. It is a platform where student voices are heard and the stories of Mason are preserved for years to come. In an age where news is constantly at our fingertips, our goal is to ensure that trustworthy and reliable information is just a click away.

My goal this semester is to keep the Mason community informed, engaged and connected with what is happening on campus and in the community in real time. I’m beyond excited to work alongside my amazing team and bring top stories directly to your screen.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @ivestate and on X @IVEstateGMU,  interact with our posts, and consider joining the team if you’re interested in having your voice forever cemented in Mason’s history!

Here’s to a great semester worth sharing!

Sincerely,

Detra Bell, Social Media Editor

dbell23@gmu.edu

(Iranian Student Union / Fourth Estate)

BY ETHAN NAVARRO, STAFF WRITER

George Mason’s Iranian Student Union (ISU) hosted a quiet memorial on Feb. 4 to draw attention to ongoing human rights concerns in Iran. Students honored civilians in Iran who have lost their lives amidst government-sanctioned crackdowns on protests, focusing on remembrance and member testimony.

Protests in Iran have continued as Iranian civilians speak out against economic and social oppression. According to speakers at the event, demonstrators in Iran rallied for “basic human rights and freedoms,” a demand they say was met with lethal force by the Iranian government. 

ISU president Zahra Taghizadeh said the purpose of the event was to inform the broader student population about events she said have received little media coverage. Taghizadeh, an international student pursuing a doctorate in Bioengineering, emphasized the personal importance of this subject to her. 

“We’re not aiming for political action, just telling the truth to people,” Taghizadeh said. “Now that the media isn’t covering it and people are being silenced, we are trying to talk more about it and show what is going on with that regime.”

Speakers at the memorial cited large-scale casualties and arrests in Iran. Some estimates report that more than 30,000 civilians have lost their lives, and estimates of arrests range in the thousands. ISU organizers recognized that limited reporting from Iran due to prolonged media blackouts and government restriction makes it difficult to estimate the scale of the conflict.

According to student speakers, the Iranian government shut down internet access nationwide for two weeks. They said the blackout prevented many Iranians from contacting family members or accessing external media. Some relied on virtual private networks to reach foreign news outlets and social media to report on ongoing events.

The human impact of the situation was the central focus of the memorial. One union member shared that, because of the blackout, they had learned of the loss of a cousin to the conflict days after their death. Others described fear for the welfare of their friends and families considering the little public information available on the status of arrested or reportedly kidnapped individuals.

Speakers at the memorial spoke of additional abuses, including “intelligence forces” reportedly storming hospitals, kidnapping protesters and holding public executions. These claims provide accounts of violence despite the difficulty of verifying information in the face of censure.

For ISU members, events like the Feb. 4 memorial are integral to countering misinformation. Participants said they believe the Iranian government seeks to suppress accurate reporting to maintain power. 

“[Iranians] need international help to spread the news,” Taghizadeh said. “General awareness increases the likelihood that human rights concerns will not be overlooked.”

“All we’re trying to do here is to be their voices,” Pooya Alehossein, a Computer Science major, said. 

“With everything that happens, you hear news outlets that try to propagate what the Iranian government media is saying, and you have some people who are trying to speak the truth,” he said. “We want to be the ones who spread the truth.”

For Mason students, the memorial highlighted how global events intersect with campus life. A university with a large international population, Mason is home to students whose families and loved ones are directly affected by international crises. 

“The more people that know, the better the chances that those basic human rights, and those people, won’t be forgotten,” Taghizadeh said.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Copy Editor Louis Volker contributed reporting to this article. 

(Katie Perschau / Fourth Estate)

BY KATIE PERSCHAU, CULTURE EDITOR

Hi everyone,

My name is Katie Perschau, and I am excited to be returning as the Culture Editor for the spring 2026 semester! I am a senior majoring in Communication with a concentration in Journalism.

For me, covering culture is more than just recapping events. While breaking news stories are important to keep the student body informed, I believe culture stories hold just as much significance. Campus culture is the beating heart of Mason, and writing about our university’s unique events, performances and personalities means sharing the things that shape our collective Mason identity with the world. 

This semester, my goal is to continue publishing stories that accurately reflect the creativity, passion and spirit of Mason. Whether you are interested in reporting on campus events, writing about new study spots and dining locations in Fairfax and Washington, D.C., or are simply moved by a performance you attended, your article has a place in the culture section. 

Culture is also a great place to learn about the journalistic process, so regardless of your skill level I encourage you to develop your writing voice here. I’m looking forward to publishing your stories this semester! 

Sincerely, 

Katie Perschau, Culture Editor

kperscha@gmu.edu

(Karlos Coria / Fourth Estate)

BY KARLOS CORIA, OPINION EDITOR

Hello Fourth Estate Readers, 

My name is Karlos Coria, and I am the Opinion Editor for the spring 2026 semester! I am a graduate student pursuing my master’s in Secondary Education. I recently graduated with my bachelor’s in English with a minor in Journalism. 

While journalism is not my intended career path, I have always held the profession in high regard. Its foundational principles of free speech and expression are principles I hope to model and uphold in my future classroom. 

This semester, I hope to amplify the voices of our campus community. No one can deny that the news headlines this academic year have been thought provoking, if nothing else. That’s exactly why we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts! Voice your opinions. 

The opinion section of a newspaper is the place where healthy debate, differing perspectives and unique experiences are meant to be shared. I hope you will partner with me in helping make this semester’s opinion section one to remember. 

I look forward to hearing your voices. 

Sincerely, 

Karlos Coria, Opinion Editor

kcoria@gmu.edu

(Peter Mahler / Fourth Estate)

BY PETER MAHLER, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Dear Mason Nation, 

I’m Peter Mahler, and I’m truly honored to be the Assistant Sports Editor of Fourth Estate. Since transferring to Mason from Northern Virginia Community College this past fall, I’ve made my way as a staff writer covering women’s basketball and volleyball. As a Communication major minoring in Sports Communication, writing about sports is what I love to do.

In this new role, I’ll now have a greater responsibility within the sports section, and I can’t wait to get to work. Writing about sports has been a dream, and the opportunity to take the next step as an editor is even more so. 

My goal for the semester is to provide timely, exciting sports coverage of Mason athletics. With both men’s and women’s basketball competing for an A-10 championship and the spring sports teams gearing up for their seasons, I want to give you a glimpse into the action. It won’t just be basketball coverage that you’ll get from the sports section; I want to showcase all that we have to offer during the spring semester, and I’m ready to get to work. 

In my spare time, I’m a huge Washington, D.C., sports fan, primarily rooting for the Commanders and the Caps. Although I would call myself a football fan at heart, I’m eager to learn more about all sports. 

Most importantly, I want to hone in on ways I can get the Mason community invested in its student athletes. I look forward to joining Sports Editor Brian A. Hayum as we aim to create a sports section that any Mason student can be proud of. 

Go Patriots!

Peter Mahler, Assistant Sports Editor

pmahler@gmu.edu

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

BY BRIAN A. HAYUM, SPORTS EDITOR

To Mason Nation:

First off, welcome back!

As a refresher, let me reintroduce myself! My name is Brian, and I’m a junior Communication major with a concentration in Journalism. This is my third semester at Fourth Estate, having spent time as a staff writer and last semester’s Sports Editor. During my tenure, I’ve covered the men’s basketball team and their historic rise over the past two seasons.

This semester, I am pleased to welcome Peter Mahler as the Assistant Sports Editor for the section. A staff writer last semester, Peter covered women’s volleyball’s historic regular season and their first conference tournament appearance since 2018. He has spent extensive time covering the women’s basketball team and their undefeated start to conference play.

Over break, Mason athletics haven’t skipped a beat. Both men’s and women’s basketball programs are in the midst of historic seasons, putting Mason among the premier schools in the A-10 conference.

As the snow thaws and spring rolls around the corner, my goal is to immortalize these accomplishments with the stories they deserve. It’s a great time to be a Patriot, and it’s our responsibility as a section to capture the pride that comes with these accomplishments.

Thank you, and go Patriots!

Brian A. Hayum, Sports Editor

Bhayum@gmu.edu

(Emma G. Schaible / Fourth Estate)

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

Hello Readers, 

My name is Emma, and I am delighted to be the News Editor for Fourth Estate for the spring 2026 semester! I am a sophomore from New Jersey double majoring in Government and Communication with concentrations in Political Communications and Journalism. 

Starting my fourth semester after holding many positions with Fourth Estate, I have learned the most valuable part of college journalism is the interactions with student life. From covering the performative male contest to the dining hall changes with Chartwells to all the changes in student government, this paper serves the student body. Things are happening everyday that are impacting students on campus, and students must be informed about it. 

In what feels like the decade of nationwide uncertainty and misinformation, nothing is stronger than solid journalism, and I believe that is what Fourth Estate brings to George Mason. It is my goal as the News Editor to continue to bring news that is informative, timely and exciting. 

The news section is always looking for writers with an interest in reporting, investigative journalism, on the ground reporting and interviewing. Regardless of major or experience, the news section of Fourth Estate can be the place for you. 

Stay informed, 

Emma G. Schaible, News Editor 

eschaib@gmu.edu

(Harneet Singh / Fourth Estate)

BY HARNEET SINGH, STAFF WRITER

Academy Award winner Guillermo del Toro’s new film “Frankenstein” debuted on Netflix last fall. I was looking forward to the film, and was not let down.

The movie is based on the original 1818 version of Mary Shelley’s classic novel of the same name. Del Toro is no stranger to adapting the mysterious and paranormal, such as secret societies of vampires in “Blade II,” or monsters such as the Amphibian Man in “The Shape of Water.”

(Harneet Singh / Fourth Estate)

“Frankenstein” respected its source material, keeping the core events and themes of the novel at its forefront. However, it was not a one-to-one adaptation, and some changes may be jarring to those familiar with the book.

None of Del Toro’s changes affect the overarching messages brought from the book. Themes such as motherhood, generational trauma, nature, God and the hubris of man are all given time to flourish in the film. 

More modern interpretations are made as well. The lead character, Victor Frankenstein, and his motivation for creating life draws many comparisons to the tech industry and its development of artificial intelligence.

The performances in this film were incredible. Oscar Isaac captures the selfish and pompous attitude of Victor Frankenstein, while Mia Goth excels in an on-the-nose double role as Victor’s mother and Elizabeth Harlander. 

Elizabeth’s role is expanded compared to her role in the book, and Goth’s empathetic portrayal serves as the perfect foil for the apathy Isaac channels in his portrayal of Victor. Christoph Waltz convincingly plays original character Heinrich Harlander, Victor’s benefactor, who wants to cheat death. 

Jacob Elordi is unrecognizable as The Creature. From his ability to convey the uncanny physicality of a dead man walking to the gradual loss of innocence from his eyes as The Creature realizes how the world will treat him, Elordi ensures that the viewer is able to understand the character’s actions — both right and wrong. 

The film is also visually stunning. Cinematographer Dan Lausten captured incredible shots, showing the beauty of the world that The Creature is so enamored by. Composer Alexandre Desplat delivers a very moving score. The costume design, done by Kate Hawley, takes the silhouettes of the 1800s and applies colors and details that help us understand the characters onscreen. 

Like many other students, I was introduced to Mary Shelley’s original 1818 text of “Frankenstein” in high school English class. The 1818 novel, compared to the widely sold 1831 version, captured the highs and lows of humanity. I became consumed by the intricacies of the text, and over time, I have reached for the book again and again.

Every time I reread it, I see a quote on the top right of the cover from Guillermo del Toro, which describes The Creature as  “the most beautiful and moving of all monsters.”  

I was interested in this movie and looked forward to it once I saw that del Toro was set to direct, knowing he shared a similar reverence for the novel as I did. He and his team put together a great film. 

I would recommend the “Frankenstein” movie to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the book. It is hopeful and shows us the beauty of life amidst all the tragedy, a wonderful reminder for the modern age.

(Lorenzo Iraheta-Leon / Fourth Estate)

BY LORENZO IRAHETA-LEON AND ISABELLA PEARLSTEIN, STAFF WRITERS

Demonstrators holding signs that read “Trump Make America Great Again: Ban Homo Marriage” and a list of people who “Will Burn In Hell” drew a large crowd of students at Wilkins Plaza this afternoon.

The demonstrators, whose signs associated them with the Key of David Christian Center in Philadelphia, declined an interview with Fourth Estate.

Throughout the demonstration, organizers were shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs as well as directing hateful speech toward various groups of people, including the Jewish community. 

“These people are very clearly harassing others. Some of my friends were called the f-slur and other kinds of slurs,” Stan Moore, a freshman Global Affairs major, said. “I’m not here to get offended. I’m just here to make fun of them [and] kind of play along, but what they’re doing is truly awful and it’s one of the things I think is tearing this country apart.”

One of the demonstrators began listing groups of people they claimed they weren’t trying to reach. 

“[We] are not here to reach the white guys that apologize for saying the N-word,” he said, leading to shouts of outrage from the amassed students.

One student, Jasmin Wolf-Frias, a sophomore Government and International Politics major, yelled at the demonstrator, “If you’re proud of it, say it!” 

“They are here to evoke a reaction, that’s why I had the response I had,” Wolf-Frias told Fourth Estate. “They’ve become more emboldened…our current political climate is emboldening them to ride the coattails of the [current Trump] administration.”

“Despite being vocal, I don’t condone violence to these people … our solidarity with one another is more important than our opposition to them,” Wolf-Frias said. 

As the demonstrator continued listing groups of people they were not trying to reach with their messaging, a student attempted to throw a snowball at them. The snowball missed and hit another student, senior Physics major Timothy Hodge. 

Hodge then stepped to the side and grabbed a snowball, throwing it at the demonstrators before being escorted away from the protest by campus police who were on site monitoring the situation.

(Lorenzo Iraheta-Leon / Fourth Estate)

“One of the students behind me threw the snowball first that hit me, and so I felt inspired to continue that snowball toward their intended target,” Hodge explained.

“They’re up here [saying] a bunch of hate speech and [telling] everybody they’re going to go to hell, [just] disparaging a bunch of different groups of people,” he said.

According to Hodge, campus police then spoke with the demonstrator who was nearly hit by the snowball. He did not move to press charges against Hodge.

One of the demonstrators wore a hat saying “Jesus is Alive.” Others held signs with Bible passages and phrases like “Obey Jesus or Hellfire.”

(Lorenzo Iraheta-Leon / Fourth Estate)

Maggie Cook, a sophomore Nursing student, said she disagreed with the Christian framing of the demonstrators. 

“I want to say to them, ‘Jesus would never say these things, calling people slurs or saying people will go to hell.’ Clearly they’re insanely radical,” Cook said.

While the demonstrators kept speaking, the crowd of students began chanting, “The people united will never be defeated!” in an attempt to drown out the discourse.  

Students began confronting the demonstrators one-on-one, holding out their phones and chanting “Say how you feel!”

Around 2 p.m., Facilities and Campus Operations brought in barricades to put space between the demonstrators and students. The crowd began to dwindle an hour later.

Max Archie, a freshman at the Costello College of Business, said he enjoyed the demonstrators’ ability to bring unity to Mason’s campus.

“Shout out to George Mason for being such an awesome, diverse community, and I think it’s a little poetic how these two crazy white men’s hate for everyone has unified the campus and brought everyone together,” Archie said. “That’s really beautiful.”

“The campus students here [are] a community and we want to protect one another as opposed to villainizing or coming with hate the way that they do.” Wolf-Frias said.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

BY SAM DOUGLAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Students from Mason’s School of Theater lit up Harris Theatre with their annual Mason Cabaret event, where they performed hits from composer William Finn.

While the performance showed off the skills of the student performers, it also honored the life of Finn, who passed away April 2025.

The performance included songs from eight different productions. The opening piece was the titular track of the 2006 musical “Mister, Make Me a Song.” 

The 24 student-performers were the most in Mason Cabaret’s fourteen-year history, with the cast shining as an ensemble as well as in their solo performances.

The show included four songs from the musical “Falsettos,” telling the story of a family patriarch running off to be with a man and the impact it has on his family. Emotional dialogue was produced through music from the lens of the patriarch, his lover and his ex-wife.

The performers smoothly and seamlessly transitioned from emotional, heart-wrenching songs to raucous, foot-stomping beats such as “Joe Papp” from the musical “Elegies.”

Four consecutive numbers were performed from the musical “A New Brain,” which was inspired by medical complications Finn was going through at the time. The main character of the musical is diagnosed with a critical brain condition and deals with his fears of dying and being unable to fulfill his musical potential. 

Another four songs were performed from “Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The performers put on stellar performances portraying the eccentric contestants and judges of a school spelling bee.

The performance ended with “The Last Goodbye” from “Putnam County Spelling Bee” and a curtain call.

“We believe musical theatre is at its most powerful when it allows itself to be messy, vulnerable and deeply human. Few writers embraced that truth as fully as composer and lyricist William Finn,” co-directors James and Erin Gardiner said in the performance’s program.

(Davon Marion / Fourth Estate)

BY PETER MAHLER, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

In a battle of conference heavyweights, the Richmond Spiders suffocated Zahirah Walton and the Patriots, forcing them to shoot 32.8% en route to a 71-57 Richmond win on Feb. 7. The loss is Mason women’s basketball’s first conference loss of the season and interrupts a nine-game win streak dating back to December.

The Patriots (a program-best 10-0 in-conference) and the Spiders (9-1) came into the game boasting two of the top records in the A-10. Mason’s dominant defense carried them to their win streak, holding opponents to under 59 points per game. The Spiders rode their top-scoring offense, averaging 69 points per game, to an eight-game winning streak of their own. Richmond’s only A-10 loss came against top-seeded Rhode Island. 

Freshman Mary Amoateng posted the best scoring night of her collegiate career with a career-high 17 points and 5 assists off the bench. She was named A-10 Rookie of the Week on Feb. 9.

Mason struggled from the field after outscoring Richmond 18-14 in the first quarter. In the second, the scoring dried up for Mason, with the team shooting 16% and failing to get much going offensively. 

The Patriots held a 22-16 lead midway through the second after two Walton free throws, but a 12-6 run by Richmond tied the game up at 28. 

Mason made the most of their opportunities at the free throw line, shooting 7-for-7 from the stripe in the first half.

Following a 20-5 run by Richmond to start the second half, Mason was forced to play from behind for the rest of the game. The Patriots cut the lead to 50-46 early in the fourth, but would come no closer to overcoming the deficit.

Mason’s bench had a productive outing, outscoring Richmond 22-7. However, Richmond’s top scorers, senior forward Maggie Doogan, senior guard Rachel Ullstrom and junior guard Ally Sweeney made up for the Spiders’ lack of depth.

Those three Spiders each scored at least 16 points, but only Amoateng and junior guard Kennedy Harris scored double digits for the Patriots.

Doogan, the leading scorer in the A-10, posted a game-high 20 points and gave Mason plenty of trouble in the paint. Ullstrom and Sweeney added 18 and 16 points, respectively.

Mason’s areas of strength for most of the season have been three-point offense and defense. Against Richmond, it left a lot to be desired. 

The Patriots shot just 22% on 23 attempts, well below their 33% average for the season. Richmond’s conference-best three-point shooting won the battle against Mason’s top-ranked three-point defense, making 41% of their attempts.

The Patriots will look to rebound after a difficult second half against Richmond. They will travel to Ohio to face Dayton (6-7 in A-10) in another crucial in-conference matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Fans can watch on ESPN+ at 11 a.m.

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

BY NATHAN FERRARO, MANAGING EDITOR

Comedy influencer and “The Daily Show” star Josh Johnson visited the Center for the Arts as the headliner of Student Involvement’s homecoming comedy show on Feb. 5.

“I loved his vibes,” said senior Biology major Mariam Diaby. “It wasn’t forced or anything.”

Mason alum Rahmein Mostafavi opened for Johnson, blending witty humor with politics, popular culture, current events and social issues. 

Johnson then took the stage, beginning with a line that it seemed would lead to nowhere.

“I have become obsessed with animal release videos,” he said. 

He continued to describe social media videos depicting families “adopting” wild animals, then releasing them without preparing them. 

“Love is trapping something with you and never letting go…” he said. 

“I personally have never seen a Black family do this,” he added.

Johnson continued with a bit about children raised by older parents who tend to act older than they truly are.

The crowd erupted with laughter continuously, hanging on to his every word and waiting for the punchline, which Johnson would masterfully reveal only after teasing it along repeatedly.

He then joked about a video he saw of a boxer whose hair was “punched off” during a fight.

“If I punched somebody and their hair came off, I think I’d just look at my hands like, ‘I didn’t know,’” Johnson said, eyes widening as the audience laughed.

(Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

He then transitioned from light-hearted humor to discussing current events — with humorous bits interspersed.

“[I] spent all this time scrolling online to try to avoid how bad things are…” Johnson began.

“Sometimes the bad people have a bad day,” he said, talking about the recent release of Epstein files. 

Johnson, like Mostafavi, discussed recent news about immigration and border patrol officials.

“It’s important to remember that no person — no force is all-powerful,” Johnson said. “Like links in a chain … everything you do connects to what someone else is doing.”

He encouraged the audience to vote, especially in local elections, before returning to joking about house parties and family dinners.

Senior Astronomy major Geciara Drew won two free meet-and-greet tickets to the show after placing third in Mason in Color last semester.

Though Drew had not been familiar with Johnson’s content before winning the tickets, she said she watched a few of his Instagram reels to prepare for the night.

After seeing the show, Drew said she enjoyed the mix between political and light humor.

“I will definitely go back and listen to those [reels],” she said. “That made me laugh so hard. It took me off guard a little bit.” 

Diaby said she loved the beginning of the show, noting Johnson’s skilled comedic delivery.

“When he’s making the joke — you know it’s coming,” she said.

Like Drew, Diaby was not a fan of Johnson before seeing him in-person.

“That show was great. 10 out of 10. I would do it again,” she said.