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Express Yourself: A Northern Star project
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Summer Fitzgerald

Summer Fitzgerald

All content by Summer Fitzgerald
boomer

[Photo] ‘OK boomer’: What it’s like being an old soul trapped in a Gen Z body

By Parker Otto
March 28, 2022
The different ways we raise daughters vs sons can have major impacts on society.

[Photo] Column: Equal parenting standards should be common sense

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief
March 24, 2022
Freshman engineering major Aaron Dennis wears his mask at a lounging area inside the Holmes Student Center on Tuesday, March 22nd. Masks were made optional at NIU on Feb. 28th., nearly two years after COVID-19 first started.

Allow yourself to grieve during the third COVID-19 spring

By Summer Fitzgerald
March 22, 2022
Redshirt senior guard Paulina Castro (24) walks out to greet the women’s basketball team during the starting lineup announcements March 5 on Senior Night before a game against Central Michigan at the NIU Convocation Center.

[Photo] Coaches reflect on 50-year impact of Title IX on women’s sports

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter
March 22, 2022
Players and coaches gather on NIU's sideline during a game against the University of Toledo on Jan. 15 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies lost the Mid-American Conference matchup with the Rockets 73-52. (Summer Fitzgerald/Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s basketball team faced hurdles in journey to playoffs

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
March 21, 2022
Video stores used to sell VHS tapes of movies. They have since been long forgotten due to the digital era we are in.

[Photo] Video stores are a sacred media that we must honor

By Parker Otto
March 20, 2022
male dominated field

[Photo] Navigating a male-dominated field can be challenging

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter
March 10, 2022
Counseling and Consultation Services is located in Campus Life 200.

[Photo] NIU budgets to hire more mental health counselors

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter
March 8, 2022
Sophomore Diana Lukyanova and freshman Reagan Welch high-five during a tennis match.

[Photo] Women’s tennis victorious in 3 of 4 on weekend tour

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
March 7, 2022
NIU junior forward A'Jah Davis attempts a layup against Toledo freshman forward Jessica Cook during a matchup on Jan. 15 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. Davis and Cook finished as the leading scorers for their respective squads in their latest matchup on Mar. 3. Davis finished the game with 30 points for the Huskies while Cook recorded 14 points for the Rockets. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s basketball drops final road game to Toledo

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter
March 2, 2022
hometown

[Photo] Your hometown doesn’t have to define you

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief
March 1, 2022
Freshman Reagan Welch assumes the ready position during a match against the University of St. Francis on Feb. 11. Welch earned victories in two singles matches and one doubles match during NIU's weekend trip in the state of Iowa. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis splits matches in Iowa road trip

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
February 28, 2022
Many students find themselves wandering on NIU's catalog to see what other majors are out there.

[Photo] Questioning your major is normal in college

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter
February 27, 2022
February has a lot of quirks to it that make it a very unpopular month.

[Photo] February is the worst month

By Parker Otto
February 27, 2022
Then-junior forward A'Jah Davis plays one-on-one against Ball State freshman forward Marie Kiefer during a matchup on Jan. 5 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies left Muncie Saturday with a 77-72 victory, avenging their 83-82 overtime loss earlier in the season to the Cardinals. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s basketball earns third straight win in Muncie

By Michael Stoll, Sports Reporter
February 26, 2022
customer service

[Photo] Working in customer service taught me how to be a better person

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief
February 24, 2022
Students can quickly get overwhelmed when they realize all of the responsibilities they are lost on.

College is for learning how to adult

By Summer Fitzgerald
February 20, 2022
The Netflix home page shows a list of trending shows on a laptop screen.

What I’m watching this weekend: Northern Star Staff

By Madelaine Vikse and Summer Fitzgerald
February 18, 2022
Junior forward A'Jah Davis shoots from the free throw line during a game on Jan. 15 against the University of Toledo Rockets. The Huskies fell 73-52 as Davis led all NIU scorers with 24 points. (Summer Fitzgerald/ Northern Star)

[Photo] A’Jah Davis: DeKalb superstar 21 years in the making

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter
February 15, 2022
Having more diverse restaurants in the area can also allow students to find food that suits their dietary needs.

[Photo] OPINION: DeKalb needs more cuisine options

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter
February 15, 2022
The Olympics are not just a competition to win the gold, but a celebration of all of the talented athletes.

[Photo] Olympics are an important symbol of diversity and unity

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter
February 10, 2022
Women's basketball vs. Bowling Green

[Photo] Bench stepping up for women’s basketball

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter
February 10, 2022
Clothing businesses often advertise clothes as "one size fits all" when in reality, they only fit a certain type of body shape.

Small businesses are not inclusive

By Summer Fitzgerald
February 9, 2022
A student writes down in a journal on February 9th, 2022. Journaling can have a great impact on one's mental and emotional state.

[Photo] Journaling is a great way to improve emotional state

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief
February 9, 2022
Women's basketball vs. Bowling Green

[Photo] This weekend in Huskie athletics: Feb. 4 edition

By Northern Star Staff
February 3, 2022
Sophomore guard Jayden Marable (left), redshirt freshman guard Sydney McCrea, senior forward McKayla Brandon, redshirt senior guard Paulina Castro and junior forward A'Jah Davis embark toward the sideline in a game against Bowling Green Wednesday night. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Women’s Basketball Huskies vs Bowling Green Falcons

By Zulfiqar Ahmed and Summer Fitzgerald
February 3, 2022
A set of old concert tickets rests on a bulletin board alongside a photograph. The ticket stubs are for Walk the Moon in 2018 and The Driver Era (formerly R5) in 2015. The photograph is from The Driver Era in 2019.

OPINION: Supporting smaller artists is important

By Summer Fitzgerald
February 2, 2022
People of all ages were present at the grand opening of the store located at 203 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115.

IN PICTURES: Insomnia Cookies

By Zulfiqar Ahmed and Summer Fitzgerald
January 31, 2022
A student's laptop displays the opening screen for Blackboard, NIU's primary website for classes. Blackboard is still vital to classes no matter the method of instruction.

Fill in the blank: Best format of classes

By Summer Fitzgerald, Ally Formeller, and Angelina Padilla-Tompkins
January 30, 2022
Akron junior forward Lonasia Brewer defends NIU senior forward Mikayla Brandon during a Monday night game in the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies went on to win 79-67.

[Photo] Buffalo pumps brakes on NIU’s win streak

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter
January 29, 2022
A crowd of Britney Spears supporters hold up signs for the media in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Jamie Lynn Spears has no right to capitalize off of #FreeBritney

By Summer Fitzgerald
January 27, 2022
Akron defenders guard against redshirt senior guard Janae Poisson at the NIU Convocation Center on Feb. 8. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Women’s Basketball Huskies vs Akron Zips

By Zulfiqar Ahmed and Summer Fitzgerald
January 25, 2022
Junior guard Chelby Koker avoids traffic during NIU's victory over the Akron Zips Monday night. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

[Photo] Koker joins 1,000 point club in home victory

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
January 25, 2022
Movie cases line up on a dusty shelf in a college apartment. Physical copies have gone ancient due to streaming services taking off.

[Photo] Modernity has erased the physical concept of art

By Parker Otto
January 24, 2022
The Falling $5, 1440 Sycamore Road, is a bin store full of miscellaneous items.

[Photo] Local business gives residents bang for their buck

By Kurt Bitting
January 21, 2022
The Fujifilm Quicksnap is a very popular disposable camera among college students. They come with 27 exposures and a built-in flash.

Disposable cameras make the perfect comeback

By Summer Fitzgerald
January 20, 2022
Illinois Judge Robert Adrian threw away Drew Clinton's conviction of sexual assault. He said that five months was enough punishment for the teenager.

Drew Clinton’s overturn is a loss for sexual abuse survivors

By Summer Fitzgerald
January 19, 2022
Continuously leaving classes can have a number of impacts on a college student's career.

Point/Counterpoint: Leaving class in the middle of a lecture

By Summer Fitzgerald and Zulfiqar Ahmed
January 19, 2022
NIU senior guard Trendon Hankerson defends Bowling Green junior guard Samari Curtis during Tuesday's Mid-American Conference matchup in DeKalb.

[Photo] Defensive struggles nix Huskies’ winning streak

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
January 19, 2022
Founders Memorial Library

[Photo] IN PICTURES: DeKalb on Film

By Zulfiqar Ahmed
January 19, 2022
Two FAFSA documents lay on a table. Students are expected to file for FAFSA in order to receive financial aid.

[Photo] NIU fights to double Pell Grant to increase financial aid for students

By Yari Tapia, Lifestyle Writer
January 17, 2022
Women's basketball junior guard Chelby Koker attempts to navigate through a wave of Ball State defenders during an overtime loss to the Cardinals on Jan. 5 in DeKalb. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

[Photo] Miami bests women's basketball in Wednesday shootout

January 19, 2022
Women's basketball junior guard Chelby Koker passes by Toledo freshman forward Jessica Cook during NIU's victory over the Rockets Saturday.

IN PICTURES: Weekend in Athletics

By Zulfiqar Ahmed and Summer Fitzgerald
January 17, 2022
Women's Tugs saw a lot of engagement in 2021. The spirit of greek life on campus shined at the event as students from many Greek Organizations and friends came to show their support.

[Photo] IN PICTURES: 2021

By Zulfiqar Ahmed
January 16, 2022
Womens Soccer faced a tough road in 2021, however they are picking up speed again as they train for the new season.

Zulfiqar Ahmed

[Photo] Zulfiqar Ahmed

June 2, 2021
NIU sophomore guard Keshawn Williams defends against EMU freshman guard Noah Farrakhan during a game Wednesday in DeKalb.

[Photo] Men’s basketball sends Eagles home with loss

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
January 15, 2022
Redshirt senior guard Errin Hodges rushes to the net during Saturday's loss to the University of Toledo. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies burned by Rockets

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
January 15, 2022
Vinyl records are a classic form of art that has died down due to the digital age.

[Photo] Students need to respect older art

By Parker Otto
January 14, 2022
Vinyl records and turntables take the experience of listening to music to a whole new level.

[Photo] Vinyl records are a musical lifestyle

By Parker Otto
January 13, 2022
Junior guard Chelby Koker passes the ball during Wednesday's home game against Ball State University.

[Photo] Women’s basketball extends losing streak in heartbreaking overtime finish

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
January 5, 2022
Columnists look forward to 2022 by making their New Year's resolutions.

Fill in the blank: My New Year’s resolution is . . .

By Opinion Staff, Parker Otto, and Summer Fitzgerald
December 31, 2021
Thank you, Karens.

[Photo] Thank you, Karens

By Parker Otto
December 28, 2021
SHEIN, an online store, has recently become a main source of fast fashion as it is heavily promoted across social media platforms through "SHEIN Hauls".

Fast fashion is harmful to both environment and mental health

By Summer Fitzgerald
December 27, 2021
As we approach the end of the semester, don't be afraid to reward yourself for meeting big goals.

[Photo] It’s okay to treat yourself

By Parker Otto
November 27, 2021
A Black Friday sign in the window of a store.

[Photo] US should put an end to Black Friday

By Parker Otto
November 17, 2021
All gender restrooms are for anyone regardless of their gender identity or expression. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center has created seven additional all gender restrooms since 2018.

[Photo] NIU holds 37 gender-inclusive restrooms, plans to create more

By Jaylen Conwell, News Reporter
November 15, 2021
The Veterans Day flag pole ceremony was held at 11 a.m. in Altgeld Hall, Room 315.

[Photo] Veterans Day ceremony thanks members for their service

By Aidan Bengford and Yari Tapia
November 11, 2021
CAB hosts a live concert at Club 1895. The band Cut Your Losses performs on a Friday night.

[Photo] CAB makes changes to organization for more student engagement

By Jaylen Conwell, News Reporter
November 10, 2021
The women of Alpha Sigma Alpha walk out into the trenches on Oct. 22 on the field outside the Rec Center for the first round of Women's Tugs. They were coached by fraternity Phi Kappa Psi.

[Photo] IFC chapters hold second round of fall recruitment

By Madelaine Vikse, Editor-in-Chief
November 10, 2021
Several students sit at the SGA town hall on Wednesday.

[Photo] SGA town hall hears students’ need for community

By Jack Strunk
November 4, 2021
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Jerk Fuzion Bar and Grill, 930 Pappas Drive, offers authentic Jamaican-style cuisine and a place where everyone "can let their hair down."

[Photo] Jerk Fuzion blends cultures with food

By Quade Evans, Opinion Columnist
November 3, 2021
Alexis Ortiz, 21, volunteers at Tails Humane Society.

[Photo] Tails Humane Society encourages people to visit

By Elisa Reamer
October 25, 2021
The women of Alpha Sigma Alpha walk out into the trenches on Oct. 22 on the field outside the Rec Center for the first round of Women's Tugs. They were coached by fraternity Phi Kappa Psi.

Spotlight: Women’s Tugs 2021

By Summer Fitzgerald
October 23, 2021
Phi Kappa Psi cheers on Alpha Sigma Alpha as they hold their grip in the trenches. Alpha Sigma Alpha won against Delta Gamma on the first day of Women's Tugs.

An NIU student takes a break from homework to watch some TikTok videos.

[Photo] Harmless fun on TikTok may be addiction

By Ariel Morris, Lifestyle writer
October 19, 2021
A student holding a phone with the NIU Safe App.

[Photo] Editorial: NIU needs to better promote Safe App

By Northern Star Editorial Board
October 13, 2021
With the transition to in-person learning on the horizon, continuing to provide virtual classes will make learning more accessible for students.

Fill in the blank: Best online class platform

By Opinion Staff, Jack Baudoin, Summer Fitzgerald, and Danielle Elliott
September 20, 2020
A door in Gilbert Residence Hall shows a sign stating No Visitors Allowed

Firsthand account: Living in a dorm during a pandemic

By Summer Fitzgerald
September 13, 2020
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