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(Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Kanowitz)

BY VIVIANA SMITH, SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Fitness is one of the main pillars of a healthy lifestyle, alongside balanced nutrition and 7 to 8 hours of sleep. According to Harvard Health, regular exercise lowers the risk of long-term health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and various types of cancer. Though we know exercise is important, many struggle to fit in  daily workouts due to physical or motivational barriers. 

However, some people’s jobs allow them to help others overcome barriers and make room for personal growth. One group fitness instructor has dedicated her career to doing just that for her cycling students.

Stephanie Kanowitz has been motivating students for 16 years. She shared that she was inspired by her own cycling instructor at a Gold’s Gym in Ballston. “One day, I just kind of said to myself, ‘I could probably do this’,” Kanowitz said with a chuckle. 

She asked her instructor about becoming certified, which turned out to be easier than she expected. Though the process requires continuous commitment with bi-annual recertification, she says she found the initial steps simple. After completing a few classes through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and getting her CPR and AED certifications, Kanowitz was ready to lead. 

Kanowitz started instructing in Arlington and D.C. for about two and a half years before joining to Mason in 2011.

Kanowitz wasn’t initially nervous about instructing, she shared, but stage fright crept in  on her as all eyes were focused on her at the front of the class. Instead of letting fear take over, she reminded herself that everyone in the gym experiences some level of self-consciousness. She explained that easing others’ fear of judgment helped put her own at rest.

A typical day of instruction for Kanowitz begins with class prep, which either occurs the day before or the day of. She builds her workout routine around a playlist, tailoring exercises to match the mood or theme of the ride. “If [the theme] is a little bit alternative, I’ll look for something with a little bit of anger in it to get somebody riled up and ready to sprint,” Kanowitz said. 

“I’ll try to find something that has a little bit of an inspirational message to it to encourage people to keep going,” she added. “Just things like that.”

Usually arriving 15 minutes early, Kanowitz sets up the class to make it comfortable and inviting. She turns on the fans to beat the inevitable workout heat, turns on some hyped-up tunes and plays with the LED lights to create an exciting vibe. With her cycling shoes on, water bottle filled, and microphone pack secured, she channels her passion for fitness to power through the workout. 

Kanowitz enjoys seeing new and returning students walk through the classroom doors. “I’m just happy to see when people are making a commitment to their fitness and being healthy, especially when trying something new,” she said. “I hope to pass along some of my own excitement about [cycling] to new people.”

Students have come into class not feeling their best but leave feeling refreshed once they’ve sweat out all their worries, Kanowitz shared. “It makes me feel really happy for them, and I feel a bit proud that I was able to make their day a little bit better.” 

Outside of class, Kanowitz remains committed to her own fitness and health journey by cycling in her own time, tuning into classes and routines through Peloton and passing on fitness techniques to her two kids. She describes exercise as her personal “therapy.”

Kanowitz said she learns a lot from taking other classes, such as how to choose the appropriate workout music or cueing participants. “I’ve tried to pick up on some of the things from Peloton that I personally enjoy or find inspiring…and I try to use that in class.”

Instructors like Kanowitz can help motivate others to move their body regardless of their skill set. For those who aspire to be fitness instructors, she advises relying on their charismatic personality and helpful nature–and having a good ear for music is a plus, too!

By day, Kanowitz is a freelance journalist. But in the gym, she shares her passion for fitness, proving that her dedication extends far beyond the newsroom.

Viviana Smith/Fourth Estate

On Dec. 12, the 10th anniversary of The Game Awards (TGA) was hosted at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Canadian video game journalist, Geoff Keighley hosted the event. 

TGA was streamed on multiple platforms, including Twitch, YouTube and the TGA website. The gaming community was buzzing with excitement over the award show, with multiple creators hosting their own watch parties, including IGN. 

Besides game developers and gaming influencers, the crowd was thrilled by major appearances such as “The Father of the Playstation,” Ken Kutaragi, American actor Harrison Ford, and Muppet duo Stalter and Waldorf, who teased the host at the beginning of the show. 

The night was filled with entertaining musical performances from the TGA orchestra, Twenty One Pilots, D4VD, Royal & The Serpent and Snoop Dogg.

Between each award, the audience was presented with the world premieres for upcoming games expected to be released in 2025. 

During the main award show, 19 awards were announced. 

Actress Melina Juergens won “Best Performance” for her work in Senua’s Sage: Hellblade II,  developed by Ninja Theory. Juergens gave thanks to the studio, staff, crew, TGA, and most importantly, the fans. This makes for Juergens’ second win in the category, with her first win being at the 2017 TGA. 

“Best Action Game” went to Black Myth: Wukong by Game Science. “A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to every player…Our game isn’t hard at all, it is perfect for players new to action games,”  game designer and director Baicun Jiang said with the help of a translator. 

Amir Satvat received a standing ovation from the audience as he went on stage to accept the “TGA Game Changer” award, the first of its kind. Satvat is the founder of Amir Satvat’s Gaming Community, a free online resource to assist prospective game makers in finding jobs in the industry. 

“I love video games with all my heart,” said Satvat. Satvat spoke about his journey from a young, hopeful boy who dreamed of being in the industry to making a large and unexpected impact on the future of games. “To all game makers everywhere, you are seen and treasured, and our community will always be there to help you.” 

Afterward, “Most Anticipated Game” was awarded to GTA IV with little surprise. Next, Keighley announced the winners in three categories: Helldivers II received “Best Multiplayer,” Baldur’s Gate III won “Best Community Support” and “Best Art Direction” went to Metaphor: ReFantazio. 

“Best Debut Indie Game” was awarded to Balatro by developer LocalThunk. The games’ publisher, Playstack, accepted on behalf of the developer. PR manager Wouter Van Halderen and Marketing Manager Liz Cheng-Moore accepted the award with a Balataro jester plush in hand. 

“Best Action/Adventure Game” went to Astro Bot, Metaphor: ReFantazio won “Best RPG,” “Best Sports/Racing Game” went to EA Sports FC 25, “Best Simulation/Strategy Game” was won by Frostpunk 2 and “Content Creator of the Year” went to streamer and gamer CaseOh. Case Baker, who goes by the alias “CaseOh,” shouted with confusion and excitement during a stream as Keighley announced his win. 

Snoop Dogg announced the “Best Ongoing Game” award, which went to Helldivers II, securing its second win of the night. 

“Best Adaptation” was awarded to the 2024 series “Fallout.” Game Director Todd Howard accepted the award on stage alongside Director Jonathan Nolan and actress Ella Purnell, who stars as the main character “Lucy MacLean” in the series.

“I can’t believe [Fallout] beat ‘Arcane’,” American YouTuber Charles White Jr., also known as “Cr1TiKaL” or “MoistCr1TiKaL,” said on stream. 

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth won “Best Score and Music.” Director and video game programmer Naoki Hamaguchi accepted the award onstage. “This is my very first time attending the Game Awards today, and I am so honored and pleased to receive this award,” Hamaguchi said with the help of a translator. 

Senua’s Sage: Hellblade II won “Best Audio Design,” while Black Myth: Wukong won “Players’ Voice.” Balatro won two more awards by 10:30 p.m., snagging “Best Independent Game” and “Best Mobile Game.”

The award for “Best Narrative” went to Metaphor: ReFantazio, securing another win later in the night. Katsura Hashino accepted the award on stage, giving thanks to the studio, the audience, and TGA. “I think storytelling is a really important part of games…knowing that we’ve been honored here in this way today is really honoring,” translated Hashino’s interpreter. 

At 11 p.m., the long-awaited announcement for “Game of the Year” was here. As the audience anxiously waited, the TGA orchestra built up suspense for the award with an epic medley featuring music from the nominated games. 

The PS5-exclusive Astro Bot took home the award, with a tearful yet joyful team proudly collecting the trophy. Art Director Sebastian Brueckner gave a heartfelt speech, thanking TeamASOBI and other key studio staff members. “It’s amazing, and we’ll see you again,” Brueckner said.

“More than anything, I hope tonight made you believe the future of our medium is brighter and greater than ever,” Keighley said, wrapping up the award-filled night. 

A full list of the winners and nominees can be viewed on the TGA website.

Nawaal Nackerdien/Fourth Estate

BY BARRETT BALZER, NEWS EDITOR AND SAM DOUGLAS, NEWS ASSISTANT

Barrett Balzer/ Fourth Estate

Salutations! 

My name is Barrett Balzer, and I am thrilled to be your News Editor for the Spring 2025 semester! I am a Political Communication major with a concentration in Political Journalism in my second year here at Mason.

What is the news? News is a recent story, political or nonpolitical. It can be televised, sent as notifications from our phones, or read in print or online. Most importantly, news is the collection of noteworthy events that happened yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

If you have an idea for a story, I want to hear it. What may seem like a bad idea could be the one that shapes a career–so don’t hesitate to pitch it! In my first semester at Mason, three fellow students and I found a topic, reported it, wrote it, and published it. A year and a half later, I am incredibly grateful for that experience, which strengthened my love for journalism. 

As news editor, I promise to ensure stories are published in a timely, accurate and relevant manner, keeping up with the week’s current events. 

Thank you for this opportunity. I am excited to work not only with the editorial staff but also with student writers. I look forward to watching the next generation of journalists flourish within Fourth Estate. 

Write on!

Barrett Balzer

bbalzer@gmu.edu 

Sam Douglas/Fourth Estate

My name is Sam Douglas, and I am happy to serve the Mason body as the assistant news editor for the Spring 2025 semester. I am a freshman majoring in Communication with a concentration in Journalism. I gained editorial experience from my high school newspaper and became a staff writer for Fourth Estate last semester. 

While faith in the news around the country wavers, I am committed to building trust between Fourth Estate and the Mason community. There are important things happening all over campus and the world, and I pledge to give the student body of 40,449+ patriots the unbiased and informative news coverage they deserve.

I hope to cover a wide variety of events, and topics in the news section this semester, no matter how big or small. If you desire to write or want to get involved with Fourth Estate and the Mason community, please reach out! No matter your experience, there is a place for your unique perspective in the news section at Fourth Estate.

Sam Douglas

sdougl4@gmu.edu 

Lamia Gamil/Fourth Estate

BY LAMIA GAMIL, STAFF WRITER

To the ones who found love, to the ones still searching for love, and to the ones whose love comes from within, light a candle and bring chocolate cake because love is calling for a celebration. 

Love is a binding energy. It is the shades of chocolate flakes, with a mix of sweet and bitter. Hardships are defeated by love because it fills our lives with beautiful memories and life lessons. It takes us to places we’ve never gone before. Made us touch the stars and also made us hit the ground. 

Sometimes, we find love in the air, and other times, love becomes air. Over time, it could vanish entirely. Whichever state, love is always young and mirthful. It is forever present. Despite this, from time to time, we lose track on the way. Before one knows it, their heart falls in love again, ready for whatever it entails .

Humanity is centered around love because it gives purpose. We can love a person, a pet, or life. The love of the creator should suffice, but we can, above all else, love love.

Love is not limited to anything. It is the most beautiful feeling that answers the most existential questions: What is the purpose of life? What are we living for? Love is a force that loves itself. It goes back 8000 years ago when the Proto-Indo-European definition of love meant “care.” Since the creation of humanity, caring for another has kept love alive.

Love is not conditional. Without care, humans will be subject to decay. As Margaret Mead puts , “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For indeed, that’s all who ever have.” That’s why love has no defined form or shape. Because every time love strikes us with the most alluring free-spirited portrayal of itself it depicts beauty in every sense there is. 

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Fourth Estate/Emma Schaible

BY KATIE KOHLER, STAFF WRITER

Mason celebrated its Spring 2025 homecoming with a week full of festivities, community service and school spirit. The annual tradition,  running from Jan. 31 to Feb. 8, brought together students, alumni, faculty and the Mason community.

The week started with a lip-sync battle presented by the Patriot Activities Council, everyone who attended received a free Homecoming 2025 shirt. Banditos Tacos and Tequila, a Mexican restaurant in University Mall, hosted Taco Tuesday Trivia on Feb. 4. A Day of Service followed on Wednesday. Student volunteers helped prepare food boxes for the Patriot Pantry and Food for Others, two local organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity. On Thursday, Saturday Night Live star Sarah Sherman headlined this year’s homecoming comedy show.

Students, alumni and fans all gathered in Lot L for the Homecoming Tailgate on Saturday ahead of the men’s basketball game. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), fraternities and sororities set up tents where members were able to reconnect with alumni. 

Mason Athletics, Student Involvement and Alumni Relations also hosted booths with backyard games such as basketball, Jenga Giant and corn hole, where participants received Mason-themed prizes and spirit wear. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon filled with food, music and a basketball game to top it off. 

Many attendees brought grills to cook hamburgers and hotdogs and passed them out to people walking by. Laughter and conversation filled the air as students, alumni and faculty bonded over their shared Mason pride. 

Fourth Estate/Katie Kohler

The Green Machine drumline welcomed guests as they arrived at the tailgate festivities. The Patriot mascot also joined the festivities as he made his way through the lot, stopping for photos and dancing with fans. 

The week ended with a victory from the men’s basketball team on Feb. 8. The Mason Patriots played against the University of Rhode Island Rams and secured their ninth consecutive win. A sea of green and gold filled the EagleBank Arena as Mason Nation cheered on the men’s team. The Patriots took an early lead in the first quarter and maintained it for the rest of the game with senior guard Darius Maddox leading the team with a career-high 24 points 

At halftime, men’s basketball alumni were recognized, along with current head coach Tony Skinn. In the second half, the Patriots strengthened their defense, preventing the Rams from closing the gap and extending their lead. The game ended with a final score of 82-67. Fourth Estate will continue to cover the Patriots win-streak, match by match, in the sports section located here. 

Homecoming 2025 united the Mason community through a week of events, school spirit and a thrilling basketball win, making it a homecoming to remember.