MAVTIVITIES OVER BREAK

What the Mavily got up to over the five week winter break

John Leet, Accuracy Manager • February 2, 2026

Chloe Williams spent a lot of time chrocheting props for her Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) group over break. This is a twenty-sided die that Williams crocheted. It is a fundamental tool in DnD and an iconic piece of symbolism for the game.

Whether it was tearing up the slopes of Colorado’s gorgeous mountains, being the Dungeon Master to an epic campaign of Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) or doom-scrolling on TikTok while the new season of Stranger Things played in the background, Mavericks chose a variety of ways to spend Winter Break. The Criterion dove deeper to answer the burning question: exactly what did the Mavily get up to over the break?

Keith Pierce is a junior in the applied anthropology department and was chilled to his bones on a trip home.

“I went home over the break. I visited Portland, where my girlfriend is from. It was my first time being there, too. I got to see the beach, which was amazing. It’s strange being at the beach when the weather outside is chilly,” Pierce said.

Pierce currently works for Senator Michael Bennet on his campaign for governor of Colorado.

“I also campaigned for Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. I went around, conducted polls from the community, spoke with mayors and sheriffs alike. Ty Coleman and I had a conversation about ICE,” Pierce said.

Willon Rice is a sophomore in the mechanical engineering and computer science programs. He had big milestone over break and took time to celebrate.

“I turned 19 over the break,” Rice said. “My Dad, sister and I all have birthdays within about 3 days of each other. We celebrated by going to Taco Del Gnar. It was great. I loved the food.”

Taco Del Gnar is a cult classic restaurant located in Ridgway, Colorado.

Retired Army Sergeant Aaron Lopez is a junior psychology major and philosophy minor. He spent the break representing Veteran’s Services:

“I spent my break with my daughter in Colorado, enjoying family time during the holidays. In my free time, I attended events hosted by the VFW in the area for community outreach and social interactions. My view of the breaks between college is to continue enjoying the life we have and not get tunnel vision on the journey.”

Chloe Williams is a junior criminal justice major and beamed while recalling her winter break activities.

“I DM’d a DnD campaign over the break!” Williams said. “DM” stands for “Dungeon Master” which is a vital role in the role playing game Dungeons & Dragons who develops and guides the stories for the rest of the players.

“We did a ‘homebrew’ one shot. It’s basically a short campaign that I made. Usually, the group I play with is about 7-8 people. But this was a shorter campaign that finished in a single day. It was so much fun! I knitted this little elixir bottle for the campaign, too,” Williams said recalling the epic adventure.

Another piece that Williams crocheted for her DnD group was this lavender Health Elixir bottle. Her epic fantasy adventures consumed much of her activity while on break in addition to the birth of her nephew. He received a crocheted blanket as a gift from his new Aunt Chloe. (Courtesy of Chloe Williams)

Williams was excited to show off her excellent craft skills. Williams also created a small crochet rodent with a fez hat.

“This is Mouse-olini. He’s a member of our campaign,” Williams said in reference to her DnD group.

Chloe Williams spent a lot of time chrocheting props for her Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) group over break. Williams crocheted this small rodent named “Mouse-olini,” a pun on the Italian WWII-era dictator Benito Mussolini. Much cuter and far less fascist, Mouse-olini is a beloved character in Williams’ DnD group. She said the character is loved so much that he was given “plot-armor” by the Dungeon Master that will prevent him from ever being killed. (Courtesy of Chloe Williams)

In addition to props for her campaign, Williams crocheted a baby blanket for her first nephew that was born over break.

Army veteran and senior in the computer science and communication studies programs Anthony Streich stayed active during his winter break.

“I spent lots of time polluting the Colorado and Uncompahgre Rivers with frisbees. When I play disc golf, I always find water,” Streich said.

He also took the time to give back to the community.

“I volunteered time with the local high school speech and debate teams. It has been a great start to my final year at CMU,” Streich said.

From throwing frisbees, to campaigning for senators or drinking Elixirs of Health in DnD, Mavericks made the most of their five week break from classes. They return to campus more energized and ready to take on the spring semester.

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