The Heights, March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Catholic School Neighboring Newton Campus to Close

By Connor Siemien Newton Editor

Mount Alvernia High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Newton, will close at the conclusion of the 2022–23 academic year, according to a release from the school’s board of directors and the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception,

who own the property at 790 Centre St.

Following the announcement, several alumni of the school spoke out against the decision on Facebook, calling it detrimental to the education of young women. A petition on Change.org has gathered 3,548 signatures by the time of publication.

“We do believe in the life and

mission of St. Francis of Assisi, and all-girls education gives girls the chance to learn, and grow, and become the person they were created to be, and losing another allgirls school is really unfortunate for women’s education,” said Mary Kate Feeney, former director of communications at the school and Mount Alvernia ’01. Another alumna, Kathleen

“We Gingers Are All Heart”

See

Eagles Win Two Over FSU

B y G raham D ietz Sports Editor

Whether it’s starting pitching, bullpen performance, batting, base running, or situational hitting, it’s standard to blame one of those elements of a baseball team if it loses repeatedly. In 2022, for instance, Boston College baseball’s pitching identity was at the

root of the Eagles’ troubles, as BC registered the lowest-ranked ERA in the ACC.

But BC head coach Mike Gambino has not been faced with that type of dilemma this season— where one element of the team is so wayward that it affects the outcome of most games.

After the Eagles’ (14–3, 5–2 Atlantic Coast) 13th and 14th

Joyce, former chair of the board of alumni and Mount Alvernia ’92, said the school lent itself well to creating strong friendships and connections.

“We were a very small class ourselves, we graduated 26 girls, and some of my best friends to this day are from high school,” Joyce said. “We had outstanding faculty, a real, true sense of community,

and to this day we all get together because of our friendships that developed.”

The Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception said the school will close because the sisters are no longer able to live on the property where the school is located.

BC Drops Third Game of Season

By Luke eVanS Asst. Sports Editor

No. 4 Boston College lacrosse faced off against its fourth opponent ranked in the Top 10 and its seventh ranked opponent in just nine games on Sunday, taking on No. 6 Denver in Jacksonville, Fla.

It’s lost three of those ranked games, including Sunday afternoon’s matchup with Pioneers.

“We always like to have a strong schedule,” BC head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein said. “We want to play the best because it demands a lot from our team, and I have no regrets on how the schedule has been created.

I think the schedule is great and it’s challenging and that’s what we want

for the girls.”

After goalkeeper Shea Dolce earned the starting role and played the entire game in the Eagles’ win over No. 24 Clemson on Thursday, Walker-Weinstein gave the freshman the nod in Sunday’s matchup. But after conceding six goals in the first quarter alone with no saves, Walker-Weinstein called Rachel Hall into the game and held down the net for the remaining three periods, allowing seven goals of her own with four saves.

The early deficit proved to be too much, and the Eagles (6–3, 3–1 Atlantic Coast) dropped their third game of the season in a 13–8 loss to the Pioneers (9–0).

See Lacrosse, A10

wins of the season—a 4–2 and 8–2 victory over No. 21 Florida State (12–8, 3–3) on Saturday and Sunday, and their fourth and fifth win against a ranked opponent this year—Gambino cited BC’s learning experience in 2022 as a gateway for consistent success in 2023.

BCEA Strives To Make Giving Back Intentional

By athena VinCh Heights Staff

At Boston College, the “men and women for others” spirit guides the mission of the manyon-campus volunteer and philanthropic organizations dedicated to helping both the Boston and global community.

When Brian Gardner discovered the philosophy behind effective altruism, which encourages the use of evidence and reason in determining the most effective ways to help people, he realized it matches perfectly with this BC passion of giving back to others.

So, along with Caroline Bald, MCAS ’23, and Molly Binder,

LSEHD ’23, Gardner, CSOM ’23, started Boston College Effective Altruism (BCEA) this fall.

The term “effective altruism” is a philosophy that can mean many different things to different people, according to Gardner. BCEA aims to teach students about this philosophy so they can apply it to their lives.

“To me, it’s an organization that’s interested in looking at the ways that we can help the world through a more critical lens,” Gardner said. “More specifically, it’s a program that’s hoping to look at the world through a lens of data and logic and reason to see where we can kind of make the most

difference and affect the most lives in the most positive ways we can.”

Effective altruists focus on pressing global issues—such as climate change, world hunger, and pandemics—and examine and implement practical solutions to these issues.

For college students, Gardner said the effective altruism philosophy is particularly useful because it can help them consider the impact their future career or pursuits will have on the world.

“So it kind of teaches people, especially as college students, ways where you can get involved or spend your time or resources to most positively impact the world,”

Gardner said.

Gardner said he was first introduced to the effective altruism movement during his sophomore year at BC. He heard about the organization One for The World, which seeks to maximize the impact of donations by screening charities to make sure they are spending their money effectively. The BCEA club founders originally planned to start a One for the World club at BC, but they decided to start a more broad effective altruism club after learning more about the philosophy.

“Slowly over the years, it’s transformed into this larger movement that we wanted to encapsulate,”

Gardner said.

Binder said she was also interested in effective altruism because it was a philosophy she had no previous exposure to. She liked its focus on intentional giving and how it encourages people to expand their donations and community service beyond their own communities.

“Usually, when we go about our decisions for how to make an impact, it’s based on things like our immediate circle [and] who we may be surrounded with,” Binder said. “But if we kind of expand that out, we can have a much bigger impact in a lot of cases.”

Over 40 Boston College students raced around the Mods in the first annual ginger run on St. Patrick’s Day, which was promoted on Instagram and Herrd.

Mount Alvernia, A4

VIKRUM SINGH / HEIGHTS EDITOR

This Week’s Top 3 Events

Redheads Come Together for BC’s First Ginger Run

By sofiA LABoy Heights Senior Staff

Donning leprechaun top hats and shamrock-shaped sunglasses, a sea of redhead students dressed in green gathered in the Mods this St. Patrick’s Day to run in the first annual ginger run at Boston College.

“When all of us gingers started lining up and [‘’I’m Shipping Up to Boston’’] blasted and the crowd started cheering, I felt so supported,” Mia Naman, LSEHD ’25, said. “It’s our day. It’s the gingers’ moment.”

Over 40 students participated in the run at 1:30 p.m on Friday, beginning at Mod 3 and ending in front of Mod 20.

Beatrice Hesse, MCAS ’25, said she first heard about the race from a “fellow ginger friend” and saw Herrd posts about the event over Spring Break.

“I didn’t think it would actually be a real thing though,” she said. “But like 30 minutes before the race, my friend was like ‘No, it’s actually happening.’ So we walked out to the Mods, and there were so many people. I was shocked. So we

just decided to go for it.”

Christopher Engelhart, MCAS ’25, said he also heard about the run through a friend.

“One of my friends sent me a post from the BC gingers Instagram account and was like ‘You have to do this,’” he said. “I didn’t want to disappoint the people, so I did.”

The @bc.gingers Instagram account heavily promoted the race, according to Naman.

“I saw the post [announcing the race], and all my friends kept telling me I should do it, so I was like sure why not run in the first annual ginger race,” Naman said. “A lot of schools like Notre Dame do ginger races, so I’m glad BC is finally showing the gingers some appreciation, too.”

Hesse said the student turnout was larger than she anticipated.

“The actual run only lasted about one minute,” she said. “But before, during, and after the whole thing the Mods were packed with people just screaming and cheering us on. People really showed up for the gingers.”

A lot of the runners already knew each other. According to Hesse, the group of BC redheads keeps in close contact.

“I didn’t know there was actually a whole community,” she said. “There’s a GroupMe of all the gingers apparently, and all the gingers knew a lot of the other gingers when we were at the race. And I was like ‘What is happening?’ It was a funny experience.”

Despite the run’s short length, Naman said there were some “interest-

ing occurrences,” including one runner falling down and another throwing up.

“Our friend Bea [Hesse] got trampled running, but she got right back up so that’s what matters,” she said. “I think she felt really supported by the ginger community, and that’s what got her back off the ground.”

Though her fall was painful, Hesse said she was still able to enjoy running alongside her fellow redhead students and hopes this becomes a yearly tradition.

“I started running and was just hanging out with the other gingers when this guy pushed me and then continued to push me against the ground,” Hesse said. “I just got up and kept running, but it hurt so bad. Overall though it was fun and a good experience. I was humbled for sure though.”

Engelhart said Hesse’s decision to stand back up after her fall was proof of the “ginger heart.”

“She’s got ginger heart,” Engelhart said. “We gingers are all heart.” n

Mysterion Hosts Second Annual Spring Conference

By AdiTyA RAo Heights Staff

Mystērion , Boston College’s undergraduate theology journal, hosted its second annual spring conference Saturday morning, highlighting interreligious perspectives and the future of human ecology.

“We had hoped to encourage submissions from a variety of fields and perspectives in the hope of generating fruitful dialogue about the broad intersection between human ecology and theology,” Caroline Brewster, Mystērion’s editor-in-chief,

said. “Such an intersection has become increasingly imperative in today’s world, helping ensure a brighter, more ethical future.”

Student speakers from different colleges presented their theological papers at the conference, all centered around the theme “Human Ecology and the Challenges of the 21st Century: Inter-Religious Perspectives on Our Path Forward.”

Olivia Kenney, Bowdoin College ’25, was the first student to present, sharing a paper she had written about the role of diversity in theology and ecology—the study of

interactions between humans and their environments.

“Diversity can be considered a fact and challenge that occurs inevitably as communities shift, and it is easily connected to the ecological concept of competition,” Kenney said. “In ecology, competition is considered a basic type of interaction between species.”

Kenney added that competition in the face of diversity is a foundational aspect of many religions, citing the Islamic religion as an example.

“Conflict between the Quraysh community, which did not yet identify itself as a religion, and the pagan tribes

from which Muhammad originated, is central to the narrative of the religion’s foundation,” Kenney said. “The hostility with which the Quraysh treated Muhammad’s community became so intense that Mohammad and his followers relocated from Mecca to Medina, marking a turning point in the early years of what would become Islam.”

Ariela Rosenzweig and Tema Zeldes-Roth, both Brown University ’24, then shared a paper about how anorexia mirabilis, the practice of medieval Catholic women fasting for holy reasons, has symbolic roots in the Gospel of John.

“Of the 170 female saints canonized by the Catholic Church from the year 1200 to the present, more than one half could be described as experiencing the phenomena of anorexia mirabilis,” Rosenzweig said. “This miraculous loss of earthly appetite is closely related to John’s directive: ‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures from eternal life.’”

Amoggrajat Venkat, LSEHD ’26, also presented an analysis of the ecological implications of Laudato Sí, Pope Francis’ encyclical letter on climate change and integral ecology,

and the “Ramayana,” a Sanskrit epic from ancient India.

“The components of ecology in religion broadens the spectrum of interpersonal bonds,” Venkat said. “This leads to a necessity in the unity of communities and non-human beings, and a great deal of themes resembling a symbiotic relationship between nature and human beings arise.”

Venkat said that although the texts served different purposes, themes of living peacefully with nature are exemplified in both.

“In the Ramayana, when the army of animals aid Ram in his journey, he shows no discrimination to any of them: Ram sees each of their values and treats them as equals,” Venkat said. “Similarly, in the Laudato Sí, we must see other living creatures as brothers and sisters. To provide nurture for God’s creation is what Pope Francis encourages.”

Dyson Ye, MCAS ’23, shared his paper on Catholic-Confucianism dialogue between Jesuit missionary Rev. Matteo Ricci, S.J., and the Ming Dynasty.

University Introduces New Cross Currents Seminar

By Lucy fReemAn Asst. News Editor

Boston College launched a new Cross Currents seminar this spring designed to build students’ resilience through small-scale discussions, according to Matt Razek, an instructor for the course and associate director for student programming at BC.

“It’s a class built on participation and sharing your story, but it’s done in a way that you build trust with the people in the room and find opportunities to uplift each other’s stories,” Razek said.

The one-credit seminar, Thinking about Resilience, is a collaboration between the Division of Student Affairs and athletics administrators that meets once a week for an hour and 15 minutes. There are three sections this semester, each co-taught by two administrators.

Melinda Stoops, an instructor for the course and associate vice president for student health and wellness, said the idea for the class came from faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who are currently teaching a seminar on resilience. Stoops said two UMass professors trained her and the other instructors for the course in the summer of 2022.

The seminar is a way for students to develop resilience amid the stress of college, according to Stoops.

“In thinking about the fact that more and more people in general are struggling with anxiety and depression—and more so than ever—I think it’s really important that we learn to be resilient and to be able to overcome obstacles and to be able to take care of ourselves in a health-promoting way,” Stoops said.

Along with promoting mental health, one of the main topics of the seminar is strength, according to Razek. As an instructor, Razek said he helps students in the class focus on their current strengths while also learning from others.

“And so the goal is not just as instructors for us to, like, point out that gift,” Razek said. “So much of the class is sharing out and learning from each other and learning from experiences.”

According to Stoops, students in the class complete a strengths assessment in which they identify five of their current strengths. Each class, instructors ask students to talk about a time during the past week when they used one of these strengths. Stoops said approaching the class from a strengthsbased perspective will help students learn how to be more resilient.

“So we’re encouraging students as part of the time between class to really look at opportunities throughout the week to approach situations from a

strengths-based perspective,” Stoops said.

Razek said students in the class first practice centering themselves. After these centering practices, which involve breathing exercises, the class moves into its main lecture for the week—often focused on resilience, strength, and leadership.

“We have a reflection where we allow people to center themselves and allow them to place themselves in the room and be present through breathing exercises, through movements, and it really focuses on the five senses,” Razek said.

Stoops said because each seminar is co-taught, it gives students the opportunity to see leadership and resilience

modeled by people who share different experiences and perspectives.

“I think it’s really important that when you have two people, you’re showing two different models of resilience because there isn’t one cookie cutter resilient person,” Stoops said.

Maggie Guo, CSOM ’24, is currently in the class and said she likes the discussion-based structure of the seminar because it allows her to learn more about her peers.

“I think I’ve just learned so much more about the community here at BC and just, it’s always great to hear people’s stories and really put into perspective your own experience,” Guo said.

Guo said she also enjoys seeing her peers become more comfortable with

sharing their personal stories during class discussions as time goes on.

“I think it’s just always great in these discussion-based classes to see everyone else opening up and more willing to communicate as the time goes by,” Guo said.

Learning to be resilient is an important quality when growing as an individual and a professional, according to Stoops.

“The more we can understand resilience—not just as a concept, but looking at it in the context of our lives and have skills that we can apply in those difficult times—the better we’ll be in life and better equipped to deal with those ups and downs that we encounter,” Stoops said. n

A group of more than 40 redhead students gathered in the Mods for the first annual ginger run at Boston College.

DIPATRI / HEIGHTS ARCHIVES

The new seminar was designed to build students’ resilience through small-scale discussions, Matt Razek said.

CSD Chair Talks Upper Campus Pavilion Plan

By Will MarTiNo Asst. News Editor

Boston College has indefinitely postponed plans to construct a pavilion that would make Upper Campus more accessible, Council for Students with Disabilities (CSD) Chair Sarah Farnan said at the Student Assembly (SA) meeting on Tuesday night.

According to Farnan, plans to make Upper Campus more accessible for those with physical disabilities were postponed due to the cost of “extravagant additions” made to the original project, such as restaurants.

“A year later, we were informed that indeed it was too good to be true,” Farnan, MCAS ’23, said. “The cost of materials were too expensive, and our modest project was now too expensive due to additions brought on by the same administration that later deemed the project too much.”

Farnan said the four flights of stairs leading to Upper Campus prevent students with physical disabilities from living there, forcing them to live on Newton Campus instead. She added that not all Newton shuttle buses are wheelchair-accessible and the alternative, Eagle Escort, is known for being late and short-staffed.

“I’ve come here today to the Student Assembly in hopes that I can bring to light this event and petition that you, as student leaders, come forward to make a tangible change,” Farnan said.

Jonah Kotzen, CSD policy coordinator and MCAS ’24, shared that he, Farnan, and Peter Gornik, CSD vice chair and MCAS ’23, had met with Dean of Students Corey Kelly and Vice President for Student Affairs Shawna Cooper Whitehead that morning to discuss the issue.

“They told us that the Upper Campus pavilion was the only feasible way that they believed they could bring physical accessibility to Upper Campus,”

Farnan said. “What they meant by that is basically there are other ways where you could construct a ramp or put in a lift, but they felt that it would impede further projects.”

The University cannot build ramps due to the steepness of the hill leading to Upper Campus, but the cost of an elevator or wheelchair lift is sigwnificantly lower than the entire Upper Campus pavilion project, according to Kotzen.

“In terms of the funding, the pavilion was estimated at $100 million—that’s what they told us—while the elevator they would build, or wheel-

chair lift, would be a million dollars or somewhere around that,” Kotzen said.

According to Farnan, the University informed CSD that the project was being shelved due to inflation.

“My freshman year, in the spring, we were told this was happening and they had the funds and everything was going to be great,” Farnan said. “Now the main reason [for postponing the project] is inflation.”

During the meeting with Kelly and Cooper Whitehead, Kotzen said they talked about using Upper Campus shuttles as a temporary solution. They also discussed the administration’s working group focused on expanding Eagle Escort.

“They’re talking about potentially outsourcing to Boston Coach, doubling the amount of vans they currently have with Eagle Escort, and expanding the amount of vans that are wheelchair accessible,” Kotzen said. “So it is being worked on.”

Later in the meeting, the SA also unanimously passed “An Act Concerning UGBC Survey on Student Satisfaction of Boston College Dining,” which approves the distribution of a student survey on BC Dining as well as the publication of its results.

“[We’re] kind of testing student

satisfaction levels with BC Dining at the moment—how it currently is, how they’re currently able to find a meal plan, and any challenges they have with that,” said Daniel Wise, an SA representative on UGBC’s Dining Advisory Board and MCAS ’25.

The act—sponsored by Wise and Katie Garrigan, SA representative for the Montserrat Coalition and MCAS ’25—states that the survey will be emailed to the entire BC student population, and the administrative heads of

BC Dining will analyze its results. The act also includes a $500 allocation of UGBC’s budget to advertise the survey through tabling on campus. Thompson Penn, chair of the Student Life Committee and CSOM ’25, co-sponsored the act and clarified that $500 is just the maximum amount UGBC can spend on advertising.

Bartoli Shares Value of Global Peacebuilding

By gaBBy savo Heights Staff

According to Andrea Bartoli, the Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue practices peacebuilding, or the practice of resolving injustice through nonviolent approaches.

“Sant’Egidio is simply a recent expression of something that the Catholic Church has done for millennia—it’s not something new,” Bartoli, president of the Sant’Egidio, said. “It’s not something that is done just by us, but actually what we believe is everybody’s calling.”

Co-sponsored by the Boston College School of Social Work, the Office of Global Engagement, Catholic studies program, and international studies program, the Church in the 21st Century Center hosted a discussion Thursday night about Catholic peacebuilding in an increasingly fractured world.

According to Bartoli, Sant’Egidio—a global Christian movement of volunteer communities active in over 70 countries—aims to utilize peacebuilding to resolve global conflicts.

“It’s important for me to locate this peace-making Sant’Egidio engages with,” he said. “With this idea that, from the Christian perspective, this is truly life, and that Jesus on the cross is in peace, is at peace, and is for peace.”

Bartoli said the first step in achieving global peace is to acknowledge a sense of shared responsibility for the stability of other communities.

“We need to realize that, first of all, peace is co-created and is co-created through acceptance,” Bartoli said.

“That is the first step that makes peace relevant, is the fact that you and I are present together.”

During the discussion following the lecture, Rev. Mark Shimave, S.J., a graduate student of theology at BC, asked Bartoli if Sant’Egidio approaches countries when they notice conflict, or if it waits until receiving an invitation to intervene as peacemakers.

“We only work on invitation,” Bartoli said. “We are only invited to play the role of peacemakers. But you also need to be aware that Sant’Egidio is attentively present in more than 70 countries, so we have local people in 70 countries, serving the poor, praying

everyday, and trying to befriend.”

According to Bartoli, Christian values guide members of Sant’Egidio as they hope to find fulfillment in serving others.

“The paradox of Christian life is that we receive peace in a way that is, first of all, calling us and doesn’t assume us as the doers, but rather assumes us

as the followers, as the disciples, as the one that find themselves fulfilled in this vocation, in this way of being, in this becoming, that Jesus reveals in a love that is otherwise difficult for us to understand,” Bartoli said Bartoli said Sant’Egidio aims to follow and listen to countries in need, paying attention to whatever nations

will need to gain peace.

“We see ourselves as simply helping parties co-create the peace that is trying to be revealed,” Bartoli said. “We are simply helpers in this effort to make sure that something that is possible becomes probable, something that is probable becomes real, shared, seen, understood.” n

Espresso Your Faith Week Receives National Award

By NaTalie arNdT Assoc. News Editor

Boston College’s “Espresso Your Faith Week,” an annual campuswide celebration of faith, received an award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in February, according to BC News.

“The Outstanding Spiritual Initiative Award recognizes a program or initiative that promotes spiritual and religious growth on a college campus and demonstrates a significant impact on a college campus by promoting spiritual and religious engagement among the student body,” Colleen Dallavalle, senior advisor to the vice president for student affairs, said in an email to The Heights

Espresso Your Faith Week, sponsored by the Church in the 21st Century Center (C21) and Campus Ministry, takes place at the beginning of every academic year and aims to celebrate faith across campus through various gatherings such as masses and prayer groups, as well as sacramental practices and food pop-ups.

Dallavalle, who nominated the program for the Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education Knowledge Community Outstanding

Spiritual Initiative Award, said Espresso Your Faith Week offers an opportunity for BC community members to come together through their shared faith.

“Often, we can get caught up in the day-to-day and not allow ourselves the space or the grace to reflect on things like our faith, our values, or our purpose,” Dallavalle said. “What I loved about Espresso Your Faith Week at Boston College is that it calls people into the process of exploring those ideas in a deeper way.”

Karen Kiefer, director of C21, said Espresso Your Faith Week stemmed from the popularity of Agape Latte, a national faith storytelling program that started at BC through C21 and Campus Ministry in 2006.

“We started to think, what would it look like if we dedicated one week to sharing all of the beautiful faith riches of this university with our students, so they in turn, could not only realize what was there, but then also experience just the epiphany of knowing that God is working in all of our lives,” Kiefer said.

According to Dallavalle, the week allows members of the BC community to learn about and reflect on backgrounds and faiths different from their own.

“It invites individuals (regardless

of faith denomination) to think about what faith means to them and how they practice it in their daily lives and in their vocations,” Dallavalle said. “People are drawn together by values- they connect with other people, learn more about different experiences, all by being open to exploring more about their beliefs.”

Dallavalle said the national award provides the opportunity to share Espresso Your Faith Week, as well as the work of C21, with a wider audience, potentially inspiring those outside of BC to explore their faith as well.

“[The award] allows us to share how this format can call individuals

from any faith back into their spiritual practice,” Dallavalle. “Providing a platform where this could be shared on a national level gives even more people access to share these ideas/programs with their own communities.”

According to Kiefer, Agape Latte and Espresso Your Faith Week are just two examples of C21’s work in leading the world of Catholic education through its programming.

“A lot of what we do here at the center is we create models,” Kiefer said.

“Our whole mission is to be a catalyst and a resource for the renewal of the Catholic Church, and so it’s our job

to create models that we can not only execute, but that we can also give away and that they become contagious.”

Kiefer said she hopes the award will encourage other universities to adopt Espresso Your Faith Week programming as well.

“We have worked with over 150 colleges, high schools, and parishes that have adopted the [Agape Latte] model, and what I was so excited about with this award is the possibility and the great hope that other universities will see this [Espresso Your Faith week] model and adopt it on their own campuses,” Kiefer said. n

Espresso Your Faith Week started in 2006, and it was inspired by Boston College’s faith storytelling series, Agape Latte.

Bartoli highlighted the importance of peacebuilding on

VIKRUM SINGH / HEIGHTS EDITOR

The Student Assembly discussed Upper Campus accessibilty on Tuesday. ALINA CHEN / HEIGHTS STAFF

NEWTON

Catholic School’s Closure Prompts Alumni Outcry

Mount Alvernia, from A1

“As they move, it will be unsustainable for MAHS to continue alone, and the property on which the school sits will be sold,” the release reads. “The MAHS Board of Directors worked tirelessly to explore all options, including maintaining the MAHS community in a new location, if at all possible.”

Enrollment in the school has steadily decreased in the last 15 years, according to an article from The Boston Globe. Membership in the sisters’ mission has also gone down, something they discussed at a forum last month, according to The Boston Globe.

Currently, the school plans to merge with another all-girls school, Fontbonne Academy in Milton, Mass., allowing all students in good academic standing and applicants who have already been admitted to Mount Alvernia to automatically enroll at Fontbonne for the 2023–24 academic year.

“Fontbonne is aligned with our culture and commitment to developing the full person, and the school believes deeply in cultivating women of courage who are ready to create their own individual future,” the release reads.

Joyce said she has questions about the sisters’ approach to selling the school.

“I believe the sisters could have been more creative—they could have shown more leadership,” Joyce said. “I believe the sisters could have shown more leadership, and be more creative and could have brokered a deal—a future deal—that included the school, not just the sale of the land for money.”

The Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception did not respond to three requests for comment.

Both the City of Newton and Boston College have shown interest in buying the land where the school currently resides.

“This news is difficult for the students at Mount Alvernia High School and their families,” a statement from Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller reads. “We recently learned of the closing, and like any large property that becomes available in the City of Newton, we will explore the options and undertake our due diligence to better understand the opportunities.”

BC said it is interested in the property due to its location near existing University property, according to a statement from Associate Vice President of University Communications Jack Dunn.

“In light of the decision by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception to close Mount Alvernia

High School and sell the property, Boston College would be interested in acquiring the land and buildings for its own use, given its proximity to our Newton Campus,” Dunn said.

The City of Newton and BC have engaged in legal matters regarding the purchase of property before—namely Webster Woods.

The city seized the property, then owned by BC, through eminent domain, a legal process where a government can take over private property for public use after compensating the

private owner.

BC said the $15.2 million it was offered for Webster Woods was insufficient, and it filed a lawsuit against the city. As the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception move forward with the sale of the property, Joyce said the experiences she and her former classmates enjoyed as students make the school’s closure an emotional and frustrating development.

“It’s such a special place for people, and it provided something that we couldn’t find in this part of Greater

Boston,” Joyce said.

Feeney said some alumni have questions about the sale of the land, and want their questions answered.

“We have questions about why, you know, whoever’s buying the land, why can’t the school go into a lease with them?” Feeney said. “That’s not something unusual. You know, so why couldn’t we do that? And the sisters could get the money that they say that they need, they can move on to where they need to move on to and we can continue operating as a school.” n

Nearby Gallery Showcases Benayun’s Artwork

By henry BlancheTTe Heights Staff

The sound of quaint jazz music fills a brick-walled room covered in vibrant paintings at the Nearby Gallery in Newton Centre. An installation composed of journals and knickknacks, complete with a pin labeled “The Benayun Book Society,” sits in the middle of the space.

Daniel Benayun, a Boston-based painter, freelance designer, and art instructor, sat comfortably on a couch covered in blankets featuring his own illustrations in a patchwork flannel over a Harley-Davidson sweatshirt, as he began a self-guided tour of his exhibit called Looking So Hard For a Place To Land, I Almost Forgot How To Fly

“The show is called Looking So Hard For A Place To Land, I Almost Forgot How To Fly, and in the show’s

title, it’s already a bit of, like, a metaphor and gets you thinking about the word usage,” he said. “This show’s just, like, filled with allegorical paintings, poems, writings.”

The show opened to the public on March 11, which Benayun said was an emotional and rewarding experience.

“I sold a painting to a woman and she was crying,” Benayun said. “It felt like it was a great success.”

The show has had immensely positive feedback, according to gallery owner Cal Rice.

“It was one of the most successful shows the gallery’s ever had,” Rice said.

Directing his attention to the installation, the sole three-dimensional piece in the gallery, Benayun said it is important relative to the rest of the exhibit.

“It’s an installation that I made that’s just very down and dirty, all my

journals from the ages of, like, eighth grade to today,” he said, gesturing to the mound of leather-bound books and accompanying trinkets.

Much of the surrounding wall space consists of pieces which Benayun dubs allegorical and poem paintings. The first painting of the tour, entitled “Spector’s Nonlinear Dynamic”, conveys the theme of freethinking.

“This is from a photo of my grandfather, and his name was Jack—Jack Spector,” Benayun said. “I’ve illustrated him in blue to sort of express a mood that like sometimes in life when we do our own thing, it’s a little bit polarizing, but his brilliance is from that.”

Benayun said the painting of his grandfather illustrates a common feature of his exhibit: the brightly-colored advertising tactics of the early 20th century.

“It’s using the visual language of the 1920s and ’30s, while simultaneously resetting the thread of time and … expressing a contemporary concept,” he said while showcasing a gouache painting entitled ‘The Lighthouse.’ “We’ve lost a lot of character, and I think that, personally, I’m drawn to that beautiful character that you see in this period of art.”

Many of Benayun’s elaborate pieces are made with gouache, a water-medium paint designed to be non-transparent, including the namesake of the exhibit, “Looking So Hard For A Place To Land, I Almost Forgot How To Fly.”

“It’s a woman jumping from an airplane … but she’s also seen in, like a very brave and ambitious sort of pose,” Benayun said. “It’s just like an allegory

of ‘be in the moment, enjoy the moment until the moment ends.’ Don’t be fearful.”

Most of the paintings lining the gallery walls, including the feature piece, are paired with one of his own poems.

When asked why he selected “Looking So Hard For A Place To Land, I Almost Forgot How To Fly” as the namesake of the exhibit, Benayun said it was a perfect representation of the entire show.

“It bridged the gap for the body of work that I’m creating in the show, which are allegorical paintings, poem paintings, and then sort of like my commercial work,” he said.

Moving away from the larger pieces, Benayun stopped before a four-by-four display of what he labels “Benayun’s Wonder Cans,” inspired by Andy Warhol’s famous soup cans.

“I’ve always loved Warhol,” Benayun said. “He used the soup cans to remind you that when you go to the

grocery store [and] you see a can on a shelf, in a way it’s also art because it reminds you of a feeling. What I’m doing here is revisiting the tradition of what is commercial art and what is fine art.”

As Benayun shifted to the final portion of the exhibit, he said he intended to incorporate his passion for writing into his artwork.

“Every year for the past four years, I’ve self published a book, and these books are typically collections of poems or writing,” he said, pointing toward a page of his book, Bright Stories, which includes comics and other artwork by Benayun.

Concluding the tour, Benayun said that art has been a key outlet in his life.

“I’m just so blessed and lucky that like, I’ve been able to find the channels where it’s been received and been able to make a lifestyle, living out of it,” he said. “I like to draw pictures. Like, I can’t even say it any better than that.” n

Green Newton Co-Hosts Panel on Hydrogen Heating

By ella song

Asst. Newton Editor

Panelists Cathy Kristofferson and Martyn Roetter advocated against using hydrogen combustion to heat buildings at a discussion co-hosted by Green Newton and the Newton Free Library on Thursday night.

“Only gas industry studies seem to find hydrogen viable use for heating,” Kristofferson, a representative from the Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast, said. “All scientific studies find hydrogen lacking, and all studies finding hydrogen

[as] the future have come from the gas industry itself.”

Gas companies propose blending hydrogen gas with fossil gas to move toward more climate friendly energy production, despite the debatable nature of this method’s effectiveness, according to Kristofferson. She pointed to hydrogen’s low energy density, as researched by both Robert Howarth, a professor at Cornell University, and the California Public Utilities Commission.

“7 percent hydrogen by energy … is 20 percent by volume, which means that blending in 20 percent with 80 percent of other methane is

only 7 percent by energy content, so you need more,” Kristofferson said. “It would result in only a 7 percent emissions decrease.”

Green hydrogen can still be used as a sustainable energy resource, but proper research and development of its implementation are necessary, according to Roetter, who is a member of the Gas Transition Allies.

“I think it will be very wise and sensible to prioritize the uses of green hydrogen and to use it in those applications where it can actually provide genuine value, and hydrogen for heating is not one of them,” he said. Roetter’s research for the report

“Hydrogen versus Electricity for Heating Buildings” also found that using green hydrogen, which is produced by an electrolyzer powered by green renewable energy, creates three times more electricity than using heat pumps does.

“This is not a surprising result first of all, because producing green hydrogen is electricity intensitive,” he said. “And secondly, because heat pumps have the ingenious capability of delivering more thermal energy than the input in electrical energy that they require.”

Roetter said the energy plans prposed by utility companies, especially

National Grid, are not consistent in decarbonization across sectors.

“You may get 7 percent reduction in buildings using green hydrogen, but you’ll get smaller reductions in other major sectors of the economy,” he said. “I don’t know what the net effect will be, but it could be even net negative over time.”

In order to more effectively work toward climate goals, Roetter emphasized the importance of cooperative efforts across the board.

HENRY BLANCHETTE / HEIGHTS STAFF Benayun’s exhibit, which premiered on March 11, has over 40 pieces of art.

Nearby Gallery is a showroom co-owned by Cal Rice and Sam Belisle.

HENRY BLANCHETTE / HEIGHTS STAFF

BCEA Integrates Intentionality Into Giving Back

a difference on our planet in the future, ” Gardner said.

Binder, who led a fellowship

The journey to starting BCEA began in spring 2022 when the founders first applied to start the club. After gaining approval from the Office of Student Involvement, BCEA became an official club this fall and started recruiting new members, reserving rooms, and hosting meetings.

BCEA breaks down into smaller groups called fellowships, Gardner said. A fellowship consists of eight to 12 students who meet once a week for an hour to read and discuss ethics topics together.

There are introductory fellowships lasting around 10 weeks that cover a broad range of topics and introduce members to effective altruism. After that, members can participate in an in-depth fellowship where group members decide what topics they want to discuss in depth.

around the Boston area, which Holly Branco, MCAS ’25, said has been a memorable part of her

Gardner said. Gardner also plans to host more social events so students who do not have the time to

members a chance to be reflective about both their impact on the world and their own futures. Branco, for example, shared how BCEA has gotten her to think about potential new career paths.

Gardner said the fellowships covered a wide range of topics last semester, including climate change, animal suffering, poverty, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

“[We discuss] how, as students, we can better gear our studies towards things that might make

last semester, said she really enjoyed talking about different ethical dilemmas with the other members of her fellowship.

“One branch of effective altruism focuses on non-human animals and reducing their suffering,” Binder said. “So kind of the ethical dilemmas that go along with, you know, eating meats, or specifically, we talked about choosing to donate, for example, to a cause that would save thousands of chickens versus potentially one human life. What is the measurement there?”

BCEA is part of a wider effective altruism circle around Boston. Harvard and MIT have EA student organizations. BCEA members attend socials with fellow students

experience as a club member.

Branco joined BCEA last semester after learning about it at the student involvement fair. One of her favorite discussions in her introductory fellowship was about animal ethics.

“You might not immediately think insects have moral weight,” Branco said. “But one of the questions that they’ll ask is like ‘Oh, well, would you have a headache for 10 minutes to save 1000 insects?’ And a lot of people might be like “Oh well, I guess I would,’ and then that implies that you care about insects a little.”

BCEA ran two introductory fellowships last semester, and it is hoping to run three this semester,

commit to weekly meetings can still engage with the BCEA community and talk with like-minded people.

Gardner said he is proud of what he and his fellow founders have accomplished and feels BCEA will continue to be a part of the BC community even though the founders will graduate this year.

“Immediately through our first rounds of fellowships, we met a number of awesome underclassmen,” Gardner said. “We’ve started from nothing and reached a point where we’re impacting the way people see the world and the way they hope to help others.”

Being a part of BCEA gives

“It’s definitely gotten me to think more about how effective my career will be in helping others’ lives,” Branco said. “And how there are a lot of options that I wouldn’t have considered before, like public policy is much more influential than I’d realized.”

Binder’s experience has also led her to take a more reflective look at her career choices, she said.

“I think the most important thing that I’ve realized is that it’s not something that is a quick process of deciding what’s a good fit for you career wise, because it’s not only that you have to have a passion for a specific area, but also that you are someone who’s qualified enough to make a difference,” Binder said.

Gardner said he is excited to see the impact BCEA will have after he graduates this spring and hopes it leads even more students to have reflective experiences.

“How can college students who have such a great impact and such a great life ahead of them use that for good under this lens of using data and reason and logic to make sure what they’re doing truly provides the best benefit that it can?” Gardner said. n

Hit the Pause Button: Slowing Down at BC

B y R iley D avis Heights Staff

Amid the busyness of college life, when I’m juggling everything from class readings to group projects, club meetings, and job commitments, I find it challenging to hit the pause button. If you’re like me, you long to calm the storm for a few moments and soak in everyday’s ordinary moments.

Often, dedicating time to slow down and take a step back from the chaos of school is rejuvenating and carries you through the following weeks. Now that we’re in the middle of the semester and assignments are starting to pile up, managing stress is even more important. Here are some inexpensive and convenient ways to escape from college mayhem and “hit the pause button” when you need it most!

Move Those Muscles!

Midterm season means Boston College students are spending lots of time seated within the alcoves of O’Neill, Bapst, or wherever their study session takes them. But, getting active is the perfect way to revive yourself during a long day of studying. Stand up from your chair and head to the Plex to participate in a group fitness class. If you need an energy burst, I recommend the body combat or spin classes. You can also stretch at a yoga class, and if you’re an early bird, the sunrise yoga sessions are a great way to say

good morning to a sunlit Gasson.

As outside temperatures warm in the coming months, you can get active outside by walking around the Res while you catch up with a friend, take a phone call, or learn something new from a podcast. The 1.5 mile loop is the perfect length for my type of run, and if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can venture into the nearby residential streets of Newton.

Go on a Coffee Date

These are a BC classic. Taking 20 minutes to converse with a peer might be the perfect therapeutic stimulus to break up your week. Text that friend who you repeatedly see in passing to pick up Dunkin together and walk to campus. Ask that cute lab partner to grab dinner after class. Stop by a professor’s office hours and chat about something different from your course material.

It’s human nature to long for connection, and any individual should be flattered by your invitation to get to know them better. No matter who you go with, a coffee date will give you a much-needed break from the stress of college life.

Find a Moment of Gratitude

Silence is uncomfortable.

But as college students who aren’t used to the quiet, any taste of stillness should be savored with appreciation. So, find time to create dedicated moments of silent re -

flection. It can be as simple as five minutes in the morning or before bed to stretch, journal, or listen to a guided meditation. Campus Ministry programs like “Examen” and “Pause and Pray” invite students from all backgrounds to unite in casual discourse examining the highs and lows of their weeks, often with a particular thematic frame. If you’re looking for something to do on your own, the memorial labyrinth nestled next to Bapst Library provides a guided route to walk in remembrance and reflection, honoring the 22 Eagles who lost their lives on Sept. 11. If you want to spend your whole weekend engaging in discernment, BC also offers a number of retreats to find peace away from campus. Check out 48hours, Halftime, or Kairos, and spend a weekend away from the

craziness of everyday life.

Engage With a New Organization

BC has over 300 student organizations, 31 Division I sports teams, and plenty of special programming occurring on campus each week. Shake up your routine by cheering on a sports team whose games you have yet to frequent, attending a dance show or a cappella concert, or listening in at a club’s general meeting. Your support will mean a lot to the community, and even if you’re not committed to continual engagement with the organization, you’ll meet energized individuals, engage in conversation, and discover a new piece of BC.

ALYSSA ANDERSON / HEIGHTS EDITOR

shops and cafes within a mile of BC’s campus that are delightful spots to shake up your study routine. I have begun a rhythm of working at coffee shops on Friday afternoons as a challenge to get an assignment or two done while treating myself to a cappuccino or pastry! Venture down to Newton Centre to nibble on a croissant at Tatte Bakery or Tous Les Jours. In nearby Brighton, BC-favorite Fuel America boasts a rustic atmosphere that is cozy on a cloudy day, while Caffè Nero’s crackling fireplace sets the perfect atmosphere for reading. Just down Washington Street is Little Pecan Bistro, a walk-up restaurant that offers brunch classics, trendy dishes, and jazz music. And if you’re looking for a post–Res walk meal, camp out at Cafe Landwer in Cleveland Circle. n

BC Effective Altruism, a club where students discuss the most effective ways to give back to the world, launched this fall.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN GARDNER

Effective Altriusm, from A1

“It’s definitely gotten me to think more about how effective my career will be in helping others’ lives.”

“[We discuss] how, as students, we can better gear our studies towards things that might make a difference on our planet in the future.”

The opinions and commentaries of the op-ed columnists appearing on this page represent the views of the authors of those particular pieces and not necessarily the views of The Heights

The Sophomore Condition

to the fast-paced weeks, I no longer make to-do lists unless my week is packed. In fact, I am averse to making any kind of plans. Plans seem too constrictive. Instead, I like to live life more spontaneously. Through my time at college, every plan that I have made has not come to fruition.

People change. That’s a big part of what college is for: self-development and personality exploration. These are the years we decide who we want to be, and more practically, who we are going to be. As a second-semester sophomore, I have an important perspective on this formation—sophomore year is the “puberty” of our college experience. During sophomore year, we have the opportunity to look in the mirror and decide if we want to stay on the same path.

Coming into college, I was an entirely different person than I am now. I was organized and always had a plan. I made a to-do list every day, and I checked every single item off without fail. In high school, my life was scheduled to the minute, with countless clubs and extracurriculars to ensure my acceptance into a top-ranked university. I had only a few friends, and my life was basically planned around my goal of becoming a politician. I had never been to an actual party, (and my family wouldn’t allow me to anyway). I was naive and optimistic about the world.

So, how has college changed me? Due

I have the best time when I just go out and do things instead of anxiously executing everything in a certain order. But my optimistic self fades a little more each day as the realities of adult life settle in—like financial independence and the increasing intensity of job hunting. My once-assured future seems to get more blurry with every passing day.

These changes are not necessarily good or bad. They are just different. At this college halfway point, however, I can decide how these changes affect the person I will become. I know I am now against planning everything—this can either allow me to embrace the unexpected, or it can make me disorganized and unambitious.

How can I distinguish between the good and bad ways that I have changed as a person? How do I decide to use my evolving mindset and personality traits?

To me, it all comes down to the people we associate with.

I once heard a quote that stated, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” and it has recently been ringing in my ears. In college, our friends help form the person we will become. This is the time we decide whether we like who that person is and whether our friends are shaping us well.

Stop for a moment. Think back to your high school self and ask if they would be proud. No, really. Look to the closest mirror and imagine you are staring at the same person who opened that Boston College acceptance email. Their bright smile is staring at you right in the face, their eyes full of hope—praying they succeeded in everything they wanted you to become.

When I look into this “sophomore mirror,” I imagine my high school self with my glasses that were too big for my face, my overdone side part, and my librarian braid. Would she be happy that I have decided to stop overplanning and let life flow more naturally? Maybe not, per se. She would be excited, however, that I am enjoying new experiences and I’m finally understanding what it means to live on my own. Of course, she would want me to be a little more focused on my future and possibly study more for the multiple midterms I have around the corner. Still, I’m expanding my perception—and I think she sees that as a win.

Overall, I have things I need to work on, but so does everyone. Luckily, as part of the Sophomore condition, I can make these changes now. The whole point of this moment of reflection is to decide if the changes that college and our friends have made to us are good or bad. Take a second and look into the mirror and ask, “Am I on the right track?”

In Our Eras Era

After the opening night of her Eras Tour last Friday, Taylor Swift is taking over our Instagram feeds and Spotify playlists once again. And as if clips of the tour and photos of her ultra-sparkly outfits aren’t enough, she also released four new singles last week, including the sensational “All Of The Girls You Loved Before.” From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes, Boston College’s die-hard Swifties have more than enough to obsess over. So don your cardigans and try to calm down. With two more months until she reaches Massachusetts, time simply won’t fly—it’s like we’re paralyzed by it.

Weather Report: High 50s!

It’s that time of year already. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and BC students are starting to pack the Quad. As Maloney Lawn turns into a volleyball court, benches fill with lounging students, and Stokes Amphitheater becomes home to lunchtime picnics, it is clear to see that spring has reached our campus. Although the nice weather can make it hard to focus at times, try grabbing your books and studying under a tree. (Fresh air is good for you!) This week will bring 50-degree highs, so get ready for a week of smiles and light sweaters.

Housing Appeal: With Love, ResLife

It’s Friday afternoon, and life couldn’t be more perfect. Classes are finished for the week, homework is the last thing on your mind, and you can’t stop texting your friends about fun weekend plans. But, for some reason, you decide to check your email, which quickly becomes the worst mistake ever. Waiting in your inbox is an email with the subject line “HOUSING APPEAL UPDATE” in big scary letters.

Despite the initial fear, you assume the best and feel optimistic. I know this might be naive, but if you’re like me, then you probably poured your heart and soul into that appeal. You wrote about all the reasons why living off campus would be impractical for you—from the daunting price of groceries and other necessities to the cost of gas and whatever potential car repairs may come up. You made it very clear that it would be unsustainable for you in every possible way, supporting all your claims with legitimate reasons. Drafting my own appeal, I wrote about how my earnings from last year’s internships were used for this year’s tuition, meaning renting an apartment is simply not possible. Especially with my plans of spending the summer taking classes rather than working my usual two to three

jobs, I just can not afford the off-campus housing scramble. As you might imagine, I first felt disbelief after opening that email to find a rejection. I had heard other students got their appeals accepted in the past— specifically in one of the transfer panels I attended while touring Boston College. It was a common theme. As a transfer, you’re only given one year of on-campus housing if you transferred in the fall and one semester if you transferred in the spring of your sophomore year. That limited time frame makes it extremely difficult to find a friend group, let alone one that you’re comfortable enough to rent with. So, it made perfect sense to me that transfers would be more likely to get their appeals accepted.

This is why I descended into a state of panic—one that overshadowed whatever plans I had for the weekend—when I saw the email. I couldn’t stop thinking about how my college experience was over before it even started. To me, the first year as a transfer is full of trial and error, and the second year, when things become more stable, is when life can finally begin. It’s difficult for me to imagine feeling fully connected to campus and friends without that junior-year on-campus housing opportunity.

When you’re living off campus, you’re less likely to go out of the way for club meetings on the weekends or sports games scheduled after class. It’s no longer a matter of stepping out of your dorm and simply walking to wherever you want to go. Instead, it’s a matter of walking or driving from whatever far-away place you managed to rent and then figuring out if it’s worth the extra time to go to those

events anyway. Living off campus in just my second year at BC feels undoubtedly negative to me. It’s difficult to find positives when you are as blatantly rejected as I was.

There is no doubt in my mind that BC should change its housing policies. Transfers have enough struggles without having to worry about finding off-campus housing within eight months of their arrival.

But as the days since I received that email have passed, I’ve slowly started to accept it. Although dorm living definitely has its perks, like being constantly surrounded by friends, it can feel draining at times. When you have to walk around forever to find a private place to talk on the phone or awkwardly have your room checked by ResLife in the middle of the day, it takes its toll.

Though it is inevitable that I’ll see college through a different lens with off-campus living, it does not mean I’ll be unhappy because of it or … maybe it does, who knows? But the fact is that it’s the next step in my life—even if it is coming sooner than anticipated. Despite the financial and friendship worries, I know I can figure it out. This may be for the better or this may be for the worse, but that is something only the future will know. And while I can’t control BC’s housing policy, I can approach next year with an open mind.

But despite my grand run-in with acceptance, I have learned one concrete lesson: never, ever check your email on a Friday afternoon.

BC Housing = Chaos

One week of housing down and one to go! And suddenly, it feels like we are experiencing a swarm of overcrowded oncampus housing. Feelings of disappointment are spreading from seniors who missed out on coveted Mods, juniors destined for Stayer or 90, and sophomores headed for CoRo doubles. It feels like nothing can help the housing dilemma—no matter the first letter of your housing group leader’s name or how many A’s you add to your housing group title. So hold on tight to your direct roommate and brace yourself. This housing season may be a rough ride.

The Tipping Point

With eight weeks of the semester gone and only seven to go, we are officially on the downward slide toward finals. As the assignments pile up, we are starting to feel the stress of the post–Spring Break long haul. But with days off and long weekends to look forward to, we at Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down are confident students can survive this time with flying colors. Over the next few weeks, try your best to keep balance in mind: eat, breathe, sleep, laugh, and do your work in shifts. It’s going to be ok!

Mary Perez

eMMa Caulfield

GRAPHICS BY ALYSSA ANDERSON / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Emma Caulfield is a columnist for The Heights She can be reached at emma.caulfield@bc.edu.

Mary Perez is a columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at mary.perez@bc.edu.

The State of the Union is an opportunity for the sitting president to exercise the power of the “bully pulpit.” It is a chance to speak to all the power holders of Washington and the American people, and it is the perfect setting for presidents to share their agendas. In recent years, however, many opposition leaders from both parties have used the address as an opportunity to protest the sitting president. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi infamously ripped up former President Donald Trump’s speech in 2020, and Marjorie Taylor Greene loudly heckled President Joe Biden at this year’s address. Outbursts like these were considered an offense worthy of official reprimand as recent as 2009. Now, it has become a familiar or even expected event on Capitol Hill.

In this year’s State of the Union, the arguably most-remembered moment was President Biden’s “rope-a-dope.” Biden suggested that some members of the GOP wanted to sunset Social Security and Medicare. When most Republicans shouted back, he essentially goaded them into admitting the GOP would not threaten either program in the 118th Congress. Democrats saw Biden “baiting” Republicans into defending social security as a win, but the GOP didn’t care much—Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy had already stated that cutting Social Security would not be on the table during debt ceiling negotiations in the weeks prior to the address. Still, given his immense trouble handling rebellious

Republican representatives, McCarthy should know better than anyone that the speaker does not hold unilateral authority over his caucus.

Social Security is the broad name given to various forms of social welfare that support people ranging from elderly retirees to individuals with disabilities to family members of a deceased spouse or parent. The most wellknown program is for retirees. The program is funded by a tax out of an employees and employers paycheck that goes into a trust fund. Current retirees then receive a monthly check based off how much they paid into the system while they were working. Upon its inception, Social Security massively reduced elderly poverty without major reductions to household incomes, and it continues to provide necessary aid to impoverished seniors.

Although the GOP’s supposed party line supports Social Security, there are many Republicans in both houses of Congress who see Social Security as a prime target in their policy agenda. An old video of Sen. Mike Lee of Utah went viral recently, where he said he wants to “pull it up by the roots.” Majority Leader Steve Scalise released a budget just a few months ago that would raise the Social Security retirement age, Sen. John Thune believed that threatening social security could be used as “leverage” against Democrats, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in 2018 that Social Security can be cut in the interest of reducing the deficit. Out of all congressmen, however, Social Security advocates have hammered Sen. Rick Scott the most for wanting to end the program— an allegation that he denies. In the senator’s defense, he never did say that he wanted to end Social Security specifically. Instead, he went further and actually wanted to sunset all federal programs. And, to his credit, he did eventually backtrack after the State of the Union and specifically exempted Social

Security and Medicare from his sunsetting plan. If you are surprised that threats to Social Security have been in the news recently, don’t be. This is nothing new. The GOP has been gunning for Social Security since the President George W. Bush years, and it nearly succeeded in cutting the program heavily during President Barack Obama’s administration. Though Bush revisionists would like you to forget, following the 2004 election Bush declared he had a popular mandate and would advocate for Social Security privatization. Setting aside Bush’s generous definition of what counts as a “mandate,” his privatization idea was wildly unpopular. Then, in 2008, Republican presidential nominee John McCain shared vague notions of workers using personal “accounts” to supplement Social Security, which he swore was not just another way of saying privatization.

Then there was the “grand bargain” of 2011–12, a failed compromise between then-President Obama and then–House Speaker John Boehner that would have involved massive cuts to Social Security, Medi-

care, and Medicaid, in addition to tax raises. The deal ultimately fell through—progressives would not accept the entitlement cuts and hard-right Republicans refused to raise taxes on top income earners. This shows you the GOP’s priorities.

No one should be fooled about the GOP’s history with Social Security. Cutting it or reducing it has been a clear goal for a good portion of the party—ranging from major senators to even the president—for over 20 years. If Social Security is to remain alive, we must maintain pressure on our politicians. For example, we can donate to and vote for candidates that will defend this critical program. Biden, who negotiated the grand bargain when he was vice president, currently defends Social Security. Even Scott was compelled to change when he was put under pressure. Social Security provides for the livelihoods of millions of people every year. To preserve it, we must ensure that our politicians understand why the program has been settled law for years.

In 1993, Microsoft founder and tech revolutionary Bill Gates was asked about the World Wide Web. He responded by saying, “The internet? We are not interested in it.”

Human beings, even uber-successful entrepreneurs like Gates, have a tendency to first reject and denigrate new technologies that eventually reap tremendous benefits. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one such powerful technology. Just like the internet, computers, television, and telephones before it, AI has untapped potential to change our lives for the better—no matter how much we resist it at first.

So if Boston College wants students to be prepared for an ever-shifting job market and world, it needs to implement AI in its curriculum and not reject the technology outright.

While my intention is to encourage BC to implement AI education, I cannot diminish or understate the threats that AI may pose to society. The disruption of the job market could pale in comparison to other potential harms of AI. From AI weaponization to political manipulation, we are bound to face serious ethical dilemmas. But by creating new classes with a focus on

the ethical and societal implications of AI and integrating AI programs into current classes, BC has the opportunity to prepare students to face these issues imminent in our future.

To learn more about the implications of AI in both an educational and larger societal setting, I talked with Brian Smith of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, who is an expert in computational learning environments and human-computer interaction. I asked him about BC faculty’s current attitude toward ChatGPT and other AI technology.

In simple terms, ChatGPT is a new AI chatbot that OpenAI made freely accessible online. It has recently made waves in the news because it can produce original responses to essentially any questions a user asks. The weirdest part? Oftentimes, it writes in a tone that is very difficult to distinguish from a human’s. It learned to communicate this way by “training”—collecting and analyzing—significant amounts of human data. This has sparked concerns about plagiarism and academic integrity, as ChatGPT can find homework answers and complete writing assignments with ease.

Smith said that many faculty members

feel threatened by the serious risks ChatGPT and equivalent programs pose to academic integrity. Still, he said that many faculty members understand AI is here to stay, and they have more of a “what do we do with it?” mentality. Due to the easy accessibility of AI tools like ChatGPT, I argue that this “what do we do with it?” question is a crucial one.

In reality, we can already do an incredible amount with AI.

Smith pointed out that he had just been using Grammarly to proofread his writing.

Just like how ChatGPT uses AI to automate responses, Grammarly (which has been popular for years) uses AI to analyze user’s provided writing and make grammatical suggestions based on vast amounts of language data. Smith also pointed out that AI algorithms are built into our phones and apps more than we realize. Tech tools ranging from iMessage suggestions to Spotify recommendations have all been powered by AI for years, and they continue to serve practical uses in our daily lives. By the end of my interview, I realized the app I used to transcribe our meeting—Otter.ai—is powered by AI.

The point is that AI already surrounds us. ChatGPT is just another step forward for AI that shows us how useful it can be.

So, how can AI help improve our education? Researchers have already outlined some of the most valuable applications of AI in education that can be implemented in the near future.

The first thing AI can do to improve the education of millions is generate neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) for foreign language practice. The potential for AI in this kind of language learning is fantastic. NLP trains text-to-speech bots to engage in conversation with humans to practice in foreign languages where it may otherwise be difficult to find a speaking partner. It also eliminates the challenge and risk of messing up and embarrassing oneself, which deters

many language-learning beginners.

AI can also objectively detect a learner’sstrengths and weaknesses and develop personalized learning strategies to help them improve. For example, when studying calculus, AI can evaluate that a student struggles with integrals but is good with derivatives. From there, it can give specific steps or problems to help them learn integrals and focus less on derivatives.

While a bit more controversial, AI can also help detect emotions when given access to brain signals (a little dystopian, I know). From here, AI can provide personalized strategies and instruction based on how a student reacts to certain learning stimuli, potentially offering students more efficient time management and study strategies.

These are the many ways that AI could benefit students, but teachers can also benefit—AI can grade papers and tests equitably and efficiently.

Because BC heavily emphasizes a holistic education that incorporates theology and philosophy, educating students on both the benefits and ethical drawbacks of AI can foster great discussions and debate.

At this point, it could be easy to have the 1993 Bill Gates mentality of “it doesn’t interest us.” But, if BC wants to graduate students ready for the future, it would be doing a disservice to students to not incorporate more AI into our education. BC can use AI to expand language learning, for example. BC can also introduce more AI-related curriculum in the philosophy and law departments to explore difficult ethical dilemmas.

In 20 years, the “AI question” will not be whether or not to use the technology. Rather, it will surround how we can use it to benefit our society while also mitigating its damaging potential. Starting that conversation sooner rather than later is how we can best serve students and society.

Joseph

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ Defines Familial Bonds

By JaCk Weynand Heights Staff

Superhero fatigue has been the buzz around Hollywood as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania failed to impress both critics and audiences last month. Luckily, Shazam! Fury of the Gods assures viewers that superhero flicks should be here to stay.

Shazam! 2, much like its predecessor, asks its audience the enduring question: What defines love and the bond that comes with family?

Through two parallel stories, the movie shows that family bonds are rooted deeper than blood—they are a measure of love and loyalty.

The DC Comics sequel follows Billy Batson (Asher Angel) on his quest to better serve the greater Philadelphia area as superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi). Billy’s foster family is still learning how to use its new powers, and Billy feels like it’s his responsibility to lead his family.

The family, dubbed the Philadelphia Fiascos by the media, faces its first big threat against the Daughters

of Atlas. The Daughters confront the Fiascos to steal the seed of life, which has the ability to restore the kingdom of their father, Atlas. One of the Daughters then goes rogue and tries to plant the seed on Earth, which would destroy the planet.

This is a pretty serious threat for a group of foster kids with new superpowers, but the kids are able to hold their own.

The film unfolds as a story of the two families: the Fiascos and the Daughters. Both are seeking justice and want the best for their people. The families’ motivations parallel each other to emphasize the film’s family core.

Early on in the movie, Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) of the Fiascos and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) of the Daughters form a connection through a shared family experience. They both feel a compassion to help people, but they sometimes find it difficult with their overbearing older siblings.

Their families aren’t as similar as they make it seem, though. What

makes Billy’s foster family unique as a superhero team is that it isn’t a well-oiled, coordinated machine that audiences have come to expect from the likes of the Justice League.

After all, they’re a group of foster kids , the youngest of whom is in middle school.

Instead, the love that the family members maintain for one another separates themselves from other superhero storylines.

Consistently, the Fiascos prioritize each other’s safety rather than the mission. This love for one another helps the audience invest in the superfamily and expands upon the previously established message of family in the first film.

Now that Billy has his foster family, viewers can see what that family actually means to him.On the other hand, the Daughters are a literal family, seemingly helping them achieve their goals at first. The master plan of the group is clear, and they know how to work together to best the Philadelphia Fiascos.

Their success doesn’t last once it’s

clear the Daughters don’t love each other the way a family should.

The Daughters are solely focused on restoring the kingdom of Atlas. They are willing to destroy whoever is in their way of planting the seed of life—even if they are one of the Daughters themselves.

Billy’s family runs deeper than just its bond in foster care because it proves to truly care about one another. When Freddy is in danger, the Fiascos drop everything to save him. When they’re at their weakest, the Fiascos still put themselves before their foster parents.

Even Billy’s reluctant support of his sister’s college endeavors is a show of his love for her, and that’s why he has to let her go. It’s the type of family that Anthea is searching for, and one that she’s more than welcome to join by the end of the film. Throughout the standard action sequences, sometimes funny jokes, and daunting high stakes, the film’s Fiasco Family shines through. Fury of the Gods is a breath of fresh air in the superhero genre, and maintains the Shazam! franchise’s warm, wholesome niche in the DC Extended Universe. n

Hozier Mixes Political Messages With Catchy Melodies

By Leah StitzeL Heights Staff

Irish folk-soul artist Hozier’s new EP, Eat Your Young, may not be the festive, rowdy St. Patrick’s Day soundtrack listeners might want, but it promises something far beyond the spirit of this holiday.

Following the release of his single “Swan Upon Leda” last October, Eat Your Young gives fans and new listeners alike another reason to get excited about Hozier’s larger upcoming album, Unreal Unearth The sounds of his newest EP are definitively unearthly, but they mask a deeper message that is certainly earthly and packed with

real emotion.

Hozier has received both critical acclaim and backlash for featuring socially and politically conscious themes in his lyrics, and Eat Your Young proves that he’s not stopping anytime soon. Writing with care and a powerful poetic voice, Hozier has crafted songs that perfectly reflect the frantic emotion of living in today’s world.

Each of the three tracks touches on issues that are hard to tackle, while retaining Hozier’s trademark soulful and musically complex vocals. The title track, “Eat Your Young,” is both a haunting and satisfying start to the EP.

One immediate difference be-

tween these tracks and Hozier’s previous work is a heavier emphasis on bass, supplemented by electronic drums atypical of his previous folksy instrumentals. They pack a punch, especially in the first track, lending a heavier energy to an appropriately heavy song.

“Skinnin’ the children for a war drum / Puttin’ food on the table selling bombs and guns / It’s quicker and easier to eat your young,” Hozier sings repeatedly on “Eat Your Young.”

It is confusingly catchy for having such a harsh message. The song sounds as though it should be on the soundtrack for something like HBO’s Succession, cleverly disguising corruption in its catchiness.

“All Things End,” the second track, is the most soul-influenced of the three. The lyrics may seem a little bleak, but the song’s sound is the opposite. Featuring packed piano chords and a full choir joining in on the final chorus, it’s reminiscent of gospel music. You can’t help but feel hopeful after listening, despite heavy lyrics.

Hozier encourages listeners

to carry on through a sometimes despairing world.

“We didn’t get it right, but love, we did our best,” he sings.

With the last track, “Through Me (The Flood),” Hozier delivers a song of deep loss and subsequent empowerment. Like many Irish or British artists, Hozier’s accent is usually lost in his singing, but “Through Me” showcases his Irish accent. His voice and lyrics emulate the rhythm of spoken-word poetry.

It is raw and personal, with the narrator trying to make sense of his smallness in the world among loss and silence. The song showcases Hozier’s impressive vocal range and depth, which speak more to the song’s message than its often

hard-to-decipher lyrics do.

“At the long-term cliff edge of the world / Light and air find some new deepness there,” he sings.

It is unclear whether the narrator figures out his place by the end of the song, but it makes listeners want to play the track over and over to find out.

Eat Your Young is a powerful, promising sample of Hozier’s future. It grapples with issues like personal loss, identity crisis, and the emotional state of the world in a way that isn’t overwhelming for listeners.

Hozier’s music has always been cathartic, but this EP achieves that in a more relatable and raw way than ever. n

M83 Crafts an ’80s Movie Soundtrack With ‘Fantasy’

By CharLey Conroy Heights Staff

French electronic music group M83’s album Fantasy is one of the best ’80s movie soundtracks, and it doesn’t even come with a movie.

Lead vocalist Anthony Gonzalez, who is the only constant member of the band, has the uncanny ability to evoke childhood nostalgia among listeners.

He accomplishes this often wordlessly in the group’s ninth studio album, Fantasy , as the synths popular in his ’80s childhood create an entire album that feels ripped out of a movie like Labyrinth or the original Dune

The music video for the lead

single “Oceans Niagara,” released on Jan. 10, has the same feel as those movies. In the video, three teenagers run through beautiful, constantly shifting backgrounds while the sinister-looking man with many eyes on the Fantasy album cover watches over them.

It’s hokey and hard to tell what exactly is happening, but the charm comes through even in the five minute run time. It feels like the start of a cheesy adventure movie that was too strange to be released but too creative to be forgotten. That same weird feeling permeates the entire album.

Gonzalez meticulously constructs each song to take the listener on a journey, especially

with “Water Deep,” “Amnesia,” and “Kool Nuit.” They have their explosive highs and contemplative lows placed perfectly in each song.

“Amnesia” specifically is such a soaring roller coaster that it stands out as this masterpiece dripping with nostalgia. These songs overwhelm the listener and force a genuine emotional engagement with the album. It might be impossible to listen to this song and feel nothing.

The feeling of the album being a soundtrack to a non-existent adventure movie only really falters when the album makes major departures in its sound.

Tracks like “Radar, Far, Gone” and the title track “Fantasy” change up the album to have a more acoustic sound and a funkier sound respectively, which is a nice change of pace for an album over an hour long. But they don’t really fit with the synth heavy tracks that surround them.

With only one music video to gauge the complete vision of Fantasy , it’s difficult to tell why such a sonic departure was necessary. If one outlier track was

dropped it would improve the pacing a bit and result in a more musically consistent album. As it stands Fantasy feels just a bit too long for its own good, so it feels like a misstep of Gonzalez to have these out of place tracks.

The other reason this album feels so long is the length of the individual tracks. As a whole, Fantasy is barely shorter than M83’s 2011 double-album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming . Almost half of the tracks on Fantasy are over

five minutes.

While Fantasy at times feels long, its epic journey is still unlike anything in modern music. It takes its influences and completely upstages them.

The nostalgic trip Gonzalez creates on this album is so expertly crafted that those who weren’t alive in his childhood can feel what was so fantastic about that era. Like the cult classic movies that inspired it, Fantasy is a work of art that deserves attention. n

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Hozier shows off his lyrical talent which blends soul and folk genres.

French band M83’s unique conceptual sound resembles a movie soundtrack.

Tran: Pink Floyd’s Influence Lives On 50 Years Later A

By Paterson tran Assoc. Arts Editor

On March 1, 1973, Pink Floyd released its concept album The Dark Side of the Moon, which soon after would be known as one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time. The Dark Side of the Moon’s unique style quickly became incorporated into both mainstream and alternative rock while the ’70s music scene found its sound. Fifty years since the album’s release, Pink Floyd’s revolutionary focus on conceptual how humans are simultaneously so isolated and together.

I first listened to The Dark Side of the Moon when I was 10 in fourth grade. For someone who grew up on Five Seconds of Summer and Linkin Park, I saw Pink Floyd as incredibly abstract and at times incomprehensible. But soon I found that once the band clicks, it is hard not to find a depth of enjoyment in hearing the message it has to share.

The Dark Side of the Moon begins with “Speak to Me,” a percussive heartbeat set to the sound of clocks, cash registers, and hysterical laughter. The sound effects come to a peak, leading Pink Floyd to smoothly transition into the second track “Breathe (In the Air).” The first minute of instrumentals sets up what I believe to be one of the best lines in music history.

“Dig that hole, forget the sun

/ When at last the work is done / Don’t sit down it’s time to dig another one,” vocalist David Gilmour sings.

the Run” is as confusing, stimulating, quick-paced, and emotional as the title of the track would suggest. My favorite track on The Dark Side of the Moon immediately follows—the beloved “Time.” Bassist and Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters wrote it about his experience in dealing with the passage of time and his views on how to spend the rest of it. The track’s verses simply alternate between four chords, however, several layers of instruments and Gilmour’s leading voice adds rich depth to the song.

that it’s had across genres. The longevity of Pink Floyd continues to resurface and remind the music industry of the grip it still maintains over experimental music. Branded over and over again across decades as avant-garde, psychedelic, electronic, classic ’70s rock, it still remains hard to determine what singular qualities enshrine them in music’s hall of fame.

The band stood out as a cultural force, openly fighting for equality, ardently anti-war, and critics of the advancements

cover’s art. Design studio Hipgnosis’ prism image is one of the most recognizable icons in modern music history.

The Dark Side of the Moon and all of its bells and whistles, literally, managed to captivate generations of people across the world. It is one of the top selling albums, rivaling those of Michael Jackson, the Eagles, and AC/DC. This feat is made even more special because of its stark contrast to what is normally interpreted as mainstream music.

The music is melancholic,

that track people’s life experiences, each song leading into one another.

Throughout this album, Pink Floyd shows off its ability to cleverly mix blues with electronic, experimental rock. Quickly within the first few lines of “Breathe (In the Air),” the band reveals the album’s themes of life’s absurdity and lack of clear meaning. Pink Floyd’s lyrics, if concentrated on too deeply, reveal feelings of despair towards the endless cycle of memories, laughter, and torment.

Pink Floyd’s slow-paced tempo and slide guitar technique in the backdrop of the track can feel uneasy to some, yet calm to others.

Instrumental piece “On the Run” shows off the album’s height of experimentation. The interlude is full of quick distorted, dissonant synths, similar to that of old arcade games and pinball machines. “On

several crescendos and releases during the chorus. The nearly seven-minute track takes listeners on a time-lapsed reflection of their lives, as if they were watching themselves as a fly on the wall. It faces head on how short life is and reminds listeners to take comfort in the things that make us feel like home.

“When I come home cold and tired / It’s good to warm my bones beside the fire / Far away across the field / The tolling of the iron bell / Calls the faithful to their knees / To hear the softly spoken magic spells,” Gilmour sings.

Waters’ last verse may be interpreted as a revealed sense of comfort that people find in religion—the one escape from the idea of nothingness after death.

Fifty years later, Pink Floyd has no need to prove the legacy

Those who have never listened to a single Pink Floyd song can still recognize the album

rotation. With its popularity and pioneering success, it is difficult to find a piece of music now that has no relation to the legacy of the rock legends. As odd as the music may seem, Pink Floyd is not a band from out of this world. In fact, Waters, Gilmour, Rick Wright, and Nick Mason proved repeatedly in The Dark Side of the Moon that they are bound to the same hopes, dreams, and fears as all of us.

For all of us who are trying to leave a unique mark in our work, societies, personal lives, or the music industry, Pink Floyd is still here after 50 years to remind us:

“If the cloud bursts thunder in your ear / You shout and no one seems to hear / And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes / I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon.” n

“But soon I found that once the band clicks, it is hard not to find a depth of enjoyment in hearing the message it has to share.”

“Fifty years later, Pink Floyd has no need to prove the legacy that it’s had across genres. The longetivity of Pink Floyd continues to resurface and remind the music industry of the grip it still maintains over experimental music.”

SPORTS

Work in Progress

Jack Bergamini

“EXPECTATIONS ARE EXTERNAL.”

“The lessons weren’t wasted,” Gambino said. “So you’re seeing that all the way through. Now you got guys with another year of experience, another year of growth and development and maturity. In a lot of ways, last year was part of this year’s learning process.”

After having to utilize six pitchers en route to a 19–8 loss against the Seminoles on Friday, BC sent out just five pitchers in the latter two games of the series combined—two on Saturday and three on Sunday.

West struck out five batters and earned zero runs in the first four innings of the game, and Leake registered seven strikeouts and earned zero runs in the next four innings. Despite allowing three hits and one run in the ninth inning, relief pitcher Julian Tonghini safely exited the game without a deep cut into the Eagles’ lead.

Heading into the fifth inning up 2–1, BC fired off another three runs, starting the rally with a Cameron Leary single. Despite facing two outs with Leary only advancing to second base stealing, the Eagles didn’t let the situation faze them.

After Vince Cimini reached first on a fielding error by Florida State third baseman Nander De Sedas, shifting Leary to third base, Cohl Mercado stepped up to the plate and singled through the middle of the infield. Leary safely trotted home and Cimini flew into the bag seconds later, barely avoiding the tag and adding a second run.

the inning, making the score 5–1 in BC’s favor.

The Eagles added three insurance runs in the eighth inning— sparked by Travis Honeyman and Joe Vetrano reaching base as the first two batters—extending the lead to 8–1. Tonghini avoided extensive run damage in the ninth inning as the Eagles secured the win.

Saturday’s matchup against the Seminoles was all Flynn, as BC’s leader in ERA (0.91) and strikeouts (41) struck out nine batters and earned only one run in seven innings.

reaching first. Vetrano flew out but recorded an RBI by scoring Walsh for the final run of the inning to put BC up 3–0.

Programs are not built overnight. They’re not built with one conference tournament run or two seasons with a new head coach—or even a court storm over the No. 6 team in the country.

And while Boston College men’s basketball has won three ACC Tournament games in the past two years under second-year head coach Earl Grant and did in fact defeat No. 6 Virginia this season, sending a wave of BC fans onto Conte Forum’s floor, there is still work to be done within the program.

That’s not meant to take away anything from the Eagles’ accomplishments these past two seasons. Grant’s three ACC Tournament wins match Jim Christian’s ACC Tournament win total—and Christian was at the helm of the program for seven years.

Flynn gave up his only run of the game in the fourth inning, but both teams split runs in the fifth, and Flynn continued his shut-down performance all the way through the seventh inning. Andrew Roman—coming in relief for Flynn—threw the final two innings scoreless, notching the 4–2 victory.

Yes, BC’s 24-point loss to North Carolina in the second round of the ACC Tournament might understandably leave a sour taste in many BC fans’ mouths. But the reason it did is because of all of the growth that this program has endured the past two years under Grant.

For a program that hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since the 2008–09 season, any glimmer of hope opens the floodgates, inviting disappointment when lofty expectations don’t come to fruition.

“[Chris Flynn] did a great job, [John West] did a great job, [Henry] Leake did a great job, and they kept getting us back in the dugout which is critical for keeping up the offense,” Gambino said of BC’s weekend rotation. “When you get a little something going and then you go to defense and then you’re right back in the dugout, it feels like a rally at times.”

Sunday’s game in Tallahassee, Fla. featured right-handers West and Leake for four innings each.

“It was a really, really big inning,” Gambino said. “Picking up a few runs with two outs and again, it’s part of the personality of this club a little bit. Like you’re gonna fight and scrap all the way to the end, each inning, each pitch, each game all the way through.”

Mercado began tip-toeing on the base path with Barry Walsh up next, and then started ferociously running to third base attempting to steal. Florida State catcher Colton Vincent flung the ball to third, but it missed wide right, and Mercado captured the third run of

In the third inning, the first four Eagles to step up to the plate got on base. After Cimini walked, Adonys Guzman fired a single to right field, and Walsh—who leads BC in batting average with a .383—doubled down the right field line as well, scoring Cimini and advancing Guzman to third.

Florida State pitcher Jamie Arnold threw a wild pitch on the next at-bat, scoring Guzman and advancing Walsh to third, and Honeyman was then hit by a pitch,

“Expectations are external,” Gambino said. “It’s cool and I’m excited and people will start to talk about our program and all that stuff, but internally, it’s just go back to business as usual and doing our job and taking care of our thing.”

Across the Eagles’ 14 wins of the season, BC’s offense has accumulated 102 total runs.

“We wanna give the students something fun and exciting to cheer about,” Gambino said. “It’s obvious we all love what lacrosse does every season, and I’m so proud of our students, the way they have been, and our fans going to lacrosse games. The more fun things that we can give our students to do, the better.” n

Eagles Fall to No. 6 Denver in Third Loss

After nearly nine minutes of scoreless play with lockdown defense from each side, the Pioneers finally broke through BC’s defense and Sloane Kipp notched the first goal of the game at the 6:06 mark.

Kipp’s goal opened the floodgates for Denver, and less than two minutes later two goals from Ellie Curry gave the Pioneers a 3–0 lead, forcing an early BC timeout with

4:10 left in the quarter. Eight seconds after play resumed, Denver potted its fourth goal of the match.

The scoring barrage did not stop there, as Denver continued its onslaught of unanswered goals with its fifth and sixth goals at the 3:51 and 2:36 marks, respectively.

The Eagles recorded just one shot on goal in the first quarter.

“I think that Denver came out and executed, like, their game, very well, and we did not,” Walker-Wein-

stein said. “I think in the beginning, and throughout the game, I think Denver wanted to win more than we did.”

The lackluster quarter prompted Walker-Weinstein to pull Dolce and sub in Hall, who had started the first seven games of the season for the Eagles.

“You know, like I said, all year, both goalies are very good, and we’re going to continue to play who’s hot,” Walker-Weinstein said. “But I think Denver was overwhelmingly organized and executed way better than we did. No one person’s fault by any means. I think Denver just had a better game plan and executed it better.”

The second quarter went back and forth, as Courtney Weeks finally ended BC’s scoreless streak 1:20 into the second quarter with an assist from Mckenna Davis, but Denver responded with two goals of its own.

Kayla Martello then found the back of the net for two straight goals, and the Eagles entered halftime trail-

ing 8–3. Hall allowed just two goals on four shots on goal in the quarter.

BC’s defensive and offensive woes returned to start the second half, though, as the Pioneers extended their lead to seven with two goals by the 10:55 mark.

The Eagles, however, responded with a goal from Ryan Smith at the 3:20 mark, and Jenn Medjid joined the scorer’s circle with her first goal of the game with 57 seconds left in the quarter to bring the Pioneers’ lead back down to five.

“I think a positive is that we had a great third quarter and we executed need-ball defense very well and arrived very well,” Walker-Weinstein said. “That’s a positive.”

BC continued its run at Denver in the final quarter, as Medjid potted her second goal of the game to bring BC within four.

Pulling off an 82–77 overtime upset win over Wake Forest last year and then being three points away from defeating Miami in the quarterfinals of the 2022 ACC Tournament brought excitement and buzz around a program in need of all of the above.

That national recognition won’t come overnight, but Grant has made it clear that he is taking BC in the right direction and will slowly garner attention around the team in Chestnut Hill. Quinten Post taking home the ACC’s Most Improved Player award—the first Eagle to ever do so—this season is an example of that.

BC’s improvement under Grant in two years, starting from its 6–14 conference record in the 2021–22 season to a 9–11 record in the 2022–23 season—its most ACC wins in 12 years—shows that this is no fluke. To follow the pattern, 11–13 conference wins in 2023 would put the Eagles right in the thick of the ACC and another step closer to snapping its 14-year NCAA Tournament drought.

And Grant’s done all this through a Big East–esque, defensively menacing approach, penning the slogan “gritty not pretty” as the style of this new era of BC men’s basketball. The slogan was certainly capitalized on when BC held the Cavaliers to just 48 points, and especially there in regards to BC going 5–0 when holding teams to under 50 points, 13–2 when holding teams to under 60 points, and 21–4 when holding teams to under 65 points during Grant’s reign.

But what is most fascinating about the transformation under Grant thus far is every player’s undeniable commitment to the team. It’s obvious, just from attending practices, games, press conferences, and locker room visits while covering the Eagles, that the team—one through 15—buys into Grant and his message.

After falling to No. 21 Florida State on Friday, Boston College baseball notched back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday to earn the series win and improve to 14–3 on the season.

“In a lot of ways, last year was part of this year’s learning process.”

“Like you’re gonna fight and scrap all the way to the end, each inning, each pitch, each game all the way through.”

“We wanna give the students something fun and exciting to cheer about.”

Boston College Florida State 4 2

Baseball, from A1

Lacrosse, from A1

GRAPHIC BY PAIGE STEIN / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Bergamini: Under Grant, BC Sees Substantial Growth

Grant’s persona lights up any room he’s in, whether it’s with athletes, reporters, or just regular students at the Margot Connell Recreational Center. And on top of it all, Grant backs up his personality with gritty wins on the court. BC notched three ranked wins this season—its most since the 2008–09 season—leading the Eagles to finish as the No. 10 seed in the ACC.

The 2022–23 season brought some incredible highs and some incredible lows, with some players making huge strides while others still have room to grow. That’s what it takes to build a program. And before the 2023–24 team becomes finalized in a world of crazed NIL recruiting through the transfer portal, here’s a look at my postseason grading of the Eagles’ roster.

Quinten Post: A

The only thing holding back BC’s 7-footer from an A+ is his availability. Post averaged 15.1 points per game, completely uplifting BC’s offense with his ability to bully down low but also pose a threat from 3-point range. He also averaged 5.6 rebounds per game, tied for the most on the Eagles’ roster. In the 13 regular season games

played without Post this season, BC averaged 64.3 points per game, shot 41.3 percent from the field, and 26.6 percent from 3. But when Post returned, BC averaged 67.9 points, shot 45.3 percent from the field, and 36.5 percent from behind the arc in the regular season. If the Netherlands native returns next season, postseason play would not be out of the question for the Eagles.

Jaeden Zackery: AZackery went through a few dry spurts offensively throughout the season, citing a lack of confidence at times, but one thing that was never lacking was the sophomore’s defensive presence. Zackery had eight games with at least three steals, often guarding the opposing team’s best player. And while his 3-point shooting percentage took a dip—which was bound to happen after shooting 47 percent last year—Zackery’s play in the post proved to be one of BC’s most reliable scoring options. The Eagles were 7–1 this season when Zackery scored 15 or more points.

Makai Ashton-Langford: A-

The rock of BC’s offense and team identity for the past three seasons, Ashton-Langford was always capable of getting hot or creating his own shot when BC needed it the most—his

game winner against Wake Forest in the Eagles’ final road game of the season proved this. The graduate guard was also a talent on the defensive end—he often used the phrase “gritty not pretty” in his postgame press conferences—backed up by his 120 total steals as an Eagle. His steady presence and always-confident demeanor will be missed next season.

Devin McGlockton: B+

Perhaps the most unexpected grade, McGlockton went from not playing as a freshman to becoming one of BC’s most important players during his redshirt-freshman campaign. McGlockton emerged as an ACC Sixth Man of the Year candidate before being inserted into the starting unit, using his tight end–sized hands to catch feeds from Zackery and Ashton-Langford. McGlockton’s left handed putback layup against Virginia remains a highlight from the season.

Prince Aligbe: B

The biggest recruit of the Grant era thus far, Aligbe offered freakish athleticism yet also a professionalism that made it seem as if he was an NBA veteran. The freshman sometimes appeared lost on offense and unsure of his role, but he always played unselfishly, hitting a fair amount of crunch-time buckets. If Aligbe builds

on his strong frame and tweaks his 3-point shot, he could take a massive leap next season.

DeMarr Langford Jr.: BLangford Jr.’s grade was the most challenging grade to give out due to numerous injuries and minimal improvement from the 2022–21 season. But Langford Jr. provided an athletic presence that could score from anywhere on the court—primarily inside the arc. Grant made the decision to play the junior at point guard this season, a position that didn’t fit his style of play particularly well. Regardless, there’s no denying Langford would be a massive part of Grant’s squad next year if he returns.

Chas Kelley III : B-

The freshman may have only scored in double figures twice, but Kelley proved to always be a very reliable option off the bench for Grant throughout a season of injuries. Kelley’s 3-point shot is one of the best looking strokes on the team, and his 17 points against Virginia Tech on Feb. 8 in his back pocket proves he can score at this level.

Mason Madsen: C+

Brought in as BC’s undeniable 3-point shooting specialist, Madsen showed glimpses of what he could be,

but never fully lived up to his potential. He shot 30 percent from behind the arc, often showing more comfort inside the arc with his pull-up mid range jumper. Another year on the Heights should allow Madsen to get his feet under him.

CJ Penha Jr.: C

The Division II transfer came out hot during BC’s first stretch of the season, notching 15 points or more on three separate occasions. But Grant slowly reduced Penha’s minutes to the point where he was hardly playing during conference play. While a defensive liability, Penha was one of BC’s better 3-point shooters, often brought into games when the Eagles’ offense was stagnant.

T.J. Bickerstaff: CBickerstaff proved to be a serviceable backup to Post, but was not equipped to be a full-time starter when the 7-footer was out with injury. He was often too turnover happy— committing 45 total this year—and didn’t offer much offensively during either of his years with BC.

(Donald Hand Jr., Armani Mighty, Andrew Kenny, Quinn Pemberton, Abe Atiyeh, and Jonathan Noel were not graded due to injuries/lack of playing time). n

Eagles Go Cold, Lose Weekend Games

By Brassil Moran Heights Staff

Heading into the 2023 season, Boston College softball hadn’t won its opening series of ACC play since 2017— when the Eagles, who went 31–22 that year, won two games of a three-game series against Virginia to open ACC play.

This season, BC continued that streak.

After dropping the first game of the series on Friday, NC State (10–17, 4–5 Atlantic Coast) defeated the Eagles (15–10, 0–3) in the second two games of the series, as BC lost on Saturday and Sunday by scores of 8–4 and 3–2, respectively, ending an eight-game win streak heading into the series. This marks the first series loss for BC this season.

In Sunday’s narrow loss, the Eagles had the lead heading into the final inning but let up two Wolfpack runs,

causing BC to drop its third straight game.

To start the game, BC let up one run in the first inning after the Wolfpack immediately loaded the bases from two Susannah Anderson walks and a hit by pitch. NC State then struck first with a ground out that led to Rebecca Murray scoring. Anderson, however, delivered back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and escape with just a 1–0 deficit.

“I think we need to start putting a lot less people on base with free passes,” BC head coach Amy Kvilhaug said. “Way too many walks and hit batters this weekend.”

In the fifth inning, BC’s Erika Andal scored off a Kali Case bunt to tie the game at one apiece. And then in the top of the sixth, Kamryn Warman recorded an RBI single to give the Eagles a 2–1 lead, their first lead of the game.

But BC’s 2–1 lead heading into the seventh inning didn’t last long, as the Wolfpack surged ahead for the walk-off win. The scoring started when Makayla Marbury sent a sacrifice fly to right field to tie the game at two. Needing

just one more out to send the game to extra innings, Anderson let up a Madison Inscoe ground ball up the middle, thrusting NC State into the winning column for the series sweep.

Anderson pitched 6.2 innings in the loss, giving up four hits, three runs, and five walks.

The Eagles dropped their first game of the weekend to NC State on Saturday by a score of 8–4, their second straight loss to the Wolfpack. Starting pitcher Abby Dunning, who boasts a 1.87 ERA, the lowest on the team, earned her first loss of the year.

Nicole Giery and Hannah Slike both singled in the first inning, and Wolfpack starting pitcher Aisha Weixlmann then threw a wild pitch to give BC a 1–0 lead. The game marked Slike’s eighth straight game with a hit. The inning, however, ended with two BC players left on base, as Andal grounded out with two outs.

In the bottom of the third inning, Katlyn Pavlick blasted a three-run homer to give the Wolfpack a two-run lead. A bases-loaded walk then extended NC State’s lead to 4–1.

“If anybody even makes a minor mistake, when pitching is putting that many people on base, it can open the floodgates,” Kvilhaug said. “I think that we need to make the plays and I think that we need to put less people on base.”

NC State extended its lead in the fifth inning, as Marbury ripped a double, stole third, and then scored on a wild pitch. Dunning’s wild throw led to another Wolfpack run, and Sofia Earle subsequently replaced Dunning. Haley Haislip, however, immediately hit a tworun homer to give NC State an 8–1 lead.

The Eagles made a slight comeback in the top of the seventh inning, but it was too little too late. Giery rocketed a three-run homer to bring BC within fourth, but that’s all BC could garner, falling 8–4. Saturday marked the third time the Eagles have given up eight or more runs this season.

“Everybody in this conference is coming to play, no matter where people finished last year or where people finished in the preseason,” Kvilhaug said. “It’s gonna be the battle of who makes the least amount of mistakes. ” n

A Look Into BC Football Three Practices Into Spring

By Jack BergaMini Assoc. Sports Editor

Three practices into the 2023 spring season, Boston College football is ready to move on from its 3–9 2022 season.

But it’s a slow ramp up process until the first game of the season on Sept. 2, according to BC head coach Jeff Hafley. The Eagles, who practiced on Tuesday and Thursday this week, are currently playing with just helmets—no pads— through a procedure of tagging players instead of tackling. Once shoulder pads come on, BC will start to “thud,” which is when players wrap each other up.

“We didn’t run very much,” Hafley said of this week’s practices. “It’s more about fundamentals and techniques. So we’ll build scheme. We’ll build through the physicality. And that will culminate with the Spring Game and we’ll see how healthy we are and go from there.”

There are new and old faces on BC’s roster—from players on the field to members of the coaching staff. Here’s a look at a few units of BC’s 2023 squad and how the Eagles have transitioned to a fresh spring season.

Special Teams

Kicker Connor Lytton underwent a sophomore slump last season, con-

verting on only 9 of 17 field goals that includes going 1 of 5 on field goals between 40 and 49 yards. Liam Connor replaced Lytton on kickoffs during the season, and BC started to move away from attempting field goals as the season went on. It’s no secret Lytton has to be better, according to Hafley.

“He was 10 of 11 in the first practice,” Hafley said of BC’s practice on March 3. “He didn’t miss one today [Tuesday]. It’s a new year. We’ve stressed a bunch of different things to him. We’ve gotten some guys to help him. But I have confidence in him. He had a great first year. We’ll consider last year a bad inning and we’ll move on.”

And while Lytton went 11 of 12 on field goals as a freshman in 2021, he is not a lock to start in 2023, Hafley said.

“Liam [Connor] will compete with him,” Hafley said. “So there’s definitely some competition. And just like at any other position we’re gonna play the guy that gives us the best chance to win. So whoever is most consistent with the field goals and extra point will be our field goal kicker.”

Offensive Line

The Eagles have two transfers joining the trenches for this upcoming season—graduate Kyle Hergel and redshirt sophomore Logan Taylor,

who transferred from Texas State and Virginia, respectively. After allowing 46 sacks for an average of 3.83 sacks per game in 2022, good for 129th in the FBS, the two of them will bring much needed size—Hergel stands at 6-foot2 while Taylor is 6-foot-7—and depth to BC’s front line that was depleted last season with injuries. BC was even forced to convert a defensive linemen to the offensive line last year.

“The biggest thing is, it creates competition, and depth,” Hafley said.

“Both Kyle and Logan have done a really good job. We’ll see how they progress. … The best five will play.”

Hergel and Taylor each received regular reps at practice this week that featured a starting group of, from left-

to-right, Ozzy Trapilo, Jack Conley, Drew Kendall, Hergel, and Jude Bowry. Trapilo got reps at left tackle, with Taylor and redshirt sophomore Nick Thomas filling in with the starting unit.

“The energy out there is way different,” Kendall said. They’re fitting right in, doing great, fitting right in with the scheme. It’s gonna be a whole new mentality. … No more sitting back.”

Offensive line coach Matt Applebaum returned to the Heights after previously serving as BC’s offensive line coach during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, and he’ll look to revamp the group as a whole.

“The nice thing is, Matt knows a lot of these guys. Matt recruited most of these guys,” Hafley said. “Matt’s got

a really good eye on the run game. You know, with the protection stuff. They’re piecing it all together. … He’s excited about the group.”

Redshirt junior Kevin Cline, who tore his ACL against Virginia Tech on Sept. 10, 2022, has not yet returned to practice. Christian Mahogany, who tore his ACL prior to the start of the 2022 season, says he’s 100 percent but has been easing his way back into practice.

“We just gotta stay healthy,” Hafley said.

Defense and the New Staff

The Eagles are sporting co-defensive coordinators in Aazaar Abdul-Rahim and Sean Duggan this season after former defensive coordinator Tem Lukabu left for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. With Abdul-Rahim and Duggan both being in-house hires, BC isn’t changing much on defense, and has seen that unit thrive in practice thus far, according to Hafley.

“Defense, no—not at all,” Hafley said regarding if there’s been an adjustment period.

Football, from A1