After Shooting, Framingham Man Will Plead Not Guilty
Scott Hayes, who allegedly shot the individual who tackled him on Thursday night, was released on $5,000 cash.
will plead not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Scott Hayes, the man who allegedly shot a man who tackled him in Newton Thursday night,
The court dropped an additional charge against Hayes—violation of a constitutional right causing injury—
even though Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said last night Hayes would receive that charge.
Hayes was released on $5,000 bail, with a curfew between 7:00 p.m. and
Music echoed throughout the Murray Function Room Thursday evening as the BC community came together to celebrate the start of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.
6:00 a.m. He is also not permitted to have contact with the alleged victim, who is still unidentified, possess any dangerous weapons, or enter the city of Newton.
The District Court set bail at
$50,000/$5,000 cash Thursday night, according to a statement from the Newton Police Department (NPD).
See Arraignment, A3 See A2
Couzens Campaigns for NY State Office
B y v eronica P ierce
Asst. Magazine Editor
Most Boston College students look forward to the weekend as a break from the weekly school grind. They use their time to sleep, hang out with friends, or catch up on homework and studying.
One BC senior, however, leaves campus every weekend and makes the three-hour drive to Putnam County, N.Y.
He spends Friday, Saturday, and Sunday knocking on doors and going to rallies before heading back to BC to start the school week again.
At 21 years old, Zachary Couzens, MCAS ’25, is currently the Democratic candidate for the New York State Assembly 94.
Alongside his work as a fulltime college student, Couzens is also currently running a political campaign in his home district.
“My plan is either Thursday nights or Friday mornings, I’ll
take the three hour drive back home, campaign Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then I’ll either come back Sunday night or early Monday morning,” Couzens said. “And, you know, repeat.”
Originally from Mahopac, N.Y., Couzens grew up with a Democratic mother and Republican father, which he said made politics extremely relevant within his family.
Beyond that, his native Putnam County is largely red, meaning Couzens’ Democratic beliefs create even more dialogue within the area.
“I’ve always been interested in politics since I was young,” Couzens said. “The joke I like to make is that because I’m from a red area, I was the only Democrat in my fourth grade class that wanted Obama to be re-elected, which is kind of something I like to point
See State Assembly, A5
Eagles Fall 27–21 to No. 6 Missouri
By Graham Dietz Alumni Director
Drew Kendall snapped the ball too early. He doesn’t make the mistake often.
When Kendall released the ball, Thomas Castellanos was still looking at the sideline, figuring out the play call and checking Missouri’s defensive alignment. The ball trickled behind Castellanos, who turned back to save it from dribbling away. Backed up to his own 20-yard line, Castellanos picked up the ball, rotated to a back-shoulder, one-legged stance, and heaved it into the abyss.
Miraculously, he revitalized the broken play.
Nobody except for Jeremiah Franklin accompanied redshirt-freshman Reed Harris on the Tigers’ side of the field. The only thing Harris needed to worry about was stepping out of bounds on his 67-yard sprint to the endzone, which put Boston College football up 14–3 with 9:44 left in the second quarter.
“[I] just didn’t panic,” Castellanos said. “I didn’t even snap the ball. Up front, I guess they may have heard something from the other side of the ball. Miscommunication. But I didn’t
panic, just picked up the ball, and made a play.”
The home crowd at Faurot Field looked shocked. The visiting No. 24 Eagles were up by a pair of scores against the No. 6 team in the country, and halftime loomed.
In front of a sold-out stadium donning bright-yellow apparel, the Tigers needed a response.
Highlighted by a 55-yard Blake Craig field goal to give the Tigers their first lead of the game at 17–14, and a pair of Brady Cook touchdowns— one through the air and one on the ground—Missouri (3–0) scored 24 unanswered points to nullify BC’s early lead.
Interceptions, along with mediocre tackling on pass plays and surrendering 4.1 yards per rush, plagued BC (2–1, 1–0 ACC) in its 27–21 road loss—the Eagles’ first of the season and the Bill O’Brien era.
“It's not a moral victory,” O’Brien said. “That’s not what I’m saying. I want to be real clear about that. But even with the adversity that we dealt with, we turned the ball over, we had trouble stopping the run, in the end, we were in the game.”
Men I Trust Stages Serene Set
B y J unsoo c hunG For The Heights
The Campus Activity Board’s annual Stokes Set returned to Boston College on Saturday evening, with a cozy yet captivating performance by the indie-pop sensation Men I Trust.
The Montreal-based band, which boasts over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, drew an eager crowd to the Stokes Lawn.
Students gathered near the barricades or relaxed for a picnic, and the excitement was evident even an hour before the show.
Some students held up handmade signs, establishing themselves as part of the niche Men I Trust fanbase.
The first set began at 6 p.m. with DJ Frank White, who returned this year for the opener.
Stokes Set, A9
SHANE SHEBEST / HEIGHTS STAFF
B y G enevieve m orrison
Assoc. Newton Editor
This Week’s Top 3 Events
1
Join a panel of students to hear about the core classes that impacted their lives, faith, career plans, and college experiences. Hosted by the Church in the 21st Century Center, join the discussion at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Gasson 100.
2 3
Hear Peter Ochs, a Jewish philosopher and theologian, share his personal insights and approach to scripture-based reasoning, which blends philosophy and religious texts. Attend the lecture on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. in Stokes N325.
Take a night to explore the culinary diversity of African cultures with Taste of Africa on Sunday evening. Presented by the African Student Organization, the event features music and performances from dance group PATU and takes place at 5:00 p.m. in the McMullen Museum.
BAIC Kicks Off Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
By AnnikA engelBrechT Asst. News Editor
Latin music echoed throughout the Murray Function Room Thursday evening as the Boston College community came together to celebrate the start of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.
Yvonne McBarnett, director of the Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center (BAIC), kicked off an evening of laughter, dancing, and vocal performances by reminding the audience that the month-long celebration—which lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15—is about celebrating the ways in which heritage enriches communities.
“Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month is a celebration of diversity, unity and resilience,” McBarnett said. “It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the incredible impact that Hispanic and Latinx individuals have had on our society.”
McBarnett also said that the celebration allows individuals to honor the heritage of their past, present, and future.
“It’s a reminder that heritage is not just about looking back, but it’s
also about moving forward with pride and purpose,” McBarnett said.
Joana Maynard, assistant director of the BAIC, followed McBarnett by sharing a prayer in Spanish. Afterwards, the parade of flags commenced, with student volunteers carrying each Hispanic/Latinx country’s flag across the room.
Jacob Bojito, a 2024 Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship Finalist and MCAS ’25, shared how finding his place at BC motivated him to apply for the Romero scholarship.
“Over time, I’ve really learned to call Boston College my second home, and I’m so thankful for each and every single person I met throughout my time here,” Bojito said. “But more than anything, they inspire me to pay it forward to the next generation of students, and that’s why I was motivated to apply for the Romero scholarship.”
Bojito also called on the Hispanic/ Latinx community at BC to help their fellow students find a home at BC.
“I hope, if you can all take something away from tonight, it’s that you have a Latino community here at Boston College that loves you,” Bojito said. “And we need to make sure that
that continues, so that when you leave Boston College, you know that the students that look like you, sound like you, grew up like you, will have one.”
In addition to the speeches, the event featured performances by Ten Tumbao, a Boston-based Latin music group, Vida de Intensa Pasión (VIP), and a vocal performance by Karol Bedoya, the other Romero scholarship
finalist and CSON ’25.
To conclude the evening, Bedoya reflected on her time at BC and shared how her work on and off campus reveals her passion for advocacy.
“Saint Romero’s call to action has encouraged me to continue fighting for what I believe in,” Bedoya said.
“And I have the privilege of being able to make a difference, and I’m
exercising that in my everyday life.” Bedoya ended her speech by encouraging the audience to expand their comfort zones and to not be afraid of change and personal growth.
“You all have a little fire inside of you that hopefully only continues to burn brighter, so use it and set the world of flame,” Bedoya said. n
Senate Discusses Ways to Honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
By JAck BeckmAn Asst. News Editor
At Tuesday night’s UGBC meeting, KiKi Stoker, student-athlete representative, encouraged the BC community to do more to honor former BC hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were killed by a suspected drunk driver last month.
“We had a little kind of memorial outside of the basketball pavilion, but I really didn’t feel the respect that I think they deserved,” Stoker, CSOM ’25, said.
Multiple student senators voiced support for Stoker’s proposal to collaborate with the athletic department to start a
tradition of honoring the brothers at a gold bandanna-themed event each year.
“We could maybe create a new tradition at BC where one of the hockey games has a special message, like the Red Bandanna football game, but the gold bandanna hockey game or something like that where it could be a tradition that goes on for many years,” Katie McCaffrey, student senator and MCAS ’25, said.
Meghan Heckelman, UGBC president and LSEHD ’25, and Katie Garrigan, UGBC vice president and MCAS ’25, both emphasized the importance of giving the Gaudreau family time and privacy to process their grief before host-
ing any public events—especially considering how recently the accident occurred.
“This literally just happened— it’s a really sensitive situation,” Garrigan said. “So, I don’t want to just jump to start promoting things and doing an initiative when it’s obviously very raw.”
Earlier in the meeting, UGBC prepared for upcoming meetings with BC Dining and the University Council on Teaching (UCT) —a panel of faculty from all schools that advises the provost on issues related to teaching and learning.
Ryan Milligan, UGBC chief of staff and MCAS ’26, said that the consensus he has heard from students on ordering kiosks, which
were added to The Chocolate Bar and Hillside Cafe last semester, is overwhelmingly negative.
“I think the kiosks are definitely something that people are overall very unhappy with,” Milligan said.
Student senators, however, expressed mixed opinions on the kiosks. McCaffrey said she likes the kiosks because they allow users to easily customize their drinks and speed up the ordering process.
“I have a positive perspective on the kiosks,” McCaffrey said. “I think they take away a lot of that traffic that would generate a line.”
Nonetheless, McCaffrey acknowledged that the kiosks can prove difficult when ordering food, especially for students with dietary restrictions or allergies.
Andrew Mimmo, student senator and MCAS ’25, advocated for removing kiosks from the Chocolate Bar because it is often not busy.
“I feel like with the Chocolate Bar, it’s just so unnecessary because there are so many points during the day where there’s nobody there—they’ll maybe have one rush a day,” Mimmo said.
Later in the meeting, the Academic Affairs Committee solicited senators’ input for proposals to bring before the UCT throughout the year.
Delphine Gareau, academic affairs committee chair and MCAS ’26, said the committee has already begun advocating for faculty to include a section on their syllabi
acknowledging the importance of seeking help for mental health–related issues and directing students toward available support.
“Encouraging faculty to have mental health statements on their syllabi is a big priority for us,” Gareau said.
Alexis Thomas, Montserrat student representative, intersectionality committee chair, and MCAS ’25, also suggested adding a question into end-of-semester course evaluations that asks students if they found the textbook valuable for their learning.
“I think that a lot of students don’t feel that they can tell their professor that the textbook wasn’t really useful,” Thomas said. Mariame Diop, student senator and MCAS ’27, said that because many class materials can be found online inexpensively, the UCT should ask professors who prohibit the use of electronics in their class to make exceptions in certain cases—especially for low-income students.
“I have this idea that, based on certain financial circumstances, some teachers that would usually not allow you to use your laptop will let you use your laptop to access certain books,” Diop said.
Also during the meeting, the Senate voted to officially eliminate the community relations committee—a move that was debated at the end of last year—and confirmed Andrew Williams, MCAS ’27, as environmental and sustainability policy coordinator. n
BC Receives Lowest Possible Free Speech Rating Again
By AngelinA li Assoc. News Editor
Boston College placed 189th out of 257 colleges in the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings released by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
The 2025 ranking is a slight improvement from last year’s report, in which BC ranked among the lowest—229th out of 248 colleges.
BC also received a “red light,” the lowest possible rating for campus free speech policies by FIRE, for the second year in a row.
FIRE’s Spotlight rating assesses the written policies governing student speech at higher-education institutions.
“A ‘red light’ rating indicates that
the institution has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech,” the report reads.
The free speech rankings were granted based on a composite score of 14 components, seven of which assessed student perceptions of different aspects of their campus speech climate.
“The other seven assess behavior by administrators, faculty, and students regarding free expression on campus,” the report reads. “Higher scores indicate a better campus climate for free speech and expression.”
The seven components reflecting student perception included comfort expressing ideas, self-censorship, tolerance for liberal speakers, tolerance for conservative speakers, disruptive
conduct, administrative support, and openness.
BC ranked among the lowest for comfort expressing ideas (180th), self-censorship (209th), tolerance for liberal speakers (229th), and openness (239th).
This year’s report also included an assessment of campus behavioral metrics, which gave schools bonus or penalty points for taking actions indicative of positive or poor campus climates for free speech, respectively.
According to the report, the rankings survey was reopened in response to encampment protests on college campuses following the Israel-Hamas war.
“A lot has happened since FIRE released the 2024 College Free Speech Rankings last September,” the report
reads. “Most significantly, Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza sent shockwaves through American college and university campuses.”
The growing number of protests also led to an increase in deplatforming attempts, according to the report.
“Campus deplatforming attempts occurred at record levels, and protesters attempted to disrupt events with increasing frequency—and succeeded with increasing regularity,” the report reads. “Students, student groups, and faculty who expressed pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian sentiment were targeted for sanction by their peers, administrators, and elected officials.”
The report stated that the survey was fielded from Jan. 25 through June
17, which allowed the report to reflect the encampments that took place across many college campuses in the Spring.
“That means that this year’s College Free Speech Rankings provide a treasure trove of data on the evolving state of free expression at American colleges and universities,” the report reads.
As a part of their research, FIRE sampled a total of 104 undergraduate students from BC. Several of the anonymous respondents shared experiences of censorship and fear of judgment for their political views on campus.
“The overall [vibe] is just to put your head down and learn in most instances,” one student said in the report. n
SHANE SHEBEST / HEIGHTS STAFF
SARAH FLEMING / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Student senators proposed ways to honor late BC hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Tuesday.
The BAIC celebrated the beginning of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month on Thursday with song and dance performances.
One Man Arrested, One Man Seriously Injured After Shooting at Pro-Israel Rally in Newton
B y G enevieve M orrison
Assoc. Newton Editor
One person was seriously injured and another was arrested after a shooting at a pro-Israel rally in Newton Thursday night.
The alleged shooter, Scott Hayes of Framingham, has been charged with assault, battery with a dangerous weapon, and violation of a constitutional right causing injury, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., the Newton Police Department (NPD) responded to a call at a pro-Israel demonstration near Washington Street and Harvard Street in Newtonville.
The group was demonstrating on the right side of the street, according to Ryan, when an individual walking down the left side of the street began exchanging words with the protestors.
The individual then charged across the street and tackled a
protestor. Hayes then shot the man who had attacked the protestor, according to Ryan.
“There was a scuffle that was going on on the street, and at some point, Mr. Hayes used a gun and fired a shot that struck the individual that had come across the street,” Ryan said.
Authorities believe Hayes legally possessed the gun, according to Ryan. He will be arraigned Friday at the Newton District Court.
NPD will provide additional patrols at houses of worship in the city over the next several days, according to Newton Police Chief John Carmichael.
In a press conference Thursday night, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said the police acted quickly to handle the situation.
“This was a frightening incident on Washington Street earlier this evening,” Fuller said. “The Newton Police Department acted quickly and immediately took a person into custody.” n
Video Shows Physical Fight Leading Up to Newton Shooting
By Will Martino Managing Editor
Phone camera footage from an eyewitness shows the altercation between an individual and pro-Israel protestors that led to a life-threatening shooting on Thursday night in Newton.
An individual across the road from a pro-Israel demonstration on Washington Street in Newtonville can be seen yelling at demonstrators at the beginning of the video.
“You are sick,” the individual said to the demonstrators. “You are defending genocide.”
The individual then runs across the street, dodging vehicles, and tackles a demonstrator to the ground. Multiple other demonstrators join the fight on the ground, and a gun can be heard firing as a demonstrator off-camera instructs someone to call 911.
One demonstrator can be heard saying “Grab my pistol” as what appears to be a gun sits on the ground next to the scuffle.
The alleged shooter, Scott Hayes of Framingham, has been charged with assault, battery with a dangerous weapon, and violation of a constitutional right causing inju-
ry, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
“There was a scuffle that was going on on the street, and at some point, Mr. Hayes used a gun and fired a shot that struck the individual that had come across the street,” Ryan said.
A GoFundMe created late last night to “help [Hayes], his family and his community in their time of need” has already accumulated over $100,000 from over 1,300 donors.
“Scott Hayes is an American Iraq War Veteran, who was attacked at a pro-Israeli Protest, on September 12, 2024 in Newton, Massachusetts,” the GoFundMe reads.
The fundraiser goes on to allege that a man wearing a Palestinian flag pin started shouting at protestors, charged Hayes, and tackled him to the ground.
“Scott was wrestling with him when a gun went off,” the GoFundMe reads. “As soon as Scott noticed his assailant was hurt he provided emergency medical treatment.”
The GoFundMe also notes that Hayes is not Jewish.
“Even though Scott is not Jewish he has been defending the Jewish people and its right for self
determination and governance all across Boston, its surroundings and all around New England and the US,” the description reads. “He now needs help as this turmoil entered his life.”
“There was a scuffle that was going on on the street, and at some point, Mr. Hayes used a gun and fired a shot that struck the individual that had come across the street,” Ryan said.
Hayes is currently awaiting his arraignment at the Newton District Court. n
Framingham Man to Plead Not Guilty to Both Charges
Arraignment, from A1
He will still be allowed to travel through highways like I-95 and Route 128 that cut through Newton, for his work.
“It seems that it’s open season against the Jewish people or anyone who supports Israel, and that has to stop,” Magen said.
Newton police responded at 6:40 p.m. Thursday to a report of a disturbance near Washington Street and Harvard Street.
Video footage shows the unidentified man on the other side of the street, yelling at a small group of
pro-Israel protesters across the street.
“You are defending genocide,” the man said.
He then ran through traffic across the street and tackled Hayes. In the scuffle between the man and the protesters, Hayes’ gun fired and a bullet struck the man who tackled him.
The man is now expected to survive his injuries, according to the NPD statement.
Yael Magen, an attorney for Hayes, spoke out against all kinds of political violence after the arraignment.
“It seems that it’s open season against the Jewish people or anyone who supports Israel, and that has to stop,” Magen said. Hayes will return to court on Nov. 7.
The NPD, the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office, and Massachusetts State Police detectives are still collecting and reviewing evidence from the incident, according to the NPD. n
COURTESY OF KASSY AKIVA / DAILY WIRE
Sangiolo Advocates for Action in 11th District Bid
By Laney Mcaden Asst. Newton Editor
Amy Mah Sangiolo and her family moved to Newton in 1995.
Two years later, she’d been elected to the then-called Board of Aldermen, seeking answers to concerns unaddressed by current city officials.
Today, Sangiolo is campaigning as the 11th Middlesex congressional district’s Democratic candidate.
Sangiolo’s career in politics began with a development project. Having worked as an environmental attorney, she was troubled by the project’s potentially hazardous location. As it turned out, so too were many other Newton residents.
“We went to our then-city councilors or aldermen, and they pretty much rebuffed our concerns,” Sangiolo said. “‘Don’t worry about it, not your problem. We’ll take care of you,’ kind of thing. I remember going to one of the city councilors at the time and with the petition, with our concerns, and he crumpled it up, put it in his pocket.”
Sangiolo resolved to take action, and she explained that the reasons for her initial campaign have set the tone for the rest of her career.
“I think I’ve built a reputation about being responsive and accountable to the residents,” Sangiolo said. “I think that’s very important, to have open communication, listen to people’s concerns, not judge people, and help those that feel marginalized.”
After 10 terms and 20 years on the City Council, Sangiolo retired in 2017 to run for mayor. She lost the election and ran again in 2021, again falling short of office.
When the state representative seat opened, Sangiolo decided to run. Now, having won the contested primary against Alexander Jablon, Sangiolo will face Republican Vladislav Yanovsky in the Nov. 5 general
election.
“I still have a race,” Sangiolo said. “I won the primary, but I still have a race in November. I’ve gone back to work, but I am still going to be in the community as much as possible. I want to hear people’s concerns and do what I can if elected to address those concerns.”
One of her campaign’s top issues is affordable housing, explained Sangiolo. Having worked several years at the Attorney General’s office as an affordable housing advocate, she views housing security and accessibility to be a major concern many Newton residents share.
“I know, having just served on the city council and running for mayor, that folks are concerned about development, concerned about the character of the neighborhood, concerned about density,” Sangiolo said. “So there’s no question that we do need to increase the supply of housing at all income levels, but there is truly a need for deeply affordable housing, and these folks don’t have choices.”
Housing affordability, however, is only one of the major concerns that Sangiolo hopes to address in office.
She explained that while Massachusetts might be considered a leader in climate action, much more work remains, especially regarding funding.
“I think we’re spending so much, millions of millions of dollars of repair money on replacing these gas lines that we know are going to become obsolete,” Sangiolo said. “I mean, our intent is to get off of fossil fuels, right? What we should be doing is building infrastructure and investing in clean energy and electrification.”
Sangiolo expressed her belief that measures like electrification, which Newton recently adopted, are necessary for getting people motivated and invested in the fight against climate change.
“We’re running out of time,” said
Sangiolo. “So, if we’re gonna meet our climate action goals, we’ve got to get moving on this.”
In 2015, as part of Sangiolo’s service as a councilor, she began a weekly email newsletter to keep Newton residents informed about government meetings.
“I started a newsletter with the board and commission and City Council and school committee agendas, and I would also have the reports attached to it, so that people could see how their councilors were voting,” Sangiolo said.
The newsletter continued until 2022, when she co-founded Fig City News as a more intensive news outlet for residents to obtain information about city government proceedings.
“I started it because there’s such a dearth of new sources and information to our residents in Newton about what was happening with the city government,” Sangiolo said. “What we wanted to do was to get the news
out as quickly as possible to people so that they can be engaged and … start acting on anything that they care about.”
According to Sangiolo, she stepped away from working on Fig City News once she announced she was running for the State House, but transparency remains an integral part of her campaign.
“If I’m elected, I will definitely continue to provide information about the committees that I’m on and what’s happening at the state house,” Sangiolo said. “To the extent that I can do that for my constituents in the 11th Middlesex district, particularly and especially about those committees that I may serve on, I think that transparency is important.”
Following the rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes and harassment seen in Newton and across all of Massachusetts in recent years, Sangiolo believes transparency is also an important tool for increasing awareness across communities.
“Not enough attention has been brought to the rise in anti-Semitic acts within the community,” Sangiolo said. “You hear about the big stuff, but you don’t hear about the other incidents … I think that is important to recognize and acknowledge and bring the community in on, because that’s the only way to address it.
Sangiolo supports measures that build on the 2023 U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, and she believes communication and collective action are the necessary strategies for addressing the rampant rise in hate.
“We need to show that these crimes do exist within our community, because we don’t live in the bubble that we think we do live in, right?” Sangiolo said. “It’s here. We need to face it, we need to acknowledge it, and we need to do something as a community to stop it. And we can do that.” n
Yanovsky Focuses on Freedom in 11th District Seat Bid
By genevieve Morrison Assoc. Newton Editor
The sky was dark when Steve Yanovsky returned home and opened his computer to a second world. The year was 1993. He had just closed off a long shift as a paramedic, but he was clocking into a different job, engineering with scientists across the globe to invent a new key imaging device.
He and his collaborators ended up selling the patent for $2.5 million in 2003, 10 years after they had begun working on it.
Today, his device can be found in stores like Home Depot, while Yanovsky can be found on the campaign trail as the 11th Middlesex congressional district’s Republican candidate.
Though the saga of his in -
vention is just one of many varied career endeavors for Yanovsky, he says the story of his invention is a reflection of who he is.
“All of these things are related, whether it’s raising a child or writing a piece of music or running for public office,” Yanovsky said. “It’s this start-to-finish kind of a thing. First, you see in your mind, you have a vision, and then you start.’”
Yanovsky’s family moved to Brookline from the Soviet Union in 1981. After graduating from Brookline High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His time in the armed forces brought him into healthcare. Today, he’s a paramedic, but he once considered becoming a medical doctor.
“It was a bit of a lateral and kind of a jagged path, because I was serving in the military at the
time, and they wanted different things for me,” Yanovsky said. “I got credentialed in a wide range of clinical disciplines.”
This broad education and appetite for challenge led Yanovsky to start his own vocational healthcare school for adults in 2002, the Boston Career Institute in Brookline.
“We help people get jobs in the healthcare field and give them a step up from menial jobs like working in Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks,” Yanovsky said. “They make a lot more money and gain financial stability, and live to accomplish their American dream.”
It’s this work that inspired Yanovsky to step into politics on a platform of lowering taxes. He says he wants to help people with lower incomes who feel the strain of the high taxes in Newton and
Brookline.
“Since I work with mostly people in the lower income strata, I see that their struggles are stemming from the impositions of the government, and people are being taxed to death,” Yanovsky said.
He also said he’s concerned about the government’s mismanagement of tax dollars, an issue he says he’d address at the state house.
“There’s a lot of waste and mismanagement of people’s money, and there’s a lot of money being captured in taxes,” Yanovsky said.` Yanovsky wants to see more tax money go to infrastructure, an issue he thinks has been neglected in his district.
“Since I work with mostly people in the lower income strata, I see that their struggles are stemming from the impositions of the government, and people are being taxed to death,” Yanovsky said.
“Ou r streets are in a great degree of disrepair, and there’s no money for the infrastructure in a city like Newton,” Yanovsky said.
He thinks the government
should channel this money from the public schools which he thinks make up too big a portion of the budget, considering not all residents choose to take advantage of them.
“A lot of people who live in Newton do send their kids to private schools and don’t utilize public schools,” Yanovsky said. “That’s a little bit of a disparity between people who don’t pay Newton taxes and receive the same benefits.”
Though Yanovsky hopes to join the state’s legislature, he says he’s not interested in adding unnecessary laws to the books and is only interested in protecting peoples’ freedom.
“I can tell you right now that there’s so many laws on the books that just about every person living in Massachusetts is in violation of some of them,” Yanovsky said. “That means that at any given time, anyone could be arrested or fined for something. Now, that’s no way to live.”
Yanovsky, an Orthodox Jew, is also cautious to legislate in response to the recent uptick in anti-Semitic hate crimes in his district, saying instead that perpetrators should be prosecuted on an individual basis.
“The Jewish people have lived through all sorts of hatred throughout generations,” Yanovsky said. “We’ll get through this too. But I think through legislation—I don’t think there’s any place for it.”
Though this is Yanovsky’s first introduction to politics, he’s confident his colorful life experiences have prepared him well.
“A person with vision and drive to succeed will have abilities to go from one place to another and still use the same skill sets,” Yanovsky said. “Just kind of mutated into a different form.” n
COURTESY OF AMY SANGIOLO
Sangiolo will face off against Steve Yanovsky in the 11th Middlesex congressional district’s election.
Yanovsky will face off against Amy Sangiolo in the 11th Middlesex congressional district’s election.
M AGAZINE
Couzens Runs for New York District Assembly
State Assembly, from A1
While Couzens spent almost the entirety of his upbringing in public schools, he transferred to a private school after his freshman year of high school, a change he said propelled his education and ambitions.
But as his junior year rolled around, so did the COVID-19 pandemic. When both of Couzens' parents were hospitalized due to COVID, he decided to seek out what legislation was being put through to stop this crisis.
“We were actually one of the first four cases of COVID in our county in New York, like March 2020,” Couzens said. “Everyone’s okay now, but both my parents got sick and were hospitalized. But my point with that is how politics and policy and actions obviously all matter to each other and was what really propelled me into paying attention even more.”
After high school, Couzens continued to pursue his passion for politics at BC, majoring in political science and minoring in American studies. From the very beginning of his college life, Couzens said he was an extremely curious person, trying to stack his schedule with every class possible.
Elizabeth Bracher, director of the Courage to Know program, met Couzens when he registered for classes his freshman year. Because of COVID restrictions, each academic program had a breakout room online that students could join if they were interested. When Couzens joined her breakout room, he immediately wanted to know how many seminars, Cour-
age to Know, and Enduring Questions/Complex Problems classes he could take.
“He was so excited about this idea of bringing together this coursework from all of these different points of view, and he was so curious about all of them,” Bracher said. “Sometimes you’re registering a student who you’re just trying to pull from them what they might be interested in and to find a class that you hope excites their sense of curiosity. Zack is led by curiosity.”
From there, Couzens took on a heavy course load, enhancing his curiosity and picking out classes that excited him. During the summer after sophomore year, Couzens interned at his state senate office, which he said gave him a glimpse into the life of public servants and how much government officials could impact others.
But his life changed in February of his junior year when he received an offer from the Putnam County Democratic chair, Jennifer Colamonico. She had met Couzens’ mom through a political Facebook group, and after staying in contact for a number of months, Couzens’ mom decided to connect him with Colamonico about getting involved in politics.
Her team had been looking for a Democratic nominee to run for the New York State Assembly 94, and Couzens had struck her as a good candidate—someone new, young, and energized.
“Zack just popped into my mind,” Colamonico said. “Obviously you could tell he was going to run for office some day. He kind of just has that—it’s in his blood, it’s in his lineage, it’s in his whole
essence. And I see a lot of myself in him, in terms of somebody who’s going to change the world, who’s going to take it on no matter what.”
When faced with the offer from Colamonico, Couzens confessed that he was hesitant at first. He was unsure if he would be up to a task so large, not only as a 21-year-old, but as a full-time college student as well.
“I first thought it was crazy because, you know, how could someone my age even run?” Couzens said. “Then, I gave it some thought, and I was like, ‘You know what? Let’s do this. Let’s show that we can have more young people that are invested in their future, invested in their peers’ futures, and that do want to get involved.”
Couzens admits that he had plenty of new things to learn about campaigning, such as figuring out which reporters to contact, learning how to fundraise, and holding rallies.
Thankfully, he has amassed a team in New York, including Colamonico, who advised him throughout the process. Dubbed “the wonderkid” by his advisers, Couzens’ campaign has already earned him the nomination as the Democratic candidate for his district.
“You know, at the beginning, we spent a lot of hours talking about expectations and approaches and what you need to do and what you need to think about doing,” Colamonico said. “He’s made some decisions on his own with our council. He’s hired a consulting firm which a lot of candidates aren’t able to do or don’t think about doing. I think it shows his commitment to win-
ning that he was willing to do that.”
Couzens says a large part of his weekend is spent knocking on the doors of people all over Putnam to spread awareness about his campaign. Before the start of his senior year, he said he knocked on 600 doors in the span of six days.
“Even when I’ve spoken to people across the board, there’s a lot of support for when I tell them I’m 21,” Couzens said. “There’s a lot of support for a young person running, and they all agree we need new blood.”
At each door he knocks on, he proudly hands out his campaign flyers with his name and a simple message: “For a Bright Future.” On the back, he lists his goals as an assembly member: improving housing affordability, fighting for improved school funding, protecting the environment, and supporting women’s reproductive freedom.
While some might think these goals are too broad, Couzens said they all share a common, single thread: community. This focus on community is nothing new for Couzens, Bracher said.
“The sense I have from when he decided to run was that he’s not coming in with an agenda or with an idea that he’s getting in there to do a particular thing other than listen to his constituents, listen to the community, and serve them to protect the common good and to protect democracy,” Bracher said. “And democracy only survives with representation, and he wants to represent the people in his community.”
As he prepares for election day, Couzens admits that it will be a
tough race. His opponent, incumbent Republican Matt Slater, runs a campaign focused on repealing New York’s cashless bail law, protecting the southern border from illegal immigrants, and giving parents a stronger voice in the education of their children.
Though the Putnam area is historically Republican, the majority caucus in New York is largely Democratic. Couzens said he believes in the importance of sending an official whose goals align with the caucus in order to increase productivity.
“My point with that is that if you want someone that can actually deliver, you should send someone that’s in the majority caucus so they actually have the interests of our area heard much more than someone that might get ignored,” Couzens said.
Ultimately, Couzens said he wants to stress to BC students that it is entirely possible to participate in government, no matter their age. It doesn’t even have to be running for an official position— volunteering at rallies, sitting in on town meetings, and staying up to date on local issues are all parts of civic participation.
“Whatever happens to my own race, whether I win or lose or whatever the margin is, I think I just want this race to go to show that anyone can get involved no matter your age, your background, your walks of life,” he said.
Couzens said he has just one final plea for the BC community as November rounds the corner.
“For everyone that reads this, make sure you all request your ballots!” Couzens said. n
Campus Cocktails: Will's Banana Painkiller
B y W ill M artino
Managing Editor
For the past three summers, I have returned to my New Hampshire summer bartending job on Hampton Beach—a real if-you-know-youknow kind of place.
I spend my warm summer days pouring shots for burly men wearing offensive graphic T-shirts, blending frozen drinks for over-tanned, middle-aged women in leopard-print bathing suit coverups, and shaking up cocktails for everyone in between.
As their eyes grow bleary and they lean their body weight over the bar, propping themselves up on calloused elbows, they challenge me about all the fun stuff a bartender isn’t supposed to talk about: politics,
religion, why-the-hell-would-yago-to-college. I concoct carefully diffusive responses, escaping the interactions with their approval and a decent tip. It is, without a doubt, the best job in the world.
Often, a customer will pull out a stool, take a long perusal of the menu, and mouth the names of the cocktails as they scan, look up, and ask what the best beverage we serve is. My answer is always the Banana Painkiller. The Banana Painkiller is a fresh twist on a tropical cocktail classic.
A banana whiskey base splits into a coconut-citrus blend of juices for a lazy-river ride down beach-buzzed paradise.
It has never—I mean never— disappointed.
DRINK: Banana Painkiller
INGREDIENTS:
2.5 oz. Banana whiskey (I used Whiskeysmith) 1 oz. Coconut creme
3 oz. Pineapple juice 1 oz. Orange juice
INSTRUCTIONS: Fill a shaker with ice. Pour in whiskey, coconut creme, and juices. Shake vigorously for approxi
BC senior Zachary Couzens is the Democratic nominee for New York State Assembly 94.
GRAPHIC BY PARKER LEAF / HEIGHTS EDITOR
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACHARY COUZENS
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACHARY COUZENS
Alongside his schoolwork, Couzens is running his political campaign.
Over-Achievement, Pressure, and Grading at BC
By AnnABelle lAngford For The Heights
Madeleine Greene, MCAS ’24, is a self-confessed grade obsessor.
“I’ve always been very obsessed with grades and professor validation,” Greene said. “I’m struggling to think of a measure of success that isn’t grades.”
Greene is not the only Boston College student who feels this way. With an acceptance rate of 14.7 percent, being an over-achiever is practically a requirement on the Heights. Oftentimes, this high-ambition mentality means students are motivated by external pressures like grades and future careers.
Like Greene, Sarah Meyler, MCAS ’27, said she is also largely motivated by grades. This pressure, Meyler said, comes from stress surrounding post-graduate plans.
“I find myself focusing on careers and doing research of what grades I need to get and extracurriculars I should be involved in so that I can have a successful career and life later on,” Meyler said.
These extrinsic motivations of grades and careers are internalized by students, leading them to what BC history professor Sylvia Sellers-Garcia calls unhealthy and unproductive motivations.
“There’s a kind of terror I have seen,” said Sellers-Garcia. “So [I’m] focusing as much as possible on helping students. Putting aside some of the more perilous motivations and treating learning seriously as one of the motivations is the best way to do one of the things that Boston College says at the school, which is to encourage a life of learning.”
At BC, however, grades are the standard method of evaluating course success. The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) believes the current
grading system can lead professors to justify themselves rather than provide meaningful feedback. To address the issue, they created a cohort of BC faculty to discuss ways of making grading more equitable.
The professors within the cohort come from various disciplines and departments at BC, combining a variety of different methods and goals when it comes to grading.
Sellers-Garcia is one of the professors in this cohort. She said she attempted to tackle this challenge by grading all of the assignments in one of her classes as either complete or incomplete.
“When you give someone a grade, they tend to focus on the grade rather than the learning,” said Sellers-Garcia. “We’re in the business of learning, or teaching. We should be focusing on the teaching rather than the grade giving.”
Grades should not come at the sacrifice of students’ mental health, Sellers-Garcia said. But unfortunately, the current system perpetuates this narrative, she added.
“I am not sure what we think grades are accomplishing that makes it worthwhile to induce that level of anxiety about them,” said Sellers-Garcia.
Though the current grading system is flawed, Sellers-Garcia said she doesn’t know of an alternative that could replace it—grades are the backbone of academic evaluation. She does believe, however, that it’s possible to create a world where students don’t base their self-worth off of something as simple as a grade.
“I think it will require a lot of changes,” Sellers-Garcia said. “When you grow up in a system that has grades, you come to accommodate it and find it totally normal and acceptable.”
Unlike Sellers-Garcia, history professor Eric Grube teaches history core
classes, which draw many students without prior interest in the humanities. For him, the challenge is to keep students engaged, but not strictly interested in grades, even when further learning in the subject is not required.
“[Core classes] do lead to a bit of a scattered audience, a diverse audience in terms of skill sets and level of engagement,” Grube said. “Grades are probably, generally, the motivating factors for the class. I would say freshmen are more likely to exhibit some more kind of curiosity.”
Grube said he has seen students show genuine interest in subjects like history, English, or philosophy, but feel they cannot pursue it beyond college because it will distract them from other lofty goals.
“It’s the fault of the creation of a perception of artificially high stakes for everything,” Grube said.
On the other hand, Grube said he has observed students who do not want to explore the core because of a strictly career-focused path.
“It makes sense, especially with the tuition,” said Grube. “But I think it’s a little sad because it kind of cuts out room for curiosity and exploration.”
While the humanities can allow more room for subjectivity in grading, STEM classes tend to have more specific grading systems, according to biology professor Babak Momeni.
Momeni said he notices his students put an unhealthy amount of pressure on themselves to get good grades, but within his area of teaching, there aren’t many unconventional ways to grade students that are still effective.
“It’s hard to design tests and evaluations that are both comprehensive and also in detail,” said Momeni of his microbiology exams.
For Momeni, the central conflict is
that education relies on extensive memorization, sometimes at the loss of true learning, but a system with less clear measures and focus on performance might come at the loss of motivation.
“I’m conflicted because there is this stress from the grading and they think truthfully that it will affect their future career,” said Momeni. “But the same stress is also the motivator for them to pay more attention to produce better results.”
Students looking to go to graduate schools face a particular amount of stress relating to undergraduate performance. When gauging their chances for post-graduate opportunities, grades are the key player in future opportunities.
“I find myself focusing on my grades more often considering I’m pre-health and want to go to optometry school,” said Noelle Bruce, MCAS ’25. “I think about this pretty often, especially as I’m heading into my senior year. Sometimes it’s productive but a lot of times it causes a ton of anxiety considering how unsure the future is.”
There is a culture of being “BC perfect” on the Heights, Sellers-Garica said, where BC students think they need certain grades, certain extracurricular activities, and certain job or grad school
opportunities after graduating.
“I think nobody’s perfect and everybody understands that,” Momeni said. “But I think the perception that there is an expectation from the students to be perfect. They think that’s realistic.”
Though the current pressure around grades is not healthy, Meyler and Greene both said it keeps them motivated. Professors, such as Sellers-Garcia, are then tasked with evaluating whether or not learning can exist without external motivations. Many students and professors would like to see a world where it can, Grube said.
“If the only motivation is that external validation of grades or professors’ kudos or a job or an internship once that’s achieved, the learning stops right there,” Grube said.
Sellers-Garcia said her main goal as a professor is to encourage students to enjoy learning, not stress about numerical measures of success. Though implementing this goal requires some creativity, Sellers-Garcia believes it is a good starting point.
“I don’t think it’s our job to produce workers for the economy,” said Sellers-Garcia. “I think my job as a teacher is to teach. It’s about learning. The economy can figure itself out later.” n
Barrett Creates Films to Inspire Social Change
By riley dAvis
Lizzy Barrett didn’t consider a film career until high school when she read an article covering war photographer Lynsey Addario.
“It was the first time I’d ever seen a woman behind a camera, not just doing family portraits or school and sports photos,” Barrett, BC ’19 and founder of Equity Media, said.
Barrett was struck by Addario’s ability to capture the stories of people in every corner of the world. She realized how many important stories there were to tell and how few people were sharing them.
“Who tells a story is so important,” Barrett said. “We need to make more room for other people to decide how stories are told and what they look like. If you don’t see someone like yourself doing it, it’s hard to imagine doing it yourself. I hope to be able to amplify those stories and amplify opportunities for people to do that.”
Growing up in upstate New York, Barrett said she was often sheltered by her privilege, but her dad’s research in agricultural economics and sustainability opened her eyes to the challenges other communities around the world were facing. That is when Barrett knew
she wanted to use her advantages to make a difference.
“I got to meet people from all over the world with very different life experiences to what I was witnessing in that small bubble,” Barrett said. “You don’t necessarily think that what you’re experiencing isn’t everyone else’s experience until you start to see it.”
Through Equity Media, Barrett said she is most interested in creating documentary films that highlight underrepresented voices. While Barrett loves connecting with new people, she said she particularly enjoys utilizing light and cinematography to make her films entertaining.
“I want to make it so visually engaging that someone wants to look at the film even if they might not be interested in the subject,” Barrett said.
Andy Marinkovich, director of photography at Just Jump Films, has worked on several projects with Barrett and said he is inspired by the thoughtfulness she puts into her work.
“Barrett is very curious and wants to dig in to understand the reason for what she is doing regardless if it is her project or helping out with others,” said Marinkovich. “She’ll go until she has nothing left.”
Marinkovich and Barrett also worked together on Barrett’s latest doc-
umentary, Divisible, a deep dive into redlining in Omaha, Neb. The concept for the film came to Barrett while driving through Omaha in the summer of 2020, contemplating different elements of social and racial injustice.
“I suggested redlining because I knew it had larger impacts, but I honestly didn’t even realize how much I didn’t know until I started researching about it,” Barrett said.
Barrett discovered that the impacts of redlining could be traced back to today’s city maps. This changed the way she looked at cities, Barrett said, as she realized these disparities were evident all across the country.
“The content that led to the creation of over 200 city maps and how they leverage redlining is so important to understanding disparities today,” Barrett said.
Barrett suddenly became concerned that redlining was rarely brought up in general conversations on inequity.
She concluded that if she didn’t understand redlining, it was likely most people struggled to understand it as well.
“It was a big red flag to me that this vital information was missing from my understanding of the world, my education, or even just general conversations
about inequity,” Barrett said.
When creating Divisible, Barrett hoped to make the film as collaborative as possible, especially considering she was originally unfamiliar with redlining. Schmeeka Grayer-Simpson, director of tours at The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, said she was compelled to join the Divisible Governing Board because of Barrett’s sincerity.
“Barrett was always willing to learn and willing to listen,” Simpson said. “She was never arrogant but rather apologetic and conscious of how she was trying to connect with a community she was not a part of.”
Calling the creation of Divisible a “two-way conversation,” Simpson appreciated Barrett’s personalization in the film’s development.
“Divisible is a testament to how Lizzy was raised and the outlook she was given,” Simpson said. “She was always open and willing to answer questions, even sharing about her own upbringing and people important to her. She came to the Governing Board every step of the way, from input on interviews and drone footage to the film’s compilation. The way she made sure we were involved in every step of the project kept us motivated and connected.”
Barrett’s transparency and vulnerability are evident in the conversational organization of Divisible’s 19 feature interviews.
“The way this film needed to be told was from the people with the lived experience and expertise,” Barrett said.
Barrett did most of the filming alone, managing the camera and conducting interviews. There were many times she felt discouraged while making the film, Barrett said, especially since she had never personally experienced the stories she was trying to share.
She found herself asking questions like, “How do I start to string together a narrative that bridges all of this history with current impacts? Do I have enough information to help me and others understand this? What vital pieces am I missing?”
Suggesting that facts alone don’t
help us understand a story, Barrett believes each interview helps the viewers empathize with others. Additionally, Barrett hopes the film prompts audiences to take personal responsibility in becoming advocates for change.
“To make changes we might not understand or realize can be daunting,” Barrett said. “But if everyone feels that way, there won’t be anyone who takes charge. If we all feel like it’s too big to tackle then it will be.”
Marinkovich said he is proud of how Barrett and the team’s work in Divisible calls audiences to advocacy.
“One thing I love about film is that it opens a door to engage in conversation in a place you might not have had otherwise,” Marinkovich said. “Lizzy made that possible through Divisible and helped create that ripple. She has the grassroots to advocate for awareness.”
According to Barrett, Divisible was positively received in its initial screenings, particularly in the Omaha area and the feature by the Boston College Communication department in February. To Barrett, however, success is more than just audience perception.
“[Divisible] has been a success for me personally, which was for people who are impacted and harmed by redlining firsthand to feel like their story is told,” Barrett said.
Grayer-Simpson, on the other hand, believes Barrett should take more credit for her work.
“She made a damn masterpiece and she doesn’t want to take credit,” Grayer-Simpson said. “It’s humility and restrained power. I remind her that taking credit for your work is not trying to elevate yourself. It speaks to your character and dedication.”
Barrett doesn’t plan to stop storytelling anytime soon. Equity Media is just beginning its journey as a catalyst for change, and Barrett is optimistic about what it can do to push society forward.
“I hope there’s more exciting things to come for Equity Media,” Barrett said. “Whatever it looks like, it’s going to include a genre of bettering the industry or issues we’re tackling.” n
For The Heights Barrett’s newest documentary, Divisible, takes a deep dive into the impacts of redlining in Omaha.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZZY BARRETT
Pressure surrounding grades keeps students from learning, Sellers-Garcia said.
OPINIONS
In Defense of BC Dining
I know, I know. Let me explain.
I’m no stranger to Boston College’s dining problems. As a first-semester freshman, I found myself with an empty dining account by November. The service’s issues become obvious the moment you can only afford chicken and two sides. What isn’t obvious, however, is this: Every college dining hall is bad. No, seriously. Ask your parents. Your siblings. Your friends who transferred here. The quality—and the cost—of college dining hall services across the United States is overwhelmingly subpar. The main difference between BC’s system and most others is that BC is transparent enough to show you the price tags on your (comparatively cheap) meals. And frankly, some of those meals are pretty good. Don’t believe me? Here goes nothing.
The base on-campus BC dining plan costs $32 per day. Students who use meal deals can afford three meals a day with this plan, but for most, this covers two meals. The sum cost of this plan each semester is $3,300—yikes. In contrast, many other colleges’ dining plans include all-you-can-eat “swipes” that allow for greater portions. Importantly, though, these typically cost more than BC dining.
While BC’s base residential meal plan is $3,300 per semester, BU’s equivalent is $3,420. Georgetown’s? $3,680. Emory’s?
$4,205. Northeastern’s? $4,300. Some schools, like Notre Dame and Harvard, do not disclose their up-to-date base meal plan cost structures on their websites. Still, based on public information, it appears BC has one of the lowest student dining costs of top US private universities. Our system may look expensive at the register, but that’s because the “swipe” systems of other colleges hide the high costs of their own meals. BC, at least, gives you the honest cost of each item.
You might argue that, regardless of cost, BC dining still does not fulfill the needs of students who need larger portions than their dining bucks allow. In reality, though, the leftover dining bucks of others always make up the difference.
When we complain about BC dining, we talk about students who end up with no money in the last weeks of school. Yet—exclusively during BC Dining complaint sessions—we ignore the many students with leftover dining bucks. Thanks to these Eagles, the last few weeks of each semester are cathartic. Random people pay for others’ meals (it’s not that hard, just ask), gym-goers chug Core Powers along the paths from the Plex, and underclassmen swap stacks of oatmeal raisin cookies and Fritos in a bizarre kumbaya experience. It’s a nice break from finals season stress. When May comes along, I can’t be the only one who looks upon Lower’s vacant shelves with joy, can I?
On top of the entertainment each May, I would argue BC has some high-quality dining options. I don’t adore every entree, but there are a few great ones alongside memorable add-ons—the steak and
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
cheese, the paninis, the Addie’s burritos, the cookies, the drinks, the snacks, the sticky rice, the breakfast potatoes, and plenty more.
As much as I sympathize with students who find strange things in their salads, these stories are anecdotal—and I’ve never personally had such an unforgivable experience. If you disagree, I encourage you to screenshot this column and post photos of your gross and/or criminal BC dining food while @ing me on your preferred social media.
On top of anecdotal quality concerns, I also concede that BC should do better for students with dietary restrictions. Many other college dining services face similar roadblocks.
One cannot discuss BC Dining without mentioning the workforce. I have not heard great things about the part-time student worker experience, but it’s hard not to like BC Dining’s policies for fulltime staff. BC pays workers living wages with good benefits, including retirement accounts and opportunities for free tuition. The service also hires equitably, providing jobs to first-generation immigrants and the recently rehabilitated.
As fun as it is to roast BC, our dining services get too much hate for what they offer: a decent variety of (comparatively) affordable meals, a wholesome fulltime workforce, and a fun last month of school.
To the disgruntled underclassman suffering from a low BC Dining balance, know that things could be worse. And, to BC Dining, I would happily accept a cash reward for defending your name.
Tommy
Guys, big news—this is my last first article.
That sentence alone already unnecessarily limits me. I’ve limited myself by narrowing my future to one where I won’t write any further. I’ve accepted the dire yet inevitable truth of growing up rather than embracing and enjoying that in this present moment, I still have a full freakin’ year left. I’ve even unknowingly undermined the next article I write because it won’t be “as special.”
Is my writing really going to stop here at The Heights ? I certainly hope not. There’s still so much more I want to write, say, and do, and I am sure my writing journey is not ending. The Heights was the first newspaper that gave me the opportunity to express my ideas and opinions on their platform, and for that I am grateful. But with all that being said, I’m a 21-year-old senior—not a senior citizen.
I find myself starting my final school year and its two remaining semesters. I
intend to fully embrace the 30 weeks or 210 days I have left. I am going to take each chance I have to enjoy the writing I do here, treating each new piece as another brick in my wall of accomplishments and appreciate the friends I’ve made along the way.
One year may seem like a limited timeframe, but given how long 40 days feel when you’ve given up cookies for Lent, 210 days is a long time.
On that note, since it’s long, why can’t I enjoy it? Fine, 75 percent of my time here is up. But, that leaves me 25 percent left. I have a few half-marathons under my belt, and do you know how much more difficult the last three miles are compared to the first 10? It’s a totally different ballgame. My mindset changes and you can say I’m more fatigued, or “washed-up,” at mile 10 than I am at mile three, but that still doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the ride.
Additionally, with this last-first mindset, every subsequent event feels negatively sloping. Instead, we should see these final stretches as an upward ride, ending on high notes rather than low ones. For instance, I still have, like, 10 more of these articles. Let’s not put so much pressure on me.
As a senior, I want to start the anti “last-first” campaign.
Why choose to restrict ourselves?
If you were going on a first date you wouldn’t tell your counterpart all of your red flags. That would be a weird way to
Stokes Set
Men I Trust took the stage on Saturday night to perform at BC’s annual Stokes Set. Though the concert drew in a more mellow crowd than years past, the band interacted with the audience and created a relaxing atmosphere for students to rewind after their first few weeks of class. Warm lighting and tranquil melodies flooded Stokes Lawn, bringing some much-needed calm to the typically bustling heart of campus. Though they were only here for a night, it was refreshing to finally see some men worth trusting make an appearance on the Heights.
Debate Night Parties
On Tuesday night, students gathered in off-campus houses and freshman dorms to watch the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. As part of the new “Debate Night Done Right” initiative, BC provided pizzas and voter registration resources to all students who registered their debate watch parties. With only two months until the election, let’s continue promoting political engagement on campus and encourage all students to play their part in democracy!
Abroad Envy
woo a person, and probably even more alarming if you actually wooed them from it since it’s just not the vibe of a first date and would throw off the dynamics before they start.
We need to discover things for ourselves—think for ourselves. Yes, it’s my last-first article, or my last-first day of class, or my last-first time I’ll be going out on a Thursday night, but do you see how ridiculous this gets? Where’s the time to appreciate these moments if I’m ruining them before they get going?
Can we focus on the positives? We’re lucky to all be back for one more year. We’re lucky to be back on campus not paying rent for a shoebox of a room. We’re lucky we have another year to think about what’s next and prepare for the future. We are oh-so lucky!
I feel grateful to be back. Sure, I’ve had to put in a lot of effort, but BC’s been great to me. I wouldn’t change a club, a friend, or even a falling out I’ve had here. Everything’s taught me something, and because of it, I’m choosing to enjoy my senior year rather than dread its unavoidable conclusion.
Think about it as your first-last. It brings so much more hope and leaves so much room for growth and opportunities in our final year. Saying this is my first-last article for The Heights just has a better ring to it.
The return to campus is an exciting time for reunions with roommates, but the jealousy is hitting hard for those with friends studying abroad this semester. Campus certainly feels empty without the friends who’ve been such pivotal parts of our BC experiences, and constantly opening Instagram to pictures from them isn’t making the adjustment easier. So to all the envious juniors, just remember that your friends will be back in a few short months. And underclassmen, now is the perfect time to start researching your dream destinations!
Midterm Season Has Arrived
The transition from summer to fall is rapidly approaching, signaling to students across campus that midterm season is upon us. The days of casual study sessions on the Quad are soon to be replaced with late night lock-ins at O’Neill. Midterm season feels neverending, and some students are already preparing for their first exam in just a few short days. So grab your favorite study partners, renew your Quizlet subscription, and break your highlighters out of hibernation—it’s time to get to work!
Tommy Roche
The Heights
GRAPHICS BY PARKER LEAF / HEIGHTS EDITORS
PaT connell
OPINIONS
Op-Ed: The Search for President Leahy’s Successor
The resignation of University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., tasks the University with finding a new leader for the first time in almost 30 years. However, the Board of Trustees made sure to swiftly indicate that it is likely to select another Jesuit to fill the role.
As Jesuit universities move away from Jesuit presidents, such a successor could be qualified for and effectively fill the role, but it is far too early to make such a statement and limitation, and The Heights rightly beat me in making that point.
Additionally, the statement from the University and Board indicated only a subset of the Board would be involved in the evaluation process, not even the full Board, which itself is arguably unrepresentative of the Boston College community anyway.
While UGBC is expected to be consulted, a process that includes students, faculty, and the surrounding communities must be described clearly. Including students in this process is a best practice, and universities that did not have experienced several consequences as a result.
BC has notably diverged from other Jesuit universities and the broader Catholic Church in recent years. The University has shut down student voices for decades and spurned the community time and time again.
It would behoove the Trustees to read The Heights and to understand the issues facing the University beyond fundraising. It would behoove the Trustees to engage with students beyond just a passing conversation or two with UGBC.
A student referendum on the selection of BC’s new president would empower a new leader and help them gain support from the student body. An unvetted and unpopular candidate would only widen the divide between student voices and administrative decision-making.
Leahy himself has garnered a reputation for his absence around campus, with students texting and posting when they see him due to its rarity. A university president with some sense of student approval would be a major improvement to the status quo.
While recent events on campuses across the country have caused many presidents and
trustees to close themselves off, it is necessary for all of them to take the time to look inward and conceive of new ways to bridge divides and engage in conversation. The selection of a new president only bolsters the need to turn away from insular thinking.
Additionally, the less “open” a presidential search is, the higher the likelihood for an abrupt presidential resignation. Therefore, if the trustees enjoyed Leahy’s legacy and lengthy tenure, it would still be in their best interest to avoid a “closed” search.
As radical as some of my ideas may seem for Boston College, they are not unprecedented or without instances of success elsewhere. The risks of failure are also not unique to BC, but we should pride ourselves on the additional obligations and morals perhaps not held by our peers.
I myself have faced my fair share of threats and consequences for trying to get the University to better fulfill its Jesuit, Catholic mission. Yet, I have seen positive change on our campus too, and I hope that the Board takes this opportunity to make BC stronger rather than running from change as it has in the past.
With BC’s reputation on the rise, even more can be done to foster an inclusive, open campus with a community that respects its leader as someone willing to engage students, not just the largest of donors.
Yes, Leahy oversaw and, in some cases, created impressive innovations at BC. As a proud attendee of Agape Latte and having engaged in the work of the Church in the 21st Century Center though, I recognize that he was not the sole contributor. Incredible people like Karen Kiefer and others have led at this school. Relatedly, some in Leahy’s orbit who have been here over the same period oversaw and were a part of awful things.
I once held a peaceful protest regarding climate change and was told by multiple administrators that I would face academic probation. I had classmates who wrote “climate change is real” in washable chalk on sidewalks be detained for hours by the Boston College Police Department.
I have watched the Pope call to divest from fossil fuels. I have watched him endorse
same-sex civil unions. I have watched him call for the necessity of labor unions. All for BC to say no, no, and no, and actively repress those who raise such issues. All under Leahy’s leadership and direction.
Many students of color, queer students, women, and countless student advocates— myself included—have faced greater marginalization on our campus than out in the real world. That is concerning. As other universities celebrate or even provide materials for protest, BC shuts dissent down.
Introducing additional or more complex structures will not solve all of our problems, but better governance should beget better outcomes. Greater inclusion of voices—simply having a seat at the table—reduces marginalization, even if only slightly.
BC’s trustees do not currently publish minutes of their meetings and have been known to meet off campus or in other cities like New York to be away from students. Further, there is no indication of efforts taken regarding the diversity of the trustees themselves.
We can do better, and I trust we will. Leahy may leave, but administrators remain on our campus who have said to me, “Climate change is not and will never be a priority at this University.” Trustees remain who are completely allied with Leahy.
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, the USA East Province of Jesuits, St. Ignatius Parish, and of course students,
Photo Gal lery
faculty, and the larger community must seek to make BC an even greater university, and I hope that they are given such an opportunity. It is incumbent on trustees and administrators to make that space and, further, on alumni like me to use our leverage—financial and otherwise— to get them to do the right thing.
In addition to The Heights’ call for a broad search beyond only Jesuits and for a president committed to transparency, I call for a concrete process of inclusion in the search with in-person and virtual forums for feedback from all stakeholders. I further call for this process to occur in conjunction with strengthened governance structures for students and faculty with two of each being elected to the Board of Trustees and the ability for students and faculty to give a vote of assent on an ultimate selection. These moves will foster inclusion and transparency and help BC on its journey to being an even greater and more recognized international university because we do already have incredible leaders on our campus—they just need an opportunity to speak.
The inevitable critics who claim this is “too much work” or will not bring about the value described have no understanding of a university’s role in our community and society nor its effect on individuals, and as a result, have no business being involved in university affairs.
Kyle RosenThal
Rosenthal is a Boston College alumnus and a member of the Class of 2021.
ARTS
Men I Trust’s Dreamy Sound Welcomes Fall
A mix of crowd-pleasing hits like “Firework” and “Mr. Brightside” elevated the crowd’s energy, creating an atmosphere of anticipation as the sun set over Lower Campus. DJ Frank succeeded in delivering an opening of music and community for BC students by providing tunes for both energetic and laid-back enjoyment.
Men I Trust took to the stage at 7 p.m., kicking the show off with its hit single “Tailwhip.” As the Stokes Set light beams illuminated
the side of Stokes South, the concert’s atmosphere shifted into an entrancing vibe.
Lead singer Emma Proulx engaged the crowd with her vocals, and her natural charm shone through the performance as she took time between songs to chat with BC students.
“Are you guys all studying different things?” Proulx asked.
“That’s amazing.” The adoration for Proulx from students was clear, as they repeatedly called out Proulx’s name between songs. Students shouted,
“I love you, Emma” as Proulx was speaking.
The band’s laid-back demeanor and Proulx’s charisma made Stokes Set feel personal, as if the band was playing for a group of close friends rather than a crowd of students. It was clear that Men I Trust knew how to effortlessly keep the crowd captivated.
Men I Trust’s talent did not go unnoticed. Jessy Caron, the band’s guitarist, took the spotlight several times throughout the night as he captivated the crowd with intricate and extended solos.
Another standout moment came when Men I Trust performed an extended medley of its songs, flawlessly transitioning between tunes with perfectly timed beat switches. Men I Trust’s BC showcase came just before the band embarks on the final stretch of their 2024 concerts, which gives BC students a unique opportunity to experience the band’s creativity before Men I Trust wraps up their busy year.
As the night came to a close, Men I Trust concluded its performance with the upbeat track
“Billie Toppy,” sending the crowd into a final frenzy of applause. The audience was on its feet, cheering and sending heart-hands, clearly moved by the band’s soothing and lively energy.
For many BC students, this year’s Stokes Set seemed to be a much-needed break from the bustle of the start of the semester.
As the music faded and the night drew to an end, it was clear that Men I Trust’s performance had left a lasting impression on the student audience—a perfect way to welcome the new school year at BC. n
Beabadoobee Returns to Boston with Edge and Grit
B y t A risA V Ath A nA kul
Heights Staff
Three drum beats and a sudden energetic guitar riff kickstarted the
This Is How Tomorrow Moves concert, strikingly introducing indie artist beabadoobee at MGM Music Hall on Friday.
The star singer opened her show with “California,” the second track from her new album. The music filled the hall with energy, setting in motion the theme and vibe of the night.
As she stood center stage with white curtains surrounding the backstage area, the spotlight was only on her. With a simple purple cardigan and jeans on, she still managed to capture the attention of the entire crowd. She perfectly created a wholesome, yet vibrant scene.
Beabadoobee greeted the audience with her soft, airy voice, welcoming fans to her long-awaited tour.
Before she claimed the stage,
the show’s openers, Hovvdy and Keni Titus, pleased the crowd with their own discography. With Titus’ sad-girl mellow tunes and Hovvdy’s quirky take on indie rock, their songs readied the audience for the main artist.
This Is How Tomorrow Moves follows the artist’s narrative of her maturity and growth, mirroring her fresh and unique presence on stage.
When “Charlie Brown” played, a commemoration of her past teenage angst, red light beamed throughout the stage and the mood shifted from a romantic, soft-girl aesthetic to an Avril Lavigne — style punk setlist.
Although beabadoobee mixed in her old tracks from Beatopia and Fake It Flowers, she established her mature persona on this tour and album.
As the mood shifted to a more romantic, sentimental ambiance, the crowd swayed in unison, falling for her ethereal siren voice.
The artist exclaimed, “This song is for my boyfriend,” and
strummed to “Ever Seen,” a track with a catchy tune and cutesy lyrics.
“I can’t lie, he has the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen,” she sang sweetly.
Beabadoobee’s discography consists of simple, yet endearing metaphors of young adulthood and relationships. She reminisces about the happiness of her childhood fantasy in the Beatopia songs and empathizes with teenagers’ eccentricity and peculiarity in her breakout single, “She Plays Bass.”
The stage set initially seemed basic and simple with a white curtain and abstract lights shining on the screen. But when the harmonious climax of “Beaches” blared through the speaker, the curtains dropped, displaying luscious green decorations of leaves and lights.
The concert would not be complete without beabadoobee’s earlier classics, “Coffee” and “Glue Song.”
“This song’s for you,” she professed before strumming to “Glue Song.” A fan favorite, the audience belted loudly along with her.
“I guess I’m stuck forever by the glue, oh, and you,” she sang, promising her attachment and fondness to her fans.
After returning for her encore set, she sang her heart out to “Coming Home”, “the way things go,” and
concluded the show with “See you Soon.”
Beabadoobee created an atmosphere of togetherness while showcasing her cool-girl persona and the fresh tracks of This Is How Tomorrow Moves n
Fall Fashion 2024: What Are Eagles Wearing?
By Angeliki ktoridi Heights Staff
As we move into fall, the topic of back-to-school outfits has definitely been a point of interest. Whether it be students or faculty, I can’t help but wonder: What are people wearing on campus? What are some popular fall trends? How are students transition-
ing from summer to fall?
As fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw once said, “Life is too short to wear boring clothes,” and Boston College students have definitely lived up to that standard.
Summer 2024 was a defining summer for fashion, and I think it’s safe to say some trends are officially here to stay as we make our way into fall. I’ve noticed the way summer trends have influenced everyday college looks, including athleisure from Challengers or bright colors from Charli XCX’s brat.
So far, it’s been a Stockholm-style fall. Blending elements of minimalism, functionality, and sophistication, this style emphasizes comfort and aesthetics.
Stockholm fashion promotes versatility, and that’s exactly what we need as college students: pieces that can be worn in different settings and adapted for both casual and semi-formal occasions. This can be seen in light-wash jeans, white shoes, and more that students have been wearing.
To start, Stockholm fashion has brought back a mélange of cute outfits: it’s a ’90s influence! The ’90s have definitely made a comeback during the past few years and we can see aspects of that in the “clean girl” aesthetic: a slick back bun, boyfriend jeans, and cool sneakers or black sandals. It’s all very reminiscent of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Browns, blacks, and grays have also been popular over the past few years. Whether it’s a basic tee from Brandy, an Aritzia sculpt top, or pants from Hollister, a good basic is perfect for an outfit base. Gap also sells basics for a friendly price to college students.
Even though the mood of summer is still here, fall fashion staples such as long sleeves, sweatshirts, and more have already crept into fashion life at BC. Although the sun’s still out, the Boston wind has come back and we can definitely see that as we shift from building to building around campus. Off-the-shoulder sweaters and cardigans make you feel like you’re straight out of a Coppola film while ensuring that you’re nice and warm in the chillier classroom air. Popular colors so far are grays, browns, and blacks, many of which can be found on Frankies Bikinis or Peppermayo. Although these timeless outfits have been revived lately, BC students haven’t been shy with adding colorful elements. Red as a statement piece is always the way to go: a red hair clip, red shoes, or even jewelry with red aspects shows that the shade is the color of the season.
MATTHEW MAO AND SHANE SHEBEST / HEIGHTS STAFF
On Saturday night, Canadian indie band Men I Trust delivered a soothing and captivating performance for a small but eager crowd of BC students on Stokes Lawn.
JULES MOSKOVTCHE / FOR THE HEIGHTS
Beabadoobee performed at MGM Music Hall on Friday night.
Stokes Set, from A1
SPORTS
Tigers Take Down BC
O’Brien’s sentiment certainly rang true, as BC had a chance to halt Missouri’s final drive, down by six points, with 3:45 left to play. On the Eagles’ previous offensive drive, Castellanos unleashed a 38-yard dart to tight end Kamari Morales for a touchdown, rekindling some fire on the BC sideline. All it needed was another stop.
The Tigers, however, converted on two third-down situations in the waning minutes, shutting the door on the Eagles with an 11-yard pass to elite NFL prospect Luther Burden
III and a six-yard scramble by Cook.
“If we stop them on that secondto-last third down, we’ve got a shot to get the ball back, and you never know what’s gonna happen,” O’Brien said. “Shoulda, coulda, woulda, no doubt about it, but I think we have a lot to build on here.”
Castellanos came into the matchup with six touchdown passes on only 26 attempts in his first two outings—one of just seven FBS quarterbacks with those marks and no interceptions. It didn’t take him long to deliver the first score of the game.
After a personal foul on Missouri’s Toriano Pride Jr. gave the Eagles a first down on the Tigers’ 35-yard line, BC capitalized on the mistake.
Castellanos looked like an escape artist on 3rd-and-10 from Missouri’s 18-yard line, dodging a pair of pass rushers to gain six yards through the air. With three yards to go on fourth down, BC offensive coordinator Will Lawing chose to keep his offense on the field.
BC’s signal-caller took his time in the pocket and located Jerand Bradley cutting to the right on a deep out route.
Bradley made the contested catch for his first touchdown reception as an Eagle, and Luca Lombardo drilled the extra point, hushing the Missouri faithful at Faurot Field. The drive lasted over seven minutes.
Despite surrendering a 38-yard field goal to the Tigers, the first quarter ended in favor of the Eagles, 7–3, with BC leading in total yards 83–60 and time of possession 10:18–4:42.
The 67-yard touchdown throw appeared to put the Eagles in the driver’s seat, but costly interceptions on long balls made the difference. When assessing his performance, Castellanos wasn’t pleased.
“Terrible,” Castellanos said. “Really terrible. If I would’ve played
better, we would’ve won.”
Cook, meanwhile, orchestrated Missouri’s offense like a veteran, doing just enough to put his exceptional receiver corps in a position to make plays, notably Burden. Burden made several short catches resulting in gains of 30-plus yards in the second half. He tallied 117 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches, and eight Tigers registered at least one catch.
Cook’s six-yard rushing touchdown with 10:31 left in the third quarter, and Craig’s 31-yard field goal with 5:58 left in the fourth—his third of the game—put the matchup just out of reach.
“Obviously, we’re never going to be okay with losing,” Donovan Ezeiruaku, who notched a sack and six tackles, said.
The Eagles remained relatively undeterred by the loss and maintain a strong belief in the program’s aspirations this year.
“We know that we can play with the best of them in the country,” Ezeiruaku said. “We are one of the best in the country.” n
Notebook: Defensive Woes, Castellanos’ Struggles
By SouraBh Gokarn Deputy Managing Editor
Three seasons ago, Boston College football knocked off Missouri in a 41–34 overtime thriller, pushing the Eagles to 4–0 and the Tigers down to 2–2. BC only added two more wins the rest of the season, but as students stormed the field following Brandon Sebastian’s game-sealing interception, the energy in Chestnut Hill couldn’t have been higher.
On Saturday, the two teams faced off again, this time in Columbia, Mo., before an entirely different level of national attention. In the latest iteration of the ACC-SEC matchup, both teams found themselves inside the country’s top 25 and as contenders in their respective conferences. As the day’s only ranked matchup, freshly ranked No. 24 BC and No. 6 Missouri produced a game worthy of that recognition, with the Eagles falling by a final score of 27–21.
Despite BC dropping this round, the program stands far better equipped for a successful season than it did after its 2021 win.
Here are three observations from the Eagles’ loss.
Tommy’s Troubles
BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos entered Saturday’s game with six quarters of nearly flawless football under his belt. Two games into the 2024 campaign, Castellanos had compiled 340 total yards and six touchdowns, with only seven incompletions.
Against arguably the stron -
gest opponent he’s ever faced, Castellanos built on that success to begin the game. From the first play of the game, Castellanos tested the Tigers’ defense with his legs while taking the simple plays through the air. He did more than the little things, as well.
Minutes into the second quarter, Cas tellanos turned a near-calamitous fum bled snap into a 67-yard touchdown, a 14–3 Eagles lead, and a big red warning sign for the Tigers. But from there, Cas tellanos’ impeccable re cord crumbled.
On the drive after his miracle touchdown, Cas tellanos tried to squeeze a ball between double coverage to Reed Harris. Instead, the ball found the Tigers’ Tre’Vez Johnson’s hands—a game-changing error. Missouri set up shop at the Eagles’ 25-yard line and quickly made BC pay for its mistake with an easy Luther Bur den III touchdown.
to another easy pick. Despite an overall respectable stat line, Cas -
Early in the fourth quarter, Castellanos tried another desperation heave, this time leading
Wide Open Spaces
Armed with a stable of star skill players, Missouri represented an aerial threat unlike any BC has seen this season. Burden promises
to be an early first-round NFL draft pick. Wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. is a dynamic deep threat. And dual-threat quarterback Brady Cook is one of the SEC’s more experienced signal-callers. Instead of finding success in the air, the Tigers had their way on the ground against a BC defensive unit that entered the game ranked seventh in the FBS in rush defense. From his very first carry, Missouri running back Nate Noel carved through the Eagles’ front. The sight of Noel ripping off chunk gains grew ominously familiar for BC fans by the game’s conclusion. The Tigers outrushed the Eagles 176–49, led by 121 yards and 5.5 yards-per-carry from With Missouri’s run game igniting its offense, Cook and Burden eventually found a steady
The pair connected on a 44-yard completion and 19-yard touchdown to tie the game in the sec-
As a whole, the Tigers consistently found open grass and eluded BC defenders, outgaining BC 440–298—the disparity that made the difference for the Tigers on Saturday.
The Eagles’ Arrival
It’s never fun to lose, but it’s especially painful to just miss out
on a program-altering victory.
But from the first snap, it couldn’t have been more obvious that this isn’t the same BC of previous years. The Eagles set the tone right from the jump, executing a methodical, 7:29-minute long drive to near perfection. BC controlled the line of scrimmage and played disciplined, benefitting with an opening score and an early 7–0 lead.
Unlike in past years, the Eagles came ready to play on the national stage.
BC eventually succumbed to the Tigers’ overwhelming collection of talent but remained disciplined and true to their identity.
The Eagles committed only five penalties, continuing its early-season stretch of clean football—a marked departure from former head coach Jeff Hafley’s teams. While BC has lost its top-25 status, the Eagles firmly belong in the national conversation.
Moral victories don’t exist in sports, but through their first three games, a winning formula has emerged for the Eagles. Mix in a relatively light remaining schedule, and a path to conference contention has also materialized for BC.
Last year, Castellanos issued a bold proclamation: “Boston College football is back.”
This year, he’s shied away from such bravado, instead displaying a Patriots-esque message discipline.
The Eagles’ early season performance has done the talking for them: BC is back. n
GRAPHIC BY BROOKE GHALY / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Boston College
Mizzou 21 27
CHRIS TICAS / HEIGHTS EDITOR
The Eagles’ loss to Mizzou marks its first of the 2024 season.
CHRIS TICAS / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Early Goals Propel BC to 3–1 Win Over Friars
By MaRia StefanoudakiS Asst. Sports Editor
Coming off a 4–2 win over Maine on Friday, No. 14 Boston College field hockey picked up right where it left off offensively.
The Eagles scored goals within the first five minutes of both the first and second halves of its Sunday afternoon game against Providence, catapulting the Eagles to a 2–0 lead headed into the final quarter.
Despite a late-game score from the Friars in the final two minutes, a third goal from BC (4–2) solidified a 3–1 win over Providence (3–3).
Just like in Friday’s win, three players tallied goals in the Eagles’ domination of Providence.
But BC’s offense didn’t jell all on its own.
Rather, it received quite a bit of help from the Friars as penalties played a central role in the game.
Two of the Eagles’ three goals came off penalty situations—one on
a penalty stroke goal and another on a penalty corner situation.
The penalty stroke goal came from Peyton Hale as she collected her fourth goal of the season and put the Eagles ahead for the first time 5:08 into the game.
The Eagles got off three more shots before halftime, none of which hit the mark.
But 1:19 into the second half, Pia Serowik redirected a cross from Mia Garber into the back of the cage, doubling BC’s lead.
Despite six shots—four of which were on goal—in the third quarter alone, Serowik’s was the only goal the Eagles could muster in the period as Providence recorded three saves.
Providence goaltender Asia Porter’s breakdowns primarily came following penalties on the Friars, making it difficult to stop BC’s offense.
With about five minutes left in the game, the Eagles got on the board for the third and last time when BC got a chance at a score following a penalty on the Friars.
Madelieve Drion took the penalty
corner and got the ball to Martina Giacchino, who sent a pass to Yani Zhong.
Zhong completed the play, putting the Eagles up 3–0.
The Eagles had the advantage on corners overall, completing four compared to the Friars’ one.
Giacchino, Drion, Zhong, and
Hale all tallied two shots in BC’s win, and Hale and Serowik each shot two of their attempts on goal.
Drion and Giacchino also picked up an assist each.
Meanwhile, sophomore Charlotte Kramer stayed strong at goalkeeper for BC with the help of her defense, tallying two saves and coming within
inches of a shutout.
BC’s defense only broke down with just over a minute remaining, when Celia Preveza received a cross from Bella DelNegro and finally got the Friars on the board.
The goal came far too late for a chance at a win, but helped Providence avoid a shutout. n
SMU Inches Past BC in 1–0 Defeat
By Colin Rutledge For The Heights
As Boston College women’s soccer and SMU stood at a standstill in a high-stakes conference matchup, SMU’s Mackenzie Rudden broke the silence with a header to end a chaotic penalty shot.
The Eagles, fresh off a tie with
Notre Dame in their first conference match, looked for their first ACC win this year and their first ACC road win since 2021.
In the baking sun of Dallas, Texas, the Eagles appeared tired for the majority of the game.
Almost immediately, BC was defending in its own half.
On their back heels, a goal seemed inevitable.
As SMU glided down the left
sideline following a defensive breakdown, SMU’s freshman Liz Eddy ran into the box to receive a cross.
She spun counterclockwise after gathering the cross and took a fiery shot in the bottom right corner, only for Wiebke Willebrandt, BC’s goalkeeper, to make a last-ditch save with her right leg. Even then, SMU kept the pressure on the Eagles.
BC (7–2–1, 0–1–1 Atlantic Coast) fell to conference opponent
SMU (6–3–0, 2–0) 1–0 on Sunday after a penalty shot sequence led to a header by Rudden.
Willebrandt made saves all game long, but the penalty shot was too targeted for her to have a chance to field.
In a lengthy review, officials concluded Sophia Lowenberg committed a foul on the line of the box, meaning a penalty kick instead of the formerly ruled free kick.
Truth Byars lined up for her penalty routine, eyed the goalie, and smoked a shot off the crossbar.
What should have been a lucky break for the Eagles turned into a disaster, as they were a step too slow, and the ball bounced right to Rudden for an easy header. Willebrandt had already dove the other way, leaving her no chance.
SMU seemed to gain even more confidence in its attack after the goal, as the Mustangs barely missed a potentially dangerous cross only two minutes after.
After a defensive half, BC found itself needing a goal in the remaining 40 minutes.
After the goal, BC played much more aggressively, and the two teams traded dangerous attacks.
Finally, SMU committed fully to its defense, shutting down anything BC tried to muster.
Although BC found some chances—like a late-game free kick—none came close to a goal, with the Eagles unable to find the back of the net as the clock hit triple zeroes. n
Eagles Finish Weekend 1–2 in Classic City Clash
By ChaRlie davidow Heights Staff
Boston College volleyball traveled to Athens, Ga., this weekend to play three games in the Bulldog Classic, hosted by Georgia. On Friday night, the Eagles (6–2) squared off against the Bulldogs (4–3) in their second game of the tournament, falling 3–1.
The Eagles got off to a slow start Friday night, dropping the first set by a score of 25–9 as they adjusted to a strong Georgia attack.
“We couldn’t handle the serve, I think we got overwhelmed by the physicality part of it,” BC head coach Jason Kennedy said following the loss.
“I think it was probably the best serving team we’ve faced all year and it took us
a set and a half to really settle into it.”
Serving proved to be a difference in this game, as the Bulldogs had eight aces compared to the Eagles’ two. The difference in errors was also noticeable, at least early, as the Eagles opened the game with 11 attacking errors and two service errors in the first set, whereas the Bulldogs had just three attacking errors.
“The passing wasn’t quite where we needed it to be right off the bat, but as the match went on it got a little bit cleaner and we were able to do a little bit more of what we wanted,” Kennedy said.
The Eagles began to find traces of their game, rallying to take a 10–7 lead in the second set. Following a stretch of back and forth play, however, the Bulldogs took a 21–17 lead that the Eagles could not close, losing 25–21. Down 2–0, it looked like the Eagles were bound to get swept in the third, falling behind by three points early, which became a theme of the third set.
The Eagles found themselves down
by three or more points six separate times in the third, even trailing 20–18 and 22–20 late, but found ways to rally back every time, eventually stealing set three by a score of 26–24.
This was thanks in part to the clutch play of senior middle blocker and opposite hitter Julia Haggerty and sophomore outside hitter Audrey Ross.
“I thought Julia Haggerty was great, she was up against one of the best middles in the country in Sophie Fischer who was named SEC Player of the Year last year … and [Haggerty] was phenomenal,” Kennedy said. “She was 12–1–20 and hit a .550 percent, which anytime you get a middle that can get you three kills a set and hit a .550 percent, she’s doing something right.”
Haggerty finished the game as the Eagles’ leader in kills and hitting percentage.
Following the resilient victory in the third set, it looked as though the Eagles were gonna make the game an interesting one. After falling behind
8–3, the Eagles responded with a 9–3 run of their own to take a lead midway through the fourth set.
“In sets three and four I thought we played a much cleaner game,” Kennedy said. “We hit for a pretty good percentage and I think we were pretty effective in what we were trying to do.”
Georgia, however, would unleash its formidable attack once again.
A service ace from Bianna Muoneke put the Bulldogs up 22–16, earning them a six-point cushion that the Eagles could not claw back from, despite a late effort.
A 25–20 final in the fourth set ended the game, with Georgia winning three sets to one.
“I wish we could turn around and play this next match right now to be honest, I felt we were finally in a rhythm,” Kennedy said. “We’ve found a little bit of a groove here in this building and hopefully we can continue that tomorrow.”
Unfortunately for the Eagles, they
did not regain their groove Saturday afternoon, as they were swept 3–0 by Utah Valley (7–2). The scores for each set were 25–14, 25–22, and 25–21, respectively.
Ross notched nine kills, adding to her team-leading 107 on the season. Fellow outside hitter Halle Schroder isn’t far behind though, whose match-leading 15 kills against Utah Valley brought her total to 105.
Before playing the Bulldogs Friday night, the Eagles started the weekend off with a win in Friday morning’s game against Jacksonville (3–6), taking the match by a score of 3–1. BC took contested first and fourth sets 25–23, and dominated the third set 25–11.
The Eagles played a much cleaner game than the Dolphins, having 17 errors compared to Jacksonville’s 31, and out-blocked the Dolphins 17–6. Schroder had another dominant game, leading the way with 16 of the Eagles’ 53 kills and senior setter Jane Petrie posted a season-high 23 assists. n
PAUL CRIADO / HEIGHTS STAFF
In the Eagles’ game against SMU, BC tallied nine shots—with none of them ending in a goal.
Boston College
EMILY AHERN / HEIGHTS EDITOR
In the Eagles’ matchup against Providence, BC had a different goal-scorer for each goal scored.