EDITORA DE NOTICIAS | ALYSSA SALCEDO ASESORA | LAURA RODRIGUEZ PRESA LARODRIGUEZ@CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
CAMPUS CRIME REPORT
LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS
Jan. 15 - Jan. 21, 2025
LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS
Drug & Alcohol Assault & Theft Other
Lincoln Park Campus Crimes: Jan. 17
1) A Criminal Damage to Property report was filed for materials posted on an emergency callbox near Arts & Letters.
Jan. 18
2) An Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a minor report was filed in Seton Hall.
Jan. 20
3) A Criminal Trespass report was filed in Ozanam Hall.
LOOP CAMPUS
LOOP CAMPUS
Loop Campus Crimes:
No crime reports were filed during this time period on the Loop Campus.
Two hours with the Proud Boys at Trump’s inauguration
By Lucia Preziosi Editor-in-Chief
Tory Sletten has been in Washington, D.C., four times after what he calls the “stolen election” in 2020. Making the trek to the nation’s capital from Tampa, Florida, to see President Donald Trump’s inauguration was a priority for the supporter.
Sletten was one of dozens who took to the streets on Inauguration Day with the rightwing extremist group, the Proud Boys.
Four years after the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol, the group the Proud Boys took back to the streets in their yellow and black trademark colors, despite below freezing temperatures in Washington.
While Trump went about swearing-in procedures inside the Capital One Arena, the Proud Boys came out en masse to broadcast Trump’s remarks on their megaphones as they continued marching around the city.
Sletten, like many Proud Boys, said he participated eagerly in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
But unlike others who consider the event a violent attack on the democratic process, Sletten sees arrests that resulted as a “setup by the FBI and the CIA to cover up a stolen election.”
As of Monday night, Trump issued widespread pardons for over 1,500 of his supporters charged with crimes in relation to Jan. 6. That included the former leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, who was serving a 22year sentence.
Jan. 20, 2025, ushered in a second Trump
presidency, with supporters, such as the Proud Boys, calling upon specific issues to explain their unwavering support of the president.
Sletten said a top issue is the nation’s southern border with Mexico.
“(The migrants) know Papa Trump is coming to town and we need it…it’s so obvious what they have done to the American people,” Sletten said.
Sletten believes that this is what “woke a lot of people up” to the issues he sees with the Democratic party.
“They’re like, scratching their heads down in the inner city of Chicago or New York, and saying, ‘Where are our resources going? It’s going for the immigrants,” Sletten said.
Trump has often called out Chicago for their standing as a “sanctuary city” and reports that have been released in recent days show that Trump plans to begin mass deportations in Chicago.
On Monday, Trump also declared a national emergency at the Southern border.
While Proud Boys and other right-wing groups congregated in D.C. for what they saw as a celebratory day, protestors took to the streets of Chicago, vowing to resist Donald Trump and his promise to hunt down and deport undocumented immigrants in Cook County and beyond.
Sletten wasn’t the only supporter at the Proud Boys rally who complained that immigrants are depleting resources throughout the country.
Jason Serena, 21, and his brother, Dylan Serena, 26, traveled from the Pittsburgh area to attend the various festivities on Inauguration Day.
The brothers’ father owns a construction company. They said his company refuses to hire “illegal immigrants,” claiming that “other companies” in their area do the same.
The Serena brothers also expressed anger that migrants receive what they believe to be hotel rooms, apartments, food stamps, cell phones and “millions of dollars from the federal government.”
Undocumented people who enter the U.S. are not eligible for federal assistance. Those who qualify for refugee status or are officially granted asylum receive cash assistance solely related to their initial resettlement, according to the AP.
Many of the men in this group communicated that they worried about the many Americans experiencing homelessness. They said they are hopeful that President Trump will alleviate this issue with his second term in office.
With chants, including “stand back and stand by” and their well-known hand signal, which looks something like an “OK” sign, the extremist group firmly asserted their unwavering support for the new president.
Even so, some Trump supporters conceded that the situation may not be as black and white as Trump and other politicians make it out to be.
Jack Ancona, who spent his Inauguration Day in front of Capital One Arena and was not part of the Proud Boys group, said calls for “mass deportations” were unrealistic.
“I think we have more important fights to take on and not worry about all of that,” Ancona said. “If (immigrants) are willing to work hard, be a good American and love the flag, I’m good with those people.”
The new Trump administration has already begun fulfilling their promises regarding the Southern border. Just after being sworn in, the CBP One app which helps migrants enter the United States with eligibility to work was shut down.
Even Sletten, the Jan. 6 attendee, said he understands why people cross the southern border.
“It’s not their fault…,” he said. “We probably would make the journey ourselves.”
While some showed a concrete view on immigration, other Trump supporters attending Inauguration Day festivities, including Marty Wilson from Louisville, Kentucky, expressed appreciation for the immigrants in their circles.
Wilson works in the Louisville school system, where he said he’s surrounded by Hispanic coworkers.
“A lot of the people that do come to this country are very hard-working people,” said Wilson, who wore a red Make America Great Again hat. “There’s a lot of hard working people coming into this country, and they deserve a chance too.”
Members of The Proud Boys stand dressed in matching jackets as they gather on Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Chanting and marching, members of the group gathered alongside other Republicans in D.C. to show their support for President Donald Trump.
LINA GEBHARDT | THE DEPAULIA
The faces behind the booths: Inauguration Day vendors crowd the streets
By LiLi Jarvenpa and Kit Wiberg City News Editor & Director of Photography and Multimedia
Fred Basserman pushed his merch cart against the cold wind, sporting one of his own hats to keep his red nose warm. Loaded with Trump-themed hats, pins, flags and magnets, he moved down the streets of Washington, D.C., during Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Basserman has been a merch vendor for 30 years, traveling around the country to sell various items.
“It is like a sport to us, too. It’s definitely a competition between me and my friend … We’ve been doing it forever,” Basserman, who is originally from Connecticut, said.
Trump’s presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 attracted excited crowds looking to celebrate and show their support, the perfect customers for vendors.
The vendors themselves may be focused more on selling than their own political views, but they proudly wear the merch displayed on their carts and tables.
Many vendors arrived early to secure a good spot, with several people setting up hours before the festivities began and staying late into the night.
Kelly Azeredo, a merch vendor from Massachusetts, arrived at 8 a.m. to find a parking spot. Azerado has sold merchandise across the United States with her company, which was not disclosed. Azerado did not seem thrilled to be out in the biting cold winds amongst competitors.
Selling at events, like the inauguration, has proven to be very lucrative for some vendors.
Basserman came to Trump’s inauguration in 2017 and had sold all of his items by 9 a.m.
“I just stumbled into a spot and then people just swarmed me,” Basserman said. “And there was no
While some workers base their entire career on street vending, for others, vending is a secondary job. Basserman works construction during the week but chose to take time off to sell during the inauguration.
other guys here doing it.”
He said there are more people selling merch on Monday than at the last inauguration, so there is more competition, as vendors earn a com -
mission from the merch they sell.
One of Basserman’s friends sold merch at the Jan. 6 insurrection, and made enough money for Basserman to worry that he would not make
A vendor organizes his cart of merchandise before taking off to find another location on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. There were hundreds of vendors present for Inauguration Day, crowding the streets and sidewalks.
KIT WIBERG | THE DEPAULIA
KIT WIBERG | THE DEPAULIA
Fred Basserman stands in front of his cart during Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Basserman, originally from Connecticut, has been a merch vendor for 30 years and made a lot of money at Trump’s last inauguration. “This is a good day. And it’s history, this is definitely history,” Basserman said.
enough sales on Monday. But by 11 a.m., he said he was already happy with his commission for the day.
The inauguration brought in vendors, merchants and volunteers alike.
Brenda Malca came from North Carolina to volunteer to distribute “The Great Controversy” by Ellen G. White, a Seventh Day Adventist book promoting rediscovery through Christianity.
A Facebook page called GC 2 DC posted a video on Dec. 19 sharing their ambitions to hand out the books to the hundreds of thousands of people who “desperately need to know the truth” because the world is “on the verge of a stupendous crisis.”
Malca has traveled around the world volunteering to hand out “The Great Controversy,” promoting their mission. She was one of hundreds of volunteers that were crowding the streets of D.C., handing out the book for free to anyone that was passing by.
“I had been in Spain, I have been in Panama and Colombia and a lot of London,” Malca said. “Just giving these books because we think it’s very important that people read it.”
Vendors were able to sell and hand out items to the thousands of people who came to see Trump being sworn in, as viewers walked past the streets near Capital One Arena.
There were stretches of streets so congested with competing vendors and tables filled with Trump merch that the moving crowd had almost no choice but to glance at the various choices, causing the foot traffic to slow progress being made throughout D.C. This made it that much easier for merchants to shout about their wares and make their profits.
Basserman was not expecting many people to come to D.C. given the changes in the inaugural plan, but he was happy that people showed up and he was able to sell merch and profit from the day’s events.
“This is a good day. And it’s history, this is definitely history,” Basserman said.
QUENTIN BLAIS | THE DEPAULIA
Trump supporters stand in the window of a restaurant near the White House to watch the inauguration parade on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Due to cold weather, most inaugural events were moved to indoor venues.
Opinions
The culT of MAGA coMMerciAlisM
By Rose O’Keeffe Content Managing Editor
We’re all familiar with the “Make America Great Again” hats made famous nearly 10 years ago during Donald Trump’s first successful bid for president. But what about graphic T-shirts with an image of Trump riding an elephant captioned “Daddy’s home?” What about boxy baseball caps that say “I voted for the convicted felon?”
Trump supporters made themselves known throughout Washington, D.C., on inauguration week in, shall we say, eye-catching apparel.
At any given moment, I felt like I was witnessing the aftermath of a Trump rally, crossed with a Super Bowl, crossed with Walmart in rural Wisconsin on Black Friday.
Don’t get me wrong. I also saw some tasteful peacoats and khaki trousers. I paid silent respect to a spattering of stylish fur coats on the streets of D.C. But I was struck by the gaudy, very commercialized Trump memorabilia being worn and sold throughout the city.
As I saw so much red, it dawned on me that Trump is a brand in the way that previous commanders in chief were not. I mean, I’ve never seen anyone wearing a T-shirt of George W. Bush captioned “Fool me once.”
The Trump branding in Washington last weekend did not begin or end with clothing.
I saw grown men with their faces painted red, adorned with cardboard cutouts of Trump’s stank face on the back of their heads.
I saw children with Trump flags, not American flags, draped around them.
I saw indoctrination through drip.
Scott Bedbury, Nike’s former advertising director and Starbucks’ former chief marketing officer, is quoted as saying that good branding seeks to become a part of one’s definition of self.
“A brand is a metaphorical story that connects with something very deep — a fundamental appreciation of mythology,” according to Bedbury.
“Stories create the emotional context people need to locate themselves in a larger experience.”
I venture to say that Trump’s brand desires to invoke patriotism, but not Uncle Sam patriotism. Instead, Trump merchandise seeks to display “Wild West” patriotism. “Outlaw” patriotism. “Don’t tread on me” patriotism.
But since when do costumes and caricatures represent what it means to be an American?
Trump’s brand engages in a deceptive aim to promote freedom, when in reality, Trump’s policies seek to regulate people’s bodies, regulate the history that can be taught in schools and regulate who is considered eligible to be an American.
It is important to consider, however, that Trump’s brand of patriotism and Americana is a far cry from his origins as a business magnet, promoting luxury and high-end elegance.
“The Trump Brand is a lifestyle brand that inspires you to think big and push the boundaries,” the Trump Organization website reads. “The brand is bold, beautiful and glamorous. From the most exceptional fleet of
private jets to world-class dining and high-end retail, there are unforgettable experiences at every turn.”
Interesting. Trump’s official business brand is one of inaccessible luxury. Yet his political brand is one of camouflage-clad grittiness.
I do not mean to generalize. I know Trump supporters come in many forms and represent themselves in diverse ways. Nevertheless, seeing so many Trump supporters concentrated in one city for the prime reason of celebrating Trump’s return to the White House forced me to consider what the Trump brand means for the definition of patriotism and partisanism.
Chandler Marsh, a young adult member of the Seventh Adventist Church, was in Washington for Trump’s inauguration. He was not wearing a MAGA hat, but he was wearing a hat with American flags on it.
He said he does not own a MAGA hat.
“One shouldn’t need to wear a political movement’s merchandise to feel patriotic,” Marsh said.
I could not agree more.
The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect those of The DePaulia
A Trump supporter browses merchandise at a street vendor during his Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.. The streets were filled with all sorts of outfits and looks, ranging from furs to face paints.
QUENTIN BLAIS | THE DEPAULIA
We were girls together: The importance of childhood friends that make it to adulthood
By Brielle Kohlbeck Opinion Editor
I have known and loved my best friend for almost 18 years.
Olivia and I met when we were two. In her driveway we sat eye-toeye on the pavement and she, without any warning, slapped me across the face. To her father, she justified her abuse by saying I had “blueberry eyes.” Not a good reason, but true nonetheless.
Our parents didn’t stop trying to get us together and we have been inseparable ever since. Even me moving almost two hundred miles away hasn’t caused our friendship to falter.
For years we grew together, two vines snaking up a fence, entwining in each other as time went on. We said it then and we say it now: “without each other, we wouldn’t be us.” There is not one person who knows me that can say they don’t know her too. “We were girls together,” as park benches and Delaney Bailey would say.
From the way we laugh to what we laugh at, there are not many definable differences between us besides our appearance.
I often think about this comparison. I sit and wonder who I would be if I had never known her — the length of our friendship making it nearly impossible to determine whose traits were originally whose at the start, if there was any discernible difference in the first place.
Jordan Horwath, who holds a DePaul doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis on child developmental psychology, doesn’t think there’s a way to tell.
“It’s a constant feedback mechanism,” Horwath said. “It’s kind of always feeding into each other.”
Horwath calls this a “both-and” situation. The longevity of our relationship makes it difficult to tell where we each stand singularly, so there aren't many traits that can be determined exclusively. We’re shaped by both each other and some other external forces.
“So, the idea of your behavior’s influencing her behavior, and in turn, her behavior is influencing your behavior … so it’s like the chicken and the egg, and the answer is both, both are right,” Horwath said.
Colin Staub, a DePaul senior, has known Cole Beaulieu since preschool. Similar to Olivia and I, they lived only a few houses down from each other growing up and fostered an extremely close friendship.
“Cole is like the brother I never had,” Staub said. “We have been friends for nearly our entire lives, and that is not something most people can say.”
The two had a fight during their sophomore year of high school. Staub claims it was one of the worst things he’s ever experienced.
“When you have known someone for so long … and one day they disappear, it breaks you,” Staub said.
Olivia and I never experienced a big fight. She often held her tongue and put up with my mental health slips and more identity crises than I can count.
That’s what makes me value her more than any other childhood friendship that came and went. It’s the idea that she stayed, that we made it past the rough patches and stuck it through to where we are now. We often joke that if we made it through middle school together, we’ll make it forever.
Alex Mite, a Marquette University student, has been best friends with Bridget Byrne for 11 years. They, similar to Staub and Beaulieu, also went through a high school conflict.
“We have only got into one argument that really hurt me,” Mite said. “We didn’t talk about it for a long time which made things awkward … but when you’re friends for that long you kinda just get over it and realize it’s not that big of a deal.”
She also thinks hardships brought them closer together. Bridget attends the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, making them farther apart
than they’ve ever been after attending the same school their whole lives. Mite claims their relationship has never been closer.
“I’m meeting new people and in the back of my mind thinking ‘they don’t understand me how Bridget does,’” Mite said. “I don’t have any doubt we will be best friends for the rest of our lives. I think I know her better than I know myself.”
I find myself thinking about Olivia in a similar way, that the separation grew us closer.
During our interview, Horwath was interested in hearing more about Olivia and I’s relationship. He claimed these friendships with little to no conflict are uncommon from a developmental standpoint. After I rambled about our friendship, for probably way too long, he agreed that what she and I have is rare and will most likely withstand the test of time.
“It’s cool that you guys have that … I think you should cherish it. It’s not something that is easily found and you can’t fake that,” Horwath said. “Like that’s something that’s real. It’s real and it has history behind it.”
Eight-year-old Brielle Kohlbeck and Olivia Ward pose with fake mustaches in a campground. Kohlbeck brought Ward camping with her family every summer when they were kids.
PROVIDED BY BRIELLE KOHLBECK
La DePaulia
Mujer de Humboldt Park convirtió su pastelería en un lugar de encuentro comunitario
Por Sofia Joseph La DePaulia Multimedia Editor
No hay nada más importante que la comunidad para Reina Marcelle, conocida como la “Dama del Pastel” de Humboldt Park.
Marcelle, de 52 años, comenzó a vender pasteles desde un carrito en la primavera de 2021, pero ahora es la dueña de Reina ‘s Cakes, una tienda en el vecindario de Humboldt Park, en Chicago. Está ubicada en 2550 W. Division St.
Antes de vender pasteles, Marcelle trabajó en diferentes supermercados decorando pasteles para poder subsistir, pero dijo que su experiencia fue negativa.
“Mi gerente simplemente no me quería… me hacía la vida miserable. Me hacía sentir inadecuada. Me hacía sentir que no sabía lo que estaba haciendo”, dijo Marcelle. “Me hacía sentir que era la peor empleada que había tenido”.
Después de renunciar a su trabajo, con solo $25 y el apoyo de sus seres queridos, decidió lanzar su propio negocio de pasteles.
Marcelle dijo que el comienzo de su viaje fue difícil.
“Mi pequeño trasero estaba ahí afuera durante horas, bajo la lluvia, el frío, al sol. No importaba lo que pasara, yo estaba
ahí, empujando mi carrito, determinada a vender mis pasteles,” dijo.
A veces enfrentaba la negatividad de otros que no les gustaba la popularidad que estaba ganando. A menudo regalaba la mayoría de sus pasteles.
La gente del vecindario veía a Marcelle empujando su carrito por el parque, semana tras semana.
Al hacerlo, se convirtió en una figura reconocible en la zona.
“Valió la pena”, dijo.
Hace seis meses, abrió una tienda en su querido vecindario.
Los vecinos se ofrecieron como voluntarios para ayudar a administrar la tienda y también donaron todos los enseres de la misma, dijo. Marcelle dijo que se siente bendecida por estar en un vecindario que siempre la protegerá y la ayudará.
Marcelle ha hecho muchos amigos en su camino hacia convertirse en dueña de un negocio.
Margarita Vázquez, de 58 años, es la fundadora de The Marinated Kitchen, un blog de cocina para compartir recetas familiares y vender su pasta de ajo y sofrito, una mezcla caribeña y latinoamericana
de verduras y hierbas utilizadas para sazonar comida.
Vázquez y Marcelle se conocieron en agosto de 2023, después de que Marcelle ofreciera cupcakes para la fiesta de cumpleaños de la sobrina de Vázquez. La pareja se ha hecho grandes amigas desde entonces.
“Inmediatamente la amé porque su energía es contagiosa”, dijo Vázquez. “Tiene un corazón de oro”.
Como emprendedora, Vázquez entiende lo difícil que es lanzar un negocio. Se ha dedicado a hacer trabajo promocional para pequeñas empresas en la comunidad, incluidas las de Marcelle.
“Nos ayudamos mutuamente, sin condiciones”, dijo Vázquez.
Marcelle recordó cuando una familia donó de forma anónima $8,000 a su negocio porque sentían que ella era una mujer trabajadora y buena. En ese momento, tenía dificultades para ir y venir de los eventos de trabajo porque no tenía auto.
El dinero fue suficiente para comprar un vehículo, instalar una rampa para cargar su carrito y viajar para ver a su familia durante las fiestas.
“La moraleja de la historia es que nunca sabes quién te está observando”, dijo Marcelle.
Mantener la tienda sola resultó ser un desafío. Los hijos de Marcelle viven en Carolina del Norte, ambos padres han fallecido y ella está divorciada después de 25 años de matrimonio.
Sin embargo, persiste por el bien de sus hijos.
Tiene dos hijas y un hijo, a quienes educó en casa. Ellos le recuerdan la alegría que les brindaba hornear, lo que la inspira a seguir adelante, dijo.
“Hubo momentos en que no podíamos permitirnos un pastel de cumpleaños. Entonces, ¿por qué no hacerles su propio pastel?” dijo Marcelle. “Aunque fue un tiempo de mucha lucha, fue significativo para ellos”.
Marcelle dijo que su tienda se ha con -
vertido en un lugar seguro para que los niños del vecindario se reúnan y se ofrezcan como voluntarios. Sus clases de decoración de pasteles brindan a las familias un ambiente amigable para unirse.
“Estoy cansada de que cada vez que escuches sobre Division, siempre sea algo malo”, dijo.
Su objetivo es ayudar a los miembros de su comunidad demostrando que pueden convertirse en lo que deseen.
“No importa cuántos años tengas. Podrías tener 20, 50 o 70 años. Si aún sueñas y quieres convertirte en algo, puedes” agregó Marcelle.
Ella cree que si puede inspirar al menos a una persona a seguir su corazón, habrá cumplido con su misión.
“Está mostrando a la comunidad cómo unirse como una familia”, dijo Vázquez.
Para Angelina Moyeno, de 18 años, estudiante de primer año en Wilbur Wright College y asistente en la tienda de Marcelle, es como mi segunda madre, dijo.
Moyeno conoció a Marcelle en marzo de 2024, después de asistir a uno de sus eventos de pasteles y comenzó a trabajar con ella poco después.
“Me dio la bienvenida a su mundo” dijo. Moyeno ha visto de primera mano cómo Reina ‘s Cakes impacta positivamente a la juventud de la comunidad.
“Eso me mantuvo alejada de la calle y haciendo cosas que no debía estar haciendo”, agregó Moyeno.
En su corto tiempo vendiendo pasteles, Marcelle ya siente que ha hecho una diferencia. Aunque está feliz con su tienda, espera abrir más ubicaciones.
Sueña con que sus pasteles se distribuyan por todo el mundo algún día. Pero lo más importante para ella es seguir ayudando a los demás de cualquier manera posible.
“Sé que puedo amar, y puedo dar”, dijo. “No tiene nada que ver con el dinero, no tiene nada que ver con la fama... sé lo que se supone que debo hacer”.
Reina Marcelle, propietaria de Reina’s Cakes, posa dentro de su tienda de pasteles en el vecindario Humboldt Park de Chicago el domingo, 22 de septiembre de 2024. Marcelle comentó que está tratando de obtener una subvención para expandir su cocina.
SOFIA JOSEPH | LA DEPAULIA
Los niños inscritos en la clase de decoración de pasteles de Reina Marcelle observan emocionados la demostración de Marcelle en Reina’s Cakes, en el vecindario Humboldt Park de Chicago, el 28 de septiembre de 2024. A los estudiantes se les proporcionaron herramientas, ingredientes e instrucciones paso a paso para la decoración de pasteles durante la clase.
SOFIA JOSEPH | LA DEPAULIA
Una carta de amor a mi islita no tan
‘ita’: Puerto Rico
Por Laura Vázquez David La DePaulia Social Media Editor
“No te puedo olvidar, no te puedo borrar”, canta Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) en su canción “BAILE INoLVIDABLE”.
Así me siento con mi pequeña isla, que para mí no es tan “ita”. Puerto Rico nunca me ha parecido el pequeño pedazo de tierra que la gente describe. Yo siempre la he visto como la experiencia más grande y auténtica que podría vivir.
Pasé mis 23 años en la Isla del Encanto, sin nunca dar por sentado el privilegio de vivir en Puerto Rico.
Desde que era niña, me enseñaron que ser puertorriqueña es algo de lo que estar orgullosa, y que debo defender mi país donde sea que vaya.
Desde asistir a campamentos de violín en Estados Unidos hasta estudiar una maestría en Chicago, siempre me aseguro de que todos sepan lo orgullosa que estoy de ser puertorriqueña y de representar mi isla.
Desde el 5 de enero,víspera del Día de Reyes, lo único que he escuchando es el último álbum de Bad Bunny “DTmF” (“Debí Tirar Más Fotos”), porque no hay nada más puertorriqueño que este maravilloso álbum.
No voy a mentir, escuché este álbum
durante mi vuelo de regreso a Chicago después de unas merecidas vacaciones.
Lloré.
Lloré mucho, pensando en mi isla, mi familia y en cómo Benito capturó el sentimiento de ser puertorriqueña en este álbum.
Ahora que me mudé a Chicago, me dolió mucho pensar que no estaría en la isla para disfrutar este álbum como se debe, pero llevo mi isla conmigo donde sea que vaya, y eso es suficiente—por ahora.
Benito no solo expresa lo que significa ser puertorriqueño, sino que también destaca la complicada historia que cargamos.
Jorell Meléndez Badillo, historiador puertorriqueño y profesor en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison, colaboró con Bad Bunny en la creación de cápsulas visuales de historia que aparecen en los visualizers de YouTube para todas las canciones de DTmF.
Entre los temas que cubre Meléndez Badillo están la bandera de Puerto Rico, la invasión de los EE.UU. en 1898, el gobierno militar en Puerto Rico y el sapo Concho—una especie de sapo que solo se encuentra en Puerto Rico, que juega
bandera fue reconocida oficialmente”, dijo Meléndez Badillo. “Fue creada en Nueva York, no en Manatí, aunque fue creada por alguien de Manatí, una ciudad en el norte de Puerto Rico. Esto resalta la dimensión diaspórica del puertorriqueñismo.
“Aquí mataron a gente por sacar la bandera. Por eso es que ahora yo la llevo donde quiera,” canta Benito en la última canción de DTmF, “La MuDANZA”. Esta estrofa del primer verso resonó conmigo. Lo primero que hice cuando comencé a empacar para mi “MuDANZA” a Chicago fue guardar mi bandera azul clarito. Asegurándome que no se me quedaría y tendría un pedazo de mi islita, no tan ita, en Chicago.
En el mundo, Puerto Rico es conocido como la cuna del reggaetón y de ciertos artistas musicales influyentes como Daddy Yankee, Wisin y Yandel, Tego Calderón, pero con este álbum, Benito también hizo espacio para la plena y salsa puertorriqueña.
un papel importante en la narrativa del álbum.
“Para mí, fue súper importante que alguien con una plataforma tan amplia y global quisiera amplificar la historia de Puerto Rico,” dijo Meléndez Badillo. “Lo que Benito quería era llegar a la gente de los barrios, los caseríos, la gente de Puerto Rico”.
La Ley de la Mordaza de 1948, promulgada por el gobierno militar de los EE.UU. en Puerto Rico, criminalizaba la posesión, exhibición y uso de la bandera de Puerto Rico, así como la promoción de la independencia. Esta ley estuvo en vigor hasta 1957 y fue derogada porque violaba la libertad de expresión.
“La bandera no fue reconocida políticamente durante la primera mitad del siglo XX. No fue sino hasta 1952 que la
Lo que Benito quería era llegar a la gente de los barrios, los caseríos, la gente de Puerto Rico.”.
Jorell Meléndez
Badillo
Historiador
Puertorriqueño y Profesor en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison
En su canción “DTmF” (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), Bad Bunny da un giro moderno a la música tradicional puertorriqueña de plena sin opacar la esencia de la identidad puertorriqueña que representa la plena. Se convirtió en la primera canción de plena en llegar al primer puesto en las listas de Apple Music.
Aunque es una canción nostálgica sobre una pareja, el tema de la migración puertorriqueña sigue latente.
El coro dice: “Debí haberte dado más besos y abrazos las veces que pude. Espero que los míos nunca se muden”. Espero que los míos nunca se muden, siendo yo la que me mudé… aún en el frío de Chicago, escuchar los ritmos tradicionales boricuas, me siento en casa.
LO QUE LE PASO A HAWAii es una de sus canciones más tristes, debido a la realidad en la que vivimos.
Con un tono triste Benito canta, “aquí nadie quiso irse. Quien se fue, sueña con volver”.
Si no lloré la primera vez que Bad Bunny cantó el coro, definitivamente lloré al escuchar el inicio del himno nacional de Puerto Rico, interpretado en el cuatro puertorriqueño.
El himno nacional de Puerto Rico es una oda a Cristóbal Colón, agradeciéndole por “descubrir” la isla, pero no es eso lo que me emociona.
El himno nacional tiene otra versión. El himno revolucionario, escrito por la poeta puertorriqueña Lola Rodríguez de Tió, es un llamado a la liberación de Puerto Rico.
Meléndez Badillo, oriundo de Aguadilla, dijo que DTmF no es un álbum sobre independencia.
“Es un álbum político… Es una declaración de afirmación nacional”, dijo. Como dijo Bad Bunny, “Un aplauso pa’ mami y papi, porque en verdad rompieron”.
Con amor, Laura desde Chicago pero siempre puertorriqueña.
Bad Bunny canta en el escenario durante la 65ª edición de los Premios Grammy el domingo 5 de febrero de 2023, en Los Ángeles.
CHRIS PIZZELLO| AP PHOTO
Arts & Life
Through slush and snow, DePaul runners keep moving forward
By Casey Tharrington Contributing Writer
With icy winds whipping off Lake Michigan and freezing air burning the lungs, winter running in Chicago isn’t for the faint of heart. For DePaul University’s Demons on the run club, these challenges are just another part of the experience.
For many members of Demons on the Run, running is more than just a sport — it’s a way to stay grounded, especially during the winter.
“I’ve been running since high school, and it’s something I can always rely on,” said Hazael “Zel” Weilandgruber, the club’s vice president. “It’s great for your health, and it helps with seasonal depression.”
Mia Hicks, a sophomore, joined the club to rebuild her routine.
“I’ve been running my whole life, but I stopped when I came to college. Running with a group keeps me motivated, even when it’s freezing outside,” Hicks said.
“Running in the cold can be discouraging, but it helps to do it together,”club president Rheema Ayyash said.
Winter running in Chicago presents a host of challenges: for one, runners find the cold physically painful.
“Your lungs hurt, your body feels stiff, and it’s hard to stay motivated when it’s freezing outside,” Ayyash said.
Ayyash said the shorter days and dangerous ice are other significant obstacles.
Weilandgruber agreed it can be dif-
ficult to find ice-free running locations, though he noted that Chicago’s lakefront trail is well-maintained.
“They’re pretty good compared to other cities about keeping good trails for running,” Weilandgruber said.
Another frustration Hicks highlighted are puddles on trails that aren’t flat.
“My shoes get soaking wet, which is miserable,” she said. “You can try to avoid puddles, but sometimes it’s impossible.”
To combat winter’s challenges, the club has developed strategies for safety and preparation.
Ayyash pre-runs the route to check for hazards. If the sidewalks aren’t properly salted, she will have the club run in a single-file line near the bike lane. The group also slows their pace in icy conditions and takes detours when necessary.
Proper gear is another essential.
“Layers are key,” Weilandgruber said. “You don’t want to overdress because if you sweat too much, it can freeze.” He has learned that ski-gear or wind-resistant clothing is ideal because it is loose and breathable.
Ayyash emphasized the importance of protecting the extremities and highlighted the importance of gloves, hats and neck covers.
“If your ears or neck are exposed, it’s going to be painful, and you’re going to get sick easily,” she said.
Hicks stressed the need for extra precautions to avoid injuries as muscles are tighter and stretching is more important
in cold weather.
“I’m usually pretty bad about stretching, but I make more of an effort in the colder months,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the runners agree that winter running is rewarding.
Ayyash finds that running in the winter is a bit like altitude training, which enhances performance by improving oxygen efficiency. “Your lungs and body work harder in the cold, but when it finally warms up, you feel stronger and faster,” Ayyash said.
Hicks said it can be difficult to make herself go out in the cold, especially with temperatures dipping below zero and strong windchill. “But I never regret it,”
Hicks said. “I always feel better after a run.”
As the club prepared for its first outdoor run of the quarter, members eagerly exited the Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, their breath visible in the chilly air before their feet touched the pavement.
For Demons on the Run, winter running is about resilience, community and finding light in the journey.
As Ayyash put it, “Stay warm, have fun and run the distance.”
Rheema Ayyash and club members travel along Lake Shore Drive for an afternoon run on Jan. 17, 2025. Ayyash is the president and founder of Demons on the Run, a student organization that runs together multiple times each week.
GRACE LOGAN | THE DEPAULIA
Members of DePaul’s Demons on the Run club make their way south along the Fullerton lakefront path on Jan. 17, 2025. The club often divides into groups while running to better match the different paces of each member.
GRACE LOGAN | THE DEPAULIA
Chicago Puppet Fest ‘pulls strings’ to bring shows to local communities
By Aleksa Kirkus Contributing Writer
Dozens of children flooded in front of the puppet show set, waiting restlessly for the lights to go down. Their excitement for a puppet show may seem like a thing of the past, but the organizers say the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is making sure that puppetry stays timely and accessible.
Running Jan. 15-26, Chicago Puppet Fest offers several events including theatrical performances, workshops, exhibitions and a “Free Neighborhood Tour” of shows. Chicago community members gathered Jan. 17 in the Old Town neighborhood at the Marshall Field Garden Apartments and Art on Sedgwick space to watch “The Amazing Story Machine.”
The Chicago Puppet Fest website provides information about where and when Chicagoans and puppet enthusiasts can see free performances near them. The local settings provide audience members with up-close interactions with the puppeteers.
Attendee Paige Gomez said she would not have come across the event on her own.
“My granddaughter has a classmate and they were coming so we came along,” Gomez said. “I like that there are so many types of children’s programming in the city — and this was unique.”
The show’s set doubles as an amazing story machine itself, bringing classic Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales to life using repurposed materials.
When the story machine breaks down, the performers must think of creative ways to piece together puppets from spare parts. “This is not part of the show,” the puppeteers said, looking at the audience as gears and switches broke off from the story machine. Children yelled and giggled nervously, wondering what to make of the joke.
Gomez liked the message of the show.
“It hits on so many different levels for kids but also it was very entertaining for me,” Gomez said. “I think it is awesome to let the children see how … you can take normal things out of the house and make puppets.”
The audience gasped as a rabbit made out of tape measures leapt onto the set. The Hansel and Gretel puppets made from kitchen utensils left children hollering.
“The Amazing Story Machine,” along with other free programs, is making several stops in surrounding neighborhoods.
Shoshana Bass, a puppeteer in “The Amazing Story Machine” program, said that her favorite part of performing in
the neighborhood tour is getting to travel throughout Chicago.
“I think we are in the most privileged position as visiting puppeteers to this festival because we get to see parts of Chicago that are not central,” Bass said. “It is really special to humbly step into that role and feel we are welcomed into all these little corners of Chicago.”
Ben Hemmendinger, a performer and musical accompanist for the same show, agreed and said it takes a lot of time to perfect the music with the movement of the puppets.
“(Chicago has) a history of awesome theater and great community from all over,” Hemmendinger said. “We rehearse a lot, weeks and weeks of this.”
Stomping along to the accordion music, the audience snickered as puppet flies swarmed “The Brave Little Tailor,” a character and story written by the Grimm Brothers.
Bass, the puppeteer, said the “The Amazing Story Machine” show is a co-production between the groups Doppelskope and Sandglass Theater. The founders of Doppelskope, Ora Fruchter and Stoph Scheer were also the creative team responsible for transforming some of the Grimms’ stories into a puppet show.
“I think a fairy tale, of course, lends itself to puppetry,” Bass said. “What puppetry is especially good at is putting a twist on fairy tales.”
Hemmendinger said the Grimms’ fairy tales adapt well to all art mediums.
“I think they work great in our show because people know these stories and it is fun to see us reinterpret it,” Hemmendinger said.
With the cheers, singing and clapping from the audience, the children attendees engaged with innovative retellings of stories like “The Hare and the Hedgehog.” At one point, the children took part in the performance with the puppeteers, flapping their playbills as if they were birds flying.
Bass said the participation surprised her.
“That was unusual that all the kids stood up …,” Bass said. “They sang along with all the songs of the show. I was surrounded by children supporting the story … and we seemed to all be having a great time together.”
Bass said that many puppeteers get into puppetry because of a love for playing.
“You kind of have to let go of your sense of controlling anything,” Bass said, “and be receptive, be inspired and be filled with that energy.”
Shoshana Bass pilots a hedgehog puppet while Ben Hemmendinger plays the accordion at the Marshall Field Garden Apartments on Jan. 17, 2025. Their show, “The Amazing Story Machine,” tours around the city as part of the Chicago International Puppet Festival.
JEREMY BATTLE | THE DEPAULIA
Indie music and performance unites Chicago at ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’
By April Klein
Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Moody shoegaze bands, plush monkeys strapped to remote controlled cars and countless raving college students — all of this and more invaded Chicago’s underground venues this weekend as a part of the 20th annual “Tomorrow Never Knows” festival.
The event, hosted across over eight different venues on the north side of the city from Jan. 15 through 19, celebrated a variety of artists from around the Chi -
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cagoland area and across the country.
The name comes from “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” an event hosted in a variety of different locations across the world from 1999-2016. The gimmick was that organizers would choose idiosyncratic combinations of bands to host back-toback on stage: rapper Frank Ocean performed right before classical pianist Phillip Glass back in 2012.
Beginning in 2005, the festival first came about from Matt Rucins, a talent buyer for Schubas Tavern. As an organiz -
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er, he wanted to make winter more fruitful for the venue as Chicago’s trademark cold weather and a lack of bookings led to a slow few months.
“Lincoln Hall didn’t even exist yet,” said Dan Apodaca, a senior talent buyer for Audiotree Presents and the current talent buyer for Lincoln Hall and Schubas Tavern (now a conjoined organization). “Once it opened, it was brought into the fold, and over those initial years my predecessor expanded it into the multi-venue identity the festival takes on today.”
On Jan 16, Lincoln Hall was host to a string of DJs as a part of Audiotree’s “Oddly Satisfying” series. Chicago DJ Hafsa Guled (known by his pseudonym AYEEYO) opened for a set from popular indie artists April Grey (Underscores) and Liam Hall (atlgrandma). The two collaborated with Ky Newman, a YouTuber who recently entered the DJ scene.
Taylor Ptack, a burgeoning DJ in her own right, found out about the set via a friend.
“My friend, Noah Sellers, asked me if I wanted to see April live,” Ptack said. “I wanted to get into the Chicago DJ scene, and I’m just kind of a pussy about it. My community is more online so I’m trying to get to know people in real life. It’s scary, but I’ve played a few sets as of now and I love it.”
Megan Gauthier, a junior at Loyola Chicago who attended the show, finds that shows are a place to let loose and socialize.
“I love the environment for its typical lack of judgment — I love going and dancing with my friends knowing nobody will clown us,” Gauthier said. “I wasn’t super familiar with atlgrandma which is funny because they’re technically the headliner, but I really enjoyed his set.”
Apodaca and Connor Campbell, the assistant talent buyer for Lincoln Hall and Schubas, emphasized how TNK is a “discovery festival.”
“The bigger festivals – Riot Fest, Lollapalooza, etc. – those festivals have a ton of discovery for people that are looking, but we’re trying to be a little bit on the cutting edge before things get to that level,” Campbell said.
Julia’s War, an indie label based out of Philadelphia, had a takeover at Schubas Tavern on Jan 18, highlighting six bands underneath the label.
“(Performing) feels like a completely different than recording, I think… when you perform, it’s a lot more adrenaline and immediacy whereas in recording you kind of have to look for that sort of thing,” said Logan Hornyak, the lead singer and guitarist of Melania Kol, a indie folk band based out of Nashville.
Sam Silbret, one half of the duo known as Hooky, came off the stage bleeding from the nose and lip as a result of injuries sustained from thrashing around on stage and throwing himself on the floor.
me feel inspired.”
Ruth Trupiano, the lead singer and guitarist for the duo “Ruth in the Bardo,” used performance as a way to find community in her hometown in South Carolina.
“As a young trans person who was into music and especially the DIY scene there, I feel like that was really the only safe space in that particular city,” Trupiano said. “
In addition to music, TNK has begun hosting comedic acts over the past few years.
To close out the weekend’s festivities on Jan 19, the Color Club was host to popular internet comedian and writer Demi Adejuyigbe’s show “Demi Adejuyigbe Is Going To Do One (1) Backflip.”
“I’ve been a live performing comedian for around eight years, although I don’t do it very often,” Adejuyigbe said. “I’ve never loved stand-up. The version of it that I do is very specific and me-coded, but also it’s something I can’t do everyday.”
Adejuyigbe’s show is as much comedy as it is performance art. A projector behind him at all times showcases an elaborate powerpoint, he speaks with characters who exist only over the loudspeaker, he interacts with hand-made puppets which zoom around the stage, and on top of that he plays a series of songs. One of them is an eight-minute long ballad about the niche internet fasciation known as the Ikea Monkey.
The show is directed by Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney, who perform as the comedy duo “Britannica.”
“I’ve been a fan of (Demi) since the Twitter days,” said attendee Karlyn Meyer. “He’s uniquely talented. Like his musical ability is tied to something so much bigger. His monologue at the end was really poignant and meaningful.”
The climax of the show sees Adejuyigbe do a backflip to end the performance. At a show in London in March of 2024, he failed to land it and bruised his ribcage.
“I was really upset about that. I needed people to see me perform,” Adejuyigbe said. “Because in a way, when you perform and when you can show people something that’s just a little more than human, you are insulating yourself from all the things that make you human.”
Adejuyigbe still does the backflip, assisted by someone wearing a green morph suit picking him up and spinning him around. The show at the Color Club is a part of a larger tour for Adejuyigbe –he’ll be performing the show in New York in February as a charity benefit to aid those displaced by the Los Angeles fires.
Oddball acts like Adejuyigbe and Julia’s War are what Campbell values most about TNK.
“(Performing) is my favorite thing,” said Sillbert. “Every part of the country I go to, there’s always just some really sweet kids who love music. Going to different places and meeting earnest people who also love making music just makes
“It kind of represents a lot of what the spirit of the festival is to me, showcasing some underground stuff that continues to push boundaries a little bit,” Campbell said. “It’s like looking back 10 years ago and having Oneohtrix Point Never and Tim Hecker, stuff that’s on the fringe a little bit, and they just continue to grow and grow.”
From left: Luna Kupper, Zach Tittel, and Logan Hornyak play as the band Melania Kol with Husam Suboh on drums at Schubas Tavern on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
ZOEY DEUCHNE | THE DEPAULIA
By Sam McCarthy
Contributing Writer
Leigh Whannell’s “Wolf Man” takes a daring swing in the reinvention of the classic creature feature, a similar swing he took with mad scientists in his 2020 Blumhouse reboot, “The Invisible Man.” Whannell’s recent works offer a raw take on the Universal Monster movies, but “Wolf Man” is ultimately a foul ball of a creature feature.
With “The Invisible Man” delivering a home run low-budget thriller, it seemed like a new dawn for the so-called “Dark Universe” — a franchise that was meant to resurrect Lon Chaney Jr.’s most iconic roles, which had im-
ploded before its first full moon.
Originally announced as a Ryan Gosling-led revival, “Wolf Man” has transformed into a different beast, starring Christopher Abbott in the titular role. Gosling’s attachment initially generated buzz, but ultimately Abbott proves to be a much better choice. Known for his expertise in playing tortured, complex characters, such as in “Possessor” and “James White,” Abbott brings a unique intensity to the role. His dark, melancholic eyes and the simmering rage he conveys align perfectly with the deeply unsettling nature of lycanthropy, making him an inspired casting choice in an otherwise dull reboot.
and stay-at-home dad to the adorable Ginger (Matilda Firth), though he’s clearly anxious about a temper that flares up from time to time. Struggling to keep his marriage
“Wolf Man” is much more of a straightforward with its ‘infected’ plot line, rather than the film in comparison to the ‘cursed’ plot point of the werewolf films that came before it. And while this fresh outlook on the subject material is an effective idea, the execution falls short of its potential, leaving the film feeling more like a missed opportunity than a groundbreaking reimagining.
Despite its intriguing premise, the execution lacks the depth and tension needed to fully immerse the audience, ultimately diluting what could have been an intriguing twist on werewolf lore. Poor decision-making by the leads and an absence of any truly memorable set pieces further weaken the experience. A climactic scene atop a flimsy greenhouse, which is built up to be suspenseful, unfortunately leaves your cheeks unclenched.
As tempting as it may be to applaud Whannell for the avoidance of bad CGI and moments of gnarly practicality, his ultra-grounded approach is ineffective and a terrible fit for a movie that feels chewed up, leaving us with predictable plot beats and a handful of drab werewolf duels.
moments — like werewolf vision and decent practical effects — there are too many unpleasant, suspenseless moments that bring this beast to the ground.
“Wolf Man” generously takes inspiration from David Cronenberg’s “The Fly,” but what made that film so effective was how easy it was to care for Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis’ characters. Abbott and Garner are never given a chance to get real even when there is an emotional throughline that is present within the film. When the time comes to feel anything, the credits are already rolling.
Running away from its potential with its tail tucked between its legs, the film limps its way through this semi-feral drama about parental fears, never mustering enough bite to turn those anxieties into the visceral action it attempts to throw on screen.
“Wolf Man” falls into the purgatorial space of being a watchable but empty take on a classic monster that just goes to show new isn’t always better.
GL - Hey Sam! Great to have you writing for us. I’m so excited that you decided to pick up this review. You did great work!
You have a strong voice and I enjoyed all the puns. For future reviews, try alternating a bit more between simple and complex sentences. This helps keep the reader interested. You’ve got good things to say – I want the reader to stick with it until the end. Anywhere we commented “clunky” might be a good place to split one sentence into two.
The movie has its heart in the right place but it’s been crammed into an always pathetic January slate, where studios dump films they have no confidence in. Even though Whannell creatively gives us some satisfying
Abbott stars as Blake, a struggling writer
‘Wolf Man’ review: Mostly bark, very little bite
PRECIOSA RIOS | THE DEPAULIA
“Spinning
St.Vincent’s
D e JAMZ
freSh beatS Since 1581”
By April Klein
Editor
Did you know that estrogen literally makes your body colder? It’s true: the body dissipates heat faster and slows blood flow to the hands, making phalanges freeze up faster than they used to. Having only started hormone replacement therapy last June, this has made dealing with the already brutal Chicago winters even harder. My poor dry hands!
To compensate, I’ve made a habit out of bundling up under an absurd amount of blankets in the evening, trying to escape the chilling air of my garden-level apartment. While doing so, I like to listen to music that warms my soul. Here are just a few of my favorites to help me brave the sub-zero temperatures.
“How To Pretend” by Lucy Bedroque Walking through downtown Chicago in the middle of a snowstorm while listening to this track made me feel magical. Despite the song being about someone watching their friend get into a mutually unhealthy relationship which makes their self-worth plummet, the production looks at the story with rose-colored glasses. Twinkling chimes and energetic steelpan drums cover up wistful pleas to get someone to snap out of their stupid situationship. When you’re losing your sense of identity in a codependent relationship, the terror of being unable to form a personality outside of someone else is dulled by the pure euphoria
of having a connection with another human being. But, if you want to ignore the troubling ramifications of the lyrics, the music still sounds nice, and always reminds me of a gentle snow landing upon the city on a quiet morning.
“god’s chariots” by Oklou
Ethereal. Hugo Diaz’s excellent production allows Marylou Mayniel’s vocals to reverberate throughout your headset as a haunting whisper. Oklou (oh-kay-lou) always makes me feel like I’m floating; her pop stylings are filtered through inspirations from Wu Lyf to SZA, a rich palette of musical history informing already concrete songwriting skills. Over winter break, I listened to this song as I drove across the roaming hills of Des Moines late at night. With my headlights being the only indication of life for miles, shining across endless acres of snow-covered fields, it isolated me in a sonic chamber where the only voices were my own and Mayniel’s. It was horribly lonely yet soothing all at once.
“gay nightcore” by trndytrndy
One of my favorite memories from the past year was back in November. I was staying at a friend’s house and awoke to discover that my class for that morning had been cancelled. Regardless, I began to get out of bed to leave (I avoid overstaying my welcome at someone’s abode to sidestep any awkward requests to leave), only for my friend to lay me back down, kiss my forehead, and tuck
Crossword
me back in before they went to work. They smelled like Marlboro Reds and day-old coffee. I couldn’t stop smiling as I buried my face in their sheets. That feeling is perfectly embodied by this track, which I feel is best described using the :3 emoticon. A time capsule of the hyper digital trends that dominated 2020, this cutesy breakcore nonsense is messy as all hell and reminds me of how elating even a small act of affection can be.
“Famous girl” by Venturing
By contrast, facing that harsh morning air is occasionally liberating. I had never really explored the Illinois Medical District until I spent the night at a friend of a friend’s house a few weeks ago. I had to go to class early, and this time I was the one kissing them on the forehead and tucking them back in as I went off to further my education. Carrying an elation from the screamo indie band we’d seen the night before as the dawn crested over the horizon, the sweeping winds woke me and energized me to sprint through the streets of somewhere entirely new. Venturing, a side project of my favorite
Across
3. One of DePaul University’s former Presidents, Rev. Thomas P. ___ (5)
7. Nickname for DePaul’s since demolished University Auditorium, the former site of which where The Ray is now located (7)
8. DePaul alum to become the 54th Mayor of Chicago, ___ M. Daley (7)
9. DePaul program for acclimating new students to the city of Chicago; course code LSP 110 (8)
11. Nickname for DePaul’s original football and baseball teams,
derived from the large letter featured on their uniforms (4)
12. DePaul University’s original name: ___ College (10)
15. What the DePaul school color signifies (7)
17. The bird which DePaul’s original newspaper was named after (6)
18. Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files and DePaul alum, ___ Anderson (7)
19. DePaul alum known for his role as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, Joe ___ (5)
artist Jane Remover, is exciting because it synthesizes her penchant for an insanely fast tempo and her adoration of 90s-era rock pop into something familiar yet unmistakably modern. Listening while dancing/running through a college town I had never seen before was truly special.
“Contact” by Kelela
A dreamy bop by one of the most underrated artists currently working in the R&B space, “Contact” acts as a welcome mirage of warmth in the dead of winter. The kickdrums ground this track in reality, the light touches on the piano give the sense of something greater, all the while Kelela invites the listener to a sensual game of cat and mouse as a release from the tedium of a hard life. She’s mother. No one is doing it like her. “Raven” as a whole is one of the most exciting records released this decade and it’s a shame she isn’t headlining festivals across the nation. If she’s not on your radar yet, you’re not listening to music enough.
Down
1. The B in DIBS (4)
2. Orientation program for transfer students, ___ DePaul(10)
4. DePaul’s motto: “I will show you the way of ___.” (6)
5. What St. Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of (7)
6. Famous rock band whose first performance took place in DePaul’s cafeteria (10)
10. At DePaul in the 70’s, an annual Springtime competition held between freshmen and upperclassmen in a muddy field (8)
13. Annual concert
held in the Lincoln Park Quad (4)
14. One of DePaul’s core Vincentian values, a public way of contributing to one’s community(7)
16. What DePaul’s logo depicts(4)
COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA
Asst. Arts & Life
Sports
“We wanted to improve and build on the space to better accommodate the students,” Fricke-Waters said.
The gaming lab is a popular place for students to visit between or after classes. It provides high-quality equipment that students may not have at home.
Fricke-Waters also said the new space can be a productive place for programming students.
“We had reached upwards of 80-plus students checking in on peak days,” he said.
Gaming center moderator Destiny Astorga experienced this phenomenon of overcrowding.
“We were reaching a point where we’d have people leave because the space was full,” Astorga said.
Outside of the gaming center, DePaul’s individual esports programs have found success when competing in a variety of tournaments.
ESPORTS LOUNGE DOUBLES
By Daniel Bugliarello-Wondrich Contributing Writer
After months of renovations, DePaul esports has reopened the Loop gaming center.
The grand reopening at the start of winter quarter included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food, drink and access to the gaming center’s new and expanded features.
In 2022, DePaul’s League of Legends team won its third Big East title in four years. The same year, the Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) team took home a national title. Today, Fricke-Waters believes DePaul’s biggest strength is fighting games.
more classroom next door.
Fighting game players typically play on consoles with some games like Super Smash Bros.–which are available on only one system — making it important for the center to have the right equipment.
The old gaming center’s most noticeable feature was its extensive rows of gaming PCs. Now the space is more balanced with a section dedicated to comfortable seating and TVs suitable for games with friends.
This makes the space more inviting for fighting game players and console gamers. The gaming center includes a variety of gaming items, such as headsets, keyboards and different systems. Knight and Marx said that the quality of computers in the gaming center is one of its highlights.
Fricke-Waters said DePaul wants to continue expanding its esports program — one major step could be the addition of esports scholarships.
At other schools, these function similarly to traditional sports scholarships and can quickly build a top-level competitive team in any game. The scholarship amounts vary, but they can be significant. Hawaii Pacific University, for instance, offers up to $6,000 a year for eligible students.
DePaul esports coordinator Jeffery Fricke-Waters estimated that the space doubled since the renovation.
The DePaul gaming center, located on the lower level of the downtown DePaul Center, includes rows of computers, multiple consoles, TVs, a variety of furniture and space to chill while working. It’s a room designed for the large number of DePaul students who love gaming.
“Our Super Smash Bros. team and our fighters teams have been doing quite well, and have a lot of students engaged with them,” he said.
Aquarius Knight and Samuel Marx are fighting game players at DePaul and members of the esports board. Both like the gaming center expansion — although they both said it should have been bigger.
“I support it,” Marx said, but added that he thinks the center should take over at least one
To many players, getting paid to play is a dream, but to offer scholarships DePaul esports coordinators would need financial support from the school.
“Hopefully in the future,” Fricke-Waters said when asked about the potential for scholarships. “We are working to make this a reality, but I don’t have a timeline of specifically when.”
The Rocket League Team meets in the Esports center on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. The Esports center first opened in April of 2018, but was just recently renovated, doubling its space.
MATT RAMSEY | THE DEPAULIA
Climbing into Community: DePaul club brings fellowship to new heights
By Quentin Blais Photo Editor
On a Friday afternoon, a group of DePaul students trickle into the Movement climbing gym in Lincoln Park. They carry bags stuffed with shoes, water bottles and chalk bags. The climbers gather in a circle and mingle while stretching. Some break off early and approach the towering plastic rocks. They are part of a growing group that has taken to the walls to find community.
Climbing has grown extremely popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional ways of staying in shape. The sport has many different styles, like bouldering, which is free-climbing a wall, and top roping, which is climbing while attached to a rope. These are the two forms that students of the DePaul club practice the most.
Lucas Pazen, vice president of the DePaul climbing club, said that people are ditching running and lifting for activities such as climbing.
“As people look for more alternative ways of working out, I think they’re finding this to be less boring than … pushing heavy circles,” Pazen said. “A climb is like more of a puzzle. So it’s a body workout, but it’s also a mind workout.”
Ellie Kim, a sophomore in the club, was among those waiting to tackle a wall during Friday’s practice. She began climbing two years ago and said she was drawn to the sport because of the mental and physical benefits.
“It’s conquering your fear of heights and pushing yourself to be better than you are at the moment,” Kim said. “It’s really rewarding and super satisfying for your body and for your mind.”
Rock climbing has long been viewed as an exclusive sport. Pazen shared that the cost alone can be incredibly limiting, with special shoes and recurring gym memberships
draining bank accounts. A monthly membership in Chicago alone can run close to $90, and climbing shoes last up to six months before needing replacement.
The DePaul club hopes to mitigate financial hurdles for students by negotiating discounted rates with the climbing gym on days that they meet.
“Our whole club’s mission is just to make climbing more accessible to people,” said Margaret Jemian, president of the DePaul climbing club.
Jemian explained that the club typically buys climbing passes in bulk, which is ultimately paid for through a $25 quarterly club due.
“It’s an expensive sport,” Jemian said. “It really is, between the shoes and the gear and everything, especially for college students.”
Many see the club membership not just as a way to improve their fitness, but also as a way to socialize. Kim works at a local climbing gym, which gives her access to personal training, but chooses to stay with the club because of the community.
“It’s the one thing that’s kept me coming,” Kim said. “I could just climb on my own, … but I don’t want to. … It’s just a great community to be a part of where I’m not only having fun, but I’m also being pushed to grow as a climber as well.”
The club has about 170 registered members, with 20 to 30 attending a weekly practice at a given time. Members of the club, including Pazen, hope those who join will grow to love it as much as he did when he started.
Pazen first tried climbing in high school and “never put it down.”
“I could not tell you why I’m so into it,” Pazen said. “All I know is that I cannot stop. I’m so addicted to this.”
Joy Kwok boulders up the wall on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Movement Lincoln Park has more than 43,000 square feet of climbing and fitness facilities.
