Hearing and speech school faces break-ins
ALEX ANDAHAZY ’25 News Reporter
The Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, which opened a branch on the Hawk Hill campus in August, was broken into and vandalized during the first week of the semester.
Two tablets were stolen in an Aug. 27 burglary, and a window was broken and several classrooms vandalized Aug. 31, said David Finnie, assistant vice president of the Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS).
Efforts have since been taken to improve security for the Clarke school, Finnie said, including the installation of “card swipes for the front doors” and an intercom system with a camera “on the internal doors” of the school.
Other security measures included “improvements to the burglar alarm,” wrote Bill MacKenzie, director of institutional project management at St. Joe’s, in response to written questions from The Hawk.
Clarke Pennsylvania, which was relocated
to St. Joe’s from La Salle University, helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing develop auditory speech and language skills. The school offers a range of auditory, speech and language services on location, at students’ homes and virtually, along with support groups and workshops.
Hawk Hill’s center is a preschool program for children ages three to five where they are supported by speech-language pathologists and teachers for the deaf.
Ashley Mahlstedt, M.Ed., the director of Clarke’s Pennsylvania branch, said the program’s mission is to teach children with hearing difficulties to listen and talk.
“Our focus is on providing listening and spoken language services to children who are deaf and hard of hearing,” Mahlstedt said. “All of our children utilize hearing technology and work with providers through the Clarke School Services to develop auditory speech and language skills.”
Clarke Pennsylvania also offers “education, support and resources” to families
with children under three years old to assist them with a diagnosis and beginning their child’s “Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) journey,” Mahlstedt said.
Mahlstedt said the school’s operations were not impacted by the break-ins and the “response and support from St. Joe’s was tremendous.”
St. Joe’s students in the special education, deaf and hard of hearing education and early childhood/elementary education programs will have opportunities to work with the Clarke school as well.
Joshua Power ’05, ’16 Ed.D., dean of the School of Education and Human Development, said students will have opportunities to work with the Clarke school through field placement and classroom observation.
“We’re looking forward to getting students over to Clarke to do observations and field work in clinical rotations, in education and eventually in speech language pathology,” Power said. “There may be some research opportunities for faculty and staff to collaborate with folks at Clarke.”
The move to St. Joe’s, which included building renovations made specifically for Clarke’s needs, provided several opportunities for the school, and they are excited for the future of the partnership with St. Joe’s, Mahlstedt said.
“We are eager to work closely with the St. Joe’s staff, professors and students to provide observation hours, to provide research studies, to continue to spread our mission and to build the field of special education, specifically in deaf education,” Mahlstedt said.
Vincent Kornacki ’25 contributed to this article.
What
you should know: The U.S.
Electoral College
What is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College is the process by which the president and vice president of the United States are elected. There are 538 electors who make up the “college” of electors who represent the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How does it work?
Once each voter’s ballot is received on election night in November, a statewide tally determines which candidate won the popular vote for the state. All the state’s electoral votes will then be awarded to the winning candidate, except in Maine and Nebraska, where electoral votes are allocated per congressional district.
“Basically, the Electoral College means that the presidential contest is multiple races to win individual constituencies in order to secure Electoral College votes,”
wrote Lisa Baglione, Ph.D., professor of political science, in response to written questions from The Hawk. “Most of those districts are states, but a very few are Congressional districts.”
A majority, or 270 electoral votes, is needed to win the presidency.
Who are the electors?
There are 538 electors. Including three electors from Washington, D.C., each state has as many electors as they do seats in Congress. U.S. territories do not get electoral votes.
Article II of the U.S. Constitution says that “no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.”
Instead, each political party selects a slate of possible electors from state elected officials or party members. During the general election, voters select their state’s electors by casting their vote for a presidential candidate.
What are some objections to the Electoral College?
The main objection to the Electoral College system is that, in most states, a candidate wins all of the electoral votes if they win the popular vote, even if they win by just one vote. However, the number of electoral votes is based on the state’s representation in Congress, not the state’s population.
Laura Bucci, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, said this can lead to the underrepresentation of more populous states.
“LA county, just a part of [California], has more people in it than five U.S. states,” Bucci wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk. “Very populous states are underrepresented in the [Electoral College] and sparse states are overrepresented. This is the same sort of bias in the House of Representatives.”
”ELECTORAL COLLEGE” CONTINUED ON PG. 2
The Student Newspaper of Saint Joseph’s University
Sophia Bertsch ’27 addresses the single-race system in American politics.
ClarkePennsylvaniarelocatedtoSt.Joe’sfromLaSalleinAugust2024.PHOTO:SAHRKARIMU’26/THEHAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
LIV BIELAWSKI ’27 News Reporter
The U.S. Electoral College
“ELECTORAL COLLEGE” FROM PG. 1
Some states, referred to as swing states or battleground states, swing back and forth between Democratic and Republican candidates. As a result, presidential campaigns will focus heavily on swing states, where either candidate could potentially win, while other states are ignored. According to the Purdue Policy Research Institute, “94% of 2016 campaign events occurred in just 12 states, while two-thirds of the events took place in just six states.”
Can the Electoral College process be altered?
Sixty-five percent of Americans are in favor of abolishing the current Electoral College system in favor of an election by popular vote, where the candidate who wins the most votes wins the election, according to a 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center. In order to change the election process, a constitutional amendment would be required, as the Electoral College was established in Article II of the Constitution.
Can a presidential candidate lose the popular vote but win the election?
There have been five presidential
candidates in United States history who did not win the popular vote but were still elected president by electoral vote. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost three million votes, but Donald Trump won the election with 57% of the electoral votes. George W. Bush in 2000, Benjamin Harrison in 1888, Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 and John Quincy Adams in 1824 all lost the popular vote but were elected president.
Why is it still important to vote?
The results of the general election determine which party’s electors are appointed for each state. Even so, some voters express concerns that their vote is unimportant.
Brian Peters ’27, a political science and history major, said this mentality can contribute to fewer young people voting in states where it matters the most, such as Pennsylvania.
“When it comes to Pennsylvania, it is extremely important that you vote, because it’s going to be extremely close, especially this election. So, really, if you can vote and you can register, register in this state,” Peters said. “Your vote is worth its weight in gold at the moment.”
What you should know: Haitians in America
LUKE SANELLI ’26 News Editor
Are Haitians in the U.S. “illegally?”
According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), there were approximately 731,000 Haitian immigrants residing in the U.S in 2022. About two-thirds are naturalized U.S. citizens. Approximately 99,00 are “unauthorized.”
In June 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced that approximately 300,000 Haitians already in the United States will now be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing them to remain in the U.S. and work.
Why have Hatiains settled in Springfield, OH?
According to numerous credible media reports, Haitians were drawn to Springfield for jobs and low-cost living. In 2015, in response to a shrinking population and crumbling economy, Springfield city leaders created a plan to attract business to revitalize the city.
By 2020, the city had created thousands of new jobs. Haitians who are in the U.S. legally have TPS, which includes a work permit.
What is TPS?
Congress established TPS as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 to provide humanitarian relief to citizens whose countries were suffering from natural disasters, protracted unrest or conflict.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, 16 countries are currently designated for TPS. Individuals who are from TPS-designated countries are eligible to apply for TPS status.
Applicants who “have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States,” or are inadmissible under “criminal and securityrelated grounds” are not eligible for TPS.
Do immigrants commit more crime?
According to the National Institute of Justice, undocumented immigrants are less likely to be arrested for a felony offense than both U.S. citizens and documented immigrants. This trend applies to a number of violent crimes, including homicide, assault, sexual assault and robbery.
The likelihood of an immigrant being incarcerated is 60 percent lower than of people born in the United States, according to the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR).
SOURCE: 270TOWIN GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
Editor-in-Chief
Editorial: This election, don’t forget about refugees and migrants
As anyone who watched the presidential debate this past week can attest, there is a litany of hot-button issues animating the passions of voters this election season. Hearing the two candidates spar over abortion, the economy and the preservation of democracy underscored this. One of the most contentious of these issues in this election is immigration. Both candidates emphasize their credentials as border hard-liners and seek to portray the other as weak on migrant influx into the country. There seems to be little room for nuanced discussion on how the United States can address the root causes of migration and be more welcoming towards documented and undocumented
migrants alike. This needs to change. St. Joe’s prides itself on its adherence to Jesuit ideals. Reflection, care for the whole person and finding God in all things aren’t just buzzwords here. They’re deeply rooted values; ones that should shape each student’s experience on campus and their perception of the world as they navigate life after graduation. Ignoring the plight of migrants and refugees — not just at the U.S.-Mexico border but worldwide — is an abdication of our Jesuit values. Pope Francis said it himself earlier this week when he implored American voters to weigh immigration as a legitimate issue in this election.
Care for refugees and migrants isn’t a broadly popular or politically
expedient course of action. In an election featuring two candidates trying to convince the electorate they are tougher on immigration and border security, it can seem there is no space for voters advocating for a humane discussion on the welfare of migrants. But caring about social justice has never been about doing what is popular. In fact, truly advocating for the whole person often means doing what is unpopular. As St. Joe’s students enter the polls this November, they would do well to remember refugees and migrants when casting their vote.
Correction: In the Sept. 11 issue of The Hawk, the story “What you should know: Voter registration” incorrectly referred to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate instead of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives and Senate. All 203 seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate’s 50 seats will be on the ballot this November.
In the same issue, “Hoops 4 Hope strives to cater to ‘what it is to be human’” incorrectly stated the year Hoops 4 Hope became a nonprofit. Hoops 4 Hope became a nonprofit in 2020.
God and science are intertwined
The other way of knowing
SAHR KARIMU ’26 Photographer
In my life, I have observed that in discussions about reality, many people hold an understandably pervading idea that God and science cannot coexist. However, I believe this idea fails in that it assumes the two are mutually exclusive. I believe that, in reality, God and science are interlocked in an eternally beautiful dance.
The belief that God and science cannot coexist suggests a compression of God’s infinite nature to fit our finite modes of thinking. Richard Dawkins, an esteemed evolutionary biologist, is someone who inadvertently argues
for the infinite as finite. Dawkins’ book, “The God Delusion,” echoes the often-asked question, “If God created the universe, who created God?” This question suffers from the implicit assumption that God is created. I don’t believe in such a god. I believe in a God so powerful that He is eternal and infinite; such is His magnitude.
Those who purport this idea may also claim that people of faith, or more specifically, Christians, believe in a “god of the gaps.” This is the idea that people point to God when they can’t explain things through science. For example, in ancient Greece, when lightning struck, people would attribute it to the deity Zeus. As our knowledge of the natural sciences has developed over time however, people now reject that notion.
People look to atmospheric science as the origin. Of course, I believe lightning is a result of atmospheric forces. However, there’s more to this. I believe the one who laid the foundations of these forces is God, and God is the great engineer of this reality. As our knowledge of science develops, science does not have to supersede God as an explanation for reality. Rather, the two continue their harmonious dance with God as the lead. Through our development of scientific understanding, we can continue to discover the intricate beauty of God. And so my friends, I believe that within our reality, my God is the “why,” and our science is His “how.” With that, I invite you to explore this other way of knowing.
‘Is she Indian or is she Black?’
The race-based system of control and its use in American politics
SOPHIA BERTSCH ’27 Guest Columnist
“Is she Indian or is she Black?” Donald Trump asked July 31, questioning current Vice President Kamala Harris’ race at the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention. The eldest members of my family discussed Trump’s speech incredulously. Initially, I thought my family’s anger was directed toward the former president. Instead, it was directed toward the current vice president. Why were they so angry? What did Harris do that was so wrong? Exist.
There is a worldwide classification system based on having a singular identity. It restricts and controls everything that is heterogeneous, forcing it into a homogeneous binary, and race is a prime example. Individuals not of one race inherently challenge this classification used to organize and control
a population. If you identify as more than one race, you face pressure to choose only one, denying the other parts of who you are. Multiracialism finds no place in a racial hierarchy with white at its peak, and, as a result, multiracial individuals are robbed of autonomy by the pressure to conform to this one-race system.
Harris’ mere existence threatens this system. She must either be Indian “OR” Black, not “AND.” She is held to the standards of others regarding when to display her races. This mindset that people can only have one race is perpetuated on an individual level, such as my family’s anger that Harris doesn’t simplify her identity into just one race. It is also present on a systemic level, like how the U.S. Census Bureau didn’t allow participants to select more than one race as a response until 2000. This issue is larger than my family, the former president and even the United States. Identity relies on self-definition. An identity is brought to existence by how
an individual chooses to acknowledge it. Identity does not, and should not, exist as a mechanism of control, the way it does in American politics today.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
Labor rights at risk
CAROLINE TRIMBLE ’26
Hawk Columnist
If you pay attention to current politics, I’m sure you’ve heard about The Heritage Foundation’s “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” more commonly known as Project 2025. The plan details what actions “the next conservative President,” in this case former President Donald Trump, should take during their tenure in office. Much of this 922-page document is extremely problematic, covering governmental reform in every area possible and impacting issues such as abortion, immigration, climate and the economy.
Among the broad range of topics covered in Project 2025 are labor rights and unions. Project 2025 calls for several questionable reforms that would diminish the rights of federal workers in the United States The authors argue that unions have historically been “incompatible” with the government, and urge the next Congress to “consider whether public-sector unions are appropriate” at all.
Project 2025 also calls for the reinstatement of two of Trump’s executive orders, which protected employers from being forced to acknowledge the grievances of their employees. The two orders were rescinded by President Joe Biden early in his presidency in 2021. Executive Order 13837,signed by Trump
More than a heat wave
The hottest summer on record
TAYLOR STECH ’25 Columnist
As we settle into the semester, saying goodbye to summer and awaiting cooler fall days, we cannot overlook the significance that this summer was Earth’s hottest on record and the United States’ fourth-hottest ever. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) recently found that temperatures for this boreal summer, spanning June to August, were 0.69 degrees Celsius hotter than the 1991-2020 average, and .02 degrees Celsius hotter than the June-August period in 2023. Cities are also commonly faced with the urban heat island effect, which causes infrastructure to trap heat in these
locations and results in hotter temperatures. Philadelphia itself experienced extreme heat, and certain disenfranchised groups are disproportionately impacted by these increased temperatures. This includes homes in formerly redlined neighborhoods being more vulnerable to heat due to low tree coverage and flat roofs. Additionally, people experiencing homelessness are at extreme risk of heatstroke when high temperatures and humidity make it dangerous to even sit outside. As a result, over the summer, Philadelphia implemented a Code Red to find and transport unhoused people during the extreme heat waves.
Children in Philadelphia public schools have also been affected by this immense heat. Efforts have been made to remedy the problem, such as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’
Cable television: Is it worth it?
CARTER KARPINSKI
’25 Columnist
The NFL is officially back, which means your friend who still has cable television can feel a little bit better about themself. Cable is hanging on by a thread as streaming continues to poach its last hope in sports. But if you ask me, cable can stick around. After all, just like streaming services, I’m not paying for it — just mooching off someone who is. Still, this raises the question: Is cable television worth it when sports aren’t on?
Unlike streaming services, where you waste hours trying to pick something, you’re going to watch what cable
television has picked out for you, and you’re going to like it. And you’re going to thank cable by paying $120 a month for it. Luckily for you, most of cable television consists of old show reruns you probably like, from “Friends” on Nickelodeon to “Friends” on TBS to “Friends” on Comedy Central. I watched a random episode of “The King of Queens” for three minutes, and saw Kevin James fall over four times and a Tucker Carlson cameo. You don’t get THAT on streaming.
Everybody who watches Netflix has probably experienced this at some point: you really love a show for the first two seasons, and then the streaming overlords rip it away like you’re a dog chewing on some weird plastic thing you found under the couch. But you know, Netflix,
in 2018, encouraged federa l agencies to “prevent union representatives from using official time preparing or pursuing” complaints and to stop them from “engaging in other union activity on government time.” Executive Order 13839, also signed by Trump in 2018, significantly limited what employees and unions could file grievances for. The order eliminated the right to dispute termination due to alleged poor performance, shortened performance improvement periods and limited discussions surrounding incentive pay.
The restriction of union participation and existence leaves workers subject to exploitation by their employers.
Public-sector unions hold federal agencies accountable for providing fair
wages, reasonable hours and safe work environments to millions of employees in the United States. Project 2025’s calls for limitations on unions prevent federal workers from fighting for these rights, ultimately giving the government complete control over whether or not these rights are upheld.
If Trump takes office in 2025, public-sector unions will be severely weakened or destroyed, and the government will take a step in the direction towards authoritarianism.
$200,000 donation to the School District of Philadelphia. However, while 163 schools are sufficiently cooled, 63 district buildings still lack proper cooling. This results in uncomfortable and unsafe learning environments for students and difficulty in finding teachers to work in hot buildings.
As summer and global temperatures continue to rise to new extremes, it is important to understand that this is the result of man-made climate change. Carbon pollution is causing record-setting hot temperatures. The consequences of extreme heat on vulnerable groups in Philadelphia and across the globe are becoming more evident as new heat records are constantly being broken. There is a need to change infrastructure to adapt to this heat, such as by increasing green spaces and airflow
in cities. Extreme heat is not going away anytime soon, and it needs to be addressed to protect vulnerable populations.
sometimes I just want to go ham on some weird plastic thing.
However, cable television has the opposite problem. “The Big Bang Theory” had 12 seasons, followed by seven more seasons of “Young Sheldon.” “Ridiculousness” premiered in 2011 and already has 42 seasons. Even “The Masked Singer,” only five years old, is in its 12th season. Why? How? Does Robin Thicke really need money that badly?
The state of cable television is so terrible that not even “Jeopardy!” resurrecting Alex Trebek for another season could save it. However, as it goes out with a whimper, we can appreciate it for what it once was: soulless entertainment full of prescription drug commercials with side effects that will definitely kill you.
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHICS: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
South Africa Stories
‘A voice for the voiceless’ Center works to aid unhoused in Durban
KILEY O’BRIEN ’25
Assistant Features Editor
Durban, South Africa — Chacko Shabalala’s story is one that keeps staff at the Denis Hurley Centre focused on their mission to help men living on the streets in Durban.
Growing up in a relative’s home where he did not feel loved, Shabalala turned to drugs and alcohol when he was just 13 years old. From there, his life spiraled. After four years of living on the streets, he found his way in 2016 to the Denis Hurley Centre, a nonprofit organization in central Durban dedicated to assisting people in need of housing, rehabilitation and employment.
“We used to come for breakfast and take a shower, [get] lunch, and also there are social workers who offer you help, so I started applying [for rehab],” Shabalala said.
Founded in 2015, the Denis Hurley Centre is named in honor of Denis Hurley, a beloved Catholic archbishop and anti-apartheid activist who served in Durban from 1947 to 1992. Focused on serving Durban’s unhoused population, the center counts drug and alcohol rehabilitation among its many services.
Raymond Perrier, former director of the Jesuit Institute South Africa, has been the director of the Denis Hurley Centre since its opening in 2015. Perrier said Hurley dedicated his life to fighting for those who are most in need in society, so that’s what the center strives to do for the unhoused of Durban. According to Perrier, the Denis Hurley Centre worked with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to conduct a census of unhoused people in central Durban and
immediate surrounding areas in 2016.
The study found 4,000 unhoused people in central Durban. Perrier estimated that this number has since grown by 50% to about 6,000.
Over the next five years, Shabalala relapsed twice until a social worker at the Hurley Centre referred him to the Napier Centre, a residential after-care facility in a rural area northwest of Durban. Perrier said long-term after-care treatment for those who have already completed the center’sregulareight-to-12-weekprogram is key for the men they work with.
“The big issue is what happens to somebody who’s wbeen on the streets, they leave the rehab center, and then they’re back on the streets, and so the temptation to relapse is very high,” Perrier said.
At Napier, Shabalala said he was provided with the tools he needed to prevent future relapses. After spending six months there, Shabalala now operates a clothing business, using skills he learnedatthefacility.
“They equip me with business management skills, sewing skills, of which I live my life using those skills,” Shabalala said. “Irunabusinessnow,Iselldressesandshirts, trousers,whateverthecustomerwants.”
Shabalala credits the Hurley Centre for supporting his journey from addiction to recovery.
“I understand that, somehow, God sent me again to this place,” Shabalala said, “becausenowIhaveagoodrelationshipwith Denis Hurley Centre. Whenever they need me to go and motivate somewhere, or to go
and do a drug awareness somewhere, they know I’m just a phone call away. So we kind of like working together now. They are the ones who used to support me.”
Where it began
Hurley’s contemporaries included Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Beyers Naudé of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in South Africa. All three members of the clergy were active opponents of apartheid and advocated for social justice through the church. A photo of Hurley, arms linked with other religious leaders, marching in protest against the apartheid government, hangs on a wall in the center.
Hurley advocated for inclusivity of all religions in South Africa and collaborated with Muslim leaders in the Durban community. That collaboration is evident in the strong ties between the Denis Hurley Centre and adjoining Emmanuel Cathedral and the nearby Juma Masjid Mosque, also known as the Grey Street Mosque.
The Grey Street Mosque gave the first donation to the Denis Hurley Centre nearly a decade ago to aid in its creation, according to Mohamed Khan, a member of Juma Masjid Mosque and the Islamic Propagation Centre International.
Leaders of both communities have also been welcomed into the other’s worship spaces, as both Khan and Perrier pointed out.
“[Hurley] was the first bishop to be invited to speak at Friday prayers at the mosque,” Perrier said. “He invited Muslim
leaders to come and speak in the cathedral.” One of the ongoing collaborations between the Catholic and Muslim communities is a feeding scheme, which takes place in a courtyard near the cathedral and mosque. There, volunteers of all religions prepare food for the unhoused.
“The mosque and the church feed together,” Khan said.
Terms
Riverlea - A residential mining town established in the 1960s under the Group Areas Act of 1950 for South Africans, designated by apartheid laws as mixed race or “coloured.” Homes and schools are located close to abandoned mines that are highlypolluted.
Zama zama - A Zulu term that means “take achance,” andreferstopeoplewhominefor minerals in abandoned mine shafts. This miningisnotlegalandnotregulated.
Tailings - Waste produced in the process of extracting valuable minerals from ore in mining operations. Tailings are finegrained and contain trace amounts of zinc, copper,mercuryandcadmium.
Raymond Perrier, former director of the Jesuit Institute South Africa and current director of the Denis Hurley Centre, stands next to a bronze near-life size statue of Hurley in the foyer of the building.
PHOTO: HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
"DENIS HURLEY"
Serving with dignity
The feeding scheme is part of the decadeold Nkosinathi Project, with Nkosinathi translating to “God is with us” in Zulu. The project offers breakfast and a cooked lunch four days a week, serving over 14,000 meals a month, with the help of donations from local traders as well as cash donations from the church and mosque.
The way the scheme is run is designed to prioritize the dignity of the people being served. There are benches for people to sit on as they wait to be called for the meals, which are served on plastic plates and in tin cups. Because there isn’t enough seating for everyone, they eat in shifts, but each person is allowed time to sit to eat their meal.
One of the signature features of the feeding scheme is its offering of halal food so that unhoused Muslims can partake as well. Perrier noted the significance of a halal kitchen in a Catholic space, which came about when leaders at the mosque asked for help in setting up their own feeding scheme for Muslims.
“We said, ‘Well, that’s fine, but tell us how to make ours halal, and then we’ll work together,” Perrier said. “Being halal means homeless guys who are Muslim get food that’s appropriate for them. We often have Muslim volunteers, so they’re not cooking something which they feel uncomfortable with. But also, this is the cunning part of it, most of the butchers around here are halal butchers, so they then give us spare meat because they’re invested in the program.”
‘ It changed my life’
Tracy Bolt, a resident of Durban, began preparing meals in the Emmanuel Cathedral for the unhoused in 2006, and then started working with the Denis Hurley Centre on the Nkosinathi Project when it opened.
The Denis Hurley Centre gave her the
opportunity to support her son and get off of the streets.
“It changed my life, and I’m very happy in this place, ” Bolt said.
Mariam Ali, a law student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, volunteers with the Nkosinathi Project. She said volunteering introduces her to new people and allows her to interact with those from various religious backgrounds.
“With [unhoused] people, nobody really stops to actually talk to them and take time to know what’s going on in their lives,” Ali said. “I think that the best part is just talking to people.”
Other elements of the Nkosinathi Project include providing showers, clean clothes and a space where the unhoused can receive care without the fear of being penalized.
Referrals are also given to Usizo Lwethu Clinic, the Hurley Centre’s in-house primary health care clinic that grants free medical care to the unhoused and provides testing and monitoring regardless of background. Established in 2006, the clinic started as an initiative of the Catholic Archdiocese of Durban AIDS Commission.
Perrier said the Nkosinathi Project bridges a connection from the unhoused to the organization, which allows them to provide more personal care.
“Seeing people regularly, them seeing us regularly, helps them to trust us and to get to know us,” Perrier said. “This means we can then start talking about drug rehab, about legal issues, about getting people into training, getting people into work, and most importantly, connecting people with their families.”
Perrier said the Denis Hurley Centre aims to replicate the legacy and humility that Hurley left behind, now 20 years after his death in 2004.
“A phrase we often use is just to be a voice for the voiceless, to speak out for those whose voices don’t get heard,” Perrier said.
Chacko Shabalala operates a clothing business using business management and sewing skills he acquired during his time at the Napier Centre, a residential after-care facility. PHOTO: HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
Mohamed Khan, a member of the Juma Masjid Mosque and the Islamic Propagation Centre International has a close working relationship with the Denis Hurley Centre and the cathedral. The Juma Masjid Mosque gave the first donation to the Denis Hurley Centre to contribute to the creation of the centre. PHOTO: HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
“DENIS HURLEY” FROM PG. 5
Volunteers serve breakfast and a cooked lunch four days a week to unhoused people in the courtyard between the cathedral and the Denis Hurley Centre. Local traders and cash donations from the church and mosque help to provide over 14,000 meals a month. PHOTO: THE HAWK
Mine dumps expose community to health issues
‘There’s days and nights where I think I’m going to die now’
ANNA KALAFATIS ’22, M.A. ’24 Staff Writer
Johannesburg, South Africa — A series of yellow mountains loom over the township of Riverlea, about six miles west of Johannesburg.
The mountains, known as tailings, are the result of waste materials left over from the processing of ore during mining operations. When the wind blows, toxic dust creates an ever-present layer of grime on and in the houses near the tailings, including a multigenerational house where a family of sevensistersisnowdowntothree.
“We tried to stay strong,” said Siritta Varnicker, the niece of Beverley Triegaardt, one of the sisters who died in June 2023. “Everytime one of us wanted to break down, werunoutoftheroom,gocry,washourface, gobackin,andbelike,‘Areyouokay?’”
Before Triegaardt died from lymphoma, she relied on oxygen tanks and the support of her sisters, Yolanda Spalding and Rochelle Smith, and other relatives living in the house. Most members of the family experiencebreathingproblems.
“My baby’s only three months old,” Varnicker said, “and she’s suffering with sinusissues”
For Varnicker and her family, the cause ofallthissufferingisclear.
“We believe it’s the dunes,” Varnicker said,referringtothetailings.
Spalding, who also has breathing issues,agreed.
“The whole of Riverlea is suffering,” Spaldingsaid.
The tailings that surround Riverlea, and many other Black residential communities in South Africa, are next to abandoned mines.Mininghasplayedasignificantrolein South Africa’s history since the late 19th century. Though production has been on the decline in the last few decades, mining operations, including illegal mining, continuein Johannesburg.
Environmental experts widely agree mining tailings are toxic and create health issuesfor peoplewholivenearthem.
TheRiverleaMiningForum,anonprofit startedbycommunitymembers,has tried to take legal action to ensure the community is informed about local mining operations and is safe from mining-related crimeand environmentaleffects.
“The mining companies do not respect us when it comes to the rules and regulations that must be followed,” said Charles van der Merwe, a member of the Riverlea Mining Forum, “so they just come
and do as they please.”
VanderMerweconnects people to VitalAire, an oxygen tank distributor, and conducts water tests in the Russell Stream which runs along the southern side of Riverlea adjacent to the tailings. VitalAire’s website points to Section 24 of the South African Constitution: “Everyonehas a right to live in a clean and healthy environment that is not harmful to their health andsafety”
In August 2021, Alfred Crook, a priest in the Old ApostolicChurchinRiverlea, lost his wife, Daphne, who had relied on oxygen tanks fromVitalAiretobreathe.
“If she got offthe oxygen for a minute, her face is getting blue, her lips, herhands,”Crooksaid.
Crook said he barely recognized his wife atherfuneralbecauseherbodyhaddarkened fromlackofoxygen.Hissix-year-oldgrandson has also developed a chest problem that impacts his breathing and causes coughing andseizures
Butgettingtheminingcompanies,andthe government, to address environmental and health impacts in communities like Riverleaisoftenabattleforresidents.
“Our task is rather difficult,” said Cedric Ortell, community monitor for the Riverlea Mining Forum “First of all, we need experts on board, water experts, air qualityexperts,healthexperts.”
Mark Kayter, a member of the Riverlea Mining Forum, works to hold mining companiesaccountablefortheimpactofmine waste on communities and the environment.
Kayter spoke to the South African government’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee in September 2023 to discuss rehabilitation of abandoned mine shafts in nearby George Harrison Park. There are more than 6,000 abandoned mines across South Africa, with several hundred mines around Johannesburg, according to the office oftheAuditorGeneralofSouthAfrica
Kayter said he was unhappy with the outcome of the meeting. While Mintek, a mineral and metallurgical company contracted by the SouthAfrican
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) closed entry to about 28 mine shafts in Riverlea, those caps have done little to help the community, he said.
“They’re not sealing anything, not rehabilitating. They are simply capping them,” said Kayter, referring to a concrete slab with an emblem of a skull and crossbones etched into it.
The Hawk reached out to Mintek for clarificationaboutthecappingbutdidnot receive a response.
Some of the capped shafts are in George Harrison Park, the site of the first gold discovery in South Africa in 1886. The parkhasprovincialHeritageSitestatus.
Kayter said mining at George Harrison Park was discontinued after Central Rand Gold, the previous owner of the mine, went into liquidation. The capped shafts are now ownerless, and miners called Zama Zamas have begun to illegally mine intheabandonedareas.
In fact, according to Kayter, the concrete caps put on the old shafts actually encourage illegalminingratherthandeterit.
“Rehabilitating would be like filling them up and closing up permanently,” Kayter said. “They just kept putting a lid on it…that tells the Zama Zamas where the shaft is. So you just come at night and then you can just open up and then you’re
back in business”
MembersoftheRiverleaMiningForum plan to continue pressuring the DMRE and the mining industry, with the hope those companies responsible for the environmental damages are liable and conductproperrehabilitationprotocols.
The Hawk asked DMRE officials for comment on residents’ complaints and concerns about mine pollution but did not receivearesponse
“We can’t allow these people to just come and do as they please,” Kayter said. “Let’stacklethem.Let’sfight.Let’sseehowfar wecangetwiththis.”
Meanwhile, residents of Riverlea continue to struggle with mining-related pollution in their water, soil and in the air. Spalding said she worries that without proper rehabilitation of the mines, toxic dust from the tailings will take herastheirnextvictim.
“There’s days and nights where I think I’m going to die now,” she said, holding backtears.“It’sterrible.”
Tailing mountains loom over the perimeter of Riverlea, a residential neighborhood west of Johannesburg. Australian George Harrison began prospecting for gold in this area in the late 1880s.
The family home of Rochelle Smith, Yolanda Spalding and Siritta Varnicker is on a street close to a tailing mountain in Riverlea. On windy days tailing dust ends up on top of and inside houses like theirs.
Cedric Ortell (left), Charles van der Merwe (center), and Mark Kayter (right), members of the Riverlea Mining Forum, point out a small stream of orange-colored water flowing along the base of a tailing heap. PHOTOS: ZACH PODOLNICK ’26/THE HAWK
Township pizza spot runs on hard work, dreams
Features Editor
LILLI DELLHEIM M.A. ’25
Special to the Hawk
Mautse, South Africa — On the first day she opened Kasi Pizza at the end of 2022, Makatleho (Anna) Maseko sold every one of the 80 pizzas she had prepared in her small kitchen.
Maseko operates Kasi Pizza from her garage-turned-pizza restaurant in the Black township of Mautse, which was created by the apartheid government under the Group Areas Act of 1950. It is the township’s only formal restaurant.
Kasi Pizza offers six kinds of pizza, including chicken, vegetable and mince, as well as burgers and fries and traditional African food like skopo (sheep’s head) and pap (maize meal). Diners sit outside under asteelawningtotherightofthedriveway.
Maseko has loved cooking since she was a child. She first entered the food industry washing dishes and waitressing, including at a restaurant across the highway in Rosendal. At Rosa Restaurant, a head chef noticed Maseko’s cooking and promoted her to a line chef.
“He told me, ‘You do not belong where you are,’” Maseko said. “‘Just follow your heart’ Then I went to the kitchen and I never went back”
Maseko moved on to become head chef and manager at Benjamin’s Restaurant in Rosendal. Expanding her portfolio of skills, she also underwent training to bake and decorate cakes. In June 2022, she founded Anna’s Bakery to make special occasion cakes for the local and surrounding communities. Six months later,shelaunchedKasiPizza.
Shortly after starting Kasi Pizza, Maseko won first place in a youth business competition, walking away with prize money that helped her buy her first officialpizzaoven.
Maseko employs her husband, Samuel Maseko, who handles all of the business
paperwork, including applying for funding, and one other person full time. Four other local women work when needed.
“We are now two employees, plus the other four,” Samuel Maseko said. “When it’s catering or it’s a bit hectic, everyone is here, and she needs to pay so that they can provide for their families.”
The Masekos want to create jobs, specifically for youth. South Africa’s youth unemployment rate sits at a staggering 45.5%. Its overall unemployment rate is the highest in the world.
“We grew up in this area where there are no jobs. You don’t work, you don’t eat,”
Samuel Maseko said.
Lerato Maseko, daughter of Makatleho Maseko’s sister-in-law, works for Makatleho Maseko and said while she now dreams of starting a catering business, she hadn’t thought about it until she started working at Kasi Pizza.
“I learned everything here from the owner of the business,” Lerato Maseko said. “She’s the one who taught me and took me in, each and every step.”
Makatleho Maseko said she hopes to continue supporting youth by sharing her professional skills with young girls. She plans to offer baking classes and certificates for girls going through the transition from high school to university.
“Whilst they are waiting for university, they can help themselves,”
Samuel Maseko said.
Another future goal is to sell Kasi Pizza’s allergy-friendly bases in large supermarket chain stores like Shoprite and Pick n Pay. The restaurant’s menu currently has gluten-free pizza options, replacing the typical crust with a gluten-free alternative but keeping the same signature tomato paste and stringy melted cheese. Makatleho Maseko is looking to source vegan cheese as well.
Makatleho Maseko said she offers allergy-friendly options in her restaurant because many children in the community have intolerances to foods like gluten.
Because the local community is a big supporter of Kasi Pizza, the Masekos said
they want to ensure their food is available at an accessible price point. A small pizza is sold for R60 ($3.36) and a large pizza for R120 ($6.71).
The community’s support has fueled Makatleho Maseko’s desire to expand seating, which is limited because of the restaurant’s small physical location. Final paperwork pending, the municipality is helping the Masekos set up a shipping container restaurant next to the community stadium down the street from their current location. They are also in the process of applying for funding for a motorbike so they can hire someone to do deliveries.
“The thing is, she’s got the passion for this, and it’s now starting to show some glimpse of good things to come,” Samuel Maseko said.
That passion, the culmination of years spent chasing a dream, is evident in Makatleho Maseko’s desire to share her culinary gifts.
“This is the best thing that I’ve ever done to my life,” said Makatleho Maseko, as the aroma of freshly baked dough traveled through the window of her kitchen, filling diners’ noses before curling down the driveway.
HANNAH PAJTIS ’26
Makatleho (Anna) Maseko prepares a pizza in her home kitchen, which she sometimes uses as preparation space for her restaurant. PHOTO: MAXIMILIAN MURPHY ’26/THE HAWK
Makatleho (Anna) Maseko cooks a pizza at Kasi Pizza, her garage-turned-pizza restaurant in Mautse, a township in the Free State province. PHOTO: MAXIMILIAN MURPHY ’26/THE HAWK
Student radio program celebrates local talent
‘Music
brings a community’
TESS MARGIS ’26
Features Reporter
GAVIN KUEBLER ’25
Assistant Features Editor
Philadelphia-based bands, each representing different musical genres, performed on the lawn outside Campion Student Center on the Hawk Hill campus Sept. 13. The concert, hosted by student-run radio station, Radio 1851, featured local bands Betty Lawless, Valendina and The Jesters.
James Miller ’26, executive board member of Radio 1851, helped organize the event. Miller says one of the club’s central goals is spotlighting campus musicians.
“We’re always looking to hear from musiciansoncampus,”Millersaid,“tohave them send us their songs to play on the radio,orjustletusknowwho[they]areand that [they] exist, so we can get [them] in a concert”
Miller said another of the aims for projects like these is simply bringing more excitement to campus life, adding, “On the weekends,notalotofpeoplearecomingto eventsoncampus,so we’re reallytrying to buildthatup.”
Several members of the Radio 1851 executive board confirmed there are plans to host a similar concert during the spring 2025 semester.
Christina Molinari ’25 watched the concert with her friends and said she thinks the concert is great for the local music scenes in Philadelphia and here at St. Joe’s.
“Musicbringsacommunity,”Molinari said. “Everyone has a good time
Shannon Tonetta ’26, a personal friend of the Philly area alternative rock band Valendina, has experience in musical education and with the local Philadelphia music scene. Tonetta said having a tight music community is important.
“Having the bands get to know each other through events like this is great,”
Tonetta said. “Because then they can put on their own shows. Philly’s really good at DIY, and so the only way you can do that is by building community and doing shows together with bands that otherwise wouldn’t have met.”
Pop-punk band Valendina was established in 2021, but the members have known each other for much longer.
After meeting at the Delco’s Let There Be Rock school a decade ago, they played in various bands before forming Valendina. They were invited to this year’s concert after playing at the Radio 1851 concert in the Perch in November 2023.
Karina Patricelli, Valendina’s lead
vocalist and bassist, said it’s important to network with local radio stations and venues.
“[Booking bands] is just a cool experience for the radio stations, too, because they’re getting immersed in how shows work, and how booking people works,” Patricelli said. “We’re here all to help each other.”
Indie rock band The Jesters have been releasing music since 2019. The four-person group closed out the show with some feel-good tunes.
After forming in 2019, the members of rock band Betty Lawless are now split across several universities, including St.
Joe’s. The group has faced increasing challenges to their rehearsal schedule. Colin Cooper ’25, member of Betty Lawless and president of Radio 1851, said it’s worth it to power through these challenges in order to practice and perform together.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s on a stage or if it’s in my childhood basement,” Cooper said. “Just getting to make music with your friends is a blessing, something everybody should experience at one point.”
Five mental health resources for Suicide Prevention Month
HANNAH PAJTIS ’26
Features Editor
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, honoring lives lost to suicide and destigmatizing conversations about mental wellness. Here are five mental health resources for those seeking extra support run by local, national and international mental wellness initiatives.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Mental health support is available at St. Joe’s, with offices for CAPS located in Merion Gardens on the Hawk Hill campus, Whitecar Hall on the University City campus and the Health and Wellness Suite at the Lancaster campus. Services provided by CAPS include individual and group counseling, drop-in counseling and workshops. Appointments can be made over the phone, through email, via the website contact form or in person.
Healthy Minds Philly
Healthy Minds Philly is a Philadelphiabased initiative that offers mental health and wellness tools for Philadelphians
“regardless of zip code, insurance or income status.” The initiative leads support groups and other community events throughout the city. They also run a public education program called Mental Health First Aid that teaches individuals how to recognize and respond to mental health crises. Healthy Minds Philly offers specialized services for people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community and uploads free mental wellness articles on their online blog.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Philadelphia
NAMI Philadelphia is an organization dedicated to providing support to those battling mental illness and advocating for the destigmatization of mental health conversations. In addition to hosting support groups, NAMI Philadelphia’s website provides a list of further local mental health resources that includes addresses and contact information.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The suicide prevention lifeline, available 24/7, can be reached by calling 988. Conversations held over the lifeline are free of charge and kept confidential.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a suicide-prevention nonprofit centered around providing 24/7 support to LGBTQ youth. Resources provided by the Trevor Project include online mental health guides, crisis counseling, a suicide prevention hotline and TrevorSpace, an international online networking site for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24.
GRAPHIC: MINDY CHOI ’25/THE HAWK
Betty Lawless members Dominic Rossi ’25, Will Finnegan ’25, Colin Cooper ’25 and Aiden Stine ’25 perform music in the Campion Courtyard, Sept. 13.
PHOTO: ZACH PODOLNICK ’26/THE HAWK
CineHawk: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
JAYLEN DOTSON ’21
Hawk Staff
Directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is the long-awaited sequel to the 1988 horror comedy classic “Beetlejuice.”
The story follows the grown-up goth Lydia Deetz, played by a returning Winona Ryder, three decades after her bizarre encounter with the ghost and “bio-exorcist” known as Betelgeuse, brought to life again by Michael Keaton.
When a death in the family reunites Lydia with her estranged daughter, Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, the two struggle to reconnect as dark forces from the afterlife compel Lydia to do the unthinkable: willingly summon Betelgeuse back into her life.
Thirty-eight years have passed since the first installment, but Tim Burton has not missed a single step. The director effortlessly recreates the grotesquely idiosyncratic yet relatably monotonous afterlife he created so long ago. Though “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” relies more on CGI than its predecessor, the digital effects are decent and there are still plenty of practical elements to keep the fantastical world just tangible enough.
Sequels often fight an uphill battle to be more than repetitive nostalgia bait and maintain the thematic integrity of their stories.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” may not have anything new to say, but it does
continue the original’s exploration of the inevitability of death and the need to appreciate life while it lasts.
In particular, Astrid’s plotline works as a heightened metaphor for mental and emotional struggles without deviating from the irreverent tone.
This sequel’s behind-the-camera talent could only shine thanks to the stars in front of the camera. Ryder maintains all of Lydia’s essential characteristics from the first film while believably conveying how the passage of time and adulthood has evolved her. Keaton’s Betelgeuse is as insane and hilarious as ever, not to mention he has much more screen time than in the original. The last legacy actor, Catherine O’Hara, is an absolute treat as the lovably obnoxious Delia. For the portrayal of
CROSSWORD: Autumn days
OLIVIA GASPARRO ’27
Features Columnist
Lydia’s daughter, the film could not have made a better choice than Jenna Ortega, who proves herself the perfect successor to Ryder while imbuing Astrid with a unique identity.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a wildly fun time at the theater that will not soon be forgotten.
Across
2.An outdoorsy drive during the autumn months
3.During autumn, these fall from the trees
4.Nap time for animals
7. You carve faces in these to make them come alive
8.Season of crisp, cold air
Summer in the rearview
KILEY O’BRIEN ’25
Assistant Features Editor
This summer, we’ve experienced so much within the music world, with artists paving new roads and pushing the boundaries of the industry. Now, we must wish summer a farewell with this mix of old and new songs that capture the memories of sunny days.
“Juno” – Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter shook the music industry with her new album, “Short n’ Sweet,” including this song based on the 2007 romcom of the same name. After releasing two extremely successful singles, “Espresso,” and “Please Please Please,” skeptics wondered how her album could top these hits. “Juno,” which has been played on every corner since its release in late August, embodies Carpenter’s sarcastic and upbeat tone.
“Soak up the Sun” – Sheryl Crow
The summer brought about chaos and reconciliation for many, making it easy to lose track of the present. Bringing it back to the early 2000s, Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun” reminds us all to take a deep breath and not take life so seriously. Notably, she says, “I’m gonna tell everyone to lighten up,” which is an energy we can bring into the fall months.
“Lithonia” – Childish Gambino
After not releasing an album for nearly eight years, Childish Gambino released 28 songs across two albums in the span of May to July. The albums, “Atavista” and “Bando Stone and The New World,” surprised fans waiting for new music from the R&B rapper. “Lithonia” is the second song on “Bando Stone and The New World,” and is also the title of the movie Childish Gambino is currently directing and starring in. “Lithonia” is the perfect jam to enter the new season and hear something new from Gambino after so long.
“Juna” – Clairo
Clairo has returned with a new album titled “Charm,” consisting of 11 new songs that stay true to her soft vocals. This is her first album release since “Sling” in 2021. “Juna,” the seventh track on the new album, reflects on how to be vulnerable in relationships. She battles the conflict of removing those internal walls and showing her true self, a deeply important aspect of her writing. “Charm,” and especially “Juna,” offers the perfect transition into the colder weather for a cozy night in.
“Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
“Die With A Smile” features the duo we never knew we needed: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. These artists shocked their fans by teaming up and releasing this heart-wrenching song, performing the single for the first time Aug. 15 at the Intuit Dome as a surprise song during Mars’ concert. The track, which represents two lovers who will do anything to be together in their final moments, peaked at number one on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes during its release week. “Die With A Smile” complements both of the artists’ vocals and gives fans an opportunity to close out summer with this unique collaboration.
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
‘It’s now my turn to return that love’
Former St. Joe’s coach returns to Philadelphia, honored by Philadelphia Legacies
Sports Editor
When Phil Martelli arrived at the Philadelphia Legacies Portrait & Community Awards ceremony Sept. 7, he was greeted by a bannerthatread“WelcomeHomePhil.”
AfterspendingfiveyearsinAnnArboras the associate head coach for the University of Michigan men’s basketball team, the longtime St. Joe’s coach returned to his Philly rootsfollowingthe2023-24season
And his hometown and its organizations opened their arms. Philadelphia Legacies, a not-for-profit organization that honors those who have made an impact in Philadelphia, honored Martelli with a portrait award. The portrait depicts Martelli surrounded by other St. Joe’s basketball figureheads, a nod to the seven NBA head coaches the school has produced Martelli is joined in the portrait by Jameer Nelson ’18 and Delonte West while holding a basketball that reads “27-0,” referencing the Hawks’magical2003-04season.
“I was being honored on the backs of so many people that were in that portrait and that were in that room, ” said Martelli, 70 “We’re all standing on someone’s back, and that picture reflected a lot of the people who I stood on their back, and they reached out a hand to me, and then it’s my responsibility to turn around and reach out my hand to the nextperson ”
Martelli’s reflection on the night and the honor led back to one thing: relationships. It wasthethemeofhisspeechatthedinner,and the theme of his career, including 24 seasons
as the Hawks’ head coach. The relationships he continues to foster, and the free and unfiltered use of the phrase “love you” in thoseconversations,arewhatMartellisaidhe was most proud of as a coach.
“It wasn’t easy to leave Philadelphia, but when I had in my hand the texts that ended with ‘love you,’ ‘here for you,’ it’s now my turn to return that love,” Martelli said. “That goes for all these unbelievable relationships that I’ve been able to develop through basketball and through this magnificent city of Philadelphia”
Now that he’s back, Martelli hopes to continuethoserelationshipsinPhiladelphia. He believes being able to do so face-to-face will make them stronger.
“To be able to be home and to make eye contact, to meaningfully shake a hand, give a hug, be there when someone needs you, I am so rejuvenated,” Martelli said. “I wasn’t out of juice, but boy, I have a lot of juice for building and strengthening relationships and making a difference in this community”
The work Martelli has already done makingadifferenceinthecommunityispart ofthereasonhewashonoredbyPhiladelphia Legacies, alongside Philadelphia civil rights activists the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, Cecil B. Moore, J.D., and Sam Evans, as well as Bernard C. Watson, Ph.D., and Philadelphia 76ers’ great Wali Jones.
In that room were a number of people who are making Philadelphia better day by day, and they are heroes,” Martelli said. “They’re
heroes because they do extraordinary work, and a lot of people don’t even know that they’re out there. So it’s just a sense of gratitude and a sense of appreciation for all the good that the people in the room, not just the people that were honored, are doing.”
Jones, a guard on the Sixers’ 1967 championship team who also played for Villanova and in high school for Overbrook, was honored for his work with the Shoot for the Stars initiative, which empowers youth leadership. Philadelphia Legacies also donated over $2,000 to the organization.
Jones said Philly coaching staples Martelli, Fran Dunphy and others have also given back to his organization, demonstrating how the Big 5 is greater than basketball.
“When you talk about a partnership and the legends of the City of Brotherly Love, these men are examples of guys that have given back,” Jones said. “A lot of these coaches have actually given back to us at our camps and also given back to our coaches’ clinics. So I was really excited to be there with that group of people.”
Robert Hartshorn ’04, a walk-on for the 2003-04 Hawks, said Martelli’s impact spanned so wide because of his boldness in how he approaches things. Hartshorn referred to his former coach as “a real Hawk” for showing no quit in his pursuit to serve those around him.
“He started Coaches vs. Cancer in Philadelphia. He started that chapter, and that chapter just so happens to have raised
the most money,” Hartshorn said. “He’s not sheepish when he believes in something; he goes all-in for it”
Pat Carroll ’05, M.S. ’14, one of the stars ofthatteam,saidthateven20yearsremoved, Martelli still keeps in touch with his players. He spearheaded a team reunion and is also there for them beyond basketball.
“He made it very clear that he wasn’t therejusttosupport thebasketballplayer.He wastheretosupport youasaperson,”Carroll said. “I’d say he helped more people off the court beyond just the amazing accolades and everything he did on the court.”
Added Hartshorn: “People say, ‘Oh, I played for a one-in-a-million coach’ He’s a one-in-a-billion coach”
As Martelli looks forward to continuing his work off the court in Philly, he’s ready to start by repaying what he’s been given.
“I extend my hand, and if people want to reach out and make a connection, then I’m here to pay back,” Martelli said. “I’ve been pushed forward by so many, and it’s my responsibility to pay it back. I’m here for that”
An earlier version of this article was first published by the Philadelphia Inquirer Sept. 11 as part of the Inquirer’s college correspondent program.
MIA MESSINA ’25
Left to Right: Pat Carroll ’05, M.S. ’14, Rob Hartshorn ’04, Phil Martelli and Tasheed Carr ’09 at the Philadelphia Legacies Portrait & Community Awards ceremony, Sept. 7.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAT CARROLL ’05, M.S. ’14
‘We’re just really happy to be back on campus’
O’Pake pool marks new chapter in club swimming’s history
MAXIMUS FISHER ’25 Sports Reporter
The grand opening of the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center commenced the start of a new chapter of the SJU Club Swimming team, situating their home pool back on campusAug.29
When O’Pake’s renovations began in January 2023, the SJU Club Swimming team moved its practices to the Maguire Pool in Hagan Arena. By the end of the spring 2023 semester, the Maguire Pool was set to permanently close as well, leaving the team withnoon-campuspooltocallhome.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, the team had to travel to Friends’ Central School, a five-minute car ride from St. Joe’s campus, to practice the sport they loved. While only a short trip, the player’s commute provided logistical challenges that not only impacted their ability to practice but also the bonds formedbetweenteammates
“We’re just really happy to be back on campus,” said Taylor Stech ’25, president of SJU Club Swimming. “It’s been quite a journey, but we’re really happy and thankful forallwe’vebeenthrough.”
Stech has been a member of the team since the fall 2021 semester and became president of the club last fall. Over the past year, Stech and her teammates have had to address challenges head-on, with the biggest beingtransportation.
“We had a lot of first-year students last year, so we were limited in the number of people that could drive,” Stech said. “If we didn’t have somebody to drive, wemighthavehadtocancelpractice.”
The new pool doesn’t just benefit the club swimming team. Available to all members of the St. Joe’s community, the pool opens up a new avenue of exercise with a myriad of benefits.
“One of the main benefits of swimming is the ability to train the cardiovascular system and muscular system without impact,” wrote Eric Laudano, Ph.D., senior associate athletics director for high performance and campus recreation, in response to written questions from The Hawk.“Thisisbeneficialfrombothatraining perspectiveand/orarecoveryperspective.”
Swimming can help strengthen various systems in a person’s body, including the muscular and cardiovascular systems, without the stress on joints that often accompanies high-impact activities, Laudano wrote. Running, for example, is a popular cardiovascular activity, but it can place stress on the runner’s body, especially the joints.
“I used to run a lot,” said Thomas Brennan, S.J., associate professor of English and avid swimmer. “But because of my back and my knees, I haven’t been able to do that for almost 20 years So swimming became the replacementforthat”
Aside from the health benefits of swimming for non-athletes, Stech believes on-campus accessibility to a pool will prove to be beneficial for their upcoming season both in and out of the water.
“I think our biggest hopes are to create a greater sense of a team and a community,” Stech said. “I think that being
able to be on campus will eliminate a lot of the challenges that we faced last year.”
She believes this chemistry resulting from the new pool will help propel them to achieve their goals.
“We registered for the College Club Swimming league this year for the first time since before covid,” Stech said. “[We’re] trying to get back to competing in more meets and expand where we’re going, with the ultimate goal to send some swimmers to nationals this year.”
For the SJU Club Swimming team, the new pool is not just a practice facility but a beacon of opportunity, shining light into the future.
“The new pool being open really means a lot for the future of our club,” Stech said.
GRAPHIC: MINDY CHOI ’25/THE HAWK
O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center’s newly renovated pool, Sept. 16.
PHOTO: MADELINE WILLIAMS ’26/THE HAWK