Hispanic voters considered a critical voting demographic Puerto Rican students at St. Joe’s vote with their conscience
LISBETH
On a warm Sunday in early September, Eva Hernandez ’25 and about 25 other Puerto Rican students met for lunch. They enjoyed the sunny day and shared chorizos, burgers and barbecue chicken. Later that day, a smaller group got together for an intimate discussion about the November elections.
“We had lunch together at one of our houses, and we were all sitting at the table, like, ‘Oh, where are you going to vote? And why are you voting there? And why are you not?’” Hernandez said. “Everyone was just debating what to do.”
Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico cannot vote in federal elections and do not have full representation in Congress, with only a non-voting member of the House of Representatives. Puerto Ricans living on the U.S. mainland, however, can vote in federal elections.
Hernandez said where to vote — Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland — is a difficult but important decision for Puerto Ricans to make. Hernandez said she eventually chose to vote in Puerto Rico by mail, because she felt her vote would have more of an impact in Puerto Rico than in the United States.
“I chose Puerto Rico because I’m more concerned with what is going on in Puerto Rico. I felt the need to vote in my country,” Hernandez said. “Voting is about self-reflection and truly thinking about the power you have as a voter
and with your right, and how you want to use it and how you think it’ll best be used or where it’ll best be used.”
According to 2021 Pew Research Center data, nearly six million Puerto Ricans reside on the U.S. mainland, 99% of whom are U.S. citizens. In the PhiladelphiaCamden-Wilmington metropolitan area, Puerto Ricans make up 43% of the Hispanic population. And, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 473,000 Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania, an important swing state in this election.
Gilberto Gonzalez, Puerto Rican
activist, writer and filmmaker who grew up in the Spring Garden neighborhood in Philadelphia, said Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania should use their vote in the elections to get their voices heard.
“For me, this election is about our strength. If we come out to vote strong, then the establishment, both Democrat and Republican, they’re going to have to start paying attention,” Gonzalez said. “Because if we come out and vote strong, then the work starts, because now we can hold them accountable.”
This November, Puerto Ricans on
the island were able to vote for numerous candidates: governor, mayor, a nonvoting member in the U.S House of Representatives, state senators, members in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and municipal government representatives.
“PUERTO RICAN STUDENTS VOTE” CONTINUES ON PG. 2
‘Out of the Darkness’ walk raises suicide awareness
The Dean’s Leadership Program (DLP) held its 10th annual Out of the Darkness Walk on the Hawk Hill campus Nov. 3 to raise awareness for suicide prevention and promote healthy conversations about mental health.
Around 150 students walked a loop from Sweeney Field to Barbelin Beach after listening to student and faculty speakers discuss their own struggles with mental health.
Caroline Freese ’25, a co-chair for the event with Marguerite McWeeney ’25
said the walk was founded to start conversations about mental health and suicide awareness after a member of the DLP took his own life.
“It shouldn’t be a conversation that makes people feel bad about themselves, and it’s something that we should all be talking about,” Freese said. “It makes the community a better and safer place for everyone in it.”
Luke Ortolani ’25, a student who walked in the event, said the walk reminds community members that they are not alone.
“I think a lot of people, especially in college, are going through transitional
periods in their life where you don’t really know who you are,” Ortolani said. “People may think it’s this big thing, but it’s a part of life, and we’re all in this together.”
Faith Adedokun ’27, the DLP events chair, said it was important for St. Joe’s to send a clear message to its community on issues of mental health.
“It’s important for students to find a place to come together and think about the struggles they’ve faced, to honor and acknowledge that and then move forward to having a better state of mind as a student body,” Adedokun said.
Michael McNicholas ’27, the outreach co-chair for the DLP and a speaker at the
event, said he wanted to destigmatize and change the language of how people talk about mental health, especially since these conversations can be difficult.
“Mental health is a topic that can be very hard to talk about, but it’s something that we all have experienced, have struggled with, have had our ups and downs with,” McNicholas said. “In events like this, we’re reinforcing that idea that [this] is something that we are all united on, and that we shouldn’t have to be fearful to be open and honest because we’re all human. We all have our own battles, our own victories.”
In a written speech delivered at the event, McWeeney stressed the importance of small actions.
“I was compelled by the idea of talking about something that so many of us go through yet fight through silently,” McWeeney wrote. “If you take anything away from today, know that you are not alone.”
Members of the St. Joe’s community seeking support are encouraged to contact the following resources:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 610-660-1090
Campus Ministry, 610-660-1030
The Office of Student Outreach & Support, 610-660-1149
The Jesuit community, 610-660-1400
Employee Assistance Program, 866-799-2728
The Student Newspaper of Saint Joseph’s University
Volume CVIII
Caroline Trimble ’26 discusses political implications of racist comedian at Trump rally.
Members of the Puerto Rican Student Association (PRSA) pose. PHOTO: MADELINE WILLIAMS ’26/THE HAWK AND ZACH PODOLNICK ’26/THE HAWK GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
Puerto Rican students vote in November election
important considerations for Puerto Ricans on the island and in the U.S.
Also on the ballot are a box for a presidential preference vote and a territorial ballot measure, or plebiscito, according to Edwin Torres ’25, treasurer of the Puerto Rican Student Association (PRSA).
“This is what we call a status reform, or status plebiscito, which engages what the Puerto Rican population thinks should be the political status of the country,” Torres said. “And there are three options: statehood, commonwealth and independence.”
Currently, Puerto Ricans on the island are considered U.S. citizens as part of a commonwealth and do not have the full rights of a citizen. Statehood would mean Puerto Rico would become the 51st state, and independence would mean Puerto Rico becomes an autonomous state. These are
Torres said this is the seventh time since 1967 that this ballot will be held to ask Puerto Rican voters to voice what they want for the future of the island.
There are about 80 Puerto Rican students at St. Joe’s, said Sofia Fuentes ’26, PRSA president, who added that to vote in the United States, Puerto Rican voters forfeit their right to vote in Puerto Rico.
Fuentes said she chose to vote in the U.S. because she wants a president who she believes will listen to Puerto Ricans’ concerns and needs.
“We are often treated as second-class citizens on the mainland, and we need a president who doesn’t promote that kind of rhetoric,” Fuentes said. “Having a president who publicly acknowledges and considers the desire of the Puerto Rican people to
choose between statehood, independence and commonwealth status is important for Puerto Ricans on the island.”
Fuentes said Puerto Rican people do not want a system where they pay taxes but do not get a voting representative in the U.S. Congress or a representative in the Senate.
David Soler ’25 said he was not registered to vote, but Puerto Ricans should consider where their vote matters and the impact it will have in Puerto Rico and in the U.S.
“The most important thing is whether you, regardless of whether you vote here or there, keep in mind that your vote does have an impact,” Soler said. “Inform yourself, know the facts, know what’s going on, and then weigh your options, weigh that criteria, and make an informed decision. If you’re not willing to do that, don’t bother voting.”
PRSA member Alfredo Machargo ’25
said it’s more challenging deciding where to vote as a voter in Pennsylvania because it is a swing state, and every vote counts.
“I feel like a lot of people have been more leaning towards voting in the U.S. since Pennsylvania is a swing state,” Machargo said. “But I feel like also making the decision to vote in Puerto Rico, that’s where you live, that’s where your family is. So I feel like you will feel the effect of your vote in Puerto Rico more than you will feel it in the U.S.”
Torres said he chose to vote in the Puerto Rican elections because he wants to vote for a better administrator for federal funds, federal programs, policies and legislations in Puerto Rico.
“It’s my people, it’s my island, it’s my problems,” Torres said. “And I’m fully invested in them.”
What you should know: The transfer of presidential power
VINCENT KORNACKI ’25 Managing Editor
What happens now that the election is over?
Even though all ballots have been cast in the 2024 presidential election, the final results are not yet official. This year, the Electoral College for each state will meet Dec. 17 and place their votes for the president and vice president.
After that election, Congress will convene Jan. 6 to count the votes and verify the results. Once the results are made official, the president-elect will be sworn into office Jan. 20.
This process of electing, certifying and then swearing in the new president is called the “transfer of power” because it represents removing authority from the previous or “lame duck” president and giving it to a new person.
What protections are in place to enforce this process?
The 20th Amendment, which was ratified in 1933, explicitly lays out many of the formal aspects of the transfer of power, from the dates when the transfers should occur to what should happen if the president or vice president-elect dies before the transfer.
The Presidential Transition Act (PTA) of 1963, meanwhile, specifies even more events related to this transition, such as how the transition should be funded and what services the General Services Administration should provide to aid the transfer.
The PTA has been amended multiple times, most recently in 2022 to clarify the criteria used to determine the “apparent successful candidate” or candidates of the presidential election who would be eligible for transition support under the PTA.
Why is this process so important?
A system where leaders consistently
and peacefully give up power is essential for the safety of a democratic nation.
In American history, there have been multiple examples of when the transfer of power has been threatened or disrupted. The most notable disruption occurred in 1861, when the election of Abraham Lincoln led seven states to secede from the country, prompting the Civil War.
More recently, the transfer of power was threatened Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of the then-president Donald Trump entered the Capitol while Congress was certifying the results of the 2020 election, which President Joe Biden won with 306 electoral votes.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
Jean McGivney-Burelle, Ph.D., was selected as provost and senior vice president of academic affairsinMay2024.McGivney-Burellehas a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Hartford, a master’s degree in mathematics from Northeastern University and a Ph.D. in curriculum instruction from the UniversityofConnecticut.PriortoherworkatSt. Joe’s, McGivney-Burelle served as a professor in thedepartmentofmathematicsattheUniversity of Hartford, where she also held numerous leadership positions, and later as a professor in the department of teaching and educational studies and dean of the College of Education at IdahoStateUniversity.TheHawksatdownwith McGivney-Burelle to discuss her new role and howsheisadjustingtotheSt.Joe’scommunity.
What about St. Joe’s inspired you to apply for the position of provost and senior vicepresidentofacademicaffairs?
Certainly the Jesuit mission of the institution and its focus on caring for and educating the whole person. I grew up Catholic. My father was a deacon. My
reflected here through our focus on, again, teaching the whole student but also developing in students a real commitment to contributingtothecommongood.
What is your favorite part about your work so far as provost and senior vice presidentofacademicaffairsatSt.Joe’s?
My approach to leadership is very relational,andsotheextenttowhichI’mgoing to be successful in my role and helping move academic affairs forward is, to me, squarely or directly connected to the relationships that I can build with people. So, I’ve just enjoyed meeting people here, meeting faculty, meeting staff, meeting other administrators. And what I’m seeing is this incredible pride in the institution and a willingness to to do really hard things. So, I would have to say meeting the people at St. Joe’s has been the most fun partofthepastfourmonths.
What is your favorite part about working in higher education?
What drew me to working in higher ed to begin with is truly working with students, and I think it’s because college students are at
a pivotal and exciting time in their lives. period of self-discovery It’s a period ncredible growth, and that I get to both rveitandparticipateinitinasmallwayis honorandit’saprivilege.
What is one fun fact about you that ghtsurpriseotherpeople? lived in Lannon Hall for four months this summer and my RA was Meadow Monticello’26.
What is the most interesting fact you ed about St. Joe’s since you arrived on campus?
One of the philosophers that I’ve read, who early on in my studies had played an ential role in my own development as an educator, is someone by the name of John Dewey [His] idea of educating students to be active and thoughtful and critical members of a democratic society has alwaysresonatedwithme
When I came to St. Joe’s, I was given a tour of the Maguire Art Museum and the Barnes Arboretum Albert Barnes was a doctor who was also an art collector, among many other things, but what struck me was when I was told that John Dewey and Albert Barnes were lifelongfriends IamsureJohnDeweywasherewalkingin the very same footsteps that I’m walking now as a provost, and that, to me, is meaningful and something that I carry with me. What occurstomeisthatifJohnDeweywerearound rightnow,Ithinkhewouldbeveryimpressed [with]howSt.Joesishelpingstudentsprepare to be active, thoughtful, critical members of a democraticsociety
What academic or career advice would you give to students who see you as a role model?
Say “yes” to new opportunities even if you are scared! Building relationships is the
key to success in just about every career so take the time to listen and to get to know your coworkers as colleagues and human beings.
Grow comfortable with criticism and focus on how it can help you grow. Most career paths aren’t linear so learn to love the detours.
And since I am an educator and teacher educatoratheart,forthosepursuinga career in education, my advice is to beware of the walnut trees and find your marigolds! If you don’t knowwhatImean,Googleit.
University hosts lecture on capitalism and democracy
SOPHIA GALANTE ’26 News Reporter
The Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Center for Business Ethics hosted David Silver, Ph.D., to speak on the relationship between capitalism and democracy in Mandeville Hall Oct. 31.
Silver is an associate professor and the chair in business and professional ethics at the Sauder School of Business at The University of British Columbia. About 35 students and faculty attended his lecture, titled “Capitalism and Democracy: Navigating a Complicated Relationship,” which introduced ideas on how corporations exercise their influence in democracy.
In his presentation, Silver explained the “complicated” relationship between businesses and democracies and how it could be fixed.
Silver said some of the biggest issues in our capitalist and democratic society pertain to how big corporations handle their role in politics, being either too involved or not involved enough. The answer to this problem is for both the business community and individuals in society to do “self-work” and not be so at odds, Silver said.
“The relationship between capitalism and democracy is currently dysfunctional,” Silver’s presentation slides read. “But it can be repaired if: The business community drops its defensiveness and responds to
criticism from society. [And] the rest of society stops reflexively blaming big business for all the ills in society.”
Jacqueline Wise, associate professor of finance and associate director of the Arrupe Center, said Silver’s lecture helped prepare students for the real world of business ethics.
“Events like this are important to attend so that you’re prepared,” Wise said.
“Because once you go out into the real world … ethical issues arise in your dayto-day. It’s important to have a little bit of a framework of understanding how to think
about these things and deal with them.”
Bryan Balmores-Jumarang ’27, a political science major, attended the lecture and said his biggest takeaway was that, regardless of the complexity of the capitalism-democracy relationship, the goal should always be to put the people first.
“It’s very important to find a way to not just make profit, but also increase the overall well-being of the people, while minimizing mistreatment for groups of people,” Balmores-Jumarang said.
Silver said it’s important for people to avoid “disempowerment” in their future careers by listening to their inner “moral sense.”
“You know certain things are right, you know certain things are wrong,” Silver said. “Listen to that voice, nurture it and realize that sometimes it’s gonna be hard to live up to it, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to it.”
Silver concluded the lecture by telling students in the room to never accept feeling powerless within their future careers.
“People change organizations if they try,” Silver told The Hawk. “If they work together, if they make good arguments, if they do good planning, and it happens — it doesn’t always happen all at once, but if you don’t try, it won’t happen.”
News Editor
David Silver, Ph.D., associate professor and chair in business and professional ethics at The University of British Columbia, speaks about the relationship between capitalism and democracy in Mandeville Hall, Oct. 31. PHOTO: SAHR KARIMU ’26/THE HAWK
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Jean McGivney-Burelle, Ph.D., poses outside of St. Thomas Hall, Nov. 4.
PHOTO: MADELINE WILLIAMS ’26/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: ALLY ENGELBERT ’25/THE HAWK
Editorial: Don’t take democracy for granted
Note from the Editor: All content featured in the Nov. 6 issue of The Hawk was written, edited and sent to print on Nov. 4, prior to Election Day, Nov. 5.
On Nov. 5, millions of Americans stood in line and cast their ballots in one of the most consequential elections in recent memory. Today, many Americans will express their joy and relief that the incessant campaigning and vitriolic rhetoric has seemingly come to a close. In an atmosphere marred by increasing political violence and partisan animosity, this is understandable. But it shouldn’t overshadow the very real gift of a participatory democracy. Constant elections can be an annoyance, but the alternative is a possibility too frightening to even imagine.
The past few years have made it clear
that democracy shouldn’t be taken for granted. The peaceful transition of power after a spirited campaign is the ideal for which we should strive. It’s become evident this isn’t a process that happens on its own; it requires the constant engagement and participation of every American. It’s up to the voters to thwart cynical attempts to disrupt this process while they still can. And though the guardrails of democratic norms have bent far beyond what any observer could have predicted, they haven’t broken. Your vote is still your voice.
Regardless of who is declared the victor in the numerous elections held throughout the nation, anything other than a peaceful transfer of power is fundamentally unAmerican and contradictory to our nation’s core values and history. It is incumbent upon every candidate to accept the will of
Letter to the Editor
In the Oct. 23 issue of The Hawk Newspaper, pages 1, 2, and 6 through 16 had a positive and optimistic view on the same topic: basketball at SJU. While I believe that there is a place for basketball at this university, we should be having a more nuanced discussion on the pros and cons of the current systems we have in place, especially when highlighting gender. When looking at publicly posted salaries from last year, one may ask why Billy Lange (Head MBB Coach) made $842,555 and Cynthia Griffin (Head WBB
Coach) $390,485 in 2022. Could the disparity in pay be better allocated to a different program at SJU?
Why are we still partnered with Nike, a company known for its human rights abuses, especially towards women during the pandemic? Our Just Employment Policy states we must “strive to consider the labor conditions of products purchased for the university. If competitively priced certifications for products are available (such as, but not limited to, fair trade or Certified B-Corporations) the university
the American people, win or lose, in victory or in defeat. Every individual engaged in the political process has the responsibility to honor this will. The zeal that all sides have for their elections stems from a deep and enduring belief in the promise of American ideals. As we close the page on an election cycle that has reminded us how we’re divided, let’s shift the focus to an area where we can recognize our commonality: upholding the promise of democracy.
should purchase these goods.” Is this what we are really doing?
While I congratulate The Hawk Newspaper on its effort to highlight gender equality concerning basketball on our campus, there is a much more nuanced discussion to be had.
— Daniel De Lude ’25
Trust the people, trust the process
JESSICA SAUTTER Guest Columnist
I am a nervous voter. Did I sign my name clearly enough? Did I do it right (I got my “I voted by mail” sticker, so I know my mail-in ballot was received)? But I don’t worry about the security of my vote or the accuracy of the results. This election is my eighth serving as a poll worker for the Burlington County Board of Elections in New Jersey. I know firsthand that I can trust the people. And I can trust the process.
Poll workers are community members who are paid to help their neighbors vote. I became a poll worker to share the burden of a 15-hour workday with the aging workforce. I work with people who have served their community for decades, making sure each election runs
smoothly. The government employees who manage the elections have also been doing this for a long time, and they are similarly passionate about serving voters. However, the public is less confident in election officials than poll workers (81% vs. 90%, respectively). I don’t know election officials as well, but I trust them and the many checks and balances involved in the process of counting votes.
In my county, poll workers are required to attend regular training and swear an oath each year. Equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans work together at every step. We ensure the vote counts are zero when the polls open at 6 a.m. We rotate duties throughout the day, so no one person is in charge of checking in voters, activating the voting machines or assisting with provisional ballots. We consult our training materials and ask each other for help to make sure we are upholding our county’s rules. We keep
physical and digital documentation and note any unusual occurrences. At the end of the day, each poll worker signs off on the accuracy of the numbers. Copies are shared with the township, county and state. There are plenty of opportunities for multiple people to identify and investigate any irregularities. I trust this process. If you are still skeptical, I invite you to join it.
Jessica Sautter, Ph.D., is an associate professor of sociology.
How to fail and appreciate it
CARTER KARPINSKI ’25
Columnist
This semester, I did something I have done many times before: I withdrew from a class. I’ve probably done it a few too many times now, considering my advisor began his withdrawal approval email with “Ugh.” Despite the “W”
that appears on your transcript after withdrawing, it’s not really a win. And while it’s not REALLY failing since my oh-so-important GPA remains unaffected, the time, money and energy all go to waste. And that feeling remains.
It’s the feeling I get when I receive a bad grade, forget my dad’s birthday again or accidentally knock over a soda display at ACME, causing soda to spill everywhere, and just walk away. But an old lady saw me, and I just know she thought less of me. When it came to withdrawing, I had that same feeling. I felt like a failure.
No one wants to feel like a failure, ever. That’s obvious. But oftentimes, it feels so overwhelming and inevitable. Especially today, in a world where young
people often seem set up to fail. And truthfully, it is inevitable. Death, disappointment, failure — these are guarantees in our lives (ones I think we have all accepted), yet we continue to burden ourselves with the pursuit of absolute perfection and punish ourselves for the unavoidable.
I feel we need to change our thinking. Failure, as damning as it feels, is just a short-term disappointment, and every act of failing opens you up to a new way of being. Just for a moment, think of all those painful memories. Whether they were within your control or the universe just had it out for you that day, bask in those failures. Revel in the absurdity. Embrace those moments. Appreciate how they have shaped you into who you are
Which candidate will do the most to address
BEN VANELLI ’25 Guest Columnist
You may have noticed Halloween was strangely warm this year — 79 degrees and sunny, 20 degrees over the average daily high for Oct. 31 in Philadelphia. Additionally, as of Nov. 4, Philadelphia hasn’t had measurable rainfall in 37 days, overcoming the previous record of 29 days from November 1874. It’s clear climate change is happening right now, and it’s making Halloween a lot scarier than it used to be.
The 2024 election cycle begged the question: which candidate will take appropriate measures to combat climate change? The answer, depressingly, is neither. The burning of fossil fuels, which is the leading contributor to carbon emissions and climate change, has surged under President
Joe Biden, despite his signing of the Inflation Reduction Act and his administration’s commitment to reducing emissions by 50%-52% by 2030.
It is clear extreme action must be taken now across the world to keep global temperatures below 2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of 2100 (the world is currently 1.1 C above pre-industrial levels). A United Nations report shifted from the Paris Agreement’s original goal of below 1.5 C to this more realistic goal, and it gives the world an 80% chance to stay below 2.0 C, if every country that signed the Paris Agreement sticks to its promises. Going beyond 2.6 C would mean “catastrophic consequences” for humanity, and adapting to climate change would no longer be an option, according to the report.
Former President Donald Trump has made it clear his administration would, once again, pull out of the Paris Agreement,
today: someone resilient, someone amazing. We should nevher simply accept failure, but when we do fail, we should still be able to accept ourselves, even if it means changing our very idea of true success. So, anyway, this is how I plan to tell my mom I’ll need to take a winter class to graduate on time.
climate change?
which his website describes as “unfair and costly.” Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, plans to invest in clean energy and understands “meeting this global challenge will require global cooperation.”
However, Harris has recently stated she will not ban fracking — an incredible source of
The real American Dream
A woman’s world
It was an out-of-the-ordinary night: go to an off-campus party, watch over my friends in case they decide to drink, get out within an hour and dress up to feel confident.
Within 10 minutes of leaving my dorm with my friend for the off-campus house, I had gone from feeling beautiful and confident to feeling like a “slut” and didn’t want to be out and about anymore. Ten minutes on City Avenue will do that to you. Ten minutes out in public on a dark night as a woman in the United States will do that to you.
This is a taboo subject in the United
States. We should feel “safe” in our country, but we can’t wear a cute crop top and high-rise jeans at night without a blaring horn behind us or someone whistling as they drive past. Traveling in a pack doesn’t do much when your confidence takes hit after hit. It shouldn’t have to be this way, but this is how we learn. We learn through the experience of hit after hit, annoyance after annoyance. There are days we look in the mirror at our outfits and have to think to ourselves: “Am I going to be safe?” or “Will I be catcalled tonight?”
With Halloween, our worries are only amplified. It’s a screaming noise in our heads that won’t go away after we hear that whistle
both water and air pollution — if elected, and critics have stated her lack of true policy is concerning. While Harris may have progressive plans for climate action, recent projections have shown us that it still might not be enough.
from a car going by. A woman’s appearance should not be something to which men feel entitled. Instead, it should be a woman’s pride, with her shoulders thrown back, her chin raised and a smile on her face that should be front and center. When asked about the American Dream, that is what I will say.
I will say, “I wish the American Dream wasn’t about the men.” Instead, it should be about my friends and I being able to wear what we want without feeling like “sluts.”
ANASTASIA KUNICKA ’28 Guest Columnist
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
Racist comedian inspires voter mobilization
CAROLINE TRIMBLE ’26
Recently, the Trump campaign took an interesting approach to encourage Americans to vote for the former president: allowing a comedian to hurl racist insults at several marginalized communities under the guise of humor.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe took to the rally stage at Madison Square Garden Oct. 27 to endorse former President Donald Trump and perform a comedy set for his supporters. Just days before the election, Hinchcliffe insulted a community of over five million potential voters who Trump has conflicted with in the past: Puerto Ricans. Likening Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage,” Hinchcliffe connected his racist sentiments to the campaign he had just endorsed. Many Puerto Rican voters reside in swing-states, making it imperative for the Trump campaign to appeal to their community, not insult them.
Although the Trump campaign denied they approved any of Hinchcliffe’s racist remarks, the comedian’s offensive comparison has caused political problems for the former president. Members of the Democratic Party, including Vice President Kamala Harris, took this incident as an opportunity to mobilize Latino voters. In Latino communities in Pennsylvania, the Harris campaign aired an advertisement centered around Hinchcliffe’s “comedy” to motivate them to vote on Election Day.
Following the rally at Madison Square Garden, Harris’ running-mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, took to social media to remind Puerto Rican voters, especially those in battleground states, “You’ve gotta vote.”
The use of Hinchcliffe’s insensitive comedy routine in a rally for the former president widens the gap between the Republican Party and Latino voters. Though the impact (or lack thereof) on the outcome of the election may be difficult to measure, Hinchcliffe’s rhetoric did inspire dialogue about the importance of voting.
America should stand with its allies
Trump’s
JAKE RICHFIELD ’27
Opinions Copy Editor
foreign policy will weaken America’s alliances
Foreign policy was relegated to the sidelines for many voters this election season, despite the United States’ growing interdependence on other nations. I believe it is important to analyze how both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump diverge on foreign policy, to see what will be and what could have been implemented in the wake of the election.
The United States’ system of alliances, which was created during the Cold War, has come to serve a new purpose: combatting the rising threats of China and Russia as they grow more aggressive, more aligned and seek out greater ties with countries also in opposition to America.
The most important part of this system
is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), of which Trump has been heavily critical. On the election trail, Trump said Russia could do “whatever the hell they want” to countries that didn’t spend enough money on defense. In an alliance that relies on a collective agreement to defend other member states, this language is deeply dangerous. On the other hand, Harris has shown continuity with President Biden, supporting NATO while encouraging its members to increase their defense spending.
When it comes to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is also a clear difference in policy between the candidates. Harris wants to continue sending military aid to Ukraine, while Trump has repeatedly emphasized the war in Ukraine should end but hasn’t clarified who he wants to win.
Senator JD Vance, Trump’s vice presidential candidate, outlined what he believes Trump’s peace deal in Ukraine would look
like: Russia retaining the land they occupy and Ukraine being barred from joining NATO. This type of deal would likely damage the territorial integrity of Ukraine, making it more vulnerable to future attacks and failing to provide sufficient guarantees for Ukraine’s independence.
If the United States takes a step back internationally, it is important to recognize who will fill that gap. At a time when the United States is facing great threats, it is vital for America to stand with its allies, not against them.
Pay attention to the politician next door State and local politics directly affect you
BELLA PRIVITERA ’26
Opinions Editor
Political scientists
Johanna Dunaway and Doris Graber argue in their book, “Mass Media and American Politics,” that on the national scale, uneven media distribution is abundant when it comes to state and local politics. Because national politics dominate the media agenda, the majority of Americans do not receive as much information about policies occurring in their home state and even their hometown.
This imbalance and deficiency of content limits political discourse, even in local television news, which devotes much attention to crime, disaster, weather and sports coverage. As a result, the public is not provided with deep analytical information regarding state and local political institutions in order to make informed decisions on voting.
For instance, when it comes to state and local elections, there is traditionally less information and media coverage provided to the public concerning the qualifications of candidates. This is significant given that these candidates, once elected, have a much more direct impact on people’s everyday lives than federal officials do.
Additionally, due to the decline in news reporters at the state and local levels, media correspondents don’t have the time or the resources for in-depth coverage of state and local politicians. Dunaway and Graber cite media research demonstrating that political candidates who receive more media attention tend to perform well in the polls. However, these candidates also predictably prefer positive or uncritical coverage of their candidacies, and many actively avoid media coverage in an attempt to evade scrutiny.
These “smaller-scale” politicians should acknowledge the vital role of the media in upholding democracy — even
if they don’t agree with how they are covered. Media hold those in power accountable and fulfill the role of the “watchdog” over government and powerful entities in society. This avoidance of scrutiny is arguably anti-democratic on a fundamental level, and leads to a lack of voter awareness, antithetical to the duty of politicians to serve and inform voters. While state and local politicians shouldn’t be expected to collaborate with the media or even regularly entertain them, it’s wrong to capitalize on this lack of coverage for personal gain.
Hawk Columnist
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
SJU Theatre Company performs magical family musical
GAVIN KUEBLER ’25
Assistant Features Editor
The SJU Theatre Company is performing “Mary Poppins” — a show for all ages — in Bluett Theatre. The cast and crew had their opening night Nov. 1 and two additional performances Nov. 4 and 5. The show’s second weekend of shows will run Nov. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m., with a final matinee Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
Based on the 1964 Disney classic starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, the stage version offers a slightly altered story with many of the same popular songs fans will remember.
Avagrace Tuft ’26 leads the cast as the titular Mary Poppins. Tuft says she appreciates the opportunities theater has provided her.
“It’s a way to channel all of human emotions, human experiences, and express it in a way that you can’t really do in any other way,” Tuft said.
Kat Conway ’28, who plays housekeeper Mrs. Brill, says their favorite part about putting on the show has been working alongside the rest of the cast. Conway said the show is about both adults and children having magical moments and enjoying small gestures of kindness.
“There’s a lot of magic moments where it’s less about the actual ‘Mary Poppins’ magic, and more about the
magic of just loving your family,” Conway said.
The show is directed by Renee Dobson, M.F.A., associate professor of performing arts and artistic director of Bluett Theatre. Dobson said she feels the show’s message is just as important of a reason to see it as its songs, and encouraged people of all ages to attend.
“We really wanted to do something that was family-friendly,” Dobson said. “I think that it’s a fun, family-filled piece of theater.”
Robbie Whitney ’25, who stars as Bert, said the best part about participating in theater is the ability to give audiences feelings and messages that last beyond the curtain call.
“It is such a joy to hear what stuck with someone after the performance, and getting to know that you had some kind of impact on someone’s day or their perspective on a matter,” Whitney said. “It means everything.”
Tickets for “Mary Poppins” are $20, with discounts for students, faculty, staff, senior citizens and children, and can be purchased via email and Venmo 24 hours in advance, or at the door by cash or check only.
Tess Margis ’26 contributed to this story.
Experiencing Jesuit education in action
I am passionate about social justice, and I often wonder how to quantify the ways my academic growth during my two years at a Jesuit institution has contributed to nurturing this passion. Equally important to me are my identities as an immigrant and Catholic woman. Through the Ignatian Family Teach In For Justice (IFTJ), I have been able to explore how my time at St. Joe’s has shaped my identity and my values.
The IFTJ 2024, hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN), was held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 26-28, and this was my second time attending. I served as a student leader for St. Joe’s 17-member delegation, made up of 14 students and 3 campus ministers. More than 1,800 students, faculty and staff from universities across all states met for conversations and workshops about issues ranging from human trafficking to climate change and migration.
The IFTJ brings awareness to U.S.provoked issues abroad, joining Jesuit institutions nationwide to advocate for social justice. This event is held in remembrance of Jesuit martyrs who were killed in El Salvador by U.S.-trained troops in 1989, which took place during la guerrilla, a period of guerrilla warfare and political conflict in El Salvador. The conference has been held yearly since 1997.
Most discussions at the teach-in focused on immigration issues in a global social justice context, and they taught me many things.
Social justice advocacy aligns with Jesuit values I learned from the session on human trafficking that Jesuit values are, at their core, based in social justice.
The Rev. Bryan Massingale, Ph.D., the
James and Nancy Buckman professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University and one of the keynote speakers, spoke about the themes of the conference. Massingale said hope is more profound than what it is advertised to be.
During one of our breaks, I spoke to Massingale. I asked him about the importance of recognizing adversity and, at the same time, having a hopeful approach when facing it. His answer was simple.
“When we look at these [social justice] issues, we are not looking at issues,” Massingale said. “We are looking at, ‘Who are the people who are affected by this?’ And so we are always looking at what’s going to advance the good of human persons.”
Massingale added that “magis means we’re always challenged to imagine the world can be better than what it is.”
IFTJ empowers younger generations to advocate
One night of the teach-in, delegates have a space to prepare for Advocacy Day. The facilitators give participants a rubric and general advice on advocacy tactics. Then, delegates can visit their congressperson’s office on Capitol Hill to advocate for their preferred social justice issue. Last year, I advocated for an immigration policy reform that dignified each immigrant’s experience.
Uche Ogbodo ’28, a fellow attendee of the IFTJ, said Advocacy Day is an opportunity for participants to be heard by their representatives.
“It’s a very important thing to push certain policies through that follow the teachings of the Catholic Church,” Ogbodo said.
St. Joe’s service programs address social issues
Poverty, immigration, labor and social inequality are all issues tackled by St. Joe’s many service programs, such as
the Winter Immersion Program (WIP), Appalachian Experience (APEX), weekly service and Philadelphia Service Immersion Program (PSIP).
Jenna Russo ’28, who also attended this year’s IFTJ, is involved in all four service programs and is also a member of SJU for Refugees and Migrants. Russo said these programs at St. Joe’s are helping her find her place in the world.
“Every single social justice program that I’ve been searching for, that I could ever wish for, is found at St. Joe’s,” Russo said.
Hope is ‘a relay race’
Keynote speaker Ruben Garcia, executive director of the Annunciation House, a non-profit in El Paso, Texas which assists migrants and refugees, shared tragic stories about immigrants who are seeking help. He shared part of their lived realities, emphasizing the immigrants’ steadfast hope, which tied back to my conversation with Massingale.
“Hope is about being part of a chain
or a tradition of people who have made a difference,” Massingale said. “That’s why I speak about hope as being part of a relay race. We are part of a trajectory of a train of justice seekers and justice creators and justice makers who have done great things, even in difficult times, and they pass the baton to us.”
Jorge Palacios Jr., a migration coordinator for youth engagement for the ISN and director of the ISN’s Undocu Network, shared that IFTJ embodies the pastoral cycle.
“You see something, you internalize that, and then you act out of a response of that knowledge,” Palacios said.
Through IFTJ, I experienced Jesuit education in action. Reflecting on my IFTJ experience this year revealed that I, along with my fellow IFTJ 2024 participants, have the necessary tools to become changemakers in our society.
The cast of SJU Theatre Company’s fall 2024 production of “Mary Poppins,” Oct. 31
ARIANA ZABLAH ’26
Special to the Hawk
Ally Craskey ’23, Elise Borenstein ’25, Joely McMullen ’28, Jenna Russo ’28, Natalie Parone ’27, Uche Ogbodo ’28 and Tinamarie Stolz, assistant director of Campus Ministry, posing in front of the Capitol Mall with their poster during Advocacy Day before visiting their representative’s offices.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIANA ZABLAH ’26
Avagrace Tuft ’26 as Mary Poppins and Robbie Whitney ’25 as Bert in SJU Theatre Company’s fall 2024 production of “Mary Poppins.” PHOTOS: MELISSA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY
Louise Paed
What is something about you that may surprise others? I’m a drummer in a band, Never Got the Memo. We’ve been together for about three years.
What is your most prized possession? Memories with my sister. I’m very close with her.
What is your definition of happiness? Being in a spot where you’re self-aware and have the emotional intelligence that you’re in an OK spot with your life.
What do you think is your best trait overall? My positivity.
What is your favorite place on campus? STC second floor. It’s really quiet there.
Louise Paed ’23, PharmD ’27, is in her fourth year of six on the way to a doctorate in pharmacy. Paed, who hails from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, serves in leadership positions in multiple organizations on campus. She is the vice president of finance for St. Joe’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), vice president of organizational representatives for the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) Student Council, vice president of marketing for Hawk City Productions and a Writing Center tutor. Paed hopes to work as a hospital pharmacist with a specialty in pediatrics upon graduation
Who is someone on campus you look up to? Reigne Villanueva, a fifth-year OT major. We met through one of the orgs we are both in, the Pilipino [Cultural Association], and she was assigned as my ‘older sister.’
What do you value most in your friends? Empathy.
Who are your heroes in real life? My mom.
What is your favorite class you have taken? PRX 316, our communications class where we learned how to effectively communicate as a pharmacist and learn about empathy and how to handle difficult patients and their experiences.
Five campus statues and their stories
There are many statues on the Hawk Hill campus, both old and new. Some have held their place on campus since the early days of the university, while others are no more than 10 years old. Each statue tells a story about our St. Joe’s community past and present. Here are stories from some of Hawk Hill’s statues.
“Synagoga and Ecclesia in Our Time”
Located outside the Chapel of Saint Joseph, “Synagoga and Ecclesia in Our Time” is best known for being blessed by Pope Francis in 2015, the same year it was installed.
The statue portrays two figures sitting together, each displaying their religion’s holy text for the other to view. The figure on the left holds a Jewish Torah scroll, while the figure on the right holds the Catholic Bible. The sculpture, made out of bronze, was created by Philadelphia-based sculptor Joshua Koffman.
Synagoga (“Synagogue”) and Ecclesia (“Church”) were common symbols found in medieval Christian art and refer to the personification of Judaism and the Church as female figures. Historically, Ecclesia (Christianity) was portrayed as a revered, dignified and victorious figure with a crown, while Synagoga (Judaism) was portrayed as inferior, broken and uncrowned.
Adam Gregerman, Ph.D, professor of theology and associate director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations, was a key figure in commissioning the statue.
“What we decided to do is play with those images by using them, but inverting the meaning, and to emphasize not triumph [of] one over the other, but rather something with a sense of shared dignity and status,” Gregerman said.
“Our Lady of Grace” Found in Barbelin Hall’s quadrangle, this statue of the Blessed Mother was erected in 1947 to serve as a memorial to the St. Joe’s class of 1943A alumni who died in WWII. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, St. Joe’s created an accelerated program for students so young men could receive their degrees before being drafted. Under the accelerated program, each graduating class was split into A and B sections. The class of 1943A graduated in the winter, while 1943B graduated in the spring.
The statue is a depiction of the Blessed Mother, known specifically as “Our Lady of Grace.” This depiction of Mary is shown with her arms outstretched in order to signify her role as an intercessory figure.
The class of 1943A was hit the hardest in the war, losing 12 men whose names are now engraved on the Our Lady of Grace statue. In 1947, Barbelin Hall was the only building on the St. Joe’s campus, so placing the statue in this courtyard provided them a prominent place for remembrance.
Sculpted into the north and east cornices of Barbelin Hall’s quadrangle are eight of the 13 Jesuit presidents who served St. Joe’s between 1851 and 1927. The limestone portraits were modeled on period photographs and depict the
of each president. St. Joe’s founder and first president, Felix Barbelin, S.J., is seen among the sculptures wearing a surplice — a
What is your biggest worry right now? I’m afraid to feel burnout again, but I do have a lot of mechanisms to prevent me from getting to burnout.
What is a word you hope people on campus would use to describe you? Positive … I hope people see me as this ray of sunshine.
What’s on your bucket list to do before you graduate? I want to go on a trip abroad with one of my roommates.
Where would you like to live after you graduate? I’m trying to find the perfect area that’s woodsy but also close to a city.
preaching stole — and a square cap worn by clergy members called a biretta.
Carmen Croce ’71, director of the university press, said the busts serve as admonitors for the current president. The Jesuits used to assign to the president an admonitor who was an older, wise fellow Jesuit connected to the university, Croce explained. The admonitor’s role was to advise, or admonish, the president with honesty and confidentiality in confidence.
“They act as silent admonitors,” Croce said. “They were looking down at whatever was going on, and as the president looked up, he would see these people looking down on him, and he’d be on his best behavior.”
The Pilgrim Located outside Merion Hall, “The Pilgrim” depicts the founder of the Jesuit Order, St. Ignatius of Loyola. In his 1643 autobiography, Saint Ignatius refers to himself as a pilgrim on his journey to the Holy Land, Jerusalem. The bronze statue was created by Missouri-based sculptor Vicki Winters-Reid and installed on campus in 2011.
It is common for Jesuit universities to have a depiction of Saint Ignatius somewhere on their campus, though the depiction of Saint Ignatius as a pilgrim was a choice made by Croce.
“It applies to all of us because you may not be walking in a pilgrimage like he did to the Holy Land, but you’re constantly moving and responding to opportunities that come up,” Croce said. “And that’s the message of Saint Ignatius, the Pilgrim: that you have to be open to opportunities that come along, and you can’t be afraid to seize the day.”
The original placement of the statue was cause for some debate, according to Croce.
“They wanted the saint against the wall, and I said, ‘No, no. If he’s Ignatius, the Pilgrim, he’s got to be walking, and he’s got
to be walking amongst us.’”
“The Armillary Sphere”
The Armillary Sphere, located next to Connelly Hall, is one of several pieces on the Hawk Hill campus created by John R.Post ’60. Post is the benefactor and namesake of several Hawk Hill campus structures, including the newly constructed Post Crossing. In addition to his monetary contributions to the school, Post is also the founder of Post Precision Castings, Inc., a custom manufacturer of investment castings. Post’s passion for metalwork led him to create such pieces as the Armillary Sphere on campus. When Post offered to donate pieces to the campus, Croce selected the Armillary Sphere to liven up the space.
The Armillary Sphere is an old astronomical instrument composed of rings showing the positions of important circles of the celestial sphere. In relation to the saints, the Armillary Sphere has been used as an emblem to represent contemplation of heaven.
“It was just this blank space waiting for something of interest,” Croce said.
The Presidents’ Faces
unique likeness
CHRISTINA MOLINARI ’25
Special to the Hawk
CLARE YEATMAN ’26
Special to the Hawk
GRAPHIC: HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
PHOTO: MADELINE WILLIAMS ’26/THE HAWK
PHOTOS: SAHR KARIMU ’26/THE HAWK
On The Beat: ‘Songs of A Lost World’
PARKER HAYDEN ’25
Special to the Hawk
While Tyler, the Creator’s “CHROMAKOPIA” is the big talk of the town this week (and yes, it’s good), I think the even bigger release for the music industry as a whole this week was “Songs of A Lost World” by The Cure. Why? Well, to answer that, we have to go back to 2008, when The Cure released “4:13 Dream” and went on tour. Everything was grand, and even though the album wasn’t as well received as everything else they’ve put out, it still had a fanbase. By 2010, fans began itching for another album that would be released soon, but it never came. Instead, for the next 14 years, lead vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith would do a song and dance anytime he was pressed on the album to avoid giving a clear answer, saying either “it’s coming” or “next year.”
Fans began losing hope, with some downright denying that another album would be released — or that it would even be good, for that matter. However, The Cure officially announced Sept. 26 that they were putting out a new album Nov. 1, which brings us to now. “Songs of A Lost World” does a lot of things right, but the best thing is stopping the unnecessary (and often boring) progression the band was experiencing from the mid-’90s to the early 2000s.
The album opens with “Alone” as Smith and the band slowly drag listeners into a moody climate, one they build until Smith crashes in singing about the abstract horror of loneliness. In “Warsong,” Smith laments about the exhaustive cycle of violence in human
nature as the band plays a sludgy riff that calls back to the stadium goth rock days of “Disintegration,” The Cure’s 1989 album.
However, the crown jewel of the album has to be its last song, which is aptly named “Endsong.” This track has all of the best bits of The Cure wrapped into a 10-minute production.
A sprawling instrumental opens and lures you into a trance as the song slowly builds up until the five-minute mark. Once the vocals come in, the song blows into its second phase. Smith sings of aging as his memories become ghostly moments that haunt him rather than uplift him. The vivid feeling and
imagery the song delivers won’t soon be forgotten.
Overall, “Songs of A Lost World” is great and blew any expectations I had for it out of the water (and they were set low). The Cure managed to not only put out an album that is their best since their 1992 release, “Wish,” but they also showed that spending time crafting an album is worth the wait, even if it takes 16 years. If this happens to be the band’s last album, it will be an excellent swan song for a group that has contributed so much to the alternative scene for the past 40 years.
CROSSWORD: The clock thickens
Blast from the past
HANNAH PAJTIS ’26 Features Editor
It’s never a bad time to break out an old record player and reminisce on the hits of the past. Redefining rock and roll and transforming the pop scene, the ’70s and ’80s forever changed the music industry by bringing artists of all genres and backgrounds to the forefront. From glam rock to disco, here are five classic songs from the ’70s and ’80s that any music lover will want to add to their playlist.
“Superstition” – Stevie Wonder
Arguably the grooviest song you’ll ever hear, Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” will make you forget that upcoming test and get you dancing. The song’s sharp guitar riffs and jazz influences, alongside Wonder’s soulful voice, make this song the epitome of ’70s musical prowess.
“Don’t Stop” – Fleetwood Mac
One of the most notorious soft rock bands in recent history, Fleetwood Mac embodies the dreamy, free-spirited aesthetic of the ’70s. “Don’t Stop,” a song about moving on and focusing on the little happy things in life, is the perfect soundtrack for any mood or occasion.
“Nasty” – Janet Jackson
A timeless feminist anthem all about standing up for yourself, Janet Jackson’s ’80s pop hit “Nasty” radiates both power and glam. Lyrics like “I’m not a prude, I just want some respect,” which are both spoken and sung by Jackson, make this song a must-listen you’ll be chanting in your head for days.
“Lady Stardust” – David Bowie
A highlight track from David Bowie’s legendary album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” “Lady Stardust” is a soulful ballad that is quintessentially Bowie: eccentric, lyrically stellar and full of personality. One listen to this poetic track, and you’ll find yourself drifting away to Bowie’s distinct voice.
“How Deep is Your Love” – Bee Gees Whether it’s a first dance song at a wedding or background music at a candlelight dinner, “How Deep is Your Love” is a disco classic that radiates romance. The band’s vocal harmonies, paired with lyrics discussing the importance of fighting for love, make this song both touching and bittersweet.
Across
The science of measuring time accurately. 7. A reference to non-daylight saving time. 8. Occurs twice a year when day and night are roughly equal in length.
9. The body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
KILEY O’BRIEN ’25 Assistant Features Editor
Field hockey looks for four-peat at A-10 tournament
ZACH PODOLNICK ’26
Sports Reporter
St. Joe’s field hockey team finished their regular season with a 15-3 record, ending the historic season with a 3-0 shutout win against local Atlantic 10 competitor La Salle.
Looking ahead to the postseason, the team is seeded second for the upcoming A-10 tournament and ranked fifth nationally in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Coaches Poll.
Head coach Hannah Prince said the team is in high spirits and is looking to keep the momentum going as they host the A-10 tournament and go for their fourth consecutive A-10 title.
“As always, our expectations are to win, take it game by game, focus on our opponent, which is Richmond on Thursday,” Prince said. “Take care of
business Thursday, and then go into Sunday with an attitude that we know that we can beat anyone, and that if we play our best hockey, that we will make that happen.”
Winning the A-10 and earning a bid to the NCAA tournament would mean everything, Prince said, adding that the athletes have been working hard all season and putting in extra work off the field to maintain their winning attitudes. But what’s most important to Prince is that the athletes give all their effort on the field and support their teammates through it all, she said.
“I think winning this year with the leadership and the returners that we have would be really special for them, and our goal from the beginning of the season has been to do that, so it would be a great thing for us to achieve,” Prince said. “If they’re having fun playing, I’m going to be happy. [They are] giving 100% effort and being good teammates, that’s the bottom line. That’s what’s most important.”
This year is different from previous ones as the team consists of nine fifthyears, something that is a big motivating factor for the younger members of the team, said sophomore forward Erika Culp.
The drive to win for the graduating class with their last chance at A-10 glory has made the team more motivated than in previous years.
“They’re just trying to give it their all, and we’re all trying to give it our all, and I think we’re just connecting well this year, and it’s working out pretty good,” Culp said.
For the athletes who will be playing for St. Joe’s in their final postseason, this tournament means leaving everything out on the field. Fifth-year back Kate Crist
said this will be her last season playing field hockey for St. Joe’s, and the pressure is on to make a statement.
“It’s a little bit of a bittersweet moment. It’s your last postseason, for me and for a lot of us, and obviously, we want to go out on top,” Crist said. “There’s a lot of pressure on us, but pressure makes diamonds, and I think we’ll come out on top.”
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
Field hockey prepares to host the A-10 tournament for the first time since 2018.
St. Joe’s field hockey is going for their seventh A-10 title in eight years.
PHOTOS: MIA MESSINA ’25/THE HAWK
Grab a ball, find a lawn
The best places for a pick-up game on Hawk Hill
REBECCA ROMITO ’26
Special to the Hawk
An unseasonably warm and dry fall has extended the season for pick-up games on campus — a great stress reliever during busier times of the semester. That’s the case for James Kemp ’27, who often plays pick-up football withhisfriends.
“Getting out with my friends and being active really helps calm me down with all the stressofschool,”Kempsaid.
With all the new construction on the Hawk Hill campus right now, finding an open grassy field is more challenging. We did the work for you to help find the best spots around Hawk Hillforfieldgames.
Sweeney Field
Location: 5600 City Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131
Hours: N/A
Best for: soccer, lacrosse, football
This field islocated onthe Philadelphia side of campus, sandwiched between the Haub School of Business, Hagan Arena, Post Hall and Bellarmine Hall.
Along with a turf field, Sweeney Field hassoccernetsandlacrossenetsforanyone to use, making this a great option for those pick-up games.
Since this is the official field for some of St. Joe’s DI teams and is also used by many club teams, it’s often busy. The practice schedules are not available to the public. Because of that, it can be hit or miss for personal use. Nighttime is the best chance to find it open. Kemp and Evan Theoharis ’27 recommended the field despite its busyness because of the atmosphere and fieldconditions
“At night, when it’s open, the lights are on,” Kemp said. “It’s obviously the best field conditions-wise but then also the
atmosphere around. I always think looking up at Barbelin from the field is such a cool atmosphere”
Theoharis agreed the lights are one of the biggest draws of playing pick-up games on SweeneyField.
“We can play the latest amount of time there, as in terms of other ones where there’s nolights,”Theoharissaid.
St. Mary’s Lawn
Location: 333 City Ave., Merion Station, PA 19066
Hours: N/A
Best for: backyard games, a game of catch, soccer
This field is located right behind McShain Hall and next to Claver House. If you are accessing this field by car, there is parking in the McShain lot, though it is often filled during class hours.
This is a very spacious field, but it is not completely level, and as the weather gets colder, the grass becomes more of a dirt field. It also lacks shade and privacy, as it is located on a main part of campus in the midst of a lot of student traffic. As a plus, though, there are occasional soccer goals to useifsoccerisyourchoiceofsport.
Berwick Field
Location: Maguire Access Road, Merion Station, PA 19066
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Best for: football, a game of catch/ pass, backyard games
This field is located behind Paris Hall and next to the SJU Softball Field. It is easy to access on foot, but by car, your closest options for parking are the McShain or Merion Hall lots.
It is a full grass-leveled field that even has a small, lined football field. This field is
often used for outdoor intramurals.
The field is spacious and surrounded by many trees, but do not be fooled. There is no shade in the area of play.
Anthony Molitor Jr. ’27, who plays football recreationally, recommended this field for its privacy.
“The grass isn’t great and it’s pretty bumpy,” Molitor Jr. said. “Other than it being out of the way of campus, nobody else knows about it. That’s why it’s pretty good.”
Merion Botanical Park
Location: 100 Merion Road, Merion Station, PA 19066
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Best for: backyard games, a game of catch
This park is located near the Merion side of campus on Merion Road, off City
Avenue. If you plan on driving here, there is limited street parking along the park, but at the right time, you may find a spot in the lot for SEPTA’s Merion stop, which is located right next door.
While the park is off campus, it is easy to get to and has very large areas of grass to choose from. It’s a five-minute walk from Ashwood Apartments, Morris Quad Townhouses, Moore Hall and Merion Gardens.
It’s usually busy with people and dogs, but it’s big enough that you should be able to find a spot for yourself. There is both sun and shade, and while the entire area is not all level, some parts of it are. It’s a great place for a game of catch or Spikeball.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
From Croatia to the court St. Joe’s women’s basketball went global this summer
MIA MESSINA ’25 Sports Editor
The St. Joe’s and Villanova women’s basketball teams are very different in terms ofmakeup.
WhiletheHawksreturnedmostoftheir 2023-24 roster and welcomed only three new first-years, the Wildcats underwent several offseason changes.
One thing the programs have in common: Head coaches Cindy Griffin ’91, MBA ’93 and Denise Dillon thought this was the perfect time for a foreign tour.
NCAArulesallowforcollegebasketball teams to take a foreign tour once every four years during a vacation period. The Hawks chose to play in Croatia, while the Wildcats traveled to Italy
Both coaches had hoped to take foreign tours earlier, but the covid-19 pandemic affected their plans.
Dillon spoke to Villanova about a foreign tour soon after being hired as women’s basketball head coach in 2020. She’d hoped to embark on one while stars like Maddy Siegrist and Brooke Mullin were on the team, but the timing “didn’t align.”
“It’s such an extensive trip getting everything in place, so we were able to make it happen for this past summer. It just really worked perfectly with having so many new players, and [it being the] last year for Kaitlyn Orihel and Maddie Burke,” Dillon said.
Griffinsaidsheknewshewantedtotake a trip with her current core of Hawks, but their in-season tournament to the Bahamas
in 2021, when that core were first-years, didn’t work out.
“For the student-athletes, the students have the ability to go and study abroad for a semester, but in basketball, we can’t do that because we’re a two-semester sport,” Griffin said. “[It’s] giving the players an opportunity to experience a different culture, compete against different competition, and, at the same time, have lifelong memories with your teammates.”
St. Joe’s is largely the same team as last season, but the time over the summer allowed Griffin to get a look at different combinations on the court.
“We know who we are from last year, but every year is different, right? We can’t assume that we are the same team, even though we are returning 11 of our 13 players,” Griffin said. “We don’t want to take anything for granted, and, at the same time, start to integrate the younger players and get them comfortable with playing minutes and contributing.”
While St. Joe’s went to Croatia and Villanova went to Italy, another Big 5 women’s team, Penn, did both this summer — and swept its three scrimmages along the way. Head coach Mike McLaughlin said the Quakers decided to take a trip for the first time in six years after the Ivy League allowed first-years to go for the first time.
“In the past, they had to be students at the school first before they became athletes,” McLaughlin said. “This summer, they waved that restriction, which allowed our freshmen to go.”
This trip allowed for team building to begin, an advantage as Penn welcomed six
new first-years this season.
“It bonds players. It gets them to know each other a little bit off the court, because there’s so much off-the-court time on these trips,” McLaughlin said. “It can only help going forward, right? Because, when we did start, the players already had an understanding of each other, not only on the court, but off the court. And it’s really helped grow this group much quicker than I could even anticipate, which has been fun.”
Villanova’s trip allowed the younger players to get comfortable after their first game against the Spanish All-Star team, which the Wildcats lost 65-55. They won their next two games, against ASD Basketball Sisters and Riga Stradins University, to finish their tour 2-1.
“The Spanish All-Star team was a lot of older women. I think the oldest one on the team was 38, so that was pretty cool,” Burke, a fifth-year guard for Villanova, said. “Those were the first games we played together, in Italy, with this brand-new team. That’s something that a lot of people can’t say that they did, so being able to do that was awesome.”
A bulk of the Wildcats’ team building also occurred outside of games or practice.
“You’re always talking about teambuilding strategies and trying to tie them into your schedule,” Dillon said. “When you do something like this, there’s nothing greater than a trip overseas, the travel itself, to really get that opportunity to separate from distractions and spend that quality time together.”
The Hawks won their games against Croatia All-Stars and Croatia Select.
They trained for their trip “like an A-10 championship,” senior guard Mackenzie Smith said.
“We were very fortunate to be able to enter 20 hours [of practice] in the summer,” Smith said. “I know a lot of teams aren’t able to do that, and wouldn’t be willing to do that, but I think that we took advantage of our time that we had together. It really prepared us, and I think that it only benefits us in the future.”
Even off the court, Smith saw the camaraderie she and her teammates built follow them into what Griffin and Smith said was their favorite activity: the zip line. Smith said she and Griffin were apprehensive on the way up, but just like on the court, Griffin coached her players through it.
“It was just like we were in a game,” Smith said. “She was like, ‘You got it, Mac. One at a time, we’re going to get up through this. It’s going to be great.’ I felt very coached at the moment.”
Griffin believes that the support of the group is what encouraged everyone to participate in something they wouldn’t have done otherwise.
“Nobody forced anybody into doing anything. They just were like, ‘Yeah, I’m brave. I’m courageous. I’m going to do this,’” Griffin said. “It really promoted a lot of encouragement, bravery and support.”
An earlier version of this article was first published by the Philadelphia Inquirer Nov. 1 as part of the Inquirer’s college correspondent program.
St. Joe’s women’s basketball team poses during their Croatia tour. PHOTO COURTESY OF SJU ATHLETICS
