Oct. 30, 2019

Oct. 30, 2019

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Volume C

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Est. 1929

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www.sjuhawknews.com

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The Student Newspaper of Saint Joseph’s University

Isis Gill-Reid ’20, vice president of BSU, marches across McShain Bridge along with around 170 others in a Silent March for Solidarity on Oct. 28. PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’20/THE HAWK

Student calls Public Safety officer the n-word EMILY GRAHAM ’20 Managing Editor

A first-year student called a female African-American Public Safety officer the n-word some time on the morning of Oct. 24. In the evening on the same day, University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., sent an email to inform the St. Joe’s community.

The officer asked a group of students who were outside the Science Center to lower their voices. One student in the group yelled the n-word at the officer in response. The officer then filed a report with the Office of Public Safety and Security. All of the students received an interim suspension pending a hearing. The students “are not allowed on campus,” according to the email.

“The preliminary investigation and early reports indicated the conscious use of a universally recognized racist word,” Reed said in an email response to questions from The Hawk directed through

the Office of Marketing and Communications. “A pattern of bias-related misconduct at the freshman level, in particular, was being seen early on in the semester, so I felt that it was important to express my continued frustration and re-communicate expectations.”

Some members of the St. Joe’s community said Reed’s email to students, faculty and staff was a better response to the incident compared to the university’s handling of past racial bias incidents.

“I think you see a firmer stance,” said Keith Brown, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology. “I like that Dr. Reed is very clear in calling this a racist comment.”

However, to Aisha Lockridge, Ph.D., associate professor of English and Faculty Senate president, an email was not enough.

“I think the email’s better than the last few emails, but I’m tired of getting emails because I don’t think that they’ve done anything about policy,” Lockridge said.

In the email, Reed said, “we are aware of three reported incidents so far this year.”

According to Public Safety reports and The Hawk’s reporting, we have documented four racial bias incidents since January 2019. Students, staff and faculty have said there are many other acts of racism and mi-

croaggressions that have gone unreported.

The Hawk’s recent coverage of racial bias incidents began in fall 2018, when two first-year students reported a racial slur left on a felt board on their dorm room door. In spring 2019, two other incidents involving the use of the n-word were reported in first-year dorms. This semester, an unknown person wrote the n-word on a whiteboard of a suite in LaFarge Hall.

Following the spring 2019 incidents, the university created a Bias Activity Response Group to evaluate bias incidents.

The group includes Wadell Ridley, interim chief inclusion and diversity officer (CIDO), Zenobia Hargurst, chief human resources officer, Mary-Elaine Perry, Ed.D., Title IX and bias response coordinator, and Arthur Grover, director of Public Safety.

Ridley began his role as the interim CIDO Aug. 1, 2019 after a failed search for a permanent CIDO. The Hawk’s requests for comments from Ridley and Grover were directed to Marketing and Communications, but The Hawk did not receive their responses by press time.

While the handbook outlines the guidelines for addressing bias activity, some students said they would like to see clearer reper-

cussions specifically for racial bias incidents.

Isis Gill-Reid ’20, vice president of Black Student Union (BSU), said a zero tolerance policy might prevent these incidents from continuing to happen.

“When people can see clear consequences for their actions, that can be a deterrent for more people to act out in such ways, but when they don’t see that this is something that the university takes seriously to the point where it could impact your future here, then people are going to feel more emboldened to do things,” Gill-Reid said. “I believe that the way that the administration handled the incident last year left room for this to happen again.”

Similarly, Zoe Welsh ’22, president of Bridging the Gap, said incidents like this one are “something that we seem to be trapped in” because of the culture that emboldens students to “act out in these ways.”

“It’s hard when there’s a wider culture that reflects certain ignorances,” Welsh said. “But, as a university, they can set a standard for their students and set a standard for the culture that they want within their walls.”

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Student calls Public Safety officer the n-word The university’s next step is to hold a forum on Nov. 4 in Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena hosted by Faculty Senate, BSU, University Student Senate (USS) and the Administrative Staff Council, according to a follow-up email sent to the campus community by Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

USS President Adam Mullin ’20 said he was not informed about USS’s involvement in the forum before the email was sent. He also said he is somewhat “hesitant and leery” going into the forum.

“I continue to question whether there’s much care beyond, ‘Oh this is bad,’” Mullin said. “I don’t know if that gets people in seats for a forum, and I don’t know what the forum looks like to make it feel like people’s voices are heard in a big box of Hagan.”

Mullin said one of the major challenges is to figure out how to reach students who are not actively involved in campus life.

“How do you reach the people who are just kind of coasting, maybe not involved with a lot of activities but are still a valuable part of the community?” Mullin asked.

To Welsh, it is up to students to help shift the culture at St. Joe’s.

“I think as much as the administration can set a standard, us as students, in creating our own interpersonal culture, need to have a standard of what we deem acceptable and what we don’t,” Welsh said.

Conversations regarding race on campus have become more common, but Lockridge said there is still complacency from both the students and administration. She thinks more action can be taken.

“I think that there’s a lack of will to do anything,” Lockridge said. “People feel bad, and that’s step one, but I think we’ve been feeling bad for a long time. It’s time to do something.”

Natalie Walker Brown, director of Inclusion and Diversity Educational Achievement, said the responsibility of changing campus culture does not solely rest on the recipients of racism.

“I really think the onus is now on

In response to the most recent racist incident on campus, BSU organized a silent march.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Zoe Welsh '22 holds a sign that says "United against racism" at the silent march.

PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’22/THE HAWK

those with privilege and power,” Walker Brown said. “[Minoritized and underrep-

resented community members] are fatigued in experiencing some of these inci-

dents, they’re tired of responding, they’re tired of being the spokesperson whether we want to be or not.”

Taylor Stokes ’22, USS secretary of inclusion and equity and BSU treasurer, said BSU was also not informed of the forum before Reed’s email was sent out. Stokes, who said she has dedicated all of her free time to focusing on diversity work, agreed that it should not be the responsibility of BSU to solve this problem.

“The people who should be having these conversations aren’t the BSU, aren’t the affinity groups in the [Center for Inclusion and Diversity] CID,” Stokes said. It should be groups that have power on this campus. Why is it just Black Student Union that has to go out and brainstorm ideas?”

Members of BSU, an organization that functions in part as a support system for black students, want other students to be involved in conversations about change in campus culture. Welsh acknowledged there are people who are working toward the mission, but there are still many people on campus who are not.

“You can’t force people to live a mission they don’t find aligns with their own values, but I feel like even if you don’t fully recognize the importance of the Jesuit values, you should recognize the importance of people’s humanity,” Welsh said.

Stokes, who grew up and lives in West Philadelphia just a few miles away from campus, said these issues are not exclusive to St. Joe’s, and students need to be more conscious of the demographics of the surrounding area.

“I walk down the street and I feel comfortable,” Stokes said. “I walk down the street and I’m Taylor. I live in West Philly. This is my area. These are my people. And then I come into the university and I’m like, ‘Oh man here I go’ and I’m an outcast in my own city [on campus], in my own home area.”

Cara Smith ’21 contributed to this story.

St. Joe’s racial bias incidents reflect nationwide trend CARA SMITH ’21 News Editor Four racial bias incidents were reported on St. Joe’s campus since January 2019, reflecting the nationwide trend of an uptick in racial bias incidents and hate crimes on U.S. college campuses.

According to the most recent national data available, more than 7,000 hate crimes were reported nationally in 2017, according to the FBI. Racial and ethnic prejudice were cited as the motivation for most of the hate crimes in 2017, according to the FBI. African-Americans were the targets for half of the crimes reported.

Chad Dion Lassiter, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Resources Commission (PHRC), an organization that enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination, said the current political climate could be influencing the rates of bias incidents on college campuses.

“We find ourselves where one of the most esteemed offices of the land, which is that of the presidency, has a person who promotes xenophobia, homophobia, sympathizes with facists, white nationalists as well as does not come out and condem domestic terrorism or white supremacy,” Lassiter said.

“College campuses are actually a microcosm

of the larger society.”

Brian Yates, Ph.D., associate professor of history, said he also believes bias incidents are impacted by the current presidental administration, reflecting the fundamental fears of some Americans.

“I think the two have a common root,” Yates said. “And the root here is that this country has created a privileged white population to a very large degree and people are afraid that this privilege is going to end.

According to a 2019 report on the uncivil hate and bias incidents on campus survey sponsored by The fund for leadership, equity, access and diversity (LEAD Fund), an organization committed to promoting diversity in education through research, predominantly white institutions (PWIs) experienced bias incidents at a higher rate than non-PWIs. Lassiter said as a PWI, St. Joe’s has to examine white culture on campus.

“At this Jesuit institution, what is going on with whiteness in this racially charged and emboldened era?,” Lassiter said. “These attacks are on black people. We don’t want the attacks on anyone, but is it about the fact that by 2045, whites are going to be a minority?”

Anna Aldrich is editor in chief of The Daily Campus, the student newspaper at the

University of Connecticut (UConn), which has been covering a bias incident involving white students who shouted the n-word in the parking lot of a university apartment complex. UConn is also a PWI. Aldrich said when covering racism on campus, it is necessary to think about how the majority of students haven’t personally experienced discrimination.

“I think the main dialogue about this is that this is not a single experience,” Aldrich said. “This is a pattern, and this is a reality for a lot of students here. I think that there needs to be a lot more thought put into how we respond to something because a white person who’s responding to a racially biased incident, it’s not going to have the same type of emotion or experiences that go into inquiring that response, that a person of color would.”

Lassiter said it is the responsibility of a PWI to address microaggressions on campus in order to promote diversity.

“What college campuses can do moving forward is engage in greater protective factors by holding race dialogue, having those conversations, putting those racial elephants in the room,” Lassiter said.

Specifically, the PHRC reached out to St. Joe’s after a bias incident during the 2018 fall semester to advise on best practices regarding bias incidents, according to Lassiter.

After the second meeting about three weeks ago, St. Joe’s administrators and PHRC representatives decided to organize a conference with five other Philadelphia schools —the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, La Salle University, Villanova University and Drexel University—to discuss how to effectively handle bias incidents on college campuses.

“From there we would have a discussion to put into play some real tangible ways we can learn from best practices on how each university is dealing with some of these challenges on their respective college campuses,” Lassiter said.

Steven Bradley ’20, co-president of the Black Student Union, said the administration needs to change the way it approaches these incidents.

“Sending out emails is no longer acceptable,” Bradley said. “You have to come up with another strategy. You have to come out and put your face out there and make it more of a physical presence.”

Bradley added that students need to be vocal about diversity on campus, regardless of the administration’s actions.

“Don’t be afraid,” Bradley said. “If you need people to look out for you, I will gladly speak up for anybody. I’m sure that there are other people who would be willing to do the same.”

News

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Oct. 30, 2019

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Library doors waiting for permanent fix ALLISON KITE ’22 Special to The Hawk The university is looking for a permanent solution to address the often broken entrance doors to Post Learning Commons (PLC) and Francis A. Drexel Library.

In the first two months of this school year, the doors have needed to be repaired twice, with the most recent service request on Sept. 25, according to Kevin Kane, assistant vice president of Facilities Operations.

During the last school year, the doors needed to be repaired five times.

“Over the next couple years, we’ll be thinking about raising those doors, and when we do that, we’ll see if there’s a better technology available,” Kane said.

The doors were installed in spring 2012, when the library was renovated and the PLC addition was built. They started to pose problems after two years of use, according to Library Director Anne Krakow.

Krakow said one of the reasons the doors

The entrance doors to Post Learning Commons (PLC) and Francis A. Drexel Library have been repaired twice within the first two months of this semester. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

have so frequently needed repairs is due to all of the foot traffic into the library.

“They are the most used doors on campus,” Krakow said. “The library sees over half a million people every year. The doors are used not only by library users, but by those who want to cut through to the Science Center and the rest of campus. The high usage was not anticipated.”

Kane agreed the state of the current doors is ultimately due to a design flaw.

There is more foot traffic than anticipated by the architects who designed the building.

Their key focus had been on the building’s aesthetic, Kane said.

“When the Post Learning Commons was built, the architect had a vision, a specific vision for how that entrance should look there,” Kane said. “I don’t think the designers anticipated the amount of use that they’re getting.”

The fact that the doors’ mechanisms are underground also contributes to the problem, both Krakow and Kane said. Those mechanisms must be accessed through a panel below the door and are particularly susceptible to weather.

“When the ground freezes and thaws out, the ground heats and settles, and that impacts the bottom in particular, and that’s problematic,” Kane said.

Any solution will have to weigh form and function, according to Kane.

“We’d like to probably get the operator’s equipment out of the ground and get it up high, but it may not look as nice,” Kane said.

Right now, repairs have to be contracted out. Advanced Doors Services Inc., based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, currently

handles the repairs.

“When you see a door is out of order for a long time, it is because a part is on order,” said Marian Courtney, library operations manager. “So it’s not that they haven’t addressed it.

It’s not that the repair company has not been here to look at it.”

Kane said the university will continue to assess the doors along with the cost of maintenance over the next few years. Part of that assessment has involved talking to people at the Comcast Center in Center City, which was built around the same time as PLC and with similar doors.

“We’ve been picking the brains of the folks that design and maintain the doors down there to see if there’s a technology to better fit, or if there’s a door system we should be thinking about for that building,” Kane said.

There is currently no time frame or set plan regarding a permanent solution, Kane said.

“We’ve got to be sure that whatever we install as a fix is going to be better than what we have now,” Kane said.

In the meantime, Krakow does not like the message that frequent “out of order” signs relay to library patrons and others passing through this central campus building.

“It doesn’t look good for us to always have an out of order sign,” Krakow said.

“We’re aware of how much those doors are used. The library’s a very service-oriented organization, and if we always have a sign that says ‘out of order don’t use,’ that’s not a very friendly welcome.”

Possible economic downturn GEORGE STEINHOFF ’21 Special to The Hawk What is the current condition of the U.S. economy?

Record low unemployment, an ongoing trade war, a turbulent stock market and a world leader in gross domestic product (GDP) are the characteristics of the current U.S. economy.

By the numbers: The unemployment rate, which only accounts for jobless individuals who are actively seeking work, dropped to 3.5% as of September 2019, a 50-year low.

The Dow Jones industrial average, which is a holistic measurement of stock performances of 30 large companies, rose to an alltime high in July 2019, breaking 27,000.

The U.S. GDP, which measures the total monetary value of production within a country’s borders, is roughly $20 trillion.

While these measurements often point to a healthy economy, many experts believe a recession is looming in the near future.

“It’s been 10 years since the last recession, and things tend to go in cycles,” said Karen Hogan, Ph.D., professor of finance. “It’s not going to be a meltdown, I don’t think, but there have definitely been better markets than what we have right now.”

A recession is marked by a strong decline in overall economic activity, which usually lasts for at least a few months. Essentially, businesses will cease investments, people will be laid off work, and consumers will likely cut back on spending.

Why do experts believe an economic down turn is looming?

“To me the biggest one is the inverted yield curve and not just for one quarter, but for multiple quarters in a row,” Hogan said.

The yield curve refers to returns on U.S. treasury bonds over various periods of time.

Typically, long-term treasury bonds come with higher yields (higher returns) than shortterm bonds, because an investor’s money is tied up longer, so they expect a higher return.

If investors lose confidence in the shortterm economy, they will begin to invest their money into long-term bonds, forcing the U.S. treasury to increase the yield on short-term bonds to attract investors. When short-term bonds have higher yields than long-term bonds, an inverted yield curve occurs.

“Usually yield curves have been a pretty good forecast in terms of recessions,” Hogan said.

Yield curves have preceded and predicted recessions in 1981, 1991, 2001 and the 2008 mortgage default crisis.

Furthermore, a trade war with China may only aggravate the situation.

“I have a friend who builds equipment that musicians use, and it’s all made out of steel, and he now has to buy his steel in the U.S. because when you try to purchase steel that has a tariff on it, it’s not the foreign company that pays, it’s the home country, it’s the person who’s buying it,” Hogan said.

The current interest rate may also aggravate the situation even further. During times of economic down swings, the federal reserve will decrease the interest rate, so people are more enticed to invest, which helps revitalize the economy.

“Interest rates are low, so there’s not a

whole lot of stimulation that you’re going to be able to do to reduce interest rates,” Hogan said. “That’s a little worrisome.”

How would an economic down turn affect higher education?

Higher education is not immune to economic down turns. Anything from enrollment in certain majors to the amount of money colleges and universities receive through government funding could be affected.

There’s a ripple effect, according to Nancy Fox, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, who also served as associate dean for over 11 years. For example, at St. Joe’s, the number of business majors goes down when the economy improves. That affects the number of students in introductory economics courses, which also goes down, she explained.

“It’s countercyclical,” Fox said.

Aside from enrollment in certain majors, government funding of universities could also be affected if the economy falters.

“If the economy is strong, there’s more tax revenues,” Fox said. “The government has more money to spend, so it could spend it in higher education.”

Although higher education may see a decrease in funding if the economy enters a recession, graduate higher education will likely fare better than undergraduate higher education, because more students enroll in graduate school during a down-turn in the economy.

Daniel McCann ’09, J.D., adjunct professor of economics, graduated from St. Joe’s with a degree in economics at the end of the 2008 recession. His choices? Get a job or go to law school. He chose law school.

“There is a theory in economics called ‘opportunity costs,’” McCann said. “Essential-

ly, opportunity cost is whatever you gave up in making a decision. It is the other option. In 2009, attending graduate school had a low opportunity cost because the job market was not strong in most fields, so not taking that first job out of college was not as costly (financially) as it would be in a very strong job market.”

If experts correctly predict a recession, soon-to-be graduates will be faced with fewer jobs.

“I say to the students who are graduating this year, be thankful you’re graduating this year because I think next year is going to be harder to get a job,” Hogan said.

How might St. Joe’s fare in a struggling economy?

St. Joe’s survived the last recession, but the effects of that recession were definitely felt at the university, Fox said, who was assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) during the 2008 recession.

“We had so many financial aid issues,” Fox said. “Students needed more, they dropped out, they worked more.”

Over 10 years later, many private colleges and universities continue to face financial difficulties, that may be compounded by an economic down period.

“No question, there will be more people who will need financial aid, and how will that affect private colleges with hefty price tags?”

Fox asked. “That’s going to affect the St. Joe’s.

That’s not going to affect the Princetons.”

Princeton’s endowment is roughly $26 billion, as compared to the $305 million endowment of St. Joe’s. Private universities with enormous endowments - such as Princeton - will be in a better financial position should the economy falter, Fox explained.

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News

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Oct. 30, 2019

Former assistant director for music and worship sues St. Joe’s CARA SMITH ’21 News Editor The former assistant director for music and worship for Campus Ministry filed a civil lawsuit on Oct. 11 against St. Joe’s for discrimination based on sexual orientation according to a federal court filing.

Noel Koenke, who identifies as a lesbian, filed five counts of Title IX violations against St. Joe’s. Koenke is seeking compensation for medical expenses that occurred during her time at St. Joe’s, as well as the development of more protective policies for the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, according to the complaint filed in federal court.

Koenke was hired as coordinator for liturgy and music in 2010, and worked at

St. Joe’s until 2017, where she unexpectedly left after being promoted to director for music and worship.

Despite receiving high performance evaluations, Koenke was pressured into hiding her sexual identity from the St. Joe’s community.

Koenke claimed that this was a form of sex discrimination according to the complaint. “[Koenke] felt not only that she could not be fully open at work, but also that she could not always be fully open outside of work about [Koenke’s] employment, or relationship with and upcoming marriage to a person of the same sex (female), to be consistent with the University’s request,” the complaint alleged.

According to the complaint, specifically, on July 22, 2013, Koenke’s supervisor asked her to hide her sexual orientation, which included al-

tering her Facebook account. Although Koenke filed a formal written complaint to the Office of Human Resources on July 23, 2013, she was told by a representative that what she was experiencing was not discrimination, according to the complaint.

Around Aug 11, 2013, Koenke attempted suicide, partly due to job stress, which she listed as an offical trigger in her medical file, her complaint alleged. “[Koenke] was seriously damaged by the harassment and abuse [Koenke] experienced in being required to remain closeted or hide [Koenke’s] relationship with and upcoming marriage to a person of the same sex (female), for fear of the negative consequences or repercussions if [Koenke] was suspected or found out,” the complaint states.

Eventually, Koenke felt she had no choice

but to resign due to the mental stress caused by working at St. Joe’s, according to the complaint.

On Nov 15, 2017, Koenke met with two supervisors who she said gave her three options regarding her employment moving forward.

First, Koenke could continue to work at St. Joe’s under the same conditions, or leave St. Joe’s without any severance or receive a severance package of $17,800 and sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), according to the report.

According to the complaint, Knoenke did not sign the NDA, but instead decided to leave her job without the severance package. “[Koenke] is pursuing the instant case to ensure that no other employee in the future is subjected to hateful harassment and abuse like [Koenke] was subjected to in this case,” according to the report.

Commuter at-large resigns from University Student Senate CHARLEY REKSTIS ’20 Senior Editor Margarita Mashliakevich ’22 resigned from the University Student Senate (USS) commuter at-large position on Oct. 27 after being involved in the incident in the commuter lounge on Oct. 11.

Mashliakevich was one of four students involved in the incident which left the commuter lounge in disarray. The students stacked ottomans and side tables to the ceiling and hung glow sticks in an outlet and from sprinklers.

Adam Mullin ’20, president of USS, Julia McQuade ’20, vice president of USS, and Mashliakevich had a meeting on Oct. 25 and decided Mashliakevich’s resignation was best for the commuter population.

“We felt that her role is to be the liaison between the senate and the commuters and the representation of the commuter community, and that relationship was damaged,” McQuade said. “We needed to reopen that role to someone who could better communicate their needs.”

Mashliakevich said she was involved in Student Senate for over a year and was happy to have been able to change something for the better, but she decided resigning and

allowing someone else to take over the position was best for the commuter community.

“I know my potential and I know that I could’ve done a lot more, but by force of circumstances, I am choosing to resign from my position as an at-large senator,” Mashliakevich said. “I do think that I did a lot for the commuter community and Senate but unfortunately our society is shaped the way that no matter how much one tries, one cannot please each and everyone.”

USS voted unanimously to accept Mashliakevich’s resignation on Oct. 28.

Mullin and McQuade hope to fill the commuter at-large position by the Nov. 18 meeting at the latest.

“We are [reaching] out to Nancy [Komada, Ph.D., director of the Office of Student Transitions] and the executive board, Hawks in Flight, and the rest of the commuter population [with] our typical senator at large application,” Mullin said.

“We will solicit for about a week or two and then go into interviews to fill the position hopefully within the next two weeks.”

In the meantime, Taylor Stokes ’22, USS secretary for inclusion and equity, will serve as interim commuter at large.

“St. Joe’s in its history has been a commuter population and has moved over time to a highly residential school,” Mullin said.

Mashliakevich served as commuter at-large for over a year. PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’20/THE HAWK

“It’s important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that many students still do commute. We need to better understand the needs of commuter students and have their voices heard to what problems, concerns, ideas, [they] specifically face and affect their subsect of the greater student body.”

Both McQuade and Mullin believe the commuter at-large position brings a needed diverse voice to senate which influ-

enced their decision to have Mashliakevich resign to allow a new representative represent the community.

“It’s an attempt to bring more representation and resources to a community that often can be ignored in the process otherwise,” McQuade said. “It’s important because they experience different issues, they go through a different experience on campus.”

Department of Public Safety reports (Oct. 18 - Oct. 24) Oct. 18 Public Safety was notified of a fire alarm inside Pennbrook Apartments. Public Safety officers responded. Preliminary investigation revealed the alarm was activated due to a student cooking. Alarm was reset.

Public Safety confiscated a quantity of alcohol from inside the lobby of Villiger Hall. Residence Life notified. Community Standards was notified.

Public Safety was notified by an area resident of a large party in the 5700 block of Woodcrest Avenue. Public Safety officers and Philadelphia Police were notified and responded. Community Standards was notified.

Oct. 19 Public Safety confiscated a quantity of alcohol from inside the lobby of the Ashwood Apartments. Residence Life notified. Community Standards was notified.

Oct. 20 Public Safety was notified of an odor of marijuana coming from a room in Rashford Hall. A search of the room by Public Safety and Residence Life revealed no signs of marijuana or drug paraphernalia. Community Standards was notified.

Oct 24 Public Safety received a report of a racial bias incident where a St. Joe’s student yelled the n-word at a female African-American Public Safety officer near the Science Center. A preliminary investigation identified the student(s). Public Safety forwarded the information immediately to the Bias Activity Response Group and Community Standards.

ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENTS

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On campus

Off campus

DRUG RELATED INCIDENTS

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On campus

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Off campus

Call Public Safety:

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The Hawk Newspaper

Opinions

Oct. 30, 2019

5

Responsibility is on the students

What we all must do to address a racist culture

Editor in Chief Luke Malanga ’20 Managing Editor Emily Graham ’20 Copy Chief Kaila Mundell-Hill ’20 Faculty Adviser Shenid Bhayroo Contributing Adviser Jenny Spinner Senior Editor Charley Rekstis ’20 Digital Managing Editor Alex Hargrave ’20 Copy Editor Angelique Frazier ’20 Copy Editor Jackie Collins ’21 News Editor Cara Smith ’21 Assistant News Editor Carly Calhoun ’21 Opinions Editor Devin Yingling ’22 Assistant Opinions Editor Hadassah Colbert ’20 Features Editor Kaitlyn Patterson ’20 Assistant Features Editor Zach Dobinson ’22 Sports Editor Sam Britt ’20 Assistant Sports Editor Ryan Mulligan ’21 Assistant Sports Editor Matt DeLeo ’20 Special Projects Editor Nick Karpinski ’21 Photo Editor Mitchell Shields ’22 Online Editor Alex Mark ’20 Social Media Manager Natalie Drum ’20 Assistant Social Media Manager Julia Koerwer ’23 Business Manager Angela DiMarco ’22 Assistant Business Manager Collin Messenger ’22 Distribution Manager Gavin O'Reilly ’20

“In the early morning hours of October 24, one member of a small group of students called a female African-American public safety officer the N-word in response to being asked to lower their voices” University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D. wrote in an email, which was sent to the university community on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Reed also wrote that the university “identified the students and served them an interim suspension pending a hearing.” The next day, Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs, wrote an email to the university community giving further detail regarding a “university forum to build a campus wide dialogue around diversity, equity and inclusion.”

The event will take place on Monday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena. In order to “allow all interested students and employees” to attend the event, all classes between 2 and 4 p.m. are canceled.

This forum is an appropriate first step by university administration to address “another racist incident on campus.” Moreover, Reed sent his email on the same day as the incident and was clear in describing the students’ actions as racist.

In our previous editorial, we addressed the university’s inadequate response to the n-word being written on a white board on a resident’s door in LaFarge Hall. Perhaps now the university is taking the right steps towards addressing acts of racism, systemic racism and racial inequality.

While the administration is taking the necessary preliminary steps to address these specific acts of racism, acts of racism continue to happen on campus, and many don’t get reported. Maybe, this is indicative that we as students are not doing enough to address racism in our midst.

It is a culmination of microaggressions as well as these acts of racism we’ve wit-

nessed over the past two weeks that creates a campus culture of racism.

We, the students here, should hold ourselves and our peers more accountable when those around us commit acts of racism, whether fueled by racial hatred or ignorance. As a student body, we should not just verbally condemn racism, but follow this condemnation with meaningful action.

We have criticized the slow responses to acts of racism from university administration. We have critiqued the inattentiveness and negligible effort to address racial inequality from the top. However, that is clearly not ’ enough.

This is worth repeating; It’s time we hold each other accountable for what our peers say and how our peers respond to acts of racism, in order to foster real change.

On a campus with a student population that is almost 80% white, it is the responsibility of this population of white students to challenge racism in order to uphold the integrity of our university’s mission in pursuit of racial social justice and equality.

To fulfill our collective responsibility we must acknowledge that white privilege is real on our campus. Let’s identify this privilege and use it as a way to challenge the culture of racism on our campus.

Students are inclined to become defensive when they are forced to talk about their white privilege. We must accept that having conversations about racism can be uncomfortable, especially for white people.

Imagine what it must be like to be on the receiving end of racism.

These conversations should not be easy.

Challenging racism is characteristically hard work. It is this provocative discourse and difficult conversations with those around you that increase the prospects for change.

So have these conversations with your peers, especially those who are apathetic to-

wards the topics of racism, systemic racism and racial inequality. It is those who avoid the discussions, avoid the forums and continue to use racial slurs who need to be taking part in action.

If you are reading The Hawk’s reporting of racial bias incidents on campus, then you are already beginning to allow yourself to take part in the larger conversation of racial injustice that permeates society.

However, we need discussions and we need further action. We urge all students who hear this call to action to take it upon themselves to push for change.

Challenge your friends who take part in racist conversations or actions. Confront white privilege in all of its manifestations.

Attend all racial justice events on campus, including this upcoming forum. Most importantly, continue to self-reflect and address the role race plays in each of our individual lives.

While the administration is working to demonstrate it is capable of promoting social justice, the student body should be following suit, because it is the attitudes and actions of the student body that creates the campus culture here.

In addressing racial injustice on a personal level in our daily lives, this student body will embrace our university’s mission in promoting substantial efforts in advancing racial justice and social equality.

—The Editorial Board This week’s Editorial Board is comprised of the Senior Ediotr, Digital Managing Editor, Online Editor, Special Projects Editor, Assistant News Editor, Copy Chief, Photo Editor, Assistant Features Editor, and Opinions Editor.

This editorial reflects the views of the Board and not the The Hawk welcomes Letters to the Editor, typically no more than 300 words. They can be emailed to hawk.editorial@gmail.com.

Letter to the Editor To the Editor:

I am frustrated. Dismayed. Angry. Confused. I do not understand how students can continue to have so little regard for others’ dignity. I am sick and tired of routinely having to respond to situations like these.

We must always respond to them, but I wish we were beyond this point by now.

I see so much goodness in the world and on this campus, yet there remains so much hate. How can people possibly act with such ignorance?

I want to be optimistic. I want to be hopeful that we can make substantive progress, believing that we have made some strides already. Moments like these make it

difficult to do so. I start to ask when the next incident will arise, not if one will. Confidence that our efforts are making an impact falters.

Still—for those of you who care—please continue to fight the good fight.

I have no answers. I do not know right now how we can address yet another bias incident while developing proactive efforts that will have an impact on the student body.

Students continue to be all too comfortable expressing hate.

This is not the type of community that we want to be a part of. Let’s all do something about it. Let’s figure out what that is together. I will not rest well until then.

This is not just about words. This is not just about planning committees, mandates,

or action steps. They are all nice steps, but the culture must change. At every level, we fall short. We must develop a shared understanding of civility.

I hope you share my frustration at some level. If you do not, consider why that is the case. This matters so much more than any one situation. This is about the community.

I will try my best to make a positive impact. I ask the same of every person on this campus.

— Adam Mullin ’20 Student Senate President

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

At St. Joe’s, everyone talks about the “magis.” This community quite literally defines itself as “men and women with and for others,” yet every semester, students of color are attacked. Every semester, students of color on this campus are made to feel unsafe.

The hypocrisy is getting too prominent for even the most optimistic among us. To be ignorant of the fear these students face is to tell them they don’t matter on this campus.

They do. Our institution assumes rac-

ism will just disappear with an apology letter and wishful thinking, but the problem runs much deeper than that. We must admit we are not doing nearly enough to challenge the privilege and the entitlement that permits and perpetuates this behavior.

It is an unforgivable shame that on this campus this act is reported as “another” racial incident. We shouldn’t be a campus of “another” incident, but rather a student body and environment that rejects this type of behavior at its very first appearance.

We must be better than those who have come before us. We must demand institu-

tional and individual action in response to these racial attacks. St. Joe’s claims it is a community with and for others, but until we prove this through action, the words fall flat and this disgraceful behavior will continue.

To sum it up best: “When we are not hungry for justice, it is usually because we are too full with privilege” —Carlos A. Rodríguez — Saint Joseph’s University College Democrats

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Opinions

I’m sorry, but what for?

Confronting the culture of female over-apologizing

DEVIN YINGLING ’22 Opinions Editor Two weeks ago, I was home for the weekend and decided to go to a local coffee shop to get some homework done. At the coffee shop, a bar-style table lines the wall next to the entrance, and I unfortunately got the chair at the bar closest to the door.

I was sitting there with my breakfast, my laptop and my papers all spread out with my headphones in. A man had just ordered his coffee and was leaving the store. I guess he had his hands full because in order to open the door, he had to free up a hand by placing his coffee on my table right next to my things.

Now, this is not the problem. He apologetically mouthed “sorry,” and by no means was I opposed to someone setting their coffee down for a moment to grab the door.

The problem was that instead of saying “Oh, no problem,” I looked at this man and said, “Oh! I’m sorry!” and continued to shuffle my things over so the table could accommodate his coffee.

I had my work set in front of me, I was sitting silently getting some reading done and enjoying my coffee, yet I apologized to a man who invaded my space.

This is something I’ve noticed I, along with my female friends, are all guilty off: apologizing when it’s not necessary (especially doing so to men).

In a New York Times Opinions piece, author Ruth Whippman argues, “The various anti-apologizing tracts often quote a 2010 study showing that the reason women say they are sorry more often than men is that we have a “lower threshold for what constitutes offensive behavior.” This is almost exclusively framed as an example of female deficiency.”

In response to this phemonenon, a cul-

TODD ERIKS Ph.D. Columnist ANNA LUBOMIRSKI ’21 Columinst Welcome to the first column of “Money Matters” where we will address personal finance questions asked by students. My name is Todd Erkis and I am a visiting professor in the finance department. I teach several finance classes including Introduction to Finance. Prior to working at St. Joe’s, I worked as an actuary in the insurance industry. I am joined in today’s column by Anna Lubomirski ’21 who is a junior food marketing and accounting double major with a minor in Spanish. Our goal is to answer your personal finance questions. If you have a question, please send it to hawk.editorial@sju.edu.

I have saved $1,000 that I would like to invest in the stock market. Which stocks should I buy? -Andrew P. ’21, finance major

ture of rejecting over-apologizing stemmed from a sub-group in the feminist movement encouraging female assertiveness and empowerment. However, a caveat to this sub-movement is while women are aspiring to be more assertive, empowered and strong, we are doing so in a way that conforms to

While gender progress is underway, the patriarchal hierarchy that our society is built upon requires a fundamental revolution in order to break down these oppressive structures.

In a sense, this is what Whippman is arguing for in the end of her op-ed. She claims, “until female norms and standards are seen

ILLUSTRATION: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK masculinized standards of power.

This encourages a feminist sub-movement that hardly questions “whether the male standard really is the more socially desirable or morally sound set of behaviors or consider[s] whether women might actually have had it right all along,” according to Whippman.

Now, while some may criticize this caveat, and undoubtedly many have, I have to support the movement in the direction that it’s going.

as every bit as valuable and aspirational as those of men, we will never achieve equality.”

This will benefit not only women, but men and those who are gender non-conforming because by accepting attitudes and habits that are traditionally perceived as “feminine,” we will aid in breaking the strict norms by which binary genders are “supposed” to behave.

In short, she argues that in addition to encouraging women to adopt traditional

Erkis: Andrew, this is a great question. Is this money that can be left invested for at least one year? If not, then wait until you have enough money elsewhere so you wouldn’t have to sell the investment if you unexpectedly need cash. Young people should include stocks in their investments since stocks have historically had higher long-term returns than keeping money in the bank.

In your case, I would recommend investing in the S&P 500 Index mutual fund Charles Schwab ($500 minimum) or TD Ameritrade ($100 minimum) since they have low minimum investment requirements. When you have more money, Fidelity Investments ($2,500 minimum), or Vanguard ($3,000 minimum) would also be possibilities.

A mutual fund is an asset where an investment manager invests the money deposited in the fund for the benefit of the in-

vestors. The S&P 500 Index invests in stocks from 500 of the largest U.S. publicly traded companies allowing you to own a piece of each one.

A mutual fund like the S&P 500 is better to start with than a few stocks because the price of one or two stocks can go up or down quite a bit and this volatility is not ideal for a first-time investor.

Owning many stocks is called diversification, which is a good thing when investing. The S&P 500 Index is diversified, so it should go up and down by much less. Note that there is a risk you will lose money when purchasing stocks including the S&P 500.

Lubomirski: Investing your savings definitely puts that money to good use and is better than just letting it sit in a regular bank account earning only a couple pennies worth of interest each month. It is, however, easier said than done for someone starting out. Once you start thinking about and looking into invest-

masculine standards of behavior of power and assertiveness, men should be taught traditionally feminine traits of behavior.

So, I agree with this argument, and Whippman is indisputably correct in that to achieve gender equality, the norms of behavior must permeate beyond traditional gender-based expectations.

However, the issue is of course the caveat mentioned prior: that in order to promote equality, we must stick to the binary and draw our boundaries of gender-based behavior to conform to such a widely accepted dichotomy. This, I don’t agree with.

The only other approach I currently see to breaking the structural and societal acceptance of binary gendered behavior requires a thorough revolutionary plan. (Stay tuned, maybe by the end of my higher education career I will have cracked the code in solving gender inequality. But I’m not there just yet).

Let’s at least make this a start to the revolution. In one of my courses here, taught by Becki Scola, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of political science, she encourages the practice of not apologizing in our class discussions. We sit in a circle of desks, we don’t raise our hands to speak and we never apologize for what we have to contribute to the conversation.

In this small classroom setting, we (students from all gender identities) practice being assertive, speaking our minds and contributing to intellectual conversations unapologetically.

This is the classroom where I feel most welcome, where I feel most accepted and where I learn the most.

Let’s break the binary. Let’s encourage ourselves and others to be both powerful and kind, to be argumentative but to show humility and to be assertive but cooperative regardless of gender identity.

So, let’s get this revolution underway, and let’s do so unapologetically.

ment opportunities, you realize just how little you know and can easily feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the prospect.

I went onto the Charles Schwab Corporation website and saw that I needed to transfer money from my bank account into the Schwab account to be able to start investing. Schwab would hold onto the money in a similar way as a savings account at a bank. Through Schwab, I could then use that money to purchase any of a substantial number of mutual funds (intimidating, but very easy!). An S&P 500 Index Fund, which Professor Erkis talks about above, is on the list of available funds and can be easily purchased.

*Nothing stated in this column should be considered investment advice or an offering of securities. Stock investing has risk and you should do your own research before investing.

Opinions

Oct. 30, 2019

The Hawk Newspaper

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Yes, you should raise your hand

Addressing the stigma around female class participation MAGGIE BRENNEN ’22 Columnist “Am I 100% sure this is the right answer?”

“Does this really relate to the class discussion?”

“Am I raising my hand too much?”

These are all questions that run through students’ heads before they participate in class. Unfortunately due to social conventions, they tend to run through women’s heads more often.

Research has shown that from preschool to college, male students receive more attention from their teachers than female students. According to the American Association of University Women, this is because little boys demand more attention than little girls, acting rowdy in class and attending school with a “boys will be boys”mentality. Meanwhile, girls are expected to be more quiet and modest in class.

After growing up with this mentality, it’s no wonder college women think twice before raising their hand, even if their professor creates the most welcoming and equal classroom environment possible.

Sometimes professors cannot oversee class discussions when a class splits into groups to brainstorm ideas. When a woman ends up in a group with all men, her ideas are often not heard or asked for. When the professor comes over to talk to the group or sees the group from a distance, it can seem

as if the woman is lazy or bored, and does not want to participate.

This feeling of being the only woman in a group is especially common for male-dominated majors, like those in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Speaking from personal experience,

class discussions are not about feminism, women of color can be viewed as being overly sensitive and their ideas can be viewed to have even less value. Women and people of color do not even have to participate to feel singled out, as some of my friends have complained about being singled out by their

ILLUSTRATION: KAITLYN PATTERSON ’20/THE HAWK

there are times when I have felt uncomfortable participating in class, especially when making a comment about feminism. There is always an eye roll from at least one guy in class who thinks I am being too sensitive or that feminism and women do not relate to the current discussion. I’m even a little nervous to write this piece knowing it could get the same reaction from some readers.

As a white woman, my experience in class discussions is far different from the experiences of women of color. Even when

professor to add to class discussion relating to their race. My friend who is of Asian descent complained to me about a class discussion about communism in China, a professor had their eyes locked on her and urged her to participate.

So, what can be done to improve confidence in class participation among women?

On almost every syllabus I have received, there is a note under the participation section encouraging students to see the professor in office hours if they feel uncom-

fortable participating in class.

Utilizing this can allow students to have productive conversations with their professors about what was being discussed in class without the reactions of classmates.

Better yet, office hours are a perfect opportunity for students to express their concerns about classroom discussions, and how the professor can better address them, thus improving the overall environment of classrooms.

I am in no way suggesting that men should agree with women on issues just to make them feel comfortable; classrooms should be an environment promoting productive conversations or even arguments.

However, classrooms should also be respectful environments, leaving jokes and rude remarks at the door. No one should assume that the person speaking cannot see your eye roll or hear your scoff. You should not underestimate the impact your behavior has on a person’s confidence.

Ladies, participate for the sake of your participation grade, but also participate to enhance your education. Course material is better retained when applied through class discussion, and participating will be more memorable than just observing.

Class participation is also a preparation for participation in future careers and will better your background for when it comes time to speak up in meetings and conferences. It’s time we put our education before our classmates’ opinions.

13 reasons why the show ‘13 Reasons Why’ shouldn’t exist It’s time to remove this show from Netflix FAITH COWELL ’22 Columnist In March 2017, Netflix released their original show “13 Reasons Why,” based on the book by author Jay Asher. The title is in reference to the 13 reasons why the main character, Clay’s, friend Hannah Baker killed herself.

Prior to her suicide, Hannah recorded 13 tapes for Clay to distribute to classmates after her death. Each classmate is integral to the reasons she killed herself.

The series has included graphic depictions of Hannah’s suicide and sexual assault There is also a disturbing scene in which a male student is sodomized with a mop handle, and that same student almost carries out a mass shooting at their school.

The show and its writers said they are “committed on this show to telling truthful stories about things that young people go through in as unflinching a way as [they] can,” show creator Brian Yorkey told Vanity Fair.

Following the premiere of the show’s first season, the show caused a lot of controversy in the media, and many people wanted Netflix to remove the show entirely.

I don’t think the show should have been created in the first place. I haven’t seen it. I don’t need to see it. I don’t want to give any of my time to a show/creators who think a two minute, excruciatingly disturbing suicide scene in a bathtub is something to be shown on television to teenagers.

Season 3 was released in August 2019 and received negative reviews, which it deserves. In light of the new season’s bad re-

views, I’ve compiled a list (with 13 reasons, to be exact) of why 13 Reasons Why should be taken off of Netflix.

1. It glorifies and romanticizes suicide.

The entire first season culminates in Hannah’s eventual suicide, and the scene of her death unfolds with pretty music in the background.

Seeing the season through Clay’s eyes presents the event as if Clay should have known she was struggling and “saved” her because he was in love with her, instead of helping her because she’s a human being who deserved to live.

2. It simplifies suicide as a way to solve problems. In the end, Hannah’s struggles be-

her choice alone.

5. Self-harm is presented as the antidote to suicide. In one episode, Clay notices another student with cuts on her wrists, and asks how she’s any different from Hannah.

The student responds by saying, “Suicide is for cowards. This is what you do to not commit suicide.” Self-harm is a symptom of depression and suicidal thoughts. In no way, shape, or form is it a solution for suicidal thoughts.

6. It depicts topics like suicide, rape and unwanted pregnancies as subjects for entertainment. These are real things that happen to people. They are not fictional, and they should

“I don't want to give any of my time to a show/creators who think a two minute, excruciatingly disturbing suicide scene in a bathtub is something to be shown on television to teenagers.” come too much for her to bear, and she takes her own life. This presentation sends the message that rather than seeking help when life gets hard, people should consider ending their own lives as an option.

3. Suicide rates rose after the premiere of the first season. The National Institute of Mental Health released a statement detailing that there was a “28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth ages 10-17 in the month (April 2017) following the show's release.”

4. It plays the blame game. Every episode of the first season is Hannah telling a different person why they were an instrument to her suicide, and why they failed her, never placing emphasis that the decision to kill herself was

not be treated as something writers can use as tools to further a plot.

7. It is incredibly graphic. The suicide scene is an excruciating two minute scene, and multiple sexual assault scenes were depicted onscreen for much longer than necessary. They are painful to watch and emotionally disturbing.

8. The show’s writers and producers have praised themselves for bringing up “tough subjects,” when really they’re just using mental health, sexual assault, and other serious topics to stir up controversy and publicity.

9. The show presents Hannah’s struggle and eventual suicide through a straight male gaze. Clay was in love with Hannah, further

reinforcing the romantization of Hannah’s struggle and eventual suicide.

10. It solidifies the notion that, in the end, everyone is alone. No parents help Hannah, no adults see other students struggling, no one gets the help they need.

11. It is a show about suicide, self-harm, sexual assault and other tough topics that are marketed to vulnerable teens. The characters in the show are all in high school and it has been marketed almost exclusively to teenagers who are more at risk of these issues.

12. The first two seasons were successful. Isn’t that terrifying? Netflix viewers were entertained by the struggles the characters in the show faced. Viewers of season 1 knew that, in the end, Hannah Baker would kill herself.

And they kept watching. Then, when people called for the show to be taken off of Netflix, the company responded by adding content warnings to the beginning of each episode.

13. There is no hope, no happy ending, no effort to show that recovery is an option.

“13 Reasons Why” should not have been created. It is a harmful portrayal of depression, suicide, sexual assault and other very real issues. These issues are not for entertainment, yet 13 Reasons Why portrays them for profit.

It is time to take this show out of the public eye, and stop making serious mental health discussions a viable means for entertainment.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, call CAPS (610-660-1090), Student Outreach and Support (610-660-1149) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800273-8255).

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Opinions

Robyn Fenty for president Why I want to be Rihanna when I grow up HADASSAH COLBERT ’20 Assistant Opinions Editor My life was forever changed in 2005 when a young woman from the small island of Barbados named Robyn Rihanna Fenty (or as many may know her, Rihanna) stepped onto the scene.

Songs like “Pon de Replay”, “Umbrella” and “Rude Boy” helped form me into the woman I am today.

Rihanna is a great role model for me for several reasons. For only being 31 years old, she has accomplished great feats.

Rihanna’s 2016 album “Anti” has been a formative part of not only the later part of my adolescence but my early 20s as well.

Each song represents a different chapter or part of my life, and the album itself even has great “replay” value.

Not to mention she has 13 Billboard Music Awards, nine Grammys, 13 American Music Awards, eight People’s Choice Awards and she is the first and only artist to ever surpass more than 100 million Gold and Platinum song certifications. However, Rihanna’s musical talents and list of accolades are not the only reason I aspire to be like her.

Rihanna began to build her brand when she released a line of shoes with Puma in September 2016 including the famous Fenty creeper, a velvet or suede platform sneaker that comes in many colors and styles.

Then, she launched her Fenty Beauty makeup line in September 2017 which included her Pro Filt’R matte foundation which initially came in 40 shades but now comes in 50 total shades.

This was revolutionary because big brands like Tarte Cosmetics, YSL Beauty and Too Faced Cosmetics did not offer shades for dark skin women. Rihanna’s foundation not only has plenty of shades for dark skin women ranging in warm,

neutral and cool tones, but also foundation shades for people who have albinism.

Since the release of her makeup line, it is the only foundation I wear because I feel recognized in it. Especially knowing it came from another brown girl with a big forehead and a dream.

Rihanna then released her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty in May 2018. The line prides itself on using models of all shapes, sizes, col-

Most recently, Savage X Fenty took its talents to the runway and put on a show in September 2019 that was all about women and nothing about the male gaze. The show boasted a cast of racially diverse women, disabled women, trans women and women of all sizes, making sure all women saw themselves on that stage and felt empowered.

Rhianna stated, “I’m looking for unique

ILLUSTRATION: ANISSA WILSON ’20/THE HAWK

ors, nations and creeds in its advertisements.

The brand itself is one created to make all women feel empowered and good about themselves regardless of what their bodies might be shaped like.

On the brand’s website, Rihanna says, “My vision for Savage X has always been inclusivity, has always been having women feel confident and expressing themselves through a little lace, a little corsetry, a little T-Shirt bra.”

characteristics in people that aren’t usually highlighted in the world of fashion as it pertains to lingerie and sexy, or what society sees as sexy,” and this is extremely important.

Rihanna is not only helping women and girls feel empowered in their bodies, but in their minds too. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), over 130 million girls globally are unable to go to school.

In 2016, Rihanna became the first

Global Ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education, a multi-stakeholder partnership and funding platform that helps fund education for children in over 65 developing countries. And in 2012, Rhianna started the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) which is dedicated to “improving the quality of life for young people everywhere.” With both organizations, Rihanna has helped raise sizable amounts of money for the education of children, with an emphasis on young girls.

Rihanna, along with Prime Minister of Australia, spent a week in Malawi in southeastern Africa in January 2017. They met with the people, heard their issues surrounding education and visited the schools that do exist but are largely over crowded.

To help the school girls in Malawi, 1 KM Action, was created to provide scholarships.

The girls who qualify for it also receive bikes to ensure they can make it to school. Oftentimes girls must travel great distances in developing countries just to go to school, and this can lead to great dangers.

However, providing girls with a means of transportation to get to class is a small and meaningful step towards ensuring all girls get the education they deserve.

For her efforts, Rihanna was named the Havard University Humanitarian of the Year in 2017, a title that has been granted to activists like Dolores Huerta and Malala Yousafzai.

I want to be like Rihanna when I grow up because she is an exemplary human being. She uses her elevated status and platform to elevate others and it’s beautiful.

Rihanna may not call herself a feminist outright, but she lives the life and embodies what it means to be a proper intersectional feminist.

Rihanna has made this world her own regardless of any opposition she might have had, and is continuing to open doors for others.

For that, she is a true Queen and we should all strive to be a bit more like Bad Gal Riri.

Discussing the streaming wars

The creation of a “cord-nevers” generation KHALID ALZUBI ’22 Guest Columnist

With the upcoming release of Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+, the “Streaming Wars” are officially underway. Netflix and Disney have been going at it for the past few months.

Disney blocked all Netflix ads on their various platforms including ABC, Freeform and Fox, while Netflix has announced the removal of most of their Disney movies and TV shows by the end of 2021.

Now, with the looming presence of other upcoming streaming services all trying to dethrone Netflix, things are getting a little more heated.

In addition to the battle for subscriptions, the streaming wars include the fight for the rights to your favorite TV shows.

The big names in streaming have dished out over $2 billion over the past few months in an effort to win over as many

customers as they can while more options to choose from start to come into play.

With the news that fan favorites like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” are leaving Netflix for NBC Universal’s platform, Peacock, it is evident that the days of having a one-stop shop for all your favorite shows are over.

However, one service seeming to be a pioneer in this field is Hulu’s Live TV

wallet with a full cable package anymore.

In fact, the trend of canceling cable subscriptions has grown so much since 2014 that there is even a name they go by now, “cord cutters.”

According to EMarketer.com, in 2018 there were 33 million cord cutters in the U.S., and that number is expected to grow exponentially hitting over 55 million by the year 2022.

“That may not be the worst thing that could happen in this new era of entertainment. Streaming has many benefits compared to just having cable.” subscription option. For $45 a month, this package includes the popular channels you would typically get in a cable package.

Plus, if you haven’t already heard, they offer live sports.

At less than half the cost of a typical cable bill, including the fee for the streaming service itself, there is no need to drain your

This rapid growth of the trend has bred a new term, “cord-nevers,” someone who has never owned a cable subscription.

Because of the increasing amount of new options when it comes to entertainment consumption, people growing up today may never know what it’s like to flip through channels looking for something to watch.

That may not be the worst thing that could happen in this new era of entertainment.

Streaming has many benefits compared to just having cable. Even if you were to have a subscription to every one of the current and upcoming streaming platforms, it would only total about $70 a month which is still less than the average cable package.

Additionally, with some of these new streaming services offering plans with live TV channels, you now have the ability to customize your package so you are only paying for the channels you actually watch.

As the streaming wars continue between both new and old streaming platforms, and the battle for popular entertainment gets more intense, cable packages are quickly becoming obsolete.

The days of browsing the channels in hopes of finding something good on are over.

Now, we can binge our favorite shows with peace of mind knowing that our wallet is no longer being drained on channels we don’t even want to watch.

Features

The Hawk Newspaper

Oct. 30, 2019

9

Festive events for the Fall holiday season ZACH DOBINSON ’22 Assistant Features Editor The end of October signifies a few things: fall is in full effect, midterms are (hopefully) over, and the spookiest day of the year is quickly approaching. With Thursday being All Hallow’s Eve, more commonly known as Halloween, there are plenty of activities to get the festivities started.

Every year there is the usual trick-ortreating as well as the growing number of ‘trunk-or-treats’ for families, but Philadelphia offers a multitude of attractions and events geared for anybody and everybody. Check out this list for some of the creepiest, spookiest,or just plain fun and festive events going on around the area.

Pumpkin patch with a twist Located in St. Joe’s backyard, Jack’s Pumpkin Glow has returned to the Fairmount Park neighborhood of Philadelphia for its third consecutive year with more than 5,000 hand carved creations.

The pumpkins are stretched out along a trail and include familiar carvings of Gritty, the cast of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and Sylvestor Stallone’s “Rocky.”

Using a combination of real and artificial pumpkins, all hand carved, this year the attraction offers a range of creations from dinosaurs and sugar skulls to portraits and Philadelphia culture. This attraction runs until Nov. 2.

Jack’s Pumpkin Glow lights up Fairmount Park with more than 5,000 custom carvings. PHOTO: ALEX HARGRAVE ’20/THE HAWK

The dead walk the earth Halloween is not the only holiday occuring at the end of the month. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday where people honor their family members who have died. By honoring one’s ancestors with an ‘ofrenda’, or offering, they are believed to be able to return to the Earth in spirit to be with their families. While this holiday is celebrated from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, Philadelphia has been celebrating throughout October and will continue into November. Día de los Muertos at the Fleisher Art Memorial in the Italian Market neighborhood is

celebrating from Nov. 1 through Nov. 6, beginning with Pachanga de los Muertos, or Party of the Dead, and ending with a public vigil.

Things that go bump in the night Philadelphia is known for many things, but one of those things is a recurring haunted house. Located minutes from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Eastern State Penitentiary transforms itself from a museum and historical site into a house of horrors called “Terror Behind the Walls.”

The haunted house started in 1991 and originally only hosted a few hundred peo-

ple to serve as a fundraiser for the former prison turned historic site. Almost 30 years later, Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls claims to be one of the largest and most successful haunted attractions in the country. In addition to a well orchestrated terrifying performance from actors, Eastern State has the unique benefit of a haunting reputation for housing criminals for over a century.

Whether you love Halloween or just love being festive, be sure to make the most of these events as well as the many others the City of Brotherly Love has to offer for fall 2019.

St. Joe’s comes together for a DIY sushi event CASEY WOOD ’23 Special to The Hawk The Asian Student Association (ASA) and the Japanese Culture Club held their annual Sushi Night on Oct. 28 in Doyle Banquet Hall South. The event consisted of students not only making and eating sushi, but learning about the history behind this Japanese dish.

The executive board members of ASA had positive feedback about the event. Miguel Lopez ’20, treasurer of ASA, said he was shocked with the turnout of students.

“I wasn’t expecting this big of a turnout,” Lopez said. “I am pleasantly surprised that we got this many people. And I guess the fact that we ran out of sushi is a good problem to have.”

Many participants attended the event, filling the venue completely. Teddy Bacon ’23 shared positive feedback on the event after creating his own sushi roll for the first time.

“I thought it was a lot of fun,” Bacon said. “The sushi was really good. It was fun to learn something new.”

Anna-Maria Berezovski ’21, president of the Japanese Culture Club, shared her positive thoughts on the events as well.

“We had a bigger turn out than last year, and last year we had a big turnout.”

Berezovski said, “So, I think every year it’s going to get more and more popular and I think that’s awesome.”

Sushi Night has been a popular event on St. Joe’s campus in past years. Ting Brown ’20, vice president of ASA, said she appreciated the students who come to this event.

“It’s really nice to be heard because not

Students in attendance got to enjoy fresh, handmade sushi. PHOTO: DANIEL REMISHEVSKY ’23/THE HAWK

a lot of minority voices are heard on campus,” Brown said. “The fact that a lot of people are willing to come and experience this culture is really uplifting.”

However, there is one wish that members, like Lopez, have emphasized.

“Based on the last few years, the events that have the free food are the ones that usually have a crowd,” Lopez said. “I kind of wish they would come even without the free food.”

Members of ASA and the Japanese Culture Club said they hope to express the importance of spreading their club’s culture more.

“There’s benefits of sharing every culture,” Berezovski said. “It’s just good to get to know what’s out there, what’s diverse, and be able to see the world in a different perspective. And I think that this allows that.”

Lopez said all cultures are important to

acknowledge, especially considering the recent racial bias incident on campus.

“With everything going on [with recent racial bias incident], it’s good that we are contributing to the diversity improvements we’ve been trying to do,” Lopez said.

“We also have 15 international students from Japan here, so it’s a good thing we have them here.”

Contrary to popular belief, ASA and Japanese Culture Club are not exclusive to Asian students. Tim Hardy ’20, publicist of ASA, said he was not sure at first if he could join.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I was allowed to join the ASA,” Hardy said, “Our president, Mike Park, and our treasurer, Miguel Lopez, and even Ting [Brown], were like, ‘oh you should come. It doesn’t matter if you’re not Asian. We are just celebrating

Asian culture. You don’t have to be Asian’. So then I went to an event and I just fell in love with the club.”

Not only do the members have a passion for the club, but they carry that passion to make the club more widely known on campus. Secretary Leslie Quan ’22 said she holds a specific goal for the future of ASA. “I know we just had new international students from Japan come,” Quan said, “I want to make them feel more welcomed here, and that there’s people to back them up and support them, but I feel like now we haven’t really done anything with the international students, so that would be a big goal of mine.”

ASA and Japanese Culture Club emphasize the importance of community and creating a bond between all students. Specifically, ASA creates a community of not only students at St. Joe’s, but with other universities in the area who have similar organizations, such as Temple University, Drexel University and La Salle University. Hardy said having this community is motivation to members like him.

“The people I met, including people on this eBoard, are my best friends at this school,” Hardy said. “It’s not just the stuff we do, it’s the friends we make.”

ASA and Japanese Culture Club said they are happy to not only bring more attention to their clubs, but to the importance of spreading other cultures as a whole.

“This was a good way to spread some awareness and bring to attention that we exist,” Lopez said. “The people are more than welcome to stop by at our events.”

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The Hawk Newspaper

Features

Manayunk bakery holds puppy costume contest MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22 Photo Editor Families walked down Main Street with children dressed in costumes in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia on Oct. 26 for the neighborhood’s “Halloween in Manayunk.” Parents followed their children, who scurried from building to building trick-or-treating on the cool and cloudy Saturday afternoon.

However, once they entered an unsuspecting gray building, squeezed between a law office and a pub on the corner of Cotton Street and Main Street, they were met by roughly two dozen furry friends wagging their tails under their spooky costumes.

Pet Friendly Dog Bakery, a bakery nestled in the heart of Manayunk, held its second annual “Doggo Costume Contest” at its studio apartment sized dog play area behind their store, next to the Schuylkill river.

Stephanie Johnson, general manager of Pet Friendly Dog Bakery, said they love to see dogs, especially those in cute and creative outfits, and the owners love it too.

She said the contest was also about getting more business. “[We try] to get people who have never been here before to come in and visit us and see what we’re all about,” Johnson said.

She said the bakery tries to join in on the festivities that Manyunk hosts. Last

weekend they partook in “Out & About in MNYK,” a LGBTQIA+ themed weekend that promotes Manayunk as an inclusive neighborhood.

“We did fun pride items and stuff like that,” Johnson said. “We just try to integrate with the community.”

Elizabeth Downing, a resident of the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, brought her curly haired mini goldendoodle, Jack, dressed up as Fozzie Bear from The Muppets. Downing said she brought Jack out to the contest because she thinks it is fun to dress him up, and he loves playing with other dogs.

“He just seems to put a smile on everybody’s face,” Downing said.

Dorthy Catania, a resident of the Andorra neighborhood of Philadelphia, brought her two dogs, Daisy, a Yorkie poodle, and Sophie, a Shih Tzu mix, dressed up as sharks. Catania said she usually calls Daisy “Baby Shark” because Daisy likes to growl, but really she is all bark and no bite.

“She’s little and people laugh at her,” Catania said. “A shark seemed like the best costume and [Sophie] just went along for the ride.”

At the end of the event, Natalie Sroka, assistant manager of Pet Friendly Dog Bakery, announced the winner of the contest and presented them with a $20 gift card to the bakery.

Oso revils in his win at the Pet Friendly Dog Barkery costume contest. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Mara Rodriguez, a Philadelphia resident, brought the winning dog, Oso, a twomonth-old Bernese Mountain Dog, dressed in a panda costume. She said she does not own Oso, but two of her co-workers, who were working at the time, do. She said she insisted she bring Oso to the contest.

“I could guarantee he would win,” Rodriguez said. “He’s the cutest little panda

there is right now.”

Johnson said she felt that overall, the event was well received and the pooches that partook in the pageant enjoyed themselves.

“I think next year we need to put more people on staff, but otherwise I think everybody seems really happy with it,” Johnson said.

Second female AFROTC commander at St. Joe's ANTHONY SALATTO ’21 Special to the Hawk For the second time in the program’s nearly 70 year history, a woman has been named commander of the U.S. Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) at St. Joe’s, which has been at the university since 1951.

Lt. Col. Brandy Shirley took over the program last May. The only other woman to head the program was Lt. Col. Joan Fournier, who retired in 2011.

“I’m excited to be here, my family is excited to be here, and Philly is working out well for us,” Shirley said.

The students who participate in AFROTC at St. Joe’s are part of Detachment 750, one of 145 detachments in the U.S. that directly commissions cadets to active duty after they graduate. St. Joe’s hosts the program for 61 students from 24 area colleges and universities who are interested in becoming officers in the Air Force.

Shirley grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, graduating in 2001 from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She initially joined the Air Force to get military experience to boost her application to the FBI, but stayed on, traveling all over the U.S., and the world.

In addition to serving as a military advisor in Tikrit, Iraq, Shirley commanded an intelligence squadron from 2014 to 2016 in Yongsan, South Korea. Before moving to Philadelphia in May, she was chief of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations (ISR) in Ramstein, Germany.

After living overseas for nine years, Shirley said she is still getting used to being back in the U.S. “America has changed in a decade,” Shirley said. “I definitely have a different perspective having lived in Asia and Europe, seeing their perspective of America and how sometimes those perspectives don’t always line up.”

Shirley and her family also had to nav-

igate the move to Philadelphia on their own, though she credits Georgette Caplan, administrative assistant for the program at St. Joe’s, with helping her and her family “get integrated into Philadelphia.”

“Normally when you get a PCS, which means a permanent change of station, you usually have a base a whole infrastructure to support you, all sorts of services to help you get integrated into the new area,” Shirley said.

“Here we didn’t have that as a family, so I didn’t know what neighborhoods to look at to live in or to not live in or the good school district over bad, all of that. Fortunately I had a good real estate agent and Georgette.”

In addition to commanding the detachment, Shirley is teaching as a professor of aerospace studies in the AFROTC program.

“It is a different mission, not saying it is any less busy but it is a different kind of busy,”

Shirley is the second woman to be the commander of the AFROTC at St. Joe’s. PHOTO COURTESY OF: SJU AFROTC

Shirley said. “Like in my previous job, I managed [a] third of the department of Defense Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft for Europe and Africa. It is a nice tempo change.”

One of Shirley’s goals as commander is to make life less stressful for all of the cadets traveling to St. Joe’s from other colleges and universities.

“We try to keep those cadets on campus as little as possible due to traffic and other travel complications,” Shirley said. “They come for this semester one day a week. I am trying to break it up into the spring where I can use an online program to shorten class time and their reasons to travel, which would lighten the load for many students.”

Tyler Boucher ’23, who comes from a family with a strong military background, said he has enjoyed working with Shirley so far.

“Just observing her and how she handles herself, she exudes confidence,” Boucher said, “You can just tell she is a great leader.”

Stephen Postupak ’23 said he is happy to be a part of the program and working with Shirley.

“No matter what grade you are in, freshman, senior, she will treat everyone in the same manner,” Postupak said.

Shirley said the military has been a great career for her as a woman, as she has developed the leadership skills her students have noted.

“Compared to my civilian counterparts, I get paid the exact same as my male counterparts for their rank grade and time in service,” Shirley said. “For promotion I have never felt like have not gotten promoted based upon the fact that I am a woman.”

For the approximately 18 women in St. Joe’s program who might be looking to Shirley as a mentor, Shirley herself notes that her predecessors have paved the way.

“I am definitely thankful for the women that came before me,” Shirley said.

Features

The Hawk Newspaper

HORRORscopes

Aries Mar. 21 - April 19 You’re not very superstitious, Aries. The idea of ghosts and zombies is simply ficticious to you. For you, Halloween is more a reason to dress up and celebrate with your friends. You love to go all out on your costume, so everyone takes notice. Aries’ biggest fear: being forgotten or unnoticed.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 You tend to be very trusting, Taurus, but when it comes to the magical and mystical you’re not so sure. You enjoy the comfort of safety and routine, so things like jump scares tend to shake you up.

This Halloween, you’re better off going on hay rides and carving pumpkins. Taurus’ biggest fear: unexpected change.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 While Halloween may not be your favorite time of the year, you enjoy getting into the spirit, Gemini. You enjoy decorating your home with pumpkins and ghosts and skeletons, but you prefer to exclude the gory stuff. Get a fun costume together, go out with your friends and have fun with the holiday. Gemini’s biggest fear: getting lost or stuck somewhere.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 When there are pumpkins on every doorstep and gravestones in every yard, you thrive, Cancer. You love all things strange and mysterious. You tend to be stubborn, which makes you a risk taker.

You’re always the first one to run into a haunted house or a room filled with darkness. Keep being brave, and keep it with you wherever you go. Cancer’s biggest fear: rejection.

Leo July 23 - Aug. 22 Halloween is a fun time for you, Leo. You always win the costume contest at parties and go all out on the decorations. Nothing tends to scare you too much, so you’re always in for a good time when Halloween rolls around. Enjoy this time, but remember to look out for your friends who might not be as fearless as you.

Leo’s biggest fear: being ignored or forgotten.

Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 1 You wear your heart on your sleeve, Sagittarius, so when you’re scared everyone knows it.

Despite this, you love the adrenaline and excitement Halloween brings every year. Embracing the unknown is one of your best traits, so keep going outside your comfort zone. You will be surprised how much you can grow from it. Sagittarius’ biggest fear: losing individuality.

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 While you love Halloween, when it comes to the existence of ghosts or goblins you tend to be skeptical. You have a hard time believing things without proof or evidence, so it can be hard to truly scare you. Try to open yourself up to the unknown this Halloween, and remember that seeing isn’t always believing. Virgo’s biggest fear: not living up to expectations.

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Of all the signs, you are the most mysterious, Capricorn. You tend to be a wild card, so people never know what to expect from you. With this, you take Halloween to a whole new level, coming up with something creative year after year. Even if you feel out of place at times, remember that you are who you were always meant to be. Capricorn’s biggest fear: failure.

Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Celebrating Halloween is obligatory for you, Libra. You’re into all things spooky, so you always have a costume ready to go in the back of your closet throughout the whole month of October. While it’s fun to have holiday traditions, try to do something new this year. Try a different haunted house or a new horror series to binge watch. New experiences will reinvigorate your love for Halloween, just like when you were a kid.

Libra’s biggest fear: sudden change.

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 You scare easily, Scorpio, so Halloween isn’t always your favorite time of year. You enjoy the fun costumes, but only the lighthearted and comical ones. Try to soak up all of the treats in store this Halloween season, and stay away from the tricks. Scorpio’s biggest fear: being betrayed.

Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You’re always optimistic, Aquarius, especially during Halloween. You often serve as the comic relief in scary situations, which allows you to deal with your fears more easily. Serve as a light to those who are in fear of darkness during this eerie time of year.

Aquarius’ biggest fear: being controlled.

Pisces Feb. 19 - Mar. 20 You aren’t much of a holiday person, Pisces. To you, Halloween is just another day.

You enjoy the festivities that come with it, but you usually don’t dress up, aside from a pair of animal ears or a note that says “this is my costume.” This year, try to embrace the spooky nature of the day—go all out on a costume, carve a pumpkin, you’ll be surprised how much fun you’ll have. Pisces’ biggest fear: being lonely.

Boo Crew's new take on Halloween event CAROLINA GONZÁLEZ ’20 Special to the Hawk After several years of uncertainty and shifting plans because of the protecting minors on campus policy, Boo Crew held a trunk or treat event this year, followed by Halloween-themed games and activities on Villager Lawn.

About 175 children attended the Oct. 25 event, including students from Samuel Gompers School, Gesu School and other after-school programs, along with children of university faculty and staff.

“It’s a great thing because most of these kids probably won’t get the chance to see a college campus this early in life, and it could be an inspiration for them, to see [the entire St. Joes community] giving back,” said Chris Ming, chaperone for the children of the Clyde Community and Youth After School Program.

Boo Crew, which is sponsored by Campus Ministry, has taken place at St. Joe’s for more than 20 years. For most of those years, attendees trick-or-treated at first-year residence halls. Following a change in the protecting minors on campus policy, which required adults who interact with children at the university to complete a set of background checks, the event was cancelled in 2017. A policy change in 2018 allowed trick-or-treaters to visit various buildings around campus, instead of residence halls.

This year, after receiving feedback from Tenisha McDowell, a human resources specialist, students, faculty and staff involved with Boo Crew started brainstorming ideas that not only abided by the protecting minors on campus policy, but also further involved the university’s various departments.

Grace Cote ’20, a student leader on the Boo Crew committee, helped come up with

Oct. 30, 2019

11

Little playlist of horrors KAITLYN PATTERSON ’20 Features Editor Ghosts and ghouls and goblins, oh my! With the spookiest day of the year right around the corner, there may be an extra chill in the air. Whether you can’t stand the thought of anything scary or your middle name is “Spooky,” Halloween can be a fun time to explore the weird, the mystical and the downright strange.

Before hitting the town with all your favorite witches, have a listen to these songs to get you in the mood for some tricks and treats.

Burn The Witch by Radiohead Off of their ninth studio album, Radiohead’s “Burn The Witch” will take you on a journey, perhaps a dark one. The eerie tones of the violins throughout this song may cause you to look over your shoulder when you walk home at night, or under your bed just before you go to sleep.

Disturbia by Rihanna Doubling as a spooky tune and a classic throwback, this song will keep you dancing all night long. Bop to this song to get in the Halloween feel without getting too creeped out by whatever may be lurking outside your window.

Voodoo in My Blood by Massive Attack ft. Young Fathers Bringing some hip hop into the mix, Voodoo in My Blood will make you feel uncomfortable in all the right ways. The suspenseful deep tones throughout the song will give you fears you never knew you had. If you’re in for an even more immersive experience, pair the tune with the music video.

Zombie by The Cranberries On a more realistic side, the Cranberries’ “Zombie” explores the idea of conflict and violence. The powerful ballad and howls throughout the song remind us of the pain experienced by those who face conflict everyday. While it’s fun to explore all things terrifying during the spooky season, it’s important to recognize the real horrors that are faced by people throughout the world today.

Both students and staff handed out candy. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

the idea for a trunk or treat after seeing this type of event hosted in her hometown in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

“It’s a really cool idea for us, since it involves the faculty members, too,” Cote said.

“Trying to boost their involvement in the community is really good.”

McDowell, who brought her daughter to the Boo Crew event last year, said that gave her the idea to open up the event to the children of other university employees.

In the Science Center parking lot, trickor-treaters stopped by the trunks of cars decorated by 12 different university departments, including members of the department of decision and system sciences, the department of biology, the President’s Office and The Success Center. The children also got to vote on the best decorated trunk. That prize went to Francis A. Drexel ibrary staff, who won a pizza party.

After completing the trick-or-treating route through the parking lot, the children then moved to Villager Lawn where student volunteers had organized games and activities, such as a prize wheel, face painting and a haunted ring toss.

Molly Weber ’22, student volunteer, said the event provided ample opportunities for interactions between the children, university students, and participating faculty and administration.

“I thought there was a really good turnout, and the kids seemed to have so much fun,” Weber said. “I think it’s a good way to bring the community together.”

Ming said he and the children he was chaperoning were happy with the event, too.

“Oh, man, it was awesome,” Ming said.

“The kids really had a great time. Everything was great. The people were great. They were so nice to the children. It really was a great time.”

Monster by Lady Gaga This song serves up some classic Gaga as well as some spooky vibes. “Monster” pairs well with the car ride down the dark, windy road that leads to some treats. Or maybe some tricks? You’ll have to get to the end to find out.

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) by David Bowie It’s hard to be scared of monsters when David Bowie sings about them.

With a catchy guitar rhythm throughout the tune, it’s hard not to dance, no matter what costume you’re in. Play this song at a Halloween party and you’re definitely in for a treat.

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Features

The Hawk Newspaper

NxG drops new EP “In Loving Memory”

St. Joe’s junior shares personal journey through music ZACH DOBINSON ’22 Assistant Features Editor Noah Gansallo ’21, also known as NxG, released his second EP entitled “In Loving Memory” on Oct. 27. His new project is meant to pay homage to previous parts of his life by recounting his personal journey. For Gansallo, this is his coming-ofage story. “[It’s] a reminder to ourselves, our past selves, to take a little bit of time to appreciate where you are and understand that whatever journey you’re on you’re gonna make it there,” Gansallo said.

Gansallo has described the genre of his new EP as “alternative trap,” after finding it hard to just categorize “In Loving Memory” as just hip-hop.

“I would say if Frank Ocean, Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, and Trippie Redd had a baby that’s what it is,” Gansallo said.

For Gansallo, being at a point in his life where he can make music is something he’s always dreamed of. Growing up, Gansallo said he dreamed of being a rock star so much that it “consumed” his life.

The Philadelphia native found his passion for music naturally from a young age. At the age of five, his mother, Ayo Gansallo, placed him in piano lessons only to eventually add violin lessons at the age of nine after he expressed interest in both instruments. Moving on from piano, Gansallo taught himself how to play the guitar and bass throughout his middle school years after discovering Nirvana. Additionally, he’s been singing since the age of nine.

Ayo Gansallo knew that whatever her son would end up doing in life, she wanted to make

sure he had the work ethic to be successful.

“We had lots of conversations around what’s his message, what’s his persona, what is he trying to project, who he is, what do you want your music to say about you?” Ayo Gansallo said. “I know my son well enough to know that he hears me in the moment and he often puts the information in the back of his head and somewhere along the line it might resurface itself.”

When thinking about what to do with “In Loving Memory,”Gansallo said he took a step back to think about how he would enter the music industry, specifically what kind of music he would be making. “[The EP] represents who I am,” Gansallo said. “Working with other people you can get lost in their influence, which isn’t a bad thing, but you also want to have your own footprint, your own thing. This is my first time doing that.”

Gansallo released his new EP through 1851 Records, a record label based out of St. Joe’s, with the help of Dillon Snyder ’22, the head of the hip-hop department at 1851 Records. Snyder met Gansallo through Alim-Karim Kamara ’20, also known as LiMM. “He stands out from the crowd,” Snyder said. “He’s different from the rest and he’s also a personal person.”

What Snyder loves particularly about “In Loving Memory” are the melodies and penmanship Gansallo put into the new project.

“It’s art personified,” Snyder said. “It puts you in your bag, but it uplifts you, too. It’s got a lot of contrasts.”

These contrasts are something Gansallo was aiming for while crafting “In Loving Memory.” He wants people to feel

Gansallo hopes to turn a lifelong passion for music into a career one day.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

happy, sad and everything in between.

“Music isn’t always supposed to make you feel good. It’s supposed to be more than that,” Gansallo said. “What if I’m anxious?

What if I’m scared? I want people to realize that music can be all of those things.”

Billy Decoste, a friend and supporter of Gansallo’s, has known him since their first year. Decoste has often been one of the first people to hear new music since he lives with Gansallo.

Decoste often feels that when he hears Gansallo new music there’s something different about it that makes it “the kind of music you want to listen to.” For Decoste, it’s the work and emotion Gansallo puts into his projects that he likes most about “In Loving Memory.”

“You can tell he’s going through things, but he’s also trying to help other people through things and deal with the same emotions,” Decoste said.

While the subject of “In Loving Memory” is about Gansallo’s own coming-ofage story, he said he wants listeners to think about their own journey, whether it’s complete or in progress.

“Listen to the project with your baggage or with something in mind,” Gansallo said. “Come with an open mind, but also bring yourself into it. It’s not about me, it's about you.”

“In Loving Memory” is available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

Oct. 30, 2019

13

Senior golfer sets record at golf invitational SAM BRITT ’20 Sports Editor When senior golfer Michael O’Brien set out for his final round at Kilmarlic Golf Club on Oct. 22, it didn’t feel any different than the other dozen times he had played there. However, 18 holes later, O’Brien would make history.

“There was nothing that morning that pointed to signs of what was going to happen,” O’Brien said. “When I warmed up I actually didn’t feel that great but I didn’t feel bad either.

I was just ready to go out and compete.”

O’Brien would set a new course record, scoring a 61 in the final round of the ODU/ OBX Intercollegiate. It would cap off a tournament that saw St. Joe’s finish 5th overall, which is special to O’Brien considering the team hadn’t finished higher than 12th over the course of his career.

“I don’t think anybody sets out on the day thinking that is going to happen,” Head Coach Bob Lynch said. “He was pretty confident he would be in the running for medalist even though he was like five shots back.

But 61, nobody thinks that.”

To O’Brien, one thing that separates a great golfer and somebody who golfs recreationally is their headspace during the round. During his round, O’Brien used some negativity from a past tournament to keep himself focused.

“The best thing going for me that day was the weekend before at Georgetown I struggled a lot,” O’Brien said. “So I stayed into it more and focused on what I was doing rather than the score. Which is kind of the best spot I can be in.”

Prior to his record setting round, O’Brien didn’t have fond memories of playing at Kilmarlic.

“I have never been a fan of that course,” O’Brien said. “But now, obviously, I’m its

biggest fan. I think one time sophomore year I might have shot 69. Those bad breaks kind of went away on Tuesday. I made a couple putts and it all came together.”

Lynch said it was easy to tell early on that O’Brien was locked in.

“He birdied his first two holes of the day,” Lynch said. “He has a great disposition, he knows he is good. That is what is really scary, we have played four tournaments this fall and he has won two of them.”

For O’Brien, the first seven holes of Kilmarlic are the most challenging. The final 11 are where he said he is usually able to start getting birdies. The seventh in particular had caused him problems in past years but on Tuesday he was able to overcome.

“I was two under going into the seventh hole,” O’Brien said. “The seventh hole has eaten me alive every year. On Tuesday I just wanted to get through it and get par, bogey works, just get out of there. Then I made a putt from just off the green and I felt alright.”

Even though he knew he was playing well, it never crossed O’Brien’s mind that he might be approaching the course record. He said he was in the moment and the day, “was an easy kind of boring, just felt like another day of golf.”

“At the Division I level you need to have the mentally that before each round you can go out and set the record,” senior teammate Alec Kerr said. “Granted, not a lot of guys think that way. Being able to go out and shoot that score is wild.”

Most important to O’Brien, even more than medaling, he was able to lead his team up the leaderboard. He said this year’s team relies heavily on each other.

“This year we have the best team chemistry I have had over the course of my four years,” O’Brien said. “We all have trust in each other to perform. To have all of them there on 18 to congratulate me after signing my score card, there is no better feeling.”

Michael O’Brien was the 2018-2019 A-10 all conference champion.

PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’20/THE HAWK

St. Joe’s athletes wear heart monitors during workouts KARLEIGH LOPEZ ’20 Hawk Staff Beginning in the 2019-’20 preseason, the softball team became the sixth team in St. Joe’s athletics to implement the Polar heart rate monitor and System into their strength and training routines.

Polar heart rate monitors are an external devices which athletes can wear during training and practice. The data is collected during activity and can be monitored in real-time through an iPad application, allowing athletes, coaches and trainers to not only make effective adjustments during training, but also create long-term strength goals for athletes.

Senior infielder Molly Kapala, said the softball team is spending this semester wear-

ing the heart rate monitors twice a week during their lifting and conditioning sessions.

The monitors will be introduced to their regular practices next semester. Though the team has not yet used the monitors during practice, Kapala said her team has already been noticing positive changes. “[It tracks] who needs to kind of put a little bit more in,” Kapala said. “So it’s kind of like no hiding behind it. You have to work hard.

They see if you’re working or not.”

Each athlete has their own monitor, and information is calculated based on the athlete’s height, age and weight. During activity, coaches and trainers can see the names of each athlete on the application and track their progress. Kapala said the heart rate monitors have been especially helpful for sports that do not require as much running, as they can use

the data to find new ways every athlete on the team can become stronger.

“It’s kind of hard to gauge what kind of training and condition[ing] we need to do because we are really different by [each] position,” Kapala said.” I think being able to tailor the workouts and find specific things that we can do to get more physically fit within our sport help[s] us a lot.”

Brian Bingaman, director of strength and conditioning, said the monitors were first used at St. Joe’s five years ago after the men’s basketball team’s Atlantic 10 tournament victory.

Initially, the monitors were only used for the men’s basketball team, before slowly being implemented into the training regimens of other St. Joe’s sports. “[There] was a trickle down effect and now we have it for [six] different teams,” Bin-

Heart monitors are located in the weight room in Hagan Arena. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

gaman said. “Now, men and women’s basketball, men and women’s soccer, field hockey and softball are using the heart rate monitors in their training and conditioning.”

Bingaman said the heart rate monitors are a reliable tool for coaches and trainers, as the data collected can be used in a variety of ways.

Coaches and trainers can use the data from their athletes to customize workouts, track injury recover and see the amount of calories burned during a given activity.

Eric Lang, head coach of strength and conditioning for St. Joe’s men’s basketball team, said the data that is collected is easily accessible and interpretable. The heart monitors are used daily with the men’s basketball team and are crucial to how they structure practices and workouts.

“We have an actual physical number to associate with how much work they’re doing,” Lang said.

The St. Joe’s athletics strength and conditioning staff work collaboratively with athletes and coaches to make sure there are no areas of weakness on a team.

“We may do extra conditioning sessions for some athletes that aren’t getting enough player load,” Bingaman said. “We look at all the numbers and we have conversations with the coaches and we try to find, essentially, the sweet spot of what our player load is, so we’re not doing too much.”

Kapala said she and her team are enjoying the heart rate monitors and are excited to continue to use and incorporate them into their practices and games over the next few semesters.

“They’re really comfortable," Kapala said. "People forget to take them off sometimes. They’re not weird. You won’t even notice they’re on, they’re really good.”

14 Oct. 30, 2019

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

Underdogs, how the Hawks will defy preseason rankings JAMES MCCLOSKEY JR ’20 Columnist We are young. We are inexperienced.

We are not a bottom two team.

With the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball season opening on Nov. 5, the conference preseason rankings and predictions have been released and discussed all over social media. I have followed closely. The common theme: the Hawks will be steam-rolled by nearly every Atlantic 10 team they face.

The official A-10 preseason poll placed the Hawks finishing in 13th place. One spot above Fordham University who finished the 2018-2019 season in last place with a record of 3-15 and is projected to finish last again in the 2019-2020 season.

It is no secret that the Hawks lost key assets this season: Charlie Brown Jr., Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble, Jared Bynum, Pierfrancesco Oliva and Markell Lodge. But the 2019-2020 Hawks have true potential to make waves in the A-10 this season.

This offseason, the Hawks added six players to their roster: freshman forward Chereef Knox, red shirt sophomore forward Myles Douglas, freshman guard Cameron Brown, freshman guard Rahmir Moore, sophomore guard Greg Foster Jr. and graduate guard Dennis Ashley.

Foster is ineligible to play this season due to a lack of an NCAA waiver after his transfer from Gonzaga University. But the five eligible new additions to the Hawks roster, along with red shirt junior guard Ryan

Daly who averaged 17.5 points per game at Delaware prior to transferring to St. Joe’s, allow the Hawks to have a solid roster to place on the court for their opening game against Bradley University on Nov. 5 at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena.

Although the A-10 conference season does not begin until Jan. 2 against the University of Richmond, the early games the Hawks play will provide experience and hopefully confidence to these new players.

The wins the Hawks achieve in non-conference play will set them up for success in A-10 play.

This season, the Hawks will play six games against opponents who finished below .500 in the 2018-2019 season. Five of those six games will occur more than halfway through the season, allowing the Hawks three months of game play to get acclimated to playing together and playing at the collegiate level.

The Hawks will play nine conference games in Hagan Arena. You, the fans, have the opportunity to make a difference at the men’s basketball games this season. Are we going to finish first? Not likely. Can we finish .500? Absolutely. We need to come together as a school to support the new additions to this university.

The Hawks not only have the ability to finish this season 9-9 or better in A-10 play, but they can also finish in a better position than our 11th place finish in the 20182019 season.

Under Head Coach Billy Lange, the young Hawks have the ability to develop

their skills and become a competitive team in the A-10.

In just a few short months of practices and training, Lange has created an environment of success within the locker room which will translate into cohesiveness on the court. The Hawks have the ability to change the way they are viewed this season.

By the end of the 2019-2020 season, the Hawks will no longer be the underdogs.

They will no longer be thought of as a bot-

tom of the league team or as Stu Luddecke, columnist for Bustingbrackets.com, stated an “awful team” when he placed the Hawks in Tier 5 of the A-10 in his Oct. 22 column “A-10 Basketball: 2019-20 tiered preseason power rankings.”

The Hawks have the ability to finish the season at .500 or better and seeded in the top-10 entering the Barclay’s Center in March for the A-10 tournament.

A-10 PRESEASON POLL A-10 KENPOM RANKINGS 1. VCU 2. DAVIDSON 3. DAYTON 4. RHODE ISLAND 5. ST. BONAVENTURE 6. RICHMOND 7. SAINT LOUIS 8. DUQUESNE 9. GEORGE MASON 10. LA SALLE 11. UMASS 12. GEORGE WASHINGTON 13. SAINT JOSEPH’S 14. FORDHAM

23. VCU 57. DAYTON 61. DAVIDSON 83. RHODE ISLAND 93. RICHMOND 109. DUQUESNE 127. ST. BONAVENTURE 141. SAINT LOUIS 155. GEORGE MASON 193. FORDHAM 211. GEORGE WASHINGTON 216. SAINT JOSEPH’S 218. LA SALLE 240. UMASS

GRAPHIC: SAM BRITT ’20/THE HAWK

NBA stars hypocritrical for lack of support for Hong Kong MATT MIKESIC ’21 Columnist Ever since Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been facing backlash from the Chinese government about their response to the situation.

Chinese sponsors immediately cut ties with the NBA after commissioner Adam Silver refused to even consider firing Morey over his tweet opposing the Chinese government. The loss of support of Chinese sponsors is very significant for the NBA, and Silver said the league has already suffered significant financial losses as a result of the degradation of the relationship between the NBA and China and will continue to lose money as the regular season goes on.

Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports reported that many NBA teams are preparing “for a scenario in which the cap for the 2020-21 season could drop between 10 and 15% due to the current situation between NBA and China." The expected drop in players’ salaries has prompted many prominent players to weigh in on the controversy.

Houston Rockets star point guard James Harden apologized for his general manag-

er’s remark and expressed his appreciation for the Chinese fanbase’s support of the Rockets organization.

The relationship between the Houston Rockets and China is especially important considering the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, NBA hall of famer Yao Ming, spent his entire eight season career with the Rockets. Currently, Silver is trying to meet with Yao to try and mend the NBA-China relationship.

LeBron James has also taken opposition to Morey, saying his tweet was short-sighted and he did not consider the potential consequences of what he said. James said, “Even though yes, we do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negative that comes with that too.” And while there are players who are not supporting Morey and the people of Hong Kong, there are others who are.

The response of NBA players and executives who have criticized Morey is not justified. James saying that Morey was only thinking about himself when he tweeted his support for the protests in Hong Kong is not true. James’ response makes me think he is only thinking about himself and his paycheck by not supporting the people of Hong Kong.

I also think many players who are not speaking out against the Chinese govern-

GRAPHIC: RYAN MULLIGAN ’21/THE HAWK

ment are hypocritical, saying that they should not voice their opinions on foreign issues when they are more than willing to voice their opinions on domestic ones.

Steph Curry is a prime example of this, saying that in regard to China’s relationship with Hong Kong, “I don’t know that history well enough to kind of speak on it or form an opinion yet.”

While he is not willing to speak about the Chinese government, Curry has been a critic of President Donald Trump in the past.

Overall, the controversy between Hong

Kong, China and the NBA is just getting started, and as the protests roll on, tensions between all parties involved could continue to heat up.

This discussion about freedom of speech and the NBA standing in defense of it marks an important time in U.S. relations with China.

I hope that people do not just turn a blind eye to the situation and the people of Hong Kong can achieve the freedom they desire.

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Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

Oct. 30, 2019

15

Bodensteiner speaks on overcoming personal struggles NICK KARPINSKI ’21 Special Projects Editor In a packed hall at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, with over 650 people in attendance, Jill Bodensteiner, J.D., director of athletics, delivered a speech focusing on vulnerability, change and overcoming social anxiety, on Oct. 25.

Bodensteiner was the keynote speaker at this year’s Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s annual sports-themed luncheon. The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board is a nonprofit that promotes Montgomery County and Valley Forge as a destination for tourists to visit and stay through the advertisement of local hotels, restaurants and attractions.

After speeches and remarks from company representatives, Bodensteiner took the stage. She introduced herself and then posed rhetorical questions to the packed crowd.

“How in touch are you with your own strengths and weaknesses?” Bodensteiner asked the crowd during her keynote speech.

“Do you ever make yourself truly vulnerable in front of others?”

Fostering this type of mindset, one that considers these questions, is why Mike Bowman, president and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, asked Bodensteiner to be the keynote speaker.

“That’s what I admire about Jill [Bodensteiner], her elite thinking,” Bowman said.

“She’s confident and her background supports that.”

Edward Harris ’01, chief marketing officer of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, agreed, saying that Bodensteiner’s name rose straight to the top during the decision process.

“With the combination of sports and dynamic female leadership at a Division I university, she felt right for this year’s event,” Harris said.

In the beginning of her talk, Bodensteiner posed specific questions to hit on multiple points, largely “self-awareness” and

Bodensteiner previously served on the Committee on Women’s Athletics and the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

a “mindset of growth.” She said these are critical ideas in order to discover what drives people and what makes people unique.

“Life can be far more fulfilling if we define our own identity rather than conforming to how people perceive us,” Bodensteiner said.

Bodensteiner drew from her life experiences to express that particular sentiment, along with various others throughout her speech. In terms of growth, change and vulnerability, Bodensteiner said she struggled with all three for the first 35 years of her life.

Whether it was through practicing law early in her career or serving in the athlet-

ics department at the University of Notre Dame, Bodensteiner felt that a fixed mindset, one that remains stationary, was holding her back. Bodensteiner said she wanted those in attendance to leave with a mindset of growth.

“Everybody has something to be anxious about in their lives,” Bodensteiner told The Hawk after her speech. “It’s something that might hold them back if they’re afraid to talk about it. It held me back. If one person leaves here with a mindset of addressing what’s holding them back, that’s the goal.”

This way of thinking, one that inspires others, aligned with Bowman’s goals for

the event.

“Bodensteiner is great for our message: being fearless, bold and elite,” Bowman said.

Bodensteiner said she wants people to feel comfortable with themselves. She said when you’re clear about who you are, through the good and bad, the sky’s the limit.”

“I’m so comfortable with myself now that it makes recovering from difficult times that much easier,” Bodensteiner said at the end of her speech. “Let’s agree to take care of ourselves. Commit to being vulnerable and find the mindset to push forward.”

Sophomore runner leads Hawks at Lafayette Invitational MATT DELEO ’20 Assistant Sports Editor Sophomore runner Shannon Addario finished in 25th place, a time of 24:44.80 to lead the St. Joe’s women’s cross country team at the Lafayette Leopard Invitational 6K course on Oct. 19.

“I really thought that I could take it,” Addario said. “[The race] showed where I am fitness wise and where I want to be on the team.”

Head Coach Melody O’Reilly said Addario was not afraid to step up and be the leader for the team.

“I like to see that she was gutsy,” O’Reilly said. “She went for it and decided this is my opportunity to show a big [performance] for the Hawks, so I think you know for her that’s one of the things that she’s got, big goals.”

Addario’s teammate junior Alexa Gostovich said she and Addario have the same goal of a strong work ethic and that is how they became friends. Gostovich pushes Addario to do her best all the time, according to Addario.

Gostovich said the bond improved as both runners had camp for the upcoming cross country season in August. Both are from New Jersey, and Gostovich said she and

Addario worked out together and ran basically every day.

“Shannon is a really supportive person,” Gostovich said. “She is always there for all of our teammates and we push each other to be better for the team.”

Addario said she thinks having a strong mental state is important as a cross country runner.

“My favorite quote is running is 99% mental and 1% physical,” Addario said.

“It’s in your head the whole time, especially during a race. It's all about pushing yourself. To go past your comfort zone, it’s not supposed to feel good at any point.”

O’Reilly said she saw this improvement from Addario from her summer training.

“It took her a little bit of time to transition, but now she has the hang of it,” O’Reilly said. “She’s improved a lot from last year.

She came with confidence last year and just needed to transition. Now she has both going for her and she’s going up.”

Addario said she knew what she was getting into as a college student athlete.

“If I was not going to be a collegiate athlete I do not know what I would do with myself,” Addario said. “I had been an athlete for my whole life and it created more structure to have more of a set schedule rather than all this free time.”

Addario had a 6:38.2 mile average in the 6k race. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS '22/THE HAWK

Gostovich said she thinks the upcoming Atlantic 10 Championship’s, and some of the other bigger meets, is something Addario is looking forward to doing.

“Shannon really has adapted well and she is more determined now than ever,” Gostovich said.

O’Reilly said Addario is progressing very nicely and will make an impact on the program.

“I think she has a good head, she is a good competitor and that is what you need to be,” O’Reilly said.

16 Oct. 30, 2019

The Hawk Newspaper

Sports

Senior midfielder set to finish storied career

Serrano won an Argentine National Tournament championship in both 2013 and 2015. PHOTOS: LUKE MALANGA ’20 /THE HAWK

RYAN MULLIGAN ’21 Assistant Sports Editor Going into her senior year, Pepa Serrano was already a three time first team All-Conference selection, and was named to an All-American team. She followed that with a senior year that has seen her break the alltime assists record at St. Joe’s and be selected to compete in the National Field Hockey Association (NFHCA) senior game.

The Buenos Aires, Argentina native captured her fourth conference title in four years. She currently is second on the no.

11 ranked Hawks in points and leads the team in assists. However, if it wasn’t for a message in her locker from former Hawk great Anna Willocks ’18, she wouldn’t have known she was on the verge of breaking the assists record.

“I didn’t know that I was almost going to break it,” Serrano said. “I knew my ex teammate Anna had it and before she left she left me a note saying ‘You better break my record,’ so I knew I was close. I keep in touch with her, so it was pretty cool when I did it.”

Serrano said as her career winds down, she wants her legacy as a Hawk to be more than just her name in the record book. She wants to be remembered for how she played the game.

“I always play with passion,” Serrano said. “I think that’s a really good thing to leave to my teammates and future Hawks.”

Head Coach Lynn Farquhar used the same word, “passion,” when describing what Serrano brings to the team. “[It] is incredibly contagious,” Farquhar said. “We rely on her to bring that intensity.

She’s the heart of our midfield. She’s done a lot of work to hone in that passion and get her teammates on board. She’s kind of a fireball out there. As a senior, she’s been a great leader just using her voice. Every year she’s

been able to communicate more and more.”

Serrano said her selection to play in the NFHCA senior game was a culmination of her work throughout her four years on Hawk Hill.

“I was not expecting that,” Serrano said.

“I’m really happy and that came because we’ve been working so hard these past four years. As a Hawk, I’m really happy to represent St. Joe’s there.”

Senior goalie Victoria Kammerinke, who was also selected to play in the senior game, said to be able to take the field one more time with Serrano will be special.

“It means everything, because we’ve been here from day one and every single day here together,” Kammerinke said. “The same grade and just coming from far away. That is how we really connect.”

The two both came to St. Joe’s from outside of the U.S. and in their final year as Hawks, Farquhar said the leadership from her seniors is something she relies on for the team’s success.

“With this group of eight, and Pepa [Serrano] is a huge part of that, this is the best leadership I’ve seen since I’ve been here, which is a huge compliment,” Farquhar said.

The seniorclass, and Serrano specifically, have been a huge part of the team’s success and something that will be difficult to replace moving forward according to Farquhar.

“I think we’re going to have big shoes to fill when she leaves and we’re going to have to figure out a way to step up and perform,” Farquhar said. “She sure has left a big statement in regards to the style of play, the intensity of play, her stats speak for themselves.

The most important thing about Pepa [Serrano] is she loves the team and she wants the team to go far.”

Serrano was the 2016 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and the St. Joe’s Field Hockey Rookie of the Year.