March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

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Volume CII

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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

FUNK HITS 1,000 Funk hit 1,000 points while scoring a career high of 36 points in a win against the University of Dayton on Feb. 24. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

University hosts second annual Day of Dialogue As the second annual Day of Dialogue came to a close on Feb. 25, keynote speaker Sharmain Matlock-Turner urged the St. Joe’s community to continue conversations of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“This is a movement, not a moment,” said Matlock-Turner, president and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition.

Fifty-three total sessions fostering discussions on topics of anti-racism, bias, gender inclusion, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, professional development and social justice were held both in person and virtually. According to Nicole Stokes, Ph.D., associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, over 1,700 students and faculty members attended events this year.

Janée Burkhalter, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing and co-chair for the Day of Dialogue planning committee, wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that the event went well overall.

“We had a great foundation after last year’s event, so even though we had to plan for both on-campus and online attendance, we started from a great place,” Burkhalter said.

Destiny Little ’23, a member of the Day of Dialogue planning committee, said while she really enjoyed how the day went, one of the specific challenges to this year’s event was the hybrid format due to the pandemic.

“I did miss being able to be with pre-

senters and engage with the people who were in my sessions, but I did go to the BeCivil workshop and I was able to talk to the other people in my session,” Little said.

“I miss how it feels to see how people are reacting because they had their masks on, but I appreciate the fact that it was very thought out. There were a lot of intentional things happening throughout that day.”

On Feb. 26, the day after the Day of Dialogue, the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a reflection on Zoom for anyone to join and discuss how the previous day had gone.

Alaina Head ’23, co-publicist for BSU, helped to lead the discussion during the reflection. Head said the reflection was meant to create a safe space for participants to have an honest conversation about the day and what they got out of the sessions.

Moving forward, Head said the conversations and reflections among the St. Joe’s community cannot stop.

“I want to shift things from dialogue to action,” Head said. “Because yes, dialogue is great in the beginning stages, but I feel like we do a lot of dialogue, and then it’s just that.”

For students who are part of marginalized demographics, the pressure to facilitate both dialogue and action often falls on their shoulders, Little said.

“The university solely depends on the marginalized groups to keep the conversation going, and that’s emotionally draining,” Little said. “If there were more people willing to speak, not necessarily on our behalf, but from the point of view of those who are more privileged in the communi-

ties who have to speak up for themselves, that would be greatly appreciated.”

Gabrielle Stevenson ’21, vice president of University Student Senate (USS) and a member of the Day of Dialogue planning committee, said allyship and continued discussion are important for keeping conversations going.

“The main point of the Day of Dialogue is engaging in those conversations that may make us uncomfortable sometimes,” Stevenson said. “We need to keep having these conversations because once we become quiet and complacent, that’s when the work stops.

The more we have these conversations, the more likely we are to see results.”

Natalie Walker Brown, director for Inclusion and Diversity Educational Achievement and co-chair of the planning committee, said she hopes community members continue to support one another, long past the annual event.

“I appreciate that the Day of Dialogue is a special opportunity to truly engage all members of our community in this important work,” wrote Walker Brown in response to written questions from The Hawk. “I would like to see us continue to show up for one another in all spaces.”

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OPINIONS

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@SJUHAWKNEWS

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Tayler Washington ‘22 urges feminists to include Black women in the movement

Students set up posters from the “Poster Series Showcase” hosted by BeCivil SJU. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

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POPPYN brings multimedia experience to Philly youth

Ryan Mulligan ’21 and Kaylah Hernandez ’23 contributed to this reporting.

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Student athletes share their stories at Day of Dialogue panel

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News

The Hawk Newspaper

March 3, 2021

One year later, Philadelphia schools set to reopen March 8 CHRISTINE DISANTI ’21 Assistant News Editor The School District of Philadelphia announced on March 1 that pre-K through second grade students will return to the classroom on March 8, after nearly a year of virtual classes.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced the reopening plan at a joint news conference with school district and union officials at Richard R. Wright Elementary School. This announcement marked the fifth time the district attempted to bring back approximately 9,000 pre-K through second grade students who opted for limited in-person classes.

Fifty-three schools have been approved for reopening, and the district plans on opening the remainder of schools in waves over the next five weeks. For the first batch of approved schools, teachers returned to the classroom on March 3 and students will return on March 8.

“I wish that we could stand here and announce that every building today is safe for reopening,” said Arthur Steinberg, president of American Teachers Federation Pennsylvania, at the news conference held on March 1.

After community backlash halted plans to reopen schools in August, district officials required teachers to return to classrooms on Feb. 8. Citing safety concerns, the Philadelphia Teachers Federation, which has over 11,000 members, encouraged teachers to protest the decision and continue to teach remotely.

The district pushed back reopening two times since Feb. 8. Before the most recent decision was made to reopen, the district awaited findings about building safety conditions from an outside mediator and public health expert, Dr. Peter Orris, according to the American Federation of Teachers.

“The fight for safe school buildings started long before this pandemic, and we’ll continue [this fight],” Steinberg said at the March 1 news conference.

The long process of reopening schools in Philadelphia mirrors other districts in big cities across the nation, like Chicago

and San Francisco, said Encarna Rodríguez, Ph.D., professor and chair of educational leadership at St. Joe’s.

“When you look at school districts, you can see that the most controversial districts are the large, urban school districts,” Rodríguez said.

According to the School District of Philadelphia’s website, approximately 202,944 students attend Philadelphia schools. Within that population, 52% of students are Black, 21% are Hispanic/Latino, 14% are white, 7% are Asian and 5% are multiracial.

stall air purifiers in any classrooms lacking proper ventilation.

These physical conditions within the classrooms in Philadelphia are one of the major concerns for educators.

“Ventilation and social distancing are so much more difficult in [urban] regions,” Rodríguez said. “Schools may be overcrowded and have very old buildings, like in Philadelphia.”

Alyssa Butler, who teaches autistic support for first-and second-grade students at Fox Chase School in Northeast Philadelphia, said she would rather be cautious than

Butler stands outside of her Roxborough home with a sign advocating for Philadelphia’s public schools.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Even before the pandemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Education faced criticism for inadequately funding Philadelphia schools, especially when compared to the funding provided for more wealthy and white schools in neighboring counties.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that buildings upgrade or improve their ventilation systems in order to dilute potential contaminants and slow the spread of COVID-19.

Ten percent of Philadelphia public schools do not have operational HVAC systems. The district previously intended to install window fans, but announced on Feb. 28 that fans will not be used. On March 1, the district announced they would in-

rush into reopening.

“After eleven months, we can wait a little while longer to make sure that everybody’s vaccinated, all of the teachers and staff, and to let it be an appropriate temperature when leaving the windows open is an option,” Butler said.

In addition to building conditions, vaccines are also a major consideration for reopening. In the last week of February, the School District of Philadelphia and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) began the process of vaccinating Philadelphia teachers, administrators and staff. As of Feb. 24, about 1,000 staff members out of over 18,000 in the district have received their first dose of the vaccine, according to

CHOP officials.

Butler received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 22 and is set to receive her second dose on March 16.

Vaccine appointments for educators are happening in waves, with those teaching in-person currently and returning to the classroom soon receiving priority, according to CHOP officials. The school district said vaccines are not mandatory for returning staff but highly recommended.

Cecilia Conmy ’20 is a teacher’s aide at Mastery Prep Elementary school—part of the Mastery Charter Network— in the Hunting Park neighborhood in Philadelphia. She received her first dose of the vaccine on March 1 and returned to a hybrid style of learning on March 2. Conmy said she feels good about returning to the classroom.

“The school has all the protocols in place,” Conmy said. “It makes me feel better knowing that other schools have been doing this already, so we have guidance.”

Ziyaerrah Martinez, an Alliance for Catholic Education at SJU (ACESJU) teaching fellow, has taught using a hybrid model since the beginning of February at Gesu School, an independent Catholic school in the Yorktown neighborhood in Philadelphia, next to St. Joseph’s Preparatory School.

Because they operate independently from the School District of Philadelphia, a number of independent and parochial schools in the area are able to have students in the classroom. Fourteen of Martinez’s second-graders are online, while eight are in person.

“It’s definitely difficult because you have to balance the virtual kids and the kids in person,” Martinez said. “Being that they’re in second grade, they don’t really understand patience and having to wait. They don’t really understand that their teacher is split between two groups at the moment, so it’s trying to balance the emotions of 7-yearolds getting upset when you can’t fully be present for them.”

Samuel Gompers School, which is adjacent to St. Joe’s campus on Wynnefield Avenue, was not on the March 1 list of Philadelphia schools approved to open.

“I think I will start applying [what I learned] by looking at symbols and educating myself about certain statues or symbols in the Philadelphia area, museums and stuff like that to really understand the implications behind the symbols and talk about how they can be symbols of hate, love or whatever emotions are conMaura Burrell '23 nected to them.”

Nick Buonagura '23 Session attended: From Reproductive Choice to Reproductive Justice

“I plan to share what I learned with my friends. I feel like that’s something I can do as a community member within the university. Sharing with friends, peers and family members what I learned to spread the message so it can be talked about more.”

“We finished the session by talking about what symbols we can use Gianela Campos ’24 in our everyday lives moving Session attended: What to do with Symbols of Hate? From forward to promote inclusion, diColumbus to Genocide to the versity and celebrating intercon- 2021 Insurrection on the nectedness rather than hate. That’s U.S. Capitol something I’m really going to think about—what symbols I want to spread more in my daily life to make more of a positive impact.”

Session attended: What to do with Symbols of Hate? From Columbus to Genocide to the 2021 Insurrection on the U.S. Capitol

Maggie Mallison ’21 Session attended: “I’m Not Racist”: A Workshop on Performative Activism

“The most important thing I learned from this session is that there is never going to be a time where allyship ends, it’s a continuous process. We have to continue to be there for each other.”

“The most important thing I learned from this session is to Finn Hunsaker ’21 take greater confidence in my Session attended: “I’m Not Racist”: A Workshop on ability to create positive change Performative Activism via engagement in social movements for racial and social justice, in spite of my identity being one that is largely seen in the role of oppressor rather than advocate. I hope to begin communicating ideas of social justice to others via the relative power that my voice as a white person is afforded by the unequal systems that currently exist rather than avoiding these conversations out of fear of ‘dominating’ the important work of activism.”

News

The Hawk Newspaper

March 3, 2021

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Obituary for Patrick Byrne ’23 CARLY CALHOUN ’21 Copy Editor Patrick Byrne ’23 died Feb. 22 at age 19 after a battle with cancer.

Known to his friends and family as Pat, Byrne attended Springfield High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania. At St. Joe’s, Byrne was working towards a degree in computer science.

Victoria Picozzi ’23, Byrne’s girlfriend at the time of his death, wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that throughout his battle with cancer, Byrne always “fought with grace.”

“The one thing that Pat always was, even during the toughest times during his

battle with cancer, was that he was very strong,” Picozzi said.

Louis Kontaras ’23, a friend of Byrne, said even through the hardships Byrne faced in his life, he always kept a positive attitude.

“He was a really tough kid,” Kontaras said. “Even when he was going through chemotherapy, he always used to smile and talk to me, cracking jokes.”

Picozzi said Bryne could always make people smile when he entered a room.

“Pat was just a genuinely nice person,” Picozzi said. “There is not one bad thing anyone could say about Pat. He was kind, caring, loving, funny, intelligent and compassionate.”

Laura Pattillo, Ph.D., assistant professor

of English, was Byrne’s English professor during his first year at St. Joe’s. She wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that her “heart sank” when she heard of Byrne’s passing.

“He was just beginning his life as a young adult when I taught him, and it is terrible that it was cut so short,” Pattillo said. “His death is a sad and untimely loss to our campus community, to his family and to the world.”

Byrne is survived by his grandmother, Gertrude Byrne. A funeral Mass was held on Feb. 27. Byrne was buried in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, next to his grandfather, Patrick J. Byrne, Sr. PHOTO COURTESY OF VICTORIA PICOZZI ’23

COVID-19 impacts summer study abroad programs NICHOLAS KLINGMAN ’22 Special to The Hawk After nearly a year without university-sponsored study abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of hope is riding on St. Joe’s summer programs. But so far, one of the three programs is canceled, and decisions for the other two summer programs have not yet been made.

On Feb. 19, the Center for International Programs (CIP) canceled the program in Greece, which was set to run from May 24 to June 25. A decision will be made for the Rome summer program by March 15 and

Johannesburg, South Africa during the 2019 summer program. PHOTO: THE HAWK

for the South Africa summer program by April 5, according to Thomas Kesaris, CIP director. Rome participants are currently set to depart June 27 and South Africa participants on July 8.

Kesaris wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that protecting the health and safety of participants drives the decision on whether or not to run summer programs.

“St. Joe’s takes guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of State, and the World Health Organization,” Kesaris said. “When making decisions about specific programs, we also consider local conditions as well as input from peer institutions and our overseas partners.”

Allison Lewin, Ph.D., associate professor of history, said she was looking forward to her fifth trip teaching in the Greece program. She said it is unfortunate the program was canceled, as it can be a transformative experience for students.

“Something that gets you into a different way of life is invaluable,” Lewin said. “It’s part of the reason I love history. It also gives you a chance to see how other people lived and how they experience their worlds and what sense they made of it.”

Anna Dorneman ’24 applied for the program in Greece this year. As a first-year student, though, she knows she has a chance to go again.

“I picked Greece because it is a region that I have always wanted to visit,” Dorneman said. “I like the architecture and history there. I am hoping to go next year

on the same trip, if available.”

Kesaris said there has been a decline in applications this year, “likely due to COVID-19 uncertainty.”

In 2020, all summer programs were filled, Kesaris said, with 25 students confirmed for Rome, 22 for Greece and nine for South Africa. All of the programs ended up being canceled because of the pandemic. This year, Greece had 14 applicants, Rome has 17 applicants and South Africa has seven, so far.

“Part of the problem is that some of the providers, particularly the airlines, need a hard commitment by a fairly early date, which means money, usually not refundable money,” Lewin said. “So it’s very understandable that most students looked at that and thought, ‘No, not this year.’”

Unlike in past years, CIP is providing refunds for all program deposits this year, which are due at the time of application. The application due date for Greece was Feb. 15.

Rome applications were due March 1 and South Africa applications are due April 1.

Any payments made before CIP might cancel a program would be refundable as well, Kesaris confirmed.

Kesaris said if a program is approved, students participating will receive details of health and safety protocols and will be required to attend a health and safety training session that will include specifications on safe travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In addition, CIP advisors are available to meet with students and discuss any specific concerns,” Kesaris said. “As with any study abroad experience, we encourage students to

research, reach out with questions, and carefully consider all program information shared to make an informed decision for travel.”

Whether or not students will be required to be vaccinated before going abroad will vary depending on which country the students will be visiting, Kesaris said.

Katie Rosta ’22 was planning on studying abroad last summer in South Africa before the program was canceled due to COVID-19.

“I had everything set up. I was accepted into the program, and when I didn’t get to go, I was really upset,” Rosta said. “I understood. I kind of saw it coming a mile away, but it was a really big opportunity, so I was excited to go.”

Rosta said while she is hopeful that she’ll be able to participate in the South Africa program this year, she is still nervous.

“I would love to be able to get the vaccine before going,” Rosta said. “Obviously, my decision to go abroad is not nearly as important as people’s health conditions and essential workers, but if we are at a place in our country where people who don’t have health conditions can have access to the vaccine, I would be so excited to get it before going.”

Rosta said while she thinks there is a 50/50 chance that the program will happen this year, she applied again anyway.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m particularly confident that I’ll be going, but I’d be kicking myself if the trip did go and I wasn’t there,” she said.

“So I figure I’ll do everything in my power to keep myself safe. There’s not much more I can do other than stay safe and stay healthy.”

Department of Public Safety reports (Feb. 19 - Feb. 25) Feb. 22 Public Safety was notified of a fire alarm in Villiger Hall. Public Safety officers responded. The preliminary investigation revealed the alarm was activated by a student cooking. The alarm was reset.

Public Safety was notified in regards to St. Joe’s students throwing snowballs from the upper deck of Hawks’ Landing.

Officers responded, located the students and spoke with them. Community Standards was notified.

Feb. 23 Public Safety was notified of an incident involving a non-St. Joe’s student refusing to leave Sweeney Field track. Public Safety officers responded to Sweeney Field and escorted the non-St. Joe’s student off campus without further incident.

Feb. 24 Public Safety was notified of a fire alarm at the Morris Quad Townhouses.

Public Safety officers and the Philadelphia Fire Department responded. The preliminary investigation revealed the alarm was activated by a student cooking. The alarm was reset.

Feb. 25 Public Safety was notified by a St. Joe’s employee in regards to an unknown person removing computers from their personal vehicle which was parked in the Merion Gardens parking lot. The Lower Merion Police were notified and responded. The investigation and increased patrols are continuing.

Public Safety was notified by a St. Joe’s student in regards to an unknown per-

son removing the license and registration from their personal vehicle which was parked in the Merion Gardens parking lot. The Lower Merion Police were notified and responded. The investigation and increased patrols are continuing.

Public Safety was notified by a St. Joe’s student in regards to an unknown person damaging their personal vehicle by shattering the right side passenger window which was parked in the Merion Gardens parking lot. The Lower Merion Police were notified and responded. The investigation and increased patrols are continuing.

Public Safety was notified in regards to an unknown person throwing a bottle out of a window from the Lannon Apartments striking the sidewalk on the 54th Street side.

No injuries were reported. Student Life was notified. Community Standards was notified. The investigation is continuing.

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March 3, 2021

News

The Hawk Newspaper

University cancels 2021 spring break LILY McSTRAVICK ’23 Special to The Hawk For St. Joe’s students and faculty, March brings a long-awaited spring break: a week off to travel, catch up on work or relax. This year, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the university canceled spring break.

The academic calendar was modified last December to push the start of spring classes to Jan. 25. Two “Health and Wellness Days” (previously called “Reading Days”) were added and spring break was removed, according to a Dec. 10 university announcement from Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. Easter break remains scheduled for April 2 to April 5.

Cary Anderson, Ed.D., associate provost and vice president of Student Life, wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that “spring break posed too much of a risk of virus spread to the campus.”

Anderson said student feedback helped encourage the university to retain Easter break and to solidify other changes to the calendar.

“Student input influenced the decision to hold an Easter Break and to move from reading days to Health and Wellness days to promote self-care,” Anderson said.

St. Joe’s decision falls in line with universities across Philadelphia and nationwide that have canceled their spring breaks. According to their academic calendars, Temple University, Villanova University, the University of Pennsylvania, Cabrini University and LaSalle University all eliminated their spring breaks.

At St. Joe’s, students and faculty are worried about the effects of not having a typical break.

Matt Morin ’22 said he is concerned about not having a break to take a moment to relax during the semester.

“It’s just straight work for 10 to 12 weeks,” Morin said. “It takes a toll on you.”

Ronald Dufresne, Ph.D., associate professor of management, said while he understands the decision to remove spring break from the academic calendar, he won’t have the time to catch up on the work he usually does during the week off.

“I think [not having spring break] is reasonable to keep our students, our staff and faculty healthier. And it’s just like everything else this school year, it’s going to present the challenge,” Dufresne said. “I have to do like everyone else, just keep working and miss that chance to get caught up without classes, but I get it.”

Tinamarie Stolz, adjunct professor of theology and a campus minister, said removing spring break is a necessary decision for the university to make given the coronavirus pandemic.

“I do miss having a spring break, but it was the best decision possible in a situation where there are not many good outcomes, no matter what you do,” Stolz said.

The two Health and Wellness Days were added in lieu of spring break. One was on March 2 and the other is scheduled for April 28.

Greg Nicholls, Ph.D., director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk that he does not necessarily see these days as providing the same break that spring break normally does. However, he said they are still important.

“They still signal to students the importance of focusing on their well-being in order to cope more effectively,” Nicholls said.

Nicholls advised students to do their best to follow healthy routines without the usual break.

“That means relying on the social support of friends and making sure one is not compromising good sleep and diet,” Nicholls said.

Last fall, there were two Reading Days, one at four weeks into the semester and one at

eight. The typical fall break was also canceled.

Michaela Mulkerrins ’24 said the Reading Days were not breaks. She said her professors loaded up on homework those days. As a result, she was unable to “rest and rejuvenate.”

Morin said his professors utilized the days as preparation for a big assignment or exam.

“If you have a Tuesday off, a Monday teacher will say, ‘You can study Tuesday because you don’t have class,’ and that doesn’t really bode well for a lot of students’ ability to relax and recenter themselves,” Morin said.

Anderson said this semester’s Health and Wellness Days are purposefully constructed as breaks.

“There should not be extra coursework, but an opportunity to take the day off,” Anderson said.

For many students who live farther from campus, the biggest loss from not having extended time off is not being able to travel home.

Johnny Whitaker ’23, who is from Chicago, said it will be difficult to be away from his family for so long.

“There’s definitely a larger gap between when I’m going to be home,” Whitaker said.

“I think we’re trying to plan something for Easter, but it is tough when you’re so far.”

Mulkerrins, who is from San Francisco, said she also finds it difficult to be away from family for so long. She won’t be traveling home for Easter break.

“It was a hard three months last semester, so I can’t imagine doing four,” Mulkerrins said.

Many students who live closer to campus plan to head home during Easter break. Prior to leaving campus for Easter, students will be given the opportunity to take a COVID-19 test, Anderson said.

“Students are encouraged to be extra cautious prior to leaving campus by doubling down on their commitment to masking, distancing and avoiding gatherings,” Anderson said. “We will conduct testing when students return from the Easter break.”

While Stolz, like most others, will miss having spring break this year, she said she is aware that this is a step towards a return to normalcy.

“When this is all over, can we just have a gigantic campuswide barbeque for a week straight?” Stolz said. “Everybody without masks, hugging one another.”

With the loss of spring break, many students lose the ability to travel home.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Campus quarantine length remains the same despite CDC update NATALIE NEVINS ’24 Special to The Hawk Despite updated recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19 quarantine protocols, St. Joe’s still mandates the previously recommended 14and 10-day quarantine and isolation periods in an effort to slow the spread of the virus on campus.

At St. Joe’s, anyone exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive must isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or the date of their positive test if asymptomatic. In order to leave isolation after those 10 days, they must be fever-free for 24 hours, and any other symptoms must have begun to improve.

On Dec. 2, 2020, the CDC recommended that, in coordination with local public health officials, a quarantine period can end either after day 10 without testing or after day seven upon receiving a negative test result two days prior. The previous recommendation had been 14 days.

Dr. David Pegues, professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, said 75% of people are no longer infectious seven days after exposure and 90% or more are no longer infectious 10 days after exposure.

“That’s allowed a little bit of relaxing in terms of the duration of quarantine,” Pegues said.

But the CDC’s revised recommendations come with a caveat.

“CDC continues to endorse quarantine for 14 days and recognizes that any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus,” according to the CDC website.

Cary Anderson, Ed.D., associate provost and vice president of Student Life, wrote in response to written questions

campus and surrounding community.”

As of March 1, the St. Joe’s COVID-19 Dashboard reported 130 cumulative cases this semester, with an estimated 26 active cases and 4% of on-campus isolation and quarantine spaces in use.

Dr. Valerianna Amorosa, professor of clinical medicine and member of the Penn Infectious Diseases Program, said the mandated 14-day quarantine is “quite conservative.”

A bus taking students to isolation and quarantine waits outside Moore Hall.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

from The Hawk that the university decided to remain with a 14-day quarantine period after consulting with its medical advisers at Main Line Health.

“We have determined that the possibility of spreading the virus outweighs the shorter quarantine period,” Anderson said. “We believe this decision is in the best interest of our

Amorosa said that the duration could probably be shortened by using testing strategically, but she said there are different challenges when shortening quarantines in a setting such as St. Joe’s.

“If you don’t use testing as a part of that decision, then you probably ought to keep it to at least 14 days,” Amorosa said. “Other-

wise you risk taking them out of quarantine right when they’re shedding the virus perhaps the most.”

Pegues also said shortening quarantine for college students can be unwise.

“The highest likelihood of transmission is in intimate household contact, like living in a dormitory or living in an apartment where you’re not observing social distancing,” Pegues said. “You’re in the same closed space.”

According to Anderson, residential living was one of the three criteria that impacted the university’s decision to maintain the longer quarantine periods. The other two were the new COVID-19 variants and evidence from the fall semester which showed “a number of students became positive seven days or more after reported exposure.”

According to the CDC, multiple new variants of the virus causing COVID-19 seem to spread more easily and quicker than other variants.

Pegues said new information regarding COVID-19 and the ways in which it affects people continues to present itself, which is why recommendations change.

“It’s definitely not capricious, it’s not arbitrary,” Pegues said. “It’s based on what we are learning.”

Anderson said the university will continue to monitor those recommendations.

“We will continue to evaluate new information and update recommendations from the CDC and other public health guidance as needed,” Anderson said.

Opinions

The Hawk Newspaper

March 3, 2021

5

A reflection on Black History Month

Our support for the Black community must continue

Editor in Chief

Jackie Collins ’21 Managing Editor Ryan Mulligan ’21 Copy Chief Cara Smith ’21 Faculty Adviser Shenid Bhayroo Contributing Adviser Jenny Spinner

Copy Editor Celia Hegarty ’21 Copy Editor Carly Calhoun ’21 Multimedia Editor Nick Karpinski ’21 News Editor Devin Yingling ’22 Assistant News Editor Eddie Daou ’22 Assistant News Editor Christine DiSanti ’21

While Black History Month is crucial for educating ourselves and others, supporting the Black community cannot be limited to one month out of the year.

Black History Month is a time for us to educate ourselves on the history of the Black community and its achievements, something that is often left out of the American education system. It’s also a time for us to uplift and celebrate Black Americans and their resilience. However, it is important to consistently and continuously educate ourselves and give our support in any way we can at all times.

Many people find issue with the fact that there is a month specifically for Black people. The issue, which is white fragility and thinly-veiled racism, is rooted in ignorance. White history is seamlessly integrated into our society and education, yet Black history is hidden, shielding white America from the brutalities inflicted by the white settlers/colonists on Indigenous people and then on Black people. This is why Black History Month matters; it is a month dedicated to centering and elevating Black voices and experiences.

However, reconstructing the white public memory and dismantling systemic racism requires us to center Black voices after February ends. It is a daily effort we all must make.

Similar to Black History Month, the Day of Dialogue provides a platform for much needed communication and education about all forms of oppression. It’s an

opportunity to “build upon conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion taking place throughout the campus community.”

However, as valuable as the Day of Dialogue is, this should not be the only time people listen and speak about these issues surrounding the lack of diversity, equity and inclusion at St. Joe’s.

“We all must continue these efforts, conversations and actions for any progress to be made.”

A day or a month is not enough to solve the systemic oppression against Black Americans.

Supporting Black lives is an ongoing process; this cannot be a temporary or performative act. In order for real change to take place, we must all continue to facilitate conversations and back up our words with action.

It is just as important, if not more, for white allies to speak up and advocate for these issues. It is easy to ignore the differences and pain of others when you aren’t being directly affected by it. But the Black community does not get to take a break from the racism they deal with. We all must continue these efforts, conversations and ac-

tions for any progress to be made.

There are many ways for us all to support the Black community. We must educate ourselves and our peers. There are always resources available, both in and out of our school. Our Center for Inclusion and Diversity has many organizations that support Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) students: Black Student Union, Bridging the Gap, Asian Student Association and Latinx Student Association just to name a few. Attending these meetings and events as allies are great ways to learn and show support in our own St. Joe’s community.

There are also many easily accessible ways to learn more, through reading, podcasts and even through having conversations with family and friends.

We need to continue to support Blackowned businesses and Black creativity. There are so many places to donate that will support the Black community; Charity Navigator displays a list of charities that will support Black health, community development, civil rights and education.

Our support for the Black community should not be performative, and should not end with Black History Month.

The Hawk welcomes Letters to the Editor, typically no more than 300 words. They can be emailed to hawk.editorial@gmail.com.

Opinions Editor Tayler Washington ’22 Assistant Opinions Editor Sehar Macan-Markar ’22 Assistant Opinions Editor Maggie Brennen ’22 Features Editor Giana Longo ’22 Assistant Features Editor Nenagh Sheehan ’21 Assistant Features Editor Elaina Wall ’21 Sports Editor Riley Frain ’21 Assistant Sports Editor Tyler Nice ’23 Graphics/Illustrations Editor Casey Wood ’23 Photo Editor Mitchell Shields ’22 Social Media Manager Sam Jenkins ’21 Business Manager Angela DiMarco ’22

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH March is Women’s History Month. What better time to celebrate and learn about all the amazing accomplishments that women have made throughout history than during a month specifically dedicated to women? GiRl BoSs VibEs. Just kidding, we aren’t millennials here.

But seriously go celebrate all of the wonderful women in your life!

PEEPS MARSHMALLOW CANDY With Easter approaching and stores already starting to put out their Easter candy, we would like to remind everyone that Peeps are not hot. Although they may look cute from the outside, the taste is just not it. If we wanted to eat plastic foam instead of candy, we would.

DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN That feeling when the temperature hits 50 degrees and you can finally feel spring on the horizon. Truly not much is better than driving with the windows down and radio on in the warm weather.

POTHOLES ON CITY AVENUE Okay, we think we speak for everyone when we say the potholes on City Avenue are out of control. One minute you’re cruising down the road without a care in the world, and then before you know it, you see your life flash before your eyes as your car drives over a crater. Where is PennDOT when you need them? They seriously owe us financial compensation at this point.

BRUNO MARS AND ANDERSON .PAAK TEAMING UP Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are coming together to form a new band, Silk Sonic. Their first single is set to be released on March 5.

This is a duo we didn’t know we needed and we can’t wait to hear the music they create.

PANDEMIC BIRTHDAYS We’re getting to that time of year when spring-birthday people will be celebrating their birthday for the second time during the coronavirus pandemic. We feel for you and we are here for you. Normal birthdays will come back some day and until then, we just have to make the best of it.

Assistant Business Manager Colin Messenger ’22 Assistant Business Manager Danny Remishevsky ’23 Distribution Manager Alec Mettin ’24 Distribution Manager Deborah Duong ’24

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Myanmar’s struggle for democracy Drawing comparisons between Myanmar and U.S. democracy CONNOR MIGNANO ’23 Columnist The early February 2021 military coup in Myanmar marked a major dent in the bulwark of global democracy.

On Feb. 1, the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military, seized control of the government and placed the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest along with many members of her party, the National League for Democracy. This occurred after Myanmar’s most recent elections in which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide, prompting the Tatmadaw to overthrow the elected government alleging voter fraud.

Anyone reading this might be taken aback by some of the similarities to what we saw occur over these last few months in the U.S. after the 2020 election. Of course, despite unfounded claims of voter fraud and calls by some to impose martial law, our democracy, though bruised, came out strong.

Perhaps this is because American democracy has existed for over 230 years, and Burmese democracy has only existed for 10.

But while age speaks to the tempered strength of a democracy, it does not remove its inherent fragility.

We saw an example of our system’s own fragility on Jan. 6 at the Capitol. While the mob that broke into the building that day was very unlikely to actually overthrow the federal government, the storming of the Capitol still showed that for a large portion of the country, their connection to democratic values is weakening.

to show their opposition to the Tatmadaw’s takeover of their government. Despite the obvious danger presented by opposing an authoritarian regime, these protesters came out to voice their disapproval of the military’s actions and show their support for democracy. It is truly an inspiring sight.

What the events in Myanmar should teach us is that democracy is never a guarantee, and that there will always exist forces that seek to exploit the weaknesses inherent

“While age speaks to the tempered strength of a democracy, it does not remove its inherent fragility.”

However, I am confident that partisanship, while a significant danger to the country, will not be what overthrows our democracy.

As shown in Myanmar, the forces that support democracy will always prove formidable against those that do not. Since the coup, thousands of protesters came out across the country, from cities big and small,

in democratic systems. Our democracy is strong, but it is not invincible. Therefore, we must continue to support pro-democratic movements like the one that arose in Myanmar in to ensure the preservation of democracy worldwide.

Representatives who represent Elected officials must better reflect will of people PAUL KOENIG ’22 Columnist I identify as a Democrat, but there is nothing I want more than to see a healthy and fully restored Republican party.

That may seem like an odd statement, yet this should be a sentiment that all Democrats share. The U.S. government currently governs through the means of a two-party system. This system—albeit far from perfect and possibly in need of a change—requires two equal parties. At the moment, the Republican party seems determined to solidify itself as a fringe, minority party for the foreseeable future. This is not sustainable nor beneficial for our country.

While U.S. President Joe Biden and his Democratic Congress continue to achieve legislative momentum, who’s to say the midterms won’t give at least one chamber of Congress back to the Republicans? This possibility will bring with it the need for bipartisanship. Effective bipartisanship requires people from both parties who possess reason, open-mindedness and a dedication to the common good. A fringe Republican party will not put forth people willing to engage in this form of meaningful deliberation and fruitful debate.

At the moment, we do not have two equal parties. The Democratic party has its problems and its fair share of infighting, but it currently pales in comparison to the tremendous rift and internal virus that plagues the Republican party. The party of Abraham Lincoln, which once protected the Union in the face of a bigoted insurrection, is being overrun by an insurrectionist doubled as the former president, a conspiracy-obsessed electorate and a swath of neglectful and enabling representatives.

A prime example of this faction in the Republican party is Dave Ball, the chairman of Pennsylvania’s Washington County Republican Party. During a local television news interview, Ball commented on Sen. Pat Toomey’s decision to vote to impeach former U.S. President Donald Trump. “We did not send him there to vote his conscience. We did not send him there to do the right thing, whatever he said he was doing. We sent him there to represent us, and we feel very strongly that he did not represent us,” Toomey said.

Ball is correct. Toomey chose not to represent the conspiracy-ridden, inaccurate and childish views held by Ball and fellow Republicans. However, Ball is wrong in thinking that the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania did not send Toomey to Washington D.C. “to vote his conscience and to do the right thing.” Toomey recognizes the true role of a representative in a representative democracy. The 18th-century British statesman and father of philosophical conservatism Edmund Burke once remarked, “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”

Toomey chose to give his constituents his judgement and refused to debase our Constitution and his oath of office by cow tailing to the opinions of others.

Contributing to the Republican party’s self-marginalization is the sheer number of Republicans in both chambers of Congress who are either the standard bearers of the conspiracy-obsessed electorate (i.e., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene) or those who simply neglect and enable the evils plaguing the party for the purpose of political gain (i.e., Sens.

Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz). Too many Republican members of Congress are failing to truly uphold their duties as representatives.

The Republican party needs more representatives willing to actually represent. We

need more Republicans of Burkean descent who are willing to exercise their judgement, even in the face of an angry, violent mob. Our representatives and their staff need to listen attentively and respectively to the opinions and concerns of the American people. However, after they have listened, taken notes and truly processed the concerns of the people, I ask that they not simply regurgitate what they’ve heard.

I want my representatives to exercise their consciences and their judgement. I want them to pull from their education and their past experiences in addition to the opinions of their constituents in order to make informed decisions.

Luckily, there is reason for hope. There are still many who wish to restore their party, uphold the Constitution and legislate on behalf of the American people. There are Congressmen like Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who began a movement within the Republican party to rid itself of its America First fringe to instead put “Country First.” There are those like Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who recently put forth an incredible piece of legislation aimed at combating child poverty. There are those like Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who questioned her allegiance to and the trajectory of her party if it remains “the party of Trump.”

These three Republican legislators and many more have proven to act on their “better angels,” as Lincoln would say. They proved themselves worthy of higher office.

They demonstrated the empathy, reasoning and temperament needed to truly represent their constituents and the American people.

This is the role of the representative. It takes a respect for democracy, an understanding of the Constitution and the moral courage to do what is right. I want to see a restored Republican party.

TODD ERKIS Columnist Todd Erkis is a visiting professor of finance at St. Joe’s who writes weekly columns answering students’ financial questions.

This column is a continuation of last week’s question about what a college student should know about taxes, asked

by Julia O. ’22, economics major Last week, we discussed how to fill out a Form W-4 when you start a job and how to file your federal taxes that are due by April 15 each year. This column is going to talk about the taxes you pay to the federal government.

One of the shocking things when receiving a paycheck is the size of all of the deductions that decrease the amount you end up getting. Many of the largest deductions are for taxes. These include the federal income tax withholding that we discussed last week, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) Medicare and FICA Social Security. The last two are taxes to pay for Medicare, a federal program to provide health benefits to people with low incomes, and for Social Security, a federal program that provides income after retirement and in other certain circumstances. The money collected for these FICA taxes is paid and that’s all.

You file the Form 1040 to compute the amount of the tax you owe or if you will receive a “refund.” In the Form 1040, you summarize all of your income and other earnings, like interest earned on bank balances. This number is called your “adjusted gross income.” The adjusted gross income is decreased by various deductions to arrive at your taxable income. Many people will simply take the standard deduction, which is $12,400 for a single person. This means that if your total income is less than $12,400, you have no taxable income and will not pay any federal income tax.

The way federal taxes are collected is often misunderstood. Some say it’s good to get a refund after filing your federal taxes.

The logic is that most people have spent most of their paycheck and the refund is a good way to save money during the year.

Some people even try to get a refund each year. However, it’s important to understand that the government is just giving back the money it took from you during the year. In other words, the withholding was too high (they withheld more than you owe) and you could have used that money during the year to buy something or to invest it. Also, the government does not pay you interest on that money, so you are essentially giving the government an interest-free loan.

But trying to withhold as little as possible has drawbacks too. First, if you owe more than what was withheld, you will need to come up with the money when you file your taxes. This can be a large amount and some people may not have the money available to pay, which is a big problem. The IRS has payment plans, but they will charge you interest on the amount owed. We don’t ever want to get into this situation. Also, the IRS will charge you a penalty if you need to pay more than a specific amount relative to what you owe in total. Both of these reasons are why it’s important to correctly fill out that Form W-4 we talked about last week.

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March 3, 2021

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We’re here too Intersectionality in the feminist movement TAYLER WASHINGTON ’22 Opinions Editor Feminism was created by and for white women, with their needs and experiences in mind.

Malcolm X said it best, “The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” Black women are consistently left out of social movements that aim to advance the rights of oppressed people. While new waves of feminism strive to include all women, we are still left in the awkward middle ground.

As Women’s History Month begins, it is time that we bring attention to the problem with traditional feminism: it is exclusionary.

This is a problem as we begin to celebrate a month which elevates the advancements of white women who used their privilege to further oppress Black women.

The civil rights movement in the 1960s focused on resisting and dismantling the oppressive systems affecting the lives of Black men, while simultaneously espousing sexism towards women in the Black community. On the other hand, the feminist movement that started with suffrage in the late 1800s was made with the intent of focusing solely on the needs of middle-class white women and blatantly excluding Black women. This was most explicitly evident when Susan B. Anthony wanted Ida B. Wells to support the suffragist movement, but

told her that she had to stand in the back.

As Black women, we find ourselves within two oppressed identities: being a woman and Black. We are even further oppressed when these two demographics intersect.

Why do Black women have to choose to identify as just being Black or as just being a woman? Why can’t we belong in both groups and have our experiences validated and heard?

Growing up with the intersectionality of my race and gender has been difficult. I’ve always seen women such as Gloria Steinem, Hillary Clinton and Ruth Bader Ginsburg

at the effects of racism, classism and sexism that women experience and how the sum of those oppressions can further oppress or give privilege to certain groups of women.

Black women are then left to choose between two oppressed identities rather than being able to look at feminist leaders who know what it is like to share both.

Luckily, Black feminists such as Crenshaw, bell hooks, Angela Davis and Patricia Hill Collins have worked towards creating a space for Black women to exist in each of our intersecting identities. Their writings have catered to me the way Steinem, Clin-

“...we have to listen to Black stories and understand that Black women’s experiences are not the exact same as the generalized feminist experience.” at the forefront of the feminist movement.

These are all women I adore and respect to the highest degree, but they do not share the same experiences as myself and the other Black women in my family who taught me exactly what it means to be Black and a woman.

The point of intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to explain the unique experiences of Black women, is to acknowledge that there is no universal female experience. Intersectionality looks

ton and Ginsburg have to white women.

But it is time that we all practice true feminism, which should reflect a universal sisterhood in light of our different identities. Black women have always been there to support the feminist and suffragist movements, but then are excluded from gender equality because of the entrenched systemic racism in the movement and in society.

In order to expand the feminist movement, we have to listen to Black stories and understand that Black women’s experiences

are not the exact same as the generalized feminist experience. It is just as valid.

The Day of Dialogue on Feb. 25 is a great example of elevating the voices and stories of Black women. There were multiple sessions led by powerful Black women and women of color who shared their experiences fitting into a white catered environment.

Their stories and perspectives showed that it is time we, Black women, stop trying to fit into a categorical box created by white feminists.

There is space for us to exist as we are, and in our multitude of identities. There is room for us and our identities, and we are deserving of it.

As I prepare to transition into Women’s History Month and watch it be taken over by white feminists, I will continue to celebrate Black women’s excellence today and every day.

We must hold all feminists accountable as they claim the feminist movement is a fight for the liberation of all women, regardless of race, class or sexuality.

If feminists want to live up to the true meaning of feminism that doesn’t revolve around the white experience, white allies must stop and listen. It is crucial that we consider the importance of validating all Black lives and experiences beyond Black History Month. Include Black women in the feminist movement, because, as hooks said, “feminism is for everybody.”

“This training doesn’t end here. I need to continue to educate myself and research on my own” Xinyi Wang ’24 Session attended: SafeZone Ally Workshops for Students Savannah Jenks ’23 Session attended: Be Civil Identity Workshop for Students

“That’s definitely something I’m going to take away— getting to know everyone in my life a lot better, and truly understanding their identity so I could be a good friend and a supportive person in their life.”

“[I learned] the importance of activism in local politics. The Encarna Rodríguez, Ph.D. Session attended: Conversation two speakers come from grasswith Philadelphia City Council roots organizations and place regular people and their problems of food, housing, education and job struggles at the center of their work. This is what local politics should be about and these two speakers represent the political courage of grassroots organizations.”

“I learned to not look at people for their single story, and in order to create a deeper bond, you listen to everyone’s side of their own story. Single stories make us more different than we are similar, but uncovering the deeper meaning of someone, you can develop a better relationship.”

Emily Noone ’24 Session attended: “The Danger of A Single Story” (TED Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)

“The most important thing I took away is that I feel symptoms of imposter syndrome daily, where I feel I am not as able Dana Glavin ’22 Session attended: Why We Play as others think I am, specifSmall: The Impact & Effects of ically in leadership roles. At Imposter Syndrome the same token, I have realized that members of marginalized groups experience these symptoms to an amplified degree.”

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Artists BEHIND THE Artwork

Sadie Henzes '24 Jordan Busza '23 Gabriela Lorenzo '22

CJ Berger '21 Anna Keppel '21 Donato Cavuoto '21

Features

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CineHawk Review: ‘I Care a Lot’ JAYLEN DOTSON ’21 Columnist “I Care a Lot” is a slick and stylish dark comedy crime thriller about a ruthless con artist who finds herself in way over her head after her latest scheme earns the ire of a local mafia boss.

Written and directed by J Blakeson, the film stars Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Chris Messina, Macon Blair, Alicia Witt and Damian Young. It is currently available to stream on Netflix.

The protagonist (but definitely not the hero) of the film is Marla Grayson, played

by Pike, a court-appointed legal guardian whose job is to handle the personal affairs of the elderly once they are unable to take care of themselves.

In reality, Marla is running a scheme where perfectly healthy elders are misdiagnosed with crippling mental disabilities and committed to assisted living facilities where they are cut off from their families and friends. Marla exploits her newly gained legal authority to sell all of their assets. She runs this business with her romantic partner Fran, played by González, whose relationship with Marla proves to be her sole redeeming trait.

Things take a turn for the worse when Marla and Fran pull their usual con on Jennifer Peterson, played by Dianne Wiest, a wealthy retiree with seemingly no next of kin. After they have Jennifer committed, the con-artist couple find out far too late that Jennifer is the mother of Russian mobster Roman Lunyov, played by Dinklage, who will stop at nothing to be reunited with his mother and will inflict lethal revenge on Marla for separating them.

The cinematography is crisp and clean, perfect for capturing the cold, cynical environment that Marla and Fran operate in. This coldness is contrasted by a surprisingly warm

ILLUSTRATION: CASEY WOOD ’23/THE HAWK

color palette, which accentuates the amazing performances that bring life and energy to the film. Rounding out these inspired choices is the film’s score, which, while appropriately suspenseful and atmospheric for a crime thriller, is consistently fun and does not take itself too seriously.

Pike is a perfect fit for Marla, channeling the malevolence from her “Gone Girl” performance into a similar but distinct depiction of a consummately manipulative protagonist. As despicable as Marla’s actions are, her unapologetic confidence, mixed with an unflappable charisma, will thoroughly invest viewers in seeing her overcome the enemies she finds herself up against. González’s Fran is likable enough and shares good chemistry with Pike's Marla, but she is significantly underdeveloped in the script. Unfortunately, the relationship between Marla and Fran is one of the better aspects of the story but is dragged down by the film’s treatment of Fran as a glorified satellite character to her more interesting girlfriend.

This miss is tied to another one of the script’s flaws. The film is far more interested in exploring the nature of Marla’s day job than her personal life. There are scattered glimpses from time to time, but nearly all of Marla’s screen time is devoted to her cons or her conflict with Roman. While this may have been Blakeson’s intention (emphasizing that Marla is addicted to her work of conning others), it does limit the ability of the audience to connect with Marla as a multi-faceted, three-dimensional character.

Dinklage is an award-winning actor for a reason, so it is no surprise that Roman makes for a memorable and compelling villain. He is a cold and violent mobster, but he is up against a con artist who wrongfully institutionalized his mother, making for an interesting conflict. His campaign of revenge is aided by his soft-spoken yet intimidating lawyer Dean Ericson, who is portrayed by Messina. Though he has a relatively small role, Messina nails his character’s faux affable mien, his best scene being his initial

meeting with Marla. Though neither one of them raise their voices nor lose their tempers, the exchange is cloaked in a venomous tension where neither party has the will to back down.

Marla’s bottomless greed and ambition work not only to create an anti-heroic protagonist but are expressions of the narrative’s core theme, the modern deconstruction of the American dream. Though her actions are inexcusable, audiences can at least empathize with Marla’s dream of exorbitant wealth. This is, after all, the promise of the American dream, in that anyone can rise above their station in life to achieve unlimited success.

The film does imply that Marla did not have the most prosperous start to her life. In pursuing wealth, she disregards the lives she destroys because she understands them only in the monetary value they bring her. “I Care a Lot” makes clear that Marla’s pursuits are an inevitable product of late-stage capitalism.

“I Care a Lot” does what any good film should-leverage an intriguing premise and thrilling visuals to convey an important message to its audience. Its superb script and concise direction are complimented by a talented cast that take what should be unsympathetic monsters and make them into endlessly watchable human beings.

Rating: 8/10 Hawks

Graduating Seniors Do you want to deliver the Student Address at this year's undergraduate commencement ceremony?

Seniors of this year's graduating class from the College of Arts & Sciences, the Erivan K. Haub School of Business and the School of Health Studies and Education are welcome to submit a typed copy of a commencement address for consideration. This invitation to submit is open to students enrolled in traditional undergraduate day programs, as well as to adult learners in our Professional and Liberal Studies and Haub Degree Completion programs.

Criteria for Selection Candidates must have completed all academic requirements by May 2021 with an overall superior academic record. In addition to the academic record (3.5 or above), students will be evaluated on the basis of their leadership, service, and contribution to SJU's mission. The delivered speech should not exceed 4 minutes.

Finalists will be invited to submit a video of the reading of their proposed speech to be reviewed by the selection committee.

Please submit a copy of your speech in an electronic version using M.S. word format and double spaced. Upon receipt of your speech, you will also be asked to complete a formal application.

Submit to: Donna Mandery, dmandery@sju.edu - College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office Deadline: March 15, 2021 @ Noon

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City’s youth tell the stories of their community RYAN MULLIGAN ’21 Managing Editor As a junior at Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice, Stormy Kelsey kept hearing about an organization working with kids her age in her community that focused on creating change for the city.

But Kelsey’s friends had trouble describing the University Community Collaborative (UCC), a Temple University-based collaborative that embedded itself in Philadelphia’s youth and social justice movements through various programs.

So Kelsey’s friends decided to show her.

One day after school, they took her to Temple to attend one of the two weekly meetings of VOICES, which seeks to build the individual and collective power of youth to make positive change in their communities.

It was an entry point to a program that redirected Kelsey's life.

Now, nearly seven years later, Kelsey is the media and communications coordinator for the UCC and program manager for Presenting Our Perspective on Philly Youth News (POPPYN), an award-winning youth news network. She graduated from Temple in May 2019, and works at the UCC while pursuing a graduate degree in communication for development and social change at Temple.

At POPPYN, Kelsey still sees the power of illustration in the absence of description.

In the same way her friends had to let her experience the UCC, Kelsey now sees that dynamic play out with the issues surrounding Philadelphia’s youth.

“Sometimes when it comes to pushing people to be active and get involved in social justice, they need to see the wrongdoing firsthand,” Kelsey said. “There’s this need to see the violence, this need to see the death, this need to see the hunger. That helps contribute to making change. Media allows us to open up those conversations. It just speaks to people in a way that is easy to digest sometimes. It’s an art form and so people are more attracted to it.”

In 2020, Philadelphia saw its highest homicide rate in 60 years. There were 196 shooting victims under the age of 18.

In Philadelphia, over 75,000 children suffer from real hunger. During the 2017-18 school year, there were 7,100 youth experiencing homelessness in the city. These are the issues Kelsey sees every day, and they are the ones she is working to change.

After she became acquainted with the UCC, which Kelsey said taught and addressed concepts she felt others shied away from, like white supremacy, patriarchy and racism, Kelsey was immediately drawn to POPPYN. “I loved the program so much because we were taking those concepts and understanding systems of oppression, but now we

have the opportunity to apply them to media,” Kelsey said.

POPPYN is one of seven programs the UCC currently runs. It gives the microphone and camera to young people who are a part of the communities they are reporting on. The young journalists are mentored and trained by people like Kelsey, college and graduate students who study journalism and media. The group currently consists of eight students and four college facilitators.

Their productions air on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. on PhillyCAM, Philly’s Community TV & Radio Station, broadcasted on cable at Verizon channel 29 or Comcast channel 66.

Mazzii Ingram, a senior at Franklin Learning Center, joined the UCC without a specific interest in media but said the ability to report on issues she experienced every day and “bring awareness to the screen” was empowering. “[POPPYN] deepens my connection to my community because it helps me see that I can be a part of the change,” Ingram said.

“I am affected by these issues, but I can also affect these issues in a positive way. It really showed me that there are things that we can do to solve these problems, even if it’s just as small as creating these videos and sharing them with the community.”

Stormy Kelsey conducts an interview as a POPPYN participant in 2015.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STORMY KELSEY

Kelsey said the way members of POPPYN go about their reporting “adds a layer” and can help people reexamine how we traditionally think of journalism.

“They’re speaking from experience in a way that a parachute journalist is not,” Kelsey said.

Parachute journalism is when a journalist enters an area that they have little knowledge of to report a story. At POPPYN, the reporters live in the communities that they report on, and experience the issues they report on firsthand.

“Our young people in this program, they have a deep, deep connection to the community,” Kelsey said. “They’re reporting with a deep compassion, a deep care. It flips the scope because I feel like in the field of journalism, they’re kind of encouraged not to be connected to the story. In our program, it’s hard not to because even if it’s not your neighborhood, it’s your city. It challenges those traditional norms in journalism.”

On Feb. 11, POPPYN hosted an event with Racial Justice Philly called “Phreedom Dreaming” in which the panel, comprised of youth from both organizations, spoke about the school-to-prison pipeline in the city.

Barbara Ferman, Ph.D., founder and director of the UCC, said the school-to-prison pipeline is an issue that is connected to so many other social justice issues. This interconnectedness plays an integral role in the teachings of the UCC. “It’s political education and education issues that students are experiencing firsthand,” Ferman said.

Because these young people are personally experiencing these issues, Ferman and Kelsey both said that young people should have a seat at the table, that their voices need to be heard. Instead, people who don’t have the experiences that they do, typically make decisions for Philadelphia’s youth.

“They’re not the ones walking through the school building, having to put their bag

in an X-ray machine, being patted down and being looked at as if they’re already a criminal in an environment that’s supposed to be safe for them,” Kelsey said. “Young people definitely are making their voices heard through collective organizing and collective struggle.”

Kelsey said although she went to a high school that was supposed to be centered on social justice initiatives, it wasn’t until she began working with the UCC that she really began to recognize the gravity of the concept and how it could be applied to improve her own community.

“I grew up in a low-income neighborhood, I witnessed homelessness and poverty and drug addiction, gun violence,” Kelsey said. “As somebody walking through the streets every day you know that something is wrong, but you just don’t really have the tools to articulate it. Being a person of color, being Black, being poor, having these identities propelled me.”

Kiana Moore, a graduate of Central High School and now a freshman at Howard University, said Kelsey helped her find her voice through POPPYN, but also advocated for her when she could not. Moore said she dealt with mental struggles following her mother’s death, keeping her out of school in 2019. Because of that absence record, Central prohibited her from participating in any senior activities. Moore said the UCC was a place of refuge, a “safe space,” during this time as well as a catalyst for her growth. She now serves as a college facilitator with POPPYN. “Through POPPYN, I met people with different backgrounds than mine,” Moore said. “Being in close proximity with people of identities I hadn’t interacted with so closely before, I learned new things about their experiences, and they learned about mine.”

Kelsey, who admitted she can be cynical at times, said the younger kids she works with keep her going. She is also learning just as much running the program as she did when she was participating in it. The teenagers who are in the same spot she was in just a few years ago are proving there is no age requirement to seek out justice.

“It’s just amazing to witness,” Kelsey said. “They’re competent in calling out injustice and oppression. That in itself is really inspiring to me. I feel safe with my future in their hands.”

In the past year, young people have been at the forefront of social justice movements across the U.S., acting as catalysts for change at local and national levels. Young Philadelphians have joined the fight against injustice as well. Over the course of the semester, The Hawk will feature profiles of Generation Z activists in and around Philadelphia who are working to create change in their communities.

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Hands-on activities help students reflect on Day of Dialogue ELAINA WALL ’21 Assistant Features Editor Dana Beckwith ’23 selected a piece of wood, carved with an image of a pair of hands holding the earth and a human heart.

She squeezed a small dot of white ink onto another thin wooden board and moved a roller back and forth to spread the ink in a thin, even layer across the design.

Then, she pressed a large piece of gray paper across the block to imprint the design, peeled the paper away and smiled.

Beckwith was one of a number of attendees at the university’s second annual Day of Dialogue who participated in handson activities on the second floor of the Mandeville Hall Atrium, making their own creations in response to the day’s events.

“I enjoy when things are hands-on because I feel like we get a better sense of it,” Beckwith said. “As much as lectures and dialogues are good, it’s only when we start using our own actions that we actually get it.”

Beckwith was at the block printing table. Other students colored student-designed pages or answered prompts on Post-it Notes, then stuck them to the walls. Students who attended the event virtually were invited to participate in online Jamboard discussions, an interactive whiteboard program that can be used to collaborate with multiple users and devices through a digital app.

The activities at the Feb. 25 event were organized by the Creative Works subcom-

mittee of the Day of Dialogue planning committee, according to Steven Rossi, M.F.A., member of the subcommittee and assistant professor of art.

“Our intention was finding ways where people could reflect or do a hands-on activity that would allow people to have an interesting takeaway that could create a discussion point down the road,” Rossi said.

Rossi collaborated with Chontel Delaney, a learner experience designer for the Academic Technology and Distributed Learning (ATDL) team, and Destiny Little ’23, a member of the Creative Works subcommittee.

Little proposed and led the coloring and reflection activity for participants to take a break and relax in between sessions.

“I remember the last Day of Dialogue, there was no time to take a break,” Little said.

“It was just session after session, and sometimes it could be emotionally draining.”

Little said she strategically chose the images for the coloring pages—including a pair of hands holding a heart designed by Jordan Stern ’22.

“I hope that the imagery personally resonated with them and that they can share the message of caring for the whole person,” Little said.

That is exactly what Eva Webb ’24 took away from the page she colored.

“I did the one with the heart and the world, and I saw the inclusion part of what I learned today,” Webb said.

At the block printing station, students were able to choose between two designs

Destiny Little ’23 colors during the coloring and reflection activity.

PHOTO: DANNY REMISHEVSKY ’23/THE HAWK

carved onto wood, and then make the print themselves using the ink, rollers and paper provided.

Students from graphic design classes last fall helped to design the logos for the block printing activity.

Skylar Raffensperger ’21, who designed one of the prints, said she found her inspiration from protests for social justice and the discussion-based programming of Day of Dialogue.

“You see [the] fist a lot with protesting and social justice, so I took that idea and put it with the Day of Dialogue, as in how we

speak,” Raffensperger said. “I took quotation marks and turned them into fists.”

Beckwith said the hands-on activity helped her to visualize the message and purpose of the Day of Dialogue.

“I think it really imprints in your mind because this is the real thing, this is what is happening with our world,” Beckwith said.

“We can’t ignore it and change has to happen.”

Nenagh Sheehan ’21 contributed to this story.

“The most important thing is when you are talking about bias, realizing that you need to think about the other person or their background, before coming with your own conventions.”

Jessie Siegwalt '21 Session attended: Leadership Skills for Inclusion

Sarah Halupa '24, Session attended: Love Radically

“It was about being kind to others, and even taking other people’s interests before your own. I’ll just try to be kind to others and be open to other people’s experiences more fully.”

“The most important thing that I learned from this session was that Regan Larkin '22 Session attended: Behavior we have the power within ourChange, Bias, and Boundaries selves to confront our implicit - Navigating our New Normal biases. Also, I learned how important it is to recognize different COVID[-19] realities and how this pandemic and virtual world affects everyone in different ways. I plan to continue to challenge myself in my daily life to always listen to others and actively continue these conversations.”

“Being very conscious of what type of ally I am being and making sure that I am using my voice for good and using my privilege for good.

Instead of just saying I am using it for good, actually following it up with action.”

Courtney Burns '23 Session attended: [Re]framing Allyship: Exploring the Harmful Creation of Savior Mentality in Allyship

“We discussed the various different forms social injustice Reilly Hall '24 takes within our campus and Session: Be Civil Workshop beyond, and what we can do to for Students address them as well as go out into the world as better allies. I think it was just refreshing to be able to share your own experiences, while also listening to the experiences of other students and realizing that we are all so much more alike than we are different.”

12 March 3, 2021

The Hawk Newspaper

Features

Group spotlight: SJU refugee and immigrant working group NENAGH SHEEHAN ’21 Assistant Features Editor A campus working group focused on refugees and immigrants is using the month of March to increase its advocacy for migration justice.

Beth Ford McNamee, co-chair of the SJU Refugee and Immigrant Working Group (RIWG) and assistant director of Campus Ministry, said the group is making the push through the Ignatian Solidarity Network, an organization that educates and advocates for social justice by organizing Jesuit schools and universities. They offer access to thousands of text-based resources from the perspective of Catholic social tradition.

Ford said the Ignatian Solidarity Network is asking Jesuit universities to advocate virtually with their congressional representatives or senators in the month of March in order to advocate on issues of migration, climate change and environmental justice.

“As one Ignatian, Jesuit, collective voice, we can express our values around protecting the dignity of immigrants and justice for immigrants,” McNamee said.

The St. Joe’s group, which is made up of faculty, staff and students who work to educate and advocate for refugee and immigrant rights on campus and in the Philadelphia community, has been collaborating virtually with Pennsylvania representatives and officials.

The group started in 2016 in response to the growing crisis of refugee and global migration patterns. The club specifically supports immigrants and refugees who leave their homes due to violence, economic crises and climate change.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that

there are over 80 million forcibly displaced persons and 26.3 million refugees across the globe as of midway through 2020. Thirty to thirty-four million of the forcibly displaced persons are children under the age of 18.

McNamee said the group meets, discusses and co-sponsors events on campus about refugees, people who are internally displaced

“For me, RIWG has been a space to learn more about the journey of refugees and immigrants, to find out about ways to volunteer and to become a more effective advocate,” Lenert said.

Members of the group want to learn about walking with others and want to use their privilege, talents and time to support immigrants

The group meets a few times a semester, but is always looking for new members.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SJU RIWG

and those who were forced to leave their homes, as well as U.S. immigration policies.

RIWG students also volunteer locally with immigrant refugee communities. The students, along with faculty and staff, collect items for donations, and prepare furniture and other items to welcome refugee families to Philadelphia.

Deborah Lenert, co-chair of RIWG and manager of Library Digital Services, said RIWG brings visibility to issues around immigration and serves to address the needs of local immigrant and refugee families by working with regional organizations.

and refugees, said Aimee LaPointe Terosky, Ed.D., associate professor of educational leadership and a member of RIWG. “We are always striving to not only do community service, but also to seek to counter power structures that create inequitable situations around the world, the U.S. and right here in Philadelphia,” Terosky said.

“Personally, the recent political situation was a challenging time for me as a person who cares deeply about refugees, and it was encouraging to have a group of colleagues and students to work collectively with on this important issue.”

RIWG posts pictures on its Instagram @sjurefugees and uses the hashtags #SharetheJourney, #ActionItems and #MigrationMonday to gain attention and spread awareness on the stories of refugees.

Veronika Nemeth ’21, RIWG co-coordinator of social media, said “Share the Journey” is the group’s driving motto because their goal is to support refugees and immigrants by volunteering and sharing resources.

“Our purpose is to try to be one of those avenues that we can accompany people in their diverse life journeys and advocate and be an ally for them as they do that,” Nemeth said.

Andrea Mueller ’21, the group’s other co-coordinator of social media, said she feels passionately that all people are entitled to human dignity. Mueller helps implement #MigrationMonday on social media.

“Migration Monday can be anything from an update on policy issues or news in the migration area, or it could be different resources like podcasts or videos, or different reflections that people can take part in,” Mueller said.

Vraj Thakar ’22, the University Student Senate representative for RIWG, said he joined RIWG because he comes from a family of immigrants from India and wanted to hear the stories of other refugees and immigrants.

“While I am from the U.S., the difficulties refugees and immigrants face are something I can never relate to, so this organization allows me to see through their eyes,” Thakar said. “#ActionItems means we need to do something as a group. Whether it is showing support or providing a service, we need to step out of our comfort zones and take action.”

Student leader spotlight: president of SJUPride ELAINA WALL ’21 Assistant Features Editor With St. Joe’s students isolated to abide

by COVID-19 protocols, chances to connect with fellow students are limited. Each week, The Hawk will offer conversations with various student leaders to help the community get to know them and their organization.

This week’s Q&A is with Maggie Mallison ’21, president of SJUPride, who is from Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

What is the mission of SJUPride?

SJUPride is a student-led organization that advocates for LGBTQIA+ identifying students on campus. We work with other clubs, and sometimes even the administration, to advocate for policies and create spaces with other people that are safe for the community.

What led you to join SJUPride and eventually want to become president?

When I first came out, I just wanted to be and exist. So I just was in the club in general. Then, I got closer to people who were on the board at the time, and it looked like the stuff they were doing was really fun. I was the secretary last year, and I just [got along] with everybody. I never thought about a leadership role or planning events like this before I joined. After my first year on the board, I really wanted to be in charge of the way that we ran as a club and what events we did. I wanted to make sure we were giving everybody the opportunity to have a good time being themselves in a safe space.

What has been the most surprising part about being president?

It’s a spotlight in unexpected ways. You can’t tell I’m gay by looking at me, so being president of SJUPride has kind of publicly outed me. It’s unexpected, but it’s interesting.

What impact does SJUPride have on the St. Joe’s community?

It is a different thing for lots of different people. I think that for Campus Ministry, SJUPride is a reminder of a painful past of homophobia in the church, but I think for other organizations in the [Center for Inclusion and Diversity] it’s more of a sibling relationship of ‘Oh, we understand each other’s struggles on St. Joe’s campus.’ Then for clubs like Hawk Hill Productions, we’re just a good community partner. It’s a lot of things for a lot of different people, which is good because I feel like the LGBTQIA+ communities are so diverse with their identities, like gender identity, sexual orientation [and] romantic orientation.

What can St. Joe’s do to make campus a more welcoming environment for LGBT identifying students, faculty and staff?

Something that was recently brought to my attention is that trans students, when they’re freshmen, have to get their roommate to sign a waiver saying ‘I agree to live with a transgender person.’ I feel like changing the policies around gender and housing for freshmen would be a step further from the preferred name [policy] because it’s incredibly traumatizing. I do appreciate the pronouns policy, but I feel like there’s more work to be done, and we can’t just sit and celebrate this when we have more to do.

What is your personal mission as SJUPride president?

My personal mission is figuring out and executing a community online that’s just as comfortable, accepting, loving and warm as it was the past year because that’s something that everybody’s struggling with.

How has SJUPride stayed connected throughout COVID-19 and physical distancing?

We have all of our events virtually now,

which is definitely an adjustment. I feel like sometimes Zoom is difficult because you’re not in person to hang out the way that we used to. I have such good memories preCOVID-19 meetings. We had a self-care meeting, and we had face masks and everybody was trying to walk around without their face masks falling off their face. We still had a self-care night, but you don’t really have the same energy. It’s hard because it’s not something I ever thought we’d have to adjust to, but it’s the new normal.

What is your favorite event that you’ve planned for SJUPride?

In the past, before COVID-19, I really liked planning Lav Grad, which was our celebration for seniors. This year, I planned our Valentine’s Day event which [was] centered around the five love languages, taking Valentine’s Day back from the gift industrial complex and loving yourself, loving your friends and loving your community. I feel like in quarantine, everybody feels isolated and planning an event for Valentine’s Day is more like creating a community out of an idea, and that’s why I like planning events.

Do you have a favorite memory with the executive board (e-board)?

We had an event in late September, Queeries, where we had panelists answer questions from the audience about our club and being queer on campus. That has to be my favorite because so many [members] of our e-board were in the panel. It was great hearing people that I work with and see every day in a different light. I wouldn’t be such a successful leader without the support of my board. I wouldn’t do anything without them.

What other events does SJUPride have planned for the semester?

On March 20, we have Quest, which is going to be a virtual retreat. We will get

Maggie Mallison ’21 focuses on creating safe spaces for members of SJUPride.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

together and talk about different topics like spirituality, sexuality and self-care because it’s just a reminder everybody needs. In April, we also have a career panel that we’re putting together. We’re working with the Alliance, which is the faculty counterpart to [SJU]Pride, and that’s going to be about networking and making connections.

How can students get involved with SJUPride?

We have a website, and you could also follow us on social media, @sjupride. We have a Google Form in our bio for putting your name on the email list and if you want to join our group chat, it’s just really casual.

Our emails go out before we have meetings and events, but the social media is updated more often.

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

March 3, 2021

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Men’s basketball temporarily disabled social media comments MARK LESS ’22 Special to The Hawk The official social media accounts of the St. Joe’s men’s basketball team are allowing comments from fans again after comments on posts were temporarily disabled for weeks.

The team’s 4-14 record is one of their worst start in over a decade. This season marks the Hawk’s second with Head Coach Billy Lange.

Matthew Gifford ’06, founder of Hawk Hill Hardwood, a website dedicated to St. Joe’s sports, confirmed most of the comments left on the team’s social media accounts before they were disabled were generally negative.

“In a year where fans can’t be at games, and a lot of people probably making these comments are people that go to games, it gives them an opportunity to vent,” Gifford said.

Given that, Gifford said fans should be allowed to express their frustration.

Brendan Prunty ’06, vice president of DPK Public Relations, said he disagreed with the team’s decision to disable comments. Prunty, a former sports writer for Sports Illustrated, the New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine, called the decision “short-sighted.”

“When you just suffer a bad loss or you suffer a string of losses or a bad season, shutting it down is really never the answer,” Prunty said. “It’s just shutting down avenues of dialogue and communication.”

The men’s basketball team is once again enabling comments on their official social media accounts.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

SJU Athletics declined to comment when asked for information about who made the decision to disable comments, and when.

“If they were to say, ‘We care about our students, they don’t like reading what they’re reading, so we’re going to disable comments,’ I don’t see a single person objecting to that,” Gifford said. “If it was in the department, then I think there was an overall sentiment of it being on the more thin-skin side to not be able to take it.”

Ashley Dabb, current visiting professor

of sports marketing, has experience making such decisions. Dabb served as vice president of marketing and communication for the Philadelphia Union from 2008-16. She also served as the chief marketing officer for the National Lacrosse League from 2016-19.

Dabb said social media is generally a negative space for sports.

“We feel entitled to those things like commenting, liking and sharing posts, but unfortunately people abuse that privilege,” Dabb said.

Dabb said she saw her fair share of negative comments during her time at both organizations.

“We could be doing great things in the community, but ultimately people are going to get on social media and they’re going to complain about why you’re supporting this issue and not supporting that issue,” Dabb said. “It’s sort of a lose-lose situation.”

Dabb said when she worked for the Union and the National Lacrosse League, she never approved disabling comments altogether, although they were frequently monitored and removed.

“We do have folks that monitor the comments,” Dabb said. “If there’s foul language, those comments are obviously deleted.”

Teams with similar records across the country have not disabled comments on their posts.

The Iowa State University men’s basketball team is starting their season 2-18, but commenting on their posts remains intact.

The same applies for Fordham University (211) and DePaul University (4-12).

Gifford acknowledged that teams like Iowa State and Fordham could be selectively deleting comments as a middle ground.

“If you feel the need later to go back and delete it so that it’s not loaded with that, then go for it,” Gifford said. “But the thought of just completely disabling the function when it doesn’t seem like other schools are doing that just seemed a little thin.”

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March 3, 2021

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

Women’s associate head coach steps in to coach men’s team RILEY FRAIN ’21 Sports Editor With the spring 2021 St. Joe’s men’s soccer season on the horizon, the team was working hard in the lead-up to their season opener against St. John’s University, a team nationally ranked at No. 21.

However, that changed when a member of the St. Joe’s coaching staff tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the season’s start on Feb. 15, according to senior defender Daniel Morales. This forced all three coaches on staff to enter quarantine, leaving the Hawks with no guidance from the sidelines and putting the team’s first game in jeopardy.

“The earliest one of them could come back was within 10 days, which was not in the time frame of the St. John’s game,” Morales said. “But they wanted to have an actual soccer coach coaching us against St. John’s.”

Junior forward Bryce Wallace said there was a lot of uncertainty about what would happen to training sessions and their scheduled first game. The men’s coaching staff began to scramble to search for a replacement to coach the team in their opener.

“We weren’t really sure what was going to happen with the game, with the team as a whole, with training that week, or if we were even going to get to play,” Wallace said. “I know our coaches, even during their quarantine and isolation periods, were working to figure out how to make it work.”

Eventually, the men’s coaching staff landed on Fred King, the associate head

coach of the St. Joe’s women’s soccer team. “[Men’s soccer Head Coach] Don [D’Ambra] had texted me to let us know that they were going to be quarantined and three of [their coaches] were out,” King said. “He said ‘I’m asking if you’re available or if you can help out. That way the boys can keep training and hopefully get a game.’”

According to King, following D’Ambra reaching out, steps needed to be taken to ensure the NCAA would allow him to step in and help the men’s team just three days before the game.

“We got the ball rolling, making sure that it was NCAA legal for me to be able to coach both teams,” King said. “[The men’s staff] got everything rolling and I was there

by Friday morning ready to go for training.”

King prepared by watching St. John’s game film, according to Morales, and he focused his practice plan accordingly. “[King] watched maybe three or four games of St. John’s film, which helped structure practices according to the way St. John’s plays,” Morales said. “He came in and had studied the roster, knew all our names. He was really doing the little things right.”

Wallace said while there was some initial apprehension when King took over, everyone’s worries were quickly quelled.

“We know he knew the game of soccer but he didn’t necessarily know our specific players and personnel, and we didn’t know how much he knew about our opponents,” Wallace said. “But when game day came around, we all thought he did an amazing

job and we were all very comfortable with him on the sideline.”

The Hawks would go on to play St. John’s to a hard-fought 1-0 loss in which St. Joe’s managed five shots on goal with one rifling off the post in the 34th minute of the game.

“The guys were great,” King said. “They worked hard, they were up for the game, they were organized and they definitely, I felt, deserved a better result.”

While his time with the men’s team was short, King said he enjoyed working with the players.

“It was so fun,” King said. “The guys were very open and welcoming. It was great to be back in men’s soccer after 13 years.”

Fred King last coached Division I men’s soccer as a volunteer assistant at Harvard University in 2007.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN'S ATHLETICS

Hawks tennis off to a soaring start AARON TULLY ’23 Hawk Staff St. Joe’s tennis shot out of the gate at the start of the 2021 season with both the men’s and women’s tennis teams off to 2-0 starts to their seasons.

The men’s team started off defeating Coppin State University 6-1 on Feb. 13, followed by a 4-3 victory over Chestnut Hill College on Feb. 20. The women’s team beat the same two schools on the same dates, both by a score of 6-1.

Ian Crookenden, head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams, said both teams were well prepared and eager to compete for the first time in a little under a year.

“The desire to compete has really helped

everybody settle in,” Crookenden said. “Our quality of play has progressed faster than previous years.”

Senior Amanda Nava, from the women’s team, was selected to the Atlantic 10 (A10) All-Conference First Team in 2018 and 2019, but said those accolades come second to the success of her team as they return to the court.

“Even though tennis is more of an individual sport, we are really playing it as a team,” Nava said. “We are making sure that everyone knows we are a team.”

According to Crookenden, the mindset and drive from both Nava and senior Nathan Perrone, from the men’s tennis team, contributed to the early success of both teams.

“The level of play up and down the

Amanda Nava is a member of the 2018 and 2019 A-10 All-Conference first teams.

squad has increased,” Crookenden said.

“That has been apparent in our matches so far, and we are trending upwards.”

Perrone was also selected to the All-Conference First Team A-10 in 2019. Perrone said he could not find the same success early on last season, as he tried to play through a torn hamstring.

“I forced myself to play, but I was only 50% healthy,” Perrone said. “I was losing some matches that I probably should not have lost.”

Crookenden said a player usually has to be groomed to play the number one spot, but both Perrone and Nava were prepared to step in and play in the top spot the moment they got to campus, helping their teams fill out the rest of their rosters.

“When you are recruiting players, they usually look at who your top players are,” Crookenden said. “Having two players of [Perrone’s] and [Nava’s] caliber means that we can recruit players that are talented enough to be able to practice with our top players without a big gap.”

Nava said improving the little things will be the key to maintaining success for both teams throughout the season.

“We have to continue training the way we are, and stay focused,” Nava said. “We have to keep improving day by day.”

Both teams are set to host Mount St. Mary’s University on March 6 for their next matchups.

Nathan Perrone is 2-0 in his first two singles matchups of the 2021 season.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SJU ATHLETICS

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

March 3, 2021

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Student athletes share stories at Day of Dialogue TYLER NICE ’23 Assistant Sports Editor When Slam Dunkley ’20 said he was tired of educating his peers about racial biases, the rower’s mother asked, “If not you, then who?”

Since then, Dunkley has made it his mission to provide an afro-Indigenous perspective on campus. He has written racethemed articles for The Hawk, formed panel discussions that touch on injustices and given presentations on white privilege.

At the second annual Day of Dialogue, the SJU Athletics community personified Dunkley’s mother’s words. Over the course of two sessions, student athletes from a wide range of teams educated the campus community about diversity, equality and inclusion.

In the webinar “SJU Athletics: Our Stories,” St. Joe’s players and coaches shared their experiences with diversity in a 25 minute pre-recorded video. The video was preceded by discussions led by Christina Foggie, director of special projects and special assistant to the athletics director, and Jasmine Cannady, associate athletics director for marketing and fan experience. The discussions focused on the importance of speaking up about racism and how Black women are often stereotyped.

Taylor Newman-Farr, a senior midfielder on the St. Joe’s women’s lacrosse team, said in the video that her friend group in high school was so diverse that it referred to itself as the “world of nations.” When Newman arrived at St. Joe’s, she didn’t see as many cultures and ethnicities as she was used to.

“It was definitely a culture shock,” Newman-Farr said. “I had to learn to stand my ground on the importance of diversity.”

Newman-Farr said she has been confronted with a considerable amount of microaggressions on campus. She said students at St. Joe’s need to use their privilege to create change.

“There is so much more that we can do,” Newman-Farr said. “Sixty percent of the privilege is being used for good and I think we need to use the other 40% to help our communities.”

Darynn Minus-Vincent, a sophomore sprinter on the St. Joe’s women’s track and field team, said one way in which privilege can make a positive impact is on social media, which serves as a platform for people to educate others and also educate themselves.

“Social media is a great resource to educate yourself about what you don’t know,” Minus-Vincent said. “Use your position of power to your advantage, one story repost can make a heck of a difference.”

Ryan Dao is a junior on the St. Joe’s men’s track and field team. Dao’s father is a refugee who immigrated from Vietnam. The way that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration treated immigrants and refugees, specifically at the U.S.-Mexico border, upset Dao and his father. Dao said going forward, he would like to see Americans be more considerate in accepting refugees.

“The issue of refugees cannot be understated,” Dao said. “Refugees have their own stories, and they’re not bad people. I want to be the vocal extension for my dad.”

In the second event of the day, “Students Leading Each Other: Athletics Peer Panel,” student athletes discussed topics such as the discomfort of racial conversations, using the

“I think the topics were balanced nicely in that I felt heard and understood in some of my struggles and frustrations during the pandemic, but I also was able to Sara Buscaglia ’22 put them into perspective and recSession attended: Behavior ognize that I am still more fortunate Change, Bias, and Boundaries than others during this time.”

Navigating our New Normal

“The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that there is a need to understand and respect one another and develop a relationship within the workplace where others’ opinions [and] points of view are heard and respected.”

Taylor Newman-Farr spoke about the importance of cultural diversity on a college campus.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

platforms presented by athletics and the importance of being an ally to Black, Indigenous and people of color.

Bobby Hastie, a senior on the St. Joe’s men’s track and field team and a mathematics major with a focus in secondary education, reflected on a time when he served as an ally.

In a faculty meeting on his second day as a student teacher, Hastie explained to the school’s primarily white faculty why race is discounted when they claim that they don’t see color. Hastie said several teachers thanked him after saying what they were afraid to.

“You will not be alone when you say something,” Hastie said. “It takes a lot of

courage, but when you do there will be a lot of people flooding behind you.”

While the women’s basketball team is one of the most diverse teams on campus, sophomore forward Gabby Smalls said she still experiences racism on campus. In the Wendy’s drive-thru on City Avenue, she said she was called a racial slur by a man in the car behind her. She realized if she continued to stay silent, people were not going to know how racism affected her.

“I always made it my goal to bring awareness to the classrooms,” Smalls said. “I always try to ask how Black Lives Matter relates to assignments. If we don’t continue to keep talking about it, it’s going to go away.”

“I’m going to try to be more bold and to talk to people that have different viewpoints than me, and just try to express my opinions and try to connect with them and maybe change their viewpoint. Or try to learn from them, [and] at the same time, have them learn from me.”

Renie Shields ’84, senior associate athletic director for student experience Session attended: Inclusive Collaboration: Strategies to Build Community in the Workplace

“The most important thing I learned is how important it is Sebastian Eaton ’21 Session attended: Be Civil Identity to lead conversations about our Workshop for Students own identities and not just race and ethnicity but also age, socioeconomic status and other factors that lead into our identities.”

Julia Alexandrakis ’23 Session attended: The Power of Single-Mindedness

Fatima Latif ’21 Session attended: Advocacy: Neurodiversity Across Campus

“I now have a new perspective on life that I did not have before. Everyone has had to overcome challenges this year with the pandemic, so in order to deal with that, it is important to find a life balance. I need to take regular breaks, communicate my needs, establish a routine and simply engage in self-care.”

“I had never heard of the term ‘neurodiversity’ before. I really liked this session, as it was the most interactive. I learned I need to simplify my words and be more thoughtful in phrasing.”

Samantha Karkut ’22 Session attended: Behavior Change, Bias, and Boundaries Navigating our New Normal

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The Hawk Newspaper