Sept. 30, 2020

Sept. 30, 2020

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Volume CI

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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

A student receives a COVID-19 test behind Barry Hall on Sept. 28. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

University begins COVID-19 surveillance testing

St. Joe’s has begun conducting mandatory surveillance testing to more closely monitor coronavirus cases among residential students after an increase in transmission on campus, according to a Sept. 22 university announcement.

Surveillance testing is the process of randomly selecting members of a specific population to be tested for COVID-19 in order to closely monitor the patterns of coronavirus cases among populations where there is high transmission. According to the university announcement, St. Joe’s began surveillance testing on Sept.

27 for only students living on campus, as on-campus students currently make up “the greatest number of positive cases.”

The COVID-19 Dashboard lists 155 cumulative coronavirus cases as of Sept. 27, with 103 of those cases being residential students.

University Student Senate (USS) President, Jillian Garvey ’21, said it’s smart to begin testing residential students given the number of cases within that population.

But, the university should be ready to adjust procedures as the semester progresses.

“I can’t say how accurate our reported positive case numbers are,” Garvey said.

“It’s a lot easier for a nonresidential student to get tested at a third party location and

not disclose their results with the university. In the coming weeks, [the university] should be planning on expanding testing to nonresidential students as well.”

In an email to The Hawk, Cary Anderson, Ed.D., associate provost and vice president of Student Life, wrote that surveillance testing will continue throughout the semester, and will expand to nonresidential students, employees and affiliates “if needed.” Select groups will be asked to be tested, Anderson said, “if it will assist with containment efforts and there is a public health benefit to doing so.”

Other Pennsylvania universities are conducting surveillance testing, including Pennsylvania State University, which began testing on Aug. 21, and Villanova University, which began on Sept. 7.

In the first week of testing, 250 residential students were selected to be tested, according to Anderson.

“For residential students, one student from each room/unit was randomly selected,” Anderson wrote. “Each of these students will be tested over the next few weeks.”

Globally, expanded testing reveals more positive cases, according to USAToday. An increase in cases on campus is a possibility, but the university will continue the protocol for positive cases that is currently in place, Anderson wrote.

“We anticipate the possibility of detecting new cases,” Anderson said. “We will continue our contact tracing protocols, which includes isolating those who are symptomatic or receive a positive test

and quarantining the close contacts of those individuals.”

Judith O’Donnell, director of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, said that many college-aged people are asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19, which makes asymptomatic testing all the more necessary and effective.

“You have a higher rate in your age group of being asymptomatic but having infection,” O’Donnell said. “So by testing across a population, you have a better chance to identify those asymptomatic individuals who may be spreading disease.

If you’re testing regularly, then you may be able to more quickly prevent the further spread of the disease by identifying these asymptomatic individuals, quarantining them and preventing them from spreading it further.”

Garvey said even with the potential of more positive cases being revealed through surveillance testing, the university does not plan on going completely online until after Thanksgiving, unless otherwise prompted by the city of Philadelphia or the state of Pennsylvania.

“From what I’ve been hearing, we will not be going online, regardless of how many positive cases we get,” Garvey said. “If the surveillance testing drastically increases our numbers, that just means [the university] might have to rent out more quarantine spaces at the Hilton [Homewood Suites] if [they] can’t contain the spread through use of Sourin or Moore.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidelines on Sept. 18 regarding who should be tested, clarifying that “due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, this guidance further reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons.”

University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., wrote in a Sept. 22 university announcement that implementing surveillance testing is out of an abundance of caution for public health.

“It is important to understand that this testing exceeds current public health guidance and that we have opted to take these extra precautionary steps,” Reed wrote.

Tony O’Shea ’22 said the procedure for the surveillance testing resembled campus-arrival testing that students completed the first week of classes. O’Shea was tested on Sept. 27 at the Wynne Hall of Fame Patio between Michael J. Hagan Arena ’85 and Barry Hall, where all surveillance testing will be conducted.

“There was a line of maybe four to five people with eight tables,” O’Shea said. “It was moving pretty efficiently, and they had it down to move fast. I was in and out in maybe 20 minutes from when I got there.”

Garvey said implementing asymptomatic testing was brought up to Anderson in a previous USS meeting.

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

EDITORIAL

FEATURES

SPORTS

RYAN MULLIGAN ’21 Managing Editor EDDIE DAOU ’22 Assistant News Editor

@SJUHAWKNEWS

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The editorial board responds to the Breonna Taylor Grand Jury decision

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Alumni design, create and donate masks to those in need

CONTINUED ON PG. 2

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St. Joe’s students meet former Philadelphia Eagle Nick Foles

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Sept. 30, 2020

News

The Hawk Newspaper

University begins COVID-19 surveillance testing FROM PG. 1 “[USS] didn’t have too much of a say besides simply bringing it to [Anderson’s], and thereby the administration’s attention, that we think this should be something we do,” Garvey said. “We were told the university was working to get surveillance testing set up, but they were working through issues of how to get people to comply.”

When asked how the university is addressing those who don’t adhere to the testing mandate, Anderson said noncompliance is documented.

“If someone repeatedly puts our community at risk through a variety of actions (not wearing a mask, not physically distancing, non-compliance with testing requests) it may result in disciplinary action,”

Anderson wrote. “Each individual’s behavior will be evaluated holistically.”

Anderson added that a refusal to take part in the surveillance testing will be counted as a violation of the iCare Pledge and may be referred to the Community Standards Board.

“I hope that students will uphold the iCARE pledge and seriously consider the impact of their actions - on themselves and others,” Anderson wrote.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, who has received a positive test or who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, must fill out the Self-Disclosure Form.

Students are required to report to the testing center next to Barry Hall.

PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Campus Ministry finds new ways to serve community during COVID-19 RAEGAN DAVIES ’21 Special to the Hawk The university announced on Sept.

25 that spring break for the 2021 semester would be eliminated. As a result, Campus Ministry officially canceled the Appalachian Experience (APEX), which normally takes place that week.

Emily Fordham ’21, an APEX coordinator, said planning for the spring 2021 semester is already underway, and a virtual APEX program would still plan to connect students to their sites and focus on education about the Appalachian region.

“There are a lot of great community partners that we have in a virtual, or in a potentially virtual format,” Fordham said.

“So, we would be looking into doing some outreach and having some of those community members connect to a wider St. Joe’s population than we’ve ever been able to do in the past.”

The Campus Ministry staff as a whole spent this summer adapting their programming plans for summer and winter programs as well to make sure they could provide events for St. Joe’s students to attend during the fall 2020 semester that adhere to COVID-19 regulations.

The restrictions outlined in the university’s reopening plan for the fall 2020 semester contributed to the cancelation of both Campus Ministry’s summer Philadelphia Service Immersion Program (PSIP) and Winter Immersion Program (WIP).

Tom Sheibley, director of Campus Ministry, said Campus Ministry has been holding both virtual and socially distanced programs, and created a new form of first-year outreach: the ENGAGE program, to keep students involved.

“What we’ve tried to do is to work fully within the guidelines that the university administration is asking, in terms of keeping people apart from one another,” Sheibley said.

“But also to try to find creative ways, where we can actually have some in-person events.”

Sheibley said Campus Ministry was already looking to implement the new ENGAGE program, even before the coronavirus pandemic. The ENGAGE program gives first-year students opportunities to meet during times that work with their schedules. “[First-year students] gather together for an hour with other freshmen who are interested in checking out Campus Ministry and the opportunities that we have to explore faith and spirituality, and to get involved with the community here,” Sheibley said.

The ENGAGE program meets three different times throughout the week, and the group is limited to the 25 people in the Chapel of Saint Joseph. So far, the program is a success, Sheibley said.

“It is at least some opportunity for them to get to know one another, and for people who share a common interest in exploring Campus Ministry as one of the ways of connecting here to make St. Joe’s their home,” Sheibley said.

Students study outside of Wolfington Hall. PHOTO: DANNY REMISHEVSKY ’23/THE HAWK

One of the struggles Campus Ministry faced in its initial program planning was the importance of the community aspect for hosting effective programs, according to Sheibley.

“You can run programs virtually, but ministry is a much more personal thing,” Sheibley said. “Much of what makes Campus Ministry programs work is the fact that it happens within the community.”

Tinamarie Stoltz, campus minister, said although there are difficulties in planning programming, she is continuing to appreciate Campus Ministry’s work and what it means for students participating in different programs.

“I’ve learned a lot about what ministry has,

versus what ministry is,” Stoltz said. “Ministry has programs, but ministry is relationships.”

But, in light of so many changes to Campus Ministry’s programming, Sheibley said it is Campus Ministry’s goal to continue its purpose of serving students in any way possible.

“I want people to know that Campus Ministry is here,” Sheibley said. “One of the things that certainly hasn’t gone away is there are students who just have curiosity, or questions, or are looking for ways to explore their faith.”

Department of Public Safety reports (Sept. 18-Sept. 24) Sept. 18 Public Safety was notified by Residence Life of a disorderly St. Joe’s student urinating in the elevator at Pennbrook Apartments. Public Safety Officers and Residence Life responded. Student was identified. Housekeeping was notified.

Community Standards was notified.

Sept. 19 Public Safety was notified by a St. Joe’s student regarding two St. Joe’s students arguing in front of Post Hall. Public Safety Officers responded. Philadelphia Police were notified and responded. Title IX Coordinator notified. Incident under investigation.

Sept. 20 Public Safety was notified by an area resident of a noise complaint in the 2200 block of N. 53rd Street. Public Safety Offi-

cers and Philadelphia Police were notified, responded into the area, but were not able to locate any disturbance. Community Standards notified.

Public Safety was notified by an area resident of a noise complaint in the 5700 block of Woodbine Avenue. Public Safety Officers and Philadelphia Police were notified, responded into the area, but were not able to locate any disturbance. Community Standards notified.

Public Safety was notified of a St. Joe’s student assaulting another St. Joe’s student in McShain Hall. Public Safety Officers responded to the location. Student did not require medical attention, nor did the student wish to file a police report. Title IX Coordinator was notified. Community Standards was notified. Incident under investigation.

Sept. 21 Public Safety was notified by a St. Joe’s student in regards to a person unknown gaining access to their personal vehicle which was parked in the Rashford Hall parking lot. At this time, no items were taken from the vehicle and the student did not wish to file a police report. Incident under investigation.

Sept. 22 No incidents to report.

Sept. 23 No incidents to report.

Sept. 24 No incidents to report.

ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENTS

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On campus

Off campus

DRUG RELATED INCIDENTS

2

On campus

0

Off campus

Call Public Safety:

610-660-1111

News

The Hawk Newspaper

HOW TO VOTE REGISTER TO VOTE

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VOTING IN PERSON EARLY? VOTING BY MAIL?

Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 19.

Sept. 30, 2020

Getting your ballot: In Pennsylvania, the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot is Oct. 19. All registered voters in Pennsylvania are eligible for mail-in ballots.

The easiest way to request a mail-in ballot is to use the Pennsylvania Department of State’s online form.

To fill out this application, you will need a Pennsylvania driver’s license or the last four digits of your social security number.

Polls opened in Philadelphia for early voting on Sept. 29.

There are seven in-person early voting locations.

Any Philadelphia resident can visit any early voting site in any neighborhood.

To vote, you will need a Pennsylvania driver's license or the last four digits of your social security number.

VOTING IN PERSON? The closest voting site to St. Joe's is at Overbrook Elementary School, 2032 N 62nd St. Find your polling place using the Pennsylvania Department of State's website.

Remember to wear your mask, bring hand sanitizer and maintain six feet of distance from other voters and poll workers.

Casting Your Vote: Once you receive your ballot, you can complete and mail it back or drop the ballot off at your county election office as soon as you can.

Pennsylvania allows voters to track the status of their mail-in ballots online.

Mailing your ballot: When mailing in your ballot, be sure to place your ballot in two envelopes. Ballots received without the second “secrecy” envelope may not be counted.

Ballots must be postmarked before 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 and received no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 6.

Mail-in ballots can be dropped off at your county election office, and additional offices are possibly being set up to make this process easier.

NOT VOTING IN PENNSYLVANIA? Visit sjuhawknews.com to find out about voting in your state.

Preparing to participate in the 2020 Election CHRISTINE DISANTI ’21 Assistant News Editor When is Election Day? Election Day will be on Nov. 3 this year.

But, with the increase in mail-in voting because of COVID-19, many voters will be casting their votes earlier than Nov. 3.

Who is on the ballot?

This year is a presidential election year.

Republican incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump and democratic nominee Joe Biden are both running for president. Beyond the presidential race, however, there are elections in Pennsylvania at both the national and state level.

All 18 of Pennsylvania’s congressional seats are up for election, as are all 203 seats in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives and half of Pennsylvania’s 50 state Senate seats. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s auditor general, attorney general and treasurer are on the ballot for this year’s general election.

How do I vote?

In Pennsylvania, you can register to vote online on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19. Once you’re registered to vote, there are a number of different ways to vote in Pennsylvania, including voting in-person, early voting or voting by mail.

To vote in person on Nov. 3, go to your polling location and cast your vote.

Polling locations are based on where you are registered to vote. You can find your polling location using the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website. Polls in Pennsylvania are open from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.

To vote early in person, Philadelphia set up seven locations across the city for people to register to vote, request mailin ballots and securely cast those ballots at the same time. These locations opened on Sept. 29 and will be open seven days a

week. The closest location to St. Joe’s campus is Overbrook Elementary School, located at 2032 N 62nd. The closest location for students living in Manayunk is Roxborough High School at 6498 Ridge Ave. More information can be found on Philly Early Voting’s website.

All Pennsylvania voters are eligible to vote by mail, and can request their mail-in ballot online until Oct. 27. Once your ballot has arrived, fill out the ballot, place your ballot inside its “secrecy” envelope and either mail your ballot back with the U.S. Postal

uate students, this will be the first election in which they are eligible to vote. Members of Generation Z comprised 4% of the vote in the 2018 midterm election and are projected to make up 10% of all eligible voters in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. However, young voter turnout remains low with only 51% of all eligible voters under 40 voting in elections, according to the Brookings Institute.

“Our generation is one of the most active generations I’ve ever seen with social justice and activism,” Katy Green ’21 said.

Service or drop your ballot off at your county election office or other designated drop-off location. Be sure to place your ballot inside a signed, secrecy envelope. If not, your ballot may not be counted.

Drop-off locations will be open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you decide to mail back your ballot through U.S. Postal Service, the earlier you send your ballot back the better, since Pennsylvania is expecting postal delays.

All ballots mailed back must be postmarked before 5 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 6. Learn more about mail-in voting on Pennsylvania’s Votes PA website.

Why should I vote?

For the majority of St. Joe’s undergrad-

Green is a member of St. Joe’s chapter of POWER U, an organization that unites college students across Philadelphia to organize for social change, focusing on topics like criminal justice reform, education funding and integrated voter engagement.

“Look around at the protests happening in the nation right now, it’s young people, college students, on the street protesting against injustice in the U.S.,” Green said. “The best way to make sure demands are being met is to elect people who will act on what we were asking for from the government and from our society.”

The presidential election is particularly consequential in Pennsylvania because Pennsylvania is a swing state, a state

where the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, with President Trump only winning by a 1.2% margin in 2016.

“We fully expect that our student body will be engaged in the political process during this especially historic election season,” Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs wrote in a university announcement on Sept. 24. “In fact, we encourage reasonable assembly, expression and political activities consistent with our policies and public health guidelines.”

I’m already registered to vote, how else can I get involved?

The university is in the process of planning a series of events, training and discussions leading up to the 2020 election, according to a university announcement from University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D. “Whether you are a first-year student still new to campus, or a tenured professor, you know that engaged citizenship is a key tenet of a St. Joe’s education and our Jesuit tradition,” Reed wrote in the announcement.

Beyond university run events, student organizations, like POWER U, College Democrats and Campus Ministry, are promoting voting on their social media accounts, holding voting registration events and are speaking during Zoom classes to educate students on the importance of voting, Green said.

Green also said she acknowledges the importance of one-on-one conversations with peers and encouraging friends and classmates to register to vote.

“It looks a lot different from what we’ve done in the past but we have to adapt,” Green said. “This election is so important that we can’t just not do anything, you have to make sure people know what’s at stake.”

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Sept. 30, 2020

Opinions

The Hawk Newspaper

Responding to the Breonna Taylor Grand Jury Decision Things have to change 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 Copy Editor Olivia Giannetta ’22 Multimedia Editor Nick Karpinski ’21 News Editor Devin Yingling ’22 Assistant News Editor Eddie Daou ’22 Assistant News Editor Christine DiSanti ’21 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

On Sept. 23, a grand jury decided not to charge Myles Cosgrove, John Mattingly and Brett Hankison, the three police officers who killed Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman in her bed in her apartment. Sadly, this verdict was unsurprising to many, despite the city of Louisville, Kentucky settling a “wrongful death” lawsuit with her family one week earlier for $12 million.

One of the officers, Brett Hankison, is charged with “wantonly and blindly” shooting into the apartment adjoining Taylor’s.

Nobody was charged for actually killing Taylor, who was in her apartment, in her bed.

Apparently, buildings are more protected than innocent Black women’s lives.

The Louisville police were able to obtain a “no-knock warrant” due to “the nature of how these drug traffickers operate,” as indicated in court documents.

The police showed up at Taylor’s apartment seeking her ex-boyfriend, who they say was a suspect in a drug trafficking case. Her ex-boyfriend no longer lived at the residence, and Taylor and her new boyfriend, Kenneth Walker III, were not a part of the police’s investigation. The police continuously pounded on the door to her apartment and then used a battering ram to enter. Walker shot at what he thought were intruders. It turned out that he hit one officer in the leg. The police fired 32 bullets into the apartment. Taylor, who was unarmed, was hit six times.

Many people were not surprised by the grand jury’s decision. Between 2015 and 2020, 1,337 Black people were killed by the police. Of these, 48 were Black women. Officers were charged in only two of the 48 cases.

One officer was acquitted and the other case is still pending.

The rate at which Black Americans are killed by the police is twice as high as the rate at which white Americans are killed by the police. According to Rashawn Ray, a fellow at the Brookings Institute, “Black people are 3.5 times more likely than white people to be

killed by police when Blacks are not attacking or do not have a weapon.”

When reading another headline about a Black person being killed by the police, many white people’s first instinct is to ask, “What did they do?” and rarely, “Why would the police kill them?” This response is encouraged by political leaders who use tired dog-whistle calls that affirm the worst, racist stereotypes of Black people and which suggest that, therefore, Black people are deserving of the violence inflicted upon them.

Police interact with Black people differently than how they interact with white people.

“We must fight this racism by holding these institutions accountable and demand justice when those who uphold these institutions blatantly ignore what is right.”

We have seen how police are able to arrest armed white shooters and take them into custody alive.

In 2015, white supremacist Dylann Roof worshipped alongside Black parishioners in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He then shot and killed nine people. Police arrested him alive and without incident. This clearly proves that police officers choose whether or not to kill people they encounter, whether they are armed or not.

According to a Washington Post database that analyzes fatal police shootings, since Jan. 1, 2015, 5,652 people were shot and killed by the police. So far this year, 721 people were

fatally shot by the police. A FiveThirtyEight analysis of police officers who face legal consequences as a result of fatal violence or excessive force in past years found only a tenth of police officers were charged, and even fewer were convicted. The data shows that police are not held accountable for killing Americans, especially Black Americans.

Taylor’s killing and the grand jury’s response are more examples of systemic racism and the consequences of an unjust justice system. We must fight this racism by holding these institutions accountable and demand justice when those who uphold these institutions blatantly ignore what is right. It is important that we continue to acknowledge the self-evident truths of the American justice system and advocate for the protection of Black lives and a more just system.

It is discouraging that, historically, thousands of Black men and women have been killed by police, who act as agents of the state.

The vast majority of these police officers face no consequences for these killings. The structure of the current system of justice must change in order to ensure that there is liberty and justice for all. One way we can do this is to vote for candidates, at both the local and national level, whose policies uphold the fundamental human rights of all Americans, in a land where Black lives do matter.

—The Editorial Board

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

Correction: In the Sept. 16 issue of The Hawk, the story titled “University updates COVID-19 dashboard,” incorrectly stated the percentages of “in-use” and “available” on-campus quarantine and isolation spaces. The percentages should have read “the dashboard showed 83% of spaces ‘available’ and 17% of spaces ‘in use.’”

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 Assistant Business Manager Colin Messenger ’22 Assistant Business Manager Danny Remishevsky ’23 Assistant Business Manager Jillian Bodemer ’23

CAMPION OMELET BAR REOPENED Campion has reopened some of our favorite food stations, namely the omelet bar. We are happy to have our favorite part about Campion back, and think it’s quite egg-cellent.

DUNKIN’ DRIVE-THROUGH LINE Somehow, Dunkin’ is mediocre every single time we get it, yet we still go back for another medium caramel iced coffee every day. And I guess we aren’t alone in that, because the line at Dunkin’ on City Avenue has been outrageously long these past few weeks, even leading out into the middle of the street.

PUMPKIN CREAM COLD BREW FROM STARBUCKS There’s nothing we love more than pumpkin spice season, and Starbucks exceeded our expectations this year by including a new drink— the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. The perfect mixture of their classic cold brew and foamy pumpkin spice cream has us ready to go for spooky season this year.

CONSTRUCTION/TRAFFIC ON CITY AVENUE The construction on City Avenue near Lapsley Lane has been such a nuisance since we’ve come back to campus, especially when we’re running late and trying to secure a parking spot next to Merion Hall.

So you’re telling me they have to rip up the whole street just when everyone came back to Hawk Hill? Interesting.

THE TRAVIS SCOTT BURGER “Sicko Mode” might have been the last time we thought we had heard from Travis Scott, but he’s back and better than ever with his own burger at McDonald’s. “Hello, hi yes, Cactus Jack sent us.”

TRADER JOE’S SWITCHING TO PLASTIC BAGS Our other favorite Joe’s has decided to switch from paper bags to plastic. Does the seven year countdown for climate change mean nothing to them?

Opinions

The Hawk Newspaper

Sept. 30, 2020

5

Enough is enough

COVID-19, partisanship and a struggling economy

PAUL KOENIG ’22 Columnist The coronavirus pandemic precipitated a severe economic downturn, leaving the American people, especially working and middle-class Americans, to bear the brunt of the financial crisis.

But an economic stimulus package has yet to come out of Congress since April. Thankfully, there are still some members of Congress who want to do their jobs and pass legislation amidst the crisis.

The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, a group who seeks to foster bipartisan cooperation on key issues, released their “March to Common Ground” stimulus plan of $1.5 trillion in aid, which is larger than the Republican “skinny stimulus” of $650 billion and smaller than the Democratic stimulus of $2.2 trillion.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic leadership immediately dismissed the bipartisan plan, refusing to call for a vote, claiming that it “falls short.”

Our country is being ransacked by a pandemic and an economic fallout. Americans are getting sick and many are dying. Millions are unemployed and small businesses are closing.

The only reliable constant of summer 2020: the U.S. Congress not doing its job.

Congress is either blissfully unaware or indignantly indifferent to the state of our country and the well-being of its citizens. Even during a time of crisis and great need, our public “servants” are unable to serve.

A bipartisan team of congressmen and women, 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats, came together and proposed a timely, reasonable and fair stimulus plan on behalf of the American people, which is a rarity by today’s standards. Even more rare, the Trump Administration is not to blame for the plan’s demise.

Now, this is not to say that U.S. President Donald Trump or U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell are bipartisanship’s biggest champions, but at least in this case, they were not the ones to dismiss it out of hand.

In this case, Pelosi and the House Democratic leadership had the audacity to immediately dismiss the plan and refuse a vote. They

losi and her Democratic colleagues unable to swallow their pride and pass an imperfect piece of legislation on behalf of the common good?

People’s lives and livelihoods are at stake.

Good leadership during times of crisis requires humility and two feet firmly planted on the ground. Passing an imperfect stimulus plan is better than no stimulus at all.

The single parent, employed as an essential worker with one child learning virtually from home, does not gain anything from Pelosi’s stance. The mom-and-pop shop does not receive anything from McConnell’s “skinny” bill that has no chance of making it through the House.

“Congress is either blissfully unaware or indignantly indifferent to the state of our country and the well-being of its citizens. ” had the gall to dismiss the proposal which would place money and aid in the hands of those in need. Pelosi commented that “It isn’t about finger pointing and it isn’t about machinations. It is about meeting the needs of the American people,” according to Newsweek.

Well, actions speak louder than words. If Congress truly cares about meeting the needs of the American people, why did Pelosi refuse the only viable option to do so? Why are Pe-

Congress members must rid themselves of such uncompromising, self-conceited attitudes. Members of Congress are supposed to be public servants, they are meant to serve the public on behalf of the common good.

Now is not the time for moral high grounds.

The American people do not need their elected officials saving face at the moment, racking up airtime on Fox News and MSNBC. Instead, we need our public servants in their chambers,

behind closed doors, working out their differences and putting forth solutions that satisfy the economic needs of the American people in a timely manner.

Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “The Man in the Arena” quote speaks to the fact that, “there is no effort without error and shortcoming.”

Currently, the only one in the Congressional arena is the Problem Solvers Caucus. Those 50 members of Congress got their hands dirty, stated their opinions, debated, worked out their differences and produced a plan worthy of consideration and implementation.

While the Problem Solver's Caucus worried, McConnell receded into his turtle-like shell in the corner of the arena and Pelosi has seemingly gone home because no one will play by her rules.

And what’s left? A citizenry devoid of leadership and what they need most: economic assistance.

Congress’ inaction is a gross injustice to the American people. The American people lie in wait, as congressional leadership twiddles their thumbs. I am not asking for much. The American people are not asking for much. The Problem Solvers Caucus has done its job. It’s time for the rest of Congress to do theirs. It’s time for Republican leadership to step up and for Democratic leadership to step back in.

A contested election

PATRICK ADAMS ’23 Columnist

Since last week, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly declined to promise a peaceful transfer of power following a potential defeat in November. On Sept. 24, President Trump said in a White House press briefing, “We want to make sure the election is honest, and I’m not sure that it can be. I don’t know that it can be, with this whole situation, unsolicited ballots.”

President Trump has escalated his rhetoric about Democrats trying to “steal the election” in the same way he called it “rigged” in 2016. The big difference is this time, President Trump has the presidency to lose. While many in the Republican Party were able to brush off his past comments, these recent repeated denials prompted condemnation from his own party.

Also on Sept. 24, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously passed a resolution “reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitutions of the United States.” Without the Senate, which has the power to convict the president after a House impeachment, there is no way President Trump could stay in power without Democratic support.

As Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, commented, “Fundamental to democracy is the peaceful transition of power; without that, there is Belarus. Any suggestion that a president might not respect this Constitutional guarantee is both unthinkable and unacceptable.”

For almost every American, the idea

that any president would want to supplant democracy and install themselves permanently, like Belarus’ dictator, is unthinkable and un-American.

However, President Trump’s seemingly irrational hatred of mail-in ballots isn’t completely unfounded. Recently the FBI announced “potential issues” with nine military ballots in one county of Pennsylvania. While still under investigation, President Trump himself and his campaign de-

clared it as evidence of mail-in voting fraud and alleged problems with mail-in ballots.

President Trump likes to grab onto small yet “real” examples of “voting fraud” to try to prove a broader trend, when in fact, they do not.

Still, if the election is very close or ballots are disputed, both campaigns are ready to start a massive legal battle. The U.S. Supreme Court case Bush vs. Gore can be seen as a precedent, where the justices determined how Florida’s election results

could be counted, which handed former U.S. President George W. Bush the victory on Dec. 12, 2000. Knowing this, we should all expect the possibility of a contested election in November.

A focus on Pennsylvania is also extremely important, as the state will be critical in this election. So much so that the polling site FiveThirtyEight gives President Trump an 84% chance of winning by carrying the state and Democratic presidential

ILLUSTRATION: CASEY WOOD ’23/THE HAWK

nominee Joe Biden a 96% chance.

The Republican Party has already begun a legal contingency plan for Pennsylvania.

Lawrence Tabas, the Pennsylvania Republican Party’s chairman, told The Atlantic, “I’ve mentioned it to [the Republican Party], and I hope they’re thinking about it too, but [direct appointment of election].”

Basically, if President Trump loses, the Pennsylvania Republican-controlled legislature could claim voter irregularities and give President Trump the electoral votes

themselves, a completely constitutional, but unprecedented maneuver. Again, the only parallels come from the contested election of 2000, where Florida’s electors for Bush and former presidential nominee Al Gore almost did the same thing before Gore conceded.

Pragmatically, getting mail-in ballots thrown out would be great for President Trump’s campaign, with polls finding that 60% of Democrats in Georgia are planning to vote by mail while only 28% of Republicans are likely to vote by mail, giving President Trump more political reasons to try to get many of these ballots thrown out.

Democrats reacted to these heavy handed tactics with incredulity. Biden told reporters on Sept. 23,“What country are we in? I’m being facetious.…Look, he says the most irrational things. I don’t know what to say.”

My final word of warning: while I personally trust the long history of American elections and mail-in ballots, there is a risk of increased complications and voter suppression because of how mail-in ballots are politicized.

Many swing states like Pennsylvania are allowing ballots to arrive days after the election, so election results may be delayed. With all these concerns in mind, don’t be surprised if we don’t know who the next president will be on election day.

Both campaigns are geared up and ready to go should the election be as close as it was in 2000. While both Biden and President Trump are campaigning hard, there is a strong possibility of a legal fight even after all the votes are cast.

6

Sept. 30, 2020

Opinions

The Hawk Newspaper

Rating Keanu Reeves movies FAITH COWELL ’22 Columnist Listen, I don’t want to act like I’m some kind of Keanu Reeves expert, but I kind of am.

It happened by accident, after a “John Wick” marathon came on TV that I just happened to catch in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. I only saw part of the first movie and knew it was about Reeves’ character John Wick beating the daylights out of bad guys for stealing his car and hurting his dog with cool neon cinematography. What more could I ask for from a movie?

There was no better way to fill endless hours of quarantine boredom than to watch as many Reeves movies as I could get my hands on. Below, I ranked every one that I watched.

“John Wick” series (2014): An allaround 7/10 rating, notable for the aforementioned cool neon cinematography and expertly choreographed fight scenes. They detail the story of John Wick (Reeves), a former hitman for the criminal underworld of New York City who is pulled back into the business following the death of his wife.

I’d say that “John Wick” and “John Wick: Chapter 2” had strong plots and acting, but “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum,” which came out May 2019, was the weak link. It was not that Reeves’ strong and silent performance disappointed, but the plot was kind of weird, and tied in an unnecessary origin story and ballet side plot.

I’d still watch them again, though. I’d give “John Wick” an 8/10, “John Wick: Chapter 2” a 7/10 and “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” a 5/10.

“The Matrix” (1999): Overall I’d give the series a 5/10. I almost think of these movies as comedies because they’re so corny.

The first “Matrix” is legendary. Neo (Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) suit up to save Morpheus in awesome outfits.

The series is set in the far future, when Neo discovers that the world he’s been living in is a simulation, and that the real Earth was taken over by robots. He teams up with Trinity and Morpheus (Samuel L. Jackson) to liberate the humans from the robots.

The first movie gets an 8/10, and only gets points off for corniness. “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” get a 5/10 and a 4/10, respectively.

Overall, corniness wins over coolness in the sequels, and the plot of both of them isn’t very strong. “The Matrix Reloaded” is worth watching just to see Neo’s outfit, which is a priest cassock without the white collar. I would definitely watch them again and laugh the whole time.

“Destination Wedding” (2018): 7/10 rating. Reeves and Winona Ryder are the only characters in this whole movie, and they play two lovelorn guests at a wedding

in California wine country. They’re cynical, they’ve been wronged in love and they don’t even want to be at the wedding. They fall in love, and it’s adorable and corny. I’ve seen it five times since watching it for the first time.

“Point Break” (1991): 10/10 rating. I didn’t watch this for the first time during quarantine, I’ve actually been watching and appreciating it for as long as I can remember.

It’s quite possibly the best Reeves movie ever made. It’s about FBI agent Johnny Utah (Reeves) trying to bust a gang of surfing bank robbers. It was directed by a woman, Kathryn Bigelow, which makes sense, because only a woman could have made such an absolute masterpiece. There’s surfing, bank-robbing, great denim jackets, dramatic scenes in the rain and Patrick Swayze as a gang leader named Bodhi. I say a line from it at least once a day, usually some dramatic wisdom from Bodhi, and I am on the lookout for a gigantic poster to hang in my room.

This is not every movie Reeves has been in. Binge watching Reeves’ movies during quarantine was worth it. Honestly, it’s debatable if Reeves is a good actor. But what’s not debatable is how compelling his movies are.

ILLUSTRATION: CASEY WOOD ’23/THE HAWK

Fatphobia

Society still not body positive

CATHERINE MOFFIT ’22 Columnist Over the course of our lifetimes, movements dedicated to diet culture have always been prevalent. From the Santa Monica diet, to the ketogenic diet, these terms are part of our vocabulary, something we see frequently on various newsstands and Instagram advertisements.

However, a particular movement has grown over the past decade that worked as a countermovement to diet culture: the body positivity movement. By definition, this movement is “the assertion that all people deserve to have a positive body image, regardless of how society and popular culture view ideal shape, size, and appearance. “While the movement made progress in ways of advertising a different range of bodies for clothing brands, has it succeeded in terminating the deeply ingrained stigma that plagued people who are not “acceptably-fat?”

We have all had an invisible, yet toxic relationship with fatphobia that we carried with us our entire lives. Fatphobia is defined as a pathological fear of fatness. We see it in books, movies and television shows where being bigger is a punchline to remind people of the downsides of not looking “acceptable” in a society where being thin is rewarded. It is something I personally experienced growing up, and the lasting damage of this constant reminder is frustrating.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that body positivity resurged in our society and made people feel more comfortable in their own skin. This is not the first time a movement

like this has emerged. In the 1960s, there was a fat acceptance movement, founded by Black and queer women who wanted to raise awareness of the obstacles bigger women face every day. This movement, and similar ones, merged together to become the movement we have today, which is a more self-esteem based movement.

“Just praising celebrities who look different doesn’t wipe away the smear of fatphobia.”

Whether the movement has been successful in changing the conversation depends on your definition of success.

It is successful in making people, especially women, more accepting of their bodies, mostly due to the rise of influencers who are reminding people that it is okay to look the way you do.

Models and singers, like Ashley Graham and Lizzo, are reminders that we can be beautiful and successful despite not conforming to the need to be skinny. However, just praising celebrities who look different doesn’t wipe away the smear of fatphobia.

We see countless clothing companies jump on the bandwagon of accepting our figures by including models who look bigger in their advertisements. But all of that promotion does nothing if there is no change to the sizing charts themselves. As we have seen over the past few months, performative activism doesn’t mean anything if there is no

substance behind it.

Hiring plus-size models to make these companies look “inclusive,” yet not carrying the sizes that are supposed to cater to plussize people is meaningless. Plus-size women make up 68% of consumers in fashion, yet very little is tailored to them. So, in essence, the body positivity movement hasn’t created substantial change yet.

Additionally, mainstream magazines still include headlines that state in bold letters different methods to look skinny. Celebrity magazines still circle women’s cellulite, which is entirely normal, by the way, and call them “fat”. And when Adele lost weight because she wanted to, people started to pay more attention to her appearance than her actual music, which is a testament to the fact that even though we say that we are body positive, we are not really acting like it.

So where do we go from here? Like most movements, we have to destroy the stigma that being plus-size is “unacceptable” by adapting clothing sizes to realistic bodies and having tough conversations about our involvement with maintaining this stigma in our psyche. By not feeling entitled to have an opinion on the way plus-size people look, and revolutionizing different industries from the top-down, we can make the body positivity movement successful.

But if we reduce our involvement in this movement to giving compliments to plus-size models on social media, we are not doing enough to ensure the movement’s success. If we remain where we are now, our society will still be fatphobic.

TODD ERKIS Columnist Professor Erkis, I am confused about how my investments are taxed. Can you please help me understand what to expect when I do my taxes next year? Patti K. ’22, leadership, ethics & organizational sustainability major.

This is a great question. It is easy to forget about taxes since the tax implications from what you do in 2020 won’t be seen until you file your taxes in April 2021.

Even though Tax Day is a long way away, it is still important to understand the tax implications of investing. Please note that I am only talking about money in taxable investment accounts, as money in retirement accounts like IRAs or 401ks have different rules than what we will discuss below. I am also only addressing federal taxes as state tax rules vary.

Let’s start with some terminology. Income is money that you receive in interest on a bank account, are paid in dividends from owning a stock or a stock index mutual fund and any other money you are paid for owning an investment asset. A capital gain is when an asset you own increases in value and a capital loss is when the asset decreases in value.

Income is taxed in the year it is received at the federal income tax rate that applies to your total earnings for the year.

In 2020, this rate is between 10 or 12% for single people earning less than $39,475.

The rate increases as a person earns more.

Capital gains and losses only impact taxes when they are realized, or when the asset is sold for cash. For example, say Microsoft stock has a current price of $200 per share and a person bought one share of Microsoft stock for $180 per share. That person has a capital gain of $20 (200 minus 180). If the investor did not sell the Microsoft stock in 2020, the $20 gain will not be taxed in 2021. If the person did sell in 2020 for $200, then they would have a $20 realized capital gain.

Realized capital gains are taxed by the federal government depending on how long you own the asset. Long-term capital gains, assets that are held for at least one year, have a lower tax rate applied than shortterm capital gains. Capital gains and losses in each category are added together for tax purposes. If an investor has net short-term or long-term losses, up to $3,000 of those losses can be used to lower taxes. Any losses greater than $3,000 cannot be used and are “rolled over” to the following tax year.

Yes, the federal tax rules are confusing.

But it is important to understand that holding onto an asset for more than one year has advantages. Also, if you have income and/or realized gains this year, remember that some of that money will be paid to the government next year.

Anna Lubomirski ’21: I’m certainly no tax expert, but something that I think works well is remembering to save some of your income so that you will have something leftover to pay taxes with. While guesstimating a number to save can work, it’s always better to be aware of your tax rates so that you don’t have to guess. Part of this learning process is reading articles like this one and doing research online, where there is a tremendous amount of information and examples.

Features

The Hawk Newspaper

Sept. 30, 2020

7

Alumni team up to make masks for those in need ELAINA WALL ’21 Assistant Features Editor April Burks ’09, founder of The Pink Lapel, a small accessory business, is making and donating masks to hospitals, essential workers and families in need in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I made the first donation at Penn Neurology,” April Burks said. “They were apparently wearing scarfs around their faces, and they had nothing. From there, I donated to more places.”

April Burks makes the masks and all of her products at her home studio in West Philadelphia. The Pink Lapel products are available for purchase online through their website and at Art Star in Northern Liberties, VIX Emporium in West Philadelphia and Smak Parlour in Old City.

April Burks started The Pink Lapel in 2014 after the handsewn neckties she made for her husband, James Burks ’08, and his business partners received numerous compliments at a networking and entrepreneurship event.

“I had taken this class at a local sewing school, and I made them as a good luck thing,” April Burks said. “A lot of people were asking them ‘Where did you get it from?’ and then suggested that I should sell them.”

James Burks, who handles the operations and management of the brand, said he knew the business could be profitable because his wife has always had an “entrepreneurial spirit,” and the products hold a unique space in the crafting market.

“There aren’t many Black women doing it,” James Burks said. “There also aren’t a lot of teams of husbands and wives doing it.”

The Pink Lapel sells ties, pocket squares, bow ties and other men’s and women’s accessories with vibrant patterns and prints that set the business apart from others.

market for masks would benefit her business and allow her to use her skills to help those most vulnerable.

“At first, I didn’t feel comfortable profiting from a pandemic,” April Burks said.

“Eventually, it became something that everyone needed.”

Alumni design, make and donate masks. PHOTO COURTESY OF APRIL BURKS AND MELANIE HASAN

“I use a lot of prints that you wouldn’t usually see,” April Burks said. “I always try to find a lot of bright floral prints, and I’ve used a lot of African prints as well.”

Although April Burks had no intention of selling masks, she realized the emerging

As the number of requests for mask donations increased, April Burks collaborated with Melanie Hasan ’13, a close friend and fellow small business owner, who was also donating masks to local organizations. “[We] were working separately, but it

got to the point where [we] were servicing the same hospitals,” Hasan said. “I suggested we collaborate because it makes no sense for one person to try to do 50 masks.”

Hasan is the founder of Modest Transitions, an online apparel and accessories business that focuses on utilizing natural dyes and sustainable techniques, while empowering women who choose to dress modestly.

Hasan began making masks after learning about the shortage of proper personal protective equipment among first responders and vulnerable communities from her husband, who works at the Philadelphia Fire Department.

“I became so frustrated, and I immediately decided to sew masks for people,” Hasan said. “I just felt like it was imperative that I played my role with the skills that I had.”

Together, April Burks and Hasan donated close to 1,000 masks to various organizations around Philadelphia, including Penn Medicine, local police and fire departments and family shelters.

April and James Burks hope to continue to grow The Pink Lapel and expand into new markets in the future.

“COVID-19 has definitely changed some of where we want to go,” James Burks said. “We would love to collaborate with more businesses, be in more stores and do more in the [market] of weddings.”

Student’s YouTube channel gains attention from peers NENAGH SHEEHAN ’21 Assistant Features Editor After starting his YouTube channel when he was 11-years-old, Nino Aquino ’23 is somewhat of a local celebrity on St. Joe’s campus.

Aquino’s YouTube career began when his older brother asked him to film and post videos of his band. Soon, his content transitioned to vlogs of his vacations. Vlogs are videos of a person’s daily life condensed into short videos. Now, his videos center around his life in college. His YouTube channel, “Nino Aquino,” currently has 177 followers.

He posts about one video every two weeks.

Aquino said he was inspired to make vlog-style videos after watching Casey Neistat, a YouTuber based in New York City, who documents his everyday life. Aquino mirrors Neistat’s video style, with background music, transitions and end credits.

“I was looking at his content when I realized I liked it and wanted to do something similar, so my style is like his,” Aquino said. “I choose a day where a lot is going on, so my recent one I just posted was the first day back to campus, COVID-19 addition. I wanted my viewers to see how I am coping with this whole pandemic situation.”

Aquino said he likes to capture genuine moments, so he frequently pulls out his camera throughout the day to film.

“My favorite part is seeing my friends that I put into the vlogs having so much fun and how genuinely happy they are to be a part of my videos,” Aquino said. “When I

have my camera out, everyone wants to be a part of it.”

Katie Parchesky ’22, Aquino’s friend from high school, said she started watching his videos when he started posting about his vacations and still watches his vlogs today.

“I love how the videos feel like he’s just telling you about his day instead of watch-

“I would say the process is really informal, which is cool,” Scenna said. “He always has the camera on him and any time he passes by someone they ask ‘Hey Nino, you vlogging?’ It’s pretty cool how it’s mostly just by chance that you will pass by him when the camera’s rolling.”

Scenna said his favorite part of Aqui-

Aquino’s vlogs center around his college experience. PHOTO: KELLY SHANNON ’24/THE HAWK

ing a scripted video,” Parchesky said. “His personality is exactly how he acts in his vlogs. He’s very outgoing, and he’s always in a good mood.”

Anthony Scenna ’22 said he found Aquino’s channel through a friend, but now watches his videos regularly and was even featured in one.

no’s vlogs is the enthusiasm and energy he brings when highlighting Hawk Hill.

“It makes me want to get involved in extracurricular activities and clubs, and I’m glad he hasn’t given up on filming them, even during COVID-19,” Scenna said.

Matt Brien ’22 found Aquino’s channel on Instagram and said his videos are great

for potential St. Joe’s students because Aquino shows a real version of everyday life on Hawk Hill.

“My favorite video is the SJU basketball home opener because you get the first-hand view of what it is like to go to a basketball game here and how intense and fun they can be,” Brien said. “It shows that even at a smaller school, we can pack Hagan Arena and come together as a school to show support.”

One of Aquino’s videos from last year received 3.8 thousand views, and he said he heard that incoming first-year students watched it before coming to St. Joe’s.

“This one girl said ‘I watched your vlogs before coming to St. Joes,’” Aquino said. “[She] saw how much fun I was having, which is why she decided to go here. That is a pretty heartwarming story. I can’t believe my videos affected her college decision.”

Aquino said he plans to continue to document his experience at St. Joe’s on his channel, and to continue his vlogs through his professional career after graduation.

“The main reason why I vlog is because when I look back 10 years from now, I want to be able to show the people that are with me what I did and how my life was,” Aquino said.

Check out Aquino’s vlogs here: www. youtube.com/c/TheRandomkid246/videos

8 Sept. 30, 2020

The Hawk Newspaper

Features

SJUPride’s Queeries event answers questions about LGBT+ issues GIANA LONGO ’22 Features Editor SJUPride members, students and other St. Joe’s community members joined a Zoom meeting from their homes to share and listen to common experiences of members of the LGBTQIA+ community during SJUPride’s second annual Queeries event on Sept. 24.

A panel of six students, faculty and staff answered questions submitted by attendees about their experiences as members of the LGBT community. While last year’s event was in October to promote Unity Month, this year’s event happened to coincide with bisexuality awareness week.

Stephanie Zellner ’22, SJUPride co-president, was one of the panelists who spoke during the event. Zellner said she wanted to share her unique experiences on the panel in hopes of helping others.

“When people are willing to share their life stories and their narratives, it is both an opportunity to get to know people on a deeper level who you wouldn’t otherwise get to, but also [an opportunity] to have questions that you might have answered from people with lived experiences,” Zellner said.

Holding the event over Zoom made it difficult to “read the room,” according to Genna Kindelberger ’22, SJUPride social chair. But Kindelberger said that did not prevent SJUPride from accomplishing their goal.

Panel of St. Joe’s students for the first annual Queeries event in 2019. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

“[The goal] is spreading awareness and knowledge about different aspects of the LGBTQ community and what pride does at St. Joe’s,” Kindelberger said.

Kindelberger was the moderator for the event, asking the panelists the questions students submitted prior to the event through an online form. The conversations centered around understanding the experiences of others and finding community.

“I think it’s so important for everyone to feel comfortable asking questions and learning about themselves, and the different communities and the intersections between everyone’s different identities,” Kindelberger said.

While it was incredibly rewarding to share her narrative and see those in attendance learning from it, Zellner said sharing was also challenging.

“Volunteering some very personal and very traumatic experiences together took a major toll on me,” Zellner said.

Alaina Head ’23 said she went to the event to learn what SJUPride is planning for the year and to hear narratives like Zellner’s.

“I want to learn how to be a better ally,” Head said. “I know that listening to other people’s stories would help with that and help me to understand them better.”

Head said she learned a lot about the underlying privileges of her intersecting identities.

“I learned a lot about people as individuals and about the LGBTQ community as a whole,” Head said. “[I learned] the things [LGBT community members] go through that I do not go through, and how they navigate campus versus how I would.”

Nevertheless, Kindelberger said she feels that Queeries was successful. She said SJUPride plans on hosting it again next year, and continuing to make it an annual event.

“People who come can feel confident that the answers they are getting are a healthy mix of fact and feelings, and they are lived experiences of people who are truly affected,” Zellner said.

Lecture series event speaks on intersectionality and allyship GIANA LONGO ’22 Features Editor Amber Hikes, chief equity & inclusion officer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), spoke to students, faculty and staff about intersectionality, allyship and creating inclusive communities on campus in a Sept.

24 Zoom event, which kicked off the St. Joe’s 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Speaker Series.

“So much of allyship is in the quiet, unglamorous work of study, of self-education, of better understanding the world around us, the communities that aren’t ours and the experiences we may never have,” Hikes said during the event. “This is core to genuine teachings, and it’s core to our growth and our work as allies.”

This lecture series, sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, aims to educate individuals on diversity and promote challenging conversations within the St. Joe’s community. The University Student Senate (USS) co-sponsored the event because of its relevance and ties to the #BeCivil Campaign, launched by USS in fall 2019. #BeCivil started as a pledge for students, faculty and staff to sign at the forum held last fall to address racial bias incidents.

Signing the pledge is a promise to strive to be more inclusive. It has since evolved into a movement aimed at promoting diversity and allyship on campus.

Taylor Stokes ’22, co-founder of the #BeCivil Campaign, secretary of inclusion equity of the USS and president of the Black Student Union (BSU), said she hopes attending this lecture is a first step for many students.

“We’re going to give you tools and prin-

ciples, but I want this to be [just] the first step for people,” Stokes said.

Stokes said the next step for students could be having their student organization or club participate in a #BeCivil identity workshop, bring in a guest speaker on allyship to their organization’s events or incorporating a diversity pledge into their organization’s bylaws or mission statement.

tionality is the lens through which we can see where power comes and collides.”

Hikes emphasized the need for student leaders to be involved in intersectionality ally work.

“Students have been our North Star,” Hikes said. “Students have, in so many ways, been our collective conscience, and the progress that we are seeing right now,

ILLUSTRATION: CASEY WOOD ’ 23/THE HAWK

Hikes said campus leaders can utilize their platforms to be better allies on campus.

“Allyship is engaging your privilege and your power to advance equity and inclusion through intentional, accountable and conscious actions,” Hikes said.

One way to do so is by focusing on intersectionality and understanding who is being represented within an organization.

Hikes made the distinction that “intersec-

the progress that we will see every day from now on, will be because you all will not let us forget that something better is possible.”

Hikes said that we are living in a time where “it is okay to not be okay,” and that, as active members of society, we should be enraged by the injustices The Movement For Black Lives is fighting against. It is a time for all of us to be doing more to better ourselves, Hikes said.

“I am, as I know so many of us are, experiencing grief and anger and fear right now,” Hikes said. “And so I want to take this moment to acknowledge how many of us are still reeling from the lack of justice, and the murder of Breonna Taylor.”

The event was also interactive. Hikes engaged with the audience by utilizing the chat and polling features on Zoom.

Kelsey Welsh ’22, co-director of campus relations for Women’s Leadership Initiative and publicist for BSU, said she liked Hikes’ exercise that encouraged participants to reflect on their work as allies. Hikes advised everyone to recognize what behaviors they need to practice to become a better ally.

“Going to different events is really important, and definitely a really good first step,” Welsh said. “But it also requires having a conversation with yourself, and saying, ‘Am I actually being an ally? Or am I just showing my face to look like I’m not against this particular group of people?’”

A key point Hikes said to remember is that “allyship is a journey, not a destination.”

Hikes said there is always work to be done and it is never finished.

“I feel like a lot of people like to put this title of ‘ally’ on themselves, but you haven’t necessarily earned that title,” Welsh said. “It is a continuous process, not something that you just arrive at.”

It is important for these conversations to start, Hikes said, because they pave the way for future action. “[Hikes] said at the very end of her talk, ‘There’s no time or space for bystanders anymore,’ which is so true,” Welsh said. “Nobody in this society can afford to just stand by anymore. Everybody has a role to play.”

Features

The Hawk Newspaper

Sept. 30, 2020

9

Kinney Center Walk/Run for Autsim goes virtual ELAINA WALL ’21 Assistant Features Editor The ninth annual Kinney Center Walk/Run for Autism will take place virtually from Oct. 3-10 through RaceJoy, an interactive mobile app, to comply with COVID-19 guideliness.

“We made our decision with everyone’s safety first and foremost in our mind,” said Abigayle Jayroe ’14, director of operations for the Kinney Center. “We felt like we could accomplish many of the things that we were trying to accomplish in person, virtually this year.”

The Kinney Center’s Walk/Run for Autism spreads awareness about autism spectrum disorder, brings people together in support of individuals with autism and raises money for the Kinney Center and their services, according to Jayroe.

Jayroe said that participants will be able to run or walk the 5K on their own time, with the opportunity to improve their time throughout the week on the RaceJoy app.

The app tracks the distance throughout the run, allows for friends and family to cheer participants on and ranks all participants based on their official time.

“You’ll be able to see the leaderboard and see who’s in first and where you are,” Jayroe said. “It’s an incentive in that way to keep exercising and moving.”

All donations can be made through the race sign-up website. Jayroe said it was difficult to set a benchmark for fundraising this year because of the uncertainty of how many people would register and participate.

“In the past we have raised about $25,000 from donations and about $15,000 from registrations,” Jayroe said. “This year we had a conservative goal of $10,000 given the circumstances, but we’ve already surpassed that goal.”

Jayroe said all participants will have access to a virtual after-party via Zoom on Oct. 10 featuring comedian Tom Kroppier. Participants 21 years and older will have exclusive first access to pick up the new Runner’s High IPA from Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore before the general public.

“We’re trying to stoke excitement in different ways this year, while we still provide a great experience and achieve a lot of autism awareness,” Jayroe said.

Taylor Wray, head coach for the St. Joe’s men’s lacrosse team, said he is an avid supporter of the event and said it is a great opportunity for the entire team to get involved with an important cause on campus every year.

“To have a place like the Kinney Center on campus, and to support the incredible work that they do over there, it seemed like a no brainer,” Wray said. “We’re excited to be able to support them once again this year.”

Wray said the men’s lacrosse team will participate this year in smaller groups, to comply with COVID-19 protocols.

“We’ll raise funds together as a team, but will actually participate in our six different training groups,” Wray said. “The fundraising goal for the entire team is to raise $1,500 this year, and I believe that we will be able to reach that goal.”

Senior attackman, Matt Tufano ’21, an attackman on the men’s lacrosse team, said his 10-man group will run the original in-person walk/run course during practice.

“The atmosphere will definitely be different, but overall it’s the same cause, so I feel like it’s still going to be great,” Tufano said.

Kella Pacifico ’21, a case manager for the Adult and Transitional Day Programs at the Kinney Center, said she felt mixed emotions when she heard the event was going to be virtual.

“The run is still taking place and I think it will still have the same positivity and energy it had in the past, but it’s sad because it was always such a fun morning to bring people together,” Pacifico said.

Although participants won’t be able to see everyone come together the morning of the event, the flexibility this year allows for people outside of Philadelphia to participate. This year, people are joining throughout the U.S., Japan and Germany, according to Jayroe.

“I actually expect that in future years, when we’re back in person, that we would still probably have a virtual element,” Jayroe

said. “It’s a great way to be able to engage some of those out-of-towners.”

Pacifico said it’s important that everyone remembers the reason they chose to participate in the walk/run because the cause has not changed.

“Everyone wants to support Kinney,” Pacifico said. “We might be in different locations, but we're brought together for the same purpose.”

Students run to raise awareness for autism in 2019. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Q&A with former Editor in Chief of The Hawk Newspaper RYAN MULLIGAN ’21 Managing Editor This week, Mark Clark ’66, former Editor in Chief of The Hawk Newspaper, spoke with The Hawk about being Editor in Chief more than 50 years ago, his time serving in the Vietnam War, how he ended up in a press briefing in the Oval Office and how one of his staffers went on to write ‘the Bible’ on U.S. President Donald Trump.

How did The Hawk operate during your time as Editor in Chief?

It was published every other week. We did have a robust and rich staff. At that point it was all men, the college at the time was not integrated. We had a sports department, cultural review and news. We were in the basement level of the original Barbelin building. It was not a massive space. We had room for several desks, where people could operate their typewriters. We would put together and lay out the paper. Of course, that was all manual. We would burn those stories into a printer who was not far from campus.

We had a very talented staff, up and down the line with the various section editors and writers and reporters. We took pride in it.

Obviously, we weren’t furnishing very timely news, but we did have room for a lot of commentary, and let’s say, push back against the administration. We became a sort of a sounding board for pushback. I wouldn’t say we were rebels, necessarily, but there was a lot of turmoil, with giving the administration some pushback.

What careers did former members of your Hawk staff pursue?

Wayne Barrett came up from Lynchburg, Virginia. I think probably while he was at St. Joe’s, he had an epiphany about

his political interest. Wayne went on to New York City. He went to work for the Village Voice and he was an investigative reporter for 30 or 40 years.

He became the go-to guy for information about Donald Trump. Wayne Barrett was the author of a definitive book about the early years of Donald Trump in New York City, [Trump: The Deals and the Downfall].

height of the Vietnam War. I was anxious not to go. So I applied to the McGill School of Journalism at Northwestern [University], and I was accepted in several places, but I decided I would go to Northwestern.

My major was radio and TV because I wanted to be an intern in Washington [D.C], and to do that, I couldn’t major in newspapers or magazines.

I went on to work for the Chicago

ILLUSTRATION: CASEY WOOD ’ 23/THE HAWK

It was ‘the Bible’ about Donald Trump.

While he was at St. Joe’s, he was one of our star writers, and it prefigured the same talent that he would [carry] as a professional.

What was your career like after The Hawk?

When I finished at St. Joe’s, it was the

American. I was hired by this fellow who was a faculty member of the Northwestern McGill school.

I went to work on the Sunday edition of the Chicago American, and was there for about six months and then I got drafted. I was sent off to Vietnam.

I was expecting to be a first, or a second lieutenant, leading a platoon of soldiers in the jungle. However, I was an information officer, which was a great relief to me because I was petrified that I was going to be out in the jungle getting shot at. We were in a place that got a lot of shelling from outside. And several of my colleagues, fellow army people, enlisted and officers, lost their lives while I was over there.

What are the highlights of your journalism career?

We had a little bureau, it still exists, I think, the McGill News Service Station in Washington [D.C.]. It was WBBM Newsradio in Chicago. [WBBM reported to] a whole long list of newspapers. I was assigned to two of them, one in Paducah, Kentucky and the other in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

We covered the congressmen from our areas, and the senators from our states. I went to The White House a couple of times for White House briefings, including one time when we were sitting in the briefing room and [former White House Press Secretary] George Christian came, and he just said, ‘Follow me.’ And he went out the door and across the hall and into the Oval Office.

At this time, Lyndon B. Johnson was the president. He was standing behind his desk and we formed a semicircle around the desk.

He just took questions, and the rules were that it was all on background, we couldn’t say that it was the president. I had been asked by the bureau to find out if [the 1968] Democratic Convention was going to be in Chicago. That was a great moment, getting to stand there with all these real reporters and asking questions to the president.

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Sept. 30, 2020

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

St. Joe’s rugby team announces new head coach RILEY FRAIN ’21 Sports Editor On Sept. 19, the St. Joe’s men’s rugby team announced the addition of new Head Coach Nick Hunter.

Hunter has has coached rugby at every level from youth to senior, and played the sport at the club level in New Zealand. He is set to replace former Head Coach Daniel “Shaggs” Yarusso, who stepped down in January 2020 citing a lack of pay for the position.

Yarusso was beloved by many within the rugby program, and helped lead the team to eight conference championships and two national championships. Hunter understands the challenges ahead and is enthusiastic about the opportunity. “[My experiences] have taught me to value how I want to coach and how I want to develop players,” Hunter said. “So I’m very much looking forward to trying to make St. Joe’s as close to my experiences as possible.”

Hunter highlighted the talent he has seen within the team, specifically their collective development as a squad.

“It’s great to work with guys that have multiple years on any team,” Hunter said. “It’s also really encouraging that [the team] is so ambitious about the athletic side of rugby.”

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the rugby team, like all club spots, is not currently allowed to train or hold any practices. However, Hunter had the chance to meet several of the players through Zoom calls and said he is impressed with them so far.

“From the [Zoom] meetings that we’ve

had, the players at St. Joe’s have a very good [rugby] IQ and have a lot of knowledge [about the game],” Hunter said. “There’s a lot that they bring to the table as a unit that we can build off of.”

Senior lock Mike Paulosky mentioned the impact of these Zoom calls with their new coach when discussing his initial impressions of Hunter.

“Even across a virtual format, I was very impressed with his demeanor, attitude and drive,” Paulosky said.

According to Paulosky, the chance to play under such a knowledgeable coach is a great opportunity for both himself and his teammates.

“I’m really excited knowing that he has great experience as both a player and a coach,” Paulosky said. “From talking, he struck me as the type of coach who is committed to growing a team.”

Senior fullback Sean McDermott said he is eager to be coached by someone who is so adept in the sport of rugby.

“I’m definitely excited to be able to learn more about the game under him,” McDermott said. “Especially from someone with rugby experience outside of the U.S.” According to McDermott, Hunter brings a certain level of motivation to help the team reach that next degree of success on the field.

“He’ll bring the passion and the plan to take the team to the next level,” McDermott said. “We have had great success recently, and we want to build upon that and maintain our winning culture.”

While the team has yet to practice to-

gether this year, they remain optimistic for the prospects of a spring season, according to Paulosky.

“We have to continue to monitor guidelines and plans as they are given to us," Paulosky said.

However, as Hunter said, discussions are currently in the works about holding training sessions in the near future.

“We’re at a school that’s very safe and cautious right now,” Hunter said. “Pretty

soon we’ll be getting into small group training and workouts, but the guys really push the pace [on practices] and want to get to it.”

For Hunter, what’s most important is the opportunity to play rugby again and really get to know his team out on the field.

“I’m absolutely itching to get started,” Hunter said. “But [as a team] we’re very excited for the spring and it’s something all of the guys are very invested in at the moment.”

Hunter (right) with his former student Jordan Mariney. PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK HUNTER

Sports

The Hawk Newspaper

Sept. 30, 2020

11

Nick Foles shares his story with St. Joe’s students TYLER NICE ’23 Assistant Sports Editor On Sept. 28, Chicago Bears starting quarterback and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nick Foles met with St. Joe’s students via Zoom during “An Evening with Nick Foles”.

The event, a Q&A session between Foles and students, was planned and organized by Student Leadership & Activities.

Foles, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory in 2018 and was recently named starting quarterback for the Bears, talked with students about his experience living in Philadelphia, his mental health and his journey to the Super Bowl.

He related almost all of his experiences back to his commitment to his faith.

“I could play bold and fearless because I realized that this game isn’t my identity,” Foles said. “The outcome of a game doesn’t determine my life, but how I glorify God in playing this game, that’s what truly matters.

God’s put me in many situations that I’ve been, quite frankly, very uncomfortable, but I’ve had to lean on him to get through those.”

Foles said that when the Eagles’ starting quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL in 2017, clearing the way for Foles to take over, the relationship he had with Jesus Christ alleviated the anxiety, stress and pressure surrounding him and helped him keep his composure during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run. He added that sharing this strong faith with Wentz helped give him confidence.

“The situation was a tall task for any human being,” Foles said. “Having that brother in Christ to go through it with and talk to in scripture was one of the most beautiful things.”

Foles said that he had a great experience as a member of the Philadelphia community.

He mentioned that he and his wife enjoyed walking around Rittenhouse Square every Friday, and that their favorite restaurant in

Foles, far left, celebrates the Eagles Super Bowl LII victory. PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’20/THE HAWK

Philadelphia is Friday, Saturday, Sunday on South 21st St. Foles said the love that the Philadelphia community showed him during his time with the Eagles left a lasting impression.

“I have nothing but love for Philadelphia,” Foles said. “Most people would have thought that that season was impossible, but it was just very fitting for the city of Philadelphia to show that anything is possible when you do it genuinely and do it out of love.”

The event was hosted and moderated by Michael Castellano ’23 and CJ Donofry ’22.

An Eagles fan himself, Castellano said that he believed excitement was high among the student body prior to the event.

“A lot of people wanted to know how he

likes Philly, and about his connection with his faith,” Castellano said. “We [wanted] to keep the topics open to all sorts of things that I think people in attendance looked forward to hearing.”

Dan Shell ’22, who attended the event, said that Foles was a symbol of hope in Philadelphia for so many people.

“From a sports standpoint, I think Philly really cares about results, and he delivered that,” Shell said. “He also represented hope for the city, and doing what had to be done no matter what.”

Foles also said that he stresses to everyone he speaks to that the completion of a goal doesn’t make a person feel complete.

Foles said that after defeating the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, he learned that his

identity is not a Super Bowl Champion and MVP, but a follower of Christ.

“If you think winning the Super Bowl is going to complete you as a human being, you’re going to be very sad the next day,” Foles said. “I was grateful in that moment to know that my identity was sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ. Going on the Super Bowl stage, that’s all I could think about when I was holding my daughter.”

While Foles’ high level of commitment to his faith and his NFL legacy set a lofty bar for St. Joe’s students to replicate, he left them with some simple advice to try to stay mentally healthy.

“I like to journal what’s going on in my life,” Foles said. “I journal stories, I journal so that my heart is steady. I pour into it.”

Training in the age of COVID-19: Softball CHRIS KLINE ’23 Hawk Staff The St. Joe’s softball team’s high hopes for their spring 2020 season were crushed when it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Assistant Coach Gina McCool.

“It was so unfortunate when [our season] got cut short last year,” McCool said.

“We were just scratching the surface on what the potential of this group could really be.”

But according to senior outfielder Kirstin Cox, with the team’s return to campus and training, they look forward to the opportunity to build off of last year’s excitement.

“Last year we missed out on a really good season,” Cox said. “But now we’re all going to have another year under our belt, and it’s been building up so much that I think this season will be so much better than any other one.”

While the student-athletes are thrilled to return to training, the team must follow similar requirements as other athletic teams, including practicing in pods and frequently wiping down equipment.

Cox highlighted the great work of her coaches by scheduling practices to make sure there is never mixing of pods.

“The scheduling is so hard for [the coaches] because it’s not just one time, they have to figure out when each pod is going to get there,” Cox said. “So they’re doing a really good job keeping us engaged and separate.”

Although effective in limiting the spread

of disease, for both McCool and the student-athletes, the most debilitating aspect of these pods is preventing the team from building chemistry.

“Maintaining a connection within the team is hard because you’re only with the same four people,” said sophomore infielder Jessica Gaughan. “I’m used to seeing the whole team and so it’s just very different in that sense.”

McCool said she understands how crucial relationships can be to the development of a team over the course of a season.

“We’ve done a decent job of keeping the pods separate,” McCool said. “But that instinctual desire to be around each other is always what you want for a team environment, that’s been the hardest thing for both the student-athletes and myself.”

On top of that, Cox mentioned how, with all of these guidelines in place, the team hasn’t even had an opportunity to meet the new freshmen on the team.

“It’s tough not knowing the freshmen and not getting to talk to them as much,” Cox said. “We were really supposed to help them get acclimated on campus and we couldn’t do that.”

In spite of the limited training that the team can do, Cox also said that much of the squad has taken it upon themselves to practice individually.

“We’re only allowed an hour and a half with the coaches right now,” Cox said. “With all this extra time, a lot of people are working on their own too because we get reduced

The Hawks were 4-11 when their 2020 season was cut short. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

time with the coaches and strength staff.”

According to McCool, despite these challenges, the team’s focus has not wavered and their mindset is on preparing to return to the softball diamond.

“It’s been a long six months since our season was canceled,” McCool said. “So, there is certainly focus and they’re ready to get to work with our common goals all at the forefront of their minds.”

For Gaughan, the team’s ultimate goal is obvious.

“We’re looking to win an A-10 Championship.” Gaughan said. “Last year we felt like we had a big shot, and now this year we feel like it’s even bigger.”

While there is currently no concrete start date for spring sports, confidence is strong within the team, and the overall enjoyment of just being back on campus with the opportunity to play is what is most important right now.

“I’m excited to see how we really get through this together and ultimately come out [on] the other side, it’s just been a pleasure really to be around each other,” McCool said. “Coming to practice or to lifts and conditioning is an opportunity to be around the people we really care about, and that’s very much needed right now.”

12

Sept. 30, 2020

The Hawk Newspaper

Sports

A moment in SJU athletics: 1996-97 men’s basketball TYLER NICE ’23 Assistant Sports Editor Since The Hawk is unable to bring our readers our typical sports coverage due to the coronavirus pandemic, we want to reflect on sports highlights from years past. This weekly series looks back at some of the most accomplished and memorable teams in SJU Athletics history. Key game highlights published by former Hawk staff members are republished here. This week’s edition highlights important moments from the 1996-97 men’s basketball team’s season.

The 1996-97 St. Joe’s men’s basketball team is the only Hawks’ team to win a regular season conference title, conference tournament and make the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. The team, picked to finish in the bottom half of the Atlantic 10 (A-10), earned a fourth-seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament, and finished the season ranked No. 12 in the country in the Associated Press’ Top 25 Poll. The 1996-97 season marked Phil Martelli’s second year as head coach. The season’s pivotal moments are recapped below: No. 10 Duke University, Nov. 20, Cameron Indoor Stadium, L 89-60: For the first game of the season, the Hawks traveled to Durham, North Carolina to take on the No. 10 Duke University Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Hawks kept the score close during the first half. Junior guard Rashid Bey picked up his third foul with Duke leading 17-14.

The Hawks went into halftime down 12 points, 37-25. At the start of the second half, St. Joe’s clung to a nine point deficit before Duke superstar Trajan Langdon sparked a 21-2 run over a six minute span. Duke went on to win the game 89-60, making this the Hawks’ worst loss in seven years. This year’s nonconference schedule was the hardest in the 87 year history of the program, according to Martelli.

Aaron Bracy ’98, sportswriter: “For the Hawks, junior forward [Harold] Rasul (’98) was the biggest surprise.

The transfer from Colby County Community College [Kansas] scored a team high of 18 points to go along with nine rebounds. Another bright spot was the play of [freshmen guard] Arthur Davis. He scored 12 points in his debut.”

George Washington University, Jan. 15, Charles E. Smith Center, W 55-53: The Hawks (7-4) defeated A-10 preseason favorite George Washington University on a game-winning layup from senior center Nemanja Petrovic with 24 seconds left in the contest. The Hawks shot only 22% from the field in the first half, and had just two more baskets (18) than turnovers (16) the whole game. Senior guard Terrell Myers led the Hawks with 12 points and assisted on the game-winning layup. It was the Hawks’ first win in the Charles E. Smith Center since 1989.

Phil Martelli, head basketball coach: “I think that we’re going to try to get out of [Washington, D.C.] under a cloud of darkness, so that we don’t get arrested.

The 1996-97 men's basketball team photo, featuring the entire roster and coaching staff.

The 1996-97 men’s basketball team celebrates their confrence title. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SJU ATHLETICS

What we did tonight was pure, out and out larceny.”

No. 17 Xavier University, Feb. 8., Michael J. Hagan Arena ’85, W 79-65: St. Joe’s (15-5) defeated Xavier University (16-4) on their home court, 79-65. The Hawks raced out to a 51-28 halftime lead and forced the Musketeers to 14 first half turnovers. Junior guard Rashid Bey led the Hawks with 17 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Defensive stopper Duval Simmonds, a junior forward, scored three early baskets to catapult the Hawks to a 14-3 lead to start the contest.

Joseph Navitsky ’98, sports editor: “Rarely in life does anything on Earth deserve to be described as heavenly, and if it does receive the ultimate compliment, more often than not, it is not truly warranted. But, to more than 3,200 spectators crammed into [Hagan Arena] last Saturday, a piece of heaven had indeed descended on Hawk Hill, at least for one precious and unbelievable first half of basketball.”

A-10 Tournament Championship, University of Rhode Island, March 8., The Spectrum Arena, W 61-56: After convincing wins over Saint Bonaventure University and George Washington University in the quarterfinal and semifinal, the No. 19 Hawks (24-6) defeated the Rhode Island Rams 61-56 for the program’s first A-10 Tournament Championship since 1986. The tournaments Most Valuable Player Rashid Bey, a junior guard, scored 17 points, and freshman guard Arthur Davis chipped in 14 points and 5 assists.

Mark DeFabio ’97, sportswriter: “Victory 24 was won just like the other 23: the Hawks played a solid team game.

Rashid Bey described his team’s performance as ‘A team effort - we executed our plan, our [defense] D held.’ Of the team’s defensive tenacity, Bey said, ‘We take D per-

sonally; it’s a challange.’ Well, this time the D was the deciding factor as the Hawks made all the big stops on D.” NCAA Tournament Round of 32, fifth-seed Boston College, March 15., Jon M. Huntsman Center, W 78-74 (OT): In an overtime thriller between two Jesuit institutions, the fourth-seeded Hawks (26-6) defeated the fifth-seeded Golden Eagles 78-74 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1981. Junior guard Rashid Bey scored 10 of the Hawks’ 12 overtime points. St. Joe’s trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half, but battled back behind a barrage of 3-point shots. The Hawks shot 42 3-point shots in the game which, at the time, was the second most attempts in an NCAA tournament game.

Joseph Navitsky ’98, sports editor: “Facing Big East champion Boston College was akin to taking a look into a mirror.

The Eagles have everything the Hawks have, and last Saturday afternoon they brought to the table more than just a similar game plan.

For 40 minutes, the Hawks and their northern Jesuit brethren acted as if they were Siamese twins joined at the hip.”

In Review: In the Sweet Sixteen, the Hawks (267) fell 83-68 to first-seeded University of Kentucky, which advanced all the way to the tournament final and lost to the University of Arizona. The 1996-97 team was led in scoring by Rashid Bey, Arthur Davis and Terrell Myers, respectively. Myers, along with Dimitri Domani, Nemanja Petrovic and Bob Delvescovo made up the team’s seniors. Martelli described the 1996-97 team as hard-nosed, tough and always playing with an attitude.

“Martelli never made any promises, except that his teams would play with heart.”

- Joseph Navitsky ’98