The Hawk (3/25/2015)

SJU UNDER GROUND THE HAWK

Shining a light on the stories typically left in the dark

2 | Underground

The Hawk

March 25, 2015

Letter from the Editor:

EDITOR IN CHIEF Cat Coyle ’16 MANAGING EDITOR Shannon Adams ’16 COPY CHIEF Molly Grab ’17 BUSINESS MANAGER Emily Kelly ’18 FACULTY ADVISER Dan Reimold CONTRIBUTING ADVISER Jenny Spinner NEWS EDITOR Katryna Perera ’16 OPINIONS EDITOR Angela Christaldi ’17 LIFESTYLE EDITOR Isabella Mosca ’17 ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR Katie White ’17 SPORTS EDITOR Anthony Panvini ’16 ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Joe Liciardello ’15 LAYOUT EDITOR Sam Lukens ’17 PHOTO EDITOR Matt Haubenstein ’15 DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Gianna Melendez ’16 DIGITAL MEDIA TEAM Gina Falcone ’16 Kayla Lane ’17 Jessica Cavallaro ’18

Dear readers, It has been brought to my attention that the editorial in the March 18 issue, “Mind the bubble,” contained incorrect information.

In an attempt to remind students of the importance of their safety, I mentioned a crime that had been committed near the Saint Joseph’s University campus; a man had been killed while walking his dog. The following text was published, “On the 6400 block of Woodcrest Avenue, an elderly man was stabbed…” In truth, the man had been shot and the perpetrators of the crime have since been detained.

I also would like to correct the age of the victim. The editorial referred to the victim as “elderly,” but his age is not completely relevant to the story, and in reality, the victim was 51 years of age.

I sincerely apologize for any issues caused or offence taken by the printing of this false information, and in the future will take more care to ensure that the most accurate information possible is printed.

Angela Christaldi ’17 Opinions Editor

J

ust after midterms, students of Saint Joseph’s University return to a campus stuck in a rut even deeper than the unopened pile of textbooks accumulated over a service-filled spring break. A bit of a mix-up is almost always needed.

The mission of this issue of The Hawk is of the mixing-up nature.

Each week, the editors and writers of The Hawk strive to deliver the stories most sought-out from and relevant to the St. Joe’s community. We seek to inform our readers of breaking administrative announcements, incredible student athletic achievements, provide commentary on campus-wide issues, and tell the touching tales of the lives of our fellow Hawks.

The content of this issue looks slightly different than our normal paper. This week, we strove to shine a light on the stories that are typically left in the dark.

Within these pages, the hidden history of the girl who sat next to you in finance is uncovered. The best campus spots you never knew about are mapped out for your skyline-viewing pleasure. In hopes of understanding the appeal of multicolored glitter, a brave non-Greek guy infiltrates a sorority for a day.

The Hawk staff believes that it’s important to shout the unspoken.

By providing coverage of the people and places too often left forgotten, we hope to better ourselves and strengthen our campus community.

Read along with this overhauled edition in which we dig up the roots of our university and fling open doors across campus—literally (see pg. 5). We hope you, too, recognize the importance of examining the hidden treasures of our campus that lie in plain sight.

Cat Coyle Editor in Chief

March 25, 2015

Underground | 3

The Hawk

Hawk flies with the Phillies

Photos by Matthew J. Haubenstein ’15

Saint Joseph’s University senior performs double duty on the field ANTHONY PANVINI ’16 Sports Editor

Happy. Dedicated. Determined.

Those were the three words that came to mind when Traneya White’s two younger brothers and mother described her.

White, ’15, is an interdisciplinary health services major with a minor in psychology at Saint Joseph’s University. White is also an outfielder for the softball team. However, what separates her from the other players on the team is something that the majority of people won’t get to experience in their lifetime. In the coming weeks, White will step foot on the diamond once again, except this time, it will be a little different. She will be in front of approximately 43,647 people, and instead of running on the field with her teammates, she will be storming the diamond with the Philadelphia Phillies.

White will be a ball girl for the duration of the 2015-2016 Philadelphia Phillies season. One of the administrators told her that she should try out for the position, and White did just that. Being a rookie, she tried out in November and officially started in January.

“OK, so we did some fielding, hitting, and throwing just to make sure you could play because you have to play games and then we had to go through an interview process in front of a panel of judges and then a one-on-one,” said White.

However, this job entails more than simply fielding ground balls during the Phillies games. There is also a tremendous emphasis placed on community service. For example, White was involved in charity games, such as those for the Ryan Howard Foundation.

White may also find herself representing the Phillies and serving as an ambassador for the team. Fielding ground balls on the field is simply an added bonus in accepting this position.

“The biggest thing that I did it for is the community service

and being an ambassador for the Phillies, so that’s why I did it,” said White. “I am very volunteer and community based—that’s what I’m doing next year with AmeriCorps.”

In addition to serving as a ball girl, she will also be a 2015-2016 member of AmeriCorps. When White’s mother, Denia White, found out that her daughter applied for a position as a ball girl, she stood behind her 100 percent.

“I thought it was awesome. She’s always had her love for sports and softball, so I thought it was a good opportunity for her,” said Denia. “…She also, in addition to working as the Phillies ball girl, she’s also a Phillies RBI coach, so she gives back to the community in that way as well—and she’s always been volunteering her time and efforts towards children and the community.”

These responsibilities, however, require major demands out of White’s time. She explained that at one point she wondered how she would juggle it all at once. The employers for the Phillies also asked her the same question, but White assured them she is good with time management.

Ultimately, Denia was not surprised when she found out her daughter was accepted for the job.

“I guess they thought that she would be a good candidate, but her overall personality and her giving back to the community since she was younger played a major part in it,” said Denia. “… She always looks out for her brothers, so I think that played a major part in it as well.”

When you’re enjoying a Phillies game this season, keep your eye out for White.

4 | Underground

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

History: her story St. Joe’s student repeats history through renactments KATIE WHITE ’17 Assistant Lifestyles Editor

Images courtesy of Claudia Wert, ‘17

What began with a visit to the World War II Reading Air Show, followed by a trip to a Battle of the Bulge reenactment, has turned into a life-long hobby for self-proclaimed history nerd Claudia Wert, ’17.

She takes interest in studying the days of old from the static pages of her history books, bringing the past to life with a reenactment group called the North Staffordshire Living History Association.

Like other groups, the North Staffordshire Living History Association is comprised of history-loving people from various backgrounds, all of whom are interested in portraying historical figures with complete accuracy—in this case, an English line infantry regiment. Each year, they attend several living history and tactical events in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, bringing pieces of the past with them as they go.

Within this group, Wert is a part of the Auxiliary Territorial Services (ATS) detachment that portrays the British women’s unit of the same name that operated during World War II. “They did literally everything,” Wert said. “They were nurses, cooks, drivers, mail carriers, artillery, depot—you name it, they were in charge of it.”

While she doesn’t portray a specific historical figure within this unit, Wert goes to great lengths to ensure that she presents herself exactly as an ATS member would have during the war. This means complete accuracy of uniform and equipment, all the way down to her badges, insignias, and identification papers.

“Historical accuracy is very important,” Wert said. “We have a whole Facebook page dedicated to making sure your uniform is one hundred percent accurate.”

Wert’s collection, which includes the complete ATS uniform of a tunic, shirt, tie, collar, shoes, stockings, trousers for the winter, a helmet, and gloves, are all replicas of

the real deal.

However, “[The clothes themselves] don’t have to be specifically from the time period,” Wert clarified. “You can go buy the piece, if it looks exactly the same, from a modern source. Or you can get a reproduction done, but that is generally more expensive than buying it original.”

Of course, dressing up is only half the fun. Wert loves getting to share experiences with like-minded people as well as meeting other groups that have a similar love of history and reenacting.

“I like seeing all the other portrayals,” Wert said. “I’m always really impressed by what everybody else brings out.

There are always so many American units and I’m so impressed that nobody does the exact same thing. Everybody is a little bit different.”

From Boer War setups with historically accurate tents and beds to 1812 portrayals with replications of the inside of whole ships and demonstrations with period-correct tanks and helicopters, these events are experiences unlike any other. And they draw in fascinating crowds.

“We meet the most interesting people,” Wert said. “We generally hang out with the Commonwealth, although if you want to go to some parties, the Germans always have the best ones. They have this one at the Battle of the Bulge reenactment. They rebuilt an entire French café set in 1942 and they play this game where the Gestapo comes in every so often and interrogates people and takes people out.”

But no matter how many events she attends, Wert is certain she won’t grow tired of reenacting history any time soon. She says her passion for history and love of the group will continue to inspire her for years to come. “[Reenacting] is literally something for ages zero to one thousand,” Wert said. “Anybody can do it. There’s an impression for anyone, it just takes research.”

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

Underground | 5

behind closed doors An exploration of closets on campus HANNAH HICKS ’17 Special to The Hawk

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Doors populate Saint Joseph’s University’s campus; entering a building does not happen without one. From the old-time feel of Barbelin’s heavy wooden doors to the standard glass doors found in Campion, each door serves a purpose and an entrance into another realm of St. Joe’s. However, think about how many doors convey an air of mystery in terms of what may lie behind them. What are behind these seemingly unnecessary doors? Closets.

Closets reign supreme on St. Joe’s campus. Every building on campus has a multitude of tiny crevices where brooms and supplies loom. When asked the number of closets on campus, John Miller, supervisor of general maintenance, said, “I don’t even know, it would have to be…1,000.” Imagine more than roughly 1,000 closets populating campus buildings. The number of closets on campus can be difficult to calculate. For example, in each four-person Ashwood apartment there are roughly four or five closets. Per floor, that means about 20 closets, plus the two utility closets in the hall, and one for the single rooms, which brings the grand total to around 23 closets per floor. Throughout the whole building, almost 200 closets exist.

The closets on campus serve different purposes for the community. Storage, housekeeping, and student use in dorm rooms make up the main purposes of most of the closets at St. Joe’s. Housekeeping and janitorial closets can be found in any building, housing cleaning supplies and water pipes waiting for use. The contents of storage closets range from technology to files to books. The spacious closet found in the special education department, located in Merion Hall, protects student files behind locked doors and even keeps Christmas decorations tucked away until December.

Bluett Theatre houses a prop closet, which stores different props from past St. Joe’s productions. These props range from display cell phones, to fake immigration papers, to an entire library of books, according to members of the SJU Theater Company.

In the basement of Merion Hall, a multitude of cameras, tripods, and various technology cables are available for student use.

These tools reside in three different closets, which create an organized system when trying to find the right item for students, according to graduate student Edith Castro, who helps regulate the distribution of the camera technology.

Various closets can be found at St. Joe’s, from large heater closets to Sourin closets that take up an entire wall. Each closet serves a unique and important purpose, for without closets, where would people hang their coats? Who knows, maybe St. Joe’s even has a connection to Narnia somewhere on campus!

6 | Underground

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

Heart

and

soul Photo courtesy of Christopher Diehl ’16

A triumphant recovery leads to incredible opportunities for student musician CHRIS DIEHL ’16 Special to The Hawk “I grew up in a house of music,” said Lenny Martelli, ’16, laughing a bit.

The Saint Joseph’s University junior was raised by a father who has played music professionally for over 30 years. By the time he was five, Martelli already owned his first drum set.

Whether on his own or with instruction, Martelli has constantly surrounded himself with music. Throughout his life, he’s gone through different phases of music and musical instruments.

“I started picking up whatever instruments were in the house or in the band room at school, and before I knew it, I was able to play over a dozen instruments,” said Martelli.

The game of life has challenged Martelli multiple times. However, it seems that his musical roots are starting to be exposed to the world.

In 2010, Martelli was in a snowboarding accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down after breaking his neck during the fall. At the time, he was a NCAA Division 1 prospect for football.

“After being told I would never walk again, I decided I would focus my energy into something I could still do,” said Martelli.

Whether in his hospital bed or his wheelchair, Martelli began to fully shift his focus onto music. Then, with no medical explanation, he began to recover.

“I’m fortunate and blessed to say that with so much love and support and an incredible amount of prayers, I have made almost a full recovery and am able to walk with just the help of a cane,” said Martelli.

Throughout his entire recovery, all of his heart and soul has been thrown into his music.

Martelli used to be a lead singer for the Philadelphia pop punk band, Anomaly.

According to Martelli, the band started getting attention from major show promoters

and opened up for bigger bands in the genre like The Dangerous Summer, I See Stars, and Hollywood Ending.

“During the time the band was together, we started getting some attention from small, independent labels and were even in consideration for a spot on the Van’s Warped Tour,” said Martelli.

However, at this point in time, Martelli has directed his love for music towards the South. His new style is country. Martelli says he wants to make the move to Nashville and pursue a career as a songwriter while working towards getting a publishing deal. He said he would like to get his songs recorded by bigger artists before hopefully working towards a record deal.

“At this point, with the Internet being so powerful and people being so willing to help and support independent artists, hopefully I’ll be able to spread the word about my music and attract some attention even before being in Nashville,” said Martellli.

Martelli will release a new single in the spring and hopes to have an EP available by the end of the year.

Last May, Martelli won a competition offered by the Philadelphia country radio station, 92.5 WXTU, to play at their 30th Anniversary Show. He opened for Dierks Bentley, Chris Young, Chase Rice, Jon Pardi, and The Swon Brothers.

“Chris Young is probably one of my biggest influences vocally and as a songwriter, so that was a crazy day for me,” said Martelli.

Through adversity and hardship, Martelli has given himself fully to his music. From his early beginnings to his new style, he explained that he would never have it any other way.

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

Underground | 7

Hidden gems of St. Joe’s Exploring the best unknown campus spots

JONATHAN LOPES ’16 Special to The Hawk Saint Joseph’s University is full of places that most students will never venture into during their time on Hawk Hill. However, it’s not too late to begin exploring the beautiful campus around you. Perhaps you love to take scenic photos, enjoy picnics with your significant other, or take strolls around the area. Maybe you need some time away from your hectic academic career. Whatever the reason, spring is the right time to get out and explore.

Let’s begin with the Philadelphia side of campus. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, Campion Student Center will always be at your disposal—and I don’t just mean for food. You’ve most likely noticed the sunrooms, located on either end of the main foyer. One sunroom overlooks the Perch, and the other overlooks the somewhat picturesque sidewalk leading to the Science Center. The sunrooms are a great place to do homework and enjoy a great view of the sky. On some days, you’ll notice that the doors are unlocked, so you can even go out onto the balconies.

If you’re lucky enough to have a friend that works with the turtles and plant life in the Science Center greenhouse, then you are in for a spectacular view of the Philly skyline—I guess this makes up for the not-so-elegant brick façade of the building itself.

We are all familiar with the Instagram-famous bell tower of Barbelin Hall. If you’re on your way to class, you can walk by the mailroom, located in the foliage-covered corner of the courtyard, to the upper floors of the building. You’ll notice that the stairs continue to wind upward toward two old, wooden doors on the top landing. Yes, one of these leads to the upper chamber of the tower (it is rumored that Ignatius himself lived up here). Barbelin is such a vast and complicated building that it likely boasts even more untapped areas on the roof-level floors of the Lonergan portion and elsewhere to explore.

Other than the trading room and the $7 sandwiches in the food area, Mandeville is not the most exciting building on campus. Neither is the building’s fourth floor, because its button in the elevators is almost always inactive for security purposes. Therefore, you should definitely not try to open the door adjacent to the conference room in the middle area of the third floor, because it may or may not lead to a staircase that will take you to this forbidden area. On another note, if you get the chance, head across the street and drive up to the top floor of Hawk’s Landing for a panoramic view of Hawk Hill—another worthwhile way to spend your extra time.

Let’s talk about the Maguire/Merion Station side of campus. It doesn’t take long to find the Executive Center on the fifth floor of McShain Hall—fun fact: there is also a sixth floor, probably used to access the large fan on the roof. Sometimes the balcony doors in

the conference rooms will be unlocked, leading outside, where there are even benches and tables to use. This is perhaps one of the finest spots for photo enthusiasts.

Some other great places to get away – during a fire only, of course – are the fire escapes lining Bronstein Hall and St. Mary’s Hall Both sets have stair access to the ground. They may not sound like much, but they can be beneficial to amateur photographers looking for a higher vantage point on campus. Likewise, check out the back staircase closest to Campion, along the side of Wolfington Hall.

The final area I want to mention is Paris Hall. If you continue walking behind Connelly, you’ll find a neglected stone building that sits at the bottom of a smallhill. This is Paris Dining Hall, a retired auditorium and food court. No one really uses it except for the crew team, as its insides are now lined with rowing machines and free weights. It’s a quiet place on campus with the St. Joes’ Community Garden situated right out front. While you’re there, head towards O’Pake Recreation Center and take a walk around the softball field or the Alumni Relations houses.

I’ve touched on a handful of places, but there are certainly plenty more, especially those that are local but off-campus. The rest of Hawk Hill is for you to map out and make your own adventures as you explore.

Photos by Matthew J. Haubenstein ‘16

8 | Underground

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

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M E C I H G G

Ghost hunter ALEXANDRA FASANELLA ’16 Special to The Hawk Maggie McHale, ’17, seems like your typical college student. But McHale has a passion, an obsession, if you will, that is pretty atypical. McHale is a ghost hunter— certainly not something you encounter every day. After telling me that she has a membership to the Eastern State Penitentiary, I was very curious and had to talk to McHale more about her fascination with the abandoned prison. It was through this conversation that I found out that McHale isn’t like every other girl on campus.

“I think it was about eight years coming up soon,” was McHale’s response when I asked her when her ghost obsession began. She was 12 when she came across the show “Ghost Hunters” after school one day.

Once McHale’s interest was sparked, there was no stopping her from getting her hands on all the material she could find about paranormal investigating. “Aside from the show, I started getting books on it and kind of doing my own research and learning more about it on my own,” McHale recalled.

Soon after McHale’s discovery of the show, she had her first experience with the paranormal at a neighbor’s carriage house.

“70 percent of my [paranormal] experiences have happened in that carriage house,” McHale said. Some of the experiences she’s had there are truly astonishing.

McHale details what happened with such confidence that no listener would dare doubt her.

“I’ve seen the apparition of a little boy with a blond bowl cut [and a] blue and white striped shirt that looked about eight years old,” McHale said. “I’ve been pushed to the ground. I’ve heard a man and woman’s voices talking.

I introduced myself and the woman replied, ‘Why hello Maggie,’ clear as day. I was alone at that time.”

In spite of these shocking experiences, McHale doesn’t seem the least bit scared of the paranormal. I, however, am freaked out just listening to her encounters—in a good way.

McHale’s first experience at the Eastern State Penitentiary was on a trip for her fifteenth birthday. She spent

the weekend in Philadelphia and visited other paranormal sites in the area as well.

“I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting, whether I was going like[Eastern State Penitentiary] or not,” McHale recalled. “We spent the entire day in the space and I just fell in love with it. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. It wasn’t until about a year and half ago that I actually got my membership.”

Now, when McHale visits the penitentiary, she comes prepared. “I do have paranormal ghost hunting equipment that I’ve brought with me to the site,” she said. The equipment consists of an audio recorder and a K2 meter, which measures electromagnetic frequencies in the air.

McHale had an eventful experience in a cell block at Eastern State. “I went up to one of these wooden doors and there was this little hole that you could look into the cell,” said McHale. “It’s really dark, so I go to get a light to illuminate the space and as I hold up the light I hear a low growl. It wasn’t like an animal growl – it sounded like a man, an angry man.”

Finally, McHale told me about an experience with her family at her aunt and uncle’s beach house on Long Island. This house is about 110 years old and has always been reported as being haunted by family tragedies.

One night after dinner, the McHale family decided to try to connect with McHale’s deceased uncle. “Typically, what you do is have them flick the lights once for yes and twice for no,” McHale explained. Not only did McHale get responses, but she and her cousin also both felt a hand on their arms when McHale asked her uncle to touch them if he knew who they were.

This powerful experience is only one of many that McHale has had throughout her ghost hunting adventures. She is a fascinating girl with an even more interesting obsession. I not only learned a lot about paranormal activity by speaking with her, but I might also be inspired to take a page out of her book and watch some old episodes of “Ghost Hunters.”

Photos courtesy of Maggie McHale ’17

March 25, 2015

Underground | 9

The Hawk

?

Fake it till you make it?

Examining fake ID campus culture

Over 75% of students polled have had a fake ID at some point during college

23% of students polled ordered their ID online or through a friend

Graphics courtesy of Creative Commons

MATTHEW BEDROSSIAN ’16 Special to The Hawk When people think of college, they think of school, work, and parties. Although partying is not the focal point of the college experience, it does happen frequently, and furthermore, some of the college students who do party are not of legal drinking age. Therefore, in order to avoid being denied the right to go to a bar, a club, or purchase alcohol, an identification card with an appropriate birthdate is required. After talking to the Saint Joseph’s University community, I was able to get clear perspective about how our student body handles this situation.

After polling students all over campus, I was very surprised with not only how many students have, or have had a fake ID, but also some of the methods they used in order to obtain the ID. I was able to gather anonymous responses from 376 students, with a healthy mixture of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. 284 students happily told me that they have had a fake ID at some point during the duration of their college careers. When the students were asked what kind of identification cards they had used, a majority of students said they were using actual identification cards of people who looked similar to them and were already 21 years old.

About 85 students confessed that they had gone online or through a friend to order a fake ID. The process is very simple. Once a supplier of the identification cards is found, the student submits a passport photo and, of course, their hard-earned cash. Within weeks, the ID arrives in the mail, and the lavish life of underage partying becomes a reality to the young men and women so eager to grow up. What I found most intriguing, though, was the different methods by which the IDs were delivered to students.

Two students shared their story about receiving the IDs in the mail.

One student explained to me that after ordering IDs for 10 different students, the IDs arrived at their destination concealed in a set of books.

A Dictionary and Thesaurus had the inside pages ripped out and the IDs were securely placed in the belly of the books, awaiting use by their new owners. The return address was not the same as the location from which the student had originally ordered the IDs, but instead from a latex manufacturing company.

The second student said that after making a huge order for 25 different students, the IDs arrived in a box of playing cards. However, the box of playing cards was mixed with approximately 40 other boxes of playing cards, basically creating a needle-in-the-haystack scenario. The student said after opening 22 boxes of cards, the IDs were successfully found and properly delivered. As I thanked the student for the input, I was then asked if I needed any playing cards. I happily declined.

Although I’ve never thought of using a fake ID as big deal, it is in fact a huge one. Having a fake identification card can lead to serious consequences with the law and could result in a felony. The last time I checked, not only was going out to party not worth getting in trouble with the law, it’s not worth jeopardizing your entire future. Furthermore, not everyone successfully obtains an ID, and the repercussions of ordering multiple IDs in the mail and being caught can result in major consequences.

The experiences a fake ID can bring you may be ones you’ll never forget, for both good and bad reasons. I am in no way condoning the use of a fake identification card to go out and enjoy yourself, but the ability to attend this beautiful university is something none of us should take for granted, and putting yourself in a situation that jeopardizes this opportunity is not acceptable. Are the sacrifices someone made for you to come to this school worth less than going out for a few hours with friends?

10 | Underground

The Hawk

March 25, 2015

Hawkmates

A college romance that lasts for life

DOMINIQUE MORTELLITI ’16 Special to The Hawk Hawk Hill forges bonds that reach far beyond what some classify as a college romance. Jack and Anne Concannon, alumni of Saint Joseph’s University, are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

Not only were these two lovebirds high school sweethearts from the recently combined Bonner-Prendergast High School, but they were Hawkmates, too. In fact, Anna Colcannon went to a junior college for two years before transferring to Saint Joseph’s University.

“We both went to St. Joe’s but I followed Mr. Concannon,” Anna Colcannon said. Although the pair did not get married on campus or have the Hawk at their wedding, they love attending the Hawkmate mass, which occurs in February every year.

“Everybody goes and then there is a luncheon and it’s so nice,” Anne Concannon said. She even expressed how the couple plans to take their oldest daughter, Lindsay, who is now a junior at St. Joe’s, to the mass in upcoming years.

“It is always wonderful to see how strong and loving the Saint Joseph’s community is. After seeing my parents and then my cousin—who is also a Hawkmate—I wanted to follow in their footsteps and attend Saint Joseph’s University,” Lindsay Colcannon said.

Lindsay Calcannon was the first of her two siblings to attend Saint Joseph’s, but her brother was not far behind. “I wanted to come here because Linds goes here. I knew from her experiences that she loved it, and because my dad played basketball here and we would always come to games,” said John Concannon.

John is currently a freshman. “I knew I had always wanted to come here because everyone in my family had come to the school and loved it,” he said. “We breed Hawks.”

When asked if their youngest daughter Jessica would be attending Saint Joseph’s University, Anne Concannon replied, “She would love too…she’s working hard. We just have to see how she does in high school.”

The Concannons are just one example of the many life-long relationships that have developed at Hawk Hill. Many proud alumni and Hawkmates have created a tight-knit environment that will encourage all the generations to come.

Photos courtesy of Dominique Mortelliti ’16

March 24, 2015

Underground | 11

The Hawk

it’s all greek to him

How shadowing a sorority for a day changed a non-Greek’s perspective CORY BLAZER, ’17 Special to The Hawk

Photo courtesy of Corey Blazer ’17

Glitter, monetary friendships, fake family structures, and countless posed pictures— these are what some people may think of when they hear the word sorority at Saint Joseph’s University.

As non-Greek, I could not help but share in these hurtful assumptions. For a year and a half, I have observed Greek life from afar and have only judged it. After many false and derogatory comments, my friends who are in sororities began to get angry with me, leading me to question what it was about sorority life that I didn’t understand. I decided I needed a new perspective, one that was less ignorant and naïve.

This is why I spent a day as a sorority girl.

Of course, outsiders are not permitted in chapter meetings, so I settled for a look into their schedule by shadowing an active member as well as meeting an entire sorority “family.”

I got in touch with Chrissy Small, ’17, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. I wanted to gain insight on the demands that a sorority can make on one’s time. When asked what her schedule looked like for the week, Chrissy provided an entirely mapped-out plan that looked like this: Monday: Chapter Meeting- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Tuesday: Sisterhood Activity- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday: De-Pinning Ceremony- 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Friday: Initiation- 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Post-initiation retreat- 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Sunday: Leadership Cabinet- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

That’s a grand total of 12 hours spent in sorority events in one week, which is much more than I expected. However, according to Small, “That’s nothing. During rush week, we can spend up to 12 hours a day together.”

Being in a sorority is a major time commitment, not just one night a week for chapter.

However, members find this commitment completely worthwhile. “[I chose to be in a sorority] to gain valuable relationships with girls out of my grade and friend group,” said Small.

My next question for Small was one that I have wondered for quite some time. “Why do you ladies take so many pictures?” I inquired. “It gets annoying on social media.” Small wittingly responded with, “You took pictures on your Ultimate Frisbee trip and posted them. We are documenting our experiences, and since there are a lot of experiences, there are a lot of pictures.” As I licked my own wounds, I realized how right she was. Experiences with people who are close to you should not have to be kept to yourself.

So far as a “srat” girl, I have learned how much time I would have to commit in a week, how much work I would have to do to create events, how valuable the relationships are inside of ΑΟΠ, and why so many pictures are taken. There seemed to be a trend of extreme commitment that each sister has to one another. My mind became less clouded with hate as I experienced more of the insider’s perspective.

All that was left that confused me from the start were the concepts of littles, bigs, and grand-bigs. How could it be possible for someone to have a motherly role in your life when you just met her? This is why I decided to be adopted into a four – count ’em, four – generation “family” within ΑΟΠ. Diana Arena, ’17, the big of Gina Carlo, ’18, and Katie Hoover, ’18, who are “twin littles,” all graciously “adopted ” me into their family and let me tell you, it was actually a fun time. I asked all of them why they choose to be in a sorority, and more specifically, why ΑΟΠ. They revealed their interest in wanting to branch out, gain strong connections, and had gravitated towards the sorority as a whole.

With these questions out of the way, I have them a chance to respond to some tougher issues. First, a common assumption: “Why do you pay for your friends?” Their responses took me aback. Little did I know, the money is for dues, which pay for merchandise and

several sorority events.

As Arena put it, “We all pay to get into college for an education of course, but you also pay for a social life around campus, with choosing a dorm and roommate. That is so similar to what we do.” You cannot doubt that logic.

As our interview came to a close, I simply looked up and observed. These women displayed a natural connection and genuine care for each other. The thing is, they have only known each other for a month. I’m no longer so skeptical of Greek families, bigs, or littles anymore; the validity of these concepts are now a reality in my eyes. It’s clear to me the sisterhood and family structures in ΑΟΠ are special. An outsider cannot possibly fathom how hard they work, or the true friendships that exist between them.

Being a sorority girl is not just pictures, glitter, and a fake family structure. Instead, ΑΟΠ stands for and should be represented by hard work, true compassion for a fellow sister, and strong connections that even an adopted great-grand-step-child-little can feel.

With that, I am a once again just a normal guy on campus, but now with the knowledge that a sorority is more than meets the eye.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Aaronson ’16

12 | Underground

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

Photos by Dawn (Weiyi) Cai ’15

MADDIE MORR ’15 Special to The Hawk

s t e rc of

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Barbelin

Unknown facts about Barbelin Hall

ANGELENA MINNITI ’17 Special to The Hawk Anyone who has attended a women’s basketball game at Michael J. Hagan, ’85, Arena has seen the Hawks’ No. 1 fan, Chris Dijulia.

Dijulia is the son of Saint Joseph’s University’s Athletic Advisor, Don Dijulia.

Though he faces difficulties associated with cerebral palsy, Chris Dijuliais dedicated to St. Joe’s athletics and can often be found working out and socializing at the university.

Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. Dijulia, one of seven children, is 44 years old and has struggled with a cist in his brain all of his life. Dijulia suffers from a severe case of cerebral palsy, which affects his ability to talk and walk and sometimes causes unexpected injuries.

Does that stop Chris Dijulia from living his life? No. He visits St. Joe’s to socialize and work out three to four times a week. Dijulia, like anyone else, has both good and bad days.

A bad day for Dijulia can involve vomiting, headaches, anger, and many other symptoms, but a good day is always marked by hanging out with friends and playing sports.

Because of his cerebral palsy, Chris Dijulia uses a wheelchair to get around. However, he doesn’t see this as a limitation; Dijulia takes it upon himself to get to where he needs to be daily.

Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, Chris Dijulia took trains and buses by himself each day. [One day, at the corner of City Avenue and 54th Street waiting to go home after a long day of watching practices, working out, and having fun with friends, Dijulia noticed that none of the buses were stopping to pick him up due to the

bus drivers’ unwillingness to get the ramp out and help him on.] Dijulia took down the bus numbers and called Septa. As a result, he was put on the brochure cover for Septa and publicly acknowledged for his courageous act.

“Chris has such courage to be alone and courage to be independent. It is outstanding,” said Don Dijulia. “This young man brings smiles to many.”

Chris Dijulia has a love for the sports teams here at Saint Joseph’s as well. Whenever the men’s or women’s basketball teams travel, Dijulia is always included, and if he can’t go, he is sure to watch the game on TV and follow up. The same is true for every sport at St. Joe’s; He has flown on private jets by himself just to able to cheer on the Hawks.

When the basketball team had an away game in Vermont, one of Don Dijulia’s daughters drove Chris Dijulia to the game with a friend through horrible weather.

When they finally got there and began helping Dijulia out of the car, his feeding tube became disconnected.

“Chris knew everything that was happening and that did not stop him from wanting to still go to the game,” Don Dijulia recalled. After a long fight, Chris Dijulia ended up at the hospital, but not before his actions showed his love and support for St. Joe’s.

“My son has changed my life in such a positive way,” said Don Dijulia. “He is significantly positive, and more independent than most of us today.” Chris Dijulia is not only a gift to his family, but an irreplaceable member of the St. Joe’s athletics community.

One of Saint Joseph’s University’s most overlooked treasures is the beautiful bell tower that has become the trademark symbol of the campus.

Known mostly for its photogenic bell tower —I’m talking to you, Instagrammers— Barbelin houses many secrets that most St. Joe’s students are unaware of.

Luckily, St. Joe’s has many valuable resources that have the scoop on Hawk Hill’s oldest building.

Built in 1927, Barbelin is home to many classrooms used by the College of Arts and Sciences and also houses the dean’s quarters. It is the location of the College of Professional and Liberal Studies as well.

Barbelin often gets confused with the chapel for many students assume that the spire on the building is a church steeple.

“Barb,” as many students have affectionately coined the building, has a scenic courtyard that provides an easy pathway from Mandeville to the library. This courtyard was once the location for undergraduate commencement.

According to Orientation Leader Sara Mackell, ’16, the early graduating classes of Saint Joseph’s were small enough to fit in the courtyard.

“When St. Joe’s moved from Center City to Lower Merion, they built the courtyard to have graduation specifically,” Mackell explained.

Mackell also disclosed that the statue of Mary in the courtyard was placed there to commemorate the Saint Joseph’s alumni who gave their lives in the second World War. Another unknown fact about beautiful Barbelin lies within the limestone façade surrounding the quad.

Hawk Host Dani London, ’16, shared another little-known fact about the prominent campus building. “There are heads embedded in the walls outside the building. They are faces of previous presidents of Saint Joseph’s College in Center City,” London said. “You have to look really close to see them because they blend into the stone really well.”

London also explained some myths about the bell tower.

“There are no bells in the bell tower,” said London. “When they built the tower, they had the intention to put in bells, but there was a hawk’s nest buried inside and they didn’t want to disturb the birds. That’s also how we got the nickname Hawk Hill, and our mascot, the Hawk.”

It’s safe to say that Barbelin offers much more than meets the eye.

With its rich history and decades-old secrets, Barbelin has shaped St. Joe’s into the spirited and established school its reputation proceeds.

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

13 | Underground

Katy Perry would be proud California dream comes true for St. Joe’s student HANNAH RATKIEWICZ ’17 Special to The Hawk Everyone has seen those incredibly inspiring movies about a group of college students or young 20-somethings who follow their dreams and travel to a big city.

They pay their way with menial jobs and travel in crappy cars that break down every 10 miles. We all wish we could drop everything and live out our dream, but the truth is that most of us don’t. Noelle Harkins, ’17, however, is not like most of us.

Harkins is a marketing and communication studies double major at Saint Joseph’s University. Last summer, Harkins fulfilled her lifelong dream and moved to California with her best friend. After visiting the West Coast in 2011 with her family, she vowed to return.

Harkins began to dream about a trip to LA with her best friend while they were juniors in high school, and what once seemed to be a far-fetched scheme eventually became an actual plan. In an effort to convince their parents to allow them to travel to California, Harkins and her friend agreed to take a class at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) during the university’s summer session.

It was very important to Harkins, however, that she remain independent in planning the trip. She had been working since she was a sophomore in high school and managed to save the majority of the money she had earned in order to travel. Though her parents did give her some spending money, Harkins funded the majority of the trip and paid her way to California on her own.

The two young women enrolled in an astronomy class at UCLA and lived in an off-campus apartment in Westwood, Los Angeles. While navigating a new college can be intimidating enough, Harkins also had to learn her way around an entirely different coast, state, and city. Despite the difficulty, she admits it was the most rewarding challenge of her life.

“I had never lived completely on my own for such a long period of time,” Harkins said. “As soon as we got off the plane, we were on our own…I always considered myself as an independent person, but this experience showed me what independence really is.”

Harkins truly embraced this freedom. She and her friend travelled all over Los Angeles and Hollywood. While hoping to hit all of the well-known tourist attractions, the duo also wanted to really enjoy living in California, not just merely vacation there. While they enjoyed seeing the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive, Harkins admitted their favored days were spent doing yoga on the beach and skateboarding, walking, or biking around Venice Beach.

Rather than living as a visitor in a foreign land, Harkins decided to make California a home, one that she appreciated every day. “You will not find a more unique place on the West Coast than Venice. There is a strip of shops and restaurants along the beach where vendors also set up tents to sell their homemade goods,” Harkins recalled. “There’s so many street performers and artists. And we got serenaded by a homeless man during dinner…that was fun. We also shamelessly watched the skateboarders at the beach-front skate park for hours.”

Harkins did not leave California on the West Coast; it became a part of her, a second home. She loved every second spent there, and hopes to move to southern California someday. Until then, Harkins cherishes the memories of those six incredible weeks. While she was learning astronomy and navigating a city, she also learned a lot about herself. Living in a new environment can be incredibly eye-opening. The opportunity to be exposed to new people and ideas can show someone who she truly is.

“There are so many people of different races, ethnicities, and religions in California,” Hawkins said. “Everyone has different opinions and views on life. I learned so much about myself and the type of person that I want to be. I haven’t gone a day without thinking about my experience on the West Coast since I stepped foot off the plane and back into Philly last August.”

While it may seem impossible to live out a dream such as this, speaking to an incredibly driven 20-year-old who has already accomplished so much in so little time makes me think that perhaps our dreams are not as far-fetched as we may believe.

Images courtesy of Noelle Harkins, ‘17

14 | Underground

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

From Russia with love

Student opens up about her journey from orphanage to adoption MELISSA BIJAS ’18 Hawk Staff At some point, everyone has dreamt about what their lives might have been like if they were born to different parents or grew up in a different country. On the other hand, Adriana Evangelopoulos, ’18, often wonders what life would be like if she had stayed in Russia with her birth parents. The 19-year-old chemistry major was adopted from Russia at only 11 months old, after staying in a local orphanage since birth.

“My parents would have adopted me when I was a newborn, but they had to fill out tons of paperwork and had to go to court to make sure they were fit to be parents,” Evangelopoulos explained. “It’s a longer process than everyone thinks. A couple can’t decide one day they want to be parents and have their son or daughter within a few days.”

Evangelopoulos said that she always knew she was adopted and that this led her to wonder about another life with her birth parents.

“I always daydreamed about what they were like, who I looked like, and if we were at all similar,” Evangelopoulos explained. When asked whom she sees herself most in now, the answer was immediate: “I definitely see a lot of myself in my dad,” Evangelopoulos said. “We have the same sense of humor, we like the same sports, and we enjoy cooking together. We even look alike!” She said that these similarities brought her closer to her adoptive parents.

“I don’t resent my birth parents at all because I know what they did was out of love. And besides, if I weren’t with my [adoptive] parents now, I wouldn’t be fluent in Greek!”

Evangelopoulos reflected. Adriana’s parents, George and

Olympia, were born in Kozani and Veroia, Greece, respectively, before eventually moving to Pennsylvania.

“I didn’t speak English in kindergarten,” said Evangelopoulos. “We speak more Greek than English in my house.”

Aside from having relatives in the Tri-State Area, Adriana also has family members in currently living in Greece.

“I’m really lucky that I ended up in such a large, loving family. Even though I’m an only child, I’m never lonely.”

While Evangelopoulos may have dreamt about meeting her birth parents as a child, she knows now that her unique heritage – which combines Russian, Greek, and American cultures – comes from the family that raised and continues to love her.

Photos courtsey of Adriana Evangelopoulos, ’18

Yogurt or fruit dip?

Investigating the dining hall rumor CAITLIN LOMBARDI ’17 Special to The Hawk Is it yogurt? Is it fruit dip? A question faced by the students of Saint Joseph’s University when perusing the campus dining hall has finally been answered.

As the only student center and dining hall that Hawks flock to, Campion Student Center is the heart of St. Joe’s campus. Naturally, rumors abound about the popular location.

One of these rumors is that the white vanilla yogurt served in the Campion Dining Hall is in actually fruit dip. Several students around campus have attested to not only hearing this rumor but also believing it.

“First semester freshman year I ate the yogurt in Campion, but then I heard it wasn’t real yogurt and that it was fruit dip,” said Alexis Chomicki, ’17. “Everyone I heard it from seemed really sure of it… so I believed it was [fruit dip], too.”

Tyler Timken, ’17, said he also believes it isn’t real yogurt. He said that he heard the rumor early in the year and afterwards thought the yogurt “looked weird,” so he avoided it.

To students who rely on the dining hall for all food, the credibility of Campion cuisine is imperative. The thought of eating unhealthy, highly caloric fruit dip by the bowl leads to health concerns for those who were under the impression they had been eating a healthy yogurt option.

Fear not, fellow Hawks. Tom Rizzo, general manager of dining services, assured me that the yogurt is not, in fact, fruit dip.

“The yogurt is vanilla flavored,” said Rizzo. “I can switch to plain low fat yogurt as opposed to the vanilla yogurt.”

Rizzo confirmed that same type of yogurt is used in the smoothie station as well. The bottom line is that it is indeed always yogurt—not fruit dip. Rizzo even provided an image of the scanned copy of the box in which the Yoplait yogurt arrives.

This rumor turns out to be false—it’s just yogurt and some Hawk Hill myths. So enjoy Campion again and don’t believe every rumor you hear… it might just be yogurt after all.

Image courtesy of Creative Commons

March 25, 2015

15 | Underground

The Hawk

The curse of the seal Is there any truth behind the Mandeville myth?

KELLY WITTMAN ’17 Hawk Staff Since its establishment in 1998, the Haub School of Business has been the home of a dirty little secret. Somewhere between investment data and trading simulations, a myth became the result of a prominent rumor.

On orientation day, when young, potential Hawks are touring the campus and meandering through Mandeville Hall, Orientation Leaders tell their groups that if you cross over or touch the seal in the middle of Mandeville, you will not graduate. Some giggled and tempted to touch it with their toe, while others were stricken with an impending fear. One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed she glanced at the seal and laughed, certain that the older Hawks were just trying to scare them before they got their wings.

It wasn’t until the fall semester of the student’s freshman year that the myth became reality. One day while walking to her accounting class, she crossed the seal. As she was crossing through the middle, a student above the seal on the second floor accidentally dropped his coffee directly on top of her head.

“Everything went downhill from there, that day,” she said. The spilled coffee awakened the student’s superstition and she finished the year with a 1.8 GPA. Now a rising junior, she admits, “I push people into the seal whenever I get a chance so they can feel the same misery I do.”

Christine Betar, ’17, however, is not afraid to throw a few elbows to avoid the curse. Self-proclaimed as very superstitious—especially when it comes to her education—Betar uses her black belt to avoid tempting fate by touching the seal.

When there are large crowds passing through Mandeville, Betar admits, “I have pushed people out of my way, cut people off, walked into people, and threw some elbows to avoid crossing it.”

Her straight-for-the-jugular approach may seem harsh, but you can bet Betar will be holding a diploma in her hands in the spring of 2017.

Katie Looney, a St. Joe’s alumna, believes the myth was started by the maintenance staff because “ [the seal] may have been a pain to clean.”

Sometimes there are wet floor signs covering the seal, or large tables placed on atop the crest to blockade the bad luck.

ney claimed, “When I think about the ‘myth,’ realistically, no. But I also avoided walking on the seal, so yes, I suppose the superstitious part of me didn’t want to tempt fate. I did enough of that with my academic performance.”

The former Hawk has never stepped on the seal and she received a diploma. She doesn’t know of anyone who has been a victim to the superstition. Looney does, however, remember avoiding the wrath of the path.

“I recall walking from class to class with friends; that entrance gets crowded and all of a sudden you or one of the friends is heading right for the seal and you or the friend does some twinkle toes dance move to avoid it—typically with a curse word or two muttered under your breath. I guess the quirkiest part of all that was no one ever really blinked about the ‘ballerina’ at the entrance near the seal.”

Maybe Mandeville is “sealed” with a curse—or maybe, just maybe, we’re all a bit superstitious.

When asked if she believed in the myth, Loo-

Photo courtesy of Matthew Haubenstein, ’15

#FLUTEGIRL 16 | Underground

March 25, 2015

The Hawk

Hawk sophomore brother to Internet sensation

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

ANGELA CHRISTALDI ’17 Opinions Editor The Internet is an intriguing place, filled with wonderful videos of cats, tons of entertaining, yet totally irrelevant, BuzzFeed lists, and great – or terrible –covers of pop songs. Whether admitted or not, we all get caught up in the latest trends online, because news travels fast. Memes are created and spread almost instantly, thanks to Twitter, Vine, and Facebook.

The latest craze sweeping the Internet is courtesy of Villanova’s loss in Saturday’s March Madness game against North Carolina State University. Thanks to some deft camerawork, Villanova senior Roxanne Chalifoux became known nationwide as “Crying Flute Girl.”

The pep band member’s claim to fame? The cameraperson working the game captured a shot of her at the end of the game, crying silently whilst playing her piccolo. Her show-must-go-on attitude has gotten her major attention—so far, she has been interviewed on “Good Morning America” and “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, as well as several Philadelphia and Pittsburgh area radio stations.

While this latest meme may seem interesting, we don’t really stop to think about how being an Internet sensation can affect the person themselves, or even their friends. Saint Joseph’s University student Julian Chalifoux, ’17, found out firsthand what being related to a celebrity is like. His sister is the famous Flute Girl, and he found out when the rest of us did: when it blew up on Twitter.

“I was on the train coming home from a jazz concert in the city when one of my friends texted me,” Julian Chalifoux said.

“I went to check Twitter, and the first thing that popped up was a big picture of my sister’s face… I just went, ‘My God, that’s my sister.’”

Julian Chalifoux has been fielding a lot of texts and phone calls about his sister’s newfound celebrity status; he’s heard from multitudes of people, from friends that he hasn’t talked to in years to local radio stations trying to reach Roxanne. He says that it’s been strange seeing his sister all over the Internet, but he hasn’t gotten that much of a reaction on campus.

“Only people who know me directly, people who I lived with last year, come up to me and ask if it’s really her,” said Julian Chalifoux. “I’m pseudo-popular because people want to know about her.”

When asked about what the Flute Girl herself thinks about her newfound celebrity status, Chalifoux said that his sister has been taking it pretty well; the reaction has been mostly positive. There have been people tweeting at her in support, defending her against the odd troll, and even making parody Twitter accounts, which, according to Julian Chalifoux, has been “surreal.”

While Roxanne Chalifoux has been named “Crying Flute Girl,” it is actually, unbeknownst to most people, a piccolo that she is truly playing in the picture.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” said Julian Chalifoux. “I tweeted about it and said that my sister’s the flute girl. We’ve both had 10 years of band, we both know our instruments. It’s a piccolo.”

Of course, being siblings on either side of the Holy War, things get pretty intense. But despite being a proud Hawk, Julian Claifoux said that he was rooting for the Wildcats. “I had Nova going fairly far [in my bracket], so I was disappointed when I found out,” Julian Chalifoux said. Maybe not as disappointed as his sister.

The rivalry is still bitter during the regular season, though it is somewhat one-sided. “My sister likes to make fun of St. Joe’s a lot,” Julian Chalifoux explained. “I try to be as positive as I can when it comes to Villanova, but it’s not very reciprocated.”

While being the little brother of an Internet sensation really hasn’t had much effect on Julian Chalifoux, he says that it’s been an interesting few days. He’s been watching his sister from the sidelines, coming out only to be supportive or defend her against the sometimes snippy people of Twitter. He’s been keeping a close eye on the memes that have come out of the situation; his favorite is the Vine superimposing audio of “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic” over footage of Roxanne Chalifoux playing her piccolo. Roxanne’s favorite, however, is one of Vice President Biden photoshopped whispering into her ear, according to Julian Chalifoux.

“I’m a background character in all of this. It’s not about me, it’s about her, I’ve just been observing,” Julian Chalifoux said.

His sister is still the same, despite having been interviewed, turned into a meme, and posted all over the Internet. Although it has been rather surreal, Julain Chalifoux says he is simply standing back and watching his sister shine in her 15 minutes of fame.