YOU SPEAK WE LISTEN
CABRINI UNIVERSITY THELOQUITUR.COM
THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
VOL. LXI, ISSUE III
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH I’m coming up on my 22nd year and for at least five years now, anxiety and depression have been a huge part of my life. Although I have a deep hatred for the two, I also have a great appreciation for them because they have made me who I am today. Just because someone looks happy, doesn’t mean they are. They could be fighting an internal battle that you know nothing about and that is why I try my hardest to treat everyone with kindness and empathy. I know what it is like to struggle with anxiety, depression and panic episodes and I know that none of them are fun or easy to deal with. Depression does not have a face. It is not necessarily something that you can see in someone directly because it lives inside of them. One of the best examples that has circulated on social media since 2014 is that of Robin Williams. A beloved American actor and comic, almost no one knew he struggled deeply with depression and addiction. Williams took his own life and so many people, including myself, were in denial because he seemed like such a happy man. I will never forget the first time I knew I was having a panic attack. For the first time in my life, I truly felt like I could not breathe. My chest felt tight. I kept trying to take deep breaths like I do when I am stressed out but my body would not listen to me. I started to sweat, I started to
Crisis Text Line: Text SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7 anonymous, free crisis counseling
shake and I started to cry. I remember being frustrated. I remember being scared and thinking, “What is wrong with me?” This panic attack was not brought on by ANYTHING. I was getting ready for work and the feeling of intense worry rushed over me- it was only a few minutes before I fell into a full meltdown and screamed for my mom. I remember my mom being really freaked out, seeing me curled up on my floor screaming and crying like a toddler. To her, it looked like I was being dramatic and in total control of my actions but to me, the world was crumbling before my eyes and I was out of control. . To this day, I have no idea why this panic episode ensued. To make a long story short, I was referred to a behavioral therapist who got me set up with a therapist and prescribed me Zoloft. Zoloft has completely changed my life and while taking a pill every day to make sure I’m a-okay isn’t my favorite thing about myself, I am happy that Zoloft is a part of my life now. I still have panic attacks, I still get anxiety and I still get depressed- but it all comes in waves and is easier to manage. The few panic attacks I endure on Zoloft are nothing in comparison to the episodes I had before seeing a doctor. Just because I am on Zoloft does not mean that my life is easy-peasy. Simple things like getting out of bed everyday are still a struggle for me. So many things in my life still trigger anxiety, depression and panic attacks but I have found coping mechanisms and introduced new mindsets to myself that help me feel better. It is so important to remember that not everyone has the same coping mechanisms and what works for your friend may not work for you. It is totally okay not to feel joy for things that people think should bring you joy.
You have to figure out for yourself what brings you joy. For me, joy is: •
My dog and my cat
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Sitting on the beach and listening to the waves
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Belting out the lyrics to my favorite song in the car
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Putting on a cute outfit and makeup
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Dancing with my girlfriends
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A warm, sunny day
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Nature
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My hometown, Delaware
: s d n e i r f t s e s o l c o n w t o i y s s M e r p e d d n a y t e i x an LLEY REN KE BY LAU riter Staff W
HAYLEY THOM
PSON
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EDITORIAL
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WE ARE THE
LOQUITUR 2019-2020 Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AISLINN WALSH WRITING MANAGING EDITOR
AMY KODRICH
VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR HAYLEY THOMPSON NEWS EDITOR SIERRA DOTSON SPORTS EDITORS TROI PATRICK GRIFFIN HAYS LIFESTYLES EDITORS GREY STEPHENS KATHRYN TAYLOR PERSPECTIVES EDITOR ALEXANDRIA MONTEIRO SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER MELISSA MENKENG ADVISER JEROME ZUREK
MISSION The Loquitur student newspaper and website are integral parts of the educational mission of the Cabrini communication department, namely, to educate students to take their places in the public media. Loquitur Media provides a forum of free expression. All members of the university community may submit work to the editors for possible inclusion. Publication is based on the editorial decision of the editors.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Loquitur accepts letters to the editors. The letters should be less than 500 words, usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini University’s campus or community area and are printed as space permits. Name, phone number and address should be included with submissions for verification purposes. All letters to the editors must be sent via email to loquitur@cabrini.edu
THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
Mental Health doesn’t discriminate, but the way we react does Millions of young adults in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. Mental illness can be defined as a “mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder.” According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. It is important to understand the physical, emotional and social impact mental illness can have on someone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for young Americans aged 10-24 years old has increased by 56 percent between 2007 and 2017. With mental illness follows stigmas and stereotypes. These labels can destroy someone who is trying to heal and manage their illness when they are looked at as less than by society. Discrimination towards those with mental illness can be defined as “a negative stereotype from the public attitudes towards people with mental illnesses.” This includes insensitive jokes, nicknames, slurs and prejudice.
someone has to take an antidepressant every day to manage depression, they are asked when they will “stop relying on artificial happiness.” If someone has to be hospitalized for a week for pneumonia, they are sent get well cards and flowers. If someone has to be hospitalized for a psychiatric problem for a week, they are ignored or pushed away. Mental health does not discriminate but the way we react to it does. Those who have a mental illness are sometimes labeled by society’s stereotypes such as “crazy,” “unstable” or “sick.” It’s easier to write people off than to actually understand it, but that needs to change. Society’s negative perspective on mental illness needs to stop, but we ALL are ‘society’. We should be creating a dialogue by encouraging people to
Warning signs Experiencing mental health signs can be scary and confusing. Each mental illness has different warning signs but some of the common signs include: • Avoiding friends and social activities • Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs • Excessive worrying or fear • Feeling excessively sad or low • Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
Call to action
Examples of discrimination The American Mental Wellness Association has provided examples of what discrimination can look like. Some of which include: If someone has to take insulin every day to manage diabetes, the majority of people will not bat an eye. However, if
talk more about what they are going through. We, as a society, need to be more understanding that mental illness is not a choice and not something they wished upon for themselves.
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The only thing that will end discrimination is the proper education on what mental illness is and the different type of illnesses. It is important to also learn that sometimes the illness can be genetic, but having a mental illness does not make them any less of a person. Speaking up and speaking out when you witness discrimination can have a major impact on someone’s life. You don’t know who you can be helping.
Overloading students with too much homework takes a toll on their mental health BY ANGELINA HALAS Staff Writer Not all professors always take into consideration what students have going on outside the classroom and what they might be experiencing personally. This may affect their ability to excel with their assignments, inside and outside of class. A study from Psychology Today found that 44.2 percent of college students named academics to be something traumatic in their life or something too hard to handle. The site states “that number is 10 percent higher than any other stressor, including problems with finances or intimate relationships.” Sophomore biology major Ash Angus finds that academics is a big stressor in her life, as professors don’t take into consideration what students have going on outside the classroom, like familial pressure. “With parents, especially if your parents are not from America, they have very high expectations of you and they want you to aim higher and higher in life because they weren’t given the same opportunities that you were,” Angus said. She continued on to explain her belief that professors don’t consider that students have other obligations than just classwork. According to the American Psychology Association, 41.6 percent of college students have anxiety and 36.4 percent have depression. Angus believes that this could easily be linked to not having a good life balance of school work and outside activities. “It is dependent on your major, but I feel like most professors pile on a lot of work,” Angus said. “They don’t even think about the other responsibilities you have like a job, other classes or clubs, a social
life and trying to take care of your own mental health.” Marianne Stenger, a freelance writer and journalist, found in a study that only six percent of college students find their homework to be useful in terms of preparation for tests, quizzes and projects. Angus feels that she has no time to rest and has been only getting four or five hours of sleep because she’s always up doing homework. Psychology professor Dr. Maya Gordon admits that she thinks about what students have going on outside the classroom and tries to give reasonable time and due dates, but she tends to think about it more when students come up to her individually. “Just communicate with me,” Gordon said. “I understand things happen for whatever reason so just let me know. I know students juggle a lot.” Gordon continued to explain that she presents herself in the classroom in a way that she hopes students feel encouraged to come to her if they are struggling. She also said that if she notices
something is incomplete, she will reach out to that student herself to make sure everything is okay. Gordon admits that because she is a psychologist, she might be more in tune to what students are internalizing and their emotional needs, so she structures her work around that. “I don’t want students to have an assignment that stresses them and keeps them up at night,” Gordon said. “I don’t want them to not do their best work because they are stressed out.” Gordon points out that she believes school should be fun and something exciting, not something that stresses students out. “I don’t want work to take a toll on the health of a student,” she said. “That just CONTINUE READING ON PAGE 3
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THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
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Overloading students with too much homework takes a toll on their mental health (continued) BY ANGELINA HALAS Staff Writer
takes away the value of an education.” Gordon explains that within the Cabrini staff, there are a mix of teachers and some are not like her. “Some professors aren’t as in tune into emotional states or pay as much attention.
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I think that’s because sometimes they forget, they’re so far removed from when they were a student. They forget what it’s like to be on the other side,” Gordon said. Despite Gordon acknowledging students responsibilities outside the classroom, she does say that it’s up to the students to let her know if something needs to be changed to help them out. “I don’t know if you don’t tell me. Just touch base with me. I have no problem adjusting the syllabus or getting rid of the textbook if it’s not helpful. But I only know that if students tell me,” she said. Italian professor Tiziana Murray is on the same side as Dr. Gordon, accepting what students have going on outside of class when it comes to distributing homework. “I give my students a whole week to do homework. I’m not very strict with the due
dates,” Murray said. Murray is also open to students coming to her if they need help. She said that now she has a more open schedule which allows for students to come see her more, whether that’s for an academic reason or just for support. She continues to explain that she has a constant connection with her students because she’s always available through email and she will also reach out through there if it’s needed. In her class, she gives students ways to deal with stress, along with supplying a PowerPoint. “I want to be there for the mental and the physical support,” Murray said. She allows for student feedback by asking them in class how they felt about the quizzes and the tests assigned. “I’m open to change. Students should
feel comfortable coming to me because I’m flexible enough. I will support a student if they want to be supported,” she said. Even though professors are trying to accommodate with student’s mental health and outside activities, not all students know that the option is there to speak up and ask for help. “They don’t take into consideration what I have going on unless I go to them first and talk to them about it,” Angus said. “I feel like they see you as just a student rather than a whole person. They see you as just a student with your letter grade or your GPA rather than a human being.” ANGELHALAS18@GMAIL.COM
Students with disabilities invite others to walk “In Our Shoes”
BY LEO MELANCON Staff Writer
A panel of students with disabilities spoke to an audience of approximately 100 students, faculty and staff about their challenges and barriers to learning and living on a college campus. The “In Our Shoes” event, sponsored by the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC), featured the voices of seven individuals who have thrived at Cabrini, thanks to accommodations they received. The event, which took place on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. in Grace Hall, allowed the audience to ask the panelists questions to foster awareness about disabilities, the law protecting students with disabilities and the services Cabrini provides. Kathy Johnson, director of the DRC, moderated the panel discussion. “You don’t know what someone’s experiencing until you walk in their shoes,” Johnson said. Johnson explained the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a 1990 civil rights law that requires colleges and universities who receive federal funding to provide “reasonable accommodations” to students if they have a disability. Covered disabilities include learning disabilities such as dyslexia, which affects reading; dyscalculia, which affects math ability; and dysgraphia, which affects writing. Other examples are neurological disabilities, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder; psychological conditions such as anxiety disorder and
depression; and physical disabilities such as hearing or visual impairments, mobility challenges and chronic medical conditions. “Based on the intake session we have with the student...we discuss what barriers to learning may exist at Cabrini, for them either in the classroom or outside the classroom, even the residence hall,” Johnson said. “So the accommodation is meant to remove a barrier for them.” When students disclose and document
“One thing that I’ve definitely learned dealing with a disability is it’s okay to be different, but it’s not okay to be treated differently...” -Thomas Ryan their disability with the DRC, they receive a Verified Individualized Services and Accommodations letter, or VISA. They can present the VISA to their professors if they want to use any of their accommodations, but they don’t have to use it, and they don’t have to disclose their specific disability. The process is confidential, and accommodations are based on each student’s needs and barriers. Panelist Emily Kreiswirth, junior special education major, receives accommodations for generalized anxiety disorder, including testing outside the
LEO MELANCON
The “In Our Shoes” panelists getting situated a few minutes before the panel begins. From left to right: junior Tyler Seabrook, senior Michelle Guerin, sophomore Mike Firuta, senior Selena Scialfa, junior Emily Kreiswirth, senior Ryan Berry, and freshman Thomas Ryan.
classroom, breaks in class as needed and permission to have an emotional support animal on campus. “If I am having an anxiety attack, I am allowed to leave and go to the DRC,” Krieswirth said. “I am allowed to use extra time to calm myself down and then take the test.” Panelist Mike Firuta, sophomore communications major, deals with an auditory disability, as well as several learning and social disabilities. In addition to testing accommodations, he also has help with class notes. “I do struggle with notes during class,” Firuta said. “I’ll leave class with a few blank spaces or pages. So I have a peer note-taker to help fill in the gaps.” Other accommodations mentioned by the panelists include housing in a single room, recording lectures, captioning videos and audio versions of textbooks. “Accommodations are not meant to guarantee success in a class,” Johnson said. “They guarantee access to learning.” The DRC plays a key role in connecting students to resources that address individual needs. Not only does the DRC offer distraction-free space for testing, the DRC helps students with assistive technology, audio textbooks, specialized software, microphones for professors to use, adjustable desks for wheelchair users and meetings with staff members who help them develop time management and self-advocacy skills. In a typical week, approximately 50 students use the DRC for testing and meet with DRC staff for support. Over 250 undergraduate students are registered with the DRC annually, roughly 15-18 percent of the student population, compared to the national average of 9 percent, according to Johnson. Many of the panelists cited Cabrini’s reputation for supporting students with special needs as the main reason they chose to attend. Panelist Michelle Guerin, senior digital communications major with an auditory processing disorder, explained why Cabrini was the winner for her. ”Going through the college process of just picking out what each college provides, Cabrini was definitely one of the top ones, having one of the strongest programs,” Guerin said. All of the panelists chose to disclose their disabilities to the DRC, but many other students do not. The good news is that students can choose to come forward at any time in their college career. “I think sometimes there’s a stigma
for people that have disabilities,” Emilee Timbario, DRC Accommodations Coordinator, said. “I would just explain to them that they should be a self-advocate and to ask for whatever they need to succeed, and that there is no shame in asking for help when you need it.” The fear of stigma is a strong reason students with disabilities keep silent about their challenges. Panelist Ryan Berry, senior communications major on the autism spectrum, admits he rarely shares his challenges with fellow students. “It can be very uncomfortable. I see it as an excuse to kind of do less work than other people, so I just try to hide it and just try to do as much as I can,” Berry said. Panelist Thomas Ryan, freshman Spanish and social work major, has a different perspective.
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“One thing that I’ve definitely learned dealing with a disability is it’s okay to be different, but it’s not okay to be treated differently. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m different,” said Ryan. “[Many people] are going to use that against you...but my advice is to let them because it’s only going to make you a better person, just do your best to fit into your standards and not let anyone change you.” Johnson thanked all the panelists for their courage and candor in speaking at “In Our Shoes,” and concluded that students who use the DRC are not all that different from their peers. “The term ‘learning disability’ implies that the student can’t learn, which is not the case,” Johnson said. “They can learn, they just need to learn differently.” The DRC is located in Founder’s Hall next to Cav’s Corner. Hours are MondayThursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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LIFESTYLES
THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
African American men struggle with mental health, studies show BY JEFFERY WILLIAMS Staff Writer African Americans have been struggling in America for centuries. Significantly, they have been struggling with mental health conditions. Mental illness is defined as a psychological condition that affects the brain. People mostly believe this is common in African American men. In today’s society, African American men are being looked down upon on because they struggling with these problems. “Some things that comes to my mind would be challenges with seeking help,” Dr. Maya Gordon, professor of psychology, said. “I think in general, mental health issues get ignored… If it is seen as a weakness to ask for help, then when black men do or say something, it could confirmed that they have mental issues. Another reason could be not having mental health care professionals who are black men that could help or talk to them about their problems. When it comes to black men who are seeking to further their education, they have the challenges and stressors that go along with any person of color. When it comes to black men in college, they may have challenges if they go to a majority white campus. Often predominately white campuses don’t have the staff or personnel in counseling to help with the
Mental health issues is a wide spread topic of discussion, the more you know the more you can help others
challenges and everyday stressors.” Gordon wishes that mental health for African Americans and other people of color would be taken more seriously and not looked at as a minority problem as they go on in life. “I think being a young black man anywhere is very hard to explain,” Renin Broadnax, senior digital communications major, said. “I would say it’s definitely gotten better hearing stories from my father’s experience and other black men experiences before me. But in a lot of ways it has gotten harder in more silent and sinister ways. I think it’s
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important for us to be in college, because not too long ago our people didn’t have the right to public education. Within our parents’ and grandparents’ generations. So to be able to freely be in place of education that 60 years ago I would not be able to enter due to the color of my skin is powerful to me. Many African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans and many other people of color are first generation Americans and college students, so everything they are doing is new to them and that adds immense pressure on them stress wise, which can lead to a mental illness.”
Broadnax is the leader of the Mental Health club on campus to which he urges those who are struggling with mental health to join and seek help. “Black men with mental health problems in this society is very under represented within our own community.” Zaraya Tollerson-Ibry, senior criminology and psychology major, said. “When you think about mental health it’s really taboo to talk about, especially in the homes. So, I think it should be more aware of within ourselves first before we can make a movement. I think black men who are in college now and who feel as though they are struggling to keep up and dealing with the daily stress of class and assignment should seek out help when they need it because they can be just as smart as any average college student.” African Americans who are seeking to further their education should seek help if they are struggling with their college life. Those who are struggle mental illness should seek help from mental health doctors and counseling. At Cabrini University, there are resources for those struggling with mental health illness. To receive help on campus, the Counseling and Psychological Services office is located in Grace Hall, Room 174. WILLIAMS.JT312@GMAIL.COM
They/Them pronouns with teacher accommodation at Cabrini BY AMANDA ZACHARIAS Staff Writer The use of they/them pronouns for non-binary or gender non-conforming individuals is on the rise. Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith recently took to Instagram to announce their gender neutral pronouns. Smith and many others who struggle to identify themselves have been more comfortable using the pronouns they/ them. They (Smith) posted an image to Instagram that said, “My pronouns are they/them.” Within the caption they stated, “After a lifetime or being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.” Hollywood isn’t the only place where people are struggling with gender identity. Gender and body studies instructor Alison Clark shares why someone may want to change their pronouns.
“Most of the time I see people changing their pronouns to better match who they are,” Clark said. “For example, when you identify as she/her but people use he/him pronouns, it can lead to you not understanding. But when you change your pronouns it can help with that. And they/them pronouns can help gender fluid folks feel more accepted.” Body-dysmorphia can be triggered when someone is being mis-gendered. “Body-dysmorphia is when the way you see yourself is not necessarily how you are,” Clark said. Being mis-gendered can cause many problems including a decline in mental health. Many people can be unsure how to identify themselves, the use of they/ them pronouns can help ease this pain as it is a more neutral identity. “They/them pronouns can help someone escape the flesh prison they are
AMERICA LOPEZ-SANTIAGO
Cabrini Safe Zone poster displayed to remind students that diversity is welcomed and supported
Poster in Grace Hall proving that all are welcome on campus held in,” Clark said. For students who may identify as something non-traditional there are professors on campus that are making strives to ease the potential stress students may face. Pronouns can include he/him, she/her, they/them, as well as creating ones own pronouns as a way of regaining control of their identity after feeling so lost. “There is power in identifying yourself,” Clark said. Biology instructor Dr. Jing Karchin starts the first class of each semester by asking students their preferred pronouns. While it was not her original idea, she has had only positive feedback from this style of introduction. “I think it is a good idea to ask students their preferred name and pronoun so that it can prevent some distress over the semester and show
AMANDA ZACHARIAS
some respect to the students,” Karchin said. While some students are reluctant to share their pronouns in a public setting, Karchin believes she has been able to help students that otherwise may have been reluctant in sharing their nontraditional pronouns. Tactics such as this is a pathway to further diversity inclusion, especially in a university setting where students are working towards a lasting lifestyle. Taking out the guess work in gender identification has benefits for both students and faculty. Students can be confident and comfortable in class knowing that they will be addressed properly. Faculty can provide a safe and friendly learning environment that is positive for all students.
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Philadelphia’s top 5 haunted attractions to visit for Halloween BY LAYAL SROUR Staff Writer
It is officially spooky season! Here are a few haunted houses and attractions recommended to visit in Philadelphia if you like the thrill.
1. Eastern State Penitentiary: Terror Behind the Walls
Located in Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary, once a prison, is now open as a haunted house. Standing behind 30-foot-high walls, this prison used to be the most expensive and famous prison in the world. During the day, the prison is seen as a tourist attraction with torn and ruined structures, but at night, the prison transforms as a dark, eerie haunted house. Adult tickets are priced at $29 and both student and children tickets are priced at $14.50 with a $4.75 service fee for all tickets. Included in this haunted house are six different attractions for people to experience: the Infirmary, Blood Yard, Quarantine 4D, Breakout, Lock Down and Machine Shop. Luis Reyes, senior criminology major, has been to this attraction before. “I have been there and I thought it was very scary,” Reyes said.
2. Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride
This attraction has a haunted house, haunted hayride and a corn maze. For the hayride, the tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for children. The corn maze and house cost $15 for both children and adults. The Bates Motel includes special effects, digital soundtrack and lighting. Throughout the haunted house visitors will experience levitating spirits, floor boards that come alive, pictures that follow you and incredible, custom anima-tronic props as described on their website. However, for safety issues, Bates Motel is not recommended for children under eight and people with heart
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Behind the walls of The Eastern State Penitentiary is a tourist attraction shows the inside of what used to be a jail in the 1800s. conditions. Described as the scariest hayride in the country, visitors are taken on a 25-minute ride through the dark forest of Arasapha Farm. Lastly, the haunted trail, also known as the corn maze, takes visitors through a frightening walk filled with props and 30 actors dressed in costumes and faces covered in makeup.
3. Fright Factory
This Philadelphia attraction takes place in the basement of a 120-year-old factory. The basement is 25,000 square feet and is split into three different themes. General admission tickets cost $30 and VIP tickets cost $40 and for both tickets, there is a service fee of $2.50. However, prices may change due to the day that people decide to visit. This attraction takes about 30 to 40minutes to complete. Security will ask visitors to leave their phones behind to avoid taking pictures or videos and if someone brings their phone in and loses it, they will have to wait until the closing time of the attraction.
4. Escape Rooms
In Philadelphia, there are many escape rooms for people to try with many
different themes. However, there are two locations that have scary rooms for people to try during Halloween. The first location is Gotham Escape Room. This location has six different rooms to try to escape from, but each room has certain age to enter. They charge $25 for each room and each person. People who enter the room have 60-minutes to escape with an average of two to 10 people per room. The one to try for Halloween would be “Sleeping Spirits,” which is about a paranormal skeptic that has gone missing from the hotel. Other rooms to try are “Chamber of Horrors” and “Case: Lust and Lace.” Prices may change depending on the day you go. The second location to visit is Mind Escape, which includes three different rooms to try. Depending on the room, visitors will be charged $29 or $30 for 60 minutes or 75-minutes with an average of two to 12 people per room. The first room is “Jack the Ripper” and for Halloween, this room would be a fun attraction to take part in with friends, family or coworkers. The second room is called “Trouble in Paradise” and is a prison theme. The last room, which is the newest room, is called “Alice in Wonderland.”
Alexa Spritzler, sophomore marketing major, talked about her opinion on haunted houses and escape rooms. “I do not like haunted houses and I have never been to one. They scare me so much! I would probably go to a scary escape room, though,” Spritzler said.
5. Spirit of ‘76 Ghost Tours
Taking place in Philadelphia, this tour takes visitors on a 75-minute walk outdoors experience all the horror and terrifying stories that make up the various buildings and monuments. At this attraction, there are more than 20 sites to visit. There are three parts to this attraction. The first part is about the facts of the late poets and the story behind the prisoners at Eastern State Penitentiary. The second part mentions stories about the spirits in the statues and monuments that inhabit those buildings. The third part is visiting the haunted movie sets. “I think it would be really interesting to go on this tour because I plan on visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary this Halloween so learning about the stories and historical facts behind these buildings would be cool,” Kevin White, sophomore graphic design major, said. LAYALSROUR@GMAIL.COM
Cabrini shows their pride on National Coming Out Day BY ANGELICA PIPITONE Staff Writer On National Coming Out Day, Cabrini students gathered at the commons for Pride Fest, an event lead by Student Engagement and Leadership, to celebrate the LGBT+ community. The event took place on Friday Oct. 11which included music, food, games and a color run. The event was centered around awareness and inclusivity. The event was described as a day about pride and the color run was something for the community to participate in to show their true colors. Daisy Rodriguez, senior political science and criminal justice major, explained that last year was the first time that Cabrini held a color run. After a survey was released by the CAP Board asking Cabrini students what events they would like to see on campus, a color run was one of the events that students mentioned the most. As the vice president of internal operations of the CAP Board, Rodriguez believed that Pride Fest was the perfect time for a color run.
“Whenever we think about a color run, we think about freedom when you’re running,” Rodriguez said. “The color is because we’re bright and we’re happy and we want to include that into our community.” This year to add to the symbolism, the color run started with runners breaking through a wall made of boxes that were covered in words that the LGBT+ community have often heard, that have made them feel small or discouraged. Although the boxes were covered in stereotypes and other hurtful words that had been heard by those writing them, very quickly the boxes started to be covered in words of encouragement. Kelly Martin, an undeclared student, believes that the event will bring awareness to those outside of the LGBT+ community. To Martin, awareness means those outside of the LGBT+ community being aware about their presence, what struggles they may face and who the LGBT+ community consists of, which she said is a step towards change. Martin said that she enjoyed the bracelet-making table and tie-dye, as well as the overall creativeness of the
ANGELICA PIPITONE
Students gathered in a group photo after the color run event. She hoped that events like this will lead to more acceptance, and hopes that someone who was hesitant to support the LGBT+ community could come and interact with members and maybe gain a different and more positive perspective. Patrick Heavey, who is also a freshman, plans to major in secondary education for history with a minor in music. This Friday was Heavey’s first Pride-Fest and he said that he is excited
to participate and be a part of positive events like this. Heavey firmly believes that events like this will bring change and awareness and hopes that it will bring more people together and will lead to more support for the LGBT+ community.
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THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
How I discovered I had OCD BY MEGAN FEE Staff Writer
Have you ever felt stuck on a thought inside your head? Have you ever ruminated, rehashing the same thing over and over and then having to perform a ritual of some sort to break the cycle just to get relief to stop the anxiety? This is what it can feel like for people who struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD, short for obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a common mental health and anxiety disorder that can affect people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, OCD is something that affects over 2.2 million people everyday. Helpguide explains that OCD causes the brain to feel stuck on a specific thought or compulsion and gives an example of it being like a needle getting stuck on an old record, just repeating itself over and over again.
The cycle of OCD
MEGAN FEE
Megan on a college field trip in March 2019 I worried a lot as a child. I went to therapy weekly to try to find strategies to cope with anxiety, but mine was not just anxiety. It was not until my sister pointed out that what I was doing was not normal that I realized I needed help. It was right before bedtime and I remember being tired and ready to go to bed but instead of doing that, I was stuck in the doorway, flicking the light switch on and off, over and over again, until I felt that it was all right to stop. My sister, whom I shared a room with, was getting annoyed that I kept flashing the lights on and off and asked me to stop but I just could not do it. I remember explaining to her that I was almost done and begging her to give me more time to finish. I just had to do it a few more times before I went to bed and then it would be over with. I just could not understand why people could not grasp this concept.
MEGAN FEE
I explained to her as best as I could that I was not doing these actions on purpose just to annoy her but that they were just things I had to do. I could not even give a reason as to why I felt compelled to do these strange things, as many were illogical, but I knew that if I did not finish or do things a certain way that I would have really bad anxiety. I did not know that my behavior was strange or out of the ordinary because I was still young at the time and I had been doing different compulsions for as long as I could remember. I did not know any better, but I did know that if I did not complete these “rituals” that I would not feel good. It was not until after talking with my mother and telling her all the different rituals that I did, that she realized I had OCD. It was a tough pill to swallow at first, but it explained so much about the daily struggles I was having. It also was somewhat of a relief to know what it
was and that lots of other people have it and that I was not alone or crazy. With therapy, I was eventually able to work through it and understand it better. It was a very long process of trial and error and still continues to be a big part in my life to this day. OCD can come in many different forms and it is not the same for everybody. Some people may only have one type while others, such as myself, may have several types. According to the International OCD Foundation, everybody may have obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors from time to time in their lives, but this does not mean that everyone has OCD. The site explains that in order to have a diagnosis, the cycle for the obsessions and compulsions must be severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life and activities. My OCD is not as big as it once was but it will always be something that I will struggle with for the rest of my life. This account only skims the surface of my story. Some days are better than others but at the end of the day, your disorder does not define you. My advice for people that are also struggling with OCD, or another mental illness, is to remember that you are not alone and that there is help. Having OCD has changed the way I think, both literally and figuratively. My experience with this disorder has helped shape my views and beliefs about people and the world and it has helped me become the person that I am today. To quote John Watson, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” MEGANFEE17@GMAIL.COM
Prove her wrong BY MARIA LATTANZE Staff Writer
For the longest time, I always wondered why I was so hesitant to present or teach a class or be around young kids. It was not until my karate instructor made an analogy in class one night. “Ever wonder why there are some things you just don’t like about karate,” said Master Dennis Koenig, a 6th-degree black belt at DeStolfo’s Premier Martial Arts. “For example, I bet some of you hate to spar (fight). It’s probably because you had a bad experience in sparring, whether it be you had a bad partner or you lost a match or you got beat up. Chances are you had a bad experience and that changed your perspective on sparring entirely.” Oh my God. That’s why I refuse to be around kids or teach, all because of that stupid child development class in 10th grade. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. I loved kids and presenting or teaching to a class. In my sophomore year of high school, I took a child development class where we, as students, would teach kids who came for daycare at the school. I was kicked out of the class because the teacher, Mrs. Z., thought that working with kids was not the way to go, that I should try something different. I was heartbroken. To this day, I am hesitant to be around kids. To this day, I am hesitant to teach. To this day, that experience has scarred me. I knew in my heart that I had to prove her wrong. I knew I had to change and create a better memory to suppress that nightmare. For the past three years, I have been a karate instructor for all ages and belt
ranks at DeStolfo’s Premier Martial Arts. In my senior year of high school, I was mentored by another karate instructor for my senior project and assisted him in teaching classes. He would explain things about how to teach a karate class and as the project progressed, I started teaching segments of classes on my own. Needless to say, I made mistakes along the way but the best part was that I was never scolded; my instructor worked with me and helped me improve. I also made new friends and watched how they instructed classes and they were always opened to talk and helped me progress as well. I always felt welcomed and never judged.
MARIA LATTANZE
Over the years, karate has helped Maria develop character and mindset through difficult times As the project came to an end, I was asked to stay as an instructor. I remember being hesitant at first but I agreed. I was so excited to be doing
something I loved and was passionate about doing. I have been an instructor for the past three years and now instruct my own classes but I still feel hesitant to teach and be around kids. But that all was about to change. On Oct. 3, 2019 I left for Orlando, Florida for an official instructor/ leadership training. I was told I will learn how to teach a karate class based on the curriculum and how to be a strong leader in any teaching scenario. Without hesitation, I took the opportunity. I have been to many leadership training sessions in the past again, in hopes to prove Mrs. Z. wrong and they all sucked. I hated the lessons and I did not get anything out of them; I was half expecting that for this training. Boy was I mistaken. Instructors from all over the world came to train and I met people from England, Australia, Texas, Canada, all here for the sole purpose of becoming a leader. The first day of training was great. We were first taught a small lesson on how to properly run a class then we would go back to our groups. In our groups, we would role play that lesson by being the instructor and our group was the class. We would repeat this process over the course of the training. I learned a lot on the first day. Then I was hit with a bombshell. The next day, the final day of training, we had to test. We each would teach a 10-minute class, from lining up to bowing out, implementing everything we learned over the course of two days, which was a lot. I instantly had a panic attack. I called my mom and dad after training practically in tears. I explained what happened, what we had to do and proceeded to tell them I shouldn’t be here, that this was not the place for me. Over the years, karate has helped
develop my character and mindset through difficult times. “Maria, this is Mrs. Z. all over again,” my mother said. “Do you want a repeat of child development? Look at how far you have come. You are an instructor and have your own classes, you are more than capable of teaching a 10-minute class.” My boyfriend, who is also an instructor, came for the training as well and I told him how I felt. “You know, you are setting yourself up to fail,” he said. “That’s not healthy. I’ve seen you instruct, you can absolutely do this. And for the record, forget about Mrs. Z., you already proved her wrong.” Testing day. The test was set for after lunch and I could hardly focus. I kept asking myself: if I am so nervous to test does that mean being an instructor–or a leader–is not meant for me? I had a lesson plan prepared but I was still nervous. As I watched three people in my group test, I took a deep breath and volunteered to go next. Our group leader nodded at me and began the clock, and the rest is history. I wish I can say exactly what happened, but to be honest I don’t remember. I was so focused and felt at home in my heart. I felt at ease, that I am born to be a karate instructor; this IS my calling. When I finished my test, I looked at the group leader and he gave me a satisfying smile, nod and thumbs up. After two intensive days of training, I received my certificate and am now a certified instructor. Did I just pass? Once all the tests ended, I was given a certificate with my name and signatures of the leaders who ran the training and I couldn’t contain my excitement. Mrs. Z. who? MLATTANZE1199@GMAIL.COM
SPORTS
THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
THELOQUITUR.COM | 7
Cabrini field hockey walks to raise awareness for suicide prevention BY MEGAN FEE Staff Writer
The Cabrini women’s field hockey team participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention in Philadelphia on Sunday, Oct. 6. The walk took place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and began at 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. The team had a goal of raising $3,000 and ended up beating that goal by raising $3,615. Katya Simonsen, freshman midfielder and graphic design major, and Annsley Dicton, senior forward and exercise science & health promotion major, were the two players who initiated the team’s involvement in the Greater Philadelphia Walk. “Kat [Simonsen] actually came to me during pre-season. I felt like this cause was close to her heart and what I did was I then said to one of our seniors, Annsley, to see if she would be interested in helping her,” head coach, Jackie Neary said. “Then
all of a sudden I hear a month later that they’re up to like $3,000, [and] they are goning to do this walk.” The team felt it was important to take part in the walk and raise awareness for an issue that hits close to home for many people. By taking part in this walk the team was able to help the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reach their fundraising goal and support their mission of reducing suicide rates. “For a couple years now, I’ve definitely been an advocate for mental health and I saw this walk in Philly and my mom told me about it and then so the goal was to raise money and I was like, we could raise a lot more money if we got the whole field hockey team involved and I think that it’s something especially in college that is a big issue among our nation,” Simonsen said. According to Dicton, although not everybody could participate in the walk, everyone on the team participated money-wise through donations and they
Katya Simonsen (19) came up with the idea to take part in the walk
TYLER O’CONNOR
CABRINI ATHLETICS
Members of the field hockey team in Philadelphia for the walk still had a good turnout for the walk. “The overall experience was good. It [donations] started off kind of slow. Not a lot of people came in at first but towards the end everyone really came through, [and] got us to our goal,” Dicton said. “Our goal was at $3,000 eventually and for like a month, it was struggling and only a couple of people donated. We actually were scared that we weren’t going to reach $3,000 and then like two weeks before the walk it just started going crazy and we ended up raising $3,600 so that was really good,” Simonsen said. News spread about the field hockey team’s fundraising through word of mouth and social media where they had a link to donate to support and advocate for this cause. The Out of the Darkness Walk provided emotional support for loved ones as well as financial support to grow awareness to this mental illness. According to Neary,
she had two different alumni who lost family members to suicide contact her to let her know how pleased they were to see that the field hockey team took on the cause this fall. “Our experience at the walk was really inspiring,” Simonsen said. “There were thousands of people there, like the museum was packed [and] like we finished our walk and there were still people starting the walk.” “The turnout was great,” Dicton said. “Just to see everyone, especially our team, like come together and just do this for a good cause was a good time.”
MEGANFEE17@GMAIL.COM
Newest assistant coach Julie Cross foresees bright future for women’s lacrosse and field hockey BY VICTORIA BOLAND Staff Writer
Skilled athlete Julie Cross is the newest assistant coach for the women’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse team. Cross majored in education at Syracuse University where she played lacrosse at the Division I level. Cross was recruited by Syracuse when she was a
the field and in the classroom without too much difficulty and stress,” Cross said. Head coach Jackie Neary reached out to Cross this summer about the assistant coach position. Cross had a lot of experience to offer from playing on a Division I team, which is competitive and time-consuming. “I was not considering college coaching before but when she called me she talked about the atmosphere and what Cabrini is about and it seemed like an opportunity that I could not pass up,” Cross said.
team reach more goals. She is inspired by the job since she gets to see the players grow not only at the sport but as an individual. Women’s lacrosse and field hockey player Kelly Sweeney said that the team had an instant bond with coach Cross. “I feel as if we are a lot of work and she is there to push us to be our best. At the same time, she is almost around our age since she graduated last year. With her being our age we know if there is
anything we need to talk about we can go to her,” Sweeney, sophomore education and special education major, said. Cross is proud to be working with Cabrini’s athletics and hopes to help the team thrive. “I think watching girls' transition and growth over a season is rewarding both as a player and a person,” Cross said. VICTORIABOLAND22@GMAIL.COM
“...It seemed like an opportunity that I could not pass up.” -Julie Cross
CABRINI ATHLETICS
Cross has already made a notable impact on the team in her first season
sophomore in high school. “Being a student-athlete can be challenging. The biggest thing is understanding balance and time management. I was able to have a good balance of that. I could perform well on
Even though Cross is new to the program, Cabrini team members on the women’s lacrosse and field hockey team said they have seen improvement in their work ethics, values, skills and determination. “Coach has put in so much time helping to develop our team. The best part is that she brings such a better vibe to our practices,” Lily Bonner, sophomore biology major with a concentration in pre-med and forward for the field hockey team, said. Cross said that she hopes in the upcoming season that she can help the
JULIE CROSS
Cross played in the 2016 Women’s lacrosse Final Four during her time at Syracuse
SPORTS
8 | THELOQUITUR.COM
THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2019
Cabrini volleyball building confidence early in conference play BY LAUREN GIANNONE Staff Writer Women’s volleyball is off to a great start this 2019 conference season. The team began with a win over Immaculata 3-0 on October 9 in Atlantic East Conference play. According to the coach, the scheduling of the games helps the players prepare for the late-season push. “We stack our schedule with incredibly tough teams at the beginning and because of that our record [is not as good as it could be]. But we did it so that we are prepared to get to the conference finals at the end of the season,” Eric Schaefer, head coach of women’s volleyball, said. The Cavaliers lead the conference with the second highest hitting percentage and the most blocks out of all the teams so far this season.
LAUREN GIANNONE
The Lady Cavaliers are off to a 2-0 start in AEC play
According to the players, being a young team means the success of their play is contingent on the chemistry they build during practices. “We are a very young team. I think it makes it easier because we are all really close coming in together. Being able to mesh well together during practice is helpful,” Hannah Dalton, sophomore criminology and political science major and middle hitter, said. Dalton leads with the most blocks out of any player overall this season. For the many freshman players that have joined the team, coming from high school and starting on a new team can be overwhelming. Student-athletes on the team strive to build confidence with other members and become closer. “I think my biggest challenge is trying to gain my confidence with the girls and trying to realize I am accepted here,” Valerie Wisner, freshman biology and pre-med major and defensive specialist, said. She also said that the team has become a family to her. “The girls, we’re a family, sometimes we may not always seem like it,” Wisner said. “We get frustrated with each other, but that’s a bump in life. At the end of the day we are always going to be there for each other and we are always going to have each other’s backs. We are much more than just a volleyball team at Cabrini University… it doesn’t matter if we lose or we win.”
LAUREN GIANNONE
After a rough beginning of the season, the Cavaliers are 6-2 in October The team does a lot to build relationships off the court. Many of the players live together and have meals together. Later in the season, they are trying to setup a rock and ropes course trip. Steph Judkins, junior exercise science and health promotion major and outside hitter, is second in the conference in kills, or unreturnable attacks, and kills per set this season. She emphasized that the team is very family-oriented. “Every year we always make it a family aspect. We are all very close. It’s just something we want to happen
because it makes us stronger on the court, just as much as off the court,” Judkins said. The Cavaliers beat Gwynedd Mercy 3-0 in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania on October 16, improving to 11-10 overall and 2-0 in AEC play. But, the athletes agree that they are looking forward to Marymount the most, after last season’s two point loss in the conference championship game. “I want some redemption,” Dalton said. LGIANNONE@LIVE.COM
Humble Hays: Let’s shift our focus a little
BY GRIFF HAYS Sports Editor
As October starts to wind down and championship contenders come into focus, it’s becoming clear what teams fans in Pennsylvania can trust. As we delve into the past week’s action and what to expect going forward, keep an open mind and remember that I’m doing my best here.
another rough performance in what’s been a very lackluster year for the former MVP candidate. Obviously, there are a lot of other things this team needs to work on beyond the quarterback play, just too many to talk about here. The point is that while Wentz isn’t the biggest problem right now, he’s not the solution either. Up next: 10/27 @ Buffalo, 1:00 p.m./ FOX
team that might not be ready to contend is setting in. It’s still early in the season, but that was a tough week. Up next: 10/21 vs. Vegas, 7:00 p.m./ NBC Sports Philly 10/24 @ Chicago, 8:30 p.m./NBC Sports Philly 10/26 vs. Columbus, 7:00 p.m./NBC Sports Philly 10/27 @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m./NBC Sports Philly
76ers
Eagles
Beginning with the elephant in the room: if the Eagles’ season didn’t already appear dead in the water, it does now after the 37-10 beat-down they just took from the Cowboys. Now fans are left wondering what happened to the team that is supposed to contend for a Super Bowl this year. Carson Wentz has to get better. He took three sacks, fumbled twice and completed 16 of 26 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown and a pick; yet
Finally, meaningful basketball. The Sixers open the campaign on Wednesday in a primetime matchup with the Celtics. In this new age of duos in the NBA, they have perhaps one of the best in Joel Embiid and the new-and-improvedthree-point-shooting Ben Simmons. Their new look supporting cast is the X-Factor for this team, with offseason acquisition Al Horford helping to stabilize the frontcourt and a new group of young reserves filling out the rotation. Look for the Sixers to come out gunning and start the new season with a bang. 10/25 @ Detroit, 7:00 p.m./NBC Sports Philly
Penn State
Saturday was magnificent for this team. College game-day, the white-out, the gutsy win over a ranked conference opponent, it was all there. If the 28-21 result against Michigan says anything, it’s that this team can find a way to win games. Now they turn their focus to their most dangerous game of the year to this point. Coming off two extremely physical games, the Nittany Lions now head to East Lansing, MI, to face off with Michigan State. Usually, playing tough, physical GRIFF HAYS
Temple
GRIFF HAYS
games, especially a highly emotional home win over a ranked team, leading up to a road game with a tough, physical team does not bode well. Upset alert, watch out for a letdown, danger Will Robinson, however you want to put it, this has all the makings of a trap game. Up next: 10/26 @ Michigan State, 3:30 p.m./ABC
A promising run looks dead, as #19 SMU carved up Temple’s defense as the Owls continued their road woes on Saturday to fall to 5-2 on the season. The games do still have meaning, though, and with two of their toughest games left, Central Florida and Tulane, coming at home, a 9-3 finish is still well within reach. Such is the life of college football outside the Power 5 conferences. Play to win the conference, if that is out of reach then go and win a bowl game. Up next: 10/26 vs. UCF, 7:00 p.m./ ESPN2
Flyers
A road trip north of the border did not go well for the Flyers. A tough shootout loss to Vancouver was followed up with a 3-1 loss to Calgary that wasn’t even that close and a 6-3 thumping at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. Returning home didn’t help much either, ending the week with a 4-1 beating from the Dallas Stars. What had been a promising start has suddenly given way to a four-game losing streak that has shown the holes in this team. Only a few players are scoring, Carter Hart has allowed 16 goals in four games and the reality that this is a young
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