PACEMAKER WINNER
EDITORIAL
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WE ARE THE
LOQUITUR 2017-2018 Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANGELINA MILLER WRITING MANAGING EDITOR
CORALINE PETTINE VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR HOPE DALUISIO NEWS EDITORS EMMA RODNER-TIMS KELLY BUSH SPORTS EDITORS RYAN BRONG JOHN WILLIAMS LIFESTYLES EDITORS ERIC STONE KAITLYN D’AMBROSIO PERSPECTIVES EDITOR LAURA SANSOM WEB EDITOR ALEXIA PAGLIA 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 univeristy community may submit work to the editors for possible inclusion. Publication is based on the editorial decision of the student editors.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
Election Day 2017:
Transcending the results of 2016’s presidential election After the election of our 45th president Donald Trump, one year ago, hope had seemed to be lost within many communities; however, Election Day 2017 proved to be a major milestone for many states across the country and the political state of the nation in general. The election of our country’s 44th president Barack Obama, who was the first ever African-American to take office, showed Americans that progress was finally being made. But the election of President Donald Trump and his administration made many believe that this progress was going backward. Their actions and beliefs made the country that was finally coming together drift apart in division and conroversy. Regardless of Trump’s reform against certain LGBTQ+ rights, as well as immigrants and other races, people did not give up. Instead, they decided to strive for greatness and revamp the American Dream. Nov. 7 was the opportuntiy for the people of America to take matters into their own hands and make a change. The people of America demanded their voices be heard, by going to the their local elections and casting their ballot.
For Democrats across the nation, it was a very joyous day. After losing the 2016 election and seeing not only a Republican president but an entirely Republican house, the turnaround in 2017 was appreciated. New Jersey and Virginia both elected new governors, Phil Murphy and Ralph Northam, respectively. Among the new governors, both of the states took a major step. Justin Fairfax is the first African-American Lieutenant Governor to be elected for Virginia and Sheila Oliver is the first African-American female to be elected Lieutenant Governor in New Jersey’s state history. For the LGBTQ+ community, a huge stride was taken. The first ever openly transgender candidate, Danica Roem, won a seat in Virginia for House of Delegates in American history. And, even better, she defeated the social conservative, Bob Marshall, who proposed the ban on transgender students from using the bathroom that
aligned with their gender identity. In Minneapolis, Andrea Jenkins became the first African-American transgender woman to win a council seat in a major city. Pennsylvania also saw history be made with the election of Tyler Titus, the first openly transgender person elected in state history, to the Erie school board. Cultural and religious backgrounds did not stop those winning their election. The first ever Sikh mayor, Ravi Bhalla, was elected in Hoboken, N.J. This years election day has a lot to say about our country and the future of America. The amount of hate that has been spread and tragedies that have struck our country within the past year now have the opportunity to be overcome with love and hope. Students in the Cabrini University community learn from day one that they are accepted as individuals. It is embedded in the schools’ mission statement: “Cabrini welcomes learners of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds and prepares them to become engaged citizens of the world.” As citizens of the world, we should always carry that statement around with us and be accepting to others. With this, we have the power to prove that labels cannot hold us back and we can continue making strides towards a better future of our country.
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
Present actions affect the future BY ANGELINA MILLER Editor-In-Chief
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Loquitur accepts letters to the editors. They 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 e-mailed to loquitur@ cabrini.edu
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Cabrini students, faculty and staff came together to celebrate a very special “Cabrini Day,” in honor of the heritage and mission of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. This year’s theme was “Connecting Through Culture,” in celebration of how Cabrini uses multiculturalism to promote learning about diverse cultures. Mother Cabrini spent many years of her life working with diverse immigrant populations. When Cabrini first came to be, she pictured it as an institution where people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds could thrive in academic excellence, leadership development and, most importantly, social justice. This is ultimately so that by the time seniors graduate, they are completely prepared and equipped to act as engaged citizens in the real world. This year, in honor of Mother Cabrini’s work and vision, students gathered to present research, programs and activities on multicultural heritage and how immigrants and migrants contribute to our society. Cabrini’s Dixon Center was filled with different variations of academic creativity that educated the community on how valuable immigrants and ethnics are to our nation. One presentation that caught the eyes of many was “Get in Line,” a simulation on migrants and refugees done by Dr. Jerome Zurek’s ECG 100 course. This simulation focused on the journey that migrants and refugees undergo when traveling to the United States. Students demonstrated the overall
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Immigrants look for new beginnings in America. Cabrini students advocate on their behalf.
travels of a migrant’s venture to the United States and what happens to them when they get there. By taking Engagement of the Common Good courses, all Cabrini students receive the skills they need to bring about meaningful change to the world. They become knowledgeable on how to identify a problem, examine its causes, consider possible solutions and put the best solution into action. “It is not an easy journey to come to the United States,” senior digital communication and social media major Emily Janny said. Janny participated in the ECG 100 simulation “Refugees Seeking Safety” during her
freshman year and is now in the midst of her second year of being the classroom coach for Dr. Zurek’s ECG 100 course. “I enjoyed being a part of a simulation my freshman near and now helping freshman with ‘Get in Line’ because it is a more visual way for people to learn,” Janny said. “This simulation not only gave people a brief experience of what it is like to come into our country but also opened their eyes to the topic and how they can help.” CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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NEWS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
THELOQUITUR.COM | 3
LGBTQ+ communtiy fights for rights
Light is shed on health care access in America BY BRIELLE TOFF Staff Writer Access to the right health care continues to be an important issue for U.S. citizens. LGBTQ+ individuals in particular are among those struggling to gain health care rights. The LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community is growing and becoming more forthcoming in stating their needs. Not only do some of the people in the LGBTQ+ community need the funding for hormone treatment and sex-reassignment surgeries, but there are basic needs that those in the LGBTQ+ community are struggling with that they need the proper care and funding for. For instance, gay men are at more of a risk for HIV-AIDS than are heterosexual men. Additionally, people in the LGBTQ+ community are also more subject to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, both of which can lead to suicide. LGBTQ+ individuals are nearly three times more likely to experience mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, according to the National Alliance to Mental Illness. Mental health has very limited coverage under insurance plans. This makes it hard for people who are not a part of the LGBTQ+ community who are suffering with mental illnesses to find the proper resources to cope with their mental illnesses, let alone people who are in the LGBTQ+ community. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 3.5 percent of Americans identify themselves as either homosexual or bisexual and 0.3 percent identify themselves as transgender. The NCBI also points out that the LGBTQ+ community belongs to every race, religion, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic group. Because the LGBTQ+ community is growing and gaining awareness, many Americans
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Gallup reported that 10 million Americans identify as LGBTQ+.
would think that they are at a guarantee for health care, but they are not. Nobody in America is guaranteed health care. Cabrini University’s first ever gender and body studies major, Lauren Stohler, touched on the importance of health care in the LGBTQ+ community.
health services or counseling and psychological services to seek any medical help they may need. Susan M. Fitzgerald, the director of student health services on Cabrini’s campus, said that Cabrini’s health services are able to provide for all students but there are off-campus places that specialize in LGBTQ+ health care that can do more than Cabrini can. “Cabrini can offer all students on campus the same kind of services and level of care. We’re very fortunate to be where we are and have access to some of the best health care in the world,” Fitzgerald says. “There happens to be an amazing speciality center in Philadelphia, the Mazzoni Center. We refer there because they are experts in providing that kind of care.”
Nobody in America is guaranteed health care. “Those in the LGBTQA [A standing for asexual individuals] suffer from not only unique health risks, but they often suffer from far more typical health issues than heterosexuals and cisgendered individuals do,” Stohler said. “Homosexual men are six times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual men are and, not only that, but the LGBTQA youth are at around three times more likely to attempt suicide as well.” On Cabrini’s campus, students can go to
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Mother Cabrini could do it all BY RENIN BROADNAX Staff Writer “Sometimes, she had to be a hard ass to get things done,” Thomas Southard, director of the Wolfington Center, said of Mother Cabrini This year is the 100th anniversary of the passing of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who was also known as Mother Cabrini. Also, this year Pope Francis started the “Share the Journey” campaign, encouraging people to be more accepting of immigrants. To Cabrini students, it seems as though this coincidence was meant to be, since Mother Cabrini is the patron saint of immigrants. Mother Cabrini was a kind and caring woman but she was had to be stern at times when it was necessary. When she and her sisters made the voyage to New York, the house they were promised was no longer available. She did not take the time to sulk or complain; she found her own housing, funding and eventually established 67 institutions. In addition to that, she made many voyages across the sea, despite her fear of water. Mother Cabrini pushed past the boundaries that even she put up in front of herself. She would not going to let anyone else limit what she could achieve. The Wolfington Center sponsored the second in a series of talks about the legacy of
Mother Cabrini last month, on Oct.19. Southard spoke at the event held in the Mansion. He highlighted a side of Mother Cabrini unbeknownst to many people, including those in the Cabrini community. Southard said, “She could have run a country if she wanted to.” She had a side that did not take “no” for an answer and pushed passed any boundary that she faced.
“There is a story of a maid that was cleaning a hospital floor: a man walks in, saying he was sent by Mother Cabrini and the maid chases him away,” Southard said. “That maid turned out to be Mother Cabrini.” Mother Cabrini was not afraid to do what needed to be done. She was not concerned on how it may have made her look. Her job was to provide for those who needed it and that job required her to be ready for anything. Rosaria Altomore of campus ministry went to the Mother Cabrini legacy event because she wanted to become more informed on the history of the woman who inspired the university. “I attended the event because I learned things about Mother Cabrini that I did not know during the previous event in the series,” Altomore said. “I expected to learn even more at this event and I did.” Since it is 100th anniversary of the death of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and Pope Francis is launching the “Share the Journey” campaign, it is important to recognize that Cabrini University is an extension of the beliefs Mother Cabrini held. Her legacy is the basis in which our foundation stands upon and it is where our values stem from.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
RENIN9819@GMAIL.COM
Communication Intern Description: The non-profit Light of Marine is looking for a junior or senior student to fill their internship position. The individual will assist in building and maintaining their contact database, organizing procedural documentation and regulating computer maintence for both Macs and PCs. The individual should have an interest in communication, non-profts, marketing and sales. This internship may be completed for academic credit and the student will be comenstated for travel. Location: Thorndale, Pa. Desired Majors: Communication Internal Audit Intern Description: Main Line Health is looking for an individual to assist audit team members in planning, performing and reporting on financial, operational and IT audits. The intern will also assist with documenting work performed and writing summary reports after each audit is performed and work with audit team members to test the controls in place. Location: Newtown Square, Pa. Desired Majors: Business, Accounting, Finance If you are interested in any of these positions, please visit the Career Center or contact career@ cabrini.edu
LIFESTYLES
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
Campus residence life tackles student bullying BY JAMES KELLY Staff Writer
People think that after high school, bullying just ends, but it does not just stop when you graduate. Bullying follows kids to college and recent studies show that cyberbullying on college campuses is on the rise. According to a study conducted by Health Day News in 2012, 15 percent of college students studied reported being bullied and nearly 22 percent reported being victims of cyberbullying in college. The consequences of bullying are dire. Children who are bullied are almost five times more likely to engage in self-harm, according to Web M.D. Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University. Despite the severity of bullying, 38 percent of students believe their school does not take bullying seriously, according to Affordable Colleges. However, in schools that are devoted to addressing bullying and that have established bullying programs, bullying is reduced by 50 percent. Bullying has been a very big topic in our country, especially in the past decade. Cabrini residence life handles bullying thoroughly when there is an incident in the residence halls. The bullying policy at Cabrini states: “Cabrini University defines ‘bullying’ as any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts that is/are directed at another student or students that occurs in the University setting; is/are severe, persistent, or pervasive; and has/have the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education, creating a threatening environment, or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the institution.” Akirah Feniore, assistant director of residence life at Cabrini University, does everything in her power to protect kids from getting bullied.
“I want to build a welcoming community. Bullying does not have a place anywhere on campus,” Feniore said. Resident Assistants have a huge role in the halt of bullying in college dorms. When a student is being bullied, a bystander or the student being bullied should report it to their Resident Assistant. Resident Assistants promote unity by holding programs every semester. Programs are events for the residents under that Resident Assistant to bring everyone together. The job of the Resident Assistant is to oversee their respective floor. Chase Rodriguez, a senior here at Cabrini University studying human resources management, is also a resident assistant at the West apartments on campus. “Bullying happens a number of different ways in today’s society and it isn’t addressed as seriously as it should be in most cases. When dealing with situations where someone is being bullied, you have to be understanding,” Rodriguez said. Bullying around college campuses still happens everyday; however, it can be controlled with how people handle it. Nicholas Louis, a sophomore exercise science major at Cabrini, discussed how bullying as a whole is an issue. “Bullying is an awful thing and it has no place on campus, in our community or in our society,” Louis said. Bullying has been a vocal point of many celebrities, such as Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. Elvys Puente, a sophomore business major at Cabrini, believes that bullying needs to end as a whole. “Cabrini is a wonderful campus, and I know I feel safe in residence halls. Cabrini is a very safe place, and no one deserves to be bullied,” Puente said. JAMESEJKELLY@GMAIL.COM
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
LIFESTYLES
THELOQUITUR.COM | 5
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Kevin Spacey has been lashed out for his insensitive and inappropriate revelation regarding his sexuality, right as he was being accused of sexual assault.
Spacey’s tweet not accepted by LGBTQ+ community BY CARMEN FRIAS Staff Writer
Actor Anthony Rapp had remained silent for 31 years about his story, but after the accusations towards Harvey Weinstein empowered others to speak out on their stories on sexual assault and harassment in the workplace, Rapp decided it was time he too spoke out on his experience with actor Kevin Spacey. In a recent interview with Buzzfeed, Rapp publicly alleged that Spacey had made sexual advances on him back in 1986, when Spacey was 26 years-old and Rapp was 14-years-old. Rapp explained that he had gone to Spacey’s apartment for a party. After the party was done, Spacey had picked Rapp up, put him on his bed and then climbed on top of Rapp. Spacey publicly apologized to Rapp on a Twitter post and said, “I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.” In the same post, right after apologizing, Spacey came out of the closet as a homosexual man. He wrote, “I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.”
The controversy of Spacey’s apologetic post in combination with the revelation of being gay has quickly become a topic of conversation. “It was a way for him to come out and not look like a coward for doing what he did. Although I feel like Twitter wasn’t the place for an apology, he did apologize. I hope he meant that apology and did not just use it as a way to come out as a gay man,” Quran Smith, senior dance major at the University of the Arts, said. Smith explained that everyone’s coming out experience is not the same. “Some people are more private about coming out and some people are more public. I personally came out to my mom and continued to be myself. If people knew, they knew,” Smith said. Others believe that Spacey’s coming out moment was a way for him to shield himself from the accusations. They say Spacey came out in attempt to gain privilege from members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community while diverting blame. Coming out earned him the privilege of being defended from the accusations or applauded for coming out, instead of confronted. “To me, he took the coward’s way out. I believe that apologies are something that should be done in person. It is almost as if going about it through Twitter was a way for
Spacey to have a safety net of a screen. While I am not in Spacey’s head, it is almost as if he wanted to have a platform where maybe he thought some people would be on his side,” Emily Hill, Cabrini junior and Pre-K-4 education major, said. “I cannot help but feel as though he thought him coming out at the same time would maybe make up for/ lighten the fact that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy. It could almost be looked at as him saying that part of why he did what he did was because he is gay,” Hill said. Chris Crocker, American Internet celebrity, blogger, songwriter and recording artist, expressed his opinion on the accusation towards Spacey on a public Instagram post. “When issuing an apology for assault and talking about how you were drunk and don’t remember, you don’t just get to say ‘Oh, by the way, you guys, I’m gay’ and all is forgiven. Don’t use being LGBT as a shield now, in an apology, to overshadow an event. You know, in the LGBT community, we’re already fighting hard as it is to be taken seriously and there are all kinds of misconceptions of us, so to just very casually say, ‘Oh, and by the way, I’m gay,’ is so transparent,” Crocker said. CARMENTFRIAS@GMAIL.COM
Readers argue which is better: Books or movies BY SYDNEY LYNCH Staff Writer
Read any good books lately? See any good movies? How about a good movie adapted from a book? Literature has been an inspiration to the Hollywood film industry for decades. Some movies break box office records, while others go straight to DVD. One might not even realize that some of their favorite movies are based on a book. The interesting concept about books that have movie adaptations is that books are not written to become movies. When “Cinderella” was written in 1697 by Charles
Perrault, he had no other intention then to keep it in storybook form. The story of “Cinderella” has been adapted on many occasions, the most popular being the Disney cartoon version of the film. In 1997, the first book of the Harry Potter series was published. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in the United States as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in 1998, was the first of a seven-book series. The series was published rapidly, with the final book being published in 2007. The first movie was released in 2001 and grossed $974.8 million at the box office worldwide. Seven movies followed the first, cutting the last book into a two-part film. The Harry Potter franchise is the second most successful in the world, following the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While some movies hit the big time, others are not as celebrated. During the book-to-film process, some elements of the story get lost in translation. Maria Mer ino, sophomore early childhood and special education double major, does not think that the movie “A Walk to Remember” PEXELS
reached the standards of the book. “The book had a lot more emotion than it did in the movie,” Merino said. “I felt like the movie sped the story up too much.” “A Walk to Remember,” written by Nicholas Sparks, takes place in 1958, while the movie takes place in the late 1990s. Scenes are executed differently and the not-soambiguous ending of the movie differs from the enigmatic ending of the book. “I loved ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ book and movie,” said sophomore biology major Ajeya Rayman. “I think the two were very closely correlated to one another. Not many scenes were cut out or different and I liked the similarity between them.” “The Fault In Our Stars,” written by John Green, was adapted into a movie in 2014. Often listed on the required reading list for high school students, the heart-wrenching story has touched millions with over 10.7 million copies of the book sold worldwide. The debate of reading the book verses watching the movie has been going on for a while. On one hand, the book is the original story. Literature gives readers the opportunity to visualize the story though their own imagination. On the other hand, movies provide an experience appealing for the senses. Seeing and hearing impacts the senses, making you feel more emotionally connected to the story. Alexis O’Toole, sophomore history and secondary education double major, has found that reading a book can have more impact than watching a movie. “Book-to-movie adaptations create a cheat in the system,” O’Toole said. “People think that watching the movie will be the easier route and take less energy.”
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PERSPECTIVES
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
Ending life to gain control of it
A perspective on physician-assisted suicide BY AARIANA WILSON Staff Writer
Physician-assisted suicide is a way for doctors to aid terminally ill patients in ending their lives. Having virtually no chance of recovery is one of the requirements in order for a patient to even be given this option. I believe that in these circumstances, assisted suicide is acceptable. Only a few states even legally allow it. This is because there is a very large controversy within the medical
community as to whether or not this practice contradicts the oath physicians take to help heal people. One may have heard of PAS before, but it is common to not know many of the details about it. Many people even confuse this with euthanasia. However, they are two different practices: Euthanasia is when a physician will directly give a patient a lethal dose of a drug, while PAS is when the physician will prescribe a drug for the patient to take themselves at their own chosen time. This is not the same from euthanasia. According to a study by the California Department of Public Health there were a total of 258 requests physician-assisted suicides just last year.
191 were granted a prescription and 111 died after taking the drug. 90 percent were caucasian, 54 percent were women and 72 percent had some college education. About 60 percent from this list had some type of cancer. It seems that these are well informed people making such decisions. According to CNN, in the state of Oregon there have been 1,749 prescriptions written since January. 1,127 of these have resulted in death. Procon gives more data about those who have access to physician-assisted suicide. Within the five states, there also seems to be an age requirement of 18 yearsold. Patients need to have residency within that state and also have a diagnosis of six or less months to live.
They must also verbally ask their doctor twice and go through a waiting period of usually 10 days between these times. They have to be in a sound physical and mental state of mind to be able to give themselves the drugs. After all of this, they still may not be approved; however, if they are approved, they are given the prescription and are free to make their decision from there. I personally feel that a person is able to make up their own minds about their bodies and their lives. I do not feel it is right to judge people on the way they choose to live their lives if they do not cause harm to others or themselves. In this case, taking your own life could be seen as ending the harm your body has been enduring for so long.
It could also be seen as simply causing the ultimate form of mistreatment. Still, I feel that people should be allowed to think for themselves and practice their own free will however they see it fit. We all have different experiences and unless we are in their shoes, we could never know what it means to be told you only have six months to live. We won’t know what it feels like to have to live six months longer with the worst possible kind of fear or pain. However, as lifelong learners, it is our duty to keep an open mind and an open heart to those that have different experiences and grievances than we may have.
AARIANA.WILSON@GMAIL.COM
Finding myself at spiritual retreat Search BY ARIANA YAMASAKI Staff Writer
Being a student can be overwhelming at times, especially when all the work that is piled on throughout the semester can make it feel like you are drowning and can’t reach the surface. Have you ever taken time to just focus on you?
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Yamasaki was able to attend the Search retreat in the spring of 2017, which made her want to become a leader for the next Search retreat.
Campus Ministry hosts a retreat twice a year called Search. It is a spiritual retreat that allows students to get away from their daily worries and focus on themselves. It helps students that are overwhelmed with work and social responsibilities to take time for themselves and not worry. I went on Search the spring semester of my freshman year and it was one of the best things I could have done. Freshman year was the first time I lived away from my family. It was a massive change for me to not have my family there to help me through times when I was struggling. I was overwhelmed with school work and this retreat could not have come at a better time. Before going to Search, I was nervous and did not really want to go. I went because Rosa Altomare of campus ministry told me it would be a great experience. Honestly, it was the best thing someone could have told me to do.
During my time at Search last year, I met some of the most amazing, beautiful and genuinely good people. The weekend was filled with a lot of activities to get to know yourself as well as others. At Search, you get a chance to be with yourself without responsibilities weighing you down. The retreat is more than the weekend. Coming back, I had made friends and memories that will last a lifetime. The experience I had was truly amazing and I hope others have a chance to go on it. After getting back from Search last year, I decided I wanted to be a leader for the next retreat. I filled out an application, interviewed with Altomare and Father Carl Janicki and got a leadership position. When I went to Search as a retreatant, my leader helped me immensely and I wanted to do that for someone else. Search is different for everyone who goes on it. Going from a retreatant to a leader was amazing.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
After attending Search, students can return as retreat leaders. Last year, I got to grow at the retreat and this year, I got to watch others grow and it was beautiful. Search is an experience that everyone should have. ARIANAYAMASAKI@GMAIL.COM
Sugar tax better for communities than soda tax
BY CHRISTINE MCCOLLUM Staff Writer
A struggle many people who are trying to eat healthy face is that the price of healthy food is typically higher than foods loaded with sugar, salt and fats. For example, it is cheaper to buy a soda and bag of chips for lunch than it would be to purchase a salad. Some communities have implemented a soda tax to promote healthiness, but I believe a sugar tax would be more effective. In early 2017, Philadelphia introduced a 1.5 cents-perounce soda tax on sugar-filled beverages— such as soda, energy drinks and iced teas— in hopes of encouraging residents to make healthier beverage choices. The new tax goes towards local school districts. Few communities are also trying this tactic, but many communities are still debating the issue. Does taxing only soda really discourage consumption? A new study looks at whether taxing all sugar-, fat- or saltfilled products might be a more effective way to get people to cut back on unhealthy foods. A study done by Matthew Harding of the University of California-Irvine and Michael Lovenheim of Cornell University examined how higher prices can affect foodbuying habits and personal nutrition. The authors simulated a 20 percent tax on not just soda and other sugary beverages but also products that contained a large amount of sugar, fat and salt for comparison.
The study analyzed over 123 million food-purchase transactions from a variety of stores in 52 geographic markets between 2002 and 2007. The study concluded that
higher-income households buy more fruits, vegetables, snacks, candy and packaged meals while lower-income households buy more soda, meat and milk. “Sugar taxes are especially effective at encouraging healthier purchases,” Harding said in his research. “Sugar in particular is highly prevalent in American foods. Taxing these nutrients does not allow consumers to substitute to other goods that also contain these nutrients. Rather, they shift to healthier products and decrease overall consumption.” The research makes it clear that a sugar tax would be more effective than a soda tax. Taxing all products that are high in sugar, fat and salt is addressing the whole issue of consumers purchasing unhealthy food options rather than just taxing soda, which is only a fraction of the problem. Taxing sugar would be a wise decision. Not only is the tax helping the community, it is also encouraging people to think twice before purchasing something that is harmful to their health and can lead to obesity and other health-related issues. As long as the added tax on sugary beverages and snacks is going towards Philadelphia school systems and benefiting product consumers, then by all means, keep on taxing.
CHRISTINE MCCOLLUM/STAFF WRITER
Taxing products containing sugar, fat and salt greatly reduces the consumption of these products.
CHRISSYMCCOLLUM@GMAIL.COM
SPORTS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017
Sports Source Editorial Column
Eagles win, despite not playing BY CORALINE PETTINE Writing Managing Editor
While the Philadelphia Eagles may not have played this past weekend, it was still a very significant one for the team. Three of the team’s biggest rivals’– the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins – fell short in their games in week 10. The Cowboys, who were 5-3 before Nov. 12, lost in an upset versus the Atlanta Falcons, scoring a measley seven points against the Falcons’ 27. Though the Cowboys maintained their position as the second highest ranked team in the NFC East, this loss puts them that much farther behind the Eagles, who are currently recorded at 8-1. The Cowboys’ loss was not incredibly surprising, considering they had two important players out of the lineup. Running back Ezekiel Elliott and left tackle Tryon Smith were both sidelined due to injuries. This left the team’s running attack in shambles as the Cowboys struggled to control their offensive. As for the Giants, they continue to struggle to get it together, losing to the San Francisco 49ers, 21-31. Despite being a favorite and one of the top picks this year, the Giants have yet to win since defeating the Broncos earlier in October. This loss against the 49ers did more than make the Giants 1-8; this loss makes their score match their worst start to a season since 1980, when they only won four games all year. Adding insult to injury, the Giants did not just lose to the team that is regarded as one of the worst in the NFL, they lost in what was the 49ers’ first win this fall. Although the Giants were expected to do well this season, bad coaching, offensive injuries, low morale and an inability to get the team together resulted in yet another loss for the Giants. Lastly, the Redskins came close to defeating a team with significantly more wins than them, but ultimately could not keep up. They finished 30-38 against their opponent, the Minnesota Vikings. Facing up against a team with a notably better offense, the Redskins’ defense was no match to their runningbacks. The current standings for the NFC East remain in the Eagles favor, with them leading by three wins, followed by the Cowboys at 5-4, the Redskins at 4-5 and the Giants in last place, with a pathetic, single win. In addition to being the best in their division and their conference, the Eagles have the best record in the NFL. If Philadelphia can defeat the Cowboys in week 11, they will put themseleves in a great position to win their division. COREYPETTINE@GMAIL.COM
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Growing up in the game Cabrini soccer brothers have now been through it all BY JOHN WILLIAMS & HOPE DALUISIO Sports Editor & Visual Managing Editor
It is not unusual for athletes to refer to their teammates and coaches as ‘family,’ regardless of their age, level or the sport they play. While the Cabrini men’s soccer team– primarily comprised of players from all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey– has become a family over the course of year, there are two players who share a much closer family bond. Growing up in North Wildwood, N.J., Sal and Anthony Zampirri learned to love the sport, playing together at every level. After never winning a championship together throughout the soccer ranks, on Nov. 4, 2017, the brothers finally captured that elusive title as teammates. “Winning a championship together for the first time just felt incredible,” Sal, the eldest of the Zampirri duo, said. “Our whole family was out for the game. It was a blast.” It was a long time coming for the duo, as they grew up playing the game. “I started when I was about four in the tots soccer leagues,” Sal Zampirri, a junior mid-level education major, said. “I really liked it. It was my favorite thing to do. Then I started going into club ball and eventually, more important soccer when I was eight.” As the Zampirri boys grew up and got to play at more competitive levels, they began to develop their identities as leaders on their clubs. “Growing up, Sal Zampirri was usually always the captain of the teams I’ve played for with him,” Anthony Zampirri, a freshman business major, said. “In high school, I was the captain for my junior and senior year when Sal [graduated] and I shaped how I played from how he played. I look up to him for his leadership qualities.” Sal Zampirri echoed the same sentiment.
“We have been through a bunch of things together on the soccer field,” Sal Zampirri said. “Pretty much any big memory I remember, he was there for it.” Before their recent CSAC championship, each brother only had one championship title under their belts. Sal Zampirri won the CSAC title with Cabrini his freshman year and Anthony Zampirri won the Cape Atlantic League Championship during his senior year of high school. Regardless of how dynamic the duo was out on the pitch growing up, they never did win a title together. “I loved high school soccer but when it comes down to it, it hurts when you can’t win any games,” Sal Zampirri said. “You can pat the stats all you want in high school but there is always that empty spot if you don’t win something.” “In high school, we could never come up big against our rival schools. They would have a bunch of kids from club soccer teams where our team was mainly just me and Sal,” Anthony Zampirri said. “We would always play teams in our bracket and we could beat everyone else but then we’d always go up against one of the best teams in the state and we always lost” Though the desire to win a championship with his brother was a factor in his decision to come to Cabrini this past fall, the school’s size sold Anthony Zampirri on the idea. “I went through normal recruiting for when I was in club soccer and all the tournaments,” Anthony Zampirri said. “I just ended up deciding Cabrini was the best choice out of all the schools, mainly because it was a small school and I went to Wildwood Catholic where there was, like, 130 kids.” While Sal Zampirri ended up playing and starting all 21 of the Cavaliers’ games this season, Anthony only ended up playing in five, four of which he started. The brothers know that this is not unusual for freshman. “I am kinda along for the ride but at least
I can say I had some part in getting point in the CSAC,” Anthony Zampirri said. “I am hoping that as the years go by, I can become more of a leader role in winning games and maybe have the role Sal has by junior year.” Just like his brother, Sal Zampirri won the CSAC his freshman year, despite not playing much. “You kinda feel like you’re just along for the ride when you’re a freshmen,” Sal Zampirri said. “Even though I did start that CSAC championship my freshman year, I just felt like the older guys on the team were motivating me the whole way through and showing us what to do, and I never experienced that before, but this time it felt like me and [Matt] Ochman were the older guys on the team and lead the march. We had that experience winning one before, we knew what it took and we were just trying to get everyone on board.” At the end of the day, the brothers were a part of one of the greatest soccer teams in Cabrini history. The 2017 Cavaliers men’s soccer team won an NCAA tournament game for the first time in program history on Nov. 11 when they took down Rowan University 1-0 in overtime. Even though the team fell 2-0 to Johns Hopkins University the next day, they are proud and have a lot of expectations to meet in 2018, Sal’s final season in college soccer. He is excited to have the opportunity to repeat as CSAC champions and possibly make even more noise in the NCAA tournament with all his soccer brothers, but especially his blood brother. “Obviously it’s always fun to play together and we’re on the highest level now,” Sal Zampirri said. “We’ve been through it all together and it’s nice to have him here in the final step with me.” JAWILLIAMS1224@GMAIL.COM
Cabrini rugby BY SYDNEY LYNCH Staff Writer
A new team will proudly wear the Cabrini Caviler name across their chests in the near future. A Cabrini rugby team is in the early stages of development within the athletic department. The sport is projected to begin in spring 2018. Ryan Pfanders, a sophomore marketing major, has been pushing the process along since the beginning of the 2017 school year. “I’ve talked with Orlin Jesperson in club and recreation and we’ve decided to recruit first,” Pfanders said. “I’ve talked to many people who are interested in playing rugby with all variations of experience.” Pfanders has been playing rugby since his freshman year of high school at Bishop Shanahan. During his senior year of high school, he
was recruited to play rugby for Mount St. Mary, a Division I institution. He hopes to spark an interest in the Cabrini community with talk of the developing team. Due to the development of a team being at such an early stage, the most important element of the process is building an interest. A Facebook page was created and posters have been placed around campus, but the most effective recruiting tool is word of mouth. Jimmy Dougherty, sophomore finance and marketing major, was one of the first people to express interest in the developing team. He has continued to recruit since hearing about the prospective team. “I first started playing rugby my junior year of high school at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast and, ever since then, have fallen in love with playing the sport,”
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? Dougherty said. “I was incredibly happy to know a team was being started. I have been spreading the word around and finding new players.” When the team is fully developed, Cabrini will enter the National Small College Rugby Organization, or NSCRO. Many local small colleges with rugby teams already belong to this organization, including Neumann University, Haverford College and Widener University. This is a competitive league, hosting small schools around the country. Rugby is a two-season sport, taking place in the fall and spring seasons. What seems to be a mixture of football and soccer, rugby shares characteristics of each sport. The length of a rugby field is similar to that of a soccer field, while the act of playing rugby resembles football without the pads. The goal of a rugby game is to
progress up the field to score a try, similar to a touchdown, by passing the ball backwards and laterally. The game is fastpaced, with many technical terms for rules and positions. In a 2008 study, it was found that there are lower rates of injury in college rugby then college football. Although players do not wear pads during a rugby game, the hits are not head-on. Often, players use their shoulders to lead for a tackle to avoid injury. The sport of rugby is growing in popularity in the United States. Originating in England, the sport is rapidly expanding, with 125,000 players registered with USA Rugby. “Slowly but surely, this team is coming together,” Pfanders said. CONTINUE READING ONLINE
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017