CABRINI ATHLETES PREP FOR WINTER SEASON
I SHOULD HAVE SWIPED LEFT HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT THIS OCTOBER
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CABRINI UNIVERSITY
THELOQUITUR.COM
VOL. LIX, ISSUE 4
PACEMAKER WINNER
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
‘That day, not only did the ground move’
Tragedy brings Mexican communities together MICHELLE GUERIN Staff Writer This is Ana, a three-year-old little girl that lost everything due to the hurricane, including her home. Despite what she lost, she did not stop smiling. On Sept. 19, an earthquake shook central Mexico, bringing high buildings to the ground and leaving many people homeless and around 230 dead. The earthquake left damage— both physical and mental— to the people living in the Mexican states of Puebla, Morelos and the Greater Mexico City area. Coincidentally, the 7.1 earthquake occurred on the 32 anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake that killed 10,000 people. Two weeks prior, on Sept. 7, the first earthquake left around 100 dead. When rescuers were at work, they asked for silence from surrounding people, hoping to find those trapped under fallen buildings and rubble. “I thought at first that the football team was jumping near me, as it felt like I was on a platform and people were jumping up and down on it,” Alejandro Plata said, remembering the day of the earthquake when he was at Universidad de las Americas Puebla like yesterday. “That moment, the earth changed and everything started to swing left and right; it became difficult to walk normally.” “My first thought was my family and, because I was nervous, I couldn’t grab my phone from my pocket of my pants,” Marinieves Plata, Alejandro’s sister, said. She was at a supermarket when the earthquake hit. Geraldine Alvarez was in class on the second floor of her high school.
PHOTO BY MARINIEVES PLATA
MARINIEVES PLATA
Ana standing behind the remainders of her home. Geraldine Alvarez and Erika Plata’s high school reopened Sept. 29. In the meantime, maintenance looked through the building, as a safety precaution. The disaster was categorized as a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. According to UPSes, earthquakes between 7-7.9 cause serious damage and happen roughly 20 times a year.
ALEJANDRO PLATA
A local family left with no home after the earthquake. “The teacher was explaining something and in that moment, everything started moving and I stood up and ran to the stairs to go to a place that was safe like the soccer field. When I was running, everything was still moving. I have no idea how I didn’t fall. There were pieces of the plaster falling down and in that moment, I thought the entire building was going to fall down,” Alvarez said. “My first reaction was to run, find my siblings, and call my parents,” Erika Plata, cousin of Alejandro Plata and Marinieves Plata, said.
Reflecting on the earthquake: Marinieves Plata and Geraldine Alvarez explained their aftershock. “I can’t sleep because I think every sound I hear is something falling. Everywhere I go, I check where a safe spot would be. I don’t want to leave my house so I can be near my loved one in case something happened. I am alert to every sound or movement,” Marinieves Plata said. Mexican citizens have a new outlook on life, as a result of the earthquake. Marinieves Plata is on high alert everywhere she goes. Geraldine Alvarez is reminded of the experience every time she sees a place and remembers what once was. “Seeing many places I saw all the time are now ruined or devastated is so sad and something more important is knowing that many people died or were physically hurt is devastating,” Geraldine Alvarez said. Physically safe and okay, Alejandro Plata, Marinieves Plata, Erika Plata and Geraldine Alvarez turned to help others in need. Although they lost so much, they wanted to give back to others. Alejandro Plata started off with some friends, going to a small town near Puebla called San Francisco Xochitempan. “We delivered food to the people and told them to go to the local shelter, for it was not safe for them to stay in their houses since they were pretty damaged and could fall,” Alejandro Plata said, describing the day after the earthquake. “The next day, we went back to deliver more help and we started to help the people pick up the rubble
of what was left of their houses. Right now, I am doing a social service, collecting food for the less fortunate. I also want to start a fundraiser with the people in Pennsylvania to help us rebuild the houses and the church of this village.” Marinieves Plata wanted to help provide food for those in need. “The day after the earthquake, I went at 7 a.m. to buy groceries to donate. Then, I went to a friend’s house to make lunches for the volunteers and for the people in need. After that, I went to another friend’s house around 4 p.m. to make pantries,” Marinieves Plata said. “Going to a little town called Atzizihuapan. I felt that I needed to help somehow.” Geraldine Alvarez helped pack lunches for volunteers and those now homeless. “We also went to my school to help pack food, clothes, hygiene stuff, medicine, etc. the school was receiving from random people and we put those things into a truck so that it would get to the communities faster,” Alvarez said. “The things I’m doing to help are making food for the ones that lost their homes, go to help them reconstruct their homes, and collecting stuff like beans, rice, bread, cookies, water, etc.,” Erika Plata said. Marinieves Plata helped many families, including Ana’s. “Ana has a 10-month-old brother, mother and father. This is her new house,” Marinieves Plata said. “There is only room for a table and two mattresses on the ground. They don’t have a bathroom, kitchen or anything else.” “I really hope that people don’t quit volunteering. This is not a two-day problem; it is a one-year problem or more. I think this was also an opportunity for people who didn’t know the reality in Mexico to see it, to see how poor people can actually be,” Marinieves Plata said. “That day, not only did the ground move, the heart of the people and their souls moved too,” Marinieves Plata said. All correspondance was done over Facebook and messaging applications. MICHELLECG122@GMAIL.COM
MARINIEVES PLATA
Ana’s home left in shambles after the earthquake.
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 JOHN WILLIAMS RYAN BRONG LIFESTYLES EDITORS ERIC STONE KAITLYN D’AMBROSIO PERSPECTIVES EDITOR LAURA SANSOM WEB EDITOR ALEXIA PAGLIA ADVISER JEROME ZUREK
MISSION
Mass shootings affect us all How would I respond in an intruder emergency? This is something I naturally consider when I am in public places. I do not remember when I started doing this, but I know that it comes naturally now. The sad part is that I am not alone in my fears. Many of my peers on the Loquitur editorial board worry about and prepare for the same things. Our parents have conditioned us to be aware of our surroundings and not to brush off strange sounds and individuals that make us uncomfortable. Being on high alert is normal now. Mass shootings are normal now. The Las Vegas massacre is the 131st mass shooting since 1966 that was carried out by a lone gunman. According to “Mass Murder in the United States: A History,” these mass shootings— or shootings with four or more victims— have resulted in nearly 1000 deaths at the hands of lone gunmen. While the Las Vegas attack was the deadliest, it was not the only shooting this week. It was not even the only shooting that day. At The University of Kansas, three were killed and two were left injured. Mass shootings occur nearly every day in the United States. CBS revealed that Sunday was only the 274th day of the year but 273rd mass shooting in the U.S. in 2017. Guns do not kill people. People kill people; however, guns certainly expedite the process. What can we do to prevent the next mass shooting? First, we need to stop accepting these acts of violence as normal. We cannot become desensitized to terrorism. Gun violence is an American issue. Nearly one-third of the world’s mass shootings have occurred in the United States, as reported by Time. This incident in Las Vegas once again reveals America’s extreme rate of gun violence is unparalleled by any other nation.
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.
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
The U.S. ranks number one in the world in terms of firearms per capita, with 88.8 guns per 100 people, News Week reported. While Americans only make up just over four percent of the global population, Americans comprise 42 percent of civilian-owned guns. Second, we cannot keep contextualizing these acts of terror subjectively. The shooting in Vegas has not yet been qualified as a ter-
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
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
roristic attack. Trump addressed this incident as an “act of pure evil.” His response has caused us to wonder how he would have responded if the shooter was not an old, caucasian male. If this horrific crime had been done at the hands of a Muslim— or even any brown-skinned individual with an uncommon name— the president would have jumped to call this an act of terrorism. He would have likely responded to the incident, saying foreigners were to blame and perpetuating xenophobia. But because the culprit was an white man, this is labeled a lone act of evil from an ill or deranged man. Statista reported that in more than 50 percent of United States mass shootings, the perpetrator is caucasian. The next highest race that commits mass shootings are african americans, which only contribute 15 percent of mass shootings. We must stop assuming that America’s gun violence problem is a result of foreign persecution and recognize that the problem lies within America. Third, we need to modify current gun control laws. Most mass killings in the United States are carried out with guns. These guns are usually obtained by legal means. It has not yet been determined how the 23 guns used by the Vegas shooter were obtained, but the Washington Post reported that of the guns used in mass shootings, 55 percent were obtained by legal means. Only 15 percent were obtained illegally and the means of accessing the other 30 percent is unknown. Federal law prohibits those with a history of mental illness, drug addiction or crime. Additionally, illegal immigrants, veterans who left the military with a dishonorable discharge and anyone with a permanent restraining order are also unable to buy a gun, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The flaw in this system is that small-scale sellers, such as those that do business at gun shows, are not required to do background checks. Moreover, there is an incomplete listings of criminal cases. While people of good will can disagree about aspects of the 2nd Amendment, with some wanting more restrictions and some less, many feel that there is not a practical justification for fully automatic weapons. According to Gallup, the majority of the country— 55 percent— agrees that there should be stricter gun control laws. The Atlantic reported that stress, population, immigration and mental illness did not correlate to more gun deaths. “The Geography of Gun Deaths” revealed states with tighter gun control laws have fewer gun-related deaths. Finally, the country should also address gun violence at the source and support toleration and conflict resolution at a school level. Many mass shooters— such as James Huberty, who killed 21 people in the San Ysidro McDonald’s massacre of 1984, and Esteban Santiago, the Iraq war veteran who shot and killed five people at an airport earlier this year— sought mental health treatment prior to their attack. Addressing mental illness and ensuring everyone has access to the professional help could have prevented many deaths. We cannot stop hate but maybe if we teach the youth about acceptance one another, crack down on bullying and prioritize mental health, we can raise a generation that accepts one another.
Smarter ways to fundraise BY CARMEN FRIAS Staff Writer Donating money is a valuable philanthropic act that brings people from all over the globe together for a common cause. Although done with good intentions sometimes the lack of knowledge on what charities to donate to and what to donate prevent people from doing so. Fundraising and donating must be done with strategy and accountability. “I’ve never felt this level of desperation in my entire life for any reason, like I feel right now and I feel like if I am involved in helping to create things like the New Jersey Project. It’s the best that I can do right now,” Maria Vizcarrondo, executive director of the Nerney Learning Institute at Cabrini University, said as she talked about her family home of Puerto Rico. Vizcarrondo was the president of United Way for the city of New Jersey for over 15 years. She was able to work with strategic
leaders in disaster recovery and service like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army to help fund raise money for catastrophic events like 9/11 and a number of natural disasters throughout the years.
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
Vizcarrondo is also working with NJ4PR in New Jersey with other leaders to get the people of Puerto Rico the aid they so desperately need as fast as possible. “If you’re going to set up a fund partner
with an organization like the United Way or disaster relief because they have the mechanisms in place to know how to manage the money and be accountable for it,” Vizcarrondo said. Gofundme accounts have been seen all over the internet in attempts to fund raise as much money as possible as fast as possible. The issue that arises with Gofundme accounts is that owners of the accounts later do not know how to get the money raised from point A to point B. Agencies where money can be sent and received may be out of service. The whereabouts of the money once it is received is ultimately unknown. “If you did it out of the goodness of your heart how much time and responsibility you want to take for being audited by the federal government about how you spent that money. That’s when people get in trouble,” Vizcarrondo said. CARMENTFRIAS@GMAIL.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
NEWS
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PIXABAY: PATTERNPICTURES
59 dead in Las Vegas shooting BY EMMA RODNER-TIMS News Editor The night October 1, 2017 holds a permanent place in United States’ history. But, it is not a day wished upon any country. The late hours of October 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada marks the date of the largest mass shootings in the modern history of the United States. 64-year-old shooter Stephen Paddocktook the lives of at least 59 innocent people and left 527 injured. Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino into The Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. In the middle of the concert, rapid fire showered down on the concert goers; they thought the gunshots were fireworks. Local police found Paddock outside of his room and took his weapons. The 64-year-old was found with at least 23 firearms and used “multiple riffles during the attack,” according to the New York Times. He had hundreds of rounds of ammunition. When SWAT reached him, Paddock had taken his own life. Seeing this tragedy on the news is one thing. But, being in the same city, a short distance from the shooting is another. Junior business management major Kassie Ockford was in Las Vegas at the time of the shooting. Ockford and her family where staying at the Delano Las Vegas for her uncle’s wedding. The Delano is less than a half mile from where the concert was being held and directly behind the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. “I was at the airport on my plane ready to
take off. They stopped boarding people and everyone was just a little confused on why we were doing that and then they made us get off the plane,” Ockford said. “Once we got into the airport, they made an announcement that there was a shooting going on at the Mandalay Bay.” Ockford was not alone during this experience. Her mother, Karen Ockford, was on a separate flight on the other side of the airport. “The lights were on in the plane when the pilot like came over the loud speaker in a very calm voice and explained there was an active shooter and the airport is under lock down. All traffic was stopped leaving and flying into Vegas,” Karen Ockford said. “I was anxious, since I had family everywhere around that hotel property. So, I immediately tried to find them.” But, that is not where the panic ended for the Ockford family. They had a family member attending the Route 91 Harvest festival at the time of the shooting. “It didn’t hit me right away, since the reports were more centered around Mandalay Bay,” Karen Ockford said. “Then, reports said the shots were aimed towards the crowd at the music festival. Once I learned that, it was then I immediately contacted family to see if they heard from him.” Kassie’s cousin and Karen’s nephew, who wishes to remain unnamed by request of the family, was more than a survivor. “He’s actually an EMT. So, he responded when he was there because they needed people,” Kassie Ockford said. With this tragedy comes questions. Was this a terrorist attack?What happens next? As of right now, this attack is not being labeled as a terrorist attack.
In a news conference, sheriff of of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Joseph Lombardo, said, “We believe it was a local individual. We do not know what his belief system was at this time. Right now, we believe it is a sole actor, a lone-wolf-type actor, and we have the place under control.” ISIS did try to say that Paddock was recent Islamic convert who did this on behalf of them. However, the FBI quickly diffused this mistruth. Donald Trump voiced his thoughts as well. At the White House, Trump said that the United States will be “talking about gun laws as time goes by.” “I think that there should be more gun laws honestly, because some people just don’t know how to do it right,” Kassie Ockford said. “I think making people aware of escape routes should be reviewed at every venue in some form. Increase ability to screen for weapons in public places, but that’s very difficult I’m sure,” Karen Ockford said. Right now, it is important for the lives of the loss to be remembered and for our country to mourn this tragedy. “This experience has put a bigger perspective on me and the way I feel when I leave situations with my family. I didn’t think this was going to happen, so I just left my family like I normally do. But now I kind of will take a step back and let everything sink in,” Kassie Ockford said. This article has been updated since publication. ERODNERTIMS77@GMAIL.COM
Hispanic heritage month underway BY RENIN BROADNAX Staff Writer Hispanic Heritage month has begun. The celebration is from September 15 to October 15. To celebrate this month the club “Pura Vida” hosts events every Thursday. Events range from Ice Cream socials, BBQ parties and Salsa dancing in the mansion all for the celebration of the Hispanic community. Also, in many of the Residence Halls there are pictures of different Hispanic Americans that live in those dorms. The posters state those student’s names and their specific ethnicities Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican and many more. Cabrini is creating and hosting events for Hispanic Heritage month; however, are these events well received by the Hispanic Community. Lupe Mendez a Cabrini sophomore and Political science major said, “I’ve have heard things about events going on for Latinos but they’re not well advertised so sometimes I miss them or just don’t hear about them”. Yourkenia Gomez, a Cabrini sophomore and international business major, said, “I
FLICKR / U.S. ARMY RDECOM
Hispanic heritage month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. have not heard of events for Latin Americans. The only organization that promotes and is in charge of the events is Pura Vida. They do events through the year but not as much as I think they should be.”
There are events at Cabrini celebrating Hispanic Americans, but the poor advertisement is keeping people from attending them. This also raises the question is Cabrini doing enough during this celebratory month. Carolyn Alcantara, Cabrini sophomore and accounting major, said, “I think Cabrini is doing an okay job in making Hispanic Americans feel included, but I think there should be a place on campus that people can see Latino culture whenever they want to”. The verdict is that Hispanic Americans do feel like Cabrini is their home, but within every household there are problems among the family. Advertisement and better representation are the two largest complaints of the Latino community here at Cabrini. How will Cabrini tackle the requests of the Hispanic community during this time? There is a very large community of Hispanic Americans not only in America, but at Cabrini. A learning to make them feel represented is a part of the Cabrini mission.
RENIN9819@GMAIL.COM
Update: What’s happening in the racial slur case On Sunday, Sept. 17 the entire Cabrini Campus Community was notified of a racist comment written on a student’s dorm room door. Almost 20 days after the incident taking place, no new updates have surfaced from Radnor Police Department’s investigations. “This comment was hateful and completely goes against who we are as an institution and as a diverse community,” President Taylor commented. The Dean of Students Office and the Office of Public Safety began thoroughly investigating this matter on Sept.17th. On that day, it was announced that they would do everything they could possibly do to identify the individual(s) responsible for writing the racist comment. On Sept. 19, while the investigate of the slur was underway, another was found in the same area as before. Radnor Police Department then stepped into the case and onto campus to collect evidence. The last update the campus received was sent out via e-mail on Sept. 26. Radnor Police Department is using forensic analysis of evidence, and also brought in experts to help in the case. However, the Cabrini community still awaits word other than the incident remaining under investigation. The day after the incident occurred, Cabrini students decorated the entire hallway surrounding the student’s door with posters and other decor of positive quotes and phrases. President Taylor has also been clear about communicating Cabrini’s ongoing efforts to hold activities that combat hate and intolerance for all students and foster inclusivity. This has been the most prominent way in which Cabrini has chosen to proactively address the issue, while the individual(s) responsible still remain unidentified. “Our community has demonstrated an amazing unity and support in the face of hate, and we are grateful for that,” President Taylor said to the community.
ANGELINA MILLER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LIFESTYLES
4 | THELOQUITUR.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
LGBTQ+ community represented in modern animation
FURIAROSSAANDMIMMA
Ruby and Sapphire are prominently featured lesbian couple from the hit 2013 animated series “Steven Universe.” BY ERIC STONE Lifestyles Editor
Homosexuality has always had somewhat of a rocky relationship within the world of television. Until very recently, it was almost impossible to include any references to the LGBTQ+ community without receiving backlash. Only 20 years ago, “The Puppy Episode” of Ellen DeGeneres’ self-titled series “Ellen” had its star character come out as lesbian, which received extreme backlash and almost destroyed DeGeneres’s career completely. Since then, LGBTQ references have been included more and more in modern sitcoms and live-action series and have become somewhat of a regularity. Yet, what does that mean for animation? There seems to be a stigma when it comes to cartoons that children are not ready to be exposed to homosexual relationships as teenagers or adults may be.
It has been reflected in some modern cartoons, such as “SpongeBob SquarePants” or “The Ren & Stimpy Show,” where even the most subtle nods to homosexuality through gags or one-liners have been criticized and garnered controversy. In recent years, the world of animation has seen a notable uprise in the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships. Some of these shows include but are not limited to “The Legend of Korra,” “Adventure Time,” “Steven Universe” and “Clarence.” These shows have respectively explored bisexual and lesbian relationships, as well as a same-sex marriage between two males. These relationships are not just put in to lurk in the background and be devoid of attention, however. Every relationship is portrayed as genuine, complex and admirable. It goes beyond just labeling a character as “gay” and leaving them to be mere stereotypes of who they are. These shows understand the LGBTQ+ community and speak to them as honestly and passionately as possible, with no concept feeling too forced or unnatural. For that reason, these shows have gained a large following from the LGBTQ community for appropriately representing their culture in the most positive and uplifting way necessary, while also leaving impressionable children with a positive message. “Children are born totally accepting and with no innate prejudices,” 15-yearold Ted Finnegan said. “Those are simply ground into them by the environment that they grow up in and if they watch early on a show that helps teach them loving kindness, they will be more likely to learn how to practice this later in life.” Finnegan, being a citizen of the United Kingdom, resides in an area where heavy censorship still plagues modern television and harms a lot of what this collec-
tion of animation is aiming to do. Though he notes that Britain itself does not lean towards homophobic tendencies, network executives will constantly aim at removing anything that resembles a reference to homosexuality, with little explanation or reason behind their actions. “It’s so much harder to show those LGBTQ+ relationships if they aren’t actually appearing on the screen,” Finnegan said. “The censorship really just enforces ignorance, which is what the show is aiming to stop.” Finnegan himself questioned the purpose behind this type of censorship. “Besides, the inverse argument, ‘how is it damaging to society?’ has the obvious answer: it is not damaging,” Finnegan said. “If no harm can be done with it, why not put those references in?” Isaac Dadun, an arts and science major, concurred with Finnegan’s feelings. “I lost count how many times I’ve heard someone say ‘being gay is fine, just not in front of me;’ a damaging message that the UK seems to be reinforcing,” Dadun said. “Kids want to conform by keeping queer identities as this hush-hush idea, yet kids with those identities are going to be more at risk of trying to force themselves into changes they can’t make.”
Among these animated series, Cartoon Network’s “Steven Universe” has received acclaim over the past four years for the way it embraces LGBTQ+ relationships in such fascinating and explicit ways. It has pushed the boundaries for what a children’s show is able to allow when it comes to depictions of sexual orientation. Creator Rebecca Sugar believes queer representation in the show is important because of her identity as a bisexual woman. “These themes have so much to do with who you are,” Sugar said. “There is an idea that these are themes that should not be shared with kids but everyone shares stories about love and attraction with kids.” Sugar believes that the identity of children is something that should be treated with grave significance, as what they see and absorb is what will transform them in the future. “It really makes a difference to hear stories about how someone like you can be loved,” Sugar said. “If you don’t hear those stories, it will change who you are.” “Steven Universe” has reflected that notion by showcasing what a strong, loving relationship can look like amongst those in the LGBTQ+ community. “Honestly, I think it’s a good introduction to most relationships, regardless of sexuality,” Dadun said. “It demonstrates healthy, functional, loving relationships that I aspire to cultivate.” Ria Lismus, a lab manager, was an undergraduate student by the time “Steven Universe” first aired. Though she noted that she was not struggling with her bisexuality at the time, she did note how helpful it would be for future generations. CONTINUE READING ONLINE
PERRYWHITE
“The Legend of Korra,” a spin-off of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” subtlely involves two bisexual main characters.
ECSTONE31@GMAIL.COM
Pros and cons of being a commuter student
MADDIE LOGUE/STAFF WRITER
Getting involved on campus is still very much doable as a commuter. BY MADDIE LOGUE Staff Writer
Commuter students are as equal if not the same as the student’s who reside at Cabrini. Several commuters voiced their opinions about the daily struggles and benefits of being a commuter. Ultimately, commuters are just as much a part of the campus as residents. One advantage of being a commuter is paying essen-
tially half of the tuition price, because you are not paying to live on campus. A second benefit is that you never have to worry about public transportation or relying on friends for rides. Third, you do not have to rely on a meal plan; you can buy groceries for your house and make healthier choices. Although there are some positives to being a commuter student, there are some disadvantages to not living on campus. It is easy to become disconnected with the residents on campus when you’re always leaving after a class. Also, it can be frustrating to be stuck sitting in traffic or praying there is a parking spot that is not located miles away from your 9:40 a.m. class. Being a commuter can be difficult because sometimes, you have a few hours before your next class and you might have to kill time. In a way Cabrini, commuters are exactly like every other student on campus except that they do not have a dorm room to drop off their heavy backpacks, take a nap, do homework or even heat up a cup of easy-mac. Alyssa Massarella, communication and marketing major, is a senior commuter that has been driving back and forth to school since the first time she attended Cabrini. “I decided to commute because my house is only 15 minutes away from campus and it was the best option for me financially,” Massarella said. “I have plenty of friends on campus that I hangout with and stay with too, so I really get the best of both worlds.” The majority of the students commented that they used Jazzman’s cafe as a hangout place to get started on homework assignments and chat with friends to pass the time before class. “I sit in Jazzman’s or in Founder’s lobby or I’ll hang out in a friends dorm or apartment,” Massarella said. She does not feel like a commuter half the time because she is
constantly active in campus activities. Junior English major Johnny Myers decided to commute his sophomore year of college because he thought it was the better fiscal choice and he wanted to save money in order to pay for his education. He discussed the daily struggles he faces as a commuter. “The biggest struggle I face being a commuter is hitting traffic on the blue route,” Myers said. “I just listen to music to make it bearable.” Myers is a leader in the Office of Admissions and Cabrini Theater. He also expressed never feeling like a commuter. “My advice to commuter student is get involved,” Myers said. “Can’t stress that enough. Getting involved at Cabrini has made my experience worthwhile.” Kayla Ricker, psychology major and sophomore commuter, decided to commute during the second semester of her freshmen year because she lives so close to campus and wanted to continue working her job from home. Ricker shared the essential items a commuter should have with them at all time. “A couple of essentials I bring are headphones and my laptop, so if I don’t have anything else do, I won’t get bored,” Ricker said. She also said that it is very important to be present on campus to get the full college experience and advised other commuters to build relationships with their peers. Ricker said, “I spend so much time on campus for my extra curricular activities that sometimes, I don’t even feel like a commuter.” MADDIELOGUE@GMAIL.COM
LIFESTYLES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
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Haunted attractions to visit this October
SARAH CURIO
Penshurst State School and Hospital operated from November of 1908 until December of 1987. BY KEEGAN MCKOSKEY Staff Writer
Fall is a time of year where decorating the house is fun, the weather is cooler and horror movies are on a marathon. Many people have different fall traditions and exciting things to do during the season. Visiting haunted houses and trudging through corn mazes are just a couple of the most popular fall activities. Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, Pa. is ranked among one of the scariest haunted attractions in the nation. At Pennhurst Asylum, it is well known that actors are allowed and most certainly will touch you, grab you and separate you from your group. The actors specifically go after the seemingly tough guys that act less frightened. “Pennhurst is easily the best haunted house I’ve ever been to,” Paul Bendetti, teacher at Our Lady of Hope, said. Pennhurst Asylum was originally for the mentally and physically disabled who were from the Spring City area. Penshurst Asylum offers four attractions that feature a hospital setting, underground tunnel, a government lab and a self-guided haunted tour where there have been photographs of ghosts taken before. Penshurst Asylum runs from Sept. 22 through Nov. 4. Another haunted attraction among the best during the fall is Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pa. This national landmark that has housed many famous inmates, such as Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton.
The prison, which closed nearly 50 years ago, is considered one of the most haunted places in America. Joseph Pettine was a performer at Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls for three years. He said Terror Behind the Walls is a unique attraction because it is actually haunted. “You should go to Terror because it’s the only haunted house in a real prison with real ghosts,” Pettine said. “I worked there. I’ve been in dark cells at night. That place is creepy without people jumping out at you.” The penitentiary offers daytime tours that are already scary as well as hosts the Terror Behind the Walls haunted attraction from Sept. 22 through Nov. 11. Upon entering Terror Behind the Walls, visitors choose whether or not you would like the actors to be able to grab you and/or separate you from your group. Terror Behind the Walls has six attractions including a machine shop, infirmary, blood yard, quarantine setting, lock down exhibit and break out. Each of these exhibits are located in the prison hallways with real cellblocks. Field of Screams is another haunted attraction located in Lancaster, Pa. Field of Screams is said to be America’s number one haunted attraction.
HOPE DALUISIO/ VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
People can tour the facilities and visit the cellblocks in Eastern State Penitentiary.
ANDERSEN AIRFORCE
Many of these spooky attractions are filled with people who jump out and scare you. Actors at Field of Screams have the ability to grab or touch people and visitors cannot opt out of this. “Field of Screams is such an awesome place,” Logan LeVan, junior sports management major at Alvernia University, said. “I feel like you get a lot for your money.” Field of Screams has four attractions but also offers special nights that include a blackout theme. The four
attractions are a traditional haunted hay ride, den of darkness, haunted asylum and nocturnal wasteland. Field of Screams runs from Sept. 9 through Nov. 11 so definitely grab your friends or family and check it out. Although haunted houses and attractions are fun, there are other options for fall activities. Harbor Park is a community park that features big board games, hammocks, restaurants and entertainment by the water. Center city restaurant week runs from Sept. 10 through the 19 and has some great deals for restaurants. Peddler’s Village is also a family favorite in Bucks County that features a halloween themed park with shops and restaurants. Though pumpkin spice lattes and football games are all some people need to enjoy fall, being frightened can be fun; it can also be fun to frighten others. “Scaring people is kind of addictive,” Pettine said. KEEGANMCKOSKEY11@GMAIL.COM
‘It’ floats to the top after 27 years BY JUSTIN BARNES Staff Writer
Stephen King’s novel “It” is regarded by many to be one of his best works, having been nominated for and won several awards. In November of 1990, a miniseries under the same name was released on ABC. In this miniseries, based off Stephen King’s “It,” Tim Curry portrayed the infamous killer clown, Pennywise. Despite mixed reviews, audiences seemed to enjoy it, with Rolling Stone calling it a “cult classic.” Then 27 years later, the same amount of time it takes before it reawakens in the book, New Line Cinema released a fulllength feature adaptation of the novel with Andres “Andy” Muschietti in the director’s chair and Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. Following “It”’s release on Friday, Sept. 8, the film broke several box office records, including highest R-rated film release, highest R-rated opening day and largest opening for an R-rated horror film. Despite a budget of only $35 million, “It” grossed a domestic total of $123.4 million on opening weekend and has currently made $505.6 million worldwide.
Taking place in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, “It” centers around seven kids and outcasts known as the Losers Club. Throughout the summer of 1989, they have several encounters with the local bullies led by the sadistic Henry Bowers and are haunted by an ancient supernatural entity that takes the form of their greatest fears, most notably in the form of Pennywise, the dancing clown. The Losers Club also discovers that this entity has a connection to several horrific murders and accidents, all involving missing or dead children, that occurred throughout Derry’s history every 27 years. As kids continue to disappear without a trace and nobody does anything about it, the Losers realize that they must band together and face the monstrosity, as well as their fears, even if it costs them their sanity or lives. There has been much debate surrounding whether Curry or Skarsgards made a better Pennywise, but regardless, fans and critics have been raving about Skarsgard’s performance. “His performance was bone-chilling and left me frightened long after the movie was over,” Sophomore Kaelyn Hassey said. The lead actors were also considered to
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
“It” is now in theaters worldwide. have done an outstanding job. “What I liked the most about the movie was the chemistry all of the actors had,” Hassey said. “It really felt like all of the kids had been friends for years.” The performance that stood out to Hassey the most was Finn Wolfhard as Richie Tozier. Graduate Assistant Annie McMahon especially liked the relationship with Bill
Denbrough, portrayed by Jaeden Lieberher, and his little brother Georgie Denbrough, portrayed by Jackson Robert Scott. “It melted my heart as I’m sure it was intended to,” McMahon said. While the movie was well received, the adaption varied from the book. The movie has faced criticism for the way character traits were flipped around, such as bully Patrick Hockstetter lacking his psychopathic and solipsistic personality that rivaled Henry’s insanity. Ben Hansom providing the historic knowledge, rather than Mike Hanlon. In addition, there was not a lot of development for certain characters, such as Hanlon, Stan Uris,and Henry Bowers and his gang. Despite these changes, it appears that most people were greatly satisfied with “It.” “There were certain parts where I closed my eyes out of fear not knowing what to expect,” McMahon said. “I would love to go back and try to watch the entire movie!”
JUSTIN.WANNABARNES@GMAIL.COM
PERSPECTIVES
6 | THELOQUITUR.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
I should have swiped left BY REBECCA TOMPKINS Staff Writer
Growing up, I never thought that in my 20-something years, I would use an app to find guys. When I was younger, all I ever wanted to do was find the love of my life. I wanted the love story that my parents had, which was boy meets girl, they fall in love and start a life together. But as I continued on throughout school, I never was able to find that special someone. As college began, I started to lose a little hope that I would ever find someone. With all my friends getting into serious relationships, I felt alone. Then, my best friend and roommate convinced me to try out the Tinder app. It was not until I started getting matches that I felt my confidence go up. According to Business Insider, an estimated 50 million people use Tinder every day. Knowing that, I thought to myself: how many creepy guys are on Tinder? Apparently a lot! It all started with Adam. At first, he seemed really sweet. We talked and he seemed to really like me. So stupid-me decided to give him my Snapchat after a short time. Public service annoucement: do not give a guy your Snapchat name after just meeting him. What I thought was going to turn into something nice quickly spiraled down into a hole. He thought after knowing me for only a couple of hours that it would appropriate to Snapchat me an explicit picture. Then he had the nerve to ask me to take my shirt off and send him a picture. Not only that, he continued to call me sweetheart and babe— mind you, I only had known him for three hours. Of course, after he tried to get me to send pictures, I finally blocked him on Snapchat. After my interaction with Adam, I decided that maybe Tinder was not for me. But after being off Tinder for a couple months, I felt myself drawn back into the app.
LAURA SANSOM/PERSPECTIVES EDITOR PHO
Tinder users can scroll through the photos and read the bios of other users they come across. This time, with a new outlook and plan, it started with me just swiping for fun. I told myself that they would not be getting any of my social media accounts or my phone number for a couple of days. Then one day, as I was sitting in my friend’s room, talking, I got the ding and a notification that said: “Congratulations! You have a new match!” At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. The next thing I knew, I recieved a notification telling me that I have a new message from Jack. Taking another shot at talking to another guy, I thought that maybe I dodged a bullet this time and finally found a non-creepy guy. As I started to get to know Jack, I thought maybe I saw something within him. Looking back now, I realize it was a naïve thought. We continued to talk for a couple of days. It didn’t start to get creepy until the fourth day. At this time, I was going to give him my Snapchat and possibly my telephone number.
Our conversation started off normally, just like all of our conversations. Then it started to get really interesting. He began asking me if we could hang out. As I sat there contemplating his question, he then asked me another question: “Are you heavy?” I replied that I was and asked why he was asking, since my weight never really bothered me. At this point, red flags were going off in my head and I started to panic a little. I’ve been bullied by guys about my weight and if this guy only swiped right just to make fun of me, that wasn’t cool. But the next question he asked took me by complete surprise. He asked me if I had a tummy. Now, being an overweight woman, I was a little confused. Wouldn’t a guy know that heavy girls have stomachs? When I replied yes, he then asked if he could jiggle my stomach. I was in so much shock at this point that I didn’t respond. All I did was delete him off Tinder as quickly as possible. After having these experiences with Tinder, some of the things that I learned were: One: Never give a stranger your social media accounts until you’ve been talking to him for a few days. Two: Make sure that your friends know you’re talking to a Tinder boy or Tinder girl. Three: Never feel like you need to go on a dating website. Four: Always be careful who you talk to. Not everyone is a creep, but there are a lot of creeps out there. Five: You do you. Never ever feel like you need to be in a relationship because your friends are in one. Being single is the best thing that can happen. Enjoy your freedom and have fun. When it comes to dating, whether it is virtually or in reality, remember these five pieces of advice and you will be fine. REBECCA.E.TOMPKINS@GMAIL.COM
Talent or hard work: What is the key to success? BY ADRIAN KEENEY Staff Writer
As Thomas Jefferson once wrote: “All men are created equal.” But this is not the case most of the time. While the law recognizes that all people hold equal rights, in reality, everyone is not equally talented. Some people are tall, while others have high IQ’s. While these are not necessarily talents, they are inborn traits that people can use to their advantage. In other words, they are advantages people have that cannot be taken from them. Talent follows a similar course. Someone’s natural talent cannot be taken from them and
they can use that talent to succeed in life. Some may be great writers. Others may have a knack for mathematics. For some people, certain subjects— not just in school but life in general— come easier to them. On the other hand, hard work also allows anyone to achieve their best, no matter what the circumstances are. If someone is weak in one area, they can spend time honing their skills until they are competent. Talent will only get you so far in life. In my experience, as well as the experiences of many others, college is a revelation in that regard. In my case, I have always been an good writer. In the earlier years of my education, when it came to putting my thoughts on
paper, I was always able to articulate what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. What may have been harder for others seemed to have cowme effortlessly to me. When I was younger, I could rely on my talents to place me ahead of mostly everyone else. I was even able to use my talents to get myself into college. But one thing I realized is that college is absolutely filled with hard workers. When I came here, I learned that I could not rely on my talents alone as a writer; other students were outworking me. I decided that the best way to maximize my talents and achieve the most that I could was to work hard on my skills as a writer. When it comes to talent and hard work, hard work is more
WIDJAYA IVAN/FLICKR
A high school coach expresses his opinion on talent and hard work. important. This is because hard work will get a person farther in life, rather than if they solely rely on their talents. That being said, talent is wasted without hard work. It is important to realize what one’s limitations are. While it is beneficial to be well-rounded and to be competent in many aspects, spending countless hours of your time working on things that you
have obvious limitations at may not be the best use of your time. The best way to be successful is to try to discover what your talents are. Your weaknesses are not what will take you places, only your talents can do that. Find your talents. Work hard to hone them. Achieve the best you can. possibly achieve. AKEENEY04@GMAIL.COM
How to manage anxiety on a college campus BY RENIN BROADNAX Staff Writer
According to the American Psychological Association, 41.6 percent of college students suffer from anxiety. Anxiety is described as a feeling of nervousness or worry about an event that’s outcome has not yet been decided. This is the technical definition, but it does not fully describe this mental illness. At the age of 12, I began to have feelings of uneasiness and worry. I had these imaginary fears about people, places and events that did not exist. It caused me to believe that I was going insane. The way I dealt with it was secluding myself. Finally, after taking an advanced place-
ment psychology class my senior year in high school, I realized that I was suffering from anxiety and depression. At the end of my freshman year of college, I began to figure out ways not to rid myself of my anxiety, but to manage it. The first bit of advice I can give is thapot you need to figure out if you even have anxiety. According to Boston University, anxiety is “when your mood state interferes with your ability to function.” The second tip I have is to realize that anxiety is not going to disappear. There are levels to anxiety. During high levels,
you will second guess yourself; during low levels you will feel “normal.” The third tip is eliminate small things that will build up and give you more anxiety. This includes homework, appointments and even making your bed. The fourth one is to surround yourself with people who have positive mindsets. There are people who will not understand what you are going through. These people will try to make you feel as though you are just overreacting or being emotional.
The final piece of advice that I can give is to recognize when you are no longer able to manage your anxiety yourself. There may come a time where these tactics start to fail and you find yourself being eaten alive by your negative thoughts. If there is a single thoguht in your mind that this becoming to much for you to handle, that is when you need to reach out. I myself I have reached out to counseling and psychological services on and off campus. I have my days where I can barely focus because of all the thoughts running through my head. Iam proof that you can make it through college with this mental illness and I have faith in you, too. RENIN9819@GMAIL.COM
SPORTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
THELOQUITUR.COM | 7
Sports Source
Hall of fame: A night of remembrance
BY JOHN WILLIAMS
BY AARIANA WILSON Staff Writer
Editorial Column
The NHL season began on Oct. 4 and everyone is making their bold predictions for the year. I decided to make mine too. Unlike other people’s predictions, mine will be 100 percent correct— because that’s how these things usually go, right? Anaheim Ducks: Patrick Eave’s stat line comes back down to Earth. Arizona Coyotes: Adam Clendening has a breakout year. Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara will retire at the end of the season. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel scores 80 points. Calgary Flames: Mike Smith will have his best year since ‘11-12. Carolina Hurricanes: They will make the playoffs. Chicago Blackhawks: They will miss the playoffs. Colorado Avalanche: Duchene will be traded to the Islanders. Columbus Blue Jackets: Sergei Bobrovsky’s production drops off. Dallas Stars: The Stars will lead the league in goals. Detroit Red Wings: Gustav Nyquist has a bounce-back season. Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid will score 120 points. Florida Panthers: They will finish last in the Atlantic Division. Las Vegas Golden Knights: They will have three players that score 25 or more goals. Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Quick gets hurt and plays just 40 games. Minnesota Wild: Devan Dubynk struggles and has his worst season since his Oilers days. Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin scores at least 30 goals Nashville Predators: Scott Hartnell will have a bounce-back season and scores 40 points. New Jersey Devils: Nico Hischier scores 20 goals. New York Islanders: They acquire Matt Duchene in a trade. New York Rangers: Ryan McDonagh will be a Norris Trophy candidate. Ottawa Senators: Jean-Gabriel Pageau scores at least 55 points. Philadelphia Flyers: Nolan Patrick plays less than 50 games. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jake Guentzel scores 30 or more goals in his second NHL season. San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton continues to slow down and retires at the end of the season. St. Louis Blues: Jake Allen finally figures it out and is a Vezina Trophy candidate. Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos finally stays healthy. Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyler Bozak will be traded. Vancouver Canucks: They will finish as the worst team in the NHL in 2017-2018. Washington Capitals: They will not have home ice advantage in the playoffs’ first round. Winnipeg Jets: Connor Hellebuyck will finish the season as the starting goaltender. For in depth explanations for these predictions, continue reading online.
Cabrini’s athletic department started a tradition in 2006 to recognize students, coaches and significant individuals alike. The athletic hall of fame is there to honor and pay respect to all the people that have been considered essential to the athletic program. On Sept. 22, 2017, seven more people were added to the list of influential and trail-blazing members of the hall of fame. Tom DeMatteis, Mike Friel, Mike Keeley, Joe Kelly, Mary Beth Senkewicz, Michael Tims and Carolyn Wilson Geonnotti were all inducted into the hall of fame. It was an elegant event. Students checked for the guest tickets at the door. The night began with a cocktail reception where the inductees mingled with student athletes, coaches, family and old friends who traveled to Cabrini to support them. The Nerney pavilion in the Dixon center was filled with laughter, drinksand maybe a some nerves. At 7 p.m., heels clicked into the main gym area to begin the ceremony. The gym was transformed with beautiful tables, balloons, a bar area and a buffet style dinner. Once everyone was done socializing, they took their seats, were called up in sections for dinner and the speakers began to come up to the podium. Reverend Carl Janicki, the chaplain, led the group into prayer that spoke about Mother Cabrini. He spoke on how Mother Cabrini cared about giving back and how the inductees embodied these qualities. “Good character fulfills its obligations,” Father Carl said. Each inductee then had a speaker who knew them very well to introduce their legacy to the crowd. These speakers ranged from wives, husbands,
EMMA RODNER-TIMS/NEWS EDITOR
From left to right: Andy Hubley, Doug Meder (assistant men’s soccer coach), Bill DiRita (‘92), Steve McGowan (‘95), Mike Tims (‘95), Jumbo Feketics (‘95), Duncan Hubley (men’s soccer coach) and Woody Burke (‘94) were inducted into the hall of fame.
coaches and even just great friends. Justin Geonnotti, husband of Carolyn Wilson Geonnotti, said, “I’m not surprised my wife has been nominated. She was undefeated: 42 - 0, 81 wins and only one loss. She simply refused to lose.” Each inductees’ speech was filled with appreciation. Many inductees touched on how proud of the new facilities they were. They took note of what it was like in the past and how we’ve come such a long way as an institution. “I’m very proud of where Cabrini is today,” Friel said. “Sophomore year, we had to wear these dress-like uniforms. Junior year, we got shirts and finally shorts. There have been so many changes. We don’t have all the data to prove stats and things like that, because it was all pre-history. We didn’t have all that
there is now,” Senkewicz said. They also talked about lessons that they learned and what they took away from their experience. “If there is one thing I found to be the most important when it comes to sport, it is team chemistry,” DeMatteis said. “You have to have a solid foundation and I believe that if an athlete can find that in faith, then they will go very far.” Each inductee shared a wealth of history, funny stories, tales of depending on your team, and how they were so happy to be back at Cabrini after such a long time. “Its nice to think back to when I wasn’t a mother trying to get my child to go to sleep, but rather, when I was just a student athlete,” Geonnotti said. AARIANA.WILSON@GMAIL.COM
Working two full-time jobs:
Full-time student, full-time athlete BY BILL MORGAN Staff Writer
From day one, you are always reminded of the main reason why they call you a “student-athlete” and not an “athlete-student”. Your education will always come first. Leaving the locker room, scrambling through your backpack to find your wallet, running to grab a bite to eat as you rush to your next class. A relatable scenario every athlete has been through. One advantage to being a student-athlete is the bond you form with your teammates. Growing up, making friends was never the easiest thing for me. I normally just gelled into friend groups through the sports I played. College was no different. Going into my freshman year, I’ve heard plenty of stories about how some people find it challenging to meet and form new friendships. I was
HOPE DALUISIO/VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
Cabrini’s men’s lacrosse team celebrates after a CSAC victory. fortunate enough to be thrown into a group of 45 new faces that shortly turned into relationships that will last a lifetime. In addition to evolving relationships with your teammates, you also form friendships with other student athletes. Having so much in common, it is relatively easy to relate to one another.
Upon receiving your diploma, the job search can be sped up for some individuals who have played a sport. It is not a guarantee, but it is something that the potential employer will take into consideration due to your ability to balance two major commitments. On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages to being
a full time student as well as a fully committed athlete. One of the major points that sticks out is the time commitment. It is very easy to find yourself almost dozing off in class because you were up at 5:30 a.m. for practice. This may not necessarily be a disadvantage but a challenge, for sure, is the spotlight that is put on you. Even when you step off the field or court, you are representing your university to the best of your ability. It is a no brainer to think before you make any conscious decision in life but for student athletes, some decisions can make or break your future. I have heard numerous stories of people who have had their scholarships revoked because of a negative tweet or Facebook post. At the end of the day, being a student-athlete has its ups and downs. You knew coming into it what the expectations were and what you signed up for. BILLYMORGAN22@GMAIL.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
SPORTS
THELO QUITUR.COM | 8
MICHELLE GUERIN/STAFF WRITER
Cabrini athletes who want to either put on muscle or burn fat work out at Cabrini’s recentely renovated athletic facillity, the Dixon Center.
Cabrini athletes prepare for the winter season BY BRIELLE TOFF Staff Writer
Now that the Cabrini Cavaliers are well into their fall sports season, it is time for the university’s winter athletes to start thinking about their upcoming season. Most people would think that winter athletes start preparing for their sports season towards the end of the fall season, but five of Cabrini’s elite winter athletes have been preparing for the upcoming athletic season since the last one ended.
Keith Blassingale: Men’s basketball Keith Blassingale is entering his sophomore season on the Cabrini men’s basketball team and he could not be any more excited for the upcoming season. Blassingale worked out all summer long. For the majority of the summer, Blassingale lifted heavy weights at a low amount of repetions, but now Blassingale is lifting lighter weights at a higher amount of reps. “The team works out with Dustin Malandra, the university’s head strength and conditioning coach, in the athleteonly gym four times a week,” Blassingale said. “He has us doing different workouts daily, but we are mainly just spending time working on mechanics and working on our core.” As for Blassingale’s diet, he says that it consists of roughly three water bottles a day. He also tries to eat as much as possible so that he can maintain the weight that he wants to uphold. Blassingale definitely seems as though he is going to be in shape for the upcoming season, as is his teammate Mike Doyle, who is returning as a junior on the men’s basketball team.
Mike Doyle: Men’s basketball Doyle has also been doing his best to maintain a healthy diet and a steady
workout regimen to prepare for this years basketball season. Unlike a lot of Divsion III athletes, Doyle views preseason preperation as an all year thing. “My preseason never really starts or ends,” Doyle said. “After our season ends in March, I take two weeks off and then I start lifting and playing basketball again. So for me, I have been getting ready since March.” Doyle follows the workout routine that Malandra gives to the rest of the basketball team; they lift together as a team three days a week and they condition once a week. As for his diet, it’s the least of his worries. “My diet right now is pretty loose. I am at a spot where putting on weight is not the worst thing in the world,” Doyle said. “When the season begins, I will stop eating as much junk food and stop drinking as much soda so that I can get my body right.” The fact that the men’s basketball team is already putting in this much work for their winter season is just an example of the hard work and dedication the men will be putting on the field.
Caroline Price: Woman’s basketball Women’s basketball players Caroline Price and Cassidy Gallagher have also been working with Cabrini’s head strength and conditioning coach Dustin Malandra, following their own specific diets and have been keeping up with their own work out regimens. Caroline Price, a senior who is now entering her fourth season playing Cabrini women’s basketball, has been very busy over the past couple of months working on getting ready for her final season playing basketball. “Every season, the women’s basketball team begins their workouts during the
second week of school,” Price said. “This means that we are working out together in the strength and conditioning room with Malandra for about 6 weeks prior to the first practice.” On her own time, Price enjoys lifting weights and doing cardio. She does not necessarily love running, but she likes how it pushes her endurance. When it comes to what she eats, Price said that her diet is a pretty healthy one. “Lately I have been slacking, but I try to incorporate protein and veggies into every meal,” Price said. “I love chicken and fish, which are normally what I have for dinner. I also love carbs, especially pasta. My family is Italian, so we eat that a lot too. I don’t usually snack either. I stick to three main meals a day.” As for her diet, when she is in season, Price typically eats the same foods. Practicing every day and lifting multiple times a week definitely takes a toll on her body, so when Price is in season, she is definitely eating more than she would be if she were not in season.
Cassidy Gallagher: Woman’s basketball Caroline Price’s teammate, Cassidy Gallagher, is approaching her second year on as a player on Cabrini’s women’s basketball team. Gallagher has been working just as hard as her teammate, Price and has spent the last couple of months making sure she stays in shape for basketball season. There is never a time when Cassidy Gallagher is not working out and she does her best to stay in shape all of the time. In fact, over the summer, Gallagher participated in a summer league. When she was not playing basketball, she was spending a lot of her spare time at the gym. Gallagher stated that the women’s basketball team started working out with Malandra during the second week of
school and they will continue to do so throughout the season. Before Gallagher and her teammates left school for the summer, they were given a summer diet packet from Malandra. “I tried my best to follow that packet throughout the summer and add additional workouts if needed,” Gallagher said. Along with constantly working out, Gallagher also tries to keep up with a healthy diet. She notes that she does not follow a specific diet plan, but she enjoys most healthy foods, so she does not have a problem eating healthy.
Katherine Buckman: Swimming Aside from both basketball teams, Cabrini also has men’s and women’s swimming during the winter. Katherine Buckman, a sophomore who is going into her second swimming season at Cabrini, could not be anymore excited for the season. As Buckman started to prepare for the upcoming swim season throughout the summer, she tried to swim as much as she could all summer long. The swim team had their first official practice on Sept. 18, so now she is into more of a schedule. The routine for the swim team is mostly straightforward. Buckman said, “We have a lifting program that Malandra made specifically for the swim team that we have been doing for two weeks now. Other than that, we just go to our practices.” Commiting to maintaining their physical condition is not easy, but says working together makes it easier. Cassidy Gallagher said, “Being around the team for preseason while we are lifting and playing pickup and seeing each other get better is a key component for the actual season. It’s exciting for us to work hard now and see it pay off later on in the year.” BTOFF98@GMAIL.COM
MICHELLE GUERIN/STAFF WRITER
Winter athletes (left to right) Keith Blassingale ‘20, Mike Doyle ‘19, Caroline Price ‘18, Cassidy Gallagher ‘20 and Katherine Buckman ‘20 prepare throughout the fall.