the Quadrangle
JaspersCelebrateMissionWeek
StartingwiththeFeastDayofSaintJohnBaptistdeLaSalle,MissionWeekallows studentstogetinvolvedwithactsofservice. @MANHATTANEDU / INSTAGRAM
PresidentFrederickBonato EndorsesFullParticipation ofMUStudentsinCivic Engagement
Brooke Della Rocco News Editor
Interim President
Frederick Bonato became the third Manhattan University president to sign a letter expressing MU’s commitment to full participation in civic engagement and voting.
Multiple students working on the Jaspers Vote team were present for the event, including Gabrielle Blair, Samantha Pavlick, Danica Mason and Tigist Dagnatchew, along with
political and international studies professor Margaret Groarke, Ph.D., to commit to making civic engagement a priority for the community.
Jaspers Vote competes in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge every year, where they are rated on a variety of criteria including their plan for how they are going to register voters.
By looking at how many voters are registered and how many students actually vote, they try to dissect the institutional commitment to civic engagement.
“They [ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge] ask us
to get the president to commit to a goal of having every eligible Manhattan University student participating,” Groarke said. “So we decided that we wanted to do that in a public way because the commitment is more meaningful if everybody on campus knows the president is behind this.”
Jaspers Vote focuses on logistics, not only making sure students are registered to vote, but making sure they are able to participate in broader civic responsibilities.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Remembering AaronSchoepf, Classof‘26
Grace Cardinal Editor-in-Chief
Aaron Schoepf, a junior at Manhattan University, suddenly passed away on Thursday, April 3 at 21 years old. In his time at MU, Schoepf was a highly recognized presence on campus, involved in the performing arts, the Pride Center, the English department and beyond.
Schoepf graduated in 2022 from Washingtonville High School in Washingtonville, NY. He began at MU in fall of 2022, as an English major, adding minors in music and theatre. Schoepf immediately became involved in the performing arts upon joining the MU community, something he was highly involved with in his high school years as well. Schoepf’s presence in the performing arts was felt monumentally, and the hole he left even moreso.
“I can speak on the impact, because now there’s a gaping hole in the community, and when someone has a huge impact, and then they leave, there’s a crater left behind,” Andrew Bauer, director of performing arts, said. “So we are experiencing in performing arts now this crater, and what we can do is that we can fill that crater with the love that he brought, and all of our experiences with Aaron, and that will be eventually filled, and there will be beauty left where that gaping hole is right now.”
An on-campus memorial service was held in honor of Schoepf and his family in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers on Friday, April 4.
Perform
Classes were suspended for an hour to allow students to attend, grieve and show their support for such a loved individual. Schoepf’s mother, Marcella “Mama” Schoepf, wrote a note in her absence that was read at the service by Vice President of Student Life Kristell Lowe. The letter was shared with The Quadrangle.
“I want to express my regret for not being able to join you today to remember Aaron,” Schoepf’s mother’s note began.
“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love you have so generously given him throughout his time here at Manhattan University. The classrooms, halls, and stages of this campus have been a welcoming place of warm fellowship, unconditional acceptance, and beautiful friendships for Aaron. He felt a true connection to this community and I am deeply grateful to you for being such an important part of his life.”
The note concluded, “Please join me to celebrate and hold dear precious memories of his passion for the theater, his creative and thoughtful writing, and especially the songs he held in his heart and shared with all of us. With gratitude, Marcella “Mama” Schoepf.”
Rocco Marinaccio, Ph.D., the department chairperson of liberal learning, English professor and advisor for the Pride Center and Rainbow Jaspers, worked closely with Schoepf in his time on campus. He fondly remembers Schoepf for being “gigantically energetic” and for the intelligence, poise and honesty he brought to everything he took on.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Esports Reflects on a Strong Season pg. 12
Volume CXI, Issue 12
APRIL 15, 2025
The Editorial Board
Grace Cardinal Editor-in-Chief
Emmanouel Sofillas Managing Editor
Laili Shahrestani Features Editor
Leyla Mercado Arts & Entertainment Editor
Owen McWalters Asst. Sports Editor
Amy Forster Asst. Production Editor
Mary Haley Marketing Chair
Brooke Della Rocco News Editor
Mary Haley Asst. Features Editor
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Barbara Vasquez Production Editor
Barbara Vasquez Web Editor
Thom Gencarelli Faculty Advisor
About The Quadrangle
A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news organization run by the students of Manhattan University. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism.
The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the University or the student body.
Join The Quadrangle
The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Kelly Commons Room 4.12. All are welcome to come and join the club.
Connect with The Quadrangle mcquad.org
LETTER from the EDITOR
Dear Readers,
Hello, and welcome to issue 12!
We are rapidly approaching the end of the semester, and it feels like it has flown by faster than I’ve been able to stop and realize. Our seniors are preparing to graduate, final projects are in full-swing and campus is gearing up for its many beloved end-of-year traditions. Issue 12 marks The Quadrangle’s second to last issue for the spring, and it truly feels unreal to look back at how much time has passed.
Nearing the end of a semester always puts me in a reflective mindset and inspires me to look back at everything we’ve accomplished over the past four months. It takes a lot of writers, interviews and late nights to push these stories out to you each and every week. Through the tiredness and frustration that can come, the rewarding feeling of seeing a fine-tuned and beautifully produced issue each week makes the rest fade away, especially when we get to look back and see everything our team has accomplished together.
This week on campus, we continued to mourn the loss of Aaron Schoepf, ‘26. While his loss has been felt monumentally, so has the incredible outpouring of love and support on campus. Players, a group in which Aaron was a beloved member, put together a lovely memorial concert over the weekend that was live streamed by Manhattan Media Network. I can say without a doubt that the event was one of the most powerful performances I’ve ever been to, and I feel honored I was able to witness it live. To see how hard these students worked to make something so meaningful and beautiful out of their grief overwhelms me with emotion. I can truly say that this week exemplified what it means to be part of the Jasper community – supporting one another always, finding light in the darkest of times and coming out the other side with a stronger community than ever.
Our issue this week encompasses Jasper Nation and the many facets that make it such a unique community. In news, we remember Aaron and the positive light he brought to everything he did. We also cover MU’s commitment to full participation in civic engagement, and the new Student Government board. In features, we cover MU’s Lasallian Mission Week and Just Peace club’s Op-Ed writing workshop teaching students to use their voice. In A&E, we cover Aaron’s memorial concert, a behind the scenes look at Springfest and MU Film Society’s next screening in collaboration with Rainbow Jaspers. Lastly, in sports, we overview Esports’ season and cover the Games of the Week.
Due to Easter Break, we will not be publishing next Tuesday, April 24. We will be back with our final issue of the semester on April 29. Our staff is already working diligently behind the scenes, and I cannot wait to share our hard work with the MU community.
Until next time,
Grace
RememberingAaronSchoepf,Classof‘26
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“One thing that I will say is I have been teaching here for 29 years, and in my career, for 44 years, I’ve been on this campus when there were other tragic passings of students,” Marinaccio said. “I was on this campus when the towers went down, and I have never seen such an outpouring of grief in my life until now. I just think he was beloved and so embedded in our community. I think that his spirit and kindness and humor and talent and intelligence left a great mark on a lot of people.”
Schoepf, while well-known for his energetic presence on stage, was known by those close to him as a friend whose door was always open with arms ready to give a hug. As an RA in Horan Hall, Schoepf was known for making sure students felt safe and welcome, while always letting anyone pet his cat when they needed it.
Ashley Karlosky, president of Rainbow Jaspers, worked closely with Schoepf at the campus’s Pride Center.
“Everybody will probably tell you about his hugs and how amazing they are, and how he would literally just hug you so hard, you never wanted it to end,” Karlosky said. “He never let go before you did. How he hugged people was how he existed in this world. He wouldn’t let go until he felt you were ready to let go.”
Schoepf’s energy on campus was undeniable.
Fellow Players member and close friend of Schoepf’s Grace Coutu spoke of his impact in all areas of campus and life.
“He was such a presence everywhere he went,” Coutu said. “Everyone’s been saying this, and it’s so cliche, but it’s very true. He was such a light, just like a little ball of sunshine everywhere he went, but you couldn’t ignore him when he came in a room and he gave so much to everything.”
Schoepf served as a role model to many.
“He’s everything that I strive to be,” Karlosky said. “You can see his impact everywhere on campus. [The] last two weeks, you really are shown just how much space you take up when you’re here, regardless of how involved you are. He was so caring and so passionate about everything that he did, and you see that everybody knew it, everybody loved it, and it’ll be missed.”
Across The Quadrangle’s interviews, one memory of Schoepf continued to pop up.
In the MU Players’ spring musical in 2024, Schoepf played the leading role of Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight. The performance was memorable for all who saw it on campus, and the complexity with which Schoepf embodied the character was one that will live on in infamy.
“He carried that show, and
he was extraordinary in it, that a 20 year old could have such insight and such expressive capability was kind of a revelation to me,” Marinaccio said. “That just blew me away. What he did was a revelation of his own tremendous talent. And I think also, him standing there as a trans man in that role just added a level of power and complexity. He just blew doors [off] in Dogfight. I can still see him on stage.”
Bauer, who gave private voice lessons to Schoepf and worked with him one on one throughout his time in performing arts, was consistently blown away with the raw emotion Schoepf brought to everything he did, both on and off the stage.
“From the roles that he played, he really engrossed himself in the character and the task at hand, learning, memorizing all those lines,” Bauer said. “He was very good at coming through at the end and always learning everything that had to be learned. He brought that joy, you could see it from the characters that he played, but he was the same on stage as he was off stage in terms of his buoyancy and that radiating enthusiasm. Often people act, and they become a different persona, and they’re very different in their private lives…but when you saw Aaron, you knew what you were going to get. He was always predictably in a great
mood, no matter what struggle was going on.”
A week after his passing, campus continues to bustle with ways to honor Aaron, from prayer groups and grief sessions to memorial concerts and beyond.
“One gift that Aaron has given us is that when you see how people have come together since his passing, this community that loved him has been incredibly loving and supportive and understanding of each other,” Marinaccio said. “Since his passing, I think the community that you form around you, tells us about you, but that also tells us about the rest of us. And so I think it’s a gift to us that we’re reminded not only what he meant to us, but what we actually go on to mean towards each other.”
Bauer hopes that those
grieving will hold onto the positive energy Schoepf left behind on MU’s campus.
“Everybody loved the guy,” Bauer said. “I never heard a bad word either from him about anybody or anybody about him. There was very little negativity surrounding him. So that crater, I think, is the image that we have, and we do have to fill that crater, because while we are grieving, we don’t want to become grief.”
For any students looking for additional support, the Counseling Center has drop-in hours available in Miguel Hall, Room 501. Appointments can also be made with the center by email at jegan01@manhattan. edu or (718) 862-7394. At this time, Campus Ministry in Cornerstone is also open to support students who need it.
PresidentFrederickBonatoEndorsesFullParticipationof MUStudentsinCivicEngagement
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
While a nonpartisan group, their mission includes giving people the opportunity to learn about the election so they can make their own educated decisions. In the fall semester, Jaspers Vote held a debate watch party which saw a turnout of about 100 people. The group now looks to hold an event surrounding the New York City mayoral election.
Junior Danica Mason explained why the signing was so important to the Jaspers Vote team and MU’s community.
“It’s significant because it’s important for him to know what we’re doing on campus, and him signing that is furthering the commitment and the awareness for administration,” Mason said. “It is important for people that are higher up to know what we’re doing…and it just kind of shows that he thinks
it’s important too, that he took time out of his day to do that for us.”
Mason went on to explain how the Jaspers Vote mission was reflected and publicized by the signing of the official letter.
“It was really nice to get the exposure to the student body, like getting posted on the Instagram,” Mason said. “I feel like a lot of students don’t know what we’re about and what we do…We’re still active on campus, even though it’s not a presidential election season…But we want to educate people on local elections because those are just as important.”
Groarke expressed her drive and determination to make sure every person exercises their right to vote.
“The House of Representatives voted on a bill that will make it a lot harder to vote, if it ever becomes law, which I hope it doesn’t,” Groarke said. “And I think that’s wrong. So that
inspires my commitment in the neighborhood where I live and here on campus.”
New York has statistically shown a low percentage of people who participate in elections, and Jaspers Vote along with Groarke, plan to change that.
Bonato mentioned his full and unwavering support of the Jaspers Vote team, offering to help them in any way possible, expressing how important it is to vote and use this opportunity.
“I have friends from other places in the world where this opportunity does not exist or does not exist in the same way,” Bonato said. “We have this, and we should take advantage, but as much as possible. And it’s easy to think, ‘Well I’m only one vote, it doesn’t count.’ But if everybody thought that way, where would we be?”
When asked what advice he’d give to a student interested in participating in an election, Bonato drew
on what he’s told his own children.
“My advice would be to educate yourself about the candidates in the most objective way you can,” Bonato said. “Try to get
balanced information about candidates and what they stand for, their platforms, their record. It takes some work, but it’s worth it.”
Aaron Schoepf in the role of Eddie Birdlace in the Players spring 2024 production of “Dogfight”. @PLAYERSMU/INSTAGRAM
Interim President Frederick Bonato signs a letter expressing the commitment of Manhattan University and himself to full participation of eligible student voting.
StudentGovernment WelcomesNewBoard, PresidentandExecutiveVP
Grace Cardinal & Laili Shahrestani
Editor-in-Chief & Features Editor
The Student Government Association held their annual end-of-year elections last week, resulting in a new board, including a new president and executive vice president of the student body. The newly elected board will begin their positions in the fall 2025 semester.
Patrick Kantor, incoming student body president and junior civil engineering major, will succeed senior Jazi Riley, who has held the position since
2023. Kantor’s biggest goal for the upcoming year is to unify the student body through new and upcoming events.
“Unifying the student body, that’s our biggest goal,” Kantor said. “So we plan on starting with small events, just to get kids across the different schools, whether you’re in Kakos or O’Malley or the engineering school, to start bonding there, and then grow it into bigger events.”
Kantor will serve alongside incoming executive vice president Allyson Haskins, a sophomore with a double major in English and communication. Haskins already has her eyes and ears peeled to make change happen.
“Our biggest goal is to leave an impact,” Haskins said. “I don’t want people to feel like we did nothing during the time, or to feel like they weren’t heard. We really want them to know that we’re listening to them. So that’s our biggest goal, we’re just going to make sure that people feel like we’re their friend and they can talk to us during the whole time.”
The pair already have chemistry, coming from a strong friendship and involvement in Greek life together.
“Pat and I are really good friends, and through this whole campaign, we’ve realized we’re [what makes] one another shine,” Haskins said. “I’m very
on top of things, and Pat is too, but I am nagging him, I’m a bit like, “Okay, we’re gonna talk about this now, we’re gonna get this done now,” I think that that helps Pat a little bit more. And Pat is so social, so I feel like he really has that for him…he knows the most random people on campus. I feel like that helps us both.”
While Kantor and Haskins ran a campaign together they called Jasper First Coalition, the rest of the new board is made up of a variety of students from different backgrounds. Despite running with the JasperCore team, come fall junior Billy Walker will step into the position of vice president of communication. In this position, Walker hopes to implement a better use of social media for marketing school-wide.
“I would really like to have a TV in the Admissions office showcasing videos done by students, for prospective students to see what it’s actually like to be a student here,” Walker said. “I want to start using social media more. The days of posters are over for the most part. A poster here and there is fine, in specific locations, but I fear people are still really heavily relying on that. It’s really just turning to word of mouth and fun Instagram posts, whether it be a video or picture.”
Current executive vice president and graduating senior Colin Ratner told The Quadrangle the advice he’s planning on leaving his successor.
“Have fun,” Ratner said. “Try to have as much fun as possible. There’s so many good things that are now happening, so take advantage of it. Take advantage of the energy, and get the ball rolling in all different directions. Don’t just focus in one area or focus in another. Get the ball rolling in all different directions and then follow through. I think the hardest thing to do in this position was to follow through.”
Looking to the future,
Kantor hopes to improve communication with the student body, while Haskins hopes to reconstruct the allocation of the student government budget.
“We definitely want to utilize the budget a little bit differently, and we want to put more in the fall,” Haskins said. “I feel like there’s so many events in the spring because of the nice weather, and it just feels like the fall feels so long and like nothing’s there…We wanted to do maybe another Wellness Day during the fall, or something like that. That way, the fall doesn’t feel so long and cold and sad. So I would say that’s probably our biggest thing we want to change from previous years.”
Walker also hopes that one day, he’ll be walking away from this position better than he found it.
“This could be a cheesy answer, but just leaving this place better than we all found it,” Walker said. “I would say this year we really were able to take it to the next step of creating videos weekly with Manhattan Media Network and producing content for the students by the students and I just want to continue that, and I think now being VP of Communication will give me, and that club, a bigger platform to get to more students.”
The newly elected Student Government board will be officially sworn in on Wednesday, April 16.
Jasper First Coalition came out victorious in the recent Student Government Association elections.
Manhattan University Celebrates Mission Week
Victoria Schiller Senior Writer
Mission Week at Manhattan University took place from Monday, April 7 to Thursday, April 10. Various events inspired by Saint John Baptiste de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers of the Christian schools [the order that founded MU] took place, and students were encouraged to take part in these service opportunities to celebrate and give back to the community.
The Quadrangle had the opportunity to catch up with the key planners involved and students who took part in the week’s activities and events.
Evelyn McGreevey, a junior finance major, took part in the event where care kits were made for Concourse House, a local Bronx women’s shelter.
Students gathered to pack bags with several different items including socks, tissues, toiletries and notes of encouragement for those living in the shelter.
“I feel like everyone that goes to Manhattan University can attest to the fact that the school itself and the Riverdale area is like a family,” McGreevey said. “Everyone’s so sweet and willing to help each other out so being able to give back to the people in the community is really nice. I feel really proud of myself and my school. I’ve seen so many people giving back today and it’s really amazing seeing how everyone can come together with the common goal of helping out the community.”
Jazi Riley, president of the student body, was an active member of this year’s Mission Week. She wrote to The Quadrangle via email about how she became involved, and what the week is all about.
“Dr. Saracino asked for
student government (SGA) and for me to get involved and lead this year after participating last year,” Riley wrote. “SGA has tried to be a hub of advocacy and a social body, and the Lasallian Day of Service allowed us to help out in a larger community effort. Lasallian Day of Service is about recentering and remembering the Lasallian mission on campus. It’s an opportunity to actively contribute to the campus and overall community.”
Vladimir Lee, a business administration graduate student at MU, also works as the graduate assistant for Campus Ministry and Social Action. Lee spoke a little bit about what Mission Week means to him, as well as why it is so important to continuously give back to the communities around campus..
“Mission Week is so important for the Manhattan University community because it gives us all a chance to give
Some students got involved by making care kits for the women in the Concourse House.
KALAJ / THE QUADRANGLE
back,” Lee said. “Sometimes I don’t like that term because I feel like a lot of us always give back in everything we do. It doesn’t even need to be for a community that is in need, but it’s good to recognize those that may need more help than we already get every day. Everyone on this campus for the most part is blessed enough that they have the ability to go to this school, whether they work here or are a student here, and there’s people that are around us within Riverdale or any other part of the Bronx that sometimes do need more help. I’m very happy to be a part of campus ministry and social action and they did a
great job of organizing a lot of events this week to help our community.”
Jazi Riley and other students on a service trip during Mission Week.
JAZI RILEY / COURTESY
ELIZABETH
The MU Just Peace Club Hosts an Op-Ed WorkshopWritingAlongside Professional Journalist Robin Shulman
Otito Maduegbuna Contributor
On April 8, The Quadrangle had the opportunity to speak with student members of Manhattan University’s Just Peace Club, who hosted an oped writing workshop in Kelly Commons sponsored by the Dorothy Day Center. The club was joined by Robin Shulman, professional journalist, former Washington Post reporter and author of the 2013 novel, “Eat the City”. The Just Peace Club and Shulman provided instruction on how to write a newspaper opinion piece, and several members took time to discuss the importance of
workshops like this, as well as journalism as a whole.
Kevin Ahern, Ph.D., professor of religious studies and advisor for the club, spoke to The Quadrangle about the reasoning behind holding the workshop and the use of journalism within the MU campus.
“A lot of the students were expressing a desire to figure out ways to have their voices heard more clearly and more effectively in the media,” Ahern said. “And they were wondering how to write op-eds and other sorts of articles that deliver a point and deliver it clearly. This workshop is designed to help students to better communicate ideas around social issues to wider audiences.”
Within the workshop, students were given guidelines and general guidance by Shulman on how to write their own op-ed, and the significance of these types of writing pieces within the realm of journalism.
The Just Peace Club is a newer organization on MU’s campus, founded by students Elle Feneide and Elliot Bablionia in response to the latest presidential election in the United States.
In addition to her role in helping create the club, Feneide is also the president of the organization and is a junior double majoring in political science and English. She went on to speak about her motive behind holding an op-ed workshop on campus.
“One of the things I’ve been really trying to work on has been making it so that people at this school can figure out how to find their voice,” Feneide said. “I think that op-ed writing is a good way to still find your voice without having to go out and do the extra things like protesting and dealing with that. I’m just really trying to find ways to help people manage the overwhelming feelings that they may be facing right now within the news, because there’s so much information coming in.”
Elliot Babilonia, the secretary of the Just Peace Club and a sophomore computer science major, added onto the benefit of the op-ed workshop for MU students, as well as the overall mission of the club.
“This workshop is meant to really channel students’ emotions on what is going on
A promotional flyer made for the event. @JUSTPEACEMU / INSTAGRAM
right now in terms of current events in the world,” Babilonia said. “There’s so many things going on, but not enough outlets to channel it, especially on campus. At Just Peace, we really want to be a way for students to be able to be in touch and politically aware of what is going on, such as issues that affect marginalized communities. And we also want to discuss how you can really use your voice to elevate others and the issues you care about, which was really the goal of the op-ed writing workshop we had here.”
The Just Peace Club has plans to do future workshops starting next semester. Both Babilonia and Feneide expressed their passion for the work that their club has done so far, and for this event in particular.
“We all have opinions,” Feneide said. “And I think the value in an op-ed is actually saying it to someone who’s going to hear you. It allows people who don’t work in journalism, who don’t have the time to write a book, to write something that matters to them.”
From left to right: Elle Feneide, Robin Shulman and Elliot Babilonia.
Players Host Memorial Concert to Honor Aaron Schoepf
Victoria Schiller Senior Writer
In lieu of their annual spring musical, Players honored the life of beloved member Aaron Schoepf, ‘26 over the weekend during a memorial concert. Schoepf was highly involved in the performing arts throughout his time at MU.
Originally, the spring musical, The Addams Family, in which Schoepf was slated to play Pugsley Addams and worked as production manager, was planned to take place this weekend. The decision to transition the show’s slots into a memorial concert was made to honor his involvement and love for Players.
“We decided that in light of recent events that doing Addams Family would be the wrong decision as Aaron was a very important part of that production,” Robert Nolan, a senior computer engineering major and the technical director and set designer for Players, wrote in an email. “It was such a heavy blow, that if I’m being honest I barely remember being with the board when we made the decision as it was the day of, but it was the right choice. It’s very hard to talk about the celebration of someone’s life while you’re grieving, but I think this is going to be very important.”
The Quadrangle had the opportunity to sit down with several of Schoepf’s close friends involved with the memorial concert and its planning.
Olivia Bailey, a junior
communication major, serves as producer in Players and worked closely with Schoepf. She further explained the decision behind the memorial concert.
“Aaron was Players,” Bailey said. “He had so much involvement in Players. He was always doing something, he was always in The Box. Aaron was always there to just pick up the pieces. He was always the supportive person. Not having something to memorialize the time he spent would have been doing him wrong. It was a no brainer. We spent a couple hours putting it together, thinking of ideas, different things, and going over them and getting different people’s opinions.”
Bailey also shared which songs will be performed and the reason behind the specific pieces chosen.
“We’re doing songs from Dogfight, in which Aaron played the role of Eddie Birdlace, so we’re doing something he was in,” Bailey said. “We’re doing songs from The Lightning Thief, which is a show that he pitched multiple times, so a show he wanted to do. We’re doing a song from a musical called Falsettos, which he was planning on doing an independent study for, or at least thinking about it, so another show he would have spent time on. Then we’re doing songs from Little Shop of Horrors, which was a dream role for him. We tied it together with Seasons of Love from Rent. We spent a couple of hours finding the songs that were most meaningful and we went from there.”
Kevin Cullen, a junior English major with a minor in
theater, works as the historian of the Players board. Cullen shared a bit about Schoepf’s past performances and passion for theater.
“He was such a talented individual,” Cullen said. “Not as flashy, but that by no means meant he was not a talented performer. He was. He’s made such an impact on me and so many people and I think it’s also a testament that he’s not as flashy as others and he still manages to stand out. He made
such an impact. When you shared with him something you were passionate about, I felt like he responded as if he was as passionate. It’s very hard to come across people like that who are just so willing to jump right into all the stuff you love and care about. And it’s something I won’t forget, [and] will never forget. He was and will still be a great friend of mine.”
Cullen also commented on the pair’s close friendship.
Aaron was so important to me,” Cullen said. “He was a very grounding source for me. He was someone who was always very welcoming and whenever I thought things were a little crazy; he was the person who I went to in order to make sure I wasn’t the crazy one. I think we were on a very similar wavelength. To do this concert for Aaron, it felt like something I’m so glad I’m a part of because I want to do as much as I can for him. I think in a lot of ways he was the best of us.”
The Players performed the memorial concert in lieu of their spring musical. @PLAYERSMU / INSTAGRAM
3OH!3 Rocks the Stage at MU’s Annual Springfest
Laili Shahrestani & Angelina Perez
Features Editor / Senior Writer
On April 6, Manhattan University welcomed to campus this year’s Springfest performer, 3OH!3, a musical duo composed of vocalists Nathaniel Motte and Sean Foreman. Through their alternative and party style genre of music, the group was able to gather a highlyenergized crowd in Draddy Gymnasium with lots of dancing accompanied by strobe lights and LED laser beams.
The duo decided to start their band after discovering their shared passion for music while they were college
students at the University of Colorado Boulder. With that said, both Motte and Foreman claimed to have a special place in their heart for performing at universities, because that is where they got their kick-start in their career.
When speaking to The Quadrangle prior to the show, Motte expressed his excitement for performing at MU, saying that not only are the crowds always upbeat, but make him nostalgic for his own college days.
“We really like to play at colleges and universities, because for us, that’s where we had some of the best times of our life,” Motte said. “Back when we were in school is when we started really being creative and making music, and it was a hobby that just developed. So to be able to come back to these places and just relive a little bit of that, and make sure
that everybody out there is having fun, it’s really sweet.”
Foreman added onto Motte’s idea that playing at colleges and universities brings back nostalgic feelings, allowing him to resonate with members of the crowd on a deeper level.
“Because our band was formed at the University of Colorado in Boulder, I feel like that shows up when we play at colleges,” Foreman said. “I feel like we bring that specific background and energy when we play at colleges or universities. It just feels full circle for us.”
Throughout the show, attendees were singing along to the band’s biggest hit songs such as “My First Kiss” and “Don’t Trust Me” while dancing and overall creating a high-energy ambiance within the room.
3OH!3 consistently made efforts to engage the audience and interact with the crowd throughout the night. The duo kept the audience energized by encouraging everyone to dance, turn their phone flashlights on and yell out lyrics – even taking requests for a few cover songs, like All-Star, to get everyone singing.
Motte expressed how he makes an effort to turn every show into a party. He emphasized the importance of wanting the crowd to enjoy themselves and all-around have a good time.
“It’s always just been about breaking down any sort of barrier between performer and audience,” Motte said. “We want to make everybody feel included. We try to make our music fun and energetic, a little bit different sounding. But it’s all about making people happy and putting smiles on faces.”
In addition, Motte spoke about how he and Foreman prioritize positive vibes over their actual musical performance and skill.
“Our music has always been really freeing for us,” Motte said. “Honestly, it’s just about rocking a party. It’s less
performance per se, because I mean, on my behalf, I’m not the best singer out there. It’s just about transforming the room into a party, and making it feel like back when we started, having fun in basements in college, and just bringing that vibe of collectivity wherever we are.”
Sophomore international studies and Spanish double major, Henriette Feldman, had the opportunity to experience a Springfest artist for the first time after there was not one her freshman year. She listened to 3OH!3 to get familiar with the group before they took the stage.
“It made me feel excited since I was able to have a fun time with my friends,” Feldman said. “Being there with them as well as people I usually see
on campus or in class was also really cool. I can definitely say it made me more excited to see what’s to come for next year’s Springfest.”
Throughout their set, Motte and Foreman threw their setlists into the crowd throughout their performances, which they then signed after the performance.
“My favorite songs would have to be “My First Kiss” and “Don’t Trust Me”, which they did play,” Feldman said. “I was pretty excited when I heard them, and I was also relieved that I was able to sing along to songs that I knew. Overall I’d say it was a pretty enjoyable experience.”
Feldman expressed the interest for Big Time Rush and other nostalgic artists to be a contender for next years performance.
3OH!3 members, Sean Foreman (left) and Nathaniel Motte (right) pictured alongside Brother Jasper, pumping up the crowd.
LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE
3OH!3 pictured alongside Senior Writer Angelina Perez (left) and Features Editor Laili Shahrestani (right).
LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE
MU Film Society Plans Screening of “My Beautiful Laundrette”
Victoria Schiller Senior Writer
Manhattan University’s Film Society has announced their next screening, “My Beautiful Laundrette”, which will take place in collaboration with the Rainbow Jaspers on Tuesday, April 15.
The club holds monthly screenings where students can come together to watch and discuss various films ranging in genre. The Quadrangle sat down with several members
of the Film Society to discuss what goes into the planning of these screenings and what the student body can expect in the future.
Sage Clarke, a senior communication major involved with the club, explained how the Film Society recently began
deciding which films to screen based on themes or current events.
“As of lately, we’ve been going along with certain themes,” Clarke said. “During Black History Month, we watched “Mississippi Burning” and we were supposed to have “Thelma and Louise”, which would have been during Women’s Month. We’re trying to go along with themes that go along with something currently happening, relevant, or something we feel like we need to talk about that could be brought up through a movie.”
Clarke also spoke about how the club correlates their choice of film with what date they hold the screening.
“Tuesday is National Laundry Day, just by coincidence,” Clarke said. “It’s called “My Beautiful Laundrette” and it follows a young man who is helping his uncle run a laundromat during the 1980s in England, so there were a lot of different kinds of social issues going on, specifically racial tensions.
The young man in the film is Pakistani and that plays a role in the movie as well. I’m excited to see it.”
Nana Sam, a junior business management major and the de facto president of MU Film Society, explained that the society is trying to collaborate with more clubs in order to share similar insights and form more connections when it comes to the world of film.
“It starts off with an introduction,” Sam said.
“For this one, Maria Castano [Rainbow Jaspers Member] is going to give an introduction about the movie since she’s watched it. She’ll say a bit about the movie, what’s it about, what to expect, and then after we watch it we’ll give our input of what we thought about it, how it made us feel, and what we
found interesting.”
Aureliano Morales, a junior communication major with a concentration in media production, has been a part of the Film Society since the spring of his sophomore year. He explained why he joined the club and what he looks forward to most during these screenings.
“I recently switched majors and by then I wanted to join the Film Society for a while,” Morales said. “That’s when I took a class with Dr. Margaret Toth. She said we could get extra credit, but I didn’t just go for extra credit, I wanted to go there and experience it. I’ve been to most of the events and my favorite part would be the audience reaction, which you don’t really get unless you’re in a theater. If you’re not alone in experiencing the film for the first time you can feel the room and the vibe of it. The conversations as well, we talk about the certain themes and patterns we see throughout the film. It’s nice to have that conversation with other people after watching it.”
Morales also shared his favorite screening the club has hosted thus far.
“My favorite screening was in February,” Morales said. “It was “Mississippi Burning”, which I really liked a lot. It’s about segregation getting decriminalized in the 1960s and one of the last towns that was desegregated. It was very realistic in how they depicted it and it got to me too, I had a lot of emotions about it. I feel like everyone should watch it at some point.”
MU Film Society is hoping to host multiple screenings a month in the near future, as well as more collaborations with other MU clubs and organizations to grow and build the interest of cinema with the campus community.
Broadway Show Review: The Great Gatsby
Kayla Werth Contributor
Broadway’s The Great Gatsby: The Musical, currently starring Ryan McCarten as Jay Gatsby and Sarah Hyland as Daisy Buchanan, is one of Broadway’s newest hit shows.
Last Saturday, I saw the matinee performance of the musical. I even took advantage of the student discount tickets available at the box office. With showing a valid student ID at the theatre’s box office the same day as the performance, you can purchase up to two tickets per person at $25.00 each.
Within the first steps into the theater lobby, it feels as if you have stepped into another generation. It is unbelievable how much the creative team thought of every single detail – from the old timey music playing in the lobby, to the decor around the theater, and the bar menu. Even the
transition from the very last note of act one into intermission was exhilarating. Walking into the theater, the stage displays a bay with a green light within the distance and sounds of waves crashing and seagulls.
I found my seat which was located in the second row of the orchestra with a partial view, where I waited in excitement for the show to begin. Soon after seating, the overture began, the lights dimmed, the horn of a boat blew and the performance began. Noah J. Ricketts, who portrayed the role of Nick Carraway, took the stage to perform the opening number which gives a brief overview of the story the audience is about to watch unfold. There are multiple moments in this production where my jaw was on the floor of the theater. The special effects and lighting play a huge factor in this production. Within the first 30 minutes of the show there are sparklers, moving cars, bubbles and a handful of exhilarating effects all within one song, ‘New
Money’. This scene continues to thicken the plot line for the first act, and throughout this number a majority of the charters are introduced and seen gathered at Jay Gatbys’s mansion in West Egg.
I honestly was a little skeptical of seeing both McCartan and Hyland step into the roles of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. After watching both individuals performance’s from the start of the show to to the very end, separately and together I can without a doubt say they were perfectly fit for these roles. McCarten blew the audience away with his performances. He even received a standing ovation in act two after his ballad, ‘Past Is Catching Up To Me”. His vocals were outstandingly clear and he added his own little touches to the performance that made it so unique. Hyland also gave several beautiful performances throughout the show. The emotions she brought to this role were very impressive. I think her background in both
television and theater tied together quite well. During her final ballad, “Beautiful Little Fool”, the emotions she
showed through her vocals and physical gestures felt real.
I had wanted to see the show this particular weekend as three of the original cast members would be leaving the company March 30, 2025.
Alongside Ricketts, John Zdrojeski who played Tom Buchanan and Sarah Chase who performed as Myrtle Wilson were truly just enjoying their last moments performing this musical with the company throughout the duration of the show.
As the final song began, I didn’t want to think about the musical being over. There’s something soothing about being able to escape from reality and watching a story be told right in front of you. While leaving the theater, I overheard several conversations about how blown away attendees were by the performance and how they didn’t anticipate it to be as good as it was. This is definitely a show one can see even if they aren’t the biggest Broadway fan. I can positively say there is something for everyone to enjoy in this musical, whether it’s the dancing, music, or even the actors and actresses.
The Great Gatsby theatre on Broadway. KAYLA WERTH / THE QUADRANGLE
The cast of The Great Gatsby on Broadway. KAYLA WERTH / THE QUADRANGLE
Jasper Jams: Summer Beats
Flynn Myers Staff Writer
For this Jasper Jams, I will be taking a look at my favorite feel good music, with songs ranging from all genres. Since it is spring, even though outside it doesn’t feel like it completely, I feel that I am now going to pretend it is summer and get into the vibes of summer as well. Starting right now with this music list, I will be bringing in beachy vibes and warmer weather through music.
Spring is humid, so I think we are all waiting for the beautiful thing that is summer break. From decent weather, to having some time off from
school, summer overall is my favorite time of the year. I might retract that if I write a Jasper Jams in the fall, so don’t hold me to that opinion, but for now, sit back and listen to the songs of summer below.
We Might Be Falling In Love (Interlude) -Victoria Monet
From her JAGUAR album, Victoria Monet in this song displays functional vocals and relaxing beats. Though this song is short, it is jam-packed with smooth vocals and unique background music. I truly wish it was longer, but I feel it’s perfect for a start of a summery playlist and truly, I could listen to this song on repeat.
Favorite Verse: And it feels like/ I’m gonna know you for the rest of my life/ It’s safe to say that we might even be
falling in love.
Sexy Villain - Remi Wolf
The song is severely repetitive and I love every moment of it. It’s a perfect song for a drive to the beach or even background music for cleaning your room. The layering of vocals I consider my favorite part of the song. Overall, it’s a very fun song to listen to.
Favorite Verse: Sexy villain/ Not the hero, I’m the west coast Bob De Niro/sexy villain/Super emo aqua girl with the rising Leo/sexy villain. Heat Waves - Glass Animals I had to bring up this song which I feel perfectly emulates summer. I mean, it even talks about June, and what could be more summer than that month? I feel that the fun lyrics and smooth beat develop an overall very creative song that I could
listen to all day long in summer. I can even see the beach in my vision now.
Favorite Verse: Sometimes all I think about is you/ Late nights in the middle of June/ Heat waves have been faking me out/ Can’t make you happier now.
Could You Be LovedBob Marley & The Wailers I don’t think a summer goes by where I haven’t listened to Bob Marley. Reggae is a unique type of music as well as a very diverse genre with many different artists, and this specific beat to this song is very well known. It’s a very popular song that also has a deeper meaning of self-love. I find it to be very positive and upbeat which is perfect for the summertime.
Favorite Verse: Don’t let
them fool ya/ or even try to school ya/ Oh, no/ We’ve got a mind of our own/ So go to hell if what you’re thinking isn’t right/ Love would never leave us alone/ A-in the darkness, there must come out to light Feel So Close - Calvin Harris
This song is so upbeat that you couldn’t possibly be in a bad mood while listening to it. Calvin Harris normally makes very fast-beat songs with unique vocals and this song is no different. I consider this one of my favorite songs from him, and I think this is perfect for putting on while having friends over or sitting at a lake.
Favorite Verse- I feel so close to you right now, it’s a forcefield/ I wear my heart upon my sleeve like a big deal/ Your love pours down on me surrounds me like a waterfall.
Esports Reflects on Strong Season
Emmanouel Sofillas Managing Editor
Manhattan University’s Manhattan University’s Esports team wrapped up their season with a third-place finish in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in Super Smash Bros. – a result that both surprised and motivated the group.
“This season went much better than we expected,” team captain Domenick Recine said. “We lost Samir, who was one of our best players for a long time, but Aarya stepped in as a freshman and filled that spot really well.”
Aarya Sridhar, a freshman computer engineering major, was quick to share what the experience meant to him.
“They’ve been really welcoming,” Sridhar said. “I just started, but it already feels like I’ve been part of the group for a while.”
The team, made up of both A and B squads, only dropped three games during the regular season—against Iona, Quinnipiac and Marist. Those three teams would go on to join MU as the final four in the playoffs.
“It’s kind of funny,” Thierno Diallo, a computer science master’s student, said. “The only teams we lost to were the ones we met again in the postseason.”
The team’s run in the playoffs ended with a loss to top-seeded Quinnipiac in the semifinals. Both Recine and Diallo agreed the match came down to strategy.
“We expected them to lead with a certain player,” Recine said. “So we sent Aarya first. But they threw a curveball and sent in their Ice Climbers main, which Aarya really struggles against. That messed up our whole lineup.”
Sridhar admitted it was a tough match.
“It’s just not a great matchup for me,” Sridhar said.
Manhattan University Esports team finished strong. DOMENICK RECINE/COURTESY
“It threw me off, but I learned a lot.”
Even with the exit, the team created some unforgettable memories.
“There was this one match where we were tied going into the last game,” Diallo said. “Our final player won by the skin of his teeth. Everyone was jumping and yelling—it was just one of those moments you don’t forget.”
Sridhar agreed with Diallo’s sentiment, saying the excitement is what makes the experience worth it.
“That kind of energy made everything worth it,” Sridhar said. “Even when we lost, we felt proud.”
Their growth this season wasn’t just about winning. It came from building a routine, attending local tournaments, and bonding outside of matches.
“We practiced Tuesdays and Fridays, and we’d also go to locals in Westchester,” Diallo said. “We’d just try to get used to playing under pressure.”
Recine believes that taking breaks helped them just as much as practice.
“Sometimes when you grind too hard, you get stuck,” Recine said. “Taking a step back gave us clarity. And our Friday tournaments really helped us stay sharp.”
Still, not everything went smoothly. This year’s MAAC tournament was held in a new location that didn’t quite match the energy of past events.
“Last year, we were on a big stage in Atlantic City, with a full audience and livestream,” Recine said. “This time, we were crammed into a corner of a local gaming center. It just didn’t feel the same.”
Despite the venue change,
the heart of the team stayed strong.
“We’re basically one big group,” Diallo said. “Even with separate teams, we’re all here together all the time, hanging out, playing, helping each other. It’s not just about competing—it’s about having that community.”
Sridhar said that kind of connection is what made the experience special.
“Everyone has their own style. I’m more patient, Thierno is more aggressive, but we all balance each other out. It’s not just about who’s the best—it’s about what we bring to the team,” Sridhar said.
Looking ahead, the team isn’t just hoping to place higher—they believe they can win. “Next season, we’re going for it,” Diallo said. “But more than anything, I want more of what we had this season. The
team, the vibe, the way we support each other—that’s what matters.”
Recine, who also played high school football, said that Esports gave him something he didn’t expect.
“It’s not just video games,” Recine said. “I’ve made some of my closest friends here. It gives you that sense of brotherhood. That feeling of being part of something.”
The team continues to open its doors to newcomers. Whether someone’s a casual gamer or aiming for competition, the message is the same.
“You don’t have to be great,” Diallo said. “Just show up. We’re all about having fun, playing together, and building something as a group.”
Games of the Week
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Softball
The Manhattan University softball team capped off a strong week with three consecutive victories, taking down Sacred Heart in a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday before outlasting Saint Peter’s in a dramatic 1110 win Friday afternoon at Gaelic Park.
The week opened with a rescheduled doubleheader against Sacred Heart, where the Jaspers leaned on dominant pitching and timely offense. In game one, Karissa Spring delivered a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits while retiring the final 11 batters she faced. Jamie
Falotico’s bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning proved to be the difference in a 1-0 Jaspers victory.
In game two, the offense came alive early. Sophia Kiseloski drove in two runs with a single up the middle, and Manhattan tacked on two more in the fourth. Spring re-entered in the seventh with the tying run on third and shut the door for the save, completing the 4-3 sweep.
On Friday, the Jaspers battled through a back-andforth slugfest against MAAC rival Saint Peter’s. After falling behind early, Manhattan rallied behind Karissa Spring, who went 3- for-4 with two RBI and scored the game-winning run in the sixth. Brianna Estevez added an inside-the-park home run in the fifth, the team’s first of the season. Victoria Diaz pitched a perfect seventh to
lock up the win.
With momentum building, the Jaspers have now won
three straight games and are showing signs of cohesion across the board—combining clutch hitting, heads-up baserunning, and versatile pitching. Spring has emerged as both a reliable arm and key offensive contributor, while Estevez, Kiseloski, and Hoag continue to pace the lineup.
MU looks to close out the Saint Peter’s series strong and climb further in the MAAC standings.
Golf
The Manhattan University golf team wrapped up a strong showing at the weathershortened Jasper Spring Collegiate, finishing fourth after Saturday’s final round was canceled due to rain. The Jaspers held their position behind Iona, Fordham and Monmouth after a solid opening round at The Summit Club at Armonk.
Freshman Louis Vandeputte paced Manhattan with an even-par shooting 71, tying for eighth place overall. Róbert Leó Arnórsson followed with a +2, bouncing back after a slow start to tie for 15th. Juniors Dimitri Mihelakos and Akshay Mandadapu, along with freshmen Patrik Vinter and Luke O’GradyRodgers, all recorded 74s to keep
the Jaspers competitive.
Despite the cancellation, head coach Keith Prokop was proud of the effort and is optimistic heading into the MAAC Championships next weekend, according to GoJaspers.
Manhattan plans to send a six-man squad to the conference tournament.
Women’s Lacrosse
MU women’s lacrosse put up a strong fight against first-place Iona but fell 10-8 on Wednesday at Gaelic Park. Olivia Cruthers led the Jaspers with three goals and three assists, while Juliana Mahan and Julia Kerr each added two goals. Manhattan outscored Iona 6-5 in the second half and won the draw control battle 13-9, but a late surge from the Gaels sealed the win. Jaspers Goalie Danielle Serbinski tallied 12 saves in the effort.
In a game against Fairfield on Saturday afternoon, the Jaspers were downed by a score of 20-6. All six scores came from different Jaspers. Fenandes and Bonitch scored the two goals of the first half, with Kerr, Fiola, Cruthers and Maher netting the ball.
Manhattan Womens Lacrosse lose against Fairfield on the road. VINCENT DUSOVIC / COURTESY
Softball defeats Saint Peters for third straight victory. VINCENT DUSOVIC / COURTESY