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Volume CIV, Issue 12
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O’Malley Business Students Compete in NY College Fed Challenge Seven students in the O’Malley School of Business were led to the New York Fed Challenge over the course of the summer and fall semester by professor of economics and finance, Hany Guirguis, Ph.D. The challenge involves extensive preparation and a lengthy time commitment to research macroeconomic trends. “The New York Fed Challenge is a competition among different colleges in the Federal Reserve’s 2nd District (District of New York). We present our analysis of current and forecasted economic conditions along with our recommendations for monetary policy moving forward in a 15 minute presentation. The competition was virtual this year and videos were submitted at the beginning of October,” junior Christopher Machol said. The Fed Challenge expands on the curriculum taught in the classrooms of De La Salle, giving students from different class levels the opportunity to gather valuable research experience and a deeper understanding of economic conditions. “I feel like the Fed challenge goes beyond the curriculum taught in regular classes and really strengthens one’s understanding of macroeconomics that is applicable to any field of work, not just economics. This challenge taught me the importance of teamwork and cooperation with members who might not share the same opinion as you,” senior Clark Hayes said. Guirguis has been involved with leading the Fed Challenge since 2012, and truly believes in the value in giving business students a deeper understanding of the United States economy. “I believe the students gain significant knowledge of the US economy and monetary policy as the students get exposed to higher-level academic and practical economic analysis,” Guirguis said. This years’ challenge looked a little bit different from
years past. With the COVID-19 pandemic, students were not able to compete in person at The Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Instead, the group collaborated on a 15-minute presentation sent to the judges at The Federal Reserve Bank of New York in early October. While the group didn’t make it to the final round of the competition, their dedication and commitment to their research and presentation was admirable. “Hectic preparations went down for this year’s Fed Challenge. We had online meetings with Dr. Giurguis twice a week, 2 hours each, over the summer,” sophomore Rehan Mehta said. The intense preparation continued into the fall semester to ensure that the students were truly ready to participate in the challenge. “When the semester started, we met on each weekday, an hour daily to discuss the developments and understand new concepts. During these meetings, we discussed the assigned readings and each member went over their summary paper. During the last two months, the preparations picked up at a real pace. The team met everyday, almost two to three hours online, and almost one to two hours in person. We discussed every new discussion, kept ourselves updated with new developments and did mock presentations almost daily,” Mehta said. Following the submission of the final presentation to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the team of students presented their work to students and professors in the O’Malley School of Business on Nov. 11. As for the future of the Fed Club participating in the challenge, senior Patrick Brady has high hopes beyond his time at the college. “I hope the challenge grows in popularity among MC students,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn about domestic macroeconomics in an interactive and engaging way. I also hope to see Manhattan College competing at the finals of the National Fed competition in the near future.”
IN A&E:
IN SPORTS:
Katherine Heneghan Web Editor
Happy Thanksgiving! Students are gearing up to leave campus for Thanksgiving break. ANNA WOODS / THE QUADRANGLE
Thanksgiving Break Traditions Return To Normal Josh Grewal & Kelly Kennedy
Staff Writer & Asst. Social Media Editor As we approach the first Thanksgiving with less restrictions that students will be experiencing since the pandemic started, different procedures and precautions will be put in motion at the college during break to ensure students and workers can safely return home for the holiday. Provost Steven Schreiner, Ph.D., states that this break is going to be more similar to years past. There are still many precautions to keep campus safe, but once again students will have a three-day break and return to campus for the last few weeks and for finals before winter break. This contrasts to last year, where after Thanksgiving break the rest of the semester and finals were all conducted virtually and campus
IN NEWS:
itself was closed. “Well, first thing is we all need a break. So I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. And it’s been a long semester, even though COVID is less, you know, of our day-to-day routine. Now, as it was last fall, a lot of good work is going on. And, in my personal opinion it’s a wonderful tradition and I just hope everyone goes home. Relax, take a deep breath, go back and get refreshed, because you only have two more weeks until finals,” Schreiner said. This year is also much different from the previous one, as COVID-19 precautions are much different than last year’s mid-pandemic. “We’re in class, the social distancing isn’t you know, isn’t being enforced in the same way it was before. Of course, if you can social distance, you should but it all sort of becomes guidelines versus this sort of concern. We are highly vaccinated. We are vaccinating and getting more and
IN FEATURES: Engineering Part- Riverdale Rises: nership with U.S. The Many Names Dept. of Defense of V.B on p. 3 on p. 5
more immune,” Schreiner said. With student and faculty vaccination rates being above average and weekly testing for the unvaccinated population, the college is confident that Thanksgiving break will be safe for all. “Bottom line is this, this fall, we have the vaccine, we have a much better understanding of this pandemic. It is not spreading and raging outside of our campus like it was last year. And so we feel very comfortable that we can go have a Thanksgiving break and come back,” Schreiner said. The Thanksgiving break seems to be something that students and faculty are excited for. As COVID-19 precautions change, many can safely celebrate with family and friends. Although, as we have seen in previous years, there is a small group of students who do choose to stay on campus. Going home is not as __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Jasper Jams: Thanksgiving Edition on p. 7
Men’s Soccer Ends Season with Loss on p. 9
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Opinions & Editorials
the Quadrangle Volume CIV, Issue 12 November 23, 2021
The Editorial Board Anna Woods Editor-in-Chief
Maria Thomas Managing Editor
Jilleen Barrett Managing Editor Arts & Entertainent Editor
Nicole Fitzsimmons News Editor
Kyla Guilfoil Asst. News Editor
Kelly Cwik Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Christine Nappi Features Editor
Megan LaCreta Asst. Features Editor
Brian Asare Photography Editor
Caroline McCarthy Sports Editor
Lauren Raziano Social Media Editor
Kelly Kennedy Asst. Social Media Editor
Nicole Rodriguez Production Editor
Adrianne Hutto Jocelyn Visnov Asst. Production Editors
Madalyn Johnson Katherine Heneghan Web Editors
Nicholas Gilewicz Faculty Advisor About The Quadrangle A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news or ganization run by the students of Manhattan College. 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 College 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 412. All are welcome to come and join the club.
THE QUADRANGLE
LETTER from The Editor Dear Readers, Happy almost Thanksgiving! I hope you take some time to reset during the break. This year, I am so grateful for The Quadrangle. As my tenure as Editor-in-Chief is coming to a close in two weeks, I have been reflecting on the past year. I am so grateful for the people who work so hard to publish this paper every week. Our next and final issue comes out on Dec. 7. It is also our special issue which will hopefully put a smile on your face (hint hint). Enjoy one of the last issues of the semester and I hope you all enjoy some time off. Until next time.
Sincerely,
Anna Woods
Editor-in-Chief
SUBMIT YOUR OWN LETTER OR OP-ED Letters to the Editor or in an op-ed may
be submitted to thequad@manhattan.edu by Saturday at noon to be condsidered for publication. Profanity, vulgarity and hate will not be published. The Quadrangle reserves the right to publish a letter.
News
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
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Thanksgiving Break Traditions Return To Normal __________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
easy for students who live internationally or out of state. Isabella Derr is a sophomore majoring in international studies and peace studies, originally from Portland, OR. Derr contemplated staying on-campus for the short break, but ultimately decided to go home to visit her family. “I was originally going to stay on campus, but I miss my family and wanted to see my Nana,” Derr said. “So now I will
be flying home and staying from Wednesday to Saturday. It’s not too hard for me to book a flight, but the eight-hour commute is pretty tough.” Natalia Ortiz is a junior majoring in communication who also has a long trip ahead of her. As an international student originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, she has also decided to go home for the upcoming break. “I do not have any concerns because I am vaccinated, and for people to travel on the airline you must be either vaccinated or show
proof of a negative COVID test,” Ortiz said. “In Puerto Rico you must be vaccinated to enter any social setting, like shopping malls and restaurants, and you must wear a mask indoors. Most people on the island are vaccinated so masks aren’t required in open spaces, so for the most part I feel very safe going home.” Students traveling within the United States won’t have too many restrictions regarding their travel, although international students travelling from their respective country may have a
harder time due to the rules they must follow in that specific country. For many it may prove easier to stay on-campus for the short break, but Schreiner encourages all students to go home and spend time with family and loved ones if they can while carefully and safely staying within regulations. “From whatever state authority, it could be the federal government as well,” Schreiner said. “There will be things that have to be done to go home. And, also things to come back. I encourage any international student to look
very carefully at those rules so that they don’t end up in a situation where they can’t get back here and start the semester on time, or for some reason put their visa in jeopardy because they should know all the details of how they’re going to go and come back so that we can have them safely back for the spring term.” With the return of a normal Thanksgiving break, it is hopeful that many of the restrictions due to the pandemic are almost over.
a few others in the country. We have built instrumentation that allows us to employ coherent laser light to track the speed of fast moving ordinances in soil targets,” Omidvar wrote in an email to the Quadrangle. The program has improved the technical aspect of the civil engineering curriculum through hands-on experience. “This is a unique and multifaceted project which involves lab and field experiments, numerical simulations, and mathematical modeling. Students working on the project have the opportunity to observe experiments in the lab and the field, and then to simulate the problem numerically and analytically,” Omidvar wrote. The rigorous process to secure the funding for the project was in large part due to the efforts of MC faculty and their desire to expand the research facilities for the students. “The Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Dr. Anirban De, who is also a collaborator on the project, helped secure space for our experiments, and the Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Tim Ward, helped us with acquiring some of our experimental facilities. As a result, we are able to compete with top universities for federal funding, and perform at a level that is typically only ob-
served at top Ph.D granting institutions,” Medhi wrote. Dylan Grace, a graduate civil engineering student, received his bachelor’s in civil engineering in 2020 and is one of several students currently working on the project. “It’s a great partnership and there’s so many opportunities. It has enhanced the soils lab greatly and there’s so much the project offers for other students,” Grace said. He also emphasized the importance of research programs to help students delve into opportunities outside the classroom. “If I was to recommend joining the project to any students I definitely would get a lot of experience that would translate to working in the field, a lot of skills that translate into working leadership skills, and other skills to work independently,” Grace said. “And I think it’s great for someone that doesn’t know what they want to go straight into work or if they want to go to grad school.” Brian Kenneally ’21 is interested in remediation, which aims to remove toxins from the environment, and was able to get hands-on experience in research at Manhattan College. “Because I was an environmental engineering student getting my master’s, the project we were working on was related to
remediation, which is what I was looking to do,” Kenneally said. “We were helping predict the terminal penetration depth of projectiles and soil like munitions, so formerly used defense sites for the Department of Defense.” Kenneally encourages students to reach out to their Manhattan College professors and get involved with research projects on campus. “Talk to your professors about what they’re doing and ask if they need any help. They’re all looking for bright students that can help them out because there’s a lot of work going around to do,” Kenneally said. Rachel White ‘20, a graduate civil engineering student, also received a Bachelor’s in Science in civil engineering. Her role on the project involves creating numerical models and simulations that can account for different properties of projectile penetration in soils. “I always thought I was just going to graduate and get a job. I never really expected myself to do research, any time in college, but I think it’s been a great opportunity to learn a different side of the academic world that not a lot of people get to see,” White said. She also shared advice for other students who may be undecided about pursuing research and the benefits that are associat-
ed with it. “Research allows you to learn a lot of stuff that you wouldn’t typically learn in undergrad. We’ll have weekly meetings where you will have to give an update of what your work was,” White said. “Through those I’ve learned how to defend my work and also present clearly and concisely.” Both students and professors are grateful for the technical and professional skills they have learned that can be applied both in the classroom and beyond. “It is deeply fulfilling to work on a research project that will have meaningful and impactful results for the entire nation,” Omidvar wrote. The team of student researchers have the potential to contribute to solving complex problems that will benefit the nation in the long run. “We have built a strong team at Manhattan College, and have been able to produce unprecedented data and analytical models for solving a very complex problem with important national security implications,” Omidvar wrote. “We are very fortunate to be able to put our knowledge of physics and mathematics to work on such an interesting and important problem.”
Civil Engineering Students Work with U.S. Department of Defense Angelina Persaud & Lauren Raziano Staff Writer & Social Media Editor
Several Manhattan College civil engineering students have been given a $560,000 grant from the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) to perform geotechnical and environmental research in a partnership with the United States Department of Defense. The Department of Defense (DOD) project aims to analyze the soils of old military testing grounds and determine if they can be restored and sold as residential and commercial recreational properties. Led by Mehdi Omidvar Ph.D., associate professor of civil engineering at Manhattan College, and a team of other researchers at New York University and the Southwest Research Institute, the research team received an additional $1.8 million in federal funding for their project. The project included the addition of ballistic testing facilities in the engineering school, located in Leo Hall, in order to carry out experiments and stay updated with modern testing technology. “Our students have put together a vertical ballistic range in our lab, of which there are only
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Features
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Women in Business Hosts Natasha Hemmings: How to Lead Megan LaCreta & Kelly Cwik
Asst. Features Editor & Asst. A&E Editor The Women in Business club hosted an event titled “How To Lead” with Natasha Hemmings, CEO of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, last Wednesday. Junior marketing and international business major and Women In Business event coordinator Brenna McNamara moderated. Hemmings is the first Black woman to lead the council in its history. Outside of her work with Girl Scouts, Hemmings is also an entrepreneur, owning her own wedding and event planning company, and has been recognized as one of the top 25 entrepreneurs in New Jersey, as well as landing on the ROI-NJ 2020 Influencers: People of Color list. Hemmings explained that her path to success in the Girl Scouts organization often comes as a surprise to people. “Never did I think that I would be a Girl Scout CEO, not because I didn’t think I could do it but because I wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up,” Hemmings said. “So I did not have the benefit of having a team of girls and role models who were my leaders, guiding me through leadership activities.” Hemmings started out working in New York in news production before moving into sales. Eventually she found
herself back in New Jersey working for Kodak. It was one of her interns at Kodak that encouraged her to look into Girl Scouts. “[My intern told me] ‘The thing that I’ve learned about you over the last couple of months are that you value … honesty and friendship, and service to others. Those are the things that my Girl Scout leader taught me when I was a Girl Scout, and you are like the carbon copy of what my leaders taught me,’” Hemmings said. For the past 21 years, Hemmings has stuck with Girl Scouts. She has been involved in everything from recruiting group leaders to ad campaigns. Today she is the CEO of the 10 million dollar Heart of New Jersey organization, which oversees 11 thousand future female leaders. Recently, the pandemic has added an extra layer of difficulty to Hemmings’ job, limiting her ability to fundraise and to host in person programming, but she emphasized the importance of teamwork and creative problem solving to overcome these obstacles. She also faced difficulties in her historical position as the first Black woman in her position. “Being the first African-American woman here in the council’s history to run this organization doesn’t come with ease; it comes with its lumps and bumps and doubts,” Hemmings said. “But I think that I’ve won quite a few people over now and them understanding that I wasn’t just placed here
because of the color of my skin to check off some diversity box, that I really do care about the movement, and I care about seeing girls thrive.” Hemmings applied to be CEO twice. The first time she did not get the position because she did not have a Master’s degree. This prompted her to enroll at Rutgers University where she received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit leadership. The knowledge Hemmings gained from her coursework made her a better candidate when the position for CEO opened again. This time around, she got the job. Hemmings encourages students to be lifelong learners and to always invest in yourself. “I’m always looking for opportunities to grow myself. I’m a reader. I take classes I just finished with a course at Cornell online on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Hemmings said. “So I’m always looking for opportunities to deepen my experience both academically as well as civically, and here on the job.” Danielle McGowan Vetere, a senior finance and economics major and former girl scout of New Jersey, attended the event and wrote about how inspirational Hemmings’ story was. “I found it inspiring how Natasha didn’t get hired because she didn’t have a master’s degree and how that prompted her to go back to school,” McGowan Vetere wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “I also found it inspiring how even though some were hesitant
For the past 21 years, Hemmings has stuck with Girl Scouts. She has been involved in everything from recruiting group leaders to ad campaigns. @WOMENINBUISNESS_MC / COURTESY_ about having a woman of color leading, Natasha still wanted her position.” Itzel Flores, a junior psychology major, gave her biggest takeaway from Natasha’s story. “Accepting what is to come because she talked about how it was not in her plans to pursue that career but she found a purpose in what she was doing and that is really inspiring,” Flores wrote in an email to The Quad-
rangle. Hemmings ended the discussion with one final thought about figuring out what your passion is. “I encourage you all to find what makes you tick,” Hemmings said. “Find what makes you happy and get the education and the experiences that will carry you through the rest of your lives to have success. In that area and whatever makes you happy.”
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Features
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
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The Many Names of V.B.: Uniting the Bronx through Health, Wellness, and Vintage Clothing RIVERDALE RISES Maria Thomas & Anna Woods Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief
“This couch just showed up last night. Sometimes people drop this stuff off for us.” Ra McCray was talking about the brown leather couch we were sitting on. It is parked outside of a storefront on 238th, which would soon house an indoor microgreens farm. The space was previously designed to be a cycling studio, called “iLiv,” which was also started by Ra and her husband, Khensu McCray, both Bronx natives. Unfortunately, the studio was being set up just as the pandemic hit, halting all plans. The couple soon went in a different direction when they saw the community had a dire need for something more than cycling: a “one-stop-shop” for health and wellness. Next door to the soon-tobe microgreens studio is the couple’s more developed project. It goes by many names, all beginning with the initials V.B.: Vegan Botanika, Vegan Bodeguita (or Bodega) and Vintage Boutique. The space is a creative hodgepodge of entrepreneurship, spirituality and health. On the weekends, VB opens its doors to sell clothing that is donated by the surrounding community. There is often a clothing rack with a “free” sign taped to it, situated outside the shop. Throughout the different shapes this space has taken on, one thing has remained consistent: Ra and Khensu’s desire to unite and heal people using traditional, plant-based medicines. Ra noted how at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a great deal of misinformation about the virus. When the couple realized a cycling studio would not fare well in a pandemic, they opened their doors to the neighborhood for a different purpose. “We turned into, almost like a wellness center. People were coming here to have cacao ceremonies, they were coming here to meditate during the pandemic, they were using alternative medicines to Western approach that would allow them to edify their immune systems and be able to cope with the climate that we were in at the time,” said Ra. This was the birth of the original VB concept, the Vegan Botanika. Traditional botanicas are commonly found in Latinx communities, and typically sell religious goods and apothecaries, with items such as medic-
inal herbs, lotions, saint candles, statues, books and more. “It doesn’t have the most positive perspective in certain cultures. So we wanted to change that, and we wanted to support people with the truth of it, which is an apothecary, which is a place where you can come get your medicinal applications,” Ra said. As the shop became a popular spot for members of the community, the couple began making and selling their own juices and elixirs. In a time where little was known about COVID-19 and its spread, Ra and Khensu decided to stick to what they knew worked. “We were like, ‘let’s keep it simple. Let’s go back to nature. Let’s do the lemon, the turmeric, ginger,’” said Ra. After creating and selling their own brand of juices and elixirs, the idea of turning the space into a vegan bodeguita was born. “The concept was to create a deli with vegan treats and vegan food around the concept of a belly,” said Ra. “It’s almost impossible to get vegan food unless, of course, you’re going into the city, or into the peripheral outskirts of the tri-state in general,” said Khensu. According to National Geographic, “The South Bronx has the highest rate of food insecurity in the country, 37 percent, compared with 16.6 for New York City as a whole.” “That was something that we were focused on. Why is it that we have to go out of our community to go get the things that we need? So the past few years, we’ve just been committed to creating that for ourselves and sharing it with everybody else,” said Ra. The Vegan Bodeguita acted as a pop-up for different vegan chefs to come sell food to the community. The Blackrican Vegan, who has 44.3K followers on Instagram, amassed a line down the block of 238th and Greystone when the neighborhood discovered she would be at the Vegan Bodeguita popup, cooking her beloved Puerto Rican vegan dishes. “We tapped into another part of the vision, which is the communal aspect of it. We started to bring in other vendors. I mean, we were part of the vision and we had the space, so we were like, ‘let’s pull in some more pieces of the puzzle,’” said Ra. So not only was the couple bringing healthy and delicious food to the community, but they were giving a chance to fellow small-business owners. “We were able to really edify other people who are business entrepreneurs, with tactics and
skill sets that they otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to, in regards to scaling up their own personal businesses and eventually being able to acquire a space of their own,” said Khensu. Vegan Bodega became the first vegan food expo in the Bronx. Once the Vegan Bodega gained traction, it transformed into a new iteration of the space known as the Vintage Boutique. Like the initial Vegan Bodega, the Vintage Boutique also features vegan chefs who visit on weekends, selling different treats. Currently, Chef Millan’s Organics visits every Saturday, offering a different menus. One of their recent menus featured a vegan take on traditional Latin American and Caribbean food, offering dishes like pastelitos with “cheeze” and rice and beans. One factor Khensu and Ra attribute to the success of these ventures is the surrounding community of businesses, as well as V.B. being situated next to Manhattan College. In discussing their location next to An Beal Bocht Cafe, Ra said, “Whenever we need anything, they’ve been really supportive. So being integrated within this community as Black people has been really welcoming.” The couple hopes that Manhattan College students will help to further their mission of holistic healing for the community. Jana Clark, a senior communication major, shared her excitement regarding the new business. “I am honestly so excited that a new vegan space is in the community,” Clark wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “I believe it’s a great way to expose people to what veganism is and all the good it can do, not only for your health but for the environment too!” Clark, who is a vegan herself, discussed how veganism is a great tool to help the environment and live sustainably. She also emphasized the importance of businesses like these and encouraged fellow jaspers to support this new space. “I believe spaces like this are needed in all communities. It’s a chance to be exposed to something new … If anything, you’d be supporting a small business and in my opinion, that’s something everyone could do more of,” Clark wrote. She continued. “ I really hope the Jaspers are just as excited to welcome this new business to the community as I am! It’s a great way to not only meet new people but to support those who are not only doing good for the
community but for the environment as well.” “Our vision for VB is to franchise it, and to be able to bring this concept anywhere that community is needed. And honestly, we travel to different places and we see the same vibe happening in other places,” Ra said.
In the future, Ra and Khensu hope to establish a work study program, in which people can take on regular shifts and operating hours can be extended. VB is located on 453 West 238th Street, Bronx, New York 10463.
Pictured are the owners of VB, Ra and Khensu McCray. RA MCCRAY/ COURTESY
Some clothes offered in the Vintage Boutique MARIA THOMAS/ THE QUADRANGLE
VB sells vegan meals made by Chef Millan’s Organics weekly, MARIA THOMAS/THE QUADRANGLE
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Features
THE QUADRANGLE
Student Government Presents: Smorgasburg VOICES ON THE QUAD
The Student Government hosted a free Smorgasburg in the Kelly Commons Parking Lot on Thursday, Nov. 18. Student Government provided a wide range of food trucks and stands providing the crowd with made-to-order woodfire pizza, Korean hotdogs, Claudy’s empanadas, and Bona Bona ice cream. Interviews complied by Angelica Niedermeyer & Rebecca Kranich
Kevin Rojas, Senior
Brian Weir, Junior
Marin Bultena, Junior
Why did you plan the Smorgasburg?
What made you decide to come out for the Smorgasburg?
What made you decide to come out for the Smorgasburg?
“The free food and just getting to be with my fellow Jaspers.”
“I decided to come out because my friends promoted the event to me … I figured it’s a beautiful day and I wanted to indulge in free food.”
Student Body President
“I remember back in freshman year we had an event similar to this and we had a lot of great student turn out and honestly students love food, especially if it’s free. So, we figured it would be something fun to do. Our whole board went to an event down in the city and we thought this would be something cool to bring to campus. I’m just happy to see that kids are here.”
How are you enjoying your hot dog? “Oh, it’s so good. It’s a motzdog, so it’s mozzarella cheese and the fried dough and sugar around it.”
How’s the turn out compared to the last time there was an event like this one?
How has the quality of life around campus changed?
“Honestly the only thing I could compare this to right now is probably the Quadstock we held a little bit ago. I would probably say there are more people here today, so I couldn’t ask for a better day and better participation. I think everything went out perfectly.”
“I mean this year it is a lot more open. So, you can interact with people more and it feels like more of a community because you are actually engaging with people rather than, you know, crumpled up in your dorm room.”
How has this semester been different than last year? “It’s been really great. I was talking with someone I was here with about how wonderful it is that Manhattan has this really tight-knit community which we haven’t had the access to because of the pandemic. Even in this crowd, I’ve interacted with so many of my classmates, friends and peers. So it’s really wonderful to be in these group settings which were so limited during the pandemic. I am thoroughly enjoying this as a student who was living on campus during the pandemic.” How has the quality of life around campus changed? “It’s been really great, and the fact that these kinds of events are back, it’s nice to get engaged with the community, faculty and organizations on campus that are trying to fundraise or promote something they’re doing. Just this semester I’ve been so lucky to be able to go to so many lectures, and Brown Bags and things put on by student engagement.”
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
Arts & Entertainment
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Jasper Jams: Thanksgiving Edition JASPER JAMS Katherine Heneghan Web Editor
As students prepare to head home for the holidays to be with family and friends and enjoy all the fall goodness of Thanksgiving, I’ve prepared a fall break playlist sure to please all. It’s for that first reunion with the car you haven’t driven since summer, the long ride to grandma’s house, or if you’re like me, getting through the agony of Penn Station Amtrak on one of the busiest travel days of the year. “The Weight” - The Band This is our first real break since the semester began, and this song says it perfectly. The overall message is to take a break and to take the weight off
your shoulders. No matter how many looming deadlines are in your future, take some time to truly take the weight off and use this break for what it is intended to be: a break! “Rivers and Roads” - The Head And The Heart If you’re a senior, you’re probably feeling the weight of graduation on the horizon. My favorite line in this song reads, “A year from now, we’ll all be gone, all our friends will move away, and they’re goin’ to better places.” While terrifying to think about, it puts a positive spin on the future, and I’ll take any opportunity to be hopeful about post-grad life. “Storms” - Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac has always been my favorite band, and I
believe this is one of their most beautiful songs. For me, this song reminds me to slow down, take a step back and reflect. I don’t think I’ll ever properly interpret Stevie Nicks’ lyrics, but I think that’s part of the beauty! This is a window down, volume as high as it can go, backroads of your hometown song. “Nothing New” - Taylor Swift feat. Phoebe Bridgers Ever since the moment Red (Taylor’s Version) was released I’ve dreamed of screaming this song in my car, driving around my hometown. The combination of Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers is lethal, and like Bridgers said in her Instagram post, “Therapists hate them!” “Kilby Girl” - The Backseat Lovers Another song I’ve been waiting to scream violently in my Toyota Corolla that I have missed so dearly. If you’re ambitious, unlike me, and running a Turkey Trot before your Thanksgiving feast, this song will set the tempo for any run. “Vienna” - Billy Joel Thanksgiving means the endless and dreaded “What are you doing after college?”, “Do you have a boyfriend?”, “What are you going to do with that major?” stream of questions. Remember the wise words of New York legend Billy Joel,
“Slow down you’re doing fine, you can’t be everything you want to be before your time.” “Cardigan” - Taylor Swift Thanksgiving makes me think of cardigans, big sweaters and anything that embodies the word cozy. This song gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. I will truly never stop obsessing over Taylor Swift. “Ever Since New York” Harr y Styles Listen to this as soon as your bus, plane, Amtrak or car departs and you’re instantly the
main character. If you are from out-of-state, don’t forget to remind your hometown friends you go to school in NYC by reposting this on your Instagram story. “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” - Arlo Guthrie This is my family’s favorite Thanksgiving song. We listen to it every year on the way to Thanksgiving dinner, and if this excessively long song that sounds more like a story isn’t a Thanksgiving tradition, I’d highly recommend it.
Scan here to listen to The Quadrangle’s playlist!
8
Arts & Entertainment
MC Players Return to the Stage in “Significant Other”
Jilleen Barrett & Katherine Heneghan A&E Editor & Web Editor
The Manhattan College Players performed Joshua Harmon’s play “Significant Other,” in the blackbox theatre throughout the weekend of Friday, November 12. With three in-person performances throughout the weekend, Players is truly back in full force. “Significant Other” covers a wide range of topics, from friendships, to romantic relationships, to the challenges of getting older. This play encapsulates the complexity of relationships and the need for human connection. Junior Sophie Ryan is an experienced member of MC Players with performances in last spring’s production of “Oedipus Rex,” “Marcus is Walking,” and last fall’s production of “The Laramie Project.” Ryan played an important role in “Significant Other” as the grandmother to the main character, Jordan. Ryan’s character, Helene, suffers from Demen-
THE QUADRANGLE
tia.
“Over the course of the play, her memory is just slipping more and more, and so it’s a really tragic thing to witness and to try to convey what she endured,” Ryan said. “That’s been really fun to work on with Matt [Blackwood], who plays Jordan.” Ryan feels telling the stories of the LGBTQ+ community is especially important on a Catholic campus, and compared this year’s play with “The Laramie Project,” a true story the players performed last fall about a gay man who was the victim of a fatal hate crime. “I think it’s so important. And I think that those narratives are often shied away from which I don’t think we need to shy away from that,” Ryan said. “I think, it’s just so much more freeing to be able to tell this story that isn’t necessarily tragic and isn’t necessarily one about violence or hate, and actually shows a queer protagonist struggling with dating and struggling with love life, and struggling with concepts of heteronormativity and I think it’s a really important story to
As for the future of Players, the groups’ current members have high hopes for upcoming productions.
@MC_PLAYERS / COURTESY
“Significant Other” covers a wide range of topics, from friendships, to romantic relationships, to the challenges of getting older.
@MC_PLAYERS / COURTESY tell, especially on this campus.” Junior Ahmed Alotaibi plays multiple roles in the production, crossing lines of sexuality and identity. His first role, Roger, conveys a straight male, married to a woman, Vanessa. His next role, illustrates a gay man, Ivan, who is loud, lonely and outgoing. Alotaibi describes his third character, Zach, saying, “Zach is also a gay male. He has kids, and he has a little bit more of a masculine side. He’s the chillest of them all, he’s really relaxed and down to earth.” Selima Atallah, an exchange student who grew up in Tunisia and went to school in France, described what it is like to be performing in the United States for the first time. Atallah played Roger’s wife Vanessa, who she says has “this cynical vibe that I often also give off.” “Being part of MC Players has really been an amazing experience,” Atallah said. “Everybody is so serious about the play. Getting to act in English was also an experience I was looking forward to, because I was in several plays back in France and in Tunisia and I really wanted to try to get that experience during my exchange at Manhattan College. It’s been challenging and a lot of work, but I’m really glad to have been cast and to have met all those
amazing people.” As for the future of Players, the groups’ current members have high hopes for upcoming productions. “We definitely are going to be bigger and better with live performances,” Ryan said. “I’m
really excited about the cabaret in the spring, it’s gonna be a huge musical, lots of dancing and fun costumes. We’re happy to be back to more theateresque productions … so definitely look out for more stuff like that.”
This play encapsulates the complexity of relationships and the need for human connection.
BRIAN ASARE / THE QUADRANGLE
Sports
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
9
Men’s Soccer Ends Season with a 3-0 Loss to Marist Victor Franco Staff Writer
The Men’s Soccer team ended their season in an unexpected playoff match against Marist, the first seed in the conference, on Nov. 2. The Jaspers lost 3-1 to make their final MAAC record 4-5-1 and overall season record 6-9-2. The team knew Marist would be a tough opponent, so the objective was to give their all on the field. “It was really sad for everyone because our expectation was so high about that game,” said Ronaldo Da Silva, a senior defender. The Jaspers held their own in the first half, keeping the score tied at zero despite the Red Foxes outshooting them nine to zero. “I think the first half we did well, we kept the ball on
possession, but unfortunately the second-half some mistakes were made that we put on ourselves more than anything,” said junior defender Justin Pierre. This season the team has was able to complete a season with over 30 players, unlike the 2020 season where the team had difficulties keeping a full roster due to Covid-19. Pierre was able to observe the change from Covid-19. “Luckily with the numbers that we have in our team, I think a lot of guys were able to step up and face crucial roles,” said Pierre. Pierre said that the season had many turns as all of the players were trying to get a feel for being fully back on campus and having ten new players to build chemistry with. “We didn’t do as well as we wanted and kept running on loses,” said Pierre. “Luckily we were able to find momentum
later in the season starting with the win against Canisius.” Manhattan ended a four game losing streak with a win against Canisus College on Oct. 10. The game proved to be influential for the rest of their season, as the team won the following two games and produced a steady increase in wins for the overall season. The win also resulted in the team recognizing their shortcomings and improve upon them. Coach Jorden Scott said that traveling on the road for games tends to affect the team’s performance. “The toughest part of our schedule is then we go two weeks on the road,” Scott said. Only one of the Jaspers six wins for the season were played on an away field. Senior Captain Brandon Joseph-Buadi has a few theories on why the Jaspers struggle during away competitions.
“I can’t give a clear answer to why we have struggled,” said Buadi. “It could be a variety of reasons such as work rate during the game, preparation before a game, or focusing too much on our opponent instead of ourselves. I can’t point to one thing but in my opinion, it’s a mix of all of that.” Throughout the season the team has been able to grow and communicate better with one another. Da Silva describes that although he wasn’t able to play in all matches, being on the outside made him learn a lot about the sport. “I felt like I can understand the game so much more, and now I feel better prepared for the next season,” said Da Silva. Pierre believes that the team has the potential to improve a lot for next season. “Definitely the biggest thing to improve is finding those chances in the final third and creating a lot of goal scoring opportuni-
ties” As for his position in Defense, he believes that the team held up defensively against other teams. Although the season did not turn out how the team wanted, it provided everyone a learning experience, but also memorable times with teammates. Pierre and Da Silva shared their favorite memory of the season with the Quadrangle, and both held the same opinion, which was the team’s win over Monmouth. During the 2020 season, Manhattan was defeated by Monmouth 5-0, but this 2021 season Manhattan came out victorious with a 2-1 win. “Winning against Monmouth away on their turf, on their Senior Day has been my favorite memory. To come back this season and face off again and make a statement that we were there to show up that day meant a lot.”
Sydney Harwood Nominated for NCAA Senior CLASS Award Karen Flores Staff Writer
Manhattan College’s Sydney Harwood has been selected as one of 10 NCAA women’s soccer finalists for the 2021 Senior CLASS award. The Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) award aims to recognize and celebrate NCAA Division I senior student athletes that have attributes in four categories: community, classroom, character and competition. The award winners are chosen through a selection process that consists of Division I college coaches in each sport, fans and national media. Harwood, a graduate mechanical engineering student and three-time captain of the women’s soccer team was born and raised in Monroe, New York. Harwood has harbored a love for the sport since the age of five. When she was young, one of her goals was to become a Division I soccer player in college. She says that being able to get an education while being involved in the team has been a very rewarding experience. “I’ve been very, very busy, especially with the courses of engineering. But it was never too overwhelming,” said Harwood in regards to juggling both academic and athletic responsibilities. Harwood said that the “great support system” between her coaches and profes-
sors allowed her to remain efficient both on and off the field. Harwood is the oldest of three children and says that her younger sisters are her biggest inspiration during her academic and athletic career. “What I do, I do try to encourage them,” said Harwood. Harwood had previously been committed to Binghamton University to play on their team. However, due to changes in the coaching staff, Harwood began to look for other colleges to play for. Harwood has known Lawler since her freshman year of high school, and he reached out to her about the engineering and athletic programs here at Manhattan. Brendan Lawler, coach of the women’s soccer team at Manhattan College, commented on Harwood’s recruitment process. “When she came here she was pretty much a starter from day one as a soccer player,” said Lawler. “She is always ready, able and willing to move to wherever the team needs her … she is always willing to step up.” Harwood has played in a variety of positions throughout her career, but defense has always been her top position. Lawler believes it’s Harwood’s empathetic, determined and adaptive personality that has allowed her to thrive as a captain and a student and is one of many reasons why she’s a finalist for the 2021 senior class award. Harwood stated that Kevin Ross, previous social media co-
ordinator, had looked over her resume and submitted an application for her for the award. A few weeks later she received news that she had been selected as one of 30 semi-finalists for the award. Harwood then moved onto the top 10 in the nationwide vote. “The great thing about team sports is it’s not just you know, a win for yourself, but it’s a win for your team and your whole program. So that was really great” said Harwood. Harwood is a member of the Epsilon Sigma Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, Pi Mu Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi honors societies that celebrate excellent academic achievement and character. She was the vice president of Pi Tau Sigma during her senior year. Further, Harwood formed part of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of women engineers and the Mechanical Engineering Women and the Manhattan College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. “She works so hard and everyone knows she is determined on and off the field … She is a humble, hardworking player and student who every girl on the team looks up to,” said Julia Nicholas, a freshman childhood special education major on the women’s soccer team. Nicholas told the Quadrangle that she felt wholeheartedly welcomed by Harwood as she transitioned into a new environment at MC.
“She embodies our team values in herself and has a contagious, positive attitude,” Nicholas said. “Sydney always makes [us] feel important and like [we] are vital parts of the team. We will miss her.” Harwood’s teammates and coach expressed great appreciation for the honor that showcased Harwood’s hard work and dedication. Lawler hopes that others see the effort and consistency Harwood has put
into her community, team and herself. “It’s great to see good people getting recognized because it doesn’t always happen,” Lawler said. “A lot of times in soccer, it’s about the most goals scored and whatnot. As a defender and midfielder she’s not necessarily always kind of recognized that way but to see her as a whole person being recognized, I’m just really happy because she definitely deserves it.”
Manhattan College’s Sydney Harwood has been selected as one of 10 NCAA women’s soccer finalists for the 2021 Senior CLASS award.
GOJASPERS / COURTESY
Sports
10
THE QUADRANGLE
Basketball Season Preview: Meet the Team
Caroline McCarthy & Kelly Kennedy
Returning Players:
Sports Editor & Asst. Social Media Editor
Manhattan College men’s basketball has a seasoned team ripe with experience heading into the 2021-2022 season. The Jaspers started their season strong with a 99-42 win over Manhattanville College, and a nail biting down-to-the-wire 6660 win against Fordham University this Friday, Nov. 12. With 10 seniors and only six underclassmen, the team dominates in size and continuity. The team wasted no time forming a chemistry that allows them to play as a unit, especially as most players have played together before the start of the 2021-2022 season. “The normal blueprint of how teams were … it really changed just because of COVID. So, guys who are seniors might still have two years of eligibility, or a junior may have three — it’s really changed,” head coach Steve Masiello said. Though most faces look familiar, the Jaspers have added to their squad with senior transfer players Jose Perez from Marquette University and Josh Roberts from St. John’s University. Fans already know the pair because of the intensity they bring to games. Roberts’ high-flying dunks energize the crowd and Perez’s animated defense brings the whole crowd to their feet. “We’re excited to have fans back students, mostly most importantly cheerleaders, dance and band,” said Masiello. “So really excited just to have that kind of fan engagement and have that energy back in the building that we think makes this place so special.” With 10 seniors and a short bench of underclassmen, some might think the Jaspers are already thinking towards next year, but because of NCAA COVID-19 rules, most seniors are eligible to return for an additional season, allowing the Jaspers to focus on the now, rather than worry about the future of the program. “It’s a good thing and a bad thing, because you don’t know what’s going to happen. So I might move on to play professionally and some might go into the real world,” said Masiello. “Some might come back. We want them all back. But at the end of the day, you don’t know that right now.” Fans are finally back in Draddy and are excited to be a part of the action. Here’s who they can expect to see on the court.
0 Warren Williams - 6’9” Senior Forward Originally from Jamaica, Williams brings many skills to the table thanks to his shooting range and athletic spirit. He was put on the MAAC All-Rookie Team in his freshman 20182019 season and named AllMAAC Third Team during his junior 2020-2021 season. Williams also represented Jamaica in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023-World Qualifiers with eight points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
East school the Jaspers can expect him to heighten their level of intensity. Nelson was named All-MAAC Third Team during his premiere 2020-2021 season with the Jaspers.
4 Samir Stewart - 6’0” Senior Guard Stewart was named one of the top shooters in the MAAC at the end of his freshman year. Sophomore year he averaged 8.4 points per game and was named on the the top longrange shooters in the MAAC during his junior campaign.
cooled off last season, Shreier needs to step up to lead the Jaspers offense.
24 Marques Watson 6’5” Senior Guard Having started his career at Iowa Western Community College and transferring to Miami Dade College, Manhattan College is Watson’s third school. Watson averaged 4.3 points per game in his junior year and continues to be an asset for Manhattan offense.
Perez, a native to the Bronx, is a transfer from Marquette University and is expected to be a key scorer for the Jaspers this season. Coming from a Big East school, Perez is expected to bring a seasoned level of training and experience to the squad.
23 Josh Roberts - 6’9” Senior Forward Roberts, originally from Troy, Alabama spent his first three years at St. John’s University in Queens. Roberts was a standout from the beginning of his career and is new averaging 8.8 points per game for the Jaspers. Newcomers:
1 Matthew Glassman 6’0” Senior Guard Glassman was a 2020-2021 MAAC All-Academic Team Honoree, and is expected to play an important role this season as a senior leading the team. As a first-year scholarship student, Glassman will continue to serve the program from off the court as well.
5 Samba Diallo - 6’7” Senior Forward Diallo is a key player to the Jaspers’ offensive with a stellar rebound record. After spending his first two seasons as a player for the University of Massachussetts and then transferring to Manhattan, Diallo knows the game well and is expected to lead the team in his final season.
30 Elijah Buchanan 6’5” Senior Guard Buchanan played in all 32 games of his freshman year at Manhattan, and continues to be an essential backbone of the team. In his sophomore year he averaged 7.4 points per games, and by his junior campaign he was one of the top all-around players in the MAAC, averaging 11.4 points per game. Most recently, he was named MVP of Manhattan College’s victory against Fordham in the Battle of the Bronx.
Aryan Arora, Daniel Hackett and George Hyland are all freshman walk-ons. With the uncertainty of returning players and ample room to grow in the program, this will be their season to prove their spot as a Jasper by being team players.
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2 Romar Reid - 6’2” Junior Guard Reid averaged 1.8 points per game in the 2020-2021 season and continues as a key player for Manhattan with an average of 2 points per game so far in the 2021-2022 season.
10 Adam Cisse - 6’10” Junior Forward Another Bronx native, Cisse is a key player in Manhattan’s offense. In his freshman year Cisse averaged 0.6 points per game and 0.8 rebounds per game. This season, Adam is averaging 2 points per game.
55 Nick Brennen - 6’5” Senior Guard Brennen transferred to Manhattan College from Harcum College in 2020. During his junior year at Manhattan, Brennen averaged 1.5 points per game and nearly two rebounds per game.
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@mcquad
Transfers:
3 Ant Nelson - 6’4” Senior Guard Nelson, a 2020 transfer from Seton Hall is expected to lead the Jaspers in terms of skill and experience during his first regular season at Manhattan College. Coming from a Big
The Quadrangle 11 Daniel Schreier - 6’9” Junior Forward Schreier was named a 2020-2021 MAAC All-Academic Team Honoree. After a stellar freshman year record that
15 Jose Perez - 6’5” Senior Forward
Sports
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
11
MCSAAC and PEK Help Feed the People Who Need it the Most Mack Olmstead & Josh Grewal Staff Writers
Manhattan College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Phi Epsilon Kappa (PEK) hosted a food drive for the Hour Children at St. Rita’s Convent. This food drive was held in Manhattan College’s Gaelic Park Athletic Center (GPAC) and in the Draddy Gymnasium from Nov. 1 until Nov. 12 through the athletic department, but continued until Nov. 19 through PEK. Hour Children is a non-profit organization that helps reunite incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women with their children and provides them with wraparound services. The organization typically hosts food drives. This event has become very prevalent, as the number of those who need food from these drives has tripled since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in the United States. The pandemic has drastical-
Manhattan College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Phi Epsilon Kappa (PEK) hosted a food drive for the Hour Children at St. Rita’s Convent.
MACK OLMSTEAD / COURTESY ly changed the way Hour Children works in recent years. As many people have been limited to their access to work or food, they look to organizations such as Hour Children for support. Kellie Phelan, a program coordinator for Hour Children, was inspired to join the organization after being incarcerated with a child. “For the food pantry, num-
The pandemic has drastically changed the way Hour Children works in recent years.
bers easily tripled in the families that we’re serving,” said Phelan. “We’re serving many new people, a lot of new clients, a lot of young people— a lot of people just depend on the pantry for as many resources as possible.” “We always need canned veggies, fruits, rice, peanut butter and jelly,” Phelan told The Quadrangle. “We have a community refrigerator. So if somebody was to donate something to the food pantry that we could not give out on the line, we can put it into the community’s fridge. So nothing that is donated here goes to waste. There are a million options to make it available to somebody who needs it.” Though the event was initially hosted by the PEK, SAAC wished to join in the effort in order to help the community, as well as create a connection between MC students and student-athletes. Jillian Reiner, a member of SAAC, connected with Zach Olivan, the vice president of PEK, to discuss the logistics of the food drive event and how they could work together. Overall the food drive event was a suc-
cessful collaborative effort. Courtney Warley, graduate student and member of the women’s basketball team, told The Quadrangle that the food drive is a great opportunity to improve the Riverdale community. “I think it’s a great event,” Warley said. “I think it’s nice when we can help people in our community who are right here and I think that’s what this event does. I really enjoy seeing the boxes build up and just have something to help our community.” Reiner, a coordinator of the event, thinks that teaming up with another organization helps to make the effort more impactful. “It’s almost like a way to reevaluate and evaluate where you stand in your community and try to give back,” Reiner said. “It definitely shows you why it is important. Everyone should get involved, it’s something that everyone should partake in.” Kaya Simpson, the president of SAAC, shares a similar testament. “I think it’s a great way to help out. It just brings us
together for the better,” said Simpson. “It’s a good feeling when you know You’re doing something for the community. We’re bigger than student-athletes and we can do more than just use athletic abilities. We can be other people In the community and have a positive impact on it. We’d like to be a voice outside of school.” Simpson advises other organizations at MC to prioritize reaching out to each other to establish collaborations. She believes connecting is something that MC is particularly good at, and that others should use it. The unprecedented pandemic has hurt many families in the recent months. Fueled by the donations of Manhattan College, Hour Children will be able to reach out and lend a hand to the many families around the area. To Find out more information on future SACC and PEK events you can follow them on instagram @mc_sacc and @ manhattan_pek. To find out more about Hour Children contact Kellie Phelan at (718)-483-8226 or KPhelan@ hourchildren.org
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