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Volume CV, Issue 4
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NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Bryan Paredes, Sophomore at MC and Friend to Many, Dies at 20
Angelica Niedermeyer Staff Writer
Snow Continues for Third Weekend Just as snow begins to melt, MC is covered with another blanket of snow. LAUREN RAZIANO/ THE QUADRANGLE
Surveillance Testing To Return to Campus A new protocol for mandatory surveillance COVID-19 testing in the current spring 2022 semester was announced in an email sent by One Manhattan on Feb. 10, which has resulted in some confusion amongst the community. The newly implemented protocol seems to be more of a prevention precaution and data survey. The information allocated from the testing will likely shape how precautions should be taken in the following weeks. “We are conducting surveillance testing in order to better identify trends in positive cases on campus as the Omicron variant still spreads, albeit
in a diminished capacity. Testing results will also provide us with more data as we evaluate any changes in guidance from city, state and federal health officials,” the One Manhattan team wrote in the email. Director of media relations and strategic communications, Pete McHugh, spoke to The Quadrangle again regarding the new situations regarding surveillance testing, emphasizing the need for surveillance testing in the first place on campus. “We are conducting surveillance testing in order to better identify trends in positive cases on campus as the Omicron variant still spreads, albeit in a diminished capacity. Surveillance testing results will also provide us with more data as we evaluate any potential changes in guidance from city, state and
IN NEWS:
IN FEATURES:
Josh Grewal
Asst. Social Media Editor
Schreiner Speaks at NPR’s Melissa Block Student Speaks to MC Government Students on pg. 6 Meeting on pg. 4
federal health officials,” said McHugh. He also went into detail about precautions or plans in place for a result where the majority of students test positive. “We will make the necessary adjustments to protocols if we see an increase in positive cases,” said McHugh. “There is a significant level of vaccination and recent natural immunity among our student body, in addition to a low level of infection rate in the surrounding community, so those factors give us confidence that we will not see a large amount of positive cases.” Faculty members will also be required to follow similar instructions for surveillance testing. __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Bryan Paredes, of the O’Malley School of Business at Manhattan College class of ‘24, died Mon. Feb. 7 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. “With prayers for Bryan’s family, and with heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him,” President Brennan O’Donnell wrote in an email to the MC community on Feb. 8. “The loss of our beloved student and friend will undoubtedly cause much sorrow and sadness in our community — especially among those who had the good fortune to get to know this extraordinary young man well. This is a time when it is important to come together to mourn the loss of our friend, student and classmate,” O’Donnell wrote. Born on July 31, 2001, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Bryan was always known as someone who lived in the moment. Survived by his older brother Ángel Paredes, his father Delfin Paredes and his mother Fátima Serrano, his light will forever carry on. Bryan Paredes had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014, yet did not allow the diagnosis to halt his vibrance. “In July 2014 he was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor,” Bryan’s mother, Fátima Serrano, said in a text message translated from Spanish. “This type of tumor is inoperable because of where it is located. He underwent surgery in 2014 but could not be removed. After this, he received 15 months of chemotherapy. This was not an
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impediment for Bryan to continue fighting for his dreams.” Bryan was a member of the Black Student Union at Manhattan College, a fan of Spiderman and anime and enjoyed spending hours talking with his friends at Locke’s Loft. He loved hanging out, traveling into the city and was very close with his mom, Fátima. Bryan is remembered by many close friends on campus at Manhattan College. The Quadrangle had the pleasure of getting to know and honor Bryan through them. “He’s very charismatic, very open,” his close friend John Henry Genualdo said. “No matter where he would go he would always be happy, I have never seen him upset. Ever since I found out about the news, I have been hearing his laughter. It just keeps cheering me up, just like the energy he always brought. Me and my suitemates, we consider him our fifth roommate.” Rodrigo Valenzuela, a close friend of Paredes’, stated similar sentiments, emphasizing Bryan’s ability to light up a room, even if he wasn’t feeling the best himself. “I wouldn’t say he was always happy, but he always made people happy. He did always make sure to have a laugh with people and joke around,” said Valenzuela. Bryan’s friends have very fond memories of going into the city with him, those memories of Bryan’s bright personality which will remain with them forever. “One time we went to Central Park with a group of people, and there was a big open space in Central Park and he decided to go out and run in it and run __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
IN SPORTS:
Lady Jaspers Wear Pink for Breast Cancer on pg. 11
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Opinions & Editorials
2 Volume CV, Issue 4 February 15, 2022
The Editorial Board
Kyla Guilfoil Editor-in-Chief
THE QUADRANGLE
LETTER from The Editor
Dear Readers,
I write to you this week with a heavy heart. Last Monday, Manhattan College tragically lost a member of its community. As Anna Woods Jilleen Barrett Managing Editor Managing Editor a fellow member of the class of 2024, I am incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Bryan Paredes, a brilliant friend, son Nicole Fitzsimmons Angelina Persaud and student to so many. While I did not have the honor of knowNews Editor Asst. News Editor ing Bryan personally, it has been clear this week how missed his presence will be. Zoe DeFazio Megan LaCreta The Quadrangle has had the privilege of recognizing BryAsst. Arts & Arts & Entertainment Editor Entertainment Editor an’s beautiful life in a piece written by Angelica Niedermeyer in this issue. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jilleen Barrett Karen Flores the family and friends of Bryan, and sincerely appreciate the conFeatures Editor Asst. Features Editor tributions extended to Angelica to help develop a worthy recognition of him. Caroline McCarthy Lauren Raziano With this tragic news, The Quadrangle recognizes its role Sports Editor Isaiah Rosario Asst. Sports Editor in the MC community and hopes to continue to honor the individuals that make this institution so special. Thank you Bryan, for Kelly Kennedy Josh Grewal Social Media Editor Asst. Social Media Editor being a part of the Manhattan College community, and in turn, positively impacting so many. Mars Ross Adrianne Hutto The MC community remembers Bryan and sends prayers to his Photography Editor Production Editor family and friends in this time of need. The funeral for Bryan Paredes was held on Sunday, Feb. 13 from 3-6pm at R G Ortiz Jocelyn Visnov Jocelyn Visnov Funeral Home Inc and the campus memorial of Bryan’s life and Mack Olmsted Lauren Raziano memory will be held in the Chapel of De La Salle and His BrothAsst. Production Editors Web Editors ers on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. Our college chaplain and director of campus ministry and Nicholas Gilewicz Faculty Advisor social action, Father Tom Franks, is available to speak with anyone grieving Bryan’s loss at any time. Father Tom can be reached About The Quadrangle at 718-862-7972 or at thomas.franks@manhattan.edu, or students A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is can visit the counseling center in Miguel. Students can schedule a news organization run by the students of an appointment through (718) 862-7394 or by emailing Julie Egan Manhattan College. We strive to cover news around campus and directly at jegan01@manhattan.edu. 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.
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Sincerely,
Kyla Guilfoil
Editor-in-Chief
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Bryan Paredes, Sophomore at MC and Friend to Many, Dies at 20
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 as fast as we could through it. So we all joined. We were like running and tackling each other down. That was a fun time with Bryan,” said Valenzuela.
Bryan also liked to spend time studying or writing, truly balancing his academic and social life. “He lived his life in the moment. He really liked to go to parties, he really did like to go out, have fun with people.
Bryan Paredes died Feb. 7 surrounded by his loving family. RODRIGO VALENZUELA/COURTESY
He was very social. He was studious too, a lot of times I would find him studying,” said Valenzuela. “He would spend hours in Locke’s talking to people. He was always that guy who was friends with everyone, just a part of every group. In some way he would be a main part of almost every group. He always made his presence shown everywhere he went. That’s what actually inspires me most,” Genualdo said. Genualdo and Bryan dressed up as Myles and Spiderman to attend a party off campus, highlighting their friendship. “There was a party at APD for Halloween and we both organized to dress up as spiderman. He dressed up as Myles and I dressed up as Peter,” said Genualdo. Bryan left a strong impact on the people he knew, both his friends and family, which will remain with them forever. Bryan, who was described as a “bright light” by close friend Melannie Estrella, and was also very extroverted and outgoing. “He was hilarious. I just feel like he really was himself. He had a good time no matter where we were or with who he was. There was never a dull moment with him. Even when he was down, he found a way to make a joke out of it. He was still so honest and earnest at the same time,” Estrella said. Our college chaplain and
Paredes and Genualdo at a Halloween party in 2021. JOHN GENUALDO/COURTESY director of campus ministry and social action, Father Tom Franks, is available to speak with anyone grieving Bryan’s loss at any time. Father Tom can be reached at 718-862-7972 or at thomas.franks@manhattan.edu, or students can visit the counseling center in Miguel. Students can schedule an appointment through (718) 862-7394 or by emailing Julie Egan directly at jegan01@man-
Surveillance Testing To Return to Campus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Surveillance testing is a tool, I think it’s legitimate,” said adjunct professor of English, Alastair Murdoch. “I think it’s valid and I certainly understand the spirit and I think it’s more than compliance. I think it was born out of a desire to be doing everything possible to ensure safety on campus.” Alastair hopes surveillance testing will increase health and safety by mitigating the risks inside and outside of the classroom. “It helps us to understand where the risks are and to see where we’re moving and I think it’s something we can do. It’s not a big deal. And if we can do
that, and it makes some meaningful difference to the health and safety of everyone on campus, then do it,” Murdoch said. Anne Mavor, director of health services, believes it is a priority to address some concerns or questions that students might have about the newly implemented testing situation. “We hope to see more negative results,” Mavor wrote in an email to the Quadrangle. “The infection rate was close to 25 percent over winter. The rate is much lower now. We expect to see this fall and our efforts in surveillance testing will directly help this by isolating people quickly. Fall semester we had 56 cases before December and Omicron arrived.”
In the case of the majority of students testing positive, she went into detail about what could happen in the future weeks. “The college activated one of the strategies the week before classes started. The One Manhattan co-chairs made a decision to offer the first five days of classes remotely as our infection rates were high. This allowed students and employees time to complete their isolation and not miss their classes. The return to campus testing identified people who were actively positive and some who were infected over break and did not have access to testing in the surge,” wrote Mavor. There were also many questions surrounding the ex-
emption policy. Mavor states there are accomodations in place for the people that are in need of them. “There are people who are exempt from surveillance. Anyone who has tested positive in the last 90 days is exempt from testing. There are others that are required to test more often. People with a vaccination exemption are required to test every seven days to maintain the green pass and access campus,” Mavor wrote. Many students seemed worried about the time frame in which people had to get tested. “The One Manhattan team meets regularly to assess the campus pulse,” wrote Mavor. “We want to be able to adjust as the case counts and rates less-
hattan.edu. The MC community remembers Bryan and sends prayers to his family and friends in this time of need. The funeral for Bryan Paredes was held on Sunday, Feb. 13 from 3-6pm at R G Ortiz Funeral Home Inc and the campus memorial of Bryan’s life and memory will be held in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
en. We rely on the community answering the Daily Symptom Tracker. We ask that anyone with symptoms or exposure report this risk and test before their surveillance is due. We will all be happy to be on campus with less policies and restrictions. As our community booster rate is higher, we expect to have less disruption in learning. NY state requires the booster dose for individuals to be exempt from quarantine after a close contact exposure.” As time moves on in the coming weeks, we are likely to see more information unfold regarding the current situation surrounding the surveillance testing.
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THE QUADRANGLE
Provost Schreiner Speaks at Student Government Meeting Amid Students’ Graduation Concerns Maddie Johnson Senior Writer
Provost Steven Schreiner and other administration members held a meeting with the student government in light of the administration’s decision to hold the Manhattan College 2022 commencement ceremony in New Jersey in order to address student concerns. In the second week of the semester, Schreiner sent an email to seniors and their families addressing that graduation will officially be held on Wednesday, May 18 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. In his email, Schreiner explained why the commencement cannot take place in Manhattan College’s home state, New York. “New York City continues to have some of the most restrictive event guidelines in the region and has released new requirements too late for advanced planning. Commencement takes significant advanced planning, so this decision needed to be made now,” he wrote. In response to the questions many students had from the email, the student government decided to invite Schreiner to speak in-person about the matter. He was joined by Tamara Britt, vice president for external and legal Affairs and chief of staff, and Esmilda Abreu-Hornbostel, interim vice president of student life. To kick off the meeting, Liola Moody, student body vice president, asked Schreiner why administration chose a venue in New Jersey as opposed to other New York based venues, including Yankee Stadium. The provost was quick to address that Manhattan College had looked at other venues like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, but found COVID protocols in New York City to still be problematic. Schreiner also mentioned that the school looked into a venue in Westchester County, although the space wasn’t available due to it being used for COVID-19 testing. Regarding Yankee Stadium, the provost summed up his answer by explaining that the venue was too big and cost was prohibitive. To follow up Moody’s question, student body president, Kevin Rojas, asked if the school ever had sent out an official proposal for commencement to Yankee Stadium. Schreiner responded saying, “I don’t think there was a whole proposal, I think it was a discussion.” Another student government member, Zachary Olivan, vice president of residential affairs, brought up a
question many students and families have stressed is a priority, which is if the New Jersey location protocols provide the proper protection for commencement attendees. Schreiner answered Olivian by explaining that the beauty of having commencement in New Jersey is that the venue will accommodate Manhattan College regardless of whether masks or testing is required, giving administration more freedom when setting up a health plan. Schreiner then answered Olivan’s second question, which was what One Manhattan’s plan is to ensure students and other attendees safety. Schreiner responded by saying the school cannot announce an exact plan now since the event is too far away. Following that, Britt expanded on how the school has to work with the timing of CDC guidelines to send out an official plan. “We have the One Manhattan team to implement protocols similarly to what we have done on campus. Those protocols may or may not be adjusted given where we are with the pandemic, so it may be masks, it may be PCR tests requested in advance, the vaccination protocols, etc. But that is all going to depend on where we are with respect to science,” Schreiner said. After the student government panel asked their questions, Rojas opened the floor to students that had a variety of concerns and questions, ranging from how the school will provide travel to why certain outside venues were not considered. One student voiced her concern about seniors not having enough say about graduation before the school decided on Meadowlands, which she expressed made the process lack transparency. Schreiner responded by mentioning that while the school was looking at venues throughout October, it was brought to seniors’ attention that graduating in New Jersey was a possibility and that a survey was put out. He also mentioned how the survey, created by the student government, was made to see how students felt about the location change. Following her question, the student asked how students were involved besides the poll sent out by the student government, to which the provost said he talked to students on the academic affairs committee. Travel was another issue many students pointed out to administrators was a concern of theirs. At the meeting, Schreiner did confirm transportation, specifically buses, will be provided and that he and the administration are currently working on arranging busing
for graduation day. Questions regarding how attendees will get to graduation raised concern about another topic, how the school will ensure safety with unvaccinated and vaccinated people next to each other in a crowded space. Senior Sydney Waitt explained at the meeting why she feels unsettled about the school’s travel plans. “My grandmother will be coming from seven hours away to see her first grandchild graduate, and she won’t have the means to drive a car,” Waitt said. “She’s elderly and she’s also extremely immunocompromised. So, will she be on a bus with other people in a confined space?” Britt addressed this question by admitting that vaccinated passengers will have to sit next to unvaccinated passengers, but that the school plans to administer COVID tests to attendees the day of the ceremony. “The short answer is yes,” Britt said. “The long answer is we’re going to have testing in place the day of. So, the best predictor of whether or not somebody is indeed positive and is going to transmit the virus is to have testing.” Following those questions, students asked Britt to confirm that testing will be in place the day of graduation, in which Britt responded, “I will tell you as of right now, yes, we are going to have testing.” One of the most frequently asked questions discussed at the student government meeting was why outside venues will not be an option. On the Q&A webpage for commencement, it’s explained that Gaelic and Van Cortlandt Park cannot work as venues for the graduating class because they don’t accommodate people with disabilities and carry other challenges regarding access and exiting. But seniors like Siobhan Hynes explained other ideas for outside venues, besides the two main parks close to campus. Hynes asked the provost if there was absolutely no way an outside venue could be considered. “Is there absolutely no way that we could not have an outdoor ceremony? Because I feel like that would probably be the most ideal where one one’s in a confined space,” Hynes said. She offered other ideas which seem closer and accessible. “There’s a place 10 minutes away. St. Joseph’s Cemetery has huge fields and they don’t have any events,” Hynes said. Schreiner answered by bringing up that planning an outdoor ceremony for the school would be difficult, con-
sidering extra planning would be involved and backup plans would have to be organized for commencement. “A closed stadium, a closed roofed building no matter what, is the best in that sense, and that’s my view of it,” Schreiner said. In an email statement, Rojas elaborated how he felt about the provost coming to the student government meeting to speak to students regarding their concerns. “I am proud of the Jaspers who came out to speak their minds at our meeting,” Rojas said. Rojas emphasized how he appreciates the administration speaking with students and listening to their issues and ideas. “Also, I appreciate that the administration took the time to speak to students and hear all of their concerns,” Rojas said. “Full transparency is the most important part of this whole process, and I expect that after this meeting there will be a continued open dialogue between the student body and administration moving forward.” Senior Ashley Hickey mentioned that after the meeting, she still felt disappointed about the outcome of where commencement will be, as well as not heard. “I think that he wasn’t really listening to our conversation and it wasn’t until the end of the meeting that he actually
said that none of this could be changed, which was a little disheartening. I personally feel as though he doesn’t really have any interest in having students involved in this,” Hickey said. In light of the controversy and backlash from some students about commencement being in New Jersey, Schereiner told The Quadrangle that ultimately he wants to plan the best and safest ceremony for everyone on campus. “It’s gonna be the same mission every year, to give the best possible event for the students. I want people to really focus on the fact that we’re actually planning in February an all inclusive, everyone’s invited to one location, to do this,” Schreiner said. Schreiner continued to say that planning specifically this year was a challenge and with that, he has been impressed to see how much the Manhattan College community cares about having a well organized commencement ceremony for the seniors. “All my interactions with the meetings, through my interview just a couple of years ago, it was just wonderful to see the students engaged. I actually know some students who graduated and they’re still engaged in the beautiful community of Manhattan College. I know that no matter what we’re facing in the future, we can work together on it,” Schreiner said.
Provost Schreiner was joined by administrators Tamara Britt and Esmilda Abreu-Hornbostel at this past Wednesday’ student government meeting. MADDIE JOHNSON/ THE QUADRANGLE
Features
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
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Alixandria James Chosen as Recipient for Newman Civic Fellowship Karen Flores
Asst. Features Editor Manhattan College’s Alixandria James has been selected as one of the recipients of the Newman Civic Fellowship for the year 2022-2023. The Newman Civic Fellowship aims to recognize and support students who are not only engaged in collaborative action with others on and off campus but that are also committed to solving public problems and bringing changes to their communities. A single student is nominated by either the president or chancellor of their institution and then are selected based on whether they meet the criteria for the fellowship. James, a public health major with a concentration in healthcare administration and a management minor, grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. Despite originally being set on going to college in Boston, she decided to attend Manhattan College, the same college that both of her parents graduated from. “My mom works in education and my dad works in healthcare.. Those are two very big things that I have put together here in college,” James said. “They both just have been so supportive and they’ve always pushed me to do whatever I want, and they’ve let me make my own decisions.”
Manhattan College’s Alixandria James has been selected as a recipients of the Newman Civic Fellowship. ALEXANDRIA JAMES / COURTESY James was nominated for the fellowship by Richardo Dello Buono, Ph.D, director of study abroad and professor of sociology, and Sheetal Kale, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dello Buono commented on James’ involvement on campus
James, a public health major with a concentration in healthcare administration and a management minor, grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. ALEXANDRIA JAMES / COURTESY
and her ambition to help create change in her community. “What I found really fascinating about her was that she was very interested in a whole lot of social issues, particularly around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, which are really important priorities for our institution,” Dello Buono said. Kale got a chance to work with James when they analyzed the data from the diversity equity campus climate survey and held a town hall about the results last semester. “I nominated her because of her excellent work with the diversity council in analyzing the data,” Kale said. “She was studying the effects of microaggressions on people’s sense of belonging and their mental health. Her presentation style showed great poise and confidence. She’s very hard working, and is committed to what she does.” Dello Buono also believes that it was James’ extensive involvement on campus and with other community organizations that made her an obvious choice for a nominee. James is currently working with New York Presbyterian in their division of community and population health where she
has been involved in COVID vaccination pop-ups and pediatric offices located in predominantly Black and Brown communities. James also works in the Lasallian Women and Gender Resource Center where she works on advocating for diversity, equity inclusion, and its implications for public health and is a tutor in the Center for Academic Success. She has also been a part of the WISE (Women Inspiring Successful Enterprise) internship program in MC that looks to develop female leaders through collaborative projects, training and other experiences and has participated in research with Dello Buono and Kale in regards to the campus climate survey. Rani Roy, assistant professor of public health, spoke to the Quadrangle about James and her outstanding work and dedication both inside and outside the classroom. “She’s an exemplary student. She works well independently and in a group setting. She can really do qualitative work and quantitative work and she really tries to put together some pieces regarding disparities in public health,” Roy said.
Roy believes that James will have an impact on communities in regards to problems about public health. Her commitment and dedication to her field of study is shown through the level of “engagement with academic discipline and with research” she has both on and off campus. James is looking forward to meeting and collaborating with other exceptional students and hopes to learn more about how public health ties into other fields of study. Dello Buono, Kale as well as other faculty members express their excitement and appreciation for the recognition James is receiving after all her hard work and dedication. “I think her dedication to serving the community, both campus community and the larger community, particularly of historically underserved populations, makes her an outstanding representative of the Lasallian traditions,” said Dello Buono. “You know, in our campus climate or campus context, she’s just a great community oriented person. So, for all those reasons, I believe she’s an outstanding candidate for the Newman Civic Fellowship. ”
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THE QUADRANGLE
Jaspers Talk Journalism with NPR’s Melissa Block Megan LaCreta
Arts & Entertainment Editor Peabody Award-winning journalist and former host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” Melissa Block stopped by for an online Q&A with some journalism-minded Jaspers last week. The Wednesday evening event was co-sponsored by the Manhattan College chapters of Her Campus and PRSSA, and hosted by students Jocelyn Visnov and Angelica Niedermeyer. Block shared advice, stories and answered questions about her experience as a journalist over her 37-year career at NPR. Block did not always have the intention to pursue journalism. She had studied French history and literature at Harvard University, and planned on attending law school. However, she ended up with an internship at “All Things Considered,” tasked with booking interviews for the NPR radio show and the experience took her down a whole new path. “I just loved what I found [at “All Things Considered”],”
said Block. “I loved the people, loved the medium, loved radio and so, I guess that I didn’t choose journalism so much as it chose me.” Bridget Turro, a junior political science major and Her Campus writer and social media editor who attended the event, believed that Block’s path from college to her career was important for students to hear about. “She went to college for something completely different than what she ended up doing, and I think that’s really cool, and I think a lot of people do that, actually,” said Turro. Turro had listened to NPR with her parents growing up, and was familiar with Block from her 12-year run as host of “All Things Considered” from 2003 to 2015. However, Block’s field reporting has also found her fame in the world of journalism. Block has been commended for her reporting on the war in Kosovo in 1999, and has won Peabody Awards for her coverage of the 9/11 attacks and of a 2008 earthquake in western China, where she
was one of few western journalists on scene. However, hard-hitting news and tragedies isn’t all that Block has spent her career writing about. Olympics, World Series Yankees games and interviewing quirky New Yorkers have also been personal highlights for Block. “There was one story I did when I was sitting on a bench outside a courthouse,” said Block. “These two older women sitting next to me were having this incredibly lovely conversation among themselves and I just said, ‘Do you mind if I record you talking to each other?’ And they are just incredible. It’s one of my favorite stories, and it’s nothing other than a little slice of life and the little portrait of these two older women talking about being alive at the age that they were and waking up with their cat and wondering why they’re still here, but I hear their voices still. Those are the stories that kind of balance out all of the really heavy stuff that sometimes we have to do.” Block’s advice to aspiring
Her Campus at Manhattan held this virtual event on Wednesday, February 9th. @HERCAMPUS_MC / COURTESY
Her Campus at Manhattan is a Diamond Level Chapter of Her Campus Media. Women and folx write articles for HerCampus. com on a biweekly basis. @HERCAMPUS_MC / COURTESY journalists falls in line with her own personal journalistic ethics. “You approach people with respect and with humanity,” said Block. “And also letting folks get to know me as a person so I’m not just sort of a blank slate talking to them. It’s a connection when you’re interviewing somebody, ideally, you’re bonding with them in some way and it’s not an interview. It’s a conversation.” Arshia Anwer, Ph.D., communication professor, pointed to this as an important piece of advice for students in fields extending beyond journalism. “I think that’s a very important thing, regardless of the career that you are in, making sure that you are able to interact with people as humans and not just, ‘this is a subject that I’m interviewing and I have to write about,’,” Anwer said. Anwer also stressed the importance of hearing from female journalists like Block, considering how many areas of journalism remain heavily male. Block acknowledged that women still struggle in the field, particularly with feelings of imposter syndrome, and worrying whether they deserve the chance to be there. Howev-
er, she offered some advice for people who feel that way. “Self doubt is pernicious, especially for women,” said Block. “I mean, I remember when I went to a really tiny public high school, and when I got to college, I remember thinking I was just so far behind the pack, and I was in a lot of ways, but just listening to people in classes, and then I realized, they sound like they know what they’re talking about, but it’s kind of an of an act, and they don’t really know a whole lot more than I do. So I think it’s sort of also taking those filters off a little bit and just taking a step back and sort of analyzing what other people are saying and doing and why you feel the way you do. And just recognizing that you have as much right to be in that space as anyone else.” Block’s advice resonated with the Google Meet, which was largely attended by female students. Her inspiring words are sure to be in the minds of the next generation of Jasper journalists. Editor’s Note: Jocelyn Visnov and Angelica Neidermeyer both work for The Quadrangle as web editor/production assistant and staff writer respectively.
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Arts & Entertainment
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Lights, Camera, Action! The Return of MCTV Angelina Persaud Asst. News Editor
The return of Manhattan College Television (MCTV) post-pandemic brings a revival of campus life and a creative outlet for students interested in media and production. MCTV is a student-run media production club that creates various shows and segments related to campus life and student activities. Currently, the network features the Manhattan Minute and Quadcast, which are available to students through YouTube, Instagram and various social media platforms. Samantha Gaddy, a senior communication major with a concentration in sports media production and minors in Spanish and history, has been a member of the MCTV crew since the fall semester of 2021. She initiated and helped to produce a program called the Manhattan Minute, wherein students can receive campus news in a concise format. “I brought it to MCTV in the beginning of the fall semester, and we just kind of hit the ground running with it because it was just such a fun and easy idea to work with,” Gaddy said. She also emphasized the accessibility of the network and how it will help keep students connected with the college community. “We wanted to make things more social and more convenient for students to get information from the school. So that’s why we came up with the
minute, it can be streamlined, straight to them from their phones to just make it easier for everybody,” Gaddy said. One of the network’s long-running programs, Quadcast, is still being produced and allows for students to express their creative outlet in a media format. It essentially allows students to have a platform where they can discuss topics that are important to them and share it with the MC community. Chris Plate, a senior with a double major in communication and psychology and a concentration in media production, has been the field and post supervisor since 2021. He explained how beneficial the program has been to the student body and boosting campus life. “We kind of just go on and on about whatever we want and we try to bring on other clubs. We had Turnstyle on to promote small businesses here on campus, and we try to do that monthly,” Plate said. Ranging from the pre-production meetings to the physical taping of segments, the MCTV crew has had to adjust their production methods to be in compliance with COVID regulations on campus. Maeve Kirk, a junior communication major with a concentration in media production and a minor in digital media, serves as the social media manager for the network. She highlighted the setup inside the studio when it comes to filming segments. “We have to keep wearing the masks in the studio and still practice our social distancing. We have two cameras essential-
MCTV is a student-run media production club that creates various shows and segments related to campus life and student activities.
YOUTUBE-MCTV / COURTESY ly, that are six feet apart. For the most part, it’s usually only like five to six of us at the most in the studio at a time,” Kirk said. Although the precautions are in place, the crew still encourages new members to join and offers hands-on training. Mariana Duque, a senior with a double major in English and communication and a concentration in media production, is the vice president of the club. She spoke about her experience joining the network in the midst of COVID and the experience she gained in production. “You don’t have to be a communication major to join the club. We just teach you handson experience. And as we do everything collectively, we help each other if we need something” Duque said. The crew also highlighted their fondest memories and most fulfilling moments of being a part of the network. Particularly, they all emphasized the close knit relationships they’ve developed among
each other and how it’s helped them foster a community within the greater MC community. “We could say we’re good pals. When you talk to people and when you interact with people, all those memories that you share are great memories. It evolves and you become close with those people after you roll up production” Duque said. They also highlighted the connections they’ve made across campus due to their various positions in the network, especially when it comes to working with multiple clubs to produce a specific show for the week. “Especially for me as the social media manager, I’ve been reaching out to clubs here and just engaging with other people. It’s one of my favorite things to do and just getting to know others is probably the best thing about it,” Kirk said. As for the future of the network, the crew shared that there are a few projects in progress at the moment. They are aiming to diversify and ex-
pand the types of programs produced and include a wider range of students in the MC community. The club has also started planning for a potential podcast in a partnership with the Lasallian Women and Gender Resource Center regarding mental health and personal care. ”We’re just very excited to work with them. A lot of the topics that they’re going to talk about consist of mental health and good habits to have, so it will be really beneficial for everyone so we’re excited to work with them” Plate said. The network has cemented its role in the community and will continue to produce its programs as a way to further connect the student body. “I think it was just important to make sure that everyone is connected because as a small school, we are also a small community and it just made sense. Get something together to get everyone engaged” Gaddy said.
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THE QUADRANGLE
The Manhattones Are Back for the Spring Semester! Isaiah Rosario Asst. Sports Editor
The Manhattones are back! The go-ed acapella group has returned to the stage for the spring semester, after a successful fall semester of performances and concerts. Vice president of Manhattones and junior communication major Sophie Ryan, spoke to The Quad, and explained what Manhattan College’s acapella group is for those who are unfamiliar. “We’re a co-ed acapella group and we’re audition-based, so all of our members have to audition in front of our board, which includes me and three other really great members, Luis, Jenna, and Francesca,” Ryan said. “It’s a very low-stress environment. It’s nothing too technical or too classical. We do a lot of contemporary stuff… The main goal is
just to sing current music that everyone knows and a way for students to show their love for music and also meet each other.” Manhattones recently held auditions for their group. The acapella group welcomed one new member for this upcoming semester, and they are continuing to look for new members. “We’re still auditioning, which is great,” Manhattones secretary and junior childhood education major Jenna Leonard said. “This semester, we’re looking for beatboxers, and we’re looking for tenor parts and bass parts, specifically, altos, as well. So if you want to audition, definitely feel free to email manhattones@manhattan.edu or DM us on Instagram @MCManhattones and set up a time.” Auditions are open to both commuters and residents of Manhattan. Sophomore sound studies major and Manhattones
Social chair Francesca Zamor spoke about how important Manhattones was to her while being a commuter during such a difficult time as the COVID pandemic. “Well, for me since I’m a commuter, it was like my only way of hanging out with anyone because I was commuting during COVID, where I couldn’t really hang out anywhere,” Zamor said. “I didn’t really know who to speak to because there wasn’t really anyone on campus. So when [President of Manhattones Luis Chavez] told me about it and I joined it was like my only way of having friends and having someone to talk to and hang out with. So it’s pretty important to me.” There was high praise amongst Manhattones about how their performances went last semester. Manhattones performed the national anthem at a Jasper home game as well as performed their Winter Con-
cert in the Chapel last December. “The shows [last semester] were really fun and they went really well,” section leader Julia Melchiorre, a junior adolescent education and history major, said. “Last semester we performed at the winter concert and we ended up actually doing a bit more of a contemporary song. It’s something that’s normally a very formal affair. So it kind of shocked the audience a little bit, but it was definitely a good surprise. We got a few chuckles and a few laughs out of [the audience]. So it was exactly what we were hoping for.” Looking forward to this semester, The Manhattones have a load of things planned. For Valentine’s day, Manhattones posted a video of their group singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. They look forward to posting more videos like those throughout the semester. The Manhat-
tones are looking to spice up their spring concert with a song from a familiar face. “We’re planning for our spring concert. We’re looking to do some really fun music, one of which is a Harry Styles medley. And that’s very fun for all of us,” Leonard said. Manhattones is a group of aspiring, and committed musicians. The acapella group here on campus has defined itself as a family that makes new members of the group feel welcomed into this stress-free environment. “ I would love for people to know how dedicated and committed we are and how open we are to try new opportunities,” Melchiorre said. “I think everyone in the group is really down to perform anywhere and do anything as long as we’re given a yes.”
Paige Davis, started posting photos in September using a 2003 Kodak digital camera that was gifted to her by her sister in February 2021. “It just sat in the box. I was like ‘What am I gonna do with this?’ I was like, ‘I didn’t really want this, like okay,’ and then September came around and I was like I’m gonna use it” Davis said. “I’m going to document everything. Our senior year is going to be documented.” Davis wanted to make Ins-
tagram casual again and began posting every photo she took. “We can look back and just have those memories and have them timestamped. I’m not just posting three pictures I think I look good in,” Davis said. “I’m posting every single picture that we took. And we just thought it was more fun.” Senior childhood education major Emma Piazza, uses an app called Dispo to take pictures with her friends. One of her favorite parts of the app is
not being able to see the photos until the next day. Similar to Davis, Piazza likes the aspect of not worrying about what her and her friends look like, but instead enjoying the moment. “I think sometimes taking pictures you get so caught up in ‘Oh, I need to see right after,’ ‘what do I look like?’ And you kind of are forgetting just that you’re capturing memories,” Piazza said. “So I kind of like that. This is only about capturing memories. No one was worried
about what they look like.” Piazza has noticed that her friends are excited to get into the pictures. “It’s less about the aesthetic and more just about I think everyone loves getting in the pictures” Piazza said. “And like every time I pull my phone out, my friends are always so excited to get in the photo.” Art history and digital media art professor Lili Kobielski, has lots of experience in the field. Right now Kobielski mostly uses a digital camera, but for a while she used a 35 millimeter rangefinder in black and white. Her work has focused on documenting people and telling their stories. “I always think it’s legitimate to take pictures all the time, to take pictures of your friends, your family, your life. You know, I think that’s incredibly valuable,” Kobielski said. “And it’s also an absolutely legitimate career and you can make a good living and you can travel the world and you can meet interesting people.” Davis is glad she started documenting her college life and encourages other students to do the same. “I didn’t understand why people like taking so many pictures or anything like that,” Davis said. “But now in the space I’m in, I’m so happy I did it. And I hope that anybody else will document their time in college because it’s amazing.”
Photography: A Way to Capture Memories Kelly Cwik Staff Writer
Many students at Manhattan College have created Instagram accounts dedicated to capturing their college memories. What makes these photos special is that they are taken using apps like Dispo or digital cameras to give an old-fashioned style feel. Senior marketing major
Paige Davis captures the MC student section on disposible film. @PAIGEINDIGITAL/ COURTESY
Sports
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
9
Emily LaPointe Balances Athletic and Career Goals JASPER TALKS
Jocelyn Visnov Web Editor/Asst. Production Editor Emily LaPointe is making strides in both her athletic and professional career. Number 11 on the Manhattan Women’s Basketball Team, LaPointe not only manages her academic course load and being a Division I athlete, but also an internship to further her professional goals at Montefiore Hospital. As a junior working towards her Bachelors of Science in Radiation Therapy, LaPointe is on her second of three rotations in a clinical internship program through the School of Science. Having previously worked with New York Presbyterian Hospital at their Columbia site, LaPointe now works nearby at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx. The Quad spoke with LaPointe to learn about how she manages her schedule as an athlete and intern. The Quad: How did you find this internship oppor-
tunity? Emily LaPointe: So it’s built into the program [in the school of science] … They set us up with these internships. And we get credit for internships, you have to pass, they’re called like competencies. You have to pass a certain number per semester and per rotation in the hospital. TQ: What made you decide to participate in this program? EL: So I started doing research and I wanted to stay in the health field, I always wanted to work in health care … My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have radiation. So I kind of felt like that’s what I was meant to do. I was looking into the program I saw and it caught my eye. And then at the time, it just so happened that my aunt was going to have to go through it as well. So I almost felt like God was saying “You’re doing what you’re supposed to do.” TQ: What do you hope to gain from this internship? EL: I’m just to learn to kind of be knowledgeable all-around about there are different ways
Lapointe poses for her roster photo. GOJASPERS/ COURTESY
Lapointe sports a pink uniform in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. @MANHATTANWBB/ COURTESY and different treatment techniques … And it’s a field that I think, yes, there’s books and stuff that goes into it, but you really need to learn hands-on you know, setting up patients, you can talk about it but unless you’re doing it like you don’t actually have a feel for what you’re doing. I just hope that these internships allow me to eventually be the best radiation therapist I can be to succeed in my job and I want to make sure that I never feel like I have to second guess what I’m doing and just be confident in what I’m doing. TQ: So you have your internship and you have your classes, but basketball is also a big part of your life. How did you sort that all out? How do you manage? EL: This semester honestly has been a little bit challenging because I do have class Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I have my classes, so when I come back from work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I’ll go to do a workout, then I go right to night class from six to nine. So it is tiring, I have my days where I’m like, ‘Oh man, I want to just lay down and take a nap.’ … [I’m] just trying to know that there’s a bigger pic-
ture down the road and that I can do it. You know, I think I’m able to handle it, and I’ve been handling it well. I just want to be kind of the best person allaround student-athletes and kind of embark on you know, when the ball stops bouncing this will be my career. TQ: How do you find time for socializing and relaxing? EL: I think that’s kind of something that’s been challenging for me obviously my Monday through Wednesday. I don’t do much social interaction, besides the people that I see at work … So it is hard but I just kind of have whatever free time that I do have. I tried to just surround myself with my friends and people that I love to just kind of take my mind off of all the craziness that I do have going on. TQ: How do you take care of your health during your busy schedule? EL: There are definitely some others where I kind of feel like my legs feel like they’re gonna fall off. I’m exhausted. You know, I have days where it’s worse than others. But I consider myself a fairly mentally strong person … I am on my feet a lot. So I just tried to take care of my body, you
know, I have to eat right. I try to take care of myself physically and mentally just getting as much rest as I can … It’s important to recognize what your body needs and just feed your body what it’s telling you. TQ: Where does basketball fall? Is it something that stresses you out? EL: That’s always been a comfort, I’ve been doing it for so long. So it has always been a comfort and I do love to be around my team … I have to find time to get in there extra to work out. So I find those moments like ‘okay, I’m in here by myself’ or you know, just working out by myself is when I’m in a good space. And sometimes surprisingly as much as it can tire you out. It kind of gives me a little bit more energy. TQ: Do you have any advice for student-athletes who doubt if they can do it all? EL: So my advice is you are actually able to handle more than you think you’re capable of …Like we’re here not just as athletes, we’re student-athletes. And our education is just as important as our athletic career. So put your academics first and go for what you want to do in your future.
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THE QUADRANGLE
Senior Sini Mäkelä proves herself on and off the court PLAYER PROFILE Kelly Kennedy Social Media Editor Sini Mäkelä is taking on her final season as a Jasper, after recently setting the record for the most games played in a Jasper uniform. Mäkelä is a guard for the Manhattan College women’s basketball team as well as a graduate student pursuing her MBA with a concentration in business analytics. Originally from Helsinki, Finland, Mäkelä traveled halfway around the world to play for the Jaspers, and throughout her years here, she has proven
to be someone her teammates and coaches can depend on. Mäkelä grew up playing basketball and found her passion for it when she was only seven years old. As she is originally from Finland, leaving behind her family to come to the USA to compete in Division I athletics was a big deal for her. One of Mäkelä’s main inspirations is her mother, who was also a collegiate athlete. “It was a big thing to come here to the States and fulfill that dream of mine to play Division one college basketball just like [my mom]. I’ve always just kind of had that passion because of my mom,” Mäkelä said.
MBA Student Sini Makela gears up for her final season as a Jasper athlete.
GOJASPERS/ COURTESY
She chose to come play at Manhattan College because of the sense of home she felt when she first visited campus. “I’m really far away from home and having that family environment was really important for me. Of course, I was starstruck about New York and Times Square, but it was really the people that made me feel so welcomed and just so comfortable,” Mäkelä said. She has definitely found her place here at Manhattan, where her teammates have become almost a second family. Mäkelä plays alongside one of her closest friends, Christina Katsamouri, another international student on the team. The two quickly became close because of their shared experience of being international student-athletes. Katsamouri, a junior guard and forward from Thessaloniki, Greece calls herself Mäkelä’s “international buddy.” “Since [we met], we’ve always related to each other because we’re international and outgoing, so that also always keeps us really close,” Katsamouri said. Mäkelä has proven herself not only as a star player, but also as a strong teammate. She is known to push others to do their best, go above and beyond to make the team better and shows how much she values her teammates through her actions. Mäkelä’s dedication to her teammates is something that Katsamouri truly values about her. “She’s a very competitive player. She always brings her best self in every single thing we do. You will never get less than 100 percent of our effort. If you tell her to do 20 push ups, she’ll do 21 just to make sure that she didn’t miss any while
she was counting,” Katsamouri said. Head Coach Heather Vulin has also noted Mäkelä’s dedication and talent. Nicknaming Mäkelä her “security blanket,” Vulin puts her faith in Mäkelä knowing she will always pull through. “I trust her so much, she’s the person I put in when I need someone to throw the ball in or someone to make a free throw or anything else,” Vulin said. “She’s done a tremendous job and I’m really gonna miss her when she graduates.” Mäkelä’s time in Manhattan has not always been easy. The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges, especially since she is an international student. But the team has been able to bounce back from that and are more prepared for this season than ever. “It was really, really tough, especially mentally. How do you keep staying motivated when you don’t even know if you’re gonna play tomorrow?” Mäkelä said. “But, I feel like this year we’ve responded much better. Now we’re able to come off of a pause and go straight into a winning streak after just a couple of days out of quarantine.” Despite these challenges, Mäkelä has constantly proven to be an athlete her coaches and teammates can depend on time and time again. Many are excited to see what she has in store for the upcoming season. “She’s proven that she’s a kid that I can count on a player that I can count on,” Vulin said. “So I need her to continue to do that role. Plus, I feel she’s playing with the most confidence that she’s played with us and she’s been in the Jasper uniform this year.” Mäkelä has grown into a leader for her team throughout
her time at MC. Starting off as a nervous freshman, Mäkelä has grown into a confident player as she begins her fifth and final season as a Jasper. “When I was a freshman I was really shy and didn’t know what I wanted from life. And it’s been really amazing just kind of even realizing myself like the growth throughout the years,” Mäkelä. “I’ve become more vocal and determined throughout my experiences, more strong as a leader and I feel like I’m striving for much higher than I was as a freshman. I feel like I’ve gained so much confidence both as a player and as a person.” Always making the most of tough situations, Mäkelä has proven herself to be a star both on and off the court. Mäkelä has worked hard as a student, and even participated in the W.I.S.E. program last year. Dedicating herself to her schoolwork and future career, Mäkelä hopes to stay in New York City after graduation. “Out of all the five years that I’ve been here, I feel like this year we’ve had the most connected team,” says Mäkela. “We have a lot of fun not only on the court, but also off the court. We have so much talent and potential in this team.” With her final season ahead of us, we can expect a great season from Mäkelä. “I’m super excited to hopefully finish the season strong and then go into the MAAC tournament with just a great mindset, we’re fearless and just ready to compete,” Mäkela said. “And I’m really excited to see how this program will develop even after I graduate and I’m excited to come back to see some games because this team is really something special this year.”
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FEBRUARY 15, 2022
A Coach To Look Up To
11
ATHLETE VOICES
Christina Katsamouri Contributor Professional, consistent, efficient, motivated and intentional are some of the things that characterize Mike Olave, the strength and conditioning coach of Manhattan College, according to his athletes. Olave, in his fifth year at Manhattan College, is in charge of all the 18 sports teams, as well as being their biggest inspiration and leader. Olave served as the assistant coach for the 2017-2018 season until being promoted halfway over the year. In this position, he is now responsible for all aspects of strength and conditioning for the Jaspers’ Division I sports, as well as serving as the primary point of contact for all of them. Olave was an assistant coach, but even in that role, he had very good leadership skills. Already as an assistant, he was communicating with his athletes, even though he wasn’t the primary leader in the weight room at the time and his skills quickly took over in the lifting room. His pro-
motion came very quickly and it was also very sudden, but the transition was natural. He was ready to take on this challenge, and that says a lot about his character as Luke Pacher, a graduate student from the men’s lacrosse team stated. “He took right over and he has absolutely crushed it since then by himself. He never has an assistant coach,” Pacher says. “We would have six am practices and he would be the first one to bring the juice in, we are 40 people in our team and he gets 40 people fired up.” Olave has developed tremendously in his work in recent years according to his athletes. He has become more individualized between different sports and has diverse workouts, depending on what the athletes need or are looking for. He is a great communicator with his athletes as he works out of his way to understand the sport. Olave’s biggest attribute is how much he cares and he is willing to work individually with his athletes as he is a coach who walks the steps with them. The work he is doing is very noticeable to the athletes and it shows when they perform in their sport.
The work he did with the women’s basketball team three years ago was very remarkable, as the team had four ACL injuries during the season. According to Sini Makela, a graduate athlete from the women’s basketball team, Olave completely replaced the strength and conditioning plan for the next year and there was a tremendous decrease in injuries. A lot of girls suffered with knee and hip injuries and coach Olave planned exercises that really helped prevent those injuries. Olave has brought his own culture in the athletics of Manhattan College, and it seems to be the reason why he is as respected at his job. The weight room is his world and there is lots of discipline, energy, respect and effort in there, as described by his athletes, where every one of them follows these attributes. “He has made our team much more disciplined,” Makela says. “We always wanna be at our best, he brings out this extra energy in our team, he himself is very disciplined as a person and he leads by example, that makes our team want to practice at the standards that he has set.”
Olave has gained a lot of trust from his athletes since their first words to say when it comes to talk about Olave are trust and respect. Anu Awonusi, a graduate track and field athlete, believes that his communication skills are the reason why there’s so much trust as he knows how to cultivate and create a healthy culture. No matter if you are the last person on the bench or the superstar of the school, he will give you the same amount of attention and expect from you the same effort. “I trust him with my life, I trust that he knows my athletic ability, he has a full understanding of what I do and what I need to be doing,” Awonusi said. “I trust him more than anyone in the athletic program.” The professionalism in his work and the culture he contains make Olave stand out as a faculty member and a coach at Manhattan College, making him a source of inspiration for all his athletes. “If it wasn’t for coach Mike I probably would have been done with my sports a little bit earlier,” Awonusi said. “There are a lot of offline conversations we had in order to help me realize
where I am at, he doesn’t keep it business, he actually cares and he sees you more than just an athlete.” “He brings a culture where what you bring into the table you also get, the effort you put is gonna be the results you get,” Pacher said. “Two of the biggest words he has used are efficiency and consistency and these are words I wanna live by. That’s why he makes himself so respected,” Makela says. “I look up to him, he leads by example, he is very much to the point, whenever we go to the lifting room he wants to get things done, he is pushing us to be in our best focus.” Currently, Olave is in charge of every single team at the school which makes his schedule packed and his work from six a.m. to some days even eight p.m. However, all of his athletes report that he will still try to make time for extra workouts and his energy or work will never be less than what he has been giving all these years. Based on his athletes’ statements, it seems that Olave is holding himself to the highest standard as a coach, consistent and efficient.
Women’s Basketball Wears Pink for the Month of Feb. Maddie Mulkigian Contributor Manhattan College’s women’s basketball team will be honoring Coach Kay Yow and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund throughout the month of February through the Play4Kay initiative. The Jaspers will be wearing custom-made pink uniforms throughout the month to raise awareness about the foundation. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s mission is to raise awareness and money for underserved women who are battling all types of cancers. The Play4Kay movement is an aspect of the foundation that focuses on fundraising and educating within the community of female basketball players at the high school and college level. As a legendary Division I women’s basketball coach with over 700 career wins, a gold medal from coaching at the 1988 Olympics and 20 appearances in the NCAA tournament, the women’s basketball team was honored to represent Coach Kay Yow and her foundation throughout their February games. “Pink is definitely a great color to wear,” Brazil Harvey-Carr said. “We wear these jerseys in honor of those who battle cancer and are fighting against cancer. It’s a very great
cause to be part of and I’m very appreciative to be a part of this foundation and represent it as an athlete. It’s something bigger than myself.” While also being big fans of their new uniforms, the Jaspers are doing their best to use their platforms as athletes to generate awareness about the ongoing battle against all cancers that women face. Even as Division I athletes with a packed schedule, the team is putting their best effort into educating, donating, and playing for Coach Kay’s cause. As female athletes, the Jaspers looked up to Coach Kay when they were growing up and recognized how committed she was to the game even as she was fighting a devastating battle. “Coach Kay definitely means a lot. I remember growing up, seeing teams in the pink jerseys. It was always something that I looked forward to doing,” Harvey-Carr said. “She’s a pioneer basketball coach and I hear Coach Kay’s name tremendously with nothing but greatness. Just to be a part of this foundation and giving back to something that is bigger than me.” Even after her passing, Coach Kay is continuing to influence the game. Each member of the Manhattan women’s basketball team has been truly impacted by her role in the
world of female athletes, and the team was more than excited to honor her and what she stood for throughout February. “She’s really dedicated to the sport and even though she did have breast cancer she was always committed to what she was doing. Basketball is about passion and commitment, so it’s an honor for us to support her and spread awareness for her,” Guard and foward, Christina Katsamourisaid. “I think it’s important to bring this to the surface and people can share their stories. We want to bring this story to the world and give people some inspiration.” Not only are the Jaspers representing Manhattan College Athletics, but they will also be sharing Coach Kay’s story as well as the stories of women battling all types of cancer. While pink typically symbolizes breast cancer awareness, the Jasper uniform and Play4Kay will be representing battles against all types of cancer. Many of the Jaspers have sported pink sneakers throughout the entire season and now they have the custom all-pink uniforms to match. “As you can tell, a variety of our players wear pink. It doesn’t just have to be for the month of February,” Dee Dee Davis said. “I think that’s absolutely admirable, but here at Manhattan, we wear pink throughout the entire year because this is such
Lady Jaspers sport pink for breast cancer awareness.
@MANHATTANWBB/ COURTESY
an honorable cause.” While the uniforms look great on the court, the team is making sure that it continues to spread awareness about Play4Kay’s mission to fundraise for the Coach Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The Jaspers are working hard on the court, on social media, and in the community to educate and generate awareness about female cancer
survivors and fighters. “We have the utmost respect for Coach Kay and we’re honored to be doing this,” Davis said. By dedicating an entire month of basketball to Coach Kay and Play4Kay, the Manhattan College women’s basketball team is taking its platform as Division I athletes to an impactful and influential level.