Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, April 28, 2023

SMC debuts LGBTQ+ research exhibit

Students highlight members of the LGBTQ+ community from the school’s history in new exhibit

By KATELYN WALDSCHMIDT associate news editor

o n Thursday evening, the c ushwa- l eighton l ibrary was full of people eager to hear about the history of lgb TQ+ people at s aint m ary’s c ollege, titled “‘ w e h ave b een h ere s ince 1844’: Queer h istory at smc ”.

p rofessor Jamie w agman’s class “ d oing h istory” is dedicated to history research methods. This event, “ w e’ve b een h ere s ince 1844”, is one of the students’ major assignments.

“The class really gives students an opportunity to get into archives to do

oral histories with people,” w agman said. “ s o this was a project i ’d had on the backburner for a little while and i thought that i knew enough about queer history at s aint m ary’s that i felt like there was enough resources now to create an exhibit. i pointed students in a bunch of directions and let them loose.”

w agman presented her own research on queer histories at s aint m ary’s over a year ago to the b oard of Trustees.

“That allowed me to see eXhibiT PAGE 4

Jung addresses Senate Clark presents the State of Holy Cross College

By LIAM KELLY news writer

holy c ross c ollege

p resident m arco c lark expressed his faith in the mission of h oly c ross c ollege and his optimism about the c ollege’s future during his first “ s tate of the c ollege” speech Thursday afternoon.

c lark, who is serving in his first year as president, reflected on his fond memories so far at h oly c ross and the “radical hospitality” he has received.

By LIAM PRICE news writer

The n otre d ame student body senate passed three motions during the general orders portion of in their wednesday afternoon meeting, which also featured the first presidential s tate of the u nion address of student body president d aniel Jung’s term.

s tudent body vice president a idan r ezner called on l yons h all senator l ibby m eister to give the meeting’s opening prayer, and student union secretary i sabella

Tardio asked the senate what their favorite snacks were for the question of the day during roll call. For his weekly “ p ick o ne,” r ezner called on v innie b adali, senator of

“[ m y wife and i ] have fallen deeply in love with h oly c ross c ollege, our students, the faculty and staff, the families and the communities of s outh b end and the greater m ichiana region,” c lark said.

c lark praised the “world class” faculty and staff, as well as the “culture of care” he sees at the c ollege.

“ s tudents that attend here are seen, they’re known, they’re loved and they’re served,” he said.

address in m arch, conveyed optimism for the c ollege.

“This is our time here at h oly c ross c ollege,” he said.

c lark stressed that financial stability is crucial to the c ollege’s future and once again touted the debt-free position of the c ollege.

b eing debt-free “has put us in a position to grow and to build upon,” he said.

c lark praised the recent accomplishments of the c ollege. h e pointed to the national rankings that place h oly c ross c ollege in the top 20% of all liberal arts colleges in social mobility and at n o. 52 in the graduation rate of p ell grant eligible students. h oly c ross

c ollege has also been recognized as an emerging h ispanic serving institution, meaning that h ispanic students comprise over 30% of its student body.

w hen it comes to academic programs,

neuroscience, exercise science, school counseling, applied math and data science. c lark also announced that 18 new formal pathway graduate agreements have been established, “including but not limited to the tri-campus,” that guarantee spots to 50 h oly c ross students.

This success has had tangible effects on enrollment numbers, c lark said. This past year, h oly c ross received double the number of applications than last year and is set to have a record high number of students enroll.

c lark also touted the “banner year” in fundraising efforts for the c ollege. The c ollege has seen a 60% increase in donations from 50% more donors than last year, c lark said.

“The word is out about h oly c ross c ollege,” c lark said.

d espite the recent success, though, c lark acknowledged

c lark, repeating a similar theme from his inaugural

c lark highlighted the 19 new academic tracks that have been established in the past year, including

see senaTe PAGE 3 see holy cross PAGE 4

LIAM PRICE | The Observer

Student body president Daniel Jung prepares for his first State of the Union address to the Notre Dame student senate on Thursday night.

KATELYN WALDSCHMIDT | The Observer

Professor Jamie Wagman and her student researchers speak at the debut of their exhibit currently in the Cushwa-Leighton Library at Saint Mary’s titled, “We Have Been Here Since 1844: Queer History at SMC”.

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s iegfried h all, to offer recommendations for where he should go during a trip to c hicago.

r ezner then got the minutes approved by the senate and moved the meeting into executive announcements, which began with Jung’s address.

d iscussing the achievements of his new student government administration, Jung noted a smooth transition from the previous administration to his own, the approval by the senate of the executive cabinet members and the various events which the student union has hosted — including last week’s Take b ack the n ight and d enim d ay.

“ s ince the student body election of late February, student government has been hard at work at a variety of tasks aimed towards the improvement of student life and the flourishing of the n otre d ame student body, with a particular focus on this upcoming year,” Jung said in the address.

Three items passed in general orders

o riginally, there were three items planned for new business on the meeting’s agenda. h owever, all three were moved up with a unanimous vote by the senate to the general orders section.

The first item the senate discussed was a nomination of r yan b land for president of The s hirt Project charity. b land was not in attendance at the meeting, but student union treasurer h annah b laskiewicz read to the senate her nomination of b land for the position.

“ d ue to his commitment to The s hirt Project, his diligence in planning, his passion for leading The s hirt committee and his welcoming presence for the rest of the [The] s hirt Project committee, i extend my recommendation to r yan without reservation,”

b laskiewicz said.

The motion passed with no objecting votes.

n ext, the senate passed an order to approve the senate’s bylaws, which r ezner explained were not changed from the previous term. a ccording to the student government constitution, the bylaws must be approved by m ay 1, and student union parliamentarian Griffin

m c a ndrew explained that revisions to the bylaws would be discussed in the senate’s m ay 3 meeting.

d illon h all senator s am Godinez spoke about the third item of the meeting’s general orders: a resolution calling upon the University to “fix numerous sidewalks surrounding d illon h all.”

Editor’s Note: Sam Godinez is a former news writer for The Observer

“For purposes of clarification, this resolution is not calling on the o ffice of Facilities d esign and o perations to fix ‘Lake d illon,’ the sidewalk between d illon h all and s outh d ining h all that was repaired last year, but rather the drainage issue that affects the sidewalks e ast and s outh of d illon h all,” Godinez said.

Godinez said that “several students” from d illon h all have complained about the issue, and that the puddles have flooded a ramp

entrance into the hall, creating challenges for people with mobility assistive devices.

d uring questioning of the resolution, Pangborn h all senator c harlie Pehl asked Godinez why the resolution was necessary if the problem would be solved when a lumni h all renovations are completed during summer break. Godinez answered that he felt it was important for the senate to respond to the drainage problem in order to help prevent the same problem occurring with future construction projects on campus.

“

i t calls to attention that this issue affected numerous people, and that when future constructions are happening, because there will be a lot of constructions afterwards, they could perhaps find alternatives,” Godinez said.

b aumer h all senator Thomas Kluck supported the resolution during debate over the resolution, adding that the sight of the puddles were indeed “impressive.”

“ i hope it gets fixed, but before it does, make sure that you — after a rainy day — go check it out. i t’s a sight to see,” he said.

The senate voted to pass the resolution with no dissenters, and r ezner moved the senate into announcements.

Bagpipes blare for a roach ava d e c roix, the c lub c oordination c ouncil president and a resident of Farley h all, raised her hand to explain to the senate why bagpipes were heard blaring Tuesday night on n orth Quad.

“ i f anyone was disturbed by the bagpipe music last night, that was the Farley h all r oach Funeral,” d e c roix said.

d e c roix told The o bserver that the funeral commemorated a roach that died on the third floor of Farley h all, and residents enshrined an upside down cup covering the dead roach for long enough to begin intensely planning a proper funeral.

“Then somebody knew someone on the n otre d ame bagpipe band, and was like, ‘hey, it would be really funny if we had a bagpipe to play at this,’” d e c roix said. “ b ut then, that girl actually ended up bringing the entire n otre d ame bagpipe band … i t was genuinely ridiculous but it was so fun.”

Contact Liam Price at lprice3@nd.edu

Mansfield speaks at lecture

By LIAM KELLY news Writer

Political philosopher

h arvey c m ansfield spoke at n otre d ame on Wednesday afternoon on how to interpret a lexander de Tocqueville’s famous commentary, “ d emocracy in a merica.” a world renowned philosopher, m ansfield is a professor of government at h arvard University where he has taught since 1962.

c entral to Tocqueville’s work, written in 1835, is the idea that “democracy is not without an alternative,” m ansfield explained. i n fact, the whole book contrasts the “two types of social states” — democracy and aristocracy.

“ i n democracy, we choose to see all human beings as alike,” m ansfield said.

“ i n aristocracy, they choose to see human beings as separate and distinctive.”

Tocqueville was the perfect man to explore these ideas, m ansfield said.

“Tocqueville, of course, was well placed. h e was an aristocrat, born in 1805 after the French r evolution,” m ansfield said. “ s o he knows aristocracy and democracy.”

m ansfield detailed how the revolutionary nature of democracy presents new challenges for how to govern practically.

“ d emocracy means everybody is equal,” m ansfield said. “When everybody is equal, no one stands out. n o one is an authority, so government still is necessary, and when government makes a command, people say, ‘Why command? We are all equal.’ d emocrats naturally treat authority with suspicion but they still have to obey.”

This contradiction “degrades the soul” of democrats, m ansfield said, as they are forced to act against their own ideals, creating the central problem of democracy that Tocqueville explores.

“They’re obeying an authority that they don’t regard as legitimate,” m ansfield said.

m ansfield explained that in order to deal with this contradiction, Tocqueville realized a merican democracy contains certain “aristocratic” features that allow its democracy to exist.

Perhaps the most visible way in which this takes place is the structure of

the a merican government, m ansfield said. h e stressed while the idea of government positions seemingly goes against the democratic ideal of equality, the fact that the people choose their leaders dispels this notion.

“These people in [government] are not perfectly equal. d emocracy, in order to govern itself, even at the lowest level, … requires offices. o ffices establish formal inequalities, but they don’t challenge the principles of democracy,” m ansfield said, adding that a politician is “not better than you, he’s just in an office which gives him authority over you, so you can obey him without degrading your soul.”

The very idea of law also plays into the notion of aristocratic means supporting democratic ends, m ansfield said. i n this system, the people follow laws because they have a say in crafting the law that rules over the law — the c onstitution.

“ c onstitutional law is made by the people, ordinary law is made over the people,” he said.

i n the end, m ansfield said that “what the people want, they will get.”

Tocqueville came to the conclusion that juries, too, while seemingly existing above the law, are actually a means to ensure laws are employed in a democratic manner, m ansfield said.

“Juries teach a mericans how to rule. h aving a law doesn’t mean settling an issue. You have to see individual circumstances,” he explained.

These aristocratic, somewhat undemocratic institutions, m ansfield explained, are ultimately aimed at the end goal of democracy.

“The people are the cause and the end of all things,” m ansfield said. “ d emocracy is not only a form of government, but an end.”

This unorthodox format was deemed by Tocqueville to be necessary for democracy to properly function, m ansfield said.

“There is never a complete or perfect fit between form and matter, between democracy and human nature, and therefore, the form is always arbitrary to some extent,” he said. “ i t is all democracy, but it can have aristocratic aspects, not so-called, not identified as such, but which improve democracy. Contact

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Le Mans Hall hosts end of year block party

By MOIRA Quinn news Writer

o n Tuesday evening, Le m ans h all hosted an event in s tapleton Lounge as an effort to bring the students of s aint m ary’s together one last time before the stress of finals season kicks in. i t was initially supposed to be an outdoor block party located at the recently built b elle’s Patio, but the event was moved indoors due to inclement weather.

“ i t was originally supposed to be a barbecuetype thing outside, but the weather did not permit, so

we moved it to s tapleton,” s alwa a hmed, a hall director of Le m ans h all, said. “We originally wanted to have lawn games and have that type of vibe, but we changed it to board games, and we also have a lot of food. i t was all my ra s’ idea, and i think they did a great job.”

a s a hall director, a hmed has dedicated a lot of her time toward bringing the community living in Le m ans together through events like this.

“ i feel like it is a special dorm because it’s mainly a lot of upperclassmen, so you have to cater

tographs, artifacts and old newspaper articles, including those from The o bserver.

to them a little bit differently than you would to other dorms,” she said.

“ e vents like this help with that by creating a space for residents to grab games and hang out, but they can also easily go to the r eignbeaux Lounge and study with friends afterwards.”

e mma b aran, a sophomore at s aint m ary’s, was an attendee of the event. b aran is planning on living in Le m ans for the 202324 school year, and she said she is excited about calling herself an upperclassmen.

“ i view living in Le m ans

as a symbol of a s mick stepping into the final phase of living on campus,” she said. “a ll the girls that you are going to be living with here are the ones you have bonded with over the last two years, and Le m ans kind of signifies that ending. e vents like the block party cultivate a community within the hall that makes your last year living in the dorms that more special.”

While b aran intends to live in an off-campus house her senior year, she said she is going the dorms more than she thought she would.

“ i ’m really going to miss just being able to walk down the hallway and see all of my friends,” she said. “ e ven if it’s late at night, i can just go into anyone’s room and hang out without having to drive to their homes or anything like that. i feel like a lot of other colleges promote the idea of living off campus for the majority of your college years, but i think the dorms are what make the tri-campus community even more special.”

Contact Moira Quinn at mquinn02@saintmarys.edu

do a deep dive into what sources exist in our college archive,” she said. “ b ecause of the history of discrimination both nationally and also on our campus, these stories are really buried.”

i t was at this b oard of Trustees meeting that Wagman first met Jacqueline Leskovec, a member of the b oard of Trustees and smc graduate from the class of 1974. Leskovec is also one of the founding members of Pride smc , an affinity group of s aint m ary’s c ollege.

Leskovec was not only in attendance at the event, but had a whole case of artifacts from her time as a LG b TQ+ student at smc in the early 70’s.

“ b ack when i was a junior, Professor Penny Jameson had created a class called Psychology of Women,” Leskovec said, pointing to the textbook in the case, which come with a placard describing how this class allowed Leskovec to further understand her sexuality. “ i held on to those two textbooks from that class because they were one of the first texts that came out that talked about the psychology of women.”

“ i think its really important to make this known,” Leskovec said about the exhibit as a whole. “There is my story, other stories, they could all be hidden unless someone steps forward and makes them known.”

“ h opefully, it will bring some awareness to people to know now this is not a passing thing. This is something that is our history, its entire history of the college.”

o ther displays of the exhibit ranged from timelines of events, pho -

e mma Feller, a senior involved with the project, had a hand in creating a timeline for the exhibit.

“ i started with a timeline and then i found a lot of cartoons, photos, quotes from The o bserver, from the archives from like 1973 until now,” she said.

Feller talked about the range of opinions her research dug up.

“Generally, it was more on the positive side but i did include some of the negatives because i wanted to show that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine when talking about such a silenced group of people.”

Feller also talked about the obstacles she ran into while researching and creating her part of the presentation.

“ i t was very hard to find s aint m ary’s specific research because a lot of times, n otre d ame would silence the community and in the background, s aint m ary’s would be there trying to uplift.”

“ i think the timing of it is very prevalent,” Feller added. “ i ’m very proud that we were able to put all this together considering the current climate and that everyone felt empowered to actually talk about this even more so.”

s ophomore m ac Weberh ess also is a student in Wagman’s class who helped with the presentation.

“ i was looking specifically at the trans experience at s aint m ary’s and what that has looked like over pretty close to two decades,” Weber- h ess said. “ m ostly because there is not a lot of information prior to the 2000’s.”

“There is a lot to sift through,” Weberh ess said about the biggest struggles of their research. “ n ot a lot actually

pertains specifically to s aint m ary’s, there is a lot more that pertains heavily to n otre d ame, which is influential of how we conduct ourselves here.”

Weber- h ess talked a lot about transgender pride events. “There was a Transpride protest in 2016. That was meant to show a lot of support for queer and trans students here in light of the election.”

They also talked about how it was learning about events like these that made them most excited about the queer history of s aint m ary’s. “ i do like the picture that comes from that protest in 2016 and i think it’s because you can tell it is s aint m ary’s, you can tell that it the green outside of m c c andless [ h all].”

h owever, according to Weber- h ess, with the positive again comes the negative.

“ e very other article, it felt like something was negative. i can’t pick out any single thing because its just insidious,” Weber- h ess said. “ i t’s not always just in your face ‘ i ’m going to be homophobic’ or ‘ i ’m going to be transphobic’. o r just like, ‘ i don’t care to be positive to other peoples’ existence’ and the casual way of bigotry.”

Weber- h ess also found in their research that “There’s a lot out there that pertains more to n otre d ame than s aint m ary’s. s o like a lot of negative things were coming out of n otre d ame.”

Wagman discussed how the class will be donating the project to the c ollege’s archives.

“ i n 10 years when the next person says ‘ h ey, what is the queer history of s aint m ary’s?’, there will actually be a collection.”

Contact Katelyn Waldschmidt at kwaldschmidt01@saintmarys.edu

Holy Cross

that the c ollege needs to do a better job of sharing its sense of mission and its success with the world.

“The great story of h oly c ross c ollege is one that too many people don’t know about. We have to do a better job of elevating our brand and elevating our profile,” he explained, adding that good fiscal stewardship “is always foremost on our minds.”

“We need you to champion h oly c ross c ollege and be proud of the place [that] this is,” c lark said to the students and alumni watching the speech.

c lark then looked to the future, and once again highlighted his forthcoming five year strategic plan which will be released next month, following approval from the c ollege’s board of trustees.

c lark described the plan

as,“inspirational, aspirational and operational.”

a lthough he did not describe the plan in detail, c lark shared that the plan will focus on five central themes: cultivating zeal for mission, affirming the importance of a liberal arts education, providing a transformational student experience, advancing the mission of the college and growing the college strategically and sustainably.

c lark concluded his “ s tate of the c ollege” speech by asking his audience to pray for h oly c ross c ollege and describing his love for the c ollege.

“ h oly c ross c ollege is a special place,” c lark said. “ it’s a place in which we are intentional about forming the next generation of innovative scholars, courageous citizens, virtuous leaders and hopeful disciples.”

Contact Liam Kelly at lkelly8@nd.edu

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The rise and fall of Notre Dame’s swim test

By THOMAS DOBBS, CADE CZARNECKI, AVERY POLKING,SPENCER KELLY

From the Archives researchers

Prepare to dive into the past as we explore the history of notre d ame’s swim test. From its inception in the 1970s, the mandatory freshman swim test was a rite of passage for every incoming notre d ame student. For many, the experience was a source of dread and anxiety, while for others, it was an opportunity to learn an essential life skill. We’ll explore the origins and rationale behind the swim test, as well as reactions from students who experienced it firsthand. From humorous anecdotes to heartfelt reflections, these stories offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of a beloved notre d ame tradition. s o, grab your goggles, and let’s take a dive into the past.

Swim Test Origins and Rationale

Oct. 29, 1970 | Kevin McGill | Aug. 25, 1980 | Dennis Stark | Sept. 27, 2002 | Jessica Dalsing | April 29, 2021 | Don Brittnacher | Researched by Cade Czarnecki

notre d ame has always strongly stood by its mission to cultivate growth within the entire person. This objective extends well beyond the traditional classroom setting, which was true from the very beginning of the University’s establishment. never was this goal taken quite as literally, though, as during the years of the notre d ame swim test. m any fear-stricken firstyears recall their swim test experiences. d on brittnacher (‘75) remembers, “[I was] standing there naked in the rock with 25 other freshman boys in their birthday suits, I was puzzled and a little cold.”

such was the experience of every freshman until the 1972 school year when co-education began at notre d ame, and the necessary amendments to the swim test attire — or lack thereof — were made.

The reasoning behind enforcing the freshman swim test was straightforward: swimming is an essential life skill. In 1980, d ennis stark, who was then the chairman of the physical education department, defended the policy by emphasizing that “the inability to swim can pose a significant risk to one’s life.”

c onsequently, m r. stark, who also served as the head coach of the varsity swim team at the time, assumed responsibility for arranging the rigorous swim test. A brief orientation was conducted on the first day of physical education class, followed by the administration of the test on the second day.

Those who successfully passed the test had no further cause for concern, but those who did not were obliged to enroll in a swim class during the academic semester.

o n average, a quarter of the first-year cohort were deemed non-swimmers and considered “unsafe in water” following the swimming evaluation.

While the post-1972 version of the swim test was less visually daunting, the swimming requirement would remain an integral part of a notre d ame education until 2014, prompting countless amusing stories.

Freestyling and Phys Ed: Historical Reactions to Notre Dame’s Swim Test

d ecember 9, 1981 | m arc

r amirez | February 12, 1998 |

Joseph Howarth | April 7, 2005

| Eileen Duffy | August 25, 2000

physical education credit. In contrast to an earlier Inside c olumn by brian Kessler (‘01), who criticized notre d ame’s Pe programs, howarth argued that the “freshmen [he knows] look forward to Pe” and that the courses offered serve not only as a means to “get in shape” but also to add variety to their lives of intense academic coursework.

Although howarth’s roommate had failed the swim test and was apprehensive about enrolling in two rotations of the class, he ended up enjoying it and became a “stronger swimmer than [ howarth] ever was.”

In the Aug. 25, 2000 edition of The observer, Finn Pressly (‘01) offered a perhaps more cynical but not necessarily negative perspective on the swim test. he recounted his experience of “reluctantly parting with [his] glasses” and enduring the exam with his peers.

its swimming requirement. The decision was part of a sweeping reform package that reimagined first-year education for the incoming class of 2015.

With the P. e . and swimming requirement dropped, the University also announced that it would close the Physical e ducation and Wellness

Instruction d epartment. The o ffice of recreational s ports would offer “a wide variety of life, sport and mind-body activity classes” on an optional basis moving forward.

While the administration was enthusiastic about the curriculum changes, many members of the campus community weren’t so excited.

myself, and everybody in the department, disappointed and sad [that] the students won’t have this opportunity anymore.”

In the years since the swimming requirement was eliminated, students have also voiced their discontent with the lack of required physical education at notre d ame.

“not only do these classes help [students] physically, but they also have clear mental and intellectual benefits,” Katherine smart (‘17) wrote, citing cdc data in her 2016 column promoting the importance of physical education.

c urrent m anaging e ditor r yan Peters went with a more utilitarian approach in his 2022 pro-swim test v iewpoint piece: “sure, statistics and physics are useful. You know what else is useful? Knowing how to swim.”

| Finn Pressly

| Researched by Avery

Polking

Throughout notre d ame’s history, core academic requirements looked very different from the current regiment. o ne significant (and now absent) first-year obligation was the swim test — and subsequent swim class given a failing grade in the test.

m any students expressed their reactions to the swim test and its contribution to life at notre d ame during its existence. m arc r amirez (‘85), who failed the test in 1981 and subsequently enrolled in a swim class, reflected on his journey with fellow “below c -level” swimmers as they progressed towards proficiency in the “big pool.”

d espite the initial setback, r amirez’s experience was overwhelmingly positive.

“You never know when you might need a skill like swimming, and so I’m glad that people like me have the opportunity to learn it here at notre d ame,” r amirez said.

Likewise, in a 1998 Letter to the e ditor, Joseph howarth (‘01) of st. e dward’s h all expressed comparable views about not only the swim test but also the mandatory

Pressly described the water as immeasurably cold, associating the rocke pool with the Ice Age, and he was even “ordered” by a “drunkwith-power” guard to freestyle the length of the pool. d espite passing his swim test and avoiding the swim class, Pressly admitted to doing a freestyle that had started to resemble “some kind of bizarre horizontal jumping jack.”

According to various articles published in The observer, the infamous and now discontinued swim test at notre d ame received mixed but generally positive feedback from students. s ome saw it as just another hurdle to overcome, while others found it to be a valuable learning experience.

regardless of whether one passed or failed the test, the only consequence was a few hours of swimming lessons each week. In fact, even former University President Father e dward m alloy (‘63) admitted that he never passed the swim test himself.

Swimming requirement sinks in 2014 Moreau reforms

April 30, 2014 | Catherine Owens | Feb. 9, 2016 | Katherine Smart | March 23, 2022 | Ryan Peters | Researched by Spencer Kelly

After eight decades of mandatory aquatic education, in 2014 notre d ame eliminated

d iane s cherzer, an associate professional specialist in the physical education department, worried about the future of the 12 faculty members in the soon-to-be defunct P. e . department. While the University assured that it would help former instructors find new jobs, s cherzer seemed skeptical.

s cherzer was also concerned about the detrimental effects of a P. e .-less curriculum on the student experience. s he lamented the loss of squash, ice skating and curling instruction but was especially upset about the end of the swim test.

“ninety percent of the students who took the swim test and failed were glad that they took swimming, that they learned how to swim and were more comfortable in the water,” s cherzer said. “It makes

d espite impassioned appeals from students and faculty, notre d ame has not reinstituted its swim test, much to the disappointment of people like s cherzer, smart and Peters — and perhaps to the numerous students who have complained about the moreau program that replaced freshman physical education.

Contact Thomas Dobbs at tdobbs@nd.edu, Cade Czarnecki at cdembski@nd.edu, Avery Polking at apolking@ nd.edu and Spencer Kelly at skelly25@nd.edu

InsIDe CoLumn

The golden light

Liam Kelly new Writer editor

my favorite ending to a novel has to be the ending of F. scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, “The Great Gatsby.” In the final scene of the book, nick carraway sits on Gatsby’s beach, looking forth across the bay towards the flashing green light at daisy’s house. nick reflects on how Gatsby “had come a long way, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.” To Gatsby, the green light that he looked longingly toward represented all of his hopes and dreams, all seemingly within reach. night after night, he gazed across the bay, imagining a future that might someday become real.

I first visited notre dame with my family five years ago. Up to that point, I had heard bits and pieces about this supposedly magical place from friends and family, but nothing more. We pulled up to the drive, and I set my sights upon the Golden dome for the first time. It stood proud and majestic against the gray Indiana sky, the image of our Lady looking lovingly down upon all that went on below. A place only in my imagination had now become real.

As I walked around the campus on that cold April afternoon, I was infatuated. I saw a place dedicated to a common mission where I could study, work and live in accordance with my beliefs and with the full vigor of my soul. I saw my future here and liked what I saw. I had found my own green light.

Three years later, when I was starting to apply to colleges, I visited notre dame once more. The dome called to me again and I knew that I had to do everything in my power to come here. before, notre dame had been a far away goal in the back of my mind; now it was my obsession. The Golden dome was on my mind day and night.

After a year and a half of tests and readings and applications, I finally cracked open my laptop to view the decision letter to see I had been deferred. The Golden dome seemed to grow dimmer, its light fading farther and farther away.

I spent the next month carefully crafting my letter of continued interest, scrutinizing over every word and every piece of punctuation. Three more months of waiting followed. march came and with it one more shot at reaching that seemingly unreachable Golden dome. expecting defeat, I opened the decision letter which revealed that I had been accepted into notre dame via the Gateway program. relief washed over me. my dream was now so close that I “could hardly fail to grasp it.”

After a year in the Gateway program, the Golden dome stays shining. I see it every day, standing in all its grandeur above the quiet lake. ever present, ever beckoning. The dome calls, pushing me to work just a bit harder for just a bit longer.

And now, with only two weeks left in the semester, I am finally on the verge of officially reaching the Golden dome, officially reaching everything I have ever worked for.

And what then?

What happens when I do what Gatsby never could and reach that green light, grasp that ever elusive golden dream?

The truth is, I never will.

Working to get into notre dame changed my life. It strengthened my faith, sharpened my work ethic and honed my sense of purpose. And while being at notre dame has been everything I hoped it would be and more, the process of working towards my dream was in fact as meaningful as reaching the dream itself.

Although the Golden dome may have originally represented my aspiration to get into notre dame, it now means so much more than that to me. It represents all that I can aspire to become only if I work hard and do it with God’s help. I may not always reach my goals, but trying for them will drive me forward, push me to be better, bring me places I never would have gone and lead me towards what matters.

Like Gatsby’s dream, “it eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther … And one fine morning … ”

You can contact Liam at lkelly8@nd.edu.

The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Religion’s death will be at the hands of politics

Blake Ziegler news with Zig

religion is dying in the United states. When Gallup first began surveying religious membership in 1937, 73% of Americans identified as members of a church, synagogue or mosque. That figure remained roughly the same for the next six decades until the new century saw a steady decline. As of 2020, less than half of Americans belong to a monotheistic tradition. Analysis from Pew research center suggests that by 2070, christians may comprise as low as 35% of the American population. As expected, a steady decrease in worship attendance, belief in G-d and trust in holy scriptures joins the decline in religious membership. covId-19 exacerbated trends that had been ongoing for decades.

The decline in religious affiliation coincides with a rise in religious “nones” — those with no religious affiliation. researchers discovered a significant number of these individuals in the 1990s and tracked their rise since. A 2021 survey by Pew research center found that nearly 30% Americans identify as religious nones. This group isn’t necessarily a monolith, as some secular Americans endorse humanist beliefs as if they were religious, while others are genuinely non-religious. There are nuances to this group, but the main takeaway is that the rate of religious disaffiliation is rising significantly.

one may wonder about the cause of religious disaffiliation. While there are many factors, ranging from college education to clerical sex abuse, a significant contributor is the politicization of religion. beginning in the 1980s, the rise of the religious right featured a marriage between religion and political conservatism. Although religiosity had been associated with conservative political beliefs in decades prior, explicit coordination between pulpits and politicians’ lecterns was an innovation. operatives in the republican Party worked closely with evangelical christian leaders to spur their lay members to vote republican. In exchange for their support, republican leaders assured their church counterparts of the reversal of roe v. Wade and other social policies aligned with their religious teachings. As time passed, other faiths joined the religious right, signifying that the religious divide in America is not by one’s faith, but how much one participates in the faith. one should note that while religious groups like black Protestants and muslims feature high levels of religiosity, they tend to vote democratic.

one only needs to look at today’s republican Party to recognize its close ties with religion. republican candidates regularly employ christianity and religious rhetoric in their campaigns. For instance, one can find praise music, prayer and other religious worship practices at their rallies and fundraisers. This behavior isn’t superfluous. republicans regularly call for the end of separation between church and state, the declaration that America is a christian nation and other policies to integrate religion more into governmental affairs.

scholars can point to the rise of the religious right and the perceptions that religion has become politicized as a driving factor for religious disaffiliation. In the early 2000s, sociologists michael hout and claude s. Fischer introduced the backlash hypothesis, which suggests that “politics shapes religious views” and “politics

takes priority over religion.” They found that many of the religiously disaffiliated were moderates and liberals who disavowed the social agenda of the religious right. rather than religion defining one’s political beliefs, politics precedes religion. hout and Fischer’s results have been affirmed again and again, as researchers find a newtonian reaction between the rise of the religious right and the departure of nonconservative religious folk. The evidence is clear: mixing religion and politics is a leading cause of the death of American religion.

In addition to religious disaffiliation, politicized religion also threatens the integrity of religion itself. religion is meant to be a spiritual experience that supersedes the concerns of the material world. It’s a commitment to justice and human dignity for all people, recognizing the call to combat persecution and advocate for the least fortunate. every religion, no matter its particular tenants, shares the role of moral compass for individuals, leading a path through an increasingly chaotic world. We might rely on religious teachings when we’re unsure and need guidance, especially when facing tough moral issues. religion can often help us address injustice. We should be able to trust religious leaders in their commitment to truth and justice, not self-serving policies. martin Luther King Jr. exemplified this phenomenon, as his commitment to racial justice was grounded in sincere religious beliefs.

Politicized religion threatens the prophetic nature of religion. When religious leaders are increasingly associated with politics and not justice, their prophetic power is lost. We find a distorted version of religion no longer grounded in faith but instead in self-interest and discriminatory policies. Instead of the pursuit for justice, we find the reinforcement of injustice. The moral compass of our nation becomes broken. That is the issue we face with politicized religion.

Luckily, not all hope is lost. Parts of religious America retain a commitment to justice. Amidst the expulsion of two black Tennessee state representatives, many clergy members have spoken against the gun violence crisis in the United states. We’ve also seen faithful work to combat poverty and other noble causes. This is the kind of prophetic witness that we need in today’s America. This is the kind of religiosity we should endorse, not the perverted sense of religion found in the religious right.

some may perceive this column as antagonistic towards religion or christianity, but that can’t be further from the truth. I am a proud, devout Jew who is the product of 11 years of catholic education. I have sincere respect for christianity and religion in general, and it’s for that reason my heart breaks at the perverted sense of religion presented in the religious right. Politicized religion is driving people away from faith and undermining the role of religion itself. We must do better.

Blake Ziegler is a senior at Notre Dame studying political science, philosophy and constitutional studies. He enjoys writing about Judaism, the good life, pressing political issues and more. Outside of The Observer, Blake serves as president of the Jewish Club and a teaching assistant for God and the Good Life. He can be reached at @ NewsWithZig on Twitter or bziegler@nd.edu.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Five recommendations for the existentialist

Carlos Basurto eudaemonic banter

As classes at long last come to an end, and finals loom on the horizon, plenty of students have begun to show signs of exhaustion from their long-lasting struggle against the never-ending barrage of work. Under these circumstances, it is only natural for a particular sense of overthinking to arise within us. Given this, and the fact that this is my last column for the semester, I opted to go for something unconventional: a list of recommendations of fictional media.

This list is dedicated to those whose conditions have made them reconsider certain aspects about themselves or their journey, and, in the midst of perpetual confusion, the desire to find respite somewhere. Fiction can become a tool for much more than we give it credit for — they may be guides, warnings or something completely new. In all of these stories, I’d argue a bit of philosophy can be found.

Thus, I offer this to you. some items in the following list are extremely popular (this being your ultimate wakeup call if you have not consumed them yet) while others may not be so, and I believe they are worth the attention. They all hold a special place in my heart, and just maybe, they might in yours too. I will discuss not the plot, but rather, a glimpse into their themes.

Without further ado, here are five recommendations in five different mediums for the existentialist.

“Neon Genesis Evangelion”

If I could choose simply one piece of art to be watched by all, it would be hideaki Anno’s 1996 masterpiece alongside its feature film finale. In its depiction of the intricacies of human connection, transition into adulthood and escapism, this show does not pull its punches. rarely does one obtain such a nuanced and genuine depiction of the struggles of searching for identity that captures all of the gritty and murky details of life while simultaneously being a beautiful testament to the value of moving on despite it all. This show not only redefined its genre, but the very medium of animation with its experimental

visuals, character arcs and thematic evolutions. Though it may seemingly have a slow start and present great friction in its plot, the latter events may make one wish to return. Yet, whether one wants to or not, life must go on. even if you hate this show, you will take something out of it. Is that not the goal of art?

“Better Call Saul”

Prequels rarely hold a flame when opposed to the original work, but “better call saul” can more than easily stand on its own two feet against “breaking bad.” of course, “breaking bad” is a required viewing so as to obtain the full experience. however, vince Gilligan was granted the ability to take many more creative liberties — allowing him to tell a much deeper, richer and mature tale about evil posed as a result of nature and nurture alike. Unlike its predecessor, this show does not expose the dark sides of a monster, but seeks the opposite conflict: a good and kind soul pushed to its limits and coerced by its surroundings into corruption. The show routinely confronts the viewer with whether the events that ensue are justified. Where does one draw the line? Where is the justice? only we can decide when uncovering that which has already been set in stone. “INSIDE” bo burnham’s netflix magnum opus is clearly the result of a particularly painful series of events over the pandemic, yet it is one of the most expressive, exhilarating, hilarious yet haunting experiences one can witness in visual media. Truly a work of passion and of desperation, burnham strips down his identity through comedy as a cry for help that is equally crushing and uplifting. This vanguardist, ultimate one-man show forces the audience to reconsider their relationship with technology, popular culture, interpersonal approaches and, above all else, the inherent solitude of the self that tears one apart when trapped inside. Yet, even if you could go outside, would that really solve the issue at hand?

“No Longer Human”

osamu dazai’s novel proved to be one of the most important works of literature not just for Japan, but for the world. This is by far the darkest recommendation in this list (which is saying a lot), but it functions as a grand foreboding warning for the

importance of maintaining our humanity while recognizing its temporary qualities. That is to say, what makes one human? not merely in terms of identity, but in terms of the truest of natures — how can one even hold on to such a concept? This is a tragedy upon a tragedy and truly one of the saddest reads I have ever experienced, yet it still felt supremely important that I went through it. If there is a light, there must be a shadow. Yet, the inverse also happens to be true.

“exurb1a”

This is a slight exception to the rule for this is not necessarily a work of fiction, but rather, a video essayist who — through a series of dark, satire-ridden stories — has repeatedly emphasized humanity’s inherent beauty and unbounded allure of the universe juxtaposed with the cynicism of the foolish and the absurdist demeanor of existence. his videos can be found on YouTube, and there is rarely the occasion when I can confidently say nearly all of the videos of a creator are a must-watch, but he matches this criteria perfectly. simply open his channel and select the title that jumps out the most to you (my personal favorite to start with is “You Will never do Anything remarkable,” but maybe you will be enticed more by “so you want to build a nuke” or “Upsilon dies backwards”). extremely well-versed in anything from philosophy to history to physics, his videos have the capability of rekindling one’s faith in humanity.

Carlos A. Basurto is a first-year at Notre Dame ready to delve into his philosophy major with the hopes of adding the burden of a Computer Science major on top of that. When not busy you can find him consuming yet another 3+ hour-long analysis video of a show he has yet to watch or masochistically completing every achievement from a variety of video games. Now with the power to channel his least insane ideas, feel free to talk about them via email at cbasurto@nd.edu (he is, tragically, very fond of speaking further about anything at all).

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

neurodivergence and the LGbTQ+ community

neurodivergence is a crucial aspect of humanity that often goes unrecognized. however, it is imperative to not merely evaluate neurodivergence in a vacuum but also in the context of other aspects of one’s identity. Last semester, I explored how particular racial identities influenced experiences of neurodivergence. In a different piece, I sought to learn more about the unique challenges faced by women with conditions like autism or Adhd

In this week’s edition, I’d like to return to the theme of intersectionality, especially along the lines of divergent gender and sexual identities. While this form of intersectionality has been widely discussed in neurodivergent communities, I don’t see it being spoken about in many other circles. Therefore, I hope that my article will present a new, thought-provoking perspective on divergent identities, and how we can collectively embrace them with love and compassion.

In many aspects, the lives of the neurodivergent and those who are LGbTQ+ overlap. For example, “passing” is a common experience, as members of both groups navigate daily anxieties concerning when and to who they should review the “invisible” aspects of their selfhood. Unfortunately, many neurodivergent and LGbTQ+ individuals might live, study or work in unwelcoming environments, forcing them to conceal parts of themselves to avoid the risk of being alienated or excluded.

members of both groups also deal with their behaviors being viewed as unnatural in the public sphere. neurodivergent folks like me often feel the desire to stim, but we often worry that doing so will invite judgmental looks from those who don’t fully understand what we’re doing. In a similar vein, gay couples might feel hesitant to outwardly express their romantic connections, as doing so might result in backlash from those who view non-heterosexual romance as “deviant.”

Finally, there exist many young neurodivergent and LGbTQ+ people who sadly experience the degrading effects of therapies that try to stamp out their differences rather than dignifying them. many gay folks have endured “conversion” or “reparative” therapy, while many folks with autism or Adhd experience therapies that aim to leverage behavioral psychology in ways that punish neurodivergent behavior (nichols). While many of these approaches might be viewed by some as humane, they result in children losing self-confidence and — at worst — considering that they have no place in their communities. however, the connections between the neurodivergent and LGbTQ+ communities go beyond similar experiences, as there are numerous individuals who are part of both. A University of cambridge study has revealed that autistic people are more likely to be LGbTQ+, and studies have also demonstrated how neurodivergent youth identify as transgender more often than their neurotypical peers (nichols). existing at such an intersection, these people encounter unique roadblocks, receiving backlash for multiple aspects of their identities.

Fortunately, whether someone is neurodivergent, LGbTQ+ or both, we can offer the same things: acceptance and love. People must accept the call to be counter-cultural — that is, while it might be easy to succumb to traditional standards of normalcy, we will achieve more compassionate communities if we expand our empathy and allow ourselves to conceptualize humanity beyond our preconceived ideas. such a task also requires us acknowledging the dignity of people within these communities. neurodivergent and LGbTQ+ folk are made more human through their divergent qualities, not less. catholic institutions like notre dame have a special obligation in this matter. due to experiences of discrimination and prejudice, any people, especially younger people, might feel like their identities are incompatible with participation in such institutions. catholic organizations have an opportunity to change the narrative, to create more opening communities

that replicate christ’s openness to forming connections with those often excluded by greater society. As nichols indicates, “when we teach that God and the church accept these people unconditionally, LGbTQ and neurodiverse people can find peace, joy and wholeness.”

Indeed, love should not be withheld behind caveats — everyone is deserving of and requires genuine human connection in order to flourish. While both neurodivergent and LGbTQ+ people have both suffered due to exclusionary ideas about proper behavior, this doesn’t have to be inevitable. Adjusting how you think about and discuss these divergent identities can have a ripple effect, creating more open and loving environments that make people comfortable sharing their identities rather than concealing them.

As I am graduating at the end of this year, this will be my last post for neurodivergence. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity every other week to contemplate a new aspect of the complicated but beautiful topic of neurodivergence. In writing these articles, I’ve not only become more familiar with my own character, but I’ve also become more aware of how other people confront the same challenges in distinctive ways. I hope that my articles are not the end but rather the start of deep conversations about neurodivergence’s importance in the collective human experience. If nothing else, I hope readers are open to having their expectations about other people changed … or rather, diverged.

Jack Griffiths is a senior at Notre Dame majoring in English with a supplementary major in global affairs. His areas of interest include neurodivergence, migration and the intersections between faith and public policy. When he’s not writing, you can find him singing with the Liturgical Choir, walking around the lakes or playing Super Smash Bros with folks in his dorm. He can be reached at jgriff22@nd.edu.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Jack Griffiths neurodivergence

With spring coming to a close and graduation just around the corner, it seems like just about everyone has finalized their summer plans. m aybe all of your friends are interning at the prestigious company of their dreams. m aybe your LinkedIn feed, like ours, has become a parade of joyous job and internship announcements. m aybe your family has asked you to pick up a job to help pay for tuition or room and board. r egardless of where the pressure comes from, finding a productive activity for the summer is a stressful process, and if you haven’t secured something yet, it can feel like you’ve been left behind.

We’re here to tell you: d on’t stress. There’s no one right way to spend your summer, but here are a few that you might consider.

Internships

Internships are the most conventional summer activity, and for good reason. m ost openings run for the length of the summer and allow students to get experience in a potential career field. Internship opportunities often allow college students to network with professionals and other students in their potential line of work.

A majority of internships are paid, but the ones with the most perks are highly competitive. For business students, getting a placement at one of the “big four” firms ( d eloitte, e Y, KP mG and Pw c ) is akin to getting into an Ivy League school. b ut even paid internships may require a student to relocate to a city with a high cost of living, which can eat into their summer profits.

Unpaid internships offer the same opportunities, but often at a significant expense to the student. s tudents from low-income backgrounds may not be able to afford unpaid internships, even if they would otherwise be a perfect opportunity. notre d ame has a grant program to assist students with their living expenses, but students still only break even.

According to Forbes m agazine, 60% of paid internships turn into job offers. Unpaid internships, however, only have a 37% return rate, which is almost as competitive as not having an internship at all.

For notre d ame students, these statistics about internship return rates aren’t necessarily true. o f the 155 graduates from the class of 2022 were hired at “big four” firms, only 34 of them had internships at these firms as juniors. You don’t necessarily need to land a competitive internship to land a competitive job post-graduation. s ometimes companies prioritize your graduation date over previous work experience. Service

do it with heart

Like an unpaid internship, service prioritizes gaining experience over earning money. n otre d ame students have many opportunities to volunteer over the summer, whether it’s here in s outh b end, internationally, in their own hometowns or elsewhere. volunteering can be a rewarding real-world experience that helps students build soft skills like project management and problem-solving.

ndb ridge is a volunteer program for rising sophomores through the c enter for s ocial c oncerns that covers travel, food and housing expenses and also provides a $2,500 stipend. It has national and international placements. The r obinson c ommunity Learning c enter is a local opportunity that partners with Ameri c orps to provide volunteers with living stipends. o ther volunteer opportunities through the University can be found online.

volunteer work is a good experience to put on a resume because employers are often interested in candidates who align with the company’s values. Plus, you get to give back to your community.

Research

e specially for those in the sciences, finding opportunities revolving around research is a great way to have a formative summer experience. Whether you’re considering a specific program like a r esearch e xperience for Undergraduates ( re U) or are working under grant funding, finding opportunities in a lab can be rewarding and challenging.

m any programs offer their participants decent funding, as well as other benefits like a housing stipend and transportation. Within the program, it is common for networking events and careerdevelopment workshops to be offered.

Grants are another option for pursuing a summer research opportunity. Typically, you must already be working in or have an agreement to work with a particular lab. If you have a predetermined project you’re passionate about, doing research like this is often a great choice.

While these are great options to pursue, they are not without their drawbacks. r esearch demands an extensive amount of time and energy to pursue. Applications are quite competitive — applying to 15 or even 20 different programs might yield a single acceptance. o nce you’ve accepted something, developing hypotheses, scouring relevant literature and creating experiments can take a toll on even the most dedicated of researchers. You might also find yourself in a liminal space between structure and freedom: You have the world at your fingertips, but you can only adhere to certain concepts or technologies. Producing significant results is daunting, and there is pressure to impress.

Entry-level work

If you can’t find something specific to pursue, there’s also the possibility of entry-level work.

In a competitive environment like n otre d ame, you might feel pressured to avoid this option, but there is truly no shame in working.

With entry-level work like food service, retail, babysitting or manual labor, you can find openings pretty much anywhere. Applying to a job may not guarantee you a position depending on seasonal availability, but it’s surely a much less competitive route to making money. This work doesn’t require the most technical knowledge, but it’s important for developing soft skills and learning how to work with people. Plus, they can be translated into future careers and into everyday life.

Long hours in these positions, however, might put you at risk for burnout — especially after spending several months in school. These long hours also might not translate into good pay, as many of these entry-level positions can only offer minimum wage. They’re not optimal if you’re looking to pursue something major-related, but they have benefits nonetheless.

Travel

s ome students choose to study abroad during the summer. o thers choose to travel with their families. If you have the extra funds to travel anywhere — domestically or internationally — appreciate it as much as you can. Learn something about the place you are visiting. e ngage with the local culture. d o something that’s out of your comfort zone.

vacation is a good remedy for educational burnout, but it can also help you develop your career. Travel can help you connect with a potential employer, make you more adaptable and develop your communication skills.

Building identity capital

b etween internships, service, research, work and travel, notre d ame students have a lot of options to choose from. b ut no matter what you choose to do this summer, be determined to make it into a learning opportunity.

If you’re stuck in an internship that isn’t a great fit or working at a job that doesn’t quite match your imagined future career, that’s oK. In the process, you’ll learn more about yourself, make some money or help others out.

These summer experiences are how we can build and solidify our identities over time. According to clinical psychologist meg Jay, this “identity capital” is a way for us to develop stronger networks and relationships and create happier lives. In her book, “The d efining d ecade,” she writes, “identities and careers are made not out of college majors and GPAs but out of a couple of door opening pieces of identity capital.”

s o, make sure that wherever you’re doing, you have a smile on your face and joy in your heart. Try your best to build connections, make an impact and be a force for good in the world. And to the graduating class of 2023, it doesn’t matter what you do — as long as you do it with heart.

By CLAIRE LYONS v iewpoint editor

In a world of 8 billion people, what are the chances of meeting your mortal enemy? Unfortunately for the main characters of “ b eef,” Amy Lau (Ali Wong) and d anny c ho ( s teven Yeun), they’ve already found out. At first, it seems like Amy and d anny have nothing in common except for their mutual blood-boiling hatred for one another. In short, they beef.

Amy Lau seems to have it all: a lovely husband, an adorable daughter, a mid-century modern mansion in s outhern c alifornia (that she designed herself) and ownership of a booming bougie plant store that’s just about to be acquired for $10 million. The only thing she doesn’t seem to have is the time to enjoy it. d anny c ho, on the other hand, is penniless. h e’s living out of a motel with his younger brother, Paul, and dreams of the day his contracting business will make enough money to bring his Korean parents overseas for a reunion.

b y all accounts, Amy and d anny shouldn’t know each other, let alone hate each other. b ut after a chance encounter in the parking lot of a homeimprovement store, they end up in a road-rage fueled car-chase that sends their lives careening out of control. As they become increasingly

hell-bent on destroying each others’ lives, their beef turns obsessive. They continue to raise the stakes, perpetually escalating the conflict by destroying each others’ property and going after each others’ family members.

The show’s whip-fast pace and high stakes will have you on the edge of your seat, and even when Amy and d anny are borderline sadistic, Wong and Yeun’s empathetic performances give their characters the dimension you need to actually root for them. b oth characters are incredibly unhappy, and their inability to address their sadness turns them into tightly wound, bottledup angry maniacs who have the potential to snap at any moment. “ b eef” is one of the few pieces of media today exploring these ugly emotions without being too depressing and dislikable.

“

b eef” is also rife with striking social commentary. With Amy and d anny’s different financial backgrounds, “ b eef” is keenly aware that the Asian-American experience isn’t a monolith. It navigates the intersection between wealth and ethnicity in America with humor, but it doesn’t deny the effects of structural inequality. It strikingly dramatizes millennials’ mid-life crisis: the anxiety of growing up in a digital age with parents that aren’t exactly open about their feelings. The characters need to perform for their loved ones or they risk becoming

unloved.

o ne of my favorite aspects of “ b eef” is the late90s alt-rock that punctuates the closing of each episode, elevating an already well-produced show. As d anny makes an escape from Amy in the first episode, “The r eason” by h oobastank plays, singing “I’ve found a reason for me / to change who I used to be / A reason to start over new / And the reason is you.”

Amy and d anny’s newfound beef inspires each other to live, even if it’s just in spite of each other. s omehow, their mutual obsession dances somewhere between hate and love. Their desire to truly hurt one another requires them to know thy enemy. And maybe, just maybe, it takes a mortal enemy to be seen for who you truly are.

Contact Claire Lyons at clyons3@nd.edu

“Beef”

Starring: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun

Favorite episodes: “The Birds Don’t Sing, They Screech in Pain,” “Just Not All at the Same Time,” “Figures of Light”

If you like: “White Lotus,” “Uncut Gems”

Where to watch: Netflix

By GABRIEL ZARAZUA senior scene Writer

I was walking the lakes of n otre d ame back in 2019, exploring the campus the summer before my freshman year. After the walk, I was on my phone when a 90 second trailer dropped for the sequel to “The Legend of Zelda: b reath of the Wild.” e veryone, myself included, was ecstatic for a sequel to one of the greatest open-world games ever made. I was only a sophomore in high school when “ b reath of the Wild” was released, along with the n intendo s witch, a that’s the only game that truly had me addicted for months on end. I played it in class, as the console was so small that my teachers never even noticed (my apologies, but hey, I still graduated, so that’s all that matters). I played it at lunch, on the bus rides to our football games and in the locker room. I woke up on weekends and immediately started playing. I must admit it was a bad habit, but that’s how great the game was.

Up until “ b reath of the Wild,” the “Zelda”

series primarily featured linear narratives, with the player finishing dungeons in a specific order. “ b reath of the Wild” marketed itself by saying that if you can see it, you can explore it whenever you want. You can even finish the game in the first 30 minutes, though only a few have completed that feat. s o when n intendo announced its sequel, “Tears of the Kingdom,” expectations were sky-high. People worried about what more could be added, as the new game seemed to have the same map as “ b reath of the Wild.” There were genuine concerns that “Tears” would cost $70. With the release of multiple story and gameplay trailers in the weeks leading to the sequel’s launch, n intendo answered every concern fans had, showing how a franchise spanning 30 years can still find new life.

In “Tears of the Kingdom,” if you can see it, you can find many ways to get there. Fusing weapons and items that took up space in your inventory in the previous game now have a greater purpose than ever before. The possibilities are truly endless, limited only by your imagination. You can merge pieces of wood and fabric together

to make hot air balloons and traverse the skies. Yes, this is how the map issue is solved; the new adventure takes place above the old world, on floating islands. It seems “Tears” will have the biggest map in the history of the franchise, and I expect there to be more puzzles and enemies to conquer than in “ b reath of the Wild.” n intendo was finding their footing for this new formula in the original game, and it seems they will perfect it now. With legendary voice actor m atthew m ercer being the first person to voice the historic villain Ganondorf, and Patricia s ummersett returning to voice Princess Zelda, I’m expecting this to be the best story told in the franchise. s eries manager e iji Aonuma stated the team originally planned to only add downloadable content to “ b reath of the Wild.” b ut they had so many ideas, they decided to make a sequel, and the trailers prove that. With the game arriving on m ay 12, you will see me playing this while I’m waiting in line to receive my diploma.

Contact Gabriel Zarazua at gzarazua@nd.edu

By NICOLE BILYAK scene Writer

The 1983 film “return of the Jedi” is fast approaching the 40th anniversary of its release. The third installment of the space opera franchise “star Wars” has captivated audiences since its release, and it helped jumpstart the franchise. so in honor of the film’s anniversary, let us take a look at the history of “star Wars,” and what Lucasfilm’s plans are for the future.

The first film released in the “star Wars” franchise was the 1977 film “A new hope.” released on may 25, 1977, “star Wars episode I v: A new hope” takes place in a fictional universe with a unique magic system. It stars mark hamill as Luke skywalker, a moisture farm worker who must learn the ways of a mystical power known as the Force from Jedi master obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Alec Guinness. The film also starred harrison Ford as scoundrel han solo, carrie Fisher as Princess Leia organa and James earl Jones as darth vader. Upon the film’s release, it became a huge blockbuster and launched many of the stars’ careers in the film industry. The film’s score, conducted by John Williams, went on to be one of the most recognizable scores in film history.

because of the film’s massive success, there were two sequels released over a period of six years. The “second film” of the series was released in 1980 titled “The empire strikes back” and, obviously, “return of the Jedi” was released in 1983. due to the success of this trilogy of films, Lucasfilm released a second trilogy, which was called the prequel trilogy. “The Phantom menace” was the first of the prequel trilogy and was released in 1999, “The Attack of the clones” was in 2002 and “revenge of the sith” was in 2005. This trilogy focuses on Luke skywalker’s father, Anakin skywalker, and how he turned into darth vader.

Then it took a whole decade for a brand new trilogy to come out, and it took an odd turn in terms of plot. The trilogy’s first film was released in 2015 and was titled “The Force Awakens.” Two years later, “The Last Jedi” graced the silver screen, followed by “The r ise of skywalker” in 2019. between the releases of the sequel trilogy, there were two anthology films released: “rogue one” in 2016 and “solo” in 2018.

The “star Wars” franchise is one of the most recognizable science fiction franchises in popular culture. many people go to conventions, dressed as Jedi, sith or their favorite “star Wars” characters. many people attend

events based on “star Wars,” and the franchise is one of the most profitable brands with merchandise. There are even “star Wars”-themed lands in both disneyland in Anaheim, california and in Walt disney World in orlando, Florida. The franchise has also released many other media on the screen, including the T v shows “The mandalorian,” “Andor,” “The book of boba Fett” and “obi-Wan Kenobi.” The franchise even had an abysmal holiday special that was released nov. 17, 1978, which the creator of Lucasfilm, George Lucas, has given his two cents about, saying in the past that if he found any physical copy of the special, he would take a sledgehammer to the copy.

There are other exciting projects that are to be released under the “star Wars” mantle, including a television series about Ahsoka Tano from “star Wars: The clone Wars,” starring rosario dawson, and a television series about Lando calrissian from “The empire strikes back” and “return of the Jedi.”

overall, as a huge “star Wars” fan, I am very excited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “return of the Jedi” and am hopeful for Lucasfilm’s future projects.

Contact Nicole Bilyak at nbilyak01@saintmarys.edu

By ANDY OTTONE scene Writer

In 1995, author Gregory maguire published his novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” The novel is presented as a biography of the Wicked Witch, named elphaba by maguire, and serves as a revisionist interpretation of L. Frank baum’s classic novel and its popular film adaptation. It not only presents the circumstances of the Witch’s life, but also details her first meeting with Glinda, the future Good Witch of the south, their time together in college and the events that occur thereafter, including the story of “The Wizard of oz.” composer and lyricist stephen schwartz spent five years bringing the book to the stage. receiving backing from producer marc Platt in 1998, schwartz began working on the musical. during the development period, schwartz brought on acclaimed television writer Winnie holzman, best known for creating “my so-called Life.” Together, along with contributions by Platt, the team adapted maguire’s novel, trimming many details and adding their own. despite this, the essence of the work remained.

The show was a smash hit upon its debut, netting 10 nominations at the 2004 Tony Awards, with both lead actresses receiving nominations. originating the leading roles of elphaba and Glinda were Idina menzel and Kristin chenoweth, respectively, with menzel taking home the Tony for best Actress. despite the show’s critical and commercial success, it did not win the awards for best book, score or musical; those honors went to “Avenue Q,” an

adult take on puppet shows such as “sesame street.”

“Wicked” celebrates its 20th year on broadway this year. In its two decades of success, it has left a mark on the cultural landscape, with showstopper “defying Gravity” being a notable example. All of this success points the same direction as every prominent broadway musical does: a movie adaptation. Announced officially in 2010, director stephen daldry was attached to the film in 2012 and left eight years later in 2020. he was replaced by Jon m chu, director of the then-upcoming adaptation of Lin-manuel miranda’s “In the heights.”

In the last three years, more information about the film has been announced. The cast features a mix of actors from both theater and hollywood backgrounds. on the broadway side, the central role of elphaba will be played by Tony Award Winner cynthia erivo, and the supporting role of boq the munchkin will be portrayed by ethan slater, best known for playing spongebob in the “spongebob squarePants” musical on broadway. slater has also taken on dramatic roles in the past, such as Lee harvey oswald in steven sondheim’s ”Assassins.” The hollywood actors featured in the film are michelle Yeoh, fresh off her Academy Award win, as madame morrible, elphaba’s mentor, and Jeff Goldblum, known for films such as “Jurassic Park,” “The Fly” and “Independence day,” as the Wizard. some actors in the film are harder to define, falling somewhere between the two categories; Ariana Grande, who has been cast as co-lead Glinda, is best known for her music career and roles in nickelodeon shows, but her career started with a broadway production of “13.”

Jonathan bailey is starring as male lead Fiyero, and he is recognizable to younger audiences as viscount Anthony bridgerton in netflix’s “bridgerton.” however, the actor has also had a notable career in London theater, winning a Laurence olivier Award for best supporting role in a musical in 2019 for his role in the revival of the musical “company.”

how do you adapt a musical as beloved as “Wicked?” You need to be careful; you can’t cut out too much or change the show too greatly, but every stage-to-screen adaptation needs to take some liberties to work better as a film. “Wicked” is a two-act musical, and Universal has announced that the movie will be released as two separate films. “Wicked: Part one” debuts november 27, 2024, and “Part Two” is scheduled for christmas day of 2025. despite this, fans have already gotten their first glimpse of the film as a set video leaked of Ariana Grande’s Glinda singing an excerpt from the show’s opening number … possibly. As those online often do, debate has been ongoing on whether it is actually Grande singing or lip-syncing for the shot. Those in the latter camp have their own divisions. some argue it is her own voice in the pre-recorded track, and others are convinced it is a recording of the original actress Kristin chenoweth.

We have over a year until the first installment in the series arrives. While I try to be optimistic about the upcoming film, there is no telling the film’s quality until it releases. All any of us can do is wait and hope for the best.

Contact Andy Ottone at aottone@nd.edu

Happy Birthday: Put your energy behind your ideas and the changes that will ease stress and give you something to look forward to this year. Overreacting will be the pitfall between you and the happiness you desire. Be honest with yourself and others; it will make it easier to let go of what isn’t working for you so you can move on to something more suitable. your numbers are 6, 13, 18, 24, 32, 38, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): l et your imagination lead the way, but don’t lose sight of what things cost or what’s realistic. Pay attention to selfimprovement and veer away from trying to change others. you can have fun without being over the top. Curb your habits and save cash.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t rely on others when the changes you want are up to you. Do your part, choose your path and own the outcome. Speak from the heart and look out for your interests. Protect your reputation, assets and physical well-being from users.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Simplify, downsize and let go of the past. It’s a new day; time to reset your goals and focus on what’s important to you. you can’t change the past, but you can control how you move forward. Be good to yourself.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your energy where it counts. reach out to those who have been there for you in the past, and you’ll get the backup you require. A change of attitude will result in new ideas and the courage to do things your way.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Clear your head before you share your thoughts. Confusion will set in if you let your emotions interfere with what you are trying to accomplish. Expect to meet with stubborn resistance if you are too pushy. Be patient, and you’ll get your way.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t hesitate to change your mind if something feels wrong. The adjustments may spark emotions but, at the same time, help stabilize your life. Trust your instincts, and you’ll figure out what to do next. Don’t risk your health or well-being.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Spend quality time with the people who lift your spirits and make you smile. l ook for any opportunity to travel, learn or get involved in a partnership that offers growth opportunities. Selfimprovement will draw attention, and romance is favored.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Not everyone will agree with your decisions, but feeling comfortable and living with the results are what matters. Be true to yourself and feel good about the decisions you make, and the right people will find you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be careful who you share information with today. Someone will twist your words if given a chance. Pay attention to relationships and determine who has your back. Avoid joint ventures and shared expenses.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take care of financial matters. Emotional spending won’t buy happiness or peace of mind. Someone you care about will disappoint you. Show patience and be a good listener, and something good will transpire. l et home improvement projects occupy your time.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): S you’ll face many controversies if you share too much with a friend, relative or peer. Spend time developing your plans and working toward your objective rather than trying to win approval from others. Personal goals, improvements and entertainment are favored. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): you’ve got the drive to achieve your goal. A change you want to make regarding your financial situation will happen if you put in the hours and do the work yourself. Pay attention to the details and you’ll get good results.

Birthday Baby: you are conscientious, loyal and persistent. you are stubborn and spirited.

Lange: The worst mascots in the NCAA

m ascots are a very polarizing topic. You either love them or hate them, and some people are even scared of the guys in the big felt suits behind masks. There’s a real diagnosis for this phenomenon: m asklophobia, sometimes referred to as m askaphobia.

s ports fans, however, are a completely different story. They feel very passionately about their team’s mascot, and even dress up as them. I have seen grown men get into an actual fight of their own, over who would win in a fight: b rutus b uckeye or s party s partan.

n eedless to say, these men were both incredibly intoxicated or they would have known they both would lose to the bes T mascot — T he n otre d ame Leprechaun. I’m not at all biased on this topic (L e T’ s G o I r I sh ).

Anyway, with my lofty opinions on the topic, I am going to rank the 10 worst nc AA mascots.

10. Cocky the Gamecock — university of South Carolina

c ocky the Gamecock. d o I really need to say it? They could at least get him a shirt that’s his size, you really want c ocky to be in a shirt that’s too big? That won’t work out well. There are so many jokes I can’t make because this is being published, but they deserve every bad joke you can come up with.

9. Demon Deacons — Wake Forest university s o, he’s an “old-time b aptist deacon” who rides a motorcycle?

To me, he looks the human incarnation of m r. Peanut. b ut, you know, if m r. Peanut had been through a rough life. I feel like he has stories and wants to sit down with you and tell you all of them in a long and excruciatingly slow way.

8. otto the orange — Syracuse university

According to Google it’s an “anthropomorphic orange”. Yet another plant, but hey, at least

it’s a real thing, I guess. I think he got off on the wrong exit because, I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember miles and miles of orange groves in n ew York. I mean I guess n ew York is called the b ig o range right? d efinitely not another fruit that, you know, grows in the state of n ew York.

7. Blue Devils — Duke university

Another devil on the list and no it’s not because I go to a c atholic school. It’s because you’d think h owie m andel wouldn’t need another side hustle. d oesn’t he have enough jobs? b ut I guess the next logical step after being a game show host then judge is being a man in a superhero costume pantomiming as a devil to a bunch of drunk southern college kids.

6. Sparky — Arizona State university

b reaking n ews: b uzz’s long lost evil twin has been found! b uzz lost his evil twin brother s parky in the c heerios factory when they were just little bees playing amongst the conveyer belts. Try to convince me this is not a bee dressed up as an old-timey villain about to twirl his mustache. I dare you.

5. hokieBird — Virginia tech university

We all know you’re a turkey, so just be a dang turkey. n o need to make up a fictional bird. I get it you don’t want to be the “turkeys,” who would? b ut is being a h okie better? At least when you were the Fighting Gobblers you were fighting off the enemy — you know scary stuff, “put up your dukes” and all that. The Fighting Gobblers really sent Purdue Pete and b ig r ed running up those hills.

4. purdue pete — purdue university

At least this thing is a living object. b ut is it? Pete is just a stand-in because the official mascot of Purdue University is the “ b oilermakers”. s o really Pete is just a guy in a creepy plastic head, and his job title is the real

mascot. Again, a school that doesn’t have a living, breathing mascot. I didn’t know you could have your job description as your mascot, learn something new every day.

3. Big red — Western Kentucky university

What even is it? It’s not even a thing! It’s like c ookie m onster’s weird red and bigger cousin, who had his college letters tattooed across his chest. c an you say peaked in college? I don’t even know what to compare it too. It’s just a big, red (see what I did there), furry blob with arms and legs. Also, the 2012s called, and they want their painted-on eyebrows back.

2. Stanford tree — Stanford university

First, which professor hired their kindergartener’s class to make this mascot’s costume? s eriously, Google it, some of the costumes look like they let a group of kindergarteners go through their grandmas’ knitting materials and try — not succeed, but try — to make a pine tree. Also, another plant! Unless you’re freaking Poison Ivy from the b atman comics, plants don’t really strike fear into my heart. I would say do better but that would be repetitive.

1. Brutus Buckeye — the ohio State university

You had to see that coming, it’s not even a living thing. I don’t understand how an inanimate object can be a school’s mascot, how does a literal nut drive so much pride into a college community? d o they know they’re literally calling themselves nuts? o h excuse me, T he n uts?? c ome on. d o better.

h onorable mention to the d artmouth mascot, b ig Green who is a literal Keg. They really know their audience.

Thomas: NFL Draft Grades

into somewhat of a low-pressure situation with a chance to develop. I like the pick, overall.

The 2023 nFL draft kicked off from Kansas city, missouri Thursday night. Thirty-one college players were made nFL players. These are instant grades and analysis of each pick.

1. Carolina panthers: Bryce young, QB, Alabama

My pick: Bryce Young

My grade: A

The Panthers traded a package and got the chance to get the clear best quarterback in the draft. They didn’t fumble the opportunity, and can now build around their franchise quarterback after years of quarterback purgatory since cam newton.

2. houston texans: CJ Stroud, QB, ohio State

My Pick: CJ Stroud

My grade: A

The Texans need a quarterback, and they avoided making the mistake of r ichardson or Levis over stroud. They get their guy … but then things got interesting.

3. houston texans: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama

My Pick: Will Anderson

My Grade: B-

The issue here is not the pick. It’s the trade. The Texans’ biggest needs were Qb and an edge-rusher, and they got the best available at both positions. so that’s great. but trading no. 12, no. 33 and a first-rounder next year? don’t love that for a team that has a lot to work on. The trade reeked of an ownership-coaching rift and a divide over who the right pick was at no. 3. As such, the Texans land two quality prospects, but they lose out at their first-rounder next year, and a chance at a high-end wide receiver in this year’s class.

4. indianapolis Colts: Anthony richardson, QB

My Pick: Anthony Richardson

My Grade: A-

As long as they didn’t go Levis here, I was oK.

r ichardson is Qb3 in the class and a risky pick to go in the top-five, so it’s not a straight A. r ichardson is undoubtedly a project, but Indianapolis has expressed they’ll give their rookie a long leash and plan on starting him early, if not right away. so r ichardson is placed

5. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, illinois

My Pick: Tyree Wilson, Edge

My Grade: CI really like Witherspoon as a pick, but I do like christian Gonzalez more (which I know isn’t the most popular take). That being said, I really don’t get seattle going cornerback here. It just didn’t feel like a pressing position of need, especially after hitting on Tariq Woolen last year. I’d have liked to see Wilson or Jalen carter here, with the defensive line needing more work than the secondary in seattle.

6. Arizona Cardinals: paris Johnson, ot, ohio State

My Pick: Jalen Carter, DL

My Grade: B mixed feelings on this pick. rumor is Kyler murray wanted Johnson, and if that’s true, it’s hard to argue with pleasing your franchise quarterback. That being said, I do think the cardinals have bigger issues on defense, either on the line (hence the carter pick) or in the secondary (potentially going for Gonzalez). Again, hard to be too upset about this pick, especially if it was part of Kyler’s wishlist.

7. Las Vegas raiders: t yree Wilson, Edge, texas tech

My Pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB

My Grade: B+ I do like this pick overall, and I think the raiders got an elite player. honestly, if they picked one of Wilson, Peter skoronski or christian Gonzalez, I think Las vegas would have addressed a need and gotten one of the top prospects in the 2023 draft class. I think the other two names would have addressed bigger needs, hence the b +, but the raiders still got a solid addition in Wilson.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan robinson, rB, texas

My Pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB

My Grade: CThe only reason this grade doesn’t fail or get a d is that bijan robinson is one of my favorite prospects in the class.

drAFT pAGE 13

Aidan Thomas senior sports Writer

SportS Authority see

but he absolutely is not what Atlanta needs, especially after hitting on Tyler Allgeier, who set the Falcons’ rookie rushing record. Atlanta had so many bigger needs than going after another running back, and they elected to not go for Gonzalez, a consensus top-two cornerback in the class.

9. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

My Pick: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

My Grade: A-

The eagles obviously wanted carter, given that they jumped the bears just one stop, likely sensing that someone else might try to make the same move. coming off a super bowl appearance, I liked Philadelphia to maybe just go best available here, and carter certainly has a case to be considered that prospect on the board at this point. There were a few other names in the mix, but carter is a solid add and fantastic value at no. 9.

10. Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

My Pick: Peter Skoronski, OT

My Grade: C

They got the position right, but, I don’t think it’s too controversial to say the pick itself was surprising. With local product skoronski, my personal top offensive lineman in the class and a consensus top-two tackle, still available, the bears went for Wright. The Tennessee tackle is certainly a first-round tackle, but I’d have definitely taken skoronski and probably broderick Jones.

11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

My Pick: Peter Skoronski

My Grade: A some thought that the Titans were looking to trade up and get a quarterback. While not against that, I think offensive line was the right play, and getting skoronski at no. 11 is amazing value. They got the best available prospect at their biggest position of need. Good start to the 2023 draft for the Titans.

12. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

My Pick: Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

My Grade: D-

Up until the pick’s announcement, I thought the Lions had pulled off an absolute coup, trading back six spots and still getting their preferred guy in Gonzalez. And then they went to running back? I’m not denying there’s question marks surrounding deAndre swift in detroit, but is the answer to invest more significant draft capital in a position with a short shelf life? I don’t think so. I think defensive line (calijah Kancey), the secondary (Gonzalez) or tight end (michael mayer) all deserved detroit’s attention

before taking the second-best running back on the board.

13. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

My Pick: Michael Mayer, TE

My Grade: F I don’t think edge rusher was the position to address here for Green bay, and even if it was, I don’t think van ness is the prospect worth a top-15 selection. With a new quarterback, I was fully sold on the Packers adding a weapon here to strengthen the offense. mayer was on the board, as was every wide receiver. I do not like this pick.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT

My Pick: Broderick Jones, OT

My Grade: A-

Tell me at the beginning of the night that the steelers are getting Jones, and I love it. Given christian Gonzalez is still on the board, I don’t love it as much. however, I can very much get behind the decision to protect Kenny Pickett with the best remaining tackle on the board.

15. New York Jets: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State

My Pick: Calijah Kancey, DL

My Grade: Ddid the Jets really need to invest their first pick in an edge-rusher? beyond the fact that I don’t think they got the best available edge rusher, the Jets also could have addressed other needs. I wanted them to get a tackle, but with the top four off the table, oing elsewhere makes sense. After that, I’d have gone for a weapon, maybe taking mayer to improve the tight end spot, or shore up the interior defensive line. I hate this pick.

16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB

My pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB

My Grade: C

The commanders went with the right move in going to the secondary, and I like Forbes as a prospect, but I like Gonzalez, Joey Porter and deonte banks more. so this a c — nothing more, nothing less. A solid pick, I just think there was better available prospects.

17. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

My pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB

My Grade: A

If you couldn’t tell, I really like Gonzalez as a prospect. I think he has a really good chance to be the defensive rookie of the year. The Pats got a prospect who could have gone in the top six or seven picks at no. 17 and addressed a position of need. That’s the steal of the round in my mind.

18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

My pick: Calijah Kancey, DL

My Grade: D+

Again, I just didn’t see linebacker as the position to address with two first-round picks. I don’t love the Lions’ haul, and I think Kancey or mayer would be better talents here at bigger positions of need.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DL

My Pick: Will Levis, QB

My Grade: B

I am not sure what to think. I love Kancey as a prospect, and I think the buccaneers got fantastic value. however, I think they could have maybe gone for a different position, and honestly, despite my general stance on Will Levis as a prospect, going quarterback here to add competition for Kyle Trask wouldn’t have been bad. Interesting selection by Tampa bay.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

My Pick: Myles Murphy, Edge

My Grade: B+

Another great value to get at no. 20, but with two strong wide receivers headlining their corps, seattle makes an interesting move to get a pass-catcher here, passing on another chance to bolster their defensive line. That being said, smith-njigba is an elite prospect, so seattle has every right to be excited.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

My Pick: Quentin Johnston, WR

My Grade: A

I could be happy with any receiver here, as after Jsn, I think you could order the next three receivers in any way you choose. The chargers made the right call to go for a receiver and got a great talent that, in a year with more receiver-needy teams could have been a top-15 talent.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

My Pick: Jordan Addison, WR

My Grade: A

Again, I could have been happy with Flowers or Addison. I had Addison ranked slightly higher on my board, but it was by a marginal amount. Getting a weapon for the newly-extended Lamar Jackson was the priority, and the ravens got a good one in Flowers.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

My Pick: Joey Porter Jr., CB

My Grade: B+

I don’t mind the choice to go receiver here, but

I do think the v ikings would have done well to address the secondary first. It was surprising that Porter was still available at this point, and he’d have been a great pick. As it is,the v ikings did need to grab a receiver, and Addison is the best remaining at the position.

24. New York Giants: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

My Pick: Joey Porter Jr., CB

My Grade: A-

I think Porter is slightly better, but banks is a great prospect. I wanted the Giants to get a receiver if one of the top four was on the board, but with both Porter and banks available, addressing the secondary was the correct decision.

25. Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

My Pick: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG

My Grade: D

I thought offensive guard was the biggest need entering the night for the bills, and when they traded up, I thought it was to secure Torrence, the best guard in the class. Instead they went to tight end, which wasn’t a position of tremendous need, and they went for dalton Kincaid instead of michael mayer, which I also view as a mistake. Lot of interesting decision-making from the buffalo brass.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT

My Pick: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG

My Grade: B

I mocked this pick yesterday, so I like the fit. With both Torrence and mayer available, I did like the concept of adding talent on the line or at tight end, but the cowboys go after a strong interior defensive lineman and get their guy in mazi smith. I don’t love it, but I can think of plenty worse picks that have been made.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison, T, Oklahoma

my Pick: Joey Porter Jr., cb

my Grade: b +

I really like harrison as a prospect and I did predict him to land in this late firstround stage. but I think the secondary was a bigger need and drafting a cornerback like Porter would have been better value. not as much an issue with who they picked, but an issue with who the Jaguars passed on.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

My Pick: Michael Mayer, TE

My Grade: C-

I really liked a potential

fit between harrison and the bengals, but with him off the board, I’m not surprised they went to a different position. I also thought cornerback and tight end were bigger needs, as well as interior offensive line. murphy is good value, but I thought there were bigger holes to address than edge-rusher.

29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

My Pick: Bryan Bresee

My Grade: A

I had two names on my mind for this pick as new orleans was on the clock: bresee or Georgia edge-rusher nolan smith. both would have been slam-dunks in my opinion, and the saints nailed the pick with the best available interior defensive lineman, which was a big position of need.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, Edge/LB, Georgia

My Pick: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

My Grade: A I liked branch or smith here. The edge rusher was probably the right move, honestly, but I think getting the best player at a position (and branch is the best safety prospect) is sometimes a great move. but smith is also a fantastic pick here for the Philadelphia bulldogs…I mean the Philadelphia eagles.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State

My Pick: Michael Mayer, TE

My Grade: B+

I was a fan of going with an offensive tackle or an edge rusher, but I also didn’t like the value that was left on the board. michael mayer was more of a pick if the chiefs went with the best-available player. Joey Porter or brian branch would have also been solid adds to the defense. but, when you’re the defending super bowl champions, you can reach a little bit in order to fill a need. so, really no major complaints, even if I still think it’s ridiculous that mayer didn’t go in the first round.

Best Still Available

michael mayer, Te, notre dame brian branch, s, Alabama Joey Porter Jr., cb, Penn state o’cyrus Torrence, oG, Florida Will Levis, Qb, Kentucky drew sanders, L b, Arkansas Keeanu benton, dT, Wisconsin

Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu

The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

school in suburban chicago, moreno was the consummate athlete. With five all-conference selections across three sports, a 2019 state championship and a chicago catholic Player of the Year honor, it didn’t take long for the young man to find his home at the next level.

“The thing I loved about [notre dame] was just the community around here,” moreno said. “It was just that sort of energy that I wanted and competitiveness that I like.”

With that, he made his commitment to the blue and Gold as a sophomore. From there, moreno utilized a number of opportunities to prepare himself for the challenge of Acc baseball. That culminated in a summer with the madison mallards of the coveted northwoods League, briefly interrupted by a trip to the 2022 mLb draft combine in san diego.

“The thing I took away from [the combine] was that I belonged there with all those other guys,” moreno said. “It gave me a really bright future for seeing what I was going to face in the Acc — guys that [throw] low 90s and upper 80s.”

At that point, moreno could have pursued a path to The

SMC LACROSSE

show. but with his long-term outlook and notre dame coming off a college World series run, he couldn’t resist the prospects of a college baseball career. After newly minted Irish head coach shawn stiffler called him in madison, moreno was fired up and ready to work.

Fast-forward to Feb. 17. It’s opening day in nashville, as the Irish get the season underway at Lipscomb. moreno is starting at second base on a notre dame infield that was so dominant a season ago. What’s more, he’s tasked with helping the Irish offense follow up the program’s record-breaking power surge of 2022.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I knew I was gonna have to work for whatever I wanted,” moreno said. “coming out here in the fall and just working my tail off and doing what I could to show the coaches that I could be here and I could play — that was the most important takeaway. It was just like a fresh new start of what I could do and what I could show.”

Through the season’s first month, moreno slumped as young hitters so often do. striking out far more than he hoped to, the freshman struggled to hold his batting average north of .150.

“It was a rough start for me,

and it was more so the process of how fast the game was played,” moreno said. “It’s just [about] taking away how fast the game is played and trusting yourself.” beyond his own adjustments, moreno’s surroundings kept him confident and ready for the next at-bat. stiffler continued to play him every day, ensuring that moreno wouldn’t have to tweak things on the fly too much during notre dame’s daunting Acc schedule. on the infield, he stands between graduate students Zack Prajzner (shortstop) and carter Putz (first base). The two have now played 407 career games and starred in a pair of deep postseason runs, all in the Irish uniform.

“I look up to Zack a lot. That’s who I value and look after the most,” moreno said. “I try to replicate whatever he does on the field. And Putz — he’s my left-hand man. It helps a ton just knowing that they’ve got my back and I have theirs.”

In recent weeks, moreno’s production has reached new heights. since march 31, he’s hitting .264 with four long balls. his three-homer performance began in the fifth inning Friday. his first accounted for the third run in notre dame’s four-run, middle-inning comeback.

“I knew I was hunting a fastball up, and he threw that to me,”

Senior night win sends Belles to postseason

By ANDREW McGUINNESS sports editor

A college team’s final home game is always a special occasion. The chance to honor seniors and celebrate their accomplishments over the previous four (or more) years, as well as the players and people they’ve become, only comes once for each graduating class.

b ut senior night meant a little bit more for this year’s s aint m ary’s lacrosse team.

b efore the game, the b elles celebrated their three seniors — attacker m adeleine

b rown and midfielders e rin

d otson and m olly m ullett — as well as graduate student midfielder Lindsey h erdsman. b ut after it ended, the b elles celebrated again. That’s because their 11-10 win over Trine u niversity on Tuesday clinched a berth in the m IAA Tournament, adding to the pomp and circumstance of an already celebratory day.

The b elles rode the momentum of the senior celebrations to a tone-setting strong start. For the first time since their m arch 25 clash against e dgewood, s aint m ary’s pitched a

shutout in the first quarter. The b elles’ defense led the way. Trine could not get so much as a single shot on goal in the first 15 minutes.

d uring that same span, s aint m ary’s put three balls behind Thunder goalie m addy Kasten. m ullett delivered one of the best games of her excellent career. s he scored twice in the first quarter and three times in the opening 16:05. s ophomore midfielder valentina r ubio also found the back of the net in the opening frame.

h owever, Trine would not go away quietly. Although

m ullett was able to briefly halt the momentum of their two-goal second quarter burst, a late first-half tally by n ikki h ibler gave the Thunder some momentum heading into halftime.

Alyssa Keptner, who set up h ibler’s tally, buried a goal just 1:27 into the second half to bring Trine within one.

m ullett and d otson traded goals with Trine’s b rooke h oag for the rest of the quarter. It ended with the b elles holding a narrow 7-6 edge.

b ut s aint m ary’s made what wound up being a game-winning statement to start the fourth. Three goals in a 2:09 span within the

moreno said. “I really wasn’t expecting anything more, just to put the ball in play and see if I could help my team throughout the game.”

sure enough, he got plenty more, putting the ball out of sight and helping his team to a major upset. moreno’s second solo shot came with two outs and two strikes in the sixth, a no-doubter on a hanging breaking ball. In the eighth, he launched his third round-tripper to left field, once again coming through with two strikes.

With moreno setting the tone, notre dame went on to sweep the cavaliers, winning through a saturday postponement and sunday doubleheader.

“I thought we were ready all day [saturday], no matter how long we were waiting at the field,” moreno said. “I think we were more aggressive than they were and we just took that seriously.”

The virginia series wasn’t the first instance of moreno’s work sparking the Irish. Against thenno. 6 Louisville in late march, he hit the game-winning home run on Friday, setting the stage for a series win. A week later, against then-no. 13 north carolina, moreno’s three-run Friday homer wound up being the first of eight bombs hit by the Irish that weekend.

As moreno has picked up the pace, so have the hitters in front of him. Graduate catcher v inny martinez and sophomore outfielder dm Jefferson are on hot streaks. between martinez, Jefferson and moreno, the bottom part of notre dame’s order has strengthened.

“I think all our guys in the lineup are dudes, and we all can hit no matter what,” moreno said. “It’s a great feeling when you have those guys and everybody can rely on each other back to back.”

With 37 games behind him, moreno has already made plenty of waves in south bend. he is notre dame’s first freshman to hit six home runs since active big-leaguer matt vierling (2016). even so, the freshman still has much to prove as the Irish gear up for a potential postseason run.

“my goals are just to keep competing in the box and looking after the guys that I value the most,” moreno said. “I think it’s a great feeling we have — that we have something special if we can stay hot and keep rolling.” moreno and his teammates will look for another big series this weekend against Florida state.

Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu

Irish welcome

Florida state

frame’s first four minutes gave them some muchwelcomed breathing room.

h erdsman, junior attacker Julia Gorski and freshman defender/attacker Alyssa Grant combined for the b elles’ second three-plus goal run of the game. Less than two minutes later, d otson scored what would turn out to be s aint m ary’s last goal of the game — and the game-winner. The b elles needed every last bit of their four-goal lead to survive a furious comeback by Trine. s aint m ary’s conceded three goals in the final three minutes, with their lead shrinking to one with 40 seconds remaining. b ut sophomore goalie e mma Zmudzinski’s six saves and the efforts of the b elles’ most experienced members proved enough.

s aint m ary’s wraps up its regular season Friday, April 28, with an away contest against Alma c ollege. The game begins at 6 p.m. After that, it’s off to the m IAA Tournament, which begins with the semifinals m ay 3. n etwork.

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

By ANNIKA HERKO sports Writer

After a tough loss to michigan state on Tuesday night, the Irish are back home at Frank eck for a three-game series against Florida state.

The seminoles have been having a tough season, with a 14-25 overall record. of particular interest to Irish fans, Florida state is 3-14 on the road. Their April 6 game against clemson (5-1) and April 23 game against virginia Tech (4-3) are the only two seminole wins in the last month.

Against virginia Tech, first baseman James Tibbs III had two hits and two runs, and center fielder deAmez ross had two hits. The seminoles have three hitters batting over .300 on the year — Jaime Ferrer, ben barrett and Tibbs III.

They have been blown out quite a few times this season, though. In the first game of the series against virginia Tech, they lost 24-9. In the first game of their series against nc state, the final score was 14-3. Then-no. 23 miami beat Florida state 11-0 and 13-4, and then-no. 8 virginia outscored the seminoles 12-4 and 15-4. This was all just in the past month. It’s been a hard and frustrating season for Florida state.

The Irish had been on a winning streak, including sweeping a ranked virginia, but this streak ended with the 12-5 loss to

michigan state in east Lansing this week. The Irish took an early lead, going ahead 3-0 in the first inning. by the sixth inning, it was 5-5. Then, michigan state scored six runs in the seventh and one in the eighth. notre dame didn’t have an answer. nine different players got hits for the spartans, and three players scored two or more runs. six different pitchers threw for the Irish. Justin moore pitched the final 0.2 innings to close out the game.

notre dame has what it takes to take down top teams, as they have proved throughout the season. The cavaliers sweep is proof of concept on that front. but playing down to the level of their opponents has become a nasty habit. michigan state is a pretty good team — they have 25 wins so far this season, but the Irish didn’t put up as good a performance as they are capable of. Playing a struggling Florida state is a good opportunity for notre dame to regroup and refocus — both on hitting and pitching — and get some practice in before tournaments start. They have a little less than a month to go in the regular season, and every game counts.

notre dame returns to play this weekend against Florida state. The series starts on Friday night at 6 p.m.

Contact Annika Herko at aherko@nd.edu

BASEBALL

Diggs latest to enter portal

By ANDREW McGUINNESS

s ports e ditor

d espite a bevy of recent transfers, there were (and still are) many reasons to be optimistic heading into 2023. o ne of them is n otre d ame’s embarrassment of riches at running back. i n fact, the i rish are so deep at the position they already opted to make one subtraction to the position’s depth chart: shifting senior c hris Tyree to wide receiver. Junior a udric e stime figures to lead the charge after a breakout 2022 campaign. a nd the i rish have no shortage of young talent at the position, either. f rom sophomores g i’ b ran Payne and Jadarian Price to incoming four-star recruit Jeremiyah Love, the usually stout i rish ground game could reach levels even unprecedented for their lofty standards.

h owever, there’s one key name missing from that list: Logan d iggs. The junior split n o. 2 duties with Tyree for most of the 2022 season. While e stime has been at the top of the depth chart for a while now, d iggs figured to be in line for significant playing time early in the season. i f Tyree sticks at receiver,

irish host f lorida state for senior weekend, big series

it stood to reason that some of the younger options would need more time to develop before receiving regular touches.

b ut that plan faded away Thursday evening, with d iggs announcing he will be entering the transfer portal. h e is the fourth noteworthy i rish player to enter the portal in the last few weeks. f irst, Lorenzo s tyles came into the portal the day before the b lue- g old game. Linebacker Prince Kollie entered shortly after. a nd Tyler b uchner had a brief stay in the portal, officially announcing earlier Thursday he will reunite with former i rish offensive coordinator Tommy r ees in a labama.

Last season, d iggs played in 12 of n otre d ame’s 13 games. h e averaged five yards per carry on 165 rushes that accounted for four touchdowns. d iggs was also a threat in the passing game, hauling in 10 receptions for 211 yards and two scores. i n his first season with the i rish in 2021, the b outte, Louisiana native also accounted for 230 yards on the ground and 56 through the air, combining for four touchdowns.

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

By J.J. POST a ssociate sports editor

This weekend, n otre d ame softball will look to win their fourth consecutive acc series as they welcome f lorida s tate to s outh b end.

The matchup with the s eminoles is about as pivotal as they come for the i rish. n otre d ame currently sits precariously on the ncaa Tournament bubble. d1 s oftball.com recently listed the i rish as one of the last teams in their projected national tournament field.

n otre d ame needs a statement win. The i rish are currently 3-5 against teams in the r P i top 25. That 37.5% winning percentage is good as far as bubble teams go. b ut it’s not nearly enough to make up for slip-ups like a series loss to Pittsburgh, as well as a middling strength of schedule.

f lorida s tate currently ranks fifth in r P i . They’re a consensus top-five team across national polls as well. They’ll enter m elissa

con

scored 264 goals this year, good for fourth in the acc n otably, they boatraced n otre d ame’s last opponent, v irginia, for 25 goals in the two squads’ a pril 15 matchup.

h owever, the

Buchner

con T inued from Page 16 only for the g ator b owl, where he led n otre d ame to a 45-38 victory, accounting for five touchdowns but also throwing three interceptions.

With the door to the starting position much more open in Tuscaloosa than in s outh b end, b uchner thanked his teammates for the “friendships that were forged under fire” and his coaches for “all they did to help [him] mature both on and off the football field.” b ut ultimately, in his statement, b uchner said playing football at a labama and under s aban would be “the best decision for [his] future.”

Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu

c ook s tadium on the heels of a six-game winning streak that has included four ranked wins. They’ve won 13 of 14 games so far in a pril, including a road sweep of a c lemson team ranked n o. 6 nationally.

i f a statement win will help n otre d ame guarantee an ncaa Tournament berth, the s eminoles present a perfect opportunity.

b ut f lorida s tate is as highly ranked as they are for a reason. They’re excellent in all phases of the game.

The s eminoles’ electric offense ranks as one of the best in the conference. They’ve totaled exactly 300 runs on the year and are one of just two acc teams to reach that mark. Power hitting has been a hallmark of f lorida s tate’s offensive success. They rank first in the acc in doubles, second in triples and fourth in team slugging percentage. The s eminoles are also smart about getting on base.

f lorida s tate has drawn 203 walks on the year. n o other team in the acc has more

defensive showing of the i rish in the e aster weekend defeat is promising.

b oston c ollege scored just 12 goals at a rlotta, their third-worst attacking output on the year.

f or n otre d ame to have a shot at advancing to the final, they’ll want to turn the game into another low scoring slugfest.

than 191.

s upplementing a strong s eminole offense is quality pitching in the circle.

f lorida s tate’s staff boasts a team era of 1.66, good for second best in the conference. a nchoring the s eminole staff is the onetwo punch of m akenna r eid and Kathryn s andercock. The pairing boasts 10-0 and 17-3 records, respectively, and pristine era s that come within one-tenth of a point of one another. r eid’s is 1.01, second in the acc s andercock comes in at fourth at 1.07. r ounding out the primary rotation is a llison r oyalty. r oyalty hasn’t been nearly as dominant as r eid or s andercock but still boasts an impressive 7-1 record with a 2.03 era

n otre d ame softball will be back in action f riday against f lorida s tate. f irst pitch is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on acc n etwork.

Contact J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu

n otre d ame women’s lacrosse will be back in action against b oston c ollege f riday afternoon from c harlotte, n orth c arolina. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start time and will be broadcast on the acc n etwork.

Contact J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu

MAX PETROSKY | The Observer

Tyler Buchner prepares for a throw during his first game as Notre Dame’s starting QB, a 21-10 road loss to Ohio State on Sept. 3, 2022.

Irish down v irginia 15-13 to advance to Acc Tournament semifinals

By J.J. POST

Associate sports editor

n otre d ame women’s lacrosse advanced to the A cc Tournament semifinals with a 15-13 win over v irginia on Wednesday afternoon.

The Irish showed plenty of grit in the win, fighting back after a late c avalier comeback tied the game. s enior midfielder Kasey c homa was the hero for the Irish, notching the go-ahead goal as part of a five-point day. s enior attacker Jackie Wolak excelled as both a scorer and creator for n otre d ame, totaling four goals and three assists. Wolak is the team’s points leader on the season, so her contribution to both stat categories is nothing new. s he’s the only Irish player with more than 30 goals and 30 assists —

a mark she clears easily with 45 goals and 43 assists.

Fellow senior attacker m adison Ahern also had a hat trick for the Irish, continuing her excellent form on the year. Ahern now has 55 goals this season, good for second on the team to c homa’s 56. r ecently nominated for the Tewaaraton Award (college lacrosse’s h eisman equivalent) along with c homa, Ahern figures to be a major factor in any further n otre d ame postseason success.

With the win, the Irish will now move on to square off against b oston c ollege in the semifinals. o n paper, wthe draw is about as tough as the Irish could have gotten. The e agles enter as the top-seeded team in the tournament. They’ve won their last eight games, including three against teams

buchner transfers to Alabama

By MANNION McGINLEY senior sports Writer

After entering the transfer portal on Tuesday, former Irish quarterback Tyler b ucnher declared late Thursday morning he would continue his collegiate career in Tuscaloosa. The junior will transfer to Alabama and compete to start for them in the 2023 season.

b uchner follows former Irish offensive coordinator Tommy r ees to the c rimson Tide as the squad searches for a quarterback identity. r ees, having left the Irish in February, has a quarterback battle of his own and will add b uchner to the mix.

The decision came after the quarterback led the b lue team in n otre d ame’s spring game while competing with graduate transfer s am h artman on the Gold squad for the starting job. While h artman

and his group of running backs and receivers found 24 points, the b lue squad scored none with b uchner. s till, b uchner was widely received as the best quarterback option currently in the transfer portal, and after a visit to Alabama on Wednesday, and less than impressive spring game performances — according to n ick s aban — from both Jalen m ilroe and Ty s impson, b uchner made his decision to return to a Tommy r ees-coached offense. r ees originally recruited the c alifornia native to n otre d ame in the first place. b uchner completed 57% of passes for six touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games (three starts) with the Irish. h is first season as the fulltime starter for n otre d ame was cut short by injury last season. b uchner returned

ranked in the top 15 nationally. Their final regular season game was a thrilling takedown of former national n o. 1 s yracuse on the road.

b ut there is some silver lining to a matchup with b oston c ollege. For one, n otre d ame has come close to beating the e agles before. The two squads faced off at Arlotta s tadium during e aster weekend, and it was the Irish who led for most of the contest. A furious comeback by the visitors ensured that they returned to c hestnut h ill happy, but n otre d ame can draw confidence from the fact that they held an assertive lead for much of the second half.

If the Irish want to pull the upset, they’ll have to slow down an electric b oston c ollege offense. The e agles have

Inside Estevan Moreno’s historic three-homer night

By TYLER REIDY Associate sports editor

When freshman infielder estevan moreno first arrived at notre dame, he knew he’d have the opportunity to perform at the highest level. As the first everyday second baseman of the shawn stiffler era, his star has risen in 2023. Last Friday, moreno found himself over the moon, hitting three home runs to help the Irish take down no. 8 virginia.

“It was amazing,” moreno said of his magical night at Frank eck stadium. “It builds [confidence] off me and all the other guys knowing we came out and beat virginia as a team like that.”

moreno’s hat trick, the first for the Irish since Jake shepski’s trifecta in 2016, accounted for half of notre dame’s six home runs in the 10-7 win. The performance, which unfolded so suddenly, had been in the works for years. At montini catholic high

see bUchner PAGe 15 see moreno PAGe 14

ND FOOTBALL

ND FOOTBALL

ND BAseBALL

MAX PETROSKY | The Observer

Irish junior midfielder Mary Kelly Doherty avoids a defender during Notre Dame’s win over the North Carolina Tar Heels on April 1, 2023.

see W LAX PAGe 15

SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI | The Observer Irish freshman infielder Estevan Moreno takes a hack during Notre Dame’s 2-1 loss to Louisville on March 26, 2023 at Frank Eck Stadium.