Volume 47, Issue 1

M r. Woods Depar ts Page 4

Datto Promotes Hear t Health Page 6

NFL Season Preview Page 18

Space Jam 2 Review Page 12

Summer '21 M usic Review Page 9

Follow us on I nstagram and Twitter @SJPHawkeye or read our issues online at issuu.com/thehawkeye6

The Student Newspaper of St. Joseph's Prep

1733 West Gir ar d Ave. Philadelphia, PA, 19130

October 4, 2021

Br ave New Prep: Same But Different

By Aiden Ander son ?22 Not much at the Prep has remained the same during the four years the seniors have been here. In fact, the class of 2022 is the only current grade to have experienced an entire year of a ?normal? St. Joe?s Prep. Of course, the obvious explanation is that the school has changed to adapt to COVID protocols. Regardless, there?s been an influx of changes across the school.

Another change to the schedule is the decision to move community period to the end of the day. Previously,

By M ur phy Bonner ?22 ?Now. Here. This.?

On the other hand, Andrew

Mr. Marinacci, the 33rd President of the Prep, stood before the current seniors clad in a Prep mask, white shirt, and a crimson and grey tie on the first day of school. During that introduction, Marinacci?s voice boomed off the walls of the theatre as he walked up and down the isles, holding three fingers up to the crowd. While students shuffled in their seats and re- adjusted masks Marinacci urged them to be present (now) during their last year at the Prep (here) and

see CHANGES p. 4

see MARI NACCI p. 7

(Photo: St. Joe's Prep)

Over the last four years, there have been over four different schedules. Last year, classes were seventy minutes each and students had three to four classes every day. We went from hybrid, to allvirtual, back to hybrid, and then finally in-person full time.

Now, classes are forty minutes except for one seventy minute period each day. Double periods for science labs are a thing of the past, forcing teachers to squeeze labs into the longer once- a- rotation long period classes.

New M an on Campus: President M ar inacci I s Here

Father Steve, Mr. Marinacci, Mr. Rorer, Mr. Cavacos, and Mr. DiBerardinis hand out Prep themed masks to students on the first day of school.

community period started at 10:00am and went until 10:50am. Reception on this adjustment has been mixed.

Kevin Gormley ?22 said, ?I feel that community was better at 10 [a.m] because it split the day up; it was nice to have that

Crew Boathouse Flooded

by Hur r icane I da (Photo: trustedreviews.com)

(Photos: St. Joseph's Prep| Facebook)

(Photo: theverge.com)

Tech Upgr ade: New Chromebook Review

break between classes. ?

(Photo: Dan Labbe | cleveland.com)

Vol. 47, I ssue 1

Hurricane I da brought with it winds, tornadoes, and historic flooding for the city of Philadelphia. The Schuylkill River overflowed and flooded the Prep Crew Team's Boathouse

Since the Prep began its 1:1 Chromebook program, the Chromebook has become a staple of the Prep experience. This year, students were given upgrades from Lenovo 500e (left) to the Dell 3100 (right).

By Joseph M ancini ?23 In the current Prep Community, there are many misconceptions and rumors about the new brand of Chromebooks that have been recently released, and currently many have different opinions about the new technology.

First and foremost, the most obvious difference between both Chromebooks is which company manufactured them.

The old Chromebooks, called the Lenovo 500e?s, were made

by Lenovo, and they were first released 4 years ago.

Now, our new Chromebooks are manufactured by Dell, and they are called the Dell 3100?s.

These Chromebooks were first released only this year, so the technology is very recent when compared to the Lenovo?s.

In an interview with Mr. Heisey from the school?s Technology Department, he voiced his position on the key features of the new Dell?s, and why this difference in compa-

nies matters. ?The Dell Chromebook has faster memory and more memory. The processor speed is great for multi- tasking programs, and the hard drive space is great for storing lots of information.?

More memory in a computer is a massive help to a Prep student?s life for homework and resources, and the new Dell?s offer that. see CHROMEBOOK p. 13

After the storm, the team worked to bring the boathouse and the area surrounding it back to its previous condition.

see BOATHOUSE p. 3

2 | News | The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 Table of Contents

News: 1-5

Features: 6-7

A L etter from the Editor s Dear Hawkeye readers,

Enter tainment: 8-16

Op/Deb: 17

Spor ts: 18-20

A L etter from Student Council President, Andrew Flanagan '22 Dear Students,

We truly stand on the shoulders of giants as the current leaders of this publication. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to continue the historic tradition that is The Hawkeye and bring to you Volume XLVII. We are so happy to be back in the building with you all and to make the steps back toward normalcy together. No online class could compare the feelings and sense of brotherhood that being in the Prep brings. As we make this transition we will continue to uphold our promises of keeping ourselves, the school, and each other accountable as we investigate, report, and deal with the everchanging world that has become our norm.

To us, that means remaining a publication that students can trust to not only learn from, but can use to express their own voices. Criticisms, differing points of view, and new ideas are what make not only the paper but the entire school a better place.

Throughout our issues last year we covered a wide range of topics from philosophy to Barstool to internet radicalization and we intend to do the same this year.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is unchanging and we aim to reflect that in the topics that we cover and how we cover them. We encourage everyone to come to a Hawkeye meeting and see for themselves the power of student journalism and the power of having a diverse staff.

Lastly, we would like to thank last year?s editors-in-chief Garrett McCloskey, Benicio Beatty, and Matt Bae. They guided us through a year unlike any other and taught us so much. We are truly grateful for the time we got to spend working with them and are so excited to see what they will accomplish in the future.

Be safe, stay healthy, and Go Prep!

Sincerely, Murphy Bonner, Stephen Cain, and Bobby Woltjen

After returning to a fully in-person school year after a chaotic, virtual year, I can feel the excitement that the Prep is returning to normalcy. The energy around school is definitely up, and I hope we can keep that momentum going until we are completely back to the old ways. I want to thank all of you for putting your trust in me to restore our school to regularity this year.

I can confidently say that the executive board, as well as all of the class representatives, are working tirelessly to keep this dream alive.

With my four years of student council experience, I know which problems to address, how to fix them, which people to talk to, and most importantly, how to speed up the process. I have been in contact with the administration all summer to make sure that we have a safe and healthy return to school to ensure that we stay fully in-person. I am currently working with alumni to accomplish my campaign promise of connecting more of the student body with alumni and growing our already fantastic social network. I have already scheduled meetings and put mandatory checks into action this year to properly address the mental health issues the Prep student body has undergone.

I want to thank the student council moderator, Mr. Brown ?98, for stepping up these past few years, especially during the unforeseen closures due to COVID-19, and being a rock for the whole student council board. He has been leading meetings throughout the summer and has held us accountable for various activities, fundraisers, service opportunities, and countless other endeavors we take care of during the year. Frankly, without Mr. Brown?s leadership, we, as a school, would not be where we are right now.

Now, my brothers, let?s make this a year to remember. We are striving for more student involvement in administration than ever before, so speak up for what you think deserves to be heard.

There is no better time for change than now. Go and do great things?

Best, Andrew Flanagan ?22

The Hawkeye | Monday October 4, 2021 |

Prep Crew Boathouse Flooded

by Hur r icane I da

News | 3

New Gar dening Club Blossoms

By Jared Alicea '22 While the Prep?s Gardening Club is fairly new, it has already done a great amount of service. The vacant lot, turned garden, is the brainchild of Andrew Sergovic '22, founding president of the gardening club, who wanted to experiment with urban gardening.

The garden was then brought to life by not only Sergovic, but also Ms. McGlynn, Ms. Weed, and a small group of other students on 16th and Cabot.

An estimated $1 million in damages due to 8-9 foot flooding (pictured above) from Hurricane Ida in early September has caused the Prep crew team to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming fall season.

By Stephen Cain ?22 Heading into the fall season, it?s safe to say that Prep Crew was on a roll.

After winning the PCL championship in April, and both the City Championship and the Stotesbury Cup in early May, the Hawks refused to keep their success confined to the local sphere: as the Varsity 8 triumphed in the USRowing Youth National Championship in early June, which was the first time Prep Crew had accomplished this feat.

But then Hurricane Ida stopped them right in their tracks.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, September 2nd, water from the Schuylkill River picked up by Hurricane Ida came bursting into the boathouse at a level of around 8- 9 feet. (This amount of flooding was 6 feet higher than the boathouse has ever experienced).

Recounting the amount of damage caused by this kind of

flooding is like reading off a laundry list of things either destroyed, lost, or severely damaged. It is estimated that the boathouse incurred over $1 million in damages. ?We lost a lot,? said Head Crew Coach John Fife ?98. ?The dock and ramp are completely gone. The steel fence was ripped out. Three of our coaching motorboats are completely gone; another one was found in the Delaware River which we were able to salvage.

Two of our racing eights were crushed by the water pressure pushing them up against steel racks above them. Three of our racing pairs are also destroyed.

We lost around $12,000 in electronics. Our ice machine and freezer were also destroyed.?

Even though the team had two restoration companies arrive at the boathouse immediately after the flood to clean up roughly 3-4 inches of mud and other bits of debris, a lot of work still needed to be done.

However, another natural disaster meant another opportunity for the Prep crew team to

show their excellent teamwork skills and overall resiliency, as members of the team, their parents, and coaches came down that Saturday after the flood to clean our boats, equipment and all of our spare parts.

The crew team has also stayed sharp on their skills, as they continued both erging and lifting while the boathouse was undergoing its cleanup process.

The team was also able to reach a temporary agreement with UPenn and the Philadelphia Park Department. This allowed the team to row out of the west side of the Schuylkill where Penn usually conducts their rowing practices. Finally, a temporary dock has been put in place at the Prep?s boathouse, and plans for a permanent dock replacement are set to be completed in January. ?Although we did suffer some major flooding and damages to our boathouse, as well as losing our dock, I do not think that this will have a huge impact on our fall season,? said coxswain Kevin Greed ?22. ?We have found ways to work

around the damages and continue to row and train for our upcoming races.? ?Honestly the flood won't have much of an effect on our season, we are a team that faced constant hurdles over the last 3 years and still found success, and this is just going to be another we keep our heads down and work through,? said Michael Zsembik ?22. ?This setback did take away many of our amazing assets, but I already see the devotion of effort that the guys on the team put into this sport and how everyone is working their hardest to improve,? said Captain Thomas Cullen ?22. ?Our team will come out strong as we always do and this is only a minor setback in our long journey throughout the season.

Yeah Prep!?

While dealing with a hurricane and its severe consequences would overwhelm other crew programs across the country, it?s a certainty that the Prep crew team will always rise above.

Class of '25 Over view By Quinn Holden '25: As the new school year begins and yet another freshman class . embar ks on their Prep exper ience, The Hawkeye takes a look at the geogr aphic and religious make-up of the class of 2025.

However, the Gardening Club is not only about gardening, it is also a club that puts an emphasis on community and service. The produce harvested from the garden is donated either to the Prep?s grocery giveaway, or Philabundance. The Gardening Club was able to accomplish this very early on, and there are hopes to expand this endeavor in the near future.

The Hawkeye was able to sit down with student founder, Andrew Sergovic ?22, and moderator Ms. McGlynn to get information on this new club. ?We welcome anybody to come and learn, and be a part of it. That includes rolling up your sleeves,? said Ms. McGlynn when asked about how students could get involved. ?It will be time to plant again in November and December.

All students need to do to get involved is sign up on FlexTime Manager.?

4 | News | Monday October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

Farewell, M r. Woods After a year and a half of working as the Associate Campus Minister of Ignatian Service, Mr. Erick Woods is leaving the Prep to work at his alma mater Saint Joseph's University (SJU). Mr. Woods was one of the most motivated and impactful leaders in the Prep community. His leadership in Grocery Giveaways, Girard Corridor Cleanups, and Desks for Dads, and other activities, allowed the Prep to better itself and better the community. His absence will be felt by all those at the Prep but what he started will still continue on. After working to embody the Magis at the Prep, Woods is moving on to SJU where he can positively affect the Jesuit and greater Philadelphia community there as well.

To Woods, the impact he made on the Prep was never done alone. ?When I think about the impact I left on the Prep, I think back to all WE accomplished together,? said Mr. Woods. ?Over the past year and a half, students, parents, faculty, and staff members came together, with the sole purpose of serving those in need which demonstrated that WE have the ability to do great things for

our neighbors if we continue to work together and build on the foundation that was laid.?

His emphasis on the ?we? pushes us as a school to continue to help out those in need even though he is no longer here physically . His legacy will continue to push us to become seekers of what is needed not only in our school building, but our neighboring community as well. Mr. Woods?s influence has positively impacted so many in the community.

When asked if he enjoyed his job while here, he said, ?I greatly enjoyed my time at the Prep...I said this when asked before, there was not one day that felt like work, carrying out the responsibilities of my role was truly my pleasure and it was from the heart!?

Woods said, ?There are so many things about my Prep life that I miss, because it was so great to me, but the one thing that I miss the most was having my son visit my office during the day or at lunch, to talk or coming into school together the simple things.? This is something every Prep student can all relate to even though they don?t think about it everyday. Everybody misses things that they take for

(Photos: St. Joseph's Prep) (Photo: @sj prep_ignationser vice)

By M ichael Robak ?23

One of Mr. Woods largest projects which garnered the attention of local news stations was the 'Desks from Dads' project, in which students and their fathers built desks to donate them to school students.

granted while they are there like seeing family. This was another gift from Mr. Woods-seeing what God has provided us and feeling gratitude for our gifts.

Even though Mr. Woods is no longer working at the Prep, he will always be part of the Prep family, whether it be attending football games or coming to events with his son.

This dedication to the Prep even though he no longer works here will be remembered forever. Service is perhaps his biggest legacy. ?I would say that there are two aspects of service that I miss

the most, the first being an opportunity to get to know all the great young men who volunteer to come out and serve.? he said, ?It was amazing to see how just a few hours of service could have a profound impact on a young man. Secondly, interaction with our neighbors and the opportunity to bring them just a little bit of joy and relief, albeit for a short time, will be something I miss dearly!?

Just because Mr. Woods is not here to drive students to participate in service any longer, certain things he pushed for in the past will be

remembered by all who had the blessing of working with him. He led events such as the Girard Corridor Cleanups, Grocery Giveaway and Desks for Dads where he built desks for those in need during the pandemic so they could comfortably engage in virtual school.

Mr. Woods, in just a short amount of time, has left a lasting impact on all of us. The entire Prep community is beyond grateful for the work Mr. Woods had done and wish him the best of luck with his new endeavors at SJU.

(Photo: St. Joseph's Prep)

A New Year and New Changes

The 2021-2022 St. Joe's Prep Faculty and Staff

from NEW p. 1 Sergovic ?22 said, ?I used to just spend time in community getting homework done. Now that it?s at the end of the day, I can go to clubs and activities much more often and do my homework at home instead.?

In the past, students signed up for community through the Adaptive Scheduler on the long- forgotten PowerSchool.

But with the change to Blackbaud (the Prep?s newer interface) a different option had to be found. A program called

FlexiSched became the substitute, which often crashed and created issues for students looking to get involved. The administration found a new program this year, which coincidentally happens to be called FlexTime (really creative).

Although, this system hasn?t been without flaws either. Students are able to sign up for meetings weeks in advance. As a result, all of the offerings have been filled up in advance.

Aidan Sweeney ?22 said, ?I?ve been trying to sign up for

activities I did in the past, like Stock Market Club. But everytime I go to sign up, it?s full!?

At the start of the school year, the Prep welcomed an array of new staff members to the school faculty. These additions include Mr. McCauley as the band director and music teacher, Mr. Campbell ?17 as a computer science teacher, Mr. Galante ?03 as a classics teacher, and Mr. Savage as a math teacher. Mr. Le has joined the college counseling team as Ms. Logan shifts to part time, and Father Steve

Surovick has returned to his former position as school priest. Mr. Marinacci also became the new President, and was formally installed on September 24th. (More on the new staff can be found in Features on page 6.)

A number of shifts that were made last year have stuck around.

One of these is that students are still able to go outside during their lunch period. The Student Council continues to use videos made by the candi-

dates to decide the winners of positions. Some teachers are continuing to use Blackbaud to dish out tests instead of printing them out. Of course, the mask policy is still in effect for the time being.

However, the formal dress code has returned and the Deans are cracking down on students with too lengthy hair.

The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 |

News| 5

Prep Theater Takes Center Stage

By M ax Nast '23

not only excited about the renovations but also cannot wait to perform in the new auditorium. When asked about his opinions regarding the remodeling of the theater, junior Victor Torres ?23 said, ?I'm so proud that I will hopefully be among the first senior class to perform in the new theater. I think that it will be an environment that is perfect for many many students and adults from the prep and beyond to embrace the fellowship of the Cape and Sword community.?

In a similar vein, junior Sean Angelucci '23 said, ?It?s going to make the experience in the audience and the experience on stage much more awesome.?

?I am over the moon that this is finally happening!? exclaimed Director Tony Braithwaite ?89 when asked about the upcoming theater renovations. Cape and Sword has always been one of the hallmarks of the Prep, with its outstanding renditions of hit broadway plays and musicals.

While the program was still able to thrive during the pandemic (thanks to the power of film) its auditorium is in need of a dire refresh. After the infamous fire of 1966 that burned the former Prep to the ground, a new theater was planned and built in 1967.

Shockingly, the auditorium hasn?t seen any upgrades since, and is in need of a new look.

Thankfully, renovations to the Prep?s campus are on track to begin in April, and the remodeling of the theater is set to begin right after the closing of the spring show: Something Rotten.

When asked about his opinion on the much needed up-

This spring, the Prep theater, along with other parts of the Prep's entryway, will undergo renovations which include new seats, carpets, and other upgrades to the facilities. Above is a 3-D model of what the upgrades will

grades, current stage manager Andrew Mizgerd ?22 said, ?Theater Renovations are long past due but I'm glad that they are finally happening and I hope the future generations are able to use them for many

years to come.?

Even though the current senior class won?t be able to enjoy the newly renovated theater, they will still get the opportunity to watch future Cape

and Sword productions on the newly redone Prep stage.

Although the current seniors won?t get to have the experience of performing on the new stage, the current juniors are

According to Mr. Braithwaite, the auditorium will be getting numerous additions/upgrades. New seats and carpets, a brand new broadway-style curtain, a quick change room, and a refresh of the dressing rooms will be just some of the new improvements that the Prep auditorium will receive this coming spring.

Newsom Wins Recall, Prep Alum Weighs I n

By Brennan Dillenbeck '24 California Governor Gavin Newsom has been in a struggle for his seat in American politics over the past few months.

In the past weeks, a largely partisan recall election has had Newsom on the ledge of being ousted against some Republican frontrunners like Larry Elder and Caitlyn Jenner.

The recall came largely as a result of voters? anger at some of the policies that Newsom

put in place throughout the pandemic like mask mandates and stay-at-home orders. These grievances along with a blunder in which Newsom was seen eating out with friends at a restaurant - breaking the COVID protocols that he set exacerbated previous grievances citizens had with the governor.

The front- running Republican was considered to be Larry Elder, an African- American radio host and right wing speaker. He refers to himself as ?The Sage of California'', and as of late has come into controversy for his views on

women?s rights. Arguably, the most famous candidate, Caitlyn Jenner describes herself as ?an economic conservative and social liberal?. She immediately drew comparisons to Arnold Schwarzenneger?s successful 2003 run for governor.

She fell almost completely out of the polls when she flew to LA for a week to film Big Brother. Some other big names that were running to replace Newsom were Kevin Kiley, who found trouble in Newsom?s use of executive orders during the pandemic, and Jeff Hewitt, a prominent California libertarian, and the most popular third party candidate during

the race.

Due to a large voter turnout amongst Democrat voters, the Newsom recall failed, and he retained his seat as governor.

This battle for position as a whole is symptomatic of the national fight for the American spirit as evidenced by the divisiveness of the recall and its split down party lines.

Nick Sylvester ?00, a Prep alumnus and concerned Californian citizen, believes that ?the next thirty years are a guaranteed hellscape at this point, especially in California, where we have wildfires, a water shortage, and a housing

crisis. Meanwhile you still have people who want to save a few hundred dollars on taxes and ?do their own research? on vaccines. Newsom isn?t perfect; no politician can afford to be. But I?m not sure this mockery of the civic process gets us anywhere better.?

These forewarnings of partisan battling and devastating disasters serve as a harbinger for the rest of the American people, showing that if partisan boundaries are not overcome, they will only serve to hurt America as a whole.

A Fare Tr ade: SEPTA M oves to Fare Car ds

By Aidan Williams '23

Here?s an example. If you only need to ride the train for three days next week, you can upgrade the pass for three days instead of paying for a full five days. This is a big benefit because it allows you to save money compared to last year?s TransPasses where you had to pay the full base price per week or month, regardless of how many swipes you actually were going to use.

You, a Prep student, stumble out of school after a long day of academic rigor, make your way to the nearest SEPTA station, and swipe your handydandy TransPass in order to get on the train and crash at home.

They have been a necessary part of how people get to school for years, up until now.

This year, SEPTA has introduced a fresh way of paying for buses, subways, and Regional Rail for Philadelphia student residents. The Student Fare Card has been administered to Philadelphia residents, and others, who had previously been eligible for the weekly TransPasses.

These cards have a few distinct and very major differ-

SEPTA introduces the new, permanent , and more flexible Key cards.

ences from the TransPasses of old. They are a permanent card, which means once you have yours, you?ll use it until you graduate (or lose it). They also use the tap feature at turnstiles and stations compared to the tedious swiping of the old

TransPasses.

Another benefit of the cards is that while you still need to pay on a weekly basis for them to include Regional Rails, you can now pay more or less depending on the amount of days of school you have that week.

A downside to the new cards is that they only work from 5:30 in the morning to 8:00 at night. This is an important caveat to keep in mind before you get stuck at Suburban Station overnight.

While this is a pretty big change for all students using the new SEPTA student fare cards, it is also a change for

Dean?s Assistant Helen Haban, who has been at the Prep since 2002. Before the TransPasses existed, the Finance Department would sell tokens for public transport.

It was when SEPTA started using the TransPasses that Ms. Haban began giving them out.

She has handed out the TransPasses to students for years on a monthly basis, ever since SEPTA started giving out the TransPasses. Now Ms. Haban only has to hand out a registered fare card one time. ?I?m going to miss seeing my TransPass friends,? said Ms. Haban.

If you have the time, stop by and greet her if she isn?t too busy.

6 | Features | Mondayt October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

Features Putting His Hear t into I t: Datto L eads Hear t Health I nitiative

However, the trajectory of Datto?s summer more accurately starts back in 2009. One fateful day, Datto went up to his Kindergarten teacher complaining of some pain in his chest, possibly heartburn. ?Then I went to my pediatrician,? says Datto, ?and he said, ?Oh, maybe he has lactose intolerance or something.? Then that didn?t work, so I went to a pediatric cardiologist and got diagnosed with WolffParkinson- White syndrome.?

This essentially meant that Caleb?s heart was beating out of rhythm. The condition often results in tachycardia, a medical term for an abnormally

named, died as an infant from an undetected condition similar

Many of the members of Caleb?s team of fifteen have also had personal experiences with heart arrhythmia.

around the area, including the Prep, have begun to hold dressdown days and the like to raise money for Simon?s Heart.

?Some got diagnosed at the [Simon?s Heart] screenings,?

Datto explained. ?Others had family members die from cardiac arrest.?

Datto intends to continue contributing to Simon?s Heart throughout his life, his ultimate aim being a heart screening as a part of every child?s annual checkup.

No matter the reason for becoming involved, the Simon?s Heart team is growing, as is a nationwide concern for heart conditions in children. People from as far as Florida have become a part of the organization. Meanwhile, schools

Hopefully someday this will be a reality. Then we can shift our attention to the mind, body, and soul, having taken care of the heart thanks to the advocacy of Datto and thousands of others.

Caleb Datto '22 was on Good Day Philadelphia on Fox29 this summer with Simon's Heart Executive Director, Jenn Parrado to teach hands only CPR and the chain of survival in the case of sudden cardiac arrest.

and, tragically, death.

Luckily for Datto, he had a special type of surgery called an ablation in 2016. ?It basically cured me.?

Stories like Datto?s are certainly cause for celebration, but they are unfortunately all too rare. For instance, Simon, for whom Simon?s Heart is

to Datto?s. Since 2019, Datto has served as a lead ambassador for the group, ensuring that more and more kids with heart arrhythmia receive the medical attention they need.

According to Datto, this objective is accomplished through screenings, education, and the placement of AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in schools.

(Photo: Caleb Datto '22)

Jesuit education entails care for the whole person- - cura personalis- - including heart, mind, body, and soul. This summer Caleb Datto ?22 put that philosophy to practice, focusing particularly on care for the heart with the organization Simon?s Heart, which raises awareness for cardiac arrest in children.

fast heartbeat. Sometimes it has led to sudden cardiac arrest

(Photo: Caleb Datto '22)

By Daniel Deeney ?22

In the news segment, Datto and Parrado taught CPR on dodgeballs.

Simon's Heart promotes teaching hands-only CPR on a basketball, dodgeball, or soccer ball to emphasize how easy CPR can be.

Deeney Br ings Talents to Ber klee

By Caleb Datto '22

and self-awareness.

This summer, Daniel Deeney ?22 was honored with a full scholarship to attend Berklee Aspire, a five week music performance intensive program in Boston that has international prestige. In April, Deeney submitted his application for the scholarship, which included playing two improvisation pieces on his main instrument, the vibraphone, as well as a variety of scales.

Deeney is a well- rounded percussionist, playing the snare drum, the drumkit, and the vibraphone. Since middle school, he has participated in the Philadelphia All Catholic Honors Band and the Archdiocesan Jazz Band, sitting first chair.

While there, Deeney was able to play with musicians from around the world. Some of his peers came from South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to participate in this unique program that hosted approximately 700 musicians. ?What I enjoyed most was being able to play in an improvisational manner,? said

(Photo: Dan Deeney '22)

The program started in midJuly with courses in music theory, musicianship, ear training, sight reading, and technique labs. He had the opportunity to participate in ensembles that had live- streamed performances.

Dan Deeney '22, known for his academic accolades and role as the Prep Hawk, was awarded a full scholarship to take part in a music program at Berklee Aspire over the summer as a percussionist

Deeney. ?It was amazing to finally be back in a music room with such talented musicians and be able to just play along with others. I learned the importance of having a good ear:

being able to transcribe something I heard and recognize the progression and distance between notes.?

This

aspect

of

his

musicianship-- being cognizant of his impact on the ensemble and being able to analyze the development of a piece- - are skills that cross over from music into Deeney?s relationships

Deeney is an integral part of the Prep?s music department.

Two years ago, he set up a Christmas performance for Prep musicians to perform at Villa St. Joseph, a nursing home in Darby, PA. He hopes to continue this tradition and see how the Prep?s music department can impact school spirit and bring the Prep community closer.

He plans to audition for the Archdiocesan Jazz Band again this year and play at the Kimmel Center in April 2022.

From this final high school performance and through wherever life takes him, Deeney hopes to keep music in his life forever.

The Hawkeye | Monday October 4, 2021 |

Features| 7

Prep Welcomes Fir st L ay Pres.

MARI NACCI from p. 1 to not focus on what they lost in the past and what lay uncertain in the future (this).

How did Marinacci, the first lay-person President in the history of the Prep, get ?here??

While he is not a priest, Marinacci has been a part of Jesuit communities nearly his entire life. After graduating from Fordham Prep and attending Loyola University Maryland, Marinacci began his role as a highschool teacher at his alma mater. Throughout his career, he has taken on many different roles - coach, dean of students, principal - across Jesuit schools from New York to Maryland.

The question of why he kept coming back to Jesuit institutions is a no- brainer for Marinacci. ?Why wouldn't I want to get back to the environments that helped me create those [lifelong relationships]? It's where I was formed and where I was most fulfilled so I am greedily going back.?

The Prep, like many other Catholic institutions in recent years, has chosen a lay-person as president of the school for the first time in its history.

With that decision comes ?a responsibility that I am quite aware of? to be a leader who embodies Jesuit values without being a Jesuit. ?I think I have to be very intentional in my faith life and very intentional about how I practice it and [have a] willingness to be very public about it,? said Marinacci.

In his unique position, Marinacci also sees ways in which

his vocation can aid his work. ?I get to bring to that something my predecessors never got to bring to [the position of president] before, my role as a husband and a father,? said Marinacci. ?I get to be a model in a different way.?

You may have missed it with all that was going on at the end of the year last year, but The Hawkeye came out with a brand new website. This new site serves as a replacement for the Issuu platform. Since it was introduced at the end of the year, it wasn?t heavily utilized, but with a new year of issues ahead, the website will look to be more fully utilized this year.

The Hawkeye web committee was appointed in May of 2021 to focus on the general upkeep of the website and to publish new articles regularly.

The main purpose of the website is to make reading articles online easier than it is on Issuu, which only publishes The Hawkeye via PDF. Arti-

Marinacci also aims to improve aspects of the Prep outside of the building. He said, ?we?re a great school but we have a lot of challenges: field space, transportation, and things like that. We have to address some of those in a more long-term way.?

To many students, the roles and responsibilities of a president are largely unclear. ?I actually don?t know what the President does,? said Nicholas Bedrosian ?22.

To Marinacci, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He said, ?for a student, on a day to day basis, I should have a very low impact on what your day to day experience is here other than you knowing that I care about you. My number one job is to set a strategy for the school both short term and long term.?

Mr. John Marinacci, 33rd president of St. Joseph' s Prep and the first lay president, seen above.

?I think there's a lot of room out there for us to go back [to] becoming leaders as [a] Jesuit institution and modeling the way for other schools? ? Mr. John Marinacci.

President of St. Joe's Prep While his focus is on the big picture of the Prep, Marinacci aims to have a visible presence to all students and be available to them. That is why he chose to move his office from the 2nd floor of J-Hall to the Admissions Offices - a spot closer to students and classrooms. He is seen most mornings greeting students at the door and often walking the halls, popping his head in on many classes. He said his success comes from,

New Hawkeye Website!

By Jake Wisniewski ?23

the For Others Forever campaign. After that, classrooms in Villiger Hall are set to be updated.

?building relationships - getting to know people - and you can?t do that if you?re not around. I get to walk around, see what?s going on, shoot over to games and all that stuff . It?s awesome [because] I feel alive in schools.?

role as ?very outward facing.

It's a lot of engagement with a lot of constituents - parents, alums, friends of the Prep.?

While only a few months into the position, Marinacci is already developing a strategy for improving not only the physical aspects of the Prep, but also its ability to create a diverse environment that positions it as a leader amongst Jesuit schools.

Starting this April, construction will begin on the McShain Library and the front entryway to create more common spaces for students as part of

Amidst all of the plans Marinacci has in store for the Prep, he looks forward to stability. ?I think there's been a lot of turnover. I think you?re going to see stability which automatically allows things to move forward.?

Through all of the proposed and current internal and external changes, Marinacci is guided by an overall goal of ?sustainability and growth for St. Joe?s Prep.? ?That is my number one goal in our mission, in our place in Philadelphia, and making sure we're here for another 170 years.?

Marinacci works with a team of people representing all the different aspects of the school admissions, academics, finance, marketing, students, and more. Marinacci describes the

M eet M r. Galante '03

By Antoine Robinson ?24

room.

Before coming to the Prep, Galante served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Executive Field Artillery Officer and taught Latin at Agnes Irwin School and Lincoln High School, both located in the Philly area.

Another benefit of the website is that it will be easier to see pictures that go along with each article. Previously with Issuu, pictures would be difficult to see, but with the new website, pictures will appear much larger on-screen.

The Prep welcomed a slew of new teachers in the community this year, one of those teachers being Mr. Dominic Galante ?03. He is a new addition to the Latin department, teaching Latin II. Galante comes from Collingswood, New Jersey, and now lives in Philadelphia.

He first came to the Prep in 2003 as a student, where he participated in crew and the debate team. He later went to St. Joseph's University, where he studied Latin and then on to the University of Penn where he received a master?s degree in Ancient History.

Articles will be posted to the website at around the same time the physical print issue is released. All of the previous issues of The Hawkeye are still available on Issuu and can be accessed on the ?archive? page on the website.

Galante?s interest in Latin sparked because he thought of it as a puzzle. As he continued his studies, he read Roman literature and took interest in how people lived their lives in ancient Rome. Now, he takes that love of Latin to the class-

cles are grouped by section.

So, let?s say you want to read a particular news article. Instead of sifting through the clunky Issuu interface, you can simply go to the news section, and find it right there.

Guided by the Jesuit ethos of being contemplatives in action, Marinacci sees the Prep, ?back to being a national and international presence in the Jesuit schools, both educationally and as an impact program.? ?I think there's a lot of room out there for us to go back [to] becoming leaders as [a] Jesuit institution and modeling the way for other schools,? said Marinacci.

?One of the biggest changes to the school is the use of Jesuit Hall,? said Galante.

During his time at the Prep, that part of the building had not been used for classes yet.

Despite any physical changes the school has undergone, the feeling of being in the Prep has not changed.

Neither have it?s Jesuit values, a piece of the Prep that has stuck with Galante throughout his life. Some of the other aspects of the Prep that drew Galante back to his alma mater were its commitments to acad-

emic excellence and social justice.

As for plans for his future in the Prep community, currently Mr. Galante is not involved in any clubs, but plans on becoming more involved.

8 | Entertainment

| Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

Entertainment Spider-M an No Way Home Tr ailer Breaks I nter net

Playlists at the Prep Often lost in the sauce is the fact that teachers and StuCo officials are real people, too? people who listen to music. In this recurring segment, The Hawkeye features songs from a faculty member's playlist. Consider adding these to your own playlist!

Compiled By M aximus Nast '23

(Photo: imdb.com)

Fr. Surovick, SJ 1.

The long awaited trailer for the third installment of the MCU?s Spider- Man is here.

With fan rumors going wild before and after the release of the trailer, Spider- Man: No Way Home has been highly anticipated to be one of the greatest superhero films of all time.

But our expectations were almost minimal before a contract dispute almost ended Spider- Man?s tenure in the MCU. Sony and Marvel have had a history of altering changes which allowed Marvel to keep Tom Holland as Spidey for the rest of his contract under the split deal, but the negotiations between the two companies have been consistently fringe.

That did not stop the hype for Spider- Man: No Way Home, though. As of today, the first trailer accumulated a total view count of 355.5 million views, surpassing Avengers: Endgame that had 289 million.

The first trailer shows that the plot of the movie involves Peter trying to prove his innocence after an edited video by the villain Mysterio was posted. Peter then seeks out Benedict Cumberbatch?s Doctor Strange hoping to find a spell that would make the entire world forget that his identity was ever leaked.

In doing this, Peter accidentally tampers with the spell that

seems to release villains from other Spider- Man universes into his own. The first villain we see teased is Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin, when his laugh is heard in the background of a scene. The money shot of the trailer shows the long awaited and already confirmed return of Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus. Jamie Foxx, although not in the trailer, will also reprise his role as Electro from the The Amazing Spider-Man movies.

Heavily rumored among fans is that Tobey Maguire will come back to play Sam Raimi?s original movie SpiderMan, and Andrew Garfield reprise his Spidey role as well.

Even more villains are rumored to come back to form Spider- Man?s classic Sinister Six, with a possible return of Thomas Haden-Church to play Sandman or even John Cena.

I interviewed fellow Prep Junior Liam Dubas ?23 for his feelings and he had this to say: ?I feel like it's going to be good. I mean I think I'm going to be a little confused on the timeline but yeah it looks good.? Coming off of 2019?s Spider- Man: Far From Home and the arrival of Marvel?s Phase 4, Spider- Man: No Way Home is looking to be the most ambitious live- action SpiderMan movie yet, and the massive fan reactions that the first trailer caused is proof enough that the hype for the December 17 release is strong.

1.

Br uce Spr ingsteen 2. Tenth Avenue Fr eeze- Out

After all the hype, the trailer for the highly anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer surpassed 300 million views on social media.

By Andrew Wenger ?23

Thunder Road

Andrew Flanagan '22 Dave Matthews Band 2. Bar e Foot Blue Jean Night

Br uce Spr ingsteen 3.

Summer, Highland Falls

Jake Owen 3.

Billy Joel 4. And So It Goes

Allentown

4. Fr ee Bir d Lynyrd Skynyrd 5.

Billy Joel

7.

6. Dance Her Home Cody Johnson Band

Love and Luck Jimmy Buffet

8. Tr eat Her Like A Lady Jimmy Buffet 9. Bad, Bad Ler oy Br own Jim Croce 10. Livin' On A Pr ayer Bon Jovi 11. Dead or Alive Bon Jovi 12. The Boxer Simon & Gar funkel 13. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyar d Paul Simon 14. Least Complicated Indigo Girls 15. Power of Two Indigo Girls

Steal My Kisses Ben Har per and the Innocent Cr iminals

6. A Pir ate Looks At For ty Jimmy Buffet

Dr ink In My Hand Er ic Church

Billy Joel 5.

Ants Mar ching

7.

Hustler 's Ambition 50 Cent

8. Her oes David Bowie 9. Levels Avicii 10. The Boys Ar e Back In Town Thin Lizzy 11. Beast of Bur den Rolling Stones 12. Center fold The J. Geils Band 13. Old Time Rock and Roll Bob Seger 14. All Falls Down Kanye West 15. Take The Money And Run Steve Miller Band

The Hawkeye | Monday October 4, 2021 |

Entertainment | 9

Alicia's Top 5 2021 Albums 1. CALL ME I F YOU GET LOST - Tyler The Creator - Tyler the Creator takes the top spot on this list with his latest release. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST runs the gamut in terms of production, giving both hard 808s and soft melodies. If you want to blow out your car speakers in the senior lot, then give ?LEMONHEAD? a spin. In the mood for a slow jam? Try out ?SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE.? The best part of the album might be Philadelphia native DJ Drama yelling and ad libbing over almost every song.

Tyler was finally able to get his Gangsta Grillz mixtape moment with this album, and he made the most of it. Anyone who enjoyed the album might like the older Gangsta Grillz mixtapes like Meek Mill?s Dreamchasers 1 or Dreamchasers 2 or Lil Wayne?s The Dedication.

2. COLOURS - PARTYNEXTDOOR - Ever wonder how artists like Drake and Rihanna push out hit song after hit song after hit song? A lot of it can be credited to PARTYNEXTDOOR. If you don?t believe me, just go and check his writing credits. You will be amazed.

COLOURS is a combination of two of PARTYNEXTDOOR?s old mixtapes under the same name. He delivers dark vocals and production that you won?t find anywhere else. The writing on ?RENDEZVOUS'' makes you emotional about a relationship that you haven?t even been in. That is the level of the writer PARTY is. If you end up enjoying COLOURS you might also enjoy... more PARTYNEXTDOOR. Go listen. Thank me later.

3. Jubilee - Japanese Breakfast - Japanese Breakfast uses a mix of electronic and acoustic sounds that come together beautifully on Jubilee. The album contains a lot of great songs and highlight moments, but there is one song that cements the album on this list: ?Be Sweet?. The second song on the album will grab you by your soul and pull you on the dance floor. The synth combines with Japanese Breakfast?s voice perfectly, creating a sound reminiscent of the 80s. I can picture Elvira and Tony Montana dancing to ?Be Sweet? in Miami every time it plays.

4. 42 - Sech - Sech is a Panamanian artist with a lot of potential. His album, 42, falls into a fairly a new genre called Urbano Latino. If you haven?t heard of it, you might want to get acquainted. 42 contains a mix of reggaeton and latin trap beats that will make you want to get up and dance even if you don?t understand the lyrics. Sech?s smooth vocals are passionate and confident throughout the whole project, and I am excited to see what he does next. If you end up liking the album, check out Bad Bunny or Rauw Alejandro.

5. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish - Billie Eilish surprised me in a big way with her latest project, Happier Than Ever. Eilish doesn?t shy away from her classic vocals, but her sound has developed, and it works well. ?Billie Bossa Nova,? ?GOLDWING,? and ?Lost Cause? were the stand out tracks for me. They do a good job at showing the more upbeat theme of the project. If you enjoyed Happier Than Ever, then you might enjoy music by alternative artist Ambar Lucid.

Honor able M entions: Vince Staples - Vince Staples, Trust the Sopranos: 83 Miami Edition - Benny the Butcher and 38 Spesh

Bir kmire's Beats - Summer of M usic

By Colin Bir kmire ?23

such as Young Thug?s ?Ticktock? off of his upcoming second studio album Punk!, which is due for an October release.

The song was first previewed at Rolling Loud Miami in July and was teased at a few other festival performances before being officially released in full in August. The track encapsulates everything there is to love about Young Thug and gives a great preview of what listeners can expect from the new album next month.

Summer 2021 brought a ton of new and highly anticipated releases, from Drake and Kanye, to Billie Eilish and Lorde. While some lived up to the hype, others didn?t,so this will be a guide to determine which summer albums and singles are worth listening to, and which ones you can pass on.

The tail end of the summer saw Kanye West and Drake release their massively hyped albums Donda and Certified Lover Boy to commercial success, and a beef to go with it.

Donda?s rollout was tumultuous, with the album being previewed at three different listening parties in two different stadiums in Atlanta and Chicago (as well as an invite only one in Las Vegas). The album was delayed for most of July and August, and finally dropped on the quiet Sunday morning of August 29th.

While there are many great ideas and great songs on the album, like fan favorites ?Off the Grid? and ?Hurricane,? the album lacks cohesion and some tracks feel slightly unfinished or roughly mixed. Still, the album is worth listening to and the hype around the release will be remembered for years to come.

In comparison, Drake?s album felt really underwhelming, and while there are a few

Another single released this past summer was The Weeknd?s ?Take My Breath,? which is supposedly off of an upcoming album. The song carries over the ?80s synth sound of his last album After Hours and makes it more danceable and upbeat, making for the perfect pop single.

The music of summer '21 was big for music, as Baby Keem (above left), Drake (above right), Trippie Redd (bottom left), and The Weeknd (bottom right) all dropped new albums.

tracks that could be radio hits and a few standouts like ?Way 2 Sexy? and ?Knife Talk? none really stand out and the album makes for one of Drake?s weakest.

An artist who did not drop their weakest album, but instead a return to form, was Trippie Redd with his long overdue album Trip At Knight, which included the two hit singles ?Miss the Rage? featuring Playboi Carti and ?Holy Smokes? featuring Lil Uzi Vert.

The album also boasts features from Juice Wrld, Sofaygo, and Drake, whose verse started a controversy after he allegedly called out Kanye.

This is one of Trippie Redd?s best projects in years and is definitely worth a listen.

Lorde dropped her longawaited album Solar Power, her first since 2016?s acclaimed Melodrama, to mediocre reception. While the album isn?t necessarily bad, the songs are pretty easygoing compared to the sound of her

other works, which makes this album come off as lackluster.

This and the fact that the wait for this album was nearly five years caused for a bad combination.

Billie Eilish on the other hand, dropped her sophomore album titled Everything I Wanted, which further solidified her popstar status and proved that she can continue to put out quality music for years to come.

Some great singles were released this summer as well,

Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar also released ?Family Ties,? the single off of Baby Keem?s recent album, The Melodic Blue, at the end of the summer to commercial and critical success, showcasing Keem as a rising talent and Kendrick getting back to doing what he does best. While there were many great new releases this past summer, the fall and winter have many more exciting releases in store, such as Travis Scott?s longawaited album Utopia, A$AP Rocky?s All Smiles, and maybe even a Kendrick Lamar album, and hopefully they will live up to the hype.

10 | Entertainment | Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

Get to K now the Editor s

Mur p hy Bonn e r '2 2

S t ep he n Ca in '2 2

Bobby Wolt j e n '2 2

L uke G a lla g he r '2 3

L ia m Hold e n '2 3

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Co- Junior Managing Editor

Co- Junior Managing Editor

Aid e n An d e r son '2 2

Ca leb D a t t o '2 2

D a n L a w '2 3

D a n D e e ney '2 2

Br e nd a n D oug he r t y '2 2

News Editor

Features Editor

Entertainment Editor

Opinion/Debate Editor

Sports Editor

Hometown?Grade school?

MB: Havertown / Haverford Middle School SC: Yardley / St. Ignatius of Antioch BW: Moorestown / William Allen MS LG: Bryn Mawr / Waldron Mercy Academy LH: Elkins Park / Ancillae-Assumpta Academy

What clubs/sports do you partake in?

MB: Rugby, The Hawkeye, JSA, Philosophy Discussion Club, Writing Lab, Men for All Committee SC: Varsity Golf, WSJP, The Hawkeye, and the Writing Lab BW: The Hawkeye, History Club, Mock Trial, Forensics, Pax Christi, Church Choir, and the Men for All Committee LG: Tennis, The Hawkeye, Student Council, Travis Manion Foundation, JSA, Mission and Ministry

What was your f avorite thing you did this Summer?

MB: Spent time with friends, lifeguarding, playing rugby

What was your f avorite class at the Prep?

SC: Volunteered for the First Tee and taught some intercity kids how to play golf

MB: Honors English II with Whelan

BW: Lots of reading, spending time with friends, and writing LG: Had some nice spikeball rallies on the beach and became friends with the Heaven test guy (I?m on track) on the OCNJ boardwalk LH: Aimless adventures with my friends, cliche as that sounds.

BW: Honors English II with Mr. Whelan

AA: Volleyball, Hawkeye, Gardening Club, Writing Lab, Entrepreneurship Club, Travis Manion, Trivia Club

AA: I spent the summer cooking it up at Sunset Pier Restaurant and shredding waves on my surfboard.

LG: Honors English I with Coyle

CD: Mission and Ministry, Band, Cape and Sword

CD: College Road Trip

DL: The Hawkeye, Mock Trial Crimson, Cape & Sword, Film & TV Discussion, Improv Club, Harry Potter Club

DL: I got a job at the Ocean City NJWaterpark selling Dippin Dots, lemonade, and pretzels

LH: Honors English I with Mr. Coyle

LH: Student Council, The Hawkeye, Cape and Sword, and Breaking Barriers.

AA: Newtown Square DD: Concert Band, Jazz Band, Forensics, Mission and Ministry, DD: Playing music! / St. Anastasia Hawkeye

CD: Wyncote, PA. Ancillae-Assumpta Academy

SC: Whelan Honors English II

BD: Worked at Anthony?sRistorantein Sea Isle all summer and BD: Cross Country, Baseball, WSJP, Hawkeye, Trust the Process, earned a lot of money Concert Band, Jazz Band

DL: Broomall (Marple) / St. Pius X

AA: Honors English II with Whelan CD: APHUG DL: Either Honors English I with Mr. Coyle or Chemistry with Mr. Kelly

DD: Lansdowne / Holy Child Academy

DD: Honors Greek II

BD: Havertown, PA / Waldron Mercy

BD: English I with Mrs. Sullivan

Name a game show that you would win.

What is your go-to Wawa Order?

MB: TheCircle

MB: Buffalo chicken anything

SC: TheBachelorette

SC: Shorti Pepperoni and Cheese

MB: Conan O?Brien

MB: ?Honest?- Baby Keem

BW: Jeopardy!

BW: Italian hoagie and chips

SC: Kanye West

SC: ?Save Your Tears?by The Weeknd

LG: Jeopardy! (my family has Jeopardy in our DNA)

LG: A quart-sized chocolate milk, an everything bagel and a mac and cheese and pepperoni sandwich

BW: John Oliver

BW: "Happier Than Ever" - Billie Eilish

LG: CJWeipz on WSJP March Madness Talk Shows

LG: ?Up Up & Away?- Kid Cudi

LH: Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman AA: Jeopardy!

CD: Jeopardy!

LH: An XL Blue Raspberry ICEE AA: Cheesesteak Panini with hot honey, avocado, and bacon. With a bag of Zapp?s Voodoo chips and a drink.

CD: Italian Hoagie

DL: Total Drama Island(and all its sequels)

DL: BBQ Chicken Sandwich

DD: TheMaskedSinger

DD: Quesadilla

BD: Deal or NoDeal

BD: Penne with meatballs and garlic bread

Who is your f avorite What is your f avorite song media personality? right now?

LH: Neil Gaiman AA: Kanye CD: Oprah Winfrey DL: Danny DeVito!

DD: Dick Cavett BD: Kid Cudi

LH: ?Live In Living Color?by Aaron Tveit AA: ?Melatonin?- A Tribe Called Quest CD: ?Clocks?by Coldplay DL: ?One Wish?by Stevie Wonder DD: ?For Art?s Sake?by Kenny Garrett BD: ?m y . l i f e?- J. Cole (ft. 21 Savage)

The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 |

Entertainment | 11

The Retur n of Pro Wrestling

By M atteo DeJesse '24 To say that professional wrestling is not popular anymore would be a completely false statement. The business has had a cult following for many years. However, a large majority of viewers have stopped tuning in to watch any sort of wrestling due to the annoyance of increasingly kidfriendly programming, courtesy of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE for short and f.k.a. the WWF).

After decades of dominating mainstream professional wrestling, the WWE has gotten so stale and repetitive that choosing to skip any WWE show would probably be saving oneself a good two or three hours of boredom.

Whether it?s due to poorly scripted dialogue during promos (promotional interviews) or confusing booking decisions that lead to a majority of matches ending in either a disqualification, distraction, or the dreaded roll- up pin finish, WWE is no longer fun to watch. However, a new company known as All Elite Wrestling has given die- hard fans the epitome of what professional wrestling should be and has created a global phenomenon.

All Elite Wrestling, or AEW, was first announced on January 1, 2019, following the success of the self-funded, independent pay- per- view All In in September 2018. The event was notable for being the first nonWWE or World Championship Wrestling (WCW) promoted professional wrestling event in the United States to sell over 10,000 tickets since 1993.

The masterminds behind the event were the wrestlers known as The Young Bucks, a high-flying tag team consisting of brothers Matt and Nick Jackson, as well as Cody Rhodes, the son of former World Champion Dusty

Rhodes. Four months after the event, Cody and The Young Bucks, along with several other wrestlers, left the independent promotion known as Ring of Honor. They had a vision for what they thought professional wrestling should be and with the backing of billionaire businessmen and owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shahid and Tony Khan, AEW was made into a reality.

AEW and WarnerMedia debuted on the weekly primetime show, called Dynamite, airing live on TNT, the network that formerly had broadcast WCW's Monday Nitro during the Monday Night Wars (WWE?s Raw vs WCW?s Nitro in ratings supremacy; 1995?2001). The program reportedly averaged 1.409 million viewers, making it the largest television debut on TNT in five years.

From that point on, AEW has produced twelve pay-per-views to record-high sales, expanded its television programming to two weekly prime- time shows (Dynamite on Wednesday nights and Rampage on Friday nights) and two YouTube shows (Dark on Tuesday nights and Dark Elevation on Monday nights), and has also introduced a toy line of action figures for young fans to play with and collectors to collect and sell. In fact, in 2020, TV Guide listed Dynamite at 57 of the top 100 shows on cable television.

AEW is also a diverse platform, serving all genres of wrestling such as old school tag team wrestling, comedy wrestling, high flying, over the top spots (a scripted move or series of moves), hardcore deathmatches, and so on, with long term and interweaving story arcs adding drama and personal stakes to the actual matches.

This is made possible by their equally diverse and talented roster (veterans like

All Elite Wrestling, announced in 2019, seeks to rejuvenate excitement around professional wrestling through its diverse roster and different approach at business than its competitor the WWE.

Sting, Chris Jericho, and Christian Cage along with rising stars like Darby Allin, Sammy Guevera, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman) along with the creative freedom they're given. AEW is also better at utilizing the full extent of their roster, shuffling them across multiple shows as opposed to leaving them on the shelf. This also means that each week, we get to see new matchups and stories which makes every episode interesting and not repetitive like an episode of Monday Night Raw. Other new wrestlers like Orange Cassidy, Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D., and Jungle Boy have ?gotten over? (or generated a connection with the fans) because they have been allowed to explore their characters and display their talents and abilities in the ring. They've also given a spotlight to veteran indie wrestlers such as Eddie Kingston, Colt Cabana, and Joey Janela, which all in all adds up to an exciting roster for the ages.

Meanwhile, WWE has been continuing to build the future of their roster through NXT, their developmental company

in Florida run by WWE C.E.O. Triple H (Paul Levesque).

However, whatever plans the creative team has are derailed by the opinion and dissatisfaction of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

McMahon is known to have a difference in opinion from fans and makes decisions on promoting a wrestler based on their size and appearance, not ability and popularity with the fans.

Rather than building new talent for future programming, McMahon has focused solely on bringing its older talent back for a ratings pop, which comes at the cost of under utilizing the fresh talent occupying its roster.

AEW, by contrast, has hired legends like Billy Gunn, Tully Blanchard, Jake ?The Snake?

Roberts, Paul Wight, and Mark Henry to train and springboard the next generation of wrestlers towards stardom.

AEW has changed the game on the business side of things by forming working relationships with outside wrestling companies such as the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), Impact Wrestling (f.k.a. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), Triple-A (Mexican promotion), and New Japan Pro- Wrestling.

The so-called ?forbidden door? has been opened, allowing for dream matches and crossovers to become a reality.

In doing so, the company also acknowledges a wrestler?s achievements, rivalries, and character growth outside of the established AEW continuity and having inter- promotional storylines going as far as defending and even changing hands of another promotions title on their show, most recently seen with the IWGP United States Heavyweight title.

Chris Jericho, a superstar in the world of professional wrestling, wears his championship belts in front of a screaming crowd after winning a match.

As further proof of how AEW has changed the world of professional wrestling, it can be summed up in just one name: CM Punk. CM Punk, or Phil Brooks, is arguably one of the most important figures in

the wrestling world who fans weren?t sure would ever return after being fired from WWE seven years ago on his wedding day. After years of anticipation, Punk decided it was time to lace up his boots and get back in the ring with AEW. On September 5, 2021, AEW presented the third edition of their All Out pay-per-view live from Chicago, Illinois, the hometown of CM Punk. The event has been reviewed and praised as ?the best pay- perview since WrestleMania 17? according to Cultahloic Wrestling. It was not just notable for CM Punk?s return match, but also for the debuts of fan favorites Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson (f.k.a.

Daniel Bryan in WWE). Both men are two former WWE wrestlers who left the company to pursue their own interests in the world of professional wrestling rather than what WWE has planned for them.

For the first time since the acquisition of WCW and ECW in 2001, WWE has a real competitor in AEW. To many, pro wrestling might just be fake fighting, but it still serves as extraordinary entertainment like movies and television shows.

AEW is an amusing commodity and I highly recommend watching it, especially for lapsed fans who've grown tired of the same old ?mainstream? wrestling in the past decade or so. Not everything AEW does may necessarily be your cup of tea, but I still think there's enough for everyone to like. It?s great for old and new fans alike to dive in and enjoy great action. So, what?s stopping you from watching?

(Photo : Aiden Anderson '22)

12 | Entertainment | Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

Space Jam: A New L egacy Review

By Brendan Dougher ty ?23

Johnson and the TNT crew broadcasting the basketball game.

Starting with the original movie, it primarily features former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan (a.k.a the greatest player to ever step on a court), accompanied by the Looney Tunes cast. In the movie, the owner of a theme park called Moron Mountain needs a new attraction, and his minions take the talents of NBA superstars when the Looney Tunes squad challenges them to basketball to keep them from becoming slaves at Moron Mountain.

Bugs Bunny steals Michael Jordan to be the Tune Squad?s star player, and in an epic game, the Tune Squad ultimately wins by one basket on a miraculous dunk.

Moving over to the new film, LeBron James, the current face of the NBA (and not the G.O.A.T.), is the star of the show, accompanied by the Looney Tunes once again. LeBron?s son, Dom, loves video games, and he even makes his own game. LeBron and Dom soon get kidnapped by a com-

(Photo : Warner Bros. Pictures)

It?s time, everyone. Space Jam: A New Legacy has been out since July 16, and we?ve had enough time to process it and begin comparing this film to the original Space Jam movie from 25 years ago.

Now, before I begin getting into this, we all must remember that these movies are specifically meant for kids.

They both have their flaws, of course, but the target audience is definitely younger than high schoolers.

In Space Jam: A New Legacy, LeBron James (pictured above) takes the place of Michael Jordan in the original Space Jam, leading to mixed reviews.

puter named Al-G Rhythm and are brought into the computer world. LeBron is thrown into the world of the Looney Tunes, and he has to go up against Dom in his own video game with the characters he made based on NBA and WNBA players. Dom ultimately joins his dad?s team and they beat Al- G and the computergenerated players.

When it comes to comparing the two, I think it is best to start with the casts. I personally think that the original movie?s cast is far superior.

Charles Barkley, Pat Ewing, Muggsy Bogues, Shawn Bradley, and Larry Johnson, all at the peak of their careers, have roles; the legendary Bill Murray also has a role as MJ?s teammate in the game, and there are even cameos from Larry Bird and Vlade Divac. I also think that the additional roles are well placed, like Michael?s manager, Stan, and the minimal role of Michael?s family.

Moving onto Space Jam 2, I have my fair share of nitpicks and critiques. First of all, why keep the names of LeBron?s other two children the same (Bronny and Zhuri) and change the name of the middle child to Dom when Bryce already exists? Second of all, if you?ve ever watched a Marvel movie featuring War Machine, you would have a hard time getting a grip on Don Cheadle being the ultimate villain, much like myself. (He?s just not an intimidating guy, to put it simply.)

Lastly, the accompanying roles of the professional athletes have no timeline of their own. In the original movie, they at least put some sort of significance on the players losing their ability to play basketball. In the new movie, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Diana Taurasi, and the Ogwumike sisters are basically glorified robots. An aspect of the casting that I do love, though, is Ernie

I think when it comes to the graphics and the animations of the movie, the newer movie is clearly better in that aspect.

The newer movie has such an emphasis on technology, and there are so many additional features from Dom?s video game that make it look much more technologically advanced. The original?s graphics are good for its time, but it will naturally look better 25 years later.

My last point, and the most important part, is the concept itself. Space Jam was such a creative idea that combined NBA legends with a legendary cartoon show, with the best player of them all being the star. The creativity was terrific: to bring a famous athlete into the cartoon world. On the other hand, I don?t find Space Jam: A New Legacy to be all that creative. It feels in part like a continuation of the original, but it isn?t like any actual references are made to Michael.

The Looney Tunes are talked about as if they?re ancient, and the build- up to the climax is long and boring. The antagonists are not threatening to me at all until the actual game comes, and even then, the threat of that villain just isn?t there like it is in the original, where you had these little creatures become massive monsters.

Something that I do actually really like about the newer movie is the gameplay at the

climax. The game is filled with fun visuals, and the Tune Squad is very Looney, Ernie?s play- by- play is terrific, and I think there is a cool moment between LeBron and Dom when they unite on the court.

The only part of the game that I don?t enjoy is the wacky point system. But other than that, I think the creativity here is really great.

Something that the original movie has that I don?t think the newer movie will ever match is the perfect sense of nostalgia.

It just has such a fun feel to it, and Michael does a terrific job as the lead actor. Bill Murray brings his comedic spice, which should never be taken for granted, and the Looney Tunes are just so fun. I think the remake just doesn?t have enough memorable moments in comparison, and it takes too much from the original to the point that it doesn?t feel like its own movie. Space Jam 2 definitely felt like a LeBron James money grab, and although he includes two WNBA players in the movie and a D1 college football player as his eldest son, which are both cool, we can all agree that it would have been more fun to see different people in these roles.

Overall, the new movie does not top the original by any means. The original is filled with so much nostalgia and the new movie doesn?t have enough of its own elements.

Not only is Michael Jordan a better player than LeBron, but it turns out he?s a better actor too!

L ights, Camer a, Str ike!

By Aiden Vallecillo ?22

was extended until September 10. That deadline passed without an agreement; however, negotiations continue. IATSE is hoping to secure fairer benefits, working hours, safety guidelines, and wages for workers as Hollywood is experiencing a sudden resurgence in activity following the relative shutdown from the COVID- 19 pandemic and the boom in online streaming services.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is a labor union representing more than 140,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the entertainment industry. Despite its influence over the entertainment industry, the union is not particularly known for stirring the waters, a reputation that may soon become outdated, as 13 IATSE locals from the West Coast weigh the possibilities of going on strike.

The threat of a strike looms over Hollywood as negotiations between studios and the union have reached a ?critical juncture.? IATSE?s president, Matthew D. Loeb wrote to

(Photo : TheGuardian.com)

When one thinks of Hollywood, the mind often drifts to the dreams of ?making it big? as an actor. However, rarely given to the workers that make each production a reality.

Those workers are uniting under the banner of IATSE to make a case for better working conditions in the field.

Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a labor union for those in the entertainment industry who work behind the scenes, are in the process of planning a strike over, among other things, low wages, long hours, gender disparities, and other grievances exacerbated by the pandemic.

members on Wednesday saying, ?We are united in demanding more humane working conditions across the industry, including reasonable rest during and between workdays and on

the weekend, equitable pay on streaming productions, and a livable wage floor.? President Loeb also stated that the 60,000 workers that make up the locals have the full backing

of the union?s executive board.

All of this comes as IATSE continues to negotiate a new contract with studios. The last three-year basic agreement was set to expire on July 31, but

Famous labor leader and Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa once said, ?if you got it, a truck brought it to you.? In the same vein, if you?re watching it, IATSE brought it to you.

So keep in mind that the next time a blockbuster Hollywood movie makes it to your screen or movie theater, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees made it possible.

The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 |

Entertainment | 13

Concer t Review: Conway the M achine

By Aiden Ander son ?22

?I?m opening up more and knowing that it?s okay if you need to talk to somebody,? he said. ?Especially in the hood ? in the Black community, period ? it?s like this stigma of mental health issues is equal to weakness. Even I struggle with that.?

Are you a fan of 90s era hiphop, boom bap beats, hardcore lyrics, and grimy flows? Do the names Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and Run D.M.C. ring a bell? If so, you don?t want to sleep on Conway the Machine.

Few of today?s rappers could be compared to the Buffalo native Conway. In addition to being a phenomenal emcee and releasing multiple quality projects every year, he?s started two different record labels.

Griselda Records, which he cofounded with his brother Westside Gunn as well as Haitian rapper Mach Hommy. The label currently hosts a handful of underground legends including Conway?s cousin Benny The Butcher and Detroit?s Boldy James.

Additionally, Conway started his own label and music group called Drumwork. As of now, it features 7xvethegenius, Jae Skeese, SK, and several producers.

On September 13, I had the pleasure of seeing the rising star perform live at the Theatre of Living Arts.

Before the show, I had the

Buffalo rapper Conway the Machine, known for his old-school style that incorporates modern sounds, performed at the Theatre of Living Arts

chance to meet Jae Skeese, as he was selling his own shirts and CDs. Starting at 8 p.m., West Philly?s Rodney Riggles was the first opener to perform. He was followed by a number of other rappers lasting over two hours. The most notable of these was Stove God Cooks, who was featured repeatedly on Westside Gunn?s recent mixtape.

When the Machine finally decided to come out, the crowd went insane - screams and yells filled the theatre. Al-

though they may not have all been top notch, the openers did a solid job of getting the audience excited for the real show.

As a result of being shot in the neck and shoulder in 2012, Conway developed Bell?s Palsy, which causes the left side of his face to droop. While it in no way impacts his performance, I mention this because of the impact it's had on his mental health, a recurring subject of his lyrics.

In an interview, Conway spoke on mental health within the Black community.

Conway never used a backing track or anything of the sort, save for a few choruses that are sung by features. His rapping throughout his entire performance was nothing short of flawless - he didn?t miss a single beat. I found it extremely impressive that he was able to switch from different types of beats with no hesitation. For instance, he rapped just as well on trap- led songs like ?Scatter Brain? (my favorite song of the night) as he did on the horn-led ?Grace?.

Jared Alicea ?22, a fan of Conway, said, ?Conway sticks out to me compared to other rappers because he?s gritty and unpolished. His sound is refreshing and unique compared to the melodic auto-tuned majority of today?s rap landscape.?

2020?s From a King to a God and this year?s La Maquina.

Recently, he?s seen an uptick in his following and attention as these two albums have been well received by critics and fans.

As for the environment of the show, it was a bit hectic at times. The venue consisted of mostly ?standing room?, with a bar in the back as well as a balcony with pricey seats. The crowd mostly consisted of younger men, with only a handful of women in attendance and before Conway appeared, a fight broke out in the middle of the floor.

Overall, I would definitely recommend going to see Conway the Machine live if you ever get the chance. It?s awe inspiring to see someone rap with such passion in the modern era of hip- hop. In the meantime, you can check out Benny the Butcher, who will be at the Fillmore on October 17.

All but a few songs were from Conway?s most recent albums:

Battle of the Chromebooks: M ancini's I n-Depth Analysis

The Better Chromebook:

Dell 3100

from CHROMEBOOK p. 1 Another key difference between the two Chromebooks is their durability. While the new Dell laptops might seem slimmer, they are proven to be very durable.

Mr. Heisey adds, ?Even without the case, the edges of the Dell model are rubberized and the build construction is better.?

This is also important in a Prep student?s life, because Chromebooks are something see the community constantly uses, at home and at school, and the added durability provides a peace of mind if the Chromebook falls accidentally.

Finally, on key points of the new Dell?s, it's been rumored that the new Chromebook is faster than the previous Chromebook. Fortunately, the Dell?s are indeed superior.

According to Mr. Heisey, ?With a strong connection, it should be faster than the old one and just as fast as a new Microsoft or Apple device.?

Now, despite all the benefits of the new Dells, it's not a deep dark secret that some in the Prep Community have chosen to keep their old Chromebooks, and some have chosen to exchange their Chrome-

books. In fact, 82% of the current student body have the new Chromebooks.

Antione Robinsion ?24 said the reason why he decided to exchange his Chromebook was because, ?They were outdated and I wanted something new and faster.? He also encouraged his fellow students at the

time to switch to these new Chromebooks.

Now on the flip side, Ashton Dial ?22 decided to keep his old Lenovo Chromebook. ?I like that my files are saved, the stylus is small, and I?m used to the keyboard.?

These opinions show that

many in the community have their own biases towards each version of the Chromebooks.

Some were eager to upgrade to the latest version, while others were comfortable with the Chromebooks they grew used to.

Finally, on the question of which computer is better,

based on general facts and performance, I think the new Dell 3100 Chromebooks take the cake. The big difference, layed out from the data, is that the new Chromebooks are simply better and beneficial to a Prep student?s life for school work or extracurriculars.

14 | Entertainment | Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

By Finn M cCar thy ?23 The critically acclaimed hiphop genius Kanye West has recently released his 10th studio album, and has many scratching their heads. Donda, named after West?s late mother, who sadly passed from this world to the next in 2007, is a memoir of an album dedicated to his fans, God, and most of all, Donda herself. Many fans don?t really enjoy Kanye?s new style as compared to the raw rapping he had done in the past, but Kanye still seems to have a lot to say. He feels like a changed man, and the anger and pain in his past seems to be gone, as he delves deeper into his soul to try and fulfill his calling as a Christian.

While it certainly has some low- lows from a sonic standpoint, it also has some pretty great songs.

The album begins with the appropriately titled "Donda Chant," featuring Syleena Johnson, who previously appeared on Kanye?s debut album, The College Dropout.

Her feature isn?t exactly a shining performance, especially compared to the mesmerizing hook she sang on Kanye?s "All Falls Down," as she repeatedly chants the word ?Donda? at an increasing pace.

For 58 seconds, an homage to the age Donda passed away at, the word Donda is repeated without any other word or any instrumental. Though not a sonically pleasing track, it becomes sort of hypnotic as the pace increases, and really sets the tone for the album.

Kanye continues the album with a track titled "Jail," in which Kanye uses the idea of going to jail as a metaphor for him sinning, and God posting his bail as God saving him.

The following track, "God Breathed," is another slow paced track, in which Kanye repeatedly uses the idea of God ?breathing? on things, such as the song itself, as a way to say that God is always going to be there.

The next track, "Off the Grid," has star-studded features from Playboi Carti and Fivio Foreign. This track is considered by many to be the best on the album, and it certainly is an attention grabbing song compared to the rest of the album.

Fivio spits the best verse we?ve ever heard from him, undoubtedly because Kanye made him do it hundreds of times over.

Playboi Carti has a solid feature as well, and Kanye seems to use the message of this track as trying to protect his children from the harshness of the world, trying to keep them ?Off the grid.?

This track is followed up by an angelic song titled "Hurricane," in which The Weeknd uses his unmistakable voice to create a beautiful atmosphere on the track. "Praise God" begins with an inspirational message of fighting through the day, because it cannot always be night, followed by a great Travis Scott feature, as he continues to prove why he?s one of the best in the game. "Ok Ok" is more up-tempo than most of the tracks on this album, as Kanye teams up with Fivio

(Photo : George Pimentel | Getty I mages)

K anye West's Donda Review

After a strongly religious album in 2019 with Jesus Is King, Kanye (above) continued this trend for his 10th solo album: Donda.

again, along with Lil Yachty and Rooga, another up- andcoming rapper from West?s hometown of Chicago. Kanye admits on this track to being not okay, as he struggles with mental health problems including bipolar disorder, which he has been very vocal about.

"Remote Control" is an upbeat track with a stellar Young Thug feature, followed by an outro with a weird, unexpected appearance by the ?Globgolabgolab.?

The next track, titled "Moon," features Kid Cudi and Don Toliver. Cudi has used his ?Man on the Moon,? storyline throughout his career, so it?s only fitting to have him on this appropriately titled track.

"Heaven and Hell" is a track of Kanye once again discussing his fame, in which he feels his life is too much. He mentions ?no more promos, no more photos, no more logos, no more chokeholds.? He seems to no longer want to be held to celebrity standards, not having promoted his album at all besides his listening parties. The cover art is blank, and he feels free to release his music when he wants, how he wants, the

way he wants. On the title track "Donda," Kanye plays an excerpt of his mom speaking during one of her speeches at Chicago State University. He uses similar wording to the "Our Father" during his parts of the song, speaking of his mom?s glory and power living on forever.

"Keep My Spirit Alive" is a stellar track with features from two of Griselda?s three members, Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn. These two, along with Kanye, do some vivid storytelling about the irony of how even while they sinned, God was there to save them.

Kanye writes a tribute to his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, who he has had a very complicated relationship with over the years, and finally divorced with, on "Lord I Need You." Though the track can be looked at in another sense of Kanye needing God, using the double entendre, ?Lord I need you.? "Come to Life" is a beautiful love track about Kanye and Kim?s relationship.

Kanye wants to have a new life of some sort, but at the same time he doesn?t really want

Kim to leave. He feels sad when she?s gone, but at the same time doesn?t enjoy it when she is home. What he does know is that Kim is the only one he wants to be with when he dies.

Kanye teams up with the eccentric up- and- comer Roddy Rich for the track "Pure Souls," in which they mention not wanting to give up their soles in their illustrious lives.

Kanye has a knack for bringing out the best in rappers, as Roddy does a great job on the track. Kanye also has a great verse, with Shenseea singing the outro.

"No Child Left Behind" is a track in which Kanye uses a beautiful instrumental to close out the album. Few words are said on this rather lengthy track, but the meaning behind them is massive. Kanye uses this closing track to talk about how God would leave no one behind, and mentions that God has performed Miracles on him.

Overall, this album is great, and although it isn?t going to be many Kanye fans? favorite album, it is simply solid. It explores themes of Kanye?s relationship with Kim, his life as a celebrity, and, most importantly to him, God. Kanye has an ear for young artists on the come up, and clearly gives those who he respects a strong shot to propel their careers. I?m feeling a strong 7/10 on this album.

Chef Nate's Cheesesteak Review

Enter Del Rossi?s Cheesesteak and Pizza Co., located on the corner of Fourth and Spring Garden. Granted, it?s a bit of a hike from the other

(Photo: Del Rossi's Cheesesteak Co. | Facebook)

It?s a sunny and warm Friday afternoon in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. 2:40 rolls around, and the only thing on my mind is getting out of my math class (sorry, Mr. Kravetz!) and getting some food. Now, after a long week of being a student at THE St. Joseph?s Preparatory School, I think I speak for everyone when I say that you deserve to treat yourself after 5 days of hard work. In my mind, there?s no better way to do that than slamming back the greatest sandwich of all time, the cheesesteak. Now, there are several options around 17th and Girard to find the pinnacle of Philadelphia- borne cuisine.

There?s Jimmy G?s, Gardens Pizza, Larry?s Steaks, all of which are serviceable. However, coming from a cheesesteak connoisseur, there?s only one option for me when I?m grabbing a steak after school.

(Photo: phillymag.com)

By Nathan M ur awski ?22

Mentioned in Foobooz's "Year of the Cheesesteak" in 2014, senior Nathan Murawski (AKA Chef Nate) sings his praises for the famous Del Rossi's Cheesesteak and Pizza Co. on the corner of Fourth and Spring Garden.

places previously mentioned, but going here is about as worth it as signing Joel Embiid to the supermax was for the Sixers. It?s the definition of a hole- in- the- wall joint, but for what they lack in the size department, they make up for with insanely good eats. Let?s start off with what you?re probably reading this article for: the cheesesteak. Unravel the wrapping paper, and you?re greeted with a toasted roll,

piled high with copious amounts of hand- cut, thinly sliced ribeye and cheese. They definitely don?t skimp on the toppings, too. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they loaded my steak up with mushrooms and onions, per my order. Saying that the wiz wit with mushrooms that I ordered was a good sandwich would be a gross understatement. Perfectly seasoned, flawlessly cooked, and put together better

than most you will find: this sandwich has it all. Putting it on a scale from 1-10, this sultan of a sandwich comes in at a 9.1.

Being only a 5- 10 minute drive from 17th and Girard, Del Rossi?s has the convenience of location. You can get there on the bus, on the trolley, you could even take a nice walk. While the cheesesteaks are great, everything else on the menu is stellar as well. The

fries are crisp and salted to perfection. They sling pizzas like professionals, and their cutlet hoagies rival the likes of Tony Luke?s and Cosmi?s.

When it?s all said and done, this joint on 4th and Spring Garden is a very well rounded spot, which needs more recognition for their godly steaks.

So, if you?re searching for a great meal to grab after school, look no further than Del Rossi?s.

The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 |

The Hawkword

Entertainment | 15

Cr uciver balist: Rober t Woltj en '22 Note: Spaces not included

Across

1. Traditional Danish shoe 2. Most common tree in the US 4. I?m so hungry, I could eat a _____ 7. Newspaper of Washington D.C. 10. String instrument slightly larger than a violin 11. Civil War battle fought in Tennessee 14. 2019?s best selling car 17. Animal known for its long neck 19. Opposite of yellow 20. Found at the front of a train Down 1. Cowboy accessory

8. Longest river in the Northeast

3. Capital of Idaho

9. Genre pioneered by Buddy Holly

5. President in elected in 1920 6. Language family stemming from Latin

12. School where John Keating taught

13. Team against whom D'Andre Swift '17 scored his first touchdown 14. Zodiac sign of someone born of Christmas

16. Who you might be 21. Roman emperor who built a greeted by in a hotel lobby

wall

18. Shirt of choice for a lumberjack 20. Captain Quint's boat

15. Marty McFly's ride

22. 2020 Libertarian presidential candidate 24. Hooded snake

Faculty Gr id

By Jack Del Pizzo '23

M r. M ar inacci

Fr. Surovick, S.J.

M r. Savage

Favor ite Thing about the Prep?

The people. Students, faculty, the families that come. Without a doubt: the people.

The true camaraderie that really seems to move through these halls.

The camaraderie among the students, among the faculty and staff, and it's an impressive spirit here.

Well, from the short time I've been here, I'd say the sense of community. and fellowship. The involvement in a whole bunch of different aspects of the school.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars, no doubt. 100% Star Wars.

You gotta remember, I'm old enough to remember that the first time around... It was my youth. I had all the toys.

My parents tell me that when I was 3 years old, I went to my first movie.

And that was Star Wars. The original.

So I've been Star Wars ever since.

Star Wars. I'm a very big Lord Vader fan. And you gotta say 'Lord Vader'.

L east favor ite class from high school?

Calculus. I had a teacher who would fall asleep mid-lecture. Math didn't come easily to me, so that made it very difficult.

Well, I'm not much of a math or science guy. I'm more of a history and English person. I struggled in mathematics. So my least favorite would've been almost anything there.

German. My old teacher would give us quizzes when we would learn the words, and he would take off for spelling, and I would spell some of the English words wrong!

16 | Entertainment | Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

L aw's Summer Blockbuster Hits

By Dan L aw '23

musical numbers are easily the best parts of the movie with unique, gorgeous visuals not just limited to the stellar choreography accompanied by a strong musical score. While I also love the framing device of the protagonist Usnavi's story at the beach, I feel some of the choices in the writing end up falling a bit flat and have more or less weight than they should, especially when the climax of the film revolves around a literal lottery.

The lack of any real blockbusters in 2020 is glaringly evident when you recall the 93rd Academy Awards back in April, where the big winners were predominantly filled by arthouse films and straight- tostreaming movies, many of which were financially unsuccessful due to the state of theaters.

(Photo: imdb.com)

After all, the state of cinema was forever changed by the pandemic, and blockbusters especially. This year saw a record number of blockbusters who released on streaming the same day of their cinematic premiere, and plenty of blockbusters who gained more success off their streaming gains than the theatrical earnings.

(Photo: imdb.com)

(Photo: imdb.com)

Ever since 1975?s Jaws, summer blockbusters have been at the top of Hollywood?s list of box office smashes for decades, and have radically shaped cinema culture.

(Photo: imdb.com)

The pandemic has certainly left us with a lasting craving for some entertainment, with streaming services seeing an all time high in growth last year. Yet even during the age of streaming dominance, one of the things severely lacking from the pandemic era was the presence of summer blockbusters.

(Photo: r unsignup.com)

Black Widow (5/10) - In recent years, the blockbuster has become synonymous with Marvel Studios, who made nigh three billion in 2019 with Avengers: Endgame alone. Yet Marvel critics still pan the franchise for its films that follow the same formula. But with Black Widow, I can finally understand why that criticism was. Black Widow saw the end to her arc in Endgame, so releasing her semi- origin story two years later is a baffling choice. The film has some redeeming qualities, like Natasha's relationship with her family, and Florence Pugh?s new character especially, but the totally undercooked villain, along with some other characters and plot points, make the

(Photo: imdb.com)

In short, summer blockbusters are indeed back, but not quite in the same way we used to know them as. Without any further ado, allow me to briefly share my opinions and review each of the biggest blockbusters of the past summer.

(Photo: imdb.com)

However, with the return of movie theaters back in this spring, the time was ripe for the blockbuster genre to return in full force during the summer season. And what a return it has been, with a multitude of films that far exceed the highest grossing of 2020, affirming that massive, expensive blockbuster films are still financially viable for big studios.

film feel like a waste that was ripe with missed opportunities.

The Suicide Squad (8.5/10) - 2016?s Suicide Squad, which was panned for its amateur editing and odd tone and direction, sees itself in a soft reboot slash sequel directed by James Gunn, the director behind the incredible Guardians of the Galaxy films. Gunn?s insanely fun style permeates throughout this beautifully absurd comic book story, bringing emotion and character to a new, lovable cast. Although, it may not quite be for everyone,

with its brisk pacing and intentionally ridiculous black humor potentially being off- putting for some. But for someone like me who enjoys that delightful insanity with a sense of heart, it?s too fun to pass up.

Cr uella (6/10) - In the next installment of the series of Disney remakes that have no reasons to exist, Cruella De Vil, the ruthless villain of the classic 101 Dalmatians, makes her return as? a young, sympathetic, empowering fashionista/criminal in 1970s England.

While conceptually the idea of

a Cruella origin story sounds boring as bricks, it?s actually a tad bit more fun than it sounds.

In spite of its rough screenplay, the film slowly embraces its ludicrous premise by being just as ludicrous in action, with Emma Stone and her over-thetop performance just begging you to go along for the ride under Cruella's truly anomalous plot.

I n the Heights (7.5/10) Lin-Manuel Miranda?s original Broadway smash hit the theaters in a film adaptation to relatively great success. The

Free Guy (7/10) - The concept behind Free Guy is a stroke of creative genius: an NPC who lives in a violent multiplayer video game inspired by Grand Theft Auto Online gains sentience, though the approach of his game shutting down looms over the horizon. I was really enjoying Free Guy in the first two acts, with Ryan Reynolds?s charismatic performance at the forefront, but by the end it ditches a lot of the charm of the beginning for safe action and a half-baked social commentary on a tonedeaf sense of corporate greed that ultimately had me feeling a bit lukewarm about the experience. After all, it is hard to focus on the film's very anticorporate statements whilst stuffing more and more Disney properties down your throat.

The Green K night (8/10) The Green Knight is a mystical coming- of- age tale set in Arthurian legend. The story of King Arthur sounds hard to digest for modern audiences, but The Green Knight makes it work. Sir Gawain embarks on a surprisingly engaging take on The Hero?s Journey, fighting temptation and challenging monstrous foes. The way this film flips this age- old story is by making it more ambiguous, with viewers constantly pondering who Gawain really is.

This artsy style of filmmaking is hit- or- miss, though I feel The Green Knight hits more often than not.

F9 (5/10) - The Fast & Furious series is truly an enigma.

After starting out with three relatively normal movies about street racing, the series abruptly transitioned by its fifth installment to an insane action comedy heist series featuring flying exploding cars.

F9 is a continuation of a laughably stupid action blockbuster series that, while trying a few new things for the series, fails to recognize what made the previous films special. The last few Fast films, Hobbs & Shaw excluded, were enjoyable because they tried to be serious and ended up being silly, while F9, instead of recreating this formula, tried and ultimately failed to be intentionally silly.

Fast really should have ended after Paul Walker's death.

The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 |

Opinion/Debate | 17

Opinion/Debate Hair Policy Gets Tr immed

By L iam Holden '23 The return to school has meant a return to traditional dress and grooming standards at the Prep. The long- haireddo?s sported by many students during the first weeks of school have gradually fallen away as the Dean?s Office has cracked down on handbook violations. The nature of these violations has changed, however, thanks to a largely overlooked change to the Student Handbook.

In prior years, the Student Handbook has outlined clear, specific, and universal expectations for student hairstyles.

In the 2021- 2022 Handbook, that changed. It now simply states, ?Hair and facial hair are to be kept neat and clean. The Dean of Students will determine whether a student?s clothing or hairstyle is acceptable.?

This marks a substantial deregulation, turning the power to judge hair styles over entirely to the whims of the Dean?s Office. The handbook no longer sets consistent standards for the office to follow, or students to expect. This means the Dean could, say, one day de-

"Hair and facial hair are to be kept neat and clean. The Dean of Students will determine whether a student's clothing or hairstyle is acceptable." ? 2021-2022 St. Joseph's Preparatory School Student Handbook cide that a buzz cut was the only appropriate hairstyle, and thus punish students who failed to get one.

The Dean?s Office, for their part, has continued to set consistent, non-buzz-cut, standards

cific expectations clear, effectively maintaining the same policy as previous years. He emphasized to The Hawkeye that students can and should expect consistent enforcement of this policy. The change in the handbook, after all, did not originate from his office.

"Because though the update [on the hair policy] was not a catalyst for the positive It originated from other faculty and progress some hoped it would be, it does staff. Specifically, an informal faculty represent part of a broader trend in panel that worked to create positive sorecent years. That being a trend towards cial justice changes at the school. Origideregulation." nally started as a despite the handbook change.

In Dean?s Updates emails since the summer, Dean of Students Mr. Greene has made the spe-

racial justice reading group for interested teachers, it grew to include ?working groups? on key social justice issues around the school.

One of their focuses was the Student Handbook, and so they went through it looking for sections that could use an update. A lot of their attention ended up on the dress code and conduct portions, which some saw as culturally insensitive.

With this in mind, they recommended updating the hair policy. Specifically, removing language that prohibited ?bizarre hairstyles,? ?mohawks, ponytails, large afros, line cuts,? ?initials or numerals? cut into student?s hair,? and removing prohibitions on hair dye. They did not suggest removing the language on hair length (above the eyebrows and collar).

Updated it was, but little more than symbolically. For all intents and purposes, the enforced policy remains the same as the written one they were concerned about. In addition, the regulation on hair length was removed in spite of their recommendations. When asked if his office is racially conscious in their enforcement, Mr. Greene said, ?I don?t think the decisions are based on race, but I do think... this school in particular has tried to become more culturally sensitive across the board.? This is a positive, progressive perspective. But it is not a consequence of the handbook change, which ended up with

few racial justice implications but big consequences for the school at large.

Because though the update was not a catalyst for the positive progress some hoped it would be, it does represent part of a broader trend in recent years. That being a trend towards deregulation. By deregulation, I mean removing constraints on different parts of the school and leaving more and more up to individual whims.

For example, the school has removed testing days from the handbook, allowing teachers to assign tests whenever and in whatever quantities they please. The school has refused to uphold the precedent that homework should be due only when a class meets, allowing teachers to collect assignments at absurd hours. Last spring, the school threw the Student Handbook out the window when they allowed departments to cancel final exemptions just weeks before exams.

This is a worrying trend that disrespects students and risks inconsistency across the school. Students don?t know what to expect, and have little means for recourse if their teachers overburden them or an acceptable hairstyle is punished. It must stop. The handbook must return to the regulative guide it is supposed to be, to ensure students have a fair and positive Prep experience.

Nick's Bathroom Sur vival Guide

By Nicholas Bedrossian ?22 We?ve all been there: two cups of coffee down the hatch, long cramped bus ride, and you have to go. At home, this dilemma almost always goes unnoticed. A man?s house is his castle and the toilet is his throne. At school, however, it?s not so simple. As the Prep?s restroom connoisseur, I nominate myself to enlighten my brothers-in-arms on the proper way to utilize their bathroom passes.

Prior to the adventure starting, one must plan out the right spot to go. While every Prep student knows where the bathrooms are, not every Prep student knows the best times and locations to go. First, let?s address the elephant in the room: 2nd Floor Villager. This bathroom often has broken doors and clogged toilets that make it more difficult to...you know. ?I just avoid the stalls in there,? says Michael Robak ?23. In addition to the stalls

being unusable in general, it is important for the stalls to be open once you get there. A tip for any newbie bathroom-users is that the bathroom is never open after the school day ends.

I see it happen everyday, students go to the bathroom hoping to answer nature?s call but find a bathroom full of kids changing. Every freshman wants their privacy at school and that means kids spending twenty minutes just putting on a pair of shorts.

For both of these reasons, I graciously give you the holy grail of bathroom spots: J5, second to last period.

Congratulations! You?ve found the perfect stall and five minutes later you?re ready to get on with the day. However, a proper Prep man stays clean.

This is where many Prep students find a pretty sizable dilemma: no more toilet paper.

Here?s a quick tip for all of you toilet tyros. Every bathroom stall is equipped with two rolls of toilet paper. Once one runs

To exacerbate the soap dispensers' malfunctions, a series of dispenser thefts has reportedly plagued the school. Only one apparatus remains in the bathroom on the second floor of Villiger Hall. The motives for these thefts were unknown when The Hawkeye went to print on Friday, October 1.

out, just slide the cover and you have a whole new roll.

By this point, a seemingly impossible problem is presented to all students: wash your hands or just leave. I?ll make the decision for you and tell you to wash your hands.

Unfortunately, the soap dispensers never turn on when you need them to. Luckily, I have some top secret information straight from our amazing cleaning crew. Read carefully: when they clean the bath-

rooms, they turn off the soap dispensers. That means that most of them are actually turned off when students arrive in the morning. So, the easy fix for this is just turning them on with the switch located on the right side. Just push it all the way down and all of your hygiene concerns are solved.

And just like that, you're out of the bathroom clean and refreshed. I hope that this crash course on proper bathroom etiquette can be of use to Prep

brothers today and tomorrow.

And always remember: Healthy minds start with clean behinds.

18 | Sports | Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

Sports

NFL Season Preview

Other teams to look out for this year are the Bills, with quarterback Josh Allen having a great season this past year, the Rams, whose defense is one of the best in the league and their newly acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford is looking for his first ever Super Bowl, and the Titans, whose offense is possibly one of the strongest in the league with their newly acquired star wide receiver Julio Jones, accompanied by a 2000 yard rusher in Derrick Henry, along with AJ Brown and Ryan Tannehill under center. Lastly, the Cardinals, who had many offseason

(Photo: David Eulitt | Getty I mages)

The Buccaneers? miraculous victory with Tom Brady under center last year was significant, and all eyes are on Brady and company for a repeat. Another team who is under the public eye to perform are the Chiefs, who were defeated by Brady and the Bucs in the Super Bowl.

(Photo: M or gan Engel | USA Today Spor ts) (Photo: philadelphiaeagles.com)

(Photo: Getty I mages)

The 2021- 2022 NFL season is gearing up to be one of the most exciting ones yet, coming off of Tom Brady and the Buccaneers? Super Bowl win last season. Many teams who performed great last year are looking to keep that performance consistent or even better in a very important year, and many rookies are also looking to prove themselves to be the league?s future.

(Photo: Br yan M . Bennett | Getty I mages)

By Colin Bir kmire ?23

Tom Brady (above left), Josh Allen (above middle), Matthew Stafford (above right), Patrick Mahomes (bottom left), and Jalen Hurts (bottom right) and other stars look to headline what hopes to be one of the most exciting NFL seasons in ages.

additions, mainly headlined by JJ Watt, and Kyler Murray are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in years.

Some other teams who are entering a really important season are the Dolphins, who have been rebuilding their team with additions like quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle over the past few seasons, the Green Bay Packers, whose longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing his last sea-

son on the team, the Eagles, whose new starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and new head coach Nick Sirianni are trying to rebuild their franchise in the wake of quarterback Carson Wentz and coach Doug Pederson both leaving the franchise, and the Dallas Cowboys, whose quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off of a gruesome injury from last season.

Some rookies looking to make noise include a slew of

first round quarterbacks, such as the Jaguars? Trevor Lawrence, the Jets? Zach Wilson, the Patriots?Mac Jones, as well as the Bears?Justin Fields and the 49ers? Trey Lance.

Other rookies looking to prove themselves this year are Eagles?first round pick and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, Bengals wide receiver Ja?Marr Chase, Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and Steelers running back Najee Harris.

Second year players looking to improve this season are Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Chiefs running back Clyde EdwardsHelaire, and the Lions' running back and the Prep?s very own D?Andre Swift.

With a lot of new talent coming into their own and many teams looking for a Super Bowl, this season is going to be one for the ages.

Aidan Lynch '24's 3 Hot Takes For The M L B Playoffs The Oakland A?s will sneak into the last AL Wild Car d Spot. The AL Wild Card is still wide open as of today, 9/17, with the A?s three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card race and 2.5 games behind the New York Yankees. Oakland has a run differential of +65, a number head and shoulders above all other teams chasing down Toronto and Boston. Oakland has made the playoffs each of the last three seasons, and they have not lost many players since last season when they won the division. A huge factor in helping the A?s into Wild Card contention has been Starling Marte. Marte, 32, is having one of the best years in his career with a batting average of .311, up .22 from his career average; he has an OPS of .848, up .51 from his career average, and he currently leads the league in steals with 45.

The Dodger s will dominate the 2021 M L B Playoffs. In my opinion, the Los Angeles Dodgers are easily the best overall team in the league.

They have an electric pitching staff that features two Cy Young contenders in Max Scherzer and Walker Buehler, and they also have a top 5 offensive efficiency in terms of runs per game. Somehow, even with a run differential of +244 (33 ahead of the next highest team) they are still in second place in the NL West, behind the San Francisco Giants. The reigning champs have an even more dominant team than they did last season. Not to mention they?re getting hot at just the right time with 6 wins in a row.

Houston will make noise in October. As much as it pains me to say it, the Houston Astros are quietly having an incredible season. They were not punished harshly enough for cheating during the 2017 MLB Postseason, and as a result, they are still one of the best teams in the league. The Astros have the highest ranked offense in the MLB thanks to a league leading .270 team batting average. They also have 7 players who have an OPS higher than the league average (.710). The only problem that the Astros really have is their lack of truly elite arms. Their bullpen and starting pitching includes no 2021 all stars. That being said, not a single one of their five starters has an ERA above 4.22.

The Hawkeye | Monday, October 4, 2021 |

Sports | 19

M ental Health with Osaka, Prep Athletes

By L uke Gallagher '23

mental illness.

When mental health first comes to mind, it is easy to think that it is primarily related to academics, social stress, or possibly even problems at home. It is far less common to think that athletics, something seen as an outlet to so many, could be the cause of stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

We have seen so many different stories across a wide variety of sports that show mental health matters. Simon Biles even recently pulled out of both the team final and the women?s individual all- around at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, stating that she ?[had] to focus on [her] mental health.?

Recently, many professional athletes have expressed their shared mental health issues as a result of the stress that their sport was putting on them.

Naomi Osaka, ranked second in the world at the time for womens? tennis, was recently in the news after stating that she would not be doing any press at Roland-Garros 2021. ?I?ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes? mental health? this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one. We are often sat there and asked questions that we?ve been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I?m just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me,? said Osaka. ?If the organizations think they can keep saying ?do press or you?re going to get fined? and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes that are the centerpiece of their [corporation] then I just gotta laugh,? said Osaka.

In the early rounds of the French Open, Naomi Osaka made it clear that she did not want to speak with any press for the sake of her mental health. As a result, she was fined $15,000. After making roughly $55 million in prize money, endorsements, and more last year alone, this fine was the least of her worries.

What was most worrisome was

Naomi Osaka drew national attention after deciding to not do any press at Roland-Garros in order to protect her mental health.

the efforts she had to go to just to advocate for the mental health of athletes - something that, as an athlete struggling with anxiety and depression, was not an easy task.

Osaka said that her efforts to avoid press at RolandGarros were an ?act of selfcare.? She acknowledged that far too many players have breakdowns during these press conferences, including herself.

There is no benefit to the player; it is just giving the media what they want. Osaka adds to this, saying that dealing with the world of media was similar to ?kicking a person while they are down.?

Citing mental health reasons, Osaka withdrew from RolandGarros in May of 2021. She went on to withdraw from Wimbledon in June of 2021, also citing mental health reasons. In July of 2021, just days after lighting the Olympic cauldron, Osaka lost in the third round to Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic. In August of 2021, after losing in the third round of the US Open to 18 year old Leylah Fernandez, Osaka spoke with the press and told them that she

was going to take a break from tennis ?for a while.? ?When I win, I don?t feel happy, I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad,? said Osaka. Most recently, Osaka has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open, as expected due to her statement at the US Open about an extended break.

Naomi Osaka has handled her own battle and its respective vagaries with aplomb, equanimity, and positivity.

Many have voiced their support for her and her battle with depression and anxiety. Among those include Russell Wilson, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens, Billie Jean King, Boris Becker, and more.

Even with all of this praise and support from so many other notable athletes in today?s society, the French Tennis Federation (FDF) still maintains that Osaka?s decision to withdraw from RolandGarros 2021 was ?unfortunate.?

To some, it may come across that Osaka is just being a sore loser. But coming from the I would argue that mental second best singles player in health issues are something to the world and a four- time be cognizant of even at the grand slam champion, it is high school level. Whether it more than unlikely that she be working to meet college rewould fare so unsuccessfully in cruitment such "I t does not matter if you are standards, major to tournathe best or the worst on the striving make the cut ments for four team; mental health remains as a varsity athlete, jugmonths an issue for all of us" gling multistraight. ple sports, or Among all professional athlearning to deal with a difficult letes, studies show that up to coach, all of these issues can 35% suffer from some type of eat away at one?s mental mental health crisis. Athletes health. It does not matter if you like Michael Phelps, Serena are the best or the worst on the Williams, Simone Biles, Jerry team; mental health remains an West, DeMar DeRozan, Lindissue for all of us. sey Vonn, and Justin DuchTo comment on the matter, scherer all have one thing in Athletic Director Mr. DiBerarcommon: their battle with

dinis said, ?[Mental health was an issue] mainly when COVID was happening because kids were struggling without that outlet of sports. That is why when fall came last year, we made the decision that, for the mental health of our young men, we needed to proceed with athletics in the safest way possible.?

Mr. DiBerardinis went on to discuss how the mental health of athletes is definitely still a prevalent issue and was not unique to last year. ?Mental health is definitely an issue post-COVID as well. I see this stress over recruitment, performance, you name it. Helping [our athletes] find a happy medium where they are excited to play their sport because they love it, while also not letting the stress of recruitment or performance get to them, is very important,? said Mr. DiBerardinis.

To all the athletes at the Prep who may be dealing with any mental health issues, ask for help. ?We want to help you,? said Mr. DiBerardinis. ?Mental health is a real problem for athletes but it is one that many are hesitant to talk about. We have the resources to help you and we want to share them with you if you are in need of them.?

Looking back on what mental health issues are typically associated with - academics, social stress, problems at home - it is important to note that mental health can originate from a wide range of factors.

Now, when mental health comes to mind, we must think of our athletes to help them in any way possible.

The Hawkeye Staff of 2021-2022 St. Joseph's Prepar ator y School 1733 West Gir ar d Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130 Editor s-in-Chief

Enter tainment Editor

Colin Birkmire ?23

Murphy Bonner '22

Daniel Law '23

Max Nast ?23

Stephen Cain '22 Bobby Woltjen '22

Michael Robak ?23 Opinion-Debate Editor Daniel Deeney '22

Junior M anaging Editor s Luke Gallagher '23 Liam Holden '23

Spor ts Editor Brendan Dougherty '23

Andrew Wenger ?23 Aidan Williams ?23 Jake Wisniewski ?23 Pete Bae ?24 Matteo DeJesse ?24

News Editor

Staff Wr iter s

Max Kline ?24

Aiden Anderson '22

Jared Alicea ?22

Joseph Mancini ?24

Nicholas Bedrossian ?22

Isaiah Littlejohn '24

Features Editor

Nate Murawski ?22

Antoine Robinson ?24

Caleb Datto '22

Aiden Vallecillo ?22

Aidan Lynch ?24

Quinn Holden ?25 M oder ator s Mr. Leo Vaccaro '05 Mr. Kevin Kearney '06

I f you are interested in contr ibuting mater ials to The Hawkeye, contact an editor or our email (below) to submit an ar ticle, photogr aph, or to wr ite a letter to the editor.

L etter s should not exceed 600 wor ds. hawkeye@sj prep.or g All mater ials pr inted by The Hawkeye are intended to both enter tain and infor m the Prep community as well as cultivate an environment that gener ates meaningful and productive discussion. The opinions and beliefs expressed in the adver tisements and ar ticles in this publication do not necessar ily reflect the values or mission of The Hawkeye Student Newspaper of St. Joe's Prep.

20 | Sports | Monday, October 4, 2021 | The Hawkeye

The Race To 21 Gr and Slams

(Photo: K athy L eister )

Nadal?s 13, where the court is a clay surface. Clay tends to be a ?slower? surface, giving the ball a higher bounce which leads to the points being longer. As a result, Nadal?s heavy topspin on his forehand, his ability to keep the point alive for numerous shots, and his sheer athleticism have contributed to his domination as the ?King of Clay.?

(Photo: SPark)

While his talents may be overlooked, senior defensive back Zavier Atkins has proven that he can execute on national stages. Still awaiting his first college offer, this season will be Atkins' final chance to perform in front of college scouts and coaches.

Men's Tennis's current "Big Three" (Roger Federer (left), Novak Djokovic (middle), and Rafael Nadal) all look to break the 20 grand slam deadlock in the upcoming 2022 season.

By Peter Bae '24 Imagine coming so close to writing history that you can almost taste it. Well, Novak Djokovic had that chance, but he blew it losing in the U.S. Open finals against Daniil Medvedev. He lost in straight sets 6- 4, 6- 4, and 6- 4 giving Medvedev his first grand slam title. Djokovic, the world?s number one ranked tennis player, had the shot to win his 21st grand slam: a feat no man or woman has ever accom-

plished. Djokovic also knocked on the door of becoming the fifth player to capture the calendar grand slam, winning all four of the grand slams in the same year: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.

With that being said, the race to reach 21 grand slams continues. The front runners are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, all with 20 slams apiece. However, what makes each player inter-

esting is the fact all of them have a preferred surface, whether it is clay, hardcourt, or grass, which has been reflected in their results.

In regards to Federer, the grass is his best friend. He currently holds the record for most Wimbledon titles won with eight. The way he plays is the most productive for him to be the best, although his strategy is not the most efficient for everyone. With the grass producing a faster and less bouncy

ball when hit, this results in less reaction time and points will likely end quicker than clay. These aspects of grass benefit Federer because of his aggressive style which is detrimental to defensive players on grass. He uses these features to his advantage by serve and volleying and by painting the lines through the redirection of the ball.

However, there is a reason why Federer has only won one French Open compared to

With that being said, Djokovic?s preferred surface is the hardcourt. He has managed to capture 13 hard court grand slams, 9 Australian Opens, and 3 U.S. Open titles. What makes his game tailored to this surface is that he is consistent in every part of his game, especially his return of serve. This is beneficial because Djokovic carries an arsenal of shots that are all effective on hardcourt, allowing him to change the pace of the point with just one shot. Not to mention his insane agility, flexibility, and mental toughness. These three elements of his game have greatly contributed to his reign as the number one player in the world.

In short, the tennis world is ecstatic because grand slams can be won by any player in all four of the draws. Everyone is hungry to win, which is why so many big upsets are occurring and why these tournaments are so exciting. But with the Australian Open on the horizon and the race to 21 grand slams continuing, I?ll leave you with one question: Who are you rooting for?

I 'm Done With Ben Simmons. Per iod.

Philadelphia 76ers. Atlanta Hawks. Game seven. Three minutes and thirty seconds left in the fourth quarter. With a wide open lane, Benjamin David Simmons takes a commanding charge towards the hoop and looks determined to attack a wide open rack. With no defenders, the only thing separating the rock from going through the nylon is himself.

He leaps towards the bucket, and promptly kicks it out to Matisse Thybulle. The fellow Australian goes up for the dunk instead, obviously more confused than Tom Brady on 4th down against the Bears last year. He is viciously hacked by Clint Capela and Trae Young.

Sixers fans worldwide groan in unison. Tables are flipped, relationships are destroyed; it?s a whole mess. The Sixers end up losing to the Hawks that night, courtesy of our failed first round draft pick. One might ask, ?Where did it all go wrong??

Let us start at the beginning.

With the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Sixers selected point guard Ben Simmons. The LSU alum showed promise.

Explosive playmaking, a solid dunk package, the ability to manage the floor; Philadelphia fans rejoiced. That is, until, he was sidelined his entire rookie year with a Jones fracture in his foot.

Not to worry, though: Simmons came back looking like a force of nature. Averaging 15 points, 7 boards, and 2 steals, the future of the team was bright. With the duo of Simmons and star center Joel Embiid, Philadelphia?s NBA team was one to be reckoned with.

But then, several questions about Ben Simmons began to arise. Is he the next Lebron James? Will the Sixers win a championship with this guy?

Most importantly: Why doesn?t he shoot?

The next two seasons he failed to answer these questions, only showing glimpses of his true potential. He simply didn?t have an NBA work

managed to do it again, with Simmons bricking 70% of his free throws and essentially ghosting the team in the 4th quarter of every game.

(Photo: The Washington Post)

By Nathan M ur awski '22

After a blown missed dunk in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semis, the Sixers faithful wanted Ben Simmons (above) out of town.

ethic, and was more concerned with things like where he was dropping in PUBG or what Kardashian?s DMs he was going to slide into that week.

This lack of effort clearly translated into his game, peaking in his sophomore season where he averaged 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. After the infamous 2018- 19 season (where Kawhi Leonard crushed every Sixers fan?s will to live), Simmons began to noticeably regress during the 2019- 20 season. He became less ag-

gressive, less confident, and put up overall a lackluster playoff performance by the Embiid- less Sixers. Questions of Simmon?s leadership abilities, confidence levels, and overall value as a teammate began to swirl again.

After this season, with the expectations the fanbase had with a new coach, fresh lineup, and the spark to bring the Larry O?Brien back to Philly, the dreaded second round exit was the last thing people were expecting. However, the Sixers

Sixers diehards gave up after this. After years of defending Simmons, countless games where expectations were missed, and hundreds of bricked shots, the fans were fed up. This offseason consisted of nothing more than ripping Ben Simmons for his lack of dedication (and a jump shot), and trade rumors.

After Simmons made it public that he wants out of Philly, social media blew up with talks of teams trying to get their hands on the ?all- star? guard. As of right now, he is holding out of training camp, racking up millions in fines with each missed session.

After 6 years, almost 59 million dollars, and countless disappointed fans, the only question that remains is simple: where does Simmons go from here?