VOL 101 // ISSUE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022

PAGE 8 The Temple News

The Essayist 2022: Individualism

This year’s Essayist is an exploration of the individuality of every Temple student.

The Essayist exists in The Temple News to highlight the personal lives and experiences of Temple students, whether they’re unpacking complex stories, reflecting on impactful experiences or honoring important moments or people in their lives.

What do these different topics all have in common? They are always unique, a story only the writer could tell themselves.

Each student has a personal story to tell, but for this special edition, they focused on what contributes to their individual identity. One student has spent their adolescent years working toward their goal of being an Olympic athlete, while one compares her life path to that of an acorn.

One has lived vicariously through a character she wrote in a novel, while another draws her freedom of self-expression from a clown duo.

Every student has a quirk, and every student should embrace the little things that comprise their individualism.

Sincerely,

Sarah Frasca, Molly Fiske Opinion Editor, Assistant Opinion Editor

Back to my roots as a curly girl

A student shares how loving her natural hair brought her closer to her identity. BY FALLON ROTH

Digital Managing Editor

I can’t even begin to count how many times in my life I’ve been told, “people would pay a lot of money to have your hair,” referring to the coco-colored curls that flow past my shoulders.

Family members adored my curly ringlets because they made me special and unique. Curls are proudly worn by many Jewish girls and women, but being one of a few Jewish students in elementary and middle schools, the last thing I wanted was to stand out.

It’s an age-old trope that Jewish Ashkenazi women have curly, frizzy hair, which often provokes comments to straighten it, reinforcing harsh beauty standards. Growing up in the 2000s and 2010s, pin-straight hair was trendy and very few of my schoolmates had curly hair, so, in a typical youth-minded fashion, I desperately yearned to fit in.

When I was a tween, I got so excited about my trips to the hair salon, where my hairdresser would use a blow dryer and a round brush to flatten the curls. It took what seemed like forever of asking for my mom’s permission for a straightener before I finally bought one: a black and purple Remington ceramic iron. She was concerned, rightfully so, I’d damage my hair.

I remember the first time I wore my straightened hair to school with a black Abercrombie & Fitch crewneck sweatshirt and dark-wash jeans — a staple for a chilly day in the seventh grade. I got so many compliments on my hair that day and those comments continued beyond that year whenever I would straighten it. I took a mental note that it seemed that people generally liked my hair better when it was straight — and I agreed.

Straightening my hair became routine in middle school, and I’d get upset if even the tiniest wave was visible while using my flat iron. If I needed a confidence boost, I relied on straightened hair to make me feel better and achieve what a middle school girl’s hair “should” look like.

By the end of middle school, I became exhausted by the constant, self-inflicted pressure of feeling like I needed to change my appearance every day. I finally decided it would be easier and more sustainable to learn to love and take care of my hair as is.

As I started to return to my natural hair, I found the springy ringlets of my youth were no more. The constant heat had — as my mom predicted — left my hair a lifeless version of what it used to be. I was disappointed that I took my natural, healthy hair for granted for so long.

I needed to start from square one both physically and mentally. I took time to understand hair-care routines and buy products like Garnier Fructis’ curl scrunch, a curl gel I still use religiously.

I let my hair air dry to avoid using heat until I learned from online tutorials about using diffusers, and heat protectants and drying it upside down to get maximum volume and definition. These practices helped rejuvenate both my hair and my confidence. By investing time and patience into self-care, I was finally learning how to appreciate my natural qualities.

As I got older and moved on to high school and college, I found that my individuality should be celebrated. I met other girls from different backgrounds and cultures, and we bonded through our curly hair and hair care products. My curly hair became a defining characteristic among my friend group and instead of feeling left out, I felt empowered by embracing something societal beauty standards deemed undesirable.

Now, I wear my natural hair almost every day. While it doesn’t look the same as when I was younger, I enjoy taking care of it and find the washing, drying and styling a truly therapeutic experience that calms me during times of low self-esteem. When I do straighten my hair, I view it as a creative expression, instead of something to mask my identity.

Through learning to love my curly hair, I have found that I truly don’t mind standing out anymore.

fallon.roth@temple.edu @ fallonroth_

The purpose of an acorn: my new outlook on life

How her dad’s passion for botany helped her see her future from a new perspective.

BY McCAILLAIGH ROUSE For The Temple News

Throughout my life, my dad has always loved botany. Anywhere we walk, my dad will point to a tree, name it, then describe it from roots to leaves. I always find myself listening because he creates a lesson from his expertise, even with mundane things.

In the summer of 2020, my dad took me to plant trees on my grandfather’s farm in the mountains of rural Pennsylvania. Pine and ash trees brushed together in a canopy above me and every step would bring me face to face with wildlife, ranging from a deer to a dozen turkey chicks.

“That is a Fraxinus Americana, the white ash,” my dad said while pointing toward piles of dead trees. “They’re being killed by an invasive beetle, but the deer still eat them.”

When we were planting oak trees on the farm, my dad picked up an acorn and told me how acorns influence the environment. Before our conversation, I used to see acorns from an all-or-nothing perspective: they could grow into a deep-rooted, sturdy oak tree or they could continue resting on the forest ground and become nothing.

I translated this perspective of extremes, oak tree or dirt, onto my own life. If I worked hard enough then I would be perfect; if I didn’t, I would fail. My all-or-nothing thinking in pursuit of perfection defined how I saw myself for a long time.

In high school, I’d have bloodshot eyes from late-night studying to earn straight A’s in my classes. Socially, I stretched myself into be- ing someone who could talk to anyone, even

though I’m inherently shy. I lacked a true identity because I’d put my well-being aside every day and reached for a standard of perfection I could never attain. I felt trapped and tired by my own expectations of who I wanted to become.

However, after listening to my dad talk about the acorn he picked up, I learned they don’t have to become an oak tree to serve a purpose. My dad explained that some acorns will find their place in the dirt, and others that never planted themselves in the ground would provide shelter or feed the animals that keep the forests lively.

“Acorns give shelter to many minuscule animals, that includes colonies of ants,” my dad said. “Two hundred to 300 ants could live in one of these at any moment of time.”

The truth about acorns, my dad told me, is they serve many purposes based on their surroundings. My dad saw acorns as a piece of an established ecosystem and I realized that life is not strictly constructed, it is unpredictable yet reliable.

I know now that I can have a purpose in life without unbearably stressful expectations. Anything I do will be worth something, even if I’m not sure what that is. Since discovering this truth, I’ve started to use acorns as a positive metaphor for my life. I am someone who aims high and gives my all. I’ve realized I can’t be so hard on myself when I falter socially or academically, and I can’t create motivation through strict standards for a desired but challenging future. I no longer chase perfection but instead live life with the intent of happiness.

My goal is to use my ambition and discover interests to have a positive relationship with myself in the future. I find time to strengthen my individuality through hobbies, like reading or writing for enjoyment instead of just doing schoolwork. I’ve also found contentment in friendships with people who understand me and I can be myself around. This conversation with my dad gave me a greater understanding of the subtleness of life. In retrospect, it influenced how I treat myself and lead my life. I now see that I am more than my mistakes and can grow from my imperfections.

My dad’s wisdom in nature has guided me into who I am. With a transition of perspective, I have begun to pursue a life I can truly enjoy. Like an acorn, I can’t predict what my outcome will be, but I’ll always have a purpose.

ALLYSON THARP / THE TEMPLE NEWS

mccaillaigh.rouse@temple.edu

Everyday chemical warfare: An ode to fragrance

A student reflects on their relationship with perfumes and what scent means to them. BY OLIVIA ISABELLA SARIANO For The Temple News

As I sit at my desk, I gaze left and right at the intentional clutter. I have multiple colorful bottles full of mysterious-looking elixirs, but I see a journey, memory or feeling captured inside each bottle. My perfume collection has amassed more than 40 fragrances, and I don’t think I could choose my most treasured as each one brings something unique to the nose.

One of my favorite things about perfume is how a fragrance will project its scent differently depending on the wearer’s body chemistry. One may call my love for fragrance a hobby or obsession, but embarking on my journey to becoming a “frag head” has been a fascinating and delightfully scented experience.

My first meaningful interaction with perfume was with my mother in elementary school. We didn’t have much money when I was growing up, but sometimes we’d splurge a bit and buy one of the fragrances on sale at T.J. Maxx. Building a collection together became something we looked forward to, and it was fun to spoil ourselves a bit.

We were mostly drawn to Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers fragrances; my mom was a huge fan of Stefani and was excited to see her release a line of perfume. Each one had a figurine on top, and we’d add to our collection if we saw one and had some change to spare.

It was exciting to find a new bottle and discover the heavenly scents they had inside, adding a dash of luxury into our lives. My preference was called “G of the Sea,” which had overwhelmingly sweet notes of water lily, amber and jasmine.

When I was 14, I had the opportunity to tour the historic Fragonard Parfumerie, a fragrance distillery on the French Riviera in France, which grew my love for per- fume. Learning more about the artist-

ry of perfumery during the tour gave me more context for the process and influenced me to do some of my own research. I’m able to decode and understand each note of the perfume, which makes it interesting and enlightening.

The experience was so intoxicating and inspiring. I wanted to dedicate my life to becoming a “nose,” a person who designs fragrances. I changed my mind after learning noses shouldn’t smoke, drink coffee or alcohol or eat overly spicy foods. I decided to pursue a casual route of fragrance because I didn’t want to restrict myself too much. After I graduated high school, I went to work at a popular makeup retailer which also has an extensive perfume section. During m y shifts’ down time, I would smell fragrances and make samples for myself t o dissect the different notes, like bergamot, rose and patchouli, and see how the fragrance interacted with my skin and what the wear time was like.

My coworkers and I would practice blind-testing fragrances, and sometimes I would freak people out a bit because of my uncanny ability to identify a fragrance someone is wearing, and it’s become my party trick.

It was so interesting to see what kind of fragrance people choose for themselves, and I absolutely loved pointing people in the right direction to help them select one. Although I no longer work in retail, I still enjoy helping people find fragrances to make them feel beautiful and unique.

When my friends come to my apartment to get ready to go out together, they know the odds of me having them pick out a perfume from my personal collection to try a spritz is almost inevitable. It’s a fun way to bond with them and get to know them better through the sense of scent.

Being fragrance obsessed is a daily joy. Selecting my perfume in the morning is so ritualistic, I feel naked without it. It’s beautiful, complex and so personal that it can trigger memory and set a mood.

My love of perfume began as a fun indulgence with my mother, and we continue this tradition by occasionally gifting each other a new fragrance as we expand our collections. I love living my life in a lightly fragranced haze and can’t wait to see which scent will become my next signature.

My current signature scents: 1. “She Was an Anomaly” by Etat Libre D’Orange 2. “Glossier” by Glossier 3. “Another 13” by Le Labo 4. “Vanilla Musk” by Nemat 5. “Philosykos” by Diptyque

ALLYSON THARP / THE TEMPLE NEWS

olivia.sariano@temple.edu

Two clowns remind me it’s okay to be vulnerable

How an obscure band helped a student claim originality in her songwriting and life.

BY ADENIKE ONANUGA For The Temple News

Throughout my life, I’ve created different songs that I hope to release one day. Although I’m not currently pursuing a career as a songwriter, I’m proud of the lyric writing process I built for myself, as writing is an outlet for my self-expression.

I began writing song lyrics in the fourth grade when I loved Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and Black Uhuru. I wanted to take their music everywhere with me, so I spent hours on my home computer unintentionally teaching myself song structures by memorizing the lyrics in those artists’ songs.

My method for songwriting was essentially plagiarism: I’d copy my favorite artists’ songs into my journals and reword them, inserting my feelings and thoughts into melodies I heard on the radio.

I was 16 when I scrolled down to the bottom of a surf rock playlist on Spotify and discovered the song “Make a Wish” by The Garden, an experimental pop-punk duo of twins Fletcher and Wyatt Shears. I clicked on the orange album cover with one twin wearing blackand-white clown makeup, an over-thetop grin and a prosthetic witch nose.

At first, I was weirded out because my discovery shortly followed the killer clown drama of 2016, clowns didn’t have the best reputation. After giving them a chance, I realized that listening to their music filled me with childish joy because it felt like attending a circus. I’m thankful I gave the clowns a try because the band helped me understand my individuality is simply the vulnera bility that my bravery allows me to show.

I could instantly tell The Garden harnessed

their individuality by burying messages under their over-the-top clown disguise because of the distinctive sound. They make music in the same way that clowns entertain a crowd: they overperform so their audience doesn’t take them seriously. In clown makeup and clothing, they somersault and wheelbarrow around on stage, showing how individuality comes when people don’t care what others think of them. The Garden changed the way I approached writing lyrics by showing me that I can still write great lyrics even if they don’t make sense at first listen. With this new outlook, I let myself write down whatever comes to mind judgmentfree. I usually don’t remember physically writing lyrics down, I remember getting the idea and finishing the final verse; the time between is a blur. Their music and their style inspire me to be honest and original when I write lyrics because t h e y release music that’s radically blunt and vulnerable in a playful and punkish way. At the first listen, it may seem like their lyrics don’t mean

much, but when I analyze their lyrics, I can tell that they touch on personal topics.

Since I began listening, I’ve taken their method and started writing lyrics that are overly abstract and vague so that I can tell the entire truth about the topics that I write verses about, but not feel overexposed.

My new process has taught me to create an open space for lyrics to flow where I don’t have to speak, act or feel a certain way, and it’s helped me to realize what many of my beliefs, habits, regrets, rebellions and dreams are while drafting lyrics.

I enjoy using vague wording in my verses to channel multiple ideas into a single line of lyrics. I can free myself from any limiting beliefs or judgments I place on myself in the same way that the Shears twins free themselves from expectations with their over-the-top jester imagery and the nonsensical style of their music.

Being a fan of The Garden is a constant reminder that if I find the courage to be vulnerable, the things I create will inevitably be original to me. Now, I can go in-depth about heavy feelings and weighted experiences in my lyrics because I hide them in flowery language. I just needed to find a way to feel safe from judgment, so that my songwriting would have my originality.

I’ve had many musical inspirations throughout my life but, I thank The Garden for its clown-like behavior that taught me to create with openness and truth.

ALLYSON THARP / THE TEMPLE NEWS

adenike.onanuga@temple.edu

Rollercoaster rush: Letting go of a need for control

A student explains how she escapes her need for control through an adrenaline rush. BY SARAH FRASCA Opinion Editor

Sitting in the front row of a cart heading up to the peak of a roller coaster, I feel my head being pushed against the headrest as the incline increases. I dig my feet into the bottom of the cart as if it will slow down the drop that should be coming any second.

My breathing slows but my heart rate speeds up as the seconds-long ride up the curve feels like minutes as the anticipation builds. I can see the sky from an unusual angle and focus, I’m completely disconnected from everyone on the ground below me.

I’m terrified and excited, and I feel a pit in my stomach and a lightness in my head both growing exponentially.

I redirect my focus because the peak is now right in front of me. I momentarily prepare for the adrenaline rush that I live for.

–

I’ve always felt the need to be in control of every aspect of my life. I’ve never been able to let classmates do their own work in group projects. I also can only cook alone; having someone help only means I’ll be watching every move over their shoulder the entire time. I believe there are right and wrong ways to do everything, and I’d rather do something myself to get it done the way I deem correct.

“I’m right, you’re wrong.”

My family loves to use this phrase to describe me and my grandmother, who certainly passed her type-A personality on to me. Ouch. I t comes off rather harsh, even as a joke, but

they’re not entirely wrong.

I know this probably isn’t the healthiest way to live every day and it does bug me and my close friends and family rather often, but I struggle to relax my control freak tendencies. The only time I loosen my grip of control is when I experience true adrenaline, usually from the intensity of extreme rides at amusement parks. My personality-contrasting desire for thrill also comes from my family. Since childhood, my family vacations have usually involved some sort of amusement park trip. It could be the ride piers on the Wildwoods Boardwalk, where I learned to love classic wooden roller coasters, like The Great White, or even Universal Studios Florida Theme Park, where some of my favorite coasters are, like Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Revenge of the Mummy. My mom, sister and I always ride the rollercoasters together while my dad plays the role of the self-proclaimed bag holder. We’ve been on some of the most famous coasters in the United States, like the recently opened VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Millennium Force at Cedar Point and, of course, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure.

I love to sit at the front when the lines aren’t too long, even when my family is too scared of a particularly intimidating ride. Seeing how high I am and looking down at an insane drop from the top of a peak with the perfect view makes each ride more thrilling, and I know I get to be the first person in the group to feel the rush.

It seems counterintuitive to be obsessed with both control and adrenaline, but putting myself in situations where I have to let go of my control allows me to feel free from the unnecessary stress I put on myself. For a couple of minutes, I get to forget about reality, but at the same time, I feel like the most real version of myself with my adrenaline pumping. –

The cart rolls down the peak and reaches extraordinary speeds that feel brand new every time I experience them. Cutting through the air, I don’t usually scream like the other riders next to me, but I smile and close my eyes, appreciating the entirety of the thrill. The ride will end soon, usually only lasting under two minutes.

It’s my chance to let go. The adrenaline takes over, and I feel free from any other worry I may have had. I have no control of speed, place or feeling, and I love it.

ALLYSON THARP /THE TEMPLE NEWS sarah.frasca@temple.edu @sarahhfrasca

Finding my eccentricity through my personal style

A student channels her individuality through fashion with thrift finds and craftiness. BY MOLLY FISKE

Assistant Opinion Editor

I was seven years old when I successfully bargained with my parents for an American Girl doll like the ones my older cousins received as Christmas gifts. I wanted my doll to have all of the outfit options, but my crafty mom opted to create custom matching pieces for my doll and I.

From a young age, my mom made all of my fashion dreams come true. When I started elementary school, she picked out my outfits and always had a hand in my wardrobe decisions until middle school when I started to prefer dressing myself.

Although I loved the outfits she picked out for me, I reached an age where I wanted to be in control of my appearance. I’ve always loved expressing myself through my clothing. To me, waking up every morning and dressing to reflect how I feel is the ultimate form of self expression.

However, all of the popular girls in my school dressed alike, and wore the Ugg boots, skinny jeans and Abercrombie & Fitch sweatshirt combo. I noticed that showing off as many expensive labels as possible in one outfit became the social currency of middle and high school.

My mom rarely took me to the mall, she chose to shop at local businesses and my older cousins provided tons of handme-downs. I began to get this creeping feeling that my outfits did not fit in with everyone else because I dressed differently than them. I was wearing flare jeans and leather boots while my classmates stuck to what was trendy.

When I opened my closet to see wool sweaters, patterned dresses and faux-fur vests, I saw a wardrobe that was out of touch and curated by my mom.

I was upset that I didn’t possess the trendy items my classmates wore and began thrifting at local consignment stores.I hit the jackpot on a matching velour Juicy Couture tracksuit and some gently worn Abercrombie T-shirts.

I enjoyed expressing my individuality through my clothing by wearing items that weren’t considered trendy, but a part of me longed to open a wardrobe similar to my classmates.

As I found myself attempting to blend in with my classmates by mixing my thrifted pieces with the rest of my wardrobe, I started immersing myself in the music my parents introduced me to as a child, like David Bowie, The Cure and The Smiths. When I was younger I thought the music my parents were listening to was lame, but I grew to realize that these artists and albums that they loved were classics.

I became interested in authors and artists like Robert Mapplethorpe and Duncan Hannah because they all were unapologetically themselves. When I was a sophomore in high school, I began to decorate my room with band posters of

“Aladdin Sane” by David Bowie or “The Joshua Tree” by U2 and I collected the autobiographies of Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and John Densmore of The Doors.

I figured if they could all become themselves then there was no reason why I couldn’t do it too. All superstars and icons were once insecure teenagers just like I was.

I became more intentional in how I dressed for the remainder of high school. I thrifted for the perfect leather jacket or Levi’s jeans, and instead of wanting the same clothing that everyone else had, I coveted things that were perfectly unique.

When I decided I wanted to transfer from the University of Pittsburgh after Fall 2020, I wanted to find a lively city school with a more creative a n d fash ion able

scene.

A month before my first semester at Temple University, I found myself elbow-deep in the Goodwill outlets. I was sorting through clothes, searching for vintage nightgowns and prom dresses or a perfect faux fur coat. I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt instead of sorting through racks at the mall.

When I came to Temple, I was excited to start dressing to my full potential. Life was similar to how it was before the pre-pandemic during the period I transferred, and I felt more comfortable in Philadelphia than I did in Pittsburgh. The city felt more established creatively and I didn’t have to worry about the hierarchy of materialistic items like everyone in my high school did.

I took down the posters I had at home and put them up in my apartment when I moved in because they still provided inspiration when I found myself lacking creatively.

My mom and I went on monthly outings to the thrift or antique store this past summer break. I arrived home and washed and cleaned every piece, while she would mend any pieces that needed alterations.

Although I don’t live at home anymore, my mom and I still bond together for our shared love of finding the perfect unique piece and making my fashion dreams come true. Before I get dressed in the morning, I gaze at the posters of “The Queen is Dead” album cover by The Smiths or the poster of David Bowie’s “Aladdin Sane” hanging next to my closet. Their immortalized faces look down on me as I get ready for the day. I press shuffle on my music and I examine my wardrobe, figuring out who I’m going to be today.

ALLYSON THARP / THE TEMPLE NEWS

molly.fiske@temple.edu

PAGE 14 The Temple News

An Olympic weightlifter’s journey to consistency

A student almost gave up Olympic weightlifting but returned to achieve her dream.

BY EMMA ESTERBROOK For The Temple News

“It’s all about the journey, not the destination.”

I remember sitting in my ninth grade English class and listening to my teacher repeat this phrase often. I rolled my eyes and went along with my day like most 15-year-olds would.

Although I started Olympic weightlifting at 12 years old, during my freshman year of high school I intensified my training and put everything into my dream to one day wear a Team USA singlet on an international platform.

Unfortunately, I was not a naturally-gifted athlete but I worked hard. When I was a senior in high school, I won two national championships and earned nine national-level medals.

However, I left behind missed opportunities to compete with Team USA. I was an alternate for the 2017 Pan-American Youth Championship team and didn’t qualify for the Youth IWF World Championships Team either.

I struggled to come to terms with the fact I never accomplished the one goal I worked for during the last four years, representing Team USA internationally. I lost the passion I once had for the sport and took a step back from competing for a few months.

I found myself back with a barbell in hand once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. I realized if I put in the time and energy I could be a good university level athlete. However, I knew I would never be as good as I was when I was a youth athlete because going from youth to junior level weightlifting is tougher because the pool of athletes in the competition increases.

I just wanted to continue lifting and see how far I could physically and mentally push myself, so I decided to start training full-time again to see what I could accomplish during the remainder of my collegiate years.

I stopped caring about the weight on the bar, the girls I was competing against and the idea of being on Team USA. I started focusing on being confident and consistent with ev -

ery lift — train ing with consistent weights on the barbells, technique and positive self-encour-

agement. Training and lifting became a competition with myself, rather than with other weightlifters.

During University Nationals 2022, I represented Temple as a university student but I was not affiliated with Temple’s own lifting team. It was the first competition in my eight years of competing where I felt confident during every lift.

I felt completely in control of my body, my mind and the barbell. The work I put into the six minutes spent on the platform paid off in every way. I became a 2022 All-American athlete and finally made my first international team. I was s o

overwhelmed with excitement that I didn’t believe my coach when he told me I made my first international team. Even after the competition, the adrenaline was still rushing through my body throughout the day and I wasn’t able to sleep that night.

For the first time in my career I felt like the years of training finally paid off. I was not expecting to make Team USA, so I was shocked to find out I was ranked third overall on the team. It was such a rewarding feeling, although I had been working towards this goal since I was 12, I wasn’t expecting it to become a reality.

I traveled to Merida, Mexico, in October to compete in the FISU American Games. On the first day of the competition, although the snatch has always been my favorite lift, I underperformed on the platform during my three attempts. I was nervous because I knew I had to perform well in clean and jerks, which has always been the lift I have struggled with most.

I walked up to the platform and made my first attempt at 100kg/220lbs.

I felt everything click and was able to make a successful lift. When I went on to take 105kg/231lbs and completed it, the energy in the room completely changed from nervous to excited and I heard my teammates and coaches shout my name in celebration. I followed up with a successful personal record attempt at 108kg/239lbs. I rarely get emotional when weightlifting, but I ran off the platform feeling overwhelmed from finally hitting my goal. I finally wore the Team USA singlet and stood on an international podium and excitedly received my first international medal, and I knew ninth-grade me would have been very proud of what

I did that day.

My time in this sport hasn’t been easy, but I can say the journey has made it well worth it. I am grateful for the incredible opportunities I’ve had and what I learned during my years of lifting.

ALLYSON THARP /THE TEMPLE NEWS

emma.esterbrook@temple.edu

The Temple News PAGE 15

Writing myself as the main character in my life

A student created a book character that inspired her to become the person she is today. BY VALERIA URIBE For The Temple News

I was 13 when my best friend and I decided to make a bet: we gave each other two months to come up with a successful story and publish it on Wattpad, an app where people can read and write stories. In the end, the person with fewer readers would have to give a bouquet of flowers to the other.

I started my book in 2015, and although I didn’t publish it in two months, the process gave me a strong sense of self and largely influenced who I am today.

I spent four years writing “In spite of everything,” devoting at least three hours every day to working on it, and I still go back to edit it. The story is about Maddison, a 17-yearold high school student learning to navigate complex relationships with friends and family while she tries to accomplish her dream of becoming a writer.

Working on writing a book every day for four years gave me a safe place where I felt comfortable enough to create a main character that reflected everything I wanted.

After almost one year of writing, I developed a special connection with Maddison. She brought me comfort and I wanted to be like her. She’s sarcastic, caring, smart and really stubborn. Maddison says what she thinks and is willing to do anything to get what she wants.

I felt like we were growing up together because I started to match my personality to hers and her habits to mine. If I discovered a new interest, like my fascination with old libraries, I’d add it to the book and

Maddison would be intrigued too. After a couple of years of writing, I started to admire Maddison and think like her.

The main character of my book became the person I want to be — Madison is stronger and wiser than me. She always finds a way to push through her problems because I wrote her as an idealized version of myself who does what I don’t have the courage to do. When I need to face my problems, I open the draft to find encouragement and ask myself what Maddison would do. I was motivated to follow my dreams by writing a story where Maddison achieves all her goals, and seeing her embody everything I wanted for myself inspired me to become who I wanted to be. I wanted to get into a good college and become a great writer, so I made that Maddison’s dream and wrote that she accomplished it. I wanted to be the kind of person that wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself and share her thoughts, so I wrote Maddison as brave until I was finally ready to be like her.

Creating her allowed me to explore my personality and helped me visualize my goals. I have a clear idea of who I am and what I want because I created Maddison.

When my friends and I shared where we saw each other in 10 years, they said I would be drinking coffee in a café editing my draft for the millionth time. I promised that I’ll edit the book for a final time and then I’ll publish it in the next three years, but I haven’t been able to because I don’t feel like it’s ready.

I keep editing the story because when I read it, I can look back and compare who I am today to who I used to be. I change storylines, rewrite dialogs and add small details all the time because I want my growth to be reflected through Maddison’s character.

I’ll keep editing the book because I’m not ready to let go of something that helps me to process what happens in my life. Eventually, I hope to publish ”In spite of everything,” maybe in the next few years.

I was able to develop a character that was everything I wanted to be, and doing that inspired me to become who I am today, thanks to that bet from my childhood. Even if I was the one that created Maddison, I can say with certainty that without her, I wouldn’t be me.

ALLYSON THARP / THE TEMPLE NEWS valeria.uribe@temple.edu

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ALL IN GOOD FUN

HOLIDAY WORD SEARCH WORLD CUP CROSSWORD

Find all the words hidden in the across, down, diagonally, and backwards to get in the holiday spirit.

BELLS CANDLES CHRISTMAS HANUKKAH GIFTS KWANZAA NEW YEAR CHEER SANTA REINDEER

DOWN:

1. A player on the U.S. men’s national team from Hershey, Pennsylvania. 2. The U.S. defeated this team 1-0 on Nov. 29 to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup 4. The coach of the U.S. men’s national team.

5. The capital of the country hosting the World Cup. 6. A player on the U.S. men’s national team that previously played for the Philadelphia Union. 3. The country hosting the World Cup. 7. This country eliminated the U.S. from the World Cup. 8. This European country has failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022.

9. The U.S. tied with this country on Nov. 25. 10. The defending World Cup champions from 2018.

ACROSS:

The Temple News

FEATURES

PAGE 19

RESOURCE GUIDE

Food resources for students during winter break

Here’s a list of Philadelphia food resources available to students facing food insecurity. BY DUAY AUGUSTINE

Assistant Features Editor

Temple University will not hold classes during winter break from Dec. 15 to Jan. 16, and campus will be closed from the end of the business day on Dec. 22 to Dec. 30.

Twenty-nine percent of students enrolled at four-year colleges reported experiencing food insecurity, according to a 2020 survey conducted by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.

The Temple News has compiled a list of Philadelphia food resources available to students during break.

THE CHERRY PANTRY

The Cherry Pantry provides students with food and operates on a point system. Students will receive 16 points to spend at the Cherry Pantry per week. Side dishes cost one point, one-meal items cost two points and multiple meal items cost three points, wrote Annette Ditolvo, the program coordinator for the Cherry Pantry, in an email to The Temple News.

In addition, students can visit the pantry once per week, Ditolvo said.

During the week of Dec. 5, students are able to receive two hygiene products in addition to their 16-point allotment for food.

Temple’s Cherry Pantry is located in Room 224A of the Howard Gittis Student Center.

The pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays during the break, except for the week of Jan. 1, when the Cherry Pantry will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ditolvo said.

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THE DRUEDING CENTER’S GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY

The Green Light Food Pantry, located at 413 W. Master St., supplies families in need with healthy food options, including fresh produce, lean proteins like beans and canned fish, whole grain cereals and different types of pasta.

The Green Light Food Pantry also offers cooking and nutrition classes for families in need. The local pantry accepts food donations and asks that those interested in donating consult the list of accepted foods on their website and contact food pantry and volunteer coordinator Linda Croskey at 215-787-3263.

Those in need can sign up to receive one bag of fresh produce and one bag of non-perishable food per month. To sign up, people should call Croskey to schedule a time to receive food.

The Green Light Food Pantry’s hours are Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The pantry will not be open on Dec. 29, Croskey said.

LUCY MORAN / THE TEMPLE NEWS

Temple’s Cherry Pantry is available to Temple students and is located in the Student Center.

HELEN BROWN COMMUNITY CENTER

The Helen Brown Community Center’s food pantry, located at 1845 N. 23rd St., provides non-perishable food items for community members in need.

The food pantry is open from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and is also open every third Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. No identification is required to receive food.

Donations of non-perishable food items are always accepted, but the community center asks people to call ahead before delivery.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

SNAP helps low-income families in Pennsylvania afford groceries through an electronic benefits transfer system, which allows for SNAP benefits to be placed directly into an account only the recipient can use.

In order to be eligible for SNAP benefits, households must have an income within certain limits depending on housing costs, childcare payments and medical expenses. Those who believe they are eligible can apply at Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services’ website or at their local county assistance office.

Eligible families will receive EBT ACCESS cards, which can be used for food items at participating grocery stores.

Local vendors that accept SNAP benefits include The Fresh Grocer at 1501 N. Broad St., Rite Aid at 1406 Cecil B. Moore Ave., CVS Pharmacy at 1717 N. 12th St. and 7-Eleven at 2034 N. Broad St.

A biweekly roundup of some of the stories featured in print.

STUDENT LIFE

Student and family compete on “Family Feud”

Siblings Jacob and Jordynn Drelick were participants on the show alongside their family. BY DUAY AUGUSTINE

Assistant Features Editor

The Drelick family has always been told by friends and family that they would do well on “Family Feud” because of their outgoing personalities and previous experience on television, but when they applied to be on the show they never expected they’d get the opportunity to compete after receiving three strikes on the first round of questions during auditions.

“I was like, in the back of my head, thinking, ‘Oh wow, that was our test right there, we just failed,’” said Jacob Drelick, a senior sport and recreation management major.

Despite hearing back from the casting manager, Jacob still felt his family had very limited chances of being on the show because there were roughly 10,000 other families being considered, he said.

The family heard back from the casting manager two weeks after their audition and were added to the active file of potential families for the show. They filmed the show in May 2022 and were featured on “Family Feud” for four episodes, which aired from Nov. 16 through Nov. 21.

The audition process for “Family Feud” typically includes an online application with questions about the family and the option to submit a video audition. If the application is accepted, families will be interviewed with a casting director through Zoom, according to their website.

“When you’re not one of the families, of the two families playing, you’re actually one of the families in the audience in the first couple of rows, so we were able to watch shows being taped that we weren’t playing so like being there and hearing the lights go off and the music and it’s all just like happening around you, like my heart started racing a little bit,” Jacob said. themselves for the show during the time between auditions and their taping.

Before recording their episodes, the family delved into old episodes of “Family Feud” in an attempt to practice for the show after receiving recommendations to do so from producers.

“We were asking each other questions, at dinner we’re just googling ‘Family Feud’ questions and going around the room like ‘Okay good, good, good,’ like we’re just like getting our brains firing,” Jacob said.

On the show, they were asked questions like “Of all the animals great and small, which is the most beloved of all,” which stumped the family because they fixated on the ‘small’ aspect of the question, said Jordynn Drelick, a 2020 marketing alumna.

“You know, and, me, I think I said hamster, my brother said chipmunk, because you’re just thinking small, it’s hard, like that’s where that nervousness comes in,” Jordynn said.

“Family Feud” is not the Drelicks’ first time being on TV, the family competed on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2015 and have been featured on local news stations several times, where they showcased their annual display of 35,000 Christmas lights. However, this experience did not absolve the family of their TV show appearance anxiety and excitement.

“Definitely being down there and on a stage like that, not like in your front yard with your Christmas lights and like seeing Steve Harvey, especially, it was very nerve-wracking,” Jordynn said.

The Drelicks won three games in a row on “Family Feud” but lost the fourth, completing their run on the show. Throughout their episodes, the family won the Fast Money bonus round, with a prize of $20,000, once, a moment Tracey Drelick, their mother, will never forget, she said.

“My favorite moment for me, which I’ll never forget, was when I was backstage with my headphones on they were blaring The Killers, I guess it was ‘Jealousy,’ or ‘Mr. Brightside,’ was the name of the song because they were blasting that while my mom was playing Fast Money, that was the episode when we won the money, I just remember being extremely nervous; I couldn’t believe this was my life,” Tracey said.

Beyond the prize money that they won, the Drelicks were happy to connect with the other families they played with.

“Everybody was genuinely good-hearted, it felt like good-hearted people that wanted you to do well, even if it meant them losing, they didn’t mind because they just wanted you to do well,” Tracey said.

COURTESY / FAMILY FEUD

duay.augustine@temple.edu

PAGE 22

STUDENT LIFE

LONGFORM

The Temple News

THE TEMPLE NEWS / FILE

The Army fell 25 percent short of its 2022 recruiting goal, pushing military leaders to offer new benefits and inscentives.

Temple Army ROTC cadets pursue military service

ROTC cadets balance program responsilibites with academics and extracurricular activites.

BY LAWRENCE UKENYE Editor-In-Chief

Juliane Cherry knew she wanted to pursue Temple University’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program after seeing the example set by her family members who devoted their lives to military service.

“My father is in the Air Force and my brother, my uncle, [and] my grandfather were in the Army,” said Cherry, an ROTC cadet and sophomore public health major. “And from all those people in my close circle, I found that I really admired all of the values that they held themselves to.”

Students in Temple’s Army ROTC program balance aspirations of joining the military with other activities that challenge them socially and academically. Despite their demanding schedules, most students are able to gain leadership skills while in the program, like managing groups of people from different backgrounds, that prepare them for careers in the military and in civilian life.

Student participation in the program comes amid national declines in U.S. military recruiting that are straining the future of the country’s armed forces.

Despite the nationwide constraints, Temple’s ROTC still recruits a consistent number of cadets, many of whom see a path to reach future personal and professional goals by participating in the program.

GETTING THE WORD OUT

While some countries require military service, the U.S. has maintained an all-volunteer force since 1973 that relies on recruiting young people to serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines Corps.

The Army fell 25 percent short of its 2022 recruiting goal and Congress has routinely held hearings discussing ways to address shortfalls, which may pose national security risks.

The possibility of death and injury, post-traumatic stress disorder concerns and leaving family and friends were listed as top reasons why individuals ages 16-21 don’t want to join the military, according to a 2021 report from the Department of Defense.

Recruiting also lags when national unemployment rates are low as young people feel more comfortable pursuing non-military careers. Despite fears of a looming recession, the U.S. currently only has a 3.7 percent unemployment rate, according to a November report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“I think the civilian world is kind of crushing it right now when it comes to salaries and stuff,” said Sophia Gulotti, an ROTC cadet and senior nursing major. “I don’t know if the pandemic has been taken into account, but I’m sure that has had a lot to do with the numbers going down too because people can make money from home doing their civilian job.”

The military has also struggled to connect with potential recruits due to the lack of in-person opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To mitigate against the social and economic reasons why people may not want to serve, the Army has implemented and reemphasized a variety of benefits it offers.

“Quick ship bonuses of up to $40,000 are available for individuals who can ship within 45 days of signing a contract,” wrote Brian McGovern, deputy director of public affairs at U.S. Army Recruiting Command in an email to The Temple News. “The Army also continues to offer 30 paid vacation days annually, compre-

The Temple News

LONGFORM

hensive health care, family services, and career support.”

There are roughly 120 cadets in Temple’s ROTC program and as many as 150 have participated in recent years. While the program’s recruiting figures have remained steady, a key component to ensuring they remain that way is by promoting the program and its potential benefits, said Marc Young, an enrollment officer in Temple’s Department of Military Science.

“We make the effort to get the word out there,” Young said. “So that if [students] have an inherent interest, it will give them a way of, ‘Oh, you know, I always want to do that, let me try this’ versus ‘Who the heck are they?’”.

ROTC receives assistance from Temple Athletics, the Honors Program and the university’s nursing program which all make their students aware of the program and how to join, Young said.

Cherry benefited from the program’s recruiting efforts after she was offered a four-year scholarship that she accepted instead of an athletic scholarship at the Virginia Military Institute.

‘YOU’RE A STUDENT FIRST’

Although cadets focus on their potential military goals, they balance participating in the program with their academics and other extracurricular activities.

All ROTC cadets arrive at 6:30 a.m. at Geasey Field every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for physical training. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they participate in military science labs where students learn tactics like land navigation.

Despite the weekly requirements, cadets are advised that their academics are the priority and the program gives students space to focus on completing assignments when they feel overwhelmed.

“In the program, it’s emphasized that you’re a student first,” said Kevin Stine, an ROTC cadet and sophomore management information systems major. “So if you have issues, you can go to people and they’ll be more lenient.”

Gulotti has integrated her ROTC requirements into her athletic schedule during her four years of competing for Temple Women’s Track and Field. Despite creating a routine for herself, there have been moments when constant meetings and other requirements have been challenging, Gulotti said.

“There were times where I would have an ROTC meeting like a few times a week and it was just like, ‘Gosh, I’ve been in uniform four days this week, when am I gonna have a break?’’’.

Gulotti has inspired Cherry, her fellow track and field teammate, to find ways to balance her busy schedule while being committed to the values of the program.

“I saw that she was engaged in everything at Temple University,” Cherry said. “She’s a nursing student, she’s a cadet, she’s an athlete and all around she’s a people servant.”

Cherry’s responsibilities have also impacted her ability to participate in the traditional college experience as she often has to sacrifice hanging out with friends to keep up with her assignments.

“I have a lot of conversations with my close friends, long and deep conversations about how I might not always be there physically for them, but if they ever really truly need me, then I’ll be there of course,” Cherry said.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Some ROTC cadets can take advantage of programs like the United States Army Airborne School, where they can receive paratrooper lessons and learn skills they wouldn’t be able to gain on a college campus.

However, those opportunities are typically available depending on how much funding a university’s ROTC program has to send cadets across the country or parts of Europe to participate, Young said.

“There’s only so much funding and so many slots,” Young said. “If everybody wants to go to airborne school, I can’t send everybody.”

Most cadets are able to pair their academic pursuits with potential careers in the military, which allows them to learn all they can while staying in Philadelphia.

After she graduates in May, Gulotti plans to use her nursing education to hopefully pursue a career in the Army.

“I really want to see where I can go in the Army through nursing,” Gulotti said. “And I think that my nursing career can take me to a lot of cool places around the world but also care for a really cool population.”

Cherry ultimately hopes to become a health care attorney. She’s still excited for her future in ROTC while at Temple and how she’ll grow during her remaining time as a cadet.

“I love this program,” Cherry said. “I think that it is a crawl, walk, run program where we learn a lot of things over this four-year period and ultimately we’ll become great leaders, people servants and everything of the above.”

editor@temple-news.com @Lawrence_Ukenye

PAGE 24

SPORTS

The Temple News

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Fihla adapting to American basketball culture

Freshman guard AK Fihla walked on to Temple’s team after not playing the sport until he was 15. BY MOLLY FISKE Assistant Opinion Editor

While most American college basketball players begin learning the game at a young age, Temple Men’s Basketball freshman guard and preferred walk-on AK Fihla began playing at just 15 years old in his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Moving from South Africa to Philadelphia, a city with some of the most influential basketball schools in the country, is no easy task. For Fihla, learning to adapt to the enhanced enthusiasm surrounding the sport in Philadelphia has been key, especially when it comes to bringing a newfound energy on and off the court.

“Everyone wants to take pride in their school,” Fihla said. “Just having a community feel and a community sense around the school, that’s very different and I like it.”

Fihla comes from a country where basketball is not as prominent as it is in the United States. He understands that basketball in the U.S. is culturally significant, and wants to help his team win in any way he can.

Fihla is excited about the liveliness, culture, music and fashion in his new city, but he couldn’t have made the journey to Temple without Temple Basketball’s coaching staff, he said. Fihla has improved his skill set by learning from Temple’s Division-I coaches, like former NBA guard and head coach Aaron McKie.

“The staff are really good at creating relationships with the boys,” Fihla said. “That helps the team not only at a professional level, but they can help with personal things off the court.”

For many international students, finding a home away from home is essential to acclimating to campus life. He has enjoyed the closeness of the team, as everyone bonds by cracking jokes while training for games.

Freshman guard and fellow walk-on Connor Gal has helped Fihla adjust by teaching him the basics of the American style of play, which is more fast-paced compared to South Africa.

“He just started playing basketball just a few years ago, and he taught himself everything, so it’s been nice helping him out and teaching him basics,” Gal said. “He’s been very good for just starting out a couple years ago, he’s kind of a quiet kid but has been showing off the more he’s been here.”

Temple’s basketball program has the fifth most wins of any college basketball team in the country. For Fihla, learning the significance of the team in college sports is important to being a new player.

“They have shared what the history of the program is like, and being taught by people that have done it before has been very nice,” Fihla said. “It’s been an exciting and welcoming experience.”

Before coming to the U.S., Fihla was unsure whether he wanted to take his basketball career internationally, but Franck Traore, the head of basketball operations for NBA Academy Africa, helped develop Fihla’s skills so he could play college-level basketball in America.

With the help of Traore, Fihla learned fundamental basketball skills, like moving without the ball or shooting from all three levels, before coming to Temple. Other walk-ons, like senior guard Ryan Sayers, have also helped Fihla find his place on the court during his transition.

“I was taking him through workouts, after practices and later at night, and so we were working on a lot of stuff that’s important for our program,” Sayers said. “We spent a lot of time working on skills that he could potentially be doing when he gets into a game and stuff like that.”

The Big 5 and City 6 teams have legendary matchups that have developed over time. Temple has already faced off against other teams in the Philadelphia area, like Drexel University, Villanova University and La Salle University this season, yet Fihla still sees himself playing in these rivalries later in his collegiate career. Despite picking up a basketball just a few years ago, he’s already adapting to the sport in the U.S.

“Playing wise, just everyone is so much taller, and they’ve been playing since they were three,” Fihla said. “I took up the sport when I was 15, so obviously I’m already behind and catching up.”

With an improved shot, quicker decision-making and a love of the sport, AK Fihla can become more than just an energy guy for Temple Men’s Basketball in the years to come.

ERIKA MONN / THE TEMPLE NEWS

Freshman guard AK Fihla has been learning the cultural significance of basketball in Philadelphia.

molly.fiske@temple.edu

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Temple aiming to ride a win streak to Big 5 title

After going undefeated during a three-game week, the Owls have a chance to lead Philly again. BY JAVON EDMONDS

Assistant Sports Editor

Temple Men’s Basketball (5-4, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) is on its first win streak of the 2022-23 season after getting off to a slow start. Although the Owls missed their early opportunity to stack their tournament resume, they are showing signs of improvement.

After going 1-2 during Feast Week again, Temple bounced back with two City 6 wins and a dominant victory against a former Atlantic 10 foe, Virginia Commonwealth University (5-3, 0-0 Atlantic 10). The Owls have little margin for error from here on out and played with that desperation last week. Battle is Back

After his redshirt sophomore season, shooting guard Khalif Battle declared for the NBA Draft. Battle averaged 21.4 points through seven games in 2021-22 before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

On June 1, Battle announced that he was withdrawing his name from the draft and returning to Temple. Scouts told him they would like to see improvement as a leader and defender, Battle said.

Aside from his disagreement with head coach Aaron McKie in the Nov. 15 loss to Vanderbilt University (4-4 0-0 Southeastern Conference), Battle has made strides in both departments. He has been vocal in huddles and on the bench and is one of the Owls’ loudest communicators on the court.

Defensively, Battle is having the best season of his career. He’s guarded ball-handlers more than ever before and had a breakout game in Saturday’s win against VCU. Temple sophomores point guard Hysier Miller and forward Jahlil White usually defend opponents’ best scorers and primary ball-handlers.

Battle took on that defensive responsibility against the Rams as he played the full 40 minutes and guarded the Rams’ best player, preseason all-Atlantic 10 junior guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr. for most of the game. Battle finished the game with a career-high four steals while still being able to score 27 points on the other end of the floor.

“I’m proud of KB,” White said. “He sees how much we’re emphasizing defense as a team and I feel like he’s really buying into that.” Jourdain’s Emergence

Sophomore forward Nick Jourdain has come alive during Temple’s threegame winning streak.

In the Nov. 27 win against Drexel University (4-5, 0-0 Colonial Athletic Association), sophomore center Jamille Reynolds left the game early with an upper-leg injury. In his absence, Jourdain stepped in as Temple’s small-ball center. With Jourdain on the floor, Temple went on a 15-0 run to finally pull away from the Dragons and win the game.

In Wednesday’s win against La Salle University (4-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10), Jourdain’s minutes decreased but he was still effective. Battle’s former AAU teammate finished with seven points on 100 percent shooting, hauled in five rebounds and tied his season-high of four blocks. His defense allowed Temple to push the pace and score baskets in transition, turning a 32 percent shooting performance in the first half to a nearly 60 percent field goal rate in the second half.

Jourdain’s minutes increased again against VCU as McKie benched Reynolds and inserted Jourdain in as the small-ball center in order to spread the Rams out. The adjustment opened up the paint, allowing for Temple’s perimeter players to get baskets at the rim before collapsing defenses and passing out for open threes.

“Nick helps us a lot because he’s like a point forward,” Battle said. “We can switch one through five if we have to, and that’s really why you go with Nick instead of Jamille.” Dunn returning to form

Fourth-year sophomore guard Damian Dunn averaged nearly 30 points per game through the first three games of the season, leading him to previously become the nation’s top scorer. It appeared as if the preseason all-conference duo of Dunn and Battle were going to lead the way for Temple as one of the best teams in the American Athletic Conference.

Dunn went into a slump in his next three games, scoring 19 points combined on 4-of-22 shooting. He returned to being a reliable offensive contributor in Temple’s three games last week, averaging 14.3 points on 15-of-32 shooting. On tap

Temple has a chance at clinching its first outright Big 5 championship in 12 years with a game tonight against Saint Joseph’s University (3-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10) and Saturday at the University of Pennsylvania (5-6, 0-0 Ivy League). It would be Temple’s 28th Big 5 title, tied with Villanova University for the most ever.

EARL KUFEN / THE TEMPLE NEWS

Temple Men’s Basketball redshirt-sophomore guard Khalif Battle showed his defensive improvements in Temple’s win against VCU on Dec. 3

javon.edmonds@temple.edu @javonedmonds45

MEN’S SOCCER

Owls hope to move past disappointing season

Temple Men’s Soccer finished last in the AAC and moved on from head coach Brian Rowland. BY LIAM GIANNELLI Men’s Soccer Beat Reporter

When Temple Men’s Soccer entered the 2022 season, they were hoping to improve their offense after ranking near the bottom of the conference in most offensive statistics during the 2021 season.

Instead, the Owls finished with a record of 4-9-3, with just one win against opponents in the American Athletic Conference. As a result of their underwhelming season, the university decided not to renew the contract of former head coach Brian Rowland, who finished with a cumulative record of 24-43-13 during his tenure with the Owls.

Temple immediately began a national search for their next head coach following the firing, but the team is trying to remain a cohesive unit throughout the transition period. Although the Owls struggled, they remain confident that they can overcome the tactical struggles they experienced by staying together.

“As a group, we still were a close group even with everything that went on during the season,” said senior forward Mike Eijgendaal.

Prior to the start of the season, Rowland believed the team would benefit from multiple players returning from injury, like redshirt junior forward Sean Karani and senior midfielder Kemali Green.

Rowland was also hopeful senior forward Yann Kouemi would make an impact on offense after transferring from Mount St. Mary’s University in 2020 and being benched for the 2021 season due to transfer rules.

The team scored just 14 goals in the 2021 season, and only scored 18 goals during the 2022 season despite their offensive reinforcements and their preseason goal of applying more consistent offensive pressure in their opponent’s final third.

Although he missed three matches due to injury, Kouemi still led the Owls in goals scored with four across 13 matches. However, Kouemi believed he could have done more to help the team succeed, he said.

“I have bigger goals, I like to score more goals to help the team out,” Kouemi said. “I set my personal goals during the preseason that I wanted to accomplish during the season, which was for more than ten goals but I missed a couple of games and had some injuries on the road. That didn’t happen but I am still looking forward for the future.”

The Owls also expected Eijendaal to have an influential role in determining their level of success by serving as one of the team’s captains during the season.

“I played a big role in just keeping the team together during the tough moments we faced throughout the season,” Eijgendaal said. “Always room for improvement, especially on the leadership part.”

Defensively, Temple gave up 34 goals, the most allowed by the program since 2014.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Eoin Gawronski, who played just four games in the 2021 season before suffering a season-ending foot injury, was back in goal and was expected to be an important piece for the Owls this season.

Although Gawronski recorded a career-high three shutouts, he finished the season with just a 71 percent save percentage, placing him third-to-last among qualified goalkeepers in the AAC. Gawronski took responsibility for defensive mishaps and knows he has things to work on, he said.

“I was conceding a lot of goals which is obviously not a good look,” Gawronksi said. “I need to do a much better job with shot stopping and keeping more clean sheets and winning more games.”

If the Owls expect to compete with top teams in the AAC then the team must make drastic changes, but with the search underway to find the Owls’ next head coach, Temple players realize the future is unknown.

“We’re trying to connect as a group more through the offseason and really focus as a team,” Gawronski said. “It’s going to be a fresh start for most of us and a lot of the new guys so I think it’s going to be a good opportunity to work this offseason and really develop for the fall.”

liam.giannelli@temple.edu @liamgiannelli30

CONTINUED FROM 28 FOOTBALL

The American Athletic Conference named Warner their Rookie of the Year, while he also earned 247Sports’ true freshman of the week honors on Nov. 28 after his 527-yard and five-touchdown performance against ECU. Warner took command of an offense in need of an identity, and Temple’s passing attack found its stride late in the season.

“[E.J.] kept getting more comfortable in that pocket and more comfortable with us as individuals,” said graduate offensive lineman Adam Klein. “He’s done an awesome job just being calm, cool and collected.”

Graduate wide receiver Jose Barbon was Warner’s lead target throughout the season, especially after a knee injury kept redshirt senior Adonicas Sanders on the sidelines for three different games. Barbon became the first Owl to have six or more 100-yard games in a season and finished with 71 catches for 910 yards on the year.

Temple’s offense turned out to be better than expected but still needs to improve during the offseason. Warner is evidently smaller than many quarterbacks around the conference, and while his IQ is on par with most of his opposition, he must get stronger in order to compete on the highest level.

“He’s nowhere near the potential I believe this kid has within him,” Drayton said. “He’s gotta get in that weight room, he’s gotta get stronger, we gotta add some elements to his game.”

There was plenty of size and speed on the Owls’ defensive front seven. Temple finished the regular season eighth in the nation in total sacks, averaging 3.17 per game. Jordan led this effort, accumulating nine sacks on his own while sophomore defensive lineman Darian Varner reached 7.5 sacks while missing the final two games.

The defense overall ranked sixth in the AAC to end the season, and with coverage on the backend from redshirt freshman Jalen McMurray and sophomore safety Alex Odom, opposing teams did not break down Temple’s defense easily during the middle of the season.

Despite the team’s success, giving up 70 points to the University of Central Florida on Oct. 13 is no proud feat. This unit needs to improve its tackling and prevent secondary breakdowns, especially when it matters most.

“We are ready for the offseason,” said redshirt sophomore linebacker Jordan Magee. “Ready to get back next year.”

Without the University of Cincinnati, the University of Central Florida or the University of Houston in The American next season, fans should expect Temple to improve their record.

If things go their way in close matchups, a bowl game may be on the horizon for the Owls next season.

nicholas.gangewere@temple.edu @nick_gang16