The Villanovan | Volume 113, Issue 11: Wednesday, December 8, 2021

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8, 2021 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

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VOLUME 113 | ISSUE 11

Board Villanova vs. South Dakota State Preview Editorial: Michigan Shooting

On Tuesday, November 30, a gunman terrorized Oxford High School in Oakland County, Michigan, killing four students and shooting 11 people total. The shooter was identified as Ethan Crumbley, and he was arrested and charged as an adult with four counts of First-Degree murder and terrorism. The motive remains unclear.

The victims have been identified as Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Justin Shilling, 17; and Tate Myre, 16.

The shooting at Oxford High School marks the 29th school shooting in 2021, the 21st since the school year began in August 2021, according to Education Week. School shootings declined in numbers because of the pandemic and lack of students attending in-person school.

However, the return of normalcy and in person school has come with a stark rise in school shootings since August.

The warning signs were ignored, as Crumbley showed a pattern of interest in guns and was pulled out of class the morning of the shooting for depicting violent illustrations of a gun and person wounded by gunshot surrounded by the words, “Blood everywhere,” and “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.”

He was sent back to class with the gun in his pocket the entire time.

Current Villanova students in the Class of ‘22 and ‘23 have felt the fear of an unknown possible shooting threat first-hand. Despite later finding out there was no real danger, experiencing an active-shooter threat on Villanova’s campus in 2019 was nothing short of terrifying. Everyone that Continued on p. 10

On Saturday Villanova will face South Dakota State with a trip to the semifinals.

Courtesy of Victoria Margenat/The Villanovan Photography

Matt Ryan Staff Writer

Coming off its first FCS playoff victory in the Mark Ferrante era, a 21-16 win over Holy Cross, No. 5 Villanova (10-2) takes on South Dakota State (10-3) at home on Saturday with a trip to the semifinals on the line. The Jackrabbits, in their 10th consecutive postseason appearance, are coming off a road victory over No. 4 Sacramento State, 24-19.

Saturday’s 2 p.m. contest is the second between the two programs, the first coming in 2016 where the Jackrabbits bested the Wildcats, 10-7,

in the second round of the playoffs. Virtually every member of each squad in that matchup is no longer at their respective program, with the exception of some sixth-year players for Villanova.

The story of the game will be the matchup between Villanova’s defense and South Dakota State’s offense. The Wildcats enter the contest giving up just 15.2 points per game, seventh in the FCS, while the Jackrabbits travel to Villanova with the eight best scoring offense, averaging 37.7 points an outing.

Don’t be fooled by the Jackrabbits’ failure to

secure a first-round bye.

This is a team that has realistic championship expectations. A season ago, it took a touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining for Sam Houston to defeat SDSU in the national championship game, denying the program its first title in school history.

From that FCS finalist squad, not much has changed. Key players on both sides of the ball are back, but the main difference from last year’s team to this year’s is the absence of star quarterback Mark Gronowski. Gronowski injured his leg during the first drive of the national championship game a

season ago and missed his entire sophomore campaign.

Replacing Gronowski is graduate Chris Oladokun. Oladokun transferred to South Dakota State over the summer after starting his career at the University of South Florida and then transferring to Samford. Replacing the FCS Freshman of the Year is by no means an easy task, but in his sixth year of college, Oladokun has done a stellar job.

In 13 games this season, Oladokun has completed 62% of his passes (204-of-328) for 2,697 yards, 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He Continued on p. 13

VSMT Legally Blonde Show Review Sara Hecht

Staff Writer

“Everyone, say cheese!

No, say Legally Blonde!”

This past Thursday, Dec. 2, Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) opened its first production of the semester in the Mullen Performing Arts Center’s Court Theatre. All performances were entirely sold out as students, family and friends were eager to see this amazing production.

A 2000s classic, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is the upbeat and inspiring

story of a young woman, Elle Woods, who follows her ex-boyfriend, Warner Hun-

All performances of Villanova Student Musical Theatre’s Legally Blonde sold out.

Courtesy of Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT)

tington III, all the way to Harvard Law School.

“What, like it’s hard?”

The fashion major goes in hopes of winning Warner back but along the way discovers she never needed a man in the first place. Now aware of the strength and intelligence she has always had, and equipped with “legal jargon,” Elle is ready to take on the world and, perhaps, find a man worthy of her one who acknowledges she is a strong, independent woman.

Continued on p. 8

University Community Celebrates the Holidays p. 2

Abroad Students Get Ready to Return to the US p. 3

Temple Shooting and Student Calls for Reform p. 4

All’s Well That Ends Well p. 5

Winter Break Should Start at Thanksgiving p. 5

Spotify Wrapped: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year p. 6

Fraternity Announces First Sweetheart in Five Years p. 9

Villa-Vogue x Jordan Francis: Dear Virgil Abloh p. 11

Women’s Soccer Hires New Head Coach p. 13

Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree Returns p. 15

2 | The Villanovan

News Opinion Culture Sports

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VOL. 113 | ISS. 11 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

CATE McCUSKER Editor-in-Chief JACK ROBERGE Editor-in-Chief MADISON BURKE Associate Editor-in-Chief ARIANA MEGERIAN Digital Editor SARAH SWEENEY News Editor SARAH WISNIEWSKI News Editor TINA ARON Opinion Editor VIVI MELKONIAN Opinion Editor A.J. FEZZA Culture Editor ELENA ROUSE Culture Editor CHLOE MILLER Culture Editor COLIN BEAZLEY Sports Editor BILLY VINCI Sports Editor MOLLY BAKER Copy Desk Chief

MICHAEL BRADLEY Advisor DEENA SMITH Advisor CONTACT villanovan.eic@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

NEWS

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER Liquor Underage/Public Drunkenness December 3 St. Mary’s Hall A male resident student, under the age of 21, evaluated by VEMS and released to a sober friend.

Defiant Trespasser December 3 The Inn at Villanova An unaffiliated male was found trespassing on the grounds of the Inn at Villanova.

Receiving Stolen Property/Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition December 3 Rudolph Hall Three female resident students reported their roommate had stolen items from them. The items were later found in the possession of another student.

Theft by Deception December 4 Pavilion A male visitor electronically forwarded payment for basketball tickets to an online seller and did not receive the tickets. The amount of the loss is $1500.00.

Criminal Mischief/Hate Crimes December 6 Falvey Library A library staff member reported two books were defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Criminal Mischief/Hate Crimes December 6 Scarpa Hall Staff members reported numerous annoying emails and phone calls from an unaffiliated male.

CORRECTIONS Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are brought to The Villanovan’s attention. Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.

COVID-19 TRACKER

ASK THE VILLANOVAN “Last minute Yankee Swap ideas??”

Candy is classic and easy. Everyone loves candy. If they don’t like candy, they’re weird. If you want to spice it up a little bit, for those over the age of 21, add some nips with the candy. There you have it. An easy breezy beautiful Yankee Swap gift.

“Me and this guy just made it official...right before Christmas. What is the gift giving protocol here?”

Congrats on having someone to smooch under the mistletoe! Honestly, you should just talk to him about it.

Because it’s so new, it’s probably a good idea to keep it small.

But the best gifts come in small packages – just ask Santa’s elves!

“Is Santa real? My mom says yes but I said something about it in the Exchange and my friends started laughing so I’m kinda confused.

Confirmed Cumulative Cases as of 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 7

If they were in the Carpet Room, they’re lying. Don’t let other people’s negativity get you down. Remember, you have to believe to receive! Santa deniers still haven’t found a good way to explain those gifts under their trees every year so…

Cumulative Cas- Estimated Active es (from 8/17) Cases

“I think my best friend is into me. I don’t know I’m just getting those vibes and I’m nervous he’s going to try and make a move.

Do I avoid him? Let it happen? I don’t want to ruin our friendship or for things to be weird.”

329

32 26.13K

186

93

Residential Students

Non-Residential Students

Total Number of Tests (from 8/17)

50

Employees

This is a tough one because you don’t want to reject them and then lose the friendship. But…sometimes these can be the best kinds of relationships because you’re already best friends! That being said, if you’re not into him…just be really clear about your vibes. Personally though, we’re a big fan of taking things from the friendzone to the endzone.

University Community Celebrates the Holidays Lydia McFarlane Staff Writer Kylie Horan Staff Writer

Through the first few days of December, the University geared up for a week of Christmas themed activities.

During the first few days of December, campus was enlivened with decorations such as heralds and wreaths, lighting up students’ commutes to and from class and other activities. December kicked off with a wonderful concert from the University’s own Pastoral Musicians in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church.

The first weekend of December began with a tree lighting at the Riley Ellipse, where entertainment was provided by the University’s choral groups, Voices and Singers. As the two groups gave their renditions of classic holiday favorites, excitement and holiday cheer for the approaching season and tree lighting swelled in the air.

The holiday cheer was palpable throughout the crowd. Students lined up to enjoy the festive spirit and some delicious food provided by many different food trucks.

The tree features blue and white ornaments, encouraging holiday as well as school spirit. As the tree lit

up once and for all, the light glimmered from the ornaments adorning the beautiful tree onto the Riley Ellipse, a hallmark of the University.

Nearby, students could be heard buzzing with excitement, as many experienced their first major winter holiday event here on campus.

“It is so nice to celebrate the holiday with my second family here on campus,” one sophomore said. “After missing so many events freshman year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and such a strenuous semester this fall, it is so refreshing that the University provides us with events like this to get us in the holiday spirit, even if we might not feel it with finals approaching.”

Students were seen grabbing

their complementary hot chocolate and cupcakes and heading to the Villanova Stadium for the 7 p.m. kickoff of the Villanova vs. Holy Cross playoff football game.

Students, alumni and fans alike bundled up in blue and white as our football team fought for its place in the quarter finals. The drum majors donned Santa hats for an extra festive halftime show. After a competitive match, the Wildcats came out on top, advancing to the next round of playoffs.

Following an exciting day of festivity and school spirit, the Villanova vs. St. Joe’s basketball game tipped off at noon on Saturday, Dec. 4, with the Wildcats once again coming out on top. A Christ-

Students perform carols at the Tree Lighting.

Courtesy of Villanova University

mas themed student section showed Wildcats in antlers, Santa hats, ugly sweaters and all other sorts of holiday garb in between.

After a festive performance the night before at the tree lighting, Villanova Singers and Voices had their debut performance in the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts’ Topper Theater. The two groups added various choral pieces to their holiday repertoire, giving a wonderfully festive and warm performance.

On Saturday night, following a full day of holiday fun, students cozied up near fire pits on the Campus Green for a night of live music courtesy of groups such as the Christmas Dueling Pianos from 7-9 p.m., followed by a movie at 9 p.m. Students were happy to snuggle up with their apple cider and hot chocolate, framed by the sights of the tree near the Riley Ellipse and the Nativity Scene in the Grotto. As red, green and white lights flashed on the trees, students sang along to the crooning renditions brought to campus by local musicians.

“It’s not often we get to perform in such a beautiful setting,” one performer singer remarked.

All was merry and bright on campus for the first few days of the holiday season, thanks to the hard work of the University, whose efforts at spreading holiday cheer have only just begun. Be sure to check your email to stay up to date on the next holiday happenings.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The Villanovan | 3

NEWS

University Hosts Tree Lighting Career Panel Shares Advice message from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Kathryn Fair Ph.D., following an introduction Staff Writer

by Student Body President Caroline Levine.

On Friday, Dec. 3, Univer- Father Peter counted down sity students, staff and members of the lighting, and the tree in the the surrounding community gath- center of the Riley Ellipse lit up. ered for the annual Tree Lighting The tree was covered in at the Oreo. small white lights and topped with

This was the first lighting a star, and all who had gathered ceremony since December 2019, applauded the lighting. since no students were on campus The Villanova Voices and at this time last year.

Villanova Singers continued to

The Villanova Campus sing as community members took Activities Team (CAT) hosted the photographs and enjoyed the tree’s event and will host several other beauty.

“Christmas at Villanova” events

“The tree lighting was a throughout the first two weeks of fun way for the campus to get into December. the Christmas spirit,” junior Ma When asked about how it teo Ugarte said. “The tree looked felt to be back on campus during great, and I’m looking forward to the holiday season, several comseeing it lit up on campus” munity members responded that

Aside from the tree itself, they had missed the festivities last CAT also organized food trucks, year and were eager for the ability Bundt cakes and hot chocolate to attend the tree lighting again. available for those who attended.

“It was so nice to have that Students enjoyed their hot sense of community again that we drinks throughout the tree lighthave been lacking since we have ing, and the food trucks included been inside so much throughout barbeque, crêpes, the “Munchie the pandemic,” junior Isabella Machine” and several others. The Bruck said. crêpe truck seemed to attract the

Bruck had not seen the tree most people, and their flavors inlighting at the University since her cluded Boston cream, s’mores and freshman year, and she was excitNutella with strawberries. ed that the freshmen and sopho “The hot chocolate and mores got to experience the event food trucks were my favorite part for their first time on Friday. of the night, especially the crêpe I

The weather was pleasant got,” Ugarte said. on the evening of the event, and

Some other events thus far the gusting wind from the afterhave included Holiday Quizzo noon was no longer present. It on Thursday night, as well as a was warmer than most evenings day trip to New York City, choir during the week, which also drew concert and a “Christmas on the in more members of the commuGreen ‘’ event on Saturday. The nity and students. week of Dec. 6 also offers ginger The event began at 5:30 bread and ornament decorating, p.m., with a performance of holalong with a “Holiday Village and iday tunes, as well as a welcome Night Market” on Dec. 9.

Caitlyn Foley Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, Lambda Pi Eta hosted a Communications Career Panel that was open to all Communication students via Zoom.

The panel was made up of Villanova alumnae Tiffany Daggett, Julia Light and Katarina Mayers.

These women discussed their career experiences because the best way for students to really understand what their choice in a major, minor or specialization can do for them in the professional world is to learn from the stories of others.

Daggett assumed that she was going on the pre-law track but ended up falling in love with her Communication courses. She emphasized that college is the place where one should discover what they do and do not like.

Light was originally an Accounting major until she decided this was not the career path for her. She switched her major to Management and graduated having no idea what she wanted to do. After college, Light worked for multiple media companies around New York City. Today, she works for a marketing company and emphasizes the importance of college students not pressuring themselves to figure out their career path.

Most of the work students do in Communication has the purpose of increasing the number of refined skills you have. It is important to remain open to other things and focus on the skills you are obtaining rather than the titles of your major or specialization.

Mayers was set on being a journalist, and all her internships involved work in the journalism field.

When she went abroad to do a year of service in Chile after graduating

from the University, her perspective shifted. She ended up working for the government in crisis communications and public affairs, and recently just left working directly for the government to work for Rock the Vote.

When asked what the number one skill that each woman learned while at Villanova, Daggett responded with the invaluable skill of writing well.

Light and Mayers talked about the importance of group projects and how those experiences have helped them in the professional world. Mayers said that by leaning into those group projects, you can discover your role in a team: are you project managing? Are you the editor or the last eyes on the document? By noticing one’s role, a person can gain a new perspective on where their career path might take them and highlight their best skills.

Each panelist also talked about the significance of networking and professionally connecting with potential employers. All three women agreed that after an interview, each interviewee needs to follow up almost immediately in the form of a personalized email. The connections made with an employer are key to standing out as an applicant. The follow up email can be made personal by adding details that came up during the interview process.

Another tip included not being hesitant to reach out if a connection with someone interests you.

Communication is an all-encompassing world, but it is also a small and interconnected one.

These women had a lot of thoughtful and helpful advice.

Students considering or pursuing a Communication major should understand the importance of networking and the skills they obtain while at the University.

Abroad Students Get Ready to Return to the U.S. Nicole Celis Staff Writer

As the semester comes to a close and students on the University’s campus prepare for finals week, there are 27 students that have a unique experience of finishing the semester studying abroad.

This is the first time that the University has permitted students to study abroad since the Spring 2020 semester. Students who were abroad at that time had to come back early because of the spread of COVID-19.

While the University did not host any programs of its own this semester, it permitted students to study with certain programs.

Junior Catherine Kemnitz is currently studying in Barcelona with International Education of Students Abroad (IES), one of the programs approved for students to attend during Fall semester.

“I was really nervous about how it would go because Villanova hasn’t sent students in so long,” Kemnitz said of being part of the small group of students authorized to study abroad for the semester.

“I’ve had the chance to meet so many new people and do so many

new things. Given the past year or so with COVID, it was so amazing to be able to explore again.”

This is an experience that many students are looking forward to in future semesters, but could be threatened by the variant B.1.1.529, named Omicron, and labeled as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization.

There is some concern that Omicron could threaten those studying abroad in Spring 2022. While there have been other variants of COVID-19, Omicron is exhibiting many mutations, which could be a characteristic that could threaten the efficacy of vaccinations.

Nevertheless, the University is requiring proof of vaccination for all students going abroad.

The threat of a variant that is more contagious and in which vaccines are less effective against has sent countries into disarray.

Many countries have increased international travel restrictions.

Some are restricting travel from southern African countries including South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique, which includes stopping flights from those countries and barring citizens from those countries into their borders.

Some countries are requiring travelers to quarantine once

entering the borders, similar to restrictions from a few months ago.

The United Kingdom is requiring travelers to quarantine until a negative PCR test on the second day in the country. Other countries, like Japan, are closing borders to non-citizens.

These travel restrictions threaten not only the program that students will be part of for the semester, but traveling to different countries during their time abroad as well. There are roughly 100 Villanova students that will be studying abroad next semester.

Junior Gabbi Forte is studying abroad in Barcelona as part of the CIEE Business and Culture program in Barcelona.

While CIEE has not released any changing plans for the program, it “has a variety of measures in place including mask and quarantine regulations to keep everyone healthy and in Spain for the entirety of the program,” Forte said.

Because of the Omicron variant, students studying abroad next semester are worried about how their experiences might differ from those that went during the Fall.

“While I am hopeful that my study abroad program will run smoothly, it is difficult to allow myself to be excited for it,” Forte

said. “The recent spread of the Omicron variant makes me even more tentative to expect any sense of normalcy and security while abroad.”

Scientists are in the midst of researching more about the variant, and programs will be expected to announce any changes in the coming weeks as more information becomes available. For now, students have to hope that they will be able to experience the same type of abroad experience as the two dozen Villanovans that got to study abroad this semester.

Students were excited to be able to return to overseas programs.

Courtesy of Villanova University

4 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

OPINION

OPINION

Board Editorial: We Stand with Oxford High School

Continued from p. 1

watched the rush of police vehicles and armoured police enter St. Monica’s on South Campus was surely in shock as they decided what to do next. Is everyone okay?

Should I call my parents? Should I barricade my room? As a generation, we are forced to ponder these questions during our years of schooling with active shooter drills. It is an unfortunate reality that we must go through these chilling drills, yet it is worth it to prevent tragedies like Oxford High School.

It is terrifying to think that something like this could happen to us on Villanova’s campus because of the lack of protective legislation in place. Despite the safety felt on Villanova’s campus, we see the impacts of a lack of

gun reform costing students like us as close as Temple University last week. These tragedies can be prevented with the implementation of more gun control practices.

We’ve seen countless school shootings inevitably followed by calls for change from citizens by lawmakers, but this call has continually gone without answer.

Despite continuous promises by politicians to initiate more protective measures towards guns, it feels like this legislation is repeatedly gridlocked and goes nowhere. In the meantime more students suffer and attend school everyday in fear that they are next.

The Villanovan wishes for peace for the families and friends of the victims, and we stand with students in calling for policy and change.

Oxford High School remembers the four lives lost at a memorial on campus.

Courtesy of Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP

Temple Shooting and Student Calls for Gun Reform Marisa Weber Staff Writer

On Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m Sam Collington, a senior at Temple University, was fatally shot outside his apartment in the 2200 block of North Park Avenue in North Philadelphia. Collington was a political science major at Temple on track to graduate in May 2022, and he was planning to attend law school after graduation.

In a single moment in time, his dreams were stolen by a careless and cruel act of gun violence. His shooter was 17 years old.

Gun violence has become an epidemic across the United States.

Its occurrence has become so commonplace in our society that it barely holds our attention for longer than a TikTok video.

For the loved ones affected, the horror is never ending. However, this tragic incident hits home, for as an institution in the greater Philadelphia area, this occurred right in our own backyard.

As a former Temple student myself, this is deeply troubling. The place that I once called home is now unsafe to dwell in.

The devastating loss of Collington marks the 445th gun related homicide in Philadelphia in 2021, according to the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. There have also been

censed and unlicensed sales that even access mental health records when someone is purchasing a gun. However, this is undermined by national laws.

Congress does not require background checks on unlicensed sales, which allows for unfit buyers to acquire guns online, at a gun show or other “underground” methods. This permits illegal gun trafficking to occur not only statewide, but nationwide as well.

Additionally, in Pennsylvania as well as on a national level, there are currently no laws that mandate the safe storage and handling of a firearm in a home.

This allows for minors or unstable individuals to gain access to guns.

Police responded to a call about a shooting at Temple University on Nov. 28.

For instance, James and Courtesy of 6ABC Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of 1,689 nonfatal shooting victims so Oxford High School in Detroit, the Oxford High School shooter, Michigan, killing four students far; both numbers have surpassed Ethan Crumbley, left their firearm the previous all time high in 1990. and injuring seven. The gunman in an unlocked, easily accessible was 15 years old.

Villanova prides itself drawer for their son to get ahold

With the loss of so many on maintaining the safety of its of. This allowed him to illegally students. As a Catholic institution, young, innocent lives, do you ever possess this gun without superviwonder simply why don’t we have we pride ourselves on our strong sion. values of human life and commu- stricter gun control laws?

No student should have to

For starters, there are imnity. fear for their lives in school, but at

Although we are not based plications on both state and nathe end of the day, whose respondirectly in the city of Philadelphia, tional levels that come into play. sibility is it to make change? The

The state of Pennsylvania we need to show concern for our states? The federal government? is currently an “open carry state,” Both? Will we finally be the generfellow students throughout Philameaning that residents are allowed ation to make this change? delphia and its surrounding areas who live with these occurrences in to carry loaded firearms with the

May the families of exception of Philadelphia, which their backyard.

Collington, Hana St. Juliana, requires a permit to open carry.

As we all know, this issue Justin Shilling, Tate Myre and The state does require extensive extends beyond Philadelphia. On Madisyn Baldwin be kept in our background checks on both liNov. 30, a gunman opened fire at thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

OPINION

The Villanovan | 5

All’s Well That Ends Well: Swift’s “All Too Well” Re-Release Abby Faeth Staff Writer

I’m certain that I’m not the only one who stayed up till midnight on the 12th of November to listen to “Red (Taylor’s Version).”

Not only did many students at Villanova pass up their night’s sleep to listen, but I also heard Taylor Swift’s new album echoing through multiple rooms in Sheehan Hall for the week after the release.

As with many other Swifties, my favorite album is “Red.” Additionally, “Red” houses what I believe is Swift’s best song, “All Too Well.” Something that makes Swift’s music unique is that it grows with you. When I was younger, I loved the song “22.”

Then, as I grew up and started to have more life experiences, I began to relate to songs like “Begin Again” and “All Too Well.”

This was a bittersweet realization as I realized what Swift was discussing in many of her songs when I went through a breakup. Swift perfectly explained how I felt, even if I did not know it myself at the time. I began to relate to her in so many new ways.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that “All Too Well” is a special song. This lyrical masterpiece perfectly illustrates what it feels like to have a connection with someone and go through a heartbreak.

There are many breakup songs in the music industry, but I think “All Too Well” is different for a multitude of reasons. The lyrics speak to not only Swift’s individual heartbreak, but also to

the complexity of emotions and memories that comes along with every split. The song paints a picture of reminiscence, sadness, desperation, anger and thankfulness. Swift perfectly explores the feelings every young girl has felt in a breakup and how it is messy but also beautiful.

Because of the lyrical prose of this song, Swifties everywhere could barely contain themselves when Taylor announced that she would be releasing a 10-minute version of “All Too Well” in her re-recorded album.

I’ve heard many nonSwift fans question why it is worth releasing the same song again, only longer. It makes sense why she had to cut her original version as it is not common to put this long of a song on an album.

The fact that Swift could release a 10-minute song and have people listen, enjoy and practically worship it speaks volumes to her success as an artist.

The new version obviously has many new lyrics in which she originally cut. My roommate thinks that Swift cut out all the necessary lines, which I agree with.

Though there are so many lines in the longer version that are both beautiful and powerful, I think that many of them are specific to Swift and her specific experience with ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal. In this way, her six-minute version of “All Too Well” was able to reach a wider variety of her audience.

The song gained traction because so many fans could relate to the lyrics. On the other hand, the 10-minute version is almost

less sad for the individual as they see the story specifically through Swift’s lens, as the lyrics are deeply personal, rather than putting themselves into the narrative of the song.

What makes “All Too Well” so dynamic and beautiful is the carefully crafted lyrics – both new and old. Below is my list of the best lyrics in “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” Yes, it was hard to narrow it down.

TOP 13 (Taylor’s Lucky Number) LYRICS IN ALL TOO WELL 1. “You told me ‘bout your past thinking your future was me” 2. “And you were tossing me the car keys, f**k the patriarchy” 3. “And I was thinking on the drive down, any time now / He’s gonna say it’s love, you never called it what it was” 4. “And I know it’s long gone and / There was nothing else I could do / And I forget about you long enough / To forget why I needed to” 5. “And there we are again when nobody had to know / You kept me like a secret but I kept you like an oath” 6. “Well maybe we got lost in

translation / Maybe I asked for too much / But maybe this thing was a masterpiece / ‘Til you tore it all up” 7. “And you call me up again / Just to break me like a promise / So casually cruel in the name of being honest” 8. “They say all’s well that ends well / But I’m in a new hell every time you double-cross my mind” 9. “You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine / And that made me want to die” 10. “The idea you had of me, who was she? / A never-needy ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you” 11. “But you keep my old scarf from that very first week / ‘Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me / You can’t get rid of it / ‘Cause you remember it all too well, yeah” 12.“‘Cause there we are again when I loved you so / Back before you lost the one real thing you’ve ever known” 13. “And I was never good at telling jokes but the punch line goes / I’ll get older but your lovers stay my age”

Opinion: Winter Break Should Start at Thanksgiving Kai da Luz Staff Writer

It is that time of year again, Nova Nation. No, I am not referring to the Christmas season, nor am I talking about the hallowed basketball season. I am also not talking about the impressive push by our football team in the postseason after a recent triumph over Holy Cross. I am talking about the most dreaded time of every year for students here at Villanova: the three-week push between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It is no secret that student motivation and energy are currently at an all-time low. To make matters worse, this is a time when students need to focus and “buy in” more than ever with finals and papers creeping ever closer.

The problem is that the entire student body had just experienced the sweet but brief respite of Thanksgiving break. While the break was much appreciated by the student body, it may have had adverse effects on work ethic.

I agree that it seems to make more sense that a few days off would allow students to recharge their depleted batteries and face finals week head-on, but this

does not seem to be the case. For me, getting up for school Monday morning was one of the worst feelings of my time here. I thought it would go away once the week wore on, but that was not the case.

Every day this past week I have felt slightly tired and apathetic, counting the days until Christmas break comes. I have been less focused and have felt more burnt out in my classes now than I was before Thanksgiving break.

I thought it was only me, but many other students on campus share a similar sentiment.

Rather than serving as a carrot, the Thanksgiving recess seems to have whetted students’ appetite for a break from studies but only offering a few days of breathing in actuality.

Instead of feeling energized to finish strong, the break instills feelings of academic exhaustion and burnout that materialize in the last few weeks between breaks.

Many students suggested extending the break to Monday and Tuesday so that students can enjoy the whole week, but that still does not solve the larger problem.

We are still left with this frankly messy and inefficient three-week strip to finish off the semester.

The solution lies in rework-

ing our semester layout to set students up for success on finals and to offer them a true break before they are back at it in the Spring semester.

I am proposing moving our Christmas break so that it falls in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This would mean students taking finals before Thanksgiving and would mean the Spring semester beginning a week or two earlier. It would also prompt the school year to begin a couple of weeks earlier and end earlier as well.

While it sounds tedious moving the breaks around, the benefits are impossible to ignore.

Students would still have their Fall break and then would only have to push until Thanksgiving to finish off the Fall semester.

They would attack finals without falling out of rhythm with their studies.

They would also be able to celebrate both the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons without the impending doom of deadlines and end-of-semester obligations, and they would have an actual break before the next semester.

This is an important time for Villanovans (students and faculty both) to spend with their

family and friends.

In reality, the school year would be just as long as it is right now, and both semesters would remain generally equal in weight.

There are, however, some downsides to such a change.

While many students abhor the threatening three weeks before Christmas break, they appreciate the Thanksgiving break even more so.

It is something to look forward to after a rough five weeks following Fall break.

We would also lose out on the many awesome Christmas celebrations put on by Villanova organizations like CAT, VSMT and a capella groups, to name a few.

Although Christmas is a wonderful experience at Villanova, the positives of having a longer holiday break away from school allowing students to truly unwind outweigh what is lost. Not to mention granting the motivation of students a fighting chance in the final push.

Regardless, as we now only have one day of school remaining before finals, I encourage my fellow Villanovans to make these last few days count so they can wrap up this semester and relax this holiday season.

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. LetEditor-in-Chief ters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not Associate Editor-in-Chief exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions beOpinion Editor come property of The Villanovan and are subject Opinion Editor to editing for clarity and space.

CATE McCUSKER Editor-in-Chief JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN

POLICY

The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.

Spotify Wrapped: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Jack Roberge Co-Editor-in-Chief

As someone whose life revolves around music, there are very few days of the year that excite me more than Spotify Wrapped day. This is a day that music fans across the world can come together and take a genuine interest in what each other have been listening to all year (if they’ve picked the correct streaming platform, that is). Sure, the entire rest of the year I will happily participate in dunking on Drake fans. However, for one glorious day a year, I am simply excited to see what my friends actually listen to when they’re not at a party or stressing over what songs to play on aux.

As great of a day as it is, it is not without its flaws. For at least the past three years, my number one song has been one that I accidentally fell asleep while listening to. This usually isn’t really an issue, especially if it’s a song I actually like and listen to throughout the rest of the year. However, this year, it was a cover of a song from the Game of Thrones soundtrack that I only listened to exactly one day out of the entire year but happened to accidentally fall asleep that day with it on repeat.

I have had many other friends express similar disappointment when they see their top songs and artists of the year

as well. I understand that Spotify simply reports the raw data from what one listened to, and this makes sense from its perspective.

It is very difficult to interpret data across millions of users, and this makes raw data with no interpretation the easiest solution.

That being said, does Spotify really think that anyone wants to see “White Noise” or “LoFi HipHop Beats to Study and Relax To” as their top artist or podcast?

Or a song that they technically streamed the most while they slept, but in reality, didn’t actually listen to more than once or twice over the whole year?

I am not suggesting that Spotify bias its results heavily or allow users to curate their own results. This would take away from the magic of getting to see what our friends actually listen to. That said, most data sets have outliers, and our listening data is no exception. Figuring out how to eliminate these outliers would be a great way to more accurately reflect actual listening throughout the year and reduce disappointment on a day that so many look forward to.

Regardless of my complaints, there is little that can actually hinder my ability to enjoy Wrapped day. Music is something that holds the genuine power to bring us together, and as much as I dislike praising massive corporations, Spotify Wrapped seems to actually do that. Minus the few

Spotify Wrapped is an awaited day for spotify-users every year.

Courtesy of The Verge

weirdos who insist on the yearly tradition of saying that they don’t care about your Wrapped, everyone who posts their own seems to also really enjoy seeing other people’s and comparing artists and songs with friends.

Sure, there’s some shame that comes along with posting your artists and songs that you listened to after going through a bad breakup. And sure, sometimes we spend a bit too much time listening to music that doesn’t reflect the best of our taste (looking at you, AJR fans). However,

our listening history also provides us with the chance to look at how we’ve grown. While we might have listened to an awful lot of Marvin’s Room back in January, we also might have scream-sang Love Story (Taylor’s Version) in October enough to get multiple noise complaints from our RA.

Every year comes with highs and lows, and Spotify Wrapped gives us the time to reflect on them through the music that got us through the valleys and gave us a chance to rejoice at the peaks.

Implement a Sibling’s Weekend at Villanova Joe Adams Staff Writer

Siblings: we bond with them. We fight with them. We grow up with them. And then, when college comes, we lose a lot of time we used to have around them.

My older sister and I were very close before she went off to college when I was a junior in high school, but it was harder to connect once she left for school. One of the best feelings was when I had the opportunity to visit her in February of her freshman year, when Fairfield University held its annual “Sibling’s Weekend.”

As I reconnected with my sister over Thanksgiving break, I thought a lot about siblings weekend and how much fun it is each year. This year will be the last time I can go, and it made me wonder: why can’t Villanova have a siblings weekend?

There are numerous reasons that we should have an an-

nual weekend to welcome siblings of current students to campus.

First, in these times where we can feel more disconnected from each other than ever, now is a perfect opportunity to bring family together and teach them Villanova traditions.

We also have the ability to pull something like this off. Family weekend is always a huge success here at Villanova, and we could have similar events for when siblings come to campus. At Fairfield, they have fun nightly activities like bingo, bounce houses, tye dying school shirts and so much more. I am confident that our Campus Activities Team could plan events like these with ease. Plus, there is a lot to do off campus, like checking out Philly or visiting local restaurants.

Also, how fun would it be to take our siblings to a Villanova basketball game? Imagine the Wells Fargo Center full of not only Villanova students, but their siblings too. We could teach our siblings the chants, cheers and dances associated with Villanova

basketball.

I called my sister this week and asked her about siblings weekend at Fairfield.

“One of the best parts of family weekend, especially for freshmen, is getting to introduce your siblings to your new friends for the first time,” she said.

This is another unique aspect of siblings weekend: we finally get to meet each other’s family and have a fun time getting to know them over a few days.

My sister also noted that she liked having separate family and siblings weekends.

“I like how there is a designated weekend for just siblings and not just parents because it allows for more fun with just the kids,” she said. “Even for kids without siblings, they usually tend to invite friends or cousins to come, which is also really fun to have a weekend dedicated to people that you love spending time with.”

This is the main reason why I love the idea of siblings weekend. We would have time to

hang out with friends and family from home, which is not always easy to do during the school year.

Having a dedicated weekend makes it easier to plan out and get everyone to come all at once.

When I think about how many younger siblings I saw at Fairfield’s siblings weekend, I remember how many of us were given mini tours by our siblings and shown around the school as we began our college searches.

This could be another potential great reason to have a siblings weekend. We could draw more interest through siblings or friends visiting during a typical weekend on campus, to really get a feel for what Villanova life is like.

I believe that Villanova does a great job with drawing interest and hyping up the school to a student’s family. I constantly see parents or younger kids wearing Villanova gear on campus.

Having a dedicated siblings weekend would help build this Villanova community and unite us in a time when we need it most.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The Villanovan | 7

OPINION

‘Tis the Season: Merry Christmas Villanova Week Jacob Artz Staff Writer

Villanova University has done a masterful job of making the Merry Christmas Villanova Week enjoyable for all students through a diverse set of events and hard work from many organizations on campus.

This annual tradition at the University brought together the Villanova community through traditional Christmas events

Events that students enjoyed included the Christmas tree lighting at the Riley Ellipse, with the lighting of the tree being a central symbol of joy and togetherness. The Villanova Voices and Singers provided a festive musical backdrop while there was holiday food waiting at the food trucks.

Another very popular event is the Campus Activities Team’s trip to New York City. The Big Apple at Christmas time is the place to be. There’s the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating, the many shops to buy items for the Christmas list, delicious food, the Rockettes and more. It is fun to take a day away from studying and spend time in an area that brings Christmas to life.

The Campus Activities Team gingerbread decorating is a hot event to go to. When one thinks of Christmas, the sweet smells and tastes of cookies are not far behind, especially with gingerbread in the mix. This event is held in Café Nova and is sure to prepare students for the delightful sweets of the Christmas season.

A special new event was added for this year is the Holiday Village and Night Market, which will

The Christmas tree lighting is a great tradition at Villanova.

Courtesy of Villanova University

take place Thursday, Dec. 9 on the Rowen Campus Green. There will be plenty of vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, photo ops, music and a lights show.

The reason for the season must not be forgotten, and the University does a wonderful job each year of hosting events to bring students closer to the faith. There are three Masses for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 8 and Dec. 11, respectively. The University also hosts an Advent Reconciliation Service for students to connect closer to the Scriptures, utilize the sacrament of Reconciliation, which is available from noon to midnight, and examine their conscience.

If one is not of the Catholic faith, Campus Ministry is hosting “A Celebration of Light” as the University celebrates with Advent candles and Hanukkah menorahs. This event is a theme of light, which provides a student dinner, run by the Interfaith Coalition, in the Saint Rita’s Community Room.

The Merry Christmas Villanova Week runs from Dec. 1-12.

To make all these events operate smoothly, organizations come together to plan out all the schedules to be as inclusive and spectacular as possible. Organizations that helped plan, promote and execute the programs include The Campus Activities Team, Office of Student Involvement, President’s Office, Villanova

Pastorals, Singers, Voices, Band and Chamber Strings, Villanova University Tech Crew and Campus Ministry.

The additional events that are not listed above are joyful and merry in their own way. The Pastorals held their first concert since March 2020 in the Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, with an “all is calm, all is bright” theme. They always bring the student Masses to a higher level. The Quizzo is always in the weekly mix, this time being holiday themed, to test students’ knowledge.

More musical excellence hit the schedule last Saturday at the Christmas Choral Concert, performed by the Villanova Singers and Voices, with the joint singing of Robert Shaw’s Many Moods and Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium.

The Villanova Band and Chamber Strings followed on Sunday in the Topper Theatre with traditional Christmas music.

What could Christmas be without Villanova basketball? The Campus Activities Team hosted a game watch against former Big East rival, Syracuse, in Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. It is always delightful to see the powerful basketball team in action.

The Merry Christmas Villanova Week will conclude with the blessing of the Nativity scene in the Grotto after the 7 p.m. Mass with Christmas carols, cookies and hot chocolate. University President Rev. Peter M. Donoghue, O.S.A., Ph.D., will be presiding. Merry Christmas Villanova Week is run well for its varied number of events that include as many students as possible. The events are run by the students and provide an enjoyable time during a stressful period of finals.

Medical School Residency Needs Revising John Angelella Staff Writer

The arduous journey to become a medical doctor typically requires students to complete four years of medical school followed by a 3-7 year residency. Amid the latter half of this process, one is right to imagine overworked twenty-somethings staggering around the ER unit at 4 a.m. attempting to visit patients, complete patient reports and write prescriptions. What exactly are the current rules dictating resident’s shift work?

According to OP Med, “In 2011, the ACGME mandated that the shifts of first-year residents, known as interns, be limited to 16 hours. Second-year residents and beyond were permitted to provide continuous clinical care for 24 hours, with up to an additional four hours for hand-offs to other team members.”

In short, young doctors could anticipate facing a shift that lasts up to 28 hours. To reveal the irresponsibility of this widespread practice, I will trace its origins and unpack the effects of sleep deprivation on residents and patients alike.

The term “residency” originated from Dr. William Stewart Halsted, founder of the surgical training program at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1889. In order to best

learn the skills necessary for their career, Halsted believed trainees should physically reside in the hospital, committing themselves to extraordinarily long hours of training and patient care. His belief in this grueling practice takes an interesting turn after reading anecdotes from former colleagues that claim Halsted would infamously stay awake for days at a time, appearing to function at full capacity. How could he accomplish this sleep feat? After noticing his disturbing behavior in the clinic and reading his incomprehensible medical journal report, colleagues later discovered that Halsted was battling a cocaine addiction that was induced after a series of lab experiments he performed on himself earlier in his career.

Matthew Walker, in his book titled ‘Why We Sleep,” sums up the issue stating, “Halsted inserted his cocaine-infused wakefulness into the heart of Johns Hopkins’s surgical program, imposing a similarly unrealistic mentality of sleeplessness upon his residents for the duration of their training.”

It is astonishing how this practice has become the norm despite its illegitimate founding and the overwhelming amount of sleep science that we will now explore.

Before even considering an around the clock shift in the context of medicine, just imagine how you feel at 3 a.m. after returning home from a party on Friday night. Drowsy,

stumbling and barely able to garner the energy to brush your teeth, you collapse into bed for a full night’s sleep. A medical resident does not share this privilege. Let’s say he or she begins a 24 hour shift at 9 a.m. Once 3 a.m. rolls around, the resident is expected to function for another six hours after having already completed 18 consecutive hours of work.

Such a practice turns from tortuous to harmful when one considers that these residents have patients’ lives in their hands. Would you trust yourself to care for an ill patient after working for 18 consecutive hours? The obvious answer to that question is supported by some concerning data.

Walker, referencing the injurious consequences of these shifts, states that “Residents working a thirty-hour straight shift will commit 36 percent more serious medical errors, such as prescribing the wrong dose of a drug or leaving a surgical implement inside a patient, compared to those working 16 sixteen hours or less.” Even more frightening, sleeplessness permeates into the intensive care unit, where, “residents make 460 percent more diagnostic mistakes than when well rested after enough sleep.”

If my argument appears subjective thus far, perhaps a brief scan of the neuroscience data pertaining to sleep and human function will convince you. One study from NCBI showed, “Under the effects of sleep loss, people habitually more reflective

and cautious become more impulsive and prone to risk-taking during decision making based on deliberative reasoning.”

Does this sound like a doctor you want caring for your children?

Another study from BMC Neuroscience showed, “sleep deprivation to predominantly affect functions mediated by the prefrontal cortex, such as working memory. Together, these findings suggest that the restorative effect of sleep is especially relevant for the maintenance of functional connectivity of prefrontal brain regions.”

Halsted claimed long hours in the clinic would foster learning, yet the data has since debunked such nonsense. Without eight hours of sleep, residents’ brains cannot even form the neural connections necessary to consolidate what they have learned into memory. Branching further, after the 24 hour shift, sleep deprived residents must drive home in a state that is equivalent to having a 0.10% blood alcohol level, placing both themselves and other drivers in harm’s way.

If the foremost mission is patient care, why haven’t health institutions revised this destructive system? Is testing the endurance of residents at the expense of patients’ lives not malpractice? Leaders within the medical field must relinquish Halsted’s hazardous logic in place of healthy practices that are reflective of current data pertaining to sleep.

8 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

CULTURE

CULTURE

Villanova Student Theatre’s Legally Blonde Run

entire process unforgettable. I can’t imagine doing this show with any other group of people.”

Like Calhoun, Amelia MornContinued from p.1 ing, who played Paulette Buono Samantha Aitken, who fuonte, had the audience in stitches portrayed Elle in VSMTs production, with her perfect comedic timing and could not have been better suited amazing Bostonian accent. Not only for the role. In fact, Aitken’s fearless is Morning incredibly funny, but her performance just proves she was born voice is so powerful and her take on to play Elle. Her powerful voice filled Paulette is adorably heart-warming the theatre, literally making jaws drop. and sweet while still true to the charWhile faithful to Elle’s bubbly yet acter’s spunky nature. intrepid nature, Aitken’s Elle is more

Cristian Rodriguez charmed realistic and genuine. Rather than audiences as Warner Huntington III, sweet and completely clueless, this Elle’s college boyfriend. Charismatic iteration of the beloved character is Warner is devoted to achieving the more astute and mindful of others. “serious” life his family has set out

“I’ve loved getting to portray for him.

Dressed in perfectly polished such an iconic character in Elle,” Aitsuits, Rodriguez immediately gains ken said. “Her confidence in herself the audience’s attention, singing his really grows throughout the show, solo “Serious” before breaking Elle’s and I hope our audiences left feeling heart, along with the audience’s. inspired by what they saw.”

Warner may not have gotten the girl,

Sophomore Patrick Calhoun but Rodriguez sure got the audience’s took on the role of Emmet Forrest, a admiration and many laughs. hardworking, quirky and personable

Former enemy and Warner’s law student who helps Elle make it fiancé, Vivienne Kensington, bethrough her first year at Harvard. comes Elle’s best friend in Act Two Calhoun executed Emmett’s quipas she helps her new friend see her py character with perfect comedic own strength and legal expertise. This timing. With Calhoun’s fantastic voice, provided freshman Vanessa Rosado a one cannot help but root for Emmett well-deserved spotlight as her belt and as he becomes an important figure riffs blew audiences away in the song in Elle’s life and maybe, just maybe, “Legally Blonde (Remix).” something more.

Frankie Frabbizzo played the

“Getting to perform in this true antagonist of the show, Professhow that I have loved for a while sor Calhoun, known for his ruthless in a role that I also love was such an teaching style.

Elle’s Criminal Law incredible experience,” Calhoun said.

101 professor, Calhoun is introduced “Having such a talented directing team who pushed us to be the best we with the song, “Blood in the Water,” which Frabbizzo sang with authoritacould be, as well as having all insanetive power. ly talented cast members, made this

A constant throughout both Sara Hecht Staff Writer

The Legally Blonde cast performed to sold out shows.

Courtesy of Ellie Smart

acts was the dazzling dances choreographed by the talented Aidan Fedcko. From Irish dance to jump rope cardio choreo, the cast provided unwavering energy. Junior Olivia Pistella, who played Serena, Elle’s Delta Nu sister and UCLA cheerleader, demonstrated her immense dance skill, leaping and high-kicking her way into the theatergoers hearts. Additionally, freshman Jacob Long, who was UPS delivery man Kyle B. O’Boyle, astounded with his Irish dancing, a skill he learned for the show according to Fedcko.

The icing on the cake was the Y2K wardrobe. Jackie Caroll, Serena Sandwell and Anya Speaker created the show’s extensive collection of costumes with many trips to thrift stores and even digging through their own

personal closets. Their creation was something to covet as Elle’s closet consisted of glittery pink jeweled booties, pink plaid jackets and, of course, her iconic Gloria Steinem inspired bunny costume.

This show was the perfect COVID-19 comeback production for the University’s beloved VSMT club, something senior Victoria Bock reflected on after the show.

“It has been liberating getting to be on stage again after almost two years without live Theatre,” Bock said. “Having the audience see my full face and hearing them react and laugh was surreal, and it made me remember my love for performing.”

Keep an eye out for VSMT’s performances to come, as the Spring 2022 semester brings new productions

Villanova Pastoral Musicians’ Christmas Concert Chelsea Le Staff Writer

To welcome the Christmas Season, the Villanova Pastoral Musicians (Pastorals) held their first concert in two years on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at St. Thomas of Villanova Church.

The night’s theme was “All is Calm, All is Bright” and featured both traditional and non-traditional Christmas music from a variety of composers and time periods. The prelude song, “Silent Night,” was performed by the sophomore string quartet group Consocio.

President of Pastorals, senior Daniel Gorman, and vice president and senior Lucy Cobble, welcomed Pastorals’ first concert audience since March 2020. Following the welcome was an introduction by Sean McElwee, the Campus Minister for Liturgical Music.

“It is such a privilege to be able to sing and play together in a concert setting again after two years,” Gorman said. “Everyone has put in an incredible amount of work to make this evening as festive and sacred as possible, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the group’s dedication and especially our director Sean McElwee’s incredible guidance and vision.”

The opening song was “O

The Pastoral Musicians performed in the Church for their concert.

Courtesy of Chelsea Le

Come All Ye Faithful,” featuring a procession of the singers from the chancel to the altar. Following was an a cappella rendition of “Carol of the Bells” and “Medieval Noel,” a combination of three minor-key carols.

The Cantica Nova ensemble, a group within Pastorals that focuses on choral pieces outside of liturgical music, debuted with an acapella performance of “Spotless Rose.”

“We have been practicing our Christmas music since October,” sophomore Sadia Decastro said.

“It was really cool to learn some not-so-typical tunes and appreciate the beauty of the season. I am super excited to perform in my first Christmas concert with the group I love most.”

This was Decastro’s first concert performance with Pastorals.

She is a Mass coordinator and cantor within the club.

The male singers had an opportunity to perform “Magnificat,” a chant-like piece with harmonic passages. Following this was an instrumental performance of “Wachet Auf,” a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

“The thing I love most about the instrumentalists in Pastorals is the way we all have formed this tightly knit bond with each other that directly translates into the music we play,” sophomore Hannah Cohen said.

“When we support our singers, it is coming from a place of love and trust within the instrumental community.

We can rely on each other.”

Cohen is an instrumental coordinator for Pastorals and played a violin solo for the women’s performance of “Ha Shalom,” a Hebrew and English piece.

The audience was invited to join in song again during “The Night of Silence,” commonly known as “Silent Night.” The concert closed with Gustav Holst’s “Christmas Day,” a compilation of various old carols.

“The pandemic has exhausted so many of us,” McElwee said. “I think the folks who gathered Wednesday night were longing for participation in the experience we are so fortunate to have on a weekly basis: creating beautiful music in a beautiful space. I think the Pastorals were also reminded of the joy and fulfillment that comes when sharing an offering of beauty after weeks of hard work and artistic craft.”

The Pastorals welcome students of all backgrounds wishing to express and strengthen their faith through music ministry. The club performs at campus events including Orientation Mass, Parents’ Weekend and Baccalaureate Mass.

Students interested in joining can reach out to existing members, email McElwee or walk up to the piano after Masses. Additional information can also be found on the Villanova Pastoral Musicians’ Facebook page

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 9

Student and Social Media Influencer Yulisa Mendez Molly Carriero Staff Writer

Yulisa Mendez, a junior Marketing and Analytics major, is taking on the current media culture with zeal as a brand ambassador for The Coca-Cola Company, HBO and Canon.

Mendez first got into digital creation through the popular app TikTok. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, she began watching videos of other content creators and became interested in testing out free products.

Mendez signed up for an app called “Influenster” and quickly got her first campaign with Bliss Skin Care.

For Mendez, content creation with Bliss started out as an activity to do in her free time. She enjoyed posting pictures to her Instagram and coming up with ideas about product placement. When she received positive feedback on her posts, her brand started gaining momentum. More companies reached out through Instagram, and by the beginning of her sophomore year, her role as a campus ambassador started to amplify. Mendez then began working with Coca-Cola, HBO, Canon and other brands, like Express.

Mendez said her personal favorite brand to work with is Coca-Cola, as she loves both the company and its values. As an ambassador and content creator for the company, she is responsible for five monthly posts across all society media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Mendez works with a bottler who provides products for advertisements and sampling events. On Villa-

Mendez poses with a Coke bottle as a part of her job as an influencer.

Courtesy of Yulisa Mendez

nova’s campus, Mendez sets up events with organizations, like the Community Activities Team, to provide samples to students.

As an ambassador, Mendez also works with company representatives, a personal mentor and fellow ambassadors in the Philadelphia area.

By networking with Coke employees and learning from their experiences, Mendez hopes this will help land a marketing internship with the company next summer and a full position after graduation.

“I love working with Coke,” Mendez said. “I get to talk to their

digital marketing specialist and network with her which has been super helpful.”

Mendez said she did some graphic design in high school, but mostly focused on the analytical side of marketing until she got to college.

While she did not see herself as a creative person initially, becoming a campus ambassador has since redefined her marketing interests and personal brand.

“Once I got to Villanova, I realized analytics was something I wanted to do, but more as a bonus,” Mendez said. “I became more passionate about the creative side of marketing and it’s more on the forefront for me now.”

However, Mendez does still continue with data analytics through her personal website, where she posts company product engagement, such as likes, comments, shares and saves from her social media postings.

As for the meaning of these opportunities, Mendez spoke on what being a brand ambassador and content creator means for her life.

“For marketing in general, it is about presenting yourself and your own personal brand,” Mendez said.

“For me, starting off with Instagram and showcasing who I am through photos is important career-wise. Professionals can look through my Instagram and see who I am, how I have this experience creating content, and how I can help their company.”

Mendez said working with multiple brands can be time-consuming and tedious, but that keeping spreadsheets and preparing rough drafts helps her meet publishing deadlines. She

also noted that close friends have been a huge support for her throughout the process. They help her take the photos she uses for social media advertisements, and Mendez enjoys being able to give them any extra products.

Mendez is originally from Burlington, Wyoming, a small town with a population of only 300 people.

Mendez said that in her town, everyone knows each other, and in her graduating class of 16, everyone was close.

Moving to Villanova was a big jump, and though she thought about staying in state at the University of Wyoming where she was comfortable, she had a mentor who encouraged her to apply to other schools. When she learned about Villanova, she was attracted to its close community feel and decided to take a chance.

“I thought there was not another time to stay and live on the East Coast,” Mendez said. “I wanted to expand my experiences and push myself to build my personal brand.”

Beyond her responsibilities in the classroom and as an ambassador, Mendez is widely involved on campus.

The Villanova Marketing group, the Women in Business Society and the Business Entertainment Society are just some organizations of which she is a member. Others include the Latin American Student Organization, the Hispanic Society and editing for the Campus Ministry section of the Belle Aire Yearbook. Mendez is also the President of Habitat for Humanity on campus, which she said is one of her most important campus commitments and her way of giving back to the community.

Fraternity Announces First Sweetheart in Five Years Sara Hecht Staff Writer

This semester, Villanova’s Sigma Chi Chapter president, Matthew Sinnott, proposed bringing back the position of fraternity Sweetheart. The role has been vacant for five years, as the term of Cate Gormley, former Sigma Chi Sweetheart, ended in 2017.

A fraternity Sweetheart is a female elected by the fraternity to be the female representative for the chapter.

After Sinnott’s proposal, the Sigma Chi brothers discussed the functions of the role and ultimately decided to move forward with the nomination process. Members were collectively confident that a Sweetheart would be a valuable and helpful addition to their fraternity.

Kelly Barker is the first Sigma Chi chapter Sweetheart in five years.

Courtesy of @sigmachi_vu

Thus, Kelly Barker was elected and officially registered as Villanova’s Sigma Chi Sweetheart. Barker is a junior English major and member of Villanova’s Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

“I was very honored and excited when they asked me to be their Sweetheart,” Barker said. “Everyone in Sigma Chi has been so nice.”

For the nomination process itself, Barker stated that the brothers were focused on finding a woman who shared the organization’s guiding principles and morals. Another contributing factor was finding someone who they all knew and were friendly with.

“They really thought about who the Chapter, as a whole, was connected with,” Barker said. “Sigma Chi is really interested in their values as a fraternity so they considered someone who shared them. They knew I was interested because they had been talking about it for a while. Then they voted, and now I’ve been Sweetheart for almost an entire month already.”

Sweethearts have many responsibilities, including attending Chapter meetings, managing public relations for the fraternity and organizing events. Barker also shared that she has the unique ability to wear the fraternity’s letters.

“Essentially, I’m the one female representative of Sigma Chi,” Barker said.

However, Barker expressed she is most looking forward to working on and participating in Sigma Chi’s philanthropy outreach initiatives and

functions.

“I’m really excited to be involved with their philanthropy events,” she said. “As Sweetheart, I can help get people to come to the events as well as run them. They have two events coming up for their national philanthropy raising money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute so I’m really excited to get involved with those.”

Additionally, as an official representative of the Chapter, Barker has the unique opportunity to apply for an academic scholarship funded and approved by the fraternity’s international leadership.

The position of Sweetheart is highly valued by Sigma Chi as it has an international Sweetheart to represent the fraternity on a global level.

This position is currently held by Shelbey Mecklenborg of University of Cincinnati. Mecklenborg was elected to the role for a term of three years, spanning from 2021 to 2023. Like Barker, Mecklenborg is also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, serving as the University of Cincinnati Chapter President.

Despite such appreciation of Sweethearts, the University has not had one on campus for several years now. Barker shared her hopes to expand the Sweetheart network to other campus fraternities.

“I’m the only Sweetheart on campus right now,” Barker said. “I believe other frats will be inspired to have a Sweetheart. If that energy catches on, other frats will want to follow in Sigma Chi’s footsteps.”

10 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

CULTURE

Students Host Women’s Wellness Week Emma Cahill Staff Writer

On the week of Nov. 8, Communications students Ryan Kirby, Grave Metzger, Mary O’Brien, Emily Monaco and Sara Kennedy hosted a Women’s Wellness Week on campus. From four to six p.m. at The Connelly Center, students could participate in interactive activities that helped to educate students on the topic of women’s wellness. The group also collaborated with the Office of Health Promotion and the student organization POWER for a Pet Therapy event held in the West Lounge of Dougherty.

The topic of women’s wellness first presented itself when the five were sorted into a group for their senior Capstone course for the Communication major. Upon being assigned their project, the students considered what could be improved on Villanova’s campus.

“One of the things that came to mind is the way the campus communicates about women’s wellness,” Kirby said. “What inspired us initially was to change and increase the awareness and discussions on the topics because we, as seniors, hadn’t seen that in the past four years.”

The group was also inspired by a Robert Urich quote that reads, “A healthy outside starts from the inside.”

The project took lots of time and communication to cover the various little details the project encompassed, and the group put hard work into constructing the events. In fact, the group members commented that events like these take much effort for aspects such as getting tabling approved or getting

approval to put up posters, and that it may deter students from hosting events like these in the future.

“There was a lot of preparation in the nitty-gritty details,” Kirby said.

The group hosted various activities for students, covering a range of many topics including nutrition, exercise and how to navigate a healthy social life in college. Each topic was assigned a specific day in order to focus on its importance.

Additionally, each member in the project took on a singular topic and made it their own.

“We divided between all of us each topic and based on our topic, we thought of an activity that’s not only informative, but really engaging and more creative,” O’Brien said. “We wanted something that students would want to do because they would get more out of that.”

The hopes for this event were not merely centered around awareness in general, but the way information and resources are put out by the University considering these topics. The group’s attempts to discuss and engage in this subject matter were used to make women’s wellness more normalized and accessible on campus. They believe the resources provided on campus and how the campus as a whole perceives these topics have the potential to improve.

“We wanted to change the messaging that’s been surrounding these topics,” Monaco said. “And we wanted to focus on the lack that they’ve been talked about on campus.”

In the Connelly Center, the group had a table each day with one topic which featured interactive games. It also had an event in Dougherty with the special focus being over exhaustion and sleep,

Women’s Wellness Week was the week of Nov. 8th.

Courtesy ofThe Department of Communication at Villanova

for which they partnered with the student organization POWER and had therapy dogs present.

By partaking in these interactive games and events, students learned quick and easy ways to identify and engage in wellness.

The group also touched upon how to identify on-campus resources. In all, the event was driven towards providing information and building awareness to students. But it was not so much of that sharing of information, but the way in which the information was presented that was so appealing.

“Our main issue was how information and resources were communicated to students,” O’Brien said. “We felt that there was a lack

of it, and being senior women who have been on campus for the past four years, we understand how we have taken the information, and how we best receive resources, and what we would want to hear.”

After concluding the week of events, the group wants to encourage others to continue the discussion about women’s wellness beyond its project. Since this is a topic which affects the student body, they feel it needs to continue to be discussed so the University can improve its resources and the scope of the issue as a whole can be changed.

“I would love to see something like this continue,” Monaco said. “It’s one thing to see it from adults, but it is different to see it

Refectory Brunch Review Maddie Schieder Staff Writer

The Refectory restaurant has reopened its doors on the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Avenues. Villanovans and members of the Main Line are joyful at the sight of this gem’s comeback and even more so about the newest brunch menu.

The Refectory website has reinvented what its restaurant is all about. It is now “a place to meet, eat and drink together.” New staff members also have roots in local restaurants around the University’s campus, which has brought a unique twist on the American cuisine that The Refectory has to offer. Having brunch at an on-campus restaurant is ideal for students, especially those living on campus who are in need of a convenient place to satisfy their cravings.

The brunch menu has anything one could imagine. There are soups, salads, sweets, flatbreads and sandwiches, accompanied by a raw bar and potato variations.

Not many brunch locations can say they offer oysters, chicken and waffles in one menu. Some top menu items are the PB&J Stuffed

French Toast and the restaurant’s handheld sandwiches. Although a bit pricier, these items are comparable to the popular local brunch spots off of Villanova’s campus.

With no need for students to call Ubers, The Refectory offers brunch on Saturday and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in walking distance from Villanova’s campus.

Senior Tony Huerta-Apanco spent his Sunday at The Refectory to indulge in brunch.

“I enjoyed the fact that I could go eat on campus with my friends at a walkable distance,” he said. “It also was something that I could have other than the Villanova dining halls. The food was better than the dinner options that they have.”

Huerta-Apaco additionally claimed that if one is unable to drive to somewhere like Minellas, Nudy’s or Turning Point, the Refectory checks all of the boxes.

Not only is the new brunch menu attractive for students, but for the greater community as well. The Refectory Yelp reviews are filled with four and five stars, with compliments to the staff and service.

In recent news, @refectorynova on Instagram announced its latest brunch event will include a visit from Santa Claus, on Dec. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This offering is limited time and a perfect opportunity to try out this new local brunch spot. The restaurant

is currently taking reservations for the event.

As you and your friends head into the weekend and are aching for a new menu to try, consider the finest place on Villanova’s corner. Maybe you will even catch a glimpse of Santa.

The Refectory is located on the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Ave. Courtesy of The Savvy Main Line

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 11

Book Buzz: Landline Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor

Everyone knows the Holiday classic books like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” or Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” but for those book lovers who want to pick up a modern Christmas novel, Rainbow Rowell’s “Landline” is for you.

Rainbow Rowell is the acclaimed author of books such as “Eleanor and Park,” “Fangirl” and “Carry On.” She even has experience in the Marvel Universe as the writer of the updated “Runaways.” Though published in 2014, “Landline” is the perfect Holiday read, for after finals week of course. As winner of Goodreads Choice Best Fiction Novel in 2014, the book has won high praise from readers and critics alike.

Classified as a sci-fi novel, “Landline” focuses on the main character Georgie McCool who discovers she can contact her husband, not in the present-day, but when he was 22. Although it reads primarily as a fiction novel, the small addition of science fiction

makes “Landline” stand out from other Christmas novels.

When Georgie discovers that she and her writing partner/ best friend Seth are on the track of potentially getting the sitcom they have been writing since college to television, she decides she must stay home for Christmas.

Every year Georgie, her husband Neal and their two young daughters take the trek from Los Angeles to Omaha, Nebraska to spend the holiday with Neal’s family. After a heated discussion, Neal and the girls head to Nebraska, leaving Georgie alone in California.

Georgie, unsure of where she now stands in her marriage, retreats to her college self where she spends copious amounts of time with her unique mother and, of course, Seth. Neal refuses to pick up Georgie’s dozens of calls while he is away for Christmas, sending Georgie into a spiral. Trying to find any way to contact him, Georgie remembers the landline phone she has in her childhood bedroom and dials Neal’s home phone number.

The twist of the novel comes when Neal picks up, but as a senior in college. Georgie is

transported to the period of time when Neal and she were on a break from their relationship right around Christmas time when they were 22.

Taking this ability to talk to young Neal as a sign, Georgie wonders whether or not she is supposed to make Neal stay in Nebraska, instead of coming back to win Georgie over all those years ago.

While “Landline” is not Rowell’s most acclaimed or complex novel, it is a fast and easy read that is sure to entertain.

Filled with characters with insane idiosyncrasies and bizarre minor storylines, it includes something for everyone. Sometimes you may want to scream at Georgie for her poor decisions or you might absolutely hate Neal, but despite this, Rowell’s magical touch is ever-so present in this unique holiday story.

Rather than listening to Justin Bieber’s holiday album or watching Elf, you can try picking up “Landline” to get into the holiday spirit or maybe get a head start on your New Year’s resolu-

Landline is one of Rowell’s most famous novels.

Courtesy of Identity Magazine

Villa-Vogue x Jordan Francis: Dear Virgil Abloh Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer

West at Fendi in 2009, to starting the high-end brand Pyrex Vision, Abloh, once a stranger from Rockford, Illinois, started making advancements

“I’m always trying to prove in the fashion world. to my 17-year-old self that I can do

In 2012, everything changed creative things I thought weren’t with Abloh’s creation of the OFFpossible.”

WHITE brand.

Virgil Abloh, it is certainly Abloh’s new streetsafe to say that you made the impos- wear-meets-couture brand took sible possible. the world by storm the moment it

On the morning of Nov. 28, debuted.

The reason for all this atwe lost one of the world’s most briltention was the brand’s unique visual liant minds. Virgil Abloh died at the identity.

With every zip-tie, air quote age of 41 in Chicago after a two-year and usage of barricade tape, OFFbattle with cardiac angiosarcoma, WHITE soon became the amalgaa rare form of cancer. Rather than focusing on his absence, it is import- mation of streetwear and high-fashion. The bridge between couture and ant that we remember everything edge, if you will. By showing pure he has done in his past life - every accomplishment, every creation and streetwear in a fashion show context, every vision. Abloh leaves us with his Abloh’s OFF-WHITE ultimately breached the dam between fashion’s influence, an influence we must use ivory tower and the street’s more into create and change the world. He inspired millions, and he inspired me. verted forms of sneakerhead discernment.

Born in Chicago in 1980,

With OFF-WHITE came Abloh grew up in the age of Mione of the most iconic collaborachael Jordan, which can only mean tions known to date, The Ten, which one thing: the donning of sneaker was Abloh’s recreation of 10 classic culture. Being raised in a streetwear Nike sneakers.

The silhouettes were fad sparked Abloh’s early passion for redesigned in Abloh’s aesthetics with design, enabling him to sketch and zip ties, transparent materials and of send sneaker designs to Nike, all of course, his egregious air quotes.

The which got immediately rejected. Oh shoes caused mayhem on the resell how the tables turned. market and were hailed by many as

To the surprise of many, the best sneaker of the year. The colAbloh moved on to study civil engineering at the University of Wiscon- lab’s blueprint-like designs echo back to Abloh’s training as an architect sin-Madison. There, he decided to and exemplified his obsession with start his first streetwear brand, Fort re-contextualizing familiar objects, a Home. Fort Home ceased to catch method that has hardly been touched any attention until eventually beupon previously. ing discovered by John Monopoloy,

Abloh was soon recognized Kanye West’s former manager, who for his ability to mix classics with hired Abloh as his creative consultant the current zeitgeist, impressing the at just 22-years-old. Now, insert the entirety of the fashion world but commencement of a new era. most importantly, Louis Vuitton, who shortly hired him as its new

From interning alongside

artistic director. When it comes to the creative direction of established brands, and the designers who represent them, minority representation is incredibly small. From that moment forward, Abloh made history as Louis Vuitton’s first African American to be a creative director for the French luxury house.

Abloh’s appointment may have showcased the lack of diversity heading up major fashion labels, but it’s in fact an incredible step forward in terms of diversity. He’s one of an extremely small handful of Black designers who have been appointed by major heritage fashion houses to helm those heritage brands. Only two Black designers before him have helmed the position of creative director at a European Fashion house. Ozwald Boateng headed up Givenchy’s menswear from 2003 to 2007, and Olivier Rousteing is the

creative director of Balmain.

From Telfar Clemens to Shayne Oliver to Pyer Moss to Mowalola Ogunlesi, there is a new class of burgeoning Black and minority designers ready to exhibit their creative outlets at these brands. With every idea, every collaboration and every brand he touched, Abloh changed the scope of the fashion industry.

Fashion was more than an outfit or a piece of fabric. For Abloh, fashion was a form of identity. He had the ability to re-contextualize the familiar and give it an aura of cultural currency. Every item he created sat at the nexus of art, music, politics and philosophy. He was the master of irony, references and self-awareness. Abloh’s work has the power to inspire future generations for years to come. His 17-year-old self would be proud. We all are.

May he rest in peace.

Founder of Off-White Virgil Abloh died at 41.

Courtesy of Richmond Free Press

12 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Villanova Campus Ministry Holiday Initiatives Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

If Santa Claus teaches the world anything, it is that there is more to Christmas than presents.

This might seem controversial, but at the center of everything, Saint Nick is all about giving from the heart. Villanova’s Campus Ministry does the same.

Campus Ministry is responsible for many of the community volunteering programs on campus.

Two of the most popular are the RUIBAL and COV.

RUIBAL, or Reaching Urban Individuals By Action and Love, is a freshmen-only weekly service opportunity in which students go to schools across the Philadelphia area to help children with homework, build relationships and plan activities.

An extension of this program is Community Outreach of Villanova, or COV, which is another weekly volunteer program that sends students to schools, soup kitchens, nursing homes, adult English language classes, family shelters and more.

Each week, these clubs send about 300 volunteers out to serve in local communities.

When it comes to the holidays, Campus Ministry organizes initiatives to help those in need.

This Thanksgiving, the department had its annual Thanksgiving Drive, helping to gather and deliver Thanksgiving meals to families over the holiday weekend. In total, 325 families received donations.

Megan Dietzler, Campus Minister for Local Service, spoke on the Thanksgiving Drive.

“We had volunteers taking them out to the different sites,” Dietzler said. “Some of us were on the ground at the different sites to help distribute them.”

One of those volunteers was two-year COV volunteer Paisley Hahn.

“This year, I volunteered with the Thanksgiving Outreach by helping pack Thanksgiving meal boxes at Villanova and then distribute them to North Light Community Center,” Hahn said.

“It was incredible to see the amount of Villanova support in terms of food donations for the drive. Helping to deliver this food allowed me to directly see where it

was going and who was benefiting from it.

As for Campus Ministry activities during the current holiday season, the “Spread the Spirit” campaign is underway.

For this Christmas initiative, Campus Ministry works closely with North Light Community Center, a community institute in Manayunk and a primary service location for students.

“We always have Villanovans at Northlight,” Dietzler said. “There’s hundreds of people at Villanova that know and love Northlight.”

In fact, the University even has a North Light Villanova Alliance (NOVAL). It is a committee that comes together to support the center, whether it be through providing technology support, business tutorials or marketing help, the alliance is there all year to provide support in any way possible.

During Spread the Spirit, Campus Ministry primarily helps the center by doing an Adopt a Family program. Volunteers who sign up for Adopt a Family receive a family with children’s names, ages and Christmas lists. The volunteers then collect money and donations to help designated families in need get the presents they want for Christmas.

According to Dietzler, departments, organizations, athletic teams and even some individuals sign up to help collect gifts for families.

“That’s the nice part,” Dietzler said. “It cultivates a commu-

NOVAL works with the North Light Community Center.

Courtesy of The Villanova Campus Ministry Website

nity initiative rather than individuals.”

The collected presents are then delivered by sets of Villanova volunteers to the center. Campus Ministry is still accepting volunteers for this task taking place on Dec. 17.

Dietzler reflected on last year’s Adopt a Family drive, which looked a lot different due to COVID-19. Instead of donating gifts, people were asked to donate gift cards. Dietzler remembered being overwhelmed with donations to the point that Campus Ministry was able to give even beyond North Light. Some other sites receiving these donations were Lutheran Settlement Services, Families Forward Shelter, People’s Emergency Center, Catholic Social Services, St. Francis Inn and the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.

Because of the success from last year, the gift card donation drive continues for this holiday season.

Another part of Spread the Spirit is the chance to donate to the Church of New Hope and Faith’s Youth Council Toy Drive via their Amazon Wish List. Donations can be made to children of different age groups until Monday, Dec. 20.

As the Villanova community prepares for the end of the semester along with Campus Ministry cultivating donations and volunteers for their Spread the Spirit initiatives, Dietlzer reflected on what that “spirit” truly means for the Villanova community. Campus Ministry’s Spread the Spirit campaign holds the true meaning of

the season.

“It really is just this positive desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves and think beyond themselves,” Dietzler said.

“It’s the spirit of generosity and awareness of a world beyond their immediate circumstances.”

Reflecting on her own experiences being a Villanova Campus Minister, Dietzler also noted the impact the community has had on her holiday cheer.

“What I’ve loved, by and large, is that almost all of our volunteers are volunteering their time and their resources out of the goodness of their hearts,” Dietzler said. “If you ask them why they are serving, it’s because they want to break themselves out of their bubble. They want to remind themselves there is something more important than them and I’m just constantly inspired.”

To attest to that, Hahn shared some words on her favorite reason for volunteering.

“My favorite part of volunteering is seeing how your work is helping others in whatever capacity they may need,” Hahn said.

“Volunteering is one of the most fulfilling things to do in my opinion.”

As the time ticks closer to the holidays and Christmas break, the rippling effects of giving and kindness spread throughout the Villanova community. That spirit is found not just in the gifts themselves, but in the hearts of those who act and choose to give the gifts of time, joy and love for the holiday season.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The Villanovan | 13

SPORTS

SPORTS

FCS Football Quarterfinals Preview: South Dakota State Matthew Ryan Co-Spors Editor Continued from p.1 has also added 145 yards on the ground and two scores. Oladokun’s main three targets are twin wide receivers Jaxon and Jadon Janke and tight end Tucker Kraft.

Jaxon is the number one receiver for the Jackrabbits, hauling in 60 catches for 942 yards and three touchdowns on the year. Jadon is the team’s leader in receiving scores, with eight touchdowns on 36 catches that have gone for 575 yards. Kraft is continuing the trend of high-level tight ends at SDSU, the alma mater of Philadelphia Eagles’ Dallas Goedert. As a sophomore, Tucker has caught 56 balls for 661 yards and six touchdowns.

While Oladokun has been more than serviceable at quarterback, the offense is undoubtedly led by the run game, specifically graduate running back Pierre Strong Jr. Strong, who is 5-foot-11, 205-pounds, is the leading rusher in the FCS, totaling 1575 yards on 223 carries (7.1 yards per carry), finding the end zone 17 times on the season. He is the head of the snake, followed by Isaiah David, who has 514 rushing yards in five games (8.4 YPC), for the ninthbest rushing team in the FCS (215 yards per game). Going against

per game. The Jackrabbits are virtually equally effective defending the run and pass, as they rank inside the top 15 in each category. First-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference linebacker Adam Bock leads the defense with 112 tackles, also adding 2.5 sacks and a couple of interceptions.

Led by quarterback Daniel Smith and running back duo Justin Covington and Jalen Jackson, Villanova’s offense averages 30.8 points per game, 33rd best in the FCS. Covington is the primary back for the ‘Cats, rushing for 742 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games this season, and Jackson, who has 564 rushing yards for seven touchdowns in 10 games, is Running back Justin Covington and the Wildcats take on South Dakota State. second in line.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics Smith has had a solid Villanova’s top-10 run defense one-dimensional.” campaign, passing for 2296 yards (99.3 YPG), led by graduate line If the stellar play at the and 22 touchdowns while throwbacker and CAA Defensive Player line of scrimmage between ‘Noing nine interceptions. He has of the Year Forrest Rhyne and va’s defense and SDSU’s run game also added 226 yards and scores graduate defensive lineman Malik cancel each other out, the passon the ground. Junior wideouts Fisher, the battle in the trenches ing game will play an increased Rayjoun Pringle (724 yards) and is extremely important for both role. The Wildcats have one of Jaaron Hayek (606) are Smith’s top sides. For Ferrante’s squad, it’s the the best pass defenses remaining, targets, combining for 15 touchmain area of focus. allowing just 163.2 passing yards a downs, followed by senior wide re “We’re going to start by game, good enough for the sevceiver Dez Boykin (305) and senior trying to stop the run, which enth-best in the FCS. SDSU has tight end Todd Summers (282). obviously you have Pierre and an above-average pass attack but

With a victory, the ‘Cats then … (Isaiah) Davis,” Ferrante not quite top tier, averaging 228.2 will advance to the semifinals for said. “They’re a good team, and air yards per contest, 42nd best in the first time since 2010 when they our philosophy is going to be our the FCS. were led by legendary coach Andy philosophy. We’re going to go out

On the offensive side of Talley. The winner of Saturday’s there, we’re going to put a plan the ball, the Wildcats have a tough contest will play next week against together, we’re going to try to stop task going against a top-15 scoring the victor of No. 1 Sam Houston the run first, try to make the team defense that allows just 18.8 points and No. 8 Montana State.

Women’s Soccer Hires New Head Coach Samar Azem Amanda McKean Staff Writer

On Monday, Dec. 6, Villanova University Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson announced that Samar Azem will be the new women’s soccer coach.

The news comes after Chris McLain resigned in October after five seasons with the Wildcats.

“First, I want to thank a great group of teammates from across our department and some key women’s soccer alumni who helped lead a search process that involved a lot of time, energy, and dedication,” Jackson said. “A special thanks to our President, Father Peter Donohue, who also offered his support at every turn. We examined a number of established head coaches from across the country and Samar continuously rose to the top of our list. Beyond her proven soccer acumen, recruiting success, and commitment to academic achievement, what stood out about Samar went well beyond soccer. At every point in her career, she has built deep, meaningful, and inspiring relationships with the women she has coached and the people she has worked with and we look forward to her making the same positive impact on the Villanova women’s soccer program, as well as, our overarching community.”

Azem began her head coaching career in women’s soccer in 2011 at Division II Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. She

was head coach until 2013 and earned an overall record of 21-24-9, including a 12-10-7 record in South Atlantic Conference play. Azem led the Trojans to the semifinal round of the SAC Tournament in 2011 for the first time in program history. In 2011 the Trojans were ranked No. 8 in the Southeast Region.

Azem comes from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina where she was the head coach for five seasons, starting in 2017. She led the Camels to a record last year of 12-4-2 and an overall record of 50-30-8. In addition, in the 202021 season, Azem and the Camels won the Big South Women’s Soccer Championship against High Point University. This marked the first Big South Championship for Campbell since 1993. During this year, Campbell earned a No. 22 national ranking and had a program-record four players named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region teams. She was also named the 2020–21 Big South Conference Coach of the Year.

At Campbell, Azem was known for revamping the offense for the Camels and helping them become one of the top offensive teams in the country. Since 2018, the Camels have ranked in the top 10 nationally in goal-scoring, including eighth in 202122 and ninth in 2020-21.

She was also known for bringing the best out of the players for the Camels. In the 2020-21 season, Jessica Donald was named a Top Drawer Scorer Top 100 performer and Cazzi Norgren was a Top Drawer Top 100

Freshmen honoree. In 2021, Donald made program history by being named Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

As for her college career, Azem was a skilled goalkeeper for Campbell from 2003 to 2007. In 2004, she helped the Camels win both the A-Sun regular season and tournament championships. For individual awards, Azem earned A-Sun All-Academic recognition and the program’s Coaches Award in 2005 and 2006.

Azem is a native of Jos, Nigeria. She graduated from Campbell with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting and a minor in Psychology in 2007 and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Mercer.

In addition to her coaching career at Anderson and Campbell, Azem also has experience in assistant coaching at Brevard College in North Carolina, Mercer University in Georgia and Presbyterian University in South Carolina.

However, as for the 2022-23

season, Azem will move up north to Pennsylvania to coach her first Big East team.

“I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve Villanova University, the women’s soccer players and the community,” Azem said. “I would like to thank University President Father Peter Donohue and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson, for their confidence in me and the opportunity to lead the women’s soccer program at Villanova University.

I also want to express my gratitude to Omar Banks, Hannah Bazemore and my players at Campbell University for an incredible journey. Villanova University is rich in tradition and represents excellence at the highest level both academically and athletically, which is extremely important to me. I am excited to meet and get to know our team, our alumni, and our community. I can’t wait to get started serving, teaching and guiding our players as we build on and elevate our traditions of success.”

Samar Azem is the new women’s soccer head coach.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

14 | The Villanovan

SPORTS

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Dhamir “Dada” Cosby-Roundtree Returns Anders Pryor Staff Writer

Dada is back.

In what was a shock to the entire ‘Nova Nation, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, one of the backbones of the Wildcat Men’s Basketball team, stepped onto the hardwood against La Salle, his first game action since Mar. 7, 2020. He played for five minutes and put up two points, two rebounds and one assist.

Just before the beginning of the season, Cosby-Roundtree made an announcement to the Villanova community regarding the state of his Villanova basketball career, and the news was not great. Cosby-Roundtree was inactive last year due to a series of leg injuries he endured since joining the team in 2018, but there was hope that the injuries he sustained then would hopefully subside in time for him to come back for his extra year of eligibility. However, the accumulation of injuries would catch up to him again as he damaged his leg once more this off-season. The medical staff felt the damage had been done and it wasn’t the right decision for him to play.

“I kind of had to make a tough decision, where I had to think about my physical and mental health and just evaluate that…I’ve had four surgeries in the past five years,” Cosby-Roundtree emotionally told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He then went into the toll it was taking on him both as an athlete and a person, remarking, “I felt I wasn’t really competing against other

people, against my teammates, and the opposition. I was really competing against my own body. Every day, I felt like, was a battle with my own body.

It was really depressing. It was very hard.”

Now, it looks like the medical staff feels comfortable with him stepping onto the court.

Coach Jay Wright told VU Hoops just before the matchup, “He’s been practicing with us and feeling pretty good so we’re going to make him an active part of our roster…I don’t know if we’ll use him or not but I didn’t want to shock any of [the media] if we put him in.”

Cosby-Roundtree looked comfortable and in tune with the game, which was a pleasant sight for all of Villanova to see.

“So far so good…We’re starting to get more comfortable with him doing back-to-back practices,” Wright said after the game. “It’s three games in a week, but he was able to practice

Monday and Tuesday, and we expect him to be available tomorrow.”

And he was. He laced up for the second time this season against Penn, this time for just three minutes with one rebound. This was then followed by 1his longest stint of the season in Saturday’s game against Saint Joseph’s, with 11 minutes, three rebounds and two assists in a 81-52 victory over the Big 5 rival.

With Cosby-Roundtree back and hopefully continuing to make the progress the coaching staff is looking for, he should be able to provide the depth at the big-man spot that is so desperately needed, while still providing valuable mentorship.

Villanova’s next game is in the Mecca at Madison Square Garden against Syracuse on Dec. 7. Although it remains to be seen how much Cosby-Roundtree will play against better opponents, the fact that he’s able to play is not only a victory for him, but for Villanova basketball as a whole.

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Dec. 1 - Dec. 7

Wednesday, December 1 Men’s Basketball @ Penn 71-56 W Women’s Basketball vs Lehigh 65-60 W Thursday, December 2 None Friday, December 3 Women’s Basketball @ Providence 47-66 L Football vs Holy Cross 21-16 W Saturday, December 4 Men’s Basketball vs St Joseph’s 81-52 W Sunday, December 5 Women’s Basketball vs Creighton 58-72 L Monday, December 6 None Tuesday, December 7 Men’s Basketball vs Syracuse Past production

Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree appeared in his first game since Mar. 7 2020.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Women’s Basketball Drops First Two Big East Games Meghann Morhardt Co-Sports Editor

After a hard fought comeback victory against LaSalle, Villanova opened its conference schedule with two road games against Providence and Creighton. On Friday night, the ‘Cats fell to Providence, 66-47, followed by another tough loss on Sunday, a 72-58 loss to Creighton.

The ‘Cats were still without star junior forward Maddy Siegrist this weekend. Siegrist has missed six games with an injury. There has not been an update with an expected timeline of her return.

In Friday’s loss, the Wildcats were led by graduate forward Brianna Herlihy who finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. Herlihy was the only Villanova player to score in double figures.

Sophomore forward Lior Garzon, the ‘Cats leading scorer on the season, was held to just five points on two-of-nine shooting. Ten Wildcats saw the floor on Friday night, but only three scored more than five points.

The ‘Cats started the game strong, leading 13-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Friars fought back, taking the lead, 17-16, at the 7:06 mark in the second. Herlihy responded with two free-throws, regaining a one point advantage.

Four quick points from Providence gave the team a 24-18 advantage with 2:20 remaining in the half. The ‘Cats demonstrated strong defensive efforts, holding the Friars scoreless for the remainder of the half

and scoring four points to trail 24-22 at the break.

The Wildcats scored quickly out of the locker room with a Herlihy jumper to tie the game at 24. Providence responded with two free throws off a second chance rebound and foul on Villanova freshman guard Lucy Olsen. Villanova tied the game once more at 26 with 7:28 left in the quarter before the Friars ultimately took the lead at the 7:14 mark.

Providence went on a 15-6 run to close out the period, giving it a nine-point advantage entering the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats had their best offensive quarter of the day, scoring 15 points in the fourth, but the Friars were able to respond, scoring 25 of their own points, extending the lead to 19 by the final buzzer.

Villanova shot just 27.1% from the field and 15.4% from three while Providence recorded totals of 47.8% and 50% in the respective categories. The ‘Cats size disadvantage was clear, as the Friars out-rebounded Villanova by a 43-29 margin.

The ‘Cats’ offensive performance on Sunday was more promising, but turnovers and rebounding struggles proved too much for them to overcome.

Freshman guard Zanai Jones had a career day, leading the ‘Cats with 13 points on five-of-nine shooting, and five rebounds. Garzon and junior guard Brooke Mullin added 11 points each. Herlihy had a quieter day with just eight points, all coming in the first half, and two rebounds.

Villanova and Creighton trad-

ed baskets for the first 6:26, with five lead changes over that time until the Bluejays took a 12-11 advantage at the 4:34 mark, a lead that they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

Creighton went on a 8-1 run to stretch the lead to 18-12 at the 2:29 mark. The ‘Cats responded with back-to-back threes from Garzon and Mullin, but the Bluejays remained steady, scoring with 30 seconds remaining to hold a 21-18 lead at the end of the quarter.

Villanova struck first in the second on another three from Mullin, cutting the Bluejay lead to one.

Missed free throws and turnovers from the ‘Cats allowed Creighton to go on a 14-1 run, leading by 14 with 3:00 remaining in the half. Two straight layups from Jones cut the lead to nine at the break.

Creighton regained a double-digit lead 0:36 into the second half and continued to dominate, lead-

ing 50-35 midway through the quarter. The ‘Cats scored just six points in the quarter, while the Bluejays tallied 20, giving them a 23 point advantage entering the final quarter.

The ‘Cats bounced back offensively in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points, including nine from Jones, but the 23-point deficit was too large to overcome.

Villanova’s shooting improved greatly from Friday to Sunday, finishing at 42% from the field and 33% from deep. The rebounding struggles continued however, with the Bluejays earning the advantage by a margin of 34-24.

Villanova fell to 3-5 on the season and 0-2 in conference play, while Creighton improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The Wildcats return to action with another road game against non-conference opponent James Madison on Thursday, Dec. 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Freshman guard Zanai Jones led the Wildcats with 13 points against Providence.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The Villanovan | 15

SPORTS

Wildcat Alumni Jim Curtin Leading Philadelphia Union Tyler Moore Staff Writer

‘Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat’ is the common phrase that goes around at Villanova. It is no different for alumnus Jim Curtin, current head coach of the MLS’s Philadelphia Union, who just led his team to compete for its first ever Eastern Conference Championship. Although a COVID-stricken Union fell 2-1 on Sunday against NYCFC, Curtin’s team reached new heights this year.

Curtin is very familiar with Philadelphia as he has spent a large part of his life in the area. An Oreland native, he began his career at Bishop McDevitt High School.

A star on the field, he was heavily recruited by Villanova and joined the men’s soccer team as a central defender from 1997-2000.

Despite the Wildcats’ unsuccessful seasons throughout his career, Curtin was named Big East Rookie of the Year during his freshman season in 1997 and picked up accolades for first-team all-Big East selection in 1997 and 2000. His success at Villanova and beyond allowed him the opportunity to be inducted into the 2017 Villanova Varsity Club’s Hall of Fame.

Upon graduation, Curtin was drafted by the Chicago Fire to play in the MLS, the first Villanovan to be selected. Chosen in the third round, he played defense with the team for eight years totalling more than 200 hundred games played. Of those, he played in two

U.S. Open Cup championships in 2003 and 2006 and was also named a 2004 MLS All-Star and the March of Dimes/Comcast Athlete of the Year in 2005.

After his tenure in Chicago, Curtin was traded to Chivas USA to play in Southern California. He was soon waived and decided to begin his successful coaching career.

Working his way through the organization starting in the academy in the Union’s inaugural 2010 season, he became head coach of the Philadelphia Union in 2014. He has brought many new successes and achievements to the team, including three U.S. Open Cup final appearances in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

In 2020, Curtin’s team won the esteemed MLS Supporters’ Shield for the first time in club history. The Shield is an honor given to the MLS team with the best regular season record. The honor was thanks in part to the club’s undefeated record at home, which is the first in MLS history.

Winning the Shield also allowed a club debut in the CONCACAF Champions League, where the Union earned its first international win, against Deportivo Saprissa. The win was Curtin’s 100th throughout his coaching career and a win against Atlanta United F.C. propelled the club to the semifinals.

Curtin also received the honor of MLS Coach of the Year in 2020.

The most recent success comes as the Union advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in the MLS Cup Playoffs after a 2-1 win over Nashville F.C. on Sunday,

Nov. 28. The win marked the first time a team has reached the Final in club history.

Despite its success, the team faced major COVID-19 issues with 11 players in protocol for the final game, which ultimately cost the side the game. Curtin’s team would go down 2-1 in a nail-biting loss to end the 2021 season.

In a postgame interview, Curtin was optimistic about the future of his team.

“I’m proud of every guy that wore that jersey tonight and stepped on the field and I think

Jim Curtin leads the hometown Union.

Courtesy of Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA Today Sports

made our fans proud,” he said. “I like the direction we’re going, we’re making progress.”

The season may be over, but Curtin’s future at Philadelphia remains firm. After numerous rumors about F.C. Cincinnati wanting to hire him as its next head coach, Curtin denied the claims and stated that he remains with the Union for at least two more years. Curtin has a big offseason ahead of him to develop his team to accomplish even greater feats, making not only Philadelphia, but also his alma mater proud.

A South Dakotan’s South Dakota State Preview Zac Tipton Staff Writer

On Saturday, Villanova will host South Dakota State in Villanova’s first quarterfinal appearance since 2014. For most Villanova students and fans, this is a big game, but for me, the only South Dakotan on campus, the feeling is a lot different.

The first question a professor on campus asked me when I walked into class and told him I was from South Dakota was, “Are you a Coyote or a Jackrabbit?” When you grow up in South Dakota, you choose between two D1 programs, University of South Dakota, or South Dakota State.

Both have their histories, but South Dakota State’s is a lot deeper. I chose South Dakota State, mainly because of the Nate Wolters basketball years, but that football team always looked good. Unfortunately, for SDSU, they have to play FCS dynasty North Dakota State every year, but the Jackrabbits have always had incredible players, including current Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert and the greatest kicker of all time, Adam Vinatieri.

I got to see all these players play weekly on television, so the minute the playoff bracket came out, I saw this potential matchup and got incredibly excited. Being a South Dakotan has always given me something to talk about with people, and seeing the school I grew up supporting come to Villanova, a place I call my second home, and play here means so much because I’ll get to show everyone what

South Dakota is all about. I want SDSU to play well because it is my home and I get to show everyone a piece of me, although I will be cheering proudly for ‘Nova.

This year’s SDSU team is different. The Jackrabbits are coming off of the COVID-19 year where they made it to the championship in the Spring season and were probably the best team in the FCS before getting upset by Sam Houston State in that championship game. This season, they beat North Dakota State, a feat that has only occurred four times in the past 11 years.

However, they have had some bad losses. They lost to Southern Illinois by one in a high scoring affair.

They got blown out by Northern Iowa, a now 6-6 team, and they lost on an incredible Hail Mary to those Coyotes of USD. However, since then, they’ve torn through the playoffs, knocking off UC Davis by 32 and #4 Sacramento State by five. They roll into Villanova with a good chance of being favored, even though they are technically unranked.

Statistically, South Dakota State is good in both phases of offense, but boasts the number one running back in the FCS, as Pierre Strong Jr. leads the FCS in rushing yards and is second in rushing touchdowns. He will most likely be on an NFL roster next year and is a beast with a 7.06 yards per carry average. It also has a top 20 QB in Chris Oladokun, who had 2697 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.

Its defense is full of ballhawks.

It leads the FCS in turnover margin and interceptions. Its offense has turned the ball over nine times all year, while its defense has recorded 20 interceptions.

South Dakota State is my hometown team, and while I don’t know any guys on the team personally, I watched a lot of them in high school, since a lot of players played at rival high schools of mine. I have watched a lot of these players since high school and know that they are going to be tough to beat.

I do believe Villanova has the better overall defense, as the Wildcats are top five in total defense and have locked down offenses recently. Led by captain Forrest Rhyne, who had 21 tackles against Holy Cross and is top five in the FCS in total tackles, Villanova should be able to keep SDSU in check on offense. However, Villa-

nova’s offense has not been the same this year. The vaunted run game has not been where fans want it to be, and graduate quarterback Daniel Smith isn’t having his best year. Villanova is ranked 45th in the FCS in total offense. South Dakota State has been allowing 105 rush yards per game, so Villanova might be able to get that run game going, but throwing will be difficult considering SDSU’s penchant for picking quarterbacks off.

This game will be a run heavy attack with a lot of defense. Expect it to be low scoring, with very few passing yards allowed by either team. The matchup of my hometown team and my college team will be one we will remember for a long time.

The winner of this game will face the winner of #1 Sam Houston State and #8 Montana State. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and can be viewed live on ESPN+.

Quarterback Chris Oladokun will play a vital role in Saturday’s matchup.

Courtesy of South Dakota State Athletics

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DINING SERVICES

Villanova Dining Services

End of Semester Celebration Dinner Thursday, December 9, 2021 Donahue - Dougherty - St. Mary’s

MENU

Featuring a Surf & Turf Menu with a Dessert Extravaganza

Filet Mignon Jumbo Roasted Shrimp French Herb Chicken Breast Lobster Orzo Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms Five-Spice Baby Carrots Roasted Brussels Sprouts Mashed Potato Bar