Rick Steves on Campus

enjoy the little things,” Dorsey said. “From Tuesday night meetings to many trips to the storage unit, each and every little thing that we did for NOVAdance made my Villanova experience so much better. I am forever grateful for the NOVAdance family and cannot begin to thank each and every student who helped us succeed this year.”

This year was the 10th anniversary of NOVAdance. Students were eager to see how much money was raised for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, and to see a difference in the final fundraising amount in comparison to past years.

Junior Rosa Marfia has been a part of NOVAdance for her past three years at Villanova. Beginning as a Sidekick her freshman year, becoming a Hero Liaison last year, and being on the committee as one of three Engagement Coordinator Chairs this year, NOVAdance holds a very special place in Marfia’s heart.

“In my time with NOVAdance, I have learned numerous things,” Marfia said. “Being a Sidekick helped show me a passion I had that I never knew existed. It taught me to be outgoing, to be fearless. Being on the committee has taught me even more, it has taught me how to work with a team, and how to be a leader. It has taught me that we are capable of making a difference.”

While students were dancing and singing in the main room, the Reflection Room was down the hall and gave participants an opportunity to read and reflect. The room was dark and was filled with letters, pictures and videos from the families of the B+ Heroes.

“I snuck into the reflection room during the last of the Lip Sync Battles and the room was completely empty,” Marfia said. “It was just me. I went throughout the room, looking at pictures of heroes and reading the letters so many families have written to the B+ Foundation, and I just started crying. I took it all in and it all hit me. All the hard work, late nights and time and effort we have put into NOVAdance this year, all went into this. To the families and children I was reading and looking at. It puts life into a whole new perspective.”

This year’s top fundraiser teams were Sidekicks, Kappa Delta, Chi Omega, Engagement Coordinator Team and Morale Committee. The top individual fundraisers were Grant LeMay, who fundraised $10,466, Audrey Trussell with $9,165, BJ Wenzel with $7,516, Ally Dorsey with $7,405 and Caroline Jakubik with $6,005.

Together, with all the hard work, dedication and drive to help these kids and families, NOVAdance 2023 raised $505,311.35. Villanova will always be dedicated to helping to fundraise and be there for its heroes: Rebekha, Correll, Jack, James, Harry, Frankie, Blair, Jibby, Tony, Lilly, Sebastian, Danny, Ellie, Christos and Andrew. Everything done is for the kids, and let the countdown to NOVAdance 2024 begin.

Cate McCusker Senior Editor

On Wednesday, March 1, The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosted the one and only Rick Steves in the Connelly Center for a conversation on travel.

Steves is a writer and TV personality, best known for his popular public television series Rick Steves Europe, where he travels around Europe to offer travelers tips and tricks for lodgings, transportations and places to visit on their own journeys.

Rick Steves’ Europe, founded in 1976, brings 30,000 travelers to Europe annually with his small group tour program.

Steves explained that his goal is to “inspire Americans to venture beyond Orlando” and see the world.

“The world’s a beautiful place,” he said. “Let’s get to know it.”

Steves spoke of how important travel is, not only to just to see the world, but also how it affects us politically.

“Travel is a really important force for peace,” he said. “People who travel want to build bridges…the people who don’t want to build walls.”

He explained how it is important for people to get out of their comfort zones and to be in an area where they can’t live their normal life.

“You meet people,” he said. “That’s what carbonates the experience.”

Steves spoke about a particular experience he had while traveling in Iran. He was driving when a person approached his car and handed him a bouquet of flowers to apologize for the traffic delays – an unprompted act of kindness.

Steves described himself as a cultural chameleon, because, when he is in a different area with different people, he tries to live like them.

He eats chocolate in Belgium, drinks tea in England and sips whiskey in Scotland.

“Don’t demand what you’re used to, try what other people are enjoying,” he said. “Give yourself a chance to appreciate things on their terms.”

Steve s encouraged Americans to have a broader view of the world and to understand that, even if we do something a certain way, it doesn’t mean it is the norm or the best way to do it, such as eating with your fingers or going to the bathroom without sitting down.

“I think it’s important to travel and celebrate diversity without being so darn afraid of things,” he said. “It’s not about right or wrong, just don’t think we are the norm.”

Another topic Steves emphasized was the importance of climate change.

He explained how it is affecting some of the greatest destinations, referencing the major flooding in Venice, and that it is a global responsibility to combat climate change.

“As a family of nations, we need to get serious about climate change,” he said.

After Steves’ speech, audience members were able to ask him about his favorite tips and tricks.

He explained that his favorite place is Cinque Terre on the coast of Italy, and he encouraged everyone to journal while they traveled, so they can remember what they did and how they felt in that moment.

University students enjoyed hearing from such an experienced travel writer.

Like Steves always says, until next time, keep on traveling.