The Villanovan | Volume 114, Issue 6: February 23, 2022

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2022 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 6

Marriage Boos, Biden, and Bartos: University Pact Returns to Hosts Pennsylvania GOP Senate Debate Campus Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

The pact is back baby. The famous Marriage Pact that sent shock waves through the student body in 2021 is back for its 2022 debut, and this time around it hopes to accomplish its goals.

The Villanova Marriage Pact is a part of the Marriage Pact phenomenon.

A yearly research based questionnaire designed to find participants’ perfect matches, the Marriage Pact started in Stanford and has since become a cultural staple on 65 college campuses. Specifically rendered for college students, the Marriage Pact promises to deliver true love…or true friendship, if the sexuality ratios do not align.

According to the company website, “Marriage Pact is at the frontier of applying science and technology to serve genuine, meaningful relationships.”

The Marriage Pact made students aware of its return through a mass email with the headline “Guess who’s baaaaack.....” on Feb. 18. Today marks the day matches will be revealed.

Last year was the first time The Marriage Pact came to Villanova.

According to the mass email announcing The Marriage Pact’s return, the survey had about 3,500 participants in the 2021 year and hopes to get even more for round two.

The email also promised that this time around would be better than ever.

“We’ve changed (yes, really): new questions, new drama, and new improvements to the algorithm based on your feedback,” the email said.

Excitement immediately filled students as many rushed to fill out the form, but will the famous survey truly help Villanovans find love? According to last year’s Continued on p. 9

GOP Candidates Kathy Barnette, George Bochetto, Everett Stern and Jeff Bartos debated important policy issues Courtesy of Maria Andraos/Villanovan Photography

Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor Sarah Sweeney Co-News Editor

On Monday Feb. 21, the University hosted the first state-wide televised debate among Pennsylvania’s GOP candidates for the U.S. Senate at the John and Joan Mullen Center for Performing Arts.

Kathy Barnette, George Bochetto, Everett Stern and Jeff Bartos were the four candidates that took the stage to debate.

Notably, three candidates also running did not show, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, a television personal-

ity, David McCormick, a hedge fund executive, and Carla Sands, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.

The Republican party primary will be held on May 17, 2022 and will decide the Republican nominee for the Senate seat. The United States Senate election will be held on Nov. 8, 2022.

The U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania will be held on Nov. 8, 2022, as a part of the national midterm elections.

Many expect the Pennsylvania election will determine which party controls the Senate for 2023.

This debate held more importance as primary races pinpoint the

candidate’s personal stances rather than the party as a whole. Independents are an essential part of elections and can often sway whether the Democrat or Republican candidate is voted into the Senate. The four candidates were able to distinguish their positions from other candidates in the debate.

The structure of the debate included two rounds of questioning. The first round included a total of 11 questions, nine of which were offered by the moderators and two that were selected by students of the University.

The second round was a lightning round.

Candidates were asked

to only answer with one or two words, which was somewhat followed.

After opening remarks from the Student Government President Caroline Levine and Event Organizer Chris Nicholas, the candidates were set to begin debate.

The first question of the debate, referring to improving tax and regulatory policies for graduate students, sparked the major themes of the night.

A less popular candidate, Everett Stern, immediately took advantage of his time to announce his loyalty to democracy in the United States and the need to protect it. He defended

Qadir Ismail and Atira Meade led the celebration smoothly by introducing each incredible performer, artist, speaker or poet.

To kick off the night,

the VU Superlatives (an all styles, multicultural dance group on campus) performed a jaw-dropping routine consisting of various elements of mainstream hip-hop and jazz

funk. The crowd went wild as the dancers nailed all their moves with precision, confidence and swag.

Following the performance, LASO (Latin American Student Organization) co-chair, junior Kristian Olvera, brought his poems to life by speaking on inequalities within society and what Black joy means in his life. The inequalities established within society ultimately inspire Black joy to flourish in the face of hardships and times of defeat.

Continued on p. 8

Continued on p. 2

BSU Hosts “Light Up the World” Showcase Victoria Newsome

Staff Writer

On Friday Feb. 18, at 9 p.m., members of the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a powerful and vibrant showcase called, “Light Up the World: A Celebration of Black Joy.” Students of all shades, hues and backgrounds attended the showcase held in the Villanova Room to embrace the impact of the arts and how they uplift the Black community at Villanova and beyond. Seniors

The showcase was titled “Light Up the World: A Celebration of Black Joy”.

Courtesy of Villanova Black Student Union

Comm. Department Hosts Women in Journalism Panel p. 3

13 Percent Responds to GOP Debate Held on Campus p. 3

Spring Break Culture: Pleasure of Pressure? p. 5

Yik Yak and the Dangers of Online Anonymity p. 6

Student-Staff Respect: Are We Doing Enough p. 7

NOVAdance Preview

Ridiculum Hosts First Improv Comedy Show of 2022 p. 10

Dixon Making Big Impact in Third Year

WBB Celebrates Senior Night

Swim Heads to Big East Championship

p. 12

p. 13

p. 14

p. 9

2 | The Villanovan

News Opinion Culture Sports

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PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER Liquor Underage February 18, KATHARINE HALL Female resident student, under the age of 21, was found intoxicated and was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

VOL. 114 | ISS. 6 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

COLIN BEAZLEY VIVI MELKONIAN TINA ARON CATE McCUSKER RACHEL REINIGER SARAH SWEENEY SARAH WISNIEWSKI BELLA IRWIN JACKIE THOMAS A.J. FEZZA ELENA ROUSE CHLOE MILLER MATTHEW RYAN MEGHANN MORHARDT MOLLY BAKER OLIVIA PASQUALE

Wednesday, February 22, 2022

NEWS

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor-in-Chief Senior Editor Digital Editor News Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Opinion Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Copy Desk Chief Photography Editor

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

Liquor Underage February 19, RILEY HALL An unaffiliated male, under the age of 21, was cited by Villanova Police for Liquor Underage and Public Drunkenness.

Liquor Underage February 19, SOUTH CAMPUS GROUNDS A female resident, student under the age

of 21, was found intoxicated in public and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Receiving Stolen Property / Theft

by Unlawful Taking February 20, KATHARINE HALL Three male resident students reported the theft of their motorized scooters. The value of the loss was $1800.00. Two male resident students and one female resident student were found in possession of the scooters and the property was returned to the victims.

Liquor Underage February 20, MAIN CAMPUS GROUNDS

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS and transported to the hospital for alcohol intoxication.

Theft by Unlawful Taking February 20, JAKE NEVIN FIELD HOUSE A male resident student report the theft of his wallet stolen while at the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse.

Simple Trespasser February 21, JAKE NEVIN FIELD HOUSE Four unaffiliated juveniles were found

trespassing inside a university facility.

Harassment-Repeated Communication February 21, CONNELLY CENTER A non affiliated female was charged with public drunkenness and underage consumption of alcohol.

Public Drunkenness February 21, LANCASTER PROPERTY GROUNDS A unaffiliated male, over the age of 21, was observed under the influence of an unknown substance while in public.

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 CONFIRMED CUMULATIVE CASES AS OF 6:00 P.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

1281

9

Cumulative Cases Estimated Active (From 1/5) Cases

15.23K

Total Number of Tests (From 1/5)

740

Residential Students

349

Non-Residential Students

192

Employees

ASK THE VILLANOVAN “Midterms are taking a toll on my mental health. Any tips for how to get through it?”

It feels like all the stress of the semester is accumulating this week. It’s really important to not only take time to practice self care, but also talk through the way you are feeling with your friends, parents, whoever makes you feel happy!

“How can I make a good first impression on my marriage pact?”

Keep it classy and catchy.

Don’t get promiscuous in the DMs! Odds are you’re probably gonna get a friend match anyway so just be…friendly.

“My friend group’s spring break plans fell through. What’s a good last-minute vacay idea?”

Honestly, everyone gets so worked up about having the perfect spring break, but what we really need is some R&R! Nothing wrong with a good, old fashioned stay-cation.

“How do I tell my friend that I [REDACTED] her ex-boyfriend?”

GIRL. Watching a little too much Euphoria are we? Okay, every situation is different, but regardless, the best course of action is complete honesty. If she still has feelings for him, it’s gonna be tough, but do what you have to do to save the friendship.

Continued from p.1

here as well.

“If we are chasing away our business, the students will chase away with them,” Bochetto said.

The following question of the debate created more tension between candidates. The moderators asked about inflation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reasons for that occurring.

Bochetto answered first stating that inflation does not hurt the wealthy population but rather the middle class and hard working people. He followed up by saying the current printing of money in the United States is “shameful” and “eating away at the middle class.”

He then spoke about Biden’s policies and the need to re-open the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania. Throughout the debate, Bochetto continued to speak about the dependence of the U.S. on other nations for energy sources when the state of Pennsylvania has the capacity to supply that energy. He emphasized that the United States must aim to be independent and not beg other countries for resources such as oil.

Stern proceeded Bochetto’s response and called out opponent Barnette for supporting the trucker convoy, a call for protests against the lockdown policies of the pandemic. He went on to say that other nations do not want to invest in a nation with right-wing extremism going on and that it hurts monetary policies. Stern then stated again that Biden was the president and said he hoped the other candidates were on the

same page.

Following Stern’s answer, Bartos emphasized the importance of small businesses in Pennsylvania and allowing them to keep their doors open. He mentioned a campaign he worked on with a non-profit to raise more than $3.5 million for thousands of small businesses. He echoed other opponent’s blame on Biden’s policies for crushing businesses in this pandemic.

Barnette then stuck to a very simplistic answer, stating that inflation is the result of supply and demand issues. She criticized the federal reserve and called out the Democratic party.

“Democrats will cut you a check,” Barnette said. “I will address root causes and stabilize the U.S. dollar.”

Barnette went on to say that the people who run the nation, particularly in the federal reserve, are not “stupid people.” She stated the negative effects of the policies are intentional.

As the debate continued on, many key themes rose to the surface.

All the candidates addressed the natural resources in Pennsylvania and their major potential. The Republicans stated that restrictive policies under the Biden administration are weakening the state’s economy and holding back jobs from being created.

Barnette stated that Pennsylvania has a “gold mine underneath our feet” and it is being underutilized.

Another key topic was foreign policy, especially pertaining to China and Russia. The candidates voiced the lack of strength the United States has displayed on the global

stage, calling out the withdrawal from Afghanistan as an example.

Stern said strong democracy should be the goal while Bartos and Bochetto said the U.S. simply needs to be stronger. Bartos voiced the need to have a robust economy and said it is not “rocket science.”

He went on to say that peace comes from strength.

Barnette said policy should be guided by insight, analysis and policy should follow the science.

At the conclusion of the debate, the candidates made their closing remarks. Barnette emphasized her love for her country and promised to stabilize the U.S. dollar.

Bochetto emphasized the need for the United States to be more independent and not rely on other nations. He stated that the U.S. is too concerned with globalization nowadays.

Stern, who received boos throughout the entire debate due to his focus on the Jan. 6 storming of the capital, used his closing statements to endorse protecting democracy.

Bartos made it aware that other candidates were “political tourists,” and did not know Pennsylvania well enough to represent the state in the Senate. He mentioned main street and saving small businesses as well.

Candidates then met audience members after the debate and spoke with students, supporters and press.

As students chatted, took photos with candidates and shared opinions in the lobby following the debate, it was obvious that students enjoyed the opportunity.

the status of the current president in office.

“I hope everyone on this stage admits that Biden is the president,” Stern said.

Attorney George Bochetto was quick to chime in.

“I’m not on your page, I can assure you,” Bochetto responded.

Other candidates also introduced themes of their positions during the first question. Candidate Bartos emphasized that not only is he a Pennsylvania native, but wife and family are as well.

He mentioned the idea of “main street Pennsylvania,” and his efforts in the past five years to visit all 67 counties of the state.

Bartos was the first candidate to denounce the candidates that failed to be at the debate.

“They don’t live here,” Bartos said. “They couldn’t bother to show up tonight. They don’t care about you. They don’t know this state.”

Barnette then echoed Bartos’ dig at the absentee candidates stating that they especially fail to address the residents of Pennsylvania. In an interview with Barnette after the debate, she again echoed that the deep pockets of those who did not attend made them believe this election could be bought and not earned.

Bochetto did not mention any candidates in his response but stuck to answering the question directly. He stated that college graduates will follow the jobs and more businesses must stay in Pennsylvania in order to keep students

Wednesday, February 23, 2021

NEWS

The Villanovan | 3

13 Percent Responds to GOP Debate Held on Campus Sarah Sweeney Co-News Editor Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor

On Feb. 9, 13 Percent, an organization dedicated to creating a safe space for Black student-athletes at Villanova, offered a resolution to the Student Government Association (SGA). The resolution, sponsored by Senator Tiane Parris and 13 Percent Co-Presidents Sanaa Barnes and Qadir Ismail, calls for the University to “address the discrepancy” between a letter from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. responding to 13 Percent’s request to post a video on the University’s social media in response to George Floyd’s murder and the University’s decision to host the PA Republican Senate Debate.

In addition to responding to the murder of George Floyd and other victims of police brutality, the video affirmed that Black Lives Matter and shared the experience of being a Black student athlete at Villanova. The video also sought to educate viewers on ways to support the Black community. 13 Percent’s request to post the video was denied on the grounds that “a University website is designed to be a platform for providing different constituents with information regarding the institution and its community” and that “it should not be used as a

platform for discussions, commentary, political viewpoints or private messages.”

The resolution calls for Father Peter to “clarify the difference between civic engagement in relation to Black Lives Matter and civic engagement in relation to student attendance at a political debate.”

“If the decision to host the political debate is a move towards allowing the University platform to be used for political viewpoints, that precedent should be set, especially when it comes to uplifting the voices of Villanova’s marginalized student population,” the resolution stated.

“A lot of people might think the issue is that it is a Republican debate, but that’s not the issue,” said Lauren Amoo, SGA Speaker of the Senate and 13 Percent Member. “The issue is that back in 2020, 13 Percent was told it could not use the University’s platform for political statements… and now Villanova is hosting a political debate.”

While the University did release a message affirming Black Lives Matter, 13 Percent Vice-President Joia McKinney explained that “it definitely didn’t touch on the severity of the situation.”

“Just because you said [Black Lives Matter] doesn’t mean you didn’t take away our voices in another way,” Barnes said, touching on the fact that the video shared the experience of Black student athletes at Villanova. “It was another way to silence us.”

“As athletes, we make a lot of money for this school, and for the school to just ignore the plight of what a lot of its athletes are going through on a national stage is ridiculous,” McKinney said.

While 13 Percent did not call for the debate to be canceled, the organization is looking to the University for acknowledgement.

“The school needs to stop looking to us to resolve the problem,” McKinney said. “You messed up, you hand me a resolution. Stop looking to Black students and people of color to fix your problems. I’m not being paid to fix what you mess up. We are students. We are student-athletes.

That’s all we should be expected to do, but we end up with all this other baggage because of political issues [the University] doesn’t know how to fix.”

McKinney explained that in the future, she wants Villanova to put its Black and marginalized students first.

In response, the University offered the following statement: “We strongly support and encourage members of the Villanova community to express their views in the furtherance of education and understanding. All student organizations, including students from The 13 Percent, are welcomed to offer events on campus that promote their views. Student organizations should work with Student Life to schedule such events when they involve inviting external speakers to campus.

“In 2020, The 13 Percent requested to use the Villanova.edu

website and the official Villanova University social media accounts to share a personal video message.

As these are official communication channels from the institution to the broader community, Villanova does not share personal viewpoints or political messages on them. Allowing one group would mean opening the door to any group wishing to use the University’s channels to voice their message. The 13 Percent were encouraged to share their video on other social media channels.

“The primary debate on Feb. 21 was open to those who decided to attend and learn more about our election process and candidates seeking office; it was not a University event. Villanova has a long history of allowing events that educate our students on the political process and the candidates seeking those offices. The University does not endorse political viewpoints, parties or candidates. Consistent with longstanding University policy, and how the request of The 13 Percent was handled in 2020, those participating in the debate were not allowed to share specific messages or viewpoints on the Villanova.edu website or the Villanova University Twitter, Instagram or Facebook accounts.

“To be clear, a facility on Villanova’s campus being the site for a primary debate event to educate those who choose to attend about the candidates and our political process is starkly different than the University sending out a specific message on behalf of a particular group on its official communications channels.”

professionals did not always want to be journalists. O’Neil elicited polite laughter from the room when she joked, “I tripped into it” regarding how she got into the field.

While they were personable and got laughs from the crowd, the journalists also took on a tone of realism when it came to answering questions about the challenges of being women in such a male dominated field.

“Your margin for error is exactly zero,” O’Neil said regarding women in the industry.

Douglas spoke of growing up primarily around boys and not giving much thought to gender differences and how they affected her.

However, things changed when she got into the professional world of journalism.

“Why is it different now that we’re getting a paycheck?” Douglas asked.

Farr admitted that no matter who you are as a journalist, not everyone is going to like you. However, she admitted that “women get it a lot worse than men.” Wellington shared with the crowd that her experience is different from those of the other women on the panel because she is a Black woman. She admitted the beginning of her career as a Black female journalist in the South was not always easy.

“I come from this not only as a woman but as a Black woman,” Wellington said. “Basically everything was hard. If you had a sense of who you were then they thought you were

speaking out of place.”

All of the women stressed the importance of knowing one’s goals and priorities within the industry, as well as within one’s personal life.

Although they were honest about the struggles of the industry, the women encouraged not only the female students at the event, but everyone in attendance to pursue journalism professionally and to not get discouraged. They gave an array of advice in response to Bradley’s question. Farr’s advice was to take a theater course or two to get comfortable speaking to strangers and putting on a performance, as that is so much of what a journalist’s job consists of. O’Neil emphasized the importance of personal branding.

“People will read you because you’re good, not because you work at some place,” O’Neil said.

Once the Q&A portion of the event ended, the journalists stuck around for students who wished to introduce themselves and talk briefly.

When asked how she ended up on the panel, Dailey laughed, saying

“Michael Bradley plays golf with my dad.” However, she expressed her gratitude about being invited to the panel and being able to encourage young journalists, calling this “an exciting time in journalism.”

O’Neil expressed her appreciation about being a part of the event as well as towards students’ engaging questions.

“The event is only as good as the audience,” she said.

Students were buzzing with excitement after the event.

“Being a student journalist, the event was reassuring and a reminder of how the world opens to you in this fieldwork,” sophomore Lauryn Hayes said. “The women shared honest and amazing stories that I hope to share one day myself.”

Attendees were grateful to the women of the panel for the honesty they offered while simultaneously encouraging all students, but specifically women, to pursue careers confidently and excitedly in journalism.

Comm. Department Hosts Women In Journalism Panel Lydia McFarlane Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, a panel of five female journalists from the Philadelphia area gathered to speak to a room full of students and staff at 5 p.m. in the Garey Café.

The panel was facilitated by Michael Bradley, an Assistant Instructor in the Communication Department. The panel included Kate Dailey, deputy managing editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kim Douglas, managing editor of the Main Line Today Magazine, Stephanie Farr, a staff writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dana O’Neil, a senior writer for The Athletic and Elizabeth Wellington, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The room was filled with excited students who were eager to hear from the professionals that made up the panel.

Bradley moderated the panel, directing questions towards the women before opening up the floor for questions from students.

The women shared stories from their time in the industry, and Bradley’s questions covered topics such as motivation to become a journalist, the best stories the journalists ever covered, how technology has impacted the industry and their jobs and what many students listened intently to: advice for those looking to pursue journalism as a career. Some may be surprised to hear that these

The event was hosted at Garey Hall.

Courtesy of Villanova University

4 | The Villanovan

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Wednesday, February 23, 2021

“The Bible is Black” Lecture Hosted at Falvey Katie Reed Staff Writer On Feb. 8 and Feb. 15, Falvey Library and Campus Ministry co-sponsored a lecture series entitled “The Bible in Black,” which sought to look at the Bible from a racialized perspective, questioning the ways in which it is typically understood as objective in nature. The first session explored this concept in the Old Testament, and the second explored the New Testament.

The sessions were presented by Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, a Campus Ministry Ecumenical Advisor, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and Affiliate Professor in both the Africana Studies Program and the Center for Peace and Justice Education.

Washington-Leapheart approached this series with a passion and desire to have more nuanced conversations surrounding the Bible, pushing people to think more critically about the context with which we read these texts.

“I’m always trying to disrupt the idea that we come to the Bible as blank slates, or that we come to the Bible purely objectively,” Washington-Leapheart said. “We come with the fullness of our life experiences and lenses that align with our identity—our Bible itself has a context and identity. I wanted to amplify and celebrate the ways of reading the Bible Blackly, which I think are particularly relevant right now, even in Villanova’s institutional history.”

During the lecture, Washington-Leapheart alluded to the dangers of treating the Bible as objective fact, as “[its] historical and contemporary

use is fraught with bumps and a history of violence, neglect and spiritual abuse.” For example, she showed an image that reads “2000 Years Ago Jesus Ended the Debate of Which Lives Matter, He Died for All,” which neglects and disparages the Black Lives Matter movement, depicting how the Bible can be manipulated to fit a certain agenda and silence or condemn others.

One of the texts that Washington-Leapheart explored in her lecture was Genesis 22:1-19, in which Abraham takes his son, Isaac, to the mountain to be sacrificed in the name of God. She noted that this was her favorite story to disrupt, challenging the way many people are taught to accept that Abraham was justified in this action because of the relief that is felt when God spares him from doing the deed.

“We leapfrog over the horror of this tale, that Isaac was bound to the altar and must’ve known that he was the sacrifice,” Washington-Leapheart said. “Isaac would not have forgotten what it felt like to be immobilized on that altar and to see his father raise the knife. We have to slow down to appreciate the horror of the story, even if at the end we are glad that God saved the day.”

For Washington-Leapheart, slowing down means taking the time to pay close attention to the language being used in the Bible, not just skipping ahead to the miracles. She noted that every word is deliberate and must be treated as such, especially given that Biblical traditions have oral origins.

“If we are fast-forwarding through words that seem irrelevant to get to the action, to get to Jesus or God doing some miraculous thing, we will miss words that are important, and are [especially] important to the

people who first heard these stories,” Washington-Leapheart said. “If we take the Bible seriously, we have to take all of the words seriously, not just the ones we memorize.”

Additionally, Washington-Leapheart discussed the idea of spiritual imagination, which is what we use to fill in the gaps we notice in the Bible, connecting our values to our imagination.

“Because the Bible leaves out so much, even if we talk about the life and work of Jesus, we only have a percentage of his life accounted for in the Bible,” Washington-Leapheart said. “We have to use our imagination when we read the Bible to fill in some of those blanks” Regarding reading the Bible in Black and how we can address the biases of our spiritual imagination, Washington-Leapheart posed the question: “What if this is an invitation to dismantle what already exists in our imagination and construct something that feels more loving, more holy and more connected to the Gospel?”

At the end of the lecture, Washington-Leapheart posed many additional thought-provoking questions to ask ourselves when approaching the Bible. One such question was “where does the pain linger?” which she feels to be the most important.

She noted that one of her theological mentors, JoAnne Terrell, an Associate Professor of Theology, Ethics and the Arts at the Chicago Theological Seminary, told her that “good theology begins where the pain is,” which has stuck with her and guides her in her thinking.

“If we can find the pain and we can figure out what good news is to those people who are in pain, then we have gotten to the core of the Gospel,” Washington-Leapheart said.

Another important question

she posed to the audience was “where is the stubborn joy?”

“Where is joy trying to live in the midst of an environment that seeks to snuff it out?” Washington-Leapheart asked. “I think that’s a very Black orientation. Despite what is going on, despite the intent to snuff me out, I will still have joy. I will still figure out a way to dance, to sing, to love, to laugh.”

For the people who could not attend the lecture series, in addition to the greater community at the University, Washington-Leapheart offered some remarks regarding the implications of reading the Bible in Black.

“I would ask people to assess how they feel about the idea that you can read the Bible in Black, that there can be a racialized reading of the Bible,” she said. “If that thought is shocking or even offensive, I would invite people to ask themselves, why?

Why am I invested in the ‘objectivity’ of the Bible? Why does it offend me that someone else might find it important to bring their racialized perspective to their reading of the Biblical text?”

She also mentioned the importance of being open to different approaches to reading the Bible, as there is a lot to be learned from looking at it from different perspectives, such as Black, Latinx, womanist or indigenous interpretations, encouraging everyone to be “students of these traditions.”

Washington-Leapheart “express[ed] gratitude that [she] was able to convene this space, and that it was supported and well-attended,” but she also emphasized that this is not the end of the conversation. She is open to anyone reaching out to her to continue having these critical discussions.

Housing in The Commons: Class of 2023 Left Unhappy

areas of campus are needed to meet the second- and third-year student Kylie Horan housing guarantee. This includes Staff Writer some space in the Commons.”

When the Commons were Many members of the Class first completed, the University of 2023 have been left scrambling claimed that 85% of undergraduate to find off-campus housing for the students would now be able to live 2022-23 academic year. Despite filling on campus. As younger students are out housing contracts early in the fall guaranteed housing, this statement semester, rising seniors are just now implied that more seniors would be being notified as to whether or not able to stick around. Why, then, are so they won the golden ticket: on-cammany of them disappointed with the pus housing. results of this year’s lottery?

When the Commons were “We heard rumors that the built, many students were abuzz with Class of 2025 is too large and took up excitement. They thought that this a lot of housing,” Wisniewski said. new housing would accommodate These whispers have been upperclassmen, allowing them to live running rampant throughout campus, on campus for their full four years at with speculation that more students the University. However, the Comwere admitted than usual due to mons has become home to many COVID-related stipulations. Without underclassmen, instead, leaving some confirming or denying these rumors, members of the Class of 2023 feeling Dougherty acknowledged that there ousted. are many students being squeezed out “Overall, my roommates and of on-campus apartments, stating that I were disappointed with the housing “after allotting enough space across lottery since we have enjoyed our campus to meet the housing guarantime on campus,” rising senior Sarah tee, demand for housing can exceed Wisniewski said. “Our parents were our housing supply.” all so excited about us possibly living As there is such limited in the Commons, but we did not get housing, determining who gets a spot in.” has also been a hot-button issue. The Kelly Dougherty of Residence current procedure is that rising seniors Life addressed the discontent over that are not guaranteed housing due who gets housing in the Commons, to scholarships or other programs can stating that “given the available hous- enter a lottery in groups of one, two, ing inventory, residence halls on all three or four, with each group receiv-

ing one lottery number that determines its eligibility to receive on-campus housing. The lottery is completely random, a point of contention for some students.

“I wish the lottery was less of a lottery and maybe based on how many credits a student has or GPA,” Wisniewski said. “I know a lot of other schools do it so people are prioritized for good behavior and so on.”

Qualifiers like this could incentivize students to perform better academically in order to guarantee housing, which could possibly push the University to a higher standard.

However, Residence Life rejected this idea. When asked about the option of considering other factors in the housing lottery, Dougherty responded, that “to ensure that lottery numbers are randomly assigned, Residence Life does not consider factors such as academic standing, previous housing assignments, difficulties with roommates or facilities concerns when generating lottery numbers.”

So, what can rising seniors do if their housing is not affected by anything that is in their control? For starters, Residence Life does offer information on off-campus housing on the University website. Perhaps it is not quite time to give up hope, though. Dougherty did offer some comfort to saddened seniors.

“Residence Life hopes to be able to meet the needs of more

seniors as we move through the rising junior and rising sophomore housing selection processes, confirm the number of students studying abroad for Fall 2022, receive housing cancellations from students who decide to move off campus and finalize the housing needs of the incoming first-year class,” she said. “Villanova is committed to offering on-campus housing to as many rising seniors as we possibly can.”

The Commons are the University’s newest dorms.

Courtesy of Villanova University

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The Villanovan | 5

OPINION

OPINION

Spring Break Culture: Pleasure or Pressure?

this weekend.

“My plans for spring break basically involve going home, watching my brother’s wrestling tournament, meeting up with an While Villanovans aim to old friend from high school, readexcel in their work day after day, everyone needs a break every once ing a book, maybe some baking,” Bruffey said. in a while. As such, spring break, Whatever Villanovans are beginning at the end of this week, planning, it’s obvious that they will is highly anticipated this year.

Students have been coveting be fully enjoying their time off.

As a freshman at Villanova, this break since the start of the seI was under the impression that mester for different reasons. Some spring break would bring with it cannot wait to get back home, both cheers and jeers. More so while others have trips planned than any other break portrayed in with friends and family. Many are taking it as the perfect opportunity the media, I have been convinced that with spring break comes an to escape the cold of winter.

“I’m heading out to Miami unspoken pressure to do something or “go somewhere” during the time Beach with some friends,” freshoff. man Jack Schloss said. “I like to This pressure, combined spend spring break with friends and with social media posts and stories other breaks with family.”

Sophomore Jennifer McMa- of bikinied beaches, constitutes hon is also taking time to enjoy the what I’d describe as Spring Break Culture (SBC). SBC has been a sun this spring break. McMahon, staple in college life and has been also heading down to Florida, is steadily growing in the last decade. spending the break with her mom.

“I feel like there is a little “Unfortunately, my break does not line up with my sisters’, so more pressure now that we are my mom will actually be in Florida back to a regular schedule,” Mcfor three weeks to make sure we all Mahon said concerning SBC. Freshman Julian Pastor get our proper rest and relaxation seemed to come to the same conafter the stress of school,” McMaclusion when asked about SBC’s hon said.

Many more students will be presence on campus. Pastor will going home to celebrate the break. be spending the break catching up with friends, family and relaxing at Brenna Bruffey will be spending home. her break with family and is pre“I think this pressure exists paring to head home to Maryland Kai Da Luz Staff Writer

at Villanova, but I personally don’t feel that pressure at this moment,” Pastor said. “As of right now, I like going home for breaks, but I can see myself embracing the idea of making spring break plans and going somewhere in the future.”

Such testimonies seem to affirm the stigma that SBC is still alive and well. However, the views of other students point to the contrary. It seems as though the pressure of SBC has drastically receded for many individuals this year due to a myriad of reasons. Top among these is the lingering presence and effects of the pandemic.

“I haven’t felt much pressure this year, but I think that’s mainly a result of COVID measures,” Bruffey said. “Vacationing has been kind of down since cases spiked, and it’s just nice to have measures begin to loosen, but I still wouldn’t want to go anywhere far if I can avoid it.”

McMahon had a similar belief that if this pressure was there before, the pandemic has greatly decreased it.

As with any break, there are many students that will be staying on campus. This is the case for senior Andrew Moura, who is staying at Villanova for spring break to keep his lab running and animals alive for his thesis.

When asked about SBC, Moura had a more unique insight.

“I don’t think there’s a

stigma around needing to go somewhere for break that’s unique to Villanova,” Moura said. “A lot of people I know simply go home, and those that do travel are doing it because they can. If there is any stigma, it is simply a manifestation of broader US college culture, but it’s not a dictating force.”

With so many differing opinions, what are Villanovans to think regarding SBC? As many students pointed out, there are definitely some drawbacks to the pressure it creates. However, there are also many benefits that come with this culture.

Spring break often encourages students to step out of their comfort zone and try new things.

And while the pressure to make memories and live up to the hype can be toxic, it can result in some unforgettable moments that one wouldn’t experience otherwise.

So, as Villanovans head into the break, I encourage students to try and ignore toxic SBC if they feel it at all, especially as COVID-19 fluctuates daily. However, the strain it causes does not seem too intense this year, so it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

If there is one thing that can be learned, it is that everyone treats the break differently, and each person knows what’s best for them. I sincerely hope all Villanovans get what they want out of the break, whatever that may be.

Human Rights Issues Cast a Shadow at the Olympics Regan McEnroe Staff Writer The return of the highly anticipated Winter Olympic Games has been cause for an exciting start to 2022. With top athletes sent to represent their countries in the hopes of bringing home victory, glory and a heightened sense of national pride, what is there not to be excited about?

This year’s games held in Beijing were expected to be no different. However, a recent series of events raised enough concern for American newscasters to withdraw from announcing less than two weeks before the start of the games.

U.S. broadcasters cited COVID-19 related concerns as the only reason for the late withdrawal. So, while the games were aired on American TVs, broadcasting took place from the NBC facility in Stamford, Connecticut.

In fact, the only American newscaster to set foot in China was lead prime time host Mike Tirico, who covered the opening ceremonies of the games before heading to Los Angeles for Super Bowl LVI. With COVID-19 always at the forefront of people’s minds these days, it made sense that concerns over the severity of cases in China have led to such drastic measures taken by the United States. According to USA Today, the International Olympic Committee barred any sale of international tickets as a

Questions surrounding human rights issues have haunted these Olympics over the past year.

Courtesy of CBS Sports

result of the “grave and complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” allowing only spectators living in mainland China who met COVID-19 safety criteria to attend.

However, recent accusations over human rights issues in China begged the question of whether COVID-19 related reasons were the sole cause for the United States’ withdrawal.

Namely, many in the international community have lodged claims against the Chinese government regarding mass abuses of Muslim Uyghurs, Tibetans and other ethnic groups in the country.

It has been said that the largest number of people are being

held in internment and labor camps since World War II. Additionally, Chinese authorities have eradicated independent civil society and increased technological surveillance in efforts to curb rights to expression, association and assembly.

So, was China using the Winter Olympic Games to cover up the mass genocide occurring within its borders?

U.S. athletes in the weeks prior to the games were asked about the human rights issues in China and whether they should and/or plan to use their platforms to speak about them. The International Olympic Committee regulations prevent athletes from publicly ex-

pressing their views on these human rights violations, but many athletes, including figure skater Timothy LeDuc, felt an obligation to do so.

“These are horrifying human rights abuses that we’re seeing happening. And it can feel very powerless when you read those things, because you think, ‘What can I do?’” LeDuc said.

LeDuc explained that he saw speaking out against it as the only way he can make a contribution.

This difficult question was also met with support from the United States as a whole, which joined the multinational effort to diplomatically boycott the Olympic Games.

This means no senior officials were sent for opening and closing ceremonies, and governments were encouraged to release messages of support to human rights activists, which seems a more likely reason for the withdrawal of newscasters from the Games.

Taking this stance against the Chinese government caused an uproar of support and responsibility among people to mark an end to such atrocities. The boycott has sparked significant patriotism in a new way, as U.S. athletes, broadcasters and spectators stood in unison against human rights violations.

Hopefully, this stance, which has shone a bright light on the dire situation in China, will bring justice to those facing entrapment and persecution and a call to end this appalling treatment of human beings.

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

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.

COLIN BEAZLEY Editor-in-Chief VIVI MELKONIAN TINA ARON BELLA IRWIN JACKIE THOMAS

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.

Student-Staff Respect: Are We Doing Enough?

Maddie Koenig Staff Writer Picture this: as you walk into the Pit dining hall, you see one of your favorite members of the kitchen staff and give him or her a fist bump.

You smile for a moment, then grab your food and sit down at one of the tables along the window wall. There’s no problem with this, right?

Let’s rewind. When you walk in, you see the name tag of the person monitoring the check-in station. It only features a first name.

After looking around for a moment, it is clear that the rest of the staff, too, was given a name tag with just a first name and no prefix title like “Mrs., Ms. or Mr.” Maybe the person in charge of the name tag distribution wanted to allow students to form relationships with the employees on a first name basis. However, wouldn’t referring to people with a title in front of their last name bring a new sense of respect from the students to workers? And, more importantly, are the employees okay with the name tag that was given to them without question?

It is traditionally more respectful for one to refer to someone with his or her last name, and definitely an article like “Mr. or Mrs.” This is true for most cultures.

According to everyday-courtesy.com, if “you work under someone or they teach you, stick with that last

Staff workers do essential work at dining locations and in residence halls across campus.

Courtesy of Anna Calahan/Villanovan Photography

name format as a sign of respect.”

Though perhaps not a typical working or teaching dynamic, the staff helps us by serving us food every day.

In fact, the power rests in their hands for most of the buffet stations at the dining halls. If they are the ones holding the power to feed us, it seems wrong that we are subconsciously “looking down upon them” with their name tag format.

The most important thing to keep in mind is how the staff feels in the uniform that they were given. I asked a staff member in the Pit dining hall, who preferred to remain anonymous, what he thought about the situation, and contrary to what I originally thought, he mentioned that he

was fine with it, and that he thought it was more welcoming to students to be addressed by his first name.

“I feel respected by the students,” he said. “It is more friendly this way.”

He revealed that he is happy with where he’s at and that he had never really thought of this to be a problem before.

“I don’t think [a change in name tags] would affect the way the students treat the staff,” he said. “Students already know us for our names.”

When asked if he wanted to add any final thoughts, he asked if the students are enjoying the food and the dining services as a whole. This shows a lot about character and how much

the staff members in kitchen and custodial settings think about the well-being of the students over themselves.

Nida Geo, a custodial worker who cleans the bathrooms of Fedigan and Delurey Halls daily, is more than happy with her current occupation and does not have a single complaint about the way the students in these buildings treat her.

Every morning, I walk into the bathroom, and she instantly brightens my day by smiling and asking me how I am. Last week, she brought a cabinet from her own house to our bathroom so we could easily store our hair dryers and other items in it. Actions like this go way above and beyond what is expected and reveal a lot about the character of the staff as a whole here at Villanova.

I came into this topic with unclear expectations of how the staff felt about the treatment they receive from our student body. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised that staff members feel respected and how they go out of their way to form positive relationships with the students.

Villanova is commonly known for the inclusive, selfless values of its student body. After talking to several of the staffmembers that make our school function, I’m proud to say that I can confirm this as true. We are all more than lucky to be living in an environment in which respect for staff members sits high on our list of values and priorities, and it is important that we keep it that way.

Yik Yak and the Dangers of Online Anonymity Jackie Thomas Co-Opinion Editor Many of us have become all-too-familiar with Yik Yak in the few months since it was relaunched in August of 2021, after a four-year hiatus. With a crisp user interface comprising emojis, confetti and an infamous animated yak (the app’s bovine mascot), Yik Yak offers anonymous public messaging across campuses like ‘Nova’s, theoretically giving students a harmless, playful space to exchange thoughts and gossip.

At least, that’s what Square, the company responsible for the platform’s relaunch, would have people believe. However, in practice, Yik Yak’s negative effects far outweigh its positive (or even neutral) ones.

The two features of the app that have made it so popular—locality and anonymity—are the very things that make it dangerous.

Using Yik Yak to victimize particular people or groups within the five mile radius that limits the posts is remarkably easy and consequence-free for the poster.

In fact, Yaks that have a certain shock factor or campus-wide recognizability are typically rewarded with a slew of upvotes, leading a vicious cycle of incentive and reward to constantly think up more outrageous and personal posts.

Sophomore Trevor Renfro, who had a personal run-in with Yik Yak notoriety in recent weeks, described the risks that come with the amusements of the app.

“Although I thought it was pretty funny when I was on Yik Yak, I could see that it being anonymous could turn out really badly for someone,” Renfro said.

Yik Yak’s second go-around is not the sole example of anonymous messaging being linked to bullying. Ask.fm, for example, is one such social platform founded in 2010 that reached its peak soon thereafter, touting about 65 million users globally (at least half of which were under 18) by 2013.

The website was surrounded by controversy for most of its heyday for its infamously vicious messages and nonexistent privacy controls. Its climate became so toxic that Ask. fm was linked to at least five adoles-

cent suicides in 2013, leading to calls for the platform to redesign its hate speech and privacy policies, or to shut down altogether.

Although the models of Ask. fm and Yik Yak are different, with the former operating as more of a direct messaging program and the latter as more akin to a virtual bulletin board, their shared anonymity makes them equally prone to hate speech and targeting.

Indeed, Yik Yak’s hiatus until last August was not without reason.

Unsurprisingly, the app originally shut down in 2017, unable to recover from its reputation as a breeding ground for cyberbullying and harassment. Its creators made the decision to sell the app’s intellectual property after schools across the United States began banning the app, making its popularity plummet.

With the relaunch, Square did acknowledge Yik Yak’s troubling past and vowed to adopt a stricter, zero tolerance policy toward bullying on the platform. To realize this goal, the developers added a requirement to attach a phone number to accounts and a sidebar with mental health resources, harassment warn-

ings and encouragement to downvote instances of bullying.

While these efforts to limit targeting and other negative conduct are a step in the right direction, apps like Yik Yak will never be safe from dangerous behaviors, ranging from annoying to legitimately life-threatening. Such risks are inextricably linked to anonymity, further compounded by the more personal, local nature of Yik Yak’s limited location feature and ability to hide behind a screen.

Moreover, the sheer number of users makes reliable oversight unrealistic.

This semester alone, there has been no shortage of misinformation and victimizing messages shared and promoted on Villanova’s Yik Yak, and while consequences may not be felt by those who write or upvote the posts, the same cannot be said for those they target.

Anonymity brings an exciting sense of mystery to platforms like Yik Yak. But it also strips users of any personal accountability—legally, ethically or otherwise. It’s time to face that there is a line between convenient amusement and complete moral ambiguity, and Yik Yak falls on the wrong side of the line.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

OPINION

The Villanovan | 7

Villanova Students Should Have Presidents’ Day Off Bella Irwin Co-Opinion Editor Presidents’ Day. A holiday initially created in 1885 to celebrate our first president George Washington, has since become a federally recognized day to commemorate our long line of Commanders-in-Chief.

Given its formal and federal consideration as a day off, why does Villanova fail to integrate this holiday into our University calendar?

Though Presidents’ Day was first established in honor of George Washington, other factors played a role in its formal consideration as a holiday. According to History.com, this day earned its “Presidents’ Day” title after the 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, in an effort to create more three-day weekends for our country’s workers.

Given our nation’s widely-held value of a strong work ethic, this holiday was essentially established with the goal of minimizing employee absenteeism.

In other words, it was an attempt to alleviate the heavy burden and stress that comes with being a member of America’s workforce.

Just as Congress fully recognized the necessity of having days off, why isn’t the same consideration awarded to the Villanova student body?

As we approach week seven of a semester that has had only one holiday (Martin Luther King Day), why not award students an-

Villanova University should celebrate Presidents’ Day. Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography

other day of rest as we head into midterms week?

“At this point in the semester, many of us are experiencing academic burnout,” sophomore Kayla Verga said.

“Even though spring break is coming up, our workload is still growing. Having this extra day off would be extremely helpful to finish some of our assignments before break.”

This time is the breaking point for students, as we teeter between the fatigue of a long, draining semester and the start of among the most trying, stressful weeks of the year.

Given that Presidents’ Day is already a federally recognized holiday, the University is actively avoiding granting us this break, taking extra measures to facilitate a work day when it is not legally

required.

“Presidents’ Day usually falls right before midterms week,” sophomore Maggie Logler said.

“Students could use either a day of studying, or a day to relax in preparation for the tumultuous week ahead. My old schools always celebrated Presidents’ Day. Why, in college and with a greater workload, do we not get this same time off?”

Many students have attended schools that always participated in Presidents’ Day. It is perplexing as to why higher education institutions do not abide by the same standards.

In reaching out to the University on behalf of our lack of adherence to this holiday, Villanova cited the academic calendars of other local colleges and universities as well as our peer institutions that also do not observe Presidents’ Day. The University further stated that the “Fall and Spring Academic Calendars have a similar number of holidays/breaks.

Adding additional days would necessitate starting the semester earlier or ending later.”

However, I doubt observing Presidents’ Day and enjoying one more holiday would truly necessitate ending this semester later.

While I understand and appreciate the University’s dedication to prioritizing scheduling and organization in connection to our educational experience, what is one extra day of break in the face of student mental and emotional well-being?

VCU vs College Democrats Debate: Conservative Take Steven Makino Staff Writer While there was more focus on the upcoming Pennsylvania GOP Senate Primary Debate that was hosted on campus on Feb. 21, our own internal debate between the Villanova Conservative Union/College Republicans and the College Democrats has gone somewhat under the radar.

The debate, which focused on COVID-19 policies both on campus and across the country as well as election integrity, took place this past Wednesday, Feb. 16 and was the first campus event of its kind in a considerable amount of time.

In terms of the performance of both sides, the Villanova Conservative Union (VCU) was more prepared when it came to citing credible evidence to back its claims, while simultaneously posing questions that resulted in emotional rather than factbased answers from its opponents.

One example was the topic of government overreach in response to the pandemic and how the current administration had made poor policy choices that actively hurt millions of Americans.

Citing the closures of many small businesses, an economy ensnared in inflation issues due in part to government spending, vaccine and mask mandates rooted in politics more than science and the impact of restrictions on the youth, the VCU

laws being deemed modern day Jim Crow Laws by many key Democratic figures, including President Joe Biden.

No actual evidence of any kind was presented that proved voter suppression exists and is the cause for “stolen elections,” just like there is no evidence that voter fraud is widespread.

This led to the VCU claiming that these measures should be what both parties want, since this would help to prevent the unprecedented Villanova University hosted a debate between VCU and the College Democrats. doubt that occurred during the preCourtesy of the Villanova College Democrats and VCU vious election cycle and maintain the made a strong case in highlighting of elections. credibility of the voting process. the Biden administration’s attempt at Following the 2020 presidenMoving away from thoughts more government power. tial election where there was arguably on policy, the debate itself remained The College Democrats the greatest concern over foul play, fairly respectful and contained, with argued that the actions taken by the with mail-in ballots at an all-time the exception of a handful of heated current administration were mostly high, some felt the need to reinforce exchanges between both sides. It was justified due to the nature of the pan- public confidence in future elections ultimately a successful event, and I demic. to prevent the type of outcry that this commend both sides for agreeing to While I thought similarly election stirred up across several states. participate, as I believe this form of when little was known about the virus, The College Democrats discussion on campus should not end I do not think this argument does not argued against this notion, correctly with this debate. really hold up with the information pointing out that the election was run With younger voters gradually and tools that have been available to fairly. They argued that laws groundmaking up a significant portion of the all Americans for quite some time. ed in the idea that the election was not voting base, debates such as these will In addition, both sides acsecure would serve to undermine the help to present a wide array of ideas knowledged and were sympathetic democratic process. for them to consider. to the many lives lost, but it was clear Meanwhile, the VCU started I hope that the University will that the politicization of the pandem- off by denouncing the idea that the continue to support events such as ic led to one side of the aisle being election was “stolen” by voter fraud this in the future, as I feel that this is a demonized for wanting to rightfully and irregularities, as claimed by forgreat step towards increased dialogue. return to full normalcy once vaccines mer President Donald Trump.

It highlights that even when faced became widely available.

Instead, it argued that these with disagreements, Americans can As for the other portion of the measures to increase election integricome together, regardless of political debate, the VCU made a strong claim ty were falsely ridiculed for acting as affiliation, to engage in meaningful in favor of the new legislation in some means of voter suppression, with the conversation about key issues, showstates seeking to tighten the handling example of the new Georgia voting casing what makes this country great.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

CULTURE

8 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

BSU Hosts Light Up the World Showcase Victoria Newsome Staff Writer Cont. From pg. 1 This enables the darkest times to transform into glorious opportunities for greatness. Next, Villanova alumna and former professor of Sociology Cynthia Glover spoke about her experience while she was an undergraduate student and how Black joy at Villanova has progressed over time. Glover had many comical yet striking comments about her Villanova experience that people enjoyed relating to as she discussed the differentiating cultural dynamics from her college days.

After Glover’s remarks, Ablaze, a multicultural hip-hop dance team at Villanova, performed a high-energy hip-hop routine with many contemporary elements of dance from around the world, originating predominantly from African descent. Ablaze brought the heat as it lit up the floor with its fresh moves and

fantastic facial expressions. The energy was contagious as many students continued to cheer and hype them up as they performed. As they left the floor, Kai Davis, a queer black woman from Philadelphia, presented a few excerpts of her poetry to emphasize the exploration of Blackness and Black joy.

“I love how Black joy makes me move or howl or dance or simply be,” she said.

Her quick and clever wordplay captivated the audience when she began reciting her own poems. One of her most resonating poems highlighted all the hopes and dreams she has for her “baby girl,” which represented an abstract version of a young Black child growing up and having to work twice as hard to earn the same things as white people. The poems encompass the history of barriers society has put up to oppress people of color from being joyful, nevertheless celebrating the joy in their lives without feeling harassed or scrutinized. She also spoke on how being Black and part of LGBTQ+ community inspires her to proudly

Delta Gamma’s Annual DG Desserts Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor Villanova’s chapter of Delta Gamma hosted its annual DG Desserts event last Wednesday night in Cafe Nova, where it raised $11,138.

Each year, students line up at the door to get in first to the all-youcan-eat dessert buffet. Tickets were sold in the weeks prior to the event.

Delta Gamma members hosted tables in Bartley and Connelly Center, where students could purchase presale tickets for six dollars.

“Tabling is super important for the event,” Delta Gamma member Julia O’Keefe said. “Not only do we sell a lot of tickets when we table, but it is also super fun to hype up the event with all of my sisters.”

Last year, with the nature of the pandemic, Delta Gamma was not able to bake its own desserts for the event. Instead, it sold mug cakes and cookies from Insomnia Cookies and Hope’s Cookies. This year, there was a greater sense of normalcy to DG Desserts.

“The event was able to be held at full capacity with ticket holders able to sit down and enjoy their desserts, and sisters able to help pass them out and have fun doing it,” DG philanthropy chair Faith Kisker said. “All desserts were individually wrapped per Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life COVID policy at the time, but sisters were able to bake them themselves this year.”

Along with an assortment of baked goods, such as brownies, cookies, cupcakes and more baked by Delta Gamma members, there was also an array of Insomnia Cookies and two Nothing Bundt Cake towers that were raffled off. Students came into the event with Tupperware and to-go containers to grab as many

desserts as possible.

Hours of planning is done for the one and a half hour event.

Members of Delta Gamma baked and sold tickets in the week prior to DG Desserts. The executive board of Delta Gamma, specifically the philanthropy chair Faith Kisker and President Kate Blazejewski, has worked on the event planning since the beginning of the semester to ensure the night ran smoothly.

“Planning for this event goes in stages,” Kisker said. “First, I think there’s the brainstorming stage, where details of the event itself are figured out. Second, these details must be approved. Third, a plan must be figured out to bring these details to life.”

In preparation for the event, Delta Gamma also hosted a dine-out day at JuicePod in Bryn Mawr. Students were able to order from JuicePod and have a portion of their meal price go to Delta Gamma in support of its philanthropy.

Delta Gamma’s associated philanthropy is Service for Sight.

“Service for Sight supports and funds the six schools for the blind across the U.S. that were founded by, and continue to be run by, Delta Gamma women,” Kisker said. “Service for Sight also funds braille book programs, seeing eye dog programs and research on vision loss.”

Villanova’s chapter of Delta Gamma works directly with the Overbrook School for the Blind in the greater Philadelphia area. The money raised in ticket sales and from online donations will go to helping fund the six Service for Sight schools.

“Hosting a fundraiser where we knew exactly where the money we raised is going is super fulfilling,” Delta Gamma member Georgia Mowers said.

spread joy and love through teaching workshops and slam poetry. As she concluded her final poem, the hosts allowed everyone in attendance to help themselves to cocktail hour foods and refreshments from local Black-owned restaurants.

After the break, music started to rock the Villanova Room with a special guest performance from the band, Amari Rebel and The Movement. The band originated as a musical tool for Black liberation. The genre it performed consisted of Soular Rock, which is a combo of rock, soul, hip-hop and reggae. It had the crowd chanting “Rebel Love” as everyone found a fun way to sing along and enjoy the strong messages of Black love and joy being portrayed in the music.

Next, Villanova graduate student and self-taught artist Ajibola Bondunrim explained how he creates art to express the feelings of Black individuals and how media and documentaries contribute to Blackness through global storytelling. Last Letter Films is a social documentary filmmaking group in the

University’s Communication Department that shares different peoples’ stories from across the globe and films their stories in those locations. It played the teaser to the film it’s producing this year called “Rooted.” It is a unique story based on a local musician in a Black community in Puerto Rico featuring collaborators Jonathan Abrante and Maricruz Rivera Clemente.

Lastly, BSU played a promotional song video to display a musical artist attending UPenn who goes by Malpractive and promoted his new song.

Although the evening served as a toast to Black excellence, try to keep in mind that Black Student Union events are not only for Black people.

The BSU showcase was organized to cultivate the culture of Black arts, love and most importantly, joy, with all people regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. Therefore, efforts like these are essential building blocks to creating a more diverse and educated environment on campus.

The Bandana Project at Villanova Andrew Gins Staff Writer On almost every backpack on campus one can see a bright green bandana tied to the bag.

The Bandana Project kicked off its first general body meeting of 2022 on Feb. 9. The organization, known for distributing the green bandanas seen on the backpacks of many Villanova students, aims to raise awareness for mental health.

Members of the group tie green bandanas on their backpacks to signal their solidarity with those struggling with mental health. They help direct others to seek the appropriate resources by carrying cards detailing how to contact national, state and campus mental health and suicide prevention resources.

Last semester many members of the Bandana Project hosted tables outside for students to pick up a bandana. Now, one sees the bandanas everywhere. It has become a signatue at Villanova.

Ultimately, the Bandana Project aims to end the stigma surrounding seeking help. The bandanas are visible across campus, and they serve as a constant reminder to students that they are not alone.

With the recent celebration of Valentine’s Day, the group discussed identifying signs of unhealthy relationships. Members also participated in anonymous surveys, which helped further illuminate the necessity of the work done by the group.

While most students responded saying they struggled with their mental health at one point, another survey showed that

most people did not seek help when needed. Stigma, cost and waiting times at the counseling center comprised the main barriers to access.

Towards the end of the meeting, the club discussed conducting more consistent bi-weekly meetings and setting up events for members to get even more involved.

“Right now, the green bandanas serve as a visual symbol of support for those that are struggling with their mental health,” Events Coordinator Jack Garvey said. “We are aiming to partner with charities to bring more resources to Villanova, planning to facilitate small group discussions between students and administration to talk about mental health on campus and organizing other mental health-focused events to support students. Our goal is to work toward de-stigmatizing the mental health resources that are so important and improve accessibility to those resources on campus.”

Mental illness awareness has garnered more attention recently, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

College students generally face a lot of pressure in many parts of their lives as they balance their academic, social and professional endeavors, leading many young adults to neglect their mental health and experience burnout.

The project’s vision, combined with its grassroots approach to fighting stigma and raising recognition for the issue, will undoubtedly help advance its mission to alleviate the struggles many students face in the hopes that one day, all Villanovans can ask for help when needed without fear of judgment.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The Villanovan | 9

CULTURE

NOVAdance Preview ing bypassers of the NOVAdance cause. As the Sidekicks spread the message of the B+ Foundation, they encouraged people to donate to the cause, while also raising a NOVAdance has been significant amount of money. ramping up its planning and “The process of canning fundraising as the annual dance in Philly was fun and exciting,” marathon nears. This semester, freshman Anna Hughes said. “It the NOVAdance Sidekicks and the was nice to be able to go into the committee have been involved in local community and raise money various fundraising efforts seeking and spread awareness for NOVAto support this initiative. dance.”

Founded at Villanova in Another fundraiser the 2013, NOVAdance is a fundraisSidekicks had was the Winter Suring effort hosted every year on vival Kit Sale.

The Sidekicks held a campus. This fundraiser seeks to table outside of Cafe Nova selling support the B+ Foundation, which cups filled with many goodies such honors the memory of Andrew as hand warmers and hot chocoMcDonough, a 14-year-old boy late mix, which was a hit. who passed away from leukemia in In addition to the work of 2007. the Sidekicks, the NOVAdance McDonough’s blood type committee has been playing a very was B+, inspiring him and his famimportant role in planning these ily to embrace the motto “Be Posevents and fundraising for the itive.” This organization provides B+ Foundation.

Villanova juniors financial support to end pediatric Kelton Frimel and Natalie McGrail cancer and to support families with talk about their experiences on children who are battling cancer. the committee for NOVAdance as Every spring, NOVAdance the athletics co-chairs.

Frimel and hosts a 12-hour dance marathon McGrail discuss the different ways as a fundraiser for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. This the committee has been working to raise money and awareness for the event is NOVAdance’s biggest B+ Foundation before the annual event of the year, often raising event. upwards of $500,000.

“In the past few years, we Before the event of the have hosted parties during the year, NOVAdance has been hosting holidays, visited Heroes at sports many events to raise money for the games, arts shows and even kept B+ Foundation. The majority of them company in the hospital,” these events involve the NOVAFrimel and McGrail said.

“We dance Sidekicks, a freshman leadalso have events like Dine Out ership program in which students Days, Hero parties and different raise funds, spread awareness organizations will put on raffles or about the cause and help to run [tabling] events that raise money the NOVAdance marathon.

Back in January, the NOVA- for NOVAdance. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness by doing Dance Sidekicks helped fundraise our best to live out the B+ mesby canning in Philadelphia. The Sidekicks braved the cold and were sage and remembering Andrew McDonough and our Heroes in stationed in Rittenhouse Square. everything we do.”

These eager volunteers were In addition to these efdressed in onesies and danced with forts, the NOVAdance committee homemade signs, all while informEmma Cahill Staff Writer

NOVAdance has held its annual dance marathon since 2014.

Courtesy of NOVAdance.org

has been working hard to plan the 12-hour dance marathon that takes place in the spring. Within the NOVAdance committee, there are subcommittees that work in conjunction with each other to plan various aspects of this dance marathon.

“We all work very closely together and bounce off ideas, give each other support and help out in different ways,” Frimel and McGrail said. “We are both on Recruitment, so for our subcommittee specifically, we work to get as many people involved throughout the year as well as for the Marathon itself. We work closely with on-campus groups, Greek life and athletic teams. Other committee members work on music and dancing, food trucks, graphics, the 12-hour schedule, decorating and all the behind-the-scenes components—just to list a few. We meet every Tuesday to plan and work on everything, as well as share updates with everyone. And then depending on the sub-committee, there might be another one or two meetings throughout the week to plan events, etc.”

Behind all of the planning and hard work of the committee, as well as the Sidekicks, is a sense of commitment to an important cause. For every event NOVAdance has, money is raised for children who are suffering against pediatric cancer. People like Frimel and McGrail, who are involved in the NOVAdance events, are very dedicated to the cause for this very reason.

“NOVAdance is important to us for many reasons,” Frimel and McGrail said. “First and foremost, for our Heroes and for all the kids fighting pediatric cancer.

We believe every child should be able to have a normal childhood, free from sickness and hospital stays and fear. NOVAdance raises awareness and money, but more importantly, provides light and hope for families going through such scary and uncertain times.”

As the semester progresses, it will be exciting to see more fundraising events pop up on campus for NOVAdance, as well as to see how the hard work of the Sidekicks and committee culminate in the upcoming dance marathon.

The Pact is Back, Baby Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

a romantic match, the guy was so weird. Sorry not sorry. He slid into her DMs and was asking weird Cont. from pg. 1 questions like when their honeyresponses, that is a resounding moon would be. Then he said they probably not. cannot go to Somalia because of In a Villanovan article writ- pirates. Overall, just bad looks.” ten after last year’s Marriage Pact Despite some of these results, writer Lydia McFarlane initial responses, some students are interviewed students, who voiced hopeful for this year’s survey. that their matches had extreme“In a campus that can ly low compatibility scores with sometimes feel so small, the Vilthem, or that many students did lanova Marriage Pact gives us an not get matched properly due to exciting opportunity to meet new asymmetric responses. In fact, in people and, who knows, maybe an email sent out to students, this even meet the one,” an anonyyear’s survey has 589 more hetero- mous sophomore disclosed. sexual females compared to males.

Whether or not the Pact That begs the question, who will worked wonders on students or left find love, and who will be subject- their thirst for love parched and ed to “impending waitlisting.” unsatisfied, that does not seem to One student, who wished be stopping the masses from trying to remain anonymous, reflected on again. Villanovans, despite some last year’s survey. of their previous, utter failures, “For all my friends, the are still willing to take a chance on marriage pact was in simple terms true love. a fail,” she said. “My friend and I Some proof of such comes got a friend match since there was from a senior who wished to rea lack of men. I follow my match main anonymous. When asked if on Instagram but we have never he filled out this year’s Marriage spoken. For our one friend that got Pact survey, he sighed.

“Unfortunately yes.”

Though somewhat resigned, the intent is still there, and that intent has one goal in mind: the wondrous intoxication of true love. Will The Marriage Pact stay true to it’s promise and guide Villanovans

to this state of being through it’s ever secret, ever allusive and powerful algorithm?

Stay tuned for the results to come out today. Check your emails.

All will be revealed.

The Villanova Marriage Pact is coming back to campus.

Courtesy of Villanova Marriage Pact’s Website

10 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Ridiculum Hosts First Improv Comedy Show of 2022

three groups of two improvisers were given non-geographic locations, and one group acted and the others clapped in and used their Each semester, some of the last line in their own scenario.

The group also did a game University’s funniest personalities that it has never done before, take the stage and show off their called “Detective,” in which a comedic talents on campus. This crime has occurred and the depast Friday, Feb. 18 was one of tectives come in one by one. Each those nights. person has to explain to the next The Ridiculum Improv person what happened, without Comedy Club pursues its comedic using words.

In this case, Miley talent through stand-up comedy Cyrus had locked someone in a and improvised scenarios. The freezer. club held its first improv show of There were some odd sugthe new year last Friday night at 7 gestions from the audience. When p.m. in the Connelly Center Cinasked for an action, one of the auema. This show featured many of dience members said “mushroom Ridiculum’s newest recruits. grooming.”

While this was out of “My favorite part about the the ordinary, the improvisers ran improv show was seeing so many with it and delighted the audience. new members shine in their first or Senior Andrew Mister second show,” Ridiculum member shared his overall thoughts of the junior Patrick Lyons said. “I have show. performed in five shows now, so it “I loved seeing so many was really cool to watch some of people coming out to support and the newer members have a really interact with our show,” Misgreat night.” ter said.

“This club grows every The show itself consisted year and it’s awesome to see new of numerous improv games. One members get to be on stage and of the games was called “Line in my fellow seniors really shine. I my Pocket,” during which the thought the show went well, and audience gave a non-geographic I’m excited for all the shows the location, and the improvisers had rest of the semester.” to act in that scenario and read The audience laughed all pre-written lines within the scene throughout the various games. and make it make sense.

The groups’ ability to think on Another game was “Clap their feet in tough situations Down the Line,” during which DJ Comerford Staff Writer

Ridiculum performed improv comedy on Feb. 18 at the Connelly Center Cinema.

Courtesy of Anna Callahan / Villanovan Photography

translated into tons of wacky and humorous moments. This ability is not one that comes without practice, though. Ridiculum meets twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, in order to hone their craft.

Ridiculum had a respectable showing on Friday. The audience also was enthusiastic with its participation and kept the show in motion.

Senior Becca Finke gave her opinion of the show.

“Our first show of the

semester was, by all accounts, a smashing success,” Finke said. “A combination of old games and new members made our performance one for the ages.”

Indeed, the show was a success. Ridiculum made the tricky and nerve wracking act of improvising look easy and had a good time doing it. Even with some odd audience suggestions, the group improvised everything with style.

Look out for its next show on March 9, which will feature stand-up comedy.

University to Hold “Love the Skin You’re In” Fashion Show Emmy Schmelter Staff Writer

Promoting healthy body image is extremely important, especially in today’s world. What should we all do to practice this?

It’s simple: love the skin we’re in.

The Office of Health Promotion will be holding its annual Love the Skin You’re in Fashion Show on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

For the past 20 years, students and faculty of Villanova have come together for the Office of Health Promotion to put on this inspiring event.

What does this fashion show consist of? The event will feature a wide array of Villanova students demonstrating how they use their fashion from local vendors to express themselves with confidence.

The models wear pieces typically worn to events and activities around campus. The event is partnered with the Runway of Dreams Foundation, which has a

goal of empowering people with disabilities with confidence and self-expression through fashion and beauty inclusion.

Interested in becoming a model or participating in the event this year? Most of the students who model in the show are nominated by their peers, advisors, professors or other members of the Villanova community. The organization also encourages anyone to volunteer themselves.

All students are welcome to participate and can get involved by contacting healthbytes@villanova. edu.

It is essential to understand the meaning and necessity of an event such as this one. The show serves as a very unique vehicle in reaching hundreds of college students with the powerful message of good self-esteem and self-acceptance. It gives students a space to let loose and appreciate the skin that they’re in.

In addition to promoting healthy body image, for the past eight years, the staff has also

chosen a different sub-theme each year. The sub-theme goes hand in hand with positive self esteem and aims to raise awareness and celebrate something that is important to our community.

Some of the sub-themes have included diversity, mental health and women’s empowerment. This year’s sub-theme is invisible disabilities.

The Office of Health Promotion has partnered with University organization LEVEL for the past several years, and LEVEL will be specifically more involved this year to raise awareness of the subtheme.

Kristy McCarthy is the Assistant Director of Health Promotion and the staff member coordinating the fashion show. She shared why this type of event is important to her.

“The fashion show allows students to celebrate and express their true authentic selves and how they identify,” McCarthy said. “It allows our community the opportunity to talk and learn more about

things that we all might struggle with: body image, mental health, self-esteem, ability and other topics that are usually stigmatized or not acknowledged enough.”

One student who has previously participated in this event spoke about its message.

“I think more than anything it’s a celebration of life,” the student said. “No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, no matter how you dress, to be accepted is the most important thing no matter where you are.”

More than anything, this event is meant to show that no one is alone. The event provides information for resources on campus and allows people to understand that if they are struggling, there are places to turn to for support.

The Office of Health Promotion is looking forward to another successful fashion show this year. Curious to see the true meaning of loving your skin? Make sure to support this inspiring event on Feb. 23 in the Villanova Room at the Connelly Center.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

CULTURE

The Villanovan |11

Hadestown Philadelphia Run in Review Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor Hadestown, the touring Tony Award winning musical, took root in Philadelphia with a run from Feb. 9 to Feb. 20. Written by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the musical’s bluesy melodies blended sound and story for a re-telling of an ancient Greek myth.

The story follows the two couples of Eurydice and Orpheus and Hades and Persephone. The central plot follows Orpheus’s song writing journey and his desire to finish a melody that will bring back the lost season of Spring. When he meets Eurydice, a “hungry young girl” who is “no stranger to the world/No stranger to the wind,” the two fall instantly in love and become two young lovers against the harsh world.

Persephone and Hades are an older pair who have misplaced their love for one another. Persephone, goddess of agriculture, must spend half her time in the Underworld with Hades and half above ground to take care of the earth. This creates the seasons and the symbolism of a somewhat ambiguously troubling relationship between the goddess and Hades.

To Hell and back again, the couples navigate the trials of love and the ways of the harsh magical world, trying to make it through the troubling winds in order to find ways back to each other.

The musical’s main themes center around relationships and the deep complications of love both for oneself and others, but the performance is even more multi-layered.

Touching on current issues like climate change, immigration and capitalism, many topics are covered within the

span of the two-and-a-half-hour show.

Different characters represent these issues in different ways. For example, Hades’ character is an oil-tycoon, and his underworld is like one big factory, to the dismay of Persephone, who describes the effects of his business: “It ain’t right, and it ain’t natural.”

In this re-telling, Hadestown puts the classic characters in a 1920s New Orleans-esque setting, utilizing the bluesy, folksy jazz music of the time.

The effect of the musical stylings, full of scatting, layers of trombone and violin solos and laced with a bit of rock, is a transcending phenomenon that manages to make an ancient story feel wise with age, like a period piece and an effortlessly modern story simultaneously.

Through bridging the ancient and modern, using a middle period’s culture as a means to do so, Hadestown is an ode to the ways in which, despite time and for better or worse, some things never change.

Orpheus, played by Nicholas Barasch, graced the stage with whimsical falsettos, depicting Orpheus’s innocent perception of the world and making the audience automatically root for him and his airy aura. Juxtaposed to him was Hades, played by Kevyn Morrow, whose bass range embodied the dark intricacies that come with being king of the underworld.

Another component of the musicality of the performance was the presence of the orchestra on the stage itself. Sitting on raised platforms, the musicians were performers in themselves, making the music fill the venue with atmospheric pressure.

As for the physical layout of the performance, the use of a rotating stage, often depicting the hero’s journey or the cycle of relationships constantly

(From top left clockwise) Kevyn Morrow, Kimberly Marable, Nicholas Barsch, Levi Kreis, and Morgan Siobhan Green in the Hadestown North American Tour.

Courtesy of T. Charles Erickson

at odds, heightens the immersive experience. The same goes for the lighting, with giant stage lights lining the back wall of the stage that often lights the actors up with a ghostly glow, haunting audience members.

Upon watching the re-telling with all these components, what truly stood out was the profound lyricism found in the songs themselves. Never was there a lapse in the intricate slant rhymes or proverbial sentients that moved the story along on enrapturing currents. Specifically, Act Two’s “Doubt Comes In” felt like a pinnacle of the show’s astounding lyricism. It is the mount of the show’s musical intensity, with layers of characters’ voices that build to a vital moment in the show, reaching that point through over-

whelmingly poetic verses.

At the end of the show, one could see many audience members visibly impacted by the performance.

Walking out of the Kimmel Cultural Campus Center, it felt as though each person had undertaken the journey of the complex characters to Hell and back. After all, we all experience some journey to the self or to another in our own way, which is something the show was able to take hold of and formulate into an experience like no other.

If there ever comes a time to witness this show, let it be known, it will stay with you long after the curtain closes on the underworld.

Villanova to Compete in National Ethics Bowl Competition Charlotte Ralston Staff Writer

As the University’s Spring Break kicks off this weekend, many students will be heading home to visit family or traveling to various vacation spots. However, the Ethics Debate Team has other plans. Four members, coached by Ethics professor Mark Wilson, will be competing in the 26th Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition.

Organized by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), the national competition consists of four preliminary rounds, in which 36 teams face off one-on-one to debate a contemporary ethical issue. The top eight teams then move on to playoffs, competing in elimination quarter- and semi-final rounds that culminate in a final debate between two schools for the national title.

APPE provides teams with packets of potential debate topics weeks before competitions, allowing students to hone their arguments well in advance.

The catch? At the beginning of each round, teams are randomly assigned a topic to debate, so they have to prepare for every possibility without knowing what specifically they will be arguing.

Topics from Villanova’s recent competitions have ranged from bans on teaching Critical Race Theory in schools to iguana-owning regulations in Florida.

“We get a packet in the begin-

ning of [the season] with anywhere from 15 to 17 cases, and we work on dividing up those cases,” said senior Anthony Berna, captain of Villanova’s Ethics Debate Team. “Then in the competition, whoever’s cases get called, they take the lead. Since we’ve all been discussing together, we have some awareness of what the main topics are, and we’ll supplement the discussion as it goes and help answer questions that come up, but whoever is the lead on the case will really take charge.”

Berna has participated in Ethics Bowl since high school, where as a sophomore, he founded an Ethics and Philosophy club and formed a team to compete with.

“I was really drawn to it because I liked the format and I liked the intentions of the Ethics Bowl in trying to promote dialogue in important topics and contemporary problems, but without the heated atmosphere of debate or the hostile environment that hot topics can encounter,” Berna said. “I joined [Villanova’s team] as a freshman, and I’ve been on the team since.”

In the Fall 2021 semester, under Berna’s leadership, the team took home its first Northeast Regional win in school history. After losing narrowly to West Point in a preliminary round, Villanova battled back to come out on top in a final-round rematch. Entering the competition missing a teammate, Berna, along

with juniors Hillary O’Neill and Patrick Riss and freshman Justin Williams, did not have high expectations.

“One of the things about Ethics Bowl is you learn to get content with failure, because only one team wins at the end of the day,” Berna said. “At the collegiate level in the Northeast, Tufts and West Point tend to be the top teams pretty consistently that end up in first or second, so to be able to beat them in the competition felt great, and [so did] seeing that all our hard work, especially given the circumstances, paid off.”

The national competition, originally scheduled to be held in Cincinnati, will take place virtually on Feb. 26 and 27, due to the ongoing pandemic. Berna hopes to keep up the momentum of the team’s regional victory, but competing online poses a unique set of challenges.

“I’d say [being virtual] makes a big difference,” Berna said. “Personally, I really like the in-person format where you’re sitting at a table across from your opponent and the judges are in between you. As a team dynamic, you’re able to collaborate and work much better at a table, whispering to each other as opposed to having to go to a breakout room on Zoom to discuss cases.”

Despite the added complication of virtual competition, the team of Berna, Williams and freshmen Kaleigh Brendle and Mike Blake is excited to face off against schools such as Yale, Universi-

APPE holds the annual Ethics Bowl Competition.

Courtesy of APPE LinkedIn

ty of Chicago and Stanford at nationals.

“However we do, I’ll be proud that we made it this far and we won the first Northeast title in school history,” Berna said. “Especially with a young team, I’m a senior and then we have three freshmen right now, so I think it’ll bode well for the future that they get this experience, and it’ll be leaving the team in a good spot going forward. It’s just exciting to see not only how we do next weekend, but in coming years, what the Ethics Bowl will look like at Villanova.”

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

SPORTS

12| The Villanovan

SPORTS

Dixon Making Big Impact in Third Year Owen Hewitt Staff Writer After posting a 24-point double-double at the Wells Fargo Center against UConn, redshirt sophomore forward Eric Dixon decided his next stop would be the National Constitution Center in downtown Philadelphia.

“Honestly, I had to go there for a class, and I didn’t really have any other time to go,” Dixon said.

A newly declared History major, Dixon is an instrumental part of the Wildcats’ starting lineup, having started in all 27 games the ‘Cats have played so far. On the court, he features an aggressive playing style, backing down opponents in the post and wrestling for rebounds. But off the court, Dixon’s demeanor is much calmer. The six-foot-eight Dixon speaks quietly but commands the room as he elaborates on the importance of his family and explains how he got into history in the first place.

“My family came to the [UConn] game, and we all enjoy history,” Dixon said. “As a kid, we’d always have AAU tournaments so driving to them, we would quiz each other and stuff and look up random facts, so I knew we could enjoy it.

My family means so much to me, moments like those are moments I thought about before I came here… being able to do that after the game with my family is super important to me. It felt really good to be able to do.”

The most random fact Dixon

can think of ? After pausing for a moment, he cites “The Jungle,” a 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair as the reason that food production is regulated.

“I just learned that,” Dixon said. “Hopefully Fr. Ryan would be proud of me for that one.”

Dixon was a four-star prospect in the high school class of 2019 and the second-ranked player in the state of Pennsylvania. He was the first career 2,000 point scorer for Abington High School, located about a 30-minute drive west from Villanova’s campus.

“I love my community, I love where I’m from, I love going back home and seeing everyone from back home,” Dixon said. “You know, I grew up there, since the age of one.

My high school coach, my old teachers, my guidance counselor, they’ve all helped me so much.”

Dixon’s role as a Wildcat has also grown throughout his three years with the team, going from redshirting his freshman year, to coming off the bench last year, to starting this year.

The process wasn’t always easy for Dixon, but he says that if he had to go through it anywhere, he’s glad it was at Villanova.

“I’ve got some of the best teammates in the country, one of the best coaches in the country, and I’ve seen guys before me go through it,” Dixon said. “I’ve seen guys not play and then play a little bit, and then contribute, and help the team win. At the end of the day, when you commit to play somewhere, that’s what you want to do. Obviously it was difficult, I won’t say it was a great time, red-

shirting and being on the bench, but [I just knew] that getting it done here would be so special.”

The big man’s play has evolved throughout the season as he’s gained more experience, but Dixon seems to have turned yet another corner in the new year. In the 12 games of the season that fell into the 2021 calendar year, Dixon averaged 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. In 15 games in 2022, Dixon is averaging 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. All three of the forward’s season double-doubles have come in 2022 and against Big East opponents. Of the 14 games where Dixon has reached double figures in scoring, nine of them have come in 2022.

Dixon said that nothing has changed in his preparation, but that the increase in performance is a result of giving maximum effort every single day.

“We go hard every single day.

Nothing changes, we preach that, so

just coming in, doing the same thing every day and then learning from the games,” Dixon said. “There’s no experience like game experience. I’ve played before, but I haven’t played a significant amount of minutes, I haven’t been that tired in a game, I haven’t been that tired shooting free throws in the arena with a bunch of fans in it.”

Dixon says that even though his role within the team has changed, his mindset remains the same as when he was coming off the bench last season.

“So whether I was starting, I was coming off the bench, I was still going to come in and try to play hard, together, tough and physical, whether I’m playing for two minutes or 30,” he said. “It really didn’t matter if I was going in for two minutes, it was going to be a hard, tough, physical two minutes. If I’m out there for 30, I’m going to try to make it a hard, tough, physical 30.”

Eric Dixon (above) posted a career-high in points (24) and rebounds (12) against UConn in early Febuary.

Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography

MBB Honor Three Senior Players Noah Swan Staff Writer Maybe the most raucous moment of Villanova’s Senior Night basketball game occurred after the game had already been decided.

With 24 seconds on the clock and Villanova holding a 10-point cushion, head coach Jay Wright substituted senior Kevin Voigt into the game. The extensive applause following Voigt’s entry seemed puzzling, as he had played only four minutes all season.

However, only considering the on-court impact for Voigt or any of the graduates severely underestimates their influence and importance to the Villanova program.

“He’s a very valuable part of our program,” Wright said of Voigt.

“He’s loved on this campus, and he’s loved in our program. He’s a great kid.”

As has been proven with the failures of programs stemming from off-court problems like the recently defeated Georgetown Hoyas, one rotten apple can poison the bunch. It requires the entire program, from top to bottom, from the head coach to the managers, from the night-to-night mainstays to the end of the bench, to get a program like Villanova’s to where it is today.

Each year, the Wildcats bid farewell to graduating athletes and staff with a pre-game ceremony where the individuals receive their good-

Redshirt senior Caleb Daniels (above) has played in a sixth man role for the ‘Cats this season.

Courtesy of Quinn Burns/Villanovan Photography

byes while passing the torch to the next generation. No matter how big or small their impact on the court, each member of the team marches through the line of cheerleaders to halfcourt for their formal picture.

This ritual recognizes the importance of each Wildcat in the success of the Villanova program.

First up was the graduating staff, composed of three managers and an office assistant. Toiling behind the scenes to assure the stability of the program, the staff exists in a world of subtle necessity. The team needs its services, but the recognition of people’s duties to the greater fanbase remains minimal.

Next was Maalik Wayns, a former Villanova player who returned to campus working with Student Athlete Development. After leaving

for the NBA draft one year short of graduation, Wayns came back to his alma mater to finish his degree while helping out on the team that vaulted him to a professional career in the United States and abroad.

The players were recognized last, each with a Villanova experience different from the other. Voigt was first. While not measuring up to the others in playtime, Voigt never failed to bring energy to the team in a way that masked his desire to get on the court. While “attitude” falls at the butt of many jokes around team building, the buy-in of every guy in a program engenders the stability necessary for success.

Caleb Daniels was introduced next, a player who started his career more than 1000 miles away from Philadelphia. The redshirt senior played

his first two years at Tulane, racking up an average of more than 16 points per game during his sophomore year.

Following a coaching change for the Green Wave, Daniels decided to make the journey to Villanova. As a Wildcat, Daniels slotted in well as a 25-minute per-game player, first as a starter then as a sixth man.

Finally, Villanova honored senior Brandon Slater. The Virginia native fell at the periphery of Wright’s plans early in his career, but Slater later defined himself as a defensive stopper with enough athleticism to shock the crowd on occasion. The wing has bloomed into a player Wright had no choice but to start during his senior season.

“It’s a great honor to be a Villanova Wildcat for four years,” Slater said. “Having the Senior Day [ceremonies], that’s a big accomplishment, a big moment for me and my family.

More importantly, I wanted to play hard for my teammates and coaches.”

Not included were the graduate students anchoring the team, Collin Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree.

As the Wildcats march toward postseason play looking to solidify on-court performances against its final Big East opponents, the Senior Night ceremonies serve as a reminder that this team is not just the five guys going to battle at any given time. It is a family that needs all its members to succeed, even the guys that have only played four minutes.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The Villanovan | 13

SPORTS

Men’s T&F Prepares for Upcoming BE Championship Jacob Artz Staff Writer The Villanova men’s track and field team has been working and training for this moment. Next Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26, the Wildcats will travel to compete in the Big East Championships in Chicago.

In the team portion, Villanova will be challenged by Georgetown, UConn and Butler. This team competition will be determined by depth. For example, Villanova may bring 24 athletes, and UConn may take 34 athletes. Those 10 more athletes can provide an advantage.

Competitors who earn first place to eighth place are awarded points for their runs, jumps and throws in the Big East Championships for the team competition.

First place awards 10 points, second place eight points, third place six points, fourth place five points, fifth place four points, sixth place three points, seventh place two points and eighth place one point.

Butler holds an advantage in the sprints and multidisciplinary areas, as well as distance. Georgetown is strong in the distance events, along with Villanova. The strength of the distance runners for three schools will offset the points in the distance discipline, which will open the door for UConn, which is very strong in the field events and sprints.

“We [Villanova, Georgetown and Butler] end up distributing the pot of points amongst ourselves, and at the same time, UConn takes the winner’s share,” head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said.

One competitor who is improving rapidly in time for the Championships is senior Malik Cunningham. He is coming off a Big East Men’s Field Athlete of the Week after posting a personal best 16.12 meters in the triple jump.

Cunningham was struggling in the beginning of the season with fouling and not hitting the board correctly, but now, his timing has improved, which is showing in his jumps.

“His confidence is significantly heightened,” O’Sullivan said.

“This was something in the works for a long time. It just came into fruition the last two weeks.”

Other strong suits for the Wildcats are the 800 meters, mile and 3000 meters.

In the 800 meters, junior Sean Dolan holds the top spot going into the Big East Championships, with a time of 1:48.11.

Senior Charlie O’Donovan is positioned in the third spot with a time of 1:49.63.

While the prospect of running lower times is important for these runners, the goal of a championship in the Big East is heightened. This has the positive of instilling a focused mission, but could be a negative because the mind can be split between running

a lower time and winning the race.

“You’re just going in there with the intention of racing to win,” O’Sullivan said. “They’re seasoned athletes, and I think they know what they have to do.”

In the mile, Dolan and O’Donovan are ranked second and third, respectively, in the Big East.

Dolan’s best time of 3:56.39 came two weeks ago, and O’Donovan posted a 3:57.46 at the end of January.

“They still have to run a quicker time than what they have already posted to get themselves to Nationals, which I know will be a very high priority for them,” O’Sullivan said.

The 3000 meter race has the possibility to add some valuable points for the team. Senior Josh Phillips is third with a time of 7:58.45, and his classmate Haftu Strintzos has a best time of 8:00.77, which puts him in sixth position heading into the weekend.

“For Haftu, I think the stronger the race, the more even paced it is, is more beneficial for him,” O’Sullivan said.

The time differences should be read with caution because every race is different. All of the races were time trial style up until the Championships, which means a pacer was present to set the flow of the race.

Phillips will lean on his 1200 meter distance medley Big East championships from 2019 and 2020 to help him next week. The experi-

ence of running a double in 2019 and 2020 will benefit Phillips, as he will likely compete in the 3000 and 5000 meter events this weekend.

An area that may hold the Wildcats back is the sprinting events. In the 60 meters, graduate student Richie Bush is 13th in the conference, coming in at 7.05. Bush is the only contender in the 200 meters for Villanova. Bush ran a 22.35, which is in 14th place. In the 400 meters, sophomore Nicholas Mollica is in 14th place with a 49.94.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” O’Sullivan said of getting points in the sprinting events. “We don’t have enough depth in the sprints. We’ve been weak in that area for the last year, year and a half. We’re in the process of rebuilding that section.”

In other field events, senior Jim Keys is placed sixth with a mark of 4.55 meters in the pole vault.

The long jump features graduate student Michael Troup at a mark of 6.93 meters where he sits in eighth place. The shot put is represented by graduate student Riley LaRiviere, who is in sixth place.

The Wildcats will lean on their mid-distance and distance runners and the field events to put them in a position to compete with Butler, Georgetown and UConn.

The Wildcats will have their minds focused on winning their events for the Big East Championship title and posting their personal bests in the chase for Nationals in two weeks in Birmingham, Alabama.

WBB Celebrates Senior Night Tyler Moore Staff Writer On Sunday afternoon, the Villanova women’s basketball team took the court for its final home game of the season, in which the Wildcats got revenge and took down the DePaul Blue Demons, 73-64. While for a majority of the team, it was just another end to the season’s home slate, it was a bit different for the seniors, guard Kenzie Gardler and forward Brianna Herlihy, who walked out of the Finn for the last time.

While Gardler and Herlihy have not been stars on the stat sheet, they have brought great leadership to the team for their respective time in the program.

Head coach Denise Dillon emphasized their impacts and what the future holds.

“People look at numbers and they think, ‘Oh, okay, they’re graduating and [they are] not significant numbers,’” Dillon said.

“You have no idea, their intangibles and [for] how much they do for this team and this program, [I am] really proud of them.”

Gardler, who has spent four years at guard for Villanova, began as a redshirt in 2018. She put up a career high 11 points in 2020 against La Salle. Gardler was crucial in moments when her team needed her the most, like the team’s first matchup against Creighton this season where she stepped up in junior forward

Maddy Siegrist’s absence and registered a season high in points, rebounds and minutes played.

Herlihy has spent six years with the Wildcats, the first being a redshirt, and has proven why she is one of the go-to starters each game. The forward has gathered numerous honors throughout her career, including several Big East Weekly Honor Rolls, 2020-21 Big Five Most Improved Player, 202021 Big Five First Team and 202021 Second Team All-Big East.

Averaging 10.9 points per game this season, Herlihy has been a dominant starter and, like Gardler, has stepped up when needed. Her career-high of 24 points came against La Salle in 2020 as well. Her dominance is crucial to the team’s success as she serves as one of the leaders of the pack.

When asked what she will miss most from Herlihy in the coming years, Dillon pointed out her drive.

“Without [her motor] she wouldn’t be able to accomplish all the great things on the defensive end,” Dillon said. “She is a worker and she’s relentless, and I just think her development of her offensive game has been nice to watch.”

Herlihy played on Sunday for 31 minutes, and while nine minutes missed may not seem like a big deal, Dillon emphasized her desire to get her back on the court as quickly as she could.

“I was like, ‘We gotta get

Brianna Herlihy (above) is finishing her sixth season at Villanova.

Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography

her back in just to keep us going,’” Dillon said. “I felt we had pretty good rotation, but it was nice [and] we got her back in there— everybody felt a little bit more of that spark. She will be greatly missed, and so I’m trying to get every bit out of her this year and make it her best year.”

With the seniors leaving, there are questions of who will step up to the plate. Dillon cited that Gardler, Herlihy, Siegrist and junior guard Brooke Mullin are the only upperclassmen on the team this year and how important they have been as leaders.

“They realized they can really impact the game, whether

on the floor or not,” Dillon said of the upperclassmen development overall. “I think they’ve taken that role very seriously.”

The future of Villanova women’s basketball is surely bright. Thanks to the two graduating seniors, the Wildcats have achieved one NCAA tournament berth and four NIT berths, not including a strong case to be made for a Villanova NCAA tournament run this season as well. As Gardler looks to attend Villanova’s Second Degree Accelerated BSN program, and Herlihy looks to play basketball overseas, the future is not only bright for the program but for the graduating seniors as well.

14 | The Villanovan

SPORTS

Swim Heads to Big East Championships

Charlie Hinckley, Jake McIntyre, Nolan Danus and Kevin Geist.

Andrew Mitchell, Ethan Brown, Henry Halloran and Richard NoOn Wednesday, the Villalan have been successful things this nova swimming and diving teams year as well. In the diving categowill head to East Meadow, New ry, Michael Ackert and Nicholas York for the Big East ChampionJubilee have both had incredible ships. The men have not won a seasons. Ackert is a two-time Big Big East Championship since 1993 East champion, as he won both but have finished second twice in the one and three meter dives in the last four years, including last the 2020-21 Big East Championyear and in 2018. However, the ships. women have won the last eight Multiple other Wildcats Big East Championships and are have championship experience as poised to continue that streak. well. Hutcherson recorded personConsistent teams at the top al best times in the 200, 500 and of the men’s side include Xavi100 meter freestyle relays all in er, Seton Hall, Georgetown and the championships. Nolan is a Big Villanova, which will continue this East Champion in three different year with only Providence having events, the 200 Breaststroke, 200 the potential to jump into that Individual Medley and 400 IM. top four. The women have usually This team is incredibly been involved in a two-team race young, so it will have to put some with Georgetown, as in the team’s of its best runs together to comeight consecutive championships, pete at the Big East, but it has the Georgetown has finished second talent to do it and be a threat for six times with Xavier earning years to come. one second-place finish in 2019.

The women, on the othHowever, with UConn rejoining er hand, haven’t struggled this the Big East, it gave Villanova a season, having won almost every run for its money last year, losing event they entered. They have by just 68 points, and will most put together one of the strongest likely do the same this year. In the veteran classes in the Big East. teams’ earlier matchup this season, The dynamic duo of Villanova beat UConn in a close senior Kelly Montesi and gradu166-133 duel in October. ate student Milly Routledge have Men’s swimming has strug- been a part of this team for a very gled this year but has had key per- long time and combined for 13 formances from Reid Hutcherson, individual championships and 20 Zac Tipton Staff Writer

relay gold medals. They have also each won Big East Championships Most Outstanding Female Swimmer in the past three years, with Montesi winning it last year and in 2018-19 and Routledge winning it in the 2019-20 season. The duo has continued their success this season, winning almost all of the events they compete in, and will lead their team on Long Island.

It’s not just these two. Senior Nicole Welch has been a part of five of those relay teams and won a gold in the 1650 freestyle backstroke in 2018-19. Junior Perri Stahl has been on three of those teams as well, and senior Abbey Berloco was on four of them in the past two years. Sophomore Lexi Elkovitch was in two relays that won last year, and senior Grace Wielar won two in 2019-20. Sophomore Audrey Pastorek won as a freshman in the 200 backstroke last year, and junior Kaitlin Gravell won in the 200 breaststroke in 2019-20. That same year, junior Maggie Kleinsmith won in the 100 breaststroke. This season, Villanova also added graduate transfer Elizabeth Bailey from Cal, who has PAC-12 Championship experience.

This team is loaded with veteran talent, and given that this will be Routledge’s last year, and Montesi is a senior, the women will be looking to get back to the top in possibly their final meet.

Women’s Track Looks to Continue Streak Catherine Browne Staff Writer After a strong season for Villanova’s women’s indoor track and field team, the Wildcats are preparing for the Big East Conference Championships, beginning on Feb. 25. A win at the tournament would mark the fourth consecutive year of the ‘Cats being crowned Big East Conference Champions.

The conference championships is a two-day event consisting of the preliminary rounds and finals for running, field and combined events, as well as the heptathlon event. Last season, the championship meet was canceled, due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the year prior in the 2019-20 season, the Wildcats won the title of Big East Champions for the 17th time in school history.

This kept the team well in the lead for the most championships won in history, with Georgetown as the runner-up with seven conference titles. The Wildcats have earned the championship title for three consecutive indoor seasons from 2018-2020, excluding the cancellation during the 2021 season. In the past 10 years, Marquette has been runner-up three times and Connecticut twice.

The team has competed in seven regular season meets where a multitude of athletes have broken school records and marked new personal bests throughout the season.

Individually, graduate student Sade Meeks broke the school record in the shot put, with a mark of 15.50 meters at the Doc Hale

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Feb. 16 - Feb. 22

Wednesday, February 16 Women’s Lacrosse @ Temple 12-7 L Thursday, February 17 None Friday, February 18 Softball vs Louisville 10-7 L Softball vs Duke 4-2 L Baseball @ Pepperdine 13-3 L Saturday, February 19 Softball vs Florida A&M 6-2 W Softball @ Florida 4-0 L Women’s Lacrosse vs Cornell 14-9 L Men’s Lacrosse @ Yale 17-14 L Women’s Water Polo @ Mercyhurst 15-11 W Women’s Waterpolo vs Salem 10-7 L Baseball @ Pepperdine 6-4 L Men’s Tennis @ Farleigh Dickinson 4-1 L Men’s Basketball vs Georgetown 73-66 W Sunday, February 20 Women’s Basketball vs DePaul 73-64 W Women’s Water Polo vs Mckendree 11-10 W Women’s Water Polo vs Gannon 11-7 W Men’s Tennis @ Navy 7-0 L Softball vs Louisville 3-2 L Baseball @ Pepperdine 10-7 L Monday, February 21 None

The Wildcats will seek their fourth consecutive Big East Championship this week.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Virginia Tech Elite Meet on Feb. 5. Meeks also set the new school record in the weight throw, with a mark of 20.88 meters during the Villanova Invitational on Jan. 22, leading to her earning the Big East Women’s Field Athlete of the Week on Jan. 24.

Graduate thrower Jul Thomson and senior Emily Galvin are two additional athletes to look out for in the weight throw and shot put events, as they have placed in the top 10 in many competitions.

Thomson marked a personal best at the Villanova Invitational, with a throw of 16.55 meters in the weight throw, while Galvin threw a personal record of 16.59 meters in the same event at the Rutgers Open.

Junior Jane Livingston earned top 10 in the 60 meter hur-

dles event in four meets. A highlight to her season traces back to her performance at the Tiger Paw Invite on Feb. 11, where she lowered her personal best time to 8.27 in the 60 meter hurdles.

Graduate student McKenna Keegan enters the conference championships having run the nation’s third-fastest time in the 800 meter event in the Husky Classic meet on Feb. 12, where she won first place in the fastest heat, with a time of 2:03.48.

Senior Lydia Olivere competed in many events throughout the season, with her best performance in the mile and 3000 meter race. Specifically, she set a new personal best in the mile, with a time of 4:41.59 at the Villanova Invitational, and on Feb. 5, at the Columbia Challenge, Olivere ran

Tuesday, February 22 Women’s Basetball @ Georgetown *Post Production* Men’s Basketball @ UConn *Post Production* a personal best of 9:22.65 in the 3000 meter event.

This season, the freshmen have also been successful in earning points for the team. Sadie Sigfstead broke her personal record by 20 seconds in the 3000 meter event, with a time of 9:24.94 at the Columbia Challenge. Emma McGill set a personal best in the same event at the Husky Classic, with a time of 9:41.77. Maya Dorer landed in the school record books when she tied the eighth-fastest time in the 600 meter event, with a time of 1:33.26.

This week, the Wildcats are preparing for the long-awaited conference meet, and with the talent that the team possesses, they show great potential for a successful championship against the other 10 teams in the Big East.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The Villanovan | 15

SPORTS

Softball Falls to 3-7 on the Season Aphrodite Dimopoulos Staff Writer This past weekend, Villanova traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to compete in the T-Mobile Tournament against tough competition. The team played five games from Friday to Saturday, winning only one of the five games. On Friday, the Wildcats played Louisville, which ended in a 10-7 loss, and Duke, which ended in a 4-2 loss.

On Saturday, the team beat Florida A&M, 6-2, and later lost to Florida, 4-0. Finally, on Sunday, the team lost again to Louisville, 3-2.

Coming off an opening weekend 2-3 performance in Atlanta, Georgia, the Wildcats have found themselves in a bit of trouble playing such high level competition early in the season. Duke, for example, entered the 2022 season ranked number 14 in the nation, and its other ACC competitor Louisville entered the season with a strong roster. However, most notably, tournament host Florida finished last season fifth in the nation, continually proving itself to be a difficult competitor from the SEC. Heading into the first game Friday morning, the Wildcats knew they needed to stay persistent against the Cardinals and did just that. Villanova rallied to tie the score on three separate occasions throughout the nine-inning ballgame. A major factor in the loss was that the team was forced to play catch-up from the first inning and found itself in 4-0, 6-2 and 7-6 deficits. Notable moments in the

matchup came from sophomore Tess Cites, who went two-for-four and hit her second home run of the season.

Graduate student Angela Giampolo and senior Megan Kern had two hits each.

Later that afternoon, Villanova found a few personal bests from players but ultimately fell short to Duke. Junior Chloe Smith played a strong offensive game for the Wildcats after she came in to pinch-hit with two outs in the fifth inning. She drove in two runs late in the game that ultimately helped the Wildcats close the gap between them and the Blue Devils, but it was not enough to secure a win. Sophomore Caroline Pellicano pitched three scoreless innings of relief, particularly escaping a bases-loaded no one out scenario in the fourth inning.

On Saturday, the Wildcats secured their first and only win of the weekend. The Wildcats scored six unanswered runs and stormed past the Rattlers after the third inning.

Notably, senior Megan Kern hit a goahead three-run homer in this third inning to give the Wildcats a 4-2 lead.

Also performing very well offensively, Cites recorded her first stolen base of the year, and senior Ryan Henry went two-for-three raising her batting average to .409. Beyond a clean offensive performance, graduate student Paige Rauch showed out on the mound.

The star pitcher only allowed two earned runs on seven hits during her five-inning stretch. Senior Sara Kennedy relieved Rauch and pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the win.

Megan Kern (above) hit a three-run go ahead homer in the team’s only win of the weekend.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Later that afternoon, Villanova faced an undefeated Florida team.

This game was Pellicano’s first-ever collegiate start and, although she finished with a loss, the sophomore more than held her own against such a softball powerhouse, only giving up two earned runs over six innings.

Kern and junior Victoria Sebastian each singled for Villanova. Florida scored two runs in the first two innings but was stopped promptly by Pellicano, who generated 13 of her 18 outs on the ground, along with yielding only three hits without a walk or a run scored in her final four innings pitched. The Wildcats showed poise defensively as they held a very good Florida team to only four runs.

Finally, Villanova fell to Louisville a second time Sunday morning

in a closer matchup than the game on Friday. Rauch hit a bomb in the eighth inning for her first home run of the season to drive in the first runs of the game. In a competitive and tight defensive matchup, freshman Kelsey White carried this shutout through the first seven innings in only her second collegiate start. Up 2-0 in the eighth, Villanova gave up three runs in the bottom half of the inning, giving the Cardinals the walk-off victory.

Next weekend, the Wildcats travel to North Carolina to play Gardner-Webb, East Carolina and Fairleigh Dickinson in the Pirate Invitational. Closing off this weekend with a 3-7 record, the team is hoping to pick up some more wins against some lower-ranked teams.

Women’s Lacrosse Defeated by Cornell, 14-9 Amanda McKean Staff Writer On Saturday, Feb. 19, the Villanova women’s lacrosse team lost to Cornell University, 149. This was the Wildcats’ third straight loss to open the season.

The leading scorer for the Wildcats was junior midfielder Addie Fischer, who scored three goals. In addition, senior midfielders Alexa Tsahalis and Caroline Curnal provided two goals each for the team, and fellow senior midfielder Libby McKenna scored one. The final scorer for the Wildcats was junior attacker Cara Moreau, who scored once. It was also senior goalkeeper Alexa Moro’s debut for the season, and she saved 14 shots.

The Wildcats started the game with the majority of the possession but turned the ball over, resulting in a Big Red breakway.

Down at the Wildcat net, Cornell was fouled, which led the way for Maggie Pons to score the first goal of the game from a free position attempt. Only a minute later, the Big Red scored again, when Katie Castiello fired the ball in the back of the net off an assist from Genevieve Dewinter to jump out to a 2-0 advantage.

Moro was able to help the Wildcats hang on in the first quarter with a couple of key saves after Cornell continually bombarded the Villanova goal with shots. However, Dewinter scored again with 3:29 left. The Wildcats

Despite a nine-goal performance, the Wildcats could not outscore Cornell on Saturday.

Courtesy of Peter Licopantis/Villanovan Photography

were quick to respond as Tsahalis provided an assist to McKenna, which allowed her to score the team’s first goal of the game. This did not affect the Big Red for long, as they scored three straight goals within the last two minutes, ending the first quarter with a 6-1 lead.

The Wildcats started the second quarter more aggressive, as Fischer scored two goals off free-position attempts. However, the Big Red was able to cut this streak short by going on a 4-0 scoring run, sending the Wildcats back to the locker room trailing 10-3.

The start of the third quarter was stagnant at first, with neither team making any leeway until six minutes in when Fischer scored her third goal off a free-position shot to try to keep the Wildcats in the game. The Wildcats kept this run going, scoring two more goals in the next three minutes and cutting the lead to four. The first goal was from Tsahalis on an assist by Curnal, who then turned around a minute later and scored a goal for herself off a free-position attempt.

Nevertheless, the Big Red were able to regroup and respond to these two goals, as Amanda

Cramer found Sophie Ward who got the ball past Moro. However, it was during this quarter that Moro allowed her team to stay in the game as she made multiple key saves in the net and held Cornell to only one goal. The end of the third quarter left the Wildcats down, 11-6.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Cornell built its lead with an early goal by Brazier, followed by another goal for Ward, making it 13-6. The Wildcats were not done yet, as they countered with three goals of their own. The first was scored by Curnall after an assist from freshman attacker Grace Gately. With this assist, Gately secured her first collegiate point as a Wildcat. The second was scored off a free-position attempt from Tsahalis, and the last came from Moreau with seven minutes left in the game. The remaining minutes of the game did not have too much action until the final minute of the game where McKenna received a yellow card by one of the referees, and she was removed from the field with 56 seconds left in the game. About five seconds later, the final goal of the game was scored by Cornell’s Castiello.

The Wildcats will be back at home on Wednesday, Feb. 23 when they will face George Washington University at noon. These two teams have not met in more than a decade, with their last match occurring on March 14, 2012, which the Wildcats lost, 117. The game will also be streamed on FloSports.