September 23, 2019
Indie Films p. 16 Chicago Pride pp. 24-25 Good Grief pp. 26-27 Screen Saviors pp. 30-31 Money Hungry pp. 34-35 Saints Celebrating Service p. 42
SILVER LININGS E D I T I O N
Editorial Board Katie Wozniak Editor-in-Chief katherinewozniak@stfrancis.edu
Student led, student written
UNIVERSITY
FEATURE
4 Editorial Columns
22 Silver Lining
5 Club Spotlight
23 Across the Pond
NEWS
24-25 Chicago Pride Parade
6-7 USF News
26-27 Good Grief
8-9 Local News
28-29 One Step at a Time
10-11 World News
COMMENTARY
ENTERTAINMENT
30-31 Screen Saviors
13 WCSF Top Ten
32-33 Sony & Spider-Man
13 Monthly Staff Picks
34-35 Is Our Generation Money Hungry?
14 Chicago Summer Festivals 15 Infamously Famous 16 The Rise of Indie Films 18-19 Creative Freedom in Creative Majors
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36 Generation Z
SPORTS 38-39 Saints Celebrating Service 41 Cape Day 42 History of USF Athletics
Amber James Assistant Editor amberjames@stfrancis.edu Antonio Smithberg Layout Designer antoniosmithberg@stfrancis.edu Richie Mroz Layout Designer richardmroz@stfrancis.edu Emily Plummer Entertainment Editor emilyplummer@stfrancis.edu Giovanni Alvarado Feature Editor & PR Specialist giovannialvarado@stfrancis.edu Jalen Williams Commnetary Editor & PR Manager jalenwilliams@stfrancis.edu Bennie Radford Sports Editor bennieradford@stfrancis.edu Andrey Simon PR Specialist andreysimon@stfrancis.edu Eric Kern PR Specialist erickern@stfrancis.edu Dr. Scott Marshall Advisor smarshall@stfrancis.edu
Staff Writers Ashley Hare Alyssa Gomez Lauren Wozniak Eve Odum John Raspante Clarissa Del Rio Angelica Bibian Matt Lauterbach Gabby Paelmo Sara Cahill Courtney Joyce Mary Mathieu Ian Bond
Letter From the Editor Thank you for picking up the September edition of the USF Encounter! The theme for this edition is “silver linings” and all of the positive things that have come from seemingly unfortunate events. With all of the negative news in the media, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the good that is happening in the world. Whether it be foundations made in someone’s name, leaving the familiar for a new adventure or recognizing the strides being taken to improve our environment, we are constantly surrounded by positive stories. If we look past the negative and dark side of media, we can begin to see the good in others and our world. Over the past month, we have welcomed many new members to our staff! From writers to photographers, we are so happy to have new ideas for every aspect of the magazine. What we accomplish here at the USF Encounter could not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our entire staff. If you are interested in being a part of our staff, we would love to see you at one of our club meetings! The USF Encounter meets October 21 and 28, November 25 and December 2 in the USF Encounter office in Tower Hall, S413C. Anyone interested in writing, editing or photography are welcome! If you’re not following us on social media, you are definitely missing out. You can find us on Facebook (USF Encounter), Instagram (@usf_encounter) and Twitter (@usf_encounter). Once you follow us, you can participate in our next “Saints say” poll. Check out the last page to see which Starburst flavor students chose as their favorite! From all of us here at the USF Encounter, we hope you enjoy the Silver Linings Edition!
Katie Wozniak Editor-in-Chief
From the top to the bottom: Katie Wozniak (Editor-in-Chief), Amber James (Assistant Editor), Antonio Smithberg (Layout Designer), Richie Mroz (Layout Designer)
Photographers Andrey Simon Clarissa Del Rio Lauren Wozniak Mary Mathieu Matt Lauterbach
Policies The USF Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The USF Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816. As a member of USF Campus Media, the USF Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design. By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the USF Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus. Editorial pages provide USF Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics. Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the USF Encounter Staff. Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing. Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the USF Encounter office or emailed to encounter@stfrancis.edu The USF Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis. As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.
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EDITORIAL COLUMNS DJ Diesel
Unpopular Opinion:
aka Shaquille O’Neal
Porn Can Be Ethical
By: Ashley Hare
Without even watching any mainstream porn, it is pretty well-known that the porn industry can be demeaning and degrading towards women. There have been many sexual assault allegations within the porn industry, and even when #MeToo has been trending, those reports have not received the same amount of attention. Unfortunately, this is probably because people wrongfully assume that a woman working in sex asks for, or even deserves, whatever happens on set. This is where ethical porn comes in.
After Lollapalooza, I was doing my normal shenanigans and trying to meet celebrities whenever I could. Luckily, I happened to run into the one and only basketball legend, Shaquille O’Neal. I was actually waiting for Ariana Grande when all the sudden a sprinter pulled up (celebrities usually take big vans called “sprinters”) and Shaquille O’Neal casually walked out. I got my picture with him and yes, he’s huge. He is 7 feet 2 inches tall while I am 5 feet 6 inches tall.
According to feminist pornographer Erika Lust, "The concept of ethical as it relates to adult content production is complex.” While that part may be obvious, she continues, "In simple terms, ethical porn cares about the performer's welfare.” This includes giving consent, getting paid, being able to speak up if you are uncomfortable, etc. Everything is done under a safe sex environment for all of the people involved. Porn can be done ethically and does not need to be raunchy, disgusting and/or aggressive. It is no surprise, however, that consuming products ethically comes at a price. If you aren’t paying for ethical porn, who would be paying the actors, actresses, filmmakers, etc.? By paying for ethical porn sites, not only can you still find what you're looking for, but you are making sure that people get paid and that the actors and actresses have given consent. I never thought I’d say this, but porn can be empowering and inspiring for both men and women.
The more I thought about it, I was very confused as to why he would even be in Chicago. Well, come to find out Shaq isn’t just a basketball legend but also a well-known DJ. To my surprise, Shaq was actually a performer at Lollapalooza. However, he goes by the stage name of “DJ Diesel.” If you didn’t know he was a DJ, you would never put two and two together to realize it is Shaquille O’Neal. I also found out that during Shaq’s time in the NBA, he was signed to Jive Records, where he released four studio albums, two compilation albums, two soundtracks, one unreleased album and nine singles. After his successful time in the NBA, DJ Diesel came alive when he crashed the TomorrowWorld music festival in 2014. Shaq was inspired by similar artists such as Steve Aoki and Skrillex. Since Shaq already had a large fan base and following, he was able to successfully continue his dreams as a DJ. Ever since then, DJ Diesel was created and he now mixes the best of Trap, EDM and Hip-Hop.
We need to be more aware of the stories and fantasies that are shared on mainstream porn. It is putting people in danger and makes it seem like consent is not necessary. Mainstream porn is for people who are broke and have issues. But that’s just my unpopular opinion.
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Thoughts and opinions of the USF Encounter staff is not reflective of those of the University of St. Francis.
Photos courtesy of Ashley Hare & Amber James
By: Amber James
CLUB SPOTLIGHT By: Gabby Paelmo Staff Writer
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
Photo via @usf_fca on Instagram
It is hard to step on a college campus and not become involved in extracurricular activities outside the mundane classroom. There is a multitude of clubs and organizations that cater to the interests of a huge population of college students. At the University of St. Francis, there are 31 different clubs for students to become involved in during their time here. One of the most notable clubs on campus is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or FCA for short. With their Instagram filled with motivational Bible verses for athletes and nonathletes alike, FCA focuses on how faith can make an impact in everyday life and sports. The club meets every Wednesday from 9 to 10 p.m. and meetings are usually led by an FCA member. Each meeting focuses on a specific topic for the week, such as friendship and prioritization, and members have open discussion. “We always have meaningful conversations of how we see God in our everyday life and how we can embrace our God given talents and gifts” says active FCA member Nicole Kulon. At each meeting, quotes are discussed and reflected upon each member. Along with weekly discussions, FCA also hosts events on campus, such as Jell-O Olympics and playing a game of Knockout in the Rec Center. Additionally, the club hosts volunteer opportunities, such as trips to Daybreak and Feed My Starving Children for its members to give back to the community. While FCA is open to any and all students, the club aims to look at one’s Christian faith from a student-athlete perspective. Athletes from any sport are welcomed to join in on a meeting and discuss the balance between academics and sports and how faith impacts their life in the classroom and as well as on the field, court or track. FCA motivates student-athletes to achieve their goals both academically and athletically through weekly quotes posted all over their social media. Sporting events, such as home volleyball or basketball games, are also promoted on FCA’s social media. Athlete or not, FCA is a welcoming faith-based club that is open for anyone to join. Whether it be to lead an open discussion or participate in a nightly game of Knockout, give FCA a look. Meetings are every Wednesday starting at 9 p.m. and announcements of other FCA-sponsored events are posted on their Instagram, @usf_fca.
UNIVERSITY
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CAMPUS NEWS
By: Angelica Bibian Staff Writer
New Starbucks Coffee Machine in the Library USF has added a new feature to the library, a Starbucks Coffee machine! Students can either get a coffee, chai latte or hot chocolate. The machine has two different sizes to purchase from, a 12-ounce or a 16-ounce. There are three different types of coffee blends. Students can pick from a Pike Place Roast, Veranda, Pike Place decaf or a half decaf. The prices range depending on the size. A 12-ounce cup cost $2.05 and a 16-ounce cup cost $2.45. The price for a chai latte is $3.80 and a 12-ounce is the only size available. Hot chocolate is $3.25 for a 12-ounce. The only way to pay is with a debit, credit card or Apple Pay. This new machine is a quick way to get a cup of coffee in the library without having to leave the building. USF student, Mei Bibian, has a morning class in the library and loves the Starbucks Machine because she says the taste of coffee gets her energized for the day and it’s super easy to use!
Photo courtesy of Angelica Bibian
LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Library Open 24/7 The Wadsworth Commons area of the LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Library is now available 24/7 for all students, faculty, administration and staff. Staff workers are there from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., the only floor that will be open is the first floor, the Wadsworth Commons. The way you access the Wadsworth Commons will be the same way you access the Fireside Lounge in the Motherhouse, according to library staff. Just swipe your USF ID anytime to enter the front access door of the building. The reason that the library is now open all day, everyday, is due to a generous donation from Brenton and Jean Wadsworth of Wadsworth Construction in Plainfield, Illinois. Now students can gain access to a computer to cram in their last-minute projects late at night or to just have a quiet place to hang out. Students don’t have to worry about the library closing anymore now that it’s open 24/7. Photo courtesy of USF Flickr
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Advertisement created by Angelica Bibian
NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
By: Ashley Hare Staff Writer
Joliet’s Splash Station Parking Lot Rented for Truck Parking The Joliet Park District announced this past April the official closing of Joliet’s only waterpark and public pool, Splash Station. The official press release from the Joliet Park District stated, “The Joliet Park District has determined that operation of the facility for the 2019 season cannot be sustained. No decisions about operation of the facility after the 2019 season have been made.” Almost six months later, the Joliet Park District approved a four-year contract with Quala, a container cleaning company located next to Splash Station, to allow truck parking in the water park facility parking lot. Executive Director of the Joliet Park District, Brad Staab stated, “The agreement has a month-to-month provision that makes allowances if Splash Station reopens. Even if the water park reopens, Quala could have “restricted” access to the parking lot.”
opening. The closing of the water park has angered many Joliet residents and surrounding communities. Joliet resident and USF student, Giovanni Alvarado, stated, “It’s a real shame to be honest. I remember going there a few times when I was a kid with friends. Hearing the news about the closing was very disappointing for myself and many people in the Joliet area. But as the saying goes, ‘When one door closes, another one opens.’ I am hoping Joliet can bring something bigger and better to replace it. Joliet deserves it and needs more businesses geared toward younger kids.”
According to the Joliet Herald News, Quala will pay $7,000 a month for parking. However, currently, the Joliet Park District board does not know about the future of Splash Station re-
Photo courtesy of www.groupon.com
Medical Marijuana Facility Coming to Joliet Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, signed legislation that will make recreational marijuana legal in Illinois. The bill, which was approved by the House and Senate, will begin effectively on January 1, 2020. Illinois is now the eleventh state to make recreational cannabis legal. The state of Illinois has given 3C Compassionate Care Center in Joliet the license to sell recreational marijuana. However, it is up to the City of Joliet to allow permission to sell the cannabis. During this past November, the City of Joliet passed an 8-0 vote to convert an old mattress store in Joliet into a marijuana dispensary for 3C Compassionate
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Care Center. 3C Compassionate Care Center already has a facility in Joliet where they sell medical marijuana only. According to the Joliet Patch, Economic Development Specialist of Joliet Derek Conley stated, “I do not foresee any problems whatsoever involving 3C Compassionate Care in Joliet. They're a well-established business, and we haven't had any problems so far.” However, the City of Joliet is still discussing the surrounding zoning, land use and if the city will regulate the number of potential marijuana businesses just as the city does with liquor licenses. In addition,
the city does not want marijuana shops to be located just anywhere in Joliet for the safety concerns of children and teenagers. According to WJOL, Mayor Bob O’Dekirk stated, “The city council has not discussed it, but 3C has been in the city for years and we’ve never had any issues. With the state of Illinois issuing a recreational license, I would imagine the city council would approve it locally.” Many Joliet residents and USF students who wish to remain anonymous believe the dispensary will be a big hit in Joliet and will create revenue for the city.
Joliet West Teacher Publishes a Book Joliet West High School teacher and Channahon resident, Kristen Koppers, published a book called “Differentiated Instruction in the Teaching Profession.” Koppers, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Master of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration, wrote the book to inspire others about her ideas to use differentiated instruction in the classroom. According to www. readingrockets.org, differential instruction is reaching out to a small group or an individual to create the best learning experience possible. Every student
learns differently and uses different techniques to learn. Koppers stated, “As an educator, it is important to find innovative ways to meet the needs of my students.” Her book allows for educators to use critical thinking skills to create or improve strategies to help all students be successful in and out of the classroom. To purchase or learn more about the book, visit www. amazon.com and search “Differentiated Instruction in the Teaching Profession.”
Photo courtesy of www.morrisherald-news.com
Joliet Teen Found Dead in Des Plaines River A Joliet Central High School student was found dead in the Des Plaines River on August 27. Lesly Reynoso was reported missing on August 25. According to the official press release and flyers posted around town, Reynoso was last seen around 4 a.m. on August 25. She was picked up by another teenager where she was dropped off near I-80. According to the Will County Coroner’s Office, her body was recovered in the Des Plaines River near the I-80 bridge. As of now, the death is an “open and ongoing” investigation. A candlelight vigil was held where family, friends and the community came together to remember the life of Lesly Reynoso. Friends and classmates remember Lesly as a beautiful, cheerful and compassionate woman. There are always resources to use to reach out to someone in a time of crisis. If you or anyone you know is in a time of crisis, text HOME to 741741 or visit www.crisistextline.org. Crisis Text Line provides trained counselors to help problem solve and cope in a time of difficulty.
Photo courtesy of www.chicago.suntimes.com
NEWS
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WORLD NEWS
By: Ian Bond Staff Writer
Parliament Prorogued as Brexit Deadline Closes In Amid resistance from the opposition, Parliament is prorogued until October 14. While agreeing to play his part, Speaker John Bercow, who recently announced that he will be stepping down on October 31, points out among numerous disturbances that “this is not a normal prorogation...it’s one of the longest for decades and it represents not just in the minds of many colleagues, but huge numbers of people outside an act of executive fiat...” Opposition members from the Scottish National Party, according to the BBC, chanted “shame on you” from the benches as the Speaker and other members exited the chamber.
Photo courtesy of www.straitstimes.com
This comes in the wake of calls by Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson for an early election. When put to a vote, however, the motion only received 293 of the required two-thirds, or 434, votes. In response to Johnson’s call for an election, Corbyn stated that Labour is “eager for an election - but as keen as we are, we are not prepared to risk inflicting the disaster of no-deal on our communities, our jobs, our services or indeed our rights.” Meanwhile, the BBC also reports that new legislation will force the PM to seek a delay until January 31, 2020 should Parliament not agree to Brexit, deal or no deal, by October 19. Johnson is attempting to get around to this new law and have the United Kingdom leave the European Union on October 31 in accordance with current UK law.
Bahamas Devastated by Hurricane Dorian 50 people were found dead while thousands more remain missing in the Bahamas as the nation begins recovering from Hurricane Dorian. As of September 9, 44 bodies have been found on Abaco Island with another eight on Grand Bahama Island. Rescue workers are going door to door while the US Coast Guard are evacuating the critically injured. Cruise ships have evacuated over 1,500 Bahamians into the US although President Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of allowing them in on humanitarian ground with formal temporary protected status, NBC reports. While over the archipelago nation, Dorian sustained winds of 185 mph with gusts exceeding 200 mph and storm surges nearing two dozen feet, making it the most powerful storm to strike the island
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in recorded history. In its wake, the category 5 storm downed power lines, flattened homes and destroyed boats. Joseph Farine, 69, told NBC, “These clothes on me — that’s all I have.” Dorian has since moved up the US coast making landfall near Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it has left 500,000 Canadians without power, before moving farther up the Canadian coast and into the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Peace Deal Signed by Sudanese Tribes The Sudanese Beni Amer and Nuba tribes signed a peace deal Sunday in the wake of threats from General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known commonly as Hemetti. The deal comes a month after a clash between the two tribes left 17 dead in the city of Port Sudan. This is not the first time two tribes have clashed. Hemedti threatened to expel the tribes from the country if they did not come to an agreement in a ceremony in Port Sudan and later apologized for his harsh language according to Reuters. He also demanded that both tribes surrender their illegal weapons while simultaneously promising to improve access to water and electricity to the area. Sudan is currently headed by the Sovereign Council, of which Hemedti is a member, and co-operating with a newly announced civilian government as part of what protesters hope will be a transition to democracy. This is the first government since President Omar al-Bashir was ousted by the military in April, during which he “was found in possession of large sums of Sudanese and foreign currency, as well as other assets, without legal justification,” according to DW. Al-Bashir is on trial for corruption and that he also faces charges of incitement, which
is linked to the killing of civilian protesters. He has multiple arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide in the Darfur region.
Photo courtesy of www.theguardian.com
Hong Kong Chief Executive Warns Against Intervention Chief Executive Carrie Lam warns for powers to not involve themselves in the ongoing Hong Kong protests. Lam stated “... it would be ‘totally unacceptable’ for Washington or any other country to intervene in the semi-autonomous Chinese region,” according to CNN’s Eric Cheung. This comment comes days after protestors called on President Donald Trump to “liberate” the city while gathered outside the US Consulate. The protests have entered their fourteenth week but have only turned violent in recent weeks. Protests escalated as they moved toward Hong Kong International Airport over the past month. While the most recent attempt was thwarted, according to CBS reporting, the airport operations ran as normal. Last month however, protestors managed to shut down the airport by occupying the terminals.
back down chanting “Five demands, not one less,” according to CNN during Sunday’s protest. Hong Kong has been a special administrative region of China since its transfer from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China in 1997. It is governed by the “one country, two systems” principle that allows Hong Kong to retain its own economic, legal and administrative systems.
The protests themselves, which have not resulted in any deaths, according to CBS, originally began over an extradition bill. Additional demands have since been made, however. Lam announced plans to withdraw the bill, but protestors refuse to
NEWS
Photo courtesy of www.nypost.com
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Top 10 Artists Let’s get in touch!
musicdirectorwcsf@stfrancis.edu -- 815-740-3697
1. ODYSSEY Kazyak
2. COMFORTER Bodywash
3. SAMSARA Los Coast
4. BURN RIGHT THROUGH Sons of the East
5. ANAK KO Jay Som
6. PLUG INTO ME Cuesta Loeb
7. MEDIAN Tummyache
8. BEGINNINGS Girl in Red
9. FREE COMPANY Artwork courtesy of WCSF
Boy Scouts
10. BEYOND THE DOOR Redd Kross
MONTHLY
Staff Picks
The USF Encounter Staff took to Spotify and shared their favorite songs from this month in their "Monthly Staff Picks" playlist “Colors” Black Pumas “Unholy” Miley Cyrus “All for Us” Labrinth, Zendaya “Always Remember Us This Way” Lady Gaga “Call You Mine” The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha “A Light to Call Home” Julia Brennan “Youth Gone Wild” Skid Row “For More” Braxton Cook
Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify!
“Phoenix” Fall Out Boy “Silver Lining” Mt. Joy “Queen of Mean” Sarah Jeffery “Chapstick” Hippo Campus “ 4'33'' ” John Cage “Love You Anymore” Michael Buble “Karma” AJR
“The Less I Know The Better” Tame Impala
“Factor In”
Kevin Garrett
“I'll Be There”
ENTERTAINMENT
Bon Jovi
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Chicago
SUMMER Festivals By: Emily Plummer Entertainment Editor Living within the suburbs of Chicago, it is expected that you attend summer concerts. The city and surrounding suburbs are consistently being booked with A-list artists who are worth the drive but, by far, the best time of year to see your favorite band or artist is during the summer. You can visit a favorite festival, favorite tour and even get the chance to travel to other states for local shows. Here are some festivals and concerts in Chicago, and why University of St. Francis (USF) students chose to attend them.
The ever-famous “Lolla” festival, yet again, sold out for its four days in downtown Chicago, full of nonstop music, sunrise to sunset. Teenagers and young adults everywhere produce their best “festival outfits” comprising of TopShop, H&M and Urban Outfitters apparel (accompanied by an excessive amount of glitter), just for those magical four days. Lollapalooza 2019 showcased some of the biggest names in music like Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino and TwentyOne Pilots. Each artist closed out a separate night of the festival and left fans eager for the following day's show. USF senior, Alex Ortiz, is a two-time Lolla attendee and thinks that the festival is a great opportunity for music lovers to experience new artists and genres, although it does have a few downfalls. He explains, “Lollapalooza is good in the aspect of different artists and types of music. However, they need to change the age limit in my opinion for crowd control reasons because it gets way too full. Also, I dislike the fact that they cancel the artists for light rain since the festival is outdoors during the summer.”
Photo courtesy of Emily Plummer
Next up is a festival called “Piqniq,” hosted by the radio station 101.1 WKQX. This is a local show hosted in the suburbs of Chicago in Tinley Park at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Piqniq hosts alternative and indie bands that are frequently played on 101.1 WKQX and oftentimes the radio station will give away free passes and backstage tickets. I had the opportunity to attend Piqniq again this year, after five consecutive years of doing so, and it was such an incredible experience. For $60, my best friend and I were able to see 10 different bands in the ‘pit’ of the stage and spent well over 10 hours listening to our favorite artists. This year the headliners for the event were The Lumineers, Young the Giant and Catfish and the Bottlemen. All three of these bands have played in years past and consistently bring the house down. I love this show in particular because it is so unique to one genre of music, which in turn makes the crowd more tight knit. Unlike many teenagers who go to festivals for the “clout” of going to a big-name event, people attending smaller scale festivals know the artists and have a genuine appreciation for their music.
Photo courtesy of Mayra Marin
If you don’t wind up making it out to a large-scale festival like Lollapolooza, odds are you will be able to find a smaller one a few states away. You can travel to Milwaukee, Wis. for “Summer Fest,” Manchester, Tenn. for “Bonnaroo” or Rothbury, Mich. for “Electric Forest.” USF alumna Mayra Marin has attended Bonnaroo three times and loves the experience and atmosphere that is present. She says, “Aside from the music, the best part about Bonnaroo is the people that you meet while you are there. The experience is unlike any other.”
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Infamously Famous By: Mary Mathieu Online Writer & Photographer When the Old Joliet Prison opened in 1858, it quickly became a historical fascination. According to www.jolietprison. org, the detention center was designed by William W. Boyington, Chicago’s earliest architect. He used Joliet limestone and locally quarried stone to construct the jail. The first 53 inmates arrived and constructed the rest of the Old Joliet Prison. This prison replaced the penitentiary in Alton that had appalling conditions. Despite the hopes people had for the new prison, it was shut down in 2002. Before closing, the prison housed 2,000 prisoners. Throughout the history of the Joliet prison, many infamous prisoners came and stayed for the remainder of their lives. Some of these inmates were Leopold and Loeb, Richard Speck, John Wayne Gacy and Baby Face Nelson. Since the prison reached its maximum inmate capacity, horrendous conditions developed. The prison structure itself was beyond repair. For the years the prison was closed, crimes such as vandalism and arson occurred. According to www.jolietprison.org, the famous vandalism piece housed in the Old Joliet Prison’s cafeteria is Snake Jailbird, a character from "The Simpsons.” Due to these repetitive crimes, Joliet’s mayor petitioned to the state government to grant the city of Joliet control of the prison. As a result, the Old Joliet Prison Preservation Coalition formed. This is an organization that aims to preserve Photo courtesy of Mary Mathieu the Old Joliet Prison. Numerous donations and volunteers have aided in the coalition’s success. Members of the freshmen class at the University of St. Francis (USF) volunteered at the prison for a service project held during the week of orientation. When talking with Rebecca Giese, a freshman at USF who volunteered at the Old Joliet Prison, she mentioned that the detention center felt strange, like the place was haunted. This is a feeling that many others have experienced when walking throughout the jail as expressed through the numerous stories shared online. The former prison has held many events that sparked the public’s interest, especially the tours offered. However, the true interest lies in the history of the prison, especially in the haunting stories of the infamous inmates forever imprinted into our minds.
ENTERTAINMENT
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The Rise
of
By: John Raspante Staff Writer
Indie Films
When “Moonlight” won best picture at the Oscars in 2017, it was a shock to many. Not only because “La La Land” was such a success, but because the movie had been produced by a company that many movie fans had not even heard of: A24. According to www.a24films.com, A24 is an independent film company that has brought us popular movies such as “Spring Breakers,” “Lady Bird,” “Hereditary” and the recent summer hit, “Midsommar.” These movies have all been generally well received and some have even won awards. How does a company with so little background create this much buzz? A24 creates movies that fall under the “indie film genre,” which has grown wildly over the last few years and is changing the movie industry as a whole. Most Hollywood movie companies that produce today’s blockbusters have built a reputation for themselves and try to continue that reputation with their ongoing projects. So, while a director may have a brilliant and creative vision for a film, executives of their producing studio may shoot the ideas down in order to keep that reputation going. According to an article from www. studybreaks.com, independent film companies such as A24 don’t have to try to maintain that certain image like other, big-name companies do. The fact that they’re lesser-known allows them some extra creative freedom to take on the unique visions of filmmakers and bring them to life exactly as the creators envision them.
Photo courtesy of www.collider.com
University of St. Francis (USF) senior, Katie Wozniak, shared a similar opinion on the topic. “Hollywood movies usually have a specific audience they’re trying to target. With indie films, they don’t necessarily have a direct audience they’re trying to reach, so it allows them to explore topics that other, bigger companies might not tackle on the big screen.” While multi-million dollar companies try to distribute films with the best sets, costume designs and visual effects, most independent film studios don’t have the type of money to focus on those things. Instead, lower budget films have the spotlight shine on the plot, characters and overall storytelling in a movie. An article from www.vocal.media highlights this fact and states that, “Because they are not producing their film for the purpose of money, independent films are often projects of passion.” This idea of a truly well-told, original story is what’s needed in Hollywood today. With the seemingly endless supply of reboots and remakes, the need for something more original and inspiring is what allows these films to dominate and become as popular as they are. These fresh stories are breathing new life into the cinema industry and are proving that big budgets and a well-known studio don’t define what makes a good movie. If these films keep up with their continuous successes, it proves beyond a doubt that big companies aren’t the only ones that belong at the top of the box office.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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CREATIVE F R E E D O M By: Eve Odum Staff Writer In a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) geared society, using imagination and creativity isn’t something you always think about when heading off to college, according to www.forbes.com. But for Digital Audio Recording Arts (DARA) and Art and Graphic Design students, it most definitely is. Jeff Jaskowiak, professor of DARA three and four, embedded creativity into the coursework rather than just teaching how to be interpretive performers. When students create content, it can be used in all kinds of ways. What students generate now will follow them into their careers, whether it’s being added into a portfolio or set aside for later use.
Whether realistic or abstract, we need creative people to push the concepts of what society considers art. Austin Hines, a senior Art and Design student, values his creative freedom because “not having to follow the guidelines of what others do or want…strips off the boundaries of [himself].” Hines creates a wide range of art mediums from sculpting to painting. His current favorite project to work on is weird paintings. On the music side, Harts is experimenting sonically, focusing on vocal manipulation. According to www.nrgrecording.com, this can include the use of autotune, pitch correction, vocoders, etc. Creative assignments don’t have black and white answers, but rather, multiple approaches. Anyone will admit that art is subjective, so how do professors grade fairly? Paul Erschen, professor of Studio Art, addresses this by incorporating empirical elements (i.e. quizzes and research assignments). Jaskowiak looks to see if there was good faith and effort put forth by the student.
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Photos courtesy of www.wallpaperplay.com & Eve Odum
The DARA professors at the University of St. Francis (USF) provide students with the materials and technology that they need in order to create their art. Tom Harts, a DARA student, went on to say that this is the first time he has “total control over [his] artistic urges.” College students have even put their work out publicly, as Harts has published songs on Spotify. He even created his own Instagram and Facebook page to market his talent (check it out by searching “TomHartsMusic”).
IN CREATIVE
MAJORS Both Harts and Hines expressed that when professors critique their work, it’s of the suggestion sort. The feedback gives students a chance to reflect and improve upon their art. Students also get a chance to evaluate each other’s work. Having more eyes and ears on a project opens the door to creative discussion and expansion. Creation doesn’t stop with the students; Jaskowiak and Erschen both create their own art. However, their progress slows dramatically during the semester because they focus on the students. The passion and excitement that these professors have for their subject seeps into their teaching and their love and respect for the creative process works to inspire students. They understand the intense zone of focus that it takes to create something memorable. Besides working on homework assignments, these young creators find time to work on side projects. Hines has been working on metal casting in his home; a dangerous endeavor because the furnace can reach 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Hines admits that not all students have as much free time as him and it all boils down to time management. Harts recognizes that once actually in the field, his creative freedom will shift. It’ll come from collaboration with students and clients because he wants to teach sound design and production at the college level. Of course, freelancing and competitions is also a reason to create. These competitions mean rejection is always present. Although it can be discouraging, it helps students to fine tune their work and mature as an artist. Both majors openly discuss dealing with rejection. From an artistic viewpoint it is something you just have to accept and move on. When it comes down to it, creative professions are hard work and you must be all in. “You have to be bitten to the fact that you know this is what you want to do and that you’ll figure out a way to do it in this industry. That’s the kind of students we are looking for,” said Jaskowiak. Creativity may not come naturally to many students but supporting your peers’ work is a must. Take a visit to USF’s art gallery at the Rialto campus to admire painting, sculptures, ceramics, and more. If you’re more interested in the music side of things, go to www.daraos.com to learn about the DARA students and discover their music.
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When you read or watch the news, sometimes it can feel like the only things reported are terrible, depressing events. But...what if we did the opposite? This issue is not to ignore problems or pretend bad things don’t happen, rather, to take those bad things and find the “silver lining� within them. This issue, in short, is to explore the possibility that maybe not everything is as bad as it seems.
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SILVER LININGS
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Silver Linings
By: Alyssa Gomez Staff Writer
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In my house, the evening news is always on. Oftentimes, when my youngest brother walks into the room, it has become second nature to turn the news off in fear of what horrific event may pop up on the screen. But, every now and then, there’s a glimmer of hope in the nightly news stream. Whether it’s a newborn baby panda at the zoo or a “Good Samaritan” deed being praised, these silver linings bring back the glimmer of hope we think have been lost. Our society has been talking about silver linings for over three centuries now. We’ve carried the simple, hopeful saying in our pockets since 1634. According to www.gingersoftware.com, John Milton crafted the phrase in his “Comus” masque when he stated, “Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud turn forth her silver lining on the night?” Milton was really going through the motions back in 1634 and it doesn’t seem like much has changed in our society since then. In simple terms, a “silver lining” is anything positive that results from a negative situation. It is the hope that keeps humanity alive. This year marks 18 years since 9/11, one of the greatest and most profound tragedies of our generation that resulted in an endless array of silver linings. Normally, this concept is considered to be absurd. How could something good come from something so tragic? This event left an entire nation, an entire world, on edge. Essentially, it changed our nation forever. According to www.chicagotribune.com, after the attack, people became kinder and more aware of how their actions impacted those around them. One man even said, “After what happened on September 11, I saw people change. People were willing to help each other. In my own neighborhood this summer, after a big storm, people were out helping each other clean up. That's what this country should be like.” Furthermore, several memorial foundations were created in order to give back to those who experience traumatic events, including the Peter C. Memorial Foundation and the Blue Skies of Autumn Foundation. Even in the darkest of times in our history, it is important to hold on to hope, to find the silver lining.
"We’ve carried the simple, hopeful saying in our pockets since 1634. "
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Across the
Pond
Emily Plummer
By: Giovanni Alvarado Feature Editor & PR Specialist
Going to a faraway place from home or school can be scary, yet exciting at the same time. You don’t know where you’ll be, what might happen or who you might meet. But it’s these simple experiences in life that help shape and define us into our true selves. Emily Plummer, a senior Communication & Media Arts (CMMA) major here at the University of St. Francis (USF) decided to do something bold for her final year: study abroad in London. When coming to USF, Emily knew she had made the right decision to spend her college career here and that it would Photo courtesy of Emily Plummer eventually open doors for her. “College has always been the only option for me. I am a very goal-oriented and driven person and perusing higher education has always been my plan. The whole Traveling for anyone can be a nerve-wracking experience, but CMMA department has become like a family for me, so I know for this USF student, Emily was ready to make the big move. I’ve made the right decision.” Emily will be taking two general education courses and two of her major courses. “I’m excited about my major courses as both For Emily, being at USF has been the opportunity of a lifetime of them are very heavily based in design and the process of to meet many people and make friends. Her time of volunteering media production, which is my favorite aspect of my major,” for events or attending them have enhanced her college career. Plummer said. Though she mentioned that she will deeply miss “All of my favorite moments at USF were spent with my friends. her friends and family, she was able to soak as much time with Freshman year, I formed a tight knit group of friends within them as she could before would leave and would soon return the wing of my dorm who truly changed my life. I couldn’t with great experiences to tell. imagine my life without them in it. A few moments that could go on a highlight reel are: Spring Fling 2017, move-in weekend As the interview sadly came to a close, I asked Emily for a piece sophomore year and Fall Resident Assistant (RA) training junior of advice she would give to anyone in college or wanting to study year.” It wasn’t long until Emily considered studying abroad after abroad. “Do what you want to do with life and what makes you hearing about the great experiences from her friend in Ireland. happy. If you spend your whole life trying to please other people, “Around January of this year, my best friend had just come you’ll have lived an empty and unfulfilled life. That is the biggest home from studying abroad in Cork, Ireland and she could not thing that I have learned throughout this whole experience, stop talking about how incredible the experience was. My spring because eight months ago I would have never considered 2019 semester was one of the toughest ones yet; I faced a lot actually doing this. All throughout high school I told myself that of rejection, loss and hardships in general, which caused me to I would study abroad, then getting to college I became so heavily reevaluate a lot of priorities. I reached a point where I just said, involved on campus that it seemed impossible. If you want to ‘Screw it, you’ve got nothing more to lose by doing this,’ and I do something that seems out of reach, talk to friends, family and impulsively went for it headfirst. I had to make a lot of sacrifices faculty for help. Build a support system of people that will help in my jobs, clubs and athletics to be able to have this opportunity you get to where you need to be. People who value you and your but I could not be happier with the decision.” personal growth will support you through thick and thin.”
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Chicago Pride
Parade
By: Jalen Williams Commentary Editor & Online Editor For some, becoming comfortable in their own skin takes years to accomplish. Not everyone who comes into this world is accepted for who they are and for some, overcoming the challenges of becoming who they truly are can be a vastly difficult journey. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community means being part of a community that has had to deal with hatred and the world looking at them differently. While it is not always easy, the Chicago Pride Parade is a time that allows people to come together and celebrate the beauty of being their true and authentic selves.
LGBTQ+ people and began lining them up, patting down the drag queens to determine which of the women were men. The patrons of the bar were then arrested, but fought back against police and started what became the Stonewall Riot. This riot created the tradition of gay rights movements across the country, specifically in Chicago and New York.
Ever since then, the last weekend of June in Chicago has always been the weekend of the Gay Pride Parade, located on the North Side of the city. The parades started as demonstrations of political The Williams Institute School of statements for equal rights for gay Law at the University of Californiapeople and have thus evolved into Los Angeles reports that 4.5% of the expressions of freedom, self-love American population is a member and love amongst other people. The of the LGBTQ+ community. That parade symbolizes the love that we means 4.5% of the 327 million should be sharing for each other, not people that live in the United the hate that we see so much of in States identify as either lesbian, gay, the world. bisexual, transgender or another sexual identity. That’s 14,715,000 Being a gay man in America is a people. As a community once pushed difficult thing sometimes. While into being sheltered and shadowed, times have changed and society with the tradition of pride parades for it, some people’s minds haven’t. those 14,715,000 people started with There have been times where I a rather violent beginning. personally have been a victim of prejudice and discrimination. It took According to the Chicago Pride me years before I felt comfortable website, the Stonewall Riots were and confident enough to be able to the catalyst for the Gay Rights come out to those I loved and cared movement. A handful of cops for. Fortunately, as difficult as it stormed in a small bar full of was, I was blessed enough to have a
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loving family who was accepting of me. I am blessed every day to have a family who loves me unconditionally but not everyone can say the same. My latest experience at the Chicago Pride Parade was quite complex to say the least, but in the end was worth every second. My friends and I got off the train and were immediately bombarded by people selling all sorts of t-shirts, buttons and leis that were all the colors of the rainbow. That’s when you know you've made it. We found a good spot along Montrose Avenue and watched the parade for a while, until Mother Nature decided to rain on our parade, literally. In a matter of minutes, dark clouds had swallowed up the sky and it was pouring rain. Even though it rained, my friends and I still had a great time and experienced something we won’t ever forget. Having written this article now, I realize that our fun came from a police-involved riot over 50 years ago. If there’s anything to take away from that chaos, it’s that it created a movement that would change lives, including mine. Every storm, whether it is literal or not, has a silver lining that can affect the future more than we can possibly imagine.
Photos courtesy of Jalen Williams
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By: Lauren Wozniak Staff Writer & Photographer
Good Bad things happen every day, on a personal and global level. It can be hard sometimes to understand what good could come from such tragic situations. In time, though, organizations can be formed and people can be united with a common purpose in order to make the best out of the despair. On July 6, actor Cameron Boyce suffered a seizure in his sleep and passed away. Many people were devastated by the news, especially since it was so sudden and he was so young, as he was only 20 years old. Boyce was someone who used his influence to spread good around the world, so his family started a foundation in his name to continue his legacy: The Cameron Boyce Foundation. According to www.thecameronboycefoundation.org, “Like Cameron, we are well-rounded. We support causes he was passionate about, particularly ending gun violence and clean water. We will also advocate for epilepsy awareness.” Before Boyce passed away, he had been working on a social media campaign called "Wielding Peace." The goal was to show celebrities, survivors and other supporters wielding items that were not weapons but rather tools for unity. The Cameron Boyce Foundation has continued Boyce’s efforts in this campaign and they are currently running an Instagram page with this intention in mind.
Photo courtesy of www.thecameronboycefoundation.org
On February 13, 2018, good coming from grief hit a little closer to home. USF alumna Samantha Harer passed away suddenly at the age of 23. She was a criminal and social justice major and a member of the sorority on campus, Alpha Phi. This was devastating for the USF community and especially heartbreaking for the members of our campus’ tight-knit sorority. To honor her, a memorial scholarship is being started, and the first fundraiser for the scholarship was on September 8 in the Turk Theater. USF student and Alpha Phi member Katie Wozniak attended the event. According to Wozniak, “It is amazing to see such a great thing come from such a tragedy. While I did not know Sam personally, I know that she was such an important part of our chapter as a charter member. The event went off without a hitch and we raised $5,000 at the luncheon alone!” Alumnae of the Iota Phi chapter of Alpha Phi have raised over $10,000 for the scholarship so far. The group aims to raise $25,000 in total in order to keep the scholarship going for many years to come. Photo courtesy of Katie Wozniak
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Grief On January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade was decided in the Supreme Court, making abortion legal across the country. Months later, Nellie Gray and a small group of her friends were concerned that the anniversary of the bill being passed would not be recognized as the day it became legal to take millions of lives. They wanted to do something in honor of all of the lives that would be lost in the coming year. January 22, 1974 marked the first March For Life in Washington D.C., an event that, according to www.marchforlife.org, envisions “a world where the beauty and dignity of every human life are valued and protected” and strives to “end abortion by uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square.” The peaceful protest has now been going on every year for the past 45 years and will not stop until Roe v. Wade is overturned in the Supreme Court. University of St. Francis (USF) Students For Life attends the March For Life every year in Washington DC. Club member Caleb Campbell reflected on his experience attending the march this past January. “The March For Life was great. It’s great to see all these people coming together against something that I personally don’t agree with, which is Roe v. Wade. Bad things come from that bill and it’s good to see people coming together to fight against it. It’s great that our country allows us to do that.” While some may not agree with the mission of the protest, the protest allows pro-life supporters to take a subjectively bad event and turn it into something more positive.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Wozniak
Tragic events happen too often in life and if we do not strive to find something positive within these situations, we would be caught in a never-ending loop of sadness. Acts like these help us remember those we have lost in honorable and positive ways. They also bring people together for a common cause and they rally in a positive way for change. Just because bad things happen does not mean only bad things can come from it. We can grieve and be upset but it is important to stand up and use that drive to make the world a better place, even if it is just carrying on the kindness someone put into the world through your everyday actions.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Wozniak
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POSITIVE CHANGES FOR A
POSITIVE FUTURE By: Clarissa Del Rio Staff Writer & Photographer
It’s no secret that we’re currently living in a climate crisis, not only nationally, but globally as well. While it seems like all we ever hear on the news are all the ways that humans are adding to the problem, it is also important to focus on some things that are causing positive progress. At the University of St. Francis (USF), one club on campus that has really made efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle is Unidos Vamos Alcanzar (UVA). Earlier this month, the club hosted a “Meet and Mix” event that consisted of a night filled with tacos, dancing, s'mores and a photobooth. Not only was the event especially successful in bringing in numerous students to a cultural experience but they also put a considerable amount of thought into limiting their waste with such a supply-heavy event. The club made extra efforts to ensure that reusable green baskets were being used along with reusable cups rather than the standard, cheap Styrofoam cups. While this seems like a very small effort to be praising, according to www.sciencing.com, Styrofoam products, “persist for more than a million years in the environment.” Although it would have been easier to have single-use supplies to throw out after, club members and some attendees joined together after to help wash up the dishes and close up shop for the night. Vice President of the club, Rodolfo Perez, commented, “We’re really trying to make all
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of our events ‘green’ events because we all need to do our part as much as we can.” On the subject of these “green events” Rodolfo mentioned that another organization on campus that has strived to partake in greener choices is the Student Government Association (SGA). The club has done many sustainable giveaways which included that of reusable metal straws and tumblers. In addition to the sustainable giveaways, SGA also holds the initiative of green event requirements to help make the campus community more environmentally friendly. SGA Executive Board Member Fernanda Sandoval voiced that, “The planet is literally dying. As a way to help promote being green on an everyday basis, we as SGA enforce sustainability to better educate and help with the green movement all around and hopefully the students take it with them offcampus as well.” Outside of the changes happening here at USF, governments all over the world are taking a stance to reduce waste and pollution. According to www.worldwildlife. org, “More than 150 countries accounting for 90% of global emissions have already made national climate commitments to slash their carbon pollution… A safer and more prosperous future is within our grasp, and we’re seeing good progress from governments around the world.”
Some of these efforts going on worldwide are China and India’s tree planting projects. With their efforts alone, the world has gotten 5% greener in the past 20 years. According to www.positive.news.com, “...according to a study by NASA, the US space agency claims that leaf coverage on Earth has increased by 2 million square miles since the early 2000s, which is roughly equivalent to the area covered by the Amazon rainforest. NASA attributes around a third of the greening to large-scale tree-planting schemes in India and China, the world’s most populous countries.” However, the progress doesn’t stop there. With the 2020 election coming up, it is our time as millennials and Gen Z-ers to make serious political change with our power to vote. This election year, one in ten eligible voters will be a part of the Generation Z group, according to www.pewsocialtrends.org. We have power in numbers and
have the influence that is needed for positive change. Even outside of voting, there will be several opportunities for our generation’s voices to be heard throughout Illinois. Some of these marches and rallies will be held in Chicago, one of which is being encouraged to attend by the University. With everything we see on the news, it can be hard to give ourselves some credit for all of the potential we have and all of the good that we are making happen right here and right now. Although it is clear that we have a long way to go, there is still hope. Even if it is just through the small things, we can see that we really are doing our part in making the environment a cleaner and healthier place.
"Even if it is just through the small things, we can see that we really are doing our part in making the environment a cleaner and healthier place."
Photos courtesy of Mary Mathieu
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September 23, 2019 For me, I am a sports fan, especially when it comes to track and field. I have always loved watching the Olympics on TV and seeing USA track athletes cross the finish line as gold medalists. One athlete in particular has always stuck out to me: Allyson Felix. She is as fast as the speed of light and carries herself in a humble manner on and off the track.
As kids, we all had a favorite character from a movie or TV show that we wanted to be like. We would dress up as them for Halloween, draw pictures of them and talk about them to every family member so they knew which action figure or doll to get us for Christmas. These characters became our role models and a large part of our interests. While we may not look up to Disney princesses or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles anymore, there are some remarkable people in the media today that are sharing stories and advocating for justice; they are deemed as our “Screen Saviors.”
By: Sara Cahill Staff Writer Another athlete making a difference is John Cena, who is someone University of St. Francis (USF) junior Richie Zielinski considers a role model in the media. While known for his entertaining wrestling and movies, Cena is known for making a positive difference in communities nationwide. According to Jamie Blynn, a writer for www.today.com, “Cena is not only the most requested celebrity at Make-AWish, but he has also fulfilled 580 wishes. No one else has even surpassed 300.” That’s 580 children and family members that have been impacted by one man. Those wishes fill people with hope and support, which can be the best gift to give someone. Richie spoke about how he sees Cena in society. He stated, “He’s an amazing athlete who’s had a passion for wrestling and was the top guy in the WWE. His character in wrestling, I think, is pretty true to who he is in real life. For instance, while he wrestled, he preached about things like respect and never giving up. He seems like a good guy with good messages.”
The Ones Who Give Back
Saviors
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Although, it’s not just the sport that makes her a remarkable person to look up to. In November, she welcomed a baby girl into the world. However, her journey was not as easy as some moms. 32 weeks into her pregnancy, she had an emergency C-section and her baby girl was kept in the NICU. While she and her daughter are healthy and she is back to racing, she opened up about how “Nike refused to promise [her pregnancy] would not punish her if she performed worse after her pregnancy and offered her a contract worth 70% less than her old deal,” as reported by the Washington Post. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon for female athletes to deal with. Felix opened up to say that “having a child felt like I’d be risking my career and disappointing everyone who expected me to always put running first,” according to www.espn.com. Now, she is speaking out about unfair expectations of pregnancy and finding ways to protect the rights of Olympic moms, which is making waves in the sport community. On top of all of this, she continues to train and be a full-time mom while being a voice for all moms out there.
Felix has made a run for her money as she holds “nine medals [six gold and three silver], making her the most decorated woman in U.S. track and field history,” according to www.biography.com. Not only is she a star while competing but a role model for any aspiring female track athlete.
McCarthy, along with many other celebrities and athletes, spread a wonderful message of being true to yourself. Our “Screen Saviors” make us realize that we each have something wonderful to give to the world, and for that, we are thankful.
Stepping away from athletics, USF sophomore Elyse Panzella said her role model is Melissa McCarthy. She is mainly known for her role in “Mike and Molly” and is from Illinois. While talking about McCarthy, Elyse said, “She’s honestly just so funny. I like how she doesn’t have to crack dirty jokes all the time and that she radiates positivity. Whenever I watch her in interviews, she is always so well-mannered and authentic. She’s so talented that she can play any character, but it’s normally the role of comedic relief, which I love. Plus, she advocates body positivity and is overall a genuine person.” McCarthy has been in many interviews regarding her clothing line, which caters to plus-sized women, and her views on body images. McCarthy mentioned, “There’s an epidemic in our country of girls and women feeling bad about themselves based on what .5% of the human race looks like. It starts very young. My message is that as long as everybody’s healthy, enjoy and embrace whatever body type you have,” according to www.self.com. With society shining light on models and celebrities, it’s hard for women to find inner happiness with how they look.
SONY & SPIDER-MAN By: Bennie Radford Sports Editor Before we get into the good, biased commentary about this Spider-Man deal, we must start with the facts. Believe it or not, there are people out there who haven’t been obsessed with Spider-Man since birth. So, on August 20, 2019, the deal between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures to keep Spider-Man in both “universes” was rumored to have been coming to an end. This has caused an uproar among Spider-Man fans across the globe, and rightfully so. According to www.complex.com, the deal began in 2015 after numerous flops within the Spider-Man franchise. Sony Pictures, who were the original owner of the character (before the deal), had to find a way to get their franchise out from the hole that they had created after two catastrophes of movies also known as “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” The movies had accumulated less money than that of the original trilogy made in 2007. As a result, Sony decided to try and negotiate a deal with Marvel Studios that would not only save the company money but would ultimately save the Spider-Man franchise as a whole.
(MCU) in “Captain America: Civil War” with Tom Holland playing as “Your [new] Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” The duo continued to work together in order to create a different approach on Spider-Man and his overall character, which made fans really want more. This allowed them the opportunity to make their first solo movie, “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” This movie was a total success and skyrocketed the franchise. According to www.the-numbers.com, the movie accumulated over $880 million worldwide, which caused the franchise to gain a larger fan base than before. As they continued to grow, so did opportunities for solo movies, which resulted in “SpiderMan: Far From Home.” This was the movie that really allowed the Spider-Man franchise to take off, bringing in more than $1 billion worldwide.
happens to be one of them. “I honestly feel that the deal between Sony and Marvel could have been properly done but the companies just couldn't keep a level head with the decisions they wanted. I mean, I can understand wanting to have some of the profit from what Spider-Man makes and to have access to all toys, spin-offs, comics, etc. However, asking for an extra cut for the movie profits when Sony has already taken a huge cut by agreeing to the first deal just seemed like Marvel got too much of an inflated ego. But who knows? Maybe at a certain point in time, things will properly level out and we can all just enjoy Spider-Man's story,” said Anderson.
But, of course, there will always be someone that disagrees with the majority. Amber James, a senior at USF said, “People are being too nice about Sony Now that we are up to speed, it’s time to backing out of the deal. They obviously go back to talking about the actual split needed Marvel to get themselves out of that has been swarming social media: Sony the hole they put themselves in. I think Pictures and Marvel Studios are now in a it’s more selfish of Sony to think that they dispute in regards to taking the character deserve the rights to a character that they out of the MCU or not. According to www. couldn’t even do justice for. I just think deadline.com, Sony has decided to take a Disney deserves more money since they break from working with Marvel Studios are the ones that helped save the entire due to Marvel’s parent company, Disney, franchise. So why not give it to them? In wanting more of the revenue from films the end, the only thing that could save When they came to the decision to work starring Spider-Man. In simpler terms, Spider-Man is Tom Holland.” together, Marvel Studios made it clear Disney wanted more money than Sony for that if this contract were to work, then the Spider-Man franchise. For now, all we can do is wait and see what they would have to able to serve as the is to come of our “friendly neighborhood” “creative lead” on the development of the Some people, however, are not too upset Spider-Man. new Spider-Man coming to the big screens. about the way things have ended for the After the contract was signed, they began webbed wonder. Instead, they just want a to get straight to work. As a result, we happy ending. Elijah Anderson, a recent received the first Spider-Man appearance University of St. Francis (USF) graduate within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and former Justice League President,
Photo courtesy of www.hdqwalls.com
By: Katie Wozniak Editor-in-Chief
YES
You see it all over social media; people selling the newest “fad” or being ambassadors of an up-andcoming brand. Everyone seems to have a “side hustle” in addition to their normal job. One reason for this is having a job that is not fulfilling so people turn to making money from their true passion. But what is to be said about our generation and their obsession with money? Some may think that our generation, Generation Z, wants to live the good life and does not care about their income. However, luxury brand popularity, social media and the entrepreneur lifestyle say otherwise. One thing I see all over my Instagram is girls wearing black belts with the gold letters “GG” at the buckle. For those who don’t know about these infamous belts, “GG” is Gucci’s brand, a brand name that costs anywhere from $350 to $1,200, depending on the style. Now, you may think that it’s only adults or retired people buying luxury cars and products. I mean, our generation is all about thrifting and saving a dollar, right? With a rise in the market of luxury products, recent statistics say otherwise. An article written by Bain & Company says that Generation Y & Z are playing a large part in the growth of the luxury brand market. “Generations Y and Z accounted for 47% of luxury consumers in 2018 and for 33% of luxury purchases... To capitalize, luxury brands are adapting to the preferences of younger consumers in terms of product offerings, communication and engagement strategies and distribution channels.” These luxury brands see the increase in revenue from younger generations and are altering their marketing techniques to appeal to them. While you may not personally know someone who owns a Tesla, you probably follow someone on social media that does. It’s these people, the “influencers” and YouTubers, who are normalizing luxury brand names and idolizing them as the “in” accessory. Aside from luxury brands, the entrepreneurial spirit amongst Generation Y & Z is in full fledge. Gone are the days of working in the union or going on to higher education to get a job. The new dream is to own a business, start a non-profit, hustle from the bottom and be your own boss. People with this mindset, whether they want to admit it or not, are only in it for the financial gain. Yes, there is probably passion for a cause or an amazing new idea but the end goal is always to be successful. A column article in the New York Times very accurately describes the current generation as “Generation Sell.” William Deresiewicz writes, “The millennial effect is the effect of the salesman… Today’s ideal social form is not the commune or the movement or even the individual creator as such; it’s the small business.” With the rise of social media, perfectly grooming ourselves and curating our surroundings is necessary. We are perfecting our lives; we are perfecting our brand. USF senior Ashley Hare sees how our generation has found confidence in creating our own jobs and titles with social media. She says, “We constantly go on social media to compare ourselves to these big influencers and YouTubers who make easy money making videos or photography.” When someone taps on your Instagram page, the things you want people to notice are the places you been, fabulous people you're with and how happy you are. This is the experience we want our audiences to feel. Hare also comments, “You need money to achieve your goals. Millennials are living for experiences. And we need money to experience the world. At the end of the day, it’s always nice to see the bank account grow after long hours and dedication to hustling.” Whether we realize it or not, we are trying to be marketable to other people because you never know when and where the next opportunity will arise. While we may not see this lifestyle in the suburbs of Chicago, it is evident that the rise of an entrepreneurial generation is trending across all of social media. Our obsession with achievements, image and fame are what makes us very successful individuals but, ultimately, leads us to dwell too often on money.
Is Our Generation Money Hungry? By: Jalen Williams Commentary Editor & Online My high school economics teacher told us that we should find a job that pays well, rather than find something we are happy with because the harsh reality is that everything in the world tends to be about money. I, for one, think that is completely and utterly false. For our generation, being a “hustler” has become a thing of the past. When it comes to making money, our generation is more concerned with making sure they have a job they are happy with, rather than paying well. According to www.forbes.com, a recent survey states that households headed by someone under the age of 35 have a median $12,300 in retirement savings. That’s not enough. However, neither is $120,000, which is the median for ages 55 to 64 and those people are on the brink of retirement age. Millennials are not concerned with retirement, partially because we may never be able to retire ourselves. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, since we should be doing what we love for a living and not some job we were forced to pick for big bucks and benefits. Being financially stable is a must-have for everyone these days. While that may not always mean making thousands of dollars, most millennials are finding that they get jobs in order live a happier life. Whether their occupation is being an entrepreneur, designer or writer, having their dream job is much more important than the paycheck they receive. Personally, I don’t care how much money I make as long as I am happy. The more I like my job, the more likely I am to stay. The longer I stay, the more money I make in the long run. So essentially, it all evens out in the end. For some people, “making bank” is the biggest concern in their life. Some people feel they must have a job that pays at least $100,000 a year and has the best benefits in the world. For millennials, however, that is usually not the case. Millennials are more concerned with living a happy lifestyle, taking things at their pace and making sure they live their best life. For example, I want to be a journalist in the future and I’m going into that occupation knowing that it doesn’t pay the most in the world. However, I couldn’t care less. Making sure I have a career I am happy with is good enough for me. It’s hard for some people to believe but money isn’t everything in the world.
NO
Who Are We?
Z
GEN By: Courtney Joyce Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Courtney Joyce
Generation Z is usually defined as being born after the year of 1996, although the cutoff date for generation “Z-ers” (sometimes called Zoomers) is a little looser. Some say that this generation is 1996-present while others hold the cutoff date to be late 2000s. The main distinction between millennials and Generation Z-ers is that the latter does not remember 9/11. As a whole, Generation Z tends to be more educated, willing to make a difference in the world and are more diverse than prior generations. In terms of education, Generation Z will have a larger percentage attend and graduate college than any other generation. This generation also tends to be one that “self-educates,” especially now that social media and apps such as Pinterest and YouTube have taken over. Generation Z is more likely to volunteer than prior generations and is more concerned about the environment and climate change. Senior Social Work major Francesca Zarate says that this could be due to the fact that Generation Z-ers feel the need to, “fix up the messes that prior generations left us.” Defining moments of this generation include the first African-American president, seeing same-sex marriage legalized, seeing medical and recreational marijuana legalized, the national economy suffering, student loan debt, climate change and the U.S. war on terror. Generation Z does not know a time when security, diversity and finances were not at the forefront of politics. This could explain why we have the need to be connected instantly and constantly to experience the ability to make a difference that our government has not been able to do.
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Generation Z also tends to be more politically and socially aware than others. The biggest reason why is because this is the first generation to be “digital natives.” We were born into technology, apps and social media which makes it easier for us to share our personal photos and beliefs. Technology has since evolved to be used for everything from shopping, to TV, to hooking up. It only makes sense that social media would also be used to spread political ideas and opinions, making it easier to spread across communities and set up social events such as protests and marches. You might think that this is all talk or that Generation Z really isn’t all that great. However, the facts don’t lie. According to www.roberthalf.ca, 77% of Generation Z-ers expect to work harder than previous generations to have a satisfying and fulfilling career. 30% of Generation Z-ers would take a 10 to 20% pay cut to work for a cause they deeply care about. 38% of Generation Z-ers agree that honesty and integrity are the most important qualities in a person. The next time you participate in a political rally, post that picture on Instagram or apply for a job, realize that as a generation we have a unique set of skills that make us who we are and that we can change the world. Because guess what? We already have been. Who are we? We are Generation Z.
COMMENTARY
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Saints Celebrating
By: Andrey Simon PR Specialist & Photographer
SERVICE
The University of St. Francis (USF) is celebrating 100 years of following the Franciscan values of integrity, respect, compassion and service by honoring student-athletes and their coaches who completed volunteer work within the community. Over a dozen male and female Fighting Saints partnered with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character initiative, which also promotes the Franciscan values. This initiative provides service to various locations such as the Miracle League of Joliet, Daybreak Shelter, Wreaths Across America and many more. Morayma Barron, a member of both the cross-country and track teams here at USF, is a natural competitor and brings a fun energy to volunteering through creativity and positivity. She recently had the chance to join her team during camp week prior to the start of school and volunteer at Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit located in Aurora, Ill. that helps distribute food in much needed parts of the world. “We help package food that gets sent out to a variety of different countries. The whole experience is really fun because each packing table competes against each other to try and package the most food.” Barron is happy to volunteer, adding that the experience improves not only her faith but her relationship with the team as well. “I think the best and most rewarding part of the service is at the end when we clean up our work stations, gather around the food and pray. I feel grateful for being a part of a team that does service projects. It was a great team bonding experience.”
The cross-country and track teams are not the only athletic teams that have completed service projects in the past. Makayla Turner and Lillian Knapp, both members of the dance team, mention what service projects and volunteering means to them. “I enjoy [volunteering] at the Catholic Charities Daybreak Shelter,” Knapp says, “I am able to see the difference that I am making first hand by communicating with and helping those in need in the Joliet area.” The dance team also sent members to help at Abraham Lincoln National Commentary and other members participated in Wreaths Across America. Makayla Turner says volunteering to help her local community was a positive experience. “I volunteered at the New Lenox Fire District where I filed and organized building plans and fire protection drawings to assist the Life Safety Division go digital with their records. I love making an impact in my community!” Women’s basketball player Andriana Acosta joined her team and has volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. “We sorted cans and labeled them properly,” she says. “This was a great opportunity for our team to work together off the court and help give back to our community.”
Commitment to the Franciscan values is a very important part of why many athletes across the world choose to play for the Fighting Saints. Service opportunities have allowed studentathletes at the University of St. Francis the chance to give something back and become role models for the community. The USF softball team, led by Coach Amanda Jensen, was named winners of the CCAC Champions of Character Along with Feed My Starving Children, the track team had Team Award in recognition of their service projects which members volunteering all across the Chicagoland area, some included helping the Will County Humane Society and Our even helping out here at the University of St. Francis. Eva Lady of Angels Retirement Home, along with their fundraiser Bruno, a member of the track team, recalls her favorite they organized in support of the Dr. Susan Love Research volunteering memory of helping out during a Special Olympics Foundation. function held on campus. “Our team helped athletes and organized events but, most importantly, we interacted with and There is no hiding the fact that USF is full of student-athletes cheered on the competitors. Win or lose, they were just purely and coaches who care about one another and our community. ecstatic to get to participate in a track meet and seeing them On behalf of the USF Encounter, thank you to all of the USF get so excited to be on the start line or crossing the finish line Fighting Saints student-athletes and coaches who volunteered. was really inspiring to myself and my teammates.”
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ook page Photos courtesy of the USF Faceb
SPORTS
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Are you interested in writing, editing or photography? Join the Encounter staff in producing USF’s very own student-run news magazine. For more information, email our Editor-in-Chief Katie Wozniak at KatherineWozniak@stfrancis.edu
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Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Cape Day 2019 By: Amber James Assistant Editor
It’s easy for us to look up to those that are successful athletes and deem them “heroes” when, in reality, the real heroes are the ones suiting up to fight battles every single day. Luckily, “Cape Day” takes time to honor those who do the unthinkable on a daily basis. According to www. choa.org, Cape Day was first introduced in 2014 and is an annual tradition held in October that encourages the community to honor and celebrate the superhero patients battling illnesses and injuries at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). According to www.ajc.com, in 2016, thousands of people across Atlanta put on their capes, including members of the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed along with hundreds of students. In 2018, CHOA highlighted one of its patients, 6-year-old Sydney Lubin. Sydney was later diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect and two atrial septal defects. She underwent her first heart surgery at just 2 days old but continued to remain in heart failure. She then underwent open heart surgery when she was 4 months old. Then, in the following months, Sydney began to get better. CHOA decided to give Sydney her desired superpower; the ability to fly. She had the opportunity to go skydiving at iFly, an indoor skydiving experience. Sydney’s story is just one of many. This year, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team will also be helping flip the traditional superhero storyline; the team will be honoring and looking up to the superheroes at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Allyson Goldrick, a nursing major at the University of St. Francis (USF) said, “I think this is an amazing opportunity that Illinois should also take advantage of, but not only with children. When I work with patients, it would be nice to know that at least one day a year would be devoted to them. Patients deserve to know that their battles are being acknowledged and that people are supporting them, especially if they do not have any family members helping them through the process.” Cape Day 2019 will take place on Oct. 4 and the color of choice for this year’s capes is gold. To support Cape Day, CHOA encourages everyone to buy or sponsor a Children's Cape for $20 to show your support for their superhero patients. You can also cheer on the patients by sharing videos and showing support using #CapeDayATL and #TeamCapeDay.
SPORTS
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HISTORY of usf athletics The University of St Francis (USF) started their athletic program in 1972 and has enjoyed many wins as four of their athletic teams have won the national championship for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The baseball team won the national championship in 1993, the dance team won consecutive championships in 1992-1993 and most recently, the men’s cross country team won the championship in 2012. The men’s baseball team is also tied for the most national tournament appearances out of all the sport teams at USF with 13, including a runner up finish in 1989 and a pair of third place finishes in 1985 and 1990. The record is shared with the women’s cross country team who has yet to win a national championship but with their best placements being a pair of twelfth place finishes in consecutive years from 2012-2013. According to www.gofightingsaints.com, the newest sports team at USF are the men’s and women’s bowling teams which began in 2012 and has also found success in just a very short time. The women’s team went on to capture the NAIA Invitational title in the program’s fourth season in 2017, while the men’s team has also gotten a best finish of third in the NAIA championship just last season. The men’s team is currently getting ready for the upcoming season and has title ambitions with bowlers on varsity such as this year’s team captain Michael Kicmal and his brother Robert Kicmal. According to www.gofightingsaints.com, Michael Kicmal led the team with a 213.3 average last season, while Robert Kicmal was the NAIA Rookie of the Year with a 207.98 average. The Assistant Athletic Director at the University of St. Francis, Cara Currier, has been confident in the athletic teams throughout her time working at the university. “Lots of our sports have been consistent as of late,” Currier said. “The women’s basketball team went to nationals in three of the last four seasons, the cross country teams have been very good and our softball team has been gaining consistency with going to nationals.” The University of St. Francis also has its annual “Bernie Awards” at the end of the school year, which recognizes student-athletes for their athletic and academic achievements during the school year. With the athletic teams on the rise in the coming years, there could be several more candidates that could win a Bernie award at the end of this year.
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By: Matthew Lauterbach Online Writer & Photographer
Photos courtesy of USF Athletics Flikr
Saints say PINK
is the best Starburst flavor!
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