The Alvernian 60.6

November/December 2023

Volume 60 Issue 6

A Rundown on The War Between THIS ISSUE Israel and Gaza

what’s in

Alvernia Sports

Health

Campus

Christmas

On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched a surprise attack on Israel employing rockets, drones, vehicles and hang gliders.

The death toll is rising, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 13,000 people killed in Gaza and more than 1,200 Israelis dead so far. Hamas has also taken an estimated 240 people hostage. Israel has also cut off the Gaza Strip’s food, water, and electricity, leaving its two million residents in an even more dire situation.

Hamas is a Sunni Islamist group, one of the two major factions that make up Palestinian politics.

Hamas first emerged in the late 1980s as an Islamic movement that fights to end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The conflict between Israel and Hamas runs deep, and this is not their first war. In 2008, Israel attacked the Gaza Strip in retaliation to over 800 air missiles fired from Gaza on Israeli towns. The war only lasted a month, but there was a large number of casualties.

While Hamas is deemed a terrorist group by multiple nations, including America, they are a legitimate political faction elected to control Gaza in 2006 after Israel had withdrawn troops two years prior.

However, there hasn’t been another election since for a number of reasons.

The 2006 election of Hamas was not recognized by other countries, including the United States, which deepened the political tensions between Gaza and Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestine, also does not want to go through another loss. Abbas is a member of the political faction Fatah, and after the 2006 loss, Abbas does not want to go through another election. Losing an election

A map showing the location of Gaza in relation to Israel

is an embarrassment to Abbas and Fatah, and they don’t want to run again.

Lastly, the intervention of the Israeli government has fractured national movements in Palestine.

Israel supports the division of the West Bank and Gaza as they do not want Palestine to have a unified leadership. Palestine has two major political factions: Hamas and Fatah. Fatah controls the West Bank, and Hamas controls Gaza.

Fatah is a Palestinian military organization with the same goal as Hamas: to establish a Palestinian state.

They were defeated in the 2006 elections by Hamas for power over Gaza. The Gaza Strip is a Palestinian enclave occupied initially

by Egypt and then Israel after the six-day war in 1967 until 2005. The sixday war was a short battle fought in June of 1967 between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Israel attacked with airstrikes and then led a successful attack on foot, seizing the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Gaza has one of the highest population densities in the world, with about 2.2 million inhabitants in a 25-milelong, nearly 6.5-milewide strip. Half of Gaza’s inhabitants are under the age of 18. While Hamas occupies Gaza, Israel still has control over the airspace and the movement of goods.

Credit NordNordWest via Google

Grace Wanner Contributing Editor

Iran backs Hamas as Iran has been transferring millions of dollars monthly for years to fund the faction’s efforts. It is unclear if Iran played a role in the planning of the attacks. While Iran is Hamas’s primary support, the Iranian government has denied any involvement.

If Iran were behind the attacks, that would mean the region of the war would expand and could get worse.

The extremist Muslim group Hezbollah’s possible involvement is also concerning. Hezbollah is a Shiite militant group that has been deemed a terrorist organization by multiple nations as well. Hezbollah is Iran’s Lebanese ally and has already launched two attacks on Israeli-occupied areas known as Golan Heights.

The Israeli government has advised the people living in northern Gaza to leave and evacuate south.

The only people permitted to leave Gaza are those with foreign citizenship and a couple of severely wounded victims. Other than the select few who are permitted to flee, the border is blockaded, trapping civilians in the midst of war. Members of Hamas have warned Palestinians not to leave their homes. Over 300,000 Gazans have fled, but with the blockade imposed on the enclave, citizens who cannot or won’t evacuate

are in critical condition.

The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 600,000 people have no access to water, and over 800,000 don’t have access to food.

The U.S. and Egypt came to an agreement to provide aid to the people of Gaza and are sending relief aid supplies via trucks.

However, the trucks were stopped at the border in Egypt until November 13, and the aid was initially sent out on October 21.

Israel’s defense minister has said that they intend to end their responsibility for life in Gaza after they’ve defeated Hamas.

On Saturday, October 21, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will be attending a World Summit in Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire.

Currently, indirect negotiations are ensuing between the two sides as they search to come to an agreement for a brief ceasefire. If a ceasefire were to take place, it would be to exchange hostages.

However, Israel has made it clear that they have no intentions of a ceasefire until Hamas releases all their hostages. On the other hand, Hamas is seeking a full ceasefire and the release of all Palestinian hostages. Hamas has also added a condition to the release of their hostages, that being a delivery of fuel to the hospitals in Gaza.

It is crucial for students and active members of the community to stay informed and up to date on world relations, especially when mass amounts of innocent people’s lives are at stake. It’s important not to become desensitized to the atrocities taking place in the Middle East. It may feel like a world away as most U.S. citizens are not directly affected. Still, it is vital to recognize that what is happening between Israel and Palestine is gravely serious and something to keep a close watch on as the war progresses.

Books

2 November/December 2023

t h e alver nian

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Books to Read Over the Winter Break

Managing Editor/ Layout Sarah Mies Section Editors Brianna Corbett Sarah Mies Grace Wanner Contributing Writers Taylor Bloom Mariana Bridi Aidan Bubbenmoyer Brianna Corbett Nadia Kurtz Jin Yi Kusssmaul hector Malave Ryan McCormick Sarah Mies Tony Mongeluzi Kyle Rudart Peter Smith Grace Wanner Jacob Wells Ava Werner Shawn Williams Faculty Adviser Ryan Lange

The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University.

To contact newspaper staff, the office telephone number is 610-796-8358.

Articles submitted for consideration into The Alvernian should be written in some semblance of AP style. Letters to the editor, requests for advertisements, and general comments and questions may be submitted to ryan.lange@alvernia.edu.

The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, and length.

The views expressed in The Alvernian are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the student body, faculty, staff, administration, or sponsors.

© 2023 The Alvernian

Many college students must push their beloved hobbies to the side during the school year to focus on their classes. Unfortunately, this means we only have a few months of the year to truly enjoy the things we love. Reading is the hobby of choice for many people. Here are some recommendations for those who love to read.

A good book to start off the break after finals is The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. The House Across the Lake is a fast-paced thriller that takes place in a remote lake community in the middle of fall into the beginning of winter. The main character, Casey, spends her days watching her neighbors across the lake through a pair of binoculars after witnessing an incident involving the neighbor and his wife. When the wife, Katherine, goes missing, Casey is determined to find out what happened and discovers the secrets of the house across the lake.

This is 368 pages of thrilling suspense, crazy twists, and an ending no one was

Reading keeps the mind young and healthy

expecting. The writing is easy to read and keeps the reader entertained and questioning what will happen next.

If a thriller is not your cup of tea, Anxious People

by Fredrik Backman may be more your speed. Anxious People is a beautiful and funny story about the relationships between people and how they grow and change. The main characters meet each other when they are held hostage at an apartment viewing by a bank robber on New Year’s Eve. The eight people share their stories with each other while waiting for a negotiation to take place between the police outside and the bank robber.

Credit: Blaz Photo via Unsplash.com

Ava Werner Contributing Writer

The timeline goes back and forth between the present, during interviews at the police station, and the past.

There are multiple points of view and commentary on what it is to live a full and happy life. It is 336 pages long literary fiction and a lovely take on humanity and the complications of life.

If you’re looking for a short and sweet romance, When in Rome by Sarah Adams is the book for you. This is a funny, exciting, and heartfelt story about the realities of love.

The main character, Amelia, is a pop star who runs away to Rome, Kentucky to get away from her manager and crazed fans. Her car breaks down

on Noah’s lawn in Rome.

At first, neither of them wants anything to do with the other, but this quickly changes. Amelia grows to love the small town and her new friends in it. She finds her true self and learns to love herself and her career again. Will she find love with Noah? Find out in this 320page, fast-paced, small-town romance.

If you prefer a dystopian setting, then Unwind by Neal Shusterman may be your new favorite. Unwind takes place in a world after a second civil war over reproductive rights in the US. Abortions are illegal, but a parent can choose to have their child “unwind” once their child turns 13 until they turn 18.

Unwinding is where the child’s organs and limbs are harvested and given out to people who need them. It follows the main character, Connor, through his escape from an Unwind facility and the community of other runaways he finds. It is the first book out of five in the series. It’s 337 pages of a world that doesn’t seem that far off from happening in the real world today.

Editor’s Book of the Month The Gift by Freida McFadden If cute, cozy Christmas romances aren’t your thing but you are still looking for holiday read, The Gift is a perfect choice. This short novella adds a thrilling twist to the Christmas season. Enjoy a chilling mystery while you are wrapped up by the fire place over winter break!

Health

3 November/December 2023

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Peter Smith Contributing Writer Keeping fit is an integral part of life. One of the easiest ways to get daily exercise is by taking part in a Golden Wolves sports team, either at the Division III or club level. But what about the people who do not want to risk serious injuries? What about the people who cannot participate with their busy schedules? What about people like me?

I have been looking to lose some weight this semester after getting hooked on fountain sodas from Courtside and having a mostly sedentary work-study position. I knew trying to burn some belly fat quickly would be a difficult feat, but it is not impossible.

According to Women’s Health magazine, there are two main kinds of training. Cardio training covers activities to improve cardiovascular health, such as running or biking. Resistance training covers activities that

pit one against resistance to build strength, such as weight or circuit training.

Both have different benefits. Weight training can burn fat and build muscle.

Cardio can help you lose weight and keep the heart healthy. Luckily, there are easy ways to engage in both on campus.

The Campus Commons fitness center can be a great place to get a workout. Using the center’s treadmills, weights, and strength equipment can easily whip someone into shape. However, though it is incredibly easy to sign in, it can be intimidating to meek, introverted people.

You may feel out of place when looking for the next machine to use. No matter how much Planet Fitness calls themselves judgement-free, gyms and fitness rooms can feel like a major test to the socially anxious. But there is no need to worry.

“Just get out of your comfort zone,” junior Rachael Sjoberg said. “The more

Smart watches are a great way to track progress

you do it, the more you feel comfortable to try new things too.”

Rachel is one of the student workers in charge of supervising the fitness center.

She encourages students to try new things and ask if they feel lost or need a recommendation. She also recommended an easy way to get your daily cardio exercise is to just walk or jog around campus!

Some nights, I like to pop on some headphones, boot up Spotify, and walk around the quad for several minutes. This is not just good for the heart and weight management; this is also an excellent stress reliever. Stressed over an

Credit: Peter Smith

Cardio and Keeping Cool on Campus

upcoming essay or quiz? Just listen to lofi and take a stroll.

The best way to track progress is to invest in a smart watch. I recently got one as a gift, and it is extremely helpful in showing just how far I’ve travelled and how many calories I’ve burned in a day. The companion app also features weight loss plans, specified exercise regimens, and measurements of your sleep and stress.

If building muscle is more your speed, dumbbells are easy to find on Amazon or at stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods. You can lift weights and tone your muscles from the comfort of your dorm!

However, it is crucial to pick the right set. Although there are numerous listings online, complete sets can range from 17 bucks to several thousand dollars. Always go for the listings that are high quality but still safely within your price range.

“Twenty pounds is twenty pounds,” Dr. Ryan Lange said.

Dr. Lange is an associate professor of communication and lifts weights twice a week for health. “You can buy used. The weight doesn’t change.”

Even if some students dislike sweating and playing intense sports, there are plenty of ways to get daily exercise, be it in Campus Commons or from the safety and comfort of the dormitories. Grinding hard to burn fat and build muscle is not for everyone. It is perfectly normal to be happy with different body sizes, be it skinny or fat, frail or swole.

But a small walk to and from classes every day can do a lot of good, no matter who you are.

A Struggle: Mental Health in College Brianna Corbett

Having a college life can be a challenge, but one thing on students’ minds would be their mental health.

Students’ mental health can affect their education, social life, and emotional wellbeing. Students struggling with mental health issues may have experienced more significant problems throughout school and adulthood. However, some people are not working to get help with mental health, but they have more tasks on top of it and it is becoming worse.

Statistically, according to bestcolleges.com, 35% have been diagnosed with anxiety, 27% diagnosed with depression, 8% diagnosed with PTSD, 7% diagnosed with eating disorders, and 6% diagnosed with OCD. There are a lot of things that could affect the mental health of a college student.

Some are academic stress and pressure, social and peer-related stressors, financial burdens, and the transition to adulthood.

Credit: Brianna Corbett

Contributing Editor

The waiting room in the new counciling center

Academic focus would drive a person to perfection in parental or even sports commitments but lead to a nervous breakdown, panic attacks, or depression. Social, peer-related does help with academic stress, but that would lead the person to be afraid, rejected, or have a conflict with their friends.

“When I get overwhelmed or stressed, it not only affects me mentally but affects me physically as well.

I will lose motivation to do my schoolwork or play my sport. I always try to find

ways to pick myself back up and don’t let it get to me, but it can be difficult. Burnout is so real.” Senior Sarah Mies said.

If it is not stress, then financial burdens and transitioning to adulthood also affect a student’s mental health. Not all students would worry about their financial problems since they have jobs. If the financial burden is not very heavy, then the transition to adulthood itself can be a challenge. Many people would be happy that they

are becoming an adult, but moving away from family, becoming independent, or learning to handle more complex relationships can cause them mental and physical stress.

Even though mental health challenges can happen in students or other people, there is a way to help a person to get through their mental health and still be the same person they were before. One way is to express concern and support and remind a friend that help is available, and they can get help with their problems. Another way is to ask questions about different topics, listen to ideas in producing a way to resolve anything that may cause a mental health issue.

“In the terms of marketing, we have previously used: Flyers that we hung up around campus, social media postings, creating/running events on campus, and presentations at club/organization meetings” Brian Blackburn M.S, NCC said.

Here at Alvernia, there are free counseling services

where any student can make an appointment, talk to a counselor, and tell them what is on their mind. The free counseling services have helped students deal with their mental health problems and they have achieved to their full potential with their schoolwork or sports.

“In 2021-2022 we saw approximately 300 total students. This is a little over 10% of the total student body” Brian Blackburn M.S, NCC said.

To give students more help. Alvernia has joined Penn Medicine to make sure that students are getting the services they need, and they are open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Friday from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.

But they are not open on Saturday or Sunday. Call 610-568-1467 for more information or to schedule.

4

Alvernia Sports

November/December 2023

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Shawn Williams Contributing Writer With the arrival of winter comes the arrival of the Alvernia basketball season.

Basketball is one of the more popular sports at Alvernia University where all sorts of fans including students, staff, parents, alumni and more members of the Alvernia community show out to show their support for the program. While the men’s team is well-known, the women’s team tends to be given less spotlight but is no less competitive.

Both the men’s and women’s teams were introduced at the University’s Maroon and Gold Night on October 19. The event showed the players that will represent Alvernia University this upcoming season. In case you don’t know, the Maroon and Gold night is Alvernia’s annual pep rally that is run by the University’s Student Activities team and the school’s Athletic Department. The rally is filled with fun activities, a special performance by Alvernia’s cheer and dance

squad, an introduction to both the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, and lastly, a basketball game that included players from the basketball program versus the Alvernia staff. The event was a great way to get the students of Alvernia excited and to get ready for the upcoming season. It also helped the Alvernia community get more involved with the basketball program.

The women’s basketball team saw some success last season, finishing with a 20-10 overall record and an 11-5 conference record.

The women’s team won the ECAC Championship but unfortunately finished runner-up in the MAC Conference Championship.

With some highs and lows to take away from last season, the Golden Wolves are heading into this season hungry for another playoff run.

With six first-year players on the roster this season, team chemistry might be a concern for some fans.

However, sophomore Meghan Ruth is a forward for the women’s basketball team. She feels confident that the Lady

The PEC court where the basketball team plays

Wolves will mix well together.

“The team’s chemistry is great!” Ruth said. “Pretty much the same team as last year with a couple of new faces, but they will fit right in.”

Ruth feels that the team will go all the way this year.

“I’m most excited and looking forward to playing in our conference championship again this year, except winning it this time!”

Ruth played in 29 of Alvernia’s 30 games last season. Ruth averaged 12.8 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists.

She recorded her career high

last season against RutgersCamden, where she had 14 points. Ruth also had a total of 10 blocked shots and 20 steals last season.

This season for the Women’s Basketball team includes 25 regular season games. This schedule also includes a two-game tournament to kick off the season in Bridgewater, Virginia, where they play Catholic University and Rutgers-Newark, and a twogame tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida, where they play Thomas College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The women’s team has

only 11 home games this season, so make sure you come out to these games to support the team, especially when they play Albright on January 6. The first home game of the season is on Tuesday, November 21 against Penn State Brandywine.

As we are drawing near to the upcoming basketball season, the women’s basketball team looks better than ever. With the success that was earned last season, the team is ready to earn, once again, that same success, along with a conference championship run.

What the Puck is up with Hockey?

The hockey team ready to play a good game on the ice

has gotten bigger each home game. A lot of people on the team play another sport and their teammates come and cheer for the club team.

Defensemen Phil Juzwick had to say this about the student section, “it is great to see how many people have started showing up to the games.

The whole team appreciates everyone’s support. Last year it was totally different, the student section was never filled, and nobody would come to games like this year.

Having a student section that is filled this year helps us play better because the energy is so high at the rink”.

Alvernia Division III and club hockey are totally different in their own ways.

First off club hockey has way less commitment than Division III hockey. The reason for this is because club is more of a hobby than anything and Division III hockey because you play for the actual university, it is way more important. Another

Credit: Phil Juzwick

Ryna McCormick Contributing Writer Alvernia has both a division III hockey team as well as a club hockey team, but most students only know about the Division III team.

The club hockey team has already started its season and is doing well so far, so what might be the reason students do not know about it? Divisional prestige, as well as skill and commitment differences, may be the answer.

Alvernia’s club hockey team has already played 7 games this season and they have a record of 4-3.

The Club Hockey team is coming off a 17-1 win against Susquehanna last weekend. The club hockey team has always been under the radar here at Alvernia because it’s a club team and not Division III. The club hockey team plays in a division called DVCHC, which is Delaware Valley Club Hockey Conference.

Club hockey is starting to become popular on campus because the student section

Credit: Shawn Williams

A Preview of Women’s Basketball

difference between the teams is that Club practices twice a week with 2 team workouts on non-practice days and NCAA practices everyday with workouts on alternating days. Division III hockey travels a lot more and further than club hockey and gets to go out of state a lot more than club hockey. For club hockey the farthest they have to travel is to mid-state New York and for Division III the farthest they travel to is New Hampshire. You

can see that Division III has more opportunities to travel farther because they play for NCAA. Phil Natosi a forward on club hockey, on the difference between Division III and club “The commitment level for club hockey compared to NCAA, is completely different.

Rather than having practice 5 days in a row, we only have 2 practices a week. The traveling is a lot better as well because we play more locally. Playing club hockey is more of a staying in shape thing for me and staying around the game. When you dedicate your whole life to playing hockey it’s hard to step away”. Even though the skill is not the same as Division III, it is still a part of sports here in Alvernia.

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National Sports

November/December 2023

Vol. 60 Issue 6

The Rise and Fall of Red October The Philadelphia Phillies made their mark in this year’s MLB playoffs, but in the end fell in Game 7 of the NLCS to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-2. In what was a competitive series until the end, the Phillies’ final performance against Arizona was not the level the fans have seen previously in the playoffs.

Looking back on the run, the Phillies had all the tools they needed to be competitive. One huge addition when looking at the team on the surface was the acquisition of great shortstop Trea Turner.

According to ESPN, his contract with the Phillies is an 11 year, $300 million deal that locks him up long term.

The impact Trea has had on previous teams is felt and is now a key player in the Phillies line-up. His fielding at the shortstop position has been vital for the Phillies who were criticized for their defensive ability and his bat is key if the Phillies can go all the way. With an average of .266 in the regular season and in the postseason alone he has been hitting .415 which is the highest for the Phillies and second in the league for the last four teams left in the playoffs.

One of the biggest weaknesses for this Phillies team in years past was the bullpen of their pitching staff. When the starting pitcher is feeling

The Phillies playing on their home field

fatigued late in the game, you need that bullpen of relief pitchers and closers to help secure the win. The reason the Phillies have had struggles until this point was the bullpen. According to Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, back in 2021 they had one of the worst ERAs (number of runs allowed) and the opponents’ batting average is some of the highest against them.

The Phillies performed well through their playoff run, aided in their bullpen through acquisitions of veterans like Craig Kimbrel, who has had a lot of experience being clutch in the spotlight. The constant good play of Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez has also allowed the Phillies hitters to not be

heavily relied on to win the big games like it was the case last year.

In the final game, the bullpen tried to recover the game for the Phillies after starter Ranger Suarez gave up some runs and they tried throwing in starter Zach Wheeler to help save the game, but the batting was brutal for the Phillies as they could not get anything going.

Key player Bryce Harper, former league MVP and one of the best in the game, was the lynchpin of the Phillies’ run. Fan’s expectations for the season were high even with the injury of Harper taking him out of action for the first half of the year and the brutal ACL tear to the first baseman Rhys Hoskins taking him out for the full

year.

The Phillies still managed to start 32-20 due to the impressive efforts from the rest of the team and the residents of Pennsylvania and Alvernia alone were caught up in the Red October fever. One player for the Alvernia baseball team and Phillies fan Alex DeForge when asked about his thoughts on the Phillies before the series wrapped up, he said, “they are a bunch of dogs.”

But these dogs were put down like Old Yeller in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As the key players mentioned earlier like Harper and Turner both went 0-4 in Game 7. The same men who caused the rise of this team also led to

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Credit: Ashley Levinston via Unspllashi.com

Kyle Rudart Contributing Writer

the downfall of their run.

However, the Diamondbacks had the momentum, and the credit goes to them as well for this miraculous run they have been on, the first time making the World Series since 2001.

One fan of the D-Backs is Zeke Zambrano for the Alvernia Men’s Soccer team but watches baseball too, and is from Casa Grande, Arizona.

He had this to say about the series win, “I felt really good about it; it was a wellplayed game and respect to the Phillies, but we got hot at the right time.”

While this year fell short of the Phillies’ hopes, the mainstay players have long term contracts, and they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

6 November/December 2023

Campus

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Sarah Mies Managing Editor Mod classes are seven week-long courses offered at Alvernia. Contrary to typical classes here, these courses only run for half the semester and are mostly often taught fully online. While these courses are half the length of regular courses, the same amount of reading, notes, tests, and assignments are required. While students are taught this is helpful to them because they can get the course done faster and have half the semester free, many see these courses as immensely stressful and not worth the effort.

COM 420 is a required course for all communication majors to take to graduate.

This semester COM 420 is only being offered as a Mod. In COM 420, students must learn vital details to the court systems in the United States and how laws effect the media. This course contains a heavy workload of reading, case studies, media briefs, notetaking, and a final research paper totaling 10 pages in only 7 weeks. The

information taught in this class is so valuable to all communications students and necessary for them to successfully pursue their careers. However, due to the short length of the class, students are worried about the course.

“I love what I am learning in this course,” Sarah Mies, senior communication major currently taking COM 420, said, “But, I am nervous about trying to fully comprehend all this information in such a short time.” Many other heavy courses are being offered as Mods this semester such as, BUS 315, CJ 422, HCS 420, and PSY 314.

Another issue presented with Mod classes is that students will only focus on passing and not on learning.

Since the course moves so fast, it is not uncommon that students will just focus on getting the facts straight to pass the assignment and not taking the time to actively learn why the assignment is important. “I think that modular courses should only be taken by students that are self-disciplined,” Dr. Carrie Fitzpatrick, professor of

Online classes can be very stressful

Communication and Digital media, said.

The university is aware of the stress load that Mod classes cause. Due to the overwhelming amount of work, students are not allowed to register for Mod classes until their sophomore year. While as the years go on, it is understandable that students get better at managing time and effort but fitting a whole course into 7 weeks is not easy for anyone.

The issues of Mod classes go beyond the students; professors also feel overwhelmed while

Credit: Elisa Ventue via Unplsash.com

What’s Up with MOD Classes?

teaching these courses. “Mod classes are in seven weeks, so the biggest challenge for faculty is that we have to take what is typically a 16-week course and condense it,” said Dr. Fitzpatrick, “We are also required by accrediting bodies to include the same amount of content.” Having to teach, grade assignments, and answer all students’ questions in a short period of time can be stressful to the professors as well.

“The online format for classes requires a certain amount of work to meet ‘seat time’ requirements to create

parity between in-person and online courses,” Dr. Ryan Lange said. Dr. Lange is an associate professor of communication. “As a result, I feel that online classes can often start out being more rigorous than traditional in-seat classes. Add onto that a condensed schedule, and I have real concerns for some students being able to manage the workload.”

However, the needs of different student populations demand that Alvernia offer modular classes. “Returning adult learners, who have limited access to financial aid, need to work on an accelerated schedule to make finishing their degree economical,” Dr. Lange said.

“Students who have very difficult schedules because of the demands of accredited programs sometimes also need modular courses to complete their degrees on time.”

Professor Kraft’s Tourette’s Studies Gabriel Wunderlich

Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes involuntary, or unwanted sounds and muscle movements. These involuntary actions are known as tics. Tics can range anywhere from mild to severe, and usually can include repetitive blinking, shouting, and shoulder shrugging. Tourette’s usually develops in early childhood ages.

Food and diet can play a massive role in managing or even preventing diseases.

Certain behaviors like lack of sleep, refined grains, or trans fats can be pro inflammatory, which is the body’s way of responding to something it does not like. Other foods or lifestyle factors like sufficient sleep, flavonoids (colored fruits and vegetables), or polyunsaturated fats can help suppress inflammation.

These foods contain antioxidants, which are substances such as Vitamin C that remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents

Diane Kraft, M.S., RDN, LDN, soon to be PhD

from the body. Specific food components, amount of sleep, and dietary pattern all influence the role of inflammation in the body.

According to a meta-analysis of diet and inflammation

by Minihane, “There is a substantial amount of evidence to suggest that many foods, nutrients and non-nutrient food components modulate inflammation both acutely and chronically.”

Professor Diane Kraft is a clinical nutritionist who

teaches biology at Alvernia.

She has published two books with two editions.

She is the author of The A-Z Guide to Food as Medicine. She is currently in the process of getting her Doctorate. Recently, she began a study hoping to establish whether dietary inflammation is related to Tourette’s tic severity in children aged 9 to 18 years old. She uses the Minihane study as the base of her work. “Presently, there is no ‘medical nutritional

Credit: Alvernia University

Guest Writer

therapy’ for Tourette’s Syndrome. There is no ‘diet’ for Tourette’s syndrome to improve symptoms,” Dr. Kraft said, “This would be the first examination of dietary inflammatory potential of Tourette children’s diets.”

To conduct her study, Dr. Kraft uses two prevalidated surveys to collect the data. One survey is called the KidMed Index, which is a simple childfriendly food assessment that assesses dietary inflammatory potential. The survey basses its questions off the Mediterranean Diet, which is a highly anti-inflammatory diet that consists of legumes, whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables. The second study is the Yale Global Tic Severity Score. This survey was developed in the 1980s at Yale University and is a gold standard for measuring tic severity. By doing a one point in time comparison of diet and tics, it will reflect whether dietary factors are correlated with tics. This result would not prove any causation between the two, just correlation.

Dietary studies have always been a tricky thing to do because of limitations.

“The biggest hurdle now is getting my protocol into the institutional research board so that I can get funding,” Dr. Kraft said, “I had the greenlight to go forward with it, but when I met with my pre-dissertation committee, a number of red flags were thrown up here and there, so I just revised the protocol and I am sending it back for round 2.” She also talked about the simple challenge of getting a 9–18-year-old interested enough to complete all the questions in the survey.

Dr. Kraft will continue to pursue this study in hopes of finding data that may ultimately help children with Tourette’s Syndrome.

7 November/December 2023

Campus

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Mariana Bridi Contributing Writer “My exchange program has been instrumental in my personal growth. It has taught me how to adapt, make new friends, and find comfort in unknown places.

Sharing our culture with people from other countries is a wonderful experience, and it has opened a world of possibilities for exploration and self-improvement”, shares Humberto Salgueiro, an international student from Brazil.

The United States boasts a diverse cultural landscape enriched by traditions, languages, and beliefs.

International students contribute to American culture, further enhancing its diversity. These students come from various parts of the world and experience American culture firsthand, immersing themselves in a new and unique way of life, from eating habits to local traditions. However, this cultural exchange is

not unilateral. In addition to immersing themselves in American culture, international students aim to share their cultural backgrounds with their American peers.

Universities have the power to bring together diverse cultures. It is a place where students worldwide can meet, share knowledge, and grow together somehow. Alvernia is no exception. Over the years, the number of international students on campus has grown increasingly.

For Humberto, the experience of being around people from around the world and learning about their culture is incredible.

“Every day, I can interact with people from Peru, Ireland, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Each one offers a unique perspective on the world and life. Some things may seem unusual initially, but it is important not to judge based on upbringing.

Embracing these differences

helps me understand and appreciate others better,” Humberto says.

This exchange of cultures goes far beyond superficial experiences and promotes a deeper understanding and mutual respect.

International students become ambassadors for their cultures, challenging stereotypes and allowing Americans to explore the world through new perspectives. The classroom also benefits from enriching debates, in which different world views increase discussions and stimulate learning.

Zaid Alhumid, an international student from Saudi Arabia majoring in criminal justice, has been in the United States since 2018 and says that two of the things that impressed him the most at the beginning were the American lifestyle and the way they behave towards each other and that this helped him start to live his life differently too. “What is different here

Posters shared by international students

is that people are more open-minded, unlike in my country. Here, they respect each other and talk to each other more easily than there. As time went by, this helped me be more openminded and comfortable by explaining to people here how it is in my home country”, Zaid says.

International students can observe and actively participate in their host country’s customs, traditions, and beliefs.

“One thing that I found fascinating here in America is how each family has their own culture and habits

Credit: Mariana Bridi

Culture is Good When Shared

because, in Saudi, the whole country should have one specific culture. I want to take this to my country and the way people behave with the other gender here in America because, back home, men and women do not often engage in open conversation with each other if they do not share a familial connection”, Zaid finishes.

Within universities, cultural events become meeting points where

Continued on pg 10

Students and Finaces Jacob Wells

When students need certain supplies for their dorm, it can be difficult to go to the nearest grocery store or a convenience store that may be far away from their campus without having to drive, use the shuttle, or even walk miles to get to that destination. So, what is their solution? Amazon can deliver anything they desire right to the library’s mailroom for students to pick up.

“I would get anything that pops up on the first page, honestly,” Cora Cox, a senior in the Business Management major, said. “Most of the time I don’t go straight to Amazon. If there’s anything I need in the moment I drive to the grocery store to buy it there.”

While Amazon can be very convenient for most students who need supplies without having to go to the store themselves, that convenience comes with a delivery cost. For example, when students arrive on campus for the first time,

A spreadsheet trying to budget for the months

the school usually provides free toilet paper, so you do not have to pay for any yourself. However, when essentials like that start to run out, your spending starts to add up. So, if they head to Amazon to buy it, a 6 pack of Cottonelle toilet paper would be about 30 dollars on average. If an average student had to buy that same pack every time

they run out of toilet paper every month until winter break, that would be more than 120 dollars the student would spend on toilet paper alone.

“I try not to spend as much as I can, but when I do, I go for what I need to buy. I mostly keep track of what I spend in my head, so I don’t spend much at all. If I do, it’ll be for all my basic

essentials,” Cora Cox said.

Most students on campus might also “wing-it” when it comes to their spending habits and might end up biting more than they can chew by buying expensive supplies with little to no extra cash to keep them stable for a period. Because of the risks of “winging it,” financial advisors strongly recommend having a

Credit: Jacob Wells

Contributing Writer

written plan for how they should spend their money based on how much money they gain monthly. The best thing that anybody can do on their own time, is have a plan of what your current budget is based on how much you earn weekly and split the money into three categories. These include your needs such as bills and food, your savings that you can use for anything later, and the rest can be whatever you want to buy such as electronics and toys.

“In the past, I have written out how much I make, and efficiently note down how much you are buying, so you make sure you don’t end up in debt. If you’re ever low, only buy what you can. If you keep that mindset, you’ll be able to profit more later down the road,” Cora Cox said.

8 November/December 2023

Christmas

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Tony Mongeluzi Contributing Writer Thanksgiving just passed, and the weather is quite brisk. Christmas is coming, and people want to put on comfortable pajamas, snuggle under blankets, drink hot cocoa, and watch their favorite Christmas movies.

Some favorites may be Home Alone, Elf, A Christmas Story, and The Grinch, among many more films considered classics. All of these movies have another thing in common.

These movies considered classics are mainly in the 20th century. There may be some movies that people may like that are recent, but when is the last time a Christmas movie has been considered culturally iconic?

The last one is Elf, one of the rare, more recent movies that fit into this classic list later. Movies like reboots of The Grinch and A Christmas Carol, released in 2018 and 2009, respectively, are two of the highest-grossing Christmas movies ever, but

these stories have been told many different times. A movie that has been a newer movie and an original idea is Daddy’s Home 2, for example, but is that honestly a classic?

It did great in the box office, but it needs to be said that box office success does not equal instant classic. Now that that’s out of the way let’s get back to why there has not been a true Christmas classic in years.

When thinking about their favorite Christmas movies, many people think of ones they’ve liked since childhood.

Usually, as a kid, we look forward to Christmas coming as it’s a time of snowy white scapes, a break from school, tasty baked goods, but most of all, giving Santa cookies and milk as he comes to bring you presents. This building up excitement for Christmas is also known as holiday spirit. This holiday spirit is nothing short of magical. As children all year, we wait for the holiday season, and when we see Christmas movies pop up on the television, we know the time is getting ever closer.

When we try to look at why

Festive Christmas decorations

Christmas movies aren’t the same, it truly comes down to this holiday spirit.

Every classic Christmas movie leans into having holiday spirit. We are asked to believe in this holiday spirit.

For example, in any rendition of The Grinch, the town of Whoville, a very merry town, is in the thick of the holiday season. The Grinch, a Who himself, lives on a mountaintop overlooking the Whoville. The Grinch hates Christmas, and he hates to see the Who’s enjoying this time of is plotting to ruin the citizens of Whoville’s Christmas. The Whos say he is like this because he was

Credit: Rodion Kutsaiev via Unsplashcom

Not the Christmas I Remember

born with a heart “two sizes too small.” One Christmas, he gets pushed to the limit and articulates a plan to ruin Christmas for all of Whoville.

With the help of his dog Max, the Grinch creates their own Santa Claus disguise for the Grinch to sneak into the Whos’ houses on Christmas Eve and steal all of their decorations, presents, food, and everything else down to the final crumb.

He successfully pulls off his heist but is in dismay when morning arrives. The Grinch was shocked when he looked down at Whoville and saw all of the Whos and still singing joyfully. The Grinch

realized in this moment that Christmas has a deeper meaning than just material things. About throwing the Whos’ belongings off the mountain, the Grinch stops himself. At this moment, the Grinch’s heart grew “three sizes.” With this growth in his heart, he returned all the Whos’ belongings and participated in the Christmas celebration.

In The Grinch, there is a visible magical story that is.

It starts as the Grinch being angry without the holiday spirit, but once he realizes the truth and partakes in it, the Grinch becomes happy for the first time in his life. As a kid, seeing this movie, you would know the importance of having Christmas spirit.

Enjoy time with family, get into the mood, be joyful to others, and feel the magic in the air, as it can only captivate you once a year.

It is a time when no matter how much you and a person aren’t alike, you can both get

Continued on pg 10

Eternal Christmas in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico have the world’s longest Christmas celebration. Starting on November 1, the Puerto Rican celebration of Christmas kicked off with traditional ceremonies, lighting displays, and the sweet sounds of aguinaldos (Caroling) echoing through the streets.

But theres much more to know about the crhistmas celebrations in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Ricans, known for their warm hospitality and love for family gatherings, have continued to embrace the holiday spirit, keeping decorations up, music playing, and festivities in full swing through the year. The island’s extended holiday season is a driver of tourism, with visitors from all corners of the globe flocking to experience this unique cultural phenomenon.

Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses are reporting unprecedented levels of activity, providing a muchneeded boost to the island’s economy.

While some may wonder about the sustainability

A Puerto Rican Christmas tree

of such an extended celebration, the island has demonstrated impressive efforts in environmentally conscious practices, with many communities opting for eco-friendly decorations and sustainable event planning.Many Puerto Rican households are opting for natural and locally sourced materials to create Christmas decorations. Pinecones, seashells, driftwood, and native plants are popular choices. This not only supports local businesses but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and manufacturing artificial decorations. Rather

than opting for single-use decorations, Puerto Ricans are investing in high-quality, reusable items. Durable ornaments, wreaths, and decorations are stored carefully and brought out year after year, reducing the demand for disposable products. Communities in Puerto Rico are organizing initiatives to promote eco-friendly decorations.

Workshops on sustainable crafting, tree planting events, and collaborative efforts to decorate public spaces with environmentally conscious themes are becoming more common. By incorporating these eco-friendly practices

Credit: Hector Malave

Hector Malave Contributing Writer

into their Christmas celebrations, Puerto Ricans are demonstrating a deep respect for their natural surroundings and a commitment to preserving the beauty of their island.

These efforts contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly holiday season, aligning with global initiatives to promote responsible consumption and protect the planet.

Puerto Ricans have a rich and vibrant set of traditions that make their Christmas celebrations unique and unforgettable. But how do Puerto Ricans celebrate Christmas? Here are some of the key customs and practices observed during the holiday season in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Ricans begin celebrating Christmas with Aguinaldos, which are traditional Christmas songs that are sung by groups of carolers, often going doorto-door. The songs are festive and often accompanied by maracas, guitars, and other musical instruments. Then Puerto Ricans go house to house to start their parrandas. Like caroling, parrandas involve friends and

family, surprising each other with late-night visits, lively music, and singing. The hosts of the parranda are expected to join the group, and the celebration can continue at multiple houses throughout the night.

During Nochebuena, the Christmas Eve celebration, families come together for a grand feast. Traditional Puerto Rican dishes like lechón asado (roast pork), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pasteles (meat-filled pastries), and coquito (a coconut-based alcoholic drink) are often served. Another elaborate meal is prepared on Christmas Day, featuring some of the same traditional dishes as Nochebuena. This feast is another opportunity for families to come together and celebrate.

El Día de los Santos Inocentes: Observed on December 28, this day commemorates the Biblical story of King Herod ordering the massacre of male infants in Bethlehem. In Puerto Rico, it’s a day of playful pranks and jokes, somewhat akin to

Continued on pg 10

Community

9 November/December 2023

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Yummy Eats Around Campus Nadia Kurtz

We all might become tired of eating the same food repeatedly on campus. While Alvernia does offer several places to eat, it is nice to know of places near campus that can provide a refreshing new meal that gives us a break from the same thing we eat every day.

Screpesi’s Sandwich Shop is an especially loved place by many students, and is conveniently only a few minutes away from campus, located on 500 Lancaster Ave. This shop offers a wide variety of sandwiches with fresh ingredients, including classics such as an Italian sub and ham and cheese, which are popular choices and customer favorites. Salads and pizzas are also on the menu. It is a great place to grab lunch at, that is a short driving distance away.

Noodl in West Reading is a delicious option for lunch and dinner. It gives customers the option to design their own bowls and is one of their most popular menu options. This is a great customizable choice, and ordering online is simple.

Ingredients such as ramen noodles, a wide variety of meats, vegetables, dressings, and seasonings allow it

to fit nearly everyone’s preferences. It is at 428 Penn Ave, less than 15 minutes from campus, and worth trying out.

The Farmhouse Kitchen is also well loved, known for its delicious brunch menu. Fresh food and organic ingredients make for a fantastic place to get a refreshing meal. They offer a range of coffees and teas, as well as nutritious food. Eating in the little, nicely decorated shop inside or outside or picking up a takeout order are both options. The Farmhouse Kitchen resides at 426 Penn Avenue. Overall, this place is great for breakfast, lunch, or anything in between.

For all Mexican food lovers, Comālli Taqueria is often considered a “hidden gem” on 701 Court Street in West Reading. Eat-in, takeout, and delivery are all provided. The authentic tacos this restaurant offers are fresh, filling, and often recommended.

Comālli Taqueria has a friendly atmosphere and is a great place to stop by for lunch or dinner with no disappointment.

With all the lunch and dinner areas around, it is no surprise that dessert options are scattered all around. A

Yogo Crazy in Wyomissing is a favorite amoung college students

favorite for locals is Yogo Crazy, located in Broadcasting Square on 2733 Paper Mill Road, about twenty minutes away from campus, which offers an interactive experience of filling your bowl with frozen yogurt and topping it with the dozens of options they have. Just a minute away from Yogo Crazy, directly on the other side of

the development on the strip containing Target, Marshall’s, Weis, etc., is Crumbl Cookies, another favorite that offers delicious cookies that rotate regularly. Lastly, Sweet Ride in West Reading, located on 542 Penn Ave, is a perfect place to grab a cone of ice cream, with classic flavors plus others that are always worth a try.

Thanks to the many food options around the area, you can take a quick drive to enjoy a fresh meal that offers a little break from the regularly provided food on campus.

Mission Moment Remember to rest over break!

“Almost everything will work again if you unnplug it for a few minutes... Including you” -Anne Lamott

Credit Nafdia Kurtz

Contributing Writer

Continued

10 November/December 2023

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Continued from pg 7

Continued from pg 8

diversity is celebrated and shared by international and local students. These events provide a cultural exchange, fostering a sense of unity in diversity. Alvernia is always organizing events of this type, with typical food, games, and other types of interactions, with the aim of international students

on even ground to celebrate the holidays in a certain way.

That’s all about what makes Christmas classics a classic, but why there hasn’t been a true classic in a while needs to be examined.

Too many new Christmas movies leave out the aspect that Christmas is a magical time of year that only comes once a year. Producers try to develop new ideas because, in a genre like Christmas movies, many ideas have already been executed. However, you don’t need to overcomplicate the formula for a Christmas classic.

An example is a movie like Fred Claus. This movie is all over the place, with Santa now having a brother, Fred, who needs to work for Santa because he got fired. There is a lot more to the movie, but the bottom line is that it is a twist on Santa that no one needs. Oh yeah, it’s no surprise this didn’t have anything involving the magic of the holiday season.

Another reason for this is similar to losing the spirit. In films like The Grinch and Home Alone, they have a feel-good aspect. For The Grinch, it’s the fact that after the Grinch steals Christmas, he eventually comes around. In Home Alone, we see Kevin, who is supposed to spend Christmas with his family in Paris, but because his siblings ridicule him, Keven wishes his family would disappear. The day they’re supposed to leave, he wakes up to an empty house and believes his wish has come true. In reality, they forgot about him until they were mid-flight to Paris. With no flights back for at least two days, Kevin’s mother, Kate, must catch a ride with a traveling polka band to return to Chicago by Christmas day.

Meanwhile, two burglars, Harry and Marv, are plotting to break into the McCallister household. During this time, Kevin misses his family and wishes they were back. Kevin would eventually have to fend them off with homemade booby traps, resulting in them springing them in many funny ways and getting arrested.

The next day is Christmas, and Kevin is upset that his family isn’t there. To his surprise, Kate returns, they make up, and the rest of his family eventually returns the next day. Kevin initially wishes his family was gone but realizes that

not feeling alone and, simultaneously, feeling closer to home. Expect students to share typical dishes from their countries, teach traditional dances, and share knowledge.

For Kevin Davy, Assistant Director of International Student Engagement in Alvernia, international students bring benefits to local students, such as new ways of adapting and how to deal with and see new things from other points of view.

“Alvernia values the presence of international students and sees it as an opportunity for our community to learn from others from around the world about how it is living in different parts of the world, how they treat each other and their cultures,” Kevin says.

Studying in a foreign country is a challenging and exciting experience, but it can also bring obstacles, from cultural adaptation to practical issues. In this context, universities ensure international students feel welcomed and supported. “As soon as we know who will join us, we try to be proactive. We try to create a fun and safe environment by doing some activities and some programs to connect international students, always trying to engage them in upcoming events on campus”, Kevin finishes.

Cultural diversity between international and local students enriches the academic environment, promoting intercultural understanding. By embracing this diversity, students can expand their horizons, build meaningful friendships, and gain a deep understanding of different perspectives on the world. Culture is good when shared, especially if you can see and embrace it correctly.

Christmas is all about family, no matter how much you don’t get along.

A story like that can be funny and lighthearted while also making the viewer understand the magic Christmas can bring. Newer movies not only don’t do this, but they don’t attempt to.

These more recent movies try to forget and leave behind this feel-good aspect of Christmas movies. One that comes to mind is Violent Night. It’s a film about caterers disguised as mercenaries who break into a family household and keep them hostage. Santa comes to fight the mercenaries off and save the family. Yes, many ideas are taken for Christmas movies, but that doesn’t mean you need to change who Santa is or what Christmas is, for that matter.

It also shows in the box office numbers that people are also disinterested in these random ideas, as Violent Night and the final movie brought up don’t come close to the classics that came before them.

The last movie is a perfect example of what’s wrong with many recent Christmas movies: The Night Before.

This movie is about three friends, Chris, Isaac, and Ethan, who have a yearly tradition of spending Christmas Eve together. Eventually, as they get older, Chris and Isaac want to make this year the last year they do it, but they’re worried Ethan isn’t ready. They go all out, leading to them doing many illegal and flat-out wild things. Overall, as a comedy, it isn’t that great, neither. If you couldn’t guess as well, this movie also has nothing to do with the magic of Christmas.

Of course, not every movie will be a classic. Recently, though, too many movies have been trying to take what makes Christmas classics out of Christmas movies. There is still time to fix this, though.

Directors need to realize that Christmas doesn’t need to be mature. It’s supposed to be a fun, joyful time of year. Don’t let others discourage you from embracing the spirit. You’re never too old or too cool to embrace the Christmas spirit.

What would the fun be in not embracing this amazing feeling anyway?

Continued from pg 8

continued, demonstrating the determination of the Puerto April Fools’ Day. Rican people to celebrate their El Día de los Reyes Magos culture and maintain a sense (Three Kings’ Day) Celebrated of normalcy in the face of on January 6, this holiday adversity. commemorates the arrival of the These traditions, deeply three wise men to visit the baby rooted in Puerto Rican culture, Jesus. It is a significant cultural create a festive and joyful event in Puerto Rico, with parades, atmosphere that both locals festivals, and children receiving and visitors cherish. They gifts. Fireworks displays are reflect a blend of religious, common throughout the holiday cultural, and communityseason, particularly on New Year’s centered practices that make Eve and Three Kings’ Day. These Christmas in Puerto Rico a displays are a symbol of joy and truly unique and memorable celebration. experience.

Sadly, everything must come to an end. But Puerto Ricans make sure their Christmas is unforgettable. Fiestas de San Sebastián, celebrated annually in late January, marks the conclusion of the extended Christmas season in Puerto Rico. This vibrant and exuberant festival is held in honor of Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the town of San Juan, where the festivities take place. The conclusion of Christmas with Las Fiestas de San Sebastián is a grand affair that brings together the entire community in a culmination of the holiday season. The festivities typically span several days and involve a diverse range of cultural, artistic, and religious events.

The festival kicks off with a lively and colorful procession through the streets of Old San Juan. Participants, dressed in traditional attire, pay homage to Saint Sebastian, often carrying statues or representations of the saint. The festival concludes with spectacular fireworks displays, illuminating the night sky over San Juan. These dazzling shows symbolize the grand finale of the extended holiday season, leaving lasting memories for both locals and visitors.

Las Fiestas de San Sebastián not only serve as a joyous conclusion to the Christmas season but also reflect the resilience, creativity, and unity of the Puerto Rican community. The festival embodies the island’s rich cultural heritage and serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people. With its lively atmosphere and diverse offerings, Las Fiestas de San Sebastián stands as a highlight of the Puerto Rican cultural calendar, drawing people from all walks of life to partake in this extraordinary celebration. The Festival de las Calles San Sebastián has taken on even greater significance in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. Despite the immense challenges faced by the island’s residents, the festival

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Christmas Card

November/December 2023

Vol. 60 Issue 6

Created by Sarah Mies