September/October 2026
what’s in THIS ISSUE
Volume 66 Issue 1
A Community Of Service
Local Businesses
The picture shows the first year student orientation at VOiCEup Berks. Photo Credits: Holleran Center
Sports
Academics
Trends
Liliana Orapallo Contributing Writer One of Alvernia’s five core values is service, but new students might not know how to find community service opportunities. Fortunately, the Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement can help every student find the service activities right for them and their busy schedules. The Holleran Center is in the Bornemann Building (the small rectangular building in front of the commuter lot, across the street from Bernardine Hall) and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students can find out about the many ways they can help others, build connections, and gain valuable experience. It allows students to make a difference both on and off campus. Alvernia’s various clubs and student organizations also help students find service opportunities. The university offers students many service opportunities. Various clubs and organizations organize and participate in these events. Events like the 5 K Pack Dash, Franciscan Friday: Firefighters Museum, Project Positivity, and many more are open to all students to participate in. Students must complete forty hours of service to graduate, but the University makes that amount reachable.
“As the Director of Generation Impact at VOiCEup Berks, I recommend everything they offer there and whatever take you out of your comfort zone,” Kathryn Rothstein said. Rothstein is an instructor at Alvernia University and is extremely involved in community service. She works with VOiCEup Berks, a nonprofit organization in Reading, Pennsylvania, that connects residents to servicelearning opportunities and community projects. Alvernia also holds at least one day of service per semester. Students are encouraged to participate in these events and most enjoy their time spent giving back to the community. Service days allow students to meet new people and make friends, develop skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership, and feel connected to Alvernia and the surrounding community. “Not only was the experience [during the day of service] a way to
step outside of Alvernia,” Sophia Altimore, first-year psychology major, said, “but I also enjoyed my time giving back to the community that I love and meeting new people along the way.” Alvernia also provides Alternative Break opportunities to students. Alternative Breaks happen between semesters or during spring break, and have students travel away from campus to do intensive service in an underserved area. Previous Alternative Breaks have taken students to New Jersey, Virginia, and even overseas to the Dominican Republic. Getting off campus and being more involved in areas like these can draw students in and make them more willing to participate in these events. Community service not only benefits the community but also the students. Along with the service hours given for their time spent, they may also receive various awards at graduation, pins for
participating, meals during the service, and merchandise. Alvernia students who are interested in getting involved should visit the Holleran Center on campus. They can also visit their Facebook page and website to learn more about upcoming events, log their community service hours, or simply look at pictures and descriptions of past events that they may be interested in. “You will be changed for the better when you serve others,” Dr. Rothstein said. “And it’s something that stays with you far after the service project is complete.” Service is not just about helping others but also about building a stronger university community. Every volunteer, event, and act of kindness helps strengthen the connection between our university and the community around us. Even starting small can lead to something big, which makes all the difference in the community.
Dominican Republic, Los Tres Brazos community Photo Credits: Holleran Center
Local Businesses
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Vol. 66 Issue 1
September/October 2026
t h e alver nian Managing Editor/Layout Amelia Fortunato Section Editors Danica Leister Maura Mee Jamie Michalsky Grace Wanner Contributing Writers Anthony Cabello-Soria Reilly Collins Dylan Correll Ethan Dizon Adam Livingood Sam Lledo Peightyn Magruder Kenneth Miller Manuel Morales-Garcia Marcel Nardo Kimberly Nieves Lilianna Orapallo Mia Ralston Jadison Shuey Jack Willson Yajaira Zarabia Andrew Zook Faculty Advisor Dr. Ryan Lange
The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University.
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.
Schell’s Restaurant, Dairy Swirl & Miniature Golf: The Ultimate Study Break for Alvernia Students Kenny Miller Contributing Writer After a long week of tests, homework, papers and projects, take a break at Schell’s Restaurant, Dairy Swirl and Miniature Golf. Schell’s is located in Temple, Pennsylvania at 4625 N 5th Street Highway, which is under 20 minutes from Alvernia University. Family-owned Schell’s has served Berks County for 74 years as an all-inone destination, combining a budget-friendly dining experience with a 27-hole miniature golf course. The atmosphere is casual and laid back, making it a popular hangout for students to eat, play, relax and bond with friends. The sign at the entrance to Schell’s draws customers in for a day of fun, highlighting the food, ice cream and mini golf course. As soon as customers pull in, they are greeted with a sign that lets them know what Schell’s is about—food, dessert and golf! Owen Kingma, a Shippensburg University Student visiting friends at Alvernia University, said, “The food is good and the atmosphere is super chill. I always have a fun time when I come here and visit my Alvernia friends.” The menu is filled with classic comfort food,
This is the back of the ice cream shop where all of the flavors are listed. So many choices. Photo Credits: Kenny Miller
including burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, and ice cream. Todd Houser, manager at Schell’s, says the top three food items are: the ranch burgers, thin patties topped with their signature sauce with crispy edges, chicken fingers, and hot dogs. Their top three ice cream flavors are sure to have customers coming back for more. First is Cho Cho’s; frozen chocolate malted ice cream served in an old school with a dixie cup and wooden spoon. Next up is Magical Unicorn, a white cupcake flavored ice cream topping that hardens when
it is poured over soft serve ice cream. And lastly Cookie Monster, which has blue ice cream, Oreo cookies and chocolate chips. Gabe Tapia, a college student at Delaware County Community College, who is up visiting friends from Alvernia University, keeps ending up back at Schell’s. “It is my second time at Schell’s in 4 months, and I think I will be back a third,” Tapia said. “I always get the ranch burger with fries when I first get here and then get ice cream after golfing. It is a cool place.”
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.
© 2026 The Alvernian
The sign at the entrance to Schell’s draws customers in for a day of fun, highlighting the food, ice cream and mini golf course. Photo Credits: Kenny Miller
Unlike other mini golf courses which are 18 holes, Schell’s mini golf course is 27 holes, one of the largest in the state. So, whether you are golfing for fun or keeping score, this is just the place for you. The course gives you a 1930’s vibe with wooden bridges, waterfalls, and a lighthouse in the distance. But hidden on the course are bunkers and traps and trick shot plays. CJ Miller, a senior at Coatesville High School, enjoys coming up here to visit with his Alvernia friends. “The 26th hole is hard, I mean for real. You have to calculate your swing just right to clear the water,” Miller said. “If you don’t, it’s game over!’ Customers can play with paper or pencil or use the putt card mobile app on their phones or tablets. The app leaves no guessing with scores and who is up next. This establishment does have a local tournament in September, which is highly competitive and is a wellattended local event. The event awards and medals and of course, local bragging rights! For more details on hours of operation, menu and prices, students can check out the Schell’s Restaurant, Dairy Swirl & Miniature Golf website at https://www. schellsfoodandminigolf.com.
Local Businesses
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Vol. 66 Issue 1
Sourcing, Studying, And Success: How AlyssaThriftz Does it All Yajaira Zarabia Contributing Writer Work-life balance is something many students need to learn. But what if you were trying to run a business and be a student at the same time? Alyssa Brace is an Alvernia senior. Brace is a digital media marketing major with a business administration and management minor. She is also an O’Pake fellow, a marketing intern at Element by Bodega, and a small business owner of AlyssaThriftz. Brace is, suffice to say, very busy. With balancing all of this Brace still manages to source for inventory everyday. You would think brace is fleeing with the way her car looks everyday from sourcing inventory; In reality, it’s just a normal day for her. AlyssaThriftz is an online thrift shop inspired by her early life. As a child, Brace’s father would take her to yard sales and go antiquing
with. As she grew up, Brace realized she could make some side cash selling clothes from her closet, so she started AlyssaThriftz. Brace states that her initial goal was just to make some side cash by selling clothes from her closet. “Quickly I learned that it could be more than that. I also always wanted something of my own, so when I decided to start AlyssaThrifitz it was a huge step towards my dream.” Brace said. Brace didn’t start out running a business. During her first and second years, she worked as a shift lead at 7 Brew five days a week to afford inventory for her small business. Eventually she couldn’t keep up with all three tasks, so Brace left her job at 7 Brew to focus on growing her small business and her marketing work. Brace still needed a part-time job with a flexible schedule, Fortunately, she eventually got a job at
Amelia Fortunato Managing Editor The Boscov theater, located on the first floor of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts at 201 Washington Street, is a nine-minute walk from CollegeTowne. The theater first opened in 2005 and normally starts showing a new film every Friday. The film offerings at the Boscov theater are typically small, independent films, some of which you can’t see outside of very large cities in arthouse theaters. “We have some of the most affordable tickets in the area, easily the most affordable concessions in the area, and we play lots of really really good movies,” Jon Jordan, the Boscov theater’s manager, said. “But because we are embedded in such a huge art center, … the resounding sentiment is, ‘oh wow, there’s a movie theater here.’” The theater only has one auditorium, and so the curators must be selective about what gets shown. “Because we have just one screen, we have to be very intentional with what we program,” Jordan said. “So, it’s one part looking at the audience that we already have and trying to
pick films that they would enjoy, and then another part is…picking weird arthouse films that…are experimental, are unique, and like kind of exposing them to things that they aren’t necessarily used to seeing.” One thing that audiences tend to really enjoy is when the theater shows films nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards. “Our audience is very film dedicated so they’re kind of watching for what films are being considered the best of the best of the year,” Jordan said. Not only does the Boscov theater host movie screenings, but it also hosts events for various local organizations. Some organizations listed include the Reading Film Festival, Berks Community Television and the Jewish Federation of Reading. Jordan also discussed the art convention, IX, a sci-fi and fantasy art convention. The Boscov theater is also a great opportunity for local filmmakers to see their projects on the big screen. “This is the community’s theater,” Jordan said. Jordan said the Boscov theater has held local film
Alyssa Brace is an Alvernia senior and small business owner. Photo Credits: Alyssa Brace
Element by Bodega, a local coffee shop in her hometown. Element by Bodega was extremely supportive when Brace mentioned growing her small business. They offered their space for her to use to host one of the vintage
markets (Element Archives Vintage and Y2K Market). Element by Bodega also gave Brace full reins as their marketing intern. Brace managed to scale up to hosting a vintage market in Lancaster called Lancaster
Vintage Fest. She did so alongside Element Archives, while also growing her online presence, AlyssaThriftz. Brace’s small business has grown tremendously, but that’s not stopping Brace’s determination to keep it growing. After graduation, Brace hopes to get her MBA, and then get a full-time job in marketing, preferably in social media working directly with clients. Eventually, Brace hopes to grow her small business into a brick-and-mortar, coffee and thrift shop. Brace states that she would like to create a community where people don’t just grab a coffee and go, but are able to connect with other people through curated vintage clothes with different memories behind them. If you would like to learn more about what brace does, follow her business Instagram account, AlyssaThriftz.
Get Exposed to New Films at the Boscov Theater
According to Jon Jordan, the Boscov theater has “the most affordable concessions in the area.” Popcorn is $5, candy is $3, water is $2 and reading draft soda is $2.25. Photo Credits: Amelia Fortunato
premieres, giving creatives a rare opportunity to “put their film on screen.” The most recent was “Scorpio,” a documentary which tells the story of an up-and-coming music artist, Angel Dweh. The director of the film is Christian Valera, one of the projectionists at the theater. Prior to this, the theater showed two screenings “of a locally produced documentary called
‘Stoneman’ which chronicled the ceremonial burial of local legend Stoneman Willie a few years back.” The first showing was entirely sold out. “Every time you walk out of this theater, you’re going to have experienced some new unique story that you probably haven’t heard or seen before,” Jordan said. Alvernia students who enjoy film should absolutely take advantage of the Boscov
Theater. They have showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Screenings for the theater can be found at https:// goggleworks.org/boscovtheater/.
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Local Businesses/Sports
September/October 2026
Vol. 66 Issue 1
What is Reading Bringing to the Table? Manuel Morales Contributing Writer Dining hall food can get repetitive. Even if you enjoy the wraps and fries, eating the same thing every day, every week, would make anyone want a taste of something different. Fortunately, the Reading area has lots of options for takeout or dine-in meals that are tasty and affordable. Most students can’t afford to go too far away from campus to get food. This article will focus on spots within 20 minutes of the Hill campus, which covers part of the city of Reading, as well as places in or near Wyomissing and Shillington. To the north, Pizza Como is 16 minutes away in Temple. Located at 4600 N 5th Street Hwy, they have all kinds of pizzas and have great customer service. Graeson Reese, a Tulpehocken native, said his favorite dish is the Italian sub. His favorite memory is eating with his brother. When they go, they “both get subs and compare to see which one is fuller,” Reese said.
North of the Hill campus is Chatty’s, which is 16 minutes away in Fleetwood, located at 3130 Pricetown Rd. It is an affordable breakfast spot that has great employees. Luke Williamson, an Oley native, says that his favorite dish is the Chatty’s combo. His favorite memory is going there after work with his brother and grandfather. It is “the perfect way to relax and eat with the people I care for,” Williamson said. The cheapest item on the menu is an egg sandwich on a muffin with meat and cheese for $2.50. Wong’s Chinese Restaurant is a place 13 minutes away in Reading, located at 835 Hiesters Ln. They have good food and serve good portions. Damian Ramirez, a Muhlenberg native, said that his favorite dish is the sweet and sour chicken combo. His favorite memory is the first time he had it “when [his] brother brought it home for [him], because it was so good.” The cheapest item on the menu is plain lo main for $6.65.
An advertisement for Pizza Como. Photo Credits: Pizza Como Website
La Fogata is a Mexican restaurant 13 minutes away in Reading, located at 742 N 9th St. They have a wide selection of Mexican dishes and an authentic atmosphere. Adrian Madrid, a Reading native, said that his favorite dish is the steak fries. His favorite memory is going with his friends and praying before eating. “Praying makes me feel good, and the food with friends makes everything better,” Madrid said. The cheapest item on the menu is a ham and cheese sandwich for $9.00.
Austin’s Restaurant and Bar is 14 minutes away in West Lawn, located at 101 Snyder Rd. They offer American-style food and have fantastic burgers. Their menu changes seasonally and varies based on holidays and other special events. Jackson Hussman, a Tulpehocken native, says his favorite dish is Texas tenders and ribs. His favorite memory is when he went there for his birthday. Jackson said, “they gave me an ice cream sundae with a really, really big candle on it.” The cheapest item on the menu is a baked potato
been on campus since. They have built a good bond and connection with each other that when they do face adversity on the field, they will be ready. The word around the school is always how is the football team is going to be, and they are going to be good this year. And the team always says, just come watch us play. You will be able to see the difference from the past teams to this team. The team wants it so much more than they did in the past, and it is partly due to the coaching staff. Head coach Steve Devlin has been adjusting to his new school, team, and staff since taking over the program. So far, he believes the transition has gone
well. “It’s been good, luckily we had spring ball to get acclimated,” Devlin said. Having that extra time gave him the opportunity to get familiar with the players and begin building relationships before the season started. One of the biggest changes under Devlin has been the team’s culture. He believes the players have responded well to the expectations set by the new coaching staff. “I think the culture has changed. Everyone bought in, and it was pretty easy for them to get started,” Devlin said. However, changing a team’s culture takes time. Devlin acknowledged that there is still “some bad habits” the team is working
soup topped with bacon and cheddar for $7.30. “If you want to take your significant other out on a nice date, Austin’s is always a smart pick,” Dr. Ryan Lange, full professor of communication, said. Exeter Family Restaurant is 11 minutes away in Reading, located at 4800 Perkiomen Ave. They are a 24-hour diner with affordable, high-quality food. Andrew Zook, an Oley native, said that his favorite item is the Western Omelet. His favorite memory is going with his grandparents for breakfast. “I was so happy when I could finally pay for their meals when we went,” Zook said. The cheapest item on the menu is one pancake for $3.25 All the restaurants listed are great and worth trying. However, everyone rates their place so highly because of the memories they created there. This is what makes these local spots special. Hopefully new students to the area can also create their own memories.
More Than Wins and Losses: A New Chapter for Alvernia Football
Ethan Dizon Contributing Writer Alvernia plays in the MAC conference, and historically the team is not the best. We have ranked last in polls every year since the team was built. “We’ve had a tough go of it in the MAC,” Dr. Ryan Lange, full professor of communication, said. The program started in 2017 and has less than 10 total wins. But this year promises to be a longawaited turnaround year for us. The hard work and effort of the coaches, players, and even other staff is on proud display this season. The coaches, Steve Devlin, Mike Tufaro, Jordan Waters, Lou Sepe, Chris Lampert Neil O’Donnell, Marc Clayton, Mike DeMarteleire, CJ Edmunds, Brian Dunlap, Anthony Espostito, and Joe Bertz, went out and recruited over 70 first-years and transfers, while also getting to know the current players. The new coaching staff learned all about Alvernia while creating new playbooks and lifting programs. These coaches have so much passion for the game of football and just
want to win. The enthusiasm among the coaching staff is also rubbing off on the players, no matter their position on the field. The players are always willing to help you learn the game and grow. Most coaches will not go too far for their players because they see them “replaceable,” but not Alvernia. The coaching staff make sure they build personal connections with all their players, even if they start or not. Since the team is new, there will be growing pains and kinks that need to be worked out, but the hard work and talent shows on the field. The team started the preseason in the hot summer month of August and has
Ta’jier Burrus, taken at Keystone College, Alvernia VS Keystone. Photo Credits: Alvernia Media Team
to break because “you cannot just turn a switch on overnight and everything changes.” The goal is to create better habits and a stronger team mentality that continues to improve throughout the season. For Devlin, success is also about much more than the team’s record. “I did not want to get measured by wins and losses. I wanted to get measured by winning in everything we do,” he said. In this case, winning means succeeding in the classroom and weight room, treating others with respect, and performing well on the football field. By focusing on those areas, Devlin hopes to build a program where success goes beyond what appears on the scoreboard. Coach Devlin is as excited for what is to come to this team as the next person. He gets to see the football team grow every day, and he loves to be a part of what is going to be the next best team in the MAC. He has brought massive culture change to the Alvernia football team, and it can be seen throughout campus.
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Sports
Vol. 66 Issue 1
Alvernia Men’s Volleyball Reilly Collins Contributing Writer Alvernia has not had a men’s volleyball team since the 2021-22 school year. This year, the men’s volleyball team returns, led by head coach Micaela Sensenig and assistant coach Owen McFadden. The team is back and ready to surpass expectations for a ‘first-year program.’ Sensenig doesn’t want the team to be held to low expectations. She said they intend to “...[make] a statement. Like, I want to come out years one, year two. Year one might be a little bit, you know, here we are, but year two, be able to kind of make that statement of like, we’re back and we’re taking it serious, and we want that, as much as we want that for us, we want that for you guys that kind of put your trust in us, in the program that we’re, we have the vision of building.” The coaches do not intend to treat the men’s team like
a whole new program. They want to be a “sneaky-good” team this upcoming season. By next season, they want other teams to be a little worried to see Alvernia on their schedule. Coming into this school year, there was no one on the men’s volleyball roster, and Sensenig and McFadden recruited just as they would in a year where they had plenty of kids on a roster. “I’d also say we were relatively selective for starting a program,” McFadden said. “Like we weren’t just bringing in bodies to have eighteen.” The selective nature of the team’s recruiting makes some parts of its normal seasonal preparations more challenging. Due to having only ten players, the team can’t scrimmage itself in practice. However, the team believes that starting small and more elite will mean that in the long term they will prosper. The University provided
strong support to the men’s volleyball team during its rebuilding. Cory Beddick, Director of Athletics and Recreation, was willing to stretch the athletics budget for the team. “We needed a little bit of a budget increase,” Sensenig said. “Just the athletic side of things… [we] needed his support a lot in that whole process.” Meghan Hafer in the Office
Maura Mee Contributing Editor Being a student-athlete is always difficult, demanding, and strenuous, but team captains have entirely different challenges. “As a leader I try to be a role model, a friend, and a shoulder to lean on,” Tia Wherley, assistant coach to the Alvernia dance team, said. Dance team captain and senior psychology major, Samantha Zettl, said that being a team captain takes a lot of time management, leadership, and communication skills, as you are advocating for a group of people. “Being named captain for my final year at Alvernia is something I do not take lightly,” Zettl said. “I hope to lead the team with great care and responsibility.” Zettl has been performing with the dance team since her first year when she attended an open clinic. Over the past four years, she has worked her way up to being the team captain. “Being able to come to college and become the captain of the team has meant a lot to me,” Zettl said, “because I am able to
continue my dance passion even after graduating from my home studio.” Behind the scenes, Zettl is working hard to create new, fresh, and fun dances that are engaging and attentiongrabbing for the audience, while still showcasing the skills of all the dancers. However, not everything is smooth sailing. As the captain, Zettl must balance her education, social life, and her role on the dance team. For example, Zettl has taken over for her coaches to run practices and team conditioning. She also assembles the choreography for the one-minute timeout dances, also known as “bumps,” that the dance team performs at basketball games. “During the 2025-2026 season, we performed during the football team’s halftime,” Zettl said. “Before we went out, it started to pour. Instead of being upset by the circumstances, the whole team made light out of the situation and made it a memory we will never forget.” Having such a small team allows for each dancer to make memories not a lot of other teams can. The rain didn’t stop the team from
having fun and doing what they love. As team captain, Zettl is the team’s advocate. She figures out uniforms, schedules, and where and when the dancers need to be at the games for performances. All the while, Zettl is on the line, dancing with her fellow teammates. Staying on top of the specific angles that the dancers must hit while also being mindful of keeping their arms in the proper position as they perform is a demanding skill to maintain. “It can be a lot to learn a dance,” she said. “When we finish, we use other practice times to go through count by count and clean the choreography to make the dance sharp. While it is a very tedious process, it is rewarding in the end.” Zettl works hard every day to make sure the team stays optimistic, connected, and motivated. To keep them motivated, she has made it clear that she is not just a captain, but also a friend. “I try to tell them that I was in their shoes once,” she said. “We all were recreational dancers at one point in our lives. I was a first-year on the team as well, so it can be really challenging to go from
L-R: Owen McFadden and Micaela Sensenig. Photo Credits: Reilly Collins
of Undergraduate Admissions was also very helpful, Sensenig said. “She’s been our right-hand man for all of our visits and shadows and handling it like a champ.” The admissions office gave the team useful advice, such as being sure that recruits could shadow classes. To kick off the 2027 season, on January 15th and 16th, our men’s team heads down to Virginia,
Randolph-Macon College, to play Randolph-Macon, Marymount, Bridgewater, and Southern Virginia. This is not going to be an easy task since, in the 2026 season across all Division III programs, Southern Virginia was ranked sixth, Randolph-Macon was ranked tenth, and Marymount was ranked thirty-sixth. The home opener takes place against Houghton University on January 22. Afterward, the Golden Wolves face Lycoming College on January 30; next, the first conference match at home vs Stevens Institute of Technology on March 17; and last, at home vs. Messiah University on March 24. Both of the latter will be tough games because they are conference matches, and both are incredibly skilled teams. In 2026, Stevens was ranked fourth, and Messiah was ranked seventh. But overall, things are looking bright for the Golden Wolves.
Zettl’s Life as a Leader
Samantha Zettl in the dance studio before practicing. Photo Credits: Maura Mee
recreational dance to college dance because they are very different.” “During practices, I try to film videos for the girls so that they can practice at their own time,” Zettl said. “And I also make sure the girls know that I am there for them, so if they need to meet with me outside of practice time, I can do that and help them with the choreography.” Zettl understands that the transition from recreational to college dance is difficult, having experienced it firsthand. Because of this, she wants her teammates to know they do not have to go through this transition alone. Her own experience has shaped the way she leads,
allowing her to be a source of support both on and off the dance floor. Leadership is not just about being in charge or telling people what to do. Being a team leader is also about being someone your teammates can trust and rely on. The dance team performs at Alvernia’s men’s and women’s home basketball games during timeouts and halftimes, so be on the lookout for them! The dance team will also be performing at Maroon and Gold night on October 5, at a Flyers game on January 30 against the Jets, and a Reading Royals game on March 27 against the Adirondack Thunder.
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Sports/Academics
September/October 2026
Vol. 66 Issue 1
Women’s Ice Hockey Team Kimberly Nieves Contributing Writer Alvernia’s women’s ice hockey ended last season with a 12-12 overall record, and an 11-10 conference record. The women’s ice hockey team had a grueling back-toback play schedule. Despite the challenging pace of play, they showed resilience and determination to fight for every play to make a goal. The Lady Golden Wolves had major wins against Stevenson University, King’s College, and Neumann University. On January 16 and on January 24, the team had 42 total saves against Wilkes and Arcadia. Their highest scoring game had a score of 7-0 against King’s College on November 15, 2025. Alexis Olivera, a first-year at the time, and Emma Hart, sophomore at the time, scored three goals the same night against King’s College. Oliveira had 2 assisted goals, one scored 35 seconds into the game and one unassisted goal. Hart had three assisted goals by Kathryn Palmer twice, and Carolyn Burton in
Peightyn Magruder Contributing Writer The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a program built around service, clinical excellence, and the belief that healthcare education should prepare students to meet real human needs. Alvernia DPT graduates truly see and personalize care to their patients through a rigorous program designed by faculty and staff who truly want to see the students grow into the best physical therapists they can be. “Our philosophy is, and always will be, 33 students admitted to the program, 33 students graduating from the program,” Dr. Pamela Unger, department chair of the DPT program, said. The DPT program is very successful. From 2021 to 2025, the program’s graduates had a 100% employment rate, and the class of 2026 recently achieved a 96.7% passing rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), exceeding the
“I’m most excited to play King’s and Hood because two of my friends go there and I know those will be good games to compete in this season.” First-year Alexis Bernys. Photo Credits: Nick Anderson
the second quarter. Finally, in the third quarter, Maddie Morris scored a goal with an assist from Sofia King and Addy Gularte, sixteen minutes into the game. This team’s dynamic paved the way for their victories throughout the season. In March 2025, it was announced that first-year student Erin Schutt received All-Mac Second team for defense for the 2025-2026 season. This past season, the women’s ice hockey team lost against major teams Lebanon Valley College, Wilkes and
Arcadia University. However, Coach Brandwene and Coach Magil have recruited eight players, including transfers, for the coming season. The fresh recruits hopefully will improve the team’s competitiveness in their difficult conference. Guerin Kosec, Arianna Evans, Alexis Bernys, Victoria Falco, Maggie Donnelly, and Ava Bardeggia are part of the newly recruited class of 2030. Falco, an incoming first year, is originally from Amiens, France and has played for the U18 Team for France. Two more players, Kady
Kratzer, from Hood College and Mara Edwards, from SUNY Potsdam are both incoming transfers this fall. These new recruits bring promising skills that the team hopes will help lead them to a successful season. Although seven seniors graduated this past May, their performances have left an impact on the women’s ice hockey team and will not be forgotten. “One thing I’d tell past teammates and new first years is to ask questions even if that means scheduling time
with your coaches,” Kaili Klimas (‘25) said. “Having to change to a whole new system freshman year definitely wasn’t easy, and I wish I asked more questions or took more time to learn it outside the rink. Truly enjoy all the moments, good or bad, because it really does fly by. You won’t believe that until it’s over.” Students will be able to see the new season of the women’s ice hockey team starting this fall into the new year. Their first match, November 13th will be held at Body Zone, located in Reading, PA. Here are the first few games of this upcoming season: Friday, October 30th – SUNY Cortland – Away Friday, October 31st – SUNY Cortland -- Away Friday, November 6th – Wilkes – Away Saturday, November 7th – Wilkes – Away Friday, November 13th A= Stevenson – Home Saturday, November 14th – Stevenson – Home Friday, November 20thKing’s – Away Saturday, November 21stKing’s - Away
From Anatomy to Action
Showcases the Anatomage Table in use Photo Credits: Dr. Eric Recktenwald
national average of 82-85%. The program is also technologically innovative, featuring virtual dissection tables and state-of-the-art tools to enhance students’ understanding of human anatomy and physiology. It is also notable for its history of service, both locally and even abroad. One major standout in service is how the program serves the international community in Belize during a 10-day trip, and other communities right here at Alvernia. The journey wasn’t easy.
Dr. Marcia Thompson, as well as Drs. Robin Zappin and James O’Donohue worked to overcome intense challenges to ensure every student in the program would find their pathway to success. “Healthcare providers are always looking to make things better. That’s what I think was the most fun about this journey: Getting to make things better and better,” Dr. Thompson said. Changes were continually made to the program to help struggling students
and future students, including increasing the emphasis on anatomy and physiology in the first year to build a strong anatomical foundation that would stay with students as they progressed. “I think the thing we’ve done really well is face the biggest issue we had to face, which was where a subset of students who came from undergrad and struggled,” Dr. Thompson said. “We spent a lot of time thinking about what we needed to do to help them and prep them
better.” The DPT program continually works to improve, with DPT faculty meeting at the end of every semester to discuss that year’s outcomes. Afterward, they work collaboratively to tweak the program to an even more successful experience. One aspect of the DPT program that continues to provide graduate students with a strong foundation for the future is its emphasis on hands-on clinical experience, communitybased service, and faculty mentorship. As a faculty mentor, Dr. Thompson tells prospective DPT program applicants that they should start pushing themselves early in their coursework. “Instead of taking the path of least resistance in your coursework, take the path that’s going to make sure your rigor stays high so that you’re prepared,” Dr. Thompson said. “Everything you’re learning now is a foundation, and you’re building on it.”
7 September/October 2026
Trends
Vol. 66 Issue 1
Scalper No Scalping Danica Leister Contributing Editor Scalping high-demand products isn’t new, but it’s becoming increasingly common. Scalping is the practice of buying large quantities of highdemand products at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and reselling them for heavily inflated prices. Scalpers force the average consumer to work hard just for the opportunity to buy highdemand products. Many people have experienced scalping or tried to obtain high-demand items at some point. Whether it be waiting in lines on release day, waking up early for online product drops, or dealing with scalpers as an employee. Items that are in high demand sell out quickly, and scalpers abuse the system to buy up large quantities of those items to resell at inflated prices. Braden Livingston is a senior communication major. Livingston and his friend wanted to buy a Freddy Fazbear animatronic from Spirit Halloween with a MSRP of $499.99 that is only available in physical stores. However, many stores
received only one or two animatronics, so Livingston had to camp out in front of Spirit Halloween to even be able to have a chance to buy it. “We had to camp outside the Spirit Halloween on opening day for six hours to be first in line, which did work out,” Livingston said. While Livingston was able to obtain this high-demand item, most other people at that location couldn’t buy one. The resale market for the animatronic has its price anywhere from $1,000 to as high as $15,000. Many people try to avoid camping outside stores or waiting in lines by buying online. However, scalping is still a very big issue online. There are scalper bots that automatically buy products by monitoring, adding items to the cart, and checking out in less than one second. “I feel like it’s really unfair to the average collector/fan because bots scoop up all the products faster than any human ever could,” Brock Leister, a Pokémon collector, said. Many people wait online at specific times for product drops, only for items to go
out of stock within a minute or two. Consumers chasing the most in-demand products have to spam the add to cart button, wait in a queue, or join a lottery drawing for a chance to receive products. The high-stakes purchasing game puts pressure on both consumers and ordinary store employees who have nothing to do with how much product is available. Employees at large retail stores like Target have been threatened or harassed for doing their jobs. There have been many fights in stores, or customers screaming at employees. Employees must deal with unsafe situations due to high product demand and scalping. Scalping can even affect smaller businesses that occasionally make highdemand products available. On Monday, September 7, Seven Brew had a promotional squishy with the purchase of any two medium or large drinks. Seven Brew was unprepared for how sought after this product would be, with lines at some locations winding up and down major roadways. “The police came three times due to traffic issues,
imagined. But the story’s intense weirdness and the crudeness of the animation spoke to people. The more people made fun of Niu Lai, the more curious they became about it. “We want a US release!!!” username “TheMaayavi” wrote on Reddit. Viewers began sharing clips and talking about the movie online, and people who had never heard of it suddenly wanted to see what all the attention was about. What started as
people laughing at the movie eventually turned into people buying tickets to experience it for themselves. The movie was reportedly made over five years by director Xin Yumeng and his mother, Sun Lifang. Its extremely low-budget production and unusual animation style made it stand out from the polished animated movies audiences are used to seeing from major studios. Despite its poor production quality, “Niu Lai” began beating big-budget
Pictured are three Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box (EBT) won from Walmart’s first Lottery system drop. Photo Credits: Brock Leister
and the mayor tried to shut us down,” one Seven Brew employee said. The employee, who is not named because they are concerned about retaliation, felt the company should have informed the local police to help direct traffic before they ran the promotion. The giveaway caused a lot of stress for everyone involved. Customers waiting in long lines would become unruly at times. Some customers also attempted to acquire more squishies than they were entitled to receive by attempting to deceive employees so they could scalp them online for inflated prices. The Seven Brew promotion was meant to last from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the location this employee worked at ran out of squishies by 3:30 p.m. Many people were unable to
get a squishy despite waiting in long, slow lines. People who were unaware of the giveaway were caught off-guard by the disturbances. “A Seven Brew is between me and my commute to work,” Dr. Lange, full professor of communication, said. “I had innocently just wanted to get a single coffee that morning, but I was trapped in a traffic backup that nearly started at my front door. I had to wait for the line to move enough to be able to pull into another parking lot to turn around so I wouldn’t be late for work.” There are many more stories like this as scalping becomes more prevalent. Scalping causes difficulty in receiving products and raising safety concerns for customers and employees.
movies at the box office each week by grossing more than they did. “Niu Lai” had no marketing budget. People learned about the film by word of mouth or by hand-drawn posters that theater employees began making. Every meme, reaction, and viral clip drew more attention to “Niu Lai.” Many people praised their dedication and congratulated the mom and son on their resilience and passion for this project. “I saw so much about that movie. I heard it was so bad it actually made a ton of people want to see it, even me,” Jennifer Sanchez, nursing major, said. “Niu Lai” is ultimately a social media success story. Normally, companies try to make their products look as good as possible. Niu Lai became popular partly because people thought it looked so strange. “Nothing Hollywood is putting out today looks like Niu Lai,” Dr. Ryan Lange, full professor of communication, said. “You can feel human
craft at work in a way that a gigantic Marvel movie can’t show you. Generative AI will never be able to make a bad movie with heart. All it will do is make bad movies.” In the end, “Niu Lai” shows just how powerful social media and word of mouth can be. What started as people making fun of a weird, lowbudget movie turned into thousands of people actually wanting to see it. Whether you think the movie is good or bad, you have to respect what a mother and son accomplished with passion, dedication, and basically no marketing budget.
How The Niu Lai Movie Went From Internet Joke to Box-Office Hit Dylan Correll Contributing Writer You are telling me that a movie reportedly made for around $200 went on to make more than $4 million at the box office? “Niu Lai,” a Chinese animated film, went from unmitigated disaster to one of the strangest viral movie stories of 2026. “Niu Lai” initially looked like it was going to disappear without anyone noticing. After its initial release on August 5, 2026, the movie earned only about $1,000 in its first several days and attracted very few viewers. Then clips of the movie began spreading across social media. Instead of praising the animation, many viewers made fun of its unusual visuals, awkward animation, and confusing storyline. “Niu Lai” follows a young cow that becomes caught up in a strange adventure involving humans, animals, and a series of bizarre events. It is difficult to explain the storyline as the flow of events may themselves have been something the young cow
A group of people in a movie theater. Photo Credits: Krists Luhaers from Unsplash.com