UCity students voice concerns about property sales
FEATURES SPORTS
GRACE O’MEARA ’27
Assistant News Editor
About 25 students gathered Oct. 2 in Griffith Hall on the University City campus to discuss concerns over the recent sale of 15 UCity properties that were announced Sept. 12.
Carly Robinson ’26, PharmD ’28, vice president of University Student Senate at the UCity campus, prompted the university to organize the forum to allow students to voice their concerns about how the property sales will affect their experience on the campus. Ross Radish, J.D., vice president of student life and dean of students, and Jill Dougherty Cleary ’00, Ed.D. ’23, vice president of administration and operations, gave presentations and answered questions. During his presentation, Radish referred to the properties included in the sale as the “Loop Road Properties.” These include 4140 Woodland Ave., the Joseph W. England Library, the Wilson Student Center, Goodman Hall, Alumni Hall, the
Science and Technology Center (STC), the Athletic/Recreation Center, Glasser Hall, Woodland Hall, the Integrated Professional Education Complex (IPEX) and the Living and Learning Commons (LLC). The university will lease back IPEX, Woodland Hall and Glasser Hall. The lease details are not being disclosed.
An official closing date for the legal transfer of property to the purchaser, the Belmont Neighborhood Educational Alliance, has also not been published.
St. Joe’s will retain ownership of Griffith Hall, Kline Hall, the Pharmacology and Toxicology Center, the McNeil Graduate Study and Research Center and Whitecar Hall, Cleary said. Rosenberger Hall, located across from Griffith Hall on a parcel of land that is part of Clark Park, is owned by the city of Philadelphia and is leased by the university, Cleary clarified to The Hawk.
At least three buildings that were once part of the University of Sciences campus have already been sold. Kevin Gfeller,
Campus initiates lockdown protocol
BELLA PRIVITERA ’26 Managing Editor
LUKE SANELLI ’26 Digital Content Editor
St. Joe’s issued a Hawk Hill campus lockdown alert at 11:35 a.m. Oct. 3, after the Philadelphia Police Department informed the Office of Public Safety and Security of an armed robbery near the Hawk Hill campus in the Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd area.
The alert, issued through the university’s emergency notification system, instructed community members to shelter in place, lock doors and windows and not to “leave your location until further notice.” A second alert was sent out at 12:16 p.m. to inform the campus the lockdown was still in effect.
Brandon Pasquale, director of the Office of Public Safety and Security, said the PPD told him to send Hawk Hill into a lockdown after police pursued the suspects’ vehicle, which entered Lower Merion township.
The lockdown was lifted at 1:31 p.m., after the suspects were arrested. Pasquale said the Lower Merion Police Department, PPD and the FBI were involved.
Pasquale said the “whole lockdown went well” on the part of the OPSS, and Public Safety officers followed protocol, which includes patrolling areas of campus and manually locking campus buildings. Pasquale also said there were “areas of improvement” in following protocol for the community at large, adding that he heard students left buildings minutes after the lockdown began.
Ross Radish, J.D., vice president of student life and dean of students, wrote in an email to the St. Joe’s community after lockdown was lifted that there were some who “chose to take chances” and continued moving around campus after the notification.
“While these instances were limited, they serve as an important reminder that ENS alerts must be taken seriously and followed to ensure our community’s safety,” Radish wrote in an email to The Hawk.
Nicole Nwako ’27 said she was in her Moore Hall apartment when the lockdown alert was sent. After seeing the notification, she went to ensure the exterior doors to her building were closed.
“There are people who just simply didn’t care, and they didn’t understand how serious this was,” Nwako said.
associate director of public relations, referred The Hawk to a Sept. 5 Philadelphia Business Journal article for specifics. According to that article, Osol Hall, East Building and a parcel at 4238-40 Chester Ave. were sold.
The initial announcement raised questions among students about housing, parking, campus safety and long-term stability of programs at the UCity campus.
Cleary confirmed the university plans to depart from the LLC by the summer of 2026.
The LLC currently houses 70 students, including both St. Joe’s students and students in the ELS program, and has the capacity for 416 residents. It is the only housing option for students at the UCity campus. Cleary told The Hawk there is no anticipated scenario in which students would be able to live in the LLC after 2026.
Leah Fries ’27 said she was eating lunch in The Kettle when the lockdown alert was displayed on the monitors. Fries said the gates at the entrance of The Kettle were closed following the alert, and staff told students the university was under lockdown. Fries spent the entire two-hour lockdown there.
Mason Kimball ’28, a Hawk Host, was checking in families at the Frances M. Maguire Art Museum for campus tours when his coworker told him the university was on lockdown.
“At no point were [the families] outraged at us, angry at the students or angry at the school,” Kimball said. “They were just like, ‘Wow, this is just a bad situation to be in.’”
Radish told The Hawk the cooperation between community members, OPSS and law enforcement helped to safely manage the lockdown.
“I want to thank our students, faculty and staff for their cooperation and our public safety officers and law enforcement partners for their swift response,” Radish said.
The Student Newspaper of Saint Joseph’s University
Volume CIX
Anastasia Kunicka ‘28 discusses varying sentiments on Bad Bunny’s future Super Bowl performance.
GRAPHIC: JORDAN SHARER ’25/THE HAWK AND HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
‘Be more humanistic to each other’
Conference trains journalists to report gun violence stories with empathy
CARA SANTILLI ’24, M.A. ’26
The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting brought together journalists, gun violence survivors, public health professionals and advocates for a conference Oct. 2-3 in Center City, Philadelphia, with the aim of reshaping the narrative around gun violence.
About 120 people attended the two-day conference, titled “What Now? Gun Violence Reporting in Unprecedented Times,” which was created in partnership with the Association of Gun Violence Reporters.
The conference included panels, training sessions and workshops designed to equip journalists with tools to report on gun violence with empathy and accuracy — and with the purpose of finding solutions, said Jim MacMillan, founder and director of PCGVR. Of the attendees, roughly 80% registered for the certification portion of the conference.
“We feel as if more journalists report on gun violence prevention through a public health approach that it will eventually lead to gun violence prevention, that it can actually help prevent shootings and save lives,” MacMillan said.
From Jan. 1, 2024, to Oct. 6, 2025, there have been 3,135 shooting incidents, 1,605 shooting victims and 435 homicides in Philadelphia, according to crime statistics released by the Philadelphia Police Department.
Despite such numbers, journalists often struggle to cover gun violence in ways that go beyond headlines, daily crime reports and formulaic and episodic writing. Throughout the conference, speakers urged journalists to engage directly with affected communities, elevate survivor voices and avoid sensationalism.
The certification portion of the conference was developed over the past three years by PCGVR in collaboration with journalism and public health experts. MacMillan credits Jennifer Midberry,
UCity
Kevin Vu ’24, PharmD ’28, one of the students who voiced concerns about housing at the forum, said it is frustrating to see dorms built on the Hawk Hill campus when buildings are being sold on the UCity campus.
“I think if the university cannot maintain graduate housing at the LLC, I think they should be able to provide Hawk Hill campus dorms as a possible option for us graduate students to live in,” Vu said.
Another concern among students was the status of parking lots on campus. At the forum, Radish and Cleary confirmed that Briar’s lot — the lot located between Goodman and the ARC — will remain open
associate professor of journalism at Temple University, and Dr. Jessica Beard, director of research for PCGVR, trauma surgeon and associate professor of surgery in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, for creating a structured and evidence-informed curriculum.
MacMillan said the certification provides journalists with a tangible credential that can be added to resumes and portfolios — and, organizers hope, a deeper commitment to public health-informed reporting.
“This certification lets us track impact,” MacMillan said. “The more journalists we certify, the more we push back against harmful reporting and instead produce journalism that could help prevent shootings and save lives.”
‘Be your own advocate’
A screening of the 25-minute documentary “The Second Trauma” took place during the first day of the conference. The film explores the effects of news coverage on individuals who have been affected by gun violence.
The documentary profiles three Philadelphia residents: Oronde McClain, director of The Survivor Connection at PCGVR, who was shot in the back of the head at age 10; Angela Wade, whose son, Joseph Emanuel Daniels III, was shot and killed in Philadelphia; and Armond James, whose brother, Anrae James, was shot and killed while working a shift at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
The film centers on their interactions with local news coverage in the aftermath of those traumatic events. It explores how survivors often feel misrepresented, ignored or retraumatized by the way stories are reported, particularly when journalists focus solely on crime scenes or victims’ criminal records rather than the human impact.
Following the screening, the conference hosted a panel discussion moderated by Tamara Cherry, journalist and founder of Pickup Communications. McClain, Wade
until the sale goes through, along with a parking lot next to IPEX. Radish said the university has recently towed vehicles in the lot without a St. Joe’s parking permit, citing unauthorized use of the lot by those outside the university community. The lot remains open for those with a St. Joe’s decal.
Robinson said, in addition to worrying about lost academic buildings, students are concerned about overall safety. Radish and Cleary confirmed that the UCity Office of Public Safety and Security will continue patrolling the exterior of the sold buildings, excluding Osol Hall.
Radish and Cleary informed students about planned amenities at the forum. This includes a recreation option where high-use exercise equipment has been moved from
and James were joined by Yvonne Latty, journalism education advisor for PCGVR and professor of practice in the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University.
McClain, now 35, reflected on the ongoing pressure he faces to speak publicly whenever shootings occur in Philadelphia.
“I’m 35, and I got shot 25 years ago … you just want to compare our stories, and I don’t think that’s fair,” McClain said.
The panel highlighted a central message of the conference: Coverage of gun violence should involve collaboration with those most directly impacted and must be approached with care, accuracy and empathy. Panelists encouraged attendees to build relationships with survivors, follow up on stories, and think critically about the language and framing used in their reporting.
Both McClain and Wade also reminded those who feel misrepresented or harmed by media coverage to “go to the source,” as McClain said, by reaching out via email or phone.
Wade echoed this sentiment during the panel, encouraging others to speak up for themselves and their families.
“You gotta be your own advocate,” Wade said.
Expanding the conversation
While journalists were the primary
the ARC to Woodland Hall.
Students also expressed concerns about dining options, as the Wilson Student Center, which housed the Wilson Dining Hall, closed at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Cleary said there will be new vending machines in the IPEX, additional refrigeration and microwaves, as well as a coffee cafe in Woodland Hall set to open this semester.
Billy Scott ’25, DPT ’27, another UCity student, said he hoped the university would treat students on both campuses as equals and follow through on the promised amenities they have been assured.
Drew Kramer ’26, a UCity student, said many students are also worried about how the sale will affect student life on the
audience, the event welcomed students and professionals as well.
Christopher Oluwole, who works for the Office of the District Attorney in Philadelphia, emphasized the importance of grounding advocacy in real community experience.
“If you’re going to be in this line of work where you’re going to be advocating or speaking on behalf or sharing perspectives from the community affected by gun violence, just make that sure you’re collaborating with people that have lived experience and that have gone through what you’re actively trying to speak about,” Oluwole said.
Erica Tricarico, managing editor for the Association of Health Care Journalists, said she attended the conference in hopes of bringing back new insights and potential story ideas for AHCJ’s reporters and editorial team.
“One key takeaway is the need for journalists to be trauma-responsive, not just trauma-informed, when reporting on firearm violence,” Tricarico wrote in an email to The Hawk. “Also, hearing from survivors, family members of victims, clinicians and fellow journalists reinforced how crucial it is to bring diverse voices to the table to cover this topic with empathy, accuracy and clarity.”
“TRAUMA REPORTING CONFERENCE” CONTINUED ON PG. 3
UCity campus.
“Everyone needs to graduate and get their degrees and go to class and everything, but if there’s a lot of moving pieces at this time, it could get a little difficult for everyone to just kind of go throughout their day,” Kramer said.
Robinson said the forum created an opportunity for a direct conversation between students and administrators about the changes to the UCity campus.
“It was really important for students and faculty to see each other face-to-face in order to ask these questions rather than doing it over email,” Robinson said. “It humanizes both sides, helps each other see each other’s perspectives and just understand a little bit more.”
Copy Chief
GRAPHIC: CARA SANTILLI ’24 M.A. ’26/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: ANASTASIA KUNICKA ’28, LUKE SANELLI ’26 AND CARA SANTILLI ’24, M.A. ’26/THE HAWK
Q&A with Brandy Schillace
LIV BIELAWSKI ’27 News Editor
Brandy Schillace, Ph.D., is a writer and historian. Growing up near an abandoned coal mine in an underground house beside a cemetery, Schillace was no stranger to more “taboo” topics like death and disease. Her work has covered nonfiction, fiction, science and history. Schillace has worked as a journalist, author, historian and museum programmer at a medical museum. Schillace has a bachelor’s degree in English from Wittenberg University and a Ph.D. in English from Case Western Reserve University.
The Hawk sat down with Schillace following her Oct. 1 visit to Hawk Hill, where she discussed her book, “The Framed Women of Ardemore House,” a mystery that follows the neurodivergent protagonist, Jo Jones, on an introspective murder investigation.
On your website, you describe yourself as an “adventurer at the intersections.” What does that mean to you?
I’m at the intersection of history and medicine and literature and social justice. But also, I think intersectionality is something that just describes me. It’s hard to identify as only one thing. I even think I’m kind of gender-fluid in some ways because everything is about these tiny boxes, and I’ve never fit in any boxes, and
being autistic is part of that.
You have an extensive background in science history, nonfiction and journalism. What drew you to mystery fiction, and how did “The Framed Women of Ardemore House” come to be?
So many of the detectives were people I felt like I identified with. You know, your Nero Wolfe, your Hercule Poirot, your Sherlock Holmes. None of them are neurotypical people, and I think I felt at home with mystery fiction. So, naturally, as a result, I tried my hand at fiction writing, and that was the genre I chose.
What inspired you to center a neurodivergent character in your story, and what felt important to get right in representing her experience?
I think too often autistic characters end up being caricatures because people are trying to hit every little piece of autism because they’re like, ‘Well, this is the only autistic character, so we got to make sure we get it all in there,’ and that’s very unrealistic. But it also means you’ve sacrificed the character’s actual development as a person for their characterization as an autistic person, and I think that is what I wanted to avoid. I wanted her to be a whole person who has autism.
What do you hope readers take away from the story?
I hope people will read this and recognize themselves in [Jo Jones’] character and go, ‘Okay, well, we’re all just people, and the label of autism isn’t there to try and separate the group further than we already are.’ It’s there to say, ‘Here’s a group of people that are allowed to ask for support.’ And if you identify with Jo Jones and you didn’t know that you were autistic, I hope you find a friend and go, ‘Oh yeah, this is an OK way to be. There’s nothing wrong with this, and I deserve to have accommodation, too.’
Your life has been full of unusual places like cemeteries, catacombs and medical museums. How have those experiences shaped your approach to writing fiction?
Early on, I had a lot of interaction with things that most people try to stay away from. So illness, death, it’s a tragedy. Both my parents, my mother and my stepfather, were quite ill. My mom had cancer twice when I was a kid. My dad had two massive heart attacks while I was growing up. I lived next to a cemetery. You get used to the understanding that life is ephemeral, and so one of my first books was a history of death and dying cross-culturally. I think that I’ve grown quite used to looking at taboo subjects and bringing them into
the light, and that’s almost my [mode of operating] in both nonfiction and fiction.
If you could tell your younger self one thing about becoming a writer, what would it be?
My younger self wanted to be a writer and was told that was a very foolish way to make a living and that I should think of something better. So, I spent a lot of years doing other things, and I would go back and be like, ‘No, you were right. You were right. Stay on the path.’
Meet the Class of 2029 Student Senators
Alexandra Elam (she/her)
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Toms River, New Jersey
Emily O’Donnell (she/her)
Majors: Neuroscience and Economics
Hometown: Delran, New Jersey
“This year, I will be focusing on working with the IT department to improve technology on campus based on the needs of students. Some of what I hope to address includes the campus wifi and the scanners.”
Matt J. Torres (he/him)
Major: International Relations
Hometown: Spring House, Pennsylvania
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“I hope to raise the voices of all the students on campus and allow them to feel comfortable asking for change or just asking questions regarding things happening on campus!” COMPILED
“Overall, in Senate, and what I campaigned on, my goal is to build up and strengthen the St. Joe’s community and help us become more interconnected, improving and streamlining communication between the student body, the Senate, the university administration and our broader Philadelphia community.”
“I hope to leave a meaningful mark on both the Student Senate and St. Joe’s as a whole. My focus is to support meaningful action, encourage thoughtful use of our resources and be known as someone students and peers can come to if they want their voice to be heard.”
Gun violence reporting conference (cont.)
Throughout the conference, panelists, facilitators and attendees issued a shared call to action: improve how gun violence is reported — not only for the sake of accuracy but also to reduce harm and support healing.
The conference also emphasized that the public also plays a role in shaping media narratives.
“Readers don’t understand the power they have over the media … if something is not working, you tell them,” Latty said.
James said ultimately what is needed is a more human-centered approach to journalistic storytelling on gun violence.
“Be more humanistic to each other,” James advised the audience. “Somebody is going through some tragedy, something every single day.”
This is the first story in a series by Cara Santilli ’24, M.A. ’26, about social issues affecting the Philadelphia community, how the media reports on those issues and what the community can do to help.
“Many students of the freshman class are very unfamiliar with what the school has to offer, so I want to be their spokesperson and make sure that they are able to receive the correct information to make their freshman year worthwhile.”
Majors: Business Intelligence & Analytics and Computer Science
Hometown: Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
“I want to focus on amplifying student voices, building inclusivity and making sure that everyone feels welcome and supported as part of the campus community.”
Members of the St. Joe’s community seeking support are encouraged to contact the following resources: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 610-660-1090
Campus Ministry, 610-660-1030
The Office of Student Outreach & Support, 610-660-1149
The Jesuit community, 610-660-1400
Employee Assistance Program, 866-799-2728
Brandy Schillace, Ph.D., answers questions about her book, “The Framed Women of Ardemore House,” at an Oct. 1 event in Cardinal Foley.
PHOTO: DEE ALABEDE ’26/THE HAWK
Matt Tsucalas (he/him)
Savannah Flores (she/her)
RJ Mallery (he/him)
Editorial: Democracy depends on local turnout
Come Nov. 4, citizens of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties (as well as the city of Philadelphia) will head to the polls to vote in their local elections. While national elections dominate media coverage and public discourse, the most immediate impact on citizens’ daily lives occurs at the local level. City councils, school boards and municipal offices collectively shape the environments in which we live, learn and work. These institutions are directly responsible for decisions regarding public education, transportation, public safety and local environmental regulation.
Despite this, voter participation in Philadelphia’s local elections remains strikingly low. In the 2023 mayoral election, only 31% of registered voters cast a ballot. This limited engagement allows a small (and often unrepresentative) portion
of the general population to dictate policy outcomes, making it difficult for the government to meet the needs and values of the broader community.
Local elections are also the most
“The most immediate impact on citizens’ daily lives occurs at the local level.”
direct and accessible form of democratic participation. They offer opportunities for citizens to communicate with representatives, attend public meetings and observe governance in action. By engaging in local
politics, voters not only shape immediate policy outcomes but also contribute to developing experienced leadership for the future.
Participation in local elections is both a constitutional right and a civic responsibility that affirms one’s commitment to democratic principles. Democracy is not sustained solely through national campaigns and presidential elections; it endures through consistent participation on the local level. When citizens decide to participate, they ensure the specific needs of their community are prioritized.
The fight for lower prescription drug prices
Healthcare shouldn’t be politicized
SHARON JONNALAGADDA ’29 Guest Columnist
On Sept. 30, Pfizer agreed to a deal with the Trump administration to offer prescription medicines to American customers for lower prices on the federal government’s website, TrumpRx. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla met with President Donald Trump in the White House following the steep tariffs announced Sept. 25 on pharmaceutical drugs and home fixtures. In return, the company will be granted a three-year grace period from tariffs as long as they develop their products and continue investing capital in America.
Currently, customers in the U.S. pay up to three to four times the cost that customers in other nations do, and pharmaceutical companies have invested in countries with lower tax rates, such as Ireland and Switzerland. Many Medicare patients can’t afford their treatment plans
due to rising inflation and drug shortages, and hospitals are unable to keep up with the high drug expenses and patient care.
Due to high demand in the American market for branded drugs, companies charge higher rates through private insurance in comparison to other developed countries. This is one of our most prominent problems — no one should be denied the right to life because of corporate politics.
Out of frustration for this problem, Trump threatened tariffs of up to 100% on 17 major pharmaceutical companies, effective Oct. 1, unless they sold directly to consumers at slashed prices. Pfizer was the first company to agree to his conditions, and others are expected to follow.
In the past, Trump’s tariffs have been criticized for their repercussions on the economy, but Pfizer’s agreement seems like a beam of hope in a world where patients don’t receive adequate care because they can’t afford the luxury that is American healthcare. Though experts remain skeptical of the possible consequences, if tariffs prove to be an effective tool in lowering
pharmaceutical drug prices, we can look toward a better future. In the end, the reality is that people’s lives should not be politicized and should never have been.
The Hawk welcomes Letters to the Editor, typically no more than 250 words. They can be emailed to hawk.editorial@gmail.com.
CARTOON: LUKE SANELLI ’26/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
Drawing the line in Hollywood
Will Hollywood ever accept AI actors?
CAROLINE KELLY ’26 Guest Columnist
Hollywood has always been a hub for artistic and creative innovation in movies, however, one innovation it is seemingly not embracing is the introduction of AI “actress” Tilly Norwood. Norwood is the product of AI studio Particle6, who have claimed they’ve been in talks to sign the “actress” to a talent agency. Despite this, the overall reception of her creation has been frosty. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists condemned the “actress” and highlighted it has no life experience or emotions to draw upon, which devalues real, human artistry.
While AI in the arts has been steadily increasing over the past few years, especially within visual media, this is the first time
we’ve seen such a drastic presence within film and TV. It is not, however, the first time AI has been used to generate realistic looking people. Deepfakes, (which are a series of videos, images and audio that have been either edited or created using AI), have been a concern for a few years. The worry went so far as to prompt a bill in Congress called “DEEPFAKES Accountability Act.”
We’ve also seen the rise of AI influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These personas have the potential to rake in millions of dollars.
The uproar over this AI has prompted a new wave of discussion surrounding the role of AI in the arts. Hollywood has, at least so far, drawn a line at what they are willing to accept. However, if discourse in other industries regarding AI has given us any clues, there may be more nuance. In literature, for instance, AI usage has cast doubt over some works’ originality. It has
also raised ethical concerns: Is using AI to help generate plot points ethical, or does that also devalue human artistry? Hollywood may reject Norwood for now, but it will be
interesting to see if the lines become blurred as time goes on.
The hidden crisis: Living longer, suffering more
American dietary patterns should prioritize wellness
OLIVIA LUTZ ’26
Columnist
As convenience trumps nutrition, American dietary patterns are changing, with fast food chains and processed alternatives dominating many meals. As unhealthy eating habits become the norm, modern medicine extends life spans, but these habits can result in chronic illness. This raises a critical question for society: Is longevity valuable when quality of life is compromised?
The global population over 60 years old reached one billion in 2020, making up 13.5% of the world’s population. This figure is projected to rise to nearly 2.1 billion by 2050. Current estimates show that a person spends about 20% of their life in poor health.
Research reveals troubling patterns driving this crisis. Dehydration causes college students to face particular challenges, such as headaches, fatigue, poor focus and
dizziness. Excessive added sugar intake can cause weight gain, sluggishness, blood sugar issues and hormonal imbalances. Further, eating ultra-processed foods regularly can lead to complications like cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Evidence-based strategies to improve health include eating a balanced breakfast to boost energy, activating metabolism, managing hunger and stabilizing blood sugar levels. Staying hydrated by drinking about half of your body weight in ounces daily helps your body function at its best. Individuals who maintain healthy dietary changes for at least two years experience increased energy, improved mood stability, enhanced mental clarity and greater self-confidence.
Campus dining environments offer opportunities for healthier choices: Opt for grilled meats over fried options, fill half the plate with vegetables, select colorful items at salad bars, avoid creamy sauces and choose water or seltzer over other drinks. Keeping healthy snacks like Greek yogurt, fresh
fruit and trail mix accessible to encourage nutritious choices when hunger arises.
The fundamental question remains: How long before we prioritize living well over living longer? The U.S. spends nearly twice as
much on healthcare, yet has the worst health outcomes among developed countries. The answer lies in how the system is structured.
Gardening: The hobby that always bears fruit The benefits behind growing your own food
NICOLE BOWEN ’26
When the weight of the world feels heavy, spending time in nature is a recommended remedy. However, a stronger version of this medicine is gardening.
Gardening is an incredibly fulfilling activity. Spending time doing garden work is the optimal way to appreciate nature, get away from classes and do something with friends. Gardening may seem very intimidating and not everyone may have a “green thumb.” However, many plants are resilient, and sometimes even relentless. They want to grow and produce fruits, and many are easy to harvest.
It is easy to grow your own food at
home, even if it is just a tomato plant or pots of herbs. The most basic tools you’ll need are seeds, a watering can and gloves. If you’re gardening outside in the ground, you will need a shovel. If you’re growing tomatoes, beans or other top-heavy and vining vegetables, you need stakes or cages. Not only is gardening an effective remedy, but it’s also a relaxing way to connect with nature — especially if you are someone who is tired of city living.
In addition, gardening with friends and family is an opportunity for bonding and having fun together. In fact, gardening with others fosters community, as it requires team work and problem-solving while generating appreciation for home-grown food. Gardening is also a form of environmental stewardship.
Gardening promotes biodiversity, as it attracts pollinators. Growing your own food decreases your carbon footprint since there is much less packaging, shipping and handling incorporated into home gardening. Growing your own fruits and vegetables elicits appreciation for other forms of life, thus strengthening the connection with the natural environment. Incorporating gardening into your hobbies will offer never-ending rewards!
Columnist
GRAPHIC: BLADIMIR LEMUS ’26/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: BLADIMIR LEMUS ’26/THE HAWK
Puerto Rican pride vs. America’s racist firestorm Bad Bunny backlash fueled by ignorance
KUNICKA ’28
When the announcement came out that Bad Bunny would headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, it was met with various reactions.
For many Latinos and Puerto Ricans, this was a moment of cultural pride and a recognition of influence that was long overdue. For others — particularly MAGA commentators — this announcement from the NFL was nothing short of apocalyptic. The backlash of the announcement comes from right-wing pundits saying Bad Bunny has no right to perform, with Kristi Noem, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, calling for the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement at the game.
Bad Bunny has built a career by refusing to dilute his voice. He raps and sings primarily in Spanish and isn’t afraid to call out prejudice and injustices aimed at Puerto Rico and the Latino community. “Yo hago lo que me da la gana” (“I do what I want”) came out in 2020, and that message is precisely what we need. For decades, the halftime show has been a stage that sparks conversation, not just about music but identity, race and belonging.
However, the truth is simpler: The outrage isn’t about the language of the music or even the artist himself. It’s about the discomfort some Americans feel about who gets to represent America on its biggest stage of the year. Those same Americans are uncomfortable
that English won’t be the predominant language on stage and aren’t willing to put in the effort to understand or learn Spanish.
As Bad Bunny put it in “El Apagón,” “Ahora todos quieren ser latino. No, ey, pero les falta sazón” (“Now everyone wants to be Latino. No, hey, but they lack seasoning”). The seasoning is here — now on center stage in front of America and the millions watching. If the mere sight of a Puerto Rican artist headlining the Super Bowl is enough to send us into a fit of rage, then maybe the problem isn’t with the music. Maybe it’s America’s failure — as stated in the Constitution — to form “a more perfect union.”
The ascent of the far right
Racism rears its ugly head
SAHR KARIMU ’26 Hawk Columnist
There has been a movement rumbling in the underbelly of global media and societies since the late 2010s: the far right. The core of this ideology is a “combination of nativism and authoritarianism.” Some on the far right have adopted the belief of the “great replacement theory,” a conspiracy that there is a plot to replace and undermine the political power and culture of white people in Western countries through
immigration from largely non-white countries. Its proponents use this conspiracy as a rallying cry to fuel their racist and xenophobic beliefs.
In 2017, hundreds of white nationalists marched through the college town of Charlottesville, Virginia, decrying the planned removal of Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s statue from a park. Protesters chanted phrases like “You will not replace us” and “blood and soil,” the latter being a Nazi chant.
Eight years later, a similar political fervor has appeared in London, England. At the “Unite the Kingdom” march on Sept. 13, over 100,000 marchers flew the
Union Jack and St. George’s flag, with some claiming to be marching against infringements of free speech. If only those claims were genuine. Many reports about the rally found protestors using aggressive language, chanting things like “Who the f--- is Allah” and “Whose streets? Our streets!” With the context of the marches and the rhetoric around this movement, the “our” in use likely refers to white British people.
The sadness of this political propaganda is the truth that some far-right white nationalists bury amidst the lies. These movements use the truth of the very broken and stress-ridden immigration
Students deserve more than excuses
systems in America and across Europe to claim that Europe is being “invaded.” They use the tragedies of murders and rapes to generalize and dehumanize people of color. Many members of the far right are now flexing their muscles. Do not tolerate the racism. Listen, understand and educate yourself, but denounce vitriolic hatred when you hear it or see it. Laughing it off and ignoring it was what allowed it to grow so large; it cannot continue.
A funding crisis shouldn’t cost students a full high school experience
SATINA SACKIE ’27 Graphics Editor
I first saw clips of Penn Wood High School students staging a walkout Sept. 24 on TikTok and, honestly, it was hard to watch without feeling a mix of pride and concern. Pride for the courage these students showed, and concern because no student should feel the need to protest just to get the support and resources they deserve.
Students across the William Penn School District are facing serious funding challenges directly affecting their high school experience. These challenges make it harder for students to fully engage in school, participate in activities and feel supported in their learning environment. Non-athletic extracurriculars, school dances and other after-school activities
that make high school memorable have been cut. High school should be a place where students feel safe, supported and able to focus on their education. Instead, many students are being forced to fight for the basic support they need to succeed.
The walkout wasn’t just a protest. It was a clear message that students are aware, care and demand the education they are entitled to. Watching clips on TikTok, you could hear the frustration in their voices and see it in their signs. One sign said, “We deserve memories, not excuses.” They were asking for a fair chance to have the high school experience they deserve.
It’s truly sad that students feel the need to protest. No one should have to step outside the classroom to make sure their education is taken seriously. Students shouldn’t have to fight for opportunities that should already be available.
This walkout was a wake-up call for the community. Students were showing us how much they care about their education, and it was a reminder we all need to advocate for better funding and resources so every student can have the
full high school experience they deserve. While it’s inspiring when students feel the need to stage a walkout to make their voices heard, it’s also a little troubling. No student should have to take such measures to demand support from their school.
ANASTASIA
Hawk Columnist
GRAPHIC: HANNAH PAJTIS ’26/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: BLADIMIR LEMUS 26/THE HAWK
A week completely stripped down: My minimalist journey
is precious or sentimental … when you let go of the clinging, you pick up freedom, peace, equanimity.”
Cleanser, hydrating serum, toner, bronzer, blush, retinol cream, mascara, argan oils, brightening cream, powder, body oil, perfume. We live in a world where women are pushed to consume products that will make them feel younger, look younger or just look “put together.”
When a woman doesn’t comply with these attributes, the world often becomes harder; for she is seen as some sort of failure that doesn’t care about her image — a mortal sin for those taught from a young age that the way you look is all that matters.
I wanted to see just how ridiculed I would feel. Did I really need these products? Were they providing me happiness, or was I using them because I’ve been told I must to feel accepted?
I spent seven days in late April trying to answer these questions.
The goal was to take away everything “aesthetic” that I didn’t need: no skin care, no makeup, no hair products, no jewelry, no accessories and no perfume. All that remained: one bar of soap, my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo.
I was determined to follow the guidelines of Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus and T.K. Coleman, better known as “The Minimalists.” Emmy-nominated and New York Times Bestselling authors, they’ve grounded their platform in the idea of leading a minimalist lifestyle on a much broader scale. On their website, they write, “Growth and contribution: those are the bedrocks of happiness. Not stuff.”
In an email response to my questions, Millburn left me with a powerful quote outlining the true meaning of “letting go,” something that was pivotal for success in this challenge.
“Letting go is not something you do — it is something you stop doing,” Miller said. “You stop pretending everything
On my first day of letting go, I felt everyone was judging me for not being “put together.”
Deborah Ward, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, said the feeling I had was natural.
“Essentially, we are taught from a very young age that [physical appearance] is our literal value as humans,” Ward said. “And when our self-worth is linked to something like that, it’s very hard to separate it.”
Over the course of the week, I gained more confidence. I began to realize that the more comfortable I was in the environment, like going to class or babysitting, the less I was worried.
Then my friends decided to go out that Saturday.
Any college student can tell you that one of the best parts of going out with friends is getting ready. My friends and I like to push our mirrors close together on the floor of someone’s bedroom so we can sing along to the same songs and simultaneously curl our hair and do our makeup. This night, I couldn’t do that, and while I knew it wasn’t the biggest deal, a part of me really missed it.
Ward said this is the environmental factor of vanity: When we are surrounded by people who indulge in their physical appearance, it can be hard to separate ourselves.
“If you’re with five other girls in the stereotypical sorority house, everybody’s doing their hair at the same time every day,” Ward said. “I would think it would be really, really hard to not feel that pressure and obligation to do those same things.”
My friends and I went to Blondie in Manayunk, a restaurant and bar known for its chic and warm atmosphere. I ordered a drink with lemon instead of lime and felt increasingly aware of the people around me
and their faces.
As I sat there, I remembered the conversation I had with Lisa Baglione, Ph.D., professor of political science and co-director of the Gender Studies program at St. Joe’s. She said the reason why we feel so exposed without some sort of product is because the way we like to look “has been defined by the world.”
“Most women I know who partake in a few things, but not a lot of beauty products, they would normally say, ‘I do this because I need this to feel good about myself when I go meet the world,’” Baglione said.
Stirring my drink, my face bare, I realized that while I have been conditioned
Archives Unboxed: Governor Pennypacker’s desk
PATRICK BRAY ’27 Special to the Hawk
On the first floor of Drexel Library tucked against a wall behind study tables is a wooden secretary desk that belonged to Pennsylvania’s 23rd governor, Samuel Pennypacker.
Pennypacker served as Pennsylvania’s governor from 1903 to 1907.
The desk, which dates from the late Victorian period or early 20th century, is made from a mixture of quarter sawn and straight sawn oak wood, said Carmen
Croce ’71, university relations liaison. Croce is the former director of St. Joe’s University Press and curator of the university’s art collection.
The desk opens to a writing surface, eight drawers and 13 additional storage compartments. A glass-doored bookcase sits on top of it.
Pennypacker was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an honorary LL.B. from Franklin and Marshall College. He also served for the Union in the Civil War, engaging in battle at
Gettysburg. His 1902 campaign was typical of Republican Progressives at the time.
“He’s a candidate who was, you know, he’s admirable,” said Randall Miller, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history. “He doesn’t have too much baggage.”
As governor, Pennypacker established the Pennsylvania State Police (the first statewide police force) and the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. He also signed child labor laws, vetoed a compulsory sterilization law, oversaw construction of a new state capitol building and passed a controversial bill in 1903 that made it a crime for newspaper cartoonists to depict political figures as animals (he had been mocked as a parrot). The law was repealed as soon as Pennypacker left office.
“When you just look at what he did in one term, it’s really quite remarkable,” Miller said.
On the right side of the desk is a small brass plaque that reads: “Governor Pennypacker’s original desk with the bookcases given to the college by Ivor Griffith.”
The desk used to sit in the president’s office suite in Griffith Hall on University City campus. It was moved to Drexel Library in late summer after the office was cleaned out.
Dr. Ivor Griffith, the pharmacist for whom Griffith Hall was named, served as president of Pennsylvania’s Board of Health, an institution which Pennypacker created.
St. Joe’s library staff plan to raffle
by the world to feel that I am not complete without it, the opposite is true. Makeup and hair and accessories are not things of evil, but when we cling to them as things to save us from feeling like outsiders, it starts to feel like they could be.
Now, I’ll be transparent. On my first day back, I rushed to my face wash, tinted sunscreen and earrings. But I didn’t bring everything back. I brought back the things I knew were intentional to me and made me feel good. I no longer clung to the products I just used because I was told I should. I was reminded of Millburn’s words: “Yet when you let go of the clinging, you pick up freedom, peace, equanimity.”
off the use of the desk to a student, according to Leslie Carey, St. Joe’s archivist. The idea is to choose a new student each semester to use the desk as an alternative place to study.
Miller said the former governor’s desk is a valuable piece of history that provides a tangible glimpse into the past. Miller called it “the power of the real.”
“You can imagine him sitting at a desk and writing a veto message,” Miller said. “You can imagine him commuting somebody’s sentence. Having the desk, it literally puts you there with Pennypacker … it puts you there imagining what’s going on. And there’s that deep sense of connection.”
Governer Pennypacker’s desk resides on the first floor of Drexel Library after being moved from the University City campus. PHOTO: ZACH PODOLNICK ’26/THE HAWK
Sophia Galante ’26 tried to be a minimalist for seven days, giving up everything she didn’t need.
PHOTO: SAHR KARIMU ’26/THE HAWK
SOPHIA GALANTE ’26 News Reporter
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
Playlist: LGBTQ anthems
DOROTHY DANBURY ’27
Copy Editor
TAYLA J. EVANS ’27
Features Editor
In honor of LGBTQIA+ History Month, we are turning up the volume on queer voices, past and present. First celebrated in 1994, this month is dedicated to recognizing the history, struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ community.
To celebrate, here’s a playlist of LGBTQ artists spanning every genre. Whether you’re looking for anthems that move you to dance, lyrics that speak to resilience or melodies that feel like home, this playlist is here to soundtrack the month with pride.
“You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”- Sylvester
Starting back in 1978 with Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” this song is a queer disco anthem pulsing with pure, unapologetic joy. Sylvester James, known simply as Sylvester, was an openly gay Black performer who became the “Queen of Disco” with his soaring falsetto and flamboyant stage presence.
At a time when being openly queer in the music industry meant risking everything, Sylvester refused to dim his light. Nearly five decades later, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” still captures what it means to be authentically yourself — a feeling that remains real for queer people everywhere.
“Sun Bleached Flies” - Ethel Cain
Under the alias “Ethel Cain,” singer-songwriter Hayden Anhedönia
produced this intense seven-and-a-half minute long ballad. While the song is part of a larger concept album, Anhedönia said her experiences mirror the character Ethel Cain. Specifically, she wrote in a 2023 Tumblr post that “Sun Bleached Flies” was a song “where [they] meet in the middle.” As a transgender woman from the South, Anhedönia brings a deeply personal perspective to her work. Her lived experience infuses the track, felt in its raw, introspective lyrics and sparse, ambient piano arrangement that captures both vulnerability and resilience.
“Fast Car” - Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman’s 1988 breakthrough hit “Fast Car” is a masterclass in storytelling — a tender, aching ballad about yearning for escape and a better life. Chapman, who is a lesbian, let her music speak louder than public declarations about her personal life. Her presence as an openly queer Black woman in folk and rock was groundbreaking.
For LGBTQ listeners, seeing Tracy Chapman succeed on her own terms and receive her flowers through her and Luke Combs 2024 Grammys performance was deeply meaningful. She never had to compromise who she was to create music that moves people across all boundaries.
“Supermodel (You Better Work)” by RuPaul RuPaul’s 1992 club hit “Supermodel (You Better Work)” didn’t just top the dance charts; it brought drag into the mainstream and declared queer artistry deserving of the spotlight. With its iconic catchphrase and infectious beat, the song became a manifesto
of self-confidence.
More than three decades later, drag performances face increasing attacks. Still, “Supermodel” remains a reminder that drag queens have always known how to work it. Now “sashay away,” and turn this one up loud.
“I Know A Place” by MUNA Rounding out this list is the anthem “I Know A Place” by queer group MUNA. Released in 2016 as a response to the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, this song is both a love letter to queer safe spaces and a defiant promise that such spaces will endure.
MUNA — composed of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin and Naomi McPherson — created
Notes from a wandering student
LISBETH URENA ’27
Features Reporter
Gazing up into the stars in the middle of the Sahara Desert, I realized I’d never experienced something like this before. Something so distant and far bigger than myself, surrounded by people I had only met a day prior.
My trip to Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert was a trip I could honestly call one of the most surreal experiences of my life.
I traveled with Citylife Madrid, an organization that helps international students adjust to life in Madrid. I went with a group of about 40 people, all of whom
were students studying abroad in Madrid from all different parts of the world.
We visited different areas of southern Morocco throughout the trip, such as Aït Benhaddou, where they filmed scenes from the “Gladiator” films and the third season of “Game of Thrones,” as well as The Valley of Roses, where we visited the Todgha Gorge.
We also stopped to shop at a family-owned scarf shop, where we were able to purchase our own scarves to wear to the desert, as well as dress in traditional Berber attire.
After the 10-hour-long journey to the desert, we made it to the dunes and rode all-terrain vehicles up and down the scaling
hills. It was the biggest rush driving up a large dune just to plunge back down.
We then got to take a camel ride through the desert, where we stopped to sandboard down the dunes and watch the sunset.
We stayed the night in Berber tents in the desert, where they held a bonfire-themed party with local musicians and a DJ.
During our last few hours in Marrakesh, we were given a guided tour of the city. We visited a local pharmacy that taught us Moroccan health secrets, like argan oil and different types of teas.
We were then given some free time.
My friends and I visited a local restaurant called Chez Lamine Hadj Mustapha,
something rare: a song that holds both grief and hope, acknowledging the violence queer people face while refusing to let fear win.
Today, as queer spaces continue to face threats, “I Know A Place” reminds us why they matter and why the queer community will always create room for joy, even in the face of hate.
where they served us traditional mechoui lamb, which we ate with our fingers and bread. It was an amazing experience, and the food was incredible.
This trip is something I recommend for everyone. Morocco is a country full of life, culture and history completely different from our own! If you ever have the opportunity, grab a couple of friends or join a tour group, and experience Morocco yourself — it’s a trip you won’t forget!
Lisbeth Urena ’27 poses in the Sahara Desert.
GRAPHIC: BLADMIR LEMUS ’26/THE HAWK
Lisbeth Urena ’27 rides an ATV in the Sahara Desert. PHOTOS: LISBETH URENA ’27/THE HAWK
Currently in Pop Culture: Tate McRae
OLIVIA GASPARRO ’27 Features Columnist
Tate McRae was destined to be a star.
From playing songs on her piano in her bedroom to topping global charts, McRae has begun to dominate the entertainment industry. Born in Calgary, Canada, she started dance and voice lessons at the age of six, and at the age of 12, she competed on “So You Think You Can Dance,” placing third. Her passion for both dance and singing nurtured her growth.
In 2017, McRae posted a video of her singing an original song, “One Day,” not knowing this would be her breakout moment. Just two years later, this viral moment led her to sign with RCA Records, officially launching her path to pop superstardom.
How it all started
In January 2020, McRae released her debut EP, “all the things i never said,” with some of her hit singles, “stupid” and “tear me apart.” McRae then went on to announce her first tour, but that was then canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic. This setback did not stop McRae from building her success. During the lockdown, the star released one of her biggest breakout songs, “you broke me first.” This hit went viral on TikTok, and the exposure helped McRae’s career skyrocket.
Where she is now
With over 17.6 billion career streams across all digital platforms, McRae has begun to dominate the pop industry. Known for her vocal talent, emotional but fun lyrics
and signature choreography, McRae has established a spot in the industry, making her one of the most recognizable and influential artists of her generation.
In 2021, at just 17 years old, the star was a part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 List, being the youngest member of the music class, showing her rapid rise and impact. Since then, she has won numerous awards, including Artist of the Year at the 2024 and 2025 JUNO Awards, as well as had nominations for five Billboard Music Awards.
Currently, McRae is on the road for her “Miss Possessive Tour.” Her European leg of the tour was extremely successful, earning nearly $28 million in revenue, and her North American leg has already completely sold out, reflecting her massive and devoted fan base.
Biggest hits
“you broke me first”
Off her second EP, “TOO YOUNG TO BE SAD,” this emotional single gained McRae international recognition and helped launch her music career. Released in 2020, the breakout hit resonated with many listeners, as they could relate to the vulnerable lyrics about heartbreak and betrayal. With viral traction gained on TikTok, the song reached global charts, receiving multi-platinum certifications in several countries.
“greedy”
This confident, upbeat pop anthem marked another turning point in McRae’s career. Released in 2023, the hit’s catchy lyrics and infectious beat led the song to become another viral sensation for McRae,
dominating the charts. The track showed more of a confident side of McRae and set the stage for her second studio album, “THINK LATER.”
“Sports car” Featured on McRae’s third studio album, “So Close To What,” this vulnerable track is about the “adrenaline of love, sex and the excitement of it all,” similar to the speedy experience of driving a sports car. This exciting, sexy song showcased another side of McRae and her storytelling to her fans and listeners.
CROSSWORD: Latin American culture
BRENNAN DILLENBECK ’28
Hawk Staff
Across
4. Chilean writer known for themes of feminism and surrealism, like in her short story, “El Arbol.”
5. This covering, often used to stay dry, originates from Central America and Northern South America.
7. This South American capital hosted the 1975 Copa América final play off match.
9. Rea Ann Silva invented this beauty product while working on the set of “Girlfriends.”
10. The Chilean president ousted by General Augusto Pinochet.
Down
1. “The Liberator” of Colombia.
2. One of only two South American authors to be named in Harold Bloom’s literary canon, of Argentine descent.
3. A traditional Mexican ballad commonly exhibiting themes of oppression, criminality and the vaquero lifestyle.
6. Spanish for “zeal” or “enthusiasm,” or what one might feel completing this crossword.
8. A dish from Colombia and Venezuela consisting of a maize dough with stuffings.
ILLUSTRATION: ALEXIS KAIN ’27/THE HAWK
Sixers’ Jared McCain to miss beginning of regular
NICOLE FRANZ ’27 Columnist
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain suffered an ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right thumb during an offseason workout Sept. 25 and will be sidelined for the start of the 2025-26 season. The team announced on social media Oct. 1 that McCain underwent successful surgery to repair the tear Sept. 30. He will be reevaluated in four weeks, meaning the earliest he will be eligible to return is Oct. 28 if no setbacks occur.
This is not the first time McCain went through a recovery process in his professional basketball career. The 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee during a game against the Indiana Pacers Dec. 13, 2024. The injury was confirmed Dec. 14, 2024, and required surgery, which caused him to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The injury was a huge blow to the team’s morale, given the disappointing performances and prolonged absences of star players Joel Embiid (center) and Paul George (forward) at that point in the year.
Prior to the meniscus injury, McCain quickly became a fan favorite due to his positive attitude and nightly offensive contributions. The Sixers faced countless roster inconsistencies due to player injuries and rehabilitations last season, which resulted in more minutes per game than
originally anticipated for McCain. In the 23 games played, the rookie guard averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, accompanied by an efficient field goal percentage of 46.0%. As the recipient of the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Awards in October and November 2024, McCain was a clear frontrunner for the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award prior to his season-ending injury.
“It was very tough to hear how long I’d be out for and to know I’ve worked so hard to be in the NBA and now it just gets taken away from me so quick,” McCain stated in his first press interview post-surgery. McCain’s ball handling skills, efficient shooting ability and play-making talents were missed through the rest of the regular season, as the Sixers only won 17 additional games after his injury.
Given that McCain will miss at least the first four games of the regular season, his minutes will be divided among the backcourt rotation of point guard Tyrese Maxey, shooting guard Quentin Grimes and third-overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, shooting guard V.J. Edgecombe. Feelings of optimism surrounding this upcoming season are dependent on the compatibility of the team’s new additions and the health of star players, given the miserable conclusion of last season. Assuming a smooth recovery process, McCain should be able to reassert himself into the rotation by the time the team gets into an early season rhythm.
GRAPHIC: JORDAN SHARER ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARMEN KNOPF ’27/THE HAWK
New golf practice facility sets up teams for success
DIANA SOSA ’27
Sports Reporter
The new practice facility for the St. Joe’s men’s and women’s golf teams in the Maguire Athletic Center was completed Aug. 25. Immediately when entering the facility, there is a lounge area and hightop tables and lockers along the right wall. Toward the back of the room are two hitting bays with two Trackman launch monitors.
The Trackman equipment used in the facility is considered by men’s golf head coach Terry Scollin ’97 to be the number one launch simulator in the golf world. When an athlete hits the ball into the simulator, the simulator combines infrared, radar and high-speed imaging to provide real-time ball and club analytics, such as 3D, spin and axis, distance, curve, range and multiple options to set practice games.
Sophomore Hanna Mitchell said sometimes the team will break down the swing with coaches, and other times, they will do so individually. Being able to visualize and dissect the swing has helped improve their overall performance.
“There’s a lot of components to a golf swing, and there’s certain numbers that you want to hit in terms of angle and club speed swing,” Mitchell said.
The women’s team leaves campus around
7 a.m. to practice at the Llanerch Country Club in Havertown three days a week, so having a lounge area for athletes to unwind and do homework is crucial to their demanding schedule. Women’s golf head coach Theresa Luu ’22 said this addition is going to have a positive impact on the social aspect of the team.
“It's our locker room [and] our lounge area,” Luu said. “Using the space for both a place for them to hang out, talk, strategize, talk about their upcoming tournaments and a place to meet, I think is going to be an amazing change.”
In the previous golf room, there was only one launch simulator, making it difficult for athletes to find time to train. Junior Olivia Cooper said having more equipment has motivated the team in their training.
“Last year, we didn’t really have the ability to get in there because it was taken up by one or more people, but now I feel like it’s really changed our aspect on working hard,” Cooper said.
Luu said being able to have two bays that service both the men’s and women’s teams makes it more user-friendly and far more accessible.
Junior Noah Moelter said being able to visualize where the ball would have landed if it were outside will be especially useful when weather conditions do not
accommodate for a typical practice.
“It’s almost as good as being outside because it shows you where the ball goes, how it curves, how far it goes,” Moelter said. “You can see numbers like ball speed and club speed and the spin rate, and it’s super helpful.”
Scollin said having a state-of-the-art facility while being in the Northeast gives the team the opportunity to continue
practicing through the offseason.
“They won’t really skip a beat between the fall, the winter and getting out in the spring because they’ll be able to train right through the winter months,” Scollin said.
The newly upgraded golf facilities in Maguire Athletic Center features two hitting bays, a lounge area and lockers. PHOTO: ZACH PODOLNICK ’26/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: JORDAN SHARER ’25/THE HAWK
Men’s soccer sweeps weekly awards
‘We know that the job’s not done’
TESS MARGIS ’26 Assistant Sports Editor
It was an eventful week for St. Joe’s men’s soccer as senior midfielder Matteo Mazzotta, redshirt junior goalkeeper Cooper Jennings and fifth-year defender Kobe Perlaza swept weekly Atlantic-10 and Philadelphia Soccer Six awards. Mazzotta earned A-10 and PS6 Offensive Player of the Week, Perlaza was named A-10 and PS6 Defensive Player of the Week and Jennings took PS6 Goalkeeper of the Week.
“For all three of us to get awards in the same week was really good for the program as a whole and shows that we’re
starting to really put performance together,” Jennings said.
The honors come during a turnaround for the team that has already surpassed their wins from the previous season. The team is also on track to finish the season above .500 for the first time since 2018. This comes after the hiring of head coach Tim Mulqueen ’88 in December.
“The team’s going in a positive direction under Mulqueen,” Perlaza said. “Having a new coach and a new culture is helping the program out.”
Taking over the role of head coach, Mulqueen said he wanted to put together a structure that highlighted the talents of the players.
“It’s a talented group of guys, and I wanted to be aggressive in our defending,” Mulqueen said. “I think we’ve done that. All credit to the players. They bought into the system and the structure and, to their credit, they’ve been really good at it. I’m just trying to put people in the right places to be successful. It’s so far so good.”
Jennings said the team’s goals have been very clear, and the work the team has been putting in during the offseason is showing on the field.
“We’re starting to believe a lot more in ourselves and where we can go and finish the season,” Jennings said. “With that and the mentality of the team being together right now, we have a very good chance to do what we want to do.”
Mazzotta said Mulqueen made his expectations for the team clear from day one and that the team understands it needs
Q&A with Taya DiAngelo
JOSEPH MANCINI ’28 Sports Reporter
Taya DiAngelo has been an assistant coach for the men’s rowing program for the last four seasons and served as interim head coach for the beginning of the 2025-26 season. DiAngelo has more than 25 years of experience in rowing and was a four-year letterwinner coxswain for the University of San Diego.
DiAngelo served as an assistant coach for Villanova’s women’s rowing team before coming to St. Joe’s. Before Villanova, she served as a volunteer assistant for the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s team, where the Quakers set program records in the 2017 Ivy League Championships. The Hawk sat down with DiAngelo to learn more about the perspective of a female coach on a men s team.
How did you get into rowing?
I went to boarding school outside of Seattle [and] had to be involved in a sport … my junior year there, my math teacher was the rowing coach and also one of the resident advisors. She said, ‘Hey, you’re not very big, and you’re kind of loud. How about you try coxing?’ I was like, ‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’ So, she dragged me down to practice one day that spring and put me in a boat. Right off the bat, I hated it. It was horrible. It was probably raining it’s Seattle … It took about a week because she was like, ‘Just keep coming back. I think you’re gonna like this.’ Within a week, I was like ‘OK, this is great.’
What made you get involved in coaching?
It kind of hit me one day. I’d had a quote, unquote real job, and we had moved from
to work as a group in order to succeed.
“We’re trying to do the best record we’ve had at SJU,” Mazzotta said. “Every day, [Mulqueen] keeps reminding us and telling us, ‘How can we go in this direction to be the best version of ourselves?’”
The team aims to keep up the momentum that has led to its successful season. With seven regular season games left, and four of them being against A-10 opponents, the next month will determine the outcome of this year.
“We know that the job’s not done,” Perlaza said. “We’re not satisfied just being over .500 halfway through the season, and that’s something that coach reiterates to us.
Nothing is really changing our mindset. It’s still going in every game and winning and just trying to compete.”
Mulqueen said the three players have put a “tremendous” amount of effort into their performance on the field, and the acknowledgements are well-earned.
“They’ve been such a key part of us winning back-to-back campaigns and getting off to a pretty good start,” Mulqueen said. “[I’m] proud of all three of them.”
New York down to Philadelphia, where my husband’s from, for his job. I lost my job. I couldn’t transfer it. I was working retail. I was just kind of figuring out — do I want to go to grad school, do I want to be a teacher? What do I want to do? And I was driving by the river one day, and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, I could probably coach rowing.’ I started as a high school coach. I looked online, found a help wanted ad, contacted the head coach and just started coaching.
In what ways did your coxswain career in high school and at the University of San Diego help shape your approach to coaching?
It’s one of those weird positions where it translates really easily because, along with steering and keeping humans in line, what you’re doing is relaying to them or reminding the athletes what the coach has been saying to them. My coxing career was certainly not perfect. What I did really well was I could translate what a coach was saying in different ways. [Coaching] felt very similar, the difference being that you can see better as a coach, you can see the whole boat and the whole picture, and you’re not in it with them.
What has your experience as a woman athlete on a men’s team to now coaching on a men’s team been like?
I think it was nice. It’s kind of like coming home … When I got out of high school, … I knew that I wanted to get back to a co-ed experience, and why not try men’s rowing? That sounded fast and fun … I coached almost exclusively women before St. Joe’s. There was a year or two as a high school coach that I had the boys, but my collegiate coaching has always been with women, and it felt like I needed a change
when I was looking to move from Villanova … I needed new problems, and a lot of the problems in women’s teams, especially rowing teams because we’re all very similar in restrictions and in all the compliance issues, they’re very similar. And so, I was like, ‘Well, let’s have new problems.’
How do you coach the female coxswains to lead confidently on a men’s team?
I remind them that all the guys want them to do well, and that’s the greatest part, is that the guys aren’t looking for them to fail. They want them to do well. And our current group of guys are phenomenal with it. The feedback they give them is so wellput and so constructive and so caring. They really do want the female coxswains to succeed.
What is your favorite part about coaching a men’s team?
It’s early and it’s dark and now getting a little chilly, and they continue to make the decision to bring energy and bring a good mood and push themselves. A coach can’t really bring that. There’s one to three, maybe four, coaches, and there’s 40 athletes. A coach can kind of foster it, but really the team is who provides that, and the seniors have been great. They’ve just done a phenomenal job. I wouldn’t say it’s made it easy, but, God, it’s made it easier. Practice is pretty much a joy to come to, and I got to give most of the credit to them.
You took on the role of an interim head coach at the beginning of the semester. How did this differ from being an assistant coach?
There’s a lot more texts and a lot more emails and a lot more meetings … I’ve been very fortunate to work with great head coaches, and that’s the thing — assistant
[coaches] almost have the luxury of being offline. Head coaches … it’s much harder because you do feel a pretty big responsibility to make sure that if somebody is reaching out to you, you’re getting back to them..
SJU Athletics hired Michiel Bartman as the new director of rowing and head men’s rowing coach Sept. 29. Bartman is expected to start later in the season.
Assistant coach Taya DiAngelo talks to rowers before practice. PHOTO COURTESY OF SJU ATHLETICS
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Cooper Jennings was named Philadelphia Soccer Six Goalkeeper of the Week for the week of Sept. 29. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SJU ATHLETICS
Senior Matteo Mazzotta scored a goal in St. Joe’s 2-1 win over Rider College Sept. 9