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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MANHATTAN COLLEGE | SINCE 1924
Volume CV, Issue 6
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NEW YORK, MARCH 1, 2022
OneManhattan Updates Students on Testing, Boosters & Cases on Campus Nicole Fitzsimmons News Editor
Winter Winds Blow Through Campus
Frigid temperatures and a light snowfall lead to a blanket of ice covering campus this week. JOCELYN VISNOV / THE QUADRANGLE
John Desmarais ‘85 to Receive the 2022 De La Salle Medal Karen Flores
Manhattan College alum John Desmarais ‘85 has been selected to receive the 2022 De La Salle Medal at the De La Salle dinner on Wednesday, April 20 at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan due to his exceptional work in patent law and intellectual property litigation. The De La Salle Medal is the college’s highest honor which is awarded to executives who exemplify principles of excellence and corporate leader-
ship. According to an article by Pete McHugh on the Manhattan College website, manhattan.edu, Desmarais graduated from Manhattan College with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with magna cum laude distinction. He was also awarded the chemical engineering medal. Upon graduation, Desmarais went to New York University School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in 1988. Demarais then went on to work at Fish & Neave, where
IN NEWS:
IN FEATURES:
Asst. Features Editor
Desmarais to receive the Girls Who Code EmDe La Salle Medal powers Students pg. 3 on pg. 3
he practiced intellectual property litigation and counseling until 1992. He then went on to serve as an assistant United States attorney in the Southern District of New York for three years, and returned to Fish & Neave once more. In 1997, he became a partner at the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis and later on became head of the Firmwide Intellectual Property Litigation practice. Here, he secured many top jury verdicts against compa__________________________
OneManhattan sent out an email on Feb. 25 with updated numbers of COVID cases on campus, information on testing opportunities, and options to receive the booster vaccination on campus or near the college. On Feb. 7, the college announced via email the resumption of surveillance testing on campus, regardless of vaccination status throughout the spring semester. Surveillance testing selects students to get tested periodically to ensure COVID-19 cases or spreading are being minimized on campus. “A reminder that we are requiring all members of the Manhattan College community, regardless of their vaccination status, to participate in periodic COVID-19 testing throughout the spring semester,” the email wrote. The email opened with questions which have been floating around the community because of these testing requirements, especially because these surveillance testing requirements were not in place during the fall semester. “Why are we continuing to require COVID-19 testing while hospitalizations and case rates remain low in our area?” the email wrote. “We’re doing it to better identify trends in positive cases on campus. These results will also provide us with more accurate data as we evaluate upcoming changes in guidance from city, state and federal health officials.” Checking your upcoming test due date is available through the daily symptom tracker on the MC Glance app and on students’ MyCovidStatus. The college calendar linked
in the email offers their testing schedule on campus for the accessibility of students. For the week of Feb. 28 to March 3, testing will be offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Tuesday, students are not required to register in advance when Level Up Pharmacy is administering testing. Instead, students will register on site in Smith Auditorium the day of the test. The college is encouraging safety also by continuously offering students the ability to receive the booster shot on campus or nearby. On Friday, March 4, the college will be hosting a booster vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kelly Commons for doses for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The email includes local partners near campus where students can receive their vaccinations, including Desai Pharmacy on 228 West 238th Street or Rite Aid on the corner of 238th Street. Desai is offering doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rite Aid is offering vaccinations with limited walk-ins available daily from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. or through appointments, which you can schedule on their website. Students are encouraged to upload vaccine information through a link in the email to make sure their status is up to date. The email states there are 14 active cases of COVID-19 on campus currently. The college is still continuously offering information and updates for the Manhattan College community in order to promote health and safety on campus, despite relatively decreasing numbers currently in the state.
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IN A&E:
Student Film Wins Big on pg. 7
IN SPORTS: Player Profile: Meet Lilly Brown on pg. 10
2 Volume CV, Issue 5 February 22, 2022
Opinions & Editorials THE QUADRANGLE LETTER from The Editor
Dear Readers, Thanks for tuning in with us for another week. Last week I, Kyla Guilfoil along with many of my peers, celebrated NEDA (National Eating Editor-in-Chief Disorders Awareness) Week. This week holds special importance Anna Woods Jilleen Barrett to me, as it recognizes the week that I finally started receiving Managing Editor Managing Editor help for my own eating disorder two years ago, and is also a time that I can recognize my recovery and my gratitude each year. Nicole Fitzsimmons Angelina Persaud News Editor Asst. News Editor Unfortunately, eating disorders and disordered eating affect large parts of our society, including within our MC community. This is not a far-off abstract issue, it is something that is happenZoe DeFazio Megan LaCreta Asst. Arts & ing to all different types of people, everyday, right in front of our Arts & Entertainment Editor Entertainment Editor eyes. This issue is normalized, while also called taboo. The paradox of eating disorders within society therefore halts progressive Jilleen Barrett Karen Flores conversations on the subject, and keeps so many locked into the Features Editor Asst. Features Editor abusive cycle of eating disorders. Caroline McCarthy I have had the fortunate opportunity to develop research Lauren Raziano Sports Editor Isaiah Rosario and a platform for support for this issue through my work with Asst. Sports Editor the LWGRC here on campus. On our Women’s Health Handbook Kelly Kennedy Josh Grewal online, you can find the Eating Disorders and Body Image handSocial Media Editor Asst. Social Media Editor book that I published last semester. I hope that we can all take some time to increase our understanding of this issue, and I hope Mars Ross Adrianne Hutto that this set of resources can be helpful for anyone struggling Photography Editor Production Editor with eating disorders, disordered eating or body image issues. I want to emphasize to everyone that these issues are isolatJocelyn Visnov Jocelyn Visnov ing--internal struggles that develop into these harmful behaviors Mack Olmsted Lauren Raziano keep us from fully engaging with our lives--which we all deserve Asst. Production Editors Web Editors to do. You are not alone, and it can get better. I am so grateful that Nicholas Gilewicz someone was able to say those words to me when I was strugFaculty Advisor gling, and I hope that I can relay that same message to you reading this today. About The Quadrangle Happy NEDA Week. Here is to taking another step forward into a healthier, fuller life. A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is The Editorial Board
a news organization run by the students of Manhattan College. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism.
The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the College or the student body.
Join The Quadrangle The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Kelly Commons Room 412. All are welcome to come and join the club.
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Kyla Guilfoil
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MARCH 1, 2022
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John Desmarais ‘85 to receive the 2022 De La Salle Medal __________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
nies like Microsoft. After 13 years working at Kirkland, Desmarais left and founded Desmarais LLP which is an Intellectual Property trial boutique with locations in Manhattan, San Francisco and Washington D.C. He has also founded companies like Round Rock Research LLP that have negotiated licenses with many of the largest technology companies in the world. Desmarais is also a trustee at Manhattan College and was named “Lawyer of the Year” in the Litigation-Intellectual Property category in NY in the 2021 U.S. edition of Best Lawyers. Kristen Farrell, director of the institutional giving and special programs, told The
Quadrangle about Desmarais’ nomination for the De La Salle medal as well as the dinner via email. “The President along with a group of employees nominate the De La Salle Medalist. John Desmarais is an alumnus who has had an impressive career as an intellectual property (IP) attorney and is an incredible supporter of Manhattan College’s mission,” she wrote. The De La Salle Dinner was established in 1951, which Farrell stated is the year marking the tricentennial of the birth of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, allowing the dinner to hold true to lasallian values and the people who the people who exemplify them. Farrell also noted the dinner is held to raise “essential, unrestricted income for the college, which is applied to a wide
variety of needs, particularly student scholarships and financial aid.” Brother Jack Curran, FSC, Ph.D., has worked with Desmarais on the mission and strategic planning committee and talked of his mannerism and involvement with Manhattan College. “He would often ask us [faculty and staff and administration] how whatever we’re doing in terms of strategic planning, how are students benefiting from it?” Curran said. “He’s hoping he helps to keep our eye on that ball, to keep the focus on the students and their well being so that they become successful in their own personal lives. He’s also a very accomplished professional. He is a lawyer, he’s founded a company with intellectual property rights. So I mean, that’s very
complicated and sophisticated and he’s a leader in the field of law. So he’s a very successful person who’s not forgotten about where he got a good grounding in his education era, so he’s a faithful friend.” Tim Ward, P.E, dean of the school of engineering, believes that Desmarais exemplifies what it means to be a successful alum and hopes that students working towards going into the world of engineering see that hard work and dedication can take them far. “He exemplifies the great alumni that come out of the School of Engineering. He also exemplifies the fact that once you have an engineering degree, you can go do a lot of other things besides engineering,” Ward said. Ward, Curran, Farrell and other faculty members hope
students will see Desmarais, one of many successful alums that come out of Manhattan College, and feel encouraged about their futures. “I would hope that students might be inspired or encouraged to reflect on their own experience while they’re here, and to consider that Desmarais, that’s graduated more than 35 years ago, is still connected, and is still grateful and involved in supporting this place,” Curran said. “He tells me that this place and the people here, the faculty and the relationships that he had with the students and fellow classmates were significant and I hope that students are encouraged by that, and inspired by that themselves.”
Features
MC Students Gain a New Perspective On Immigration Mack Olmsted
Asst. Production Editor A group of Manhattan College students took a trip to the Lower East Side to learn about the history of immigration in the city, while also taking a look into modern day issues that immigrants face in society. The trip was led by coordinator of social action Jacquie Martin, graduate assistant Jubilee Aguilar and student leaders Sabrina Beharry and Olivia Stewart. 11 students went on it, including myself. The experience was split into two days: there was the preparation meeting held on Feb. 18, and the trip was the next day. The preparation meeting was an overview on what students were going to be learning about while also getting the opportunity to speak to an immigrant, Reshad Ahamdi. Ahmadi was an Afghan consultant and engineer on a U.S. military base near Kabul. He shared his life-changing experiences with the group going on the immersion, and how they led to him and his family moving to the United States. Another guest speaker who came to the meeting was Marti Michael. Michael was a social activist who is dedicating her retirement to helping others. She explained her past as she went to the border to help asylum seekers and help provide the resources they need. Martin explained why these guest speakers were important people to listen to and why we
should learn from them. “We can learn from different groups of people and hear stories from people who have been through immigration problems first hand. To hear the voice of other people is important and students should open up and learn more,” Martin said. The first stop on the trip the next day was the Tenement Museum, which explores different stories about Americans and their relationships with immigration. At the museum, the group took a tour of some apartments where we learned about the people who lived there. Later on, the group went to Chinatown to speak with picketers outside the MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America), who explained that the museum wasn’t representing Chinatown or Chinese history in a respectful manner. “MOCA accepted Mayor de Blasio’s $35 million bribe to support the new mega-jail in Chinatown,” the flyers they handed out said. Hearing this information shocked most of the participants on the immersion, including Sabrina Beharry. It made her think about what representation means, she said. “One of my biggest takeaways was to not take information at surface value,” Beharry said. “I learned digging deeper is always an important thing to do and to always try to consider multiple angles in a situation before I make a judgment about something.”
After stopping to get dim sum in Chinatown, the group went to La Salle Academy to have a group discussion about the trip. During this time students reflected on the experience, saying that overall, the trip was successful and showed students a new side to the world around them. “I think the trip was really important,” Martin said. “I think immigration and all of this is such an important issue that it should be talked about more. Immegration is such a timely issue, and that students should learn about our coun-
try’s history more revolving around it.” Beharry said this trip helped her look at her own view of immigration and how her family’s history shaped it. “I have a single perspective of immigration like the one that my family has experienced, and I just wanted to see what immigration would be like for other cultures and problems they face.” Beharry said. Stewart had some encouragement for students who would think about participating in a L.O.V.E immersion trip in the future.
“I honestly would say go for it, because there’s a lot of different aspects and different paths that you can take that might be interesting to you and there’s a lot of really great people. So I think it’s something that’s really great to get involved with,” Stewart said. The CMSA will be hosting another LOVE trip where students will be going to Flint Michigan from May 20 through May. 27. To find more information you can email Jubilee Aguilar at jaguilar05@manhattan. edu or Jacquie Martin at jmartin02@manhattan.edu.
The form that was shared around campus for students to fill out and be matched with others depending on their responses.
BRIAN ASARE/ THE QUADRANGLE
Features
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THE QUADRANGLE
Girls Who Code Club Aims to Empower Female and Non-Binary Students in STEM Maddie Johnson Senior Writer
Girls Who Code (GWC) is an organization that focuses on closing the gender gap in STEM related fields. The program has influenced many colleges in the U.S. to start their own Girls Who Code club for students to participate in. Now, a GWC club exists at a college where engineering is not only popular, but male-dominated. GWC at Manhattan College just started this year, in Jan. 2022, and was founded by the club’s current president Sofia Creanza. A junior digital arts major, Creanza began to acknowledge the underepresentation of women and non-binary students in STEM fields at Manhattan College. So, Creanza was eager to find a way to spread awareness and break stereotypes surrounding what a programmer looks like. As a result, she found out about GWC. “Girls Who Code is really amazing because they’re really open to giving anybody who wants to pursue something the space and resources to do it,” Creanza said. “On their website you can apply to be a Girls Who Code Loop president … I really love Girls Who Code as an organization. I saw that they had an opportunity, so I applied and now I’m just trying to round up as many people as I can to make this club successful and hopefully affiliated with Manhattan College by the end of this semester.” Although fairly new, Creanza shared that the club is gradually figuring out what events are best and that already she and other members have come up with great activities for participants to engage in. “So obviously we haven’t done anything in the past be-
cause we’re super new, but we’re also looking to have some workshops, study hours and some Lo-Fi meetings that aren’t necessarily for coding or for networking, but just more for people to hang out. So, we’re trying to have a wide range of events and collaborate with as many other college clubs as possible.” One of the masthead members of the club is sophomore Madison Baydian, a computer science major. As the secretary, Baydian is still in the process of finding what activities will attract more members. But, as the club’s first major events are coming up this March, Baydian explained she is excited since both events involve collaborations with major organizations inside and outside the college. “We have an event with The Lasallian Women and Gender Resource Center on March 9,” Baydian said. “We’re going to discuss navigating sticky situations with coworkers, how to do a good job search and other stuff regarding the professional world. We also have another event with a speaker from the Google programming team and she’s going to discuss how she got into programming, getting internships and what it’s like to be on a team for Google and then she’ll have a Q&A at the end.” Rachel Cirelli, co-Director for the Women and Gender Center, helped GWC organize one of their first big events with LWGRC and shared how passionate she was about being part of an event with students motivated to encourage women in STEM. “Meeting with Sofia was really important and I think we wanted to do a first event for her club because I feel like it’s very new,” Cirelli said. “So really I was thinking, ‘How can I support that club? How can I
Manhattan College started GWC on campus this past January and already the club has exciting events lined up with speakers from LWGRC and even Google. SOFIA CREANZA / COURTESY support them in both my role in the crew office, but also in my role at the Women’s Center?’” Cirelli, like the club members, is pleased GWC is now available on campus and hopes the program will not only make female and LGBTQ students more comfortable studying STEM, but will prepare them well for the competitive job market for science and technology. “So we know STEM is the future and we know women in STEM is a huge area and we know people in the LGBTQ community in STEM, they’re going to need even that extra support,” she said. “So, knowing the future of STEM and knowing that, I think it’s important for clubs like this to
kind of come up and make sure that those individuals are more than prepared to thrive in the job market.” As a female studying computer sicence, Baydian stresses that the club is an asset to the Manhattan College community because it can make women and non-binary students feel more comfortable working in a field that’s more exceptive of a male-dominated educational setting. “As a woman in STEM, I know firsthand that sometimes it’s scary to be one of the only girls in the class,” Baydian said. “So, I think it’s important to create a space for girls to just talk about something they’re interested in without the input of boys. It’s important to create
Girls Who Code (GWC) is an organization with the mission to break stereotypes involving workers in STEM and to empower women and LGBTQ computer scientists. SOFIA CREANZA / COURTESY
a safe space for girls to learn and be interested in coding and STEM and just have an environment without toxic masculinity.” Like Baydian, Creanza also believes GWC on Manhattan College campus can provide a safe space for students to talk about the industry without feeling intimidated by most students being male. However, Creanza wants others to understand that club members don’t necessarily have to pertain to girls, LGBTQ students and those who are studying STEM. “We are a very inclusive organization and we want all people to feel safe in our meetings and events,” Creanza said. “So, I want to reiterate that we’re not just focused on coding and we support all people in their ambitions and their goals. For example, if you’re an English major and you want to break into the business sector as an executive, we’re supportive of that, if you are an art major and you want to do things with technology, we are in full support of that. We are open to all people and all experiences and they should definitely come and join because we have a lot to offer and a lot of learning opportunities that can be applicable when you go to the workforce.”
Features
MARCH 1, 2022
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The JasperFit Mentor Program: A Program That Makes Fitness Fun Josh Grewal
Asst. Social Media Editor The JasperFit Mentor Program is a program where kinesiology students serve as mentors to help the Manhattan College student population adopt, increase and/or maintain leisure-time physical activity. Originally created in 2019, the program seems to advocate the benefits of physical activity and how it can help an individual person as well as the overall community. Many of the mentors that are a part of the program are able to carry this motivation with them because of how motivated they are by the mission itself. Jeff Cherubini, the faculty advisor for the JasperFit Mentor Program and many similar programs, enthusiastically explained in an email to The Quadrangle the depths of what the program entails. “The Department of Kinesiology is always exploring new opportunities for our students to develop professionally while simultaneously providing a service to our community – be it on or off campus,” Cherubini
wrote. “Through the promotion and support of campus-wide physical activity, we are able to potentially enhance the health and wellness for students across all majors, these are the mentees, and the professional development of our kinesiology students, the mentors.” He spoke about how the program started, and the process that it required in order to be what it is today. Without a doubt, you can see clearly how the program is rooted in positivity from the very beginning. “In 2019, I first introduced the idea of a mentorship program to my students in KIN 304 Kinesiology & Public Health,” Cherubini wrote. “I can’t take credit for the original idea. An alumni, who had just taken KIN 304 Kinesiology & Public Health the year prior, had attended an Exercise & Sport Psychology conference and learned about a similar program at Humboldt State University. This program, called the WellFit Program, had kinesiology majors serve as physical activity buddies for individuals referred from Health and Counseling Services who had been diagnosed with clinical depression and/or anxiety. We immediately thought a simi-
lar idea of Kinesiology Buddies would work great here at Manhattan College; but rather than offering to those referenced from Health Services, we would offer to any student interested in being a little more physically active.” Dr. Cherubini’s focus has always been on the students and how it would affect them. He constantly spoke about how the students were his top priority, and that every decision made would be in their best interest. “For those students participating as mentees, I see numerous opportunities to receive tangible and practical social support from their peers to initiate, increase or maintain physical activity and other positive wellness-based behaviors,” Cherubini wrote. “For the mentors, I see opportunities to develop and demonstrate both positive personal character traits such as empathy, compassion and respect; as well as positive performance character traits such as reliability, accountability, and adaptability. All valued and very much needed as future trainers, teachers and therapists.” Zack Olivan, the director of the program, shared many flyers and posters containing
cer (bone cancer). This cancer is extremely rare and a lot of precautions had to be made to assure Waitt’s cancer wouldn’t continue to grow. “Bone cancer makes up for less than one percent of all cancers diagnosed. Of that small percentage, 30 percent are Ewing Sarcomas like mine, and of those 30 percent, only five percent of cases are in the arm,” Waitt said. Even with all this bad news thrown at her about her health, Waitt was able to laugh through it. Waitt, who is originally from Maine, had to do several months of chemotherapy at Boston Children’s Hospital for the next nine months. However, Waitt didn’t think about all the pain she would go through. “It wasn’t bad — I’ve waited for Netflix series seasons to come out longer than that,” Waitt said. Waitt’s experience with her cancer treatment also involved external problems, which she has found humor in. “I puked in the Portland, Maine Hospital lobby more than anyone else, and that’s a record I keep till this day,” Waitt said. “After my surgery,
when I woke up, I felt that it was enough time for me to joke about the fact that my arm looked like a wet noodle … I thrive off of laughter from other people, I am that type of person.” Waitt told The Quadrangle that her humor wouldn’t always help her get through her cancer. “Even though I had a humorous outlook, it wasn’t humorous all the time, no one can be like a ray of sunshine 100 percent of the time … I definitely see the balance,” she said. “The recovery was slow, but I took it day by day. Seeing all the small changes that you are doing well mentally pays off.” Danial Rios, a mechanical engineering student, attended Waitt’s Tiny Talk. “I really like her story and hearing about the equation of life and how she was able to apply that to not only cancer but any other shortcoming experiences she had,” Rios said. “I agree with her 100 percent. After any amount of time, if you’re not going to joke about something that happened, why even remember it because you’re just going to always look at it
more information about the program, and how people could get involved in the future. “The JasperFit Mentor Program originated in the form of personal training many years ago, but today, the program serves as a student-led peer mentorship program that facilitates positive communication and community development,” Olivan wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “One thing we are currently working on as a program is getting students and college faculty certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in order to be able to prescribe exercise. As of now, the program is strictly mentorship focused, with the goals of connecting students together to facilitate positive and healthy lifestyles throughout the community.” Ryan Tierney, a mentor in the program, explained what it’s like to work with students and improve their health habits. “Being in a mentor-type role feels like the middle ground between the coach and a friend,” Tierney wrote in an email to the Quadrangle. “As a mentor, you have the experience to give good advice and lead your mentee down the right path,
but your role as a professional doesn’t reach further than a student acquaintance. You are able to meet new people and become friends with them while also utilizing what you study to assist them in achieving the goals they set for themselves.” Tierney also explained how this program will continue to affect students at the college, specifically noting how inclusivity in exercise can change lives. “I believe that this program can provide a massively positive impact on the campus as a whole,” Tierney wrote. “The more people that sign up to be mentees/mentors, the more connected the campus might become. We have people signing up from different majors that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. This program opens up the opportunity to meet new people in the name of physical activity. We specifically encourage beginners who are thinking about starting to be more active, but we also won’t turn away those who are experienced and want someone to check in on them. This program is highly inclusive and has the capacity to bring Manhattan College students closer.”
Tiny Talk with Sydney Waitt: A Cancer Survival Experience Victor Franco Staff Writer
Time + tragedy = comedy. This is the equation that helped Sydney Waitt through her experience with cancer. Waitt is currently a senior at Manhattan College who is double majoring in peace and justice studies and political science, but through her Tiny Talk students were able to hear a more personal story of her life through a comedic lens. Waitt was able to create a shift in her story that most would say is only supposed to be tragic and placed a comedic stance to help her better cope with the reality of her situation. Waitt’s first realization that something was wrong was during her high school softball game, where she noticed a big bump beginning to form on her forearm causing her to sit out of the game and go to her doctor the next day. When she saw a doctor about it, many tests were run and she was sent to Boston Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with stage four Ewing Sarcoma can-
Sydney Waitt, a Senior at Manhattan College double majoring in political Science and peace and justice studies shares her experience with cancer in a Tiny Talk. SYDNEY WAITT/ COURTESY negatively.” Ysabella Rincon, a management major, also attended Waitt’s Tiny Talk and acknowledged Waitt’s perseverance. “The fact that she has been through so much pain at such a young age and yet she still
finds the light at the end of the tunnel is what stood out to me,” said Rincon. “Everybody shares struggles, but we are all in this together and we can rely on each other’s support when needed.”
Arts & Entertainment
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THE QUADRANGLE
Scatterbomb Performs Open Heart Surgery, Amuses MC Angelica Niedermeyer & Niamh Delargy Staff Writers
Manhattan College’s improv troupe, Scatterbomb, hosted their Valentine’s themed show called “Open Heart Surgery Show” on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. On Friday, Hayden 100 was packed with a diverse group of parents, classmates and friends who came together to support and laugh with the comedians. The troupe started off the night by asking the audience to share any embarrassing or funny Valentine’s Day stories which they then based their opening improv sketch around. One audience member was brave enough to disclose a time where they had basketball game tickets on Valentine’s Day, but no one to go with. The performers took this opportunity to make basketball a major theme in which they kept referring back to throughout the duration of the show. Scatterbomb continued to include the romance of the season by incorporating the holiday into their sketches. A particularly memorable scene was when they used the famous pick up line, “Do you have a map? Because I am getting lost in your eyes.” This was enthusiastically received by the audience who found themselves lost too in their laughter. The group expertly combined the awkwardness of love and comedy which many members of the audi-
ence were all too familiar with. This was witnessed from the response of an avid member of the audience who took the time to share her feedback with the cast, “You guys were great. You guys were hysterical!” Following the show, The Quadrangle was lucky enough to speak with a number of the stars of the night to get their take on being members of Scatterbomb. When asked what the most rewarding part of the show was, Scatterbomb member, senior Erin Clinton said, “The unpredictability is just so much fun.” Clinton further elaborated on this, explaining why she finds this element of performing so fulfilling. “I think it’s really fun to work off each other … being friends with everybody, it’s really fun to be able to work with each other and kind of see how other people’s sense of humor are and where you can possibly go,” Clinton said. “I’d say the most difficult part for me is not being in the show, like when you’re standing on the sidelines you want to get in so badly because it distracts you and it takes you away from the awkward feeling,” said sophomore Aidan Mackenzie, who has been a member for 2 years. “You just want to jump in,” added sophomore Anthony Cantirino. Cantirino shared the experience of preparing for a show, “It really does not take a lot of preparation because it’s im-
prov. So, a lot of it is on the spot. But I usually need like a week or two to get ready for it,” said Cantirino, who joined earlier this year. Just like the impulsive decisions required for improvising lines on stage, Cantirino’s choice to join Scatterbomb was the same. “I got bored, so I decided I needed something to keep myself occupied. So, I just joined this,” said Cantirino. The Quadrangle discovered how the audience’s engagement inspires passion within the performers and encourages them during their shows. Mackenzie shared his favorite thing about being in Scatterbomb is when he hears the audience laugh. He added to this saying he enjoys when their shows have a theme, such as that of Valentine’s Day, as it rouses audience participation and provides new comedic ideas. “It gets the audience involved, and we don’t have to think too much,” Mackenzie said. When asked how the group decides on a theme and name for the show, Cantirino said it is based on “whatever holiday is the closest.” “Obviously if there’s a holiday, it creates a conversation, brings the audience in,” said Mackenzie. Themes provide a great benefit for the cast as improvising an entire sketch in the moment can prove difficult. Cantirino said, “In practice it’s a lot easier to come up with
Scatterbomb hosted their ‘Open Heart Surgery Show’ on Friday. Feb. 18th.
@SCATTERBOMBMC / COURTESY stuff, in front of everyone else it’s a little bit more difficult to come up with stuff on the spot.” Cantirino informed The Quadrangle of additional obstacles Scatterbomb faces regarding the content of their shows. “There’s some material that we can’t cover,” said Cantirino, who stressed the importance of having an awareness of bound-
aries whilst performing. The members of Scatterbomb wanted to clarify that no hearts were really broken in this performance. For the next Scatterbomb show, look for posters around campus and you can keep upto-date with the group on Instagram @scatterbombmc.
Valentine’s Day: Starting A Discussion About Sexual Violence Alexandra Velez Contributor
V-Day is more than a play. It’s a performance representing the belief that when art and activism are combined, there will be a change in culture. Eve Ensler, an activist and the author of The Vagina Monologue, founded V-Day in 2012. She has inspired individuals around the world to raise money and awareness for intersections between violence and gender. V-Day Fundraisers and performances created by artists, survivors and activists have raised over $120 million dollars for organizations that help women, such as anti-violence groups, rape crisis centers,
domestic violence shelters and safe houses. Anna Burnett, a senior political science major, brought the V-Day legacy to Manhattan College this month, on Sunday, Feb. 13. In this session, Burnett opened up with multiple statistics on violence against women, and emphasized the importance of V Day for women. As a survivor of sexual assault herself, her goal is to continue raising awareness of the V Day message. “I think it is very important to destigmatize sexual assault,” Burnett said. Later on in the interview she emphasized the importance of protecting survivors from stigma. “Only the people who are willing to speak up about their
experience [should], as it can be retraumatizing to talk about those experiences, especially because of how stigmatizing it is.” There was a small group of speakers for the event, including Anna Burnett, Ally Mejia, Luis Chavez, Schuyler Alpaugh, Rosy Moody, Sydney Collins and Jill Tuthill. Matt Herlihy, a junior accounting major, was in attendance at the play. “[All the performers] were great. I thought it was a very diverse group of readings, some movie quotes, some from TV shows and some from literature,” wrote Herlihy in an email to the Quadrangle. This will not be the group’s last project. In the upcoming weeks there will be an anony-
mous Google Form for individuals to share artwork, poetry, stories or experiences. This will be a creative outlet for women and for survivors. The submissions will be posted to an Instagram page dedicated to V-Day to form solidarity. The National V-Day Organization states that one in three women will experience sexual violence. Although women have made a lot of progress, this statistic is still from 2021. The sad reality is that this staggering number of women will receive some form of physical harm in their lifetime. To understand the meaning behind V-Day, the point of view of survivors must be learned and reinforced. V-Day recognizes four main crimes against women, these being
sexual harrassment, sexual assault, rape and general abuse or domestic violence. Focusing solely on rape as a main form of violence against women minimizes the struggle women face. The main message of V-Day is for survivors to speak up about their experiences. Anna Burnett is creating an outlet for all survivors to do so at Manhattan College. Sean Powers, a junior CIS major, also attended the play. “Overall, the themes of the performance felt sad to me,” he wrote in an email to the Quad. “I enjoyed hearing all of the different perspectives on relationships (whether they be romantic or not) in all of the unique situations. All of the readings made me think.”
Arts & Entertainment
MARCH 1, 2022
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Student Film “Seen” Wins Big with Audience Anna Woods
Managing Editor Manhattan College is now home to award-winning student filmmakers, Samantha Gaddy and Roberto Estrada. The two students have been awarded the Audience Choice award from Lift-Off Global Network’s First-Time Filmmaker Session for their short film. Their film, titled “Seen,” was an assignment for the field and post-production course taught by Michael Grabowski, Ph.D. It was the result of a semester-long assignment allowing students to produce their own short film from start to finish. Coming in at less than a four minute runtime, “Seen” tells the story of a teenage girl who has a crush on a boy that she sees at a park one day. She excitedly tells her friends and family about him but they lack interest in her thrill. The next time she sees the boy she gathers up the courage to introduce herself. When she does the boy asks her if she can see him, and when she responds he asks,
“So how long have you been dead?” Gaddy is a senior communications major with a concentration in sports media production and has used her skills working on other projects, but this is her first time creating a short film. “I guess it was the first film. It’s not the first video production I’ve done. I’ve made music videos for a couple that was getting married … They wanted to imitate Jay Z and Beyonce and then we recreated it,” said Gaddy. Gaddy also used her talents on campus in sports media. “I’ve also worked with the women’s basketball team here, and we created a commercial that aired on ESPN. Yeah, that was my biggest highlight. I love that commercial. It was only 30 seconds long, but I got three hours of footage to make a 30 second commercial,” said Gaddy. Gaddy said that she only submitted the film as an extra credit assignment for the class and never imagined finding success with the film. “We submitted because Dr. Grabowksi offered it as an extra credit assignment … So
Gaddy is a senior communications major, this is her first time creating a short film.
SAMATHA GADDY / COURTESY
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Solomon truly dove into her character and felt that her character has a deeper message.
SAMANTHA GADDY / COURTESY I was like, ‘Okay, extra credit. How can it hurt, right?’ And so I just went on the website that he recommended, and I found the Lift Off Festival, and it had free entry. So I just submitted it. And the rest was kind of history,” said Gaddy. Gaddy explained that the official title of their award is the Audience Choice award. “So there were really almost 200 other films that were in my program, and the audience has to rent the collection, view it. And then they vote on whose film they like the best, and mine was one that came out on top. That was actually really mind blowing and I did not expect that at all,” said Gaddy. Grabowski explained that this curriculum is fairly new and was updated right as the pandemic hit. He was thrilled that Gaddy and Estrada found success at the festival and encouraged other people to put themselves out there, because you never know what may happen. Azziana Solomon, a senior communications major with a concentration in media production and a minor in film, starred as the lead character, Azrael, in the film. “This was my experience
being in an acting role,” Solomon said. “I usually work behind the scenes on productions. When Samantha came to me with the project and asked for me to lead, I just had to say yes. She had the entire production so well organized. Even during the outdoor shoot when I would get super cold everyone on set was so kind and patient. I felt so lucky.” Solomon truly dove into her character and felt that her character has a deeper message. “Azrael is such a lost soul. I think she is just looking for someone to see her and hear her. She spends so much of her life letting people walk right over her. I think in a way she is a cautionary tale to those who are too passive in life,” said Solomon. Solomon was thrilled upon the announcement of their award. “When I heard our film was in the final round of nominees I was filled with joy. I was not too surprised knowing the lengths that Samantha went to perfecting the film. Her vision and dedication is phenomenal. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of something here on campus,” Solomon said. Solomon continued.
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“I am so happy to be a part of a project that was so beautiful. I feel lucky to work with Samantha and Roberto. I could not have asked for a better director and production team. Even though the film didn’t win [as an overall finalist], to me it will always be the number one. It was a remarkable experience and I will never forget it.” Gaddy shared that this whole experience helped realize her own abilities and full potential. She encourages other students to follow their passions and not let themselves stand in their own way. “Do things that you love, and stuff will happen,” Gaddy said. “I took the class because I knew I loved to edit. When it came time to work on the film, there was a lot of heavy lifting, there was a lot of other work that needed to go in so editing could occur. But I felt so grateful doing all that work, because when it came time to edit, it was like I knew everything that happened because I was in charge of it. It really just kind of opened my eyes to what I could do. It just kind of showed me my potential, and I feel grateful for that.”
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THE QUADRANGLE
Intramural Basketball Returns after Two Year Hiatus Anna Woods
Managing Editor After a two-year hiatus, intramural basketball is well underway. Intramural basketball ended in March 2020 only weeks before the pandemic began. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, indoor sports had not been an option for the intramural program. Now in 2022, students are able to get back on the court. “We have well over 1000 students that participate,” Deanna Hewlett, recreation coordinator, and director of the intramural program said. “Our students live on campus, and we have a lot of commuter students as well that stay around to participate,” Hewlett said. John Bennett, executive director of the Office of Student Engagement, explained the impact the program has on the community of the school. “[Intramural sports] are such a fantastic way to get students involved and meet new friends,” Bennett said. “It’s really great in [student engagement’s] eyes, to connect students to get them out there. Within the [office of student engagement] we wish every administrator saw intramural events at night because it’s such a different world on campus.” The office of recreation employs students through work-study to serve as officials
and supervisors of the games. Hewlett shared that many of the office’s previous employees have graduated or moved on to supervisory positions within the office allowing a group of new students to work as officials. “I’m dealing with pretty much a completely new, different set of staff. So you know, that’s re-training, that’s them getting readjusted. Some of them don’t have prior experience officiating. So it’s just getting them comfortable with officiating and everything,” Hewlett said. She also shared that their staff is smaller than normal. “We are servicing over 1000 students, between a staff of 20 now, right, you know, and out of those 20 only have, 12 that actually officiate out of those 20,” Helwett said. “So trying to get those 12 students, spreading them across … four days of games ... can become difficult. But I think we’re doing a good job of managing it.” Officials are trained before the season begins and meet weekly to discuss the games of the work. “So we have a meeting every Tuesday … with the officials and supervisors as well … I’m always asking, like, ‘what did you guys notice? You know, what do you think we did good? What can we do to get better with that? This is the opportunity for them to ask questions and things like that,” Hewlett
Intramural basketball returns to the court for the first time since March 2020. JOCELYN VISNOV / THE QUADRANGLE said. Hewlett understands the difficulty that the position brings. “During our weekly meetings, I just want them to get better. I know it’s hard officiating,” said Hewlett. “Recreation is like one of the best jobs you’ll have, you get to have fun, love sports, you get to be around sports, but at the same time, it is a job so there’s a great level of difficulty to it … I know that officiating will never be perfect. There’s no perfect, you know, world when it comes to sports.” Basketball notoriously is one of the more excitable sports within the program often leading to disagreements between players and officials. However, the program has clear sportsmanship rules and regulations for players to abide by while playing. Additionally, officials are trained to handle disagreements that may occur. “Anytime you’re at a school-sanctioned event, the school’s Code of Conduct goes into play,” Hewlett said. “We also have a basketball manual …they’re students, you know, so I expect my officials to conduct themselves professionally. But I also expect the students that are participating to be respectful as well and conduct themselves a certain type of way.” According to Hewlett, the basketball manual includes all
of the information that officials and participants need to know. Despite the tensions that may arise during the games, Hewlett feels that students behave well. “I think we the students do a pretty good job of respecting doesn’t the games can get heated, you know, and even students that I’ve spoken with outside of the games, you know, they’ll say, you know, I was just heated in the moment,” Hewlett said. “And I get that, you know, I have played sports my whole life. And I understand when you’re competitive, and you’re trying to win, like it can get heated. But there are rules in place,” Junior Ali James is a public health major with a concentration in healthcare administration and management minor. Intramural basketball has played a significant role in her life at Manhattan College. James wrote an email to The Quadrangle sharing her experience in the program. “I used to play basketball in high school, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. Intramural basketball is like my escape from all the other more serious things that I do at school,” James wrote. “I started playing my freshman year as a way to make new friends, and two years later I’m still playing with some of the same people. I think intramurals are a great
way to bring different members of the Manhattan College community together, especially after the pandemic. It’s great to be able to see different types of people doing something that they love on campus.” James shared that intramurals can have moments of tension but it is all about the mindset. “I definitely think in the heat of the moment, tensions can run a bit high, especially if the game is close,” James wrote. “That being said I don’t think any of the players ever intend to be malicious or disrespectful.” Hewlett believes in her staff and feels that they are exceeding at their positions given their new roles. “I think that they’re doing an awesome job because officiating is not easy. Being a referee is not easy on any count, but especially when you’re refereeing your peers, the same people that you have to sit beside in class and in the cafeteria… But I think they’re doing as well as they can do for a new core group. And I think each sport each week, that as the sports go on, they get better and better,” Hewlett said. Intramural volleyball will begin soon after the basketball season is over. If you are interested in joining, visit the office of recreation website.
Sports
MARCH 1, 2022
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Men’s Basketball Begins Their Fight For The End of The Season Mack Olmsted
Asst. Production Editor The Jaspers’ men’s basketball season has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the fans, players, and coaches. Earlier in the season, the team had gone through a four-game losing streak, with losses against Niagara, Canisius, Rider and Monmouth. However, they have begun to redeem themselves with their new threegame winning streak against Quinnipiac, Fairfield and Rider. While the players are working hard on and off the court, the pressure is building for them with a current record of 1411. Despite being three games over .500, the team is eager to improve before the MAAC Championships. While times have been tough for the Jaspers, the team’s head coach, Steve Masiello has kept them motivated and helped them through when the season wasn’t looking good. “We’ve had 11 weeks of great basketball,” Masiello said in an Instagram post published by the team’s account. “Our
November and December were really good. I’m not gonna let 2 bad weeks affect 11 great ones. Now the mindset has to be let’s get back to those 11, not the last 2.” Although the team lost four times after hearing those words, the message stuck with them and drove them to want to improve and compete at their best. The Jaspers have begun to redeem themselves after ending their four-game losing streak with road wins against Quinnipiac and Fairfield. Although the team seemed like they were heading downhill, they came together and headed in a new direction with their 83-66 Quinnipiac win and 74-67 win against Fairfield. Key players of the Quinnipiac and Fairfield games were forward Jose Perez, guard Ant Nelson and forward Josh Roberts. All three players spoke with The Quadrangle about how they felt the season was going. “I feel like we’re getting back on track, like we still have not hit our peak as a team yet. The team has a lot to give when
it comes to the game, we are still striving,” Roberts said. Roberts believed that the coaching and practices were getting better and improving, the team has been communicating more while practicing to their max potential. “Our approach to practice and games has just been different,” Roberts said. “We have been really serious. Everybody’s been focussing on knowing what they have to bring to the table, knowing that role and just really locked in on winning.” Perez credits the coaching staff for their improvements, stating the camaraderie between players and coaches is what makes the team special. “We have a genuine bond,” Perez said. “We just get along so well honestly. They want us to keep it rolling and be prepared for Atlantic City. That’s really what it’s about playing your best basketball March.” Perez feels like he has a strong bond with the coaches and staff working with the team and that it helps them perform better during a game. “I feel like teamwork is
something that we really improved on as the years go on,” Perez said. “It’s something that we can always get better at but I feel like we are in a good place.” Nelson shared these opinions on how the season was going and what the team hopes to do in the future prepping for games. “The last two games went well, even three in terms of teamwork, we have been sharing the ball very well,” Nelson said. We want to see each other win. I feel like we have been sharing the ball a lot better.” “It happens, it’s like a roller coaster ride,” Perez said. “You’re gonna lose some games that you are supposed to win. And now we’re in the mix of winning some games right now but we are going at our best. That’s what it’s all about, honestly, in college basketball.” Overall Nelson looks forward to the rest of the season going head to head with Marist, Fairfield, St. Peter’s and Iona. Nelson is also looking forward to heading to the MAAC tournament. “We all just want to finish
suffering or at risk of developing an eating disorder. Over 28 million Americans have suffered from some form of disordered eating, according to hhs. gov. “Raising awareness about eating disorders is extremely important. Eating disorders are often subconsciously developed, which leads to a lack of proper treatment. This is why it is so important to raise awareness and provide education on how to establish a healthy relationship with food,” said Caitlin Lambe, a LWGRC student worker. Caneda is one of many who have suffered from disordered eating, and her Instagram is something she uses to not only hold herself accountable, but inspire others to work on their relationships with eating and fitness. “I believe a healthy lifestyle
is different for every person. So I just want to help increase a positive outlook on eating and working out,” Caneda said. When the pandemic was at its peak in 2020, Caneda found herself and her teammates unable to compete in games or train together. Feeling static and craving change, she turned to unhealthy habits. “We weren’t having games and I just wanted to get better, but not getting to actually train and see my growth on the field was really getting me back and confusing me mentally, because I wanted to see results. And so the only results that I could get were seeing the numbers going down,” Caneda said. Caneda knew she had to change these habits for both her own mental and emotional health, but also to be able to compete in the sport she’s passionate about. “I didn’t realize how much my mental health and my relationship with food completely influenced my game — they actually go hand-in-hand. And I also had to realize that I’m not going to look like the girls on Instagram,” Caneda said. “I’ll never have that physique and I really don’t want that ever again. I’m much happier with myself and how I look now.” Caneda believes that social media can be a harmful place, the posts she saw from influencers made her believe that she needed to change the way she looked. “Social media encourages
diet culture with ‘thinspo’ and remedies for how to stay skinny. It has also created and perpetuated a standard of beauty that is unrealistic, through photoshop and lack of representation for all shapes and sizes,” Lambe said. For Caneda, this was something that she found harmful, and she sees her account as a break from that toxicity and give insight to a sustainable and healthy way to live. “My account started as something that really only my friends and teammates follow. But I started to get plenty of DMs [direct messages] from people that I don’t even know, and people that I do know reach out to me to say ‘Thank you so much for doing this because like this is exactly how I’ve been feeling’,” Caneda said. Those close to Caneda have seen her journey first hand, and find it inspiring how she not only changed her own mindset but has also been able to make a difference. “I think that Nicolette’s new Instagram account @nickifit22 is an amazing idea. She has found a way to turn the things that hurt her into a way of helping people who are currently going through the same things she once did,” Aarron Gitelman, Caneda’s boyfriend, wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “She is constantly speaking about it in such an excited tone and she cannot wait to keep growing it along with herself. She has already begun to help
Jose Perez, 15, credits the coaching staff for the team’s improvements. GOJASPERS/COURTESY out the season strong, get a good spot for the tournament, handle and succeed,” Nelson said. The Jaspers are looking forward to their upcoming games as they face St. Peters on Tuesday, March 2 and Iona Thursday, March 3 in Draddy Gymnasium before they head to the MAAC Tournament on March 8.
Nicolette Caneda Uses Social Media to Promote NEDAwareness Week Kelly Kennedy Social Media Editor
This past week was National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and one Jasper athlete is using her platform to raise awareness and promote both a healthy lifestyle and body positivity. Freshman Nicolette Caneda started the Instagram page @nickifit22 this past January, to tell her story and inspire others. “I started the account because I know I didn’t have anything like that for myself. And I just wanted to make something for maybe someone else who was feeling the same way I was and didn’t have that kind of outlet,” Caneda said. NEDAwareness week is an opportunity to raise awareness and improve the care of those
Caneda plays midfield and forward for the jasper women’s soccer team. NICOLETTE CANEDA/COURTESY
individuals and by doing that, she is also helping herself with some issues that may still try to creep their way back in. Nicolette is doing an amazing thing and I know she will help people for as long as she possibly can.” Caneda’s former coach, Peter Turos, coached her from ages 11 to 15, and since then the two have remained close. “I certainly think it’s a great thing because not many people show the back end of being a high level athlete. Everyone shows the highs but they don’t show the lows, which is what I think she’s exemplifying for him through her Instagram page,” Turos said. “Hopefully she receives enough traction and following that people can actually see what she’s talking about, because I do think it can be inspirational for those types of kids that are going through the same thing.” Caneda hopes to continue posting on her account and inspiring others along the way. “It’s a process, which is very important for people to know, nothing’s going to change overnight. Having this account and it’s kind of holding me accountable, and helping me just as much as it’s helping the next person,” Caneda said. “I know I’m like one person that may not be able to make a huge difference, the majority of people may not ever even see my account. But if I can help one person who is thinking the way I did or like or feels the way I do sometimes, then I’m happy.”
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MARCH 1, 2022
Player Profile: Senior Pole Vaulter Lilly Brown Overcomes Adversity and Sets Her Own Goals PLAYER PROFILE
Nicole Fitzsimmons News Editor
Senior pole vaulter Lilly Brown has been adding extra spark and commitment to the Manhattan College track and field team for the past four years. Since she stepped on the track in Draddy, her career has been full of hardships and unexpected challenges, yet she still continues to progress and grow as an athlete, student and person. As an economics major with an English minor pursuing law school and involved with extracurricular activities like Lotus Magazine, she balances a workload carefully, yet enjoys the busyness of being a student-athlete. According to GoJaspers, she was selected to be a part of the MAAC All-Academic Team in her 2019-20 indoor season, highlighting her ability to manage her various involvements and responsibilities to being on a team. “Ever since I was little, I’ve been training,” Brown said. “So being on teams has just helped to keep me organized. I’m somebody who thrives when they’re busy. I need a tight schedule to keep myself organized and on time. So I definitely think that the team – not only does it help me stay motivated and stay organized but also just overall support. The team provides a lot of, you know, stress relief to me.” Brown decided pole vaulting was her calling while in high school, when she realized she did not want to continue with gymnastics. She and a friend, who was also a former gymnast, went to try pole vaulting on her high school team. From there, her passion for the event grew. “When I’m competing in the pole vault I am locked in and it’s one of those moments where everything else falls into the background and you’re just on the
runway, taking your jumps,” Brown said. “So I really like that it challenges me in that way because I’m always forced to focus, which is something that I have a bit of a hard time doing.” Her passion for pole vaulting let her continue the techniques she learned in gymnastics and helped her find more balance in life. Her excitement for the upcoming spring season is increasing, not only because of her love for the event but also because of the long wait to compete since the pandemic. The wait to turn back to the track was increased for Brown, who suffered from a hip injury, stopping her from competing in the outdoor season of her freshman year. “Once I found out that I needed surgery, it kind of was a relief for me to know that there was a solution to the issues that I was having,” Brown said. “So then once I got the surgery, it was really just about small victories moving forwards, like just being able to do calf raises was like the greatest day, it was so exciting. So after that, I think I learned the value of just taking training day by day as opposed to always having these huge goals. So I think that it ended up motivating me in the long run because I learned to appreciate being healthy a lot more than I did in the past.” Assistant coach Kathryn Schumann, who was also recovering from surgery around the same time as Brown, has seen her grow since her injury and believes her passion and strength have really stood out as she recovered. “If anyone else was in her shoes, I think there were a lot of times when a lot of other people probably would have given up or just said ‘I’ve got too much focus on in school’,” Schumann said. “But the fact that she stuck with it says a lot
about who she is as a person.” Schumann adds that between the challenges of recovery and added confusion from COVID-19, other athletes may have believed quitting would make more sense than persevering, as Brown did. “A lot of different points with injury or COVID or school getting tougher, she could’ve just said, you know, I put a good time in but I’m done. But she just stuck with it. And now it’s almost over,” Schumann said. Despite these setbacks, Brown was able to set a personal record at the MAAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the 2021 outdoor season with a leap of 3.50 meters, according to GoJaspers. Schumann recalls being nervous for Brown, as the team was running late to the Rider competition. Schumann was worried Brown would feel unprepared in terms of warm-up time and that the nerves would affect her performance. “I was really proud of her for how she handled it, because I was trying not to pass on my nerves onto her because that’s one thing you don’t want to do as a coach,” Schumann said. “We get nervous too, but it’s important to try and you know shield that away and all. By the time we got there, all the other girls were on the runway and she said, ‘Nope, we’re good. Screw it. I’m fine,’ hopped right on. She didn’t get the perfect warmup she wanted but still kind of went for it. And it was a good day.” Yet, Brown focuses less on statistics now and more on her passion for the sport and her love for the team. “I really, I think I love track more now than I ever did before I came to Manhattan, because in high school, my love for track was really motivated by winning and you know, PRing [breaking personal records],
Brown broke her personal record in the 2021 outdoor season. GO JASPERS / COURTESY
Lilly Brown is a senior pole vaulter at Manhattan College plans on cherishing her moments with the team in her last season.
GO JASPERS / COURTESY
and it wasn’t about it wasn’t as much about the process. But now I love training every day.” Brown said. “I enjoy lifting heavy, I want to get better in the pole vault just because I love it, not because I’m always thinking about marks and places. So, I think I’m a better athlete for that reason, and I also just love my sport more.” One of her most rewarding memories was her selection to fill in for a distance medley relay with her team. “When I was a freshman, and I was dealing with my injury, I would have never thought that I would be someone who’s chosen to fill in for a 400,” Brown said. “Like, that was unimaginable to me, and the fact that I was able to fill that spot for my team and participate in something that, you know, relays are so team-oriented, so to be able to participate in something like that was terrifying. But also, I felt super grateful to be able to do that, because of how the past four years have gone. So that is one of my best memories. Also, it was just hysterical, because I’m not a distance runner. So it just turned out to be a super funny memory and something that we all joke about now.” Brown’s presence truly helps her teammates, and Schumann describes her as a leader. “There’s another girl on our team who just had surgery, so she’s able to use her past experience and help other people on this team,” Schumann said. “Definitely a leader, definitely trying to, you know, use her experiences to help younger people on the team, she’s definitely a leader. I just think her attitude, like she knows things can get hard but she knows that you can keep chipping
away at it and overcome things you don’t think that you can.” In the upcoming season, Brown is excited to compete with her team and really take in and reflect on her memories with the Jaspers. “I’m really looking forward to going to the spring season with my team. Our performances at the MAAC championship for winter were super promising,” Brown said. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of depth. We’re a small team, but we make up for it. We make up for it with quality. For me, I was seated, I think fifth and I was able to climb up to second. So, I am feeling confident that I can, you know, be the best competitor on that day. Just at all the meets that I go to, that’s really my goal for spring. So I’m just super excited to get out there with my team and relish in the final season that I have with them.” If she was to offer some advice to other pole vaulters, or athletes, she emphasizes relaxing, focusing and taking it day by day, which is a commentary on her growth in her years at Manhattan. “Relax, I think, and not just for pole vaulters, but in general,” Brown said. “You think you know everything coming into college athletics and I learned so much in college that I didn’t know when I was in high school, and I think the more that you try to control what’s happening around you, the less you’re able to actually focus on yourself. So I think the best thing you can do is relax, take it day by day, and trust that your training is going to work out. And if it doesn’t, you’ll make adjustments. I think that’s the most important thing.”