Issue 04.27.16

S A C R E D

H E A R T

U N I V E R S I T Y

F A I R F I E L D ,

“SHEDDING LIGHT ON CAMPUS NEWS SINCE 1983”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

C O N N E C T I C U T

VOLUME 36, ISSUE 11

INTHISissue Getting in the Game: Q&A with ESPN’s Jemele Hill

3 4 7 8 9 11

HE SAID/ SHE SAID

Melanie and Anthony reflect on the end of their reign as He and She

CONTROVERSY ON SNL

Students sound off on an SNL skit that satirizes drug use in America

SWIM ’N SURF

A Fairfield boutique offers trendy wardrobe options for the upcoming season

“STUDY ABROAD” IN FLA. One student shares her experiences as an intern for the Disney College Program

HEY YA

Choirs will join forces in their final concert to cover popular songs from the 90’s and 00’s

PIONEER RUNNING

Two track and field athletes set Sacred Heart records for fastest miles

JEMELE HILL (MIDDLE RIGHT) POSES WITH SACRED HEART ALUMNAE AFTER HER EVENT

TWEETS of the Week

BY EMILY ARCHACKI Editor in Chief

@callmekatiie

Sacred Heart University’s Sports Communication & Media Graduate Program hosted a symposium on women in sports media, “Getting in the Game,” on Saturday, April 23.

The event featured rotating panels and workshops with women who work in the sports media industry for organizations and companies such as ESPN, NBC Sports, and Time Inc. The main feature of the @katelynnchill event was a discussion between Paul Pabst, Executive Producer of the “just got proposed to in reds with a Dan Patrick Show and media professor at Sacred Heart, and Jemele glass of pino...obviously I said yes.”

Hill, from ESPN’s “His & Hers” talk show and podcast series. The event concluded with a small reception and opportunity for those in @gotjillybeans attendance to network with the women from the various panels.

In her discussion with Pabst, Hill, a native of Detroit, Mich., shared “undergrad: registering is stressful upcoming graduate: not registering is her career experience as a sports journalist. From her early days as a stressful bc that means the real world reporter for her high school newspaper, then transitioning to various conclusion: life’s stressful” newspaper jobs such as working as a sports writer for six years at the Detroit Free Press. She then began working at ESPN in 2006 as “Tweets of the Week” are taken from a national columnist for their website ESPN.com, to her current role a public forum on Twitter. Tweets are opinions of the individual and do not on “His & Hers,” which airs daily on ESPN2 at 12 p.m., Monday represent the opinions of Sacred Heart through Friday with co-host Michael Smith.

“Eating Krispy Kreme while walking up the stairs cancels each other out right?”

University or The Spectrum Newspaper. If you want to see your Tweet in the newspaper, use the hashtag #ShuSpectrum and you may be featured!

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Q: You began your career as a sports writer and have transitioned now to on-air. Did any skills you learned as a sports writer help you in the transition from print to air?

A: Pretty much everything. The one thing that gave me the authority and credibility was writing…writing and reporting. I covered college football and basketball for six years as a general assignment reporter. Then for two years as a columnist I got to cover everything from the NBA Finals to two Olympics, to the World Cup. Covering all those things and covering athletes and teams, that’s why I can speak as credibly, and hopefully intelligently, as I do about the topics we discuss on a day-to-day basis. Whatever I discuss in some respect is already familiar to me because I’ve probably covered it, or something like it. Making the transition when I did it wasn’t about lack of information about the subject. It was about mostly just learning the nuance of television; how to present better on-air and making sure that you’re making sense and all those kinds of things.

But the strength in my opinion, I learned all of that over 10 years as a print journalist.

JULIA KENNEDY/ SACRED HEART UNIVERISTY SPORTS COMM ALUMNA

is more for Mike [Smith] and I that those are our conversations we have like on the phone or off camera or sitting at a bar, hanging out.

When you’re on television, while we’re still having the core of that conversation, we obviously have to make it very Disney-friendly.

Look if you gave us a podcast on TV we’d probably love that, you know without the restrictions and everything. But both are very tied together. We realized a long time ago that why people watched us, in addition to our relationship and our relationship show, is that people wanted a sense of authenticity. That was very easy for us to give people because we got to a point in our careers where we’re completely comfortable with who we are, we know what we’re doing.

Hopefully it translates in both mediums. But for sure the TV show would not exist without the podcast. I think from that standpoint it’s a little bit unusual. I don’t know how many TV shows are made because of a podcast.

Q: On Thursday, April 21, you were part of the first-ever all-female panel on “Around the Horn.” What was that panel discussion like, and do you think that occurrence shows continued growth for women in sports media?

A: It definitely shows a lot of growth. The special thing about that is it wasn’t forced. It was organic in the sense that the “Around the Horn” roster is just that deep where you can have an all-female panel. The show’s been on I think for 10 plus years, and obviously wasn’t always that way. I think it speaks to the roster that we have at ESPN… for me it was a really special moment, especially considering the evolution of say someone like Sarah Spain or Kate Fagan. I’ve been reading Jackie MacMullan my whole life. She is one of the OG in this business, as we like to say. To be on that kind of platform with somebody who is as accomplished as she is, it was a special day for all of us. If anything, I think it just shows not only the growth of “Around the Horn” in particular but just the growth of where we are in this business in terms of the opportunities available for women.

Q: What led you to pursue a career specifically in sports journalism?

A: I think it was just my early love of newspapers. We had hometown columnists that I loved to read and I was just fascinated by the stories they told. Mitch Albom was the biggest columnist in our city [Detroit]; he had some amazing stories, many of which he’s won awards for. I just loved the fact that after I saw this thing I’d never seen before, somebody like him could put it in perfect context and make it make even more sense than it made in my own head. In Q: You’re involved with the studio show and podcast for “His & addition to the fact that I was always a voracious reader, I loved the Hers.” What are the pros and cons of each and do you prefer one idea that you had these select groups of people who were chronicling format over the other? history. It just made me kind of fall in love with the medium and want A: The thing isorwe’re trying to make the us show Comments Concerns?

EMAIL at more like the Visit Us At: SHUSpectrum to try to do exactly that. podcast, which is not easy because TV [has] built-in limitations.

SPECTRUM@SACREDHEART.EDU www.shuspectrum.com Newspaper Continued on page 2 Commercials for one, we can’t swear for another and the podcast

@S

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

News “

April 27, 2016

“

2 | News

His views align perfectly with our mission to instill our students and other members of the SHU community with a deep sense of the Catholic Intellecutal Tradition and its emphasis on social justice

Continued from page 1

Q: Have you faced any challenges as a woman in the sports media world?

A: I think the challenge was that I was in print and transitioned into TV. The challenges of TV are a lot different. Television is ruthless on women. That part I was unaware of until I kind of got into it. When I first started really evolving into a broadcaster there were not a lot of spaces where women were giving their opinion. There were certainly the traditional roles of sideline reporter and anchoring but it was still considered far too much of an anomaly to have someone like me, who was more of a commentator, as opposed to any of the other traditional roles. It was the reality of the business that what you looked like mattered. I had not come from that kind of world. In print it was about what you wrote.

Women certainly faced challenges there, but they were just different. Television was much more in your face in terms of the discrimination, the misogyny. It was far more stark than it was in other forms of media. For me I guess, and I told this to other women who are coming up, that unfortunately in the television industry you have to show them what you aren’t before they see what you are. At times that was frustrating to see other people put in positions to succeed, I’m not just talking about ESPN but in general in our business.

It kind of sent a direct and indirect message when you’re watching sports media and everybody on TV is a blonde and you’re black. It’s like; “hmm well clearly there is not a place for me right now.” It was tough sometimes to see that because I just wondered, “I’m never going to fit the mold of what they think an on-air woman should look like and sound like.” My response was, “I ain’t gonna stop being me.” I just have to keep being myself.

-Sacred Heart University President John Petillo

Eventually, like a lot that happens in our business, they learned to like it.

Q: Do you have any advice for students, particularly women, working toward careers in the sports media industry?

A: Best piece of advice I can give you is control what you can control. Focus on learning the craft. Technology is always going to change. But what doesn’t’ change is the fact that if you want to be a journalist you’ve got to be curious, you have to tell people things they didn’t know, you have to be able to develop relationships, you have to be able to develop sources. That part never changes. There are just far too many younger journalists that I meet that are too focused on being famous. Being on television for the sake of people knowing them. I got into this business to tell stories. I got into the business to explain why things happen and I think you always have to keep that as the core of why you’re in it. If you’re in it for superficial reasons you’re not going to last very long. This job, you have to go through a lot to get to the eventual point. You have to love literally the worst parts about this job to actually know whether or not you really love it and really want to do it. People run up to me constantly and say, “I want to do what you do, I want to debate on TV.” There’s no class called “debating on TV.” The reason I’m on television is because I’m a journalist. Not because I know how to argue on television with one of my friends. I just hope that those who are in it and say they want to do it, that they’re in it for the right reasons. They’re in it even if they never wind up at ESPN. ESPN is just a place.

Be in it to expose truths to people, to tell them something, to put things into context.

City of Milford Teams Up With Jack Welch College of Business

BY LENA TONDI Staff Reporter

The Jack Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University has formed a partnership with the city of Milford to create messaging, design, and media plans for an enhanced marketing campaign to attract even more businesses to the city of Milford.

Sacred Heart students will be able to take part in problem-based learning labs, also known as PBLs, with businesses in the city of Milford.

“This is essentially a consulting assignment,” said Dunbar. The students will be interacting with different companies and helping them solve problems that they may have.

Graduate students will conduct half of these projects in the summer, and the second half will be in the hands of undergraduate students being guided and mentored by Dr. Joshua Shuart and Professor Kwamie Dunbar.

“The students lead the way, and we do our best to facilitate, advise and encourage the students in the project,” said Shuart.

Even though the students for these particular projects haven’t been chosen yet, the teams of students usually include many different majors and concentrations.

“You could have a small group that had majors in accounting, finance, management, and marketing,” said Shuart. “This allows us to help guide them as they lean on each other and their individual strengths to achieve their common goal, which of course is pleasing the client.”

This partnership is designed to give students different projects that will help them gain valuable experience in

their desired field of work, while simultaneously aiding the city of Milford by trying to get more businesses to the city.

There will likely be multiple PBL projects going on with various clients, however some of those projects are yet to be determined.

One project that Shuart will be working on with students is in the economic development office in the city of Milford.

“We will be developing marketing materials geared toward driving business to the city,” said Shuart.

During these projects, students are put directly into the business field. They are faced with various challenges and are advised how to overcome these issues in a professional manner.

“It is almost always a struggle at some point during the project, as the students grapple with unforeseen issues, timelines, technology snafus, and group dynamics. At its best, it becomes a magical and incredibly rewarding experience,” said Shuart.

According to Dunbar, the students are able to work within the entity and make recommendations to solve the problems within that entity, which is great for resume building.

A similar program also took place in Shelton.

Two students who participated in that program are seniors Nora Kilkenny and Mary Nealon.

“I took the PBL course that was offered both my spring junior and senior semesters. I found the PBL learning lab extremely beneficial because you work one-on-one with a client outside of a classroom,” said Kilkenny.

Students are given valuable work experience within the program, which will help them to become better employees in the future.

“You are treated as an employee rather than a student and your opinion is always extremely valued. The PBL learning lab has expanded my professional skills and has given me the confidence to carry conversations within a workforce environment,” she said.

Nealon also had a positive experience.

“Being part of the WCOB PBL class this semester was a great experience overall. It was cool to see the whole process- from our initial meeting with Modern Plastics president Bing Carbone to our final presentation to him this coming Tuesday,” said Nealon.

However, students aren’t the only ones benefitting.

According to Sacred Heart University’s website the corporate and community partners that participate in these projects also reap some benefits.

These include the opportunity to have high-quality, costeffective business solutions, the first opportunity to hire students who were a part of the projects, and an increased profile within the local community.

“We acted essentially as consultants for Mr. Carbone, analyzing many aspects of his company and providing our recommendations. This whole project was definitely an eye-opening experience and we got to experience both the challenges and rewards of interacting with the client,” she said.

This partnership will also benefit the College of Business because it fulfills not only the college’s mission, but also the university’s mission of connecting and aiding the community.

“Our creditors, the AASB, want to see where the college is making impacts in the community,” said Dunbar. “This is showing how we are doing just that.”

New Residence Hall Named After Jorge Bergoglio

BY ISABEL RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

On April 14, Sacred Heart University President John J. Petillo issued a press release announcing that the new sophomore residence hall will be named “Jorge Bergoglio Hall.”

Similar to freshman residence hall, Angelo Roncalli, the newest dormitory is being named after a Pope.

Most people know Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis, often not recognizing the name “Jorge Bergoglio.” Pope Francis is the current Pope, from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Pope Francis is known as the “People’s Pope” because of his determination to end inequality and include people who had previously been excluded from the Catholic Church.

He is recognized for mending the relationship between science and faith while connecting with his people on a personal level.

“I truly appreciate the Pope’s outreach of love and acceptance towards all, especially in the LGBTQA community,” said sophomore Cailyn Boothroyd. “It is truly inspiring to see a religious leader demonstrate that God’s love brings us all together and that we are all united.”

The new residence hall is being named after Jorge Bergoglio to honor his recognition for lay people and his determination to empower the oppressed, according to Petillo’s press release.

“His views align perfectly with our mission to instill our students and other members of the SHU community with a deep sense of the Catholic Intellecutal Tradition and its emphasis on social justice,” said Petillo in a press release.

Some students felt that the name was very appropriate for the new residence hall, but

were worried about remembering its pronunciation.

“I think that it is powerful as long as students are understanding of the name and not making fun of the name because perhaps they are not able to pronounce it,” said senior Morgan Debelle Duplan.

The Jorge Bergoglio Hall is designed pod-style. Two double rooms share a bathroom and each floor shares a kitchen and common area, according to an interview the Head of Residential Life Joel Quintong had with Spectrum in February.

Sophomores planning to live in the building next year are more interested in the new accommodations than the name of the building.

Some of the new features include a state of the art video gaming room and a cross-fit gym, according to Quintong.

“I decided to live in the new residence hall because it is a brand new building with new furniture and features,” said freshman Gina Gramarossa. “I support naming the new residence hall in honor of Pope Francis but it doesn’t change the way I feel about the building.”

Other students felt that the name does not impact how they will view the new residence hall, whether they are living in it or not.

“I do not think the name will impact me much, as a SHU student, because it’s just a building and I don’t think people will change their ways because of a name,” said sophomore Urdis Castrovillari.

While Sacred Heart has decided to honor the Pope’s life and his dedication to society and humanity, students are responding neutrally to the new name.

“I believe most students will just use the name in conversation not realizing the meaning behind it,” said Debelle Duplan.

Jorge Bergoglio Hall will be open for sophomore residents in the Fall of 2016.

April 27, 2016

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Perspectives | 3

Perspectives

A Love Letter To Our Strictly Professional Relationship

She Said

He Said

MELANIE...

When I found out that I was going to be the Perspectives Editor of The Spectrum for the 2015-2016 year, I was absolutely thrilled.

The thought of having a weekly column satisfied my inner narcissist and I thought that I could really make people aware of things I thought to be important.

As an English major, getting a chance to write a column every week allowed me to enhance my writing skills and control my voice as a writer.

I was absolutely shocked at the number of people who would send me emails or stop me in the hallway to ask, “Are you the girl that writes the ‘She Said?’” The follow-up question to that was always, “So are you and the ‘He Said’ dating? In case the rest of you were curious, no friends, we absolutely are not dating.

Nevertheless, asking Anthony to be my “He” made this experience even greater than I ever could have imagined.

He was reluctant to join at first, considering he already had his duties as the Assistant Sports Editor, but I managed to convince him otherwise.

We bickered frequently, sometimes for comedic effect and sometimes because we could not stand each other in that moment.

We became the archetypal married couple of the Spectrum family, often breaking out into skits complete with accents and everything.We fought over what topics to discuss and we fought over our vastly different opinions.

Our column about people who carry water jugs to the gym actually started a legitimate quarrel. One week we had a serious fight over a miscommunication, which resulted in Anthony having to write about three articles. (I’m still sorry about that, by the way.)

Still, I would not trade those fights for

ANTHONY... anything.

Our conversations became frequent, always looking for a topic to talk about in our column. (What started out as something to call mine quickly became a shared responsibility.)

Sunday nights were spent writing and chatting over which phrase sounded better or what was too cliche and had to be taken out.

If I can thank Spectrum for one thing, I would have to thank it for making me a friend.

Now, Anthony still has two years left at this lovely university. I, on the other hand, have about 20 days. *Shriek* I’m trying not to get emotional here because that would ruin my reputation of being heartless and uncaring. But, I think this year has been the best one of my life.

Now, the seasons have come and gone as they tend to do, and as I look at the cap and gown sitting in the corner of my apartment that I share with some of the most wonderful girls I’ve ever met, I can’t help but to tear up.

However, there are things I will be looking forward to this summer. I will continue to work at my neighborhood pharmacy and nanny the twins I’ve been with since they were three months old. In my free time, I’ll be lounging by the pool, cocktail in hand with my best friends, or going on adventures to new beaches or restaurants with my beautiful girlfriend.

In August, I will begin studying for my Marriage and Family Therapy license at Iona College in New York.

I never thought I would say this, but things are changing fast and that’s alright.

But don’t worry readers, I leave you in the caring hands of the new Perspectives Editor, Giovanna Gatto. She won’t disappoint.

It feels like it was yesterday Spectrum needed someone to be the ‘he’ for the ‘He Said/She Said’ and I was the guy to take it.

Well, about seven months later, here I am writing the last one of the year.

Doing the column every week was tedious at times, as coming up with topics that aren’t played out can make for a picky process, but I had fun writing a lot of them.

Working with Melanie was also more fun than I could have expected. The reason for that is I didn’t know Melanie before I started with Spectrum in September. I kind of stumbled into the ‘he said’ and thought, “Man, I don’t know if I can go toe-to-toe with a girl about cultural topics for a year.”

As it turns out, it made for a lot of fun.

The writing process on a typical Sunday might’ve distracted me from some Jets games I would have liked to relax for, but I will definitely miss the Monday mornings I spent making the most ridiculous jokes with Melanie in the office. When she’s gone, I’ll probably send her voice messages of things she’s missing in the office.

Now, aside from thinking about Spectrum—which I will miss—being done for the year, there are also finals and final projects to think about. Studying all day isn’t exactly my favorite cup of coffee (I don’t drink much tea, so I’m ignoring the expression) but, nevertheless, I will be married to Blackboard and the library for the next couple of weeks.

This is just a very bittersweet time of year; like a hipster-artesian-chocolate-from-Brooklyn type of bittersweet.

I’m going to miss seeing my college friends anytime I want, but I’ll now see my friends from home again; finals get stressful, but when they’re over, I can enjoy a summer full of work and fun. Those are pretty much the two main things I think

about during this transitional time period.

This summer, I’ll be doing an internship that’s related to my field of study.

It’ll involve learning about what goes into the production of a television program, which is something I’m very interested in learning more about. I’ll also be working at a tennis club, at a place I started at last summer. The people I work with there couldn’t be better to work with, so I’m looking forward to that, too.

In summers past, I’ve been kind of optimistic, but this is different; this is new-level optimism I’m about to break out. The weather’s going to be nice, I’m going to be well occupied; it’s a beautiful time.

The only thing I’m not looking forward to is paying for gas again. I love my car more than a lot of things, but it goes through gas like Joey Chestnut goes through hotdogs.

Anyway, summer is just such a hotbed of opportunity. I always feel a little more effortlessly focused when I’m home for the summer. At school, there are so many cool events to go to, or projects to take part in, that I sometimes find it hard to focus on doing one thing and end up stretching myself. At home, I work, I meet up with friends somewhere, or I relax. Of course there is more to do, but I can simplify my lifestyle more easily than I can at school.

Basically, like a lot of other college kids, I’m excited for summer, but a part of me will miss school, too. After all, I decided to attend Sacred Heart; why wouldn’t I want to be here? I’m (hopefully) a Pioneer for life, and I can’t wait to get back here after a good summer.

P.S. Thank you, Melanie, for this space to write. I’ll miss you and your childish hatred for water jugs when you graduate.

What Are Your Plans for the Summer?

“I’m going to the Indie 500.”

- Junior Julius Brown

“Sitting on the other side of my couch.”

- Sophomore Samantha Bagarazzi

“Cupcake Road Trip.”

- Sophomore Caroline Welch

“Studying abroad in Ireland.”

- Junior Samantha Haug

“Burning to a crisp.”

- Sophomore Alex Grobleski

4 | Perspectives

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Perspectives

The Hunting Ground

Sacred Heart screens groundbreaking documentary

BY CARA FUSILLO Staff Reporter

“It’s something that no one talks about,” was the most common phrase shared by the first-person testimonials in the documentary about rape culture and issues of sexual misconduct on college campuses called, “The Hunting Ground.”

The critically acclaimed documentary was viewed and discussed at Sacred Heart on Wednesday, April 20.

The documentary showcases victims who have come forward as pioneers for change and how colleges and the United States justice system handle cases of rape and sexual misconduct in an attempt to raise awareness of how commonly these incidences occur on campuses across the nation.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, more than 16% of women are sexually assaulted in college.

“I knew these issues were prevalent but I had no idea they were to that extreme.

Just to hear the stories of those victims was absolutely heartbreaking,” said junior Emily Cusick.

Emotional repercussions from being raped or sexual assaulted are extremely difficult for college-aged victims.

“I changed as a person, and living at college it’s so easy to run into your rapist,” said former Florida State University student Erica Kinsman in the documentary.

“There’s over 200 schools being investigated for crimes of rape and sexual assault,” said Leonora Campbell, Title IX coordinator for Sacred Heart University.

For many sexual assault survivors, victim

blaming is the hardest aspect of the emotional stress attaches to their victimization.

“The school’s response seemed like they were more concerned about him, they had an extreme reluctance to believe me,” said former Harvard Law Student Kamilah Willingham, who tried to seek justice after being raped.

Unfortunately, for rape victims, the search for justice may not always be successful.

“It’s the business of an administration or institution to want to protect their brand or image more than their students. Victims try to find some type of justice but administrations double back, its unbelievable,” said Theology and Religious Studies Professor Dr. JuneAnn Greeley.

“Victims are made to feel like they’re wrong and the culture in society and likewise on college campuses is so damaging,” said Greeley.

According to surveyed data gathered by The Huffington Post of cases at more than 125 colleges from 2011-2013, only 13% of students found guilty of rape or sexual assault are expelled from their institutions.

Title IX dictates that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

“Title IX is meant to protect from all forms of sexual misconduct, with students being the primary focus. Another piece of my efforts is to educate students to be engaged and really advocate for these issues, here at Sacred Heart,” said Campbell.

April 27, 2016

Does Sex Sell?

Game developers respond to criticism

BY CARA FUSILLO Staff Reporter

Here at Sacred Heart University, many students are playing different types of video games. A large portion of the student body play sports and fighting games, all of which include women in some way.

In the gaming world, video games are notorious for using sexually suggestive clothing and poses for their female characters.

“Just like in films, women are seen as nothing more than something pretty to look at,” said junior Taylor Kelly. “Even in games that may have strong female leads, they will still showcase a sexual side, which puts them right back in line with games like ‘Grand Theft Auto.’”

While some games very obviously portray busty characters in tight costumes, others are more subtle with sexual undertones.

“The only games that I can really think of that don’t have women as sex symbols are games like ‘Halo’ and ‘Call of Duty.’ They are more war and battle-based games and don’t have to do with women,” said sophomore Nicole Jablonski.

Recently, the creator of “Overwatch” removed a sexually suggestive ‘victory pose’ from the game. Sacred Heart students had a differing reactions to this alteration.

Some students believed that the game could influence other, similar games to to change their portrayals of female characters.

“I do agree with ‘Overwatch’ for taking out that victory pose,” said junior Samantha Boyle. “In the world we live in today and the push to get men to view women as equals, having women being shown as symbols for sex puts a hold on the progress we are making.”

Other students believed that ridding the game of the pose was unnecessary. “ I actually don’t believe they should have gotten rid of the pose. It is the creator’s creative right to put what they want in the game,” said Jablonski. “If they take out this pose because it upset some people, it will open up the doors to anything and the creator will lose all the rights to be creative.”

Even though students may not agree with the idea of video games being overly sexual, many are not shocked by it.

“I am so used to seeing women half naked and standing in poses while playing videos games, I barely even notice them anymore,” said Kelly.

Though “Overwatch” recently gained popularity because of the scandal of removing the pose, countless video games prior to “Overwatch” have been criticized by their overt sexuality.

“Everyone is so used to women being seen in this way, that we almost expect it. If women were taken out of video games, I would almost find it weird,” said Jablonski.

“I don’t see this tactic changing any time soon. Video games will always showcase women in a sexual way, since that is part of the reason people play video games,” said junior Danielle Sica.

Saturday Night Live Goes Too Far?

BY GIANNA IANNOTTI Staff Reporter

Sacred Heart University students are divided over a controversial skit released by “Saturday Night Live” on April 16. The late night television show recently poked fun at heroin use in America through a satirical ad featuring a product that would allow people to use heroin while living their daily lives.

Certain students felt as thought the show brought light to a serious issue through the use of comedy and were not shocked by the way the show chose to draw in its viewers.

“I wasn’t surprised because SNL always pokes fun about the issues in the world. You just have to be a good sport and not get offended by what you see,” said junior Kristin Sullivan.

In addition, Sullivan felt as though the show was within its boundaries in how they chose to tackle such a controversial and sensitive subject matter.

“I didn’t find it to be crossing a line because it is the premise of the show. They didn’t call anyone out in particular or say anything bad directly. They were raising awareness; I found it amusing and smart,” said Sullivan.

Other students agreed and felt as though the show was within their rights to address such controversial content in a comical manner, and felt that there would be little backlash about the skit from viewers.

“They aren’t violating their right to free speech which is what this is. And there probably won’t be any repercussions because not enough people care about this topic to be upset,” said junior John McGeorge.

While several students spoke in favor of “Saturday Night Live’s” skit choice, junior Kristin Chacho, who is an adamant fan of the show, was in shock over the creative choices made.

“I personally love SNL, though there are times were I do not find skits comical. With this skit I honestly was more shocked at the fact someone thought to do this. I did laugh here and there but couldn’t believe someone thought to make a skit like this,” said Chacho.

Despite the skit having its comical moments, Chacho felt as though the topic of drug

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CARA FUSILLO/SPECTRUM

MANY SACRED HEART STUDENTS VIEWED THIS SNL SKIT AND HAD SURPRISING REACTIONS TO THE SCENE

use in America was not something that should have been taken so lightly by “Saturday Night Live.”

“Drug use is a serious issue and I personally don’t agree with SNL poking fun at this topic in the way they did because of how serious this issue is. This is a real life problem people struggle with every single day, said Chacho. “I do think sometimes they should reconsider how they present their topics in their skits, especially when its a serious issue like this, but for the most part I feel like SNL overall is just trying to make people laugh and do not mean any harm by the things they are saying.”

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April 27, 2015

meet THESTAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF EMILY ARCHACKI 2016 MANAGING EDITOR MELANIE HOLEC 2016

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Editorials

Editorials | 5

Spectrum Snapshots ISSUE 6 Hour after hour, our work is never over.

ISSUE 1 Our very last first issue.

COPY EDITOR JESSICA CHALOUX 2017 ASST. COPY EDITOR LISA CARBONE 2018 NEWS EDITOR ALEXA BINKOWITZ 2018 ASST. NEWS EDITOR ANTHONY MATTARIELLO 2017

ISSUE 7 The stars were literally aligned for issue seven (we saw them on our way out of the office). Day before Emily’s job interview.

ISSUE 2 Snow pressure. No record snowfall but a new record for finishing early.

ASST. NEWS EDITOR CHRISTIAN COLON 2017 PERSPECTIVES EDITOR MELANIE VOLLONO 2016 ASST. PERSPECTIVES EDITOR GIOVANNA GATTO 2018 FEATURES EDITOR MARINNA DESANTIS 2016

ISSUE 8 Another Monday, another holiday.

Celebrating National Hug a Newsperson Day.

ISSUE 3 Vacation all we ever wanted. Fil has taken enough vacactions for all three of us

A&E EDITOR NATALIE CIOFFARI 2017 ASST. A&E EDITOR HALEY TANELLA 2016 SPORTS EDITOR SHAWN SAILER 2017 ASST. SPORTS EDITOR ANTHONY SANTINO 2018

ISSUE 9 We had newspaper on the brain until 1 a.m.

ISSUE 4 Emily didn’t get the four-eyes memo for the fourth issue.

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR TAMARIC WILSON 2016 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER JENNA BILLINGS 2017 WEB MANAGER HALEY TANELLA 2016

ISSUE 10 Mild mannered journalists by day, superheroes by night.

ISSUE 5 Leaping for joy we finished the issue, because of course Feb. 29 had to be a Monday.

WEB MANAGER BRYAN KELLEHER 2019 PR & CIRCULATION MANAGER JENNA BILLINGS 2017 PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR FILIPE LOBATO 2016 ASST. PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR ALEXA BRISSON 2017 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR GINA BATTAGLIA 2017 ADVERTISING MANAGER SYDNEY RUGGIERO 2018 ASST. ADVERTISING MANAGER LIAM CLARE 2019 FACULTY ADVISOR PROF. JOANNE KABAK

Farewell from the Editor-in-Chief The day has finally come; my last Spectrum Monday…ever. My reign as the Rory Gilmore of Sacred Heart is coming to an end. As my final note I would like say thank you.

I could not have asked for a better staff. We experienced one hell of a fall semester that tested our limits as editors and our constant reinforcement of the AP style guide. After every storm there is a calm, which was this spring semester. We always joke that as editors “we have issues, ” well we certainly did week after week this year.

To the editors: thank you for all of your endless support and dedication.

Shawn: I’ll miss catching up with you on your sports related adventures every time I step into the office. Sports is in good hands once again, and I can’t wait to read all your latest articles via your Twitter links.

Anthony: the baby of the staff, with a writing voice well beyond your years. I’m going to miss Christopher Walken impressions, and you quietly

singing along to the latest hip-hop songs.

Tamaric: your articles and editorials brought to life sports topics I wasn’t aware of.

Jess: please remember to bring snacks to the office. Rice is not the only acceptable food group on Mondays. Also never stop asking questions.

Gabby, Ally, Alexa Binkowitz, Christian, and Tony: news isn’t always an easy section to handle.

Trust me, I know. You all have handled every up and down with poise and grace, and made every frontpage eye-catching and informative.

Alexa Brisson: I’m going to miss your quick-witted sass and solid music playlists. Photography is in good hands and will continue to grow stronger under your leadership.

Haley: even though I’ve never watched an episode of “Last Week Tonight John Oliver” I feel like I have each time you catch up on the latest episode in the office.

Melanie: I feel like a proud mom having watched you manage your own section. I’ve fully enjoyed reading your perspectives week after week in “She Said.”

Giovanna: coming in clutch with your Factory connections when we needed the Spectrum email password reset. I fully trust you know InDesign and will do great things inheriting Perspectives.

Marinna: you’ve done a fantastic job at helping to “feature” things outside of the campus. It’s brought a new and fresh take to Features.

Gina: the real MVP; as Taylor Swift says, “I’ve got a blank space…and I’ll write your name.” You manage to fill every blank space with your amazing graphics. Thank you.

Jenna: I’ll miss spending Wednesday mornings catching up on homework with my favorite political correspondent.

Sydney and Liam: Spectrum is becoming the spot to advertise and that’s all because of you two.

Never willing to let a client slip away, your tenacity is inspiring.

Bryan: our man behind-the-scenes, thanks for working on a new website for next year. As Spectrum continues to grow in print, our online presence will too.

Nat, our direct line to the latest arts and entertainment news thanks to your work at MTV. You’ve got some big shoes to fill (size 10 to be exact) couldn’t leave the paper in better hands. If you ever need any help, I’m only one call away.

Emily: “Hi, this is the Spectrum from Sacred Heart University, we’ve just submitted our files.”

Trumbull Printing: “Yeah. You’re all set to go.”

- Emily Archacki, Editor-in-Chief

6 | Features

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Features

April 27, 2016

Life After Graduation For Sacred Heart Seniors

BY MADDALENA TONDI Staff Writer

With graduation just around the corner, the Sacred Heart University senior class is preparing for life after college. For these soon-to-be post-grads, the opportunities and choices can be limitless.

Senior Jena Hanlon, a management major with a concentration in marketing, is looking to continue her education here at Sacred Heart.

“I am planning to attend the MBA program at Sacred Heart because I had such a great undergraduate experience, and want to continue my education while I’m still acclimated to studying, test taking, and writing papers. I think having a graduate degree will open more doors in a very competitive job market,” said Hanlon.

Hanlon is not alone in her plans to continue her education.

Senior Jenna Passerino, a political science major with minors in honors and philosophy, plans on attending law school at either Seton Hall University in New Jersey, to which she received a full ride scholarship, or Columbia University in New York.

As for her career plans, she is considering either going into criminal or entertainment law.

“My grandpa’s a judge so I kind of grew up around it and I’ve been working with him for a few years now. I just fell in love with it,” said Passerino.

For others the next step is to return home.

“My first year after graduation I’ll be in Connecticut getting trained for my sales position at my family’s company,” said senior Joey Carrubba. “After that year is over I’m moving to Florida to take over our clients in Florida and the rest of the south. I’ll also pursue an MBA as a part time student after a few years in the field.”

Senior Annabelle Stiso also plans to return home soon after being handed her diploma.

“My plan for after graduation is to live at home for probably six months to save money and finish applying for jobs,” said Stiso. “Once I land a job I’m hoping to move into an apartment near the job.”

And for some, after the cap and gown are taken off and the tassel is turned, its off to the working world of adulthood.

SENIORS ENJOYING THE LAST FEW CLASSES OF THEIR COLLEGE CAREERS

GIANNA IANNOTI/SPECTRUM

Senior Katie Paquette will be pursuing a career in sports management by working with the New York Lizards major league lacrosse team.

Like Paquette, senior Scott Cataudella will also be starting a job come the fall.

“After graduation I’m happy to say I already secured a job starting at Deloitte as an auditor in September,” said Cataudella. “In the meantime, I will be studying for the CPA exam and enjoying my last summer before the real world starts.”

As senior year comes to a close, Sacred Heart graduates will be going in a number of different directions, but their time here will always be remembered.

Food Review: Brick + Wood

BY MANUEL VARGAS Staff Writer

Calling all pizza connoisseurs: if you’ve been dreaming about what a taste of Italy might be like, you will be in awe of the slice of Naples right in the middle of downtown Fairfield.

Brick + Wood is a contemporary family-owned establishment that prides itself on doing things the oldfashioned way, from the brick oven that can be seen as soon as you walk in to the hand-pulled mozzarella made fresh every day.

While we were being seated, our server Kristen quickly caught us up on the brief history of the two-and-a-half year old restaurant. When looking at the menu, all the delicious-

sounding Italian words made me want to eat everything.

As I placed my order I decided on the three meat trio, consisting of all of my favorite cured meats. I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable the atmosphere was.

The twinkling stringed lights and the live plants gave the experience of eating at the restaurant the same feeling as being invited over for a pizza night with your friends or neighbors.

Although I did have a love/hate relationship with the open kitchen concept (seeing everyone’s pie being prepared made me even hungrier), seeing the chefs stretch the dough and make the pizza really took out the mystery of who was making my meal, which for me was quite refreshing.

My server Kristen was friendly and enthusiastic. She shared her favorite pizza, artichoke Burrata pizza, and described what it was like working at Brick + Wood. She

made sure to emphasize how much of a family the staff is and how no one is afraid to pick up the slack for a fellow employee because they’re all a team. Her smile was genuine and you could tell she meant it.

Nicole, Brick + Wood’s manager, also exuded this inclusive energy. She welcomed everyone with a smile and put a name to the faces of many of the regulars as they arrived.

On my last bite of my three meat trio I had to sit back and enjoy the last fleeting moments of fresh prosciutto, basil, and stringy mozzarella.

Dining at Brick + Wood is definitely something the typical Sacred Heart student would enjoy when looking for a bit more refined option that is still not stuffy. Spending $30 on dinner may seem like a stretch to some students, but the price they charge is certainly reflected in the quality.

Exploring Summer Study Abroad Options

BY CAITLIN MORRISSEY Staff Writer

Are you considering studying abroad during the summer?

Sacred Heart provides students with a wide range of opportunities to take part in various programs at locations around the world.

“Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity for students, whether it’s for a whole semester or a few weeks,” said Sacred Heart’s Assistant Director of Global Affairs, Francesca Schenker. “When are you going to have the chance to take classes in another country, meet new people and see the world?”

Students who decide to study abroad during the upcoming 2016 summer session have the chance to choose between 20 programs across 15 countries.

“Our summer programs are always changing and we always have new programs every year. For instance, Professor David Bloom in the Welch College of Business is teaching a Fashion Marketing course this summer in Paris,” said Schenker.

Students will have the opportunity to study in such places as China, Norway, Greece, Italy, France and Ireland.

“I think Dingle, Ireland, is the most popular summer study abroad destination. This May we are sending 88 students to Dingle, one of our biggest groups yet,” said Schenker.

Anyone considering studying aboard during one of the summer sessions must first decide whether they want to take part in a Sacred Heart University Affiliated Program or a non-Sacred Heart University Affiliated Program.

“If a student goes on Sacred Heart-approved program, then their grades will be factored into their GPA. If a student goes a non-Sacred Heart-approved program then they would just receive the credit,” said Schenker.

The university offers domestic travel study opportunities as well.

Before students even begin the application process to study abroad, it is highly suggested that they make an appointment with an Office of Global Affairs Study Abroad Advisor. The Office of Global Affairs is located in the new Student Success Center across the street from the main Fairfield campus.

Schenker provided key advice to those hoping to study abroad during their time at

Sacred Heart.

“Typically the earlier you choose to go aboard, more courses you will have available to take before all your degree requirements. We encourage you to discuss your study abroad plans early on with your academic advisor regarding when the best time for you to go abroad is and what courses to save for that term,” said Schenker.

Students who have previously studied abroad can apply to be Global Ambassadors.

Global Ambassadors answer any questions students may have about the experience.

“The ambassadors are a great help in recruiting and assisting students, they come to our study aboard fair, they help out at info sessions, and they come to our pre-departure orientations to help answer questions about their specific program. A large part of study aboard is really word of mouth so the more students know about it, the better,” said Schenker.

In recent years some upperclassmen have had the opportunity to take part in internships during their time studying aboard.

“We don’t really have many international internships at the moment but students do sometimes find them on their own. Right now, we primarily advise for study abroad programs,” said Schenker.

In light of the recent events in Paris and Brussels, the Office of Global Affairs at the university is even more committed to protecting those students going abroad.

“We understand that some students might hesitate to study abroad because of recent events, but the safety of our students is our primary concern. We keep in close contact with our staff overseas and enroll all students into an international health insurance plan. We are monitoring the situation overseas and receive daily updates from the U.S. Department of State. As of right now, the university will continue to run all programs as planned,” said Schenker.

Now that the Sacred Heart study abroad department has opened a brand new office, students are encouraged to pay them a visit for more information about the process of applying for and participating in a study abroad program..

“We encourage students to come to our new office in the Student Success Center to find out more information. Be sure to visit our website and social media pages as well,” said Schenker.

April 27, 2016

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Features | 7

Features

Find Trendy Swimsuits and Beachwear at Swim ’N Surf

BY STEPHANIE MILLER Staff Writer

MELISSA O’ROURKE/SPECTRUM

SWIN ‘N SURF OFFERS A WIDE SELECTION OF BATHING SUITS, JUST IN TIME FOR THE WARM WEATHER

OFFICE 203.371.7963 ADVERTISING 203.371.7963

Comments or Concerns? EMAIL us at SPECTRUM@SACREDHEART.EDU

Now that the academic year is coming to an end and summer is quickly approaching, there are many activities around the corner that will require an entirely different wardrobe: beach days, parties, lounging by the pool with friends, and more.

In search of new apparel and bathing suits, most will be looking for something trendy and affordable. Local boutique Swim ’N Surf, located in downtown Fairfield, can help solve this problem with the hottest fashion-forward bathing suits for the 2016 summer season.

Swim ’N Surf is a clothing and bathing suit boutique that sells swimwear all year round for people who love the summer season and tropical vacations. The store outfits swim teams from New York and Connecticut with a range of apparel including surfboard clothing, sweaters, dresses and beach cover-ups.

“Swim ’N Surf really came in handy for me when I was going away for spring break.

Instead of going home to get a bathing suit I went to Swim ’N Surf and bought a really cute bathing suit with a nice cover up for my Bahamas trip.” said sophomore Meagan Piascio.

The trendy boutique has been in business for ten years and is targeted to females between the ages of 25 and 50. Their busiest time of the year is April through August.

“We started working for a similar shop in college in our home town in New York and learned the background of the business and thought it was a great fit for Fairfield,” said boutique owner Kelly McGee. The boutique has a very beachy style to it, which is what attracts the target market of the business.

“I’ve been shopping here with my mom for a couple years now and even though I’m not in the target age range, I like bathing suits that are more mature looking,” said Fairfield resident Melanie Gold.

What really catches the attention of the customers is the suits’ designer labels. ROXY, Tommy Bahamas, Lucky Brand and more crowd the shelves, so there is a wide variety of suits to choose from. Just by stepping in the shop you can tell how high quality the swimwear is.

McGee’s inspiration for the boutique - “Love the water, sand and sun” - is reflected in the store’s apparel options. If you’re in need of trendy swim for the summer season, Swim ’N Surf is a good place to start.

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SHUSpectrum Newspaper

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8 | A&E

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

April 27 , 2016

Arts & Entertainment Student “Studies Abroad” in Disney College Program

BY EMILY ARCHACKI

Editor-in-Chief

Photo Courtesy of Michelle Perrotta

MICHELLE PERROTTA (MIDDLE LEFT) HAS BEEN ENJOYING HER TIME WORKING AT DISNEY

Studying abroad offers students the opportunity to learn about new cultures, meet people from around the world, try new experiences, and grow as an individual. What if you could experience all of this without leaving the country?

Junior Michelle Perrotta is doing just that through her study abroad opportunity this semester with the Disney College Program in Orlando, Fla. “This program is wonderful for all types of students; those who want to work for a corporation one day, who are interested in truly learning about themselves and challenging their potential, or who just simply love Disney,” said Perrotta.

The Disney College Program is a national internship program that offers current undergraduate students, or those who have graduated within the past six months, the opportunity to work within either the Walt Disney World Resort located in Florida, or the Disneyland Resort located in California.

“To be honest, I will never know where my courage and

bravery came from when I decided to apply to the Disney College Program. SHU has truly been my home away from home, therefore deciding to leave for a semester was super difficult,” said Perrotta.

According to the official Disney College Program website, “All applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the time the program begins. Currently enrolled and taking classes at an accredited institution and have completed at least one semester, or have graduated within the past six months. As well as meet any additional criteria required of their specific college or university.”

The first step to applying to the program is a general application. After that is submitted, a student may be contacted for a web-based interview. Following the online interview, students may be selected for a phone interview with a Disney representative.

“For the Spring 2016 program, there were 50,000 applicants and 6,000 students are currently participating in the Disney College Program with me this semester” said Perrotta.

As this is an internship program, the Disney College Program allows each participant a minimum of thirty hours of work each week.

Perrotta currently works at the World of Disney store located in Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney. The World of Disney is the largest Disney merchandise store in the world.

“My role is Merchandise so I work on the register, greet guests around the store, help guests find the products they are searching for on my iPad and partake in additional guest service positions,” said Perrotta. “Since my store is open until 11 p.m. every night, I work nights so my shift is usually 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Thursday-Monday. I work with all college programmers in the evening so we always have a blast because they make work fun.”

Working at Disney is not all work and no play. Spending a semester at “the most magical place on Earth” does have its perks. So what is an average day like as a college student “studying abroad” at the Disney Parks?

“I wake up at 9 a.m. and head straight to the parks. As a cast member, I get free admission throughout my entire program, so even just heading to Epcot and traveling to Mexico for a quick bite to eat is worth it. I will spend most of my morning and early afternoon riding rides, watching parades, eating a lot of delicious food and walking around waving to Mickey and his friends. Mid-afternoon I will head to the pool at my Disney apartment complex and swim, read, and soak up the sun. At 5 p.m., I start to pack a dinner, get my costume on and drive to Disney Springs to start my shift,” said Perrotta.

In addition to working in and visiting the Parks, Perrotta is also taking classes this semester to stay on track with her studies.

Students enrolled in the program can take courses online through their university if applicable, and they can also take classes specific to the Disney College Program that may count towards their degree credits as well.

“I am currently enrolled in two major online Sacred Heart classes to stay on track with my sociology degree.

It has been difficult to keep focused and concentrated, considering Mickey Mouse is not able to tutor me and there is no magical Disney library that makes studying easier, but my SHU professors have been more than helpful, accommodating and supportive,” said Perrotta.

“In addition, I took a four-week seminar at Disney called ‘Hospitality and Guest Services’ which allowed me to explore what makes Disney’s service so exceptional.”

“As a student in the Elementary Education Program, working at Disney has been a dream. Everyday I get to interact with a countless number of families and have so much fun with little ones,” said Perrotta.

One of her most memorable experiences so far was when she was able to make an impact on a young guest.

“One night I played along with this five-year-old girl who was pretending to push buttons on the credit card machine while her father was paying for their merchandise.

I pretended as if she was the one going through with the transaction so I printed out blank receipt paper and asked for her signature. The interaction between us went on for a few minutes and was so enjoyable. Before heading off, her father said to me, ‘I want you to know, that is something I will never forget. You just made my daughter’s night, but you just made my whole vacation. Thank you for going out of your way to do something special like that.’” said Perrotta. “It was in that moment that I realized what this whole program is about; creating magical moments for guests and being a part of their lifelong vacation memories.”

As to whether or not she would recommend students applying for their own “magical” experience.

“In the long run, I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone, to challenge myself and to see just how far I could push my limits. This program to me was going to be a wonderful resume builder, a great exposure to a new line of work which would give me a different skill set and was going to be a great way to network as well as make connections with people nationwide,” said Perrotta.

“The skills I have acquired and experiences I have had within the training Disney has provided me has made this program entirely worth it.”

Bringing an Animated Classic To Life “The Jungle Book” Movie Review: Contains Spoilers

BY JULIANNA MAURIELLO

Staff Reporter

Any dedicated Disney fan would agree that bringing “The Jungle Book” to life was a smart move from the franchise.

Just in the first weekend alone this live-action remake brought in roughly 103.5 million dollars and scored the spot as the second biggest April movie opening of all time.

As a Disney fanatic, I started out a little skeptical of the remaking of this classic film, as I did not think it could be improved. The movie opened with the classic animated Disney castle and transitioned into a live action jungle scene.

The first 20 minutes of the movie kept the audience, myself included, completely glued to our seats with riveting action and a detailed story line.

The latest version of the “The Jungle Book” held true to the original storyline, though the update was not a musical like the original was.

Another thing the film kept true to was the cast of characters.

Within the first few scenes we learn that Shere Khan, a power hungry tiger, is out to kill Mogli, the main character often referred to as a “human cub” throughout the film.

The character of Mogli is played by Neel Sethi, an

adorable and adventurous young boy who searches to find his family in the jungle. As a viewer, it was hard to not feel a strong connection for Mogli and want to protect him from the dangerous creatures in the jungle.

As the story unfolds we see that Mogli was a toddler when his father was attacked by Shere Khan. Mogli’s father, in an attempt to save Mogli’s life, used fire, known by the jungle animals as “the red flower,” as a shield to burn Shere Khan’s face and fend him off. When Mogli was left alone, he was taken in by the black panther, Bagheera, and given to the wolf pack to be a member of their family.

Mogli’s ingratiation with the wolf pack was an emotional rollercoaster.

He was close to his wolf family and always followed and recited the law of the jungle, so the audience knew how much the pack meant to him. When Mogli had to leave the wolf pack, per the advice of Bagheera and threats of Shere Khan, the tiger took revenge by killing Akela, the father and leader of the wolf pack, who always believed in Mogli and worked for peace to be maintained throughout the jungle. This was in an attempt to draw Mogli back to vulnerable land. I cringed throughout the film in fear for Mogli, and the wolf pack’s safety.

One moment in particular that caught my eye was the scene where Mogli says goodbye to his mother, the mother of the wolf pack.

Though I had not seen the original “The Jungle Book” film in a while, all the original emotions and fears I felt from those animated characters came to life again with the usage of realistic CGI. Shere Khan and the enormous slithering snake, Kaa, were especially terrifying, as they could attack creatures and mesmerize them with their terrifying stares.

The rest of the film is centered on Mogli escaping from Shere Khan and befriending the other jungle creatures he meets along the way. My personal favorite scenes were when Mogli and Baloo conquered their fears to protect one another and when they float down the river together singing the ever-famous “Bare Necessities.”

This latest version of this film was unbelievably lifelike and realistic, all thanks to computer generated imagery, also known as CGI. With Mogli being the only human character, or “human cub,” in the film, he had a lot of interaction with computer generated jungle creatures.

Watching this movie, I felt like a little kid again because I was so excited to see what would happen next, even though I already knew the plot.

After watching “The Jungle Book” remake, I was extremely impressed with the CGI artistry and the adaptation of the story. Though I did not think the film could have gotten any better from the original, I was glad to be proven wrong after viewing this film.

April 27, 2016

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Arts & Entertainment

A&E | 9

Literary Spotlight: Poet Laureate Rennie McQuilkin

BY JORDAN NORKUS

Staff Reporter

On Thursday, April 21, Sacred Heart University welcomed Connecticut Poet Laureate Rennie McQuilkin to the campus Art Gallery for its Literary Spring.

“It was a wonderful afternoon – inspiring and meaningful,” said Sacred Heart foreign languages professor Claire Marrone. “I’m grateful to the various professors, departments and administrators for making the event possible.”

In addition to being a local poet laureate, McQuilkin has taught English and creative writing at secondary schools, co-founded the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, and is currently the publisher of Antrim House Books.

McQuilkin is the author of 12 different poetry collections and has received numerous poetry awards and prizes, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, the Connecticut Center for the Book’s Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as its 2010 poetry award for his book, “The Weathering: New and Selected Poems.”

His poetry has also appeared in “The Atlantic,” “Poetry,” “The American Scholar,” “The Southern Review,” “The Yale Review” and many other publications.

The literary event began with an introduction given by Sacred Heart English Professor and Poet in Residence, Jonas Zdanys. McQuilkin read poems from his most recent book, “Going On: New and Collected Poems,” which was published in 2015.

“I liked the event a lot,” said sophomore Gwendolyn Mileti. “I thought it was funny that he had a lot of his poetry memorized. I think it added a layer to the readings.”

After reading a number of poems from his book, ALEXANDRA PADALINO/SPECTRUM McQuilkin answered audience questions and gave advice POET LAUREATE RENNIE MCQUILKIN READS HIS POETRY TO STUDENTS AT SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY to students in attendance who may also be writers.

Choir Covers Throwback Hits

BY MELISSA O’ROURKE

Staff Reporter

On May 1, the Sacred Heart University choir will be putting on their end of the year show. The performance will feature ‘throwback’ songs from the 1990s and 2000s.

“Usually for our end of the year concert we do something a bit more popular,” said Dr. John Michniewicz, Director of Choral Programs.

In past years, the choir has put on other themed shows such as Motown and Broadway. This year they are focusing on music that all students will recognize.

“This concert is different from previous concerts because the music is all pop throwbacks, so we get to sing things we really enjoy,” said sophomore Julia Petrozzino.

Every one of Sacred Heart’s choirs will be represented, which holds about 225 students will perform in the show.

“I would have to say that I’m most excited to sing ‘Breakaway’ by Kelly Clarkson for the concert,” said sophomore Matt Gorham. “I have to admit that I am a bit of a Clarkson fan and I just love her songs in general.”

Some of the songs included in the program are “Vogue” by Madonna, “Hey Ya!” by OutKast, “I Lived” by OneRepublic, “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman”

by Shania Twain, and “This Is What Dreams Are Made Of” from the Lizzie McGuire movie.

“I’m most excited to sing ‘I Lived’

by OneRepublic because it’s such an inspirational song,” said sophomore Hayley Lopreto.

Junior Vicky Pileggi is also looking forward to performing the OneRepublic track.

“I’m most excited for the song ‘I Lived,’” said Pileggi. “It’s a pretty popular song that many people know, but this arrangement really lets people’s voices resonate beautifully. The song speaks such a powerful message for us to live through our actions and get the most out of life.”

The choir hopes that the community will enjoy the variety of throwback tunes.

“This show is different because all the songs that we are singing are songs that most people know and can relate to, maybe even sing along to,” said Gorham.

Along with the students’ voices and a little bit of choreography, they will be accompanied by a percussionist, guitarist, bass player, and keyboard.

“The concert is pretty upbeat so we are able to really get into the music and have a good time with the audience while they sing along to the songs they know,” said Petrozzino.

The attire for this show is a bit different from those in the past.

“The choir will be in their t-shirts and jeans so it’s a little bit more relaxed, more informal. It’s all music just to end the year on a good note,” said Michniewicz.

Sacred Heart students can expect to get up from their seats and dance and sing along.

The choir hopes that this concert will bring their audience something unexpected.

“This show is different because it’s likely that the audience will be singing along with us. From Lizzie McGuire to OneRepublic, there is music that will appeal to many different people while also giving them a chance to reminisce on some really great pieces,” said Pileggi.

Be sure to attend the show on May 1 at 3 p.m. in the Edgerton Center for Performing Arts. The tickets are free with a Sacred Heart University student I.D.

McQuilkin spoke of how important it is to draw poetic inspiration from the memories that are deep in our minds, begging to be written about.

He also said to focus less on abstract words and more on the images that give the words life.

“As a professor of English and one who focuses on writing in all forms, I found Rennie McQuilkin’s presentation enlightening,” said Sacred Heart english [rofessor Cara Kilgallen. “His advice to writers about beginning with images and then selecting words truly resonated with me.”

McQuilkin also explained the importance in going back to previous work, which he described as the “purity of the moment,” to make changes and revisions.

He also compared writing to athletics and said to relax into it, but to keep your wits about you.

“McQuilkin focused on the idea of refi ning one’s craft, whether in writing, arts, or even sports,” said Kilgallen.

“As both an academic and an athlete, I found this advice so inspiring.”

McQuilkin then discussed that in many of his poems, he wrote as if he was someone or something else.

Students at Sacred Heart found that they were able to tie this to their other hobbies.

“I really respected what he said about writing from the perspective of someone else,” said Mileti. “As a performer, that really resonated with me because portraying someone else’s perspective is what I love to do. It’s comforting to be able to do the same thing in a writing environment.”

Before the event concluded, McQuilkin discussed that writing is essential for survival, especially in today’s society. He said that writing offers a way to stay afl oat in a sea of grief.

“Writing is not a matter of trying to fi nd your voice,” said McQuilkin. “Give in to your thoughts and your voice will fi nd you.”

10 | Sports

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Sports

April 27, 2016

Kobe Bryant Retires in Historic Fashion

BY TYKERA CARTER Staff Reporter

On Apr. 13, not only was Kobe Bryant’s legacy celebrated, but history was also made, as the five time NBA world champion scored 60 points while playing his final game as a Los Angeles Laker.

Bryant will go down in history as the only retired player to score 60 points in their final NBA game.

On the day of Bryant’s final game, many people reflected on the impact that he has had on the game of basketball.

“I’m sad because when a player made such an impact in the NBA and on fans’ lives, you look back on your life as an athlete as well,” said Sacred Heart women’s basketball shooting guard sophomore Kiana Ye. “Watching Kobe makes you just remember why you started playing, and it also makes you cherish the moments you have left as an athlete,” he said.

At the age of 19, Bryant was drafted as the 13 overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft.

During his rookie season Bryant was named to the All-Rookie second team.

From there, his career skyrocketed. Bryant went on to spend 20 years with the Lakers.

Over the years, due to Bryant’s mentality on the basketball court, he created the nickname “Black Mamba” for himself after watching Quentin Tarantino’s film “Kill Bill.”

According to LakersNation.com, this nickname was created to represent an alter ego of who Bryant was on the basketball court that was separate from who he appeared to be off of the court.

Bryant’s creation of the Black Mamba was an inspiration to others who were looking to inherit an aggressive mentality.

“Being a basketball player, I give credit to Kobe about how I act on the court,” said Sacred Heart women’s basketball point guard freshman Dani Durjan.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS’ FORWARD KOBE BRYANT ACKNOWLEDGES FANS AFTER HIS FINAL NBA GAME ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016 AGAINST THE UTAH JAZZ. KOBE BRYANT WENT OUT WITH A HOLLYWOOD ENDING, SCORING 60 POINTS, WRAPPING UP 20 YEARS IN THE NBA WITH AN UNBELIEVABLE OFFENSIVE SHOWCASE.

“You can say the Mamba mentality gives you confidence in yourself,” he said.

This mindset propelled Bryant to score 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006.

Bryant’s 81-point performance went down in history as the second most points scored in a single game in NBA history.

“Turning on the TV just to see Kobe get buckets that game was just so fun to watch,” said Ye. “No one could dominate the fade away jump shot like he does; it

made me want to shoot like him. He had such a memorable game.”

Other key accolades that Bryant upholds is being named MVP once, and the NBA finals MVP twice.

Bryant has led the league in scoring on two occasions and was named a member of the All-NBA first team 11 times during his career.

His last season as a Laker, he averaged 17.6 points per game, 2.8 assist, and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Bryant’s 60 point showdown was the most points he had scored in a game all season.

His performance going into retirement proved why he was considered one of the most elite players to ever play the game of basketball.

“Ironically, I kind of felt complete watching his last game; it was kind of like a fairytale ending, said Durjan. “You knew it wasn’t going to last forever, but if he had to go out, this was the way to go out.”

Pioneer Athletic Teams Earn Public Recognition Awards

BY TYKERA CARTER Staff Reporter

PHOTO COURTESY OF SACRED HEART ATHLETICS WEBSITE

Six athletic programs at Sacred Heart University were recognized on Apr. 13 by the NCAA for earning the NCAA Public Recognition Award.

According to NCAA.org and SacredHeartPioneers.com, “the NCAA annually honors teams earning multiyear Academic Progress Rates in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship.”

The six teams that were recognized were the baseball

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team, men’s track and field, women’s cross country, women’s basketball, women’s tennis, and women’s lacrosse.

Leading the pack with the most Public Recognition Awards is the women’s cross country team, who earned their sixth consecutive award.

Behind the cross country team is the women’s basketball team, who earned their fifth consecutive Public Recognition Award this year.

“I think it is such an honor to play for a team that strives for excellence not only in academics, but in everything that we do,” said Sacred Heart women’s basketball starting point guard junior Adaysha Williams.

With the Pioneers playing 33 games over the season, they did not let that interfere with their academic progress.

“Not only do we have smart basketball players, but our intelligence transfers off the court as well,” said Williams.

“It is very important to find the proper balance for basketball and academics.”

The Pioneers strive to be successful off the court as well as on the court so they can have prosperous futures after college basketball.

“Academically, all of my teammates chose their majors for a reason. That is what we will have at the end of the day when basketball is over. So it is definitely great to be around teammates that value education and their futures,” said Williams.

The Sacred Heart baseball team also had success on the field as well as with academics, as they earned their third

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consecutive Public Recognition Award.

“As a coach, I am really excited about the award. It shows we have success in the classroom and on the field,” said head coach Nicholas Giaquinto.

“They understand academics first, baseball second, and social life third,” said Giaquinto.

The key to Giaquinto’s team having academic success is recruiting students that do well well in high school academically.

“First thing I do is recruit good students,” said Giaquinto. “We’ve had a good culture here academically for a long time now.”

James Cooksey, who is a fifth-year member of the baseball team and also the two-time NEC Scholar Athlete of the Year, stresses the importance of putting academics first.

“With academics, I put in a lot of work - at least a lot more than what I do with baseball,” said Cooksey.

“In the back of my mind, I’m not going anywhere with baseball, so my academics will open up a lot more doors for me then baseball ever could,” he said.

Among the teams that have won this award more than once is the women’s tennis team, who earned their second consecutive award.

The men’s track team and the women’s lacrosse team respectively earned the Public Recognition Award for the first time in their program’s histories.

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11 | Sports

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

April 27, 2016

Sports

Two Pioneer Runners Set Sacred Heart Records

BY ALEX PADALINO Staff Reporter

Seniors on the Sacred Heart University men’s and women’s track team set mile records at the Ocean State Invitational on Friday, April 15. Sean Ferguson and Shannon Hickey recorded new personal records at the event held at Providence College.

Both also set new Sacred Heart records in the completion of their fastest mile times to date. Ferguson’s time was 4:13.88 while Hickey completed her mile in 5:02.77.

Their success at this event was the culmination of years of training that began during their high school track careers.

“Ever since I started running in high school, I’ve been trying to run as fast as I could in this event. I have kept improving each year for the past eight years,” said Ferguson.

Although Hickey’s journey to a record mile began in high school, that is not typically an event she competes in, as she normally runs in 5K races.

“This winter season, I had a big breakthrough in the mile and beat my previous best by 10 seconds. So every time I

run that race I’m just looking to improve on my best time,” said Hickey.

While Ferguson and Hickey do not always race at the same events, the two have accomplished many of the same milestones throughout their careers.

“Sean and I got the NEC Athlete of the Week award together a few times for cross country in the fall, and we both won the 5K at the NEC Championships this winter,” said Hickey.

The two are extremely supportive of each other, having spent every season together for the past four years. They have watched each other become the senior standouts they are today.

“It’s great that Shannon was able to break the women’s record. I know she works especially hard and she always wants what is best for everybody on the team. To see her hard work and her exceptional attitude pay off is exciting for all of us,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson and Hickey are both competing in their final season of track at Sacred Heart. They have continued to stay motivated, determined to end their careers in record setting fashion not only for themselves, but for their teammates as well.

“My team keeps me motivated because I want to keep improving and do anything I can to help us win another NEC championship,” said Hickey.

The men’s and women’s track and field program is one of the most successful athletic teams at Sacred Heart. They have won NEC Championships in cross country and indoor track and field this year.

In addition to Hickey and Ferguson setting personal records, other members on the team contributed to the overall success at the invitational.

“In the mile sophomore Tara Connelly ran a great race.

Sarah Bent, who’s a junior, ran the steeplechase for the first time ever,” said Hickey.

Ferguson and Hickey will miss being members of the Sacred Heart track and field team when their college athletics careers come to a close.

“I’ve been really lucky to be a part of the team. I think I’ll miss competing with my teammates the most,” said Ferguson.

The men’s and women’s track and field teams’ final event of the year will be at the Pennsylvania Relays April 28-30.

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

FERGUSON (RIGHT) AND HICKEY BOTH BROKE SACRED HEART RECORDS.

Club Weightlifting Picks Up Records at Collegiate Invitational

BY ZACK TSAMISIS Staff Reporter

The third annual Northeast Collegiate Invitational and the Sacred Heart Open for Weightlifting were held simultaneously on April 16 at Sacred Heart University.

In an event where Sacred Heart’s lifters set four records, those in attendance filled the Pitt Center to support the Pioneers in a growing national sport.

“Our team did extremely well. Freshman Connor Miller setting the clean & jerk record with a 103k lift. Senior John Varsam broke all records in the 77k class, including snatch, clean & jerk, and total with lifts of 105k/122k/227k.

Varsam also became the lightest Sacred Heart Student to total 500 lbs in competition, which is a remarkable feat,” said Coach Joel Quintong. “Senior Dan Lynch broke the 85k clean & jerk record with a 149k lift, breaking his teammate’s record senior Carlo Fiore’s lift in 2014 of 148k. Junior superheavyweight class Shaun Sullivan had a clean & jerk of 137k, which is 300 lbs. He is only the sixth Sacred Heart student to clean & jerk 300 lbs or more in competition.”

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On the women’s side, Sacred Heart’s most notable story is the comeback of senior Alexa Duffy.

“A top-ranked Connecticut Junior Weightlifter in 2014, Duffy battled a serious shoulder injury sustained in training and came back to post personal bests in the snatch, clean & jerk, and total,” said Quintong.

Newcomer sophomore Victoria Huth, who has only trained for three months with the team, totaled 100k in her first competition, while sophomore Cecelia Mathon completed all of her lifts at the event.

The team believes their success at the event is due to the large role their coaching staff has in their development on and off the platform.

“Our coaches have always been a great support system.

Joel in particular has gotten to know me personally over the last four years, which has given him the chance to understand the type of coaching I need in order to perform well. Joel doesn’t get enough credit for what he has done for the program and us as individuals,” said Duffy.

The event, having been at home for the Sacred Heart team, was seen as a sure advantage for their lifters.

“It’s quite draining out there. The biggest challenge for me was just keeping my energy up,” said Lynch.

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“When I set the record, the crowd seemed electric.

Having family and friends there that genuinely wanted to see me set the record gave me the energy to pull it off.

When I heard them cheering and screaming as I walked up to the weight, I knew there was no way I was going to miss this lift for the crowd, and, sure enough, I made the new record,” said Lynch.

Though the reasons differ for being on the weightlifting team amongst the Sacred Heart lifters, they all find it to be rewarding in some way.

“I’ve grown stronger, more disciplined, appreciative, and determined as an individual through weightlifting. It is the single best decision I made in my four years as an undergrad here at Sacred Heart,” said Duffy.

“It’s a constant competition against yourself and that’s what keeps me in the gym every day,” said Lynch.

The spirit of the team is what really makes it so special, despite its mental and physical strain.

“The team is made up of really friendly, fun, athletic kids who are enthusiastic about the sport. But the best part is seeing the reaction that people have when I tell them I’m a weight lifter,” said Mathon.

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April 27, 2016

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Sports

SACRED HEART WEIGHTLIFTER ALEXA DUFFY BROKE PERSONAL RECORDS AFTER TAKING TIME OFF DUE TO INJURIES

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VIVIANA PODHAISKI/ EVERYDAY LIFTERS