The Villanovan | Volume 114, Issue 15: September 21, 2022

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 15

Students Lead Let’s Vote Nova Initiative

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

University Raises Over $9 Million On Sixth Annual 1842 Day

Hannah Sweeney Staff Writer

On November 8, voters across the state will be heading to their local polls to vote in the midterm elections.

Pennsylvania, a swing state, is in the spotlight, grabbing the attention of people all over the country. As Villanova students and part time residents, we have the privilege to be able to participate in this crucial election. In hopes to increase voter turnout during this pivotal election year, members of student government at Villanova along with teachers and volunteers started Let’s Vote Nova.

Pennsylvania is not only important because it is a swing state, but this election will also affect which party gains a majority in Congress.

Right now, Democrats have the majority, but the results of a few states, Pennsylvania, included, will determine who takes control going forward.

So, this election not only affects the people of Pennsylvania, but also citizens across the country.

This year in Pennsylvania, citizens are voting for a new governor and senator to represent them, with no incumbent running for reelection. Republican Mehmet Oz is running against Democrat John Fetterman in hopes to win the senate seat, while Republican Doug Mastriano is opposing Democrat Josh Shapiro in the race for governor.

Let’s Vote Nova is a “Student led initiative that helps students register to vote and on Election Day get them out to the polls,” according to student body president Jose Garcia-Orozco.

Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the election, Let’s Vote Nova will be tabling and spreading word around campus in Continued on p. 2

Students had the opportunity to raise money for their student organizations on 1842 Day. Courtesy of Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

Julia O’Keefe Staff Writer Lydia McFarlane Co-News Editor

September 20 marked the return of 1842 Day, Villanova’s 24-hour day of giving to raise funds for organizations on campus. This year is the University’s sixth annual 1842 Day. At the time of publication, altogether there had been 10,224 gifts that came to a grand total of $9,159,338. Student Performing Arts Groups was in first place regarding fundraising efforts with 812 gifts totaling

$46,683.11.

While the ranking is in order of number of donations, several organizations raised more money than the Villanova Annual Fund, even though they received less donations. For example, men’s basketball was in the lead for dollar amounts, having raised $1,062,893.23.

On 1842 Day, Main Campus was alive with decorations, golf carts, lawn games and much more. Students lined up for a chance to ride Cat Cabs, in which questions are asked of the people on the golf carts to raise money. There were several tents decorated with balloons and lights, and Will D. Cat was at the Oreo all day to celebrate

the fundraising efforts. In the evening, there was an 1842 Day carnival complete with performances from the University’s numerous acapella groups and food trucks.

After 1842 Day, funds will be deposited into each group’s account. 1842 calls members of the Villanova community together from everywhere across the country to donate to a campus organization of their choice.

All donors can make a gift of any size.

According to Kasia Jaworski, Associate Director of Annual Giving Campus Programs, last year’s 1842 Day donations totaled more than $11 million in just 24 hours. This money went to

organizations that included the Villanova Outdoors Club, Pastoral Musicians and Club Badminton.

Jaworski spoke about the success of 1842 Day and what these donations mean to the Villanova community.

“The students get to use those dollars to really make an impact on their student group, their academic department, their club sports team, whatever they’re passionate about,” Jaworski said.

“It’s a really fun way to bring philanthropy to the students themselves and emphasize the importance of giving back and the alumni giving back who are making their experience even better.”

Villanova Best

Continued on p. 2

“Parakeet”: a Play on Love, Loss, Trauma Chloe Miller

Co-Culture Editor Have you ever wished you could have one last conversation with or receive one last piece of advice from a deceased loved one? Marie Helen-Bertino’s novel “Parakeet” explores what could happen when a loved one comes back in spirit.

The Villanova Communication Department is presenting the world premiere of “Parakeet.” Adapted by

the Head of the Communication Department Dr. Heidi Rose, the play is based on the

novel “Parakeet,” which was written by Villanova alumna and surrealist author Marie

Villanova alumna Marie Helen-Bertino wrote “Parakeet.”

Courtesy of NYU Arts&Science

Helen-Bertino. The show runs for four days, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

Helen-Bertino’s novel depicts the story of the Bride, the protagonist, who is visited by a parakeet before her wedding. The Bride believes the parakeet to be a manifestation of her late grandmother.

Her grandmother comes with skepticism about the marriage and urges her to locate her estranged brother.

“The idea for ‘Parakeet’ came from a few different Continued on p. 9

Black Student Union Hosts Black-to-School Cookout p. 3

First Lady Jill Biden Speaks at 9/11 Flight 93 Memorial p. 4

Safety Hazard: Check MicroFridge Rentals for Mold p. 5

John Barry’s Slave Ownership Means His Hall Must Be Renamed p. 6

Villanova Dining Could Get a Boost From Guest Chefs p. 7

Villanova Student Founds Men In Nursing Organization p. 9

Villanova TikTok Star Drops New Podcast

Tell Me Something Good Series: Roommate Love Stories p. 11

Women’s XC Has Strong Start to Season

The Backpage: Crossword / Ask The Villanovan p. 15

p. 10

p. 12

2 | The Villanovan

News Opinion Culture Sports

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

NEWS

1 6 8 12

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 114 | ISS. 15 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

COLIN BEAZLEY VIVI MELKONIAN TINA ARON CATE McCUSKER RACHEL REINIGER SARAH SWEENEY SARAH WISNIEWSKI LYDIA McFARLANE A.J. FEZZA ELENA ROUSE CHLOE MILLER MATTHEW RYAN MEGHANN MORHARDT MOLLY BAKER OLIVIA PASQUALE MICHAEL BRADLEY DEENA LEH CONTACT

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor-in-Chief Senior Editor Digital Editor News Editor News Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Copy Desk Chief Photography Editor Advisor Advisor villanovan.eic@gmail.com

Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness September 16, WEST CAMPUS GROUNDS A male and female resident student, under the age of 21, were observed intoxicated in public and evaluated by VEMS Ambulance.

Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness September 17, ST. MONICA HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, was observed intoxicated in public and evaluated by Radnor EMS.

Criminal Mischief September 17, HOVNANIAN HALL RA on duty reported damage to the exit signs on the fourth floor of Hovnanian Hall near room 417.

Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness September 17, McGUIRE HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, was found to be intoxicated in a public place. Radnor ALS evaluated and transported student to the hospital.

Criminal Mischief September 17, SULLIVAN HALL Staff member reported the ceiling and a paper towel dispenser had been vandalized inside the first floor men’s bathroom of Sullivan Hall.

Criminal Trespass/ Public Drukenness September 18, O’DWYER HALL An unaffiliated female, over the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication after trespassing inside of a campus residence hall.

Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness September 17, CAUGHLIN HALL A female resident student, under the age of 21, was found to be intoxicated in a public place. VEMS Ambulance responded, evaluated, and transported the student to the hospital.

Liquor Underage September 17, GOOD COUNSEL HALL A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage September 17, GOOD COUNSEL HALL One female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and released.

CORRECTIONS Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are brought to The Villanovan’s attention. Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.

1842 Day Raises $9M+

Continued from p.1

Buddies, the Black Student Union, the Sports Analytics Club, Villanova Television, NovaRacing and VU Pride are a few examples of student organizations that benefitted from last year’s 1842 Day donations, according to the 1842 Day website.

Jaworski explained that she works alongside the Executive Director of Annual Giving, Marci Paton, and Associate Director of Digital Fundraising, Nicole Duhamel, to plan for the day.

“University Advancement, and more specifically the Annual Giving Team, starts planning for 1842 Day almost a full year in advance,” she said. “We work with all teams in our department—everyone from data reporting and major giving to stewardship and gift processing—as well as a number of campus partners to make each year a success.”

The event took on a Carnival theme this year, bringing back the fan-favorite “Cat Cabs” event along with an “Oreo Dunk” Plinko-style game and a Student Giving Power Hour.

Donations totals have grown exponentially since the beginning of the 1842 Day tradition, and the committee expected to see even more

success this year than last. Duhamel and Jaworski expressed that to them, this 1842 Day will be a success not only if the goals are reached, but also if more people know about 1842 Day and its fundraising efforts.

“If students know what 1842 Day is and they come out and participate in any way, for me, that is the definition of success,” Jaworski said.

The team further stressed the importance of 1842 Day efforts to the Villanova community and how it connects students, family, staff, alumni and Nova Nation fans everywhere directly to campus. They emphasized their goals for this year’s fundraiser and beyond.

“Our goal is 10,000 gifts,” the team said. “Since 2017, 1842 Day has raised more than $33 million for 300+ areas of campus from more than 20,500 donors. This year, we want to encourage everyone to give back, any amount to any areas of campus that have positively impacted their Villanova experience.”

1842 Day was once again a success, with multiple organizations benefiting from donations from fellow Villanovans. For more information on how to sign your organization up for next year, visit the University’s 1842 Day website.

Students celebrated 1842 Day with Will D. Cat. Courtesy of Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

Let’s Vote Nova Continued from p.1

attempts to get students involved. In addition, on Election Day, groups of volunteers will be directing and helping students determine their polling locations to minimize confusion among students. The University’s campus is divided into four local voting wards, so depending on residence halls, student’s voting locations differ.

There will also be buses shuttling students to and from the various locations so that transportation is not a barrier preventing students from voting.

As well as spreading word about registration and helping on Election Day, Let’s Vote Nova also has a website with helpful tools and resources for students to use. Resources include registration forms with sample information filled out, FAQ’s, support services, links to registration and much more. There is also a section on the website where students can add their location in order to determine who their district representative and senator is. This website offers students a centralized page for all things relating to the Election.

College students are extremely busy, and in the midst of all the tests and projects, it can be hard to find time to figure out the voting registration process. With a boost of encouragement from Let’s Vote Nova, the process is made much more efficient and accessible so that

all students feel they have support in navigating the election process.

Let’s Vote Nova has also made an effort to highlight important deadlines for students to be aware of so that students who want to vote do not miss the opportunity to. As mentioned on its website, the deadline for voter registration is Oct. 24, and applications for mail-in or absentee ballots must be received by the county election board by Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. Finally, on Election Day (Nov. 8), voter ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m.

According to the US census, in 2020, college students’ voting rates were at a record high. Sixty-six percent of college students voted in the 2020 presidential election, which was up six percentage points from the 2016 election. Let’s Vote Nova hopes to encourage and continue this civic engagement in students this year for the Pennsylvania midterm elections.

“This is a big year in Pennsylvania,” Garcia-Orozco said.

Villanova students have the power to make a difference in the community, so get out and vote.

For more information on Let’s Vote Nova, please visit https:// www1.villanova.edu/university/student-life/student-involvement/vote. html or contact the office of student involvement or student government association. For posts and updates, follow @letsvotenova on Instagram.

Let’s Vote Nova is a student led initiative that helps students register to vote.

Courtesy of Falvey Memorial Library

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

The Villanovan | 3

NEWS

Black Student Union Hosts Black-to-School Cookout Arden West Staff Writer Late Saturday afternoon, the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted its Black-to-School Cookout to kick off the new year and celebrate the Black community at the University. Hundreds of students danced, ate and reconnected under the sunset’s pink skies that lit up West Campus. In classic Villanova fashion, the event was centered around the basketball tournament, which showcased 3v3 games that teams arranged and entered.

BSU’s President, Jordin Lamothe, and the executive board began organizing the cookout in July so that they could coordinate the effort with numerous sponsors and fellow Black organizations.

Junior Tiane Parris was on a similar wavelength. She reached out to BSU a few months ago and presented the idea for a kick-off event, which Lamothe excitedly adopted, as he already had plans in the works to provide a fun setting where everyone would feel included as soon as they arrived on campus.

As it continued with the planning process, the organization extended the goal to involve students from local schools and

areas. While the majority of attendees were from Villanova, BSU also hosted people from Rosemont College, Gwynedd Mercy University and greater Philadelphia. Also, aspiring to build an even larger community, the executive board invited members of the BSU organizations at Temple University and Saint Joseph’s University, and some Villanovans attended Temple’s NAACP Unity cookout two weeks ago.

Everyone participating emphasized the importance of community, and its power was on clear display at the event. BSU explained how it could not have put on the production without the support, funding and aid of the many groups that worked together to make this event the success that it was. This team, along with BSU, included African Caribbean Villanovans, National Association of Black Accountants, Black Law Student Association, National Society of Black Engineers, Thirteen Percent, Delta Sigma Theta, Office of Student Involvement, Office of Intercultural Affairs, Student Government Association, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Department and UNITAS. Underneath guests’ feet lay the words “Unity, Diversity and Empowerment,” which leaders of Inclusion Week painted across the West Campus court last year,

and the art’s vibrancy mirrors the event. Like the court, the cookout was upbeat, colorful and simply happy.

“Black people are sort of associated with the struggles that we’ve gone through in the past, which is unfortunate, but is also our history and our reality on campus,” Lamothe said. “The cookout allows us to be in our own world with love and care and the reminder that we are all looking out for each other.”

Just as important as it is to recognize the unique hardships that Black students face, especially at a predominately white institution, it is equally necessary to focus on the joy and strong community, both of which were embraced at the cookout.

These values of inclusion and community are so integral to BSU that they are evident to people upon meeting anyone at their events. Freshman Bryan Awehkisob recounted how welcoming the cookout’s environment was and how he left knowing so many more people than he did before he came.

“It was easy to make relationships and nice to just see people who look like you,” he said.

Awehkisob played in the 3v3 tournament and explained that while it was super competitive, players still exemplified

sportsmanship and respect.

He also said that many of his conversations were with upperclassmen with similar majors who gave advice on navigating Villanova and specifically various career paths within the business school.

Additionally, freshmen mentioned that they learned a lot about opportunities and resources that exist for Black students—something that BSU is currently working on expanding. The organization is starting a Black mentorship program where upperclassmen get paired with lowerclassmen and help guide them and provide assistance with decisions and life at college.

The incredible turnout at the cookout excites BSU, as it represents how it will start another year off with continued strength, support and an amazing atmosphere.

“When you think about it, there’s only a handful of us here, so we really have to stay together,” Lamothe said. “I’m glad to have found a way for people of color to come together and congregate in a space that allows us to be unequivocally Black.”

If one wants to connect with Villanova’s Black Student Union, members will be at the Oreo from 12 - 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, for its “Donuts for Diversity” initiative.

Professor Cereceda Wins DOE Early Career Award

the driver of innovation around the world.”

The award is extremely prestigious, with awardees accepted We are living amid a climate from only 47 U.S. universities and 13 crisis. Although the effects of the crisis national labs this year. The awardees are blatant – the last four years were were accepted from a large pool of the hottest on record, and 26 milapplicants. Cereceda’s award is the lion people are pushed into poverty first one received by a researcher at each year because of climate related Villanova. disasters – there is little action. When Cereceda’s research throughbillions of tons of carbon dioxide out his career had always centered are still being released into the atmoon materials for fusion energy applisphere each year because of coal, oil cation, experimenting with a wide and gas production, it’s easy to feel variety of modeling approaches or hopeless. techniques. Cereceda received his However, there is hope. Thou- Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from sands of scientists and researchers are Polytechnic University of Madrid in working tirelessly to tackle these tough 2015. His Ph.D. research, performed energy problems and power a clean at Lawrence Livermore National Labenergy future. One such researcher is oratory and UCLA, was focused on David Cereceda, an Assistant Profesthe multiscale modeling of body-censor in the Department of Mechanical tered cubic metals like tungsten. He Engineering at Villanova. Cereceda’s then became a Postdoctoral Fellow at most recent piece of research, titled Johns Hopkins University, within the “Unraveling transmutation effects in Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, tungsten-based plasma facing matewhere he investigated the dynamic rials: a computational approach that fragmentation of brittle materials integrates nuclear transmutation, under extreme loading conditions. first-principles calculations, and Cereceda believes that nuclear Machine Learning,” was recently fusion can be used to “bring the carfunded by the Department of Energy bon-free energy of the sun to Earth, [DOE]. safely for everyone.”

For his research, Cereceda Nuclear fusion is a naturally was selected by the DOE to receive occurring process that powers the sun approximately $750,000 over five and stars. It is emerging as one of years as a part of the DOE Office the most promising sources of clean of Science’s Early Career Research energy. Unlike fossil fuels, it emits zero Program. The program, which is in greenhouse gasses, yet unlike nuclear its 13th year, aims to enhance the fission, it produces no long-life radionation’s scientific workforce by provid- active waste. Its power is also more ing support to exceptional researchers dense than other clean energy sourcearly on in their careers. The DOE es, like solar, and is virtually limitless. hopes the support will help “early Cereceda’s research piece, for which career scientists…find the answers he won the DOE Award, deals with to the world’s most complex energy a specific challenge posed by bringing questions and solidify America as nuclear fusion power to Earth.

Sarah Sweeney Co-News Editor

“If we want to bring the powerful fusion energy of the sun to Earth safely, we need materials to withstand such extreme environments,” Cereceda said. “In our project, what we’re trying to understand is the behavior of plasma-facing materials when exposed to the bombardment of energetic neutrons, which change the nuclide composition over time via transmutation reactions.”.

The most exciting part of receiving the DOE award, for Cereceda, is not simply the recognition of his research.

“It’s about having the resources to do the research,” Cereceda said. “With the support of this award money, our research group can grow to keep generating exciting scientific advances in the emerging field of fusion energy materials.”

He hopes to use the funding to expand his research, not only to understand how a fusion power plant changes the properties of materials, but also how to inversely design materials that will be able to withstand the plasma facing interactions needed to make nuclear fusion energy possible

on Earth.

Cereceda explained the crucial role of his team in his winning award.

“I could not have made it without the support of Dr. Amanda Grannas’s office, Emily Carson and VIRS’ leadership, Martha O’Connor, Andrew Kunitskiy and their team at OG&C and of course, the continuous support from my Department and Department Chair Sridhar Santhanam,” he said.

Making the award even more impressive is that Cereceda does not do his research at a classified R1 (Tier 1 Research) university. Villanova is classified as an R2 (Tier 2 Research) university, yet it competes with universities with far higher funding.

“We’re the underdogs when we compete with R1 institutions and National Labs for these awards,” Cereceda said. “It’s exciting to be at Villanova, as we truly value teaching, and we are also trying to significantly grow in our research. I am thrilled to be part of an institution with the positive energy to catch that wave.”

Cereceda won the DOE Office of Science’s Early Career Research Program for his research.

Courtesy of David Cereceda

4 | The Villanovan

NEWS

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Latinas in Motion Founder Speaks at Villanova Katie Reed News Columnist On Friday, Sept. 9, the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership hosted a dinner to welcome their Lorenzini Leadership Ambassadors back to campus for the fall semester. For this event, Elaine Gonzalez Johnson, founder and executive director of the wellness group Latinas in Motion, was invited to speak.

“Anytime I’m asked to speak, I don’t take that lightly because I think that there is always an opportunity where you can change the mindset of somebody in the room,” said Johnson.

Johnson’s wellness journey began after the birth of her daughter in 2010, when she had gained more than 50 pounds during her pregnancy and was experiencing postpartum depression. She had to adjust to a “new body, new baby and new season of life,” but she was not sure how to do that. She started running, and while working for the school district of Philadelphia at Lincoln High School, a colleague recommended that she sign up for the Broad Street Run, a 10-mile race in Philadelphia, which she did in 2012.

Through training for this race, Johnson gained more confidence in herself and was feeling healthier. She noted that once race day came, she wanted to teach other women and pass on the feeling.

“In Philly, we have different pockets of runners, and it’s a beautiful thing, but in 2012 there wasn’t a pocket, a circle or a space for Latinas,” Johnson said. “So, after doing tons of research and not finding what I needed, I decided to fill the deficit and start Latinas in Motion.”

Johnson decided to name her organization Latinas in Motion because she did not want to exclusively be a running group. She acknowledged that although Johnson emphasizes that Latinas in Motion is a wellness group to empower Latinas, no matter what form that takes.

“For me, I just wanted to create a space for women of color to not only hold space for each other to say ‘Hey girl, I see you, keep it going, you got this,’ but also so that we can prioritize our own wellness in our lives,” Johnson said.

Johnson spoke to the difficulties of being an entrepreneur, given the “you eat what you kill” mindset that comes along with it, not knowing where her next dollar might come from and not having a blueprint to follow. For most of her life, Johnson lived below the poverty line and has been working since she was 14, so she is familiar with these pressures, noting that all she knows is survival and working hard.

“The most challenging thing about being an entrepreneur is having to believe that your idea is going to work,” Johnson said. “Even when it feels like the whole world is not set up for you to win, you have to know that your purpose, your gift,

your idea was assigned to you. That is what has helped me stay in the game.”

To help push against any feelings of doubt or uncertainty, Johnson makes sure to affirm herself and the work she is doing each day, adopting the mantra: “can’t nobody do what I do like I do.” She also created a planner called “Plan, Pray, Slay” to help guide people toward their goals and feeling gratitude.

“If you are not telling yourself who you are and who you want to be, you’re going to believe the lies that society tells you of who you are and who you’re not going to be,” Johnson said.

“I think the biggest thing I would tell my younger self is your voice is your power,” Johnson said.

“When I realized I have a story to tell, when I realized that my story is my power, when I realized that I can walk into a room and I can own the room, when I am walking confidently in who Elaine is, life changed.”

Johnson went on to talk about how one finds true freedom when one doesn’t feel like they have to code switch or act differently depending on who is around them.

“I think we have to address how old were we or when was the moment that we felt, as women, that someone clipped our wings,” Johnson said. “When did we feel that we had to be somebody else?”

At the event, Johnson also poignantly mentioned how she is always trying to break the glass ceiling in everything that she does to make

sure there is space for everyone who comes after her.

“When I say I want to break those glass ceilings, it starts with us, but you also have to be unafraid to help the person behind you,” Johnson said. “The same way my mentors are pulling me up, I have to make sure that I’m reaching back to make sure that I’m helping my girls who are right in back of me.”

Johnson also had some powerful advice to share with students at the University.

“For the Villanovans reading this, I would say own your power,” Johnson said. “I need you to understand that purpose is not something you find, purpose is something that is already inside of you, and that is a great starting point for connecting your purpose to whatever it is you want to do.”

In the future, Johnson is hoping to acquire more corporate sponsorships for Latinas in Motion.

She is already partnered with Women Win and Puma, which not only helps provide the members of Latina in Motion with sneakers and running apparel, but also makes the organization free for everyone to join. She also wants to implement a Latinas in Motion training curriculum in schools for younger girls to help open the doors for wellness and confidence early.

More broadly, Johnson has personal goals to be an international speaker and transform the lives of one million women, which she is well on her way to attaining.

First Lady Jill Biden Speaks at 9/11 Flight 93 Memorial Katie Lewis Staff Writer The atmosphere in Shanksville, PA was somber last Sunday as First Lady Jill Biden began her speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial, marking the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Three Villanova student journalists — seniors Olivia Pasquale, Tommy Lynch, and Zac Tipton — attended the memorial as members of AKSM Media’s White House Correspondents Team.

The memorial honors the lives of 40 passengers and crew who died on United Flight 93 after they disrupted four hijackers, causing the plane to crash in the Shanksville field and thwarting an attack on Washington, D.C. The memorial site was designated a national park in 2002 and includes a Memorial Plaza, Wall of Names, Memorial Groves, and Field of Honor. The site’s newest addition is the 40 wind chimes of the Tower of Voices, completed in 2020.

At Sunday’s ceremony, Biden was notably accompanied by her sister, Bonny Jacobs, a United Airlines flight attendant who lost colleagues and friends in the attack. The ceremony focused on honoring the lives and legacies of the victims.

During her remarks, Biden recalled her perspective on the events of 9/11, speaking about the weight of the tragedy and the courage of those on board Flight 93, and passed on a hopeful message before walking the field to lay a wreath in honor of the victims.

“It showed us that we are all connected to one another,” Biden said. “So as we stand on this sacred and scarred earth, a record of our collective grief and a monument to the memories that live on each day, this is the legacy we must carry forward: hope that defies hate.”

Pasquale, Lynch, and Tipton

reported for AKSM Media on the events of the ceremony, which took place approximately three and a half hours from the Villanova campus.

The media company, based locally in King of Prussia, has press, film, and photography branches and aims to give students opportunities to gain experience in these career fields.

“I spent the entirety of the ceremony taking notes and getting quotes for my article,” said Lynch, who recently joined the White House Correspondents Team after the owner of AKSM Media, Andrew McKeough ‘19, spoke to his broadcast journalism class.

Pasquale was behind the camera, and Tipton served as Senior White House Producer for AKSM alongside other journalists covering the event. The student journalists were also able to speak with the National Park Service rangers who organized the memorial ceremony.

“The 9/11 memorial was the first event I covered as a Senior White House Photojournalist,” Pasquale said. “It was truly challenging to maintain professionalism while also photographing the family members of the Flight 93 victims, and no photo could adequately capture the grief and heartbreak.”

For the three student journalists, attending the memorial was more than a reporting assignment, as the speakers and solemn park atmosphere allowed all those in attendance to reflect on the tragedy and pay respects to the victims and their brave sacrifice, which potentially saved hundreds of more lives from the 9/11 attacks.

“All forty passengers voted on whether they should storm the cockpit or not. They also purposely waited until they were away from buildings and towns to fight back in order to limit the casualties to themFirst Lady Jill Biden began her speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial. selves,” Lynch said. “Everyone on Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography that plane was and still is a hero.”

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

NEWS

Safety Hazard: Check MicroFridge Rentals for Mold Jacqueline Frederiksen Staff Writer On Monday, Aug. 29, residents of Stanford Hall were perplexed by the smell that had infiltrated one of the rooms.

Many described the smell as “musty” like “old potato chips.”

Some even went as far as to say it smelled like “rotten milk.” The smell took over the lives of the room and hall residents as they played detective to find the source.

In the days leading up to Aug. 29, the room had two visits from the Villanova Environmental Health and Safety Department, two visits from custodial services and a phone call with the supervisor of Public Safety. The source of the smell was not found. In a last ditch effort, one of the residents suggested checking the drain pan on the back of rental MicroFridge (combined microwave and minifridge for college residents).

Chaos ensued as the tray was pulled out. It was filled with not only liquids of vibrant colors, but also apparent mold and a horrible smell. In a frenzy, the rest of the residents who had rented microfridges ran to check the drain pan on theirs, and although their rooms did not smell, nearly all contained some form of excessive dirt and dust and apparent mold.

“The fridges are old and they are supposed to be fully cleaned before being installed in the dorm rooms,” said a MicroFridge representative when called on Sept. 1.

The company was very

kind and offered to make a note on the profile of any student who discovered the mold and/or dirt in the drain pan.

Students who wish to rent a mini fridge rather than buying their own can do so through the MicroFridge company. It aims to make the process less stressful by dropping off the fridge prior to move-in. On the company’s home page of its website, it claims that “Move-In day just got much easier,” and one can “Rent with con-

fidence.” However, that confidence is beginning to dwindle after the discovery early this semester.

After the drain pan was discovered, Residence Life became involved and the non-emergency public safety number was called.

Custodial staff arrived to aid in cleaning the minifridges because of the mold concern, and residents also cleaned their own.

Many of the residents later contacted MicroFridge due to safety concerns and asked to waive

Students found mold in their MicroFridges.

Courtesy of Pinterest

the cancellation fee and return the fridges. MicroFridge was reportedly pleasant to work with and willing to compromise. It was on campus Friday, Sept. 2 cleaning or replacing units for students who contacted them directly.

“Residence Life advises any student who has a concern about a rented Microfridge to contact the company directly,” said Residence Life.

One can contact he company by visiting its website either through email or by phone.

According to Residence Life and Facilities, “Trained Villanova facilities personnel responded and disinfected the refrigerators according to the University’s Mold and Mildew Prevention plan.”

Residents were told there was no health threat and they were able to return the fridges to their rooms if they wished.

Residents were informed that because they contracted with MicroFridge directly that they had the power to inform the student body rather than from the University itself. Residents attempted to spread the word as much as possible. However, it is nearly impossible to reach every single student who may have contracted with MicroFridge.

For any students who have rented from MicroFridge this semester, it is recommended that they check the back of their fridge for the drain pan that looks like a black removable tray. It is located on the bottom half of the fridge and should slide out. If there are any concerns, contact MicroFridge directly and take photo proof of the situation.

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon Joins Roundtable Event Cate McCusker Senior Editor This past Saturday, the University’s Center for Irish Studies and the Irish American Business Chamber & Network held a roundtable conversation in Dougherty Hall on US-Ireland relations with US Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (PA 5) and Irish Senator Malcolm Byrne.

Students, faculty and locals were able to meet with and question the politicians. Representative Scanlon, a member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus, is hosting County Wexford Senator Byrne during his visit to the Philadelphia region. Senator Byrne has served in Seanad Eireann as Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science since April 2020.

Scanlon was happy to have Byrne in PA, and she noted the connection between Ireland and Pennsylvania.

“One fifth of my constituents identify as being of Irish descent, and so do I,” Scanlon said.

“It’s an amazing campus, and Villanova is famous in Ireland,” Byrne said, agreeing with the connection. “For me growing up, I remember it as the home of Irish athletics, because of the very strong tradition of Irish runners who used to come

over here.”

Byrne thanked Scanlon for her work growing US and Irish relations and encouraged the room to support her in the upcoming election.

“She’s been very supportive around issues relating to Northern Irish peace protests and how we deal with Brexit,” he said.

Throughout the roundtable discussion, questions generally focused on Brexit, US and Irish relations and the war in Ukraine.

Byrne vehemently condemned Brexit as “short-sighted.”

“Most people in Ireland wouldn’t see it as a problem to say I’m Irish and European,” he said.

“Brexit, to me, was a victory for English nationalism. How that plays out long term, I’m not sure.”

Scanlon discussed her work with the Irish and the British government on this topic.

“The issues around Ireland and Brexit are solvable,” she said.

“But we really need the UK to come to the table.”

Byrne also encouraged US citizens to visit Ireland, pointing out about the strength of the dollar currently.

“There are things that are different, but there’s a lot more in common,” Byrne said. “There are already strong educational, historical and economical links between Ireland and the United States. I think

we can continue to grow those.”

Additionally, without the UK in the European Union, Ireland is now one of the few English-speaking countries in the EU. “For Americans who want to do business with Europe, it’s possibly the best gateway,” he said.

Although this was not the focus of the meeting, Byrne also spoke to The Villanovan on his thoughts on the Queen’s death and the new British monarch.

“I would define myself as a republican, but in the European sense, so I believe in the concept of an elected head of state,” he said.

“I don’t believe you should get to be

head of state because of who your family is. That said, Queen Elizabeth II was an amazing woman. She was still active in public service when most people would be well retired.

That’s a phenomenal achievement.”

Byrne noted that there is a challenge in the relationship between Ireland and Britain, but he touched on the Queen’s recent work in Ireland.

“With the peace protests, when she came to visit Ireland, she helped forge new relations between Ireland and Britain,” he said. “From that perspective, she was a remarkable woman, and I think that has to be acknowledged.”

The University’s Center for Irish Studies held a roundtable with Mary Gay Scanlon.

Courtesy of DELCO Today

6 | The Villanovan

OPINION

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

OPINION

John Barry’s Slave Ownership Means His Hall Must Be Renamed Grace Janofsky Staff Writer There is no question that establishments, specifically universities, are struggling with the effects of naming buildings after something with a controversial history. In the wake of the initial Black Lives Matter movement, there has also been the argument of what to do with Confederate statues. Both names of slave holders and statues of Confederates aid in commemorating an era in which racism ran rampant. Many people who oppose changing the names of buildings like to argue that it is erasing history. However, there is a very important distinction between continuing to celebrate an offensive history versus acknowledging and teaching the wrongs of the past.

John Barry Hall, which one may be familiar with as home to the ROTC or because it is where calculus class takes place, is named after Commodore John Barry. The hall was built in 1947 under then University president, Father Stanford. Barry was deemed the “Father” of the American Navy during the American Revolutionary War era. Commodore John Barry was a senior officer of the navy, a great war strategist and an owner of enslaved people.

Located not only in Barry’s personal estate, but also in his will, is the statement of his ownership of “1 bound black girl,” and “1 bound black boy.” Their names were Judith and James Barry. In his will, Barry claimed that he would transfer the ownership of Judith and James to his

Navy.’ Commodore Barry has been commemorated across the country for his contributions and military service, including with a statue outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia and a bridge spanning the Delaware River. We have been made aware of questions about Commodore Barry’s history and are looking into it.”

As a university that prides itself on Caritas, Unitas and Veritas, it is important to not only talk about these characteristics but to act on them as well. Conversations are equally as important in talking about history, and until now, no one has talked about John Barry Hall. It is John Barry Hall was built in 1947 and named after the now-controversial Commodore Barry. difficult to determine if this fact has Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale / Villanovan Photography simply never been brought to light or if it has been continuously ignored for wife until she remarried or died.

Dialogue’ and ‘Social Justice and nearly 75 years of Villanova’s history.

All conversations from VillaInclusivity Communitas’ that discuss In a message from University nova surrounding Commodore Barry the different identities we share and President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, are only in regards to the hall and cel- help broaden our knowledge about ebrations of his achievements. There certain social issues. However, we are O.S.A., Ph.D., on May 29, 2020, he is an important way to acknowledge still ignorant of the culture and history discussed the then recent events of COVID-19 and the death of George and teach the wrongs of history in a of some of the buildings and people way that does not celebrate it with we idealize on our campus. The #Re- Floyd.

“I call on all of us to look statues and commemorations. The nameJohnBarryHall movement is University needs to take note of other about reflecting a change that embod- honestly at ourselves and see the times universities’ actions and stop celebrat- ies our Augustinian values of Caritas, when our actions, interactions and reactions fall short of our best intening the history of buildings like John Unitas and Veritas.”

Barry Hall.

The #RenameJohnBarryHall tions,” he said. “We need to examine where we have succeeded, where we There is a new movement on movement group will be meeting for have failed and where we can activecampus to #RenameJohnBarryHall. the first time next Friday, Sept. 23 at ly work together to improve—and One of the founders of this movement 5 p.m., location to be determined. is sophomore Marche Walter.

The University has issued the commit to improving. … We need to reach out beyond our comfort “With Villanova shifting part following response to concerns about of its focus to becoming a more inthe naming of John Barry Hall: “John zone and engage in conversations on important subjects that matter.” clusive and diverse campus, buildings Barry Hall was built to house VillaLet us all – students, faculty such as John Barry Hall prohibits us nova University’s Naval ROTC unit from moving forward as a commuand opened in 1949. It was named in and Villanova community members nity and setting forth the change we honor of Commodore John Barry, the – take the advice of Father Peter and commit to making Villanova a more want to see,” Walter said. “Here, we Irish-born naval commander widely inclusive space for everyone. have classes such as ‘IGR: Intergroup known as ‘Father of the American

Brethren for Squirrels: The Native Plant Crisis Isabella Ledet Staff Writer

environmentally-conscious campus, which is crucial, as a 260-acre tract of land with little to no native plant species would be a hard hit on the I found out in my Environnative ecosystem. mental Catastrophe in Literature However, there is always course that chestnut trees used to more room for native plants. Is it be the staple of American forests. the University’s responsibility to Now, they are almost entirely have even more native vegetation wiped out by a disease transported around campus? As long as the here with beautiful foreign trees University maintains its commitin the 19th and early 20th centument to sustainability, Villanova ries. It is incredible to think that can be a role model for other instimillions of impressive, native trees tutions with large properties by its were wiped out rapidly simply due cultivation of the natural habitat on to humans’ desire for unique landcampus. And, more importantly, scaping from overseas. is it our responsibility to recognize It is often difficult to recthe plants around us and underognize the trees that we see nearly The University hosts much biodiversity across its campus. stand the importance of native Courtesy of A.J. Fezza / Villanovan Photography every day. They are not as memospecies? rable as animals or insects, yet they Native insects that are imtoured the grounds of Villanova as I strongly answer: yes. This are no less alive. Trees and plants portant for pollination, like bumble a prospective student, I could not is the world that we have been are not just spectacles to look at as bees or butterflies, can only feed help but notice how beautiful evgiven to live our lives in. It is the we navigate our way to and from on plants that are also native to erything was. The clean brick paths least we can do to help maintain its class. They support entire ecosystheir ecosystem. Wiping out naand the large, shady trees drew me natural balance. tems and bring balance to nature. tive plants and exchanging them to the natural beauty of campus. I I encourage anyone who Native plants are important for foreign species breaks up and must admit, the campus was one of shares this beautiful campus to to the welfare of our ecosystems erases food sources for native polli- the main reasons I chose Villanova walk around and take in the nature because they are, well, native. They nators, affecting other native plant as my home for four years. Since that lives with us. Wonder with were designed by nature to grow in species and the higher food chain.

Villanova sits on nearly 260 acres curiosity about a tree, pay attention this part of the world, and the rest Villanova’s status as a Tree of land, there is certainly a lot of to a squirrel running or a rabbit of the natural ecosystem was built Campus USA School from the room for landscaping, which the hopping and see if there are any around it. When foreign plants are Arbor Day Foundation means that University has taken advantage of. butterflies. Appreciating our natintroduced, they break up nature’s campus is home to a wide variety of Villanova’s website also states that ural world is an important step in happy party. impressive trees and plants. When I it has taken initiatives to ensure an preserving it.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

The Villanovan | 7

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. LetVIVI MELKONIAN Editor-in-Chief ters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not TINA ARON Associate Editor-in-Chief exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions beAJ FEZZA Opinion Editor come property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

COLIN BEAZLEY Editor-in-Chief

POLICY

The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.

Villanova Dining Could Get a Boost from Guest Chefs Andrew Portas Staff Writer Villanova University boasts its fair share of dining facilities, ranging from three residential dining halls to its six (soon to be seven) Holy Grounds coffee establishments, as well as everything in between. It was this variety of dining choices, as well as a mean Cova cheesesteak during my first visit, which contributed to my decision to #GoNova.

Today, I am a senior with four years of meal plans under my belt. While I can still eat at a different location every meal for almost a whole week, I often feel restricted by available menu choices. Aside from the three halls, dining menus remain consistently rigid. Even dining hall regulars like Spit’s weekend tater tots or Pit’s inescapable edamame dumplings demand a facelift after a few years.

For reference, Niche.com, which extensively ranks and reviews thousands of American universities, grades Villanova’s “Campus Food” a measly “C+.” It is time for the University to look outwards for inspiration to reinvigorate a dining experience which ought to be comparable to its academic reputation.

Villanova need not look any further than Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York, which I visited the other week, for a program which not only bolsters dining options but supports local busi-

nesses and integrates the university with its rich, surrounding community. RIT features “Visiting Chefs” at dining halls and cafes across campus, providing unique and fresh alternatives to regular dining menus daily.

As of Sept. 14, “The Cafe & Market at Crossroads” features selections from local restaurants Just Chickn and Tandoor of India while “The Commons” offers fresh, chef creations from California Rollin’ Sushi. Even more guest chefs are featured across RIT’s campus today, with tomorrow bringing yet more local vendors. These chefs provide a rotating culinary alternative served right alongside typical dining food.

Junior Sydney Thumser is one of many RIT students that is satisfied with RIT’s guest chef rotation.

“I really appreciates the fact that RIT has guest chefs throughout the week,” Thumser said. “It helps break up the monotony of dining hall food that can feel repetitive after a while.”

“I think everyone should try it,” graduate student Julia Versteden said. “It is the best food on campus.”

I can not imagine reception on Villanova’s campus being any different. All three dining halls already plan special cultural or holiday menus which offer new, refreshing options.

Occasionally, they will even reference local figures or chefs who’ve inspired or contributed to the menu. These are times when I feel most encouraged and excited to dine on campus.

Additionally, during the pandemic, the university rolled out food trucks many weekends featuring local vendors from Pitruco Pizza to Scoops ‘N Smiles. Near hour-long waits at times for these trucks is testament enough to their immense popularity.

“Food trucks give students a chance to explore a whole new world of food,” said Villanova senior Christian Wade. “It’s an experience that the Villanova dining halls can lack at times.”

Implementing this same general, popular concept to dining halls would be a definitive way to address the student body’s appetite for more extensive dining options. A brick-and-mortar setting would also invite a new array of local chefs and establishments excluded by current food truck events. Options like Bryn Mawr-based Lovebird or the wildly popular El Limon could serve as fresh, quality compliments to current dining options.

Aside from addressing student demands, such a program would provide a premier platform for local business. For many underclassmen, constrained to the boundaries of campus and unfamiliar with its surrounding environment, guest chef appearances would provide significant advertisement and promotion for dining options in their vicinity.

It is no secret that local restaurants enthusiastically compete to draw Villanovans’ business, whether it is accepting Nova Bucks or proudly waving a flag with the school’s signature “V.” Such busi-

nesses are the backbone of an intertwined local economy and would likely jump on an opportunity to potentially expand their consumer base by thousands.

Introducing guest chefs would by no means be a zero-sum game for Villanova Dining Services either. Expanded variety and newfound access to local favorites could entice more students to purchase pricey meal plans, which at the very least, would provide additional capital to host them.

Inviting guest chefs would additionally be a significant step towards dismantling what I and many of my peers refer to as the “Villanova Bubble,” or the notion that Villanova can often feel like an insular community, disconnected from its external environment. Being a school which markets and prides itself on its vibrant community would make it foolish to exclude the people, businesses and other entities of the surrounding area which serve students on a daily basis.

The University and those who surround it depend on each other to thrive. Students should take explicit action to be active members of this community and make both it and ourselves stronger.

If a guest chef program has heightened student interest in dining programs and consistently bolstered local businesses in Rochester, who is to say it can’t in Villanova? We should implement this delicious winwin-win program and simultaneously increase that “C+” Niche score.

CUP OF JOE: Orientation Pizza Vouchers Disappoint

hanging on the fridge, I was very excited. Who wouldn’t get thrilled over the delicacy that is Papa John’s? As everyone knows, John makes a dang Is there anything better than good pizza pie.

Night after night, I begged free food? Okay, maybe the nine seasons of Seinfeld being on Netflix. my roommates to redeem the free pizza vouchers. However, night But that’s for another day. This week, I want to talk about something after night, I was outvoted, and my idea for this delicious treat was shot that happened on Friday night. It was unexpected, thought-provoking down. But this past Friday night, everything changed. and, dare I say, shocking.

On my knees, praying and During Villanova Orienasking to redeem these coupons, I tation week, my roommate, junior hoped that this would be the night.

Ashton Rodriguez, was in a hungry mood. While he was out on a nightly After a bit of convincing, Rodriguez agreed to order two free pizzas from stroll around campus, he was enthralled by the sounds of the annual Papa John’s. What a thrill it was to finally have what we had all been Orientation carnival. longing for.

“I was filming the OrientaAround 11 o’clock at night, tion video with Villanova Television,” Rodriguez said. “The carnival Rodriguez opened his laptop and got to work. With me watching had sponsors, and Papa John’s was closely over his shoulder to make the biggest tent and caught my eye sure he made the perfect order, all right away. They were giving out free pizza, and free coupons for it as was going well. That was, until he entered the 12-digit promo code. well.”

Rodriguez took not just one, And that was when everything changed. but two free pizza vouchers, and We did not read the mini decided to save them for a later date. card that held the promo code close When I moved in and saw them Joe Adams Opinion Columnist

enough. This coupon was not just for any pizza. We were limited to a single medium one topping pizza.

Dreams crushed, and on the edge of tears, I wondered if it was even worth it to complete this pizza quest after weeks of looking forward to the large pizza with toppings that I had been dreaming about.

Alas, we decided to go through with the pizza order. But yet again, we had been bamboozled.

This declaration of “free” pizza had been a bold-faced lie all along.

When it was time to check out, the Papa John’s website asked us for our credit card information. Credit card?

Why would the site be asking for this, given that this was free pizza?

We discovered that not even Papa John’s pizza was tax-deductible in the United States. It was a modern tragedy, and I was at a loss for words. Rodriguez was not deterred.

He had gone so far. He decided to suck it up and order the pizza, totaling $5.00 per pizza after the tip.

After an hour-long wait, we finally got a call from an older man waiting outside to give us our hardearned pizza. In the words of my

roommate Brendan Tierney, “Slower than on-campus food, but certainly worth the wait.”

Rodriguez arrived back at our apartment and opened the fresh pies. He and I were to split the cheese pizza, while Tierney and our other roommate, Tom Dessoye, were to split the pepperoni.

After exposing the pies to the stale apartment air, I turned around for a glass of water and turned back to see Dessoye grabbing a slice of cheese.

“Disgraceful,” I thought to myself.

But this was nothing compared to the disappointment of the free pizza. I bit into a stale, flavorless piece of pizza that left me wishing I had air fried some chicken tenders hours ago. The residents of Rudolph 211 were left saddened and hungry.

Dessoye put it best: “The Papa John’s tasted worse than the reputation of its namesake.”

While I am glad Villanova sponsors are handing out free food vouchers, I wish the quality of the food was more satisfying. There is one thing that’s for sure: Papa John’s will never be hitting my mouth again.

8 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

CULTURE

CULTURE

Review of Liz Roche’s “Yes and Yes” Performance Bailey Quinn Staff Writer As the lights went down in the Topper Theater this past Tuesday evening, the words “Sound of fans and gulls, traffic and sea,” trailed across a digital screen in a red font above the stage. A singular dancer walked into view, their feet planted on the ground in front of them and their careful breaths were the only sounds to be heard. One could hear a pin drop in the room as the full theater watched the dancer smack their own face, dance across the room and lap circles as if directionless yet determined to get somewhere, running late to a place they cannot remember. This is the beginning of the Liz Roche Company’s performance of “Yes and Yes.” Inspired by the book “Ulysses,” which celebrated 100 years since its initial publication this year, this commissioned performance from Artistic Director Liz Roche follows Ulysses, a Northern Irishman, through his personal odyssey to get home, as though he is a Greek warrior and not an ordinary Irishman. Roche seamlessly shares the text through a vibrant contemporary dance featuring four dancers (Mufutau Yusuf, Sarah Cerneaux, Grace Cuny and Diarmuid Armstrong) not only in its entirety as a tangible text, but also as an experience of artistic vulnerability and a testament to the timeless nature and heart of Dublin, Ireland and its people.

The enigmatic and at times mind-bending imagery is an absolute wonder to behold, as the dancers mold their bodies around one another, blurring the lines between body and body, boundary and boundary. Images and

text flash overhead, many magnifying motifs of industrialization and biblical influences. Some parts of the story are bewildering to see on stage, particularly if you are not intimately familiar with “Ulysses.” Some students who attended expressed confusion and even discomfort in their lack of knowledge and how unmoored they felt during some of the particularly abstract or bizarre scenes.

“I went last night and was honestly confused,” Rachel Reiniger said.

“I didn’t have any prior knowledge on the show or the company, and it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. It was noticeably uncomfortable at times, but I think this is intentional.”

All the same, the students expressed a fascination with the execution of the show, noting the clear exhibitions and displays of love and loss. The audience as a whole was caught off-guard many times throughout the experience, especially during an infamous brothel scene, in which the dancers contort around one another in various sexual positions while wearing floral morph suits, once again blurring lines between their bodies and their realities, this time playing into a larger dialogue of the natural beauty and magnificence of Ireland.

When the show ended, the entire audience was on their feet, cheering and applauding, and the majority stayed after for an introduction to and short interview with Liz Roche herself

by Joseph Lennon, the Emily C. Riley Director of the Irish Studies Department.

When asked how she was approached for the project, Roche reflected, saying, “[They said], ‘How about ‘Ulysses?’’ and I thought, ‘Maybe not.’”

The whole audience burst out laughing at such a statement, recog-

“Yes and Yes” premiered on Sept. 13.

Courtesy of Liz Roche Performance Company

nizing Roche is beaming with joy and pride in the production we have all just witnessed.

“The book really supported you to take a risk,” Roche said during the interview.

Roche went on to explain that this commissioned piece is a challenge, but one ultimately worth tackling. She delved into how much she marveled at the motifs they were able to translate from the text into movement, such as the constant dislocation movements of various body parts as a visual representation of disconnect and/or exile from the self and from the larger picture.

When drawing up parallels between her work and Jame Joyce’s original text, Roche said,“A lot of the

dance is a stream of consciousness.”

Throughout this performance, Roche truly lived up to her reputation as a “restless artist.” “Yes and Yes” explores not only the story of Ulysses, but of home – the loss and rediscovery of it, whether it is within the friends we meet on the journey, a certain place or ourselves. The messages of “Ulysses,” even one hundred years after publication, ring true and are deeply felt across generations, even when communicated across mediums. Such an aid to clarity and self-reflection is a rare but powerful gift, and to witness it in Roche’s work, knowing it symbolizes a raw and uniquely human experience felt even a century later is a privilege. As Lennon put it, “You helped us see it all.”

Exploring Bryn Mawr: Bryn Mawr Farmers Market

to our schedule, Bryn Mawr being one of them and bringing us much Maddie Schieder success.”

Staff Writer Madi’s on a Roll has also won Best Food Truck by Main Line Today Although the weather has Magazine for the past two years, debeen hot, fall sure is upon us. There spite lacking a food truck and selling is no better way to spend a Saturday via tent setup. morning than at the Bryn Mawr Most of Madi’s on a Roll’s Farmers Market, located in the parkcustomers tend to be more “foodie” ing lot of the Bryn Mawr train station. based, according to McShane. They Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., welcome anyone interested in trying the market is home to many vendors out their rolls, especially given their selling products from fresh produce to variety of flavors that includes cheeshand-made soaps. esteak egg rolls and even apple pie.

Those looking for a new acVendors such as Madi’s on a tivity to spice up the weekend should Roll sell at farmers markets to spread explore the farmers market, as they the word on their businesses and might find something new that they show the community what kind of have never tried before. Just down the talent lies in our neighborhood. The road, the market provides access to vibes of the farmers market are also fresh, locally grown foods and prodimmaculate, as it makes Villanovans ucts from around the Main Line. feel home away from home. Villanova One of the vendors, “Madi’s students shared their farmers market on a Roll” spoke to The Villanovan experiences, including senior Maggie on their experience and success on Mick.

Saturday mornings in Bryn Mawr.

“I really enjoyed going to the Madi McShane and her husband Bri- farmers market,” Mick said. “They an are the owners of this shop, where had a lot of options to choose from, they make homemade specialty egg like breads, cheeses, fresh fruits and rolls in Malvern, PA. much more. The vibe there was also “While we primarily sell our really relaxing, and everyone was rolls at farmers markets, we also set super nice and welcoming. I definitely up and sell our rolls hot at different want to go back this year and buy events,” McShane said. “As we grow, more because I love that they sell fresh we’ve added new farmers markets and clean products.”

Along with Mick, senior Molly Carriero also enjoyed her time at the market.

“It was a very happy and a positive vibe,” Carriero said. “There was a cool bread vendor along with a Mediterranean one, and I especially liked the classic farms. It is a nice way to feel a part of the community, get off campus and find affordable and fresh products.”

Also featured at Bryn Mawr is Aaji’s Indian Cuisine, Amaranth Gluten Free Bakery, Scrape and Scoop Ice Cream, Nether Providence Soap Co. and much more.

Bryn Mawr is full of amazing restaurants and boutiques, yet this Saturday excursion could bring fresh products and a warm heart by getting out in the community, especially on an autumn morning.

Families, students and pets shop at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market on 9/17.

Courtesy of Maddie Schieder

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 9

“Parakeet,” a Play on Love, Loss and Trauma Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor Cont from pg. 1 “sources,” Helen-Bertino said.

“I was missing my grandmother very much, and I wanted to write a really brutal and honest story about the expectation placed on women around the idea of marriage and watershed moments like marriage.”

Rose was inspired to adapt “Parakeet” after her first read of the novel during the COVID-19 shutdown.

“I followed Marie’s career and read her first novel and her collection of short stories,” Rose said. “Then, I read ‘Parakeet’ in the beginning of the pandemic, and I just fell in love with it. I just loved it. I remember reaching out and saying ‘Wow. I love this book and congratulations.’”

Although the seed to adapt “Parakeet” was planted after her first read, the moment was right this past Spring for Rose to undertake the project during her sabbatical. Her sabbatical gave her the free time she needed to write the script and lay out a plan for the play adaptation.

During Helen-Bertino’s four years at Villanova, she took Rose’s first performance art class.

She describes her experience in Rose’s class as feeling like “coming out of a storm” and that her background in theater and the performing arts influenced the inherent theatricality of “Parakeet.”

Although Helen-Bertino has played a role in helping with the adaptation of “Parakeet,” she placed full trust in Rose’s artistic ability.

“Marie said she didn’t want to see a script,” Rose said. “She didn’t need to weigh in. We talked about casting and some of how I was envisioning this on stage. We even shared that in many ways if ‘Parakeet’ is going to have some sort of an adaptation, it belongs on stage.”

The casting was crucial to adapting “Parakeet” due to the wide array of “wild” and “wacky”

Opening night for “Parakeet” is Thursday Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.

Courtesy of Villanova Communication Department

characters, said Rose, and the process of casting was far from easy. Auditions for the play were held in April of 2022, and 13 student actors were chosen. The play has had a quick turnaround, as students had just over a month to prepare and rehearse with their fellow cast members on campus.

One stand-out cast member is senior Jackie Carroll who plays the narrator/the Bride.

Carroll’s role is a result of Rose’s decision to split the Bride’s character into two. There is the Bride

character, who is in the story experiencing the events, played

by Carly Isselmann, and there is the narrator/the Bride, played by Carroll, who tells the story to the audience.

Carroll, an English major, was inspired to audition for “Parakeet” because of her admiration for Helen-Bertino.

“I had met Marie in one of my creative writing classes because my professor brought her in to talk with us,” Carroll said. “She’s obviously an inspiration to me as an

English major or someone who’s just interested in creating art in general. As soon as I found out it was gonna be ‘Parakeet,’ I was like ‘Yeah, I would love to do this.’”

Anna Jankowski, another senior involved in “Parakeet,” plays the role of the Bride’s grandmother, who appears to her in the form of a parakeet. As a senior, Jankowski decided to return back to theater after not performing since high school.

Jankowski appreciates the play for staying true to Helen-Bertino’s novel and for the way it handles sensitive themes.

“The way it deals with trauma is just really authentic,” Jankowski said. “It’s an intense story, but it’s told with a lot of love. It captures the human condition in a really interesting way. It’s also like anything you’ve seen before.”

Griff Scially, who plays the Groom, echoed Jankowski’s sentiments, as he said the audience should expect the unexpected.

Scially plays the charismatic yet removed groom in “Parakeet.”

To get into his role, Scially has spent time working on portraying someone who is likable, but also somewhat “one-dimensional” and unable to get deep in conversation.

Rose, Helen-Bertino and he cast members of “Parakeet” are eager to see the play in action.

Helen-Bertino will be watching the adaptation for the first time on opening night, and she is excited to watch it play out.

“If I hear the audience around me laugh at all to those words, I will be the happiest person on the face of the planet,” Helen-Bertino said. “What an honor to have someone like it enough to put it on stage and then have all these actors embody it. I will be the luckiest person in that auditorium.”

“Parakeet” opens at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29, and has showtimes at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The last performance will be held on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/parakeeta-world-premiere-play-in-two-actstickets-383028507577.

Villanova Student Founds Men in Nursing Organization Emily Schoonover Staff Writer

eri.

“When I came to Villanova, I quickly realized that there were not a lot of men in nursing, and Villanova has one of the I found it odd that there was no best undergraduate nursing procommunity between the different grams in the nation, providing grades, there is with SNAP and students with incredible resources. other organizations, but nothing There is a variety of student orgaspecifically for men in nursing,” he nizations designed to help integrate said. nursing students into their field, Being able to relate to peosuch as Student Nurses’ Association ple while sharing the same future of Pennsylvania (SNAP) or Nursing goals is important in a university Without Borders. While Villanova setting. This same value is seen in provides so many great resources clubs like Women in Business, a for nursing students, there is a lack club for women to gather and colof support and community for male laborate in a male-dominated field. nurses, a minority in a female-domi- Even though most fields seem to be nated field. male-dominated, such as business Because of this lack of or engineering, nursing is one of the much-needed community, a group exceptions, and it is vital for male of men in the nursing program has nurses to find the community that formed the Men in Nursing Society, they need to thrive. also known as MURSES. Scarperi also notes that President and founder of other schools have provided a club this organization is junior PJ Scarp- of this stature for men in nursing,

while Villanova has not.

“I got the idea for this club because other schools like Johns Hopkins have it and we were the last top nursing school without one,” he said.

Scarperi and his fellow classmates and executive members of the club have worked hard to fill this void for murse community here at Villanova. As a team, they are working to provide different opportunities socially, through service and philanthropy, and with mentorship.

The group has had social events such as a back-to-school BBQ and has had outings to local restaurants such as Pho Street. This year, they are even working with CHOP’s Homeless Health Initiative to instill their caring values as nurses into the community surrounding Villanova.

“I think our first goal is community and I think a lot of that ties into membership and guid-

ance, that was something that I didn’t get as a freshman which also might have had to do with Covid,” Scarperi said. “We’re also trying to start service opportunities to build community.”

The club has around 40 members, which is almost 100% of all male nurses at Villanova.

However, people who are not male nurses are welcome to support and join the club and attend its events.

“I actually have friends in the club that are just friends with a lot of the murses, and they just like to come to the events,” Scarperi said. “We even have a couple of members who are in CLAS but are trying to transfer into the nursing school.”

This club was formed to help support a smaller group of people on campus and is super inclusive and laid back. For more information see @novamurses on Instagram.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

CULTURE

10 | The Villanovan

Villanova TikTok Star Drops New Podcast

Lily Grace Staff Writer

You have heard of Noel B Askin. Now, get ready for Noel B Podcasting.

Whether he is knocking on doors to tour dorm rooms or interviewing students passing by the Oreo, sophomore Noel B Doherty always seems to be creating new project ideas. So, when he recently announced the launch of his new podcast, students and fans alike responded with much-anticipated excitement.

The podcast is called “Legend Has It” and is co-hosted by Doherty and his longtime best friend Maggie Elder, a sophomore at Penn State University.

According to Doherty, “Legend Has It” is unlike any project he has done in the past.

“The concept is improv storytelling, which is something that no one is really doing right now in social media,” Doherty said. “It’s the world’s most improvised podcast, and I love it.”

The podcast was Doherty’s summer project. After he wrapped up filming other projects around the country, Doherty had some time to relax at home before the start of the new semester.

Doherty shared that he had been thinking about the idea of starting a podcast for about six months, and he called on his best friend Elder to help him officially execute the idea. Without a plan for the podcast, the co-hosts just started by

filming an informal, improv-style conversation.

“We didn’t even really plan for this to be the genre of the podcast,” Doherty said. “We just sat down and were like ‘Hey what if we started a podcast?’ and we naturally fell into this goofy, storytelling format. We ended up talking for 45 minutes doing these goofy stories.”

According to Doherty, recording content for the podcast came easy to both hosts, because it is just an extension of the unique friendship that they already have.

“It is inspired by the dynamic of our relationship that we already have,” Doherty said. “We are both really goofy and imaginative people, and we wanted to share that with the world.

It’s something we would have been doing anyway, but now we’re recording it.”

So far, the pair have pre-filmed all 16 episodes of the first season of the podcast, with new episodes scheduled to be released every week until right around Thanksgiving. Four episodes have been released so far. Each episode has a complex yet comedic storyline that could include references to anything from pop culture to ancient fairytales and the bible.

“Each episode is special,” Doherty said. “Sometimes we have two parallel stories going on, or sometimes Maggie and I are the main characters in the story, or sometimes there are fictional characters or celebrities that are doing weird things. The only thing you can expect is for it to be unpredictable.”

Noel Doherty is expanding on his social media fame with his new podcast.

Courtesy of Noel Doherty

In the past few episodes, Doherty and Elder have teased the idea of hosting actress Drew Barrymore in the future. As far as special guests, Doherty doesn’t see them as a necessity for his podcast at the moment.

“A lot of podcasts are centered on guests, but we decided to go with no special guests for the whole first season,

besides Drew Barrymore of course,” he said.

Will Barrymore ever actually make an appearance on the “Legend Has It” podcast? Students will have to stay tuned to find out. “Legend Has It” airs a new episode every Thursday at 7 p.m. and is currently available on Tik Tok, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.

Villanova Rays of Sunshine Service Group Spotlight Shay McDowell Staff Writer With temperatures dropping and cloudy fall days approaching, we are all clinging to this last bit of summer. Rays of Sunshine at Villanova is on a mission to spread that sunshine year-round throughout the greater Philadelphia area.

Villanova Rays of Sunshine is a service and tutoring organization that works with five local schools, as well as two nonprofits around Philadelphia. Tutors involved in the organization visit their students once a week for hour-long tutoring sessions, which is oftentimes one-on-one. Rays of Sunshine offers training sessions for new tutors to ensure their comfort and capability, and the club sends groups of tutors to these schools and nonprofits seven days a week.

“Our main priority is to try to fill that gap in education that urban schools face,” Executive Director Anna Darling said. “Our primary goals are educational equity and service.”

Tutors focus on fostering genuine relationships with their students, an effort which is aided by the frequency with which students meet with their tutors.

“We go to five schools, multiple times per week,” Darling said. “You stay with the same student when you come back, so you build a relationship with them and can see their academic progress.”

Members of Rays of Sunshine interact with students of all ages, ranging from elementary schoolers to seniors in high school.

In addition to their work at elementary and middle schools, Rays of Sunshine tutors provide an SAT and

ACT prep course on Saturdays for high school students. The educational nonprofit that the group also works with serves students ages eight to 14.

Groups ranging from 10 to 15 Rays of Sunshine tutors visit their various sites each day.

On Villanova’s campus, Rays of Sunshine hosts general body meetings once a month. At these meetings, members have time to consider the mindset that they bring to the club and evaluate their goals regarding working with students.

“We do a lot of reflecting just so that there’s intentionality still within what we do,” Darling said.

“We always try to work around the savior complex idea, so we do reflections to talk about that.”

The club hosts a “Rays Day” every semester, during which all of the students from the tutoring sites visit Villanova’s campus. The fall event involves the club tutors and students attending a Villanova football game, with all expenses and transportation provided by Rays of Sunshine.

Darling anticipates that this year’s fall Rays Day will take place in early November, though an exact date has not yet been set. The spring Rays Day is a larger event on campus, and Darling acknowledged the purpose and hard work which goes into planning such an occasion.

“This past year, we had bounce houses, food trucks, a cappella performances, the cheer team came out, and Dada (Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree) from the basketball team came out,” Darling said. “It was just a big way to celebrate all of their hard work through the school year and see them in a different place outside of their school and have them on campus to form positive experiences on a college campus. It is really integral in their motivation.”

Darling reflected that one of her most impactful moments from Rays of Sunshine occurred when she was paired with a notoriously difficult student who often misbehaved.

“They warned me about this when I started tutoring with him at the afterschool program,” Darling continued. “He turned out to be the sweetest kid ever. All he wanted, all he needed was just somebody to sit down and talk out his problems. When you are that old, you just need someone to believe in what you’re saying.”

The impact of tutors goes deeper than one semester. Darling fondly mentions the tight bond her and this student had formed.

“We were so close,” she said.

“At the end of tutoring before winter break, he gave me a huge hug and told me, ‘I don’t want you to leave.’ I just thought to myself, ‘This kid is so loving. ” Such an impactful experience is not uncommon among Rays of Sunshine members. Darling highlights that Rays of Sunshine tutors are not solely focused on improving the academic performance of their students. Rather, they serve as friends and role models.

Rays of Sunshine’s cause

is one close to Darling’s heart. She shared her own experience in reference as to why she felt so drawn to Rays of Sunshine at Villanova.

“I come from a struggling town, and education is not prioritized for kids because they are going to school without meals, and college is not in the forefront of their minds,” she said. “I used to work at a YMCA back home, and these kids just were trying to be kept off the streets at this point. It didn’t matter what grades they were getting in math.”

Looking toward the bright future of Rays of Sunshine, the organization is potentially adding two new tutoring sites. While nothing is set in stone yet regarding these sites, their needs were brought to Darling’s attention through a Villanova student.

If they join the organization’s list of tutoring sites, Darling emphasizes that the students at these schools will need some strong support from the tutors at Villanova.

The link to join Villanova Rays of Sunshine can be found in its Instagram bio (@vuraysofsunshine), so if one is interested in becoming a part of Rays of Sunshine, head to its Instagram, grab your sunglasses and get ready to catch some rays.

Rays of Sunshine serves weekly at local schools.

Courtesy of @vuraysofsunshine

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 11

Tell Me Something Good Series: Roommate Love Stories Emma Cahill Staff Writer College provides the unique experience of living with someone for over the course of four years. Villanova students and their roommates more often than not develop a close friendship over the course of the college experience.

During this time, students create bonds with their roommates that will last a lifetime. A lot of good can come from having a roommate who one is friends with, and the heartwarming stories that follow are examples of such. Strangely, some of the best roommates come from an unexpected pair.

Sophomores AnNa Hughes and Katie Stump are one of those pairs.

Despite coming from very different backgrounds, the two are the best of friends.

“I am an only child from Connecticut and Katie is one of four sisters from Tulsa, Oklahoma,” Hughes said.

“Who knew it would have worked out so well?”

Since rooming together for freshman year last year, the two have formed an inseparable bond.

“The odds were against us, but AnNa is not only my roommate, but my best friend,” Stump said.

In the end, it all works out for a

reason.”

Other roommate duos thrive on common interest. One example of this bond is sophomores Lauren Klein and Jane Maleady. The two are very athletic and share a love for anything involving being active.

“We love to play soccer, tennis, flag football and go on runs together,” Klein said. “We even have a sports corner in our room, where we keep all our equipment like lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets and more.”

Currently, Klein and Maleady are on two intramural soccer teams together. The two look forward to the season and hope to win the championships this year.

“We played on the same intramural soccer team, the Trees, last year,” Klein said. “This year, we are playing on the same teams again, but now they are called Pitch Perfect and also ‘Wiz KhaFIFA.’” Another athletic duo, seniors Maddie Scheider and Anastasia Galanou, met from being on the women’s volleyball team together.

Scheider shared her favorite memories with her roommate, showing how supportive her roommate is to her.

“Whenever I am having a rough day, she will come in my room and cheer me up, whether it is just a hug or some food she always knows how to make me

AnNa Hughes, left, and Katie Stump, right, are two roommates who became best friends.

Courtesy of AnNa Hughes

feel better,” Schieder said.

Since Scheider and Galanou are seniors, this year marks their last year living together. Scheider will miss the experience of living with Galanou, who is one of her best friends.

“I will miss having someone to talk to 24/7 about anything,” Scheider said. “I will also miss cooking dinner in the kitchen and eating on the couch at night while we watch ‘New Girl.’”

Senior Tommy Lynch shared a similar sentiment. He shared how he will

miss his roommates, seniors Justin Mancini and Bobby Heath, after graduation.

“It is the little things, like the 2 a.m. discussions on meaningless topics, that I’m going to miss the most,” Lynch said.

Roommates are not just people you live with. They are friendships that will last the tests of time, from Villanova and onward.

These roommates of Villanova are proof that inside a small dorm, big friendship blooms.

Villanovans Take on Tough Mudders Race The team ran with the We Defy Foundation, which Nachurski’s family supported last year as well.

“I come from a military Looking for a challenge? family, so teaming up with an orgaPicture springing to life at 6:30 on a nization like the We Defy FoundaSaturday morning. While this may tion has been an awesome opporalready seem challenging enough, tunity,” Nachurski said. “They we’re just getting started. Now, promote veteran mental health and picture hopping in a van to Pocono physical fitness, mainly through Raceway to run 15 km. For many, Brazilian jiu-jitsu.” that would already be pushing my Nachurski explained that limits, but for some Villanovans on Tough Mudders has allowed him campus, it would still fall short. Fi- and his family to raise money nally, add in mud pits, rope climbs, for the foundation, which proice baths, menthol gas and electrivides funds to help veterans work cal wires. through military-connected disabilOn Saturday, Sept. 10, ities and scholarships to Brazilian three Villanovans did just that. Jujiu-jitsu academies. nior Connor Nachurski and soph“Being able to run for such omores Sam Batchelor and Kelani an incredible cause just gave me Chandler, all members of Army even more motivation to keep ROTC at Villanova, participated in pushing through,” Chandler said.

Tough Mudder, which is a traveling Once they arrived, the trio event that focuses on endurance, donned red We Defy t-shirts and mental toughness and teamwork. lined up to begin.

The obstacles add to the fear factor, They began the event at 10 with the inclusion of fire, water a.m. and finished around 2 p.m.. and electrical hazards to name a There were 5 km, 10 km and 15 few. Not to mention that the whole km portions of the course teams course is a 15 km mud run. could opt for, but the Villanovans This was Batchelor and chose the 15 km route, which feaChandler’s first Tough Mudder, but tured 30 obstacles in total.

Nachurski had competed before Many of the obstacles with his family and friends. He inposed both mental and physical vited the other two to join his team challenges. this year.

“My favorite obstacle was “There was a lot of friendly probably the very last one,” Batchtrash talk leading up to the event,” elor said. “It was called ‘ElecNachurski said. “Getting to see tro-Shock Therapy.’ It was about my friends and family race was 20 yards long with the finish line very entertaining, especially since in sight, but between you and your the obstacles can be so physically end goal was a layer of water on demanding and difficult.” the floor and electric wires hanging The group left Villanova down.” at 7 a.m., with Nachurski driving Batchelor and Chandler them up to Pocono Raceway, where charged forward anyways. the Tough Mudder was held. The “Kelani and I thought trio met up with the rest of Nawe would just send it, so we held churski’s team at the location. hands and sprinted into the danKai da Luz Staff Writer

gling wires for maximum contact,” Batchelor said. “The jolt knocked me back and all my muscles tensed up. When I tried to get up, I got shocked again before I was able to clear the obstacle.”

Other highlighted obstacles included a warped wall called “Everest,” and “Funky Monkey,” which involved inclined monkey bars. “Cage Crawl” required participants to crawl upside down underwater while holding on to a horizontal chain link fence that only provided a few inches of space to breathe.

Another article the trio remarked on was a low tunnel filled with menthol gas, which prevented the participant from seeing anything while they crawled and coughed. “Mudderhorn,” a rope wall standing three stories tall,

stood as the penultimate obstacle, with “Electro-Shock Therapy” being the final.

“My favorite moment was the Mud Mile,” Chandler said.

“Our whole team worked together to boost each other up and out of pits of mud. Most of us tried it ourselves first and just ended up slipping and getting completely covered in mud. This was definitely the muddiest obstacle but also the one where our teamwork really showed.”

Though Tough Mudders tests individual endurance and will, it is indeed largely team-focused.

“You start as a team and finish as a team,” Batchelor said.

The trio had an amazing time competing and supporting a great cause. They expressed that they would definitely do it again.

Kelani Chandler (left), Sam Batchelor (middle) and Connor Nachurski (right).

Courtesy of Sam Batchelor

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

SPORTS

12| The Villanovan

SPORTS

Field Hockey Goes 1-1 Over Weekend

in the game, so head coach Joanie Milhous made the decision to pull goalkeeper Emma Lepert from the net, giving the Wildcats an extra Villanova field hockey came player. However, these tactics backout of this past weekend 1-1, falling fired as Providence earned a penalty to Providence on Friday, 5-2, but corner and scored to further its lead coming back to its home turf on to 4-2.

Sunday to defeat Saint Francis, 4-1.

The Friars then scored one In their first conference more to solidify their lead and end game of the season, the women the game, 5-2. struggled to keep up with the speed Milhous described the loss as of the Friars, giving up a quick goal a “disappointing game.” just four minutes into the game.

“We made some adjustments A scoreless second quarter on our press, but they had a shift on allowed the Wildcats to keep it to a us,” Milhous said. “We tried to shift one goal game, but the Friars went a couple of our girls, and that defiinto the second half with a burst of nitely helped, but it was a little too adrenaline, scoring two quick goals late. We had dug ourselves a hole.” just nine minutes apart to take a 3-0 After the Friday afternoon lead. defeat, the Wildcats looked to In the second half, freshman revamp for their upcoming game forward Toni Minichello was takagainst St. Francis, and immediately en down with just five minutes left got back to work with an early Satin the third quarter, awarding the urday morning practice.

Wildcats a penalty stroke. Junior “We’ve been in the same back Sabine de Ruijter took advan- boat before where we had a disaptage of the opportunity and scored pointing Big East loss on a Friday,” with ease, sending a laser in the top Milhous said. “My whole goal was left corner to finally get ‘Nova on to get them back up and motivated the board. for Sunday, so it wasn’t a total dip of The momentum from a weekend. We agreed that Friday is the late third quarter goal left the behind us and we need to show our Wildcats fired up. Using their burst talent and get on the board early of energy, the women were able next game.” to capitalize again as sophomore And that’s exactly what the midfielder Emma Schwarz sent the Wildcats did. ball into play, allowing senior forIn the game against Saint ward Maggie Mick to redirect it past Francis on Sunday, Villanova played the Providence goalie to lessen the a scoreless first quarter but came Friars’ lead to just one goal. out hot in the second, scoring three Only four minutes remained goals in just 15 minutes of play.

Brooke Ackerman Staff Writer

The first goal came from graduate transfer Makenna Maguire, assisted by a pair of sophomore midfielders, Anne Drabbe and de Ruijter, off a corner. Drabbe then followed up her assist by sending one into the back of the net herself.

Less than two minutes later, Drabbe got herself on the scoresheet for a third time in the quarter, assisting senior forward Amanda Middleman in her goal.

“She’s a key player for us,” Milhous said of Drabbe. “She makes sure to get something out of every possession she has, just always being deliberate with the ball and very competitive.”

Drabbe continued to showcase her skills in the third quarter as well, assisting junior forward Meghan Mitchell for the Wildcats’ fourth goal of the game.

“Consistency is the biggest thing with her,” Milhous said about Mitchell. “Whether she’s the playmaker to start the goal, or the finisher, her overall work rate is always 110%. She just shows up every day, whether it’s practice or a game.”

The fourth quarter of the game was an exciting one for the Wildcats, as Milhous pulled all her starters besides Leppert, replacing them with her entire freshman squad.

“For every other field player to get in I thought was fantastic, I just loved it,” Milhous said. “These girls have been working hard, and I wanted to show them that we see it and give them an opportunity.”

For the freshmen Wildcats, they got a chance to showcase their skills at home, which has proved to be a massive advantage for the team this season. Villanova remains undefeated on home turf, which Milhous considers to be “one of the best fields in the country.”

With a great atmosphere and the ability to draw a crowd, the Wildcats have been able to make home turf a “comfort zone.”

“There’s a comfort level in knowing okay this is our home,” Milhous explained. “This is where we’ve accomplished many goals, this is where we’ve worked really hard, and this is where we are going to win games.”

The Wildcats will be able to take full advantage of their home field advantage this upcoming Friday as they take on Temple.

Heading into the matchup against the 7-1-0 Owls, Milhous said that the team is looking to work on details.

“We are fine tuning our game, and it’s gonna be a great matchup,” Milhous said. “Temple is having a great season as well —they’re a strong team, they’re a physical team, but we are strong and we are physical as well, so it’s gonna be about fine tuning certain pieces to our game that’s gonna allow us to be the difference and be able to win.”

The Wildcats are set to face Temple at 5 p.m. Friday evening for their second Big East game of the season.

Women’s XC Has Strong Start to Season Catherine Browne Staff Writer This Friday, the Villanova women’s cross country team began its season competing in both the Coaching Tree Invitational at Indiana University and the Main Line Invitational hosted by Haverford College. The team secured fourth place out of 12 competitors in Bloomington, Indiana and had a strong finish in Haverford, coming in first out of eight teams.

At the Coaching Tree Invitational, fifth year senior Lydia Olivere led the team, finishing in 14th place out of 100 runners, with a time of 20:38.8 in the 6000 meter race. “[Olivere] is a great kid to have around the team,” head coach Gina Procaccio said. “She is very helpful, and her experience is really good to help lead them and show them the way.”

Sophomore Emily Robinson finished with a time of 21:12.8 in 28th place. Graduate student Ariana Gardizy finished in 34th place, with a mark of 21:20.3.

Freshman Amelia Arrieta followed close behind, placing 36th with a time of 21:21.9.

“Arrieta is really young in the sport,” Procaccio said of the freshman, who is only in her second season running cross coun-

Lydia Olivere (above) placed 14th out of 100 in the 6000 meter race with a time of 20:38.8.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

try. “She is very coachable...and a great asset for us.”

Redshirt freshman Emma McGill finished in 43rd place in her first collegiate race, with an overall time of 21:42.7.

McGill is not the only runner who competed in her first collegiate race this weekend. Gradizy and Arrieta both made their debuts, as Gardizy is a transfer graduate student from Penn, while

Arrieta just began her journey as a first year student at ‘Nova.

“It is always great to have the older kids on the team,” Procaccio said. “[Gradizy] is learning the system, and I am learning her.”

Junior Anna Helwigh finished in 50th place, with a time of 21:51.4, and sophomore Margaret Carroll marked a time of 21:58.7 in 53rd place.

Back closer to Villanova

in Haverford, freshman Micah Trusty made her collegiate cross country debut as she led the team by finishing in fourth place, with a three-mile time of 17:56.0 out of 73 competitors.

“I did not know what to expect, but [Trusty’s] time was really impressive,” Procaccio said.

Four other Villanova runners crossed the finish line all within 33 seconds of each other, as sophomore Madison Martinez secured sixth place, with a mark of 17:59.0, followed very closely by first year runner Kinsey Pogue, who secured seventh place with a time of 18:01.8. Sophomore Alex Stasichin came in 10th place, recording a time of 18:11.8, and sophomore Maya Dorer crossed the finish line in 12th place, with a time of 18:28.9. Kate Flynn closed out the race for the Wildcats, finishing in 42nd place with a time of 20.39.8.

“I think the thing I am excited about the most is to see the improvement in the younger kids from last year,” Procaccio said.

The Wildcats had a strong start to their season and continue to train for their next meet, the Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh on Friday, Sept. 30 at 10:15 a.m.

“We are just looking to compete tough again,” Procaccio said. “Make an improvement to see how far of a jump we can make in two weeks.”

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

The Villanovan | 13

SPORTS

Women’s Tennis Hosts Villanova Invitational

One thing he would like the and what doubles combination, what team to work on to prepare for its pairings I’ll use for the lineups in the tournament at West Point is continuspring.” ing to execute what it is working on in Last season, the group went This past weekend, Sept. practice, improving its aggression at 3-9 overall and lost in the first round 16-18, Villanova women’s tennis the net in doubles play. His wish for of the Big East Tournament to Concompeted against Drexel, Temple and singles play was less specific, though, necticut. There’s no doubt Reiniger Delaware at the Villanova Invitation- as he is just looking for added expeis hoping that what he’s seen so far al. The scrimmages, which consisted rience under the players’ belts before with the team leads to an improved of both singles and doubles matches, a tournament at Navy the following spring record and a further run in the were set up to prepare for the upweekend. He knows that they have tournament. coming spring semester season. The focused heavily on doubles in practice This week, the Wildcats Wildcats earned at least one singles so far, but still hopes that they are head up to New York to take part win each day of the invitational, with playing their best tennis in singles and in the Army Tournament starting senior Amanda Rivera-González (6-2, doubles by that time.

Friday, Sept. 23. Like the Villanova 6-4), freshmen Maggie Gehrig (4-6, Through all of these fall Invitational, these will be unofficial 6-3, 10-6) and Emi Callahan (6-3, competitions, Reiniger wants one matches, so they do not affect the 6-4) and junior Bella Steffen (7-5) all thing above all: a better picture for team’s record. Regardless, they look winning over the weekend. On Friday, the spring. to play their best and string some wins Gehrig/Callahan (7-5) got the lone “I want to know the lineup together. The following Friday, Sept. doubles win for Villanova at the invifor the singles and doubles heading 30, marks the beginning of the Navy tational. into the spring season,” Reiniger Tournament in Annapolis, Maryland, Head coach Steve Reinexplained. “So that’s always my goal: which will be the final set of scrimiger was “really impressed” with knowing who plays where in singles mages for Villanova this fall. the team’s performance, especially considering that five seniors graduated this past spring, making for a very young team going into the matches. He also made sure to applaud the freshman duo of Callahan and Gehrig for their doubles performance together, despite the fact that many top high school tennis players do not play doubles.

“I think as a whole, the team did much better, the doubles looked much better [than this time last year]” Reniger said. “There’s definitely a lot of room to improve, but to start off with the first tournament this fall season, it was good to see that we were Villanova hosted three teams last weekend at the Invitational.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics doing what I stressed at practice.”

Noah Lanouette Staff Writer

Men’s Soccer Ties with Providence, 1-1 Owen Hewitt Staff Writer Villanova men’s soccer opened up conference play on Saturday, playing to a draw with the Big East preseason favorite Providence Friars, 1-1. The ‘Cats led the game until the 75th minute, when the Friars equalized with a goal from freshman midfielder Brian Lopez. The draw takes the ‘Cats to 2-2-2 overall, 0-0-1 in Big East play.

“I thought we carried out our approach fairly well,” Villanova head coach Tom Carlin said to Villanova Athletics. “That’s as dangerous a group of attacking players as we’ll see in this conference. They have a bunch of dangerous guys so we knew it was going to be tough. I thought we stood strong for the most part. I’m proud of our effort.”

The Friars outshot the Wildcats 12-7, but the ‘Cats held the advantage in shots on goal, 4-3. Graduate keeper Kent Dickey made two saves on the afternoon.

The ‘Cats opened the scoring right before the first half came to a close, with senior defender Viktor Benediktsson finding the back of the net in the 45th. The goal is Benediktsson’s second in as many games.

The first half was slow offensively for the ‘Cats. The only shot that the Wildcats were able to create in the entire first half was Benediktsson’s goal. The goal came off a corner, with senior de-

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Sept. 14 - Sept. 20

Wednesday, September 14 Men’s Soccer vs NJIT 3-0 W Women’s Soccer @ Colgate 1-0 W Thursday, September 15 None Friday, September 16 Women’s Tennis @ Villanova Invitational No Team Scoring Women’s Cross Country @ Coaching Tree Invitational 4th of 12 Men’s Cross Country @ Main Line Invitational 1st of 8 Women’s Cross Country @ Main Line Invitational 1st of 8 Field Hockey @ Providence 5-2 L Volleyball @ Yale 3-2 L Saturday, September 17 Women’s Tennis @ Villanova Invitational No Team Scoring Volleyball @ Sacred Heart 3-0 L Football @ Army 49-10 L Men’s Soccer vs Providence 1-1 T Volleyball vs Fordham 3-1 W Sunday, September 18 Women’s Tennis @ Villanova Invitational No Team Scoring Field Hockey vs St. Francis 4-1 W Monday, September 19 None Tuesday, September 20 None

ning from the left, but Burns was able to make the save on MacKinnon’s chance as well. Burns finViktor Benediktsson (above) scored the Wildcats’ lone goal on Saturday ished with three saves.

Christopher Taylor/Villanovan Photography “Some great chances,” Carlin said, “but they didn’t go in Outside of that I thought we were fender Anthony Cousins Jr. whiptoday.” solid. Providence made it real hard ping in a ball that Benediktsson The ‘Cats don’t see the on us but I was proud of the way was able to redirect into the back field again until Friday, Sept. 23, we generated two or three more of the net. The assist is Cousins when they’ll play their only Fridangerous chances over the final Jr.’s second assist in the last two day night matchup of the season 15 minutes.” games, both of which were finagainst St. John’s.

The Red Storm There were some solid ished by Benediktsson. started off conference play with a The Wildcats sat back into chances in the final minutes of the 3-1 win over Georgetown.

They sit match for the ‘Cats. One came their defensive positioning for the with an overall record of 2-4-1. when sophomore forward Vincent first portion of the second half, “We told the guys to enjoy and were briefly able to withstand Petrera applied pressure to the their Sunday,” Carlin said to VilFriars’ junior keeper Lukas Burns, the Friars’ pressure. However, a lanova Athletics.

“We haven’t had failed clearance in the 75th minute blocking a clearance and claiming a free Sunday in a while. We’ll get the loose ball, but Burns was able led to a chance that Lopez was into our St. John’s prep on Monto clean up his mistake and make able to slot away. day.”

“We got the set piece goal,” a save to keep things level.

The game will kick off at 7 Senior forward Lyam Carlin said. “We’ve got to ride that P.M. on Friday. It will be broadcast out. It was a little unfortunate how MacKinnon also got a decent on the Big East Digital Network. chance with time dwindling, runthey scored. There was a mistake.

SPORTS

14 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Men’s XC Continues Stellar Start to Season

redshirt again, and at that point, if he looks like he can make the transition, we could potentially roll him into the team.”

Villanova men’s cross counLangon showed why he was try continued its blistering start to a highly coveted recruit from New the 2022 campaign with another Jersey. He was awarded the New Jerstrong showing in the second meet sey Gatorade Player of the Year and of the season.

NJ.com Player of the Year in cross After sweeping the top five country and track and field. positions last week at the Lehigh Cutter is a graduate transfer Invitational in the 6,000 meter race, from the University of Chicago.

Villanova placed seven of the top 10 He brings a lot of experience to the runners at the Main Line Invitation- Wildcats, earning two All-American al four mile event on Friday evening nods. He also shattered his personal at the Alumni Course at Haverford. best in the four mile course. His preIn the overall team competi- vious best was 19:35.5 at last year’s tion, Villanova garnered the top po- Main Line Invitational. sition with a score of 20, blowing out “Even he said, the difference the rest of the participating schools. between last year and now is amazVillanova runners swept the ing,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s so much top three positions with only the stronger. I wish he had eligibility.” third place finisher counting officialCutter will also be available ly towards the final score because in the outdoor season in the spring. the top two finishers were running His undergraduate teamunattached. mate at the University of Chicago The competition was won and now a fellow Villanova runner, by a Villanova unattached runner Henry Myers placed 18th with a Marco Langon, who crushed the time of 20:09.8. field by almost 10 seconds, with a The official Wildcat score time of 19:13.4. Graduate student was paced by graduate student Jack Ryan Cutter placed runner-up in the Fredian, with a time of 19:25.2 in event, with a time of 19:23.1. the four mile race. Fredian placed Freshman normally do not third overall in the field of 136 comget the opportunity to race with the petitors. team officially, but Langon is differFredian obliterated his ent. personal best in the four mile course “He’s very, very talented,” run. His previous personal best was head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. a 20:02.9 at the same Main Line “He’s in a redshirt phase, and we Invitational last year. will race Paul Short in two weeks, “From freshman year, it and that will be with him running struck me as he has a lot of promJacob Artz Staff Writer

Villanova freshman Marco Langon (red) won the four mile race as an unattached runner.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

ise,” O’Sullivan said. “He walked onto the team after he came to Villanova, like came to a tryout, which is rare.”

Fredian struggled with injuries during his career but when he is running well, he is hard to beat.

Sophomore Cole Walker was fourth, with a time of 19:26.1. The five runners who scored were separated by a mere 36 seconds. Sixth place finisher, graduate transfer Evan Addison, finished in 19:41.7 in his debut with the Wildcats.

“He’s a local kid,” O’Sullivan said of Walker. “And I think finally he just started to get some work in over the summer, and is maturing and getting stronger, so he was very impressive on the weekend.”

Sophomore Devon Comber was seventh, with a time of 19:46.2, in his first official collegiate race.

Junior Sean Dolan rounded out the Villanova top five with an 11th place finish, with a time of 20:01.4.

Another unattached runner, Jack Tavagilone, placed 10th, with a time of 19:59.2. Like Langon,

Tavagilone is another exceptional runner from New Jersey. He was a first team all-state runner.

Tavagilone and Langon have the potential to be the next fast New Jersey duo.

The Wildcats sat their top five for the Main Line Invitational, so everyone will run in two weeks.

There will be two sections. The first will consist of the top seven to 10 runners, and the second section will contain the rest.

The Wildcats will travel to Lehigh in two weeks to run in the Paul Short Run, which will be on the 8k course.

The goal is to shape the top 12 runners for the Wisconsin meet on Oct. 14, narrowing to 10 runners for the Big East championships on Oct. 29.

The course will be a mile longer than Haverford at five miles, and the course is more sloping.

Expect the Wildcats to dominate at Paul Short as the competition will be roughly the same, but the Wisconsin meet will be at a national level.

Volleyball Goes 1-2 at Yale Invitational Zac Tipton Staff Writer After losing all three matches in Dayton last week, Villanova was looking for some positive outcomes heading into conference play, but it was unable to capitalize on the opportunities at the Yale Invitational. It lost the first two matches to Yale and Sacred Heart, before beating Fordham to snap a six-game losing streak.

Coach Josh Steinbach knew exactly what the team needed to do to get back this weekend.

“It’s not that complicated of a formula,” Steinbach said.

“We got to serve and pass better and we’ve got to stay together as a team.”

Villanova did this in the first match versus Yale, getting six aces to eight errors, while also getting 31 assists from senior Belle Morgan. This led to both sophomore Rose Crist and junior Riley Homer each getting 10 kills in the match.

“Rose and Riley are consistent attackers,” Steinbach said, “They can get a lot of kills, but that is all based on the premise of passing and setting well. A lot of teams we’ve played like Dayton and Illinois scout well, and know how to put Riley and Rose in uncomfortable positions, so we got to find a way to work around that.”

However, despite being good at all these phases in the Yale match, Villanova still lost in five sets to the Bulldogs. Yale took

Kiera Booth had 17 kills in Villanova’s win over Fordham.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

home the first set, 25-14, off five kills from sophomore Mila Yarich.

Villanova took the second and third sets by scores of 2521 and 25-18, with a couple of well-timed aces by senior Maddie Scheider and four kills from junior Kiera Booth. There were 16 attack errors by Yale in those sets alone.

Villanova started making mistakes in the fourth set before giving up nine kills in a row, including four

by Yale sophomore Gigi Barr.

Villanova only made two attack errors in the final set, but Yarich got six kills in the final set to put Yale on top, 15-10.

Villanova was not able to

keep the passing and serving up in the Sacred Heart match either. It lost in three sets (25-22, 25-19, 2522) to a Sacred Heart team that is consistently leading its conference, and Villanova struggled on a lot of those key aspects.

The Wildcats made 11 service errors to only two aces. Villanova’s leading passer was sophomore Ellery Gray, who made her first career start, with 17 assists.

Morgan did not play in this match for unknown reasons. The lack of assists led to no Wildcat getting more than 10 kills, with Booth leading the team with nine.

Villanova was finally able

to snap its losing streak with a four-set win over Fordham, 27-29, 25-23, 25-14, 25-21.

The ‘Cats nearly allowed Fordham to take the first two sets but fought back and won the second, which sparked enough momentum to dominate the final two sets. Villanova forced Fordham into committing 30 attacking errors.

Andrea Campos started at setter and had 22 assists for the Wildcats. Booth had 17 kills, including the one to complete the comeback in the second set. After not playing in the first two games due to injury, junior Taryn Whittingham had four aces for Villanova.

Overall, Villanova got back to what it is good at, which is passing and serving. Good things happened throughout this tournament. However, injuries might be becoming an issue for the Wildcats.

This was the last weekend tournament for Villanova. It will start conference play this coming week, facing Xavier (7-3) on Friday and Creighton (8-3) on Sunday.

Xavier is just coming off a big fiveset win over Cincinnati and also is home to the reigning Big East offensive player of the week, senior setter Carrigan O’Reilly. Creighton, having just lost to Rice, is still a Big East favorite, especially after beating USC and nearly beating Nebraska earlier this season. It is home to the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Week, senior Allison Whitten.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

THE BACKPAGE

THE BACKPAGE

ASK THE VILLANOVAN “I feel like cleaning duties around the apartment are not evenly distributed. My roommates don’t care about cleanliness like I do, how should I bring that up to them?”

Communication is key. It’s your space too, and you should all be on the same page when it comes to cleaning.

Use “we” statements and ask very politely if there is any way to tackle the cleaning together. Both of you may have to adjust your expectations, but this is a problem that you both can overcome.

Maybe it would help if you both planned a specific time to clean your dorm or apartment.

Designating a time will ensure that the chores actually get done. It will also make the cleaning go by so much faster since you guys are tackling it together.

You can also make a chore chart or bring up your roommate living agreement that you make with your RA. Things will resolve as long as you guys communicate and express how you both feel.

“My crush is taking a long time to make a move, but I know we are both into eachother. How do I speed up the process without having to make the first move? ” They probably just are nervous to talk to you and most likely a little awkward. Maybe you need to be a little more forward and clear with them rather than being sarcastic and flirty.

Make plans or find an excuse to do work together to speed things up between the two of you.

You may have to be a little more upfront with eachother to avoid the friend-zone.

While making the first move might be scary, it might just be worth it to see where things go.

Confidence and being bold are attractive qualities that could help you in the long-run.

This doesn’t mean you have to profess your deepest feelings to them, but maybe step outside your comfort zone a little bit in terms of reaching out.

The Villanovan staff is rooting for you.

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DINING SERVICES

Villanova Dining Services

Rosh Hashanah Dinner

St. Mary’s Dining Hall Tuesday, September 27, 2022

St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service 2022 Saturday, October 1, 2022 Please visit our website to view changes to hours of operation during St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service activities.