The Villanovan | Volume 116, Issue 8: April 10, 2024

WEDNESDAY APRIL 10, 2024 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 116 | ISSUE 8

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

EcoReps Make NOVAdance 0-Waste

University Aims to Bring Awareness Surrounding Sexual Assault

Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor

Villanova’s Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) has worked tirelessly to promote sustainable initiatives on campus, including spearheading a new program known as “EcoReps.”

The EcoRep student ambassadors work to incorporate sustainable practices into already occurring events on campus. This semester, they tackled NOVAdance, the annual 12-hour dance marathon on campus, championed by individuals and campus organizations to support families battling pediatric cancer. This year, the event’s success was not only evident in the breakthrough of fundraising records, but also in the advancement of sustainability initiatives, culminating in a zero-waste event.

This was a hands-on and collaborative effort. The SSC EcoRep members were seen at the event sporting green t-shirts, representative of their involvement with waste diversion. The team helped to provide knowledge to attendees on how to properly discard their waste. The options included trash, food waste/compost, liquid waste and single-stream recycling bins, watched closely by the EcoReps for guidance.

Al Motel, Villanova’s Waste & Recycling Manager, has provided Villanova with liquid waste bins and compost bins, which were essential in the reduction of carbon emissions, contamination in recycling bins and waste disposal costs.

Villanova’s partnership with Mother Compost, a nearby composting center, helped take care of food waste. Another student-led organization, known as the continued on p. 2

Last Tuesday, Villanova hosted the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action to help inform Villanovans about campus resources, on and off campus.

Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor

April is Sexual Assault and Violence Awareness Month, and many Villanova offices and on-campus organizations strive to educate students, staff and community members on the importance of resources, prevention and signs both on and off-campus. Throughout the month, organizations such as POWER (Peers Offering Wellness Education and Resources) and SAPA (Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness) are working with the University’s Title IX office to sponsor

and host events regarding sexual assault prevention and awareness.

On April 2, resources and organizations from on and off-campus, such as the Delaware County Victim Assistance Center, the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, the University Title IX Office, Thrive 365, the University SARC Team, SAPA, POWER, Public Safety and It’s On Us NOVA, co-hosted the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action.

Students had the opportunity to speak with prevention partners, creating individual plans of action, leaving notes for survivors and learning more about

campus resources and resources within the greater community outside of campus.

“Our role at the event was sharing resources and doing engagement activities,” junior Aly Sivinski, event coordinator for SAPA, said. “We asked students how the environment of sexual assault is felt on campus. Students could write their thoughts and submit them to us, and we also had a spot where people could leave notes for survivors. I loved how there were a variety of both on and off-campus resources and organizations there to provide resources that not all students

or community members might know about.”

Day of Action allowed students to talk about sexual assault prevention and resources offered on and off-campus that are not widely known about.

Ryan Rost, director of the Title IX Office, shared about the resources her office provides.

“The Title IX office is important and we want to be perceived - and we are - a resource office for anyone who was affected by sexual violence, no matter where or when it occurred,” Rost said. “We offer and connect students with emotional support, continued on p. 3

Villanova Students React to Tuition Increase Avery Chalk Co-Opinion Editor

In an email sent on Tuesday, April 2, the University outlined several school-wide updates. One of these announcements was the approval of Villanova’s Fiscal Year budget, which included a tuition increase of 4.75 percent.

With zero financial aid, the cost of tuition for a full-time undergraduate student is currently $66,838.

After the recent revised statement, this figure jumps to more than $70,000.

Villanova’s premium price tag is simply unfeasible for

countless families and places unnecessary burden on existing students. Like any university, Villanova must contend with inflation, daily

With tuition on the rise, Villanova students are understandably frustrated by cost.

Brian Luppy / Villanovan Photography

expenses and the ever-growing cost of living. However, increasing tuition by such a significant amount should not be the solution.

The national burden of student debt is already staggering. Per Census data, nearly 43 million Americans had outstanding federal loan debt in 2023. Placing even greater financial obligations onto Villanova students only perpetuates this crisis, especially at a private university. Villanova’s tuition is continued on p. 7

This Week In Politics: House Chaos, Biden, RFK Jr. p. 3

Villanova Community Celebrates Solar Eclipse p. 4

Office of Belonging and Inclusion Opens New Location p. 5

Sof Says: If You Ban TikTok... p. 6

Villanova Needs More Study Space p. 7

VTV Hosts Fourth Annual Villys Film Festival p. 9

VillaVogue: A Letter from Italy p. 10

Lucy Olsen Enters Transfer Portal p. 12

Softball Goes 2-1 Against Creighton On The Road p. 13

Water Polo Two Wins Shy of Matching Program Record p. 14

2 | The Villanovan

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News 1 Opinion 6 Culture 10 Sports 12

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 116 | ISS. 8 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

EMMA CAHILL ARDEN WEST BROOKE ACKERMAN HAYDEN KARNES NATALIE ZICKEL LAUREN ARMSTRONG FINN COURTNEY NICOLE LIDDICOAT KAILEY FAHY AVERY CHALK MAGGIE FITZGERALD SOPHIE LATESSA OWEN HEWITT KATIE LEWIS MADELINE OKENQUIST GRAYDON PAUL PETER REILLY MICHAEL BRADLEY CAT COYLE CONTACT

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

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

Possession Marijuana April 6, MAIN CAMPUS GROUNDS A group of resident students were in possession of a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia.

Public Drunkeness April 6, LANCASTER PROPERTY GROUNDS A female resident, over the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Public Drunkeness April 6, MAIN CAMPUS GROUNDS A male resident, under the age of 21, was observed intoxicated in public and evaluated by Narbeth Ambulance.

Disorderly Conduct April 6, SHEEHAN HALL A male resident, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication while officers investigated a fire alarm activation.

The cause of the activation was a discharged fire extinguisher which had been forcible removed from its case, causing damage.

Liquor Purchased/Consumed Underage April 7, GOOD COUNSEL HALL A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Purchased/Consumed Underage April 7, SHEEHAN HALL A female resident student, under the age of 21, was observed in-

toxicated in their room and was evaluated by Radnor Ambulance.

Public Drunkeness April 7, SULLIVAN HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Criminal Mischief April 7, SULLIVAN HALL Property damage was reported within a residental building.

Motor Vehicle Theft April 6, LANCASTER PROPERTY GROUNDS A female resident student reported the theft of a motorized scooter.

The amount of the loss is $700.00

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.

Sustainable Success: EcoReps Make NOVAdance 0-Waste

during the event. Luckily, we had 23 students on the SSC willing to lead this and NOVAdance [was] willing to give us the space to do continued from p.1 so.”

For an event to be considFood Recovery Network, picked ered “zero-waste,” it must miniup the excess food and donatmize the amount of waste sent to ed it to the AIDS Care Group landfills or incinerators. non-profit organization.

McAllister was able to The partnership’s success is explain how achieving this label quantified in the following figures: on the event was difficult and re154 pounds of waste composted, quired close collaboration between 203 pounds recycled, 60.8 pounds the Waste & Recycling team, disposed of as trash, 380 pounds custodial staff, NOVAdance repreof liquid waste and 999 pounds sentatives and the Food Recovery worth of food donations collectNetwork. ed post-event. Additionally, the “You must weigh all the amount of waste diverted from waste generated and divert a minlandfill (including food donations) imum of 90% away from landfill,” totaled 97%, a significant achieve- McAllister said. “This means that ment for a large-scale event. we had to take into consideration The Villanovan had the the types of waste to expect at the opportunity to speak with Allie event and the best ways to reduce, McAllister, Villanova’s Sustainreuse, recycle [and] compost.” ability Manager, about the push to With its dedication to maninvolve the entire student body in aging environmental footprints, sustainability on campus. Her role the Office for Sustainability and serves as a point for coordination Student Sustainability Commitbetween campus initiative plantee’s efforts should not go unnoning and action. ticed.

“I immediately identified As part of the SSC’s exCampus Engagement as a corner- ecutive team and social media stone for embedding sustainability management, sophomore Emma across the University and wantSpangler maintained the @viled to find a way to connect the lanovasustainability Instagram Student Sustainability Committee account and volunteered as an with other student organizations EcoRep, striving to give the topic doing great work,” McAllister the visibility it deserves. She ofsaid. “I think peer-to-peer enfered insight into her role and the gagement is the best way to create impact of sustainable initiatives. synergy around something like “Campus sustainability sustainability.” means integrating sustainable Undertaking such a maspractices into all aspects of camsive event was no small feat, but pus life, from operations and infrait rendered it all the more signifistructure to curriculum and stucant. dent engagement,” Spangler said.

“Because the event is so “It’s about reducing our ecological lengthy, with multiple meals served footprint, promoting social equity and tons of waste generated, it and preparing students to be retook a lot of coordination,” McAl- sponsible stewards of the planet.” lister said. “NOVAdance seemed “The average college like a great place to execute large- student produces [about] 142 scale composting at a large-scale pounds of food waste per year, event. It took a team of voluncontributing to the overall waste teers, training, clear communicagenerated by universities,” Spantion and a designated waste station gler said. “This waste often ends where we could monitor the bins up in landfills, where it decomposNicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor

es and emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.”

Other EcoRep team members commented on the accomplishments made through the partnership.

“Our work with NOVAdance ended up being a really great example of how successful this initiative could be and highlight the ways students can help reduce the impacts of waste,” Ally Szabo, junior SSC Communications Chair, said.

Aidan Dorian, a sophomore SSC member, was excited about the impact of the program, calling it “inspiring.”

“I can’t stress enough how amazing it is that NOVAdance 2024 was zero-waste,” Dorian said. “Mother Compost (our composting partner) accepts a very low contamination rate percent, so all of our eco-reps worked hard to dispose of everything properly.”

While chasing a high after

the success of their partnership with NOVAdance, the SSC’s EcoReps are not planning on stopping anytime soon.

“We hope this will serve as an example to other campus activities that sustainability can be seamlessly embedded into event [and] program planning and implemented successfully,” McAllister said. “We plan to scale this up and expand the EcoRep program.”

It is important to be conscious of the environmental impacts that people make, both as individuals and as a university.

The Student Sustainability Committee has strived to educate students about waste diversion with the hope that its influence will extend far beyond NOVAdance.

With the SSC’s upcoming initiatives, all Villanovans have a role to play in joining sustainable efforts and becoming a catalyst for creating sustainable change on Villanova’s campus.

NOVADance was made completely zero-waste under a new Student Sustainability Committee initiative.

Courtesy of Emma Spangler

University Aims to Bring Awareness On Sexual Assault Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor continued from p.1

April is Sexual Assault and Violence Awareness Month, and many Villanova offices and on-campus organizations strive to educate students, staff and community members on the importance of resources, prevention and signs both on and off-campus.

Throughout the month, organizations such as POWER (Peers Offering Wellness Education and Resources) and SAPA (Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness)

are working with the University’s Title IX office to sponsor and host events regarding sexual assault prevention and awareness.

On April 2, resources and organizations from on and off-campus, such as the Delaware County Victim Assistance Center, the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, the University Title IX Office, Thrive 365, the University SARC Team, SAPA, POWER, Public Safety and It’s On Us NOVA, co-hosted the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action. Students had the opportunity to speak with prevention partners, creating individual

The Domestic Abuse Project - one of the many resources avaliable to students on campus.

Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

The Day of Action was designed to provide a space to discuss resources and preventing sexual assaultt.

Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

plans of action, leaving notes for survivors and learning more about campus resources and resources within the greater community outside of campus.

“Our role at the event was sharing resources and doing engagement activities,” junior Aly Sivinski, event coordinator for SAPA, said. “We asked students how the environment of sexual assault is felt on campus. Students could write their thoughts and submit them to us, and we also had a spot where people could leave notes for survivors. I loved how there were a variety of both on and off-campus resources and organizations there to provide resources that not all students or community members might know about.”

Day of Action allowed students to talk about sexual assault prevention and resources offered on and off-campus that are not

widely known about.

Ryan Rost, director of the Title IX Office, shared about the resources her office provides.

“The Title IX office is important and we want to be perceived - and we are - a resource office for anyone who was affected by sexual violence, no matter where or when it occurred,” Rost said. “We offer and connect students with emotional support, academic support and we help provide options for resolution. We can issue no contact orders between community orders and we do these things regardless of any next steps individuals decide to take. No matter if they do or do not choose to move forward in the process. We are working with a good percentage of people whose experiences did not fall under Villanova’s jurisdiction, but we will and do still provide these people with resources and any help that we can.”

a candidate must gain 15% of the polling threshold. No independent candidate has been able to participate in a debate since Ross Perot in 1992.

Since announcing his candidacy, RFK Jr. has campaigned across the country in an effort to challenge President Biden and former President Trump.

In late March, Kennedy announced his running mate will be Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer from Cali-

fornia who supports Kennedy’s strong anti-vaccination policies, saying she’s “not an anti-vaxxer” but has multiple times questioned the science behind vaccines. Despite posting about her participation in the Kennedy campaign on social media, Shanahan has not been present at any public events.

Throughout the rest of April, Kennedy is expected to travel to multiple states in an effort to raise polling and qualify for a debate.

This Week In Politics: House Chaos, Biden, RFK Jr. Isabella Carlin Political Columnist

Speakership In Turmoil: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing a move to oust him from his position this week.

Following a two-week recess, the House of Representatives reconvened on Tuesday. Last month, Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) took a step towards removing Johnson from his speakership by filing a motion to vacate. If this motion were to pass, Johnson would be ejected from his leadership role in the House.

When Greene filed this motion on the floor, she did not force a vote. She instead utilized her action as a “warning” to Johnson.

“I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference and to throw the House in chaos,” Greene said. “But this is basically a warning.”

Greene’s motion to remove Johnson comes after she argued that Johnson’s support for a spending bill that prevented a government shutdown showcased that he was not loyal to Republicans.

This event comes after recent turmoil in Congress. In October, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) became the first speaker to be ousted after Rep. Matt Gaetz forced the vote on the motion to vacate.

Even though there has been a formal motion to vacate, Greene’s action has drawn attention to the future of Johnson’s speakership.

Biden Visits Collapsed Baltimore Bridge: President Joe Biden visited the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Friday.

In the early hours of March

26, a cargo ship crashed into a pillar supporting the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse. It is believed that six individuals died during the tragedy.

During his visit, President Biden announced that his administration would be taking action to ease the disruption at Baltimore’s port.

“I’m here to say your nation has your back,” President Biden said.

“The damage is devastating and our hearts are still breaking.”

According to President Biden, the national government will be providing more than $8 million in grant funds to improve infrastructure at the port. This will allow more ships to be able to pass through and aid impacted businesses.

The administration will also be providing grants to workers impacted by the port closure. The Small Business Administration will be offering low-interest loans to small businesses in the Baltimore area that were affected as well.

“To the people of Baltimore, I want to say: we’re with you,” President Biden said. “We’re going to stay with you as long as it takes. And I promise: We’re not leaving.”

RFK Jr. Continues Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has become the most prominent third-party candidate for the 2024 presidential election. The environmental lawyer and heir to the famous Kennedy dynasty is currently gaining 8.2% of America’s vote.

When Kennedy entered the race in April of 2023, he intended to run as a Democrat and challenge current President Joe Biden for the party’s nomination. However, he is currently running as an Independent.

In order to qualify for debates,

An overview of the internal struggle House Speaker Mike Johnson is tackling now.

Finn Courtney / Villanovan Digital

4 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

NEWS

Villanova Community Celebrates the Solar Eclipse Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor April 8, 2024 marked the latest total solar eclipse. Total eclipses are rare, and there is not one set to be seen again for approximately another 30 years.

“The solar eclipse is always very exciting,” junior astrophysics major Alexa Kallas said. “The last visible one was in 2017, so it is thrilling that there was another this week. Being able to tie in this real world experience to my classes here at Villanova is also very exciting, and helps us as astrophysics majors truly see what we are learning about in the real world.”

Students and staff celebrated the occasion in a variety of ways. The Astrophysics and Planetary Department hosted a viewing event.

The department filled Mendel Field with students and professors watching with their glasses. The Mendel Observatory was also open, in order to allow individuals the opportunity to view from that telescope, as well.

“I had the chance to go up to the Observatory and watch the eclipse,” sophomore Nadia Balduf said. “It was a very unique experience, and I am grateful the University

allowed us the opportunity to go up there and watch.”

Other students enjoyed simply standing and observing the rare scientific event on Mendel Field with their fellow Villanova students.

“At first, I was a little bit disappointed due to the weather and clouds,” sophomore Zach Hetrick said. “However, once the sun started to come out from behind, it was a super special experience. Everyone being together on Mendel Field fostered such a sense of community, and I’m glad we were able to see the eclipse happen.”

Many professors canceled or altered their class times in order to allow students to watch the eclipse.

Professor Stephen Strader, a professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment, is one of these teachers. Strader, who teaches an introduction to climate change course, touched on the importance of viewing the eclipse.

“Ultimately, when all of this is gone, my students will not remember what I lectured on on April 8, 2024, but they will remember the eclipse,” Strader said. “Sometimes, we are affected by things like this, and we should take a timeout and experience them. Hopefully the students will appreciate it, because it is cool.”

Students enjoy viewing the solar eclipse on Mendel Field.

Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

Select students also decided to view the eclipse from off campus, including sophomore physics major Ryan Levey, who traveled to upstate New York to view the event.

“I decided to go out of state to view the eclipse,” Levey said. “As a physics major, I felt as though this was a once in a lifetime event I simply couldn’t miss, especially since it was happening so close to where I am from at home. It ultimately gave me the opportunity to tie the world of physics into the world of astronomy.”

There is not another eclipse

predicted to occur before 2033, at the earliest, and it is unclear when the next total eclipse will take place.

“In general, we are in a time where getting interest from students and getting them to think about science is important,” Strader said. “We are able to see this strange phenomenon and we will be talking about how it affects weather and such in class, but it is also just worth telling people about the cool things we can see. We can gain a lot when we put down our phones and other distractions and just look around the real world.”

Unexpected Earthquake Impacts Villanova Community Finn Courtney Co-News Editor With the weekend so close, clear skies overlooking campus and colder-than-expected weather chilling Villanovans, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake very well may have been the last thing students and faculty alike expected Friday morning.

At around 10:30 a.m. EST, an earthquake emanating from nearby Lebanon, New Jersey hit, the largest since 1884 and marking just the fifth earthquake in modern history that caused damage in the state.

It was not just exclusive to New Jersey, however, as the shock from it was felt for hundreds of miles and temporarily jolted the nerves of many Americans.

Among them, Villanova students, faculty and community members reported tremors felt all

across campus. While the earthquake did not disrupt the normal routine of the campus, as effects were only felt momentarily, it certainly dominated conversations between friends and loved ones for the day.

“Growing up on the East Coast, I’m not used to feeling earthquakes,” sophomore Kara McGoldrick said. “[I’m just] glad everyone is safe and that it wasn’t worse.”

East Coast earthquakes are always a shock, but for those who have taken environmental science courses in the past, it’s well known that they are always a possibility, albeit unlikely. Fault lines permeate the United States from sea to sea, with the Ramapo Fault in New Jersey being the likely source for this earth-shaking experience, with millions-of-years old tectonic plates slipping gravitationally and causing the man-made ground above it to shake temporarily.

The effects of such a slip, as evidenced by this past Friday, are far-reaching, with earthquake-effects being felt multiple states away from the epicenter.

However, some Villanovans had no idea an earthquake had even taken place, with the effects seemingly only being felt in certain campus places and not everywhere.

“I actually didn’t feel the earthquake,” Katie Hawthorne said. “I was in my dorm when it happened, but I felt left out once everyone started posting about it.”

The earthquake also didn’t provide much of a disruption to normal class routines, save a seconds-long pause to wonder about what happened, or in the case of freshman Alex Markatos, not even feeling the effects until it became the talk of campus.

“I was in an economics class when the earthquake happened,” Markatos said. “I didn’t

even know there was one until I checked my phone after.”

Some, like Mia Zebrauskas, felt the initial shaking but, unfamiliar with what the feeling of earthquakes were, was unable to identify what the feeling was when the shock hit “I was eating breakfast at Spit when I felt my chair rattle,” Zebrauskas said. “But I didn’t think anything of it until I heard about the earthquake on the news.”

Hours after the earthquake, aftershocks continued to occur in the area, with the largest (measured at a 3.8 magnitude on the Richter scale) being felt by Villanova students, despite being located so far away from the epicenter.

Later reports on the unpredictable event totaled the amount of aftershocks at 39, ranging from the extreme 3.8 to quite lower in measurement, had also occurred in the area.

Student Government Association Elections Underway Zoe Garrett News Columnist Villanova’s Student Government Association (SGA) is holding its annual election this week, which runs through Wednesday, April 10. Students have until the end of the day to cast their votes.

Students can access their ballot either through the link emailed to them on April 9 or through the SGA website. Every student can only vote once.

There is a variety of different positions up for election for the 2024-2025 academic year.

These include Student Body Pres-

ident, Student Body Vice President, Class Senators (for every class except the Class of 2024), Arts Senators, School of Business Senators, Engineering Senator, Nursing Senator and Science Senator. Those running for office will be representing the interests of the undergraduate stduent body.

The election serves as an opportunity for students’ voices to be heard within the Villanova community.

“Students should vote in the SGA election to select who they believe are the most qualified, experienced, hard-working and knowledgeable to represent the Villanova University undergraduate student body,” current Student

Body Vice President and Student Body President candidate Dean Millard said. “Every vote counts, and the students decide who they want to serve as student leaders.

SGA values the input and engagement from the students we represent.”

Overall, SGA elections are open as of now, with a slimmer than expected selections of candidates. For Student Body President and Vice President, only Millard and VP Aleko Zeppos remain in the race, with the only other choice on the ballot to abstain from voting for the two. For Class of 2025 Senator, two rising seniors - Simran Mishra and Brian Messalti - are running while Class of

2027 has three rising sophomores - Sidney Mbah, Carter Ralston and Cristina McNish - in the race.

Class of 2026, however, is currently vacant as no candidates declared themselves for the position For Engineering and Science Senators, the candidates are running unopposed, as Chris Koobatian and Mike Whaley respectively are running for the positions with no opponent against either.

For the Arts position, two candidates entered the race as Kara McGoldrick and Jenna Angelini are running for the seat.

Voting will remain open until today, April 10, at noon.

Your vote counts, make sure to cast your votes.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

NEWS

The Villanovan | 5

New Home for the Office of Belonging and Inclusion Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor On March 18, Corr Hall reopened its doors as Villanova’s newly titled Office of Belonging and Inclusion, or OBI. Its relocation to the first floor of Corr Hall encompasses “the SUITE” (Space for Underrepresented Identities Together for Empowerment), aiming to enrich the experience of students with underrepresented identities on campus. A new location was not the only change made. OBI, formerly known as the Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA), also underwent a name change.

This adjustment came in response to a necessity to expand the program’s reach and bolster its ability to support the Villanova community.

Miranda Febus, the Assistant Director at OBI, takes on an important role in supporting diversity, equity and inclusion on Villanova’s campus. She actively supports campus events and learning opportunities affiliated with OBI, while also pioneering the planning committees for various history and heritage months. Additionally, she oversees two student leadership groups: the Ambassador Program and the Peer Mentorship Program.

Febus discussed the reason behind the name change to the Office of Belonging and Inclusion.

“This change has been in the works for a long time,” Febus said. “The University and Division of Student Life have always been invested in the student experience and providing support for our underrepresented students. We changed our name to the Office of Belonging and Inclusion to recognize that we’ve expanded our scope of the student populations we support and advise. The name change also allows people to better understand what we have always been doing – providing opportunities for students to find a sense of belonging and to help Villanova continue becoming a community that is inclusive.”

OBI’s ideal location, found in Corr Hall, includes the SUITE. The SUITE is an important on-campus resource for students with underrepresented identities.

“The SUITE is the result of a commitment made to students in 2020 regarding creating a space for students with underrepresented identities to feel at home and have a place where they could hang out or study,” Febus said. “[It] is also a location where many of our cultural and identity-based student organizations will be able to have organization meetings and host events.”

The new space features

a student lounge, conference/ meeting spaces, a kitchen and additional amenities. It is a significant addition to OBI that can help advance its mission of supporting minority communities in Villanova.

Amaya Dowling, an OBI program ambassador from the Class of 2025, leverages her role to collaborate with campus organizations and departments, aiming to enrich programming and boost student engagement. “[OBI] allows me to be a part of a team that brings together everyone on campus to foster a community of respect and inclusion for Villanovans,” Dowling said.

Dowling and her fellow OBI ambassadors contribute significantly to the school through their work with OBI. The contribution made by these students reflects the motivations that led them to become involved with the program in the first place.

“There are times people can go through imposter syndrome and feel out of place,” Dowling said. “But having this program allows underrepresented students to have a place where they can be surrounded by people who look like them or face the same problems [as them].”

Febus also emphasized the significance of the program within

a campus environment like Villanova’s, echoing sentiments similar to Dowling’s.

“OBI does significant work of providing opportunities for all students to learn about their own identities and important topics such as power and privilege, social justice, allyship, bystander intervention and more,” Febus said.

“We also provide opportunities for underrepresented students to learn, lead and find community.”

At the Office of Belonging and Inclusion, students can find supportive staff that celebrate the unique contributions of diverse students at Villanova while creating a space for inclusive engagement.

Students from all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to get involved with the program and all of the opportunities it has to offer. “[Those] who are passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice should pop

by OBI to learn more about ways they can get involved and help us advance our mission,” Febus said.

“Students who are curious to learn more should consider signing up for one of our workshops or training sessions, which can be accessed through our webpage.”

The Office of Belonging and Inclusion is hosting the SUITE Kickback on April 24 at 6 p.m. in Corr Hall and invites all students to attend the event.

Center for Peace and Justice Hosts Solidarity Lecture Natalie Zickel Staff Writer Esteemed poet Carolyn Forché inspired students and faculty during her reading on April 3rd as the speaker for the annual Peace and Justice Oscar Romero Solidarity Lecture. This lecture is inspired

by Oscar Romeo: archbishop, saint and martyr.

Forché inspired students and faculty during her reading on April 3rd as the speaker for the annual Peace and Justice Oscar Romero Solidarity Lecture.

Forché is a critically acclaimed poet, memoirist, and translator. She currently teaches at Georgetown University as a distinguished professor in the English Department.

Forché has written five collections of poems and translated the works of fellow poets Mahmoud Darwish, Claribel Alegria, and Robert Desnos. Forché was praised

by Nelson Mandela for her international anthology, Against Forgetting, and received the Edita and Ira Morris Hiroshima Foundation for Peace and Culture Award for her advocacy for human rights.

Forché published her first memoir What You Have Heard Is True which describes her years in El Salvadors before the Salvadoran Civil War. It was nominated for the 2019 National Book Awards.

Katherine Regan Lenehan, the program coordinator for the Peace and Justice Education department, was excited to invite Forché to speak to the Villanova community.

“The Center for Peace

and Justice Education always hosts someone committed to justice for and in solidarity with the poor and marginalized. The lecture is inspired by Oscar Romero, so who better to invite than Forché, a poet and activist who actually met Romero on several occasions. Forché ​was present at what she believes was his final interview, and she left El Salvador just a week before Monsignor Romero was assassinated while saying mass” Lenehan said.

Forché talked about her interactions with Monsignor Romero during her exploration of El Salvador’s political unrest in the late 1970’s.

She explained how a mysterious man appeared at her doorstep asking her to come with him and observe the atrocities happening in his country. He revealed himself to be Leonel Gómez Vides, a coffee-farmer-turned-revolutionary advocating against El Salvador’s US-backed regime. 27-year-old Forché was enthralled by his story but questioned why he would want a poet to record this history. “(He said) I need a poet right now. Because poets have a weird way of looking at the world” Forché recounted.

Poets are regarded highly in different countries. In El Salvador, they often hold political positions.

Forché was clear to Vides that poets do not hold the same power in America. He convinced her to come regardless, and after witnessing the growing violence in El Salvador Forché expressed her concern during her last conversation with Monsignor Romero.

“And when I told him that

I didn’t think I could do this, that I would have no opportunity, that I was only a poet and not a journalist or public figure, he assured me that the time would come for me to speak and that I must prepare myself. And I could do that best through prayer” It took Forché 23 years to start writing about what she saw in El Salvador. Once she started in 2004, it took her 15 years to complete the memoir.

“I knew in writing this book I would have to live through this again,” Forché said.

Sophomore Alilsh Wilson was moved by Forché’s words.

“She said she had been too scared to write it. It was inspiring to think that it is never too late to achieve your dreams and that even famous writers sometimes feel afraid to write.”

Lenehan noticed how captivated the audience was during Forché’s lecture.

“I hope the students will remember her anecdotes and drops of wisdom, and that they left the event feeling hopeful. Forché read powerful excerpts from her memoir—she has been witness to the horror and human suffering, and yet, she acts through her writing.”

During the Q&A portion of the lecture, Forché addressed a student’s question on how to advocate for social justice as a college student feeling helpless in the current political climate.

“Well, for one thing, you are in a preparatory stage in your consciousness formation. This is not a neutral situation happening here.

You are being formed, you are being

educated… What your job is right now, is to question and to inquire skills like languages, and experiences, to read as much as you can…I know that people, North Americans, easily feel helpless. But that is not a good thing to indulge in. Because helplessness is passivity. It is inaction and it is an excuse…Never accept the idea that ‘I can’t do anything.’

It’s not true. Use your imagination.

Solidarity really means working.

And your job now is to get ready.

And that’s a job, and that’s important… Everything you do, know will affect the rest of your life… It’s small things. It’s accidents. You have to prepare yourself for these small things, these accidents because they are going to happen to you.”

Forché concluded her lecture by thanking the audience and giving very important advice to students in attendance.

“You, I have to say, are in a very difficult time. And no generation has faced quite what you’re facing. Quite. And there is a lot that you need to do. I’ve never seen anything like what I am looking at now and when I’m looking into the future the same thing happens. So just keep going. Don’t give up.”

Forché’s appearance as the Oscar Romero Solidarity speaker also marks the final author for the English Department’s 26th annual Literary Festival.

This collaboration was courtesy of the efforts of Lenehan and Alan Drew, the director of the Villanova Literary Festival.

The lecture was recorded and will be available on the Center for Peace and Justice’s website for any students who missed the event.

6 | The Villanovan

OPINION

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

OPINION

Villanova Students React to Tuition Increase Avery Chalk Co-Opinion Editor continued p.1 already exceptionally high, especially in comparison to national averages. With such an influx of existing revenue and alumni donations, the University’s decision to exacerbate this problem is disappointing.

Furthermore, skyrocketing debt levels have disastrous long-term implications. Primarily, they force life milestones – such as home ownership and having children – to be put on hold. The situation also heavily influences the post-graduate experience, particularly in terms of independence.

Young adults may feel financially tethered to their parents or their loans, impeding their ability to start life by themselves.

In short, this restriction of financial freedom will cause conflict long after students have left their undergraduate school.

“I want to go to graduate school after I leave Villanova,” freshman Lily Lincoln said. “The 4.75 percent increase may seem small, but for me and plenty of other students, it contributes to setting us up for a lifetime of loans.”

Increasing tuition also reduces the equality of opportunity for deserving students to attend prestigious institutions. High costs erect significant barriers of entry,

The University’s tuition statement was conveniently nestled under news about parking lot renovations.

Victoria Margenat/Villanovan Photography

forcing intelligent and qualified individuals to seek higher education elsewhere (if at all). College should be a pathway to upward social and economic mobility, not yet another hindrance for already disadvantaged communities.

Note that according to its 2023 strategic plan, Rooted. Restless.

Villanova is committed to its goal of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need by 2030. Yet the tuition increase takes the fiscal situations of existing students for granted. The process of revising or extending financial packages is long and burdensome. Despite the University’s goal, increasing tuition will be a catalyst of inevitable economic strain for many families.

Villanova students felt caught off-guard at how little attention was given to the matter.

As aforementioned, the Fiscal Year 2025 budget was just one of several updates given in a mass email. It was sandwiched between news about the University’s M-1 parking lot and Mendel Medal, so there was a lack of due recognition for the topic.

“I consented to a certain tuition rate when I committed to Villanova,” freshman Allie Jones said. “I understand that it’s within Villanova’s discretion to alter [this rate], but I wish the decision was more transparent and less drastic.”

To me, the University’s statement felt defensive. Rath-

Sof Says: If You Ban Tiktok...

horrible the world would be if you ban TikTok in the United States through a TikTok trend. This is very meta, so just let it be what it is.

The following content is purely satiriIf you ban TikTok, then cal and entirely fictional. Don’t believe who is going to help me do my everything you read! homework every day? I need my allotted 10 minutes of TikTok for Dear U.S. Government (All every 20 minutes of hard work three branches. This is very seriI complete. I do not think you ous.) understand how important those There are so many realittle breaks are to my education. sons why banning TikTok would Without them, I can assure you, I be detrimental to society. I could will never get anything done. You go on and on about this topic for are ruining the education system. hours. However, I think the best If you ban TikTok, then way to explain why TikTok should who is going to help put me to not be banned is through a TikTok sleep at night? If I don’t have my trend from a few months ago. eye doctor ASMR, Sunday reIts origin was a well-intend- sets and Irish carpentry videos to ed, yet incredibly racist, comment watch every night, I can assure from Kelly Osborne on The View. you I will not fall asleep. And, as The original line by Osbourne we all know, a lack of sleep is danwas, “If you kick every Latino out gerous for everyone. of this country, then who is going If you ban TikTok, then to be cleaning your toilets, Donald who is going to start paying my Trump?” This is ridiculous enough therapy bills? If I don’t randomly that anyone can imagine the see a TikTok edit of Peter Parker internet trends that would come crying at Tony Stark’s grave while from it. The longevity of the 2015 I’m eating breakfast, I won’t get comment and its popularity on my spontaneous cry that allows me the internet mirror the legacy that to release all my pent-up emotions.

TikTok can have if you please just TikTok regulates my emotions, let it live. and I am not prepared to go to So, please, sit back, relax therapy if you take TikTok away and let me illustrate to you how from me.

Sof Quaglia Satire Columnist

If you ban TikTok, then who is going to promote songs?

Almost every popular song today got its start from a 15-second snippet of it being a various trend or dance. I cannot count the times I learned a wonderful part of a song from a trend. I mean, I don’t like most of them, but still, how am I going to be exposed to new music without those trends?

If you ban TikTok, then who is going to watch Young Sheldon? I will never actually sit down and watch an episode of that show, but I will sit through hours and hours of split screen Young Sheldon clips and soap-cutting videos. I need to know what else happens on that show, and I will never know if it doesn’t come up on my For You Page.

If you ban TikTok, then who is going to convince me to buy things I do not need to buy?

Not only would you be getting rid of the swarm of influencers trying to sell me random products, but you will also be getting rid of the notorious TikTok shop. And what will I do if I do not waste my wellearned money on every piece of Travis Kelce merch I see?

If you ban TikTok, then who is going to be my primary news source? Everyone is so worried about CNN and Fox being too

er than taking accountability or apologizing for the financial strain, Villanova merely attempted to justify its decision: “Like most colleges and universities across the country, Villanova is heavily dependent on tuition revenue.

Annual increases enable the University to continue providing an exceptional academic experience, comprehensive student support services as well as additional need-based financial assistance, while also ensuring Villanova’s continued financial stability.”

An individual email outlining where the extra revenue would be allocated would have been greatly appreciated. Furthermore, the University should have outlined why the increase was necessary. Was it the result of the Cabrini acquisition? Was it to strengthen our sinking basketball program? These questions remain unanswered despite their glaring relevancy.

Villanova is a prestigious university with countless opportunities for education, networking and student support. Yet, increasing tuition directly impacts students’ ability to afford and access higher education. Furthermore, the University’s lack of transparency weakened the ability for informed decision-making and preparation for students and their families.

In the future, Villanova needs to respect its students by being honest and straightforward in their thought process. For the next tuition increase (which is inevitable), the University should prioritize their campus community.

biased, but you know who’s not biased? The people who give me news on TikTok. They’re always super unbiased and super correct about all of their information. I do not know what I would do without my TikTok news anchors.

Most importantly, if you ban TikTok, who is going to fill the gaping hole left in my life? We talk about how dangerous parasocial relationships are, but if you take this app away from me, you are genuinely taking away a part of my life. You might think I’m kidding, but I’m literally not. Not only are you taking away all of my comfort content creators, but you are taking away my comfort app.

Does that sound like something you want to do? Do you really want to deal with the consequences of ruining the lives of countless internet-dependent teenagers across this once great nation?

I could give you countless more reasons, but I feel like I’ve made a pretty compelling argument here. TikTok is not just an app. It’s a therapist, a tutor, a nanny, a news anchor and a marketing icon.

So, government people, it’s your move. Think before you get rid of the most important innovation this country has ever seen.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

The Villanovan | 7

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

EMMA CAHILL Editor-in-Chief ARDEN WEST Editor-in-Chief BROOKE ACKERMAN Associate Editor-in-Chief AVERY CHALK Co-Opinion Editor KAILEY FAHY Co-Opinion Editor

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. Letters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

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.

Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Villanova Juliana Burke Staff Writer As we find ourselves in the home-stretch of the academic year, it is a time that calls for reflection.

As I write this on the patio outside of the Connelly Center, it is evident that Villanovans throughout campus are energized by the recent surge of beautiful weather and the brief period between two large breaks. It reminds me of my first week at Villanova, when the August air breezed through a campus, practically bursting with activity. That reminder called for a deeper sense of reflection on the past seven months. Sitting here now, with the knowledge I have, I feel compelled to share a list of things I wish I had known at the exposition of my journey as a student of Villanova University.

1. The campus will become second-nature, but until then, use Google Maps. I remember feeling very overwhelmed on my first day of classes when I had no idea where anything was, and using a navigation app was an absolute lifesaver during the first few weeks. There’s no shame in it, especially if you’re as directionally challenged as I am.

2. Most of your friends will be made through random, daily occurrences. Whether it is someone you meet at the gym, through your English class, in an extracurricular or even waiting in the line at the dining hall, there is always an opportunity to create a connection and meet someone special.

Villanova’s campus serves as a site for many lessons and memories for students.

Graydon Paul / Villanova Photography

3. Call your family and friends from back home. It seems as if there is a lot of pressure to “move on” in college and to embrace new beginnings, and while this is absolutely an essential part of succeeding in college, it is also important that you take time to foster and maintain relationships with the people who have made you who you are for the greater part of your life.

4. Spend time alone. One of the greatest blessings of college is being surrounded by friends, whether in your classes, in your dorm building or even in your own room. While socialization is a key part of thriving and learning about yourself and others, it is equally as important to spend time with yourself. Whether it is a walk to get coffee, tuning into your favorite television show at the end of the day or enjoying a quiet breakfast at the

dining hall by yourself, it is important to maintain your independence and appreciate your solitude.

5. Exercise and practice good nutrition. I know this is in every pamphlet and self-help book imaginable, but the value of physical fitness and nutrition is priceless. As I was acclimating to Villanova, I found comfort in the rewarding nature of fitness.

Whether it is lifting weights at the Davis Fitness Center, walking through main campus or joining a cycling class, there is always a way to be active and boost your “happy hormones.”

Additionally, the dining halls have many healthy options for almost all dietary restrictions, and through seeking these options you will feel so much more energized and fueled for even the most demanding of course loads.

6. Say no to (some of) the things you don’t want to do. The term

“comfort zone” is commonly thrown around when discussing the college experience, namely that you need to get out of it. However, it is also important that you have a proper sense of self and establish your boundaries early on. Honoring your preferences and saying “no” to plans that don’t interest you won’t lessen your college experience, but will instead increase it.

Trying new activities and experiences will serve you, but if you are already aware of yourself and your feelings towards that particular activity or experience, then there is no shame in sticking to your preferences.

7. Studying in your dorm room is the kiss of death. The dormitory environment is not ideal for completing assignments and intensive studying. Luckily, Villanova has a bevy of wonderful study spots with resources to assist you as needed. Falvey Library has charger packs, comfortable study spaces with adequate lighting and a Holy Grounds location in the building. Through venturing out to do your work, you can add an element of fun to your studies and heighten your productivity.

8. Everything will work out.

Although the beginning of any journey often feels daunting, most of the common, irrational fears are simply that — irrational. You will find your social circle. You will fall into a consistent routine. You will find an activity on campus that speaks to you. You will create a wonderful life for yourself in the beautiful environment that is Villanova. So perhaps the greatest tip on this list is to simply sit back and enjoy the ride. It goes quickly.

Villanova Needs More Study Spaces Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor Most people describe the community of Villanova as the greatest part of the Villanova experience.

To foster this community, however, people need spaces to socialize and further these relationships. The size confinements of many of the dorms on campus do not allow for meaningful gatherings where friend groups can converse or complete work in a way that is comfortable for all. And while the Connelly Center currently serves as the center of many of these gatherings on Villanova’s campus, the limited seating hinders many from spending a lot of time there.

So, while there are spaces where individuals can spend time with friends, with a current undergraduate population of around 6,700 students, Villanova should provide more options for places that can serve as true “student centers.” Luckily, with the expansion of a new library,

to be named Vic Maggitti Hall, the current Falvey Library serves as a perfect place to create this space.

Currently, the main space that provides this energy is the Connelly Center, more affectionately referred to by students as “Conn.” Conn is defined on Villanova’s website as “the campus’s cultural, social, recreational, religious and co-curricular center.” It is a place where many students find themselves spending a considerable amount of their days, enjoying the camaraderie and the lively atmosphere it offers. However, the environment in Conn is reminiscent of that of a dining hall. So, while it is conducive to fostering social interactions, it may not always be the ideal setting for academic work requiring more focus, like group projects.

With this, there is a growing consensus that Villanova could benefit from providing more on-campus study spaces. The current library serves as a traditional silent space, making it an ideal location for solo work. However, it might not suit all

types of study needs. Introducing an alternative space (in the space currently occupied by Falvey) that combines the quiet focus of a library with the social flexibility of Conn could help students focus and increase academic success.

Many students have a certain repetitiveness within their days.

Because many are always completing work in Conn, in addition to eating there, it can become quite a monotonous environment after a while.

When students need motivation to get through a long study night, a new space could potentially provide new energy which could foster fresh ideas. It could also allow students to collaborate on projects or study in a less formal atmosphere without the pressure of maintaining the complete silence fostered in a traditional library setting.

So, while Conn is a great environment for a majority of students and is described by many as their “favorite spot” on campus, converting the current Falvey library into a place that likely would mimic the current

ambiance Conn provides would only help to enhance the Villanova experience for students. Because Villanova prides itself on being such an academically rigorous school, having another study spot on campus would only help students in increasing the quality of work they provide, as this new space would likely foster creativity and fuel motivation. In addition, it could serve as another gathering place for Villanovans.

Hanging out with friends and fostering relationships during the four years students have on campus is something Villanovans pride themselves on. So, why wouldn’t Villanova want another space that could help foster a potential for meeting people while also promoting current relationships? By converting the current Falvey library into a place that has a similar atmosphere to Conn, it would not only deescalate the current hunt for tables amongst all students during the lunchtime rush, but would also just make Villlanova’s campus a much more versatile and productive place for all its students.

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10 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

CULTURE

CULTURE

VTV Hosts Fourth Annual Villys Film Festival Sophie Latessa Co-Culture Editor Villanova Television is holding its fourth annual Villys Film Festival this Friday, April 12.

The Villys is a student film fest run

by VTV every spring that accepts any student film submissions. The submissions will be screened in front of the student body at the event.

“Having been on all sides of the Villy experience, being both a filmmaker and organizer, I can say that it is a very enjoyable time,” junior Justin Groel, VTV Internal Affairs Director, said. “It’s the kind of event that you can’t get anywhere else on campus, as it is bursting with love for creativity and filmmaking.”

VTV accepted student submissions for the Villys through March 29. Twelve judges will evaluate and comment on the submissions at the festival.

“The stars of the Villys are the student filmmakers and projects that they devoted their time and energy to,” Groel said.

There are many different awards handed out at the event, so most films will receive some form

of recognition. Awards distributed at last year’s Villys included best in genres, such as Best Comedy, and also additional awards, such as Best Editing.

Senior and VTV President Lexi Brenner stated that the most important part of the festival is celebrating the hard work and achievements of the student filmmakers.

“Students should attend the Villys to show support for all the student filmmakers at Villanova,” Brenner said. “It’s a great end-ofyear celebration for films made throughout the school year and a great outlet for filmmakers to display their work and creativity and have the chance to receive awards and prizes.”

This year, the Villys have four genres of films: Comedy, Drama, Horror and Music Videos.

With so much variety, it promises to be an exciting event once again.

“Overall, it is a very community-driven event, and one that’s bound to be filled with lots of laughs, screams and satisfied viewers,” Groel said.

Brenner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the effort and passion that has been put into

Villanova Television is holding the fourth annual Villys Film Festival on Apr. 12 .

Courtesy of Villanova Television

the event by both filmmakers and members of VTV. “We are all very excited to show our hard work as well as the hard work of the filmmakers,” Brenner said.

The Villys will be held in Connelly Cinema this Friday Apr. 12, and is an ACS-approved event.

To learn more about this event, follow @villanovatv on Instagram.

Villanova Alumna Inspires Little Girls to Dream Big in Nikki Cassel Staff Writer Emily Antenucci is a double alumna from Villanova University, with a bachelor’s degree in Communication (‘15) and an MBA (‘21). As an undergraduate, she spent time studying abroad, developing a love for travel that is integral to her newly-published children’s book, Little Girls in the Big, Wide World. The book is inspired by the strong female influences in Antenucci’s life and her own appreciation for travel, and she seeks to spread the wisdom that she has gained from her personal experiences and those of loved ones.

Little Girls in the Big, Wide World follows the journeys of three little girls who travel the world. Through the stories of the girls, the book seeks to empower children, especially young girls, by exploring the importance of chasing and believing in one’s dreams, as well as showing readers that the world is large and the possibilities are innumerable.

When asked about her book’s focus on travel, Antenucci drew on her own experiences and the relationship she has with exploring the world. “[Travel] really opened my eyes,” Antenucci said. “You get to eat different foods. You get to see different cities, different ways of living, different ways that people communicate with one another.

To me, that’s super important to understand different ways of life.

It opened my mind to be more empathetic, to see things from different points of view and know

that there’s a lot more out there.”

Travel and exploration are sources of personal and philosophical enrichment, as well as tools to help children see endless possibilities for their future. Antenucci noted her experience hiking Half Dome in Yosemite as a source of inspiration for this book.

“It is something I would have never dreamt that I would have done when I was 10 years old, I didn’t even know it existed then,” Antenucci said. “But I also don’t think my mind was open to that at that time. I wish I would have had more of a line of sight to all the wonderful places in the world and the extreme activities that we can push ourselves beyond our limits and achieve.”

Another important influence for Antenucci was Mattel’s Dream Gap campaign. The Dream Gap refers to the feeling many girls have of not being as valuable or capable as men. It is an ideology that holds girls back from pursuing dreams that may be important to them, and one that this book hopes to fight.

“When I thought of the book, I was really driven to inspire little girls to really understand that they can dream big, make a difference and follow their goals that they set for themselves,” Antenucci said. “Ultimately, I want them to feel the potential they have within themselves and know that there are a lot of different places in the world and different things to learn and they are capable of that.”

In Little Girls in the Big, Wide World, Antenucci empowers young readers and encourages them to follow their big dreams.

The book contains many valuable

Villanova alumni Emily Antenucci proudly displays her new children’s book.

Courtesy of Emily Antenucci

messages important for people at any age, but especially children.

Antenucci aims to educate young girls that anything is possible, and they can do anything they set their

mind to.

Antenucci’s book is available for purchase on Amazon and is a Prime Product through the retailer.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

The Villanovan | 11

CULTURE

VillaVogue: A Letter from Italy Ciara Dursee Staff Writer Sprezzatura. An Italian term derived from Baldassare Catighlione’s 1528 The Book of the Courtier, in which it was described as a nonchalant action to cultivate an elegant style without effort and seemingly unrehearsed. In other words, it is the ability to accomplish a quality or style of art, while hiding the conscious effort or thought that realistically went into the look. Or, as my family likes to call it, “effortless beauty.”

After a week-long trip and my first time in Europe as a 19-year-old college student from New Jersey, the keynote from my getaway was the fashion amongst Italians. Fascinated by the abundance of colors, styles, patterns and combinations of clothing, I could not help but analyze the various styles that I passed on the streets.

Then again, it can’t be too much of a surprise that Italians have style. The minute I stepped foot outside of my hotel in Florence, I was surrounded by store windows showcasing a variety of clothing, bags, jewelry, shoes and more. Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Valentino: you name it. The list goes on. Their doors were wide open with bright, inviting lights just yelling at a person to come in and try on their latest pieces.

Italian manufacturing produces some of the highest-quality items in the world. The cities are infiltrated

with high-end clothing brands and easy access to a medley of shops offering routes to enhance one’s style. It is undoubtedly true that fashion runs in Italian blood.

Traveling from the small city of Florence to the ancient magnificence of Siena, and finally to the bustling streets of Rome, I got a little taste of everything. I had the privilege of observing what it meant to truly embody the ideal of sprezzatura.

First, the crucial staple pieces.

The clothes highlighted below are just a few suggestions for versatile, multiuse essentials to improve one’s fashion sense.

Leather Jackets: Leather material upscales any outfit, whether it’s a practical,

classic button-down shirt of a light pastel color was another frequent viewing. My personal favorite was the vertical thin-striped cotton pants, which is easily one clothing item that can be dressed up or down depending on how one styles it.

Blazers: A conventional piece that is making its way back to both men’s and women’s wardrobe and becoming a true styling asset. It is a versatile jacket that goes well with any occasion. Whether one is walking down the streets on a casual Wednesday afternoon, or going to a fancy restaurant with one’s family, adding a blazer never fails. I found myself favoring the long and lean silhouette with crafted button closures in light brown shades.

Girls embracing Italian fashion. Midi Sundresses: Courtesy of Ciara Dursee/Villanovan Photography Yes, maxi dresses are also casual jacket to wear when there’s a rising in popularity, especially with swift breeze, or for a night out on the spring commencing. However, an town when one wants to add a bold underrated ensemble is the sweet and flare to one’s dinner dress. Leather is slightly shorter midi sundress. The flexible and beautiful. Every street one best part is the ability to add a butventures down in Florence, there is a toned sweater, trench coat or leather handful of leather stores at one’s con- or corduroy jacket, for comfort and venience to pop into. I am guilty of elegance. purchasing both a dark brown leather In this environment, attention jacket and a handbag with a cream to detail is essential. Accessories are tint on day two of my trip. key and intentionality in styling is a Stripes: must. These elements that go into an Italians embrace patterns, outfit are just a few of the broad array allowing them to serve as the star of clothing items I now have in my of the show. I noticed many striped online shopping recent search history. sweaters, paired with button-downs.

It was not just the individual clothing A thick striped V-neck sweater, colors pieces that people wore, but the way of white and navy blue paired with a they styled their clothes to turn somelight wash pair of jeans or dark pair thing from basic to flattering, while of pants was also a notable look. A also concealing conscious effort.

College: What to Know Before You Go Maggie Fitzgerald Co-Culture Editor With the dreaded May 1 deadline approaching, high school seniors across the country are preparing to make one of the most important decisions of their young lives. A date all college students remember well, its looming presence generates anxiety and uncertainty regarding how to make the right decision for the next four years. With so many varying opinions and factors to consider, the choice can feel not only overwhelming, but downright impossible. So, what are the essential things one must know before making such a life-altering decision?

While the student body of Villanova is diverse in many areas, one common thread unites the almost 7,000 college students: their final decision to attend Villanova University. No matter how or why they chose to call Lancaster Avenue “home,” their journey has delivered them to the same Wildcat destination. Villanovans had plenty to say on the matter, recounting the crucial factors in their choice and reflecting on their decision-making process as a whole.

Junior Lexi Parker thought about many components of the schools she was considering, eventually landing on Villanova as her first choice. Instrumental to her decision was the size of the University.

“The class size was a huge component for me, coming from a smaller high school,” Parker said.

“Now, I know all my professors, and they know me, too.”

While Parker intentionally sought out a smaller school to accommodate her preferences for college, some students, like freshman Carmie Zuniga, wished that was a factor to which they had given more thought.

While Zuniga prefaced that she “loves” Villanova, the realities of a smaller student body were not ones she heavily considered.

“Something I wish I asked about a little more was the sizing of the schools I visited,” Zuniga said.

“I thought I wanted a medium [or] smaller-sized school, but it would have been helpful to have current students’ opinions regarding their experience with the size and how that impacted their day-to-day life.”

As a freshman still settling down, I can understand the seeming enormity of committing to a college.

While it certainly is a monumental decision that will dictate many things for one’s future, I am of the firm belief that not only will things work out, but one has the power to make it work anywhere. Zuniga agreed with this sentiment.

“I think it’s a super stressful time, but you will end up where you’re meant to end up,” Zuniga said.

“Even if it takes a few tries.”

For Parker, obtaining a strong understanding of what is genuinely important to a person is essential in terms of making the right decision based on one’s wants and needs.

Sometimes, having this physically laid out can be a helpful way to holistically evaluate all factors in a decision.

“My biggest piece of advice is to make a list of everything you would want in a school,” Parker said. “Then,

Austin Hall, Villanova’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Courtesy of Maggie Fitzgerald/Villanovan Photography

try and find a place that meets most of those things and is somewhere that you can be comfortable.”

Other students, like freshman Nina Wilson, cautioned of the “prestige trap.” Without denying that reputation is a valid consideration, Wilson urged incoming freshmen to see beyond just the rank of a school when attempting to make a final decision.

“I think there is a lot of pressure to choose [a school] based on the prestige of the school and just how people will judge your decision,” Wilson said. “However, I don’t think that is always a true testament to the education you will gain and your everyday experiences.”

Wilson believes that prestige can determine the culture of a school in negative and positive ways, creating either a supportive or more competitive environment. However, Wilson believes she could not have found a more well-suited school than Villano-

va.

“I always knew I wanted to dance in college, and I thought the team here was suitable for my skill sets and would be a place where I was supported, while also remaining challenged and motivated,” Wilson said.

“The size was also very important to me. I wanted to see people that I know, but also have the opportunity to meet new people every day. Additionally my major is philosophy, which, due to the Catholic-nature of the school, Villanova has a really strong program and prioritizes it.”

Whatever is important to you, whether it be extracurricular activities, class sizes, relationships with faculty and staff or maybe even the rank of the basketball team, it is crucial to understand these components when committing to a college. This is a time all college students can remember well, fondly or not. And for those in the midst of this process, best of luck.

12 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

SPORTS

SPORTS

Lucy Olsen Enters Transfer Portal Owen Hewitt Co-Sports Editor After Villanova’s 71-57 loss to Illinois in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament championship, junior guard Lucy Olsen expressed regret that the team couldn’t end the season on a win.

“It didn’t end how we wanted but I think it was a fun run,” Olsen said. “We played well together as a team. We just kept getting better. I wish we could have ended on a win.”

There was little to no indication that Olsen had anything but the ‘Cats’ 2024-25 campaign on her mind.

“Hopefully next year we’ll have a little more anger and want to come out even stronger,” Olsen said. “Yeah, it was a good run.”

It may be the last press conference of Olsen’s Villanova career.

After three years on the Main Line, Olsen has entered the transfer portal. The news was first reported on Monday by anonymous college basketball insider Trilly Donovan, and was later confirmed on Tuesday by Talia Goodman of thenexthoops.com.

Olsen will have one year of collegiate eligibility remaining.

Olsen was this season’s third-leading scorer, behind Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark and USC freshman guard JuJu Watkins. Olsen scored 23.3 per game on 44% shooting from the field.

The Collegeville, Pa. native

Junior guard Lucy Olsen averaged 23.3 points in the 2023-24 season.

Gradyon Paul/Villanovan Photography

was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press for her efforts this season.

She was also a unanimous selection to the Big East’s first team, and was also named as its Most Improved Player.

Olsen becomes one of the

best overall transfers available.

Prior to the reports of Olsen’s decision to enter the portal, Virginia Tech’s Georgia Amoore was regarded as the top player in the portal. Amoore averaged 18.8 points last season, well short of Olsen’s output.

Olsen was ranked as a three-star recruit by ESPN out of Spring-Ford High School, but has grown into one of the nation’s best scorers.

According to Donovan, who initially reported the news, Iowa has made the recruitment of Olsen its top transfer portal priority. Other reported contenders for Olsen include Indiana, Stanford, Iowa State and West Virginia.

The impact of Olsen’s decision for Villanova is catastrophic.

Olsen has started in all 105 games the Wildcats have played in her three year career and led the Big East in minutes played this season.

The aftershocks of Olsen’s departure are yet to be fully known, as more players could decide to enter the portal with the news.

The transfer portal will close on May 1. The only Wildcats that have officially entered the portal to this point are Olsen and sophomore forward Megan Olbrys. The team will also lose senior guard Bella Runyan, senior guard Maddie Burke and senior forward/center Kylie Swider, who all exhausted their eligibility.

A return to Villanova for Olsen is not completely out of the question, as players can enter the portal and re-commit to their prior institution, but a re-commitment is extremely uncommon.

Villanova will look to replace the scoring production of Olsen through its freshman class and through portal additions. It will be incredibly difficult to make up for the scoring output of Olsen.

T&F Delivers Big Performances at UMiami and UPenn Dylan Johnson Staff Writer The javelin left the hand of senior Nick Coffey and soared through the Miami sky. Coffey’s throw this weekend was the 10th-longest in school history.

In the shot put, fifth-year Jordan Williams and Adria Retter also delivered two of the biggest performances for the women.

On April 5–6, Villanova track and field athletes headed to the Hurricane Alumni Invitational hosted by the University of Miami. Others headed to the Penn Invitational hosted by the University of Pennsylvania on April 6.

Coffey threw for a distance of 65.46 meters, finishing third in the javelin. It was an increase from his distance in the season opener two weeks ago by nearly two full meters. The throw maintained Coffey’s spot on the top of this year’s Big East performance list.

“Coffey threw 65-andchange in the javelin,” men’s head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. “That will probably get into NCAA Regionals. Which is pretty good from that standpoint.”

Senior Justin Miller made his season debut in the javelin alongside Coffey. Miller threw for a distance of 50.22 meters. He also claimed a season-best jump of 6.95 meters in the long jump.

In the 400-meter hurdles, senior Nicholas Mollica and sophomore Luke Rakowitz rank third and fourth on this year’s Big East performance list. Mollica finished sixth out of 20 athletes in the hurdles with a time of 53.40, followed

by Rakowitz who recorded a personal best of 56.09.

Sophomore Amiri Prescod made his outdoor season debut this past weekend. Prescod is coming off his first Big East title in the indoor 60 meters.

He had a time of 10.68 in the 100 meters and a time of 21.76 in the 200 meters.

Sophomore Jimmy Milgie and senior Jakob Kunzer joined Mollica and Rakowitz to form the Wildcats lineup in the 4x400 relay. Mollica led off the race and was followed by Milgie, Rakowitz and Kunzer on the final three legs.

Kunzer had a split of 47.76 on the anchor leg. The quartet took first in the relay. The four sit second on the Big East rankings in the 4x400-meter relay.

“Rakowitz and Molica both ran the hurdles before the relay,” O’Sullivan said. “I think they rallied better and came back on the four by four and did better.

Not too bad for those guys.”

The women had some season debuts. Senior Roschell Clayton made her outdoor season debut and tied for sixth place on the national performance list with

a height of 1.85 meters in the high jump.

The duo of sophomore Micah Trusty and fifth-year Madison Martinez posted the top two times in the Big East this season in the 800 meters.

Clayton cleared 1.85 meters on her second attempt on Saturday, tying for sixth on the national performance list this season.

Clayton, the Big East leader of the year, ranks second on the Wildcats’ all-time outdoor performance list.

First-year Malaika Cunningham matched her personal best from the indoor season with a successful clearance at 1.77 meters in the high jump.

In the track portion, Trusty lowered her personal best in the 800 meters to 2:04.90, finishing third. She currently leads the Big East in the 800 meters. Martinez ran a time of 2:05.11 in Saturday’s race to rank second in the conference and 16th in the East.

In the shot put, Williams became the sixth athlete in school history to surpass 14 meters. She recorded a personal best of 14.02 meters on the day’s fifth throw.

The mark is good for third in the Big East this season and sixth on the all-time Villanova performance list. She came in second this past weekend.

Retter came in fourth in the shot put with a mark of 13.85 meters. She ranks seventh overall

in school history and sixth on Villanova’s outdoor performance list.

Fifth-year Jane Livingston and first-year Ajanae Thompson recorded season-best times in the 100-meter hurdles. The duo ranks third and fourth on the Big East performance list for the season.

Livingston posted a time of 13.58 in Miami and Thompson followed her with a personal best of 13.84.

At Penn, Villanova recorded strong performances by both the men and women. First-year Parker Turner posted times of 10.78 in the 100 meters and 21.94 in the 200 meters to highlight the day’s results, while sophomore Sal Barretta recorded the fifth-best time in the Big East this season in the 400-meter hurdles with a personal best of 56.18.

First-year Tilly O’Connor tallied her best race of the outdoor season in the 800 meters by running a time of 2:14.64.

Senior Elizabeth Vaughn finished first in the 3000 meters.

She lowered her personal best with a time of 10:01.04.

Villanova track and field returns to competition again this weekend. The Wildcats will compete in the Larry Ellis Invitational hosted by Princeton University on April 12 and April 13. The ‘Cats will also compete in the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University on April 12 and April 13.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

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The Villanovan | 13

Softball Goes 2–1 Against Creighton on the Road Jon Hunn Staff Writer Villanova softball suffered its first Big East losses of the season this weekend in a series at Creighton. The Wildcats dropped the first half of a Friday doubleheader, 8-7, in eight innings before taking the second game, 3-2. They fell, 12-4, in the Saturday finale in six innings.

In the Friday opener, the Bluejays scored on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the first.

The Wildcats went in front in the top of the third when graduate first baseman Victoria Sebastian homered, driving in redshirt junior DP Brooklyn Ostrowski.

They would pad their lead later in the inning when senior left fielder Tess Cites scored on junior right fielder Elaina Wagner’s single.

Creighton trimmed the Villanova lead to one on a solo home run in the home half of the third.

Villanova added four more runs in the fifth when junior shortstop Ava Franz drove in Cites with a single and when sophomore second baseman Lilly St. Jean doubled home Wagner and graduate catcher Ally Jones. Franz capped the scoring when she sprinted home on a wild pitch.

Creighton roared back to tie the game at seven in the bottom of the fifth inning on a tworun home run, a bases-loaded hit by pitch and a two-run single. The

game then went to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Villanova put two runners on, but failed to score.

Creighton walked the game off in the bottom of the eighth when a double from senior DP Emma Rosonke brought home the winning run.

For the Wildcats, senior pitcher Caroline Pellicano was handed the loss, surrendering just one run on four hits over three innings in relief, striking out two.

In the second Friday game, the Bluejays opened the scoring, scratching their first run across on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third inning.

Villanova tied the game in the top of the fourth on a solo home run from B. Ostrowski.

The ‘Cats led in the top of the fifth when junior DP Kelsey White scored on a fielder’s choice and later added on when Cites scored on a double from Wagner.

Creighton trimmed the lead to one in the fifth.

‘Cats pitcher Pellicano slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh, striking out a pair of Bluejays to record the save.

Villanova pitcher White recorded the win, scattering seven hits and two runs over five innings pitched, walking one while striking out two Creighton hitters.

In the Saturday series finale, Creighton once again scored first, plating a run on an RBI double in the bottom of the first.

For Villanova, freshman third baseman Grace Reed homered, driving in St. Jean.

Creighton retook the lead in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.

Villanova evened the score in the third when B. Ostrowski and Cites crushed solo home runs.

“It [was] awesome,” Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard said, regarding Ostrowski.

In the third, Creighton plated three runs on a single coupled with a fielding error. The Bluejays scored again in the same inning on another RBI single and a fielding error. By the end of the third, the Bluejays led, 9–4.

Creighton plated three more runs in the sixth on a double, groundout, and single. The game was called due to the mercy rule.

For the ‘Cats, White took the loss, allowing five runs (none earned) on four hits. She recorded one strikeout and no walks.

“The girls know now they were not invincible and we got to keep working hard and teams are coming out strong and they’re playing their best games against us,” Orchard said. “It definitely was disappointing to drop the games. So we’re a better team, but overall, [we have to get] back on it [because we] have big games this weekend.”

Villanova will host St. John’s for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday, April 12.

Baseball Swept At St. John’s James Haupt Staff Writer Villanova continued conference play last weekend, going 0-3 against St. John’s. The Wildcats were routed in the first two games, 13–7 and 11–0. They then took the Red Storm to extra innings in the final game of the series, but ultimately fell short again, 3–1.

After opening conference play 0–3 against Georgetown, Villanova was swept again in its second Big East series. The ‘Cats now fall to 7–21 overall and 0–6 in the conference.

Friday’s game was high-scoring, but St. John’s was able to take full control as Villanova had to claw back from a 9–1 deficit in the fifth inning.

Villanova came back within two off some timely hitting, highlighted by a fifth-inning triple from graduate catcher Jason Neff that brought in two runners.

Graduate first baseman Dylan Dennis had an impact as well, batting 3-4 with 1 RBI that initiated the comeback. Graduate outfielder Jack O’Reilly also chipped in going 2-5, including a 2-RBI single in the sixth.

The Wildcats lost any chance they had to come back in the ninth inning, when the defense allowed four runs. Graduate pitchers Alec Sachais and Stephen Turzai allowed two runs each, but only one was earned.

Errors were a constant issue for the ‘Cats. Villanova had

In its Big East home opening series, Villanova was swept by St. John’s 3–0.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

six total errors that contributed to six unearned runs. This made it difficult for graduate starting pitcher Rian Schwede, who threw 4.1 innings and allowed nine runs (six earned) on nine hits.

Graduate pitcher Ryan Mintz shined from the bullpen, keeping the team in the game. He pitched 2.2 innings, recorded four strikeouts, and only allowed one hit. The Villanova bullpen was efficient all weekend.

In game two on Saturday, the Wildcats were shut out, 11–0, despite seven hits. The best performer on offense was sophomore third baseman Michael Whooley, who batted 1-2 with 2 walks.

Senior pitcher Devin Rivera continued to struggle in this game, earning his sixth loss of the year. Rivera is now 0–6 as a starter. He allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in just three innings. The Villanova defense did no favors for its starter for the second game in a row, giving up four errors and two unearned runs.

Freshman pitcher Jake Francis threw four innings, allowing only one run on four hits.

However, the reliever’s efforts weren’t rewarded. The Wildcat offense went silent all game.

Villanova had a better showing in their final game on Sunday. Both teams went scoreless for 12 straight innings in a pitcher’s duel.

Graduate starting pitcher Luke McCollough opened up the game with 5.1 scoreless innings with only two hits allowed. Four players out of the bullpen then combined to throw five scoreless innings to send the game to extra innings and beyond.

With the Villanova offense being quiet yet again, the game came down to which team had the most pitchers available. Unfortunately, freshman CJ Furley and senior Cade Udell weren’t able to keep the scoreless streak alive.

Udell allowed an RBI single in the 13th inning that brought in two runs, including a

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD April 3 – April 9

Wednesday, April 3 Women’s Lacrosse @ UConn 6–16 L Women’s Tennis vs. Johns Hopkins Canceled Baseball vs. Delaware State Canceled Women’s Basketball vs. Illinois 57–71 L Thursday, April 4 Women’s Tennis vs. Drexel Canceled Friday, April 5 M&W Track @ Hurricane Alumni Invitational No Team Scoring Men’s Tennis vs. Marquette 4–3 W Softball @ Creighton (Game 1) 7–8 L Softball @ Creighton (Game 2) 3–2 W Baseball vs. St. John’s 7–13 L Saturday, April 6 WP vs. Virginia Military Institute 19–12 W M&W Track @ Hurricane Alumni Invitational No Team Scoring Men’s Track @ Penn Invitational No Team Scoring Men’s Lacrosse vs. Providence 12–15 L Baseball vs. St. John’s 0–11 L Men’s Tennis vs. Coppin State 7–0 W Softball @ Creighton 4–12 L (6) WP vs. Mount Saint Mary’s 13–11 W Sunday, April 7 Men’s Tennis @ Lafayette 4–0 W Baseball vs. St. John’s 1–3 L (13) Women’s Tennis vs. UConn 3–4 L WP vs. La Salle 8–13 L Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9 Women’s Tennis vs. Seton Hall Post-Production Softball vs. Delaware Post-Production runner Furley left on base. A third run then came in on a wild pitch.

Whooley tried to get some runs back on an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning, but it was not enough as the ‘Cats fell, 3-1.

It was a disappointing end to the weekend after what seemed like a game Villanova could steal from a conference rival.

“Our bullpen pitched very well all weekend,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “Offensively, we didn’t do a good enough job cashing in our opportunities to score.”

The ‘Cats will take on Penn at home on Wednesday, April 10, followed by another Big East series against Seton Hall on the road.

14 | The Villanovan

SPORTS

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Water Polo Two Wins Shy of Matching Program Record Brandon Nesmith Staff Writer Villanova fed off the energy of Senior Night with two victories over Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Mount Saint Mary’s on Saturday, April 6. The Wildcats fell short against La Salle the following day, finishing the weekend, 2–1.

The team celebrated its three seniors, captain attacker Stella Byles, goalie Abigail Shelby and center D Tiane Paris, for their hard work and dedication to the team over the years.

The action kicked off against VMI, where a hat trick from freshman center D Lauren Short helped lead the ‘Cats to a 19–12 victory.

The offensive production from the team hit on all cylinders, as 10 different Wildcats put the ball in the net. Six recorded multiple goals on the day. Byles had three assists on the day and Shelby picked up the win, while three goalies saw action.

Later in the night, the ‘Cats took on Mount Saint Mary’s in a hard-fought match, where they came out on top, 13–11. Byles was on fire again, recording seven goals along with three assists.

Sophomore attacker Anna Painter and junior center Emily McKenzie added to the offensive firepower with two goals each.

Sophomore utility Sara Withers

Villanova is 5-4 in MAAC play and 21-8 overall.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

also contributed some goals and assists in the collaborative effort.

Shelby had some crucial saves in tough situations, as her stifling defensive impact has been felt all season long.

The Wildcats looked to avenge a tough loss from earlier in the season against rivals La Salle University on Sunday. Unfortunately, they came up short again, as the game ended, 13–8.

Shelby recorded seven saves, while Byles and McKenzie each scored two goals apiece.

Freshman attacker Tiffany Maguire also added a goal, while Withers led the team in assists with two.

Sitting at 21–8 on the season, the Wildcats will play their last three games of the regular season this upcoming weekend.

They will play Long Island, Wagner and La Salle to close the regular season. Wagner is undefeated in MAAC play.

History is at stake, as the team is just two victories shy of matching the single season wins record in program history, set back in 1999. In Villanova’s 21 victories, it has surpassed double-digits on the scoreboard in every game.

They look to maintain their strong offensive production in practice leading up to the weekend.

“We need to focus this week on our shooting and defense,” head coach Michael Gordon said. “Bringing energy to each practice put us in a position to play well this weekend.”

Wildcat Watch: Dougah’s Story Continues at ‘Nova school was a big thing,” Dougah said. “I didn’t know English very well and I traveled a lot. I didn’t really play tennis on a team. I Although Women’s History played tennis individually, playing Month is past, it is still important tournaments around the country, to highlight some of the outstand- in states and locals as well, to get ing female athletes on campus and ranking. I was ranked pretty high the stories behind their success. in my state, which allowed me One athlete who has stood to also play college tennis for my out throughout the year is graduundergrad.” ate student Ami Grace Dougah, Dougah excelled over whose impressive contributions to her four undergraduate years at the women’s tennis team are just a UNC Asheville. In each season small part of her story. from 2021–2023, she was named Dougah was born in Togo, to the All-Big South First Teams a country of about eight million for both singles and doubles, also people in West Africa that lies in earning seven Big South Player of between Ghana, Benin and Burki- the Week titles. She excelled in her na Faso. Growing up with her senior season, being named the family in the U.S., her interest and 2023 Big South Conference Player love of tennis grew. of the Year and the 2023 Intercol“I grew up in a tennis legiate Tennis Association Scholhousehold,” Dougah said. “My ar-Athlete. She was also nominatdad played professionally when ed for the 2023 NCAA Woman of he was younger, and then after he the Year title. retired, he went into coaching. So After completing her dehe’s been coaching me since I was gree, Dougah made a decision on about four years old. I did have her future career as a tennis player some other coaches along the way, but, more importantly, her future but he was my main coach.” career in the professional world.

Her dad came over to For her graduate studies, Dougah the United States first before he had her sights set on Villanova. brought Dougah and the rest of “It was a big decision,” their family over, settling in AtDougah said. “I had to decide lanta, Georgia. The transition whether I wanted to stay for my brought new challenges and opundergrad for the fifth year, or portunities to Dougah. She contin- come to Villanova. I felt like for ued to evolve her tennis career in my undergrad I was mostly doing the U.S., but was also adjusting to a balance of both tennis and acaa new lifestyle and education. demics, but I saw myself leaning “When I moved over here, towards more sports. So I chose Amanda McKean Sports Columnist

Villanova mainly because of its finance program. It also was just a one-year program, which I loved.

I find finance intriguing and when I first came to visit, I just knew it was a great decision for me to open a new chapter in my life.”

Although her choice of Villanova mainly focused around its academics, her ability to play tennis as a Wildcat was another plus, as she was not yet ready to stop playing the sport she loves.

“I always knew it was going to be a fact for me to play tennis,” Dougah said. “It’s really hard at the moment to imagine myself kind of just putting the racket down and just going to school. I don’t really want to put the racket down anytime soon. So that’s why I just continued to be a student athlete for my final year.”

As a Wildcat, Dougah has excelled. Starting off in the fall with her perfect performance at the Villanova Invitational and then in the spring with her standout skills against Brown and Bucknell, Dougah has cemented herself as one of the best tennis players Villanova has ever had.

“I mean, I thought she was going to be good, but I didn’t realize she was going to be that good,” head coach Steve Reiniger told The Villanovan. “The way she represents our school on the court is outstanding and [she] is unfazed by anything. She is a true leader.”

Moving forward, besides trying to get her foot in the door

Graduate tennis star Ami Grace Dougah is joining the Wildcats for the 2024 season.

Courtesy of Villanova University

with a career in a finance-related field after finishing her degree this year, Dougah also intends to play more tennis, whether that be in the U.S. or even possibly representing her home country of Togo on the world stage.

“I intend to play a little bit more after I graduate,” Dougah said. “Whether it’s going on the pro tour or just playing for my country in general when trying to play for the Olympics. I’m actually, for next year, going to play the African games for my country. The winners get to go to the Olympics. So I’m pretty excited about that, but I won’t really know until after graduation and during the summertime.”

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

The Villanovan | 15

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DINING SERVICES

Villanova Dining Services

Caribbean Dinner Thursday, April 11

Donahue - Dougherty - St. Mary’s

Steamed Fish Stuffed Sweet Potato Arroz con Pollo Cou-Cou

Jerk Chicken Sandwich Paella Station Fried Plantains Cuban Sandwich