The Villanovan | Volume 112, Issue 10: Wednesday, April 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY APRIL 7, 2021 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

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VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 10

Opinion: Derek Chauvin Trial

University Celebrates Holy Week Both In-Person and Virtually

Abby Faeth Staff Writer

As I traveled to my home city of Minneapolis this weekend, I felt a strong connection to the trial of Derek Chauvin that began this past week. The trial has allowed me to reflect on the murder of George Floyd, which occurred last May, and the rise of protests that followed. The reaction of the public, especially the Minneapolis community, makes this case close to home.

The trial began on Monday with opening statements from both sides. Jerry W. Blackwell, the prosecuting attorney, focused on the video of Floyd’s arrest where Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes.

On the opposition, the defense attorneys for Chauvin asked the jurors to focus on evidence outside the video, as they believe that the case reaches far beyond what the video shows.

To put it simply, the video captured the incident that brought Chauvin to the courthouse. Based on this, why would we focus on evidence outside of the video? Asking the juror to look outside the video seems to suggest that what the public saw wasn’t what happened.

What strikes me about the case is that there is a physical recording of Chauvin killing Floyd.

Despite this, there is still immense debate over whether or not he is guilty.

To me it’s simple – Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck and Floyd died. Thus, Chauvin murdered him.

I think that all the Minneapolis residents have felt like witnesses to the event because this video that flooded social media

The University and Campus Ministry planned and carried out a celebration for Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

Courtesy of Villanova University

Garrett Whitton Staff Writer

Many students on the University’s campus have been anxiously waiting for Easter Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and finally cave in on all the Lenten promises they had made.

On March 28, Palm Sunday marked the beginning of this year’s Holy Week. The University and its campus ministry team planned and carried out a fitting celebration for this day, as well as for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

“The Palm Sunday service was beautiful,” soph-

omore Jacob Artz said. “I knew campus ministry would have all the altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers and pastorals prepared and ready to offer the Mass as Christ would desire.”

Artz was referring only to Palm Sunday, but his comment remained valid for all services that followed. The Triduum began a few days later, with its first celebration on Holy Thursday, April 1, which University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. and Rev. Rob Hagan presided over. Though the celebration was similar to most masses during the liturgical calendar’s ordinary time, it prepared the congregation, both physical and virtual, for

the sad few days to come.

At 3 p.m. the following day, Donohue and Rev. Kevin DePrinzio celebrated the Mass on Good Friday that paid tribute to the Lord’s Passion. Like the previous two occasions, anyone who wanted to attend could either view a live stream on the University’s website or register for a socially distanced seat in the Finneran Pavilion.

As the masked congregation gathered and took their seats, Donohue, accompanied by DePrinzio, altar servers and lectors, took his spot on the makeshift stage wearing red garments.

A seemingly ordinary Mass began with readings and prayers. Everything spoken

was translated by an American Sign Language interpreter that was positioned in front of the stage.

Despite its length, Good Friday’s Stations of the Cross engaged audience members, thanks to the narrators and Donohue’s theatrical inflection. The University’s band and choir played somber music during the narration to give it the same effect as the day Christ’s passion occurred. For a brief moment, after the scripture read that Christ had died, silence engulfed the Pavilion, heads were bowed and the lights were dimmed. Donohue broke the silence by reading verses that described Continued on p. 2

Class of 2021 Responds to Graduation Update

College graduation is a momentous occasion. It is the culmination of years of hard work on behalf of the graduate, as well as the parents of the graduate.

For four years, Villanova has been the Class of 2021’s home. Many have met their best friends and significant others on this beautiful

campus. Although graduating from Villanova is bittersweet, it is also exciting. Not only is it a celebration of the academic and personal achievements attained by the seniors, but also of the many memories shared between friends that have become family.

Members of the Class of 2021 will undoubtedly miss the home they have found here at Villanova, but they look forward to the bright futures ahead of them

Two Students Named Goldwater Scholars p. 4

Outdoor Intramural Sports Introduced p. 4

Stuck Ship in Suez Canal Goes Viral p. 5

Vaccines Should Be Mandatory for Villanova Students p. 6

The Philadelphia Eagles Remain in Shambles p. 7

Villanova’s On-Campus Stigma Around Liberal Arts p. 9

Villanova Theatre Production of “The Scar Test” p. 11

Baseball Sweeps St. Joe’s, On 12 Game Win Streak p. 13

Athlete of the Week: Alex Kim p. 13

Football Routs Maine, 44-17 p. 14

Continued on p. 6

Olivia Sabalaskey

Staff Writer

as they enter the workforce, continue their education in graduate school or pursue other interests.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has halted many aspects of a normal college Continued on p. 10

Graduates will now be allowed to bring two guests to select events.

Courtesy of Villanova University.

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COVID-19 TRACKER

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 112 | ISS. 10 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

CATE McCUSKER JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE ARIANA MEGERIAN SARAH SWEENEY SARAH WISNIEWSKI TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN A.J. FEZZA ELENA ROUSE JULIA STANISCI COLIN BEAZLEY BILLY VINCI MOLLY BAKER

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

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Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor-in-Chief Digital Editor News Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Opinion Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Copy Desk Chief

MICHAEL BRADLEY Advisor DEENA SMITH Advisor CONTACT villanovan.eic@gmail.com

Harassment March 22 St. Mary’s Hall An RA reported that a female resident student has been receiving harassing phone Criminal Mischief / Liquor Underage calls from an unaffiliated male.

April 3 Stanford Hall Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness A male resident student, under the age April 1 of 21, admitted to being intoxicated after Stanford Hall being observed damaging university A female resident student, under the age property. of 21, was evaluated and transported to the hospital by VEMS for alcohol Criminal Mischief intoxication.

April 3 M–5 Steam Plant Drive Criminal Mischief A contractor owned vehicle was damaged April 1 by an unknown person while parked on Jackson Hall Steam plant drive.

A light fixture in a residence hall was found to have been damaged by an unknown person. The amount of the loss is unknown.

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.

Easter Sunday Mass April 4 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Campus Green

Professional Head Shot Event April 9 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Career Center

Virtual Admitted Students’ Day April 10 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Virtual

Last Day for Authorized Withdrawl without Academic Penalty April 7 All Day

A COVID Memorial – Marking a Year of Loss April 9 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Austin Field

ACV Fashion Show April 10 7:30 p.m.

Mendel Field

Nova Quizzo April 8 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Campus Green

Friday Jummah Prayers April 9 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

St. Rita of Cascia Community Room A Cappella Palooza April 9 7:30 p.m.

Mendel Field

Continued from p.1

burial of Christ. DePrinzio then gave a sermon, encouraging the audience to encounter people outside of their comfort zone and love as Christ loves them.

“When we love like Him, we can accomplish everything,” DePrinzio said.

The homily was followed by the Prayers of the Faithful, in which Donohue offered prayers for elected officials, traveler safety and a “swift end” to the pandemic. Once finished, he made his way off the stage towards the back of the Pavilion from where he entered. There, he was met by students who helped carry a large cross back to the altar. During the candlelit procession, the students made three stops to signify the different situations Christ encountered on the way to His death. During these stops, Donohue chanted, “Behold, behold the wood of the cross on which is hung our salvation.”

The congregation responded with, “O, come let us adore.”

Eventually, the cross was planted in front of the altar. A communion then took place, followed by a final blessing, and the celebration was concluded in silence to show respect.

The Easter Vigil was the next celebration and was held on Holy Saturday, April 3. Again, worshipers had the choice to attend in person or watch a live stream. The Mass started outside the Pavilion with the new Easter Candle’s blessing and was eventually brought inside. After the long procession back towards the altar, Donohue, wearing white garments with blue trim, began a series of prayers while surrounded by vibrant

1053 1,049,655 31,545,870 132,855,044 Villanova University

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CAMPUS CALENDAR

2021 Literary Festival: Robin Coste Lewis April 8 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Virtual

CONFIRMED CUMULATIVE CASES AS OF 8:00 P.M. TUESDAY, APRIL 6

Worldwide

CONFIRMED VACCINATIONS AS OF 8:00 P.M. TUESDAY, APRIL 6

The Joy of Sports Mini–Retreat April 11 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Austin Field Mindfulness Mondays Meditation April 12 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Virtual

flowers and plants. The colors of both are traditionally used to signify a time of joy in the Catholic Church.

Six readings of biblical stories followed the opening prayers. After the readings, Donohue took his place at the podium and read the day’s gospel, which told the story of Christ’s resurrection according to Mark. He then gave a dramatic homily about the pandemic’s effects on the world, the University and the Catholic faith.

“For a year, we have been in a tomb,” Donohue said, drawing a connection between the gospel and the current crisis.

He finished his sermon encouraging the congregation to take action in escaping the metaphorical tomb by doing our part to get back to the everyday life we once had. Donohue transitioned to the next part of the Mass by introducing the three individuals who have chosen to become Catholic. They were led back to the baptismal font located behind the audience and were baptized and confirmed

by Donohue. Once both processes were complete, they were applauded and welcomed into the faith.

The Mass continued with regular Prayers of the Faithful and communion. Before ending the twoand-a-half-hour ceremony with a prayer, Donohue thanked the newly baptized and all those who made the celebration possible. A crucifix then led a procession out of the Pavilion with joyful music filling the background noise.

The University continued its celebration on Easter Sunday, April 4, with another Mass on the campus green and reception to wrap up the 2021 Holy Week.

107,515,428 4,528,588 United States

Pennsylvania

Business Society Hosts Author dence.

She says that because of her positive attitude and prioritization of self-worth, she has

Acclaimed author Mad“never doubted (herself) in major eleine Henry recently shared moments.” her improbable journey toward

The message of yoga — self-fulfillment and career success relax, listen to your body and with the University community, slow down — conflicted with her providing passionate testimony investment banking mentality. She to the power of defining success learned that “less is more” and personally and pursuing individual started practicing yoga more seridreams. ously. This is when she started to

Speaking to Villanova’s consider a career change to pursue Women in Business Society via her passion for writing.

Zoom, Henry detailed her journey Henry quit her job and from investment banker to yoga started pursuing writing full-time, enthusiast and successful author. noting that, “You have to be

After graduating from persistent to achieve your dream.”

Yale University in 2014, Henry She has since published two critstarted a career as an investment ically acclaimed books, “Breathe banker. Though successful in that in, Cash Out” and “The Love high-profile and potentially lucra- Proof,” both available for purchase tive environment, Henry found online. that “(her) intentions were not

Henry plans to continue pure.” She felt pressure to enter pursuing her passion for writing the industry and initially enjoyed and is committed to being the it, but never saw it as a long-term best, most centered version of path. herself at all times. While she

Henry found herself writencourages others to do the same ing constantly, whether at home in whatever sphere resonates with or on the subway to work. Her them, she emphasizes the value of demanding career, though, left self-teaching. little time for much else. She found “What you want to know is herself lacking balance, movement out there and you can teach it to and fulfillment. yourself,” she explained.

Henry started doing yoga

“The event was definitely for the sake of fitness, but it soon a success, the Executive board became a way to connect the dots received so much positive feedback in her life. She learned the impor- from participants,” Women in tance of protecting her energy, Business Society President Lauren spending time in silence and confi- Sieloff said.

Julia Butch Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

The Villanovan | 3

NEWS

RISE Program Addresses DEI Initiatives on Campus Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor

The Office of Student Involvement (OSI) has welcomed a new program known as RISE, which stands for Resources Igniting Student Empowerment, to further diversity, equity and inclusion across campus. The initiative encourages student leaders of clubs and organizations at the University to take steps toward improving the culture and atmosphere on campus.

The initiative was developed prior to students being sent home in the Spring 2020 semester, in response to student activism pushing for more diverse and inclusive programs. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement that gained national attention in the past year, University students put pressure on administration to make changes to improve inclusivity.

Due to the pandemic, the program was not able to be introduced at its full potential.

However, OSI wanted to ensure resources and training were still made available to student organizations. JJ Brown, Director of Student Involvement, explained that the initiative works beyond just campus life and aims to impact life experience of students at the University. Therefore, the need for training was prioritized to be accessible throughout the entire academic year. The initiative will be fully introduced at the start of the Fall 2021 semester.

Right now, the program aims to educate club and orga-

nization leaders, with the motivation that the leaders will bring their knowledge to club members in order to reflect and collaborate.

Expectations for each student organization include attending two required sessions per semester for a total of four sessions in the academic year. Additionally, a student from each organization and club has to attend two elective sessions during the academic year.

Student leaders can choose to go to more sessions if they desire to. The goal of the training and resources is to find ways to make clubs “anti-racist based.” Sessions, which are posted on OSI’s website, include topics such as leadership skills, civil engagement efforts, CliftonStrengths, interviewing processes, and so on. More than 170 students have attended sessions since the initiative began.

“Over the summer, we thought it was really important that the first session had to do with addressing the student groups and organizations and making them as anti-racist as possible, and as inclusive as possible” Brown said.

“We want to be able to recognize how these organizations play into the culture and how they can change the space.”

In addition to the sessions hosted by OSI, student leaders are encouraged to create action plans with their group members.

These plans are then submitted to OSI as part of the Just Villanova program. The plans aim to create initiatives specific to each club or organization and can be used to make tangible change. Ideas such as eliminating interviews for mem-

bership or expanding meeting times to include more members have been common ideas within action plans.

The way in which members are welcomed into clubs is also an important topic looking to be addressed. Brown voiced that the RISE initiative wants clubs to communicate more with new members in order to build upon common interests and create more collaboration.

Brown shared that he hopes the RISE initiative acts as a light bulb for students. He explained that the issue may be that students have failed to realize something they were doing needed to be changed or that their club or organization was failing to do something to promote inclusivity.

In the future, the program will work to collaborate with

students to incorporate their ideas and desires into the initiatives.

OSI wishes for clubs to collaborate with other student organizations to expand inclusivity across campus. “There is a need for groups to collaborate, especially underrepresented groups,” Eloise Berry, PhD, Director of Intercultural Affairs said. “We want them to collaborate and support each other.”

The RISE initiative aims to bond all students on campus, especially having better collaboration efforts between larger and smaller clubs. Sessions can act as the meeting ground for various groups to get to know one another and find common goals and passions.

OSI encourages any student with ideas to share them in order to create a more diverse and inclusive campus.

The RISE program will further DEI initiatives on campus.

Courtesy of Villanova University

OFSL Hosts Annual Spring Recruitment Virtually Sarah Sweeney Co-News Editor

Over the past two weekends, the University’s eight Panhellenic sorority chapters performed their annual spring formal recruitment.

This year was markedly different than previous years, characterized by a delayed starting date and an all virtual format. Despite challenges, the sorority chapters maintained their enthusiasm for adding new sisters to their families and pulled off a successful Spring 2021 recruitment.

Nearly 600 women registered this year to become PNMs (potential new members) and participate in the formal recruitment process. After filling out a registration form, paying a recruitment fee and passing basic GPA requirements, women were separated into groups, each led by a recruitment counselor, or Rho Gamma. Rho Gammas are members of sororities selected by the Panhellenic Council to assist PNMs through the recruitment process, providing them both logistical and emotional support. Rho Gammas are required to disaffiliate from their sororities during recruitment in order to offer their PNMs completely unbiased support.

Sophie Sanchez, a member of Alpha Phi, served as the Rho Gamma for Group 37. “I wanted to be there for PNMs going through the recruitment process, whether through the

exciting parts or through the tougher parts when they just needed someone to talk to,” she said.

Before the commencement of formal recruitment, all PNMs participated in a listening circle hosted by their Rho Gammas, discussing racial justice and the problematic history of Greek Life. The girls reflected on and discussed questions, including how they can be better allies of the BIPOC community and support the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, many people believed that the listening circles fell short of adequately addressing Greek life’s exclusionary history.

Among those was Katelyn Tsai, the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Alpha Gamma Delta, who explained, “We discussed topics relating to race and racial violence in general, but did not apply those topics to the ostracism of BIPOC in our own organizations.”

Recruitment kicked off on Friday, Mar. 19 with “Meet the Chapters.” During this initial round, PNMs met with each chapter for 30 minutes to learn more about them and their values. They watched a video or listened to a presentation before joining breakout rooms to get to know some of the sisters. The University’s eight Panhellenic sorority chapters are Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Recruitment continued that weekend with each group meeting four chapters on Saturday and the remaining four on Sunday for “Sisterhood Round.” During these 45 minute rounds, PNMs were given the opportunity for more extended conversations before ranking which ones they would most like to return to for Philanthropy Round.

Friday, Mar. 26 was marked with excitement, anxiety and an array of emotions as Rho Gammas called each PNM to tell them which sororities they would be going back to the following day.

Madison Moser, a Stanford Resident Assistant and member of Alpha Phi, sent a text to her residents saying “Just a reminder that your self worth is not defined by whether or not a sorority invited you back!! You are all lovely beautiful women!!”. She explained that “hearing which sororities invited you back and which didn’t is always an emotional process and it was hard to watch my residents go through that, but it was so sweet to hear them remind each other that it’s not as big of a deal as they had made it out to be.”

The following day, women returned to each chapter for 50 minutes for Philanthropy Round to learn more about each sorority’s philanthropy, or the charity they raise money for. For many girls, this was a very emotional round, discussing important causes like Delta Delta Delta’s support of

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Alpha Chi Omega’s support of domestic violence survivors. Following this round, the PNMs were asked to rank again, with the opportunity of possibly returning to their top two choices for Preference Round the following day.

Preference Round serves as the last chance for PNMs to decide which sorority they see themselves fitting in best. In most cases, they have the opportunity to speak to people they got along with best in previous rounds. Following Preference Round, PNMs met with a Panhellenic Council member, either signing a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) or withdrawing from the process. The MRABA ensures that a PNM will accept a bid if given one from any of the two sororities she ranks.

On Monday, Mar. 29, the long hours of Zoom recruitment finally paid off, as sororities were able to expand their families with the addition of new “babies’’ on Bid Day. Women were emailed their bids at 7 p.m. and invited to a follow-up Zoom with their new sorority to celebrate.

Kate Dillman, recruitment chair for Chi Omega, explained that in planning an all-virtual recruitment, “Expectations were hard...but it was good in the end and all that matters is our chapter was really happy with all of the new members...The end result was perfect.”

4 | The Villanovan

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Two Students at the University Named Goldwater Scholars Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor

Lily Day and Catherine Petretti have been named 2021 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Both students are juniors studying in the University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. They were selected as scholars in a competitive pool of more than 1,200 institution-nominated students across the United States.

The Goldwater Foundation awards scholarships to sophomores and juniors whose interests in research include natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. The $7,500 scholarships are widely considered a prestigious honor for undergraduate students researching within the STEM field.

All recipients hope to utilize their research in their undergraduate studies and professional careers.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, who was a member of the United States Senate for 30 years. The scholarship works to encourage exceptional students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.

Day is studying Biology with minors in Philosophy and Honors. Her focus is on ecology, and she has preliminary research experience in songbird hybridization. Day’s work has encouraged her to further pursue research in her career. In her first year with

the University, Day worked with Robert Curry, Ph.D., professor of Biology, to gain research experience. She was a part of the Match Research Program and studied the effect of hybridization on Pennsylvania chickadees. In addition to being a Goldwater Scholar, Day was awarded a Sprows Family Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellowship (VURF) in 2019. With the fellowship, Day was able to further her research with Curry.

Her research has also been featured in “Veritas: Villanova Research Journal.”

After she graduates from the University next year, Day plans to attend a graduate program and further her research in molecular ecology.

When Day is not researching or studying, she is a clarinetist in the University’s band. She has also volunteered her time at a domestic violence shelter in Philadelphia as part of her Sophomore Service Learning Community. In the classroom, she is a teaching assistant in General Chemistry.

Petretti is an Astronomy and Astrophysics major with minors in Mathematics and Classics.

She plans to focus her studies and research in the areas of cosmology and particle astrophysics.

Petretti, alongside Day, was also a Match Research Program grantee during her freshman year at the University. She worked with Joey Neilsen, Ph.D., assistant professor of Physics, and researched astrophysics. The group’s research interpreted infrared data from black hole X-ray binary GRO J1655-40.

Petretti continued the project into 2019. Continuing her impressive

string of research, she received an NSF summer research fellowship at the MIT Haystack Observatory.

Outside of her time researching, Petretti is a leader in the Astronomical Society and Physics Club. She also enjoys performing as a musician while playing the clarinet. The scholar also participates in the University’s Student Musical Theatre and Symphonic Orchestra. She also is a teaching assistant in Physics and Astronomy. In her future career, Petretti hopes to be a mentor to others interested in her field of work and is pursuing a career as an astrophysics professor.

“The continued selection of Villanovans as Goldwater

Scholars highlights the commitment of our student-researchers, both in the lab and in the classroom,” said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, Ph.D. “This renowned program has served as a critical springboard for the University’s recent honorees, many of whom have gone on to excel in other prestigious, national scholarship programs. I congratulate Lily and Catherine on this honor and thank the Villanova faculty and staff who have helped them achieve their academic goals.”

Recent Villanova Goldwater honorees went on to become Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Marshall Scholars, NSF Graduate Research Fellows and Fulbright Student Grant recipients.

Lily Day (pictured left) and Catherine Petretti (pictured right) have been named Goldwater Scholars.

Courtesy of Villanova University

The University Introduces Four Outdoor Intramural Sports Jackie Thomas Staff Writer

Beginning on Apr. 5, in -person intramural sports are returning to campus for the first time in the 2020-2021 academic year after a months-long pause on all club and most intramural sport programming due to COVID-19 safety concerns.

This past fall, the University’s Intramural Department offered yard games, including Football Punt-Pass-Kick competition, bocce, washers, horseshoes and Kan Jam, but the usual intramural team sports were on hiatus in an effort to prioritize safety. Following a period of low positive cases on campus and careful planning, the department now feels confident in hosting a more typical intramural season this spring.

For Director Michael Hay, reintroducing the program is essential to the atmosphere on campus.

“Intramurals has provided campus a healthy and positive outlet for that competitiveness for decades, and is maybe the most popular activity outside of attending men’s basketball games on campus,” Hay said.

For this shortened spring season ending May 2, students have the opportunity to partic-

ipate in four sport, tennis, sand volleyball, outdoor basketball and softball, which is a condensed selection than the typical intramural spring offerings. The Intramural Department chose these activities with COVID-19 guidelines as a prime consideration, making social distancing, outdoor competition and mask wearing fairly easy to integrate into each activity.

“These sports were decided on because we can facilitate them outside, are traditionally held in the Spring semester and because they are among our most popular sports in a typical academic year,” Hay said.

Emphasizing the importance of complying with the Caritas Commitment and maintaining the relatively low case count, the department released detailed rules regarding health and safety.

All teams and competitors are required to wear face masks at all times during activities and use hand sanitizer before all competitions. Game balls along with any other equipment that may be touched by multiple players will also be disinfected between games.

In order to maintain health and safety, players will receive only one warning concerning compliance with the COVID-19 regulations, with ejections from games or potentially the season as a whole to follow if noncompliance contin-

ues.

Even if aspects of the programming look slightly different this spring, student reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with most looking forward to any chance to participate in intramurals under current circumstances.

Freshman Chris Jendra, captain of his intramural volleyball team, articulated that the opportunity to gather at all in this context is hugely valuable.

“I’m just glad we can get together as a community to play outside safely,” Jendra said.

Jake Luciani, participating in basketball and volleyball, echoed Jendra’s thankfulness that the University is finding a safe, feasible way to host intramurals, adding that the programming will provide an outlet that has been sorely missed throughout the pandemic.

“This pandemic has been tough on all of us and sports is something that I really enjoy and I missed over the last year,” Luciani said. “It seems to me that everything will be safe, and I’m confident in that.”

Freshmen in particular are reacting enthusiastically to the return of intramurals, with many expressing that COVID-19 protocols in the past two semesters have made meeting new people difficult, and that the intramural program-

ming may be a new opportunity to do so.

Alongside the more exceptional, pandemic-related responses, many student reactions are rooted in the spirit that intramural sports bring regardless of the year or circumstance.

“I’m getting involved because I miss playing and want to find a way to enjoy the nice weather that we’re having soon,” said sand volleyball player Madeline Plumer.

The positive feedback is reflected in the numbers of registered players and teams despite the more condensed program and shortened season, as Hay detailed.

“I’m very excited at how positive the response has been,” Hay said. “We had over 200 teams register for basketball, softball and volleyball, plus a number of additional doubles teams and singles participants in tennis. This is significantly closer to the numbers we would expect to get in a normal year.”

With the kickoff of a new intramural season, students and University administration are coming together to create meaningful campus experiences despite pandemic restrictions and precautions. More information about safety measures, activity regulations and the program in general are available through the Intramural and Recreation Department website.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

NEWS

The Villanovan | 5

Trial of Ex-Cop Derek Chavin Begins in Minneapolis Jack Matthews Staff Writer

This past week marked the beginning of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Officer accused of murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial began almost a year after Floyd’s death sparked protests and civil unrest in cities and towns across the country and raised new questions as to the role of police when it comes to detaining and subduing suspects. Chauvin and three other officers tried to arrest Floyd after police were called on him for allegedly trying to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill at a Cup Foods store in South Minneapolis.

A $27 million settlement was approved by the Minneapolis City Council for the Floyd family on March 12 of this year, which created problems with the selection of jurors for the criminal case of Chauvin.

Two potential jurors said that the settlement swayed their opinion on the guilt of the former officer and that they could no longer be impartial, and thus were dismissed from the case. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the case, denied Defense attorney Eric Nelson’s request to delay moving the case because of the publicity, saying “there’s no place in Minnesota untouched by that publicity.”

Prosecutors leaned heavily on video evidence throughout their arguments, with Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell presenting the nine minute and

29 second video of Chauvin pinning Floyd to the pavement with his knee during his opening statement.

“He put his knees upon his neck and his back, grinding and crushing him, until the very last breath no, ladies and gentlemen, until the very life was squeezed out of him,” Blackwell said.

Nelson, Chauvin’s attorney, countered by saying Derek Chauvin did “exactly what he had been trained to do over his 19-year career.”

Other video included body camera footage of the officers at the scene, including Chauvin, which featured officers asking Chauvin if they should turn Floyd on to his side to help his breathing, to which Chauvin said no, as well as the officers searching and failing to find a pulse on Floyd as they pinned him to the ground. Security footage from the Cup Foods store that Floyd allegedly used a counterfeit bill at was also presented, in which Floyd appears to be somewhat impaired.

The defense has argued that the cause of Floyd’s death was not asphyxiation by the officers but instead a combination of a heart condition and a drug overdose. The county medical examiner found that Floyd’s heart stopped as a result of the restraints and compression on his neck but also noted that underlying health issues and the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system as “other significant conditions.”

Along with video evidence, testimony from eyewitnesses and other people tied to the case were presented throughout the week. All witnesses were called by the prosecution, and the defense has yet to call a single witness.

What defined the testimony

of the onlookers to those nine minutes and 29 seconds was an outpouring of emotion. Some felt guilty that they did not do more to help and others felt anger that all they could do was stand and watch as Floyd was being killed.

Eighteen-year-old Darnella Frazier, who took the video of Floyd’s last moments, said of Chauvin’s actions, “He didn’t care. It seemed as if he didn’t care what we were saying.” Chauvin’s attorney argued that the crowd grew angry and agitated at the scene, and that they posed a threat to the officers that could have impeded their work.

Donald Williams, another onlooker, testified that he called 911 after paramedics took Floyd away from the scene “because I believed I witnessed a murder.”

Two other key witnesses that testified this week were Floyd’s girlfriend Courtney Ross and Lieutenant Richard Zimmerman, head of the Minneapolis Police Homicide division and most senior person on the force.

Ross told the story of how she and Floyd met at a Salvation Army shelter, where he was working as a security guard. She also told the court about their struggle with opioid addiction, which stemmed from chronic pain that they both experienced. She explained that Floyd had overdosed in March of 2020, and that during the coronavirus quarantine they worked together to try and get clean. However, she suspected that he had begun using again a few weeks before his death, testimony that matches with the drugs found in his system.

Lieutenant Zimmerman was asked questions pertaining to the use of force by Chauvin and the other officers and whether they were acting within their training. He testified that kneel-

ing on Floyd’s neck while he was handcuffed and on his stomach was “totally unnecessary,” saying that “that could kill them.” When asked if the officers should have let up the restraint once he was handcuffed, Zimmerman replied “absolutely.” He asserted that officers have a duty to provide care for a person in distress, even if an ambulance was coming, and that the officers should have turned Floyd on to his side or back so his breathing would not be restricted.

The trial continues this week, and experts say that it will most likely last through this week and into next at least. The defense is expected to call witnesses to try and paint the death of Floyd as a medical emergency as a result of his heart condition and drug usage as opposed to homicide. The other three officers at the scene of Floyd’s death have all been fired and charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin on all counts. .

Chavin has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Courtesy of Getty Images.

Image of Cargo Ship Blocking Suez Canal Goes Viral Lydia MacFarlane Staff Writer

On Tuesday, March 23, a massive cargo ship turned sideways and completely blocked the Suez Canal, which is a man-made waterway dividing continental Africa from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The Suez Canal is important in the global trade industry. Billions of dollars’ worth of trade and goods pass through the canal daily, so the global economy suffered losses due to the few days the ship was stuck. Annually, the canal is responsible for about 12% of global trade.

The ship is called the MV Ever Given, which is a Panamanian container ship that typically carries trade between Asia and Europe. It is not clear what caused the ship to overturn, but officials are blaming the mishap on high winds. The company that operates the ship, Evergreen Marine Corp., said in a statement that the ship had become overcome by strong winds as it entered the canal, but none of the containers of the ship had sunk.

The 220,000-ton ship was freed on Monday, March 29 as a result of 24-hours of digging and tugboats pushing and pulling the vessel to the middle of the canal. Workers removed around 30,000 cubic meters of sand, which is enough to fill almost a dozen Olympic-sized swimming

pools.

Although the ship has been freed, experts are saying that the almost weeklong jam in the canal could have drastic and lasting effects. Global trade has already been strained for the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and an estimated $9 billion in trade had been held up due to the Ever Given being stuck. According to Suez Canal authority chairman

even in the face of such a drastic and damaging ordeal for his nation.

“We didn’t hope for something like this, but fate was doing its work,” he said. “It showed and reaffirmed the reality and importance [of the canal].”

The disaster brought global attention to the canal, allowing the world to see how important Egypt’s canal is in the realm of global trade and economics. Although the disruption was a nightmare for global trade and will likely have lasting effects, people on social media took to making fun of the situation. The rare and abnormal happening was enough for the internet to latch on and generate meme after meme about the Ever Given’s unfortunate hold up. The most popular memes regarding the situation are of the comparably tiny digger next to the massive ship, working its hardest to dig out sand to free the ship. One viral Twitter meme of the now infamous photo of the ship and the digger was captioned, “Me A massive cargo ship turned sideways and completely blocked the Suez Canal. just trying my best.”

Courtesy of Maxar Technologies.

Late night host Jimmy Kimmel joined the fun in joking about the Osama Rabie, the disruption in the the Ever Green’s holdup in the Suez situation. canal cost the canal as much as $15 Canal has quickly become an interna “I have to say, after all the billion per day that the Ever Given tional issue. fighting and the tooth gnashing was stuck. The ship held up almost

Captain John Konrad, the over the past few years, it was four hundred other vessels on either founder and CEO of the shipping nice to see the whole world come side of the canal, waiting for passage news website gcaptain.com, says, together to make fun of a boat, as the Ever Given was being freed.

“This ship is a multinational conglomit really was,” he said. “Basically, Because of the backup in the canal eration.” capitalism had a heart attack over over the past week, experts are pre Egyptian President Abdel this last week.” dicting that there will be congestion in Fattah al-Sissi expressed gratitude many European and Asian ports that the ships stuck behind the Ever Given in the canal were headed to.

“I reckon we won’t see the end of this for several years yet because the knock-on effect is so vast,” said maritime arbitrator Jeffrey Blum.

Since the vessel is owned by a Japanese firm, operated by a Taiwanese shipper, flagged in Panama and was stuck in Egypt, the issue of

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

OPINION

OPINION

The Trial of Chauvin: The Difference a Video Can Make Abby Faeth Staff Writer Continued from p.1

across the world occurred on our very own streets. Witnesses have proven to be very powerful in the case thus far. The emotional rawness of each testimony reveals the impact that this case has had on the witnesses’ lives.

A very powerful testimony came from Darnella Frazier, who was 17 at the time when she filmed the infamous video of the murder that prompted a wave of public outrage and movement for change. In her testimony, she said that the video altered her life in many ways and that she has deeply regretted not physically intervening at the scene where Floyd was murdered.

Frazier recounted what she remembered:

“He cried for his mom,” she said. “He was in pain. It seemed like he knew it was over for him. He was terrified. He was suffering. This was a cry for help,” according to MSNBC.

Frazier explained that when she looks at Floyd, she sees her dad, her brothers and her other relatives.

She feels this way because they are all Black too. She stated how she often reflects on how Floyd could have been one of her family members.

Witnessing this tragic event has impacted her in numerous ways as she worries now about the safety of those

The loss of George Floyd has heavily impacted the city of Minneapolis.

Courtesy of USA Today

she loves as well as herself.

Frazier was also with a nineyear old girl who stated that when she saw what was happening to Floyd she “Was sad and kind of mad. It felt like he [Chauvin] was stopping his [Floyd’s] breathing, and it was kind of like hurting him” (MSNBC).

The raw emotional reaction of a nine-year old girl speaks volumes as to what happened to Floyd on May 25. Kids tend to say it like it is, radiating honesty, and this young girl says outright that Chauvin was hurting Floyd, which in turn made her feel mad inside. The innocence

behind this specific witness testimony speaks to how this case is universally upsetting on a deep level.

The large takeaway for me is that the murder of Floyd has reached people in unthinkable ways. It has not only affected the witnesses but our entire country. In a way, we are all witnesses to this tragedy and along with that, we are handed a large responsibility. It is now the responsibility of our country to move forward productively by looking inward.

Floyd’s murder is not an isolated incident. Racism is flourishing in our country as we speak.

While most of us have recognized the impact of racism in our police system and beyond, we must each do better by educating ourselves and knowing that speaking up can make a difference.

Frazier can lead as an example for all of us. She decided to film the occurrence on May 25, and because of this choice, Chauvin has a greater chance of being proven guilty. Frazier’s actions reveal that we each have a voice, and our daily choices can have a large impact on moving towards justice and equality in our country.

Vaccines Should Be Mandatory for Villanova Students Joe Adams Staff Writer

We’re nearing the end of the spring semester. Although there was a spike of COVID-19 cases in January, things have gone relatively smoothly in these past few weeks. But looking ahead, one question still remains on many of Villanova students’ minds: what will next semester look like?

One key aspect of this comes with vaccinations for both students and faculty. As the Villanova community waits for concrete information about vaccine distribution this spring, the University has encouraged students and faculty to get vaccinated as soon as they can. What I am most curious to know, however, is whether or not Villanova will require all students to be vaccinated for the fall 2021 semester.

At first, the idea of a mandated COVID-19 vaccination was a mere thought. I didn’t know how probable it was, or if people would think this was a good idea. Then, I heard the news last month that Rutgers University was requiring all students to be vaccinated for the fall 2021 semester.

Of course, the news was met with praise and controversy alike.

Some say that it can be dangerous to mandate the vaccine, since some people are hesitant to receive it. Yet, it is clear that Villanova should follow in Rutgers’ footsteps and mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all students for

the fall 2021 semester.

Think about how much safer campus could be in August and how much peace of mind we could have in just a few short months. If everyone on campus gets vaccinated, we would be able to walk around, interact with each other, and have fun without intense worry. Imagine being in a crowded space on campus, not thinking about whether or not being too close to someone else could expose you to the virus. Of course, the vaccines are not 100% effective, but they have been proven to work almost flawlessly in preventing infection –– and I trust the science.

As more and more states open up vaccination eligibility, there should be ample time for students to get vaccinated before we return to campus in August. By that time, not only will most (if not all) Villanova students be vaccinated, but most of the country will be as well.

Something worth considering with this proposed COVID-19 vaccine requirement is that Villanova already has a number of required immunizations for students. These immunizations include tuberculosis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, polio, chicken pox and two for meningitis. With so many vaccines currently required (and rightfully so), I will be left wondering why the COVID-19 vaccine was not added to the list if Villanova does not mandate it for the fall 2021 semester.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe. The

More and more Americans are getting vaccinated.

Courtesy of Adobe Stock Images

science backs it up. Just because there are now people who are saying that it doesn’t work and believing conspiracy theories online doesn’t mean we shouldn’t mandate the vaccine. The problem with COVID-19 is that it has become political, so something as simple as receiving a vaccine to stay healthy has now become a controversial topic.

I want to end by saying that this is not about forcing people to get vaccinated against their will. In the message from Rutgers University, they included that “Students may request an exemption from vaccination for medical or religious reasons.” This makes sense. Obviously, we don’t want

to force students to do this without their consent. At the end of the day, this mandate would be about saving lives, making campus safe and creating an environment in which we are being as responsible and careful as possible.

If everyone at Villanova were vaccinated, it would make for an outstanding fall semester. We could still test students weekly like we are right now to be as safe as possible, but our case count would certainly be low. Hopefully, Villanova will set an example for other universities across the nation and mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all students.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

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

CATE McCUSKER Editor-in-Chief JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN

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OPINION

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 auhtors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.

The Philadelphia Eagles Remain in Shambles Jacob Artz Staff Writer

A little more than three years ago, in February of 2018, the city of Philadelphia celebrated its beloved Eagles’ first ever national championship, thanks to the efforts and talent of quarterback Carson Wentz.

The Eagles gave up a lot of capital in the draft to acquire Wentz, as they thought he would be the franchise quarterback. For the first few seasons of his career, he in fact was the franchise quarterback, leading the Super Bowl-winning team to an 11-2 record. This was all before he got hurt with grade three LCL and ACL injuries, according to sportsinjurypredictor.com.

This was the beginning of the end, as Nick Foles caught lightning in a bottle and led Philadelphia to a title. However, the messy and strange divorce between the wonder boy and management did not have to be this dysfunctional.

The questions all started when Jalen Hurts was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This move was not only puzzling from a quarterback standpoint but also from an organizational standpoint because the Eagles had many other draft needs on defense. Furthermore, the Eagles had just signed Wentz to a

Jalen Hurts warms up with the Eagles.

Courtesy of NFL

four-year extension in 2019 that was worth more than $100 million dollars. The coaches and management justified taking Hurts that early under the cliché that they were evaluating every position.

This is not meant to be demeaning towards Hurts in the slightest. He has definitely earned his stripes, as he started for two of the best programs in college football, Alabama and Oklahoma, and he led these teams to multiple College Football Playoff appearances.

However, I don’t agree that he was the wrong guy to pick for the Ea-

gles at that juncture. I remember sitting on my couch and watching the virtual draft in awe and shock seeing that the Eagles would invest so much in a quarterback after all their indications of support for Wentz.

Was this the reason that Wentz played so badly in 2020 and was benched for the last four games? No. The offensive line was battered and marred, so the opposing defensive lines had free reign to tee off on Wentz. Many of the receivers were hurt, so players were brought up from backup or prac-

tice squads to start. The coach’s failure to stick with a running game that was fairly successful with Miles Saunders and Boston Scott certainly hurt Wentz’s ability to complete passes consistently.

The fact that Hurts was there surely contributed to Wentz slowly looking over his shoulder, wondering if he would actually be replaced. Once he was, the ship of Wentz had sailed. After a lengthy silence and trade rumors, he went to Indianapolis for a few draft picks.

Now, the Eagles management has created a new problem with reports coming out that they tried to trade up for the third overall pick in an attempt to get the BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. I have no idea why they would want a guy who had one spectacular season against horrible competition, but apparently they do.

Further reports now indicate the organization is “unsure” of Hurts. Again, the organization must be crazy to think this. In his first start against a formidable New Orleans defense, Hurts ran for more than 100 yards and led the Eagles to an improbable win. He did lose his last three games, but he played decently well in these games. The Eagles need to be sure of Hurts, and they need to give this leader and talented quarterback a full season to prove himself as the full-time starter.

Bonnaroo and the Long-Awaited Return of Live Music Tina Aron Co-Opinion Editor

After more than a year of virtually no live events, the return of the famous Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival lineup is desperately awaited.

On March 31, the festival announced that concerts are scheduled to run from September 2-5. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the festival, held in Manchester, Tennessee, which makes its return all the more special. The return of the festival is obviously met with logistical questions regarding the pandemic, especially as this is one of the biggest events that is set to return post-COVID-19.

Some of the questions that immediately come to my head include, are masks required? Is it limited capacity? Will there be social distancing?

These questions, while legitimate, will likely come up often as the world adjusts to a new normal. The slow progression of vaccinations in the United States

leaves us in a strange limbo where some people feel safe while others are still taking many precautions.

It is unfortunate that something as simple as a concert must come with a heightened anxiety, but it is an anxiety that our society has dealt with for over a year now.

While Bonnaroo is set for the end of summer 2021, the pandemic’s effects will most likely linger. Festival officials, according to the Bonnaroo website, “intend to abide by relevant recommendations to ensure a safe and enjoyable festival,” but it does not outline any details.

It will be interesting to see if providing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry to the festival, as this would probably be the safest route for a festival to take regarding safety precautions.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently issued an executive order that bans businesses from requiring proof of vaccination, as the order states that “vaccination passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy.” Some GOP Tennessee

legislators are also vocal about prohibiting proof of vaccination, but nothing is finalized.

With Bonnaroo scheduled for the end of the summer, it is set to (hopefully) mark the end of the pandemic, and the lineup does not disappoint.

The headliners cover a variety of music genres, from rap and R&B artists Megan Thee Stallion and Tyler, the Creator to a more indie and alternative mix of Tame Impala and Lana Del Ray. The Foo Fighters are making an appearance as well, as they always seem to do at every music festival.

This lineup is next to perfect, as these headliners not only cover a variety of music tastes but will also work to represent the crowd that will be present: Gen Zers fresh out of their first summer post-pandemic.

Megan Thee Stallion gained a ton of traction during quarantine, which can be attributed to the entertainment provided

by TikTok when everyone was stuck inside. Megan radiates her unapologetic nature and confi-

dence through her music, two traits that Gen Z will surely channel after a year of a pandemic finally ends.

Not only do the headliners absolutely deliver, but the supporting acts do as well. Some artists to note are Phoebe Bridgers (who was nominated for four Grammys this year), Glass Animals, Omar Apollo, Leon Bridges and so many more.

The range of music genres will appeal to any crowd, as I am sure they expect a mix of live-music lovers who have been deprived for a long time.

While we all knew eventually that concerts and live events would return, Bonnaroo’s announcement means much more than it has ever before. Especially for college students, the lack of breaks and social activities has taken a massive toll on our mental well-being.

This announcement of the festival’s return, as well as those that follow it, is the optimism and hope that everyone needs right now as the end of the pandemic is in sight.

8 | The Villanovan

OPINION

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Ship Halts Trade in Suez Canal: Sparks Internet Memes Taleen Postian Staff Writer

Waking up on a normal Wednesday morning, I don’t usually read news about international shipping routes. Yet the course of the Ever Given shipping container proved itself to be unique and worthy of the world’s attention.

On Wednesday, March 24, the Ever Given’s bow got stuck in the bank of the Suez Canal, grinding both the ship and international shipping to a standstill.

This impasse on international trade was due to the fact that the Suez Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world in terms of global commerce, with more than 50 ships passing through the canal each day. The Ever Given is a cargo carrier weighing more than 200,000 tons and measuring more than 1,300 feet long and 193 feet wide. This feat of human ingenuity (lodging a cargo ship in the banks of the Suez Canal) was even able to be seen from space.

By Thursday, I had sent Suez Canal memes to no less than five different people. It felt like April Fools came early. Some saw the potential for the Ever Given to be a different kind of vessel, a vessel for fantastic jokes. Others understood it to be a metaphor for our time, with one meme placing the Ever Given as their “mental health problems incurred and exacerbated due to a pandemic and

financial reckoning hitting with the recent freeing of the cargo ship because they had just spent all their stimulus money on starting a merch company for the stuck vessel.

Perhaps the best summary of how we should fondly remember this ludicrous event is a Dr. Seuss quote saying, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” emblazoned on top of a picture of the stuck Ever Given in rainbow font.

While this interruption to international trade is not a net positive in terms of improving the economy or trade, it does provide much-needed relief from the onslaught of the frankly despondent and devastating news that has characterized the international news cycle for the past year. A situation that could be compared to everyone in the world watching the aftermath of a failed parallel parking attempt is funny, and I’m Twitter was overwhelmed with Suez Canal-related memes. glad that we were able to have Courtesy of @PerthshireMags/Twitter something to laugh about in this isolation” and the initial ineffecly removed from the bank of the crazy year. tual rescue crew, which seemingly canal for six days. The ship was

For those concerned with consisted of a sparse two workmen eventually freed due to the rising the blockage of trade along the and a small excavating truck, as tides helping the various discanal due to the Ever Given’s the common and somewhat overpatched tugnuts to free the cargo grounding, as of April 3, the done suggestion, “have you tried ship. But that was not the end of Egyptian canal authorities have mindfulness?” shipping container-based humor, confirmed that the 422 or so ships

While it can feel like the with the hashtag #putitback gain- that were creating a maritime news cycle spins at a frantic pace ing popularity and then trending bottleneck have successfully passed and what is newsworthy one day almost immediately after the Ever through the canal, returning is ancient history the next, the Given was freed from the Suez international shipping to normal Ever Given was not done giving us Canal bank. in “record time” according to Lt. laughs. After running aground, the The memes continued, Gen. Osama Rabie, chairman of cargo ship failed to be successfulwith some devastated at their own the Suez Canal Authority.

Student Support for Environmental Justice in Chester Madeline Scolio Staff Writer

About 13 miles away from Villanova’s picturesque campus is the Chester City waterfront, populated by one of the nation’s largest municipal waste incinerators, a coal-fired power plant owned by Covanta and a Scott Paper mill.

The waste incinerated there comes not only from Chester and neighboring towns in Delaware County, but also from major metropolitan areas across the East Coast, including Philadelphia and New York City. In fact, only 1.6% of the waste burned in Chester originates from Chester. As a majority-Black community with disproportionate respiratory health issues from incineration, Chester is fighting hard against a long legacy of systemic environmental racism for its right to breathe. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact BIPOC communities and those with long-term exposure to air pollution, the city of Chester and Delaware County must reexamine waste incineration practices now more than ever before.

For the last three decades, one group of Chester residents has come together to address these problems through collaborative advocacy. Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living (CRCQL), founded and led by Chester resident Zulene Mayfield since 1992, has spearheaded conversations at the community level to

address the harms of incineration and to consider promising alternative waste management strategies.

In 1996, inspired by CRCQL’s vision, students across 15 college campuses in five states founded the Campus Coalition Concerning Chester, or C-4, to help achieve environmental justice. These two groups have made strides to protect the health of Chester and the wider community by advocating against the use of harmful trash incineration. Over the years, these groups have also lobbied city officials to block proposals for new industrial facilities that would further compound the environmental injustices faced by Chester residents. In 1994, the two groups aided in the passing of a trailblazing zoning measure, a policy that prevented additional waste-management facilities from entering Chester if they increased net carbon emissions. By encouraging community mobilization, CRCQL has worked to address the environmental and humanitarian issues caused by these industries.

This year, CRCQL is raising funds to rally support for its belief that everyone has the right to breathe clean air. CRCQL directs donations toward coordinating efforts to shut down the Covanta incinerator by hiring full-time canvassers and advocates from Chester.

Covanta’s contract with Delaware County, which stipulates that the county must transfer a minimum of 300,000 tons of waste per year, is up for renewal in the Spring of 2022, and the arbitration process

begins this year. CRCQL will use accrued funds to hire and compensate a local Chester resident to lead the charge in renegotiating the Delco-Covanta contract, taking steps with neighboring towns and boroughs to impede its renewal.

Even more imminent, however, is the renewal process for Covanta’s contract with Ocean City, MD, a municipality that has no recycling infrastructure in place. CRCQL will also use donations to encourage Ocean City to reinstate recycling practices (which have been absent for upwards of a decade) and, more saliently, to stop shipping its waste stream to Chester.

After surpassing an initial fundraising goal of $3,000 between the outset of the Go Fund Me campaign in November and late January, CRCQL has since increased its interim goal to $4,000. In mid-December, CRCQL enthusiastically announced that an anonymous donor is willing to match up to $10,000 in donations, a promising sign for the fundraiser’s future.

CRCQL continues to encourage supporters to share and donate any amount because, as their fundraising page proclaims, “even $5 is greatly appreciated!”

Today, as environmental protection and justice become matters of greater concern across the country, CRCQL is once again joined by renewed engagement from local colleges. As 2021 begins, C-4 is working with new vigor to support CRCQL’s endeavors to advocate for solutions and alterna-

tives that reduce harm to Chester and the surrounding community. As this Coalition moves forward, the University hopes to aid CRCQL in accomplishing its mission and goals.

Now, Villanova’s C-4 chapter aims to support CRCQL by rebuilding alliances with local colleges.

In doing so, the chapter aims to collectively spearhead initiatives that promote environmental justice in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, it hopes to interrogate our own college communities’ complicities and roles in this injustice and implement institutional solutions for waste management. C-4 @ Villanova will also aid CRCQL in its “CLOSE COVANTA ‘’ campaign, work to inform local civic leaders and the larger community about the hazards of trash incineration and support CRCQL’s collaboration with Delaware County Environmental Justice on a zero-waste program.

Most importantly, C-4 will need strong student support in order to be an effective ally to CRCQL. The chapter needs students with diverse backgrounds, skills and interests to join in engaging campuses throughout the state, persuading city officials to prioritize public health and uplifting the voices of Chester residents.

As partial residents of Delaware County, we need to remember that Chester’s air is our air. As students at a college committed to social justice and equity, we must remember that everyone deserves the right to breathe.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 9

CULTURE

Villanova’s On-Campus Stigma Around Liberal Arts Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

When engineering, nursing or business majors state what they study, it is most likely never met with an awkward pause or a diminishing joke. The same cannot be said for liberal arts students, who walk around campus with the nickname “arts and crafts” plastered onto their fields of study.

What is it about liberal arts that is so easy to judge? And, is being in the liberal arts school really as useless as people make it seem?

Of course, the answer is no.

Here is why.

For one, a liberal arts education is vast and diverse. People tend to get intimidated by the lack of focus the school can have and see no use in something that does not have a severe focus.

“There has been a lot of skepticism about the value of a liberal arts education, a feeling that tends to spike during economic downturns, prompting many students and parents to seek training for a specific career,” The Washington Post reported. “Some small liberal arts colleges have closed, or considered closing, in recent years.”

The skepticism around liberal arts also comes from the belief that it lacks any sort of value in the long run.

Terms like “English major” have terrified parents for years. Their fears stem from the idea that their child is going to have no avenue on which to follow after graduating. However, that is not the case.

“NACE found that first-generation students on average received post-graduation starting salaries of $43,320, about 12 percent below the pay packages being landed by peers with multiple generations of college experience,” The Atlantic said in a 2017 article. “Yet over time, liberal-arts graduates’ earnings often surge, especially for students pursuing advanced degrees.”

For jobs in fields like engineering, the beginning pay is often higher than those of a liberal arts degree. With time comes the more advantage paid for liberal arts graduates.

“This happens for two reasons,” The New York Times said. “First, many of the latest technical skills that are in high demand today become obsolete when technology progresses. Older workers must learn these new skills on the fly, while younger workers may have learned them in school. Skill obsolescence and increased competition from younger graduates work together to lower the earnings advantage for STEM degree-holders as they age.”

For liberal arts majors, the skills learned in college like critical thinking, communicating and analyzing only grow and are fostered through the professional years. This process creates room to expand and eventually make more money. Thus, the idea that going into such a type of college is pointless does not have any base.

Another reason people are so quick to discount liberal arts is because some see the forced curriculum in multiple fields of study as wasteful.

Willard Dix discussed the reasoning as to why spending time taking so many different classes is contrary to wasteful.

“It opens doors, enabling the mind to go wherever it wants in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding,” Dix said. “It bends toward openness instead of containment.”

In a world where one-track mindsets are endorsed and cause so many issues, liberal arts provides an alternative mindset. It enables students to see beyond their own thoughts. Not only that, but it helps students really find what they are passionate about.

Exploration leads to self discovery.

The last assumption about the liberal arts education is that it is easier than business or engineering. The only thing to be said about that assumption is that it is extremely subjective. It is impossible to know every liberal arts student’s experience in their respective majors in comparison to other schools.

While the people of the University definitely have some preconceived notions about what it means to be in the liberal arts school, there are still undoubted benefits and truths that support the liberal arts education and defy those claims.

At Villanova, an on campus stigma exists around Liberal Arts majors.

Courtesy of Villanova University

The Epic Highs and Lows of Watching “Riverdale” Sneha Beri Staff Writer

We’ve all seen the out of context videos on Twitter: Archie telling Reggie he got mauled by “a freakin’ bear,” Jughead wearing a “stupid hat” because he’s a weird weirdo that doesn’t fit in or Archie in jail lamenting over people who have spent time in prison instead of experiencing “the epic highs and lows of high school football.”

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that The CW’s “Riverdale” is good (no matter how much I want to), because that’s subjective. However, I do believe that there are things that make it worth watching. I promise, some of the clips are less ridiculous — even if they’re just as outlandish — in context.

Before going into the merits of “Riverdale,” it is important to acknowledge the less savory aspects of the show. Characters of color are often given less backstory and screen time than white characters, save for Veronica who is a part of the “core four” (with Betty, Archie and Jughead rounding the group out). Bernadette Beck, Asha Bromfield and Vanessa Morgan, Black actresses on the show, have spoken out about how “Riverdale” has failed its characters. Their concerns centered around the Black characters on the show essentially being reduced to one-note plot devices, and though the head writer promised change, myself and other fans have noticed Toni Topaz (Morgan) still

being relegated to that role from time to time despite running in the same circles and narrative arcs as the white characters.

“Riverdale” is by no means a perfect show, and audiences should listen to actors of color, especially Black actresses, when they speak out about their treatment on any set. The way to move forward as a fan and as

That being said, the writers do know what they’re doing sometimes.

At its heart, “Riverdale” is an examination of cycles and the suffocating veneer of “perfect” small towns. Like I said before, it probably is worth your while. Yes, the plots and dialogue are ridiculous (sometimes overwhelmingly so), but it works. Obviously, the show and the comics have entirely different plots, but the television characters are just as, if not more endearing than the comic characters. This allows for viewers to join them on their bizarre story arcs with a degree of familiarity and friendliness. By the end of the first season, the only thing I wanted was to see how the characters I cared about would end up in the second.

The CW’s “Riverdale” is able to do something the comic books can’t.

In a serialized fashion, creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and the rest of the creative team are able to view the town so many people grew up reading about through a darker (but still palatable) lens. It’s not your mother’s “Riverdale,” but it kind of is. Despite the layers of camp and irony and whatever words a fan uses to justify Archie Getting Mauled By A Freaking Bear, the show demonstrates the very real effects of suppression and filthy underbellies in small towns. It takes perfection, turns it over and shows viewers the cracks. And it’s pretty entertaining.

All I’m saying is, there are much worse ways of spending 45 minutes. Let the core four and their insane friends/enemies/fellow gang members/private school friends/parents Veronica and Betty are two of the show’s most iconic characters. with NPD into your life. a potential watcher is to continue to monitor the way writers treat these characters and find ways to keep said writers accountable — especially with a show like “Riverdale,” in which the writers are terminally online enough to include “Succession” references, a possible homage to a Letterboxed review of “Joker” and alien abductions within the same season.

Courtesy of Vulture

10 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Class of 2021 Responds to Latest Graduation Update Olivia Sabalaskey Staff Writer Continued from p. 1 ...graduation, seniors were excited

to receive word on March 25 from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. that they are allowed to invite two guests to attend select events during Commencement Weekend this May.

Peter Rouse, a senior Finance major, is thrilled by the news.

“I am extremely excited that my parents can now be physically present to see me walk across the stage at graduation,” Rouse said. “I owe my success to their continued love and support. They deserve to be able to celebrate by my side.”

Tim Rouse, Peter’s father, shared his son’s excitement.

“Our children’s lives speed by so quickly,” Tim said. “Not being able to participate in an important moment like college graduation would be sad. So, getting the news that we can attend is wonderful.”

Cassie Renz, a senior Nursing major, is ecstatic about her parents being able to attend her graduation.

“I’m really happy that two guests are now allowed to come,” Renz said. “My parents have always been my number one supporters. Having them actually see me graduate is going to make Commencement even more meaningful.”

Taylor Campbell, a senior Communication major and Business minor, is relieved and excited that her parents will be able to attend her graduation.

“When we got the origi-

Kate Canavan, a senior Finance, International Business and Business Analytics major and Spanish minor, is excited that her parents will be able to attend select events during Commencement Weekend.

“I am very excited about the recent update,” Canavan said.

“My parents have supported me throughout my college experience and they are looking forward to attending the graduation ceremony in person.”

Lexi Norcross, a senior Computer Science major and Psychology minor, is thrilled that the Class of 2021 will be able to invite two guests.

“My friends and I were very excited when we heard the news,” Norcross said. “To have a Commencement without any guests would have felt pretty empty. More importantly, I imagine that the selected guests will be so appreciative of the opportunity to celebrate someone that they have supported over the past four years.”

In his email, Donohue expressed that Villanova understands that many students and families will choose to attend events during Commencement Weekend remotely. Therefore, Villanova is committed to providing a virtual option for graduates and their families.

As the Class of 2021 and their loved ones look forward to a celebratory graduation in May, Donohue noted the importance of following Villanova’s CARITAS Commitment and CDC guidelines, which includes wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. More updates and information will be communicated via Members of the Class of 2021 respond to the University’s latest graduation update. email and on the Commencement Courtesy of Villanova University website in the coming weeks.

nal announcement that no guests would be allowed at our commencement, students and parents were all disappointed,” Campbell said. “I think Villanova sensed this and really listened to what we had to say by allowing us to now have two guests attend. We all worked way too hard to not have our loved ones with us to celebrate this big moment, and I’m happy that Villanova recognized this.”

Emily Cooner, a senior Marketing and Business Analytics

co-major, also shared her excitement about the graduation update.

“I was thrilled to hear that Villanova would allow two guests at graduation,” Cooner said.

“College graduation is one of the biggest events in our lives thus far, so it means a lot to be able to have our parents attend the ceremony.

I’m grateful that Villanova extended the invitation to two guests, and I’m looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2021 in May.”

Fight Mascne: Top Skincare Products For College Students Maddie Schieder Staff Writer

The pandemic has done much damage to humans everywhere in a variety of ways, including our skin under the mask.

Wearing a mask is mandated everywhere, which is great to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, it will cause some breakouts if worn all day in different weather conditions. Even those with perfect hygiene will experience these spots.

It is bound to happen, but do not fear. Here is a list of top skincare products for college students that are affordable and effective for alleviating some of the stress of wearing a mask and taking it off.

Nothing feels better than ripping that mask off at the end of the day. However, as soon as you are able to take it off, make sure to wash away the dirt and grime that was collected all day. Here are a few face washes perfect for any skin type with simple ingredients and reasonable prices.

1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($6.39 at Target) 2. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($8.22 at Walmart)

COVID-19 protective face masks are bound to cause breakouts, even with perfect hygiene.

Courtesy of A Magazine

3.CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser ($10.99 at Target) 4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser ($15 on Amazon) 5.Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser ($36 at Sephora)

After using a face wash, do not be shy to go in with more products. Micellar water is a great option to get rid of any extra dirt the face wash did not cleanse. This can be used with a cotton pad, and it makes your skin glow. There are so many brands out there ranging from Garnier to Simply sold at drugstores down the road, includ-

ing the Lancaster CVS. Many people stop here, but to get rid of those larger and most unwanted friends on your face, let’s keep going.

Amazon has a very large range of skincare products to offer.

Depending on skin type and price range, it is not hard to find the perfect fit. Following a double cleanse, there are many directions available. One can use serums, moisturizers, eye creams, face masks and more. Some of these products are fairly expensive, but don’t let this scare you. There are plenty of serums and additional formulas in the college student budget range.

1. Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($6 on Good Molecules Website) 2. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80 at Sephora) 3. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($8.99 at Target) 4. iUNIK Serums: Black Snail, Tea Tree Relief ($16.99 on Amazon) 5. Versed Sunday Morning Antioxidant Oil Serum ($19.99 at Target) 6. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask ($28.50 at Kiehl’s) 7. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum ($80 at Sephora)

Although some of these products are not exactly “cheap,” they are worth the price, given they are on the cheaper side of post-face-wash products. Notable brands like The Ordinary, iUNIK, Versed and Drunk Elephant are trusted by many. On the other hand, brands with simple ingredients like CeraVe and Cetaphil are great for clearing up unwelcomed acne. Using a good lip balm overnight also helps with the “maskne,” as adding cracked lips to the mess is not a good look. Try out new products if one is not working.

There are plenty out there to try, so one does not have to worry about those pesky breakouts any longer.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 11

Villanova Theater Production of “The Scar Test” Julia Stanisci Co-Culture Editor

From Mar. 25-April 4, Villanova Theater’s production of “The Scar Test” was available for streaming. The show could be accessed via a link acquired through registration, which was free for all audience members, and a $10 donation per viewer was suggested.

“The Scar Test” was written by Hannah Khalil, a writer of Palestinian-Irish heritage, who was awarded the prestigious Heimbold Chairship for Villanova University during Spring 2021. The production was directed by Claire Moyer, freelance director and the Associate Director and Literary Manager for Inis Nua Theatre Company in Philadelphia.

The production is introduced on Villanova Theater’s website with a compelling quote from the script.

“We’re in prison,” the script writes.

“But we’ve done nothing wrong…I just–I can’t believe this is England.”

Villanova Theater goes on to detail a general summary of the show, which highlights the brutal truths of a migrant detention center in England and the horrors that the women entrapped there face.

“They expected to be free from the horrors of their homelands when they finally fled to the United Kingdom; instead, imprisoned together at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, a cohort of asylum seekers find themselves stuck in limbo, stripped of their privacy, and isolated a world away from the lives they used to know,” Villanova Theater says.

“Based on interviews with current

and former detainees, Irish-Palestinian playwright Hannah Khalil’s ‘The Scar Test’ offers a powerful and unflinching snapshot of life inside England’s migrant detention system. Fiercely felt and fearlessly told, ‘The Scar Test’ is an incendiary theatrical experience that will stay with you long after the performance has ended.”

Throughout the play, the small group of actors were able to seamlessly transition to and from completely different characters, with entirely different backgrounds and roles. The different detainees also had entirely different accents, which was very impressive, and the audience could easily figure out where each character had immigrated from due to the actors’ successful execution of these voices.

The actors were able to transform such a simple set in a drastically impressive manner. They essentially only had chairs, a desk and a bed frame to work with, but the choices they made and their execution allowed the audience to imagine an entire elaborate, cold, harsh detention center at the English border. Their use of the space and the simple props got their messages across and resuled in just enough leeway for the audience to imagine.

The play was heartbreakingly powerful and sent an important message regarding the realities of our democratic systems, both on a national and global scale. The women detainees are forced to suffer through constant surveillance by brutish male guards who constantly violate their privacy, all the whilst trying to recover from the traumas they have endured in the places they are fleeing from. To make

matters worse, there are impossible language barriers between these women and the volunteers and lawyers who are trying to help them, making them almost entirely out of control of their fates. The play sent a strong statement about how these disturbing systems require immediate, drastic change in order for them to be even remotely humane environments.

The actors and production team of “The Scar Test” were extremely talented and impressive.

The team had to abide by strict social distancing guidelines and all wore masks and remained at least six feet apart for the entire duration of the show. They faced these obstacles with poise and creativity, finding new ways to express emotion while their faces were covered by a mask, and exhibiting other ways of physical interaction besides touch and proximity. The audience greatly benefited from these actors and their incredible work, and they did this important script justice

amid unthinkable obstacles.

Veshonte Brown, a first year graduate student receiving her Master of Arts in Theatre with a certificate in Nonprofit Management, was a key actor in the production, taking on four characters.

She spoke on the experience of putting on a show during the pandemic and the difficulties and rewards the cast encountered.

“Scar Test’ is the result of a bunch of people coming together and deciding to do theater in spite of hardship,” Brown said. “And it was magic because of that. Every actor and member of the production worked hard to keep each other and our colleagues safe. We followed Covid protocols. We were kind to each other, acknowledged and addressed our anxieties about the pandemic. And our reward was the show. For a lot of us, doing theater felt impossible six months ago.

But ‘The Scar Test’ was a testament that there is a way to tell amazing stories while being safe.”

Villanova Theatre performed Scar Test online.

Courtesy of Villanova Theatre

The Loss of Patience: Why We Can’t Wait Anymore

and maybe even the curriculum, to cater to students whose attenIsabella Otero tion spans have decreased over the Staff Writer last few years.

“This is us: eyes glazed, mouth open, neck crooked,

Our phones and other trapped in dopamine loops and various technological devices have filter bubbles,” The New York become literal extensions of our Times said. “Our attention is sold physical bodies. Our phones follow to advertisers, along with our data, us everywhere, and it is rare to see and handed back to us tattered someone walking through campus and piecemeal.” without their phone in their hand

No one is to blame for or their eyes glued to a screen. It’s this phenomenon besides the big been almost a year since the world tech companies that profit off entered a global lockdown and our demise. Phones, laptops and people were physically stuck with apps alike have all been designed nothing but their family and their to capture us, our attention, our devices. With screen time rising data and our money. With college and motivation decreasing, the students being the group largely ease, comfort and accessibility of technology has negatively affected In the modern age, people have more and more trouble with patience. affected due to the upbringing Courtesy of The New York Times/ ames Clapham alongside technology, all generaalmost all groups of people. tions below will also be just as af Technology has been fected. Just think of all the babies designed to grab our attention for a constant waterfall of fast-moving the focus that classes command content that pleases the desire for is out of many people’s abilities. and toddlers glued to iPads. long amounts of time. Applicafast-moving satisfaction. TikTok is Katherine Hayles, an English

The only thing that can be tions that grant us instant gratifione of the many reasons why peo- teacher at U.C.L.A, has witnessed done now is to utilize the screencation, such as TikTok, are able ple find it hard to watch a movie, her students go from being able time restrictions. By allotting a to grab our attention and keep it.

YouTube videos or Netflix: the to remain deeply attentive to only certain amount of time to an app The fast-paced behavior of Tikcontent is just not developing fast being able to hyperfocus and skim and having a friend set a password Tok is also the culprit behind the enough.

Our brains have become the surface of many assignments for it, you will be prompted off of decrease in the attention spans so used to jumping our focus from and lectures. Like U.C.L.A, Coan app as soon as that time is up, of technology users. On TikTok, one thing to the next that it is lumbia has also begun to modify and unless your friend is willing there is a new video every 15-60 extremely hard to remain focused its teaching methods. With its core to let you fail and enter the passseconds. The “For You” page is and present while watching some- curriculum being extremely heavy word, you won’t be able to continalso designed to show new videos thing of a longer duration. on reading, professors have been ue on the app and will be forced every time you refresh the page

This also applies to school trying to figure out different ways off. There is of course the other or open the app. Boredom may - especially school. Whether it be to cater to today’s students. The option, which is to stop giving kids never be achieved with the “taimain focus is altering the teaching, iPads altogether. lored to you” algorithm. TikTok is an online or an in-person lecture,

12 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Villavogue: Spring 2021 Handbag Trends to Look Out For Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer

One of the most neglected accessories of this past year is the handbag. With little to nothing to do, thanks to COVID-19, you’ve probably opted to carry around your most practical bag when you actually need one.

As we approach spring and warm weather, it is apparent that restrictions are starting to loosen.

With returning to normalcy hopefully in the near future, new handbag trends are starting to emerge that have been seen in fashion weeks from Paris, Copenhagen, Milan and everything in between.

If you are in search of a new purse this season, make it one of these spring 2021 trends — they won’t let you down.

Chains. We’ve been seeing handbags with chain handles since

the 2019 runways, but this time, they are back and bolder than ever. The extra-long links add a bit of edge to any leather pouch purse. Examples of this trend can be found at high end shops such as Manu Atelier and DeMellier, and more affordable options are on Shein and Amazon.

Curved Carryall. The curved carryall can be described as a shoulder bag or tote made with a crescent shaped top closure and a

Shein and Amazon offer plenty of affordable chain handbags.

Courtesy of Shein.com

single strap. These bags come in all sorts of colors and materials, and it is the iconic shape that allows this handbag to stand out. One can dream to own the Bottega Veneta BV Banana carryall one day.

On-Point Totes. The days of square-shaped totes are over.

Spring 2021 is all about sleek and sharp totes with pointed edges.

These handbags are certainly elegant yet have a taste of practicality to them. Examples of such can be found at Bergdorf Goodman, Marni, Net-A-Porter and more.

Tech Savvy. This day in age makes it easy to just leave the house with only a phone in hand. Our whole world is at our fingertips. Want to order food?

DoorDash. Need a ride? Uber. To comply with our evolving lifestyle, designers have started creating stylish crossbody phone holders for those who wish to travel light and look fashionable while doing so.

The phone holder trend has been seen across Chanel and Balenciaga runways this year and are in full swing for spring.

Pillow Bags. No, we aren’t talking about the pillow you sleep with every night. Pillow bags are purses made of supremely supple scrunched, puffed and padded leathers. The excess leather used creates a cloud/pillow effect on the handbag worth obsessing over.

Color. As we know, with spring comes bright colors. No matter the silhouette or size of the handbag, opt for a bright colored hue. The biggest color trends for this upcoming season are mellow yellow, bubblegum pink, pastel purple, tennis-ball green and tangerine orange.

From tech-gadget couriers to roomy totes, there are plenty of practical yet elegant styles of handbags for this upcoming spring season.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

The Villanovan | 13

SPORTS

SPORTS

Baseball Sweeps St. Joe’s, On 12 Game Winning Streak Matthew Ryan Staff Writer

Last week, the ‘Cats played a three-game series on the road against St. Joe’s, which they swept, 8-7, 16-5 and 8-2. Nova has been on a tear ever since getting swept in its opening series, winning its last 12 games, giving it the longest winning streak since 1989.

Game one of the series on Thursday had freshman Devin Rivera on the mound for the ‘Cats, making this his first collegiate start.

In the bottom of the first, the Hawks got on the board with a sacrifice fly, giving them a 1-0 lead.

A two-out-double by senior Chris Rotondo in the top of the second gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.

The ‘Cats extended their lead to 3-1 in the top of the third, thanks to an RBI triple by graduate student Ryan Toohers.

In the bottom of the fifth, with runners on first and third and two outs, senior Cameron Mathes came in to relieve Rivera. The first batter Mathes faced hit a three-run home run, giving the Hawks a 4-3 lead.

That lead for the Hawks didn’t last long, as in the top of the sixth, junior Will Reiner hit an RBI single, and Rotondo hit an RBI triple, giving the ‘Cats a 5-4 lead.

A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth for the Hawks tied the game up at five, but bases-loaded walks in

In the bottom of the eighth, the ‘Cats kept the runs coming. Toohers hit a two-RBI single, and then McNary hit a grand slam, giving the ‘Cats a 16-2 lead.

St. Joe’s scored three runs in the top of the ninth, but the ‘Cats walked away from this game with an impressive 16-5 victory, their largest margin of victory all season.

The final game of the series and the second game of a doubleDylan Mcnary crosses home plate for the Wildcats, who have won 12 straight contests. header had Villanova as the away Courtesy of Villanova Athletics team and senior Jimmy Kingsbury on the top of the seventh by senior Pat going in the bottom of the second the mound.

O’Neill and junior Dylan McNary with Reiner hitting an RBI triple and The ‘Cats opened up the gave the ‘Cats a 7-5 lead. sophomore Jack O’Reilly reaching on scoring in the top of the third with

A Toohers RBI single in the a fielder’s choice, which scored Reina three-run home run by Rotondo, top of the eighth gave the Wildcats a er, giving the ‘Cats a 2-0 lead. giving the ‘Cats a 3-0 lead. much-needed insurance run, extend The bottom of the third was

The Wildcats extended their ing their lead to 8-5. huge for the Wildcats. Sophomore lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth with

In the bottom of the ninth, Lucas Latrenta reached on a fielder’s an RBI single by O’Neill. sophomore Danny Wilkinson came in choice, bringing home a run, and a

St. Joe’s got on the board in for the save. A double for the Hawks single by graduate student Nick Oar the bottom of the sixth with a twocut Nova’s lead to 8-6, and a basbrought home another, putting the run double, cutting Nova’s lead to 4-2. es-loaded walk with two outs made it ‘Cats up 4-0. With two runners on,

An RBI double by Toohers in a one-run game, but the ‘Cats hung Rotondo hit a three-run home run, the top of the seventh extended the on as the final batter for St. Joe’s flied which gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

‘Cats’ lead to 5-2. out, giving Villanova the 8-7 win.

An RBI single by Toohers, who led

In the top of the eighth, the

Game two of the series on off the inning with a double, extended ‘Cats blew this one open. Lorusso hit Saturday was the first game of a dou- the Wildcats’ lead to 8-0. an RBI single, and Toohers got hit by bleheader. Although the ‘Cats were

The Hawks got on the board a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring on the road, they were considered in the top of the fourth, scoring one a run. O’Neill hit a sacrifice fly, scorthe home team for this game because run, and then cut into their deficit ing another run and giving the ‘Cats the home game they were supposed again in the top of the sixth, scoring an 8-2 lead which went on to be the to have this series on Friday got one run and making it an 8-2 game. final score as the Wildcats got the 3-0 cancelled. With ace junior Gordon

RBI doubles from Oar in the series sweep.

Graceffo on the mound, the ‘Cats bottom of the sixth and O’Neill in

The ‘Cats start Big East play dominated. the bottom of the seventh extended next weekend against Creighton, with

The ‘Cats got the scoring Villanova’s lead to 10-2. a four game series in Omaha.

Athlete of the Week: Alex Kim Noah Swan Staff Writer

It is not just the 10-minute English presentation on existential literature for Alex Kim. It is also the daily tennis practices and workouts. It is not just the delirious trudge to the second floor of Tolentine for that 8:00 a.m. English class. It is also the short notice bus rides around the northeast to go play matches scheduled the day of.

As Villanova’s top tennis player, Kim lives with the challenge of balancing a full plate of responsibilities. But the North Carolina native embraces this aspect of Villanova life, and it was one of the reasons he traded Cary, NC for four years on the Main Line.

“My recruiting story was different from most players,” Kim said, but the community he felt when on Villanova’s campus made his decision easy despite interest in Davidson College, which is closer to home.

After four years at Panther Creek High School, the number two tennis player in North Carolina packed his bags for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

And Kim has not turned back.

As a freshman playing the number five position, he racked up 14 wins in a season eventually cut short.

Looking back on the season now, Kim feels like he was hitting a stride toward the end of the season. This year, after seeing four senior teammates gradu-

ate and a promotion to the number one singles position, Kim has been forced to make adjustments.

“It’s definitely been very interesting,” Kim said, understating some of the challenges he and the team have faced this campaign.

As a sophomore playing at the top of the lineup, Kim has struggled to match the same singles performance from last season.

His attitude has never wavered though.

Kim has been working closely with Coach Brad Adams on his new role in the team, emphasizing growth over a win or loss.

“[I should] just take the time to gain insight and information,” Kim said. “I am feeling like I am getting better through each match.’

He looks for inspiration from professional tennis players such as Australian Nick Kyrgios. The big-serving, heavy hitter is widely considered one of the most fun players to watch in the professional game. Kim feels like his strokes and strengths mirror that of Kyrgios, with the caveat that the sophomore keeps his attitude in check better than that of the controversial Australian.

But Kim cannot just focus on his individual performance.

With many graduated seniors, Kim has been thrust into the spotlight for a Villanova team in search of a leader. After becoming the top player on the team this season, Kim has embraced the leadership role for the team. His focus for this season has been to foster team chemistry for the

Villanova squad, a key to success in any sport.

One stretch of matches proved difficult but also impactful for the Wildcats when the team faced four different opponents over five days. The grueling gauntlet of competition proved tiring, Kim admitted, but the sophomore found the time spent among teammates beneficial.

“So many matches with traveling really helps the team chemistry,” Kim said.

With a volatile season in which matches can be cut or added from the schedule at a moment’s notice, racking up matches has sometimes superseded the comfort and rest of players. The pandemic has changed the lives of student-athletes, but Kim has found some bright spots in the shift to virtual life. The online format of classes has made his life much easier, as the convenience of Zoom helped balance the burden of COVID-19 restrictions on the court.

In the morsels of time Kim

finds in between practices and classes, he likes to destress with friends whether that be sharing a meal or playing Xbox. Relaxation is a vital counterbalance to such a hectic life, and Kim is constantly tinkering with his schedule to maintain an equilibrium.

As Villanova’s men’s tennis plays a season like no other, Kim faces the challenge of strengthening bonds with teammates while also sharpening his game against the top players from opposing teams and balancing a rigorous course load.

But this is nothing new for the sophomore.

Kim adjusted and thrived in high school and as a freshman at Villanova. He changed his routine and schedule when a global pandemic froze the world.

Whatever the challenges Kim and the tennis team may face, the Wildcats are equipped with a team and a leader prepared for anything that comes next, both on and off of the court.

Alex Kim has became the number one for Villanova Men’s Tennis.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

SPORTS

14 | The Villanovan

Football Routs Maine, 44-17 Nick France Staff Writer

A well-rested Villanova team trounced Maine 44-17 this past Saturday, behind four touchdowns from senior running back Justin Covington, after last week’s game against New Hampshire was postponed due to COVID-19.

The victory in Orono brought the Wildcats’ record to 2-1 and tied them for second in the conference.

The Wildcats got on the board early with a five-play, 66yard opening drive that was finished off by a 44-yard touchdown run by Covington. They followed that up with a 31-yard field goal from Cole Bunce on the next drive to take an early 10-0 lead. Closing out the first quarter, the Black Bears booted in a 26-yard field goal to make the score 10-3.

Villanova took over in the

second quarter, putting together a 13-play, 93-yard drive to score off a 13-yard pass from Daniel Smith to Rayjoun Pringle. This brought the score to 17-3, which was followed up at the end of the half by another Covington touchdown to bring the score to 24-3 before the half. This was a score from one yard out, set up by a 28-yard pass from Smith to Jaaron Hayek.

Villanova then scored two touchdowns in 30 seconds to push the lead to 38-3 and put the game away. Covington scored a oneyard run to finish an eight-play, 53-yard drive. Freshman K-Shawn Schulters then intercepted Maine’s Joe Fagnano and returned it all the way to the one yard line, a 49-yard return. Covington then punched it in for his fourth touchdown on the day.

The final Villanova touchdown was a five-yard run by Jalen Jackson, and the Black Bears

Senior running back Justin Covington ran for four touchdowns against Maine.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

rounded the game out with two fourth quarter touchdowns to settle the score at 44-17.

Villanova put up 428 yards of total offense, with 232 yards rushing and 196 yards through the air. Covington had 82 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with Jackson adding 10 rushes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Smith was 16-for-28 and amassed 176 yards and a touchdown, along with 27 rushing yards of his own.

For the Black Bears, Fagnano was 21-for-35 for 235 yards, throwing one pick. Running back Freddie Brock ran for 88 yards and a touchdown on fourteen attempts, adding four receptions for thirteen yards. Zavier Scott was the main threat through the air for Maine, with six receptions for 102 yards.

Forrest Rhyne returned from injury to lead the Villanova defense with eight total tackles, and Malik Fisher and Timmy Ferguson both assisted with a sack each.

Even special teams was clicking on the day, as punter Nathan Fondacaro had four punts for 190 yards, including a 68-yard boomer. He was named Colonial Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Wildcat teammates Covington and Rhyne, who were the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Villanova will take on Delaware on April 17 after Albany opted out of the spring season due to COVID-19 and canceled the April 10 game.

Cole Swider Transfers to Syracuse Colin Beazley Co-Sports Editor Billy Vinci Co-Sports Editor

Junior forward Cole Swider has decided to transfer from Villanova, the school announced Thursday. On Saturday, his transfer was complete, as he posted on Twitter declaring that he committed to Syracuse University, and would be joining Jim Boeheim’s team.

Swider appeared in 77 games during his three seasons at Villanova, starting 17 times for the Wildcats. This season he averaged 18.8 minutes, 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, but his strength for Villanova was in his range, connecting on over 40% of his attempts from three. However, Swider struggled with shooting during the second half of the season, as he failed to connect on two or more threes in eight straight games during the lead up to the NCAA Tournament. He remedied this against Winthrop and North Texas, hitting 2-3 against the Eagles and 3-4 against the Mean Green, but he failed to make a shot in the final game of the season against Baylor.

Swider announced on Twitter that he was transferring, shortly after the school’s press release.

“I would like to thank Coach Wright for giving me the

opportunity to play for such a great University, to all my teammates and coaches for the bonds and memories that we made over my 3 years.

With that being said I will be entering the Transfer Portal. THANK YOU VILLANOVA,” Swider tweeted.

Jay Wright gave his thoughts on the decision, saying “Cole has decided to explore his options in the transfer market, and we are fully supportive of his decision.

Throughout his time with us, Cole has done everything in his power to become the best Villanova Basketball player he can be. He’s been a great representative of our University and we will work with him as he navigates this process.”

Swider joined the Wildcats in 2018 as a four star recruit, ranked 34th in his class by ESPN. The Portsmouth, Rhode Island native averaged 31.4 points as a high school senior, leading St. Andrew’s to the NEPSAC AA championship game, and chose Villanova from a final four that included Duke, Syracuse, and Xavier.

He averaged 3.5 points off the bench during his freshman season, but saw an expanded role as a sophomore, starting fifteen times and averaging 6.1 points. Despite averaging marginally more minutes as a junior, he only started twice, and he likely would have struggled for minutes next season as the Wildcats added four talented recruits.

After Swider’s tweet, schools

nationwide reached out to his high school coach, Mike Hart, with interest from Miami, SEC pair Vanderbilt and Georgia, Washington, Rutgers, New Mexico, and Indiana, according to Morey Hershgordon of WPRI12.

However, Swider seemed always set on Syracuse. Hart confirmed that the Orange had reached out, saying there was “interest on both sides” in Swider joining Jim Boeheim’s team, who just advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, according to Mike Mcallister of SI.com.

As for the Wildcats, Swider becomes the first player to transfer since Jahvon Quinerly in 2019, but the largest effect from the transfer is that there will be yet another new face in the Villanova locker room next year. Despite Jeremiah Robinson-Earl likely leaving for the NBA draft, and with the “Super Senior” status of Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels up in the air, minutes for Swider likely would have been hard to come by, with big men minutes taken up by freshman Trey Patterson, redshirt sophomore Eric Dixon, and incoming recruit Nnanna Njoku. It also means that only one member of the highly regarded 2018 recruiting class, as of now, will make it to their senior year at Villanova. The 2018 high school class was ranked number nine in the country by 247sports.com, however, Quinerly transferred to Alabama, and Saddiq Bey entered the draft

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Mar. 31 - Apr. 6

Wednesday, March 31 Men’s Tennis @ St Johns 0-7 L Men’s Soccer vs UConn 4-1 W Thursday, April 1 Women’s Soccer vs North Carolina 0-1 L Baseball @ St Joseph’s 8-7 W Friday, April 2 Softball @ UMBC (G1) 12-2 W (5) Softball @ UMBC (G2) 2-5 L Saturday, April 3 Football @ Maine 44-17 W Baseball @ St Joseph’s (G1) 16-5 W Field Hockey @ UConn 0-8 L Men’s Lacrosse vs Providence 13-6 W Men’s Golf (Rolling Green Intercollegiate) T-4th/13 Men’s Track (Philadelphia Big 5 Meet) No Team Scoring Women’s Water Polo vs Long Island 12-16 L Sunday, April 4 Field Hockey vs UConn 0-3 L Monday, April 5 Women’s Soccer vs Providence 1-2 L Tuesday, April 6 Softball vs Delaware St (G1) 8-0 W (5) Softball vs Delaware St (G2) 11-2 W (5) and was a first round pick following his sophomore season. Brandon Slater is the only member of that class still on the roster.

For the Orange, Swider will provide another deep threat to go with rising senior Buddy Boehiem, and rising junior Joseph Girard, assuming they both return. Boehiem could test the NBA draft waters after a very successful tournament, while Girard had been rumored to be considering entering the transfer portal himself. If they both return, which seems to be the likeliest outcome, Syracuse will have a bevy of shooting threats. Additionally, one of Swider’s biggest issues at Villanova was his struggles in a Wildcat man-to-man defense predicated on switching. The Orange play a well known 2-3 zone, which plays to Swider’s strengths. He won’t have to defend in space as much, but instead will be walling up inside more. Swider had some success doing that at Villanova, particularly against former Georgetown big man Qudus Wahab, and will thrive in the 2-3 zone.

Swider leaves Villanova with 403 career points, 186 rebounds, and 57 assists. He will have two years of eligibility remaining due to the 2020-21 season not counting for eligibility purposes.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

SPORTS

The Villanovan | 15

Track and Field Competes At the Big 5 Meet Zac Tipton Staff Writer

The track and field teams were in action this past weekend at the Philadelphia Big 5 Meet. It was a cold and windy day, which caused difficulties for some events, like the pole jump. There was no team scoring, but Villanova had several individual first place medals and other personal records throughout the team.

The men’s team had five first place finishers, and the women’s team also had five first place finishers in both track and field events. The men also had four second place medals and eight third place medals. The women finished with six silvers and four bronze medals. Many individuals on both teams also set personal bests.

On the men’s side, the first-place finishers were Keegan Hughes in the 400-meter hurdles,

Thomas Conboy in the pole vault, Malik Cunningham in the triple jump and Jadyn Anczarski in the discus and hammer throw. It was a personal best 50.11 meters for Anczarski. It’s the first time he’s made it over 50, and it moves him up to fifth in school history.

Jim Keys finished second in the pole vault. Both he and Conboy completed the same level bar and failed on the same level as well, but because Conboy completed the 4.51-meter height on his first try and Keys didn’t, Conboy got the win and Keys finished second.

In other field events, Michael Troup finished second in the long jump, Eduardo Perez finished second in shot put and Joe DiDario finished second in javelin.

Hughes won his strongest event, the 400-meter hurdles, on his first time running it since May of 2019.

Freshmen Nicholas Mollica and Mac Costonis both set person-

Richie Bush finished second in the 200-meter.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Anczarski set another personal best at The Big 5 Meet.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

al best times in the 400-meter hurdles, while finishing third and sixth in the event. Richie Bush finished second in the 200-meter race with a time of 22.12.

On the women’s side, Grayce French continues to break school records in discus. French set the school record at the Raleigh Relays, which had stood since 2003. Nine days later at this tournament, she broke her own record, recording a 50.9-meter throw, moving her into 24th place in the East region qualifying list.

First place winners from other field events include French winning shot put, Ashley Preston taking pole vault, Emily Galvin winning hammer throw and Liv Morgan taking home first in javelin.

Jul Thomson had an incredible day, finishing second in hammer, third in shot put and third in discus while recording personal bests in all events. Teresa Rotolo finished second in Javelin.

Freshman Roschell Clay-

ton finished second in the high jump. In the track events, Trudy Ann-Williamson had a great meet, winning the 100 meters and finishing second in the 200. Jada Thomas finished second in the hurdles and sixth in the 200. Trinity Hart finished third in the 100-meter hurdles while setting her personal best time.

Nikki Merrill, Nova’s lone runner in the 400, finished sixth with a time of 1:01:18. Jennifer Barbour and Faith Robinson, who both competed with Hart in the long jump, also competed in the 100 meters and finished fourth and fifth. Barbour posted a personal best in the 100 meters and tied her personal best in the long jump.

Up next for Villanova is the Temple Invite on Saturday. Villanova hopes to maintain the strong individual performances from those who stepped up. For the men’s team, some of them will be in action Friday at the Joe Walker Invitational hosted by Mississippi.

Softball Splits Doubleheader With UMBC Meghann Morhardt Staff Writer

Entering the day with a 10game winning streak, the Villanova Softball team extended it to 11 games with a win in a doubleheader against UMBC. The Wildcats won the first game, 12-2 but struggled to carry the momentum into the second game, with UMBC winning 5-2.

The ‘Cats were led by freshman right-fielder Tess Cites in the victory. Cites hit two home runs in the game, including a two-run shot in the top of the third, followed by a grand slam in the fourth inning. This is the 30th time a Wildcat has recorded a multi-homer game in school history and the third time this season, the other two coming from senior Paige Rauch and junior Ryan Henry.

The ‘Cats led the whole game, but the real power was on display in the fourth inning when the Wildcats scored six runs with two outs, including Cites’ grand slam and an RBI single from sophomore Dani Dobroski.

Cites was not the only Wildcat to go deep in the game.

Sophomore third basemen Chloe Smith opened the game with a three-run homer to give Villanova a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Villanova benefited greatly from the depth of its lineup, with the bottom four batters combin-

ing for 8-11 hitting with six runs scored and seven runs batted in.

Dobroksi, batting in the ninth spot, finished the game 2-3 with a double, run scored and an RBI. Sophomore catcher Ally Jones, batting sixth, went 2-2 with two singles, a walk and two runs scored in the fourth during the ‘Cat’s six-run scoring burst.

Rauch finished the game with seven strikeouts and zero walks, improving her record to 8-2 on the season in her seventh complete game.

With the win in the first game, the Wildcats tied the third longest streak in program history with 11 straight victories. The other two longest streaks came in a 17-game stretch in 2016 and 21 consecutive wins in 2001.

The second game got off to a slow start with neither team scoring until the top of the third inning. UMBC started its star pitcher, Courtney Coppersmith (71, 0.78 ERA) who led the nation in ERA last year. Coppersmith gave up six walks in the first four innings, giving the ‘Cats opportunities to score and allowing them to have a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the fifth inning.

UMBC scored three runs in the fifth inning on a throwing error by Villanova, taking a 3-2 lead. Senior pitcher Anissa Amarillas got the ‘Cats out of the inning, but they were unable to score in the sixth, leaving the score at

3-2, and snapping the win streak at eleven games.

Amarillas finished the game allowing two earned runs and tallying seven strikeouts, just one short of her career high. This loss gives Amarillas her first loss on the season, falling to a record of just 2-1.

UMBC hit a lead-off single followed by a two-run blast in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. Amarillas was replaced by freshman pitcher Caroline Pellicano, who closed out the inning with three straight outs. This was Pellicano’s fourth straight relief

inning without allowing a run.

The ‘Cats finished the game with just two hits against Coppersmith coming from Cites and Smith. Rauch was able to reach base twice on a walk and a hit-by-pitch, but the ‘Cats struggled to get an offensive groove facing the power of Coppersmith.

The ‘Cats scored their two runs on a throwing error and a pass ball.

Villanova is set to play its next game on Tuesday April 6, with a home doubleheader against the Delaware State Hornets. The Wildcats continue conference play April 10th against DePaul.

The softball team huddles around the mound during their doubleheader with UMBC. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics