Scarlet & Gray: Celebrating the Student Leaders
give up so much of their time and effort into bettering SXU and being a voice for the student body.
Student Life holds an annual Scarlet and Grey ceremony to celebrate the students of Saint Xavier University (SXU).
On Friday, March 7, Giuli Islas, Orientation & Belonging Coordinator, sent out an email to students and faculty to announce that the Scarlet & Gray ceremony is now accepting nominations for the upcoming event on April 22.
The email stated, “Each spring, students, faculty, and staff gather to celebrate and formally recognize student achievements in leadership, service, and extracurricular involvement at Saint Xavier University during the Scarlet and Gray Awards Ceremony.”
Students can nominate others that they believe have shown leadership throughout this academic year.
Student Life’s goal for this ceremony is to celebrate their students and the work that they have done for the past academic year.
“The students are the heart of the school. Student leaders
It is an honor for us at Student Life to be able to recognize these students for all their hard work” according to Islas.
All members of the SXU community are encouraged to participate in nominating individuals for these awards.
These involve students, faculty, and staff being able to submit nomination forms on The Den for several awards.
Islas stated, “The Scarlet and Gray Awards are meant to celebrate the achievements and success of student leaders on campus.”
Throughout each nomination, an individual can be chosen for a number of awards.
Some of the awards that someone could be nominated for are RSO Advisor of the Year, Outstanding RSO Officer, and RSO Program of the Year.
“These are the groups that
“Scarlet and Grey: Celebrating the Student Leaders” Cont. pg. 2
SXU Offering Internship with Congressman Casten
Brian Raica
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
On the afternoon of March 17, it was announced by Saint Xavier’s Career Development Center that Illinois Congressman Sean Casten is seeking interns for the summer.
The internship is a calling for students and young professionals that are interested in public policy, and government operations. It allows for interns to have a unique experience where they can gain firsthand experience alongside legislators.
Currently, Casten represents Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, and has offices in Lombard, Illinois, and in Washington, D.C.
Running from May 27 through July 25, the summer internship program allows students to apply for either location. Each comes with different tasks and expectations.
The Lombard location consists of duties fulfilled inperson at Casten’s district office. Some of the duties interns will perform include answering calls from constituents, performing research on the demographics of voters, and assisting caseworkers.
Additionally, various
Saint Xavier’s Annual Commencement Speech is in the Works
As another academic year starts to wrap up, Saint Xavier University (SXU) is preparing to recognize its upcoming graduates this May. Lots of things go into this celebratory time, one being the annual commencement speech.
While graduating college is a big accomplishment in itself, the commencement speech is a celebratory addition meant to capture all of the hard work and dedication that students put into this chapter in their lives.
SXU’s Student Life sent out an email on March 7 to state everything that students need to know about the commencement speech and the process of choosing a speaker.
In the email, it states the requirements that speakers must follow. This includes being scheduled to graduate in May 2025; having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and up; being in good disciplinary standing; and having a record of outstanding achievement, involvement, or service. Applicants must also have a draft ready to submit and be prepared to give it in-person if chosen to do so.
For the speech itself, applicants were asked to answer a list of questions. These went over the SXU mission, what it means to have a Mercy education, personal experiences tying into one’s educational journey, and more. This also detailed how the student feels about the future and how they might be prepared to
governmental agencies will contact interns, providing them with virtual webinars for districtbased projects. Interns will be able to plan and set up projects, as well as events.
Interns also will have the opportunity to explore local issues of Casten’s District. The experience is enriching for students studying Political Science, for they will be able to research and make case studies based on problems they see while interning.
All the while, Casten’s Lombard office seeks interns who are able to work either full or parttime.
Interns for Casten’s Washington D.C. office must work in-person. Although it may present additional challenges, particularly for students living in the Chicagoland area, the work provides significant benefits..
Interns are said to work full time, Monday through Friday from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Like the Lombard office, interns are to answer phone calls from constituents. However, there are some differences….
Interns will attend committee meetings and briefings, as well as directly work with legislators in the area. They will also get to lead tours of the United States Capitol Building.
The Washington office seeks interns that have strong attention to detail and are willing to learn. As previously stated, the Summer 2025 Internship Program is set to run from May 27 to July 25. Application forms are open until April 1.
Congressman Casten’s office encourages applicants with ties to Illinois’ 6th Congressional District to apply, although it is accepting interns from other areas. As part of the form, resumes, cover letters, and brief writing samples must be submitted. The form can be found here.
On Wednesday, March 19, the Student Activities Board (SAB) hosted an event called SelfCare Matters.
SAB promoted this event to celebrate Women’s History Month, while its focus was to help students understand the concept of relaxation and community, the resources benefited the students.
change the world or make their own unique impact.
As the students who will be graduating represent a diverse group of individuals ready to step out into the world, the final
Paris Brown, Director of Live Entertainment for SAB, stated that “SAB wanted to host this self-care event in honor of Women’s History Month as a way to promote relaxation, wellness, and mindfulness.
The attendees were given self-care bags that included items such as exfoliating gloves, lip balm, shower steamers, nail
buffers, essential oils, bath bombs, and more. These products were distributed for free, to help students create their own self-care routine with the products.
Brown continued by stating, “We recognize that college life can be stressful, and taking time for self-care is essential, especially for students who are balancing academics, work, and personal life. This event provided a space for students to unwind and prioritize their well-being while celebrating the importance of self-care.”
SAB limited the number of self-care bags to each student. This helped to ensure that as many students as possible had the “
Features Editor
Barbara Lunsford
News Editor
Athena Reum
News Editor
Athena Reum
Photo of Congressman Sean Casten with the Young Democrats of Lyons Township, Young Democrats of Lyons Township
2025 Graduation cap held near the Saint Xavier University arch The Xavierite
“Saint Xavier’s Annual Commencement Speech is in The Works” Cont. pg. 2
Student Activities Board Holds Self-Care Event
Student Activities Board Holds Self-
Members of SAB Holding Event
The Xavierite
speech should be able to appeal to such a crowd. It should not only capture the attention of a broad audience but be representative of the modern college experience, highlighting attributes unique to select schools like Saint Xavier, such as our Mercy education. There will be a limit of roughly three to four minutes in length.
I asked a couple of graduating seniors what they would like to hear in the commencement speech.
Megan Gillson, a nursing student, commented, “I would like to hear from the commencement speech some things about our time here at SXU over the past four years. Our time to enter the real world is nearing, and we are all going to follow a different path for our own success. Yet SXU has tied us all together, giving us some things in common that we can look back on forever.”
Monica Darrow, an elementary education major, explained, “I would love to hear reassuring words about our next chapter. The real world is scary. We are all essentially starting over again for the first time, so it would be nice to hear something positive about these next steps.”
A lot of graduating students can agree on this aspect: the real world is approaching whether we are ready or not, and this is a scary thing.
The requirements appear to touch on SXU as a whole, while also appealing to these other messages that can help to
inspire students through all of the emotions they will be experiencing during and after graduation.
With these requirements being shared, applicants were expected to submit their ideas by March 20. However, on March 25, the semi-finalists were chosen and invited to perform the in-person delivery of their proposed speech. The selection committee consists of students, faculty, and staff, chaired by the Dean of Students. They will review the applications and then invite select individuals to a presentation before the committee. They will then make their final selection of who will be this year’s commencement speaker.
On top of the requirements for the original applications, there are some things the committee will be looking for. The speech should give a thoughtful reflection on the student’s time at Saint Xavier with a Mercy education, provide specific examples with effective language to help illustrate the bigger message, and appeal to the broad audience of people who will be in attendance.
Speakers should also be able to maintain the audience’s attention with effective speechgiving, have appropriate diction, use eye contact, and be confident speaking before an audience. They will make their final decision this Friday, March 28. The commencement speech speaker will officially be selected, with other applicants receiving notification via email.
For any questions on the final selection process, contact deanofstudents@sxu.edu.
opportunity to get a self-care bag.
Throughout the event, students were encouraged to take a break from their schedules and learn more about the benefits of self-care practices.
The success of the event was evident in the strong turnout and positive feedback from students.
Alexandra Clarke, a student who attended the event, spoke about her experience. “This event was a great reminder that I need to take care of myself more. I’m always focused on schoolwork and other responsibilities, but I don’t often take time for myself.
The free items were appreciated because they gave me a chance to treat myself without worrying about the cost,” Clarke said.
In addition to the self-care bags, the event also featured a raffle for free Spring Formal tickets.
Students had the chance to enter the raffle, which provided another incentive for participation. Clarke explained that “It was
a nice touch to have the chance to win tickets for the spring formal. It added something extra to the event and made it more engaging for students.”
Taylor McDonald, Director of Off-Campus Events, stated, “Students appreciated the opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves. The event was well-received, and it’s clear that there is a demand for wellnessfocused programs on campus. We are excited about the possibility of hosting similar events in the future.”
SAB hosted this event in order to support students caring for themselves. Throughout the academic year, students are constantly balancing academics, work and personal responsibilities. In this case, it gave students a chance to prioritize themselves while getting resources for their health.
To keep students informed about future events, SAB continues to promote them through The Den, where students can find information on upcoming events and wellness initiatives.
SAB Hosts Tea Party in Honor of Women’s History Month
Vanessa Orlando
Features Reporter
On March 20, the Student Activities Board (SAB) hosted its first annual tea party to honor Women’s History Month.
Paris Brown, Director of Live Entertainment, stated that the goal behind this event was to have a place for women on campus to “have time to hangout with one another and to enjoy themselves.”
However, other students interested were welcome to attend.
She noted that if the event has a great turnout, SAB would intend to make it an annual event for women to feel included and appreciated on campus. Student involvement was later reflected to be strong and Brown shared how happy she was to see so many women all come together to support each other.
Brown further explained that SAB has an all women’s
board which motivated them to host more female oriented events throughout the month of March.
Brown explained the event stood out because “it’s specific for women and who doesn’t love a cute tea party? It’s time to celebrate the women in our lives and appreciate how far we’ve all come.”
Upon entering the event, students were welcomed with decorated tables covered with pink table cloth, flowers, tea cup sets, and candle lights.
The set up was intended to look and feel like a tea party, and offered various arts and crafts and other fun activities scattered around.
Within the span of two hours, SAB offered various food trays, activities ranging from board games, crafts to make charms and bookmarks, and a music playlist that also took song requests. The tea party also prompted
women to dress up if they so chose as there would be various photography opportunities throughout the event for students to look back on.
Though this is the first time SAB hosted the tea party, the intent was to make it annual from now on for various reasons; it occurs during Women’s History Month to commemorate women’s contributions in history and higher education and to promote inclusion for women to all feel as if they have a safe space to express themselves freely and to build connections with another that, Brown emphasized.
As student participation can be a problem with events as stressed by SAB, it’s anticipated that events such as these can contribute to more motivation to get involved on campus knowing that there are places students can connect with personally.
SAB intends to continue to promote the inclusion of women and overall students on campus as they also offered a DIY Junk Case event on Tuesday, March 18 and Women’s History Jeopardy on Wednesday, March 19.
SAB hopes to make the tea party return for Women’s History Month next March and they are always open for new ideas to present next year.
For more information pertaining to SAB visit the SXU Den or contact, sab@mymail.edu. edu.
“Scarlet and Grey: Celebrating the Student Leaders” Cont. from pg. 1
receive awards from Student Life. Other departments give out their own awards,” stated Islas. However, these aren’t the only awards that can be given out for this ceremony. Every department on campus can choose to take part in giving out awards at the ceremony.
Islas continued saying, “There are also student hosts who keep the ceremony entertaining and light-hearted.”
The nomination form is set to close on March 19 by Student Life. However, the individuals that were nominated will be sent an email with a formal invitation to the event. The individuals who are nominated can bring their families and friends to the ceremony to celebrate their award with them.
Throughout this ceremony, there will be several presenters. Student Life is continuing to decide the students and faculty members that will be presenting throughout the ceremony.
“As a reminder, the Scarlet and Gray Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd in McGuire Hall at 5:30 pm. We hope to see you all there” stated Islas. If members of SXU have questions about the Scarlet and Gray ceremony, contact islas@ sxu.edu.
“Saint Xavier’s
Student
Self-care bag The Xavierite
My Trials and Tribulations in Journaling
Keyasia Garcia Opinions Columnist
I carry around a small brown notebook with me everywhere I go and fill it up with just about anything. Although I’m fairly new to it, journaling has become an unexpected yet essential space to explore writing and convey my thoughts.
I used to try and write in a diary when I was younger, but that only ever lasted a couple days. It was hard for me to become consistent because I felt so constrained and limited.
I had many misconceptions about how I should be writing, almost creating a set of nonexistent rules for myself. However, journaling doesn’t have a set of rules to follow or conform to.
I was quick to assume that my diary entries had to be long and easy to read. I felt this pressure to write as if someone else were to read my entries. Of course, neither of these are true.
That’s what made the process special, because I’ve come to understand that I get to choose the kind of subject matter I want in my notebook. There is a great amount of creative room I have to make me feel the most comfortable when writing.
Up until recently, I would write in chronological order,
starting with the beginning of my day and continuing till the end. It felt overwhelming to write a play by play, so I attempted writing about particular moments instead.
Those kinds of decisions are essential in discovering the best way we can express ourselves while writing. Writing doesn’t have to feel like a task, it should feel like an escape.
Once I understood the flexibility of journaling, I began to play with the different staples and formats. This made the process more enjoyable.
It doesn’t hurt to experiment with different writing styles either because I’ve discovered what I like and hate. As someone who enjoys visuals, I’ve taken the route of doodling or adding photos into my entries.
Even the decision of picking my journal was done with care.
Initially I had started with a journal that had plain blank sheets, which I grew to resent and retire.
The writing process itself is so flexible and doesn’t have a set place or time. I’ve written in the mornings before school, on the bus, in class, and in the middle of the night.
Thoughts have no assigned time, they come and they go. Writing can reflect that. Whenever
I have a thought that I need to get on paper, I write it. It has helped me be at peace.
Sometimes, my thoughts are too much at once and it feels like I’m thinking in circles. Writing it all out has slowed my racing mind down and eventually finds the root of the problem.
Writing out my thought process has led me to understand why I’m feeling a certain way. It can get intense writing about something deep, but I’ve found it freeing to let that weight be lifted off my chest.
I’ve had moments where I push away my emotions or thoughts and believe that avoiding them will expel them. I find it crucial to write in those moments, so that those feelings can be translated somewhere else.
It can be difficult conveying a thought and getting stuck not knowing what to write about.
To avoid this, I’ve found it useful to find writing prompts and questions. Bookstores sell premade journals filled with hundreds of prompts to answer daily.
Emotions should never be pent up, that’s just a recipe for disaster or a bomb waiting to explode. Finding clarity in writing will make these emotions become manageable in the long run.
It’s helped me find my voice and tone which has translated into my academic writing. It’s gotten much easier overtime to do writing assignments and papers because I’ve learned how to present my style and voice.
One of my favorite parts about journaling is how easily I’m able to flip back through my pages and read my past entries. It’s a clear way to see how I’ve grown and lets me reflect on myself in new entries.
The consistency in journaling was hard for me to find, but once I found my rhythm, I found it
easier to sit down and write in one sitting. Now I’m in a place where I’m more in tune with myself.
Journaling shouldn’t feel like a task or like homework. It might take a while to find the right way of doing it because all of our brains are molded differently. We will have different needs to be met in our writing.
Journaling has not only become a creative outlet but also a source of peace and self-reflection. It’s a practice that has helped me navigate my emotions, sharpen my writing, and stay grounded.
Mother’s Day in Palestine
Mariam Jaber Opinions Columnist
Have you ever wondered why Mother’s Day in the Arab world is celebrated on March 21 and not in May like most of the world?
It actually dates back to the 1940s in Egypt when a journalist, named Mustafa Amin, wrote about it in a book he wrote called, “Smiling America.” Unfortunately, his work went overlooked by the masses, and it was forgotten about.
It wasn’t until years later that Amin wrote another story about a single mother who spent her entire life raising her son so he could become a doctor and get married.
After he got married and became established, he forgot about his mother and didn’t show any gratitude towards her.
According to an article written by KVRD, “Amin sent an official request to the government and began campaigning for recognition. By word of mouth and persistence, the story of the widowed mother reached the masses and was used to promote the holiday until the idea was accepted by president Gamal Abdel Nasser; 10 years after its introduction.”
The first official Mother’s Day was celebrated in Egypt on March 21, 1956. This day was chosen to be the first day of spring as spring
signifies flowers blooming and a new life. Spring is called the season of the blossom, which they felt matches motherhood.
Since 1956, every Mother’s Day would be celebrated across the entire Arab world, from the Middle East to North Africa, is celebrated just as everyone celebrates Mother’s day in the world—by honoring their mother, as well as the other women and mother figures in their lives.
Social media is filled with people posting pictures with their mothers and writing heartfelt captions about their love for them. Kids get flowers and cakes for their mothers, and even gold jewelry.
However, this Mother’s Day, much like last year, has not been the same for Palestinian mothers.
For the Palestinian woman whose child(ren) have been martyred by the Israeli Occupation Forces, or whose child(ren) have been kidnapped and taken to Israeli prison, this day is very hard for them. Their lives are incomplete without their children, and Mother’s Day without having their children to celebrate with them can be very difficult and just adds to their pain.
When celebrating Arab mother’s day, we must remember and advocate for the Palestinian mothers who endured childbirth in Gaza the past 15 months without medication.
We must remember the Palestinian women who are raising their children and providing for them, after their husbands were either martyred or imprisoned.
We must remember the Palestinian mothers who themselves were taken prisoner by the Israeli forces while never committing a single crime.
West Bank journalist Rula Hassanein was arrested on March 19, 2024 and charged with incitement for her social media post’s online. She was nine months postpartum, and her infant was still breastfeeding.
“Hassanein was brought before Judea military court, which is located in Ofer Prison,
northwest of Jerusalem, on March 25 and charged with incitement on social media and supporting a hostile organization banned under Israeli law, according to MADA and court documents, which CPJ reviewed,” according to an article written by Committee to Protect Journalists.
Hassanein would remain in Israeli detention for 10 months until she was released during the Flood Of The Free prisoner exchange, on Jan. 20.
While in prison, she would hug her pillow and pretend that it was her daughter. The separation was unbearable.
On Arab Mother’s Day, I remember my own grandmother
and namesake, Mariam AttiyahAkel. My grandmother was a single mother who raised five children and worked to provide for them all on her own.
My grandmother survived the 1948 Nakba (catastrophe) at just nine-years-old, and lived during the 1967 war, while raising two kids and pregnant with her third.
My grandmother worked hard her whole life to make sure her kids had everything they needed, while she was struggling.
I wish every single Palestinian mother a happy Arab Mother’s Day, and I wish that next Arab Mother’s Day will not be filled with so much pain and hurt.
Reminiscing the Old Days: The Core Memories of My Early Childhood
Emma Gabrys Editor-in-Chief
I still remember the old days like it was yesterday, being picked up from pre-K riding in the back of my dad’s five speed manual, red Toyota Celica, jamming out to 2Pac with the windows rolled down, fixing my makeup with my cell phone shaped makeup palette on the way to get some Bug Juice from a near-by gas station.
My dad was an 80s baby, I think him being a teen in the 90s is what made him a fun dad. He had, and still has an obsession with Nintendo. I remember when we’d stay up for hours past my bedtime playing Mario, Mortal Kombat, racing games, and more on his Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
I still remember the sound the games made when you blew on them to get the dust off before inserting them into the system,
and the loud buzzing from the console waiting for it to start up. My dad was a twentysomething year-old father and worked long hours as a carpenter, so he always came home late from work. Therefore, I enjoyed being able to spend some time playing games with him when I got the chance.
On his off days, my dad and I would stop by Toys “R” Us to see if there were any games we could play on my Wii, or any DVDs for sale. I always chose something Barbie or Monster High related for movies since I had a bit of an obsession at the time.
I may have seen my dad as the fun one but my mom was always cooler to me (don’t tell him). She has always been really creative, especially when it comes to party planning and crafts. She’s a do-ityourself kind of gal.
I’d always have the coolest
birthday parties. I remember my mom staying up past midnight decorating and making homemade party favors, she would even sew me clothes to wear. She was fashion obsessed like I am now too, and I got it from her. I had a fashion, tea party once. There were lots of her homemade biscuits, muffins, cakes, teas, and lots and lots of clothes. My mom had known some ladies who sold clothes and jewelry, so they stopped by and brought their collections for us to look at. We could buy stuff too if we liked anything and I love to shop. It was like heaven for seven-year-old me. It was one of the coolest parties I’ve ever had.
We used to make a lot of my friends birthday presents too; dresses, stuffed animals, cool princess accessories and even room decorations. We would
spend hours upon hours crafting and listening to 90s dance music. I used to steal all my mom’s clothes, I wanted to be as in style as she was. I also loved shopping with her. We would go for hours and just play dress-up with whatever we wanted to try on.
As a kid it gave me an adrenaline rush. How many outfits can you try on in each store? I had to find out.
Another peak memory of my childhood was when I was obsessed with Selena Gomez and my mom stood in line with me for seven hours, while she was pregnant with my sister, to see her speak at the mall about her new movie, MonteCarlo.
It was a dream come true. My mom and I crafted a huge sign to show Gomez my admiration towards her. I was right behind the fence with a huge grin on my face
and the fact that my mom did that for me is unforgettable.
Strawberry picking was another one of my favorite memories. Strawberries were always my favorite, so
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My Current Journal
My Palestinian Gradnmother, Mariam
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Are Companies Marketing More Like Content Creators?
Features Reporter Kennema Hamilton
I’ve noticed something different about the way companies are marketing themselves recently. Remember when brands would most likely just rely on television commercials as their marketing strategy?
Although some commercials could be very entertaining and creative, television ads have been the standard approach for decades. They are scripted commercials, not the kind of thing that we’re seeing companies focus on producing on TikTok nowadays. That being said, over the past few years, there has definitely been a change.
Last week, I was scrolling through TikTok where I saw a video from Duolingo. Duo the Owl, their mascot, was dressed in a bikini and dancing to “Nasty” by Tinashe. It wasn’t the strangest TikTok I’ve seen from them, but it did gain 1.1 million likes. This made me wonder: is this the new way of marketing?
Companies are no longer just advertising; they’re creating content that feels like something an influencer would post. Companies have understood that traditional ads can no longer get the job done, so they are finding new ways to reach the younger audience.
Duolingo isn’t the only company that’s doing this. Streaming platforms in particular have begun to incorporate marketing with entertainment. They aren’t simply promoting their shows anymore - they’re engaging with fans more through social media in a way that seems actually organic. For instance, streaming services
such as HBO Max and Netflix will take their shows and create TikTok edits of them in the same way that fans do. These edits are created for fandoms and receive millions of views and likes. This approach makes official marketing feel more fan-made.
An example of this is when Lionsgate posted a TikTok edit of Twilight. In the video, Lionsgate put together many clips of Jacob, a character from the movie, and wrote the caption “idk what Bella was thinking, I need him so bad.”
In this case, Lionsgate’s post wasn’t necessarily advertising Twilight directly, rather they were interacting with the fandom and ensuring the movie was still being talked about. It’s a pretty simple video, and it was designed that way – to look like something a fan might
Stanza Bonanza
Finding Drive
By: Richard Hurley
I am bespoke nails for sinew and snarl. I in no way aim to calm, I hail from the barbed mail that lines your skull. The needles you acutely puncture for lack of numbness. I am resolve made of iron from ire. I am and will never not be. Be more than me for there is neither a future nor a before me. I am, and will forever be me. So grow from my wires of painful netting, and slip free. Lay me to rust when the tool I am no longer lusts. For I hold no illustrious future for you or I. I am now. I know not then, when, or why. For I will end. In flailing, failing, or fainting. For I hold no might on my own, for I am spite alone.
If you would like to submit poetry for the bonanza, please send your submission to thexavieritenewspaper@gmail.com
strategy is very creative, it does come with some risk. Sometimes these content and messages can feel very forced, and the younger audiences they are trying to reach can know when a brand is trying too hard.
For instance, A few years ago, Burger King UK tweeted, “Women belong in the kitchen,” followed by another tweet below it explaining what they actually meant. People on Twitter were very unhappy. They used it as an attention grabber for engagement, but it backfired completely.
This brings up the question of whether brands will continue making these kinds of bold marketing choices, and whether the younger audiences they are trying to relate to will eventually start tuning them out.
have posted.
Lionsgate knew what the fanbase would relate with, and that made it feel like they were a part of the fandom and less like another company.
Companies also seem to not only be engaging with fandoms but also in trends, marketing their content with memes, trending audios, challenges, and viral edits to attract the younger audience.
Streaming services have pretty much figured out how to use social media trends to keep their shows and films relevant. Rather than just hoping fans will create viral content, they also join in on the trends themselves. Netflix, for example, has used popular TikTok sounds to promote their films and has joined viral trends.
An example of this is when
Duolingo partnered with Squid Game’s Pink Guard to promote learning the Korean language. The music team at Netflix created a K-Pop remix of the Squid Game song, “Pink Guards,” and released it on Spotify and YouTube under the name “Korean or Get Eaten.” They also decided to release a music video of the same song, with Duo the Owl as a Pink Guard, promoting the tagline “Learn Korean or Else.”
The same day, I also got a notification from Duolingo, telling me to keep up with my Korean lessons, or else. This strategy helped because many people started to learn Korean. The post on TikTok got 46.3 million views and 6 million likes. If you’ve ever been on TikTok, you know that type of engagement is huge.
However, while I believe this
When done right, though, joining trends can make a brand feel more relatable and increase engagement. There are a few times I’ve seen companies join trends, and it feels like a fan-made video; sometimes I wouldn’t even realize it’s made by a company until I read the comments.
One thing I would recommend companies do is not to try too hard, or misread the tone, because most of the time it can lead to a lot of backlash.
The most important step is trying to relate to the audience without coming off as cringey.
As more companies take on the role of content creators, it will be very interesting to see how far they’re willing to push these strategies and whether the younger generation will continue to engage or start to tune them out.
TikTok’s Descent Into a Cesspool of Negativity
Videographer Sam Alcala
Admittedly, I was one of many who opposed TikTok’s short-lived ban, but I have since changed my mind. I find that the pros of keeping Tik Tok are no longer outweighing the cons.
TikTok has garnered a reputation of being an app of rebellion and individuality, but since its return, I’ve noted the app has lost its old charm.
It feels more like a cesspool of predatory content and consumerism traps.
Every other video is riddled with repetitive TikTok shop Ads, or poorly disclosed brand partnerships.
Finding authentic and interesting content feels like an impossible task now.
I’ve noted that this has become a common complaint on the app, with many videos mocking the “influencer voice”, or the ridiculous ad formula of Tik Tok shop videos.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that TikTok has helped many boost their small businesses or allowed people to pay medical bills, but the problems with this app are only racking up over time.
There’s been a heightened pressure to follow what’s “on trend” and those who step out of line are ridiculed and deemed “cringe” or strange.
It appears to be an unfortunate result of the post-quarantine society we live in today.
Tik Tok in 2020 was a time where young people played with
expression and creativity and it’s saddening to see how that is now viewed as a negative thing.
This shaming of our younger selves has led to a growing conservative mindset among the younger Gen Z. I worry for today’s youth growing up with this app. It’s been pointed out before but there’s a frightening missing gap between childhood and adulthood for today’s teens.
There’s an insurmountable pressure to be perfect at all times, to never have an “awkward” stage.
TikTok is one of the biggest culprits of this phenomenon.
Young teens, especially girls, have always been scrutinized on social media, but never have they been so accessible until now.
There’s a certain dehumanization that comes with being a content creator or influencer on the platform.
The most uncomfortable part of this is how quickly these young influencers are sexualized and how normalized it is among those watching.
Comments sections are filled with sexual remarks played off as “jokes” or excused due to sharing a close age with said creator.
Outside of sexualization, the perception of influencers has become incredibly volatile on the platform. Cancel culture has left our generation with black and white thinking to a detriment.
Accountability has turned into an excuse to tear one another down with zero consequence.
Of course, it is important to
hold one another to a reasonable standard, but I’ve seen influencers get flack for the most miniscule reasons.
Recently, Katie Fang (@ katiefangggg on TikTok), was subject to ridicule over a video where she cried due to missing a flight.
Many commenters responded with a lack of sympathy for the creator, with some claiming Fang was “too privileged” to complain as she could book another flight.
Others came to her defense, but it was jarring to see how many were so quick to pile on her over something any of us would be upset over.
Cancel culture has always been criticized as a tool for others to have an excuse to spit vitriol towards someone without remorse, but I think it’s truly turned platforms like
Tik Tok into a waiting game of who will be most hated next.
There is “Tophiachu,” who is referred to as a “lolcow,” which is an internet term meant to describe someone who is baited into reacting negatively for the audience’s amusement. It’s like a modern day jester in the most twisted way.
Tophiachu garnered a negative reputation on the platform through her content, much of which was on Tik Tok live.
Out of respect, I will not go into much detail about her life or content as I believe lolcows are unfairly exploited on the internet.
I will say, the perception of Tophiachu switched almost 360 in recent weeks after she faced tragedy in her personal life.
It is fascinating to see how quickly she has been humanized through this experience when she was once so hated.
Another creator currently in the hot seat is “Ash Trevino,” who is known for her “connections” to inappropriately younger influencers.
She is also often criticized for mistreating her teenage daughters and exploiting them for content.
Though Trevino is criticized for good reason, I find it odd that we continue to platform those who we dislike just to see what they’ll do next.
The same could be said for Tophiachu as well.
Trevino is a great reflection of one of the darker sides of the platform—Tik Tok live.
The introduction of Tik Tok’s live feature and monetization is where I think the app began to spiral into a fiery hellscape. There’s many like Trevino who will say or do anything to remain popular on live and receive “gifts,” which is how they gain money.
It doesn’t matter if they’re loved or hated, the interactions will fuel them regardless.
Tik Tok live is a place where I’d argue the most dehumanization occurs as creators who focus on livestreaming tend to act in extremes to get quick reactions rather than build an audience.
Frankly, I think it’s a bizarre sector of the internet that reflects the state of our society. Why is it that negativity festers so easily? Maybe it is time for Tik Tok to go.
I’ve seen many discussions of the nuance of her online presence and how she has been treated on the internet.
Nintendo Switch 2 Sparks Outrage Among Fans
Brian Raica Jr.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
After years of speculations and leaks, the Nintendo Switch 2 was revealed on Jan. 16. However, the reveal was met with backlash that I understand.
The concept of the Switch 2 is practically the exact same as the original. It’s a console that can be either handheld or plugged into a docking station allowing it to be played on television.
A minor difference, though, is that the joy-cons appear to be magnetic, rather than needing to be pushed into place. I feel like this is a disadvantage. I really don’t trust magnets.
It reminds me of the roller coaster lift malfunction scenario.
As a roller coaster goes up a lift hill, underneath the vehicles a block falls into placeholders so that it doesn’t fall back if it stops going up. Would you prefer the vehicle to be locked into place, or be held by a magnet? I for sure would rather have things click into place.
What also angers fans is that the Switch 2’s game cartridges are different from the original Nintendo Switch. However, it’s alleviating to fans such as myself that games from it can be played on the Switch 2.
Realistically speaking, we didn’t really need a Switch 2. The switch itself is still innovating in so many ways, to this day. It not only recreates the motion-capturing of the Wii, but is portable.
I feel like the race of portable consoles is tiring. As cool as they are, the graphics straight up aren’t the best. Given the tiny size of the screens, it would be hard to go past
1080p without severe overheating issues and little console storage.
Even the PS Portal has issues with this, since it runs 4K graphics. However, it doesn’t even have a console inside of it.
Back in the day, Nintendo’s consoles consisted of original ideas.
The Wii was targeted for family play, the DS was intended to be for kids on car trips, and the 3DS was gamechanging. Perhaps one area Nintendo can step up their game with is virtual reality. When the first switch came out, there was a kit called the LABO. It was a unique concept where you could custom build parts
for the console. One of the things that kits included was a headset to put the Switch console in. If Nintendo were to make virtual reality games of intellectual properties such as Mario Kart or even Super Smash Bros., they would make an astronomical amount of money. Both are incredibly popular, and I can totally see a VR Smash Bros. game being named game of the year. It would have to be something similar to Drunkn Bar Fight Simulator, but not as horrid and gruesome.
I feel bad for those who recently bought a model of the Nintendo Switch, given that the
Switch 2 releases later this year. What’s worse, is that the Switch is still relevant and even had its
Photo of my Nintendo Switch
The Xavierite
A picture taken of the TikTok page
The Xavierite
Experiencing Hendrix
A Night Honoring
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
This past Friday, I had the pleasure of accompanying my brother, Nick and our two friends, Lana & Jadon at The Chicago Theatre to experience the legacy of Jimi Hendrix.
Jimi Hendrix was a rock star who had the world by storm for only four years before passing away at age 27. What makes him even more special was only releasing three albums in his entire career.
Though no one currently has the pleasure to see Hendrix perform live, his musical peers still honor him and his contributions to music through a tour of honor and remembrance. The Chicago performance included Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marcus King, Eric Johnson, Devon Allman, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas, Noah Hunt, Mato Naji, Henri Brown, Ally Venable, Kevin McCormick, Dylan Triplett, Tony Beard, Sam Bryant, and Orlando Wright.
The concert was absolutely like no other. I’ve been a fan of Jimi Hendrix since I was about 15 years old and I always had the one wish to experience a Hendrix concert.
To be fair, I never thought it would be possible since Jimi Hendrix passed away in the 70’s, so a girl could only imagine. My thoughts came to life when I saw his family and musical peers touring as a tribute to honor his music.
I purchased tickets the day they were released from pure excitement and it was certainly worth every moment leading up to it. I had to surprise my brother with them as he is the biggest fan of Jimi Hendrix that I’ve ever known.
The concert started directly at 8 p.m. and opened with “Foxey Lady” off of “Are You Experienced” which is surely the best way to start a Hendrix show, even more so if you’ve seen the scene in Wayne’s
World when Garth danced to the same song.
This was one of the best concerts I’ve had the pleasure of attending. It was one of those shows where you wish it never ended and it could start over in case you missed anything the first time.
The emotional tie between an artist and their fan base is like no other. As he is one of my favorite artists, the emotional buildup of hearing his music live grew my love for music even more.
He was one of those artists where his music was mystical and psychedelic to the ear. His music enchanted you with his insane guitar melodies and lyrics took you on a trip you never knew you could travel.
My brother and I shared memories of our favorite Hendrix songs including “Gypsy Eyes” off of “Electric Ladyland” as we were hoping that song would be featured at the show. Surprisingly, right after we spoke, that was the next song on the set.
Words cannot convey the talent of every artist that was on that stage or how much joy radiated from the crowd of everyone singing the same songs and even shouting “play Voodoo Child!” on a loop until it was played.
If there is any concert to be recommended for anyone in the future, it would totally be Experience Hendrix as it truly honors the legacy of the late Jimi Hendrix and his devout fan base surely appreciates all the hard work his family and the musicians put into the show.
If anyone is looking for a new artist to add to their playlist, your ears will thank you later once you’ve listened to Jimi Hendrix. Playlist of Jimi Hendrix’s Greatest Hits
Vegas Cafe: The Ultimate Dining Experience
News Editor Athena Reum
The Vegas Cafe has been serving lavish offerings to hungry customers for the past five decades. This establishment has also been one of my family’s favorites for breakfast since I was little.
Every weekend during the summer when I was a teenager, my family would stop by to get breakfast before going to the lake for the day.
This past week, my family and I decided to go to Vegas Cafe to celebrate my mother’s birthday. We got to the restaurant at exactly 7 a.m. when they opened. In the first ten minutes of our arrival, parties were waiting outside for tables.
As the families walk through the door, they are accompanied by the restaurant’s house-made soup that is freshly made each day. Everyday that they are open, they have different flavors of soup. Some include but are not limited to chicken dumpling, vegetable, and chicken noodle.
The soups that they offer are what keep my family coming back. The staff allows pick-up orders and delivery of their soups. My family has taken advantage of this perk when we have been sick in the past.
As we got our table we were astonished to see celebrities from
the 50’s and 60’s. Some include Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. The artwork giving each customer time to see the history of music is always a beautiful memory to share with your party.
When we were getting ready to look at our menus, our waitresses came over to ask what we wanted to drink.
The majority of their drinks are in the categories of coffee or juice. Some of their drink offers include hot chocolate, iced coffee, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
I always get the hot chocolate due to the taste of the creamy milk and fluffy whipped cream topped with chocolate chips.
As I ask my family one by one what they are going to order, many different items are listed on the menu. The pancake section is my family’s favorite, including Elvis Presley, chocolate chip, fresh blueberry, and stuffed french toast.
Along with the different varieties of pancakes, they also offer gluten-free options for everyone.
As always, I got myself the chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream on top. These pancakes have served as my number one plate at Vegas Cafe for several years. They are delicious.
When my food arrived, I was excited to take the first bite.
The fluffiness of the pancakes with the rich chocolate chips. I always say that the warm syrup tops the pancakes off to add a little bit more sugar to my meal. Additionally, on the side of the pancakes, you can choose from sausage, bacon, or hashbrowns. I have tried every side that is offered at this establishment. In this case, I would say that bacon holds up to be a fan favorite. The amount of bacon that I have on the plate
with the overwhelming amount of flavor makes me want to eat more and more.
The quick service that was given to refill our drinks in time for our breakfast and when we asked to bring items to the table such as Tabasco and syrups was outstanding.
When my family and I decide to go to this establishment, I am always excited due to the experience of the food and the
I recommend trying out the Vegas Cafe restaurant. Their food is unlike other establishments and the waiters and waitresses go above and beyond to make your time there unforgettable.
Vegas Cafe is located at 914 Main St, Antioch, IL, 60002. They are open Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m..
The Dilemma of Fan Service
Grace Tynski Features Reporter
There’s nothing quite like being a dedicated fan. While it’s an exciting experience, being a fan means you’re a mostly passive participant in the media you enjoy.
You can engage with your favorite media in several different ways like making edits or writing fanfiction, but it’s not often you can directly influence the media itself.
If creators allowed fans to influence their work, it’d most likely come at the expense of the greater narrative. For example, screenwriters of a series shouldn’t necessarily write the romance of two characters just because fans want it. What fans want and what the story needs don’t always line up.
Excessive sequels or prequels, certain romances, or bringing a character back from the dead could all be examples of fan service. The term fan service originated amongst anime fandoms, but it’s since become more widely known in greater fandom culture. Fan service is material added to a work of fiction for the direct purpose of appealing to the audience. It sounds harmless, but it often backfires and sacrifices the quality which garnered fans in the first place.
In recent years, the Star Wars franchise has been accused of this exact issue. Nothing can quite compare to the original trilogy, but that doesn’t stop Disney
from trying to recreate that magic by implementing excessive fan service.
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” is a prime example. Han Solo is beloved by so many fans, so it made sense for him to be given a prequel story. However, it fell into the fan service trap and focused on callbacks and name drops instead of adding compelling complexity to the character.
One thing movie studios and writers tend to forget is why fans are there in the first place. Fans came to love the respective media based on its quality and story, not based on how it was catering to the audience.
The focus should be on upholding that quality first and foremost. If that quality remains, it’s possible for fan service to be done with subtlety and serve the narrative.
For instance, the latest book in the Hunger Games world hit shelves on March 18, 2025.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is a prequel focusing on Haymitch Abernathy’s origin story— something fans have hoped for since the original trilogy’s release.
Some accused “Sunrise on the Reaping” of fan service early on.
After reading it myself, I’d have to say it’s much more nuanced than that.
Without giving any spoilers, some name drops and callbacks could be considered fan service, but they don’t take away from the greater story. Suzanne Collins
weaves integral familiar characters into the plot in order to show how they eventually influence the original trilogy.
It’s arguably the highest way to honor fans. Collins gives long-time fans the connections and explanations they’ve longed for, but they’re wrapped up in her usual precise, observational writing.
Collins masters the art of satisfying a wide range of fan demographics, which is even more impressive considering she doesn’t have any social media and thus doesn’t hear the noise of persistent fan feedback.
Another recent example of fan service is the series “9-1-1.”
Fans have been pining for two characters, Evan “Buck” Buckley and Eddie Diaz, to get together since season two. Now on its eighth season, the series looks like it may finally give in.
Series executives may feel inclined to service fans because that’s who they owe their show’s popularity to. For years, “9-1-1” fans have made “#gayfirefightershow” trend on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Many fans only began watching because they were curious to see what all the fuss was about regarding these two characters. It begs the question: do writers and artists owe anything to fans who support and popularize their work?
It’s also important to note that “9-1-1” has other canon
LGBTQ+ ships, but fans don’t care for them as much as they care for Buck and Eddie. Fans lost their minds last season when Buck came out as bisexual, as they were sure it’d lead to the romance they’ve been hoping for.
“9-1-1” has never been top-notch television, but it’s entertaining. In this case, the fan service would definitely do more good than harm to both the narrative and the series’s popularity.
Fan service is more prevalent than ever due to internet fan culture. Twenty years ago, writers and artists could more effectively avoid fan feedback.
They didn’t have to worry about threads on X, pining TikTok edits, or sprawling analyses on Reddit. Nowadays, it’s hard to
escape. Fans are closer than ever, and they make their voices heard. Fan service presents writers and creators with a very fine line to walk. In actuality, it’s probably best to avoid. Once you let outside feedback influence your artistic decisions, you’re losing some of the authenticity and loyalty to the story itself.
A story exists independent of its fans, and fan service bridges that separation. For better or worse, it gives fans a certain degree of control over the media they engage with. As fans, it’s important to ask what we’re really there for. Would we rather be catered to or engage with authentic stories created independent of our own influence?
Features Reporter
Vanessa Orlando
Me standing in front of the Hendrix tour bus The Xavierite
The Elvis Presley Pancakes The Xavierite
Experience Hendrix Tour live at Chicago Theatre The Xavierite
customer service.
address
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What Happened To Our Fans?
Drake Hayes Sports Editor
Going to a Saint Xavier sporting event is like sitting in a void. Picture this: You are attending a sporting event. You pay for your ticket, get some snacks, and take your seat. As you look around, people are sitting like a country, miles apart from each other. The public address announcer attempts to hype up the crowd, but the crowd gives scattered noises. That is the experience of a Saint Xavier fan.
I’ve gone to this school for three years now, and attended a plethora of Saint Xavier sporting events, whether they be basketball, football, soccer, or baseball. Whatever sport it is, it’s an odd ambience. It always feels as if something is missing, which is a student section.
I came from a high school with a strong student body. The student section was activated for every sporting event. I’m talking about the type of fan base that would caravan, if needed, forty minutes or more for away games.
I remember at the football games they had unwritten rules, such as freshmen sitting towards the top of the bleachers and seniors sitting on the bottom. Another rule I remembered was that at every event you had to stay standing the whole time.
The student section is what made high school a little more
enjoyable. It was something about those “You can’t do that,” chants that were so nostalgic. I remember the student section was the best way to converse with other students. Most of the friends I made back at high school were from those sporting events. I even created some great memories with some people I still keep in touch with.
Coming into college, I expected the exact same energy.
I was desperate to see all the students from campus crowding the entrance like a Walmart on Black Friday. Let’s just say I was a very disappointed freshman that day. I remember attending my first sporting event with my newly acquired friend group. It was a football game, when the Cougars hosted Saint Thomas University on a sunny early Saturday afternoon.
There were a handful of people there. It wasn’t as much as I expected, but people still attended. This was my first time sitting in the stands of a football game in a while, because I played varsity football my senior year. As I reminisced about wasting my time riding the bench, the game was pretty much over. The fans were pretty reckless and the Cougars were losing, but that’s just a part of the game. I remember watching the demeanor of the fans. They were vocal about their disappointment on the play calling and the refereeing, and eventually
I had to get used to it.
This school needs a student section. The amount of times I look at the stands for some of the games, and there are more opposing team fans than our own, has me shaking my head. When I became an athlete and was informed that we will never have home meets, I was pretty deflated.
At the same time that wasn’t my main concern, as someone who is associated with fellow athletes here I’ve gotten insight on their opinions.
“I absolutely do believe that there should be a student section. Especially, if they were active. That would be lit,” explained Junior Infielder, Vaughn Smith.
In my conversation with Smith. It solidified my theory of how athletes at Saint Xavier do want people to see them compete. Speaking of athlete’s committing hours, days, and weeks to train for their respective sport. I’m sure it would be great to be seen by people around the school. Even as an athlete myself. I participate in the school’s Track and Field team, and due to resources, we never have home meets. Just to see that my coaches, family, and teammates cheer me on as I throw is sufficient as it is. If I were to have friends, classmates, or even professors come and watch, it would be great.
In all, if we were to revive the school’s student section, the campus would be a lot more enjoyable. Although this campus has more commuters than people who dorm, having a student section would give commuters a reason to stay and be immersed with the campus. On top of that, it will get people on campus to converse with people they might have never seen before. A revival of a student section would make every slam dunk, home run, and touch down that much enjoyable. Coug Nation sounds like a great name for a student section.
Track Members Reflect on Indoor Season
Adedolapo Ogunleye Sports Reporter
The Indoor portion of the track season for both the men’s and women’s track squads have concluded and they have been given time to rest and prepare for the outdoor portion of the season.
As the members of their respective teams rested, they were given time to reflect, look at their strengths and their flaws as well as set brand new goals for themselves.
Many found themselves happy with their indoor track performances, but are still looking for more. They want to achieve better and exceed past expectations. I spoke with a few members from both track squads to further get an understanding of their reflection.
Senior sprinter and hurdler
Karam Jaber spoke on his favorite moment of the indoor season and went over his goals for the outdoor season.
“My favorite moment for my indoor season was coming back after 2 years due to injury and breaking my PR. Not just that but being able to put my spikes on and competing at a high level with top runners. I may have not won but definitely gave them a fight.
So once seeing the time and my teammates coming up to me and coach say how proud and happy I’m back was an unreal moment.”
I asked Jaber if there was something he wished to accomplish during the indoor season. Jaber stated, “something I did wish was I qualified for nationals or at least all conference.
But everything can’t go your way. I
accepted that I was close but this indoor season is preparing me for outdoor. I am just blessed to be back and healthy.”
With all this reflecting Jaber has done, it’s only right to find out what his goals are going to be moving forward.
“My goal is to qualify for nationals as well become all conference do I believe I can do it of course. I’ve been putting in the work and seeing the results so hoping to leave it all on the track,” Jaber stated.
In order to stay on top of your goals, there has to be someone or something that keeps you on your toes, motivates you to continue to be at your best.
I asked Jaber what keeps him motivated and he answered with,
“The people that have kept me
motivated were definitely my mom as she was there when I got hurt and believed I will be back. Also my brothers as I am the oldest out of three, I wanted to prove even if life doesn’t go your way and you’re down you can always still come back better than ever. Then myself as I promised myself I won’t give up and let myself down and I have a goal and I will accomplish it.”
Some of Jaber’s indoor highlights included placing fourth in 60m hurdles with a third-best career time of 8.92 seconds at the Walter Cramer invite. Then at the Aurora Grand Prix, Jaber won the 60m Hurdles and became the fourth sprinter in program history to win the 60m Hurdles.
Senior sprinter/hurdler Lendale Franklin gave me the opportunity to speak with him about his strengths and flaws and his goals for the outdoor season.
“My favorite moment of the season will have to be winning my first 60-meter hurdle conference title, it was the highlight of my season. After four years of relentless dedication, finally accomplishing this goal felt incredibly fulfilling. With graduation in May, this victory became even more meaningful, marking the perfect culmination of my journey.”
Franklin also talked about what he wished to accomplish during the indoor season, but seemed to keep things on a positive note.
“I wish I had made the 60-meter hurdle final at nationals
this year, but I’m proud to have run the second-fastest time of my career in the prelims. It wasn’t quite enough, but I’m incredibly grateful for the experience. This season has been amazing, and I know I need to take the time to celebrate everything I’ve accomplished.”
Franklin kept his goals short and simple stating, “My goals for the outdoor season remain the same as they were for indoor stay competitive, enjoy the process, and run fast.” When it comes to what motivates Franklin the most, he gives all that credit to his family, expressing how essential they are to his success.
“It’s always about family, that’s my reason for doing this. Competing at a high level as a collegiate athlete is tough, and having a strong support system is essential. Without my family, I wouldn’t even be in school.”
Some of Franklin’s indoor highlights included placing second in the 60m Dash at the Aurora Grand Prix. Winning the 60m Hurdles finals at the Walter Cramer Invite, and Franklin earned the honour of being named CCAC Track Athlete of the Week.
The Cougars are locked in and ready to get started for the Outdoor portion of the season. Both the men’s and women’s track squad will travel down to St. Louis, Missouri to take part in the WashU Invitational from Mar. 2729.
Matt Pennala’s Volleyball Journey
Rising Above the Net from California to Chicago
Barbara Lunsford Features Editor
As the 2024-25 collegiate season for men’s volleyball is in full swing, senior Matt Pennala is ready to carry on the team’s accomplishments into another exciting postseason. With a great amount of success on Saint Xavier’s team, Pennala speaks on what brought him here, and his hopes as the season reaches its end.
Pennala grew up in Long Beach, California, where beach volleyball is incredibly popular. He would end up spectating and participating in tournaments, though his experience started in a grass league when he was roughly seven years old.
“I was the only one [in that age group] who could do a jumpserve,” Pennala recalled. “By that point, I knew I had an affinity and natural athleticism for the sport.”
Though he played both basketball and volleyball until his sophomore year of high school, Pennala knew he had to pick one to ultimately focus on. The choice proved easy, as Pennala knew he was better at volleyball and would have more opportunities from it.
On top of his time on a varsity high school team, he was a part of the Huntington Beach Club, which is known for having famous players who have performed in it. Two Pennala noted include TJ DeFalco and Joshua Tuaniga,
who have both gone on to play professionally.
“I have had a lot of big influences and a lot of really lucky groups that I have been around.
A lot of people have shaped my volleyball career and helped me grow into the sport,” Pennala commented.
After these experiences, he would end up at Long Beach City College, LBCC, where he explored the sport on a collegiate level. This team would allow him the opportunity to be competitive while making some great friendships along the way.
At LBCC, Pennala was named the school’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2022-23. They had also finished runner-up in the CCCAA State Championship final.
Although having a great experience, Pennala was unsure if he wanted to continue playing
volleyball after his time at LBCC or what he would do next.
“I lost some of my passion for [volleyball] and was really determined to finish my degree,” Pennala explained.
What flipped the switch for him was the interest Coach Ryan, head for Saint Xavier’s team, showed the summer before his decision was final. Saint Xavier would allow him to not only dive back into his passion for volleyball, but help him succeed in getting his degree.
“I didn’t know anything about the team or the school,” Pennala added. “I was coming in blind.”
His decision to continue collegiate volleyball would prove to be one he is grateful for, as the team has seen tremendous success while being strongly united and cohesive.
Saint Xavier would end the
SXU Split Series with Indiana South Bend 2-2
Adrian Lopez Sports Reporter
The Saint Xavier University (SXU) Baseball team tied 2-2 in their series against Indiana University at South Bend on Friday and Saturday March 21 and March 22. Two games took place at South Bend, Ind. and two in Ferrell Field.
Game 1 Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 6-2 (W)
The Cougars came out victorious in game 1 with a score of 6-2 on Friday, March 21. Graduate student Jimmy Fairley threw in 5.0 innings with five strikeouts to give him a record of 3-1 as he helped SXU earn a crucial victory.
Senior outfielder, Joseph Jimenez, had three runs on three base hits. Jimenez was just one of six players to collect two or more RBI’s in this matchup.
Sophomore infielder, Noah Dreier, had two doubles in three at bats with a run scored. SXU designated hitter Aaron Orzech was 1-2 on hit attempts.
Senior outfielder, Sean Moore, concluded the game 0-1 from batting. He also had a final stat line of three walks, scoring twice and getting a steal at base.
The Cougars took the lead at the top of the fourth after home runs from outfielder Brandon Gutierrez and Dreier.
At the top of the seventh, SXU scored their fifth and sixth runs to secure the game and give them a 1-0 lead in the series.
Game 2 Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 19-9 (W) 7 innings.
Game two took place at Indiana South Bend with the Cougars dominating for another win at a score of 19-9 to take a 2-0 series lead on Friday, March 21. Jimenez was an overall 3-4 from hit attempts and scored two runs.
At the top of the first, SXU took a 3-0 from runs from infielder Taylor Steig, Orzech, and Jimenez.
At the top of the fourth, the Cougars found themselves up 101. Senior outfielder, Michael Flier, and senior utility player, Justin Massingale.
Senior infielder, Konnor Hutchings, went 1-2 with three runs scored and two walks.
It was a commanding win for the Cougars as they entered game three with all the momentum.
Game 3 Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 4-8 (L)
Game three had to be moved to Saint Xavier after Indiana’s field could not be used. Indiana South Bend received and got themselves back into the series by winning 8-4 on Saturday, March 22.
The game started with a 4-0
IUSB and SXU got back into the game at the bottom of the sixth after scoring four home runs and making the score 4-6.
Moore went 1-4 on bat hits and Senior pitcher Noah Scott was a part of 0.2 innings and also issued a walk.
It was a tough loss for the Cougars on their home field.
Game 4: Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 2-3 (L)
The Cougars could not get a last run and lost game four of this series at home on Saturday, March 22, as IUSB tied the series with a final score of 2-3. It was a low scoring game compared to the others but the Cougars could not capitalize.
Senior pitcher, Logan Antrim, recorded the final two outs with one strikeout.
Moore had one hit in five at bats. Outfielder Travis Hammond finished 1-for-3 with an RBI single. It was a close game at the end, but SXU could not get the game winning runs to close out IUSB. Their next series will be against the University of St. Francis. Games one and two will be at Ferrell Field on Friday, March 28, and three and four will be in Joliet, IL on Saturday, March 29. Game 1 is stated to start at 12 p.m., while game two will be right after at 2:30 p.m.. Game three is set to start at 1:00 p.m and game four is at 3:30 p.m.
2023-24 season with a third place finish at NAIA Nationals, leaving them with a bigger goal this year: winning it all.
“We knew how capable we were. At the same time, we loved being the underdogs. We knew we had nothing to lose,” Pennala added regarding the team’s success at NAIA Nationals.
Moving forward, he is confident the team has the skill and the chemistry to carry on their success from this experience. Coming in with this already established has led the team to more success from the start. They are currently undefeated, having won the first 18 tournaments of the year.
Pennala has had a great start this year as well, beginning with four straight double-doubles. Against Cornerstone University on March 22, Pennala broke the Saint Xavier record of kills in a single-match, originally being 27 held by Jan Lopuch from the 2023-24 season. Pennala collected 28 kills in this match with a .360 attack percentage.
“The difference between this year and last year is the fact that, despite me training a little bit for a setter, I [have] always still attacked as an opposite. Whereas last year, I was playing outside up until spring break. We made the switch, but we only had two months of me hitting opposite,” Pennala explained.
He believes the offensive flow has improved this year with fewer position changes and substitutions.
With these changes as well as an impressive winning streak and new records for the program, the team is hungry for a national championship. The rest of the season will come down to tweaking things and maintaining the chemistry that has made the team so strong.
“You can have all of the talent in the world, but if you can’t play together, you can’t play,” Pennala noted.
As the Cougars near postseason, they are determined to keep their momentum and prove that they belong among collegiate volleyball’s best.
Baseball-
March 27 at University of St. Francis (Ill.) Joliet, Ill at 3 p.m.
March 27 at University of St. Francis (Ill.) Joliet, Ill at 5:30 p.m.
March 28 at University of St. Francis (Ill.) at Ferrell Field at 12 p.m.
March 28 at University of St. Francis (Ill.) at Ferrell Field at 2:30 p.m.
Men’s Volleyball-
March 29, SXU vs Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) SXU Tri-Match in the Shannon Center at 11 a.m.
March 29, SXU vs No. 4 Lawrence Tech (Mich.) SXU Tri-Match in the Shannon Center at 11 a.m.
Softball-
March 29 at Indiana University at South Bend South Bend, Ind.
Men’s Track-
March 27 at WashU Distance
Carnival St. Louis, Mo. at 6:30 p.m.
March 28 at WashU Distance
Carnival St. Louis, Mo. at 12:15 a.m.
Women’s Track-
March 27 at WashU Distance Carnival St. Louis, Mo. at 6 p.m.
March 28 at WashU Distance
Carnival St. Louis, Mo. at 11:15 a.m.
Esports-
March 28, Overwatch, Esports vs Cleary University at Shannon Center at 7 p.m.
March 29, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Esports vs Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.)
March 29 at Indiana University at South Bend South Bend, Ind. at 11 a.m.
Matt Pennala at a game in the Shannon Center
The Xavierite