October 7th, 2015

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To r c h

VOL 93: 07 October 7, 2015 torchonline.com

The independent student newspaper of St. John’s University

Rachel Daly “Best Player in SJU History”

STEPHEN ZITOLO Sports Editor

Legendary.

That’s the one word that comes to mind when thinking of what senior forward Rachel Daly has accomplished during her collegiate career at St. John’s.

“She continues to amaze me,” head coach Ian Stone said of Daly. “She’s probably the best player I’ve ever had.

The other teams know that she’s good and they still can’t stop her.”

“She has surpassed everything I expected in the U.S. both in her soccer and her education,” Rachel’s father Martyn Daly said. “Her goals, team play and camaraderie are a major source of pride. I think you must also remember that without the likes of Georgia, Emily, Diana [Poulin], Morgan, etc., and of course Ian Stone that she would never have achieved these levels. I am a seriously proud father right now.”

In only two and a half collegiate seasons, the Harrogate, England native has etched her name in the St. John’s record books as the best player to ever step on the pitch for the Red Storm is mind-boggling, but, that is exactly what she has done.

“We really look up to her, so it’s really nice to know that someone’s there,” junior Morgan Tinari said. “Any ball I play, even if it’s a [bad] ball, I know that she’s going to get there and I know she’s either going to finish it or it’s going to be some nice play. It’s nice to have her there.”

“Rachel’s a fantastic player. She can fit into any position, as we saw last week [in our] last game against Butler, she played left-back,” redshirt senior Georgia Kearney-Perry said. “She defends, she attacks. Yeah, she’s brilliant. She’s absolutely brilliant. She scores plenty of goals, which we need. It’s great to have such a versatile player up top who can do everything very, very well.”

On Sunday, at home against Marquette, Daly was one goal away from breaking the all-time goals and points record in St. John’s history, a record 40 goals and 91 points that was set from 1988-92

by Adriana Viola. In the 34th minute of action on Sunday, the record was broken. Daly would be set up perfectly on a cross by sophomore Shea Connors as she darted into the box and headed the ball past the Marquette keeper. The goal was her 41st of her career and also marked her 92nd career point, both St. John’s all-time records.

Continued on page 20

FLIER FLOP

PHOTO/ SaRA RESTREPO CORTES

Some students in outrage over anti-Planned Parenthood fliers Campus Ministry did not give approval of fliers “...It was a miscommunication on my part“ says Students For Life President Joe Barry AMANDA UMPIERREZ News Editor

Members of Students for Life posted 250 fliers advertising to defund Planned Parenthood around the Queens campus on Wednesday afternoon, leading to a backlash among students on Twitter who took issue with the alleged information.

The posters contained controversial statistics regarding Planned Parenthood, including hashtags that wrote, “Defund Planned Parenthood,” “Women Betrayed,” and “PP [Planned Parenthood] Sells Baby Parts.”

Within 24 hours, the fliers were taken down from the walls of Marillac Hall, the D’Angelo Center, St. Albert’s Hall and on-campus residence halls in the wake of the vehement response by students. Some told the Torch they tore down the posters

themselves, while members of Students for Life stated they were asked to take down the fliers by Campus Ministry, whose logo was included on the flier.

Associate Vice President of Campus Ministry Tori Santangelo said the fliers were not approved.

“Those fliers should have never gone up,” she said. “Those are not the way we would put out a pro-life message, in the form that those went up would have not been approved because they did not invite students to talk about the issue.”

According to Vice President of Student Government Inc. Sarah Hanna, student organizations are required to have an SGI stamp of approval on fliers, while stamps on departmental fliers are not necessary.

In the case with Students for Life, the organization would have needed Campus Ministry’s approval before attaching the department’s logo on the flier.

According to e-board members of Stu-

dents for Life Rose Haslbauer and Joseph Barry, the student group had originally planned a campaign that included posting the anti-Planned Parenthood fliers, as well as a chalking outside of the D’Angelo Center, St. Thomas More church and the Great Lawn. “Defund Planned Parenthood” and “Social Justice Begins In The Womb” hashtags would be written in chalk throughout the campus. Barry had submitted the campaign to Campus Ministry, but lacked to receive a concrete approval.

While Students for Life President Joseph Barry says that Campus Ministry had approved of the chalking, he states he had miscommunicated the complete authorization of the campaign, and holds himself at fault for the misconstruing.

Continued on page 3

Lifestyle

Entertainment

Opinion

Fashion spotlight on Ijeoma Amozie

Looking at both sides of the Syrian refugee crisis

Hungry? The Torch reviews local restaurants

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TORCH PHOTO/ LAUREN EDEN

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Torch photo editor Diana Colapietro, poses and throws a thumbs up with singer/ songwriter Sara Baraellis at a book signing.

News

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Anti-Planned Parenthood fliers stir controversy among students and campus orgs (continued from page 1) “They approved the chalking, they approved the message to defund Planned Parenthood as part of the chalking,” he said. “I just assumed that we were on the same wavelength.”

According to Barry, the campaign was in response to Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards hearing to the House of Representatives. Richards testified on federal subsidies for the non-profit organization.

“This was supposed to be a timely campaign to address an ongoing news story as the day after Cecile Richards testified before the House,” he said.

Students for Life Vice President Nicholas Cerbo anticipated the message would initiate discussion with students.

“We were hoping to introduce a conversation about it,” Cerbo said.

Regarding the statistics Data included the controversial 94 percentage statistic attributed to the Susan B. Anthony list, a national pro-life organization. According to Students for Life e-board members Barry and Haslbauer and Public Relations Chair Michael Chirichella, all information was received by the Students for Life for America national organization.

Other material included in the fli-

ers were hashtags promoting defunding Planned Parenthood, as well as allegations that the organization had enshrouded statutory rape, accepted money to abort specifically colored infants, and double-billed taxpayers, amongst others.

Students who opposed the fliers emphasized the alleged inaccuracy of the posted information.

In a 2015 Washington Post article, writer Michelle Ye Hee Lee analyzed the error in the 94 percentage statistic, as well as Planned Parenthood’s three percentage statistic. In Planned Parenthood’s 2013-14 annual report, the organization disclosed that “three percent of all Planned Parenthood health services are abortion services.” When computing all Planned Parenthood health services, abortion services do only add up to three percent.

However, SBA’s 94 percentage statistic incorporates solely pregnancy services, such as prenatal services, adoption referrals and abortion services. When calculating these services, the abortion services do count for 94 percent of Planned Parenthood’s pregnancy services.

Associate Vice President of Campus Ministry Tori Santangelo was unsure if the statistics placed on the posters were completely accurate.

“I just need to be clear that I am not sure of any of those facts,” she said. “I don’t know, I don’t have any idea that those facts were correct.”

St. John’s juniors Hannah Lang and Sara Restrepo Cortes both shared their stances on the fliers via Twitter, and participated in tearing the posters down throughout campus.

“I think the fliers are very misleading,” Lang said. “None of them are actually accurate.”

Question of accountability Restrepo Cortes agrees, and named the fliers propaganda.

“I feel like a lot of the purpose behind these posters was fueled by hate, and a lot of numbers were very inaccurate,” she said.

Restrepo Cortes says she has visited Planned Parenthood for five years, and believes that the subject of abortion rights is constantly stigmatized.

“A lot about that topic is very taboo,” she said. “And that’s not fair.”

Senior Dylan Legarda expressed his upsets on the fliers, and anticipates an apology from Students for Life.

“I would like to see someone held accountable, I would like to see some form of apology,” he said.

Restrepo Cortes hopes to see a larger punishment taken against the group.

“I don’t want them active for the rest of the semester,” she said.

Students for Life Secretary Rose Haslbauer believes the information is accurate, even if it may be grim to face.

“Sometimes with an issue like this,

there really is no other way to word it besides the way that we did,” she said.

“We’re not sorry for putting those facts out there.”

Barry agrees. “The posters are, without a doubt, hard to stomach, but we believe that’s because those facts are hard to stomach,” he said. “In regards to the accusations that Students for Life is a hate group, as president I feel we owe nobody an apology for carrying out Students for Life our mission.”

Moving forward Although the timing has yet to be finalized, Haslbauer confirmed that new, edited fliers will be posted on campus.

Furthermore, Students for Life plans on hosting a meeting to invite a dialogue with students.

“A meeting to address the issue, for people who did see the posters and maybe were offended by it if they have any questions about it, and to address what happened,” Haslbauer said.

Legarda hopes that in the future, both Students for Life and Campus Ministry will be more liable in their organization.

“They have to be more responsible, in being that umbrella for different groups,” he said.

Additional reporting contributed by Cheyanne Gonzales

ILLUSTRATION/ STEVEN VERDILE

SJU gears for new basketball season

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TORCH PHOTO/CHEYANNE GONZALES

Students eagerly await Tip-Off, which kicks off the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Former player JaKarr Sampson throws down a dunk during annual celebration of the basketball season.

Tayah Page-Harper Contributing Writer

Each year, the basketball season starts with the Red Storm Tip-Off, an event that brings the student body together while showcasing the year’s men’s and women’s basketball team. The Tip-Off will be held in Carnesecca Arena on Oct. 16. The time will be announced closer to the date.

At Tip-Off, members of the basketball team are announced to the student body in an epic way: the players run through a banner onto the gym floor. After the players’ introduction, the coaches say a few words

about what they are expecting this season.

“The school spirit is great,” senior Shane Fallon said. “It’s like the first major event for the basketball season and it gets everyone to come out for not only the performer but also to see the basketball team for the first time.”

In the past years, there was a scrimmage and some giveaways. This year’s Tip-Off will be $5; tickets will be on sale soon.

The arrival of Chris Mullin as head coach for the men’s basketball team has been getting a lot of buzz. The St. John’s alumnus is the 20th head coach for the men’s team.

Students are anticipating a great season.

Some would even like to hear a few words from Mullin at Tip-Off.

“Chris Mullin being here is like a new big thing,” Fallon said. “It would be cool if he came out and gave like a motivational speech.” His words would make Tip-Off an even more cheerful experience than it already is.

Many people see Tip-Off as a time to connect with their peers. While there, it’s possible for you to talk to someone that you’ve never met before. Senior Lexi Brown says she enjoys the Tip-Off for the diversity.

“I always like seeing the St. John’s community because there’s so many different people coming together and it’s really cool because it’s always something that everyone enjoys,” Brown said. “The amount of support that the student body has for each oth-

er is always a really nice thing to see.”

One of the most exciting parts of TipOff is the performance by a guest musician.

Last year’s performer, French Montana, made it a lively experience for the St. John's community. Many students see the performance as almost a concert.

“Because I don’t go to concerts, being able to experience one at school is pretty cool,” Junior Jaleon Davis said.

Tip-Off shows that students can come together in a dynamic way. The energy brought to Carnesecca Arena is an amazing thing.

“To see everyone come out wearing red is a good indicator of what the season will be like,” Fallon said.

First Democratic debate set for Oct. 13

suzanne ciechalski Opinion Editor

PHOTO/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The first Democratic debate of the 2016 presidential race is set to take place next Tuesday, Oct. 13. Candidates, such as frontrunner Hillary Clinton, and even some lesser-known, such as Jim Webb, will take the stage on CNN to answer questions in the debate.

CNN is giving viewers the opportunity to submit questions for the candidates via Facebook or Instagram videos with #DemDebate.

“I’m hoping to hear them discuss some international issues such as Russia and ISIS [and] potentially climate change,” senior Tate Rountree said. “I also think it will be interesting if the leaders of the debate touch on Hillary’s email scandal,” he said.

As the viewers are submitting questions, we can expect to hear a range of

topics discussed, from foreign to economic policies, to topics specific to each candidate.

Sophomore Sydney Fucci said that she hopes to hear clear and concise views from all candidates, specifically on the issue of “Black Lives Matter.”

Fucci expressed support for Sanders, discussing his stance on racial inequality in the United States.

“Bernie has been in support of African American rights since the civil rights era, I think he has been diligently working to prove to Americans that he truly cares regardless of your race, gender, age or socioeconomic level,” she said.

Sanders has also presented a strong stance on higher education, presenting a plan to make all four year, public institutions free; a stance that has made

him increasingly popular amongst college students.

“That’s the way it should be. The monopoly that universities have on young people in America is absurd,” said Rountree.

Absent from the debate will be potential candidate Vice President Joe Biden. As the clock to enter the race ticks, Biden has cited various factors, most importantly, the recent death of his son, Beau, as a reason he may not elect to enter the race.

With two GOP debates complete, Americans can hope to gain more clarity on the state of the Democratic Party and its candidates’ policies in the upcoming debate. Tune in to hear more on Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. ET on CNN.

Opinion Staff Editorial board XCIII TALIA TIRELLA Co-Editor-in-Chief JENNY CHEN Co-Editor-in-Chief CHEYANNE GONZALES General Manager AMANDA UMPIERREZ News Editor STEPHEN ZITOLO Sports Editor LIVIA PAULA Features Editor JASMINE IMANI DAVIS Entertainment Editor SUZANNE CIECHALSKI Opinion Editor

Flames of the Torch Although every student and student group has the right to express their beliefs under the First Amendment, there’s always a point when actions can cross the line. Students should never be made to feel offended by a message on their own college campus.

Last week, some students were dealt an awkward hand as they came across anti-Planned Parenthood fliers posted by the Students for Life group around campus. Those fliers included the Campus Ministry logo, despite Campus Ministry having not approved it, according to Tori Santangelo, associate vice president.

Tremendous backlash flooded social media as students who were offended by the language used on the fliers spoke their minds as well.

The fliers in question used language that students felt was insulting and heavy-handed. The student reaction on Twitter, including tweets directed at the University, consisted of accusations of a hate campaign as well as general disapproval of the group’s fliers.

Freedom of speech is what makes America great and sets our nation apart from so many others. So we need to keep in mind that while Students for Life had the right to post opinionated fliers, there were ways that the group could have made the fliers more appropriate.

A good way to do that would have been to discuss why they believe in being pro-life as opposed to focusing on why Planned Parenthood is near criminal in their minds.

It goes without saying that St. John’s University is a traditionally pro-life campus. As a Catholic and specifically Vincentian University, one of the tenets the school abides by is supporting pro-life measures.

However, the University also prides itself on its diversity, which comes with various stu-

dent opinion. Certainly one group can broadcast their beliefs, but it must also be understood that their broadcast won’t come without controversy. Our diversity makes us stronger as a University in many ways, and the varying opinions that are brought to the table are certainly a strong element that should not be ignored.

That variety of opinion should lead to healthy discussion, and it’s clear Santangelo agrees. She said the fliers that went up “would not have been approved because they did not invite students to talk about the issue.”

Again, the group had the right to post the fliers, but the fact that so many students were upset after reading it means that there should have been a reassessment of the content and its messaging. They could have established their point more effectively.

As a student newspaper, we take pride in being able to deliver content without being censored. The First Amendment allows us to publish whatever sort of content comes our way -- within the basic principles of ethical journalism -- so we exercise our right to free speech all the time. This means that while we don’t endorse what the fliers said, we do believe the group had the right to post their beliefs.

But we also commend the University for reacting quickly to student backlash and making sure the fliers were removed.

This comes with a caveat: we do think that the group should have exercised caution when it came to the content of the fliers. The language used made students uncomfortable and some of the statistics were misleading as well.

As for the hashtag activism: we believe it’s an effective tool, but caution should always be exercised.

What does it mean to be faithful?

LIVIA PAULA Features Editor I was walking with a couple of my friends at a house party last semester and one of them caught a guy’s attention. “She’s hot,” he said. Since I was the one closest to him, I said that she had a boyfriend. His response was: “So?” This was not the only time I’ve heard something like this. Once, I heard someone say that “just because there’s a goalie, doesn’t mean you can’t score.”

You may call me a hopeless romantic, a walking cliché or old school, but I believe in relationships and their meaning. To know that terms such as “side chicks/guys” and “main chicks/ guys” are commonly used is very upsetting.

There are various studies showing that most couples will experience some type of infidelity in their relationships.

I know people that believe in that so much that they already expect the worst to happen, even if there’s nothing wrong with their relationship.

I’m specifically talking about people from the outside trying to break into (or completely break) a relationship. That’s not to say, however, that the person that finds him or her in relationships isn’t to blame if there is cheating. It takes two to tango.

Let me share a personal story: my father was not your example of a loyal man. I didn’t get to grow up close to him, but I found out about this whole episode when I researched his name back in 2011 and then through a sister I got to meet a few years ago.

It was 2003, before social media was a big thing and no one could slide into someone’s direct messages like they can today. It was the time of flip phones and SMS was already a thing.

My dad exchanged messages and phone calls with a married woman from his cell phone. Although he was married, he had a reputation of be-

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ing a “player.” There was no physical proof that my father and this woman had an affair. However, the messages exchanged and the amount of phone calls they shared made it hard to think otherwise.

Her husband saw my dad’s calls and messages in his wife’s phone and he assumed the worst, especially given my dad’s reputation.

The angry husband looked for my dad at his job. They got into a heated argument. The husband took out his gun and shot my dad. Perhaps that was his way to save face or to set an example. Or maybe he was just really angry.

Unfortunately, my dad didn’t survive and was not able to argue whether or not he did have an affair with the woman.

This case is an example that such adventures might end up in tragedy.

Some tragedies cause physical harms, but surely all of them cause emotional harms.

What if people broke away from trying to talk to someone that’s in a relationship? There are still many “fish in the sea,” so look for those who haven’t been snapped already.

I understand that a lot of the time someone might say they are single and approach you. You might find yourself in a situation without knowing about it. But, for those who are aware that the person they are getting involved with are indeed in a relationship, or those who try to approach someone without worrying about it, take a look inside your conscience, if there’s anything there.

Regardless of age, whether you’re young and trying to enjoy your life as much as you can, or older and there’s nothing left to lose, reconsider all parties involved.

Look deep inside yourself and wonder if that moment of pleasure, sense of adventure or the good old feeling of “butterflies in your stomach” are worth the consequences, whatever they may be.

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of the TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the TORCH.

Opinions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administrations of St. John’s University.

TO CONTRIBUTE Mail letters to: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439 Submit letters via email to: torcheic@gmail.com

All are welcome to contribute to the Torch. Please include your full name, year and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 500 words and may be edited for content, grammar or space. Unverifiable or anonymous letters will not be published. All letters are subject to the approval of the Editorial Board of the TORCH.

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Putin flexes Syrian rhetoric at U.N. General Assembly COOPER MIQUELI Contributing Writer On Monday, Sept. 28, President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech to the United Nations General Assembly where the two spoke of various world issues, specifically touching upon the crisis in Syria. They discussed what they believed to be the correct course of actions in order to correct the turmoil and help those fleeing violence and instability.

To correctly understand Obama’s and Putin’s points, however, one must first understand the Syrian Crisis.

The Syrian Civil War, as it is now called, began in 2011, during the heart of the Arab Spring. The Arab Spring was a series of uprisings against national governments in na-

tions across the Middle East. The uprising in Syria began after teenagers were arrested and abused for marking a school wall with revolutionary mantras.

This caused unrest in Syria and the call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s resignation. Assad then began using the military against the uprising, causing more people to take to the streets. The rebels were fighting against the government and people were being mauled down in the streets. By 2014, the United Nations stated that 191,000 people had been killed due to the civil war.

By March 2015, 220,000 people had been killed.

In 2014, ISIS, the terrorist Islamic State group, began fighting the Kurdish people and the Syrian rebels. They are now situated in Iraq and northern Syria. Because of the ongoing fighting that is running rampant

“My Reflection” By: Reza Moreno

“You’re beautiful like your mother,” I would here often growing up.

“There is no one else like you,” I would hear often as they smothered me in love.

I had no makeup, I never did my hair, Long sleeve with an A cup.

Years later, I hear the same thing, except this time, I had mile long lashes, I had rosy cheeks, and lips that taste like key lime pie.

Little did they know that their words hit me so deep, I grew up seeing other “beautiful ladies” like that ones that are photoshop and tweaked.

I didn’t feel beautiful when filters and makeup was the way to hide my flaws.

I was trapped, along with every other women, in my own reflection.

Because as I looked in the mirror, it wasn’t me staring back, but what the world wants me to see.

“Rapid rewarming using radiant heat” By: Nicole Marino

through the streets of Syria, more than 12 million people have fled the area, half of which are children. Seven million people have been moved from their homes to areas throughout Syria while an additional four million have fled to neighboring countries.

All of this brings us to the world today.

At the U.N. General Assembly, President Obama gave a speech mentioning the civil war in Syria and addressing the issue of refugees fleeing the country due to the volatile nature of the crisis.

Russian President Putin also gave a speech mentioning the Syrian crisis. After the Assembly, the two leaders had their first private meeting in two years. Obama and Putin disagree on one fundamental issue: Assad’s presidency. Putin wants to support Assad because Putin believes Assad is the only thing standing in the way of the Islam-

ic State. President Obama strongly disagrees with President Putin in supporting Assad.

Obama believes Assad is a tyrant and should not be supported.

The issue in Syria needs to be addressed through a unified collaboration between multiple powerful countries, not just the United States and Russia. ISIS poses an imminent threat. They have killed many Americans and hundreds of thousands of innocent people. However, I do not believe that the U.S. needs to deploy any ground troops to the area. Instead, the U.S. can help Syrian refugees by sending medical necessities, food and water to the countries that have taken the refugees. The U.S. should lead by example and do something to help the refugees with or without support from other nations in the coming weeks.

A look at the Democratic party: meet the candidates

ANGEL VERA Staff Writer With an assortment of colored leaves beginning to cover the ground and pumpkin spice lattes running through our veins, the Democratic primary season is in full swing, with the first scheduled debate to be broadcasted Tuesday, Oct. 13 on Ted Turner’s beloved and lamentable Cable News Network.

This leads us to wonder how exactly the donkey-symbolized party is doing as of late? To put it lightly, it’s been shaken at its core. I am not just talking about Bernie Sanders’ campaign, but how disgruntled the liberal and progressive populous has become.

In early September, the Democratic National Committee, headed by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, was interrupted by chants of “more debates” and jeered at by the New Hampshire crowd according to Alex Seitz-Wald of MSNBC. The DNC itself is being accused of favoring Hillary Clinton and limiting debates in her favor of which they have denied. Nonetheless, there is no real debate that the other democratic candidates such as Sanders (I-VT) or O’Malley (D-MD), have not been discussed as frequently.

One would think that the Democrats, those in the saddle that is, would be more willing to have selection this upcoming election for its constituents; however, that is where we are all wrong.

So far, Governor Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley, Independent Senator of Vermont Bernie Sanders and Virginia Senator Jim Webb, have all decided to hop on the democratic carousel.

Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig is the only non-politician to have filed with the Federal Elections Committee, and is officially running for president as

well, making the total number of candidates six.

Vice President Joe Biden and former Vice President and Virginia Congressmen Al Gore are notably apt to join the relay at a later time.

As if Bush being pitted against Clinton was foretold by prophecy, both parties had their mind set on one candidate and both, humorously for many, were shocked at the rise in popularity of Donald Trump and Ben Carson on the right, as well as Bernie Sanders on the left.

For the Democrats, their hope was to pave an easy victory for Clinton, which has gotten bumpy with the email scandal (that isn’t really a scandal) and of course, the progressive push of Bernie Sanders support causing headlines.

Polls, as reliable or unreliable as they “This leads us to wonder how exactly the donkey-symbolized party is doing as of late? To put it lightly, it’s been shaken at its core.”

are, have Clinton leading in two states, Iowa, being the more important of the two since they are the important corn farmer’s vote, and New Hampshire, where Sanders has taken favorable lead.

Nonetheless, Clinton’s numbers are dropping consistently, so much so that she might have to actually start discussing some issues and her agenda if she were to be elected to the oval office.

The Democratic Party is nowhere near perfect and just the other side of the two-party coin that has plagued America for centuries, and sadly more centuries to come if no change is made to our election process.

With Clinton starting to feel the “Bern,” who knows what the outcome will be in the debates.

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ON EDUCATION

JACK

Special to the Torch Last Saturday, over 60,000 people crowded the Great Lawn at Central Park to show their support for the United Nations millennial goals. Everyone roared for the ferocity that is Beyoncé.

In the middle of her last song, the most powerful woman in music did what no one could have expected and introduced the most powerful woman in politics, Michelle Obama.

Mrs. Obama, gracing the stage, announced the initiative for educating the 62 million girls across the globe without access to proper schooling. As a male, I believe that it is a ludicrous notion for any patriarchal government to shut down this initiative. While males may not be the physical cause of destruction, a world led by a male majority can only have one general view of society.

While seeing the activists come together to see global leaders and musicians show their support for the development of human life, I couldn’t help but think of how far activism for women’s rights have come. Bob Dylan, one of the most famous activists of his time, wrote a song called “Just Like a Woman,” a song that criticizes his lover’s womanly characteristics and talks down upon her femininity.

In the 1960s, when the age of activism was at an alltime high, even the most active protestor for social change couldn’t get women quite right. It is refreshing to see, in 2015, such a large number of people coming out to support all of the changes that must take place to better our world, including the liberation of women by assuring them an education.

Thus, a mixed gender crowd of over 60,000 waved in the education of 62 million women in the world. The sheer power of both of these numbers is shattering to the largely patriarchal society that we live in. It is a negatively outstanding number of women who are left uneducated by their societies, but a positively outstanding number of people in support of changing this dangerous status quo.

Many men may fear the idea that a woman can be equal in comparison to them; but, as far as I can tell, allowing women into the world made for men, by men, could improve fields dominated by masculinity and will make the global perspective a more well-rounded one.

When men and women at an early age have a paper on their desk, a pen in their hand and a head full of thoughts, then the world will know equality. After all, if a genderless thought can change the world, why should we scrutinize the gender of the thinker?

JILL

Special to the Torch There are 62 million girls worldwide who are denied access to an education, half of whom are adolescents. Last week, Michelle Obama revealed a social media campaign to raise awareness for her “Let Girls Learn” initiative and the pressing global concern that is lack of access to education.

“Let Girls Learn” partners with US Aid, Peace Corps and the Millennium Change Corporation to “leverage the investments we have made and success we have achieved in global primary school, and expand them to help adolescent girls complete their education.”

As a global society that aims to uphold universal human rights and advance justice, we have a duty to the millions of schoolaged girls who are denied their right to an education.

Why girls? Lack of access to an education is a problem that affects both boys and girls in developed countries. So, why the extra focus on educating girls?

Studies show that educating girls has monumental returns. Educated girls marry, have children later, educate their own children and stand up for their rights. Every year of education a girl receives increases her earning power by 10-20 percent. When girls receive an education, their families and communities thrive.

Advancing girls’ education is also a for-

eign policy imperative. It’s a fact that countries that are home to terrorist movements are also notorious for marginalizing and mistreating females.

Why target adolescent girls in particular? 11 percent of primary school-aged children worldwide are out of school, and the figure rises to 18.5 percent for secondary school-aged children.

While enormous progress has been made in increasing the percentage of primary-aged children in school, the number of secondary school-aged children out of school is still tragically high. This is also where we see a large disparity between the numbers of girls and boys in school. Puberty is when horrors such as genital mutilation and child marriage occur and when many girls are forced to bear children while still being children themselves.

Deeply held cultural beliefs are what drive the inequality in educational opportunity and therefore solutions have to be devised and implemented on the local level. “Let Girls Learn,” along with the Peace Corps, works in communities around the world to develop local-based education programs and initiatives. The thousands of Peace Corps volunteers who live and serve in these communities are transforming girls’ lives.

The global community must step in and assist the fight in whatever way we can. We need to provide the volunteers and resources to ensure that girls around the world are thriving, empowered and educated.

A look into the history of our school’s color

FR. PATRICK J. GRIFFIN, CM of red with the Holy Spirit. In the Christian celebrations of Pentecost and ConfirSpecial to the Torch

mation—with the focus on the gift of the Spirit—red is the dominant color.

The redness of fire and flame characterizes Pentecost and prompts the association. Energy for mission emerges.

Given an almost unlimited palette of colors to choose from, why did St. John’s University choose red as its identifying color? Well, the first answer is that it didn’t.

The original choice had been maroon (and white) until the term of Very Rev. John W. Moore, CM, the seventh president of the university (1906-25).

Ultimately, I posed this question regarding red to our University Archivist Dr. Blythe E. Roveland-Brenton, who provided me with the answer and data. Before I consulted her, however, I considered why I might choose red for our color. Why might you?

A first reason involves the connection

“Red also finds close association with the heart and its satellites: love, mercy and compassion.”

The particular gifts of wisdom and understanding as bestowed by the Spirit become apparent and mark the character of an institution of higher learning such as our St. John’s. Red makes sense from the point-of-view of the enlightening and enlivening Spirit of God.

Red also finds close association with the heart and its satellites: love, mercy and compassion.

On the seal of the University, a heart sits in the right lower quadrant. This image represents the charitable and caring heart of St. Vincent de Paul. St. John’s was founded with the mind and spirit of this good man in view.

Those who come here for a solid education must also learn something about the needs of the less fortunate in our society and the way in which warm and gentle hearts can provide an incomparable service. This should characterize an SJU education and be symbolized by our affection for red.

Finally, red is the color identified with blood. In the Christian liturgy, red is the color of martyrs and the passion of Christ.

Those who have shed their blood for what is most important to them and society evoke our admiration and emulation.

This last explanation points to the published reason why SJU favors red. Fr. Moore selected this color because St. John the Baptist suffered martyrdom for his faith. You may remember the story. John opposed King Herod on a question of what is proper for a marriage. Refusing to compromise his message or soften his presentation of the truth, John was beheaded.

He becomes a model for the person who sticks to their beliefs and accepts the consequences. Once again, one can see how this would be a valuable sentiment with which to describe SJU and its students.

In truth, I would be satisfied with any of these explanations for the color red and its symbolism for our University. Each captures a value for an institution where we seek to train students who can be faithful witnesses to what is true, men and women who act with compassion and people who value learning and wisdom. Red is our color.

Syrian refugee crisis: 8

Students debate refugees’ admittance into the U.S. and Eastern Europe NICHOLAS KANIA Contributing Writer

MILES KOPLEY Staff Writer In the Spring of 1916, Levkhow Koplchevksy paid to smuggle his two young sons Andrei and Mikhail from Kiev, then part of the Russian Empire, to Bremen, Germany, where they boarded a trans-Atlantic passenger ship bound for Newark, N.J. Crossing international boundaries, which then mostly consisted of trenchlines, they risked life, limb and fortune to make it to the United States.

Eager to become Americans, Andrei and Mikhail, no older than 15 and 13, promptly changed their names while being processed by officials in New Jersey. Andrei Americanized to Andrew; Mikhail to Milton. Their last name lost its Ukrainian tint as well, shortened to Kopley. Andrew later moved to Tully, N.Y., where he married a local woman and fulfilled his dreams of operating his own farm.

Milton moved back to New Jersey, and later became my great-grandfather.

Now, almost 100 years later, the process seems to repeat itself for millions of people fleeing war and persecution in the Middle East and North Africa. Running from the brutal acts of ISIS, from unemployment, barrel bombs and Boko Haram, thousands of refugees pour into Europe by the day, albeit with a little bit more acceptance than those refugees who attempted to find prosperity in Europe in 1916. Looking back at my own story, however, a story that was shared by thousands of other people fleeing both the Bolsheviks and the horrors of World War One a hundred years ago, there’s a recurring theme that has permeated through all the decades in between.

The American Dream, despite all of their flaws, falsities and contradictions, is a very real idea for those who see it from the outside. Shutting the doors on those who wish to share this experience with us is not a continuation of an American tradition, but rather the betrayal of our promise to the world as a beacon of democracy.

There is much evidence arguing both in favor of, and against, the admittance of refugees into the United States.

Yet, if someone wishes to come to this country and fulfill their dream, let them. My great-grandfather worked his way up from his early teenage years, often labeled as a communist because of his heritage (the early-20th century “terrorist”) and in an era when welfare programs didn’t exist.

All this brings me back to my point: that the United States has long been a point of hope and prosperity for those in conflicted areas in the world, and denying refugees an opportunity to succeed here would be an unjust counter to our American way of life. Save for those of Native PHOTO/ FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS American descent, we are all products of immigrants who came to the United States looking for a better life. To shut out others who seek to fulfill the same dream would be a disservice to our traditions and values and to our own family heritage.

Two Syrian refugees who fled Suruç, Turkey roam around a camp together

For many in the Western world, the conception of Europe as an idea is 50% false. It tends to carry many positive connotations, such as developed societies, affordable healthcare, pristine education systems and wealthy elites. We think of Europe as a progressive place full of progressive people.

The United States has a long history of contact with Western Europe. It was founded by Western European colonists, many of its citizens are of Western European descent and it fought alongside Western European powers in both World Wars. We forget that there is another Europe further east, different from the one we idealize. It is a place of equally rich culture and many of its nations have more recently entered the European Union.

These include Central European countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic, as well as more distant places, such as Romania.

When we hear that Hungary and Slovakia openly oppose migrants entering their borders, we are appalled. Even if we are unaware of it, our Western European bias colors our image of other European countries.

Any rejection of migrants on cultural or religious grounds has no place in the 21st century. There is little excuse for xenophobia. But, there is an explanation: Central and Eastern European countries were sealed off from external influences for decades. From the moment the communist bloc was conceived, they were doomed to relative cultural homogeneity. Eastern European nations have only recently come to terms with globalization.

Furthermore, there is an economic effect of the former “Iron Curtain.” Eastern European nations, while not necessarily desti- tute, are nowhere near as economically powerful as their Western neighbors. They are new to capitalism and many ideas from their old regimes continue to exert influence.

Even Germany, which has announced itself as a haven of tolerance, is realizing the true economic burden of receiving and processing so many migrants. How can we expect economies far smaller than Germany’s to not buckle under the sheer expense of accommodating so many refugees?

Despite the protests of Eastern states, the EU insists on quotas.

If Eastern Europe won’t accept migrants willingly, it will be forced to.

What kind of life can we expect for a migrant in a country forced to accept him? Do cultural attitudes change because of mandates? It is simply unfair to all involved.

Let us not ride a high horse. Instead of simply dismissing the protests of Europe’s developing nations, we should seek to understand and educate. Western Europe and the U.S. have a duty, but Eastern Europe is far from the developed paradise we believe represents the entire continent.

Lifestyle

9

Brasileiros ride ticket to their success Government grants students chance to embrace NYC

TIANA BROWNIE

Contributing Writer Bianca Alcantra didn’t know what she wanted to do as a career. Eventually she chose graphic design after taking the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM). In Brazil, the ENEM test is considered the “Brazilian version” of the SAT. “We have a program in Brazil called Science Without Borders,” Alcantra said.

“The government pays for us to come here [to St. John’s University] to learn different sciences. They give us a monthly stipend for food, our University tuition is paid for and we get to live in a foreign country for a year,” she said.

Alcantara is a sophomore from Brazil studying graphic design at St. John’s on this program completely paid for by the government.

She is one of the many Brazilian exchange students that took on this opportunity.

“The goal for when we come back is

to share the different knowledge we’ve learned to other Brazilian students,” Alcantra said.

“The government is focusing on engineering and different science studies,” she said. “Students can not only choose from South American countries and the United States, but also from the rest of the world like Asia and Europe.”

According to Alcantra, every student in college can apply, but only the ones who meet certain criteria are chosen.

Choices are also based on scholastic performance.

“I got into this program after they opened the list of the countries to students,” Alcantra said.

“You can choose a country then send a letter with your grades, why you’d like to go and where you’d like to go, to the government. The government then looks at your ENEM grades and your university acceptance letter,” she said.

Alcantra has been to New York in 2010 and she loved it. Although it is a different experience coming as a tourist and as a student, she still enjoys the city.

“Coming here as a student hasn’t been difficult because I can find everything I need,” she said. “In Henley, I have a kitchen where I can cook Brazilian food and a couch, so it feels like home. I do miss my family but I think that it is necessary for me to get out of Brazil to learn.”

As every person coming from a completely different place, Alcantra and her fellow Brazilian friends experienced a culture shock.

“It’s really different from Brazil,” she said. “We have a thing, where we talk to everybody. In the street, we stop and talk to people we don’t know, then suddenly we are friends and when we meet again we hug each other like we have known each other forever. When you’re in class here no one talks to you at all.”

In Brazil, design as a whole is something fairly new.

It has been around for about 50 years.

However, it is something that is growing really fast.

“I wanted to learn things here in the United States that I wouldn’t be able to

learn now [in Brazil],” she said.

Alcantra wants to take what she learns during her journey here and apply it back home in Brazil.

“I want to use the information to further myself and share the techniques I’ve learned with the rest of Brazil,” she said.

“For example, in Brazil we don’t do a lot of handwork before doing the graphics on the computer.”

“It’s a new kind of approach for me, because in Brazil we go straight to the graphics on the computer,” Alcantra said.

“I would like to bring that technique of doing handwork back to Brazil.”

The reputation that the St. John’s program has is known to those students who are still in Brazil.

In Alcantra’s case, for example, she took what her friend had to say seriously.

“I choose St. John’s because I had a friend who came here last year and said he loved St. John’s,” she said.

“He said it was a great place to study graphic design and that he really enjoyed the experience. So far, I am enjoying myself too.”

Latinos find second family at SJU LASO gives Latino students a voice

NATHALIE TIGUA

Staff Writer

“Family, diverse and dedicated” were the words executive board members of the Latino American Student Organization Vice President Magdaline Hurtado and Secretary, sophomore Kimberly Alvarez, used to describe their organization.

LASO is a cultural organization for all Latino and non-Latinos in St. John’s who are interested in being part of an organization that wants to make a difference on campus while continuing to help each other succeed.

For Latin Heritage Month, LASO had multiple events planned. Among these events is the Cuban Brunch, which will bring light to the Cuban culture. Another event under their belt is the Alumni Mixer. Hurtado said she joined LASO because she wanted to find a place where she can learn more about the Latin culture and be in a positive atmosphere where people bring each other up.

“I take pride of who I am and where I’m from,” Alvarez said. “Coming to St. John’s, I didn’t know anyone. So, joining LASO, I’ve met amazing people and I’m learning about different cultures that I did not know about beforehand. According to Alvarez, she didn’t know anyone when she first became a St. John’s student. After she joined LASO, she met different people and learned about

PHOTO/KIMBERLY ALVAREZ

Latino American Student Organization is open for all Latino and non-Latino students to join.

different cultures. The “family environment” she found as a freshman was what she was looking for and it was enough to make her stay.

Hurtado said that she believes LASO is a dedicated organization because they feel they have to constantly overcome any obstacles that are thrown at them.

One of the obstacles they face as an organization is getting the Latino community to come together as one.

“We feel that the Latino communi-

ty isn’t well connected,” Hurtado said.

“One of our main goals is to recruit more Latino members.”

Hurtado reinforced that LASO isn’t only for Latino students, and that anyone from any background is welcome to join.

“We want to bring the Latino community together and try to diminish the stereotypes within ourselves,” she said.

According to Hurtado, LASO collaborates with other organizations to recruit new members. Their main goal is to have

quality events this semester.

For Alvarez, being Latino is about being strong and dedicated.

“Being Latino means seeing that we have to deal with struggles and overcoming them,” she said.

Although minority groups add on to the diversity found in this country, there are still many stereotypical ideas and prejudices that haunts different groups.

All over the news people read and listened to Donald Trump’s strong and offensive remarks regarding immigrants.

Hurtado expressed her dislike of Trump and said that the Latin American community as well as other minority groups have evolved. “[The Latin American community] just need to keep moving forward or else we will fall back,” she said. “We are strong people.”

Hurtado also said the United States is known as the “melting pot” because of its diversity and she doesn’t think it’s fair for people like Trump to pick on minorities. “We’re all from different places for a reason,” she said.

Hurtado said that Native Americans are the only people that can’t be considered immigrants in this country and there’s no reason for others to diminish them. For her, the words “family, diverse and dedicated” will always be with her.

“We are all Latino and have to stick together,” Hurtado said. “Together we are stronger.”

10

TORCH PHOTO/LAUREN EDEN

TORCH PHOTO/VICTORIA LOHWASSER

TORCH PHOTO/EVELYN MILLER

Empanadas Café

Jekyll and Hyde

Saigon Asian Cuisine

Continue the Latin Heritage Month celebration by enjoying some delicious empanadas

Get into the Halloween spirit and dare yourself to try the scariest bite in town

LAUREN EDEN

VICTORIA LOHWASSER

Staff Writer

EVELYN MILLER

Contributing Writer

Located in Flushing, Queens and only a short walk Halloween is quickly approaching, which means it away from St. John’s University lies the Vietnamese is time to be entertained with spooky images, costumes Pho restaurant Saigon. and making some fun plans. Those who are in the mood Inhabiting the space once known as the Asian Fufor a taste of fear and want a bite definitely need to sion Bistro, this new restaurant offers plenty of fan check out Jekyll & Hyde Club.

Jekyll & Hyde Club is a themed restaurant located favorites and exciting quintessential specials that in Manhattan at 91 7th Ave South, between West 4th anyone can try. I have gone at different times and the Street and Barrow Street. The restaurant’s website, place offers a large, open area to house a gathering jekyllandhyde.com, describes the venue as a “haunted of friends.

If you are on a budget but still want to get the restaurant and bar for eccentric explorers and mad sciexperience of eating out or getting good take out, this entists where guests can eat and drink among the unusuis the place to go. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., they al and the bizarre.”

The audience is constantly entertained and kept on offer a lunch special menu ranging from $6.25 to $8. their toes the minute they get in line. Legend has it that The lunch special includes the choice of rice, soup Dr. Henry Jekyll was expelled from the London society or a soda, and the entrée portions are great as well. I for indulging in the darker side of science. His work recommend the sliced chicken or curry beef, which created an evil alternate ego, Mr. Hyde, who wreaked has plenty of meat and vegetables. The General Tso’s havoc on the city. In 1931, he opened the club to contin- chicken is divine, but you can also try the cubed beef ue his scientific endeavors as well as to invite those who dish that offers large portions of beef.

If you don’t make it to the lunch special, don’t shared his unorthodox methods and interests to come worry.

There’s a section in the menu called ‘Over together.

There is continuous live entertainment and spooky Rice’ that offers the same meals but with dinner poreffects brought by staff members, such as Professor tions and the price doesn’t break the bank either. One Shroud and Dreadworthy the Butler. The staff mingles of dishes on the menu is called ‘Grilled Pork Chop with the guests as the spirits are brought back to life. Combo Over Rice’ and it offers three different types Unusual events happen every ten minutes 365 days a of meat, rice and a crab cake all for only $7.25. How year, whether it be the creatures and memorabilia com- awesome is that?

If you’re a Pho lover and are really hungry, the ing to life or encounters with Tobias the Werewolf, ‘Grilled Pork Chop’ special is great. It’s under $7 and Claw the Gargoyle and their friends.

Going to the bathroom can also be considered an comes with two pork chops. There are a variety of other Phos you can try that cater to how you want. If adventure because they are hidden behind bookcases.

The extensive menu offers sixty-two various dishes spice is your game, then the ‘Satay Beef Pho’ is good including Create-Your-Own-Monster burgers, Franken- as the broth is spicy and flavorful, especially as the stein’s Favorite, topped with cheese, mushrooms, on- seasons start to change and it gets colder.

Saigon is an overall great place to grab a bite to ions and bacon, and The Mummy, sirloin bandaged in your choice of cheese. There is also a large range of eat when you’re hungry and to go to when you want pizzas that are available. Jekyll and Hyde recommend to have a nice chat with your friend. The staff is very trying the three-cheese Dr. Jekyll and The Cannibal’s helpful and welcoming to all people that go in.

Since you are part of the St. John’s community, go sausage, pepperoni and meatballs. out and meet new your neighbors!

If you want to indulge in dessert, you have a variety of milkshakes flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mocha, peanut butter and Nutella, cookies and milk, and even crème brûlée. If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t be afraid to try Death By Chocolate. The Contribute to dessert is a perfect blend of devil’s food cake, chocolate mousse, crunchy toffee bits, whipped cream and chocTorch Eats! olate syrup.

Catering is available for birthday parties, bachelor/ bachelorette parties, customized live entertainment and more. They can host events for three to five hundred guests. Private rooms are also available. If you wish to share the experience with family and friends that have children a kid’s menu is also available.

A must-see attraction is Jekyll & Hyde’s Chamber of Horrors, which used to be Mr. Hyde’s unholy lair.

Diners can see all the treasures of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Email torchfeatures@gmail.com if Hyde as they explore the restaurant.

As they say, anything can happen at Jekyll & Hyde, you would like to contribute to our

Torch Eats section!

ILLUSTRATIONS/FEATURES EDITOR/LIVIA PAULA

Queens, N.Y. is one of the most diverse places in the world, as well as one of the most underrated food destinations. You can find nearly all types of authentic cuisines in New York City’s largest borough for a reasonable price.

Ditch the swanky, white table-clothed date night in Manhattan that’ll put your bank account back $100 and be adventurous in Flushing, Jackson Heights, Astoria, etc. for quality eats that’ll keep your wallet full. This is especially relevant for us college students who might want to be extra cautious when it comes to spending.

I found myself craving some quality empanadas. After doing a little research, I found Empanadas Café located in Corona, just a short 10-minute drive from St. John’s campus. I brought a friend along for this food adventure and, while walking down the block towards our destination, we were suddenly hit by an amazing, intoxicating smell. We realized it was coming from Empanadas Café and our excitement level went through the roof.

Empanadas Café serves over 25 different savory and sweet empanadas that range in price from $1.30 to $2.10.

The options on the menu are either made with corn flour, white flour or whole grain four.

My friend and I decided to split four different empanadas. We ordered ground chicken made with white flour, spinach and ricotta made with white flour, shrimp made with corn flour and cheese and jalapenos made with whole grain flour.

We were lucky enough to snag one of the two tables that the restaurant has, which probably had to do with the fact that we ventured outside during a hurricane.

If I could describe these empanadas in four words, those words would be “little pockets of heaven.” The great thing about them is their versatility. They’re small enough that, if you order one, you can treat it as a between-meal snack or you can order more to make it an actual lunch/ dinner.

Although we loved every flavor we tried, the ones that stood out were definitely the shrimp made with corn flour and the spinach and ricotta made with white flour. The hot filling and crispy shell provided an explosion of flavor for our taste buds, and the addition of complimentary green hot sauce gave the empanadas a delightful kick.

Between the two of us, we spent less than $11.00 and received four delicious empanadas and two drinks, a price that can’t be beat.

Go to Empanadas Café, stuff yourself with its goodness and thank me later.

Contributing Writer

Take a quick walk from campus to savor some good (and cheap) Vietnamese food

12

Fashion spotlight: Ijeoma Anozie

NNEKA ANOZIE Contributing Writer

ALLPHOTOS/IJEOMA ANOZIE INSTAGRAM

Ijeoma Anozie in her typical girly-tomboy style.

There aren’t many young girls who can turn nothing into something over a short period of three months. At the end of her freshman year at St. John’s University, a young woman decided she was going to become a stylist and a businesswoman.

Using the law of attraction effortlessly to bring her success, Ijeoma Anozie, a 19-yearold psychology major at SJU, came up with ideas and planned how she would carry them out.There’s something about this Houston native’s work ethic that separates her from

the rest, which makes us excited to see what she does with it in the future (instagram: nappystylist).

Nneka: “So, we know you’re into fashion, but what would you classify yourself as?”

Ijeoma: “At the core of everything, I’m a personal Fashion Stylist. Even though I make tops, I wouldn’t consider myself a designer.

It’s all about creating a look. My tops have a high-fashion feel that come from a simple [fur] fabric. The tops I made wouldn’t have the same effect if it was just made out of cotton. Girls with chest or no chest feel sexy in it, and it changes the dynamic of the look completely. That’s just what fur does.”

Nneka: “How long have you been interested in fashion?”

Ijeoma: “Since 6th grade. My first experience in fashion was in costume design for my 6th grade play. It was kind of a big deal.”

Nneka: “How would you describe your personal style?”

Ijeoma: “Girly-tomboy, but not in the sense that I ever wear girly clothes. It’s not like I’m girly one day and then boy-ish the next. It’s tomboy-ish with a very small twist of femininity. It’s the girliest version of a boy in my opinion.”

Nneka: “Who is your biggest inspiration fashion wise?”

Ijeoma: “My mom, then Missy Elliot.

My mom has a classic feminine style while Missy is boyish and crazy. That’s exactly me.”

Nneka: “How did you know you wanted to combine fashion and business together?”

Ijeoma: “I noticed people making a lot of money doing what they like to do and what they’re good at. It suddenly hit me that I don’t have to do something I don’t like just to get by. It inspires me to have my own brand and store after college.”

Nneka: “If you could do anything in fashion other than the business side of it, what would you do?”

Ijeoma: “I would be in marketing. It’s basically about choosing what the hottest thing from shows and what people are wearing on the street and capitalizing on that buzz it as much as you can.”

Nneka: “You’ve gotten a little buzz yourself, from models to dogs wearing your tops.

How did you make it all happen?”

Ijeoma: “It feels like it happened on accident! I never expected people to take me that

serious [which is isn’t a good thing]. I never thought people would show me so much love. You just have to be very serious about your craft and shove it down people’s throats.

I made $200 my first time making these tops, my second time is over double that amount!

You just have to go for it.”

Nneka: “The Funky Jungle Chick tops are pretty cute. What’s next for you and your brand?”

Ijeoma: “A lot of men have been hitting me up because they’re sad they haven’t been able to wear my tops, so I wanna make stuff for them too. As I said before my personal style is really tomboy-ish, so I also wanna incorporate that look along with unisex items that both girls and boys can wear. Winter’s also coming up, which means it’s layering time. My style also involves some pretty crazy patterns, so expect that too. Sleeves and craziness involved—that’s all I can say!”

Is Coachella coming to New York City?

ERIN BOLA Contributing Writer

Upon simply hearing the word “Coachella,” what images come to mind? For the average person, they would imagine music’s hottest stars and alternative bands sharing the same stage, larger-than-life spacemen and butterfly sculptures and, of course, a large ferris wheel looming over the mountains of Southern California’s Mojave Desert.

This West Coast music festival, which is arguably the most culturally defining festival of our generation, could very well be getting an East Coast counterpart in New York City next June, which will surely be welcome news for any music fan unable to make the 3,000-mile trek out to Coachella.

The Coachella Festival has repeatedly made headlines in recent years with major acts such as AC/DC, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the unforgettable Tupac hologram in 2013.

Reports have recently surfaced that the organizers behind the world-famous Coachella, AEG Live, has been scouting Flushing Meadows Corona Park right here in Queens for a similar festival that would purportedly take place in June of next year. This potential festival has been titled “Panorama,” and sources say that multiple musical artists have already been contacted about possible performances. Although the original Coachella sells an average of 198,000 tickets each year, Panorama is expected to draw a smaller crowd due to space constraints. The music festival would still be the largest gathering in Queens since it played host to New York’s

Ferris Wheel at Coachella in 2015 at the Empire Polo Club in Indo, Calif.

PHOTO/BILLBOARD.COM

World Fair in 1964, which coincidentally was hosted on the same grounds in Flushing Meadows.

Panorama has already been able to stir up some controversy, despite not even being fully confirmed yet. Its proposed June date comes only two weeks after the Governors Ball, an established New York City music festival whose lineup has previously included big name artists such as Drake, Lana Del Rey and Kanye West. While it has not yet been confirmed what musical genre Panorama will cater to, the company behind Governors Ball, Founders Entertainment, has expressed concern over increased competition to book and pay musical acts, which could ultimately result in higher ticket prices for festival goers.

AEG Live is no stranger to playing hosts to music festivals in the New York City area,

although their previous ventures have not fared so well. They were the masterminds behind festivals such as All Points West in Jersey City, which only lasted for two years before becoming discontinued.

The prospect of a music festival similar to Coachella coming to Queens has generated some excitement here at the St. John’s campus. Freshman Arianna Pintado was one of these eager music fans, saying “I think that Panorama is a great idea. It would bring a lot of tourism into the area and it would be something fun for local college students to do. I would definitely go. It sounds like it would be awesome!”

If Panorama does end up making its way to New York City early next summer, one thing is for sure—its inaugural year is bound to be full of good music, dancing and surprises for all lucky attendees.

PHOTO/BILLBOARD.COM

Beyoncé (left) and Solange (right) in 2014 at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Nicki Minaj is taking over ABC Family

13

ANTHONY SAVINO Contributing Writer

You read that right. Nicki Minaj can now add “Executive Producer” to her already compelling résumé. On Tuesday night, ABC Family announced that a scripted comedy about her life is in the works.

“The sitcom will be based on the rap legend’s childhood, focusing mainly on Minaj’s growing up in Queens in the 90s with her vibrant, immigrant family and the personal and musical evolution that lead to her eventual rise to stardom,” says Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva. It’s interesting to note that Minaj grew up close to the St. John’s campus, on West 147th Street in Southside Jamaica.

Minaj will be producing, appearing on and writing rap lyrics for the show. She is no beginner in the TV and film industry, having also starred in “The Other Woman” and “Barbershop 3.”

Nicki teased the announcement with the hashtag “#NickiSurprise” earlier Tuesday, stirring up quite a buzz on Twitter. Fans wondered what this could mean. New music? A tour? Maybe a baby?

Following the confirmation by ABC Family, Nicki Minaj took to Twitter, jokingly asking who should play the younger version of herself, saying that she is, “Now launching a nationwide search to find #YoungNicki.” Her fan base, better known as the “Barbz,” immediately trended this hashtag.

This international diva is extremely involved with her fans. “This is one of the

PHOTO/RADIO.COM

Female rapper Nicki Minaj at “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on NBC.

PHOTO/GANGSTERSAYSRELAX.COM

Nicki Minaj in her “Pound The Alarm” music video representing her home island Trinidad.

more unique adventures I’ve embarked on,” she says. “I couldn’t be more proud and excited to team up with an amazing group of people to give [my fans and] the world something really special.”

The sitcom is expected to be yet another moneymaking venture for the Forbes list topper, who proclaimed herself a “business woman” earlier this year. She changed her image with the release of “The Pinkprint” album, which lead to the release of her perfume and alcohol brands. Minaj has reinvented herself through all of this and is on a mission to stand up for humankind and give herself a serious voice in the world. She states that even the risqué “Anaconda” video promotes “sexual feminism,” and “tries to eliminate body-type biases.” Even at the VMA’s, Minaj stood up for herself when she called out Miley Cyrus, asking “What’s good?”

As for ABC Family, this addition fits snug in line with the other shows already on the line-up, including “The Fosters,” an award-winning drama produced by Jennifer Lopez and the highly acclaimed “Pretty Little Liars,” based on the lives of a clique of girls. This is a power move for ABC Family, who already lures in the younger demographic, especially young women.

Nicki Minaj says she wants girls to envision themselves growing up to be successful. This show will showcase how achieving a dream is possible for anyone. Just because she might be a superhero now, she grew up like the rest of us and, frankly, is still human.

Filming for the pilot episode is set to begin this winter, in her (and our) hometown.

Willow Smith whips hair to the modeling industry LINDSAY GASPARRI Contributing Writer

PHOTO/DAILYMAIL.CO.UK

Willow Smith in the 2015 CR Fashion Book.

Willow Smith is now a model? Yes. She is officially signed with the Society Management, who represents many celebrities, such as Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima, Andreja Pejic and Kendall Jenner, who is one of the less scandalous members of the Kardashian family.

Jenner was signed with the Society Management in November 2013 and, in that fol-

lowing spring, she was walking in New York Fashion Week for Marc Jacobs, in London for Giles Deacon and in Paris for Givenchy and Chanel. After that week, Kendall was hand­picked by Karl Lagerfeld to walk in his show in Paris and was cast in a Givenchy campaign.

Jenner went on to work with the top brand designers all over the world. Also, if you haven’t noticed the many advertisements this year, she is now the face of Estée Lauder. But, Jenner decided early on to drop her last name to further the distinction between her own career and her family’s.

Will Willow Smith do the same? Being the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith used to be her claim to fame before she started her own path. She starred with her father in the film, “I Am Legend” (2007). But, her acting didn’t end there as she acted alongside Abigail Breslin in “Kit Kittredge: an American Girl” (2008).

In 2010, however, Willow decided to take a different path and became a recording artist.

She released the song, “Whip My Hair,” which became all of our guilty pleasures, and rose to no. 11 on the “Billboard Top 100.”

She followed this achievement with a live performance at the “Kid’s Choice Awards.”

What people may not know is that she has continued to create new music. She collaborated with the beautiful Nicki Minaj on the song “Fireball” and “I Am Me,” followed

by a song released a few weeks ago, “Why Don’t You Cry.” She did all of this before she turns over to a new chapter in her life (only 14-years-old, mind you), which is to become a model. Not to demean her accomplishments by any means, but I can’t help but wonder why she was signed to the same management that Jenner is under.

Kylie Jenner is good friends with Willow’s older brother, Jaden. There could be a connection in the Hollywood world that could have made this happen. Not to

mention again, that she is Will and Jada’s daughter. I’m hoping that she gained this opportunity by her own merit because she is already very talented for her age.

On the other hand, could you imagine a cat­fight between Jenner and Smith? It’s a dog-eat-dog world in the fashion industry. You could definitely expect them to be competing for clients, but *insert Kermit sipping out of his tea cup here* you didn’t hear it from me.

PHOTO/ENTERTAINMENTRUNDOWN.

Jada Pinkett, Will, Jaden and Willow Smith in 2012’s New York premiere of “Men In Black 3”

14

Steve’S INFINITE PLAYLIST 1. “Sofa” by Ed Sheeran (2010)

6. “Disappear” by Yelawolf (2015)

Off of the critically acclaimed “Loose Change EP,” “Sofa” is the perfect combination of soft acoustic guitar and a catchy pop melody. For most listeners, staying on the couch all day watching television is relatable and enjoyable, and any song with a “Friends” reference is a hit in my book. This song is just one of the many hits off of the self-written, self-produced, EP that launched a career. There’s nothing I’d rather do then lay on the sofa and listen to a playlist.

Yelawolf has had a cult following for most of his career, and released his first major studio album, “Love Story,” under Shady Records earlier this year. “Disappear” is a great example of Yelawolf’s southern mix of country and hip-hop, and tells an interesting story with a surprising twist. The verses are almost poetic in their phrasing, and the story-telling is on par with other modern rap geniuses Nas and Kendrick Lamar. The chorus is produced beautifully and fits the song’s somber theme perfectly. On a playlist with plenty of upbeat songs, this provides a pleasant moment of serenity.

2. “Hello” by J. Cole (2014) This song is one of the rare radio hits that has a unique story with it. Every St. John’s playlist needs a song from the alum-turned-icon, and this is one of my favorites. It begins with a slow tempo, and Cole’s vocals are loud and pure.

As it progresses, the beat picks up and the mood changes, switching to an upbeat melody that compliments the story.

As the song comes to its end, the beat slows down and Cole repeats his initial lines, showing that all of his thoughts and ideas really have changed nothing, and he is back where he started.

3. “Honey I’m Good” by Andy Grammer (2014) This is a song that was played at every radio show and summer party, and is still stuck in my head. Andy Grammer blends country and pop, something that artists such as Florida Georgia Line and Taylor Swift have been pushing for over recent years. The catchy tune is perfect to dance along to and has a surpisingly modest and honest message, featuring lines like “Now better men, than me have failed, drinking from that unholy grail.” The honesty only adds to the song’s likeability and replay factor.

4. “Ignition (Remix)” by R. Kelly (2003) Covered by dozens of artists and featured in multiple movies, “Ignition” is a classic that will never be deleted from my iPhone. The captivating melody has become almost iconic, and it was even featured in YouTube’s first of many viral lip sync videos. R. Kelly has gone through a lot of controversy and drama since releasing this song, but his legacy will never be gone, as this throwback hit will surely be played at weddings and parties for the next few decades to come.

7. “Renegade” by Jay Z (ft. Eminem) (2001) This is another classic, and one that has often been regarded as one of the greatest songs of the decade. Originally Bad Meets Evil recorded the song, but Jay-Z heard the track and asked if he could use the chorus and Eminem’s verses on his album, “The Blueprint.” Since it’s release, it has been referenced in more hit songs including “Ether” and “A Star Is Born.” The song is filled with everything hip-hop enthusiasts love: a complex rhyme scheme, clever metaphors and symbolism, and a beat that is powerful but not overwhelming.

8. “Follow Me” by Uncle Kracker (2001) This song is definitely the outlier of the playlist, but it is a nice contrast to some of the songs before it. It is a country rock single off of the album “Double Wide.” While it sounds nice and pleasant, its subject is highly controversial and debated, and may pertain to drug use or cheating on a spouse. Uncle Kracker describes it himself as “a dirty picture painted with a pretty brush.” It is a great song to listen to if you’re facing any conflict, or if you are in the mood to dissect some lyrics.

9. “Wonderwall” by Oasis (1995) For a song that was released over 20 years ago, Wonderwall still feels like it could’ve been released last week. As another song that is frequently covered, it is a great song to listen to at any time, and in any situation. The loud vocals sound fantastic at noon on a Wednesday and even better at 2 a.m. on a Saturday. It is also a popular karaoke choice, and can be sung along to at any party.

5. “Sing For The Moment” by Eminem (2003) During a time when hip-hop struggled to succeed outside of urban cities, this rock-rap anthem spread it across the country. Sampling the famous chorus of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” Eminem connects with his listeners in an honest and pure way, discussing how his sudden rise to fame is still strange to him, and how he remembers when he idolized rappers in the same way that fans idolize him. He ends the masterpiece with some of the most famous lyrics in the history of the genre, “That’s why we seize the moment try to freeze it and own it, squeeze it and hold it, cause we consider these minutes golden.”

10. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz (2009) There’s no better way to end a playlist than with a song that can’t be sung without a smile. The melody is happy and playful, and the lyrics give everyone a grin, my favorite being “But my breath fogged up the glass, and so I drew a new face and I laughed.” It is another song that can’t escape your head once you’ve heard it, but it’s almost a nice feeling as opposed to some of the irritating earworms on radio replay.

Listen to it and you’ll surely smile.

STEVEN VERDILE Assistant Design Editor

15

“Sicario:” the coldest war

MICHAEL AMBROSINO Staff Writer

PHOTO/FORBES.COM

The drug world is an ugly place. The war against drugs can be even uglier, as director Denis Villeneuve’s latest film, “Sicario,” vividly and profoundly shows. The film packs heat, both visceral and psychological, and

among all of the on-screen violence and acts of immorality, it delivers its central message most vigorously in a beautiful shot of children playing soccer. “Sicario” is an absolute powerhouse and one of the year’s very best films.

The film opens with tough and idealistic FBI agent Kate (played by Emily Blunt).

Kate plays by the rules and has a firm belief in the concept of justice. After a drug bust that ends rather explosively, she is put in the position to join a cross-agency task force led by two agents who seem to have a very questionable background. These two guys are Matt and Alejandro (played by Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro, respectively) and they gain Kate’s trust by informing her that their mission is to stop the terrorist whose bombs are killing her team.

The opening drug bust sequence is terrifying and sets a high standard for the rest of the film. It’s tense, dark and unpredictable, and Villeneuve skillfully holds that tone until the end credits start to roll. “Sicario” grips you by the neck and refuses to let go until it is ready to. It confidently throws in twists and turns which puts Kate’s morals and ide-

als, as an FBI agent, to the test, and sprouts her uneasiness toward Matt, Alejandro and their entire operation. Things just don’t feel quite right.

Villeneuve is four-for-four. His films—“Prisoners,” “Incendies,” “Enemy” and now “Sicario”—are brutal yet captivating experiences. They are all psychologically complex, containing moral murkiness in their characters’ actions and motivations.

In “Sicario,” that moral confusion is a key ingredient in propelling the story. These people are in a world that is drowning in violence and ugliness.

When our characters start their operation and make their way into the drug world within Mexico, Villeneuve masterfully presents its harsh reality and puts his audience right behind the eyes of Kate: confused, disturbed, uncomfortable and, above all, terrified. She’s strong, yes, but there’s an uncertainty in what exactly she signed up for.

This is what makes Kate such an engrossing character; we identify with her right from the get-go.

“Sicario” is very gory, but it is never overwhelming or overly stylized. The graph-

ic violence is executed in service of the story. It’s on display here, as realistic as it is, to showcase the sheer brutality and ugliness of the drug world. What is most striking, however, is a sub-plot that shows the nature of a family whose husband/father is a Mexican police officer. While at first they feel out-ofplace, these sequences eventually add up to what I think is most truthful about the film, and showcases what is truly grotesque and corrupt about the Mexican drug world.

Shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins, the film looks remarkable and beautifully conveys a sense of dread and corruption.

The original score is ominous and blends very well with the cinematography, heightening the tension and adding great heft to the film on its exterior. The film is also a great showcase for its actors—Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro, all of whom are absolutely dynamite.

Watching movies like “Sicario” is the reason why we love movies. It’s a gripping, powerful film and an unforgettable experience. It’s talky, however, tightly paced and never short of suspense and tension. Oscar season has officially begun!

company that is owned by young, beautiful and dedicated Jules Austin (Anne Hathaway).

The rest of the movie falls into how Ben handles the pressure of working under Jules, how they become friends and end up teaching each other that living life is much more than just taking breaths.

“The Intern” manages to take film-making in a different direction, but not to a different scale. Every single character, regardless of its importance or time, manages to make a mark. Hats off to the director, Nancy Meyers, who manages to add a story to each minor character, which helps the audience understand why the quirky antics of each character exist. An example of this is Jules’ assistant, Becky, who has a tendency to panic because of stress, but somehow manages to end up in a stressful or awkward situation involuntarily.

There are moments in the script where one feels that situations that transpire in the story were not necessary, but taking them away would’ve changed the way the audience looks at the characters. For example, in one of the scenes, Ben looks at his dinner and calls his co-worker inviting her for dinner. The vulnerability of Ben realizing that he did not enjoy his meals alone, and

so many more scenes, will make you smile and cry at the same time.

Hathaway and De Niro are on top of their games when it comes to convincing us of their roles. There is a fair balance of respect for each other on-screen unlike any kind of effort to outshine each other.

If you think that the movie is a romance, then you are wrong. If you think it is a drama, you are wrong again. It’s a comedy about making friends and handling relationships.

“The Intern” entertains and teaches us the importance of looking at your co-worker and smiling, the importance of giving

your friends and family a call after a long day of work and, lastly, it sends a message about how important it is to realize that even though you come into and leave this world alone, it’s always a question of who will be there to bid you a goodbye when you leave. All of this is hidden under the fact that it is never too late to learn anything.

All in all, if you still haven’t seen “The Intern,” you should take the time and head over to the nearest movie theater. Not by yourself, but with a friend that you love, adore and would not want to lose. This movie is not something one should see alone.

You’re never too old to be “The Intern” ABHISHEK JOSHI Staff Writer

PHOTO/KNOWTECHIE.COM

This month’s freshest release, “The Intern,” has many reasons that will make you smile. The movie showcases the life of a 70-year-old, widowed and retired man, Ben Whittaker (De Niro), who wishes to simply keep going in life and not “hang his boots up” just to avoid being alone and having nothing to do. In a bid to do so, he finds himself applying to be a “Senior Intern” at a

PHOTO/COMINGSOON.NET

Anne Hathaway as Jules Austin (left) and Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker (right) in “The Intern.”

16

Sports

After tough start, Red Storm catching fire TROY MAURIELLO Staff Writer

The St. John’s men’s soccer team continued their solid recent play with a tight victory over Big East rival Seton Hall over the weekend. The victory for the Johnnies was their second straight win, and it pushed their unbeaten streak to four straight games.

St. John’s took to the road for the first time since Aug. 30 after eight straight home games in September, as they made the short drive to South Orange, N.J. to take on the Seton Hall Pirates on Saturday night.

In their second Big East game of the season, the Johnnies came out strong on the defensive side of the ball once again. They allowed just three total shots in the first half, while redshirt senior goalkeeper Jordan Stagmiller wasn’t forced to make a first half save.

However, the Red Storm offense got off to a relatively slow start as well. St. John’s did not have their first real scoring opportunity until the closing moments of the first half, with freshman forward Filippo Ricupati nearly heading in a 44th minute corner kick that was blocked.

The game went into halftime scoreless after the teams combined for just seven total shots in the first half. But, things would begin to pick up early in the second half.

Graduate defender Devin Morgan and

freshman forward Mike Prosuk each nearly converted goals early in the half for the Red Storm, but St. John’s would finally break through in the 58th minute.

After a free kick from junior defender Jean Leveille was knocked away by the Seton Hall goalkeeper, senior midfielder Luis Esteves was able to control the rebound and find the back of the net to make it 1-0 St. John’s.

The goal for Esteves was his second of the season and his second in two games after he scored a last-minute goal for the Red Storm in their last game against Central Connecticut State.

After taking the lead on the Esteves goal, St. John’s would continue to control the game in the second half. They held Seton Hall without a shot until the 73rd minute, before Stagmiller was forced to make two saves within four minutes to preserve the one-goal lead.

The Pirates would not threaten again until the closing minutes of the game, but their final free kick went high and St. John’s held on for a 1-0 shutout win.

Stagmiller recorded his third straight shutout with the win, as the Red Storm defense is now pushing on 400 minutes without allowing a goal. They allowed just seven Seton Hall shots throughout the entire game, forcing Stagmiller to make just two saves.

“We saw some promising things tonight

on offense,” St. John’s head coach Dave Masur told RedStormSports.com. “We still have to do a better job of finding ways to create and get forward when we’re playing with the lead.”

The Johnnies’ recent success will be put to the test next weekend when they travel to Omaha to take on the nationally top-ranked and undefeated Creighton Blue Jays in their third Big East game of the season.

PHOTO/ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Jordan Stagmiller has recorded a shutout in three-straight matches, garnering him his second straight Big East Goalkeeper of the Week honors.

New Zealander making his mark as a Johnny KATHERINE ACQUAVELLA Contributing Writer Senior midfielder Luis Esteves is looking to close out a strong season with the St. John’s University men’s soccer team. But, while he looks towards the future, it’s impossible to overlook his incredible journey to St. John’s.

Growing up in New Zealand, Esteves played rugby, which is considered the most dominant sport in the country, from age nine to 13, but he stopped to concentrate on soccer. “My dad is from Portugal so I played soccer because of him,” Esteves said.

Esteves attended King’s College in Auckland, NZ, a boarding and day high school. He claims that going to boarding school made transitioning to new schools and traveling that much easier. “The transition to a new school and place was pretty easy because I was already used to being away from home and my family,” Esteves said.

In New Zealand, he received guidance to help him attend school and play soccer for the University of Mobile in Alabama.

As a Mobile Ram, Esteves appeared in 30 games, including 27 starts, in two seasons.

Esteves helped the Rams post a 17-5-2 record and reach the NAIA National Championship Finals as a freshman.

Through contact with Red Storm teammate and fellow New Zealand native, An-

drew Withers, Esteves became interested in St. John’s. “Andrew told me about the team at St. John’s and what it was like living in New York,” Esteves said.

Esteves was intrigued by the opportunity to join the team in New York. “I saw that the head coach [Dave Masur] produced a lot of professional players and I loved hearing about the diverse environment at St. John’s,” Esteves said.

Esteves credits his teammates for helping him adjust to a new school, city and team. “My philosophy coming into this was to earn everything. I learned what my teammates did in order to be successful and tried to emulate that,” Esteves said.

Despite being new to the team, Esteves was older and more experienced than a majority of the Red Storm players. He embraced his new leadership role as part of the team. Esteves closely observed the seniors during his first year on the team and he tried to follow in their footsteps.

In his first season at St. John’s, Esteves appeared in eight games, including seven starts. He finished with two goals, scoring them just 2:28 apart in his first-career start and Division I debut, a 3-2 double overtime win against Butler.

This season, Esteves has already tacked on two goals. Esteves scored his first goal of the season on Sept. 29 to cap a 3-0 victory against Central Connecticut State. His second goal of the season was his first-career game-winning goal, helping the Red Storm defeat Seton Hall 1-0 on Oct. 3.

Esteves also has spent the past four summers playing for the Seattle Sounders U23 team. In his first season with the team, he helped lead the Sounders to the Northwest Division title, the Western Conference Championship and the national semifinals against FC London. FC London won the game 3-2 before dispatching Carolina to win the 2012 PDL Championship. Es-

teves’ goal is to eventually follow in his U23’s teammate’s footsteps and head into the professional level.

Esteves puts the goal for St. John’s this season simply, “We’re improving game by game and that needs to keep happening.

The Big East Tournament is our priority.

We want to win that to get the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.”

PHOTO/ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Luis Esteves was born on the other side of the world in Auckland, New Zealand. The senior midfielder scored the game-winner on Oct. 3 versus Seton Hall, the first game-winning goal of his career.

Daly, St. John’s have historic day at Belson

17

BRANDON MAUK

Digital Sports Manager The typical weekly story for the St. John’s women’s soccer team has more often than not been Rachel Daly doing something special on the pitch. On Sunday, she had her career-defining highlight.

Daly scored two goals to break the record for most goals and points in school history.

More importantly, she led no. 19 St. John’s over Marquette for their seventh straight victory.

“I’m making history for myself. But, as I told my teammates, I’m also making history for the team. We had never beaten Marquette. To do that with the fans at home, it was only a matter of time,” said Daly.

The senior from Harrogate, England, passed Adriana Viola (1988-92) in both goals and points with a header in the 34th minute. Shea Connors, one of Daly’s and the team’s most reliable playmakers, had the assist on a cross pass after a corner kick to help break open the story. Daly set the record playing in just 2.5 seasons as a Johnny.

“I’m fortunate to score a lot of the goals and get quite a lot of the credit, but I could not do it without this team,” Daly said.

“This team is phenomenal. I couldn’t imagine playing on a team without these girls.”

The two goals were Daly’s 10th and 11th of the season. This was the fourth time in five games in which Daly put up two scores.

“She continues to amaze me. She’s probably the best player I’ve ever had. The other

teams know that she’s good and they still can’t stop her,” St. John’s head coach Ian Stone said.

Senior Emily Cubbage scored her second goal of the season in the 66th minute. The way their defense and goalkeeping has been playing, that pretty much iced the game.

St. John’s dominated on the defensive side. They surrendered just two shots in the entire match, highlighted by a leaping, one-handed save by keeper Diana Poulin in the 48th minute. This outstanding effort on defense produced a shutout, the team’s ninth of the season.

“For a back line to get a clean sheet is something and I’m very proud of that, especially against a strong team like Marquette,” senior defender Georgia Kearney-Perry said.

“And, to go 14 to 2 in shots is brilliant and we pride ourselves on that. Coach prides himself on a strong defense and we lead from the back. We’re very happy about that.”

For good measure, Daly scored a second goal in the match in the 81st minute to finish a cross pass to the top of the box from junior Morgan Tinari, who had two assists in the game.

“We really look up to her, so it’s really nice to know that someone’s there,” Tinari said of Daly. “Any ball I play, even if it’s a [bad] ball, I know that she’s going to get there and I know she’s either going to finish it or it’s going to be some nice play. It’s nice to have her there.”

St. John’s improved to 11-1 on the season and 3-0 in Big East conference play. The win was their first in 12 matches all-time against Marquette. The Red Storm is now on a pro-

gram-record seven-game winning streak.

The Red Storm is now entering their biggest test of the season. Conference matchups at Georgetown, home against Xavier, and on the road at DePaul await them. These games could define their season. But, with the way the team has come together to exceed expec-

tations, they’re confident.

“There’s not one individual on this team; everyone is so together. It does show that,” Daly said. “And, I think it scares teams.

We’re 19th in the nation. We got that number on our back, and we play up to that number.”

TORCH PHOTO/MEGHAN DARREFF

Emily Cubbage celebrating with her teammates after she scored a highlight reel goal in the 66th minute versus Marquette as she headed in a corner kick from junior Morgan Tinari.

Haraughty’s goal beats Butler Red Storm struggle in Wisconsin MORGAN BELL Contributing Writer

A tough match in Indianapolis against Butler was determined by a game-winning goal by Miranda Haraughty as the Red Storm defeated the Bulldogs 1-0.

This win marks the sixth time in program history that the Red Storm has won six straight games. This is also a notable win because it is the earliest that the team has reached double-digit wins.

While speaking on how the team as a whole is able to continuously motivate themselves, head coach Ian Stone stated, “I think that the defeat on Belson against Georgetown in the semifinals on penalty kicks last year is still very fresh in the minds of the players involved. I think there’s a determination and a desire to try and go further this year and that really is the motivating factor.”

Haraughty scored her first goal in nearly two years after missing her entire sophomore year due to injury. She stated that her personal motivating factors are her parents, teammates and coaches. “We are constantly motivating each other to be better and we continue moving in the same direction: forward.”

It was Lucy Whipp’s rebound off of her own initial shot that set up the goal

by Haraughty and the 1-0 finish that St. John’s walked away with.

Other key players, Katie DeVault and Diana Poulin managed to keep Butler from scoring. The Red Storm defense made it impossible for any of Butler’s nine attempts to result in scoring.

All eyes were on Rachel Daly, as she is just one goal away from breaking the all-time St. John’s record. Although she tried to score in the opening 10 minutes, Butler’s goalkeeper Madison Card denied both attempts.

“What we tended to do last night too much was force it into Rachel Daly,” coach Stone reflected. “She always wants it. We know how good she is; it’s not always the answer. It was a pretty hostile environment. We need to do better in those circumstances because it got a little frantic, and we weren’t in charge of our emotions.”

The Red Storm will be back home on Sunday afternoon to take on Marquette at Belson Stadium. The game will be shown live on the Big East digital network and will begin at 1 p.m.

PHOTO/ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Miranda Haraughty’s goal in the 42nd minute was all the Red Storm needed versusd Butler.

CARMINE CARCIERI Staff Writer

The Erin Hills Intercollegiate men’s golf tournament wrapped up a threeday slate on Tuesday afternoon in Wisconsin with St. John’s finishing in last place out of 11 teams with a total score of 930 (+66).

Freshman Troy Evans finished with the team’s best score individually at seven over par, which resulted in a top-40 placement amongst his other competitors. Fellow freshman Seung Yub Andrew Baek (+12), Matthew Sweeney (+31) and Jonathan Spicci (+22) gained valuable experience playing on the PGA’s 2017 U.S. Open course while junior Giuseppe Truglio (+32) helped lead a young and upcoming group through what was an important tournament in terms of development.

The Johnnies participated in the event in Erin, Wis. matching up against SMU (who captured the trophy), Oklahoma State, 17th ranked powerhouse UCLA, Miami (Ohio), Marquette, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Colorado State, New Mexico and Northern Illinois.

With the temperature in the 50s and the wind swirling on a brutal day one, Mal Galletta’s team completed their opening round with a score of 312 (+24). Evans and Baek were the front-runners for the Red Storm as they capped their rounds with a 76 (+4) and 77 (+5) respectively.

SMU jumped out to an early lead as Andrew Buchanan shot a 67 (-5) to put the Mustangs up by two strokes over Oklahoma State, three up on UCLA and 32 up on the Johnnies.

On day two, St. John’s showed improvement, recording a score of 310 (+22), but they failed to catch any ground on SMU. The Mustangs kept their momentum as they shot even par to remain eight strokes under par for the tournament and one stroke ahead of UCLA. Evans, a native of Vermont and the star of the team, shot one over par (+5 for the tournament) and set himself up for a possible impressive finish in the final round.

The Johnnies ended the tournament with a third round score of 308 (+20), which proved that the roster adjusted and progressed as the event went on.

Evans, who had seven birdies in three days, carded a 74 (+2) alongside Baek (+5), Spicci (+5) and Truglio (+8) recording their best scores on the final day.

St. John’s has found themselves in last place after every round so far this season but the roster has changed dramatically from a season ago with Big East Champion Dylan Crowley graduating.

Galletta will look to have his program right the ship in their final meet of the fall at the Mountaineer Intercollegiate tournament in Bridgeport, Va. in mid-October.

18

SJU honors cancer surviors, splits weekend matches CRYSTAL SIMMONS Contributing Writer

This weekend St. John’s volleyball (127, 2-2 Big East) kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with their annual dig for a cure match at home in Carnesecca Arena against Creighton (9-7, 3-0 Big East). The Red Storm played a challenging four sets against Creighton but came up short in the end, losing 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 20-25).

“We really tried to tell them not to dwell on the errors,” head coach Joanne Persico said. “We really want them to get to the next point and play as hard as they can, not to track the score.” Georgetown put up a good fight. In the end, St. John’s came out on top by keeping their heads in the game.

For the majority of the first two sets, the Storm and the Blue Jays were in close competition, fighting point for point.

Overall, St. John’s had three players with kills in double digits. Pelin Aroguz lead the Storm with 13 kills, followed by senior Karin Palgutova and freshman Margherita Bianchin, both with 11 Kills.

Sophomore Delaney D’Amore led the team in digs with double digits having 13 digs followed by Palgutova almost having double digits in digs with nine digs total.

Senior setter Deniz Mutlugil also stood out this match with 35 assists. Although this night did not go in favor of the Storm,

they quickly turned that around the next day with a conference match-up against the Georgetown Hoyas (7-10, 1-3 Big East).

“It was a grind out win and I thought we were a little fatigued but we pushed through defensively and I liked what we did on defense,” Persico said. “I thought Julia Cast gave us a lot of action through the middle which helped. Georgetown is a good team and has good players, but we are happy to win at home and we want to protect Louie’s Court.”

Looking to redeem themselves of last night’s play, the Red Storm came out swinging again, taking the first, third and fourth sets for a win over the Hoyas 3-1.

Middle blocker Cast had a career-high in kills, leading the team with 17 kills.

Bianchin and Palgutova had 13 kills and three assists for the match. Mutlugil had 41 assists for the match and D’Amore had 16 digs.

The Red Storm really showed a turnaround in attitude and cohesiveness as a team while playing through a lot of adversity. Despite the loss the day before against Creighton, St. John’s came in with a redirected focus, shaking off anything that happened in the previous match.

“Today, we all played as a team and kept it more positive,” Cast said after the match . “We worried more about the points and not so much about the score.”

St. John’s will next be in action on Oct. 7 as they welcome Villanova to Queens.

PHOTO/ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Julia Cast had a career day versus Georgetown as she registered a career-high 17 kills.

St. John’s track club excited as racing season begins SYDNEY JOHNSON Contributing Writer

On Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m., the starting gun of the New York Road Runners Harry Cross Country 5k fired, and the SJU track club’s racing season officially began. The club competes in road races, invitational competitions and local track meets throughout the school year.

This competition served as an opportunity for long-distance runners of the team to gauge how fit they are as they get deeper into racing season and for sprinters to try something new and increase endurance.

Members of the team approached this race with different mentalities and signed up for different reasons. The runners train every weekday in two groups: short distance and long distance. Both groups were represented on Sunday.

Sprinters who participated in the competition included freshman Lillith Ida, sophomore captain CJ Martin and junior Jessica Bernard. All of these athletes aim to improve their stamina for longer distance races. For Ida, this race served as the starting point toward her long-term goal of running a marathon.

Another competitor was Artum Khvan who was a thrower for his high school track and field team. He decided to run after being challenged by a friend to see who would have the fastest time in a 5k race.

He ran a 27:07, but fell short of his friend back home. He still had the opportunity to experience the friendly competition and felt good about his time.

Sophomore captain John Fullam cannot resist the thrill of the racing environment. He ran the race with a goal of fin-

ishing within the 17 minutes and was very happy with his result of 17:04. Fullam ran cross country in high school and joined the club last fall. “I joined because I love to run, I love to race and I love to be a part of a team,” Fullam said. “I also had no intentions of hanging up my racing flats while I knew that I could still improve and become faster.” He was elected captain at the end of last season and is very enthusiastic about where the team is headed.

All of these runners felt the race went well and were happy with how the season started. The focus of the day seemed to be on how members supported each other, making the club feel more like a team.

Within the past year, the team has seen the most growth, according to Fullam. “Essentially, the club has transformed from a little-heard-of recreational opportunity to a fully-functional track and field team,” Fullam said.

The club started two years ago and was not nearly as big as it is this year. “The club has done a complete 180,” senior captain Keith Mumolo said. “We were lucky if we had ten people showing up every day. Now we have around 40 people attending every practice. We have a much more dedicated group this year with growing numbers and amazing talent.”

At the end of the spring season, the club was able to get funding from Campus Recreation. This was the moment the consistently active members of the team decided to make a plan, or a “constitution” as the captains call it, to better the club.

The captains worked during the offseason to brainstorm ideas to bring in numbers and emphasize the team aspect they were all craving. Advertising and having a presence at the fall Activities Fair were key in

sparking interest within the student body, according to Mumolo. The team now has over 80 members on the roster.

For runners like sophomore Amy Orellana, the feeling of camaraderie was what made them sign up to be a member. Orellana ran for her high school for three seasons and missed running for a team during her freshman year at St. John’s. After being convinced by a friend to go to the Track Club interest meeting, she was immediately drawn in by the energy of the other interested students. “The first practice I met everyone and I got a good vibe from

everyone.”

The team reached a consensus that this was a successful race day and that the season is off to a strong start. Though Mumolo was not registered to run in the race, he elected to come out and cheer the team on at the park. “I had a little bit of a proud parent feeling when the gun went off and I saw a sea of red running as a pack,” Mumolo said. “Everyone ran really well and as soon as they finished, came right around and cheered on the rest of their teammates. I’m getting the team element back again and it feels amazing.”

PHOTO/COURTSEY OF KEITH MUMOLO

The St. John’s Track Club posing for a picture before they competed at the New York Road Runners Harry Cross Country 5k.

SPORTS October 7, 2015 | VOLUME 93, ISSUE 07 |

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Continued from page 1 “Speaking individually, which I generally don’t like doing, it’s huge. It really is,” Daly said of the record. “It’s a great feeling, especially doing it over two and a half years rather than four.

I think for me it’s a great achievement and it’s one of those things I can’t really put into words what it felt like when I scored both of those goals today.”

Within minutes of her breaking Viola’s all-time goals and points record, Daly’s father took to Twitter to express his jubilation on his daughter’s accomplishment. “@ StJohnsWSoccer I know she’s my daughter but @RachelDaly3 is a legend.”

“It means the world to me,” Daly said of her father. “He came to the Butler and Marquette games last year and for him to see me score a couple was his proudest moment. He’s always supported me even when no one else did and he follows me every minute of every day. I can’t wait for him to come out here in a couple of weeks.

It’s great to see his support and know he’s watching every game no matter what time it is.”

But, in typical Daly fashion her motor and tenacity didn’t stop after breaking the record in the 34th minute. The primary team player knew the importance of the game against a Marquette team, a team that is in both the Big East and a team that the Red Storm had never beaten in 12 attempts. After a brilliant goal by senior Emily Cubbage, Daly received a perfect ball from Tinari and found the back of the net for the second time on the day, extending her record to 42 career goals and 94 career points. The Red Storm beat Marquette 3-0 for the first time ever and set a program record with seven straight victories, something Daly was more concerned with than her own accomplishment.

“Oh yeah. Absolutely any day of the week I’d take wins [over individual success],” Daly said. “Obviously for me it’s a great personal achievement.

It’s a brilliant achievement for me. I’m not going to dumb it down. But, to just get the win and keep winning is

great. I do it for coach. He’s a legend and he deserves it more than anyone.”

Daly’s play versus Marquette also marked the fourth time in five games that she has scored multiple goals, a feat she has reached 14 times in her career. She also recorded her 16th game-winning goal of her career on Sunday as well.

Another aspect of Daly’s game that makes her the player she is, is her versatility on the field. No matter where she is on the field, at forward, midfield or even at defender, Daly is a dominating presence.

“She’s very, very complete,” Stone said. “Rachel studies soccer.

So, Rachel now knows the game inside and out. She’s going to be a phenomenal coach. She can literally play any position on the field. She’s a student of the game.”

During Daly’s first collegiate season, which was her sophomore year because she had to sit out her freshman campaign due to NCAA compliance regulations, she burst upon the seen. No one in the nation, or at least no team that played St.

John’s, had an answer for Daly as she put up gaudy offensive numbers.

During the 2013 season, Daly rewrote the single season goal and points record with 23 goals and 51 points on the season. The record was previously held by Cristin Burtis in 1994 with 17 goals and 41 points.

“Words cannot express how proud I am of Rachel,” Rachel’s mother Louise Daly said. “All her years of hard work and dedication have paid off making her the player she is today.

I feel SJU has helped to bring out the best in Rachel not only as a player but as the lovely young woman she is. It is so reassuring for me as her mum knowing Rachel is so happy with SJU, her teammates and coach Ian Stone.”

Rachel Daly’s collegiate soccer career has been one of epic proportions.

She has made spectators jaws drop, she has puzzled opponents and she’s amazed all around her with ability to strive for greatness on the soccer field.

The scary thing for her opponents, both now and in the future, is that she’s only going to get better.