#trending

NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Editorial Board Sarah Vandermolen Editor-in-Chief sarahvandermolen@stfrancis.edu

Student led, student written.

UNIVERSITY

COLUMNS

4 Letter from the Editor

28 Animal Crossing: Seeing New Horizons

NEWS

29 Jessica's Commuter Car Chaos

6 - 7 Campus News 8 - 9 Local News

COMMENTARY

John Raspante Assistant Editor johnraspante@stfrancis.edu Paula Garcia Layout Designer paulagarcia@stfrancis.edu Jessica Scroppo Layout Designer jessicascroppo@stfrancis.edu Deonte Bryant Entertainment Editor deontebryant@stfrancis.edu

30-31 The Revival of the 80s

Dallas Matlock Sports & Advertising dallasmatlock@stfrancis.edu

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

Shayna Griffith PR Specialist shaynagriffith@stfrancis.edu

12 WCSF Top Ten & Staff Picks

32 - 33 Formula 1 Gains Traction

13 Good Grief! Charlie Brown Stays Trending

34 - 35 Return of the Fans

10 - 11 World News

14 - 15 TikTok Sounds: Chart Toppers 16 Superheroes Fly Higher Than Ever

FEATURE

36 - 37 Da Bears Moving To A New Habitat 38 USF Winter Sports Schedule

Dr. Scott Marshall Advisor smarshall@stfrancis.edu

Staff Matt Lauterbach Cosme Lozano

20 - 21 Nothing Goes Out of Style

Harlie Mast

22 - 23 Can't Mask Who We Are

Alex Mielcarz

Lucy Erika Ann Magat

Alexandre Torri

24 - 25 2021 Trend Predictions vs. Reality 26 Fast Food Celebrity Collabs 2

November 29, 2021

Cover art by John Raspante

EDITORS John Raspante

Sarah Vandermolen

Paula Garcia

Jessica Scroppo

Shayna Griffith

Dallas Matlock

Deonte Bryant

Policies The USF Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The USF Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816.

As a member of USF Campus Media, the USF Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design.

By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the USF Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus. Editorial pages provide USF Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics. Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the USF Encounter Staff. Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing. Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the USF Encounter office or emailed to encounter@stfrancis.edu. The USF Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis.

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

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Letter From the Editor-in-Chief Thank you for picking up this month’s edition of the Encounter, “#Trending.” In this issue, you will find our staff reporting on popular trends from the past year. From a discussion on TikTok and its effect on the music industry, to the rise in popularity of Formula 1 racing, there’s something in here for everyone!

As the Fall Semester comes to a close, I’ve looked back on all that the Encounter team has done as a whole and individually. We’ve all come so far, and each of us has had to deal with our own challenges along with challenges from the magazine. I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one of them, and I look forward to working with them next semester.

The spring 2022 semester will be my first entire semester that I will be Editor-in-Chief. I’m excited to show what I can bring to the table as editor and to help everyone on our staff to become the best writers that they can be. Most editors make a list of all the things they want to change before their time is up. Although I'm a firm believer that change is good, I don’t think there is anything that I want to necessarily change. Instead, I'd like to improve.

I’d love to increase our readership amongst the student body. After all, the Encounter is written by students, for students. If we’re not catering to our biggest audience then we’re not reaching our full potential!

I’d love for the design team to produce some of the best work they’ve ever made. I want every page to pop and be nothing but a burst of color. If the design isn’t interesting enough, no one will take the time to read that piece.

I’d love for our staff writers to bring their best pieces to the table. I want them to be immersed in news writing and to be able to love everything they bring to the Encounter. Although it can be hard to love everything you do, simply being confident in your work is enough for me.

Overall, I just want the Encounter to be the best that it can be. In order to do this, everyone involved needs to be appreciated and applauded for their work. During the spring semester, I plan on doing the best that I can to be the best leader there is.

Again, thank you for picking up the “#Trending” edition of the Encounter! I hope you love it just as much as we do.

With love,

Sarah Vandermolen 4

November 29, 2021

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By: Shayna Griffith

CAMPUS

USF to Start New Literary Magazine: Archway Review Writing course to produce a lit mag prototype. The students really enjoyed this process, which combined their creative and technical strengths and promoted teamwork among poets, critics, and web designers,” Dr. Beth The literary magazine’s goal is “to provide McDermott said. “This semester, the 311 course is also engaging in the process of a creative, inclusive environment for writers to share their work with peers and lit mag development, but they’ve taken it a step further by recruiting submissions visitors outside of the University of St. from students and alumni beyond their Francis community. Not only will the course. These professional skills are a magazine give writers the opportunity wonderful compliment to their creative to publish their work, it will also be a confidence boosting catalyst for writers’ and critical writing, and I have greatly enjoyed the entire process.” skills and achievements.” advisors. The mission of 'Archway Review' is to provide writers with experience, as well as support, as it relates to the logistics of the publication process.”

According to its mission, “'Archway Review' is a promising literary magazine that is developed, edited, designed and managed by USF students and faculty

Students drew inspiration from USF’s past literary magazine, "Bernie’s Pawprints," to create the framework for the new magazine. Each issue will feature works from USF students who submit their work by the call for submissions deadline and are chosen to be published by founding editors Shayna Griffith, Sara Cahill, Linli Chen, Mary Kate Hynek, Dee Olabi and Robert Elkins.

“Last year, my Ecopoetry course collaborated with Dr. Ioanes’ Technical

Although “Archway Review” is still in progress, the staff plans on publishing the first issue electronically in early December on the Archway Review website.

If you are interested in submitting your own work for future issues, visit https:// comingsoonarchwayreview.weebly.com for a complete submission guideline and to read more. Follow @archwayreview on Instagram to keep up with the latest updates, including all future calls for

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November 29, 2021

USF’s Claritas Master Chorale and Schola Cantorum will come together to perform traditional songs by J.S. Bach, Holst and the performance. Furthermore, due to newer works by Susan Labarr and more.

COVID-19 restrictions, tickets will be Tickets are free of charge, but proof of limited to four per party and are released COVID-19 vaccination or of a negative on a first-come first-serve basis. To reserve COVID-19 test from within 72 hours of your tickets, please email kjimenez@ stfrancis.edu. the event will be required for entry to

Photo courtesy of clipart-library.com

Celebrate Christmas at the Motherhouse The University of St. Francis (USF) is celebrating Christmas in the best waywith the Music and Performing Arts Department! On Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4, the performing arts department will present "Christmas at the Motherhouse: From Darkness to Light" at 7:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in the Motherhouse on the main USF campus in Joliet.

Photo courtesy of Shayna Griffith

The University of St. Francis’ (USF) English Department is hard at work developing a brand new literary magazine, titled “Archway Review." The magazine will feature the literary works of USF students and alumni including various works of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.

NEWS

Photo courtesy of The University of St. Francis

Photo courtesy of The University of St. Francis

USF Named in Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges University of St. Francis (USF) was named one of the most environmentally friendly colleges of the year, according to The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition released on October 26, 2021.

Edition. This recognition serves as an acknowledgement of our efforts to increase the campus’s sustainability projects and awareness,” said Jessica Conte, the co-chair of the USF Sustainability Committee.

The Princeton Review selected the list of colleges by surveying administrators about their college’s commitments to the environment and sustainability. Only 420 colleges were chosen out of over 800 surveyed.

Maintaining an environmentally conscious campus is not only important for the health of the earth, but for USF’s mission as a university as well. USF’s sustainability efforts coincide with the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, who is remembered for his love of the environment and all living things.

USF students and administrators know how important the environmental aspect of the university is, especially during the annual Sustainability Month in October.

Throughout the month, students are encouraged to participate in various activities that promote sustainability, such as the recycled art contest and office supply swap and donations.

“We strongly recommend USF to students who care about the environment and want to study and live at a green college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief. “USF offers excellent academics and demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that is exemplary on many counts.”

The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition is available for free at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.

“It is an honor for the University of St. Francis to be included in the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2022

WCSF’s Spirit of Christmas WCSF’s annual “Spirit of Christmas” program is coming back and is sure to get listeners in the Christmas mood.

The radio station will play 24-hour, commercial-free holiday music all season long. The program will begin streaming holiday music starting at noon on Friday, November 26 through noon on January 2.

"Spirit of Christmas" is an essential part of the holidays for many Joliet residents.

During the pandemic, WCSF has helped listeners enjoy the holiday season and bring a sense of normalcy during the

hectic Christmas season. The holiday season will begin with the decoration of the WCSF studio, which will be clad in Christmas lights and tinsel.

Tune in for the "Spirit of Christmas" on FM 88.7 in the Joliet area, or stream it from anywhere at stfrancis.edu/spirit.

A variety of Christmas tunes will be played in rotation of over 4,000 songs, including holiday classics and new music, as well as local choirs and bands. Don Burke, "Spirit of Christmas" producer, says listeners may even call in with requests at certain times. According to Burke, thousands of people tune in to the "Spirit of Christmas" every year.

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By: Shayna Griffith

LOCAL

Louis’ Restaurant Becomes Louie’s Waffle House The locally renowned Louis’ Restaurant at 1001 West Jefferson St. in Joliet has been a popular place to grab a bite since 1992. Now, the restaurant is in its last weeks of operation.

"We have five different companies working on stuff right now because we're going to do some unique stuff," Nick Polimenakos, new owner of

has not opened yet, Louis’ Restaurant customers are already anticipating the grand opening, currently scheduled for December 1, 2021.

Although the new Louie’s Waffle House is sure to gain customers, Louis’ Restaurant will surely be missed. Nick’s father, the owner of Louis’ Restaurant has decided to retire from the restaurant industry instead of continuing to keep the restaurant in business.

Photo courtesy of John Ferak via Joliet Patch

The final day of operation was November 28. However, the owner’s son is planning on opening a new restaurant called Louie’s Waffle House at the former Bob Evans Family Restaurant, near the Larkin Avenue exit for I-80.

Louie’s Waffle House told the Joliet Patch. "We're going to go modern. We're putting up animated signs inside and looking at neon signs for the inside."

"It's about time. He put in a good 30 years here. At this point, a lot of his old customers are his friends," said his son, Nick.

Even though the new waffle house

New Midwest Orthopedics Opens in Joliet

Earlier this November, Midwest Orthopedics at Rush (MOR) announced it has opened yet another Chicago area clinic. The clinic is full-service and is now open at 963 Infantry Drive in Joliet.

The clinic features 16 patient exam rooms, X-ray imaging, casting, occupational therapy durable medical equipment services, physical therapy programs starting Dec. 15, and MRI in the spring of 2022.

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November 29, 2021

Physicians at MOR will be able to treat various conditions concerning the foot, ankle, hand, wrist and elbow. They will also perform hip and knee replacements, hip preservation/arthroscopy and deal with pain management, shoulder, spine and sports medicine.

Photo courtesy of John Ferak via Joliet Patch

Physicians at the new Midwest Orthopedics Clinic are some of the official team doctors for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire Soccer Club, Chicago Dogs and Joffrey Ballet, amongst other teams.

NEWS

Photo courtesy of John Ferak via Joliet Patch

Joliet Pottery Barn Outlet to be Auctioned Online November 2019 saw a line of hundreds of eager shoppers outside the then-new Pottery Barn Outlet’s grand opening at 3301 Essington Road. This November it is facing an online auction.

and 329 parking spaces, according to the post on LoopNet. "Currently, the property is fully occupied by Pottery Barn on a short-term lease through November 30, 2022," the listing reads.

A post on www.loopnet.com alerted investors all over the country that the 7-acre Essington Road site, near I-55, will be the subject of an online auction which is set to begin on December 6, 2021. The minimum starting bid for the property is $500,000.

LoopNet also states, "Neighboring retailers include Best Buy, Value City Furniture, Outback Steakhouse, and Chuck E. Cheese, to name a few.”

The outlet property was built in 2005 and contains about 67,000 square feet

Joliet Santa Fun Run The Joliet Chamber of Commerce and the Joliet City Center are joining forces for a Santa Fun Run & Walk 5k to take place at 10 a.m. on December 4, 2021 in downtown Joliet!

Photo courtesy of John Ferak via Joliet Patch

There has been no word from the Pottery Barn Outlet itself about the auction. Many shoppers hope an investor comes along to buy it so they can keep shopping at the outlet.

Syl’s Restaurant & Lounge in Rockdale will be handing out free hot cocoa and coffee for participants, and the Supermercado Joliet truck will be there to sell cookies and churros. An Auntie Anne’s pretzel truck will be on sight as well.

Joliet Chamber of Commerce events and programs manager, Sarah Playa, hopes for a large turnout of at least 150 participants. According to Playa, the Santa Fun Run & Walk 5k’s trail will go through Joliet's downtown, pass the Joliet Central High School, and finally through the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site.

The racecourse will form a loop and begin and end at the Rialto Square Theatre at the Van Buren Plaza. Prizes will also be awarded to best individual and group costumes as well as the first five people to finish the race. The first place winner will receive an Apple Watch provided by TCBY in Shorewood. All participants will receive a complimentary Santa hat.

Registration costs $30 and will begin on Saturday, December 4 at 9 a.m.. The race itself is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Van Buren & Chicago Streets in Downtown Joliet.

Visit the Joliet Chamber of Commerce’s The Grinch and Santa will make website for more info about registration and more at www.jolietchamber. an appearance and participants are encouraged to dress up in fun Christmas chambermaster.com. Merry Christmas, Joliet! costumes and apparel.

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By: Shayna Griffith

WORLD

Travis Scott’s Astroworld Tragedy On Friday, November 5, at least 9 people were killed and hundreds were injured at rapper Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival in Houston, Texas. Chaos ensued in the densely-packed pit of over 50,000 people, causing members of the crowd to be crushed against each other.

questions... Over the next several days, several weeks, could be even longer, we'll take an in-depth look at everything that took place, why it took place, what steps we can do moving forward to mitigate an incident of this kind from taking place."

of the festival and families. The lawsuit claims that Scott and his exclusive partners, streaming service, record labels, handlers, entourage, managers, agents, hangers on, promoters, organizers and sponsors were negligent of the unsafe conditions of the festival.

More news about Scott and Astroworld will continue to unfold as the lawsuit moves forward. Whether the rapper is found guilty or not, his reputation as a performer will forever be altered due to the several lives lost at his festival.

Britney Spears Freed From Conservatorship After 14 years of not having power over her personal affairs and multimillion dollar fortune, pop star, Britney Spears, is finally being freed from her conservatorship.

On Friday, Los Angeles County Judge Brenda Penny ended Spears' conservatorship from her father, James Spears. The ruling will allow Spears to regain control of her life and live on her own terms.

Spears’ conservatorship gained attention when the singer publicly described the conservatorship as “abusive” and “demoralizing” 4 months ago.

Spears’ dedicated fans then created the #FreeBritney movement, which would become a trending topic worldwide and attract the attention of multiple news

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November 29, 2021

Although Spears’ conservatorship has ended permanently and she is free to make her own decisions, her legal team is still investigating her father’s previous ownership of her affairs, including the "I just want my life back," Spears said during a virtual court appearance on June alleged bugging of her cell phone and 23, 2021. "It’s been 13 years. And it’s misspending of her money. enough."

Spears’ diehard fans continue to support her through her journey to freedom.

After November 12’s ruling, Spears expressed her gratitude towards her fans and those who have given her a voice when she could not speak out. "Good God I love my fans so much it's crazy!!! I think I'm gonna cry the rest of the day!!!!" she Tweeted. outlets. The movement would later spark the creation of New York Times and Netflix documentaries.

Her fans also rallied outside the courthouse on the day of the hearing, chanting “Free Britney” and playing her music through speakers.

Photos courtesy of people.com, vanityfair.com

Rapper and event organizer, Travis Scott, received backlash after he continued The victims’ ages varied from 14 to 27, to perform while attendees were being and one victim’s age remains unknown, hauled into ambulances. The crowd even according to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. No people were reported missing. began chanting “Stop the show,” but Scott continued on with the performance.

Many fans claimed the rapper should have Turner announced in a press conference taken action to ensure everyone was safe on November 6 that at least 25 people before the festival. were hospitalized, and 13 of those individuals remained hospitalized by Currently, Travis Scott is facing a $750 Saturday afternoon. Five of them were million lawsuit brought on by victims under 18 years old. Turner explained, “There are a lot of unanswered

NEWS

Pfizer’s Experimental COVID-19 Pill

Photos courtesy Los Angeles Times, apnews.com

Pfizer has officially asked U.S. regulators to approve of their new pill to treat COVID-19, giving people an easy way to treat the virus at home. The proposal was initiated in time for the likely spike in cases coming this winter.

According to Pfizer, the pill is designed for adults with mild to moderate COVID symptoms who are at risk for becoming severely ill. For best results, the pill should be taken within three days of experiencing symptoms, which could be a problem if COVID testing shortages It is not currently known if, or when, The pill has been proven to significantly occur this winter. the Pfizer pill will get a public review. decrease the rate of hospitalizations and The Merck pill is currently undergoing deaths among people who have been Currently, the only similar COVID a review by the FDA. However, the diagnosed with COVID. However, treatments are only permitted to be U.S. government already has plans Pfizer is not the only company with an administered via IV by a healthcare to purchase Merck’s pill. If the pill anti-COVID pill, as the Food and Drug professional. The Pfizer pill’s approval becomes accessible, death rates and Administration is already reviewing a pill would mean those with COVID could hospitalizations will likely decrease

by Merck and other smaller, competing treat themselves easily at home. significantly. companies.

Harry Potter “Return to Hogwarts” To Air on HBO Max With the 20 year anniversary of the film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” occurring in November, everyone’s favorite magical trio will return to the big screen next year with “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.”

Sorcerer’s Stone’ film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical to say the least,” Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros stated.

The division of Warner Bros., Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics stated, Danielle Radcliffe, Emma Watson and “This retrospective is a tribute to Rupert Grint will reunite for the HBO Max special set to air on New Year's Day everyone whose lives were touched by 2022. Since the release of the final film in this cultural phenomenon — from the J.K. Rowling’s series in 2011, the Harry talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary Potter franchise has not come back to film franchise to the passionate fans who life until now. According to HBO Max, continue to keep the Wizarding World the new feature will “tell an enchanting spirit alive 20 years later.” making-of story through all-new, indepth interviews and cast conversations.”

Other cast members from the original films who will be in the new feature Over the past 20 years, the Harry Potter films and books have gained a worldwide include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, cult following and have accumulated Gary Oldman and others. millions of dedicated fans.

“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the ‘Harry Potter and the

to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago,” producer Casey Patterson said. “The excitement is palpable as they prepare to take their fans on a very special and personal journey, through the making of these incredible films.”

All eight Harry Potter films are currently available to stream on HBO Max, and “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” will be available January 1, 2022.

“There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home

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Top 10

MONTHLY Staff Picks

Artists

The USF Encounter Staff took to Spotify and shared their favorite songs from this month in their "Monthly Staff Picks" playlist

1. 347AIDAN

“Dreams”

Christine Noel

Chasing Harmony [EP]

"Tragedy”

2. JOYWAVE

Bee Gees

“Alaska”

"Cyn City 2000" [Single]

Maggie Rogers

3. TOPS

“Best Days” Alessia Cara

"Waiting" [Single]

“'Just For Me”

4. HANA VU

SAINt JHN ft. SZA

“I See Red”

Public Storage

Tae Breezy

5. ABBA

“Bad”

Lennon Stella

Voyage

“Wake Up Everybody”

6. SURFBORT

Tobe Nwigwe

“Bleed the Same”

Keep On Truckin'

7.

Mandisa (feat. tobyMac & Kirk Franklin)

BLUEPRINT TOKYO

8.

A Whole New Life [EP]

“NDA”

ELENOWEN

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”

Billie Eilish Taylor Swift

Say I Don't Scare You

“Winter”

9. MOTHERFOLK

Yabadum

the flower

Want to hear more?

A Way Forward

Let’s get in touch!

musicdirectorwcsf@stfrancis.edu 815-740-3697 12

November 29, 2021

Artwork courtesy of WCSF

10. NATION OF LANGUAGE

Follow us on Spotify!

Good Grief! Charlie Brown stays trending

Photo Courtesy of usatoday.com, townandcountrymag.com, pennlive.com, deviantart.com

By Jessica Scroppo Layout Designer

A yellow shirt with a black zigzag. A dust cloud swirl. A blond boy hunched over a tiny piano. A white dog with black ears on a red doghouse. If you haven’t figured it out by now, these Charlie Brown characters make an appearance on your TV screen at least once a year.

University of St. Francis junior, Val Reyes, states, “I love how cute Snoopy and the Charlie Brown characters are. Even though they were created years ago, there’s still something special about them!” Charm is definitely part of Charlie Brown’s lasting appeal.

Charlie Brown first debuted in a 1950s “Peanuts” comic strip. The simple sketch of the boy would spiral into a lasting franchise. In the late 50s and early 60s, Charlie Brown made his first appearances as an animated character. According to www.peanuts.fandom.com, Coca-Cola questioned if creator Charles Schulz could make a Christmas special to sponsor their product. Schulz seemingly came up with one of the most popular specials ever created. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was broadcasted for CBS on December 9, 1965.

After it came “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966), “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (1973) and “Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!” (1986) amongst others.

Simple graphics and pure story lines offer nostalgia each year.

The holidays can be stressful, happy, sad or all these emotions at once. As we grow older, maybe Charlie Brown’s pessimistic attitude or Lucy’s whining ring true. The familiarity of a Charlie Brown special may bring us back to a simpler time but can also mimic the grown stresses of the holidays.

Charlie Brown has become a lasting trend, even a tradition in some households. For decades, Charlie Brown specials have been syndicated on main TV channels at every holiday with no DVDs, rentals or streaming services required. The specials have been readily available to adults and children alike to watch year after year.

In 2020, Apple TV+ gained the license to all “Peanuts” specials. For the first time in decades, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” did not air on network TV. Fans, and those who simply became accustomed to watching, were outraged. A change was made immediately and according to www.usatoday.com, “Apple TV+ allowed for the airing of the “Peanuts” Thanksgiving and Christmas specials on PBS.” Luckily, no one will have to experience a Charlie Brown-less holiday, as PBS will be airing all the holiday specials for 2021.

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@charlidamelio

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November 29, 2021

@keke.janajah

TikTok Sounds: Chart Toppers By: Sarah Vandermolen Editor-in-Chief

Photos Courtesy of cnet.com and youtube.com

From content creators lip-syncing to certain tunes, to mega-influencers choreographing complex moves, sharing music on the social media app, TikTok, has forever changed the music industry. Instead of an artist having to promote a new single through interviews and posts on Twitter or Instagram, they can get all the exposure they need in one place. By creating a hashtag pertaining to their new song, or posting a TikTok dancing to their own music, an artist has the potential for their discography to go viral.

With social media influencers becoming more and more powerful, TikTok has become the starting point for many of these creators. All it takes is one post to go viral, and suddenly they are offered a dozen endorsement deals and are paid millions of dollars per video. According to www.businessinsider. com, “Marketers can hire influencers to try to make a song take off, sparking a wave of user-generated posts from their fans.” If an influencer uses an artist’s song on a viral post, everyone tends to make a video with the same sound.

A perfect example of an influencer helping an artist become a global superstar can be seen with the “#SavageChallenge.” TikTok personality, Charli D’Amelio, is known for her viral dance moves to songs on the app. Earlier this year, D’Amelio shared a post of her dancing to Megan Thee Stallion’s song, “Savage.” The moves, created by Keara Wilson, were soon being performed by almost every influencer and TikTok user. According to www.billboard.com, the song spent 9 weeks on the charts and peaked at no. 2.

The exposure from D’Amelio’s video helped Megan Thee Stallion gain more followers and traction.

She’s gone on to win a Grammy for “Savage” and even performed at the event with rapper Cardi B. Although she was a well known artist before the

“#SavageChallange,” the trend helped make Megan Thee Stallion into the global superstar that she is today.

TikTok has helped many artists gain exposure and fans and, for some, has become the place to search for new music. After hearing a song they like on the app, users then travel to whatever music listening platform that they use and add it to their favorite playlist.

From there, the songs begin to rise on the charts, and fast. Suddenly a song that was released in 2013 is in the Global Top Ten. However, TikTok isn’t just changing how people discover new music, it’s also altering how people consume music.

According to www.mi.edu, we are currently in “an era where consumers listen to songs based on how viral it is.” Although some people listen to pop radio or charting music, “On TikTik, users discover songs they’ve never heard of,” www.mi.edu states. Another difference is that the popularity of certain songs on TikTok dictates what songs are played on the radio.

Suddenly, a music station isn’t focusing on the lead single an artist puts out, but what song the fans and other listeners enjoy.

The video sharing app is also aware of this trend, and even went as far as hiring a company, MRC Data, to conduct research on the phenomenon. In an article on www.businessinsider.com, the findings state, “67% of the app’s users are more likely to seek out songs on music-streaming services after hearing them on TikTok.” University of St. Francis senior, Dallas Matlock, agrees, stating “I found a couple of good songs from TikTok by looking in the comments for the song title. After that, I search it up on YouTube or Apple Music and add it to my playlist.”

TikTok has changed the music streaming world as we know it and will continue to do so. The app has also given multiple artists the exposure they need to take over the music industry.

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By: John Raspante Assistant Editor

Back in May of 2008, “Iron Man” released in theaters worldwide. The movie was the first entry in the now 13-year-old Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that spans a shared story across 26 films. These movies, along with DC’s superhero films, have dominated the box office for the past decade and have attained millions of fans from around the world. University of St. Francis junior, Drew Toke, shared, “I was never really into superheroes as a kid, but I streamed all of the movies during quarantine and found that I enjoyed them way more than I thought I would!”

Superhero movies have breathed life into these characters for a whole new generation, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. With the release of “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019, many viewers assumed that the MCU had reached its peak.

The film was a culmination of all 21 movies before it and had every superhero come together to save the universe and defeat the Mad Titan, Thanos. The movie was an exiting point for major heroes, like Iron Man and Captain America, that have helped foster the MCU from the very beginning.

Viewers thought that the MCU would decline from that point on, but they could not be more wrong.

According to www.hollywoodreporter.com, “Sony and

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Marvel Studios’ ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ [the film that followed ‘Endgame’] has swung past the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, becoming the first installation in the franchise to do so.”

“Far From Home” built off of the hype that “Avengers: Endgame” had created and became the first Spider-Man film to make over $1 billion at the global box office. The DC superhero flicks have seen similar success as well.

An article from www.itsastampede.com shared, “Back in 2018, after an incredibly successful theatrical run ‘Aquaman’ closed with a whopping $1,148,461,807 at the worldwide box office.”

Even with the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on movie theaters, superhero movies have consistently been the highest grossing releases since theaters have reopened. I doubt that will change anytime soon with upcoming anticipated movies like “SpiderMan: No Way Home” or “The Batman.”

The superhero craze has evolved over the years from comic books to animated shows to the now popular liveaction films. Part of what makes the current movies so intriguing is that they can cover a wide variety of genres.

While most of them are action films, they also can fall under a plethora of sub-genres like comedy, horror and sci-fi. Even the latest MCU film, “Eternals,” plays out like an emotional, historical epic, which is something that hasn’t been seen in a superhero flick yet. The flexibility of the tones and genres in these movies is part of the reason why the superhero fanbase is so diverse.

Whether you are a kid playing with Superman action figures or the parent buying them, DC and Marvel have characters that just about everyone has adored at one point or another in their lives.

Photos courtesy of snipstock.com, pinterest.com, deviantart.com, & amazon.com

Let’s face the facts: almost everyone has loved superheroes at some point in their life. Whether you are an avid comic book reader or only watch the movies, superheroes have played a huge role in the world of pop culture. From merchandise to theme park rides to animated cartoons, DC and Marvel’s iconic superheroes are seemingly everywhere you look. Iconic characters like Spider-Man and Batman have been around for more than half a century and have only grown more popular over time.

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Nothing ever goes out of Style By: Paula Garcia Layout Designer

My favorite part about fashion is how fluid it is. In each fashion era, trends evolve based on what the new generation chooses as ‘cool’ or ‘trendy.’

Personally, I'm thankful that COVID-19 fashion is in the past. I remember last year when people were wearing comfy clothing and it was considered "fashionable." But, what is fashionable about hoodies and sweatpants? Absolutely nothing, but the fact that the pandemic forced us to stay at home made this trend a rather successful one.

All fast fashion stores, such as Zara and H&M, started to produce nude, oversized and ‘couch-styled’ clothing to fit the "work-from-home" vibe.

This year, there has been a transition from "staying-at-home" style to "back-in-action." Due to this, 2021 has had many fashion trends At the beginning of the year, we could see fashion returning with bold colors and fresh pieces. Everyone wanted to be seen and neutrality was over. The world of fashion returned stronger than ever.

Although we have seen some new fashion trends, there are many trends returning. From statement accessories, to specific styles and color palettes, there are many possibilities to choose from.

One style that I love, but I don't personally take part in, is, "Dark Academia." According to www.goodonyou.eco, "Dark

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academia is a romantic combination of muted earthy tones, tweed pants, and an armful of books. Think preppy cross gothic, and you'll land somewhere close!"

This style takes inspiration from the Greek arts and the 1930s and 1940s fashion, typically worn by students at Oxbridge and Ivy League schools.

What I love so much about this style is that it looks classy, but it can also be worn as an everyday look.

Whether you're headed to the library to study, or are out to dinner with your friends, you never look over or underdressed.

Another style I have seen a lot this year is the ‘Y2K Style.’

I personally think this style is cute, but it can come across as too much. However, it does bring back good memories when I see girls wearing these pink, baby tops and lowrise jeans. After all, I am apart of Generation Z and I do miss the times when Britney Spears was the pop-princess and Juicy Couture was everything. I remember collecting magazines tracking Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s outfits; they were simply iconic.

Silk scarves were also very popular this year. My Instagram recommendations page was always showing me videos and photos of people styling scarves in different ways. Some chose to wear their scarf as a top while others chose to use theirs as a hair accessory (this option was very popular in the hotter months).

Oh my gosh, have you seen the new shackets? I haven’t found one for me yet, but I do plan on adding one to my wardrobe. Shackets, a mix between a sweater and a jacket, go well with everything: jeans, skirts, even leather pants. I believe this trending piece will transcend into 2022. Keep your fingers crossed!

Photos courtesy of hallomagazine.com, glamourmagazine.co.uk, thecut.com & pinterest.com

As we all know, 2021 is about to end and that only means one thing in the fashion world: we are closer to a new fashion season. A new season is a time for advancements in the industry, but it might also be an open door for an old trending piece of clothing or accessory to make a comeback.

Another trending piece is knee-high boots. One of my favorite stores to shop at is Nordstrom, and I always see these in so many different styles. There really is something out there for everyone.

I'm also a big fan of wide-leg pants. This season, a pair in bown is a must-have. I feel free and stylish while wearing them.

Pairing them with long socks during the winter months is a plus.

I have always loved the 90’s style, especially leather jackets and chunky, platform shoes. How lucky for me that all these signature 90s staples are returning. In fact, when women wore leather jackets in the 90s, they bought jackets intended for men, resulting in an oversized fit. However, women are lucky enough today to have jackets and other pieces of clothing, such as cargo pants, made directly for women.

Scrunchies are so 90s! I recently got my first scrunchie in years, and I love how it looks. An important aspect of 2021’s fashion trends is that everything got bigger; there’s oversized versions of almost all clothing items, even scrunchies.

Although it seems like everything got bigger, handbags seem to have shrunk. The mini handbag trend skyrocketed in 2021 with celebrities rocking handbags that couldn't even fit a phone. The "Truth Hurts" singer, Lizzo, went to the extreme, wearing a tiny Valentino handbag for the American Music Awards red carpet. It looked like something that was made for Barbie!

Mom jeans are also a great 90s trend. They're been trending for almost 3 years now and, although some people hate them, they are so versatile that they remain with power. According to www.thelist.com, "'mom jeans' are defined as high waisted, straight legged denim, typically with a looser fit." Similar to wide-leg pants, mom jeans offer the comfort that you cannot get from regular skinny jeans.

University of St. Francis junior, Sarah Vandermolen, shares, "I love mom jeans! They're so comfortable, and they hug your waist which gives you that nice defined, hourglass look."

Last, but certainly not least, are flare jeans. They are really not for everybody, but if you like them they are a good ally.

I personally love them because they give some shape to my legs.

Overall, fashion trends are here for a reason. Trends are just a jumping off point for creativity. Although you may not be a fan of a certain trend, you have a chance to twist it into your own style. We've seen so many trends and pieces come and go but we must remember one thing: nothing ever really goes out of style.

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Omar Paramo

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2021 Trend Pred With 2020 turning our world completely upside down, predictions for 2021 were either random or completely COVID-19 based. We’ll be taking a look at which predictions reigned true and which ones were completely far-fetched.

However, the intensity of their exercises did not exactly change, which Popsugar did not see coming. 2021 offered new fitness opportunities and routines that proved to be more accommodating to anyone’s lifestyle!

As the majority of the world switched to working from home (including students), keeping up on physical fitness became a bit of a challenge. Gyms closed or restricted their times and capacity, which proved to be a decline in motivation for many.

Classes for school moved online and left students sitting or lounging at home. From walking to and from classes to sports and lifting for athletes, no in-person school meant little to no movement.

Popsugar also made their predictions for the entertainment industry within the same article. TikTok, as they predicted, is now one of the biggest social media platforms with an ability to reach millions of users at once with the same “sound.” As written by www.inputmag.com in September, “Americans are now spending more time watching TikToks than Youtube videos.” This may be because of TikTok’s video timing being between one and three minutes, compared to longer videos on YouTube. 2021 audiences do not want to waste time, and TikTok satisfies a short attention span. University of St. Francis junior, Jessica Scroppo, states, “Tik Tok is perfect for when I want to relax. I only have to watch a video for a few seconds or minutes. It’s passive entertainment.”

Popsugar wrote in the beginning of the year predicting that people would be switching to low-impact cardio, yoga, quick runs outside, stretches and light free weights to compensate for their “6 am boot camps and sweaty Spin classes.”

According to www.runrepeat.com, “..from 4,583 adults surveyed from 122 countries in August this year, over half of them now prefer to complete some sort of exercise activity outdoors instead of doing a gym sesh.” Is this because of a new love for “quarantine walks” and at-home workouts?

Activities like hiking, running or even a simple outdoor walk were popular to 60% of the adults surveyed. Up to 49.6% also improved their indoor fitness equipment. Popsugar was half right with their prediction as many adults did switch to outdoor or at-home exercises.

Additionally, TikTok seems to have the advantage of recommending videos specifically for their users’ tastes. The app is famous for their “For You Page” (fyp). Viewers are fed videos of content curated to their liking based on their follows and interactions within the app. DIYs, funny videos or product reviews are at your fingertips, just “for you.” The new platform has proven to be effective; According to a report from www.appannie.com, Americans, on average, now spend 24 hours on TikTok a month, compared to 22 hours on YouTube. TikTok is whatever you want it to be- entertainment, a distraction, a laugh or even self-care.

Beauty trends continued throughout 2021 in a climate that was seeking self improvement.

In the beginning of the year, Forbes released an article that interviewed beauty experts on what they thought would dominate the beauty industry.

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Photos courtesy of kissclipart.com, istock.com, pinterest.com & creazilla.com

By: Staff

dictions All experts agreed on one thing: skincare would rule the year.

An increase in tailored skincare products and less consumption of makeup products to “cover up” became the popular opinion of most beauty influencers. Preventative skincare, like sunscreen or retinol, have been pushed in the consumer market. According to Dr. Dendy Engelmen for www. wellandgood.com, “..many have accumulated enough sun or environmental damage to trigger visible signs of aging, and how you treat your skin—either by furthering damage or preventing it—sets the stage for how you age.” Using these anti-aging, protective products can help prolong inevitable aging.

The Ordinary.” University of St. Francis senior, Elizabeth Ponce, shares, “I absolutely love my new skincare routine. Half of the products I use I found thanks to TikTok!” Due to increased usage of masks, “maskne” (acne from wearing masks for a prolonged time) became a popular skin problem that many had to face. The stresses of the year wreaked havoc on many faces. However, the daily habit of using a skincare routine has many people leaving 2021 with great skin and better attitudes.

2021 has been relatively predictable through trends. One thing that won’t stay in 2021 is how these trends affect our lives and our ability to improve throughout each year.

Let’s not forget the TikTok skin care trends of the year that sold out shelves of popular brands. According to www. cbinsights.com, “CeraVe, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and The Ordinary have moved up in the rankings, becoming some of the top skincare brands for teens over the past year, largely thanks to influencers on the platform. Meanwhile, Peace Out Skincare saw sales for its pore strips quadruple in just 24 hours after it was endorsed by TikTok “skinfluencer” Hyram Yarbro, while another teenager’s viral video drove nearly $850K in sales for

vs. Reality

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Fast Food Celebrity Collabs Want to eat like your favorite star? Fast food chains have something new to offer customers: celebrity endorsed meals.

or Chase Hudson, has a spicy chicken sandwich, four-piece mozzarella sticks and a chocolate shake. Delicious right?

In September of 2020, the Travis Scott Meal hit the McDonald’s menu, offering a quarter pounder with bacon, fries with barbecue sauce and a medium Sprite. Scott, also known as Cactus Jack, collaborated with McDonald’s on merchandise, posters and commercials. The result was an advertising uproar.

TikTok was flooded with videos of people ordering with Scott’s songs playing in the background. Fans were snatching promotional posters off windows and selling them for profit. If only we would have known that the Travis Scott meal would be just the beginning for celebrity meals.

Recently, Popeyes recruited Megan Thee Stallion for her fast food debut. Her commercials include a western inspired fight over her “Hottie Sauce.” You may remember the trendy Popeyes chicken sandwich that went viral and caused hungry guests to wait in hour long lines to get a taste. The infamous sandwich is now coated in “Hottie Sauce” and endorsed by Megan Thee Stallion personally. You better keep your hands off my Hottie Sauce!

In late 2020, McDonald’s introduced the J Balvin Meal. The Colombian singer has collaborated with artists like Cardi B, Dua Lipa and Bad Bunny. His meal rode on the coattails of Travis Scott’s success. A niche advertising sector was developed as modern influencers continued partnering with big fast food names.

According to www.cnn.com, “Fast food chains like McDonald’s operate on razor-thin profit margins, so promotions and new items help them stand out from the competition.” Celebrity promotion isn’t a new concept, but it seems to have been particularly beneficial in increasing revenue for fast food companies this year. The negative effects of COVID-19 have lasted far beyond the disease. Businesses are finally on the rebound and fast food is no exception!

2021 offered the BTS Meal dedicated to the hit South Korean boy band. Female rapper Saweetie’s meal served up a Big Mac, a 4-piece McNuggets, fries and Sprite with BBQ and Saweetie ‘N Sour sauce to top it off. (It’s every celebrity’s dream to have a sauce named after them.)

Combining convenience with star power grabs the attention of new and existing customers. University of St. Francis junior, John Raspante, states, “I feel like I need to try the celebrity meals at least once. Sometimes they have limited edition food you can’t get at any other time.”

McDonald’s hasn’t been the only fast food chain to participate in this new advertising venture; Burger King has recently started their own gimmick.

According to www.delish.com, “The ‘Keep It Real Meals’ are three different selections made by each artist from the brand’s ‘Real’ menu, each worthy enough to use their real names, not their stage names.”

Singer Nelly, or Cornell Haynes Jr, introduced his meal: a Whopper with fries and a Sprite. TikTok Star Lil Huddy,

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Here’s to trying every celebrity endorsed meal to come!

Photo courtesy of mcdonalds.com, jacksonvillemag.com, mashed.com, fox2now.com, vulture.com, hypebae.com

By: Jessica Scroppo Layout Designer

FROM OUR QUEST FAMILY TO YOURS

WE WISH YOU A SAFE WINTER BREAK SEE YOU IN JANUARY READY TO SERVE ALL YOUR DIETARY NEEDS!

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Animal Crossing: Seeing New Horizons By: John Raspante Assistant Editor I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” (ACNH).

ACNH came out on March 20, 2020, which was around the time the COVID-19 pandemic was forcing everyone to quarantine in their homes. We were unable to go outside and enjoy real life, but we could go fishing, visit a museum and watch firework shows in “Animal Crossing.” We couldn’t get together with our friends, but we could invite them over to our islands to hang out in “Animal Crossing.”

For me, ACNH was a big part of my life for months. I was stuck in my home during the pandemic, but I could do anything I wanted in "Animal Crossing." I was able to go out and have fun with my villagers and friends, design outfits or decorate my island any way I wanted to. The game brought so much joy to my life at a time where I felt so disconnected from the real world.

After the summer of 2020, I fell off with the "Animal Crossing" hype, like many other players did. I would occasionally log on and do my daily tasks, like picking weeds and watering flowers. Every major holiday had an in-game tie in event, so I went on to trick-ortreat with my villagers on Halloween and deliver presents around the island on Christmas.

I spent so much time on the game during quarantine that it felt like I did everything there was to do. There just wasn’t much for me to get excited about anymore.

Now that all changes. As of November 3, Nintendo released the biggest update for the game EVER. There are new shops, new characters, over 9,000 new items and so many incredible new features that have completely revitalized the game for me. I have been playing every free second I have had since the update dropped, and the amount of serotonin it has brought me is immeasurable.

Who knows, maybe in a month or two, I will feel burnt out again and like I have experienced everything the game has to offer. But for now, I am enjoying every single moment that this virtual island life is bringing me. With this new update, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” feels just like it did when it was first released, and I don’t know if there will ever be another video game that makes me feel this way.

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Photos Courtesy of Pinterest.com, Nintendo.com

In case you haven’t heard of it, “New Horizons” is the newest game in Nintendo’s "Animal Crossing" series. The best way to describe the game is like a life simulator. The player can customize their avatar and renovate a deserted island into a bustling town full of adorable, animal villagers. Every player gets to style their island any way they want and live out their island life however they see fit. With 400 villagers that can inhabit your island and over 20,000 decorations and furniture items, the possibilities are endless. It is the perfect game if you’re looking for an escape from reality, and it could not have been released at a better time.

Jessica's Commuter Car Chaos By: Jessica Scroppo Layout Designer Don't get me wrong, being a commuter has its perks. Living at home, being with family and the massive savings from not having to pay room and board are all great. What’s not so great is when your means of transportation takes a sudden hit.

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Scroppo, clipartmax.com, www.firstlarne.org.uk

When your engine light pops on, it’s usually a cause for alarm; but what does it mean when it never turns off?

I’ve had to bring my car, a 2017 Chevy Trax, to a certified Chevy dealership and a family mechanic over 5 times in the last month. I’ve had my father, who’s mechanical minded, raid the car looking for the problem. Not one person could find the solution, and I was out of my mind.

For the last month, I’ve dealt with a domino effect of issues- it’s been one after the next. My catalytic converter was replaced, the dealership wiped all codes from my engine lights (without correctly diagnosing anything) and I’ve had 3 unnecessary parts replaced on my dime.

My car’s brakes were bucking like a baby bronco, it stalled twice and I got a flat tire all within the last month. As soon as there was a “resolution,” days later my car would be driving like a beat up 1984 Oldsmobile. Not to mention, I had to work around my schedule and exchange cars with my family just to make it to class.

Maybe it’s the workforce or maybe it’s the complexity of newer cars. I don’t know- I’m not a mechanic. To say I was aggravated and on edge the past few weeks is an understatement. What I do know is that cars are a necessary hassle. I can’t live with one, and I can’t live without one.

This first bout of maintenance to my relatively new car has shown me what it really means to be a car owner. At the end of the day, not even mechanics have all the answers.

I know there are worse problems in the world, but there are few things more frustrating than a commuter without their own car.

And if you catch me not going to school because my car’s acting up… mind your business, I’m at my wits end.

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THE REVIVAL OF THE By: Alexandre Torri Staff Writer Recently, there has been a resurgence of fashion trends, hairstyles and technology from decades past - especially from the 1980s.

The revival can be seen in people of all ages, but mostly in high schoolers and college students.

Hairstyles have also come and gone through the decades, with many 1980s styles coming back. According to www. cosmopolitan.com, "Unlike some of the, uh, questionable hairstyles of the decade (see: choppy mullets and deep-ass side parts), the '80s looks that are resurfacing in 2021 are actually really cute." Each decade brings forth big changes. The 1970s were all about long, straight hair. However, during the 80s it was all about volume. Although many styles are coming back, the biggest three are blowouts, high ponytails and shags.

1980s hairstyles for men are coming back as well, especially mullets. I can agree with most women out there when I say… no thank you. University of St. Francis juniors, Leslie Delgado and Afreen Mushtaheed, both agree that this resurgence is a bad idea, stating, “It’s just not attractive.” If you are someone who doesn’t know what a mullet is, then consider yourself to be lucky. However, if you are curious, just watch the movie "Joe Dirt." You'll see that men also had bigger and more voluminous hair back then. Hair in the 1980s was gender fluid, with most styles being worn by everyone.

Since we're talking about hair, Hair Bands were a very popular genre of music in the 80s, and we even see them today. Popular Hair Bands that you have probably heard of include: Mötley Crüe, Kiss, Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister.

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These bands inspired so many others and have made their mark on music history. Today, we can see Hair Bands returning as cover bands or with their own, unique sound.

Inspired by Motley Crue, Black Veil Brides was formed in the early 2000s. According to www.noisecreep.com, “A mix of metalcore and hair metal, Black Veil Brides … [is] constantly made-up to look like 'Shout at the Devil' era Mötley Crüe.”

Another band that has that 1980s Hair Band style is Greta Van Fleet. Formed in 2012, the band rocks long, big hair with Led Zeppelin style music.

Fashion trends aren't the only thing making a comeback. Certain technology is also rising in popularity - specifically polaroids, vinyls and cassette tapes. According to StudyBreaks, one reason these technologies have made a return is pure nostalgia. Another reason I think they're becoming popular again is because of the Netflix TV show, "Stranger Things." When younger people watched the show, they instantly became infatuated with the 1980s style that it depicted.

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Torri, pinterest.com, melonthemove.com.au

According to www.wearzeitgeist.com, "Somewhere along the way, our Cher-loving, Madonna-worshipping, LL Cool J-listening, Princess Diana-obsessed parents must have rubbed off on our subconsciousness." Most fashion trends that are coming back owe massive thanks to celebrities. Everyone from Madonna to Princess Diana have served as inspiration for fashion designers and college students alike. Cindy Crawford, a famous 1980s model, has been seen returning to her leather jackets.

According to www.readersdigest.co.uk, vinyls have made a comeback with audiences under 35 years old. People say that the reason they listen to vinyl is because they want a better music experience. Another piece of technology that is becoming popular again partly because of the show is cassettes.

The 1980s seemingly never go out of style - what's old is now new. My family, as pictured here, look like they could fit right into 2021 with their style and hair. The 80s aren't a trend; they're a part of our culture.

Because of the Netflix original, I, myself, own a cassette tape player. The Marvel film, "Guardians of the Galaxy," has also provided some 1980s nostalgia by showing a cassette player in most of the transitional scenes in the movies. According to www.forbes.com, "Connexion France reported that 'in 2018, more than 219,000 [tapes] were sold in the United States, compared to 178,000 in 2017.'"

Many artists nowadays have a retro style to them and have started to sell vinyls and cassette tapes along with CDs. Singers such as Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift are some of the many that have decided to start releasing their music on different formats.

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By: Cosme Lozano Staff Writer “It’s lights out and away we go!” is a phrase that is becoming quite familiar for Americans across the country. Over the span of the last few years, America has been bit by the racing bug.

With the events of COVID-19 shutting down large parts of the world, many major sports have been operating at half or completely empty capacities. As we get closer to 2022, sports appear to be approaching full strength once again.

Americans and the sports world alike celebrated this recently, at the United States Grand Prix in Formula One (F1). With nearly 380,000 people in attendance, Americans showed everyone that other forms of racing can thrive in this country, besides NASCAR or IndyCar. However, it wasn't always like this. Formula One has a long and confusing history in America, which goes all the way back to 1950. Americans would have mild interest in Formula One throughout the mid twentieth century. It saw new highs in the 70s and 80s, but the interest created could never stay.

This spilled over into the 90s, where the sport would not visit America again after the 1991 season. Racing action would return in 2005 at the Indianapolis speedway, but this Grand Prix would be a major stain on an already dirty resume for racing in America. The track would be taken off the calendar after the 2008 season.

US Grand Prix crowd celebrates Max Verstappen's championship win

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In 2010, the United States and the city of Austin were awarded with a ten-year contract to host Formula One races again. All US Grand Prix’s would take place at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). This track first saw racing in 2012 and has seen some slight face lifts over the years. For a majority of its history, the average fan attendance has fluctuated from 190,000-250,000 attendees. Formula One in America would take a two-year gap after 2019.

The sport made its triumphant return very recently with the US Grand Prix taking place the weekend of October 22-24, 2021. As mentioned earlier, the fan attendance skyrocketed to 380,000 this year, and there is one large reason why.

If you are an avid Netflix browser, the title, “Drive to Survive,” might ring a bell. This is a docuseries that focuses on the drivers and teams involved in F1 racing. It has been very successful at drawing in new audiences, and it has developed some genuine fans of the sport, beyond the TV show. The show focuses on some of the more dramatic aspects of the sport, and with high profile characters like Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, the show has struck gold in North America. It has helped expand the sport’s demographic, which is largely European.

Talking with amateur race car driver Jordan Missig, he said, “I think a lot of F1’s rapid growth in America has been due

Photo courtesy of Chris Graythen, Circuit of America Social Media iconape.com

to the ‘Drive to Survive’ documentary series on Netflix. It gives the average viewer an inside look at what an F1 driver goes through to prepare himself and what happens in the middle of a race. From an average viewer you wouldn’t see that in an average Grand Prix, but now I think it gives viewers an incentive to watch the Grand Prix, to see what it's all about.”

In his online article, writer Jason Dachman says, “Through the first 15 races of 2021, F1 races on ESPN and ESPN2 are averaging 916,000 viewers, up 51% over the entire 2020 season average of 608,000 viewers and 39% higher vs. the average of 660,000 viewers for the first 15 comparable races in 2019.”

These numbers might not seem real, but I can assure you that they are.

This situation has been a real joy to watch as a fan of the sport for the last four years. You can almost feel the energy building in the country, and you certainly can see the hype on social media. Christopher Brito writes in his article for CBS, “The sport appears to be resonating with those fans online. Formula One in 2020 had the greatest growth of any professional sporting entity in engagements across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, showing a 99% increase” (Brito, 2021).

to Miami being added in 2022. A third race somewhere on the east coast or Midwest would only help build an already thriving fandom throughout the rest of the country.

Formula One has a long and winding history in the United States. Americans should all enjoy this moment as we might be living through a golden season in the sport. While competitors such as NASCAR or IndyCar are great alternatives, it is hard to deny that Formula One has stolen a lot of the spotlight recently here in this country. But, can you really blame people?

This season's championship battle between Mercedes and Red Bull has not disappointed, and the Drivers’ Championship between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is shaping up to be an all-time classic. Lewis is fighting for his eighth Drivers’ Championship (seven is the record, for which he has tied Michael Schumacher for), while Max leads him in the series and seeks his first Drivers’ Championship in the sport.

Regardless of the outcome, this has been a special year for the sport in America. Americans have made it clear to Formula One executives that there is a demand for quality racing here.

Let’s hope they continue to develop and foster the sport to even greater heights!

The success of the US Grand Prix weekend has prompted some to believe that a third race could be added, in addition Shaquille O'Neal passes the US Grand Prix trophy to Max Verstappen

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Return of

By: Alex Mielcarz Staff Writer

Sports are inherently emotional. Players go through the entire spectrum of emotions in a single two-to-three-hour period during their match. Whether it be because of a big sack by a defensive lineman, a go-ahead three late in the game or a clutch goal to seal the match in overtime, players have plenty to fuel their emotions.

A huge part of those emotions is the crowd. They set the tempo for the day. If the crowd is dead, the team is dead.

Occasionally, it’s on the crowd to get the team back into the game, and other times it’s on the team to get the crowd back into it. It’s all part of the beautiful push-pull, give-take relationship between the fans and their team.

Flashback to last year: the Pat Sullivan Rec Center’s bleachers sat empty (they didn’t even pull them out) during all volleyball and basketball games. Joliet Memorial Stadium started the outdoor seasons empty too but eventually opened back up towards the end of the modified spring season. Regardless, the Fighting Saints athletic teams had to do something they had never done before: play in front of empty grandstands.

November 29, 2021

The players of the women’s basketball team took it upon themselves to recreate the momentum provided by fans that were traditionally in the stands.

“The players on our bench knew we had to take on a higher role,” Acosta said. “[We] had to be louder with the chants, louder with clapping and whenever we scored; we knew we had to be involved as much as possible.”

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“It was very different,” sixth year senior, Forward Andriana Acosta, said. “[Every game] felt like it was a scrimmage against the other team.”

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Basketball is a game that feeds off the energy of the crowd. Every steal, every bucket in transition and every corner three is amplified by the fans in attendance. That amplification was gone last year, and the Sullivan Center was left with a completely different vibe.

the Fans The players looked to each other to fire themselves up, but it just wasn’t the same as a live crowd.

Photos courtesy of University of St. Francis flickr

“Fans are part of the game and it wasn’t ideal to play last season without [them],” Acosta said. “We all came together knowing that if we didn’t see our family or friends in the crowd that we had to take it upon ourselves to get each other hyped up and bring that same energy that we would’ve fed off from the spectators.”

After a year without being able to play in front of family and friends, the Sullivan Center reopened to the public on November 3 for a women’s basketball game against Indiana South Bend. The atmosphere did a total 180, and the fans were a big part of that.

“There’s no better feeling than being in a crowded gym and seeing your close family and friends,” Acosta said. “It was humbling to see. We were so thankful that they still came out after what COVID-19 brought us last season.”

The fans are just as excited to be back to cheer on our Fighting Saints.

“Being back in the stands for the first time since 2019 was an amazing experience,” USF student Maddie Brown said.

“Last time I was in the stands was for [my] high school.”

Being back in the grandstands isn’t just about supporting the athletes; it’s about getting the college experience.

“Moments like these absolutely provide the holistic college experience of being with your friends, peers and their families supporting the team,” Brown said. “These memories make up the college experience.”

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Football needs the crowd just as bad as basketball. The crowd fuels the fire that is a football sideline. The interaction between players and the fans that occupy the seats of Joliet Memorial is extremely crucial to the way the game plays out.

“Last year was a little weird and took some time to get used to,” Maday said. “Having a crowd really does make a difference.”

Second year specialist, Brian Maday, noticed the difference in atmosphere almost immediately after taking the field week one against Marian. “[Getting] to play a top team with a packed crowd was a great experience,” Maday said. “Having the crowd backing you really does help you bring that extra energy to every play.”

This season has been much different than last year in terms of the level of play from the Saints, and part of that success can be attributed to having fans back in the crowd. The brown and gold faithful have a much larger impact on the game than they think.

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DA

BEARS

MOVING TO A NEW

HABITAT By: Matt Lauterbach Staff Writer Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL and has been one of the most renowned in league history. The stadium has hosted home games for the Chicago Bears since 1971 and was even a National Historic Landmark for a time. After years of the Bears organization threatening to leave Soldier Field, the move appears to be more real than ever as the Bears are eyeing to make the suburb of Arlington Heights their new home.

The Bears made a bid for the open land in June 2021 so they could explore the idea of building a new stadium. On September 29, the Bears announced that they signed a $197.2 million purchase agreement to buy the 326-acre property which is occupied by the now closed Arlington International Racecourse.

This is the latest move, in what hasn’t been the easiest of relationships, between the organization and the city of Chicago.

The organization has floated around with the idea of leaving Soldier Field several times over the last 50 years. Things didn’t get any easier after the renovation of Soldier Field in 2002, which decreased the teams seating capacity to 61,500. This capacity is the lowest in the NFL and therefore created less revenue opportunities for the team.

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November 29, 2021

Should the Bears move to Arlington Heights? The move would be seen as giving the organization more to work with, since they would officially own their own stadium.

Athlon’s Sports writer, Gabe Salgado, states “Having their own stadium would allow [the Bears] to set their own seating capacity, they could also put a retractable roof or dome on the venue if they desire, meaning the in-game experience should be more enjoyable whether it’s in August or during the winter." Salgado goes on to further explain, "A roof along with greater seating capacity could put the Bears in better position to host a Super Bowl down the line."

Some people agree with that decision, such as University of St. Francis (USF) senior, Chris Kelly, who shared “I guess it’s good in the sense you can build a bigger stadium and it’s more local to citizens. The only thing is you leave the history behind of going to Soldier Field."

Others, such as USF professor Brien McHugh, aren’t big supporters of the potential move, but understand the reasoning behind it. “I would not like to see it happen, but I understand it’s a trend in cities across the US to build

Robert Quinn #94, Roquan Smith #58, Khalil Mack #52 and Bilal Nichols #98 celebrate a sack

entertaining sports venues for their teams and they feel Soldier Field doesn’t offer that,” said McHugh.

The move, however, has drawn a negative response from others on campus such as USF senior, Nick Howard, who says “I think it would hurt them because you are already in a big market in Chicago and I don’t think Arlington will be as big of a market, and it will take a long time to regain the fanbase the Bears already have in Chicago.”

Photo courtesy of windycityworld.com & espn.com

One of the most prominent figures against the Bears moving is Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, who’s been on rocky terms with the Bears ownership. Lightfoot tweeted that her administration “Remains committed to continuing the work to keep the team in Chicago. As I have said numerous times, our door in City Hall remains open.” According to the Washington Posts Matt Bonesteel, Lightfoot claims that the Bears canceled a meeting with city officials on September 28. In response, Lightfoot shared with the Chicago Tribune “We have attempted to understand what their interests are for months, and they have not shared them”.

would go down each year until the end of the 2033 season.

For now, the Bears will continue to play their home games at Soldier Field for at least the next five years. Pending if they can get out of their lease after those five years are up, the team might be following in the footsteps of other teams. As Professor McHugh said, “The Bears could follow teams such as the San Francisco 49ers who play their games in Santa Clara, California, or the Dallas Cowboys who play their games in Arlington, Texas.”

However, it’s growing increasingly clear the Bears’ time at Soldier Field is ticking down to its end as more developments about the team’s activities in the next five years should be interesting to follow.

However, Lightfoot feels confident that there is something that will keep them in Chicago, saying “I’ve seen a couple of reports but a couple of data points I think you should be aware of are the Bears have a lease with Soldier Field through 2033 and the NFL doesn’t let any teams break their leases.” The Chicago Tribune did find that the Bears could get themselves out of the lease after the 2026 NFL season by paying a penalty of $84 million.

However, if they aren’t ready to buy the lease out in 2026, the fee

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WINTER SPORTS

SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 2021

Gary, Indiana

M/W

DEC. 1@IU/Northwest 5PM Pat Sullivan Center

DEC. 9 / 7PM

VS. Calumet College of St. Joseph

Romeoville, Illnois

DEC. 16 / 7PM

Home Away

@Lewis Unviersity

Women’s

Pat Sullivan Center

DEC. 21 / 12PM VS. Calumet College of St. Joseph

Pat Sullivan Center

DEC. 30 / 1PM Vs. Madonna Univeristy Dec. 4-5 / TBA

Women’s

Pat Sullivan Center

M/W

Men’s

DEC. 7 / 7PM VS. Lewis Unviersity

Men’s

Men’s

Men’s

Men’s

Women’s

Women’s

M/W

By: Dallas Matlock Sports Editor

Dec. 17-18 / TBA

Pat Sullivan Center

DEC.VS.4Lincoln / 1PM College Pat Sullivan Center

DEC.VS.8IU/South 7PM Bend Notre Dame, Indiana

DEC. 11 / 12PM

@Holy Cross College

Scottsdale, Arizona

DEC. 20 / 12PM

Vs. University of Providence Scottsdale, Arizona

DEC. 21 / 12PM Vs. Vanguard University

Pat Sullivan Center

DEC. 31 / 1PM

Vs. Univeristy of Michgan-Dearborn Dec. 19-20 / TBA

For more information visit: gofightingsaints.com

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November 29, 2021

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Call for Store Hours 229 E. Cass St. , Joliet (815) 723-3844

Dan's West Side

1003 Plainfield Rd. (Rt. 30), Joliet (815) 722-0712

Dan's Mokena

11400 W. Lincoln Highway, Mokena (815) 464-0827

Dan's Homemade Candies usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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