For almost two decades, our identities as individuals have been defined by education. In elementary school, it was defined by which classroom teacher we had. In middle school we had more autonomy. We joined various clubs and sports, and in high school our identity was tied to the colleges we were applying to or whether or not we were in AP classes. Once we got to college, this sense of identity and belonging shifted once again. We entered college and basically became toddler

People have always associated the holidays in late autumn and winter with cold seasonal weather; as people often shiver in their costumes on Halloween night and wake up to a thick layer of snow on Christmas morning. Today, though, children who go door-to-door for Halloween might not even have to think about wearing anything over their costume. On Christmas Day, green grass is getting more common to see. What looks like a series of mild weather events is actually part of docu

As midterm elections are less than a month away, some students have likely seen advertisements and social media posts instructing viewers to vote. However, specific logistics, outcomes and functions of this electoral event are often misunderstood. Such unfamiliarity with this process can limit voter involvement and civic participation, as highlighted by U.S. Polling Data’s low voter turnout rates during midterm cycles. To bridge this gap, let’s break down the core functions a

Photo: Allison Shelley Being able to vote is a privilege that many people take for granted today. There was a time when not everyone was allowed to vote. For much of the country’s early history, voting rights were largely limited to white men who owned property. Black Americans, women and many other groups were denied the opportunity to have their voices heard through the democratic process. As a result, major decisions affecting the nation were being made without the input a

What do you think of when you first see the silhouette of a black cat? Do you think of something creepy, magical or maybe Halloween as a whole? Black cats are famously tied to Halloween and the fall season, which is not just a recent trend. The superstition that cats are associated with evil or perceived to be bad luck stems all the way back to the 1300s, the later half of the medieval period. During this time, churches had started releasing statements across Europe associati

The Student Health and Wellness Center, previously hidden away on the third floor of Tower Hall, recently found a new home on Tower’s first floor. According to Nurse Phyllis Peterson, the move gave her department some much-appreciated visibility. “I think the students have gotten to know me, knowing my whereabouts better… They’ll go by and they’ll know I’m in my office and they’ll give me a ‘Hello, Phyllis!’” Many students have already made the acquaintance of the Universi

Every Halloween, the same old, tired debate rises from the dead like an ugly zombie: how old is too old to trick-or treat? Of course, as you all know by now, I have a lot of opinions. So, I decided to take it upon myself to squash this debate once and for all because obviously my opinion is the right opinion. I am sure you are all wondering, what is your opinion? Personally, I think people are way too dramatic about this debate. Trust me, I know dramatic. Seriously, if some

Over the past few years, the cost of living has become unimaginable. Every day, regular people are fighting to stay in the middle class while billionaires are driving the bus of prices through the roof. Inflation is climbing throughout our country, which means prices climb as well. However, once the prices increase they do not drop back down. The prices of everyday items continue to increase and consumers are feeling the effects. When we talk about the cost of living, it is

The University of St.Francis’ (USF) men’s and women’s cross country teams have hit the ground running this season; literally and figuratively. Head coach Trevor Howard noted that this season has had a strong start, especially when compared to last season. On the men’s side, the team has much more depth, experience wise. “(When comparing the start to last season) Much better. On the men's side, we're a little bit deeper than we were last year. We've started out much better …