Legacy Garden Director Anne Drevno welcomes four CA ClimateCorps fellows and discusses the garden’s future. (Image c/o writer) Ingrid Alkire American Journalism Student A half-acre “living laboratory” of organic fruits, flowers, herbs, insects, and vegetables, the Legacy Garden adds four full-time CA ClimateCorps fellows to the mix. Onboarded two weeks ago, ClimateCorps fellows Vera Hammond, Andrea Solis, Molly Clemons, and Erin Dalton will work with director Anne Drevno for eleven months.
The ClimateCorps program brings together people from all walks of life united by a passion for sustainability and environmental justice. In discussing their motivations for joining, the fellows expressed the desire to take time off post-grad, gain hands-on experience, and deepen their knowledge of sustainable practices. Solis added the fellows’ desire to take all they will learn and “teach our families and [...] communities.” Another attraction for fellows are the financial awards of up to $10,000 given at the completion of 1,700 hours of service through a combination of the Segal and California For All education awards. Fellows can use these awards to help them cover education related expenses such as certificate and graduate school programs, school supplies, and student loans upon completion of their service. The fellows’ days typically begin with meetings, either as a team or with on-campus entities to discuss Saint Mary’s various sustainability programs. After a break for lunch, the fellows transition to working in the garden. As summer comes to an end garden tasks include weeding, mulching, removing summer plants, and planting winter and cover crops. In the coming weeks, the garden will receive an exciting new addition—ninety native plants obtained through a Xerces Society for Invertebrates grant—and continue working on other events and projects aimed at involving the student body. The fellows discussed getting the garden’s pizza oven up and running, hosting a dance with the Garden Club, and collaborating with the free-store to host a sustainable Halloween pop-up. While these events are geared towards engaging the on-campus community, Drevno emphasized her goal to grow the garden so it can support the local community off-campus. Drevno focused on food justice, which she describes as “looking at our food systems and the way [they create] inequities and [are] perpetually unsustainable in [their] farming practices, harming the most vulnerable communities.” Drevno hopes that through implementing systems to increase the growth and distribution of the garden’s produce, the garden will become a “regional hub for food justice and sustainable practices.” Drevno plans to create a farm stand for fresh garden-grown produce and increase partnerships with local food justice organizations, such as the Alameda Point Collaborative, to prompt “discussions [about food justice] in the Bay Area and beyond.” As the garden nears its 13 year anniversary, Drevno reflects on the work of past garden stewards and volunteers, expressing gratitude for all they did to establish the garden and build the foundation for what it is today. The onboarding of the CA ClimateCorps fellows will help support Drevno in helping the garden deliver “healthy, culturally appropriate, food” to local on and off-campus communities, a goal which strongly aligns with Saint Mary’s Lasallian values and current strategic sustainability plan. If you are interested in getting involved, the Legacy Garden is located behind the South Claeys dormitory and volunteer hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:30PM and Fridays from 12:00-2:00PM.
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Saint Mary’s Theatre Program will be putting modern twists on this classic Shakespearean comedy. Performances take place in LeFevre Theatre November 2 to November 5, with a run time of two hours, including intermission. Tickets start at $8. (Image c/o writer) By Caledonia Buchanan American Journalism Student The members of Saint Mary’s Theatre Program have worked with esteemed Bay Area director M. Graham Smith to put together a modernized version of the Shakespearean classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with performances beginning Thursday, November 2nd. There will be one performance each day other than Saturday the 4th, where two different performances are available. Director M. Graham Smith says, “It is about a bunch of people who are in love with each other, with a bunch of little mismatches.” Senior Chloë Parmelee, who is playing the character Puck echoed a similar sentiment by saying, “All of these storylines intersect, which feels very different from other Shakespearean plays that I’ve experienced.”
Videographer Megan Young worked in conjunction with the production team to conduct interviews with members of the cast and crew. In this interview, Parmelee expressed the cast’s excitement in preparation for the show by saying, “Upperclassmen have very, very, good feelings about this being one of the best, if not the best, Saint Mary’s production we’ve had so far at our time at Saint Mary’s.” Smith described the feeling of the play by saying, “It’s a comedy, so it’s wildly funny, and you can expect to see a lot of madcap humor, a lot of really difficult questions to grapple with as you leave the theater, but ultimately a totally awesome, good time.” If you’re worried about understanding old English and typical Shakespearean language, senior Avery Monson, who is playing the character Demetrius, lets us know that “with this version, we have made it so clear to the audience what the actors are saying.” As for other modernized aspects, there are elements of queer and LGBTQ+ inclusivity involved in the play. Monson explains, “We have cast my character Demetrius, one of the lovers, who is traditionally a male, as a female character. So there is a queer relationship, and queer love in it.” Sophomore Carolyn Gersten has also been cast in a traditionally male role, Peter Quince, and has turned the character (who is in a leadership role) into a female character. These elements of queer relationships and changing the gender roles of the traditional play give this production a unique and modern take. The cast and crew were given liberties to shift and create a play that is based on the classic work, with these elements that are more relevant to the times. Tickets are available for purchase through the Saint Mary’s website. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support the production and witness the hard work that has gone into this play. A limited number of tickets are available at the door via cash or check, so buy yours early at stmarys-ca.edu/midsummer. The Theatre Program is trying out an earlier start time on Friday, November 3, at 4pm in the hopes of reaching the faculty, staff, and students before they head home for the weekend. Special thanks to videographer Megan Young for providing interviews and information for this article. Performances Thurs., Nov. 2 at 8pm Fri., Nov. 3 at 4pm Sat., Nov. 4 at 2pm & 8pm Sun., Nov. 5 at 2pm stmarys-ca.edu/midsummer A list of some of SMC’s favorite fall playlist picks. (Image c/o WNYC) Lillian La Salle Associate Editor It’s officially that time Saint Mary’s! Fall is upon us and coming on strong with the autumn leaves changing hue outside the Rec Center. The deer and squirrels are out and about regularly, and although we’ve got a few random 90-degree summer days this October, the temperature is nearing the 60s for our long-awaited sweater weather.
This year, it seems that the weather is actually matching up to the seasons. Although we had a brief heatwave, we have gotten to bypass last year’s 3-month heatwave that lasted all the way until November and seemed to cook the first years in their residence halls. Thankfully, the rain has graced us with its presence just after we enter the week before Halloween, leaving us with plenty of time to get excited for the Spooky Season. We all know music is the perfect thing to put us in a good mood. So why not influence our fall feelings with a whole setlist from some SMC students and staff? With midterms behind us and Fall in full swing, some of our Saint Mary’s students have offered up some of their favorite fall playlist picks for this 2023 season. You can find the list of fall favorites below, so get on your coziest hoodie and eat something pumpkin-flavored while you listen to these lyrical masterpieces: Gabbi Tolentino - Spooky: Jesse Springfield Autumn In New York: Ella Fitzgerald Tis Autumn: Nat King Cole AJ Clements - All Blues: Miles Davis Kaylin Hollerman - October Sky: Yebba Emma Fitch - There She Goes: The La’s Desirea Sturock - Andromeda: Weyes Blood Liar: Built to spill Blue Light: Mazzy star Paper Bag: Fiona Apple Kill of the Night: Gin Wigmore Jenevieve Monroe - Season of the Witch: Donavan Crystal: Stevie Nicks Madi Sciba - Sweater Weather: The Neighborhood Cerys Price - Spacegirl: Beach House Angelina Landeros - Talk It Up: Sammy Rae & The Friends Ashley Maravilla - We Fell in Love in October: girl in red Andrew Cabrera - Sparks: Coldplay Lillian La Salle - Francis Forever: Mitski Kat Legrama - My Life: JCole Professor Zeccardi - I Used to Be Young: Miley Cyrus The Pay Back: James Brown The Boss: James Brown Izzy Ruiz- CORALINE: MANESKIN Rigo Sainez- Mario Breakup: Gucci Honorable mentions: Falling Behind: Laufey I Think I Like When It Rains: WILLIS Was It Something I Said: Cavetown Junk of the Heart: The Kooks To the Mountains: Lizzy McAlpine Sweet Marie: Marcel Evangeline: Stephen Sanchez Dirty dancer: Orion Sun Taylor Marcus and the Girls Gain Confidence Initiative (Image c/o Just Giving) By Jenevieve Monroe News Editor At Saint Mary's College, you'll find alumni who are actively contributing to positive change throughout the Bay Area community. One notable example is Taylor Marcus, a graduate from Saint Mary’s class of 2020 with a degree in Justice, Community, and Leadership. Currently, she is in the final stages of completing her master’s program in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. Marcus serves as the Executive Director, founder, and CEO of Girls Gain Confidence, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black girls aged 12-17 through a variety of services. These include “mentoring, community engagement activities, field trips, tutoring, and educational events.” These initiatives are designed to enhance the self-confidence of participating mentees, cultivate academic excellence, and instill a sense of agency both “in and outside of the classroom.”
The program is structured on three levels: mentorship (level one), partnerships (level two), and community events (level three). Marcus explained that these levels are designed to extend support beyond the program’s designated cohorts. “Our goal is to ensure that Black girls in the Bay Area can readily access mentorship, educational workshops, and career advancement prospects.” When questioned about the source of her inspiration for Girls Gain Confidence, Marcus explained that the vision had been inspired from her youth. “I founded this nonprofit based on my experiences as an early teenager. I know firsthand how negative influences and unhealthy relationships can destroy a girl's self-esteem.” She explained that by initiating a program centered on “genuine love, unwavering support, positive representation, and a sense of accountability,” mentees could be motivated “to embrace their full potential rather than give in to the negative influences that often surround us.” Marcus also expressed that the mission of Girls Gain Confidence is centered in the transformative power of community. “GGC bridges the gap between families, educators, and Black girls. Our goal is to cultivate positive decision-making, academic excellence, and a strong sense of agency among our mentees.” She shared some testimonials from students that participated in the program and were inspired moving forward in their academic careers. "This year I've been trying to dodge conflict, but last year I ran straight towards it. I’ve changed because I don't fight anymore, and my grades are good now. In 7th grade I had no self-respect. I didn't even know what it was. Now I do." (Student, 2022) "When I started Girls Group, I was the girl who wanted friends. Now I'm the girl who prioritizes herself and I do what makes me happy. My perspective on conflict has changed because now I know to choose my battles wisely. I will stay true to myself in high school." (Student, 2022) Throughout her professional journey, Marcus has remained connected to the Saint Mary’s community. Girls Gain Confidence has established partnership with one of Saint Mary’s service opportunities, known as the Community Engagement Program. Students participating in this program are collaborating with Marcus to advance her nonprofit's mission. Their contributions include providing one-on-one research for careers and higher educational opportunities, media focused outreach through marketing strategies, and organizing fundraising efforts for the nonprofit’s annual Historically Black College Tour. On this trip, the mentees will have the opportunity to travel to schools like Texas Southern, Prairie View, Howard, and Hampton University. All donations will go towards covering the costs of travel and lodging. If you are interested in supporting the mission and mentees of Girls Gain Confidence, check out their website at www.girlsgainconfidence.org or their Instagram account. If you would like to support fundraising efforts for the Historically Black College Tour, go online to the JustGiving.com Donation Server and search “Girls Gain Confidence (Oakland) - HBCU Student Tour”. By Ingrid Alkire
American Journalism Student By Lucy Bikahi
American Journalism Student Exclusive interview with Sabrina Hamor, Saint mary's social media and digital content manager10/6/2023 By Roya Amirsheybani
American Journalism Student By Sarah Bagdon
American Journalism Student Does Oliver provide students with dietary needs enough options? (Image c/o https://sweetkickinsalsa.com/change-up-party-food-with-burrito-bar/) By Lillian La Salle Associate Editor Does Oliver have enough options for students? Personally, I would say yes, but I eat the same thing every day because you never know if the cooked chicken will be divine or similar to a Goodyear Tire. Many students with dietary restrictions have voiced concern with the dining hall food. Although we have the salad and pasta bar, grill, dietary restriction area, and central meal station, more times than we would think students with dietary needs are left out of the loop. Students who are pescatarian rarely get proper protein-rich meals because so much of Oliver's protein comes from beef, pig, and chicken products. Yes, we always have tofu on hand, but if dietary flexibility is advertised, then more than once every two weeks should the dining hall be offering seafood for these students. There are other solutions offered such as the side dishes, but students with dietary needs proposed that there can be a burrito bar in Oliver to showcase the occasional shrimp burrito or fish taco. Now, this may seem like a stretch, but hear me out. The bar next to the salad toppings is empty for the most part, and this would be the perfect place for it. Oliver already has beef and chicken that are always being made at the grill, and they can transfer some of it over to the new food stations. The salad bar has onions, corn, and cheese, and Oliver can invest in sour cream and tortillas for students to make their own. Students already have a high demand for rice and beans whenever Oliver has a nacho station for late night, so they can add those ingredients to their permanent supplies list instead of trying to experiment with different dishes each night. For our students with dietary restrictions, there would be fish available at least 5 out of the seven days a week, and all students would get to enjoy the new food station that is always a favorite whenever it makes an appearance at dinner or late-night. If Oliver is feeling a little crazy, maybe one day they'll sprinkle in a little bit of guacamole for students as well. Oliver does its best to provide food for our students, and personally, I really enjoy it. However, I understand the challenges for other students when they can't quite figure out what they like at the dining hall, especially for those with dietary needs that seem to be brushed to the side. If the burrito bar is not a possibility, then maybe this can be a call to the Good Eating Company to give more protein options to their students with dietary needs. Dear Saint Mary’s Community,
As we begin another school year here at Saint Mary’s, it seems important to focus on the future rather than reminisce on the past. I would like to thank the last two Editors-in-Chief, Kiera and Ryan, for all the work they put into the Collegian last year. The new Associate Editor, Lilly, and I are excited to take over the Collegian and make it better than ever. We have big plans for this upcoming year and hope to breathe new life into the paper. With everything from releasing a print edition once a month to publishing online once a week, I am planning on keeping the Collegian writers busy. By publishing frequently, I am hoping that we will be able to increase our readership and presence around Saint Mary’s. With a new logo design in the works and the restructuring of the writing sections (the culture section has now been replaced with an on campus section and an entertainment section), I have big plans for the Collegian this year. Including all the writers we already had on staff plus the ones who are joining throughout the year, I just know that this is going to be one of the best years for the Collegian. Looking forward to a great year, Madison Sciba Editor-in-Chief |
STAFFMadison Sciba '24, |