The Alvernian- Volume 59 issue 5

in

Adnan Syed: Where The Case Went Wrong

Sarah Mies

Managing Editor

The state of Maryland released Adnan Syed from prison on September 19, 2022. He was sentenced to life plus 30 years back in 2000 for the murder of Hae Min Lee, his ex-girlfriend.

On September 14, a motion to vacate was filed against the judgment of Syed, and less than a week later, he went home for the first time in over two decades. After years of investigation, the state discovered that the evidence the state presented against Syed back in 2000 was faulty. The integrity of the investigation and trial is now in question. On October 11, 2022, the DA of Balitmore Country dropped all charges against Syed after discovering that DNA evidence ruled him out as a suspect. Why was he charged to begin with? Why did an innocent man spend 22 years in jail? To understand, one must start by breaking down the case.

On January 13, 1999, 18-year-old Hae Min Lee disappeared after school. On February 9, Lee’s body was discovered in Leakin Park in Baltimore County, Maryland. She was buried in the park, and the medical examiner at the time found the cause of death be strangulation along with blunt force trauma to the head. Not too long after, Adnan Syed became a suspect. He and Lee had dated for a while but broke up in December of 1998. At the beginning of the investigation, the police had multiple suspects. However, the spotlight landed on Syed after a man named Jay Wilds came to the police.

Wilds was a friend of Syed and claims he was with him throughout the day on January 13. According to the motion to vacate, Wilds testified that “Defendant said he was going to kill the victim, Defendant admitted to strangling the victim, Defendant showed Wilds

the body in the trunk of her car, and Wilds helped the Defendant bury the body in Leakin Park.” This testimony became the main component, along with some cell phone records, for the case against Syed.

While Wilds’ testimony built the case for the prosecution, but this is where the problems began. Wilds’ story changed many times between his various interviews with the police and his testimony at trial. One of the leading detectives on the case, Greg MacGillivary, said: “that Wilds’ statements to the police had lots of inconsistencies and regarded them as lies” (from the transcript of the trial). The inconstancies had to do with the location of which Syed allegedly showed Wilds Lee’s body in the trunk, the timing of the murder, where they went after the murder, and who they saw that day. Somehow, these lies did not make Wilds an unreliable witness, and his testimony was allowed in court. The initial trial in this case ended in a mistrial due to the behavior of the defense attorney Crisitna Gutierrez, who was representing Syed. After the mistrial, Wilds’ story changed again for the second trial.

The other central aspect of the prosecution’s case against Syed was cell

phone records from Syed’s phone. Wilds makes many claims in his testimony regarding who had the phone and the calls that were made. The cellphone records created a timeline for Wilds’ story. However, only four out of 14 calls made on the day Lee disappeared corroborate Wilds’ testimony.

Neither the phone records nor Wilds’ testimony would be enough to find Syed guilty, but putting both together was helpful to the state’s case. Gutierrez failed to properly interview witnesses, properly crossexamine those testifying against Syed, and disregarded vital information to the case because she “seemingly did not realize the importance” of evidence presented in the case materials, including witness testimony, timing issues, and lack of motive.

The second trial ended with a guilty verdict for Syed, and he was sentenced to life plus 30 years. After the trial was over, the investigation never really stopped. The case of Hae Min Lee was covered heavily in the media. The hit podcast series “Serial” goes into deep detail and contains information directly from Syed. There is also a four-part documentary series on HBO regarding this case.

Pieces are starting to come together, and the public is now aware of more issues in this case that makes the guilty verdict for

Syed questionable. One of the issues has to do with Detective William Ritz, who worked alongside Detective MacGillivary on the case. In the motion to vacate, the public learns Ritz’s lack of work in some investigations has put innocent civilians behind bars for decades. Once these detectives began focusing on Syed, they disregarded any other suspects and built a case against him instead of searching for the truth.

Since the trial has ended, it was discovered that any phone records “would not be considered reliable information for location,” making them practically worthless. Both Wilds’ testimony and the cell records, the main components of the prosecution’s case, are unreliable. It is difficult to grasp that even with the severe lack of evidence against Syed, the defense lost the case. Gutirrez was later disbarred for failure to perform proper legal work.

Hae Min Lee’s murder remains a mystery. Two new suspects have been discovered; their names have not yet been shared with the public. These two suspects are said to have a motive, previous history of violence against women, and connections to important locations for the crime. The motion to vacate also announces that “one suspect was improperly cleared as a suspect” during the original investigation in 1999.

One may wonder, if there is no concrete evidence that Syed committed this murder, why did the investigation solely focus on him? There is no definitive answer to this question. But it is important to note that Syed was a Muslim, and bias may have played a role when it comes to his conviction.

There is a great deal of information on this case that can be researched for hours. This article is a small snapshot of all the known information. Readers are encouraged to learn more.

Adnan Syed before and after his 22 year sentance in jail

Credit: Rabia Chaudry on Instagram

Managing Editor Sarah Mies

Section Editors

Sarah Mies

Laura Nentwig Ashley Rogers

Jennifer Weasner

Contributing Writers

Maria Fajardo-Vargas

Kevaughn Ferguson

Kevin Kazokas

Yesenia Maldonado

Teresa Marsh Sarah Mies Tony Mongeluzi Laura Nentwig Ashley Rogers Dane Sabarese Peter Smith Sherrin Smith Jennifer Weasner

Layout Sarah Mies

Faculty Adviser Ryan lange

The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University. To contact newspaper staff, the office telephone number is 610-796-8358.

Articles submitted for consideration into The Alvernian should be written in some semblance of AP style. Letters to the editor, requests for advertisements, and general comments and questions may be submitted to ryan.lange@alvernia.edu.

The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, and length.

The views expressed in The Alvernian are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the student body, faculty, staff, administration, or sponsors.

Advice

Six Study Tips To Get You Through CollegeYesenia Maldonado

Contributing Writer

When it comes to all the stress and busyness that comes with exams, presentations, and being a college student in general, it’s crucial to learn how to manage your time and energy! Want to create a better balance between work and free time, and maybe stray away from cramming and pulling allnighters?

Here are some things to consider, along with some advice from some great Alvernia students:

1. Find Your Own Space

To allow yourself to focus and review important material, finding a study space that works for you is crucial! This could be in the library, Starbucks, or in your room. Or, like Akilah Hoxter, use your bedroom floor!

“Believe it or not, I have never done homework at my actual desk,” Hoxter, an Athletic Training major, said, “Always make sure you’re somewhere comfortable when doing work, just not too comfortable.”

Everyone is different, so find what works for you and venture out to find a new location occasionally!

2. Make a Schedule

Allotting a specific time for you to spend studying is an excellent way to stay organized. It’s best to receive information in doses, and it will not make you feel overwhelmed.

“Do not study one day

before an exam.” Marisol Martinez-Alvarez, a Business Management and Marketing Major, said, “It’s best to segment the chapter/concepts that need to be studied into different days.”

Allotting even an hour a day throughout your week can make a massive difference in the way you review and retain information!

3. Take Notes

During a class, it is essential to take notes. This can be important to look back on when reviewing an exam and helpful in drafting a paper. While you can do this on a computer, many studies have shown that taking notes by handwriting further assists memory. As you look to retain and internalize the presented information, writing by hand is the better option!

Hoxter recommends doing a bit of both, “Write down and type your notes,” she said, “It sounds like a lot but if it helps you remember I say go for it!”

4. Take Breaks

Occasionally, you should take a step back. Allowing some time to enjoy socializing, a hobby or something away from your studies is key to avoiding burnout.

“I like to take breaks with some friends,” Alettya ZalapaAlonso, a Psychology major, said, “or take some personal time to breathe and take things in.”

5. Find Your Own Style

Everyone learns and studies differently! From learning in groups or alone, dedicating various hours to studying, or using different academic tools.

“I love to make flashcards,” Hoxter said, “and it helps to go back over the points and look over them.”

It is essential to learn how you best retain information, how you best take notes, and how your best review and focus.

“I like to build cognitive maps connecting concepts, theories, and significant figures.” Alonso said, “I like to try and read ahead of time and jot down notes so I can add any comments or additional information during class time.”

Most importantly, you should be aware of what information you comprehend rather than memorize.

“I try to understand the concepts I am being taught by using/comparing real-world examples occurring in the business industry,” Alvarez said.

6. Know Your Weaknesses

Be aware of what is keeping you from studying. Are you a procrastinator? Do you get easily distracted? Once you become aware of your weaknesses, you can learn the best way to tackle them. Whether that is by finding a schedule to stick to, learning to study in intervals, or, as Alvarez said, removing all distractions away from you, “the main one being your phone.”

For many students, especially within different majors, there are several ways to approach reading a textbook, reviewing, and studying! Whether that is by making flashcards, taking notes while reading, or finding real-world applications to what you are learning! But all agree that finding a spot to focus, building a schedule, and learning what works for you all contribute to successful studying!

Editor’s Book of the Month

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Alvernia Student, Aleksandra Kolesnikova, studying in the CollegeTowne Starbucks

Credit: Yesenia Maldnado

“The Woman’s Hour” by Elaine Weiss

During election season, it is important to remember the fight that was taken for all citizens to have the right to vote. “The Woman’s Hour” covers the complex story of the women’s sufferage movement.

Advice

Five Healthy Ways to Fight Winter Depression

Ashley Rogers Contributing Editor

As we enter the fall and winter months, it is crucial to recognize seasonal affective depression (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year, which usually tends to be the winter months due to the lack of sunlight during this time. There are more than 3 million cases per year of SAD, ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms usually include fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal(6). Although the fall and winter months can be gloomy, there are several ways to fight SAD and keep your mind healthy.

Professionals suggest a few ways to fight SAD, which include therapy, such as light therapy, talk therapy, and medication. They also recommend self-care such as physical exercise. OB Coordinator at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Allyson Freda, RN, BSN, IBCLC, speaks on the matter by stating “exercise definitely can help since it releases endorphins which make you feel good.” She also explains that “medication is probably the last resort since no one wants to be on medication unless absolutely necessary.”

In addition to professional methods, other activities that SAD sufferers could try include journaling, going for a walk while listening to music, arts and crafts such as painting, reading, and physical exercise. Allyson Freda confirms, “these are all great ways to deal with depression.” These activities can help encourage creativity and mindfulness during gloomy days. Recent Monmouth University graduate, Kyra Stroz, favors these methods by sharing that “exercise and reading helps me relieve stress and take my mind off life and just relax. It makes me feel calm and happier.”

Journaling can be a great way to express one’s thoughts and feelings onto paper to encourage positive selftalk and identify negative thoughts. Freshman student at Mercer County Community College, Jordyn Freda, explains “with my depression I seem to do a lot of journal

writing and crafts while listening to music to take my mind off things.” Some benefits of journaling that can help students specifically include improving mental health, encouraging self-confidence, inspiring creativity, boosting memory, and helping achieve goals. While journaling, identifying goals and fears can help one understand themself better and acknowledge what can be done to improve their life.

Another beneficial activity for fighting SAD is going for a walk while also listening to music. Music “triggers the release of neurochemicals that can help boost our mental health.” (5). It releases dopamine, the “happy hormone,” and increases the body’s mood stabilization. Music has a great effect on the brain, and recent findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explain that “dopamine- a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in our cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning- plays a direct role in the reward experience induced by music” (7). Music evokes pleasure and promotes emotions.

In addition, walking increases the blood flow and circulation to the brain and body, therefore boosting one’s mood (4). This combination can be a relaxing yet effective way to keep one’s mind and body healthy during the winter months.

Walking is form of exercise which releases endorphins and makes you feel good, especially while listening to music, all the “happy hormones” come into play!

Arts and crafts, specifically painting, can be very therapeutic for those who feel the need to clear their mind.

Painting “allows the mind to focus on the images at hand and on nothing else (3).” From personal experience, painting allows your mind to focus solely on what is right in front of you. Painting can alleviate anxiety and depression while providing more self-confidence and engagement.

A common way to escape from a dull reality is by reading. Although one can do the same by watching television or scrolling through

social media, reading is much more beneficial for your mind. Reading can be therapeutic by “increasing self-awareness, improving self-esteem, and aiding the ability to face developmental crisis.” (2). Reading can be useful to aid in “treatment of depression, mild alcohol abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, and communication issues.”

Finding a specific genre or author you like can make reading much more enjoyable and the benefits that come from it will keep your mind sharp.

Last but certainly not least, physical exercise is one of the best forms of self-care, for not only your body but your mind. Exercise is a natural and very effective anti-anxiety treatment. It relieves stress and tension and promotes self-esteem and cognitive function(1).

Exercise is a proven mood booster as it increases endorphin levels. Putting 30 minutes of physical exercise into your everyday routine will provide a significant difference in the way you go about your life. It will allow you to think more clearly and have a more positive attitude facing your days.

Seasonal affective depression is very common among students. It is important to recognize this and encourage positive behaviors and thoughts through healthy outlets. Although the holidays are an exciting time for some, there are others who may struggle and need creative ways to promote mindfulness in their lives. These activities are

varied so they may be applied to a large audience. There is something for everyone and it is essential to provide selfcare to keep your mind calm and peaceful during gloomier times.

Cited1.Sharma, Ashish, et al. “Exercise for Mental Health.” Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., 2006

2. Team, GoodTherapy Editor. “Bibliotherapy.” GoodTherapy, GoodTherapy, 5 Sept. 2016,

3. Fitness Revolution. “Top 10 Health Benefits of Painting.” Health Fitness Revolution, 16 July 2020

4. How Walking Can Benefit Your Mental Health.” WebMD, WebMD,

5. Row Music. “The Musical Life: How Music Promotes Positive Mental Health and Healing.” Front Row Music, 6 Apr. 2022,

6. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Dec. 2021

7. “Listening to the music you love will make your brain release more dopamine” 2019.

Class Registration for Spring 2022 begings

advisor and plan ahead!

Some books; reading is great for mental wellness

Credit: Ashely Rogers

R E W A S T H E F I R S T O K T O B E R F E S T

A R E T H E 3 Z O D I A C S I G N S O F T H E

O N T H D O E S D A Y L I G H T S A V I N G T

T I N G R E D I E N T S A R E I N P U M P K I N

Y O U N A M E T H E C O L O R S O F C A N D F R O M T O P T O B O T T O M ?

T O R I C A L L Y , W H A T W A S F A L L O R A O R I G I N A L L Y C A L L E D ?

W M A N Y V A R I E T I E S

E R E J A C K O L A T E R N S O R I G I N A L L Y

T S P O R T O F T E N M A R T H E F A L L S E

V E G E T A B L E I S O F T E N C A R V E D D U R F A L L ?

TFnowledge on the season full of suga everything nice!

Books Every Young Adult Needs to Read

Teresa Marsh

Contributing Writer

The average attention span is 8 seconds. Social media is designed to work within that boundary and has its users constantly scrolling and liking posts to cure boredom. Today, we can buy things online and have them at our doorstep in less than 24 hours. And yet, reading, a very oldschool behavior, is seeing a resurgence in younger people’s Jasmine Smith, the librarian at Alvernia University voiced her opinion on how the impact of technology has affected people reading. Smith says, “I think in a lot of ways it makes us read a lot more. We have e-books, and kindles

and can virtually download any book anywhere at any time.” Millennials read more than other generations in America. Writer

David DiSalvo from Forbes magazine says, “Seventy-eight percent of Americans had read at least one book in the previous 12 months, with 83 percent among those aged between 16 and 29.” It is also reported that Millennials are also the biggest library-goers of the five generations.

Reading has many benefits for people. Even in grammar school, teachers made us fill out a weekly reading log to keep us on track. Reading may have seemed like a chore when we were younger, but with maturity comes an understanding of how important reading is to our growth and development as human beings.

Reading strengthens brain activity by getting one to think and process what they just read. When we are mindlessly scrolling through TikTok’s of people dancing to “The Renegade,” our mind does not do much intellectual deciphering.

As young adults,

books help us find out who we truly are in a time of significant personal change. Being in our 20s is not an easy job, as everything is changing all around us. However, books can be a constant. Books will always be there for you.

Here are 5 books that every young adult needs to read in their life.

1) Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven

The word “inspiring” for this nonfiction book is a complete understatement.

Admiral McRaven tells the story of enlisting into the Navy where he learns 10 lifelong lessons during his 6-month Navy SEAL training. Make Your Bed is a true story and Admiral McRaven tells his challenges to the graduating class of the University of Texas on their Commencement Day. Each chapter is a new lesson that the reader should take away with them.

Admiral McRaven overcomes adversity time after time while keeping the reader fully invested and on the edge of their seat. It is important to remember that in your 20s, it is not

unusual to feel unsure of one’s life path. It is a common feeling that can be resolved by being open-minded to all the world has to offer.

2) Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

This dystopian novel is a classic and has been around for quite some time. Even some school systems have required this reading for their students because of the crucial question it leaves with the readers: would they rather be comfortable and accept things the way they are or be the one’s to change the system? In this futuristic world, emotions are removed from the children, and they are conditioned to believe certain “truths” for their society to run smoothly. Sounds a bit too familiar. Interestingly enough, this book has been banned in some school systems for being obscene. This controversial classic is worth the read.

3) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Coelho does an exceptional job of including symbolism to get a great message across. Alchemy is preoccupied with transforming base metals into gold but is also an allegory for turning one’s dreams into a reality and embarking on one’s personal journey. After finishing this book, we learn there is only one real reason that an individual may never accomplish their dream, the fear of failure. Overcoming the fear of failure is a perfect message for a young adult that may feel overwhelmed in today’s world. Alvernia senior, Marissa James read Coelho’s novel back in July. James says, “The Alchemist taught me to stay grounded while also having the

courage to pursue my dreams.”

4) It’s All In Your Head by Russ

Many young adults may already be familiar with the author, Russ. That is because Russ is also a mainstream rapper, producer, singer, and songwriter. It’s All In Your Head is a piece that is targeted at the younger generation when elders tell them they cannot do something. This novel inspires readers to work hard and stay driven and focused on their goals. 41% of Gen Z and Millennials suffer from anxiety. Russ inspires readers to get out of their way and believe in themself. It’s all a mental game.

5) Atomic Habits by James Clear

Self-help books tend to be a fan favorite by Millennials. These types of books push us to be the very best version of ourselves, all while making it interesting. This book is about tiny, small changes that a person can create to form a habit. It takes 66 days to form a habit. 66 days and that small change will then become a daily instinct. We can use those 66 days for good to improve our minds, body, and soul. Or we can waste those 66 days.

These five books are perfect for young adults trying to navigate their place in this hectic world. Books have the power to change a person’s mindset. They hold the answers to some of life’s most uncertain questions. Books enlighten us in every aspect and are here to stay. It is up to us to use them as a resource and open our ears to listen to what they have to say.

Books in Alvernia’s Franco library

Credit: Teresa Marsh

TriviA Answers

Ten Places You Must See During Fall

Kevaughn Ferguson

Contributing Writer

With Fall finally underway, there are many exciting events and places that you must see before the season passes. And for October, many eerie events await you in the spirit of Halloween.

Ricketts Glenn State Park, located in Scranton PA, Ricketts Glenn is a beautiful park to visit in the Fall. The park is known mainly for its various waterfalls and moderately challenging hiking trails. The park is 13,193 acres and has a 7.2-mile trail and a smaller 3.2-mile trail where hikers can access most waterfalls. Visiting in the Fall amplifies the park’s beauty as multicolored leaves mesh well with its hilly landscape. It’s a perfect place to picnic and take plenty of photos with family and friends. Due to the area being mostly hills, though, be ready to meet some steep climbs along the way.

Jim Thorpe is a small town in the Pocono mountains reminiscent of a European village. It has many activities to participate in and fun places to visit as well! Some activities include white water rafting, Pocono biking, Archery, paintball, and more. Some fun places are the Muggles Mug Café based on the famous novel Harry Potter, Molly’s Maguire Irish Pub, and Quiet Hills Lavender farm.

Jim Thorpe truly has something for everyone during the Fall, especially with the fall foliage event that takes place every weekend in October.

Fall Foliage includes train rides Arts and Crafts even spooky ghost tours. Entry is free, but you must pay for the services there.

Worlds End State Park is located in

Sullivan County and has 780 acres (about the area of Central Park in New York City) of land. You can go camping or hiking in the Fall and it has vantage points that will give a fantastic view of the vibrant colors the trees comprise every October. While there, you can go fishing in Loyalsock Lake and visit its 20-mile worth of trails.

There is plenty to do, from snowmobiling to rafting, there’s something for everyone!

Weavers’ orchard is a place many people in berks are familiar with as it is not only close by but has many interactive and memorable things to do. They provide fruit picking that changes with the season. In October, you can pick apples of different varieties and pumpkins that can be used for festive activities. They have a farmers’ market that is open all year round and easy recipes that you can make with their fruit. Make sure to attend their fall family fun days from September 17th to October 29th Every Saturday. More information is on their website.

Oktober fest in Reading Liederkranz, is an annual event occurring from September 28th to October 2nd. It comprises various musical performances and vendors that change each day of the event. Oktoberfest is a celebration of German history as the event has been celebrated for over 200 years. There will be many different German breweries there too. You must be 21 to purchase.

Longwood Gardens located in Kennett Square, Chester County, is a beautiful botanical garden that fits all your sightseeing needs. For 20$, you can explore

the 1077 acres of land filled with 20 indoor gardens and 400 acres of outdoor gardens. There is an astounding 10,000 species of plants held there, so you will not run out of things to explore. Some October events are Fountain Performances, Succulent creation, The Chrysanthemum festival, and more. Places to prepare you for HALLOWEEN: Pennhurst Asylum is the perfect place to get you shocked into the Halloween season. Located at Bridge St and Church Street in Spring City PA, this haunted hospital complex has three attractions known as “The Legendary Pennhurst Asylum,” “The Pennhurst Asylum Morgue,” and “The Pennhurst Tunnels.” Zombies will roam around the property and try to frighten you while you are not looking. You can also participate in the Pennhurst Asylum’s paranormal investigation, where you will search the haunted Mayflower all or the Philadelphia Tunnels for spirits. This takes place from 8 pm – 2 am and All three attractions cost 50$, the investigation costs 99$.

Shocktober fest is a massive, haunted event that takes place every year from September 23rd to November 5th in Sinking Spring, PA. Shocktober fest’s attractions include A zombie hayride tour, The Unknown 3.0, Prison of the Undead, Midway Massacre, and zombie assault. Other activities include the haunted escape room and Haunted Hotel room, where you can stay the night. This event has a lot to offer, with music and plenty of food. Entry to the grounds is free, while the cost for attractions is 30$ for one, 40$ for 2, and 50$ for all.

Haunted Hills

Estate Park located in Fayette County, is a national-level haunted Park housing five attractions, axe throwing, paintball, Live entertainment, and more. The props, acting, and atmosphere at this park are superb, so be ready for a scare! General admission is 35 dollars, but there are many more options to choose from.

Field of Screams located in Lancaster, is the number 1# rated haunted attraction in PA. It has four haunted attractions, Live Music Events, and incredible performances that would frighten anyone. Each attraction is unique and will provide many different dangers and fears than the last. It’s open from September 9th through November 12th and costs 40$ for all Four attractions.

Finding things to do in the Fall can be challenging, especially with Halloween fast approaching. Use this list as your guide to make the most out of this season. Whether you want to explore some relaxing places or attend frightening events, there is something here for everyone

Clock Tower in Jim Thorpe, PA

Credit: Kevaughn Ferguson

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Convenience store crimes: what, where, and why?

Peter Smith

Contributing Writer

A gunman shot by an officer outside a Wawa in Reading. A clerk tied up and held at gunpoint at a Turkey Hill in Ephrata. A catalytic converter filched off a Sheetz maintenance van in Shoemakersville. Crimes at local convenience stores are on the rise. Back in 2019, 6.6% of all robberies were held in convenience stores. In 2020, this was raised to 10%.

2020 crime statistics from the FBI show that convenience stores are the fourth most common locations for violent crime. To put that in perspective, stores like 7-Eleven are more likely to be robbed or shot up compared to Walmart, Applebee’s, or a Holiday Inn.

Why do people commit these heinous acts at convenience stores? After all, shoplifting a bag of Doritos is nothing compared to holding a clerk by their shirt collar and demanding they open the safe. To answer this question, we must first ask why people commit these crimes in general. It could be done for drugs or as a get-richquick scheme.

“Some are more impulsive than others,” says criminal justice professor Rosemary McFee. She

explains that people who do this for drugs do not plan things out. However, plenty of other people will plan out every little detail of a robbery.

The routine activities theory states that crimes require three main components. First is a motivated offender, or who is committing the crime and why. Second is a suitable target, analyzing how easy it is to commit the crime. And third is the lack of capable guardians, which involves paying attention to exits, an escape plan, and how often the police visit. If everything lines up right, that would be money in the bank.

But what about the people who just want to “stick it to the man” and wreak havoc? On the evening of September 24, 2022, a Wawa in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia was ransacked by several juveniles, some as young as ten years old! These kids threw food at each other, destroyed displays, twerked on the counters, and fought each other in the parking lot. No one was injured, but the store suffered thousands of dollars in damage.

With this horrible situation, one must ask why the police did not do much besides break up the fighting. Professor McFee suggests that there are several reasons. For one, the police have

some discretion when it comes to juveniles. There could be more to the story that they cannot tell the media. Also, behavior of this kind goes back to the owner of the location. What do they want done?

Better question, where are these kids’ parents? Did they know this was happening? They must know now with all the news headlines. Perhaps they did not have much control over what their kids were up to that night.

Convenience stores are a very easy, attractive target for criminals. These locations tend to be open 24 hours a day. It would be easy to steal during the night when fewer employees are on the clock. Combine that with poor exterior lighting and a centralized location, and you have a burglar bullseye.

Additionally, these stores tend to be stacked with bills and coins. Many people will choose to pay for small transactions in cash as opposed to a card. A person could head in for a sandwich, a pack of cigarettes, or a slushie and keep loose change while saving their card for the big spending. Granted, most of this money would be protected by a time-locked safe, but cash in the registers is vulnerable to an armed robber.

Incidents of this nature can have devastating effects on the victims, bystanders, and the entire

community. Injuries or deaths can frequently occur, especially if an employee chooses to engage.

According to the FBI, strong-arm tactics were used in 44.8% of robberies in 2019, and firearms were used in 36.4% of robberies.

Survivors and witnesses may be traumatized by the sights and sounds of a catastrophe like this.

“I don’t think anybody’s ever ready to see blood,” says McFee. Additionally, the store could lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damages or theft. In order to recoup the lost funds, product prices may rise.

For those who work in a convenience store, make sure you receive proper training and have plenty of security measures in place. The best way to protect yourself against an armed robber is to just give them the money; human lives will always be more valuable.

Remember that these thieves always think they can get away with it. “I won’t be the one to get caught!” However, you can absolutely keep your store safe from crime. (And treat yourself with a hoagie for a job well done.)

Jackson Mississippi Water Crisis

Kevin Kaokas

Mission Moment

Contributing Writer

The failure of the main water treatment plant in Jackson, Mississippi, means 180,000 people in the capital city and its surrounding areas will be without reliable drinking water for the foreseeable future. The intersection of two disasters infrastructure failure and river flooding exacerbated a preexisting water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi.

Torrential rain and flooding of the Pearl River in Jackson Mississippi has overwhelmed the already broken city main water plant for the city of Jackson. This is not the first time Jackson has endured periods of

non-drinkable water. For years there has been times where the water in Jackson would be shut off. Not because people were not paying their water bill but because the water was un safe to drink due to high levels of lead in the water. Or because a big water pipe had burst and needed to be fixed. Something must be done to ensure the people of Jackson Mississippi this will not happen again and they do not have to worry about having clean water to use for everyday necessities.

In mid-to-late August 2022. Jackson state football coach Deion Sanders says this crisis is way bigger then football. But before the season opener for Jackson state vs. Florida A&M Snaders said that they hope to

give the community a little relief and give them a way to get their minds off the situation. The Jackson state football team has given the their city a way to get their minds off the water crisis.

Jackson state demolished their week one opponent Florida A&M by a score of 59-3. They hope this can give the people of Jackson Mississippi a little distraction from the water crisis and can allow them to have some fun in such hard times.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Tuesday that the city has had “many, many plans” to fund repairs for its beleaguered drinking water system.(Mississippitoday.org)

As of now Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has yet to release details on what future plans he has for Jackson Mississippi. The citizens of Jackson now asking how Mayor Lumumba and other higher ups will prevent this type of water crisis from happening again in the future. This is a very important question to answer because nobody wants over 180,000 people to have to live without running water again.

The Wawa on Lancaser Ave where the shooting took place

Credit: Peter Smith

Water being Delivered to Jackson, Mississippi

Credit: Wiki Commons

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

- Omar Khayyam

locAl

Swartz’s Farm Activities

Maria Fajardo-Vargas Contributing Writer

Swartz’s Roadside Stand, located in Mohnton, offers a variety of fun fall activities for people of all ages. Aside from being able to purchase fresh produce like pumpkins and turkeys, Swartz’s paid, and free events attract people from across the area looking to get into the autumn holiday spirit. Dennis Swartz is the latest owner of the farm, which has been in the Swartz family for four generations.

Pumpkins, mums, and various products are available at the roadside farm. It also provides nonGMO eggs and chickens, as well as turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday. Non-GMO eggs do not contain traces of genetically engineered crops. The US Food & Drug Administration defined GMOs (genetically modified organisms) as plants, animals, or organisms whose DNA has been altered using a process

Sign at entrance of Swartz’s Farm

called genetic engineering1. With November and December approaching, planning is key. Supply chain problems may make it difficult to get your holiday turkey, but buying local gets around those problems and supports the local economy.

Swartz’s Roadside Stand has a variety of programs and events for the community to interact with their barn animals. Their programs are affordable and well-received in the community. Prices vary

from $2 to $20. They have many occasions, such as the Annual Fall fest, “Come See Santa and His Sheep,” and Vincenzo’s Do it Local Pop-Up Meal. Pop-Up Meals are curbside services by local restaurants at a set location. Pop-Up Meal is a service provided by Do-It Local Berks Organization from local restaurants. Swartz Roadside Stand has a partnership with Do-it Local Berks and has done Pop-Up Meals events from Vincenzo’s and Mimmo’s Restaurant2.

Swartz’s Roadside Stand has public and private farm tours, including a hayride and a tour of the entire farm and its barn animals. Farm tours are a good way to reconnect with nature, get fresh air, and understand how your food is produced. This learning experience allows you to support local growers.

One program that the farm offers is the walka-program. People can schedule a sheep walk with a farmer for $15 for thirty minutes. The Sheep Walk program is a therapeutic program to gain knowledge about these amazing animals.

Baby Goat Yoga is a very popular class on this farm. This was a beginner class that did not require you to know any advanced yoga techniques. The farm also has another yoga event that includes the chickens and sheep.

Lamb Cuddle Session is yet another program the

farm offers. You can come and enjoy cuddle sessions with baby lambs as well as feed them treats and play with them. People who do not want to do Baby Goat Yoga may prefer this program. Other events included mini photo sessions with baby goats, Barnopoly, and B.A.R.N. Bingo, and free events where people can see baby chicks and ducklings.

Children’s Storytime with goats is a free event where children can listen to stories while playing with baby goats and doing crafts. People can also sign up for free at a Bottle Feed Baby Goats event, where you may feed the baby lamb with the milk bottle.

For more information, you can visit www. Swartzsroadsidestand.com or visit them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ swartzsroadsidestand.

Created by Jennifer Weasner

Credit: Maria Fajardo-Vargas

opinion

Credit: Tony Mongeluzi

Why Not Eat More Veggies?

Tony Mongeluzi Contributing Writer

Chick-Fil-A is one of the most popular fast-food chains and by size, it is the third largest fastfood chain in the United States. Recently it has gotten bigger and bigger, and it is by far the most popular chicken fast-food chain. With all this said, however, people are starting to become even more health conscious. So why hasn’t Chick-Fil-A explored adding more healthier options to its menu?

Some people may say ChickFil-A has options for vegetarians

and vegans already. Chick-Fil-A themselves have said they have many options for this demographic like biscuits, hashbrowns, fruit, yogurt, salads, waffle fries, and their milkshakes that are vegan friendly. And while some of those are good, who wants to eat a kale salad with fries? It defeats the purpose. None of these options seem very filling either. Say someone is very hungry. How will a low-calorie offering meal meet their needs? That’s where veganfriendly alternatives would come into play.

Chick-Fil-A already has a huge following of loyal supporters that will wait in line for a considerable

length of time to get their nuggets or sandwich. Why should they appeal to the vegetarian and vegan demographic more? If Chick-Fil-A could appeal more to the vegetarian and vegan demographic, that that potentially means more profit which will be explained later in the article. On top of this, more people would consider Chick-Fil-A because of its new variety of options.

Other fast-food chains are exploring non-meat options. Fast food chains like Burger King (Impossible Whopper) and Starbucks (Impossible Breakfast Sandwich) have both implemented “impossible” sandwiches into their menus. What do they mean by “impossible” though? Well, “impossible” meat is a mix of proteins, flavors, fats, and binders. All of this is put together to make a meat alternative that tastes just like meat.

A statistic from dealsonhealth. net said that 22% or 1.5 billion people in the world are vegetarians. This shows that there is a very large market for Chick-Fil-A to incorporate veggie alternative chicken into their menu. When it comes to a

successful example of a fast-food chain putting a veggie alternative on its menu, look no further than Burger King. In an article written by Jonathan Maze of restaurantbusinessonline.com, Maze said that sales at a Burger King in St. Louis during 2019 “surged 28% in April, the month of the test [of the Impossible Whopper], in that market”. There’s a real chance that if Chick-Fil-A started selling veggie alternative chicken, they could make an ever-bigger splash in the fast-food market with how much popularity they already have.

Earlier it was touched on about how people are striving to become more health conscious. Ashlynn, a second-year student at Arizona State University, spoke about the idea of Chick-Fil-A creating a plant-based chicken. Ashlynn has a majority vegetarian diet, but her Kryptonite is Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets. She said, “As someone who strives to have an all-vegetarian diet, it’s comforting knowing that you have that option of a veggie alternative protein. You see other fast-food chains have it so why not Chick-Fil-A?”

Ashlynn believes that Chick-Fil-A

having a veggie alternative “is a great inclusive idea because it allows people like [herself] to have alternative options.” She also believes that fast food chains that are so universal like Chick-Fil-A would already have that on their menu.

To get a more diverse range of answers, another person who was asked about the idea of ChickFil-A offering a veggie alternative was Chris, a sophomore here at Alvernia. Unlike Ashlynn however, Chris is not a vegetarian. Chris spoke on the idea saying, “That wouldn’t be [his] first option, but he would definitely give it a try.” This statement shows that you don’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan to enjoy a veggie alternative. They are for everyone who wants to try. At the end of the day though Chick-Fil-A is a multi-billiondollar company. If they never made a plant-based chicken, it wouldn’t affect them drastically. If they do decide to bring it to their menu, however, Chick-Fil-A’s pockets and their customers would be telling them thank you.

Various types of veggies

Three Steps to Shop, Spend Better

Sherrin Smith Contributing Writer

The idea of shopping sounds fun to many of us. However, some of the fun can be drained out of the experience by having to worry about a budget. How can we shop while also enjoying it?

As someone who enjoys shopping, in person or online, I have created steps to prevent

over-budget shopping. It is very tempting to scroll through the stores catalog or rummage through every rack and grab clothing that is appealing. To build up your tolerance, I recommend creating a list of items you need or have an interest in buying. For instance, I would like to buy more graphic T-shirts and ripped, mom jeans. Typical 90s outfit, I’m aware, but we’ll get back to style later. The second critical step is deciding how much am I willing to spend.

I normally like to shop when I get my paycheck, but I do not spend it all on

shopping. In this scenario, I would limit myself to fifty dollars. This is a typical budget for me because I believe it is a reasonable amount of money to spend. Knowing my budget tells me where I can shop, the third step. In this case, I would choose to shop at Forever 21, H&M, Rainbow, Target, or Amazon. These are the typical stores I shop at so out of this group I would choose Target and Rainbow. The Target in Wyomissing has a great selection of graphic T-shirts. My personal preference is the selection in the men’s section which is perfect for oversized shirts. I would then get the jeans from Rainbow. There is a wide range of mom jeans from ripped to no rips and light denim to dark denim. By the end of this shopping trip, I would have spent at least thirty to forty dollars (depending on the quantity of each item).

Unlike me, some people may have a different method when it comes to shopping.

Junior, Kendra Quaglia, says she starts her shopping trip off by going to a specific section. “First I check the clearance section because

sometimes they have cute stuff,” she said. While she is shopping, she enjoys trying clothes on before purchasing them. When it comes to purchases, Kendra does one big purchase a month. Unless “if it’s a necessity, I’ll get it. Like a pair of shoes, I’ll get that,” she said.

To get a different perspective, I asked junior Ryan O Hanlon. His method is almost like Quaglia and mine. “I normally have specific item in mind, however, most of the time I also pick up extra stuff,” he said. O Hanlon also added how he manages his budget when shopping. “I normally go shopping at the end of the month [be]cause I’ve paid rent and stuff etc… so I know what discretionary cash I have.”

While my method may have more steps than Quaglia and O Hanlon, it is important to note two things: know what you want to buy and to set a budget. But what if you want to add something that is over your budget, cheap or expensive? If you know you would like something that may cost more, that is when you begin saving for that

item. From time to time, I put money to the side for bigger shopping trips or for more expensive items. That way, when the time comes, I can afford what I would like.

Sometimes you can find something inexpensive in a thrift store. While it may be used, it should still be in usable condition. For instance, there are three Goodwill stores near campus. One on Lancaster Avenue, Saint Lawrence Avenue, and 5th Street Highway. Shopping at thrift stores does require you to be open-minded about the items available for they are not always going to be in the best condition. But this

is an opportunity for you to try out different styles and to save money. I personally enjoy shopping at thrift stores because the items typically match my style of 90s grunge, streetwear, or casual.

Whether or not you find use in my steps or the others’ steps, it is important to remember that you should shop based on what is available to you. If you have a small budget, buy things you need instead of things you want. Discover new stores where you can discover a new style. For the best outfits are not made of expensive items but items that represent you.

Sherrin Smith wearing thrifted clothing

Credit: Claire Campbell

AlverniA news

What is the Preferred Dining Experience Across Campus?

Jennifer Weasner Contributing Editor

Alvernia has a few different options when it comes to dining on campus. The main options when looking for a meal are Freshens at the Flynn Plex, the Courtside Café in the PEC, or the main dining hall in the Student Center. While there’s also Kestral Café in Bernardine Hall, and Starbucks in CollegeTowne, those don’t offer options for a full meal.

What students seem to value most is convenience.

“I would have to say courtside because its quick and good. I am always running around with classes and work, so I like having the on-the-go food.” Ashley McCloskey, senior marketing major, said. The Courtside Café has many different food options and with how they have updated the meal

plan options, so now you have a bigger variety of what you can get with your meal swipe. A meal swipe includes an option from the grill or a premade option from the cooler section, a snack, and a drink

Students have also noticed a different provider for the pre-made sandwich and salad options at Courtside. Options include Boar’s head chef’s salad, oven roasted chicken salad, and a variety

of wraps and sandwiches. “It makes me want to go to courtside because they have more options. It is quicker and easier to grab food here rather than the dining hall,” Payton LaScala, a junior early education major, said.

The widespread favorite food option on campus is Freshens, located down at the Flynn Plex. Maggie Loomis, a junior Healthcare Science major, and pitcher for Alvernia’s softball team,

is one of many Freshens fans. Loomis finds Freshens to be her favorite because of “how good the food it is and how fresh it is.” As a softball player, Loomis is down at the Plex most nights between practice and open lift in the weight room, so Freshens is an available and convenient option.

While the Courtside Café and Freshens are probably the most popular options on campus, some students still

St. Francis Day of Service

Laura Nentwig Contributing Editor

On September 24, 2022, 159 students, faculty, staff, and alumni picked over 27,000 pounds of potatoes during the annual St. Francis Day of Service. Students gathered at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center in Kutztown, PA, where the IHartHarvest Project has a potato field.

The IHartHarvest Project has been helping to address hunger in our local community for over 14 years. Linda and Walter Zawaski started the Potato Project in their backyard in 2009 after researching what a good crop would be to farm and donate to food banks in their community.

“We had about an acre and a half of land, and it gave us about 33 rows and over 7,000 pounds that first year,” Linda Zawaski said. At first, they relied on church communities and youth groups to harvest potatoes. Over time, the Zawaskis have included church communities, businesses, neighbors, and the Kutztown community for land to plant crops and

helping hands to harvest.

“The word started getting out, and over the years, we’ve just had more and more people signed up [to harvest]. The food is planted, grown, and harvested all 100% by volunteers,” Linda Zawaski said. “And all the food gets bagged for food pantries and community kitchens.

Once Helping Harvest got involved, they took over distribution, and now food goes to anybody in Berks or Schuylkill County who needs it.”

St. Francis Day of Service is celebrated across the university to honor the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

Every year, students gather to serve on this day to commemorate St. Francis’s mission to serve the underserved, a mission central to Alvernia’s Franciscan heritage and core values.

This year, students, faculty, staff, and alumni harvested over 27,000 pounds of potatoes that will reach over 5,000 families.

“I like this experience

because it’s a cool way to help other people. It’s nice to know that we are giving back to the community that has given so much to us,” Molly Boushell, Alvernia ‘26, said.

Volunteers harvested potatoes in the field and bagged them up all throughout the day. In addition to the service experience, volunteers received a t-shirt, lunch, and fresh-cut french fries from some of the potatoes they harvested.

“It’s great of us all to come out here and spend our time picking potatoes for people that might not be able to pay for their own food,” Carolyn Burton,

Alvernia ‘26, said.

“This is an interesting project, but it is definitely led by the Holy Spirit, and anybody that has ever answered the call to be part of this had a bit of the Holy Spirit in them as well,” Linda Zawaski said.

Stay up to date on upcoming university-wide days of service and other service opportunities by visiting volunteer.alvernia. edu. Follow the Holleran Center on social media @ hollerancenter on both Instagram and Facebook!

To get involved with IHartHarvest and the Potato Project, email ihh@ ihartharvest.org or call 484648-0381.

prefer the Student Center dining hall. “There’s a bunch of food and it’s all you can eat,” Shane Doyle, a junior criminal justice major, said. Doyle is a frequent visitor to the dining hall, especially for breakfast. “First, I order an egg white omelet with the 2 proteins offered and cheddar cheese, then while that’s being made, I get a half plate of eggs and bacon or pork roll, then I toast my bagel, then I go back to get my omelet to put it on my bagel, then I get a cup of granola with milk, because they finally brought back the granola,.” Doyle said.

With Courtside Café stepping up their game in the meal plan options they now offer, and the fresh options that Freshens offers, dining at Alvernia seems to be on the rise. The food options on campus give students peace of mind when it comes to deciding where to eat throughout the day.

Salads available at Courtside

Credit: Jennifer Weasner

Students harvesting potatoes during St. Francis day of service

Credit: Laura Nentwig

sporTs

Reformation For The NCAA

Dane Sabarese

Contributing Writer

On June 30, 2021, National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) officials announced a reformation to the name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy. Since it has been a little over a year since the decision was made, why not look back at some of the biggest, and most intriguing NIL deals in recent history while also evaluating the pros and cons of NIL.

First, it will be beneficial to explain what NIL deals are. As stated above, NIL stands for name, image, and likeness. The policy passed by NCAA officials allows all student-athletes throughout the NCAA to profit from their name, image, and likeness. NIL can be anything from endorsement deals to profits off jersey sales. As this policy has progressed, more and more student-athletes have been able to take advantage of it.

One of the biggest deals thus far has come courtesy of

LSU Gymnast, Olivia Dunne. Olivia Dunne is a gymnast at Louisiana State University who has benefited heavily from the new change to the NIL policy. Olivia Dunne, more properly known on the internet as Livvy Dunne, has managed to rake in NIL sponsorships with Vuori Clothing, American Eagle, Plant Fuel, and Bartleby. In a recent article published by the 225 Magazine based in Baton Rouge, Livvy said, “I honestly didn’t think the NIL rule was going to change while I was in college. But the fact that it did is pretty historical and very cool.”

While the gymnast never anticipated such a shift in the NCAA, it goes without saying that she has reaped the benefits of the policy change.

According to On3 NIL, the industries standard valuation company of the NIL market, Livvy Dunne is valued at $2.3 million, making her third among active college athletes.

While the new NIL policy has been portrayed as good, there are definitely downfalls to having young

student-athletes make money off their own image.

In an interview done with a division II basketball player at the University of Nebraska-Kearny, Shiloh McCool, she expressed her worries with the new policy by saying, “One other negative effect would simply be a time-management issue.

Student-athletes are already typically busy between classes, practices, games, etc. Adding more work on their plate by making NIL deals could affect their school or sport if they do not manage their time and energy well.”

As a fellow student-athlete, time management is one of the most important skills you can learn at the college level, and now with NIL deals being thrown into the mix, it can hurt an athlete’s ability to learn that skill. Without time management, as stated by McCool, student-athletes can start to let their grades slip, be pushed off track when training, or even forget why they were recruited to the school in the first place.

Regardless of the different beliefs on the new NIL policy, allowing student-athletes to

profit from their name, image, and likeness has a multitude of benefits, and for some can even be life-changing. It will be interesting to see how NIL deals progress as more and more high school level players have their talents exposed at such a young age due to the massive idea of going viral. Nonetheless, after all the hard work student-athletes put into their respective sports, NIL symbolizes their hard work paying off.

Ears Up!

Who is the Greatest Basketball Player of All-Time?

Matt Mitchell

Contributing Writer

As the NBA nears the end of its 75th anniversary as an organization, fans have been delighted to have the chance to see players from every different era come together to form the first 75th Anniversary All-time basketball team. The NBA chose players from each generation to fill out what they believed to be the greatest 75 players to ever play in the NBA. However, among a list of such highcaliber stars, two players have stood out at the top of that list for years, and those players are Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Both players have outstanding resumes to prove why they belong at the top of that list, but how do they stack up against each other when asking who the greatest player of all-time is?

LeBron James has been in talks for GOAT status for years now as he continues to dominate the league at 37 years old. While LeBron isn’t always the flashiest player, his unbreakable consistency and basketball intelligence

is something the league has never seen before him. He entered the NBA out of high school at the age of eighteen in 2003 and was the number one pick in that draft, one of the greatest draft classes in NBA history. Throughout his 19 years and counting, James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, The Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers, winning championships with each team. James went on to pick up a plethora of awards and accomplishments through his time in the league, earning MVP honors four times, Finals MVP four times, and winning four championships. James is an 18 time all-star and has been selected to the All-NBA first team 13 times as well as the All-defensive team five times.

He currently sits at second all-time in points scored with 37,062 and seventh in all-time assists with 10,045.

He is the only player in the league’s history to score over 10,000 points, 10,000 assists, and 10,000 rebounds in a career. Lebron’s greatness has been as consistent as they come, and he doesn’t seem to

be slowing down as he nears the end stages of his career.

“For me, I look at the total body of work, what LeBron James is as a basketball player, and if I had to pick one over the other, right now, I’m picking LeBron James over Michael Jordan. Because Jordan would beat you scoring, but this guy beats you at everything”, said hall of famer Isaiah Thomas.

Michael Jordan was really the first player to earn the rights to the GOAT status. Jordan was transcendent with his athleticism, skill, and most importantly, his winning mentality. Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA, even taking a year hiatus to play Major League Baseball before returning for another great run of championships.

Jordan was drafted number three overall in the 1984 draft out of North Carolina before going on to win rookie of the year among other accolades. Jordan went on to win six championships with no losses in the finals, one of those including him leading the best team of all-time to

a 73-9 overall record, and winning Finals MVP each of those six times. He was also a 14 time all-star, earning All-NBA first team selections in 10 of those seasons and league MVP rights in five of those seasons. He was also a one time defensive player of the year, earning a spot on the All-NBA defensive first team nine times. Jordan sits at fourth in all-time scoring as he led the league in scoring in 10 out of his 15 seasons.

Jordan’s long resume paired with his unbelievable stretch of dominant winning are two of the many things that prove his greatness and cement him near the top of NBA stardom.

“I’mma say Michael Jordan. I think LeBron James has done great, but only thing Michael Jordan ever did was win.

There’s players as myself who haven’t won a championship that were very good. There’s guys who I’ve seen win championships, they’re good players, but they had a good team also around them. And I look at Michael Jordan, he played with the Bulls, and he had Scottie Pippen. But without Michael being there,

the Bulls wasn’t gonna win the championship. It came from Michael Jordan”, said hall of famer Shawn Kemp on his opinion about the GOAT debate.

When it comes to deciding which of these two players deserves to stand atop the mountain of the best, there really is no wrong answer. Both players have proven themselves to belong at the top and both have had illustrious careers. However, if I had to make a decision in the greatest of all-time debate, I’d have to go with LeBron James not only because of his accomplishments, but also due to the all-around diversity in his game as well as the sheer consistency he plays with. At 37 years old, LeBron averaged over 30 points per game and only seems to be further defining his craft, so I believe by the end of his career LeBron will stand alone at the top of the NBA’s pinnacle.

The Nebraska-Kearny women’s baketball team

Credit: Corbey R. Dorsey

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