At one point, most people have heard the saying, “The best things in life are free.” This commonly used quote is truer than ever with the sudden emergence of a survival video game. Fortnite Battle Royale is a game which puts the player in a world similar to one described in “The Hunger Games,” the…
By Brandon Sapienza, Staff Writer My parents taught my brother and I a lot growing up. Specifically, two things come to mind: being respectful to everyone we meet, and make decisions we can be proud of. Those valuable lessons molded us into what I believe are responsible young men. Other parents have also shared this…
“For the times they are a-changin’,” wrote singer and songwriter Bob Dylan. This line may seem simple, but many of us overlook its importance. The times are always changing, and so are we. In the last issue of the BV, Luke Nolan pitted the changing culture against the doctrines professed by the Catholic Church. While…
I’ll never forget a talk given by the late Dr. Maya Angelou, one where she breathed life into the power of words. “Words are things I’m convinced,” she explained. “You must be careful about the words you use…they get on the walls, they get in your wallpaper, they get in your rugs, in your upholstery,…
Another school shooting took place on Friday, resulting in 17 deaths and several injuries. The fact that I have to say “another” to begin that sentence is just pathetic. There have been 238 school shootings resulting in 138 deaths with 300+ more injured since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, according…
As a fourth-year student at St. Bonaventure University, I’ve long struggled with the rationale for breaking any and all designated parking rules on Bona’s basketball game days. It’s no secret; Bonaventure students have been consistently frustrated with the inconvenience of certain parking lots on campus. The common university response to these complaints is usually a…
By Landon Allison, Contributing Writer Atrazine, still used in the United States despite its banning by the EU, can cause changes in our bodies with just minimal exposure. As an environmental studies major, this concerns me. This chemical is an herbicide, applied in the agriculture industry and on residential lawns and golf courses in order…
By Jack Hughes, Contributing Writer Algorithmic trading is the act of using code to initiate a position, such as buying or selling, in a particular asset, like a stock. According to the Merriam-Webster website, an algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end. People use algorithms all of the time…
By Luke Nolan, Staff Writer For many years, the Catholic Church and many of its members have struggled with a “dumbing down” of Catholicism. The tendency to reduce the religion to a therapeutic philosophy full of warm feelings and affirmation is a dangerous one, as it rejects the roots and traditions of the great faith,…
By Jack Panek, Contributing Writer The former presidential candidate Mitt Romney is back in the political arena and running for office. Last week, Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, stated he would run for the United States Senate seat in Utah. Romney first ran for office in 1994 after having a very successful business career. He…
By John Restuccia, Contributing Writer When I think about the news anchors I’ve seen in my lifetime, one person shines above all others with non-partisanship interviews, journalistic integrity and a genuine joy for news on one of the most partisan news networks. That man is Chris Wallace. Now when people think of Wallace, they think…
By Brandon Sapienza, Staff Writer Another mass shooting has brought the heart of America to its knees as the nation mourns the loss of 17 innocent people who studied and worked at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. As per the usual routine that begins after a tragedy like this, the blame is…
By Michelle Onofrio, Contributing Writer Valentine’s Day has now passed, and so has the day of widespread exchanging of romantic gifts. It is considered the “romance holiday” by our culture. People are often pressured into buying the “perfect gift” for their significant other, reducing the holiday to an exchange of material goods rather than an…
By Patrick Hauf, Staff Writer Last semester, I wrote an article titled, “DACA Repeal, No Big Deal,” where I explained that President Donald Trump’s motives for rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program as an executive order was due to its unconstitutional nature. Trump, I explained, wanted Congress to pass legislation that would ensure…
By Brandon Sapienza, Staff Writer Last week, I was enjoying the newest edition of the New York Times on my iPad, like I do every day. One of the headlines I saw caught my eye, and it read, “Senate Closes Deal on Two-Year Spending Bill, Ignoring Trump.” On one hand, it is nice to see…
By Anastasia Cottone, Staff Writer Every year, students celebrate the closing of the academic year by participating in Spring Weekend festivities. With Spring Weekend around the corner, many students are enraged that the quad party, typically held in the townhouse lawn, has been cancelled by the administration. This party is an event that brings students…
Another football team broke a long drought this season. Its passionate fan base resides about 350 miles southeast, in the City of Brotherly Love. The Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl in franchise history Sunday, ending a 58-year championship drought for the team, and the fans celebrated the only way Philly knows how: by…
By Luke Nolan, Staff Writer A recent article on Aleteia caught my attention. It described a course offered at Yale University on “happiness” that had become very popular. With that said, I do not mean to insult the intelligence of the young men and women who attend that school. Rather, I simply seek to identify…
By Brandon Sapienza, Staff Writer With the recent release of the Devon Nunes FISA Memo, Republicans have called into question the relevancy of the investigation into the Trump campaign and any possible involvement with the Russian government. While the answer to that question is still up for debate, the biggest issue coming out of this…
Nothing quite satisfies my appetite like a donut on Fat Tuesday. Growing up in central Pennsylvania, my family always started the day with fasnachts, a risen donut sometimes covered in sugar. Each year, I would wake up to a box of those Pennsylvania-Dutch classics, tempting me to bite my smile into the dense dough. While…