Issuu

March 27, 2023

Two Tickets Announced for UGBC President, VP Jonah Kotzen and Meghan Heckelman

Jordan Nakash and Yosan Tewelde

By Beth Verghese Assoc. Magazine Editor

Before Jordan Nakash’s college counselor suggested she take a tour of Boston College, she did not know a single thing about BC. But from the moment she stepped on campus, Nakash knew BC was meant to be her future home. “There was something, maybe it was just a gust of wind, but it felt like it was meant to be,” Nakash, MCAS ’24, said. “After touring and hearing from the panel of students, I knew I wanted to apply early decision. I got in and I’m here, and I absolutely made the right decision.” Nakash was the head girl at her high

school in Jamaica. In this role, she represented the student body, and Nakash knew she wanted to continue pursuing similar roles when she got to BC. Nakash is involved in numerous organizations and clubs on campus, from the Caribbean Culture Club to the dance group PATU. She is also a BAIC ambassador and was formerly a member of the Student Assembly (SA). During her freshman year at BC, Nakash ran for UGBC vice president alongside Kevork Atinizian. Although the election season did not end in victory for the pair, Nakash still wanted to take on a higher advocacy role in the BC community. “There’s definitely advocacy to be done to make more students feel at home and truly enjoy their time at BC,” Nakash said. “Once I really saw the capabilities of what I’d be able to advocate for and do as president, I was like, this is something I want to do. Being president or vice president is the best position you can have to truly get advocacy done.”

See Nakash, A6

By Spencer Steppe Asst. Magazine Editor

As someone who grew up alongside a sibling with a genetic disorder, Jonah Kotzen said he is devoted to advocating for individuals with disabilities—a commitment that eventually motivated him to join student government. “My brother specifically is someone who has really defined my relationship with advocacy,” Kotzen, MCAS ’24, said. When he came to Boston College, Kotzen quickly became involved with UGBC. Currently, he serves as the Council for Students with Disabilities policy coordinator and the Student Assembly (SA) Intersectionality Committee chairperson. Now, Kotzen is running to be the next UGBC president. “UGBC has given me a community on campus and a place where I can advocate for my fellow students in terms of accessibility and in terms of just general student concerns,” Kotzen said. When Kotzen was brainstor ming who would b e his running mate, he said Meghan Heckelman, LSEHD ’25, was the first person who came to mind. Kotzen said Heckelman

is exactly the type of person he wants to work closely with. “To be able to run with someone you trust, and you’re actually friends with, and you know will have your back in those high-pressure, high-stakes situations … is a really good feeling,” Kotzen said. Heckelman is currently the director of Student Initiatives (SI) in UGBC. When she was confirmed to this position last year, Heckelman said she was asked what she would do differently to improve SI. Seeing that SI was disconnected from the SA, Heckelman promised she would attend every SA meeting.

As a night of dancing and celebrating came to a close, audience members suddenly erupted into gasps as they learned this year’s Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship Award would go to not one but two recipients. “You heard that the selection this year was quite difficult, and in fact we have a tie,” Rev. Gregory A. Kalscheur, S.J., announced to shocked faces and murmurs. “We have two recipients this evening— Kevin Lopez and Jonathan Mora.” The Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship Award recognizes a Boston College junior who has

demonstrated an outstanding record of involvement in and service to the Hispanic/Latino community at both BC and beyond. The 31st Annual Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship Award Ceremony took place in the Murray Function Room Saturday night. Lopez, MCAS ’24, and Mora, LSEHD ’24—who won the award— were finalists alongside Sebastian Cota, MCAS ’24. All three will receive $1,000 from the BC Bookstore, and Lopez and Mora will both receive roughly 75 percent of their senior year tuition. “A great accomplishment—hard work and dedication—[this award] really demonstrates the commitment of service and values of Saint

munity when she begins her new position. Nolin said she is excited about the opportunity to work within NPS. “Newton has an amazing reputation and really good resources for us to serve students,” she said. “So I’ve always been attracted to the district and I’ve always followed what has happened here because it’s such a powerhouse in the educational scene.” One goal Nolin has as superintendent is to cater to the community’s desire for a developed profile of a graduate.

If countless mock drafts weren’t enough to convince the minds of the football world that former Boston College football wide receiver Zay Flowers will become a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, his performance at BC’s Pro Day surely helped solidify that belief. On Friday morning, Flowers was back in Fish Field House doing exactly what he does best—running routes and making eye-dazzling catches—but it wasn’t for BC’s spring season that he’s participated in the past three seasons. Instead, Flowers was participating in position drills in front of former teammates, the media, and a representative from all 32 NFL teams. Most viewers were solely there to watch the Chestnut Hill product, who holds the program record for receiving yards, total receptions, and receiving touchdowns. After taking reps in three stages of the field—underneath, intermediate, and deep ball—Flowers, with his self-confident but humble demeanor, expressed his own belief in himself and the type of person he is. “This is what I expected—this is what I worked for,” Flowers said. “I’m gon’ always just try to have my expectation high because I put the work in for it.” Flowers said it was refreshing to be back on the Heights.

See Nolin, A4

See Football, A12

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER SOLDT

Oscar Romero,” said Marcela V. Norton, co-chair of the scholarship committee. Juan Alexander Concepcion, former assistant director of BC affinity programs and BC ’96, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of serving others. “Tonight, we celebrate com-

By Shruthi Sriram Assoc. Metro Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Nolin, an employee of Natick Public Schools for 20 years, including four years as superintendent, will begin her position as superin-

GRAPHICS BY PAIGE STEIN / HEIGHTS EDITOR

By Graham Dietz Sports Editor

munity,” Concepcion said. “We honor excellence, leadership, and our commitment to one another in community service. As the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. once reminded us: ‘He who is greatest among you shall be a servant.’”

See Romero, A2

Nolin Prepares To Lead Newton Schools Anna Nolin, the next superintendent of Newton Public Schools (NPS), attributes her desire to become an educator to her high school English teacher, who advocated for her to apply to college and helped her through the process. “The entire reason I went into teaching was because my high school English teacher helped me get into college,” Nolin said. “He just took a very personal touch with us. And I’ve always tried to carry that forward. I’ve always tried to really invest in people and pull them forward.”

Mount Alvernia, A4

Flowers Excels at Pro Day

Two Juniors Win Romero Scholarship By Olivia Joung News Editor

Kotzen, A6

tendent of NPS in July. She said she hopes to emphasize connecting individually with students, teachers, and the com-

Opinions

Exploring the reasons behind her burnout, c`olumnist Punnya Kalapurakkel asks a question: Is creativity as deep as a well or as needy as a garden?

Columnist Alli Hargrove highlights the potential of living one’s life in the outdoors and how people can find better ways to live and thrive outside.

INDEX

INSIDE

McMullen’s Architectural History A11

THIS ISSUE

NEWS........... A2 OPINIONS.. A8 NEWTON....... A4 A R T S . . . . . . . . A10 MAGAZINE.. A6 S P O R TS . . . . . A12