SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026
VOL. 104:01
When you think of the current St. John’s roster, the last guy you’d think about is Ruben Prey. However, the Portuguese big man might just be the weapon to bring the Red Storm to glory...
2026-2027 SGi Executive Board Ushers in New Academic Year
Predatory Prediction Markets Plaguing Young Adults
As the school year begins, representatives on the Student Government Incorporated (SGi) Executive Board are preparing for the upcoming semester...
Kalshi, Polymarket, Novig, Fanatics and the other dozens of prediction markets that dominate every piece of ad space, commercial time and social media posts are exhausting...
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RUEBEN PREY, BREAKOUT SEASON?
BATTLE OF THE ALBUMS: SEPTEMBER MUSIC ROUNDUP
PHOTO COURESY / YOUTUBE BEABADOOBEE
PHOTO COURESY / YOUTUBE WASIA PROJECT
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PHOTO COURESY / YOUTUBE LIZZY MCALPINE
PHOTO COURESY / YOUTUBE NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE
EVERYTHING TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY THIS OCTOBER
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2 News
torchonline.com
2026-2027 SGi Executive Board Ushers in New Academic Year Student leaders detail plans for upcoming semester.
Jack Bulik | September 28, 2026
As the school year begins, representatives on the Student Government Incorporated (SGi) Executive Board are preparing for the upcoming semester. President Andrew Fludd, Vice President Madison Yates, Secretary Ayman Mohammed, Press Secretary Kelysse Ochoteco, Treasurer Samantha Staromana and Senior Programming Coordinator Alliyah Sadiq are the students who were appointed to the executive board after student elections last spring. “Even though we have a new executive board, Ava Wilson is still a guiding light for us,” Fludd told The Torch during an exclusive sit-down interview with members of the executive board. Ava Wilson, the former student president, was elected alongside Fludd on the GLORY ticket in the 2025 SGi election. Since becoming President, Fludd says there has been a mentoring relationship between the two. Ochoteco, the SGi Press Secretary, says she also feels a strong sense of mentorship from previous executive board members. “The previous E-board left such great building blocks for us that it makes our job so much easier to do what we do daily,” Ochoteco told
The Torch. During the SGi debate in April 2026, the now-appointed executive board ran together on the Vision ticket and promised better transparency between the administration, student government, and the student body. The ticket also made it clear they would create initiatives to “bolster campus culture.” Student government maintains that one of the biggest issues facing St. John’s students is a lack of campus culture tying resident students to commuter students. “Students are feeling excluded; a lot of students don’t know about all these activities, committees and events SGi hosts here,” said Yates. “We are trying to get more exposure for those things, we’re trying to hear more about what students want, what the students need, and really just try to assist from there,” the Vice President continued. One way that SGi is focused on helping the student body, Yates says, is by providing better access to feminine hygiene products. “We’re working with facilities right now, because right now it’s not accessible in every female restroom,” Yates said.
St. John’s students invested a lot of money into the school, we’re looking for some results to come back on those investments,” she concluded. SGi is also making significant progress on their digital storm card initiative, which is currently being implemented throughout the Torch Photo /Jack Bulik University’s Queens campus. SGi holds student senate meetings every Monday, inviting members of the student body to come speak their mind on important issues. The executive board invites anyone interested in attending student senate meetings to email SGi. Fludd, the student government president, compared the executive board’s plans for the upcoming year to a puzzle. “We’re just collecting the pieces and starting to put them all together, by the end of the year – God willing, we will have our puzzle finished,” Fludd said. “My team has been vital in this process and ultimately, when we finish this puzzle, it’s all going to be because of the work that they’ve done.”
Gas Prices Continue to Rise at The Pump Followed, funneled and fed the approved voices.
Francesca Bucchi | September 29, 2026
The average price of regular gas was $2.81 in January of 2026. That $2.81 price per gallon has increased 35-40 percent since the start of the year. The national average for a gallon of regular gas hit $4.48 in September. Amid the nearly seven-month war between the United States and Iran, President Donald Trump says gas prices are an “inexpensive price to pay.” As Americans feel the impact of gas prices, the question remains: Is this really a small price to pay for struggling US citizens? On Sept. 16, Trump held a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina and shut down the thought of gas prices going through the roof. “It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done,” Trump said. 66 percent of Americans are affected by the surge in gas and diesel prices, according to
Numerator. With more than half of the U.S. struggling financially, this has become another problem added to their household. But despite him shutting down the gas price problem, he has tried to lower gas prices in the past. The president previously pressured gas retailers to lower the price, but looking at it now, that didn’t work for Americans as the gas price kept rising weekly. ABC7 Los Angeles reported that 67 percent of Americans dip into savings to cover their expenses due to inflation. Consumer spending makes up a large amount of the U.S. economy and with prices rising it can cause more people to reduce their spending. With Americans already facing financial pressure with gas prices rising, millions have been left struggling.
/Jack Bulik Even a student likeTorch JackPhoto Collins, a senior at St. John’s University, says rising prices have affected the cost of his commute from Long Island. “Gas prices going up made me work more hours at my job to afford the same commute from Bellmore to St. John’s,” Collins said. Trump has described the price increase on gas as an “inexpensive price to pay” with the ongoing war with Iran. However, Americans face high prices when they go to the pump to fill up. The national average has reached $4.48 per gallon as compared to $2.81 in January of 2026.
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St. John’s Baseball Honors Former Heroic Players
The Red Storm announced the installation of commemorative plaques at stadium. Dean Koutouratsas| Sept. 12, 2026
The St. John’s baseball team will soon unveil two permanent installations at Jack Kaiser Stadium to honor the legacies of former players Michael Weinberg and Anthony Varvaro, who gave their lives in service of others, head coach Mike Hampton announced on Sept. 11. “This is something that we’ve been working toward for a long time, and I’m thankful to everyone at the University who has helped make this a reality,” Hampton said. The University will place a pair of commemorative standing plaques telling the stories of Weinberg and Varvaro in the flower garden near the entrance to the Johnnies’ home stadium. The team plans to officially dedicate these plaques on Oct. 17 in conjunction with the team’s fall scrimmage against Sacred Heart. All alumni, friends, and family of the program are invited to attend. More details on the alumni ceremony will be shared at a later time. Weinberg, a native of Maspeth, was a member of the Red Storm from 1986-89 and won two Big East tournament championships. He received the 1988 Jack Kaiser Award as the tournament’s most outstanding player. Weinberg went on to sign a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers, spending two seasons in the minor leagues. After his career ended, he joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in 1994. On the morning of Sept.11, 2001, Weinberg was on vacation and was at Forest Park Golf Course when he learned that a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He rushed to his firehouse, Engine 1/Ladder 24, and then to the World Trade Center, where his sister, Patricia, worked on the 72nd floor of the South Tower. Patricia escaped the building, but Weinberg and 342 members of the FDNY perished on that fateful morning. A highly touted pitching prospect from St. John’s, Varvaro was drafted in the 12th round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. The Staten Island native spent six years in the major leagues from 2010
to 2015 and made 166 appearances, with the majority of them coming during his time with the Atlanta Braves. After retiring, Varvaro joined the academy of the Port Authority Police Department and was assigned to World Trade Center Command upon graduation. But tragedy struck during the early hours of Sept. 11, 2022, when Varvaro was killed in a car accident with a wrong-way driver on the New Jersey Turnpike while on his way to participate in memorial ceremonies at the World Trade Center site. “Mike Weinberg and Anthony Varvaro are the perfect representations Torch Photo talented /Jack Bulik and of what we want our players to be. They were incredibly dedicated, but above all, they were loyal to the Vincentian ideals of service. I’m honored that our players will read their stories when coming into Jack Kaiser Stadium every day,” Hampton added.
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
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Non-SJU Intruders Make Their Way into Dining and Residence Public Safety encourages students to report any concerns to them directly. Nicholas St. Cyr | September, 8 2026
On Wednesday night, several non-SJU students entered the Residence Village and snuck into Montgoris Dining Hall and Donovan Hall. These unauthorized guests found a way past the Montgoris entrance attendant and helped themselves to the food inside the Dining Hall. Afterwards, the intruders went to the freshmen residence hall, Donovan. The resident student monitor was checking the credentials of other visitors and residents when the unregistered individuals slipped past the gate by following behind authorized students and going through the exit as people left.
The Residence Village has been expectedly experiencing an influx of people entering and leaving the area due to new and continuing student move-in. Along with campus events which were welcome to St. John’s students and their guests. While in Donovan Hall, the individuals disturbed students by knocking on doors and attempting to enter rooms. Public Safety responded to the incident, escorted them off campus, and contacted the NYPD. After law enforcement intervention, the intruders made worrying remarks threatening to return to campus with others.
Public Safety stated that if any of these specific intruders return to campus, they will be met with arrests. No injuries or arrests were reported. Public Safety and the NYPD will continue to investigate the incident. Public Safety has increased security at Donovan Hall during the investigation.
4 Features
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Student Discounts Every St. John’s Student Should Know Save money this semester on clothes, food, streaming services and more. Alexandra Prettitore | September 16, 2026
Take advantage of your free Microsoft 365 plan through St. John’s Connect, which provides access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and OneDrive. Notion Plus, an advanced organizational platform, also has free student accounts. Canva Pro, which is a great tool for those managing student organizations’ social media accounts, is also completely free. Other helpful education tools such as Duolingo Premium, full New York Times access and the GitHub Student Developer Pack are also free for students. Entertainment St. John’s students can experience many of the countless attractions New York City has to offer at a discounted rate. Photo Courtesy / YouTube Techmates Campus Concierge, located in the D’Angelo Center, sells tickets for As Johnnies returned for the fall semester on Sept. 2, many could al- select shows and games for significantly reduced prices. This fall, they ready feel the financial burden of being a college student. Eating out are offering $35 to $40 tickets to “The Outsiders,” “The Lost Boys,” ” to avoid the dining hall, curating trendy seasonal outfits, purchasing & Juliet” and “Hadestown.” textbooks and upgrading tech quickly adds up. For sports fans, they are selling $50 tickets to highly anticipated Rangers However, your StormCard and student email are the ticket to a variety vs. Islanders games. of discounts. College students can save hundreds of dollars each year Campus Concierge also offers $10 movie vouchers for AMC and Regal by using these perks, allowing more of your paycheck to go to tuition, theaters on a daily basis. housing and other essentials while also giving you more wiggle room. Visit the Campus Activities Instagram for details about the dates and times of each event. Subscription Services Many New York City museums, such as the Museum of the Moving Paying seemingly small monthly fees for several subscriptions can add Image and MoMA, also provide discounts to local college students and up to a large sum of money. Thankfully, many companies offer signifi- can even be entirely free on certain days. cant discounts on their services. Also consider getting a Queens Library card; their Culture Pass can Hulu is the most affordable option, as the ad-supported plan is only grant free admission to dozens more New York cultural sites. $1.99 per month. You could also upgrade to a Disney+ and Hulu bundle for $6.49, a plan that is typically $12.99 each month. Businesses Local to St. John’s HBO Max, Peacock and Paramount+ provide students with 50% off for When you’re visiting businesses local to the St. John’s area, bring your their first 12 months. StormCard. Many restaurants will give you a small discount if you presAmazon Prime also offers a six-month free trial, then a 50% off monthly ent your ID at checkout. discount, which includes access to shipping perks and Prime Video. SolBol Fresh Meadows and Regina’s Pizza, both less than a five-minute Arguably the most essential subscription for on-the-go college students, walk from campus, provide this perk. Spotify Premium is $6.99 a month for college students. If you go that Being a college student is expensive, so take advantage of the many disroute, you can also get ad-supported Hulu included with your Spotify counts that are available to you this semester. student discount. UNiDAYS The free app UNiDAYS offers hundreds of student discounts, ranging from fashion to technology. This one-stop shop allows users to search for their favorite brands and discover if they have any available student discounts. You simply need to register with your student email to access countless deals. Highlights include 10% off all Hollister purchases, 30% off full-price Adidas items, 20% off American Eagle, up to 30% off Samsung products and 20% off Papier stationery. Education Many educational tools are highly discounted or even free for students.
Features
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Four Fall Destinations: Where to Pick Up Your Pumpkins and Apples This Autumn
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Check out these pumpkin patches and apple orchards near NYC. Alexandra Prettitore | September 26, 2026
Fall is the ideal time to partake in Pinterest-worthy activities — especially visiting pumpkin patches and going apple picking. But are there really farms and other rural locations near the urban epicenter of New York City? Surprisingly, there are several destinations that are accessible from NYC that you can visit to fully experience the autumn ambiance. Queens County Farm Museum Only a 15 to 20 minute drive from the St. John’s campus in Little Neck, the Queens County Farm Museum brings farm life right to the University’s backyard. Throughout October, the Queens County Farm Museum has a pumpkin patch open to all visitors. You can enter for free to enjoy the atmosphere and capture cute fall moments. Pumpkins are also available for purchase, with prices increasing with the pumpkin’s size. The pumpkin patch is open from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. on weekends and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard Located an hour north of New York City in North Salem, NY, Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard is a great fall day trip. Harvest Moon has both a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard, so you can pick up both classic fall delights during your visit. Because of high demand, Harvest Moon recommends purchasing tickets in advance on their website for $25. Bags for apple picking are sold separately. Harvest Moon Fall Festival is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ochs Orchard For those looking for an authentic apple picking experience, Ochs Orchard in Warwick, NY is a fitting destination. It is an hour and a half from New York City, totally transporting visitors into farm life.
They are open year-round, specializing in apples during the fall months. Entry into the orchard is $5, and apples are priced by the pound. Ochs Orchard recommends calling in advance to ensure that the kind of apple you want is available. Fishkill Farms If you’re in search of a farm that is simple for groups to navigate, consider visiting Fishkill Farms, located in Hopewell Junction. Fishkill Farms has two apple picking packages; the medium apple package is $56 and the classic apple bag package is $74. The price includes admission to the orchard and a certain quantity of apples (10-12 lbs for the medium package and 20-22 lbs for the classic apple bag package). The pumpkin patch package is $50 for up to five people, which includes entry and up to $30 worth of pumpkins. Both packages allow two additional people to be added to reservations for $8 each.
Everything To Do in New York City This October
Your guide of activities to do in New York City this month. Syriana Pazmino | September 28, 2026
Attending school in a city that covers roughly 305 square miles opens students to countless possibilities of activities. To simplify endless searching for events to attend and activities to try, look no further. Below are the Torch’s top picks for things to do this month in New York City. Queens County Agricultural Fair: Oct. 3-4 Besides being the perfect place to pick pumpkins this October, the Queens County Farm Museum is hosting its 43rd annual agricultural fair. Check out the live music and performances, shop from local vendors, take a hayride, navigate through a corn maze or enter a pie-eating contest. Pricing varies, and online tickets are required for entry, so make sure to purchase them on the Queens County Farm Museum website in advance. Art and Fashion Bazaar: Oct. 18 Shop from independent artists, designers and vintage curators from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grand Bazaar NYC. While this bazaar is year-round and takes
place every Sunday, Oct. 18 is an event dedicated to the arts and fashion. It is free to enter, and all profits made by the Grand Bazaar NYC are donated directly to four local public schools, benefiting over 2000 children. Element Brooklyn Gallery of Scent: Through Dec. 30 If you’re looking for a new signature scent for your space, the Gallery of Scent is the perfect spot to visit. Element Brooklyn is a refillery that specializes in soaps, creams, candles and diffusers with the goal of reducing plastic use. The 30 scents offered through touch-activated misters are arranged in five “scent flights” ranging “from bright citrus to deep woods and resins.” After you rate all the scents available, Element Brooklyn creates your custom scent portrait, prints a Polaroid-style photo for you to keep and sends a digital copy to your phone. The Metropolitan Opera Lottery Tickets On Sept. 24, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a partnership between the NYC Mayor’s Office and the Metropoli-
tan Opera to distribute 70,000 free tickets to qualifying New Yorkers each opera season via a lottery system. To qualify, all you have to do is be a resident of New York City with a valid ID and not have purchased a ticket to the Metropolitan Opera since 2019. Visit the Met Opera website for more information. FAD Fall Pop-Up Markets: Oct. 3 - 4 and Oct. 24 - 25 FAD Market is a pop-up fashion, art and design market that has been making rounds around New York City since 2016. FAD Market aims to provide a platform for artists and makers to show off their work and create a space for New York City creatives to interact together. From jewelry to home decor, there is something for everyone. If you can’t make the Oct. 3 and 4 fall pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo, don’t worry. From Oct. 24 - 25, there is another fall pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill. Both markets have no entry fee, are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and allow dogs for those of you with furry friends.
6 Opinion
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‘La La Land’s’ 10th Anniversary: Why We Love a Sad Romance Can’t have a true romance without a little heartbreak.
Isabelle Pimentel Mirana | Sept. 25, 2026 Photo Courtesy / YouTube ashe
2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Damien Chazelle’s musical drama “La La Land,” and the waves this film made upon its release can still be felt 10 years later. With six Academy Awards and seven Golden Globe Awards, Chazelle created a critically acclaimed cultural phenomenon that will be studied in film classes for decades to come. Beyond the intricate relationship between color and music that rests at the heart of “La La Land,” the key to its success is: a realistic, heartbreaking story about two aspiring artists. While Mia, played by Emma Stone, fantasizes about a life on the silver screen, Sebastian, Ryan Gosling dreams of starting his own jazz club. The pair are then whisked into a spectacular romance complete with song and dance that lasts a wonderful six months before the cracks begin to show. When Sebastian takes a job touring in a modern jazz band, and Mia starts to push harder with her acting career, their aspirations pull them in different directions until the pair inevitably breaks up. They find success apart, and five years later Mia, now a married global movie star, comes across a new jazz bar that feels all too familiar. She sits in the crowd to see Sebastian up on the stage, playing piano in his own jazz club. What follows is a sweeping romantic sequence that flashes through the protagonists’ minds where they imagine what could have been if they had endured their struggles as a couple. The sequence fades out, and they are brought back to reality as the film culminates in a bittersweet stare shared by the ex-lovers. They silently bid each other goodbye, and Mia leaves the club and Sebastian behind for good. This ending is far from a happily-ever-after, yet it gained fans all over the world and won the hearts of critics. It does seem a bit illogical that we love to indulge in media that is heartbreaking. Why would we choose to be sad on purpose? For some people, a film can be little more than something to be admired. Think of all the gorgeous shots and heartfelt music that accompany a story, giving the viewer goosebumps on the first watch. Whether the film is sad or not isn’t the selling point as much as the sheer cinematography might be. For many of us, the story is key, and I
personally have gone out to look for those sad films on purpose. Many people can say that they have experienced heartbreak at least once in their life. Sometimes we need to watch relatable media that can help us release all those emotions and have a good, honest cry. Those who aren’t nursing a broken heart can still find a way to appreciate films like “La La Land” on their own terms. These stories resonate with us on a universal level. We root for these couples to live out a fantastical romance, but find bittersweet comfort in the fact that sometimes they don’t. We appreciate the sacrifices that these characters make because we can see ourselves reflected in them. It opens the door for a quiet introspection that can make us grateful for where our paths have led us and gives us hope that life goes on, even if our heartbreak can lead us to believe otherwise. There is a magic to making a film that is both devastating and makes you want to watch it again. Stories like “La La Land” remind us that film is beautiful and provokes a unique form of reflection well after the music fades out and the credits stop rolling.
Opinion 7
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Oversaturated/Undersupported: Predatory Prediction Markets Plaguing Young Adults Nicholas St. Cyr | Sept. 29, 2026
Kalshi, Polymarket, Novig, Fanatics and the other dozens of prediction markets that dominate every piece 104TH EDITORIAL BOARD of ad space, commercial time and sotorchonline.com JAMES WILLIAMS cial media posts are exhausting. Not @stjtorch EDITOR-IN-CHIEF only are they tiring, but they are a ALEXANDRA PRETTITORE CO-MANAGING EDITOR detriment to the well-being of young 718-990-6444 ISABELLA ATHANASIOU @sjutorch people in the U.S. CO-MANAGING EDITOR & CO-SOCIAL Gambling is bad; that is not a seJACK BULIK MICAH GRAYSON torcheic@gmail.com @sju_torch cret. Similar to smoking and drinktorchads@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR OPINION EDITOR ing, its unhealthiness is so apparent JASON PETRUCCI SYRIANA PAZMINO SPORTS EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR that you can not legally participate sju torch The TORCH. AND OUTREACH NICHOLAS ST. CYR productions St. John’s in the practice until you are of a cerMANAGER CHIEF COPY EDITOR University O’Conner Hall DEAN SEBASTIAN ZELYAYA tain age. The results of the addiction - B Level KOUTOURATSAS PHOTO EDITOR & 8000 Utopia can be deadly. ASST. SPORTS CO-SOCIAL MEDIA Parkway EDITOR MANAGER Queens, NY 11439 But the difference with gambling SAMANTHA and other vices is that the marketing AGOURSALIDIS CONTRIBUTIONS CULTURE EDITOR is so pervasive that it has become unAll letters submitted for publication must avoidable. STAFF & CONTRIBUTERS include the author’s name, email, and affiliation LeBron James, Timothee Chalto St. John’s. Limit letters to 350 words. SubThomas Grasso missions may edited for clarity. Please submit amet, Lionel Messi and dozens of Francesca Bucchi letters to Isabelle Pimentel Mirana other celebrities have endorsed pretorchopinion@gmail.com diction markets in some way. Kalshi ABOUT THE TORCH The TORCH is the official, independent student encourages young people to bet on newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch the winners of reality television like is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. The TORCH is pub- “Love Island,” the Golden Globes EDITORIAL POLICY lished throughout the week at torchonline.com. featured a jarring promotion of Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial There is a weekly newsletter on Wednesday BOARD of the TORCH. Columns and other Polymarket that displayed live betafternoon, as well as a full digital publication content are the opinions of the authors(s) each month ting odds during the broadcast, and and are not expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those content creators are being encourADVERTISING of the student body, faculty or adminstration To advertise in The TORCH, contact torchads@ aged to hide endorsements in their of St. John’s University. All contents are the gmail.com. Adverstisements can be purchased sole responsibility of the editors and the regular content to trick viewers into for placement on our website, in our newsletter editorial board and do not necessarily repreand within our full digital publication. For more watching undisclosed ads. sent the views of the administration, faculty information, please see The TORCH Media or students of St. John’s University unless Gambling and sportsbooks are Package located on our website. specifically stated. heavily watched and regulated in the U.S. from state to state by their own gaming commissions. Interested In But the main difference between joining the torch? prediction markets and the traditional sportsbook is that, because of Email us at: a technicality, you do not have to be 21 to use them. U.S. law deems outreachtorch@gmail.com apps like Kalshi and Polymarket as financial markets that offer “event contracts.” This loophole allows college-aged individuals to fall deep Interested In into gambling addictions before they are even technically gambling. advertising with the torch? These companies know this, so Email us at: they dedicate a portion of their marketing towards young people. Pretorchads@gmail.com diction Markets are collaborating
with streamers, athletes, actors and social media personalities who have young fan bases. It is no longer a question of whether your favorite celebrity is partnered with a prediction company, but rather which one they are endorsing. And the worst part of all of this is that it’s working. Young adults under the age of 21 traded over five billion dollars on Kalshi last year, and they account for over 3% of all trading on the site. Experts also acknowledge that young people are more susceptible to gambling addictions, which can lead to severe mental health issues. This addiction is difficult to detect, and because of the vast accessibility of these applications, it’s even easier to hide expensive habits from concerned family members. If these markets are so awful, why is no action being taken? The current administration is backing the prediction markets and regulates them federally through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This poses an interesting conflict since these platforms allow extensive political betting Although there has been a long legal battle to reclassify these apps or remove the “event contracts” aspect of them, the longer this process continues, the more young people fall victim to the exploitative marketing tactics. It’s unrealistic to expect gambling to disappear from modern society; it has been too deeply woven into it. But it is essential that these companies shift their focus away from young people and that the government provide the proper support to make it more difficult for them to be targeted. If we are expected to respect these athletes and actors as global figures, they must ensure that they are not leveraging their large fan bases for big payouts from companies with predatory business tactics.
8 Culture
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Does Taylor Swift Need a Break From Music?
‘The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore’ suggests that the global superstar’s songwriting needs major revisions. Alexandra Prettitore | Sept. 27, 2026
On Sept. 25, Taylor Swift released four bonus tracks for her October 2025 album “The Life of a Showgirl.” The original project received some of the lowest critical reviews of her career and immense disappointment from many fans. Instead of focusing on the compelling behind the scenes aspects of celebrity life, “The Life of a Showgirl” largely came across as vain and overly simple. Many of the tracks discussed Swift’s relationship with now-husband Travis Kelce, but did not match her typical songwriting skills, instead seeming shallow and elementary. Fans cautiously hoped that after almost a year since the album’s release, the bonus tracks would be strong and partially make up for the mediocrity of “The Life of a Showgirl.” However, “The Encore” contains some of the worst tracks of Swift’s career, leaving fans wondering where the artist who wrote “folklore,” “Speak Now” and “1989” went. The lead single from “The Encore,” “Patient Zero,” which Swift announced individually on her Instagram, initially seemed encouraging. The title hinted at a haunting track, and the promotional images looked sleek compared to the album’s other visuals. The song failed to live up to renewed expectations. It vaguely yet verbosely discusses Swift’s experiences with a charming love bomber, explaining that she was his original victim. “Patient Zero” does not contain sharp and immersive songwriting that Swift is usually known for. The production is also lacking, with a dull drum beat. In the bridge, she attempts to half-heartedly rap, weakening the track further. “Patient Zero” is a disappointing single, previewing the quality of the entire encore project. “Cleveland!” is the most egregious addition to “The Life of a Showgirl,” magnifying the complaints listeners had about the original songs. It tries to be a diss to Swift’s haters and a love song for Kelce, yet it utterly fails at both. The lyrics are immature, clunky and overtly cringe. She says “My baby likes what he likes, / He already took me to Cleveland / And showed me The Heights, so hate all you like, / This is the love of my life.” The intonation sounds like childish taunts, and the lyrics are equally childish. The worst part of the track comes at the bridge, where she begins sing-talking about finding her person: “You only need to find one person in this entire world/ Who doesn’t find you completely insufferable / And I have an important announcement to make / I found mine.” This section comes across as Swift trying too hard to prove she is in love and seems very tacky. For a track that is supposed to silence haters, it is incredibly weak. “The Encore” shows a slight improvement in its last two tracks, “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon,” but they still do not live up to Swift’s usual standards. “Pink Clouding” is an apologetic song to someone she had previously wronged, hoping that “you landed safely on the ground.” The production is upbeat, but the lyrics lack precision and memorability that would allow it to be more than mediocre. “Babylon” is a nostalgic track about not appreciating what you have until it is a faraway memory. It is certainly the most reminiscent of Swift’s traditional songwriting, transporting listeners into a specific small town. The chorus is also quite catchy and memorable: “And you hate this song / But you wake up on the train with your headphones gone / Then that melody is all you want / You never knew that it was Babylon / ‘Til it was gone.” It is similar to “Ruin the Friendship” with its details and themes, reminding fans of the Swift of years past. “Babylon” still contains some clunky lyrics, such as “liberated libertine” that make it clear that her songwriting is not as strong as it previously was. “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” is largely a disappointment, making many wonder: Does Swift need a break from music? Is Kelce an uninspiring muse? It is clear that the artist that has been continuously praised for her songwriting is not at her peak.
Battle of The Albums Samantha Agoursalidis | Sept. 24, 2026
Beabadoobee’s ‘Pylon’ Rating 9/10 As the leaves begin to change and the air gets colder, Beabadoobee’s fourth studio album, “Pylon,” arrives with the perfect soundtrack for the changing season. Across 14 tracks and 41 minutes, the album explores homesickness, loneliness, romance and the realities of being in your 20s. Some solid standout tracks are “Pylon,” “Sun Has Set,” “Memories” and “Satellite.” Being in your 20s is a weird in-between space, and this album captures it perfectly. Although most of us have never been on tour away from home, loneliness and confusing relationships are feelings most twenty-somethings can relate to. Lizzy McAlpine’s ‘Angel’ Rating 8.5/10 Lizzy McAlpine’s fourth studio album, “Angel,” is a fall folk treat. Sitting at one hour exactly, the album’s 14 tracks delve into themes of romance, personal growth and self discovery. This new album follows McAlpine’s 2024 release, “Older.” Sticking to her popular folk sound, “Angel” takes its listeners through a deeply personal journey. It’s very stripped-back, with simple acoustic guitars, strings and piano backing it. The tracks have a way of making mundane life feel intimate and intense. The album is largely a love story as it talks about a beautiful new connection. But there is also a sense of grief about getting over past relationships. Some personal standouts are “Ugly Things” and “Soldier of the Road.” With her collaboration with Fleet Foxes on “Soldier of the Road,” strengthening the Appalachian folk vibes. Wasia Project’s ‘Nocturne’ Rating 7/10 Wasia Project’s first album, “Nocturne,” feels like a collection of late-night thoughts set to music. The 12-track album runs about 49 minutes and blends soulful ballads with a new electronic style. This dark and moody album is about an emotional journey that takes place at night. The album features both the classic soulful ballad-like songs the duo is known for and a new electronic pop sound. A few tracks of “Nocturne” feel Euro-electronic while still being emotionally layered. The album captures the feeling of going out to a club and dissociating on the dance-floor. Some of the best tracks on the album are “Vogue,” “Whale Song,” “Bleeding Gold” and “Voices In My Head.” Their track “Moon Goddess” also stands out on the album as a fully instrumental track.
Culture 9
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Four Movies You Need to Rewatch This Fall
Settle into the fall season with these four movies worth coming back to. Thomas Grasso | Sept. 22, 2026
The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler and Halloween is just around the corner. It’s almost that time of year when we start reaching for our favorite fall movies. Here are four movies worth giving a rewatch this fall.
“Knives Out” (2019)
“Knives Out” follows detective Benoit Blanc as he investigates the mysterious death of renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey. After Harlan is found dead at his family’s secluded mansion, Benoit begins to suspect his relatives might have had something to do with it. Throughout his investigation, Blanc encounters a series of red herrings that make uncovering the truth even more difficult. “Knives Out” has a cozy, mysterious atmosphere that blends in perfectly with the fall season. The New England setting combined with its warm, seasonal lighting makes this movie a must-watch during the fall. What makes this movie so rewatchable is its star-studded cast and the humor that comes along with it. With so much chemistry between the cast, it’s hard not to be entertained. The witty dialogue and comedic moments help balance the movie out while the murder mystery unfolds. Daniel Craig, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas all give fantastic performances throughout the movie. Evans and Craig both give memorable and humorous performances, while de Armas gives a strong and emotional turn. These performances, combined with the movie’s mystery and humor, make it an easy film to come back to.
“Good Will Hunting” (1997)
Written by and starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, “Good Will Hunting” follows the story of Will Hunting, a young janitor at MIT who has a natural gift for mathematics. After his talent is discovered by a professor, Will is given a chance to pursue his potential while working with a therapist, Sean Maguire, to help confront his troubled past. As Will begins to open up, he must overcome his personal struggles that have kept him from reaching his true potential. The film takes place in Boston, Massachusetts, during the fall season. Many of the outdoor scenes in the movie are filled with fallen leaves and trees changing color, giving the film that classic fall feeling. The breezy weather and New England setting give the film a cozy atmosphere, which makes it perfect for viewing in the fall. Matt Damon and Robin Williams deliver grounded, genuine performances, making their characters feel relatable. The emotional story that unfolds throughout the movie keeps you invested in Will’s journey from start to finish.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009)
Based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” tells the story of a clever fox who goes back to stealing from three farmers despite promising his family he would stop. When the farmers retaliate, Mr. Fox puts his family and the rest of the community in danger. He must now use his wits to outsmart the farmers and protect his family. With its warm colors, charming stop-motion animation style and rural setting, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” creates the perfect atmosphere for the fall season. The movie’s color palette is filled with warm oranges, browns and yellows that give it a fall feeling. The clever humor, combined with its unique animation, gives the movie a style that differs from most animated films and feels like something only director Wes Anderson could capture. George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray each bring their own personality to the characters, adding to the movie’s charm. The unique style and memorable characters make this movie enjoyable with every rewatch. Photo Courtesy / YouTube Searchlight Pictures
Photo Courtesy / You Photo Courtesy / YouTube Mr. Recap
Photo Courtesy / YouTube MrRecap
“Halloween” (1978)
Directed by John Carpenter, “Halloween” centers on Michael Myers, a masked killer who comes back to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, 15 years after murdering his sister. On Halloween night, Michael begins to stalk a group of teenagers, including Laurie Strode, who must now survive the night before it’s too late. “Halloween” is the perfect movie to watch on a cool fall night. The movie is filled with tons of classic fall imagery, from the leaves on the ground and trees changing color to the decorated houses all throughout Haddonfield. The dark atmosphere, eerie score and Halloween decorations make this the perfect choice for a night in October. What makes “Halloween” worth returning to is the suspenseful atmosphere created by Carpenter and the iconic character of Michael Myers. Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence give memorable performances as Laurie Strode and Dr. Loomis. Curtis delivers a strong and believable performance as Laurie, which cemented her as one of the most iconic final girls in horror history. Pleasence gives Loomis an intense and haunting presence that reflects the fear the audience has towards Myers throughout the movie. Even if you’ve seen “Halloween” countless times, it still feels like the perfect movie to put on when October rolls around.
10 Sports
Ruben Prey, Breakout Season?
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An impressive summer has positioned him for a breakout. St. John’s Men’s Basketball Schedule Jason Petrucci | September 15, 2026
It’s Rick Pitino’s bread and butter: building a strong non-conference schedule to ensure building a successful team. It was on full display for the 2025-26 season, with Pitino scheduling several tough matchups, including the second game of the season when he had St. John’s facing Alabama on Nov. 8 at the Garden, along with games against Ole Miss and Kentucky — three games that set them up for tougher opponents later in the season. Torch Photo/Sebastian Zelaya
Jason Petrucci | September 5, 2026
When you think of the current St. John’s roster, the last guy you’d think about is Ruben Prey. However, the Portuguese big man might just be the weapon to bring the Red Storm to glory. Following the legendary career of Zuby Ejiofor, many are worried about the future surrounding the Johnnies’ center position, having just one player on the roster able to play the position, that being Prey. Prey has flashed promise through his first two seasons in Queens, coming through with clutch three-point shots along with several strong defensive plays, serving as the backup for Ejiofor. However, after adding 12 new players, the 21-year-old remains the program’s starting center. “He won’t be Zuby Ejiofor, but he will be an outstanding basketball player who’s paid his dues,” Rick Pitino said on May 18 during media availability. “He has improved his jump shot immensely. He came in here petrified; now he’s comfortable shooting a three.” A strong summer, mixed with an outstanding stretch of play during the FIBA tournament, has changed everything. Prey has the opportunity to be one of the country’s biggest breakout stars. What Ruben Prey’s breakout means to St. John’s March basketball is about one thing: doing whatever it takes to win. A simple rotational move
almost earned St. John’s a shocking victory over the nation’s No. 1 seed in Duke. In only 12 minutes, Prey delivered 12 points on four three-point shots without a miss. Following the game, many questioned why Prey didn’t enter the game in the second half, but his play off the bench provided hope that someone could replace the celebrated No. 24 in the upcoming season. During summer workouts, Prey had continued to impress, improving defensively with aggression, while being efficient from beyond the arc. His play for Team Portugal in the FIBA tournament continued to push the agenda, dominating against several NBA players, including recently drafted Aday Mara out of Michigan. The Lisbon native averaged 15.0 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting an efficient 60% from the field across two qualification games for Portugal. His first game on Aug. 28 against Spain was a standout performance; he scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds and got three steals while logging 31 minutes, leading Portugal to an upset victory over Spain. The biggest thing that stood out for the third-year Johnnie was his aggression, working hard to the basket without any hesitation, something that will immensely benefit him when it comes to Big East play. For now, St. John’s has a strong hypothetical bench for their
frontcourt, holding the versatile international prospect Babacar Sane, who could provide aid at the center position if needed, along with Indiana transfer Reed Bailey and freshman center Theo Edema, who could step into a productive spot during his first year in Queens. With an expanded role entering the 2026-27 season, Prey has the opportunity to finally put his professional play on full display and be ready to serve as the St. John’s wild card. Projected Depth Chart: PG: Quinn Ellis SG: Ian Jackson SF: Tounde Yessoufou PF: Keyshawn Hall C: Ruben Prey Bench: Avery Brown Babacar Sane Kyle Cuffe Jr Lefteris Liotopoulous Zsombor Maronka Reed Bailey Theo Edema Lazar Stojkovic Zsombor Maronka Casper Pohto Fotis Konstantinidis Returners: Ian Jackson Ruben Prey Lefteris Liotopoulous Casper Pohto
Men’s schedule: Oct. 14: vs Drexel Oct. 18: vs Rutgers(MSG) Oct. 25: vs Texas(MSG) Nov. 2: vs Monmouth Nov. 8: vs Iona(MSG) Nov. 11: vs Colgate Nov. 15: vs Syracuse(MSG) Nov. 18: Siena Nov. 24: vs Oregon (Players Era) Nov. 26: vs Louisville/Texas Tech Dec. 1: vs Columbia Dec. 6: vs Arizona(MSG) Dec. 8: vs Wagner Dec. 12 @ Alabama Dec. 19: vs DePaul (MSG) Dec. 23: @ Seton Hall Dec. 30: @ Providence Jan. 3: @ Butler Jan. 6: vs Georgetown(MSG) Jan. 13: vs Providence(MSG) Jan. 16: @ Creighton Jan. 19: @ DePaul Jan. 23: vs Seton Hall(MSG) Jan. 26: @ Xavier Jan. 29: vs UConn(MSG) Feb. 2: @ Marquette Feb. 6: @ Villanova Feb. 10: vs Creighton(MSG) Feb. 13: vs Xavier(MSG) Feb. 17: vs Marquette(MSG) Feb. 20: @ Georgetown Feb. 23: vs Villanova(MSG) Feb. 27: vs Butler(MSG) Mar. 2: @ UConn
SPORTS VOLUME 104:01, OCT. 30, 2026 ISSUE
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St. John's Lands
transfer in Keyshawn Hall Photo Credit/Sebastian Zelaya Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
Jason Petrucci | August 25, 2026
The college basketball transfer portal has been an all-out warzone. NBA players re-joining college programs, such as RJ Luis Jr, the former St. John’s forward who signed a two-way NBA contract with the Celtics, then joined Will Wade and LSU to form a controversial “pro” team containing several fifth-year and international options. St. John’s needed to replenish their roster after a pair of players being ineligible and an injury to starting forward Donnie Freeman. On Tuesday night, Rick Pitino made a splash, adding fifth-year Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall, Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 reported first. It’s an A+ move for the Red Storm, adding a score-first forward capable of slotting himself into the power forward role, coming off a season with the Tigers where he averaged 19.3 PPG with seven rebounds and two assists, shooting 45% from the field with a 38% rate from beyond the arc. One of the strongest areas of play for the 6’7 forward is his ability to draw fouls, drawing over six fouls per minutes, allowing him to work to the free-throw line with his strong 85% rate from the charity stripe on 228 attempts, ranking ninth in the country with six successful attempts from the line per game. The biggest catch for Hall however is his immediate on-court availability is up in the air. His status remains questionable as he fights
through court proceedings, looking to seek the fifth year of eligibility that several players have already been granted. The forward was granted an additional year of eligibility through his preliminary injunction in Ohio, but still awaits a decision that will take place at the end of September. If the hearing is successful, the Red Storm will boast one of the most stacked starting lineups in the country, led by the guard duo of Quinn Ellis and Ian Jackson, rounded out by a smaller frontcourt of Hall, Tounde Yessoufou and Ruben Prey. However, the eligibility issues don’t just reside in the newest Johnnie. With Sane and Ellis both being former professional International players, the NCAAs updated regulations make them currently ineligible to play. The NCAA rules have consistently been revised throughout the summer, with the area around prior professional contracts and compensation being strictly enforced. In May, the NCAA issued guidance emphasizing that any International athlete who has been paid “above and necessary expenses” while playing overseas is ineligible for college basketball. For Ellis, the 23-year-old British guard has experience in professional play, playing for Europe’s pro team Olimpia Milano prior to his move to Queens. Because he earned the professional salary far beyond the standard expense, his eligibility to join college ball is in danger. T
For Sane, his eligibility relies solely on his brief time in the NBA. The 6’8 Senegalese forward previously signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz before later playing in Germany. The NCAA has hammered down on players who’ve previously signed E10 contracts, recently denying denying Bryson Warren from joining Texas A&M on August 18 after he had signed with the Knicks to play in the G League. However, with Luis joining LSU, an argument can be made for Sane, considering the fact he signed both an E10 and two-way deal. The college basketball landscape is quickly getting tired of the flip flops regarding eligibility, with several conferences already cracking down on the idea of professional players competing. On Tuesday night, the SEC put rules in place that state an SEC institution is not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has previously declared for the pros, signed a contract with a professional team, or has been listed on a pro roster, with the rules authorizing the commissioner being allowed to enforce the expectations with penalties against member institutions. The Big 10 has also agreed to similar guidelines, with the ACC also planning to meet Wednesday about rules. For now, the Johnnies have themselves a strong roster, all depending on what the courts say before preseason play kicks off in October.