by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on February 12, 2026

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Opinion - Entertainment & Society

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I am going to take a trite term and do my best to infuse it with some sort of comfortable nostalgia, but also with the notion that we must stay well-informed, vigilant, and understanding of society at all times. History repeats itself. It is repeating itself. 

Sure, the New England Patriots were in the Super Bowl, and whether that was an exciting idea or a completely devastating fact for someone, it is reminiscent of 2016, when the Pats were on top, and New England families, like my own, were ecstatic and proud. Snow has been falling, similar to our childhood holidays, we are embracing fashion from the early 2010s, and young voices are prominent in the way 2016 had a sudden hankering for new types of internet culture and development of aesthetics. On the other hand, society is once again experiencing an increased amount of political polarization, and regardless of your level of privilege or conscious decision to engage or disengage, politics are affecting everyone. Changes that we were facing in 2016 felt monumental, and although a decade has passed and the country has undergone different structural changes, it seems we are in a very similar place—possibly living through the consequences of our previous political choices. 

With that being said, although nostalgia is a wonderful feeling, and understanding the political and social state of society does not mean we have to collectively ignore the avenues for joy, we should acknowledge every event, every issue, and every accomplishment. We need to let go of the concept that joy, or political neutrality, rather, and being knowledgeable, empathetic, and proactive around topics we may be removed from, should not be mutually exclusive. To add my own essence of where I stand politically—remaining neutral won’t get us anywhere, and you can be a happy, well-rounded person while staying informed, advocating for those who cannot, and remembering that cutting yourself off from the real news, the real truth, will forever hinder your authentic understanding of the society you, yourself, live in. 

2016 marked an enormous political divide. Social media was making a huge impact on society, creating new exposure to opinions, news, and all sorts of nuanced ideas. People were emboldened by such a polarized society, their interest in politics increasing, and although real human involvement is important to support a democracy, the politics circulating harbored heavy partisanship, hate, and a lack of consideration for different people living in this country. Today, in 2026, TikTok has become a main news source for people, in lieu of credible news stations, newspapers, and web articles. When having conversations about current events today, you’re more likely to hear a person, especially a young person, say, “Did you hear about x, y, and z? I saw a TikTok about it,” than referencing a news station. Thirty-second social media clips are accessible, easy to understand, and allow people to neglect their accountability to read and learn about what is really happening in the world. The inability to absorb credible news is leading to ignorance of the parallels between 2016 and 2026. 

President Donald Trump built his 2016 campaign on building a wall to keep immigrants out of the country. Today, the Trump administration funds and defends Immigration and Customs Enforcement that actively terrorizes citizens of our country. Repetition is not a comfort when the repetition is detrimental to the livelihood of people living in the country, living in constant fear that they are subject to ICE’s brutal modes of operation. Ignoring these parallels and deeming the state of the country as “not our problem” sets us back not only to 2016, but to eras when voices of marginalized groups were considered invalid and meaningless. 

As 2026 rolls on, we must stay keen on learning, so we can have an abundance of knowledge on the state of the country, knowledge that can never be taken away. Consuming credible news and listening to multiple sources makes us more credible people! Since history is repeating itself in many forms, we can appreciate our need to reminisce, but we can also appreciate our obligation to change. We need to plan our future so it can be different from our reality, and we can maneuver through every hardship and indefinite struggle with more intelligence, fortitude, and veracity. More than 2016. Even more than this moment in time.

by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on February 5, 2026

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Opinion - Entertainment & Society

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You are an intentional being whether you like it or not. Even in your subconscious mind, you act based on what you value most. You practice, you perfect, you frantically seek gratification—success originating from what you truly want to succeed at. The goal to master something you love is an immense goal, something humans don’t always let themselves achieve. You can work tirelessly, aiming to rise to the standard you have set for yourself—pure flawlessness—and the realization that perfection is nearly impossible only makes you strive for it with more alacrity. You want to achieve this perfection because you love what you are doing, you care about it, and you want your achievements to reflect who you are to the world. To hold something in high esteem is to devote time and effort, passion and energy. Therefore, the outcome always matters to us; even when your success is obvious and bountiful, it may not be enough to satisfy you. 

I believe people have a tendency to ignore their own accomplishments when they’ve set high, sometimes unrealistic, standards for themselves. They love what they do so vehemently that their ability to recognize that they have attained what they once sought for is diluted by perfectionism. There is an addicting zeal conjured from a relentless love. 

My contention is not rooted in any specific psychological study, but in experience of my own. Throughout the past couple of years, I developed a strong love for running. Although I did other sports when I was younger, running was not an activity integrated into my athletic life, never mind my daily routine. The more running I do, the better trained I am, and I am more apt to want to get even better—push my own limits—because that particular feeling of accomplishment is irreplaceable to me. I can’t say that my success is linear; in fact, the lethargy and time commitment that comes with daily running and training can hinder my mindset and overall consideration of myself. Not every run is the same  and such a fluctuating sport can make it difficult to track how much running I should be doing, how to fuel, when to sleep, when to go harder, or when to take a momentary rest. However, I’ve grown to love all parts of it. I’ve found the satisfying soreness to be proof of my progress, proof of my dedication. Even when the peak feeling of running is hard to reach at all times, I know it is getting easier, courtesy of my longstanding efforts and ongoing love. 

You will never be able to master what you love most because you will always be doing what you love most—it is your priority. To continue to do something is to get better at it, even when you are forced to take two steps back before getting to that new and improved place.  Instead of getting stuck in the mindset that your successes will never be enough, you must relish in the process leading to success, experiencing the significant accomplishments, and also acknowledging the ones that seem trivial. When you love something, and you work at it, completely “mastering” this activity is not feasible. However, you have mastered something less tangible, that being indisputable love so personal to you that only you can understand it. You should feel accomplished with that in itself.

by Georgina Gamble ’29 on February 5, 2026

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Opinion - Campus

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Nothing can quite compare to the feeling you get when you run down Esplanade in Pelham Manor in New York.

There is something special about the way the world looks when you are running down that two-way street and all the ingredients for a perfect run blend together. The way the hot concrete pounds beneath your feet, and how the early evening sun bounces off of the trees and reflects on the roofs of the gorgeous houses. The feeling of your lungs working just right, and if you close your eyes, it almost feels like you’re flying because you are running so fast. Your playlist—some conglomerate of Gracie Abrams, house music, and Charli XCX—blasts in your headphones.

I don’t think anyone quite gets Esplanade like I do. Esplanade makes me forget all the sweat sticking to my skin and how I want a glass of water so badly I can almost taste it. When I’m running on that street in early August, I shake my head at the fact that I whined as I laced up my sneakers because I would’ve rather been lying in bed.

I daydream about my runs back home a lot more than I think the average person does. I have new views during my runs now—I traded the sprawling front lawns dotted with hydrangeas for a snow-covered campus with trees all too barren for my liking.

I like to miss my hometown. I like to feel the lump in my throat when I remember how invincible I felt in the days before I knew how cold a New England winter could truly get. My summer tan is still there if I squint hard enough.

Contrary to popular belief, treadmill runs aren’t all that bad. My runs feel a bit different—a bit more stationary than I am used to—but sometimes, I get that familiar feeling in my breathing that almost makes me feel the hot August sun if I close my eyes. I don’t see anything wrong with nostalgia. I think it’s healthy for the insulation of your winter coat to contradict with the feeling of ultraviolet rays on your skin. I’m sure that someday I will yearn for these winter months too, and I will miss the first time I discovered how such thick blankets of snow can hush the world, just as my music drowns out the sound of my footsteps on the concrete.

by Sarah McCall ’26 on January 28, 2026

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Opinion

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Happy spring semester! I hope everyone had a restful break and a good start to the semester. I know that I usually keep my ed columns pretty silly and focus on whatever my current random thoughts are, but unfortunately, due to the state of the world, I have had less time to think about these trivial things. As a white college student, I hold a significant amount of privilege in this country, which protects me from having to face most of the cruelty happening around us. However, that does not mean that this cruelty does not exist. Every day, we hear more and more stories of children being ripped apart from their parents, children being used as bait by law enforcement, people being shot and killed for disagreeing with the government, and people being racially profiled and detained. The world we are living in is not normal, and it is completely inhumane. 

I graduate in May, and at this point, I should be concerned about where I will get a job, but instead, I am worried about the state of our country. The federal government has completely locked the state of Minnesota out of the investigation into the murder of Alex Pretti. The Trump Administration is pushing a narrative that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who murdered Reneé Good and Pretti were acting out of self defense, which is actively disputed by both the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis, as well as by countless witnesses. The administration of President Donald Trump is consolidating the authority of government to the federal level, discouraging independent thought and media, using brute force against citizens, and tearing apart communities. I feel immense outrage at what the administration has done and most likely will continue to do. There have been countless anti-ICE protests throughout the country, including many in Providence and Rhode Island. There is a protest at the Rhode Island State House on Friday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m., and I encourage everyone to attend and make their voices heard.

America is a nation of immigrants, and our country, just like any other, is unable to function without immigration. Our country is also not able to function when thousands of hardworking members of American society are inhumanely ripped from their communities. Or if the federal government continues to undermine the legal and judicial systems that form the basis of our democratic society. Or if government officials attempt to radicalize the population into hatred of different demographics. Or if people are murdered in broad daylight by a militarized police force. I can only imagine where our country is headed and what else is happening behind closed doors. 

As I approach the end of my college career, I am hopeful for the opportunities I may encounter, but I am also reflecting on the treatment of members of my community. With that, I wish everyone a good rest of the semester and a better world for all.

by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on January 22, 2026

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Opinion - Entertainment & Society

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Ever since I was a small child, I have been fascinated by books. I try not to sound trite when I say this, but I have always found a profound ease in getting lost in a good book. To delve into the characters, the setting, the interpersonal relationships and deep honesty of a good author—it is reading and learning and understanding that has made me want to become an author of books myself.

I can understand that the concept of reading is not thrilling to every person, especially in college when various majors require tedious forms of reading, other strenuous types of work, or simply no reading at all, and therefore one could be unaccustomed to the beauty of an enjoyable story. However, I wholeheartedly believe that with the right amount of exposure to impactful, high quality books, anyone is bound to find their own significance and relevancy to their life in reading.

Reading brings me a sense of peace that feels only perceptible to me. It feels like a massage for my brain, a reset, a reminder that words can hold so much meaning, they just need to be paid attention to in the same way everyday stimuli are given our time and attention. I was raised around books; I was told that reading can only strengthen my brain, and it also opens your brain to collections of knowledge that cannot be attained by a quick web search or skimming a couple pages. Reading takes time and requires a meditative, comfortable state of mind that every person should enter, even if reading is not part of their routine or required within their work.

I strive to write books that anyone can lose themselves in, regardless of their prior opinions of reading. It is perfectly reasonable not to get excited about reading in the same way that I do, but I am a firm believer that one who dislikes reading is one who has not found the right book. Every day we aim to find meaning, of any sort, whether we find it through our

friends, our families, the places we travel to, the things we study, or even the food we eat. What means the most to us is what pushes us to be better for ourselves, thus we are better friends, siblings, students, employees, and overall people. To find meaning is to be open, honest, and

receptive. There is so much to read, so much to learn, even if we are reading a simple, direct news article about the state of the world today or a 500 page novel by our favorite author.

I will forever thank my parents for insisting that I read, because without the development of that skill, I wouldn’t have learned how much I enjoyed writing. There’s an

excitement in reading, a burst of happiness and inspiration I feel when I know the characters and they represent a part of my life that I haven’t been able to put into words myself. Even if my assigned reading for school doesn’t fully align with this feeling, I promise myself that I will do the best I can to dig into the words with the same alacrity that I give to the books that I choose

for myself. No matter how successful I am, I am guaranteed to gain something from what I am reading—a new meaning so slight that it can mean the whole world.

by Courtney Wight '26 on January 22, 2026

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Uncategorized

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This past week, I went out to dinner with a couple of friends. It was a celebratory first-week-back meal, so we got some drinks and an appetizer in addition to our main meals. The total bill for the four of us (after tip) came out to around $200. While the food was good and we had a great time, I don’t think it was worth $200. This dinner is just one instance of a larger feeling I’ve had building over the past years: my money does not go as far as it used to.

Over the past few years, it feels like every aspect of life has become more expensive, particularly for students. Whether it is our tuition, meal plans, or student experiences, it constantly feels like nothing is affordable anymore. 

Each year, I’ve watched my Providence College bill increase. Now this is partially because I moved from the traditional housing—which is cheaper—to an on-campus apartment, but the increase is not just this. Tuition and meal plans have consistently risen in price over my time at PC. Tuition during my freshman spring cost $28,490, which is not cheap by any means. Now as a senior, my spring tuition was $32,435.

Now I’m not an idiot; I know inflation exists. However, it can begin to feel like the increases in prices are unnecessary. For example, all students are charged an activity fee. As an avid event attender, I acknowledge this is a necessary charge that should be paid for and that attending college events adds to my college experience. However, since my freshman year, the activity fee increased from $175 a semester to $230 a semester without any explanation as to why.

The PC administration has quietly made the college experience more expensive and simply hopes no one notices. One of these areas is student tickets for games. Despite my protest to $10 hockey tickets, prices have not gone back to $5. Instead, for this most recent game against Boston College, men’s hockey tickets were $15. Treating student ticket pricing like a concert sale on Ticketmaster with dynamic pricing is ridiculous. Last year the ticket to the Boston College game was $5, just as every other game last season!

Some may argue that if students want to save money, they should simply not go to events that cost money. I find this extremely stupid because PC is a sports school. Part of campus culture is attending games and the administration knows this. Student tickets no longer feel like a bargain, instead, it feels like PC’s administration and athletics department are taking advantage of their dedicated student fanbase.

To freshmen, a $10 hockey ticket seems normal, but seniors remember when those same tickets were $4. Freshmen are not receiving the same quality of student experience, despite paying an increased amount. Seniors remember Food Truck Fridays or when the Global Station at Ray Dining Hall used to change everyday and how huge it was to see either the orange chicken or ravioli that day.

I’ve felt my student experience decline over my time at PC. Every big event has become more and more expensive, from dances to Senior Ring Weekend, Homecoming, and the Spring Concert. Elements of the PC student tradition are no longer affordable and students are losing out on amazing experiences. I’ve loved my time at PC and I have met some of my lifelong friends here. I feel bad for underclassmen who may not be able to have the same experience I did because it is financially out-of-reach. Many of my favorite moments have been at student events and sports games. I encourage all students to take advantage of the free events across campus as a way to save money, but students should not have to consider if they’re going to the game with their friends or not because it is too expensive.

by Rachel Barter ’27 on January 22, 2026

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Opinion - Campus

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As an upperclassman or even a sophomore living in on-campus apartments or in suites, such as McCarthy Hall, you have multiple options for which meal plan you want to sign up for. There is a two-week window at the beginning of each semester for you to reduce or cancel your meal plan depending on your housing situation and meal plan requirements. As a junior living in an apartment on campus, I am not required to have a meal plan, so I reserve the right to select a meal plan and test it out for just under two weeks before deciding whether to adjust my selection or not. Similarly, if you are living in an off-campus building and currently have selected a meal plan that is higher than the required plan, then you should have received an email asking if you would like to reduce or cancel your meal plan.

Although I am grateful that we are allowed this two-week grace period to change our minds and adjust our dining plans to meet our specific needs and habits, as someone who has reduced my meal plan in the fall of 2025, it is important to note that even if you lower your meal plan, you may not be lowering your tuition bill. In fact, I had originally selected the 14 Meal Plan and decided to lower it to the Friar 165 Block meal plan during this grace period and this increased my tuition bill by $41.52, despite the 14 Meal Plan being $240 more expensive than the Friar 165 Block meal plan. Instead of crediting me the $3,440 semester cost of the 14 Meal Plan and charging me the $3,200 of my new Friar 165 Block plan, PC reduced my reimbursement to $3,158.48 to account for the portion of my meal plan that I had used in that less than two-week window.

In my opinion, it would make sense for the Office of Residence Life or the Bursar’s Office, depending who deals with this, to deduct what I had used from my new meal plan rather than from my old meal plan. This would  leave me to pay the difference and not use up my new meal plan, essentially paying for 18 weeks of a meal plan and studying at PC for only 16 weeks out of those 18. For instance, if I used 20 meal swipes and $20 in Friar Bucks, I would have expected my new meal plan to have 145 meal swipes rather than 165, and $305 Friars Bucks rather than $325. Instead, I was charged an additional $281.52 to cover what I had used and an additional $3,200 for the Friar Block 165 plan, which I had already decided would last me a full semester.  Otherwise I would not have decided to lower my meal plan.

Overall, if you are considering lowering your meal plan, it could actually cost you more money than remaining on your current plan, especially if the two plans are close in price. In fact, even if you lower your meal plan to an option that is significantly cheaper, you cannot count on the entire reimbursement.

by Izzy Mignardi ’27 and Dorothée Durivage ’28 on December 11, 2025

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Sports

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NBA

Christmas is just around the corner and holiday magic can be felt anywhere. The NBA is no exception, as it has annually played games on Christmas Day since the league’s inception in the late 1940s. As tradition wants it, Christmas games are the perfect opportunity to spotlight the top teams, rivalries, and stars, bringing in some of the best ratings of the season. This year’s games will be no different; the league has set up five consecutive nationally televised games. In an attempt to highlight special narratives and heated rivalries, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be playing against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, pitting two competitive Eastern Conference teams against each other. The Knicks have played the most Christmas Day games out of all 30 NBA teams, with this game marking their 58th appearance. The league’s defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be receiving the San Antonio Spurs in Oklahoma City for an opportunity to play against the Spurs’ rising star, Victor Wembanyama. Christmas Day’s main rivalry will take place in Los Angeles when the Lakers face the Houston Rockets, with two rival stars, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, fighting for their team’s win. LA’s Lakers are tied with the Knicks for the team with the most wins on the holiday, with 25 each. The NBA’s youngest player, Cooper Flagg, will be making his first appearance in a Christmas Day game since being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks last June. Dallas will travel to San Francisco for their game against the Golden State Warriors. With a Western Conference meeting to close off this Holiday’s games, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be heading to Denver to play the Nuggets, pitting Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic against each other. This game in the West will close out a 13-hour run of nonstop games for the league, making it a day packed with exciting matchups. 
– Dorothée Durivage ’28
Sports Staff

NFL

Turkey in the oven, cranberry sauce on the stove, family around the table, and football on the TV. Thanksgiving Day football is an American pastime, a staple of the holiday. Even those who couldn’t care less about the sport find comfort in the sound of the games on TV while holiday preparations begin.

This year, while food was still in the oven, the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 31–24. Then, the game might have been muted while dinner was served as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a tight game, with a final score of 31–28. Finally, as the holiday came to a close, the Cincinnati Bengals won against the Baltimore Ravens 32–14.

Whether or not your team is playing, the games bring together everyone in the house. An argument or two might arise if someone wants to flip channels back and forth to the parade. Like the parade, the games and the holiday are forever linked. This tradition is one incomparable to any other sport, because not only does it unite (or divide) families in their homes, but it unites people across the country. 57.2 million people tuned into the Cowboys vs. Chiefs 4:30 p.m. game, making it the most viewed regular season game in NFL history. 

Other sports, like basketball, average around 5.25 million viewers on their holiday games, proving that Thanksgiving Day football is truly unparalleled in its importance for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
– Izzy Mignardi ’27
Sports Staff

by Olivia Gleason '26 on December 11, 2025

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Opinion

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Hi Cowl readers! It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only two weeks away and that we have reached our final issue of the semester. The past three months were full of exciting learning experiences with The Cowl as Sarah and I navigated coming into this role together, and how quickly they flew by has gotten me into a very reflective mood. 

To me, reflecting on your life feels especially natural in the wintertime, particularly in December as the calendar year comes to a close. This is probably why, ever since I downloaded the Spotify music app, I have always enjoyed the arrival of Spotify Wrapped in December, and it’s almost too perfect timing. For those who have not heard of this before, Spotify Wrapped is a marketing tool used by the music app that provides each user with a summary of their top artists, albums, and songs throughout the calendar year. Every year, as the days get shorter, the campus quiets down, and we prepare ourselves for the new year, Spotify users (and Apple Music users, I suppose) receive this little present on our phones, serving as a miniature time capsule of who we were and who we have become throughout the year. 

The music we gravitate to is more often than not a reflection of our emotions, wants, and needs at any given moment. We reach for specific songs, genres, and artists for a plethora of reasons—comfort, motivation, nostalgia, or simple joy, to name a few. Maybe this comfort is found in a Beatles song your dad used to play in the car growing up, or the soundtrack to your favorite Broadway show. Maybe you queue an artist you’ve never listened to when you’re feeling like your life needs a change. Whatever the reason may be, it becomes clear that the music we gravitate towards, and the playlists we build in our Spotify apps, serve as emotional time capsules of ourselves. 

One of my favorite parts about the Spotify Wrapped release is getting to share and compare results with friends. In many conversations I’ve had with them, we’ve discussed our frustration with how we might not exactly relate to the results now. For example, one of my listed top five artists is someone I barely listen to now, but was playing nonstop at the beginning of this calendar year. The more I thought about this, though, the more I realized that this disconnect is actually something to embrace and hold close. Something as simple as Spotify Wrapped, by capturing these previous versions of ourselves, can remind us that we are constantly evolving, and that is an exciting thing. I don’t remember exactly when I stopped listening to this particular artist and started gravitating toward others, but this shift is a subtle reminder that I have grown over the course of the year; I have coped, celebrated, learned, and let go through a variety of different songs. 

All of this is to say, I think it is worth taking the time to reflect on your life and experiences in 2025 as it comes to a close, and your Spotify Wrapped is the perfect place to start.

by Rachel Barter ’27 on October 30, 2025

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Opinion

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I know it is not a popular opinion to have, but Halloween is my least favorite holiday, and it has lost its magic for me.

I don’t like Halloween, probably because I am cut off from trick-or-treating, which was my favorite part of the holiday. However, I also think it is due to the increasingly elaborate expectations of Halloween costumes, especially in college. I feel like there is pressure to create original and elaborate individual costumes or even group costumes. Thus, without trick-or-treating and creative ideas, I often feel at a loss for how to celebrate Halloween every year. 

This is all without mentioning that Halloween in college is associated with excessive drinking, which seems to be heightened at Providence College. Furthermore, even if I had good Halloween ideas or even a couple of bad ones, there is a lot of pressure at PC to have a different costume for every Halloween festivity, especially for women, which adds up.

Despite my ill-will towards Halloween, which has been festering for quite some time, I want to rediscover the beauty of Halloween while I am still in college, given the importance placed on Halloween during this time. Perhaps next year I will dip my toes in the Halloween pond by carving a pumpkin, who knows where I will display its rotting carcass after, and roasting the seeds as well as using the “guts” to make homemade pumpkin goods. 

Maybe I will bake those classic pumpkin chocolate cookies and pass them out to my friends like reverse trick-or-treating, or perhaps I will have an epiphany about what creative or boring costume I should wear using mostly clothes that I already have. 

Or maybe I will continue to celebrate Halloween in the most lackluster ways, such as eating Halloween-branded candy, taking advantage of holiday goodies (especially pumpkin ones), or admiring fall-scented candles in store aisles. 

Realistically, I will visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo during their fall and Halloween-inspired events, such as their Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, which gives me just enough of my Halloween fix.