Tag: Providence College
Leaving
by Grace Batsie ’28 on February 5, 2026
Portfolio - Poetry
“I’ll text you,” you say as you leave.
But we both know you might not.
The text thread is on borrowed time,
And it may be a miracle that you showed up
in the first place.
The expiration date has passed,
But then you show up again,
And it’s like everything is new again.
So, you may or may not text me after,
But you leaving,
Means I had you in the first place.
A Dark Lord
by Benedict Bergeron ’29 on February 5, 2026
Portfolio - Short Fiction
Immured in a darkling dungeon, you see the sun setting into night beyond the windowsill, which is sealed by a rusting gridiron. Clinging to the flaking bars, you bruise your knuckles as you strike the iron, desperate to capture a single ray, a single photon of light. A great hook of hot steel wraps around your neck and yanks you down. Choking, your body slams against the slimy stones and, looking up, there stands, enwreathed in dark garments which reek of former victims and somehow echo their screams long ceased, the Lord of Shadow, FAFSA. He leers over you and grips with fingers that glint with a slimy lustre, his odious hook, a staff of torment and agony. You gaze at the two pale lights that glitter beneath his hood, and in them lie dusky images and luminescent shadows of faces, contorted and gored; and his smile appears with teeth as white as snow and pearl gems. Lord FAFSA bellows a grim laugh that transcends the spoken word, piercing the mind and heart and soul with a dreadful terror. Behind your eyes well countless tears, and your throat catches with the struggling breaths of horror; the sheer evil of this profane creature from hell causes your lips to part in pitiful sobs. You rise, guided by this fell being, weeping profusely and ever desiring to flee, yet the room is darkness. The iciness of his wet fingers seeps through your shirt and chills your shoulder. With all of your might, you search for escape, dry your wailings, try to become whole again, but his ensorcelments are too potent. At last, he guides you to a chair and sits you down before an old, strobing computer screen. There are innumerable lines that must be filled, but half of it you do not understand. Through your blinding sobs, you ask him with a sniffle what each line is for; and, through his lips, which you can almost feel flapping behind your ear, his dark words and cold breath tell you in legal jargon everything you need to know. Yet still, you do not understand. He only repeats himself while you grow more and more confused. The strobing screen causes your eyes to burn and your brain to swell. As your deep sorrow, your pure, unabated agony augments with every passing moment, you beg him, “Please, please, I don’t want to do this. Let me go! Leave me alone!”
His quiet, mocking chuckle drips like thick sap into your ear, and he says, “You want me here … you need me here … I am your only hope.”
You know that he speaks the truth, and that makes your anguish all the more bloodcurdling.
At last, you pray, and that one photon you hoped for appears and bolts through the window like an arrow. Line by line, the form is filled, and the demon shrinks and shrivels into the harmless imp that it is. Your weeping ends, and the form is done. The door opens, rumbling on great steel hinges, and your family and loved ones rush in, hugging you and kissing you, having feared the worst. In that moment, after this uttermost evil of the world was revealed to you, you realize what is truly most important. Such joy! Such love! Such a putting of things in order!
Yet, as you leave that horrid dungeon, you can still feel FAFSA’s cold hands caress your shoulders, and you hear the whisper of his diabolical voice in your head.
“I will see you next year…”
Athlete of the Week
by Emilia Farrell ‘28 on February 5, 2026
Athlete of the Week
It is not a secret to anyone on the Providence College campus that the men’s ice hockey team has been on a roll this year. The Friars have swept opponents the past three consecutive weekends, which pushed them to a dominant seven-game win streak. The team’s overall performance has resulted in them rising to the top rank of Hockey East with a conference record of 11–3–1. The first pair of wins came against the University of Maine, then rival Boston College, and quickly Boston University as well. Each weekend has tested the team in different ways, but every time they have risen to the occasion while under immense pressure.
The standout player across all of these recent games is alternate captain Aleksi Kivioja ’28. A native of Espoo, Finland, Kivioja is in the midst of his second strong season at PC. Before suiting up for the Friars, Kivioja played for two years with the Omaha Lancers, where he served as an alternate captain and appeared in 103 games, which allowed him to gain valuable hockey and leadership experience. No. 14’s most recent success has come through his impressive work on both ends of the ice. On the defensive side, Kivioja blocked a shot or more in all of the six swept games. On offense, he is equally as effective, scoring goals in three of the six games and recording assists two. One special goal for Kivioja was the game-winner in a close game against Boston University on Jan. 23, after which was awarded Hockey East Play of the Week. To start this play, Kivioja passed the puck to No. 22 Clint Levens ’27, who then passed it right back to Kivioja for a quick goal with 2:41 left in regulation. This important recognition by the Hockey East Conference reinforces how skillfully he has been playing as of late. Three out of Kivioja’s four goals on the season have been in the past five games alone, demonstrating how far he has progressed recently. His ability to transition seamlessly between offense and defense makes him a critical presence on the ice for the Friars. Overall, Kivioja demonstrates what it means to be a team player on both ends of the ice. His performance has played a catalytic role in Providence’s recent success. As the regular season is coming to an end, Kivioja will no doubt also be playing a key role in the team’s aspirations for postseason play.
Sports Shorts
by Andrew Vines ’29 on February 5, 2026
Sports Shorts
Men’s Basketball
On Jan. 30 the Friars traveled to Villanova University to take on the Wildcats in a Friday night Big East matchup. Corey Floyd Jr. ’26 joined the injury report before the game bringing the number up to five inactive for the Friars. Stefan Vaaks ’29 was the game’s leading scorer, totaling 25 points and going 5–11 from beyond the arc. The Friars’ defense could not stop Villanova’s 3-point shooting as the Wildcats went 13–29 from three on the way to an 87–73 victory. The team is now last in the Big East with a conference record of 2–9 and 9–13 overall. DePaul University comes to town on Feb. 7 for a late afternoon tip.
Men’s Ice Hockey
The men’s ice hockey team came into the week ranked No. 9. They traveled to Alfond Sports Arena to take on the No. 17 ranked University of Maine Black Bears on Jan. 17. The Friars went down 1–0 early, but tied it up soon after with a goal from Alex Rybakov ’29. At the end of the first period the Friars trailed 2–1. There was no further scoring until Andrew Centrella ’27 tied it up with 5.6 seconds to go to force overtime for the Friars. In overtime, Logan Sawyer ’28 called game for the second time in two weeks to extend the Friars’ winning streak to seven. The Friars are one of the hottest teams in the country now at 16–7–2 atop the Hockey East. They will visit the University of New Hampshire on Feb. 6 and host the University of Vermont on Feb. 7.
Women’s Ice Hockey
The women’s ice hockey team traveled to the University of Vermont this weekend to take on the Catamounts for two games. The Friars won on Friday night, Jan. 30, 4–1. Molly Farace ’29 scored the lone goal in the first period. After allowing a goal, the Friars closed out the game on a 3–0 advantage with goals from Hannah Clarke ’28, Kiara Kraft ’27, and Megane Quirion ’26. On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Friars completed the sweep with a 3–2 victory. Audrey Knapp ’27 scored a power play goal, and Reichen Kirchmair ’26 and Emma Hofbauer ’28 tallied the other two. Their record is now 9–17–2. They will take on the University of Connecticut and Merrimack College on Feb. 6 and 7.
Men’s Lacrosse
The men’s lacrosse team traveled to the College of the Holy Cross on Saturday, Jan. 31 to open their season against the Crusaders. This game was moved indoors to the St. Ignatius Indoor Practice Facility due to the weather. After a 5–5 first quarter the Friars outscored the Crusaders 10–5 to close out the game and win 15–10. Rhett Chambers ’27 and Jay Wilkerson ’28 both scored four goals. Chambers also had two assists. Pennsylvania State University transfer Matt Lazzaro ’27 had a hat trick. Big East Pre-Season Offensive Player of the year Richie Joseph ’26 scored two goals. The Friars’ home opener is Saturday, Feb. 7 when they look to go 2–0 against the Bryant Bulldogs.
Athlete of the Week
by Sarah Wolff ’28 on February 5, 2026
Men's Basketball
This week, we celebrate guard Stefen Vaaks ’29, whose performance last Saturday, Dec. 6, and in recent games delivered big moments for the Friars. It hasn’t taken long for Vaaks to get Providence College basketball fans talking. His poise, energy, and clutch scoring moments don’t look like they’re coming from a freshman. Vaaks has impressive length and mobility for someone standing at 6’7”, and so far, he has taken every opportunity the coaching staff has given him.
Over the Friars’ last two games, he has averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, while shooting a solid 44 percent from the floor and hitting four of nine threes. Contributions like these have helped the Friars take some runs and close out tight games, showing the kind of confidence and rhythm this team has been looking for in the past season. Vaaks’s impact, however, extends beyond the box score. On both ends of the court, he’s brought hustle, energy, and execution. He puts in the work on the offense, working to secure rebounds and convert them into points down at Providence’s basket. As Vaaks runs plays, he energizes not only his teammates, but the crowd as well. On the other hand he’s already shown smart instincts defensively: challenging shots, rotating quickly, and even securing a season-high three steals in a single game. The Cowl published an article at the end of last spring semester amidst the buzz surrounding his commitment. We can remember the excitement the program had installed in everyone regarding his size, international background, and potential as a versatile guard.
However, what’s truly energizing is seeing how that potential is beginning to translate into noticeable and strong contributions when Vaaks is performing his best at the AMP. The rookie’s mistakes have been small. Instead, what stands out is an intentional aggression, a willingness to win some of those tough games, and the kind of composure and confidence in high-pressure environments that often escape first-year players. Head coach Kim English commented on Vaaks’s commitment this season, noting he is “really impressed with Vaaks, especially responding with a big swing after the 14–2 start” in their Saturday home game against the University of Rhode Island. English’s confidence in the freshman guard has been evident in his rotation decisions, trusting Vaaks with important minutes and allowing him to playwhile adjusting to completely new surroundings. Vaaks has responded to this with consistency, discipline, and a maturity uncommon for a league rookie.
As Providence continues to move through in league play, Vaaks’s promise as a player feels more and more tangible with each game. Through his growth, he is slowly showing his coaches, teammates, and fans what he can become: a confident scorer, a strong competitor, and a reliable player to have on the court. If this season’s start is any indication, the Friars have found a possible piece to help them excel not only in the future, but also throughout the current season.
Community Dinner with Dialogue Stakeholders on Campus
by Shannon Kelly ’26 on February 5, 2026
News
The Future of Dialogue at Providence College
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy Lab Fellows Isabelle Camoin ’26 and Shannon Kelly ’26 hosted a community dinner with various dialogue stakeholders on campus. Representatives from several clubs and organizations on campus, including Residence Life, BMSA, BOP, Civic Engagement Taskforce, SHEPARD, ECOPC, The Cowl, NERLab, Her Campus, PIRC, DID Lab, and others, were present at the discussion.
Members from the same organizations and clubs were assigned to different tables before engaging in conversation. The hope with this was that people would become familiar with other individuals on campus whom they might not have known previously. We started out with a community agreement, which is a practice that had been introduced to us by Dr. Nick Longo, co-director of the DID Lab. Introductions were held, and the hosts led with the question, “Why did you agree to come to the dinner?” to gauge people’s motivations and what they sought to get out of the conversation. There were five round tables, and most questions posed started off in a small-group discussion, then a few people from each table shared out to the larger group. Many people shared that they appreciated the invitation, cited their pre-existing relationships with others in the room, and expressed their hope to discuss the dialogic atmosphere on campus.
The two questions that we initially posed were, “How have you experienced civil discourse on campus in your daily interactions with others?” and “How do you specifically experience civil discourse in the clubs and organizations that you are a part of?” In regards to the first question, some people spoke of engaging in conversation with their friends, but many noted that they felt their pre-existing views were often affirmed, rather than challenged, in these daily conversations. Some also spoke to the importance of starting a conversation through recognizing a common ground between participants. The importance of friendship, and trust more generally, was also a focus in the conversation. Many mentioned that they felt that they participated in conversations in silos, which didn’t allow for greater conversation to be had with others.
The other two questions that we posed were, “How can we make sure the meaningful conversations we are having continue? What is working in your club or organization?” and, “Should we be reaching those who have not yet engaged in meaningful dialogue? How can we do that?” Several practices were viewed as currently working on campus. This included office hours for SHEPARD, DEI-centered dialogue for BOP, having a shared office for Student Congress, reaching out to professors, and taking the time to personally invite others to events. In terms of things that were not working, knowing what is going on within various clubs/organizations, and a general lack of engagement from others on campus who are not as involved in on-campus activities was brought up. When brainstorming how to move forward, many said that we should be prioritizing safe spaces, advocating for others, using the clubs that we are a part of as a force for good, reaching out to get others involved, and prioritizing listening to different viewpoints were all brought up.
Several students from The Cowl expressed difficulty in trying to get students with conservative viewpoints to join the newspaper. They expressed their efforts to get others involved through hosting an open house and repeatedly posting on their social media that they were looking for writers of varying opinions for each section. Throughout the discussion, it was clear that there was recognition of the need for change and more open dialogue on campus. Someone also brought up the role that technology plays in our everyday interactions, as well as the need to bridge the gap between solely communicating online versus in person, and getting more people willing to engage in civil discourse in person was emphasized.
When sharing out with the larger groups, one person said that, “No one wants to see the world crumble.” This was an important basis to start off a conversation with, as it creates common ground with people who may share differing viewpoints and perspectives. This discussion was the first part of an initiative entitled the “Beyond the Walls” series, which seeks to continue the conversation that the DID Walls allow others to engage in. DID Walls can be found across campus in the Feinstein Academic Center, Slavin Center, Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences, Science Complex, and Moore Hall. We look forward to continuing these conversations in the future.
Cave
by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on January 29, 2026
Portfolio - Poetry
The room is similar to that of a cave,
cold and quiet,
but not quite empty,
not quite vacant.
We string up glowing petals above,
the windows stay open,
barely a flash, just constant, waning, natural light.
A blanket of time, hours go by, warm and safe, the ease is innate.
Every item, a friendship crest, the incense holds the memories,
the first time we met, meek and hesitant,
the sun falls and is born again, marking another day of knowing you.
Forever we will live here.
No one can ever live here the same;
this cave holds the remnants of every step, every trace of eager stories,
loud, jubilant, peachy faces, an earnest, mutual bond.
We’ll shut the windows only to prevent the rain from spilling in.
s n o w
by Hanna Boudreau ’28 on January 29, 2026
Portfolio - Poetry
s
n
o
w
cover me—hide me—when I am overcome with woe
s
n
o
w
comfort me—console me—when I know not where to go
s
n
o
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call me—christen me—with the name which you bestow
s
n
o
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catch me—carry me—when I trip over my own shadow
s
n
o
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coddle me—cradle me—like an old weeping willow
s
n
o
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challenge me–captivate me—like the swirling art of Van Gogh
s
n
o
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compliment me—celebrate me—as one does a beautiful rainbow
s
n
o
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cure me—complete me—never let me go
The Poet’s Plight
by Benedict Bergeron ’29 on January 29, 2026
Portfolio - Poetry
I sit before my oaken table
As oft as I am able
With pen in hand and paper
My words, never stringing.
I try to be a shaper,
A song-maker, singing,
But inspiration lacks;
My purpose comes to naught.
I turn to trace my tracks,
But I have none begot.
Before my oaken table, I sit,
Not writing once, not one bit.
To me, this is a dreadful sight;
This is our curse: The Poet’s Plight.
Where Am I, and Where Are You?
by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on January 29, 2026
Opinion - Entertainment & Society
My best friend from back home will forever be my best friend from back home. When we are married with children, have moved away to where we’ve always dreamed of living, and have filled our households with homemade meals our mothers taught us to cook, artwork obtained throughout our travels, and beloved albeit deteriorating furniture from our first apartments, she will still be my best friend from home. I will look at her across the dining room table, adorned with flowers from the garden and a lambent glow from candlelight, and I will see her running through the backyard of my childhood home in her bathing suit, sunburnt and covered in grass. I will see her wrapped in a sleeping bag with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, the Christmas lights strung along the ceiling of my basement dangling over us. I will see her on prom night, our senior year, winding light pink ribbon around my bouquet of flowers that had disbanded in the pouring rain. My heart will ache with love for her, adoration, and the scent of her—fresh-picked lavender and faint incense—will pull me back home, to where we grew up, together, all at once.
It is an extreme challenge to separate people from places, faces from memories. You can separate yourself, move away, begin a new period of your life, but those connections—the scents that trigger emotions, the songs that remind you of specific people, and even a mere mention of a saying you used to hear all the time—they’re irremovable. As people—especially observant, empathetic people—we commonly practice making associations between feelings and places, usually related to a person you have vivid memories with. Regardless of where I am, or how long it has been since I’ve been back home, I will always remember the smallest things—what some might call the most trivial details—about people, and it doesn’t take much to remind me. The soft veil of sunlight over the tops of the trees, perceptible through the hallway window, brings me back to long hikes in early spring, obscure places with my family, being young and dragging my feet, but I was always gaining something. The air always felt light and delicate in my lungs; my brother’s lapis blue down jacket kept me warm, never letting me down. My brother and I would make crude jokes as we leaped over the roots of trees and skidded across wooden bridges over rippling creeks. We’d watched too much Cartoon Network, and our humor was infused with the clever yet slightly inappropriate humor of The Amazing World of Gumball. One memory trickles into another, and before I know it I am a little kid again, hiking, sledding, dancing to Lady Gaga, or eating hot dogs in the tiny shop I had no idea I’d work in one day.
No matter where you are, you are with all the people you’ve ever met. Your new friends may share the same smile lines as your oldest friend, or a guttural laugh similar to your father’s. Your ex that occasionally crosses your mind may appear within a restaurant menu or scribed in the lines of a new book, words they once said, or phrases you’ll never forget. Sometimes these reminders are like whispers, a gentle call to memory, growing latent in the back of your mind. Other times, the memories rattle your brain. They are rapturous, or miserable, or so overwhelming they are indistinguishable. Regardless, you’ll never shake people from your life. Your memories may become less fervent, less relevant to the time, but one way or another, you leave a mark on everyone you meet, and they’ve left something for you.
It is imperative that you stay in touch with those who are in different places; the ones you have inevitably separated from, yet they remain just as important to who you are. People make up each other—I have learned things from my childhood best friend that I’ll never learn from anyone else, created irreplaceable memories with new friends, and been loved by my family in a way no one else ever could. No matter where I am, I will remind myself of where you are, and when I’m unsure, I’ll let my memories guide me to you.