By Gabriel Esparza

Talking with Vanessa Enciso, the Vice President of the Criminal Justice/ Forensic Science club at Hilbert, you can begin to understand how much her time here at Hilbert will shape her future. For now Vanessa sees herself becoming a medical examiner. “I like solving puzzles and I would like to bring some closure and comfort to families after losing their loved ones.”

Joining the Criminal Justice/ Forensic Science club (CJ/FS) has also been an important learning experience here at Hilbert. The CJ/FS club has provided students valuable insight and preparation for their careers. Detective Payne of the Orchard Park Police Department gave a talk about his personal experience to the club. Detective Payne recommended getting experience by being a military police officer first or to make yourself marketable by joining a citizen academy or local law.

CJ/FS students also attended a Criminal Justice  conference in Lake Placid where they listened to more experts and listened to panel discussions. The club also visited Attica correctional facility, here they learned how the prison operates from trained professionals.

The exposure of professionals helps to influence the perspective the students have of their fields, while preparing for their potential careers the CJ/FS club also helps out in the community. Among other volunteer opportunities, the club participates in the Adopt-A-Highway program. “I love helping out and volunteering. Working on a common project brings us closer together.”

The constant between Vanessa, Detective Payne, other club members and other experts is the passion for what they do. You can sense how much their job and their field means to them, being able to help others in their community gives them their drive. The CJ/FS club provides a good opportunity for it’s members here at Hilbert College.

By Gabriel Esparza

The opening drive started out so promising for the Bills! An opening 70 yard drive that ended in a field goal, not a bad start. Unfortunately for the Bills, the New England Patriots were on the other sideline.

On Sunday we saw a team on a mission. The brilliance of the Patriots franchise was on full display at the New Era Field. They won the field position battle, to give Brady a shorter filed to work with. Also defensively the Patriots were willing to give up some yards but near the goal line the defense stiffened up, Matt Patricia was going to trade giving up touchdowns for field goals. Offensively Brady systematically and methodically picked apart the Bills secondary. The wide receivers were able to quickly get open and Gronk was simply a match-up night. The play that stood out was  Gronk dragging four players with him for an additional 10 yards, it was honestly unfair.

The absence of LeSean McCoy  and missing Marquise Goodwin (and Sammy Watkins) was very notable, the final score would have been closer. But more importantly for the Bills, they will need their injured players to return if they hope to still make playoffs (which is still a good possibility). The playoff hopes of Buffalo will depend on the legs of LeSean McCoy.

Being at the game you saw the difference between the two football cultures. The Patriots always had their players ready, during a unit transition they were on the field first. The substitutions were more seamless, in between possessions Brady and Garoppolo were passing to each other, Tyrod was not. The punter, Ryan Allan was practicing his punts while arguably the best QB in history had the ball (not too many three and outs for Tom Brady), if anyone could afford to take it easy it would be the Patriots punter. Rex Ryan on the other hand either is unaware or lost his composure and challenged a play within the final two minutes.

These may seem like only small things, that’s precisely what they are! It is the great attention to detail and composure that helps to explain the winning culture of the Patriots. The Bills could learn from Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization, the talent is there for the Bills to take the next step as a franchise.

“Every picture should tell a story,” said Father Judd, the new Hilbert College Chaplin. As you listen to Father Judd talk about his childhood hobby- photography- you can begin to understand his approach to life.

According to Father Judd, a picture has to have the correct settings, and must be taken in proper context. It should not be staged or inauthentic. Every picture must have personal meaning to be brought to life. Just like pictures, Father Judd speaks about his experiences being brought to life from Franciscan values, which are the basis of Hilbert’s foundation.

Father Judd’s previously attended University of Buffalo Law School. While comparing the UB setting to the setting here at Hilbert, Father Judd stated, ”People at Hilbert are not in as big of a rush to get to the next place. People are more inclined to stop what they’re doing to chat for a bit.” He likes the size of the school because it’s not too overwhelming. He also said that he enjoys the opportunity to speak openly about the Franciscan values, which play a major part in his every day life.

Father Judd was able to live out Franciscan values from 1991-92, when he spent a year in Peru during the constitutional crisis. During this unrest in the streets, Father Judd was able to learn Spanish as he helped to provide a calm atmosphere and stability for the people of that area. One memorable moment in particular was walking through a violent neighborhood with his congregation in a prayer march. This was a sign of peace and hope, especially for the people that have to endure violence everyday. While only staying a year, he was able to make friends that he still keeps in contact with.

Father Judd also spent some time in Camden, New Jersey. He helped assist students in the public schools where children had little hope or support at home. The stable, educational environment at school allowed these kids to succeed further than anyone would have given them credit for. Children from poorer areas were known to win prizes and receive recognitions at state and national levels. To Father Judd, this was his most fulfilling work. At a future Franciscan spirit club event, he hopes to show a slideshow from his experience in Camden.

Due to the priest shortage in the area, Father Judd does not currently know if he will be able to remain at Hilbert beyond this year. But he hopes to makes the most of his time here and, like in Peru, he hopes to help improve lives and make lasting friendships. “I am bad with names, but I love it when people come up and talk to me,” said Father Judd apologetically. However, he encourages everyone to stop in and say hi!

Join Father Judd for mass in St, Claire chapel Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 12:30, or Thursday 8 a.m.

By: Nicole Plucinski

As Fall sports are coming to an end, the first season of the  Buffalo Cup competition has come to an end too.  As we enter  November and the beginning of Winter athletics, another chance begins to get some Hawk magnets up on the Buffalo Cup standings board.  Although there are no Buffalo Cup games in the month of November, they pick up again in December.

The Buffalo Cup is a competition between Medaille College, D’Youville College, and Hilbert sports teams. They are the three Buffalo schools in the AMCC. The idea for the three-school competition came from Hilbert’s athletic director, John Czarnecki.

December:

• Wednesday December 7th, WBB faces Medaille Away at 6pm – MBB faces Medaille following the Women’s game at 8pm.

• Monday December 12th, WBB faces D’Youville College at 6pm at Home – MBB faces D’Youville College following the Women’s game at 8pm.

January:

• Wednesday January 25th, WBB faces Medaille at 6pm at Home – MBB faces Medaille at 8pm

February:

• Wednesday February 8th, WBB faces D’Youville College Away at 6pm – MBB faces D’Youville College following the Women’s game at 8pm.
• Wednesday February 8th, MVB faces D’Youville College at Home at 7pm.

March:

• Wednesday March 29th, SB faces D’Youville College Away at 3pm, and 5pm.

April:

• Wednesday April 5th, WLAX faces D’Youville College Away at 7pm.
• Wednesday April 12th, BB faces D’Youville College Away at 1pm, and 3:30pm.
• Tuesday April 18th, WLAX faces Medaille at Home at 4pm.
• Wednesday April 26th, SB faces Medaille Away at 3pm, and 5pm.
• Wednesday April 26th, BB faces Medaille at Home at 1pm, and 3:30pm.

By Nicole Plucinski

On Tuesday September 27th 2016, The Women’s Soccer team won their match against cross-town rival Medaille College, 4-0.  On Wednesday September 28th 2016, the team was very excited to be able to be the first team to place a hawk magnet on the Buffalo Cup Board before beginning practice.

The next game that the ladies face that qualifies for a hawk magenent if won is on Wednesday October 19th 2016, away against another cross town rival D’youville College beginning at 5P.M.

By: Breyana Laury

Danielle Simmons graduated from Hilbert College the spring of 2015 with her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice.  Beginning January of 2017 Danielle will be attending Law School in Michigan. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old and established Hilbert College’s first dance team in September of 2012.

Q: What style of dance have you been doing?

A: I have a lot of experience in different styles of dance. I first started off doing tap but I have also done ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, Caribbean, waltz, and African dance.

Q: If you could describe Never Miss in 3 words what would they be? Why?

A: Family Orientated: Well over 30 members always had family qualities

Dedicated: Proof shown in multiple YouTube videos. Once we hit the stage we forget about everything else and kill it.

Adaptive: Open to many different events and entertainment. Willing and open to learn new dances such as modern and ballet.

Q: What inspired you to create Never Miss?

A: I would have never thought about making my own dance team once I came to Hilbert College. Leaving Performing Arts I would have never thought that I would dance again actually I just did one performance open mic by myself and then with another girl Davonna Howard and after that alumni from performing arts named Jasmine McCarter we kind of just got together and made a dance and performed it and after a lady named Ashley Goodwin a former student life coordinator of Hilbert College came to us and she inspired me to start my own dance team.

Q: How did you come up with the name Never Miss?

A: After Ashley came to us I was sitting in my room for hour’s days probably even a week or two thinking about different names. I went on google trying to look at different stuff to inspire me to make a name. It was one night my cousin sent me a picture on Facebook and it said never miss a chance to dance and it just stuck with me and it is like never miss a chance to dance and after I’m like I am going to name it Never Miss after the quote.

Q: How did you inspire your dance team members?

A: Our role to coming to Hilbert College is not to dance but it is to be successful within our classes and to get your degree but how I inspire in different ways is to go to class and get your degree but also to let your emotions out while dancing. Inspire that this is a family it is much more than just dancing.

Q: Who are some of the teachers that have inspired you?

A: When I started dancing at 2 years old Ms. Barbara’s School of Dance that is where I first started. After that I went to Ms. K Dance Camp and then I went to Performing Arts where I had teachers Ms. Jones, Ms. Parker, and Ms. Rebecca.

Q: Why do you teach?

A: It has always been a passion for me to dance like I said I never would have thought I would be teaching but it is just a passion and that is just something that I love doing.

Q: What was your favorite part of being a dance captain?

A: I have a few things. Although it was hard managing over 30 members it was it also helped me become a better leader. That is what made me more of a captain do not get me wrong I struggled. It was hard but I kept going because of the girls on the team.

Q: What are your strengths as a dance captain?

A: Communication. Attention to detail and being very organized with all paperwork.

Q: What are some of your weaknesses as a dance captain?

A: Letting the little things get to me rather it is arguments on the team or conflict. Trying to do everything myself. I have a hard time asking for help.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment as a dance captain?

A: Our first performance. I would have never thought the crowd would have went as crazy as they did for that performance. The leadership skills I have gained from it and over 30 people that I still keep in contact with that is most memorable and I still remember almost all the dances.

By Dale Zielen

Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? Who is America’s best hope? In my opinion, neither.  We have all been keeping up with the never ending fighting between the two candidates and the debates they have been having, but nothing I’ve heard them say yet has convinced me that they are going to help us as Americans and as human beings. Honestly all I see is bad decisions and a shitty next four years, no matter which of the two are selected as president.
One of Donald Trump’s plans if he were to become president is to lower taxes for the middle and lower class people, and to make sure that the richer, more powerful people pay more, but not too much to where it destroys jobs or undermines our ability to compete. I find this funny considering Trump acknowledged the fact that he avoided paying federal income taxes for years, eighteen to be exact. But yes lower our taxes and you can pay your fair share Donald, maybe throw in a little extra since you haven’t contributed in quite awhile. He also talks about immigration and securing jobs for Americans which sounds fair, but when you start talking about building walls and saying immigrants don’t belong here in America, the land of opportunity, it can definitely turn people off. Also isn’t your wife an immigrant? Weird.
Now Hillary isn’t any better. She is definitely more welcoming and has a good heart, but she isn’t very bright. We all know about the whole email conspiracy and the wonders about her health. My question is: is she really her best right now? Can she serve and do a good job for four years without any concern that she may have health problems in the future? I guess only time can tell. Come November 8th, Americans are going to have to choose. Trump or Clinton? I have yet to make a decision, have you?

“Is this fat free?” Forensics Science professor at Hilbert College and Forensics department advisor for the CJFS Association, Daniel Culver, laughed as whip cream dripped down his chin. On September 26, 2016 from 11 am to 1 pm, the Criminal Justice Forensics Science Association hosted a “Pie a Professor” event in order to raise money for the club. Both Doctor Mark Paoni, a criminal justice professor at Hilbert College and criminal justice advisor for aforementioned club, and Professor Culver were victims of multiple aluminum tubs of whip cream “pies” to the face.

“The money is for the club,” Chris Hotaling, club president and a senior majoring in Forensics Science, explained. “It’s to help support trips, expose students to criminal justice, forensics sciences, seeing speakers in that field, trips to prisons, and visit law enforcement agencies. We’re redoing it because it was successful last year.” Anyone and everyone could join in on the fun; C.J. Paoni even took up the offer and pied Professor Culver.

It’s important to work hard for what you want, and these young men and women are definitely doing their part to ensure their future is successful by hosting fun events such as these where both the club and the participants get something out of the experience.

“Wonder of the World” a comedic play written by David Lindsay-Abaire, premiered at 710 Main Theatre on Thursday, September 15^th. Hilbert’s own Taylor Doherty, a theatre professor, and member of the Buffalo Laboratory Theatre, was the director of the production.

“Wonder of the World” follows Cass Harris, an out-spoken woman who sets out of a journey of self-discovery after leaving her husband. She meets Lois, an unconcerned woman who suffers as an alcoholic, which causes her to be suicidal. The play follows them as they make their way to Niagara Falls—an iconic landmark much of our Hilbert students know, where Lois plans to go overboard. Audience watch as these unique characters interact with new people who seem to be up to no good. Eventually, these women come to their senses, realizing that running away from their issues isn’t the answer.

Students went to see the production for Professor Doherty as a class requirement. Kashya Williams, a junior majoring in Digital Media and Communication, had a great time at the show. She explains how her laugh could be heard across the theatre. She laughed a lot, and thought the show was very funny. When asked about who her favorite character was, Kashya answered, “The Sextuplets.” Yes, this sounds odd. But in the show, an actress played the role of six different characters, hence the character name.  In addition, Kashya defined her favorite part of the play as being when Captain Mike recalled the story of his wife, and the tragic yet ironic end she met.

The 10^th Annual Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Expo was a popular event at Hilbert College on October 5^th. Katie Martoche, the Director of Career and Community Engagement, explained how this event was not limited to criminal justice majors. All students with diverse interests can learn something from this, given the plethora of information at students’ fingertips.

In total, there were 18 groups, situated at different tables, with their pamphlets and posters on display. These tables offered career information for internships—a subject very prominent amongst the study body.

Retha Hunter, with the FBI Jobs, was present, promoting internship opportunities. She hopes to recruit college students to join a diverse team that keeps our communities and nation, as stated on their flyer they handed out during the event. FBI Jobs seek expertise in Intelligence, Computer Science or I.T., Foreign Languages, Engineering, Science, Accounting, Law, Military, and other investigative fields. To enter, a four-year college degree is required along with three years of professional work experience. As mentioned, professionals seek diversity, and appreciate students from all backgrounds. For example, if a student studied in the media or journalism field, a career in Public Affairs is a possibility.

Michelle, a transfer student from JCC, and a junior, studies Forensic Science. In addition, her friend, Chloe, a sophomore, and also a transfer from Millersville, Pennsylvania, is interested in Forensic Science, expressed interests in the criminal justice field. Both girls explained that they applied for an internship with the FBI. Chloe said that this expo was very helpful and presented a lot of information. This was their first time attending Hilbert’s event.

To learn more about the FBI Internship (Summer 2017) and University Hiring Program, visit FBIJOBS.Gov.