By Nicole Plucinski

Lady Hawk’s head coach Kelly Starchok earned the title of Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference’s Coach of the Year Award for all her hard work the Fall 2016 season.
“I am very humbled and honored to have received the Coach of the Year award in the conference. Let me be completely honest, this award is a team award and it is about the intangibles that you each possess,” Starchok said, in a speech she delivered at an end-of-season banquet held at Ilio DiPaolo’s restaurant in Hamburg.
“Every single one of my players took a pre-season 10th place pick and wrote our own future…and to that I owe each member of this team a personal thank you.”

The women’s soccer team was predicted to be last in the conference, but surprised critics with a fifth-place finish.

The 2016 team received five honors from the AMCC this past season, the most in the program’s thirteen-year history in the AMCC league. The Lady Hawks were recognized and rewarded by the nine other league coaches who vote annually. ALong with Starchok who won Coach of the Year, Jennifer Colvin and Brooklynn Gormel were picked to the 1st Team All-Conference, Jenna Castricone was placed on the 2nd Team and Shannon Rogers took a spot on the 3rd Team.

Overall, this season has been a very exciting considering it has been the first winning season in 10 years for Hilbert Women’s Soccer. The Lady Hawks had a 7 game winning streak, with 6 clean sheets (shutouts). The women scored 27 goals, which is 8 more goals than last year. Lastly, they set a new AMCC mark with a record of 9-7-1, establishing the program’s best winning percentage in the AMCC league at 4-4-1 with a 5th place finish for the program’s third postseason tourney.

If you didn’t get to check out the moon on monday November 14th, you missed out on a beautiful sight. On that night, it was considered to be the closest full moon to earth since 1948. Its speculated that the next “supermoon” will not happen again until 2034. A supermoon happens when a full moon or a new moon synchronizes with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, which also can be called perigee moon, according to NASA. Even if you did miss this exciting phenomenon, don’t worry, there about 4-6 supermoons a year, just not this large. This is the second of three supermoons in a row. The first was Oct. 16. The next is due Dec. 14.

I had never been very athletic, at least willingly. I’d run when I had to in P.E., but aside from that it’d take Freddie or Jason to be chasing me in the dead of night for me to go faster than a constipated llama. I also didn’t have an affinity for authority. Teachers, parents, and any other superior in my life would try to restrain the ball of fire that I am and would fail miserably or I’d completely disregard and impulsively live life. So, when I told my parents that I was going to be joining the Marine Corps, they were floored.
Three months and one week would be spent in Parris Island, South Carolina doing nothing but working out, learning how to shoot an M16 A-4 Service Rifle from 500 yards away (a football field is only 120 yards long for reference), marching, and fighting techniques called Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Every day I’d wake up a 0400 (4 AM) and run around from “activity” to “activity” to the sound of three extremely pissed off and loud drill instructors until 2000 (8 PM). We were never alone, at least one of the fiercest, highly trained bad asses was watching us at any given moment this included using the bathroom and taking showers. Moving out of position of attention or parade rest would result in being Intensively Trained (I.T.). Talking amongst ourselves was prohibited. If we wanted to use the bathroom we’d have to request permission in a loud, warrior cry. Oh, and we weren’t allowed to say “I, me, or my.” Instead we were “these recruits, that recruit, and those recruits.”
Through the 13 weeks of hell, and four years of service, I realized what I was made of. Being stripped of everything, including my own name, food, comfortable clothes, comfort in general, and anything that held some semblance of security, made me come face to face with myself. I earned my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. Not another living soul assisted me in attaining the title of Marine. I dug from deep within and pulled it together. All the blood, sweat, and tears translated into respect that I will have that is synonymous with the world’s greatest fighting force for the rest of my life. These lessons of perseverance and dedication have prepared me for the world and are accompanying me in my life as a civilian here at Hilbert College. It gave me the confidence to try new things, the security of being ok with myself (because when you’re not allowed to shave or shower for a week at a time you learn that beauty doesn’t mean anything in the end), and most importantly it revealed to me the simple pleasures in life that so many take for granted. I am a proud veteran and have learned so much. I want to impart my experiences and knowledge onto people just as my drill instructors did to me.
Not everyone’s experience is the same. Some may have had it worse and others better, but I want to thank every person who has served, is still serving, and will serve because at times it is a thankless job. Veterans of all branches, you have my utmost respect and undying gratitude. Semper Fi and God bless.

Following the results of the election the folks at Scribe TV were unsure what to write or say. Because of this we decided the best thing to post today would be a discussion on our feelings and future plans are.

This video is highly edited and only reflects the view point of those in the video.

By Kylie Wooliver

In 2016, Nicole Maiorana graduated from Hilbert College with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services. Where is she now? And what is she doing?
Nicole is now attending graduate school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at St. Bonaventure’s Buffalo campus, which is actually located right here at Hilbert. While going to school, Nicole works part-time at Brierwood Child Care as a day care teacher.
She has her own classroom where she is responsible for organizing activities and small lesson plans for school-aged children. From 1pm to 3pm, she assists in the infant room, and from 3pm to 6pm she works with kindergarten to fourth grade students. These children are under her care until their parents arrive and take them home.
Nicole says, “Although I enjoy my job, I’m excited to move forward in my career as a licensed mental health counselor.”

By Gabriel Esparza

October 29th Hilbert College celebrated the career of four  athletes: Nickee Thibault, Morgan Ott, Serena Tecl and Amanda Binder.  Before the final volleyball game of their collegiate career the players were announced and took a picture with their family as part of a pre-game ceremony. A short bio was read telling the crowd about their time, not only on the court, but also off the court. Hearing some of the little things that they seniors did, such as being “team DJ” , you realize how much the seniors meant to their team and how much they will be missed. Despite losing the game, you could see the chemistry between the players and how much they enjoyed playing the sport together that they dedicated so much time and effort to.

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.