On Sunday, April 22, Wagner Hillel organized an afternoon of powderpuff football. The group's goal was to raise money for the Autism Society of America. According to organizers, Wagner College's Seahawk Stadium was packed for the event. Even with just a $2 gate fee, the Hillel event raised nearly $2,000 to help fight autism. New York 1 aired a story on the event, which you can view by clicking on the image below:
On Friday, April 20, a corps of Wagner College nursing seniors visited the George Egbert Intermediate School on Staten Island to offer students a full day of courses on the hazards of smoking tobacco. New York 1 aired a story on the day's activities, which you can view by clicking on the image below:
Confessions of passion from Island’s ‘Idol’ lovers
By TEVAH PLATT, Staff Writer
Staten Island Advance, Wednesday, May 2, 2007
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An unashamed journalist wrote a confessional in this week’s “New York” magazine professing publicly her love for the Fox-TV pop phenomenon “American Idol.”
Despite the show’s wildly high ratings in the New York area, the author claimed that fellow New Yorkers had consistently sneered at her enthusiasm, meeting her eager remarks with a “withering, what-red-state-are-you-from stare.”
Staten Island knows no such scorn.
Here, there are Idol lovers and Idol loathers, but the fans-- who aren’t hard to find-- are direct enough to admit it.
“I’m proud to watch ‘American Idol,’” proclaimed Justine Cannizzaro, a sophomore at Wagner College, despite waning interest in the show this season. “I don’t care what people think.”
“I can see people making fun of it,” said MBA student Maria Pontoriero. “But I have no problem admitting I watch it.”
Students at the Grymes Hill campus-- just a sampling of the city’s 1.35 million viewers whom “New York” magazine tallied up after a recent episode — tuned in from their dorm rooms, their apartments and their parents’ living room couches to watch the final six perform.
Two of those six will be voted off during tonight’s live episode at 9 p.m.
“I’ve been watching it all season, unfortunately,” said sophomore Niven Abdelhamid. “It’s kind of like a leech on your brain. Once you get into it, you can’t stop.”
Senior Larissa Randall has also tuned in to every note: “I watch this ridiculous show religiously,” she said.
For those who haven’t been watching, these two viewers summarized the contenders’ assets.
“Melinda, LaKisha and Jordin are all really powerhouse singers,” said Ms. Randall. “Everyone really likes Melinda and LaKisha, the two divas of the group. But I really like Jordin.”
Of the men, Ms. Abdelhamid identified Chris Richardson as the one with the “nasally voice and the Justin Timberlake style,” and Blake Lewis as the likable blond with the wavy hair. She didn’t mention Phil Stacey, the lanky, bald-headed 29-year-old who last night gave one of the season’s top performances.
“I kind of want Sanjaya back, because he was interesting,” she opined. “He was so cute and harmless. LaKisha [Jones] is like a wet blanket. Initially everyone raved, but now they’re not too crazy about her.”
Arianna Imperato, a Wagner freshman, also said her LaKisha-philia died out as she began to perceive that singer as “increasingly arrogant.”
The favorites among this college crowd vary, but it seems Jordin Sparks has a decent fan-base, Richardson is the heartthrob of choice and Melinda Doolittle has yet to hit a bad note this season.
On last night’s show, all the singers covered Jon Bon Jovi hits. There were a few notable moments: Lewis added a beat-boxing riff to the middle of “You Give Love A Bad Name”; Ms. Sparks more or less failed to rock, and Jones earned a kiss from the irascible Simon Cowell.
But last night’s performances won’t entirely determine the contestants’ fate. Since no one was eliminated on last week’s “Idol Gives Back” charity show, the last batch of votes will be combined with those entered this week to scratch two contestants.
“It’s really different that they’re voting two people off,” said Ms. Imperato. “It’s going to be a lot more stressful for them, and more interesting to watch.”
And of course, it’s more interesting to watch among interested watchers. Fans in other boroughs, ferry out — you’ll be in good company.
Tevah Platt is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at platt@siadvance.com.
Spring tonic: ‘Songs for a New World’
By MICHAEL J. FRESSOLA, Staff Writer
Staten Island Advance, Wednesday, May 2, 2007
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Three bars into “Songs for a New World” at Wagner College’s Studio Theater, the material and its four undergraduate interpreters become fused. It’s practically perfect.
The 2000 song cycle by composer/lyricist Jason Robert Browne (of “Parade” and “Urban Cowboy: The Musical” fame) is tailor-made for the fleeting moments of college-educated young adulthood:
From the title song:
