Staffers of the Week: Chris, Taylor and Many Office “Faces”

taylor chrisOnce a week, The Hoya recognizes a staffer that has done a particularly awesome job – now you can get to know about them too. As part of our Leavey 421 series, we’ll be posting quick interviews with each Staffer of the Week! In a special turn of events– poetic justice? divine intervention?– one of our staffers is celebrating his birthday today. Happy birthday, Chris! Keep up your fantastic work for The Hoya!

Names Chris Bien
Schools College
Years 2014
Majors Political Economy
Hometowns Los Altos Hills, CA
Positions on the Hoya Contributing Editor (former senior photo editor)

Names Taylor Wan
Schools College
Years 2016
Majors Computer Science
Hometowns New York, NY
Positions on the Hoya Web Manager (former resident female techie)

Why did you earn staffer of the week? 

Chris: I think credit first has to be given to the staff for doing a lot of work on the Faces campaign. All of the photographers and recorders worked hard in making sure we had enough people for the project. Also, Lauren Weber (former Chair of the Board) and Connor Gregoire (former Editor in Chief) for organizing the charge, while the tech team made sure the website looked sick. What I did was go through the pictures we had and make sure the matched the names and info, then resized the photos for the poster and online, and then laid them out while making sure the info and pictures were prepped and ready to go to the right people for them to do their part. It took a long time but it was worth it.

Taylor: I made and helped launch the website for the Many Faces project. I don’t know him very well, but I have a feeling Chris is going to be modest in his description, so I’m just adding this: Chris went through and made edits to every photo on the project multiple times so that they would all be formatted the same, without complaint. That’s 224 photos, and he finished everything in a day, which is simply amazing. He also offered to come to the office to help find files I needed at the last minute, and was up until 3am the night before the site launched, helping sort out last minute kinks.

What is your favorite part about working for The Hoya?

Chris: My favorite part of working at The Hoya is simply the people. While it’s cool to be able to cover cool speakers, interesting events and shoot basketball games, it’s the diversity and the personalities of the people on The Hoya that make it so much fun. I consider many of the people I’ve worked with my close friends and I’ve learned and grown a lot because of them. When you end up spending 20 or more hours a week with these guys, it’s impossible to not appreciate what they’ve done and their impact on you.

Taylor: The people! Everyone is fun, quirky and wonderful to work with. Also, someone always brings some sort of gummies to the meetings…

What was your favorite part about working on the Faces project?

Chris: My favorite part was working with Connor and Lauren on Sunday night until 6am laying out the posters and Facebook-stalking people to make sure we got the right person. It definitely felt like old times in the office when we were all in editor positions.

Taylor: The Faces project was definitely a great learning experience. I got to work with a lot of unfamiliar web-making code that I honestly still don’t completely understand, and I also got to meet a lot of great people in the process. Moreover, I pretty much just implemented the best stalking tool invented since Facebook… I’m going to have a lot more of those awkward “I-think-I’ve-seen-you-before-but-I-have-no-idea-where” moments after scrolling through all those photos and names.

As you probably already know, Hunter Main is our new Managing Editor, and you were his first selections as Staffers of the Week. How would you describe #1- Hunter’s hair and #2 Hunter’s fashion sense?

Chris: I must say, Hunter’s hair has a very nice “swoosh” to the side that very appropriately fits his fashion sense. Of course, I have no sense of fashion so I think Hunter’s fashion will always beat my laid-back Cali-ness.

Taylor: I’ve actually only seen Hunter maybe twice in my life, but I’m gonna go with dark Justin Bieber hair or quirky preppy-snazzy?

If you had to make a movie about The Hoya office, what would it be called, who would you cast – and why? (Author’s Note: this final question was slightly altered for Chris and Taylor. Though a bit different, their answers are nonetheless thoroughly entertaining and long.)

Chris: If I had to name The Hoya movie, I’d call it “The Black Hole” because you enter the organization as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed freshman, eager to take on whatever the editors give you. Then, by the time you transition out, you feel like the life has been sucked out of you because of all the work you’ve put in it and realize you feel empty inside without The Hoya filling that void.

Since I’m old, I am going to cast the senior eds that I worked with:

So for EIC Connor, I would cast Danny Tanner from Full House as since we would always call him “Dad” in the office and you would hate to disappoint him.

Opinion Editor Katherine Foley would be Kate Middleton, cause Katherine is the Duchess of Delaware.

Executive Editor Upasana Kaku would be Michelle Rodriguez because she is a boss and can dole out the pain if you didn’t do what you were supposed to do.

Managing Editor Suzanne Fonzi would be Pam from The Office cause she was the voice of reason when the office got rowdy.

Campus Editor Mariah Byrne would be Claire Dunphy from Modern Family because she’s always on top of everything when taking care of the section.

City Editor Sarah Kaplan is Katie Couric cause she always got down to the bottom of those stories.

Layout Editor Remy Samuels would be Julia Child/Martha Stewart cause seriously, the things that Remy makes are literally heavenly.

Sports Editor Pat Curran would be Seth Rogan cause both are lovable guys who love to make jokes.

Guide Steven Piccione would be Adrian Monk cause he seems to always have a solution to a problem while liking things a particular way.

Copy Chief Sam Randazzo would be Heidi Klum cause her fashion sense is ridiculously awesome.

Blog Editor Michelle Cassidy would be a llama, cause she is one.

And Jon Rabar would naturally be James Bond. But not a Daniel Craig James Bond, more like Sean Connery James Bond, because Jon is more of a suave Bond than your rough-and-tumble Bond.

If you had to make a movie about The Hoya office, what would it be called, and which celebrities would you have play Danny Funt and Mary Nancy Walter — and why?

Taylor: Umm… some sort of musical comedy, maybe titled “The Publisher and the Published?” Also disclaimer: I stink at matching people to celebrities, so I’m just going to go with Daniel Radcliffe and Jennifer Lawrence. (Editor’s note: this is beyond hilarious to me).

Photo: Many Faces/The Hoya

Staffer of the Week: Upasana Kaku

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Once a week, The Hoya recognizes a staffer that has done a particularly awesome job – now you can get to know about them too. As part of our Leavey 421 series, we’ll be posting quick interviews with each Staffer of the Week!

Name Upasana Kaku
School SFS
Year 2013
Major International Political Economy
Hometown Silver Spring, MD

Why were you chosen for Staffer of The Week?

I, along with the fabulously talented Steven Piccione, and with the design skills of Suzanne Fonzi, conquered our super ugly homepage, and hopefully made it a little less ugly. I can’t really use technology (e.g. cell phones), but now I can write code! It also probably helped that there was no issue today, so Victoria (Managing Editor) didn’t have many people who did stuff this week to choose from for Staffer of the Week. (Editor’s noteShe’s just being modest!)

What’s your favorite part about working for The Hoya?

I can be a total nerd and still feel loved. Also, getting to meet some awesome people.

What is your favorite memory with the Hoya Staffers?

Late nights in the office when I was Executive Editor, hanging out, chatting, and watching YouTube videos with the rest of the staff long after we finished production, even though it was 3am and we all had homework we probably should have been doing or sleep we should have been catching up on.

Which Hoya Staffer do you think is most likely to receive a show on TLC? (Or be on an already existing TLC Show?) What would it be about and why would he/she be chosen?

Sarah Kaplan and Remy Samuels. Georgetown Cupcake and Cake Boss ain’t got nothin on their baking skills. (Writer’s Note: Sarah, Remy, if you’re ever in need of someone to taste test, hit me up.)

Describe Danny Funt’s (Current Editor-In-Chief) fashion sense in a haiku (Editor’s note: this is a really weird question, but I like it).

EIC Danny
Much enjoys wearing hoodies
Refrigerator

Fact: I have a really hard time counting syllables. I think I missed that unit of kindergarten or something. So sorry if that isn’t actually a haiku.

Staffers of the Week: The Lovely Ladies

Lady Staffers of the WeekOnce a week, The Hoya recognizes a staffer that has done a particularly awesome job – now you can get to know about them too. As part of our Leavey 421 series, we’ll be posting quick interviews with each Staffer of the Week!

As already mentioned this week, there were an astounding 5 staffers chosen for this week’s coveted award. We featured Hunter Main and Steven Piccione earlier, and so this second post will feature the other three staffers of the week: the lovely ladies.

Names Zoe Bertrand, Emory Wellman, Sarah Amos
Positions on The Hoya
Current Senior Layout Editor, Former Senior Layout Editor, Former Senior Guide Editor
Schools 
College, College, SFS
Years 2015, 2015, 2013
Majors Women’s and Gender Studies; Government and History; Culture and Politics
Hometowns White Plains, NY; Boxford, MA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL

What did you do to earn staffer of the week?

Zoe: I used an Adobe program I had never used before to make a whole bunch of cool graphics for our GUSA election poll.

Emory: While the current Layout Editor Zoe was doing an inordinate amount of beautiful GUSA garfs and pie charts, someone needed to design the rest of the A-section [of the paper]. Deputy Editor Autumn Rice and I were up to the challenge. I also made a lot of hilariously uncomfortable comments about a certain feature story.

Sarah: Because only a Catholic School Girl would be naive enough to take on The Guide’s first sex issue (along with co-editor and fellow Catholic School Boy Steven Piccione).

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Zoe: Peanut butter & Jelly. No question.

Emory: This is probably the girliest answer possible, but Sweetgreen all day, everyday.

Sarah: Wisey’s Oreo cookies.

Who is your office crush?

Zoe: Ryan Bacic (Senior Sports Editor) 

Emory: Anyone willing to give me food. Braden is usually the most obliging.

Sarah: They (plural) graduated. They know who they are. (Kissy face. XOXOXO.)

What is your favorite part about working for the Hoya?

Zoe: Sitting in broken chairs with fun people.

Emory: Having a similarly insane group of people to hang out with. It’s also fun to pretend we are from “All the President’s Men.”

Sarah: Being a part of the last bastion of print journalism–the college newspaper–it’s a beacon of hope and learning. And having Steven Piccione buy f’real milkshakes for me.

What is the scariest experience you’ve ever had?

Zoe: I was riding very quickly down a very large hill on a mountain bike, and either my brakes or my brain stopped working. Either way, that hill was really scary and ended in a lot of pain.

Emory: Having my computer go “static-y screen of death” while I was on page 18 of my unsaved history paper during exam week. Or the times I have actually almost died while on a bicycle. Wear your helmets everyone.

Sarah: That time I almost joined The Voice …

What’s your favorite Pokémon and why?

Zoe: Phanpy, because I googled “cute Pokémon” and he was definitely the most endearing one. Also, his name wasn’t something stupid like “Munchlax.”

Emory: I know nothing about Pokémon but I’ve been told I look like a Lapras…? Don’t know if that spelling is correct.

Sarah: I didn’t watch Pokémon or trade the cards. I was still playing with Barbies at the age.

Editor’s note: I would like to revoke all three of their ‘Staffers of the Week’ because they all gave largely unsatisfactory answers to this last question regarding Pokémon. 

Staffers of the Week: Steven Piccione and Hunter Main

Steven and Hunter

Once a week, The Hoya recognizes a staffer that has done a particularly awesome job – now you can get to know about them too. As part of our Leavey 421 series, we’ll be posting quick interviews with each Staffer of the Week!

This week had a whopping 5 staffers of the week! (It was a pretty big deal.) This week’s post will feature two of the five exceptional staffers: Steven Piccione and Hunter Main. However, 4E would also like to recognize staffers Zoe Bertrand, Emory Wellman and Sarah Amos for their amazing work this week!

Names Steven Piccione and Hunter Main
Positions on The Hoya
Former Managing Editor, Current Copy Chief
Schools 
College, College
Years 2013, 2015
Majors History, English/Government
Hometowns Chicago, Illinois; Pennington, New Jersey

What did you do to earn staffer of the week?

Steven: Sarah Amos and I edited and produced the Sex Issue of the Guide, which tackled a lot of hard issues on campus. (Editor’s note: innuendo probably intended.)

Hunter: I was here in the office for a long time. I was here really late all the time this week, even Tuesday. And Copy was the highest represented section in the Hoya Poll. It shows we really care about the paper. (Editor’s note: when he says a long time, he means UNTIL 3AM EVERY DAY LAST WEEK. LIKE A BOSS. Fun fact, Hunter will also have to copy read his own interview for grammar errors, which I find hilarious.)

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Steven: Quesadillas

Hunter: Chili

Who is your office crush?

Steven: Danny Funt (Editor in Chief)

Hunter: Sean Sullivan (Deputy Copy Editor)

What’s your favorite part about working for the Hoya?

Steven: I know what I want to say … [Awkward pause.] Being able to be myself and feel normal because everyone around me is just as crazy as I am.

Hunter: Having a really quiet place to do all my homework. Not.

What is the scariest experience you’ve ever had?

Steven: I’m very afraid of water and I didn’t know how to swim when I was younger and one time my brother’s friend threw me off of a boat into the ocean and I started hyperventilating.

Hunter: When I was seven, I was chased by a dog on the beach. I could feel its fur rubbing up against my legs as I ran. It bit me, but that fur image stays with me.

What’s your favorite Pokémon and why?

Steven: Bulbasaur. Now here’s the “por qué” part. There is no better Grass Pokémon than Venusaur, but there are better Water Pokémon than Blastoise, and there are better Fire Pokémon than Charizard.

Hunter: Snorlax. Stupid strong. Stupid fat. Stupid chill. It’s always been Snorlax since I was seven. (The same age as the dog incident.)

‘Dictator’ Commands Little Respect

Although the democratization of the Arab world continues to dominate the headlines of newspapers, brutal authoritarianism continues to plague the region, but one ruthless dictator in particular epitomizes degenerate power, Admiral General Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen). The only thing more brutal than Supreme Leader Aladeen, however, is “The Dictator” — and not in a good way.

Regardless of whether or not you aced Map of the Modern World, don’t bother searching for the Republic of Wadiya, the country which Aladeen rules, since this North African country doesn’t actually exist.

Following “Borat” (2006) and “Bruno” (2009), “The Dictator” seems to fall flat in attempt to succeed the critical acclaim earned by its predecessors. Cohen portrays Aladeen with all of the absurd qualities of a despotic tyrant. Having ruled Wadiya since the tender age of seven, Aladeen seems to live a life of constant relations with American celebrities (such as Megan Fox and Lindsay Lohan) and sentencing people to execution at a whim. After being forced to speak in front of the United Nations in New York City to prove that his country isn’t producing weapons of mass destruction — a blatant reference to the nuclear program in Iran — it becomes clear that one of Aladeen’s closest men is in a conspiracy to have the Dear Leader replaced with a lookalike in order to bring about an end to the dictatorship and bring about a democracy.

Although it comes at no shock that the plot is completely predictable, unlike the two former films, “The Dictator” is completely scripted — a quality that gives mockumentary-style films a certain height of excitement hardly attainable by totally scripted films. Along with the surprisingly unoriginal plot, Cohen pushes the envelope of shock humor too far with jokes that pertain to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, suicide and rape.

Cohen is known for shocking humor, from Bruno “putting a hit on Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.)” to Borat singing the “Kazakhstani national anthem” to the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during a rodeo. However, “The Dictator” tries too hard to be what it’s not, a clever comedy and in turn, aims for shocking humor that, in the end, just disappoints and disgusts. Regardless of the funny scenes portraying Brooklyn, NY as hyper-liberal and absurdly vegan (read: hipster), Cohen doesn’t quite hit the mark. Rape is never funny.

Only a mere 83 minutes, “The Dictator” doesn’t have the opportunity to drag out too long. “The Dictator,” however, does share a particularly important quality with “Borat” and “Bruno:” Do not see this film with parents or anyone else who would be uncomfortable watching the birth of a child from the perspective of the uterus. “Are you having a boy or an abortion?” Aladeen asks his newfound American love Zoey (Anna Faris), it’s neither. “The Dictator,” a proves to be another mediocre film on par with “Scary Movie 2” (2001) and “Date Movie” (2006).