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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Latest from Lara Hill
Alana Hagerty (left) started a total of 23 matches during her three seasons as a Lion.

Senior spotlight: Hagerty reflects on career highlights amidst canceled fall season

By Lara Hill / September 3, 2020

Now that women’s soccer senior defender Alana Hagerty will not have the opportunity to suit up for a final season as a Lion, she has spent time reminiscing...

Athletes hope to maintain morale and continue training after college cancels fall sports

Athletes hope to maintain morale and continue training after college cancels fall sports

By Lara Hill / July 20, 2020

The cancellation of all fall competitive sporting events at the college left many student athletes—especially seniors—devastated about the loss of...

College announces decision to cancel fall sports

College announces decision to cancel fall sports

By Lara Hill and Emily Cardona / July 14, 2020

The college announced its decision Tuesday afternoon to cancel all competitive sporting events for the fall 2020 athletic season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,...

I shouldn’t have to prove my sports knowledge to men

I shouldn’t have to prove my sports knowledge to men

By Lara Hill / July 8, 2020

Ever since I first became invested in sports, especially football, I have experienced situations where I wasn’t taken seriously due to my gender. As...

The Renegades team up for a tackle against a WFA opponent.

Renegades to relive championship through ESPN documentary

By Lara Hill / July 1, 2020

When the Women’s Football Alliance’s Boston Renegades’ owner abruptly left the team weeks before the 2015 season, Molly Goodwin was one of three...

The baseball team will begin practicing this week while adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Lions claim 35 spots on NEWMAC Spring All-Academic team

By Lara Hill / May 14, 2020

The cancellation of spring sports at the college left many student athletes devastated; however, senior pitcher Sam Knox said the announcement of the NEWMAC...

Right person, wrong time is a myth

Right person, wrong time is a myth

By Lara Hill / May 7, 2020
Last semester posed an interesting dilemma for my love life. I had just emerged from a serious, long-term relationship in October 2019, and I planned on studying abroad at Kasteel Well the following semester. I approached my dating life very casually, still using dating apps like Tinder. I didn’t intend to find something serious because I was worried about finding the “right” person at the wrong time. 
Taylor '11 became the Assistant General Manager of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2019.

Chris Taylor ‘11 pursues passion of working in NBA

By Lara Hill / April 19, 2020

As the Assistant General Manager of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Chris Taylor ‘11 finds himself in many high-pressure situations. Whether he is discussing...

Jarrett Stidham is set to become the Patriots' starting quarterback

Patriots: Stidham will be the starter, for now

By Lara Hill / April 17, 2020
With quarterback Tom Brady heading to Tampa Bay next season, New England Patriots fans are anxious to know who will start week one.The Patriots are without a franchise quarterback for the first time since 1994.
Kasteel Well students to receive refund for canceled Milan excursion

Kasteel Well students to receive refund for canceled Milan excursion

By Lara Hill / April 3, 2020

The college plans to issue a refund for costs associated with the Milan academic excursion that officials canceled due to concerns with the spread of COVID-19...

Patriots: Saying goodbye to a hero

Patriots: Saying goodbye to a hero

By Lara Hill / March 21, 2020
I’ll always remember the game that got me hooked on football. On Jan. 10, 2015, the New England Patriots battled the Baltimore Ravens in a dramatic AFC Divisional matchup. This game is still one of my all-time favorites, as the Patriots overcame two separate 14-point deficits.
College considering housing refunds for Kasteel Well students leaving campus

College considering housing refunds for Kasteel Well students leaving campus

By Lara Hill / March 11, 2020

The college is currently “leaning in the direction” of providing housing refunds to Kasteel Well students planning to return home for the remainder...

Expectation vs Reality: The mental and emotional impact of studying abroad

Expectation vs Reality: The mental and emotional impact of studying abroad

By Lara Hill / March 11, 2020

A few weekends ago, I went bar hopping with my friends in Amsterdam. You would probably expect me to be dancing and singing to the reggaeton music playing...

The college gathered all Kasteel Well students in the dining hall Monday evening to announce the cancellation of the program.

Kasteel Well students to return to Boston after outbreak of Coronavirus

By Lara Hill and Katie Redefer / March 2, 2020

WELL, NETHERLANDS—The college will send Kasteel Well students back to the Boston campus later this week due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases,...

Emerson's Kasteel Well campus in Well, Netherlands.

Coronavirus scares halt travel for Kasteel Well students

By Lara Hill, Kasteel Well Editor / February 24, 2020

WELL, NETHERLANDS—Kasteel Well officials canceled the four-day mandatory academic excursion to Milan, Italy Monday and banned student travel outside...

The exterior of the Kasteel Well castle

Expanded reporting from the Castle with new Kasteel Well vertical

By Katie Redefer and Lara Hill / February 24, 2020
Editors Katie Redefer and Lara Hill introduce their reasoning for establishing a new Kasteel Well vertical focused on student reporting at the castle program.
Patriots: Disappointing season creates the potential for offensive rebuild

Patriots: Disappointing season creates the potential for offensive rebuild

By Lara Hill / January 25, 2020
In the last few years, the New England Patriots turned their season around by December. No matter how they look through the rest of the regular season, the Patriots become a different team when entering the playoffs.
Chloe Allen (left) is the sole center on the women’s basketball team.

Swiss basketball player finds academic and athletic home at Emerson

By Lara Hill / December 4, 2019

After moving to Boston from Wädenswil, Switzerland, freshman center Chloe Allen is adapting to a college setting and learning the style of basketball...

Patriots: Offense in need of identity

Patriots: Offense in need of identity

By Lara Hill / November 20, 2019

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The women's volleyball team lost 3-0 in the NEWMAC Championship. Cho Yin Rachel Lo / Beacon Staff

Women’s volleyball delivers most successful season since joining NEWMAC

By Lara Hill / November 14, 2019

The women’s volleyball team finished its season with a 6-4 conference record, its highest win total since joining the NEWMAC in 2013.  After playing...

Patriots: Weaknesses exposed ahead of bye week

Patriots: Weaknesses exposed ahead of bye week

By Lara Hill / November 6, 2019
The New England Patriots did not look like themselves in their 37-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. With their weaknesses exposed, the Patriots enter their bye week with an opportunity to bounce back. The Patriots, previously ranked as the fourth overall rushing defense in the league, gave up a season-high 210 yards rushing to the Ravens. The Ravens established the perfect rushing strategy against the Patriots, consistently confusing their defensive line and linebackers with fake handoffs to running backs. This left plenty of space for Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson to rush for first downs. 
Patriots: Matchup against Ravens to define rest of season

Patriots: Matchup against Ravens to define rest of season

By Lara Hill / October 31, 2019
The New England Patriots begin a stretch of difficult games this week with a road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, their most evenly matched opponent yet. Through their first eight games, the Patriots faced only one team with a winning record, beating the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills 16-10 in week three. Their upcoming games will shine a light on the true strengths and weaknesses of the team as they face more challenging opponents. 
Patriots: Brady’s gone after another Super Bowl victory

Patriots: Brady’s gone after another Super Bowl victory

By Lara Hill / October 24, 2019
If the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl this season, future hall-of-fame quarterback Tom Brady will retire. Many rumors are circulating about the future of Brady’s career after his appearance on WEEI radio station Wednesday morning. With his house recently placed on the market, and his contract with the Patriots ending this season, there is a strong possibility he could retire.
The Head Of The Charles rowing event took place Saturday and Sunday and featured sustainability efforts. Lizzie Heintz / Beacon Staff

Head Of The Charles Regatta tackles waste problem

By Lara Hill / October 23, 2019

Head Of The Charles Regatta race coordinators implemented a new sustainability initiative to reduce the event's environmental footprint. The Regatta brings...

Patriots: Rookies are the future

Patriots: Rookies are the future

By Lara Hill / October 16, 2019
Chase Winovich, former defensive end for the University of Michigan, sat in his home surrounded by dozens of friends and family on the second night of the NFL Draft in March 2019 when he received a call that changed his life. 
Patriots: Collins returns to glory

Patriots: Collins returns to glory

By Lara Hill / October 9, 2019
Since his return to the New England Patriots, linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. is having a career season for the team, but head coach and general manager Bill Belichick is the man behind it all.
Patriots: Defense saves Brady from upset

Patriots: Defense saves Brady from upset

By Lara Hill / October 5, 2019
The New England Patriots defense carried the team to a 16-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills, showing signs of championship rosters in the past.
Patriots: Injuries threatening undefeated season

Patriots: Injuries threatening undefeated season

By Lara Hill / September 25, 2019
The injury-plagued New England Patriots offense heads to Buffalo, New York on Sunday for their biggest defensive challenge of the season.
Patriots: Best defense since 2004

Patriots: Best defense since 2004

By Lara Hill / September 12, 2019
The New England Patriots dominated in week one—and their defense has never looked better. While I watched the game Sunday night, one thing caught my eye: The Patriots’ tackling is impeccable. 
The Lions play their first conference game Sept. 28 against the United States Coast Guard Academy. Rachel Culver / Beacon Correspondent

Men’s soccer hopes changes bring successful season

By Lara Hill / September 7, 2019

After head coach Bryan Harkin made many changes to the men’s soccer team, the Lions now look to him to lead as they approach a difficult schedule.  The...

Junior Jack Fox totals 56 strikeouts this season, bringing his career total to 131. Photo courtesy of Kate Foultz.

Junior baseball pitcher leading NEWMAC in strikeouts

By Lara Hill / April 17, 2019

At three years old, Jack Fox said he practiced pitching by throwing rocks into his neighbor’s yard. Now in his junior year, he leads the conference with...

Senior Jared Brush ranks eighth on the NEWMAC scorers list with 24 goals so far this season. Photo by Alexa Schapiro / Beacon Staff

Senior lacrosse player achieves new career and program milestone

By Lara Hill / April 10, 2019

Senior attacker Jared Brush of the men’s lacrosse team broke the program record for career goals in a game against Clark University on April 6 when he...

Senior Mark Piorkowski booked his 1,000th career kill for the Lions in a game against Regis College on Tuesday. Photo by Alexa Schapiro / Beacon Staff

Men’s volleyball senior sets new career milestone

By Lara Hill / April 2, 2019

Senior Mark Piorkowski, an outside hitter for the men’s volleyball team, reached one of the biggest milestones in his career when he made his 1,000th...

Senior Mark Piorkowski (left) is 4 kills away from hitting the 1,000 kill milestone. Photo by Alexa Schapiro / Beacon Staff

Men’s volleyball falls short in senior day doubleheader

By Lara Hill / April 1, 2019

The men’s volleyball team honored seniors Jacob DiTore, Mark Piorkowski, and Win Kittivatcharapong on Saturday, March 30 for senior day. The Lions lost...

Freshman Alex Hrisanthopoulos (No. 18) scored his first career goal in a game against St. Joseph’s on March 16. Photo by Aaron J. Miller / Beacon Staff

Freshman lacrosse player chooses Emerson over Division I school

By Lara Hill / March 20, 2019

Freshman Alex Hrisanthopoulos verbally committed to play lacrosse at Hofstra University, a Division I school, in fall 2016. But despite his initial plans...

The Lions rank last on the NEWMAC preseason coaches poll. Courtesy of Joey Jacobs.

Baseball hopes to correct last season’s defeat with 10 new players

By Lara Hill / March 14, 2019

The baseball team seeks improvement as it heads into a third season with head coach Nicholas Vennochi after winning just one of their 16 conference games...

John Karalis ‘96 worked for FOX 5 news from 2010 until 2017. Courtesy of John Karalis

Karalis ‘96 pursues passion of covering Boston Celtics

By Lara Hill / March 14, 2019

John Karalis ‘96 pursued his dream job of covering basketball and used his prior experience as a broadcast journalist at Emerson to become a beat writer...

Senior Charlie Boyle (No. 33) tied her career record of 35 points scored in a single game in the Lions' win over Springfield. Photo by Alexa Schapiro / Beacon Correspondent

Women’s basketball beats Springfield for first time in team history

By Lara Hill / February 7, 2019

The women’s basketball team survived triple overtime against Springfield College on Wednesday night by beating the Pride 89-84 for the first time in...

Zach Waterhouse (left, No. 10) totaled 25 points in the Lions' loss against Wheaton College. Photo by Alexa Schapiro / Beacon Photographer

Men’s basketball suffers first home loss since December

By Lara Hill / February 1, 2019

The men’s basketball team lost 88-79 Wednesday night in a showdown against New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference opponent Wheaton College—the...

Junior Quinn Madden (No. 13) averages 81 percent from the free throw line. Photo by Daniel Peden / Beacon Staff

Women’s basketball shines in second half against Wheaton

By Lara Hill / January 25, 2019

The women’s basketball team improved their record to 5-4 in the New England Women’s and Men’s Conference after securing a 60-51 victory against Wheaton...