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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

Sophia Pargas

Sophia Pargas, Editor-in-Chief

Sophia Pargas (she/her) is a senior Journalism and Marketing Communications double major from Miami, Florida. She has served on the Beacon since her sophomore year, using it as an opportunity to grow professionally and cover the things that matter to her—personal narratives, culture, ethics, arts, and much more. Outside of the paper, Sophia is a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, an Engagement Lab student fellow, and has held several journalism and marketing internships at NBCUniversal, NBC South Florida, NBC Boston, and WCVB. To learn more about Sophia, her passions, and her experience, visit her personal portfolio "The SCP Journal." 

Latest from Sophia Pargas
Eric Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees, yells “Back the fuck up” at Bryan Edouard, a student speaker at the town hall, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

‘History will remember where you stand’: Students, faculty, staff testify at town hall regarding April 25 arrests

Members of the Emerson community gathered in the Semel Theater in the Tufte Building for a moderated town hall Monday morning to discuss the events...

Who are the core leaders behind EmersonTogether?

Letter from the Editor: By the students, for the students

By Sophia Pargas / April 26, 2024
Witnessing such violence and force on my own campus—just two weeks away from leaving it forever—has truly shaken me to the core.
‘I feel so betrayed by Emerson’: Emerson Encampment ends in arrests of 118 protesters

‘I feel so betrayed by Emerson’: ‘Popular University Encampment’ ends in arrests of 118 protesters

By Sophia Pargas and Olivia LeDuc / April 25, 2024
The four-day “Popular University Encampment” ended in the arrest of 118 protesters in the 2 Boylston Place alley early this morning. 
Boston Police Officers gathered in the Massachusetts Transportation Building on Thursday, April 25. (Nick Peace for the Beacon)

DEVELOPING STORY: The latest on 2 Boylston Place ‘Popular University Encampment’

June 18 at 2:17 p.m. - College announces future faculty and staff layoffs due to enrollment decline it says is linked to campus protests Emerson...

An Emerson College Police car.

Emerson College among nationwide surge in student protest arrests

By Sophia Pargas and Olivia LeDuc / April 11, 2024

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a larger series surrounding the March 22 arrests. If you feel you or someone you know could be a valuable source...

President Jay Bernhardt. (Naia Driscoll/Beacon Correspondent)

Interview: President Jay Bernhardt responds to arrest of 13 students

By Sophia Pargas, Editor-in-chief / March 27, 2024

On March 22, as President Jay Bernhardt was officially being inaugurated as the 13th president of Emerson College, 13 students were arrested outside the...

Courtesy FSJP

‘This is not how we treat our students’: Members of FSJP react to Emerson arrests

By Sophia Pargas, Editor-in-chief / March 27, 2024

Following the arrests of 13 students outside the presidential inauguration last Friday, many members of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine...

Who are the core leaders behind EmersonTogether?

Letter from the Editor: On breaking news and intentional reporting

By Sophia Pargas, editor in chief / March 27, 2024

So often as journalists, we are told there is “a way things have always been.”  We set our deadlines and work towards them diligently to remain...

Photo by: Bailey Carr

Emerson’s Engagement Lab launches Transforming Narratives for Environmental Justice initiative, pioneering positive stories for climate action

By Sophia Pargas / November 8, 2023

  “We’re always talking gloom and doom about the environment. And people are more and more recognizing that it's not motivating. It's actually...

Brooke Shields’ ‘Pretty Baby’ exposes the sting of childhood sexualization

Brooke Shields’ ‘Pretty Baby’ exposes the sting of childhood sexualization

By Sophia Pargas / April 26, 2023

In a newly released Hulu docuseries, childhood star Brooke Shields opens up about her experience growing up as Hollywood’s adolescent sex icon. Though...

'The Longest Day in Havana'

‘The Longest Day in Havana’

By Sophia Pargas / April 3, 2023

As ten-year-old Mercedes Jacobs sat in the Havana airport in 1962, the wait was long and her clothes were heavy. Already classified as an adult, she was...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

DeSantis, my home is not your political playground

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / March 29, 2023

In his inaugural address, Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed Florida as “the land of sanity” and essentially crowned himself the king, minus the crown...

Asian actors make history at 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Emerson alum recognized

Asian actors make history at 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Emerson alum recognized

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / March 1, 2023

During the intro of the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, actresses Janelle James and Quinta Brunson marveled at the beauty, energy, and talent in...

‘Expect to be uncomfortable’: ‘The Sympathy Play’ to bring Emerson audiences a fresh look on theater as they know it

‘Expect to be uncomfortable’: ‘The Sympathy Play’ to bring Emerson audiences a fresh look on theater as they know it

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / February 23, 2023

While “The Sympathy Play” began as a final project for one student’s playwriting class, it will soon jump from within the classroom to upon the stage...

'Somebody I Used to Know' challenges every idea of love as we know it

‘Somebody I Used to Know’ challenges every idea of love as we know it

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / February 15, 2023

In the romantic comedy genre, the concept of authentic on-screen love seems to be lost for good. Rom-coms have become oversaturated with cliché plots...

Dining Center of Emerson College

Transformed dining hall garners mixed reviews from student body

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / January 25, 2023

This spring semester, students have returned to the Emerson Dining Center to find several changes in both food quality and station layout—but not all...

Golden Globes: Jennifer Coolidge takes Best Supporting Actress, other Emersonians nominated

Golden Globes: Jennifer Coolidge takes Best Supporting Actress, other Emersonians nominated

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / January 22, 2023

At the 80th annual Golden Globes Awards held on Jan. 10, Emerson College was represented by several alumni nominees in various categories ranging from...

“Comics of Color” will give platform to POC performers

“Comics of Color” will give platform to POC performers

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / November 2, 2022

A live comedy-variety show invites people of color to share their comedic talents through sketch, improv, and stand-up. The event, hosted by Stand Up in...

Emerson Poetry Project’s Spooky Slam will be so good it’s scary

Emerson Poetry Project’s Spooky Slam will be so good it’s scary

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / October 26, 2022

This Halloween, the Emerson Poetry Project is providing a celebration like no other: a head-to-head performance poetry battle. The Spooky Slam, held on...

Creative Commons

Ethics aside, the death penalty is legal. Use it or lose it.

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / October 20, 2022

On Feb. 14, 2018, the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School didn’t just gather for a normal day—they gathered for an extraordinary one.  Luke...

Photo of four girls smiling in dresses

From the castle to Boston: What happens to home when you’re abroad?

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / October 5, 2022

As I stared out at the descending Miami skyline on my first flight back to Boston since December 2022, unease rumbled in my ribcage like the engine of...

The Robert J. Orchard Stage, one of ArtsEmerson’s venues

‘We need to change our story’: A look into ArtsEmerson’s 2022-23 season

By Sophia Pargas / September 8, 2022

ArtsEmerson will display seven in-person and two virtual performances this upcoming academic year, all of which seek to elevate minority voices and emphasize...

Allen designed and sold the Emerson College shirt worn by "Stranger Things" character Nancy Wheeler in season four of the show. The profits are donated to victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Photo credit / Reagan Allen

Stranger Things cameo inspires student-run fundraiser for victims of Uvalde school shooting

By Sophia Pargas / June 5, 2022

One Emerson student launched a campaign and raised over $25,000 — and counting — for victims of the mass shooting that killed 22 students and teachers...

Why I’ve (mostly) let go of “the way it should have been”

Why I’ve (mostly) let go of “the way it should have been”

By Sophia Pargas / February 11, 2022

When I first started college amidst a seemingly unrelenting pandemic, there was little in my life which remained untouched by the effects of COVID. For...

The seasons of self discovery

The seasons of self discovery

By Sophia Pargas, Kastell Well Writer / February 4, 2022

When I made the 1,500 mile move from Miami to Boston for college, I knew many invigorating changes were awaiting my arrival.  I knew I was journeying...

"Places They Call Home" photo practicum in the Huret and Spector Gallery in the Tufte Building.

Fall 2021 photo practicum ‘Places They Call Home’ captures an array of student experiences

By Sophia Pargas / December 9, 2021

Upon walking into the Huret and Spector Gallery on the sixth floor of the Tufte Building this week, one is greeted by a professional, vibrant, and emotional...

Eric Gordon, executive director of the Engagement Lab and professor

New initiative ‘Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence’ launches two undergraduate courses

By Sophia Pargas / December 2, 2021

Emerson’s Engagement Lab is launching a new three-year initiative titled “Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence” in partnership with Massachusetts...

Therapy dogs, chair massages and more: Iwasaki Library to host Cirque de De-Stress this Friday

Therapy dogs, chair massages and more: Iwasaki Library to host Cirque de De-Stress this Friday

By Sophia Pargas / December 2, 2021

In the midst of the most stressful time of any college student’s semester—finals week—the Iwasaki Library will be hosting Cirque de De-Stress, a...

A photo of Carolyn Freyer-Jones '88.

Alum finishes and publishes late friend’s book

By Sophia Pargas / November 18, 2021

An Emerson alum released her debut book, What If This Is The Fun Part? for purchase on Amazon Wednesday. The book, originally started by the author’s...

Emerson Dance Company

Emerson Dance Company to host first live show since fall 2019

By Sophia Pargas / November 12, 2021

After over a year of strictly pre-recorded and live streamed events, Emerson Dance Company is kicking off their first post-pandemic season in the Semel...

Including captions during filmmaking are one of the topics covered in the "Accessible Cinema" course.

New class ‘Accessible Cinema’ promotes inclusive filmmaking

By Sophia Pargas / November 7, 2021

Cinema as we know it is filled with advanced animation, encapsulating sound, and enchanting visual effects, but it tends to forget those who cannot experience...

The flyer for "The Beta Test."

Two alumni direct and star in new film ‘The Beta Test’

By Sophia Pargas / November 4, 2021

Twelve years after they graduated in the same class, two Emerson alumni and self-proclaimed “college drinking buddies” directed and starred in the...

The art installation, "What Do We Have In Common," on the Boston Common.

End of Boston Common Art Installation leaves behind conversations on ownership

By Sophia Pargas / October 28, 2021

The public art installation “What Do We Have in Common?” concluded its run on Boston Common Sunday after a month of prompting passersby with questions...

Part of 'A Shared Vision: The Lilian Farber Photography Collection.'

Lilian Farber photo exhibition captures the world through the decades

By Sophia Pargas / October 14, 2021

A new exhibit in Tufte Building’s Huret and Spector Art Gallery, “A Shared Vision: The Lilian Farber Photography Collection,” features images by...

The flyer for 'Colorful Peace.'

Student short film ‘Colorful Peace’ uses color to shed light on mental health struggles

By Sophia Pargas / October 14, 2021

First year visual media arts student Seyf Naman’s new short film, “Colorful Peace,” received the Spirit Award at the Shawna Shea Film Festival in...

The pill made me someone I’m not, and I don't blame the hormones

The pill made me someone I’m not, and I don’t blame the hormones

By Sophia Pargas / October 7, 2021

Growing up, one of my family’s most watched movies was “The Bad News Bears,” a 1976 classic whose entire script quickly earned a permanent spot in...

Emerson Stage's production of "The Late Wedding" marked the return of live theater on Emerson's campus.

Live theater returns with production of “The Late Wedding”

By Sophia Pargas / October 4, 2021

After 559 days of closed curtains and empty theaters, Emerson Stage kicked off its fall season with a production of “The Late Wedding,” a play about...

Trent Cole '18's single "Here" was released last week.

Alum begins music career with release of new single “Here”

By Sophia Pargas / September 23, 2021

Trent Cole ‘18 has loved music for as long as he can remember. It’s that passion that drove him to release his debut pop single “Here” last week,...

The grim realities of mental health

The grim realities of mental health

By Sophia Pargas / September 16, 2021

September, also known as National Suicide Prevention month, is a time when organizations, communities, and survivors rally to raise awareness and share...

Ricky Downes III performing on stage

Alum Ricky Downes III writes and performs his own Lion King parody

By Sophia Pargas / September 9, 2021

“The Lion King but it’s Just One Guy” began when Ricky Downes III ‘15 was a junior at Emerson—now, the production, a one man show, is free to...