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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Sydney Barragan

Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor

Sydney Barragan is a senior majoring in Journalism and Public Policy. She spends her free time reading, rewatching the same TV shows and talking about the Dodgers. Find her on Instagram @sydneybarragan.

All content by Sydney Barragan
Purple illustration that says “SPRING SPORTS” in purple with various sport items, including a basketball and volleyball, surrounding it.

The Violets’ top 5 moments of the 2023-24 season

NYU Athletics just wrapped up its best season yet, having now established itself as a revered spot for student-athletes in the nation.

After a successful and record-setting 2023-24 season for the Violets, WSN has compiled the most memorable moments for NYU Athletics over the last two semesters. The Violets' hard...

A man squatting down to lift a large weight.

In the Huddle: Tisch sophomore Andy Cabindol prepares for powerlifting championships

The NYU sophomore spoke to WSN about his powerlifting journey as a student-athlete before the first-ever FISU World University Powerlifting Championships.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor April 30, 2024

In July, Tisch sophomore Andy Cabindol will represent the U.S. and NYU in the International University Sports Federation's World University Powerlifting Championship in Tartu,...

An illustration of purple players participating in volleyball, basketball, soccer and track on a yellow background.

Men’s volleyball knocked out in NCAA semifinals, women’s golf qualifies for NCAA D-III Tournament and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: April 22 - 28.
Jonathan Mak and Sydney Barragan April 29, 2024

Baseball NYU baseball played a four-game series against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY this weekend, winning all but one matchup. The Violets took game one 11-8...

A man in a purple uniform smashes a volleyball over a net. On the other side, two defenders in white uniforms jump up to block him.

Men’s volleyball makes Final Four for the first time in program history

The Violets face fellow United Volleyball Conference finalist Vassar College next weekend.
Sydney Barragan and Jonathan Mak April 24, 2024

The men’s volleyball team qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament Final Four for the first time in program history on Saturday, April 20. This season’s United Volleyball...

An illustration of purple players participating in volleyball, basketball, soccer and track on a yellow background.

Women’s basketball advances to Final Four, women’s track and field breaks program record and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: March 4 - 10.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor March 11, 2024

Basketball Women’s basketball’s undefeated streak continues as the Violets head to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.  On Friday, they defeated Hardin-Simmons University...

Two hockey players face each other on the ice. The right player is in a black N.Y.U. jersey and the left player is in a blue and white jersey.

Breaking the ice: The Asian players of NYU ice hockey

Three NYU ice hockey players shared their experiences as players of Asian descent in a predominantly white sport.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor March 5, 2024

Ice hockey is, and has always been, a white-dominated sport. Though the National Hockey League does not keep official statistics on the racial and ethnic demographic of players,...

An illustration of purple players participating in volleyball, basketball, soccer and track on a yellow background.

Women’s basketball advances in NCAA, wrestling sends three to National Championships and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: Feb. 26 - March 3.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor March 4, 2024

Basketball This past weekend were rounds one and two of the NCAA Division III basketball championship.  For the first time since 2012, the men’s team hosted the first two...

Illustration of three athletes playing basketball, volleyball and soccer. “Weekly Sports Update” is written in between them.

Baseball opening day, wrestling wins three championships and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: Feb. 19 - 25.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor February 26, 2024

Basketball The men’s and women’s basketball teams were in Waltham, MA to play Brandeis University on Feb. 24. Women’s basketball won 81-54, once again continuing their winning...

Illustration of three athletes playing basketball, volleyball and soccer on a purple background. “WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE” is written in between them.

First fencing meet at Paulson, swimming and diving, wrestling UAA championships and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: Feb. 12 - Feb. 18.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor February 20, 2024

Basketball Women’s basketball defeated Washington University in St. Louis 80-56 and the University of Chicago 82-76 on the road this week. The team remains undefeated with a...

A woman wearing a purple N.Y.U. basketball jersey holds a basketball. Two women in white and blue jerseys are trying to block her.

In the Huddle: Belle Pellecchia on NYU women’s basketball

Belle Pellecchia, the junior guard for NYU women's basketball team, spoke to WSN about her hopes for the new season for the athletics department as a whole.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor February 15, 2024

Junior Belle Pellecchia is a guard and captain on the undefeated NYU women’s basketball team, who has made program history with 22 consecutive victories. She’s been a top scorer...

Around ten hockey players raise their sticks on the ice. Each of them are wearing their N.Y.U. black and purple uniforms. One man stands in front of them all, leading the greeting.

NYU Ice Hockey honors 11 players at senior night

The Violets honored their senior hockey players and the three-year team rebuilding effort in one of the season’s last home games.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor February 12, 2024

The NYU men’s hockey team honored 11 members of its 25-man roster at senior night on Feb. 10 at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink. The Violets (10-6-4) were defeated 1-2 by the University...

Illustration of three athletes playing basketball, volleyball and soccer on a purple background. “WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE” is written in between them.

Undefeated women’s basketball makes NYU history, women’s track and field sets program record and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: Feb. 5 - Feb. 11.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor February 12, 2024

Basketball Women’s basketball made history this week, setting a program-record with a 21st-consecutive victory against Case Western Reserve University 82-67 on Feb. 9. Sunday...

An illustration of the words “Weekly Sports Update” written in purple, with a football as the letter “O.”

Women’s basketball remains undefeated, men’s wrestling sees first loss of season and other news

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in NYU athletics. This week: Jan. 21 - Jan. 28.
Sydney Barragan, Sports Editor January 29, 2024

Basketball The NYU women’s basketball team remains undefeated in the first seven games of conference play, protecting their overall 18-0 record for the season. The week started...

Photo collage of two photos side by side. Left photo of Pro-Palestine protester waving a green, red, black, and white Palestinian flag. Right photo of Pro-Israel protesters standing with blue and white Israel flag.

NYU students respond to Israel-Palestine conflict at citywide protests

Students took part in demonstrations across New York City on Sunday in response to intense fighting between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Alex Tey and Sydney Barragan October 11, 2023

Photo of a street filled with people walking holding signs, and a yellow, green and red balloon floating in the back with the text “F.S.U.” printed on it.

NYU Paris students struggle to navigate citywide strikes

As protests escalate, students at NYU Paris face increasingly difficult commutes.
Sydney Barragan, Editor-at-large March 31, 2023

In Paris’ Latin Quarter, students are making their way to class on sidewalks lined by piles of trash left untouched by sanitation workers. It comes as no surprise to students...

A model in a gray turtleneck and a white skirt who is holding a black shoulder bag at the 2023 E.E.N.K. Paris Fashion Week show.

EENK’s latest collection presents an elevated take on classic silhouettes

EENK debuted its Fall/Winter 2023 collection in its second solo show with the theme “X for the letter X,” a representation of the unknown and undefined.
Sydney Barragan, Editor-at-Large March 7, 2023

EENK presented its 2023 Fall/Winter collection amidst the simple layout of La Salle Wagram, a historic auditorium. A two-piece, inflatable archway — the work of Korean sculptor...

An illustration of an elf wearing a red and white pointed hat and a long-sleeve red shirt with a white collar on top of the shirt. The elf stands in front of a military green background.

Off-Third: Is your Elf on the Shelf spying on you?

This is the future George Orwell warned us about.
Sydney Barragan, Under The Arch Editor December 8, 2022

Nothing says Christmas like garlands, gifts and the threat of constant surveillance. It all starts with Santa Claus. This fat white man wears a red tracksuit and shimmies his...

Sugar babies, secondhand saviors and window cleaners

Sugar babies, secondhand saviors and window cleaners

With limited time and money, NYU students find unique ways to finance their college lives.
Sydney Barragan, Under the Arch Editor November 23, 2022

Liz Argenziano, Joe Argenziano, and Nick Argenziano pose looking at the camera against a black backdrop. They are all wearing white NYU Athletics uniforms. Liz is holding a soccer ball on her shoulder.

It Runs in The Family

From kids to college students, sports and family have always been inseparable for these three NYU athletes.
Sydney Barragan, Under the Arch Editor October 20, 2022

A warped illustration of an iPad with a tipping screen displayed, with 25%, 35%, 45%, 55%, no tip, or custom tip available as options, against a blurred photograph of a Weinstein dining hall.

Off-Third: Weinstein should implement iPad tipping

If a self-serve frozen yogurt shop can ask me for a tip, why can’t Cluckstein?
Sydney Barragan, Under the Arch Editor September 29, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. My two roommates and I went to 16 Handles last week, and after paying $15 for a small cup that I filled up myself, the Airpod-wearing teenage...

A portrait of Edoardo Marras with long wavy hair wearing a blue shirt and beige coat in front of the halal cart at Washington Square Park.

Eating around the world 

Sophomore Edoardo Marras is embarking on a journey to try cuisines from every country in the world.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor April 11, 2022

There are almost 200 countries in the world, and sophomore Edoardo Marras is determined to try food from each one. A benefit of living in a cultural hub like New York City is...

A student baseball player wearing a white uniform with the NYU logo and number 20 is throwing a baseball. The stadium has green seats and brown dirt on the field.

Violets baseball undefeated with 9-0 season start

Powerful offense and clean pitching yielded five wins in the Sunshine State for the Violets, who have now won their last nine games.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor March 22, 2022

NYU Violets baseball returned undefeated from a five-game spring break road trip to Florida for a perfect 9-0 start to the season.  Their trip started in Bradenton, Florida,...

NYU baseball player Grant Berman follows through on his swing after hitting a pitch. He wears a purple jersey and white pants cuffed at the knee to reveal purple socks. On the right, a catcher crouches on the ground in an all-white uniform.

NYU baseball comes out swinging 726 days later

After almost two years off the field, NYU Violets baseball returned with a dominant doubleheader sweep against John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor March 11, 2022

On Saturday, the NYU baseball team opened its 2022 season against John Jay College of Criminal Justice in a doubleheader. It was their first return to action since March 9, 2020,...

An illustration of a woman shielding her face with her hand to hide her acne. She has long brown hair and is wearing a teal t-shirt.

Off-Third: The cosmetic case for mask mandates

The second-best university in New York City has lifted their mask mandate. As the No. 1 school in the city, we need to stand our ground.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor March 9, 2022

Columbia University announced last week that indoor masking will be optional on its campus starting March 14. Since we typically do what the other, worse Ivy League school in New...

The storefront of Newsbar at 107 University Place. The door is open and people are seated outside. Others walk past the cafe.

People-telling

A personal narrative about turning people-watching into story-telling.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor March 7, 2022

It’s not mine, but I claim it anyway — the small, wooden half-bench-half-chair table tucked in the far corner of Newsbar on University Place.  I’m a born-and-raised Californian....

(Staff Illustration by Bridget Harshman)

Spread love and share opinions: What NYU students love on Valentine’s Day

We asked NYU students for their thoughts on all things Valentine’s Day, from flower preferences to public displays of affection. Here are their answers.
Sydney Barragan, Under The Arch Publishing Editor February 14, 2022

Chocolate or flowers? Chocolate: 48.4% Flowers: 51.6%  Good news for the local florists in the Village — NYU students are in the market for flowers this year. It’s...

Letter from the editors

Letter from the editors

Caitlin Hsu and Sydney Barragan February 14, 2022

Revamping Under the Arch has been on our minds since the beginning of this academic year. We wanted to take on new projects, like putting out a mini special issue we’ve never...

Sadie Jean's debut single "WYD Now?" was released on Dec. 10, 2021. (Photo by Sofia Ziman)

Sadie Jean on her debut single “WYD Now” and her music ambitions

Hailing from Orange County, California, Sadie Jean talks TikTok fame and launching a musical career in New York City.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Managing Editor December 10, 2021

Sadie Jean and I attended high school just 21 miles from each other, but it took going to a college 2,792 miles away from home for us to finally meet. Orange County, California...

As only a college student in her penultimate year of studies in Steinhardt's Music Business program, Piper Page has already released four songs and a music video. (Photo by Anna E. Henderson)

Taking a ‘Risk’: Piper Page breaks into the music scene

Steinhardt junior Piper Page talks singing, songwriting, moving from town to city and her plans for the future.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Managing Editor November 22, 2021

Piper Page emerges onscreen in a floor-length red dress that looks like it was plucked from a 1920s movie premiere. Her lips are painted a coordinated shade, her hair styled in...

How venues and restaurants across NYC are enforcing the vax pass

How venues and restaurants across NYC are enforcing the vax pass

Since Aug. 16, indoor venues have been required to check customers’ vaccination statuses as mandated by the new city-wide policy referred to as The Key to NYC. Here’s how you can show your proof of vaccination.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Deputy Editor September 24, 2021

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination has been required for a variety of indoor activities across New York City as of Aug. 16. Full enforcement of the new mandate has been in place since...

Before and After: seniors give advice on their time at NYU

Before and After: seniors give advice on their time at NYU

Seniors reflect on their four years and give advice to future students.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Deputy Editor May 7, 2021

Although the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine exceeds its availability at NYU, there is still a noticeable hesitancy among Americans. Due to a long history of medical misconduct at the hands of the federal government towards Black Americans, the percentage of the demographic that would immediately take the vaccine is lower. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: The CDC must grapple with its racist history

As vaccination efforts continue at NYU and across the country, the CDC must address its history in order to overcome vaccine hesitancy among Black Americans.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Deputy Editor April 21, 2021

On April 5, NYU announced that vaccine efforts would be amplified following the increase of vaccine stock. In an email sent by Dr. Carlo Ciotoli, executive lead of NYU’s COVID...

We need a spring break

We need a spring break

NYU cancelled spring break when students needed it most.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Deputy Editor April 8, 2021

On Oct. 20, President Andrew Hamilton and Provost Katherine Fleming announced that 2021’s spring break would be replaced with two three-day weekends. This academic year has...