Cut from a Different Angle: Inside the Dragonfly Salon

Cut from a Different Angle: Inside The Dragonfly Salon

Behind the Purple Door

 Before you reach the door, you already see it- a giant dragonfly stretched across the outside wall, its wings golden and delicate, frozen in time with a matching pair of gilded scissors. The sunlight catches amongst the iradecent sparkles, acting as a unique one-of-a-kind billboard indicating that you have arrived at your destination. Sharp at noon, but glowing and shadowed by evening- luminous, almost alluring- effortlessly pulling you in.  Open the jewel-toned purple door, and the sounds of the outside world melt away. In their place, a soft, low current of white noise fills your ears, soft and constant, like waves on the shoreline. The walls are drenched in a playful shade of lavender, joyful and relaxing all at the same time. The sound instantly melts into the room, creating a layer of privacy, as if every conversation is locked safely within those purple walls. Light bounces off the spotless wall-to-wall mirrors; you cannot escape your own reflection.

 "Hello! Welcome, come on in!" 

The voice is eager yet steady. Donna appears from behind a rich lavender door, her presence pulling you in. Her long golden hair flows smoothly, catching the light with each movement. Her smile is contagious, immediate but not a performance, an authentic representation of who she is. Her eyes are soft and kind, observant and attentive, she is stylish yet professional in a matte black apron.

The air carries a layered aroma- sharp bleach with a hint of sweet perfume. Clean, chemical, but floral nonetheless. It is the recognizable scent. The floor sparkles, the counters wiped clean. Tools are lined with intention- brushes staked neatly, scissors lined up ready to perform, color bowls nested amongst one another. The salon is spotless to the naked eye, but if you look more closely, you may find a stray curled hair intertwined with a chair leg, providing a history. Even in stillness, the room is still active. The station prepped for the client, scissors open and close with intention. Foils flash your eyes beneath the light, folding into place. A brush gliding through sections of tangled hair, leaving in its path a wave of silk. Nothing here is accidental. The dragonfly outside offers a compelling symbol of transformation; however, inside, the promise is kept. 

While the carefully curated decorations and sweet lavender walls suggest a good eye, the foundation of the Dragonfly Salon is not aesthetic; it's an experience. No other stylists are transforming across the room. No overlapping appointments or clients competing for attention. This salon operates differently. One stylist. One client. One conversation at a time. Near the back sits a window of all different types of concoctions of shampoos, conditioners, and detanglers for any type of hair.  The hairwashing station- a reclined bed with a deep porcelain basin. Paired with bright pink towels and warm, silky water spilling in a high-pressure stream, circling down the drain, this is the peak of serenity. 

The Sorcerer 

Donna has worked as a cosmetologist for twenty-six years. What appears to be natural talent in effortless movement is the product of repetition, refinement, and long-term experience. She does not second-guess the angle of her scissors or the measurements of the sectioned hair. Years of practice have removed uncertainty, and in its place, muscle memory has taken shape. 

"I wanted control over not only my environment but my life," Donna claims. "Not just the schedule- the atmosphere. My salon experience goes beyond just a haircut or color. I strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where clients feel comfortable, secure, and absolutely radiant. I genuinely care about each and every one of my clients. I am dedicated to understanding specific vision, needs, and expectations."

That trust isn't just intangible: it is measurable. 

One client, with hair like the midnight sky, jet black, but if you look closer, tiny white stars are emerging from the root. She, who has been attached to Donna for over ten years, followed salons alongside her and describes the loyalty and passion without hesitation. 

"It isnt just about a hairstyle," she explains. "I come here to lift my spirits, clear my head, and feel confident in my skin."

A Decade of Trust 

    The chair is placed in the center of the room like a throne, black leather creaking softly as the long-term client settles into the familiar embrace of the styling chair. A black mane spills out of her scrunchie, as Donna's fingers sift through the hair with grace, detangling fairy knots as if decoding an ancient language written strand by strand. Every section is completely saturated with pigment, starting with the pearlescent contrast and working towards the ends for an even, vibrant color.

"So how is your daughter's spring semester going?" Donna sincerely asked, bending slightly into the hairwashing basin- finding the perfect temperature to begin the cleanse. 

"Shes doing fine, you know she doesn't really like her school, so shes been looking at places to transfer for next year," the client sighs, "I don't know where she is going to go, but I hope she stays close to home."

Donna sighs; she understands all to well. She begins to section the stygian hair, her voice sharp between each snip, precise yet gentle. "You can only control what you can control," she continued," How much would you like off this time?" 

"She listens without judging, not adding comments," the client adds."Sometimes it feels like therapy- but I always leave with the results I came for."

That statement is delivered casually, yet it delivers a significant message. This salon functions more than a cosmetic service; it operates as a beacon of stability- a recurring space where life's transitions are mentally processed alongside physical transformation. 

"People have always felt compelled to open up to me; this is amplified when they're sitting still for hours on end," she explains. "I believe you're not just providing a service; you have the opportunity to completely alter someone's appearance. There has to be a lot of trust in that."

Her perspective is honest, but it also provides an explanation for the deliberate atmosphere. The pruifying white noise, the one-chair structure, the privacy- none of it is accidental. It creates a sense of safety, a place where intimate conversations are irresistible. In a profession often soley associate with aesthetics, Donna's approach cuts from a different angle; In a service where clients are vulnerable, she has created a place where clients feel heard, respected, and significant. 

A second client- twenty-some years old, currently navigating college life and the trials of young adulthood- is living a different cycle of adulthood, yet still sits in the same chair. Her standing appointments are booked every 4 months for highlight touch-ups and every two months for extension replacements, but she admits the visits are rarely around aesthetic alone. 

"I come in for highlights," she smirks and looks over her shoulder, " but somehow we always end up talking about my relationships for the entire appointment."

Unlike the decade-long faithful patron whose conversations are highlighted on parenting and lifes simpliest grievences, this vibrant younger client leans on the salon as a place to spill uncertainty in dating, identity, university struggles, and independence. 

"Donna is very compassionate, yet direct, she doesn't just tell me what I want to hear," the client explains familiarly, "She asks questions, she gives me different perspectives and personal experience, she really makes me think."

This phrase is notable; Donna's communication is not a rehearsed play, but authentic perspectives from her heart. Her responses are shaped, measured, and trimmed of the fluff. Her insightful advice is not bluntly delievered it is refreshing and softened where necessary. Her guidance appears layered rather than abrasive and choppy.

Color and Vibrance

The younger client rushes through the doors like a tornado. She has a lot to cover; not only are her extensions overgrown and her roots shadowed, but she just broke up with her boyfriend. Donna begins sectioning her contrasting hair, foils glimmer like thin silver under the mirror lights, each reflection layering a dizzying illusion. 

"So, are you still talking to him?" Donna asks without judgment, fingertips navigating the emotional and physical medium. Complicated can be managed, everyone goes through a rough patch," Donna says, fixing a stray that has escaped the bleach, "but you have to decided whats worth keeping and what is taking from you." She had finished the foils and set the timer, each tick sharp, harsh, and measured- counting down not only the time, but eerily showcasing the clock is ticking. 

Donna confirms the gap of generational differences without overstating them. She acknowledges the difference in trends and styles, but also the variations in needs.

"Different ages bring in different conversations," she insisted. "But I have the ability to fit in most places. I connect to people of all ages and backgrounds. I have children who are young adults, so not only do I have a perspective relating to parents, but insight into the teenage mind. The age does not affect my process; it's still about listening first."

The younger client describes the environment as purifying and relaxing. 

"It doesn't feel rushed," she calmly stated, "It's not like other salons where you feel like you're on a meter."

 That review reinforces that salon's foundation. With no overlapping appointments competing for space, no additional stylists rotating through stations, and no excessive voices, each visit unfolds intentionally. Time stretches longer, conversations are not interrupted mid-sentence, and emotional vents are not trimmed short. Over twenty-six years, Donna has built more than just a clientele; she has cultivated a professional family. Sharing intimate insight into their daily lives from relationships to accomplishments, clients do not simply rebook- they remain. 

In a profession shaped by trends that often fade as quickly as they appear, Donna's technique is rooted more deeply than superficial properties. Styles evolve, society changes, yet the foundation- privacy, continuity, and most of all trust- remains consistent.

Where Hair and Life Interwine

The Dragonfly Salon is more than a place where hair is more than just cut and colored. Every tool, every service, and every experience is deliberately intended to ensure a comfortable, supportive, and positive environment encouraging transformation. The lavender walls, intuitive decorations, the steady hum of white noise, and the endless reflection- combined ensure an energetically rich environment.  

Donna herself embodied the salon's philosophy. Years of experience are apparent with her swift muscle memory movements, her technique for getting the "best teasylight," or simply the faint R5 dye stained on her fingertips. Her passion and expertise with meeting each indivual clients need sets this salon apart from the rest. This midnight sun operates as a personal escape, giving the best chance for transformation to occur. The significance of this environment becomes clear: a long-term client, whose throne has heard constant tales of years of parenting and personal growth. Listening to hours of deep perspectives and powerful victories. Similarly, with a younger client repeative standing appointments showcase how versatile this oasis is. Advice is braided seamlessly into every layered haircut and every strand of highlight. Hair and life exist in parallel, simultaneously, and codependently through communication and technique. 

The salon is precise, and Donna's dialogue is intentional. Her clients are able to come to her to discuss hard topics about relationships, identity, or self-improvement, so this enables them to easily and confidently communicate their expectations for the outcome of their service. In the Dragonfly Salon, cosmetology is not simply the superficial aesthetic of hair, but a place where clients are able to thrive through advice, relationships, and personal transformation. 

Far from being the underdog

 

Far from being the underdog

Warm lights, the clinking of glasses, freshly brewed beer and the friendliest pizza chef giving you a warm hello- Marley's brewery and Grille is so much more than just any other restaurant on the Bloomsburg strip. Just because their logo displays a puppy doesn't make their company the underdog, Marley's establishment is bubbling with customers from Tuesday to Sunday each week. Marleys restaurant brings a home-like vibe to every guest with its gold studded ceiling, dim lighting, and cozy booths to sit in.  Upon entering the front gold embellished double doors, you are immediately met with a wooded island, the host stand. Greeted by a hostess, you are then seated in a swift, timely manner. As you're being walked to your table you can catch view of the dog bone shaped welcome signs hanging from the ceiling, supported by sleek black chains. The interior of the building is shaped like a slice of paper, with tan painted walls and fancy varnished wood accents that are built into every wall. For a rustic touch, Marleys very own "Growler" large beer bottles are fixed with a short metal pole to each wooden section of the walls. In the very middle of the restaurant is a large gray countertop with a fiery brick pizza oven crackling shortly behind it. Many slabs of thick yet soft deep dish pizza crust lay. And behind this countertop you'll meet the friendliest pizza chef in town, Tony.

 Tony stands about 4'9 with a thick black mustache, dark fluffy hair, big round cheekbones and a kind and welcoming Hispanic accent. On one the stone walls behind the grey counter a drawing hangs. It reads, "Tony, best pizza ever!" In a colorful and wonky children's font. "This is why I do what I do." tony exclaims as he admires the child's drawing. Tony resumes his pizza production and spreads large circular slabs of dough on a paddle, adding dollops of sauce, cheese and an assortment of veggies. He then swiftly slides the paddle into the brick oven. "Its like you could do this blindfolded!" a server says as she passes by. Tony just let out a warm chuckle and continued cooking. Tony's pizza became an existential factor of Marley's when they moved from their first location to the second, ranking #1 in pizza spots for Bloomsburg.  

Behind all the excellent service, weekly specials, and incredible food is an amazing woman; Yvonne Lutz. Being a supervisor at Marleys for several years, she has always assured the atmosphere, team, and of course the food at the restaurant is the best it can be. Working day and night in the kitchen, bar, and host stand assisting her employees during big rushes is what make her the perfect fit for her job. The restaurant business can be hard at times- when asked what she likes most about her job she replied " I oddly enjoy the rush of it all, seeing everyone come together and work hard when its super busy." The unity of Marley's brewery and grille is what makes it so special.

Profile Blog - Zachary Ruth

The Light in a Dark Tunnel

(The auditorium after class)

    For anyone seriously interested in Exercise Science at Bloomsburg University, the name Luke Haile should be familiar to you. Dr. Haile's dedication to learning and teaching makes him one of the best professors in Bloomsburg. He began his journey in Exercise Science at Columbia High School. He took an Anatomy and Physiology class his senior year, which at the time was very rare. His teacher cultivated a strong curiosity in him, even allowing him to work on college level research with him and helping him present their findings at a conference, only furthering his interest in Exercise Science. He then came to play soccer for Bloomsburg and got both his Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Exercise Science, before getting his Ph.D in Pittsburgh University. He taught in Virginia for two years, then moved to Lock Haven to teach for five years, then came back to Bloomsburg where’s he has been teaching both undergraduate and graduate physiology classes for the past 8 years. Throughout his career he has done quite a bit of research and academic work, primarily in the effects of increased performance on our perception, which displays his interest in improving the lives of others. As of now he has been compiling research and data everyday for the past half decade on how performance affects our lives, with the hopes that he can distill it down into a book. Every professor has three aspects of their job; teaching, academics, and service, which Dr. Haile has proven himself as a strong participant in each. 

   Dr. Haile’s passion and desire for connection shine through his being and his style of teaching. His footsteps thunder through the hall before he opens the door and happily greets the class. When he boots up his presentation and displays it on the screen, he takes a remote, tests it, and steps down off the stage and joins his students in the aisles, and people slowly start migrating their attention towards him. His appearance adds to his ability to take control of the room, with a tall athletic

(Dr. Haile's Faculty Profile Photo)

build and light auburn hair cut short and neat, he looks like a professional athlete, which only adds credibility to what he teaches. His talking style sounds almost like a one-sided conversation, full of somewhat related tangents, but uses metaphor and simile to create a better understanding of his topics and to connect with his students. When explaining how learning pathways benefit from BDNF, he said: “When that pathway has been- you know, is now a well paved highway, as opposed to a crappy back road that says no winter maintenance, right?”, making it obvious that he is not afraid to curse, and uses humor to try to better connect with his audience. As he paces up, down and across the aisles, his head and eyes are fixated on the floor until he stops and looks up at all the people around him, all the while making heavy use of gesticulation to emphasize every word he speaks. He speaks often in rhetorical questions which sometimes works against him whenever he asks a real question to the class and is met with silence and dull expressions. His confident posture and somewhat laid-back demeanor make him very approachable, and his voice is kind and clear, making it hard for people to not understand anything he says. When he teaches his passion and curiosity take the lime-light. Dr. Haile admits: "I constantly want to be learning myself and I'm always learning something on my own, and a lot of times its related to what I teach, it's not always related to what I teach... I think when I'm able to harness that and boil some of my new knowledge down into the essence of what the student can understand and apply to what they want to do, then it is a gift." Dr. Haile's boundless curiosity and passion for teaching and sharing that knowledge while connecting with his students makes him a very strong educator.


   Those who have taken Dr. Hailes intro class notice pretty quickly that he uses a unique style of inviting dozens of professional speakers every chance he gets, sometimes even two in a day. He recounts from his college experience: "When I came in it was, I don't know, it was very prescribed, and even then, I didn't learn a lot about what else there was to do... Even when I was a professor, I really had no idea what occupational therapy was, I didn't know how you became a chiropractor, even going through getting a Ph.D. and teaching in a program (I) still really knew nothing about these things, nor did I know about all these other areas that you could get into with Exercise Science. With the intro class, my goal is to make sure that every student in that class knows of every possibility that you can get to from this academic path... how do you know where you're going if you don't even know it exists?" He built his class off of his experiences in hopes that he can guide people to a path they can thrive in and enjoy. His vast network of professional speakers consists of alumni, friends, past associates, and representatives of programs the school has ties to, all from his innate ability to connect with people. His intro class is a culmination of his strengths and experience to help give people the best start they can in the field of Exercise Science.


   In a world where people often disappoint us and everything seems a little bleaker, Dr. Haile should give us hope. He works to provide as best he can for his students, he works on his experiments, researches and writes with other Exercise Scientists to increase our understanding of the body and still finds time to read new things everyday about how exercise can improve our lives. He's even working on his own book on top of all that, a true feat of passion. His dedication to learning and improving the lives of others makes him one of the great educators of our time, and what makes him special demonstrates that there are still great people in the world who care about helping others with all their being.

Beyond The Pool (final) Max McCloskey

 

    Beyond The Pool- Max McCloskey

    Most people see a swim coach standing at the edge of the pool with a stopwatch, calling out times and corrections. But to swimmers in the water, a coach is much more than that.

  Coach Bridget hasn't had much experience at the head coach position, but she's been around the Bloomsburg for a while. She started as a collegiate swimmer at Bloomsburg, she decided to become an assistant coach, and the now the head coach at Bloomsburg University. 

  Coach Bridget is much different compared to other swim coaches. She cares so much about her swimmers in and out of the pool. At swim meets you can find her running up and down the pool deck with a stopwatch and a clipboard. She wears her Bloomsburg swim gear, as well as her wet white sneakers, screaming and losing her voice while she cheers on her swimmers. No matter what the results are, she is proud of the effort her swimmers put into the water day in, and day out.

   Bridget shows her appreciation to her swimmers by gifting them charms before and after every swim meet. She says, "one of my favorite traditions I do as a coach is give charms out to my swimmers. These charms represent the teams we have faced and the challenges we have faced. Reminding us of the hard work and unity it took to get through each meet." Each charm becomes a small reminder of teams’ progress, carrying the story of every meet the team has pushed through together.

  Inside the pool swimmers see her as a leader and role model, someone who pushes them through exhausting sets, corrects their technique, and demands their best effort at every single practice.  They may hear tough feedback or feel pressure to push outside their comfort zone in practice, but they understand it comes from a place of belief in their potential. Outside the pool, swimmers see Coach Bridget as a kind of mother figure. She will ask her fellow swimmers about how school is going for them and making sure her athletes are doing ok mentally and emotionally. 

  Coach Bridget’s influence reaches far beyond the lanes of the pool. In a sport built on discipline, time management, and responsibility, she reminds her swimmers that they are more than their times on a clock. They are a team, family, and a great group of individuals in which she believes in them with complete confidence. 

 

Profile blog (final) - Morgan Traver

Bullseye! the Target Effect

Whether it’s the elegant glow of the symbol plastered around the store, the Starbucks inside, or the red chic and on trend style of the store; Target attracts people in from anywhere and everywhere. The smell of espresso from the cafe fills the entrance of the store, drawing you in to grab a steamy latte or a bite to eat while you shop. Targets shopping carts are known for having 2 cup holders, one on each corner of the cart, specifically for this reason. The sales offered from Target range from beauty products, clothing, home decor, toys, food, and more. This allows a sense of flexibility for the shopper, no matter what you’re looking for, Target will have it. 

“Mom look! It’s the comic book I told you about!” A young boy exclaims running into the book section of the store. 

“Oh wow! Now that’s pretty cool. Go ahead and put it in the cart.” His mom replies. The kid beamed at the realization of being allowed to get the book. Their cart was full of a bluish, marble patterned plate and bowl set, candles, teakwood brown placemats for their dining room table, some food, and now a colorful comic book. The kid skipped with excitement alongside his mom ready to read.

While shopping at Target is a thrill, working there is an experience in itself. 

Gabby, a Target employee stated: “A moment that stood out to me while working at Target would honestly be how many adults act very disrespectful to people working in retail.” She has seen ripped off tags of clothing in dressing rooms, people scream at her because the dressing rooms were closed, and more. Gabby has worked at all times of the day, but she enjoys night shifts the most because of less people coming into shop. She’s been working at Target for 3 years and with her friend Maddie for 2 years.

“My favorite part about working at Target is that I get to work with my friend Maddie. Working with a friend makes the time go by faster, and sometimes it feels like you’re not even at work.” So, while there are some downfalls at Target, like rude customers, Gabby still finds ways to enjoy herself while working there. She finds that most people leaving Target are satisfied with their purchase and the customer service provided.

For young college kids, Target would be the place to work. 

“I would 100% recommend a college student working here. They are lenient as they know you are a student…” Gabby says excitedly. “…You can tell them when you can work, and if you are scheduled and something comes up, they are very helpful at trying to find you someone to take your shift.” This would be useful for students because of having such hectic schedules and needing last-minute changes. So, not only is Target a delight to shop at but their management makes the job fun, flexible, and reliable, leaving their employees happy to work for them. Target strives to give customers the experience they deserve, and it starts with hiring the right employees.

Target as a whole, has become more than just a place to shop. Its affordable prices, style, and clean layout create a sense of excitement and comfort for the shopper as soon as they step foot in the entrance. Despite the mean customers, the employees are still happy to work for them because of their flexibility and understanding. Targets impact on the customers goes far beyond a grocery store, allowing the customer to come back, grab a coffee, and find the value in the smaller things they insist on bringing back home. 

Special Delivery: Inside Scoop on the Husky Mail Hub

        During the quiet minutes before classes change, the Husky Mail Hub sits in anticipation of the incoming students on a mission to retrieve their packages. The open floor plan stretches across the room, the only obstacle, three locker banks standing on the right. Packages lacking vital information wait to be claimed behind the front desk, joined by a cardboard cutout of Abraham Lincoln, who is counting down the days until spring break. Brian Sweetra and Scott Schaffer can be heard behind the front desk, laughter erupting from the student workers, emitting a lively presence in the seemingly dull room.

    The friendly faces that supervise the mail hub are none other than Brian Sweetra and Scott Schaffer. Brian, a tall, older man with a grey comb-over, has been employed at the mail hub for thirty years. “I was looking for an opportunity to advance here at the university,” Brian explains. Scott, a man of average height, is usually found sporting a cap and occasionally, glasses. After floating around many jobs on campus for many years, Scott grew dissatisfied with his schedule, which only offered weekends or nights. Three years ago, the Husky Mail Hub became much more appealing to Scott, since the hours consisted of a Monday through Friday, consistent schedule. Together, Brian and Scott keep the Husky Mail Hub running efficiently.

    A typical day in the mail hub keeps Scott busy. His day consists of pulling, labeling, and alphabetizing forgotten packages from the lockers to make room for the new, incoming packages. He sorts the letter mail for their 1-week pickup window, and filters out faculty and staff packages. Scott accompanies Brian in delivering faculty and staff packages, then picks up student packages from USPS. In the middle of all this chaos, Brian and Scott spare time to help students, even if that kindness might not go both ways. The pair assist students in locating their packages, typically discovering improperly addressed packages, lacking important information. Despite hundreds of packages arriving at the mail hub during the week, negative interactions have become few and far between. “I feel like years ago it was more common to deal with people who were very short or rude. That’s kind of dissipated over the years, so I don't see much of it anymore,” Brian notes, “However, there was one young lady who accused me of stealing her hair extensions, and she was pretty rude in her interrogation of me.”

    "When we installed the locker system back in 2017, accountability went really high," Scott observed, agreeing with Brian's comment. Even though student accountability had increased, rude interactions were not erased altogether. In the mail hub, students are given two days to pick up their packages. After the allotted time, Scott pulls them from the lockers. Students then have one week to pick their expired package up at the front desk. Once that week passes, Scott gives the student one last chance. He calls them, letting them know that their package may soon return to the sender. “One time, a student forgot to pick up their package. I gave the student a phone call, and in one instance, the student called right back, saying how rude the message I gave them was,” Scott reminisces. While few students of Bloomsburg lack appreciation towards Brian and Scott's devotion to solving their mail-related issues, most students feel grateful for their time.

    Working in the mail hub may seem boring at a glance, but Brian tries to make the job more entertaining. He creates small challenges and competitions for the student staff to participate in. Last semester, the competition was a race around the locker banks, not on foot, but on rolling chairs. While most students were in class, Brian, Scott, and the student workers of the mail hub timed how fast they could lap around the lockers, speeding towards the finish line, also known as the front desk. “We all try to have a good time together,” Brian quips, “we tease each other in good faith and good humor.” Some other challenges Brian invented range from guessing tic-tac flavors to how many steps an employee would take on her twenty-two-mile walk. The staff of the Husky Mail Hub all enjoy the small break from their busy schedules, participating in these fun contests.

    Some students visiting the mail hub tend to jump the gun, attempting to pick up their packages before they're available. Brian and Scott offer some simple advice: patience. Brian encourages students to hold off on approaching the front desk until they've gotten an email or text notification. "If that is not coming in at a reasonable time, then reach out to me, and I'll help you however I can," Brian advises. Scott agrees, assuring that the Husky Mail Hub runs very efficiently. While unknown to some students, the mail room remains open after hours. Scanning their student ID outside, students are granted access to the locker banks during all hours of the day. In a place where hundreds of packages cycle through each week, a little patience goes a long way.

Twenty-Five Laps

                           

                                                                 

    The starter’s pistol cracks through the Gerhard Fieldhouse without warning, sharp enough to make anyone flinch if they aren’t paying attention. The navy-blue track at Bucknell shines under bright fluorescent lights, its orange accent is almost electric against the bland steel building with industrial white walls and ceilings. Bundled up parents in winter coats lean over the railing with phones raised, while athletes in shorts and singlets bounce lightly at the line, shaking out their arms and legs as if they aren’t standing in the same building as the bundled parents with sweeping cold winds that enter with opened doors. In the middle of all the chaos stands Olivia Magagna, preparing for twenty-five laps that carry more than just distance. For her, the 5,000 meters is never just a race it’s a test of composure, expectation, and everything that comes with it.

    In the middle of the infield, Olivia Magagna reclines onto her backpack sitting on the floor looking relaxed. Her dirty blonde braid hanging down her back, the neon and orange spikes flashing against the dark track. The white Bloom jersey makes her easy to pick out among the sea of orange Bucknell uniforms. She smiles and talks with teammates before the race waiting for her time to come, but once warmups begin, her expression shifts. Her face tightens, not nervous exactly, but focused. All business. The 5,000 meters, a grueling twenty-five lap trip around the gym. For Olivia, running isn’t just a sport but a family tradition. Her whole family runs. Her dad was a professional triathlete. Split times, pacing strategies, and long-distance discipline wasn’t learned from YouTube videos, they were dinner table conversations. When asked where the pressure comes from before races, she doesn’t hesitate. “From everyone,” she says. “My coaches, my parents, my teammates, me.” The pressure doesn’t fade during warmups. “It lasts until the gun goes off.” And so, it begins.

    She takes the lead early, part of the plan, though she admits later it might not have been the smartest one. By lap five, she already looks controlled, shoulders relaxed. Her stride remains fluid and identical each time her spikes strike the track. The sound of spikes slapping the surface of the track echoes through the hollow room. Her braid swings side to side in perfect sync with her cadence. She doesn’t look at the crowd, she doesn’t look at the other runners, but she runs her own race. “My goal was to win it,” she notes. “And just see where my fitness was at. It was the first race.” Season openers are strange. They aren’t championships or finals. They’re feedback. Still, tradition doesn’t soften expectations. By the middle of the race, the structure formed by the runners begins to fracture. One runner stays within striking distance, but the gap between each and every athlete grows steadily. Around lap fifteen, shoulders on other competitors begin to tighten. Heads start to bob and breathing grows heavier and more visible. Olivia’s form barely changes. But internally, she knows something is off. “I felt like I went out too fast,” she admits. “But I just tried to go with it.” Fatigue doesn’t arrive all at once. Sometimes two-thirds through. Sometimes three-fourths. It’s unpredictable. But the one thing about the race is that it always demands honesty. The final stretch is always louder than the rest. Teammates start to yell, parents shout cliches “GO” “Finish Strong!”. She can hear her dad’s voice among them, yelling out splits and remains focused. The scoreboard flickers, the announcer’s voice echoes overhead, and his voice starts to rise in intensity, metal bleachers creak as spectators lean forward and stand up looking on with anticipation. With four laps to go, it’s time to push. On the last lap, her face shows effort for the first time. Her stride is tall, still composed, but the ease is gone. “I knew I wasn’t going to hit the time I wanted,” Olivia stated. “So, it became about finishing strong and learning from it.” She crosses the line and immediately looks at the clock. Then comes the first thought. “Probably disappointment.” She bends forward briefly, hands on her knees, then straightens and places her hands on her hips. She doesn’t search for celebration. She doesn’t look for anyone right away. “I didn’t really want to talk to my dad or my coach,” she reluctantly admits. “I already knew I didn’t perform the way I wanted to. So, I was just kind of like, let’s move on.” For someone raised in a family of endurance athletes, disappointment isn’t dramatic. It’s instructional. Running in the Magagna family, isn’t about one race. It’s about discipline. It’s about setting a goal and finishing it, even when it doesn’t unfold perfectly. “I’ve learned that if I set a goal, I’m going to complete that goal,” “I’m really disciplined.” The 5K is the longest race she runs right now. That’s part of why she loves it. “It gives you time to think,” she explains. “You can calm down. You can think about your strategy. “Twenty-five laps give you space to feel confident. It gives you space to misjudge pace, it gives you space to respond."

     As the meet winds down, trash piles near the concession stand and the awards table sits neatly arranged. The infield slowly clears as teams gather their duffel bags, the cold air slips in again when the doors open. Olivia blends back in with her teammates, she just becomes another athlete cooling down, her braid still swinging as she jogs easy laps. The season opener didn’t deliver the time she wanted, but tradition doesn’t end with one imperfect performance. It continues in the early morning oatmeal, the water bottles, the weeklong mental preparation, coaching, and teammates unwavering friendship and support. Twenty-five laps isn’t just a race. For Olivia, it’s part of something that started long before Bucknell’s navy blue track and will continue long after the final gun goes off.