Nova Passions Ignited: How Villanova Students Turned Downtime into Community Projects
By Mary Kaitlin Enright
The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath of subsequent lockdowns has been a trying time for all of us. Not one of us is alone in our feelings of discontent, fear, loneliness, and anxiety. We’ve all heard it before, and we’ll hear it again: these are unprecedented times.
As we all faced the dilemma in front of us, and navigated how to best respond to the stress involved, each and every individual reacted differently. As is the nature of human emotion, we all cope with stress in different ways. Some of us spent time alone, while some of us surrounded ourselves with family and friends (within social distancing guidelines, of course). Some of us looked for ways to help, some of us looked for ways to busy our lives, some of us (most of us) looked for solace in the comfort of our couches, takeout food, and Netflix binges. I myself have now finished my third round of New Girl, Friends From College, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Now that I’ve exposed my COVID-19 pandemic coping mechanism (I really hope I’m not alone in that one), I want to bring attention to those of us that channeled the stress of the times another way. In classic Villanova student fashion, several of our very own Wildcats turned the uncertainty and anxiety characteristic of the world today into a positive use of their time. With more time to explore and expand on ideas and interests, these students have created and built social media communities around things they are passionate about, in which many of us can share.
We wouldn’t be Villanova without our students and their thirst to create communities and ignite change, would we? Here are just a few of the many Instagram accounts that have sprung up that I recommend you follow and interact with—or get inspiration to start your own!
@oj_cooks by OJ Wigwe
OJ Cooks, run by VSB senior OJ Wigwe, is a meal and recipe sharing community account on Instagram. Way back last spring (pre-COVID), OJ started using a hot plate in his West Campus kitchen to make gourmet meals on a college kid budget. He began to share his cooking endeavours through his IG platform, featuring posts of meals of various cuisines, primarily of his own creation. As his account and the passion behind it grew, OJ started to realize that while people our age often have an interest in cooking, they often don’t know where to start. With all the time that COVID-19 quarantining gave him, OJ decided to build more purpose behind his platform and turn it into something more than just a place to share his meals. OJ Cooks became a place for people to interact, engage, and learn from him and each other. OJ Cooks now acts as a community, through the use of stories that feature other students’ own cooking endeavours and recipes (including one of my favorite highlights, “Quarantined Meals”). I’ve even had the opportunity to be featured a few times (no big deal). Whether you’re a cooking aficionado looking to be featured, a rookie needing some recipes, or just like to see food in your feed (his plating skills are superb), OJ Cooks is definitely worth a follow.
And—this just in!—OJ cooks will be expanding into cooking classes starting this week! Make sure to keep your eye out for more information coming soon!
@honeywithalittlesoul by Alyssa Chin
OK, so, I think this one is so super cool (partially because I have zero creative ability, but mostly because she’s super talented)! Alyssa Chin, a senior VSB student and digital creative guru, shares some of her talents with the world on her Instagram account, Al’s Creative Corner. Whether just for fun, for commission, or in honor of a cause (like one of my personal favorites of RBG, shown below), Alyssa draws her own digital images on none other than her personal iPhone 8 (what!!). Her photos are so well done, and show that she is onto something good with this passion of hers. Plus, looking at her feed just brings me aesthetic joy:
Whether you’re in the market for a commissioned image, or just looking for some student creative photos in your daily scroll, adding Alyssa’s creative account to your feed is definitely worth your while!
@the_cocktail_gallery by Lorcan O’Callaghan
Looking to spice up your Friday night libation (legally, of course)? The Cocktail Gallery features various classic cocktail recipes, with some twists here and there, even including some original creations. Lorcan’s cocktails are fresh and delectable (I can attest!), not to mention their presentations are on fleek!
While studying abroad in Cape Town last spring, Lorcan developed an appreciation for alcohol and the many ways it can be enjoyed. When study abroad programs were cut short last semester and things closed up, he used the extra time to expand his appreciation by making some cocktails at home for family and friends. Before he knew it, he had realized a full blown passion, and Lorcan began to build it into something greater. Under the moniker “The Cocktail Gallery,” Lorcan bagan to share his creations with a larger audience through social media so that people could “share in his appreciation by making a cocktail at home, without the premium of paying at the bar.” Whether or not cocktails are your thing, his account is definitely one worth exploring!
@paintsbymamico by Megan Amico
More student student creatives, more fun! At the start of quarantine, Megan Amico, senior CLAS student, used painting as a way to get closer to and share gifts with the people she loves. The more she painted, Megan began to realize how painting and the practice of sharing her creativity with those around her improved her mental health and overall happiness in the qualms of quarantine. Before she knew it, Megan wanted to expand it into something more, and thereby, Paints By M Amico was born!
With various designs, characters, and more (both original and based on images), her feed is full of fantastic features. She even accepts orders to have your own canvas painting commissioned or custom made, so that you can decorate your walls or window sills with a Villanova student’s original artwork, and support the creative community that we are so blessed to have access to. Looking to place an order, get inspo, or just scroll through some dope designs? Go look at and follow Megan’s account ASAP!!
@shannons_nomnoms by Shannon Doyle
More foooood! Shannon Doyle shares her meal creations on her Instagram account, Shannon’s NomNoms, featuring various delicious and nutritious meals for the average college student to prepare in their on- or off-campus kitchen. With a great eye to the most important meal of the day (and a personal favorite), Shannon features fantastic recipes and inspo to keep you happy and satisfied right from the start of your day. With some of the most creative twists on oat(less)meal I’ve seen (I’m a big oat girl myself), waffles, pancakes, savory breakfast bowls, and more, she’s got your Meal #1 (and #2, and #3, and all of the ones in between) covered.
Not to mention, her pictures in your feed will make your mouth water on sight. Tell me I’m wrong:
Check her out!
@talkinginzigzags by Ryan Henry
Podcast person or not, this one’s sure to please. Villanova CLAS student (and fellow Be Well Nova writer!) Ryan Henry, inspired and motivated by her love for and constant draw to telling stories (and a childhood dream to be a comedian), started her very own podcast, Talking In Zig Zags (episodes on Spotify). With a theme as zig zaggy and “cool and fun and awesome” as the name that represents it, her podcast covers something new and interesting every week, with numerous fascinating guests.
Whether through broaching difficult topics, or through chatting up a storm with her charming personality, Ryan will make you smile, think, and laugh more than most podcasts I’ve listened to. Plus, her stories are told from the perspective of a Villanova student, just like you! Give her a listen and a subscribe!
The list doesn’t end there! If you do a little digging, you’ll find a whole bunch of Villanova student social accounts exploring hobbies, passions, interests, and more. I could only name so many before this article got too long, but don’t let that stop you! Supporting one another and our entrepreneurial efforts is so important as a Villanova community, and there are so many of us to support. Take a look at the accounts above, find another one, promote them, or start your own. Who knows? I’m feeling a bit inspired myself; maybe my next article will be plugging my own account ;)
JK, but now go get out there and start enjoying!
