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Express Yourself: A Northern Star project
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Olivia Zapf

Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief

Olivia Zapf is a second-year student majoring in history and minoring in political science. Olivia joined the Northern Star in the fall of 2023 as an opinion columnist. She will graduate in May 2026 and hopes to pursue a career in the legal profession. Being from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Olivia enjoys rooting for the Packers, eating cheese curds and playing cards. Some of her favorite books are “Stalking Jack the Ripper” by Kerri Maniscalco and “The Archer” by Paulo Coelho.

All content by Olivia Zapf
A self-love heart floats above the palm of a hand as hearts float down toward another pair of open hands, which are about to grasp a letter. From the love of her great-grandmother, Tootsie, Editor-in-Chief Olivia Zapf has learned to push through life with care for herself and others. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

The most important skill: loving yourself, others

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 15, 2024
A group of students walk up stairs to go to class. NIU's enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester has gone down by 89 students compared to the Fall 2023 semester. (Getty Images)

NIU releases Fall 2024 enrollment numbers

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 13, 2024
Clint Smith, award-winning author and poet, poses for a photo. Smith is coming to NIU on Thursday to discuss the history of slavery in America. (Courtesy of Carletta Girma)

Lincoln Lecture Series to feature Clint Smith

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 8, 2024
Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Elish-Piper (left) and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer George Middlemist give a presentation about NIU's deficit mitigation plan. NIU plans on reducing the deficit to $15.4 million by the end of fiscal year 2025 and to $0 by the end of fiscal year 2026. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU to decrease deficit to $15.4 million by FY25

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 2, 2024
The MLK statue sits near the Holmes Students Center. MLK Commons is where many activities and events are held during the semester. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the most iconic spot on campus?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
August 27, 2024
Four quadrants display symbols associated with four different types of NIU clubs: Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, Department Clubs and clubs that are just for fun. Which club makes the most impact on campus? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which NIU club is most impactful?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
April 23, 2024
A squirrel and geese rest under the words "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week: Wildlife campus takeover. If one of the two had to take over campus, what would you prefer: squirrels or geese? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Campus takeover, squirrels vs. geese

By Olivia Zapf and Lucy Atkinson
April 22, 2024
Courtney Pincuspy, a first-year biology major, responds to a street interview prompt. What do students look for in a political candidate, and do students feel their votes matter? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Voting in elections

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
February 29, 2024
Anna Scanlan (from left), Olivia Zapf and Nick Glover in the Northern Star podcast room. Episode 5 of Star Notes discusses the upcoming Dune movie. (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)

‘Dune’ is very sandy

By Olivia Zapf, Anna Scanlan, and Nick Glover
February 21, 2024
A gray cup pours water into a sink. DeKalb should not have won the award for 'Best Tasting Water' on Jan 26. (Olivia Zapf| Northern Star)

[Photo] DeKalb’s water isn’t best tasting

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor
February 20, 2024
Stacks of romance books with cartoon covers are displayed at the Peoria Barnes and Nobel location. Books with smut should not be marketed toward minors. (Angelina Padilla-Tompkins | Northern Star)

Stop giving kids smut

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
February 19, 2024
The Holmes Student Center stands beyond the Balance of Equality statue on a chilly winter day in MLK Commons. The 4.2% decrease in graduate enrollment between spring 2023 and spring 2024 is negatively impactful. (Northern Star File Photo)

Decreasing graduate enrollment negatively impacts NIU

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
February 18, 2024
Santiago Montañez Bertoletti (left), Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Emily Beebe and Ian Halterman sit in the Northern Star's podcast studio. Star Notes episode 5 discuss Star Wars: Bad Batch ahead of the third season's upcoming release. (Olivia Zapf and Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

[Photo] ‘The Bad Batch’ coming soon, Disney’s Star Wars vision

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Emily Beebe, and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
February 16, 2024
Everything you need to know before watching 'The Big Game' | StarNotes episode 4

Everything you need to know before watching ‘The Big Game’ | StarNotes episode 4

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Olivia Zapf, Ethan Gonzales, and Anna Scanlan
February 9, 2024
Everything you need to know about ATLA | 'StarNotes: A Huskie media podcast' episode 3

Everything you need to know about ATLA | ‘StarNotes: A Huskie media podcast’ episode 3

By Anna Scanlan and Olivia Zapf
February 5, 2024
Elizabeth Nowak, a freshman anthropology major, responds to a street interview prompt. Are New Year’s resolutions worth it? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: New Year’s resolutions

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
January 25, 2024
A Pinocchio figure sits beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: white lies. Is it okay to tell white lies? (Northern Star Graphic)

Look Both Ways: White Lies

By Olivia Zapf and Lucy Atkinson
January 22, 2024
A mound of snow blocks 15 parking spots in Lot C after NIU’s grounds department cleared the parking lot of snow. Temperatures will remain below freezing into the start of the semester, meaning the mound of snow will likely continue to block parking spots, according to the National Weather Service. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU students shouldn’t freeze

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
January 21, 2024
Angelina Padilla-Tompkins (left), Anna Scanlan and Olivia Zapf sit around a table. The first episode of "StarNotes" discusses the new Disney+ show, "Percy Jackson." (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)

StarNotes: A Huskie media podcast – A “Percy Jackson” recap

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Anna Scanlan, and Olivia Zapf
January 17, 2024
A monk meditates in a school hallway with blue lockers. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes mental health education should be expanded in high schools. (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Expand high school mental health education

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
December 10, 2023
A mini felt graduation cap and diploma scroll rest on one side of a golden balance scale. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes college rankings should consider the non-academic elements of universities. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Improve college ranking system

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
December 6, 2023
A severe weather forecast centers in the midwest. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes radar holes in weather forecasting are dangerous and need to be patched. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Radar holes must be patched

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
December 4, 2023
A man leaps over hurdles toward a blue graduation cap. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes students should advocate for the courses they require to graduate to help improve the NIU course registration process. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Improve course registration

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
December 3, 2023
A graphic shows two images of Sexiest Man Alive award winner Patrick Dempsey. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf interviewed students about whether they find Dempsey sexy. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Street interviews: Patrick Dempsey, hot or not?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 30, 2023
A goose stands on top of a huskie. The NIU Huskies should become the NIU Geese. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

No more Huskies, we’re Geese

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 15, 2023
A Gryffindor scarf and round glasses lay on a table. Which Harry Potter Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is your favorite? (Vinícius Vieira ft | Pexels)

Poll: Which Harry Potter Defence Against the Dark Arts professor was best?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 14, 2023
Three figures look up at a sign. California's Food Safety Act, banning some food additives and coloring, is a step in the right direction. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

More states should adopt California’s Food Safety Act

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 13, 2023
Former President Donald Trump speaks outside the courtroom after testifying Monday at the New York Supreme Court. Trump needs to suspend his 2024 presidential campaign. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

Trump’s martyrdom getting old

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 8, 2023
Chase Kaminski, ESA with Counseling and Consultation Services, sits in front of fall foliage. NIU should invest in more therapy dogs. (Courtesy of Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University)

NIU needs more therapy dogs

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 6, 2023
A red stamp reads “Misleading” in all capital letters. False advertisements can have dangerous consequences, and Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes students should practice critical evaluation of advertisements. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Expand education on manipulative advertising

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
November 1, 2023
Six ghosts float in front of a white background. Senior Opinion Columnist Emily Beebe and Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf debate whether ghost are real. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Look both ways: Are ghosts real?

By Emily Beebe and Olivia Zapf
October 30, 2023
A littered Gatorade bottle lays on the ground near Neptune Hall. Students need to do their part in keeping campus clean. (Olivia Zapf | Northern Star)

Picking up litter is not hard

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 23, 2023
Israel flags hang on a soccer goal in a backyard of a home that came under attack during a massive Hamas invasion Oct. 19 in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel. American media must do a better job portraying all aspects of the Hamas-Israel conflict. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Change how Hamas-Israel conflict is covered

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 22, 2023
The Disney Channel logo from 2002-2014 stands in front of a white background. Which early 2000s Disney show is your favorite? (Courtesy of Wikimedia)

Poll: What’s the best Disney TV show from the 2000s?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 17, 2023
(Left) Students wait in line at the three dining options at Stevenson dining. (Right) Patterson dining showcases its dessert options for dinner. While some students might feel frustrated with NIU's meal plans, the university has done its best to ensure the plans are fair. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

NIU’s meal plans are fair given resources

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 16, 2023
Former Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy talks with reporters on Friday at the Capitol in Washington D.C. The reasoning behind the decision to oust McCarthy from Speaker of the House is not one to be celebrated. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Bipartisanship not criminal, Congress wants it to be

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 15, 2023
A biker rides their bike with figures on the ground behind them. Students who walk around campus must be aware of those who bike, and vice versa. (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

End NIU sidewalk wars

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 9, 2023
The double door entrance to the Sally Stevens Players Theatre. Next to the door is the metal plaque that reads “The Sally, Sally Stevens Players Theatre” located in the Stevens Buildings. (Ariyonna McGahee | Northern Star)

Attend NIU Theatre performances

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 4, 2023
The Capital building sits under a clear blue sky. By abolishing the filibuster in federal justice appointments, government officials are creating an unfair and unjust judicial system. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Fili-Busted! Bring back the filibuster for federal justices

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
October 2, 2023
A judge’s gavel rests on a book behind an image of a mossy planet Earth. Opinion Columnist Olivia Zapf believes the Held v. Montana court case decision was a step in the right direction for environmental protection. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

From Montana to NIU, environmental awareness matters

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 29, 2023
A group of students eat a meal together outside. Which on-campus restaurant is your favorite? (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Poll: Which on-campus restaurant is best?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 19, 2023
A woman in a red long-sleeve writes on a chalkboard. While advanced placement courses sound beneficial, dual-credit courses will better prepare students for college. (Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels)

Dual-credit courses are better than advanced placement

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 18, 2023
Lincoln Hall sits in front of New Hall and will be torn down to be turned into a Health Informatics Technology Center. The funding for the project is proving to be more challenging in the aftermath COVID-19 and inflation. (Northern Star File Photo)

Tearing down Lincoln Hall is beneficial, but overdue

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 14, 2023

Increase in NIU accidents: Drivers, be careful

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief
September 8, 2023
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