The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
Magnolia Westfall

Magnolia Westfall, Staff Writer

Magnolia Westfall is a senior majoring in communication with a minor in journalism. Originally from Houston, Texas, she brings her passion for storytelling and her background in theatre arts to her work. She covers Student Government, Life and Arts stories that the students need. This is her second year writing for Hilltop Views and her first as a staff writer. Outside of writing, Magnolia (Noli for short) loves music, photography, and telling stories.

All content by Magnolia Westfall
SGA candidates for senate, vice president and president discuss their visions for campus improvement during the debate, discussing student organization funding, dining hall concerns and shared governance. Voting is open until April 2 at 8 p.m.

Student Government Association candidates debate on key issues ahead of election

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
April 2, 2025
Students watching the SGA funding requests during the meeting. Meetings are every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the St. Andre Multipurpose room.

Weekly SGA senate brief: March 26, 2025

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
April 1, 2025
President Montserrat Fuentes gave her annual University Address at the Student Government Association meeting.

Weekly SGA senate brief: March 12, 2025

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
March 24, 2025
Students got glitzed and glammed with a little help from their friends at Doll’s Night put on by UPB.

Drag queens, makeup and jeopardy, oh my: UPB hosts Dolls Night to celebrate Women’s History Month

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
March 14, 2025
The Hilltoppers STUNT team in action, showcasing their teamwork and dedication as they continue to grow as a team and gain experience in their first ever season of competition.

Young and determined: St. Edwards STUNT falls short to Dallas Baptist University

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
March 13, 2025
Munday Library Director Casey Gibbs updated students on the renovations at the Student Government Association meeting. Senate meets weekly on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the St. Andre Multipurpose Room.

Weekly SGA senate brief: March 5, 2025

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
March 10, 2025
Catcher Diego Solis runs by second base, later scoring one of the two runs for the Hilltoppers. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Trevor Sebek hit the ball to right-center field, allowing both Solis and Nicholas Anderson to put St. Edward’s in the scoreboard.

Hilltopper baseball drops Saturday’s second game 5-2 against the No. 5 University of Texas at Tyler Patriots

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
March 3, 2025
Bailey Featherstone gearing up to score during a hard-fought battle against St. Mary’s in the Battle of the Saints. The sophomore standout led St. Edward’s with 20 points and nine rebounds, showcasing her impact on both ends of the court.

Fast start, tough finish: Women’s basketball loses to St. Mary’s in a close Battle of the Saints

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
March 1, 2025
Senators wait for the weekly senate meeting to begin. Catch a meeting in the St. Andre Multipurpose room on Wednesday’s at 7 p.m.

Weekly SGA senate brief: Feb. 6, 2025

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
February 12, 2025
The STUNT team performs their pyramids and tosses routine. Flyers Ella Gumney, junior, and Eden Skariah, freshmen, strike the pose on top of their respective pyramids. Their fellow teammates cheer from the side of the mat, outside of the designated performance area on the mat. Pyramids and tosses are one out of the four routines the athletes must perform during a competition.

STUNT showcase introduces a new competitive female college sport at St. Edward’s

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
February 3, 2025
SGA members gather for their first meeting of the semester, inducting five new students into the senate.

Weekly SGA senate brief: Jan 22, 2025

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
January 29, 2025
UT president resigns to take on new role as president of SMU, signaling a significant leadership change amid ongoing challenges within Texas higher education.

UT president Jay Hartzell steps down to become SMU’s next president

Magnolia Westfall, Intern
January 22, 2025
The calm before the kick – Christian Mezas focused and preparing to strike in University of Texas at Tyler game. “I believe in them,” head coach Brian Young said. “I’m proud of the guys, we went down a goal and came back from it. We’re still a young team of mostly freshmen and sophomores, once we got that goal the spirit was definitely lifted.”

St. Edward’s secures 2-1 LSC Tournament quarterfinal victory over UT Tyler with late penalty goal

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
November 13, 2024
President Montserrat Fuentes gives her State of the University Address at the Student Government Association Formal Senate meeting on Oct. 30, 2024.

Weekly SGA senate brief: Oct 30, 2024

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
November 4, 2024
Senior Alyssa Garcia as she celebrates her goal against Midwestern State University. Garcia, who is playing her last season, scored her first goal since freshman year during this game.

St. Edward’s women’s soccer defeats Midwestern State University in a close 1-0 match

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
October 26, 2024
The senators gather for their weekly meeting in the St. André Multipurpose Room on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Weekly SGA senate brief: Oct. 16, 2024

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
October 24, 2024
The Student Government Association held their first Senate Meeting of the year, happening every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the St. Andre Multipurpose Room.

Weekly SGA senate brief: Oct. 9, 2024

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
October 16, 2024
Erica Vela (left), Cressida Rodriguez, Christy Carpenter, Jaycei Scott, Isabella Bardos and Assistant Professor of Practice Public Relations Nancy Salisbury after a Q&A held by Liz Carpenter’s daughter and director of the documentary. Around 30 students and members outside of the St. Edward's community attended the screening.

Documentary about Texas political and public relations trailblazer Liz Carpenter’s life screened at St. Edward’s University

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
September 26, 2024
St. Edward’s Student Government Association senate candidates took turns explaining their platforms for candidacy. After voting closes on Sept. 25, the candidates will be senator-elect until the official induction on Oct. 2.

SGA holds senator debates with six candidates presenting their platforms and initiatives

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
September 25, 2024
Student Government Association President Mikayla Pastrano and Vice President Austin Lane are excited for the upcoming year and look forward to building their administration.

Student Government Association update: Hear about what to expect in the upcoming year

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
September 9, 2024
Sophomore outside hitter Kelli Fording jumps with her hands above the net, going for a kill. In volleyball, a kill is a ball from the attacking team that results immediately in a point. Fording was the scoring leaders for the Hilltoppers, scoring 13 total.

First game, first win: St. Edward’s women’s volleyball kicks off its 50th season on the newly named court at Hilltopper Classic

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
September 9, 2024
Bon Appétit’s director of operations Elvin Lubrin and assistant general manager Kella Tyson discuss operating statistics encompassing campus dining before opening for a Q&A.

Weekly SGA senate brief: April 17, 2024

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
April 22, 2024
Members of Student Government Association, both current and incoming, pose with toppers up in the St. André Multipurpose Room during last week's senate meeting.

Weekly SGA senate brief: April 10, 2024

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
April 15, 2024
Senators wait for the senate meeting to begin. Catch a meeting in the Andre Multipurpose room on Thursdays at 7 p.m..

Weekly SGA senate brief: April 3, 2024

Chloe Almendarez and Magnolia Westfall
April 8, 2024
Jim Morris, Assistant Vice President of University Operations, joined the senate meeting to emphasize information about Campus Safety.

Weekly SGA senate brief: March 27, 2024

Chloe Almendarez and Magnolia Westfall
April 1, 2024
A snapshot of “Dancing with Trees” featuring one of the dancers from the dance group BLiPSWiTCH and a forest nymph whose eyes would blink on the screen.

Treespell: An immersive, breathtaking art display inspired by the Greek myth of Artemis.

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
March 4, 2024
Members of the senate prepare for the weekly meeting to begin.

Weekly SGA senate brief: Feb. 28, 2024

Chloe Almendarez and Magnolia Westfall
March 1, 2024
Peter, played by senior Kelly Moncla being supported by their cast in the final moment of the show.

Unraveling the Magic: MMNT puts on third show of the season, “Peter and the Starcatcher”

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
February 26, 2024
Plants that are used to living in the St. Edward’s greenhouse are having to adjust to a new and unfamiliar environment. A variety of plant types are now housed throughout the science buildings.

Maintenance in John Brooks Williams forces greenhouse plants to temporarily relocate within science building halls

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
February 18, 2024
Students and staff gather to appreciate the diverse library that St. Edward’s offers.

SEU celebrates Black History Month with a vast reading collection featuring Black authors, storytellers

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
February 15, 2024
Daniel Mendoza looking at his and his peers’ artwork.

“Rise Up”: An art gallery showcasing top talent on the hilltop

Magnolia Westfall, Reporter
January 30, 2024
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