Alvernian March 2010

Alvernia University 400 Saint Bernardine St. Reading PA 19607

March 2010 Volume 48 - Issue 6

www.alvernia.edu

Remembering Sr. Pacelli: Teacher and Friend By, Sister Rosemary Stets, OSF, M.A. Vice President for Mission

On February 16, 2010, Sister M. Pacelli, former administrator, dean, and professor at Alvernia University since 1960, completed her earthly journey as a good and faithful servant and was called by God to her eternal reward. As many have already noted since her death, we have lost a true pillar in our academic community, and I have lost a personal friend, a mentor, an academic colleague, and a Sister in Christ.

When I began my first assignment at Alvernia, Sister Pacelli was the Academic Dean and Chair of the Department of English and Communications. We were then a small institution and excellence in teaching was our forte and first priority. Sister Pacelli, a revered professor from my own undergraduate years at Alvernia, was supremely generous in sharing her expertise, wisdom, and pedagogical practice not only with me as a new faculty member, but with all who sought her counsel. Her rich aca-

demic background gave her uncommon instincts, and she sensed that although Alvernia was a school with great aspirations, it would face many hurdles before emerging as a competitor in the market of higher education.

During her almost fifty-year tenure, Sister Pacelli held several administrative positions at Alvernia, including Dean of Students and Academic Dean when the college was a traditional women’s liberal arts institution. She joined the faculty two years after the college was founded in 1958, and when she retired as a full time professor several years ago, she was named Dean and Professor Emerita and honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters at the 50th anniversary commencement ceremony in May 2009. Even after her retirement, Sister Pacelli continued to teach a number of very popular and creative classes based on enduring themes evident in contemporary culture. In her later years as the college historian, Sister Pacelli authored two books. Threads: A Tapestry of Alvernia College (2002) weaves the history of Alvernia with the story of the Franciscan movement and the founding of Alvernia’s sponsors, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. Her second book, Designed to Serve: The Place

and Persons of Francis Hall (2008) is a history of the oldest building at the university, recalling its early beginnings as an orphanage, St. Francis Home, to the present time. It is rich

you continued to stay at Alvernia?

Coach Calabria: I applied for a couple of Division 1 schools over the years but could not even get an interview. Even if I would have been offered a job, my wife would never leave Berks County. Her family is here and family is very important to both of us.

KE: I understand that you coach mental toughness. What does it mean to be mentally tough and how does this effect the way basketball is played?

Coach Calabria: I would like to know who told you that. But yes, I try to get my players mentally tough for the environment they just encountered at Lebanon Valley this past Wednesday in the Commonwealth Semifinals. When opposing fans are in your face and yelling at you and calling you disgusting names, you must be able to play through it and mentally block it out. It’s not easy.

So that’s the reason I am hard on my players at practice. They must learn to focus on the job at hand. Those lessons will certainly help them in the future in their jobs and as parents. Life is not easy. Funny thing however, my past players tell me I have gotten soft in my old age. So maybe my players now have it easy!

KE: What is the biggest lesson

that you have learned while coaching?

Coach Calabria: Honestly, I hate to lose, even more so today. I am a very driven person and have been my whole life. I am still trying to learn how to lose without letting it linger for days or even longer. Unfortunately, I still take it home with me. My wife understands me, thank goodness. I guess I have learned that you have to coach each player differently because they have put in different amounts of time into the game. I might be easier on a player who really puts in the time to improve. I might be tougher on a player who has a lot of talent but I feel is wasting it.

KE: In order to see more success in our athletic programs, what needs to change with Alvernia athletics?

Coach Calabria: I wish we could give more money to all of our students. Money talks in Division 3 athletics. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Coaches have to work harder and players have to dedicate themselves to being the best athlete they can be. I have been fortunate to have had a bunch of women that really bought into

with detailed research on the symbolic art and architecture of this historic edifice, and will have a revered place in the collections that highlight Alvernia’s heritage in years to come.

But it was as an educator that Sister Pacelli truly excelled, and she was both traditional and innovative.

Her classical training in theater and English literature was the foundation on which she constructed an impressive array of contemporary teaching interests, from courses in film and communications media to the develRememebering Sister Pacelli continues on page 3

Coach Calabria: A 20-Year Alvernia Story By, Katy Eby Staff Writer

The Alvernia University women’s basketball team made it into post season playoffs for the 20th year in a row. Kevin Calabria, who has been the head basketball coach since the beginning of the program, 21 years ago, can be credited with building the program to what it is today. Coach Calabria holds a career record at Alvernia of 389-188 and has shown that the Crusaders can truly hold their own on the court. Coach Calabria shares some of his thoughts about Alvernia Athletics as well as some of the knowledge that he has gained from coaching for 21 years.

KE: What made you come to Alvernia and start a program here?

Coach Calabria: When I was about to start my eighth season coaching at Holy Name High School in 1988, I had a phenomenal freshman player who might have been the best player ever in Berks County. I worked with her in my camps for 2 years and went to every one of her CYO games. She was a great player and a fantastic young girl. She came to Holy Name as a freshman. In October, her Dad was transferred to Kentucky. It broke my heart to the

point that I had to leave the environment to avoid dwelling on her loss.

One morning as my wife and I were heading out to Notre Dame for a football weekend, there was an ad in the Reading newspaper for a women’s basketball coach. I called Dr. Richard Flannery, the Athletic Director and told him I was very interested. Since I knew him well, he hired me over the phone. It made for a nice trip to Notre Dame. Little did I know what I was getting myself into that first year. But obviously, it worked out quite nicely.

KE: What was the biggest challenge that you faced while starting a new program in 1989?

Coach Calabria: I was hired in October so I had no opportunity to recruit. I had seven players on my first team. Four never played in high school. None of them were recruited to play college basketball. So we did not have a lot of talent. What we had were 7 young ladies who wanted to learn and who allowed me to coach and push them a little bit. We lost at the buzzer in our last game and finished 10-11, our only losing season.

KE: After 21 years you are still at Alvernia. With the records that you have, you could be coaching at a more prominent school. Why have

Coach Calabria continues on page 11

THE

Alvernian Layout Editor Tesia Smucker Entertainment Editor Angela Miller Sports Editor Scott Rodgers Campus news Editor Lauren Rocchino Features Editor Lisa James Advertising Editor Vanessa policare Faculty Advisor Dr. Michael Kramp Staff Writers Tim Ahlquist Krysta Blocher Erika Boone Amanda Brown Danii Cortes Geoff Nagle Michael O’Boyle Pat Watson Bruce Williams

Contributors Dr. Gerald Vigna Emily Berret Chris Farley Michelle Lafaver Laura Eshbach

The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University.

The office telephone number is (610) 796-8358.

Submissions for The Alvernian should be written in some semblance of AP style.

Letters to the editor, requests for advertisements, and general comments and questions may be submitted to Michael.Kramp@alvernia.edu The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, and length. The views expressed in The Alvernian are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the student body, faculty, staff, administration, or sponsors. ©2010 The Alvernian

Features

The

Post-Modern

By, Chris Farley Contributing Writer

“The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race.” - Susan B. Anthony.

Oh, how I yearn for that day.

In some ways, much can be said about the active equality in the avenues of America. Women are not spat upon or covered out of shame.

They are free to vote, free to exercise their voices in song and spirit, free to channel their expressions through the same activities as a man. In restaurants, offices, department stores and in many different careers, men and women share the same tasks and responsibilities. One can only hope that we are close to an egalitarian society, but what would a powerhouse of the women’s movement like Susan B. Anthony think of our efforts?

To say that equality between the sexes has been accomplished is to say something extremely dangerous.

The fact remains: women are “beneath the man” in most countries around the globe. In America, the sexism is more subtle. On Thursday, March 11th, I randomly asked women around campus the question: Does the degradation of women still occur in the world today? Are women still treated unfairly? Out of the 28 women I asked, 27 responded with “yes.” Most of these answers came out rapidly, indicating that they have personally experienced unnecessary inequity. I am certain that, if I would have asked the entire female campus, the amount of “yes” answers would have stayed above 95%. Asking men the same question seemed like a vapid undertaking.

Even the term “feminist” has been misconstrued as something it is not. According to the dictionary, the word “feminism” means: “the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” According to Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler, “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” This is why, even though I am your typical man in more ways than one, I consider myself a feminist. And there is nothing extreme about this title. The conceptual genesis of feminism arose to liberate women from the bondage of their cultures. Feminist movements were spearheaded by courageous women like the suffragettes who fought for women’s right to vote. Since the days of Cleopatra or Queen Elizabeth, the theoretical notion of feminism has existed throughout antiquity. It remains strong today.

Though history has shown that women rarely back down from a challenge, the post-modern world

2 Woman

ke, “Creativity for Peace” visited Alvernia on March 10th, 2010. Fairooz Abadi, May Freed and Amira Said, all from different cultural backgrounds in the volatile Middle East, sat on the panel and spoke of their new-found peace. CFP is a revolutionary example of how women should be enabled to not only be a part of society, but to lead it. For more information or to donate to this incredible organization, visit www.creativityforpeace.com.

Countries and cultures aren’t the only guilty culprits in this destitution of equality. Religions have, for centuries upon centuries, treated women unfairly. As a Roman Catholic, I often have many problems with the my religion’s treatment of women. The Church could learn a lot from the Sisters of the faith. Instead, it seems horribly ironic to me that, in the same period of time that Rome announced June 2009-2010 as the “Year of the Priest,” there was an “evaluation” of the American Sisters.

What is there to evaluate? I have had the pleasant company of many a good priest, but it is the Sisters of the Catholic Church who exemplify what it is to be like Jesus Christ. They exhibit an enormous amount of humility, servitude and piety. What turns many people away from their faith is the judgmental notions stemming from the pulpit. On the other hand, when sitting beside someone like Sister Maureen, Sister Lynn, Sister Rosemary or Sister Restitutua, one will likely feel a mysterious inner tranquility. They are pure, understanding and incredibly loving. This is the kind of paradigm the Church must follow.

From “main street” America to other countries across the world, women are still forced to carry the crux of despondency. As citizens of our own country, it is our duty to promote women’s rights. Until many things change, the United States should not boast of equality when one out of three women are abused in some way (one out of six are sexually abused). There is plenty of work to be done. As far as international efforts go, Dr. Victoria Williams suggests that providing higher-education den of remaining financially stable, is the most integral step to advocathousekeeping and raising children are ing women’s rights, “Higher educasolely on the shoulders of the mother. tion leads to higher ages of marriage, Abuse is common and allowed. The lower birth rates, and longer lives. It same occurs in regions of Africa and leads women, and eventually counAsia. In the Middle East, women are tries, out of poverty.” Below are struggling for a voice. Domestic abuse more websites to further this cause. is often ignored and explained as the To my fellow men: It’s time to look will of God. Interreligious and inter- at things a little differently, for- “evcultural relationships are treated as ery time we liberate a woman, we shameful and women fear execution. liberate a man” - Margaret Mead.

For more information on womIf a girl is raped, she fears defilement for being seen as an adulturer. Thank- en’s rights, check out: www.womfully, organizations like “Creativity enforwomen.org, www.globalfundfor Peace” are trying to change the forwomen.org/cms, www.care.org, roles of women. Led by their inspir- www.womenshealth.gov/violence. ing Executive Director, Dottie Indyis still attempting to objectify, denounce, and degrade women. One of the biggest atrocities of society today is its acceptance of pornography. We have become a “pornified” culture where magazines, music videos and tv shows have become as sexuallygratifying as they are pure entertainment. To suggest a censorship to this mayhem would be an aimless ambition. For, as Marcelle Karp and Debbie Stoller put it, “With X-rated movies available for rent at every local video store and Hooters considered a family restaurant, we realize that American porn culture is here to stay.” Of course, that statement was made in 1999; when pornography was just starting to infiltrate itself into every other American home through the easily-accessible online computer. Now, pornography corrodes the beauty of women like never before. Controlled, beaten, raped, dominated and subdued to the level of an animal, the industry of pornography is contributing to the daily objectification of women in relationships, schools, and the workplace.

All over the world, women are constrained from liberty. On my recent trip to Santo Domingo, I saw how women are gracefully assuming the onus of suffering. In “machismo” cultures like the Dominican Republic, men often leave after their children are born and never return. The bur-

3 Rememebering Sister Pacelli continued from front page opment of academically grounded programs for addiction studies and law enforcement majors. She was always relevant, sensitive to the evolving needs of society, always seeking creative approaches that would match education with service. She excelled at empowering others, clearing the way for fresh, sound, and visionary academic ideas. In the classroom,

Sister Pacelli was able to challenge the academically gifted and still hold the attention of those inclined to be less engaged. No one missed her notice, and everyone was given ample opportunity to succeed. She challenged students and welcomed their questions, the give and take of Socratic learning, and she never failed to win their respect as a fair and open-minded educator. Her range of intellectual interests kept the discussions lively and provocative, and her sharp wit was a constant surprise and delightful discovery, even for undergrads with low expectations. More recently in our conversations, I would often reminisce with Sister Pacelli about my own college days, and remind her that she gave me my first “C” grade in an English course, my major, while I was pursuing my degree at Alvernia. At the time I was taken aback, thinking that I deserved better. But she would smile wryly, and gently remind me that I owed her a debt of gratitude for this favor; it taught me to be more critical of my own work and to strive for excellence.

Perhaps Sister Pacelli’s unique strength was her early secular education; she attended public schools until her entrance into religious life, thereby choosing to align her extraordinary academic gifts with an equally compelling desire to follow in the footprints of St. Francis by living the gospel as a Bernardine Franciscan sister. Sister Pacelli was completely at home with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings; fascinated by the gothic figures of English and

Features American literature, but equally captivated by the mystics and thinkers of Christian literature: Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross; Thomas Merton and Edith Stein. Her ability to recognize a blend of secular and spiritual themes in the literature and culture of our day and her remarkable openness to well-grounded opinions afforded everyone a place at the table, allowing them the necessary freedom and confidence to explore new ideas, abandon misconceptions, work collaboratively, and grow from the dialogue. I suppose her experience and wisdom gave her an uncommon measure of patience too, knowing that sooner or later, with time, good will, and God’s help, all things would be well. And I believe she was right.

In the summer of 2009, Sister Pacelli and I participated in a much anticipated congregational retreat at Alvernia on St. Bonaventure’s Journey of the Soul into God, led by Andre Cirino, OFM and Josef Raischl, SFO. This eight-day retreat experience on Bonaventure’s masterpiece consisted of lectures, spiritual rituals, private prayer and reflection, personal sharing, and liturgies that focused on deepening our understanding of each soul’s intended journey to God, beginning with our first baby steps in this created world, and, as if climbing a ladder, ascending the subsequent stages of personal development that would lead us upward to our final embrace of the Crucified Lord, and our passage into eternal life with God. It

was a profoundly moving time for us as a religious community, and more than once I found myself in conversation with Sister Pacelli during that week, seeking her perspective on the readings, marveling at her astute understanding of the material, reflecting on her humility as she candidly shared her spiritual insights. Looking back, I see now that she was closer to her goal than any of us could have imagined. As I contemplate her passing, I know I will miss her lively conversations, her always interesting viewpoints, her genuine warmth and concern. But I believe that she is now enjoying the reward of eternal happiness with God whom she loved totally on this earth, and served with her entire life. I would not want anything less for her, my sister and my friend.

Is Human Embryonic Stem-Cell Research the Only Issue?

By, Gerald Vigna, Ph.D Director, Center for Ethics and Leadership

About two years ago, a conversation about the matter of stem-cell research left me wondering if attention should be turned to what is already much more heavily underway, genetic engineering and stem-cell research being done with non-human embryos.

I see three ethical issues: the purpose to which the research is directed, the safety of employees and society generally, and the beneficiaries of successful research. Regarding the first, will we be directing our research to the discovery of genetic manipulations that can cure human disease? Can we be sure that this science will not be used to create horrific diseases designed to be used in biological warfare? Second, who is monitoring this research? As far as employee safety, how strict are the OSHA regulations? Do they even apply? And, third, who will be able to afford these cures? We continually return to the issue of health care allocation, costs, and insurance.

Perhaps before we allow the great research corporations even to think about using human embryos, we ought to require satisfactory answers to fundamental ethical questions: what purpose, how safely, and to who’s benefit? This column focuses on the second of these issues, regulation and employee safety.

An important test case goes to trial as I write this column on Monday, March 15. The March 14 edition of the Hartford Courant carried an article by Edmund H. Mahony on a lawsuit brought by a former employer of Pfizer Corporation. Mahony’s reporting is summarized in what follows.

Becky McClain is a microbiologist whom Pfizer fired in 2005 for what it claimed was her failure to report to work. McClain, on the other hand, began suffering debilitating medical symptoms in 2004. These problems included a terrifying intermittent total paralysis that at first defied diagnosis. This unpredictable paralysis persists to this day. McClain’s case is complex, but I will nonetheless try a simple and straightforward explanation. She contends that a fellow employee was working with an infectious virus in an unprotected manner at her lab bench. She argues that she is infected with a virus similar to the one that can lead to AIDS. If McClain’s problem were as simple as an immunodeficiency, the issues would be less formidable. The virus, however, was engineered

by Pfizer, and the company has refused to provide the DNA sequence that might help with a cure, possibly because it is a trade secret and disclosure cannot be compelled.

Watchdog groups such as the Council for Responsible Genetics (CRG) have marked the trial as a critical step in holding both private corporations and government regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to a higher standard of accountability. Put succinctly, technology may have outpaced the ability of law and ethics to oversee it. Jeremy Gruber, president of CRG, was quoted in the Courant, “The public has a right to know what regulations are in place and what regulations are required to fix an industry-wide issue. We need to have a conversation about this. Ms. McClain’s attempt to do that has been hampered at every turn, by the courts and by regulators (emphasis mine).”

The case also raises questions about whistle-blowers and an issue that some of you know has recently attracted my academic interest, moral followership. McClain contends that one reason she was fired was that she complained to OSHA and to her fellow employees about safety at the Pfizer lab. Being a courageous and moral follower in corporate America has always brought a stiff cost.

Pfizer contends that its workplaces are safe and that McClain was fired after the company offered her alternative employment. OSHA also dismissed her claims. The responses of corporation and federal agency have provided a rallying point to organizations concerned that we are not keeping up legally and morally with what our technical genius can produce. Are we?

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Campus News

Black Violin Brings Eclectic Music To AU

By Danii Cortes Staff Writer

R&B plus violins? How does that work? On Tuesday, February 23, 2010 in the Francis Auditorium an amazing duo consisting of two well-trained violinists, who started in classical music, put R&B and violins together.

Wil B began playing the viola at age 14 and Kevin Marcus started playing the violin at age 9. This was the beginning of their success. Wil and Kevin are from Florida. They both attended the Dillard High School of

Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.

“After graduating from high school, both Wil and Kev were granted full music scholarships to colleges, Florida State and Florida International University respectively. It was at FIU that Kev first encountered the group’s future manager, Sam G, with whom he and Wil soon formed a production company: DKNEX” (http://blackviolin.net/). This is when the two men started to brainstorm and foresee the future for a band.

The group’s musical inspiration was seen in both modern and

Photo courtesy of google.com

classical music, from Bach to 50 Cent. This captured many students attention seeing that these were not typical contemporary musicians.

Black Violin covered songs by a great variety of artists, including: Shostakovich, Bach, Nas, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Aretha Franklin, the Eagles, P.Diddy, and Kanye West. Many wondered how it were possible for these two classically trained violinists to perform such an array of musical traditions.

Some in the audience thought the performance would be compelling because it was such a mixture of genres. Others saw the little flyers on the cafeteria tables and thought it looked interesting. It was unique opportunity to be able to see this eclectic show on campus.

This terrific duo showed an outstanding amount of diversity and great potential to be well-known throughout the nation. They have performed at some of the biggest events including the Billboard Music Awards in 2005 with Alicia Keys, and also accompanied Linkin Park’s Lead singer on tour with Fort Minor.

All of these outstanding achievements have exceeded their expectations.

They do strive for higher recognition

Photo courtesy of google.com as all musician’s full of passion for their careers do. They are extremely talented individuals with a great amount of opportunities ahead of them.

The chemistry between the two is uncanny and simply remarkable to say the least. They showed great enthusiasm with every stroke of their violins. Many students left the auditorium still humming the melodies out loud. Some went on to say that they hope Wil B and Kevin Marcus return in years to come.

Shujaa Graham: Innocent on Death Row

By Lauren Rocchino Campus News Editor

On February 24, 2010, Shujaa Graham spoke about his experience as an innocent inmate on death row, as part of Witness to Innocence, an organization that fights against the death penalty. This event was sponsored by STOP, the Criminal Justice Association, and Honors Council.

Shujaa Graham started his speech with an expression of gratitude toward Alvernia’s students. He explained how seventh- and eighthgrade students helped to organize a defense committee, Black Prison Movement, in the attempt to set him free.

Shujaa had a powerful tone that had an effect on each member of the audience. One could feel the pain he went through just by listening to his story.

Shujaa Graham was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana and grew up on a plantation. His family members worked as sharecroppers in the segregated South of the 1950s. Shujaa spent three years in juvenile hall before the age of eighteen. In 1961, he moved to California and was later sent to Soledad Prison. While in priosn Shujaa was mentored by the leadership of Black Prison Movement.

Shujaa taught himself how to read and write at the age of eighteen. In 1976, Shujaa Graham was sentenced to the death penalty at San Quentin’s death row after being wrongly ac-

cused of murdering a prison guard.

“I’m fighting for Social Justice, everyone has a right to live,” Shujaa said. He could hear inmates and guards yelling “dead man walking.”

Shujaa made the point that racism exists in the twenty- first century in the criminal justice system. Since 1973, over one hundred and thirty death

people on the row. Pennsylvania’s death row has over 200 prisoners.

Shujaa thought that he looked guilty as soon as he entered the courtroom because he was wearing chains.

He looked and was treated like an animal instead of a human being.

Shujaa’s overall message is to fight for social justice. “Stand up for hu-

Because the district attorney had excluded all African-American jurors, in 1979 the California Supreme Court overturned the death conviction.

Shujaa was on death row for three and half years and went through four trials before he was finally found innocent.

Maureen Plover, President of STOP, said “I believe that working for social justice begins with hope and continues to spread further and further until individuals are making a difference and changing the world,” Deborah Crum, President of Honors Council, said “It was a great honor to hear Shujaa’s speech. It was a very personal story that obviously was difficult to tell, but he offered a unique perspective on an issue that is commonly debated simply as right or wrong.

As someone who has researched the death penalty extensively in the past, I was still blown away by Shujaa and his is a story I will not forget.”

Shujaa was released from prison in March of 1981. Shujaa currently works on building community support for the prison movement and against police brutality.

“I have to give back to my mother, row inmates have been released after manity, rise above our individualism, my father, my nation,” said Shujaa. evidence proved their innocence. Al- stand up for others,” says Shujaa. Shujaa’s spirit and determination most seventy percent of the people on “I don’t want revenge, I want you for justice through Witness to InPennsylvania’s death row are people to go through life seeking justice.” nocence makes him an influenof color. Pennsylvania has the larger Regardless of Shujaa’s false accuse- tial leader in the anti- death penpercentage of minorities on death ments, he does not want retaliation alty and human rights movements. row among states with more than ten with the criminal justice system.

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Campus News

The Working Class Stu- Stress Relief For Spring dent Goes (for) Broke By, Tesia Smucker Layout Editor

Every semester around this time, the world ends. And by the world ends, I mean there are midterms to be taken. Of course, every time I have a midterm, I have to work the night before. This means going to school, going to work, coming home and studying (or falling asleep), then going to class the next day to take a midterm.

Midterms are hard on the average college student - especially in classes that have a paper due a week before or after the big exam. However, for a working student like myself, midterms tend to take lower priority to things like working to pay the bills.

I almost never study for midterms.

I also almost never fail midterms.

What’s my secret? I take amazing notes. I try not to skip class, and I listen when I am in class. Listening and taking notes is the easiest way to pass a course, and it has not failed me yet.

Along with the stress of midterms, there is also the stress of decreased hours at work. This is a wonderful thing because I now have more time to actually finish my homework and maybe have some time to play Tetris (my favorite game), but I also have no more than five dollars to my name every week. My paychecks go to bills and gas with very little left over. This makes me think I should get a third job, but

By, Michele Lafaver Contributing Writer

The seasons of the year provide different periods of time in which we can rest, rejuvenate and reflect. Now that the winter season has passed, spring is coming, and with it a time for clearing out the old and renewing our mind, body, and spirit.

The weather is turning warmer, the sun is shining, and flowers are blooming. However, that does not make the demands placed on us any lighter or completing them any easier. There are still deadlines to meet, papers to write, exams to take, and with the spring season calling us outdoors, it is much more difficult to focus on work. So how is a person supposed to cope? It is easy: Get moving!

Sitting long hours through the winter months tightens muscles and joints. The longer days provide less time to be outdoors, and the lack of sunshine may sadden some individuals. Simply going outside just to enjoy the beautiful spring weather and warmer temperatures helps to loosen up those tight muscles and by getting your body moving, you begin to experience this season of renewal.

Take a walk, play a game, or just run around – your body will thank you!

My next tip might make some cringe or roll their eyes, but I will suggest it just the same. Clean!

That’s right, attack those dust bunnies under your bed, throw away the old pizza boxes and empty containers, clean out your backpack, and wash everything in sight! Clearing away the things that clutter your

life or your space makes room for fresh air and positive vibes. Who doesn’t need those, especially with the end of the semester coming soon!

After you are finished cleaning your room, remember to clean inside your refrigerator, drawers, and cabinets as well. Why, you ask. Well, eating well is a primary means to reduce stress.

Fill your mini or full-size fridge with healthy food. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains are beneficial to not only your physical health, but your emotional health as well. Eating a balanced diet helps avoid sudden drops in blood sugar. Also, remember to stay hydrated and avoid excess caffeine.

After you have had fun outside and cleaned everything inside so it sparkles, take some time to relax. There are plenty of options for relaxation. You could spend time with friends or family, do yoga, watch a movie, listen to music, or read a good novel. Sharing your concerns or worries with someone close to you may help alleviate stress as well. The important thing is to enjoy life and take some time away from the demands and pressures of everyday living. Even minimal stress relief efforts will help you relax, stay focused, and sleep better.

In next month’s column, I will focus on time management, a major cause of stress for many people. There are ways to manage your time effectively and control your schedule instead of it controlling you. Until next month, enjoy the new season and remember to take good care of you.

questions about elections please feel free to contact Abby Swatchick or myself. There will be more information about elections in the coming month.

There are only a few more full SGA meetings left, so if you have any campus concerns please come and state your opinions! The full meetings for the rest of this semester are March 23rd, April 6th, and April 20th. These meetings are held in Bernardine Hall Room 1019 at 2pm!

Lastly, I want to take the time to let you know about the Spring Fling Comedian for this year! The Spring Fling Committee has been working very hard to select a comedian. I would like to thank Staci Troebliger and Andrew Wedlock, the co-chairs for Spring Fling, who have been doing an amazing job!

This year’s Spring Fling

The Open Forum to meet can- Comedian will be writer and acdidates who are running for SGA office tor from “The Office,” BJ Novak. will be held on April 15th at 5:30pm The date of the show is Saturin the Crusader Café! Elections will day, April 24th at 8pm in the PEC. Tickets will go on sale startbe held on April 19th and 20th from 11am-1pm in Bernardine Hall and in ing March 14th. From March 14th the Student Center! If you have any – March 27th students can purchase

tickets at $10 (maximum of 4 per student). Starting March 28th students, faculty, and staff can purchase tickets at $15, and members of the community can purchase tickets at $20. Tickets can be purchased in the Office of Student Activities or online at www.alverniatickets.com!

I would also like to announce that all ticket sales will be donated to Mercy Corps as part of Phase 3 of “Alvernia Helping Haiti.”

then there goes sleep and homework.

Working in school is always a delicate balance of having nothing done and no time to do it, but convincing everyone that you are on top of everything and have time left over.

Money is the worst part of midterms. I can never take off work this time of year because I am only getting a few shifts and I need them all to pay my bills, but I need to take off so I can study for midterms or write midterm papers. I end up trying to do both and succeeding only in making myself frustrated. I always think that school is a vicious cycle. I need money to have an education, but I need an education to make money. And I am afraid of failing midterms because I have to work to make the money I need to live. At this point, I am barely doing that. I owe money in taxes, my car insurance is due soon, and I can’t put any money in savings because every week it’s gone by Wednesday.

So what do I do? Well, I make tie-dye shirts and sell them to my friends. I sell old books, CDs, and movies on Amazon and Ebay. I collect change and take it to the bank - I am that person picking up the pennies on the ground. I comb Craigslist for odd jobs and freelance writing work.

I also quit smoking so I have that extra five to ten dollars a week. I hustle life. I make money come out of nowhere, and pray that it will be enough.

SGA Spring Update: Haiti and The Office By, Emily Berret SGA President Dear Students,

I hope you all had an amazing spring break! SGA has been working extremely hard to sponsor events on campus, address your campus concerns, put together great events for Spring Fling weekend, and raise awareness about the crisis in Haiti.

I would like to thank everyone that attended the Dodge Ball Tournament! We had a great turnout and the teams did an amazing job.

Congrats to the Baseball Team that is now 4-0 in the Dodge Ball Tournament! Congrats to SGA on winning best dressed at the event! With the entrance fees of all the teams, SGA and Sports Management Association raised $65 for Haiti! Thank you again to SMA for planning this great event!

In addition, SGA elections for the 2010-2011 academic year are approaching fast! Letters of Intent are due to Abby Swatchick in the Office of Student Activities by April 12th. All executive board positions and class officer positions will be

open. To run for an executive board position, one full year as an SGA member is required. The class positions include class President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer!

Hope to see you all there, Emily Berret Student Government Association President

Tales of Pacelli

Sister Pacelli as Academic Dean of Alvernia University

When a member of the class was texting during her lecture, she called her on it. When someone else showed up without their book, she found them out. She demanded excellence from her students, and she would accept nothing less. Her lectures were always brilliant, because she put so much energy and life into them.

I felt bad when I would stand next to her, since I am so tall. I felt it would make her feel shorter, so I often knelt or sat on a chair so she wouldn’t feel so short. Sister Pacelli and I talked about many things as our friendship grew, among them my desire to become a priest and to teach. She encouraged me in both those ambitions, and I always found her counsel to be wise and prayerful. I will miss my friend.

- John Hutta, Junior Theology/Philosophy major

The groundbreaking of Bernardine Hall with Veronica Hall in the background, August 16, 1968.

Sr. M. Pacelli portrait.

Robeson Township police chief Leonard N. Herb and Sr. Pacelli discussing field experience for students in the Criminal Justice program, 1976.

6

7

Tales of Pacelli

I had the opportunity to sit next to Sr. Pacelli during the English/Communication/CIS department's recent holiday celebration. The faculty gathered at a local Reading restaurant, and we shared a crowded table to enjoy a meal and exchange used books. The table was a bit of a tight fit, and one of my colleagues asked if I was comfortable; she even offered to change spots with me. I responded that I was fine, and jokingly added that "I rarely get the opportunity to sit this close to celibate women." Sr. Pacelli, without missing a beat, simply responded, "I do."

-Michael Kramp, Assistant Professor of Communication

Sr. Pacelli with the first male graduate of Alvernia, May 1973.

Left to Right: Sr. Pacelli, Michelle Murphy, Roger Luckenbill

Dr. Larry Mazzeno presents Sr. Pacelli with a service award.

Sister Pacelli had many accomplishments. She was a truth teller and she was modest. She was also a guide-she was always there for anyone who needed anything. She really is someone who I would say is an "institutional memory." The faculty even created a calender a little while back and the inspiration was that here at Alvernia everyone wears a bunch of hats...as in has multiple duties and jobs within their job. She wore a white, feathery hat and she just looked too cute and funny, along with the rest of the faculty and staff pictured in the calender. She participated in all activities and really enjoyed herself and her work at Alvernia. She even was called "Patches" by the other sisters in the convent...short for Pacelli of course.

- Beth DeMeo, Chair of English, Communication, and CIS; Associate Professor of English and Communication.

A fond memory I have with Sister Pacelli goes back to when I first started working here. I was pregnant and soon gave birth to my first daughter: Rachel.

Being a new mom it was tough balancing home and work so I would occasionally bring her to campus with me. I can remember like it was yesterday that Sr. Pacelli was so great with Rachel. She was really into children and she enjoyed having mine come with me to school. I did not realize or really to expect this about her at first, but soon learned that she had a heart of gold.

Sr. Pacelli had a soft side to her and it was revealed when she would hold or play with my daughter (s)."

- Jodi Radosh. Associate Professor of English and Communication.

Alvernia College faculty in the 1960s.

Left to Right: Ss. Pacelli, Gemma, Dymphna, Donatilla, Victorine, Clarissima, Alodia.

Sports

With

March

By Scott Rodgers Sports Editor

With the announcements last night, it is time for millions of people to print and write up their NCAA basketball brackets. It is just the thing to do, like eating apple pie or watching American Idol.

1-3-1 will http://www.nsawins.com/ betting/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ ncaa-basketball-championship-odds. jpg give most teams a fit. They can also play man to man from this set up.

But New Mexico does do two things well: rebound and shoot three pointers. Plus with Daring-

Photo courtesy of google.com

Comes

that is an alarmingly popular one.

The toughest game for me is a potential Villanova/Baylor matchup. I want to go with Baylor, especially with Villanova’s finish to the season, but I will say if Nova wins, they beat Duke.

But in the end, I have Baylor winning this bracket, especially with LaceDarius Dunn. I was also told to plug Ekpe Udoh, who averaged 13.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, and 3.9 BPG. I wonder if Michigan could have made the NIT with him.

The West strikes me as a bracket that a mid-level team could make a huge run in. Gonzaga/Syracuse poses an interesting potential second round matchup. BYU and Xavier are potential spoilers, and if Butler can make it past UTEP (which is the popular 5/12 upset this year), they have a shot. Pittsburgh is not close to the team they were last year.

In the end, once the dust settles, I expect Kansas State to win. Arinze Onuaku’s injury dampens Syracuse’s chances, and if he is not up to speed; Gonzaga may bounce them in that second round matchup. Plus as it has been pointed out almost everywhere, sending Cuse out west was a bad call.

I think the only person in the world picking Lehigh over Kansas is Dr.

8 Madness

Photo courtesy of google.com

ton Hobson, who is seemingly a huare all great teams. However, out man double-double (16.2 PPG and of all of them, I only think George9.2 RPG), they have a shot. But in town can beat Kansas. But Kanthe end, I expect a WVU/Kentucky sas is too strong, and I believe matchup, with Kentucky coming out they will inevitably win the West. on top (though this will probably be Even though I picked three Big 12 the best game of the tournament). teams to make the Final Four, I be In the South regional, Villanova, despite all of their issues at the end of the year, has a clear path to the Sweet Sixteen. A fun first round matchup to watch, for those that like a lot of points, will be Baylor against Sam Houston State. In the seven games they lost, SHS allowed 54.1 percent of shots to go in, including 47.7 percent from three-point range. Look for Baylor to put up 100 in this one.

A massive upset to keep a watch on comes from the top of the bracket, with four seed Purdue playing 13 seed Siena. Without Robbie Hummel, the Boilermakers have put up 44 against Michigan State, 42 against Minnesota, and 64 against Penn State (who went Photo courtesy of google.com 3-15 against the Big 10 this year).

I expect Duke to make the Sweet Sixteen, though Louisville may give them a bit of a chal- Tom. Kansas plays in Oklahoma City lieve Kentucky will win it all. I just lenge early on. Sienna is a dark and St. Louis in the first two rounds, do not see Baylor (or Duke, or Vilhorse Sweet Sixteen team, but giving them a ridiculous advantage. lanova) beating them. On the othThe two through six seeds are all er side, Kansas has beat Kansas comparable talent wise. Though State three times already this year.

Kansas is a juggernaut, I believe Not much I can do to debunk that.

Georgetown can give them a legiti- It took two brilliant minds coming tomate challenge if they make it that gether, and a lot of me saying “South far. When Georgetown gets hot, they Carolina could beat them,” (followed are a top five team, but when they by: “No, that is a boldfaced lie”) but I are off they look like a team that feel confident in the bracket the two of does not even deserve to be ranked. us produced. Oh, and he picked KanThe two individual players to watch sas over Kentucky just to be different. are Greivis Vazquez of Maryland and Of course, right as I was wrapping Evan Turner of Ohio State. Both play- up this article I got a text saying “I ers can carry their individual teams changed my mind, WVU is beatmultiple rounds, but both dictate ing Kentucky.” I just replied “Do how their teams will do. If either fal- not worry, John Wall’s got this.” ters, so will their respective squads. Oh and the women’s bracket?

As I said above, two through six Here is my advice: UConn wins.

Photo courtesy of google.com

Seeing as I only keep up with college basketball and catch only a handful of games, I enlisted a good friend of mine to help me. He actually watches college basketball religiously, even during the months that do not rhyme with “parch.” We have an annual conversation about how Michigan and South Carolina were snubbed as number one seeds.

If there is one thing we can agree on: go ahead and put Kentucky in the Final Four. I have read that Marquette is a dark horse for the final four, but no. I will just give you one fact: their center is smaller than one of Kentucky’s guards (Darius Miller is 6’7”and Hayward is 6’6”).

West Virginia can give them a run for their money, but I still think Kentucky is too powerful if they meet up. The most intriguing matchup to me in the East is Cornell vs. Temple, that pits a team that made 43.4% of their three pointers (Cornell) against a team that ranked among league leaders in defensive scoring.

A potential matchup in this bracket, seeing as it looks to be mostly chalk, is the aforementioned West Virginia against New Mexico. WVU is extremely long and versatile, and their

9

Sports

Sports Staff Predicts the Baseball Season Tim Alquist Picks. . .

Bruce Williams picks. . .

Krysta Blocher picks. . .

James Hein picks. . .

NL East: Phillies NL Central: Cardinals* NL West: Giants NL Wild Card: Cubs

NL East: Phillies NL Central:Cardinals* NL West:Giants NL Wild Card: Mets

NL East: Phillies NL Central: Cardinals* NL West: Dodgers NL Wild Card: Giants

NL East: Phillies NL Central: Cardinals* NL West: Dodgers Wild Card: Braves

AL East: Red Sox* AL Central: Twins AL West: Mariners AL Wild Card: Yankees

AL East: Yankees* AL Central: Twins AL West: Mariners AL Wild Card: Red Sox

AL East: Yankees* AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Card: Red Sox

AL East: Yankees* AL Central: Tigers AL West: Angels Wild Card: Mariners

NLCS: Phillies vs Cardinals ALCS: Yankees vs Mariners World Series: Phillies vs Yankees Winner: Yankees

NLCS: Phillies vs. Cardinals ALCS: Mariners vs. Yankees World Series: Yankees vs. Cardinals Winner: Cardinals

NL MVP: Albert Pujols AL MVP: Joe Mauer

NL MVP: Albert Pujols AL MVP: Joe Mauer

NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez

NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee

NLCS: Phillies vs Cardinals ALCS: Red Sox vs Mariners World Series: Red Sox vs Cardinals Winner: Red Sox

NLCS: Phillies vs Cardinals ALCS: Yankees vs Red Sox World Series:Cardinals vs Yankees Winner:Cardinals

NL MVP: Albert Pujols AL MVP: Ichiro Suzuki

NL MVP:Albert Pujols AL MVP:Evan Longoria

NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay AL Cy Young: John Lackey

NL Cy Young:Roy Halliday AL Cy Young: Felix Herandez

NL Rookie of the Year: Buster Posey AL Rookie of the Year: Neftali Feliz

NL Rookie of the Year: Jason HeyNL Rookie of the Year:Pedro Alverez ward AL Rookie of the Year: Neftali Feliz AL Rookie of the Year: Neftali Feliz

NL Manager of the Year: Charlie Manuel AL Manager of the Year: Don Wakamatsu

NL Manager of the Year:Bruce Bochy AL Manager of the Year:Don Wakamatsu

NL Manager of the Year: Bruce Bochy AL Manager of the Year: Don Wakamatsu

NL Rookie of theYear:Alcides Escobar AL Rookie of the Year:Carlos Carrasco NL Manager of the year: Bobby Cox AL Manager of the year: Don Wakamatsu

Major League Baseball Preseason Blowout

By Scott Rodgers Sports Editor

In the West, I have the Rock- it is going to be one of those years. ies. Ubaldo Jimenez is one of the So by process of elimina You know baseball season most underappreciated aces in the tion, and with much chagrin, I have needs to start soon when Buster Ol- game. Carlos Gonzalez is set to take narrowed it down to two teams: ney of ESPN is reporting that the another major step forward, and Troy the Brewers and Diamondbacks.

Phillies are kicking around the idea Tulowitzki is the best shortstop not The Dodgers just strike me as a disapof trading Ryan Howard for Al- named Hanley Ramirez in the league. pointment waiting to happen, the GiThe wild card has given me ants have no offense, the Braves are bert Pujols, in a one for one deal.

Yeah, OK, Buster. I am sure the Cardinals will get right around to doing that one. Once the Phillies toss in Chase Utley, of course.

At any rate, with Spring Training well under way, the excitement is building. Especially here, where the buzz surrounding Roy Halladay has reached critical mass, with the number of Halladay jerseys rivaling the number of Utley jerseys I see on any given day.

To keep on the Phillies theme, they are my pick to win the NL East. There is too much firepower in that lineup and Cole Hamels should bounce back. Brad Lidge cannot be much worse, either.

However, I caution Phils fans.

Photo courtesy of google.com This upcoming offseason will be a big one, with Jayson Werth becoming a free agent. Signing him will likely fits. The Brewers, Dodgers, Giants, going to get 50 games out of Chipspell Ryan Howard’s exit next year. and Braves all have their chances. per Jones, the Cubs have Carlos Silva

In the Central, it seems to That is not even counting the teams in their rotation, and the Marlins are be the Cardinals and then every- that are currently under the radar, like probably sending their best power hitone else. Adam Wainwright and the Cubs, Marlins, and Diamond- ter to the minors (Michael Stanton).

Chris Carpenter are arguably the backs. I would consider the Mets, Having said that, I am going best one-two in the league. Then but with Jose Reyes and Carlos Bel- with the Brewers over the Diafor two reasons. of course, there is that Pujols guy. tran already injured, you just know mondbacks

First, the Brewers rotation one through five is solid (Yovani Gallardo, Randy Wolf, Doug Davis, Manny Parra, and Dave Bush). I will just ignore Jeff Suppan’s existence.

Second, the Diamondbacks rotation is not solid. Dan Haren is an ace (for half a season), Brandon Webb is already hurt, Edwin Jackson is likely to regress, then Yankee cast off Ian Kennedy and Billy Buckner is the favorite to be the fifth starter. Yeah, that does not inspire much confidence.

The offenses are washes, with the top of the Diamondbacks order being better (Stephen Drew and Conor Jackson, who I may add is very much over his Valley Fever problems: hitting .625 this spring). And the Brewers have the best three/four in the league (Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder).

The AL East presents quite a conundrum. Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge Red Sox fan.

But the Yankees did nothing but improve in the offseason. And then there are the Rays, who I expect to throw things entirely out of whack.

So, as much as it pains me to say this, the Yankees will win the east. When I found out they had acquired Curtis Granderson, I knew it was over. Then they went out and got Javier Vazquez.

The Red Sox’s additions do not equal the eight wins between them and the Yankees from last year, not counting the Yankees’ improvements.

Sports In the central, I was going to go with the Twins. Then the Joe Nathan injury happened, and that sent me into a bit of a spiral. I do not believe the Tigers have enough firepower to hang so that leaves the White Sox as my pick. Hey, Alex Rios cannot be worse than he was last year, right?

The AL West, aka the Angels playoff berth, has been turned upside down.

This was the hardest pick for me, personally. With the Angels out (losing Chone Figgins, John Lackey, and Vladimir Guerrero then replacing them with Brandon Wood, Joel Pineiro, and Hideki Matsui? No thanks), that leaves the Mariners and Rangers.

This pick I change more than my NL Wild Card, but with Ian Kinsler already injured (and he will probably get another season ending fluky injury), I am going with the Mariners. Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee are right up there with Wainwright and Carpenter. I believe in Jack Zduriencik’s master plan.

For the wild card, I am going with the Red Sox. Come on, did you expect anything else? Though let me say one thing about this pick: if anything goes awry with the top three (Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and John Lackey) the Rays will pounce and snatch this away.

The teams with home field will be the Yankees in the AL and Cardinals in the NL. The Yankees will win 100+ games again, and the Cardinals have the easiest road.

The Phils will make it close, but they have to see too much Josh Johnson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Tim Hudson, Ricky Nolasco, and Johan Santana too much for my liking. Then there is Derek Lowe who inexplicably has a career 2.56 ERA against them. Who knew?

For the NLCS, I am going to go with the Cardinals and Phillies. The Rockies have the potential to upset the Phils, especially with a healthy Jeff Francis, but the Phils are too strong offensively.

For the ALCS, I have the Yankees and Red Sox. I believe the Red Sox match up well if they play the Mariners, and the Yankees always crush

10

ers love wins (see: Bartolo Colon).

Lincecum would not surprise me, even with three in a row, though.

Hernandez will get stiff competition from Justin Verlander, Lester, Sabathia, and Zack Greinke. But with the Mariners’ defense behind him, he has one of the largest margins for error, and he does not make many.

This year’s rookie class is one of the best in recent memory. With Aroldis Chapman and Stephen Strasburg, you have two of the most hyped pitching prospects in memory. With Jason Heyward, you have comparisons being drawn to Fred McGriff. And that is just the NL. Because Heyward is going to start Opening Day and both Chapman and Strasburg will go to the Photo courtesy of google.com minors for some tuning (though Chapman may force the Reds’ whichever AL Central team pops up. over Vazquez, who very well could hand), he is my choice for the NL. However, again, if Lester, Beckett, or flop in New York again). On the flip The AL award may surprise you, but Lackey get hurt, I believe the Rays side, the Red Sox have Clay Buch- I am going with Brian Matusz. Nefwill make this position just as easily. holz, who if he puts it together, can tali Feliz is the flashy name, but the With so many storied franchises in push this one the Red Sox’s way. Rangers seem a bit content to keep the championship series, the World This just came down to the Yankees’ him in the bullpen for some amount of Series will have a great matchup no big bats and the Red Sox being light time. Matusz will be a starter as long matter what happens. I think the Car- hitting with little power (why they did as he does not implode for the Oridinals will win the NL, simply be- not trade Jacoby Ellsbury after the 2007 cause Wainwright and Carpenter are postseason, I will never understand). better than Halladay and Hamels. Of For the World Series, I will go with course, the Cards have to hope that the Cardinals winning it all. It could Carpenter has his disabled list time be said I refuse to let the Yankees early in the season for this to happen. win in my mind. Perhaps. It could The offenses for both teams are also be said that I am buying into great, but with Matt Holliday com- Cardinals hype. Again, perhaps I am. ing back, the Cardinals’ three-four But at the end of the day, when you of Pujols/Holliday is just as, if not have the best player in baseball, a pobetter than, Utley/Howard. The sur- tent one/two combination at the top rounding offenses give the edge of the rotation, and Tony La Russa, to the Phils, but in a battle of bull- I will buy into what you are selling. pens, I give the edge to the Cards. Just to finish up my thoughts on the For the AL, and I hate saying this, Rays, if they make it, they win the but the Yankees are too strong. CC AL. I do not know if they can compete Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Javier with the Cardinals, but for the Rays to Vazquez (if he does not collapse in make it, that will have meant the Yana pennant race) can hold their own kees or Red Sox faltered, BJ Upton fiPhoto courtesy of google.com against the Red Sox’s top three. The nally put up the kind of season expectYankees obviously have the bet- ed of him, and the young guys (David ter offense, and the bullpens are a Price and Wade Davis) put it together. oles, and if he has a big game late in push with Phil Hughes and Joba Speaking of the Rays, I have Evan the year against the Red Sox or YanChamberlain likely in the Yanks’. Longoria as my MVP. Joe Mauer and kees, it will catapult him to the award.

But the Yankees also have Andy Pet- Alex Rodriguez make this close, but Don Wakamatsu of the Mariners and titte, who would likely start (perhaps if I am trying to serve out all of this Ken Macha of the Brewers are my Rays kool-aid, I better back it up. I choices for managers of the year. They think this is the year that Longoria will be the teams with the biggest takes the torch from A-Rod as the turnarounds, thus why they are chobest third baseman in the league. sen. And I feel like a broken record, The NL MVP, aka the Albert Pujols but Joe Maddon of the Rays is anaward, will once again go to Pujols. other choice, but that will likely only Again, I have to back up my World happen over Wakamatsu if the Rays Series prediction and Pujols is the pass both the Yankees and Red Sox. yearly favorite. But, if Pujols has any By the time this goes to print there sort of slip-up, this will be Hanley will likely be another major injury Ramirez’s award to take (sort of like or I will have changed my mind. when Barry Bonds got all of the MVPs The only thing I can really count on during Pujols’ younger days). Joey is some sort of Mets hilarity (ridicuVotto is also a dark horse candidate if lous number of injuries, nuclear colthe Reds put any sort of run together. lapse at the end of the season, etc).

For the Cy Youngs, I have Felix Her- Everything else is guesswork, so do nandez and Roy Halladay. I spent a not be surprised if later on I tell you lot of time pumping up Wainwright how great the Dodgers are and how and Carpenter, I know, but Halla- they are going to win it all against day will likely end up with more the Twins. Or maybe I will actually Photo courtesy of google.com wins. And we know how the vot- put the Rays in the playoffs, afterall.

11

Sports Coach Calabria continued from front page

Youth

By Bruce Williams Staff Writer

Impacts

When you think of Ice hockey some names that might come to mind are Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane. All three of these players have two important things in common: (1) they are all very young, and (2) they are all leading their NHL teams in points (combined total number of goals and assists). Similar to the three all stars, Alvernia sophomore Sean Castineira was on a mission this year, leading the team in points with eleven goals and eighteen assists.

Starting when he was just 3 years old at a Rec center in Philadelphia, Sean quickly learned the fundamentals, as he built a good foundation to go on to play at the college level.

The unselfish Sean loves scoring his goals, but made it clear with eighteen assists that scoring goals is not the only aspect of his game. When asked about his success this past season, he is quick to thank his line mates.

what I wanted them to do, especially in the off season. The off season is the key for all Alvernia athletes.

KE: Do you feel the athletic department has enough support from the rest of the University?

Coach Calabria: Yes, I feel the administration is supportive of the athletic department. If we could get more creative with financial aid packages we might be able to attract a lot more athletes to Alvernia. We see and hear of some funny prices other colleges are throwing around.

KE: As a coach, do you feel that family and friend support is important in college athletics?

Coach Calabria: 100% support of an athlete by their families is critical. Attendance at games is critical as well. We have had a lot of supportive families over the years. Some families never missed games in 100 career games for their daughters.

Now that’s support!

KE: You are a veteran coach now after so many years. What do you think is the most difficult thing young coaches face today and are you affected by the same problems?

Coach Calabria: College is different than high school. In high school, all parents complain all the time, so that’s a tough job. In college, athletes are where they were meant to be. Parents might not always like playing time for their kids, but we are trying to win games. I wanted to be a Psychiatrist when I was a pre-med student at Notre Dame. I got what I wanted. Dealing with people is what we do as coaches. It’s never easy.

KE: Is good sportsmanship a

Crusaders

“I’m just lucky to be playing with some great goal scorers who do a good job of scoring on the opportunities they get.”

Playing with passion and heart seems to be one of Scott’s greatest attributes out there on the ice. It is no surprise that he compares himself to arguably the greatest NHL player, Alexander Ovechkin, who certainly shows his heart and passion for the game, day in and day out.

bigger problem today in athletics rather then when you first started coaching?

Coach Calabria: We encountered a very hostile fan environment at Lebanon Valley the other night in the playoffs. It got personal. When I found out about it, I was quite upset. I treasure my players and I never want to see them get hurt by some jerks in the stand. Sportsmanship has not improved over the years.

KE: What do you feel is the hardest aspect of being a student athlete today?

Coach Calabria: Time management. Being dedicated to your college work and your sport takes a lot of time. College sports are not for everyone. But if it is, it will be the greatest memory you will ever have. Just imagine the memories of the games. Most importantly, the memories of your teammates and the fun stories will last a lifetime.

KE: You are a business professor at Alvernia as well. Do you think lessons learned while playing sports carry over to the working world?

Coach Calabria: No question about it. You know from watching me coach that I am very passionate about coaching. But honestly, I love being in the classroom even more.

I have an opportunity to influence more lives in the classroom. Joanna Graber, one of my senior players, has me in class this semester. She told the team recently that she has seen a different side of me in the classroom.

I found that comment interesting.

Thank you Coach Calabria for sharing your thoughts and congratulations on the season’s success and best of luck next year

Ice

I like to think of Sean as a triple threat player. He is nothing but a headache for his opposition as he can skate through anyone, score at will, and just when you think you may have stopped him, he can dish the puck off to his teammates for an easy goal.

Not far behind Sean in the points category is the young, but extremely talented freshmen Kevin Mengel. A breath of “fresh” air for returning players this season, Kev-

Hockey

ein did not hesitate to show that he is already one of the elite players in the league. Kevin is a two way player, able to kill penalties when the team needs it, and known for his ability to put the puck in the net.

Like Sean, Kevin can fly down the ice when he wants, as his stick handling ability does the rest. Not one to shy away from the big stage, he has multiple goal games, multiple point games and a game winner that looked like something out of a movie. In an important match against East Stroudsburg, he scored a goal with only seconds left to ice the victory for Alvernia.

With a season of many ups and downs that finished in heartbreak fashion after losing in the championship game in overtime, there is certainly promise for years to come as Sean and Kevin look to lead the charge.

“I expect big things out of the team next year, although [we are] losing some leadership, I expect nothing less than regionals,” said Kevin.

Entertainment

12

The Truth “Hurts” but the Gold Feels Good

By Laura Eshbach Contributing Writer

As the anticipation grew on the night of the Oscars, expectations faded as the awards for Best Picture and Best Director went to Kathryn Bigelow and her film The Hurt Locker rather than the world’s top-grossing film Avatar. Bigelow was the first woman to be awarded Best Director, while her production The Hurt Locker was awarded six total Oscars. The hype still lingers as Bigelow received more gold than former husband James Cameron, whose epic film Avatar went head-to-head with The Hurt Locker at the 2010 Oscar Awards.

So how did The Hurt Locker, with its $14.7 million gross sales, receive more awards than the $720.6 million gross-selling Avatar? Perhaps the gold statue could be credited to the film’s important and unbiased message about the war in Iraq.

Bigelow became interested in creating The Hurt Locker after she discovered that screenwriter Mark Boals was going to Baghdad to plant a bomb. “And not unlike the general public, I felt fairly unaware of what was going on in Baghdad. I think it’s a war that has been underreported in many respects, so I was extremely curious, and I kind of suspected that, providing he survived, he might come back with some really

rich material that would be worthy of a cinematic translation, and that’s what happened. So then he came back and we started working on the script in 2005, raised the money in 2006, shot in 2007, cut it, and here we are” said Bigelow in a recent interview.

Many Americans have repressed the realization and the reality of war. The challenge in creating a film like The Hurt Locker is appealing to the public through a thrilling film that approaches the war in Iraq without any bias, but also shows the cruelty and the demanding condition that our troops encounter daily. Bigelow overcame the challenge to address the war by creating a very realistic portrayal of the trials of the soldiers in Iraq.

The film takes place in Baghdad, where American Staff Sergeant James and his squad are responsible for disarming bombs in the intense combat atmosphere. One delegated sergeant has the assigned task to diffuse bombs as the rest of the squad scopes the surrounding area to ensure that there are no potential terrorist threats. The intensity builds as the suit-protected sergeant approaches the bombs that are buried under the ground, hidden in cars, strapped to victims, and even concealed inside a person’s stomach.

The squadron faces many deadly challenges as it completes its mis-

sion to not only disarm bombs but protect its members while undergoing oncoming fire from terrorists.

The environment of war involves one repeatedly being exposed to the death of those around him or her, and the horrific mental

By Angela Miller Entertainment Editor

The long awaited sequel to the Boondock Saints finally hit DVD stands on March twelfth. Nothing about the movie had changed-not the director, not the writer, and definitely not the actors. But even though the Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day has its redeeming qualities, it still is not as good as the first. Then again how many sequels do manage to surpass the original?

The Boondock Saints 2 follows the MacManus brothers, Murphy and Connor, as they emerge from hiding to eliminate everyone involved in their favorite priest’s murder. The city remains divided when

it comes to the ‘saints.’ Because the priest died in a similar way to the saints’ other victims, it is easy to see why people think they have returned.

However the murder of their beloved priest was just a ploy to get the saints to come back--and it worked.

Detectives Dolly, Duffy, and Greenly are investigating the priest’s murder. They are accompanied by Special Agent Eunice Bloom, the protégé of Paul Smecker, to investigate the death of the priest. At first the detectives are not too keen on having a Federal agent working with them, but like Smecker before her, she is smart and very helpful to the investigation.

She seems to know all of Smecker’s tricks from the last movie. How-

ever Special Agent Eunice Bloom is not as good as Paul Smecker from the original film. This is one way in which The Boondock Saints 2 suffers.

Another liability of the movie is the saints’ new sidekick: a Mexican fighter named Romeo. The director had regretted killing off Rocco, the original sidekick to the MacManus brothers, but it had to be done because of budget and casting problems. While Romeo has his own perks, he is not as cool as Rocco was.

Murphy and Connor pick on him just as much as they did with Rocco, and, like Rocco, Romeo takes the criticism from the brothers with his own smart comments. However one of the best moments in the movie is the interaction between Rocco, Murphy, and Connor through a dream.

The MacManus brothers seem to get back to their old selves with the help of Rocco even though he is gone.

As the movie progresses the audience learns that Concezio Yakavetta, the son of Giuseppe “Papa Joe” Yakavetta, is behind the priest’s murder. He wants revenge for the way his father was executed during his trial.

Murphy and Connor start at the bottom working their way up as they learn new information from their victims.

There is a dramatic twist at the end of the movie when it is revealed that

Photo courtesy of google.com scars that come with viewing such terrifying experiences. Bigelow addresses this emotional impact by depicting the mental weight that one soldier faces after he is told to clean the blood off of the bullets so they will no jam the machine gun.

Do not be surprised if you do

not recognize any of the cast members of The Hurt Locker. The Oscars normally go to the films with big name casts, but Bigelow strayed away from the familiar actors to add to the sense of reality. The film just would not have had the same effect if George Clooney were the sergeant who disarmed the hidden bombs.

The questions of how Bigelow’s film received more gold than Cameron’s Avatar are still circling, but there is no doubt that the movie is a thrilling production that is sure to leave the viewer at the edge of his/ her seat as the war in Iraq becomes very real and extremely intense. “If The Hurt Locker is not the best action movie of the summer, I’ll blow up my car. The movie is a viscerally exciting, adrenaline-soaked tour de force of suspense and surprise, full of explosions and hectic scenes of combat, but it blows a hole in the condescending assumption that such effects are just empty spectacle or mindless noise” said A.O. Scott of The New York Times.

So whether it be the realistic, emotional, and thrilling message of the film, the non-star cast, or just the fact that it is an all-together good movie, Bigelow should be proud of her accomplishments; perhaps her ex-husband shares her pride.

Boondock Saints 2 Not As Good As Original

Photo courtesy of google.com

Photo courtesy of google.com Paul Smecker faked his own death in order to provide support for the saints and their work. Smecker has every intention of breaking Murphy and Connor out of prison. The brothers know their work is not done, and this leaves room for another potential sequel.

The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day is a good movie to watch with friends. It has some funny sequences, but it seems to be a different kind of humor from the first movie. It may not offer the same comedic effects as the original film, and this shift may be one of the reasons why The Boondock Saints 2 does not come close to surpassing the original Boondock Saints.

13

Entertainment

Death Returns As Main Subject In April

By Angela Miller Entertainment Editor

While it was a relief to avoid the subject of death in movies, sadly the death trend has resurfaced again, including classic horror remakes and tales of battling gods and titans. Movies coming out in April range from comedies to horror films, and look to be promising, but looks can be deceiving.

Clash of the Titans comes out on April 2nd in both 2D and 3D theaters. The story follows Perseus on a quest to save his family from Hades, the god of the underworld. Without his family, Perseus has nothing left to lose, so he volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades be-

fore he can seize power over Zeus and ultimately destroy the world. With his band of brave warriors he sets off into forbidden worlds to battle beasts and demons alike. The only way he can survive is to accept his power as a hero and create his own destiny.

On April 30th another remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street will be released into theaters. It is the classic horror tale of Freddy Krueger, a horribly disfigured killer who terrorizes a group of teenagers in their dreams.

There is no escaping Krueger in their dreams; the only way to protect themselves is to stay awake. As with all horror movie remakes, this could be a hit or miss, because while there may

Photo courtesy of google.com

be a lot of gore for fans, they may miss the true horror behind the tale.

Even though action and horror movies are dominating this month, it is important to point out at least one non-death related movie. Coming out on April 9th is Date Night, which stars The Office’s Steven Carell and actress Tina Fey. They play a married couple who finds their routine date night becomes more than just a dinner and a movie. It is hard to predict whether or not this movie will be good because there is not a lot of information out for it, but the comedic talent of Carrell and Fey almost always bodes well.

Coming to DVD in April is The Lovely Bones. The movie did not exactly make a big hit in theaters, but those who liked it can get their hands on it in late April. The Lovely Bones is about Susie Salmon, a young girl who is raped and brutally murdered by her neighbor. Susie watches from heaven as her family begins to fall apart under her father’s obsession to solve her murder. She must decide to either help them or just watch from afar, as her family falls apart under stress.

Another DVD release to look for is The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. It is about Doctor Parnassus, who had made a deal with the devil to remain young and is cursed to live forever. As part of the bargain Par-

Photo courtesy of google.com nassus promised the devil his first son or daughter on their sixteenth birthday, and now his daughter, Valentina, is rapidly progressing to the doomed age. In order to try to save Valentina, Parnassus holds a competition to see who could seduce five souls in the Imaginarium. Unforeseen events happen to complicate the competition; secrets and liars are revealed.

Movie and DVD releases are at a minimum this month. It seems all the exciting and long- awaited movies came out in March, but nevertheless there are still some things to which to look forward.

Dodgeball Tournament Delivered Good Time

By Michael O’Boyle Staff Writer

On Sunday, February 21, Alvernia had the 4th Annual Dodge Ball Tournament. The tournament was run by the Sport Management Association’s Chris Brent and Ryan Lineaweaver. The tournament was for a good cause, as the money collected from the tournament went to the the Alvernia Helping Haiti fund. The participating teams paid a dollar per person to enter the tournament and there were also op-

portunities to give additional cash donations to the Haitian relief effort.

There were eight teams participating in the double elimination tournament, and there were four referees helping out. The eight teams were SGA, The Super Heroes, 204, H.I.Vicious, On the Fly, The Baseball Team, The Basketball Team, and Nerney’s Spot, (named after Alvernia men’s basketball player Brian Nerney).

There is no better way to experience the Dodge Ball Tournament than to take part in the action.

The tournament kicked off with SGA taking on The Super Heroes and Nerney’s Spot ironically taking on Brian Nerney and The Basketball Team. The second set of games had On the Fly taking on H.I.Vicious.

The next game featured the defending 2009 Dodge Ball Champions, The Baseball Team, taking on 204.

After a few games, the teams started to get knocked off. SGA was the first to exit courtesy of Nerney’s Spot, followed by On the Fly. There were two more elimination games as The Basketball Team and The Baseball Team awaited for their semifinal opponent. The Super Heroes were knocked out, along with Nerney’s Spot, losing to H.I.Vicious.

All of this paved the way to the two semifinal matchups, where The Basketball Team would face off against 204 and The Baseball Team would take on H.I.Vicious.

In the semifinals The Basketball Team advanced with ease and while The Baseball Team struggled a little bit early on, it managed to advance past H.I.Vicious. This set up a best of three series between The Basketball Team and defending champions, The Baseball Team.

In the championship game The Baseball Team took the first of the best of three series and were one

win away from winning the Dodge Ball Tournament yet again. The second game started off as a pretty even contest, but as the game wore on, the arms of The Baseball Team started to overpower The Basketball Team.

As the final match neared the end, The Basketball Team was left with one person, Matt Colombero, who is not a basketball player but a soccer player for Alvernia. Travis Berger, the host of the tournament, found this very amusing but The Baseball Team was too much for Matt Colombero. The Baseball Team would win game two and be crowned as 2010 Dodge Ball Champions.

The Dodge Ball Tournament turned out to be a great event for the night. The teams enjoyed the competition and the fans enjoyed watching everyone get hit by the flying balls.

Entertainment

14

Remember Me Warms and Tears out Hearts

By Angela Miller Entertainment Editor

There is a lot of different opinions about the newly released Remember Me starring Rob Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin. Some say it was too slow, some say it was tragically romantic, some say Rob was horrible as Tyler Hawkins, and others say he was fabulous. Whatever their opinions are does not matter.

They were distracted by what they thought was bad and it caused them to miss the whole point of the movie: live life with passion because you do not know what tomorrow will bring.

Remember Me is a movie about two tortured young souls. Both have had traumatic events take place in their lives. Ally Craig, played my Emilie de Ravin, watched her mother get shot before her very eyes at the tender age of eleven. Tyler Hawkins, played by Rob Pattison, found his brother Michael hanging by his neck.

If that was not enough Tyler’s parents got divorced after Michael’s suicide.

Audience’s first impressions of Tyler are that he is a troubled guy looking to pick a fight, but that is simply not true. Tyler is a devoted older brother to his young sister Caroline. We see many tender moments between these two characters, and there is no denying the chemistry between the two actors. Tyler is even a devoted brother to his late brother Michael, not because of a tattoo on his chest, but because Tyler still goes to ‘their’ restaurant, has breakfast, and writes to Michael.

Throughout the whole movie we hear the phrase spoken by Gandhi, “What you do in life is insignificant, but it is important to do it anyway.” Tyler seems to live his life by this. He is undecided in everything he does, but he still does what he needs to do to get by. Ally is the opposite. After watching her mother’s murder she learns to live life to the fullest because you just never know what will happen next. When the two first meet there a bit of awkwardness because Ally’s initial instinct is to reject Tyler, but eventually Tyler wins her over and takes her out to dinner.

The two become closer as the movie carries on. We learn that both Tyler and Ally have families that torture them. Ally’s father never really recovered from losing his wife and therefore is over protective of Ally. Tyler and his father simply do not get along. Tyler is convinced his father hates him and his sister because he hardly does anything with them. The biggest fight between Tyler and his father took place after Caroline’s art show because their father was a no show. However after the dramatic scene the audience sees a change in Tyler’s father.

When the romance between Tyler and Ally seems to be getting better Tyler’s secrets are revealed. After receiving a surprise visit from Ally’s dad Tyler confesses to Ally why he initially approached her: to get back at her dad for arresting him. The whole idea was Tyler’s roommate’s idea.

While they are apart destiny seems to

work at getting them back together.

Aidan, Tyler’s roommate, actually goes to Ally’s house, confronts her, and tell her to forgive Tyler because he knows Tyler is in love with her.

After that a traumatic experience happens to Caroline during a slumber party. Ally comes to offer comfort to Caroline, and it is there the two reconcile. No doubt audiences were happy to see everyone’s lives beginning to look up. It seems as though this movie will have a good ending.

However that is where audiences were wrong. Just as we begin to think this movie has a good ending something significant happens, something Tyler will not walk away from alive. As the tragedy of 9/11 occurs audiences find Tyler is trapped in one of the Twin Towers.

Audiences also noticed that Tyler has completely misjudged his father,

President’s Chief of Staff, played by Oliver Platt, of the impending doom.

Set in motion are a series of events that uncover corruption and governmental cover-ups around the world.

Enter Jackson Curtis, played

tional Park, he encounters the seemingly crazy conspiracy theorist Charlie Frost who contends that the world is coming to the end of days. Charlie believes the leaders and wealthy of the world have been building space-

and he is no doubt ready to makes amends. That feeling must have given Tyler some closure in his final moments. This scene gives the audience chills along with a racing heartbeat. Contrary to what some people think this scene was not meant to be offensive. It perfectly illustrates the theme which is the uncertainty of life.

Overall Remember Me is a great movie. Sometimes it runs a little slow, but the characters draw the audience’s attention and keeps them holding on until the very end. It offers tender brother and sister moments, some funny scenes shared between the two roommates, and passionate scenes shared between the two tortured lovers. Remember Me delivers angst and romance that reminds all of us to live life to the fullest because you just never know what will happen next.

Photo courtesy of google.com

2012 : A Great Movie For Boring Days

By Michelle LaFaver Contributing Writer

According to the Mayan calendar, the world as we know it will experience a radical evolutionary shift during the winter solstice of the year 2012. Some prophesize the physical world will be destroyed and the date of 12-21-12 may signal the end of days. In the vision of Roland Emmerich, director of such sci-fi thrillers as Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, the world will experience an apocalyptic disaster of epic proportions. However, there may be hope for all humanity if the world and its collective peoples can overcome moral turpitude.

This film opens in India, where a geophysicist working at the Naga Den Copper Mine makes a startling discovery. Huge solar flares are affecting the Earth. Neutrinos have mutated into a sort of nuclear particle and are changing the temperature of the earth’s core. This information is provided to Dr. Adrian Helms who takes it back to Washington and advises Carl Anheuser, the

Photo courtesy of google.com

by John Cusack, a famous science fiction novelist with a part time job as a limo driver, two children, and an exwife he still loves. On a camping trip with his children to Yellowstone Na-

ships in China, which will allow them to escape the doomed planet. Curtis comes to realize this is true when the children of his employer, the Russian billionaire Yuri Karpov, tell him

they have tickets for a big ship on which they will live and he will die.

The ensuing progression of this film chronicles the heroic acts of those trying to survive the imminent destruction. As the world begins to crumble, choices are made regarding who has the right to continue to exist. The human race encounters moral and religious challenges that define world civilization and history.

2012 brings to light the failings of humanity what we should strive for as a collective people. Do not wait to love your family, make peace with those you have wronged and live life to the fullest. Appreciate what you have and remember that money is not everything. Lastly, have faith and cultivate a relationship with the Divine. At the end of days, faith may be the only thing of value left.

This film is a definite must see. It incorporates elements of science fiction, action and adventure. It is entertaining and enlightening. This is a good movie for a rainy Saturday afternoon. Grade: A

15

Entertainment

Alice in Wonderland Blows Audiences Away

By Angela Miller Entertainment Editor

The movie so many people anticipated, critics and audiences alike, has finally made its debut in theaters. Alice in Wonderland was very well received by audiences for its memorable characters, its solid storyline, and the excellent acting.

Alice in Wonderland is an extension on Lewis Carroll’s novels Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

It tells the story of Alice, who is not a young girl anymore, and her new journey through Wonderland where she must save the land from the reign of the evil Red Queen.

The movie begins with a very young Alice having nightmares about her very first visit to Wonderland. Little does she realize her nightmares are not merely dreams, but memories of something that has truly happened to her. Her nightmares plague Alice even as she enters adulthood. She is convinced she is mad, but her father assures her she is just a creative mind. Her father claimed he thought of six impossible things before breakfast, and that thought always soothed Alice’s mind.

Alice and her mother are attending a party for Alice’s engagement to a Lord Hamish. However when Hamish finally asks the question Alice runs away to chase a white rabbit she has been seeing. She finally catches up to it as it reaches the rabbit hole, and as she peers down it collapses sending Alice down the hole. When Alice comes to she is convinced she is dreaming because drinks cannot turn a person small and a cake does not make a person huge.

The white rabbit and some old friends are watching as Alice tries to figure out her new situation, but they are not sure if this is the ‘right’ Alice because she appears to have forgotten Under-

Horoscopes

Photos courtesy google.com

ARIES (March 21-April 19): - During this month you may feel that you have taken on too much. This would be a great time to reflect on the jobs that you have taken on and reflect on the impact it is having on you life. If you can not handle it all, let go of the most important and don’t worry no one is judging you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): During this month your social life is going to become very active with lots to do. However, do not let this take away from your school work or other properties. If it begins to be enough don’t be afraid to not go to certain outings.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): This is the month to take risks.

See where this can take you. During this month, do things that you never thought you could do before. Taking risks is not always a bad thing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): This is a great time to explore new options, and to go out on new adventures. If your hobbies include drawing or even writing this could be a very creative time for you. If writing is your passion try to get one of your books published.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do not be so hard on yourself this month. Allow mistakes to happen because that is the only way that you are going to grow. This will also be a good month to learn that always being on your self is not a good thing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): During this month relationships are sure to blossom. This could be either friendship relationships or romance relationships. Do not try to stop this from happening. But remember money can not buy friends or romance, so keep a close eye on your spending throughout the month.

Photos courtesy google.com

land (also known as Wonderland).

Alice soon learns about what has happened to Underland while she’s been away. The Red Queen has taken over and is ruling with an iron fist. Creatures inhabiting Underland are being taken prisoner and forced to follow the Red Queen. Absolem, the caterpillar, reveals to Alice that she is the White Queen’s champion, and Alice must slay the Jabberwocky on the Frabjous Day. However Alice refuses to believe she can slay anything, and is still convinced that she is dreaming.

It is not until she meets the Mad Hatter that she starts having doubts that she is dreaming. Hatter gives Alice more details about what

has happened, and the two become great friends. Once the Hatter is captured Alice stops at nothing to try and rescue him, and along the way she obtains the Vorpal Sword, the very sword she needs to defeat the Jabberwocky.

Chessur, the grinning Cheshire cat, saves the Mad Hatter and the door mouse from execution while Alice races to the White Queen’s castle.

There Alice accepts the fact that she is not dreaming and that she is the chosen champion to defeat the Red Queen once and for all. So she fights the dreaded Jabberwocky and decapitates it. Order is restored as the White Queen is crowned once again, and the Red Queen is banished with the Knave of Hearts.

Alice in Wonderland provided several funny moments, but it was more Gothic than anything.

Tim Burton’s interpretation of Wonderland and its memorable characters made this a phenomenal movie.

Even Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the Mad Hatter worked, and there should not be too many complaints about his character. Overall it is a movie worth seeing, maybe even a few times, because there will most likely be something one always misses.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your attitude this month has defiantly gone in the positive direction. Keep this up through the month and you will be in a great place both mental and physical. With the positive attitude your friends will also see a change in you and it will be on that they love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): This is the month to let your hair down. Do not be so uptight about things. Certain things are going to happen no matter what so just let them happen.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Life for you this month is headed in the fast lane. This may be hard for you to get used to at first but just know that you will be able to keep up with it. Because of this, make sure you write everything done so that you are able to accomplish everything during the fast pace part of your life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you are not close with your family, this is a great month to make that relationship stronger. In return your family life will become more positive for both you and your family members. Also this may be a great month to start cleaning out and throwing out those items that you no longer have use for.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): During this month your finances will be in better shape then they have been pervious.

Do not realize you have more money then before and go blow all of your money. Just remember summer is a couple of months away.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): This is a very upbeat time for you. Many great opportunities are going to be coming your way. Do not back down from any job offers you may receive. The more you receive during the month the better

By Vanessa Policare Advertising Editor

Stay on course this summer Classes begin May 17, June 14, and July 6 (several course formats) Get ahead this summer with a large selection of undergraduate and graduate courses from Alvernia University. Courses are taught in innovative accelerated terms and are offered in three convenient formats:

ONLINE COURSES

Get the education you need, where you need it.

BLENDED COURSES

Enjoy the best of both worlds on-line and in the classroom!

CLASSROOM COURSES

Interact with your instructor and fellow students in the classroom.

Register Today!

Visit our website and register at www.alvernia.edu/summer For more information, please call us at 1-610-796-8228 or email: gradandce@alvernia.edu