FEATURES Senior Spotlights | PAGE 3
CAMPUS LIFE Senior Shout outs | PAGE 8
The Etownian
www.etownian.com
Vol. 116. Issue 20
Thursday, April 30, 2020
2020 virtual and on-campus Etown commencement updates by Samantha Seely News Editor newseditor@etown.edu
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lizabethtown College has decided to host both a virtual commencement celebration as well as a later, on-campus celebration for the Class of 2020. The virtual commencement ceremony will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, and will be viewable at the College’s website, etown.edu. “I think it’s nice that the school is doing commencement virtually in May, it’s a nice bittersweet alternative to the one we can’t have anymore,” senior Michael Snyder said in an email interview. “I appreciate the steps people are taking to ensure graduation still happens even though it won’t ever be the same way it should be.” According to an email announcement about the virtual commencement, the event will include a live address from President Cecilia McCormick, and a speech from the Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Dolan, and Etown alumnus Daniel Jones ‘97. “I appreciate that the college is willing to host two
ceremonies, especially since many of us were looking forward to being recognized for our achievements in May,” senior Sara Allocco said in an email interview. “Though I am looking forward to the virtual commencement, I am a bit confused as to how everything will go. This is uncharted territory for everyone, however, so we will have to wait and see.” The on-campus commencement has been tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, October 11, provided the CDC guidelines rule it safe to do so. The weekend is also the weekend of Etown’s Homecoming celebrations. “My only concern about the on campus commencement exercises is that they will take place during a weekend that is known to be quite busy,” Allocco said. “I'm not so sure how everything will go in terms of logistics.” “As for the October graduation, I like it and I think along with Homecoming it should be a fun weekend,” Snyder said. “I think a September ceremony would have also been nice, and it would give me an additional weekend to come back and see my friends who will still be at Etown.” More details about the on-campus commencement will be released closer to the date.
The Unexpected: Senior Year Cut Short S e n i o r C l a s s P r e s i d e n t addresses Class of 2020 by Ashley Conway Copy Editor editor@etown.edu
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he morning of Friday, March 13, 2020, Elizabethtown College stood still. Any other morning, students would fill the campus, moving between academic buildings and gathering areas, anticipating the approaching weekend. Today, however, classes were cancelled, as the College had decided to send students home and move to online learning until April 3 due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. The day before, when the suspension of face-to-face classes was announced, students packed for “Corona Break” and prepared to leave by Sunday, the mandatory evacuation date. Under the impression that they would be returning in three weeks, students slowly left campus. Friday morning, senior mathematical business major Sarah Conway and her roommates prepared a breakfast in their apartment, a “see you later” celebration between close friends. Laughs shared over cups of coffee, fried eggs and avocado toast allowed the seniors one last moment of each other’s company before they parted ways for almost a month. Little did they know that this was really a goodbye. While Conway made the drive back to Baltimore and fitted her bedroom to suit her academic needs, professors adapted their course materials to be taught online. By the following Tuesday, classes started right back up again. “It was different, but I wasn’t too upset about it because everyone adapted well and the transition was pretty smooth,” Conway said. “Still, I was looking forward to coming back and spending time with my friends in person.” The hope of returning did not last long, though, as President Cecilia McCormick announced March 20 that the College would remain remote for the rest of the spring 2020 semester. “I understand these decisions will cause immeasurable disappointment for our campus community,” McMormick said in an email statement. “I cannot wait to see how much stronger we will be, together, once again.”
But for some students, this meant the end. Reading this news, Conway was forced to accept that her college experience was over. No last Thank Goodness It’s Spring (TGIS), no more college nights at Lucky Ducks, no Junior Senior Dance, no senior week and uncertainty regarding commencement. For the seniors, the glory days of college and the last moments of adolescence have come to an end; the real world arrived quicker than it should have. “It was surreal,” Conway said. “With a lot of other colleges announcing they were suspending the rest of the semester, I felt like it was inevitable, but I didn’t know how to react once it was actually confirmed.” This feeling resonated among the rest of the senior class. Senior occupational therapy major and Conway’s roommate Sammi Bailey said, “I was devastated when I read the email.” Bailey will be returning to campus next semester to complete her master’s degree, but she will be without many of her classmates. “I’m just sad I won’t get these last few months with my friends,” Bailey explained. Last semester, Conway completed her major requirements and she is currently only taking classes to finish her data analytics minor. “When they told us we wouldn’t be coming back to campus, I considered dropping my minor and just being done,” Conway said. Without the experience of being on campus, it makes it difficult for her to want to continue with her courses. Some end-of-year events have already been called off; the class of 2021 Student Senate sent out an email statement April 6 confirming the 2020 Junior Senior Dance to be cancelled. “It sucks that everything I’ve been looking forward to for four years of college is just not going to happen now,” Conway explained. She’s most upset about not having a last TGIS or her senior week, but she and her friends are planning to have their own celebrations once it’s safe to do so. In an email, Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas said, “We are examining options for rescheduling events for later and cancelling others, but of course this is all a fluid situation.” Still, a prominent question lies in the air: what is happening with commencement? The senior experience, though, takes a backseat to the current global pandemic, as personal health and stopping the spread of disease takes priority.
Photo Courtesy of Maggie Fix
Maggie Fix '20 has served as the Class President for the past two years. She addresses the Class of 2020.
by Maggie Fix Senior Class President newseditor@etown.edu Dear Class of 2020, As a lot of family and friends have reminded us, this was not the end of our time at Elizabethtown College we originally imagined. It is truly a loss that we should all mourn. However, instead of talking about what we missed out on, I want to celebrate the unique experiences. Personally, I have been challenged as a leader more than I have ever imagined. I grew as a leader and communicator following our transition to the online setting. In addition, I spent unexpected time with family and reconnected with old friends. This time has really taught me to slow down and take in the moments. Sometimes as an Etown student, it is difficult to slow down. We are all so involved with our campus community. While I write this today, I want to reflect on some of the many “wins” we had as a class. First, we are the first graduating class from this decade. Second, we hosted an awesome Junior/
Senior that was attended by 370 Etown students, many of them members of the class of 2020. Third, we had the opportunity to witness the growth of the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being. Lastly, members of our class took part in the Presidential and Vice-President of Student Life search that brought us President Cecilia McCormick and Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas. Our class has accomplished some pretty remarkable things within the past four years, but we aren’t done yet. We will be the first ever class to graduate during Homecoming Weekend in front of not only our family and friends but many alumni too. We will enhance the space outside of the Koon’s Activity Venue (KAV) for students to enjoy for many years to come with the money raised for our senior gift. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your Class President for the past two years. I cannot wait to see you all again at commencement October 11, 2020. Blue Jays, Always! Margaret J. Fix
News
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April 30, 2020
Senior Etownian staff says their farewells
Final Farewell: Editor-in-Chief by Katie Weiler Editor-in-chief editor@etown.edu
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Photo by Megan White| Photography editor
The Fall 2019 Etownian editorial staff worked hard, as did the Spring staff. There are numerous seniors who have contributed to the paper for four years.
Sports editor finds future industry by Amity Radcliff Sports Editor editor@etown.edu
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ovember 9, 2015, I received my acceptance letter to Elizabethtown College and started thinking about the journey I would be taking in a few months. Honestly, back then I had no idea the ups and downs and challenges and growth I would experience in the coming four years at Etown. One thing coming into Etown was that I knew I wanted to write for the Etownian; writing has always been a staple in my life and something I enjoyed doing very much. The spring semester of my sophomore year was the first time I came on staff as the sports editor. My first-year I was writing for the Features section so this was a big jump. I can say that in the three years I have been on staff I have learned so much, I have grown a deeper love for sports as well as strengthened my writing and editing skills. Although I have never imagined my senior year ending so abruptly, in the circumstances we had, but I will forever be grateful for my time at Etown as well
as my time with the Etownian. This past semester I was able to take my love for sports outside of Etown and was fortunate to intern with the Emerald Foundation in their E-sports department. This again was another new thing for me, but it will be an experience that will have a last impression on me. Through my internship I learned about taking the world of sports to an online platform that teaches lifelong skills to students preparing them for college and future life. I even got to help out at a competition, and I got to experience seeing high school students come together doing something they love to do. Moving forward I don’t have official plans after graduation, but I am looking into doing more work in the sports industry. My lifelong dream is to work in the NFL, but I am looking into places where I can get my foot in the door. I am hoping I can continue to also use my writing skills and possibly continuing writing about sports, as I have grown to love it so much, but for now I will continue keeping up with Etown sports as well as the whole world of sports. I will truly miss my time working on the Etownian and will keep it held dearly in my heart. Blue Jays Always.
he time that I say goodbye to the Etownian is finally here. The past four years at Elizabethtown College have been especially humbling and I can honestly say that my favorite experiences have come from my time working with the Etownian. I have met so many incredible people, from artists, to poets, to producers all through my time interviewing. The many staff members I have worked with along the way are equally as incredible. Some have graduated, and some are new this semester, but I still commend all of their time spent working on the Etownian. I have been in Etownian leadership for the past three years, but I have had so much help along the way. Although I've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this publication (almost too literally), I value my time here as one of my greatest accomplishments. I see my contributions to the paper through the many articles I have written for every section, the layouts I have worked
on and especially through our dedicated staff that works tirelessly to produce those weekly deadlines. To the staff, thank you so much for sticking with us this year. Not only did we start the year off with a new printer and completely new layout, but we transitioned into online publishing within a week. It has been hard – we can't lie about that, however, we have seen the praise and appreciation from the entire community. Journalism is changing, and in this day and age it is hard to trust that we are always getting reliable media, and if we are, how do we know? The only way I know is trusting that there are many more people out there who are just as curious and meticulous as this staff. Whether it's checking a quote, an AP Style question or getting permissions, I have seen the staff do it all. While we are by no means perfect, the initiative and intentions are always in the correct place. Thank you to everyone who has contributed or even just read the Etownian, even if it's only been one issue, or even one article. This has been the best learning experience and I'm grateful for every second of it, and most certainly sad that it has finally come to an end.
Letter from the (Managing) Editor by Grace Gibson Managing Editor editor@etown.edu
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our first question, upon reading the title of this letter, may be, “What’s a managing editor?” Well, my friend, after a year in the role, I am still defining exactly what it means. I’ve served as liaison and emotional support person and idea generator and designated email sender and second-in-command and event planner and hiring manager and copy editor all under the title “Managing Editor,” and it has been an absolute pleasure to wear every hat. Since becoming involved in the Etownian, first as a copy editor, then as a writer and finally in the role I now fill, I have been welcomed into a dedicated,
hard-working and generous community that has not only produced a high-quality paper but has also brought me laughter and support and encouragement each week. While my senior year may have been cut short, I am endlessly grateful that I got to produce 16 issues from the newsroom and an additional three from home. Even in uncertain conditions, I’m proud of the work and creativity our staff dedicated to keeping the Etownian alive, and I’m proud to now occupy a place in the Etownian legacy. There have been many activities and organizations that have passed through my life, but few have brought more learning and joy than the Etownian. It’s a bittersweet farewell, but I am so happy to have spent part of my limited time at Etown in the newsroom. Your Managing Editor, Grace Gibson.
Senior staff writer reflects on Etown experience, the memories and friends made by Jamie Verrekia Staff Writer editor@etown.edu
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s I look back on my time at Elizabethtown College, I can definitely say it has become my home away from home. As a senior about to graduate, I will cherish all the memories I made during my four years at Etown. Coming into college I was more introverted but have gained more confidence through my classes and extracurricular activities. I am a communications major and an English professional writing minor and have taken classes in video and audio production. The communications major is hands-on, allowing me to create my own video and audio projects and even work with real world clients, such as Etown’s Study Abroad Office and Clark Associates. Although it’s the writing and English classes I have enjoyed the most. This is because I have a passion for writing and want to pursue a career involving writing after graduation. Along with the classes, I joined clubs on campus. I became a Features writer for the school newspaper, the Etownian, during my first year. I got to attend multiple events on campus and write articles about them.
One of my favorite articles I wrote was on a lecture about economic and racial disparity. During the presentation, the speaker brought up some interesting points. I also joined the dance club, E-motion, during my first year. I like that the club is for dancers of all levels. The club was a fun way to become involved on campus and meet new people. The dance showcases were events I looked forward to each semester. I have fond memories of laughing during dance practices and hanging out with people backstage. I also attended social events, like dances and sports games. Attending Formal Jay is one of the highlights of my time at Etown. Another one of my favorite memories from Etown was studying abroad in Ireland before the summer of my senior year. I took two classes while abroad, one in Irish history and one in media communications. While in Ireland, I went on excursions to places like Belfast, Galway and Glendalough and Kilkenny. I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful scenery and castles. One of my favorite days was when we walked along a nature trail at Glendalough and then saw a furnished castle in Kilkenny. The experience helped push me out of my comfort zone and create lifelong memories, just like the ones I made at Etown. Thanks for the memories Etown!
Photo courtesy of Jamie Verrekia
Members of Emotion pose for a picture after dancing in a showcase. E - m o t i o n i s a l a r ge p a r t o f m a ny E t ow n s t u d e n t s ' e x p e r i e n c e .
News Photo farewell: "the girl with the camera"
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April 30, 2020
Silent Sky: virtual theater production goes on
by Megan White Photography Editor editor@etown.edu
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knew I couldn’t avoid the cliché of the English major who dedicates their college career to the school newspaper, so I jumped right in my first week of school. I still remember walking around the activities fair and seeing the table for the Etownian, and as soon as I stopped, the Editor-in-Chief at the time looked at me and said, “You’re the girl who likes writing and photography.” To this day, I still have absolutely no idea how she had heard about me, or how she knew who I was just as I walked up to the table, but she was so excited to meet me, and I immediately felt important. I put my name down on the sign-up sheet and started working on a publication that became such a huge part of my college experience. Starting as a copy editor, an infrequent writer and a photographer, I felt like I was doing my lowly duty as a first-year to prove myself, but I enjoyed every aspect of the newspaper. From brainstorming each week to seeing all of the bits and pieces come together on production nights, each step of the process was exciting to me. I knew I wanted to become more involved, and I started as Photography Editor my sophomore year. I held that position for the rest of my time at Elizabethtown College. In this position, I got to work on a publication I loved surrounded by amazing people, and I had the opportunity to do photography work every single day. I started carrying
my camera around with me, and I even became known around campus as “the girl with the camera” which isn’t the worst thing you can be known for on a college campus. Working on the Etownian gave me the opportunity to do what I loved while also experiencing so many new things. I was able to continue writing, taking photos and editing while also learning interview skills, meeting new people around campus, attending events I normally wouldn’t have, and seeing my work in a publication each week. It was a truly rewarding experience, and I worked with such amazing people every step of the way. Thank you to everyone at The Etownian who has made my experience on the staff so beautiful these past four years.
by Tasha Lewis and Jonathan Standke Guest Contributors editor@etown.edu
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y senior project was to design the set for Silent Sky. In the beginning of this semester, the shop crew, which I was a part of, started building what I had designed over winter break. It was really fun. We got all the platforming in place before the cast had even been announced. There were three main areas, moving from stage left to right: the Wisconsin home, the Harvard University workroom and the deck of an ocean liner. We had the three 16 -foot walls built and up and ready to paint after spring break. The last day of work we had before Elizabethtown College shut down, we put on a base coat of paint, and I mixed all the colors for the sky. My plan was to create a galaxy on the top six feet of walls that would also be used as projector screens. The Harvard area was set back to add some dimension to the set and gave more of an arc feel to the sky. I was really excited to create the galaxy sky and paint everything. I had two wallpaper designs for the Harvard and Wisconsin home. I’m sad that I don't get to finish all that. My set will just sit unfinished forever, but I am glad that we were able to put on the play. My role as scenic designer shifted back to more research. I was tasked with finding the background images that were used. I had already done a lot of this work when I was first researching images for the play, but now I was looking for more than inspiration. I was looking for usable images. I found images of the actual work room that the ladies were in that we used, which is cool. For the actual performance of the
Zoom Silent Sky, I was a projection operator, so my job was to change the background and sky projection images. Everyone did an amazing job rolling with the difficulties of Zoom and being so far apart. It definitely wasn't what I anticipated for my senior project, and I can’t say that I'm not disappointed in the change. I’m going to miss working with the shop crew and associate professor of theatre Richard Wolf-Spencer as I did for the past three years. The theatre was my second home at Etown. It was a place that I felt needed, respected and cared about. It's been a rough year for the department. I‘m really sad that I won't be able to pop into the green room and see associate professor of theatre Dr. Michael Swanson and Wolf-Spencer ever again. But this Zoom performance showed me that theatre is possible anywhere as long as there are people dedicated and stubborn enough to make it happen. Jonathan: This quarantine has really thrown this semester off the rails. Classes were one thing, but the show was its own massive project. Everyone involved had to learn a whole new skill set in just over a month. Unfortunately, that wasn't much time and much of what we wanted to do from the tech side wasn't possible. Specifically, as sound designer, I don't feel I was able to accomplish much. We were held back by several major issues that made playing sound impossible until we finally reached a solution. Unfortunately, due to how late we figured it all out we made the decision to use as few sound cues as possible which cut nearly half our original list. I was hoping to send off my senior show with a bang but that didn't quite happen. Thankfully though our cast was able to make that bang for me and I'm glad to have been part of such a talented and resilient production.
Senior profile: Helen Rodefeld, Abby Evans and Amelia Baker, Golf team by Jill Distler COM211 Student
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ut of all the sports teams that Elizabethtown College offers to its students, the women’s golf team tends to be the smallest of them all. Since golf is usually played individually, a team is sometimes hard to build in a collegiate setting, mostly because of the amount of time that is dedicated to just one round of play, which is approximately two to five hours depending on the pace of play. This year, the team of eight will be saying goodbye to three of its most valued players: seniors Amelia Baker, Abby Evans and Helen Rodefeld. Each of these seniors were brought together as friends due to their common love for golf but have passions in very different fields. Each of these seniors took time to give back by participating in Habitat for Humanity, along with being a part of many different ensembles and even being a Resident Assistant (RA). Baker plans to land a job in her field of study, environmental science. Evans is planning to attend graduate school, to earn her Master’s degree before jumping into a career in public policy. Rodefeld plans to
stay local to Elizabethtown, working as a category analyst at Clark Associates in Lancaster, PA. These seniors all agreed that their favorite memories involve the friends they have made over the past four years especially because of the community that Etown has created for its students. Baker said she would miss having access to such nice facilities on campus, while Evans and Rodefeld said they would miss being so close to their friends. During such an odd time for every Etown student, being a senior is especially tough, “Although I know it is best, being at home, I miss my friends, mentors and professors greatly!” Evans said during our group message. “It’s disappointing to think about the memories I’ll miss out on making as a senior, but it makes me more appreciative of the memories I’ve made,” Rodefeld said. She is also the women’s golf team captain. “I think the worst part is that we did not get a chance to say a real goodbye to our friends we may not be near. We won't have the final weeks to really prepare ourselves for the transition into adult life,” Baker said in agreement with her fellow seniors. The golf team and many more will miss these three seniors, but wish them the best on their future endeavors.
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Features
Natalie Nye, Department of Business
Paul Andonie, Department of Biology by Graydon Rogers COM211 Student
by Steven Schreffler COM211 Student
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hen you think about the word “student athlete,” you think about a student who excels in their respective sport but also, in the classroom. A student who teachers and professors don’t have to worry about slacking off in the classroom, and an athlete that coaches crave to have on their team as a role model. This is a perfect description of senior Natalie Nye. Hailing from Shippensburg Pa, Nye is a dual major in business administration and Spanish with a minor in studio art. She is no stranger to academic success as she was the Valedictorian of her graduating class at Shippensburg High School. Not only was she a stellar student in high school, she was also a stellar athlete. She competed all four years of soccer and track in high school earning second and first team district honors her junior and senior year respectfully. Upon her arrival at Elizabethtown College, Nye made one of the most important relationships during her four years at Etown with her mentor and now close friend, Maria Boretti. “Maria reached out to me before I even arrived on campus. She was a huge resource for me and has helped me grow in my faith throughout my time here at school. She took me to a bible study that she started and helped me with my work in the classroom. I am very grateful to have met
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her,” Nye said of Boretti. Throughout her four years at Etown, Nye has made lifelong friendships that she will cherish forever. “The connections I have made, the memories I have shared with my friends and the late nights staying up laughing with my friends. That’s what I will miss the most from Elizabethtown,” Nye said. “The faculty members are amazing and so helpful. The faculty member I will miss the most is [associate professor of entrepreneurship and management Dr.] Petru Sandu, my advisor. He helped me every step of the way and was always in my corner. The fact that he showed interest in me as a person, not just another student really meant a lot to me,” Nye said. These are the reasons that Nye will miss Etown so much upon
commencement. Not only was Nye a stellar student at Etown, she was also a stellar athlete. Nye competed in soccer and track and field all four years at Etown. She is a three time conference honor roll recipient for soccer and track and field and she holds the school record for the high jump. She saw the field on every single soccer game she suited up for and scored her first career goal in her senior season. Nye will leave Etown with four years of cherished memories both on and off the field/track. She leaves behind a model for what a student athlete should strive to be like. The impact she has left on her friends and teammates will leave behind a culture that hopefully will stand the test of time.
Ilaynna Brown, Department of Education by Jalin Robinson COM211 Student
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he seniors at Elizabethtown College have gone through their trials and tribulations throughout their college career. These seniors are not only leaving an impact on the school, but also the community, and that’s something undergraduates can take from them. Although they are not ending their college career the way they wanted to, they’re still leaving a big impact on the school and will forever be a part of the school. One senior, Ilaynna Brown, is planning to make up for this year being cut short by coming back for a fifth-year to earn a Master’s Degree in special education. When asked about her best moment at Etown, Brown emphasized on the importance of having more African American students on campus. Over the years the ethnic population has grown at a snail pace; but by this being talked about more and more, it has started to become something the school looked to adjust. When she was asked about what she would miss mostly about being in school, she emotionally talked about missing the support system of friends that she fostered during her four years. Over the years, this taught Brown the importance of helping people and it gave her a different perspective
April 30, 2020
because she realized just because people are different doesn’t mean they should be treated differently. She realized everybody deserves to be treated the same, no matter what race, religion or political affiliation. “I served as a Resident Assistant (RA), Student Wellness Advocate and I was a member of Noir. I entered college with strong leadership skills and these roles have helped me connect with like-minded peers,” Brown said. When asked about her last year, Brown talked a lot about how fast those years went and the bond between the friends that she made in those years are something that will always be in her heart. “Finishing my senior year at home is unimaginable,” she said. “Unlike a winter or spring break, we are being asked to complete high-quality work during worldwide uncertainty. There is no singular way to describe my feelings during this time as they fluctuate daily.” As Brown continues her journey she is definitely somebody the undergraduates can look up to. She shows that we are human and that with life comes a lot of ups and down and that is fine because the only way you become successful is by going through those trials and tribulations. Those lessons teach us that we can be better not just for ourselves, but for others that need that comfort, that need that guidance in their life through the tough times.
s Elizabethtown College students were sent home in the middle of the spring semester due to the COVID-19 outbreak, all cohorts were impacted, none more than the senior class. Being in the final semester of college is meant to be a fun, final hoorah for the senior class, but being forced off-campus to wait out this virus was not something senior Paul Andonie had in mind. Andonie is a biology major with a pre-med track who will be applying to medical schools in Texas post-graduation. He is looking at schools in Texas because he believes these schools offer the best balance for him. Andonie is an active member of the Etown community; he is even one of the founders of the Elizabethtown College Club Soccer team. Currently, Andonie is the treasurer of the club and responsible for all things money-related. He attributes playing club soccer to meeting a lot of his friends and keeping healthy throughout college. He also believes that being active
on campus is important because it helps teach life lessons such as time management. Andonie said that he will miss “the community, how people are so close, going to Wolf Field and playing games with friends,” and “being with people our own age and being able to do activities with them.” He wants to be remembered on campus as someone who kept himself busy and was always active both with his club and his department. During his senior year, Andonie lived off-campus while taking four credits as a part-time student. He has yet to move back home during the COVID-19 crisis but is still taking classes like the rest of the students. “There is not much to do, and I miss seeing people around besides my roommates,” Andonie said. Something unique about Andonie’s time at Etown is that he never attended a marshmallow game. He said he regrets this and wishes he had been able to go to one but was always busy. Andonie leaves Etown in high spirits, just wishing he could have had the rest of his final semester, but he understands the need for safety. We wish Paul the best of luck when it comes to his future plans applying to med school!
Keena Singletary, Department of Psychology by Rebecca Parsons COM211 Student
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eena Singletary is a studious senior psychology major here at Elizabethtown College with a bright and welcoming personality. She is graduating with a minor in human services and will be heading to a graduate program of psychology in Ohio. She has been accepted into a PhD program at the University of Akron and she will be continuing her studies for another six years. Furthermore, Singletary stated that the reason for choosing psychology and human services was a drive to help people. She got involved with lots of activities on campus that helped fuel her passion for helping others. Later in the discussion when Singletary was talking about the memories she made at Etown, she expressed that she’ll always remember her cohort within the psychology department and associate professor of psychology Dr. T. Evan Smith. She stated they got along very well and created an abundance of memories together in the psychology labs. She also had some advice for incoming first-years. “Let people help and support you,” Singletary said. She went on to discuss the difficult transition that she went through in her first year of college. The discussion then shifted towards the ending to her senior year and COVID-19. Singletary stated that it has been really challenging and lack of motivation has really taken a toll. “Not having a support system and study space has been challenging,” Singletary said. Not the best way to end a senior year, but an ending nonetheless. Singletary also talked about the people she met, like those in her cohort, and described
them as what’s she going to miss the most after graduation. “The connection that I made on campus,” and “just the overall rhythm of college is what I’m going to miss the most,” Singletary said. Through her years at Etown, Singletary was involved with multiple different things on campus. She was a peer mentor and was the secretary of Psi Chi (Psychological Honor Society). Not to mention that this year she was awarded the Resident Assistant (RA) of the year award.
Features
April 30, 2020
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Samantha Staub, Department of English, Education by Margaret Heimbaugh COM211 Student
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f you’ve never heard of a little free library, senior Samantha Staub explains it as a compact wooden box with a glass door, packed with books for anyone in the community to take – as long as they leave a book behind. Staub has worked with Facilities Management for the past year and a half to implement this idea on campus. Elizabethtown College’s very own little free library is built and waiting to be installed in front of Schlosser Residence Hall. “I wanted to contribute to campus in some way, and this is what I decided to leave Etown with,” Staub said. “I’m a half English, half education major so I have a passion for reading and community outreach – I love volunteering. That’s kind of what I’m all about.”
On campus, Staub involved herself in various clubs and activities. She spent time creating lesson plans about living sustainably in Engineers for a Sustainable World and often volunteered with Kappa Delta Pi. She has had English works published and interned for Clark Associates. Staub was also a member of Education Organization, as well as the fiction editor for Fine Print, the literary magazine on campus. She hopes that an online issue will be produced due to the curve of stay-at-home learning. While the current state of the world is not ideal for any college student, Staub tries her best to stay optimistic. “There is value in face-to-face interaction, especially in education,” Staub said, “but it’s all about making the best out of the situation and doing what you can to stay positive. We’re in this together.” She meets with her senior seminar class once a week through Zoom to discuss teaching practices, which she then gets to implement in
her student teaching placement. Currently, Staub student teaches Mr. Adams’ seventh grade class at Elizabethtown Area Middle School. She sees her students online each day. “I was eased into it the first two weeks, learning about the kids and the schedule,” Staub said. “Since then I’ve just been teaching everything – running the classroom like a normal teacher. I feel like a real person, you know?” she added with a laugh. After graduation, Staub, a York native, plans on moving to Colorado to teach. Although she has never traveled there, she says she acquired the ‘travel bug’ ever since studying abroad in New Zealand during sophomore year. Staub feels ready for the future. “It’s incredible how prepared I feel. I have had student teaching placements since my very first semester of freshman year,” Staub remembered. “The teachers would constantly say, ‘Etown brings out the good ones – they’re always the best.’”
Emalie Rell, Department of Sociology and Anthropology by Chris Reynolds COM211 Student
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s COVID-19 causes all Pennsylvania schools to shift to online instruction for the duration of the school year, Elizabethtown College seniors are finishing their final weeks as students in the confines of their homes. One senior, sociology and anthropology major Emalie Rell, is making the best of her situation. Rell, like most of the class of 2020, is upset about the switch to online classes. The quick change from being on campus surrounded by friends with her freedom to staying home with family has not been easy. While it’s not the ideal way to end her undergraduate career, she understands how
Hannah Hall, Department of Business by Tea Ceresini COM211 Student
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annah Hall, like many other Elizabethtown College seniors, has been working towards her future. In order to begin her career as a staff accountant with Simon Lever, a public accounting firm, Hall must first pass a certified public accountant (CPA) exam. The exam consists of four separate test sections that are each four hours long. It is recommended to spend almost 100 hours studying for each section of the CPA exam. “I am nervous since it is a lot of work, but I don't want to worry too much since I know I will do fine if I am well prepared,” Hall said. “My main focus is to study hard and do the best I can.” However, no one could have prepared for the global pandemic that has affected us all, including Hall. During her time at Etown, Hall was the president and treasurer of the accounting and finance club, a student manager for Dining Services and was involved in Habitat for Humanity Club and Social Enterprise Society. She was always helping people, working or hanging out with her friends or family. All of that quickly went away when Etown students were sent home due to the spread of COVID-19. “At first it was a nice break from everything and gave me a chance to refresh, but I miss everything I was involved with,” Hall said. “I am the type of person that needs to be busy, which is why I enjoyed being involved on campus. I am tired of being cooped up at home all the
time, and it feels like something is missing in my life. I did not get the closure of finishing out my duties because when we initially left campus. I was hopeful we could return, and I would be able to continue doing everything and finish out my senior year.” As many people know, there will be no returning back to campus this academic year, since classes are now online for the rest of the semester. This is upsetting for all students, especially seniors, as their graduation was postponed, and they did not have the chance to say their goodbyes. “I will remember the people I've met at Elizabethtown the most,” Hall said. “I will remember them and all the memories we have made together over the past four years. I will miss my friends, coworkers and professors the most. They have each impacted my life in a positive way, which I will never forget. I am sad our time together ended so abruptly.”
necessary it is for school to be closed. “I will miss living with my roommates and making those final memories on graduation day,” she said. “However, there's no way to change the current situation, so I'm trying to make the most out of what is left.” Among a long list of memories during her time on campus, Rell cherishes student life. “I will miss the supportive community and network available at Etown the most. I will miss being able to walk around campus and always being able to see a smiling face,” she said. In addition to her social life, Rell used her time at Etown to immerse herself in her studies and take full advantage of any opportunity available to her. In the department of sociology and anthropology, she was a teaching assistant for several classes and a research assistant with professor of sociology Dr.
Conrad Kanagy and the Lancaster County Reentry Coalition (LCRC) during the summer following her junior year. Additionally, for the past year, she has been a research assistant for associate professor of sociology Dr. Michele Lee Kozimor studying performance (stage) rally culture. “Being involved with the sociology and anthropology department has awarded me so many benefits during my career at Etown. They have shaped me into the student I am today,” Rell said. “They also inspired me to attend graduate school and pursue my PhD.” Following graduation, Rell will be continuing her studies at the University of Delaware, pursuing an assistant position in their criminology PhD program.
Tommy Kulikowski, Department of Communications by Sarah Hasenauer COM211 Student
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ommy Kulikowski is a senior communications major at Elizabethtown College. He has spent the past 4 years of his life on campus, making friends, studying hard and finding his way as he transitions into adulthood. As a senior, there are many things that Kulikowski learned at college and there are many things that he is going to miss. I had the opportunity to speak with Kulikowski about these things and get an insight to what it is like to be a senior in college. The first question I had for Kulikowski was of course, what his plans were for after graduation. He isn’t completely sure on what he is going to do after graduation, however he is certain that he wants to pursue filmmaking. Kulikowski promotes his own filmography on his social media accounts, where he posts his own videos of mostly nature. It is easy to see his passion for filmmaking in his work and you can see how hard he is working to make this his full-time career. He has applied to a few production houses and is currently waiting to see what will happen with them. As a fellow Etown student, I was curious to know what Kulikowski will remember most of the College. “The thing I’ll remember most is the friends I made over the past few years. There was more than a handful of memories I would consider the best moments of my life and it’s all thanks to the amazing people at Etown,” Kulikowski said. I was also curious to know what he would miss the most at Etown as he moves on the next part of his life. Kulikowski said that he would miss the place that he’s called home, his off-campus house. In this house, he lived with his best friends and would be able to make amazing memories with them every day that he will cherish forever. He said he would also miss hanging out in Steinman, home of the
communications department. Here, Kulikowski was able to spend a lot of time with close friends in the lobby and was able to just hang out and chat with friends for hours. Kulikowski participated in soccer his first two years at Etown but had to stop playing due to a serious injury. After that, he found a new pastime, videography. By doing this, Kulikowski was introduced to ECTV and Information Technology Services (ITS), both playing an integral part in Kulikowski’s career at Etown. “Videography started to shape me as a person and before I knew it, I had all sorts of requests for video jobs on and off campus,” Kulikowski said. This introduction to videography sparked a new love for it in Kulikowski which has led to his decision to pursue it after college. With the COVID-19 pandemic closing all schools in Pennsylvania for the remainder of the school year, the seniors are being robbed of several “lasts” including Junior Senior, Thank Goodness It’s Spring (TGIS) and of course, graduation. Of course, Kulikowski is one of these seniors who is being affected by this change and he is very upset about it. He was looking forward to spending his final semester with his friends, having a good time and having an actual graduation, however these things will not be happening. Kulikowski has waited four years for these moments that will never come, and he has been thinking about it every day as he works from home.
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Alissa Stoneking, Department of Political Science
Megan Piercy, Department of Psychology by Andrew Sponaugle COM211 Student
by Hannah Brown COM211 Student
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t was a quiet Friday afternoon as I sat down to meet with senior Alissa Stoneking over a Zoom call. Stoneking, a major in both political science and German, is nearing the end of her third year at Elizabethtown College. This fall, she plans to return for her fourth year and work towards her Master’s of public policy. Throughout her time at Etown, Stoneking has enjoyed participating in German Club, which she is the secretary of, and the Mock Trial Team. As both an Emergent and Global Scholar, Stoneking also spent time studying abroad in Austria, Chile and Germany where she took language-intensive classes. “I did a short-term trip to Santiago, Chile for two weeks with a program called the Institute on leadership of the Americas. They brought together about fifty students from the US, Latin America and some from India and Prague. Then, I went to Vienna, Austria for two months and Marburg, Germany for four months,” Stoneking said. In fall 2019, Stoneking also completed a 13week Legislative Fellowship with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where she gained behind-the-scenes insight on the legislative process. Having to wrap up the school year from home was an adjustment, but Stoneking remains understanding of why it needed to happen. “It’s kind of sad because my roommates and I are really great friends, and we don’t get to spend a lot of time together, and, you know, FaceTime
April 30, 2020
s senior students at Elizabethtown College prepare for the future, Megan Piercy is ready to step forward. Despite the changes to her final semester, the senior psychology major is excited for what lies ahead. Piercy was disappointed by the College’s new stay at home mandate. For someone who loves Etown as much as she does, the shift has been difficult to accept. But, despite the change, she’s still closing out her time here feeling joyful and fulfilled. “How lucky am I to have had something so incredible as part of my journey?” she said. Piercy started her college search refusing to attend Etown. “My parents met at Elizabethtown, and I refused to go to the same school as them,” she recalls. However, the College had turned out to be everything she was looking for in terms of size and community. For the future psych major, it was a dream come true. Her journey towards becoming a psych major started in middle school. At that point, she had started watching true crime shows, such as Criminal Minds. While this began her journey, it wouldn’t be until senior year that her path was set. There, she met a psychology professor who helped solidify her choice.
calls aren’t really the same thing. We also don’t get to do the things we were really looking forward to doing, and it all happened really quickly. I think it’s disheartening that it happened, but I understand why it needed to happen,” she said. After graduating, Stoneking will remember most the relationships she built with her peers. “probably the relationships I built with all my friends and people that I’ve interacted with in my department. Also being on a team [Mock Trial Team], where we spend a lot of time with each other because we do compete and we go to like [Washington] D.C. for a weekend or Penn State [University] or wherever it is, we spend a lot of time together preparing what we’re doing and just kind of those experiences. I also think our school is small enough that I got to know pretty much everyone in our department,” Stoneking said.
At Etown, she found her interest in psychology pushing her further. For the past two years, Piercy has been the president of Etown’s Psi Chi Honor Society. A program devoted to providing leadership opportunities for members, she loved the psychology honor society. Even when work got busy, she was grateful for the assistance of her fellow officers. After graduation, Piercy will be working to obtain a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Towson University.
Drea Behm, Department of Social Work by William Snyder COM211 Student
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n the beginning it was a real shock. I just thought to myself, ‘This can’t be happening,’ especially senior year.” This is how senior Drea Behm described her initial feelings when she heard about having to go home and switch to online schooling during the last stretch of her final year as an undergrad student. “You work so hard to get to this point and enjoy all the things about senior year, and to not have that experience is really heartbreaking,” Behm said. Behm is currently a social work major with a minor in German and plans on going to Kutztown University after graduation to study elementary education.
Behm recently spent three weeks in Vietnam participating in the Etown service learning trip, an experience she had been planning since her first year. “I’ve been super thankful for all of the study abroad experiences that Etown has had to offer,” Behm said. “That was definitely something that really drew me towards Etown.” Behm also participated in the Moving Forward Together program, an organization in which she was a mentor to a student going through high school at the Milton Hershey School while she was going through college at Etown for all four years. “I think a lot of people at Etown should join the program because you can make that connection in your community, and it’s a really great opportunity,” Behm said. Behm was very involved with the college during her time at Etown, becoming the president of the social work club her first year and
Moh Mohammad, Department of Psychology by Harry Marr COM211 Student
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hile many seniors across the nation are facing challenges in regard to the pandemic being the cause of cancellations, it is important to remember these seniors and their time at Elizabethtown College. Moh Mohammad is a psychology major at Etown who will be moving to get his Master’s degree at Villanova University in the concentration of counseling and mental health. “What I will remember the most about Etown is the interactions I had with the psychology department and some of the courses that I was involved in,” Mohammad
said. During his time at Etown, Mohammad worked as a student employee, and during his first and sophomore years he was involved in Student Senate as well as the Momentum program. “An awesome experience while working with Student Senate included participating in creating the homecoming float for the parade,” Mohammad reminisced. Academically, Mohammad conducted deep research with the psychology department during the four years he spent at Etown. One piece of research he performed was titled, “An approach to enhance image encryption using block-based transformation algorithms.” His research on “Social & Economic
Independence of College Students” was presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in New York City in 2019. “That was a very big deal,” Mohammad said. “The research I was able to perform with Etown college helped shaped me as an individual, and I am happy I got to have those types of experiences.” Mohammad will also miss the group of friends he lived with on campus and the summers he shared with them. Even though the school lockdown has his friend group separated, he is still able to play some Xbox with them online. Mohammad will be continuing his education at Villanova University, looking to expand on the experiences he embraced at Etown.
continuing as president her sophomore year. “Freshman year I was not expecting to be president,” Behm said. “I think I kinda just went with it and it was challenging, but a really good challenge that made me meet more people in my major and get more involved.” Behm became vice president of the club during her junior year and then studied abroad in Cheltenham, England during the fall of her senior year. Other clubs and activities in which she was involved include German club and various intramurals, including basketball and volleyball. When asked about what she would miss the most about Etown, Behm described the relationship she had with her peers. “My friends have been like family to me. You get breakfast, lunch and dinner with these people, and it’s really bittersweet that we are all going our separate ways after graduation,” Behm said.
Features
April 30, 2020
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Amal Ismail, Department of Biology by Brandon Sankey COM211 Student
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lizabethtown College senior Amal Ismail isn’t letting the current pandemic rain on her plans! In fact, she is inspired during these trying times. Ismail is a senior biology major with a pre-medical concentration at Etown. She has wanted to work in the medical field ever since she was young. Her father, who is originally from Pakistan, immigrated to America and went to school at University of Minnesota. He is a neurologist, and he was Ismail’s first inspiration to pursue a path in medicine. He initially urged her away from medicine because of the time and work it takes to become successful. But Ismail admired how hard he worked to provide people with care. Once she
started studying medicine in school she fell in love with the science behind it all, which ultimately made her come to the decision to pursue a pre-med focused degree. Ismail also has a minor in interfaith religious studies, focusing on how individuals and groups who orient around religion interact with one another. “I
felt the lack of diversity. Even at Etown, I look around and I am usually the only person of color sitting in my classroom,” Ismail said about growing up and living mainly in rural Pennsylvania. “It was never an unfriendly environment; it was just sometimes hard to relate to my peers when I was experiencing a different culture from them. That being said, I felt like I hid a lot of my culture and home life from my peers, so I could ‘fit in.’ But the older I got, I realized that was dumb. As a kid, all you want to do is fit in.” Currently Ismail is in the process of applying to graduate schools on the east coast, again hoping to remain close to home. Johns Hopkins University is her top choice, and she dreams of going to medical school after graduate school. That is, until the pandemic changed the world that we all live in. Ismail always had a very busy schedule at Etown. In addition to her classes and regular studies,
Kyla Strickler, Department of Psychology
by Steven Schreffler COM211 Student
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E campus,” Strickler said. College is a place of education but it is also a place for personal growth. “[I’ve learned] personal interactions go a long way,” Strickler said. “Having a conversation with someone can make their day, but it also brings joy to you, and you are bound to learn something.” Strickler is grateful for the people she has met and the experiences she has gotten from Etown. Strickler also has advice for younger students. “Value every moment,” Strickler said. “Be okay with somewhat procrastinating your work for a game night or dinner with friends – these [experiences] are what you’ll remember.” In the fall, Strickler will be attending Drexel University for a Master’s in Peace Engineering with hopes to join the Peace Corps and make a difference in developing worlds. She has valued and appreciated her moments at Etown and is ready to leap into her next adventure!
Carlie Lepley, Department of Social Work by Mehkye Aultman COM211 Student
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s Carlie Lepley finishes her senior year online, she is looking forward to pursuing a career as a social worker. The COVID-19 outbreak is the reason she has to finish her college days at home but Lepley said that she feels like the “administration is doing their very best to accommodate the needs of students during this time, and I am so grateful to live in this day in age when I can still obtain a degree in the comfort and safety of my own home.” Lepley is grateful to be healthy in this pandemic but sad she had to miss out on the end of the year events that she had been waiting for a long time. Elizabethtown College’s events
are not the only thing Lepley will miss. “What I’ll miss most about Etown is relationships formed with friends, faculty and staff. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people who supported and encouraged me throughout my education,” she said. Lepley was involved in almost everything around campus. She was in a community choir and concert band; to various religious clubs, to service clubs such as Circle K. Lepley claimed that Circle K shaped her the most. She had the opportunity to take on a number of leadership roles, including editor and Vice President of Service. Membership of this club taught her that through service, “small acts of kindness, and positive interactions, can further peace on earth.” Lepley's learning is what made her a true Blue jay. Blue jays work hard and work
together to accomplish any goal. Her act of kindness is the real reason why most liked her and the fact she was happy to help anyone who needed it really made her an influential senior role model. While Lepley's social worker journey has just begun, it’s safe to say Elizabethtown College sent her out with a positive mindset and a lot of experience to help her change others’ lives.
that include rock climbing, running, reading and hanging out with friends. She has been rock climbing for a little over two years. Ismail also thoroughly enjoys spending time with her friends, and they are one of the other things that she misses most during this pandemic. But she also said that “not being at Etown is what it is.” When it is all over, she will go back to climbing and will eventually see her friends again. For now she has to wait, and, like the rest of us, Ismail hopes that the time when it is safe to go back is sooner rather than later. “This pandemic has definitely inspired me to continue my path toward medicine. Although it is scary right now, I want to be one of those people in the future providing care and relief for those who need it in during trying times,” she said.
Emily Perry, Department of Music
by Alexandra Kunkel COM211 Student his year brings more uncertainty than normal for Elizabethtown College seniors. Graduation has been put on hold and in-person senior events have had to be canceled. However, this is still a time to celebrate students and their accomplishments. Senior Kyla Strickler is a student who is focusing on the good during this time. When asked about her favorite memory at Etown, she said it was hard to choose. “Dr. Read-Daily took my Fluid Mechanics class outside to shoot off bottle rockets,” Strickler said as she reminisced on her best in-class moments. She is a mechanical and environmental engineering major with an additional minor in architectural studies. While at Etown, Strickler was an engineering and physics department student assistant and teacher’s assistant. She also got the opportunity to travel to The Gambia with professor of engineering and physics Dr. Kurt DeGoede, Ireland with assistant professor of communications Dr. Katherine Hughes and Peru with the Center for Civic Engagement. Strickler had an internship at Oakwood’s Inc. as a research and development intern last summer. She has also been on the dean's list all seven semesters, been recognized as an emergent scholar and has received various departmental awards. “I chose Etown because of the friendliness on
she had spent a lot of time being a teacher’s assistant, a tutor and a researcher. She explained that she loved all of these extra responsibilities, but the most important things she learned came from her research opportunities. The Summer Scholarship, Creative Arts and Research Projects (SCARP) and the Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD) are two programs in which Ismail participated that involve research that have been “totally different than any other school work [she has] done before.” Her research for SCAD is focused on studying the agonistic behaviors of crayfish after they have been injected with antidepressants. She wanted to see how the release of pharmaceutical waste would affect aquatic ecosystems. This relates to her study of medicine but also ties into the “broader picture,” the long-term effects on our planet. Putting academics aside, Ismail also keeps very busy with several other hobbies
mily Perry is a senior music therapy major with a minor in psychology. After graduation, Perry plans to start studying for her personal training and nutrition certifications and receive them in the fall. She hopes to have a music therapy internship in either September or January, and, once social distancing ends, she will take her board exam and become Emily Perry, MT-BC (music therapist board certified). With her music therapy degree, she hopes to “start [her] own practice, contract out to different schools and health facilities and take on clients for personal training in [her] free time!” Elizabethtown College will always be in Perry’s heart. “I will remember how everyone [she] had the pleasure of knowing and working with at Etown loved what they were doing,” she said. Every professor that she has had loves their work and makes sure that their students find love and appreciation for what they are doing as well. Perry was also very involved in extracurricular activities. She recognizes the passion and efforts of the student body and how much of their time they are willing to put into these activities. Perry is the Student Senate Vice President, a choreographer for E-motion and the chapter representative for the
Alpha Mu music therapy club. These experiences helped shape her and explore all of her passions. “I was advocating for my peers in Senate, making music and helping the community in Alpha Mu and learning to dance and have fun with it in E-motion,” Perry said. These roles made her more disciplined and responsible in a variety of ways and prepared her for a range of different roles in the “real world.” Perry is heartbroken that her senior year oncampus was cut short. Her friends have stayed by her side virtually and she is grateful to have them in her life. She acknowledges that she will appreciate these memories just as much as her in-person experiences and she can’t wait to find her way back to campus as soon as she is able to!
Sarah Moyer, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry by Ezekiel Ciafre COM211 Student
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arah Moyer is an Elizabethtown College senior from eastern Pennsylvania. Like many seniors at this time, she is planning ahead for her future even with the uncertainty of a worldwide pandemic looming overhead. She is a biochemistry major and has just decided to attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to her biochem major, Moyer also has a German minor, and when on campus, she enjoys participating in German Club. In her spare time, she also enjoys playing the flute. The community at Etown is one of Moyers favorite parts about the College and will be one of her lasting memories. “Everybody is always willing to help and available even if they have other stuff going on,” Moyer said. Moyer says she will also miss the small size of the campus community and the ability to know and be friends with individuals in a multitude
of majors and areas of study, even when there is a lot going on. For many seniors, not just at Etown but across the world, the 2020 spring semester has looked nothing like how they imagined it because of students being sent home and large gatherings being canceled due to COVID-19. “It’s definitely disappointing [missing out on] all the last senior things … like missing SCAD,” Moyer said. After leaving Etown, Moyer said she will miss the sense of community and security that is felt all around campus. Students leaving personal belongings laying around is something she does not know if she will find anywhere else. Because she is attending graduate school in Pittsburgh, Moyer says she will probably end up working in that area, although she does not know exactly where she might want to work yet. Throughout her time at Etown, Moyer has played intramural soccer, been a part of Chemistry and German clubs, copy edited for the Etownian and had joined E-motion this semester.
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Campus Life
Erin-Leigh Garrett, We are so very proud of you. Watching you become the strong, beautiful, determined young woman you are has been the most wonderful gift we were ever given. We can't wait to see what the future holds for you... Sky's the limit! Never stop reaching for the stars!!! Love you always, mom and dad Kathryn Johnson Kat! I’m so so glad that we got to be neighbors so I got to get to know you better. You’re such a wonderful person with a massive heart. I love you so much and you’re gonna be such a great teacher! ~Rachel/Rachelle Eli Kuklinski To my Bean, thank you for everything these past 4 years. I can’t imagine my life without you and I’m so happy to have met you. You’re going to be an amazing teacher and change a lot of lives. Love you lots! ~Rachel/Mom Grace Gibson Your time at Etown might be ending, but there's still so much more that you're going to do. No doubt they're gonna be great things too. Just one last thing before you go: I'm throwing the gauntlet down. It's not over yet! Your rival, Liz Alex Filbert Congratulations, Alex! Remember, wherever you go, whatever you do, we are so very proud of you.
April 30, 2020
Ben Thorpe We are so proud of all you have accomplished at Etown. This final inning was crazy, but we love your shake-it-off, throw-the-next pitch approach to life. COVID-19 needs chin music. Congratulations Ben! Love, Mom and Dad (and CAM!) Katie Weiler Thank you for indulging that weird freshman who saw you studying at the counter in the Schlobby and latched onto you. You've been a great, great friend for these three years and it will be hard letting you go. One day, let's actually start that SoundCloud and write those memoirs. Your worser half, Liz Bridget McKelvie Dear Bridget, Congratulations to my beautiful, smart, adventuresome niece! I am so proud of you and wish you nothing but joy and happiness in your life going forward. I love you! Aunt Gail Ilaynna M. Brown Never forget that we the family “Loves You” and we are so proud of you...?You have demonstrated that being a Beautiful young Black women, nothing can stop you n you are empowered to do and accomplish anything that you set your your mind to... The Sky’s the Limit. Let know one n nothing stop you. Love, Mom n Family Madison Ripley We're so proud of the women you have become. It's time to soar in to your future. I know the path you choose is the right one. We love you
Love you, Mom and Dad Mom, Treston, Trevon, Zinnia, Ziaire and Zinaya. Boom shakala..... Connor Moffatt Congratulations Connor on graduating from Elizabethtown and Katie Weiler Katie!!! I am so proud of all of your accomplishments. Love you so on a stellar four year basketball career! We will miss watching you play and wish much! Congrats grad! you the best of luck in the future! Love Julie Love, Mom, Dad, Ryan, and Lauren Alexis Trionfo I can’t believe this day has come so fast, feels like we just packed you up and brought you to your first semester.. we are so proud to be your parents!! You always amaze us at what you accomplish and will continue to do so. Nobody can stand in your way or take credit for what you worked so hard for.. always remember how much you deserve this and hard you worked despite everything that would have derailed most. You are the most wonderful daughter and we love you!! Love always and forever in your corner... Mumbly & Provider Duck xoxox Julia Aleo Jules, Im so proud of you! I know you work so hard these past four years. You did it! Love you with all my heart. Mom. Damon Edwards Congratulations to my favorite graduate! I couldn’t be more proud of all your hard work. You’ll be an amazing engineer. Your sister, Leigh-Anne Emily Perry Emily, Words cannot express how incredibly proud I am of you. I hope all of your dreams come true. When I look at what you have achieved, it inspired me to be like you. Congratulations. You are a path breaker. Love always, Your #1 fan-Mom Christopher Coward Christopher We are tremendously proud of you both graduating and bring a pilot Mom, John, Grandfather, Matthew, Olivia and Dad Emily Rose Perry Emily, always my hippie girl, your Father and all your Family are sooo very Proud of you; Happy E-Town Graduation. Continue to soar Sweetie. God Bless. Peace. LD Mirthe Behrends Dear Mirthe, Congratulations on your achievement. I am very proud of the young lady you have become. I can't wait to see what else you will accomplish.
Amity Radcliff You did it! We are so proud of you! You deserve a pat on the back but since my arms are not 6 feet long a virtual hug for you instead. Mom and Dad Katie Weiler Congratulations Katie!!! You've worked so hard and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you! - Michele S. Dayne Ross Dayne, Congratulations little brother! I am so proud of you and the hard work you put into the last 4 years of school, work, and wrestling. I will always be a proud Blue Jays sister! I love you! -Brittney Michael Christy We are so proud of you. This is a different way to end your college experience, but know we are proud of all your hard work to get to this point. Your final baseball season ended as fast as it begun. You should be proud of all your Student/Athlete accomplishments! WE love you! Love, Mom & Dad Katie Weiler Congratulations! We are so proud of you! Can’t wait to see what the future holds! Love you, The McEwen Family Elizabeth Bach Elizabeth - Congratulations on reaching one of the most important milestones of your life so far! You achieved this goal with hard work, determination and grace. We are very proud of you...so proud, we had them name the college after you! With Love and Pride, Mom, Dad, Jenni, Toby and Finn. Kaitlyn Knecht Kaitlyn, there doesn’t seem to be a mountain you can’t climb! We’re so proud of you and know you will make a difference in so many people’s lives. Master’s year and then you can start doing what it seems you were made to do!
Love, Mom
All our love, Dad, Mom, and Anna Ceara Woelfel As a freshman you needed reminding that you are braver than you Dayne Ross Congratulations Dayne! We are so proud you! You are a strong and determined young man and we can’t wait to see what your future holds! Love you! believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. You have proven all this true. CONGRATULATIONS CEARA! Love, Mom and Dad Rebecca Costello Rebecca! I am so proud of the person you have become! You With pride and love - Mommy, Daddy, Shane & Aidan worked hard and accomplished so much at Elizabethtown. Now it’s time for a new Bridget McKelvie : Congratulations, my Darling! You worked hard to achieve chapter. Keep smiling and have fun! this and I am so proud of you I love you Love always, mom Mommom
April 30, 2020
Campus Life
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Jessi Clark You are our very special one Who's full of life and lots of fun We are so very proud of you and all of the amazing things you do! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION! WE LOVE YOU!!
Mika Cook Congratulations Mika! You have worked so hard and accomplished so much during your time at Elizabethtown College. We celebrate your success!
LOVE MOM, DAD, BECKY AND THE ZOO
Dayne Ross Congratulations on your well deserved success. Your hard work and dedication has paid off! Even though we’ll miss seeing you in your cap and gown, we would never miss this chance to tell you we are proud of you!
Alex Albenzi Alex only few more weeks and you will enter the work place. I know you will do great so proud of you, congratulations. Grammy Jones
Love, mom and dad
We love you tons, Aunt Sue and Aunt Cindy Jamie Verrekia Congratulations to Jamie Verrekia! “Wherever your go, go with all your heart!” Best of luck!
Bridget McKelvie You may have missed a lot the last few months but you gained so much over the past four years. An amazing college experience, fabulous travel abroad, friendships to last a life time, and you even graduated with honors! We are Aunt Michele, Uncle Marty, Chris, Stephanie and Nicole Etownian Seniors This just in: Your futures look bright! Thank you for the hard so proud of you, all your hard work and accomplishments. work, dedication, and enthusiasm you brought to The Etownian. I'll miss working All our love, Mom, Dad, Meghan and Ryan with you! Congratulations on your graduation, and best wishes for all that's ahead! Tanner Simon Dear Tanner, We have been so blessed to be a constant part of
watching you grow into a talented, unique and loving young man. “Before you, all Ms. Dolson your dreams. Around you, all who love you. Within you, all you need.” Maxwell Rhoden Congratulations Maxwell Rhoden on completing & achieving your Bachelor’s Degree your Mom Dad and Family are proud. Your Trust & Faith We’re so proud of you! Love and hugs, Gram and Grandpa in yourself to GET IT DONE paid off. Love you Alex Albenzi Congratulations Alex!!! Uncle Brian, Aunt Heather, Kaleigh, and Love you & May God Bless your Next Steps MOM & DAD Grace are so very proud of you. Can’t wait to see what is next. Alex Albenzi Congratulations 2020 Graduates! Shout out to Alex Albenzi! We are so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished over the past four years. Although your last semester should have been filled with celebrations, comradery, well wishes and numerous job opportunities, we are extremely proud of how you have handled yourself over the past few months. Keep your positive attitude and continue to follow your dreams. We love you and are here to support you wherever your future may lead you! Love you!! Love, Mom, Dave, Dad and Jill Connor Csongradi No matter what language we use, C++, Java, or Spanish, we would like to say congratulations! We’ve enjoyed watching your successes at school, at home and abroad. We are so proud! Love, Dad, Mom, Bridget, Brendan and Martin Tanner Simon Tanner, these last 4 years have flown by so quickly. I'm so very proud of all you have accomplished and so excited to see the next chapter. Love ya to pieces, Dad
Jamie Verrekia CONGRATULATIONS, Jamie!! We are so excited for you and know you will do great things!! Love, Lorna, Lauren and Liam Jamie Verrekia Great job Jamie, so proud of you and your accomplishments. The four years flew by and remember the first day we dropped you off. Love you! Hey Jamie, will miss those dance recitals, drive to Etown, parents weekend, and of course all those great restaurants. Dad. Bridget McKelvie Congratulations Bridget!!! We are so very proud of you! Can’t wait to see all the places you will go! All the wishes! We love you! From, Kelley, Mike, Stevie and Brice Alyssa Wilkinson We just wanted to give you a special shout out to help you celebrate your years of accomplishments here at Etown. Although this year has been not how you wanted to end your days at Etown, try and recall all your great memories. We love you and are so proud to have watched you turn in to the beautiful young lady we always knew you could be. You will be a great Accountant. Etown forever!!!!!
Tanner Simon Tanner, As you continue on your creative journey may you always have inspiration and your great sense of humor wherever you go. We are so proud Love Mom and Dad Always your biggest fans of what you have accomplished and can’t wait to see what you do next. You’ll Juliana Giannantonio We are so very proud of the amazing person you are and always be my little Toops! We love you! for everything you have accomplished. Congratulations! Love, mom and Gina Love, Mom, Dad, Greg and Andrew Tanner Simon Congratulations to our Godson Tanner Simon ~ we're so proud of Dayne Ross Congratulations Dayne. Robin and I are very proud of you. You've your accomplishments. come a long way buddie. Good luck in the future. Love you lots. PS don't tell the Love, Uncle Mark, Aunt Sue and Abbi, too! other ones but your my favorite. Katie Weiler CONGRATS Katie! So proud of all you’ve accomplished at E-Town! Bridget McKelvie Congratulations Bridget! You are going to be a great teacher! From kindergarten, to college graduation, we’ve come a long way. Can’t wait for all Can't wait to see what is waiting for you in this next chapter of your life. that’s to come in the future! Love you! Uncle John and Aunt Darlene Bridget McKelvie Congrats girl!!! You did it! We’re both so proud of you. Can’t -Rachael Ewing wait to celebrate soon. Michael B. Snyder Michael, We are so proud of you! We knew E-town would be a fantastic place for you to thrive and become the awesome person you are! You are -Anthony and Michael loved so much and can't wait to see what your future holds! Emily Perry Way to go Emily !! Congrats! All of your dedication and hard work Mom, Dad, & Matt
Jamie Verrekia Jamie, I am so proud of you! You have accomplished so much in college, including pursuing a major you love, writing for the Etownian, dancing with E-motion, and making great friends! You have an amazing future ahead of you! Love, Mom
has paid off. The world needs great thinkers and compassionate individuals such as you. Let the to magic of music be your instrument to make a difference !!! Go Get Em Kid !! From the Gallaro's ; Uncle Bob, Aunt Debbie, Mike,Chris,Phil & Tom Bridget McKelvie Your journey to finish your degree has been nothing short of amazing. You can come to Georgia and celebrate with us sometime soon!!! We have got it figured out down here.... ever think “I should have stayed in NZ?” ...Love you!!!!!!
Grant Michal Grant - We are so unbelievably proud of you of and all that you have accomplished. Keep doing your best, you can reach any goal that you desire to achieve. 2020 was supposed to be the year with of clear vision, currently it's a little blurred. Stay the course we know you will be heading toward a clear and bright future.
The Blee’s Katie Weiler Congratulations Katie! We are so proud of you and excited to see what you accomplish!
LOVE Mom & Dad
Love always, The Watermans
Sports
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April 30, 2020
Lacrosse seniors talk about playing sports during their fifth year by Amity Radcliff Sports Editor sportseditor@etown.edu
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ue to COVID-19 and the need to close colleges around the world, Elizabethtown College was one of these, leaving spring athletes with an unfinished season. Studentathletes of the College are eligible to participate in their sport for four years as part of their undergraduate career. With the recent changes, the Landmark Conference and Etown have made it possible for seniors who have missed out on their fourth year to play next spring. While some students are moving on to graduate schools elsewhere, or have landed a job and will not be participating in their sports, some students such as occupational therapy students Claudia Jones and Jesse Sartor who will be completing their Master’s degree at Etown will have the chance to play once again.
“Being a student-athlete had allowed me to pursue my dream career, participate in a sport I love and create long-lasting friendships all in four years, and now continue into the fifth.” ~Claudia Jones
“I am lucky enough to be able to get the chance to continue playing lacrosse in my fifth year because of the circumstances. I think this is something I never envisioned to do during my fifth year but lacrosse has always been a part of me so it is exciting I get to end this last year of college playing with my best friends one last time,” Jones wrote in an email interview. Being in a Master’s program like that of Etown can bring its own challenges, being an athlete while taking on this feat may bring its own new challenges and stressors. These two lacrosse players are ready to take this challenge head-on. “I think some challenges may arise with the workload, but we will figure it out when the time comes. I have been able to manage school and lacrosse for the past four years, so I don’t think it will be much harder to handle while getting my Master’s,” Jones said. “I’ve always been able to overcome any struggles with the help of my professors, coaches and teammates so I have faith that it will all work out.” “I am nervous that it may become stressful when I get to the end of putting together our grad project in the spring, but I think that I would be bored if I didn’t play. My roommate will also be playing with me next year and we will both be grad students so I think that will help a lot because we can help each other out,” Sartor said in an email interview Being a student-athlete is a special time for many, and the four years spent in college brings a lot of memories. It is always bittersweet to have those final moments, Jones and Sartor along with others that may be playing during their fifth year will be soaking up this last year. “Being a student-athlete has allowed me to pursue my dream career, participate in a sport I love and create long-
lasting friendships all in four years, and now continue into the fifth. That is the special part about being a studentathlete. You have so many people that are rooting for you and that will have your back with whatever life throws your way,” Jones said. “Being a student-athlete at Etown has been greater than I ever could have experienced and has really molded me into the person I am today and has given me lots of life lessons that will help me in the future.”
“I am nervous that it may become stressful when I get to the end of putting together our grad project in the spring, but I think I would be bored if I didn’t play.” ~Jesse Sartor “Being a student-athlete at Etown has had a huge impact on me,” Sartor said. “I couldn’t imagine what college would have been without playing sports. It has taught me a lot of life lessons including how to manage time, how to deal with hardships, and how to be a good teammate. Being a student-athlete has also given me life long friendships and memories that I will never forget”
Senior student-athletes reflect on their four years spent at Etown by Thomas Rebar Staff Writer sportseditor@etown.edu
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here are many graduating senior athletes around Elizabethtown College. Many seniors have moments that stand out to them. Senior Olivia Beachley is no exception with her reflection on her time on both the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams. “My favorite part about being an athlete was being able to compete and have fun every day with some of my best friends,” she said. Beachley was not the only one with some insight. After reflecting on his time on the lacrosse team, men’s lacrosse senior Mike Scrafano gave the following advice for underclassmen athletes: “Show up [to practice] early and stay late.” Another senior with many good memories of participating in field hockey and lacrosse at Etown is senior Abby Spessard. One of her favorite parts about being an athlete was “being able to watch and play [sports] with people who are driven and love what they do.”