New Restaurant Opens in Dallas...P3
MU Soccer Leaves Tournament Heartbroken ...P4
December 3, 2013 highlandernews.net
VICTORIOUS!
By Rob Evans, Reporter
If at first you don’t succeed, you are victorious over FDU Florham. A young cast of players with a year of experience behind them brought home the university’s first football victory, posting a 63-40 win over FDU Florham University Nov. 16. The ride home from Madison, NJ was different from other homecomings: Players and coaches finally cheered a victory. “It’s nice to get that monkey off my back, but this is about the kids,” said head coach Mark Ross. “Whether we win or lose, I can handle it. But from a team standpoint, it energizes you going into the off-season, and I think that was the crucial thing.” Ross put the win into perspective. “There’s not one game, whether you win or lose, the sun is coming up the next day. There are more important things in the world when it’s all said and done, but it’s good for the kids. They’ve worked awfully hard, and now they go into the off-season feeling good about themselves because they finished the game off. We were so close at times during the season, and they got to finish one off.” One of those close games occurred Oct. 5 in a homecoming clash versus King’s College. The team took King’s into double overtime only to lose 41-40 on a failed 2 point conversion attempt to win the game at home. For Ross, and the rest of the team, that game was a tough pill to swallow. However, Ross believes blowout losses to Stevenson University and Lycoming College were even tougher. “We gave it our best shot in the King’s game and came up a little short. I don’t think we took our best shot against Lycoming and Stevenson. So they were much
harder for me, personally. It shows you how fine the line is between winning and losing and how tight the competition is in this league. We were right there with a team in King’s that ended up 6-4.” In addition to the 63 point effort
their commitment. “To be honest, we’ve changed some things offensively from a year ago. So for the kids to pick up and excel at it as quickly as they did is a credit to their efforts. One of the things that stands out is the play
accomplished.” One player who adapted to the offensive scheme was senior running back Frank Santarsiero. Santarsiero finished with a career best 222 yards rushing and three touchdowns versus FDU-Florham.
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Quaterback Jeff Pucket celebrates a touchdown with his teammates. Pucket had 115 yards passing and 159 rushing during the Cougar’s 63-40 win over FDU Florham University Nov. 16. versus FDU-Florham, the squad was able to post gaudy offensive numbers throughout various points in the season. In a seasonopening loss versus Gettysburg College, the team piled up 587 yards rushing, setting a singlegame record for rushing yards in the MAC. Ross attributes the offensive prowess to the players and
up front on the offensive line and the offense in general.” The statistics and improvements the team made on that side of the ball “were incredible,” he said. “So, to some degree that was an area that we focused on in the recruiting and the off-season to get it better, and when you look back on it, I think that part of the plan was
Santarsiero, who has one year of eligibility remaining, is undecided on returning next season due to a rugged physical therapy curriculum. However, the emotions he felt going into his last potential game were heavy. “It was kind of a bittersweet kind of thing,” Santarsiero said. “But still not knowing if it was going to
are places that offer discounts especially for college students with a student ID. “Students can’t always get what they want because they are in
like a gift card for a manicure.” Mellon said that lists and budgeting are very important for college students. “Stick with the list. Don’t go
Christmas shopping done before December. “Instead of spending all of my money all at once the week before Christmas, I’ll do it sporadically.”
be my last game or not, I was still excited to play and we all worked really hard for it, and I just wanted to go out and play as hard as I could for the team. I knew we had a good shot at winning.” Although the squad took a 23 point lead late into the fourth quarter, Santarsiero said it was not until the clocks hit zero that the team fully recognized their victory. “I was thinking we still needed to do our parts to win the game. In the fourth quarter, we were still up one or two scores, so we all had a lot of work to do left. I don’t think that it crossed our minds that we had it in the bag. We still hadn’t won a game, so we were still trying to do our part to win.” Whether or not Santarsiero decides to return next season, the bonds he’s made with teammates is something he will cherish. “I’ll probably miss the camaraderie with my teammates and the friendships I’ve made. I think that’s something that we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives. We all love to play obviously, and I’ll miss the game a ton. It’s one of my favorite things to do, but I’ll miss seeing my friends and teammates every day.” Going into the 2014 season, the team once again returns a strong group of key contributors. However, Ross said the seniors’ contributions should not go unnoticed. With Santarsiero, Phil Arnold, Joe Winter, and Joe Livingston round out a small group of seniors who set the groundwork. “They’re going to be tough to replace.” Ross said. “They played a lot, showed some leadership for the younger guys. They deserved to be remembered. They’re foundation blocks for anything that we can do beyond 2013.” evansr4@misericordia.edu
Deck the Halls on a Collegiate Budget By Mary Bove, Multimedia Editor
‘Tis the season for holiday spending tips. Buying gifts for others can become an issue for some college students after tuition, books and other necessities put a damper on the Christmas list. However, there are a few ways to get past the Christmas spending blues. Kristen Andrews, advisor to the Campus Clippers club, recommends something that most people do on a daily basis: couponing. Money-saving coupons can be found many places such as in the newspaper, online or even on cellphone apps. “I love the newspaper, but online coupons are definitely the future,” said Andrews. One great website that she recommends, especially for the tech-savvy, is Target. “They have mobile coupons that you can sign up for at coupons. target.com. This site has store coupons, which is great if you are going there,” she said. “They are all printable.” Andrews also recommends cartwheel.target.com. “These can be used in addition to your other coupons,” said Andrews. “It is very new – you can browse through all of the great coupons they have, and you can add, I believe, 16 per cartwheel.” A cartwheel is one big coupon with all of the savings in one QR code. “This is a great way to save some money and make it a more personalized coupon,” said Andrews. Andrews also recommends sites like RetailMeNot and jane.com to students looking to save some cash. These websites offer all sorts of promo deals. She also said there
ELLEN HOFFMAN /THE HIGHLANDER
Different retail stores fill the Sunday papers with ads and deals coming up for the holiday season. school, but there are a lot of retailers that give student discounts. It never hurts to ask a certain store if they give a discount.” Dr. John N. Mellon, associate professor in the business department, said that another great thing to do while holiday shopping is to create a list. “Sit down and have a list and maybe write down two or three items that you would like to obtain for someone.” If a person is stuck on what to get for a parent or friend, Mellon said to get a gift card. “Think of something that people don’t like spending money on or something that they won’t spend money on,
Viewfinder: Blue Chip Puppies Check out photos of the puppies from Blue Chip Farms. These dogs were found at the begining of the semester in a garbage bag and now they are healthy and ready to go home with their adopted families.
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walking in there and say ‘that looks nice and that looks nice’ and then you say ‘oh, but that’s only ten dollars more,’ and then if you do that for the five people on your list, then you’ve all of a sudden spent $50 more,” said Mellon. “If you have a list, then you walk out without spending a lot more money. “ Junior accounting major Alexa Cholewa likes to stay organized and budget during the holiday season. “I like to make lists for people so I can kind of budget my money and see how much I am planning on spending,” said Cholewa. “I also kind of buy stuff as I see them.” Cholewa recommends getting
Andrews said shopping earlier is shopping smarter. “If you are savvy and plan ahead, you don’t have to go broke shopping,” she said. “You can find a way to get it done within your budget.” In addition to budgeting and making lists, planning is essential. “Make a plan! Don’t just go to the store if you don’t have a budget. It’s a bad idea,” said Andrews. “Don’t be a crazy person.” Saving money is always a good thing, but one thing to avoid is marked up prices. - when a store bumps up a price to then just put a sale price on the item to make shoppers feel like they have
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received a sale. “They do it because the consumer loves a sale,” said Mellon. “It’s part of the whole mindset of consumers.” Cholewa, who works in retail, is not fooled by these price bumps. “I think it’s a problem because people are getting ripped off, in a sense, and when people eventually realize that, hopefully the market is going to go down again because they won’t want to buy from stores that are doing that.” Sometimes budgeting and planning just are not enough. “I don’t necessarily spend as much money on stuff that I normally would throughout the year during the Christmas season,” said Cholewa. DIY projects are also inexpensive, and they are popular on the web and perfect for the holidays. “Pinterest has great ideas for homemade gifts that can cost next to nothing,” said Andrews. “When in doubt, buy a bunch of mason jars, bake cookies, fill the jars up, and add a cute label. People will appreciate the gesture.” Most friends and families appreciate the little things and realize the strapped situation of most college students. “When it comes to holiday spending, we just have to realize that their families know they’re college students and they don’t expect some grand presents,” said Mellon. “Sometimes for college students [the best gift is] something that really shows ‘I care.’” “You don’t have to go out and buy them a fur coat,” said Mellon. bovem@misericordia.edu
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BOY AIMS TO STOP HUNGER By Gabriella Lengyel, Social Media Manager It was the startling images of young children whose bodies were ravaged by hunger than prompted eight year old Jeremiah Faux, who lives at Rasmussen House with his mom, to take action. The Faux family attended the on campus Hunger Banquet Nov. 12, which featured a compelling short film about global hunger and poverty. Faux decided he wanted to reach out to is peers across the world and make a difference. “I saw the video and how the little kids have extended bellies that makes them look like they’re full but really they aren’t,” J. Faux said, “I was shocked and I just want to help.” His mother, Amanda Faux, a member of the Women with Children Program, got in contact with Hefier International, a global nonprofit organization who has the means of ending poverty by providing livestock, seeds and trees to families in need. The organization provided fundraising kits, which include 10 gift catalogs, 20 general brochures, 20 fact sheets, 20 honor cards and 10 of the latest issues of World Ark magazine. “I was very impressed when he expressed to me he wanted to do this,” Faux’s mother said, “and very proud.” She then contacted Student Activities Director Darcy Brodmerkel about having a table in Student Banks Life Center Lobby to get students involved with the project. Students who learned of Jeremiah’s project were moved and intreguied by his story. “It’s a good feeling to see someone at such a young age understand how to help those in need and are aware of worldly problems,” junior physical therapy major Robin O’Dell said. Jeremiah will have a table Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in Student Banks Lobby to collect money and tell the story about what he learned from the Hunger Banquet and video. Both the Faux’s appreciate anything the members of the MU community can help out with. “Every little penny counts, whatever anyone can afford. We’ll really take anything,” Amanda Faux said. lengyelg@misericordia.edu
GABRIELLA LENGYEL /THE HIGHLANDER
Jeremiah Faux poses for a picture in his home Nov. 25.
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CONCERT UPDATE
December 3, 2013
News
Viewfinder: Blue Chip Puppies Then and Now
Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge rescued four coonhound puppies earlier this semester. After a man found the animals in a bag on the side of the road during an evening job, he took them to a veterinarian who later took them to the no kill animal shelter.
By Alison Counterman, Reporter Students’ choice of acts for the potential spring 2014 concert involve some big-name bands. Students recently completed a survey asking them to vote for their top five artist choices. The survey, which was delivered via students’ email accounts, was open for two weeks. The list of potential artists consisted of Asher Roth, Mike Stud, We the Kings, Breathe Carolina, The Cab, Jana Kramer, Jessie James, The Maine, Cartel and The Ready Set. Patrick McKamy, Coordinator of Student Activities, explained the artists were chosen according to budget and what the student committee believed students would enjoy. “Originally what we did was we had a list of everyone who was remotely eligible through budget,” said McKamy. The student committee narrowed down the original list of 50 or 60 bands through different levels of voting and discussion. “We had a discussion as far as trying to make sure that we had a good balance between the three different genres, country, rap and alternative rock,” McKamy said. “We were able to get a pretty good balance, and the students were very cautious that they wanted a balance for the general student body to vote on.” McKamy said he is pleased with the voting process. “We had over 680 votes,” said McKamy. “It’s actually higher than what we get for some other elections, so we were very happy with how it came out.” Student Activities is tentatively moving forward with the concert, said McKamy. “We have contacted a middle agent who is the person who goes out and contacts the actual artists we are looking at,” McKamy said. After this process, the school must ensure it can provide for artists’ concert requirements. “From there we can actually put forth a bid. If the band agrees to the bid, then we can move forward. If the bid counters, we can accept that or we can do another counter-bid and see what they go for,” said McKamy. The process of obtaining an artist can be complicated, he said. “It can be a very easy process or it can be a give and take process,” said McKamy. “Overall we’re still optimistic about the prospect of having a spring concert and we’d really like to see this happen,” said McKamy. “We think it’s possible, we hope that the students can really enjoy it and get that concert experience that they’ve been looking for, for so long.” Caitlin Vitale, junior SpeechLanguage Pathology student and Student Government Association coordinator, said the concert is generating student interest. “We got a lot of return votes and we were just very happy with the student response from it,” said Vitale. “We didn’t have any problems with the survey. We were able to get the votes so it went really well.” Vitale said plans will begin to come together in January or February. “Right now we’re just trying to nail down the act, so that helps us nail down the date,” said Vitale. “Then we should have that set up by next semester and then the committee will be meeting again to talk about the specifics.” countera@misericorida.edu
The puppies were left without their mother and volunteers guessed they were only a few days old when the jogger discovered them. The story has been highlighted throughout NEPA and members of Blue Chip encouraged the owner to bring the mother to the shelter. They would not press charges; they just wanted the puppies to live. Volunteers bottle-fed the puppies every three hours for weeks to ensure they were getting the right nutrients. Now that the puppies are old enough to be adopted, they are scheduled to leave the shelter after Thanksgiving. Blue Chip is always looking for volunteers to help walk dogs, clean and organize the refuge. Contact them through Facebook, their website or call them at 570-333-5265. Multimedia Editor Mary Bove visited the shelter every week as part of a class assignment. She was able to document the dogs’ growth. MARY BOVE//THE HIGHLANDER
Students Use Wit to Help Alumni Assocation By Courtney Garloff, Print Editor
When many students had to write papers or solve problems for homework, students in Dr. John Mellon’s classes got to enter a contest. After being approached by the Service Learning and Alumni and Donor Relations offices, Mellon posed a challenge to his service learning sales and marketing classes. Each class was to create a slogan for the faculty alumni brunch on the Sunday of homecoming weekend. “We said this is great. Service learning is meant to go outside the classroom even though we didn’t go very far,” said Mellon, associate professor of business. The alumni association invited faculty and alumni alike to homecoming brunch to see old friends and hear the winning slogan. “I thought this was wonderful. It’s service learning and it’s for the university,” said Mellon. Mellon received over 100 submissions for the contest. The
alumni asDarling. When the sociation then created a panel committee reviewed all suband chose the missions, they winners. “They get realized that many of the exposed to the real world,” said slogans were good but just Mellon. Junior busididn’t quite fit ness adminisfor the brunch tration major that they had in DeAnna Darling mind. created the “The alumni association winning slogan. Her “Office thought these Hours,” slogan are great - let’s won over the give them ELLEN HOFFMAN/THE HIGHLANDER honorable judges to take the prize. Dar- Seated from left, Deanna Darling and Nyasia Owens. Standing from left mentions ling received a Kevin Feifer, Dr. John Mellon, Benito Camacho, Lailani Augustine of because we leather-bound Alumni Relations, Kevin Foy, Joshua Shanker. can use them notebook for for something used into the future. else besides the her efforts. “I think it was a great way to “It feels great to win and have brunch,” said Mellon. combine the two departments the thing you created picked.” Honorable mention winners of students and faculty to create The winning slogan will not just were Josh Shanker with his something for the school,” said be used for one brunch – it will be “Homecoming Weekend: two days
to bring the past into the present,” slogan. Kevin Foy offered “Annual Cougar Catch Up.” Benito Camacho submitted his slogan “Wine and Dine from Past Good Times,” and Ny-asia Owens created the “A building with four walls and tomorrow inside,” slogan. All honorable mention slogans will be used at various alumni association events. Darling, who is specializing in marketing, feels this contest was an opportunity to help build her portfolio. “It’s great to have something to show people who you actually created,” she said. “It was great to gain real life experience while helping the university at the same time.” Mellon is happy his classes were able to assist MU not just with this event but for events to come. “With all of the slogans they received I think they are set for at least a year or so,” Mellon said. garloffc@misericordia.edu
INTEGRITY
STAFF Ellen Hoffman - Editor-in-Chief Courtney Garloff - Print Editor Arthur Dowell - Web Editor Mary Bove - Multimedia Editor Alexandria Smith - Web Master Tori Dziedziak - Content Manager Alexa Cholewa - Business Manager Gabriella Lengyel - Social Media Manager Melissa Sgroi - Advisor
CONTACT US
CONTRIBUTORS Callen Clark Alison Counterman Daniella Devivo Rob Evans Jimmy Fisher
Misericordia University 301 Lake Street Dallas, PA 18612
Donya Forst Josh Horton Kateri Kopicki Casey Saylor Nick Vitale
The Highlander works to produce up-to-date, clear, accurate reporting. If any information is inaccurate or not covered thoroughly, corrections and information will appear in this area. Opinions and views expressed in The Highlander in no way reflect those of Misericordia University or the Sisters of Mercy. The Highlander Staff welcomes students, faculty and reader response. The Highlander reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical errors and length. All submissions must be signed. Letters to the Editor and/or materials for publication may be submitted by any reader. Items can be sent via e-mail.
CORRECTIONS
The Highlander is a free, biweekly publication produced in conjunction with MU Communications Department. In an article published in the previous issue of The Highlander Any full-time student is encouraged to join the staff. We errors were found in a story about the philosophy department. are a member of the American Scholastic Press AssociaThe department’s radio show, Diotima’s Round Table, is run tion, Associated Collegiate Press and the Pennsylvania through the department, not a philosophy club. SAGE stands Newspaper Association. for “Society of Anime and Gaming Entertainment.”
570-674-6400 570-674-6737
hoffmae3@misericordia.edu dowella@misericordia.edu garloffc@misericordia.edu msgroi@misericorida.edu highland@misericordia.edu
GPP Pushes Professionalisim CAPS News
highlandernews.net
By Casey Saylor, Reporter
Just like an A in a class, students are not given the Guaranteed Placement Program’s paid internship guarantee simply because they pay tuition, according to Carolyn Yencharis Corcoran, Assistant Director of the Insalaco Center for Career Development. Students who join GPP in 2013 and after have to complete a new requirement: a Job Search Workshop, which developed from the awareness that “a lot of senior students couldn’t conduct a job search,” according to Yencharis Corcoran. Other than this, the format of the 2013 GPP curriculum looks the same as when it began in 1999, despite monumental changes in the “real world” job market and professional fields. Yencharis Corcoran said tuition includes the Career Center services, but GPP is a Misericordia-exclusive bonus in which students must earn their places by attending workshops and making deadlines. “I don’t think any [other] schools offer something like this,” Yencharis Corcoran said. The program allows students to learn skills in professionalism little-by-little throughout their four years of college. “We don’t tell you what to do. We are teaching you a process,” said Yencharis Corcoran. “Career
development takes a while.” GPP encourages students to start focusing on their careers during their first year. “It [career development] should be on their minds early in the college process,” said Yencharis Corcoran. “It’s the entire reason they are on this campus.”
MARY BOVE/THE HIGHLANDER
Above, students attend a program as part of the GPP ethics requirement. Students are notified of all approved events. Senior nursing major Kayla Zechman is an active participant in GPP and has many good things to say about the program. “[The workshops] are more up-to-date than books and the Internet,” she said, and not only do they have the most up-to-date methods for resume writing, but you can even
5 Year Plan Dated By Cal Clark, Reporter
Students on the “five year plan” – those who take five years to complete the credits required for a four-year Bachelor’s degree - are so common in the U.S. It’s become cliché, but some students are taking the opposite approach and graduating in three. “Does it happen? Rarely, but there are a couple that I do recall. Usually those students have some credits loaded up coming in that would help them achieve that goal,” said Admissions Director Glenn Bozinski. He recalls one student in particular who enrolled in the mid 2000’s. She had been homeschooled and she had already completed 30 college credits prior to enrolling in college. “Cases like these are becoming more common among high school students. Kids are taking more AP credits, and more high school kids are taking dual enrollment courses with local community colleges. This makes it so that students are coming in with more credits.” He also noted that when the student entered college, all of her previously earned credits transferred in. She had completed the freshman year that would have been offered to her as a first year nursing major, and achieving her goal of completing college in three years became that much easier. “She was basically able to start as a sophomore and get out in three years. It’s an extreme rarity, but with proper planning I can’t see why students wouldn’t be able to do it,” said Bozinski. He said planning requires noting which courses students need going into the first year of their major. He notes that the three year nursing student knew she would need certain physiology courses to complete her degree. She came that much closer to her goal by getting them done early. Average full-time tuition is $13,335 with a $770 general fee per semester. Students who register 18 or more credits are charged an extra $515 per credit. “If a student fully reduces their time to three years, they’re not going to reduce the cost by a quarter because they’re going to have to get those credits another way, probably through summer semesters. They’ll spend some, but they’ll certainly save some.”
use the workshop-completion certificates on your resume. Zechman stresses the importance of an ongoing Student Leadership Transcript, which is the topic of the first GPP workshop. “You need it to apply for scholarships or awards,” Zechman said. “It is best to have it started before
The average student needs to have completed a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. If they choose to accomplish that goal in three years without attending summer classes, it comes to taking 20 credits each semester, which would mean they would have to pay the extra $515 per credit fee. To use the summer strategy, they would have to complete a minimum of six credits every summer, and they would be charged the same $515 per credit. Bozinski identifies another benefit to the three year plan. “The other gain that people might not think about is that if you graduate a year earlier, you will have one year earlier that you’re in the workforce and be earning whatever your salary is coming out of school. If you graduate a year early, you could make your starting salary would be out of college. If you make $40,000 for a year that brings you $40,000 ahead for your life.” He cautions students to understand articulation agreements between schools if they hope to transfer credits. For example, students who go to Luzerne County Community College will probably be able to transfer to Misericordia with almost all of their existing credits because of agreements between the schools. Bozinski adds that a three year plan may not be possible with all major programs. But if students research their major programs and plan early, three years can work. “For students going with the high school approach, who would go for dual enrollment and such, you would probably want to make that decision before your senior year of high school – for a student who is going to utilize their summers heavily, I would say before the end of their senior year of high school. They would want to use that summer in between high school and college to quickly knock off nine credits and then subsequently use every summer after that to reach their goal.” Students already at the end of their high school senior year who want to complete a three year degree may need to apply for at least one 18 or higher credit summer schedule. clarckc4@misericordia.edu
you need it than to [have to] start it when you need it.” However, Yencharis Corcoran said that ongoing projects like the student leadership transcript prove troublesome for some students. “There are things that we cover freshman year…[like the] student
leadership transcript… it becomes a self-directing thing, and many times students don’t do that,” said Yencharis Corcoran. “Students who do are in great shape; students who don’t run into some troubles.” There are between 500 to 1,000 students in the GPP program at any given time. The last two first year classes have provided the largest incoming numbers, with this year’s students providing even more interest than last year’s. First year undeclared major Devin Crevani signed up for GPP after Yencharis Corcoran made a presentation to his FYE class. “The workshops seem helpful.” Crevani said. “If they end up not being helpful, I can always drop out.” GPP expects professional behavior from students from the start of their college career. This includes signing the GPP Contract first semester of the first year and then completing requirements, making appointments and satisfying strict deadlines. However, the rigorous requirements may sometimes make a student “ineligible” and be dropped from the program. For example, if a student completes an undergraduate degree in more than four years, or the oc-
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COMFORT FOOD AT COMFORTING PRICES By Daniella Devivo, Reporter
Anderika’s All American Grill is one of Dallas’s new comfort food hot spots. Owners Ruth and John Anderika started this family-owned business, which opened Sept. 1., from scratch. The menu consists of many American favorites, such as chili dogs to burgers and fries, and the prices cannot be beat. Hot dogs are $1.50, and chili cheese burgers are $3, for example. “We have quick in-and-out items. We wanted to set up our menu that was geared to the working class person to the American worker and the average college student,” said J. Anderika The Anderika’s are expanding the menu. They have added a cheese steak, a grilled chicken sandwich and some of Ruth’s famous soups. They are also open to any suggestions from the community. College discounts are incorporated in to the prices. John Anderika said he wants to provide a welcoming place to the community even if that means cutting back on some costs. “I treat everyone the same whether you be a college student or a veteran, police officer, a regular worker – we are all treated equal,” he said. James Dinkins, a senior management major, has visited Anderika’s All American Grill and was surprised by the low-cost selections.
“The man working behind the counter was very friendly, the prices were great and they were cheap enough for a college student, and that was awesome,” said Dinkins. The Grill offers free wi-fi for all college students to sit down and do their homework while they enjoy a cup of the famous soup. “It’s a good place for college students to go because being a parent of a college student, I know the expenses that go in to it and I know what college student like to eat,” said R. Anderika. “It’s somewhere for college students to go if they want to get away from campus, they can come down and order something nice to eat at an affordable price and just enjoy themselves,” said R. Anderika. Dinkins said he recommends Anderika’s All American Grill to all of his friends. He loved going there because the restaurant is small, the food is cheap and it’s great. “Places like that are very hard to find,” said Dinkins. The Grill is located walking distance from the school and students can take the shuttle. The restaurant offers specials on Mondays - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Sundays. devivod@misericordia.edu
MU Exposure: Food Truck Offers Cheesy Menu
December 3, 2013 3
CORNER
If you missed the TEST YOUR MOOD screening please consider taking advantage of The CAPS Center on-line screening tool. To access the free, confidential and anonymous online screening for depression, eating disorders, generalized anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder follow the steps below. Step 1: Log onto e-MU Step 2: Go to student services tab Step 3: Click on the CAPS link Step 4: Click ‘Online Screening’ link (CAPS page on the left) Step 5: Click ‘Take Anonymous Screening’ After the assessment, you are welcome to contact The CAPS Center at 570-674-6408 to schedule an appointment or to get a referral. Thank you! Interpersonal Therapy Group: This is for students who want to have better relationships of any kind. To figure out how to stop doing the things that are unhelpful and do more of what is helpful in building strong and meaningful relationships. And to feel better about themselves. Peaceful Mind Group: If you are someone who seems to worry about many things (or everything) or if you tend to feel a great deal of stress and anxiety, this group may be for you. Through a blend of discussion and experience of various relaxation and stress management strategies, students will learn how to quiet their minds and shut off the worry. The Women’s Body Acceptance Group: This group will engage in structured exercises to enhance participants own body acceptance and to dispel leading myths about body image. NOTE: This is not a group for those struggling with eating disorders. Those students who struggle with this issue are welcome to contact Dr. Cindy for individual sessions. All groups take six to eight members. If you are interested or for more information about the CAPS Center of the student groups please contact Dr. Cindy March or Courtney Burgess-Michak. The CAPS Center is located in the basement of Alumnae Hall.
STUDENT ON THE STREET
During the holidays people think that giving is better than receving. We asked students in Banks Student Life Center what they are giving this holiday season. If you have a question you would like us to ask, email the newspaper editorial staff at Highland@misericordia.edu.
“I’m wrapping gifts for Valley Santa with the MU Commuter Council,” said senior medical imaging major, Lauren Majewski.
“I give clothes to the Salvation Army every year,” said sophomore GNLS major Brian Jakubowski.
“I helped to sponsor a family and provide them with food for Thanksgiving,” said first year English major Asia Thompson.
“I usually give to the Salvation Army bell ringers,” said junior occupational therapy major Logan Zeitler.
“I donate clothes to the Salvation Army every year during the holiday season,” said sophomore nursing major Megan Mirra.
“I volunteered to wrap gifts for Valley Santa with the Commuter Council,” said sophomore medical imaging major Nicole Mirra .
MARY BOVE/THE HIGHLANDER
MU MARKETING FOR THE HIGHLANDER
Students begin the 2012 December graduation ceremony in the Anderson Sports and Health Center.
Librarian Liz Berilla receives her food out of the “Take it Cheesy” food truck. It featured grilled cheese sandwhiches and various soups. The truck was located in the Wells Fargo Amphitheater during lunch time for students and staff to purchase the goods. The truck was in the amphitheater Thursday Nov. 21.
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Sports
December 3, 2013
Men’s, Women’s Soccer End in Heartbreak WARE: NOBODY WILL By Jimmy Fisher, Reporter
Members of the men’s and women’s soccer teams are hanging up their cleats sooner then they had hoped. After finishing with an overall regular season record of 13-5 for the men and 16-2-2 for the women both teams had higher hopes for their post season play. The men’s season did not end the way they had envisioned when they arrived in the middle of August to make another run at a National Championship. After earning the right to face King’s College in the first round of the Freedom Conference Nov. 6, the men’s squad ended the game with a 0-0 tie, but a 4-3 differential in penalty kicks that favored King’s allowed King’s to advance. “I think the match itself we played very well on both sides of the ball,” said men’s head coach Chuck Edkins. “Their defending action and their goalkeeper really kept them in it. We weren’t able to capitalize on our chances,. We didn’t give away anything dangerous, but we didn’t score. So you go into overtime and all of a sudden you end up in PK’s and their keeper came up big again. The kid who was the player of the match was their goalkeeper. He kept them in it from the beginning to the end, and he made two saves he had to make and that was the difference.” The NCAA however felt that the men’s team was still qualified to compete in the NCAA tournament. But the team ended the game in a 1-1 tie with Montclair State, but lost in the penalty kick decision of 4-2 ultimately ending their season. “Sometimes that’s soccer,” said Edkins. “The better side doesn’t always come away victorious, and I thought that happened. I thought our kids left it all on the field, and there was the disappointment of not having the opportunity to compete for the conference championship – that’s all these kids know is putting themselves in a position to win it. We’ve been in the conference since 2008, won it all but twice and have been in the tournament every year.” The men’s team exited this season’s tournament exactly how they exited last year’s: a tie based on a PK decision. Having the same result can take a toll on some players who have been there before, but Edkins said he and his coaches assured the players after their loss to Montclair that they were still proud of them. “We told them really how proud we are to be a part of their lives
with the opportunity to not only coach them but to be part of their lives and to work with them off the field as well,” said Edkins. “I told them that I was proud of the fact that they laid it out there. They were peaking at the right time. They were playing hard at the right time. They were playing well at the right time, and unfortunately today we’re gonna go home again at the fate of PKs. I don’t think they could have done anything more. I think they did all the right things to put themselves in the position to win the match.” Edkins credited the hard work and leadership of seniors Dennis Halpin and T.J. Schaefer, as well as the play of senior David Stoner who was sidelined with an injury for part of the season but came back before the regular season’s conclusion. Other honors include sophomore goalkeeper Barry Fitzgerald who earned Defensive Player of the Year Honor while junior midfielder Nick vonEgypt, sophomore defender Kevin Matlon and Schaefer were named to the first team All-American Conference. The women’s soccer team advanced farther in the tournament but unlike last season were unable to reach the Final Four. After winning the Freedom Conference Championship with wins over FDU-Florham and King’s, the women’s team is continuing its dominance and looking to make a second straight appearance in the NCAA Final Four this season. The Lady Cougars hosted wins against Drew College Nov. 16 with a 2-0 win and a win over Trinity College Nov. 17 with a 4-2 PK decision after playing to a 0-0 tie. “You get that late in a match it’s sudden victory,” said head coach Mark Stauffer. “One little breakdown if you give up a goal, the game’s over. You don’t get a chance to come back and hold things, so we obviously wanted to try to win it in regulation where if you take care of your own and something flukey happens and you give one up, you still have time to regroup. It’s a nail bitter when you go into overtime because you’re one goal away from your season ending.” Stauffer credited the women for their hard work during that match, saying were the better team and earned the win. The women advanced to the Sweet 16, but the season came to a close at a 5-1 loss to Middlebury College Nov. 23 One of the highlights of the women’s team was the defense, having given up only one point
this postseason prior to the Middlebury game. Stauffer says it’s just how they played. “It starts up top,” said Stauffer. “With how we play our goal as a team is always to win the ball back as close to our opposing goal as possible. If we’re on our final third attack and we turn it over, our first line of defense are our forwards and they pressure
immediately and try to win the ball back. I think our forwards and midfielders do such a good job of pressuring the ball it sorta makes life easier for our keepers and our backs.” The men and women are looking to rebound next season with their goals to become National Champions intact. fisherj3@misericordia.edu
The Pacers, led by freshman forward Matthew Clark’s 17 points, fell just short in the 67-60 thriller. The championship game of the annual tournament against Baptist Bible College was a completely different story for the Cougars. The team came out and put up triple digits on the scoreboard. In a 93-78 debacle, the Cougars could not be tamed. The Defenders had no answer for the Cougars. Junior sports management major Cael Evans likes what he saw out of the team’s first starts. In his third year with the team, Evans serves as co-captain. “We as a team work to be as efficient as we can be with every aspect of the game of basketball,” he said. “At the end of the day, nobody cares about personal stats.” This marks the fifth consecutive Laurel Line Tournament
victory for the Cougars. Busacca was named the tournament’s MVP. Busacca credits the MVP award not for himself, but for the team itself because without them, would not have the opportunity to have that good of a weekend. Though this is a great start, this is just one goal players have in mind for the 2013-2014 season. Evans said the team’s goals include winning every tournament, winning every home game, wining the Freedom Conference Championship - and player having a 3.0 GPA in the classroom. “We can achieve these goals by playing 20 minutes of basketball at a time,” said Evans. “If we have a bad first half, we take the mentality of the second half is a new game starting at 0-0 and we can win the game.” Busacca and Evans speak
highly of the student section that showed up that weekend. “It was an unbelievable student section and we really appreciate the fans and the energy they bring,” said Busacca. “I want to see that with every home game, even the Wednesday night games.” Evans said the students are a reason the team did so well in the season-opening weekend. “We feed of their positive energy. There is no doubt about it,” said Evans. “We hope to see that kind of student section all season.” The team is looking to return to its roots winning a MAC title much like they accomplished two seasons ago. The opening weekend was their first step. The Cougars first MAC game is scheduled against Wilkes University Dec. 4. dowella@misericordia.edu
Top, junior Erin Roberts fights off a Drew University player in the second half of the first NCAA Tournament game for the Cougars on Mangelsdorf Field. Middle, first year Kylen Smith dribbles the ball past a Drew defender with hopes to get a shot on net. Bottom, sophomore Jess Buffa clears a ball during the game against Drew. The Cougars won the game 2-0 and moved on to face Trinity College in the Tournament. ELLEN HOFFMAN/THE HIGHLANDER
Basketball Tips Off Season with Win By Aurthur Dowell, Web Editor
The men’s basketball team opened the 2013-2014 season by shooting their way to a McCarthy Tire Laurel Line Tournament victory in the Anderson Sports and Health Center. The Cougars first faced Marywood University and were challenged for the entire 40 minutes. The Pacers played the Cougars to the last-minute and even had the lead for some time in the second half. Joe Busacca, a junior sports management major, had other ideas. The guard went on to have a team best 28 points in the game, including a 6-8 performance from the three-point range. “The performance really speaks for our team,” said Busacca. “It wasn’t just me out there. The guys found me open, and I did what I had to do.”
MU Exposure: Cows Go Moooooo for Cougars Members of the student section cheered on the men’s basketball team during their opening night of the McCarthy Tire Laurel Line Tournament. Senior TJ Ferber, junior Kevin Foy, senior Doug Ranson and senior Jared Butala decided to sport cow costumes. “We wanted to show the opposing schools how serious that tournament was. You can’t just walk into our house expecting to win. This is our house, our home,” Butala said of the costume idea. Ranson added, “No one comes into our house and pushes us around. Who would like to face four angry cows on the basketball court? I know I wouldn’t.” ELLEN HOFFMAN/THE HIGHLANDER
HELP UNLESS YOU HELP YOURSELF
By Josh Horton, Reporter Steve Ware walks around the was. That’s what my next door cozy, tight-knit, campus with a neighbor was doing. That’s how wide smile that reveals a small he made his money,” Ware said. “I gap between his two front teeth was making less than 150 bucks and makes him appear confident, a paycheck, so turning down two warm - and at peace. grand was really hard. There’s just He doesn’t have to walk far becertain things you don’t do.” fore exchanging a smile, or a head Ware had no job. No car. No nod, with a fellow student. It’s the desire to wake up in the morning. happiest he has ever been. Every single day was the same. With each basketball game, his He would sleep until the late role became bigger and bigger. He afternoon. When he woke up, he can jump. He can defend. He can and the others in the neighborscore. He can send an opponent’s hood would sit around, smoke, shot into the bleachers. He can watch football, play cards and run the floor. drink. Oh yeah, the 24-year-old from Every single day. Lorton, Va. can dunk, too. He didn’t want to live his life Not just a two-handed dunk this way. He felt he had no choice. from right underneath the rim, or “It was either fit in or sit in my a one-handed slam on a breakhouse all day and be a straight away. He can cross up a defender hermit. I couldn’t do that. I’m on the wing, drive the line, and not going back to that, no way. finish with a rim-shaking dunk. It’s scary man. Police used to ride You can count the number of up and down my neighborhood,” players in the Freedom ConferWare said. ence who can do what Ware does “That’s the type of place where on one hand. You wouldn’t even there is so much worse going on need all five fingers, either. that they’re not worried about In his third season in the proyou. You can sit on the front gram, second full season, Ware porch and smoke weed and they is now one of the veterans on wouldn’t bother you.” the team. The forward averaged Things got so bad he would have nearly a double-double with 12.7 to wear headphones to bed to ppg and 8.1 rebounds. He and block out the sounds of gunshots senior point guard Matt Green outside his apartment. know what it takes to succeed in He hit rock bottom one midDivision III basketball. They know November day when his mother what it takes to win the Freedom told him she was moving to Texas Conference. to take care of his grandmother. “I can’t even describe the feeling That’s right. Rock bottom. I get when I watch him step on White tank top. Red and white the court,” his father said just Jordan basketball shorts. White hours before the Cougars took tube socks. Jordan flip-flops. on Marywood in the Laurel Line That’s what teary-eyed Ware was Tournament. “I am so incredibly wearing when his phone began to proud of him and how he has vibrate in his lap. turned his life around. The caller ID said, “Chambers.” Ware and Green know how to go The call lasted less than two to Manhattanville and come away minutes, but it was the call Ware with a victory. They know what needed to get back on his feet. it’s like to play against New York Brandon Chambers, his best University in the NCAA Division friend from Virginia CommonIII basketball wealth tournament. University They know and then Mihow to win sericordia the Laurel graduate Line Tournaassistant ment. basketball They were coach, was there. calling to see The atmoif Ware had sphere of any plans those gyms of using his was nothing four years compared to of college the streets basketball of Atlanta. eligibility. December “I answered 27, 2011, the phone, Ware’s life faked like I MU ATHLETICS FOR HE HIGHLANDER turned wasn’t cryaround for the better. ing, and said, ‘Hello!’ After bouncing around from city He gave me the whole spiel about to city with no will other than to Misericordia. There was really no do the minimum to get by in life, sugar-coating it with Chambers,” he found himself back in college Ware said. “He was like, do you thanks to his best friend. The only want to play basketball, and I was real best friend he has ever had. like man, you know I want to play Brandon Chambers. basketball.” Ware and Chambers met at Not many Division III basketball Virginia Commonwealth Uniteams turn down a 6-4, athletic versity. Chambers finished out forward who can play above the his four years as a basketball rim and block opposing players’ manager. Ware checked out after shots halfway up the bleachers. a semester. He gets to play basketball. He is He tried the military, but both pursuing a degree in sport manhe and his father knew it wasn’t agement. He lives in a big dorm for him. room with plenty of space and When he was discharged, he four other roommates. went to live with his mother in For the first time in his life, he Atlanta. Atlanta wasn’t the promhas everything he needs. ised land Ware was looking for. He doesn’t get mad when he He and his mother shared a onesees someone taking the opporbedroom apartment. The tall and tunity of earning a degree from a lanky Ware slept on a tiny blue four-year private University for couch with half his body hanging granted. He was the same way. So over the side. for him to get mad would just be He had two jobs. Like his stay hypocritical. at VCU, they didn’t last long. He “I was pissed about the situation was fired from Michael’s for being I was in,” Ware said. “Why isn’t late to work on numerous occaso-and-so helping me? Where sions. Then he got fired from the is everybody that used to be my tire place where he was working friend? Once you grow up, you because he forgot to put the oil realize nobody is going to help cap back on the car when he was you unless you help yourself.” finished changing the oil. The One thing remained the same engine locked up and Ware was between Steve Ware now and out of a job. Steve Ware from Atlanta. He’s It wasn’t about the money. still broke. But what college kid There were plenty of opportuniisn’t? ties for Ware to make a quick He’s not worried about how he buck. However, the way his neigh- is going to pay back the thoubors were doing it wasn’t exactly sands of dollars in student loans legal. He had a hard time turning - at least not yet. He’s too busy down the quick cash, but even being a college student. though he was broke and nearly So what should stop him from homeless, he still knew right from smiling? wrong. The answer is nothing. “In the environment that hortonj@misericordia.edu was around me, that’s all there
highlandernews.net
Arts & Entertainment
Student Screenwriters Create Love, Loss, Fairytale By Casey Saylor, Reporter
An English graduate and a communications sophomore have penned the screenplay for the newly-released film “Speechless.” Last year, under the direction of New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts student Joshua Payne, sophomore Taryn Talacka and graduate Marina Orrson partnered to write the original script for the short film. Orrson said Talacka and Orrson’s younger sister, Mikayla, were good friends in high school. As an aspiring actress, Mikayla began training at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in 2012. There, she met Payne, an aspiring actor and producer, and when Payne suggested making a film with Mikayla, she knew she could turn to her best friend and sister to write the script. With assistance from sophomore English major Julia Whitesell, the team promptly dove into brainstorming for the script. Their only criteria was a love story at Coney Island with limited dialogue. Whitesell left the team after the brainstorming process, leaving Talacka and Orrson to write. They said the process consisted of independent work in which Orrson wrote the first half of the script and Talacka wrote the second. Then, they combined the drafts, edited the script to make it “flow,” said Talacka.
The resulting script illustrates the awkward first meeting of two people, each mourning the loss of a loved one. As the camera follows a man as he walks to the ferris wheel at each day in memory of
It is during one of these “visits,” that they notice each other and continue to see each other in a series of awkward, silent meetings, as neither seem to be able to build up the courage to speak. In the
CASEY SAYLOR/THE HIGHLANDER
Talacka and Orrson pose for a photo in the Henry Student Lounge. his sister, a woman sits on a bench dedicated to her father, reading her childhood book of fairytales. These lost loved ones still play a significant role in both characters’ adult lives, and they speak to them often in addition to making daily “visits.”
final scene, however, the woman finally addresses the man and pulls out her notebook. As they scribble notes to each other, she begins to cry as she reveals that she is deaf. The man smiles, however, and he asks if she will teach him sign language. She agrees and
the two continue passing notes as the screen fades to black. “We were trying to avoid spontaneous love at first sight,” said Orrson. “It’s definitely a boy meets girl story, but there are more layers than somebody meeting their first love. We wanted to give them a kind of sentimental reason to be together.” This was done through the common loss of loved ones, she explains. “No matter how different two people are, we can all be connected by death,” said Talacka. Talacka also identifies fairytales as important for inspiring feelings of childhood. They give another connection to the characters and the audience, she said, and supply a “very different” feature to the film. Another “very different” feature is the woman’s deafness. “The producer didn’t want a lot of speech in it,” said Talacka. “So deafness made sense.: She said the writers chose not to reveal it until the end of the film because “taking the audience by surprise would draw more attention to the film.” The film was shot at Cooey Island in May 2013 and released online last week. The trailer and a link to download the full production, which costs $5 to cover production costs, are available at https://sellfy.com/p/LIwA/. “I was nervous for a while, but
when I saw it I was like, ‘Wow, that turned out pretty good!’” said Orrson. “I’m excited to see where it goes when it comes outside of [our] friends and family.” Payne plans to submit the film to several festivals, which the girls say they look forward to. Of course, writing isn’t a foreign concept to Talacka and Orrson. Talacka has released seven novels to date, and Orrson works reporting township meetings at The Moscow Villager. “Script writing is tricky,” said Talacka. “I wasn’t used to the format.” But the learning process was valuable, and now there is a possibility Talacka will pen another script, this time for a production on campus. “It’s just an idea, but I would love to do it,” she said. “Writing is writing… this experience can literally help me in any field.” Talacka is has “fallen in love with producing,” despite her success as an author. The communications major identifies writing as “more of a hobby,” and production as “more of a career choice.” She says she would love to apply her writing to WBRE TV at some point. “[The film] was a dream come true,” said Talacka. “We’re hearing a lot of good things.” saylorc@misericordia.edu
Empty Bowls Fundraiser Helps Feed the Hungry By Alexandria Smith, Web Master
Staff and community of organizing the bowls, members engaged students and taking the money, and with the issues of hunger and students actually showing homelessness at the Empty up, sitting down, and having Bowls Project held Nov. 22. soup as opposed to last year. The international grassWhen we were this event, roots effort to fight hunger there was no student activity was created by The Imagine whatsoever – it was all comRender Group, according munity – which is okay, too, to the official Empty Bowls but I think it’s really imporwebsite. tant that if you’re doing it Potters and artisans in the on a university campus, that community used their talents the students have ownerto make handcrafted bowls, ship for it. They can’t throw and guests were invited to the bowls – I can throw the a simple meal of soup and bowls – but if students really bread in exchange for a cash take the reins and put on an donation. Each guest was event..that is really what we allowed to keep one of the should be doing,” he said. many bowls as “a reminder Junior government, law, of all the empty bowls in and national security major the world” and all donations Connor Brennan felt the benefit organizations workevent was beneficial to the ing to end hunger and food community. insecurity. “I felt that it was very “Each individual or group helpful and I thought it was organizing designs it around a good, creative way to just the needs of their own comget out the message and to ALEXANDRIA SMITH/ THE HIGHLANDER munity,” which is exactly what As part of the international grassroots effort to fight hunger, an empty bowls event was held Nov. 22. have people come. It was community outreach coordinavery delicious, and I loved At Wilkes, each handcrafted bowl think the message is important people get involved because it’s tor Kristen Samuels did. the presentation. The presentawas $15 while each bowl, courtesy for our students to hear - that we a problem that’s not going to What used to be a combined eftion was good, and it felt very of ceramics professor Skip Senswant to make sure we’re educating go away. So if they’re aware of fort with King’s University, Wilkes heartfelt,” said Brennan. bach, was only $5 at MU. our students about [hunger and it, then as they go out into the University and Luzerne County The 2013 Empty Bowls Event “We didn’t get a great turnhomelessness].” business world, they may be able Community College has become a was held from 4 to 6p.m. in Inout,” said Samuels of last year’s The event included several preto help alleviate it to some point. much smaller, more intimate and salaco Hall. All food was donated event. “We got people from the sentations about the prevalence So it’s a nice feeling to have young less expensive project. by Metz Culinary Management. Misericordia community at the of homelessness and hunger from people involved,” Eyet said. One of the main reasons for the Proceeds benefitted the Back event but not our students and students in the Social Justice Sensbach and his classes prosplit was the difficulty it posed Mountain Food Pantry. that was what, especially Skip Ministry outreach. vided the 225 bowls. to students wanting to attend smitha10@misericordia.edu and I, think is important for this Back Mountain Food Pantry “What I liked [about the event] the event in the past, according educational piece. Of course, the manager Carol Eyet was pleased was that it was student-oriented, to Samuels. Another reason was community is invited and we want with student turnout this year. you know, Kristen’s students because of the cost of the bowls. the community to attend, but we “It’s really nice when young in Social Justice taking control
Lend an Ear to CALC’s Sounds of the Season By Kateri Kopicki, Reporter
The Choral Arts of Luzerne County will perform its sixth annual holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” under the musical direction of John Fitzgerald, who hopes new choral members will join the group. CALC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate members and surrounding community through the performance of captivating and inspiring works of choral music. CALC encourages and welcomes students, adults and senior citizens to join the group and attend concerts. Fitzgerald said people of all ages should attend “Sounds of the Season” because the choral arts has a lot to offer the community, he said. “I believe that the concert we are preparing for will show the choir in a good light. It will demonstrate the musicality and awareness that a good choir needs to show.” Fitzgerald has worked with major choirs in concert halls across New York and Philadelphia. He has performed a wide repertoire ranging from Mahler’s 8th Symphony to Beethoven’s 9th. He has performed with notable conductors Pierre Boulez, Kurt
Masur, Mariss Jansons, Christoph Eschenbach, Gilbert Kaplan, and Ton Koopman. Fitzgerald said the Dec. 14 and 15 concerts will adhere to the group’s mission to educate the community by featuring pieces of “music that people would appreciate and possibly some music that they would’ve never heard.” Selections include diverse pieces from Adam Lay Ybounden to Carol of the Bells, among other holiday-inspired works. Caitlin Prebish, a sophomore at Wyoming Valley West High School and CALC member, said her favorite piece to perform this semester “is a tie between [The Crown of] Roses and Coventry Carol.” The lyrics in one of Prebish’s favorites, The Crown of Roses, show some of the terrifying events surrounding the Passion, such as receiving a crown of thorns. Coventry Carol is a choral piece from the 16th century that the group will performed a cappella, or without accompaniment. Its eerie melody represents a mother’s lament for her doomed child during the reign of King Herod of Bethlehem, since he declared every boy under the age of two to be slaughtered.
Sixteen-year-old Prebish challenges choral arts enthusiasts to attend the group’s sixth annual holiday concert. She said the selections “difficult [but] if people can handle them,” the challenging works of music, that is, then they should lend an ear to one of the upcoming concerts. Fitzgerald said he is working to attract audience and guest-group members. “I have reached out to [local music education teachers] Scott Coates and Bernie Gardzalla and invited them to bring some of their small, select choirs to sing with us in the spring.” The spring 2014 concert will feature CALC’s members plus the ensembles from the Wyoming Valley West Middle and High School choirs as directed by Scott Coates and Bernard Gardzalla. This union between CALC and the younger choral groups is intended to spark a revival of the arts in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Elisabeth Shovlin, junior speechlanguage pathology major, agrees that CALC helps to bring choral activity to an area seemingly deprived of musical artistry. “I love
to sing in choral groups and was unable to make rehearsals for the Chamber Singers on campus, so I looked for other opportunities to join a choral community,” she said The holiday concert is set for Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 210 W. Green St. Hazleton, Tickets are $10 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance and at the door. Checks can be made payable to “Choral Arts of Luzerne County” and sent to 190 S. Sprague Ave. Kingston, PA 18704. For more information call 570283-2000 or visit choralartslc.org Anyone interested in joining may call 570-283-2000, e-mail the group at info@choralartslc. org, or to visit choralartslc.org for updates about spring 2014 open rehearsals. kopickik@misericordia.edu
December 3, 2013 5
GPP, CONTINUED
Continued from page 3
cupational therapy of speech/language pathology program in more than five years, they are ineligible. If the student fails to graduate with a minimum 3.0 GPA, they get dropped - and students who fail to report a scheduling conflict by the deadline or miss a workshop for an unexcused reason are no longer eligible to complete the regular program. Excused absences, however, if reported prior to the event, will be forgiven, allowing the student to make arrangements to make up the missed work at a later date. For those of us who have trouble adhering to deadlines, there is the GPP Levels program. As the GPP Parents Manual says, “GPP Levels is for transfer students who are seeking a guided, semester-by-semester career development plan... [And] it is also for students who started out in the regular GPP program... but missed one or two requirements.” GPP Levels gives the student more flexibility with “recommended deadlines” and includes fewer required workshops, and although the program’s graduates don’t receive the internship guarantee, they do get a nice certificate, pin and professional pen set. Students are free to use any GPP workshops or services at any time during the semester, regardless of whether or not they are in a GPP program. So if they really can’t handle deadlines and commitment makes them queasy, they could at least stumble into self-improvement by attending at least one of the 55 professional skills workshops hosted by the GPP each year. However, Yencharis Corcoran said that the program is “not that crazy.” As most students can attest, students attend college with the ultimate intent of becoming professionals and getting a job. “If I could create that perfect professional, I would [personally] add more requirements,” said Yencharis Corcoran. And even though the program has barely changed since its inception in 1999, Yencharis Corcoran said, “[The program] could always be better.” Statistically, the number of students who successfully partake in GPP from first year to graduation drops almost by half every year. The majority of these losses are from students who dropped out of the program or failed to attend workshops. In spite of this, the number of students who graduate from the GPP program has increased since Yencharis Corcoran started with GPP in 2008. “I don’t know why,” said Yencharis Corcoran. “It’s not us; it’s the students. Maybe students have been more ambitious or focused coming into Misericordia.” But Yencharis Corcoran assures that if students do find value in the program, they won’t be wasting their time. “The students who actually make it to the end have completed a real accomplishment.” saylorc@misericordia.edu
Archery Club Elections: Interested in becoming an archery club officer? Applications are due Nov. 5. The positions open include president and multiple vice presidents. For more information or to apply, contact Erika Deckard at deckarde@misericordia.edu
6 highlandernews.net
December 3, 2013
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