LA VIE COLLEGIENNE LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1924 VOLUME 87, NO. 5 | DECEMBER 3, 2019
Christmas at the Valley 2019 Autumn Light ’20 STAFF WRITER One of LVC’s long-standing December traditions is Christmas at the Valley, which is a celebration of the holidays near the end of the fall semester. Christmas at the Valley has been a beloved LVC tradition for the past 62 years. This holiday event allows students to enjoy this festive time of year right before finals week. This year, Rachel Cheston, an experimental performance design (self-designed) major is the student artistic coordinator for Christmas at
the Valley 2019. She has worked hard to ensure that this year’s Christmas at the Valley is exciting and welcoming to attendees. “Christmas at the Valley is a tradition at LVC where multiple ensembles — college choir, concert choir, chamber choir, handbell choir, brass quintet and additional instrumentalists— have an opportunity to perform in a worship service following The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols format,” Cheston said. Although this event resembles the candlelight services that are popular among Christian churches, it is not a strictly Christian event; communi-
ty members of all backgrounds are welcome to celebrate the holidays together with the LVC music department. For this year’s performance, attendees can expect to see a new performance that promotes a multisensory experience. “We are paying particular attention to logistical details that will unify the performance both for the audience and the performers,” Cheston said. “This theme can be followed through the musical selections, the lighting and the new program cover.” This holiday celebration is free for all attendees. The LVC community is encouraged to celebrate the holidays
together with their favorite holiday music. “Music is a very strong language because it can be interpreted in many ways,” Cheston said. “Everyone will interpret and react to the service in various ways, but the one thing that is shared is an appreciation of the expression of music through this powerful experience.” Christmas at the Valley will be held in the Frederic K. Miller Chapel on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. or Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. LVC musicians will provide 40 minutes of preludes before each performance.
LVC jingles all the way Marj O’Neill ’21 STAFF WRITER The Student Programming Board (SPB) will once again sponsor its annual holiday themed event this year, Jingle Jamboree. The event is a holiday extravaganza for students with multiple activities broken up into stations. “Jingle Jam is our annual winter-themed de-stress event for students before finals week,” Ashlee Leamont, vice president of SPB, said. “We’ll be having indoor ice skating again this year, along with raffles, an ice melting contest, carriage rides, pictures with Santa and activity tables with things like cookie decorating, card decorating for local law enforcement and firefighters and do-it-yourself snowglobes.”
In addition, the Jingle Jamboree is an opportunity for clubs and organizations to have a table at the event with an activity of their choice. “We had somewhere around 500 people last year,” Leamont said. “In my opinion, it went really well last year. We got a lot of positive feedback from clubs that participated and students that attended, and we’ve done what we can to account for that and to make this year’s Jingle Jam even better.” The event is free for all students and no registration is required. Jingle Jamboree will be in the Edward Arnold Sports Center on Friday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. The first 150-200 students to get to the event will get a free pair of gloves to go with the free beanies that were given out last year at the event.
Photo provided by: Ashlee Leamont ABOVE: Student Programming Board at last year’s Jingle Jamboree event with Santa.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF LA VIE
PLAY REHEARSALS PAGE 3
MATH OLYMPICS PAGE 3
FIELD HOCKEY ENDS SEASON PAGE 4
CROSS COUNTRY DUO PAGE 4
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December 3, 2019
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La Vie Collegienne
English class takes trip to Newseum Megan Finlan ’21 STAFF WRITER A group of English majors visited the Newseum with Jaime Fettrow-Alderfer, assistant professor of English, on Nov. 19, to learn more about journalism and broadcasting before the museum’s closing later this year. The Newseum is located in Washington, D.C. and its chief aim is to help the public understand the importance of the First Amendment and free press. The museum is made up of 15 exhibits and theaters and is considered one of the most interactive museums in the world. The featured exhibits include a 9/11 gallery that tells the stories of reporters on the scene as the World Trade Center was struck and a Pulitzer Prize photo gallery that includes winning photo entries from 1942 to the present. “It was a great experience because it really connected journalism to the
ting and another to see it applied to the real world.” Students in Fettrow-Alderfer’s Multimedia Narratives class were given the opportunity to visit the Newseum before it closes its doors on Dec. 31, after welcoming millions of visitors over its 11 years of operation. Due to financial issues, the Newseum will be forced to deinstall its exhibits and relocate to a more sustainable location at the beginning of the new year. “It was a fun and educational trip that opened my eyes to the world of news and broadcasting,” Jensen Burnheimer, junior English and secondary education major, said. “The Newseum closing is very sad. It’s a major loss for anyone who hasn’t gotten the chance to visit.” Photo by: Jaime Fettrow-Alderfer All artifacts and exhibit pieces will ABOVE: Students from the English department went to the Newseum in Washington, D.C. be maintained and stored until a new location is secured. There has been no outside world and current and past English major, said. “It’s one thing to word on where or when the Newseum events,” Claire Fitzgibbons, senior learn about a topic in a classroom set- will relocate and continue operation.
Student designs media for conference Page Olsen ’20 STAFF WRITER Rachel Cheston, a senior self-designed major, designed the graphics for a Bible conference. Cheston interned with DiscipleMakers this past summer. DiscipleMakers is a religious organization that ministers on multiple college campuses across Pennsylvania, including LVC. After involving herself with DiscipleMakers for several semesters, Cheston sprang for the opportunity to intern at DiscipleMakers’ headquarters in the human resources and media departments. “For media, I was doing a lot of work on the design for Fall Conference, the design for LVC’s talk series for the fall semester and for human resources. I was doing a lot of research to update employee’s salaries,” Cheston said. Fall Conference is an annual weekend in Harrisburg where students from campuses across Pennsylvania get together to learn about the Bible. To design the branding, Cheston used Photoshop and Illustrator. “Photoshop I had learned a little bit from a painting class last year in the fall with Professor Pittari, but I didn’t know anything about Illustrator, and
still not much about Photoshop, so my boss, Caleb Olshefsky, taught me everything about those programs,” Cheston said. The theme for this past Fall Conference was the biblical trinity. Determining how to portray this in a logo proved a difficulty for Cheston. “I went through a whole process of doing a whole bunch of different studies to figure out what would work, because the trinity is a very tricky topic to figure out how to visually represent,” Cheston said. Together, Cheston and Olshefsky settled on a graphic and background that matched the theme. Cheston also commented on how the courses within her self-designed major helped her design process. “All the art classes that I’ve taken have prepared me for the creative process of making artwork and going through different ideas to make it happen,” Cheston said. During the conference from Oct. 25 to 27, Cheston got to experience her design on full display. The design that Cheston created was used to not only market the conference but was on the cover of the conference’s packets and turned into wristbands.
Photo by: Rachel Cheston ABOVE: Rachel Cheston’s graphic for DiscipleMakers.
Guest speaker Meghan Phillips Michael Burt ’22 STAFF WRITER Author Meghan Phillips visited LVC’s campus on Nov. 19 as part of the series, “Writing: A Life.” The author, who is known for her writing of microfiction, guest read several of her short stories like ‘VCard’ and ‘Final Girl Slumber Party.’ The author also gave insight into what she enjoys about writing microfiction. “[Compared to regular fiction], everything’s ramped up a little bit,” Phillips said. “Everything is important. It’s like listening to a podcast on x2.5 speed.”
Many of Phillips’ works explore what it means to be a woman and how society views ‘a woman.’ Phillips credits many great short story authors such as Kelly Link as her role models. She also shared insight into her creative process. Many of her drafts start as scribbles and ideas that, after several drafts, eventually tie into a complete narrative. “You know when you’re done writing,” Phillips said. “Sometimes it’s like a feeling. My goal is to end on a resonating image, something [the reader] will remember in the future.” Phillips’ microfiction can be found in her upcoming chapbook “Abstinence Only.”
December 3, 2019
NEWS
La Vie Collegienne
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Students simulate the European Union Joshua Snader ’20 STAFF WRITER Eleven LVC students joined about 150 other students from 12 different colleges and universities for a three-day simulation of the European Union. The Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation Consortium (MEUS), which sponsors the event, seeks to replicate the functions of the actual European Union. MEUS is one of only three European Union simulations in the United States to simulate all four European Institutions: the European Parliament, the EU Commission, the European Council and the Council of Ministers. “We had a particularly engaged group this year that really threw themselves into their roles and were willing to serve as the head of the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament,” Dr. Diane Johnson, professor of politics, said. “They definitely did LVC proud.” LVC has participated in the MEUS for the last 12 years. Johnson and Dr.
they’ve learned about history, politics, geography and culture, but also the skills they’ve developed in public speaking, leadership and teamwork and how to negotiate a successful resolution to a problem.” Each year the simulation covers two topics that are current issues in the European Union. This year, the students representing the commission put forth a directive addressing carbon emissions and digital regulations. At the simulation, students in the Council of Ministers and European Parliament debated and amended the directive and ultimately passed the directive. Photo by: Diane Johnson The European Union Simulation class is open to juniors and seniors ABOVE: LVC students visiting the European Union Delegation building on Nov. 22. and is held every fall semester. Those Phillip Benesch, professor of politics, tion what they learned in their class- interested in participating in the simhave both taken turns teaching the es,” Johnson said. “Not just the content ulation next year can register for POLclass and taking the group to Washington, DC. As Johnson is retiring, Benesch and Dr. Chris Dolan, professor of politics, will be taking turns leading the simulation in the future. “I think the simulation is always great experience for the LVC student a great experience for our students Justin Shuler ’20 volunteers who make the event posSTAFF WRITER because it allows them to put into acsible each year. They are able to see LVC’s Math Club hosted more than how they can impact a younger stu100 fifth graders from the Cornwalldent’s life. The fifth graders are more Lebanon School District for its aninterested in learning about the LVC nual Math Olympics event at the could be flexibly casted. Instead, Wig Edward H. Arnold Sports Center on students and hearing about how and Buckle’s production of “Almost, they got to LVC, and by interacting Thursday, Nov. 14. Maine” will feature a large cast. Before the day of the event, the with the younger kids, the LVC stuAssisting in directing “Almost, Math Club made goodie bags and cerdents can have a significant impact Maine” are Dr. Kevin Pry, dramaturge tificates for all of the fifth graders. on them. for Wig and Buckle, and stage man- Then, on the day of the event, there “I think the volunteers had the ager Cassandra Martin, also a sopho- were stations set up with math quesmore creative writing and English tions for the students to answer and opportunity to step away from their double major. Because of the nature a game that matched the theme of stress for a few hours and invest their of the play, rehearsals have been the questions. There was a competi- time in something bigger than themscheduled with specific cast mem- tion among each of the teams and selves, and the elementary school the winning team received a first- kids got to take a trip away from the bers versus the entire group at once. “The first week has been incredi- place certificate. No matter who wins, classroom for the day, which is equalble,” Meyers said. “The cast is very ded- this is a great event on campus that ly as important,” Laliberte said. “I feel icated and is giving every rehearsal impacts the younger students and like I have learned that this event their all, which is greatly appreciat- they have the opportunity to work isn’t just for the elementary school ed. All of the individual couples are toward a goal with their peers. “I think Math Olympics is very im- kids, but it is also for the teacher and working really well with one another portant to the kids,” Taylor Laliberte, for the college students who volunwhich is also great.” president of the Math Club, said. teered.” Audience members can anticipate It was another successful event “They are able to leave the classroom a show of laughter, suspense and perfor the day and apply the things they this year, and the Math Club will conhaps a few tears. are learning to something fun and tinue this event in the coming years. “They can look forward to the beau- entertaining. They are also able to rety and pain of romantic relation- lease some of their energy by playing The Math Club will be able to reach a ships and lots of northern lights,” games, and I think that is a crucial different group of fifth graders each Meyers said. part to the success of the event every year, and the members hope that this is an event that the younger kids “Almost, Maine” will run from Jan. year.” 31 to Feb. 2. The show will be free to In addition to impacting the look forward to when they start fifth LVC students. younger kids, this event creates a grade.
Play rehearsals in full swing Page Olsen ’20 STAFF WRITER Cast members have been rehearsing for Wig and Buckle’s spring production since Nov. 11. Directed by Chiara Meyers, a sophomore creative writing and English double major, “Almost, Maine” is a collection of nine vignettes that portray various romantic relationships; some are blossoming, whereas some are in peril. Instead of consisting of a traditional plot structure, this next production gives glimpses into the town “Almost” as a whole through individualized scenes. “Being a huge romantic, I think that the show is a wonderful testament to the beauty and sorrow of love,” Meyers said. “I am excited to see these aspects develop as we continue to work on the relationships. I am also excited to work with this wonderful group of talented performers.” Auditions for this production were held on Nov. 5, with the cast list released on Nov. 6. While the play was written for two men and two women, because of its structure, it
Math club hosts its annual Math Olympics event
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December 3, 2019
NEWS
La Vie Collegienne
Student competes in world lacrosse championship Hannah Shirey ’23 STAFF WRITER An international student spent two weeks in Canada for a world lacrosse tournament earlier this semester. Alex Kiviniemi, a freshman defender from Finland, is on the Finnish National Lacrosse Team as well as the LVC men’s lacrosse team. Kiviniemi missed two weeks of classes to participate in the World Box Lacrosse Championship. The Championship took place in Langley, British Colombia, Canada. Box lacrosse, also known as boxla, box or indoor lacrosse, is an indoor version of lacrosse played mostly in North America. It is played in an ice hockey rink and is played 5v5 rather than the typical 10v10. In Canada, box lacrosse is more popular than field lacrosse.
During the tournament, Kiviniemi’s team played seven games total and finished sixth overall out of 20 teams. “The best part was playing against and seeing some of the best lacrosse players in the world,” Kiviniemi said. A few of the countries Kiviniemi’s Finnish team faced were Australia, Costa Rica and England. Kiviniemi is looking forward to his next four years at LVC. He chose to attend LVC because of its athletic training program and its high-quality lacrosse team and staff. “I’m excited to play with a new team here at LVC and to improve my lacrosse skills,” Kiviniemi said. Last season, the LVC men’s lacrosse team finished with a 7-10 record. Its 2020 season will begin at the end of February.
Field hockey’s successful season comes to an end Hannah Shirey ’23 STAFF WRITER The field hockey team finished its season with a 13-8 record after losing to a tough Shenandoah team in the ECAC Division Three Field Hockey Championship game. The Dutchmen earned themselves the number one seed in the ECACs after losing to Messiah 4-1 in the MAC Commonwealth Championship game. Being the number one seed also earned the Dutchmen the right to host the tournament. On Nov. 16, the Dutchmen defeated Juniata in the semi-final game at Arnold Field. This win guaranteed the team a spot in the championship game. The Dutchmen beat Juniata by a score of 1-0. Daniella Alba, a sophomore midfielder, scored the game winner during the second quarter. The following day, Nov. 17, was the championship game between the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen and the Shenandoah Hornets. Cecile Kat scored the first goal of the game during the first quarter. Immediately following, Shenandoah evened the score off a tip-in shot. Towards the end of the half, Shenandoah got another goal to make the score 2-1. Heading into the fourth quarter, Lebanon Valley was still down 2-1. Looking to get another goal quickly, Alba earned the Dutchmen a goal off a penalty corner. This put the score at
2-2. “The morale of the team after scoring the goal to tie it was amazing,” Alba said. “We all stepped up because we knew we were still in it.” For the remainder of regulation, the two teams stayed tied. The championship game was going into overtime. The Dutchmen held the visiting Hornets for nearly 7 minutes, but the Hornets came out on top after another tip-in goal. LVC lost to Shenandoah by a final score of 3-2. Kat, Alba, Faith Dinger and Kaylea Garman were named to the All-Tournament Team. “It was nice to play longer with our seniors,” Alba said. “We really put our all into this post season to be successful for them.” Despite the loss, the Dutchmen ended with an impressive season. Head coach Amber Corcoran was named MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year, and Kat earned Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Five additional players were named to the All-Conference team. Furthermore, it was the first time LVC field hockey made it to a conference championship game since 2010. “I’m so proud of our team this season,” Alba said. “We grew a lot from last year.” The field hockey team will look to build off their 2019 season next year.
Photo provided by: Alex Kiviniemi ABOVE: Alex Kiviniemi played defense during the alumni game during Homecoming weekend.
Women’s cross country duo competes at NCAA championships Hannah Shirey ’23 STAFF WRITER Two members of LVC’s women’s cross country team competed at the 2019 NCAA Division Three Women’s Cross Country Championships. This was the first time the Dutchmen sent two women to the NCAA’s in the same year. Juniors Keri Jones and Lauren Wick departed for Louisville, Kentucky, along with their head coach, James O’Brien, on Nov 21. The flight from Harrisburg to Louisville was Jones’ first time ever flying. The meet was held on Nov. 23, at Tom Sawyer State Park. The course had rain Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning which made for a muddy affair. Despite the undesirable circumstances, Jones and Wick each had a stellar performance. Jones finished 46th out of 280 run-
ners while Wick finished 69th. Jones was just shy of earning All-American honors, which went to the top 40 runners. “Keri and Lauren put together an absolutely fantastic fall for our program,” O’Brien said. “They came out swinging right from the beginning of the season and never looked back.” Jones was the top MAC finisher with a time of 22:19.2. Wick was the third-best MAC finisher with a time of 22:36.0. “We have big goals as a program,” O’Brien said. “This year was an important one for us in terms of positioning to move forward.” In early November, the women’s cross-country team placed second out of seventeen teams at the MAC Cross Country Championships while the men’s team placed fourth.