Issuu

Volume XXIII, Issue 6

penmenpress@snhu.edu

December 14, 2016

Manchester, NH

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT PROVIDES FESTIVE FUN

December 14, 2016: International Monkey Day

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What's Inside:

Ginny Fagan Staff Writer

News | Front & 3-5

Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Celebration of Light was held Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Student Center.

Featuring: One Man Band | Page 3

different clubs and organizations on campus. Hot chocolate was available to sip while students made their own hot chocolate mix in mason jars. Cookie frosting was also a popular option, as well as make your own snowflakes and holi-

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CULINARY STUDENTS TRAVEL TO THE BIG APPLE Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Staff Writer Early December is an exciting time for students and faculty here at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). For the culinary department, however, the transition from November to December marks the arrival of their annual trip to New York City. On Friday, Dec.2, 40 students embarked on an unforgettable journey to the one of the most famous cities in the country. The trip, which was sponsored by the Culinary Student Association (CSA), was open to all students. Faculty from the culinary department served as both chaperones and tour guides. CSA Co-President, Jason Sederquist, served a one of the main organizers of the trip. He has traveled to New York several times and he looks forward

to the trip every year. “One thing that I always look forward to is showing people around and giving them the opportunity to experience what I know,” said Sederquist. When the group arrived on Friday night, the students were given the opportunity to explore the city. The following morning, the students split into three groups, with one faculty member that led each group on an expedition to some of the most famous foodie destinations on the city. Stops included Chelsea Market, Dominique Ansel Bakery (the birthplace of the cronut, a croissant-doughnut hybrid), and the Union Square Farmers Market. The students had the remainder of the evening to themselves. One of the most popular destinations was Eataly, an Italian food-lovers fantasy housing an upscale pizzeria, deli, gelato shop, and specialty foods store. Another popular attraction

Pixabay

Textbook Shopping Advice | Page 4

The event was held by the Student Government Association (SGA) as a way to give students an opportunity to celebrate winter traditions from around the world. There were many activities for students to enjoy, hosted by

Ginny Fagan

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From left to right: Yuyang Sun, Eben Korankye, Kamila Ataee, Kusum Acharya, Sheela Gondi, Mahboba Akhtarzadah.

day cards. For the more nature oriented, cranberry and popcorn garland could be made to feed the birds, or wrap festively around a Christmas tree. The door decorating competition between offices in the Student Center was a huge draw for this event. Students were able to pick up a guide to voting for whose door they thought was best, and completing the survey entered them into a raffle. Live music by Lauren Light filled the student center throughout the entire event. Bingo was held in the pub, and free Chipotle was available for the first 100 hungry students to arrive. “Celebrating the celebration of light is awesome. I enjoyed being here as part of Student Government Associations to celebrate here, meeting new friends and alumni. There’s a lot of joyful music, dance, great speakers, food, and the door

Lee District desserts in Brookfield Place. was the incredibly moving 9/11 memorial. On the final day, the group converged and visited a variety of must-visit eateries in New York. Doughnut Plant, an artisanal doughnut shop known for its imaginative flavors, was a standout among both students and faculty. The final stop on the trip was at the world-famous Katz’s Delicatessen, a New York-institution

known for massive pastrami sandwiches. Everyone from first-time visitors to New York-natives attended the trip, yet there was truly something for everyone. Traveling to the city that never sleeps provided students with a much needed break from the stress of upcoming finals, as well as an opportunity to bond with peers and experience New York City in a whole new way.

editorial

end of semester letter from the editors

The Penmen Press Staff 2016-2017 CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Rebecca LeBoeuf rebecca.leboeuf@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Megan Palmer megan.palmer@snhu.edu MANAGING ASSISTANT Brendon DiBiasio brendon.dibiasio@snhu.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Jaime Mailloux jaime.mailloux@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Laurelann Easton laurelann.easton@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Nicole Kenney nicole.kenney@snhu.edu NEWS EDITOR Nicole Clark nicole.clark2@snhu.edu Cyan Magenta

OPINION EDITOR Bryan Creevy bryan.creevy@snhu.edu ARTS & Gabriel Carrio ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR gabriel.carrio@snhu.edu HEALTH & WELLNESS Lori Costa EDITOR lori.costa@snhu.edu

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PENMEN ABROAD EDITOR Annie Boghigian anna.boghigian@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Martin matthew.martin1@snhu.edu CREATIVE EDITOR Katerina Wilhelmi katerina.wilhelmi@snhu.edu LAYOUT EDITOR May Mullen maura.mullen@snhu.edu FACULTY ADVISER Jon Boroshok j.boroshok@snhu.edu

The Southern New Hampshire University Penmen Press is a news publication produced by Southern New Hampshire University students and funded largely by the Student Government Association of the University. It is our responsibility to inform the SNHU community about events on and around campus. The Penmen Press will print any material found to be factual and in good taste by the editorial staff of the paper. The views published do not necessarily reflect the views of Southern New Hampshire University. The Penmen Press is published biweekly during the academic year and is printed by the Concord Monitor. To contact the newspaper, please e-mail us at penmenpress@snhu.edu.

We are looking to fill several editorial positions for the 2015-2016 academic school year. We would like to fill these positions ASAP in order to provide the proper training. Positions that are available for application and interviews are: Staff Writers | We are always looking for new staff writers and contributors to the Penmen Press! No interview or application for these positions necessary. If interested, please e-mail penmenpress@snhu.edu with your information!

We think it’s safe to say that this semester seemed to fly by for everyone. Somehow, we managed to produce six issues of The Penmen Press, plus a Welcome Back Issue, co-sponsor more events, and get to know the many new faces on our staff. Following the Involvement Fair, we were excited to see our staff grow to 45 members, and even more excited to see what talents everyone would bring to the paper. One of our goals going into this semester was to co-sponsor more events with other clubs and organizations on campus. From the Welcome Back Bash in September to the Celebration of Light last week with many other events in between, we are satisfied. Our Second Annual Penmen Press Movie Night took place before Thanksgiving Break where students came to enjoy pizza and the movie “Zootopia,” which was purposely chosen to discuss the impact of media on society’s perception of events, marginalized communities, and social justice. As the news outlet on campus, we aim to provide unbiased coverage and to give a voice to the issues present in our world. Also in November, we made the move from our old office in Stark Hall to the Student Center, where we are happy to have more facetime with the student body. Now that we’re in a more central location, we were able to participate in the Celebration of

Light’s Door Decorating Contest where we took home third place with our gingerbread men and women in paradise theme. As we move into the next semester, it is our intention to maintain the level of enthusiasm, dedication, and passion present on staff. Bringing the best product to the SNHU campus is always the number one goal as we continue to plan and move forward. In addition to constantly improving the content and quality of the Penmen Press’ physical biweekly product, our aspirations do not begin or end with such. In the Spring Semester, one of our goals is to continue cosponsoring and hosting events. We greatly enjoy the interaction with the SNHU Community that these events allow for, and we value the connections they have allowed us to make with other clubs and organizations. Additionally, we hope to become more accessible through our new presence in the Student Center. Located in the old Veteran’s Lounge, The Penmen Press staff has been hard at work turning our new office into a permanent home. While our interior decorating skills may leave something to be desired, we hope that everyone can better find us and will feel welcome doing so. Whether it’s looking for event coverage or to ask about joining the Penmen Press, it is our goal to be more readily available to the SNHU Community. Our editorial staff will be-

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gin to hold weekly office hours as well, now that we have a conducive space for doing so. We hope that this will create more traffic in and out of our office. We encourage anyone in the SNHU Community to swing by. One other way we will be making our services more accessible in the upcoming semester is through the launch of the Penmen Press online. While all of our issues can be found on issuu.com/PenmenPress, we are looking to debut an independent website and domain with the help of the university. Though this will impact the infrastructure of the Penmen Press, these are obstacles we look forward to tackling head on. Stay tuned for more information at the start of the new year. The Penmen Press is an ever-changing and ever-growing organization. We are proud of the work our staff has done this semester, and we are more than ready to keep moving and see where the next semester takes us. As this semester comes to a close, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have made this possible. Whether it be the kind emails we have received about our progress or the community collaboration that is taking us to new heights, we thank you for your support and for making what we do at the Penmen Press a possibility. We look forward to the new oppotunities the new semester will bring.

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT PROVIDES FESTIVE FUN Continued from page 1

decoration competition.” said Kusum Acharya, a senior SGA Senator and member of the International Student Association. “It was a rather successful event with a lot of people coming and making cool crafts, and being really excited about it, and leaving pretty happy and relaxed to go work on their final projects,” said junior Stephanie Anderson. “This is the second year

that SGA has re-amped the meaning of the Celebration of Light. Before it was mainly focused on certain religions and cultures around the holidays, and now we’re trying to include different clubs and organizations to be a part of it, and do activities,” said Michelle Fortin, a sophomore senator for the SGA. Fortin added, “We also do door decorating, and whoever wins technically has bragging

rights until the next celebration of light. There were a lot of clubs that wanted to do an activity during this event, and that’s always great to outreach with different clubs and have them be a part of something so big. It was another successful year.” Overall, this event was a great opportunity for students to have some holiday fun and interact with the community in the midst of incoming finals.

News news

chungking express: contemporary global cinema series Wyndee Man Staff Writer

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which matched the California elements in the story plot. Also, as a famous singer, Faye’s Cantonese version of “Dreams” originally by The Cranberries shows her oneiric, light singing. Like other Wong Kar-Wai

Wyndee Man

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On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Film Contemporary Global Cinema Series Sponsored by the School of Arts & Sciences presented the 1994 Hong Kong film “Chungking Express” at Walker Auditorium. Professor Charles Andrews hosted the lecture to give a brief film introduction and questionand-answer session before and after the film showing. Shot in two months, “Chungking Express” was created when its director and scriptwriter Wong Kar-Wai tried to clear his artist's block status while filming another film. People never expect that it would turn out to be one of the most romantic and renowned films in Hong Kong’s movie history. The movie described two independent, but somehow related, stories. Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tony Leung played the roles of two handsome police officers who had been jilted by their girlfriends, which led them stuck in a state of lovesickness. The common takeout restaurant they both hung out

(Leung) met a manic pixie girl, acted by Faye Wong, who works at the snack bar of Midnight Express. The song “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas’ played constantly as Faye’s favorite theme song

at connected their storylines. The first story took place mostly in the Chungking Mansions. Cop 223 (Kaneshiro) encountered a mysterious woman, acted by Brigitte Lin, and was attracted by her quickly. At the same time, cop 663

"Chungking Express," shown during the Fall Film Series, depicts Hong Kong.

films, he has established his unique filming style in “Chungking Express.” It reveals a cryptic tone in the love-structured film. However, the film is not just about romance. It also includes illegal smuggling and some gunshot scenes. It demonstrates the city rhythm of Hong Kong: the multiracial society, narrow, crowded living surroundings and the sweaty semi-tropical climate. As Professor Andrews stated, “For me…[“Chungking Express” is] about Hong Kong, in a way. It’s all set about geometrical range. As an outsider, it gives us a feeling of the energy [of the city] and closeness of the people.” Since it was filmed three years before its sovereignty returning to the Mainland China from Britain, it involved a nostalgic and thankful emotion in the film ambience. “[It can be said that the movie is] like the love letter to the city,” said Andrews. It is incredible that outside from the plot and acting, movies reveal so much information about the local culture and history background. It is like a featuring a portrait that represents the social custom of an area.

one-man-band noah hoehn lights up the pub Nick Klotz Staff Writer

Nick Klotz

On Dec. 1, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) welcomed multi-instrumentalist Noah Hoehn to campus. Hoehn lit up The Last Chapter Pub with his energetic renditions of radio hit songs like Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive” and MAGIC’s “Rude”. His show consisted of an electronic marimba, keyboard, harmonica and a dhol drum, a double headed drum originating in India. “We saw Noah Hoehn at [the National Association for Campus Activities conference] and absolutely fell in love with his unique musical sound,” said Shannon Conway of Coordinators of Activities and Planners of Events (CAPE). “We thought we would take a chance and book

someone different.” Hoehn is a “live looper”, meaning his performance revolves around a loop pedal that allows him to record sounds and immediately play it back. This allows him to stack and layer sounds, essentially becoming a one-manband of sorts. He even taught students a bit about how his setup works. “I think overall students really enjoyed the show. He was funny, extremely talented and really got the audience engaged in his show,” said Conway. Hoehn is most well-known for his harmonica playing; he received the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians three times in total. He gave the audience a demonstration of this in the oldest composition he played, a harmonica piece from the early 20 century. It truly show-

Noah Hoehn performed in The Last Chapter Pub. cased the acrobatics Hoehn is capable of with his harmonica, with its rhythm meant to

mimic on oncoming train. “CAPE does quite a few musical acts on campus ev-

ery year,” said Conway. “We would love to see another artist like him on campus soon.”

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textbook shop until you drop Amy Sumsion Staff Writer

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On top of tuition, room and board, supplies and personal expenses, textbooks are another expense that adds to the already large pile of debt students accrue throughout the college years. According to the National Association of College Stores, the average textbook price is $145 in 2016. Textbooks are required in most, if not all classes, so it is important that students know the different ways to get the same textbooks for lower prices. Check the syllabus. While some syllabi state that textbooks are required, they may only be recommended. At Southern New Hampshire (SNHU), teachers upload their syllabus to blackboard.com and they will most likely review all the information on the first day of class. During this discussion, ask the teacher if an older version of the textbook, which may be less expensive, is also

acceptable rather than the newest version. Compare prices. While it is easy to go to the SNHU Bookstore and buy textbooks there, it is not the most costeffective way to do so. Websites such as chegg. com or www.amazon.com will likely have the book at a discounted price. There are also websites such as www.campusbooks. com that will compare the textbook prices all in one place rather than checking each website individually. Consider the options. Renting is always cheaper than buying a textbook, but there are some downsides. There is a specific date that, usually by the end of the semester, the textbook must be returned. While making notes and highlighting is allowed, any damage to the book, such as a ripped cover or pages missing, the book will not be accepted and the student must purchase the book. Renting books online is an option at websites such as barnesand-

noble.com and valorebooks. com. Electronic books are another cheap way to obtain a textbook; however, if the teacher has a lot of open-book exams, electronic texts may not be allowed. Ask first! Buyback programs. There are some companies that will buy textbooks back from students if they are in good condition. While the full price won’t be returned, the money that is refunded can be used to purchase textbooks for the upcoming semester. While the SNHU bookstore will do this for students other websites such as amazon.com and chegg.com will also buy them back as well. College can become very expensive if students are not looking for discounts and deals. Consider these tips to save some money when purchasing textbooks and the money saved could be used for textbooks in the upcoming semester, future student loans, or even a night out.

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The Learning Center partakes in its own group project during this time of year: Extended Walkin Tutoring hours during finals week. The spirit of teamwork is what allows Walk-in Tutoring to run efficiently throughout the semester, yet it seems to be amplified the busier the sessions get. “Finals Walk-in Tutoring is all hands on deck, with more staffing than usual. They all work well as a team and do a great job,” said Math Tutoring Coordinator Kathy Willis. If the Peer Educators are the standout crew members that help run a tight ship during Walk-in, then the discipline coordinators are the captains that keep the ship heading in a direction that will benefit students the most. For math, that means Kathy Willis works extra hard to prepare review packets for courses that have common final exams. “We have common final review packets for MAT 050, MAT 106, MAT 130, MAT 140, and MAT 240. Students are able to

practice and review all the content they’ve worked on since September and they can start working on these packets two weeks before finals.” Business is another discipline that is regularly busy, as students routinely flock to Walk-in Tutoring to boost their confidence on accounting problems, complex economic concepts, and many other subjects. “We’re fortunate to have a diverse group of Business Peer Educators who can cover multiple subjects,” added Business Tutoring Coordinator Kristina Rieger. “Students can get assistance on a lot of the material they’re learning in class.”Writing Tutoring presents its own unique end-of-semester challenges, which usually involve students struggling to cite research correctly in the citation style format professors require. “Our Writing Peer Educators are incredibly versatile and are like chameleons: they’re able to change their approach in different situations to guide students in the right direction,” said Writing Tutoring Coordinator Selina Marcille.

Rachel Romeo Staff Writer The Creative Writing Club hosted their only Open Mic Night of the semester on Friday, Dec. 2, at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). The event took place in the Last Chapter Pub at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the event was to encourage students from and outside of the club to share and present their work. The floor was open and the mics were on as students took to the stage to present their work to the audience. International students were also encouraged to present pieces of their work with the crowd. Students shared a variety of short stories, poems and songs that they worked on throughout the semester. The stories addressed inspiring topics including, but not limited to, women advocacy and homosexuality. The event was intended to create an outlet in which creative writers could take on the stage in a stress-free environment.

Between each performance, students were welcome to eat various pastas from Mr. Mac's and cookies. Beverages were purchased and provided by the Last Chapter Pub. Junior Adina Friedman is a creating writing major at SNHU. During the event, she shared a short story written and worked on by herself and her professor. “I’m really nervous about reading my [writing] but my friends came to [support] me which is nice,” said Adina Friedman. She hopes that in the future more people will come to support the club. Senior Laurelann Easton is the president of the Creative Writing Club and coordinator of the event. She hopes to encourage more people to attend the club’s events and share their work. Future plans include an open mic night and a poetry slam in April for National Poetry Writing Month. Planned events for next semester includes a reading with Rhode Island author Jennifer Renson.

slam poeT engages pub

Tutor hours extended Evan Bodi Contributing Writer

open mic night

Abby Meltzer Staff Writer On Nov. 28, slam poet Ebony Stewart performed her poetry for a group of students in the Last Chapter Pub at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). This event was hosted by the Coordinators of Activities and Programming Events (C.A.P.E) at SNHU as a part of Winter week. Stewart is a nationally acclaimed spoken word artist who uses her poetry to discuss topics

such as body image, self-esteem, and sexual health. She aims to inspire and empower her audience through her performances. After performing her poetry, the event became interactive as Stewart answered questions the audience had about relationships, self-esteem, or any struggles that they have faced. Using her own life experiences to answer questions, Stewart encouraged the audience to focus on themselves and form positive and healthy relationships. Shannon Conway, the sig-

nature events committee chair, helped coordinate this event. “Stewart’s poetry does a really good job of inspiring others to live their dream and be purposeful,” said Conway. Abby Mcnulty, a sophomore SNHU student, was present at the Last Chapter Pub to hear Stewart’s poetry. Mcnulty enjoyed that Stewart’s performance included participation from the audience. “We didn’t just sit and listen the whole time. She asked all of us questions and got people talking,” Mcnulty said. Mcnulty, along with the other students who attended the event, enjoyed the positive messages Stewart portrayed through her slam poetry. “I like that she had a lot to say about positive relationships and how we should leave toxic people out of our lives,” Mcnulty said. “It is important to focus on ourselves before anyone else.” Stewart’s poetry spread a message to everyone in the audience to respect themselves and everyone on campus.

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THE LARGEST ART THEFT IN THE WORLD LEFT UNSOLVED Julia Carolan Staff Writer

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underworld that in exchange for stolen artwork, criminals are given a “get out of jail free” card. This myth is the basis for Kurkjian’s theory that the art was not stolen to be resold or for personal reasons; rather, it was stolen to get someone out of a jail sentence. The question is, who was trying to strike a deal with this artwork? After 25 years, the case has gone cold. Kurkjian and the authorities have different suspects, but he said that both lists include a lot of people who have passed on. When asked whether or not he thought the paintings were ruined or gone by an attendee, Kurkjian explained that the facts tell him they are gone, but his heart says they’re still out there and could be found. “If this [stolen art] was something from the 2004 World Series, Boston citizens would be out in the streets with torches and pitchforks,” Kurkjian joked. He believes the best way to get more tips on the stolen art

knowledge any car buyer should know before stepping into a dealership. Calculate monthly payments in advance. The price online is not an accurate representation of how much it will cost to buy a car. The dealership will bargain and the price will either increase or decrease, which impacts the monthly payments as well. Consider the amount that is being financed, the interest rate, and the loan terms. For help with the calculations refer to onlineloancalculator.org. Consider the hidden fees. Dealerships charge fees that may not be considered. For instance, taxes, registration fees, delivery charges, and will most

likely offer add-ons such as warranties and credit life insurance. One way to ensure the lowest payment is to do research. Shop around and see where the lowest interest rates are. Having a longer loan repayment means a lower monthly payment but can outlive the car itself and will include more interest. To learn more about hidden fees and negotiating tips refer to autotrader.com and search for the article “Hidden Costs of Buying a New Car.” Consider leasing instead of buying. There are mixed reviews on leasing cars. Leasing is a way to have lower loan payments, as customers are only paying for the depreciation and not the total of that car. While it is more difficult to calculate the monthly payment of a leased car because payments are determined by the cars’ depreciation, there are calculators that will give a close estimation. To examine these monthly rates, go to calculator. net/auto-lease-calculator.html. Car buying is an important and expensive decision that requires a lot of research. Don’t dive into financing a new or used car without considering the effect it will have on budgets.

TAKE TIME BEFORE YOU SIGN

thecarconnection.com

Amy Sumsion Staff Writer Buying a car, while exciting, is a decision that takes planning. Aside from examining safety features, look, technology, and gas efficiency it is just as important to consider the financial aspects of financing a car. According to Edmunds. com, in 2014, the average price for buying a used car was $16,800 and continues to rise. For students considering buying a used car, it is important to consider the expense and the possibility of managing more debt on top of student loan payments and other financial obligations. There is some basic

Public Affairs

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In Boston, Massachusetts on Mar. 18, 1990, St. Patrick’s Day festivities were still going strong at midnight when two Boston police officers rang the side doorbell to the Isabelle Gardner Museum. Although no one was allowed in after closing, these police officers claimed they were at the museum to investigate a disturbance. The two guards on duty that night, one of whom was on his first night of the job, didn’t see anything wrong with letting the officers in. That is, until the officers revealed they weren’t Boston police officers and tied up the two guards with duct tape before throwing them in basement. A collection of art work worth 500 million dollars collectively was stolen that night: the largest art theft the world has ever seen. The case remains unsolved; this only leaves 25 years’ worth of conspiracies in place of

an answer. Stephen Kurkjian, threetime Pulitzer Prize winner, and investigative reporter came to Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Walker Auditorium on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. to share his thoughts on the heist. Kurkjian followed the Gardner case for 10 years as a reporter for the Boston Globe. After speaking with the federal authorities, the guards on duty that night, and some of Boston’s most notorious criminals, Stephen Kurkjian wrote a book on his Isabelle Gardner Museum theory. Myles Connor was arrested after he and his gang tried to sell stolen artwork from the Museum of Fine Arts to an undercover cop. Connor told the federal authorities that he can get the art back in exchange for freedom. The authorities agreed and Myles gave them the painting. He ended up getting extra time in jail for the stolen art, but a myth started in Boston’s

is to find a way to connect with the people of Boston. According to him, people should have taken this crime more personally. “These paintings were supposed to inspire our children and our grandchildren. Someone took that away from them,” Kurkjian

said. More information on Stephen Kurkjian’s theory and the History of the Isabelle Gardner Museum can be found in his book, “Master Thieves: The Boston Gangsters Who Pulled Off the World’s Greatest Art Heist.”

wadjda ends fall Films Kamila Ataee Staff Writer

Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) School of Arts and Science presented a Saudi Arabian movie, Wadjda in Dec. 7 at the Walker Auditorium. Vanessa Rocco, assistant professor of art history, and Deborah Varat, the chair professor at the Department of Art and Science, hosted the event. A good amount of undergraduate and graduate students came to watch the movie. “They have generally increased in attendance over the last three years. I think it is safe to say that last night was the most successful single film in the series that I can recall. We believe there were approximately 60-70 people in attendance,” said Rocco. In Saudi Arabia, three dominant factors, the legal, the social and the economic influenced the current situation of Saudi women. The Saudi law requires women to follow the Sharia/Islamic law, which has two main sources, Qur’an and Sunnah (the practices and ways of Prophet Mohammad’s life), maintain socially conservative and work at the low level jobs. Haifaa Al-Mansour is the first

female film director who portrays the gender struggle in Saudi Arabia through her first movie, Wadjda. Wadjda is a 10-year-old girl, living in Riyadh, the capital city, with her mother. Her father wants to leave her mother for a second wife. On the other hand, Wadjda tries to find a way to experience freedom. The movie ended with a brief discussion. Students shared their opinions on what they thought about the movie. “I thought the movie brought to light a lot of the restrictions that women have in many parts of Saudi Arabia. I really liked how simple the story line was, but was also intense bringing up serious issues that women face, not just in Saudi Arabia but other countries as well,” said senior Emily Shupp. “I was especially pleased that approximately ten students raised their hands when I asked about what made Wadjda “relatable” to us despite being from a very different culture,” said Rocco. The School of Arts and Sciences will continue the film series for the spring semester as well. “This is not the last film we show you, we are going to have our film series for the spring semester, too,” said Rocco.

Nicole Kenney Copy Editor

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As the spring semester approaches, 2016 is quickly coming to a close. That’s right, the “Year of Realizing Stuff,” sadly, has to end. The year started with a bang as Mattel announced a wider variety of body types and skin tones for Barbie. Petite, tall, and curvy Barbie dolls of different skin tones were set to release along with new outfits to match each body type. In February, Beyoncé lit up the Super Bowl 50 stage with her unforgettable halftime show performance; additionally, Lady Gaga slayed the audience and sang the National Anthem. Later, Lady Gaga was announced that she’ll perform at the 2017 Super Bowl halftime show. Finally, a reason to actually watch sports. In March, the day everyone was waiting for finally happened: Leo got his Oscar! For those who have been living under a rock, Leonardo DiCaprio won his first Oscar after living 23 years as nothing more than a worthless Oscar-Nominee. The summer got the ground shaking as Pokémon GO gave a reason for basement dwellers to leave their homes and partake in physical activity. Truly astonishing.

Soon after the release of Pokémon GO, Kim Kardashian completely wrecked Taylor Swift in the historic #KimExposedTaylorParty when Kim posted a video of Taylor lying about allegations against Kanye West. Snake! 2016 marked the Tenth Anniversary of My Chemical Romance’s album The Black Parade. They stirred up their old fan base and released MCRX: the complete track list from The Black Parade plus 11 unreleased demos. Bust out those checkered fingerless gloves and tissues! In October, Phil Collins (you know, the guy behind the killer soundtrack of Tarzan) released a statement that he has ended his retirement after a six year stretch of not producing music. His next tour has already been announced. Additionally, the numbers of tigers, manatees, and pandas are growing. For tigers, this is the first sign of increase in a century. More recently, the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline protests gained a victory when the Department of the Army announced how it would not allow the pipeline to be drilled this close to the Missouri River. They declared how they will look for alternative routes. This year saw a ton of high points, so 2017 better saddle up because 2016 brought some serious competition.

the worst of 2016 Gabriel Carrio A&E Editor

The Ugly Truth

the best of 2016

OPINION news

Well, 2016 is about to reach its end. Now that it’s coming to a close, I suppose now is as good a time as any to take a look back and remember just the worst the year had to offer. There was no shortage of disappointments. For starters, Leo finally won an Oscar! That’s a good thing, but the disappointing part about it is that he didn’t cry. At all. Leo showed NO emotion in response to his long-deserved award, and instead went on to talk about global warming for a little longer than was called for. Just terrible. Second, we lost so many talented musicians! David Bowie, Prince, and Christina Grimmie all lost their lives this year, one from cancer, the other from drugs, and the other from being shot. Every death was a tragedy, and with each announcement of the fallen stars the hearts of fans sank further and further. Third, keeping with the theme of the previous, we lost Alan Rickman. Everyone’s favorite potions master died to pancreatic cancer this year, and fans of the actor were heartbroken, myself included.

Fourth, despite the legendary meme status he’s reached, the death of Harambe was an irrefutable tragedy. The Cincinnati Zoo’s treasured gorilla was put down in order to safely rescue a child that had fallen into his enclosure, leaving the zoo itself traumatized, and the Internet in an outrage. Fifth, another tragedy (man, there were a lot of them this year), was the Istanbul airport attack. Supposedly perpetrated by ISIS, 45 innocent people were killed and 230 were injured by three terrorists wielding automatic weapons and explosive belts in the Atatürk Airport. The perpetrators also died, so I guess that’s a plus. And of course, how could I end this article without mentioning the presidential election. I won’t take sides, since I don’t need to have either party yelling at me (I hate being yelled at). What I will say, though, is that neither candidate was ideal for the position, and first-time voters such as myself got screwed for their first election. Four years from now, I wonder who will be on the ballot. And I wonder if it will be as tragic (Look! Another tragedy!).

recurring registration nightmares Ginny Fagan Staff Writer

available to me that fit into my program evaluation were few and far between, and all of them were full. What was I supposed to do now? As an English Language and Literature major, I never expected there would only be one English or Literature class that wasn’t already full. A friend on campus mentioned that because a lot of underclassmen skip taking their general education or lower level “easy” major courses until they are juniors and seniors, it creates a cycle of current underclassmen not being able to take the classes they need at the time that would best fit to their needs. I understand that the cycle exists, but can nothing be done about it? I can only imagine what it would be like for someone trying to receive an Associate’s Degree, who has even less time than me. I tried making an ap-

pointment with my advisor, but around registration time it proved to be difficult. The woman at the front desk offered walk-in hours, which, due to my schedule, I could not attend. As

Her Campus

Registration is a stressful time for students; choosing classes for the next semester is not an easy task. Being a transfer student, I have registered for classes on my own before, but my first registration at Southern New Hampshire University was one I will never forget. Before my registration date, I had chosen the classes I wanted to take as well as a few backups, just in case. As registration opened for students with more credits than I had, I watched as the available number of seats in my preferred courses went down. About half of the seats in each of my classes had been filled. I wasn’t too worried, though. Half of the seats were still available for me to take. The morning of my registration date, I woke up 15 min-

utes before registration opened. I took a look at my preferred courses and began to worry. One of the classes I’d chosen only had 6 seats left, and another was down to 4. Finally, registration opened, and as soon as the clock read 7:30 a.m. I pressed the submit button. My webpage began loading, and loading, and loading... Eventually, it crashed, telling me to close my browser and open the page again. While I was waiting for my computer to reopen the browser, I knew I had missed out on those classes with only a few seats left. Once everything was back up and running, I viewed my list again. I had been registered for one class on my list, but everything else was now full. With the exception of one, every single class I had spent hours choosing was unavailable to me. I was tired, frustrated, but most of all, angry. The classes

of now, I have not met with my advisor, and am slightly worried that the classes I was forced into registering for do not make the most sense for me and my future.

arts andnews entertainment Burn your break with these winter HiTS

Mustapha R. Price Staff Writer

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No holiday season is complete without blockbuster games. Especially if you’re a student, you might find yourself needing a game or two to kill time over break. Let’s dive right in and look at some of the biggest titles you should be playing this holiday season. First and foremost, after a ten-year development cycle, fans of the critically acclaimed “Final Fantasy” series should rejoice. “Final Fantasy XV” has finally launched, and to quite the acclaim. This game, known for its large open world and emphasis on the relationship between its main party, has held fast as the topic of conversation. If you’re looking for a game to pore yourself into over break, this is it. In the mood for a more thor-

oughly challenging experience? Be careful what you wish for because “Super Mario Maker For Nintendo 3DS” is now available. The Wii U title that changed the face of our favorite plumber’s franchise has now gone handheld, meaning you can torture yourself on the go. From giant flying Bowsers to Piranha Plants falling from the sky, you’ll never be able to stop moving in this user-generated dungeon of wellcrafted levels. Interested in adding a bit more strategy to your life? While “Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft” is far from new, its newest expansion, “Mean Streets of Gadgetzan” just launched, giving players the opportunity to battle with over 100 new cards. With this game reaching its height user-base, it’s a better time than ever before to jump into one of the biggest collectible

All The Ugly and Wonderful Things

card games on mobile and PC. “Furi” was previously reviewed in the Penmen Press, and though it’s not a new game, it is launching this month on Xbox One. If you missed out on a chance to try this incredibly balanced action game, a whole new world of possibilities is being opened for you. Finally, if you’re looking for something a bit more “in the theme” of this season, “Steep” is an open world winter sports game developed by Ubisoft. Unconventional? Yes. But the formula still finds a way to be unique and fun, despite being based on something as niche as winter sports. The options for a gamer hungry for adventure are as plentiful as ever, thanks to the launch of numerous incredible titles. Have a happy holiday, and happy gaming!

Brenda walks in on her niece being sexual with him after finding Wavy’s parents shot dead. From here ensues the fight for Wavy to be with the man she loves and cares for. At times, it’s easy to forget how young Wavy is when she’s taken care of herself for seven years, but there is always the lingering discomfort of knowing that they’re eleven years apart in age. Greenwood does a clean job of showing their relationship in a way that makes you want them to be together when things fall apart. Particular yet small details make their relationship sincere, like how Kellan is the only person who is allowed to touch Wavy in any way and she’ll give more than one-word responses to only him. The variety of narration is handled well, despite the large set of players in this novel. Greenwood has mastered the art of managing multiple points of view. Every narrator is unique, and you can tell them each apart easily with little cues. Kellan’s is most easily identified for the poor grammar in his prose: “I couldn’t hardly hear anything Snake Girl said.” The only points of view that are difficult to tell apart are Amy and Leslie’s, Brenda’s children, but they’re not incredibly key characters to the story. Each point of view also holds its own swell of concrete details to keep you present in the action; it’s hard to be bored with it. This is a novel that will make you question the way you view relationships, and it will absolutely make you squirm while reading it.

Laurelann Easton Copy Editor

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Bryn Greenwood’s first novel, “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things,” strikes readers with a tale of unusual love that makes you question the way you see relationships. The story is woven with various points of view of those who know Wavonna “Wavy” Quinn from the time she is six years old until she is 21, with Wavy narrating her own story at times. Wavy is a girl born to two drug addicts who are constantly evading the law. When things get tight or her parents just want to get away with friends, Wavy and her younger brother Donal, are dropped off with their Aunt Brenda, who has two girls and a more normal life that doesn’t fit the strangeness of Wavy and Donal. At the age of six, Wavy watches one of her father’s friends and coworkers wipe out on a motorcycle in their dirt driveway, and her friendship with Kellan begins here. She teaches him about the constellations she has memorized, and he drives her to and from school so that she gets the education her parents don’t care about. By the time she’s thirteen, Wavy is attached to the point that she insists on being his only girl, and he buys her an engagement ring. Kellan is 24, which makes Aunt Brenda uncomfortable and outrageous, though Wavy’s father doesn’t care. Kellan is ripped from Wavy’s life and sentenced to ten years in jail when Aunt

The Palace Theatre Presents "A Christmas Carol"

Nick Klotz Staff Writer

with the tall buildings mimicking the streets of London. Then the cast of townsfolk came out singing and dancing. The choreography was impressive and visually interesting. They even had people up in the windows of the buildings! When the first act was over I was speechless. I let myself be taken on an adventure of wonder and learned a few lessons along the way. The actors gave great performances across the board. Extra praise must be given to George F. Piehl’s Ebenezer Scrooge who

truly stole the show. His performance was emotive, humorous, and heartfelt. The constraints could be felt in certain aspects, however. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, for example, was a tall puppet. While I understood what they were getting at, in execution it ended up looking kind of goofy. “A Christmas Carol” will be running up until December 23. Dates can be found on The Palace Theatre’s website. I would not recommend missing this one.

The Palce Theatre

The Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH opened their production of “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 2. The Charles Dickens classic has become an annual tradition for them. In the story, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. The ghosts reveal to Scrooge the impact of his past, present, and future in the hopes that he may change his ways. The play was truly a treat. It

was lively and filled with an attention to detail that showed the appreciation the theatre has for the source material and its significance to many. My eyes grew wide as a single spot lit up the stage. The loving Narrator hobbled out to first address the audience and feelings of excitement overwhelmed me. The stage was brought to life from the very beginning. The opening number of a collection of Christmas staples, accompanied by the live orchestra, was truly breathtaking. I first noticed the set design,

a & E Holiday newsgift Guide

For the Movie Lover For the Sports Fan

s being just With the holiday it’s time er, rn co e around th out gifts ab to start thinking family. d an ds en fri for your Arts of rs ite Luckily, the wrtai thave and Enter nmen our compiled a list of for ns tio da recommen of all le op pe for s gift mer, sorts. Be them a ga ts fan, or sp a or , hie tec a ing for everywe’ve got someth y shopping, pp ha one. Enjoy, s! and happy holiday

Super Bowl Gold: 50 Years of the Big Game" This book, from the editors of Sports Illustrated, is 336 pages worth of beautiful photography and memorable stories from the past 50 years of the NFL.

“Captain America: Civil War” on Blu-Ray The most recent installment in the Captain America subseries of the MCU, “Civil War” is one of the best Marvel films to date. With new characters and old favorites, it has great action, plot, and keeps moving the giant story that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe along. Preorder for “Dr. Strange” Dr. Strange is going to be on DVD and Blu-Ray, and this film is an incredibly real representation of the mystical side of Marvel comics. Marvel has been rooted in science for quite some time, and when they decided to make the move elsewhere, it truly broke ground.

Google Cardboard This is one of the cheapest ways to get a taste of virtual reality. The best part is it works with any smartphone.

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For the TEchie

Movie Lover’s Journal Your movie lover can be an amateur critic. This will let them keep track of all of the movies they see, or at least 200 of them!

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NFL Ugly Sweater Sold by Amazon, these Christmas sweaters allow the football fan in your life to show off their team spirit during the cold winter. Customizable with any team in the NFL, it’s a great gift for those who can never stop cheering for their team.

iKettle This little gadget is great for the techie who loves coffee or tea throughout the day. Being able to hook up to your smartphone via Bluetooth, the iKettle allows you to set timers, specific heating instructions, and control the kettle from anywhere in the house with a simple tap on your phone.

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Netflix Whether you’re a movie lover or just movie curious, Netflix is the essential gift for any film fan. A subscription will also let you keep track of every Netflick of the Week in the new year!

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Keep it light this Winter with Samsung’s tablet. It’s good for basic word processing and office tasks, as well as games and streaming services like Netflix. If you’re looking for a comfortable, cozy way to enjoy your media this Winter season, this is the device for you.

Tom Brady Plush Perfect for any New England sports fan. Let them go to bed with the quarterback of their dreams.

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FUGOO As a college student, music is vital and nothing is worse than being exposed to a friend or passerby's playlist. Solve this problem by getting the gift of sound this year with the 40-hour battery life and excellent sound packed in the FUGOO Bluetooth Speaker.

“Steep” (PS4, Xbox One, PC) “Steep” is a Winter Sports title developed by Ubisoft. It brings together the best winter sports in an open world setting. Set trails, challenge friends, wear interesting and cool outfits as you ski, snowboard, and glide your way through the alps.

“Film Festival in a Box – The Interactive Movie Game” Presented by indieflix, this game gives you four independent films from the category of your choosing (you choose the genre when you order the box), watch them all with friends, and review them after. Later, you can go online and vote for which films you think were the best. It’s not much of a game, but it lets you watch four indie films with your friends. All proceeds go to the filmmakers, too.

Samsung Annie's Treasure Trove

Amazon Echo Dot The cheaper, and much smaller version of Amazon’s talking assistance robot, the Echo Dot is significantly more affordable while doing almost everything the full-sized Echo can do. Get your techie the gift of a robot underling this holiday season, and there's no doubt that they’ll love you forever.

ProToast MVP Team Logo Toaster This toaster is not only shaped like a football, but it toasts your bread with the logo of your sports fan’s favorite team! Just purchase the toaster of your fan’s favorite team and you have an awesome appliance and sporty knickknack.

a & E Holiday newsgift guide

For the music lover

For the gamer

For the nerd

The Hamilton Mixtape Featuring artists like Sia, John Legend, and Wiz Khalifa, this new album features covers of songs from the musical sensation.

“Until Dawn” (PS4) Play through an interactive cabin-in-the-woods horror game. The decisions you make affect the outcome of the story. This game is great to play with a loved one by passing the controller.

Rubik’s Cube The classic. Any self-respecting nerd should have one of these. Learning to solve it should keep them busy for a while.

“Doom” (PS4, Xbox One, PC) The long awaited “Doom 4,” now rebooted into just “Doom” has high action, great gunplay, and a wonderful mix of themes and elements from 90s and modern games. With over-the-top gore and tons of fun to be had, its a great gift for almost any first-person shooter fan.

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“Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS” (3DS) A must-have for any creative gaming mind. Take the phrase “world building” to the next level, creating interesting and dynamic worlds for local players to enjoy. Also enjoy a lot of unique levels designed by the team at Nintendo.

The Fowndry

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“1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” by Robert Dimery This book showcases the most essential albums any diehard music fan should hear before they die. Published in 2005, it’s a great gift for those who love the classics and need help forming a musical bucket list.

“Hamilton: The Revolution” or “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow Have a Hamilton fanatic on your shopping list but can't shell out the money for a ticket? Do the next best thing and give them two books about and the inspiration to their favorite musical.

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Spotify Premium The opportunity to enjoy a near endless pool of incredible music from soundtracks to albums and much more. This subscription is especially affordable for students, since anyone with a college email address gets the service for half off.

Packs for Hearthstone Allow your nerd friend to awaken their inner tactician in a gaming experience most suited to those who enjoy fastpaced critical thinking, with a light mathematical element to stimulate the mind’s desire to make sequential decisions. Packs for Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft go for 99 cents apiece. Groot USB Car Charger This cute little replica of baby Groot doubles as a dual ported USB phone charger that sits in your car’s cup holder. Perfect for any Marvel fan that also happens to travel a lot!

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Childish Gambino’s “Awaken, My Love!” Childish Gambino's most recent album is the artist’s most different and interesting to date, trading in rap for soulful funk.

The Pizza Protractor For those who can’t stop fighting over the sizes of slices. This little device allows you to cut perfectly even slices every time while also acting as the pizza cutter itself. A must-have for any geek and pizza lover (which should be everyone).

“Pokémon Sun and Moon” (3DS) Sun and Moon rewrite the Pokémon formula. The newest adventure, set in the Alola region, is one of the series’ strongest entries to date, and the tropical setting is a great way to take your mind off the dropping temperature. “Final Fantasy XV” (PS4, Xbox One) After 10 years in development, the newest entry in the Final Fantasy series is finally here, and just in time for the holidays. Play as Prince Noctis on his quest, aided by his three companions/guards, to save his kingdom from ruin and stop the evil empire-next-door. It’s completely unlike previous entries in the series, but it’s beautiful and tons of fun, so it’s worth picking up for the gamer in your life.

2016 Buyer's Guide ''Nice'' List

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Gabe Carrio Nick Klotz Tyler Leighton Mustapha R. Price Addison Thyng Happy Holidays! IGN

Audio Technica LP120 Turntable + twentyonepilots “Blurryface Live” 3 Disc Vinyl Set Music sounds best on vinyl, so why not get your music lover the best format for listening to music? While you’re at it, why not get them the special live version of twentyonepilots’ newest album to help get their vinyl collection started? All this combined is pretty pricey, but it’s for the sake of the music!

PENMEN ABROAD news

SNHU Student Travelled to Africa to Give Back to Children Annie Boghigian Penmen Abroad Editor

experience. “You are suddenly in a new place with no knowledge of the language, culture, or customs. This situation specifically is where you will learn the most about yourself and grow as an individual,” said Menon. Menon continued with, “Travelling will also open your horizons to new concepts, ideas, and beliefs.” She believes everyone has the opportunity to travel internationally if they reach out for help. “If you are ready to take on a new experience and are open to it, there are always opportunities for you to reach your goal. The best advice I could give is to take a chance, because you never know where life may lead you,” said Menon. Ambika Menon is currently in her final year as an Early Childhood Education major at SNHU and will be student teaching in the Spring.

Ambika Menon

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In her semester off of her second year of college, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) senior Ambika Menon was offered an internship in Ho, Ghana at the New Seed International (NSI) nonprofit organization. She was not only a caregiver to orphans and boarding students but also taught in a first grade classroom and volunteered in the free health community clinic. “I loved being completely immersed in the culture and traditions. I lived in the same dorms as the children, ate the same food with them, and had access to all of the same necessities,” said Menon of her experience living in Ghana during her internship. According to NSI’s facebook page, “NSI concentrates specifically on providing care and support for people living with HIV AIDS.” They seek to

reduce the stigma behind HIV AIDS while creating a healthy environment for people in the area. This NSI internship reinforced Menon’s love of teaching. “One thing that my students and friends from Ghana taught me is how important it is to value human life rather than material objects. This is something I feel we lack in our culture and society today, to genuinely value people,” said Menon. Menon also said, “I also had fun exploring the different cities, and going on adventures to explore the beautiful country that is Ghana. Most of all I loved the people, they have made a significant mark on my life. "I have made some really wonderful friends during my travels, connections I know will last a lifetime.” In regards to travelling internationally, Menon recommends it based on the benefits one is able to receive from the

Ambika Menon teaching in a classroom in Ho, Ghana.

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Saying Goodbye to England Gabrielle Grosvenor Contributing Writer

Gabrielle Grosvenor

Gabrielle Grosvenor in London in front of Big Ben.

I return home to the states in just under one month and I feel as though I have just arrived. I have come to learn that this feeling comes routinely during parts of life. Time—we never seem to have enough of it. Looking back, I did not do half of what I wanted to do. I did not travel outrageously; I had conflicting schedules with friends I wanted to connect with; I did not visit Stonehenge (the pile of rocks sitting in the middle of a barren field) but I honestly do not think I missed much there. But that's the thing, you cannot expect to visit a foreign country and do everything on your bucket list. So I never made one. Instead, I just accepted the opportunities that came my way. I went on a trip to Prague with two friends from SNHU and my new friend (also named Gabrielle) from Australia, and a spontaneous trip

back to Florence, which was the first country I studied abroad in. While I'm not itching to go home, I'm ready to get back to a few things. I'd be lying if I said I did not miss my own bed and told my mom the minute she picks me up from the airport we are driving to the greasiest American diner for breakfast. The food here is just so bland. Being the holiday season, it does make me anxious to get home. We made up for missing thanksgiving by cooking our own traditional meal and invited our British friends over for dinner. But I will be happy to spend Christmas with my family. Above all I will miss the friends I have made here. The late night conversations in our kitchen that stem from one crazy topic to another and seem to never end. No one wants to be the one to break things up, even as the clock strikes 3 a.m. As another adventure begins to die down, I anticipate my arrival back to SNHU, excited for what comes next.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS news Flu shots: are they worth it?

Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor

EmpowHer.com

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Flu season. Those dreaded two words that keep people from going about daily business and reduce them to staying away from the people they love. In the United States, flu viruses are most common in the fall and winter months, but an increase in activity can peak between the months of December and March and could last as late as May. That is why it is important to take the necessary precautions when dealing with the flu virus. Flu shots may have some people skeptical if they are actually a proven prevention of the flu. According to Womanâ€™s Day magazine, here are some pros and cons to think about before making the decision to get (or not get) a flu shot. One of the pros is that receiving the flu vaccine cuts the risk of getting the flu by 70%. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a person is 70% less likely to

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exhibit flu-like symptoms (cough, congestion, body aches) after receiving the flu shot. Getting the shot will not cause the flu. The shot itself contains dead viruses, so it is basically impossible to catch the flu by the vaccine itself.

A con of the flu shot is the side effects it may leave behind; these include soreness, redness or selling of the arm. It is possible to experience an achy feeling or low-grade fever after receiving the vaccination. This year, people will

isnâ€™t always the case. Here are some important reminders from the Huffington Post to help students find the balance to stay calm during finals season. Run! Going for a quick 20-minute walk or jog in the outdoors helps to quiet an overactive mind. The cool air is a proven mood booster and

releases feel-good endorphins in the brain. Listen to music. To combat exam stress, take a break and listen to some music. Taking a break with your favorite artist or putting on classical music (even while studying) can help you relax. Take a break from social media. Spending too much time on Facebook and Twitter during exams week can only add to stress levels already lingering. Turn off notifications and focus. Create a calendar. Making a calendar can help to map out everything that needs to get done and give a visual when everything should be completed and help to reduce stress levels. Getting through the stresses of exams is a challenge, but there is no better feeling than writing the final word on the final exam or paper before break begins. Most important tip of all: remember to breathe. Everyone will get through this.

How to survive finals Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor Final exams are right around the corner, which means late night paper writing, studying with tears in the eyes, and a general lack of sleep. Although this is supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, for college students, that

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It's imporant to remain calm during stressful exam periods.

need two vaccines for the flu (seasonal flu and H1N1). H1N1 is the infamous swine flu that can be caught in the same manner as seasonal flu. Although it is nearly impossible to get the flu from the vaccine itself, nothing in life is a guaranteed. That is

why it is important for a person to understand the pros and cons of whether or not to get a flu shot. One of the most important tips in seeking advice about a flu shot is to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before making the decision.

Sports news

ice hockey continues to dominate Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer

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Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) ice hockey season is underway and the team is doing well. Since Nov. 16, the Penmen have gone 5-2, making their overall record 9-3 for the season so far. “The team’s looking real good this year, everyone is on the same page going after the same goal,” said senior forward Nathan Bergeron. “I've never been with a closer group of guys that all want to be successful. It makes the game fun when we have a tight knit group and everyone's playing well.” The weekend after Thanksgiving was the Manchester Police Academy League (PAL) Cup and it proved to be unsuccessful for SNHU. In their first game against Johnson & Wales (J&W), the Penmen were defeated 4-0, snapping a four game win streak, as well as their six game unbeaten streak on home ice. Junior Ryan Slatky made 19 saves in the first, as well as 33 in the following two periods. The Penmen offense, which had scored first in their previous seven games, did prevail in making 22 shots on goal

nior Jay Sylvia and grad student Joe Collins both scored in the second, as well. Both came on powerplays. Less than a minute into the third, Franklin Pierce scored, the first in the game for the Ravens. They scored on a short-handed goal 10 minutes later. Franklin Pierce pulled their goalie for the man advantage, and Sylvia took advantage and scored again for SNHU, earning a 4-2 win. Slatky, earning the starting goalie title, made 26 saves in the game. In a rematch against Suffolk, SNHU earned the win this time. Despite being outshot 45-32, the Penmen earned the 5-2 win. Freshman Jared Goudreau scored twice in the first period. Six minutes into the second, Baylis scored on a powerplay. Suffolk went on to score twice in the period before Baylis scored his second of the game. Goudreau scored in the third period, earning him his first career hat trick. Slatky made 31 saves, which earned him his seventh win this season. The Penmen will play two more games against Polk University and Lebanon Valley College before heading into winter break. They will resume their season Jan. 5 against Westfield State University at 7:30 p.m.

Graduate student, Joe Collins takes to the ice. in the game. The following game the next day was a consolation game against Suffolk University. Suffolk scored three times: once in the first and twice in the second. Senior Michael Busconi scored his first goal of the season and the only goal for SNHU. Suffolk scored two more times before the game ended, leaving SNHU the 5-1 loss. Junior Matthew

MacInnis and freshman Kurt Gutting split their time between the goal. The next three games proved to be more successful for the Penmen. In their game against division rival Saint Anselm, SNHU scored first, one goal by junior Chris Moquin and Busconi. St. Anselm came back to score two unanswered goals, tying the

game. With less than two minutes remaining in the third, junior Timothy Baylis scored a shorthanded goal, earning SNHU the 3-2 win. Slatky earned the win with 47 saves. Against Franklin Pierce University, both teams went scoreless in the first period. Senior Andrew Smith scored first, three minutes into the second. Se-

checking in with coach Catherine LaChance Staff Writer

Unfortunately, Dean received a concussion during their game against Molloy and will be out for the next few games, if not the remainder of the season. In addition to Lorenzen and Dean, the remaining 11 athletes have tremendous talent that provide the Penmen with extensive depth. According to Coach Pinkos, the Penmen have more depth on the team than they ever had before. “Our backcourt of Catherine Stinson, Sara Ryan, and Jennifer Shelp have experience and our youth of Molly Terry, Brianna Camara and Tessa Morrison give us more offensive power,” said Pinkos on the team’s depth. “In the post, we added some depth with two freshmen, Amanda Kelly and Dean to give Lorenzen, Olivia Conrad and Aaliyah Paxton some rest and surprisingly,

these two have given us more than expected this early.” The team has much strength and potential heading into the heat of the season with their in-depth lineup. One of the attributes the team needs to improve on is consistency. “Consistency night in and night out,” Pinkos said. “Lorenzen is scoring her 15-20 per game, but we need consistency out of two to three other players to win night in and night out. We are also giving up too many offensive rebounds in close games. It's been the difference in winning and losing in close games.” The Penmen are looking for a positive showing in the NE-10 conference. The NE-10, especially in basketball, is extremely competitive. Regardless of any team’s record, the Penmen have to be prepared to play to their strengths and to leave every-

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The Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) women’s basketball team is flying high into what could be an immensely successful season. Although their 4-5 record may not show it, the Penmen can shine on the court going into the heat of the season and look to make a statement in the Northeast-10 (NE-10). Head coach Karen Pinkos, who has been coaching the Penmen for eleven years, says that even though their record doesn’t show it, the Penmen have a tremendous presentation of talent. “We have more talent than ever,” said Pinkos. “We are being patient with our youth and understanding that this is a process. I told the players to continue to work hard and compete for 40 mins and suc-

cess will follow.” The team consists of 13 very talented athletes. Leading them are sophomore Kylie Lorenzen and freshman Victoria Dean. Lorenzen and Dean are the team’s leading score-makers, racking up between 15-20 points per game. Coach Pinkos is very impressed with their scoring results. She said that Lorenzen and Dean are very talented athletes who put their all in every game. She is especially pleased with how these two players are young and have time to continuously grow as players and deliver their talents to the team for years to come. “They are both solid contributors with Dean being our 2nd leading scorer as a freshmen,” she said about Lorenzen and Dean. “The top 2 scorers on our team are a sophomore and a freshmen: this is good for our program!”

Coach Pinkos thing on the court. “I believe come January if at full strength and everyone is healthy, we will be one of the toughest teams to beat,” Pinkos added. Coach Pinkos and the Penmen hit the road before break with visits to Felician University on Dec. 14 and Merrimack College on Dec. 18.