Setonian May 2018 Graduation Magazine

MAY 3, 2018

SETONIAN VOLUME 99

Inside this issue:

MAY GRADUATION ISSUE

SETONIANONLINE.COM

Siblings in sports, Centennial awards & fun summer activities

Foreword

Welcome to the May graduation issue for 2018! This year has been flying past us so quickly and it’s suddenly graduation. In all honesty, it felt as though the time would never come where I would be walking across that stage, because I was doing what I loved and not thinking about that moment.

I hope you enjoy all of the hard work that our writers and section editors have put into this issue. It’s been an honor to see how dedicated the team is to the Setonian and how much time goes into each article.

Please sit back and enjoy what this issue has to offer.

The time for transition has come and I am so excited to see how the upcoming co-editors do. Over the years I have watched both Paige and Haley grow as journalists and I couldn’t be prouder to see them succeed. I know that I’m leaving the Setonian in exceptional hands.

I want to say a big thank you to Calli for always being there and keeping me on track. It’s going to be great walking with you during graduation. Also, I would like to thank all of our section editors who are moving in and up next semester. Annie, Steve and Austin, I can see how dedicated you all are to journalism and I thank you for getting involved.

Lastly, I want to thank our advisor, Dr. Jerz, for allowing me to grow over the past four years.

I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for that push. I have learned more than I ever could’ve imagined and I’m so thankful I was able to be a part of Seton Hill’s news publication.

So fellow Griffins, it’s a time for celebration. I hope each graduate reading this will remember their own wonderful memories, their own late nights and early mornings, their own surprise friendships and their own numerous prayers for a spot in A lot. Each memory is important and special because this is our college experience. There’s only one way to go and that’s up. Hazard yet forward Griffins!

Setonian May Magazine 2018 Staff Editor-in-Chief: Laramie Cowan

Social media coordinators: Haley

Assistant Editor: Callista Arida

Carnahan & Paige Parise

Online Editor: Paige Parise

Layout staff: Haley Carnahan, Callista

News Section Editor: Haley Carnahan

Arida, Laramie Cowan, Andrea Meyers,

Lifestyle & Entertainment Section

Paige Parise, Stephen Dumnich & Tommy

Editor: Andrea Meyers

Sekunda

Athletics Section Editor: Merritt Bailey

Advertisement Staff: Luke Lewis &

Staff writers: Austin Shaw, Olivia

Andrea Meyers

Schultz, Danisha Rogers, Stephen Dumnich, Advisor: Dennis G. Jerz, associate professor Charlotte Mango & Joe Cillo

of English

Cartoonist: Rebecca Scassellati

Cover photo: Stephen Dumnich

Contributors: Tommy Sekunda, Mark

Featured in cover photo, left to right:

Nealon & Hannah Zunic

Emily Scrabot, Crystal Joyce, Gabby

Photographers: Dymphena Clark

Giovenco & Tyler Duck

Setonian Magazine

What’s New This Issue

Centennial grants and recognition.......................4 SHU Model UN travels to NYC...............................6 Senior Seminar classes serve community..............8 SHU serves up a BBQ............................................9 SHU Athletics: Siblings in sports..........................10 Equestrian team wins region..............................14 Pittsburgh Penguins play for Stanley Cup............14 Comic: Griffin Tips...............................................17 Graduating Setonian staff shout-outs..................18 Top 10 TV shows to binge....................................20 Giving politics a second chance...........................22 SHU travels to Pittsburgh for Mystery Trip..........24 Infographic: The class of 2018.............................25 Preparing for graduation.................................... 26 Reading program book becomes movie..............28 The ten alternative facts of SHU..........................30 Seven activities to enjoy during summer.............32 Preview of “Godspell”.........................................34 We welcome “Letters to the Editor” to provide an opportunity for readers to express their opinions in short letters.

We also accept guest editorials for readers to express their opinions in a longer format. All submissions must be signed and a telephone number included for verification. Submissions will be edited for style, spelling, grammar, libel, length and appropriateness. Names will not be withheld. Send submissions by email to setonian@gmail.com. Opinions expressed in “Letters to the Editor,” and other columns and cartoons are not necessarily the opinion of the editors or staff of ​t​he Setonian.​The Setonian is a separate entity from Seton Hill. Topics presented and opinions expressed within this publication are not endorsed by Seton Hill University.

News Section

SHU centennial brings in m of Distinction recognizes our partnership with the Sisters of Charity and celebrates their pioneering vision to charter a four-year college and their inspiring leadership that continues to permeate and advance all we do at the university.”

The centennial year began with a kickoff ceremony in January, where it was announced that a seven-figure donation would be made as well as funds to start a nursing program at SHU. Grant Verstandig, grandson of Ruth O’Block Grant, who is a SHU board of trustees’ chair, pledged Robert Brownlee poses next to a photo of his late aunt, Sr. Francesca Brownlee, the a seven-figure donation to create first dean of Seton Hill. Photo from setonhill.edu the Ruth O’Block Grant Endowed As seniors countdown the days until graduation, they Scholarship Program. will be counting down the days for a very historic moment “I am especially delighted that The Ruth O’Block at Seton Hill University. On May 12, graduating members Grant Scholarship will provide student recipients with a from the Class of 2018 will walk across the stage, accept- comprehensive program to advance leaders in the areas of ing their diplomas and looking toward their futures as the entrepreneurship, business, health and technology,” said 100th graduating class at SHU. Finger in a press release. “Select sophomore, junior and Two students graduated from Seton Hill, then a college, at the first commencement in 1919. Those graduates were Othelia Averman Vogel and Maria Caveney Coolahan, both receiving a Bachelors in Music. Now, 100 years, countless degrees and many innovations later, SHU, named a university in 2002, is saying farewell to 334 students as they walk away with degrees in 35 fields.

This year’s commencement will not only be remembered as the 100th but also as the year that The President’s Medal of Distinction was awarded for the third time in SHU’s history. Sister Catherine Meinert, the provisional superior of the Sisters of Charity, will be accepting the medal on behalf of the Sisters, who founded the University in 1918.

“The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill remain extraordinary partners in our shared mission to educate students in the tradition of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton to think and SHU President Mary Finger, far right, poses with Bishop act critically, creatively and ethically as productive memEdward C. Malesic, Ruth Grant and Sr. Catherine Meinert, bers of society committed to transforming the world,” said from left to right perspectively, for a photo at the centenMary Finger, SHU president, in a press release. “As Seton nial kickoff in January. Photo by C.Arida/Setonian.

Hill celebrates its 100-year history, The Presidential Medal

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Setonian Magazine

major grants and recognition senior students will be identified for their leadership ability and academic achievements and participate in distinctive opportunities.”

That same day it was announced that Daniel Wukich, a member of the SHU board of trustees, had provided start-up costs to begin a bachelor’s degree in nursing. That process still has to undergo state approvals, which the University hopes to have completed within the year.

The kickoff officially launched the “Centennial Campaign for Scholarships,” with the hopes that by the end of the centennial year, SHU will have 100 new or increased student scholarships. According to Jennifer Reeger, director of media relations, that number stands at around 60, four months into the year. In addition to the major gift made by Verstandig, SHU announced a million-dollar donation back in February. Robert Brownlee, the nephew of the late Sr. Francesca Brownlee, who served as the institution’s first dean, pledged a $1,018,000 gift to create the first mathematics center at SHU and create the Robert M. Brownlee Endowed Scholarship.

“The Robert M. Brownlee Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide financial aid to students enrolled in the study of entrepreneurship, business administration, management, business ethics, cybersecurity and data analytics,” said Finger in a press release. “We are delighted the Brownlee Scholarship will provide capable students with the resources they need to achieve an education of the highest quality.”

Also announced in February was the dedication of the Rose M. O’Brien Center for Campus Ministry in honor of the late mother of Sr. Maureen O’Brien, directory of campus Ministry at SHU. The dedication was made possible by a gift from Catherine Murray Ryan and her husband John T. Ryan III, SHU benefactors and long-time family friends of the O’Brien’s.

Centennial celebrations will continue through the summer with the burial of a time capsule on June 3, during Alumni Weekend, and into the fall semester with the awarding of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal on Sept. 13, the eve of Seton’s canonization. The medal was created by the SHU Alumni Association in 1959 and was awarded for the first time in 1963 to Rose F. Kennedy, mother of John F. Kennedy.

Sr. Maureen O’Brien, director of Campus Ministry, accepts the dedication of the Campus Ministry in honor of her late mother, Rose M. O’Brien. Photo from setonhill.edu.

SHU’s centennial year isn’t just about looking back at the past 100 years but also looking toward the future and the next 100 years. SHU announced on March 14 plans to build a new 145-bed residence hall, which will be located near the existing Brownlee, DeChantal and Farrell Halls.

Also in March, SHU was recognized as one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction, which requires that colleges adhere to engaged students, great teaching, a vibrant community and successful outcomes.

“Seton Hill University is pleased to be named a College of Distinction for its innovative approaches to teaching and learning that are grounded in both career preparation and the liberal arts,” said Finger in a press release. “As Seton Hill celebrates its Centennial, we continue to look for new ways to educate our students in the best traditions of the University’s founders, the Sisters of Charity, and ensure our graduates are, in the words of Elizabeth Ann Seton, ‘fit for that world in which they are destined to live.’”

CALLISTA ARIDA is a senior communication major with a minor in journalism. She enjoys drinking coffee and playing with cats in her spare time.

Layout by C.Arida /Setonian.

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News Section

SHU Model United Nations wins delegation award

The Seton Hill University Model United Nations team won an Honorable Mention Delegation Award for their work at the Model United Nations conference in March.

SHU students Matthew Comito, Carrie Ellis, Mark Nealon, Paris Szalla, Rodrigo Contreras, Matthew Alexander, Ariana Venero-Rodriguez and Gina Scarsellato traveled to New York City with advisor Roni Kay O’Dell to represent Belize at the United Nations Headquarters.

“It was super exciting,” O’Dell said. “The students really just went above and beyond to represent their country, to make sure they were in the role of their country and that they represented Belize as they would be.”

The eight students were a part of seven committees that discussed different global issues, such as climate change, denuclearization and migration. O’Dell, an assistant professor of political science, started the SHU Model UN two years ago.

“They really tried hard to negotiate and to get their resolutions passed and work with others,” O’Dell said.

“They also followed the Seton Hill mission in doing that, thinking about making the world a better place and changing the world.”

The conference lasted for four days. Students work from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in a “fast-paced environment” to

discuss resolutions within their committees of 200 to 300 other students.

“It’s an all-day situation,” O’Dell said. “It’s a really intensive experience, but it really gives them the experience that people actually have when they are working at the United Nations.”

Each country sends a delegate who lives in New York to represent the country at the United Nations to speak with the student delegation. Students also had a briefing from the Sisters of Charity Mission to the UN, a nongovernmental organization, to talk about all the different world positions students should think of when they work in the conference.

“They learn very quickly how to work with others,” O’Dell said. “The committee breaks down into groups so usually you’re working with about 20 people, but you’re working with 20 people that you’ve never met before. You have no idea who they are, sometimes there’s a language barrier, so you have to figure out in very short time how to work with these people, how to create a resolution.”

The United Nations, including the General Assembly and the UN Security Council, is an intergovernmental organization that is a collective security organization. It brings 193 member countries together yearly to discuss how they

The SHU team won the Honorable Mention Delegation Award for their work in their committee delegation and diplomacy skills at the conference.

The students participated in the Model UN at the UN headquarters in New York City. The building has served as the official headquarters since 1952.

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Setonian Magazine

The 2018 SHU Model Un team poses for a photo; from left to right, Matthew Comito, Mark Nealon, Rodrigo Contreras, Paris Szalla, Carrie Ellis, Ariana Venero-Rodriguez, Roni Kay O’Dell, Gina Scarsellato and Matthew Alexander.

can work together to adcommittees.

Students “[The students] also followed the Seton have to get into contact dress shared threats.

Each college that Hill mission statement... thinking about with other delegations signs up to be a delegathat they know have tion in the Model UN is as- making the world a better place and shared interests. signed a country. Each del“They learn how to changing the world.” egation team researches strategically think about and becomes an expert on goals and how to get to the political and economic their goals,” O’Dell said. systems and what kinds of positions that country would The SHU Model UN meets once a week from Sephave on all of the different issues. tember until the conference and can be a part of the politi“You have to know everything there is to know about cal science and global studies majors. They learn about the the country,” O’Dell said.

UN and how to write position papers until they get their Once they’ve researched their country, students country in November. then have to write a position paper to submit to the con“It’s really a prestigious conference, and we were ference in February on the committees they’ve chosen to very lucky to get in the last two years,” O’Dell said. “It gives be a part of. All the different delegations read these papers the students a really good notion that what they’re learnto strategize who they can work with, which is what hap- ing is going to be really applicable in their life once they pens in real life. go onto their careers. In whatever they do, really, because “It really puts their work into perspective,” O’Dell they learn negotiation and diplomacy and written and oral said. “What they’re researching in the classroom really skills. It’s a great experience.” is something that is important in real life. When they go HALEY CARNAHAN is a junior to the conference, they realize that people are working journalism major from North on this in real life and trying to figure out the answers to Huntingdon, Pa. She loves music, these questions.” theatre and Spider-man.

After the students write their position papers, they start working on resolutions and start meeting in their

-Roni Kay O’Dell

Photos courtesy of R.O’Dell. Layout by H.Carnahan/Setonian.

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News Section

Centennial classes serve SHU community

Boxes were labeled by the person who donated the items and were stacked along SHU’s walls. Photo courtesy of C.Joyce.

Seton Hill University’s 100th senior graduating class is wrapping up their senior year. With graduation close, different senior seminar classes took part in projects to give back to the Greensburg and SHU community. Two projects included were the 100 SHU boxes and Greensburg block party.

“We wanted to make it so everyone felt involved, and you won’t be involved if you don’t like what you’re doing, so we wanted to see what everyone really liked to do. Everyone wanted to do something that gave back and kind of involved the community and Seton Hill,” senior Crystal Joyce said.

David Droppa’s Senior Integrative Seminar class took on the 100 SHU boxes project, with Joyce and DeShaun Herzog as student leaders for the project, benefitting the Westmoreland County Food Bank.

“I came up with the idea to do 100 boxes because it’s the 100th year for Seton Hill,” Joyce said. It was to commemorate Elizabeth Ann Seton and the education the students were given.

Joyce, a senior business administration human resource with a minor in finance, said they started it “so that we can give back to the community, kind of make everyone work together and then kind of give back, and then we’re also going to make it tangible by going and volunteering.”

Though the food bank doesn’t have any spots to fill for them to volunteer there, the group planned going to

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Layout by L.Cowan/Setonian.

Feeding the Spirit, or another food place downtown where they cook the food for the people.

Though they didn’t quite reach 100 boxes, the group really tried to help bring everyone together. “We did hit 57 boxes plus 400 and some dollars worth of donations that we’re going to give all to the WCFB,” Joyce said. “Which I think ends up being close to like 90 or 80, high 80’s number like if you’d make that number of money donations into boxes, so really close. I’m super proud of my class for what they did.”

Droppa’s class has made a competition of it, giving a pizza party to the club/team that donated the most.

Brownlee third floor is getting a pizza party for donating the most.

Droppa said they were amazing: “They are smart, focused and had real passion for two things: participating as students in Seton Hill’s 100-year anniversary celebration, and helping to meet the needs of food hunger for residents of Westmoreland County, so that’s where the project name, ‘100 SHU Boxes’ came from.”

“This project is evidence that a small group of dedicated, hard-working students can do something to change the world for people who are less fortunate. It has been a tremendous pleasure working with them,” Droppa said.

Another senior seminar class that gave back to the Greensburg and SHU community was Zari Price’s group, who organized the Greensburg block party that was held on April 15.

With the Seton Hill step team, SHU commercial band and many community bands straight from Greensburg at the block party, 150 individuals were able to attend to enjoy the raffles, art vendors, music and entertainment provided.

“We wanted to find a way to reach out to the community and to also improve Seton Hill’s relationship with the community and the best way to do that in as much planning time as we did was take a baby step forward and through a big party for them,” said Price, who was the student leader for her senior seminar group.

Price was optimistic in the programming board or someone taking on the block party in the future. “We do have a bunch of stuff that happens in the fall, but not a lot happens in the spring for the community. Like in the fall we have a tailgate and all that stuff, so it’d be nice to have something like this in the springtime not only just

Setonian Magazine for families, but anybody can go and hopefully it’ll be a gap between Seton Hill and the community. There’s often lot bigger the next time someone decides to take on a divide, but she feels the projects helped. something like this,” Price said.

ANNIE MEYERS is a sophomore jour Joyce said she’s proud of what they got to learn, nalism-new media major. She enjoys how to improve and what their strengths and weaknesses reading, writing and participating in are, and she’s proud of this last experience with SHU. Joyce theater in her free time and would like wanted to express her thanks to SHU and Greensburg for to someday write a novel about her life all they’ve done. She said she’s proud of what she’s done experiences. for this project because sometimes it’s hard to bridge the

SHU celebrates end of school year Texas-style

Seton Hill University celebrates its third annual “The event changes as we have through the years, Griffin’s Community Day, an end of year celebration, on but I hope the constant is that this big family can gather May 3. “This is meant for our community to come together, around the table, break some bread and make some enjoy some good food and smiles that will leave a kind of say farewell to another lasting memory,” said Darren school year on the Hill,” said Achtzehn, director of food Elise Michaux, director of services at SHU. student involvement at SHU.

Achtzehn and the

Michaux has high dining services staff helped hopes for this year’s to organize the event and community day theme, which create a Texas BBQ. To is a Texas-style BBQ. “We like add to the southern vibe, to outdo ourselves every Achtzehn invited a local year,” Michaux said. “We band, “The Country Strings” like to challenge ourselves to to perform during the event. come up with something a The band, led by Dave Lang, little different.” a professional caller, will

Located in the perform as students dust off recently renovated Lowe their line dancing skills.

Dining Hall, activities will

“Faculty, staff and begin at 4 p.m. “We are students are welcome to encouraging everyone to attend, bring your SHU I.D. wear their best Texan outfit SHU students gathered in McKenna gym for last year’s griffin so that we know you are a and those who are best community day. Photo courtesy of E.Michaux. part of the group,” Michaux dressed, a guy and a gal, will said. “I’m really excited receive a prize,” Michaux said. about [the community day]. I think it will be something

Among the food and festivities, those who feel that everybody enjoys.” daring enough can take on the mechanical bull challenge.

CALLISTA ARIDA is a senior Yes, you read that right. Through Entertainment Avenue, communication major with a minor SHU has rented a mechanical bull for a real “southern” in journalism. She enjoys drinking challenge. In celebrating SHU’s centennial, riders will be coffee and playing with cats in her challenged to hold on for 100 seconds. That’s one minute spare time. and 40 seconds. A prize will be awarded to anyone who can stay on the longest.

Layout by C.Arida/Setonian.

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Athletics Section

Seton Hill University sports s Sophia & Sylvia Grack - Women’s Lacrosse

Years: Senior and Freshman Majors: Human Resources/Marketing and Political Science/Global Studies Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania What influenced you to choose Seton Hill?

Sophia: “I was approached by the head coach, Courtney Grove, and my club coach brought up this school to me as well, and I was kind of interested in it. Then I came on campus, met the girls and I just knew I wanted to come here.”

Sylvia: “Not just lacrosse, but definitely her influence.

Me visiting all the years she was in college and I was in high school, and hanging out with the team, getting close with all the people she was close with, and just kind of creating bonds with people.”

What is it like to be able to play on the same team as your sister in college?

Pictured: Sophia and Sylvia Grack. Photo courtesy of Sophia Grack.

Sophia: “I really, really enjoy it. I’m really going to miss her next year. I love having her there. I think it’s nice to have somebody who pushes you and you want to do better for and they want to do better for you. It’s nice too, because at the end of the day, we’re not just teammates, we’re also sisters. I love having her here.”

Sylvia: “I couldn’t have said it any better.”

Do you have any favorite memories of playing lacrosse together?

Sophia: “When we got to go to Florida together for spring break, that was a really good memory that we had together just because we could experience spring break together. The highs, the lows and everything in between. Our family came as well, so it was nice to have our parents there. We get to stay in this really nice house, so being in that huge house together was a lot of fun.”

Sylvia: “And I’ve just heard her talk about so many things through the years when she comes home for the summer and Christmas break, and then I got to experience it with her.”

As you finish your season together at Seton Hill, what will you miss the most about playing with you sister?

Sophia: “I’m moving to Tennessee after I graduate, so it’s going to be completely different. Being together 24/7 and then not seeing each other at all, I think that’s probably going to be the hardest adjustment.”

Sylvia: “I agree. It’s going to be weird not having her on the team. If I needed anything, even the most personal things, I always had someone. I definitely feel like I had a little bit more of a paved pathway for myself.”

How does it feel to have the opportunity to play lacrosse together at Seton Hill?

Sophia: “Honestly, it’s made my senior year. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

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Setonian Magazine

siblings team up on the field Bri & Lexi Kupic - Equestrian Years: Junior and Sophomore Majors: Communication and Chemistry Hometown: Cape Cod, Massachusetts What influenced you to choose Seton Hill University?

Bri: “I think equestrian was kind of the biggest role in choosing Seton Hill, because it was one of the only D2 schools that had equestrian.”

Lexi: “I never had an official tour. I would just walk around with [Bri] and she showed us pretty much everything.

And same thing with riding. Our town was tiny, so coming to a small school wasn’t bad for us.”

Bri: “We were already used to that small area. Our high school probably had the same amount of people as Seton Hill.”

Lexi: “I kind of liked the smaller classes Pictured: Lexi and Bri Kupic. Photo courtesy of B.Kupic. and stuff like that.”

What is it like to be able to compete on the same team as your sister in college?

Lexi: “We’ve been competing against each other and doing stuff together forever, so it’s not weird to be on the same team and be competitive.”

Bri: “Especially with equestrian, it’s weird having it be a team sport because it is individual. But Lexi and I have competed against each other forever.

Lexi: “It’s not like, ugh, I’m so mad that she won. It’s like, you’re happy for her.”

Do you have any favorite memories of riding together?

Bri: “It was really cool on our middle school team making it to nationals because there were only four of us on the team, and that was the minimum you could have. And there were teams with 20 plus people. I think we were second in the nation on our middle school team, and that was such a cool thing to experience and it was just awesome.”

Lexi: “We weren’t competing against each other either because everyone had to do their own class. It was actually pretty cool.”

How does it feel to have the opportunity to be on equestrian team together at Seton Hill?

Bri: “I think it’s awesome that Seton Hill encourages and offers so many different sports, especially riding.”

Lexi: “I think we’re pretty lucky and it’s pretty cool that we have that opportunity to ride.”

Layout by P.Parise/Setonian.

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Athletics Section

John & Rob Hofseth - Men’s Lacrosse Years: Junior and Freshman Majors: Communication Hometown: Vancouver, Canada

Pictured: John and Rob Hofseth. Photo courtesy of J.Hofseth.

What influenced you to choose Seton Hill?

John: “I was going to come to the states to find a school anyways, so I visited a few schools in the Pittsburgh area. I just liked Seton Hill the best.

It seemed like the best fit for me. I kind of liked the small campus, you get to know more people that way I think. And then when I met the team, all the guys were really nice and pretty cool, so that’s pretty much why.”

Rob: “Mostly because of [John] and lacrosse.”

John: “I kind of let him choose whatever he wanted to do. He was looking at a few other schools as well, and whatever he wanted to do, I just kind of let him do, and he wanted to come here, so it worked out for the best I think. And it’s better for our parents that way, they can visit us at the same time. We’re kind of in the same place, and it just makes it easier on them.”

What is it like to play on the same team as your brother in college?

Rob: “It’s pretty cool because we grew up playing together in the backyard and stuff, so it’s pretty cool just to be in an actual game together.”

Do you have any favorite memories of playing lacrosse together?

John: “I remember when he got called up to my team, we played together, and I think it was the first time that kind of stood out to me. Like he said, all the stuff we used to do in our backyard and in our house and stuff, it was kind of cool just to see it happen in a real game.”

Rob: “When we played in that league, I’m pretty sure my first goal when I got called up, he assisted it, so that was pretty cool too.”

Is playing with your sibling different than playing with other teammates?

John: “We kind of just see each other differently than we see other people. I know what he’s going to do before it even happens.”

Rob: “We’ve seen each other play our whole lives, so we kind of know.”

John: “We know what we’re good at and what we’re not good at, so we can use those strengths to better each other.”

How do you feel about having the opportunity to play lacrosse together at Seton Hill?

John: “It’s pretty special, especially because we’re doing really well this season. If we got to win a conference championship or a national championship together, it’d be something pretty cool that we’d remember for the rest of our lives.”

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Setonian Magazine

Keagan & Courtney Pontious - Women’s Lacrosse Years: Redshirt Junior and Freshman Majors: Business Administration – Entrepreneurial Studies/Marketing and Business Administration – Marketing /Human Resources Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan What influenced you to choose Seton Hill?

Keagan: “Just the fact that it was a small school and it’s not too far away. Lacrosse was a big one. My coach recruited me the summer of my junior year.”

Courtney: “[Keagan] did. Definitely lacrosse, definitely the small school. Coach recruited me too.”

Keagan: “It’s the small, family-like atmosphere that we like.”

Courtney: “The one on one with your professors, and things like that.”

What is it like to play on the same team as Pictured: Keagan and Courtney Pontious. Photo courtesy of K.Pontious. your sister in college?

Courtney: “Playing together was fun because we definitely knew each other and what she’s going to do without her telling me and what I’m going to do without me telling her. We definitely can read each other a lot easier than you can read other people because you know their body language.”

Keagan: “100 percent advantage from the field aspect. It’s just nice to have somebody where I can text and we can talk about home. Somebody else that knows the similarities of home, that knows the same people that we grew up with. If something happens, I can tell her. Just the fact that it’s somebody else to talk to and it’s somebody else that knows your whole life, so that really helps bring the home aspect to it.”

Do you have any favorite memories of playing lacrosse together?

Keagan: “We were playing the state champs in high school, and I just remember we were down by one, and it was the biggest game that we’ve ever had. We were playing the best team in the state and only lost by one. That was the most passionate I think we ever played together, where it meant so much. The fact that we were there, and we even got that far, because again, we were playing that team and we were not supposed to beat anybody, and we ended up playing the state champs.”

How does it feel to have the opportunity to play lacrosse together at Seton Hill?

Courtney: “I think it’s cool. It’s unique, and a lot of people don’t get the chance to be with their sibling, because either they don’t play the same sport or one decides not to or one PAIGE PARISE is a junior goes somewhere else.” communication and journalism Keagan: “I think that just being on a team and seeing each double major. She plays snare drum other literally every day and knowing that somebody is and is the drumline captain in the there from home...I think it’s a great opportunity.” marching band.

Layout by P.Parise/Setonian.

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Athletics Section

SHU equestrian team wins region second year in a row

The SHU Equestrian team traveled to Alfred University in Alfred Station, N.Y. on March 10 to compete in a regional show.

Photo from athletics.setonhill.edu

The equestrian team has performed very well this season capturing five High Point Team selections throughout the season at shows. At the last zones event, which concluded their season, there were many individual awards that the SHUET women compiled. Allison Mello was 4th Team Open Fences and 3rd Team Open Flat to conclude her college career. Macey Marks, who also concludes her college career, placed 4th Team Novice Fences and Flat.

“I am very happy with how the season turned out by winning the region for the second year in a row with a huge lead over the team in the number two spot. I am also very proud of all our riders that qualified individually for Zones,” Marks said. “It would have been amazing to win and have the opportunity to show at Nationals for the first time, however, I am very happy with how we all performed this season.”

Junior Briana Kupic was 9th Individual Intermediate Fences and Flat. Junior Samantha Zajdel scored 8th Individual Novice Fences. Sophomore Alexis Kupic scored 4th Individual Novice Flat, 3rd Team Intermediate Fences and 4th Team Intermediate Flat. Sophomore Carrie Hood received 6th Individual Walk/Trot and 5th Team Walk/ Trot/Canter. Finally, freshman Emma Dougherty got 5th Team Walk/Trot.

The Equestrian team did not qualify for the IHSA national playoffs in Harrisburg, Pa. There are some team members who will still attend to support the IHSA organization and the sport itself. Rebecca Bloom, who was

...Continued on page 16

Pittsburgh Penguins try for a three-peat

“Penguins playoff hockey, is one of the best times of year in sports,” said Andrew Chuba, a junior member of the Seton Hill University baseball team.

“Every year the team makes it exciting and new.”

Entering the 2018 playoff season, the Pittsburgh Penguins finished second in the Metropolitan Division, fifth in the Eastern conference and tenth overall in the league with a record of 47-29-6.

The team looks to rewrite history as they try their chances of being the first team to be three-peat

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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skates around moments after being announced onto the ice. Crosby currently has 15 points in the 2017-18 playoff season with seven goals and eight assists. Photo from penguins.ice.nhl.com.

Layout by C.Arida/Setonian and S.Dumnich/Setonian.

champions since the New York Islanders in 1980-83 with four straight Stanley Cup championships.

The return of Penguins playoff hockey also comes along with the highly anticipated big screen, which is displayed right outside of the PPG Paints arena. The purpose of the big screen is for Penguins fans to watch and feel all the excitement of the playoffs if they were unable to obtain tickets.

The Penguins recently beat their big eastern rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, in the first round of playoffs, with a 4-2 series victory.

Setonian Magazine

Right Wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins (Right) skates the puck down the ice passed Washington Capitals’ Jay Bealge (Left) late in the first period of Game 2. Phil Kessel currently has five points in the 2017-18 playoff season with one goal and four assists. Photo from penguins.ice.nhl.com.

“I love when the Penguins play the Flyers, it is always a physical series of games to watch,” said Chuba.

The series was a very emotional one with vital players of the Penguins coming in clutch to secure each win they had over the Flyers. Players such as Sidney Crosby stepped his game up to an extraordinary level with his hat trick in Game 1 which led to a 7-0 victory over the Flyers.

Other players such as Evgeni Malkin helped lead the team to their first victory with one outstanding goal right after receiving a hooking penalty.

“Geno’s goal was arguably one of the best goals I have seen him score throughout his entire career,” said Louie Maser, a senior business major at SHU. “He beat three of the Flyers to the net.”

The Penguins had to turn the page after a heartbreaking loss to the Flyers in Game 2 falling behind 5-1. After coming off a loss in Game 2, the Penguins would bounce back to win Game 3, 5-1, leading the series 2-1.

Game 4 gave a chance for the younger players of the Penguins to shine and prove themselves worthy of Lord Stanley. 23 year-old forward, Dominik Simon, made his NHL playoff debut April 18. Simon contributed to the team with his first NHL playoff point, which was an assist to Crosby, pushing the lead to 3-1 in the series.

“I was lucky to start the game. I was taking the energy from the crowd and trying to play my best and be responsible from the first. I think it went pretty well,” Dominik Simon said in an article from nhl.com by Jeff Carpenter.

The next game would end in a loss to the Flyers

and make the series 3-2. The Penguins faced an up and down road of emotions but finished strong in Game 6 with a series clinching win over the Flyers, 8-5. In part, Jake Guentzel showed up to play. The young penguins’ forward rallied up three goals to get the hattrick at 12:48 in the third period. Just ten seconds later, Guentzel would score his fourth of the night. The four goals played a major role for the team to snag the series win.

After defeating the Philadelphia Flyers, the Penguins moved on to the second round where they met their second rival in the metropolitan division, the Washington Capitals.

“The Caps will be a great series but I expect some big hits and big goals from both teams,” said Chuba.

This is the third year in a row the Penguins and the Capitals have met during the postseason. The Capitals are no pushovers and stand in the way of the Penguins making history. The Washington team holds a strong threat as they have highly-skilled players such as T.J. Oshie (Forward/ Right Wing), Brooks Orpik (Defenseman), Alexander Ovechkin (Forward/ Left Wing) and Braden Holtby (Goaltender).

The series kicked off with a big win for the Penguins in Washington, overcoming the Caps, 3-2. This was the first time in history the Pens have defeated the Caps in Game 1 of playoffs. Game 2 of the series took a turn for the worst as the hockey gods were not in favor of the Penguins as an attempt for a goal was denied by the officials. The Caps defeated the Penguins 4-1, making the series tied at 1-1.

Game 3 ended in another loss for the Penguins falling 4-3 to the Capitals. The Penguins now trail 2-1 in the series. Bruised and battered the Penguins fought hard through all three periods with goals contributed by Crosby, Guentzel, and Hornqvist. Other Penguin players were not so fortunate during Game 3.

For the second time of the series, Capital’s Tom Wilson (Right Wing) made another questionable hit on Penguin’s Zach Aston-Reese, leaving Aston-Reese with a broken jaw and concussion. Later in the game, Guentzel stuck up for Aston-Reese by leveling Wilson into the boards initially “playing the puck.” Game 4 is set for May 3 at 7 p.m. in Pittsburgh. Game 5 is set for May 5 at 7 p.m. in Washington.

STEVE DUMNICH is a sophomore journalism new-media major. He enjoys fishing and hiking in his spare time and is also very into photography and religiously into 2K and NHL. Layout by S.Dumnich/Setonian.

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Athletics Section ...Continued from page 14

Briana Kupic, junior at Seton Hill, placed second in the Intermediate Flat and in the Intermediate Fences during Region 5 at Alfred University. Photo by D.Clark/Setonian.

named the Seton Hill equestrian coach back in 2014, has molded the ladies into a team that can compete at their highest potential.

Looking to next season, the team will say goodbye to two seniors: Mello and Marks. Their leadership has been paramount in their time on the equestrian team and they will be missed. The Kupic sisters have provided good leadership with their sophomore and junior status and plan to follow that up next year.

“Not competing anymore feels like there is a big part of my life missing. I plan to keep riding and showing non-collegiately over the summer, but there is just something about being on the team that cannot be replicated,” Marks said. “The memories and friends I made while on the team have been what I enjoyed the most.

MERRITT BAILEY is a senior communication major from upstate New York. He is also a goalie on the men’s lacrosse team at Seton Hill.

The Setonian staff congratulates the 2018 graduating class! Hazard Yet Forward Griffins! Good luck on your next journey.

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Setonian Magazine

Griffin Tips

REBECCA SCASSELLATI is a sophomore graphic design major who enjoys writing and illustrating stories and comics. She also enjoys the performing arts.

Layout by L.Cowan/Setonian.

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Graduating Setonian Staff Callista Arida: It still hasn’t set in that I will be graduating from Seton Hill in a little over one week. I still feel like a freshman wandering around like a lost puppy with no idea what the future holds for her. SHU has given me so many opportunities that I am beyond grateful for. I was able to find a passion for something that I didn’t really know existed until I came here. I have met so many amazing people and made great friendships that are destined to last a lifetime. I have accomplished things I would have never dreamed possible and felt such support from my mentors and peers along the way. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and although Seton Hill was never a dream school, it was more of a whim decision, I believe I was meant to be here and I am so happy that I came. After graduation, I will be finishing up an internship at The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County and in the meantime I hope to find a full-time job working with non-profits.

Although I dream to go to graduate school, I want to put that on hold until I have a better idea of where I see myself. I’m not quite sure what the future holds for me, but I know that Seton Hill has set me up to only succeed.

Luke Lewis: I am a graduating senior double majoring in sports management and human resources. As a member of Seton Hill’s men’s lacrosse team, I am also president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, treasurer of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a griffin guide, a student ambassador and the business manager of the University’s student newspaper, the Setonian. After graduation, I will be an admissions counselor here at Seton Hill, where I will also continue my education with the MBA Program.

Laramie Cowan: I came to Seton Hill looking forward to starting the journalism program. SHU was the only school around that had exactly what I wanted and I knew that I came to the right place when I stepped through the doors. Time really does fly and it’s hard to believe that in a few days I will be graduating with a bachelors in journalism and two minors in creative writing and English Literature. I plan on finding a job in the Pittsburgh area that is involved with magazine or newspaper publication. My goal is to work my way up just as I have on the Setonian, and eventually become an editor. I’m super excited for any journalism job because my biggest hope is to create quality and ethical content for readers, no matter the job title. One day I might decide to go to graduate school, but for now I want to focus on working and stepping into the next section of my life. Thank you Seton Hill for giving me this wonderful opportunity!

Congratulations Class of 2018! It’s time to spread your wings and fly as the 1 18

Setonian Magazine Danisha Rogers: I would say that being at Seton Hill has allowed me to become a better person and challenged me to work at my full potential. Starting off I was an extremely introverted person and I would shy away from learning any new technique that was foreign to me, but since taking a lot of courses in my major I have improved socially. While I still have the fear of presenting in front of people, I’m more open to joining in group discussions and sharing my ideas while being in classes. Many of the challenges I have faced were learning new programs and reading different genres of books. I’m more of a “stick to what I know” person and having learned these things made me step out of my comfort zone and explore a new realm of being me. I now have more of an optimistic outlook and will to try out anything new. After graduating I plan to, well hopefully, get a job within my major and use the skills I’ve learned to become more successful. I’m glad I was able to withstand my rocky, yet successful, journey here at Seton Hill University.

Merritt Bailey: My experience at Seton Hill has been transcendent. I would never have thought I would have had so many beneficial experiences and meet so many people who have become such a huge part of my life. I started with the newspaper as a staff writer first semester of freshman year and have stuck with it ever since. It has become just a small part of the many experiences I have had here and would not trade it for the world. I will be going back home to Canandaigua, New York to work for Constellation Brands in the community affairs department. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me through university.

Olivia Schultz: My time at Seton Hill University as a hospitality and tourism major will always be a memory that I look back and smile at. After five years here, I can say that I have experienced so many amazing and once in a lifetime opportunities. I was able to study abroad to both Dublin, Ireland and London, England. I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World twice. I will miss my time at Seton Hill as it has helped me grow as a person and has prepared me for the adventure of a lifetime.

After graduation I will be returning to Orlando, Florida to do another Disney College Program. I will be arriving on August 20, 2018 and I will be a convention guide with the special events team at Disney. After my program I want to work weddings or events with Disney. I would someday love to be a recruiter for the Disney College Program, so I can help future Cast Members live out their dreams just like I have been able to.

100th graduating class of Seton Hill University. Hazard yet forward griffins!

Layout by L.Cowan /Setonian.

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Opinion Section

Top 10 shows to binge over the summer When you’re a kid, summer is the best. When you’re in college, that might not be true. Some kids go from playing outside everyday as a kid to having to work everyday and save money for the upcoming school year.

But there is always time to binge watch some TV shows.

This summer when you aren’t working, taking classes, or doing whatever you do, check out some of this awesome shows. Here are my top TV shows to watch.

lifelong best friends who are just trying to find their way and have fun. Their boss yells at them all the time but they always manage to learn a good lesson each episode. This show is goofy, funny and witty. It looks like a kids show but I can assure you it isn’t. Check it out.

First, the Honorable Mentions: • “House of Cards”: Frank and Claire Underwood are legends, what more do you need?

• “Cheers”: “The Office” of the ‘80s except in a bar.

• “Big Little Lies”: Amazing cast, interesting story. Think moms of kids at private schools.

• “11.22.63”: James Franco’s character goes back in time to stop JFK’s Assassination.

• “This Is Us”: You will cry, a lot.

• “Twin Peaks”: Small town’s prom queen is found murdered. Who, or what, did it? ‘90s thriller that just returned after 25 years.

10. “Regular Show” - Hulu

The Seinfeld cast includes Jerry Seinfeld as himself, Julia LouisDreyfus as Elaine Benes, Jason Alexander as George Costanza and Michael Richards as Kramer. Photo from IMDb.com.

9. “Seinfeld” – Hulu There’s always been the argument, “Friends” or “Seinfeld?” The shows are similar and different in a way. If you liked “Friends,” you might like “Seinfeld” too.

“Seinfeld” is about absolutely nothing. Think I’m kidding?

Search it, it was called the show about nothing. It’s four friends who live in New York City and hang out all the time. They talk, judge and do things that are viewed as unethical. It’s a great show and it tackles real life conversations and actions.

Definitely worth watching.

This show is perfect for a summer binge. That’s why it’s leading off my list.

“Regular Show” just had its series finale last year. It ran for eight seasons on Cartoon Network. Episodes are only 11 minutes and there was one movie that ran over an hour. The show is about two guys in their early 20’s who work at a park. They slack off and mess around, a lot.

“BoJack Horseman” first aired in August of 2014 and is now in Mordecai and Rigby are its fifth season. Photo from google.com/youtube.

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8. “BoJack Horseman” – Netflix Here is a tough one.

The philosophy of this show

Setonian Magazine is rather dark and depressing but this show is very real at times. BoJack Horseman is a horse that was a huge TV star in a show that was much like “Full House.” Now, years later, he lives in Hollywood, doing nothing but drinking and watching reruns of his old show. He deals with a lot of things like his upbringing by his parents, his rise to fame, his downfall and more. If you want a show that truly shows the ugly side of life, this is the show for you.

7. “Big Mouth” – Netflix Feeling nostalgic? “Big Mouth” is the perfect show if you miss middle school. Warning, this show is vulgar, and I mean it’s pretty messed up. But it’s real. It’s a cartoon about some kids going through puberty and life as a teen.

I won’t say too much about this one but it is hilarious and spot on.

6. “Westworld” – HBO If you read the Setonian last month you would have seen my article about this show. Season 2 just started.

“Westworld” takes place in the future where people don’t just go to the beach for vacation. They go to Westworld!

There, a human enters a western theme park full of Artificial Intelligence robots that look and act human but don’t know that they aren’t. The cast is great. And one of the robots, known as hosts, is on a journey to reach consciousness. It’s different and very interesting.

Golden Globe-winning actress Winona Ryder has made her comeback, playing Joyce Byers in the popular Netflix show, “Stranger Things.” Photo from IMDb.com.

movie. It’s pretty cool to see how all these famous actors and actresses got their big break.

4. “Stranger Things” - Netflix

If you haven’t heard of this show, you live under a rock. Do I even need to talk about this one? Okay… It’s the 1980s, four nerdy friends are hanging out and then one goes missing. But he isn’t missing on this world.

5. “Wet Hot American Summer” (Movie and TV Shows) Somewhere else? While looking for their friend they – Netflix find a new one named Eleven. She has powers and the government is searching for her. This is the ultimate Ready for some more nostalgia? This is full of it. Not modern day adventure show to binge. I watched Season 1 only will it send you back to summer camp but back to in one sitting. I think I got up once just to eat. It is addicting. some of your favorite actors’ and actresses’ first big roles.

The “just one more episode” won’t stop coming out of First, watch the movie from 2001. I’d name the your mouth until you finish. cast but it would take way too long. There are at least 10-12 recognizable and well-known actors and actresses 3. “Gravity Falls” – Hulu in this film. It’s pretty crazy. It’s dry humor but it’s seriously hilarious.

I’d put this first but... It would be way too biased Then watch the first show, “First Day of Camp,” from because it is probably my favorite show that not many 2015. Here is the prequel TV to the movie. Almost all of people have watched. “Gravity Falls” was on Disney XD the cast returned. for two seasons. The show is a complete story. It didn’t Lastly, watch the final show, “Ten Years Later” from run too long because the creator wanted the show to end 2017. The sequel to the original. The movie ended with a the way he wanted. “Gravity Falls” takes place in Oregon “let’s meet here ten years from now” and they did.

...Continued on page 27 This can be hit or miss but, if anything, watch the Layout by L.Cowan/Setonian.

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Opinion Section

Giving politics a second chance Please, don’t turn the page. Don’t make a run for the hills. I come in peace. I promise that this political discussion will be nothing like Thanksgiving where you end up fighting about politics, divide the table and an uncle makes everyone else feel very uncomfortable. Okay?

Good, you’ve decided to stay. Now, what I have to say is very important and quite frankly needs to be addressed.

There has been a very disturbing trend ever present in our culture for the last two years now that needs to be dealt with once and for all. Since the 2016 presidential election, there has been such an increase in the distain and hatred for politics more and more each day. Of course there are political concepts and decisions that you won’t agree with. Sure, some might have caused you anger or may have even made you decide to keep politics at arm’s length all together. However, politics are truly one of the most important things that you can ever get involved in.

Whether you contribute by donating your time or money to a political campaign, take the time to engage in political discussion or even do the bare minimum and just become politically informed enough with current events.

You have a civic duty to contribute to society by using your voting powers and voicing your educated opinion.

Politics are nothing to be afraid of. Politics are not something to be shut away in the closet because of who your company is. Politics are in everything that we do. Politics are the first step to bridging the divide of understanding. For those of you who are still skeptical and need a little more convincing, please allow me to tell

Seton Hill University students and professors gather for a photo before going to the courthouse for the April 10 equal pay rally. Photo courtesy of M.Nealon.

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Cafe Politika, a political discussion group, goes on a trip to Harrisburg. Photo courtesy of M.Nealon.

you the best ways you can get involved and the reasons to do so.

Getting involved is the easy part, trust me. Wherever you look, there is a cause out there. And where there is a cause, there is a political cause. I told you, politics is in everything we do. Every person has a passion and every passion can be found out in the world of politics. Are you interested in preserving nature? Fighting for gun control?

Helping down and out vets get what they deserve from the government? The greatest thing about politics is that there are so many subjects and causes out there that deserve the same level of importance! Whatever your passion is, you will be able to find an outlet.

What do you do from there? Find some people who share your passion. You can find that in a political party, a campus group or even just in an individual. At Seton Hill, we have several political clubs that can be the gateway for your political experience. Don’t know what you’re feeling?

How you should vote? Go to the Seton Hill Democrat or Republican meetings! Start getting involved and see which way you lean! If you don’t end up identifying as a Republican or Democrat, that’s okay too! Come to Café Politika, a group that simply discusses any and all politics!

Knowledge is power and so is your vote. Make it doubly powerful by educating yourself.

After you find out where your passions lie, it’s time to kick it up a notch. Now listen to me. Politicians aren’t monsters. Let me rephrase that, MOST politicians aren’t monsters. Being a politician is a very thankless job. No

Setonian Magazine matter how hard you work or try, there are going to be hundreds of polls out there showing just how much of the population hates you. Nobody gets into politics to be universally liked. They get into politics because they have passion. Passion just like you.

Unfortunately, some politicians lose their passion and that’s when you get the monsters. That’s why it is up to you to find the politicians that you feel are just as passionate as you and help them win. How can you help? There are a plethora of ways! One of the easiest ways is to donate. No matter how much you donate, it will be appreciated. However, I know my audience. Not every college kid can afford to donate to every campaign that they support.

That brings me to a second option. Get out there.

No matter what, if you look, there should be a campaign office near you. If not? Find out if your candidate has a website. Go there. You can enlist and make a difference.

You can make calls trying to persuade others to vote for your candidate, go door knocking to do the same or you can do anything that can help the campaign.

Speaking from experience, campaigning is the most amazing experience you can ever have. I have met so many like-minded people in my area doing this, but most importantly, I have met very unlike-minded people out there doing this. The most important thing I hope you will take away from this article is this. Just because someone has a different view than you, that doesn’t make them a monster. That doesn’t make them your enemy.

Now, obviously there are some exceptions out there such as racists, sexists and any other group out there that makes it a point of their views to hurt other people.

What I’m talking about is the age-old Democrat versus Republican. That is why everyone hates politics. That’s why we need to fix this with that important lesson.

There is always common ground to be found in politics. Most of the time, however, nobody ever gets there because they’re so focused on “winning.” Your job as a citizen? Vote and decide who is and is not in their respectful political position trying to find common ground and trying to bridge the divide that exists not only between the Democrat and Republican party, but the divide in America that has been brought to light by the 2016 election. Bridging the divide is the most important thing politics can accomplish and only together can we do that.

I hope that you were able to take something away from this article. Politics has always been a very large passion of mine, and one day? I hope to be a politician.

I want to make a change in the world and try to help people.

The most effective way that you can help people in large masses is by using politics.

Laws can be passed, changed, or thrown out altogether. The political world never sleeps and is always in dire need of young, enthusiastic people who can change the course and build the future.

While you may think whatever you choose to do is insignificant or didn’t really make a difference, whether it be donating or campaigning, I honestly cannot tell you how wrong you are. Getting involved is the first and most important step to making change. By knocking on a few doors or making a few calls? You are doing that. So, I hope that you get involved, make a difference and give politics a second chance.

MARK NEALON is a freshman political science and pre-law major from Dunmore, Pa. He was an active member of his high school’s Drama Club and band program.

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Opinion Section

SHU travels on Gateway Clipper Fleet for annual Mystery Trip This year Seton trip and it gives them Hill University’s Mystery a much-needed break Trip was revealed to be a from all of the year end voyage on the Gateway academic assignments,” Clipper Fleet in Pittsburgh Underwood said. for a night of dinner and Underwood also gave dancing on April 20. Like examples of past mystery previous years there trip destinations, which were clues that were included Inner Harbor in tweeted out from SHU’s Maryland, Philadelphia, Student Life account.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Unlike other years, the Football Hall of Fame and mystery destination was the Pittsburgh Zoo. announced ahead of time.

“I had never been on The first clue was “If you the mystery trip before, let like riddles, this is right in alone to Pittsburgh many your wheelhouse.” times, so it was great to

The second clue experience the city,” said Seton Hill University students rode on the Gateway Clipper as for the mystery trip was “If a part of the annual Mystery Trip on April 20. The clues were Jessica Minneci, junior you’re so inclined, find the revealed on Twitter until one student was able to correctly guess creative writing major at point of our riddles.” The the location. Photo by O.Schultz/Setonian.

SHU. “I plan on attending last clue was “If you go on the trip my senior year and the trip, you’ll have a good time mon!”

I think a great place to go on the mystery trip would be After all of the clues were given, the Student Life Cedar Point.”

Twitter account asked students to tweet any guesses As a senior here at SHU myself I have been on three they had on where the mystery trip would be, and Megan different mystery trips. The first one I went on was in 2014 Carnahan guessed correctly! Her reasoning for guessing and was to both the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. the Gateway Clipper was that ships have a wheelhouse; Afterwards you could either visit a science museum or the the Gateway Clipper is by the Incline and the Point. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. The next trip I last clue was a play on the Monongahela River, better went on was in 2016 to the Pittsburgh Zoo and we got to known as the “Mon” river. go behind the scenes and meet some animals including a “I always look forward to the annual mystery trip giraffe that the students got to pet. I looked forward to because of the clues that are given up until we leave for the mystery trip every year even if I didn’t get to take part the trip,” said Meliniqua Francis, SHU senior hospitality because it was such a fun time trying to guess the answers and tourism major. “This year’s selection was unique, to the clues. Even though this was my last mystery trip, and you got to see the Setonian spirit alive among those the adventures at SHU will continue with future trips and I who went on the trip, plus getting to sightsee Pittsburgh look forward to keeping up with social media to see where was great.” they are!

“I thought the trip was amazing because I got to OLIVIA SCHULTZ is a junior hospitality see the Pittsburgh Skyline while on a boat,” said Melissa and tourism major. She has done Carden, senior psychology major at SHU. an internship for the Disney College Judy Underwood, an administrative assistant with Program and has studied abroad in student engagement, said that the mystery trips started London and Dublin. In her free time she before she came to SHU, which was around 2008. is reading, singing, taking photos and “Students are interested in the adventure of the mystery hanging out with friends.

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Setonian Magazine

2018 Centennial Graduation

Information provided by Constance Beckel. Layout and graphic by H.Carnahan/Setonian.

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Opinion Section

Griffins reflect on approaching graduation

Photo from buzzfeed.com.

When it comes to being a student in college there are many stressful times, but the most exciting is when you realize that you’re graduating. “To be prepared for graduation, I’ve done things to make me grow as a person. I have forced myself to start being better at time management,” said Deshaun Herzog, Seton Hill University human resources major.

“I would recommend that graduating seniors try to fit self-care into their hectic schedule, making sure you have time to relax and breathe and do things that you want to do,” said former SHU student and English graduate of Trinity Washington University Karrin Thompson.

After facing long semesters with endless assignments and projects, students are going to embrace one of the greatest moments of their lives. “As you sit at commencement, I hope you’re able to take a moment and reminisce on everything that’s gotten you to graduation day,” said Elise Michaux, director of student involvement at SHU. “Don’t be so caught up in thinking about the next chapter that you forget about the one coming to a close.”

Graduating from college is a big step for most people, as well as a sigh of relief, but most importantly it’s the closing to a journey of finding yourself. “Senior year is so much more than completing assignments it’s also the time to complete job applications and school applications so that when you walk across the stage, you have an idea of where you’re headed,” Thompson said.

Being a student in college can come with many indecisive moments, tears and stress, but it also paves the way for the person you aspire to be.

“Being a student at Seton Hill University has helped me create a portfolio for my future employer,” said Sahara Duncan, hospitality and tourism major who plans on being an event coordinator. “I believe being the President of the

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Black Student Union has prepared me for this position. I have planned several events including Paint’ n Jam, BSU/ MISO Fashion Show and much more.”

“I have been practicing money management and each year I have gotten better and better at it, and I truly think that now that I can hold a budget and do well with it,” said Herzog.

In the book “Forest For The Trees,” Betsy Lerner makes a point that, “Rome wasn’t built in one day, so don’t expect your career to be.”

Going out into the world on your own can be grueling, especially right after you graduate, but isn’t that what you’ve prepared yourself for during these past four years?

“After graduation, you’ll have to hold yourself accountable for your actions in and outside of the office,” said Connie Kugel, director of student support services.

“These last years were tough, but I was able to make it this far,” said Ashley Myers, computer science major.

“After graduation I plan on working with the internship I have been accepted for, which will lead to employment.”

Remember that you don’t have to rush to grow up, but don’t be afraid of change either.

“Take chances while you’re young and fresh out of school,” Kugel said. “Take chances while you’re young and fresh out of school.”

“Fail. Failure is important to success. We didn’t take our first step without crawling. Be kind to yourself and continue to learn as you go,” said Marissa Haynes, coordinator of service outreach.

“It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being consistent. Allow yourself room to fail. It’s how you respond to that failure that will take you far in life,” Michaux said.

Go the extra mile to make checklists and use planners to make sure you’re ready for life after graduation. Everything will work in your favor with an optimistic perspective.

DANISHA ROGERS is a senior journalism major. She enjoys writing and loves to smile and laugh. She also mentors for Sister to Sister.

Setonian Magazine ...Continued from page 21

Season 3 just ended and everyone is waiting for Adult Swim to renew it for the fourth.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Morty as he talks to his sister who is trying to run away: “Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s gonna die. Come watch TV.” Watch the show! Wubba Lubba Dub Dub! 1. “The Office” – Netflix

This is an obvious one. If you haven’t seen “The Office” from start to finish, then what are you waiting for?

I’d honestly say that about 9/10 people love this show.

“The Office” was big when it was on TV and once it got The show “Rick and Morty” started out as a spoof of “Back put on Netflix, it exploded to the high school and college to the Future” but spared enough interest to become a whole show. Photo from IMDb.com. students as an audience. “The Office” has it all: a crazy in a small town called, yeah, you guessed it! Gravity Falls. boss, a hopeless love story, a kiss-up, a prankster and so Twins Dipper and Mabel go to live with their Great Uncle much more. The first season may be a little tough to get Stan for the summer. The town of Gravity Falls is full of through, but Season 2 picks up and does not stop. Even anomalies. Dipper finds a journal that has a hand with the later seasons that are criticized as not as funny are still six fingers on it and the number three in the middle. The good. Lastly, the final six episodes are some of the most journal contains facts about the anomalies of Gravity beautiful pieces of television I have ever watched. You Falls. The rest of summer Dipper and his twin sister Mabel will laugh a lot at this show and maybe even shed a tear search for the author, go on adventures and deal with or two. many weird creatures along the way. I promise you, this show is a must watch.

Oh and “Gravity Falls” has a connection with the “Rick and Morty” Universe! Which leads to the next show.

2. “Rick and Morty” – Hulu “Rick and Morty.” This is the show. It’s ranked No. 8 on best TV shows of all-time on IMDb. “Rick and Morty” started off as a joke. Creator Justin Roiland wanted to make a spoof of “Back to the Future.” It was vulgar and dirty. But it led to “Rick and Morty.”

Grandpa Rick returns to his family and moves in with his daughter, her husband and two kids. Rick takes his grandson Morty on adventures through the universe. Well, The Office aired on March 24, 2005 but has only recently beuniverses. “Rick and Morty” has its own philosophy and come popular among young audiences since it began streaming theories on space and how the universe works. Roiland on Netflix. Photo from NBC.com. voices both Rick and Morty and it is hilarious. Watch one AUSTIN SHAW is an English episode and I promise you will want to watch more. The secondary education major. He is relationships in the show are very in depth, especially the also a redshirt sophomore on the marriage of Morty’s parents. Oh and I forgot to tell you, wrestling team. there are an infinite amount of Rick and Morty’s as their theory is there are infinite realities. But, this Rick is the “Rickest Rick” and “smartest” to say the least.

Layout by L.Cowan/Setonian.

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Lifestyle & Entertainment Section

Former SHU reading program book “Ready Player One” becomes movie For those who graduate Seton Hill University as the Class of 2019, the name “Ready Player One” probably sounds familiar. As for others, the name might only sound like a recent movie that’s showing in theaters and will be released on DVD this July.

“Ready Player One” was the last “Ready Player One” has gained a lot book to be read for of attention since the film came to theaters. Photo by L.Cowan/Setonian. the summer reading program at SHU, which was eliminated after the Class of 2019. Students were assigned a book over the summer and the SHU community would hold discussions in small groups about the themes and topics important to the book.

Ernest Cline, author of “Ready Player One,” tells a story about Wade Watts and his journey through the OASIS, a world created through virtual reality. James Halliday, the creator of the OASIS, dies and leaves his inheritance to the first person to find a digital Easter egg that is hidden within the countless worlds. To access the egg, the player must first obtain three keys, which are rewarded after intense challenges. The contest is a true treasure hunt in the world of VR, while reality is at the brink of chaos in the year 2045.

“It was a lot different from anything that I had read previously,” said SHU forensic science major Haylee Schreiter.

As the last book to be read for SHU’s summer reading program, “Ready Player One” has now made its way to the big screen, which has stirred up past emotions of the book and new ideas from the movie.

Warning: Spoilers from here on!

“To have something take place entirely inside of a video game was really well thought out,” Schreiter said.

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“And I did love the entire hunt for just Easter eggs that the creator left behind.”

“I liked how difficult the challenges were to get the Easter eggs,” said SHU creative writing major Jessica Minneci. “You had to get the key first, then you had to solve another challenge to go through the gate. They didn’t do that in the movie. And all of the challenges were simpler because they needed to fit it into the two-hour film. But in the book, which is more immersive and fun, it was more difficult.”

Nicole Peeler, the head of the summer reading committee before the program was eliminated, said, “I loved the book. I thought the book, like all books, had more time to develop the themes. The book was more mature than the movie in some ways. I felt the movie was geared more towards a younger audience.” Often times with movies, there’s a need to cater to everybody and not just one set audience.

Schreiter said that the book discussion allowed her to experience the differences in opinions and viewpoints others had. Students who read the book before seeing the movie were able to see the differences between the two.

The movie had to be condensed like all movies that originate from books, but the hype of “Ready Player One” is there. What other movie can you find a gundam, Mecha Godzilla and the Iron Giant all in the same scene?

“The love story between Wade and Samantha or Parzival and Artemis was more outlined in the book,” Minneci said. “You saw both of them really fangirl over each other, about how much they knew about the ‘80s and how “Ready Player One” hit theaters much they knew about March 29, 2018. Photo from Halliday, who was the dvdreleasedates.com. founder of the OASIS.”

Setonian Magazine According to Minneci, the reader needs to go into both the book and movie with different expectations.

“A lot of people walk into the theater and say ‘oh the OASIS is going to look like this,’ and it never does. It never lives up to your imagination.”

Minneci said the key is to approach both of them as separate entities because the movie is very different from the book.

“The OASIS did live up to my expectations. I liked the way it looked. Spielberg did a good job with the special effects,” Minneci said. The movie focuses on winning a game or competition, which is different than the comingof-age story like it was in the book.

Those who have read the book and watched the movie would be the first to notice some of the major differences between the two. Besides the lack of an education establishment within the OASIS in the movie, the major differences come to the challenges and gates in the story. In the book, Cline wrote the first challenge for the copper key as an arcade classic, Joust, which was to be played after facing a Dungeons and Dragons like challenge.

The second and third keys also came with some changes.

The movie replaced the copper key challenge with a high-speed race, which included deadly obstacles and unforgiving competitors, as well as changed the process Wade and the crew had to complete the other challenges to obtain the keys.

“If they would have kept some of the original challenges I would have liked it more,” Minneci said.

“Replacing the first quest with the race was more attention grabbing,” Schreiter said.

“I think the weakness of the movie is actually the same as the weakness in the book,” Peeler said. “Ready Player One” didn’t have a “huge emotional punch.” Peeler said the book has a lot of interesting ideas, “but I think a lot of the emotional stuff, like the reveals, who’s really who, they were kind of manufactured in a way.” However, Peeler said the movie did a credible job with some of the themes.

“It kind of relates to how we are now. We are all

so absorbed in technology that sometimes we forget about the world around us,” Schreiter said. “With the strides we are taking through VR, I could see it in the future that we see suits and everything that would tap into our nerves so we could feel what is happening in the game.”

“Ready Player One” was a popular decision amongst the faculty and staff on the committee because of its inclusion of “everything,” Peeler said. “It had science, it had math, it had philosophy; it’s an ideas book. What they really brought out in the movie, and what was an important theme in the book is just our reliance on technology.”

According to Peeler, the story has a close relation to SHU because of the use of Apple products. “Any of this technology can be used for amazing ends and be used to teach empathy and it can widen our perspective,” said Peeler.

It can be difficult to overlook the differences and accept the book and movie as separate pieces, and often times there’s discussion over which is better.

“There’s nothing that replaces the feeling of having the book in your hands, and the texture of the pages between your fingers and having that nice book smell. You just crack open the book and you’re like,” Schreiter inhaled as if smelling a book, “dead trees and glue!”

Overall, the book and movie are both worth the time. “I went with someone who had not read the book and he loved it too, and he’s very picky,” Peeler said.

“They could have made it a three hour film,” Minneci said. “People would have sat through it.”

In the words of Halliday, the reading program found a “gem” for the Class of 2019, which can now be viewed as a two hour and nineteen minute film.

LARAMIE COWAN is a journalism major with minors in creative writing and English literature. She is currently the editor-in-chief for the Setonian. In her spare time, she likes caring for her miniature horses and reading manga.

Layout by L.Cowan /Setonian.

29

Lifestyle & Entertainment Section

Top 10 Alternative Facts of SHU 1. The smoke stack by McKenna Gym actually turns into the smoke stack from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory at night. Yes, that’s right, every night Oompa Loompas make their appearance at Seton Hill to keep the chocolate river creamed and sugared so people are the world can enjoy Wonka chocolate. This smoke stack likely confuses many late night drivers who pass by Seton Hill and instead see a large lit up Wonka sign.

2.

Speaking of chocolate rivers, the river itself runs through the tunnels under Seton Hill. That scary boat ride that traumatized many children for generations is also down there. And to A red balloon was tied to the sewer drain at Seton Hill as a sign make matters worse, there is no telling of Pennywise the clown. Photo by L.Cowan/Setonian. exactly what will appear on the walls of 3. Keeping with the creepy, this the tunnels. past October there was a Pennywise sighting. Bright red balloons were spotted above both the entrance to the tunnels and the sewer by the Boyle building.

Thankfully, no students were harmed as they ran away from the appearance of their greatest fear: crippling debt.

4. Pennywise is not the only monster that has been sighted around campus. Bigfoot has been spotted in the past walking around the woods and even closer to campus. At this point of time, it is believed to have been a student who was dressing up as Bigfoot. But is that true? More Bigfoot footprints have been found on the paths in the forest.

The smoke stack towers over SHU just as the one in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Photo by L.Cowan/Setonian.

30

5. I’ll flat out say this, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is in the tub in the men’s bathroom on third Maura. You didn’t think that Seton Hill wasn’t really Hogwarts, right? All that is required to open the entrance is

Setonian Magazine to turn the hot water right twice and the cold water left three times. If you decide to venture down into the Chamber of Secrets. May St. Elizabeth Ann Seton be with you.

6. If you venture into the classrooms of Maura around three in the morning (the witching hour) you may find the spirits of the nuns who’ve passed away. These nuns used to teach at the university and if you walk into the classrooms they may just teach you about the subjects they used to teach. Beware as they don’t give extra credit.

7. Legend has it that if you show up before 8 a.m. classes start you may find a parking spot in A Lot.

Seton Hill’s mascot is actually a real griffin, not a student.

Photo by H.Carnahan/Setonian.

8.

I bet a lot of you didn’t know that the Griffin is real. The beloved mascot has long been believed to be a student, but Griffins are in fact real and one of them serves as our mascot.

9. In 2009 when the Performing Arts Center opened, a group of students entered the building to play hide-andseek. All accept one student was found.

To this day, there is one student who is still hidden somewhere in the PAC. 10.

Martha Washington was born here. And George Washington was born at St. Vincent.

Bonus Fact: There’s a pack of feral cats that live in the woods around SHU. Every full moon they find their way into the chapel and dance around as cat people. They are led in their annual performance by their leader, who’s name is Chairman Meow.

The men’s bathroom on third Maura is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Photo by L.Cowan/Setonian.

HANNAH ZUNIC is a junior English literature major and communication minor at Seton Hill. In her spare time, you can find her reading a horror novel or drinking coffee.

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31

Lifestyle & Entertainment Section

Activities to make summer one to remember

Spring is upon us meaning that summer is just around the corner. Many of us have long anticipated the warm summer days and breezy summer moonlit nights since the snowfall began getting old. No matter what your favorite season is, there are certainly positives to look for in all of them.

Make your summer more enjoyable with these great summer activities!

huge trunk, or a truck with a bed in the back.

This allows you to fill the open space with as many pillows and blankets as you can, creating the perfect spot to enjoy movies outside on a cool summer night. Another recommendation would be to avoid the pricey theater food and bring your own snacks!

3. Dog Parks

Utilizing local parks around you is essential for The top of the peak overlooks Seneca Creek State Park, W. Va.

Hiking can be one of Photo by S.Dumnich/Setonian. a successful summer. If you the best ways to get outside have a dog, a fun and easy and soak in some vitamin C over the way for them to get outside is by summer. Unless you live in a dense taking them to local parks. There metropolitan area, there will always are often pathways to follow, and be a place to hike. Go to the nearest letting your dog socialize with other state forest, or local trail that you find dogs is a necessity for their health online. Many of them are marked and well-being. and have directions/signs at their en Even if you don’t have a dog, trance points. go to these parks anyway! It is a great

If you have pets, this can be way to make new friends and meet a great way to bond with them over new people. It’s not often that a dog exercise. Seton Hill University stuowner will deny you access to petdent Nick Altier suggests having a ting their dog if you are polite and designated backpack carrier to fill ask kindly. the backpack with everything you’re going to need. Items that come in 4. Swimming handy during a hike include bottled This one is obvious, but it water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray wouldn’t feel right not including it in and a speaker if you want to listen to the mix. Summertime is the perfect Exploring the wilderness in Clear Creek State time to get a group of people togethmusic along the way.

Park, Pa. allows you to discover new places. er and go swimming. It doesn’t matPhoto by S.Dumnich/Setonian.

2. Drive-In Movies ter where. A pool, lake, river, pond,

For those who have never had the privilege of tak- the possibilities are endless. The main point is to find a ing part in a drive-in movie marathon, this summer is your body of water and dive right in! chance to change that! One drive-in theater accessible to If none of the stated options above apply to your those in this area is the Evergreen Drive-In Theatre in Mt. geographic location, water balloons and water guns are a Pleasant. If you have the opportunity to go, I highly recom- great way to cool off in the summer of heat. Find a hose mend it. For the best experience I advise using a car with a and plug in a Slip N’ Slide, or better yet, make your own!

1. Hiking

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Setonian Magazine 5. Stargazing

The best way to go about doing this is getting as far away as possible from any (and every) artificial light source near you. Pick a night where the sky is forecasted to be clear and bring the essentials. All you really need is a blanket and some friends to make this a good time.

If you want to go the extra mile and plan out the best nights to stargaze, you can search up “must see sky events in 2018.” There are even websites that will call your phone number and notify you when an astronomical event takes place in the night sky, such as meteor showers.

6. Museums

This idea requires a small sum of money, One museum to visit over the summer is the Carnegie Museum of Art and but it will be worth every penny! The Carnegie Natural History in Pittsburgh, which frequently changes its feature exhibMuseum of Art and Natural History is a must see its for a new experience each trip. Photo by H.Carnahan/Setonian. according to many locals from the Greensburg 7. Festivals area. If you live near the Pittsburgh area there This is one of the all-time classic summertime aca few different options for you to choose from. These op- tions include the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Bi- tivities. There are two main times during summer that you cycle Heaven, Cathedral of Learning and the Westmore- will most likely find festivals in your respective towns: the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. land Museum of American Art, just to name a few.

Festivals have plenty to offer. Get your fair share of

This can be a good way to escape the harsh UV rays of summer and get in the air conditioning. There is no greasy fast food and lemonade from street vendors. Take wrong way to go about visiting museums. You can fly solo, a shot at low cost carnival games to win gag gifts for your roll up with a group of friends or even make it a family af- friends. Play dare devil and ride the -not up to regulationfair. It’s a great opportunity to learn new things and have carnival rides.

My favorite festival activity is bingo. There is nothfun in the process! ing better than calling out bingo and having every senior citizen in the room despise your entire existence for raking in the $6 prize.

There are so many ways to get out of your comfort zone and grow this summer, and this list just displays a few options to consider. Hopefully these suggestions have inspired you to do something new and exciting over summer break this year. As always use this break as time to reflect on the school year, make goals and come back this fall tanner than you have ever been.

Boston Terrier Murphy is ready to take a trip to visit his local dog park. Photo by T.Sekunda/Setonian.

TOMMY SEKUNDA is a freshman from State College, Pa. He plays on the men’s basketball team at SHU and enjoys listening to music in his free time.

Layout by H.Carnahan/Setonian and T.Sekunda/Setonian.

33

Lifestyle & Entertainment Section

Prep a re ye th e way of “Godspel l ”

Choreographer Taylor Puc watches the cast of “Godspell” rehearse in Reeves Theater. Photo courtesy of J.Scharer.

Seton Hill’s Student Theatre Activities Council will take the stage this spring to perform playwright JohnMichael Tebelak’s “Godspell.”

The production is entirely student-run, including some graduate students, and is directed by senior theatre performance major James Scharer, alongside music director and senior music education major Sam Burns and choreographer and junior musical theatre major Taylor Puc. “This is the first time where all of us are doing something of this scale,” Scharer said. “This is something that we have ambition for and that the work they’re doing is worth it.”

“Godspell,” featuring music by Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz, follows Jesus as he teaches a series of parables to the rest of the cast through song and dance. The second act tells the story of his crucifixion.

STAC voted to perform “Godspell” against competitors such as “Mr. Burns, a Post Electric Play” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The cast and crew have been rehearsing since the end of spring break.

“I enjoy the idea of community with it,” Scharer said.

“It’s really strong in the piece itself and I think it’s fascinating how the guy who plays Jesus [Robert Tramontina], he creates this community of people. He brings all of these crazy characters together. Then, all of a sudden, when the tone shifts, he separates himself from them. Then, he proves to them ‘I’ve taught you all these things, you don’t

34

need me to continue to be a community.’ I think that’s really reminiscent today. You don’t really need a leader so long as you have good teachings to actually be supported.”

“For me, the music portion of that really justifies that response,” Burns said. “A lot of the music in the show, the songs talk about bringing people together. The parables are spoken within the music. The songs just fit really well together. I tell my cast all the time that you have to have a sense of ensemble togetherness. The music just has to be so connected to resemble that community and they do a good job with it.”

“Even in the choreography, a lot of it is spreading the teachings of God through their dancing,” Puc said. “If you even just listen to the songs, I would find myself like ‘okay, this is your positivity going around. You’re going around to each different person and bringing them up. A lot of their movements at certain points are just partying with each other, just to build that sense of unity, and they even let the audience into it too.”

Theatergoers should expect a lot of “audience participation.” STAC will be performing the 2012 revival version, so there will be more modern references and contemporary music. The pit, which is about five students, includes electric guitars and a full drum set.

“Overall, it’s a lot of fun,” Scharer said. “Definitely songs that will stick in your head whenever you leave.

Something I found interesting with the script is that it literally 180s itself within the first act. It’s so happy and cheerful, and it builds the sense of community. And then

Setonian Magazine all of the sudden, when the second act starts, it turns itself on its head, much like even how the actual story of Jesus gets turned on its head.”

“Godspell” first made its off Broadway debut in 1971.

The show features songs such as “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All for the Best” and “By My Side.”

“To put everything that we have learned throughout our four years here and put it into a production like this, I hope people will walk away with a sense of ‘wow, that’s what students here can do with what they’re given,’” Burns said.

Robert Tramontina stars as Jesus Christ, and Travis Miller as John The Baptist and Judas Iscariot. The ensemble features Layne Lueckert, Tasha Marie Matthews, Leah Prestogeorge, Azaria Oglesby, Adam Sarp, Riley Tate, Hannah Taylor, Anna Strauser, Nicole Castelli, Kristina Lindauer, Halle Polechko and Eric Carter.

“They’re the future actors and singers and dancers going into the real world,” Puc said. “I want the stigma of being a student show to come away. I want the audience to just walk into this production, enjoy it and come out saying, ‘wow, that’s a really great show.’”

The performances run May 3 at 8 p.m., May 4 at 9 p.m. and May 5 at noon in Reeves Theater.

“A lot of the times, especially in a school setting, we do theatre and yeah, that’s work,” Scharer said. “But to many people, this is an extracurricular activity. This is fun, so don’t make it work. You’re out here to play. The more that you play, the more you discover. Preparing for opening night, I find myself enjoying it more. It kind of reaffirms for me that this is in good shape. Our work is almost done, this is in the cast’s hands.”

“If I want to give a shoutout, it would be more to the cast and the musicians and the behind the scenes,” Burns said. “They do a lot more work than people think.”

Admission for SHU students is $5, and general admission is $7. E-mail stac@ setonhill.edu to reserve tickets in Bobby Tramontina, center, plays Jesus advance or purchase tickets at the door.

Christ. Photo by J.Scharer.

What’s your inspiration?

“Godspell” student choreographer and directors, from left to right: Taylor Puc, Sam Burns and James Scharer. Photo by H.Carnahan/Setonian.

Burns: Composer Stephen Schwartz and Led Zeppelin “I’ve seen those musicals and I really liked the music. I thought they were fun to sing along to, but now that I’ve started to work with the show, when I did a score analysis of it and just picking it apart. There’s so much thought that’s put into this. He’s really been my inspiration as to ‘how can I make this sound as if he’s the conductor of the pit, as I am now for this musical?’”

Puc: Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler “I had to do research for a couple of my school projects and in his work he said that one of his biggest goals is to make the choreography mean something to the characters and to the audience I find myself going into this process telling the actors to make the choreo mean something. I’ve also been thinking about how the dance fits the music. Find yourself being taken by the music and by the movement, and then it will make it so much more heightened.”

Scharer: Composer Stephen Sondheim and rock ‘n’ roll “The way he writes musicals is just so raw, and it’s really at the depth of the characters that he writes for. Especially you see it in Sweeney Todd. I come from a rock ‘n’ roll background. I was raised on ‘80s hair metal, so finding and looking at places where we can tie the two together, there’s such an energy about it. That really helps tell the story and bring it to life.”

HALEY CARNAHAN is a junior journalism major from North Huntingdon, Pa. She loves music, theatre and Spider-man.

Layout by H.Carnahan/Setonian.

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