The Slate 2-15-22

Trans athletes face extra scrutiny, B1

Star sign incompatibility, C1

A very Valentine’s Day playlist, D1

Men’s basketball splits PSAC games, E1

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Volume 65 No. 16

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

APSCUF applauds governor’s budget Daniel Reiley Staff Writer

A prominent state system faculty union is praising Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent budget plan for prioritizing public higher education. Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges and University Faculties (APSCUF) President Jamie Martin applauded the budget plan for its “much-needed investment” in the state system.

Wolf announced the final budget plan on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

“This proposal will change the landscape at our universities for current and future State System university students,” Martin said.

The plan has initiatives that would help students at the State System universities.

The plan includes a $75 million increase to the budget line-item for the Pennsylva-

Image courtesy of APSCUF

Jamie Martin nia State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), according press release on governor.pa.com. The Nellie Bly Scholarship, which benefits state and community colleges, would receive $200 million. This would lower the cost of college and decrease student debt.

According to the APSCUF press release, $150 million from the American Rescue Plan would go to “faculty and staff support; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and continued marketing for

State System students.”

“Because of the surplus, we can actually do something that we have never been able to do in my seven years,” Wolf, said in a statement.

“I’m not sure that’s there’s anything that’s more important for a state than education. When we stiff education, we’re stiffing ourselves.

If we do a good job in preparing you for a career in this complicated and ever-changing world that we live in, then we need you to have [those] opportunities.”

Martin said the increased appropriations funding scholarships and other student-centered initiatives move the stat system back toward its original mission of providing a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost for students.

“Public higher education is supposed to be affordable.

Not fulfilling this promise has devastating effects on our Commonwealth,” Martin

Image courtesy of www.governor.pa.gov

The Pennsylvania Governor presented his final budget plan on Tuesday, Feb. 8 said.

Martin said the union is grateful for the governor’s “steadfast support” in helping move PASSHE initiates across the finish line.

“We approach this budget with our students as the focus. We must not forget our

students do amazing things while they are enrolled in our universities and after they leave them. They are first responders, nurses, police officers and physicians; they work with our children as teachers and counselors; they find success in business,

science and art; they work for nonprofit organizations and in government,” she said.

“We are the beneficiaries of their successes, and they deserve our support that is included in this budget.”

Editors Note: Slate Staff members contributed to this report.

SGA holds first spring meeting, addresses February is financial student clubs, funding, upcoming events aid awareness month Natalie Truman

SU Financial Aid Office

With the effects of Valentine’s Day felt all over campus, Shippensburg University’s Student Government Association kept matters short and sweet at its their meeting on Thursday, approving multiple student-focused actions.

Council voted unanimously to approve two new student groups, the Civil Engineering Club and Table Tennis Club.

SGA members Council also voted to increase the budget for the Sociology and Anthropology Club. Chase Slenker, vice president of budget and finance, said it was an easy decision that gives the club more event opportunities.

Vice President of Student Groups Christopher Higgins also announced an upcoming event with SGA and the Pride and Gender Equity Center (PAGE).

SINGO, a musical bingo, will be held in the CUB multi-purpose room from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18. A $1 entry fee is suggested. All proceeds will benefit the YWCA Domestic Violence Fund.

In other business, the Campus Media Board representative said they are looking to host more events for SU Communication Journalism students.

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) “will be spearheading the effort to make student media groups more uniform,” Adam Beam, the Campus Media Board representative and RHA Senator said, as well as hold events where all student media groups

February is a great time for students to file their 2022-23 FAFSA. If students need assistance, the Shippensburg University Financial Aid Office office is available to assist them and their with completing the FAFSA. Log in to FAFSA online at www.studentaid.gov, or on the myStudentAid app (available on iOS and Android) with the student’s FSA ID and password, complete the information on the form, save it and then have a parent log in with their FSA ID and password to complete their information. We highly recommend students and families use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to link your 2020 tax data directly from the IRS to their FAFSA. Once the FAFSA is complete, be sure to apply electronic signatures and submit the application.

To get a sneak peek at a student’s eligibility for Federal Grants and Loans, be sure to check the confirmation email (on the email account registered with

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Natalie Truman/The Slate

The Student Government Association held their first public meeting of the semester Feb. 10. Two new student clubs, the Civil Engineering Club and the Table Tennis Club were unanimously approved. can get together. More information on when these events will happen is in the works.

SU’s radio station, WSYC, also got approval for their annual Up All Night event to be 24 hours again. For the past two years, the event was held during the day for only 10 hours due to COVID-19 protocols.

The exact date of the event has not been decided.

Student Trustee Seth Edwards spoke briefly about his position opening up

upon his graduation. Students interested in the student trustee position can apply on SU’s Trustee web page starting Feb. 14.

In other action, the council: - Approved a budget increase for the Chess Club to attend the Western Open Conference.

- Granted voting rights to Ian Sherlock, Ethan Rosenberry and Kira Wright to the External Affairs Committee.

the FSA User ID) to view FAFSA results. If the student is a Pennsylvania resident, PHEAA will notify by email with State Grant award eligibility as well.

Want to see if students are eligible for free money? Apply for scholarships!

The SU Financial Aid Office encourages students to apply for Shippensburg University Foundation scholarships (online at https://ship.scholarships. ngwebsolutions.com/ ) and PASSHE Foundation Scholarships (online at https://thepafoundation. scholarships).

If students or family members have general financial aid questions, a great resource is Shippensburg University’s Financial Aid Reference and Resource GuideINANCIAL AID REFERENCE AND RESOURCE GUIDE www.ship.edu/globalassets/financial-aid/pfc-fa_ roadmap_1121_int-s-002. pdf .

The SU Financial Aid Office office is located in Old Main Room 101.

And since it’s February … be sure to show the financial aid office some love.

NEWS

A2

February 15, 2022

Wolf’s budget proposal favors education

Marc Levy and Mark Scolforo

The Associated Press

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf’s eighth and final budget proposal unveiled Tuesday would push state spending past $43 billion for the first time, with the Democratic governor asking lawmakers for the largest-ever increase in aid for public schools, plus more money for direct care workers, higher-education institutions and college scholarships.

Wolf delivered the $43.7 billion proposal to lawmakers in a joint session of the House and Senate, the kickoff of almost five months of wrangling before the fiscal year ends on June 30.

A hallmark of Wolf’s tenure in office has been a campaign to wipe out deep funding disparities between the poorest and wealthiest public schools, and he is again hoping to persuade the Republican-controlled Legislature to approve a large increase, more than $1.5 billion.

In addition to public schools, Wolf wants to increase reimbursements

for direct care workers who serve the elderly and disabled under Medicaid and to marshal more money to qualify Pennsylvania for new federal highway and bridge funding.

State universities and scholarship programs also would get substantial new sums, including $125 million for the 14-school State System of Higher Education and a $200 million scholarship program for students who go there.

Republican lawmakers, however, have long been leery of Wolf’s proposed spending increases, and they suggested that Wolf’s starting bid in budget negotiations was a “fantasy’’ that not even Wolf himself would sign into law.

After years of stubborn deficits dating back to the recession, the state’s bank accounts are now flush from an economy juiced with federal pandemic subsidies, and a multibillion-dollar surplus _ an eye-popping $6.5 billion _ is projected for the coming year.

Most of Wolf’s budget proposals have revolved around a large tax increase.

“We could make it someone else’s problem, we could leave it for another governor or another legislature to figure out. But we know better. We know that putting off the inevitable is not solving the problem. The truth is, the longer we go without paying this bill, the more it’s going to end up costing us.’’

Gov. Tom Wolf However, given the state’s cash cushion, this time Wolf is proposing no change to state income or sales taxes, the state’s two main sources of income.

All told, Wolf’s plan would increase spending through the state’s main bank account to $43.7 billion, or about 13% higher than this year’s enacted budget of $38.6 billion.

However, federal pandemic aid has reduced the state’s reliance on Pennsylvania tax dollars for the current year. Counting $3.5 billion in federal pandemic aid, spending on state operations is projected to be about $41 billion in this fiscal year.

In his address, Wolf said it was time to fulfill the promise of equitable public

Campus Police Briefs Student charged with drug paraphernalia possession

school funding, a major commitment that the state can afford to meet right now.

“This is one of those cans it would really be easy to kick down the road,’’ Wolf said. “We could make it someone else’s problem, we could leave it for another governor or another legislature to figure out. But we know better. We know that putting off the inevitable is not solving the problem.

The truth is, the longer we go without paying this bill, the more it’s going to end up costing us.’’

Wolf also called for an increase in Pennsylvania’s rock-bottom minimum wage _ something Republican lawmakers have resisted since he took office in 2015 _ and to cut corporate taxes

Resident victim of check fraud State Police said a Shippensburg Township resident reported that a check was fraudulently signed and cashed in their name. The $200 check was issued by Dauphin County and was cashed in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating.

Bees stolen from Giant Co. The Associated Press AP Wire

CARLISLE — Nearly 60,000 bees have been stolen from a grocery store company's field in Pennsylvania, the company said.

The bees were said to be stolen in Carlisle between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, Pennlive.com reported Wednesday.

In a statement, the Giant

Company's community impact manager, Jessica Groves, said that the bees were an essential part of the local food chain that is suffering a declining bee population.

“We are extremely disappointed that this happened and are continuing to cooperate with Middlesex Township Police Department,” Groves said.

In 2021, beekeepers in the state reported a loss of 41%

of their populations, which was less than the national average loss of 45.5% of bees between April 2020 and 2021.

The nationwide loss of bee populations is causing serious concerns with the agricultural industry and environmentalists because about one-third of the United States' food supply relies on bees to pollinate plants, the newspaper said.

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and they do not reflect reality.’’

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, called Wolf’s spending plan “obscene’’ and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, called it “fantasy island.’’

Democrats, however, echoed Wolf’s message that now is the time to take advantage of huge surpluses to put the money towards long-term good that will help the state in the future.

“It’s all about investing in people, funding our schools so that property taxes go down and making Pennsylvania a more business-friendly commonwealth,’’ House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, said.

Sen. Vince Hughes of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said he was heartened by Wolf’s continued focus on education spending.

“I think the big news today is the education funding,’’ Hughes said. “I think the big news today is that we have the surpluses available to us to pay for it.’’

Your World Today

Commentary: Don’t overlook friendship this Valentine’s Day

SUPD responded to a fire alarm in Lackhove Hall on Feb. 3. Officers said there was no fire, but upon investigation found suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the room that activated the alarm. Police charged Sybrie Cofield, 21, with possession of drug paraphernalia.

State Police Briefs

by walking Pennsylvania back from its 9.99% tax rate on corporate profits, second-highest in the nation.

Wolf, who is constitutionally required to leave office next January when his second term ends, is touting himself as the only governor since Republican Dick Thornburgh in 1987 to leave a cash surplus to his successor.

Still, some of the surplus will be necessary to pick up the slack left by billions in federal pandemic aid that is footing state Medicaid bills this year.

Republicans warned that the state is still in a long-term deficit cycle, considering it is a relatively slow-growing economy with a ballooning retirement-age population and a shrinking working-age population.

Booming tax collections right now are simply masking a long-term deficit that will reemerge faster if the state spends billions from its surplus dollars, they said.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, cautioned that Wolf’s budget figures “do not reflect history

Noel Miller Editor-in-Chief Along with the cheesy cards, oversized stuffed animals, pink pallets and paper hearts of Valentine’s Day, comes the opportunity to celebrate love in all forms.

Yes, Valentine’s Day is typically centered on romantic love, but why limit it? Single or not, there’s plenty of platonic love to go around.

Over the past few years, I’ve taken to celebrating “Galetines Day,” where I get a group of my closest female friends together to celebrate without the thought of boyfriends or girlfriends on our minds. While a nice concept, why limit it to just my female friends? I’d much rather spend a day celebrating with friends than liking memes about relationship woes on Instagram.

We’ve all been through a lot in the past years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the world changing rapidly around us, many have relied on friends more than ever. Even if we lost some friendships and made some new ones, no one has been able to get through this pandemic alone.

The pandemic began when I was 19 years old. I am now 22. When we found out that we would not be returning for the remainder of the semester during spring break in 2020, I was devastated. Even with an extra week of break, I had a hard time processing the sudden shift. It meant that I may not see my friends, who were graduating seniors or who were transferring schools, ever again.

As the first months of the pandemic drew on, I spent an increasing amount of time on Messenger, a Facebook messaging app and Discord, a phone and laptop app that can host multiple people on one call. Even if I was just cleaning my room or putting away the dishes, I would hop on a Discord call to pass the time. Eventually, the semester drew to a close and summer dawned.

The world remained in stasis and so did I. Although I worked, there was excess time to kill that summer.

My friends were one of the few escapes I had.

Gathering with my friends on Discord created a much-needed facade of structure in my life. I often began and ended my day on Discord, checking in with friends from school, from my neighborhood or even from the West coast. Even if I got back from a long shift, I would pop into the Discord call to touch base.

I spent many late nights

nestled on my couch, playing my brother’s PlayStation4 and talking on Discord. While I’ve always been a night owl, those hours were the best part of my day. No one else was around, my job was done for the day, and we could forget the state of the world for a bit.

We talked about the pandemic, about family drama, our pets, our newest pandemic fueled hobby and what we were eating for dinner. Lending a virtual ear, we supported one another.

Even when the world opened up again and I went back to school in the fall, I stuck to my routine of connection. It became and still is essential to my life and well-being. So this Valentine’s Day, my love goes out to all of my friends.

The people who stay by my side and are willing to put up with me – they mean so much to me.

There should be no shame in platonic love. If there’s one thing life has made clear to me its that family is never limited by blood. Your found family is just as valid and important as those you are related to.

Tradition and normalcy have flown out the window at this point of the pandemic, so I say why not let your friends know you love them this Valentine’s Day.

A3

NEWS

February 15, 2022

Love Lines To: Paige Shope

Happy Valentine’s Day baby! I love you so, so, so much. You’re my favorite person in the whole world.

From: Carlos Mora-Fallas To: Maria

To: Dr. Drager

Our love for you is “on-the-record!”

From: The Slate Staff To: Carlos

I am proud to call you mine, and I love every moment with you.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being my best friend and always supporting me. I love you!

To: Josh

To: Love of my Ship Life

From: Anthony

Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite person, I love you forever.

From: Your girl, Paige

Congratulations on another awesome recital! You all did great!

I am so endlessly proud of the work you do and the heart you put into it. You are genuinely one of the best parts of my college experience so far and I feel so lucky to not only have met you, but to be your best friend. Thank you for all you do for me, I am so grateful. So grateful in fact that I will treat you to The Olive Garden tonight. Love you forever.

To: Maddie T.

To: Alaina

From: Siobhan

To: In-Motion Dance Troupe From: Breann

I hope you’re enjoying The Bachelor this Valentine’s Day. Love you!

From: Breann To: Charles

Love doing life with you!

From: Colleen (your tugboat)

From: Snookipuss

Thank you for sharing trauma over Alvarez readings, freaking out over cute waiters, and driving me around. I can not wait to live with you in the fall. I love you so much <4

From: Yours, LJ To: Kalyn

Thank you for being my work wife, I love you!

You are the most chaotic and love filled person I have ever met.

Thank you for reading trash romance with me and sending endless TikToks. I love you K!!

To: Duncan

To: Dear Leslie Taylor

To: Emily

From: Arielle aka Hot Sauce

Happy Birthday, Valentine’s Day and six months, all wrapped in one!

Love you bunches!

From: Sadie

To: Dr. Chattopadhyay

Happy Valentine’s Day! Save the date: May 2024

From: Your favorite advisees <3 To: Boss Lady Noel

I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished this year!

From: News Mom

To: Emma and Noel

My goslings are all grown up now! Hönk!

From: Mother Goose To: Madison

Thank you so much for being the best roommate and the even bestest friend. Happy Valentine’s Day!

From: Allyson To: Emma

I love how the world brought us together. Thank you for being my friend! Happy Valentine’s Day!

From: Allyson To: Mo

Thank you so much for being an amazing friend! Happy Valentine’s Day!

From: Allyson

To: Bridget and Hallie

Oh hey girls!! Happy Valentine’s Day! Keep #KillingItatShip

From: Jenna and Mike

From: Yours, Enabler of Chaos

You are my favorite person. Thank you for everything you do, and everything you are to me. I love you so much, and I am so grateful and thankful for you!

From: All my love, Patrick Hicks To: Dante

You are the absolute love of my life and I could never choose another name to put a ring on my finger and call me his fiancé. I enjoy every single adventure that we have together whether great or small.

I don’t care where we go or what we do because just as long as we’re together I am happy. Does not one person in this world but I could love anymore than I love you. When you smile I smile. When you cry I cry. When you make me laugh and I make me laugh we laugh together. I always love looking back to the time when we first met because I still do think that GOD destined for us to be together.

When I found you and fell in love with you I felt like the happiest person in the whole world and I could never imagine my life without you. I remember that you said to me that I saved your life whenever we met face-to-face. I think that definitely we saved each other.

Now that three years of being together is just right around the corner I would go through everything that we went through 100 more times.

I love you so, so much darling with all of my heart. Always and forever and for all eternity. My heart only belongs to you. Happy Valentine’s Day sweetheart. It’s such an honor to be called your fiancé and to later be your wife. I love you Dante HollenQuest and I will always love you.

From: Yours Truly and Forever, Aurora To: Carolyn

Roses are red, violets are blue. After all these years, I’ve never lost my crush on you. Carolyn, you are my soulmate for eternity.

From: Dr. D

To: My love Rachel

I <3 you more than Sprite.

I see you working to help those around you and it inspires me everyday. The love I feel for you grows every day since our first meeting in that pizza shop.

To: The Slate Staff

To: Snookipuss

To: Emma Schappell and Regina Yeung From: Brooke Curran

WOW! This edition looks AMAZING :D I am so proud of you. All the long hours and late nights you spend never go unnoticed. It has been an honor to lead this staff and a highlight of my senior year. Being a Slater has enriched my life and I couldn’t have asked for a better staff to work with. I can’t wait to see the new heights you will take the paper to. Many kudos my Slaters!

From: Noel

From: Austin

So glad that you were put into my life. Thank you for putting up with all my antics. Truly, being around you is like hanging out with myself (in the best way). I can’t wait to keep making memories with you.

From: Narcissa

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

B1

Opinion The Slate Speaks: Trans Sports Approximately 150 miles from Shippensburg University at the University of Pennsylvania, 16 swimmers on the women’s team wrote to Penn officials that their team member Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, has “an unfair advantage.”

Unfortunately, these types of concerns regarding transgender individuals in sports is not uncommon by any means.

“Lia has every right to live her life authentically. However, we also realize that when it comes to sports competition, that the biology of sex is a separate issue from someone’s gender identity,” the letter stated, according to CNN. “Biologically, Lia holds an unfair advantage over competition in the women’s category, as evidenced by her rankings that have bounced from #462 as a male to #1 as a female.”

The letter was turned into Penn officials anonymously through Nancy Hogshead-Makar, an Olympic gold medalist. She is also the founder of Champion Women, a non-profit group that advocates for girls and women in sports. Yet apparently not all women.

In the middle of January 2022, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changed their rules regarding transgender athletes. The new guidelines require trans women to submit to their testosterone levels via test in order to compete. The governing body for each sport gets to decide how high testosterone levels are allowed to be.

Before the change in policy, the NCAA required trans athletes to be on testosterone-suppressants for 12 months before allowing the women to compete in women’s sports. The

USA Swimming, the national governing body, has guidelines that are quite strict and only allow for half of the testosterone level than the NCAA guidelines permitted. They require that less 5 nanomoles per liter of testosterone be present in their athletes for 36 months before the athlete applies for the team.

The 36 months that USA Swimming outlines in their guidelines is not supported scientific research. This evidenced by how most trans women experience the largest decrease in their muscle mass within the first year of taking testosterone-suppressants, which is data supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH).

This can be seen even in the comparison between Lia Thomas’s best times in her event before and after her transition. After transitioning, Thomas’s national best in the Women’s 400 was 4:34.06, which is 15 seconds slower than her best time pre-transition.

For swimmers, that 15 seconds is a lot of crucial time. Yet, the only thing that anyone is addressing in terms of transgender athletes is the fact that these athletes get an “advantage.” If these swimmers from the University of Pennsylvania can support Lia in her being her “authentic self,” then where is the support for her as a swimmer on the team?

Other professional swimmers, those who are not transgender, have “biological advantages. The point of competitive sports is to be better than your opponent.

For example, Michael Phelps, a record holding Olympic gold medalist, has many aspects that make him naturally

more suited as a swimmer. Phelps has hyperextended joints and double-jointed ankles that allow his ankles to move 15% more than his Olympic level opponents. He also produces less lactic acid than others, which means that he can recover more quickly than other people when exercising.

Despite this, Phelps released a statement regarding transgender athletes stating that sports, though, need to have a “level playing field.”

Not to mention, approximately 5% of cisgender female athletes have testosterone levels that are more than double the amount set in the USA Swimming guidelines. Women considered “too masculine” could be subject to accusations or the potential of invasive testing. Women, all women, do not need any more smothering than they already receive in society from birth, and trans women specifically do not need to be met with yet another disadvantage.

Society has placed so much emphasis on gender and that we have tricked ourselves into believing that men and women cannot fairly compete against each other.

If this continues, we may just end up watching mediocre athletes play mediocre sports. Let people compete as they wish to compete because at the end of the day, the world keeps turning and records are meant to be broken.

Ranking pet names from a judgy Gemini Elizabeth Peters Copy Editor

With Valentine’s Day love still in the air, here is my opinion on what the best and worst pet names are this year. They are ranked from best to worst in regards to what will make others say “Aww” or “Eww” when they hear you say it.

1. Sweetheart This is the most superior pet name for public usage.

It’s classic, it’s not over done in the common day and it won’t make those around you wish they had not moved back to campus. Nothing about this term is too much, which is what makes it your best pick for showing affection in public without causing eye rolls.

2. Baby It’s not a bad option, but the general populous just finds this boring and cringy. Very little creativity goes into this pet name, so while it might grate the ears of those around you, it is a safe bet. You are not wrong for having this be your default, but it just could be so much better. Consider switching up the game and calling you partner some of the alternatives: Babes, Honey, Sweetie, etc.

3. Babe While this is a variant of Baby, it gets its own ranking as it has evolved into a whole new beast. Babe users are generally too lazy to commit to the “Y” of baby, and this was only perpetuated by the pop cultural B.A.E of the early 2010s. Honestly it just contributes to the Gen Z stereotype of being too lazy to finish anything. It’s

not the worst thing you can say, just not great, especially when the “A” is elongated in pronunciation. Do better “Baaaaaaaabe” users.

4. Darlin’ Ok so listen this is not inherently a bad pet name.

Should you be a refined English gentleman or a southern cowboy, this affectionate term is actually good.

The problem comes when you are neither of the above and are pretending to either be more cowboy or more refined than you truly are. This is a plea to simply stop and choose a different thing to call your significant other, because let me tell you, hunting and deer camps do not make you a cowboy. That’s just the majority of the Pennsylvania population.

5. Babygirl/Babyboy While these endearments have been “normalized” via the harlequin novels your mom reads on the beach, they still send shivers down all by-standers spines when said. Not in a good way, freak. This is a formal message to keep these pet names behind closed doors or you have opened yourself up to being publicly ostracized.

6. Daddy/Mommy If you want people around you to actually vomit, then by all means continue calling your partner this in public. However, I will remind you that this pet name is like firing a flare gun in the middle of campus: attracts a lot of attention and sparks a lot of fear. Using it is simultaneously a power statement and a clear cry for a need of therapy. To schedule your appointment, call The Counseling Center at (717) 477-1481.

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Tuesday, February 15, 2022

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Ship Life Ask Cupid Dear Cupid, I am dating a guy who tends to “accidentally” manipulate and pressure me sometimes. It leaves me wondering if the relationship is worth it. I get more confused when he gets me gifts and apologizes. One of my close guy friends has told me he almost asked me out and I honestly wish he had; I just know he would treat me better. He just makes me so happy and really knows me. He feels like home to me, but I am so scared of breaking my boyfriend’s heart.

What do you think I should do? I feel so helpless, - Hopeless in Harley Hall.

Katie Huston/The Slate

Shippensbrg University students Jack Myers and Mark McKenzie discussing the Super Bowl LVI game. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.

Commentary: Super Bowl significance to those who do not understand sports

Katie Huston Ship Life Editor

Like many others across America, I have several year’s worth of childhood memories about the Super Bowl. Whether it was running around the room as a little kid, laughing at commercials with my grandmother or growing tired of pretending to understand the game and just watching a movie on my phone instead, those memories have stuck with me.

Though I have never been too interested in football myself, the largely televised event seems to have a little bit of something for everyone. So, even though I know nothing about the popular sport, this year I found myself missing that moment with my family.

Luckily, this year I found a way to keep myself connected to the tradition through a group of my collegiate acquaintances.

In a Shippensburg University D-suite dorm, a hodge-podge group gathered 30 minutes too late to watch the game.

Yet, as a group with a myriad of interests, we still seemed to have a great time. Only two of us seemed to have a grasp on the concept of football gameplay, leaving the rest of us knitters, Slate members and Pokémon Go players to comment and ask way too many questions.

Our group still indulged in the feasting aspect that every good Super Bowl party has. At least, we did as well as any group of college students can with two boxes of Wheat Thins and hastily made chocolate-covered strawberries.

There were no complaints as we engaged in classic camaraderie. I felt it was still reminiscent of my childhood in a way, the way that we all gathered for this event of which few had any knowledge.

We, of course, all paid attention to the notorious Super Bowl commercials. Each of us waiting to comment on the odd

combination of celebrities or guess what the confusing commercial was supposed to be advertising for. Each “Metaverse” commercial was met with a comment about Mark Zuckerberg.

A comment of “I can’t wait for all of the truck commercials tonight,” incited an unofficial contest for the group I was with on Sunday as we counted the number of truck commercials versus the number of crypto-currency commercials.

As the night progressed each commercial started getting analyzed in a different way whether it was about the effects of capitalism or the fact that “Megan Thee Stallion is voicing that bird there, I know.” Every conversation easily meshed everyone’s interests in some way.

As in many households around America, we turned off the lights after the second quarter and waited anxiously for the halftime show to begin. The group in the D-suite was quite a fan of the artists and I was personally excited for Mary J. Blige’s section of the performance.

The headliners — Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar —nwere joined with performances by 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak. We all seemed to thoroughly enjoy their performances while engaging in jokes about our favorite artists as they emerged on-screen and disappeared off.

We soon turned our interests elsewhere as the night went on. While some kept focused on the game, others became enthralled in playing Pokémon Go between the commercials.

Still, we were all engrossed in conversations with all those in attendance.

To me, the Super Bowl is a testament to the fact that some form of family can be found anywhere. Sure, here at college I am on my own in many senses. However, moments like these can remind me that I don’t need to always recall the past because some things just get better with age.

Recipe of the Week:

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Ingredients: - 16 oz chocolate chips - 2 tbsp shortening or butter - 1 box of strawberries

Courtesy of Piper Kull/The Slate

Directions: 1. Place chocolate in a microwavable dish and mix with the shortening or butter.

2. Allow the chocolate to melt in the microwave and occasionally take the dish out to stir.

3. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries. Dip the stawberries into the chocolate mixture.

4. Place onto tray and allow the chocolate to cool for a few moments.

5. Enjoy the chocolate and berry treat.

Hopeless, I think the relationship you’re in may not be the best for you. Your use of quotes around “accidental” makes it seem as though you know your boyfriend is purposely manipulating you or is at least making no effort to change those behaviors.

Have you talked to your boyfriend about this? Has it gotten any better?

Your tone leads me to believe it hasn’t, and you should never feel pressured in your relationship. I’m also getting that your partner’s only attempts to make things better are words and gifts. Actions speak far louder than any physical item or empty promise.

Breaking up can be hard to do, but it sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind about what you want.

Consider what your heart is saying, but also listen to your head. If your relationship is holding you back or — especially making you uncomfortable, you are strong enough to leave.

I don’t know if this is a long-term relationship, but, if it is, I know the unknown can be scary. I promise you that an emotionally safer situation is always worth it. You don’t have to let your history with someone trap you in an unpleasant pleasant situation. If you are havng trouble deciding whether or not this relationship is healthy, reach out to the PAGE Center for the resources there.

The prospect of a new relationship can be exciting around Valentine’s Day. Just be cautious about moving into another relationship right away; make sure you give yourself the proper breathing and processing time after leaving a relationship with an imbalance power dynamic.

You deserve the time to focus on your own wants and needs. Take time to turn inwards and give yourself the care that you would give a partner this Valentine’s Day. Xoxo, CUB 250 Cupid

Dear Cupid, I am 20 and I have never been in a relationship.

Guys always tell me I’m pretty and want to hook up with me, but never ask me on dates or get to know me. I really want a boyfriend, but all my friends say it’s overrated and I should enjoy being single. I feel like I’m missing out. Is there something wrong with me?

- Reisner Romantic.

Romantic, I hate to tell you what you’ve probably already heard before, but I can assure you most of it has grains of truth to it.

First and foremost, there is nothing wrong with you just because you don’t have a boyfriend. People date earlier and earlier these days, and frankly, the inevitable toxicity of dating as a teen isn’t worth it. Your friends’ opinions have merit, but so do yours. After all, the grass is always greener on the other side. I understand the frustration though; you’re 20 and I imagine your younger self would have envisioned you with a boyfriend by now.

Also, there’s a chance you’re looking for love in the wrong places. Dating apps and parties are a great way to meet random people and test your luck, but when the dating pool becomes a game of chance, there’s little grounds for actual, meaningful connection. Sure, some people win, but they have to. That’s what keeps this way of playing the game attractive. Where are the guys around you that share your interests? Go somewhere where you’d envision meeting your dream man, maybe he’ll be there.

I encourage you to question why you are feeling that absence right now. Do you crave physical intimacy? Envy the emotional connection? Do you just want someone to take you out to dinner and pay, give you a kiss on the cheek and walk you home? Is it just the dull cynicism of Valentine’s Day? Turn your negative emotions into reasons for personal growth. If you’re looking for someone to love, you can always look in the mirror. Create the purpose in your life that you wish someone else would forge in it. Buy yourself tickets to a movie you really want to see, take yourself on a shopping trip, or even just add five minutes to your shower or skincare routine. Sometimes it can be hard to see the value in your own life without someone there to witness it with you, but I promise that at the end of the day, you are the one who always has to love yourself the most. Never ever lose sight of that.

Lots of love, CUB 250 Cupid

SHIP LIFE

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February 15, 2022

Incompatible horoscopes by two mean Scorpios Aries & Capricorn Ever heard this phrase: “two wrongs don’t make a right?” A relationship between Aries and Capricorn is proof. The impulsive and stubborn Aries could easily unravel any of the organized plans that you have come up with for your future, right Capricorn? Don’t worry, we are sure that you have enough time in your never-ending schedule to fix whatever problems that Aries makes. Though, Aries, you would never let them help you with your problems, not with that enormous ego that you’ve been carrying around with you. Capricorn, you’re a homebody at heart and that just won’t align with Aries’s impulsive nature. While Aries craves constant change, Capricorn despises it. The two of you are two different sides of the coin. At least your two type-A personalities will mesh perfectly to annoy the heck out of the rest of us.

Taurus & Aquarius The uniquely eccentric Aquarius in a relationship? Never we thought we’d see the day. Especially Aquarius in a relationship with the conventional Taurus? Even rarer. We’re surprised that you would allow someone as blunt and constantly disgruntled as Taurus to hold you back, Aquarius. Yet, for someone as understanding and in touch with emotions as you, Taurus, we are certain that Aquarius’ detachment from their own would drive you up a wall. The completely independent Aquarius and extremely possessive Taurus seem like a match made in hell. Aquarius may seem open minded, but only until their own independence is struck down. It will be a war, mark our words.

Sagittarius & Virgo Oh, Sagittarius, you are setting yourself up for failure if you think entering a relationship with Virgo is a good idea.

With your “one-of-a-kind” attitude and desire to be the most unique person in the room, a relationship with the overly critical Virgo is almost sure to crumble. Every plan made by meticulous planner Virgo would drive Sagittarius insane, and any spur of the moment adventure would be too much for Virgo. One small disagreement between the pair would be certain death for the relationship with your vastly different approaches to conflict. What we mean is, Virgo, they are often too naive to handle the unforgiving commentary that you love to dish. A sensitive and optimistic soul like Sagittarius is no match for the scathing remark of a temperamental Virgo.

Libra & Leo What a great pairing you two make (note: heavy sarcasm).

Libra, are you going to stay with Leo, or are they just another notch while you wait to see who else is available? This couple will show every couple exactly what they are missing: a self-absorbed narcissist focused on being the sole focus of their partner’s attention, and an indecisive, moody people-pleaser. How are the two of you ever going to get anything done? A selfish lion is bound to eat a selfless wolf alive.

Perhaps the two of you would be better suited as business partners. For Leo, a business where you are the demanding boss that drains Libra until they have nothing left to give. It all seems a little too one-sided there, Leo.

Gemini & Pisces

Cancer & Scorpio

We are actually surprised that either of you have managed to get into any type of meaningful relationship given your histories. Between the overly anxious Gemini and the closed off Pisces, there are few discernable ways that we can see that this relationship will flourish. Pisces, your desire to not be understood is going to clash with Gemini in the worst way. How do you expect to have a healthy relationship when communication is one-sided? You thrive on being selfless — too selfless. And Gemini, with the judgmental things that you like to say to and behind others, we think that you may be a little too much for our sensitive Pisces. Between both of your inability to make a decision to save your life, we doubt that we should have any fears that this relationship will start anyhow.

I’m sure you two had a great meet-cute, but the emotional mess that ensues after will not be worth it. Cancer, while you are endlessly empathetic and loyal, you honestly aren’t good at expressing it in the way that Scorpio constantly needs to hear from you. Scorpio, you crave an intimacy that Cancer will be too scared to ask for and they may even be feeling threatened by the depth of your other relationships. Scorpio can feel far too secretive and spiritual for Cancer, and the two are likely to constantly feel frustrated by the passive aggressive attitudes from the other. We know being sad is ‘cool’ or whatever, but sadly, two savior complexes cannot fix each other.

Editor’s Note: The two mean Scorpios column and The Slate are not responsible for any hard feelings caused on behalf of the Incompatible Horoscopes column. Any animosity created between couples is not at the fault of The Slate.

Recipe of the Week: Mocktails

Recipe courtesy of Noel Miller/The Slate

Ingredients: - 3 rosemary sprigs - 1 cup sugar - 1 cup water - 2 cups pink grapefruit juice - 4 cups sparkling water - ¼ cup homemade rosemary simple syrup

Directions: Simple Syrup 1. Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium fire. Continue cooking for five minutes until sugar dissolves.

2. Do not boil the mixture or the sugar will harden into crystals.

3. Once ready, pour in a heat-resistant cup, throw in the rosemary sprigs and then let the mixture sit for one hour.

4. The rosemary simple syrup can be kept fresh for at least 10 days in the refrigerator.

Feel free to use it to make other healthy mocktails.

Mocktail Mix 1. Pour half a cup of grapefruit juice in a glass.

2. Scoop in a tablespoon of the rosemary simple syrup.

3. Stir and then pour in some sparkling water until the glass is full.

4. Top off with some rosemary sprigs.

Tuesday, February 15, 2021

D1

A&E

Piper Kull/The Slate

Celebrate Valentine’s with your music lover by listening to some lovey rock n’ roll that has stood the test of time, or maybe even serenade them.

Set the mood this Valentine’s Day with romantic rock n’ roll Ethan Cornell

Guest Contributor

Love is a feeling that is different for everyone. They know what love means to them, but words seem to fail when trying to describe it.

Love is also something that takes many different forms depending on the situation.

Love might be coming home to see your pet dog, talking to that cute guy that works at the local coffee shop or it might just be eating really good mac and cheese at 2 a.m. No matter the context, music is one way we can communicate our emotions to large bodies of people, and love is no exception.

Because (like love) music must be felt to be understood.

According to a study by the dating site Plenty of Fish, women who listened to classic rock were 68% more likely to match with a potential partner. It’s clear that there is a distinct connection between romance and rock and

roll. Rock and roll has deep roots in American culture.

Rock music today is hard to pin down with a distinct sound. Originally conceived through the expansion of jazz music in the 1930s and 1940s, rock and roll music first took form in the 1950s and quickly exploded onto the scene thanks to teenage heartthrobs like Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin and Ricky Nelson.

This new explosive genre was starkly different than the traditional jazz and blues that dominated the charts since the invention of the radio. Rock and roll, like rap today, was privy to a lot of scrutiny by parents because of its tonguein-cheek sexual lyrics and connotations to juvenile delinquency.

At this point, rock became more than just music. It became the message that the young would never feel ashamed of how they felt, especially towards each other.

More than ever, raw human emotion was being put into each note

and each strum of the guitar. As rock continued to thrive into the 60s and through the 70s, the genre was swept with different styles and tastes with each new generation.

The spirit of rock, however, never changed.

In this playlist, I have highlighted some of the crème de le crème of rock music through the ages all the while keeping it all about what it was made for: love.

Here are some highlights: “Come Go with Me” by the Del Vikings Ranked no. 449 on “Rolling Stone” magazines “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list, this doowop piece was released in 1956 and peaked at no. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in its heyday.

“I Saw Her Standing There”

by The Beatles Widely considered to be the most famous band in modern history, The Beatles released this classic early in their career in 1963 and performed this song on their

first two appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” This was a huge deal at the time due to the show’s large following. These appearances helped kickstart the band’s career and made them a household name.

“Gimme All Your Lovin’” by ZZ Top This song was their first single from their Eliminator album, which went Diamond when it was released. This song brought ZZ Top a new sound, and was the first single they used synthesizers in. This new sound brought them massive commercial success and became widely successful on MTV. “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in A Song” by Jim Croce Originally working as a truck driver and playing guitar at bars on the side, this single was released on his second ever album “I Got A Name.” Unfortunately, a few weeks before the songs release, Croce was killed in a small plane crash. After his death, Croce’s

music became a massive success and helped redefine the folk-rock genre.

“The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and The News This song was written shortly after front man, Huey Lewis, married and had two kids. This song was created for the 1985 blockbuster, “Back to the Future,” as Huey Lewis and The News were an up-and-coming band with a modern sound.

“Fell In Love With A Girl”

by The White Stripes Arguably best known for their globe-spanning hit “Seven Nation Army”, the White Stripes released this single in 2001. It discusses the craziness behind love and lust.

The music video for this song is also considered one of the most innovative of its kind, as every frame is made out of Lego bricks and features no digital effects.

Listen to the whole playlist on The Slate’s Spotify account.

Tune into Ethan Cornell’s rock n’ roll Valentine’s playlist on Spotify by scanning the code below.

Photo courtesy of Chiabella James

“Dune,” starring fan favorite, Timothée Chalamet, was nominated for nine Oscars this year.

“The Power of the Dog” and “Dune’” lead 2022 Oscar Nominations Adam Beam Staff Writer

Though the ratings have been on a steady decline over the past couple years, there’s still excitement in the air when the Oscar nominations are finally announced. The year 2021 was a massive year for movies, especially as most of them were originally intended for 2020. The 2021 Oscars ceremony was easily one of the most competitive contests. While the most nominated movie doesn’t always guarantee the biggest winner, it does help give an indication of what this year’s heavy hitters will be.

Leading this year’s lists is Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog” with 10 nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Jane Campion), Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), Best Supporting Actress (Kristen Dunst) and two Best Supporting Actor nominees (Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee). It’s clear all eyes are on this acclaimed new western.

Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic, “Dune,” also dominated with nine nominations, mainly in the visual and sound categories.

Although Villeneuve was not able to secure a Best Director nomination, “Dune” still stands as one of the ten films up for Best Picture.

The other Best Picture nominees include “Belfast,” “CODA,” “Don’t Look Up,” “Drive My Car,” “King Richard,” “Licorice Pizza,” “Nightmare Alley” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”

Speaking of Spielberg, the acclaimed director made Oscars history, as the first director to have a Best Director nomination in every decade since 1978. “West Side Story” will mark his eighth nomination, and the film also serves as frontrunner Ariana DeBose’s first nomination for Best

Supporting Actress. Another history making nomination was Denzel Washington who is the most nominated Black actor of all time. For his leading role in “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Washington has received his tenth nomination.

Some of the other standout nominees include divisive picks like Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” for Original Screenplay. Will Smith (“King Richard”) and Andrew Garfield (“Tick…Tick…

BOOM!”) are the frontrunners for the Best Actor category.

Disney is hitting heavy in the Best Animated Feature category with three films (“Encanto”, “Luca” and “Raya and the Last Dragon”).

“Encanto” also will face Beyoncé’s “Be Alive” (first time nominee) for Best Original Song. Lin-Manuel Miranda will need “Encanto” to win in order to win the EGOT (where a person collects an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award) since “Tick…Tick…BOOM!” missed out on a Best Director and Best Picture nomination.

Of course, with every Oscar nomination list, there’s bound to be some major snubs. Many were shocked by no nominations for Lady Gaga and Jared Leto’s acting in “House of Gucci.” Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”) and Jennifer Hudson (“Respect”) were also shut out of the Best Actress categories as well.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawerence were one of the consistently praised aspects of “Don’t Look Up,” yet you won’t find either on this year’s list.

With such steep competition in just about every category, many wonder if this will be enough to draw in more viewers than they have in the past. Either way, the 94th Academy Awards will be airing live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 27.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

D2

Tired of the heteronormative narrative? Here are five queer books to fill the void on your shelf Katie Huston Ship Life Editor

The commercialized season of love is often made to be heteronormative.

From cards with “love birds” gendered into male and female couples to commercial ads depicting a man buying a ring for his girlfriend, Valentine’s Day and the weeks leading up to it feel like an ambush of heteronormative relationships.

There is already so little representation in media of the LGBTQ+ community. To balance the intake of straight relationships this post-Valentine’s Day season, here are some quality picks of queer romance novels.

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid Over the course of her career in old Hollywood, Evelyn Hugo has had seven husbands, but only one love of her life.

The movie star sets a series of meetings with a struggling journalist, Monique, in order to write her tell-all autobiography. While Hugo recounts her obstacles in old Hollywood, Monique realizes that she is more connected to her than she ever wanted to be.

This novel takes the reader through each public and private relationship of the reclusive actress. Reid explores Evelyn Hugo’s bisexuality from her whirlwind romance marriage-gone-bad to her “beard” relationship with her male best friend as they both secretly date

those of the same-sex.

“They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera In Silvera’s world, there is a service that notifies an individual 24 hours before their death. Luckily, for lonely individuals like Mateo and Rufus, there is an app where individuals can connect with each other in their final hours. Mateo and Rufus meet to go on an adventure together in their final hours. The two connect as they go to important places of both their lives: a graveyard, the hospital and a club.

The novel follows the two as they develop and realize their feelings for each other. Yet, even knowing how the story will end, it ends in a heart-wrenching scene.

“Written in the Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur Fan of “Pride and Prejudice,” but tired of the heteronormative narrative?

Meet Elle and Darcy: One a happily whimsical bisexual woman, the other a calculated and logically-driven lesbian.

As Elle’s astrology app begins to take off, her co-worker decides to set her up on a date with his sister, but it does not go well. Yet, as the two enter into a fake relationship, lines between the fake and real blur as feelings develop.

Bellefleur depicts the two polar-opposite women in the best way. The rom-com novel has all the best clichés of romantic fiction and sprinkles in an astrological perspective.

“Something to Talk About” by Meryl Wilsner In need of another novel of queer romance in Hollywood? Wilsner’s book depicts Jo Jones, a former actress and now award-winning showrunner, as tabloids run rampant with rumors of an affair with her assistant. At the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards show, the world decides to focus on the close relationship between Jo and her assistant Emma. Rumors complicate their work and personal lives as different situations cause the two to realize the rumors may not be too off base.

The novel navigates racism, sexism, sexual harassment and homophobia in Hollywood as office romance on a public stage becomes more than either character bargained for.

“Malice” by Heather Walter Ever watch “Sleeping Beauty” or “Maleficent” and think, man this would be so good if it was modernized and also queer? Walter’s novel tells a modernized version of the classic fairy tale. Alyce is a dark fairy of evil lineage, the Dark Grace, working in Briar alongside those who have ostracized her. The princess is not supposed to fall in love with her, especially when the king is using Alyce’s dark gifts for evil.

This novel is dark, but still has all of the romantic qualities of a twisted fairy tale. Walter’s second book in this duology, “Misrule,” is set to be released on May 10, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Pexel.com

Romance books are a Valentine’s staple, but queer love stories are often not the ones that gain attention.

Photos courtesy of Kimberly Braet

Kim Braet’s work focuses on quiet vulnerability.

Student Artist Spotlight: Kimberly Braet Piper Kull A&E Editor

Kimberly Braet is a junior fine arts major. Braet’s mediums of choice are clay and charcoal. Using these, she creates works inspired by feelings of vulnerability and human connection.

Outside of her fine arts major, Braet is a member of the arts committee for the Reflector and also interns at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center.

Braet truly found her zest for art after having “an awesome drawing teacher” in her freshman year of high school. The teacher set a strong base of foundational skills, which helped Braet to grow as an artist.

Though she shows incredible skill in her figure

Review: ‘It Takes Two’ to make a game review go right Austin Trevino Asst. A&E Editor

Hazelight Studios’ award-winning game “It Takes Two” is an exciting look at love and relationships through new and engaging cooperative play mechanics.

The game was released in 2021 and won several awards and nominations at the 2021 Game Awards, including game of the year.

“It Takes Two,” tells the story of a couple — May and Cody — going through a rough divorce. Shortly after they tell their young daughter of their separation, they are transformed into two of their daughter’s toys. From here, the two are forced into a series of trials meant to bring them back together by a talking “Book of Love” that the daughter had been reading.

The game’s story feels bittersweet, with the main characters seeming to care for each other and genuinely love their daughter. However, the game promotes the idea that May and Cody need to get back together for their daughter’s happiness. This feels like a toxic way to represent an adult relationship and may not be what’s best

for anyone. The couple in this game, time after time justify their actions by saying they are what’s “best for their daughter” even when said action may cause the daughter clear emotional distress.

However, the gameplay is fluid and fun, requiring the players to work together to solve puzzles with ever changing mechanics. One level has the player shoot nails that the other player must swing on, leaving you to trust that your teammate will construct those platforms for you.

These mechanics also rotate, giving each player a new ability every few levels. This keeps the gameplay engaging, as it does not get stale or cause either character to feel useless. Some mechanics are more memorable than others. The ability to walk on walls and shoot fire is a little more exciting than hammering nails and shooting honey.

These mechanics are typically rotated after a boss battle. The boss character in questions is created as a result of one of the couple’s arguments. Using the items gained in the level, you must work through the issue by fighting the boss in order to grow closer.

This game is perfect for couples as it really gets players to use teamwork or, in my case, a great game to play with your roommate who knows you have a review to write. Throughout our playthrough, I found a growing sense of communication.

Puzzles required us time and time again to come up with clever solutions and sync our timing. The game also features both local and online co-op meaning this game could be well-suited for couples that are living long distances from one another.

The biggest problem that we had with the gameplay is that often, it would be interrupted with multiple cut scenes that felt irrelevant.

I’m all for storytelling, but sometimes you just need to let the world you built do some of the leg work for you.

It feels like a mystery movie where the characters explain each of their actions and ideas as they go, like someone is holding your hand through the story.

All and all, “It Takes Two” is a great cooperative game, maybe even one of the best.

Yet, it often shoots itself in the foot with its story and how it chooses to present it.

Are you a student artist, musician or writer?

We would love to talk to you about your latest projects.

Photo courtesy of Hazelight Studios

“It Takes Two” follows Cody and May in the midst of a difficult divorce as they attempt to rebuild their connection for their young daughter, Rose.

Email slateae@gmail.com for more information on potential interviews.

and life drawings, Braet is continuing to expand on her artistic skills at Shippensburg University. She is currently taking a printmaking class in which she is working on a print of a favorite childhood photo.

Braet has shown work at the Chambersburg Council for the Arts and had work published in the Reflector and the Spawning Pool collections on campus.

As a sophomore, Braet won an honorable mention and award for Best of Exhibition for her photography in the SU Student Juried Art Exhibition. The piece, titled “Rebirth,” was both an environmental and performative piece Braet captured for her sculpture class. It is also her personal favorite project.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Sports

Track and Field, E2

E1

Wrestling, E3

Men’s hoops splits PSAC games against Golden Rams and Bald Eagles Isaiah Snead Sports Editor

Shippensburg University’s men’s basketball team split its two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) games last weekend against West Chester and Lock Haven universities.

On Wednesday against WCU, the Raiders used a team effort to get past the Rams. All five starters scored in double figures as SU topped West Chester 76-67 at Heiges Field House.

The Golden Rams entered the contest on Wednesday averaging a conference-best 84.7 points per game, but the SU defense held them to just 35% shooting and 25% from the three-point line.

Shippensburg led wireto-wire and led the game by as many as 22 points in the second half. Redshirt-junior Rashon Johnson led the way with a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds.

Graduate Jake Biss was right behind Johnson with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. His backcourt mate Kiyon Hardy scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Junior Carlos Carter tallied 14 points, four rebounds and three assists while redshirt-junior Dom Sleva notched 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Senior Youssef Diabate grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds off the bench, smashing his previous career-high of six set earlier this season.

West Chester was led by Jamil Manigo who put up 15 points, five rebounds and a steal in the loss.

The win marked the 150th victory for SU head coach Chris Fite who is in his ninth season.

The Raiders looked to keep their momentum going on Saturday against Lock Haven but came up short in overtime, falling to the Bald Eagles 79-67.

SU’s scoring could not carry over on the road as they were held to just 31-percent shooting and shot a pitiful 4-33 from behind the three-point line. They made only 63-percent of their free throws.

Despite the poor shooting, the Raiders stayed close to Lock Haven throughout the game. The back-and-forth battle featured 10 ties and 14

lead changes.

With 42 seconds remaining in regulation SU took the lead. The Bald Eagles tied it again and almost ended the game in regulation, but the would-be buzzer-beater rimmed out.

Lock Haven opened the overtime period on an 8-0 run, taking control of the game on the way to a victory.

Sleva led the Raiders with 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, achieving his fifth double-double of the season.

Johnson also notched a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, his seventh of the season.

Biss tallied 12 points, four assists and three rebounds while Hardy scored nine points.

Carter scored eight points and grabbed five boards. He and Johnson played all 45 minutes in the contest.

LHU was led by Dymir Montague’s 21-point, 11-rebound double-double performance.

Shippensburg will travel to Bloomsburg to take on the Huskies Saturday at 3 p.m.

Allyson Ritchey/The Slate

Graduate Jake Biss poured in 16 points against West Chester University.

Raider of the Week: Destiny Jefferson

- Led women’s hoops to a 2-1 week - Averaged 20.7 points per game this past week - Shot 47% from three-point range in her last three games

Baseball drops three-game road series Jack Ansley

Asst. Sports Editor

This weekend the Shippensburg University baseball team dropped its three-game series with Catawba College.

The Raiders struck first in the first inning when graduate Matt Shilling doubled to left center and allowed fellow graduates Jordan Yoder and Juju Cason to score. The runs gave the Raiders an early 3-0 lead.

In the second inning the Raiders extended their lead when freshman Carter Hinds scored off an RBI double. The hit extended the Raiders lead to 4-0.

In the fifth inning, the Raiders added another run onto their lead when senior Ben Werkheiser tripled to center field. Shilling scored on the play to extend the Raiders lead to 5-0.

In the bottom of the fifth the Indians struck back scoring three runs in the inning. The runs cut down the Raider lead to 5-3.

The Indians got a run closer in the sixth inning when Dawson Painter hit a home run.

The run cut down the lead to 5-4. In the bottom of the seventh, Dylan Wilkinson hit a single to the outfield scoring one. The hit tied the game at five and sent the game to extra innings.

Neither team was able to score until the 10th inning when Cameron Mills hit a single to right field which allowed Davis to score, and the Indians defeated the Raiders 6-5 in

extra innings.

On the mound for the Raiders Zegna allowed five hits and four runs in six innings of work in the first game of the series.

The Indians struck first in the second game of the series when Mills stole second on a throwing error by the Raiders. The error allowed a run to score and put the Indians on the board 1-0. In the fifth inning the Indians struck again on a Raiders defensive error as a passed ball extended the Indians lead to 2-0.

In the sixth inning, junior Justin Darden homered to right field which cut the lead down to 2-1. The Raiders were not able to tie the game and would fall to the Indians 2-1.

On the mound Kaleb Sophy allowed four hits and two runs and struck out five batters in six innings of work for the Raiders.

In the third game the Indians shut out the Raiders. The Indians got on the board in the third inning when Levi Perrell flew out to center field allowing Carlos Lara to score, making it a 1-0 lead for the Indians.

In the seventh inning Catawba added another run to their lead when Luke Spiva singled to right field scoring a run. Later in the inning Spiva scored after a field error at second base which gave the Indians a four-run lead. The Raiders were shutout in the final game 4-0.

The Raiders are back in action on Feb. 18 for a three-game series with Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Photo courtesy of Mike Slade/SU Sports Info.

SU baseball dropped its second series in a row and begins their season 0-6.

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February 15, 2022

Women’s hoops defeats West Chester but falls at Lock Haven Jack Ansley

Asst. Sports Editor

Allyson Ritchey/The Slate

Senior Destiny Jefferson scored 20 points Saturday.

This week the Shippensburg women’s basketball team defeated West Chester University (7-15 PSAC East) on Wednesday night at Heiges Field House. Junior Aunbrielle Green had 19 points and 19 rebounds and recorded her third double-double of the season.

Green grabbed the most rebounds in a single game by a Raider since Morgan Griffith in 2015.

The Raiders (14-10 PSAC East) got out to a hot start in the game going on a 14 point run to start the first quarter. After the run, the Rams fought back and cut the lead down to 11 points at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Rams continued to get back into the game and cut the lead down to just a basket.

However, the Raiders were able to expand the lead back up to six points headed into the second half.

In the second half, both teams went back and forth trading the lead multiple times throughout the third quarter. The Rams ultimately took the lead heading into

the fourth quarter. However, in the fourth quarter the Raiders grabbed the lead and ran with it.

After a three-pointer from freshman Taja Colbert, SU had a three-point lead midway through the fourth. The Raiders hung onto the lead and ended up defeating the Rams 63-58.

On Saturday, the Raiders traveled to Lock Haven to face the Bald Eagles (1012 PSAC East). The Raiders struggled in the first quarter putting up only six points.

In the second quarter the Raiders were able to cut into the deficit, but the Bald Eagles went on a run to end the quarter and ended the half with a 29-19 lead.

In the third quarter the Raiders were not able to cut into the lead as the Bald Eagles were able to expand their lead to 14 points in the quarter. The Raiders would go on to fall to the Bald Eagles 57-45.

With the two games this week, Shippensburg’s record stands at 14-10. The Raiders are back in action on Monday when they travel to West Chester University for a rematch against the Golden Rams.

Photo courtesy of Brenna White/SU Sports Info.

Junior Aunbrielle Green pulled down 19 rebounds.

Track and field runs in VMI Winter Classic

Photos courtesy of Gorman Findley/SU Sports Info.

Sophomore Eric Kirk placed third in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.95 seconds. Kirk also placed sixth in the 200 meters with a 21.98-second time.

Isaiah Snead Sports Editor

The Shippensburg University men’s and women’s track-and-field team competed at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Winter Classic this weekend at the Corps Physical Training Facility.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay team made up of sophomores Stephon Brown, Drew Dailey, Erick Kirk and freshman James Jaisingh ran for a season-best time of 3:18.54.

The new 4x400 time places the quartet at the top of the league leaderboard.

Dailey also won the 800 meter with a time of 1:51.92, just one second off the school record that he set two weeks ago.

Brown finished second in the 60-meter finals with a 6.86 time, good enough for an NCAA provisional qualifier.

Kirk finished right behind Brown in third place, with a time of 6.95 seconds. He also placed sixth in the 200 meters with a 21.98-second time.

In the field, junior Jordan Winslow and sophomore Kenny Rhyne both cleared 6 feet, 6 ¾ inches in the high jump to tie for second in the event. Rhyne set a new season best with the mark while Winslow equaled his.

Freshman Mo Whittle competed in the long jump, narrowly missing his season best with a mark of 22 feet 9 ¼ inches. Freshman Logan Parker took home fourth place in shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 9 ½ inches and fellow freshman Robert Lissner placed fifth in

the pole vault with a top clearance of 14 feet 9 inches.

On the women’s end, the quartet of sophomores Leah Graybill and Lieke Black and freshmen Kayla Dalhouse and Caroline Mastria posted a 4x400-meter relay time of 3:59.10. The time marks a five-second improvement to the relay’s season best and places them second on the league leaderboard.

Junior Kyra Gerber delivered two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) automatic qualifying performances. Geber placed sixth in the 800 meter with a time of 2:22.33 and ran the mile in 5:18.02.

Graybill ran the 60-meter dash in 7.75 seconds to finish third and graduate Kate Matrisciano had a top throw of 40 feet, 6 ¾ inches in shot put to place sixth.

SU will have one more meet next weekend at the Bucknell Tune-Up before taking part in the 2022 PSAC Indoor Track and Field Championships in two weeks at Edinboro University.

Junior Kyra Gerber had two PSAC qualifying performances in the 800 and mile.

SPORTS

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February 15, 2022

Wrestling falls to No. 11 Kutztown on Senior Night

Photo courtesy of Bill Morgal/SU Sports Info.

Shippensburg’s wrestling team fell 35-9 on Senior Night to No. 11 Kutztown on Friday evening. SU got three victories by decision in the dual bout.

Isaiah Snead Sports Editor

Shippensburg University’s wrestling team honored its seniors on Friday night before dropping a dual bout to No. 11 Kutztown, 35-9.

SU picked up three decision wins in the loss, starting with junior Tyshawn White’s win at 125 pounds. White’s late escape helped him secure the win over Matt Wilde, who is the top-ranked competitor in the weight class in Super Region 1.

Redshirt-senior DeAndre Reed gave the Raiders an early 6-5 lead after he used a takedown to pick up a win at 141 pounds, 3-1.

Sophomore John Bachar scored a late reversal at 165

pounds to give Shippensburg another win 6-5.

Kutztown got bonus points from No. 1 ranked heavyweight Andrew Dunn Jr., No. 4 ranked 130-pounder Collin Wickramatna, 197-pounder Brian Kennerly and 184-pounder Matt Weinberg.

KU also got two wins by way of forfeit.

SU’s four seniors DeAndre Reed, Matt Milbrand, Drake Brenize and Bodee Tolbert were all honored on their senior night before the matches took place.

Shippensburg will return to the mat in two weeks when they will compete in the NCAA Super Region 1 Championships at Pitt-Johnstown.

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

Redshirt-senior DeAndre Reed picked up a win on his Senior Night for SU’s second win of the night.

When did we fall in love with sports?

Isaiah Snead — Sports Editor

“I fell in love with sports at a young age. I would say I fell in love with sports when my baseball team won our league championship when I was 9 years old. I was so happy to win a trophy in something and I was happy the hard work my team and I put in throughout the season had been rewarded. That feeling of winning a championship was something I chased in every sport I played.”

When did we fall in love with Sports?

Jack Ansley — Asst. Sports Editor

“I fell in love with sports in second grade when the Philadelphia Phillies won the 2008 World Series. That was the first time I got to see a team I root for win a major championship. Since that moment I have been religiously following all of the Philadelphia sports teams.”

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Tuesday, February 15, 2022

A Night in Shippensburg

Even late at night, Interstate 81 is still bustling with traffic.

Many students only have the opportunity to see the Shippensburg community during the day. Because of this, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some night photos one of our photographers captured while out exploring.

Photos by Carmine Scicchitano

After midnight, the Sheetz at the intersection of King and Queen streets is busy with college students looking for a late night snack.

Old Main Fountain, washed in a moonlit glow late at night. While it has been emptied for the winter, it still provides a stunning scene at night.

A “Waxing Gibbous” moon was visible between the clouds on Friday night.

A full moon will be visible later this week on Feb. 16.

On the edges of Shippensburg, a clear starlit sky can be seen for miles.

King Street is quiet as flurries fall on Saturday night. Only a lone car occasionally passes, as most students stick to the other end of town.

The clocktower at the top of Kriner Hall shines brightly, even when the rest of the lights are dimmed for the night.