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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Reporting truth. Serving our community.

Volume 64 No. 4

Shippensburg OKs anti-discrimination ordinance at meeting Hannah Pollock Editor-In-Chief

Shippensburg University students voted last week to fill empty Student Government Association (SGA) seats.

The new senators are: (from left to right): Imani Cameron, Kevin DelaCruz, Jose Lopez and Skylar Walder.

SGA announces election results

Noel Miller News Editor

Shippensburg University Student Government Association (SGA) elections wrapped up last week. The four remaining SGA senator seats were filled, according to an SGA email. The elections began Aug. 31 and ended Thursday. Students ran to fill the non-traditional, female athletics, class of 2024 senator and the class of 2022 senator positions.

Imani Cameron, a 23-year old junior, won the seat for the non-traditional senator position. As a student and mother, Cameron spoke on a platform of advocating for more storage space on campus. She also proposed a cost-effective childcare program for non-traditional students.

Skyler Walder is the new female athletics senator. Skyler Walder a first-year secondary education major. Even as a first-year student, Walder said she felt confident that her previous years of leadership experience qualified her for the position. Jose Lopez, a first year education major, will be the class of 2024 senator and Kevin DelaCruz will be the class of 2022 senator.

These senators and other SGA officials will gather on Zoom for official meetings in the coming weeks. The link to access these meetings can be found on the SGA’s Campus Groups website.

Meeting Schedule • September 17th • October 1st • November 5th For more information visit ship.campusgroups.com/sga

Off -campus sexual assault reported Noel Miller News Editor

Shippensburg University emailed students Thursday informing students of an off-campus sexual assault.

Officials sent the email on behalf of SU Police Chief Michael Lee. The email said a sexual assault occurred off campus at an unknown time. A third-party reported the incident in an online sub-

mission after the unknown victim, who is reported to be a student, told them they had been assaulted by a known offender. The incident reportedly occurred off campus and is out of jurisdiction of the SUPD, according to the email.

Students seeking support can use these on-campus resources: the Women’s Center on the first floor of Horton Hall, the Counseling and Wellness cen-

ter in Naugle Hall, The Shippensburg University Police Department located at the Reed Operations Center, the Shippensburg University Title IX coordinator in Old Main 200, the Dean of Students office in Old Main 210, the Office of Equity Inclusion, and Compliance in Old Main 200 and the United Campus Ministry located at the Cora l. Grove Spiritual Center Room 213.

SUPD shares safety tips

The Shippensburg Borough Council voted to approve a non-discrimination ordinance during its Sept. 1 meeting. The ordinance will provide protections to various groups including members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Borough council members passed the ordinance in a 5-1 vote with council president Bruce Hockersmith, vice president Mitchell Burrows and council members Josefine Smith, John Alosi and Sandy Mailey voting to approve. Council member Keith Swartz was the sole opposing vote.

The “Shippensburg Borough Anti-Discrimination Ordinance,” Ordinance No. 20-947 will go into effect Jan. 1, 2021. It will prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations or educational institutional access, according to the ordinance.

The ordinance protects community members on the basis of race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, handicap or disability, or the use of a guide animal. Discriminatory acts include any unlawful act noted in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Pennsylvania, there are no federal or state statues that specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

As a result, local municipalities are creating ordinances to provide protections for residents.

While there are no statewide laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission reviews discrimination complaints against LGBTQ+ community

members. The commission released guidelines for handling these complaints in August 2018, its website said.

In an email to the campus community, SU Chief Diversity Officer Stephanie Jirard said community members should celebrate the victory for equality.

“We thank all of those who worked tirelessly to support the Shippensburg Borough Council in passing an anti-discrimination ordinance that protects people regardless of sexual orientation, who they love, or how they identify or express themselves with respect to employment, housing and public accommodations,” Jirard said. “Let’s face it, 2020 has been a very rough year. Let us take a moment and celebrate the victory for equality.”

In a press release, Jason Landau Goodman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, said the organization is proud of the borough’s action.

“We are extremely proud of Shippensburg Borough Council for taking clear action to protect LGBT individuals in their community from discrimination. We have appreciated the opportunity to support them from day one in the effort to adopt this vital ordinance. It is long overdue for the state to take action,” Goodman said. “In the meantime, Shippensburg joins other communities in sending a lightning rod to Harrisburg to pass comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination protections and paves the way for additional ordinances in small town Pennsylvania to be adopted.”

According to Goodman, Shippensburg is the first in Franklin County, second small town community and 59th municipality overall in Pennsylvania to enact local protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing and public accommodations.

• Do not admit strangers into your residence hall • Do not accept rides or walking accompaniment from people you don’t know well or trust • Report all suspicious persons, vehicles and activites to the Shippensburg University Police Department • Tell somone you trust your destination and planned time of return • Keep your doors and windows locked. Report inoperable locks and latches to the appropriate maintenance department

Source: Shippensburg University Police Department Email

Photo courtesy of Sharon McCutcheon/Pexels.com

The ordinance includes the LGBTQ+ community.

Stay up to date with all the latest breaking news at theslateonline.com

NEWS

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September 8, 2020

Your World Today

Commentary: Remember when essential workers were heroes?

Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief Photo courtesy of Robzor/Pixabay.com

Businesses in college towns, like State College and Shippensburg, often rely on students to boost their economies and support local-run businesses.

As college students return, businesses struggle to survive Susan Snyder

The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — For 14 years, Lila Yoga has been a staple in a State College downtown usually teeming with people. But its bright orange and yellow handcrafted sign on Beaver Avenue came down last weekend. It’s among nine businesses in the shadow of Pennsylvania State University’s flagship campus that local leaders said have closed because of the pandemic, with others struggling to hang on.

“Everything here, whether it’s a restaurant or a yoga studio, is so directly affected by the university,’’ said Erica Kaufman, owner of Lila Yoga.

“Although it’s very painful, it seemed smarter to let go of the space right now and reassess at another time.’’

While business closures are happening around the country, quintessential college towns like State College have been hit particularly hard. Their businesses are built around the university, which supplies many of their patrons, and its fate is their fate.

With its 24 campuses, Penn State is an economic engine for the commonwealth, contributing $11.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2017, nearly $128 million of it in Centre County, home to the University Park campus.

Local tourism officials estimate the region has already lost $100 million in revenue from hotels, businesses and other venues as a result of the virus. The cancellation of Nittany Lions football this fall could mean the loss of an additional $80 million.

Earlier this week, many of the university’s more than 40,000 undergraduates began moving back to campus.

But viral videos Thursday of maskless students packed together at an outdoor party caused the university to threaten to shift to all-remote instruction and send students home, as some other schools have done, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It’s a touchy issue for college communities across the country, worried that students coming to campus from outside their area will cause a potentially deadly virus spike. Many colleges, including Drexel, La Salle and the University of Pennsylvania, have decided to stick with remote instruction and limit students on campus.

On the other hand, for local businesses, a second campus shutdown could deliver a devastating blow.

“If we can make it through this school year without being shuttered, I think we can be recovered by next fall,’’ said Rob Schmidt, executive

director of the State College Downtown Improvement District, noting that recovery also will require the return of all students to the classroom and 100,000-plus fans to the football stadium. “This school year is critical to how long it will take to recover.’’

Students return Last week for the first time in months, the roughly milelong business district that borders Penn State didn’t resemble a ghost town. Parking spots were filled. Parents and students walked along College Avenue, toting bags of Penn State-branded clothing and filling outdoor seating at restaurants.

“It’s exciting to have people in the restaurant again,’’ said Curtis Shulman, director of operations for Hotel SC, which runs several businesses including the Corner Room restaurant and is now owned by former Philadelphia 76ers president Pat Croce’s hospitality company.

“Our demand quadrupled in a couple days.’’

Every year, Centre County’s population swells by more than a third as students return. This year, 10,300 students are living in Penn State’s dorms, about 74% of capacity, a university spokesperson said, with many more living in the surrounding community. About twothirds of the student body typically lives off campus.

The university, which has had to furlough some staff and stands to lose $250 million as a result of the coronavirus, is the community’s main employer, its lifeblood, as it is in many small college towns.

“College towns, like State College, a lot of their economy runs on restaurants and stores and tanning salons that are frequented by students, and those are taking a huge hit,’’ said Charles Ballard, an economics professor at Michigan State University, where its host community, East Lansing, also has been affected. “They run on football and basketball, and those are taking a huge hit.

You put all that together, and it’s an ugly picture for communities like this.’’

The borough of State College, founded in 1896, got its name from the university, then known as the Pennsylvania State College. Three of the seven members of borough council work for the university, including Council President Jesse Barlow, a computer science and engineering professor.

Council has had to weigh concerns of businesses and the university with those of community members and some faculty, who worry that bringing students back will increase local infection rates.

The county has had more

than 400 confirmed and probable cases of the virus.

“The university has done a lot,’’ Barlow said. “They’ve made a lot of preparations, but there is a lot of concern that has been expressed to me that it may not be enough.’’

At a borough council meeting last month, the issue was hotly debated. Member Theresa Lafer warned it takes only a few virus carriers moving into each apartment building to cause major problems.

“I see this as the beginning of a pandemic in more than one building,’’ she said.

Sarah Townsend, an associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese at University Park and a member of the Coalition for a Just University at Penn State, maintains that the school is not doing enough testing or taking enough precautions to keep the campus or community safe. The school should have tested all students upon arrival and should test 10% of the campus population daily, rather than the planned 1%, she said.

“If you are going to do this, you need to do it right,’’ she said.

Penn State has been planning the return for months and recently launched a campaign “Mask Up or Pack Up,’’ urging students to follow social distancing guidelines.

It also had 30,000 students and staff — those coming from virus hot spots — get tested before returning to the system’s campuses.

Penn State’s plan “significantly exceeds the governor’s guidelines and has been developed with infectious disease, health policy and supply chain experts,’’ said Lawrence Lokman, Penn State’s vice president for strategic communications.

Borough council enacted a $300 fine for failing to wear a mask when required, limited the numbers of people who can stand outside a business, waiting to get in, and capped the number of people allowed to gather at a residence at 10.

Even some students said they doubted it would be enough.

“I don’t think it will be long before we get sent back home,’’ Emma Hurley, 18, a freshman from Pittsburgh, said as she moved into her dorm Wednesday.

Some students said they know the stakes and intend to follow the rules.

“I don’t want to contribute to anything that might cause Penn State to shut down or have a spike in cases,’’ said Andrea Prest, 18, a freshman from Chicago, after getting her picture taken at the Nittany Lion statue.

When I am not in the newsroom (which is almost never), you can find me working at a local grocery store. It’s not glamorous work, but it pays the bills and the necessities — food, tuition and lots of shoes.

I have worked in the grocery retail industry for a few years and the least I can say is it’s an experience.

I see the best and worst of humanity from behind the deli counter.

This was exemplified during the height of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. After classes were moved online in March, I picked up more shifts at work. Everything at the store had changed — more cleaning, fewer items in stock, more social distancing and less face-toface customer service.

I was no longer allowed to give out samples of our products and was outlawed from my favorite part of my job: Giving pieces of American cheese to children who accompanied their parent to the store. (OK, this may seem like a little thing, but this was my favorite part of going to the grocery store as a child. Talk about coming full circle.)

As the pandemic continued, associates received increased wages as our society praised “essential workers.” There were videos of recognition, free

food, social media posts and extra gratitude from most customers.

Customers, while disappointed, were understanding that we were out of just about every product and did not know when items would return to the shelves.

However, after weeks of staying at home turned to months, the understanding and composure of customers disappeared. Understandably, people were frustrated that their lives were put on hold. A monotonous trip to the grocery store became like a scene in the “Hunger Games,” where tributes raced one another to collect supplies.

After all, they just wanted a roll or two of toilet paper.

The patience quickly disappeared as needed supplies were nowhere to be found. Videos surfaced online of maskless customers yelling and threatening employees. The extra wages and free foods ceased. But the need to limit capacity in the stores and wear masks remain. The increase in confrontations and threats of violence was evident.

There are retail horror stories from just about every state: An unruly customer who does not want to comply with the store’s coronavirus policies, an employee who has to enforce these policies for fear of their health and job and a crowd of onlookers ready with their cell phones to submit the video to major media outlets.

These confrontations range from “Karen” meltdowns in the middle of the store to threats of shooting employees for simply doing their jobs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

lists tips on how to limit workplace violence associated with the coronavirus.

The workplace environment changed and felt physically threatening, as if the threat of contracting the virus was not enough.

I distinctly remember an early morning where a customer screamed at my coworkers and I for not keeping anything in stock. I am sure that this man was not that upset about our lack of chipped ham, but instead the lack of ham was the breaking point of a pandemic’s worth of problems.

He was not wearing a mask but secured a vast variety of cleaning supplies.

A few minutes later an older woman in a mask with a small cart with milk, cereal, some cans of soup, a small can of Lysol and a box of donuts asked for the same product. I apologized to her and prepared for the berating, but she said, “Don’t worry, I have what I need! Probably too many donuts but I want them.”

Again, you see the best and worst of humanity.

The essential workers faithfully remain in their workplaces — whether it is for their devotion to service, love for their community or a need for a paycheck. But how long will they stay?

Who wants to work an oftentimes low-paying job with constant berating and even safety threats?

We are all sick of the masks and restrictions. We share the yearning to return to some semblance of normalcy. We will return to normalcy but until we reach that day, we must try to remain patient.

Afterall, it is the most essential, and most human, thing we can do.

State Police Briefs Soybean crops damaged in Southhampton Township Pennsylvania State Police responded to a report of damage to soybean crops Sept. 5 around 4 p.m. According to reports, a 66-year-old Shippensburg man reported damage to soybean crops. Police are continuing to investigate.

Warm, average August ends summer

Graphic Courtesy of Tim Hawkins/Geography and Earth Science Department

Shippensburg’s August weather was on average and the 17th wettest, according to Tim Hawkins of the Geography and Earth Science Department.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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Opinion

The Slate Speaks While apart, we must remember we are all in this together In the hard times of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, we must be hopeful and pragmatic.

Though it is hard to remain positive, what you do and how you act can impact the world around you for the better.

Despite the division our society faces daily, we must remember what unites us rather than what divides us.

Much like the cast of “High School Musical” said back in 2006, “We’re all in this together.” Whether it appears that way or not, it is true.

Doing things like using your voice to evoke optimal words of courage to others has the

power to change another person’s perspective.

Even if things seem way out of your control, try to focus on the things that you can control. Things involving yourself like your attitude and actions.

While many aspects of today’s world can be overwhelming and may seem impossible to fix, we as individuals must take it upon ourselves to “do our part” and make positive changes where we can. We must support each other.

It is much easier to spread positivity in the world to create a chain effect than it is to put up a defeatist attitude. Little changes in our

Commentary: Our nation in the hands of the constitution

Noah Steinfeldt Staff Columnist

Don’t be upset when the NBA players kneel, don’t be upset when NBA players boycott games, and don’t be upset when the NBA players speak out against the injustices before us in our nation.

For they are only using one of the only real rights we have in America. This right would be freedom of speech and expression which is protected under the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.

So now, ask yourself this: Why do American people using their rights to their advantage offend you?

The beginning statement of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution reads, “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, to establish justice.”

This justice the preamble is speaking about is seldom found to benefit many of the people it allegedly refers to when saying “We the people.”

Who exactly are “We the

people?” If you cannot find an answer, they are probably you. The majority group. The group who has benefitted off of the oppression and the systematical crucifixion of members of disenfranchised communities.

Having privilege is not something to be ashamed of nor is it something worth verbally attacking someone over. I do believe that the documents that built our nation were made by oppressors and for oppressors.

I also give credence to recognizing that the constitution was written in 1787, when only people who were white and male had more than a sliver of opportunity in our nation of opportunity.

The constitution is a document that molds the political, judicial and executive practices in our nation.

Ask yourself another question: How can a document written before the emancipation of people of color and the liberation of women in America actually apply to them?

Take a minute and visualize; you are walking to your car after a few people just got done asking you a couple of questions. They made you uncomfortable, so you begin walking faster to your car.

You are now fearing for your life as you attempt to safely leave the scene with your children. You have committed no crime; you are not under arrest.

While entering your car you are shot seven times.

Why were you shot? Do you feel you deserved to be shot?

Now, apply it to what happened to Jacob Blake. Strip the uniforms from the police officers and then ask yourself: Am I OK with this?

In America the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” is something that is widely spoken about. This is also a right that is protected by the Fifth and 14th Amendments.

Part of the 14th Amendment roughly reads, “No state shall deprive any person of life without due process of law.”

So, would you agree that the murder of unarmed men, women and people are unconstitutional?

The police are employees of the state. They represent the laws of that state in which they have jurisdiction.

So my question for you is: When did police grow to be above the document in which our nations values were built upon?

If you are not mad about this, you should be.

The fight for social justice in our nation is a much larger fight than you think. The flag is a symbol of unity in our country, yet some fail to recognize that not everyone who died building our nation looked like them.

The blood has been shed and it has only stained our nation.

local communities can help create long-term effects in the grand scheme of things.

However, every ounce of hope comes with the process of patience.

Things may not be like what we are used to, like going to the grocery store without having fear of forgetting your mask at home or having the option to try clothes on in the store’s dressing room.

However, things will ultimately resume to normal in due time.

In the meantime, try focusing on the things you have gained rather than the things you have lost in the past few months.

Chloe Kim, an Olympic snowboarder re-

Commentary:

Chadwick Boseman delivered strength, wisdom, representation

Adam Friscia Staff Columnist

When news broke that Chadwick Boseman passed away from colon cancer, it didn’t seem real. It had to be a hoax. Sadly, it was not.

How could someone so vibrant be taken so soon? I mean, 43 years? That’s not enough.

Shortly after his death, Boseman’s family announced that he had previously been diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. The reveal was shocking. Rather than publicize his diagnosis, Boseman waged a private battle on his own terms. All the while, he continued to work, engage and inspire.

A graduate of Howard University, Boseman’s affiliation with the historically black college was an immense source of pride and indicative of his reverence for the Black experience.

As an artist, Boseman cemented his legacy. In a five-year span, he portrayed three

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minds us how to stay hopeful yet patient in a Time magazine article featuring prominent figures in our culture.

“When we are faced with difficult and scary times, it’s important to try and figure out what this moment is teaching us. All of my best life lessons have come through difficult times,” Kim said.

A pandemic is certainly not what society wanted or needed, but it is the challenge we currently face. We must stand together against the problems we face and help one another.

Be kind to one another. These challenging times will pass.

of the most iconic African Americans of the 20th century in Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall. However, it is his depiction of T’Challa in the Marvel film “Black Panther” that defines him.

In a genre typified by caucasian actors, Boseman led a predominantly African American cast on screen. To be clear, “Black Panther” was not just a movie. It was a cultural phenomenon. The fictitious kingdom of Wakanda captured the public’s imagination and created a new world of possibilities. The phrase “Wakanda Forever” became a metaphor for communal solidarity, expressed by a cross-armed salute.

But for all the film’s merit, it was Boseman’s persona that elevated the picture. His portrayal of the powerful, yet compassionate protagonist brought a new dimension to the superhero mold. Boseman’s nuanced performance delivered strength, wisdom and empathy to a role often maligned by two dimensional characters. More importantly, it was believable. Everything about Chadwick Boseman being a hero seemed believable.

A statement issued by former President Barack Obama spoke directly to Boseman’s innate heroism.

“Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids,” tweeted Mr. Obama. “You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain — what a use of his years.”

What a use indeed.

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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Ship Life

TrailFest brings fun to Ship during pandemic Morgan Barr

Asst. Ship Life Editor

Shippensburg University students and community members alike congregated at Shippensburg Station Friday night for Shippensburg’s annual TrailFest.

TrailFest is organized by the Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails Council as a community outreach event.

Trailfest began in 2017 and is normally accompanied by a brewfest which is presented by the Shippensburg Historical Society.

The brewfest brings in local breweries and wineries such as Appalachian Brewing Co., Grand Illusion Hard Cider and Castlerigg Winery.

Live music and food trucks are also present at the festival.

In order to make the festival possible amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the date was moved from late April to September.

“What we decided to do was combine it [Trailfest] with our Ship First Fridays, which we have every first Friday of the month, we basically have everything we have here on First Fridays, and

Question of the Week: Do you miss fall sports?

Morgan Barr / The Slate

Students and community members gathered at the Rails to Trails trailhead for Trail Fest Friday night. then we brought in the races we have for TrailFest to combine them all together,” Rails to Trails Council member Allen Dieterich-Ward said.

Masks were not required to participate in the races, but were mandatory for the festival portion. Tables were spaced out to enforce social

distancing and food trucks served pre-packaged meals instead of cooking on-site.

A 25k bike race and 10k and 5k runs accompanied the food and entertainment.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, each race had a limited number of participants. In addition to the low-

er number of participants, start times were staggered to keep the rail trail less crowded and make social distancing easier.

Online pre-registration was also required to limit contact with others on the day of the race.

Ship Live provided stu-

dents who attended vouchers that were worth $10 and could be used at any of the food trucks or at restaurants taking Raider Bucks.

Raider Bucks is a new initiative similar to Penn State’s Lion Cash program, where students can use their flex dollars at local businesses.

Kolby Amidon, senior “Yes! I played field hockey in high school and I loved going to watch the field hockey games at Ship.”

Cassandra Aloisi, senior “Yes, I do miss fall sports and going to games like the Homecoming football game.”

Caiman Middlebrooks, freshman “I miss fall sports because I wanted to play football this year [at SU] but it got cancelled.”

Morgan Barr/The Slate

Tables were spread out at TrailFest to comply with social distancing guidelines, and patrons enjoyed the live music and food outside.

Recipe of the Week: Creamy Shrimp Tagliatelle

Ingredients: -2 cloves of garlic -1 red bell pepper (chopped) -9 ounce of Tagliatelle pasta -1 onion -10 ounces of tomatoes

Jahniya Crawford, senior “Absolutely, I grew up on football so I miss watching it and going to the games.”

-10 ounces of shrimp -4 tablespoons of sour cream -1 teaspoon of olive oil -2 tablespoons of butter -Salt and pepper -Basil (Optional)

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Wash and dry all produce. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Mince garlic, tomatoes and peppers.

2. Rinse off shrimp and pat down with a dry towel. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil into a large pan over medium-high heat.

Add onions, peppers and tomatoes into the pot.

3. Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes. Once water is boiling, add tagliatelle into the pot. Cook the pasta for 10 minutes or until al dente.

4. Pour pasta into the large pan and season with salt and pepper. Toss the shrimp back into the pan and add sour cream and butter to the mix.

Combine until the pasta becomes creamy.

5. Remove pan from heat and stir. Add as much pasta cooking water to reach a saucy consistency. Season with more salt and pepper and garnish the dish with chopped basil. Serve.

Recipe and photo by Chaela Williams

Katie Spengler, junior “No because it’s not somethining I partically miss, I don’t like big crowds.”

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

A&E

Photo courtesy of Billboard.com

The Weeknd, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, performs his hit “Blinding Lights” on the roof of a skyscraper in New York City at the VMAs on Aug. 30.

Commentary: The 2020 MTV VMA Awards Robyn Klawitter Staff Writer

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) may have looked a lot different than in past years.

With no live audience, artists accepting awards remotely through videos, and even some newly added award categories like “best music video from home” and “best quarantine performance,” it was just as entertaining as always.

This year’s host, Keke Palmer, started off the show by dedicating the night to Chadwick Boseman after he recently passed away from colon cancer. The show seemed to be filmed on a sound stage with a green screen depicting New York City skyscrapers filled with “people” to make it feel as if there was an audience present. Performances by Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, DaBaby, Doja Cat and many more were extra special in order to compensate for the artists who were unable to perform live this year. They were able to create a hybrid of stage performance with back up dancers and music videos with special effects, something the VMAs had not been able to do in previous years on a live stage.

One of the most iconic

performances of the night was Lady Gaga, singing a mashup of four of her songs, including “Rain On Me” featuring Ariana Grande. Gaga also ended the night with five new moon men to add to the many awards she has received throughout her career. One of these awards was the VMAs first ever Tricon Award. She was given this award not only because of her musical talent, but because of her success in TV and film, her iconic red carpet looks that have influenced people in all industries to push boundaries with their work. The awards also honored her philanthropy in starting the “Born This Way Foundation” and for being an open activist and ally for the LGBTQ+ community. She ended her acceptance speech by urging the audience to wear a mask saying, “It’s a sign of respect.”

Lady Gaga was not the only artist who used the night to speak out about important causes. Several other artists spoke up about wearing masks, police brutality, injustice and registering to vote. There was a sense of urgency that filled the TV screen throughout the entire night, with every artist and presenter united in fighting for these issues. These artists were thankful for the

awards they received but it mattered much more to them that they use their platform to speak out. One presenter also announced that Pepsi had donated $100,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

The MTV VMA awards presented a new category called “Video for Good” which was presented to H.E.R. for “I Can’t Breathe.”

The 2020 MTV VMA Awards was a special night for music and an influential night for social justice.

We often think that the VMAs are a chance for artists to get recognized for their work. While this is true, it is also important to recognize the people who support the artists in their careers.

This year, the VMAs took a moment to pay tribute to all of the healthcare workers who have put themselves at risk in order to help the country overcome the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. They showed a montage of videos of healthcare workers who have used music to get through the tough times the country has been going through. MTV did a really good job of taking an unexpected challenge and turning it into one of the most powerful and impactful awards shows we have ever seen.

Review: AJR’s ‘Bummerland’ encourages audiences to look on the bright side Bailey Cassada Guest Contributor

The band, AJR released its latest single “Bummerland” on Aug. 31. With its catchy vocals, creative lyrics and an upbeat instrumental, the song gives listeners a sense of optimism during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

According to member Ryan Met’s official Instagram @ryanajrbrothers, “We had this big feeling that it [“Bummerland”] needed to come out right now. That our fanbase needed something to smile at, in this year of frowning.”

The song is about the coronavirus and the feeling of being at rock bottom. Instead of it being sad, the song is hopeful, with the chorus ending with, “Bummerland, give a cheer / ‘Cause you’re only going up from here.”

Despite the challenges the world has faced these past few months, the band emphasizes that things can only get better from the lowest point. References to the pandemic include the lyric, “This month I got seven haircuts / And now my hair is all gone / It’s sad but I’ve been alone for too long / So I keep getting haircuts’.”

One fan noted on Genius.com that this lyric is talking about barber shops and salons reopening. The lead singer, Jack Met, is supposedly going out to get haircuts just so he can socialize again. Another lyric, “Bummerland, here I am / Better nix my summer plans” is about the fact that due to the coronavirus, summer plans were canceled, including their tour.

They teased the song on their social media with a picture of the three brothers captioned, “Cause you’re only going up from here,” which is one of the lyrics. AJR also did a virtual scavenger hunt the day before the release of the song and music video. The first one hundred fans to complete it won a Zoom call with the band and an exclusive first look at the music video. I completed the scavenger hunt but unfortunately, I was not fast enough. Despite not winning, it was a fun challenge to distract myself from the pandemic.

AJR has been known to experiment with many unique sounds and topics. Musically, “Bummerland” is executed wonderfully. Their creativity and musicality shine throughout the song, especially during the instrumental break near the end. It starts with a voice singing a simple melody, and transitions seamlessly into a member playing trumpet, guitar and finally a violin. The transition is so smooth that it is barely noticeable, making it a great addition to the song.

While AJR has not won any awards yet, the band has been nominated for five times, including for: Best new rock/alternative artist from the iHeart Radio Awards.

The band also released the song “Bang” back in Feburary 2020, reaching No. 9 on the billboard music chart in August 2020.

Overall, as a fan myself, I am always blown away by the group’s ability to create incredible music. Their attention to detail and creativity amaze me every time I hit the play button.

Billboard Top 10 1. Dynamite -BTS

6. Whats Poppin - Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby

2. WAP - Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion

7. Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles

3. Laugh Now Cry Later - Drake feat. Lil Durk

8. Roses - SAINt JHN

4. Rockstar - DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch

9. Savage Love (Laxed- Seirn Beat) - Jawsh 685

5. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd

10. Before You Go - Lewis Capaldi

Editor’s Corner What has A&E editor Ryan been listening to the past week?

Songs

Artists AJR

1. Bang!

2. Don’t Cross the Cross

Roxy Cross Original Broadway cast of “Hamilton”

3. Non-Stop

Led Zepplin

4. Ramble On 5. Thinking About You 6. Water Baby feat. Loyle Carner

Cody Fry Tom Misch

Artists and Musicians: How has COVID-19 impacted you?

Email slateae@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the Arts and Entertainment section!

A&E

D2

Commentary: Broadway musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ reminds audiences that they are not alone during hard times Bailey Cassada Guest Contributor

I saw the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen” with the Activities Program Board (APB) in February 2020.

Stageagent.com summarized the show well, saying it “[T]ells the story of a young man with social anxiety disorder who so yearns to make a connection with his peers, that he fabricates a relationship with a deceased student to become closer to the boy’s family.”

This was by accident, and all he was trying to do was help.

The topics of suicide and anxiety are extremely relevant today, especially in the age of social media. In fact, the set is full of screens that light up with notifications throughout the show. “Dear Evan Hansen” won six Tony Awards in 2017 including Best Musical.

The singing and acting were absolutely phenomenal and had the entire audience in tears numerous times. Listening to the album alone is fantastic, but seeing how each song translated on the stage gave the show a new meaning to me.

You can feel the characters’ pain, anger and sadness in a way that I have never experienced in live theater before.

After that, I completely understood why it got all the praise it did. It had a fairly small cast and simple blocking, which is staging the actors and actresses throughout the show, and set design.

I personally loved this, because it put

more focus on the characters, and a large set and big cast was unnecessary.

It was not your typical kick line and jazz hands type of show.

The perhaps most well-known song, “You Will Be Found” closes the first act perfectly, reminding the audience of the positive impact Evan had on people’s lives. Many people were still in tears during the intermission. While I do not want to spoil the plot, I will say that things start to go downhill in the second act.

Ben Platt, who is known from Netflix’s “The Politician” or as Benji in “Pitch Perfect” originated the role of Evan Hansen. When I saw the show, Jordan Fisher was supposed to play the role, but his understudy, Zachary Noah Piser, performed instead. While I was disappointed at first that I would not see Fisher, Piser did an outstanding job and I am so lucky to have seen such a talented actor on that stage.

I often think about how little recognition understudies get. They work just as hard as the main actors, and I believe they deserve much more credit. I think they have more pressure put on them because many people expect a different, sometimes more well-known, actor. Through the challenging music and mentally exhausting acting, it is safe to say that Evan Hansen is one of the most challenging roles on Broadway.

Powerful lyrics like, “No one deserves to be forgotten” and “When you’re broken on the ground / You will be found”

display the overall theme of the show perfectly: That you are not alone.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Because this show deals with this topic, I have included resources below if you or someone you know need to seek help.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org or the Shippensburg University Counseling Center: (717) 477-1481 or ship.edu/life/wellness/counseling-center/

Bailey Cassada/The Slate “Hansen” won six Tony Awards in 2017.

Academic journal seeking submissions Ryan Cleary A&E Editor

The Reflector, one of the undergraduate journals of the arts on Shippensburg University’s campus is now accepting submissions.

The Reflector’s mission is to encourage undergraduate students to submit original pieces to be showcased in the annual book.

On Sept. 1, The Reflector announced on its social media that it is accepting submissions for its 2020-21 academic journal.

Each participant can submit five to 10 pieces with each submission having a 10-page limit. The Reflector also accepts poetry and prose pieces, which can be submitted in a Word document format. If a student decides to submit an art piece, it must be in a JPEG format. Submissions can be in any language as long as a clear translation for the readers is provided.

Students can follow The Reflector on Instagram @shippensburg. reflector or contact The Reflector at reflect@ship.edu to submit pieces.

Photo courtesy of @shippensburg.reflector/ Instagram The Reflector is searching for student submissions for this year’s edition.

September 8, 2020

Review: ‘Hamilton Mixtape’ provides different perspective Ryan Cleary A&E Editor

If you thought the “Hamilton” fever was over well, guess again.

Recently, I started listening to “The Hamilton Mixtape” which gives listeners a different view on the popular Broadway musical.

The album, also released with the original Broadway cast album, has numerous artists doing covers of musical numbers. Notable artists include: Sia, Kelly Clarkson, The Roots and Usher.

The album also introduces listeners to songs that were cut out of the Broadway version of “Hamilton.”

Usher’s rendition of “Wait For It” will surprise listeners.

The song, made famous by Leslie Odom Jr. with little to no electronics, incorporates an 808 drumbeat, an electronic drum kit from a computer program, into the song.

To fill the hole of the numerous singers, Usher harmonizes over himself by mixing numerous recordings of himself singing at the same time.

While this is a completely different interpretation of the song, I do think this is a unique approach. Usher is known for using a lot of electronics during his songs.

“Wait For It” is telling the audience about Aaron Burr’s feelings on his girlfriend he is seeing. Usher takes a more relaxed approach to the song, unlike the Broadway version which incorporates the emotions that Burr is feeling from the lighting and effects around the stage.

The neat thing about the album is that some songs go right into the next song. I am a big fan of this type of music because it gives the audience a feel for what it’s like seeing the show live.

“Wait For It” transitions

into “An Open Letter” by Watsky. This song was cut from the Broadway production due to time restraints.

During this song, Watsky raps about how Hamilton is angry with John Adams and his way of governing the U.S. When Watsky says, “Say hi to the Jefferson’s,” I felt as if he was trying to portray to the listeners that Hamilton is sarcastically saying “hi” to his rival, Thomas Jefferson.

We hear a portion of this song in the Broadway musical during the song “The Adams Administration.” In the musical, Hamilton drops a book off the second story of the stage to reference his frustration. While this song is explicit, the theatrical production does censor the explicit words during that portion.

Sia’s rendition of “Satisfied” gives Renee Elise Goldsberry a run for her money. Sia, known for pop hits like “Chandelier” and “Cheap Thrills,” takes the song and bends it to fit her style of music. Once again, introducing an 808 drum beat and bringing on famous icon Queen Latifah to sing the rap portion of the song.

In my opinion, I think while this is a neat version of the song, I prefer the original version. In my opinion, Sia is good for only singing up in the higher register and holding out notes for a long time. Sia also has a specific approach to her voice while singing and I do not think it fits the musical line.

“Satisfied” is about the perspective of Angelica Schuyler during her sister, Eliza’s wedding. Schuyler goes on to talk about her missing her shot with Hamilton and regretting introducing Hamilton to Eliza.

Read the full story at theslateonline.com.

What has The Slate Staff been listening to this past week?

Opinion Editor Tiana Thomas has been listening to the “Euphoria” soundtrack.

News Editor Noel Miller has been listening to the band Supertramp.

Last week’s top stories on theslateonline.com *The Slate Speaks: Off-campus cameras can enhance safety, but invade privacy *Sleva set for third season with Paris

Asst. Public Relations Director Brady Cannizzaro has been listening to “21 questions” by Waterparks.

Multimedia Director Carmine Scicchitano has been listening to the band Starset.

*Borough to vote on ordinance prohibiting discrimination, including against LGBTQ+ *Commentary: Netflix’s ‘Lucifer’ Season 5 Part 1 preps fans for one heck of a ride *Commentary: How the COVID-19 coronavirus is changing the arts and entertainment industry

Asst. Ship Life Editor Chaela Williams has been listening to “WAP” by Cardi B.

Asst. Ship Life Editor Morgan Barr has been listening to the bands: Nickleback, Granger Smith and Riley Green.

Catch up on these stories and more at theslateonline.com

E1

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Sports

Football, E1

Tennis, E2

McCarthur lands deal in Lithuania Christian Eby

Asst. Sports Editor

Former Shippensburg University basketball star Justin McCarthur left SU as one of the greatest to ever step on the Heiges Field House court. Now he will continue his legacy professionally after landing a deal in Lithuania.

McCarthur is now a member of Delikatesas Joniškis in the National Basketball League (NKL). The league consists of 14 teams and is considered the second-tier league in Lithuania.

McCarthur finds himself in an exciting, yet unique situation as he is two years out of graduating from SU. With all-star level talent and a jump shot as good as it gets, a player like McCarthur normally receives looks from teams straight out of college. However, McCarthur’s journey to professional basketball is not the typical path.

McCarthur was a member of the Raiders once again last season as he served as one of the team’s assistant coaches.

While he was helping his former teammates chase a title, he never gave up on his dreams of playing professional basketball.

Since graduating, McCarthur has spent most of his time training and taking part in satellite camps. Most of these camps took him across the country and even flew him over the Pacific to play in China last summer. He met his current head coach in China leading to his big breakthrough.

After building that relationship, McCarthur found his long-awaited opportunity to prove he can play with some of the best athletes in the world.

McCarthur’s career statistics speak for themselves. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native etched his name in the SU record books with 291 career three-pointers, the highest total in school history and ninth in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) history. Additionally, his 1,650 career points rank fourth all-time at SU, proving he was an issue for defenses in his collegiate career.

With endless ways to score, McCarthur brings a lot to his new team.

“They’re going to get someone who is a playmaker and can move the ball,” McCarthur said. “I’m an all-around player and have a playing style that will get the team wins.”

McCarthur may have an advantage compared to the rest of his teammates. He said spending time as a coach has given him a different perspective on the game. He does not know if that will transition into his playing style but it allowed him to find ways to help his team and improve his leadership role.

Without many concerns on the court, McCarthur said the

Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/ SU Sports Info.

McCarthur finished his SU career averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. His 291 career three-pointers is a school record and sits fourth all-time in scoring with 1,650 career points. biggest challenge he will face is moving to a new country. He said he is not nervous about the move but knows it may take some time to get acclimated with the culture. He hopes to use his times in China and Spain as examples to help him cope with the new environment.

“I don’t want to say I know what to expect, but I have a general idea of what it might be like,” he said. “From my time in China and going to Spain when I was still at Ship, I at least know what it feels like to be in a different country for an extended period of time.”

With McCarthur becoming the second player to enter the professional basketball world from the 2018 graduating class, he continues to receive lots of praise and compliments for never letting his dream die.

“I couldn’t be more happy and excited for Justin,” head

coach Chris Fite said of McCarthur. “He is one of the best players to have come through this program and he has worked extremely hard for this opportunity. Myself and the coaching staff thank him for all that he has done for the program and we wish him the best of luck as a pro.”

McCarthur leaves for Lithuania within the next couple of weeks once he receives the proper releases and is cleared to travel overseas. Playing in the middle of a pandemic will be another fork in the road for him; however, he will not let that get in the way of what will be a memorable rookie season.

“I’m just super excited,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and for it to happen the way it did, makes it even more special.”

The NKL’s preseason begins Sept. 14 followed by the regular start in mid-October.

Former SU wideouts Eubanks, Headen patiently searching for new home in NCAA transfer portal

Photos courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.

Former SU receiver Winston Eubanks catches a long touchdown pass from quarterback Brycen Mussina. Eubanks tallied 14 touchdowns in his career at Ship.

Isaiah Snead

Asst. Sports Editor

For three years at Shippensburg University, Charles Headen and Winston Eubanks were a dynamic duo on the football field. However, these two have been around each other for much longer than that.

Headen and Eubanks went to LaSalle College High School together in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.

“I first met Winston at summer football camp going into our freshman year at LaSalle, and we got close after that first month,” Headen said.

On the football field, they were great receivers with Eubanks using his size and athleticism to overpower defensive backs, while Headen would use his speed to evade tacklers and return punts

and kicks.

“Our best moment on the football field in high school was probably winning the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) championship our senior year,” Eubanks said.

Not only did the duo dominate on the football field together in high school, but they also dominated on the track.

The pair helped set a school record in the 4x100 relay race, and Headen owned the school record for the 100-meter dash. They even competed at the Indoor National Championship.

“At the Colonial Regionals our senior year, we had the PA No. 1 in the relay, Winston was the PA No. 1 in the 200 meter, and I was No. 1 in the 100m,” Headen said.

Eubanks and Headen decided to pursue playing football in college but injuries

sustained throughout their high school career took away film from college coaches, and they were not garnering Division One interest.

Originally Eubanks was ready to go to Bloomsburg University while Headen was planning to attend SU, but after their paired visit to SU, those plans changed.

“We came up together on our visit, but we got stuck in a huge snowstorm and had to stay an extra day. Those days together at Ship made us realize that this is where we wanted to be,” Eubanks said.

The decision turned out to be a good one as Headen tallied 80 receptions, 909 yards, and 14 touchdowns in his SU career. Eubanks caught 148 passes for 2,853 yards and had 28 touchdowns in his three years at SU. Eubanks was also a threetime All-PSAC Eastern Divi-

sion First Team Player and was the 2017 PSAC Eastern Division Freshman of the Year.

“My favorite memory was from our redshirt-freshman season when we watched the NCAA Selection Show in the CUB (Ceddia Union Building), and we were selected.

That was a cool moment,” Eubanks said.

After entering the transfer portal, the pair are now just working out and training while they wait for a call from a coach.

“It feels like we are just free agents right now, just working out and staying ready to get a call from a coach telling us to come and play,” Headen said.

The duo will be ready for the challenge no matter what the school is.

Headen totaled 1,189 all-purpose yards in his stint.

SPORTS

E2

September 8, 2020

Bonawitz recognized with Academic All-District 2 Softball Team honors Christian Eby

Asst. Sports Editor

Former Shippensburg University outfielder Kayla Bonawitz is a member of the 2020 Academic All-District 2 Softball Team after being selected by the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (CoSIDA).

Bonawitz received the nomination May 14 for her diligent work in the classroom as well as her play on the field. The recent SU graduate maintained a 3.73 cumulative GPA while majoring in biology, with a concentration in pre-physical therapy.

Bonawitz is pursuing a career in physical therapy at Drexel University. After completing graduate school at Drexel, Bonawitz said she hopes to become a pediatric physical therapist.

“I enjoy working with kids and I love to see their smiles when they are able to accomplish things with their bodies that wasn’t possible before,” she said.

Bonawitz said balancing school and softball was difficult at times. She credits the coaching staff for being understanding and supportive when it came to work outside of softball.

“I am most thankful for my coaching staff and how well they worked with the

student athletes on making sure our academics were our top priority,” Bonawitz said.

“They were there for me day in and day out.”

In addition to her success in the classroom, Bonawitz was a key contributor for the Raiders on the diamond. She finished with a career .335 batting average. Her best season came as a sophomore; finishing with a .421 batting average.

Bonawitz also ends her SU career with 167 hits, 29 doubles, 37 stolen bases and a .369 on-base percentage. Additionally, she is a member of the 2018 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Second Team.

After a noteworthy collegiate career, Bonawitz said she has no regrets. However, she wishes that her senior season had panned out differently. The ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic cut the Raiders’ season short, allowing them to compete in only 14 games.

“Our team was doing very well to start the season and I knew that we had great potential to make it far this year,” Bonawitz said. “Altogether, I wish I was given this opportunity to go out with a bang, but I know that everything happens for a reason and I am making the best of it.”

Read more on theslateonline.com

Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.

Kayla Bonawitz tore the cover off the ball during her Shippensburg University career with a .335 batting average, 167 hits and a .418 slugging percentage. She also served as a defensive staple for the Raiders.

Kayla Bonawitz Career Stats

- Bonawitz was named to 2018 NFCA All-Region Second Team and was two-time All-PSAC. - Bonawitz batted .335 for her career with 167 hits and 51 RBIs. - Bonawitz only struck out 34 times in 498 career at-bats. She also stole 37 bases and had a .937 fielding percentage.

Feeney named head women’s tennis coach

Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.

Alison Feeney has also served as the tennis and football team’s faculty athletic mentor. She has been at Shippensburg Univeristy for 23 years.

Christian Eby

Asst. Sports Editor

Alison Feeney is the newest member of the Shippensburg University athletics staff. Officials hired her as the women’s tennis coach Aug. 31.

Feeney has been a member of the Shippensburg community and the university family for the past two decades. She is currently in her third year as a full professor and her 23rd year overall in the geography and earth science department.

In addition to her time as a professor, Feeney has been heavily involved in Raiders’ athletics dating back to 2018 when she served as one of football team’s faculty-athletic mentors (FAM). She joined the tennis team last season, serving as its FAM. With years of experience in tennis, officals thought she was an obvious choice for the job.

Feeney said, being hired as the women’s tennis coach is an honor and humbling.

“I have a strong love for the university and the area,” Feeney said. “I realize that the women’s tennis team has struggled, and I really hope I can build a team that learns to compete consistently with determination. I

am very excited for this opportunity.”

Feeney’s passion for tennis is like no other. She is always looking to improve her game as she regularly participates in adult-league competitions. She is hoping to instill that drive and dedication into her players.

“I have played tennis all my life and compete in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) events around the mid-state region,” Feeney noted. “I’m small (5’1’), getting older, slowing down, and not exceptionally strong, but I am determined and competitive.”

Feeney’s commitment to the game does not stop with her players and will carry over to the university. While she is soaking in the present, she is looking forward to the future and hopes to bring greatness to the tennis team for years to come.

“I am committed to the university and hope to provide some longevity to the program,” she added. “By having a permanent coach who competes in the area and travels to tennis facilities, I hope that I can recruit new players in upcoming years and build a strong team for the future.”

With fall sports being postponed, Feeney and the tennis team are eyeing a return to the court in the spring.