VOL. 100 – ISSUE 16
THE TRUMPET WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
MARCH 11, 2021
WLU’s Student News Source
Dr. Seuss Enterprises discontinue six books for racist imagery- pg. 6 Men and Women’s basketball MEC tournament recaps - pg. 14 @WLTrumpetOnline @thetrumpetwestliberty @thetrumpetwlu
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WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
THE TRUMPET
NEWS
COVER BY: SAMANTHA SNYDER
CULTURE SPORTS Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credits: Chad Collins WLU’s Dr. Mohamed Youssef explains the Perserverance rover and its mission pg. 4
Local resident, Chad Collins, opens business CollinsTech repair pg. 8
Men’s and Women’s tennis seasons bring joy to athletes after COVID-19 canceled last season pg. 15
THE TRUMPET
The Student Voice of the Hilltop
The Trumpet’s mission is to provide WLU students of all majors an opportunity to learn how to gather and present news information to the campus community, and to serve the WLU community with fair and accurate reporting on matters of significance and interest.
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Annalise Murphy Online Editor Creed Kidney News/Copy Editor Intern Lizzy Griffith Culture Editor Morgan Kafana Opinion Editor Haley Blakemore Sports Editor Intern Anna Johnston Graphic Designer Intern Katlyn Roberts Sports Writer Maxwell Fiedorczyk News/Culture Writer Emma Beatty Faculty Adviser Danielle Mehlman-Brightwell
Letters to the Editor
To submit a letter to the editor, please email anmurphy@westliberty.edu. Please put your name, address, phone number, email address. If the editor decides to publish it, she will contact you to conform your identity.
Contact Us
Wltrumpet@westliberty.edu (304) 336-8873
NEWS
MARCH 11, 2021
NEWS
News/Copy Editor Intern: Lizzy Griffith
- elgriffith@westliberty.edu
PAGE 3
WLU hosts first collegiate WELD chapter on campus and state West Liberty University hosts their first WELD Collegiate Chapter on the Hilltop and this chapter is the first collegiate chapter in W. Va. Taking place on March 10, 2021, the information launch event surrounding WELD took place explaining the chapter as Women for Economic and Leadership Development. The group is hoping to introduce the community, particularly career-minded women, to its mission, networking opportunities and unique leadership programs. WELD was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 2003 as a local organization. It has now grown into a national organization with chapters that offer leadership programs and events. Collegiate Chapters are a way for Members to get together on their campus and develop skills. Collegiate Chapters on campus are a great way to develop valuable skills. WELD, a national, nonprofit, aims to develop and advance women’s leadership to help strengthen the economic prosperity of the communities it serves, said Barbara Smoot, president and chief executive officer of WELD.
“We want to mobilize women to become active leaders in businesses, civic organizations and government by building programs, events and communities that support leadership development and business growth. WELD offers professional connections and high-impact leadership training to career women and women business owners,” she said. WELD is a membership-based organization that helps women build community connections in authentic and productive ways. The way it is operated is by local volunteers who are supported by the national affiliation. To help launch their first event, Upper Ohio Valley area women and community have been invited to the group. In the communities they work in, WELD also donates scholarships through their Building Community Bridges program to women striving towards economic independence so that they can attend their programs. Their connections foster new careers and business building opportunities for our volunteers and help women find mentors and sponsors. WELD is a great place to start for women who are just embarking on their careers and are seeking learning opportunities. WELD has different types of memberships,
Photo Credits: Ingrid Loy
Pictured from left to right are WLU Faculty Advisors Sherry Rocchio, Tina Dewitt, and Ingrid Loy Photo Credits: Ingrid Loy including individual, business, and programs. Through our Building corporate. These members are Community Bridges program, to help you grow your profesWELD partners with other local sional and interpersonal skills. non-profit organizations focused on improving the lives of women Even if you don’t want to and awards scholarships to the get a membership, you can still women that they serve or to the contribute to the group. associates of those non-profit organizations,” according to the Through their website, WELD website. weldusa.org, you can make a donation to help support the For more information non-profit organization. about WELD, please visit the “We offer several differweldusa.org website, or reach ent levels of donations that indiout to one of the faculty advisors viduals or businesses can select of this chapter Sherry Rocchio, from to enable women to attend Tina Dewitt, and Ingrid Loy. our events and participate in our
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MARCH 11, 2021
NEWS
WLU’s Dr. Mohamed Youssef explains the Perseverance rover and its mission Almost seven months after it left Earth, the Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars in February. The rover will spend two Earth years, one Mars year, exploring the planet and meeting its mission objectives. Its main goal is to expand knowledge of Mars’ geology and to look for signs of ancient life. Professor of Physics and Physical Sciences Dr. Mohamed Youssef provided a further explanation of the Perseverance rover and its mission. “Since the mission’s priority science goal is to answer the question about the ancient past and the potential for life on Mars, one of the biggest upgrades to the rover is its ability to collect rock samples for future study. The
already established plan is for the samples to be stored, ready for someone – or another probe or rover – to pick them up later… The rover also helps lay the foundation for future crewed missions by precisely measuring the radiation exposure and the required shielding.” “Although no human was included in the landing on Mars, the names of about 11 million people were sent to Mars. The names were written on three silicon microchips the size of a thumbnail using a very small print, thinner than the human hair…” Dr. Youssef continues on to explain that human missions are not that far off as scientists continue to investigate ways around the radiation and atmospheric issues of the planet. He adds that NASA has plans to have Americans on the planet by 2030, but private industries may make that happen sooner. The rover is also joined with a
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons First picture taken by Perserverance upon landing on Mars small helicopter drone, Ingenuity. Ingenuity’s main job is to take aerial photos and test flight possibilities in
“Although no human was included in the landing on Mars, the names of about 11 million people were sent to Mars.” - Dr. Mohamed Youssef the atmosphere. Dr. Youssef was recently interviewed by WTRF. More information can be found on NASA’s website: https:// mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/. Additionally, Dr. Youssef can be reached by email myoussef@westliberty. edu. For more information regarding this article by Emma Beatty, please email her at ejbeatty@ westliberty.edu,.
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Be sure to follow The Trumpet on all socials to keep up to date with the latest West Liberty news!
NEWS
MARCH 11, 2021
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Marshall University’s Department of Social Work
hosts virtual presentation for Men’s mental health week
On Monday, Mar. 8, Marshall University hosted a virtual presentation open to college students across the entirety of West Virginia for Men’s Mental Health Week. The event was put on mainly by the university’s Social Work Department, with faculty members like Dr. Candace Layne, director of Marshall’s counseling center, Matthew James, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Marshall, and Maurice Cooley, Vice President of Marshall’s Student and Intercultural Affairs. Upon the opening of the webinar, the faculty board presentation provided some anecdotes on what marking this occasion means to them and how important it is for college students to be aware of not only their own, but their peers, mental health. Rather than focusing on Mental Health as a general and broad subject, the event specifically appealed to male identifying
“...but I also wanted so badly for someone, anyone, to just reach out, to ask how I was, to ask if I needed anything or if I needed to talk… because I couldn’t do any of that on my own.” - Kevin Hines
spoke in great detail of the hardships he experienced growing up within the foster care system and a later broken home, that of which he was adopted into. Hines frequently noted that he was extremely blessed, and he knew that love and support existed all around him; but it is the anxieties and scars from Suicide Prevention Speaker and Activist, Kevin Hines, spoke at his cruel past Marshall University’s Men’s Mental Health Week seminar and upbringing Photo Credits: Marshall University Department of Social Work that plagued his worldview that would lead him to leap from the Golden Gates of San Francisco. individuals to combat the age old after surviving an attempted suicidal stereotype and stigma surrounding jump from the Golden Gate Bridge If not for the sea lion men being open and transparent of San Francisco on Sept. 25, 2000. that saved him, Hines would about their emotions. Falling more than 222 ft., roughly be dead, and that, he believes, 25 stories, at 75 mph in no more would be his greatest mistake of Faculty board member than four seconds; upon impact, his all; “I wanted to die, I wanted to Matthew James illustrated to those lower vertebral column had been disappear -- but I also wanted attending from Marshall’s campus shattered into pieces and he was so badly for someone, anyone, that he was always there to talk paralyzed from the waist down. to just reach out, to ask how I or to listen; “If you just need a guy was, to ask if I needed anything to talk to, someone to listen to Having to swim more than or if I needed to talk… because you, as another man, and provide 70 feet upward to the water’s I couldn’t do any of that on my insight and feedback -- I am always surface without the use of his legs, own.” here for you. Even if you aren’t Hines feared that he would drown ready to talk openly about how as he bobbed up and down within This is the heart of you’re feeling or why you’re feeling the shifting waters of the bay; but Hines’s message, and the moral that way, do not keep yourself miraculously, a sea lion came to his of Men’s Mental Health Week -trapped; we are here for you, I am rescue. The animal kept him afloat do not be afraid to reach out. here for you.” by bouncing into his motionless legs, making him into somewhat of a Do not be afraid to talk After a brief introduction buoy until the Coast Guard arrived to someone. Do not be afraid to and anecdote from faculty board to save him. He is one of less than show and recognize your emomember Maurice Cooley, the roughly 1% of people who have tions. And, most importantly, do keynote speaker for the evening fallen or jumped from the Golden not give up. began his presentation; though it Gate Bridge to survive; only 36 peofelt much more like a testimony. For more information ple, including Hines, have achieved about Kevin Hines and his this. Kevin Hines, an American inspirational story, as well as suicide prevention activist, youtu This is not the only thing multiple other resources, please ber, author, and filmmaker, gained Hines discussed, of course. For the visit https://www.kevinhinesstory. nationwide notriety and infamy majority of his presentation, he com/.
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MARCH 11, 2021
NEWS
Dr. Seuss Enterprises discontinue six books for racist imagery On Tuesday March 7, news was announced that six Dr. Seuss books would be discontinued as a result of racist and insensitive imagery. According to The Associated Press these six books include “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” If I Ran the Zoo,” McElligot’s Pool,” On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.” Dr. Seuss’s world-famous book, “The Cat in the Hat” was also under question to be discontinued but will still remain in publication for the time being. Though Dr. Seuss books have taught children and adults positive morals such as environmentalism and tolerance, negative criticism has surfaced in the past few years that the ways Blacks, Asians and other ethnic groups are portrayed in Dr. Seuss’s drawing are racist and hurtful. “These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” said Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Interestingly enough, the decision to discontinue publication of these books was made last year after months of deliberation. According to CBS News, a school librarian in Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts received a gift of 10 Dr. Seuss books from former first lady Melania Trump. The librarian was reported to have criticized this gift saying that the books were “steeped in racist propaganda.” Then in 2018, the Dr. Seuss museum, located in Springfield, removed a mural which was of an Asian stereotype. “While I understand why people would be offended by some racially insensitive caricatures made by Dr. Seuss, I don’t think it is right to completely censor all of his work. There are parts of his legacy we should honor and parts we should not,” said Olivia Romick, a West Liberty freshman majoring in journalism. However, another freshman Anna Dean had a different perspective saying, “I loved Dr. Seuss books as a kid, but as I grew up I had problems with the books pointed out to me. I feel like banning the problematic books is a good thing. As much as Dr. Seuss books were popular in the past, there comes a point to question the material. If the ban or shelving of any offensive books helps us to shape a better future for our youth, I’m supportive.” Though unsure of what Dr. Seuss’s intention was in these books, the debate over the meaning of these books is subject to question. This just poses the question of “Oh the places we’ll go.”
Graphic By: Samantha Snyder
CULTURE
CULTURE MARCH 11, 2021
Culture Editor: Morgan Kafana
PAGE 7
- mkafana@westliberty.edu
2021 International Women’s day inspires and empowers local women and another 100 for Christmas.” She plans to keep this as a tradition every year they are open.
Every eighth day of March, the world celebrates and empowers women all around the world. This year’s theme is Choose to Challenge. According to the International Women’s Day website, “International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.” Two local, noteworthy women who are making a difference in the Wheeling community are Rachel Alverado, owner of a local restaurant, and Ana Musap, junior at WLU. Alverado owns Rachel’s on 16th, located in Wheeling. It has been a local success since its opening, though, she didn’t always have approval from others. Alverado says, “A lot of individuals said I wouldn’t make it, I couldn’t be successful, and it was just another business that was going to fail within the first year.” Despite people’s doubts, Alverado has had a booming business since 2019.
Alvorado said her mother and grandmother are her biggest inspirations and motivators because they are her “biggest fans’’ and never doubter her capabilities to be a successful businesswoman. Alverado’s advice to other women is to “just go for it.” She added, “Grab a notepad and start writing things down. It all starts with just one idea. Piece by piece it will all come together.” A successful young woman who is a student at WLU, works a part-time job, and is an active participant on campus, is Ana Musap. She is currently the Vice President of her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, holds the secretary position
on the Executive Board for her sorority’s chapter, and works as a sales associate at American Eagle in St. Clairsville. She is also a secretary for Phi Beta Lambda, or widely known as FBLA, a business club on campus. Being a part of a sorority and sisterhood has helped Musap feel empowered as a woman.
Musap says, “It is so encouraging to have a group of such amazing women surrounding me. We all support each other and most importantly, we hold each other accountable.” She added, “A lot of our girls are involved in multiple sports or organizations on campus, and it is so inspiring to see how well they handle it. As college students, we are under a lot of pressure, and being in
Musap finds inspiration in many women, including, “Michelle Obama, Ashley Graham, Jameela Jamil, and most importantly, my mom.” Musap shared, “At 16 years old, [my mother] left her home country of Croatia and came to America alone. She managed to make a life for herself and lived in California for many years. As a single mother, she raised three children and never complained a day in her life about it.” Musap says, “I hope to become a strong woman like her and follow in her footsteps.” Once Musap graduates, she hopes to leave behind a legacy for other women to live by. She says, “I hope to leave the example for other women that you can do anything you put your mind to.” She continued on to say, “I hope to inspire other women to push themselves out of their comfort zone and just go for it.” Alverado and Musap are women who lead by example. They both give back to the community in their own unique ways, both deserving recognition for their hard work and dedication.
Alverado shared, “I love seeing my customers smiling faces. I love being able to feed people delicious meals and also give back to the community any chance I get.” Over the holidays, Alverado and her husband prepared Thanksgiving and Christmas meals free for the community. Alverado says she originally started the idea on a whim over the holiday season in 2019, and they served about 4050 meals each holiday. Alverado shared, “I wanted to do more this past holiday season, so I made fliers, and we served 100 meals for Thanksgiving
a sisterhood allows us to have a constant support system.”
Despite many obstacles, both women are making a difference. International Women’s Day is about celebrating the women who mean the most to you and inspire us all.
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons
On this day, and throughout the month of March, remember to empower and celebrate the women who make a difference all over the world and in our own lives.
MARCH 11, 2021
PAGE 8
CULTURE
Local resident, Chad Collins, opens business CollinsTech repair get acquainted.”
Beginning around the time of January 2020, Chad Collins, a resident of the local town of Moundsville, WV, opened a computer, cellphone, and network repair service for both commercial and residential customers. A steady flow of commissions have kept the business, called CollinsTech, alive throughout the world of COVID-19; but recently, around the business’s first year anniversary, CollinsTech has added something extra to their repertoire of technological endeavors: video game tournaments. Acting as a sort of arcade for the otherwise barren town of Moundsville, West Virginia, Collins cited an interest in getting people out and about, in a safe and socially distanced manner, of course, when nothing else was opened or providing entertainment; “I wanted to offer people something to do, or even to just come and watch, something to get them out and doing something other than being cooped up inside the house all the time. An arcade also provided a great way for people of similar interests and hobbies to meet and
For the relatively short time the arcade has been open and providing tournament opportunities for video game and esport fans of the Ohio Valley, many people have already started to regularly participate in the facilitie’s scheduled events; the majority of which are, in fact, students here at West Liberty. Ethan Pond, a freshman of the Hilltop, is currently volunteering at CollinsTech as an event planner and social media manager; as soon as the first tournament was held, Pond knew that he would be giving his all to see the business succeed. “This is something that I’ve been interested in for as long as I can remember, and to see something like this coming to my hometown and the area that I grew up in, and provide a kind of outlet for me and my peers who also love these types of games and events -- is awesome.” Collins echoed these same sentiments when elaborating on why the addition of the arcade came to be for his small technical repair business; “It’s honestly been something I’ve been considering and dreaming of since I was in high school in 2013, so it’s always been
Photo Credits: Chad Collins
a long time want; but I was afraid that I didn’t have enough backing or support. Now, though, I know that there are people who are extremely interested and want to see these types of ventures succeed, so I can and do sustain myself within this new arm of my business.” While video game sales and engagement sore during the pandemic, Collins is just happy to provide a space for people to take a break from the harsh realities of the world we’re all currently living in as restrictions lax and things grow to be more and more normal, for lack of a better term. Aside from Ethan Pond, West Liberty freshmans Zack Leach and Marshall Cross couldn’t agree more with Collins; “It’s given me the ability and opportunity to have contact and fun with a group of people that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten to hang out with or been exposed to, especially within the world of COVID-19, but also as a resident of the Ohio Valley, where things like CollinsTech and good natured video game tournaments pretty much don’t exist,” said Leach when asked what the arcade and tourneys meant to them as young adults of the area. With the engagement seen from West Liberty students so far, at least those who have been exposed to CollinsTech promotional material and or heard about it through friends of the area, and the online capabilities of video game competitions, Pond, as CollinsTech’s event planner, wonders when the party can expand to here on the hilltop; “I think there’s a lot of potential for things like satellite com-
Photo Credits: Chad Collins petitions hosted by CollinsTech, but at various locations, to further community engagement and exposure of the business and this aspect of it; or even a game room here at West Liberty to act as an arm to the arcade stationed in Moundsville.” With the rather limited availability of outlets here on the Hilltop, Marshall Cross, a commuter student of West Liberty, said something like that would make him want to stay on campus a lot more; “I think something like a game room or satellite competitions could provide an interesting niche to a lot of students, many of whom probably don’t stay on campus; something like that would definitely make me want to stay up there more.” For more information on CollinsTech and it’s technical and or arcade services, please visit their website at http://www. collinstechservices.com. You can also contact Chad Collins at chad@collinstechservices.com, or, (304) 312-2376. Ethan Pond, CollinsTech’s event planner and social media manager, is also available to contact for more information regarding the facilities weekly game nights at edpond@westliberty. edu. CollinsTech is located at 1109 12th Street Moundsville, WV Varlas Campground.
CULTURE
MARCH 11, 2021
PAGE 9
Carol Zombotti joins West Liberty staff as clinical director speech therapy when I was a young child and thought it was a good fit.” West Liberty welcomed Professor Carol Zombotti to the speech pathology department in August of 2020. This year, Zombotti will be teaching courses in phonetics, assessment and management of communication disorders and clinical practicum courses in the pathology department.
She decided to teach at West Liberty because her love of teaching was to teach students in a clinical setting. Zombotti feels that her job has taught her that perseverance always wins and that, “no matter how much experience one has, a new setting requires perseverance, dedication and commitment.”
Zombotti received her Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and audiology as well as her masters in speech pathology from WVU. She also has a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University.
Currently, Zombotti isn’t involved in any clubs or activities on campus but hopes to become involved in a few next year.
Currently, Zombotti is working to obtain her doctorate in speech pathology from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
“I am so blessed to be here and love the opportunity to meet and work with our amazing SPA department and others in the College of Health Sciences.
Prior to teaching at West Liberty, Zombotti worked as a speech pathologist for 25 years in the public schools of WV. Her interest in speech pathology stems from her passion to work with children in a health related field. Zombotti added that she, “had
Zombotti wishes to express that it has been such a pleasure to become a faculty member at WLU.
Zombotti also wanted students and staff to know that the WLU Speech and Hearing Clinic is now open and accepting patients in need of evaluations and treatment for children and adults with communication disorders.
Photo Credits: WLU Media Relations
Don’t forget to turn clocks ahead one hour this Sunday, March 14, 2021
MARCH 11, 2021
PAGE 10
THE TRUMPET’S CENTENNIAL
100
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100 Trumpets Strong...
100 100
80-years of Trumpet voices and reporting shows significant change between then and now
As The Trumpet continues to celebrate our centennial, this week we are going back in time to the year 1941 – exactly 80 years ago. Between 1921 and 1941, The Trumpet saw many changes including a significant one to its name. The first issue of 1941 has the student run newspaper named “The Trumpet” rather than “The Normal Trumpet”. In March 1941, the volume 24, issue six publication reported The Trumpet was “Published once monthly during October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, and July at West Liberty, West Virginia [W. Va.] by West Liberty State Teachers College” (page 2 of 4). Other changes between 1921 and 1941 include the addition of pictures, each page represented hard news, sports, and culture related stories and the number of pages within each given newspaper went from six pages long to four pages long. The library currently has the January, February, March, April, May, July, November, and December issues of 1941Trumpet publications archived, which means the October issue from 1941 is missing from the archives. As stated in last week’s throwback article, some volumes and issues of The Trumpet have been lost and unarchived due to unknown causes. Exactly 80 years ago from this month, March 1941,
student reporters placed hard news stories on page one, Trumpet staff and “In Short” summaries of important information on page 2, sport reports on page 3, and feature stories on page four. Starting off with page one, The Dramatics Club sponsored a major three act play production called “Outward Bound” and was presented on March 3, 1941 in the Fort Steuben Hotel. Important to mention, 1941 was the year the second world war began, and even though the U.S. did not officially enter the war until December, training courses for various branches of the military were happening all throughout the United States. Trumpet student reporters covered a story regarding West Liberty civilian pilot training programs in an article titled “Second Pilot Training Course Gets Underway”. Continually, first semester Honor Roll students were listed on page one with their accumulative GPA to the right of their names.
the hilltop sports scene” with reports of practices beginning within the month.
loaded to the new cloud encrypted storage website MEGA.
West Liberty’s “court quintet copped up three wins” the month previously, and two home victories over Fairmont and Shepard state concluded the hilltoppers regular “court season”.
The new home to the archives is organized into folders by years, similar to the Google Drives. To view the new site, please visit this link.
Page four concluded the March 1941 Trumpet with feature stories about sororities, students practicing teaching, student council buying a dance machine for “dorm” and even a list of movies and plays that were being played at the local theatre with prospective dates to the left.
In August 2020, The Trumpet underwent a media convergence process and has switched to a completely digital publishing platform.
West Liberty’s head of learning resources, Katy Zane, began the process of converting each Trumpet issue Elbin Library had on file to high-definition PDFs that are available anytime and anywhere. Viewable PDFs of old newspapers were originally available via two Google Drives; however, Zane now has every archived issue of The Trumpet up-
To view certain issues of past Trumpets and all the newest ones, please visit issuu.com/thetrumpetwlu. Celebratory plans for the newspaper’s centennial include production of a documentary and a coffee table book. For more information regarding the history of The Trumpet, how to join the current staff or general questions, please email Annalise Murphy at anmurphy@westlibrty. edu.
In this particular issue, reports of President Elbin being honored for his professional work by an “Ad-Chat” award for “outstanding service to the community in 1940”. Interestingly enough, students also reported in this issue of three former students announcing their marriage. Page 3 was home to the sports reports of West Liberty’s men’s and women’s teams, and Hilltopper sports in March of 1941 were just beginning their seasons for some sports and concluding seasons for others. Baseball was preparing to “take over
Photo Credits: The Trumpet Archive
OPINION
OPINION MARCH 11, 2021
PAGE 11
Spring break cancelation upsets many students, could there be a solution? faster to other individuals who are at a higher risk to have health complications. For many college students across the country, spring break has been canceled and the Hilltoppers are no exception to these changed plans. The university announced the plan to “eliminate spring break” in early October 2020. “In an effort to keep students, staff, and its campus community safe during the pandemic…”. Common to West Liberty, many universities across the nation are canceling taking spring breaks out of the academic calendar completely in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Oftentimes, students travel heavily during their breaks, which is known to contribute to the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report, “COVID-19 Outbreak Among College Students After a Spring Break Trip to Mexico – Austin, Texas, March 26 – April 5, 2020” on July 3, 2020 summarizing how traveling during spring break affects the spread of the virus.
In the report listed above, the CDC found after the college students returned home from their trip 64 COVID cases resulted. 60 cases originated among the 183 vacation travelers, one from 13 household contacts and three from 35 community contacts. Implications of traveling during spring break as the world suffers through a pandemic are huge. The data shows how much the virus spread just from a few students traveling during spring break. It is important to note that the CDC recommends NOT traveling whatsoever due to the high volume of cases within the United States right now.
However, the CDC has created a webpage within their main site outlining the safe and proper procedures for students who will be traveling anytime during this spring (whether universities are granting spring breaks or not). Some advice includes wearing a mask at all times, social distancing at least six feet away from others, consistent hand washing and sanitizing practices, and self-monitoring for any signs or symptoms of illness. As with any change in academic schedules, many students have varying opinions about the cancelation of the usual one-week break during the spring semester. Some of the Trumpet staff are feeling the effects of not having a spring break with some people saying they feel unmotivated, drained and in need of a break.
Staying home will keep you and others safe against getting and On the other hand, other or spreading COVID-19. staff members feel indifferent about
Anna Johnston, Junior sports editor, said, “Personally, I think we need a few days to refuel.” On the other hand, Morgan Kafana, freshman culture editor isn’t affected by the change stating, “It doesn’t personally bother me. I wasn’t going to do anything anyways and it might help keep COVID cases down. A day or two off would be nice to just relax and breathe.” Creed Kidney, freshman online editor agrees with Johnson and Kafana about needing “time to re-energize” and collect himself. Lastly, our sports writer Maxwell Fiedorczyk is having a midlife crisis over the cancelation stating, “Every day I am a walking ball of misery and there’s nothing I can do. Would spring break be the answer? Perhaps.” As for me, I understand completely why the university canceled spring break; however, I too am feeling the mid-semester blues and need just a few days to chill out and relax. Luckily, the COVID-19 vaccine is helping the number of cases go down, bringing us even closer to getting back to normal. While I am sad there is no break this spring, I am hopeful for a better and more “normal” fall semester.
A known fact about the virus is that it can cause asymptomatic and mild illness, especially among younger and healthier populations according to the CDC. Basically, younger and healthier individuals can be hosts to the virus and not even know they have it (asymptomatic) or only get mild symptoms. Either way, the virus can be spread a lot
the situation.
Photo Credits: Google Creative Commons
For more information about this article, please email the author, Annalise Murphy, at anmurphy@westliberty.edy
PAGE 12
MARCH 11, 2021
OPINION
Actor Will Smith announces potential political run in a podcast interview Like other celebrities, such as Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Will Smith has announced that he could see himself in politics and public office during an interview on the podcast “Pod Save America.” Smith says, “I will certainly do my part, whether it remains artistic or at some point venture into the political arena.” He goes on to say that he wants to see the current office be “cleaned up a bit” before he does. This announcement comes after the promotion of Smith’s new Netflix special “Amend: The Fight for America.” The docuseries discusses the 14th Amendment and its effects on the past and present. Through the six episodes, viewers see how the amendment
has changed everything from abortion to African American rights. Despite his confidence in running, Smith has no background or experience in politics. He also has no college education as he decided to begin his career in rap music instead of attending Mass. Institute of Technology. He would not be the first to break the status quo of being a politician, however. People such as Donald Trump, Al Franken, and Jerry Springer had successful campaigns with no prior experience. Should actors and other inexperienced people be allowed in politics? As a Democracy, America has set the precedent that no one should be kept out of politics, but maybe there should be some education or experience requirements added. To run for president, a person must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, a resident of
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons the country for fourteen years, and at least 35 years old. As for senators, the candidate must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for nine years, and a resident of the state they are running for. The last office is for the House of Representatives which says a person must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for seven years, and live in the state they represent. There are no education requirements listed in the Constitution as many of the Founders were not educated themselves. In a nation that has so many opportunities, I think that this should become a new criterion for running for office. This is not to say that people who did not go to
college are incapable of being in office, but it seems like a bachelor’s degree could set candidates apart. This would also start the process of having candidates chosen based on capability and not just likeability. While charisma is a good trait to have, it does not show how a person would respond in times of war or chaos. With the increase in actors and celebrities entering politics, a conversation must be around the corner. It will be interesting to see what the public decides as American citizens are the deciding factor in our politics.
OPINION
MARCH 11, 2021
PAGE 13
Should states reopen as more people get vaccinated? As more people are getting vaccines, the question on the table is if states should reopen. Many states are already beginning to open. W. Va. is at 100% capacity as of now. As WV isn’t the only state like this, many people are wondering if this is the start of more and more states reopening. I feel like as more people are able to get vaccinated, states will begin to slowly reopen. In my opinion, I feel like it will be a good idea to open capacity. However, I feel like the mask mandate should still be in place until’ covid numbers keep decreasing.
Many people may have different opinions about the states reopening. Some people think that we should still stay completely closed, while others are ready for things to start opening. Many people are just kind of tired of being in quarantine and are ready for everything to open, even if the world isn’t ready. My roommate, Emily Truex, a student that lives on the WLU campus, says that “I think things should start to open. I think they should do it slowly, however.” I honestly do agree with her, as I feel like things can slowly begin to reopen. If we all continue to use the regulations when we open 100%, things could go smoothly. Over ten states have removed their masks mandate and are completely reopened.
There are also no stay-at-home orders anymore either. In all states, businesses have mostly reopened completely, too.
tory yet, unless we have to get to that point, I would encourage people to get it if it is available to them.
W. Va. has also begun to allow weddings, parades, and other outdoor events. Personally, I feel like it could be a little too soon to open things completely and take away the mask mandates.
I think if the vaccine is available to more people, and those people receive it, covid could start eliminating in America as it has in other countries.
I think the mask mandate should be in place for a few more months until the numbers of cases are 0 or at least under 10. I don’t think it’s smart to start opening immediately when cases could spike back up any minute. I feel like as people continue to get vaccines, however, fewer people will be able to contract the virus.
Graphic By: Samantha Snyder
We could go back to our “normal” lives sooner. As I don’t think the vaccine should be manda-
I do think that the vaccine could be very beneficial to us as a whole country and could get us to not have the restrictions in place anymore. I do think that as more people continue to get the vaccine, states should slowly start to reopen. For any questions regarding this article, please reach out to Katlyn Roberts at kmroberts1@westliberty.edu
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SPORTS MARCH 11, 2021
Sports Editor: Anna Johnston
SPORTS
- acjohnston@westliberty.edu
Men’s and Women’s basketball MEC tournament recaps Contributing Writer: Mark Donnely West Liberty’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams both featured in the MEC Conference Tournament this weekend, with the Lady Toppers losing to No.18 Glenville State in the quarterfinals and the men’s side finishing as runners up after a tight loss to Fairmont State in Sunday’s final at the WesBanco Arena. Before reaching the conference championship game, WLU’s Men’s Basketball defeated Concord and Glenville State to set up an intriguing matchup against the Falcons, who they had defeated twice already this season. Their semi-final against Glenville was the highlight of the tournament as Malik McKinney’s three point buzzer beater won the game for the Hilltoppers after the Pioneers scored two three’s in quick succession to tie the game late on. McKinney’s late winner gained a lot of media attention, featuring on ESPN and tallying thousands of views.
The championship game itself was also an entertaining one which unfortunately ended with WLU being on the wrong end of some late drama. A poor first half performance left the Toppers 12 points behind at the midway point before a Pat Robinson III inspired run at the beginning of the second half brought them back to within two points. In a game of runs, the falcons scored 12 of their next 13 shots from the floor to give themselves a comfortable 12 point lead. Twenty-two points in under two minutes got the Toppers back to within one point within 8 seconds left however some clinical free-throw shooting late on secured the championship for their opponents. Senior guard Luke Dyer scored a career-high 24 points and five three-pointers, bettered only by Robinson who had 27 points on the night. Sophomore Owen Hazelbaker had added a season-high 12 points from the bench while MEC player of the year, Dalton Bolon made all of his
five second half shots to finish with a total 12 points. After going in as reigning conference champions, the Toppers will naturally be disappointed that they were not able to retain their title. Their season is not over just yet however as their 13-3 regular season record and conference final appearance was enough to earn them their 12th straight NCAA Division II Tournament bid where they will be the No. 3 seed in the six team Atlantic Region Tournament. The tournament will be hosted at West Liberty with each game being played inside the ASRC with the Hilltoppers taking on No. 6 seed Malone in one of two quarterfinal matchups this Saturday March 13. The other teams making up the tournament lineup include Fairmont State, Hillsdale, Mercyhurst and Charleston with the winner gaining a place in the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Elite Eight, which will be held at the Ford Center in Evansville the following weekend. Head Coach Ben Howlett will be hoping that All-MEC
First Team selections Bolon and Robinson will continue their regular season form to help the Toppers go deep in this year’s tournament. West Liberty’s Women’s Basketball were up against large odds from the beginning of the tournament as they faced No. 18 Glenville State in their quarterfinal matchup on Friday. The Pioneers came into the game as the nation’s highest scoring team and they showed their offensive talent in the fourth quarter, scoring 41 points to secure a 118-87 win. The Lady Toppers gave a valiant effort against the eventual conference runners up and took the lead multiple times in the third quarter. All-MEC senior duo Olivia Belknap and Audrey Tingle were stand out performers, scoring 36 and 15 points respectively. Tingle was one rebound short of recording a second triple-double of the season, a feat that no Division II woman has accomplished this season. Finishing the season with a 8-9 record, Head Coach Kyle Cooper will be hoping that his team can build on their performances from this season and put together another tournament run next year.
For more updates, please follow: hilltoppersports.com
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
To stay up to date on all sports this semester
SPORTS
MARCH 11, 2021
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Men’s and Women’s tennis seasons bring joy to athletes after COVID-19 canceled last season
The tennis season has begun on the Hilltop for both the men’s and women’s team, as this newfound season has brought much excitement for students across the West Liberty University campus. After the cancellation of spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, not only West Liberty, but other teams across the Mountain East Conference, have been filled with anticipation to begin competing once more. The West Liberty University men’s tennis team went 11-11 in 2019, and held a 3-4 record last year before the cancellation of the 2020 season. After beginning their season on Feb. 20, the Hilltoppers have since then gone 1-2, with their lone victory coming against West Virginia Wesleyan.
`With two of their possible five matches already being postponed, the Hilltoppers are crossing their fingers they can play out their remaining nine matches. Although there are only eight players to the men’s roster, there is certainly not a lack of leadership within the team. Among said leaders is senior Anton Schulz from Menden, Germany, and junior Nick Millner from Inwood, West Virginia. These two leaders are the core of the West Liberty team, and help provide a model for others to follow.
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
The team is full of youth and talent with student-athletes coming from all corners of the globe.
en’s team looks forward to finding their rhythm once more, and perhaps even making a bid for the MEC Championship.
The Lady Hilltoppers began their season on Feb. 27, winning their first contest over California University of Pennsylvania.
The Lady Toppers have been on the better end of postponements this season, and look forward to playing every one of their thirteen remaining regular season games.
After going 14-9 in 2019 and 8-1 in 2020, the WLU wom-
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
This Hilltoppers team fea-
tures nine players, led by graduate student Carleyah Mclean from Pickering, Ontario. It will be exciting to see how this season plays out for both the men’s and women’s Hilltopper tennis teams. As many are resuming action, expect the Hilltoppers to potentially make a deep championship run in early May.
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MARCH 11, 2021
Wrestling Coach Irwin voted Regional Coach of the Year
SPORTS
The Hilltop’s Athlete of the Week
~ Hannah Kemp ~
richer. Irwin’s success at West Liberty is quite impressive, to say the least. West Liberty’s Head Wrestling Coach... Danny Irwin was voted Regional Coach of the Year in a period of unprecedented circumstances within our nation, including the cancellation of many sporting events across the country, the West Liberty University Wrestling team, however, continued to do what they have always done: climb the hill. Although this particular climb is not a sprint, the Hilltoppers sure seem to be ahead in the marathon, especially this season. In his second season at the helm for the Hilltoppers, Head Coach Danny Irwin is seeing phenomenal success early in his career. This season, the Hilltoppers have a 5-0 record and have dominated their way through the Mountain East Conference. Although two of their meets have been postponed, that has not stopped this Hilltopper team from finding their rhythm. As a team, the Toppers captured the 2021 Mountain East Conference Title, along with the Super Region 3 Championship. As the team prepares for the NCAA Division II Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, it goes without saying the rich are looking to get
However, when looking at Irwin’s track record, it is hardly surprising. While beginning his coaching career at Bluffton High School during the mid-2000’s Irwin led his team to a conference championship. From there, Irwin took the coaching job at Wabash College, a Division III school in Crawfordsville, Indiana. After winning an eye-opening three assistant coach of the year awards, he landed his first head coaching job at Wheeling University, formerly known as Wheeling Jesuit University. Whilst at Wheeling, Irwin won the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, all while coaching a couple National Champions in the process. Now at West Liberty with the Hilltop as home, his success is continuing, as the Hilltoppers look to secure a couple National Championship titles of their own. There is no question that Irwin’s success has ultimately rubbed off on this Hilltoppers team. Even with the season coming to a close within the next couple of weeks, the Toppers are nowhere near fizzling out from not only the Mountain East Conference, but on the national stage as well. For more information about this article, please reach out to the journalist, Maxwell Fiedorczyk.
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Women’s Cross Country Year: Sophomore Hometown: Bethesda, Ohio About Kemp: Kemp has already earned two MEC Runner of the Week awards after going two for two in runway wins so far this season. Kemp finished her 6000-meter event more than 50 seconds before the second place finisher.
Pictured are West Liberty University Wrestling Coach Danny Irwin and two member of the Wrestling team Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
