VALLEY Magazine | Fall 2017

FALL 2017 ISSUE #20

INTRODUCING

LEEN OBEIDAT

// Meghan Reinhardt MANAGING EDITOR // Caroline Rosini ART DIRECTORS // Lauren Gorsky, Savannah Welsch DESIGN DIRECTORS // Colleen Witkowski, Nyomi Warren PHOTO DIRECTOR // Ann Li ASSISTANT PHOTO DIRECTOR // Maria Crisafulli VIDEO DIRECTOR // Alana Cowan WEB DIRECTOR // Maggie Kreienberg BEAUTY & HEALTH EDITOR // Ryan Salamo SELF-IMPROVEMENT EDITOR // Victoria Morales CAMPUS CULTURE EDITOR // Jennifer Fabiano FASHION EDITOR // Tess Petak ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR // Katie McFadden

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FB valleymag INSTA @valleymag EMAIL editor@valleymagazinepsu.com WEB valleymagazinepsu.com TWITTER @valleymag

PRINT WRITERS

Bryn Jeffers, Carlie Fox, Christina Chambers, Hannah Ferenci, Janie Cassady, Jordan Pietrafitta, Katie Gergel, Kayla Ramirez, Kylie Mester, Mary Joyce, Tori Rooney, Valerie Murphy WEB WRITERS

Abigail Roe, Devon MacDougall, Jacqueline Napolitano, Katherine Gouldin, Kylee McGuigan, Matt Brownlow, Sarah Price, Shannon Kavanagh, Steph Distasio PHOTOGRAPHERS

Abigail Roe, Carissa Flores, Jess Cartwright, Jordan Pietrafitta, Soleil Nagoda, Steph Distasio, Alex Webster, Elise Derstine, Eleanor Wing, Rachel Goehring VIDEO

Maya Gomez, Riley Charles DESIGNERS

Sabrina Hect, Turner Blashford, Addie Ruston

ISSUE #20 FALL 2017

BUSINESS DIVISION

// Zoey Gottlieb ADVERTISING DIRECTOR // Erin Rogers BRANDED CONTENT DIRECTOR // Anna James EVENTS DIRECTOR // Samantha Lassen PR/MARKETING DIRECTORS // Mary-Frances Edwards,

BUSINESS

Penn State’s only student-run life and style magazine turns 10. Named after Happy Valley, VALLEY was founded in September 2007 by former Penn State students Nicole Gallo, Meredith Ryan, Katie Zuccolo and Kathryn Tomaselli. Published once per semester and distributed for free on Penn State’s main campus, VALLEY strives to recognize students for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments, and to feature local style, entertainment and lifestyle trends.

Sarah Abdallah

// Caroline Rojewski SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTORS // Leah Yourstone,

FINANCE DIRECTOR

WELCOME TO

EDITORIAL DIVISION

self - improvement

17

OUR GENERATION’S DEVICE people have become so dependent on their phones, that it’s everyone’s addiction at this point.

18

TRANSCENDING THE FEAR OF DIFFERENCE breaking down one of the most misunderstood but widespread religions, Bahá'í.

19 welcome

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

4

WE ASKED OUR STAFF find out what makes the VALLEY staff feel bold.

6

beauty & health

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FALLING FOR FACEMASKS different recipes for facemasks that involve ingredients of the season. think pumpkins, apples & peppermint.

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FRESH FACED you don't have to cake on the makeup to look your best.

13

BARE FACED BEAUTY dives into the benefits of wearing minimal makeup, why that’s such a hot trend, and how to go about doing it.

15

MEET ME AT THE BARRE a complete breakdown of one of the hottest new exercise trends, barre. barre exercise is based off of ballet and includes small, repetitive movements to exercise your body.

ADVERTISING

Alexis Dudas, Angela Feick, Bella Spadafora, Cassie DeLaCruz, Emma Matthys, Justine Fern, Lauren Clements, Mora Fetterlof, Shannon McClain, Teona Ringgold

BALANCE YOUR DIET, BALANCE YOUR MIND what you eat doesn’t just affect your weight. we’re showing you how your

diet can affect your mental state.

campus culture

dairy — is it good for you or is it secretly harming your body? we talk to the experts to let you decide if you should be crying over spilt milk.

Alexa Turkovich, Brittany Acosta, Cailyn McCutcheon, Caroline Sorrentino, Christina Gonnella, Emily Dessel, Emma Sheehan, India Warren, Jasmine Clarke, Jessica Glomb, Julie Singer, Justine Fabian, Katie Kennedy, Lauren Clarke, Makenzie Hughes, Nicole Fiorillo, Olivia Abboud, Sam Friedman, Sam McCormack, Sofia Fiorini, Natalie Frund

21

fashion + beauty

DAIRY DEBATE

PR/MARKETING

we break down how you can get the perfect night’s sleep that you could only dream about.

BEHIND THE COVER

14

Sandra Carrillo

SLEEPLESS IN STATE COLLEGE

24

TO GO GREEK OR NOT TO GO GREEK a tragedy last Feb. shocked the Penn State community. how will new changes affect one of the largest organizations on campus?

25

entertainment

38

APPROVAL MATRIX: PENN STATE EDITION based off of the NY Times’ Approval Matrix, we weigh in on the trends of Happy Valley.

39

ONE HUNDRED STRINGS AND SOUNDS features one of the lesser known musical groups on campus, the Penn State Orchestra.

40

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES a chat with Greg, Mike, and Jason from My Hero Zero amidst their hectic schedule to learn more about these musical superheroes.

41

HOLIDAY HAVENS you don’t have to go to New York City to experience a winter wonderland.

42

MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: SHAWN FOX musician Shawn Fox has performed at THON released an album on iTunes, and is no longer a hidden talent.

BORN BOLD Leen Obeidat shares her story.

31

P S(USTAINABILITY) U take a look into the initiatives that are making this campus go green.

33

WE ARE BEST BUDDIES we sat down to chat with two members of Penn State’s Best Buddies program.

34

FIRST GENERATION PERSEVERANCE as a first-generation college student, junior Josh Maldonado talks about his experience & how he used the pressure to succeed as a leader in Air Force ROTC.

35

fashion

44

WORTH THE SWEAT? are fast-fashion products worth the sweatshop used to produce them?

45

SHEER NIGHTS the looks and fashions around the penn state campus.

53

GLO UP thank you to Rebecca Aranow & Ann Li.

55

HIGH SCORER introducing: cat hamilton, joe mcmahon & india warren. playing hard & scoring big.

PRAISE THE ONES WHO POUR THE DRINKS chatting behind the bar about the experiences with the bartenders who rule the Happy Valley nightlife scene.

EVENTS MANAGEMENT

Cathy Chen, Catie Dillion, Cassandra Kearns, Elise Bingaman, Erin O’Neil, Gwyneth Mulliken, Jada Baity, Jamiee Chiponis, Jordan Albright, Kait Miller, Leah Novak, Madeline Condo, Megan Ammon, Taylor Quintano SOCIAL MEDIA

Natalia Mujica, Samanta Rodriquez ADVISOR

Marie Hardin

funded by UPAC

This content and opinions of this publication reside solely with the authors and not the Pennsylvania State University or the University Park Allocation Committee.

Printed by Nittany Valley Offset

YOU FEEL WE ASKED OUR STAFF

B O LD?

W HAT MA KES

" W H AT M A K E S M E F E E L B O L D I S N O T BEING A FOLLOWER AND DOING T H I N G S F O R M YS E L F , W H AT I WA N T T O D O ! I N D E P E N D E N C E I S W H AT MAKES ME BOLD!"

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

— MADELINE CONDO

le t t er f ro m th e e di t o r I GOT MY HANDS ON MY FIRST COPY OF VALLEY AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL TOURING PENN STATE. LITTLE DID I KNOW THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON MY COLLEGE CAREER. IT HAS ALLOWED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AS A WRITER, LEADER, AND PERSON AS WELL AS TELL AND HEAR A VARIETY OF STORIES. ON THIS CAMPUS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT STORIES, PERSONALITIES, AND PEOPLE TO LEARN FROM. WHILE YOU ARE HERE, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY.

Leen is the perfect person to look up to when it comes to opening up to other people and cultures. She came here as an international student and has dove into both Penn State and American culture without losing her sense of who she is. Leen, I can’t thank you enough for letting me tell your story. You are kind, bold, fun, and wise. Don’t ever change!

Another privilege of being on VALLEY’s staff the past three years is working with incredibly talented people.

This year, it is our 10th birthday and we wanted to make sure everyone knew it. To my art directors, Lauren and Savannah, and design directors, Nyomi and Colleen, who brought a re-brand to my attention and to life, I couldn’t take this magazine to the height we took it to without you all! Your vision and passion this semester was instrumental in creating the magazine we did today. Ann, your artistic vision and leadership on the photography side is probably 3/4 of the reason why people are thumbing through

the beautiful 20th edition currently. I couldn’t be this semester’s editor in chief without the help of Caroline, who is my rock and editing confidant, Zoey, the fashionable business director who constantly gets shit done, and Maggie, for keeping our online presence growing. Thank you to the entire VALLEY staff for making this semester wonderful and frankly, easy for me to lead!

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of the magazine as much as I did helping to create it. At least one article should teach you something and open your eyes to a perspective that you may not know was out there. Once you’re done reading the magazine, I challenge you to go out into our little town of State College and explore cultures, people, ideas different than the ones you surround yourself with constantly.

I think you’ll be surprised what you learn about yourself. And, when you have to leave the wonderful bubble that is Happy Valley, take that curiosity and openness to learn from others with you.

"BEING BOLD MEANS BEING B E A U T I F U L LY , Y O U . M Y L I F E H A S BEEN CRAFTED THROUGH BOLD GESTURES AND ACTIONS AND FOR T H E S E R E A S O N S I C A N C O N F I D E N T LY SAY, MY LIFE IS GOOD. BEING MY QUIRKY, INDEPENDENT, DREAMD R I V E N S E L F I S W H AT M A K E S M E FEEL BOLD AND VIBRANT IN A WORLD T H AT S O M E T I M E S H A S I T S L E S S T H A N SHINING MOMENTS."

" W H AT M A K E S M E F E E L B O L D I S A W E L L - F I T T E D PA I R O F PAT E N T B O O T S .

M Y C O N F I D E N C E I S AT A H I G H W H E N MY STEPS BE HEARD, AND YES, YOU'LL BE HEARING FROM ME. I FEEL B O L D K N O W I N G T H E R E A R E G R E AT THINGS TO COME." — N Y O M I WA R R E N

— S T E P H D I S TA S I O

"TRAVELING THE WORLD MAKES ME FEEL BOLD." — E M I LY D E S S E L

ALL THE VALLEY LOVE, XO,

4

want more

CHECK OUT THESE PRODUCTS TO RECREATE OUR COVER STAR’S LOOK.

URBAN DECAY NAKED CONCEALER

SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR PRESSED BECCA HIGHLIGHT MOONSTONE

URBAN DECAY PERVERSION MASCARA

NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM ABU DHABI

H&M BEAUTY TUMERIC EYESHADOW

PHYSICIANS FORMULA BUTTER BRONZER

CLINIQUE BEYOND PERFECTING FOUNDATION + CONCEALER

BECCA BACKLIGHT FILTER FACE PRIMER NARS ORGASM

CHECK OUT RECIPES, BEHIND THE SCENES INTERVIEWS, & WORDS FROM OUR FOUNDERS

VALLEYMAGAZINEPSU.COM CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR STAFF? VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

6

CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT PENN STATE

b e au t y & h e a lt h

YOU’LL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. RACHEL MILLER YEAR: SENIOR MAJOR: NUTRITION & DIETETICS H O M E T O W N : P H O E N I X V I L L E , PA Rachel is the embodiment of Beauty & Health as she marries her love for fitness with nutrition. She runs an instagram, @feedyourmachine, where she touches on healthy food choices and workouts thatanyone can do. She believes health is important and wants to bring mental toughness into the fitness industry.

7:30 P.M. MARCH 21 AND 22

FALLING FOR FACEMASKS 9 FRESH FACED 11-12 BARE FACED BEAUTY 13 DAIRY DEBATE 14 MEET ME AT THE BARRE 15

EISENHOWER AUDITORIUM

CPA.PSU.EDU 814-863-0255

PHOTO BY MARIA CRISAFULLI

SUGAR & SPICE FOR CLEAR SKIN

Stubborn pimples and acne scars are the last thing you want when celebrating the holidays. Say goodbye to redness and swelling with this powerful mask.

Honey is packed with antioxidants and antibacterial properties, cinnamon can remove dead cells, while nutmeg and baking soda can team up to reduce inflammation.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons of honey 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon of baking soda

falling for

FACE M A S KS

Once mixed together, the ingredients will form a paste. Smooth this over your face for 25 minutes then rinse and dry.

PEPPERMINT SWIRL TO REDUCE ACNE & OIL

Peppermint eliminates oil, cleans pores and reduces acne, while the baking soda exfoliates your skin and reduces inflammation. This mask will leave your face feeling cool and fresh.

I

T’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHERE THE AIR IS GETTING COLDER, AND YOUR SKIN IS DRY AND FLAKY. WHILE FACEMASKS CAN WORK WONDERS, QUALITY PRODUCTS CAN COST A FORTUNE. THE INEXPENSIVE SHEET MASKS ARE QUICK AND EASY, BUT IT CAN BE HARD TO KNOW THE QUALITY OF WHAT YOU’RE PUTTING ON YOUR FACE WITH A LIST OF INGREDIENTS THAT JUST WON’T END. LOOK NO FURTHER TO FIND SIMPLE RECIPES FOR FACEMASKS THAT WILL LEAVE YOUR SKIN CLEAR, GLOWING, AND SUPER SOFT.

INGREDIENTS

8 to 10 drops of pure peppermint essential oil 2 tablespoons of baking soda Mix together to create a mask.

Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse.

PUMPKIN SPICE TO PREVENT AGE SPOTS & WRINKLES

Pumpkin is full of zinc, vitamins and antioxidants that can prevent age spots and wrinkles. Cinnamon and apple cider vinegar will remove dead cells to reduce dryness, while a raw egg can tighten and shrink your pores.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of pumpkin puree 1 whole egg Dash of cinnamon Splash of apple cider vinegar Mix and apply for 15-20 minutes and rinse.

CREAMY APPLE TO HYDRATE, BRIGHTEN & PREVENT AGING

This easy facial will lighten up your skin just in time to dazzle for the holidays. Apples can hydrate and brighten skin while preventing aging. Greek yogurt and egg yolks will reduce the appearance of pores. Finish the facial off with oatmeal to reduce irritation and moisturize the skin for a dewy glow.

INGREDIENTS

BY TESS PETAK

1/2 apple 1 tablespoon of plain greek yogurt 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon of pure oatmeal Mix together to form a paste.

Apply for 15 minutes, then rinse.

For the all of the recipes, head to www.valleymagazinepsu.com

10

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BY BRYN JEFFERS

6 TOP BEAUTY BRANDS TO TRY TODAY:

ALGENIST // This San Francisco-based skin care company specializes in the "secrets of microalgae" and claims to improve skin within ten days of use.

Their products range from tinted moisturizers to anti-aging creams.

TRUE BOTANICALS // A skincare company that champions "results without toxins" throughout their product line. Their "Hydrating Cleanser, Basics" is a must try.

GLOSSIER // A brand encouraging a fresh-faced look and products that result in "skin that looks like skin."

If you’re looking for a great primer, look no further.

BARE MINERALS // This company has won "countless awards for natural beauty and innovation" and always has new products to try, along with the best makeup application brushes you can find.

CLINIQUE // An overarching skincare brand that has stood the test of time. They offer everything, and their "Moisture Surge" line will leave your skin moisturized and softer than it has ever been before.

FRESH // This skincare and makeup company offers the best masks and lip products. Their "Rose Face Mask" is perfect for any skin type and leaves your face feeling refreshingly clean.

BEST MAKEUP PRODUCTS TO USE DAILY

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Tinted moisturizers, highlighters and perfect lips are taking over the beauty world. Not only did the dewy look dominate this past summer, but it is transitioning seamlessly into fall. Everyday beauty is what women are focusing on, and good skincare is the foundation of exactly that. To the left you’ll find some of the best products on the market to achieve a healthy balance between makeup and skincare for naturally radiant skin.

LUMINOUS LIP TINT

Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15

HYPNOTIC HIGHLIGHER

Glossier Haloscope

TANTALIZING TINTED MOISTURIZER

Algenist Repairing Tint & Radiance Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

If you’re interested in switching up your beauty routine or going for something a little more natural, you can use these three products, or find similar substitutes! First, the best way to apply a tinted moisturizer is with your hands. Simply squeeze a bit of the product onto your fingertips and apply in a circular motion to clean and moisturize skin. Once applied evenly to your entire face, you should notice a dewy, fresh look! Next, take your highlighter and either directly apply the stick to the upper part of your cheekbone and rub in. You will get a brighter, more intense highlight if you apply directly from the stick, but you can also rub the stick onto your index finger and then apply it to your face. You can also gently apply the highlighter underneath your eyebrows then rub in to really make your eyes pop.

Lastly, take your lip tint and simply apply it to your lips like you would any normal lip balm. And, there you have it! Three amazingly simple products with three incredibly simple applications, and you’ve achieved the bare faced look! You will look effortless and beautiful, while spending minimal time using products that are actually good for your skin. You’ll be on-trend, and confident in your own skin!

WHERE TO GO: Looks Hair Design, located at 228 E. Calder Way in State College, is a full-range beauty salon, and it has a specific section dedicated to Bare Minerals makeup. VALLEY spoke to the salon’s Bare Minerals brand ambassador and makeup artist, Aaron Gilson, to find out exactly what products Looks Hair Design carries for a simplistic beauty look.

"We have the full Bare Minerals line. The Complexion Rescue is the most sheer and lightweight product that we have. It still gives you coverage but looks natural," says Gilson. "We have pressed foundation powders, as well as tinted primers, too."

This is the best salon downtown to get simplistic beauty products, and the experienced stylists can help you pick out the right shades and products for your skin tone. You can also purchase any beauty product mentioned on the Looks Hair Design website, Sephora or Ulta!

TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN: While makeup brands and trends are fun to experiment with, what you want to get out of their products are the skin benefits. There are many great cosmetic companies that focus primarily on skincare, such as Algenist and True Botanicals. Others, like Glossier and Bare Minerals provide customers with amazing makeup products that have additional skin benefits. Clinique and Fresh are both wide-ranging brands for any type of skincare need. In addition to using great products, there are little things you can do everyday to improve your skin.

Drinking a lot of water, especially before bed, washing your face twice daily, getting the proper amount of sleep and giving your skin a rest from products every now and then are amazingly simple ways to keep your face looking its best pre or sans makeup.

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE ALPHA BETA UNIVERSAL DAILY PEEL

The peel you need for when your skin needs a little perking up.

WHY MINIMALISM IS EVERYTHING: Looking effortless is a goal for many women. In the past, the words "effortless" and "beauty regime" typically never found themselves in the same sentence, but that isn’t true anymore. It is classy, powerful and beautiful to look like yourself while using products that simply bring out your skin’s natural glow. Minimalism is creeping its way into many facets of our lives, such as beauty, fashion and decor. Even the bottles of our favorite products bear very simple labeling. In a world full of people who are notoriously over-the-top and "extra," people are beginning to desire simplicity.

ALGENIST SPLASH HYDRATING SETTING MIST

The setting spray you need for when your makeup needs to stay fresh.

D

r. Kerry Kaylegian, food science department professor, says, "A lot of dairy was given a bad rap for the high fat content, and yes, it does have some saturated fat, but some of those can be metabolized quicker or give you more energy." She also says that it’s especially good for college kids because "it’s a nutrient-packed food, so you’re getting lots of good protein, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, calcium..."

Kaylegian wasn’t shy, though, to note that there are issues with too much dairy, but too much of anything in someone’s diet can be bad. She says, "It’s really looking at things in a whole picture— there are no bad foods, but there are bad habits." Especially because metabolisms differ and everyone reacts differently to certain foods. Kaylegian says, "In the food industry, you do start to see trends, and I think one of the best things that people can do is critically review what you read on the internet."

PHOTO BY ELENOR WING

These days, alternatives to milk are definitely a part of trending health habits on the web. But how do you know which ones are for you?

Mona Habbal, president of the Penn State Vegetarian Club, has tried most of the options for milk alternatives. She traded cow milk for almond, cashew, hemp, and pretty much anything else that can be milked. Habbal has always been interested in health and nutrition, but three years ago she made the decision to switch to a vegan diet. "At first, I shut it down, thinking no way, [vegans] are crazy, but then I tried it and I started feeling so much better," Habbal says. In particular, she said that her skin has become significantly clearer.

dairy debate

WHEN THE TEMPTATION OF THE CREAMERY IS IN YOUR BACKYARD, YOU MAY THINK, HOW CAN ANYONE GIVE UP DAIRY!? BUT, THERE HAS TO BE AT LEAST ONE PERSON THAT YOU KNOW WHO REFUSES TO DRINK MILK AND IT’S NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE LACTOSE INTOLERANT. THEY JUST THINK IT’S HEALTHIER. ARE THEY RIGHT, OR IS THE NEGATIVE CONVERSATION SURROUNDING MILK THESE DAYS A HOAX?

Almond and soy milk are typically the options people turn to when ditching dairy since they are easy to find. Almond milk is low in calories and high in vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, iron and even calcium. The downside to this nutty drink is that it lacks in protein compared to actual milk.

Soy milk, on the other hand, is high in protein and the least processed of all milk alternatives, but, just like with almond milk, there is a downside. Some ingredients in soy milk make it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients (like calcium) that your body needs.

Some of the lesser known options are cashew and hemp milk. While cashew milk lacks in protein, it is a good source of fiber and antioxidants. If you’re looking for a substitute for your morning creamer, cashew milk may be the way to go. Hemp milk has a nutty flavor and contains omega-3 fatty acids. Be warned, though, that it tends to be pricier than other options and is low in calcium.

Now that you have some options, how easy is it to find them on campus? Habbal says that Penn State’s Vegetarian Advisory Board contacts her often, asking what she and the other members of the Vegetarian Club want to see more of in the dining halls. Most of the time, this includes the vegan milk options above. Habbal says, "The more demand you get from students, the more change happens." Otherwise, it is easy to find these options downtown at McLanahan’s or at the local grocery stores like Giant, Wegman’s or even Walmart.

No matter which side you fall on the dairy debate, do what’s best for your body! There are plenty of options out there that can work for anyone.

BY CHRISTINA CHAMBERS

BARE FACED BEAUTY

THE EASIEST APPLICATION PROCESS:

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DIANA VILLAGOMEZ YEAR: JUNIOR M A J O R : B I O - B E H AV I O R A L H E A LT H H O M E T O W N : K E N N E T T S Q U A R E , PA Diana is the social chair of the Mexican American Student Association, a Global Brigade member, and a member of Latino Caucus. In her free time, she looks for volunteer opportunities through Penn State and local hospitals so she can achieve her goal of going to Physician Assistant School and to be able to provide for her family.

M E E T M E AT TH E

B

arre seems to have popped up out of nowhere, gaining cult-status and insane popularity in the fitness world in recent years. What people usually don’t realize is that it developed back in 1959 as a new exercise that drew heavily upon classic ballet moves while focusing on building core stability and lean muscle.

BAR R E

Today, barre has evolved into a combination of pilates, yoga and the classic ballet training that fueled its creation. This workout will help you improve your balance and core stability, all while helping you build slim, toned muscle.

Gina DeFrancesco, a senior energy engineering major here at Penn State, is a barre instructor at the White Building, where classes are available free for students at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

DeFrancesco says, "The benefit of barre fitness is that it’s a hard, full-body workout without impact. Because there is no impact it’s light on the joints which makes it a good class for all levels."

While each fitness studio develops their own unique version of the barre routine, classes everywhere tend to follow the same core setup. Classes typically last an hour and the first few minutes channel a typical pilates class starting with in-place marching and upbeat music to get the heart pumping, and light stretching to make sure that the muscles targeted throughout the class are limber and warmed up. Next, the class shifts toward working the arms, legs and abs in a series of "interval overloads" using lots of quick reps. These moves can include anything from push-ups and planks to squats and crunches, and, in DeFrancesco’s classes, hand-held weights and exercise balls.

BY MARY JOYCE

s e lfi m prove m e n t

The class then moves into iconic ballet barre exercises that focus on using your own body weight in small, precise pliés and leg raises to target individual muscles and work the inner and outer thighs, and glutes. DeFrancesco stresses the importance of using your body weight in class and says, "Barre is also mainly an all-body weight and muscular endurance class, so the benefits really improve your muscular endurance with the interval overload that the class provides." When the bulk Wof those core-strengthening and muscle-toning exercises are completed, the last few minutes of every class are spent cooling down and stretching out with easy stretches like child’s pose and rolling out the shoulders and legs.

Some of the love for this revolutionary fitness program comes from killer results, including lean muscles, sculpted abs and perfect posture. Besides the promise of a ballerina body, a good amount of the allure comes from the fact that barre is, first and foremost, fun. With an upbeat routine and a focus on different key muscles, barre turns an everyday exercise class into a fitness experience that’s not only effective, but something that anyone can be a part of and actually enjoy. DeFrancesco says, "My favorite part about barre is that it can be a hard workout disguised" because we split it up into overloading different parts of the body at a time, you don't realize how tired you are altogether until the end." High impact and you don't even know it — we couldn't ask for anything better.

PHOTO BY CARISSA FLORES

OUR GENERATION’S DEVICE TRANSCENDING THE FEAR OF DIFFERENCE SLEEPLESS IN STATE COLLEGE BALANCE YOUR DIET TO LEVEL YOUR MIND PHOTO BY MARIA CRISAFULLI

17 18 19-20 21-22

"Should I post this now, or do you think I’ll get more likes if I post it later?" *Not good at math, but can calculate how many likes a post will get during a specific time at the speed of light* "Wait, what did you say? Sorry I didn’t hear you" *Is still looking down at the screen typing ‘HAHA CRYING’ with a straight face* "My Snapchat story is only up for another hour and he still hasn’t viewed it yet" *Panic sets in, deliberation of whether or not to snap him individually ensues* I bet you’re laughing right now, because when written down in black and white, our everyday habits can seem comical, and even quite bizarre. However, when the laughing and blushing subsides, you start to wonder, am I really that self-absorbed? Do I really care that much about how people view me? Answer: apparently, yes. But don’t feel victimized, because we’re all guilty of the same exact behavior. So, if we know that social media has the potential to bring out some of our worst traits and insecurities, why do we continue to fixate on our screens all day?

So, the reason why social media is so addicting is because these apps play upon a primal human need: acceptance. We all want to feel like we fit in.

Please do not fall under the impression that VALLEY thinks technology and social media are evil, it’s quite the contrary actually. While we are aware and admit that phones lend themselves to many practical uses, there are consequences for stepping over the boundary of necessary phone usage into excessive (read: addictive) cell usage.

TIME Health highlighted a study that was conducted by Microsoft in 2015 that analyzed the average attention span of 2,000 participants between 18 and 65 years old. The results were astounding, as the average attention span has dropped from 12 down to eight seconds since the year 2000.

Essentially, we’ve trained our brains to become more easily distracted (via the quick, constant scrolling through images and text) which results in a decrease in our ability to stay focused for extensive periods of time. (If you’ve been able to read this far without checking your phone, congratulations, you are the exception to this study).

Because our attention span is decreasing over time, our in-person conversations are becoming more fragmented and less in-depth. According to MIT sociologist, Sherry Turkle, being active on your phone while also trying to be engaged in a conversation in-person yields less empathy and intimacy.

Essentially, staring down at a screen while someone is speaking to you, does not allow you to see that person’s facial expressions, nor does it enable you to be attuned to the other person’s tone of voice.

Turkle likens social media to a "benevolent genie" which promises that, we will never be bored, that "we can put our attention wherever we want it to be, and that we can multitask, which is perhaps the most seductive of all. That ability to put your attention wherever you want it to be has become the thing people want most in their social interactions — that feeling that you don’t have to commit yourself 100 percent and you can avoid the terror that there will be a moment in an interaction when you’ll be bored."

Basically, we’re kicking our senses (visual and auditory) into overdrive when we attempt to speak to someone in-person while interacting with others on the phone. And because our attention is shifting back and forth at such a rapid rate, we are unable to truly digest what we are seeing or hearing. So, what do we tend to do to avoid being overwhelmed? We usually resort to verbally speaking about superficial topics, ones in which we do not care if we are interrupted, because it doesn’t require much deep thought or introspection.

Social media and technology are not going away, as it makes many aspects of our day-to-day lives more efficient. Instead of treating a quick glance at your screen like an espresso shot to get your through a lull in your day, embrace the shortterm loneliness and boredom. Allow your brain to recharge and your eyes to take a rest, they need it. Try testing your attention span and patience by doing things like walking to class without headphones in, reading a physical book or simply putting your phone away when having an in-person conversation. Let’s make the effort to regain our independence from our deVICES.

BY KATIE GERGEL IT’S THE SECOND MOST GEOGRAPHICALLY WIDESPREAD RELIGION AFTER CHRISTIANITY. IT’S THE NEWEST OF THE WORLD’S INDEPENDENT FAITHS. IT EMBRACES THE BELIEFS OF OTHER RELIGIONS IN PURSUIT OF UNITY AMONG PEOPLE WORKING TO OVERCOME MODERN OBSTACLES TO GLOBAL JUSTICE. IT’S THE BAHÁ’I FAITH – AND TOO MANY OF US DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS. BUT, WE SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS RELIGION.

ORIGINS It all began with the Báb ("The Gate" in Arabic), a man who spread a message throughout Persia in the 1840s saying that the promised one was still yet to come. One of the Báb’s disciples was Mirza Husayn-‘Ali, who was imprisoned by the Persian clergy for accepting the Báb’s words. While in prison he experienced a vision that led him to a divine message – that he was the promised one as foretold by the Báb. He became known as Baha’u’llah, the Glory of God, and though he was exiled throughout the Ottoman and Turkish empires, his message of peace and unity spread throughout the world. Today, millions around the globe embrace the teachings of this Divine Messenger.

Layli Miron, Penn State phD student and president of the Bahá’i Campus Association, explains that "Baha’u’llah’s teachings include the equality of women and men, the importance of eliminating prejudice among races and cultures, economic equality, access to education and the harmony of science and religion."

Bahá’i is embrace the beliefs of other world faiths, because Baha’u’llah teaches that God has revealed himself to humanity through messengers of different names and faiths – Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Muhammad, Zoroaster and Jesus.

"We see most of the religious conflict that’s happening in the world today as stemming from humans’ interpretations of these messages as being opposed to each other," says Miron.

DIFFERENCE

The central message of the Bahá’i faith is one of "progressive revelation" – that all people should come together as one global family to solve international issues.

MODERN DAY PERSECUTION Many individuals who identify with the Bahá’i faith in countries like Iran are facing government persecution because they do not ascribe to the Islamic faith. Penn State law student Zareen*, who lived in Iran throughout her childhood, explained many of the hardships faced by those of the Bahá’i faith.

"Bahá’is are banned from higher education and from working in governmental positions or any or important positions because they are controlled," Zareen says. "They have different rights."

THE FEAR OF

"Don’t eat yet I have to take a picture for my Insta!" *arranges Ray-Ban aviators next to cold brew iced coffee and avocado toast*

What’s interesting about the concept of social media is that it isn’t new, it’s just a more modern, more instant version of a feedback system. For example, before heading to class in the morning, you get dressed. Based on how we dress, we receive reactions (positive and negative) from those around us. If you get a few compliments on a certain pair of shoes or a particular shirt, you tend to incorporate those items into more outfits because you received positive feedback. Instagram and Snapchat work in a similar way, except the reactions are more immediate and can be seen physically through view and like counts.

TRANSCENDING

BY VALERIE MURPHY

OUR GENERATIONS WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DIDN’T LOOK UP FROM YOUR PHONE WHILE WALKING TO CLASS? WHAT ABOUT THE LAST TIME YOU HUNG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND HAD TO HAVE THEM REPEAT SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU WERE SCROLLING THROUGH INSTAGRAM? OUR GUESS IS PRETTY RECENTLY. WE ARE LAYING OUT ALL THE FACTS ON THE DEVICE THAT SEEMS TO BE MAKING EVERYONE AN ADDICT.

CORE BELIEFS

She experienced this discrimination in her own life.

A bright student in high school, Zareen had difficulty applying to university simply because of her faith.

"The Iranian government claimed they didn’t ask about religion in the entrance exam forms," she said.

"But after I took the exam and went to get my results, it said that apparently I had an error in my documents and couldn’t continue to the next step."

Zareen pointed out that in addition to denying access to higher education, the Iranian government used many different measures to persecute those of the Bahá’i faith. "My husband’s brother and his wife were imprisoned for one year in Iran for being Bahá’i," Zareen says. "The government doesn’t want to say they put you in jail because you are Bahá’i, though. They are very strategic and try to label you with something else; like you’re anti-government or a threat to security."

Though Zareen eventually did gain access to higher education and made it to Penn State, not all Bahá’is will receive the same opportunity. Religious persecution is unfortunately still prevalent in many areas throughout the world.

MORE INFORMATION As with any religion, there are so many facets to the faith that cannot be summed up briefly. If you would like more information, the Baha’i Campus Association is an organization at Penn State that encourages anyone to join, regardless of religious affiliation.

Miron, the president, says that the goal for the club is to be truly interfaith. So far, the organization has reached out to Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, Hindi and Mennonite groups at Penn State.

Ultimately, Miron summed up her view of religion with an anecdote that can apply to both the Bahá’i faith and religion in general. "So often religion becomes a source of conflict," she says. "But I believe that religion’s purpose is to unite and to bring people together. It can help them transcend a tendency to fear difference." *name changed by request

18

SLEEPLESS IN STATE COLLEGE

BY RYAN SALAMO

WHOEVER SAID SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK IS SERIOUSLY DISTURBED. SLEEP CONTROLS YOUR LIFE PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, YET COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE CONSTANTLY SKIPPING IT IN FAVOR OF OTHER ACTIVITIES. HERE'S HOW TO ACHIEVE A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP YOU COULD ONLY DREAM ABOUT.

DAY THREE You may be in the popular habit of catching some screen time before bed, but rule number three is that screen time of any kind is detrimental to acquiring the proper amount quality sleep. Tonight, go to sleep another 30 minutes earlier, but turn the television off a little earlier as well. If you need some sort of noise to lull you to sleep, play a genre of music that you find relaxing. If you simply cannot stay off your iPhone, swipe up and turn the ‘night shift’ option on. Turn the lights off, give yourself 10 minutes to do whatever you need to do on your phone and then go to sleep.

DAY TWO Congratulations! You made it through night one and it’s time to go to sleep another 30 minutes earlier. Tonight, make sure there’s at least a two-hour gap between your workout and sleeping. Also, ensure that your shower is at least one hour before you sleep. Rule number two is to avoid activities that increase blood flow prior to resting. Dancing and laughing all night with your friends is great for the weekends, but making it a nightly routine will only hurt you in the end since stimulation before bed is harmful to your sleep.

DAY FOUR Rule number four is to practice activities that promote quality sleep.

Yoga, meditation and walking are all low intensity activities that relax the mind and prepare the body for sleep. Relieve stress with one of these activities rather than to lay in bed with stress building up in your mind. Tonight, go to sleep another 30 minutes earlier and when you put your phone down, pick up a book and read instead. Reading can enhance sleep quality and reduce cortisol levels, therefore reducing stress.

DAY ONE Start by taking into account what time you went to sleep last night.

Plan to go to sleep 30 minutes earlier. Aim to get all time-sensitive tasks done as early as possible. If it doesn’t need to be done for the next day, save it for later. Dim the lights and carry out your nightly routine as you normally would, just aim to be in bed at the correct time. Rule number one of this process is that your bed is for sleeping only. Do not go on your phone, watch television or do work on your laptop in bed.

T

GUIDE TO THE PERFECT NAP DAY FIVE It’s the last night, so really push to go to sleep 30 minutes earlier one more time. It might seem hard, but it’s the last night! Try adding a cup of milk or chamomile tea before bed to help. Chamomile also serves as a sleep-inducing scent along with other scents like lavender, jasmine, vanilla and many more. If noise is an issue, you might need ear plugs or use a cotton ball to block it out. Rule number five is to find things that soothe you and consistently practice everything that you’ve already been doing every night.

When considering our sleeping habits, we often don’t realize that daily tasks can be major obstructions to our sleep. Homework, exercise, going out, showering, eating late, watching TV and our thoughts they all play into why we’re not getting enough sleep.

Sleep is also linked to your short-term and long-term health.

Buxton says, "Sleep is a period of restoration, infrastructure maintenance and body repair, and when we shortchange ourselves on sleep, we are also cutting off time that our immune system needs to help us repair and recover." If that doesn’t convince you to get some more shuteye, Buxton continues, "When we are sleep-deprived our body has a bias toward conserving energy inappropriately so we become pre-diabetic and are more likely to put on weight. Those with sleep difficulties are more likely to show symptoms of, or have depression or anxiety disorder."

People with a lack of sleep also suffer socially. They walk around with a dark cloud over their heads and carry it around with them everywhere they go.

Buxton says, "Negativity is contagious and a person who is

"Naps are really helpful," says sleep specialist Brendan Duffy. "It’s best to get a consistent block of sleep, but if you can’t then naps are good to fill in the gaps to try to become alert again."

When possible, it’s best to keep a consistent sleep schedule. But consistency and sleep are not always easily paired in the college setting. Here’s how to achieve the best possible nap, because why work towards any other goal at college?

here are so many things in our life that we never think about when we take our sleep into consideration.

But these daily tasks become major obstructions to our sleep.

Dr. Orfeu Buxton, an associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State says, "To learn in a class and take in new information you have to get the right amount of sleep the night before... and to convert that short-term memory into long-term memory, you have to get enough sleep the next night."

Can’t seem to get shut-eye at night but have ample time during the day? Jennifer Fabiano is here to help you have the perfect nap.

Only nap for 30 minutes if you need to be awake to do something important. sleep deprived views another person’s face as more threatening than they normally would. So that dark cloud is, in part, because we think everyone is against us which leads to degraded social interaction."

night’s rest. Buxton says, "Expressing creativity, getting good exercise, interacting with other people, and enjoying life — that’s a good entry for a good night of sleep."

Though it’s based on personal activity level, a college student typically needs about eight hours of sleep to function normally and less than 50 percent of college students are getting it. By the end of this cumulative cycle, you should be able to get a sufficient amount of sleep and be up bright and early for your 8 a.m. class.

Next time you’re thinking about pulling that all-nighter, remember that you should prioritize your overall health and well-being first. To get enough sleep means not just one time but a lifestyle of obtaining enough sleep over time, being truly present for the experiences you have and being able to remember them because getting enough sleep is a part of the memory, Buxton adds.

Leading a rewarding and full life during the day is also key to a good night’s rest. Buxton says, "Expressing creativity, getting good exercise, interacting with other people, and enjoying life — that’s a good entry for a good night of sleep."

If this five step schedule works well for you but you still want to go to sleep earlier, keep going to sleep earlier every night in small increments until you reach your bedtime goal. Sleep tight State College!

Next time you’re thinking about pulling that all-nighter, remember that you should prioritize your overall health and well-being first. To get enough sleep means not just one time but a lifestyle of obtaining enough sleep over time, being truly present for the experiences you have and being able to remember them because getting enough sleep is a part of the memory, Buxton adds.

Leading a rewarding and full life during the day is also key to a good

Take a long nap if you have the time and have nothing to do afterwards.

Spray a familiar scent. Lavender is extremely calming to help get to sleep.

Sleep in a cold, dark and quiet place. If dark and quiet cannot be achieved, try eyeshades and ear plugs.

Remove all devices from surroundings.

Turn off the television and put your phone across the room.

If you must use any device while trying to fall asleep, use an app to get rid of the blue light that keeps you awake.

Take naps before 4 p.m. so that you do not interfere with that night’s sleep.

Expose yourself to bright light when you wake up to help you become alert again.

20

Stop. Put down that pizza. Toss that Red Bull can aside.

You know that eating and drinking those things are not beneficial for your body, but what you really need to think about is what it does for your mind.

When it comes to mental health, many factors come into play. Stress, weight, exercise, genetics and lifestyle should all be considered when talking about mental health. Diet is another factor that is often overlooked in American discussion about mental health.

level your mind

While most college students aren’t concerned about their nutrient levels, they ought to be, according to Cheryl Hayes, a nutritionist at Integrative Nutrition Services.

"When people aren’t eating a healthy diet, those toxins build up and it absolutely affects one’s mental health," says Hayes.

Hayes describes the body as a piece of machinery that will break down if something is missing or there is too much of something.

"If someone is skimping on essential vitamins or food groups, often individuals have difficulty in the ability to concentrate and even chronic fatigue because they’re not fueling their body cells properly," says Mary Wirtz, a wellness dietitian at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. "Those cells aren’t getting enough energy to perform and do the activities that they should be doing."

balance your diet THE TERM A HEALTHY, WELL-BALANCED DIET MAY BE FOREIGN TO SOME COLLEGE STUDENTS. WHO HAS A WELLBALANCED ANYTHING IN COLLEGE? BUT, THERE ARE WAYS THAT OUR DIETS AFFECT OUR LIVES THAT MOST DON’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT. JENNIFER FABIANO TALKED TO SEVERAL NUTRITION EXPERTS TO FIND OUT HOW WHAT WE PUT IN OUR MOUTHS AFFECTS OUR MINDS.

Many people are unaware that their diet should be fulfilling certain nutrient levels. For example, those who decide to go vegan or vegetarian without proper research often become deficient in certain vitamins and nutrients such as protein and vitamin B12.

BY JENNIFER FABIANO

"B12 and folate deficiencies are related to lower cognitive function," says Dr. Xiang Gao, an associate professor in the department of nutritional sciences at Penn State.

Another reason that many people aren’t receiving the necessary amounts of nutrients is because of the fast-paced lifestyles that average Americans live today. Because let’s be honest, when you’re on-the-go, nutrient levels of your food are the last thing you’re worrying about.

Moving beyond day-to-day mood and energy levels, diet can also affect long-term mental health. A diet that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been said to be linked to lower incidence of depression. The overall healthier dietary patterns are also linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia, according to Gao.

Even knowing this information, sometimes living a college lifestyle makes it hard to stay healthy. What does a healthy diet even mean? How can students know their nutrient levels?

"A healthy diet is one that is well-balanced," says Wirtz.

"From a nutrition perspective, generally what we advocate for is eating a wide variety of healthy foods."

Witz says that when it comes to healthy foods, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is best. She also suggested cutting added sugars from your diet as often as possible.

"Many foods with added sugars don’t provide a lot of nutrition and therefore they’re empty calories for you," says Wirtz.

The variety ensures that your body receives enough of the different vitamins and minerals require to keep it running.

Students should ask their doctor to have a nutrientlevel test completed. Results from the test will prove if any nutrient levels in their body are above or below where they should be. This allows for taking action to correct any levels.

Another way students can improve their diet is simply by changing the way in which they eat their food.

"We truly do digest our food how we eat our food," says Hayes. These days, most people rush through meals in order to save time, but that leads to not getting the full value of your food out of the meal you eat.

"You need to put your body in rest and digest mode and chew your food well, your stomach doesn’t have teeth," adds Hayes.

22

TO GO GREEK OR TO NOT TO GO GREEK BORN BOLD P S(USTAINABILITY) U WE ARE BEST BUDDIES

FIRST GENERATION PERSEVERANCE PRAISE THE ONES WHO POUR THE DRINKS

24 25-30 31-32 33 34 35-36 WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF PENN STATE, THREE MAIN ASPECTS USUALLY COME TO MIND: FOOTBALL, ACADEMICS AND GREEK LIFE. WHILE THE FOOTBALL TEAM AND PENN STATE ACADEMICS ARE MORE AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME, GREEK LIFE HAS SEEN A BIT OF A SETBACK RECENTLY. IN THE SPRING 2017 SEMESTER, NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE PROPOSED AFTER A HAZING INCIDENT TURNED FATAL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRAGEDY, ALL SOCIALS WERE CANCELED AND AUTHORITIES CAME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS HOW TO HANDLE THE SITUATION. WE GOT THE CHANCE TO TALK WITH AMANDA SAPER, PRESIDENT OF PENN STATE PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION, ABOUT THE RECENT CHANGES.

J O R G E Z U R I TA - C O R O N A D O YEAR: SENIOR MAJOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE H O M E T O W N : OX F O R D , PA As the president of the Penn State Latino Caucus, Jorge Zurita-coronado has been the voice for 17 different clubs and worked to unify the Latino community at Penn State. Zurita-Coronado has been involved with the new Penn State initiative,"All In" in hopes of improving inclusion and equity at Penn State. Zurita-Coronado views campus involvement as a calling instead of a duty. He accredits campus involvement to much of his growth in college as it allowed him to learn more about himself, about Penn State, and about what he wants to do in the future.

BY KYLIE MESTER

New principles have been implemented in order to bring Greek life back to its core values.

c am p u s cu l t u re

Some of the policies include: - No more than 10 social events with alcohol per semester - No daylong events allowed - Eligibility for recruitment is restricted to students who have earned 14 credit hours at Penn State and - meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 The new member "pledging" process may only take - place for up to six weeks - Further parent and member education Zero tolerance for hazing For the full list of new Greek Life policies, visit Penn State’s website.

Currently, there are 81 fraternities and sororities at the University Park campus. While there is still a very large portion of students involved in Greek life, many others are wondering what the future holds for these organizations.

Saper has some guidance to offer to those confused by the many changes to the local Greek life system.

"I am president of the 22 sororities comprised of over 4,000 women here at Penn State. My role within my specific organization is to make sure we transition to some of these new rules and regulations as smoothly as possible, while also providing clarity to the members" says Saper.

When asked her advice for an incoming student who may be interested in rushing, but could be hesitant because of all of the recent complications, she says, "Go for it! It has been the single best decision I made at Penn State. If you are looking to be a part of a strong community, you can definitely find a home within one of our 22 sororities."

For students that are interested in joining an organization but don’t want to "go Greek", there are so many other options at Penn State that may even be seeing more involvement since the incident. All 924 campus organizations can be found at studentaffairs.psu.edu.

Saper says, "Freshman students now have the chance to experience some other clubs/ organizations before they jump into Greek Life since our formal recruitment will be in the spring.

Every sorority encourages its members to get involved in other orgs on campus."

Though it seems like Panhellenic has taken a bit of a delay, they have been working harder than ever to improve the future of Greek Life at Penn State, according to Saper.

"As far as what we’ve done, we have definitely reaffirmed our commitment to our core values and to the Penn State community. Maggie O'Brien, our VP of programming, has put on the most successful National and Hazing Prevention week we have ever seen, with over 300 women attending our speaker.

Andrea Macedonia is creating a Meet the Greeks event, where freshman can ask us questions about Greek Life before signing up for recruitment. Not to mention, my entire executive board and I have committed to extending our terms in order to see through a successful recruitment."

Saper is convinced that the potential for Greek life is stronger than ever, regardless of what others might say.

"Despite rapid and sometimes uncertain change, Panhellenic has had one of its greatest years. Our events are strong, our women are present, and we look forward to the future."

24 PHOTO BY MARIA CRISAFULLI

LEEN BORN OBEIDAT BOLD COVER STORY

BY MEGHAN REINHARDT

PHOTOGRAPHY ANN LI

Many people spend years and countless hours of effort attempting to conform with their surroundings. For Leen Obeidat, feeling like she belongs has never come easily, but she makes it seem effortless.

Born in Jordan and raised in Saudi Arabia, at 21 she has had to adapt to people telling her she doesn’t quite fit in.

Nowadays, seeing even her immediate family has become a challenge due to recent travel bans that were put in effect by the U.S. government. Executive Order 13769, also known as the travel ban, put in place last spring, denied entry to the U.S. for people with passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

While people tend to lump all Middle Eastern people together as one big, similar culture, this notion is far from reality. Leen explains that when she’s in Saudi Arabia, they claim she’s "too Jordanian," yet when she travels back to her birthplace that she mostly identifies with, they say she’s "too Saudi Arabian."

Jordan and Saudi Arabia were never and still aren’t on the list, but Leen’s parents aren’t letting her take any chances by going home. They’ve already invested so much time and money into Leen’s education.

"I never knew exactly where I belonged. But, I’m comfortable with that.

I feel like part of being an international student is that. It’s being OK with feeling foreign. It’s not always a negative thing," says Leen.

Leen grew up in Saudi Arabia with her mom, dad, and two younger brothers, where family was valued above all else. One of her most cherished memories is celebrating Eid, a Muslim holiday that concludes the hajj pilgrimage season, in Jordan with her entire extended family — something she didn’t get to do often since her and her immediate family lived in Saudi Arabia.

"It did send a shock wave — or a fear wave — in all of the Middle Easterners that are here. I felt like maybe I could be next and my country could be on the list next and that scared my parents."

The travel ban kept Leen from traveling back to Jordan and completing the internship she had planned, so she had to scramble to find another option. She ended up finding another internship in State College and, luckily, it was one of the most amazing internships she’s ever had. As the marketing and telecommunications intern at West Arete, a software company here in State College, she was able to assist the company in launching and marketing a new product.

"It’s all about family and spending time with your family, visiting your grandparents, your uncles, your aunts," says Leen.

26

KEEPING UP WITH THE AMERICANS Leen’s first time in the U.S. was when she came over with her mother to move into her dorm room freshman year. After a quick stop in Washington D.C., Leen had to adjust to the small town feel and close living quarters of the East Hall dorms, something that most freshman take some time getting used to.

"Coming here, the shock part wasn’t what Americans were like, I knew what they were like. The shocking part was they weren’t exactly like how I saw them on TV," Leen says. "There’s a different feel to each part of the United States and that’s something I didn’t recognize coming in" I feel it’s like living in different countries being in different states. So, coming in that was the most shocking part. Not all Americans are the Kardashians."

One of Leen’s biggest fears coming into college was that her roommate wouldn’t understand what it’s like to be Middle Eastern. While she’s open to other cultures, she wasn’t sure how a randomly-chosen roommate would react to her culture. She ended up making the decision to room with someone she knew from back home in order to have a piece of home not so far away.

"It made the transition easier because whenever I felt like I wanted to be home, I would just come back to my dorm room and we could talk about high school, we could talk about whatever is happening back home so it felt familiar," says Leen. Although she is constantly surrounded by a student body predominantly different than herself, Leen has never felt like she’s any less of a Penn Stater.

"I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all though from anyone in Penn State. This is an awesome place to be."

At Penn State, Leen dove into the academic and extracurricular strengths of the university.

She is double majoring in finance and telecommunications, is the Business Manager of The Daily Collegian and has been a member of other organizations such as La Vie and 46-Live.

When choosing her major, Leen was careful to consider what her options after graduation would look like. As a freshman, she wanted to major in management information systems, but quickly realized a career in that industry is not prominent in the Middle East.

"Talking to people here and trying to figure out what would be the best major for me made me realize that I needed something global," says Leen.

The global aspect of finance drew her in and her passion for media created the not-so-typical double major she now has.

LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES When deciding where to go to college, in addition to the U.S., Leen looked at a variety of locations including Canada, Australia, and Europe.

"I’ve always wanted to be different ever since I was a child so a lot of my friends went to England because I went to an English school so I was like ‘how can I stand out?’ I wanted a different experience so to speak," Leen says. "And in the United States, everyone knows that it’s the land of opportunities, it’s not like other countries."

When it came time to attend the career fair as a senior, Leen quickly realized that her land of opportunity wasn’t quite as abundant as she had hoped. A lot of companies don’t sponsor international students for economic reasons, and Leen only found two that were sponsoring international students for entry level positions. Leen feels the companies are the ones missing out when it comes to this dilemma.

"I feel like a lot of companies are missing out on that opportunity. If you bring that foreign mindset, if you try to diversify and become more global, first of all you’ll attract better ideas and you’ll grow. That will also open up opportunities for you to move overseas and to become as big as the other companies."

Although she’s facing some bumps in the road along the way and isn’t sure it’s a definite possibility, Leen still feels that she wants to call the U.S. home.

"I just feel like here I’d excel and I’d be more comfortable and I’d move much faster being in the United States just because I’ve been used to living here and working here for a while now."

While some things like the job search and traveling would have been easier if Leen had studied elsewhere, she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

"I don’t regret being in the States. I’ve learned so much, I’ve met so many people, andI love being a Penn Stater."

The different student lifestyle that the U.S. provided is what ultimately drew Leen to study here. She felt that the U.S. put more of an emphasis on what you did outside of the classroom at a university.

born

NAVIGATING MISCONCEPTIONS "A lot of times when I sit and watch TV here, I’m like ‘this is not true!’" Leen emphasizes when discussing the media’s portrayal of her hometown, "This is not what we look like, this is not what the Middle East looks like."

The effects the media has in telling the story of her home and her people is a major influence in why Leen wants to stay in the media industry. After recognizing that her presence on The Daily Collegian’s staff has made a difference in a way they conduct the news, even though she doesn’t control the content, Leen feels she can be a positive force in the field.

"I would love to stay working in the news industry in the future so that maybe, hopefully, when people have questions, people aren’t sure about things, if they want to convey the Middle East in a specific way in the media, they ask questions," Leen says. "Maybe I can direct them to the right resources even if I don’t have the answers myself."

It also helps that Leen isn’t afraid of being asked tough questions. She feels that some people are afraid to ask questions for the fear of seeming ignorant, but Leen gets excited when people recognize that she’s from the Middle East and are curious about her culture.

One of her favorite questions to get is whether or not she feels discriminated against as a woman in the Middle East.

"A lot of them think we’re oppressed which is not true," Leen says. "Women that choose to cover their face, they choose to do that. No one is making them do that."

Leen has made the choice to not wear a hijab yet, a decision that she will put a lot of thought into when the time comes, as putting on a hijab is a major commitment. Leen explains that women choose to do it at different points in their life depending on familial values and personal choice.

"For me, I know it’s something I want to do in the future, I just don’t know if I’m ready for it yet," says Leen. "I hate to say it, but a lot of it is being abroad.

I don’t know if I’m strong enough or ready yet to face what veiled women face outside of the Middle East.

It’s difficult. The looks you get of people staring at you like you’re an alien is enough to destroy me as a person and I feel like women who cover up and live outside the Middle East are very, very strong women and I wish I was like them but I’m not."

A major milestone for Saudi Arabian women is the recent law that passed allowing them to drive in their country beginning in June 2018, a privilege that Leen always felt she missed out on.

"I was definitely excited that women can now drive in Saudi. I think it’s a step in the right direction and I’m looking forward to bigger changes in the future," says Leen.

While Leen has seemingly navigated through these misconceptions with ease, the negative perceptions her country has gotten recently have made her a bit more cautious when it comes to showing off her religion, especially after hearing horror stories from her friends about the way they’ve been treated just by practicing their religion.

One of the first things Leen did when hearing about unpleasant experiences that her fellow Middle Easterners had was take off a necklace she constantly wore that spelled her name in Arabic.

"It’s really hard for me because as Middle Easterners we are very, very proud of where we come from and we like showing it off," Leen says. "Just feeling like you have to hide it and not expose it as much to avoid someone saying something mean to you is definitely difficult."

One of the most frustrating misconceptions that Leen feels is prevalent in our country is that when some people pair Islam and terrorism together. Leen has personally read both the Koran and the Bible, and while they might tell different stories, they both speak the same language of peace. Unfortunately, some have misinterpreted the Koran in such a way that puts Islam in a negative light.

"We’re not supposed to be hurting people. We’re not supposed to be starting wars. This is not Islam.

Islam means peace and that’s the literal meaning of the word ‘Islam’... We’re a religion of peace and we don’t believe in terrorism. I really wish people knew that," says Leen.

28

I NEVER KNEW EXACTLY WHERE I BELONGED.

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE "If I could make people more open to other cultures, more accepting of other cultures, this could solve a lot of problems in the world."

Leen loves to talk to people who don’t know anything about the Middle East as it allows her to open people up to other cultures. She wants to be able to lead by example of the openness that we should be sharing with one another.

You don’t have to hop on a plane to experience a culture different from your own, though.

"Being open and putting yourself in organizations that you know are a little different, a little diverse," is one way Leen believes people can start to be more open to one another.

"There’s nothing wrong with going and talking to other political organizations. There’s nothing wrong with talking a little bit more or trying to understand someone who’s sitting right next to you in class that is from a different country."

In fact, Leen would tell her younger self to be even more open and unafraid.

"I would have told myself to not be afraid to experience things and go outside of my comfort zone," says Leen.

She feels that a lot of teenagers, including herself don’t always think about traveling, stepping outside of their comfort zone, experiencing new things and being far from home. Even Leen didn’t necessarily want to be a 12-hour plane ride from her parents. Pushing yourself and doing things you’re not used to doing is something that people shouldn’t wait to do.

When asked if she felt the world would be different if people stepped outside of their box, Leen’s response was quick. "The world would definitely be different. Because they would know what it’s like to be uncomfortable. They wouldn’t make any place hostile for anyone, they wouldn’t make any place uncomfortable for anyone," says Leen.

However, Leen feels if you have the means, travel is one of the best ways to step outside of your comfort zone and experience something new.

"I think that’s another thing is just like being uncomfortable somewhere else and trying to figure out how can I make myself comfortable, how can I understand these people a little bit more and asking questions. Even if you’re scared of being offensive, sometimes asking the question will help you figure out why they do things the way they do."

BORN BOLD, STAYING BOLD While Leen faces a lot of adversity simply for believing in what she believes in and being from a certain part of the world, she isn’t afraid to keep going and keep being bold. In fact, one of her favorite quotes is "This too shall pass."

"I’ve faced a lot of difficulties and a lot of things have gone wrong in my life and I always just remind myself that this is going to pass and I’m going to move on and life is going to continue" says Leen.

This constant reminder is what helps Leen to keep pushing herself and to not be afraid of being uncomfortable.

"I keep convincing myself that this is not the end, that one obstacle is not going to destroy me, that I should keep working hard on myself and keep trying to do more."

BUT, I’M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

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Sustainability is the action of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

With every year that passes, top climate scientists have recorded evidence of rapidly rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses that are slowly causing the climate to warm, ice caps to melt and sea levels to rise.

BY CAROLINE ROSINI PENN STATE STUDENTS MAY BLEED BLUE, BUT THEY’RE GREENER THAN ANYONE MAY SUSPECT. FROM GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS TO UPUA EXECUTIVES, UNIVERSITY PARK IS LEADING THE WAY TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. VALLEY TALKED WITH SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS FROM THE CORNERS OF CAMPUS TO SHOWCASE HOW PENN STATE IS SHRINKING ITS IMPACT ON THE EARTH.

The goal of bike share is to help reduce single occupancy motor vehicle travel on campus says Cecily Zhu, the alternative transportation program coordinator who oversaw the implementation of the program.

Sam Anawalt, UPUA’s first director of sustainability, is currently working to implement sustainable lighting around campus.

"Not only does [the bike share program] reduce congestion and emissions on campus, but we hope to encourage sustainable routines that employees and visitors can use on a day to day basis and for students to continue to use even after their time at Penn State," Zhu says.

"In the United States, there also exists an ever-changing political climate. The changing of administrations every few years makes it difficult to nail down policy that effectively reduces emissions and waste while diverting funds to renewable energy."

"One of the 12th Assembly’s platform initiatives aims to promote the installation of room occupancy sensors that automatically turn off lighting when a room is not in use to conserve energy and reduce our carbon footprint," Anawalt says.

At Penn State, there is no shortage of students with a drive for advancing sustainable practices.

According to Anawalt, the current policies require rooms to have energy-efficient LED lighting and room occupancy sensors in classrooms wherever possible.

However, right now not all hallways, stairwells and bathrooms comply with this policy.

The Eco-Reps, often spotted in Pollock or East Halls, are hard to miss in their bright green polo shirts. Organized by the Penn State Sustainability Institute, the Eco-Reps are a group of students with a shared passion for conserving energy, reducing food waste and recycling.

Eco Reps are passionate about making a difference within the Penn State community, and have the ability to lead by example and to act as sustainability liaisons for their peers, says Brandon Rothrock, the student programming coordinator of Eco Reps.

This fall, the Eco Reps enlightened thousands of Penn Staters on sustainable practices— from fellow students to President Barron’s staff.

"Eco Reps partner with the Sustainability Institute within Beaver Stadium during home football games as Zero-Waste Ambassadors, says Rothrock. We work to educate friends and family of President Barron and his staff of recycling efforts on campus, while also indulging in some of the best food Penn State catering has to offer."

P U S

While the Eco Reps work to educate others on the importance of sustainability, students on the executive board of University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) work to make sustainability a priority of the University’s administration.

"I am trying to create a map of buildings on campus that shows areas that need renovation to conserve energy," Anawalt says. He hopes that this map will assist the Office of the Physical Plant in streamlining and prioritizing building renovation.

Those white cruisers complete with Nittany Lion baskets are wildly popular, with over 572 annual memberships and almost 10603 individual trips logged in its first few months.

From Beaver Stadium to East Halls to the seat of a Zagster bike, it’s not difficult to live a sustainable life at Penn State. Drop a plastic bottle in the recycling bin, walk to campus or use a reusable water bottle — whatever you do, join the rest of Penn State towards a more sustainable future.

As far as Penn State’s attitude towards sustainability goes, Anawalt says he has plenty of student support.

"Our generation seems to value investing in our future so when I come to different organizations or groups on campus and ask them for help they have always been more than supportive," Anawalt says.

"Any event that I have helped put on or project I have worked on, there has never been a shortage of students volunteering their time for free."

Penn Staters are enthusiastic about the environment, and Eco Reps and UPUA aren’t the only ones to get the sustainability wheels turning at PSU. Zagster bikes, the on-campus bike share program, is the all-the-rage sustainable program this fall semester.

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WE ARE

RIGHT UP THERE WITH OLD MAIN, THE ALMA MATER, AND THE NITTANY LION IS THE ICONIC WE ARE CHANT. A SYMBOL OF OUR SCHOOL’S UNITY, THE CALL SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE: WE ARE ALL PENN STATE. A SCHOOL 99,113 STRONG IS HOME TO A DIVERSE GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. WE CAUGHT UP WITH TWO PENN STATERS, DANIELLE LAMAR AND JEFF FREDERICK, WHO SHARED WHAT WE ARE MEANS TO THEM AND HOW IT HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO A VERY SPECIAL CLUB, BEST BUDDIES.

PHOTO BY STEPH DISTASIO

50 PERCENT OF CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE FIRST-GENERATION. MANY EXPERIENCE PRESSURE TO SUCCEED, DUE TO THEIR PARENTS’ EDUCATIONS AND THEIR OWN DESIRE TO PROVE THEMSELVES. WE SAT DOWN WITH JUNIOR JOSH MALDONADO TO TALK ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AS A FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AND HOW HE USED THIS PRESSURE TO SUCCEED AS A LEADER IN AIR FORCE ROTC AND TO MAKE HIS PARENTS PROUD.

PHOTOS BY JORDAN PIETRAFITTA

FIRST GENERATION PERSEVERANCE

BY JORDAN PIETRAFIT TA

BY HANNAH FERENCI

BEST BUDDIES

Best Buddies is an international nonprofit organization that pairs people with special needs with student buddies. Founded in 1987, Best Buddies has spent decades helping end negative stigmas and stereotypes surrounding people with intellectual disabilities. Beyond socialization, the group also helps its members find steady, well-paying jobs. Penn State’s chapter of Best Buddies is a little known club with big impacts.

Danielle, a buddy in the group, says "it means making new friends and just getting to know new people." The club is made up of peer buddies and associate buddies.

For example, Danielle’s favorite Penn State classes have been Theater Makeup and Hip Hop Dance. Jeff, another buddy, enjoys painting at 2000 Degrees downtown. In the past, he has worked in housekeeping at the Nittany Lion Inn on campus. As lifelong State College residents, both Danielle and Jeff feel a deep connection to Penn State. "I can’t imagine living anywhere else," says Jeff. While he hopes to move out on his own in the next five years, Jeff says he wants "to get a place close by here." This comes as no surprise since Penn State is in his blood. "My parents went to school here.

In fact, my parents met in the dining hall."

Peer buddies are matched with a member of the State College community with special needs. The buddies meet up at least once a week to enjoy each other’s company and develop a lasting, valuable friendship.

Overall, though, Danielle and Jeff enjoy the same things about Penn State as anyone else. Danielle is looking forward to going out to dinner downtown to celebrate her 27th birthday. What makes Jeff happiest is "the nice sunshine." Though they may not fit the classic collegiate stereotype, they are here and an important part of our school community.

Associate buddies, on the other hand, only go to group meetings and events.

These events include club hosted socials like a Halloween party, Snow Ball, and apple picking. Events give members a chance to interact with people they wouldn’t have had the chance to befriend otherwise.

The most rewarding part of the club is "building connections with people in a cool and different way", says Anna Mansfield, a member of the club.

The main focus of the group is the members with special needs and Penn State’s chapter invites adults of all ages to join. The buddies have varied interests and backgrounds that come together to create a diverse group.

From an outsider’s perspective, the buddies’ lives seem to be defined by what they are unable to do. But contrary to that, the Best Buddies meetings prove that the buddies define themselves by all of the things that they are able to do. Penn State is made up of thousands of students who look and act and speak and walk differently, which is what gives it so much character. Not many students have the chance to live on a campus with so many different people. "We Are Penn State" is more than a random cheer. This phrase means that everyone on campus has an equally important place here. We are one school community, and no matter where we come from, we share a love for and home in Penn State. The buddies are at the heart of this school. They, too, are Penn State.

Coming from a family that wasn’t able to send anyone to college until his generation, Josh feels a huge responsibility to make his family proud.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Josh moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania with his parents when he was younger so they could establish themselves at home and within jobs. Neither of his parents attended college, but they were determined for their first-born child to be successful and achieve great things.

Growing up, Josh’s parents were strict with him, but they only wanted the best for him.

"Financially, there wasn’t really a lot of money in the bank. Growing up, I didn’t really go out too much with friends because you never knew what was going to happen and my parents didn’t really have the privilege of doing that. They wanted to make sure that I was home and focusing on something different so I could go on and do better things," Josh says.

Josh was very into art and drawing when he was younger, and after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 occurred, he became very interested in drawing planes. As his interest in drawing planes grew to drawing a wider variety, including cameras and celebrities, he had thoughts of becoming a graphic designer.

But his interest of planes stuck with him. He wanted to be able to figure out a way to prevent planes from destroying buildings and causing tragedies such as the 2001 attacks, so he came to Penn State as a freshman wanting to study aerospace engineering and also became involved with the Air Force ROTC. Josh was valedictorian of his high school class but still was behind the expected path for aerospace engineering as there were no AP classes offered at his school. "It tanked my GPA to the point where I had to sit down with the Commander and talk about how if it happened again, I could be dis-enrolled from the program. I was getting hit left and right and wasn’t enjoying my classes, so I ultimately decided to switch," says Josh.

Josh switched to advertising/public relations but still wasn’t able to make the GPA requirement, despite his hard work and nearly straight-A work (only one B+), so he’s currently in the process of switching into telecommunications.

"The fact that I can still do something with airplanes in the military is still beneficial for me, and I can now do something with satellites, too, instead of hands-on engineering."

He’s involved in many aspects of the Air Force ROTC, including holding a position as the Executive Officer of his wing, and worked three part-time jobs throughout his three years at Penn State. He also received the Commander Scholarship during his sophomore year, which is given to just one ROTC student from his or her commissioned officer.

Josh says, "it was memorable because my family was able to see that even though we come from where we come from, it doesn’t stop me from trying to work hard. My family was able to come up from home and see that I have a military contract and be happy for me. The fact that my family doesn’t have to pay for school is a big burden that was lifted off of my parents’ shoulders."

After all of his struggling and fighting to overcome so many obstacles, Josh has relied on his perseverance through his college years.

"Nothing’s easy and you have to sacrifice the things you want to do. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing, so you shouldn’t be afraid of struggle and obstacles. There is always a way."

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For a school nestled in a small, rural college town in the center of Pennsylvania, Penn State is known far and wide for many things, but some aspects of the campus and the downtown area remain a bit underappreciated.

The social scene itself, although having received some backlash in recent months, is something that many people assume they are familiar with.

Greek life aside, there lies a totally different social atmosphere – the State College bars.

Behind any functioning bar lies a foundation critical to any bar’s success – the bartenders, of course.

In its most basic nature, the duty of a bartender is to sell drinks, but once on the job, the duties prove to be much more than that.

That being said, general manager and longtime bartender of The Lion’s Den, who requested that we not use her name, has given herself quite a reputation when it comes to selling drinks.

"I have a lot of shots named after NBA athletes," Lion’s Den bartender says." I love sports."

She also enjoys concocting a lot of her own drinks, some of which have even earned their own names, for those "fresh 21-year-olds."

However, State College bartenders are not typically known for their mixology skills or glitzy drink pouring abilities, but their job is still one that is most unique and difficult. High volume selling bars where you have to be quick on your feet – the going can get tough.

pr a is e t h e o nes who p our the d r i n k s

BY TORI ROONEY STATE COLLEGE BAR-GOERS ENDURE THOSE AGONIZING WAIT LINES AND PRICEY COVER CHARGES – BUT HOW DO THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES BAR, DO IT ALL? WE GOT A CHANCE TO TALK WITH THEM TO GET THEIR TAKE ON HAPPY VALLEY NIGHTLIFE.

These cocktail enthusiasts are the people make the bar scene thrive. But how do they do it?

"Patience," says Brianna Cecala, a bartender of the Lion’s Den and former bartender of Primanti Bros. and Kildare’s. "Honestly most of the kids here are nice, even when they’re drunk," she says.

Experience and comfortability certainly helps, but there’s no telling what the Penn State bar scene can throw at you next.

"I think over the years, I’ve gotten used to just putting a poker face on and doing the motions of serving – just smile and serve," Wolfe says.

Frank Mangan, a bartender of nine-years at Café 210 West, has quickly learned the ways of working in a college bar when it comes to dealing with the students.

"It’s just so high-paced that you have to realize that every second matters, you can’t really stress over one person if they didn’t tip you," Mangan says.

Everyone certainly has their own story, but the bartenders of State College just so happen to have a few more than others, understandably so. With a job like this one, it certainly merits an opportunity to reminisce on all of those odd moments behind the bar top.

"Everyday is something new, it’s always fresh and exciting," Mangan says.

E ver y d ay i s s o m e t h i n g n e w, i t’s al way s f re sh an d exc i t i n g "Our priority is always to serve people as quickly as possible," says Nicole Wolfe, a three-year veteran of The Phyrst. "As opposed to a place where it’s fancier and it’s more of the novelty of what it looks like and what you’re getting," she says.

The Lion’s Den bartender and general manager immediately recalled back in 2013 when she waited on Wiz Khalifa, and another time on Ryan Lochte; certainly not two ordinary customers of the State College bar scene.

Customer service to crowds of intoxicated college kids makes for one easily jaded employee in a fast-paced working atmosphere. Not to mention the painstakingly long hours of work on football weekends.

Wolfe recalled multiple instances when customers puked on the bar, stood on the bar, fought at the bar – "Just all the usual shenanigans that people are going to get into," Wolfe says.

Bartenders are spending anywhere between 10 and 15 hours on shift on football Saturdays taking orders and pouring drinks.

Safe to say, bartenders in this town both see a lot and put up with a lot. There’s nothing glamorous about the job, you’re always getting your hands dirty.

"Game day Saturdays are nuts. Usually we have a line from the time that we open and we have parents coming in," Wolfe says.

State College may not be home to the fanciest bars around, but when it comes to how you treat your bartenders, proper bar etiquette is always must. Remember that those who pour your drinks are people too!

36 PHOTO BY ALEX WEBSTER

en t e r t a i nm e n t

THE APPROVAL MATRIX ONE HUNDRED STRINGS & SOUNDS NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES HOLIDAY HAVENS MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: SHAWN FOX

PHOTO BY MARIA CRISAFULLI

the approval matrix:

38 39 40 41 42

valley magazine edition

N ATA L I E G U A R N A YEAR: SENIOR MAJORS: ADVERTISING AND PSYCHOLOGY H O M E T O W N : N E W T O W N , PA Natalie Guarna combined her love for music and food and created an Instagram account that features original food photography. Two years ago, Guarna and her cousin founded @music2mymouth, and today the account has over 22,000 followers.

Every Instagram caption uses lyrics from popular, sappy love because Guarna is truly "singing love songs" to her food.

BY KATIE MCFADDEN INSPIRED BY NEW YORK MAGAZINE’S APPROVAL MATRIX, VALLEY IS HERE TO "DELIBERATELY OVERSIMPLIFY" WHERE CURRENT EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND ALL THINGS PENN STATE FALL ON OUR TASTE HIERARCHIES.

PHOTO BY ELISE DERSTINE

Q: Valley How did My Hero Zero form as a band?

A: My Hero Zero Mike: "It started as a three piece with two other guys, me and two other guys. And Greg shortly joined after that. And we used to play all over the country, worked with a company that would fly us around and stuff like that. That kind of came to an end and one of the guys left. Enter Jason. That was, what year?"

Greg: "Maybe 2010."

Mike: "2010. And that was really kind of the start of My Hero Zero as the way people know it today. And then from that we had additions, subtractions. We got Donovan, we got Jordan, and Peter is now our latest guy. He is our light guy and D.J. Strobe City."

Jason: "What it came down to for us to grow the business to a point where we could be traveling as much, we needed to have more than one vocalist, who is able to sing all the time. Because in State College,

100

if one of us isn’t feeling well, as a four piece we could step up in handle it, but out on the road when you have to appear to be at 100 percent every time, we just needed the extra man power."

Q: Valley How did you pick the name "My Hero Zero?"

A: My Hero Zero Mike: "There’s really not a good story with that one.

I took it from a Foo Fighters song, ‘My Hero,’ that was the genesis of it."

Jason: "I’m going to start lying and telling people that it was really like a philosophical concept: ‘well we wanted to be, heroes in people’s eyes, but also stay humble.’"

Greg: "Yeah, no."

And the band started chuckling about Jason’s joke.

Jason: "Can we be the 'hero' and the 'zero' at the same time?"

Gerardo Edelstein, conductor and director of musical studies at Penn State, has conducted across the globe, but ended up in Happy Valley after falling in love with the faculty and diverse group of students that make the orchestra and music programs what they are today.

"We have a very diverse group of students who come from all different parts of the world. We have students from Turkey, Brazil, China, Mexico, and even Kazakhstan," explains Edelstein. Each student, both graduate and undergraduate, adds a specific artistic flare to the ensemble.

"The students here at Penn State make the experience more enriching and more exciting," he says. Edelstein recalls that classical music was always present at home when he was growing up and that he could not imagine himself doing anything else besides teaching and conducting music. He explains that the best students are the ones who come in fresh and are eager to learn.

The Penn State music department includes two main orchestral groups: The Philharmonic Orchestra, which consists of around 80 to 85 students, and the Chamber Orchestra, which consists of 25 to 35 students.

The Philharmonic Orchestra, which performed in New York City’s Carnegie Hall and participated in the

A: My Hero Zero Mike: "It was right here in State College."

Greg: "All of us our Penn State alumni."

(Donovan only attended Penn State for semester, but hey, once a Nittany Lion, always a Nittany Lion.)

Q: Valley Where is your favorite place to play, or do you all have different favorite places?

A: My Hero Zero Jason: "One of the things we’re really excited about right now is that we’re going to be playing every Friday at Champs. It gave us an opportunity to finally do the show that we do on the road, here in State College. We’ve been playing here in town for seven years, and absolutely love the stages and the venues that we’ve been working with. The Saloon and Café 210 were huge parts of how we became what we are, but having the opportunity to set up everything we own and do the entire show as big as we do in D.C., Philly, Pittsburgh, Boston, up and down the shore, do that right here once a week in town, it really kind of changes the whole game."

Q: Valley What motivated you guys to get involved with THON? A:My Hero Zero Mike: "It’s an easy motivation. It’s helping out for a great cause."

Q:Valley What is the most rewarding part of playing at THON?

FROM THE PLUCK OF A STRING TO THE SLIGHT FLUTTER OF A FLUTE, EACH INSTRUMENT ACCENTUATES THE OTHERS TO PRODUCE A PIECE OF MUSIC THAT HAS THE POWER TO BRING AN ENTIRE AUDIENCE

BY CARLIE FOX HAPPINESS, SORROW OR PURE BLISS. WE DECIDED TO GET AN INSIDE LOOK ON WHAT REALLY GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES OF THIS HIGHLY ACCLAIMED ORCHESTRA AND HOW THE PROGRAM HAS TRANSFORMED INTO THE GROUP OF POWERHOUSE ENSEMBLES IT IS TODAY.

A: My Hero Zero Jason: "I think that once you really grasp how much it’s not about you, that’s what really is amazing about THON."

BY CARLIE FOX

The experience of listening to the Penn State Orchestra is unlike any other. It is the dedication and effort from students and faculty that have shaped the orchestra into the impressive blend of sounds. From the weekly rehearsals to the solo practices, the time put into this highly motivated orchestra is driven by passion and the thrill of performing a concert for the public to enjoy.

Q: Valley Where did the band originate?

Sixth International Orchestra Festival in Spain, presents five to six full concerts per academic year. The Chamber Orchestra has made three European tours and performs works from the 18th through the 20th centuries.

Victoria Senko, a junior violin music performance major, has spent time in both the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras.

"The programs I am involved with depend on the ensemble.

Usually, that involves multiple concerts each semester for every respective ensemble," says Senko. "I’ll be playing in a Mozart Opera with the Chamber Orchestra and Opera in November and the Philharmonic Orchestra will have two concerts this coming semester."

Senko said that in ensemble rehearsals, it is very much a collaborative effort between the musicians and the conductor. "You have to be alert and ready to be flexible based on what the conductor may want you to do."

For the smaller ensembles, such as the Chamber Orchestra, Senko describes the rehearsals as being more independent.

"We rely solely on our listening skills and giving and receiving constructive criticism. Half the battle is being able to achieve all the goals you want to do in a short amount of time."

The driven violinist describes the aftermath of the long days and nights of studying, practicing for hours and preparing for concerts, "It’s extremely gratifying having your hard work pay off," said Senko. "Being up on stage with some of your closest friends and being able to create music, and create it well, is a feeling I can’t quite put into words."

Junior music education major, Scott Kuntz, is also involved

in both the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras, as well as the Concert and Cello Choir and Piano Quartet.

He goes to rehearsals two to three times a week and says that there is a lot expected of him and his fellow peers to prepare for each concert.

Q:Valley Do you have anything special planned for THON 2018?

A: My Hero Zero Greg: "We try to put something really unique and

Kuntz expressed the importance of Penn State’s students’ exposure to the fine arts, specifically the music programs here at Penn State.

"There’s this big thing about arts advocacy. However, I am one of the few that disagree with arts advocacy. I believe it’s something that should be routine of every music student. The fact is that hardly anyone goes out of the school of music to invite people to concerts featuring the [orchestra] ensembles from PSU," Kuntz says. "If every member of an ensemble casually posted on Facebook or other social media platforms, I think there would be better attendance results at concerts."

Whether you are a painter and you express yourself through a hand-drawn piece of artwork or you are a dancer expressing yourself through ballet, every individual can appreciate art one way or another. Music is a form of expression that has the ability to tug at the heartstrings, fill a room with laughter and ultimately bring the house down with applause. Valley encourages everyone to attend a Penn State orchestral concert throughout this coming year.

"Music is one of the most natural things that exists in the world. Music is everywhere, in many ways. You don’t have to be a musician to appreciate music," says Edelstein. "If you are practicing music here, it is because you love it and because you have a passion for it. I encourage everyone to dedicate more time to music because it helps us in so many ways."

special together every year, and I’m sure this year will be the same."

Jason: "Well so, moving our shows so that we have Champs on Fridays, it gives us an opportunity to play in front of up to 15 hundred kids a week. Our goal is from now to February to just have enough experiences with people where they’re singing along to us, so that by the time that we hit the stage at THON, it’s really, again, not about us. It’s going to be an audience full of people who have sung those songs with us on Thursday and Friday nights. They’re used to doing it, they maybe even know some of our transitions to the point where it feels like it’s a full stadium show. And that’s our goal."

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

Well, there you have it. Now, you all know a little more about some of State College’s local superheroes.

BY TESS PETAK

IF YOU’VE BEEN TO CHAMPS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT OR HAVE ROCKED OUT TO LIVE BANDS AT THON, YOU MOST LIKELY KNOW WHO MY HERO ZERO. BUT, THIS LOCAL BAND TAKES THEIR ACT OUTSIDE OF HAPPY VALLEY. WE GOT A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH THE BAND AMIDST THEIR HECTIC SCHEDULES TO LEARN SOME MORE ABOUT THESE STATE COLLEGE SUPERHEROES.

40 PHOTO BY ANN LI

HOLIDAY HAVENS

THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME TO CELEBRATE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND TRADITION. NOTHING BEATS GOING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS — EXCEPT MAYBE TRAVELING! MIX IT UP THIS YEAR, AND INSTEAD OF SITTING HOME, GO FOR AN ADVENTURE. WE TOOK A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE U.S. TO TRAVEL TO DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

BY JANIE CASSIDY

When Shawn Fox isn’t interning for NBC’s advertising department or rocking with his band at THON’s Got Talent, you’ll most likely find him in the little studio basement of Schreyer Honors College working on his music.

Fox grew up in a musical household. With his mother playing guitar at church and his father touring Europe with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, Shawn was bound to catch the music bug.

PHILADELPHIA, PA The City of Brotherly Love doesn’t shy away from a spectacular holiday celebration. Check out the annual Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, which transforms Penn’s Landing into a winter wonderland, perfect for a festive night of ice skating. Then there’s the classic Christmas Light Show at Macy’s and the Christmas Village at City Hall, which is modeled after traditional European open-air holiday marketplaces and features festive street performances and top-of-the-line arts and crafts; including toys, ornaments, jewelry and more.

BOSTON, MA Boston has a wide range of festivities available during the holiday season. There will be plenty of holiday performances going on, including Elf: The Musical at the Boch Center, Boston Ballet: The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House, and Disney on Ice: Dream Big! at Agganis Arena. After a show, you can tour the Newport Mansions, fully decorated for the holidays.

There is an ice-skating path along the holiday market, and a Santa Speedo Run on Newberry Street, if you’re looking for a show!

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VA If you’ve never visited this town just outside Washington, D.C., the holiday season is the perfect time to experience this "right out of a storybook" getaway. King Street, the heart of the town, is covered with gorgeous fairytale lights, taking the already beautiful street to a whole other level.

There is also the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, complete with traditional bagpipers. You can’t miss the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, which takes the festivities out to the Potomac River, making the water glisten with twinkling lights.

There are dozens of cozy restaurants and small shops that will truly get you into the holiday spirit.

PITTSBURGH, PA

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"In the third grade I always wanted to play the drums, so my parents said I could either have a party or I could get a drum set. I went with the drum set." From that drum set a love of music was born.

Shawn has always done things his own way when it comes to music. He quit drum lessons after a few months so he could focus on what he actually wanted to play, and this is when he developed his words to live by, "Do stuff I want to do, and play songs I want to play."

This life motto has helped him achieve success.

Fox has had the opportunity perform in front of a full house in the Bryce Jordan Center during THON’s Got Talent. A moment that he says is his greatest accomplishment so far.

"When you’re up there it’s really hard to describe, but when 15,000 people are staring down at you and they are up there singing along, it’s one of the most magical things in the world," says Fox.

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Another lofty goal he has accomplished is releasing an album on iTunes in 2015 called Apricity. Fox classifies the album as pop-folk and draws influence from the work of One Republic frontman, Ryan Tedder. "[Ryan Tedder] was an advertising major just like me and I think it’s really cool how versatile he is. He is a great producer as well as a great performer," Fox says.

"So the fact that he can do both tour the world and help other pop stars elevate their careers is pretty incredible, so I craft my songwriting around his appeal to the masses."

Looking ahead, Shawn would love to grow into the role that Tedder has; a band of his own along with helping other recording artists write and produce their music.

For now, the senior advertising major has his sights set on New York City or Los Angeles, where he will be working for NBC after having had an internship with the broadcasting company for eight months.

Fox credits the internship opportunity to luck and the Penn State Bellisario College of Communications.

The Steel City kicks off the festivities in November with their annual Light Up Night event, complete with a stellar fireworks display.

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MUS IC IAN S P O TL IGHT

BY KAYLA RAMERIEZ

IT’S NO SECRET THAT PENN STATE HAS A LOT OF HIDDEN TALENT. WELL, MUSICIAN SHAWN FOX IS NOT QUITE A SECRET ANYMORE. AFTER PERFORMING AT THON AND RELEASING AN ALBUM ON ITUNES, FOX IS MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF NOT ONLY AT PENN STATE, BUT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. VALLEY HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH FOX TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES.

"I read an email from Bob Martin with the words NBC in it and I was very interested. They were doing a college tour last October, so almost a year ago, and Lindy Accarino is the chairwoman for sales and client partnerships. She is an alumna of the College of Communications, so I signed up for an interview," he says.

It’s simply not Christmastime until you skate around the massive tree at the PPG Ice Rink. Inside PPG Place, you can explore the annual Gingerbread House Display. There’s nothing more romantic than a horse-drawn carriage ride, especially snuggled up under a blanket underneath all of the sparkling lights.

PPG offers rides for free during the holiday season.

The internship was as glamorous as one would expect, and Fox spent the summer working hard while rubbing elbows with the likes of "Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt and model Emily Ratajkowski.

But don’t forget to take in a spectacular performance of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, at the Benedum Center.

Valley looks forward to seeing where Shawn’s career takes him. Follow @shawn_fox on Instagram to keep up with the musician’s latest.

WHETHER YOU’RE TRAVELING THE GLOBE EXPERIENCING NEW AND EXCITING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS OR SITTING BY THE FIRE IN YOUR CHILDHOOD HOME SIPPING HOT COCOA OUT OF THE SAME CHRISTMAS MUG YOU’VE HAD SINCE YOU WERE SIX, THE HOLIDAYS ARE ALL ABOUT MAKING MEMORIES WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE, AND YOU CAN DO THAT FROM ANYWHERE.

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fashion

WORTH THE SWEAT?

BY MAGGIE KREIENBERG

K E L LY F O R S Y T H YEAR: JUNIOR M A J O R : P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S H O M E T O W N : AT L A N T I C HIGHLANDS, NEW JERSEY

Although her fashion sense is uncanny, it isn’t even the most impressive thing about Kelly. She has more experience in the fashion industry than someone her age could even hope for. She’s a part of the Fashion Society of Penn State, Delta Gamma, and has her own blog (Beatnikbold.com). With a current internship with a shopping app, an internship in Los Angeles already under her belt, and an acceptance to a fashion internship in Milan, Kelly sets the bar high for aspiring fashion gurus and all students her age for that matter.

People drool over the newest Nike sneaker, a chic Zara dress, or a killer jacket from H&M. But not everyone knows what it takes to bring these garments from the factory to your closet. Instead of turning a blind eye to the controversial "fast fashion" industry, Maggie Kreienberg is here to tell you why these products are not worth the sweatshop labor used to produce them.

Imagine sitting in front of a sewing machine in a factory in El Salvador—your only task is stitching a button onto a shirt. Now, imagine doing this monotonous assignment for hours on end. Sitting in the uncomfortable chair too scared to grab a drink of water because the waste of five minutes will push you behind your quota requirement. After 12 or more grueling hours, you finally leave to come home to your one-room tin house. A few hours later, you wake up only to start this tiring day all over again.

That may not be your life, but that is the reality for the millions of workers overseas who produce the clothes we fight over on the shelves. In the past, consumers would do a major shop about four times a year—one spree per season. However, the times have changed. Brands are constantly stocking their shelves with new looks, and consumers are made to feel like they need to shop every few weeks to keep up with the latest trends.

So, what does this increase in demand mean for garment workers?

"What it means for workers is often very long hours and forced overtime," says Dr. Mark Anner, an Associate Professor of Labor and Employment Relations and Political Science, and the Director of the Center for Global Workers’ Rights at Penn State.

Dr. Anner spent 11 years in Latin America working with labor unions and saw first-hand the intense level of production that fast fashion requires.

"There are two levels of shock. One is going into the factory and observing what you can see when you go in," says Dr. Anner.

The other, he says, is speaking to the workers and seeing how they live. These factory workers work for some of the wealthiest companies in the world, but have little to show for it. The garment industry is by no means a poor one; the wealth just isn’t being distributed properly.

"There’s always going to be a need for outside pressure. There’s always going to be a need for groups like USAS [United Students Against Sweatshops] and the WRC [Workers Rights Consortium]."

Sam Mathews, the President of USAS at Penn State, recognizes that need. With Mathews in the driver’s seat, her organization has spent the past two years urging President Barron to end Penn State’s contract with Nike.

In September, Nike reached an agreement with the WRC allowing the agency to inspect its factories.

Although Penn State never cut ties with Nike, the threat was real.

"I think Nike was scared that Penn State would cut because, you know, Penn State is a Big 10 school," says Mathews. "We were just really excited and happy honestly. It’s good to see that we were putting in all this work but across the country everyone was putting in this work."

While this agreement was a giant victory for USAS and the garment workers across the globe, there is still so much work to be done. So, what can a Penn Stater do to create change?

For Mathews, education is the most important thing.

Most people are unaware of the conditions in which garment laborers work. She wants students to know where their clothing is coming from.

"You are kind of voting with your wallet every time you purchase something," says Mathews. "So you’re saying, ‘I’m OK with this.’"

Next time you find yourself browsing through the racks at your favorite store, figure out if the brand makes ethical choices. Then ask yourself, "Is this shirt worth the sweat?" VALLEY sure doesn’t think so.

For a long time, Nike would not allow an independent agency, like the WRC, to inspect its factories. Mathews was determined to cut the contract because that was a direct violation of Penn State’s code of conduct.

44 PHOTO BY MARIA CRISAFULLI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN LI

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The Center for Arts & Crafts at Penn State

ARE.. .

Spring Art Classes starting January 22

Registrations for spring classes will open prior to winter break. Classes include pottery, painting, stained glass, drawing, workshops and more!

Register in 3 Ritenour Find us on Facebook

For more info, email craftcenter@psu.edu studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/craftcenter Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U. Ed. STA 18-115

FAMILY

LGBTQA STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER We provide a safer space for our LGBTQA students & their allies.

Offering many events, programs, and support services, including: discussion groups | mentorship program | scholarships | faculty/staff safe zone trainings | student peer ally trainings | lounge space.

PHOTOS BY MARIA CRISAFULLI

352 East College Ave, State College, PA

LGBTQA Student Resource Center 101 Boucke Building studentaffairs.psu.edu/lgbtqa lgbtqa@psu.edu 814-863-1248

facebook: /pennstatelgbta | twitter @psu_lgbtqa | insta: @pennstatelgbtqasrc | tumblr: psu-lgbtqa | snapchat @psulgbtqa

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GLASSES: THRIFTED GLOSSY BLACK BOMBER: LF STRIPE SET: UO

INTRODUCING: REBECCA ARANOW & ANN LI. POUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN LI

GLASSES: CHARTREUSE MESH TOP: THRIFTED TOMMY HILFIGER TOP: THRIFTED HOLOGRAPHIC SKIRT: CHANEL

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STAR EARRINGS: URBAN OUTFITTERS SUNSET FEVER TOP: THRIFTED GLOSSY FANNY PACK: MELISSA CARGO PANT: THRIFTED SNEAKERS: NIKE ROSHE ONE EYE SHADOW: ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS MODERN RENAISSANCE EYE SHADOW PALETTE

PENN SKATES PROVIDED THE PERFECT BACKDROP TO HIGHLIGHT A COMEBACK IN Y2K INSPIRED FASHION.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN LI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN LI, STYLING BY SAVANNAH WELSH TESS PETAK & LAUREN GORSKY.

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SWEATER: MOCSHINO PANT: VERSACE

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BELT: THRIFTED CHERRY EARRINGS: UO GOLD TUBE-TOP: CELINE BLACK BOOTIES: MICHAEL KORS EYE SHADOW/HIGHLIGHT: FENTY BEAUTY KILLAWATT HIGHLIGHTER, IN TROPHY WIFE OVERSIZED PLAID BLAZER: THRIFTED PLAID PANT: UO

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LEFT SUEDE CHOKER: FREE PEOPLE WISHBONE NECKLACE: MARC JACOBS AALIYAH FAN TEE: UO MIDDLE NUGGETS JERSEY: THRIFTED SATIN SKIRT: THRIFTED CLEAR TOTE: CHANEL RIGHT CHOKER: THRIFTED PAISLEY CORSET: NANETTE LEPORE BACKPACK: UO SWEATPANT: NIKE

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