INSID E: HO W THE UNIV ERSIT Y P L A NS FOR HOUSING OV ERFLOW. S E E A3
MARCH 3, 2016 | VOL. 93 NO. 14 | EST. 1924
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Fourth credit service option now counts for SLR requirement By JOHN LYDIC Staff Writer
A revamped academic option is set to begin next Fall semester, according to one university official. The fourth credit option for service learning has been available to students previously, but it had not counted
for the general education credit requirement. That is set to change, according to Dr. Marie Leichliter-Krause, associate dean for First-Year Programs. “Now that it has gone through, students can use the fourth credit option as their general education credit course,” said Leichli-
ter-Krause. “So students who don’t want to take Service Learning 105 or Service Learning 106—our mission trip option—can now use the fourth credit option to work within their major. That’s the biggest, most significant change.” The fourth credit option allow students to plan out a
service opportunity that ties into their area of academic study or an area of interest to them. They can add the service project to an upper-level class in their major, with the help of their professor, and add one credit to the course. “Now students can do that component or whatever they design in their field, working
with a faculty member and then getting it approved,” said Leichliter-Krause. “They can then really design something that is relevant and useful for them.” This is a change the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Services has been working on for some time, according to Leichliter-Krause.
It was recently approved by the administration, and will be offered to all students beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year. Leichliter-Krause wanted to make sure students understand that this change to the fourth credit option puts the SLR >> A4
Lee: Movement in Security: 'We understand' the parking problem senior staff a sign DPS anticipates of growth, progess more demand MORE CARS ON CAMPUS
By KIMMI BASTON Executive Editor
Last week, Waynesburg University President Douglas Lee announced two staff position changes at the senior administration level of the university. Mary Cummings, formerly senior vice president for Student Services and Enrollment, will become Vice President for Graduate Programs. The Rev. Jim Tinnemeyer, vice president for Faith and Mission and university chaplain, will enter the role of Vice President for Student Services while retaining his two current roles. The decision to move Cummings and Tinnemeyer into these roles, according to Cummings, was based the need for development in the university’s Graduate and Professional Studies (GAPS) program. “The group of people there is doing a great job. They’re stretched in a lot of directions and there’s a lot of new competition, and so [we’re] really trying to step back and do a strategic planning process first,” said Cummings. “What do we need to do to make sure that we continue to keep Waynesburg University in the forefront and a leader in graduate programs in the area?” Lee said he was faced with a dichotomous decision when the need in Graduate Programs was recognized – whether to ADMIN >> A3
Author shares story of Nigerian scientist's battle against NFL By KIMMI BASTON Executive Editor
It was in his family home in Nigeria that Dr. Bennet Omalu’s story began. It was in a morgue in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, that he unknowingly altered his entire life with his own curiosity. It was in his Pittsburgh apartment that the brain of an ex-NFL football player vaulted him into the spotlight. And it was in all of these places that author and journalist Jeanne Marie Laskas found the story she knew she must tell, no matter the consequences. Laskas, an award-winning writer and professor at the University of Pittsburgh, visited Waynesburg University on Monday, Feb. 29, to tell the story of how she and Omalu, a neuropathologist, took his ground-breaking Omalu research from anonymity to a movie starring actor Will Smith. “Concussion,” a movie based on the nonfiction book by Laskas, details Omalu’s journey from examining one NFL player’s brain to discovering a serious brain condition brought about as a result of repeated football injuries. Omalu’s research shows a protein in the brains of deOMALU >> A4
for parking with off-campus ban By JACOB MEYER Sports Editor
According to Director of Public Safety Michael Humiston, the university has sold more than 710 eligible 201516 parking passes. Humiston also said there are 338 total parking spaces across the nearly 25 campus lots. Humiston does not have concerns for having more than twice as many parking passes than allotted spaces, as he referenced that not all 700 people are on campus at once. Mary Cummings, who was Vice President of Student Services at the time of interview, admits that Waynesburg University has “a perceived parking problem, as do most other universities.” “I don’t think it’s just with students either, but faculty and staff perceive a problem as well. Like many things, I think a lot of things happen on perspective and frame of reference,” Cummings said. “Having come here from Carnegie Mellon University, I don’t think we have a parking problem at all. Personally, I had to walk a lot farther, had to pay a ton more and spend a lot
Tyler Wolfe and Ashley Hall, Yellow Jacket
With snow on the ground and without, students and faculty often struggle to find legal parking spots on Waynesburg's campus. more time looking for parking spaces there.” The price for a parking decal is $20 from August to the following August. “If you compare us to other institutions, we’re cheaper than most. Some of that tradeoff of it being cheaper is that parking on campus is limited,” Humiston said. “So, it’s basically a hunting pass; it doesn’t assure you that you’re going to have a guaranteed parking slot on campus, because we just don’t have the room for that.” An increase in price could bring down the number of students who buy parking passes, which Cummings said is something the administration has considered in the past. “Sitting here as a business
person, we could probably get to a more complicated pricing model, of paying for reserve spots, paying for premium lots versus secondary, etc.,” Cummings said. “It would probably take more resources to try to figure out and make all of those complexities work, and detract from some other thing that someone is working on right now.”
With the implementation of the four-year residency policy, in which no student at Waynesburg who matriculated after 2013 can live off campus, Humiston said there will be more students, and thus more cars, on campus. “I’m anticipating that, absolutely. There’s only so much PARKING >> A4
Middle States, internal goals reflected in calendar Future schedules show 3-week winter break, early graduation By JACOB MEYER Sports Editor
B eginning with the 2014-15 academic calendar, Waynesburg University adjusted its academic schedule. Ensuring 14 total weeks for instruction in both semesters, adding a fall break and reducing the winter
break from four weeks to three weeks were the main changes the university made. To remain an accredited institution with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Mary Cummings, who was Vice President of Student Services at the time of interview, said the university must have at least 14 weeks of instruction in both the Fall and Spring semesters. “With the new administration that came at [the time of accreditation], they reviewed everything with Middle States making
2016-17 Calendar StatS 3 WeeKS of Winter BreaK Jan. 9: Spring SemeSter ClaSSeS Start
april 30: graduation sure we had the appropriate amount of class time and the appropriate weeks for the semester,” Registrar Vicki Wilson said. The fall break was imple-
mented, according to Cummings, to give the students a mid-semester break, with the hopes that students better utilize that week to go on mission trips. In regards to the shortened winter break, Cummings said that it is not related to any accreditation standard or improved mission trip opportunity but to accomplish the university’s goal of ending the semester close to May 1 every year. Since the semester ends a week later in the fall, due to the implementation of CALENDAR >> A2
TURNING BACK THE CLOCK ON OVERDOSES
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Washington County is increasing efforts to provide access to Narcan, a drug that reverses drug overdoses, for members of the community in addition to first responders.
One student, Sarah Knapp, voiced her opinion to the Yellow Jacket about why she belives the university should invest money into a campus swimming pool.
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INSIDE
RECORD-BREAKING RACE
COLLEGE IS A TIME FOR NEW THINGS
Sophomore Elinore Loch broke the Waynesburg and Presidents' Athletic Conference indoor 800-meter dash record last Saturday at the indoor track and field championships.
Freshman Rebecca Strang moves outside of her comfort zone as she enters the Miss Pennsylvania pageant competition.
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Campus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1–A4 Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1, B4 Editorial/Op-ed. . . . . . . . B2 News Digest. . . . . . . . . . B3 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1–C4 Arts & Life. . . . . . . . . . . . D1–D2 Entertainment . . . . . . . . D3–D4 Copyright © 2016 Waynesburg University 51 W. College St.Waynesburg, Pa. 15370
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March 3, 2016
Record number of employers participate in campus job fair By BRENDAN KEANY
For the Yellow Jacket
Waynesburg University hosted its annual job fair on Wednesday, Feb. 24 in the Rudy Marisa Field House. In the almost 10 years that Marie Coffman, director of Career Placement Services, has organized the event, it has grown every year, and this event was no different. According to Coffman, 53 different companies were represented at the job fair, which was well above the previous record. “It’s never been this many employers or this quality of employers,” said Coffman. “We had Mylan, the state police and border patrol, so we had a lot of good companies there.” Coffman attributes this increase to a greater outreach by her department, as well as some tenacity in her recruiting approach. “I think what was different is just that I kept calling places, and I just kept letting them know that we were having this,” said Coffman. “I just tried to spread that net
Jenny Schouppe, Yellow Jacket
More than 50 employers participated in Waynesburg University Career Center's annual job fair Wednesday, Feb. 24. Students had the opportunity to connect and network with regional companies. out just a little bit more.” For those who may have never been to a job fair or are unfamiliar with the term, it is simply a gathering of numerous companies that students can go to in order to network
themselves. The event was organized in the old gym. There were companies lined up in rows, and each company had its own table with a display of facts or opportunities that
come with the company. Also, representatives from each company remained at the display to answer questions that prospective interns or employees may have had. Aside from the obvi-
ous point of hosting a job fair to help students locate jobs that could be potential fits for their desired line of work, Coffman also wanted students to practice their interpersonal skills with the
employers. “I hope students gain some confidence,” said Coffman. “Just to get used to talking to employers, and they get used to using that nice handshake and eye contact, and just introducing themselves.” “If some jobs and some internships come from this job fair then that would be wonderful,” said Coffman. Travis Sumner, a junior forensic accounting major who attended the job fair, discussed his reasoning for attending the event. “I came to the internship fair because I’m obviously looking for an internship for the summer,” said Sumner. “There were a lot of good opportunities in there with various companies where I can utilize my skills in the forensic accounting field.” Coffman said that more events like this and increasing student involvement may be able to pull more companies to Waynesburg University. As she noted, more companies familiar with the university can increase the connection of students to jobs post-graduation.
WU Spring Break: Campus engages accepted students Classes are out, but service in full gear By TIMMY KAISER
For the Yellow Jacket
By MITCHELL KENDRA Managing Editor
Waynesburg University is a university of tradition, President Douglas Lee once said. The university displays that characteristic of tradition with the mission trips that it offers to students every year during the fall, winter, spring and summer breaks. According to Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services, the first spring break service trip was an alternative spring break to Jacksonville, Florida with the local Habitat For Humanity. Thirteen years later, the university is continuing to help its students give back to the community. Fo r 5 8 Way n e s b u r g University students, their spring break will consist of performing service work locally, domestically and internationally. This spring break, there are three different mission trips that students will be taking part in: one locally working with the Pittsburgh Project; one domestically to Concord, North Carolina, with Habitat For Humanity; and one internationally to San Jose, Costa Rica. Hardie said that while there are different service trips throughout the year that are preferred for specific majors, for example the trip to Bonaire for communication students and the trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for history majors, students of all majors are open to go on any mission trip they are interested in. This allows students to interact with students of other majors and learn more about
the other majors on campus. No matter their major, all students know that the University is also known for its mission statement of faith, learning and service, a statement that Hardie said is clearly displayed from the mission trips in which the students partake. “Our mission says it all: ‘faith, learning and service,’” said Hardie. “I often say, because this is what President Lee said in his inauguration, that service is in the DNA of Waynesburg University – by participating in either a local, domestic or international service trip, you can really see that mission come to life through the trip leaders and
“Service is really in the DNA of Waynesburg University—by participating in either a local, domestic or international service trip, you can really see that mission come to life through the trip leaders and those that you are serving with.” KELLY HARDIE
Assistant Dean
those that you are serving with.” Hardie said that students don’t have to travel far to get the full experience of a service trip, which is why the university offers a service trip in the local area, such as the Pittsburgh Project. Sophomore Kara Evans, a computer security major BREAK >> A4
With golf carts, traffic cones, “No Parking” signs and large groups of people walking around together, it was clear to anyone who was around Waynesburg University’s campus on Saturday, Feb. 27, that there was an event taking place. T h e e v e n t , W Uc h oose2016, was for all prospective students who have been accepted into the university to visit campus. They were also invited to stay overnight if they wished, and 60 students out of the 191 who attended stayed with a current Waynesburg student Friday night. With prospective students making their college choices soon, WUchoose2016 could be a turning point for students who have had Waynesburg on their radar, said Shari Payne, vice president of Enrollment. “This day is extremely important,” said Payne. “This can be the make-or-break point for a person whether they ultimately decide to come to school here. It’s the final moment when they know that we are the one for them.” According to Payne, giving students the opportunity to examine the university at many levels was one of the goals for the day. Prospective students could attend sessions of their choice, such as meeting current athletes and coaches or with the financial aid office to go over payment options. “What we’re asking students to do on this day is to come and decide if Waynesburg University is the school they want to attend in the fall,” Payne said. “We want to try to answer all the questions they have since they’re in the decision-making process right now.”
Kyla Wolper, Yellow Jacket
Nearly 200 high school students and their families visited Waynesburg's campus Saturday, Feb. 27, for WU Choose 2016, a day for accepted students to interact with the campus community and interview for scholarships.
Many current students worked the events on Saturday, interacting with visitors by giving campus tours, participating in the sessions and facilitating parking. This gave prospective students an idea about what campus life is about, according to Payne. During the second session of the day, students who were interested in becoming student athletes could go to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse and hear from current players and coaches. Sam Nichols, a sophomore criminal justice major and member of the women’s soccer team, tried to relay her experiences as a student athlete to the visitors. “I had the opportunity to give some of my personal ex-
periences from my two years here,” said Nichols. “When it came to the questions being asked, I tried to guide them on what it takes to succeed both academically and athletically.” Payne said over the course of recent years, this day has evolved; inviting all accepted students is a concept that is new this year. Admissions Counselor David Floyd has seen the changes this day has endured over his four years of employment. “The day itself has definitely evolved over the course of the last few years,” Floyd said. “Four years ago, it was kids coming on campus and interviewing for scholarships. This year we wanted to
invite all accepted students. We wanted all students to have that opportunity—to where if they’re down to two or three schools they have the opportunity to come back and get one final look and really get a feel for what it’s like to be a student here.” Wit h go o d we ekend weather and a good turnout, WUchoose2016 proved to be what the admissions office hoped for, according to Payne. “Overall, we were extremely pleased with the program,” said Payne. “The chapel was filled all the way to the back of the balcony. Early feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Calendar: Schedule revisions based on accreditation requirements Continued from A1
fall break, if the university wants to achieve its goal of ending within a few days of May 1, then the winter break had to remain three weeks in length. “If you ask, you’re definitely going to get divided opinions for sure—but the extra week is probably more valuable to the students to graduate and get out of class earlier and have another week of potentially interning or working and wage earning,” Cummings said. “The extra week in January is likely not going to be as advantageous to a student.
Getting out a week early in May probably has more impact than the extra week in January.” Next year's calendar shows that the first day of Spring semester classes will start on Jan. 9. In previous years with this academic calendar, the first day of classes in the Spring semester was Jan. 11 in 2016 and Jan. 12 in 2015. “Actually I think that it’s not so much that we go into looking at it as a threeweek break, but we go into it looking at how soon we can start,” Cummings said. In 2017, finals end on April 30, while spring break begins Saturday, Feb. 25, and
ends Sunday, March 5. Similarly to the Spring semester, students come back earlier than usual to begin the Fall semester. The first day of classes next year will be held on Aug. 22. Cummings said the early return date in 2017 is due to the normal finals week in the Fall semester ending on Dec. 23, which the university deemed too close to Christmas. “In this case, like this year, if we moved [break] a week later, we wouldn’t finish until [Dec. 23], and that would have students taking finals all the way up to Friday night [on Dec. 23] and flying home on Christmas
Eve,” Cummings said. “That would have faculty grading over Christmas Eve and Christmas day. So obviously, this year was sort of a no brainer.” In the past, winter mission trips have been eightor nine-day trips, but with the earlier start in 2017, mission trips will only last seven days, with days one and seven being utilized for traveling. “The length of the trip can be shorter as long as we get the number of hours in there, and generally four days of service will fulfill the 30 hours [for the service learning class],” Cummings said. “You can get those ser-
vice hours in and still travel and perhaps have a day to regroup [before classes].” Wilson said she would personally like more time between the Fall and Spring semesters, but that it is ultimately up to the senior staff. “It was good,” said Wilson. “I think that we did do a review to make sure that we were doing what needed to be done as far as accreditation status, but I think it does need to be looked at to see if we need to give a little bit more time between the fall and the spring so the mission trips aren’t so compressed.” Wi l s on h a s b e e n at Waynesburg since 1992 and
said before the change two years ago, not many changes were made to the academic calendar. Cummings said sizable academic calendar changes—like the ones implemented two years ago—are not a regularity in higher education. “In the case of actually touching the academic schedule, making changes like we did a few years ago is pretty big, and I don’t think it happens that often, from my perspective,” Cummings said. “What drove that more than anything, is that our old calendar was not in line with the accreditation standards, so we had to change it.”
March 3, 2016
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Staff prepared for impact of housing policy Art Club prepares Plans set for overflow caused by lack of offcampus housing By MATTIE WINOWITCH Editorial Assistant
In the housing section of Waynesburg University’s Student Services, providing shelter to students is at the top of their metaphorical to-do list. With a new housing policy that, according to the Oct. 1, 2015 issue of the Yellow Jacket, prohibits any student in the graduating class of 2018 or after to live independently off-campus, there are consequentially more students living on campus. With more students on campus, the question becomes whether or not there will be enough room for everyone. Jessica Sumpter, assistant dean of Student Services, said that she feels confident Waynesburg will be able to accommodate students’ housing needs with the use of on-campus houses. These are universityowned houses throughout the community that current students can live in as an alternative to the dorms. “We are able to have enough room by having flexibility with the houses used for [residence hall] overflow,” said Sumpter. “I am a planner, and I am anticipating what’s
going to happen in Fall 2017 when students are not going to be able to live off-campus during their senior year. But ultimately, the on-campus houses are going to have to be used at that point.” Aside from managing the residence hall overflow, which is a term used for the leftover students when dorms are close to being or are actually over capacity, the oncampus houses offer other benefits to students, including a greater sense of “independence,” said Sumpter. Additionally, although the houses are slightly separated from the campus, they are still university-owned, which means they are still cared for by university maintenance and patrolled by security. However, with this style of living comes with specific criteria that must be met by each applicant, including a review of discipline records, a minimum of 36 credits and a newly introduced minimum of a 2.8 GPA. “As we do have more of a capacity constraint with the number of students and enrollment in general – there is so much interest in Waynesburg [University] and being a resident [here],” said Sumpter. “Plus the four-year residency policy, I think the challenge this office has is making sure the people that are interested are the right students, and that’s where the application criteria comes in.” There are additional houses the university can
use for students depending on whether or not there is a capacity-based need. Sumpter said using oncampus houses will be the procedure for the upcoming year and beyond, unless a dorm is built, although that is not yet an official option. Mary Cummings, the former senior vice president of Student Services and Enrollment, sees the housing aspect of Waynesburg University comparable to running a business: every statistic matters. “It’s all based on projection,” said Cummings. “Generally speaking, as we are getting closer and closer to August, we are down to the wire and we are watching numbers and seeing how many students are coming.” The projections to which Cummings referred include female-to-male ratios and deciding how many rooms to set up as triples, quads or traditional styles, as well as how many houses will be opened up. Cummings said there is often a certain amount of what the Department of Admissions calls “melt,” which is when students who have made a deposit and decided to come to Waynesburg decide they aren’t going to stay. “It’s not an exact science,” said Cummings. “It’s the same reason why the airlines overbook seats and hotels overbook rooms. It’s across a lot of industries; it’s not unique to us. It’s just that it’s
not a one-night stay in a hotel; it’s not a one-airplane trip where you just push them to the next airplane. For us, [projection] is a bit more difficult.” Cummings said she understands why current students are upset about the four-year residency policy. However, in her eyes, the benefits to living under the umbrella of Waynesburg University will help students beyond graduation. “We’re supporting, building and providing the infrastructure to get you through your four years of university, safe and with a clean record,” said Cummings. “If you think about it, our criminal justice, education and nursing majors all have to pass background checks in order to get jobs. The more we can provide an environment that allows you to do that, the better we are at helping you succeed.” While some students have reacted negatively to the change, Cummings said the number of students directly impacted by the change is actually much smaller than many might expect. “There are going to be some people who perhaps don’t understand it at this point or are looking for something else," Cummings said, "but when it came down to it, only 40-50 people were truly impacted [by the fouryear residency policy], and hopefully that impact ends up being a positive one.”
to host first-ever WU Arts Festival By EMILY HACKMAN Multimedia Team
Two Waynesburg University students have come together to organize the first Waynesburg University Arts Festival on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Johnson Commons. The Arts Festival is sponsored by the Waynesburg University Art Club and is open and free to the public. Emily Wiedner, junior art and arts administration major, and Taryn Leiter, junior art administration major, were inspired in a public relations class to create an event in which all Waynesburg University students, faculty, staff and Waynesburg community members can attend. According to Leiter and Wiedner, they wanted to create an event that was fun and different from other student activities. “There isn’t anything like this on campus,” said Leiter. The Arts Festival’s goal is to highlight the unrecognized talent hidden amongst Waynesburg University’s campus as well as to promote fine arts in the community. At the event, there will be a preview performance of Waynesburg University’s spring musical, “The Little Mermaid,” featuring two songs. There will also be live entertainment from Waynesburg
University students including junior education major Amber Lambing, who is a veteran to the talent contests on campus, and Rachel Philipp, an art administration and music major, who has also participated in Waynesburg Idol. Philipp has sung at Mr. Smalls Theatre, which is a venue in Millvale, Pennsylvania, and has also opened for artist Andy Grammar. Junior biblical ministries studies major Matt McDermott will be DJ-ing to provide music for the festival in-between acts. There will also be booths with art for sale, including works of photography, jewelry, ceramics and crocheted work. Andrew Heisey, assistant professor of art, will be hosting a clay table where festival guests may experiment and sculpt with the medium. Student groups will also be hosting activities for attendees. A photo booth by the American Institute of Graphic Arts student group will be available and other groups will be selling walking tacos and buffalo chicken dip as fundraisers. Weidner said a lot of effort is going into the event, and planning it has been very rewarding. “It has been a great learning experience,” said Weidner. “I am looking forward to seeing how the campus reacts to the Arts Festival.”
Tea party serves as community outreach, Fine Arts fundraiser By MICHELLE FRYE
For the Yellow Jacket
Children of the Waynesburg community dressed in their finest princess gowns and pirate costumes as they had a chance to meet their favorite members of Disney royalty this weekend. The Waynesburg University Fine Arts Department held its first children’s tea party event on Saturday Feb. 27, named “Under the Tea.” The event served as not only a promotional event for the upcoming spring musical, “The Little Mermaid,” said Xela Batchelder, chair of the Fine Arts Department, but also as a community relations event for the entire Fine Arts Department. “I want to build a relationship with the community so they know about all the wonderful events we have and know that they are welcome,” said Batchelder. “The events on campus are also for them, not just the students on cam-
Megan Cook, Yellow Jacket
Local children gathered on Waynesburg University's campus for "Under the Tea," a fundraising event hosted by the Fine Arts Department. pus.” The event was held on the third floor of the Stover Campus Center. More than 50 children and their parents were treated to light refreshments, crafts, music, singing and individual photo opportunities with each of the princesses,
princes and pirates. Batchelder also said the children and their families also had “an exclusive chance to get tickets to ‘The Little Mermaid’ before anyone else and help with the ticket process.” All of the Disney characters present were played by
Waynesburg University students involved with the Fine Arts Department. Edward Powers, director of the spring musical and professor of theatre, said that the true challenge of acting in a “non-scripted environment” was being able to commit to
the character for the entire duration of the event. “In a play or a musical, you maintain the character for the time you’re onstage,” said Powers. “Here you’re always onstage.” While the actual improvisation acting was difficult, being able to portray one of the most recognizable Disney princesses was an incredible and delightful experience, said Kayla Coughlin, freshman early childhood and special education major. Coughlin played the role of Princess Ariel at the event and will also star as her later this semester in the spring musical. “Every little girl wants to be a princess and in college, it’s not any different,” said Coughlin. “Just to be able to let little girls get to meet their heroes is incredible.” Batchelder said the event would not have been possible without the students in her Special Topics Festival and Event Planning class. The students of this class,
including Haley Lusebrink, senior arts administration major and music and stage technician for the event, worked many hours to prepare concessions, entertainment, the venue and all other aspects of the event for the youth to enjoy. “Well, now I know how to throw a great party for children,” said Lusebrink. “I know a lot more about event planning. As someone who will likely own a business or work with the music industry, this knowledge can carry me a long way.” “Under the Tea” gave a preview of the spring musical to a younger audience that may not normally see a college production, said Powers. “Theatre is for everyone, not a select audience,” said Powers. “If we like a good story, we want to see it, whether onstage, or in a movie. [The actors’] satisfaction doesn’t happen unless they’re being seen by an audience. The audience is vital to the theatre.”
Admin: Cummings, Tinnemeyer Nursing students bond with prepare for new roles at university patients during clinical work Continued from A1
hire outside of the university or make changes within. “You have two options in leadership,” said Lee. “One is to look to the resources that you have. Known quantities – you know their great strengths and you know what they bring to the table. Or, you can hire outside people and it takes you two years before you really know who they are. And there’s a transition that takes place, and we don’t need a transition as much as we need forward movement.” Lee emphasized that the strategic change, as he referred to it in his email announcement to the campus, is “necessary to continue our forward trajectory.” While Waynesburg has progressed significantly in recent years, most notably transitioning from a college to a university a decade ago, Lee said his goal is to continue moving forward by developing and growing existing programs, including GAPS. He believes that both
Tinnemeyer and Cummings, in their new roles, will further this goal while maintaining continuity and minimizing transitional time. Tinnemeyer said the movement is already in progress; he plans to move into Cummings’ current office shortly after spring break. In the meantime, he has been learning about the aspects of Student Services he was not already familiar with. Since he already works with the Student Services staff and is heavily involved in undergraduate student life, he anticipates a smooth change. “I’ve been spending a lot of the time in the last week getting to know [Student Services] better,” said Tinnemeyer. “I think that will be a nice fit with the current roles that I have.” Despite the fact that Tinnemeyer will be taking on a third role at the university as opposed to leaving one department and entering another, he is excited for the challenge. “I like to move around between different things just as a style of work,” said Tinne-
meyer. “I’m really looking forward to the overall challenge to just to continue to do well in each of those areas.” Cummings, who will be moving to Waynesburg’s South Pointe location, is looking forward to working with a new group of the university’s staff and faculty while maintaining a presence at the main campus. “I love my team in Student Services and I love working with the undergraduate students,” said Cummings. “But it’s really just an opportunity – just like that saying keep new friends, but keep the old – that I will now get a chance to work with other wonderful people that I know are in the graduate programs.” Lee said he believes the gifts and talents of both administrators will be wellsuited to the position change. L e e, Cummings and Tinnemeyer are all looking forward to moving the university forward and continuing to grow and develop programs. “We’re still one big team all focused on the university,” said Cummings.
By TEGHAN SIMONTON Copy Chief
For Katherine Latimer, junior nursing major and clinical student at Waynesburg University, emotional attachment to patients at local hospitals is common happenstance. “I had someone in my clinical group last semester,” Latimer said as she began to tell the story of one of her fellow students. This student, said Latimer, bonded deeply with a patient, talking to him regularly and forming a friendship. However, as the weeks progressed, the student had to watch, powerless, as the patient’s health rapidly faltered. “The student was checking up on the patient every week and it was really hard for her to see it, because every time, he was just doing worse and worse,” said Latimer. While medical privacy acts prevented her from giving specific details, Latimer said that she, too, has gotten invested in patients who have been around for multiple weeks. It presents a difficulty, she said, as many will inevitably decline
in health, and she must remain objective. Latimer is one of several nursing students who participate in department-mandated clinical hours. The Department of Nursing uses clinical hours, supplemented by ongoing simulation lab courses, that allow students to practice their skills under the supervision of established professionals. Beginning in their sophomore year, students increase their knowledge and proficiency for interacting with patients. “The simulation is the place where it’s going to help boost their confidence,” said Instructor of Nursing Eve Weaver, who teaches simulation lab. “So when they get to a situation, they know how to react to it.” According to Jessica Floyd, instructor of nursing, students are able to perform complete physical assessments on patients by their junior level, executing tasks such placing IV lines, drawing blood and handling catheters. However, in addition to learning the necessary medical skills, the aspiring nurses must
provide compassion and emotional support for the patients in their care. Confronted with patients for the first time poses difficulty for many nursing majors, Floyd said, not just on the plane of practical skills, but also on an emotional level. “As a healthcare provider you see some really sad cases,” said Floyd. “People dying of cancer, people with many other terminal illnesses, and sometimes it’s really hard not to get attached—especially if you do develop that trusting relationship with a patient, then they tend to open up to you and tell their story—and that can make it even harder.” However, despite this struggle, Both Floyd and Weaver said that developing a trusting relationship is essential to be successful as someone’s healthcare provider. “Nursing is one of those professions where you have to have an emotional connection,” said Weaver. “You have to have that compassion.” As students’ emotional involvement and concern is all but inevitable, according to CLINICAL >> A4
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March 3, 2016
Charter Day serves to remember the past, hope for the future By MATTIE WINOWITCH Editorial Assistant
Standing in his office, holding the corners of a wooden frame that he took off the wall, President Douglas Lee quietly uttered one of the verses from “Dear Waynesburg,” a hymn that was written for the university: “Her past and present shall unite to make this old world brighter…” Lee explained that the past is “the contributions, the alums, the work,” and the present is “where we are right now.” Lee felt moved enough to share the words of this hymn after discussing the value of celebrating Charter Day. Charter Day is a celebration of Waynesburg University being recognized as an official institution by the state of Pennsylvania. It acknowledges the transition of going from Waynesburg College to Waynesburg University.
To Lee, Charter Day is a celebration of the school’s heritage and a reminder of its mission. In addition to this, Charter Day holds a special place in his heart, as this was also the day of his inauguration in March 2014. “I chose Charter Day as the date of my inauguration,” said Lee. “That was to reiterate the commitment to the founding mission of this university and the work that had been done by presidents in the past, including my predecessor Timothy Thyreen – all of this reminding us of who we are as an institution.” This year’s Charter Day celebration will include a concert on March 21 by the five-time Grammy nominee Christian singer Natalie Grant in Roberts Chapel. Tickets are currently available for reservation on myConnect and are free to students. There will also be a convocation on the official Charter Day, March 22, presented by Rev. Jim Gilchrist, a native of
Southwestern Pennsylvania who is currently head pastor at Westminster Presbyterian church. Aside from the celebration, Lee said the true value of student and faculty participation in Charter Day is to connect with the university’s history.
Lee said that the alumni who have carried out the tradition of “Fiat Lux” are admirable, and Charter Day is a day when students, faculty and staff can acknowledge those who have come before them and strive to be like them. “I talk often about the indi-
“This university was founded by people of faith who had a strong commitment to an understanding that all of us are children of God and are special in God’s eyes,” said Lee. “The university was founded as a way to help witness into the love of God in the world by the lives lived by our graduates. To be that light; that is the symbol of the university.”
viduals that graduated from this university – individuals that taught here, individuals that served here,” said Lee. “Their life stories – many of them went on the do great things in the world. So many of them have that common thread of a life of purpose for the glory of God. Those lives are reminders to us of what each of us can do when students graduate and
go on into the world. We have those lives as reminders of what a Waynesburg University graduate should be.” The vision of the university is educating students to go out and live lives of purpose for the glory of God, and it has been that way for generations, said Lee. By celebrating Charter Day, that purpose is further enunciated to the Waynesburg community, as the university’s reputation speaks for itself. “It demonstrates to me that the message is an eternal message and continues to have relevance even today,” said Lee. “The students that are here have that discernment and wisdom to understand that. They are the great hope for the future: the lives that they’ll need, and the things that they’ll do.” Lee said that while he is looking forward to seeing Natalie Grant and hearing the words of Rev. Gilchrist, he is greatly anticipating the reflection of the students, staff and community as to
why we still celebrate Charter Day today. “Memorial Day, Veterans Day – it is all time to reflect and remember the past, to remember the contributions of those who lived before us and to know who we are,” he said. “To focus on the identity of what it is to be a Waynesburg University member, whether it be faculty or student or staff. Without that, I think you begin to lose track, you begin to lose perspective and you begin to lose focus. This annual reminder at the very least gives us time to reflect on it again.” Lee cleared his throat and paused after reading the first part of the verse of the hymn. “It all ties in in that little verse right there,” said Lee. He repeated the beginning and continued on with the rest of the verse: “Her past and present shall unite to make this old world brighter. She loves the good, pursues the right and makes her duties lighter.”
SLR: Options expanded Laskas: 'Concussion' author discusses writing process for 1-credit service course Continued from A1
Continued from A1
responsibility on individual students to work with a faculty member in their academic area to create a plan that fits their interest. “It’s really another option for students. The onus is on the students. The fourth credit option is really something for the students to plan and figure out the structure and figure, ‘This is the course I plan on building into this fourth credit option,’" said LeichliterKrause. “So they need to think about how they want to structure that fourth credit option in a way they want, and it is their job to think about what extra project they want to do.” Students will still have the option of completing their service-learning requirement by working with a community partner of their choosing or
participating in a university planned mission trip, according to Leichliter-Krause. The focus for this option is to have a structure that will allow students to use their creativity in creating and executing a plan or project to fulfill the requirement, according to Leichliter-Krause. She believes this is an opportunity for students to incorporate an even better understanding and passion for service within the community. “Service is a part of our DNA,” said Leichliter-Krause. “With our mission being so deeply rooted in service, the more options we can provide students to get out there and be involved in service the better. The fourth credit option gives our students yet another pathway to get involved in service and get involved in service relatively early.”
Parking: WU expecting increase in parking passes Continued from A1
room at the end, but we’re going to deal with it like we always do,” said Humiston. “We’ll come up with some good solutions that will affect most of the people who reside on campus.” Humiston said the first offense for parking illegally or parking on a university lot without a parking pass is a $10 fine, and the amount increases with each offense. He said the Department of Public Safety has waived the $10 violation for students who parked without a parking pass, only if they buy the $20 parking decal. “Nobody knows about our
parking problem better than security; we understand it and we get it,” Humiston said. “We’re not here to make students’ lives any more miserable.” Cummings said that while the University does constantly monitor the parking situation on campus, it is not at the forefront of things to change. “I would say that in terms of investment, it would go on the list with many other things. You could solve a lot of problems by throwing a lot of money [at it],” Cummings said. “One of the things that I’m proud I can say is that Waynesburg University tries to be very good stewards of students’ money.”
Clinical: Students balance emotions, objectivity during nursing practice Continued from A3
Floyd, mentoring students to remain objective and professional is an important aspect of the curriculum. It’s hard, especially whenever you’re first starting out,” she said. “I know how I personally deal with it: I often go home and pray for those patients.” Weaver, alluding to her own years of nursing experience, added that the reward of caring for people is definitely worth the emotional strain . “I tell students that they can step back and reenter once they gain composure,
but at that moment you need to be strong and present for them,” said Weaver. “Nursing is difficult. Its one of the only places where you can be with someone at the beginning of life and at the end of life.” Latimer, who will continue participating in clinical hours throughout the rest of her college career, acknowledges that her classmates’ sensitive responses are actually ideal, as long as their judgment remains clear. “It’s okay to get emotionally attached to patients,” she said. “Being kind and compassionate are some of the best qualities a nurse can have.”
ceased football players that should not normally be present. The protein clogs neural pathways and results in varying degrees of neurological disorders, which causes affected NFL players to display violent behavior before their deaths, many of which are suicides. Omalu first published his research, backed by several other scientists, in a journal called Neurosurgery. The NFL immediately demanded a retraction. Scientists on the NFL’s payroll attacked Omalu and his claims. The NFL and others worked to push Omalu into obscurity. Eventually, the stor y reached an editor at GQ magazine. Laskas was assigned to write about it. Through extensive research, she eventually reached Omalu and wrote a long form article for GQ entitled “This is your brain on football.” “What that story basically did was pluck [Omalu] out of nowhere,” said Laskas. “He had really been cast aside. I thought it was a valid story.” When Laskas’ article brought the issue onto the public’s radar, she began to realize there was a larger story. She explained during her lecture that other ex-football players had been experiencing symptoms described by Omalu’s research. At least one player’s wife realized what was wrong with her increasingly violent husband by reading Laskas’ article. “That’s not right,” said
Kyla Wolper, Yellow Jacket
"Concussion" author Jeanne Marie Laskas visited Waynesburg as the DeVito lecturer on Monday, Feb. 29, where she discussed the book's development. Laskas. “I got to know some of these families and I was wondering, what are we going to do about this and all of the implications? If we keep pretending this doesn’t exist, we’re going down a wrong path here.” Eventually, Laskas discovered that the real story was in Omalu’s journey. She traveled to Nigeria with him, met his family and got to know him. Then, she wrote the book “Concussion,” which she calls a character study of Omalu. “My real work was just telling stories,” said Laskas. “That’s what I do. I tell stories.” The story of the damage football injuries were doing to players’ brains became
more prominent with Sony Picture’s production of the movie “Concussion,” with a star-studded cast. And so too did the backlash. According to Laskas, Omalu is a joke to the NFL and scientists associated with it. “It got worse after the movie came out,” she said. But Laskas and Omalu have no plans to give up. Omalu, who now works as a neuropathologist in California, continues to study the brains of deceased players. The Bennet Omalu Foundation was also formed to seek out funding for scientists looking to advance the field of neuroscience and work toward a living diagnosis and subsequent cure for the
disease. “Maybe if we can figure out a diagnosis in a living person, we can figure out how to cure it so that we wouldn’t have to worry about our kids,” said Laskas. “We don’t know when this thing starts.” For facing off against the NFL, Omalu was kicked out of Pittsburgh, out of the morgue where he worked, taken to court and forced into obscurity. But Laskas said he has never doubted the necessity of telling the truth about his findings. Omalu’s full name is Bennet Ifeakandu Onymelukwube. His last name means “if you know, come forth and speak.” And speak, he has.
Break: Students prepare to travel, serve
Continued from A2
has traveled outside of the country several times, but all to the same place: Mexico. That was until she went on the Costa Rica trip during last year’s spring break. Evans took the chance on a new, unfamiliar place, and the result left a huge impact on her life. She said she had an experience she will never forget and therefore will be going again this year. Evans said that the group kept following through with their faith as the group attended a church on the Sunday they were on the trip. She said that it was a great experience to have the chance to see the locals’ outlook on life that differed from hers, but they both shared the same faith. The group attended a coffee plantation and learned how coffee was made and the history of coffee, and then learned how to interact with the locals and the other
Waynesburg students in the group, who were all strangers the first time they met up together. Evans and the group did construction on a local house orphanage for the service part of the trip. She said the orphanages usually have 10 children in them and in order for this house to go from six children to 10, the Waynesburg group had to demolish several walls within the house to create the extra space for the new children. Evans admitted she was uneasy about the trip at first, but when she turned to her faith, she knew God would watch over her. “It was good to kind of let the Lord just work through my insecurity with going to a new country, but he really blessed [me] with being on a really good team and having a translator there who helped,” said Evans. “It was a really good experience, both culturally and spiritually.” Evans said the experience
helped her grow as an individual. “To go into different cultures and to view what their culture is like, it’s really eye opening,” said Evans. Hardie said the students interested in going on a service trip have several different options when it comes to raising money for the trip. Hardie said that paying for a service trip is something that students shouldn’t worry about and the University will do their best to help students fundraise enough money for the trip. The next service trip will be after the conclusion of the current academic school year. In June 2016, 12 students will be going to Camp Boggy Creek in Florida. The students will be working with terminally ill children who suffer from a heart issue. Once students return to campus for the 2016-17 academic school year, service trips will be offered over fall break. Hardie said the 2016-
17 trips are already posted on myConnect and encourages interested students to start looking at the dates now. Evans said that having the chance to go on the service trips would help her later in life, something Hardie also stressed. Evans said being able to understand the differences in the local culture could help her if she is ever put in a similar situation in the work force. “I would definitely say it’s a good thing to get out of your comfort zone; at least for me it makes me rely on the Lord more because its easy to just kind of [go] around and just do a regular schedule when you’re here,” said Evans. “But out of the country you’re in a completely new and vulnerable environment, and so I would encourage people to do it. First, it makes you closer to the Lord, and second you get to make new friends and you are placed in new situations where you have to be able to react well.”
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MARCH 3, 2016 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG
Efforts expand to decrease drug overdose deaths
Narcan, shown to reverse drug overdoses, now to be more accessible to public By KIMMI BASTON Executive Editor
Starting this March, the Washington County Drug and Alcohol Commission will begin holding monthly community training sessions to educate Washington residents about the life-saving drug, Narcan. After having already supplied the substance to first responders last year, the Commission is holding the training sessions to work even further toward a decrease in deaths by drug overdose. Narcan (naloxone hydrochlo-
ride), according to a press release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2015, has been shown to stop or reverse drug overdoses resulting from opioid use within minutes. Available both in injection and nasal spray forms, the drug has saved the lives of many people who overdosed on heroin, oxycodone or other narcotics. The Commission has been supplying Narcan kits to Washington first responders since spring of 2015. Since then, according to Cheryl Andrews, executive director at the
Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission, 36 of the kits have saved lives. Community members have had access to the drug since November of 2014, when physicians were approved to write a prescription to a third party – someone who is not a drug addict but is a family member. However, Andrews said many family doctors weren’t well educated about how to prescribe the drug. Now, the Commission is taking action to provide easier access to Narcan for members of the community who want to be prepared to care for loved ones at risk for drug overdoses. “This epidemic affects everyone,” said Andrews. “[In the case of an overdose,] you do call 911;
but for family members who live this nightmare day in and day out, they have some reassurance that they have the ability to take care of their loved one until the ambulance would arrive.”
“Our goal actually is that we would have zero overdoses.”
CHERYL ANDREWS
Executive Director
Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission
Andrews said the community training addresses more than just how to administer the drug to someone who has overdosed – it
also tackles the widespread drug problem in Pennsylvania and what the community can do to stop it. “Our training is designed to tell people about how we need to reduce the stigma,” said Andrews. “We need to start talking about it, and it needs to be okay for people to reach out if they’re addicted.” According to the FDA, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury death in the United States. Based on statistical reports from the Washington County Office of the Coroner, this trend is extremely evident in Western Pennsylvania. The office’s website shows that there has been a steady increase in heroin-related deaths in WashingNARCAN >> B4
First Chili Cookoff unites businesses Uniontown High
School recognized for AP placement By MATTIE WINOWITCH Editorial Assistant
Tim Neral, Yellow Jacket
Jim Winegar, (right) owner of the Artbeat Gallery, and artist Colleen Nelson (left) took part in the first annual chili cookoff in downtown Waynesburg. Locals traveled from store to store sampling the chili recipes.
Merchants Guild stores compete in chili-making contest for charity By TIM NERAL
Editorial Assistant
The unity of local businesses is at it again. This past Sunday, the Merchants Guild ran a chili cook off. “In November, we started talking about what we wanted to do at the beginning of the year,” said Jim Winegar, owner of Artbeat Gallery. Artbeat showcases 40 Greene County artists and another 40 outside the region in the Pittsburgh area. They’ll be starting their fourth year of business at the end of July. For the first annual chili cook off, a handful of local businesses crafted their own recipes and offered samples to visitors. Honoring their tradition from years past, the Merchants Guild wanted to do something that benefited a
non-profit, as they had done in many of their community events in the past. Each person could vote for who had the best chili as many times as they wanted, but each vote cost a dollar or one canned good. All proceeds benefited the Corner Cupboard Food Bank. The winner who received the most votes received an illustrious golden ladle. Winegar said in a relatively sparsely populated area, the Merchants Guild wants to highlight what’s going on in Waynesburg. “Towns around the country have taken an original flavor,” said Winegar. “Very few towns have what we have.” Winegar mentions all of the travel he’s done overseas. He says the environment in Europe is vastly different from the one here in the
United States. “Our concept of suburb and the same eight entities off every one of our interstates has established a different atmosphere,” said Winegar. That’s a culture that Winegar says small towns like Waynesburg are trying to confront. The whole purpose of the Merchants Guild is to put Waynesburg back on the map, he says, but admits they have some way to go. Winegar thinks an important first step is infusing money back into the community. Winegar explained that every dollar spent at a Waynesburg business makes its way around and it makes a difference. The Merchants Guild’s tagline, “Creating community and commerce”, reflects that mission. Kristy Vliet, the owner of
5 Kidz Kandy, recognizes the importance of that mission and recognized the importance of the chili cook off. “It’s huge for us because it draws the people that wouldn’t haven stopped,” said Vliet. “Shows how our stores have evolved and changed over the seasons.” The Merchants Guild has more events planned in the coming months, including a summer open house and a rock the chalk event. A dozen artists will create large-scale drawings during the course of an afternoon and at the end of the competition, a professional independent artist will award first, second and third place and people’s choice. The next event, however, is a holiday egg extravaganza to celebrate the Easter holiday. Stay tuned.
Out of 425 districts across the U.S. and Canada, Uniontown Area High School was one of the schools to be recognized on College Board’s 6th annual AP District Honor Roll. Uniontown was the only school in Fayette and Greene County to be recognized. Robert Mangus, co-principal of Uniontown Area High School, is very proud of the school’s accomplishment. "It’s an honor roll of districts and we’re on it, and we are very honored to be on it,” said Mangus. “It’s an exclusive group.” In order to be a part of the AP District Honor Roll, there are certain prerequisites that must be met by the school and students. According to a press release from College Board, being on the list meant that the school was “increasing access to Advanced Placement (AP) course work while simultaneously maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of three or higher on AP Exams,” and students taking the test were diverse culturally. According to Uniontown Area High School AP Honor Roll data, released by Heather Sefcheck, co-principal of Uniontown Area High School, the high school currently offers nine AP courses: AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish, AP Physics, AP American History, AP European History, AP
Literature and AP Language. The AP Literature and AP Language were added to the curriculum within the past three years.Along with offering the nine AP courses, Uniontown Area High School has also taken extra steps to ensure their students were prepared for the exams. According to the school’s AP Honor Roll data, “the AP teachers offer afterschool cram sessions a few weeks before the AP exams. Students are also prepared to take the AP courses because the ‘high level of rigor that exists in our honor courses.’” Teachers of AP classes are sent to training, and central administration of the school district helps purchase the books and resources needed for the courses. Mangus said that although he has a say in what goes on in the school, he had nothing to do with the award that was granted. “It’s really our staff and the students that put the work into it,” said Mangus. By being recognized, Uniontown Area High School put their school and Greene and Fayette counties’ names on the map and plans to keep it up in the future. “My Co-Principal [Heather Sefcheck] and I feel that this honor is a testament to the dedication and talents of our students and teachers,” said Mangus. “We are excited to find our school on the list and look forward to continuing our tradition of achievement here at Uniontown Area High School.”
Budget impasse continues to impact Central Greene schools By JACOB MEYER Sports Editor
Superintendent of Schools Brian T. Uplinger said the Central Greene School District (CGSD) is one of the “fortunate” ones in the state; the eight-month budget impasse hasn’t hampered the effectiveness of the CGSD, yet, said Uplinger. “Central Greene is one of the few districts in the state that has been able to weather the storm, so to speak,” Uplinger said. “We have a very stable fund balance; we haven’t had to borrow any money yet. But it has had an impact on where we will be going in the future.” The lack of funding from the state isn’t the only thing that’s hindering school districts, Uplinger said, but not knowing the state’s budget and the allotted money each
district will get puts the districts in a bind. “We have to start planning our budget in October, November, December, trying to get an idea at what we’re looking at for the next school year,” Uplinger said. “It’s really difficult not knowing what’s coming in for that given school year. If we don’t have a passed budget for the current school year, we even have more of a difficult time to budget for the upcoming year.” Uplinger said that is when school districts begin to ask themselves questions about the number of teachers, administrators, support staff and programs, among other areas. “In that sense, we’re certainly shortchanging the students,” Uplinger said. “We don’t want to make hasty decisions, but not knowing
how much money is coming, we have to make some kind of a decision.” Uplinger said the CGSD, along with ever y other school district, must have its budget passed prior to the deadline on June 30. “I just don’t know why the government doesn’t have to have their [budget] done,” Uplinger said. “I mean, it certainly is in the Constitution and it’s in the law that they have to, but I guess we’re seeing that they really don’t have to follow that.” Democratic state Rep. Pam Snyder of the 50th Legislative District of Pennsylvania said this budget impasse is “not a good way to conduct government.” She agrees with Uplinger that the state should pass a budget before its June 30 deadline. “Under the law, they’re able to prolong it like this
year, but if you don’t have it passed by then, shame on you. I am a firm believer that this budget should have been done many months ago,” Snyder said. Uplinger said Gov. Tom Wolf ’s line-item veto, which was passed around Christmas, allowed the state to provide funding to local school districts for the first six months of 2016. The CGSD received $6 million from the state, according to Uplinger, which should last until May or June. He said they had to rely on the taxes from the people in the district and the money in the school district’s fund balance. Uplinger said Greene County is “unique” because they have been able to save and put money away for situations like this, which is a luxury not all school dis-
tricts have. While no school districts have had to close their doors, Uplinger said some districts could be facing severe problems in the future if the budget isn’t resolved soon. “There are other districts that have negative fund balances and have certainly had to go and borrow from banks, and they’ll have to pay interest on that loan, so they’re still going to be behind when the state money does come in,” Uplinger said. “They’ll be even more behind, whereas now they’re just filling gaps, meeting payroll and the necessities of the students. There have been some districts that have said they’re going to shut down because they’re not going to make it.” Snyder visited one of the school districts in the 50th district on Feb. 24 and spoke
with the superintendent about the current financial state of the school. “The superintendent told me that probably by the end of March they’re going to have to start borrowing money again to get to the end of the year,” Snyder said. “I think there are schools that are talking about closing if there’s not an agreement and the money isn’t there.” Wolf said in his last budget address on Feb. 9 that many school districts have increased taxes above what they’re supposed to since “Harrisburg didn’t produce a responsible budget.” Wolf said at least 175 more school districts are considering similar tax increases. Uplinger has been workIMPASSE >> B4
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Voices are heard
Although small, cups show student influence
March 3, 2016
Before you read this, go listen to “Same Love” and “ White Privilege II” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Oh, and also listen to “Til it Happens to You” by Lady Gaga… and while you’re at it, you might as well listen to “Formation” by Beyoncé. Now that you’ve listened to these songs, I hope, you probably noticed that they all have political messages for
situations that have been going on in the world recently. For most of these songs, they also sparked some debate between people about whether or not it’s appropriate to put messages like that in music. I think, however, it’s great. Some people nowadays only find out about social problems because they listen to the music played on the radio. During the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, Coldplay promoted the LGBT community by ending their show with “Believe in Love”
written in the crowd surrounded by a rainbow of colors. Meanwhile during the show, Beyoncé and her performers were dressed like Black Panther activists. She performed a section of her song “Formation,” which is about her heritage and how hard she has worked to get where she is while also inspiring women. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have been known for releasing music that is based off sensitive topics in the media. “Same Love,” released in 2012, spoke out against hatred towards the LGBT com-
munity and gave people hope for better days. Since then, the duo has continued that trend by releasing “White Privilege II” in early 2016, which is a sequel to “White Privilege” which was released back in 2005. It touches base on the Black Lives Matters campaign. One of my favorite parts about this song comes from the music video. An analogy is presented where there is a house that is on fire in a neighborhood. All of the houses matter, but the house See MUSIC on B3
Spotlight: Evans' actions speak louder than words Editor's Note: The following is a testimonial by junior psychology major Heidi Evans, which she shared at Upper Room. BY BRENDAN KEANY Op/Ed Editor
Heidi Evans, a junior psychology major from Achorage, Alaska, has attended Upper Room numerous times ever since she was a freshman. However, she never really felt comfortable with the idea of giving her testimony until recently. “Since freshman year, I have always kind of went
to Upper Room off and on, and I have always wanted to share my testimony,” said Evans. “Finally, it hit me that I should, being a junior, and step up. I had the opportunity, and I took it as soon as I could.” In essence, she wanted those in attendance to understand that it is impossible to be perfect in any aspect of life. Also, Christians must know that there is not a specific goal of living to be achieved. “My main message was just accepting that you’re flawed and broken,” said Evans. “Although you’re always going to be broken, God still loves you no matter what. You don’t
need to worry about trying to be enough, which is something that I struggle with, but God still loves you regardless.” This line of thinking was especially hard for Evans because her father works as a pastor. As a result, she always felt that she needed to be a near perfect-looking Christian on the outside to live up to her father’s calling. “I’ve always been raised in church, and I’ve always just been expected of being put together,” she said. “I’ve always put on this front that I’m perfect and I’m put together, but on the inside I’m hollow. This idea of knowing that I’m
not good enough, and that I’ll never be good enough.” However, as she is more mature in her faith, Evans noted that she understands the importance of knowing that she will never be good enough, but that it also does not matter. There is not an image or goal that she is trying to reach or achieve. At Waynesburg University, you could count the number of students from Alaska on one hand. Evans knew that she wanted to go to a school somewhere in the mid-east region so that she could at least be See ACTIONS on B3
You may have seen the headline on the front page of the paper two weeks ago, when it was triumphantly announced that Student Senate had voted to return cups to the coffee bar. For our weekly readers, the news that discontent existed amongst the student populous and that the Senate was re-examining the matter should have been without shock to you. In fact, it was several months ago in this very section that the President of Student Senate wrote a small piece about the so-called coffee cup controversy. Yes, it may have taken longer than many had wanted for cups to return, but after you voiced your opinion, one of the most interesting student uproars on campus came to a conclusion when cups arrived at Eberly Library’s Coffee Bar late last week. We hope you see that this reinforces the Yellow Jacket’s other editorials throughout the year expressing that while you may think it is small, your voice and actions do make a difference and impact other people. That certainly does not mean that just by speaking up or complaining you will get what you want all of the time – but it does prove that when many people band together and respectfully, yet forcefully, ask for something to occur, they may wind up making an impact and causing a change.
Calendar issues Longer winter break preferred
This week’s edition includes a story about the academic calendar adjustments at the beginning of the 2014-15 school year. Understandably, with the demands of accreditation, it was necessary to make changes to the academic calendar that would meet the requirements. Last year, administration decided to add a week onto the semester to make room for a fall break. By most accounts, many people enjoyed the fall break. Frankly, now that we do have one, we can’t imagine how terrible the fall semester would be without it. Although we have more weeks on campus following Thanksgiving break due to the fall break, most don’t complain because we still have plenty of time to get home before Christmas. However, we do not like the three-week vacation for winter. First off, it hardly feels like a break because of how quickly the Christmas and New Year’s seasons pass. Also, as mentioned in the article, it gives less time to participate in mission trips. One suggestion is to simply push graduation back a single week. Obviously there will be differing opinions, but we feel students would be better served to have a longer winter break. A reason given for rejecting this idea was that the administration wants to keep the graduation date as close to May 1, as possible. However, one week should not make much of a difference amongst a long summer break, and extra time with family and friends during the winter would be much appreciated.
NEWSPAPER POLICY The Yellow Jacket is the student-operated newspaper of Waynesburg University funded by student fees and advertisements and is intended for the entire college community. The Yellow Jacket is produced by the student staff on a weekly basis during the academic year. The office of the Yellow Jacket is located in room 400 of Buhl Hall. It is the right of the Yellow Jacket to print all material deemed newsworthy and gathered in a fair and unconditional manner. No advance copies of stories will be shown, and reporters' notes are considered confidential. No "off the record" information will be accepted. ADVERTISING POLICY Anyone wishing to advertise in the Yellow Jacket should email the advertising director at jacketads@waynesburg.edu. Ads must be submitted by the Monday before publication date and not conflict with the university mission.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Students would support a swimming pool Dear Editor: One of the reasons I chose to attend Waynesburg University was because of the size and population of the University. Waynesburg University, like a large public school, has around 1,500 students with facilities accommodating football, soccer, lacrosse, and even Ultimate Frisbee. Waynesburg also has two fields for baseball and softball located about five minutes away from the main campus. But, unlike most large public schools and many other universities, Waynesburg lacks a swimming pool. On the main campus itself, the only athletic complex is the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse, which includes two gyms connected to a fitness center and a weight room. One gym is fairly new and is used exclusively for the varsity teams to either practice or to play their games in. The slightly smaller and older gym located right next to the newer gym is used for everything else ranging from pickup games of basketball to dodgeball tournaments to swing dancing. The older gym is the only place to play sports and exercise during the winter, so the older gym is constantly being used and must be shared. Yet, the students need not fight over the gym if there were another physical activity or building they could use for exercise or games. Another indoor activity for students throughout all sea-
sons is swimming. Waynesburg University should build a swimming pool on campus, which would allow the school to offer pool related sports, clubs, workouts, and leisure activities. Building a swimming pool on campus would be beneficial in more ways than one. For example, Waynesburg University could host swim meets for varsity water sports such as water polo, swimming, and diving. A Waynesburg University freshman, Kyla Wolper, was a competitive swimmer at her high school for nine years, and played water polo for three years. She states that “though not everyone may use a pool, there are also many who would.” For her, swimming would be a change in workouts and allow for new opportunities for clubs and organizations to host pool related events. Having a swimming pool on campus would also save time and money on shuttling students to and from local pools. Then, instead of riding the shuttle to a nearby pool, one can go to a heated swimming pool right here on campus. As Kyla mentioned, swimming can also be used as a form of exercise. If a student wants to work out and the gyms are crowded, the student could go to the swimming pool down the road to exercise. Swimming is a great aerobic exercise possible for students of all ages and sizes.
If Waynesburg University were to decide to build a swimming pool, the school could put it in the Purman Run field, located near Thayer Hall at the bottom of the hill. A swimming pool would then be on campus and more easily accessible than the nearest local swimming pool. Another benefit of having a pool would be to provide another life skill or wellness course to satisfy the general education requirement rather than having to officially join a varsity sport or take Orientation to Professional Nursing. Additionally, the pool can be open to University students who simply want to relax and destress during the week or to hang out with friends over the weekend. Admittedly, building a swimming pool would take a great amount of time and even more money and man power to accomplish such a huge task. In previous years, Waynesburg alumni, donors and sponsors were willing to donate towards a swimming pool and most likely would
again if they knew their money was being used as directed. Furthermore, if Waynesburg University still needed additional funds to pay off the cost of construction and continual maintenance of the pool after completion, the school could always open the pool to public use for a small fee. Another option for the University is to add a small charge onto incoming students’ tuition for the general use of the pool for each school year. Either way, building a swimming pool on the Waynesburg University campus for leisure, professional, or competitive use would be highly supported by students, faculty, and residents of Waynesburg alike. It would also be another positive addition to the Waynesburg University campus that would provide more educational opportunities, boost our reputation, attract more potential students, and in turn, help this university to grow in population and size. Sarah Knapp
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor are encouraged as a method to bring issues of concern into the public eye. Letters should be typed, limited to 300 words, signed and include a phone number for confirmation. Letters may be submitted to 400 Buhl Hall, sent to the Yellow Jacket via campus mail or via email to jacket@waynesburg.edu. Letters may also be sent to Yellow Jacket, 400 Buhl Hall, Waynesburg University, 51 W. College St., Waynesburg, Pa. 15370. All letters must be received by 5 p.m. the Monday of any publication week.
March 3, 2016
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Cheat Sheet: Tornadoes cause damage across south, east
Editor's Note: The following is a synopsis of a recent topic trending in world or national news. BY RYAN SCHWERTFEGER For the Yellow Jacket
Severe weather is not uncommon in the late winter and early spring months, but a recent storm that came through the south and midAtlantic region caused considerable damage. According to The Weather Channel, at least 60 tornadoes were confirmed in ten different states on Feb. 2324. Four of those tornadoes, which were reported in Louisiana and Virginia, were rated EF3, meaning winds were between 136-165 mph. One tornado in Virginia went on for 28 miles and injured more than 20 people. The National Weather Service reported that seven people died in the tornado outbreak in Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia, which, according to Bob Henson from Weather Underground, was the deadliest day from an outbreak in Virginia since 2011. There were also tornadoes in Pennsylvania including
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
Ismeal Ruiz, left, and Bernade Castillo lift a piece of furniture from a house near Lakeway Drive and Beaus Way as crews and homeowners continue to recover following tornado damage in Garland, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 11, an EF2 tornado in Lancaster County and an EF1 tornado in Bradford County. According to The Morning Call, the tornado in eastern Lancaster County left a lot of damage, including “tossing cars, uprooting huge trees and toppling 300-year-old grave markers.” Local officials said the tornado will cost about $8 million in damage.
The same tornado also caused damage to an Amish community, but no lives were lost as approximately 200 people took shelter in a barn as the tornado came through. The community had already started rebuilding just hours after the storm passed through. The other Pennsylvania tornado in Bradford County also caused some damage
to the town of Wyalusing, which is about an hour northwest of Scranton. WNEP-TV reports that nobody was hurt from the twister, but it destroyed some small buildings and uprooted some trees. Locals in the area also told the television station that they knew it was a tornado and not just a wind gust quite immediately because they were able to see
the wind twisting as opposed to just experiencing straight line wind gusts. While the south experienced tornadoes, many other northeastern states had intense thunderstorms with high wind gusts that caused power to go out in some areas.According to the Fairfield Patch, around 12,000 Connecticut residents lost power from the storm Wednesday
night into Thursday. WWLP-TV in Massachusetts said many areas of the state reported wind gusts between 40-50 mph with several reports of tree damage to homes and vehicles. WPIX-TV said that both New Jersey and New York were under several advisories, watches and warnings, including areas of central and southern New Jersey that were at one point under a tornado watch. Most residents in the area also reported many downed tree limbs with regional power companies saying thousands of people were powerless Wednesday and Thursday. All in all, a total of 360 severe weather reports were filed between Feb. 24-25, with the main reports being from wind gusts and thunderstorm damage. Meteorologists note that in the month of March, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee are the states with the greatest historical risk for seeing a tornado outbreak. Surrounding states like Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky are also at heightened risk.
In The News: Ten headlines you need to know this week
Editor's Note: The following is a summary of the 10 stories from last week that a college student needs to know.
1. Trump and Clinton win Super Tuesday On a pivotal day in both the Democratic and Republican nominating process, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton won a vast majority of their party's contests Tuesday night. For the Republicans, Trump won in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Virginia. Ted Cruz won in his home state of Texas and neighboring Oklahoma while Rubio picked up his first win in Minnesota. For t h e D e m o c r at s , Clinton won in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Rival Bernie Sanders won in Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Vermont. At press time, the race was not called yet in Alaska for the Republicans and the race was too close to call in Vermont between Trump and John Kasich. -Politico, March 1 2. No Deadline for Clinton emails In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email scandal has no deadline and that it is “like any other review” that they have to do. Lynch would not elabo-
rate about the investigation, declining to say the current progress of the investigation or give any specific details as to what has and has not been done so far. The consequences for Clinton are high, as any indictment could derail her campaign or prevent her from running for president. -Fox News, Feb. 29 3. SCOTUS to hear case over abortion clinics It has been over 40 years since the decision of Roe v. Wade, a ruling that has caused controversy in the years following. However, according to Bill Mears of Fox News, the Supreme Court will be ruling on a new abortion case. “A group of Texas clinics that provide abortions are asking the justices to keep their facilities open in the face of state restrictions currently on hold,” said the article. If the current law is upheld, then the clinics that perform the procedures would be “regulated under the same standards as hospitals...and would force doctors performing abortions to first obtain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.” -Fox News, Feb. 29 4. Judge rules in Apple's favor in separate case As the headline implies, this story is not about the case between Apple and the FBI regarding the retrieval of information off an iPhone. However, according to Kevin McCoy of USA
Today, there may be some precedent set in a case with a similar background. On Monday, a federal judge denied request to the Department of Justice that would “force Apple to bypass the security passcode on the iPhone of a criminal defendant in a drug case.” The article further explains how the precedent set in this case may be a huge influence in the outcome of the San Bernardino killer’s phone. -USA Today, March 1
5. Students injured in Ohio school shooting According to CNN, four students were injured on Monday after 14-year-old Austin Hancock opened fire in an Ohio school cafeteria. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said that two of the victims were shot, and the others were injured by shrapnel or from fleeing the scene. However, all four students are expected to survive. Hancock, who attended Madison Junior-Senior High School in Middletown, Ohio, faces charges as a juvenile of attempted murder and felonious assault, among others. -CNN, Feb. 29 6. Photographer attacked at Trump rally On Monday, Republican front-runner Donald Trump had a campaign speech interrupted by protesters and the event, located in Radford, Virginia, turned violent.
According to Stephanie Condon of CBS News, “A group of about three to 40 Black Lives Matter protesters repeatedly interrupted Trump’s remarks, chanting, ‘No more hate, no more hate, let’s be equal let’s be great.’” As members of the media were scrambling to cover the demonstration, photographer Christopher Morris said that a Secret Service agent grabbed him by the neck as he tried to get a better view. The Secret Service will speak to the agent and review the incident. -CBS, Feb. 29 7. Fifth Pennsylvanian diagnosed with Zika As the Zika virus continues to cause concern in the lower United States and Central America, the virus appears to be making its way up north. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, another person from Pennsylvania has been diagnosed, which brings the state count up to five people. The article states that the virus is being found typically in those who have traveled to Central or South America since last May. However, the article states the growing concern of the virus’ spread as 148 people are awaiting results back from the test. Although transmission through human-to-human contact is possible, most researchers say that mosquito bites are the most common way of transmission.
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Feb. 29
8. SCI- Greene prison guards charged Guards at Waynesburg’s prison are charged with selling illegal electronics to prisoners. Investigators say that three guards were selling common electronic items like radios and televisions that were once taken from other prisoners or remained after a prisoner left to current prisoners for personal profit. It is estimated that between $7,000 to $13,000 worth of items were illegally sold to prisoners. Allegations against the guards also include covering up their scheme by altering files and records in the computer system to make it appear that the prisoners who were receiving the goods actually owned them to begin with. -WTAE, Feb. 29 9. Indonesia witnesses another quake In a region of the world that is no stranger to deadly earthquakes and their subsequent tsunamis, another earthquake occurred just off the coast in Indonesia on Wednesday. However, according to CNN, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced that there was tsunami observed even though the magnitude reached 7.8. In 2004, an earthquake hit off the coast and the tsunami killed over 220,000 people in the areas. In an attempt to minimize
tsunami death, numerous agencies were posted in the Pacific to observe and monitor tectonic movement. -CNN, March 2 10. Lead pipes pose a hazard to local residents In a piece written by Mike Tony from the Herald-Standard, many homes and buildings in southwest Pennsylvania should take caution that some lead may be getting into their drinking water. Tony writes that homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes as Congress passed a law in the same year mandating that homes built after that must incorporate lead-free piping. He also notes that, according to research from census data, about 30 percent of housing units in Greene County alone date to a time before 1939. Greene County also leads southwest Pennsylvania in housing units built after 1980, with an approximate 29 percent of total homes, but that still leaves a large majority of homes in the county that very likely have lead piping. Tony recommends that residents either consider replacing their piping or at least testing their water quality every so often to check what the lead levels are. -Herald-Standard, March 1 Information compiled by Ryan Schwertfeger For the Yellow Jacket
Music: Lyrics loaded with power Actions: Show love in small things
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that is on fire at that time is the one that matters more, so the firefighters will focus their efforts upon it. Relating it back to the real world, all lives do matter, but some people need the attention more than others. In this case it's black lives because as white people, we don’t face as many struggles. Lady Gaga has been all over social media for her song “Til It Happens to You,” which hits deep with sexual assault and the victims tied to it. She puts herself in the place of a victim and how one might feel dealing with all the pain that they deal with. This song brought attention to the cause and has since helped spread awareness since it was released in September 2015.
This past weekend, Lady Gaga performed the song live at the Oscars and brought the whole crowd to tears. Prior to beginning the song, Vice President Joe Biden introduced the artist and gave a speech about the importance of consent and sexual assault awareness on college campuses. He motivated college students, both men and women, to intervene in situations dealing with sexual assault and to take a pledge to do so. Opportunities like the Oscars and the Super Bowl are chances for artists and people to spread awareness for great causes that need attention. Celebrities and musicians are public figures so when they take a stance on a topic, people will know about it. This helps spread awareness. If you haven’t done so already, I recommend going back and giving a closer look
at those songs mentioned above. If you’re big into music like I am, you’ll notice the same thing has been going on for years in the music industry. Artists will write songs about topics in the media in hopes that it spreads awareness and gives everyday people something to relate to. During the Vietnam War, there were more than enough songs speaking out against the event. After 9/11, several country artists put out dozens of songs referencing the event and singing about American freedom. Even modern day rap and hip-hop song touches base on the violence that people are facing in this world. Music is one of the most powerful ways people can convey messages to the listeners, and if I have anything to add, it’s that it works.
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nearer her family that lives in the area. At first, Evans was looking at larger schools such as Ohio State, but a tip from a friend made her second-guess the type of school that she should be looking for. “I was actually looking at big schools in the area because of my family in Ohio,” said Evans. “But a friend told me that I should look at small Christian colleges. She was like, ‘You’re not going to want to go to a big party school or state school,’ and so I started looking for schools with nursing programs, and I found Waynesburg.” As a student at Waynesburg, Evans hopes that she can be a walking testimonial every day to the people that she interacts with on campus.
She also noted that studying at a small Christian college has been a blessing because of how different it was from the public high school that she attended. “Waynesburg has given me a chance to connect with other Christians,” said Evans. “I went to public school my whole life, so I’ve had this chance to experience my daily life being with other Christians. I go to church with my friends, my friends go to Bible studies with me, we hang out and go to Chapel, we go to Upper Room. They’re always there to be accountability partners, and friends of faith is kind of a big deal.” Evans admitted that being surrounded by a ton of kids of the same faith could be potentially harmful once everyone enters the real world, but she is confident that there are enough people in Waynes-
burg that aren’t Christians. She said that noticing the people every day on campus who need witnessing can prepare one for life beyond the University. At the very least, Evans said that going to Waynesburg should make one’s faith stronger and give the needed background for life. As a person who is known as being a little shy or quiet, Evans hopes that her actions and attitude can be a witness to others. “I think that you should show your faith through your everyday actions,” said Evans. “God is love, so if you’re not loving others and being nice by holding doors or going out of your way to help someone if they’re having a bad day, just showing these everyday acts of kindness is my way of spreading God’s love.”
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March 3, 2016
School renovations expected Locals learn tree pruning techniques at workshop for Carmichaels this May By RYAN SCHWERTFEGER News Digest Editor
The Carmichaels Area School District recently voted to approve a contract for a construction manager who will oversee renovations on their elementary school beginning in May. Switching from the construction manager that oversaw the middle-senior high school project, the district decided upon Eckles Construction Services. At a recent meeting, the board approved a contract with Eckles Construction Services and is now seeking bids for actual construction services until the end of March. The plan is for contracts to be officially signed by early April so that actual construction work can begin in May. According to reporting from Bob Niedbala from the Observer-Reporter, the original construction manager for Carmichael’s other school projects, Accelerated Construction Services, did not have an interest in managing the elementary school and the high school projects at the same time. Eckles was one of the initial companies who expressed interest in managing both the elementary and high school projects, but the school board decided instead to choose Accelerated Construction Services to complete the high school renovations. When Accelerated declined to be in consideration for the elementary school work, Eckles had the best proposal. “We gave [Accelerated] the option to stay,” said Carmichaels Area School District Superintendent John Menhart. “However, they chose not to, but we ended on good terms as they did a
great job with the work on the high school.” Menhart said that work on the high school is “99 percent complete,” and the project has moved along “pretty much as we expected.” Menhart said that the school community was instrumental to the efficiency of the project. “Strategically we had to work it out,” said Menhart. “But students were cooperative, and parents were very understanding throughout the entire process.” Menhart was quite proud of the work that was done on the high school, and he said that the new library is “outstanding,” the cafeteria is brand new, a direct, indoor connection now exists between the middle and high schools, a new art center was put in and the old cafeteria is now back to being an auxiliary gymnasium, as it was decades ago. “I’ve been here 38 years as an employee,” said Menhart. “And this is the first big project we’ve had done in a while. I remember when the old cafeteria used to be a gymnasium before they changed it.” However as one project ends, the other will soon begin. According to Menhart, Eckles was the most logical choice not just because they had a good quote but also because they would be ready and willing to come on board immediately. “We have a tight window,” said Menhart, noting that work will be done almost entirely over the summer months. “We needed not only a smooth transition from construction project to construction project but also work to be done when no students would be inhabiting the school building.”
Menhart said that similar to when work was done on the middle/high school building, the construction will be completed in phases. The only inconvenience for students will be to fourth and fifth graders this May, as they will spend the last part of their academic year in “learning cottages” outside the school. This is so that their usual classrooms can be used as a staging area for construction crews to prepare for the work to be done as soon as school is out of session. “We’ve done a lot of work in this project to identify possible problems before they arrive,” said Menhart. He noted at the same time that both the administration and those doing the work will need to take it one day at a time to see how the project will go. At the elementary school, renovation work will include bringing everything up to current code, reconfiguring the foyer area to create a secure zone where visitors will ‘buzz in’ to gain school access, installing new lighting and adding new heating and plumbing to the facility. Menhart noted that besides things looking new, most students will not notice anything substantial that has changed, as many renovations are building infrastructure related. “We had lots of teacher and community input,” said Menhart. He added that he hopes the changes made will be beneficial to students, faculty and the community alike for years to come. The school district is planning an open house for parents of the elementary school students in regards to the work plans, but the date is still to be determined.
Tree health one of many topics covered in Rogersville By TIM NERAL
Editorial Assistant
Greene County Conservation held a tree-pruning workshop this past Saturday in Rogersville. According to Service Forester Russell Gibbs of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the event was made possible by a “collection of agencies to provide landowners on proper pruning techniques for purposes of property management and fruit tree management.” Participants were reminded of the basics of pruning. For example, it is recommended that farmers prune during the dormant season, primarily between October and March. Cutting off a tree, as well as cutting too much of a tree’s extremities can be highly detrimental to its health, causing it to grow branches close together, making it weaker and making fruit difficult to bear. When pruning landscape trees, farmers should be looking at the base of the trees. Gibbs suggested pruning a tree as young as five to ten years old but clarified that it depended on the species. “It’s not a cookie cutter formula,” said Gibbs. In addition to pruning techniques, the workshop covered manure and nutrient management programs, conser vation planning, soil management, water management, storm water
Tim Neral, Yellow Jacket
Several trees like this one in Rogersville were pruned between the months of October and March. management plans and the Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which helps farmers protect their natural resources and provides fact sheets about safe farming practices. Among the materials that were handed out at the event was a brochure on the Emerald Ash Borer. This pest eats the part of the tree underneath the cambium, the system that carries water up and down the tree. Eventually, water stops spreading and the tree will die. Gibbs said general infestations can take two to five years to kill a tree, but that doesn’t mean that farmers have a long period of time to catch these infestations. According to Gibbs, if you can catch the infestation when the tree has lost less than a quarter of its foliage, there might still be time to repair the damage, but because it’s an insect and it’s insides the tree, the only way to treat it is with insecticide. Gibbs said insecticide is very expensive, so it’s im-
portant that farmers recognize the problem as soon as possible. “Whether you take rural to urban forestry to general forestry management, there’s always science,” said Gibbs. Brian Wolyniak, who specializes in urban forestry for the Penn State southwest extension, led some of the workshops on Saturday. Wolyniak, in addition to the above topics, covered what tools farmers should look to use when pruning their trees. Chainsaws, hand-powered tools and handsaws are the natural choices but Wolyniak recommended saws specifically designed for pruning, which make cleaner cuts. Wolyniak also mentioned one of the more common mistakes he sees are farmers “biting off more than they can chew.” The workshop, overall, was informative to Greene County residents, who were given ample information about how to care for their trees.
Uniontown elementary school to close doors next school year By CODY YANKULIC
For the Yellow Jacket
For 52 years, D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School has provided a place for students to learn, but starting next school year, it will cease to do so. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the Albert Gallatin School District school board voted to close the elementary school for the 2016-2017 academic year. According to Elementary Supervisor Candice Jordon, there were specific reasons behind the decision to close the school. “We have seen, over the years, a drop in enrollment,” said Jordon. “Also, [the closure] is directly related to the loss in federal and state funding in our school district.” On a state level, the drop in funding results in a cut to
Photo courtesy of Albert Gallatin School District
D. Ferd Swaney Elementary of Albert Gallatin School District will be closing at the end of this school year. It is currently operating at 56 percent capacity due to poor enrollment. the basic education portion of the budget. From 2014-2015, $5.5 million was allocated towards basic education funding. For the 2015-2016 school year, this number was cut by
three million dollars, leaving public schools with half the funding they received the year before. Pertaining to enrollment, in 1988 the school district had 4,509 students in it. At
the start of 2014-2015 school year, the district had lost over a thousand students and the enrollment number sat at 3,352. Due to the loss of students, D. Ferd Swaney Elementary
School is operating at 56 percent capacity. The decision to close the school, says Jordon, was a hard one to make. “This is a decision, I am sure, was not taken lightly,” said Jordon. All students attending the school will be realigned, based upon proximity, to other elementary schools in the district. Most of the students at the school are expected to transfer to the school district’s biggest elementary school: A.L. Wilson Elementary School. A.L. Wilson is a relatively new school that was opened for the 2007-2008 academic year. It is operating at 53 percent capacity and is able to hold 75 more students than D. Ferd Swaney. The students who do not transfer to A.L. Wilson will transfer to either George J.
Plava Elementary School in McClellandtown or Smithfield Elementary School in Smithfield. Many students will not have to travel much further to school, says Jordon, as the schools are only a few miles apart. Teachers at D. Ferd Swaney will also be transferred to other schools within the district. In all, there are 18 faculty members at D. Ferd Swaney, and all of them will retain their jobs in the school district. A.L Wilson is expected to add four to six new teaching positions. The rest of the staff will fill spots left by retirees and long-term substitute positions. Jordon added that, though there were no plans to do anything with the school at this time, D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School would not be sold.
Impasse: State budget delayed for eight months Narcan: New drug training sessions to be held to educate public
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ing in public education for 18 years and is in his third year as a superintendent. “Certainly this is something I’ve never witnessed in public education; I haven’t seen one this long go on,” Uplinger said. The people most negatively affected by the budget impasse are the students, according to Uplinger. “When we can’t provide what we’re supposed to provide, it really angers me to the core,” Uplinger said. “We’re here to be there for the students, and we can’t provide our mission or we can’t provide our vision to the children and help them become more successful when they leave us as seniors. It’s very disheartening.”
The superintendents in all 25 school districts in Fayette, Washington and Greene counties meet monthly in the Intermediate Unit (IU), a step of organization above the school district but below the Pennsylvania Department of Education. At Tuesday’s meeting, Uplinger said they discussed when they believe the budget impasse could end, which they concluded is unlikely to be in April or even May. In his address, Wolf said the budget impasse is not about Republicans versus Democrats, but rather a looming budget deficit of $2 billion. “This deficit isn’t just a cloud hanging over Pennsylvania’s long-term future. It is a time bomb, ticking away, right now, even as I speak,” Wolf said in the address. “If
it explodes – if the people in this chamber allow it to explode – then Pennsylvania will experience a fiscal catastrophe the likes of which we have never seen.” Snyder said the state government’s lack of bipartisanship is one of the causes for the budget impasse. “I have several thoughts on that, but I think it is about both sides digging in their heels and not being able to compromise and come together on an agreement,” Snyder said. “In my mind, that’s ridiculous.” Uplinger said the primary elections are also having an affect on the nearly eightmonth late budget. “There are primary elections in the Senate. No one wants to raise taxes before being elected,” Uplinger said. “So, there’s a lot of politics obviously, or we
wouldn’t be in this condition that we are. There’s a lot of politicking going on, just so they can retain their seats. Things of that nature are very disheartening because they’re not thinking of the impact that this impasse is truly having.” Snyder said the budget impasse is something that is hurting Pennsylvania students, people and government. “Well it does set a very bad tone for the future of the commonwealth because there is no way that we should be sitting here at the end of February talking about a budget that expired June 30 of the prior year,” Snyder said. “There’s no reason for it; there should have been an agreement a long time ago and this should be behind us. I don’t even know what else to say about that.”
Continued from B1
ton since 2009.The coroner’s report also shows 73 deaths by drug overdose in Washington in 2015. Thirty-eight of those were caused by heroin, with or without other drugs. “[That’s] 73 too many,” said Andrews. “Our goal actually is that we would have zero overdoses.” While Andrews could not speak to whether other Western Pennsylvania counties are distributing Narcan in the same way as Washington, she said there is most definitely a connection to surrounding counties, including Greene County, in terms of
the distribution and sale of drugs. Given the prevalence of illegal drug use and overdoses in the region, Andrews emphasized that everyone from law enforcement to first responders must work together for the prevention of drug addiction and the care of those who are addicted. “We can’t arrest our way out of this. We’ve got to administer treatment,” said Andrews. “Everybody is really putting their expertise out there and saying, ‘how can we collectively resolve this issue?’ In isolation, none of us are solving it. So, we have to all be part of the solution. Thank goodness Narcan is one piece of that.”
The Waynesburg baseball and softball teams will travel to Florida over spring break. Get the inside scoop. SEE C3 & C4
SECTION C
MARCH 3, 2016 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG
WBB's PAC tourney hopes cut short By BRENDAN KEANY Op-Ed Editor
The Waynesburg University women’s basketball team’s season came to an end in the semifinal round of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference tournament on Feb. 26, as it was defeated by the Washington & Jefferson Presidents. The Jackets got off to a slow start as they were down 16-4 with a little more than four minutes into the contest. However, Waynesburg fought back, and it entered the second half with a 38-33 lead. “In the first quarter they [W&J] came out and hit a bunch of shots, and we were down 12,” said head coach Sam Jones. “But we came back, obviously, and we got the lead because we really started to execute well, and we were doing all of the little things.” However, after outscoring the Presidents 23-13 in the second quarter and entering halftime with the lead, it was all W&J in the second half, and the PAC’s No. 2 seed really began to pull away. “We knew they were going to go on a run, we talked
about limiting their run, and unfortunately, we just couldn’t get a stop to that run,” said Jones. “We couldn’t get buckets on the other end, so it was just frustrating.” The biggest reason for the brilliant second half by the Presidents was the play of senior first-team All-PAC forward, Beka Bellhy. Bellhy led all scorers with 36 points on 17-32 shooting, while grabbing 13 rebounds in her double-double performance. Her 14 points in the third quarter propelled W&J to put the game out of reach for the Jackets. “Beka Bellhy is a great player, and she had a phenomenal game,” said Jones. Danni Medovich and Taylor Cortazzo also produced double-digit point totals for the Presidents with 15 and 12 respectively. Additionally, Amirah Moore tallied 10 assists. For the Yellow Jackets, sophomore forward Addy Knetzer added another double-double to her resume, as she had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone. She finished the game with 13 rebounds and 16 total points.
Beka Bellhy's 36 points downs Yellow Jackets By SEAN SAPUTO
For the Yellow Jacket
After trailing 16-4 in the first five minutes of play, things looked to be sour early for the Waynesburg women’s basketball team last Friday, but a 34-17 run, and a double-double by sophomore forward Addy Knetzer over the next quarter and a half gave the Jackets a 38-33 lead at halftime against the Washington & Jefferson Presidents in the semi-finals of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Tournament. With the momentum, and the advantage of not playing against the defending national champions Thomas More, things looked promising for head coach Sam Jones and his team to make the team’s first PAC Championship game during Jones’ tenure as head coach. Unfortunately for the Jackets, the Presidents would come out of the half with lights out shooting, yet again, and opened the third quarter on a 23-6 run to regain control. W&J never looked back, ending the Jackets tournament run by a final score of 88-66. “We knew they were going to go on a run; we talked WBB >> C3
Lauren Blair led all Waynesburg scorers with 20 points, as she went 6-12 from 3-point land, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to close out the first half of play.
The Yellow Jackets closed out their season with a 14-12 overall record, and they will lose three starters to graduation in Blair, Heather Davis and Maura Bobby.
Jackets finish in top half at D3 Mideast Regionals By TYLER GODWIN
For the Yellow Jacket
The Waynesburg University wrestling team finished its season after its two-day stay at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Tournament this past weekend in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Yellow Jackets were in the top half of the competing teams, finishing eighth in a field of 18 total teams. The eighth place finish ranked them first among Presidents’ Athletic Conference teams, as Thiel finished in 11th place and Washington & Jefferson finished in a tie for 12th place. “We were happy to finish in the top half,” said head coach Ron Headlee. “We have a young team and we battled really well. It’s just a really tough region.” The team was led by f reshman he av y weig ht Jake Evans, who fell just one win shy of qualifying for the NCAA Division III National Championships
with a fourth place finish. Evans finished his freshman season with a 37-9 record after his 5-2 performance at the regional tournament, which included a victory against the top-seeded heavyweight at the tournament, senior Cole Tristram of Brockport State. Tristman, entering regionals, was also the No. 7 ranked heavyweight wrestler in the country. “I think Jake was our best shot to win or get to nationals,” said Headlee. “He wrestled really well and he was disappointed he fell just short.” Sophomore Tristan Buxton and junior Filippo Crivelli both performed well on the day, with Buxton placing fifth and Crivelli placing sixth in weight classes 125 and 141, respectively. Buxton finished the season with a 32-14 record and Crivelli ended his junior campaign with a 31-13 record. “The 125-pound weight class was probably the REGIONALS >> C4
DESPITE LEADING RIVAL TEAMS
Family comes first for Crivelli brothers “I don't care if I hurt anyone's feelings, I'm still going to root for my brother no matter what." - Marco Crivelli By STEVE SAMEK AND RJ LEISIE
A
Yellow Jacket Staff
t the Presidents’ Athletic Conference wrestling championships on Feb.12, the same last name went on two different trophies. The Crivelli brothers, Filippo and Marco, each won two matches at their respective weight classes, one at 141-pounds the other at 197-pounds, to earn the conference gold. Filippo wrestled in the 141-pound weight class this season after winning a PAC Title at 133-pounds in 2014. Filippo defeated Robert Ritschard of Thiel to set up a championship match with Daniel Pommerer of Washington & Jefferson. Filippo won the match by an 8-3 decision to take the title. “Filippo wrestled two pretty good kids,” said Waynesburg head coach Ron Headlee. “Not an easy win, but he controlled the Thiel match and Pommerer wrestled strong against him, but Flip wanted to get his title back.” Marco started off the 197-pound weight class bracket with a win over Waynesburg’s Josh Sneeringer. Marco then completed the title run with a win by fall over W&J’s Ezekiel Stroupe. The title pushed Thiel to a PAC team title “Marco is a go getter and finds ways to win,” said Headlee. “You can’t count him out. He wrestled at the right weight class and that CRIVELLI >> C3
Loch breaks 800-meter record at PAC Indoor Championships By MITCHELL KENDRA Managing Editor
The women’s indoor track & field team finished fourth at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference indoor track & field Championships on Feb. 25. Before the season started, the team was voted by the conference to finish fourth, which was where they finished. Head coach Jason Falvo said the team was striving to finish within the top three teams. Falvo said he believes the team could have finished within the top three teams. “I was very happy with the individual performances of our athletes,” said Falvo. Sophomore Elinore Loch had a first place finish in the 800-meter run. Loch ran a personal best in the event, taking nine seconds off of her best time and she broke
Rose Huwe, Yellow Jacket
Sophomore Elinore Loch broke the Waynesburg and Presidents' Athletic Conference indoor 800-meter dash record last Saturday at the indoor Championships the indoor Waynesburg Uni- she has kept her focus during ing up to PACs.” versity record and the indoor her workouts and has taken Falvo said Loch’s recordPAC record with her finish- care of her school work be- breaking performance in the ing time. fore and after practice. event was impressive and he Falvo said Loch is a very “[Loch] is very talented,” believes her success from intalented athlete, but her suc- said Falvo. “She has had great door will transition smoothly cess was due to the fact that success in [her] training lead- for a successful outdoor sea-
son. Loch said it was a fast heat where the runners all came in with closely seeded times, and that the close competition pushed her to do her best. After staying with the top group of women until the last lap, Loch kicked into her last gear and was able to finish strong and get herself across the finish line first. Loch agrees with Falvo when it comes to her preparation both in and out of the classroom, practice and the rest of her day. She said the coaches have had a significant impact to her success not only one the track, but also in the classroom. Loch was also a member of the distance medley relay that placed second at the tournament. Loch joined her fellow classmate Angie Marchetti, along with juniors Katie Latimer and Yashira Vargas on
the podium. Freshman Teghan Simonton finished second in the mile and was followed by junior Katie Latimer, who finished fifth. Simonton also finished third in the 5,000-meter run and sophomore Emily Latimer finished fourth in the race. Falvo said the distance crew ran fantastically. Falvo said he was proud of the way the team ran individually as there were several athletes who set their personal bests at the meet. In the sprints, sophomore Marla Holland qualified for the 60-meter dash finals and then finished sixth overall. Senior Breanne Prinkey also made finals in her event, the 60-meter hurdles, and finished fifth. In the field events, senior WOMEN'S T&F >> C2
Page C2
March 3, 2016
Baseball looks to depth to carry 2016 season Men finish last at PAC Championships By KYLE DAWSON
Assistant Sports Editor
As the 2016 season gets underway shortly, head coach Mike Humiston is thinking of a few characteristics about his team that will define the Jackets’ season. One that comes to mind for the 11th year head coach is the depth his team has at every position. According to Humiston, it is some of the most Waynesburg has had, if not the most, since he took the coaching position over prior to the 2006 season. “We have a great group of guys coming back and some upperclassmen leadership,” said Humiston. “We are perhaps as deep as we’ve ever been at every position and as a team and I like our chances. The expectation is the same as it is every year and that’s to compete for a championship.” The Jackets return all but six seniors, in the form of outfielders Kyle Weyand, Eric Crum and Ben Shorthouse, second baseman Neal Yakopin and pitchers Zach Kreke and Sean Boyle, along with a few transfers that may have seen significant playing time this season such as Justin McPhail, who transferred in the summer to NAIA power Westmont. Other than those and a few others, Waynesburg returns everyone else who spent the majority of the season last year as key contributors to a Presidents’ Athletic Conference Tournament appearance. The top seven players with
the highest innings pitched totals return to a deep pitching staff, including the threeheaded dog that started a combined 29 of 42 games during the season in senior Brian Resnik, who sported a 2.73 ERA and a 9-3 record as PAC Co-Pitcher of the Year, and juniors Luke Carter and Jacob Meyer, who both won four games with earned run averages close to 5.00, which is around the league average. The pitching staff also returns sophomore Brandon Lawless, who Humiston expects to see more innings from, as well as juniors Parker
BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jonathan Kletzli (Jr.) Matt Bensinger (Sr.) Brian Resnik (Sr.) Luke Carter (Jr.) Beatty and Derek Whalen, two pitchers the coach mentioned by name in reference to the “deepest pitching staff ” the team has had in years. “We have as good a pitching staff as we’ve had here for a while,” said Humiston. “In talking with Perry Cunningham [the pitching coach], we feel the same way that our staff, five, six maybe seven guys deep is the deepest we’ve been at least since Perry’s been here. Some guys have thrown well in pens and it’s nice at this point to be healthy. Obvi-
ously we have guys like Resnik, Carter and Meyer but guys like Lawless, Derek Whalen and Parker Beatty are there too among others.” Couple a deep pitching staff with a perennial power of a batting lineup and Humiston says, the expectation to have success is as it always is: present. All-PAC first team player and junior Jonathan Kletzli returns at first base, while All-PAC second teamer Matt Bensinger, who is now a senior, returns to the outfield, though now playing left field as opposed to centerfield, where he spent the majority of last season patrolling. Last season Kletzli hit a team-high .379 with an onbase percentage of near .470 to go along with a team-high 38 runs batted in and 13 extra-base hits. Bensinger wasn’t much worse with a .346 batting average and .424 on-base percentage coupled with 30 RBI and 20 extra-base hits. The lineup, which Humiston said is two-deep at every position this year, also returns junior infielder Cam Bernhardt, who hit .325 and was on base 43 percent of the time last year, junior shortstop Nathan Mori who hit above .300, along with the catching duo of junior Ben Miller, who played his first season with Waynesburg last year after transferring in from Susquehanna and hit .346 with a team-best six home runs in just 78 plate appearances, and senior Tyler Rubasky who hit a quiet, but meaningful, .286 last season and was solid de-
fensively behind the dish, according to Humiston. Humiston expects big things again from Waynesburg’s lineup. “Moving some guys around and finding roles will be important,” said Humiston. “If you pitch around Bensinger, who can pound the ball, you have to face Kletzli who obviously can hit and if you pitch around him you get Justin Davey or Brent Williams or Miller. One through nine we’re deep and I like what we have offensively." Waynesburg also brings in a freshman class with some talent in their own right, including a few who could see playing time very early on in the season, according to Humiston, such as outfielder Tyler Godwin and infielder/ pitcher Eli Kucherawy, a twotime first-team all-conference player and once first-team all-state for Roane County High School in Spencer, West Virginia. The Jackets will begin the season in Florida this coming week for the spring break trip after being selected to finish fourth in the conference behind defending champion W&J, who received three first place votes and 75 total points in the preseason poll to begin as the preseason favorite, Thomas More, who’s four first place votes and 74 points were good for second and Thiel College who collected one first place vote and 60 points for third place in the poll. DIAMOND >> C4
By CODY YANKULIC
For the Yellow Jacket
After placing fifth out of a field of eight teams in its last meet, the Waynesburg University men’s indoor track team couldn’t do as well in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference indoor Championships. This past Thursday, Feb. 25, the men’s indoor track team traveled to Youngstown, Ohio to participate in the championship event. While it did place ninth in the field, the team did not have a bad day as a whole, according to head coach Jason Falvo. “I didn’t think we had an off day,” said Falvo. “I think there were spots when guys performed really well.” While Waynesburg did not have a high team finish, it did have some noteworthy performances from several individuals. “We expected Mike [Martin], Austin [Oberg] and Brandon [VanTine] to do well,” said Falvo “In the future as we get experience, the jumps will get better.” The field events were important for the Jackets on Saturday, as four athletes from the team had solid performances. Junior Brandon VanTine placed second in shot put with a mark at 13.73 meters, and senior Mike Martin placed second in the weight toss with a throw of 13.89 meters. Also helping contribute to the 33 team points scored were
sophomore Mitchell Kendra and freshman Jeremy Welsh. Kendra placed fourth in the pole vault after clearing 3.90 meters, and Welsh finished two spots behind Kendra at sixth after successfully clearing 3.75 meters. The jumps, according to Falvo, only had one person from Waynesburg standout. Junior James Steele was able to finish in fifth place at the championship with a triple jump of 12.62 meters. The athlete missing from the elite this week was sophomore Mark Minjock, who has already broken the school record twice for the 60-meter dash, finished in ninth, one place shy of qualifying for the final. “Yeah, Mark didn’t run his best time, but he still ran a time that would break the school record,” said Falvo. “He didn’t have a bad day, he just didn’t make it in.” Minjock, who is only a sophomore, will have plenty of more opportunities to perform in future indoor PAC Championships. With the indoor season over, the focus of the team will turn to the traditional outdoor season. The outdoor track & field season is set to start on March 11, when the Jackets travel to Coastal Carolina Univerity for a meet. “I think we have to get our confidence back,” said Falvo. “We have to understand that each day and each race is important.”
Women's T&F: Huwe throws personal bests, medals for first time in career Continued from C1
Rose Huwe threw two personal bests in both the shot put and the weight toss, earning her seventh and third place, respectively. Falvo said he was pleased with Huwe’s performance at the meet and that he was excited to see her do so well and make an impact on the team scoring. Huwe, a team captain, ended her last indoor season
on a high note – throwing her personal bests in both of her events, which led to two podium finishes and she medaled for the first time in her collegiate career. “I’m extremely proud of myself: it was the first time I was able to get a medal,” said Huwe on the hard work she put in all season leading up to the championships. Huwe said she gave it her all at the meet because it would be her last indoor performance of her career.
“To set your [personal record] in the last meet of your senior season is huge: it’s a great way to end the season on a happy note and it’s a big confidence boost for the outdoor season,” said Loch on her captain’s performance. Huwe said some of the underclassmen might be struggling and not performing their best, but if they work hard success will come. Freshman jumper Caity Brooks was another member of the team who was
able to hit a personal best at the meet. After finishing in eighth place in the high jump, Brooks’ new personal best in the long jump landed her a sixth-place finish. While the team heads into spring break, there will be no halt in the team’s workouts. After lifting and practicing this week, the team will individually work out over spring break and will pick back up as a unit after returning. Falvo said the team will continue to push themselves
to become better. He continued to say the key for the outdoor season is that he will place individuals in positions where he hopes to maximize both their individual performances and the team’s overall success when it comes to the outdoor PAC Championships. Loch said her first personal goal for the outdoor season is to “run fast and stay healthy.” Her second goal is to run a time fast enough in the 800-meter run to qualify for
the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference meet. “For me, now that I have a better idea of my abilities, it will be easier to work towards that because I know what I’m capable of,” said Loch. “I know that if I can put in the work, I can run even faster than I ran at PAC’s, and that is motivation enough for me.” Falvo said now it is time to “put the pedal down on our training, [we’re] full speed ahead,” as the team prepares for the outdoor season.
PRESIDENTS’ ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ROUNDUP MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS Saint Vincent Grove City Bethany Thomas More Thiel Waynesburg Westminster Geneva Chatham W&J
Conf. Overall 15-3 22-6 13-5 18-8 12-6 17-10 12-6 17-11 10-8 12-14 10-8 10-16 8-10 10-18 5-13 5-21 4-14 5-22 1-17 1-25
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Westminster Top Scorers 1. Paul Carswell...........................20 2. Brandon Domenick.................13 Bethany Top Scorers 1. Calique Jones..........................23 2. Andrew Williams.....................16 Thomas More Top Scorers 1. Simon Clifford.........................14 2. Damion King...........................11 Saint Vincent Top Scorer 1. Pat Jones.................................23 2. JC Howard...............................16
RECENT RESULTS
Thursday, February 25 Saint Vincent 70, Westminster 65; Thomas More 68, Bethany 62
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS Thomas More W&J Waynesburg Grove City Saint Vincent Chatham Geneva Bethany Thiel Westminster
Conf. Overall 18-0 27-0 16-2 22-5 11-7 14-13 11-7 13-13 8-10 15-13 6-12 11-16 6-12 9-17 6-12 8-18 4-14 4-21 4-14 4-21
Friday’s Box Score
WASH & JEFF 88, WAYNESBURG 66 Waynesburg 15 23 11 17 66 Wash & Jeff 20 13 29 26 88
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Waynesburg Top Scorers 1. Lauren Blair.............................20 2. Addy Knetzer...........................16 Thomas More Top Scorers 1. Sydnei Moss............................34 2. Abby Owings...........................16 Saint Vincent Top Scorers 1. Jasmine Weems......................16 2. Maria Morgan.........................9 Wash & Jeff Top Scorers 1. Beka Bellhy.............................36 2. Dani Medovich........................15
RECENT RESULTS
Saturday, February 27 Saint Vincent 65, Thomas More 62
Friday, February 26 Wash & Jeff 88, Waynesburg 66; Thomas More 105, Saint Vincent 57
UPCOMING GAMES
Saturday, February 27 Thomas More 93, Wash & Jeff 74
Friday, March 4 Saint Vincent at John Carroll
BASEBALL RECENT RESULTS
Sunday, February 28 Augustana 11, Saint Vincent 5 Monday, February 29 Saint Vincent 7, Franklin 5
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, March 4 Ohio Northern vs. Saint Vincent - 11:45 a.m.; Grove City vs. Berea - 4 p.m. Saturday, March 5 Beloit vs. Saint Vincent - 11:30 p.m.; Grove City vs. Berea - 12 p.m.; Northwestern vs. Bethany - 1 p.m.; Grove City vs. Berea - 2:30 p.m.; Northwestern vs. Bethany - 3:30 p.m.; Wilkes vs. Westminster - 7 p.m.; Gordon vs. Waynesburg - TBD Sunday, March 6 MacMurray vs. Thiel - 9 a.m.; Lebanon Valley vs. Westminster - 1 p.m.; Delaware Valley vs. Bethany - 1 p.m.; Delaware Valley vs. Bethany - 1 p.m.; Cornell vs. Waynesburg - TBD
UPCOMING GAMES Friday, March 4 La Roche at Thomas More
UPCOMING GAMES
Saturday, February 27 MIDEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (DAY 1) 8. Waynesburg, 28.5 pts.; 11. Wash & Jeff, 26 pts.; 12. Thiel, 25.5 pts. Sunday, February 28 MIDEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (DAY 2) 8. Waynesburg, 49.5 pts.; 11. Thiel, 40.5 pts.; T-12. Wash & Jeff, 37 pts.
LACROSSE (ORLC) STANDINGS
Franklin Mount St. Joseph Thiel Waynesburg Hanover Saint Vincent Thomas More Transylvania Wash & Jeff
Conf. Overall 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1
RECENT RESULTS
Saturday, February 27 Ohio Wesleyan 13, Wash & Jeff 11; Muskingum 15, Thomas More 9; Methodist 16, Saint Vincent 5; Capital 15, Transylvania 5; Carthage 16, Hanover 6
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, March 4 Calvin at Thomas More - 4 p.m.; Agustana at Thiel - 6 p.m. Saturday, March 5 Calvin at Transylvania - 10 a.m.; Wash & Jeff at Ursinus - 1 p.m.; Dallas at Thomas More - 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6 Dallas at Hanover - 12 p.m.
PAC W. BASKETBALL LEADERS
SOFTBALL RECENT RESULTS
Sunday, February 28 Saint Vincent 2, Elizabethtown 1; Mount Union 12, Saint Vincent 0 Monday, February 29 Saint Vincent 3, Immaculata 0; York 5, Saint vincent 4
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, March 4 Simpson at Westminster - 11:15 a.m.; Mitchell at Westminster - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5 Central vs. Westminster - 9 a.m.; Washington vs. Bethany - 9 a.m.; Case Western Reserve vs. Bethany - 11 a.m.; Coe vs. Westminster - 11:15 a.m.
Scoring: Bellhy, 505, W&J; Moss, 484, TMC; Owings, 404, TMC Rebounding: Knetzer, 249, WAY; Erbelding, 222, GRO; Bellhy, 220, W&J Assists: Owings, 138, TMC; Moore, 134, W&J; Moss, 124, TMC Field Goal %: Temple, .558, TMC; Kiernan, .557, TMC; Bellhy, .522, W&J
PAC M. BASKETBALL LEADERS
Scoring: Kochka, 454, THI; Adamczyk, 440, GEN; Bell, 431, SVC Rebounding: Rudolph, 221, BET; Ritchie, 186, WAY; Cetoute, 179, THI Assists: Bess, 145, THI; Bell, 114, SVC; Domenick, 110, WES Field Goal %: Adamczyk, .585, GEN; Clifford, .576, TMC; Campbell, .538, THI
MEN RECENT RESULTS
Team Tursday, February 25 PAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Bethany, 119.5 pts.; 2. Westminster, 112 pts.; 3. Geneva, 98.5 pts.; 4. Wash & Jeff, 54 pts.; 5. Saint Vincent, 53 pts.; 6. Grove City, 44 pts.; T-7. Thiel, 35 pts.; T-7. Thomas More, 35 pts.; 9. Waynesburg, 33 pts. Individual PAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 60-METER DASH 1. Javeon Hardy, WES, 6.99; 2. Christopher Jones, THI, 7.06; 3. Cameron Unrath, GEN, 7.14 200-METER DASH 1. Andre Butler, BET, 22.24; 2. Christopher Jones, THI, 22.44; 3. Kyle Minger, BET, 22.64; 10. Mark Minjock, WAY, 23.10 400-METER DASH 1. Kyle Minger, BET, 49.45; 2. Aaron Tedys, GEN, 49.49; 3. Andre Butler, BET, 49.67; 26. Patrick Hager, WAY, 55.98 800-METER DASH 1. Vincent Tonzo, SVC, 1:57.54; 2. Laurence Jaross, SVC, 1:58.55; 3. Ryan Detsch, SVC, 1:59.14; 18. Matthew Raineri, WAY, 2:07.60 1-MILE RUN 1. Brandan Moretton, SVC, 4:28.22; 2. Theodore Kioussis, W&J, 4:30.45; 3. Jordan Castro, BET, 4:30.49; 10. Benjamin McAuley, WAY, 4:43.86 5000-METER RUN 1. Harley Moyer, W&J, 15:23.73; 2. Daniel Christiansen, GRO, 15:28.23; 3. Shane Burkhart, W&J, 15:32.20; 18. Jacob Pryor, WAY, 17:02.00 60-METER HURDLE 1. Nick Betz, GRO, 8.42; 2. Dalton Paxson, GEN, 8.62; 3. Zach Hans, TMC, 8.84 HIGH JUMP 1. Ben Waugh, W&J, 1.89m; 2. Logan Winkler, TMC, 1.89m; 3. Jacob Feeny, GEN, 1.78m; 6. Lucas Maurer, WAY, 1.73m MEN POLE VAULT 1. Andrew Brannen, WES, 4.45m; 2. Jake Kester, WES, 4.25m; 3. Mitchell Kendra, WAY, 3.90m LONG JUMP 1. Umar Moore, BET, 7.08m; 2. Loren Bell, THI, 6.53m; 3. Taran Sifontes-Lavine, WES, 6.44m; 11. Hunter Palmer, WAY, 6.05m TRIPLE JUMP 1. Umar Moore, BET, 13.74m; 2. Don McVay, GEN, 12.71m; 3. Taran Sifontes-Lavine, WES, 12.68m; 5. James Steele, WAY, 12.62m SHOT PUT 1. Nick Fiorentino, WES, 14.01m; 2. Brandon Vantine, WAY, 13.73m; 3. Bryn Kaufman, WES, 13.66m WEIGHT THROW 1. Nick Fiorentino, WES, 14.35m; 2. Mike Martin, WAY, 13.89m; 3. Evan Sokira, THI, 13.35m
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, March 4 Bethany at ECAC Division III Indoor Championship TBD; Wash & Jeff at ECAC Division III Championship - TBD; Thomas More at Polar Bear Last Chance Invitational - TBD; Geneva at ECAC Division III Indoor Championships
WAYNESBURG ATHLETES OF THE WEEK Jake Evans, Wrestling Elinore Loch, Women's Indoor Track & Field
INDOOR MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD
WRESTLING
No on-air events this week Music on WCYJ-FM
WOMEN RECENT RESULTS
Team Thursday, February 25 PAC Indoor Championships 1. Westminster, 127.5 pts.; 2. Thomas More, 85 pts.; 3. Geneva, 84.5 pts.; 4. Waynesburg, 60 pts.; 5. Grove City, 55 pts.; 6. Bethany, 52 pts.; 7. Thiel, 50 pts.; 8. Wash & Jeff, 40 pts.; 9. Saint Vincent, 17 pts.; 10. Chatham, 13 pts. Individual PAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 60-METER DASH 1. Laura Williams-Wiles, W&J, 7.85; 2. Jessica Kelosky, GEN, 8.03; 3. Heather Grinkley, BET, 8.14; 6. Marla Holland, WAY, 8.28 200-METER DASH 1. Christina Cook, TMC, 25.94; 2. Jessica Kelosky, GEN, 26.51; 3. Maria JAckson-McBride, BET, 26.59; 16. Marla Holland, WAY, 28.22 400-METER DASH 1. Christina Cook, TMC, 58.28; 2. Maria JacksonMcBride, BET, 59.74; 3. Marisa Toesnsing, WES, 1:01.27; 11. Yashira Vargus, WAY, 1:05.35 800-METER DASH 1. Elinore Loch, WAY, 2:23.05; 2. Madelyn Blosser, GEN, 2:23.56; 3. Megan Simpson, WES, 2:25.77 1-MILE RUN 1. Meredith Steinmetz, THI, 5:27.69; 2. Katelyn Morrell, WES, 5:29.09; 3. Teghan Simonton, WAY, 5:29.17 5000-METER RUN 1. Lydia Keiper, GRO, 19:10.14; 2. Margaret Czapski, SVC, 19:19.62; 3. Teghan Simonton, WAY, 19:23.22 60-METER HURDLES 1. Morgan Berg, THI, 9.03; 2. Nicole Bartoletta, GEN, 9.39; 3. Brooke Novotny, WES, 9.51; 5. Breanne Prinkey, WAY, 10.15 HIGH JUMP 1. Keilah Ireland, WES, 1.52m; 2. Leighanna Frantz, BET, 1.49m; 3. Tabitha White, GRO, 1.46m; 8. Caitlin Brooks, WAY, 1.32m POLE VAULT 1. Marissa Kalsey, WES, 4.03m; 2. Brooke Mancuso, WES, 3.55m; 3. Cassidy Shepherd, WES, 3.55m LONG JUMP 1. Ariel Gray, Chatham, 5.25m; 2. Julia FlaggeEchols, TMC, 5.02m; 3. Kailee Loose, GEN, 5.01m; 6. Caitlin Brooks, WAY, 4.75m TRIPLE JUMP 1. Julia Flagge-Echols, TMc, 10.61m; 2. Megan Barton, TMC, 10.39m; 3. Morgan Berg, THI, 10.23m SHOT PUT 1. Samantha Headley, TMC, 11.82m; 2. Sarah Foy, GEN, 10.83m; 3. Morgan Widina, WES, 10.75m; 7. Rose Huwe, WAY, 10.14m WEIGHT THROW 1. Samantha Headley, TMC, 15.47m; 2. Devon Dobbs, W&J, 15.15m; 3. Rose Huwe, WAY, 12.08m
UPCOMING GAMES
Thursday, February 25 PAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Saint Vincent, Waynesburg, Chatham, Thomas More, Bethany, Washington & Jefferson, Thiel, Geneva, Grove City, Westminster - 3 p.m.
March 3, 2016
Tennis drops two weekend matches By STEVE SAMEK
For the Yellow Jacket
The Waynesburg University men’s tennis team continued its travels this past weekend, going on the road to take on the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg on Friday, Feb. 26 and Penn State Behrend on Saturday, Feb. 27. The road matches conclude a stretch of five consecutive road games for Waynesburg. UPG got the best of the Jackets 6-3 Friday. The Bobcats won five of six singles matches including a forfeit. Freshman Jonah Cooper won at second singles over Tyler Fox by matching 6-1 scores in two sets. Cooper’s win was the only singles win for Waynesburg. Waynesburg fared better in doubles matches, winning two out of the three matches. Junior Tim Harris teamed up with freshman Josh Denham to pick up an 8-4 win at number-one doubles. Looking to the number-two doubles, Cooper and sophomore Adam McKnight shut out their opponent 8-0. The number-three doubles match went to the Bobcats by forfeit to secure the 6-3 win for UPG. Saturday brought a similar result with Penn State-Behrend picking up a 6-3 victory including a singles and
doubles win by default. Cooper picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win at second singles. McKnight won at number-four singles by a 6-4, 3-6 and 10-6 score. Head coach Ron Christman was impressed by McKnight’s strong play over the weekend. “Adam lost a third set tiebreaker on Friday, but then won a third set tie-breaker on Saturday against a stronger player,” said Christman. Cooper and McKnight teamed up at number-two doubles and came up with an 8-5 victory. The win helped Cooper finishes the weekend at 4-0. The four wins from the past weekend also extend Cooper’s spring record to 6-0. “Jonah is a freshman at number-two singles and has won all six of his matches this spring,” said Christman. With the weekend sweep, the Jackets fall to 0-6 on the season. “The first five matches before conference play are not exhibition matches,” said Christman. “They are used to develop our game, change and improve for the conference season, so that when we play Saint Vincent, we can win every match.” Waynesburg’s next match is Thursday, March 17, when the Yellow Jackets host Muskingum. The match starts at 3:30 p.m.
Page C3
Softball looks to defy PAC's low expectations By CHELSEY WITHERS Editorial Assistant
After finishing the 2015 season in ninth place in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, with a record of of 12-26, the Waynesburg University softball team has been chosen to finish ninth in the PAC Softball Coaches preseason poll. “We really don’t pay attention to the opinions of others. We focus one game at a time and practice hard to improve on all aspects of the game,” said junior captain and infielder Ashely DeMarco. Last year the Yellow Jackets welcomed in head coach Richele Hall for her first season. The team has since Rob Longo, Yellow Jacket graduated two seniors. Thersea Soknich graduated in Junior third baseman Demi Lewin, shown here in a game last year, is one of the 2015, after being a first team four players to watch from Waynesburg. member of the All-PAC softball team. Soknich completThis year the Yellow Jack- Hall. “But I am really ex- be named a 2016 “Player to ed the season by leading the ets will return five seniors cited about the freshman Watch” in the softball coach’s Yellow Jackets and five ju- class that we have. We have preseason poll, along with in batting avniors. Along a lot of great pieces too it. upperclassmen, DeMarco SOFTBALL erage, hitting with these 10 I have two freshman pitch- and Demi Lewin. .376, and on“Our biggest thing that we PLAYERS TO WATCH: u p p e r c l a s s - ers, Courtney Messenger base percentman, the Yel- and Cat Allstatt, that show are striving to improve on is age with a .442 Ashley DeMarco (Jr., 2B) l o w Ja c k e t s a lot of potential and I think our consistency,” said Hall. clip. She also have brought will help us out a lot. Keri This year’s roster of 16 is finished the Demi Lewin (Jr., 3B) in six fresh- Renzler is my other fresh- complied of four pitchers. spring ranked men. man who is one of the hard- Returning to the mound this second in slug“I am very est workers on the team and season is senior Stephanie CourtneyMessenger(Fr.,P) ging percenth a p p y w i t h will be playing short stop for Kotomski and junior Lyndi age, second in Garies. Keri Renzler (Fr., SS) u p p e r c l a s s - us.” stolen b as e, man we have Messenger and Renzler Kotomski finished last and third in runs scored, coming back and what they were also named two of the .459, 3 and 17, respectively. will bring to the team,” said athletes from Waynesburg to YOUTH >> C4
WBB: Seniors end PAC playing Crivelli: Brothers support each other careers with semifial loss to W&J while succeeding at respective PAC schools Continued from C1
about limiting their run,” said Jones. “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get a stop to that run and we couldn’t get buckets on the other end. It’s a frustrating loss for sure, but the girls played hard and they fought the whole time.” The spark for the Presidents’ run came from the play of senior forward Beka Bellhy, who scored 24 points in the second half and had a game-high total of 36 points and 13 rebounds. Despite the big run and hot shooting by the Presidents, the Yellow Jackets received 16 points and 13 rebounds from Knetzer and 20 points on 6-12 shooting from 3-point land by senior guard Lauren Blair on the night. “We played three good quarters, but you can’t win a game by doing that,” said Blair. “Honestly, that third quarter really hurt us. Shots weren’t falling and unfortunately, W&J was hitting everything.” After the loss, Jones commented on the season. “It was an up and down season,” said Jones. “We had two five-game winning streaks, a four-game losing streak and a five-game losing streak. Honestly, when
we got back to being what we wanted to be, that’s when we played well.” Jones went on to speak about the graduating seniors from the team and the impact they have held in their time with the program at Waynesburg.
“I really don't think we're going to take a step back.”
SAM JONES
Head coach
“We have a lot of minutes to replace,” said Jones. “[The seniors] bring certain things to the table. Maura’s [Bobby] ability to break the lid off the defense over the top, Heather [Davis] can take over the game shooting and does really well, and Lauren [Blair] distributes the ball very well and she’s always in the top three or four in the conference in assists. [Blair] has always been a big game player. We’re definitely going to miss the talents of those three girls.” Jo n e s c o n c l u d e d by speaking on next year’s team and said he is excited about what is returning. “I don’t really think we’re going to take a step back,” said Jones. “We have a lot of great young players,
we’re working really hard to add depth in the post and shooters, but we have great leadership. Katie Gehlmann started for us all year, [Haley] Delaney has started for us numerous times over the last couple years and Kassidy [O’Keefe] can come in and play three different positions for us and she’s so versatile.” Despite the ups and downs on the season, the Yellow Jackets still managed to meet some of their objectives. “Our goal was to be the second or third seed going into the PAC Tournament,” said Blair. Waynesburg did just that finishing the season with a 14-13 overall record and 11-7 record in the conference. The Yellow Jackets got their chance to keep the season alive, however, playing last night in the Eastern College Athletic Conference South Tournament as the seventh seed against the No. 2 seed in the tournament: McDaniel College. The game was played past press time for this week’s publication.
Editor’s Note: For a recap of last night’s ECAC tournament contest against McDaniel, visit www.theyellowjacket.org.
Continued from C1
helped his team.” Despite a team rivalry, the brothers are supportive towards one another. “We want to see our team win, but like to see him have individual success,” said Filippo. “But if a teammate beats him it is all in sports, but I’ll still be happy for both of them.” “I don’t care if I hurt anyone’s feelings, I’m still going to root for my brother no matter what,” Marco said. “Sometimes I’ll keep it to myself if he is wrestling one of my teammates but I’m still rooting for my brother.” The Crivelli parents are the same way with mom having a shirt that is half Waynesburg and half Thiel. “It was good for them both to win PAC titles,” said Headlee. “The parents are good supporters of both their boys.” While the brothers have similar support groups, their styles on the mat contrast. “Flip is more of a technical wrestler,” said Waynesburg wrestling graduate assistant Gennaro Bonaventura. “Marco just lets it fly and is flunking all-round the mat. Both know how to win.” “I am more shifty and technical and use my quick feet,” said Filippo. “Marco is more brutal mentally and out-
muscles you and do whatever it takes to win.” “Filippo’s weight class is a lot quicker and more technical,” Marco said. “With my weight class, you can use more brute strength along with technique. I am more of a scrapper. He [Filippo] knows how to step up more for the different moves.” For both wrestlers, they saw each other again this past weekend at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regionals on Feb. 27. Marco Crivelli wrestled at the 184-pound weight class for the tournament. Marco started weekend off with a 15-5 major decision over Mount Union’s Tyler Siefke. Crivelli then went on to face the seventh ranked wrestler in the class, Kyle Diesel. The match went into over time but Crivelli wasn’t able to pull off the upset. Marco Crivelli rebounded in the consolation bracket by picking up a 5-0 decision over Jesse Huber of York. Unfortunatley for Marco Crivelli, the event, and his career, ended on a 16-4 major decision to Jeff Palmeri in the fifth round of the consolation bracket. Thiel College finished 11th out of 18 teams at the event. “For the most part, I thought I wrestled well,” Marco said. “My first two losses came against the second and third seed who are both na-
tionally ranked. I wrestled the best that I could and I had a good four years at Thiel.” Filippo Crivelli fell one win short of wrestling for third place. The junior competed at the 141-pound class going 2-3 en route to sixth place. Crivelli lost by one point to the top seed and eventual champion, where he fell into the consolations, eventually going 2-2. “Considering the overall goal is to place in the top three, I wasn’t pleased with my performance,” Filippo Crivelli said. “Sixth is best I’ve done at tournament but it was hard to lose those close matches.” Filippo also talked about getting the opportunity to watch Marco’s matches. “It was special to be able to be there for each other,” Filippo said. “I am glad I got to see all of his matches and him compete in his last tournament of his career.” “I was in his corner on his side of the mat every match he wrestled,” Marco said. “When he wrestled my teammate for his final match I stayed in the middle but both teams know I am going to root for my brother.” Marco also said that he will be at every match of Filippo’s next year. “I’ll try to be there every match,” Marco said. “ [Filippo] works hard and I think he can make it to nationals for his senior year.”
2015-16 All-PAC Basketball Awards
Addy Knetzer
S oph om ore forward Addy Knetzer was named to the AllPAC second team. Knetzer finished with the seventh best scoring average in Knetzer the conference at 14.1 points per game and had the top rebounding average per game with 9.2. The Chartiers-Houston grad also had 12 double-doubles in play this season, which was second best total in the PAC to Grove City’s Kathryn Erbelding. Knetzer averaged 11.7 points for her two years while grabbing an average of 7.9 rebounds per game. Knetzer has a career high of 28 points, which came in a game this season against the Bethany Bison on Feb. 13. The double-doubles she accumulated during the season were the first for her colligate career.
Maura Bobby
Senior forward Maura Bobby earned AllPAC Honorable Mention. Bobby finished her senior season averaging nine points and three Bobby rebounds with solid defensive play on the other side of the court. It was the first season that Bobby started all 27 games for the Yellow Jackets. This is the first honor for Bobby during her career at Waynesburg University from the PAC. In her time at Waynesburg, Bobby averaged 5.9 points per game with 2.6 rebounds. Her career high of 24 points came against Allegheny College this season on Nov. 28. Bobby has received honors like this before when she was still at Poland Seminary where she was an AllOhio Honorable Mention her senior year of high school.
BJ Durham
Senior guard BJ Durham was named to the All-PAC second team. Durham, who finished his Waynesburg career with 985 career points, was a key conDurham tributor for his four years with the team. Durham began his career as a shooter off the bench before becoming a starter his junior year. The West Friendship, Maryland, native averaged 9.2 points per game with a career high of 30 coming against Calvin in the 2014-15 season. Durham scored 15 points per contest this season, which was a team-best mark and seventh best in the conference. The Marriotts Ridge High School graduate also averaged 77.8 percent from the free throw line in his four years with the Yellow Jackets.
DJ Ritchie
S enior wing DJ Ritchie was named to the All-PAC second team. Ritchie spent just two years with Wa y n e s b u r g a f t e r Ritchie transferring in but was solid in that time, especially this year as he scored 14.9 points per game, which was the second-highest total on the team and eighth best in the PAC. Ritchie was also the second best rebounder in the conference, pulling down 7.2 rebounds per contest. Ritchie averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in his two seasons at Waynesburg. The Oakland, Maryland, native transferred from Garrett College and scored his Waynesburg career high this season of 26 points against Bethany back on Feb. 13.
Page C4
March 3, 2016
New coach brings new optimism to women's lacrosse team By MICHAEL DUMMER For the Yellow Jacket
With the breaking of the colder weather and the conclusion of the majority of the winter sports on campus, the road has been paved for the spring sports to start their 2016 campaigns. One such sport is the Waynesburg University women’s lacrosse team, which enters its ninth season as a university-sponsored sport. One of the biggest changes to the team this year comes on the sidelines with Stephanie Benkowski, who is also head women’s volleyball coach, taking over the coaching duties from Maria Shepas, who held the position for the past three seasons. B enkowski ser ved as Shepas’ assistant the past Dave Miller, ADM Photography three seasons and believes With new head coach Stephanie Benkowski, who is also the head coach for the volleyball team, the women's the pre-existing familiarity plays a huge factor in mak- lacrosse team looks to improve upon its 5-9 record last season. ing the jump. midfielder Jess Rains notic- accomplish what she wants season.” The lacrosse team will “The team has known me es a night and day compar- us to.” Junior defender Danielle be without its second leadas the assistant ison between Rains also thinks there is Beckford agrees with Rains ing scorer from last year, coach, so stepLACROSSE Benkowski and a line that has to be walked on their new coach’s ability Makayla Vidosh, due to ping into the Shepas. when it comes to motivating to motivate, but not alien- prior obligations with her head coaching PLAYERS TO WATCH: “They basi- and Benkowski has found ate. major, but Beckford thinks position, it is cally have two the happy medium between “Coach [Benkowski] has the team’s unity and chema l re a dy mu Holly Bachman (Jr., A) different coach- both extremes. been coaching volleyball for istry trumps the loss. tually agreed ing styles,” said “Coach [Benkowski] is a long time and she knows “We are better this year that the team Jess Rains (So., M) Rains. “Coach really good about pushing how to coach females,” said at talking to each other and is moving in M a r i a h a d us towards her expectations Beckford. “She knows how better at being there for each the right direcDanielle Beckford (Sr., D) more of a hard and encouraging us to get to give us that push we need other,” said Beckford. “We tion,” said Benm o t i v a t i o n there,” said Rains. “She has and still respect her and we may have lost some scoring kowski. style, while coach [Ben- definitely prepared us re- really want to make her but we have girls that are It’s still early, but junior kowski] gives us the tools to ally well for this upcoming happy.” willing to communicate and
do what needs to be done to win some games this year.” The chemistry aspect of the team has come a long way since Beckford’s freshman year and she notes the huge difference. “My freshman year there was a lot of cliques amongst the lacrosse team divided by the starters and bench,” said Beckford. “Now that we have a smaller team, there are a lot fewer cliques and we have better chemistry because of that.” As far as Benkowski’s goals for the year go, she wants the team to have fun while being more disciplined. “I feel that we are a good team that needs more discipline, but I feel like we are moving in the right direction to correct what were problems of the past,” said Benkowski. She also feels this season can be marked as a success if everyone is happy and enjoyed the season overall as a whole “I think we will win some games, but I want the end result to be us being a team and having fun while playing together,” said Benkowski. The Waynesburg women’s lacrosse team will open the season at John F. Wiley Stadium on Wednesday, March 16 when they take on the Muskingum Fighting Muskies at 5 p.m.
Youth: Coach Hall excited about Diamond: Experience, plethora of key freshmen Messenger and Renzler returning contributors take field in 2016
Continued from C3
Softball 2016 Florida Schedule
season with a 6-11 record. She had 38 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA. Garies had a 5-7 record Juniata last year with a 2.47 Emerson Penn St. C ollege ERA and 31 strikeouts. College Behrend Lewin will be reS unday March 6 Monday March 7 Sunday March 6 turning to the infield 11 p.m. 3 p.m. 9 p . m . for the Yellow Jackets this season and also had the best batting Wesleyan Northwestern average of all returning College St. Paul players last season with Tuesday March 8 Monday March 7 a .330 average. She also 1 p.m. 7 p.m. led in hits, doubles, and tied for most in runs scored, 37, 8 and Manhattanville Wesley Emmanuel 20, respectively. College College College “I am really lookT hursday M arch 10 T uesday M arch 8 Thursday March 10 ing for Cami Grimes 5 p.m. 3 p.m. 7 p.m. to make a big impact with her bat. She has made big strives this Worcester preseason with hitting, Lebanon Valley P olytechnic and I am really looking College Institute for her to make a big Friday March 11 consistent impact,” said Friday March 11 9 a.m. Hall. “I am looking for 11 a.m. Demarco and Lewin to also carry us with their bats. Waynesburg will begin its Lewin had one of the highest season on March 6, in Clerbatting averages on the team mont, Florida against Penn last year, and I think she ca- State Behrend. pable of doing that again if The first pitch is schednot more. For Demarco, she uled for 9 a.m. Continued from C1 has so much potential, and I have seen so much growth Editor's Note: For game in her to be one of the top coverage of every game in toughest class to compete hitters.” Florida, follow @YJ_Sports. in,” said Headlee. “Placing fifth was very good for Tristan.” Crivelli put up a good fight with the top-seeded wrestler in the 141-pound weight class, senior Justin Kihn from Heidelberg, but fell just short in a 2-1 loss. Kihn would go on to win the weight class. Headlee was happy with a lot of wrestlers’ performances for the weekend, as he noted improvements from many on the team. “[Sophomore] Landon [Lohr] wrestled as good as we have seen him this year,” said Headlee. “[Sophomore] Derek [Hull] wrestled some of his best this weekend as well.” Freshman Mike Millero and junior Ryan Shank both went 2-2 in the tournament in the 174-pound and 184-pound weight classes, respectively. Freshman Joshua Sneeringer won by pin at 197-pounds for his lone victory of the day. “Mike always battles hard and has really learned a lot
Continued from C2
Baseball 2016 Florida Schedule
Waynesburg got one first place vote and 57 total points to finish ahead of Saint Vincent, Worcester Westminster, Bethany, Polytechnic G ordon C ornell Geneva and Grove City, Institute College College a ranking Humiston said Monday March 7 Sunday March 6 can be used as motiva- Saturday March 5 Doubleheader 12:30 p.m. tion. Doubleheader 9 a.m. “Our guys are deter12:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. mined,” said Humiston. 3:30 p.m “Being picked fourth is Western almost us still having to Albio New England Muskingum earn some respect. But College University University this is okay to be picked Tuesday March 8 fourth because the fourth Thursday March 10 Friday March 11 4 p.m. place team in the confer2:30 p.m. 9 a.m. ence last year won the title.” The team will play eight in the "Sunshine State." The ing to come back 5-3 or even games in Florida starting 11th year head coach expects better.” this Saturday, March 5 with a “blue-collar mentality” to Waynesburg opens the seaa doubleheader. Humiston help out the Jackets early on son Saturday, March 5 against said he expects a bit of a dif- and through the season. Gordon College at 12:30 p.m. ference in Florida after previ“We’re going to win our fair ous years where the trip was a share of games because we flat Editor's Note: For game covstruggle for the Jackets. Last out out-work our opponents,” erage of every game in Florida, year Waynesburg went 2-9 said Humiston. “I’m expect- follow @YJ_Sports.
Regionals: Evans one win away from nationals
April Belizio, Yellow Jacket
Freshman heavyweight Jake Evans took fourth at the D-III Mideast Regionals last Saturday; he was one win away from advancing to nationals. this year,” said Headlee. “Ryan didn’t have his best stuff at the tournament and Josh always wrestles hard.” Headlee is optimistic as the team begins to look towards next season, citing the teams youth as a critical variable. “We have a young team
that continued to get better and gain experience this year,” said Headlee. “I’m really proud of what these men have done this year.” Headlee had nothing but good things to say about his team and their season, as he is happy to see the drive and motivation each man
has on the team. “I’m really encouraged because everyone wants to get back to it; everyone wants to know when they can get back on the mat,” said Headlee. “They are all hungry for more and can’t wait to compete again.”
SECTION D
New printers added to Eberly By DONNY CHEDRICK For the Yellow Jacket
It’s 8:45 a.m. Sophomore exercise science major Seth Kunkle has a class in 15 minutes and he heads to the library to print out some work needed for class. On his first attempt, Kunkle is unsuccessful because yet again, the toner of the printer is too low. By now it’s 8:50 a.m. and the library is filling up with students, who are also in Kunkle’s situation. Only 10 minutes until class begins and it’s a mad dash to get work printed out. That’s when the printers start losing speed, running low on ink and asking for more paper. The panic grows. It’s 8:55, which is graband-go time for Kunkle, whose class is on the other side of campus. For some like Kunkle, it’s usually an “oh my gosh” moment. Coming back for the second semester, students may have noticed a new addition to the Knox Learning Center inside the Eberly Library. Fresh printers, hot off the press, were inserted into the learning center to replace the older printers that formerly stood in their place. PRINTERS >> D2
MARCH 3, 2016 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG
Leaving her comfort zone
Freshman faces challenges preparing for first pageant in her life, Miss Pennsylvania By JENNY SCHOUPPE Chief Photographer
College can be a time where students receive plenty of opportunities to expand their horizons and surpass their comfort zone, which freshman sociology major Rebecca Strang knows very well. The Pennsylvania native is on a journey to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant on Dec. 3-4, which would be the first pageant she has ever competed in. “I wanted to try something new and get a new experience outside of my comfort zone,” said Strang. “My friend, Rachel Falter, has encouraged me to register. She told me that I could do it if I wanted, sent me the link and it didn’t take much convincing for me to do it after that.” According to Strang, she hopes that she is not only pushed out of her comfort zone. But also wants to learn more about herself. “I hope to gain more confidence and to be more open with new experiences,” said Strang. “I really want to try new things, and I don’t want my fears to hold me back.” This pageant consists of different sections, such as an interview portion with only the judges, a swimsuit portion and an evening gown portion. If Strang makes it to the next day, she will go through another interview portion in front of everyone that attends the pageant, the evening gown portion and the swimsuit portion again. “I’m really excited for the evening gown part,” said Strang. “I love dressing up and my gown is so gorgeous and blue. The swimsuit portion makes me the most nervous. The thought of walking around in front of all those people in a bikini is frightening. But, I have a very close friend helping me prepare and I’m very grateful.” Strang is also very thankful for those who have donated funds on her GoFundMe account. Pageants are expensive and finding the funds to compete is first priority, according to Strang. She said that she has a $300 deposit due March 18 and a $900 deposit not far after that, in addition to the expenses of her dress and bathing suit, hotel stay and beauty products. “I can win scholarships, boost my confidence, and this pageant is a way to make sure that my
academics and health are perfect,” said Strang. “This is something I really want to do and a chance to change myself for the better. I really appreciate everyone’s time and donations. Anything helps and I greatly appreciate it.” Strang believes that money shouldn’t hold anyone back from doing something they really want to do, but she admits that it is. She has raised $600 of the $3,000 goal. Participating in an expensive event in which she has limited experience has proved to be a challenge. “I think everything about this pageant is a challenge for me,” said Strang. “Finding sponsors, getting in shape for the swimsuit section and learning how to walk in the heels.” Though Strang is facing some challenges, especially financially, she doesn’t let that discourage her from trying to achieve her goal. “I just keep pushing through them,” said Strang. “Having the support of my friends and family is so helpful. I just know that things will work out. I also pray a lot which helps with the stresses that come along with preparing for the pageant.” Strang remains thankful to her friends and family that continue to help her on this journey, as well as those who continue to donate. “I am so grateful and excited about the support I’ve received,” said Strang. “My GoFundMe page was full of family and friends and I couldn’t be happier. The emotional support and the sponsorship mean everything to me.”
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Strang
Growth Series applies faith to real life SAB pushes for return of Semi-Formal after three year absence
By ANTHONY CONN Managing Editor
Waynesburg University students got a taste of the professional world as part of the most recent installment of the Res Life Growth Series, “R2-D2,” Thursday, Feb. 25. This program, an acronym for “Ross and Rumbaugh: Direction and Determination,” was created by the Willison Hall Residence Life staff. Dr. Donald Rumbaugh and Dwayne Ross spoke to students Thursday night in Alumni Hall, sharing their stories and offering words of wisdom. Ross, invited to speak by his son, Mitchell, a Waynesburg University student and Willision Hall RA, is the owner and lead attorney for Reeves and Ross P.C. in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Ross shared how finances play a crucial role in the lives of everyone, especially Christians. “God’s will is that we not be indebted,” said Ross. “I hope that they see by not getting themselves into that trap… they’ll be able to do what God has for them in their life.” Ross said he enjoyed his time speaking to the students and hoped they learned valuable lessons. “It was a great opportunity,” said Ross. “If these les-
By TEGHAN SIMONTON Copy Chief
Mitch Ross, Yellow Jacket
The Willsion Hall Residence Life staff hosted guest speakers Donald Rumbaugh and Dwane Ross on Thursday, Feb. 25. sons that I didn’t learn until later in life had I known earlier, it could have made a big difference. Hopefully it can be not only informative, but inspiring to them.” Rumbaugh followed Ross. He was invited by Willison Hall Resident Director Chris Kellner, and is the medical consultant for the Frontiers agency and a pre-Health advisor for Grove City College. He has served in Honduras through the Christian and Missionary Alliance and worked at a hospital there for seven years. While Ross’ message was reflective and uplifting, Rumbaugh’s requested a call to action for those in attendance. “If any of them were chal-
lenged, I’m somewhat happy. If any of them were changed, I’m very happy,” said Rumbaugh. The two speakers encapsulated the purpose of the night’s title, offering direction while inspiring students to pursue their futures with determination. The Res Life staff was pleased with Ross and Rumbaugh and their willingness to speak. “Having this caliber of speakers here, especially two at once, is a really good opportunity,” said Todd Breninghouse, senior criminal justice major and resident assistant in Willison Hall. “We felt obligated as a residence life staff to share this wealth with the rest of
the student body.” Breninghouse said the special guests helped him see others living out one of his favorite Bible verses, Philippians 4:13. “ They had obstacles, but through Christ they were able to conquer,” said Breninghouse. This is one of many events in the Res Life Growth Series planned for this semester. Breninghouse recommends the series because of the potential gains for all college students. “ The y’re b enef icial,” Breninghouse said. “They’re worth while and apply to real life.” The next part of the Res Life Growth Series is scheduled for March 21.
On Friday, March 18, students will have an opportunity to celebrate their return from break and the beginning of spring with a semiformal at Lakeside Party Center. The event will be returning to Waynesburg students after three years of inactivity, according to Pat Bristor, associate dean of students. “It’s just for fun,” said Bristor. “We used to do it every year in the spring. And it just got to the point where we couldn’t meet the quota necessary to warrant the rental space and different things.” Despite its absence the event is still anticipated to be successful, as a result of Waynesburg’s student population being more active this year, according to Bristor. “We decided that we would try it again this year because we have new students,” said Bristor. “Particularly the freshman class this year seems to really enjoy the dances. So it will give students the opportunity to get dress up and come for a din-
ner/dance. We’re hoping that we have a good turn out.” Bristor emphasized that the semi-formal offers the chance for students to engage in a classy experience at a picturesque location, while at a relatively low cost. At only $10 per student and $15 for nonstudents, which includes transportation to the Party Center, Bristor said that Student Activities is encouraging students to attend in groups of friends. “We don’t expect it to be expensive for people to participate,” said Bristor, reflecting on a regular goal of the Student Activities Board. Should students choose to attend the semi-formal, they will be treated to a dinner of stuffed chicken breast and various sides, a DJ and a photo opportunity, in which copies will be distributed to all attendees. The Lakeside Party Center, meanwhile, allows students to enjoy a pleasant atmosphere, said Bristor. A lot of preparation was necessary for dance, in which Mary Hoffman, senior EngDANCE >> D2
Trampoline park trip offers variety of activities for students By KYLE DAWSON
Assistant Sport Editor
This past Saturday, Feb. 27, Waynesburg University students had the opportunity to attend a Student Activities Board-sponsored trip to Flight Trampoline Park in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. The park, according to its website, is a “cutting-edge
entertainment, fitness and sports facility unlike anything you have ever experienced.” Evelyn Canby, a junior communications major, said she jumped at the opportunity to go with the school to the park, citing her childhood experiences with trampolines as one of the big reasons the event intrigued her.
“I went on the trip because I used to love getting on trampolines with my friends as a kid,” said Canby. “It gave me something fun to do on a Saturday night since I don’t have my car on campus.” The trip cost to students was of the affordable nature at $10, and Canby said close to 25 students made the trip out to Bridgeville to enjoy
themselves and have a good time. The $10 cost paid for the bus ride to Flight Trampoline Park and for two hours of jumping in the over 13,000 square-foot facility that holds over 50 trampolines that allow jumpers to “launch themselves from decks from many different heights,” according to the park’s website.
The park also allows participants to play dodgeball on trampolines, play basketball and use trampoline ramps. Canby said she did the dodgeball once, and enjoyed it. “There was dodgeball on trampolines and a basketball hoop and some ramps,” said Canby. “I only did the dodgeball once but everyone that
did it seemed to enjoy that and the night in general.” According to the website, the dodgeball games are typically played in a “pickup” format, so Waynesburg students in the group that attended the event had the opportunity to take a few friends and play as many TRAMPOLINE >> D2
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March 3, 2016
Prospective students get taste of campus Printers: Additions to
lab spur mixed feelings among WU students
By MITCHELL ROSS
For the Yellow Jacket
Last Friday night, current Waynesburg students and prospective students filled the Beehive for a game night sponsored by the Student Activities Board. Uno, Cranium and countless other games could be seen at each table. It is not unusual at Waynesburg University to have events like this, but what was unique to this night was that it fell on the same day as an overnight visit. During an overnight visit, prospective college students can stay on campus overnight with Waynesburg students to see what life is like at the university. Bingo and other games were already on the calendar for the night, but when it was realized that there would be dozens of potential students on campus, a late night breakfast buffet was added. Kyle Digiandomenico, who works in the Admissions office, said it gave the high school students an idea of what goes on at Waynesburg. “It gives students a realistic idea of what it would be like to be a Yellow Jacket,” said Digiandomenico. “We did the overnight so they could see what residence life was all about, the bingo and late night breakfast to see a glimpse of student activities.” The overnight guests were not the only ones in attendance. Waynesburg students from every class congregated in the Beehive for a chance to socialize on a Friday evening.
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Kyla Wolper, Yellow Jacket
Prospective students interact with current students during the game night on Friday. Food was provided to feed the hungry students. Student Senate President Junior Michael Merten believes Waynesburg could benefit from more events like this. “It’s a great idea. We should do it more often,” said Merten. “It gives people a chance to come together who might not get the opportunity to do so. Plus, breakfast food is great.” The night started with bingo at 8 p.m. and continued on with various other games. At 10 p.m., a buffet of breakfast foods was brought out for the hungry students. It included scrambled eggs,
pancakes and sausage links as well as a choice of orange juice or coffee to drink. Sophomore history major Katie Kondrick is a huge supporter of campus events and said this one was even a little bit more special. “It’s a great stress reliever after a long, long week of work,” said Kondrick. “I really enjoyed this time, specifically because I got to see how the prospective students interacted with each other-building new friendships and memories that they will have when they come here.” Digiandomenico believes
the event was a hit for both current and potential students. “I think the overnight was a great success. I personally attended the evening’s events and it was great to see current students building relationships with prospective students,” Digiandomenico said. “The idea is to show them the family that is already here at Waynesburg and to welcome them to be a part of that. It was a great atmosphere. I heard lots of laughter and saw smiling faces.”
That moment is also sometimes shared by a thought, the thought that the old printers weren’t really that bad. It’s debatable if the new ones were necessary, according to Kunkle. “I was fine with the old printers we had,” said Kunkle. “They weren’t awful and they got the job done for the most part. I didn’t feel like we needed a change in the middle of the year.” Not every student feels the same way as Kunkle because it often goes by personal experience. Fellow sophomore Andrew McClellan has had positive outcomes when using the new printers and has yet to witness a result that would change his mind. McClellan referenced the speed and thinks they will be better economically. “They are efficient and a lot faster than the old printers,” said McClellan. “If they are kept in good condition, the school won’t have to spend money on printers for a long time.” To get a more professional opinion on the new printers, the Information Technology (IT) department helped answer a few doubts. Joshua Starsick, director of information technology services made the point of quickness and durability. “The quantity
of printing has definitely improved,” said Starsick. “The old printers couldn’t handle the demand so we had to find a solution.” Another positive about the new printers is the cost. According to Starsick, the transition to newer printers saved the university money. Waynesburg reached a deal with Konica. Starsick explained that it was a good deal for Waynesburg. “We got the new printers for less than what other printers cost in comparison,” said Starsick. “It was an excellent deal for us and money well spent.” Library Director Rea Redd is happy with the move for the new printer. Redd stated that the move for new printers was mainly an IT concern. “Of all the printers available to students, the Knox Lab printers in the library are the most heavily used,” said Redd. “They are an essential service provided by the university for student research, presentations and essays.” Hopes are the new printers pay off for the university as a whole and efficiently replace the old printers that just couldn’t handle the capacity, according to Starsick. “The goal is for these printers to have a good effect,” Starsick said. “We needed a change, and I think it was a good thing for everyone.”
Symphonic Band performs concert after months of practice By MITCHELL KENDRA Managing Editor
The Waynesburg University symphonic band held their mid-winter concert on Feb. 24. The band currently consists of about 40 university students but also welcomes members of the community to join. Several members of the community come to campus and play with the symphonic band, whether they are local residents or high school students. “Our audience members always tell me how much it helps their lives to be able to pop in from the community to hear a good concert, whether it be the band or the choir or some of the small ensembles or our individual recital times,” said Dr. Ronda DePriest, director of the music program, in regard to the impact that the symphonic band has on the community. DePriest, who is also the director of the symphonic band, said the band started off the concert with the fanfare “Cenotaph” by Jack Stamp and then played a three-movement work titled “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams before ending the concert with a march titled “The Circus Bee” by Henry Fillmore. DePriest said the band has been working on the pieces
Michell Keith, Yellow Jacket
Dr. Ronda DePriest conducts the symphonic band during their performance in the Marsh Center. since returning from Winter Break. The band had rehearsed the pieces together twice a week for an hour and 15 minutes each time, totaling eight practice sessions before the concert. She said the pieces she chose for the concert were not easy, but the band performed well at the concert. “We were looking at different forms of music and also we have been taking a look this semester at pieces for British wind bands,” said DePriest. “Those pieces are usually scored for smaller bands and it works to our advantage because the instrumentation is what we have. That works to our advantage, we can kind of show off, even
though we are small, that we are doing some serious literature.” The concert was held in the Marsh Center, below Robert’s Chapel, and followed by a reception. This fellowship time allowed for the audience to get the chance to speak with those in the band. DePriest said it’s neat to have this time to talk with the audience because alumni come to the concert and then recall their experience of what it was like back when they attended Waynesburg University. Sophomore Marla Holland, a psychology major who plans on declaring a minor in music, plays the
tuba in the symphonic band and said the reception time is important for the audience to get to know the instrumentalists. “Music ensembles become kind of family groups, and it’s so good to be a part of something that’s bigger than yourself, and I think that giving the audience and the ensembles members [time] to visit and get to know each other a little bit is always a good thing,” said DePriest. During the reception there was a raffle held, where the money benefits Relay For Life. DePriest said most of the members of the band join to fulfill their fine arts general education credit, but since it
Trampoline: More off- Dance: Increase in campus events to be attendance needed for held in coming weeks Semi-Formal's return Continued from D1
games as they wanted as well as take advantage of the other facilities Flight Trampoline Park has to offer such as the basketball hoops or just the seemingly endless array of different trampolines and ramps that all put jumpers high above the ground. Canby feels that not enough students take advantage of these types of events. “As long as you have a friend or make friends with someone that’s going, you’ll
have someone to jump around with and have fun with,” said Canby. In the coming weeks, SAB will host several more off-campus events including bowling at the Meadows, a semi formal, a trip to the Morgantown Escape Room and a Pittsburgh Penguins game trip. All of the events are not only affordable, according to Canby, but a good chance to get off campus. “Yeah it was fun and I really had a great time,” said Canby. “I will definitely be going again.”
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lish secondary education major and chair of special events, was instrumental, Bristor said. Hoffman helped research the facility and entertainment, visited and inspected the venue for use and helped pick the menu. Bristor said that she looks forward to seeing students dressed up, which will be a welcomed change from their normal day-to-day attire. She has high hopes that Waynesburg can successfully bring
the once-well-attended event back to the campus community. “Those who have gone in the past have enjoyed it,” she said. “It’s a nice dinner at a beautiful place.” A large push is being made this week for students to register to attend before leaving campus for spring break. If enough students do not do so, the event will be cancelled for the fourth consecutive year. Bristor said students need to fill out the registration form on myConnect.
varies from person to person when they take the class for credit, the students usually continue to stay in the band after they have fulfilled the requirement. For students who are in the band for their fine arts credits, DePriest believes being in the band is a better experience than an intro to music class or a survey music class because it is hands on. Other students join the band their first semester of freshman year and continue to be a part of it until they graduate, whether or not they need the credit – DePriest referred to these students as “lifers” with a chuckle. She encourages students to continue with it because of the great experience of being in the band, and it helps the music program grow. Holland originally joined the band because of her roommate freshman year. Holland saw her friend enjoying her experience and then decided to join herself – a decision she plans to continue with until graduation. The students involved in the band for class credit have to do extra work such as presenting skills tests to DePriest. Whether or not students are in for credit or
for fun, DePriest said she expects the same amount of work from all of the students. The high school students are at all of the rehearsals because of the difficulty of the pieces, but the elder community members who have more experience playing difficult pieces usually come in for three or four rehearsals before the concert. DePriest said there are a lot of volunteers from the community who play in the band and allowing them to join the Waynesburg students creates a relationship and allows the community members the opportunity to continue playing their instruments. The students in the music program also go out into the community playing or singing at local businesses, hospitals and churches. “There are a lot of ways these music ensembles serve the community and I think that’s particularly connected to the mission of Waynesburg,” said DePriest. The symphonic band will be holding it’s next concert in conjunction with the Lamp Lighters concert choir on April 16 in Robert’s Chapel. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. start.
March 3, 2016
ACROSS 1. Candy in a strawlike container 9. “The Great Santini” Os car nominee Michael 15. Do-it-yourself style 16. One often checking boxes 17. Partly 18. He broke Walter’s NFL career rushing record 19. Was sharply critical, with “out” 20. Adopted great-nephew of Claudius 22. Everyday list ender 23. Common pledge 24. Composer/conductor Boulanger 26. Philosophers in the news since 1985 33. Like many fliers 34. Fictional place near Atlanta 35. Internet __ 36. Put one’s foot down? 37. What smart alecks do 40. Swift of fiction 41. Binged (on) 43. Fabrication 44. “Running on Empty” (1988) actress 46. Basics 49. Ruin partner 50. Metaphor words 51. Dept. in a “Law & Or der” spin-off 53. Piece of work 55. Like Miss Congeniality 59. Compression-utilizing weapon 61. Forbidden zone
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WEEKLY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
63. Beckett genre, with “ the” 64. Whirlpool protection, perhaps 65. Designer Johnson 66. 2003 film with the tag line “He doesn’t care if you’re naughty or nice”
DOWN 1. Dr. __ 2. New York school 3. 66-Across setting, briefly 4. New York school 5. Ticket generator 6. Body stretcher?
7. Agcy. with complicated schedules 8. Colossus and Cyclops, e.g. 9. Collapsible topper 10. Dragon habitat 11. Tree that can form natural tunnels 12. Daughter of Anne Boleyn 13. Blowout 14. Deco pseudonym 21. Sweeps on a gridiron 25. Watson’s creator 26. Evergreen with edible pods 27. Estée Lauder subsid iary
28. Spreadable sausage 29. Goes after 30. Pearly coating 31. Behave theatrically 32. They come before fi nals 38. Superficially attractive thing
39. Colloquial language features 42. __ Spiegel: German magazine 45. South American desert 47. Human __ 48. Burned a little 51. Scandinavian import
52. Vague feeling 54. Turner of old TV? 56. Land near Albion 57. Paving stone 58. Casual farewell 60. The Theatre Cat in “Cats” 62. Tiny tube travelers
LAST ISSUE'S SOLUTION
Pittsburgh Penquins J E K M L R Z C Y H B D J Q K
X A L V O E E B J N N Y V A K
I S T O V D B M E L F V A V U
CROSBY KESSEL HAGELIN RUST
V C S G M R O Y L E T A N G H
Y V I J A Y N C O S L Q D H N
FILM REVIEW: DO NOT RACE TO THIS MOVIE Editorial Assistant
The phrase, “incredible true story,” has been overused for decades now, and audiences aren’t too surprised when a trailer’s story pitch ends up to be fleeting. Adjectives like “incredible,” should be used sparingly, because if everything’s incredible, then nothing is. “Incredible” is not meant to be used often. The story of Jesse Owens? Now, that’s an incredible one. An African-American living in a time of segregation and blatant racism, who against all odds, changed the world. An African American who said all that needed to be said by his actions and pure athleticism. That’s a story worth telling and a story worth listening to. He was hated for the color of his skin but left those who doubted his talent in the dust, literally. It’s Jesse Owens, a man hated by many of his countrymen, who went to Nazi Germany and ruined the Third Reich’s vision of a German-dominated Olympic Games. Whether he meant to or not, Owens’ dominance of the Olympics
was the perfect statement to rebuke the Nazi’s propaganda and earn a huge win for America. Yet, “Race,” like all of the other Hollywood biopics of late, struggles to tell a story that should be able to write itself. There are quite a few inherent themes in Owens’ story, and yet rather than hit them on the head with a sledgehammer and ram
the points home, director Stephen Hopkins gives it a little tap-tap, like he’s an elf in Santa’s workshop putting a model train together, afraid that if he hits it too hard, it’ll break. Racism is not a tip-tap issue. Racism, especially during Owens’ time, was a never-ending minefield that went on for miles and miles, and Owens had to keep his
J T Q K T E N L P E W O R A A
MALKIN HORNQUIST CULLEN DALEY
WORDS OF WISTIM
By TIM NERAL
H U U V A Y I U C S N Y J U H
legs high to avoid all the hurdles and landmines and boobie traps that tried to stop him. Instead of that story, “Race” is a story that moves the camera to one topic for a little bit, hovers over it for a minute portion of screen time and then drifts to the next headline without any afterthought for what had just transpired. Moments like these should frustrate any moviegoer and especially in January and February when the flaws are as easy to point out, made all the more frustrating in this $5 million biopic about one of the greatest athletes to ever live. What should frustrate audiences more than anything, though, is the disservice it does to Owens. Once again, Hollywood let a really great story fall to the wayside. Not only that, but they released it in February, which--believe it or not--demonstrates how much they really cared about this project. There are some admirable efforts here from the acting department, but at curtain call, “Race” is a stagnant piece that serves as the polar opposite of Owens.
X U N P T L O L G K R J G W C
G H R P A A M E X I Z E W N K
V N O W I D E N P Y L V G E L
FLEURY LETANG BONINO LOVEJOY
Z K H V M B P W B I I O N D K
U K U N I T Z S N U A L S W A
V F Q L S R O I N I K L A M E
G M Z U T R Z Q V K U M X K Q
I R R Q C Y R U E L F L W G J
KUNITZ MAATTA KUHNHACKL COLE
THE COMIC STRIP
The hero within returns By ZACHERY ZALAR
For the Yellow Jacket
Another week, another Marvel-based story to report. The comic media juggernaut (see what I did there?) continues to roll out adaptations on both the TV and movie screens. The media gracing the viewing world with its pleasure is the second season of Daredevil, the show that started it all for the Marvel Netflix properties. Season one was a change of pace for the superhero genre. As many have forgotten, it was the first TV-MA rated, which is equivalent to an R-rating in film, property to roll out since the beginning of the latest superhero fad that started with “Iron Man” in 2008. The series takes the viewer to a small part of New York where people are affected by the battle in the first “Avengers” movie. Daredevil, played by Charlie Cox, is a lawyer by day and a superhero by night. Season one villain Wilson Fisk, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, is a man coming to grips with the evil inside of himself and wanting to make his home a better place but through the wrong means.
Spoiler alert for season one: With Fisk now behind bars, a new player has seemingly come into town, threatening everything that Matt Murdock, Daredevil’s alter ego, has done to repair the city. The man causing all the fuss is Frank Castle, or “The Punisher,” played by Jon Bernthal, an actor in “The Walking Dead” and “Wolf of Wall Street.” For those who don’t know, Frank Castle is a war veteran whose entire family was killed by a mobster family, and is seeking revenge on everyone connected to the man who ordered his family to be killed. However, in this adaptation, the show runners have not yet revealed the Punisher’s actual motives. Based off of the few early reviews, season two is even better than the first – and maybe even better than “Jessica Jones,” the second of four planned series that premiered in November. With a company like Marvel, people have started to expect more and more with each coming series or movie. “Daredevil” season two premieres March 18 on Netflix.
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March 3, 2016
THE BACK PAGE
Lights! Camera! aCtion!
On Sunday, Feb. 28, the red carpet was rolled out to receive stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rachel McAdams and Christian Bale at the 88th annual Academy Awards.
Written by Emily Hackman Designed by Whitney Waters
NomiNatioNs for Best Picture: “The Big Short”
“The Martian”
“Bridge of Spies”
“The Revenant”
“Brooklyn”
“Room”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“Spotlight”
actor iN a LeadiNg roLe:
actress iN a LeadiNg roLe:
Bryan Cranston in “Trumbo”
Cate Blanchett in “Carol”
Matt Damon in “The Martian”
Brie Larson in “Room”
Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Revenant”
Jennifer Lawrence in “Joy”
Michael Fassbender in “Steve Jobs”
Charlotte Rampling in “45 Years”
Eddie Redmayne in the “Danish Girl”
Saoirse Ronan in “Brooklyn”
actor iN a suPPortiNg roLe:
actress iN a suPPortiNg roLe:
Christian Bale in “The Big Short”
Jennifer Jason Leigh in “The Hateful Eight”
Tom Hardy in “The Revenant”
Rooney Mara in “Carol”
Mark Ruffalo in “Spotlight”
Rachel McAdams in “Spotlight”
Mark Rylance in “Bridge of Spies”
Alicia Vikander in “The Danish Girl”
Sylvester Stallone in “Creed”
Kate Winslet in “Steve Jobs”
Winners
star studded Movie suMMaries “The Big Short” - Four denizens in the world of high-finance predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight. “The Bridge of Spies” - During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers. “Brooklyn” - An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. “The Revenant” - A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. “Spotlight” - The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
actor iN a LeadiNg roLe:
actress iN a LeadiNg roLe:
Leonardo DiCaprio
Brie Larson
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Hugh Glass, a 19th-century American frontiersman who is left for dead by his comrades after being mauled by a bear during a winter expedition.This is his the sixth Academy Award nomination.
Brie Larson portrays Ma, a woman held captive in a small shed for seven years, who strives to create a normal life for her young son.This is her first Academy Award nomination.
actor iN a suPPortiNg roLe:
actress iN a suPPortiNg roLe:
Mark Rylance
Alicia Vikander
As Rudolf Abel, Mark Rylance plays an undercover KGB agent stationed in the U.S. who is apprehended and tried for espionage.This is his first Academy Award nomination.
Alicia Vikander plays Gerda, a painter in the 1920s who wrestles with her course of action when her husband reveals his desire to live as a woman. This is her first Academy Award nomination.
Best Picture “Spotlight” The film follows the coverage of the 2001 investigation by journalists of The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team that eventually unveils the sex abuse scandal that rocked the Boston Diocese and the Catholic Church at large. These are the first Academy Award nominations for producers Michael Sugar, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Pagon Faust. Source: http://oscar.go.com/