Cal Times

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INSIDE

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSIT Y Convocation Center Future PAGE 6 Split with Gannon

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CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

APRIL 27, 2012

VOL. 32, NO. 11

Cal U female bodybuilder finds strength in ailing brother Laura Montecalvo wins “Miss Cal U 2012” at Cal U’s 2nd Annual Bodybuilding and Figure Competition. By Lauren Turosik For the Cal Times

Standing on the shore of the river, not far from their home in Washington, Pa., a brother and sister fish together as they did often. The blonde haired, blue-eyed Montecalvo “team” was inseparable. Jimmy, six years older than his sister, Laura, included her in just about everything he did. Jimmy, a mentally gifted, athletically talented, fare skinned, stalky teenager put on a strong face to protect his younger sister regularly. In the midst of playing Home Run Derby, Jailbreak, and shooting hoops with Laura, her best friend, whom she called“Buddy,” was combating a serious illness. At fifteen, most high school freshmen have little to worry about and Buddy seemed no different. Someone from the outside looking in would have been unaware that he was battling a cancerous tumor that had attached to his spine and stunted his growth. After he overcame the hideous disease not once, but twice, Laura had no doubt that her brother, best friend, and “buddy” was invincible. The duo continued on their

Jimmy “Buddy” Montecalvo (left) with sisters Suzanne, Laura, and grandmother in 1996. Athletic and a graduate of Bethany University, Jimmy was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager. He died, age 26, in June, 2008.

crusade against the world together. Buddy went away to college at Bethany University where he played golf and majored in journalism. Laura, still in high school, played all sports and excelled at basketball. Although he was away at school, Buddy never missed a game and was always Laura’s biggest fan. As weight-lifting partners, they encouraged each other to push harder and train longer. Both in peak physical condition;

running outside, one-on-one games, and fishing were favorite pastimes for the pair. “Buddy cast the line and I fell in the river … a lot,” Laura chuckled. But the current had become cold by January and Buddy was not feeling himself. It was not long before the left side of his body stopped functioning and he was researching his symptoms, essentially trying to diagnose himself. The worst-case scenario be-

Photo by: Cal U Public Relations Laura Montecalvo wins “Miss Cal U 2012” and “Best Stage Presence” specialty award at Cal U’s 2nd Annual Bodybuilding and Figure Competition on April 1, 2012. The event was sponsored by Cal U’s Bodybuilding and Fitness club.

came a reality on April 1, 2008. Buddy had been diagnosed with the JC virus – a virus that attacks the brain and prohibits neurons from sending signals throughout the body. The virus led to a condition called progressive

multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) – a rare disorder that damages protective tissue in the brain and weakens the immune system.

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Cal U hosts grand opening for new convocation center

California University of Pennsylvania hosted a grand opening ceremony for the new Convocation Center on Friday, April 20. Cutting the ribbon (from left to right): Jake Ploeger, of P.J. Dick; State Rep. Peter J. Daley; The Rev. Jana Quisenberry; Leo Krantz, Council of Trustees; Lawrence Maggi, Council of Trustees; Dr. Charles Pryor, vice president of L.R. Kimball; President Angelo Armenti, Jr.; Robert J. Irey, chair, Council of Trustees; Autumn Harris, student trustee; Annette Ganassi, Council of Trustees; Aaron Walton, Council of Trustees; Dr. Lenora Angelone, vice president for student affairs; James Davis, Council of Trustees; and Michael Napolitano, Council of Trustees. Grammy Award-winning country singer Kenny Rogers was the headline stage performer along with performances by the Cal U Jazz Ensemble, Amber McDonald, Seamus Hutchens, Sgt. George Kyle, country singer Billy Dean and singer-songwriter Andy Gibson. Photo by: Lisa Pfaff

F O R N E W S , S CO R E S , A N D V IDEO ON DEMAND, VISIT THE C AL TIMES NEW S SITE ON-LINE - WWW.C ALTIMES.ORG


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