Etownian Issue 10 11/9/10

Images: wallpaper-s.org, 1.bp.blogspot.com, etown.edu

Res.Life changes SDLCs Campus Life, page 6

Feautres, page 4

Lead Found in Reuasable Bags

Opinion, page 13

Emotion Fall Showcase

Centerfold, pages 8-9 December 9, 2010• Volume 107, No. 10

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

TSA changes

On the Web: www.facebook.com/etownian

Presidential search

Can’t touch this... Diverse candidates greet community actually, you can A T Ross M. Benincasa Managing Editor

Amy L. Baugher Staff Writer

he Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has installed security machines at airports across the country called backscatters. These new machines take a full body X-ray of your naked body, and a TSA agent sitting 50 to 100 feet away receives the scan. The agent will not be able to see your face, and the security officer at the scanner cannot see your scanned image. The scanner detects metallic and non-metallic concealed threats which might normally go undetected. If you decide to opt out of this scan, you will be taken aside and given a full body pat down that will get personal. The pat downs go under your clothes, to make sure you are not hiding anything. These security measures have become an extremely controversial issue.

Some groups believe that the new security system is an invasion of privacy and shouldn’t be allowed. Dr. Kyle Kopko, director of the College’s Pre-Law program, holds that it would be hard to defend a case of invasion of privacy because there are so many other forms of travel that can be taken. “It’s always been debated. This can go back to the case during WWII when the government had Japanese internment camps,” Kopko explained. “Basically, they were shipped off to these camps because they were viewed as being a threat to national security. The Supreme Court upheld this government relocation of Japanese citizens all in the name of national security … The executive branch always has a little bit more leeway in terms of putting pressure on people’s rights and liberties during a time of war.” As for the new scanning system, Kopko believes that this is a reasonable way to ensure that Americans are safe.

A poll taken by CBS news shows that most Americans agree with him. The poll showed that four out of five Americans prefer to go through the full body scanner instead of getting the pat down. The poll also shows that Americans overwhelmingly approve the use of the full body scanner. Over 99 percent of Americans choose to be examined this way rather than use other screening processes.

These full body scanners are now being used in many airports close to us, including Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.; Harrisburg International Airport; and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Sophomore Alex Zwinck has recently experienced the new security. “Yeah, that patdown got real personal. They check everywhere,” he said.

Over the past few years, there have been a number of threats in airports. Just recently, a homemade bomb was concealed inside of an ink cartridge, and a man had a bomb hidden in his underwear.

John Pistole, an administrator for the TSA, explained what they were doing to stay ahead of these threats.

“With more than 26 years of law enforcement experience at the FBI, I can tell you that our best defense against these threats remains a risk-based, layered security approach that utilizes a range of measures, both seen and unseen, including advanced technology and patdowns, as well as law enforcement, intelligence, terrorist watch list checks and international collaboration,” he said.

The new technology is here to stay. The patdowns will continue if you opt out of the full body scan, but the TSA aims to replace all metal detectors with these backscatters. Although it may be a little personal going through security these days, just remember the TSA’s philosophy: better safe than sorry.

Image: hypergogue.net

fter the announcement that the College presidency would open in 2011, over 100 potential candidates submitted applications for review. The Presidential Search Committee narrowed these down to ten semi-finalists who they felt exemplified the College’s image, and then furthered the selection down to the three finalists with whom we’re currently engaging. Two of these candidates are profiled below; the third has not been named yet. For more information, see page 3.

Dr. Carl Strikwerda

Dr. Kevin F. F. Quigley

Strikwerda currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the College of William and Mary, the second oldest college in the U.S. He began his academic career at Calvin College Image: wm.edu in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he attained a bachelor’s degree in history. He furthered his history studies at the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan, where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D., respectively. He taught at the State University of New York in Purchase and the University of California at Riverside before his first administrative role at the University of Kansas as Associate Dean of liberal arts and sciences.

Strikwerda focused heavily on marketing an image for Elizabethtown College as a solution to our financial issues. He believes in the community that Etown holds so dear and would like to utilize that as much as possible, meeting with students whenever he can. He also noted a need for an athletic complex on campus to attract prospective students.

For some background on Strikwerda that was not emphasized at the forum, it may be important to some students that he financially supports the Democratic Party, giving ten different donations in the first three quarters of 2010, totaling $925. Strikwerda will also take a modest pay raise if he assumes the role of president at Etown. In 2009, Strikwerda earned $200,600 at the College of William and Mary, the eleventh highest amount awarded by the College.

Currently, Quigley serves as the CEO and President of the National Peace Corps Association.

Before entering this role, he held the positions of CEO at the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Workers and Communities, Vice President of Policy and Business at the Asia Society, and Director of Public Policy at Pew Charitable Trusts. He also has experience in government, serving as the Legislative Director for U.S. Senator John Heinz.

Quigley earned his bachelor’s degree in English with minors in history and religion from Swarthmore College, as well as Masters degrees from Columbia University and University College Dublin and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University. Concerning Etown, Quigley noted a push he believes is necessary for students to give back to the ColImage: peacecorpsconnect.org lege. Like Strikwerda, Quigley explained that he would like to teach while serving as president of the College, citing that it would allow him to connect more with the students and present the College in a more knowledgeable light when campaigning for fundraising.

Also, like Strikwerda, Quigley actively supports the Democratic Party, as he helped to fund President Barack Obama’s political campaign in 2008.

Also of interest, Quigley’s wife, Susan L. Q. Flaherty, has a collection of art that was permanently admitted into the Smithsonian.

WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks founder arrested for rape Katherine G. Pebley Staff Writer

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ulian Assange, the 39-year-old Australian who founded the secretsharing website WikiLeaks, is being held without bail after turning himself in for rape charges in Sweden. According to USA Today, Assange had been hiding in London and turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday.

His controversial site unloads diplomatic cables which he believes show “lying, corrupt and murderous leadership from Bahrain to Brazil,” as he told ABC News in a recent email.

He communicated in that manner because he believes his safety and

freedom are in danger, so he is constantly traveling to avoid being shut down by government officials.

Though WikiLeaks has been active since 2006, the public largely became aware of the site only this July when it released 90,000 secret documents about the war in Afghanistan, then considered the largest intelligence leak in U.S. history, CNN reported.

On Nov. 29, Assange’s freedom became threatened by the U.S. government, as the Obama administration alerted him that “any individual, regardless of nationality, who broke U.S. law by making public hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables” would be prosecuted, ABC News reported.

The latest leaks Assange sent out span from glib remarks about international leaders to serious security concerns that could result in deaths.

Many of the cables are about an imminent threat from Iran; U.S. leaders now believe that Iran obtained missiles from North Korea that are capable of striking Western Europe if set off.

Attorney General Eric Holder assured Americans at a recent press conference that anyone involved with breaking the law on this site will be held responsible and accountable for his or her actions. He told ABC News that “WikiLeaks should not be treated as a See ASSANGE, page 2

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Rachel A. Marsteller Staff Writer Pastry assault Robbers, beware of clerks wielding pastries.

In New Mexico last week, a clerk foiled a robbery when she threw a package of empanadas, a type of Latin American pastry, striking the culprit in the back of the head.

Police said the masked man didn’t say a word when he grabbed the cash register at Amigo’s Mexican Food and tried to flee.

The police captain said the man dropped the register when the clerk threw the pastries and hit him.

Barbara Orquiz, who owns Amigo’s with her husband, reported the cash register’s cord got caught when the man tried to take it. The clerk saw him grab it, screamed and hit him with the empanadas.

Orquiz said the man was covering his head as he ran away.

Hangover Helpers Your head aches, you’re hungry and your house is littered with sticky plastic cups. There is a fix for that: Hangover Helpers.

Two University of Colorado graduates are marketing a new business. They’ll bring breakfast burritos and Gatorade the morning after a party — and clean up the mess.

Marc Simons started cleaning party houses about a year ago for extra cash and realized he’d found a niche.

He teamed up with high school friend Alex Vere-Nicoll and started Hangover Helpers.

Charging $15 per roommate, they’ve already gotten some calls. They expect business to pick up in spring, which is Boulder’s prime party season.

Half a haircut and kaboom An SUV crashed into an Anchorage barber shop, narrowly missing shop owner Heng Song and his two customers. But Song wasn’t about to let the horrifying moment get in the way of a good haircut. He was only momentarily stunned when the vehicle burst through a door and window as he was clipping a customer’s hair.

The drama was caught by a security camera, and footage shows the SUV land fully inside the shop, where Song stood behind a man in the barber’s chair and another customer waited on a sofa in the corner. No one was seriously hurt, although the driver got a bruised knee in the collision with the building.

Song laughed Thursday as the footage showed him quickly return to the chair and continue the haircut, while in the background bystanders began to gather. There’s no way he would let a loyal customer go home with a botched job, Song reported.

Leaving a customer with half a haircut, he said, would be “something too ugly.” He didn’t charge either of the customers after the incident.

The SUV driver is a barber shop customer who was planning to shop at an adjacent grocery store.

The driver’s daughter said her father accidentally pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes as he parked.

Compiled from MyWay.com.

Image: USAToday.com

December 9, 2010

Assange’s website under scrutiny media outlet, but a criminal entity intimately involved in that it becomes overwhelmed and unavailable to visitors.” the effort to steal secret documents and make them public.”

Pinpointing the hackers behind the attack is imposWhile many are infuriated by Assange and his site, sible, but James Lewis, a cyber-security expert and senior Time Magazine nominated him fellow at the Center for Strategic and as a candidate for Person of the International Studies, told The AssoYear, according to The Associated ciated Press that he does not believe Press. Time referred to him as a the U.S. government is responsible for “new kind of whistleblower… for the attack; he thinks it was “a bunch the digital age.” of geeks who’ve decided they’re anThe site has been praised as a noyed with WikiLeaks.” The denialbeacon of free speech, according of-service attack did not prevent to CNN. Secretary of State Hillary information from being released; it Clinton has said that while some Julian Assange, the Australian who only stalled it for the day. mistakenly applaud Assange and founded WikiLeaks, talks at a news People have criticized WikiLeaks those who help him leak govern- conference in Sweden about sexual as a threat to U.S. national security, ment secrets, “there is nothing misconduct charges brought against him. and some say that it has endanlaudable about endangering innogered the lives of anyone fighting cent people… nothing brave about sabotaging peaceful terrorism around the world. In spite of all the backlash relations between nations,” ABC News reported. that Assange has received from his release of delicate Some feel strongly enough about the situation to hack diplomatic information, he doesn’t seem ready to close WikiLeaks. The site was recently the victim of a denial- up shop any time soon. of-service attack, which is, according to The Associated In his email to ABC News, he wrote, “We’re only Press, when “remote computers commandeered by rogue one thousandth of the way in, and look at what has so programs bombard a website with so many data packets far [been] revealed. There will be more.”

Problems overseas

North Korea bombs Yeonpyeong Huntley C. McGowan News Editor

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he 38th parallel has not seen this much action since America’s withdrawal from the Korean War in the late ‘50s: on Tuesday, Nov. 23, North Korea fired approximately 170 shells at the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong. The attack set several buildings ablaze, killed four South Koreans and injured 19 others.

This recent exchange of fire between the North and South has caused the international community to pause and consider the possible repercussions Korea’s actions could have on the rest of the world. Dr. David Kenley, associate professor of history, believes this conflict is one of the toughest between the two sides since the Korean War. “There have been many instances of violence and military tension involving North Korea, South Korea and even the United States,” Kenley said.

Past instances of violence and military tension have resulted in the creation of The Demilitarized Zone – a 155-mile buffer zone that spreads across the Korean Peninsula and divides the North from the South. Some of Korea’s most famous conflicts have occurred within this zone, such as Operation Paul Bunyon, when South Korea responded to the killing of two U.S. Army officers by North Korean soldiers.

Other conflicts have taken place at sea, including the USS Pueblo Incident, in which a U.S. Navy ship was attacked by North Korean forces and 82 crew members were captured and held for 11 months.

“These [most] recent conflicts are especially troubling because North Korea is undergoing a leadership transition, which makes it particularly difficult to determine motives and future trends,” Kelney said. “When you add the fact that

North Korea now has nuclear weapons, it is all the more troubling.”

Right now it looks as though China, a valuable ally to the North, will not apply any pressure on the North to appease the South or the U.S. “North Korea is a very fragile regime,” Kenley said. “Though it has a strong military with advanced missiles, North Korea is an economic basket case.”

Kenley still believes that there is the potential for political collapse, especially during North Korea’s period of leadership transition. If the North collapses as a result of this power shift from Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un, the North and South would probably be united as one. Currently, the U.S. has thousands of troops stationed in South Korea, but with the question of unity at stake, the U.S. troops could undergo a massive change as well.

“A unified Korea would mean that the U.S. troops could be stationed at China’s border,” Kenley said. “This is unacceptable to Beijing, and China will continue to support their North Korean allies by shielding them from international censure.”

Sophomore political science major Julia Ward believes that the dispute between the two is escalating and probably will continue to do so. “It seems as though North Korea thinks that it has no accountability on the international stage, which is definitely a threat to the stability of the entire international system since North Korea is currently at such a volatile point in its politics with the imminent transfer of power,” Ward said.

While the U.S. has recently made it clear that it will support South Korea, Kenley believes that the South has the most to lose in any military conflict, and the U.S. should not escalate the situation unless South Korea desires to do so. However, it appears that the South Koreans want to minimize the fallout of the recent attacks. According

to CNN, South Korea, Japan and the United States will hold talks in Washington in early December to discuss the North’s expanded nuclear program, the attack on Yeonpyeong island and a Chinese proposal for emergency talks.

“From the U.S. point of view, talks would be rewarding North Korea’s rogue-state behavior,” Kenley said.

“High-level talks have been going on for several years with no significant breakthroughs.” Kenley thinks that China wants to host the talks to enhance its own international prestige and portray itself as a responsible international partner. “The U.S. and South Korea obviously don’t see it this way,” he said.

Though North Korea has sophisticated weaponry, most analysts don’t believe it has the capability to defeat the South in war. War between the two would likely lead to the collapse of the North. “The North wants these weapons to strengthen its hand in negotiations, to ensure its continued survival and to win the support of military hardliners within its own government,” Kenley said.

Senior political sceicne major Meghan Wilson believes that North Korea was showing its strength when it attacked South Korea. “It wanted to send tyhe world a message that if it wanted to attack, it can,” Wilson said.

Many international observers believe that North Korea has several legitimate complaints that the U.S. and South Korea refuse to discuss. The largest issue currently is the border line between the North and the South.

“The Maritime border separating the islands in the Yellow Sea was imposed on the North Koreans at the end of the Korean War,” Kenley explained.

“The border needs to be either redrawn or administered in a more fair and equitable fashion.” Yeopyeong Island falls within this disputed territory, and the recent attacks prove just how unhappy the North really is.

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Search committee working hard to find new president

“This morning I informed the Board of Trustees of my intention to retire as President of Elizabethtown College, effective July 31, 2011.” This statement, by current Elizabethtown College President Dr. Theodore Long, still sends shivers down the spines of students and faculty members here at Etown. The e-mail echoes through our minds, trying to latch onto some stem of reality as we attempt to make sense of the future surrounding our academic home.

Until recently, the direction our institution has remained a mystery to all but those involved in the process of selecting the successor to our 18th president. As students, we were subjected to worn-down retellings of the same e-mails week after week, about how the Presidential Search Committee was making great progress with a substantial group of candidates, but nothing more. Still, at the time of publication, the search committee has not released refuses to release any telling information about the third candidate. However, due to recent forums held on campus during the three finalists’ overnight visits, students got their first chance to view and interact with their potential future leaders.

Although these forums are the students’ first chance to meet Long’s possible successor, the process has been a long and intensive one for the Presidential Search Committee, an ad hoc group formed by the Board of Trustees.

The Board began assembling the Committee very soon

after Long made his initial announcement; 15 members were appointed from the College community, including trustees, faculty members, students and alumni. A search firm, Academic Search, Inc., was also utilized to aid in the process of finding potential applicants and help guide the search committee through any issues they may have.

According to Dr. Susan Resneck Pierce, one of Etown’s consultants from Academic Search, the arduous process exemplified the quality of candidates the committee sought.

“The search committee was looking for someone who appreciated Elizabethtown’s history, culture and values,” Pierce said. “Someone who could tell the story of the College persuasively ... who understood what a really terrific, small private college is all about.”

According to Presidential Search Committee member, senior Steve DiGrazia, the hours of work were well worth it. “I poured my sweat and tears into this project,” DiGrazia said, “but it is a very important task that requires thorough thought and analysis, and the fact that I was chosen to do that says a lot [about] the confidence they have in me.”

The finalists chosen include Dr. Carl Strikwerda, current Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the College of William and Mary, Dr. Kevin F. F. Quigley, President and CEO of the National Peace Corps Association, and a third candidate yet to be named. Although the third candidate is

economic hardships

shopping perils

Alexa L. Masano Staff Writer

Michelle L. Hare Staff Writer

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still a mystery to the majority of the College’s community, we did have the opportunity to learn a lot about Strikwerda and Quigley during their visits to campus. After the third candidate arrives for his or her extended stay at Etown, it will be up to the Presidential Search Committee members to nominate their favorite applicant and wait for the Board of Trustees to decide whether to accept their nomination.

DiGrazia recognizes that both of the first two candidates have proficiencies and weaknesses in assuming the role as Etown’s next president. “Students seem to be more frank with [Quigley] in their questions. Many people seem to gear their interest toward [Quigley],” DiGrazia said. “Many say [Strikwerda] did not have a presidential presence; however, he is very intelligent and diplomatic ... he also contains a strength in smaller settings.”

Only time will tell who wins their way into our Etown community, and how they will guide this institution through our remaining years and beyond. However worried or pessimistic some may be in this monumental change, hopefully we can strive forward with the same perspective and optimism that President Long has left with us throughout his years here at Etown. And in Long’s own words, “I am confident that Elizabethtown will continue to flourish and to achieve new levels of excellence in the years ahead.”

Recession hits Ireland hard Black Friday brings havoc reland is known as a beautiful country with lush greenery and magnificent landscapes.

The Irish are proud of their country and rarely want to leave. Recently, however, something in this nation is creating turmoil rather than happiness: a recession.

Dr. Mark Harman, professor of English and German, moved to the U.S. for graduate school after growing up in Dublin, Ireland. He continues to visit his homeland and during his last visit, he saw omens of the recession hitting. “You could see signs for rent. Some of the office buildings were empty, and this was quite visible on certain streets,” Harman said.

Ireland’s unemployment rate is close to 14 percent and is getting worse. Just like that of the U.S., the recession in Ireland is affecting many people. Shops, banks and businesses are closing, and people are losing money and jobs.

Students just graduating from university, and even high school, are struggling to find jobs in Ireland. Much like those in the States’, these adolescents will take This U.K. pub is one of the small businesses that anything they can get. “Younger has been forced to shut down due to the recession. people are thinking about emigrating; they are looking for jobs,” Harman said. “They are questioning whether there would be a future for them in Ireland, so they are thinking about emigrating.

More people are thinking about going abroad because there is less and less chance of employment,” he added.

Harman said there are fewer and fewer opportunities for students and the Irish in general. “Anyone we knew from University who lived in the South said that it was apparent that prices were rising,” senior Melanie Weyant, who studied in Northern Ireland, said. “Electricity prices went up and once, when we stayed at a friend’s house in the Republic, they did not have the heat on because it was so expensive.”

According to an article in Belfast Telegraph, “The economic slowdown was blamed after an estimated 2,100 extra foreign residents arrived last year — down from 10,000 at the peak five years ago.”

The same article also stated that “according to NISRA, in the new year to June 2009, 23,500 people are estimated to have come to live in Northern Ireland and 21,400 people left. Migration therefore added 2,100 residents to the Northern Ireland population.”

Harman emphasized similarities between economic harsdhips in the U.S. and Ireland, noting that house prices in Ireland nearly quadrupled in the past 10 years.

“Dublin became one of the most expensive places to live. Also a lot of people in Ireland are angry with bankers — as were people here. Taxpayers are having to pay a lot of money for the banks’ mistakes. This happened in the U.S. too — but it’s happening in all of the Irish banks,” Harman added.

This recession may have a huge impact on the future of the country.

“Despite all of that, I didn’t mind the price difference too much because the country is so beautiful,” Weyant said. “It was worth the cost to travel around and see the incredible scenery that Ireland is so renowned for.”

reat bargains and super-saver deals are a main part of past Thanksgiving shopping; however, good buys can also be the cause for frantic consumers to go wild and inflict holiday havoc.

Just two years ago, at a Long Island Wal-Mart, a mob of 200 frenzied shoppers trampled 34-year-old Jdimytai Damour, a Wal-Mart employee, to death while also injuring four other shoppers, including a pregnant woman. An article from www.NYDailyNews. com quoted a fellow Wal-Mart worker, Jimmy Overby, 43. “He was bum-rushed by 200 people,” Overby said. “They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me. They took me down, too ...

I didn’t know if I was going to live through it. I literally had to fight people off my back.”

This year Marine Cpl. Phillip Duggan, 24, was stabbed by an alleged shoplifter at a Best Buy in Augusta, Ga. The perpetrator, Tracey Attaway, 39, was seen putting a laptop under his jacket and tried to leave the store without paying for it. An article from The Augusta Chronicle reported the stabbing and quoted Orvin Smith, a sales manager at Best Buy, about the shoplifter’s violence.

“He was really irate. A whole lot of energy ... he finally let go of the laptop, ran out the front door, knocked one of my employees down and pulled out a knife so he could make sure he could get out the front door,” Smith said. “[Duggan] clotheslined him, and after that he kind of got up and started swinging a knife around.”

Duggan recuperated in an Army medical center while Attaway was charged and jailed with crimes including armed robbery assault.

Junior Amanda Tyson had her first and only chaotic Black Friday shopping experience last year at the Rockvale Outlets in Lancaster, Pa. “They had a special where the first 300 people got a free $10 gift card,” Tyson explained. “My friends really wanted the gift card, so I had to stand outside in the freezing cold for two hours. I was just shocked to see how aggressive people were for $10.” Tyson

did not go out shopping this Black Friday because of her experience last year. “I couldn’t imagine seeing someone get injured over shopping,” Tyson said.

At the Park City Mall in Lancaster this year, everything ran smoothly, general manager Rachel Gallagher said. “We had tons of people,” Gallagher reported. “Our department stores had lines outside them before they opened. All the lines were kept very orderly. There was no pushing or shoving, so that was very good.”

Gallagher explained that the Park City Mall had 25 stores opened at midnight and by 5 a.m. all the stores in the mall were open.

This was an hour earlier than last year.

“We made the executive decision to open an hour earlier this year because last year all the department stores opened early so there were many people already in the mall,” Gallagher stated. “So we could take advantage of that extra hour to get more business.”

Dr. Edward K. Chung, associate professor of marketing, commented on the ritual sense of Black Friday to American consumers and how this shopping holiday is embedded in the American culture.

“I think it’s a cultural thing,” Chung said. “The American society has established Black Friday as the time to go shopping. It’s what they do. We are a consumer society, and every American consumer grows up learning about Black Friday.”

Chung confirmed that going shopping on Black Friday has become a national ritual, and many decisions made by consumers are based off of ritual. He explained how people feel the constant need to rationalize their actions, especially when it comes to getting up in the early hours of the morning to stand outside in the cold.

“People use the idea of getting a bargain to rationalize shopping on Black Friday, but their behavior is actually irrational,” Chung said.

Despite chaotic tragedies and reports of danger brought about from the best deals of the season, the large early-bird crowds haven’t backed down when it comes to Black Friday.

Images: renewaldynamics.com, personalmoneystore.com

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December 9, 2010 town events • facts & figures• business

student achievements

Mock trial members gain high marks at competition have caused the death, but also that the child was improperly supervised by his parent and baby sitter when playing with the toy.

Post played both a plaintiff and a defense attorney in this tournament. He admitecently, Elizabethtown College’s mock trial team competed in the Eighth Annual ted his favorite part was the challenge mock trial presented. “Both our teams had Quaker Classic Tournament at the University of Pennsylvania. The event took successful tournaments. I think this can be credited to our preparation,” Post said.

“We have people who dedicate more time to mock trial than a lot of people dediplace Nov. 12 and 13. There were four rounds total in the tournament, two held on each day. Two scoring judges assessed each team’s performance, and points were cate to all of their classes combined. Even our first time competitors came across composed and confident; accumulated throughconfidence is everything out the entire weekend. because your part is not Etown had attended the believable if you are not event in the past, and confident in it yourself,” wanted to blow away the Post added. competition this time Post also likes the new around. experiences that he can The mock trial team take away from ever y here at the College gives competition. He menstudents a real life optioned that each judge portunity to see how an is unique and offers criactual case is prepared tiques that can help parand litigated. Coached ticipants improve. Post

by Judge Jayne Duncan, said, “This tournament I the club mostly focuses learned a valuable lesson on practical aspects of in rebounding from a courtroom simulation round that I did not peras well as evidentiary form so well in. I used that ruling. Membership is as motivation to try to be required to be in this on top of my game for the club, and students are next three rounds.” able to join as part of a Spelfogel has been a class or as an extracurpart of mock trial for four ricular activity. years and has worked his At their recent tourway up to become presinament, many Etown dent of the club. “Even students came out on Courtesy Photo top with three awards. This year’s Mock Trial team made quite an impression, with several competitors receiving notable though we spend hours upon hours preparing for Senior Tom Kneafsey awards. They will be competing again in the spring, with high hopes for further success. these trials, it is so much won the “Best Witness fun and really beneficial for anyone considering law school,” Spelfogel said. “It Award”, sophomore Sean Post won “Best Attorney Award” and senior captain Dave helps you with skills such as speaking articulately and confidently, critically Spelfogel led the team to victory.

This year’s tournament case was based on a father suing a toy company for analyzing an argument, and with logical reasoning.”

As the team looks to the future, they will continue to prepare for upcoming tournegligence. The company was accused of manufacturing a toy with a chemical that allegedly killed the father’s child. However, there were many different naments. The team has a big regional tournament in the spring. They will continue variables that were thrown into the case. The plaintiff argued that the toy com- to face off against other big name teams such as Brandeis University, Johns Hopkins pany broke the law by making a toy with a banned substance in it. In defense, University and Dickinson College. The team is still gaining experience in all aspects the company argued that the child had a preexisting health condition that may of the field and hopes to continue their level of excellence in the upcoming months.

Robert E. Koehler Staff Writer

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profile

Res. life staffer makes big changes, plans for SDLCs Tara B. Hayes Assistant Copy Editor

Living and Learning community program, so I meet a lot with people in different academic departments to try to develop partnerships with them,” she said.

derstanding of that issue, beyond just that service that you’re doing here in Etown or Harrisburg or wherever,” Asbury said. “That you’re able to apply what you’re dos Assistant Director of Residence Life, Suing and what you’re learning more broadly and san Asbury has much influence over how to be able to think about how one person can students live on campus. An example of this inhelp make a change or advocate for someone.” fluence is the alterations she is making to the StuHer goal for the SDLCs is to have the dent Directed Learning Communities (SDLCs), students reflect more on the work they have changes which will be put into place in fall 2011. done for the community, while keeping the Asbury was born in Tennessee, living most academic level intact. Asbury is very interof her life in the South before moving to New ested in collaborations, which shows in the York with her husband. Years later, when they faculty or staff mentors provided for each settled in Elizabethtown, she found this job ophouse. The mentors will help the residents portunity at the College and took it. discuss the theme of the house, which is no Before coming to Elizabethtown College, longer pre-determined. Empathy and trying Asbury worked in the museum field. When she to understand where people are coming from transferred from a college museum to a more are important to Asbury, so her changes are public environment, she began to miss the inPhoto: Matthew P. Butera more likely to stay true to the purpose of the teraction with students.

Asbury [left] wants to see the SDLCs provide the best SDLCs. Now, the students are a favorite part of her job, experience possible and so she plans to implement changes Students who are interested in living in an as well as the variety in each day. In addition to that will further the benefits of the program.

SDLC, but missed the Dec. 5 orientation meeting, working with the SDLCs, she is the advisor for Get With these changes, Asbury hopes to better tie the should contact Asbury at asburys@etown.edu or A.B.S.U.R.D., helps Director of Student Wellness and learning communities with Elizabethtown College’s extension 3017. All prospective residents must meet Campus Heath Sandy Spayd with alcohol and drug- mission, “Educate for Service.” with Asbury and participate in a required workshop related programs, and works with Resident Assistant “I really hope that the students who participate in in January. All applications for SDLCs are due in training. “I’ve been working to expand and grow our [the SDLCs] really get a greater global and social un- February.

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December 9, 2010

features

study abroad

the Etownian

5

Beyond comfort zones; studying in different languages Katie R. Sallade and Karen E. Soto Volunteer Writers

B

efore we studied in Brussels, Belgium for a semester, we did not sufficiently grasp the comforts of being surrounded by one language. In Brussels, the predominant language is French; however, the country of Belgium has three national languages: French, Dutch and German. Some conversational English can be found, but we discovered very quickly not to expect to hear our native tongue. In the city, French was uttered at every turn, but at home and in school, Dutch was the standard. Our host family, originally from Holland, spoke Dutch to each other, French in the shops and on the street and English to us. One of the daughters could even speak Icelandic. Multilingual individuals and families, which we believe are rare to find among our friends in the U.S., are a norm in Belgium.

us survive linguistically in the country, while grammar and other complexities were put aside. These classes soon became our favorite, as we made efforts to fit into our surroundings and learn a bit of the culture we had thrust ourselves into.

Courtesy Photo

Studing abroad with friends is a great way to get to know them in a whole new context! They can also act as a great support while adjusting to new surroundings.

Courtesy Photo

When traveling, take the time not only to see the tourist sights but also the natural scenery. Soto (left) and Sallade (right) pause in front of a classic rural view.

The college where we studied, Vesalius, is located on the campus of a Dutch University, but all of its classes are taught in English. For this reason, there was no language requirement in our program, despite the lack of English language in the area around us.

Even though we picked up a few phrases here and there, we soon realized the need for further education. We both enrolled in Dutch classes to make our daily communication at home more comfortable. Katie also took French. This made going to the store, ordering food at restaurants and finding our way around the city much easier. Luckily, our instructor also geared the classes to be consumerfriendly. We learned the phrases and aspects of both languages that would help

It was still a struggle to communicate sometimes, but people were more receptive to our broken attempts at their language than if we naïvely expected them to understand English. It helped that we respected their way of life rather than marching around with a false sense of American superiority.

However, we eventually became accustomed to hearing foreign languages all around us. Now, from time to time we miss the dulcet tones of the French language or the sometimes harsh Dutch pronunciations. After experiencing the multilingual qualities of the people, we also encountered some slight disappointment at our own capabilities. Both of us studied German in high school and here at Etown, and while we found that background knowledge helpful (especially in our trips to Germany), our level of understanding was not comparable to that of our Belgian counterparts.

Studying abroad was a great opportunity for us to push the boundaries of our comfort zones. We learned to not only appreciate our own language but to communicate in general. We often take it for granted how simple it can be to convey a thought or a feeling, even to ask a question. It feels great to once again be surrounded by our own language, but we are somehow left wanting more diversity in speech, wishing we could expand our linguistic skills and hoping we will make it back to Brussels someday.

campus events

“Pack it light, wear it right”: backpack safety for kids Kara J. Burkholder Staff Writer

and body movements and muscles and how it all relates to each other,” Junior Andrea Raffensperger said.

“This is just a good way to put what we’re learning to he saying “Pack it light, wear it right!” could be use and help someone learn how to wear a backpack heard throughout the Elizabethtown College because they’ll have to do that in their everyday lives.”

At the event, the seven girls split Occupational Therapy ‘Kid Zone’ in Esbenshade into two groups and talked with the on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Students in the department O.T. students. After getting achosted a Brownie troop to teach them the corquainted, the students asked rect, healthy way to wear backpacks. the girls how much they The Occupational Therapy program carry in their backpacks has hosted the event for at least seven and then showed them years and has seen upwards of 500 kids how to carry the bags so far. Senior O.T. students Kate Rasin a healthier way. What mussen and Steph Sherick are both they were trying to exleaders of the Brownie troop that plain was a fairly simple visited this year. The troop has nine idea: pack it light, wear total members, and seven of the girls, it right. ages eight and younger, were there The American on Tuesday.

Occupational Ther“Basically we want them to learn apy As s o c i at i on , how to wear and pack their backpacks which sponsors a correctly because kids these days get national campaign way more homework and have a lot to raise awareness on more books,” Rasmussen said. the subject, said that The event was hosted by students in the Kinesiology 318 class as part of O v e r more than 40 million 500 kids have been students in the U.S. a service to the community. Professor Dan Panchik said, “They [the students] certainly learn educated on healthy ways to wear carry backpacks to a lot about movement and body mechanics and so a backpack through the College. school. So what’s the forth, so they’re taking some of those principles and big deal if they don’t wear them right? According to AOTA, in 2001 there were 7,000 emergency room applying it in service.”

“In class we’re learning about different movements visits related to backpacks, and about half of them oc-

T

Photo: www.girlbackpacks.org

curred in children from five to 14 years old. In another study, six out of 10 students ages nine to 20 reported chronic back pain related to heavy backpacks.

“There are ER visits and musculo-skeletal injuries as a result of wearing them improperly,” Panchik said.

“This is to bring awareness and try and promote good health and good body mechanics.”

Overloaded backpacks are the biggest factor in why these students have problems with pain. According to the AOTA, a backpack should weigh no more than 15 percent (one-sixth) of a student’s body weight. However, the average student usually carries about a fourth of his or her body weight. The way the backpacks are worn also has a large impact on the body. If positioned lower on the back, it has the least effect on posture because it is closer to the body’s center of gravity. However, this only works if the backpack is not so heavy that it pulls the body backward. Symptoms of wearing bags incorrectly include aching back and shoulders, weakened muscles, tingling arms and stooped posture.

The correct way to load a backpack is to put the heaviest items closest to the back, place things so they won’t slide around and include only what is necessary. Make sure to use well-padded straps over both shoulders, adjusted so it fits close to the back. That annoying waist belt that usually hangs free? It’s meant to be used, so utilize it. The strap helps distribute the pack’s weight evenly.

“You can pull muscles and hurt your back, the same way that heavy lifting would,” Rasmussen said. “If you are wearing them the wrong way, it is just putting strain on the bones and muscles of your back.”

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the Etownian

campus life

movies • music • television • humor • travel

December 9, 2010

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

giving back Joelle E. Atkinson Asst. Campus Life Editor

Ski4Life R

elay for Life, The Breast Cancer 3-Day, The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

What do all of these events have in common? All are walking and running events that are done in the name of raising cancer awareness and money for a cure. But not everyone is a walker or runner. Now there is an event that allows you to raise money and support cancer awareness, while at the same time, enjoying a day out doing a more… extreme form of exercise.

Ski4Life is a yearly event in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Central Pennsylvania (LLs). Originally called the Spring Carnival, it was a day filled with food, music and even pond skimming hosted by the Susquehanna Ski and Snowboard Club with all proceeds going to the LLs. It was an event for the winter sports club, but as the event grew in size, it was suggested by local organizer Gale Kusyk to donate to this particular organization.

Kusyk lost her husband to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in October 2001 and was aware of the treatments that were made possible by the LLS. The members of the club rallied behind her and Ski4Life was born.

Though the event has been held for the past seven years, it is only within the past few that the Ski4Life event has become a major fundraiser for the LLS; it raises thousands of dollars that are put toward research and patient aid. The 2010 event was the most successful yet, as funds and participants increased by 50 percent.

Senior Amanda Calabrese has been working on the Ski4Life project for her senior seminar project. She is helping the event chair with participation and recruitment, with a goal of promoting awareness of the event, specifically here at Elizabethtown College through Facebook and other networking tools. “Ski4Life is a 12-hour ski and snowboard marathon that is taking place on Feb. 12, 2011 at Roundtop Mountain Resort,” Calabrese said. She explained that the event runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the resort in Lewisberry, Pa., and will include a kickoff event, live bands, food, an evening bonfire and even an awards ceremony.

Money is raised through each participant. “If a skier or snowboarder registers as an individual, they have to raise a minimum of $300. If they register as a team of four, the team must raise a minimum of $1000,” Calabrese said. Though these minimum requirements may seem steep, Calabrese said that during the 2010 event, one person raised $5,000 alone. Each individual can fundraise in whichever way he or she chooses, but LLS does give the option of creating a fundraising page online to solicit donations through the organization’s website. It also offers fundraising tips. “The money that is raised goes to LLS and it is used to fund blood cancer research, education and patient services,” Calabrese explained.

Calabrese enthusiastically encourages Etown students to participate. “LLS is a wonderful organization with an amazing mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”

She also emphasized the uniqueness of the event.

“I have never heard of another 12-hour ski and snowboarding fundraising event in the Pennsylvania area,” she stated. The event attracts people from all over the tri-state area and the Delaware Valley and is a major fundraising tool for cancer research.

While working on her senior seminar project, Calabrese has had the opportunity to attend several Ski4Life committee meetings, and at the beginning of each meeting a personal story is shared to remind the organizers why they are holding the event. “I believe that’s one of the best things, because it makes everyone remember what they are there working for and how much Ski4Life means to them and to the families they are helping,” Calabrese said.

Interested participants can register on the LLS website, www.leukemia-lymphoma. org, by clicking “Participate in Events” on the left side or by visiting the Ski4Life Facebook page.

Images: www.guidestar.org, www.mountainfilm.com

campus life

December 9, 2010

the Etownian

technology

7

No Hands: Kinect and Move mark new way of gaming Shelby D. Sammartino Staff Writer

I

t’s the holiday season, which means people everywhere are busting out their wish lists. In our fastpaced, advancing generation, people are not asking for dolls or toy trains anymore. Kids and adults alike are requesting the newest and most sophisticated electronic “toys” out on the market. The dilemma lies in finding out which one of these toys is the best.

The concept of gesture-based remote controls has been tested and developed in laboratories over the past couple of years. Largely targeting the “can’t find the remote” crowd, this idea suggests installing a camera into televisions that can watch and detect the viewer’s hand signals as controls for the TV. This idea has become more than just a suggestion—we finally have something to show for it in the newest accessories for gaming systems. The two most popular devices introducing this technology into the market are Microsoft’s Kinect for Xbox 360 and Sony’s Move for Playstation 3.

So what are they exactly? Kinect for Xbox is considered a “controller-free gaming and entertaining experience.” It is completely hands-free and does not require any type of controller because you, the player, are the controller. This phenomenon was made possible by the addition of the Kinect sensor, a horizontal bar that features a complex, depth-sensing camera and a multi-array microphone for voice recognition. Therefore, rather than lugging around multiple bulky controllers, all you need is your own body to control the game.

As with all new technologies, there are pros and cons with this development. Microsoft currently offers 17 Kinect games compatible with the addition, but the more serious gamers should be forewarned. According to recent

reviews, the Kinect games are more “cutesy” and arcadelike, which is great for families and novice players, but not so good for more advanced users.

Also, the setup of the system raises some spatial issues.

In order for the sensor to work accurately, there must be at least six to eight feet between the Kinect sensor and the user or there will be a slight lag. This means that everything else within that six-foot square of space must be cleared, such as furniture, tables, pets, etc. So if you have a small living space, Kinect may not be for you. The most relevant concern, however, to consumers during this crazy holiday time is price. The Kinect sensor alone runs for about $150 if you already own Xbox 360, and if not, you can purchase the Kinect bundle, including a 4GB Xbox, for $299. Regardless of the pricey system, you still get more tech for your buck, because you will never need to worry about buying extra controllers!

On the other hand, there is Move for Playstation.

Move is solely an accessory to the Playstation, and it is considered “a cross between Kinect and Wii.” It includes a video camera called the Eye, as well as a physical controller packed with motion-sensing electronics. This is called the Move motion controller, or the “wand.” The motion controller features an orb at the head that can glow in any of a full range of colors using RGB lightemitting diodes, or LEDs. The orb is used as an active marker for the Eye to sense and locate, and therefore transfer onto the screen. A variety of sensors are also built into the controller to allow the Earth’s magnetic field to accurately determine its orientation. As far as the actual games go, there are currently only a few games

available. But in contrast to Kinect, Playstation is planning to introduce the Move control schemes into more popular titles, such as Resident Evil 5, making Move an accessory targeted toward a more mature market. By not offering only arcade-style games, Move gives the consumer more range in game choice.

Like Kinect, Move requires there to be about five to nine feet between the player and the system, but only two to ten feet from The Eye, and no furniture moving is required. Since the camera employed is accompanied by a physical controller, the accuracy in the system is substantially better, and there is no noticeable lag as in Kinect.

As for price, the Move is sold for $99 as an individual accessory if you already own a Playstation 3 system. If you want to go all-in with a new console, the Playstation 3 will run you a steep $399, but it includes the Move bundle, and a copy of the Sports Champions game, plus a 320GB PS3 system. But, for multiplayer games, you will need at least one extra Move motion controller on top of the one included in the bundle, as well as any additional controllers you may want.

Overall, whichever game system best fits your gift-giving needs is up to you. Xbox Kinect is allin-all more accessible with both gesture-sensing technology and voice recognition, and it offers a more jaw-dropping experience. But, you will need a large play space, there is a minor lag, and it is on the pricey side. Though Playstation Move isn’t totally hands-free and doesn’t include voice recognition, it offers the same motion tracking technology — just with a controller — has a broader range of games and doesn’t completely drain your bank account. It all boils down to the type of gamer you are and the experience you want to gain from your console this holiday season.

on campus

First annual student art auction marks new tradition Kit B. Lai Staff Writer

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lizabethtown College is always full of fun traditions, from the Thanksgiving dinner to the Christmas tree lighting and a lot more. On Dec. 2, students, faculty and staff gathered in the Susquehanna Room of Myer Hall at 6 p.m. and witnessed the beginning of a new Etown tradition - the first annual Student Life Art Auction.

Professor Jean-Paul Benowitz, assistant director of Academic Advising and transfer advisor, is the creator of the First Annual Student Life Art Auction, aiming to raise money for the Carole L. Isaak Alana scholarship. The scholarship was created in May 2010 after Mrs. Carole Isaak left the office of Academic Advising and retired from the College. According to Benowitz, the hallway that leads to the Center for Student Success on the second floor of the BSC used to be an art gallery called the Collage Gallery.

Once Benowitz stepped into his new position and moved into his new office, he felt he should restart the art gallery to display art from students, faculty and staff, “I want to show everyone the variety [and] levels of creativity that we have on campus,” he said. While Benowitz

began collecting art over the summer, he came up with the idea that the school could start selling the art pieces. As a result, once the fall semester began, he started his project by organizing an art auction that would feature the art of faculty, staff and students to raise money for the scholarship.

“We’re singing it, soul to soul, brother to brother, a cappella and it sounds good to me,” Phalanx sang. One of the guest performers at the art auction, Phalanx started off the night with their spectacular singing while guests entered the Susquehanna Room. Walking into the auction, there were two women at the registration table collecting entrance fees from guests and handing out numbers for the bidding.

The art auction began when Benowitz warmly greeted everyone and introduced himself as the auctioneer and Jennifer Besse from Career Services as his assistant for the night. Humorous interaction took place with faculty, staff, students, families and residents of the Masonic Village.

As Besse creatively described each art piece, everyone was soon participating actively, holding up their numbers to bid for their favorite items.

“The auction was very Etown-like. The art represented student life, and the whole

campus came together to support. Also, we were honored to have the Masonic Village to join us,” Benowitz said. “It was great to have the kind of opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the College and the Masonic Village.”

“No other step got a swagger like us. A swagger like us. A swagger like us,” Blue Faze proclaimed. Stepping into the auction after two art pieces were sold, Blue Faze immediately carried on the upbeat excitement with their dance and steps.

Not only could the guests enjoy the step team performing, but they could also find a table of homemade cookies for sale on one end of the room and a table of jewelry for silent auction on the other. Both tables raised money for the scholarship.

Additionally, there were delicious snacks and refreshments for guests to enjoy, such as warm cheese with bread, chocolate in all flavors and fruit punch.

One of the highlights of the night was having Issak there to support the auction and to celebrate what she has contributed to the College.

“As a member of Student Senate, this was a great way to interact with community members and support a great scholarship and Carole Issak,” sophomore Donte Mccrary-McClain, chairperson of publicity and marketing, said.

“Going once, going twice, sold!” After selling the last piece of art, a picture of birds with fruit, an intense bidding of the Beach Hill Cottage in Maine began. A retired faculty member from the College owns the cottage, and Issak has stayed there in the past. The retired faculty member kindly shared the cottage for a week for the auction, and a group of students from Student Senate won the cottage by bidding $1,650.

“We won the house! We didn’t know about the cottage, then when we found out about it, we wanted to go there as a group. It is going to be a cool Senate bonding [experience]. Since this is such a warm community, it is nice to have an auction to help such a good cause. It was nice to have some of the artists there, too,” Adam Moore, the first-year class president, said.

“The turnout was marvelous. It was the first auction, and we had a lot of energy and supportive people come out,” Benowitz said. The art auction ended with one last dance from Blue Faze that brought laughter to the audience. “Even though we were asked to go as Senate, I would have gone anyway,’” said Moore. “I saw a lot of stuff at the BSC and in emails. Advertising was pretty good. If the school can make it to the Etown community, they can raise more money. It’s a great start, and I will definitely go again next year.”

Images: www.gadget.co.za, cn1.kaboddle.com

8

the Etownian

campus life

December 9, 2010

Rachel E. Barr Staff Writer Emotion is having its fall 2010 showcase, Inspiration in Motion, this weekend in Leffler Chapel. Emotion holds one showcase each semester and it has become a classic performance here at Elizabethtown College.

Students can audition for dances at the start of the semester, or simply sign up for the beginner level dances. Dancers of all levels of experience join Emotion to continue doing what they love, while other students who have never danced before get a chance to learn something new. Emotion lets students from all walks of life showcase their skills while giving them a chance to meet new people and have fun with friends.

There are many stories of how students joined Emotion throughout their time at Etown. “I joined Emotion because I really enjoyed dancing,” sophomore Samantha Peters said. “I danced in high school and Emotion was the easiest way to continue what I was doing in high school.”

Emotion’s historian had a different reason. “I joined Emotion to get away from doing homework,” senior Kortni Smith explained. “No matter how much homework I have, I know I’ll have something fun to look forward to.”

While reasons for joining Emotion haven’t changed throughout the years, many other things have. When Emotion was founded, it wasn’t created to simply have a dance club on campus: “It was more for a healthy initiative to get students moving,” Caitlin Cocchi, an alumna of the College, said. Cocchi was vice president of Emotion during the ’08-’09 school year. She still goes to see all of the Emotion showcases since graduating in spring of 2009. When asked how Emotion has changed over the years, she responded, “We have been able to raise a lot of money and get more costumes. The clubs purchase 2-4 new costumes each semester, depending on budget. Back in 1998 and a few years after, all of the performances were held in Tempest Theatre. Later on it was moved to Leffler.” Among other changes, the club’s advisor was swtiched from Melanie Jenkins to Kristin Pontz.

The club has been constantly evolving. According to Smith, many changes happen every year. “Each year we change our constitution to better serve Emotion,” she said. Emotion is also working on making each showcase better. “We try to hold workshops each semester,” Smith continued. “In general, we try to have our show be more professional.” Another difference that has shown up in recent years is themed showcases. “The first themed show was fall of 2008, and it was called Bright Lights Dark Nights,” Cocchi explained.

Emotion doesn’t just change itself; it has started to help make a difference in others’ lives as well. “One dollar is donated from each ticket and is donated to a different organization for each show,” Smith stated. Since Emotion always has a large turnout for its showcases, every ticket sold really makes a difference.

This semester’s showcase has many people excited, especially Emotion’s board members and dancers. “We had our full showing right before Thanksgiving,” Smith said. “That was the first chance other people got to see everything in the show.” Now that Emotion has seen all of the routines that Etown students have choreographed, the students can’t wait to show them to their classmates and families this weekend.

Inspiration in Motion is different than past showcases. “This show we have a lot of dancers being controlled by one dancer,” Smith explained. There was a similar dance in last semester’s showcase, when sophomore Ryan Stadel controlled his fellow dancers, which was popular with the audience. There will still be different types of dances, from lyrical to Irish step dancing. According to Smith, this showcase will have 20 dances, and there will be “a lot of upbeat and slower songs, a good balance.”

The showcase will be held in Leffler Chapel Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11. Both shows will start at 8 p.m., but doors open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets will be sold this week during lunchtime in the BSC.

December 9, 2010

campus life

the Etownian

9

images from deviantart.com and psdbox.com

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campus life

the Etownian

December 9, 2010

in the community

celebrity dish

Top 5 most talked about people of 2010 Lights of Hope Joelle E. Atkinson Asst. Campus Life Editor

I

t’s almost time for the countdown. You know, the one on New Year’s Eve, led

by Ryan Seacrest, as a shiny disco ball falls dramatically from the sky. Looking back on this year, it’s nearly impossible to remember every musician who rocked the charts or every celebrity who completed rehab. But according to the Etownian, here are five entertainers to be remembered from the year 2010: Sandra Bullock: It seems like ages ago that Sandra Bullock first turned Hollywood upside down. But it was only last March when she skyrocketed to the epitome of Hollywood royalty after winning an Oscar for her movie, “The Blindside.” The actress garnered much praise for showing up to accept her Razzie award the day before the Oscars for her “Worst Actress” performance in “All About Steve.” Bullock, known for her gracious and down-to-earth personality, remained in the spotlight as her marriage to actor Jesse James crumbled in the public eye after allegations of cheating.

She moved on, dodging questions about her personal life and gushed about the newest addition to her life, a baby boy she adopted with James. The scandal survivor is now raising her child on her own.

Betty White: This was the year of Betty White. The 88-year-old actress became an entertainment sensation after a Super Bowl ad put her back in the public

eye nearly two decades after the show, “Golden Girls,” left the air. Following the dynamic ad, a Facebook campaign commenced for her to host “Saturday Night Live.” The campaign worked, and last spring White made her SNL debut. She has starred in several movies and won an Emmy for her guest spot on the comedic variety show. She now has a starring role on the TV Land comedy “Hot in Cleveland” and has guested on several comedy shows throughout 2010. In 2011, White will launch her own calendar.

Cast of “Glee”: Sure, the show began in 2009, but the little-Fox-show-thatcould grew to phenomenon status in 2010. The cast of triple-threat singers, dancers and actors became household names as the show’s popularity swelled.

But it wasn’t just the singing and dancing that sent this show to new heights. It was the way “Glee” tackled issues like religion, homosexuality and body image that gave teens a sense of identification and appealed to the masses. With a sold-out U.S. tour, a Golden Globe, Emmy wins and record-setting digital download numbers, the question has been raised as to whether “Glee” has lost the magic that once made it special. The answer?

Only time will tell. But 2010 sure was a “Glee”-ful year.

Kanye West: America loves to hate Kanye West. The rapper, who made a huge performance faux pas in 2009 by interrupting Taylor Swift’s Video Music Award acceptance speech, came back

in a big way. He debuted the first single from his newest album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” at the 2010 awards show, and it has since been named Album of the Year by both Spin Magazine and Rolling Stone. But Kanye isn’t all about having the best album of all time. His outlandish antics, such as going toe-totoe with Today Show host Matt Lauer and then overreacting about it on microblogging site Twitter, set him apart.

Bruno Mars: Bruno Mars must be feeling on top of the world: Even Before he put out his own album as a solo artist in October 2010, people around the world have been singing his songs. The Hawaii-born singersongwriter has been prominently featured in number-one hits such as B.o.B’s “Nothin’ on You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire.” In addition, he has written several number one hits, such as Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” and Cee-Lo’s “Forget You.” But it’s his own love anthem, “Just the Way You Are,” that has both the girls and the critics swooning for more. And now, the singer has even more to celebrate. With seven plus Grammy nominations which showcase Mars’ writing, producing and vocal skills, he has truly elevated himself above the competition in an often similar-sounding pop music scene and has made 2010 an even better year to remember.

And that’s your Celebrity Dish!

charitable causes

Awareness: seasonal affective disorder Nicole M. St. Pierre Staff Writer

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t’s something we’ve probably all experienced at some point – fatigue, apathy, and feeling sick and tired of the world outside our bedroom windows. Everyone goes through a slump on occasion, and there’s a number of possible sources: stress from classes, relationships, money, the shadow of final exams looming over us as the semester draws to a close…yet for some people, there’s a bigger reason that’s completely out of our control. Moods can change as quickly as the weather – but did you know that sometimes it’s the weather to blame for our less-than-cheery moods?

Seasonal affective disorder (appropriately abbreviated “SAD”) is, according to www.emedicinehealth.com, “a type of depression that is tied to the seasons of the year.” It affects about 6 in every 100 people in North America, mostly (though not exclusively) young adult females. And it’s no surprise: many women our age are in school or working, and can face incredible amounts of stress, especially around the holidays. SAD isn’t around solely during the wintertime – people can also be affected during the spring and summer seasons, though it is most commonly identified in the colder months of the year.

“Really this is about people who are particularly sensitive to the changes in the amount of light in the winter,” said Dr. John Teske, professor of psychology here at Etown. “Some of this can be overcome just by taking a little vitamin D, or making sure you get some time in a sun lamp or appropriate lighting.”

Emedicinehealth.com also describes SAD as being related to changes in sunlight exposure and adds that those who live in areas which are typically darker during the winter months are more likely to be affected. Symptoms can include characteristics also attributed to other types of depression: fatigue, loss of interest in activities you usually find enjoyable, weight gain (or loss), anxiety and irritability. Those suffering from SAD may also experience cravings for sugary foods and alcohol, “heaviness of arms and legs,” changes in behavior or conflicts in relation-

ships. One of the easiest ways to conquer the effects of SAD is through what’s known as “bright light therapy.”

Bright light therapy is when an individual experiencing SAD is exposed to high levels of artificial light, brighter than those typical in the home, office or classroom. Special lamps for this purpose are available in various forms – light boxes, visors, panels and even blankets. About 30 minutes of bright light therapy per day has been found to help alleviate symptoms of SAD in most patients – however, it should be noted that not just any exposure to bright light will work. Those wishing to use bright light therapy as a means of treating SAD should not use a tanning bed as their lighting source, or any other source which does not block UV rays from reaching the individual. In addition, those who take medication which might make them sensitive to light should avoid bright light therapy and pursue other means of treatment, including vitamin D supplements and counseling.

“It’s really hard to motivate myself in the winter,” says a junior Etown student who experiences SAD each year. Though she wishes to remain anonymous, she emphasized the importance of light in her mood during the winter season and noted that she once considered undergoing bright light therapy. “I’m really sensitive to [light], so when it gets dark really early, or I wake up and the sun is still not up, it makes it really difficult for me to get out of bed.” She finds it challenging to keep up the enthusiasm and drive she has at other times of the year, and she tries to avoid going outside in the cold and snow as much as possible.

If you think you’re experiencing SAD, there are many things you can try to turn your mood around. “Go take a walk,” Teske suggested. “Spend more time in what sunlight there is.” Improving dietary choices, drinking less and beginning regular exercise patterns were among Teske’s other suggestions, as well as one of the most important steps one can take: talking about it. If you’re feeling particularly low and don’t think you’ll find relief through any of the other treatments mentioned above, seek professional help through Counseling Services or referral to an outside therapist.

Kelly J. Clayton Staff Writer

I

f you travel beyond Schlosser Residence Hall, down Mount Joy Street, past the fire station and onto High Street, you find the latest addition to Elizabethtown businesses: Lights of Hope Thrift Shop. While Elizabethtown is already home to a Goodwill Store and the upscale resale store, Now Wear This! it has yet to see a thrift store like Lights of Hope.

Shop manager Susan Kuiper describes Lights of Hope as more than just a place to sell used clothing; it gives women and their families hope.

Lights of Hope, a division of Jewel David Ministries, Inc., works to make funds available to women and families who need compassionate therapy and counseling. The counseling is for women who specifically have had pain in their past and need assistance to move beyond it. Kuiper said, “The shop will provide funds so women can afford to have counseling and the purpose of counseling is to make the women strong in their families, so their families can be strong and then the community will be strong.” The funds from the thrift store make counseling affordable on a sliding scale. Lights of Hope is a classified tax-exempted Non-Profit, 501(c)(3) and has only one paid employee; the rest are volunteers.

Currently, Kuiper said, she has about 25 volunteers with about 10 regular weekly volunteers. “[Lights of Hope] gives back directly to the community,” Kuiper said. “There aren’t too many businesses set up like this, where the funds and counseling provides directly to the immediate community.”

The idea for an NPO thrift store came to Dolores Reidenbach, owner of Jewel David Counseling, while she was sleeping. Reidenbach lives in Etown and felt that Lights of Hope was exactly what it needed. She contacted Kuiper, who was working as a dental assistant. “I graduated with an art degree so I always enjoyed designing rooms and displays, so this was just perfect for me,” Kuiper said.

That November, the store was completely designed, decorated and ready for the grand opening.

The opening was held on Nov. 13, 2010, where everyone who purchased over $10 worth of items received a free reusable shopping bag.

Kuiper said that since the store has been open, the community has welcomed Lights of Hope with loving arms. “Everyone is thrilled about the counseling shop! They realize that the town really needs it, and everyone from the community and churches have been great in donating clothes and supporting us.”

During November, Lights of Hope also had a day for kids to paint pumpkins in the store, and is planning on having a cookie decorating day on Dec. 11.

What Lights of Hope wishes to do in the upcoming months is bring more people into the store to see the work that they have been doing. Kuiper said that anyone is welcome to volunteer their time to work in the store if they want to. She encourages college students to come in anytime to look around or talk to her about volunteering. Every Monday, students receive 5 percent off their entire purchase at Lights of Hope.

First-time shopper at Lights of Hope, junior Christina Rodriguez, said, “It is an adorable store both inside and out. I did make some purchases, and I would go back; they are great items and very cheap. Buying from a thrift store is great, but I would be careful of who I am buying for, because not everyone in my family is as open to thrift stores as I am.”

If you are interested in volunteering at Lights of Hope, or just learning about the shop, please feel free to visit their website at LightsofHope.org.

Image: www.naturalux.com

December 9, 2010

opinion

campus controversies • letters to the editor

letter to the editor

seasonal

Dr. Sanjay Paul Business Department Chair

Kristen N. Lacaillade Staff Writer

W

E

the Etownian

11

national debate • our take • guest columns

Public criticizes X-mas season, consumerism annoys ho can dispute that department chairs lead lives of glamour? Well, certainly not a department chair — see earlier Etownian article on the subject (Feb. 25, 2010). Others who lead similar lives of glamour are newspaper columnists, Christmas tree-lighting guest speakers, Deans of Faculty and — to a lesser degree — college presidents.

But what an adoring public may not know is that the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that trouble ordinary mortals also afflict these celebrated personages. In fact, even more so, for the titles that command instant respect also tend to invite criticism of various kinds.

Consider the hapless college president whose attempts at raising funds for the College endowment are never enough. He is constantly being asked at faculty meetings why the endowment is not bigger. Even the College newspaper gets into the act, with student reporters taking him to task for leaving the College desperately dependent on tuition revenue. Colleges with larger endowments are always being brandished as models to be emulated, but little attention is paid to the inconvenient fact that large endowments have not prevented well-known universities and colleges from laying off employees and eliminating programs in the recent recession.

Then there is the Dean of Faculty who, despite all attempts at collegiality and sweet reasonableness, gets branded as “Dean Potentate” by insubordinate department chairs. And that too in his first year in office!

The life of a guest speaker at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony is similarly fraught with peril. In response to an invitation from the Student Senate, he prepares a speech littered with nuanced allusions to consumerism, O’Henry’s timeless fable about a young couple’s love and sacrifice at Christmas and stories of celebrations from his childhood in Calcutta. But later, much to his surprise, his family rebukes him.

His wife, his young son and even younger daughter all chide him for going too long.

The main event was the lighting of the Christmas tree by Elizabethtown College President Theodore Long. Your stories, they cried, were postponing the grand moment the crowd was waiting for! The chastened speaker has decided not to bring along his family for such celebrations in the future.

But the unkindest cuts of all are the comments left by thoughtful readers of your column in the Patriot News. You write about Keynesian policies necessary to combat the Great Recession, and readers respond by raising uncomfortable questions about your sanity, your training, even your grasp of economic principles. Some go further — they pity the students who are forced to learn from you. This line of criticism is actually quite impressive, for these readers display an admirable solicitousness for the quality of education of today’s college student that is generally lacking in most comments directed at newspaper columnists.

A more recent article on President Obama’s trip to India ended on a satirical note involving Pamela Anderson’s advocacy of PETA’s stance on leather (they are against it). But a reader was quick to pounce, calling the author “pretty idiotic” and generally evincing displeasure with the tenor of the article.

One learns to live with such criticism. But at least, one hopes, college presidents are spared the invective.

very year we seem to start celebrating Christmas earlier than the last. Driving home for Thanksgiving break, you hear Christmas music on the radio. Stores set up their holiday decorations and start their sales super early, emphasizing layaway, payment drops, etc. in preparation for the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday. People get trampled, mothers battle for the last Tickle Me Elmo, and some go as far as camping out overnight to be the first in line to gain entrance to the stores. Even Elizabethtown College rang in the holidays earlier than usual. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held in November, before Thanksgiving break.

The question on everyone’s mind is: do we ever have enough time to celebrate Christmas?

Each year, it feels like the holiday season is upon us so much sooner than the year before. Christmas commercials this year seemed to begin the first week of November. Notably, retail store Target produced multiple versions of its holiday sale commercial, which played consistently

on television for the weeks leading up to the infamous Black Friday.

Not only did the stores prepare early, Etown did the same. No sooner than students were done with their meal, it felt like we were all assembled outside seeing the tree lighting. Should Thanksgiving and Christmas just be combined into one mega holiday? Do we have any time to breathe between holidays to transition from one to the other? The answer to this is probably no because it sure doesn’t appear that way.

Although it feels as though we’re being bombarded with holiday overload, the retailers will be the last ones to complain about Christmas coming early this year. Black Friday, as almost every American is familiar with, is the biggest shopping event of the entire year.

People sit down for Thanksgiving dinner and, no sooner than they have digested their turkey and mashed potatoes, are they jumping in the car and driving to their nearby Walmart or Target and breaking out the sleeping bags.

For some families, Black Friday shopping is an annual tradition and there is much thrill in the hunt for the best shopping deals.

“People had even started putting up their Christmas lights as soon as they got home from Black Friday shopping,” sophomore Nicole Soisson said. “It’s just so soon.”

With a failing economy and the job market being as low as it has been in many years, this holiday season brings a boost in monetary

have enough time to celebrate Christmas may be left unanswered. If we allow the retailers to begin their holiday sales, layaway and free shipping earlier every year, we may just forget in which month Christmas actually falls.

Sometimes, we just need to step back and remind ourselves why we celebrate

Images: blog.nola.com

bonuses for many families.

Retailers hire additional help to keep up with the demands of the holidays and people take full advantage of these opportunities.

College students are ready and willing to do anything they can to make a little extra money during the holidays. The economy is helped only slightly by this increase of revenue; however, with the current state it is in, any little bit helps.

Overall, the question of whether or not we ever

the holidays in the first place. Although it may sound cliché, it is important to remember that we take this time to surround ourselves with the ones who mean the most to us in our lives and to reflect on everything we are both thankful for and those we cherish.

Wit h t h e h o l i d ay s being thrown upon us quicker and quicker each year, the phrase “Christmas in July,” may just become a reality.

on campus

Marketers take stab at job seekers Peter S. Northrop Assistant Editor

Y

ou’ve probably seen the signs popping up all over campus. They’ve been pasted to the doors of almost every academic building. They’re those enormous posters shouting: “WINTER BREAK WORK,” promises “17.00 dollar an hour” salaries and flexible schedules for college students. The offer comes from Vector Marketing, and promises some kind of mysterious ‘customer service’ position. If you’re gullible, like me, you’ll think: “Wow! That sounds awesome!” and gleefully begin your application process.

I’m warning you right now, folks. This is a huge mistake. You see — Vector is the sales arm of Cutco cutlery. As the name suggests — Cutco manufactures really expensive knives, gift sets and what-haveyou. Working for Vector implies going door to door selling Cutco knives — or going as far as to harass your family into buying them.

Now, that doesn’t sound so bad (how awesome is it walking up to someone’s doorstep and asking them to buy knives while waving one in their face?) — that is until you get into the application process. Just when you’re about to be sent out into the world — armed to the teeth with a bucket of knives and your best salesman smile — Vector lets you in on one last piece of information: you have to buy a ‘demonstration kit’ from them in order to be employed by them. The kit can cost upwards of $145.

And then the fabled $17 per hour rate is only if you sell an uproarious amount of knives. Essentially, even on your best days you’re more likely to lose money than earn it. And, at most — you’re looking at earning a paltry $3 an hour. It’s so not worth harassing your friends, family and neighbors.

So, in summary — don’t fall for all these “AWESOME WINTER BREAK WORK” flyers going up—especially these Vector ones. They are designed to capitalize on how desperate some of us college kids get for work. We all deserve better than that.

Even though these winter break work opportunities are run by legitimate companies, the risk is simply not worth the reward.

Image: careerwarch.files.wordpress.com

12

opinion

the Etownian

d n ou

S Off

To what extent should the TSA be allowed to search?

by Matthew P. Butera

Robert Graham Class of 2014

“Let them do it all; I have nothing to hide.”

Samantha Earle Class of 2013

December 9, 2010

letter to the editor

Oregon teen accused of terrorist activity

Lindsey A. Evans Staff Writer

parents’ relationship got rocky and they divorced in the summer of 2009. But the most lifechanging writing he composed “Somali teen’s terrorist plans to bomb Oregon tree- was a single e-mail. lighting ceremony derailed.”

In August 2009, Mohamud started an email exchange which evermind that Mohamed concerned terrorist activities, the Osman Mohamud was same summer that his parents’ never part of a terrorist group marriage ended. Emails with or had a weapons contact that his contacts in December 2009 wasn’t concocted by the FBI. concerned traveling to Pakistan Have we run out of terrorists that to engage in violent jihad. He we must manufacture them out was referred to someone else, of troubled 19-year-old boys? with whom he never managed There is another story hinted to get in contact. at behind the black and white Meanwhile the FBI received of the newsprint of the Intelli- a tip “from the Muslim comgencer article on Sunday, Nov. 28 munity” and hacked Mohamud’s (all following info is from there, email account. They emailed if not otherwise referenced). him in June 2010 claiming Mohamud was born in Somali’s to know his original contact. capital the year its bloody civil An undercover FBI agent met war began and came to the U.S. with him in Portland July 2010. as a refugee at the age of five: old When, a month later, Mohamud enough to remember the culture told the FBI agent that the target shock (Bruke, NY Post). would be Portland’s tree lighting He became a naturalized ceremony, the agent mentioned American citizen and enrolled that there will be children there at Oregon State University after and agreed to provide the bomb. graduating from high school Mohamud started the fall in Portland. He wrote some semester at Oregon State as a fitness articles for Jihad Recol- non-degree student, but withlections and listened to rap. His drew on Oct. 6.

N

On Friday, Nov. 25, Mohamud was shown the fake bomb in a white van (the cost of which is not recorded anywhere) and given a phone which he was told would detonate the bomb. The FBI agent read him the number, and he punched the buttons.

When it does not detonate, the FBI agent told him to go outside for better signal, where he was forcibly arrested. Mohamud may face life imprisonment for attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Two days after his arrest, the mosque he attended was set on fire (Intelligencer, Monday, Nov. 29). The arsonists have not been caught.

If the FBI was trying to create cohesion in the Portland community, support tolerance and nurture trust and well-being, it failed. If instead it was trying to create another Red Scare, I cannot think of a better way to start than by sowing suspicion and then targeting a minority group with little political power.

What worries me most is the media coverage. Although newspapers are normally peppered with suspects who may

have committed an alleged murder with the gun found in their hands, all but one of the five articles I read referred to Mohamud as a terrorist, instead of a suspected terrorist.

When is entrapment justified? Tragedies in Nazi Germany and Rwanda suggest that if you say the right things and give people the right tools, almost anyone is capable of horrendous crimes. The kind of psychological research which now would not pass the Human Subjects Committee suggests the same thing.

How much safer will the United States really be with Mohamud behind bars? The United States of America, home of the free, has the largest prison population of any country, more than three times larger per capita than Communist China, according to Dr. Jeff Long. Is there a better way to deal with war refugees, perhaps by investing in social services instead of prisons?

Maybe one day the government will see what good people are capable of, if they are given “an opportunity.”

Images:image.spreadshirt.net

“The TSA can do financial whatever they need to keep us safe.”

High textbook prices give buyers blues Shawn P. Corcoran Staff Writer

A Beth Bahr Class of 2012

“Pat downs are far enough.”

Zach Mitchell Class of 2012

“The TSA are a little excessive in the use of their authority, but at times it is necessary.”

Make sure to check out the Sound Off poll and the latest issue on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/etownian

rriving to campus after a long summer break is always full of exciting firsts. The first trip to the cafeteria, the first Blue Bean milkshake of the semester and the first Friday night of the school year spent with good friends.

However, there is one experience that is never pleasant for returning or first-year students: buying books for classes, an expensive and dreaded experience.

At the start of every school year, the Elizabethtown College Bookstore is swamped with students looking to get their hands on the limited supply of used books. Purchasing used books will save students money, but often even the used editions are highly priced. Full-time students can be expected to pay anywhere from 250 to 600 dollars on books per semester depending on a student’s major.

Senior Mike Keneally said, “It is not uncommon for accounting and finance majors to be required books at costs of 200 dollars.”

This is an expensive addition to the cost of a course. “The spring semester of my freshman year I paid $575 for the required reading material,” senior Kurt Deschner said. “Buying books at the College Store is expensive, but the service is convenient.” Other students have found alternative methods of acquiring textbooks. “Recently I have been using Half.com as a resource for purchasing books. It is very user-friendly and relatively inexpensive,” junior Laura Farnish said. Half.com is a great service for both buying and selling used textbooks.

The bookstore at the College does offer a program that allows students to sell their used books back to the store for cash. The return on the used books, however, is usually only a fraction of the initial cost.

“The amount of return students receive on their books through the buyback program is absurd,” Deschner said. “I don’t bother to give my books back to the store.

It’s just not worth it.” The books I have purchased are an investment and can be used as I continue my education in medical school,” he added.

Students are often shocked when they receive a return of less then half the amount of their expenses for a book they barely used. “I definitely wouldn’t have purchased a few of my required textbooks if I had known how little I was going to use them,” first-year Mike Lee said.

Etown textbook manager, Susan Smith, sympathizes with the students’ expense concerns. “I have a son currently in college. I completely

Images: westlibertylive.com

understand. It’s vicious,” Smith said. Smith has been a textbook manager for 16 years.

She explained that when a student sells his or her books back to the school, there are two buyers.

The first is Etown’s bookstore. The bookstore purchases books that will be used again for course curriculum. “We buy them at a price of 50 percent of what the student initially paid for it,” Smith explained.

The second buyer is an independent book wholesaler called MBS. MBS purchases all of the used books that will not be used by the school anymore. These books often have the lowest return value in the buyback program. The publisher, not the school store, determines all prices of initial sale and books that are bought back.

“We have discussed developing a book rental program in order to reduce student expenses,” Smith said. Although a rental program would be beneficial, it can be extremely difficult to establish at a small school. “In order for the school to break even on a rental program, a textbook would have to be rented for five consecutive semesters,” he reported. Professors at smaller schools like Etown have a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing and changing course material. Many professors change their required course material yearly.

When this happens, a rental program is difficult to adopt.

The cost of college textbooks is a growing concern nation wide. It will be interesting to see what steps Etown takes to address these concerns. In the meantime, we’re fortunate to have the services currently offered by the Etown bookstore.

opinion

December 9, 2010

the Etownian

entertainment

Musical movies, TV make big comebacks Julia M. Escudero Ponce Staff Writer

T

he history of musicals goes back to the 1920s, when people first appeared singing and dancing as part of movie scripts. Since then, there has been a big production of films which include artists singing and dancing as part of the plot.

The tendency to have mainstream musicals was very popular throughout the 1920s and 1950s. Nowadays, TV shows and movies are starting the trend again. TV series such as “Glee” and movies like “Burlesque” are attracting media attention for their return to musical performances.

Music has always been very important in movies: it helps to create an ambience within the film, and it helps with the development of the plot. It also creates emotion in the audience and sends a specific message about a scene. Without music, the impact of a movie wouldn’t be so powerful, because through music, many sensations are transmitted. In the 1960s, most of the movies included classical music as the main soundtrack, but that has changed.

Since the 1990s, popular music has become part of movies and

TV shows. In her book, “Popular Music,” Hilary Lapedis claims pop songs in films use the genre’s own emotional conventions, and therefore, places those films in a much wider context of popular culture. Having a flow of pop culture allows directors to have artists performing in movies, instead of just picking a soundtrack: It’s a commercial thing.

Directors usually choose actresses according to beauty rather than good voice. “Nine”, for example, is a movie in which hot girls are singing and dancing.

They don’t have the greatest voices, but they can do something extraordinary, which is singing, and so the movie sells. Both the director and the actresses obtain good results. The same happens with “Burlesque.” The people who want to watch “Burlesque,” for example, do so because Christina Aguilera appears in it, and they want to see this popular icon doing an unexpected job.

In a musical, the actor or actress singing has a stronger connection with the audience because he or she appears as a live performance. However, this occurs only because the actor is singing directly to the camera, and the audience gets the feeling of being part of that performance.

Some artists are doing these appearances on the big screen as well as on TV to gain more media attention. In the case of Christina

Images: movieymas

Aguilera in “Burlesque,” this worked because in the movie she is, somehow, demonstrating her talent. She used to sing, but she lost popularity and now, she is gaining it again. That is how the business, and of course, popular culture, works.

However, sometimes this commercial thing also has a good result. Occasionally, these hot girls with their not-so-beautiful voices actually do have beautiful voices. This is the case with Reese Witherspoon. When she

obtained her role in “Walk the Line,” in which she plays the love of country music icon Johnny Cash, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, she had no idea that she could sing. After some training, she had an excellent performance. At the end, the movie was nominated for five Academy Awards and Witherspoon won the Oscar for Best Actress. But this is not the most common situation. Usually, it is not about good voices. If that would be the case, Susan Boyle should have a list of directors wishing for her to sing in their movies. Usually it is just about cute actors singing and promoting themselves on the big screen or on the TV. The audience is always impacted by a good soundtrack, and if the soundtrack is performed in a lively way, it will sell more. People like to get influenced by music that appears in a movie, and when that music is performed by a beautiful person, it sounds better. That is how popular culture operates.

That is exactly how it sells and how artists gain a position in fame.

Usually it is just about being cute.

However, if you are lucky, the actor may not only be cute, but also have a good voice, so the movie will actually be good and not just a commercial product.

environment

‘Green’ grocery bags raise health concerns Kelly J. Clayton Staff Writer

I

t’s Sunday afternoon, and you’re in the local Giant Food Store shopping for your weekly groceries. While at the register, you have to make a decision: to use paper or plastic bags. Unless you have been living under a rock for the past three years, you are aware of America’s fairly new attempt to “go green.” While the meaning of “going green” varies from person to person, I think all could agree that it is taking steps towards living more sustainably in one’s life.

One step that millions of Americans are taking more and more often is the use of reusable grocery bags. Reusable grocery bags are fashioned from a strong plastic, cotton or nylon and can last for years, as opposed to the standard plastic or paper bags that will only sustain for one or two trips to the grocery store.

Let’s go back to the register. You have the choice between plastic, paper or reusable.

Which are you going to chose?

While reusable bags would seem to be the best choice, people are still using paper and plastic bags. Why? The only reason, other than ignorance, is that recent studies have shown traces of lead have been found in select reusable bags. Is this a reason to give up your green conscience and revert to non-sustainable bags? I think not.

According to an article published by USA Today, a Florida newspaper found lead in some reusable bags which is raising health as well as environmental concerns. Later in the article, it explains that Wegmans Food Market recalled two of their reusable designs because testing suggested that they had “elevated lead levels.” What the article fails to mention is if these elevated lead levels really pose a threat to humans.

According to bites.com which is a promotional website for safe food, a spokesperson from Wegmans said, “This is not a

food-safety issue, it does not present a public-health risk. We are very committed to the environment to sustainability, and decided to err on the side of caution.”

Also, tests done on Rochester, NY-based Wegmans revealed that the lead levels in the bags are at less than 0.1 parts per million. This will not pose any threat to food in the bag even if it is completely unwrapped.

However, what will pose a threat to the earth, your life and humanity in general is a diminishing environment and threatening atmosphere. The reason why America is hopping on the “going green” bandwagon is because the government and major corporations are starting to realize that the environment is in grave peril and people have to start making daily changes to the way they live. If you don’t believe me when I say that the environment is in danger then here are some facts that will help prove my case: According to reusethisbag.com, the U. S. cuts down 14 million trees per year, simply to supply the demand for paper shopping bags. Also, in landfills, paper bags produce over twice as much atmospheric waste as plastic, making them questionable at best as the superior choice for the environment.

According to the Wall Street Journal, only one percent of plastic bags are recycled worldwide; the rest are left to live on indefinitely in landfills.

If those facts didn’t frighten you as to how real and dangerous our everyday choices can be, maybe this one will. Over a lifetime, the use of a reusable bag by just one person would save over 22,000 plastic bags. This is what Americans should be striving for. They should be eliminating plastic and paper bags and going for reusable. Whether or not there is lead in the bags, it has yet to cause a threat to humans and their food and, therefore, should not be a risk factor.

The choice is reusable because if the country continues to carry items in their conventional plastic and paper bags, the Earth will be destroyed at a much faster pace than it already is going. So the next time you are asked, plastic or paper? Say no thanks, I have reusable.

Images: greensak.com

13

the Etownian the board

Editor-in-Chief Emily M. Reigart Managing Editor Ross M. Benincasa Assistant Editor Peter S. Northrop News Editor Huntley C. McGowan Features Editor Khouri E. McGrann Campus Life Editor Melanie R. Giardina Opinion Editor Vanessa L. Andrew Sports Editor T. Gavin Nevill Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Copy Editor Patricia A. Cangelosi Managing Copy Editor Nancy C. Briscoe Online Editor Zachary T. Johnson Layout Editor Allison A. Gower Assistant News Editor Jamie L. Bartolino Assistant Features Editor Erika C. Surock Asst. Campus Life Editor Joelle E. Atkinson Assistant Opinion Editor Janelle K. DeAngelo Assistant Sports Editor Janna M. Richards Asst. Photography Editor Jacqueline E. Quidort Assistant Online Editor Andrew R. Sides Assistant Copy Editors Samantha M. Alleman Danielle B. Cantor Elizabeth A. Enwright Tara B. Hayes Craig H. Meaney Brianna E. Wiest Assistant Layout Editor Agnetha C. Serrame Business Manager Marc E. Weber Asst. Business Manager Benjamin L. Frey Advertising Manager Katie L. Bornholdt Assistant Ad. Manager Brooke S. Wachtel Faculty Adviser Kirsten A. Johnson

The Etownian is the student newspaper of Elizabethtown College. All editorial decisions are made by the student editors. With the exception of editorials, opinions presented here are those of quoted sources or signed authors, not of the Etownian or the College.

The Etownian is published most Thursdays during the academic year

by Susquehanna Printing.

Submissions to the Etownian are always welcomed. We will make every effort to print submissions, but we do not promise publication. Submit letters to OPINIONEDITOR@etown.edu.

14

sports

the Etownian

swimming

December 9, 2010

track and field

Swimmers focus on training Team rewrites records Brett A. Antosh Staff Writer

teams competed at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational this past weekend, with the men finishing eighth, and the women finishing 10th.

“We’re having a good season,” Hannon said. “Having only seven guys when we compete against [a] team with 15 to 20 hurts because they can take all our places.”

“We’ve improved a lot as a team,” Nelson said, but Martin said the team originally had “nine or 10 guys, but that dropped down to seven.”

With a 4-0-1 record, the women’s team “is doing really well,” Malik said.

With the season at the halfway point, both teams are setting goals for what is left.

D

ec. 17 is the start of winter break for Elizabethtown College students; however, most winter athletes need to return to the College for practices and games throughout the holiday. Athletes are given a few weeks off, but they must try to remain in shape while they are home.

The men’s and women’s swim teams are no exceptions.

“I’m going to swim laps in my bathtub,” said a sarcastic sophomore Jennifer Malik. “I’m probably going to run two miles a day and go to the pool for an hour and a half each day.”

First-year Megan Leppo plans to train almost every day at her local YMCA, which features both a pool and a weight room. Likewise, senior Courtney Kelly plans to practice with her local recreation team in order to stay in shape.

On the men’s side, sophomore Ryan Hannon is fortunate to have a pool at his gym. In addition to lifting weights over break, Hannon expects “to be at the gym three to four times a week,” while also swimming with his high school team. He was injured last year and plans to stay in top shape for the remainder of the season.

Like Hannon, fellow sophomore Shaun Martin intends to practice with his high school team. Sophomore Chris Nelson, Photo: EtownBlueJays.com however, is not as fortunate as Hannon Sophomore Shaun Martin has the top team times this and Martin. “I have no pool to swim at season in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke. over break,” Nelson said, “but I plan on running a lot to keep my stamina up.”

In the second week of January, both swim teams will “We want to finish out with as many travel to Puerto Rico for a week-long training session. wins as we can with our limited num“I’m excited to go,” said Leppo, who has never left the bers,” Martin explained. country before.

“We’re swimming our best times, so we “Puerto Rico should be fun and warm,” added want to stay consistent,” Hannon added.

Kelly, who also believes the week-long training ses“We want to stay undefeated for as sion will only help the team. long as possible in conference,” said Although the teams are somewhat under the radar Kelly, who would also like to see the team in the Middle Atlantic Conference, both the men’s and place better than last year at MACs. women’s swim teams are off to good starts. The men’s team Malik said, “We want everyone to currently sits at 2-3, despite only having seven swimmers, leave this season with positive feelings while the women’s team has compiled a 4-0-1 mark. Both towards personal and team results.”

T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor

W

hen the Elizabethtown College men’s track and field team kicked off its season last Saturday at the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md., they were facing some stiff competition.

The Blue Jays went toe-totoe with Division I schools like Georgetown, American and Navy and came away with some stellar performances.

“We really weren’t intimidated,” senior Rich Greco said.

“We were really proud to be down there.”

T h e m e e t f e at u re d n i n e schools that had to receive an invitation, and Etown was able to hold its own. For cross country runners, there was only a two-week layoff between races, but for jumpers, throwers and sprinters, it was their first competition since the spring.

Junior Russell Speiden finished second in the mile, setting a personal best for the event. Greco, senior Chris Heisey, and juniors Eric Reichert and Colby Miller all cracked the top 10 in school history for the indoor 5,000 meter run with their races on Saturday.

Senior Keenan Schaeffer (shot put,

They said it ...

weight throw), junior Chris Niles (400 meter), sophomore Cameron Are-good (high jump), first-years Trevin Fauntleroy (high jump, triple jump), Kevin Brady (pole vault) and Lucas Dayhoff (weight throw) are all now in the top 10 in school history for their respective indoor events after Saturday.

“It’s probably been the best overall performance at a first meet in a really long time,” Greco said.

The women’s track team also opened its schedule this past weekend with the Dickinson Invitational. For sophomore Jenna Nidermayer, who won the long and triple jumps, it was a chance to put the team’s preparation into action.

“When you have been training for as long as we have, you just look at this meet as the first step for the rest of the year,” Nidermayer said.

Captains held practice three or four times a week since September, with official practices starting in November. The hours of practice paid off for first-year Kristen Faulkner, who claimed victory in the 400 meter dash at Saturday’s event.

First-years Eileen Kroszner in the shot put, Monica Loranger in the 55 high hurdles and Nancy Gompers in pole vault all moved into the top 10 list for Etown indoor marks.

“We want everyone to leave this season with positive feelings towards personal and team results.”

Sophomore Jennifer Malik about her goal for the swim team next season

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

wrestling

Team begins strong with 3-0 record, Stevens Tech next Johanna H. Goslin Staff Writer

O

n Dec. 4 and 5, the Elizabethtown College wrestling team, led

by Coach Eric Walker, competed in a pair of invitationals at the York Open and Nittany Lion Open. These invitationals precede the upcoming home tri-meet at Donegal High School in Mount Joy on Dec. 10.

High-placing finishes at the tournaments this past weekend were important as they set the pace and showed off the team for the upcoming meet.

The York invitational yielded a fifth place finish for Etown. The finishing placement was led by junior Will Bentley, 125 pounds, in first

place, and first-year Nick Grimm, 141 pounds, in second place.

B e n t l e y, w h o w a s seeded third in his weight class, wrestled to a 9-7 win against Ithaca c o mp e t i t o r Max Cohen and an 11-6 win against the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy c o mp e t i t o r Jordan Alfaro.

Grimm, who was on seeded sixth in his weight class, scored a 16-4 victor y over Gilanthony Arroyo of York, also winning against University of Maryland-Baltimore County wrestler Kekura Musa at 12-5 and scor-

ing a close 5-4 win over James Beshada of USMMA. These victories over Beshada and Musa, who were seeded second and third, respectively, were a

p ounds, with a third place finish; Quint Eno, 165 pounds, with a third place finish; and Phil L an d i s , 1 9 7 p ou n d s , coming in with a third place finish.

The Dec. 5 tournament was also an important placement for the team.

The momentum of t he finishing reSenior Tim Katzaman sults acted as a catalyst for the Blue Jay crowd response. hopeful victories in the pleasant surprise and an upcoming home meet. important factor in the A large crowd attendresulting fifth place finish. ed the tournaments at Other victories for York and Penn State, the tournament on Dec. with friends, family and 4 are credited to Jor- spectators supporting dan Stepanchick, 133 over 400 wrestlers at

“Just hearing people cheer for you is such a huge morale booster.”

the invitationals combined, giving players a confidence boost when facing off against tough competitors.

Tim Katzaman, Etown graduate student, enjoys having crowd response at meets. “It’s always nice to have a big crowd,” Katzaman said. “Just hearing people cheer for you is such a huge morale booster.”

Preparing for the matches is also an important part in the victories and placement for the team. In addition to the physical preparation, being mentally prepared is also a key to their success.

The team aims to keep a positive mindset when competing against tough contenders, drawing upon past wins in order to maintain mental toughness.

“We already showed that we can beat some perennially tough teams.

In order to keep gaining respect in the wrestling community, we have to keep winning matches when it counts. We have a bunch of nationally ranked teams left on our schedule, and we have to keep our current mindset and [keep] progressing,” Katzaman said.

The wrestling team has had an impressive season thus far, with a current record of 3-0-0.

The season is just getting started, and fans eagerly await the excitement of the upcoming matches.

The Blue Jays’ season will continue this weekend when the team takes on Stevens Tech and New York University.

December 9, 2010

sports

the Etownian

men’s basketball

15

Fogel leads basketball team to 6-1 start to season Christian V. Sammartino Staff Writer

enior guard Keith Fogel is like a lightning rod on the court, helping channel the energy of the Elizabethtown College men’s basketball team. His positive attitude and overall play help to unify and propel the team. Fogel has been on the Jays’ varsity squad since his first year. He obtained a starting spot during his sophomore season, and he has been honing his game ever since.

Fogel is known as a complete player who can get the job done on both ends of the court. He plays the game with speed and looks for opportunities to assist his teammates.

His athleticism and versatility have allowed Head Coach Bob Schlosser to use him to switch between the guard positions and lock down key players.

“He has had to play some of the opponents’ better players at times, and he has been willing to accept that role, and that makes him a complete player,” Schlosser said.

Junior forward Dan Silver described Fogel as “one of the quickest players I have ever played with.” Fogel uses his speed to pressure the ball, create steals and crash the boards.

On offense, Fogel is a quad-

S

Through the course team first, and he is willing to of his career, Fogel has do that.” followed the examples This trait has solidified his of athletes such as Cal presence in the minds of his Ripkin, Jr. and Michael teammates. “I have tons of memJordan to shape his ories with him, and I am glad game. When Fogel is that I am in the same class with on the court, he tries to him,” senior forward Joe Flanaemulate players such as gan said. “I am very fortunate to Chris Paul and LeBron be his teammate.”

James. “I like playAfter his career at Etown is ers that can do every- over, Fogel plans to try his hand at thing,” Fogel said. hospitality management in hotels His unselfish atti- in the Philadelphia or Harrisburg tude further defines area. He may decide to coach high his character. school basketball someday.

“B e c au s e he i s a Even after Fogel leaves gre at at hlete and a Etown, his legacy will remain.

Photo: Matthew P. Butera great player, he could “This is my 21st season, and I Senior Keith Fogel leads the Elizabethtown College men’s basketball take the approach that would say [Keith] is probably in team in points per game (17.9), free throws made (37) and minutes (222). it is all about him, and the top six or eight players we he doesn’t do that,” have ever had,” Schlosser said.

As for Fogel, he wants to be ruple threat with the ball. He be seen smiling or joking with Schlosser said. “That is what makes our program successremembered as “a good team can drive to the basket, knock his teammates on the floor. down midrange shots, pass or “He is not serious all the ful, getting players like Keith player and a good scorer who drain the three. He uses his time, and I look at that as a who are willing to put the led the team.” speed to find open looks and positive because we as coaches dictate the flow of the game. have a tendency to be too tight“He has a quick first step, lipped,” Schlosser said. he elevates, and he has that Fogel can be serious when he special ability to take over a needs to be, though. He calls out game,” Schlosser said. plays and identifies key opponents Fogel also contributes to for his teammates on the court. games by communicating with He also provides constructive his teammates and keeping the criticism that helps drive the team.

The number of points senior guard Keith mood on the court light. He “He a lw ay s g ive s go o d is known as an easygoing and words of encouragement, and Fogel needs to reach 1,000 for his career as fun-loving guy by teammates he always focuses on the posia Blue Jay. and coaches alike. He can often tives,” Silver said.

Sports by the Numbers

75

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16

sports

the Etownian

December 9, 2010

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

athlete profiles • commentary • analysis

women’s basketball

Jays keep momentum rolling, 5-2 record Ashley N. Kufera Staff Writer

thing new in the game, position or formation-wise, but we were definitely aware of their strengths and tried to shut them down.” he Elizabethtown College Ke y pl aye rs , i nclu d i ng women’s basketball team Strohman, Sauerzopf, juniors ended a competitive week of play Stephanie Ellwood and Jayci with games against Lebanon Scannapieco, sophomore Nadine Valley College, Arcadia UniverYunginger, firstsity and Moravian ye ar Kendra College.

Beittel and seThis past Tuesnior Kaity Snyday night, the Blue der all scored Jays showed their points for the resilience with a Blue Jays, as comeback after they fought for trailing Moravian a comeback. by 14 points at Despite their halftime, to a 69loss, the Blue 65 victory over the Jays were able Greyhounds. to come back This was a Saturday and good end to their host the Arweek of play becadia Knights. fore they host the The Blue Jays Blue Jay Classic completely this weekend. turned their Last Wednesgame around, day, Dec. 1, the resulting in a Blue Jays traveled 57-50 win over to Lebanon ValPhoto: Jacqueline E. Quidort ley to take on the In the Blue Jays’ 57-50 victory over the Arcadia Knights Dec. the 2-5 Knights.

Flying Dutchmen 4, junior Teanna Ziegler (23) and first-year Kendra Beittel (12) Strohman raked in their Confer- watch as Etown scores a bucket. Ziegler scored four points in 23 points for the Blue Jays, her ence opener. With in the win, while Beittel added two points and two assists. highest total this a close score of 6167, the Blue Jays walked away with improvement as well. “We didn’t season. Scannapieco, Ellwood, a loss. According to senior captain screen and rebound very well Sauerzopf, Snyder and junior TeMegan Strohman, the team shot which caused us to have some anna Ziegler all contributed to the the ball well, which helped them trouble scoring off of our offense.” score as well.

Junior forward Kelly SauerStrohman stated that the Blue stay in the game; but it turned out to not be enough to come back zopf agreed that the team shot Jays came together collectively and and defeat the Flying Dutchmen. well, but needed to work on played extremely well as a team.

Strohman said that there were rebounding and getting back on Offensively, the team improved many aspects of the game that defense. “We didn’t really try any- from the Lebanon Valley game.

T

could have been improved, which might have led to a better outcome.

“We missed a lot of layups and did not do the best job in beating their press,” Strohman said. “We had a lot of turnovers too, which caused a majority of their points.”

Offensively, there was room for

“Although we didn’t shoot the ball as we usually do, our offense rebounded the ball extremely well,” Strohman said. To make up for the lack of shooting accuracy, Etown had to work hard to get layups and closer shots. “We definitely succeeded in this by being more patient with our offense and looking for each other,” Strohman added.

With the completion of the third week of play, the Blue Jays have seen significant improvement in their playing style. “We have improved playing together well, as a whole, and we are definitely seeing the floor better,” Sauerzopf said. Strohman has seen improvements as well from pushing the ball to stepping up the defense. “We have gotten ourselves to the foul line a lot more, which has really helped because we are a good foul shooting team,” she said.

The biggest improvement, however, is their commitment to playing the whole game. “We have really worked on putting two halves together and executing,” Strohman said. “We are really focusing on not giving up when the other team makes a run.”

For the upcoming weeks, Strohman believes that if the Blue Jays focus on their insideout game, they will optimize the second half of their season. “The more we move the ball through all five players, each being a continued threat, the deadlier our offense becomes,” she said. “We have the five parts; we just need to coordinate them all together.”

the etownian’s

Athlete of the Week

Megan Strohman T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor

I

n Elizabethtown College’s women’s basketball game Saturday against the Arcadia Knights, senior guard Megan Strohman scored her team’s first eight points.

She rode that momentum to a seasonhigh 23 point performance on 7-11 shooting in the Blue Jays’ 57-50 victory.

Then Tuesday night, in Etown’s 69-65 win over the Moravian Greyhounds, the senior guard from Lebanon, Pa. dropped in 15 points, including two free throws with nine seconds left to ice the game.

Strohman, one of the captains of this year’s team, has her team off to a 5-2 start and is averaging a team-high 13.1 points per game so far this season.

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

Senior Megan Strohman is nearly automatic from the free throw line, making 20 of her 22 shots this season.

Q&A

Major: Social work Favorite Jay’s Nest item: curly fries Favorite sports team: North Carolina Tar Heels Favorite musician: My dad Favorite TV show: “Family Guy” Favorite movie: “Remember the Titans” Song currently playing on my iPod: “Shawty It’s Your Booty” by Qwote Biggest Fear: Research papers

In 10 years, I want to be ... coaching basketball at an inner city high school.

Hardly anyone knows that ... my entire family is professional musicians.

I’m a sucker for: sappy movies.

I started playing my sport... in second grade.

Greatest athletic achievement: scoring 1,143 points in high school.

InsideSports Commentary Swimming Wrestling Men’s Basketball Track and Field

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Sports Recap Men’s Basketball Etown 71, LVC 61 Etown 79, Arcadia 61 Women’s Basketball LVC 67, Etown 61 Etown 57, Arcadia 50 Etown 69, Moravian 65 Women’s T & F Dickinson Invitational 4th of 8 (72 pts) Men’s T & F Navy Invitational No Team Score Men’s Swimming LVC 119, Etown 85 Etown 107, Messiah 98 F&M Invitational 8th of 9 (74 pts) Women’s Swimming Etown 118, LVC 87 F&M Invitational 10 of 10 (66 pts) Wrestling Etown 28, Del-Val 10 Etown 32, Kutztown 9 York Invitational 5th of 8 (68 pts)

Schedule

of Sports

Men’s Basketball December 11: Susquehanna Women’s Basketball December 10: Wilkes

December 11: Delware Valley Women’s T & F December 11: @ Haverford Holiday Meet Men’s T & F December 11: @ Haverford Holiday Meet Men’s Swimming Januar y 15: @ Washington (Md.) Women’s Swimming December 9: @ Millersville Wrestling December 10: Stevens Tech New York December 16: Johns Hopkins EtownBlueJays .com