The Etownian - 12.8.2011

Emotion Presents Fall Showcase

School for Old St. Nick

Holiday Shopping Craze

Campus Life, Page 6

Features, Page 4

Opinion, Page 9

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Elizabethtown College

December 8, 2011

evaluation

medical breakthrough

Survey results highlight College strengths, weaknesses

Shana M. Mihovics Asst. Campus Life Editor

Since 1904

Volume 108, Issue 11

Hershey Med. isolates cancer-killing virus NSSE recognizes first-year experience Research discovery provides new hope for cancer patients Cayla M. Kluver Staff Writer

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he results are in, ladies and gentlemen, and it’s good news: Elizabethtown is ahead of the game.

The College’s first-year program was recently evaluated and is considered very strong, according to the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

NSSE, affectionately pronounced “Nessie,” is in the business of evaluating colleges and helping them to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Developed in 1998 at the insistence of The Pew Charitable Trusts, NSSE calculates and measures the high-impact practices of students at various universities, compares and contrasts between universities and publishes the results for the benefit of institutions of higher education. In this way, administrators are able to see what’s working on their campuses, and what’s not.

High impact practices pertain to “deeper, more meaningful learning,” Dean of Students Marianne Calenda explained. These practices include collaborative learning, the first-year experience and seminar, internships, studies abroad, undergraduate research, and writing-intensive classes. “The survey says to what extent students are engaging,” Calenda said.

The survey is conducted every four years in the spring, with seniors and first-years acting as subjects in the cross-sectional study. The complete results of this year’s survey have not yet been published, but Calenda shared a sneak peak, believing that now is a wonderful time for students to become aware of the areas in which their College excels, and where all members of the College community should focus their energy to promote improvement.

“We are exceeding other colleges’ performance in the area of first-year advising,” Calenda said. This means that one of the College’s greatest strengths is its first-year program overall – and this year’s new students are happy to agree.

First-year Erica Ferro spoke about the peer mentor program. Specifically, the fact that, as a result of the peer group arrangement, first-years are given an immediate circle of contacts. “You have your own group who you’re at first forced to hang out with, but it’s a good bonding experience.

You’re not completely surrounded by strangers,” Ferro said.

“You don’t have to go up to a stranger and say, ‘Will you eat lunch with me?’ because you have your peer group, until you leave your comfort zone.”

The College’s first-year program immediately connects new students with older, more experienced students. “The peer mentors are swell,” first-year Melissa Cramm said.

“They have experience to share with their mentees, and they’re always there if you need them.”

The First Year Seminar (FYS) is a very important aspect of the first-year program. Students take their seminar with their peer group, and for the duration of the first semester, FYS instructors act as advisers to all the students in their seminar. “My instructor takes an active interest in our learning,” Cramm noted.

SEE SURVEY PAGE 3

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n a fifth-floor laboratory at Hershey Medical Center, scientists have discovered a virus which they believe may facilitate the destruction of cancerous cells in the human body. Dr. Craig Meyers and his team brought to surface the fact that Adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) does not cause disease in humans but liquefies certain cancer cells when exposed to a growth.

Elizabethtown College alumnus John Fuesler ’11 researched this topic at the medical center. He examined Meyers’ paper about the tests he performed and described the findings to prove that AAV2 does not kill normal breast cells but breast cancer cells in culture. “The cell death occurred through apoptosis, which is an orchestrated process of cell suicide. This virus was able to ‘turn on’ the process in cancer cells, but not normal cells, in part because it did not infect the normal cell type,” Fuesler said.

According to an article on www. pennlive.com, AAV2 is a miniscule virus that could be vital to the development of modern science but cannot easily replicate. In this article, Dr. Nicholas Muzyczka of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from the University of Florida in Gainesville explained that the virus needs help to react. AAV2 cannot damage healthy cells and is harmless on its own, but one of the viruses that aided it in responding is the human papillomavirus (HPV), suspected to instigate cervical cancer.

Meyers and his team at the center were studying AAV2 and HPV together, as well as the idea that AAV2 can modify the chance of a patient developing cervical cancer. They infected cervical cancer cells with AAV2 and found them dead after only a week. They performed this study a dozen times and then began researching other types of cancer cells, such as breast cancer. The AAV2 experiment worked on breast cancer tumors in laboratory mice a year prior, proving the study to be consistent. Sciencedaily.com elaborates that all of the cancer cells are eliminated in seven days, but an aggressive breast cancer cell line took three weeks to die.

This indicates that AAV2 may eliminate

Photo: Paul Chaplin

Dr. Craig Myers and his colleagues at the Hershey Medical Center have recently uncovered new data that could highly benefit those affected by cancer.

all stages of breast cancer.

According to Fuesler, AAV2 can kill cervical, breast, prostate, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma cells, but has only been successfully tested in culture. It is unknown whether these other cancer cell types would be targeted and killed in an animal model, he said.

The pennlive.com article reveals that the link between viruses and cancer is not a new concept. Two decades ago, the common cold was tested on field mice in a similar fashion as AAV2, and the flaws of the study were identified when tested on humans. Some humans were able to fight the virus because their bodies were immune to it.

Although this discover y is an important breakthrough in the annihilation of cancer, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be performed. Humans have not yet been tested, and it may be some time before this occurs, particularly because of the expense of this type of research.

The next step would be to bring these findings to hospitals when funding is received. According to Fuesler, “there needs to be more extensive animal testing to demonstrate that this virus kills only cancerous cells in vivo [also known as in a living animal]. Additionally, I would assume

that the molecular basis of how this virus kills cancer cells will need to be better established. While Meyers did demonstrate how the cells die, he did not show how the virus interacts with the host cancer cells to kill them.”

Meyers commented, “It’s a very emotional topic. Everyone has somebody they know who has one type of cancer or another, and cancer’s not like one day you’re alive and the next day you’re dead. It’s a long, debilitating, chronic problem. You need to be reminded sometimes that the research you’re doing could have an effect on people out there.”

The World Health Organization identifies breast cancer as the top cancer that women develop worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimates that cancer claims the lives of 7.6 million people each year, and, though experts believe some cancers can be prevented, the fact remains that it is one of mankind’s most damaging enemies.

While hospitals usually try to prevent contagion, scientists at Hershey Medical Center hope that their research makes optimism contagious.

Hard work, ingenuity and perseverance have resulted in the identification of this virus, which could greatly increase the speed of the perpetual drive to find a cure for cancer.

health concern

Obesity rates increase in US children, schools slow to react Stéfon J. Marquette Asst. Copy Editor

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ecent studies published by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) have provided a new statistical insight into the growing number of American children and early adolescents who are overweight or obese. To date, the NCES has conducted two studies as part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS).

The U.S. Department of Education provided the funds for the ECLS to observe children in the early stages of childhood and adolescence in order to gather data regarding “child development, school readiness and early school experiences.” The ECLS began with the kindergarten class of 1998-1999 and

checked in with almost The state is consistently 6,000 students in their taking steps to prevent first, third, fifth and eighth and to combat the issue of childhood obesity. In grade years. According to 2010, the Pennsylvania the study, about 28 percent of the children were overCoordinating Council weight, while the number for Child Health, Nutriof obese children fell at tion and Physical Education Council deterapproximately 12 percent. mined that the number The data collected from the ECLS can be compared of overweight and obese to previous studies conchildren in our state is ducted by the Center for Disactually decreasing, dePhoto: Matthew P. Butera spite the national trend. ease Control and Prevention (CDC). When compared to Healthy food options become less popular as sugary These findings can be data collected in the 1970s treats are idolized and freely given to kids. Schools deny found in the 2010 Pennand 1980s, the new research responsibility and continue to cut P.E. from curriculum. sylvania Child Welldemonstrates a 180 percent ness Plan. The Lancaster increase in overweight children and a Health Organization published a re- General Research Institute (LGRI) 140 percent increase in youth obesity. port stating that Pennsylvania is the has compiled data by county that In 2010, the Trust for America’s 17th most obese state in the nation. also demonstrates that, considering

public school students from kindergarten to grade 12, Lancaster County is among the 17 lowest in number of overweight and obese students in Pennsylvania. This takes into account all 67 counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Students here at Elizabethtown College may notice that local school students seem to be staying fairly healthy.

First-year chemistry education major Bethany Otwell stated, “I can’t say I’ve really seen any obese or overweight children at all.” Otwell has spent time in field placement observations at Elizabethtown High School, Elizabethtown Middle School and Elizabethtown Community Nursery School at the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren.

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News

Etownian

The

December 8, 2011

occupy update

Police interference raises ethical questions

Jayd-ed T

Ginette Slaughter Staff Writer

edge Brianna E. Wiest Assistant Editor

Beer saves Alaskan’s life An Anchorage native found himself lost after traveling down an unfamiliar road to check out where it would lead. His Toyota pickup collided with a snow bank about 40 miles away from his home. Because he was out of cell phone service range, he wrapped himself in a sleeping bag and bath towel, and turned on Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” to pass the time, wondering if anyone would realize he was missing.

While stranded, the only nourishment he could access was a few cans of Coors Light. The ordeal went on without rescue for 60 hours, and the man survived on alcohol alone.

Pot Baby Police report that a 33-year-old father dropped a marijuana cigarette in his 18-monthold son’s lunch box. He was arrested after the Clinton Child Care Center contacted authorities after finding the pot in the child’s lunch.

John Sulzbach claimed that the marijuana was accidently dropped into the child’s lunch while he was packing it the night prior. While searching Sulzbach’s home, police only found one ounce of marijuana in the residence. Sulzbach was charged with possession of a controlled substance and risk of injury/impairing the morals of a child.

Easiest way to get out of jury duty...

A juror on a murder trial was dismissed this Thursday when the judge learned, through an anonymous phone call, that she posted updates about the case on her Facebook page.

Among other posts, she stated that the case “intrigued” her and that another juror’s excessive knuckle-cracking irritated her to the point that she wanted to strike the person across the face. Aside from these violations, she also snapped photos of the other juror’s shoes and posted them on Facebook with rude comments about each. She continued these behaviors even after the superior court judge warned her not to talk about the case with anyone else until deliberations began.

Compiled from msnbc.msn.com

he slogan “We are the 99 percent” has come a long way since it originated with The Occupy Wall Street movement. From Wall Street to downtown Lancaster, Occupy protestors claim to be a part of the 99 percent not included in the wealthiest portion of the U.S. population. Each week since the Occupy Wall Street movement began, the news identifies at least one new significant location for protestors to meet. However, as Occupy makes its way all over the U.S., the protests are becoming more controversial, and police involvement is becoming common, making it harder, sometimes even dangerous, for protestors to participate.

Unemployment and inequality in the workforce motivated activists to begin New York City’s Occupy Wall Street protests, but what these activists did not know is how far Occupy protesting could actually go, literally and figuratively. Although they may have hoped Occupy would spread across the nation, the violent acts from the protests have been making headlines as much as the protests themselves.

An incident involving pepper spray occurred within the Occupy Seattle protests at Seattle Central Community College in Seattle, Wash. on Nov. 16, in which an 84-year-old woman was sprayed with pepper spray by police. Photos of Dorli Rainey’s face covered in pepper spray appeared on the front page of newspapers nationwide and eventually went viral.

Pepper spray seems to be the biggest hazard at Occupy protests as police attempt to control the protestors by using the spray on everyone, regardless of whether or not they are causing any harm. This was the case at another Occupy protest, which was disrupted by pepper spray Nov. 18, just two days after the Occupy Seattle incident.

The University of California Davis student protestors were sprayed by police officers.

The story became controversial as it became clear that students involved in the protests

Photo: Jasna Hodzic / California Aggie

University of California Davis students are pepper sprayed by police during “Occupy UCD” demonstration. Pepper spray has become a huge issue at many occupy protests.

were protesting peacefully. The chancellor of the college, Linda Katehi, became the face of the controversy when she claimed to have asked the officers to try and stop the protests, but told them to do it peacefully. “We told them very specifically to do it peacefully, and if there were too many of them, not to do it, if the students were aggressive, not to do it,” Katehi stated, according to The Sacramento Bee, a daily newspaper published in Sacramento, Calif.

Maddie D’Almeida, a sophomore criminal justice major at Elizabethtown College, has been discussing the violence at the recent Occupy protests in a few of her classes this semester. “If it is to the point where other innocent bystanders are in danger, then pepper spray could be a necessary means of protection,” D’Almeida explained. “This was not the case at those incidents, though, since the activists were protesting peacefully.”

In some of the less violent protests, police still have a large say in whether or not protestors can remain in their protest situations.

Occupy Oakland became victim to this

particular type of interference a week after the pepper spray incidents occurred. Police officials asked those at the camp in a local park in Oakland to remove their tents from the location. “We made the announcement asking people to leave, and they did, and they packed up their tents and left,” Oakland police spokesperson Johanna Watson said, according to news magazine U.S. News & World Report. Although there were no violent acts occurring at Occupy Oakland, police still played a significant role in ending the Occupy protests.

All of the recent controversies concerning the Occupy movement seem to have taken away from the reason Occupy Wall Street initially became an issue. Amrit Gordon, a senior business administration major, will enter the professional world in May with hopes of finding a good, stable job as a college graduate, which is what those involved in Occupy protests support. “These Occupy protests are necessary because it takes business ethics into concern,” Gordon said. “Things are unfair and issues need to be addressed.”

Harrisburg update

Financial problems in state capital continue Politicians still scheduled to receive annual three percent raise Justin Sabie Staff Writer

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judge turned down Harrisburg’s bankruptcy case, and now the city needs to rehabilitate its financial situation under the state’s guidance. The case was dismissed because it violated the state’s rules laid out for financially struggling cities. The code that was violated is Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code. Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code applies exclusively to municipalities and assists them in the restructuring of debts.

According to Investopedia.com, a Chapter 9 bankruptcy is “A bankruptcy proceeding that provides financially distressed municipalities with protection from creditors by creating a

plan between the municipality and its creditors to resolve the outstanding debt. Municipalities include cities, counties, townships and school districts.”

The judge that turned down the case was Judge Mary D. France, who said, “For Chapter 9 bankruptcy to work, all of the branches of the municipality must be on the same page. Therefore, I find that City Council was not authorized to file the petition on Oct. 11.” Harrisburg is approximately $300 million in debt and needs to find a way to get out of the red. The state is taking over Harrisburg’s finances in order to get the city back on track. The capital is going to try to get out of the hole with the state’s help and by making better financial decisions. It could take many years to become financially more secure.

Starting next week, despite the financial problems in Harrisburg, politicians will still receive their annual three percent raise. Due to the automatic cost-of-living adjustment, legislators will now earn $82,026, up from the current $79,623, and four legislative caucus leaders will now earn $118,845 per year, up from $115,364. The raises of top executive branch and judicial positions will take effect on Jan. 1. Governor Tom Corbett’s annual salary will increase to $183,250, up from $177,888, but the governor said he will not take the raise and will instead donate it to a charity.

The three percent annual raise is affecting many individuals and businesses in Harrisburg. According to the Wall Street Journal, schools are closing, police personnel and fire fighters are losing their jobs and small businesses are struggling because of the poor financial decision-making. Politicians are getting even more money that the government does not have.

Sophomore Derek Kline is a Harrisburg native who is following the development of the bankruptcy suit. “My family owns a small business that is in Harrisburg and is affected by the bankruptcy. I work at the family business every summer and whenever I have time to help. Over Thanksgiving break, I worked at the shop and noticed it was a lot slower than usual,” Kline said. “I hope everything works out in Harrisburg because it is a great city.”

Another Etown student from the Harrisburg area is sophomore Jeff Royer. “When I was home for break I was watching TV, and all that was on TV was the news of how Harrisburg is going bankrupt,” Royer said. “I am not exactly sure why Harrisburg is bankrupt, but the state should really step in as soon as possible and take over and get Harrisburg back on track.”

Harrisburg’s political leaders plan to meet to work on strategies to get out of debt. There are many options and programs that can be put into place and the state will step in and help Harrisburg. Further discussion regarding Harrisburg’s financial situation will continue in the upcoming weeks.

political column

Etownian

The

News

December 8, 2011

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Newt Gingrich demonstrates strong potential in GOP race Ryan A. Serdenes Political Columnist

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he GOP race for the Oval Office is continually plunging into ambiguity as the Republican National Convention (RNC) apCourtesy Photo proaches. Currently, the GOP is in the midst of dealing with Herman Cain’s recent withdrawal, as well as a growing Occupy movement sweeping the nation. However, among these circumstances, a new leader emerged. Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the house and outspoken political pundit, has been surging in the polls in recent times, surpassing fellow campaigners Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, according to an ORC poll.

The recent catastrophe in his campaign has thrown Cain out of the top-tier GOP favorites, consequently thrusting Gingrich into the political spotlight. According to Public Policy Polling, a national Internet polling website, 38 percent of Cain supporters say they would support Gingrich if Cain was no longer considered a viable option, which became true this past weekend.

Gingrich was elected into Congress in 1978 after two failed attempts in 1974 and 1976

against Democrat John Flynt. He was reelected six times as Georgia’s 6th district representative, became house minority whip in 1989, and subsequently achieved the position of speaker of the house in 1995. During his tenure as speaker of the house, Gingrich oversaw a government shutdown and obtained multiple ethics sanctions concerning intentional tax evasion. However, he contributed to the 1997 balanced budget and placed political pressure on President Bill Clinton to balance the budget again in 1999, three years ahead of schedule.

Gingrich’s personal life is checkered, including two divorces, both a consequence of infidelity. In reference to his first wife, he allegedly stated, “She’s not young enough or pretty enough to be the wife of the president. And besides, she has cancer,” according to L.H. Carter, former campaign treasurer.

Gingrich announced his bid for the Oval Office in May of 2011, shortly after two of his senior aides left the campaign. Despite the summer’s setbacks, Gingrich held steadfast to his campaign, eventually achieving the limelight from Republican voters in recent weeks.

In an Economist/YouGov poll, Gingrich is shown holding a 7 percent lead over fellow campaigner Mitt Romney. A CNN/ORC poll indicates Newt holding only a 4 percent lead over Romney. Another poll indicates Gingrich leading by a domineering 24 percent over Romney among Floridians.

Gingrich is known for his steadfast conserva-

tive views and outspokenness, a trait which was detrimental to him in past elections. Recent political gaffes by Gingrich include a verbal attack on Paul Ryan’s budget plan. “I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” Gingrich said, in reference to Ryan’s plan.

In recent times, Gingrich has encountered issues on the subject of immigration. He supports the current stance of the president, aiming to generate legislation to legalize immigrants who meet certain requirements.

According to Michele Bachman, fellow campaigner, “He wants to legalize 11 million illegal aliens in the United States.”

Republican pundit Ron Bonjean considers Gingrich in a perfect political position; however, he acknowledges that it could be short lived if Newt continues to make politically unpopular statements. “He’s surging in the polls. The last thing he wants to do is get on the other side of Republican primary voters by getting into an intellectual debate,” Bonjean said.

Elizabethtown College students share strong opinions concerning Gingrich’s race for the White House. Opinion is diverse among the College community.

Courtney Weaver, a first-year math education major, stated, “I think the way he handled the government shutdown under Clinton was beneficial to the economy. However, I believe he will not become the next president because of his intense conservative ideals. He needs to

learn how to be more compromising.”

Benjamin Prueitt, a first-year mathematics major, considered Gingrich to be underdeveloped in stance on the issues: “Gingrich is a goon. His stances on drug control are archaic at best.”

David Nagel, a first year business administration major stated, “In this economy with feuding liberals and conservatives, it’s not wise to have a stubborn, one-sided Republican who will not consider Democratic beliefs.”

Sophomore Jason Halberstadt, Etown College Republicans president, cited Gingrich as a potential nominee. “Many Republicans, myself included, like the idea of a GingrichObama debate because Newt Gingrich is renowned for his intelligence and articulation.

Personally, I would not be surprised if [Gingrich] became the nominee,” Halberstadt said.

Gingrich is expected to increase in popularity according to multiple polling sources; however, it is premature to confidently indicate that he will become the nominee.

The Republican population will likely shift infatuations to other candidates in the coming months. With the Iowa Caucus quickly approaching, the GOP side of the race perpetually is heating up, especially with the eruption of Gingrich’s poll standings. Gingrich, although controversial, may succeed in the coming weeks, provided he stays away from intense right-wing ideology and does not recklessly attack fellow campaigners.

Schools fight obesity Seniors exhibit positive engagement OBESITY from page 1

SURVEY from page 1

Her observations suggest that the growing population of obese and overweight children seems to be a less-noticeable occurrence in Elizabethtown than in other places nationwide.

“It definitely seems to be less of a problem than in my old high school,” Otwell said. “The children [at the Elizabethtown nursery school] are very active during recess,” Otwell added.

The LGRI determined 17 of the least obese and overweight counties also included nearby Dauphin County. According to Hershey Elementary School nurse Page Kozak, BSN, CSN, the Dauphin County, Pa. school just finished assembling its data to assess the number of obese and overweight students. Kozak estimated that out of the 1,300 students, “[they] probably have about 10 percent in each group [both the overweight and obese groups.]” Hershey Elementary is currently taking measures to decrease, prevent and educate families about unhealthy behaviors that may lead to obesity and being overweight. The school includes two days of physical education per six-day cycle, and offers their students a daily walking program. Kozak said in reference to the walking program, “It’s great to get them active, and it’s a great way to make them feel like they are a part of the effort.”

In July of this year, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett proposed a new budget which cut the state funding for public K-12 schools by $810 million. Given the shrinking financial resources to public schools, cost-effective ways to attempt to solve the overweight and obesity problem are becoming the most economically viable means.

The exercise program at Hershey Elementary uses existing recess staff, and does not require additional equipment. When discussing the governmental cooperation in the aid of U.S. public schools, Kozak remarked, “I think it behooves the government to get involved ... but I think that [what is done with the limited funding] is incumbent upon the district.” Kozak also noted that, although Hershey Elementary’s school lunch program has become more health-conscious, she is “underwhelmed” by the food that the U.S. Department of Agriculture currently provides to the school. Ultimately, Kozak believes that the nature of the situation also calls for the cooperation of families in the improvement of the students’ healthful choices.

First-year Laura Tomasetti went further in speaking of her FYS instructor, Dr. April Kelly-Woessner, an associate professor of political science: “She was very nice, and when I needed help, she did her best. I felt like she was my advocate.”

Based on the rave reviews from the College’s current first-year students, the NSSE seems to have judged Etown in a manner consistent with other classes’ experiences.

According to the survey, the senior experience is also above and beyond that of other colleges in the area.

Seniors are reporting capstone experiences at higher levels than at other colleges, which means “a higher rate of participation in things like practicum, fieldwork, internships, community service and volunteer work,” Calenda said. Participation in these experiences often leads to better job options outside of college.

There is room for improvement, however, as Calenda purposefully noted. She and Dr. Fletcher McClellan, the dean of faculty, have been coordinating the learning group subsection of the College’s Strategic Planning Committee in investigating the NSSE results. The learning group intends to use their findings to inform recommendations for the College.

So far, it appears that the greatest challenge that the College faces is improving its diversity programs. The NSSE revealed that Etown students

are reporting less engagement with diversity than other institutions. Statements on the survey such as, “I’ve had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity than me,” did not receive the number of affirmative responses the College would like to see.

“We’re developPhoto: Matthew P. Butera ing new strategies for stu d e nt s to A recent survey highlighted the College’s need for diversity improvement.The NSSE also reported high levels look outside them- of senior achievement, in addition to the strong first-year selves, see and ap- program, compared to many other colleges surveyed. preciate diversity,” Calenda said. “We want them to un- the push for students to travel abroad.

“We’re trying to get first-years to derstand the complexity of the world.”

The Strategic Planning Commit- study abroad,” Dean Calenda revealed. tee’s learning group is wasting no time The sooner the younger students bein analyzing potential responses to gin the process of “understanding the these challenges. The Committee is complexity of the world,” the better.

The NSSE has offered interesting considering how to take what’s working in the highly successful first-year insight into the strengths and weakprogram and apply it to the College’s nesses of the College’s programs. The diversity programs. The list of poten- dedication of the administration is tial solutions includes: broadening apparent in their efforts to make Etown’s Living and Learning Com- the College an even more impresmunities, inviting speakers to the sive place to learn than it already is. campus who come from unique walks Perhaps four years from now, when of life and who will challenge students’ Etown again participates in the surassumptions, hiring faculty and staff vey, the Blue Jays will soar high above who are more diverse, and increasing other area colleges in all categories.

News in Brief Euro’s predicted failure means trouble for everyone

Elizabeth A. Enwright Copy Editor

Word is spreading quickly about the predicted fate of the Euro, the currency used throughout the Eurozone, which includes 17 countries of the European Union. Greece and Italy are members of the Eurozone, and both countries have been in the news lately because of their massive amounts of debt and controversial government bailouts.

These bailouts only magnify the biggest problem concerning the Euro: there currently is no ultimate authority to make decisions and deliver punishments for failing countries.

The intent of the Euro, which was implemented in 1999, was that it was to be the first step in creating a more united Europe. For several reasons, there has been no mass unification of European countries since the Euro was adopted, and many Europeans resent the idea. According to theatlantic.com, the interconnectivity that came with the Euro, and the lack of unification that came after it, is leading to its doom.

As Greece’s economy—and that of many other European countries—struggles, the value of the Euro is adversely affected. Since the Euro is also used in currently prosperous countries, such as Germany, the European economy as a collective is deeply affected by Greece’s hard times.

As its currency continues to spiral downward, the Eurozone is stuck because of the lack of a strong governing body—member states are failing, but there is no entity in charge to reprimand them or to encourage change. While possible solutions to the issue are debated by European leaders, the fate of the Euro remains uncertain.

Unemployment rate drops, gives Lancaster County grads hope

According to nytimes.com, the United States unemployment rate is currently at its lowest level—8.6 percent—in over two years. The unemployment rate is one of the major indicators of the health of any economy, and this most recent report is very good news for millions of struggling Americans. Even more good news: the unemployment rate in Lancaster County, Pa. for the month of October was 6.5 percent, a measurable drop from September’s rate of 6.9 percent, according to lancasteronline.com.

Not only did the U.S. unemployment rate decrease more than expected, but it left economists surprised. “If you go back to August, all sorts of people were telling us that the economy was headed straight into recession,” Paul Ashworth, senior United States economist at Capital Economics, said in regards to the decrease. To the contrary, according to the U.S. Labor Department, American employers added 120,000 jobs in the month of November, exceeding prior expectations.

In terms of the decrease in the Lancaster County jobless rate, the number has increased five times as well as decreased five times in the past ten months. Analysts say major storms, conservative school and government budgets and an overall weak economy all contributed to the volatility of the unemployment rate.

While this news does not cure all of America’s financial woes, it is an indicator that we are moving in the right direction. It may also relieve some of the stress that Elizabethtown College seniors feel as the calendar approaches a new year, and for many, their last college semester.

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holiday magic

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December 8, 2011

Santa school in Michigan brings spirit to malls across country Stacey N. Kreston Staff Writer

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hink back to a time when the holidays were not hiding behind a week of final exams. A time before it was no longer socially “cool” to wait in that spiraling line that wrapped around every aisle of your local mall to get a picture sitting on Santa’s lap and maybe even whisper a few gift requests into his ear. Back when you did not imagine, but truly heard, the reindeer on the snow-covered roof during the night of Christmas Eve and shut your eyes tightly because you knew that Santa would only wiggle his way down the chimney if you were fast asleep.

This time in your life is a lot easier to imagine if you do it while looking at an old picture of yourself sitting on Santa’s lap. This photo may be contained in the gold-embossed frame placed on the mantle all year round, or perhaps in the hand-decorated frame you made yourself, taken out of storage and dusted off as a decoration for the holiday season. Maybe you have never really appreciated it before, keeping the old snapshot in some long-forgotten drawer, never thinking about the significant memories one old photograph can offer.

Now, though, you are a bright college student in the midst of finals and are an additional semester smarter. So really look at that picture again and decide what the key element is, what really rounds out the Christmas spirit portrayed before you. I would have to say it’s the plump, bearded man with the rosy cheeks whose lap you viewed as your own personal golden throne while you moved up that never-ending line at the mall. The man who made Christmas come to life for you every year as a child: Santa Claus!

It is time that we begin to realize the importance of the hundreds of mall Santas who come to work every year to bring to life one

Santas in the past and was appalled. He decided to take it upon himself to train mall Santas to be the jolliest and most realistic Saint Nicks possible.

Today, Thomas Valent runs the school along with his wife, who is ironically, yet appropriately, named Holly. Together, they work to create hundreds of ideal Santas every year and they Photo: Matthew P. Butera take their job very sePark City Center’s Santa sits with Abi D., Natalie D., Amanda and riously. According to Charlotte Walden during the holiday season. Santa’s mall helpers learn Valent, in an interview the art of Santa presentation in special schools all over the country. with San Diego News, “I dwell on one thing, of the most significant figures of Christmas. and that’s the Santa spirit. Each time a child sits on The job of a mall Santa is a lot more compli- their lap, this child’s going to remember this visit for the rest of their lives. We as adults remember cated than you may think.

Becoming a mall Santa usually begins with sitting on Santa’s lap. It’s very important.”

The students are serious, too, paying $360 The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School located in downtown Midland, Mich. Estab- dollars in tuition for the intense three-day lished in 1937, it is the oldest Santa Claus session, most of them returning prior to every school in the world and the most highly ac- holiday season for years after beginning. The claimed. The school’s mission, according to commitment of the students shows immetheir website, “is to uphold the traditions and diately at the start of class with the opening preserve the history of Santa Claus; to provide prayer, “Guide us in our Santa work. Let our our students with the necessary resources that Santa spirit in this room grow.”

During school, Santas read essays with titles allow them to further define and improve their such as “Regarding Santa Wearing Glasses,” individual presentations of Santa Claus.”

Essentially, the school is a type of Santa memorize Christmas carols, and learn all the Claus boot camp. Aspiring Santa Clauses from details about the North Pole so that they can all over the world come to the school founded answer any question a child may throw at them

by Howard, who had previously worked as the about Santa’s workshop. They must even know Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in specifics such as Rudolph’s age being 72 years old, New York. He had seen some ill-prepared mall since Rudolph first appeared in 1939. They are

music

also taught how to apply the appropriate makeup and deal with hair care. This includes some tricky feats such as how to safely bleach your beard, which the most committed Santas are willing to do for authenticity, and requires breathing through a straw to avoid chemical inhalation.

The Santas-in-training are even required to learn holiday-themed phrases in sign language and practice for television and radio interviews.

According to Valent, all of the hard work is well worth it and completely necessary because “children expect perfection. Parents expect miracles. They want their child, who may not believe anymore, to believe again.”

This is a bit trickier in today’s society, considering our failing economy. Santas now have to remember not to promise children’s growing materialistic whims that parents may not be able to fulfill, but instead promote holiday cheer. Fred Honerkamp, a seasoned mall Santa, told the New York Times in an interview, “In the end, Santas have to be sure to never promise anything. It’s hard to watch sometimes because the children are like little barometers, mirrors on what the country has been through.”

But in America’s tough economic state, holiday cheer is just what the doctor should be prescribing, not Barbie mansions and model race cars. Mall Santas work hard to embody the one man that can bring a smile to anybody’s face. Even when Santa’s rosy cheeks are trapped within a mere old photograph that was taken when you were just a little kid years ago, he manages to touch your heart. So take a break from studying for finals, look at that old picture of you and Santa and appreciate that man in the red suit with the long white beard. Recognize that the hard work and commitment of a mall Santa managed to make not only your childhood brighter, but also your present and future, in the form of a beloved memory.

traditions

Susquehanna Chorale Faculty, staff share holiday traditions spreads holiday cheer Jaime N. Thurmond Staff Writer

Jessica M. Sassani Staff Writer

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is the season to be jolly!”

The holiday season is finally upon us and Elizabethtown College is getting into the spirit with a number of holiday concert performances in the next few weeks. Specifically, the Susquehanna Chorale will visit the College Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. in Leffler Chapel for a special Christmas performance. They will play selections from their soon-to-be-released CD, as well as a newly commissioned song

by Richard Roberson, dean of Messiah College’s School of the Arts. The Susquehanna Chorale celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The Susquehanna Children’s Chorale will be joining the adults for four songs. The children’s chorale consists of 60 members. This year, the chorale will debut a fifth, nationally-distributed CD. The CD will be available for purchase the night of the concert or through email at sc@susquehannachorale.org.

The Chorale consists of 35 performers, ranging in age from 22 to 65.

Individuals audition every year for a chance to be a member of this great performing ensemble. Many of the singers have a background in music, whether they had performance experience or went to school to study music.

They are well-versed in the material and their knowledge and skills are apparent when they perform.

Specialties of the night will include a song performed in Chinese, as well a song in Russian. The audience may never forget these special songs performed in other languages.

Jane Ebersole, a 29-year member of the Chorale, believes that this show is going to be a great segue to the holiday season. “The concert is a great way to get the Christmas season started,” Ebersole stated in a phone interview.

There will be a number of carols per-

formed, including “Still, Still, Still,” which is Ebersole’s favorite song to perform, as she claims, “it creates a vision of snow falling over the manger scene.” Also included in the setlist are “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” and “Jingle Bells.” “Silent Night” will be the last song, and will be sung in conjunction with a candlelight processional.

This concert will help the audience to not only hear the music, but to envision what Christmas is all about.

The Chorale wants the audience to really understand the beauty of the holiday through their music. “We don’t just sing the notes; we want our audience to understand what we are singing about,” Ebersole explained.

The concert is meant to convey the magic of the holiday season through voice and song. “We work really hard to convey the message of our music.

We want our audience to get a feeling of joy when we sing,” Ebersole added.

Cathy Deitz has been a member of the Susquehanna Chorale for five years. However, in a phone interview, Deitz stated that she has been a fan of the group “forever.” When asked how the Chorale has become so successful, Deitz said, “Our conductor Linda Tedford, who is the founder, selects music, conducts and directs completely with audience in mind.”

Deitz believes that the chorale has become so popular because the audience leaves the performance feeling happy and ready for the holiday season. “[Tedford] is relentless in getting us to understand that we need to connect with [the] audience,” Deitz said. Their hard work will pay off at the concert when they see the smiles that they put on everyone’s faces.

Tedford believes in filling the concert experience with the warmth of the Christmas spirit. “You get caught up in things that cause pressure and stress, and this is a time to let Christmas really begin,” Tedford said.

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he holiday season has officially begun; lights are up, and holiday music is playing in just about every store. Elizabethtown College is not an exception to those traditions. The tree lighting ceremony took place last week and decorations can be seen all over campus. The town of Elizabethtown is also in the holiday spirit: lights can be seen all along Mount Joy Street and College Avenue.

To add to the excitement, the faculty and staff at the College are very diverse in their nationalities, religions and cultures, which result in many different traditions.

Dr. Suzanne Webster, an associate professor of English, who is originally from Great Britain, practices holiday traditions that are a little different from the traditions that many Etown students are used to. On Christmas Eve, Webster and her husband listen to “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” from King’s College, Cambridge.

According to the institution’s website, “the service includes carols and readings from the Bible. The opening carol is always ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, and there is always a new, specially commissioned carol. Some of the other carols featured, are ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful;’ ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen;’ and ‘Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing’.” Webster said that she thinks Christmas is more consumer-oriented in America than in Britain. The British also celebrate Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas and is known as a shopping day. Webster said, other than those few differences, Britain’s holiday traditions are pretty similar to American traditions.

Dr. Jeffery Long, a professor of religious studies, practices Hinduism and celebrates Diwali instead of Christmas.

Therefore, his holiday traditions are different than most peoples’ on this campus. Long and his wife celebrate several Hindu holidays, but the main one is Diwali. Diwali occurred in late

October this year and is celebrated for six days. Each day signifies an important principal story associated with the holiday. Diwali is the “biggest holiday of the year” and is celebrated by families performing traditional rituals together in their home. Diwali is practiced in several countries, such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. Long described Diwali as a combination of Christmas and the Fourth of July. Long also said “most Hindus observe Christmas by simply having a Christmas tree and giving

season “because we are supposed to be living in a country where the government does not endorse a particular religion. By naming Christmas an official federal holiday, the government does not flat out endorse Christianity, but it is certainly playing favorites.” Shah also said there are other religions that celebrate holidays around the same time but their members are forced to take off work and inconvenience themselves. By making Christmas a federal holiday, it shows that the followers of one religion are more privileged than others.

Shah said, “My biggest complaint is the extreme commercialization of what is supposed to be a sacred event.

The holiday season has, essentially, become about nothing more than spending money and buying [mostly] needless gifts.” Shah also said, “To me, the holiday season is about celebrating the ones you love, coming together as a community and reminding ourselves that we are all one. For those celebrating the religious holidays, there is an additional meaning because of those religious beliefs.”

President Carl Strikwerda’s holiday traditions are similar to what most Etown students would think of when they hear the words “holiday traditions.” Strikwerda celebrates a classic American Christmas: he attends a Christmas Eve service at church, opens presents around the Christmas tree, receives “stocking stuffers” from other family members and has a Christmas dinner with his family. Strikwerda Photo: Matthew P. Butera sends a one-page, low key summary Different cultures’ festive traditions of his family’s doings for the year to on campus inspire students during friends on both sides of the Atlantic. He the winter months. Drs. Webster, also watches “A Christmas Carol” with Long and Shah, as well as President George C. Scott as Scrooge. Strikwerda Strikwerda, celebrate their holidays said that his favorite holiday tradition in unique ways. as a child was getting presents. presents to children. The vast majority There are many holiday traditions of Hindus [in India] are barely even on this campus due to many different aware of Christmas.” nationalities, religions and cultures repDr. Rita Shah, assistant professor of resented here. Christmas seems to be sociology, does not celebrate the holi- the most widely represented holiday on days and is rather critical of them in campus but several different traditions general. Shah finds fault in the holiday are celebrated by students and staff.

Features

Etownian

The

December 8, 2011

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on campus

food around town

Pita Pit coming to Market Street in March Emotion presents Restaurant offers affordable cuisine, trendy environment fall showcase Shana M. Mihovics Asst. Campus Life Editor

“F

resh thinking and healthy eating” is The Pita Pit’s motto, and it may be just what Elizabethtown is looking for. Sometime between mid- to late- March, The Pita Pit restaurant will be opening on Market Street in Etown.

This establishment offers an alternative to unhealthy fast food, providing nutritious choices that are still quick, easy and convenient.

Senior Ashley Stoops has never been to The Pita Pit but explained, “After reading their menu, I have to say that I am very excited to eat there. I try my best to eat healthy, although with the vast amounts of fast food places which surround us here in Etown, it’s difficult to do so, especially when you want something quick.”

The Lebanese-style pitas are only served with tasty but healthy meats, vegetables and toppings. One of the managers, David said, “We have pitas to please everyone.” There are 25 different combinations of pitas, and the options allow for vegetarians and those with allergies to still enjoy their meal. Meat and veggie pitas are their specialties, offering chicken, steak, turkey, ham, prime rib and tuna in the meat section along with different toppings, and garden, falafel, hummus, cheese and beans with assorted toppings as well in the veggie section. Sauces on the menu include: Caesar, tzatziki, ranch, spicy vinaigrette, mayo and barbeque. Four smoothie choices are available such as “banana very berry,” containing 0 grams of fat. The Pita Pit also serves breakfast pitas, like “the morning glory,” which is a combination of scrambled eggs, avocados, sautéed tomatoes, hash browns, grilled green peppers and onions with your choice of cheeses and sauces.

Burgers and fries are not served, as it is adults and professionals; therefore, most not your typical fast food eatery, and the Pita Pits are located near colleges and restaurant prides itself on health. universities. There are now 300 Pita Junior Rachel Barr said, “I think it’s Pit restaurants in North America. The definitely a good thing that The Pita Pit environment inside is fun, trendy and is opening at Etown. There really isn’t that comfortable, a perfect working and eatmuch diversity in the food in town, and ing setting for a college student. this will motivate more Etown students to go into town, giving them more to do and bettering Elizabethtown’s economy.”

Stoops also added, “I am very glad to hear that something like this is opening up here in Etown when it seems like I keep hearing everything is moving away or closing.”

There are currently two Pita Pits in the areas surrounding Etown, one in Harrisburg and one in Lancaster.

Prices at the restaurant are reasonable for college students trying to save money; pitas cost around $6. Specials and events for causes have taken place in both of the current locations. For example, the Lancaster location offered soup for a dollar one Photo: Matthew P. Butera rainy Monday and 20 percent This local eatery provides an exciting eating off of pitas from 9 p.m. to 11 experience.

With 25 different pitas, The Pita p.m. another day. Last Friday, Pit is sure to be the newest hot spot in town.

100 percent of their proceeds went to finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Junior Johanna Goslin said, “I love According to their website, The Pita the Pita Pit. I’m excited that a Pita Pit Pit was established in 1995 in Ontario, is coming to Etown. I have one where Canada and developed from personal I live, and it’s so convenient. I love experience of knowing what young that they make the food fresh, right people want, which is “an affordable yet in front of you.” great-tasting fresh and healthy alternaEntrepreneur Magazine ranks the tive to artery-clogging high-fat, high- chain fifth out of 500 as the best sandcarb fast food.” The pita shop expanded wich franchises in the U.S. Pita Pit welin 1997 and in 1999 moved to the comes all, especially college students.

United States. The first U.S. restaurants For more information about the Pita opened near Syracuse University and Pit visit, www.pitapitusa.com/home then opened another near the University and be sure to look for the opening on of Idaho. They are geared toward young Market Street in March.

in the area

December abounds with festive fun

Local, surrounding areas ring in winter, holiday season Sarah R. Wertz Staff Writer

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here are a lot of great activities ranging from iceskating to light shows to get yourself in the holiday spirit this year. As exam time approaches at Elizabethtown College, students tend to feel more and more stressed. However, with these ideas to get your mind off the books, you can definitely relieve some stress for at least a few hours.

Dutch Winter Wonderland offers many things to do on a cold wintry day such as rides, games and entertainment to get in the holiday spirit. There are indoor activities that include decorating cookies, meeting Santa and making gingerbread houses. There is a gingerbread house competition, as well as a public vote for the winning house, and Santa’s reindeer always pay a visit.

There are over 15 themed rides and games, as well as a performance from Santa’s favorite elves. A miniature train display is a popular crowd favorite, and different food items are available in the Castle Café, Mill Stream Eatery and the Snack Shack. Popular food items include sundaes, s’mores, kettle corn, funnel cakes and much more. Dutch Winter Wonderland is open through Dec. 30 and the business hours are Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with tickets at only $12.99. Call 866-FUNatDW for more information.

The Lancaster Barnstormers will once again be offering ice-skating at their stadium, the Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium. The big turnout from last year amounted to over 28,000 people coming to join the fun at the ice park of the Barnstormers. The rink is open Thursdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on days when schools are closed. The rink is even skateable in up to 50 degree weather! You are encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance by calling 717-509-3633 or at the stadium box office with prices ranging from $7 for unlimited skating, $6 on Thursdays and $3 for skate rentals. Parking is free, and the stadium concession stand is always open with the normal menu items as well as hot chocolate, coffee and soups.

HersheyPark is not just an attraction for the summer days. Hershey Sweet Lights is a great way to spend a cold night. Drive through two miles of trails and admire the

nearly 600 lit-up, animated displays from your own car.

Sophomore Lexy Viscardi wondered, “How could anyone pass it up? One gets to enjoy incredible holiday light displays from the comfort of one’s own car. Hershey is beautiful around the holidays, and for those looking for a way to get out and celebrate the season, it seems like a fantastic option.” The price is $20 per car and the hours of entrance are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekdays and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends. Hershey Sweet Lights is located right near HersheyPark, between Route 39 and Sand Beach Road.

HersheyPark Christmas Candylane is an all-ages holiday special with over two million lights covering over 30 different rides. Different choral groups perform live in addition to a sing-along Christmas show. Tickets are $12.95 and parking is $8. There is tons of food available at the Rhineland Food Court, Craftbarn Kitchen, Minetown Restaurant and Santa’s Candy Cottage that include soups, sandwiches, cookie decorating and other baked goods. The Chocolate Lab at the Hershey Story museum also has fun activities for the holiday season.

You can make your own candy with different classes such as tempering, molding, dipping and designing. Be sure to arrive early in order to receive a spot in these fast-filling classes. Classes can only be purchased on the day of the class at the admissions desk. There are many different classes that are taking place this month at the Chocolate Lab and you can visit this website: www.hersheystory.org/activities/calendar to learn more about the times and availability of each class.

Call 1-800-HERSHEY for more information about any of these festive activities in the “sweetest place on earth.”

As the holiday break draws near, so does exam time, which is not a thrill for most students. However, the High Library right here on campus provides a stressfree zone where students can relax by the fireplace and enjoy board games, coloring sheets and other things to relieve stress and help students focus on their studies.

Sophomore Samantha Bancroft said, “It is a great idea because it gives college students the option to unwind.

By providing the games and coloring sheets students have the resources other than textbooks to occupy their minds.” The High Library is open for extended hours during finals week.

Jared M. Schultz Staff Writer

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his Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10, Emotion will be hosting this semester’s final showcase of dances at 8 p.m. in Leffler Chapel. The theme of the Fall 2011 Emotion Dance Showcase is “Soleful Celebration,” an ode to the “passion and soul displayed throughout all numbers,” and the essence of dance as shown through the movement of the soles of dancers’ feet. This final showcase is also a tribute to Arianna Krayo, an Elizabethtown student and Emotion dancer who recently passed away.

Emotion puts on small shows throughout the semester for compilation performances with other groups, open houses and other events, but the final showcase is their biggest performance of the semester.

This show consists of 23 student-choreographed dances that range from jazz and tango to hip-hop and cheerleading. The show is expected to be upbeat, exciting and a good time for both the audience and the dancers. There are 176 dancers performing this semester with each person dancing in one to three different dances.

To remember Krayo, the dance she was slated to be in, “Waka Waka,” is being performed in her honor. Krayo just began dancing with Emotion this semester, and her passion and energy have been deeply missed. In her memory, Emotion is donating proceeds from the show to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Adams County, a Christian Bible ministry that hosts Good News clubs after school for elementary and intermediate schools. This organization, a completely donation-funded volunteer group, works with 14 elementary and intermediate schools, hosting weekly Bible study sessions.

The organization also holds soccer camps and assists local churches in their service to the community.

Emotion dances are entirely student-choreographed, and the Emotion cabinet was impressed by all of the dances at a preview show.

“We were happily surprised about the high caliber of the dances,” said senior Ashley Huttenstine, who is the current president of Emotion. There are weekly practices that last an hour and a half for all dances. For students doing two or three dances, that means they have four and a half hours of practice in addition to their personal practicing each week. Each of the 23 dances in the showcase have between six and forty people on stage at any time.

Some of the dancers in the show have been dancing since they were young, while others just picked up dancing as recently as this semester.

It is amazing to see how so many unique people with different experience levels can work together to produce stunning dance numbers in unison with each other. For previous shows, some dances may not have been quite smooth enough or choreographed perfectly, and they ended up getting cut from the program. This semester, however, every dance that was submitted for the final showcase will be appearing on stage during the performance.

“We’re all really proud and excited to show off our work,” Huttenstine said, as she congratulated all the Emotion dancers for the great show they have created. Students are encouraged to come show their support and see the results of all the dancers’ hard work.

Performances for the Fall 2011 Emotion Dance Showcase include (in order): “Footloose”, “Cosmic Love”, “Like A Prayer”, “You Could Be Happy”, “Rollin In the Deep”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Assassin’s Tango”, “Put Your Hands On Me”, “Edge of Glory”, “Tore My Heart”, “Give Me Everything”, and “Waka Waka”, in the first act. The lineup for the second act is “Run Freedom Run”, “Twenty Years”, “Ain’t No Other Man”, “Grenade, Mama,” “Jock Jams”, “Skeleton Key”, “Feeling Good”, “O’Nui”, “Party Rock Anthem” and “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.”

Student choreographers include: junior Jenell Abram, junior Shannon Bailey, senior Chelsea Benson, senior Suki Brown, senior Alison Cochran, senior Katie Evans, sophomore Kristen Faulkner, sophomore Caitlin Gardiner, sophomore Robert Graham, junior Liz Van Gulick, senior Dan Hart, sophomore Kylie Hecker, junior Lauren Hoffman, sophomore Owen Howson, senior Ashley Huttenstine, junior Julie Kelly, sophomore Jessie Krueger, sophomore Jenna Latham, junior Chelsea Lorenz, junior Lauren Moritz, graduate student Lauren Ott, sophomore Lauren Peck, senior Karen Perko, junior Laura Price, first-year Natalie Rangel, senior Nikki Rush, senior Danielle Schultze, junior Keelyann Sheeley, senior Stephanie Smith, junior Becky Stoczko, junior Eric Storey, junior Kate Stull, senior Amanda Tyson, junior Janis Umberger and junior Kim Welker.

Come out to see your friends and classmates dancing in the Fall 2011 Emotion Dance Showcase. This Friday and Saturday night in Leffler Chapel. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door: $3 for students and $4 for all non-students.

Campus Life

holiday spirit

Etownian

The

December 8, 2011

7

College Store begins charitable drive, nonprofit Pajama Program Donations of children’s pajamas, new books, money will be given to children in the area Lawrence W. Weiss Staff Writer

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he holiday season has arrived at the Elizabethtown College book store. Dec. 1, the College Store started the children’s pajamas and book drive. The store will be collecting new children’s pajamas and books to participate in the nonprofit Pajama Program, and donations made through the store will all go to local children in need this year. In order to participate in the drives, you can bring in a new set of children’s pajamas, donate new books or provide a $10 donation toward the purchase of these items. Anyone who donates one of these three things will receive a coupon to the College Store for 50 percent off any one regularly-priced clothing item. Donations will be handed out through agencies in the tri-county area of Lancaster, Dauphin and York counties, sometime shortly after the holidays.

Genevieve Piturro started the program in 2011. Piturro is a successful businesswoman who got the idea while volunteering at a shelter in Harlem, N.Y. She came up with this idea so

children could experience what many other children enjoy during the holidays.

The program is set up to help children who are in need, and the donations will be given to children from abusive homes or children living in shelters. The initial goal for the program was to reach out and help about 500,000 children. Since its creation in 2011, the program has donated 511,599 new books and 891,808 new sets of pajamas.

Nancy Fink, the office manager of the College Store, who brought the idea to campus, said, during a fall planning meeting, that people “expressed the desire to try some service projects, like Dining Services and organizations have done—in keeping with the ‘Educate for Service’ motto.”

After hearing about the Pajama Program over a year ago, Fink explained, “It was agreed that with involving children and books, it was a good match for [the College] and might be a fun thing to try.”

The store also knew that it would be helpful to thank and motivate members of the campus com-

munity for their participation. As for the thankyou coupon from the College Store, it is good for 50 percent off of one regularly priced item.

The coupon is offered because, Fink resaons, if students are willing to venture out, purchase pajamas and books and donate them, the store is willing to show their gratitude.

Students like the thought of helping out the community and giving the campus a way to interact with the community around the school.

Senior Ezra Minter is excited by the prospect of the drive and what it represents. “Giving back to the community is an awesome idea. I love when I have the opportunity to do good for others, it makes me feel like a better person,” Minter said.

The idea of giving back is typically present in everyone’s life during the holiday season, which usually raises everyone’s spirits.

“During the holidays, I always do things to help out in the community. The holidays make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and want to help out the less privileged, and I would want to start something up like this program one day,” Minter added.

Of course, giving back is part of the holidays, so the opportunity is out there for all of us to help out the less privileged and taking that opportunity could brighten up the days of those who are less fortunate.

Junior Amy Bunting agreed with Minter, saying, “Giving back is an amazing idea during the holidays—it’s what it’s all about, and this program will help out so many children in one way or another.”

If you would like to help out, stop by the College Store or contact Nancy Fink at FINKN@etown.edu or 717-361-1382.

Donations are now being accepted through noon on Dec. 22, and the discount coupons can be used through May 31, 2012.

Experiencing conflict?

Need a neutral problem-solver?

Exceptionally trained students available to mediate conflict between roomates, friends, project groups, clubs, etc.

Contact Melissa Law-Penrose (x1995); LAWPENROSEM@etown.edu.

professors’ offices

Dr. Varamini, Dr. Hagan encourage visits to personal work spaces Hobbies, interests decorate the office walls of the professors in various departments Duc Truyen Dam Staff Writer

I

t is fairly common for students to visit their professors’ offices to discuss issues they may be having with class. Occasionally, students converse with their professors about their hobbies or ask questions about their favorite items. Such conversations bring the professors and the students closer to one another, develop the mutual understanding between the professors and the students and facilitate the collaboration between them.

All of the international business majors at Elizabethtown College know Dr. Hossein Varamini, who is the director of the program, because all of them must take the Introduction to International Business course (BA197) with him at some point during their first year. Varamini was born and raised in Iran. He discovered his interest in teaching while tutoring his relatives and neighbors when he was still in school.

Growing up in a nation that is rich in literature, Varamini loves composing poems and short stories. At one point, his parents thought he would pursue a career in writing, but his passion for business led him to Tehran Business College, located in Iran’s capital city, Tehran. After obtaining his bachelor’s

degree in business, he left the country for the United States to attain his master’s degree in business administration at Phillips University in Oklahoma.

Varamini initially planned to return to Iran after getting his MBA, but the Iran-Iraq War, which was occurring in

During his last ten years there, he was the director of the international business program at the college. He lived a few blocks away from Lambeau Field, the home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, and consequently, he fell in love with the team. Nowadays, he sometimes goes to Packer’s games.

Since his relatives live on the east coast, Varamini was looking to move there. His goal was to obtain a job at a small private college like St. Norbert College. Coincidently, Etown was looking for a person to fill the director Photo: Duc Truyen Dam of international business position, and he began Dr. Hossein Varamini’s office displays souvenirs. working at the College in He aqcuired them from various business trips.

2000. Now, besides being the 1980s, steered his life onto a differ- in charge of the international busient path. He realized that the unfriend- ness program, he is the director of the ly environment in his home country internship program for the business was unfavorable for the development department. He manages all internof his career, and, therefore, he decided ships in the field of business, with the to stay in the U.S. and seek his Doctor exception of those in accounting. of Philosophy degree in international Varamini explained the reason economics with a concentration in he prefers small colleges to public finance at Kansas State University. universities, saying that private inPrior to coming to Etown, Varami- stitutions like Etown provide him ni was a professor at St. Norbert with valuable opportunities to inCollege, a small, private institution teract with and to positively imsimilar to Etown, in Green Bay, Wis. pact his students. He loves working with students on research projects, which prepare the students for graduate school as well as for their future careers. He thinks a liberal arts education gives students broad knowledge in a variety of fields, especially that of their majors. It really helps students to understand the influence of their decisions on other people and the environment.

Varamini focuses his work on energizing his students in self-discovery and prioritizing their goals so that they can have meaningful lives.

He wants his students to see themselves as parts of the society, do the right things for the global society and feel happy about themselves.

Varamini is an ardent educator. He does everything for his students. On the morning of our interview, he got up at 5:30 a.m. to go to Philadelphia to meet with executives of several businesses in order to secure internship and job opportunities for his students.

Furthermore, the meeting was a chance for him to recruit the executives to the advisory board of the business depart-

ment, who give students helpful advice for their future careers. His passion for teaching is so great that he has passed on several opportunities to go to administrative positions. Varamini is proud to be trusted by his students, and they have shared with him their challenges and achievements. He believes nothing is better than seeing students succeed, which is proof of the success of the professor.

Varamini’s office is tidy and full of sunlight. He proudly showed off the souvenirs from his business trips as well as from his students. There are mugs, statues, pictures and hand-made crafts from many countries in the world, such as India, China, Vietnam, Russia, Columbia and Peru. They demonstrate the diversity of people with whom he has interacted.

Min Han Tun, junior and international business major, thinks Varamini is a funny and friendly mentor. In his sophomore year, Tun struggled with finding an internship and purchasing a car, and Varamini assisted him through

University of Delaware. His research topic was the utilization of enzymes to make sugar. The process is known as carbon dioxide dehydrogenaze. He spent his postdoctoral time focusing on research in neuro-biology and chemistry, which is related to the processes of the brain, at Hershey Medical Center. Hagan spent some time as a sabbatical replacement in inorganic chemistry at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., before working as a sabbatical replacement at Etown. He heard about the job through a friend in graduate school, who graduated from the college. He left the College after his term was over, but later returned to Etown and is currently an associate professor of chemistry and the assistant dean for the First-Year Program.

In his spare time, Hagan enjoys cooking and baking. As a hobby, he grows vegetables himself and cans them to use in the winter.

Furthermore, he makes jams and bread. Hagan loves biking, traveling and photography. He is interested in capturing the beauty of nature with his camera.

Hagan’s favorite item in his office is the artwork of his five children.

He also treasures the picture of a glass of wine and a chemistry journal, which he took during his time in graduate school. He shared that he was taking a break from studying, the light was right, and he ended up capturing the scene.

Photo: Duc Truyen Dam One side of his office is Artwork colors the walls of Dr.Thomas Hagan’s full of books from the office. His children’s art is his favorite decoration. bottom to the top of all the difficulties, for which Tun was the room. He created a small library grateful. Through conversations with in his room so that his students can his mentor, he found out that Varamini conveniently borrow the books for was interested in fixing cars and cook- their research. ing. Tun’s impression about the office Khin Aye San, junior and chemistry is that it is organized in spite of the major, said that Dr. Hagan is a good tremendous amount of data related to professor. He goes deep into each conthe international business program. cept, rather than skimming the surface Varamini also keeps pictures of dif- of multiple concepts. His charisma ferent international business classes in inspires his students; Hagan often the room. tells jokes in class and tries to get his Dr. Thomas Hagan, associate pro- students’ attention. He is a fun teacher, fessor of chemistry, obtained his but his exams are very challenging, and bachelor degree in chemistry from he is a tough grader. During her advisVillanova University in Philadelphia ing session, he asked San about her in 1985. During his years in college, hobbies as well as what she usually did he studied abroad for one year at the during her free time. In addition, they University of Fribourg, located near talked about sports, hobbies and food. the border between France and Swit- Hagan likes authentic food, especially zerland, which was such an interest- Thai and Vietnamese food. ing experience for him. Skiing, one of Hagan is as passionate about his Hagan’s hobbies, was nurtured during hobbies as he is about teaching. It is his days in Switzerland. In 1992, he interesting to learn about a professor achieved his Doctor of Philosophy outside the classroom and the office is degree in bioinorganic chemistry at the a good way to start.

Etownian

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December 8, 2011

Campus Issues • Columns • Op-Ed •Letters to the Editor

on campus

Does senate advocate for student rights?

On-campus political climate challenges group’s authority

The

Sound Off What is the best Christmas Present you ever received?

[

Nintendo 64 — it’s a classic.

] Joe Bayona Class of 2015

[ Courtesy Photo

The Elizabethtown College Student Senate’s motto is “advocating student rights.” Senate tries to uphold this motto through the use of Town Hall meetings to allow students to voice their concerns. In addition, they are able to promote and support student groups on campus by funding various campus organizations.

Andrew S. Herm Staff Writer

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t every level of American society, there are elected officials who have been voted into a position of power by one group or another to lead someone or something. Going hand-in-hand with that are the complaints filed against those leaders—if something goes wrong, it’s their fault, they caused this catastrophe. If something goes right, they’re thanked with a shrug of the shoulders and a “well, they don’t really do anything anyway.” So, if there’s a problem, they caused it; if there’s progress, happiness or success, they had nothing to do with it. Welcome to politics.

With that being said, some of the most cut-throat, catclawing political strife presents itself in the form of school government: from the middle school and early high school levels where promises of on-campus water slides or candy bribes were as commonplace as Christmas music come midNovember (I’m still angry about that), to late high school when you realized you knew who was going to win school presidency as soon as you saw the name. It was all politics —mostly lies, slightly rigged in the favor of the one kid the teachers knew they’d be able to control.

A lot of the frustration geared toward members of political offices, and in Elizabethtown College’s case, Student Senate, stems from the fact that people who don’t know as much as they should take an active role in the process themselves or attribute too much power and ability to one particular person or group. Student Senate’s motto is “advocating student rights,” so naturally people will say that they don’t. I’ll admit, I don’t vote for anything, and I didn’t go on Blackboard when it was time to elect Senate reps for the school this year. It’s not something I care much about. By making the conscious decision to not participate in the election process, by not taking an active role in the decision-making opportunities I’ve had, I must also omit my right to complain about the repercussions. If Senate does something I don’t like, I can’t complain. I didn’t voice my opinion when it counted towards something during the elections, and any outcries of disagree-

A puppy when I was, like , six.

]

Monica Loranger Class of 2014

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ment I may have should be taken as null and void.

With that being said, I do know for a fact that Senate hosts “Town Hall” meetings, which serve as an open-floor discussion about the agenda of SenJordan Laliberte ate: students are free to come and go as they please, Class of 2013 offer opinions, suggest changes to be made and provide feedback to any and all Senate policies. If no one attends, Senate may be safe in assuming all is going well across campus; if no one is voicing their My cat — I got her opinion in an environment strictly geared toward that function, well, there’s not much anyone can be when I was in first expected to do to make changes they don’t know grade. need to be made. So, if you want to see changes occur in the Elizabethtown College community, than Sarah Steinmetz attend these meetings.

Class of 2013 Tangible evidence of Senate’s actions can be pointed out fairly easily across campus as well: if you’re in any club, most of us being in multiple, then you’ll know of the Senate Finance Committee. Whenever a club requires funds for any funcCompiled by Jacqueline E. Quidort tion (trips, parties, sponsored events), they’re able to request additional funding from Senate. The committee reviews the request, and divvies funds accordingly. Through this, Senate is able to both promote and support student groups on campus, all the ing that they’re able to recognize they’ve put themselves in while being able to make sure they’re beneficial to the com- a dangerous situation, students will not be punished for munity as a whole. As much as I’d love a water park party, calling for help. unless a club can provide ample support for its necessity, Senate does have an active role on campus; it just may Senate is obligated to shoot that down. not come with the ultimate power some may associate with Another pressing issue on campus pertains to alcohol- it. Without feedback from the community, they won’t be related incidents and the punishments issued to underage aware of situations that require their attention. The probstudents who may be involved. One policy in place is the lems Senate doesn’t know about can’t be fixed. If you have Good Samaritan clause, which allows students who may any suggestions or issues that need to be addressed, voice also be intoxicated to call for assistance if a friend is in dire your opinion before pointing fingers. need. Their violations of alcohol policies will be waived due to the fact they called for help, but still students may have reservations about calling Campus Security when alcohol Black Raleigh Venture 4.0 comfort bike with mesh basis involved. Senate is now working on an amnesty policy ket, chrome wheel rims. Last seen in front of Jay’s Nest. which will allow students to call in for themselves. By showIf found, contact Dr. McDonald, x.1306.

Nintendo 64.

[

Etown Comics By Sarah M. Knight

]

political column

2012 Presidential election presents options

Junior encourages students to research all political parties’ candidates Elizabeth C. Ricketts Political Columnist

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n Tu e s d a y, Nov. 6, 2012, the American p e opl e w i l l c a st their ballot for president. Will we have four more years with Barack Obama, or will a to-be-determined GOP candidate take the win?

The general presidential election tends to yield a voter turnout of about 50 percent of the voting-age population, a much higher turnout than local or primary elections. However, by Nov. 6 there will only be two choices for president of the United States of America. And a lot of times, voters are not really happy with either option A or option B. As of late, there seem to be fewer differences between the two candidates ultimately chosen to square off, each with a 50/50 chance of becoming the most powerful person in the world. And let’s face it, the political system is rigged in favor of the two-party set-up, making it very unlikely that we will see a successful third-party or independent bid for the presidency. You should get more options than A or B. Unfortunately, our choices will be lim-

ited, but there is another date on which you will have far more choices. That is April 24, 2012, the date of the Pennsylvania primary election. Primaries give citizens a say in who their political party nominates to run for president in November.

Since Barack Obama is obviously going to be the Democrats’ chosen candidate, that party will not have a primary election for president in 2012.

The Republican Party will hold a primary or caucus in each state early in the year before having a national convention to officially nominate one candidate. Pennsylvania residents who are at least 18 years old, have citizenship, are not convicted felons and are registered under the Republican Party, will be able to vote April 24. For more information on Pennsylvania voting requirements, and to register to vote, visit votespa.com.

Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, meaning that independent and third-party voters can vote in general elections but not in primary elections. In order to vote in the Republican primary on April 24, you must register Republican at least 30 days prior to the election.

Regardless of which party you register with, you can still vote in the general election. Voting in the primary gives you the chance to be more involved with the process. Instead of getting to choose between two candidates on Nov. 9, by voting in the

R U O Y T PU N O S D R RECO

primary earlier in the year, you help narrow down the field to a suitable candidate to compete for the presidency a few months later.

To register to vote or to change your party registration so that you are eligible to vote in the Pennsylvania primary, visit votespa.com You will have a simple form to fill out which can be faxed or mailed to the registration official in your county.

Remember, Pennsylvania is a closed primary state so you should register as a Republican at least 30 days in advance of the primary election to be able to participate. Also, remember that, regardless of your party registration, you can vote for whoever you want in the general election.

Changing your registration simply gives you the opportunity to choose a suitable candidate who will ultimately have a 50/50 chance of becoming the next president of the United States.

On Nov. 9, you will get to choose between Obama and one Republican. But on Apr. 24 you can choose between Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Gary Johnson, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman, Rick Perry and Ron Paul. You are much more likely to find a candidate whose views match your own when there are nine candidates to choose from than when there are just two in the general election. Do your research now. Find a candidate you feel represents your values.

By Alexa N. Viscardi On the turntable Yellow Ostrich Genre Indie Pop My rating Forget the maps and guidelines and get lost with a band that breaks the mold.

I place Yellow Ostrich on the turntable—even the transparent 7-inch is yellow!—and the room fills with the layered rhythms of “Whale” that are deep enough to swim in. I’m hooked by the song’s depth and expansive sound.

I’m always awestruck by smart-sounding pop, and another of Yellow Ostrich’s songs, “Libraries” has exactly what I’m looking for lyrics-wise: “Libraries burn fast, When they’re in the past, Once you leave all your stories will be gone, Libraries burn fast, They weren’t built to last, Flames of memory burn brighter than the rest…” Alex Schaaf sings, striking a Ray Bradburyesque chord with me.

Whether he’s crossing the sea in his song “Whale” or helping a drug-addicted friend get clean in “Mary,” lead singer and song writer of Yellow Ostrich Schaaf takes his listeners into uncharted territory. With echoing drum beats and mystifying lyrics, Schaaf ’s songs create an almost hypnotic effect with their soothingly repetitive sound.

Schaaf, who graduated last year from a liberal arts

college in Wisconsin, is continuing to expand his music career by bringing his organic rhythms with him to the Big Apple. Yellow Ostrich’s style takes subtle cues from Bon Iver, but transforms them with Schaaf ’s vocals—he uses a loop-track system to harmonize with himself, giving the songs a hauntingly reflective resonance. Bandmates Michael Tapper on the drums and Jon Natchez on bass, and occasionally the horn, also add to this band’s unique effect.

Their first full-length album, “The Mistress,” which was released this past August, has lured indie music lovers to their shows and iTunes page with increasing popularity. It’s okay if you decide you love them too; I won’t tell Death Cab for Cutie that you’re cheating on them. Like Yellow Ostrich’s song, “Run” says, “but if you think the day is done my love, I’ve news for you, For I am not a hasty one, but when there’s things to do I’ll run.”

Slip on your TOMS and run— don’t walk—to check out this fantastic band. Getting lost has never been this much fun.

Etownian

The

Opinion

December 8, 2011

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Editor-in-Chief Ross M. Benincasa Managing Editor Emily M. Reigart Assistant Editor Brianna E. Wiest News Editor Huntley C. McGowan Features Editors Tara B. Hayes Vanessa L. Andrew Campus Life Editor Jordyn M. Howe Opinion Editor Allison M. Rohland Sports Editor Jill A. Norris Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Copy Editor Elizabeth A. Enwright Layout Editor Craig H. Meaney Illustrator Sarah M. Knight Asst. News Editor Joseph S. Klinger Asst. Campus Life Editor Shana M. Mihovics Asst. Opinion Editor Agnetha C. Serrame Asst. Photography Editor Jacqueline E. Quidort Asst. Copy Editors Joanna P. Gruber Jaclyn E. Light Stéfon J. Marquette Shannon E. McNamee Alexis L. Morris Amanda R. Shank Business Manager Benjamin L. Frey Asst. Business Manager Amy M. Berdanier Advertising Manager Chelsea A. Benson Advertising Reps Trevor N. Bower Krystal A. Talley Brooke S. Wachtel Faculty Adviser Kelly L. Poniatowski 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 EDITOR@etown.edu.

shop ‘til you drop

Shoppers forget manners, get shot for Black Friday deals Kyle Schutz Staff Writer

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lack Friday is a time for people to tent out in front of stores, like Best Buy, for eight hours in hopes of getting 30 percent off items like iPads.

It is a marketing invention used to delude people into thinking they are getting the best deals on the hottest items. People become animalistic over, what in reality, are very minimal savings, and sometimes, the results lead to people actually dying. It is one day out of the year that people start shopping at midnight on Friday and do not stop until 5 p.m. on Friday. Why do people get so ridiculous over these deals? The world may never know, but there is one thing we can know for sure: people are crazy.

Black Friday has its dark side, but it does have a good side as well. It gives us an insight on how people are spending their money in tough economic times. It also creates seasonal jobs, which

allow people to make a little extra money to spend.

This year’s Black Friday spending increased by 31 percent as opposed to last year’s spending, according to msnbc.msn.com, but that is just instore shopping. The money really comes in from online shoppers. The number of shoppers this year compared to last year increased by 63 percent, according to moneyland.time.com. In essence, Black Friday looks good on paper, and it does stimulate the economy a tiny bit, but sometimes the deals might not be worth the risk.

Violence, unfortunately, goes hand-in-hand with Black Friday. People seem to have no sense of morality once they get into that Wal-Mart at 10 at night. This is great for social behavior psychologists but not so much for the average shopper. This year’s Black Friday produced some pretty violent scenarios, which show how inhumane people can act. The first incident comes from California. A woman tried to get a gaming console at a discounted price, but she ran into some compli-

cations when she saw that other people had their eyes on the console as well. So how did she solve the problem? The lady proceeded to take pepper spray out of her purse and douse the crowd in a cloud of the blinding toxin. She even hit innocent children. The worst part is no one bothered to stop the woman; they just kept shopping.

The next incident, also in California, happened to a man and his family. The man was walking out to his car with his family when they were robbed at gunpoint for the items they had just purchased.

The victims fought with the thieves, which just angered them. The result? The man was shot.

Of course, it would not be Black Friday if it did not include good old-fashioned brawls.

Florida, New York, Alabama and Connecticut all had reports of people duking it out for the slashed prices. The fighting in New York was so bad that two people were actually taken to the local hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries that they sustained.

Put yourself in these types of situations. What would you do? Would you turn a blind eye to a lady dousing adults and children alike with pepper spray? Could you ever find yourself actually being the person using the pepper spray? Would you ever fight someone because they took the last Xbox? These are all things that seem unfathomable to fight over, but it is the nature of Black Friday. The deals are not even that good if you think about it. Nike can make shoes for pennies then proceed to sell them for $80 and on Black Friday sell them for $50. That is not much of a deal to be hurting your fellow man over.

The holidays are a stressful time for everyone, and people go way too crazy for these socalled deals. Violence like this is unnecessary and unwarranted. If businesses want to have these kinds of sales then they need to provide better security so people stay safe. However, until that day comes, people need to learn how to be civil and act like mature human beings.

Sports

The

10 Etownian

December 8, 2011

athlete conduct

Coaches approach alcohol consumption policies differently Jill A. Norris Sports Editor

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he 48-hour rule is something that athletes at Elizabethtown College are well aware of. This rule states that players cannot consume alcohol within 48 hours of participating in an athletic event. While each team handles drinking in different ways and with different punishments, there are two conclusions that all of the coaches seem to agree on: no athlete under the age of 21 is permitted to consume alcohol, and excessive drinking is detrimental to an athlete’s performance, regardless of their age.

“We emphasize to our players that they are held to a higher standard because they are athletes,” Bob Schlosser, head coach of the men’s basketball team, said. The basketball team’s rules and regulations state that players who are 21 or older cannot drink alcohol if there is practice or a game the following day. It then goes on to state that if there is no such athletic event, athletes are to act responsibly for there could be serious consequences otherwise.

Michael Faith, head coach of the women’s lacrosse team, has 24 and 48 hour rules for his team. Players who are 21 are not permitted to drink alcohol within 24 hours of a practice and within 48 hours of a game.

“If the players break this rule, let’s just say their legs are going to be really tired the next day from all the running they and the entire team will do,” Faith said.

The men’s baseball team, coached by

Cliff Smith, does not have a set number of hours that limits drinking before a practice or game. Instead, he and his team created a “punishment guideline” for any trouble that his players may get into. He also seriously emphasizes to his team how important it is for them to make the right decisions. “I try to talk a lot about commitment and making appropriate decisions with our team. I believe it should be understood that, if you are trying to be the best athlete and team that you can be, drinking alcohol will affect how you perform on the field,” Smith said.

Since the men’s bas eball team has developed their own rules, they have also developed their own punishments. “We set out a number of different punishments dependent on whether a violation takes place in season or out. Usually a first offense is a physical punishment like running.

Subsequent violations result in suspension or dismissal,” Smith explained.

Faith believes that it is necessary for athletic teams to have such rules. “Everyone is on the same page, and we don’t have one person doing their own thing. Everyone has the same level of expectations,” he said.

However, Smith does not believe that such extreme precautions are necessary.

“Students are adults and must make their own lifestyle choices, hopefully positive ones,” Smith said.

Although Faith and Smith do not agree about installing specific guidelines as to handling such situations, they both feel that consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is

not a smart thing for anyone to do, whether they are an athlete or not.

Faith has found his rules to be effective thus far in the school year because he has not had any issues with his players regarding alcohol. “I also feel that I trust my players enough that they wouldn’t do it anyway because it would directly affect their performance on the field,” Faith said.

Students are adults and must make their own lifestyle choices, hopefully positive ones. ~ Cliff Smith

Smith also feels that the rules his team has established have been effective because they were made up by the players and not the coaching staff. “No written rules are effective unless there is buy-in from the team. I cannot be around our athletes 24 hours a day,” he said. “They are adults; it is

up to them to make the decision about how they act off the field and what sacrifices they are willing to make to be the best that they can be in a given endeavor. I can only talk to them about making good decisions, and then hold them accountable for their actions if they make a poor one.”

All three coaches understand the pressure that many of their athletes are under. “I do feel that the students need some sort of outlet and somewhere to go just to hang out with a group of friends without worry about getting in trouble for a noise violation or something else,” Faith said.

S c h l o s s e r a g r e e d w i t h Fa i t h a n d empathizes with his team. “We as coaches understand that there is a great deal of peer pressure regarding this topic,” he said.

Alcohol consumption is an issue that every college and collegiate athletic program must handle. “I do believe the players in our program take our rules seriously and, more often than not, handle themselves in a mature fashion,” Schlosser reported.

Neither Schlosser, Faith or Smith believe that Etown has more issues regarding alcohol consumption than other institutions. “Life is about making choices and the choices that you make, if they are bad ones, can affect your life and even something as small as how you perform on the field. As a teacher and a coach, I try to talk to our players about making the right choices, and getting them to understand the consequences of their actions when [they] are in the heat of the moment,” Smith concluded.

training

Teams train year-round to maintain, improve necessary skills Programs stay within NCAA off-season regulations to hold additional team practices

Alexis L. Morris Asst. Copy Editor

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s a Division III school, a higher focus is placed on academics than athletics for those students that choose to participate in Elizabethtown College’s various varsity programs. For this reason, both the traditional and nontraditional season – the portion of the season that does not include the NCAA championship – for each sport are highly regulated.

Principle 2.14 of the NCAA Division III Constitution states, “The time required of student-athletes for participation in intercollegiate athletics shall be regulated to minimize interference with their opportunities for acquiring a quality education in a manner consistent with that afforded the general student body.”

In the 276-page constitution, 35 pages are devoted to outlining the exact starting dates of each season and the allowed number of practices and days of competition for each individual sport.

For the nontraditional season for baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, the NCAA only permits 16 days of athletically-related activity, one of those being a day of competition. As any athlete knows, having only 16 days of practice between seasons is nowhere near sufficient enough to keep team members in shape and fresh with their technical skills. Therefore, for Etown’s twenty teams, workouts outside of the traditional and nontraditional seasons are extremely important.

Fall and spring season athletes are currently in the midst of their winter workouts. Coaches usually send the team a

recommended workout plan, dictating different cardio workouts – such as jump rope sets, long-distance runs and sprints – as well as lifting exercises and drills. However, coaches cannot call these workouts mandatory, for any required weight training or conditioning activities fall under the NCAA’s description of an athletically-related activity.

According to the Division III Constitution, “an institutional staff member may design a voluntary individual-workout program for a student-athlete, but cannot conduct the individual’s workout outside the declared playing season.” The constitution also specifically forbids student-athletes from reporting back to their coaches any running times, weight sheets or other information related to such voluntary athletically-related activities.

Therefore, the coaches must rely on the responsibility and dedication of Etown’s student-athletes and their willingness to come to the first day of practice in good shape. For the Blue Jays baseball team, their winter workout helps the team maintain their conditioning from their fall nontraditional season to their regular season in the spring. According to sophomore Mark Minisce, the team starts practicing Feb. 1 with 5:30 a.m. practices in the gym. Head Coach Cliff Smith expects the team to lift three times a week in addition to the team’s five practices.

“The winter workouts help us brush up on skills like throwing and hitting that are hard to do in the middle of the winter,” Minisce said. “We will also come out of the winter workouts with greater cardiovascular strength.”

Sophomore men’s lacrosse player Adam Moore has a similar

program to prepare him and his team for their regular season in the spring. The men’s lacrosse workout consists of lifting three times a week and running five days a week. “I think that by staying in shape in the offseason, you are able to have a leg up in the regular season,” Moore commented. “Instead of conditioning during practice, we are able to work on the specifics which help further our abilities and help us with the close games.”

However, for fall sports, such as field hockey, the winter workouts do not hold quite the same weight as their spring season counterparts. According to junior Lindy Hamp, “We are just expected to continue to go to the gym and run and make sure that we maintain our conditioning from the season.”

After students return from winter break, the field hockey team will participate in an indoor league at Red Rose Indoor Arena in Lancaster, which lasts long enough to segue them into their nontraditional spring season. While the winter workout is important for maintaining conditioning, according to Hamp, it is much more important for her teammates to consistently follow their summer workout plan in order to better prepare for their preseason practices in August.

While many prospective students choose Division III schools because the majority of their sport is played in one season, they do not realize that athletics at Etown truly is a year-round job. Although the time commitment appears to be shorter because there are less required practices, the amount of time individuals put into their own training is much more extensive.

women’s basketball

Early games yield promising outcome for program’s season Jacqueline E. Quidort Asst. Photo Editor

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ith a winning record and great team camaraderie, the Elizabethtown College women’s basketball team is off to a great start. The team played Messiah College, one of the top teams in the conference according to Head Coach Yvonne Kauffman, on Dec. 3. Despite their optimism, the team suffered a devastating loss to Messiah College with a final score of 49-66 “So far, the season is going very well! We are 4-2,” Marissa Ferris, a first-year guard, wrote in an email interview.

The team began their season with a 61-47 win against the Susquehanna Crusaders on Nov. 16. A close win followed for the lady Blue Jays, as they beat Immaculata 71-70 on Nov. 19.

The team was off, according to Kauffman, in the game against

York College of Pennsylvania.

They lost to the York College Spartans 57-64 on Nov. 20. The team came back and conquered the Lancaster Bible Chargers on Nov. 28. The Blue Jays defeated the Chargers 55-33. Their latest game, against Arcadia, was the Blue Jay’s latest success. “It went really well!

We won by 20 points,” Ferris wrote.

According to Kauffman, the season is going well. She likes the fact that different players are stepping up, and that even though everyone has both good days and bad days, a different person always steps up. “This team knows how to pick each other up,” she said. “ The season is going great.

Everyone on the team gets along extremely well on and off the court, and we are always looking out for one another,” first-year guard Rebecca Silver wrote in an email interview.

Ferris emphasized the team’s camaraderie. “Everyone on the

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

First-year Cheyenne Stonerook took the ball to the hoop in a recent game against Messiah College.

team is close off the court, which makes us have so much more chemistry when we are on the court,” she said. “Our team has some great shooters which I think is one of the greatest abilities,” Silver wrote. “But I think the greatest ability is our ability to work together as a team and not individually.”

The team needs to work on consistency, according to Kauffman.

“They need to have their “A” game, cut down on turnovers, and make the opposing team turnover the ball more,” she said.

To beat Messiah in the Middle At l a nt i c C o n f e re n c e ( M AC ) Championship game, the team has to give its all. Overall, Messiah is currently 3-2; however, Messiah is 1-1 in the MAC conference, according to mascac.org. Etown lost last January to Messiah 40-58, according to etownbluejays.com.

In the 2009-2010 season, the Blue Jays lost to Messiah 49-58 and in

the 2008-2009 season 42-73.

The women’s team was very optimistic going into the pressuref i l l e d g am e a g ai ns t Me s s i a h C ol l e ge on D e c . 2 . “ To b e at Messiah, I think we need to work on help-side defense along with communication. We will really need to take care of the ball and not give up any opportunities,” Silver said in a pregame interview.

Ferris was also hoping for the best before the start of the game. “We are going to have to give 100 percent for all 40 minutes of the game. If we play to what we are capable of, I think we can win,” she said.

The team knows competition.

The team players are competitors and have been competing most of their lives, explained Kauffman.

“We all rely on one another for emotional support. Everything we do, we do as a team,” Ferris wrote, summing up one of the team’s greatest strength’s, which is their chemistry.

Sports

men’s basketball

Team faces difficult start to season Benjamin M. Simms Staff Writer

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track and field

Indoor season begins

Holiday Meet quickly approaches

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he Elizabethtown College men’s basketball team has seen a tough season so far. Currently the Blue Jays have an overall record of 1-5 and they are 0-2 in the Commonwealth Conference, a subdivision of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship. So far the Blue Jays’ only win this season comes from a game played on Nov. 22 against Stevenson University. The Blue Jays won 78-76 and were led by sophomores Joe Schwalm and Steve Ennis.

The Blue Jays took on Arcadia University and Messiah College this past week. The Blue Jays lost 67-75 against Arcadia. Despite the loss, the Jays were led by senior point guard Kyle McConnell, who had 15 points and six rebounds.

In the game against Messiah, the Blue Jays lost 56-63, but the game was closer than the score is able to represent. Once again, Etown was led by sophomore Joe Schwalm and senior Kyle McConnell. Schwalm led the team with 18 points while McConnell added 12 points and six assists.

The Blue Jays are now sitting at the bottom of the conference with a record of 1-5, so the question at hand is can the team turn around the season and make a run for the conference? The Blue Jays have a lot of talent across the board, but the team is very young. The team has only two active seniors, Kyle McConnell and Dan Silver (Brian Allport is missing the season due to a torn ACL) and there are four juniors on the roster. On a team of 15 players, only six players have varsity experience.

Etown has many talented firstyear players and Head Coach Bob Schlosser sees a bright future for them. “Phil Wenger, who is backing up Kyle McConnell, at this point is pretty versatile, and I think he might be able to play well for us,” Schlosser said. “Lee Eckert is a big guy as a freshman. He is still learning the system, but I think he is going to be a real contributor for us here before it [the season] is all over,” Schlosser added.

The team isn’t letting their record interfere with their goals for the season. “Our record isn’t what we want, nobody wants to be 1-5, but we have a great group of guys who work hard day in and day out,” junior point guard Joe Renzi said.

Etownian

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December 8, 2011

Alexis L. Morris Asst. Copy Editor

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Photo: Matthew P. Butera

Sophomore Joe Schwalm and first-year Phil Wenger played important parts in the Etown vs. Messiah game on Dec. 3. The final score of the game was 56-63.

The Blue Jays have had a tough schedule so far this season; the combined record of the teams they’ve played so far is 19-17.

Two of those teams have losing records; the others like Penn State Harrisburg and York, have records of 5-2.

This season is by no means over for the team. “In years past, especially recently, we have started strong and not finished necessarily the way we have wanted to,” Schlosser said. “I am of the belief that this year we are going to go in the other direction.

We are going to struggle here early, but I like to think that as we get into January and February we are going

to be a much better team.”

The team hopes that as the young players gain more experience, they will be able to make even greater contributions to the team.

Schlosser added an interesting statistic when he was asked about being picked to finish last in the Commonwealth Conference this year. “Two times recently we have been picked to finish seventh and both times we played for the championship when we were picked to finish seventh,” Schlosser said. It is still early in the season though, and the Blue Jays have a group of guys who are determined to turn the season around.

hi le t he major ity of t he stu d e nt b o dy is typing the last page of their research papers or living in the library until finals are over, Elizabethtown College’s men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams are busy preparing for their first meet of the season – the Haverford Holiday Meet.

The Blue Jays, who have been practicing with the captains since the second week of school, will have the chance to put their hard work to the test against conference opponent Widener University and other schools this Saturday, Dec. 10.

This meet will serve as an excellent starting point for the team’s indoor season, for Etown has more than a month until their next meet – the Mountain Hawk Multi and Invite on Jan. 20-21. “It is always hard to know what to expect at the first meet, but it gives everyone a starting point to work from,” junior captain Ashley Lockwood said. “As long as everyone gives his or her best effort and leaves everything on the track/runway/throwing circle, that’s all we can ask for.”

The events for indoor track and field are slightly modified from their outdoor counterparts because there is less space for the events inside of the field houses. According to junior captain Luke Rotenberger, fewer events are offered during the indoor season, and the indoor track is only 200m long, as opposed to 400m.

“This means any running event will have twice the amount of turns indoor as opposed to outdoor, and more turns is bad,” Rothenberger said.

Sophomore thrower Lucas Dayhoff also mentioned the differences between the two seasons for throwers. “The biggest difference is the [throwing] circle is wooden, which means the circle is much faster. Also, instead of the 16-lb. hammer, we throw the 35-lb. bag,” he said. Lockwood pointed out that throwers also compete with the shot put in

the indoor season, but they only throw the discus and javelin in the spring season.

Although the training for these events is very similar to training for the outdoor events, sophomore Monica Loranger stated that having better indoor facilities would help the team tremendously. “We do not have the appropriate amount of space to practice specific events inside, which makes it a challenge to practice,” she said.

Still, Loranger described the teams as a “determined group.”

Lockwood agreed, stating, “This year’s team has shown nothing but endless effort since the start of the season.”

After the Haverford Holiday Meet, the Blue Jays will have to do a majority of their training individually over winter break.

“Training alone for a sport like track and field is much more difficult physically and psychologically w hen you are alone rather than with your teammates and coaches,” Rotenberger said.

However, the team typically steps up to the challenge, and the athletes employ a variety of different methods to help them follow Head Coach Joel Hoffsmith’s workout. Dayhoff commented that he plans to work out at a local gym, as well as revisit his high school team to practice throwing with his former coach. Senior captain Chris Niles believes “that the team will train as hard as they can and really push it to come back from break and be in the same shape or even better [than] before.”

The indoor season concludes w it h t he Mi d d l e At l ant i c Conference (MAC) Indoor Championship Feb. 25 and for those who qualify, the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships March 3-4.

However, the teams do not take a break from training, because the outdoor season commences with the Jim Taylor Invitational on March 31. Rotenberger would also like to remind everyone that “Outdoor MACs are at Etown this year, and we would love to hear fellow students cheering us on!”

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December 8, 2011

Game Recaps • Previews• Commentary • Bios

swimming

New coaching staff provides program advantage Jill A. Norris Sports Editor

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he Elizabethtown College men’s and women’s swimming teams have undergone a few changes to their program thus far in the season. Former assistant coach, Mark Wilson, was promoted to the head coaching position for both teams, and Ryan Epler was hired as the program’s new assistant coach. Although a new coaching staff provides potential for a stressful season, Wilson and Epler have proven to Etown that their teams can overcome the obstacles.

Former Head Coach Dan Dehass resigned at the end of last year’s season to be close to his primary job in Florida. Although the players and staff were sad to see their coach go, they welcomed the new coaching staff to their team. “They were used to me; they took Ryan [Epler] right away.

It was an easy transition,” Wilson explained. “Ryan is a great asset and is tremendous with the swimmers for technique training,” he added.

Wilson started his own swimming career when he was only eight years old. He graduated from Millersville University and was a part of both the swimming and water polo teams while he was a student. He considers his greatest swimming accomplishment to be the fact that he has been able to remain committed to his favorite sport for the majority of his life.

Coaching Etown’s swimming teams is not the first time that Wilson and Epler have worked together. They both worked full time at Lancaster Bible College, and this familiarity is an advantage to the program.

Epler, who swam for Misericordia University, was eager to start his job as the new assistant coach. “I was excited to help share knowledge and experience with the team,” Epler said.

He also reported that his family is just as thrilled about his new job and is very supportive. “They are happy

to see me doing something that I enjoy,” Epler said.

Coming from one of Etown’s competitors, Misericordia, has not discouraged Epler’s drive to win. “A lot of what I teach the swimmers comes from what I learned at Misericordia, and I think the kids have really listened to my advice that I give them. I feel they respect me and where I came from since they get to see Misericordia swim every year,” Epler explained.

Although Epler was excited to be a part of Etown’s swimming program, he admitted that it was somewhat difficult to adapt to the teams. “It was a challenge the first few weeks to get to know the kids and know what they are capable of doing in the pool. After two months of being around the team, they are great to coach and have a strong work ethic,” he said.

Epler began swimming when he was five years old and is also happy to have been able to stick with it for so long. “Swimming all four years for a college program is a great accomplishment. Swimming six nights a week with three morning practices on top of a full class load is tough,” he explained. Since Epler and Wilson have already experienced what their swimmers are currently undergoing, this has allowed them to be empathetic to the teams and better understand their frustrations and points of view.

Wilson and Epler expressed how fortunate they feel to be able to coach both the men’s and women’s swimming team. “It’s a wonderful opportunity with some great challenges,” Wilson said. This is uncommon because most college athletic teams do not hold practices and meets together due to having different rules for each gender. “I think it is great to have the battle of the sexes at practice...it helps push everyone,” Epler noted.

Although the two teams do not have different rules, they are

trained somewhat differently.

Wilson reported that, during the beginning of the season, the teams are treated equally in their training.

This is because the main focus of their practices is getting every swimmer back into shape. However, after the first two months, each team has a different training routine.

Both the men’s and women’s teams have an overall and conference record of 3-2. Although both coaches would like the teams to improve their records throughout the remainder of the season, they are content with the work the swimmers have done thus far. According to the coaches, Etown’s swim teams have a much smaller program than some of their competitors, but the fact that they are able to remain strong is a win in itself. Epler also commented that many of the swimmers have been battling sicknesses and that is a recent disadvantage to their season. “We are trying to get everyone back in the pool and healthy,” Epler said.

In addition to improving each teams’ records, the coaching staff ’s main goal for the rest of the season is “to see the kids do their best times, and place well at MAC’s,” Wilson said.

Epler has a more specific goal in mind for both the men’s and women’s teams.

“I would like to see the women finish top four at MACs and see the men finish top five. It is a goal that I know is possible if everyone keeps working hard,” he noted.

Earlier in the season, both teams competed against Etown’s rival, Messiah College. The women’s team lost 89-172 and the men’s team also lost with a final score of 73-185. Swimming against such a huge competitor could have been seen as a disadvantage for the program. However, the coaches and swimmers have taken it as a learning experience. “Messiah had a great recruiting season; they were a lot bigger and faster than last year,” Wilson said. “I think it was good to swim them early,

and now our team knows we have to get ready for MACs when we have a chance to beat Messiah,” Epler added.

With the Messiah loss behind them, the teams are focusing on their next meet against York College of Pennsylvania on Dec. 10. The Blue Jays did not compete against York last year and are hoping to surprise the team with an improved program.

“We are faster than we were two years ago. It should be a good meet,” Wilson said. Wilson and Epler are hoping that the teams’ hard work will pay off in the end. “York has a beautiful pool, and it will be a great chance for our swimmers to make MAC cut times and also compete with a great team,” Epler explained.

“There is always room for improvement on every level. That includes coaches, I would love to see improvement in numbers,” Wilson said. In general, both Wilson and Epler feels that as long as the teams continue to improve in endurance, strength and technique, they will end with a successful season.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. That is what I keep telling our swimmers,” Wilson said. He and Epler are proud of their swimmers for the hard work that they have put in throughout the entire season and for the fact that many of them have swam their personal best times. “It is great to see everyone work hard and see it all pay off, it keeps them motivated,” Epler added.

The only change that Wilson would like to see in Etown’s swimming program is to focus m ore on re c r u it i ng qu a l it y swimmers to increase the teams’ numbers. This will help them become an even stronger competitor. “Coach Wilson runs a great program, and I am learning from him. We communicate well, and I feel we are a great mix of knowledge and experience,” Epler concluded.

Athlete of the Week Jayci Scannapieco Q&A Major: Elementary/Special Education Hometown: York, Pa. Favorite musician: Taylor Swift Favorite team: Duke Blue Devils Hardly anyone knows that...

I have backyard chickens at my house.

Favorite Jay’s Nest item: pierogies with sour cream and salsa Biggest fear: heights

Women’s Basketball Page 10 Athletic Conduct Page 10 Training Page 10 Men’s Basketball Page 11 Track and Field Page 11

Sports Recap Wrestling Etown 3 Wilkes 39 Etown 20, Del.Val. 13 Etown 15, Kutztown 25 York Invitational 58 pts. 7th/11 Men’s Swimming Etown 132, FDU-Florham 51 Etown 133, LVC 50 Women’s Swimming Etown 148, FDU-Florham 37 Etown 117, LVC 88 Men’s Basketball Etown 69,York 88 Etown 74, Rich. Stockton 78 Etown 78, Stevenson 76 Etown 067, Arcadia 75 Etown 56, Messiah 63 Etown 65, Susquehanna 67 Women’s Basketball Etown 71, Immaculata 70 Etown 57,York 64 Etown 55, Lancaster Bible 33 Etown 68, Arcadia 48 Etown 49, Messiah 66 Etown 57, Moravian 67

Schedule

Women’s Basketball

Favorite holiday: Christmas Favorite movie: “Dumb and Dumber” In 10 years, I want to be… happily married and a third or fourth grade teacher.

Greatest Etown accomplishment: Academic AllAmerican Favorite place to visit: grandma’s house Favorite Etown memory: meeting Ryan Borzager

Inside Sports

of Sports

Men’s Basketball December 10: Scranton December 17: @Salisbury December 18: McDaniel

Women’s Basketball December 10: Alumnae Game Wilkes December 18: @ Sacred Heart December 20: @Wheaton

Wrestling Photo: etownbluejays.com

Jayci Scannapieco began her basketball career when she was only five years old and is in the process of completing her senior year as a member of the women’s basketball team. Scannapieco is one of the team’s leading scorers and has made countless contributions to the team’s winning overall record of 4-2.

January 7: Waynesburg Tournament

Swimming December 10 @ York