Etownian Issue 14 - 02/17/2011

Brittany’s Hope saves orphans

Xcited for X-Men

State of the Union:

and the pursuit of happiness?

Features, pg. 4

Opinion, pg. 13

Double Truck, pg. 8,9 February 17, 2011• Volume 107, No. 14

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

on campus

On the Web: www.etownian.com

on campus

Racist vandalism shocks community Students charged for selling alcohol “W S Ross M. Benincasa Editor-in-Chief

tus, a member of Noir, also took issue with the post and its underlying message. “I was working in the Jay’s [Nest] and someone came in and asked if I had seen the poster,” she said. “Then, about ten minutes later, the president of Noir

e will not ignore the bigotry that seems to keep the lines of equality broken,” began Alysa Poindexter, as she composed a Facebook note which cites a recent racist action on campus. This event occurred on Feb. 11, when a member within the Elizabethtown College community committed an act of vandalism directed at Noir, the College’s black student organization. Up to this point, Noir had been enriching the academic community throughout the month with posters proclaiming the good deeds and achievements by minorities through the years in honor of Black History Month. However, the fact posted on Feb. 11, celebrating the black inventor Jan Ernst Matzeliger, was covered by a note that read: “Fact of the (White Person) Day. 2/11/1847 Thomas Edison’s Birthday! Much influence was given!”

Poindexter claims that her Facebook post received comments of outrage from her friends both on campus and from others that attend Courtesy Photo different colleges. “Most of my friends said that it was very [cowardly] of this person to not sign Depicted above is the controversial “(White Person) Fact their name on it,” Poindexter said. Shaday Fes- of the Day,” placed over Noir’s posting promoting Black History Month.

world news

Cholera breakout causes concern Andrew S. Herm Staff Writer

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holera returns to the United States. The International Medical Corps describes it as an acute diarrheal disease stemming from an infection in the intestines with the potency to kill healthy adults within hours. Its deadliest symptom, severe watery diarrhea, may lead to extreme dehydration and kidney failure. Both may result in death. Statistics gathered by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that 80 percent of those infected with cholera may never even develop symptoms, but bacterium may stay in fecal matter for up to two weeks, making those in the area prone to infection. As many as 50 percent of cases that go untreated may be fatal.

The disease is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water sources or through poor sanitation and hygiene. Those who run the highest risk of infection are people living in refugee camps or urban slums, or people who have been displaced from their homes by war or natural disaster. In November 2010, Haiti experienced an outbreak of cholera that soon progressed into a full-blown epidemic. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, had been rocked by a highly publicized earthquake, which, once compounded with the poor sanitation system and heavily populated urban areas, made the country a prime spot for an epidemic to occur.

Claire-Lise Chaignat, head of the WHO’s global cholera task force, remarked to BBC reporters that “the situation the population is living in is absolutely disastrous.”

See CHOLERA, pg. 3

[Amrit Gordon]came in and asked if I had seen it and told me that he took it down.” Due to these interactions, as well as other communication that Festus had with students around campus, she proceeded to inform Dean Marienne Calenda about the issue, and encouraged other members of the community to do so as well. “After me and Amrit [Gordon] composed emails to Dean Calenda, we met with See OFFENSIVE, pg. 3

Peter S. Northrop Assistant Editor

ix Elizabethtown College students have been charged with selling alcohol illegally by State Police. The Etownian wrote about the bust at 37 College Avenue in its February 3rd edition. Police charged four students: Bradley Gallagher Justin Warner, Brady Haughney and Bryan Harrity.

Additionally, a second house has been implicated in selling alcohol to an undercover officer from Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Enforcement. The second bust happened at 704 S. Market St. Shakir Saunders and Sean O’Neill were charged for this alleged crime.

“We had the same undercover officer at both houses,” Officer John Mathias of Liquor Control Enforcement (LCE) said. Liquor Control Enforcement is a branch of the Pennsylvania State Police.

LCE received information on both these houses from Elizabethtown Borough police. However, Mathias pointed out: “We also got several complaints from [Elizabethtown] citizens.” So, residents of the actual borough also had a part in this bust.

At worst, these six students will face a fine proportional to the amount of alcohol they are selling at these parties, in addition to any punishment by the College.

The charges were filed last Thursday before District Judge, Jayne F. Duncan. According to Dean Calenda, “The College will respond. The students will [go through] the student conduct process. Each case will be considered individually.”

on campus

Former president Ebersole passes

at the College for many years. Thus, Ebersole “had a deep family interest in preserving the College’s heritage as well as insuring its present and future intellectual r. Mark C. Ebersole, President of Elizabethtown growth and capacity,” commented Doris Gordon, a College from 1977 to 1985, passed away after an trustee who served under Ebersole as chair of the ocillness on Feb. 12, at age 89. Ebersole is survived by his cupational therapy department.

“As president, he elevated the College’s wife, Dorothy, two sons, three grandsons sense of leadership and scholarship,” Dr. Donand three of four siblings. ald Kraybill, who worked under Ebersole for He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree several years, said. “I always felt like I could from Etown in 1943, a Master of Divinity trust him. He was respectful and very easy to degree from Crozer Theological Semiwork with.” nary, a Masters in history from the UniLong, who formed a close relationship versity of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in with Ebersole over the 15 years they knew religion from Columbia University. Ebeach other, admired Ebersole’s leadership ersole served as a professor, chair of the and humor. Long was honored to learn, religion and philosophy departments, two days after his friend’s death, that Ebvice president and provost of Bucknell ersole had requested for Long to speak at University; dean of the graduate school his memorial service. and vice president for academic affairs You may join Ebersole’s family and at Temple University; and interim leader friends for a Celebration of Life Serat various institutions throughout his vice on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at career in academia.

Image: LancasterOnline.com Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 1601 “He was a classic college president: wavy-haired, gentle, thoughtful, cheerful... he Sunset Ave., in Lancaster. Instead of flowers, guests always had a twinkle in his eye,” Etown President may contribute to the Mark C. and Dorothy B. Ebersole Dr. Theodore Long said. “He was a real gentleman.” Scholarship Fund.

Only two former Etown presidents are still living: Ebersole’s wife was the daughter of Charles Abba Roy McAuley and Gerhard Spiegler. Long will become “A.C.” Baugher, another former Etown president; her sister is Louise Baugher Black, who taught English the third when he retires later this year.

Patricia A. Cangelosi Copy Editor

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news

the Etownian

February 17, 2011

on campus

The

Jayded

edge

Brianna E. Wiest News Editor Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Enterprise patents romantic kisses.

Harlequin Enterprises, the publisher of pulp romance novels, is attempting to put a patent on the “romantic kiss.” If granted the patent, there is a possibility that lovers may have to pay a licensing fee to lock lips. Generously, Harlequin declared that they would keep “patented kisses” in the public domain.

The application was filed last week to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Along with their “invention,” Harlequin provided six graphic diagrams demonstrating said “inventions,” such as the “Essential Romantic Kiss” or “The Kiss.” Marc Abrahams, editor of a publication that “celebrates insane projects in science, medicine and technology,” commented that “nothing’s more romantic than a seven-page patent application.”

And how fast was he going?

A man clad in a blue sports jacket and sunglasses was caught driving down Connecticut’s Interstate 95 … in a motorized wheelchair. Thanks to his disguise, police couldn’t figure out who he was; however, the following plea and an accompanying image was posted on WashingtonPost.com .“If you know the man in the clip below and can tell us more about his exit on the Fairfield junction, please contact us because either this guy is a living legend or requires urgent medical attention.”

Twilight fans take obsession too far... what else is new...

A 15-year-old from Florida told her mother, who then reported to police, that she was attacked while out jogging. However, the bite marks on her neck were actually the result of a “Twilight-inspired” role play between her and a 19-year-old lover. When officials couldn’t find any depth on her claim, she revealed the truth about the bite marks.

Forget roses... the Valentine’s gift she’ll never forget...

Allegedly, the Bronx Zoo is selling naming rights for cockroaches. Lucky recipients get an official certificate, declaring that they have indeed named a cockroach. The fee is $10, and according to spokesman John Calvelli, about 1,700 cockroaches were sold within two days. The zoo also claims that “naming a roach will honor a sweetheart’s resourcefulness and resiliency ... Flowers wilt, chocolates melt, roaches are forever.”

Emergency access road created Devon P. Geduldig Staff Writer

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lizabethtown College officials are building an access road behind the Vera Hackman Apartments. The road will be used in the event of an emergency. “The main positive aspect will be to facilitate getting emergency response apparatus to areas like the softball field more easily,” Dale Boyer, Assistant Director of Campus Security, said. Boyer also explained that the road will alleviate parking conflicts between visitors and student residents, especially when spectators come to campus for athletic events.

“The construction has stopped due to weather, and as soon as the ground thaws and dries out sufficiently, work will resume,” Director of Facilities Management Joseph Metro said.

Before the construction began, Campus Security officers would have to drive the entire way around the campus to reach someone in the Shreiber Quadrangle. “The access road needs to get over to the quads quickly if there is an emergency,” senior Dillon Gaul said. However, he and other students felt disillusioned by the lack of communication surrounding the issue.

“In the beginning of the construction for the

road behind the apartments, students for the most part didn’t know what was happening,” Gaul continued. “I think what would have made it less frustrating for us is if the school had informed us before the construction had started, instead of after it began.” Gaul also pointed out the inconvenience the construction causes and the noise of the vehicles, but does not think it is too disruptive for students overall.

Students in Ober Residence Hall agree: “If they had built the road earlier, it could have prevented bad things from happening in the quads. Campus Security could have gotten there sooner and solved a problem faster,” sophomore Alexa Masano said.

“The funding for the road is available now, and it was not scheduled later as it was a safety requirement of the Borough,” Boyer explained.

“The road will have gates at both ends, so it will not be accessible by vehicles other than emergency vehicles whose drivers will have a key to the gate. It will have exterior lighting so it can be used by pedestrians in the dark.” Metro said.

Even though the road will not directly benefit students when they are driving, it will benefit them when it comes to their safety on campus.

on campus

Malfunctioning doors present danger Brianna E. Wiest News Editor

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puts concerns to rest, commenting that he doesn’t believe the doors are accessible when the alarm sounds. No matter the situation, it is undoubtedly a disturbance for residents and an issue that needs to be resolved.

The Vera Hackman Apartments were designed for upperclassmen, (four occupants per unit), in August of 2000. The complex officially opened in the fall of that year. The apartments, being just over ten years old, are beginning to show their age. Although the hype about their dysfunction is no doubt unappealing, it may also influence students to not be as eager to live their during their years as upperclassmen.

Overall, as Dayle Boyer added, the issue of malfunctioning doors has been relevant previously, and this is not a new issue that has arisen this semester.

Whether this is a security issue or just something residents are fed-up with, it’s undoubtedly something that needs to be addressed in the immediate future.

alfunctioning doors at the Vera Hackman Apartments have students concerned about the potential security issue created, not to mention the burden of utter annoyance to apartment residents. The claims of dysfunction range from alarms sounding when doors are open for more than a moment, to doors being misaligned when closed, even as much as a centimeter. The alarms have also been known to sound when the doors are shut and locked completely. Some students have even commented on the annoyance about the doors being heat sensitive. That is, students can’t open the doors from the inside with gloves on. Although that is only an issue of vanity, the issue that arises is when the alarms are going off, the doors are unlocked, and the apartments become virtually accessible to anyone.

Senior Dave Ashcraft, a resident of the Vera Hackman apartments, South, lives right next to an exit; he testified to the claim: “the alarm will go off until someone fixes it… sometimes it has to be fixed 20 times in 30 minutes”.

Although this is clearly a nuisance for residents that are forced to fix the matter, irritation isn’t the only issue. Senior Michael Galanek, another resident whose apartment is located near an exit, agrees. “The doors are not only an annoyance, but also a security issue… we’ve started locking our doors at night.”

As a college known for safety campus,

the issue has students wondering: how Michael Galanek trusting can we be? As of late, various cases of theft and other offenses have been reported on our small campus revered for integrity… so should residents of the Apartments really be concerned for their safety?

Dale Boyer, assistant director of campus security, commented that he Photo: Matthew P. Butera surmises that the doors are just sticking, and it’s probably weather related. Offi- Doors on the Vera Hackman apartments pose a security issue cer Williams, also of Campus Security, with dysfunctional alarm systems.

“The doors are not only an annoyance, but also a security issue... we’ve started locking our doors at night”

February 17, 2011

news

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continued from page one

Haiti faced issues of having too few medical personnel to treat the sick, as well as too little awareness of the disease. Those who were sick didn’t know that they needed to seek treatment, and as a result, the disease spread and began taking lives. As of Jan. 21, out of the 200,000 infected Haitians, 4,000 have died, and the disease has spread to the Dominican Republic through a Haitian migrant worker. Stefano Zannini, head of a medical group that rushed to Hispaniola to assist those infected, said the situation in Haiti was “worrying and complicated... I can easily see the situation deteriorating to the point where patients are lying in the streets, waiting for treatment.”

Since its origins in Haiti and its movement to the neighboring Dominican Republic, cholera arrived in New York City via three residents who attended a wedding in the Dominican. Fox News reports that as of Feb. 6, representatives for the Department of Health have stated that all three New Yorkers have recovered. Treatments for cholera are relatively simple: 80 percent of the time, oral rehydration salts are all that are required to help reverse the dehydration process, and in the most extreme cases, an IV with fluid and antibiotics will suffice. The key to preventing cholera outbreaks rests within a clean, safe water — source and competent sanitation services — these are two things that Haiti lacks, and two factors that the United States depends upon in order to stave off an epidemic.

her and the Campus Diversity Advocates (CDA),” said Festus, “and tried to come up with a way to handle the situation without offending anybody.”

“The Campus Diversity Advocates are encouraging dialogue on this issue,” said Dean Calenda. “We want to promote dialogue about all kinds of issues. I think that the worst possible thing that we could do is not talk about things.”

At the meeting, the CDA proposed the idea of sending out a campus-wide email to let the community know about the issue at hand. Festus is a cofounder of the Umoja House, an SDLC who’s goal is to promote diversity on campus. Umoja, which is Swahili for unity, means a lot to Festus and fellow co-founder Alysa Poindexter, who says that the campus is ill-informed about the diversity issues in the community. Poindexter claims that these are not just rare, isolated incidents, but that they occur more frequently than the College would like to admit.

“Many students are just waiting for someone to come along with the power to do something,” Poindexter said. Issues like this one are becoming more frequent on campus this year, with many of them being more targeted and hurtful than the incident

Cholera in NYC

the Etownian

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Offensive sign sparks controversy on February 11. “We’ve had incidents [this year] with cars going by and people saying the ‘N’ word out the window,” said Poindexter. Talisa Ramos, also a member of Noir, agreed with Poindexter. “I’m not sure why, but for some reason people are just being more bold and opinionated this year,” Ramos said. “There have been times when we’ve found derogatory remarks written across whiteboards.”

“We’ve seen disrespect all over the campus,” Festus said. “Not just to Noir or ALANA (African-American Latino Asian-American Native American) students, but to international students as well.”

Fellow Umoja House co-founder Jaclyn Light sees the prejudicial issues at the College from the majority’s point of view. “They expect people from different backgrounds to be upset. They expect the administration to be upset. They expect it from the faculty,” said Light. “But they don’t expect the Caucasian population to be upset, and although I may have different reasons than the students it directly targets, it makes me mad that it upsets my friends and it makes me mad that I have to be associated with someone that was probably Caucasian [who

vandalized the sign].” However, Noir is not looking at this instance as a regression on campus, but instead as an educational opportunity for the Etown community. Festus claims that it is the students’ responsibility to take action in addition to the College. “The administration go home at night,” said Festus. “But we have to experience this on a constant basis.”

“I try not to feel angry or offended,” Poindexter said. “I can kind of see both sides of it. I can see that they’re trying to make a point, but at the same time it’s really disrespectful to put it over top of the Noir sign.”

“We’re entitled to our own opinion,” continued Festus. “So maybe someone was opinionated and thought that we should celebrate White History Month as well.” Festus also said that she does not feel that the person that did this should be punished, but instead educated through discussion.

She emphasized that Noir is not simply open to black students on campus, but anyone who is part of the Etown community. “I think the more people that are informed the more comfortable they’ll be talking about something like this,” Light said.

“Awareness is going to be the key.”

technology

Debut of the Daily brings innovation to news media Katie A. Bamberger Staff Writer

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esigned exclusively for tablet users, The Daily is considered the latest digital innovation in journalism. Launched Feb. 2, 2011, by News Corp.

CEO Rupert Murdoch, this recent advancement has been explained using the phrase “new times demand new journalism” has been used to describe this most recent advancement.

The new national newspaper is compiled and produced on a daily basis and includes a number of interactive features. Video and 360-degree photographs are a major aspect of The Daily, which also features custom-made cover stories with vivid and compelling images.

The digital newspaper has already cost about $30 million and is estimated to cost about $500,000 per week as the project goes forward.

Despite the large investment, this tabletspecific operation adds up to only a fraction of what it would cost to publish in newsprint. Currently, over 100 editors, writers and designers are employed to keep the project running smoothly every day.

Available through the App Store in iTunes, a weekly subscription of The Daily costs 99 cents per week or $39.99 for a two-year subscription. A two-week free trial of the app is also currently available.

The Daily targets an audience that has long abandoned traditional newspapers and newscasts, as well as the approximately 50 million

people who are expected to purchase iPads this year.

By offering smaller bits of information at the consumers’ fingertips, creators of the digital newspaper hope to stir interest. Content is essentially tailored to media consumers’ preferences. Easy navigation combined with stunning visuals, magazine-like layouts and interactive photos and videos make The Daily a ground -breaking phenomenon in journalism.

Advertising has been a major discussion surrounding The Daily. Companies like Macy’s, Pepsi, HBO, Verizon and Land Rover were all included in the first edition of The Daily. Current advertising on the app will help marketers understand how the

medium may affect future advertising prospects through the new digital format.

However, other students, such as first-year Ameeda Lor, reveal different news. “The idea of The Daily is out of the box,” Lor said, “but I feel there is no difference from Internet access of the newspaper other than quality.” Lor said that she thinks most people would still prefer traditional newspapers.

“But this does open up new doors of exploration and a step toward the future of technology,” she said, adding that she would invest in The Daily.

Sophomore Sarah Kittle was at first interested in The Daily and its convenience. However after thinking about it, she said, “How would it be any different than going on CNN and reading the news? I would rather just go on another news site and not have to pay for it.” Kittle brought up one of the opposing arguments against The Daily: accessibility. The Daily is designed exclusively for tablet users and currently remains inaccessible for other technological devices.

“This sounds like a great idea, but I think there will be more digital advancements like this coming along,” sophomore Sarah Creme said. “It’s only a matter of time until more things like this come along.”

Regardless of differing opinions, The Daily is the first of its kind. The digital newspaper is changing the way media is consumed and could be a model for similar news formats in the future.

Image: digitaltrends.com

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features

the Etownian

profiles • monthly series • campus events

February 17, 2011 town events • facts & figures• business

spirituality

Labyrinth experience provides outlet for meditation Sara F. Neumann Staff Writer

veals a winding path defined in purple. “The Chaplain’s husband picked the color, actually, and the company liked it so much lthough Elizabethtown Colthey picked it up for their other lege is a Brethren-affiliated labyrinths,” Senior Marshal college, the religious identity of Fettro said, the student leader in students and faculty has become charge of the Labyrinth. more diverse in recent years; the While Chartres labyrinth is a religions on campus vary from Catholic labyrinth, Christian faiths to the assistant chapJewish to Muslim lain is eager to emand everything in phasize that Etown’s between. In light of is multifaith and this diversity, there open to all. While have been more atlabyrinths can be tempts by student religious for some, organizations to walking one does reach out and invite not have to be a people of various path to a personal faiths through difGod. It can just be ferent activities. a way to relax.

The Labyrinth, “It prov i d e s hosted by the a sacred space or Chaplain’s Office, just a getaway for is one of these new students. You can interfaith activities. practice mindfulMost students are ness while walking unaware of what it. Sometimes if I try a labyrinth is and to meditate or relax what the experience at Etown offers Photo: Matthew P. Butera while just sitting, I them. “Labyrinths Elizabethtown College’s labyrinth, modeled after the Chartres labyrinth, consists worry about sleepare a kind of walk- of a large canvas with a winding path in purple. The Labyrinth is held in the M&M ing. I tend to be able to focus when I’m ing meditation and Mars room in Leffler Chapel every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. doing something,” they are like mazes, Labyrinths date back to Ro- patterned center and then leads Shorner-Johnson shared. but there is only one path in and Senior Laura Miller explained one path out. It’s a guided path man times, when Romans carved the walker back out.

Etown’s own labyrinth is that she goes to the Labyrinth that allows walkers to get closer the circular paths onto rocks. to God or just to themselves,” They were then adopted by vari- modeled after the Chartres as an escape. “I’ve been coming explained Assistant Chaplain ous faiths, including Christian labyrinth. It is a large canvas since last semester. It’s just a break sects, who often placed them piece that, when rolled out, re- from everyday life,” she said.

Amy Shorner-Johnson.

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The Labyrinth began last semester and is held on Sunday nights, but this semester it was switched to Thursday afternoons.“We wanted it to be more interfaith,” ShornerJohnson said. “Having it during the week makes it more inviting toward everyone.”

on church floors. Depending on the faith, labyrinths could be walked on the knees for penance or walked as a substitute for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. One of the most famous labyrinths is in the Chartres Cathedral in Paris, France; the labyrinth is a circular maze, which leads into a

Senior Amanda McGeary, a first time attendee, came to earn Called to Lead points. “It was calming and quiet. It was just nice,” she said.

Another first time Labyrinth walker was impressed with the fulfillment of the slogan that drew him in. “I saw the poster in the BSC that said, ‘Walk your worries away,’ and I thought, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ Well, it worked—I don’t have any worries anymore,” he explained.

The Labyrinth experience offers a few quiet hours for students to focus simply on themselves or on getting close to the God in which they personally believe. Music is played during the experience, but it is non-denominational; the CDs vary from Native American chants to simple nature sounds.

The music changes from week to week. The walk can take as long or as short as the walker desires, depending on what they are contemplating.

“Just setting some time, whether to meditate, pray or think, can turn the profane into the sacred,” Fettro said, referencing Emile Durkheim’s dichotomy of the sacred and profane.

The Labyrinth is held every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the M&M Mars room in Leffler Chapel. It is open to all who wish to attend.

community service

Brittany’s Hope brings supplies to Vietnamese orphans S. Alexandra Ward Staff Writer

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n Vietnam, children who are as young as age 14 are “aging out” of their orphanages, meaning they are forced to leave those orphanages and fend for themselves on the streets with only the clothes on their backs.

This year, Elizabethtown College students will be helping to combat this growing issue by volunteering for the Sunflower Project, a humanitarian program within the Brittany’s Hope Foundation which provides aid to orphans with special needs.

Yesterday, from 3 to 7 p.m., Etown students attended an in-warehouse service project hosted by Brittany’s Hope at the DAS Distributors Warehouse, located at 48 Industrial Rd. in Elizabethtown, Pa. The volunteers filled 400 duffel bags with essential supplies such as sandals, blankets and first aid kits. In addition, some of the volunteers will be traveling to Vietnam to personally deliver the duffel bags to the children who need them.

The students will make the trip accompanied by Assistant Professor of

Molecular Biology Dr. Jodi Yorty and ally present them on their service trip September and paid just over $3,000, Professor of Social Work Dr. Peggy to Vietnam in May. which covers everything including airfare.

McFarland. The team will be gone from “The students who are helping are a Brittany’s Hope Foundation is a nonMay 23 to June 8, 2011. Students embark part of the Social Work Student Associa- profit organization that helps abandoned on this trip every two chi ldren f ind years and this will be adoptive parents the third time Etown through childhas participated. Acspecific grants. cording to McFarland, Brittany’s Hope t he c urrent group also works to imconsists of 20 students prove the lives and 13 adults. of those orphans The Sunflower bags through humanwill be packaged and itarian efforts. prepared for shipment “This is the at the DAS warehouse. first time that “After we finish packing Brittany’s Hope the bags we will ship has been inthem over to Vietnam volved in this and distribute them particular type of Image: brittanyshope.org project, so we are after we arrive in the country to a number of Brittany’s Hope Foundation provides aid to orphans with special needs, such very excited to different orphanages,” as those pictured above. Feb. 16, Elizabethtown College students attended an help these young McFarland explained. in-warehouse service project to assist the foundation. people,” McFarBecause of the supland said. port from the local community, all of tion, students who are going on the VietReflecting on the College’s mission to the needed supplies have been gathered nam trip and students who are working on teach through service learning, she added, and are now waiting to be delivered in service learning hours,” McFarland said. “It seemed like a natural connection for time for the Etown students to personParticipants signed up for the trip in the College and Brittany’s Hope.”

February 17, 2011

features

the Etownian

on campus

5

Maryland artist reads her poetry, shares inspiration Brian F. Boring Staff Writer

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ominated for the Pulitzer Prize twice, poet Sue Ellen Thompson held a poetry workshop for Elizabethtown students at the Bowers Writer’s House at Elizabethtown College on Thursday, Feb. 10 and a poetry reading Friday, Feb. 11.

Thompson has been recognized all over the world for her work. Not only has it been read on National Public Radio by Garrison Keillor and featured in former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser’s nationally syndicated newspaper column, but she has also achieved many awards.

“The Samuel French Morse Prize….led to the publication of my first book,” Thompson said. “The Pablo Neruda Prize, given every year by the University of Tulsa and Nimrod [International Journal], was exciting because they flew me out to a part of the country I’d never seen before, and I got to meet some very famous poets, among them the Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. But by far the most meaningful was the Maryland Author Award, which I received last year. I had only lived in Maryland for four years, and it meant a lot to me to be recognized by the Maryland Library Association.”

According to Thompson’s website she has written four books, including “The Leaving: New & Selected Poems” and “The Golden Hour,” which were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. In addition, Thompson edited “The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry,” combining work from 94 American poets. Her first two books were “The Wedding Boat,” and “This Body of Silk.”

“My goal is to publish a fifth book of poetry. I once

said that if I published four books in my lifetime, that an absolutely unique and personal way.” Her favorite would be enough. But now, of course, I’d like to have contemporary poet is Jane Kenyon, who died in 1995 at age 47. Her poem “Happiness” inspires Thompson. one more,” Thompson stated.

A large group of peo“My first real inple showed up to both of spiration to write Thompson’s readings. The poetry came from two days that Thompson a teacher I had in appeared, she read poems college,” Thompfrom all four of her books son said. “He had and explained the signifijust published his cance of each poem she second book and read. Thompson got the I thought, ‘that is crowd into every unique something I would and personal poem she like to do some day.’ wrote, no matter how sad He was also an inor happy the poem was. credibly inspiring “When I first walked teacher of conteminto the room, I didn’t porary American know what to expect, but poetr y. I started after a couple of readings writing poetry the from her books and some year after I gradujokes here and there, she ated from Middlegot me more interested bury College. But I and wanting me to hear didn’t get really semore,” sophomore Michael rious, and start setReintjes said. ting aside a couple “She is a great poet and of hours a day for I am glad I got a chance poetry, until I was to go to a poetry reading in my early 30s.” of hers,” sophomore EmThompson said s h e pre fe rs p o Photo: Tara B. Hayes ily Vogel said. “She really etry that contains Sue EllenThompson held a poetry workshopThursday, Feb. knew how to get the crowd “surface clarity but 10 and a poetry reading Friday, Feb. 11 at Elizabethtown into it, and she really exstrong, deep emo- College. The poet has written four books, two of which plained and read all of her poems well.” tion expressed in were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Your support makes the difference!

I would like to recognize the many faculty, staff, and College retirees who generously supported this year’s campus United Way campaign.

EC 2010 United Way Donors Kimberly Adams

Yvonne Kauffman

The United Way of Lancaster County provides services to thousands of people by funding more than 100 programs and initiatives through more than 40 partner agencies and services, many of which serve the Elizabethtown area directly. The programs help the people of our community who need it most: our children, the homeless and struggling families, victims of rape and abuse, people with disabilities, the elderly and many others.

Susan Asbury-Newsome

Jacob Keeler

Sara Atwood

Kathy Kellie

Elena Andree-Crain

Mary Krikorian

Richard Bailey

Michael Landis

Nelson Bard

Ted & Betty Long

Jean Beck

Gale Martin Joe Molony

The people whose names are listed on the right donated $13,507. Please join me in acknowledging these good Samaritans among us, who have embraced the service heritage of the College and demonstrated through their generosity that it is possible to positively respond to the needs of others when we “Live United.”

Lois Billoni Jay Buffenmyer ’61

Richard Papez

Mark Clapper ’96

Tana Parrett ’69

Sheryl Cyphert

Rod Patrick

Susan Darling

Zoe Proctor ’56

James Dively

John Ranck ’58

Diane Elliott

Frederick Ritsch

Martha Farver-Apgar

Deborah Sagar

Richard Fellinger

Randy Trostle

Barbara Forney

Bela Vassady

Jean Fullerton

Hans-Erik Wennberg

E. Margaret Gabel

Joe Whitmore

Linda Gentino

James Wile

Eunice Ginder ’02

Cindy Young

President Elizabethtown College

Thomas Hagan Bruce Holran Diana Horn Christine Horting

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campus life

the Etownian

movies • music • television • humor • travel

February 17, 2011

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

awards

Grammys 2011 Joelle E. Atkinson Asst. Campus Life Editor

J

ust because it’s music’s biggest night doesn’t mean it has to be music’s trashiest night. That’s how the evening started as music stars aligned on the red carpet, wearing everything and anything. From Nicki Minaj’s leopard-print-skin-tight cat-suit to Rhianna’s revealing ruffled frock, stars went flashy instead of classy at the Grammy Awards, held last Sunday in Los Angeles.

Though the award show generated buzz for several reasons, there were few moments that delivered surprise or shock and awe, as expected. And the Etownian is here to count down our top five Grammy moments.

5. Bieber Tweeter Fever: Though this was not an event that occurred at the actual ceremony, Twitter feeds across the country blew up with the hashtag #WeLoveYouJustin as the singer fell short of receiving the two awards for which he was nominated on Grammy night. Though the 16-year-old hairmaster didn’t win any awards, his much buzzed-about performance with Usher and nominations alone were enough for loyal fans to tweet their hearts out.

4. Lady Gaga’s Unimpressive Performance: Though Lady Gaga’s entrance was egg-cellent; reportedly inhabiting the shell (she called it “incubating”) for approximately 72 hours before her performance and donned a yolk-like hat and shoulder horns, her strange demeanor was not necessarily a

Images: tagsaleheaven.com, www.music-scores.com

prequel to her performance. Her newest single, “Born this Way,” is largely a rehashed Madonna song with an after school special message. And while she showed off her toned physique and largely uninspired dance moves, her performance was nothing compared to her piano duet last year with Elton John and her iconic meat dress that she wore to last year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

3. What was the name of Cee Lo Green’s Song Again? Cee Lo Green, a new solo act on this year’s circuit, was nominated for several awards even though the title of his song has been up for debate. While it was nominated under the name “F*** You,” and receives radio airplay as simply “Forget You,” the team at the Grammys wanted to keep the telecast as family friendly, yet as accurate as possible. So instead of saying F*** you or just Forget You, they announced the tune as: “The song otherwise known as ‘Forget You.’” Now that’s got a nice catchy ring to it.

3. Big Upsets: Upsets were the name of the game on Sunday night. From independent artist Arcade Fire taking home the award for “Album of the Year” that was expected to go to Eminem, to Lady Antebellum beating out Eminem for several awards, the night was a success for the underdogs in several of the major categories. But none was more surprising than the award for “Best New Artist.”

Though most are familiar with many of the artists in the category (Justin Bieber, Florence and the Machine, Drake and Mumford and Sons), several have no

idea who the heck Esperanza Spalding is. The jazz singer ultimately became the queen of the category and gave the music industry hope that the world isn’t turning into Bieber’s bubble.

2. Cee Lo Green: Yes, Cee Lo is on this list twice. His performance – inspired

by Elton John’s appearance on The Muppets – of his song “Forget You” spawned feathers and puppets and inspired turkey comparisons. Everything that was not received by Lady Gaga’s fairly low-key performance was delivered to the audience in his outrageous ensemble and performance. Coupled with Gwyneth Paltrow’s complimentary vocals and stark black jump suit, it was easily one of the most hilarious – and magnificent – moments of Grammy night.

1. All Good Things Come in a Threesome… Okay not that way.

But two of the best moments at the Grammys had three powerful artists.

The first came from Janelle Monae, B.o.B and Bruno Mars, who together interjected a trifecta of energy to the music industry. The second threesome came in the form of an older music generation – Norah Jones, John Mayer and Keith Urban, all award winners themselves, performed an acoustic version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” And though at first glance this small tribute seemed bizarre, it paid respectful homage to the country artist who was receiving a lifetime achievement award and showcased a beautiful cast of characters in the world of music.

campus life

February 17, 2011

the Etownian

on campus jobs

Jaywalkin’ ain’t easy: workers relate D. Tyler Drolet Staff Writer

R

emember when you first visited Elizabethtown College, and you were escorted around the campus by your own personal tour guide? Have you wondered what it would be like to be one of those Jaywalkers?

“I want the visiting student to fall in love with Etown as much as I did,” junior Kelsie LeVan, a current Jaywalker, said. LeVan got a lot out of her tour when she first visited the College, and she wants to be able to give that same experience back to new visiting students.

For sophomore Alex Short, it was the experience of being a tour guide in high school that inspired him to become a Jaywalker, in addition to getting to work with interesting people.

Another Jaywalker, senior Mike Behounek, very much wanted to give back to the school, and he was recommended by a fellow staff member.

How do tour guides prepare for and perform tours? LeVan said it is easier when she knows where the visiting student is from and what they may want to major in. With this information, she can structure the tour to fit his or her interests better, not only visiting the common locations on a tour but also emphasizing specific buildings that focus on the student’s interests. Short and Behounek also employ this technique. They both stressed the importance of trying to form the tour around the student, depending on the student’s interests.

According to LeVan, Short and Behounek, the tours usually start with an introduction between the tour guide and the visiting student. This introduction helps the tour guide get to know the student’s interests and where they are

from. It also can help the new student to feel comfortable with the tour guide and feel welcomed to the community. The tour is essentially a big circle around the main part of campus.

Tours usually start at the Admissions Office and then continue on past Schlosser Residence Hall.

The new students are then led to the Academic Quad that includes the Masters Center, Hoover, Steinman and Nicarry. A couple of these buildings may be focused on the most, depending on the student’s interests.

The next stops on the tour are Thompson Gym and then the BSC, where the tour guides show the new student the Center for Student Success, the Marketplace, the Jay’s Nest and the Blue Bean. One of the last stops on the tour is for the visiting student to be able to see a dorm room. The specific dorm visited depends on the tour guide, but according to LeVan, Short and Behounek, Myer Residence seems to be the most visited. After the dorm, the student is then brought back to the Admissions building, where he or she is handed off to the other Admissions staff to make the finishing touches on a possible entrance into the Etown community.

For LeVan, Short and Behounek, the best aspect of being a tour guide is the ability to meet many new and different people from many different places. They also love the ability to socialize and give back to their college community. The ability to work with other students and form close relationships with different crowds is also considered a strong advantage to being a Jaywalker.

“I like to give a real-life look at what it would be like to be a student here. A real life indication,” said Behounek, who believes in making the visit here very close to the experi-

Image: photos3.fotosearch.com

on campus

7

Compiled by Campus Security and Melanie R. Giardina Campus Life Editor • On Feb. 11, a Brinser RA phoned Campus Security after smelling marijuana down the hall. Officers responded to the call but were unable to locate where the smell was coming from. Without a location, officers left the scene.

• On Feb. 12, an unregistered guest was found asleep in his car. The vehicle was running at the time, and officers found vomit next to the driver’s side door.

• An intoxicated student gave Campus Security a difficult time on Feb. 13. After being belligerent to officers, Borough police were called to the scene.

The student was then booked and cited for underage drinking.

• On Feb. 13, items were stolen from the Tempest Theatre between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. If you have any information about the incident please contact Campus Security. Be sure to check out next week’s issue of the Etownian for more details. ence of actually going to school here. LeVan had a similar outlook on being a tour guide, looking at the campus visit as an example of the reality of attending this school rather than the technique of over glorifying the school. “I want to make it seem comfortable when a student visits and make them feel at home,” said Short, who travels a long distance to and from school and understands that it is important to make students feel comfortable, especially those who live more than a couple of hours away.

The Admissions department is starting to hire potential Jaywalkers for the 2011-’12 school year. One of the biggest pieces of advice that the tour guides would give to prospective Jaywalkers is to be very social and make the most of meeting new people. Being passionate about the College and what it has to offer may also help make an individual become a perfect addition to the Jaywalker team.

Myq Kaplan entertains, leaves no topic unexplored Patricia A. Cangelosi Copy Editor

C

omedian Myq Kaplan decided to change the spelling of “Mike” when Prince turned his name into a symbol. Kaplan performed last Thursday at Elizabethtown College, gracing the KAV’s stage in a green “Army vs.

Army” T-shirt, jeans, a dark beard and glasses. His sophisticated sense of humor, which several critics have noted, found a receptive audience at Etown: “My girlfriend didn’t like my beard. She said I looked like a creepy therapist, so I asked, ‘How does that make you feel?’”

Kaplan was a finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and before that he appeared on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”

In addition, he won NY’s Funniest Standup Competition in 2009. The censorship Kaplan has encountered on various TV stations has surprised him: “NBC had a rule that you can’t say the N word, you can’t say the B word and you can’t say the C word.

Come on, NBC, where would you be without those letters?”

At Etown, he provided commentary on a variety of issues, including animal rights, homosexuality, drugs, Jesus, sexism, Asians, autism and several combinations of the aforementioned topics. “I’m a vegan, which is like a vegetarian but more annoying,” he explained. Later, he elaborated: “I’m a vegan but I’m not gay. It’s like a doctor who’s not Jewish – it’s rare but it’s allowed.”

As a defender of gay rights, Kaplan pointed out that gay parents are often more caring and raise better children than straight parents; it’s because “they have to put a lot of time and effort into adopting a child or a lot of forethought and strategy into stealing one.” He also responded to the accusation made by those against gay marriage that the first couple was “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!” “Actually, the first couple was Adam and God … and I’m not saying God is gay, but think about it: ‘I’m going to make a beautiful garden for you to frolic in without any clothes on. And don’t even bother to cover up with a leaf. I’m omnipotent – I see everything’.”

As a defender of the common human cause, Kaplan strives to “fight

racism and stereotypes with karate like the Asians do.” He also laments the fact that the word “sexism” makes the concept sound so pleasurable, as in “sex is mmm.”

Kaplan grew up as an only child in suburban New Jersey. He describes his childhood as oblivious, blissful and sheltered. “I had a great arm for baseball card collecting,” he reminisced.

“My friends would have me play right field – while they were off somewhere else playing soccer.”

He went to a summer camp for p er for ming and creative arts called Buck’s Rock, and the institution helped him greatly to cultivate his self-esteem and sense of humor. As an adult, Kaplan attended standup comedy workshops and began calling various venues to ask for stage time. He attended college and graduate school in Boston, studying philosophy and psychology as an undergrad and linguistics in graduate school. Kaplan is fascinated by

the way people think and speak, especially the way they think and speak while on drugs. He shared his idea for a game show for high people called “Can You Remember What You Just Saw?” That question would be saved for the final round; the first round would begin with “Describe what is in front of you right now, and we will not accept ‘Awesome!’”

Kaplan has performed many times and has cme to the conclusion that not every comedian is for every audience, and vice versa. Nonetheless, he loves his job. In the future he would like to maintain it. In five years, Kaplan said he will be “hopefully done with this interview.”

Check out his website at myqkaplan.com or find him on Facebook, MySpace “or w here ver els e you’re a pedophile.” What you find out m i g ht e ve n b e acc urate; Kaplan assures fans that “I tell the truth most of the time.”

Images: www.etftrends.com, musiciansfriend.com

8

campus life

the Etownian

February 17, 2011

campus life

February 17, 2011

the Etownian

Jordyn M. Howe Staff Writer

I

t’s embedded in American mentality that we are far superior to all other countries. In some respects, that may be true.

However, how do we measure happiness?

Americans seem to treasure materialism rather than quality of life. It may come as a surprise to some that the U.S. is not a top ranking country in terms of happiness. In fact, according to happyplanetindex.org, the United States ranks in the lower percentile for happiness as a country.

When guessing on where the U.S. would rank in terms of happiness, out of 143 countries, sophomores Jessica Swank and Kristin Eck both agreed that “the United States is ranked between 60 and 70 percent”.

This mentality isn’t uncommon. The general consensus agrees that Americans have more comfortable lives than those of Third World countries or nations with oppressive government. But do they? The United States, surprisingly enough, isn’t anywhere near the top ranking countries in terms of happiness.

The United States comes in at a shocking 114 out of 143 countries with a 30.7 out of 100 on the “happiness scale”, as according to happyplanetindex.org.

Sophomore Nick Clemens commented, “I think that the number one ranked country in happiness would be Australia, because they seem to be a free-thinking, go with the flow kind of country,” he said. “They do not have an oppressive government and don’t seem to be as materialistic as the United States.” Although Australia does set on a higher happiness level than America at 36.6, the number one ranked country is actually Costa Rica. This small but happy country scores an impressive 76.1 on the happiness scale.

Not far behind Costa Rica is the South American countr y of Ecuador, which comes in at 55.6. That is over 20 points higher than the U.S. Sophomore Amy Baugher is studying abroad in Ecuador this semester. She has been there since the first of the year and has become accustomed to some of the ways of life and norms of the vibrant country.

“I think people are much happier here than in the U.S. because they don’t see life as a race.” Baugher said. “In Ecuador there is what is called Ecuadorian time. This tends to mean that when a friend says they will meet you for lunch at 1 p.m. they probably won’t get there until 1:30 p.m. That is because they take their time doing what they want to do, and they don’t feel pressed by every meeting or appointment.”

Baugher has some ideas of how the U.S. could increase its happiness ranking and become a higher ranked country like Ecuador. “I think the idea of a siesta every day is a great way to improve moods. In Ecuador, Sunday is a day for family, so maybe if we had a day dedicated to friends or family that would help too.”

According to Dr. Michele Lee KozimorKing, there are a few factors that are contributing to our unhappiness as Americans.

She stated, “Based on my research about the simply living (or voluntary simplicity) movement and work-family challenges, U.S.

citizens are largely overworked. Despite having all our labor-saving devices, we are working more hours in the paid labor force than ever before.”

In addition, Kozimor-King added, “U.S. citizens are incredibly time pressured and struggling to balance the many responsibilities we have in a day. There is little time for solitude, quiet, or self-reflection due to constant activity and being tied to electronic communication devices such as the cell phone, Facebook, etc. We are reachable at all times. In addition, relaxation is often equated with laziness. For example, the president (current and most recent past) is often criticized for taking vacations.

As a society, we just don’t know how to relax anymore.

When we do, it is often by watching television where we are bombarded by images of activity and busyness. We search out ways to be more efficient and organized so we can find more time for family, self or community.”

One has to wonder if these rankings of happiness in each country are related to life expectancies of the different nations. Many people believe that happiness plays a part in how long one will live, but do the two actually affect each other?

For example, Costa Rica may be the happiest country according to happyplanetindex.com, but it is ranked 55 out of 223 nations in life expectancy, while the U.S. is ranked 49 according to cia.gov. The average person in Costa Rica lives 77.54 years, and the average person residing in the U.S. lives until the age of 78.24.

The same goes for Ecuador. It is over 20 points ahead of the United States in happiness, but positioned 81 for life expectancy, living only 75.52 years on average.

Adrian White, a psychologist at the University of Leicester, pooled information from 100 countries that looked closely at self-reported happiness for Discover magazine. According to White, life expectancy is closely related to happiness. White stated, “Health may be the biggest factor in contentment.”

If you’re interested in this topic and would like to learn more about the happiness and life expectancies of other countries, visit happyplanetindex.com or cia.gov.

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10

the Etownian

campus life

February 17, 2011

health

Eating disorder sufferers encouraged to use resources

Alexander J. Discianni Staff Writer

C

ollege can be one of the best times of a young adult’s life; however, it is also a very stressful time, between the copious amounts of homework, tests and the challenge of living on one’s own. As a result of these stressors, bad sleeping and eating habits often develop. There is also an increasing rate of college students with eating disorders. February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, and there are many ways to get help.

The 8-Week WELLness Challenge is a program presented by SPARC and The WELL that challenges students to use self-motivation to better their mental and physical health. The WELLness Challenge runs from Feb. 7 to April 4 and operates off of a point system designated by the WELL. In order to complete the challenge, one must have a total of six points every week in any combination. The point system is as follows: • Go to the Body Shop (1 pt) • Attend one E-Fit class (1 pt) • Participate in E-fit Boot Camp (2 pt) • Attend labyrinth/yoga session (1 pt) • Swim at the open lap times (1 pt) • Participate in a spring intramurals teams (tennis/softball) (2 pts) • Take some time to relax (1 pt) At the end of the Challenge, the prize is a free T-shirt, but there is much more to the

WELLness Challenge than just that. Sandy Spayd, director of student wellness and campus health at Elizabethtown College, said, “When we think about well-being, it’s not just exercising and eating right; it’s taking the time for yourself and becoming comfortable.” The WELLness Challenge is one that helps to keep students’ minds stress free to become more efficient and thus less stressed.

Spayd said there are five major factors that affect the Etown students’ academics the most: stress, sleep disturbances, anxiety, illness and the Internet. All of these factors can become intertwined and lead to each other in a domino effect, Spayd explained.

Students are also encouraged to use the BioMeasure machine to check their blood pressure. Blood pressure is a good indicator of stress, and on average, there has been a yearly increase in students’ blood pressures.

“Blood pressure is one of those things that are silent, and can affect you in the long run,” Spayd said.

While eating disorders can be a taboo subject, it is one of relevance for college students. Kari Slater, a counselor at Etown, said there is a lot of misinformation about eating disorders. “There is often a misconception that it’s all about food, or that it’s all about food or appearance,” Slater said. Often there are many other underlying issues that students deal with by some form of eating disorder. Every student is different, and each case is unique.

Another common false belief is about who is dealing with these issues. Stephanie Dixon, a counselor at Etown, said, “It’s a huge misconception that only females struggle with that, but it’s really an issue for both men and women.”

The goal behind devoting a month to eating disorders is to let those who struggle with eating disorders feel comfortable finding help. “I think when it comes to any mental health awareness events that we do, we just want students to know that first of all, you are not alone. Many people are dealing with this issue,” Slater said.

It is important that students know how to get in contact with Counseling Services and utilize the service they provide. It is imperative that friends help their friends in need and support them in making the decision to get the help they need.

Along with the WELLness challenge and the recognition of Eating Disorder Awareness Month, there are other ways to stay healthy. Here are some tips to stay healthy in college provided by CampusHealth.unc.edu: 1 - Stock your room with healthy items 2 - Never consider skipping breakfast 3 - Skipping lunch is also not an option 4 - Steer clear of the cheeseburger and fries, and opt instead for a lean protein source and veggies 5 - Instead of downing glasses of regular soda, fruit-flavored drinks or heavily sweetened tea with your meals, consider

drinking water, skim or soy milk 6 - Become a “mindful” eater. Take at least 20 minutes to eat your meals 7 - Find ways to get in at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day 8 - Do not eat unhealthy snacks, especially late at night 9 - Look for ways to have your favorite foods, but in a more healthy way 10 - Split your desserts, or cut them in half Senior Ryan Follweiler said, “I stopped intaking sugar as much as possible by not drinking soda or eating candy. I like to stay healthy also by maintaining my diet and lifting weights.” While sticking to a diet is never easy, it does help to stay healthy.

First-year student Max Arduini said, “I like to stay away from flour-based products, and instead I eat wheat and multi-grain foods.”

Another fun fact Arduini shared is that hot sauce and spicy products may help to speed up your metabolism.

America is rapidly becoming one of the least healthy nations, and many of the culprits are college students. There are numerous options provided on campus to stay fit and healthy. Students have their work cut out for them, and stress is a major factor in both unhealthy eating and eating disorders. Students must utilize the resources available to them here on campus, and should know that both mental and physical health are important to being successful.

courtsey photo

music

Phalanx storms competition Peter S. Northrop Asst. Editor

O

n Saturday, Elizabethtown College’s own a cappella troupe, Phalanx rocked the stage at the International Championships of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals. They placed fourth out of nine competitors.

“We were the smallest school there,” junior Gabe Robison said. “It’s actually a big honor to even be selected to compete!”

The competition took place at Rutgers University. It pitted our cardigan-clad beatboxing boys against the likes of The Deaftones of Westminster College, Lehigh University’s Melismatics and the Class Notes of Cornell University.

While only the top two teams will be going on to the semifinal round, Phalanx still felt accomplished leaving the stage.

“We were very happy with our performance,” Robison said. “We got great feedback from the judges and it was a learning experience for us all.”

However, he did admit that “[we were] a little disappointed that we were not placed in the top three, but we thought we did our best.”

Phalanx was one of nine groups selected to compete out of a pool of hundreds. To compete, they had to send in an audition tape to the ICCA brass. It is one of the biggest competitions they’ve entered in years, and according to Robison, it’s only the beginning.

He added, “We are already looking forward to competing next year!”

Conflict Resolution International Peace and Conflict Resolution Apply now for Fall 2011 master’s degree program.

Get started with an online course this summer.

www.arcadia.edu/peace

opinion

February 17, 2011

campus controversies • letters to the editor

a lesson learned

sexual satire

Kate M. Walsh Humor Columnist

Samantha T. Phillips Opinion Editor

the Etownian

11

national debate • our take • guest columns

Courtesy Image

“Observation is a powerful tool, and with power comes responsibility.”

Kate M. Walsh

I

am constantly amazed by how much I can learn about someone just from observing him. For instance, the other day I went for a stroll through Teddy Long’s backyard. Since I did that, I have learned that a) he separates his papers from his plastics, b) the siding on the back of the house could use a touch-up and c) he apparently does not like it when strangers (we’ll use his word here) “trespass” on his property.

The old saying still rings true: actions speak louder than words. More often than not, people’s actions are going to tell you a whole lot more than the person will. Let’s say you’re walking in the BSC and you see someone walk past you wearing leggings as pants and a T-shirt that seems to cut off right above her third fat roll. You now know that this particular person has not had the chance to purchase a mirror.

Observation is a powerful tool, and with power comes responsibility. There are times when observing someone else can benefit you greatly, like if you’re interviewing for a job or meeting up for a first date. In these situations, you need to observe the other person so you can gauge how well things are going and what kind of adjustments you need to make.

There are, however, instances when observing too closely can end up leading you down a path you do not want to go down. For as we all have learned by now, there are some things that, no matter how hard you try, cannot be unseen. Let’s use the school dance as an example.

I cannot think of a better time where you would not, under any circumstance, want to observe a group of people. I imagine parties at Ron Jeremy’s house to be fairly similar to our school dances. From the moment you step inside that sweat Image: cbsnews.com dungeon, your eyes should be focused on the ground. Do not look up, do not look for your friends, do not look for anything — all is lost in that bottomless pit of sweat, saliva and strobe lights.

So where does that leave us? Well, as we’ve learned, there’s always a time and place for people-watching. Bored at the mall? Yes. Using the urinal? No. Staring into Teddy Long’s window hoping he’s writing you a valentine? Maybe. When it comes down to it, observing people is a skill that requires some practice. Just make sure you stay within the boundaries and you’ll do fine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to stop by the Trop Shop for some night vision goggles for Tedd — I mean, a camping trip.

W

ithout fail, I always manage to meet a couple who desperately tries to convince me that their relationship is flawless. They never bicker, she never has PMS, he never forgets an anniversary, etc: I call shenanigans. Every relationship goes through several phases before it plummets to the Earth like an inexperienced skydiver. And anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is either delusional or a flat-out, bold-faced liar.

The evolution of a relationship is a complex science studied by dedicated love experts such as me, who are avoiding studying something else of greater importance.

Why memorize Spanish verb conjugations when you can outline the phases of the typical college couple?

As a celebrated love scientist, I have created my own formula for relationships, marked by phases which I have dubbed “The Five Ms of a Roller C oaster Relationship.” These five Ms include: meeting, mating, magnetic, mar r iage and monsoon. To the untrained eye these may appear to be a confusing and complex way of categorizing steps in a relationship, but not to worry, I will elaborate.

L e t’s b e g i n w i t h meeting. Meeting someone in this web of hormonal chance encounters is not the easiest task, but it does happen, and it’s often easy to spot those who are in the “meeting” phase. They’re usually the couple tucked in the darkest corner of the bar smiling coyly at each other. The girl’s fiddling with her hair (for reference, please see Kristen Stewart’s awkward and obsessive hair fondling), while the guy is trying to be stealthy about adjusting his nether regions. You’re hoping for their sake that they brushed after eating that garlic pesto hummus because their faces are about as close as they can get without smashing teeth. The meeting phase is the most primal of the five Ms as it is like watching the hunt of the great wildebeest.

The transition into the mating phase can happen with varying degrees of swiftness. Some couples rush head-first into this next phase while others test the waters Image: photoboothpictures.net

before diving in. Now, the mating phase doesn’t necessarily promise the intense sexual experience that its name suggests. It can include all levels of sexual play, from kissing to “the home run,” depending on the morals, experience and age of the couple.

To be blunt, some couples prefer clothed grinding to doing the fullout pantless dance. Either way, the mating phase is a time of lustful and passionate exchanges, sometimes even in odd places like the bathroom of the BSC or atop the statue of that random guy outside of the library.

Once the mating phase has run its course and there’s no longer a question of relationship status (i.e. “We’re, like, totally Facebook official!”) the couple can make an easy transition into the dreaded magnetic phase. I say dreaded not in reference to those involved in the coupling, but to those who have the misfortune of having to be around the couple. That’s right, this is the phase where the two seem stuck to each other like magnets and begin to resemble some freakishly conjoined twins you see on Discovery Health. You can identify a couple in this phase when their names start to run together and they begin to adopt a celebrity couple name like “Stachel” (Steve and Rachel), or they start referring to their favorite restaurant as “our place.”

A n d t h e n t h e re’s marriage. I don’t mean this literally (except for some select cases) but instead am referring to the stage where the couple may as well be married for the misery they exude. They’re comfortable in their relationship but have forgotten completely what compelled them to ever share their life with this hideous, irritating monster of a significant other. He now calls her “the old ball and chain” instead of “my pooh bear,” and she’s replaced “lover boy” simply with a disgusted eye roll and an “ugh, him.” In marriages this is often referred to as “staying together for the kids,” but instead they’re staying together because they’re too freaking tired to get dressed up on the weekends and meet someone new.

The marriage phase is only the calm before the storm. The storm itself is what I call the monsoon phase because it’s basically when all the anger, resentment and insecurity that’s been building up in the gloomy skies of their romance comes raining down in sheets of relationship fecal matter. And there’s no use hanging around when you’re covered in your own poo.

Image: commons.wikimedia.org

People-watching The five Ms of rocky relationships

d n u

S o Off

What is one thing that you would change about Etown?

by Matthew P. Butera

Emily Knitter Class of 2011

“More parking.”

Ashley Clark Class of 2013

“I wish Etown was free.”

Chris Mosely Class of 2014

“Etown needs a bar.”

Chris Tjaden Class of 2012

“A bar on campus.”

Make sure to check out the Sound Off poll and the latest issue on our website: www.etownian.com

February 17, 2011

on campus

Pageant praise

Kelly R. Frace Staff Writer

I

f you know me, you most definitely know that I absolutely love to sing and dance. You also know that, to my disappointment and the dismay of those around me, I most definitely do not do either of those things particularly well. For that reason, I have the utmost respect for any performer who puts themselves out there on stage for all to see.

Nonetheless, I do not let my lack of talent prevent me from enjoying myself, and I engage in those two activities on a regular basis. Since my singing and dancing skills are mediocre to say the least (and believe me, that’s being optimistic), I get my kicks from watching other people who can. I saw my first Broadway musical when I was six years old, and from then on I was hooked. Some of my favorite movies are musical remakes like “Hairspray,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Sweeney Todd.” I also like to sing along to showtunes in the car. I’m proud to say that I am not ashamed of any of it. (Don’t act like you never pretend you can sing well when you are driving in the car alone).

After learning all these fun facts about me, if you had to guess, you would probably say the annual Mr. Etown pageant is right up my alley.

And you would be 100 percent correct in your assumption. For those of you who live under a rock and/or never check your Blackboard accounts and therefore do not know what I am talking about, please let me explain. Mr. Etown is a contest put on by SWEET and held in the spring semester, when a male student from each campus residence is elected by his peers (that’s you, me and anyone else who is reading this article) to represent said residence in a lip sync and dance contest held in Leffler Chapel.

Each candidate choreographs a dance in hopes of winning over the audience and snatching the coveted Mr. Etown title.

I should clarify some things before we proceed. When I say choreograph a dance, what I really mean is that the candidate drags about 20 of his closest friends up on stage with him, and they gallivant around Leffler for a few minutes to a medley of the catchiest pop songs of the moment. Usually, the boys also end up taking off their clothes at some point and run around in their underwear, which is an added bonus for the ladies in the audience. The more creative you are with your routine, the better, since ultimately it is audience votes that determine the winner.

At the end of the night, the contestant with the most votes is officially crowned Mr. Etown - and it’s kind of a big deal.

I personally find all this nonsense to be extremely entertaining. I sincerely give credit to all the guys who participate for putting together original routines and for being such good sports about the whole thing. I think it’s awesome that there are guys on this campus who are willing to participate in an activity such as this, and I also think it’s great that so many people come out to support their fellow classmates. I had a great time watching last year’s Mr. Etown pageant, and I hope that this year’s contest does not disappoint.

I am excited to see who dethrones the current Mr. Etown, Nathan Shughart, since his routine last year was out of this world.

I know not everybody finds song and dance numbers as amusing as I do, but I think everybody should try to make it out to Mr. Etown this year. It’s only one night, and I’m willing to bet that you would have a great time, even if you don’t want to admit it to your friends. And who knows, maybe someday we will get the chance to crown a Ms. Etown.

Image: housevariety.blogspot.com

The Hillel House at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

op-ed

Jewish students excluded David J. Spelfogel Volunteer Writer

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Image: commons.wikimedia.org

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opinion

the Etownian

ince I have been a student at Elizabethtown College, our school has expressed a dishonest commitment toward expanding diversity. I say it is dishonest because although it speaks to the rhetoric of change, it is not followed through with action.

As a Jewish student at a Brethren college, I have felt especially abandoned by the school when it comes to recruiting diverse students.

Hillel, the Jewish student organization, recently urged the school to build a Hillel House, something that is a critical tool in bringing in new Jewish students. A Hillel House offers Jewish students a safe place to go when they are away from home. It hosts Shabbat dinners, offers a permanent place to socialize with peers and can be used for cultural programming and events.

Additionally, all major colleges in the United States have one, but we don’t.

However, when we tried to create one, the administration treated us with a lack of understanding. Although they said they fully supported our idea, they could not follow through with it. Despite having the funds and the property to create a Hillel House, the Office of Residence Life undermined our efforts by merely offering us a Living Learning Community in Founders Residence Hall. This doesn’t cut it.

Our school administration misunderstood the degree of importance a Hillel House has in the minds of prospective students and their parents. When Jewish students come for a campus tour, the first thing that they want to know and see is whether the college has a Hillel House. When we say “no” to these prospective students, we are really sending them the message that “we don’t want you here.” Jewish parents don’t care about anything else besides the fact that we lack the infrastructure of a real Hillel House.

Critics might make two counterarguments. First, they might say that because of the economic crisis, our school took a huge hit all over the board.

True. However, there is a huge plot of land next to the Bower’s Writers House that is not being used. This would be a perfect location for a Hillel House.

Second, some might argue that the amount of internal student support for the Hillel House was lacking. False. I speak for all the Jewish students here at Etown when I say that we have always been 100 percent behind the idea since day one. However, the administration has tried to manipulate us with arbitrary rules and guidelines, which have appeared to impede our interest.

For example, Residence Life told us that if we built a Hillel House, it would have to be either all male or all female. This is problematic because our club is already small, and to permit only one gender to live in a house would be to exclude and alienate the other.

Even if we did entertain this guideline, we would not have enough Jewish students in one single gender to fill up all the rooms. With this constraint, the option of a Hillel House was eliminated. But this just serves to reinforce the status quo. We can’t have a Hillel House because we don’t have a large enough population. At the same time, we cannot expand our Jewish population because we don’t have a Hillel House.

So I would like to propose a challenge to the administration: to reform.

I’m not just talking about revising the policy on co-ed residences, but one that is more cumbersome. I’m asking you to take the time to truly understand minority needs, to listen to our complaints and our suggestions for improving this wonderful college. I’m not writing this article out of any sort of contempt, but rather as a call to action. If you really want to expand diversity, you have to listen to what we have to say, and you have to be willing to adjust your arbitrary guidelines that prevent us from reaching our mutual achievements.

opinion

February 17, 2011 Image: scifimafia.com

the Etownian

13

the Etownian the board

entertainment

X-Men origins; a lifelong affair with comics Melanie L. Weyant Asst. Copy Editor

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ith the release of the “X-Men: First Class” movie trailer this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about super powers and mutations and, mostly, why I was not born with the ability to fly (no, but seriously, can someone get a hold of Professor Utonium, I heard there’s some extra Chemical X left over from the Powerpuff Girls, and it’s got my name on it).

When I was a kid, I would pretty much read anything I could get my hands on, and my dad’s old comic book collection fell under that category. Spiderman, Batman and, most importantly, X-Men were all part of my comic book education. I stopped reading comics once I entered high school, but I still anticipated the various movies that were made from my favorite comics (actually, I saw “The Dark Knight” three nights in a row in the theater). I really enjoyed watching the heroes and villains from my childhood come to life on screen.

Recently, though, I realized that my love of comic book characters really centers on the mutants of X-Men. Those characters were always the most human to me, and thus the most easily relatable. They were not ordinary dudes who got bitten by spiders or alien dudes who fell from space in a ship, they were simply born with a genetic mutation, the same as anyone else with a genetic disorder. The prejudice against mutants in the comics and movies draws parallels to racial prejudice and the injustices that have been raised against people with differences. I appreciate that with X-Men, any reader can find a character that they relate to (for instance, I am obviously Jean Grey’s telepathic and telekinetic alter ego, Phoenix). Plus, the X-Men are just badasses.

“X-Men: First Class” follows the early lives of Magneto and Professor X, when they are just Erik Lensherr and Charles Xavier, friends on the level of Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald (except without the whole friends-with-benefits thing). They study at university together and are friends for quite some time before their friendship diminishes.

You can expect characters such as Emma Frost, Beast, Sebastian Shaw and Mystique to make appearances in “First Class,” and a walking Professor X to boot! I’m definitely excited for the movie, especially after the disappointment that was “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

I’m pretty sure that I will always have a soft spot in my heart for comic book characters. Except Superman because frankly, he can suck it; I have no interest in the goody-two-shoes types.

Image: pensionpulse.blogspot.com

Thumbs Thumbs DOWN

UP

Janelle K. DeAngelo Asst. Opinion Editor

Henry Morello, an 84-year-old man, was stranded in the Arizona desert for five days starting on Feb. 7. He was driving home from dinner and made a wrong turn, ending up in a ditch in the desert. He drank windshield washer fluid, stayed warm with car mats and read his car manual from cover to cover to pass the time.

Morello then managed to break a chrome piece from his car and placed it on his roof in hopes of someone finding him. Eventually, a hiker noticed the car and knocked on his window, saving the man.

How this 84-year-old diabetic survived on windshield washer fluid in the desert I’ll never know, but power to him for fighting through it.

A pizzeria in Shelton, Wash., has the most adventurous toppings for pizzas in the U.S. Sure, this pizzeria serves all the normal pizza toppings, but it also serves grubs, eel, pig snout, and … wait for it…bull penis.

Yes, and those are just the specialty toppings.

A whole other section for the adventurous is also on the menu, including such toppings as scorpions.

Maybe it’s just me, but when I order a pizza I don’t want to also feel like I’m on an episode of the old show “Fear Factor.”

Editor-in-Chief Ross M. Benincasa Managing Editor Khouri E. McGrann Assistant Editor Peter S. Northrop News Editor Brianna E. Wiest Features Editor Tara B. Hayes Campus Life Editor Melanie R. Giardina Opinion Editor Samantha T. Phillips Sports Editor T. Gavin Nevill Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Copy Editor Patricia A. Cangelosi Managing Copy Editor Nancy C. Briscoe Online Editor Zachary T. Johnson Layout Editor Allison A. Gower Assistant News Editor AllIson M. Rohland Assistant Features Editor Erika C. Surock Asst. Campus Life Editor Joelle E. Atkinson Assistant Opinion Editor Janelle K. DeAngelo Assistant Sports Editor Ashley N. Kufera Asst. Photography Editor Jacqueline E. Quidort Assistant Online Editor Andrew R. Sides Assistant Copy Editors Samantha M. Alleman Danielle B. Cantor Elizabeth A. Enwright Rachel L. Jesten Alexis L. Morris Melanie L. Weyant Assistant Layout Editor Agnetha C. Serrame Business Manager Benjamin L. Frey Asst. Business Manager Amy M. Berdanier Advertising Manager Chelsea A. Benson Assistant Ad. Manager 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 OPINIONEDITOR@etown.edu.

14

sports

the Etownian

February 17, 2011

men’s basketball

Third-seeded Jays determined for strong run in playoffs Christian V. Sammartino Staff Writer

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ommonwealth Conference play is waning, but the last few games will be packed with drama. Earning a playoff spot may come down to the final buzzer. The Elizabethtown College Blue Jays are in the middle of the race, and they control their own destiny.

“The league is just so tight right now,” senior for ward Joe Flanagan said. “Teams are starting to branch off and [we will] see who is going to be eliminated and who is going to make it.”

The team can still finish in third or fourth place in the conference depending on the result of their last game. A win over last place Arcadia on Saturday on the road would guarantee the Jays a spot in the playoffs. Even if the Blue Jays slip up this weekend, they could still sneak in

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

Senior guard Keith Fogel looks to drive past his defender during the game against Widener last Saturday.

with a Widener loss to Lycoming.

A heart-breaking 62-

65 loss to Widener last Saturday has moved the Jays to third in the con-

ference. The Jays suffered another setback with a 74-55 loss at the hands of the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen Tuesday night to move their conference record to 7-6, deadlocking the unit with Albright College. Because the team defeated the Lions twice this season, they own the tie-breaker.

Finishing in third place would match the team against the Dutchmen in the first round. If the unit finishes fourth, they will have to travel to Alvernia to take on the Crusaders.

In either scenario, the Jays would have to play on the road. Etown is 5-5 in games away from Thompson Gymnasium so far this season.

A first round showdown against Alvernia could be a duel to the buzzer featuring high energy action. In their first meeting on Jan. 8, Etown fell 74-70 on the road.

On Jan. 29, the Jays responded with a convincing 80-59 victory.

In the win, Flanagan poured in 21 points, while reaching the 1,000 career point plateau in the process. As a team, five players scored in double figures including 13 from junior Brian Allport and 10 from sophomore Andrew Mantz off the bench.

In a matchup against L e b a n o n Va l l e y, t a l l players like Mantz and Allport could be prominent factors.

The only player on the Dutchmen roster who is 6’5” is first-year Zach Kebetz. “I don’t think [Lebanon Valleys’] big guys are as strong as ours and I think we can exploit that,” Fogel said.

Howe ver, t he Blue Jay backcourt will have to contain senior guard Anthony Trautman and junior guard Joe Meehan. Trautman leads the

swimming

women’s basketball

T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor

Ashley N. Kufera Asst. Sports Editor

he Elizabethtown College swim teams wrapped up their seasons on Sunday with the final day of the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The men’s team finished with 166 points and took home a sixth place finish. On the women’s side, the Blue Jays were in seventh place until the third and final day when they swam their way to sixth.

Some competitors on Etown’s squad saved their best performances for the season’s final meet. The list below outlines Blue Jays who set personal bests in their respective events this weekend.

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conference in scoring with 20 points per game and Meehan is third with 17. On Tuesday night, the duo combined for 46 in their win over Etown at Thompson Gymnasium.

As a team, the Blue Jays have what it takes to shut down Trautman and Meehan. When the teams met on Dec. 1, the squad held Trautman to four points and Meehan to 19.

The unit has also shown it has the ability to win close games this season. If the Blue Jays can secure a playoff seed, they can still have a strong playoff run.

The group is determined to show their critics the depth of their potential.

“We were picked fifth coming into this year. No one expected us to be this good,” Flanagan said. “I think just proving people wrong and working hard and playing together is something that has really been on my mind.”

Teams take sixth overall MAC tourney looms for Jays

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Women’s Team Name

Event

Time

Jennifer Malik

100 yard freestyle

56.41

Kimberly Cosgrove

1,650 yard freestyle

18:39.37

Kimberly Cosgrove

500 yard freestyle

5:30.34

Abby Mitchell

200 yard butterfly

2:15.86

Abby Mitchell

100 yard butterfly

1:01.85

Megan Leppo

500 yard freestyle

5:31.61

Jennifer Malik, Erika Harold, Stephanie Hellman, Abby Mitchell

400 yard freestyle relay

3:49.32

Jennifer Malik, Erika Harold, Stephanie Hellman, Abby Mitchell

200 yard freestyle relay

1:44.29

Men’s Team Name

Event

Time

Ryan Hannon

100 yard backstroke

57.72

Ken Wiest

50 yard freestyle

22.67

Nathaniel VanderWerff, Andrew Malik, Ryan Hannon, Ken Wiest

200 yard freestyle relay

1:32.65

Ryan Hannon, Shaun Martin, 200 yard medley relay Mike Rentschler, Ken Wiest

1:44.54

Shaun Martin, Chris Nelson, Ryan Hannon, Ken Wiest

3:53.99

400 yard medley relay

he Blue Jays women’s basketball team fell just short of a win Tuesday evening when they hosted the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen. The 53-62 loss dropped the Blue Jays to fifth place in the Commonwealth Conference tournament standings. With this win, the Dutchmen wrapped up the top seed.

The Blue Jays, now 5-8 in conference play, exerted themselves in a tough match against the 12-1 Dutchmen.

D e spite t he l o ss , Head Coach Yvonne Kauffman was proud of the team.

“Considering we played against the 16th team in the nation, we did very well,” Kauffman said.

The Blue Jays started the game strong, possessing an early lead.

Throughout the first half, the lead juggled between the two teams.

One minute before halftime, the Blue Jays tied the score at 27 and

came out strong in the second half, once again gaining the advantage. After continuous back-and-forth scoring, the Dutchmen secured their lead with two freethrows and a layup leading into the final seconds of the game.

Senior guard Megan Strohman was

satisfied with the Blue Jays’ team effort and unity.

“We played great as a team and rebounded well,” Strohman said. “We did a lot right, we just didn’t get the win.”

Kauffman was especially pleased with their play tactics in the second half.

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

Senior Megan Strohman takes control of the play, going in for a shot.The senior contriubuted 12 points for Etown Tuesday night against the Dutchmen.

However, there were aspects of the game that could have been improved. “We needed to get back defensively on the ball. This caused them to get a lot of transition points,” Strohman said.

The Blue Jays have an opportunity for redemption this coming weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 19, the Blue Jays will travel to Arcadia University with tipoff at 1 p.m. Depending on the outcome of this game and the results of other matchups within the Conference this week, the Blue Jays may still have a shot at making it into the C om m onwe a lt h Conference semifinals held Feb. 23.

The team will continue to prepare as they have all season.

As St ro h m a n s a i d , “ We j u s t need to continue to practice hard this week.”

February 17, 2011

baseball

sports track and field

the Etownian

15

Blue Jays begin new season with high expectations T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor

5

:31 a.m.

Some college students have never seen that time on a clock. However, for the Elizabethtown College baseball team, showing up to the gym at 5:31 a.m. means you are one minute late for practice.

“Everybody’s got morning breath, everybody’s grumpy, and that’s the best time to bond because everybody’s in the same situation,” junior third baseman Matt Reade said. “We all come in here and Coach puts us out there, and we’re working our tails off.”

Head Coach Cliff Smith, now in his fifth season, hopes the early mornings will help his players from a disciplinary standpoint.

“It forces them to prioritize their lifestyle choices,” Smith said. “You stay up late playing video games and pulling shenanigans, or you go to bed at nine so you’re healthy and ready to go.”

The Blue Jays return some of their top players and look to replace graduated seniors from last year’s team, which finished 24-16 and as runner-up in the Commonwealth Conference. Junior Steve Motika and sophomore Dillon Tagle will look to build on last year, when they posted the top batting averages on the team and were named Second Team All-Commonwealth Conference players.

Etown also returns Reade at third base, as well as senior Andrew Gordon at second.

The Blue Jays were hit hard by graduation, losing the likes of shortstop Matt Vinagro, center fielder Rodney Francis, right fielder Brian Kiernan, closer Ryan Barrett, starting pitcher Adam Hartzell, first baseman Steve Shuleski and infielder Ben Yeager.

said it may come down to a group of young and talented, yet inexperienced players on the roster.

“There are going to be some growing pains along the way,” Smith said. “We’ve just got to be steady on the course and keep battling because I think physically we can be in the same spot we were last year, but we have to make sure that we trust ourselves and trust each other and not implode at the first sign of adversity.”

Both Smith and Reade agreed that the pieces are there, and it’s just a matter of players figuring out their roles on the team.

“We have a lot of young guys, a lot of young talent coming up,” Reade said. “What it comes down to is who can step up to fill the positions.”

Smith will turn to sophomores Kyle Gable at shortstop and Jake Hoffstein in center field to step up and fill the voids at those positions.

The head coach also said he expects sophomores Brian Verdelli, Shane Hosler and Kevin Berkheiser and junior Tim Rosser to compete for time in the field, while first-year Tyler Clark will bring some added pop to the Blue Jays’ lineup.

Photo: Matthew P. Butera The pitching staff is the biggest Sophomore Matt Ruth winds up for a pitch question mark entering the season, off the mound in Thompson Gymnasium. according to Smith. Senior Wayne Ruth finished last year with a 3.10 ERA. Leonard, who worked mostly out of the bullpen last year, is going to get If the team is going to make another a chance to start in 2011. run at the conference crown, Smith The Blue Jays will also rely on sopho-

mores Matt Ruth and Rob Cressman, seniors Anthony Heaps and Greg Katz, and junior Todd Leister, who all have some experience starting and in relief during their careers. Smith said a pair of first-years, Joey Seremula and Vaclav Hasik, will also get a shot on the mound. Like some of his field players, Smith wants to see how his young staff responds to the pressure of game situations.

“I think the defining thing is there’s physical talent, but what we’ve got to do is play some games and find out which of those guys is ready and which of those guys isn’t ready,” Smith said.

The Blue Jays open their season with a Feb. 20 trip to Shenandoah University to take on the Hornets, who are ranked sixth in the pre-season Division III poll released by Collegiate Baseball.

“I’m excited that we’re playing one of the best teams,” Reade said. “It will be a testament to how hard we’ve worked so far and if it turns out all right, hopefully we give them a run for their money.”

Despite the high turnover rate from last year’s squad, Smith expects his team to be in the playoff mix with a shot at a Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament.

“Our one stated goal each and every year is to make the Conference playoffs,” Smith said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to do that for 13 straight years, and we don’t want to end that this year.”

track and field

Team’s success sparked by athletes making top 10 lists Alexis L. Morris Asst. Copy Editor

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ompeting against Division I and II athletes may seem challenging, but Elizabethtown College’s men’s and women’s track and field teams did not let intimidation get the best of them at this past weekend’s meet.

On Feb. 12 at the Bucknell Winter Classic, the Blue Jays battled athletes from Bucknell, Juniata, Millersville, Clarion, Shippensburg, Carnegie Melon, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven, Gettysburg, Lebanon Valley and Essex Community College, as well as unattached participants. Several of Etown’s athletes received their best times of the indoor season or placed on the program’s all-time top ten best performances, including first-year distance runner Traci Tempone.

Tempone placed first overall in the 3,000 meter with a personal best time of 10:21.82. Her time also placed her second in school history for the 3,000. Tempone was very excited and surprised to place first at the meet. “I was going for that time, but I didn’t know how the race would be because there were a lot of good people running,” she said.

Several other Blue Jay runners made Etown’s women’s top ten lists. Sophomore Megan Patton ran the 5,000 in 18:53.20, which is the tenth best time in school history. First-years Eileen Cody and Megan Tursi landed at fifth and tenth for the best mile times, respectively. Cody also placed tenth on the school’s list for the 800, while Tempone’s time in the same event landed Photo: Tom “Drac” Williams her at eighth.

At last Saturday’s Bucknell The men’s team also placed several of their Winter Classic, junior Colby runners on the school’s top ten best times lists. Miller finished the 3,000 in Junior Colby Miller’s and senior Chris Heisey’s 8:41.02, second in school history.

times in the 3,000 earned them the second and third spots with times of 8:41.02 and 8:43.05, respectively. First-year Trevin Fauntleroy’s long jump of 19’8-3/4” landed him at tenth on the all-time indoor list.

Etown’s p entathlon comp etitors have also made their mark on the program’s all-time list after the Widener Field Events/Pentathlon competition on Feb. 4. Senior Allie Gold earned 2,722 points and a first-place ranking in Etown’s history for the pentathlon. Other Etown athletes succeeded as well, including sophomore Katy Fogel and first-year Monica Loranger. Fogel earned fifth place with 2,361 points, while Loranger followed closely behind with 2,353 points and a sixth-place spot on the all-time list. The indoor pentathlon consists of five events: high jump, 55m hurdles, shot put, long jump and 800m dash.

The Blue Jays have one more meet – the Susquehanna Open – to reach the qualifying times and distances for their events before the Middle Atlantic Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 26. Competing against Division I and II schools will pay off when it comes to MACs, according to Tempone. “It challenges us Photo: Tom “Drac” Williams to see how good we are outside of our Megan Patton’s time of 18:53.20 in the conference,” Tempone said. “We have 5,000 on Saturday was the 10th fastest a strong team, and it should be fun.” time in school history for the event.

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sports

the Etownian

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

February 17, 2011 athlete profiles • commentary • analysis

wrestling

Jays win fourth straight, improve to 11-2

InsideSports

been a huge asset with me in the Sophomore Colin Sheridan room this season as my drilling explained that weight managepartner and he helps me prepare ment is one of the most crucial asfor my matches,” Bentley explains. pects of the sport. “I diet from the Not only does drilling help the beginning of the season, straight team prepare for each upcoming through to the end. I workout 2-3 match, but Meaney notes that times a day on top of going to pracreviewing problems from previous tice and classes all day,” Sheridan matches by watching his films has said. Fellow teammate sophomore been a great benefit in his road Jordan Stepanchick agrees that to success. For many wrestlers, a healthy diet and regular sleep it’s very helpful to see themselves routine aids in making the weight Photo: Matthew P. Butera from a spectator’s point of view. cutting or in some cases gaining Junior Will Bentley grapples with Wilkes’ Anthony Peterson They are then able to recognize process a little bit easier.

It is clear that the Etown wresin Etown’s 23-12 win Feb. 8 at Thompson Gymnasium. Bently and analyze mistakes they may have made in the past so that they tling team has more than what it is second on the team in individual wins with 21. are able to perform even better the takes to be nothing short of sucKristen N. Lacaillade cessful and victorious at their Con“I definitely believe that we next time around.

Staff Writer Meaney has also set personal ference Championship matches in can go out there and take home oming off of their 22-10 vic- the conference championship,” goals for himself for the next two two weeks. As long as they keep tory over Messiah Saturday Walker explained. “As long as weeks to prepare for the upcom- themselves in peak condition, eat night, the Elizabethtown College the guys who go both mentally ing championwrestling team is becoming the and physically commit, this can ship matches.

“My main focus team to beat in their upcom- absolutely be ours.” ing Conference Championship Although the teams have yet for the next few matches on Sunday, Feb. 27, at to wrestle off, which is done at weeks is getting King’s College. The matches are each weight class to determine my strength and set to begin at 10 a.m. and will run who from the team actually conditioning to throughout the course of the day. participates in the matches, big peak,” Meaney Over the next two weeks, the things can be expected from a said. “Also, I just want to have fun team plans to prepare in a vari- number of the wrestlers. ety of ways. From treating cur“The guys to watch are (junior) and give it evrent injuries, to watching films, Will Bentley at 125 pounds, (soph- erything I have Photo: Matthew P. Butera to practicing in the wrestling omore) Tye Boyer at 149 pounds, until Nationals.” Sophomore Zach Sheridan waits for action to Besides ana- begin against his opponent from Wilkes Feb. 8. room to the always challenging (junior) Quint Eno at 165 pounds, cutting weight, this team will (sophomore) Julian Meaney at 184 lyzing their each have their hands full as they pre- pounds and (graduate student) and every move from previous right and remain focused, they pare to show up to conferences Tim Katzaman at 285 pounds,” match films, one of the most could have this title in the palms important and yet most difficult of their hands. When asked who at their peak potential.

Walker pointed out.

Now into his eighth year as Bentley, who has achieved a tasks for wrestlers is to maintain would be their biggest competihead coach, Eric Walker is more 20-5 record this season, says that their weight. Between strict diet- tion at conferences, Walker said, than confident that his team has he finds much of his success in ing, multiple workouts each day “Ourselves. As long as we commit, what it takes to win the overall his drilling partner, first-year Kyle and practices, this may be the most we can take home this title, no questions asked.” conference championship.

McNulty. “Kyle pushes me. He has challenging preparation of all.

Swimming

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Page 14 Men’s Basketball Page 14 Women’s Basketball Page 14 Baseball Page 15 Track and Field Page 15

Sports Recap Men’s Basketball (16-7) Etown 62, Widener 65 Etown 55, Lebanon Valley 74 Women’s Basketball (13-10) Etown 67, Widener 89 Etown 53, Lebanon Valley 62 Track & Field Bucknell Winter Classic No Team Score Wrestling (11-2) Etown 22, Messiah 10 Men’s Swimming (3-6) Middle Atlantic Conference Championships 6th place Women’s Swimming (5-4-1) Middle Atlantic Conference Championships 6th place

the etownian’s

Athlete of the Week Q&A

Major: Occupational therapy Favorite Jay’s Nest item: Quesadillas Favorite sports teams: New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps Song currently playing on my iPod: Anything - Jason Mraz Childhood hero: My mom and dad I’m a sucker for: Chocolate and chick flicks.

I started playing my sport... when I was 11.

Greatest athletic accomplishment: Getting second at MACs and dropping five seconds in my 200 butterfly Favorite musicians: Jason Mraz, Tristan Prettyman and Jack Johnson Hardly anyone knows that... I hate bananas.

Favorite Movies: “Shawshank Redemption” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding” Favorite TV show: “Modern Family” In 10 years I want to be ... traveling the world.

Abby Mitchell

Schedule

of Sports

Baseball Februar y 20: @ Shenandoah Men’s Basketball Februar y 19: @ Arcadia Women’s Basketball Februar y 19: @ Arcadia Women’s T & F Februar y 19: Susquehanna Open Men’s T & F Februar y 19: Susquehanna Open

Photo: Tom Swarr via EtownBlue Jays.com

First-year Abby Mitchell saved her best performance of the season for the biggest stage: the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships this past weekend.The Council Rock North grad finished second in the 200 butterfly in 2:15.86, a personal record.

Wrestling Februar y 27: Metropolitan Conference Championships EtownBlueJays .com