Red & Black
The Free
s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e w j r e da n d b l ac k . c o m W a s h i n g t o n , P e n n s y lva n i a October 25, 2019
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... DIVERSITY “Either way, in order to avoid being an “appropriator,” one would need to recognize educate themselves on the culture of the person that they wish to mimic. Yes, that sounds like homework, but it arguably benefits the participator.” P.7
Kennywood’s Spooky Phantom Fright Nights PAGE 10
CULTURE
“The show follows High School Senior, Payton Hobart (portrayed by Ben Platt), as he embarks on his campaign for the class presidency. Other actors in the series include Gweneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange.” P.9
OPINIONS “Today, one in three people in the world use social media. There is a wide spectrum of users. Specifically, children are becoming more and more connected to social media at younger ages.” P.14
SPORTS
“After an upsetting loss against nationally-ranked Case Western Reserve, the Washington and Jefferson Presidents looked to bounce back, taking on the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes.” P.17
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy Kennywood
2 Cartoon
Red & Black
25 October 2019
What Type of Creature Are You? The Artist: Rémy Legrand ‘22 Red&Black Cartoonist
Courtesy Rémy Legrand
I am Rémy Legrand, an International stuend from France. I am currently a sophomore and I look forward to majoring in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish. On top of that I am the Parlimentarian of SGA, The Vice President of the International Club and a member of ATO.
25 October 2019
Red & Black
3 Career Services
Graduate School Admissions Career Services Octoberfest Career Services
Career Services Octoberfest: Week 4 – PULSE Date: Time: Location:
Thursday, October 31 12:30-3pm Outside the Career Services Office
Stop by and talk with W&J alum, Wes Preston ‘19, about all of the exciting and rewarding opportunities that PULSE has to offer. Have some fun with a Halloween craft, pizza and candy!
Merakey Information Table
Date: Time: Location:
Friday, October 25 11:00 am - 2:00 pm G&T’s Lobby
Stop by the information table, where Jared Hladycz will be presenting employment opportunities with Merakey.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
25 October 2019
Red & Black
A Broken Vending Machine Brienna Sutherland Red & Black Managing Editor
When I had first opened the door from our apartment the smell hit me first. I cracked it cautiously, then retreated gaging. There were decaying bodies somewhere close. I found a scarf to tie over my face and decided to venture out with a backpack. The emergency lights were not meant to last more than a week. Many of them were burnt or flickering. There was enough lighting to see a few feet in front of me. Some of the doors I passed were cracked or fully open. Others were sealed and looked completely undisturbed. Other than the fact that almost every door had blood-splattered and stained on it, dripping into a brown stain on the floor. The first body caught me off guard. It was a large man half in and half out of the doorway. He was crusted in blood and puffy. He had a greenish-purple tint. I can’t unsee his one eye dangling out of his face. There were others strewn through the hall. Different colors and degrees of dismemberment. I wanted to shut my eyes and scream. I needed to pull it together. I had to do this if we were going to survive. I was walking down the stairwell of the dorm. The last emergency light left flickered. I had been barricaded in my room for nineteen days. We were starting to get low on food, and I remembered there was a vending machine in the base-
ment. I hoped no one else had thought of it. I went out of the stairwell door. I moved it so slowly I felt like hours passed. When I finally left the stairwell chills ran up my back. The air was hot and rotten, but goosebumps made my skin crawl. I pulled a kitchen knife from my pocket and crept slowly forward. I was so worried about someone being around the corner that I almost put my foot through a dead body. Jumping back in shock, I peered at the body. It looked familiar. I leaned in close enough. Between the decay, blood, and bruising I recognized who he was. Reilly, laid there dead, missing an arm, and had bite marks across his neck and shoulder where the shirt was torn. My stomach turned… What was out there? I forced the feeling of vomit and tears back down. I was so close I couldn’t give up now. I got into the kitchen area with the vending machine. The front had been cracked and whatever was in reach had been taken. There were still some pop-tarts and candy bars left. Blood had dried to the crack in the glass. I kicked at the hole and made it a little wider. I worried that the sound would bring attention to me so I moved fast. I reached in and scooped as many snacks as I could, swishing them into my backpack. Securing my backpack I headed back out to the hall. As I stepped out something tore into my arm. Pain seared into my shoulder and a popping sound followed. I let out an involuntary scream. Something heavy landed on me. It was scratching and biting my neck and open shoulder. I tried to scream but the weight on my chest was suffocating. I felt my eyes grow heavy and my legs were now pinned. I felt a sharp pain push on my skull, my eyes closed. Something wet dripped down my face.
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Publication Manager Managing Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Diversity Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Distribution Manager Copy Editor Copy Editor Adviser
Ricky Delprato Marcy Saldivar Brieanna Sutherland Juliana Kaldany Erin Herock Kelsey Julien Lauren Phillips Amanda FitzpatrickReily Oliverio Vinny Oricco Christian Buckley Will Tucker John Santa
25 october 2019
Red & Black
CAMPUS NEWS 5
Study Abroad Spotlight: Juan Couso ‘20
Courtesy Juan Couso
Juan Couso ‘20 enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Ecuador and explored the nature in his free time.
Sammy Massimino Red & Black Staff
This past spring, Juan Couso ‘20 spent the spring semester of his junior year studying at Universidad de San Francisco de Quito in Quito, Ecuador. Some of the classes he took included
Intro to Kichwa, Indigenous Lit, International Political Economy, Politics of Latin America, and Language and Film. Most of these classes were taught completely in Spanish. Couso explained that classes were similar to W&J in terms of difficulty. Couso’s first language is Spanish, so language was not much of a challenge for him. When asked if he thought living in Quito enhanced his language skills, he said kind of, but simply in learning the dialect of informal Ecuadorian used in Quito versus informal
Columbian, which is what he is more used to. One thing unlike W&J and one of the biggest challenges Couso faced was getting used to the bus system in Quito, “my commute was an hour and a half, the longest one out of all of my friends.” However, Couso was not alone. He was one of three students in the same study program as him, which he admitted, “it was comforting having people from the same school exploring a new culture together.” While abroad,
Couso also visited Peru by taking a 42 hour bus ride from Quito to Lima, where he stayed for two weeks until he had to take a 48 hour bus ride home. Couso’s favorite memory while abroad was when he was in Cuzco with his friends while sharing a bottle of wine and watching people dance. Overall, Juan Couso very much appreciated his time studying abroad and would absolutely do it again. Couso recommends to anyone looking to study abroad to take a risk and go for it.
CAMPUS NEWS 6
25 october 2019
Red & Black
Senior Student Spotlight: Li’an Williams ‘20 Alondra Martinez Osorno Red & Black Staff
Li’an Williams ‘20 is a senior majoring in Biology and Spanish and minoring in Psychology. She is originally from Mount Lebanon, Pa. and was initially attracted to Wasington & Jefferson College for their well-established pre-health program. She also chose W&J for the travel opportunities and the idea that a liberal arts education grants student a more holistic perspective. Williams is very active around campus being involved with Greek life and many student organizations. She serves on the exec board for Colleges Against Cancer, is a member of Presidents Without Borders, and is a Student Ambassador at the Office of Admission. Additionally, Williams volunteers at the Washington Cancer Center where she prepares chemotherapy binders and takes care of the patient’s needs. Williams prioritizes her studies and has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Delta Phi, the Spanish Honor Society, and Rho Lambda, the Greek Honor Society. She is a member of the Washington and Jefferson Fellows, and is the recipient of the Rule Hughes Murphy Award, a faculty nominated award for academics and leadership, the Maxwell Award, an alumni fund for summery research internships, and the Geary and Franklin Magellan Awards. The most memorable experiences for Williams during her time at
Courtesy Alondra Martinez Osorno
Osorno ‘20 placed third in the Pre-Health Alumni Poster Competition on Homecoming weekend.
W&J have been her travel endeavors. During her freshman year, she went to the Dominican Republic for a medical mission trip alongside Dr. Frank Gaudio from Washington Hospital where she helped translate between Spanish and English. That same year, Williams researched how culture impacted early childhood development by comparing daycare facilities in San José, Costa Rice and Washington, PA. During her sophomore year, Williams became the youngest and first female student mentor for Intersession & Service-Learning (ISL) on her trip to Granada, Nicaragua. During her ISL trip, she took Spanish and cultural classes while teaching English classes to disadvantaged
children. Williams later returned to Costa Rica for her Spanish study abroad experience. Williams studied at a university in Ramón, Costa Rica called La Sede de Occidente where she optimized her experience by taking a mix of cultural, biology, and Spanish courses. There’s no doubt that Li’an is one of the most organized people you will meet and one of the busiest. However, Williams makes time for her friends enjoys going out for food, ice cream trips to Sarris, and random Walmart trips. In high school, Williams was a competitive figure skater, but she now dedicates her time to her scholarly and career endeavors. This past summer she investigated the use of immuno-resolvins in mouse
models of Atopic Dermatitis in a dermatology lab at the University of Pittsburgh. During this year’s homecoming weekend, Williams presented her results at the poster session for biology related internships and placed third in the Pre-Health Alumni Poster Competition. Apart from academics, Li’an is a great mentor and respected by her friends and peers. She is willing to help out anybody that approaches her and gives great advice about classes since she’s practically taken all subjects. She can be found her working hard at tech or the library, her favorite study places. After graduation, Williams plans on pursuing medical research before attending a medical school.
25 october 2019
DIVERSITY Red & Black
7 Diversity
Cultral Appropiation: Halloween Edition Genea Richardson Red & Black Contributor
It is that time of the year: spooky season! Not only do the leaves turn beautiful colors on the trees but also boys and girls of all age groups transform into their favorite spooky characters. In the streets, you can see a wide range of costumes from spooky personas to any creative costume that individuals wish to wear for the night! Although this tradition is something in which students tend to put a lot of effort, it is often forgotten how “mimicry” holds weight. That is right, costumes can represent more than just a night of fun dress up; they are a duplication, so they also project the way we perceive whatever or whomever we are trying to mimic.
Given this idea, when copying a “real-person” you consequently “borrow” that person’s culture. This is known as cultural (mis)appropriation, and it occurs when somebody adopts aspects of a culture that is not their own. Some argue that Halloween cultural appropriation is often confused with cultural appreciation. Either way, in order to avoid being an “appropriator,” one would need to recognize educate themselves on the culture of the person that they wish to mimic. Yes, that sounds like homework, but it arguably benefits the participator. This method not only provides the participator with information about what may come off as offensive but also helps with the creation of an even more realistic costume! Some of the most controversial and harmful examples of cultural appropriation happen when the appropriated culture is one of a historically oppressed group. When you “borrow” from another culture, you should ask
if what you are doing is reflective of a stereotype. Are you using something vital to another culture, such as religious iconography, in an exaggerated or unsupportive manner? Answering these questions with “no” is a good start, but you should perhaps consider if your costume is worth using, since it posed these questions in the first place. Maximillian George ’21 said, “It’s ignorant to say that cultural appropriation doesn’t exist rather its intentional or not. If it is too much [work] to educate yourself, then keep that same energy when dressing up.” Maria Albert ’21 added, “I don’t mind it. But things [costumes] can come off offensive.” Overall, Halloween is like any other day but with emphasis on enjoying the night. If your intent is to not cause a negative reaction amongst colleagues, then make yourself aware of the message you portray. In general, students should choose to make everyone feel embraced to the best of their ability.
College or its students, faculty, or administration. The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency. The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.
Courtesy Genea Richardson
Halloween is a night for self-expression.
C ontac t
E ditorial P olicy The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Fridays with the exception of exams and break periods. Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the
Courtesy Genea Richardson
Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number. Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu.
Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:
(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
8 DIVERSITY
Red & Black
25 OCTOBER 2019
How Halloween Allows You To Express Yourself
Courtesy wcpo.com
Halloween is one day out of the entire year that you can dress up in any way you’d like, free from judgement of others.
Ricky Delprato Red&Black Editor-in-chief
Halloween is a great time to express a part of oneself that usually stays quiet and hidden from both friends and family. Many individuals cite that Halloween is a great time to experiment with self-identity and expression. Marilyn Burkhardt, ’21 states “Halloween is a great time to dress up in any way you’d like, whether it’s sexy, funny, or scary becuase you can experiement with
costumes and make-up. It’s a perfect excuse to do these things because society won’t judge you.” Going out on Halloween is a cultural phenomenon that has persisted as a tradition for all ages for many years. Children and teenagers alike spend the day dressing up as someone they admire, or some person or thing that allows them to express their true feelings and interests. They then either go “Trick-orTreating” or they go to different scare houses or haunted attractions. In this way it is very easy to see how liberating such days can be for specifically young children who are brimming with various hopes and dreams. Dressing up allows them to express their aspirations in a physical form
which makes them that much more present and tangible. For myself Halloween has always been a time for free expression and a night where individuals can dress however they wish without risk of public shame or backlash. The idea of expression normally incurs some road blocks imposed by society. As a society we tend to create a culture of both being ostracized based on differences regardless to the specific instance. One example of this is the overwhelming idea of “slut-shaming” that occurs throughout the year normally. It is interesting to observe this phenomenon during Halloween time. When asked to comment on this phenomenon Carolina Velazco, ‘20 stated “this [Halloween] is a time that
people can express themselves free from judgement of others because of this night of “being someone or something different from your day-to-day appearance.” Typically we find that we tend to judge less during this time period because we are simply “wearing a costume.” With this society seems to be able to disassociate the societal norms that were prescribed for one single night because the person we are exhibiting “isn’t us.” This leads me to reaffirm my point in stating that Halloween is an extremely important night for not only oneself, but for society as a whole to learn what a world could look like that is mostly devoid of shaming hate culture.
25 October 2019
Red & Black
culture
9 Culture
Netflix Review: Have You Seen ‘The Politician?’
Courtesy Variety
Netflix’s recent series, ‘The Politician,’ follows the story of a high schooler and his journey for class presidency.
Sammy Massimino Red & Black Staff
On September 27th, 2019, Netflix dropped season 1 of “The Politician.” The show follows High School Senior, Payton Hobart (portrayed by Ben Platt), as he embarks on his campaign for the class presidency. Other actors in the series include Gweneth Paltrow
and Jessica Lange. Hobart is a determined and ambitious character with one goal that has driven him since he was seven years old: to be President of the United States. To do this, he has a set plan, which includes being class president at his wealthy high school in Santa Barbara, and attending Harvard University, a combination he has been noticed to produce the most US Presidents to date. This show is a satire and commentary on how current politics and campaigns operate more on sensationalism and story rather than the merit
of the candidate. In the first scene of the show, Hobart notes the politics of Ronald Reagan, “He created the modern presidency; the presidency of television and celebrity people like to think of their presidents as characters on TV.” Juan Couso ’19 liked the new Netflix series, saying that it was “an actual representation of how the spirit of competition can turn deadly.” Hannah Tallerico ’22 admitted to both liking and not liking the show. “The drama was interesting, but it really showcased the worst of humanity. I was in a store once, and I saw a notebook that said
‘ambition is the willingness to kill and eat your friends.’ I never understood that until I watched that show.” Kevin Bergen ’19 liked the show but did not take the message as literally as others. “No, I don’t think actual political campaigns involve that much sex, murder, and depression.” Overall, if you are in search of sardonic, witty, eye-opening entertainment, the first season of “The Politician” won’t disappoint. It is currently streaming on Netflix for those who want to gauge its accuracy for themselves.
10 Culture
Red & Black
25 October 2019
Kennywood’s Spooky Phantom Fright Nights Abigail Godin Red & Black Contributor
Kennywood is a Pittsburgh summer staple with its rides, Potato Patch fries and dipped ice cream. However, in October, it turns into a nightmare-inducing scare zone. Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights are open every weekend in October. There are seven haunted attractions along with multiple scare zones. Many rides are open as well, including every roller coaster except for The Thunderbolt. Luckily for college students, select days of the month offer half-off tickets available with a college I.D. It is a great opportunity to celebrate Halloween while getting one last ride for the Kennywood season. Each one of the seven available “haunts” has a unique theme. New for this year is the Shady Grove Memorial Hospital, where visitors walk through the hospital searching for the person who is allegedly stealing patients’ eyes. The theme for this attraction is spectacular, as different parts of the hospital each focus on a particular discipline of medicine. Mortem Manor was another haunted house with a spooky theme. The house was decorated like an old-time mansion and was filled with the living dead. Each of the rooms was decorated uniquely and fit the theme well. The Voodoo Bayou was a very cool haunt simply based on its location. The Bayou attraction takes visitors through the drained Raging Rapids ride. It is interesting to see how deep the channels are as you look up from its trenches. The Ghostwood Estate
Courtesy Kennywood
Located nearby in Pittsburgh, Kennywood is an exhilarating theme park and hotspot for many college students.
shooting ride already fit the spooky theme of this event and was great to ride in the cool fall evening. Also new for this year is the “IT” 4-D experience. It provides short clips from the 2017 movie along with special effects. Fans of the movie would likely enjoy this attraction. The only haunted attraction at Phantom Fright Night worth skipping was Dark Shadows. The house did not have a consistent theme and was very dark, so it was hard to get through it. Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights
are a great way to experience twists on your favorite Kennywood rides. Some of the typical summer attractions had a Halloween theme for this event. Noah’s Ark had hidden scare actors and horror decorations throughout the ark. The Exterminator had all of its lights turned off so that riders experienced complete darkness. There were also many rides open that kept their usual themes, but provided a fun experience for a night ride. My brother Zachary Godin, a coaster enthusiast, argued for the
unique experience a Fright Night provides for riders. “You’d be surprised how cool and dark of a night ride you can get on the Jack Rabbit during Phantom Fright Nights,” said Godin. The new Steel Curtain roller coaster was open all night, and I was able to ride it for the first time. It was an awesome ride and a great addition to the park. Overall, the halfpriced ticket was worth it for the classic Kennywood rides themselves. Even for visitors who are not fans of haunted houses, Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights are worth attending.
25 October 2019
Red & Black
Culture 11
How Students Can Use Music to Manage Stress Abigail Godin Red & Black Contributor
College is not easy. The many assignments and tests for multiple classes cause a lot of stress. Along with that, many college students have jobs. There is also the stress of learning how to be a successful adult and living on your own for the first time. Overall, there are many things for college students to stress over. Music is a common and effective way of coping with stress. Many students play instruments or sing to cope with stress. Music is a great hobby to have as you can do it individually or with a group. The Jazz Ensemble, Camerata Singers, Wind Ensemble, Choir, and JayBirds give students the opportunity to play music together. With many music groups on campus, there is certainly a place where every student can enjoy music in their own way. These ensembles allow stress relief by both the friendships they create and by the relaxation caused by playing music. There are also opportunities for individual music learning and performance on campus with applied music courses for voice and many instruments ranging from the guitar to the bassoon. Students can individually reflect on their thoughts while playing music. It also gives an outlet to focus heavily on something that you do for fun without the pressure of being graded. Music can let you uniquely express yourself, which can be used to express
Courtesy Pexels
Most college students understand what it means to be stressed: with an abundance of papers, exams, homework, clubs.
the stress that you are experiencing. It is also an excellent hobby; anyone can do it from those with classical training to people who love to sing in the shower. Listening to music is another way to relieve one’s stress. Music and Psychology major Kayley Long ‘20 says, “Personally, I love listening to music! It offers such a simple way to escape the stress of the day
momentarily.” Music has been proven to affect our emotions and relieve our stress. According to Jane Collingwood of PsychCentral, music can “have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones.” In between doing stressful tasks
like test-taking, it is essential to take some time to focus on keeping yourself relaxed. For many students, a great way to release some of your stress is by searching Youtube for some calming music or playing a favorite playlist, and science agrees. For this year’s upcoming finals, try tuning into some music to combat the stress.
12 Culture
Red & Black
25 October 2019
Review: ‘Annihilation,’ Starring Natalie Portman Julianna Mack Red & Black Contributor
Annihilation may appear to be a typical thriller on the surface, though the film proves to be unexpected and quite mesmerizing. The first scene immediately grabs the reader with an interrogation of Lena, who we later find out is a military biologist. Men in hazmat suits question her in regards to where she was and how she survived, but she doesn’t know the answer. She doesn’t remember anything. Viewers are left entirely in the dark as the movie returns to the very beginning. It becomes clear that Lena’s husband went missing in war a year ago, and she continues to struggle with her emotional baggage. Surprisingly, as she paints their room, an attempt to forget the pain she endured, her husband, who was presumed dead, walks into their home. They embrace, and only now does the movie’s plot clarify. Lena’s husband becomes gravely ill, and the American government ambushes the ambulance they were in. They give her a sedative and take both Lena and her husband back to base. Here, a psychologist informs her that her husband is dying and that an asteroid-like figure hit Earth three years ago in Blackwater National Park. The foreign object created a shimmer around the area it landed, and as the government investigates, nothing returns from within. Helicopters and video footage are never recovered, thus presenting a problem as the mass continues to
Courtesy Wikipedia
‘Annihilation,’ a film starring Natalie Portman, is a sci-fi suspense that follows Lena, a military bioligist.
grow. Lena wants nothing more than to figure out what happened to her husband, so she and four other women agree to enter the “shimmer” and attempt to understand. The movie was fascinating. The viewers feel as if they are on the same journey as the actresses. Yet, the twists and turns are unnerving as we realize that the shimmer is much more complicated and dangerous than anticipated. These scien-
tists realize that the genetic makeup of various creatures and plants are being crossed, creating new species of plants and animals within the area. This observation leads to a much more vital question: what is it doing to humans? If you enjoy sci-fi fantasies with an edge of horror themes, Annihilation is the movie for you. “I really love suspenseful movies,” says Christine Sonnenberg ‘22. “A
movie like this one is just perfect for people who like to be left hanging on the edge of their seat.” The viewers are left in suspense throughout the entire film, making it difficult to comprehend what exactly is happening until the very end. Annihilation stars Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tessa Thompson, who venture in as the last team to investigate the strange phenomena.
25 October 2019
Culture 13
Red & Black
Poetry Corner “To My Savior (21 Years)” Genea Richardson Red & Black Contributor
The sinking of my chest The waves of anxiety Im casting the white flags of surrender But it falls on ‘death’s ears It’s the only way to quit...
Why do I silently scream but I feel so heard
Soothe my soul with seculiars The tide floods my lungs Not a scream is heard Do I care?
This vessel is tragically sinking Help me craft a stronger boat I need planks of courage and confidence Like the nails that help keep me afloat
My savior is far away Yet I see him in daylight I’m confused(-)why hasn’t He saved me Save me. It all hurts lately It’s agony Save me!!
Does He care? He has to know(..)
I need to find safety I really need Him to save-me. Occasionally the tide calms Then daylight clears My ship sails a never-ending tide It’s called 21 years
14 Opinions
opinions Red & Black
25 October 2019
Social Media: More Harm Than Good? Kiley Miller Red & Black Contributor
The very first social media platform, Six Degrees, was created in 1997, enabling users to upload a profile and add new friends. Today, one in three people in the world use social media. There is a wide spectrum of users. Specifically, children are becoming more and more connected to social media at younger ages. Parents are beginning to monitor their children even more as the platforms continue to grow. Social media presents both risks and benefits to children. Based on scientific research, overuse of social media has a negative
effect on the health of all users, including children. However, adults are less influenced by social pressures than children, preteens and teenagers. In fact, studies have found that students in middle school, high school and college have had lower grades due to using Facebook at least once during a 15-minute study period. Social media has become more of a distraction than a break from activities. Typically, when you click on an app on your phone, like Instagram, you spend more time scrolling than expected. A five-minute break that you take to use these apps turns into a 20-minute one that had limited educational benefit. However, this depends on the application or platform that is being used. Aside from the negatives, social media does have a positive impact. Positive benefits have also been linked
to the use of social media by children. The use of technology allows people to cultivate social networking skills at a younger age. It encourages children to interact with others, reducing the fears of communicating in the classroom and other social situations. This fact does not mean that social media can replace physical human interaction, but it can enhance certain skills like building relationships and supporting others. In fact, studies have shown that Facebook users are better at showing “virtual empathy” to their friends online. Keeping in mind that children who use social media are in different stages of physical and mental development, it is noted by psychologists that trust between parents and their children is crucial. Trust protects children from hiding their issues with social media, and it instills the importance of address-
C ontac t
E ditorial P olicy The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Fridays with the exception of exams and break periods. Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the
College or its students, faculty, or administration. The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency. The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.
ing matters to parents when problems arise. As the amount of social media users continues to grow, parents must find ways to monitor the positive and negative effects on their children. Social media can impact one’s emotions in different ways. When asked how social media specifically affects them, Blake Melchert ’22 said, “Social media impacts me by showing the way in which people are willing to present themselves in the attempt to be something they are as well as something they are not. I find the most avid users of social media are also people who tend to be very sociable people, although not necessarily an indicator of the quality of their socialization.” When asked the same question, Daniel Huslin ’23 said, “I sometimes use it as a distraction away from homework, but it doesn’t emotionally impact me.”
Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number. Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu.
Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:
(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
25 October 2019
Red & Black
15 Opinions
The Importance of Learning Languages Brendan Troesch Red & Black Contributor
Welcome to the United States, where we speak English . . . and Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Hawaiian, Navajo, !Xhosa and countless other languages. The U.S. is often recognized as a global hotspot and melting pot, where different cultures can fuse and create new things like “Tex-Mex” and “Asian Fusion.” While food is still a major part of culture, language is arguably a bigger part. Walk into a restaurant that serves Tex-Mex or Asian Fusion dishes and you will likely hear the overabundance of gross mispronunciations. In the U.S., there seems to be an aversion to learning languages other than English for many people. People often say things like, “We live in America, why do I need to learn another language?” or “This is America! Speak English!” as if the U.S. has an official language. Learning a language is beneficial for personal reasons. According to a study by the University of Edinburgh, bilingual adults had higher cognitive ability later in life than their monolingual counterparts; the study goes on to say that bilingualism may also be linked to a later onset of dementia. Learning another language helps you learn more about your own native language. When learning your native language in school, teachers do not begin telling kindergarteners the difference between a direct object and an indirect object. As a German major myself, I can attest to this, as I only learned about grammatical cases, objects and syntax
after having to know it for another language. The rise in immigrant population in the U.S. also demands the need to learn a new language. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 41 million people in the country who speak Spanish at home, which is about 13 percent of the country’s population. Assuming most of these people know English as well, there is no reason that children growing up in primarily English-speaking areas should not learn Spanish. Children’s brains are wired to learn languages; if they were not, how would we have learned to speak without ever being formally taught in school? I believe every child in the U.S. should be required to learn Spanish and one ad-
ditional language in school. According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. falls drastically behind other countries in terms of bilingualism, with only 20 percent of primary and secondary students studying a foreign language compared to Europe’s median of 89 percent. Even if students never use it outside of the classroom setting, what is so bad about knowing another language? Knowledge of another language also opens doors for you in the professional world. Dylan Bertovich ’21, currently enrolled in German 207, argues that knowing another language can be beneficial to one’s career. “I think it looks good for a lot of companies. For example, the German firm Bayer,
among many companies, is internationally based, and having a language skill would really set you apart from other employees,” said Bertovich. Alumna Alexandra Scalise ’19, a German, Spanish and International Studies major, agreed that knowing another language benefits individuals outside of the academic realm. “Studying foreign languages pushes the knowledge of other cultures. It paves the way for creating well-rounded and globally aware individuals,” said Scalise. Familiarity with other cultures not only helps with business relationships, but also personal ones. Watch a German person’s face light up as you begin to speak their own language with them rather than English.
Courtesy Life.ca
Learning more than one language has countless benefits and should be encouraged in the United States.
16 opinions
Red & Black
25 October 2019
The Best Ways to Spend Fall Break Kylie Miller Red & Black Staff
When you think of seasons, the word change is always present. If change did not occur, we would never experience the different seasons. When summer turns to fall, the warm weather diminishes, but the sweet smells of pumpkin and spices drift through the air. Old things are replaced with new things. Trees shed their old leaves so that new leaves can grow in the spring. Fall is a reminder that there is transition between change. Animals know to gather all of their food in preparation for the cold winter to come. Without
fall, winter would be a harsh adjustment for all living things. Without winter, there would be no new sprouts of plants in the spring. Fall breaks are different for everyone. If it is only a two-day break, some students stay on campus to study, while others travel home. In comparison to spring break, fall break gives you a short period of time to pull yourself together and prepare for upcoming exams. Whether you relax and study with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee or venture out to enjoy the fall weather, the break can still be celebrated. In autumn, outdoor adventures like going on hayrides, visiting pumpkin patches and carving jack-o-lanterns are common. The weather is changing, and it is a perfect time to ex-
plore nature in the midst of the falling leaves. All you need is warm fall clothing – this includes sweaters, scarves, flannels, boots and jeans. Once you have the attire and adapt to the breezy weather, the rest will fall into place. As for my fall plans, I enjoyed break by traveling to Washington, D.C. with a friend to visit a recent Washington & Jefferson College graduate. On the first day, we explored the Smithsonian National Zoo. This zoo is where a few of the giant pandas are located. The organization pays the Chinese government half a million dollars per year to keep the pandas, and they support conservation efforts to protect the pandas in China. Unfortunately, the giant pandas were not out at the time that we went to the zoo, but we were able to see many other animals.
The next day, we chose to explore the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Although break was a short two days, there was still time to enjoy a few days off. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes concerning fall, so I asked two students their thoughts on this season. When asked about their favorite part of the fall season, Nicole Fitch ’20 said, “I like the cooking aspect. I enjoy cooking and when I’m cooking in the summer it’s completely different from how cooking is in autumn. But when autumn comes, you don’t miss the summer foods because you need a change. It makes you appreciate what’s in season.” Another student, Li’an Williams ’20 said, “I love seeing all the colors change and being able to wear cozy sweaters.”
Courtesy Master Remodelers
Fall in Pennsylvania is full of beautiful colors and fun activities, from hayrides to pumpkin patches to celebrating Halloween.
sports
25 October 2019
Red & Black
Sports 17
Football Bounces Back with PAC Victory Patrick Brunner Red & Black Staff
After an upsetting loss against nationally-ranked Case Western Reserve, the Washington and Jefferson Presidents looked to bounce back, taking on the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes. The Presidents traveled to Beaver Falls Pennsylvania for a night game against their conference rivals. The first quarter was a defensive battle as the Presidents ended the Golden Tornadoes hopes to score with a forced fumble recovery. That was just one of three fumble recoveries for the President’s defense on the day. Jacob Adam’s ‘20 connected with Cameron O’Brien ‘21making up the first point of the game, giving the Presidents a 7-0 lead. Geneva cut the lead in the second quarter with a field goal to end the half with a score of 7-3. The Presidents entered the second half firing on all cylinders. Running back Jordan West ‘20 ran the ball in for a touchdown twice for the Presidents while Junior running back E.J. Thompson ran in another touchdown at the end of the quarter. The defense was phenomenal, shutting out the Golden Tornadoes for the rest of the game. The President’s offense stalled in the fourth quarter but added
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Max Garda ‘21 was named to the D3fooaball.com team for his performance.
nothing to the score. The President’s walked away with a 28-3 victory. West finished the game with 78 yards rushing, and two touchdowns and Thompson ran for 49 yards and a touchdown himself. Thompson commented on the team’s performance, saying, “We started a little slow in the first half and came out in the second half and dominated. If we keep playing like the second half of this game, we should win out. I could’ve made a few more plays and limited some mistakes, but over-
all I think I did okay, but the sky’s the limit for the season we have to keep playing.” Jacob Adams had another productive game throwing for 311 yards and throwing for a touchdown. Jordan Halford ‘21 had a monster game receiving with 211 yards and Josh Burns ‘21 with 69 yards of receiving. The Presidents rise to 5-2 on the year and 4-2 in the PAC conference. Omar Whiting ‘21 commented on the game, saying, “I thought the game
went very well; it felt like we were in control from the entire 60 minutes. We did a great job on defense, and on offense, we were very efficient throwing and running the ball. It was a dominating victory, and we need to carry this momentum into practice all week so that we can take care of business against a tough Westminster team.” The President’s are looking to continue their win streak against the Westminster College Titans at 1:00 pm at Cameron Stadium.
18 Sports
Red & Black
25 october 2019
Men’s Soccer Battles Against D-II Opponent Patrick Brunner Red & Black Staff
The Washington and Jefferson President’s men’s soccer team hosted the Division II opponent Point Park University Pioneers in an out of conference match-up. The Pioneers seemed to be the President’s toughest opponent yet this season as the Pioneers entered the matchup 12-1 on the season and winning their last eleven games. The President’s enter the match at 6-6-2 on the year and hungry for an
upset. Point Park dominated the first half as they were the lone scorers of the half, putting in a free-kick to give them a 1-0 lead. Ian Donlon ‘21 made four saves in the first half, keeping the Presidents in the game. The second half was another story for the Presidents as they came out dominating the Pioneers, putting away two quick goals to give them the lead. The first goal was put in by Jake Fetterman ‘21 with an assist by Alvaro Viadas ‘21. No more than three minutes later, Viadas assisted Dylan Mayanja ‘23, the President’s second goal scorer on the day. However, Point Park did not shy away and was able to put an equalizing goal late in the game to tie the score 2-2 at the end of regulation. In overtime, both teams put up a defensive battle. While both teams
had chances of scoring, the game remained tied going into a second overtime period. Although Goalkeeper Samuel Miller’s ‘22 had seven saves, the Pioneers were able to score to end
“Although we lost its still a confidence booster considering the talent on the other team” -Jonathen Youse ‘22 the game. The President’s suffered a heartbreaking double-overtime 2-3 loss. Their record falls to 6-7-2 on the year but still undefeated in the President’s Athletic Conference play at 3-0-
1. With Mayanja’s goal on the day, he remains the President’s leading scorer with six goals on the year. The President’s take on the Thiel College Tomcats in Greenville, PA to continue PAC play. After the game, Jonathan Youse ‘22 said, “It was a very hard-fought game on Saturday, although we lost the team still feels that it was a confidence booster coming into the end stretch of the season against some quality teams.” Joey Feola ‘22 added, “On Saturday we played a good team, although we lost it’s still a confidence booster, considering the talent on the other team.”
Next Home Game: Nov. 2 vs Grove City College @ 1:00
Courtesy of gopresidents.com
The President’s fought hard against a tough out of conference foe.
Courtesy of gopresidents.com
Dylan Mayanja ‘23 was named PAC Rookie of the Week.
25 October 2019
Red & Black
19 sports
Steelers’ Player Spotlight: James Washington Liam Sullivan Red & Black Contributor
James Washington is entering his second season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is having more of an impact every week this season. Washington played in high school in Texas at Stamford High school, where he was very successful. As a senior, Washington won the 1A state championship in Texas while catching 24 touchdowns. Not only
was he an all-district and all-state at football but excelled at other sports as well. Washington was the MVP for his district in basketball, as well as being an outstanding tennis player. He took his athleticism to The Oklahoma State University Cowboys, where he broke countless records. Not only did Washington receive a record for over a thousand yards in every season for the Cowboys, but he was also named the team’s captain for two years. In 2017 Washington received the Biletnikoff Award for being the best receiver, leading the FBS in receiving yards with 1,549 yards. After his junior season at Oklahoma State University, he was drafted by the Steelers in the 2018 draft as a second-round pick. As a rookie, he had 16 catches, 217 yards, and a touchdown. However,
Courtesy Athensspots.com
There are high hopes for James Washington coming into this season.
with the loss of star wide receiver Antonio Brown expectations for Washington grew. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has good things to say about James Washington, saying that he “expects James Washington to take a big leap in year 2.” Washington has done just that for the Steelers in the 2019 season. Washington had a solid pre-season performance and already has nine receptions in 5 games and received for 140 yards. Washington is on pace to blow by his rookie year numbers, and most expect he will. Tomlin commented, “We talk about all second-year players making significant steps, he’s done that.” James Washington is a player to keep your eye on for the rest of the Steelers
season. Being a great complementary player for Juju Smith-Schuster, Washington should be the perfect second look for Steelers quarterbacks. The Steelers are looking to come off their by-week, and off their big victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with a strong performance against the Miami Dolphins. Keep an eye on rookie quarterback Delvin Hodges and James Washington, making connections on the field this upcoming season.
Steelers’ Next Home Game: October 28th vs The Dolphins Monday Night 8:15pm
Courtesy draftdiamonds.com
Washington achieved many records in his time at Oklahoma State Unversity.
20 sports
Red & Black
25 october 2019
Last Week’s Scores Oct. 19:
Men’s Golf at Denision Invitational: 4th of 8 Men’s Cross Country at Oberlin Invitational: 37th of 39 Women’s Cross Country at Oberlin Invitational: 17th of 25 Men’s Water Polo vs McKendree Universtiy: 8-24 L Men’s Water Polo vs Connecticut College: 11-19L Feild Hockey vs Houghton College: 0-1 L Men’s Soccer vs Point Park: 2-3 2OT L Football at Geneva College: 28-3 W
Oct. 20: Men’s Water Polo vs Salem Universtiy: 13-24L
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Next Week’s Games Oct. 26:
Women’s Tennis PAC Championship Men’s Water Polo vs Penn State Behrend: 10:00am Feild Hockey at St. John Fisher College: 12:00pm Football vs Westminster College: 1:00pm Women’s Vollyball at St. Vincent College: 2:00pm Men’s Soccer at Geneva College: 5:00pm
Oct. 29
Women’s Soccer at Bethany College: 4:00pm Women’s Vollyball at Geneva College: 7:00pm
Oct. 30
Men’s Soccer at Bethany College: 4:00pm Feild Hockey at Juniata College: 7:00pm Courtesy gopresidents.com