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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 april 20, 2018
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “he research team is now looking to alter the protein-producing gene in order to prevent the disease. To do this, they will treat the neurons with a structure corrector, a compound that will change the shape of the gene to resemble the similar but innocuous apoE3 gene..” -P. 8
CULTURE
“Joe List was the first comedian in the new season and had the audience crying with laughter almost immediately. His routine included jokes about the gym, dating and being teased in elementary school.” -P.11
OPINIONS
“I hope W&J administrators become more aware of the financial burden they place upon the shoulders of students. While the College does offer financial aid to some of those in need, this can only go so far.” -P.16
SPORTS
“There are three main body types that people fall into, and as you go about your workout routine, you want to make sure that you are following a method that matches your type.” -P.18
Women’s Water Polo Player Spotlight: Paige Adams ‘20 PAGE 19
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy gopresidents.com
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Red & Black
Professor Spotlight: Cathy Petchel Senior Spotlight: Karlie Baran Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Cathy Petchel, a psychology professor, stumbled upon academia later in life, but has nothing short of excellent expertise and experience that she shares with her students regularly. When she first started college, she originally thought she wanted to study oceanography. However, she later learned this degree would be limiting because she’d have to live by water. Graduating from college with bachelors degrees in both psychology and biology, Petchel was unsure what her next step would be. In her first job, she held a position as a clinical director of a group home for delinquent boys in Erie. “Life is interesting and not always planned,” Petchel said as she remembered approaching this new opportunity with enthusiasm. “[The boys] were a handful, but they taught me so much about the field,” said Petchel. She did choose to double major in biology and psychology because she likes to solve puzzles and understand the relationship between behavior and the integrative state, something which she was able to look at while in her first job. This job also led her to pursue getting her license in clinical psychology. Chasing her dream, then she went out on a limb and opened her own practice, Baywood Consulting in McMurray. “Working for other people
just wasn’t my thing. I like to do things on my own and in the way I want things done,” Petchel said. It has now been 20 years since she opened up the practice and the business is doing better than ever. While still practicing clinical, Petchel began teaching at Washington & Jefferson College. She has now been teaching at W&J for 12 years. “I enjoy the rigor W&J has to offer. After interviewing at W&J, I felt like it was a perfect fit for me. I truly enjoy outside the box stuff, like Intersession and Magellans that W&J had to offer,” she claimed. Petchel is also actively involved on campus and in the community. Petchel lead the past two Intersession trips to Greece and attended the trip to Zuni, New Mexico. Outside of the classroom, you can find this distinguished professor traveling, digging in her garden or camping.
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Petchel doubles as a professor and owns her own clinical practice.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Last week, Karlie Baran ‘18 was accepted into the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Columbia University. Baran is a chemistry major. She decided to pursue this subject because of her AP chemistry teacher in high school. Her teacher’s love for the subject inspired Baran to have an interest in it and helped her to realize her passion for it. At Washington & Jefferson College, Baran played field hockey. She ended her field hockey career in the best way possible. “As a team, we worked hard all season to go undefeated in conference and host the Empire 8 championship for the first time in the school’s history. We won the Empire 8 conference championship, and there is nothing more I could ask for,” said Baran. At Columbia, she wants to achieve a masters degree in chemical engineering. Her intended career is to be a chemical engineer for the government. She wants to work with the government to find better water-treatment techniques and resolve environmental issues. “I want to do this job because, if we improve water treatment here in the US, we can create more efficient ways to do it in developing countries. Before engineering, I was on the pre-health track but decided that was not for me because I like the problem solving in
math and computer classes better than the processes in biology,” Baran said. Aside from academics, Baran has learned many things at W&J. She learned what type of a work ethic she must maintain in order to do well on exams and get good grades. She learned to never give up, even when things are looking grim. She also noted, while getting caught up with school and sports, to never forget to enjoy yourself because the four years fly by. Baran’s favorite part of W&J was becoming close to her amazing friends. She is a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and her sisters are always there to support her and cheer her on. She is extremely fortunate that she got to come to such a great school and make lifelong friends.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Baran plans to attend Columbia next fall to start her masters degree.
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Red & Black
CAMPUS NEWS 3
Magellan Spotlight: Aliya Abdelhak Shadows Doctors in Pittsburgh Area Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Aliya Abdelhak ‘18, a native of Evanstown, Il., took advantage of the Magellan project program specific to Washington & Jefferson College. Her project focused on something she sees herself doing as a career. Shadowing doctors in the concussion clinic through Allegheny network led Abdelhak to meet several doctors in multiple disciplines that she was able to shadow in the Pittsburgh area. “While taking a Magellan to Pittsburgh might not sound so grandiose, I am from the Chicagoland area and the best doctors in the field of neuro-
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science are out here,” said Abdelhak. She was able to shadow in a concussion clinic, in pain care, neurology and even in chiropractic neurology. “I chose to study this because I’ve always planned on going to medical school, but I couldn’t really decide what I was most interested in,” Abdelhak said. Abdelhak is a psychology major with two minors, neuroscience and Spanish. She always knew she was interested in neuroscience. “All the books I read, the things I look up in my spare time, and favorite TV shows are all surrounding the field of neuroscience,” said Abdelhak about the location of neuroscience in her everyday life. One very important lesson the Magellan project taught her is how
to grow and learn how to do things on her own. “I went to college very far from home, but it's easy to make friends at school,” she said. Living in an apartment on her own was a whole new experience for her. She had to learn how to cook, grocery shop and everything in between all on her own. “My Magellan experience taught me not only what job I was most interested in, but what kind of doctor and person I aspire to be as well,” said Abdelhak. She became connected with one of the doctors who she shadowed at a W&J networking event. She says that this connection has left an impact in her life. She explained that he helped her grow as a person and they still keep in touch.
“My Magellan experience taught me not only what job I was most interested in, but what kind of doctor and person I aspire to be as well.” - Aliya Abdelhak ‘18
N R C E R J U P S R M F O E C S D A C R S I T I E O H N B C C J Z E A A I T T K P M C C P
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Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Abdelhak is a senior who majors in psychology at W&J.
Weekly Word Search
See if you can identify all of the articles that the words relate to!
Word List:
Doctor
Neuroscience
Championship
Psychology
Recognition
Pittsburgh
Clinical
4 CAMPUS NEWS
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20 april 2018
SECURITY LOGS Incident report number: 1969 Date of report: April 5 @ 3:38 a.m. Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: 135 E Chestnut St Narrative: Smell of marijuana on the first floor. Officers checked and were unable to locate the source. Investigation to continue. Incident report number: 1970 Date of report: Apri 17 @ 1:40 a.m. Classification: Noise Complaint Location: Bica-Ross Hall 3rd floor Narrative: Officers responded to the 3rd floor of Bica-Ross Hall for a loud party. According to officers, occupants of the room were advised to keep noise down. Incident report number: 1974 Date of report: April 7 @ 9:05 p.m. Classification: Disorderly conduct, public urination Location: Chestnut St Narrative: Officers said they encountered two students who were publicly drunk and urinating in public. CPS still investigating. Incident report number: 1975 Date of report: April 8 @ 12:30 a.m. Classification: Alcohol Possession by Minor Location: 125 E Chestnut St Narrative: Officers said they encountered a student in possession of an alcoholic beverage. Case referred to Community Standards. Incident report number: 1977 Date of report: April 7 @ 9:00 p.m. Classification: Illegal drugs Location: Marshall Hall Narrative: Officers said they detected an odor of marijuana on the ground floor of Marshall Hall. Officers were unable to locate the source. CPS is investigating. Incident report number: 1990 Date of report: April 13 @ 8:22 p.m. Classification: Open Container, Public urination Location: Bica-Ross Hall (Outside) Narrative: Officers said they identified a student with an open container of alcohol and who was urinating in public. Case referred to Community Standards. Incident report number: 1991 Date of report: April 13 @ 11:50 p.m. Classification: Public Drunkenness, Disorderly Conduct Location: 312 E Chestnut St Narrative: Officers said they encountered a male student who was publically drunk and disorderly. Charges filed at magistrates office.
Incident report number: 1994 Date of report: April 14 @ 5:11 a.m. Classification: Illegal drugs Location: 125 E Chestnut St Narrative: Officers said they encountered a male smoking marijuana outside the building. Case referred to Community Standards. Incident report number: 1995 Date of report: April 13 9:17 a.m. Classification: Alcohol Possession, Disorderly Conduct Location: Bica-Ross Hall (Outside) Narrative: Officers said they encountered a male outside of Bica-Ross Hall in possession of an alcoholic beverage and urinating outside. Case referred to Community Standards Office. Incident report number: 1996 Date of report: April 13 @ 10:28 p.m. Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: 125 E Chestnut St Narrative: Officers said they encountered three students in a room smoking marijuana. Case referred to Community Standards Office. Incident report number: 1998 Date of report: April 15 @ 1:56 a.m. Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: 125 E Chestnut St Narrative: Officers said they detected an odor of marijuana in the building. The source could not be located. CPS is investigating. Incident report number: 1999 Date of report: April15 Classification: Public Drunkenness, Open Container Location: Bica-Ross Hall (Outside) Narrative: Officers encountered two students outside of Bica-Ross Hall with an open container of alcohol, and were publically drunk. Case referred to Community Standards Office. Incident report number: 2000 Date of report: April 15 @ 7:32 p.m. Classification: Vehicle break-in Location: 211 E Chestnut St Narrative: Student said that she found that the interior of her vehicle was [gone] through. At this time, no items were reported stolen. CPS is investigating.
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campus news 5
Student Spotlight: Tony Columbus, Double Major Economics and Neuroscience Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Tony Columbus ‘21 is a neuroscience and economics double major who intends on going to medical school in order to pursue a doctorate degree in emergency medicine. “I want to become a doctor in order to make a difference and leave a lasting impression on the world. What better way than saving people’s lives?” Columbus said. During his freshman year at Washington & Jefferson College, Columbus got involved in many clubs and activi-
team had a successful season this spring. They only lost two games. Columbus is the team’s secretary and treasurer. He manages team funding and organizes matches and tournaments. When on the court with the team, Columbus is a libero, or a defensive specialist. During the team’s game against Robert Morris University, he had season high of 25 digs and 4 assists. He is very pleased how the season played out and he cannot wait to start training for next season. This past Intersession, Columbus traveled to Grenada, Nicaragua to study Hispanic culture and volunteer at Casa Xalteva, a non-profit school for underprivileged children. Columbus taught English lessons and led group activities with the children. “Going to a Spanish-speaking country without having any ability to speak Spanish was intimidating at first, but I quickly picked up on the language and the connection I made with the students was one of the most
“Going to a Spanish-speaking country without having any ability to speak Spanish was intimidating at first, but I quickly picked up on the language and the connection I made with the students was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” - Tony Columbus ‘21
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Tony Columbus is a freshman who plans to double major in neuroscience and economics.
ties on campus. He is a member in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, a part of Presidents Without Borders and a Washington Fellow. One of his favorite extracurricular activities is being on the men’s club volleyball team. The men’s volleyball
rewarding experiences of my life,” said Columbus. After such a life-changing trip, Columbus is eager to continue volunteering and doing service in order to help those in need. He anticipates participating in many philanthropy events associated
with ATO. In his spare time, Columbus writes children’s books. He initially started doing this because he thinks children have the most influential minds. He sees children’s books as a vehicle for instilling morals and motivation to
do well in life. Although they have not been published yet, he plans on getting there at some point. He plans to continue to write as hobby even when he finishes medical school and has other professional focuses.
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Honoring Student Workers Katherine Campbell Red&Black Editor-in-chief
From April 9 until April 13, Washington & Jefferson College celebrated National Student Employment Week. During this week, W&J faculty and staff celebrated all of the student workers that are employed through the college and the hard work that these students put into their positions. “We have over 600 student employees on our campus. They work in many offices and departments on campus as well as some off campus locations such as the Lemoyne Center and Citizens Library,” said Christine Shaffer, Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Student Employment Coordinator. Throughout National Student Employment Week, various events were held in celebration at Rossin Campus Center. On Monday, sweets were handed out to students, on Tuesday
students were able to participate in a photo booth, on Wednesday students were able to play Minute to Win It for prizes, on Thursday students were able to play trivia for prizes and on Friday Popcorn Willie’s popcorn was handed out. Nine students in particular were nominated for Student Employee of the Year for 2018. These students were Dia Lusk with Conferences and Events, Elizabeth Holmes with Alumni Relations, Sydney Kightlinger with the Office of Community Engagement, Kaitlin McCracken with Academic Affairs, Gracy Frost with Athletics, Halie Ankeny with Student Life, Taylor Grinage with Inclusive Campus Engagement, Laurel Sipe with Athletics and Rachel Vigna with Student Life. Lusk was announced as the winner of the Student Employee of the Year for 2018. All of the student nominees were honored and recognized by their supervisors at a reception on April 19. Congratulations to all student employees campus-wide. Your hard work is much appreciated!
F I ND U S ON L I N E WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Production Manager Copy Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Courtesy washjeff.edu
This past week, student employees were recognized for their time and effort.
Katherine Campbell Christopher Frydryck Kayla Marasia Erin Herock Lauren Markish Brianna Floryshak Hannah Kail Holly Sauer Ricky Delprato Karli-Ann Sanders Hannah Kail Taylor Martucci John Santa
life
20 april 2018
Red & Black
LIFE 7
Company Offers Vacation in Luxury Space Hotel
Courtesy Wikipedia
Flights on the Orion Span’s Aurora Station are scheduled to begin in 2021 and will cost approximately $9.5 million.
Hannah Kail Red & Black editor
For anyone who has ever dreamed of traveling to space, a company called Orion Span has now made those dreams a reality. The company is offering a stay in a luxury hotel in space. While other companies have offered these types of trips before, this will be the first trip that is considered to be “luxury.” The
spaceship’s interior is 35 feet by 14 feet, with room for four travelers and two crew members. The trip will last twelve days and will take place at 200 miles above the earth. While astronauts usually undergo two years of training for a trip to space, travelers on the Aurora Station will be trained in a shortened three month regimen. Travelers will be trained in spaceflight basics, orbital mechanics and how to adapt to the pressurized environment. Customers will also experience zero gravity, view the northern
and southern aurora and fly over their hometowns. “It sounds like a very cool idea but I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to try it. It’s also really expensive, but maybe in the future prices will drop as it becomes more common,” Monica Park ‘19 said. The spaceship provides all the amenities one could want, including highspeed wireless internet access. Orion Span also gives travelers the chance to grow food while in space and take it home as a souvenir. The company predicts that its spaceship will be ready for travel by 2021. Companies like Orion
Span have become increasingly common in recent years, and have helped lower the cost of trips to space, making it possible to offer civilians the chance to experience it. “We want to get people into space because it’s the final frontier for our civilization,” said Orion Span’s founder, Frank Bunger in an interview with Bloomberg. The total cost of the trip is not cheap, coming out at about $9.5 million, or $792,000 a night, so if you want to go, start saving that pocket change now.
8 Life
Red & Black
20 april 2018
Researchers Discover How To Erase Alzheimer’s Gene
Courtesy Flickr
These PET scans show the devastating impact that Alzheimers’s Disease has on the human brain.
Cassandra Muhr Red & Black staff
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes, an independent biomedical research institution in San Francisco, may have discovered the primary cause of the genetic risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings, recently published in the Nature Medicine journal, are important because they specifically involve human cells instead of mice cells. The researchers collected stem cells from Alzheimer’s patients who
have two copies of a protein producing a gene called apoE4. They also took samples of cells from healthy volunteers who have the less potent form of the gene, apoE3. Using these samples, the researchers created neurons, which they then studied. As stated on the report, they were able to conclude that the presence of just one apoE4 gene doubles the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and that “possessing two copies of the gene increases risk of developing the neurodegenerative brain disease by 12-fold.” Through this study, the researchers also discovered that the apoE4 gene increases the production of amyloid beta proteins. These proteins, when produced in excess, can clump to-
gether, creating plaques. The build-up of plaques then disrupts the neurons in the brain from firing, thus causing cognitive problems that are associated with Alzheimer’s. This information surprised scientists as previous studies conducted on mice brains did not find that the apoE4 gene increased the amyloid production rate. “One concern within the field has been how poorly these mouse models really mimic human disease,” said Yadong Huang, a senior investigator and director at the Center For Translational Advancement at Gladstone. “Many drugs work beautifully in a mouse model, but so far, they’ve all failed in clinical trials,” said Huang. The research team is now looking to
alter the protein-producing gene in order to prevent the disease. To do this, they will treat the neurons with a structure corrector, a compound that will change the shape of the gene to resemble the similar but innocuous apoE3 gene. The team hopes to then test the structure correctors on humans. “We are working very hard right now to narrow it down from many small molecule candidates to finally focus on one or two and then hopefully move to clinical trials,” said Huang. If the research team succeeds in altering this gene, their research could have life-changing results for those who are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s.
20 april 2018
Red & Black
Life 9
Man Hospitalized After Eating World’s Hottest Pepper
Courtesy Wikipedia
The Carolina Reaper is the World’s Hottest Chili Pepper, with an average of 1,569,300 Scoville Heat Units.
Sofia Carrasco Red & Black staff
Food-eating contests have thrilled Americans over the years, serving as a staple part of our food-culture. From the nationally-televised Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to pie eating contests at local fairs, it is no secret that we love food. One particular food-eating-contest lover and participator unfortunately experienced some bad trauma after participating in one of these contests. The man’s name has not been released yet, but all the details of his scary and unexpected
encounter have been publicized. BBC News tells us that the 34-year-old man was competing in a chili-pepper eating contest in New York State when he ate an infamous Carolina Reaper. The Carolina Reaper chili pepper was named the World’s Hottest Chili Pepper by the Guinness World Records in 2013, delivering an average of 1,569,300 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For some perspective comparison, a jalapeno pepper delivers an average between 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. Interestingly, the Carolina Reaper was created in 2013 by Ed Currie, an employee of the Pucket Butt Pepper Company in S.C. The process took over 10 years, and his research
was driven after learning that chilies contained capsaicin, a potential cancer-fighting drug. The Puckett Butt Pepper Company donates half of their Carolina Reaper harvest to cancer research. Unfortunately, the man did not reap the potential health benefits that the Carolina Reaper promises. In fact, he was hospitalized days after eating it. He reported “thunderclap” headaches, characterized by a sudden tightening of the vessels that supply blood to the brain, a condition known as Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCSV). Typically, RCVS resolves within a few weeks at most and has favorable
prognosis, but in some cases can be associating with vasoconstrictionary strokes. Luckily, the man is in good condition after hospital treatment, having resolved his medical condition within little time. A CT scan five weeks later confirmed that his arteries had returned to their normal size. This is the first case of RCVS to be associated with eating chili peppers, and, consequently, the first BMJ Case Reports published in association with Carolina Reapers. The doctor reviewing his case, Dr. Kulothungan Gunasekaran, at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit advises the public against eating extremely hot peppers.
10 Culture
Red & Black
20 April 2018
culture Vincent Van Gogh’s Life Before Painting Sofia Carrasco Red & Black Staff
Vincent van Gogh’s world-renowned name may bring up images of his famous work, such as “The Starry Night” or “Sunflowers.” Van Gogh’s paintings have sold for over 60 million dollars, although some are too priceless to sell, and interested visitors flock to his home museum to admire his artwork and legendary maze of sunflowers. However, few know that before he became world-famous by way of his artwork, van Gogh was actually an art dealer. The Dutch artist became an apprentice at the age of 16 at the Hague branch of Goupil & Company, an art dealership where his uncle was a partner. This experience introduced Van Gogh to what Artsy calls “Europe’s art centers and a wide range of work,” therefore inspiring in him a creative seed which led him to take up painting at the age of 27. This is perhaps what made him such a successful artist. His exposure to the art market and the techniques of artists promoting and selling their work helped him to grasp an elevated understanding of
the process of art dealing and distribution. While working for the distributor, he quickly became a junior assistant, giving support to senior sales associates and rising in rank. During this time, he began his own collection of photos, prints and engravings, which he came across through his work for the firm. Letters have been discovered between van Gogh and his younger brother Theo, who also eventually worked for Goupil. In the written exchanges, the brothers discuss the company’s work and observations about artists they both admired, often asking each other’s opinions on particular artist’s artwork. Interestingly, signs from van Gogh’s early career show that he could have been a potential burden on Goupil, as showmanship and etiquette serve as crucial assets in the field of art-dealing and van Gogh’s erratic behavior may not have been conducive to positive interactions with clients. Consequently, in preparation for a large exhibition, the company moved van Gogh to Paris, a temporary sign that he was not trusted with clients. After returning to his office in Holland, van Gogh was fired in January 1876 and was told that he had un-
til the beginning of April to leave the company. This event was followed by an emotionally turbulent period that
inspired some of van Gogh’s artwork
and created the vision of the tragic van Gogh we know today.
Courtesy Wikimedia
Dealing art was one way in which Vincent van Gogh was exposed to the craft.
20 April 2018
Red & Black
Culture 11
Netflix’s ‘The Standups’ Brings Comedy Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
“The Standups,” a Netflix original comedy special, has added a second season to its list. This show consists of a few comedians at a venue in Los Angeles during one entertaining evening. “The Standups” is broken into episodes with each comedian starring in an episode. This is ideal if you only have time for a short act or if you do not want to watch one of the performers, as you can skip them and watch what you want. The first season of “The Standups” features comedians Nikki Glaser, Deon Cole, Fourtune Feimster, Beth Stelling, Dan Soder and Nate Bargatze. Each of these comedians contributed
to the widespread success of the show’s first season; it was such a success that Netflix recorded another season of the standup special for viewers to watch. Each comedian gets about thirty minutes on stage to show the audience their best jokes. The first comedy special of “The Standups” was very funny; it featured witty jokes and relatable humor. Therefore, in the second season of “The Standups,” the new comedians had big shoes to fill. Joe List was the first comedian in the new season and had the audience crying with laughter almost immediately. His routine included jokes about the gym, dating and being teased in elementary school. The next comedian was Gina Yashere, a British woman with some colorful bling and a huge personality that made her act distinct. Then came Kyle Kinane, who began his act with some controversial material but lightened it
Courtesy wikimedia
Brent Morin (left) and Joe List (above) are two comedians featured in ‘The Standups.’
up to gather laughs from the audience. Some of the best parts of his act were when he made fun of the American dream and the debt that comes with college. Rachel Fienstein connected to the audience over her father and his attempts to stay young and connected on Facebook and her mom’s efforts to not be racist. The next comedian was Brent Morin, who hilariously made fun of his use of Uber and how he acted like a
spoiled British prince in the Uber X. The final comedian, Aparna Nancherla, was relatable with her skit about being socially anxious and needing massive amounts of therapy with today’s political climate. Overall, the show was equally as funny as the first season of “The Standups.” Hopefully we can look forward to a few more installments of “The Standups” on Netflix soon.
12 Culture
Red & Black
20 April 2018
‘A Quiet Place’ Horror Movie Review “A Quiet Place” has earned rave reviews in its first three weeks. It surpassed 50 million dollars in the box office during its first weekend and then added another 32 million in its second weekend, making the film one of the biggest openings in horror film history. It is projected to be the second largest grossing film of the year so far just behind the blockbuster “Black Panther.” The film is the directorial debut of John Krasinski, known for his lovable role as Jim Halpert on “The Office.” Krasinski stars in “A Quiet Place” alongside his wife Emily Blunt. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future in which creatures with supersonic hearing and no vision have taken over the world. Any type of sound is met immediately with a sprinting creature whose goal is complete annihilation. Because of this, the family communicates exclusively through sign language, which they were lucky enough to already know because the eldest daughter is deaf. This turns out to be quite the advantage in this terrifying, silent world. The family members use sand to line their paths so that their footsteps are silent. They communicate with other families with fires on top of silos in
an attempt to keep everything completely silent. Emily Blunt’s character is pregnant and close to labor in the film, and this proves to be a challenge as they baby draws closer and the pain becomes excruciating. Throughout the film, the family members try to stay away from the monsters before they no longer can,
which leads to the eventual battle for their lives against the almost immortal beasts. Lasting only 90 minutes, “A Quiet Place” tells a very intricate and interesting story while only having maybe fifteen lines of verbal dialogue. Much of the dialogue is in body language, especially by John Krasinksi in a role where viewers are finally able
to see him at his most vulnerable. The film starts with a bang, grips its audience and plays with your heart strings throughout the rest of the film. I would argue that the film is not particularly scary, but it is an emotional thriller with some horror aspects. I rate “A Quiet Place” with a 9.5 out of 10.
Courtesy wikimedia
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski star in the horror movie ‘A Quiet Place.’
20 April 2018
Red & Black
Poetry Corner Sunny Days Brieanna Sutherland Red & Black Contributor There is sunshine in my hair There is sunshine in my soul Wherever there is sunshine My heart feels more full On a day like today I wish it wasn’t so blue The rain has chased the sun away So today my sunshine is you Filling me with happiness I’m all caught up in you Look at me with those blue eyes So I can be your sunshine too
Culture 13
14 Opinions
20 April 2018
Red & Black
opinions W&J Presents: ‘Urinetown’ The Musical
Courtesy Kris Amundson
Pictured Above: Lisa Huff ‘19, Danny Gavlik ‘19 and Kris Amundson ‘19.
Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
On Thursday, April 12, the musical “Urinetown” debuted to Washington & Jefferson College audiences in Olin Theatre, wowing crowds with an unforgettable performance. As a spectator, this show brought a smile to my face and provided me with
laughter throughout the entire show while addressing the very serious concerns of water preservation. A satirical musical based on a book written by Greg Kotis, “Urinetown” is the tale of town, Amenity #9, that is plagued by a severe water shortage which causes private toilets to be banned and public urination to be a privilege for those who can pay the steep prices. The play expertly walks the line of comedy and tragedy as the
hero, Bobby Strong, played by the extraordinarily talented Danny Gavlik ‘19, battles the corporate boss of UGC, Mr. Cladwell, to avenge his father’s death and “let the people pee for free!” As I sat in the middle row of the Olin Theatre, I was captivated by Gavlik’s voice as he bravely belted out “Run, Freedom, Run,” and I found myself humming the tune the next day. The rest of the play unfolds with Bobby and Hope Cladwell, played by Sydnie Wargin, falling into a love affair that dooms itself from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the duet between Hope and Bobby, “Follow Your Heart.” The most surprising part of the play is when Bobby is killed due to his rebellious spirit. My initial stereotype of a musical failed me as I watched Bobby tossed off the UGC tower by Officer Lockstock, played by Kristian Amundson ‘19, and Officer Barrel, played by Lisa Huff ‘19. The most poignant part of the show for me is between two moments: Lit-
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.
tle Sally’s, played by Sam Kramer ‘21, solo “Tell Her I Love Her” and Lockstock’s narration of the fate of the cast in Amenity #9. The bubbly nature of the plot is flushed away when the notion of “peeing for free” becomes impossible due to the waste of water and environmental pollution. Such an ending is a somber reminder to our own society that we must preserve our natural resources and work towards healing the earth instead of abusing it. Other students at W&J also enjoyed the show and its social consequences. “‘Urinetown’ is really interesting commentary not only on the issue of climate change but also on our contemporary political climate,” said Kayla Marasia ’19. I thoroughly enjoyed the play and watching my fellow classmates share their talents and hard work. “Urinetown” is a great show that provides creative comedy and a storyline filled with interesting characters.
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
20 April 2018
Red & Black
opinions 15
Should Autonomous Cars Become The Norm?
Courtesy Wikimedia.com
Tesla have been at the forefront of the development of autonomous cars. Pictured above is one of the autonomous vehicles with co-founder Elon Musk.
Ricky Delprato Red & Black Editor
The thought of getting in a car with a pre-programmed location used to be a thought for the future, but we are getting closer and closer to a time where fully-autonomous cars are the reality of the automotive industry. It has been promised repeatedly that having more autonomous cars will lead to safer conditions on the road because the computer system onboard will always be hyper-focused on its situation and surrounding. However, this could and has led to disaster on multiple occasions. Right now in the market there are several differing levels of automation in vehicles produced
by companies such as Tesla, BMW and Mercedes. Level 2 and 3 automation are not fully autonomous so they cannot always predict and execute the correct function in complicated surroundings. A vehicle certified at level 4, though, would be “full-autonomous” meaning that it could react in the same manner as humans. It appears that without the proper testing, there will be many issues with the current market choices of autonomous vehicles, as there have already been several accidents by drivers who trust their vehicle too much in complex situations and ignorantly believe that their car has the ability to properly react in all situations without their assistance. These accidents most likely come from the lack of knowledge
that the general consumer market has when interacting with this new technology on a daily basis. “I really think that self-driving cars could help reduce accidents, but drivers need to realize that they must still be present just in case something were to go wrong like a malfunction in the computer system in the car,” Jasmine Campuzano 20’ said. I agree with this statement, as self-driving cars could indeed greatly increase the safety of drivers as a whole. The issue with this statement is that not all cars are autonomous at this point because the technology is still very new leading to higher prices that not everyone can afford. The mixture of old and new technology will lead to confusion and more accidents on the
road. It is also necessary to note that many drivers prefer to be in control rather than having a computer control how they drive. This would necessitate a mindset change which is much more difficult to incur. “I really wouldn’t want to give up control of my drive to a computer. Honestly… I don’t really trust the technology at this point and time with its track record. Maybe if they can fix the issues that have arises… maybe then I can change my mind,” Carolina Velazco 20’ said. Autonomous cars are the future of the automotive world and one day when the technology is strong enough we might be able to take a nap on the way to work or get ready in the car making our lives even more productive.
16 Opinions
Red & Black
20 April 2018
College: A Very High Price to Pay for Your Future
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Whitworth is a mid-19th century Victorian-style house purchased by W&J in 1997. of the college. As a disclaimer, I am in Leah Segal Red & Black Staff no way an expert in the financial field,
Students at Washington & Jefferson College recently received an unwelcome email describing the upcoming 2.9 percent increase of tuition and room and board for the upcoming academic year. Such information was neatly tucked into a paragraph explaining the year’s triumphs, plans for the future of W&J and Dr. Knapp’s own testament to the friendly nature of the students during his first year as President of the College. While it is encouraging to hear about the positive aspects of life at W&J, the repeated increase of tuition and room and board is getting old. Personally, I believe that this increase is unnecessary and is indicative of the disagreeable financial decisions
nor am I intimately involved in the financial department of W&J. It is also important to note that I have only had positive interactions with both Dr. Knapp and Kelly Knapp. They are clearly kind individuals who are always available to speak to students and eagerly listen to new ideas and concerns. However, as a full-time student who lives on campus and who is involved in multiple clubs and organizations, I have my fair share to say about my experiences and why this tuition increase is utterly ridiculous. Regarding housing, the additional 2.9 percent tacked onto the price tag of living in a residence hall is comical in a twisted sort of way. Anyone who lives on campus can attest to the outdated housing the college provides. As a current junior, I have lived in Mellon, Marshall and now Whitworth, and each of these living establishments
are in dire need of attention that they are not receiving. Residents of Whitworth have been subjected to the archaic nature of the appliances. Whitworth is plagued with cockroaches, carpet beetles and windows that are permanently sealed shut. In one interaction with exterminators, the exterminators asked if we had cleaned up properly after our pet due to all of the animal hair in the carpet. Ironically, we have no pet; the pet hair was simply embedded in the carpet from previous residents. Additionally, the basement of Whitworth, where the building’s laundry facilities are located, is not for the weak of heart. The dungeon-like basement is complete with leaking floors, abandoned rooms and endless dark, dusty hallways. When it rains, students are unable to do laundry because the floor is flooded. The email sent from the Office of the President stated, “Over the next few years, our plans will call for more renewal projects to make the campus an even better place to live and work,” and I cannot help but shake my head in disappointment. This 2.9 percent, like the other tuition increases, is not going to go towards housing. It is clear to me that this is because the school currently does not seem to use such funds to re-carpet a dorm room, replace a leaky sink or even attempt to address the lack of modern appliances in the living facilities. Instead, money is funneled towards new projects like a third gymnasium or a renovated library, and the students on campus are stuck with the same outdated living conditions. I am praying that the college proves me wrong. The college’s ease of adding an extra 2.9 percent to the bill of every
current student also evokes the college’s disagreeable financial decisions to this point. The email to the student body states, “Our Board of Trustees is committed to the continuous improvement of our programs and facilities to ensure that we provide exceptional value for your education investment. The trustees take many factors into consideration when determining setting the college’s annual budget, as they understand the need to sustain W&J’s high quality in the most cost-effective manner possible.” I am not discounting that the Trustees may struggle with the act of increasing tuition; after all, it cannot be easy to willingly make students pay more. However, fundraising incentives like the W&J Week of Giving and marketing campaigns to gather donations from alumni should be encouraged more rather than the Trustees’ signing of a piece of paper that so easily takes money from the pocket books of financially-struggling students. Even in these scenarios, the school does not always make the best decisions. Instead of using a portion of money to finish the third floor of the Tech Center, the floor still sits empty as a tribute to a bad deal with a former donor. I hope W&J administrators become more aware of the financial burden they place upon the shoulders of students. While the College does offer financial aid to some of those in need, this can only go so far. I love this school and I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities it has provided me. I did not write this to scar the college, but rather to bring up the issues that affect students’ lives daily and to illuminate the ways in which a tuition increase could better benefit students.
Sports 17
sports Pittsburgh Pirates Start Their Season Well
20 April 2018
Red & Black
Courtesy wikimediacommons
Courtesy Flickr
The Pittsburgh Pirates are having the best start to a season since 1976, hopefully it leads them to playoffs.
Alexander Benner Red & Black Staff
The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to their hottest start since 1976, as they sat at a 10-4 record as of Saturday, April 14. They started the season with a three game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, then split a two-game series in their home opener versus the Minnesota Twins before winning their next two series against division rivals Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh is looking for its fourth series win of the year.
The question is, how can this be when most of the city planned to boycott the team this year? With the trades of Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole, the citzens of Pittsburgh were very upset with their team during this offseason, and so the start they have had is the best that things could have gone for them. The Pirates are leading the central division, arguably the most difficult division in baseball, and hold fifth place in the MLB. The players knew everyone wrote them off this year, and this may have made them play all the harder. Leading the team in batting average is new arrival Corey Dickerson, acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays this summer, as he sits at .347 and leads the team with seven doubles.
A pleasant surprise has been beloved right fielder Gregory Polanco who has top position with five home runs and has accounted for fifteen of the runs for the team this seasons. As a team, the Pirates are batting .265. Besides the surprisingly impressive offense, starting pitching was another concern coming into this season. It has been anything but mediocre so far. Jameson Taillon is 2-0 in his three starts, including a one-hit complete game, while adding 18 strikeouts and only allowing two runs. Trevor Williams is 3-0 in his three starts, allowing only three runs and fanning 10. Chad Kuhl and Ivan Nova are both 1-1 with thirteen strikeouts. Steven
Brault stepped into a starting role after an injury to Joe Musgrove and is 2-0 with 10 strikeouts as well. With starting pitching also being extremely impressive, the problem as of now is the bullpen. Players in the “relief � positions have allowed 33 of the total 64 runs suffered this season, and two of the four losses have rested on the shoulders of relievers. With the way things are going, and the schedule going forward this month for the Pirates, they have a chance of making a really good run this year. Their 10-4 record is not guaranteed playoffs, but of the 32 teams to accomplish a 9-3 record since 1995, 22 have reached the postseason, with 19 winning their division, so the odds are in our favor.
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Red & Black
20 April 2018
The Different Body Types and What They Mean
Courtesy Nicole Walters
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
There are three distinct different body types that a person can have.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
When it comes to evaluating one’s body type, it is important to note that we are all made in special and unique designs. Therefore, when it comes to working out and living a healthy lifestyle for you, those techniques will be just as unique and special. A lot of men and women have so much trouble accepting who they are and approaching fitness in a different way because their body types may not
be the standards that are seen on social media and in film. This approach to fitness, though, is all about focusing on what type of body composition you have. This is not about matching or challenging any beauty standards that you may follow. Having stretch marks, cellulite or a little extra love on certain areas of your
The photo above displays someone with a Ectomorph body type.
cause it is the body that we were born with does not mean we cannot work to change something if it is what we want. If that is you, make sure you are following a healthy exercise and diet routine to accomplish your goals at an understandable rate. There are three main body types that people fall into, and as you go
Knowing these specifics will help any workout routine but always remember to stay positive, set reasonable goals and to remind yourself no matter what you are doing great. body does not mean you are out of shape and unattractive. These are signs of growth and genetics and most of the time are out of one’s control. However, just be-
about your workout routine, you want to make sure that you are following a method that matches your type. The first body type is Ectomorph. This is someone who is long and lean
and has difficulty building muscle. The second is Endomorph. This is someone with a higher percentage of body fat, often pear shaped and has a larger deposits of body fat in certain trouble areas. This is the most common body type, and this is also a type that a person can transition to as they age. The last body type is Mesomorph. This is a muscular person with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells. This would be the high level athletes who are completing rigorous amounts of physical excursion on a regular basis. Knowing these specific body types will help target specific aspects within any workout routine. Always remember to stay positive, set reasonable goals and to remind yourself no matter what you are doing great.
20 April 2018
Red & Black
sports 19
Student Athlete Spotlight: Paige Adams ‘20 Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
During the weekend of April 13-15, Paige Adams ‘20 travelled with the Washington & Jefferson College women’s water polo team to Collegiate Water Polo Association DIII championships hosted by Penn State Behrend in Erie. Adams started playing water polo before high school in Reading where she grew up. She has always been a driver, a position in the pool that plays
also enjoys shot blocking. Shot blocking is a statistic recorded every time a goal is prevented because of a shot that is blocked. Adams enjoys this position because she loves when someone shoots right at her arm, and she can simply help the team by blocking a goal. Adams decided to attend W&J because she fit in with the team perfectly. She knew that playing on the team would be both fun and push her to do her best. At the CWPA DIII championships, the team finished fourth overall. They went into the championships as the
“The season was definitely a building year for our team, but we made so much improvement from the time we started to now. We have learned so much
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Paige wears number 2 and plays driver for the Presidents.
about each other and what we all bring to the team.” - Paige Adams ‘20 both offense and defense. Now, for the Washington & Jefferson College women’s water polo team, she is a driver and a whole set. Although Adams loves her position, she faces many challenges throughout the game. She gets pushed around and shoved under water frequently. This becomes even more of a problem as the referees do not call it and this puts her and the team at a disadvantage. “What I like most about my position is that I can get people kicked out. It’s always fun to have a really good drive, get someone on your back and then get them kicked out. Once they get kicked out, we have 20 seconds with an advantage so it’s a good chance for us to score,” Adams said. Adams
seventh seed, but after beating the second seed team in the first game, they advanced up the ranks to finish towards the top. Adams is very satisfied with how the season progressed and ended. She believes the team grew immensely as they played more and more games. “The season was definitely a building year for our team, but we made so much improvement from the time we started to now. We have learned so much about each other and what we all bring to the team,” Adams said. Adams is very thankful for her opportunity to play water polo at W&J. She has gained so many friendships thus far, and she cannot wait for next season.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Adams loves her teammates and cannot wait to see where next season will lead.
20 sports
20 April 2018
Red & Black
Next Week’s Games Last Week’s Scores April 20 April 10 Softball v. Thiel (A)- 3:30pm Men's Tennis v. Waynesburg (A)- 4:00pm
Softball v. La Roche 0-6 Loss, 1-10 Loss
April 21
Baseball v. Muskingum 14-6 Win Men's Tennis v. Geneva 8-1 Win Women's Lacrosse v. Thiel 16-1 Win
Track at Sparky Adams Invitational (A) 11:00am Men's Lacrosse v. Westminster (A)- 1:00pm Men's Golf at Saint Vincent Invitational (A) Women's Lacrosse v. Hanover (H)- 1:00pm Baseball v. Geneva (A)- 1:00pm Softball v. Saint Vincent (A)- 2:00pm
April 22
Golf at Oglebay Invitational Softball v. Allegheny (A)- 1:00pm Women's Lacrosse v. Thomas More (H)- 1:00pm
April 24
Baseball v. Baldwin Wallace (H)- 6:00pm Tennis v. Allegheny (A)- 6:00pm
April 25
Men's Lacrosse v. Saint Vincent (A)- 4:00pm Track at PAC Championships (A)- 4:00pm Softball v. Waynesburg (H)- 3:30pm Women's Lacrosse v. Waynesburg (A)- 6:00pm
What Does Playing DIII Mean To You?
April 11
April 12
Softball v. Bethany 1-2 Loss, 5-10 Loss Baseball v. La Roche 13-13 Tie Men's Tennis v. Thiel 9-0 Win
April 14
Track at Westminster Invitational (M) 10 of 23, (W) 15 of 21 Women's Water Polo v. Monmouth 8-6 Win Men's Lacrosse v. Transylvania 4-12 Loss Men's Golf at Thiel Invitational 1 of 8 Softball v. Westminster 0-1 Loss, 3-7 Loss Baseball v. Chatham 14-4 Win, 13-3 Win Men’s Tennis v. Saint Vincent 6-3 Win Women’s Water Polo v. Connecticut College 3-7 Loss
April 15
Women’s Golf v. Saint Vincent 4 of 4 Women’s Water Polo v. Carthage 6-11 Loss Women’s Lacrosse v. Earlham 18-0 Win
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Cole Reese ‘19 Baseball
“Being a D3 athlete gives me the ability to play the sport that I love while also receiving a great education and being surrounded by supportive, teammates, coaches, and professors.”