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 April 12, 2019
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “However, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank tries to ensure that no family or individual go hungry, and they supply their recipients with a variety of fresh foods and provide a safe haven from hunger.” -P.6
CULTURE
“His subject matter would resonate with American audiences because he traveled through the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains while finding the country’s sublime scenery.” -P.11
OPINIONS “It is important for students to set aside some time for spontaneity while also actively planning their academic and career goals.” -P.14
Softball, Men’s Tennis and Baseball Win PAC Games
SPORTS “The men’s tennis team, baseball team and softball team all hosted matches against President Athletic Conference (PAC) rivals, and they all came out victorious.” -P.17
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WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy gopresidents
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12 april 2019
Senior Student Spotlight: Joseph Dantico Lexey Finney Red & Black Staff
Joseph Dantico ’19 is soon to be a graduate at Washington & Jefferson College. Dantico’s hometown is near New Castle, where he attended Laurel High School. When deciding on a college to attend, he chose W&J for its great academic reputation and the intent of playing his favorite sport, baseball. His decision to be close to home, only an hour away, was important to him as it allows him to see his family more. Overall, W&J was the right choice for Dantico because it is the perfect distance from his home and provides everything else that he wanted from a college. One of the key factors that Dantico also chose W&J for was the reputation of the baseball team. “It is a Division III powerhouse,” Dantico said about the College. He particularly enjoys the culture of the team and that the coach, Jeff Mountain, genuinely cares about his players. To Dantico’s despair, he tore his rotator cuff his sophomore year, preventing him from continuing his baseball career. However, his junior year, he was asked by Jeff Mountain to become the strength and conditioning coach for the team. Dantico jumped at this opportunity. “It’s great because I can still be around my friends and contribute to
the team while being in my favorite atmosphere.” His most memorable moment at W&J is joining the baseball team because it allowed him to make lifelong friends. To Dantico, “they are like brothers.” He is grateful for his time on the baseball team for allowing him to make great friends. From his perspective, the most challenging part of being a student at W&J is learning how to balance everything, from school, work and friends. He views this challenge as something beneficial because it “taught [him] how to manage time efficiently.” Dantico has taken up a political science major and a sociology minor at W&J. He has high hopes of becoming a state trooper in the future and is currently going through the testing process for it now. He would also enjoy becoming a travel baseball coach or starting his own travel baseball organization further on in his life. Dantico is a member of the Psi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, which is an honor society for political science majors. He was also inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success last spring. In his free time, he enjoys lifting weights, hunting, fishing and spending time with friends. Although he has enjoyed pursuing his extracurricular activities, his favorite course at W&J was the Intersession course about terrorism with Dr. Miller. This course appealed to him because of his interest in crime and national security. Dantico is excited about his future after graduation in May.
Courtesy Lexey Finney
Dantico is a senior graduating with a political science degree in May.
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Adriana Rodriguez-Ruiz Visits Arizona for JayTerm Kathryn Dowling-Campbell Red & Black Contributor
This JayTerm, Adriana Rodriguez-Ruiz chose to enroll in SOC 147: Engaging the Sonoran Border. Through this course, she was able to travel to Arizona in order to gain more knowledge regarding U.S. border policy on those migrating from Mexico and Central America. For two weeks, Rodriguez-Ruiz was able to experience the natural beauties of Arizona by hiking with the rest of her class in addition to gaining a new
perspective on immigration policy by meeting with stakeholders in the region; these stakeholders ranged from government officials to volunteers and activists. Additionally, Rodriguez-Ruiz volunteered with an organization called Los Samaritanos to deliver water in remote desert locations where migrants are most likely to die from dehydration-related causes. “What I enjoyed most were the connections we made to both the land and the people of Southern Arizona,” said Rodriguez-Ruiz. “I had never traveled to this state nor envisioned myself to be awe-inspired by it.” She was amazed by both the nature and the society encapsulated within the region. After a long day of hiking miles in the desert, she was able to
Courtesy Erin Herock
Upon returning to W&J the class put together an exhibit at the library.
spend some time talking with a Samaritan volunteer, soaking in stories of the desert and their opinions on border policy. Although coming from a predominantly Mexican immigrant community herself, making her very aware and knowledgeable on the issues surrounding the border, she was surprised and inspired by the diverse group of people fighting for humanitarian aid in the borderlands. Considering the depth of this intersession course, it was impossible not to come back to Washington & Jefferson College with something to offer our community. Rodriguez-Ruiz embraced the challenge, working together with other participants in the course to create a photo exhibit in the U. Grant Miller
Library. In designing the exhibit, she and the other students had one main goal in mind: to provide exposure to a beautiful region and its inevitable ties to border policy. “No matter what students’ opinions may rightfully entail, the complexity of our boundary line and the societies surrounding it must not go unnoticed,” said Rodriguez-Ruiz to better explicate the group’s goals for the exhibit. Clearly, this JayTerm class is one that offers new perspectives on an issue that we, in southwestern Pennsylvania, can easily feel disconnected from. Rodriguez-Ruiz has not only taken advantage of this opportunity for herself, but has also brought back knowledge and inspiration for her fellow Presidents.
Courtesy Adriana Rodriguez-Ruiz
The class took a visit to Saguaro National Park in Arizona and enjoyed the beauty.
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12 April 2019
CPS’s Weekly Security Logs Disclaimer: The Red&Black prints CPS Security Logs as they are reported to the Red&Black staff by CPS. The Red&Black is in no way responsible for allegations made by CPS. Staff members edit the logs solely for clarity.
DATE: 04/02/19 INCIDENT #: 2664 LOCATION: S. College @ E. Chestnut CLASSIFICATION: DUI CPS reports that officers observed a vehicle travailing in the wrong direction on S. College St. A traffic stop was conducted. Upon making contact with the operator (a non-student), he was found to be impaired. Officers report that the operator’s driver’s license was suspended for a pervious DUI. According to officers, the subject refused a chemical test and then was arrested for DUI. Charges pending.
DATE: 04/04/19 INCIDENT #: 2667 LOCATION: S. Lincoln St. CLASSIFICATION: Disorderly Conduct Police were stationary at the Rossin Campus Center when officers reportedly heard yelling from blocks away. A vehicle traveling on S. Lincoln St. approached, and officers observed several individuals in the bed of the truck creating a disturbance. As they passed the Police vehicle, the subjects allegedly hid under a bed cover. A traffic stop was conducted. CPS reports that seven students will be referred to the College’s Disciplinary Officer for sanctions.
DATE: 04/06/19 INCIDENT #: 2670 LOCATION: S. College at Wheeling St. CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 A vehicle was stopped at the above location for an equipment violation. Upon making contact with the occupants (non-students), officers reportedly detected the smell of burnt marijuana. The operator of the vehicle license was suspended for a DUI violation. CPS reports that the driver was arrested for the suspended license and the passenger was arrested for possession of marijuana.
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CAMPUS NEWS 5
Red & Black
Senior Speak Out:
What is your favorite class you have taken at W&J? “My favorite class at W&J was a religion class called Parables in Luke.” -Gianni Buarne ’19 Courtesy gopresidents.com
“Film, Form & Genre with Professor Cameron was my favorite.” -Rachel Buyan ’19 Courtesy gopresidents.com
“Gender & Women’s Studies because I liked how it talked about real-world issues.” -Danielle Parker ’19 Courtesy gopresidents.com
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Publication Manager Managing Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Kayla Marasia Holly Sauer Hannah Kail Brie Sutherland Brianna Floryshak Brie Sutherland Christian Buckley Sydney Kightlinger Marcy Saldivar Hannah Kail Joe Reedy John Santa
life
Life 6
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12 April 2019
Helping Hands: Places in Need of Volunteers Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
There is no greater joy than reaching out and helping another person. The love and kindness that every act of charity carries truly changes the world and makes it a better place for all. For those looking to reach out and help their community, it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily, there are plenty of local charities and foundations that need support. It is important to remember, whether a person has a special connection to animals or is a staunch advocate for education, there is a volunteer opportunity for everyone. For those who are interested in dipping their feet into the pool of charity work, the following are four local causes that need student involvement. Grocery shopping can become a nightmare for families who are struggling with financial issues or health problems. The high cost of fresh produce and other food often leaves indi-
viduals without the ability to feed their families. However, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank tries to ensure that no family or individual go hungry, and they supply their recipients with a variety of fresh foods and provide a safe haven from hunger. This is a wonderful place to volunteer as it directly impacts the Greater Pittsburgh community and protects those facing financial challenges by ensuring they have food. Next, the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh strives to help women who have escaped domestic violence situations and are in the process of recovering and becoming independent again. This wonderful charity helps these incredibly strong women have a fresh start and find success. The organization provides counseling services, clothing, food and hygiene supplies, as well as a place to stay during stressful times. For students interested in helping women recover from domestic violence, the Women’s Center & Shelter is in constant need of volunteers and donations. Another opportunity is to spread the love of literacy and volunteer with Literacy Pittsburgh. Dedicated
Courtesy washjeff.edu
W&J students are known for their dedication to charity and community service. There are many opportunities to volunteer in the Pittsburgh area.
to helping individuals increase their literacy skills, this organization needs volunteers who share a love of reading. With rabbits, dogs, and cats in need of love and attention, Animal Friends is also a great place to volunteer. To lend a hand, people can help by donating for the cause or volunteering at their fundraisers. These four volunteer opportunities are excellent ways
to help serve the community and do something for the greater good. Along with these four opportunities, there are many more organizations that rely on the support of volunteers. To learn more about volunteering, contact or visit Washington & Jefferson College’s Office of Community Engagement.
12 April 2019
7 Life
Red & Black
How to Make a Budget and Save Responsibly
Courtesy Wikimedia
Keeping track of daily expenses is a great way to manage a budget and save for the future, which are both valuable skills for college students to learn.
Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
As college students, finances can be a difficult topic to discuss and an even more difficult topic to tackle in our everyday lives. Balancing bills, impending college debt and finding money for leisure activities is quite the task and one that requires the help of a budget to complete efficiently. However, there are many ways to balance a budget and keep savings and spending on track. It is important to know how much money one has and
how much of that money needs to be allocated to different areas. For example, financial responsibilities or impending bills should take precedence over a simple, quick lunch or coffee. It is crucial to work with a feasible budget, and therefore important to know exactly how much money one has at his or her disposal. Making a list and keeping tabs on expenses also helps to bring awareness to the budgeting process and keep spenders aware of where each penny is going. This is a great way to ensure that consumers stick to their budget because it causes self-reflection and the sobering epiphany of realizing what is
necessary and what is a waste of money. Spenders can also make budgeting fun. It is not meant to be a punishment but rather a way to stretch one’s dollar. People can make budgeting less stressful by finding ways to save money, such as attending free events once in a while, rather than always spending money to attend events. It is also important to save money whenever possible. Utilizing resources already at one’s disposal, such as thrifting for clothing at a fraction of the price of new clothes, shoes or accessories, is a great way to save money. By opting out of mall shopping and paying full-price for items, shoppers
can ensure that they are within their financial means and are shopping with their wallet in mind. Another useful tip is to try to use cash more than debit or credit cards. If shoppers are worried about overspending their budgets on a night out by maxing out their credit or debit cards, carrying cash is a wonderful alternative; this ensures a limited budget. The important thing here is to consider the amount of cash in one’s wallet to avoid overspending on unnecessary things. There are many ways to maintain a budget, and these are just a few tips that students can utilize to make the most out of their money.
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12 April 2019
Post Graduation Plans: Hannah Kail ’19 Experience: While at Washington & Jefferson College, I have had the opportunity to work as Managing Editor and Business Manager of the Red & Black. I have also worked for the past two years on historical research for Tori Haring-Smith’s upcoming book on the history of W&J. Post Graduation Plans: After graduation, I plan to attend law school at the University of Pittsburgh, where I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship. Applying to law school was definitely one of the most stressful times in my life, and I would like to thank Dr. Michael Lewis for all his help with writing my personal statement and Professor Sam Gidas for his help in choosing a law school. Both were extremely helpful and made my application process and decision much easier. Advice: For anyone considering a career in law, I definitely recommend reaching out to a professor in the English department for help with writing your personal statement. It is a crucial part of the application, and they are some of the best resources for fine-tuning your writing. I also recommend reaching out to both lawyers and professors who have experience with law school and practicing law in order to help you choose a school and field of practice.
Courtesy Brie Sutherland
12 april 2019
Red & Black
culture
9 Culture
Eya Performs at the National Gallery of Art Maggie Smith Red & Black Staff
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C. is located along the National Mall and provides visitors with the opportunity to see art from across time and location. There were rooms filled with pieces ranging from fifteenth-century France and Italy, to those categorized from the Dutch Baroque. Each room contained something different, and it was surprising how many small rooms were tucked behind larger ones with other treasures to be discovered. In the collections is Johannes Vermeer’s 1664 masterpiece “Woman Holding a Balance.” In this incredibly small painting, a woman is standing and looking at the balance resting on the table. However, this piece is extraordinary because of the level of detail and the way the light shines in perfectly to highlight the woman’s face. Another masterpiece that calls this gallery home is Thomas Cole’s series of four paintings called “The Voyage of Life.” This series traces a man’s life from childhood to old age. The colors are intensely vivid and beautiful, and they get darker as the man’s life nears its ending. This series makes viewers
think of the progress of life, and it is very thought-provoking. The Gallery had these four pieces in a small circular room, and viewers could walk around to each piece and continue form old age back again to childhood. The paintings are continuous in this way, just like how people continuously are born and die. However, the paintings themselves are not always the only sources of beauty within the Gallery. On March 22, musical group Eya performed at the National Gallery of Art for the monthly Fourth Friday Sound Sketch. Eya is an award-winning vocal ensemble based in the D. C. area. The ensemble’s name is a Latin excla-
mation of joy. The three performers, sopranos Crossley Hawn and Allison Mondel and mezzo-soprano Kristen Dubenion-Smith, specialize in medieval music for women’s voices. Eya’s specialization was the perfect match for the Fourth Friday Sound Sketch at the National Gallery of Art, as the performance repertoire focused on the correlation between medieval musical lyrics and women in art, specifically the medieval and Renaissance art located in the West Wing of the Gallery. This performance celebrated Women’s History Month by featuring the women in the pieces of art rather than merely the men who painted them. Eya performed a series of sacred
lyrics and secular love songs, primarily in Latin and French, to describe the beauty and the mystery of these women’s lives. One painting the women mentioned during the performance was Leonardo da Vinci’s “Ginevra de' Benci.” The song Eya chose to accompany the piece was a love song with a focus on what the woman may have been thinking, as her face and eyes are unreadable in the painting. The Gallery’s frequent performances illustrate how paintings, music and other forms of art are closely intertwined. Eya’s performance at the Gallery allowed for visitors with all types of interests to better enjoy and understand the art on display.
Courtesy Facebook
Eya performed at The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. on March 22.
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Red & Black
Who Was the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood? Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
For centuries, painters have returned to Renaissance artists for inspiration and saw them as masters of the craft. However, a nineteenth-century group of artists called the Pre-Raphaelites was dedicated to denouncing this movement. This group lived in Victorian England and was established by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais and Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1848. The group was founded to counter the ideals popularized during the High Renaissance. Hunt, Millais and Rossetti believed that art was in its golden age before Raphael’s work. Raphael lived from 1483-1520, and he was praised for his overly idealized approach to his subject matter. Their goal was to bring back naturalism and realistic detail to their paintings. To achieve this idea, these artists, along with many others, decided to create a secret brotherhood. They were inspired by art created before Raphael’s, and they sought to return to nature in order to reinvigorate Europe’s nineteenth-century art scene. The artists worked in relative solitude for one year. They refused traditional lessons at the Royal Academy of Art, and instead opted for secret meetings in their London homes. However, in 1849, they chose to reveal their work to the public by exhibiting two paintings at the Royal Academy. By January of 1850, the group made a formal debut by means
Courtesy Artsy
Millais’s “Ophelia” shows the group’s preference for portraying beautiful, long-haired women.
of print. They released their periodical, “The Germ,” in an effort to share their illustrations, etchings and poems. They also published essays about art and literature written by people associated with the movement. After two poorly received issues, they decided to change the name of the journal to “Art and Poetry, being Thoughts towards Nature, conducted principally by Artists.” This new name did not positively affect sales, and the publication was canceled two months later. After an uneventful exhibition and a failed magazine, two large controversies impacted the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Millais’s “Christ in the House of His Parents” was deemed “ugly,” and therefore blasphemous.
Novelist Charles Dickens was one individual who voiced opposition to this piece. In one review, Dickens called Millais’s Christ “a hideous, wry-necked, blubbering, red-haired boy in a nightgown, who appears to have received a poke playing in an adjacent gutter.” His review continues to describe an old woman “so horrible in her ugliness.” Besides this bad press, the group also suffered personal drama. Millais ran away with Effie Gray, who was John Ruskin’s wife. Ruskin was the Pre-Raphaelites’ most outspoken supporter, and he, for obvious reasons, gave Millais scathing reviews on his pieces. Millais eventually distanced himself from this group, and it eventually
dissolved by 1853. While these controversies ultimately led to the demise of the group, the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood was not built on a solid foundation. Its members were more interested in changing the art world than with sharing their artistic goals. Some of their paintings did share similar aspects, however. There was a heavy focus on a naturalistic approach to art, an interest in narrative subject matter and an affinity for women with long, red hair. They inspired many artists, such as the arts and craft pioneer, William Morris. This movement only lasted for four years, but it was still an important part of art history.
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Culture 11
HOLLY’S HOT TAKE:
artist of the week
Proto-Environmentalist and Painter Thomas Cole Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
Landscape painter Thomas Cole was known as the father of the Hudson River School. He was the first great American landscape painter, and left England as a teenager in 1818. Through his romantic and exciting portrayals of landscape, he created an art form that America could call its own. His subject matter would resonate with American audiences because he traveled through the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains while finding the country’s sublime scenery. His pieces feature dramatic storm clouds, waterfalls, and forests. However, he had some deep anxiety about the nineteenth-century American industrial progress, and he did not agree with his contemporaries who supported Manifest Destiny. During this time, American ecological progress went unchecked, and Andrew Jackson’s administration forcefully pushed westward. Native Americans were pushed to unpleasant lands to make way for new territories where slavery was legal in many areas. Cole himself even said, “It appears to me that the moral principle of the nation is much lower than formally.” He held out the hope that humans and nature could coexist harmonious-
ly. Cole believed the wilderness was not to be conquered, but respected. He painted the wildness that was found in nature. When he returned to America in 1832 after spending time in Europe, he found that the materialism and fixation on commerce had only intensified since he had been away. He found deep disappointment in this, so he decided to move to Catskill, New York. It was here he had a first-hand look at watching the wilderness diminish. Forests would vanish due to the lumber industry, being replaced with roads and railways, or became tanneries, factories, and farmland. Cole wrote in an 1836 essay, “I cannot but express my sorrow that the beauty of such landscapes are quickly passing away-the most notable scenes are made desolate.” All of this anxiety culminated in his “The Course of Empire” series. In his epic 1833-1836 series of five paintings, the progression of civilization from wilderness to gleaming white city to chaos and destruction is being depicted. This series is dramatically allegorical and is clearly indebted to the historical paintings, classical ruins and romantic landscapes he found on his trip to Europe. This series depicted the rise and fall of an unnamed empire. The first paintings is called “The Savage State” and moves through “Arcadian State,” “Consummation of Empire,” “Destruction” and finally “Desolation.” In 1836 he painted another one
of his most famous landscape paintings called “View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm-The Oxbow.” The intense panoramic scene shows two opposing forces pitted against each other: the wild woods and miles of farmland. The painter himself is sitting on the side of the woods and observes the farmland below. Cole was an artist who celebrated the beauty and power that the found in nature. His interest in the life cycle of civilizations was based off his deep anxieties about the danger posed by progress and industry. After Cole died unexpectedly in 1848 at the age of 47, a generation of younger artists would quickly adapt his romantic
visions of nature. These artists would continue his ideas to make one of the country’s most important bodies of work in the Hudson River School. Cole gave American art its first signature style in an image of nature that was idealized but also deeply anchored in the unique landscape. His work was not about portraying the past or a historical or mythical tradition. It work instead focused on the present, while also asking viewers to ask questions about the future. Of course Cole was not entirely progressive. He remained silent on Jackson’s removal of Native Americans from the northeast, but he still remains one of the most important early proto-environmentlist and landscape artists.
Courtesy Wikipedia
Cole’s “The Oxbow” shows the delicate balance between nature and farmland.
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Red & Black
Poetry Corner “Aesthetic”
Brie Sutherland RED & BLACK EDITOR
A cello playlist that ’s just right. The furniture and blankets beckon . The sunlight shines into my hair and Each leafy green plant adds its own thought bubble into the atmosphere . The teacup steams beside me , Lavender and lemons dizzying. It deepens my cozy. Legs curled , Toes tucked , Dark eyes focused on the adventures on the pages. I am lost into a million things that make me , me . And you come home . Setting the keys down gently, Not to disrupt the peace I’ve found . That soft smile fills you, Eyes of affection The final piece to my perfect.
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Opinions 13
Red & Black
opinions Women Need Women’s Support, Not Misogyny Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
Consider the last teen or young adult drama people likely watched. Was there a fake friend secretly plotting to destroy her best friend’s life or a popular beauty queen that simultaneously ruled and terrorized the school? Given the popularity of this trope, it is likely people have witnessed something of this sort. In a society where women are constantly pitted against each other with Hollywood and the media pushing the popular “mean girl” stereotype, it can often feel like this is a reality. However, this is not the case; meanness is not confined to women. This idea only fuels gender prejudices still
prevalent in society today. Sarah Dugan ’21 feels this societal pressure. “I think that society pushes women to think of other women as competition, but I do not think girls are too mean, just some who are bitter ruin it for ev-
are usually unnecessarily mean to each other, but this changes over time.” One encounter with a catty girl in middle school leaves some people believing this harmful typecast is characteristic of most girls for the rest of
In a society where women are constantly pitted against each other with Hollywood and the media pushing the popular “mean girl” stereotype, it often can feel like this is a reality. eryone,” said Dugan. Women all want to be the best they can be, but another person’s personal gains and successes do not have to be viewed as their failure. Others see this as a matter of age. “It depends on the age range,” Sydney Fischer ‘21 said. “Middle school girls
their lives. Unfortunately, this is too often the case. While personal experiences with people of our past certainly matter, there is no reason to continue to associate these negative traits and habits with women. Behaviors such as gos-
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.
siping, talkativeness and nosiness are found in everyone; they are certainly not gender-exclusive. Dylan Bertovich ’21 echoes this sentiment, speaking of all genders. “I think people in general are too mean to each other,” Bertovich said. “As a society, we need to learn to be more caring, loving and tolerant.” Ultimately, this is what everyone should strive for: to be the best individual they can be and treat others as they expect to be treated themselves. Regardless of gender, the climate of this generation can be harsh, and this can feel like kindness is a rarity. Most importantly, life should not be viewed as a competition, no matter the person. To increase everyone’s happiness, it is vital to support one another’s accomplishments instead of bringing each other down.
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
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12 April 2019
Red & Black
Embrace the Unknown, Live Life Spontaneously
Courtesy Flickr
Even though JayTerm classes consist of pre-planned experiences, the side adventures you create on these trips tend to be spontaneous.
Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
In science, “spontaneous” means the change in Gibbs free energy is negative or that it requires no input of energy. This is how everyone should live their life; people should not use any energy on the negative and always actively improve themselves. Brendan Troesch ’21 believes that life should be lived spontaneously to an extent. “People should not just risk throwing everything away, but they should weigh the risks and make a decision,” said Troesch. “It is also not possible for everyone to make spontaneous decisions.” The cost of sponta-
neity is something that many people cannot handle as it can be costly, both personally and financially, to make rash decisions. While everyone may want to, they cannot hop onto the next
Without thinking, I planned my summer with an REU, a program and work so close that I will have less than seven days before and after,” said Bertovich. “Sometimes when I think about how I
People do not want to grow old thinking about the “what ifs” and the regret of not living spontaneously while they were young. plane and go to their dream destination. Dylan Bertovich ’21 had a personal response to the feasibility of spontaneity. “I personally like to plan things down to the minute and always have something to do at the next moment.
plan things, I wish that I did not have such rigid plans for months because it does not allow for anything fun.” As college students, a lot of time is spent looking forward and planning for the rest of their lives. They forget to live in the present. Students are often
overcome with images on social media of young people traveling around the world and going on adventures; meanwhile, they are burdened with strict schedules and constant deadlines. However, people do not want to grow old thinking about the “what ifs” and the regret of not living spontaneously while they were young. Ian Leighton ’19 believes that a balance is key. “It is important to have some spontaneity in life, but it is also important to have set goals so people know what they need to do,” said Leighton. Every person needs to decide what this balance means in the context of their own life. It is important for students to set aside some time for spontaneity while also actively planning their academic and career goals.
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Red & Black
15 Opinions
Increasing College Tuition Affects All Students
Courtesy Flickr
President Knapp networks with potiental alumni donors during a 2018 Homecoming event. In some time, current students may be these donors, but perhaps only if they can find careers with high enough salaries to pay off massive student debts.
Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff As more students enter the higher educational system, the cost continues to rise exponentially. The cost has recently led to an epidemic of student debt that has crippled the economy and the future of America. “Sometimes the system just seems to be set up against who it is trying to ‘help,’” Sammy Massimino ’21. “If people are from the working or lower class, obviously they have to rely on aid, and they have to go into debt. However, if students are from the middle class, they still usually need aid and they do not get enough and go into debt.” This topic seems especially valid to this week as students have been alerted there is a 2.9 percent raise in tuition for the next academic year at Washington
& Jefferson College. I have heard from many that this will make the college too expensive for next year. Dylan Bertovich ‘21 feels that these expenses may be too unmanageable. “I know that college is an expensive endeavor and that we must pay for these classes, but sometimes it seems that we are paying too much,” said Bertovich. “The price that I was told my junior year of high school before coming here is very different than the price that I am paying now. I think that we should offer [a] price lock that you pay all four years like some other schools offer.” Interestingly, W&J frequently offers commentary on cost and quality and how the administration is attempting to improve the College and make the experience better for future students. The idea that things will be better in the future is often hard for many current students to swallow. Brendan
Troesch ’21 agrees with these students. “I think that colleges do not consider the students and the cost burden that falls on them,” said Troesch. “When we take loans out, the banks expect us to repay them and many people simply cannot pay them back. I think that if college administrations had a personal perspective on the impacts on students in 2019, things would be different.” President Knapp asserted this sentiment in an interview with the Observer Reporter in Aug. 2018. “We also have a responsibility to make sure students do not get in over their heads financially when they graduate,” said Knapp. President Knapp may have students’ best interests in mind, but this does not make the tuition increase much more palatable. In the end, college is a business and they can charge students what they feel they must. Ian Leighton ’19 sums
up most of the concerns many college students feel. “College is entirely prohibitory for even middle-class families to be able to afford to send their kids to college,” said Leighton. “Our parents could afford to go to college and still have money for a house and a car, but we are burdened with loans that cannot reasonably be paid back.” It is easy to see how their financial situations weigh on students. “It is expected we all go to college as most jobs require a bachelor’s degree at minimum, but most institutions are worried about how much money they can get from you over the quality of education,” said Leighton. Although the increase in tuition at W&J is a major concern for many students on campus, this occurrence is not an isolated incident and is happening at universities and colleges all over the country.
sports
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Fall Sports Continue Training Through Off-Season Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
Spring season is in full swing for athletes on the baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, golf and track and field teams as they move into the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) play and playoff season. However, for athletes in the off-season, the demand is still high. Members of the fall and winter sports teams are urged to stay active throughout their off-season by prepping for the upcoming seasons. The men’s basketball team’s season just recently ended, and they are already back and working on improving themselves during their off-season. The team can be seen lifting and playing pick-up games to stay fit. Individually, team members try to get time to shoot and work on other skills. “The off-season work helps us physically because we lift several times a week. This is important because our fitness directly plays into how well we perform in season,” said Zach Queen ‘21. “Spending so much time together out of season builds our team chemistry, which helps on the court as well.”
The basketball team is not the only team working hard in the off-season, as the women’s soccer team has also been working in preparation for the fall. They have 7 a.m. practices three times per week where they work on tactics, shooting drills, scrimmages and conditioning. In addition to the practices, the team also lifts together several times per week. They already hosted an alumni game and will travel to California University of Pennsylvania next week. The team members work hard to stay on track given their demanding athletic schedules. They have to balance this with the academic rigor of being a student at Washington & Jefferson College, which is a challenging feat. “It is really important we put in the work outside of the season so we can get the best results in the fall,” said Marcy Saldivar ‘21. “The best teams put in extra hours and hold each other and themselves accountable all year round.” The student athletes of W&J are able to remain competitive every year. Together on the team and individually, student athletes show why they are great students by balancing both schoolwork and sports with a persevering attitude.
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
The women’s soccer team is already practicing to get ready for the fall season.
12 April 2019
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Sports 17
Softball, Men’s Tennis and Baseball Win PAC Home Games Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
The past weekend was a busy one for the Washington & Jefferson College athletic teams because nearly every team participating in the weekend’s events. The men’s tennis team, baseball team and softball team all hosted matches against President Athletic Conference (PAC) rivals, and they all came out victorious. The men’s tennis team defeated the Saint Vincent Bearcats in a 6-3 victory. The Presidents faced a 2-1 deficit after the doubles matches, but they were able to dominate the Bearcats in their singles matches. The singles saw wins from the number one, two and three singles from Nate Wang ‘21, Sam Bellini ‘21 and Stephen Mehlbaum ‘20, respectively. The Presidents were able to knock off a competitive Bearcats team and picked up an undefeated 3-0 PAC record and 8-2 overall. The tennis team plays Westminster on April 10 in another PAC match. The Presidents baseball team got into the action over the weekend with a doubleheader victory over PAC opponent, the Westminster Titans. The Presidents handled the first game of the doubleheader by blowing out the Titans with a score of 9-1. Dante Dalesandro ‘19 tallied three hits, three runs and two RBIs, while Spencer Howell ‘19 had two hits and two RBIs. In their second game, the Presidents were also victorious in a 12-8
victory to secure the sweep. Mullen Socha ‘19 had a great game with three hits and three RBIs to lead the Presidents to victory. The men are still undefeated in conference play with a 12-0 record, and they are rolling on a 14 game win streak and 17-7 record overall. The softball team also rolled to victory this weekend. The Presidents swept Thiel in another PAC game. W&J came from behind to win. They entered the top of the sixth-inning down 4-1, but they were able to tally five runs including a monster grand slam from Brooke Lapia ‘20. The Presidents rode their momentum into their second game to top the Tomcats in an 11-7 victory. Rachel Johnson ‘19, Laura Ryder ‘20 and Sarah Labbe ‘22 each had two hits and two RBIs. The Presidents improved their record to 3-1 in conference play and 1212 for the overall year.
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
Sam Bellini (left) and Nate Wang (right) won their doubles match to help lead the Presidents to victory.
Courtesy gopresidents
The men’s baseball team swept the Westminster Titans in their doubleheader.
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Red & Black
The Perks of DIII Sports Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
When student athletes in high school start their college search, they are confronted with many choices when it comes to continuing their athletic ca-
division III athletics because it has taught me time management while being on a competitive soccer team,” said Herock. “Because soccer isn’t over demanding, I am able to participate in many clubs, focus on academics and travel.” DIII coaches are also committed to their athletes’ grades. They understand that academics are the priority and will not allow athletics to interfere with or lower a student’s grade. “I feel academic support
“I appreciate my decision to play [DIII] athletics because it has taught me time management while being on a competitive soccer team.” - Erin Herock ’21 reer. They could try to get recruited by a Division I school and dedicate their entire college experience to their sport. They could also go to a DIII school and prioritize academics over athletics. Or, they could go to a DII school and find a balance between the two. Of course, there are alternate options like playing on school club teams or in intramural leagues. While there are benefits to every option, students at Washington & Jefferson College agree that they have made the best personal decision to go to a DIII school. Erin Herock ‘21, member of the W&J women’s soccer team, believes playing at the DIII level allows her to partake in as many extracurricular activities as possible. Her busy schedule has taught her a lot throughout her college career thus far. “I appreciate my decision to play
from all of my coaches and my teammates from the soccer and basketball teams. My coaches organize study tables during the season and in the off-season,” said Hannah Johnston ’21. “My teammates, especially those with the same major as me, are always there to answer my questions and tutor me. Playing DIII gives you a well-rounded college experience that can’t be attained at other levels.” Other students think that playing DIII athletics is wiser than playing at DI schools because a scholarship does not depend on performance. At large schools, athletes lose scholarships when they have a career-ending, or even a season-ending, injury. At DIII schools, scholarship money is independent from athletics and a student’s financial status at the school is not harmed if they choose to quit their sport.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
This one time... “After an away field hockey game, my teammate, Grace Kovalan ’21, rapped the entire song ‘Ice Ice Baby’ by Vanilla Ice. It was hilarious and made the entire bus laugh. Not to mention, it made the time fly by!”
- Kayla Boulas ’20
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19 sports
Men’s Lacrosse Starts PAC Play 0-2
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
The W&J men’s lacrosse team battled the St. Vincent Bearcats but came up short with a 17-6 loss.
Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
The Washington & Jefferson College men’s lacrosse team suited up for a Sunday matinee match away against Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Saint Vincent Bearcats. The Presidents fell short of their goal and were defeated by the Bearcats by a score of 17-6. Saint Vincent came out firing and held the lead against the
Presidents with a score of 5-1 at the end of the first half. The Presidents tried their best to have a comeback after scoring twice and lowering the deficit by two. The two quick goals were forgotten, as the Bearcats hammered home four more before the half ended and led 9-3. The Presidents were never able to regain their footing in the second half, and the Bearcats kept on firing by tallying eight more points by the end of the game, ending in a score of 17-6. Alex Strain ‘22 put in two goals while Pat Moeller ‘21, Ben Ward ‘20, Reilly Oliverio ‘21 and Dylan Shepherd ‘20 all put in one of their own.
Goaltender Noah Cohen ‘20 made thirteen saves. This was a disappointing result for the Presidents, as Saint Vincent was the second PAC opponent they have faced this season—resulting in yet another conference loss. This leaves the Presidents at 0-2 in conference play. Cohen gave his opinion on the Presidents’ performance after the match. “Today was difficult, we all did not play as well as we wanted and definitely did not want to go down in conference play,” said Cohen. “We need a big win in the next one and to ride momentum deeper in the season.” Cohen and the Presidents face a quick turn-
around against another strong PAC opponent on April 10, playing a late game against the Westminster Titans. Midfielder Liam Sullivan ‘21 was disappointed in the result of this game, but is confidant in the team’s future. “The game was very frustrating, we put ourselves in a hole early and were not able to climb out,” said Sullivan. “I am very confident in the abilities of our team and think that we can still make a strong impact in the conference. We all need to show up and play against Westminster.” Sullivan and the rest of the team look forward to an improved performance against the Titans.
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Last Week’s Scores Next Week’s Games April 2
April 9
Softball double header vs Grove City College: 10-2 loss and 12-2 win
Women’s lacrosse at Westminster College (A)-6:30pm
April 3
April 10
Softball double header vs the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg: 5-4 and 7-4 wins Baseball vs Waynesburg University : 20-2 win Men’s tennis vs Geneva College: 8-1 win
Softball double header vs Bethany College (H)-3:30pm Men’s tennis vs Westminster College (H)-6pm Men’s lacrosse at Westminster College (A)-7:30pm April 11
April 6 Men’s tennis vs St. Vincent College: 6-3 win Softball double header vs Thiel College: 6-4 and 11-7 wins Baseball double header vs Westminster College: 9-1 and 12-8 wins Women’s lacrosse vs Saint Vincent College: 14-6 win
Men’s golf at Grove City Invitational April 12
April 7
Women’s water polo at Wittenberg University (A)-1pm Baseball at La Roche University (A)-4pm Men’s tennis at Bethany College (A)-4pm
Men’s lacross vs Saint Vincent College: 17-6 loss Baseball vs Westminster College: 8-3 win
April 13 Track & field at Westminster Invitational (A)-10am Women’s golf at PAC Spring Championships Men’s tennis vs Waynesburg University (H)-11am Women’s lacrosse vs Franciscan University (H)-12pm Men’s lacrosse at Franciscan University (A)-1pm Baseball double header vs Bethany College (H)-1pm Softball double header vs Westminster College (H)-1pm April 14 Baseball at Bethany College (A)-1pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com