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 13, 2018
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “The third tip is to talk to an advisor or a trusted professor before scheduling. They are here to help no matter the major or question.” -P. 6
CULTURE “The show addresses addiction in a semi-humorous tone, but it also offers some insight and education about the consequences of addiction” -P.10
OPINIONS “We should at the very least replace fixtures, carpet and flooring as a way to freshen the overall atmosphere. A quick paint job really can go a far way giving dormitories a freshened look.” -P.13
SPORTS “Gerseny’s new ideals are already being implemented on the field during this spring season. He also is looking to come out strong in the fall, taking steps towards a PAC championship one practice at a time.” -P.17
W&J Hosts Spring Soccer Tournament PAGE 16
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
2 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
13 april 2018
Senior Student Spotlight: Psychology Major Scott King Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
reer paths to me,” said King. Taking a few years to do research will give him
years at W&J and was part of their first playoff berth in four years. He was also
“Getting a Ph.D. will allow me to work as a clinician, do research or teach, and all of those are attractive career paths to me.” - Scott King ‘18 Scott King ‘18, a psychology major, has big aspirations after attending Washington & Jefferson College. He chose psychology as a major because, from the start, he always wanted to help people. He was not sure what this passion would lead him to follow. He originally thought he wanted to be a physician. “I realized that I was truly passionate about how the brain functions and how people think, so psychology was a perfect way to focus on what I love and still help people out,” said King. His intended plans post-graduation are to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, but he has run into some unforeseen obstacles along the way. He applied to some Ph.D. programs this year without much success, but this has instead lead him to another opportunity which is possibly even better than his initial plans. He recently accepted a position with Carnegie Mellon University doing research that investigates if there are behavioral predictors for the future development of alcoholism. While accepting this position is not the exact path that he had hoped for, it is a positive step in the right direction towards his career goals. “Getting a Ph.D. will allow me to work as a clinician, do research or teach, and all of those are attractive ca-
insight into what he might like to do after obtaining a Ph.D. Outside of the classroom, King is involved in many extracurricular activities. He was a center back for the men’s soccer team during his four
able to contribute to the men’s soccer team’s longest winning streak in ten years this past season. Being a student athlete, King learned how to balance his academics and athletics. King is also the president of the Student As-
sociation for Neuroscience and is involved with organizing activities on campus to give students insight about the topic and organization. “We want to give students on campus more opportunities to experience research and new topics in the field and also eventually hope to have a community service aspect where we help improve mental health awareness on campus,” said King. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be proactive. If you really want to be successful in life, you have to go out and get it,” said King. He has had many good times while at W&J, but he is looking forward to his future plans at Carnegie Mellon and after.
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Scott King’s future plans include obtaining a Ph.D. in psychology.
13 april 2018
CAMPUS NEWS 3
Red & Black
Paris Intersession Spotlight: Nicole Walters Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Nicole Walters ‘19, a psychology and gender and women’s studies double major, has taken advantage of Washington & Jefferson College’s unique Intersession opportunities. Her first Intersession experience was exploring Greece with Dr. Petchel in 2017. This Intersession, she travelled to Paris, France with Dr. Ficco. “I have always wanted to go to Paris my whole life, and once I heard there was
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Walters spent this last Intersession in Paris, France.
an Intersession trip going, I did everything in my power to be on the trip,” said Walters. Walters has nothing but good things to say about her experiences during Intersession. In Paris, the course offered was a GWS course studying the objectification and gendering of bodies in art. The class spent most of their time in museums and historical neighborhoods submerging themselves in the art and the rich history behind it. “It was interesting to see the two ways women were portrayed. Some were ‘lady-like’ and some were shown as sexual objects,” Walters said. She says it was very difficult to pick her favorite thing about the trip out of all of the things that she was able to do. One object did stick out in mind, though, that being the Eiffel Tower. “I got to see it the first night we arrived and as we were walking away it began to sparkle as it does on the hour, and I truly felt like we had arrived in Paris,” she said. Her favorite food of the trip was the €90 bread. She expressed that there was an abundance of bread with every meal, so much so that she felt a percentage of her body has become bread. The escargot was also a highlight in regards to the French food. “Something about pulling the snails out of shells made them extra tasty,” said Walters. She offered advice to those who have not yet traveled. “No matter what you have to do, work an extra job, save your money and go. Going to Paris is a cultural experience unlike any other,” said Walters. When she is not traveling, Walters is very active on campus and in the Washington community. She is a defender on the women’s soccer team, member of the APO service fraternity, and a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Student Spotlight: Beth Boyles ‘20 Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Beth Boyles ‘20 chose Washington & Jefferson College because of the ideal balance between academics and athletics. Boyles knew that she wanted to attend an academically-rigorous institution, but she was not sure where she would fit. After meeting with Coach Curtis, the W&J women’s soccer coach at the time, she knew this school was the right fit for her. “I fell in love with the soccer team and all of the people on campus as soon as I visited and knew this is where I wanted to continue my education,” Boyles said. The opportunities presented at W&J were also a very appealing attribute for the school. Intersession was one particular thing in which she took an interest. Her first Intersession course, the Fullbridge internship, was a class offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week. It was intended to teach leadership, communication and business analytic skills. “Although it was intense, it assured me that I wanted to major in Business Administration,” said Boyles. Boyles continues to earn academic honors both on and off the soccer field. On the soccer field, she plays goalkeeper and helped the women’s team to a playoff berth this past season. She has also been awarded PAC honor roll for achieving a 3.6 or better during her sports season. Other than soccer, Boyles is an active member of the equestrian team. The equestrian teams allows her to make new friends and compete in
shows with others who share her passion for horse riding. “This also acts as a stress reliever from school with the ability to go off campus and horseback ride,” said Boyles. This year she even joined the executive board as treasurer for the club, allowing her to be more involved with the team. “Although at times the coursework can be stressful, I know that my professors are pushing me to become the best I can be after W&J,” said Boyles. Above all, she truly cherishes all of the wonderful people she has met on this campus. “Even after my first semester, I felt as if I knew so many people,” Boyles said. She enjoys the close-knit atmosphere that W&J provides, and also the location in close proximity with the city.
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Boyles is a sophomore who is on the equestrian and soccer teams at W&J.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
13 april 2018
SECURITY LOGS Incident report number: 1949 Date of report: March 21, 2018 Classification: Suspicious Person Location: Lincoln Parking Lot Narrative: At 2:32 a.m., CPS received a call for a suspicious male looking into vehicles parked in the Lincoln Lot. Officers responded to the area, and, according to officers, were unable to locate the individual. CPS is investigating. Incident report number: 1950 Date of report: March 19 Classification: Vandalism Location: Olin Center Narrative: At 2:50 p.m., a professor in the Olin Center reported that several cabinets in two art rooms were forcibly opened and caused damage to the cabinets. The professor reported that she does not believe that any items were stolen inside the cabinets. CPS is investigating Incident report number: 1952 Date of report: 25 March Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: Grant Hall Narrative: At 5:05 p.m., CPS received a call for a smell of marijuana on the ground floor of Grant Hall. Officers responded and did not locate the source and no persons were on scene. CPS is investigating. Incident report number: 1953 Date of report: 25 March Classification: Theft from Auto Location: Wade House Parking Lot Narrative: A student reported that she found that her unlocked vehicle was went through and her wallet was stolen from inside while it was parked in the Wade House Parking Lot overnight. CPS is investigating.
Incident report number: 1960 Date of report: 31 March Classification: Noise Complaint Location: 4th Floor New Residence Hall Narrative: At 1:14 a.m., CPS received a call for loud music and yelling in New Residence Hall. Officers located the source of the noise on the 4th floor. Officers spoke with the residents and advised them to turn it down. No further action taken. Incident report number: 1966 Date of report: 4 April Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: Beau Hall Narrative: At 9:05 p.m., CPS received a call for a smell of marijuana near the common area on the 1st floor. Officers checked the area and were unable to locate the source. CPS is investigating. Incident report number: 1967 Date of report: 4 April Classification: Theft Location: Olin Center Narrative: At 9:40 p.m., CPS received a call for a theft at the Olin Center. A student reported that she had some art supplies that were stolen. The student reported that they were her personal supplies and were valued at $50. CPS is investigating.
Incident report number: 1954 Date of report: 27 March Classification: Suspicious Noise Location: Off campus properties Narrative: At 9:00 p.m., CPS received two text messages from two students reporting a loud bang. Officers were on foot patrol nearby and heard the bang, and identified it as a firework coming from an unknown property off campus. No further complaints or noises were reported. Incident report number: 1955 Date of report: 28 March Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: 125 E Chestnut St Narrative: At 2:20 a.m., CPS received a call for a smell of marijuana on the third floor. According to officers, a room was identified and CPS is investigating. Incident report number: 1958 Date of report: 30 March Classification: Noise Complaint Location: 3rd floor Bica-Ross Hall Narrative: At 2:59 a.m. CPS received a call for a noise complaint in Bica-Ross Hall. Officers identified the room and spoke with the residents. No further action taken
Courtesy washjeff.edu
13 april 2018
CAMPUS NEWS 5
Red & Black
Speak Out: What is your favorite show on TV/Netflix now?
“My favorite show on Netflix is ‘Trailer Park Boys.’” - Greg Fantaski ‘18
F I ND U S ON L I N E WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Red & Black Established 1909
Courtesy Brianna Floryshak
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
“‘American Horror Story’ is my favorite show.” - Nick Baker ‘18
Courtesy Brianna Floryshak
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
6 LIFE
Red & Black
13 april 2018
Simple Tips to Help You Manage Your Time Wisely
With scheduling coming up, students should use some time management tips to try to make the most of their time in college.
Alia Leonardo Red & Black Staff
As scheduling for fall semester is beginning, the hack for this week is focused on time management. One of the biggest and most common mistakes college students make is over-complicating their schedules and barely leaving themselves time to breathe. College should be fun. However, there are some tips that students can follow to help improve their time
management and still have fun in college. First of all, and most importantly, schedule more time between classes. This will be extremely beneficial to students that decide to do this later in their school days because, at the end of the semester when students start to lack sleep, it allows ample time for napping, preventing students from falling asleep in class. Keep in mind that things always come up in life. Things may come up that keep you from getting assignments done, sleeping regularly or meeting advisors or professors during their office hours. With more time in
between classes, students might have a little less stress because they can print that paper an hour before it is due and can still have time to eat or take a nap. This time can also be used as last-minute study time or used to finish up homework. The second tip is to know yourself. All students on campus currently should now have an idea if they are a morning person or a night owl, what time of day they are the most awake and attentive, when they need to eat and when is the best time for them to study. Students should use this knowledge to schedule classes for when they are awake and alert, and schedule
Courtesy washjeff.edu
breaks for food, naps or whatever they might need that will help them get through the day. The third tip is to talk to an advisor or a trusted professor before scheduling. They are here to help no matter the major or question. They will help any student map out what classes they need to take, when those classes are available and what paths to take to completing a desired degree here. The final and biggest piece of advice is to breathe. The spring semester is almost over, and there is plenty of opportunity to schedule classes that will be a good fit academically and interest-wise for any student.
13 april 2018
Red & Black
Life 7
How to Stay Motivated in The Last Few Weeks of Class
Courtesy Pixabay
Students should follow tips like making lists and getting exercise in order to stay motivated at the end of the semester.
Leah Segal Red & Black staff
When the sun starts peeking through the ever-gloomy clouds and the school year nears its end, it is alarmingly easy to become lax and let procrastination take control. Instead of succumbing to the loving arms of laziness, follow these five tips to power through the end of the semester and come out on top. First, make a list. This may seem like an obvious way to keep organized,
but keeping a notebook or journal and bulleting assignments is also a great way to stay motivated as the listing of assignments helps to visualize tasks and lets you see the light at the end of the homework tunnel. Second, set aside “you time.� Procrastination is inevitable in the last few weeks of classes. Beat the laziness by setting aside an hour every day for self-care. Whether it is a nap, playing video games or listening to music, preempting the procrastination with set-aside time is sure to recharge and revitalize anyone and encourages maximum production. Third, utilize motivational quotes. Never doubt the power of a motivational poster or inspirational post-it note. When the stress of finals rolls
around, writing out powerful quips and enlightening phrases is sure to motivate even the weariest mind. If you are on the hunt for quotes or are searching for a friend, sites such as Pinterest and Quotable are huge resources for artsy posts riddled with uplifting statements by various individuals. Fourth, exercise. Nothing starts the blood pumping, especially to the brain, like a quick trip to the gym. Even if you do not go to the gym, just do a quick jaunt around your dorm room. Exercising releases endorphins that boost productivity and overall mood. With this in mind, the stress that finals so often brings upon students can be assuaged with a few curls or laps around the track. Fifth, make a study group.
Getting together with a group of friends may not be the most productive way to study, but completing any amount of work during finals week is definitely a victory. As a cautionary note, it is important to emphasize that one should always work were they are the most motivated and complete the largest amount of work. However, socializing is also extremely healthy and boosts productivity marginally as well. In essence, everything in balance is encouraged. Incorporating these tips into the last few weeks of class life is sure to boost your attitude and carry you over the finish line into summer. After all, there is nothing sweeter than completing a semester at the top of your game and crushing every obstacle in your path.
8 LIFE
Red & Black
13 april 2018
W&J Student Develops App to Help Calculate Grades
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Jordan Becheck ‘18 developed “Student’s Edge” to help students stay organized and to make it easy to keep track of grades.
Alia Leonardo Red & Black Staff
“Student’s Edge” is a great app that can be particularly useful during this time in the semester when finals are nearing. It is a free app, supported on Android as well as iPhone, and it was developed and published by Washington & Jefferson College’s very own Jordan Becheck ‘18. The app’s main function is to calculate grades for each of a stu-
dent’s classes as well as the projected overall GPA. Instead of estimating, or pulling out your graphing calculators and googling “How to calculate GPA” in order to figure out grades for each class, this app is a simple and easy solution. All students have to do is keep track of assignments on this app, saving many students’ time and hopefully a little less worry about grades. Becheck’s motivation to make this app was the need to have an easier way to calculate the minimum required grade for each assignment to meet his own academic goals. Most college students have all been there, studying
at two in the morning, really wanting to go to sleep, when they start to question “How badly can I do on this test tomorrow and still pass the class/keep my current grade?” Now with this app, students can hopefully go to sleep a little earlier. Alternatively, this feature can be used to set ambitious goals for students. This app also has a feature that lets you make a schedule for your assignments that are due. This is especially useful for people who tend to forget to write assignments down, cannot detach themselves from their phones or just really like staying organized and maintain
an updated schedule and calendar on their phone. We all lose planners, and sticky notes go missing constantly, but in this day in age, phones are commonly on students in and out of the classroom. Staying organized is one of the hardest but most important things to do in college. This gradebook, made personal, also allows a student to change the grading scale based on what their school uses. This app can be made useful to every student no matter where they go, so be sure to tell friends and family about “Student’s Edge.”
13 April 2018
Red & Black
Culture 9
culture How Eggs Changed the Way Art Was Made Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
There are few items more symbolic of life than the egg. A singular entity that has represented life since the beginning of time, such an object holds countless opportunities of meaning. For the art world, behind the thin, white shell of this oval phenomenon lies the secret ingredient for paints that are vibrant beyond the imagination. However, eggs have been proven to be less than ideal when it comes to
the preservation of such masterpieces. Egg yolks have been used as a paint additive since Egyptian times, and this technique has flourished and grown within the art community. While this may seem highly bizarre to some, Dianne Modestini, a professor at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, describes the significance of the technique. “Think of egg yolks on your breakfast platter; if you don’t clean it right away, it’s quite difficult to get those residues off your plate,” said Modestini. With this in mind, it is easy to see the longevity of this technique throughout history. The paint has been dubbed “egg tempura,” and Italian Renaissance painters such as Fra Angelico, Dome-
nico Ghirlandaio and Andrea del Verrocchio were amongst the major artists who utilized it in their pieces. Historical document painter Cennino Cennini discussed his personal process of preparing and tempering his paints in his craftsman’s manual. “You must temper your colors always with yolk of egg . . . [and] always as much yolk as of the colors which you temper with it,” said Cennini. For all of its beauty and bright pigmentation, this medium is difficult to manage. Egg tempura’s highly porous nature bonds quite easily to dirt and unsavory molecules that compromise the integrity of the artwork. Modestini even relays this in an interview with
Artsy, stating that “in oil paint, the pigment particles kind of settle to the bottom and it forms an enamel on the surface which, as the linseed oil dries, becomes a much tougher film. In egg tempura, it doesn’t have this protective enamel of the medium, and the pigments are more exposed.” In looking at such an interesting painting technique, art critics, creators and fans of the finer things are able to understand the history of art and its future. There is now extensive knowledge concerning the use of this ovoid, and the irresistible draw of this archaic technique is sure to influence art for years, thereby bringing life to a new generation of artists.
Courtesy Artsy
Fra Angelico’s “The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martrys : Inner right Predella Panel” is one of the many works of art that use egg tempura.
10 Culture
Red & Black
13 April 2018
Netflix’s ‘Love’ Addresses Addiction Alia Leonardo Red & Black Staff
“Love” is a Netflix original comedy show about two people in their early thirties navigating work, single life and everything in between in Los Angeles, Calif. The first character, Gus, works as a tutor for young Hollywood stars and is currently working on the set of a show about vampires. He is tutoring a young diva who causes him nothing but stress, although she only wants some attention and downtime. Gus lives alone in an apartment complex but has no trouble making friends, and he soon begins throwing parties with friends who end up being much younger than him. Gus is fresh out of a long-term serious relationship and is still adjusting to not having a girlfriend in his life. The other main character is a woman named Mickey, who has a history of toxic and unhealthy relationships with significant others, co-workers and family members. Her job seems like a perfect fit for her until her boss makes unwanted advances, and Mickey faces the possibility of being targeted or fired. Along with the difficult relationships in her life, Mickey suffers from several addictions. Mickey has a history of substance abuse as well as a sex and love addiction, her most prominent lifestyle issue. The show addresses addiction in a semi-humorous tone, but it also offers
some insight and education about the consequences of addiction. The plot of the show truly begins when the events of Gus’s and Mickey’s lives lead them to the same gas station where Gus casually buys snacks while Mickey lashes out at the attendant when she does not have enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes. Their destinies intertwine when Gus steps up and offers to buy cigarettes for her. Their story begins there, and throughout the show the audience follows these two through the high and low points of their lives. “Love” is ultimately a lovable, relatable, hilarious and classic Netflix original that all Netflix junkies will love.
Courtesy wikimedia
Paul Rust and Gillian Jacobs star in Netflix’s “Love.”
13 April 2018
Red & Black
Culture 11
Courtesy wikimedia
John Krasinski made his horror movie debut with “A Quiet Place.”
‘A Quiet Place’ Horror Movie Review Alia Leonardo Red & Black Staff
“A Quiet Place” is a horror film that was directed by John Krasinski, otherwise known as the character “Jim” from The Office. Krasinski co-wrote, directed and co-starred in the film. This was quite a feat for Krasinski, as up until recently he was not a horror fan at all. Additionally, it is rare to hear of someone who began on a sitcom and jumped directly into acting and directing a critically acclaimed horror film. In an interview, Krasinski said
that he thinks some of the freshness of this movie actually stems from his ignorance of the genre. By watching several other horror films to get acclimated to the genre, he wrote down the moments that scared him. Instead of writing down special effects or tricks to steal from other movies, he stayed faithful to the essence of horror. By aiming to get his audience invested in the characters of this movie, “A Quiet Place” has earned the raving reviews it has received, including a 97 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.3/10 on IMDb. When beginning to watch the movie, the audience members held their
breath as they were transported into a post-apocalyptic world that is possibly invaded by some creatures. In this world, if you make noise, you die. At first it is unclear why there is no noise besides rustling leaves or other natural sounds. The feeling that you must be quiet begins to intensify when a character almost drops something and others react to this as if it would be the end of the world if the object had hit the ground. Without spoiling anything, the audience and the small family of five at the center of the plot witness the creatures’ attack early in the film, and then the film cuts to a time roughly a year later. One can best enjoy this film by
getting invested in the characters’ lives and daily routines, namely those of the eldest daughter, played by a deaf actress named Millicent Simmonds; the eldest son, played by Noah Jupe; the father, played by John Krasinski; and the mother, played by Emily Blunt. This is not a film filled with jump scares or hauntings. Instead, the audience has to take on a survivalist mentality, and audience members are transported to tense situations. The ending of “A Quiet Place” did leave something to be desired. However, it was unexpected and was not necessarily a bad ending. I would highly recommend seeing “A Quiet Place.”
12 Culture
Jack White Album Review Tyler Phillips Red & Black Contributor
Modern rock legend Jack White released his new album “Boarding House Reach” on March 23. This is White’s third album of his solo career; his previous music endeavors include fronting The White Stripes and The Raconteurs and drumming for The Dead Weather. With a musical resume like this, it is no surprise that White was the one who played many instruments on this album. “Boarding House Reach” is far more experimental than White’s past solo albums, “Blunderbuss” and “Lazaretto.” Some may notice that the songs that sound like “singles material” are more prominent on the first half of the album. However, this is not to take away from the quality of the album; the album only becomes more interesting as it progresses. Instrumental sections akin to hiphop albums appear between bluesy sections. There are even spoken word sections that may surprise listeners, even those who are familiar with White’s discography. Lead single “Connected by Love” is sure to be enjoyed by all fans of his catalog. The subject of the song would be honored by its lyrics: “Friend of mine, you seem to know me best / You chose me out of all of the rest / Take me home with you, and help me forget / Let's take the worst and somehow turn it into the best.” It seems that White focused on his lyrical quality as much as
13 April 2018
Red & Black
he focused on the production quality of the album. Some tracks are textured with layers of instruments, especially when compared to the music of guitar-drum combo The White Stripes. Even in songs that may not have as much of a bluesy feel, White’s lyrics and vocal delivery retain their blues influences. “Why Walk a Dog?” sounds familiar to White’s work with its blues elements throughout, but the electronic influences give it a nearly lo-fi hip-hop beat that makes things interesting. There are fewer guitar-driven tracks on “Boarding House Reach” than on albums by his past bands, but White’s signature fuzz-laden guitar solos remain present. “Over and Over and Over” is the oldest song written for the album. White wrote it while he was recording with The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, which makes sense, as it is the most straightforward rock song on the record. Music critic Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop was very impressed with the work that went into White’s latest solo production. “It’s challenging and it’s overwhelming and yet it’s very methodically composed,” said Fantano. For listeners like Fantano, this is the album they had hoped White would have created when he first went solo. This album may be polarizing for some of White’s fans who prefer his strictly-garage rock work. However, there is a broad range of tracks on this album. Because of this there is a song every one of his fans will enjoy in one way or another. Fans can be sure that he will continue this level of experimentation in his next musical venture.
Poetry Corner
Boss as Birch
Victoria Deiuliis Red & Black Contributor I am but a tree Potential left untapped Honey inside, but you’re just a sap. Do you not recognize the depth of my root, The reach of my branches, The richness of my fruit? My bark is thick, My bite is worse. You say beauty is a gift I call it a curse.
13 April 2018
Opinions 13
Red & Black
opinions
Why Should W&J Renovate Current Dorms?
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Beau Hall is one of five dorms in which freshmen students can live.
Ricky Delprato Red & Black Editor
Many of the dorms here at Washington & Jefferson College have yet to be updated since initially being built. With such high tuition costs at W&J,
students are left asking the question, “Where is my money going?” This question rings true with me, as I often wonder why dorms that were built in the 1960s have not been touched since. The only repairs that are made usually occur when a part of the dorm is completely compromised, such as a broken shower head or a malfunctioning lock. There is also the occasional
patch job or swatch of paint on the wall to cover up a bare spot. The notion that students should just “suck it up” because we are not supposed to have luxury is ridiculous. We should, at the very least, replace fixtures, carpet and flooring as a way to freshen the overall atmosphere. A quick paint job could do a lot to give dormitories a freshened look. This sentiment is shared by several students. “It is already hard living so far away from home, and having personal space that you can comfortably relax in is really important. I feel that W&J lacks in this area,” said Carolina Velazco ‘20. Many of W&J’s students are not from the greater Washington area, meaning that they are extremely far away from home. Everyone wants to feel comfortable, especially when they are far away from family and friends who normally comfort them. “I don’t know why they can’t at least do some simple renovations. Like, they built the new gym,
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.
which only really benefits athletes, while most students are living in housing that I’m sure not even staff of the college would want to live in,” Jasmine Campuzano ‘20 said. I do agree with Campuzano. I think that renovations of other buildings are necessary, but I think that W&J might eventually lose prospective students due to the condition of the dorms on campus. In comparison to other campuses, like Duquesne, that offer freshman newly painted and carpeted rooms with standard air conditioning, W&J is extremely lacking. Many students, including me, overlooked the poor housing choices when selecting W&J simply because they highly valued what the school had to offer in terms of opportunities and in-classrom experiences. However, renovations would make the time students spend here on campus as Presidents much more enjoyable, and it might even draw new students in.
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
14 opinions
Red & Black
13 April 2018
Why Is “Love Simon” Important for LGBTQ+?
Courtesy Wikimedia.com
“Love, Simon” sends a message of support for members of the LGBTQ+ community who are facing bullying and oppression.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
With the political climate of the country as tense as it is and the seemingly strict divide between liberals and conservatives, “Love, Simon” connects the two parties and everyone in between. “Love, Simon” is intended to bring awareness to the hardships that people in the LGBTQ+ community face. The
main character, Simon, is a closeted gay student who is blackmailed by a fellow peer who knows his secret. This awareness shows people, specifically students, how wrong it is to use someone’s sexuality against them. The film also shows that even if people do not blatantly see this type of hateful harassment occurring in reality, it does happen and many people are affected by it. Not only does this aspect of the movie serve as a lesson to those outside of the LGBTQ+ community, it shows kids and adults who face bullying and oppression because of their sexuality that they are not alone. “Love, Simon” sends the message that there is nothing wrong with someone’s sexuality, no matter what it
is. It is that person’s decision to keep it a secret or to take pride in it. This notion in the film is crucial because it helps people in the LGBTQ+ community find comfort and solidarity, and the film condemns hateful behaviors towards their community. Chase Weiland ‘21 stressed the importance of the film in contemporary society. “‘Love, Simon’ is important to society in general because it shows those who are not a part of the LGBTQ+ community how hard it is for people to come out and accept themselves. It shows those in the LGBTQ+ community that it okay to struggle and that there will be love and acceptance when you do come out,” said Weiland. Patrick Corwin ‘20 agreed with
Weiland’s notion. “I think movies like ‘Love, Simon’ are extremely important to the LGBTQ+ community. Since the movie is highly publicized, young kids who might be discovering themselves can see others like them on the big screen and realize that they’re not alone. Having gay-oriented movies become mainstream is a step in the right direction,” said Corwin. “Love, Simon” spread awareness for equality among sexual orientations, but it also addresses interracial relationships, as Simon bonds with a young African-American man. This movie stresses the importance of equality, no matter the audience member or their political affiliations and backgrounds.
13 April 2018
Red & Black
Opinions 15
What Is The True Definition of Feminism in Modern Times?
Courtesy Pexels
Pictured above is one of the symbols of the current feminist movements. This piece symbolizes the power of women fighting for equality of the sexes.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
When many people hear the word “feminism,” several things may go through their minds. One avenue of thought is that it means equality and giving woman an equal share of everything that men have. Another avenue is that it is a fight for women to gain equality but, once they get it, to push men out of the position of power. Yet another avenue is the middle ground; a lot of people fall into this middle ground for various
reasons, one of which is often the lack of information. In reality, none of these are the true definition of feminism. Rather, it is defined in the Webster dictionary as the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes. This is the representation of the true purpose and definition of any feminist group. If there is a group or movement where women are calling themselves feminists but their actions do not represent this fight for equality but for the replacement of men, they are wrong. It also wrong to assume that all women who call themselves feminists want to be considered as better than men. Educated women hold the most responsibility for spreading the true definition of feminism to help those
who are do not hold the knowledge. To see how the women of Washington & Jefferson College viewed the definition of feminism, I asked a few female students for their ideas of the definition of feminism. Melina Georgiades ’19 said that a feminist is “someone who believes that women aren’t just for cooking and cleaning but someone who is capable of making a difference and change in the world.” Briana McGowan ’21 agreed with Georgiades but a simpler and more direct definition. “It means respecting women and women’s equality,” said McGowan. Rachel Stingel ’19 agrees with the idea of equality. “I think it means gender equality in regards to mutual respect, employment and opportunities,” said Stingel. Marcy Saldivar ’21 called
feminism “the concept that advocates legal, financial and societal quality among the sexes.” Hannah Cristofano ’19 called it “the process of striving for equality of both sexes and for women’s rights.” None of these women at W&J gave the dictionary’s definition of feminism, yet they complete their studies at what used to be an all-male college because of the feminist women before them who fought for the chance to learn alongside men. Although their answers may not be the textbook definition of feminism, they still are providing a true definition that encourages them to work hard to have a fair chance at the same successes as their male counterparts. Instead of looking critically at women who are feminists, look at what she is fighting for.
16 Sports
sports W&J Soccer Teams Host Spring Tournament Red & Black
Courtesy gopresidents.com
The women’s and men’s soccer teams hosted their annual spring tournament last weekend at Alexandre Stadium.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
On Sunday, April 8, Washington & Jefferson College hosted both a men’s and women’s spring soccer tournament. The tournament took place at Alexandre Stadium and over 10 teams participated. The men’s team finished the tournament 2-0-1. They beat Franciscan University and a club team. They tied Marietta College for the co-title of the tournament. Matt Kotkiewicz ‘19 recorded a goal and Paul Mokrzan ‘19 scored two. Matt Prezioso ‘20 scored a last-second goal in the third game to put the team in position for the co-title. “It
was a hard adjustment getting back outdoors after a month of training indoors. Overall, we looked good as a team and left with a trophy,” said Ryan Cerbus ‘20. On the women’s side, the team expected a bit of an adjustment
graduate this year. The girls are willing to try different positions and some are stepping up to fill the attacking roles. The women’s team posted two shutouts the first two games, but unfortunately could not put any in the back of
“I was really proud of the team today, knowing that we’re going through a coaching transition. We got better and better as the day went on, ending with a win over a Division II team.” - Coach Gerseny as a new head coach, Scott Gerseny, was recently hired. This tournament was the first time the team played under Gerseny. The team is also experiencing reconstruction in formation as the main goals scorers in the past couple years
the net, settling with ties. Their final game was against California State University. With only minutes left, Brianna Floryshak ‘19 scored a game-winning goal from outside the 18 yard box. Chandler Marteeny ‘20 fed the ball to Floryshak. With a win and two ties,
13 April 2018
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
the team unfortunately did not advance to the final game. Although they did not win the tournament as they would have liked, a lot of smart and aggressive soccer was played. The team continues to develop under the new coach and the girls are excited to see how well they do next fall. “I was really proud of the team today, knowing that we’re going through a coaching transition. We got better and better as the day went on, ending with a win over a Division II team. The players are showing a lot of progress and I'm excited for the future of the program,” said Gerseny. Both teams used the tournament to build on their spring training and fitness. They use this as an opportunity to track their progress in the off-season. The teams are eager to see how everything comes together in the following fall season.
13 April 2018
Red & Black
Sports 17
Coach Spotlight: Women’s Soccer Head Coach Scott Gerseny Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Washington & Jefferson College welcomes with open arms the new head women’s soccer coach, Scott Gerseny. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, but raised in Orlando, Fla., Gerseny looks to embrace the new atmosphere W&J has to offer. Gerseny graduated from
ready successful women’s team here. His outlook on coaching is much different than the typical coach. He has coached bigger teams in higher divisions, but he says, “I’m not in [coaching] to climb the highest ladder.” “It’s very attractive to take over a program that’s already heading in the right direction and take it to the next step,” Gerseny said. Division III soccer is appealing to him, and he described it as a career aspiration. “A small school atmosphere is what a student-athlete experience should be like,” Gerseny said. He likes the ability to interact with his students
“It’s very attractive to take over a program that’s already heading in the right direction and take it to the next step.” - Scott Gerseny University of Florida with a bachelor’s in sports management and furthered his education with a masters in sports administration at Eastern Kentucky University, all while he was a graduate assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. EKU was his first coaching experience, and he played a key part in starting up the program. After leaving EKU, he moved to Towson University in Maryland, helping to coach their first ever all-region player. Leaving Towson, he then coached for James Madison University, a wellknown Division I soccer program, before coming to W&J. At JMU, he coached a first ever national women’s soccer league candidate. The experience Gerseny has is plentiful and will be beneficial for the al-
on the soccer field, but also truly enjoys that the athletes care immensely about their academics. As the new head coach, he looks to be at the top of the conference, and he wants the minimum of appearing in the conference championship every season to be a standard for the team. Furthermore, he looks to be competitive in the NCAA tournament as he believes the tournament is very unpredictable. “We are not here to have a cup of coffee. We are here to compete and win,” quoted Gerseny. Gerseny’s new ideals are already being implemented on the field during this spring season. He also is looking to come out strong in the fall, taking steps towards a PAC championship one practice at a time. The team is very excited to embrace this transition.
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Gerseny was hired as the new women’s soccer head coach this spring.
18 Sports
Red & Black
13 April 2018
Student Athlete Spotlight: Rachel Johnson ’19 Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Originally from Orchard Park, N.Y., Rachel Johnson ‘19 grew up playing softball. She started playing when she was eight years old after a few years of teeball. She initially played middle infield
Currently Johnson leads the PAC with a .556 batting average. She has 12 doubles so far this season, the second most in the PAC. Johnson decided to attend and play for Washington & Jefferson College because she did not want to play Division I softball where the sport could have consumed her life. Going to a Division III school, Johnson would be able to pursue both softball and tennis, her other athletic passion. Choosing W&J also allowed her to fit a semester studying abroad in smoothly. “The old W&J softball coach saw me at a tournament and recruited me. The school has a good pre-med program so I committed. Then, last second, I decided I would miss tennis, so I decided to play both tennis and
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Johnson decided to attend and play for Washington & Jefferson because she did not want to play Division I softball where the sport could have consumed her life. and outfield, but she began to focus on second base around seventh grade. Playing second base, Johnson must cover a lot of ground and have a good range so that no balls fly past her. Although this is the most challenging part of her position, it is why she likes her position so much. Johnson enjoys the challenge of it immensely. “I love about my position. I love having to run and dive after balls and make crazy plays. I also like it because I am involved in a lot of plays even when the ball isn’t hit at me because I have to cover double plays, bunts, etc. It keeps my poor attention span entertained the whole time,” Johnson said.
softball at W&J,” Johnson said. So far, Johnson thinks that the W&J softball season is going great. They have already won more games than they did all season last year. The team is 2-0 in the PAC which is a great start to the season. Johnson expects the team to surprise a lot of people this year and has high hopes for a playoff run. Johnson’s favorite memory with the team was their trip to Florida for spring break. She got to share a house with all of her teammates for a week, and they had entertaining bus rides to and from games which she thought was really fun.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Johnson wears number nine for the Presidents.
13 April 2018
Red & Black
sports 19
W&J Baseball Faces Saint Vincent and Thiel
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Several of the baseball team’s games were pushed back due to inclement weather.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
This week, the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team faced the biggest opponent of inclement weather here in Washington. There were very intense winds and then shockingly cold temperatures for a spring season that kept the players off the field. The first makeup games to happen were against Saint Vincent. These games were PAC games, so winning these kept them undefeated in the President’s Athletic Conference. At the
conclusion to the first game, the Presidents came out on top with 15-4. For the second game, the team finished 9-0, improving their record to 13-8 overall and 6-0 in the conference. The game leaders of the first game were Mark Merlino ‘18, Dan Trettel ’18, Ruan Sciullo ’18 and Luke Zahren ’18. Santino Platt ’19 pitched the majority of the game, and then Tanner Gaerke ’19 ad Garrett Harstine ’19 threw the final innings with Harstine giving up the last run in the seventh. In the second game, the top players were Mullen Socha ’19, Trettel, Merlino and Justin Griffin ’19. Ben Marsico ’20 continued his scoreless run, having no batters score a run while he was on
the mound. Mitchell Taufer ’19, Will Bowser ’18 and Clay Martin ’19 closed out the last two innings. On Sunday following the Thursday games against Saint Vincent, W&J traveled to Thiel College to play in the snowy weather. They had two nine inning games starting from 12:30 p.m. and running to 7:00 p.m. Bryce Schnatterly was on the mound this Sunday for the Presidents, throwing another clean game and leading the team to another conference win. For the eleven runs that the Presidents scored, all but two were completed by different players. Mullen Socha ’19 and Spencer Howell ’19 were the
two players that scored two runs each. This game showed off the depth of the team and the strength not just in the senior class. In the second game, though, Thiel put up more of a challenge by the fifth inning. By the ninth inning, the final score was 4 to 3 which had W&J still in the losing position, making it their first loss in the PACs. The second game was a tough loss for the Presidents, but, without a doubt, the players will be back and ready for another round come their next game. They will continue play with a home game against Chatham this coming Saturday.
20 sports
13 April 2018
Red & Black
Last Week’s Scores April 4
Women’s Lacrosse v. Chatham 17-5 Win
April 5
Baseball v. Saint Vincent 15-4 Win; 9-0 Win Softball v. Grove City 10-3 Win; 13-2 Win
April 7
Men’s Lacrosse v. Chatham 15-12 Win Women’s Lacrosse v. Franklin 15-0 Win Men’s Tennis v. Grove City 5-4 Win
April 8
Baseball v. Thiel 11-0 Win; 3-4 Loss Men’s Tennis v. Bethany 8-1 Win Women’s Lacrosse v. Transylvania 7-10 Loss
Next Week’s Games April 14
Track v. Westminster (A)- 10am Men’s Lacrosse v. Transylvania (A)- 1pm Women’s Water Polo at CWPA Division III Championship (A) Men’s Golf v. Thiel Invitational (A) Men’s Tennis v. Saint Vincent (A)- 1pm Softball v. Westminster (A)- 1pm Baseball v. Chatham (H)- 1pm
What Does Playing DIII Mean To You? “It means a lot because it shows what it means to be a true student athlete and to have a true love for your sport because there are no athletic scholarships.” - Andrew Reo ‘19 Football
Courtesy gopresidents.com
April 15
Women’s Golf v. Saint Vincent (A) Baseball v. Marietta (A)- 1pm Softball v. Marietta (A)- 1pm Women’s Lacrosse v. Earlham (H)- 1pm
April 16
Men’s Golf at Westminster Invitational
April 17
Baseball v. Waynesburg (H)- 1pm Softball v. Geneva (H)- 3:30pm
April 18
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Men’s Lacrosse v. Thiel (H)- 7:30pm Women’s Lacrosse v. Westminster (H)- 5pm Men’s Tennis v. Westminster (A)- 4pm Baseball v. Case Western Reserve (A)- 2pm
April 16
Softball v. Thiel (A)- 3:30pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com
“Playing D3 soccer means a lot to me because it allows me to get a quality education while also playing the sport I love.” - Brianna Floryshak ‘19 Women’s Soccer