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 6, 2018
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “Counting calories and following a strict dietary plan can be difficult to follow through with in the long run. This method allows more freedom with calories, while still getting results.” -P. 7
CULTURE
“The Table is only a short walk away from campus and offers a 10 percent student discount to anyone with a student ID.” -P.9
OPINIONS “Many students are disappointed in the decision to remove Intersession because it takes away a prime opportunity to travel. Although some class trips will still take place, they will be condensed, and some students have argued that they will not be as valuable.” -P.14
SPORTS
“The first weekend back after the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team travelled to sunny Florida to play in the Russmatt Invitational over spring break, they faced off with one of W&J’s biggest rivals, Thomas Moore.” -P.18
Baseball Triumphs Over Thomas Moore PAGE 17
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Courtesy gopresidents.com
2 CAMPUS NEWS
6 april 2018
Red & Black
Senior Spotlight: Julianne Rotunda Study Abroad Spotlight: Molly Kellam Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Julianne Rotunda ‘18 will be graduating from Washington & Jefferson College in May. She is an English major who plans to eventually work in property law. She decided to pursue English because she has always enjoyed reading and writing. It also aligned well with her goal to go to law school. Coming into her freshman year, Rotunda planned to major in math. After taking linear algebra, she decided to switch her major because this course proved that she was not as talented in math as she thought. Although it upset her at the time, she is glad that it helped her to realize her true passion for English. Upon graduation, Rotunda will attend law school at Duquesne University. She will also work in title searching while going to school. “I initially looked into Duquesne because my cousin went there and loved it. Then I found out they offered night classes, so it was perfect. My only option is to work while I go to school, so the class times were way more convenient than Pitt or other schools,” Rotunda said. Rotunda spent the past four years at W&J involved in many extracurriculars. She credits a lot of her success to her sorority, Delta Gamma. She struggled to make friends her freshman year and even considered transferring to the University of Pittsburgh. She decided to rush and found a supportive group of girls that changed
her mind. In DG, she has held two positions and has traveled to several locations to meet and network with other DGs from all around the country. Rotunda has also been impacted by the diversity on campus. She believes that she has become much more open minded in her years at W&J. “Because W&J is so small, I was forced to interact and communicate with people that have different ideals and views than me. I have never been exposed to that before, so it was very eye opening and it has prepared me to face the real world as I continue my education and begin to work,” Rotunda said. Rotunda is sad that her days at W&J are coming to an end and she will miss her friends immensely, but she is excited to begin the next stage of her life and thanks W&J for all the life lessons that it has taught her.
Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Molly Kellam ‘19, a native of Dillstown chose to spend this semester in Burgos, Spain. She is a double major in psychology and Spanish, meaning she needed to study abroad for her Spanish major. She looked forward to the experience because of her love for traveling. This is not her first time exploring Europe. Kellam took advantage of Washington & Jefferson College’s Intercession
other than the missing Starbuckses on every corner like in the US. Another difference that has taken her awhile to get used to is the midday siestas. “Every day from 2-4 pm, all the shops are shut down, so it’s a little different,” Kellam said. Her favorite part about being abroad, other than having the world at her fingertips, is the opportunity to meet others from all over the world. While she does miss her grandparents immensely, she could not surpass the opportunity to travel. She also has the ability to Facetime her grandparents every night. Kellam has also been impressed with the food in Spain, but finds some of the best evenings are when she cooks in with her international roommates. “Sometimes me and my friends make foods from our respective coun-
“I chose to return to Europe because of how easy it is to travel to the surrounding countries.“ - Molly Kellam ‘19
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Rotunda will attend law school at Duquesne University next year.
traveling opportunities, going to both Nicaragua as a freshman and Greece as a sophomore. In both countries she completed voluntary service work. “I chose to return to Europe because of how easy it is to travel to the surrounding countries,” Kellam said. She explained that, once you are in Europe, getting a bus or flight to a neighboring country is extremely cheap and appealing to her because she enjoys traveling so much. She chose Burgos specifically for the interconnecting bus routes through the city and for the beauty of the campus. Kellam has claimed that she has not experienced much culture shock,
tries (China, Germany, America). It's delicious and sometimes better than what's in the residence,” Kellam said. Her favorite part of the experience so far has been traveling to a cute little beach town on the Northern coast of Spain known as Santander. Overall, the experience has been a very positive one and Kellam would highly recommend studying abroad to her fellow classmates. Kellam offered to help and talk with anyone who is interested in studying abroad. She said anyone can message her on Facebook if they want to ask her questions about her trip or study abroad in general.
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CAMPUS NEWS 3
Biology Professor Spotlight: Dr. Thomas Contreras Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Dr. Contreras, a native of Livonia, Mich., is one of the many extremely qualified biology professors at Washington & Jefferson College. The professor grew up in the Detroit area. He grew up knowing that teaching was something he was interested in pursuing. Dr. Contreras attended Central Michigan University for his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. “I drifted into teaching as a profession, because I took some education courses and liked it. I really didn’t know what else to do [as a profession],” said Dr. Contreras. A bachelor’s degree is not the only degree Dr. Contreras graduated with at Central Michigan University. He also graduated with a master’s of science in conservation biology and a masters of art in education. Directly following graduation, Dr. Contreras Q K O C X D Q C Q R J K M S O W T P R B Q F T Q U X K Z R O I N B W A T I F G I O J G B L I U P O D B A G B P H Y S P B
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uprooted from Michigan and decided to move west to begin his teaching career. “A lot of recruiters were coming to Central Michigan to recruit teachers in Southern California because there was a shortage, and it seemed like a good opportunity for me,” Dr. Contreras said. He taught at a high-school in Ontario, Calif. One year later he returned to his roots to teach in Tawas High School for seven years. It was during this time that he realized just how involved teachers could become with research. He began taking summer classes, mostly in field research courses because of his interests. “I was always interested in the subject of biology and never realized you could be so involved in the research aspect,” Dr. Contreras said. Dr. Contreras also obtained a PhD in conservation biology from Carlton University in Ottowa, Canada and completed post-doctoral work with the National Science Foundation at the University of Florida for four years. The professor explained that working U V J O O B Z K M G X M N X E
Z J R O I P W E V S S F W B X
D B Z M A K R P F E I C M O O
A S K O T P D D V E P R E P J R I H X Y G B S A H G B S X N A N S B M A R F F K P C S T C P A T J C I E W O M R V P U R Y A F O C Q L P T S M S Z R R
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Dr. Contreras received his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University.
at a small school is something he always wanted because he wanted to be able to work with students on research projects and still be able to teach in the classroom. This combination is what lead him to W&J. He teaches Animal Behavior, Conservation Biology, Biology 111, Ver-
tebrate Anatomy, Field Ornithology Biology 412 and FYS. He thoroughly enjoys teaching FYS because it is different than his other biology courses. Outside of school, you can find him in the woods or field birdwatching and organizing bird walks in the local community.
Weekly Word Search See if you can identify all of the articles that the words relate to!
Word List: ABROAD
BIOLOGY BIRDS
CHIROPRACTOR PARIS SENIOR SPAIN
4 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
6 APRIL 2018
Senior Spotlight: Kirsten Mendel, Double Major in Music & Biology Ashton Grimm Red & Black Staff
Kirsten Mendel ‘18, a native of Beaver Falls, came into college unsure of the path she might take, but Washington & Jefferson Colege helped guide her to exactly where she needed to be. Her first love was music so she chose to study this first, but after taking a few biology classes, she realized just how much she enjoyed that subject as well. Mendel has been involved in a few clubs on campus, including the Camerata singers and the Matthew Brown Fellowship. With W&J’s Cam-
involved [with the Matthew Brown Fellowship] because it allowed me to share my love for music and become an active member of the church,” said Mendel. Mendel is one of the many students who have taken advantage of the prehealth committee here at W&J. Her intended career of pursuing a doctorate in veterinary medicine and surgery is soon to become a reality. W&J has helped her get into her dream school, The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, one of the best schools in the world for veterinary medicine. “It took me some time to figure out what my intended career would be, but what really drew me to this field was that it allowed me to combine my love for helping animals and through them, helping people,” said Mendel. Getting accepted into any type of health science graduate school is a ap-
“It took me some time to figure out what my intended career would be, but what really drew me to this field was that it allowed me to combine my love for helping animals, and through them, helping people.” - Kirsten Mendel ’19 erata singers, she was able to travel to Prague, Vienna and Salzburg over Intersession and perform in different cathedrals and opera houses where big name composers like Mozart and Bruckner have also performed or worked at. The Matthew Brown Fellowship has provided Mendel with opportunity to volunteer at First Presbyterian Church to work with their Children’s Education program and also participate in their choir. “I chose to become
plaudable feat to say the least, and it is on most pre-health students’ minds here at W&J. In a way, it is the ultimate achievement for undergraduate students and Mendel found that “having drive and a good work ethic truly does payoff.” Above all, Mendel says the best part about attending W&J includes the friendships she has made, the professors and the opportunities she has been presented throughout all of her years here.
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Mendel will continue her education at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland following graduation.
6 april 2018
CAMPUS NEWS 5
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Senior Spotlight: Michelle Klein Student Spotlight: Lena DiFulvio Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff Michelle Klein ‘18 will be graduating this spring along with her fellow seniors and is very excited for what the future holds for herself. While at Washington & Jefferson College, Michelle completed a major in psychology, finishing off the major with her capstone class, Dr. McDonald’s course on friendship. In this class, Klein is working with her partner to test a self-designed hypothesis. Their hypothesis will be tested on willing participants in the late April to May period. Look for emails and advertisements in throughout campus if you are interested in completing her study. As well as keeping up an academically rigorous schedule, she also played competitively on the golf team at W&J. Klein played golf all four years she was at W&J for the women’s golf team. During these four years of playing, the women’s team won PAC’s two years in a row. This led them to go on to Nationals both times. The NCAA Woman’s Golf National was in Florida and then Texas. Klein had the opportunity to travel
to both locations. Klein says that traveling to both of these national competitions were the best experiences she had with W&J. In the future, she is interested in going on for more schooling so she can receive a higher degree in chiropractic medicine. After completing schooling, her ultimate dream is to open up her own practice. “I want to help people in the way that people have helped me,” said Klein. She has already spent some time working in a chiropractic office and has worked hard for the experience and the maturity she has gained so far in this field. Klein would like to thank Dr. Klitz, who was her academic advisor, for everything he has done to help her throughout her four years here at W&J. “I truly do not know what I would have done without his guidance and support. He is literally the best,” said Klein. After graduation, she will be moving to Marietta, Georgia, where she will be attending Life University to complete their Doctor of Chiropractic Program. Klein will begin classes in the fall of 2018 and plans to graduate on track.
Courtesy Nicole Walters
Klein will be graduating this coming May with the rest of her senior class.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Lena DiFulvio ‘21 plans on majoring in biochemistry. She is from Greensburg and attended Hempfield Area High School. Around campus, she is involved with choir, Big Brothers Big Sisters, SAACs and Presidents Without Borders. She is also the secretary and treasurer of French club. She plans on becoming a Health Coach next year. Out of all of her extracurricular activities, Big Brothers Big Sisters resonates with DiFulvio the most. This program is set up to unite members of the community through a system that gives role models to underprivileged students in grade school. Each “big brother” and “big sister” is a student from Washington & Jefferson College who voluntarily wants to make an impact on these kids’ lives. Every Tuesday, DiFulvio travels to Trinity West Elementary School to meet with her “little sister.” She plays games with her, makes crafts and discusses any struggles her “little sister” is facing or goals she is trying to achieve. “The thing I enjoy most about being a big sister is that I get to watch my little sister grow. I also get to watch our relationship grow and every week I know I have the chance to do something that may inspire her,” DiFulvio said. DiFulvio also likes to travel. Over Intersession, she traveled to Paris, France and visited museums to analyze how women are portrayed
through art. The course was a women and gender studies class with Dr. Ficco and Dr. Sweatman leading the group. In her spare time, DiFulvio tried a variety of foods, visited cafés, went sightseeing and practiced her French. Her favorite part of the trip was traveling to Versailles because she went there alone and thrived on the feeling of traveling independently around a foreign country. Her favorite view was from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. “It was absolutely beautiful. It is in the middle of Paris, and you see all the roads winding around it. They even call it ‘the star’ because it’s in the center of the city and all roads lead to it,” said DiFulvio. DiFulvio plans on getting involved with more clubs and seeking more opportunities to travel during her years at W&J.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
DiFulvio travelled Intersession.
to
Paris
over
6 CAMPUS NEWS
6 april 2018
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Speak Out: What was your favorite part of your W&J experience? “I appreciate the small
F I ND U S ON L I N E
school feel; the small class sizes were the perfect way
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to make good friends and establish a valuable student/professor relationship.”
- Allison Rinehimer ‘18
Courtesy gopresidents.com
“Spending countless hours in the library
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increasing my knowledge.”
- Matt Heslin ‘18 Courtesy gopresidents.com
“Having the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love, while making some life long friends along the way.”
- Tatiana Ruzzini ‘18 Courtesy gopresidents.com
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
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 april 2018
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LIFE 7
New Study Shows Timing Meals Helps Weight Loss
Finishing eating in the afternoon gives the body time to burn off the calories so that it can focus on burning fat during sleep.
Hannah Kail Red & Black editor
Traditional weight loss methods such as exercise and strict diets are usually the first things people try when they want to lose weight. However, researchers have discovered a new meth-
od that can boost the metabolism that does not involve any extra effort. The recent study showed that timing your meals, instead of counting calories, helps promote weight loss and overall better health. The participants that finished eating by early afternoon burned off higher levels of fat and experienced less changes in hunger. “What we’ve learned in the last 10 to 15 years is not only what you eat, but when you eat seems to matter,” said Dr. Courtney Peterson, assistant professor of nutrition medicine and scientist at the University of Alabama. Time restrict-
ed feeding, or TRF, usually follows an eight or 12 hour plan. For example, with the 8 hour plan, someone who wakes up every morning at 8 a.m. should plan to eat their meals between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. A meal usually takes from three to five hours to digest, so by not eating near bedtime, it gives the body time to process the food. Instead of the body working during sleep to digest its last meal, it can burn fat instead. “Not only are you burning fat while you sleep but in fact that’s when we find the fat burning is the highest,” said Peterson. Counting calories and
Courtesy Air Force Medical Service
following a strict dietary plan can be difficult to follow through with in the long run. This method allows more freedom with calories, while still getting results. Often, people can find themselves simply eating just to eat, instead of taking the time to choose healthy options and eating only when their bodies are actually hungry. The TRF method helps prevent this by promoting awareness of food choices and limiting simply eating to deal with stress, boredom or other negative emotions which over time can lead to weight gain.
8 Life
Red & Black
6 April 2018
App of the Week: How Well Do You Know Your Friends?
Courtesy Flickr
FriendO users can send trivia questions about themselves to each other to test how well they know their friends.
Katherine Campbell Red & Black editor-in-chief
An app that has recently taken off in popularity among teenagers and college students is FriendO. This app is a question-based game that allows you to answer questions about your friends, then answer a question about yourself and send it to your friend to see if they answer the same way for you. In this way, the game is like a non-anonymous version of the popular app TBH by YAY inc. The questions include simple questions like “What kind of cell phone
do I use?” and deeper questions like “Where do I hope to be sitting five years from right now?” All of the questions are multiple choice with anywhere from two possible answers to six or seven possible answers. The app gives you choices to choose from for the answers, but if you are answering the question about yourself, then it also gives you the option to write your own answer and select that one. The categories for questions include “My Personality,” “My Music,” “What I Eat,” “What I Believe,” and “Celebrities” among other categories. This provides for a wide variety of questions to choose from when you choose a questions to answer for yourself and send to your friend. You can also unlock various categories including “My Love Life,” “2 Kinds of People,” and a category that allows you to design your own
questions and answers. To unlock the categories, all you have to do is invite friends to play the game with you, no in-app purchase is required. The game is very entertaining because it allows you to think about your own answers to questions and it allows you to either prove your friendships or get to know your friends better. “I think that it is an interesting game and you can get to know a lot about your friends. It’s interesting because you have to invite people in order to unlock more questions so it spreads through playing moreso than word of mouth,” said Jake Brandl ‘18. Especially if you have competitive friends, this game creates a lot of fun and funny interactions as you and your friends can tease each other about the things that you do not know about each other and compete to see
who can get a higher score. There has been some controversy recently circulating the app saying that it distorts the idea of friendship, so it is important to keep in mind that this app is simply a game and should only be used to get to know your friends better, not tear friendships apart or falsely inflate friendships. “[The game] surprises you. You learn more about your friends because the game asks questions that normally don’t pop up in casual conversations. Great conversation starters afterward,” said Minh Le ‘18. The app is free to download on the iTunes store and on the Google Play store. Once you download the app, all that you need to do is enter your name, phone number, and email, find or invite friends to play with you, and start playing.
6 April 2018
Red & Black
Culture 9
culture The Table Coffee and Tea Shop Review Sofia Carrasco Red & Black Staff
The Table is a local coffee and tea shop located at 21 East Chestnut Street. It has been listed as the second best coffee shop in Washington by Yelp users. The shop was opened in July 2017, around the same time as the annual Washington Whiskey Rebellion Festival. This festival runs at the beginning of July and celebrates the heritage and unique character of the region by focusing on the historical significance of the Whiskey Rebellion. The Table was opened next to the New Life Church in Washington as a “church café” and was open only on Sundays. This meant the shop received almost all of its patronage from devoted Sunday churchgoers. The coffee shop is now open six days per week, from Wednesday to Monday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday. On Wednesdays, the shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays are still the busiest days for The Table. However, now that it is open for the rest of the week, oth-
er customers can now partake in all of The Table’s specialties. The establishment’s menu is mainly comprised of different specialty coffees including lattes, cortados, mochas and more. They also serve teas and pastries like muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls. Ethan Cieply, an employee at The Table and a member of the New Life church, enjoys working at the coffee shop. When asked about his experience there, he had only remarkable things to say. “It’s a dream. I love making coffee, I love the environment, and I love meeting and talking to people,” said Cieply. He has been working at The Table since its debut in July. The ambiance is very calm and serene. There are many tables to sit at, stools at the bar and also an armchair next to a lit fireplace where you can peacefully enjoy your coffee, relax or do work. The Table is only a short walk away from campus and offers a 10 percent student discount to anyone with a student ID. This is a great place for students at Washington & Jefferson College to stop and get a healthy dose of caffeine to fuel their studies.
Courtesy Sofia Carrasco
The Table coffee shop is only a short walk from Washington & Jefferson College.
10 Culture
Red & Black
6 April 2018
‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ ‘Stone Temple Pilots’ Review Christian Buckley Red & Black Contributor
One of English rock band Pink Floyd’s albums, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” is often regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. It was released in March 1973 and has changed people’s idea of music ever since. This was the band’s eighth studio album, and is the seventh-best-selling record in the United Kingdom. This record became a massive hit as soon as it was released, and stayed on Billboard’s top charts until 1988. There are many themes embodied in the album, such as themes of greed, war, the passage of time, death and mental illness. The songs rely heavily upon instrumental experimentation, especially the use of a synthesizer. Small segments from interviews with Pink Floyd’s road crew that were recorded are also featured on this record. The songs “Speak to Me” and “Breathe” criticize the humdrum elements of life as well as human conformity to societal expectation and norms. These songs remind listeners to live the life they want to live, and they encourage listeners to question the status quo. “Time” develops the idea that the passage of time controls the behavior of those who consistently focus on the trivial aspects of life. It warns people to truly reflect on what will matter at the end of their own lives. “Money,” the first single on the album, discusses greed and the di-
visive nature of humans who focus on money as a means to happiness. The opening lyrics, “Money, get away / Get a good job with more pay and you’re okay,” mocks the status quo, as they question what it means to be “okay” in society. Many people would argue that being “okay” is having a good job that offers stability and a sense of safety. However, the song is meant to show us that, if we focus on working so much to attain this type of happiness, there is a chance we will ultimately end up dying unhappily with unfulfilled lives. This album has had an impact on Pink Floyd fans both past and present. Vincent Orrico ’20 offered his own experience with the album. “The Dark Side of the Moon has provided me with a deeper connection to music, my friends and myself,” said Orrico. The album’s impact is widespread because the messages portrayed by the songwriters are universal, making them accessible to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. Even after its initial release 45 years ago, the themes of the album remain as a solid reminder of the state of the world, demonstrating issues that have remained present for hundreds of years. The iconic cover was designed from bassist Richard Wright request of a “simple and bold design.” The prism spectrum that is shown on the cover works to represent the band’s own lighting and the record’s many themes. Listeners will find that this collection of music evokes new questions about the nature of the world. This record may even change their perspective on a number of philosophical and conceptual questions.
Tyler Phillips Red & Black Contributor
Grunge and alternative rock band Stone Temple Pilots has finally returned with new singer Jeff Gutt and released their new self-titled album in March. This is the band’s first full album since their self-titled 2010 release after founding member Scott Weiland returned as singer. Weiland was the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 until 2013. This record also is their seventh studio work completed. Weiland was dismissed in 2013 before the band recruited Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington for the “High Rise” EP. Bennington left in 2015 and the Stone Temple Pilots began searching for a new singer, eventually finding former “The X Factor” contestant Jeff Gutt as the third lead singer in the band’s history. This is the first record where Weiland’s vocals are not featured. The first single “Meadow” was released in November 2017. The album is dedicated to both Weiland and Bennington, who both died since the last major Stone Temple Pilots release. Weiland died of a drug overdose in 2015, and Bennington committed suicide in 2017. Some lyrics serve to memorialize the singers. The song “Finest Hour” includes the lyrics, “A darkness hid inside . . . Behind your eyes there lied a war . . .
I’ll hold our precious time / Up to the sky I’ll miss you brother / I hope you know it’s true.” Jeff Gutt was friends with Bennington in the early years of their careers before either of them became singers for Stone Temple Pilots. The first single, “Meadow,” serves as an introduction for Gutt on a Stone Temple Pilots release. Longtime fans will notice his vocal similarities to Weiland on this track in particular. Guitarist Dean DeLeo’s guitar style and grunge tones flourish over this upbeat track. “Roll Me Under” features several signature elements of the band’s discography like Robert DeLeo’s smooth bass lines. This was the second single released by the band, and was released in January 2018. They also used this single to announce the album’s release and the band’s tour in 2018. The driving choruses and vocal delivery are highlighted by the buildup between verses. Despite the band’s second singer change, “Stone Temple Pilots” sounds familiar to the other albums, even more than the band’s 2013 release with Bennington. It appears that these recent tragedies will not stop the band from releasing more music not only for their fans but for themselves to enjoy as well. Robert DeLeo has called this point of moving forward “a time of healing, a time of celebrating and a time to go out on the road and perform our songs again.” Stone Temple Pilots is now touring across the country for the first time since 2015 in support of their new album.
6 April 2018
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Culture 11
‘Unsane’ Psychological Thriller Review “Unsane,” a film shot entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus, demonstrates a new, innovative way to present a story to an audience. Directed by Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, it delves into the mind of a “crazy” person in the story of Sawyer Valentini, a young woman who moved from Boston to Pennsylvania in order to escape a stalker. While seeking someone to talk to, Valentini mentions to a counselor that she sometimes has suicidal thoughts and then unknowingly signs a form to place her under “voluntary” 24-hour monitoring in a psych ward at the Highland Creek Behavioral Center. She then becomes steadily more frustrated when she has to fend off terrifying patients before seeing her stalker in the form of a nurse at the center. Valentini reacts violently, and her stay is then extended, as medical personnel begin to question her sanity. Another one of the patients, Nate Hoffman, a recovering opiate addict, tries to help Sawyer. He explains to her that companies like Highland Creek lock up people like her all the time in order to profit off the patients’ insurance. He then lets her use his phone, and she calls her mother, who immediately drives down from Boston to try to break her daughter out of the institution. When her mother leaves the hospital, she never returns, and Sawyer
must find a way to fight her way out while also avoiding her stalker in the battle of her life. “Unsane” is a thrilling psychological horror film. It is shot so that the audience will question whether Sawyer is insane or if her stalker is real. For much of the movie, the viewer really does not know what is reality and what
is fiction, and even after all is revealed, the film still leaves you with even more questions. One scene is shot as if the audience is inside of her head as she accidently overdoses on some form of hyperactive medication, and the creative choice to use the phone for filming made this sequence possible and en-
gaging. Every shot is focused tightly on the people involved because of the small lens on the phone, and this provides the intense tone for the film. Combining the fresh new idea of this type of filming with the subpar acting and gripping story, this makes for a very interesting watch. I rate “Unsane” with a 7.3 out of 10.
Courtesy wikimedia
Claire Foy stars in the thriller ‘Unsane.’
12 Culture
Red & Black
6 April 2018
Artist Showed the Beauty of the Inner Brain
Courtesy Artsy
Artist Ramon y Cajal used art to explore the inner workings of the brain.
Sofia Carrasco Red & Black Staff
Modern medicine has accustomed us to the advanced technology of magnetic resonance imaging. Known more commonly as MRI, the scan is a non-invasive medical test that physicians use to diagnose medical conditions. MRI scans use a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to make detailed pictures of your body, and they have been used most effectively to look at pictures of the brain. Long before these conve-
nient MRIs were available, an entire century ago, Santiago Ramon y Cajal was exploring the world of the brain through the lens of his microscope. Conducting research from his cluttered private home laboratory, Ramon y Cajal looked at different types of brain cells, their stages of growth and how they are organized in order to “reveal the mysterious worlds of the architecture of the brain,” according to Cajal. Cajal charted his research and progress in the form of drawings. These drawings, previously overlooked, are now being seen as not only intricate but ingenious works of art. Cajal examined neurological functions with the freedom of art. Cajal referred to the collection as a “neuronal jungle,” and, according to
Artsy reporter Jeff Goldberg, they “illuminate Cajal’s fantastic voyage into the brain.” For the first time ever, American art viewers have the chance to see his work. The exhibition is titled “The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramon y Cajal,” and it is on display at New York University’s Grey Art Gallery. In April, the exhibit will be moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The exhibition features about 80 of Cajal’s drawings, most of which have never left Spain. Artsy’s take on the NYU exhibit depicts “layers of interconnected cells, labeled with arrows and letters, demonstrate how sights and sounds
are conveyed by nerve impulses from the outer cells of the eye and ear to cells deep in the cerebral cortex.” Some of the pieces featured in the exhibit include a self portrait of Cajal in his home laboratory and two famous pieces, “Calyces of Held in the nucleus of the trapezoid body, 1934” and "Tumor cells of the covering membranes of the brain, 1890.” “It’s not often that you look at an exhibition with the help of the very apparatus that is its subject,” said New York Times contributor Roberta Smith. It is an interesting fact that, with Cajal’s work, the brain itself is necessary to look at and appreciate his exhibit about the brain. The exhibit will prove to be a fascinating experiences for those interested in both art and neuroscience.
6 April 2018
Red & Black
Culture 13
Artist Uses Robots as Photograph Subjects Cassandra Muhr Red & Black Staff
Although he died 102 years ago, Japanese poet and novelist Natsume Sõseki is still giving lectures at the university where he taught, but this time in the form of an android. The fully equipped, human-like android uses Sõseki’s voice through preserved recordings and wears the same style of clothes that Sõseki did. Beyond giving lectures, the android can also have arranged conversations. “Sõseki is a very, very nice robot, a beautiful robot,” said Wanda Tuerlinckx, a Flemish artist who created a portrait of the robot. “He’s so unbelievably real. The way he moves, when he looks at you and how he blinks, you really have to take a moment to think: Is this a man or a robot?” Tuerlinckx is fascinated with “the uncanny valley,” or the moment of recognition and sometimes repulsion when people encounter a life-like robot. Since 2015, Tuerlinckx has been traveling the world to explore this “uncanny valley” through photographing robots, humanoids and androids. Her latest project is a series titled “Robot Portraits” that currently features over 100 photographs with subjects varying from mechanical arms and prosthesics to human-like androids like Sõseki. The photos all feature a soft, warm, contemplative aesthetic and include famous robotic subjects such as Hanson Robotic’s Sophia, a journalist and fashion model and the first robot to
attain citizenship in Saudi Arabia, and Geminoid HI-4, a replica robot of inventor Hiroshi Ishiguro that leads lectures at Osaka University when Ishiguro is unavailable. The photographs have all been shot with a nineteenth century camera that Tuerlinckx bought at a small shop in a Dutch town. It is a portable version of the first photographic device, a calotype camera, that was introduced in 1841. Essentially, the device is a camera obscura that produces a negative on a silver iodide-coated sheet of paper. After purchasing the camera and experimenting with different styles of portraits, Tuerlinckx decided to use old technology to photograph new technology. “There’s a kind of imperfection in the technique itself. It’s this combination of the old portrait camera and the robots that give it a kind of life, a kind of soul, more than you could ever have with a digital camera,” said Tuerlinckx. Tuerlinckx hopes to continue
to work on her “Robot Portraits” series for the next two decades, which would allow her to follow the development of robots. Eight photographs from
the series will be featured from June 9 to Sept. 23 at Museum Boijmans van Beunigen in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Courtesy Artsy
Wanda Tuerlinckx photographs new technology using old technology in order to create “a kind of life.”
14 Opinions
6 April 2018
Red & Black
opinions Goodbye Intersession and Hello Jay-Term
The picture above is from an Intersession trip to London, England.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff Next year Washington & Jefferson College will no longer offer Intersession. The former three-week period will now be ten days long and labeled as
Courtesy Washjeff.edu
Jay-Term. Many calendar changes will be implemented next year, including having Labor Day and Presidents’ Day off, completing finals week earlier and having an earlier spring break. Many students are disappointed in the decision to remove Intersession because it takes away a prime oppor-
tunity to travel. Although some class trips will still take place, they will be condensed, and some students have argued that they will not be as valuable. Becca Fallert ‘19 is against the new calendar change. “I think losing three weeks of an Intersession experience is a disservice to students that may not want to study abroad for a semester, but still want to get a [travel] experience,” said Fallert. Four-credit classes will no longer be offered during Jay-Term. Students often enjoyed the chance to take a fun or interesting class during Intersession; they were able to focus on one subject and receive a good grade that helped their GPAs. Additionally, the types of classes offered over Intersession were often fun and specialized, such as a candy-making lab and a brewery lab. Students fear that during the JayTerm these classes will no longer be offered. Sofia Carrasco ‘21 also disagrees with the new changes. “Intersession
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.
was a really great opportunity, learning-wise and credit-wise. [You were] able to take a class of your choice and complete it in such a short period of time. It’s sad that this opportunity is now minimalized,” said Carrasco. On the other hand, some students are thrilled about the changes in the calendar. Now spring break will align with most other colleges’ spring breaks, and students will be able to have an easier time planning trips with high school friends. With the new schedule, the first semester will conclude earlier. Students will have most of December to spend with their families. Also, no classes will be held on Labor Day or Presidents’ Day, giving students two long weekends throughout the year. Although everyone has a different opinion about the Jay-Term, everyone needs to understand that it will be an adjustment for all and that there are certainly benefits that accompany the changed schedule.
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.
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(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
6 April 2018
opinions 15
Red & Black
How Should We Be Trying To Increase Childhood Literacy?
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
It is extremely important for parents to read to their children to help their language ability progress faster than the normal rate.
Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
The first few years of a child’s life are vitally important to their development, as they carry the experiences of their childhood into their adolescence and beyond. Every child’s brain absorbs information at a rapid speed, which means that enriching their learning at this stage is extremely important to ensure that their minds are being fed alongside their bodies. Whether it is through children’s storybooks, classic yarns or home-
made fairy tales, parents should introduce their children to literature at a young age to help foster creativity and support cognitive development. There is nothing more powerful than a good book. While I may seem quite biased as an English major, it is important to reflect on the influence books have on society. The Bible transformed the way in which people discussed religion. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” revolutionized the conversation on slavery. Even in 2018, Harry Potter remains a vital part of our pop culture. When we introduce a simple fairytale to children, their minds are greatly expanded and they become better woven into the fabric of society, allowing them to relate to others better and communicate much more efficiently. Reading to small children accelerates their learning and fosters creativity. For example, according to the
Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, “the greatest amount of brain growth occurs between birth and age five. In fact, by age 3, roughly 85% of the brain’s core structure is formed. In contrast, the majority of our investments are made in the traditional education years of K-12, which begin at age five.” This information demonstrates that it is vital to read to young children during the time in which their brains are growing most rapidly, and this will later affect their cognitive skills. Creativity is also encouraged when reading to small children, as the nonsensical and happy fairy tales promote imaginative play and the development of ideas. Parents should also read to their children to create a strong bond between the parent and child due to the intimacy of sharing a story and the positive memories that are formed. Even though I am now 21 years-old
and have not been read to in quite a long time, I still fondly remember my mother and father reading many Golden Books to me at bedtime. By taking the time to enlighten a child with a story, parents give a gift that will not soon be forgotten. By reading to a child when they are young, habits of reading are being established even before they reach school age. Overall, books are always beneficial. Whether you are poor, wealthy or somewhere in between, reading to your child is sure to open up doors that lead to bigger and better worlds. Strengthening bonds between parent and child, aiding in mental development and creativity and helping children to socialize are all the effects of childhood literacy. This is an important topic that must be discussed and encouraged to ensure that everyone experiences the power of a great book.
16 Opinions
Red & Black
6 April 2018
Public School Languages Too Much Cellphone Use? Carolina Velazco Red & Black Contributor
Just 22 percent of elementary and secondary students in the United States take language classes or programs, according to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. According to “The State of Languages in the US: A Statistical Portrait,” the percentage of elementary schools providing language classes fell from 31 percent in 1997 to 25 percent in 2008, despite evidence that an early start provides an edge in acquiring language proficiency. Among middle schools, the percentage dropped from 75 to 58 percent. During my high school experience, it became clear that there was a huge gap when it came to language education. Coming from a high school that is predominantly populated by Latinos, it is upsetting to see a fellow classmate struggling with the Spanish language in which they were once fully fluent. The language fades away due to an inability to practice and use it on a daily basis. Not being able to take part in foreign language programs also hinders students’ speaking abilities. Jasmine Campuzano ’20 said, “In my opinion, having foreign lan-
guage programs for students in public schools is a way to expose them to different cultures they can take part of by learning and speaking the language.” Globalization provides another motive to speak another language as more Americans decide to travel, study or work overseas. A lack of foreign language programs for students in public schools creates a disadvantage for college-bound students, as many others who have the language experience are able to place into a higher level language course when entering college. “As someone that was very interested in learning French, I had to start from the lowest course due to the fact that there were no French classes in my high school. I wished my high school has more language courses; maybe then I could have started at a higher level here in college,” Kelsey Julien ’21 said. Learning a foreign language enriches the self allowing people to make more connections in and around the world. Knowing a foreign language can unlock cultural and geographical parts of the world, help you understand your native language better and teach you to process your surroundings from a different perspective. This provides you with an advantage when in the work place as well. A foreign language also makes skills more transferable in an increasingly global economy. As you learn another language’s structures and rules, your own language will become a frame of reference for comparison, and you will develop a better understanding of its conventions. A second language essentially allows you to have partial membership in a second culture.
Courtesy Pexels
Cellphones are the leading cause of distraction for many students who procrastinate.
Kelsey Julien Red & Black Contributor
Phones have become part of our daily lives and they are the first thing we check when we wake up, when we are bored or hanging out with people we do not know. We are quick to look to our phones in search of something interesting or momentarily entertaining. However, this moment can quickly turn into mindless hours of scrolling. This hinders us from completing school work, housework or other important tasks that need to be completed. However, there are ways to help you minimize the amount of distraction your phone causes. For example, putting your phone across the room when you go to bed ensures that you are not keeping yourself up too late at night before bed, and this also keeps you from staying in bed in the morning to check your email or waste time on social media. Once you get into a routine of waking up, getting ready and starting your day without looking at your phone, you will begin to notice that you are making better use of your time. “I leave my phone on my desk away from
my bed so that I’m not tempted to scroll through Instagram in the morning when I should get getting ready for the day,” Carolina Velazco ’20 said. Although it is very important to limit your phone usage, it is also good to reward yourself when you have been productive. Setting a timer or watching the clock while you give yourself time to relax and enjoy your phone can be a great way to de-stress from your busy day. It is important to remain productive during the day, but giving yourself a bit of time throughout the day to be on your phone helps you to stay motivated to complete your work as well. Richard Delprato ’20 has a prime example of this idea. “I can get distracted sometimes easily with my phone, but when I know I need to get something done, I put it away for about an hour. Then, after finishing my task, I get on it for a little while and then repeat the process until all my work is done.” Limiting your phone usage is a great way to stay productive, but it is important to reward yourself for being productive with a little bit of responsible phone time.
6 April 2018
Red & Black
Opinions 17
Should We Build More Public Transportation to Limit Emissions?
Courtesy Geograph
Some highways in London have specification ensuring that the carbon emission from cars is below a certain value or the driver will be fined.
Kelsey Julien Red & Black Contributor
In order to get anywhere these days, the majority of people have their own personal vehicles or have access to public transportation. Public transportation is especially useful because it limits the amount of carbon monoxide emissions that reduce air quality. Pub-
lic transportation limits the number of vehicles on the road, therefore limiting the excess amounts of emissions made by personal vehicles. Although it would be beneficial to the environment if everyone used public transportation, it is not practical to those who live in the suburbs or outskirts of cities. In this case, it would be useful to carpool with others who work and live near you. This way, less cars are out on the road each day. It can be simple to organize a carpool process like this in your workplace simply by asking those around
you. “Many of my co-workers lived within ten minutes of each other and would always take turns carpooling into work every day. It was also a good way to get to know each other better, and it wasn’t that big of a hassle to get everyone to and from work,” Jasmine Campuzano ’20 said. Additionally, those who live within walking distance of a bus stop should utilize the public transportation system. It may take waking up a little earlier or waiting longer after work or school, but even one less vehicle on the roads emitting harmful gases can make a dif-
ference to the environment. “When I would work in the summer, I would get dropped off early at the bus stop and have to wait before my shift, but riding the bus is not only helping the environment . . . it’s a really good skill to have. Being able to navigate around without having a car is [essential]. You never know when you might not have access to a car,” Carolina Velazco ’20 said. Giving up the convenience of a personal vehicle can be difficult, but bettering the environment in this way ensures the protection of not only our environment but also our bodies.
18 Sports
sports Red & Black
6 April 2018
W&J Baseball Takes Down Thomas Moore at Home
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Out of three games against Thomas Moore this past weekend, W&J was able to pull through and win all three.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
The first weekend back after the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team travelled to sunny Florida to play in the Russmatt Invitational over spring break, they faced off with one of W&J’s biggest rivals, Thomas Moore. It was a spectacular first weekend back for the Presidents as they won all three games against the Saints, putting the Presidents in a very good mood. Both of these teams had been ranked as the top two teams of the PAC, and this weekend showed everyone that the Presidents are still playing at the same impressive level that won them Regionals last spring.
The first game was seven to zero, with Ben Marsico ’20, throwing a terrific nine innings, earning himself the longest non-scoring game of his colligate career. The players that scored for the Presidents in the first game were Spencer Howell ’19, Dante Dalesandro
‘18 threw for the Presidents in the first game of the day. Schnatterly has been a very consistent Pitcher for the Presidents, and Saturday was no different with only letting up three runs the whole game, two in the second inning, and one in
Griffin would be the hero of the game in the end when he hit a single to right field in the bottom of the ninth, bringing Joey Bolick ‘21 home to score the winning run. ’19, Mullen Socha ’19, Dan Trettel ’18, Ryan Sciullo ’18, and Justin Griffin ’19. On March 31, the two teams started up again at 12:00 p.m. with another energetic start to the first of their double headers that day. Bryce Schnatterly
the ninth. With the final score of ten to three, the players batting for the Presidents had a great game. In the sixth inning, they really put away the game, rising their score from five runs to nine. Luke Zahren ’18, Trettel, Sciullo,
and Mark Merlino ’18 scored in the sixth inning. The third and final game started at 2:30 p.m. The Saints got the lead right off the bat with a score in the first, forcing the Presidents to play catch up. In the third, the Saints scored, moving their score to four, and the Presidents returned with three runs of their own. Griffin evened out the score at four to four when he hit his first homerun of the season. Griffin would be the hero of the game in the end when he hit a single to right field in the bottom of the ninth, bringing Joey Bolick ‘21 home to score the winning run. Overall, it was a great weekend of baseball. The team will now be away for their next six games with a return to Ross Memorial Park on April 14 at 1 p.m. to take on Chatham.
6 April 2018
Red & Black
sports 19
Coach Spotlight: Derek Workman, Track and Field Sofia Carrasco Red & Black Staff
This week’s Coach Spotlight shines upon the mid-distance Track and Field Coach, Derek Workman, who is in his second year of coaching at Washington & Jefferson College. He grew up in Pa. and attended Mars High School where he played on the soccer team and ran track and field. Workman comes from a family of runners and spoke fondly of his uncle Wayne, a particularly great runner. His love for track and field grew when he went on to Thiel College where he
seeing them grow and learn. At this time, Workman also began coaching a neighboring high school’s track team, South View. At South View, he worked his way up to head girl’s coach. Workman says that he liked teaching, but he loved coaching more, so when he received a call from the head coach at W&J, Coach Boring, informing him that there was an open assistant’s position on the track and field team, there was no hesitation in applying for the job. In his time here at W&J, Workman coaches the mid-distance squad on both the boys and girls teams. Coach Workman specifically coaches the 400
In his time here at W&J, Workman coaches the mid-distance squad on both the boys and girls teams. Coach Workman specifically coaches the 400 meter, the 800 meter and the mile. majored in elementary education, leading him to become a teacher. While at Thiel, Workman developed a great relationship with his coach, Coach Morgan. He said that he would talk to his coach every day, and Morgan served not only as a coach, but as mentor and support system for Workman. He referred to his coach as someone who challenged him, served as a shoulder to cry on and someone who pushed him when he truly needed to be pushed. “If I could be half the man that he was to me, I’d be helping a lot of kids,” said Workman. Workman taught for five years in N.C. and says he really liked working with the kids and
meter, the 800 meter and the mile. He believes that what applies to track can also apply to life: “be tough and push through.” As a coaching motto, Workman has adopted his college coach’s motto: NBU, or “nothing breaks us.” This motto is about mental toughness, and how “when things don’t go your way, they’re not going to break you.” He claims this motto has gotten him through a lot of tough times, so he likes to coach with this motto in mind to try to impact whoever he can. In his free time, Workman likes playing video games, guitar, intramural basketball and works as a waiter at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Courtesy Sofia Carrasco
Workman has been coaching mid-distance races here at W&J for two years.
20 sports
6 April 2018
Red & Black
Last Week’s Scores March 28
Women’s Lacrosse v. Saint Vincent 14-8 Win
March 30
What Does Playing DIII Mean To You?
Baseball v. Thomas More 7-0 Win Men’s Tennis v. Penn State Altoona 7-2 Win
March 31
Men’s Lacrosse v. Grove City 4-15 Loss Men’s Tennis v. Thomas More 5-4 Win Baseball v. Thomas More 10-3 Win, 6-5 Win
Next Week’s Games
“It’s a great way to continue playing a sport I love while also balancing academics.” -Rachel Fromm ’20 Field Hockey
April 7
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Track at Dave Labor Invitational (A)- 10:00am Men’s Lacrosse v. Chatham (H)- 1pm Golf at Carnegie Mellon Spring Shootout (A) Men’s Tennis v. Grove City (H)- 11am Women’s Lacrosse v. Franklin (A)- 1pm Baseball v. Theil (A)- 1pm Softball v. Theil (A)-1pm
April 8
Men’s Golf v. Carnegie Mellon University (A) Men’s Tennis v. Bethany (H)- 11am Women’s Lacrosse v. Transylvania (A)- 1pm
April 10
Softball v. La Roche (A)- 3pm Baseball v. La Roche (A)- 4:30pm
April 11
Men’s Tennis v. Geneva (A)- 6pm Baseball v. Muskingum (H)- 4pm Women’s Lacrosse v. Theil (H)- 6pm
April 12
Softball v. Bethany (A)- 3:30pm Men’s Tennis v. Theil (A)- 6pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com
”Being a student athlete is a unique opportunity. A sport takes up a lot of your college career, but, at least in my case, being forced to really discipline myself to have the time and energy to engage in other campus activities that I want to take part in has been incredibly important for college and hopefully, beyond.” -Jonathan Howland ’20 Men’s Basketball