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s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e r e d a n d b l a c ko n l i n e . c o m w a s h i n g t o n , p e n n s y lva n i a December 9, 2016
Washington Fellows Host Tom Talks PAGE 2
Courtesy Jakob Locante
CULTURE: PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY PAGE 10
SPORTS: MEN & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE 19
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9 D ecember 2016
W&J’s Annual TOM Talks
Courtesy Jakob Locante
The Washington Fellows hosted its annual TOM Talks event this past Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Left, Aric Brown ‘17 presents “The Antibiotic Resistance Crisis.” Right, Katrina Lenhart ‘17 presents, “Preserving Hope: The Great Barrier Reef and International Action.”
Samara Wendel Red&Black Contributor
It was yet again another enriching evening for the Washington Fellows. On Thursday, Dec. 1, the Washington Fellows hosted their third annual TOM Talks. TOM Talks are the group’s version of TED Talks. With much preparation and hours of practice, both the presenters and the Fellows working behind the scenes pulled off a successful event.
The topics of the TOM Talks varied from the depths of the coral reefs, to a social canopy proposition in the city of Washington. In the past, TOM talks was only open to Fellows, but this year the group opened their program up to the Washington & Jefferson community. Topics were chosen by the students based on their own interests. The first talk was given by Katrina Lenhart ‘17 who offered awareness about the coral bleaching along the Great Barrier Reef. Lenhart explained coral bleaching and what could be done to stop its progression.
The next speaker, Jonathan Cadez ’18, spoke about a topic near and dear to him. He is Greek orthodox, and his talk was about a Greek orthodox priest who marched in the Civil Rights Movement next to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mac Hennessy ’18, gave the college campus a proposal to bring the community together. He proposed that W&J have what is called a “President’s Walk” to a canopy on Main Street where people could socialize. Later, Aric Brown ‘17 gave a cautionary talk about the dangers that could come
with either taking too many antibiotics, or taking someone else’s unfinished dose. Alex Franco ‘19 gave his talk on the corruption within charities. He raised awareness about some organizations donating as little as $1 to the cause. Finally, Max Graf ’18 gave a more personal talk about people with disabilities and the derogative remarks made towards people with dwarfism. He gave the audience insight into what it was like living with a disability. The TOM Talks provided some great information about a broad range of topics. Claire Atherton ’20 said, “The TOM Talks were very
enjoyable and interesting. The talks about the Great Barrier Reef and antibiotic resistance were especially eye opening to major issues going on in the world right now that everybody needs to be aware of.” Sowmya Srinivasan ’20 said, “The TOM Talks were very informative and I especially loved the one about coral reefs because I never considered the environmental impacts on them.” The Washington Fellows hope that attendees enjoyed the presentation, and they look forward to hosting another TOM Talks event in the upcoming spring semester.
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Study Abroad Spotlight: Joseph Jorjoliani
Courtesy Joseph Jorjoliani
Jorjoliani studied abroad in Cologne, Germany in the spring of 2016.
Breanna Todd Red&Black Contributor
Joseph Jorjoliani ‘17 is pursuing a triple major in international studies, German and communication arts at Washington & Jefferson College. Jorjoliani is an active member in Harvard Model United Nations, German club, rugby club and a vital participant around campus as a student alumni ambassador, global ambassador and host of his own radio station show, “Global Perspectives with Joseph Jorjoliani,” on WNJR. During the spring of 2016, Jorjoliani studied abroad in
Cologne, Germany at the University of Cologne. After studying German at W&J for 3 years, he enjoyed the German language and culture so much he decided to capitalize on the opportunity to live there for a semester. The semester was an incredible opportunity to study German while being able to focus on international affairs, including foreign policy and foreign governance. Jorjoliani was lucky enough to stay on campus, and stated his favorite part about his experience was riding his bike as his main form of transportation around the university. He was encouraged after seeing how local Europeans care for the environment.
Other highlights of his trip include learning to cook by himself and living independently. While abroad, Jorjoliani took many opportunities to travel including visiting his home nation of Georgia. Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, France, Hungary and Austria were also checked off the bucket list for him. Jorjoliani’s favorite place he visited was Brussels, Belgium because of the diverse environment. As it is home to the European Parliament, Joseph got the chance to meet several policy makers. In the future, Jorjoliani hopes to use his foreign language skills and diverse cultural experiences to work in
the realm of foreign diplomacy. Outside of his study abroad program, he took classes to demonstrate his mastery of the German language. He plans to use this certification to apply for German master degree programs. Besides a proficiency in English and German, Jorjoliani also speaks Russian and his native tongue of Georgian. His semester abroad was very enjoyable because everything in Cologne is reachable because of the excellent public transportation systems. Also, he has not drunk any beer since returning state side because he loves German beer too much. Jorjoliani is delighted to be back after he “missed a semester away from
W&J because it was hard being away from his fellow Presidents.” Jorjoliani is very appreciative of his opportunity to study abroad and would “urge Presidents to study abroad because the experience is invaluable. The opportunity to explore places and broaden horizons is crucial for personal growth.” Jorjoliani is also grateful for Sara Kochuba, the Director of Study Abroad, since she was very helpful and instrumental in his semester abroad. For more information on studying abroad, Sara Kochuba in the Office of Study Abroad, can be reached in her office, Commons 005, or at studyabraod@washjeff.edu.
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Intersession Spotlight: Fullbridge Business Course Nathan Repine Red&Black Contributor
The Fullbridge program is an Intersession class being offered this upcoming Intersession term focused on accounting, business and finance principals. The class itself can be found as BUS-297 on Webadvisor. The program is five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
but do not let the length of the class discourage you from taking the course. I took the course last Intersession, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to enroll from the course and learn from the instructors. The class covers the importance of having high proficiency in Excel in order to be successful in a multitude of business compositions. Other major points of the program includes public speaking, teamwork and synergy, start-up finance, presentation preparation, operations management and accounting fundamentals.
The students of the class are divided up into teams based on a personality evaluation they take online. Each team has four or five people and this is the group each student primarily works with throughout the duration of the program. There are a variety of scenarios and cases to analyze and learn from both as a group and individually. When I took this course, there were two Fullbridge coaches that presided over the entire class. Each group is assigned a coach (so each coach gets half the class). While there
is interaction between both coaches, students meet oneon-one and as a group with a designated coach. They track each student’s progress as a group and individually to help best suit his or her individual growth and synergy as a team. Previous student of the program, Veronica Aboujaoude, said, “The program was definitely worthwhile. The coaches were great and everything learned here will definitely help me in the real world.” One student who took the course as a freshman
said, “This was a really cool program to take. Although the hours were long and our team fought more than normal, we got together and made many accomplishments throughout the course of the month.” Usually, there is a fee to enroll in the program, but for the past few years the program has been brought to W&J and paid for by a private donor. I highly recommend taking this program for anyone in accounting, business, economics, or finance, as well as anyone interested in entrepreneurship and business start-up.
Ways to Stay Sane During Finals Week Lauren Markish Red&Black Contributor
Finals – the dreaded word that students often cringe upon hearing. Whether they have exams, papers or the dreaded combination of both, studying and preparing for finals makes for what are undoubtedly the most stressful week of a student’s college career. There are, however, still tips, methods and stressrelievers that can help. From the start, it is very important to fully understand what is expected of the student for their final. Is it going to be cumulative, or is the professor is only using material from
the midterm onward? Asking professors these questions and also format and content will be extremely beneficial student. No one likes to study more than what is necessary. Once the student has figured out everything that they need to study, finding a nice sport to study makes a big difference on how well they can focus. Students who do not like complete silence can try the ski lodge or tech center. These locations are not extremely loud, but they are generally more relaxed and allow people to talk freely. Students can also avoid complete silence by creating a playlist of non-distracting music. Classical music and piano covers tend to work for some students. Students who
do enjoy complete silence while studying can find an empty classroom or spot in the library. For example, some rooms in Burnett are sometimes left unlocked for student use. After the location is found and figured out, making a study plan is a good idea for students that do not necessarily know how to use their time wisely. For example, students could set alarms for every 30 minutes to take a five-minute study break. The breaks will not only help students keep their sanity, but they can switch up the subject after so many alarms go off. For many students, going back through handwritten notes and typing them into an outline is a helpful
Courtesy hercampus.com
W&J’s final examinations will take place from Dec. 12 to Dec. 17.
way to study and organize notes. They can focus on the important points and research the points that they perhaps do not remember much about. Odds are, after a few pages of going through notes, students will catch on to what they need to focus on and what they have already understood fully. Lastly, it is important to simply take a
couple breathers and realize that, in the end, everything will be fine. Students should take plenty of breaks so that they do not wear themselves out, make sure they get plenty of sleep and just try their best to relax. Students should put forth their best efforts, and the results should show. Good luck!
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SAB's Holiday Kick-Off Event In Photos
FIND US ONLINE REDANDBLACKONLINE.COM
Courtesy Emily Sterk
The Student Activities Board (SAB) hosted its annual Holiday Kick-Off event Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Courtesy Emily Sterk
From left to right, Latino/a Culture Association members Juan Couso '20 and Emma Oroxom '20.
Emily Sterk Katherine Campbell Leah Segal Tiffany Dittrich Shannon Adams Kayla Marasia Christopher Frydryck Jordan Toohey Abigail Pipcho Lauren Virgin Siddhanta Bista McKenzie Merenick Mike Kovak
life
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Press Release:
Please Help Us To Help Them Fifteen students and myself (Cathy Petchel, Psychology Faculty) will be traveling to Athens and serving under-served populations. We will work with and support refugees and migrants seeking asylum and residing in camps outside of Athens through Caritas Hellas, and rescued sea turtles rehabilitating within Archelon. In 2015, almost a million refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe (most of them to Greece). In response to global economic crisis, Caritas Hellas provides food, clothing, tents, water, personal hygiene items and psychosocial support to those who reach Greece. Since 1983, the primary objective of Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, has been to protect and rehabilitate sea turtles throughout Greece. They rely heavily on volunteer efforts. The following items have been earmarked as needs: Refugee Families - Primary Needs: -Hats and gloves (one size fits all) -Socks (different sizes for children, teenagers, young adults) -Underwear for children, teenagers (various sizes) -Underwear for women (full brief- not bikini) Secondary Needs Preschool supplies: Books: small children’s picture books (focusing on animals and numbers) Art: -Crayons -Magic markers -Colored pencils –Water color paints and brushes Archelon: Rescued Sea Turtles - Primary Needs: Wiffle balls We will be conducting a drive on campus to collect these items staring the Monday after Thanksgiving. The drive will run Nov. 28 through Dec. 7. Please place items for the donation in specifically marked bins located in the Commons, outside G&T’s, the first floor of Dieter Porter and Old Main. If students should have any questions, contact me. Thank you for helping, Cathy Petchel Psychology Department
Courtesy Cathy Petchel
The donations will be taken over to Greece by the 15 students and Professor Petchel to be distributed to either Caritas Hellas or Archelon.
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Gifts Under $20 Life Advice Life advice given to you from the mouths of the Red & Black Editorial Staff.
Advice on coping with the stress of the end of the term? Courtesy moneyunder30.com
Shopping for Christmas gifts can be very stressful. Let us help take some stress off by giving you this list of Christmas gift ideas that are all under $20.
Hannah Kail Red&Black Contributor
Christmas is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful as you try to find the perfect gifts for friends and family that fit into your budget. These gifts are all under $20 and are guaranteed to put a smile on their faces. 1. Candles: This gift is an inexpensive way to decorate a house and there are endless scents to choose from. Yankee Candle has top quality ones, but others could be found for lower prices. 2. Photo album: This present is cheap, while it is also personal and thoughtful. Photo albums can be home-made by buying a photo album and filling it with pictures. Others can be created using sites like Snapfish or Shutterfly. These sites also have good deals around the holiday season. 3. Flowers and plants: Plant-stores like Lowes and
Giant Eagle sell orchids that are beautiful and easy to take care of. 4. Wine/Beer glasses: These can be personalized to fit the receiver’s personality and interests. Sites like Etsy are really good for finding unique ones, but they come with a price tag. A cheaper alternative is to buy a glass and decorate it yourself with paint. 5. Scarf/cold weather accessories: Everyone can use something to keep her warm during winter so this gift is practical and thoughtful. Bonus points if you make it yourself. 6. Books: If there is a book that your friend has been talking about forever, then this is a perfect gift. Sites like Thriftbooks offer books in good condition for low prices. 7. Personalized mugs: Mugs can be personalized in all kinds of ways. Some ideas for your personalized mugs include sports teams, special sayings or quotes and
pictures of friends and family members. 8. Custom keychain: These can be customized with names and quotes. On Etsy, leather engraved keychains are available for purchase. 9. Drinks: Special blends of coffee, tea and hot chocolate are the perfect gift in the cold weather. A really popular one is Whimsy & Spice’s Spiced Chile Hot Chocolate Mix that can be found on Etsy for $15. 10. Customized lighter: For someone who frequently utilizes a lighter, these can be customized with initials of other engravings online. This idea is personal, yet useful at the same time. These are just some ideas that fit in the under $20 budget range that friends and family will love. These gifts are good for anyone on your gift list this season. However, when it comes to Christmas gifts, it really is the thought that counts, not the price.
“ Don’t sweat the small stuff it’s all small stuff. In the grand scheme of things, finals are just one week of your life. Push through and the semester will be over before you know it. -The Red&Black Staff
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Brace Yourselves, Finals Are Coming Hannah Kail Red&Black Contributor
As the semester comes to an end, it is easy for the stress of finals to get to students. It is cold outside, the holidays are close and the amount of work that students face seems impossible. It is tempting for students to hide away in their rooms with Netflix and snacks, but this time of year tempts even the best of us. Here are some simple guidelines for students to power through the last couple of weeks. First, get more sleep. It may seem counterproductive, but studies have shown that students perform better when they have a good night’s rest. Students can set a time limit on themselves and try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. They should not engage in all-nighters. Work completed at 3 a.m. is not the best work and students will benefit from those extra hours of sleep. Second, get organized. Students should write out all their important deadlines and test dates. It helps to be able to see a visual schedule. This method allows for planning ahead and not getting crushed with work last
minute. Being more organized eliminates stress and helps make it to the end of the semester. Monica Park ’19 says, “Writing out my due dates always helps me stay on track with my workload.” This list does not ahve to be anything fancy, a simple check list will do. It will also feel really good when you get to check off something on your list. One step closer to freedom. Third, take the time to relax. In the middle of a crazy schedule, it can be easy for students to forget to take time for themselves to relax and reboot. Students can watch Netflix, go for a jog, hang out with friends, or do whatever else makes them feel refreshed. It is important to give the brain a break so that it can focus on doing its best work. The hardest part is getting back to your work, but these breaks will pay off in the end. Fourth, make sure you eat breakfast. It can be easy to skip the first meal of the day in the rush of class and homework, but if possible students should eat something when they first wake up. It will give them more energy to get them through the rest of their day. Park recommends grabbing a granola bar or piece of fruit. She said, “They are easy to eat on the go and they are great sources of energy.” Students should avoid foods filled with sugar
Courtesy heavy.com
This time of year makes the best of us anxious and causes us to dramatically increase our caffeine consumption.
because they are detrimental to focusing. Fifth, do not be afraid to ask for help. Students should ask their professors, friends or family for help with things that they cannot figure out on their own. Whether it is a project, paper or personal problem, they are a support group that
is there to do whatever they can to help students get to the end of the semester. Sixth, stay away from excessive amounts of caffeine While downing a Redbull and then a large coffee seems like a good idea at the time you will regret that descion later. Once all that caffeine wears off you will be left a zombie
and will have no choice but to take a nap to recharge. If you need coffee to function, drink what you normally drink, do not supersize it. You will thank yourself later. Remember these tips and you should be able to survive finals with minimal breakdowns.
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Save Your Binge -Watching for Later
Courtesy CNET.com
Instead of binge watching your favorite Netflix shows during finals week download them while you are still on campus and watch them once you get home.
Breanna Todd Red & Black Contributor
Since the start of December, Netflix amazed users with a new feature: shows can be watched offline. Netflix announced that users are able to download videos and watch them on the go, without an internet connection. The new feature is only offered for some shows for now, but Netflix reassures users that more shows will be accessible for download in the future. The feature is not limited to just movies, but also popular shows and videos.
Popular Netflix originals available for download include hits like “Narcos” and “Orange is the New Black.” However, the feature is not just limited to Netflix originals, “Mad Men,” “Minions” and “Pulp Fiction” are just some of the other options users may download. The company created the feature to compete with rivals such as Amazon video and Vudu, where subscribers have already been able to download videos. While the new feature may enhance subscribers viewing experience in times of limited internet connection, the feature does have limitations. For starters, downloading
is only offered on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, and not on laptops or desktop computers. There is also a limit on how much one can download before Netflix restricts the user. As of right now, not every video on Netflix is available for download. However, it is likely Netflix will increase downloading availability to many more shows in the future. Despite the several drawbacks of the new feature, users can anticipate more features to come. The overall benefit of the update allows users to download videos under any
Netflix plan, so there is no increase in cost. However, if Netflix expands this option to more shows and movies, could users anticipate an increase in their monthly subscription? The pressure of competition will hopefully keep the monthly price reasonable while also encouraging the expansion of the feature. Washington & Jefferson College student Richard Umbel said, “It is very useful for students who do not have internet all the time or do not want to use their mobile data, but would this prompt people to buy Netflix temporarily just to download the movies?” Netflix launched the feature in an attempt to get
more subscribers, so hopefully the company will address such limitations. Streaming videos will no longer use up students’ data with W&J’s spotty internet or while traveling. W&J senior Joseph Jorjoliani said, “It was always nerving when I did not have Wi-Fi access and I wanted to watch my Netflix shows. Now that Netflix added this new feature, I am excited to travel and watch my favorite TV shows without Wi-Fi access.” This is great news for students who have long commutes over the winter break, or are traveling extensively for the holidays. Hopefully users will see more videos to download in the near future.
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Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Strike Ends Ricky Delprato Red&Black Contributor After 55 days of being on strike, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has returned. The strike originally occurred after the orchestra’s management attempted to cut the salaries of the musicians extensively. These types of strikes have begun to occur all over the United States because of the general lack of funding resulting in tighter budgets and decreased pay for musicians. However, the PSO’s ticket sales were more successful than ever before the strike, which raises the question of whether or not the orchestra’s management team had just reason to propose the cut. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra cut was to be originally set at 10.5 percent of the musician’s current salaries. They were able to negotiate the cut down to 7.5 percent. The cut itself does not seem to be very drastic, but this cut comes after the previous 15 percent cut that was imple-
mented during the previous year. Additionally, management was considering getting rid of the orchestra’s pension plan, which would be devastating for the futures of the musicians. The resolution of the strike could be described as a Christmas miracle, because the extra money needed to give the musicians their desired salaries was provided by an anonymous donor. Before the strike, the PSO was considered to be a “destination orchestra,” or a highly coveted position where musicians look to spend the duration of their careers. However, the orchestra suffered some damage during the course of the strike, as it lost several of their members to other symphony orchestras throughout the country. The end of the strike has come at a perfect time. With the holiday season quickly approaching, the Christmas concerts can go on as planned. In an act of solidarity, other musicians that live around the world refused to fill in for the musicians during the
Courtesy yourclassical.org
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, shown above, is widely considered to be one of the best symphony orchestras in the country. Last spring, W&J’s Camerata Singers had the opportunity to sing with the PSO at Heinz Hall in the All-University Choir.
strike. They understood the need to unite in order to protect their fellow musicians. With the growing online cultures in America, it is becoming harder for traditional forms of entertainment to re-
main of interest to the general public. The resolution of this strike provides comfort to many of the local music enthusiasts as they will be able to enjoy the upcoming Christmas shows.
The new contracts that were signed with the musicians ensure that they will keep their current positions with the set pay and previously implemented benefits for years to come.
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Amy Adams Shines in 'Arrival' Samara Wendel Red&Black Contributor When I went to see the movie “Arrival,” I was actually really excited to see one of my favorite actresses, Amy Adams. This is my favorite time of the year, not only because of the holidays, but also because of the excellent movies that are coming up. It is close to the annual Oscar award ceremony, and great movies pave the road to this
event. The night I went to see “Arrival,” I was looking for a movie that did not involve too much thinking, but still had the action aspect to it. The basic synopsis of the movie starts with a linguistics professor (portrayed by Amy Adams) going through her daily routine teaching at a large university. Throughout the film, there are scenes with the professor bonding with her daughter. One day, when she is teaching, there are approximately five
students in the lecture hall. She turns on the news and to her and her students' surprise, there was an oval shaped, half cylinder-like shape floating over an area. This was the start of the apocalyptic event. Adams is then called to work with the U.S. Army in working out a way to communicate with the creatures that landed. Adams was working with a physicist played by Jeremy Renner. Their main mission
was to find the answer to the questions “What do they want?” and “Where are they from?” As Adams and Renner work together to form a relationship with the creatures in the ship, the rest of the world is on the verge of war. The plot on the surface seems straightforward, but after the breakthrough at the end all the fragmented pieces come together simultaneously. These types of movies are my favorite because every-
thing eventually makes sense. There are no loose ends. Another aspect I love about this movie is that by the end of the movie, viewers feel like they have connected with Adams’ character. The film also makes viewers reflect on many conflicts that could potentially arise in their lives. I would absolutely give this movie five stars, and I highly recommend people go see it. I know I will definitely see it again as soon as I can.
Restaurant Review: Ichiban Hannah Kail Red&Black Contributor
Ichiban is a unique restaurant that is perfect for celebratory dinners and special dates. Hibachi is the best option to choose because restaurant goers will receive special attention from the chef and wait staff. Patrons are seated at a table that circles the grill where the chef stands. Tables are shared by about eight others. Chefs cook the food at the tables and it is an exciting experience. Flames shoot up from the grill and the chefs do juggling routines with their cooking utensils. Some will even shoot sake into the mouths of willing people at the table. The chefs are upbeat and energetic, providing great entertainment while they prepare food. The hibachi
dinner comes with soup and salad appetizers that are delicious, but be careful not to fill up on them because the main dishes are even better. Menu choices for hibachi include chicken, shrimp and steak. There is also a vegetable option for vegetarians. If ordering the steak, it is best to pay a few extra dollars to get the filet instead of the regular steak. The meat is more tender, savory and definitely worth the extra cost. All the dishes come with a large serving of fried rice and noodles. Unless you love shrimp, it is probably a better choice to pick another meat as your main one, because all the meals come with two shrimp anyway. While a meal at Ichiban can be expensive, it is worth the unique experience and
Courtesy AmericasCuisine.com
Ichiban is an exciting culinary experience. While the food can be expensive, it is a great place to go to celebrate.
the delicious food. There is an Ichiban located less than 10 minutes away from campus so it is easy location makes it a great choice as well. The restaurant offers a discount where patrons can
save 50 percent off of their second entrée when attending Monday through Thursday. The restaurant serves very large portions, so there will definitely be leftovers that taste just as good the next day.
Overall, dinner at Ichiban is a fun experience filled with great food and entertainment. Save this restaurant for birthdays and anniversaries when the goal is to have a special evening out.
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Artist Finds Van Gogh’s Doppelgänger Diana Ciarallo Red&Black Staff
Some mathematicians calculate that there is only a one in a trillion chance that two people look exactly alike. It would appear, however, that artist and writer Douglas Coupland has found that one that he has been looking for. The thing is that it is not his own doppelgänger that he has found. Instead, this particular clone just so happens to be that of the famous one-eared painter whom most are all familiar with as, Vincent Van Gogh. With the help of some of Van Gogh’s original selfportrait paintings to aid him in his search, Coupland sifted through over 1,250 photos of Van Gogh look-alikes that were submitted from over 37 countries as entries in his “I Am Vincent” competition. The winner will be 3D scanned with hundreds of cameras and used as source material for a large sculpture of Van Gogh, commissioned by Anthony Von Mandl. He will also be paid over four thousand pounds in prize money. Von Mandl intends to have the sculpture set up in his new and radical Pinot Noir winery in Okanagan Valley, British Colombia. What does the
Courtesy Wikipedia.com
Courtesy thestar.com
Vincent van Gogh, shown above, was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is known for his bold, innovative work.
Daniel Baker, shown above, is from Christchurch, England. With his trademark red beard, he was a clear choice to be the artist’s doppelgänger.
owner of a Canadian winery want with a sculpture of Van Gogh -- who has nothing to do with Canada or wine? The answer to that question would be redheads and Pinot Noir grapes. According to Coupland, it all has to do with the magic of genetics and mutation that redheads and Pinot Noir grapes share with each other. Two percent of the world’s population is made up of redheads just as Pinot Noir grapes represent two percent
with time.” In celebration of this particular mutation, this sculpture of Van Gogh will be the first in a series of outdoor works devoted to famous redheads. Coupland and Von Mandl have found their Vincentlook-alike, and his name is Daniel Baker of Christchurch, England. Baker’s resemblance was confirmed on Coupland’s website by popular vote and over 500,000 opinions. “It’s almost eerie how similar the
of the grapes grown in the world today. Redheaded-ness is the most recent successful human mutation. Similarly, Pinot Noir grapes are known as “heartbreak grapes” because of their genetic fragility and propensity towards genetic mutation. Coupland’s interesting, albeit obscure argument suggests redheads and Pinot Noir grapes represent a “microcosm of the way in which all life on earth evolves
two look,” said Holly Sauer ‘19. “Baker has the beard, the eyes, the hair, and the cheekbones of Van Gogh. He just happens to have an extra ear.” The double was also verified using biometric data. Coupland himself stated that, “As soon as I saw Daniel, I knew he was the one.” After winning the highly competitive contest, the pensive Baker joked in an interview, “‘I like my ear, so I’m going to keep that for a little bit longer.”
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Poetry Corner "Everafter" by Katie Campbell Kissed and damned upon this Eve of Everafter where Eden’s gates Are only dreams of yesteryear And Pearly Gates discriminate. Cast away from sheets but far too Late, I walk with downturned head on Ashes of white wedding vows where Love was taken then cast down. Glance close behind, behold those ghosts: The devil and the angel toast For making love before I fall Onto the floor with scream and gall. So one-night bliss turns chapped lip kiss And no more screaming, pleading love Can now return those pure wings to This unsung devil from above.
“Decay” by Diana Ciarallo A dead bird Unburied Bit of trash On the sidewalk Gruesome study Each day I pass Breaks down Caves in Earth devours it Scraps left behind
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Game Review: 'Pokémon Sun' and 'Moon' Alex York Red&Black Contributor For two decades, game development company Game Freak has entertained audiences across the world with “Pokémon,” the titanic multimedia franchise about capturing, training and battling the eponymous collectable creatures. Now, following the tremendous success of the augmented-reality mobile game Pokémon Go, the series offers its latest pair of adventures to fans: “Pokémon Sun” and “Pokémon Moon.” Like their predecessors, “Sun” and “Moon” follow the player’s journey as he or she travels a new region in the world of Pokémon. Throughout the course of the new game, the player discovers new species and gaining the experience necessary to challenge the strongest competitors in the world. Thankfully, Game Freak lives up to the expectations of its past exploits. The tropical islands of Alola are a joy to explore, and most of the new monsters (including regional variants of old designs) are charming and faithful to the series’ roots. While the mechanics remain consistent and nods to the franchise’s history are laced throughout, “Sun” and “Moon” dare to break from the traditional Pokémon formula, oftentimes to great effect. Most prominently, the games dispose of the usual gym system, wherein eight trainers of exceptional strength (gym
Courtesy destinationcomics.com
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, shown above, are action roleplaying games published by Nintendo.
leaders) stand in the way of players and the championship. In its place is the “island challenge,” a trek through the four islands that constitute the Alola region which features diverse objectives and difficult battles peppered throughout. While it is a somewhat jarring shift from the usual Pokémon fare, the uniqueness of the island challenge wonderfully complements the game’s tribal aesthetic. However, some of the new additions (and subtractions) in “Sun” and “Moon” ultimately disappoint. For instance, encounters with wild Pokémon can quickly become frustrating thanks to the new S.O.S. mechanic. Enemies critically low on health can summon allies to aid them in battle. This can make capturing new creatures and training party members outright infuriating. Furthermore, two battle formats introduced in 2010’s Pokémon “Black” and “White,” known as triple battles and rotation battles, have both been removed. Although they never played an integral part in the
games, their replacement – a new four-way free-for-all known as the Battle Royale – is slow, tedious, and utterly irrelevant. Finally, as in 2013’s Pokémon “X” and Pokémon “Y,” the difficulty in “Sun” and “Moon” is hit-or-miss as a result of the Exp. Share item, which distributes battle experience between members of the player’s team regardless of participation in combat. Should the Exp. Share remain turned on, the game becomes far too easy; should it remain inactive, the player’s Pokémon do not gain experience quickly enough to deal with stronger foes. Consequentially, the item must constantly be toggled on and off manually to maintain a semblance of balance. For all their flaws and changes, however, Pokémon “Sun” and “Moon” successfully capture the distinctive elements of adventure and collection that define Pokémon as its players have known it for years. As always, fans should be pleased to know that the Pokémon they love is not going anywhere anytime soon.
14 Opinions
Red & Black
9 december 2016
opinions From All of Us at the Red&Black:
Good Luck on Finals and Happy Holidays
The Red&Black staff would like to thank our readers for their continued support this semester and wish the students, staff and faculty a great end to the fall semester and a happy Holiday season. This semester the newspaper has seen such diverse article topics as author Mary Karr’s visit to campus, the football team’s win at this year’s homecoming game, the filming of the Netflix series on campus and the Franklin Literary Society’s Words to Make the Darkness Visible. Campus News also highlighted several students, including Jordan Bechek ’18 and his creation of the Student’s Edge app. Opinions pieces included a feature on our campus’ level of safety at night and each week Life featured a student’s room in the popular new section, Dubjay Cribs. As the above articles reflect, the Red&Black is proud to say that this year we have been able to consistently publish more campus and local community-related articles than have been published in issues in recent years. As published in “From the Desk of the EIC: The Red&Black Online,” week of November 18, our website, redandblackonline.com, is currently unavailable to the public. Due to further complications to preexisting issues, the website will continue to be unavailable until further notice. We will be attempting to return the site to the public domain in the spring semester; however, at this time it is difficult to say when the website will once again become available for our readers. We regret the inconvenience and ask for our readers’ continued patience. We thank you for your continual support. While the website may be unavailable, the Red&Black will continue to be present on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A full digital version of each week’s paper can also be found at issuu.com/rednblackwj. Thank you again for supporting the newspaper and we look forward to seeing you all again in February. Sincerely, The Red&Black Staff
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.
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.
C ontac t 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
9 december 2016
15 Opinions
Red & Black
On the Anniversary of Sandy Hook: Gun Violence is Preventable
Courtesy Sott.net
Shown above, a memorial to the 26 victims of the 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook.
Emily Sterk Red&Black Editor-In-Chief
On Dec. 14, 2012, I was sitting in Period F study hall when I received a text from my mother: “I don’t mean to sound paranoid, but are you okay?” Moments later, our high school principal got on the loudspeaker and announced a code blue. “This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill,” he said. We heard teachers frantically pull students in from the hallway and helicopters in the distance. As a class, huddled together in the corner of our classroom, we soon discovered that there had been a shooting at Sandy
Hook Elementary School, located 20-minutes from our school. We were all in utter shock and when we were finally dismissed from school, I watched the news to see the final death toll: 20 children and six adults. This day will remain fixed in my memory for years to come, and it is something that I am reminded of every time there is another instance of gun violence in this country -- at least 1,126 times since Sandy Hook according to the Gun Violence Archive. When the shooter entered Sandy Hook Elementary School, he was equipped with a 22-caliber Savage MK II-F bolt action rifle and a Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle. He was legally able to own a gun at the time, despite a deliberating mental state and
a psychologist noting that previous doctors may have missed signs of schizophrenia. While programs like the Sandy Hook Promise and politicians such as Chris Murphy and John Lewis have led the advocacy for gun reform and education, there is still work to be done. On a local level, this past Monday, Nov. 21, Gov. Tom Wolf, signed a bill that expands the weapons allowed for hunting to include semiautomatic weapons. While the bill leaves it up to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to develop regulations on the use of semi-automatic weapons for hunting, many hunters and gun dealers look forward to the changes in rules. I must also note that conspiracy theorist and Infowars founder, Alex
Jones, affirms that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax; he believes that the tragedy, among others like the September 11th terror attacks and the Boston bombing, were perpetrated by the government to increase its tyrannical power and seize guns from the American people. President-elect Donald J. Trump is a consumer of Jones’ news. In an interview on Jones’ show, Infowars, Trump told Jones, “Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down.” I understand viewpoints on the issue of gun violence and our interpretations of the Second Amendment diverge in radical ways. However, what I’m sure we all agree on is that we must do all that we can to
prevent further tragedies like Charleston, Pulse or Sandy Hook. The Sandy Hook tragedy was something that could have been prevented, and the Sandy Hook Promise has dedicated itself to raising awareness and training in schools and communities nationwide, including its “Know the Signs” and “Start with Hello” programs. In the wake of the fouryear anniversary of this tragedy, I encourage you all to take the Sandy Hook Promise, and join the 971,522 others, including myself, who have across the United States. “I promise to do all I can to protect children from gun violence by encouraging and supporting solutions that create safer, healthier homes, schools, and communities.” Do you?
16 Opinions
Red & Black
9 December 2016
The Dark Side of Black Friday Fake News Epidemic Samara Wendel red&black contributor
With the holidays just around the corner, the time to buy presents becomes a competition. Shopping during the holidays is both a stressful yet fulfilling endeavor and requires immense amounts of
According to the National Retail Federation, “Shoppers spent $289.19 over the fourday weekend through Sunday compared with $299.60 over the same period a year earlier.” This statistic refers to the sales that start on Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. With the holiday shopping season getting longer, the competition amongst retail stores increases. Many stores like Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and even highend retail like Neiman Marcus advertised hard-to-resist deals for the shopping weekend. Major online companies like Amazon were the most popular online sites for Cyber Monday deals. Even
opportunities are not a one-day or one-weekend phenomenon. That has showed up in shopping plans.” When the holiday shopping weekend came to a close, the deals continued. This time of year is when retail stores make most of their profits. Every year the sales begin sooner and sooner and go on after Cyber Monday. I personally find it ridiculous to start the sales before Black Friday. Calling them “Pre-Black Friday Deals” does not make it better. I think the sales should only happen on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to make
Although there is nothing wrong with early sales in particular, as a consumer I want to start shopping when it is appropriate to do so. These sales should not start before Thanksgiving nor continue after Cyber Monday. time, energy and money. The most popular shopping event of the year falls during this time, which we all know as Black Friday. Black Friday is the day known for sales and deals of the day. They key word is “day.” In more recent years, Black Friday has turned into “Black After Halloween to Christmas Day.” The holidays mark the peak time of present buying and retail store discounts.
though Amazon was the lead competitor of online shopping, they still had to have the best prices because of the miscellaneous mobile apps and price matchers. As the frenzy of the holiday shopping weekend came to a close, analysts found a trend in the patterns of shoppers both online and in-stores. National Retail Federation CEO Matt Shay said, “Consumers know they can get good deals throughout the season, and these
the discounts more desirable. The fact that the sales go up until Christmas day is just a way to increase retail stores’ profit. Although there is nothing wrong with early sales in particular, as a consumer I want to start shopping when it is appropriate to do so. These sales should not start before Thanksgiving nor continue after Cyber Monday. For me, Christmas shopping should start after Thanksgiving, not before.
Saul Franco red&black contributor
Over the years, social media has taken on many forms to help people connect and create a sense of community among individuals all over the world. Social media also makes it possible for us to control the amount and the type of content we see. This allows the public to go online with a sense of ease, knowing that they will not have to directly face the issues and opinions in the world that make them ill. Unfortunately, this puts a pair of shades over the public’s view, causing them to a see a version of the world that only they want to see. This causes people to manage their content to a point where other like-minded individuals manipulate the community by instilling false news reports. These false reports are not managed properly by social media, so these individuals fall for the cons and subscribe to them. These reports can also have major effects on important issues since so many people use social media. Joe Sarsfield ‘17, a political science major, said, “You can have something put up there, for instance, Ted Cruz claiming to be the Zodiac Killer. While this was proven to be a lie, his campaign could not stop people from constantly making the association throughout the election.” So if people are
making these associations between the fake articles and the real events, how do we fix this issue appropriately so that people do not this mistake? Adrian Elizondo ‘17, a communications major, has an idea worth mentioning. “I believe that to manage the amount of misinformation that spreads, the major news organizations should come together and make one united organization that keeps them in line and restricts them from stating anything untrue. Similar to how the UN rails in the different countries, but with information instead,” he said. This idea is very interesting because it brings up the issue of misinformation being spread across the major news networks. Having a coalition to manage these news networks can help the public get accurate information without having to worry about fake news stories. Another possibility is for the social networks to make the writers of these stories state that their articles are fake or to have them pulled down. I do not think these articles should be taken down so that people can see how these views can be at fault, but I do not think they should be passed off as legitimate sources of news because it turns into intellectual dishonesty. I think it is healthy to have different views even if they are radically different, but there must be some form of balance. This way, the consumer is not deceived into believing one school of thought.
9 december 2016
17 Opinions
Red & Black
Commonsgiving: A Freshman Perspective
Courtesy English Language Institute at W&J College
W&J’s “Commonsgiving” broke new records this year.
Samara Wendel red&black contributor
With the holidays coming up and much to be thankful for, one thing I am sure all students at Washington & Jefferson College are thankful for is the annual Commonsgiving that took place on Nov. 17. This event is one of the most talked about events on campus, mainly because it is food-related, but also because almost everyone comes together for one final meal before the Thanksgiving break. As a first-year student,
I experienced my first Commonsgiving with the rest of my class. When I first heard of this event, I was told the food would be amazing. People also said that the whole atmosphere is exciting. I was warned that there would be up to an hour-long wait to be one of the first to try some of these Thanksgiving cuisines. I have already experienced this type of event with the Surf ‘n Turf night several weeks prior, but I was excited to go to this meal that had everyone talking. I know that other freshmen were
excited about the event as well. Sowmya Srinivasan ’20 said, “Commonsgiving was very busy, but good food and eating with friends is what mattered the most.” The whole event was exciting for everyone and, personally, I enjoyed it very much. When I got to Commons, it felt as if every single student was in the same place at the same time. I knew there would be no seats available when my friends and I got there. Fortunately, there was room in the President’s dining room next to the main hall. The staff worked tirelessly to
serve the turkey and refresh the food trays, dinner rolls and endless pumpkin pie bar. I even saw some staff members scrambling to find people chairs and tables to sit in. Claire Atherton ’20 said, “Commonsgiving was a great experience with delicious food, and I especially like the idea because it allows people who can’t necessarily go home for Thanksgiving at least the chance to experience a Thanksgiving dinner.” This event was indeed an extravagant one. The W&J Weekly report that came out the week after
Commonsgiving listed the amount of food consumed. It said, “A record-breaking 1041 members of the W&J community attended this year’s Commonsgiving event! Attendees consumed 1400 pounds of turkey, 400 pounds of potatoes, and 25 gallons of gravy during the course of the evening as they celebrated Thanksgiving at W&J.” This event certainly was special and I was happy to be a part of it. I will definitely try to attend Commonsgiving every year I am here, as I consider it to be a staple of W&J’s dining experience.
18 Sports
sports Red & Black
9
december
2016
Presidents of the Week Fall Sports Athletes Recognized Football Honors First Team All-Region: Junior Jesse Zubik Third Team All-Region: Senior Brandon Martuccio Senior Ryan Snedeker First Team All-PAC: Senior Brandon Martuccio Senior Ryan Snedeker Junior O'Shea Anderson Junior Jesse Zubik
Courtesy gopresidents.com
SAM FLORENTINO Junior Wrestling
Second Team All-PAC: Senior Pete Coughlin Junior Luke Merhaut Sophomore Jake Cullen Sophomore Nick Getz Honorable Mention All-PAC: Senior Torre Carr Junior Tom Marra Junior Nick Murgo Junior Zach Walker Sophomore Andrew Reo
Women’s Soccer Honors First Team All-ECAC: Tatiana Ruzzini Second Team All-Region: Junior Tatiana Ruzzini
Courtesy gopresidents.com
MYA GORDON Junior Womens Basketball
Third Team All-Region: Junior Jordan Toohey First Team All-PAC: Junior Tatiana Ruzzini
Junior Jordan Toohey Junior Josie Madden
ECAC Player of the Year: Senior Allison Means
Honorable Mention All-PAC: Senior Aundrea Snyder
First Team All-ECAC: Senior Allison Means
Men’s Soccer Honors
First Team All-PAC: Senior Allison Means
Second Team All-PAC: Senior Justin Nolfi Junior Jason Yobbi
Second Team All-PAC: Sophomore Madison Lydic
Field Hockey Honors
Honorable Mention All-PAC: Sophomore Abbey Eich
First Team All-ECAC: Sophomore Rachel Buyan
Men’s Water Polo Honors
Second Team All-ECAC: Senior Amanda Steffey
First Team All-Region: Senior Nick Willison
Second Team All-Region: Senior Amanda Steffey Sophomore Rachel Buyan
Second Team All-Region: Senior Patrick Fredrick
First Team E8: Senior Amanda Steffey Sophomore Rachel Buyan Second Team E8: Senior Kelly Knisel Honorable Mention E8: Senior Kelsey Bowman Sportswoman of the Year: Senior Lauren Brown
Women’s Volleyball Honors
Men’s Golf Honors PAC Individual Champion: Freshman Jake Darr
Women’s Golf Honors PAC Individual Champion: Junior Kaitlyn Vogel
Women’s Tennis Honors Second Singles Title: Freshman Polina Dergacova Second Doubles Title: Freshman Polina Dergacova Senior Kathryn Chase
9
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2016
19 Sports
Red & Black
W&J Basketball Teams Looking for Successful Season
or
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Both the men and women's basketball teams are looking to build on last year's seasons.
Ally Hopkins Red&Black Contributor
Washington & Jefferson College men’s and women’s basketball teams are now underway in 2016-2017 season play. The men have played 7 of their 25 scheduled season games, while the women have dominated 5 of their 25. The women's team have laid the
groundwork for a very successful season thus far. Their current record is 4-1 after a loss against Case Western Reserve, and wins against Earlham, Allegheny, Geneva and Saint Vincent. In PAC play, they are undefeated 2-0 and they are currently enjoying a 4-game win streak. This past weekend in their game in Latrobe, PA, the women’s team had a very exciting win after they trailed Saint Vincent 48-52. Top performers Rachel Bellhy ’18 and Danielle Parker ’19 made a pair of free throws and a layup, respectively, to tie the game with 6 minutes to
play. Parker had a career-high 19 points in the game, while her teammate Amirah Moore ‘19 added 13, with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Bellhy and Taylor Cortazzo ’17 each had 8 and 9 points to contribute. In regard to her team’s performance this season, Alyssa Riley ’19 said, “Our team has some great chemistry on and off the court, which helps us create a family atmosphere that ends up helping us in our games. It is so important for us to work together to defeat our opponent.” After starting out the season with a record of 0-6, the W&J men fell to Saint Vin-
cent on Dec. 3, leaving them 0-7 and 0-2 in the PAC overall. Their 56-75 loss, however, did include great games from Sean Stinelli ’20, Brian Graytok ‘18 and Brian Lindquist ‘18. Stinelli had 14 points and 4 three-pointers in the game with 2 assists and 2 steals. Graytok had 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2, assists and a steal, while Lindquist finished with a team-high 7 rebounds. It was Graytok’s third consecutive game with at least 6 rebounds. A team effort from the bench added another 20 points to their total. Riley also commented on the success of both basketball
programs at W&J. He said, “In general, both the Presidents men’s and women’s programs work extremely hard. The girls are continuing to improve throughout the season and our goal this year is to win the PAC title. The boys are trying to expand their program and create a strong foundation for the years to come.” There are plenty of upcoming games for the winter basketball season – the women’s and men’s teams host Westminster on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively. Students can support the Presidents' basketball program in the gymnasium at the Henry Memorial Center.
20 Sports
Red & Black
9
december
2016
Sports Spotlight: Gaelic Football Health and Fitness:
Healthy Bodies Hannah Kail Red&Black contributor
Courtesy google.com
Gaelic Football is popular in many different countries.
Alexander Benner Red&Black contributor
Imagine a sport that requires the ball skill of soccer and involves the high scoring of basketball and the physical contact of American football and rugby. To find a sport like this, you must venture to Ireland, and there you will find the country’s most popular sport: Gaelic football. This sport is one of the few completely amateur sports in the world, which means that all of the players and coaches are not paid. There are fifteen starters on each team, and unlike many sports, the players’ jersey numbers go from one to fifteen. The substitutes’ numbers start at sixteen and count upwards. The ball used resembles a volleyball but has the weight of a soccer ball. Matches are played on a “pitch,” or field larger and wider than an American foot-
ball field, with a field goal post at each end of the pitch. The difference between an American field goal post and a Gaelic field goal post is that at the bottom of the post, there is what resembles a soccer goal. These two areas are the ways in which one scores in a match. If a ball is kicked or “handpassed” through the post above the soccer goal, a player is awarded a point, which converts to a score of one. If a ball is kicked into the soccer goal part of the post, one is awarded a goal, which converts to a score of three. The point of the game is much like any other sport: obtain the most points by the end of regulation. One game last 60 minutes, split into two 30-minute halves. If you thought the rules of rugby were confusing, they do not even compare to the rules of Gaelic football. There is an aspect to Gaelic football that is like handball: a player may only run with the ball for four steps without doing anything with it. What
he or she can do with the ball varies greatly. The player can pass the ball to a teammate using a closed fist like a volleyball hit, or he can kick-pass the ball to a teammate. He can bounce the ball like a basketball, but only once because more than one time in a row is a penalty. A player can also drop the ball and play with it like a soccer ball or shoot at the post or goal. Essentially, this game combines most sports that exist today, and the player needs to be the epitome of an athlete so that he or she can advance the ball up the pitch in any way possible. As mentioned in the opening of this article, Gaelic football is most popular in Ireland, but a few other countries have leagues for the sport as well. These countries include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States. If you are looking to learn an extremely difficult, yet fun, sport, give Gaelic football a try. It will definitely give you a workout.
The American culture has a habit of putting too much emphasis on the numbers that show up when one steps on a scale. People are obsessed with losing pounds. The pressure to meet a weight requirement is felt by many people, particularly women. Between the media and societal expectations, many women feel that if the number on the scale goes above a certain number, they need to lose weight. Instead of focusing on being strong and healthy, slimming down is made more important. This creates a false ideal for people to try to model themselves after these unrealistic societal norms. Weight by itself is not the determining factor in a person’s health, and it should not be the factor by which one measures his or her health. It is only one aspect of an entire group of things that make a person healthy. Exercising, eating good foods and getting enough sleep are also important factors in one’s overall well-being. Despite these other factors, there is a tendency for people to put too much importance
on the numbers that show up on the scale. Body mass index (BMI), charts use one’s height and weight to measure fat on adults. Medical professionals often use this calculation to gauge a person’s health. However, it does not consider any other factors about a person such as her muscle mass or her natural body build. Bodies are all shaped and formed differently. More muscle mass equals more weight. For example, Ronda Rousey, champion MMA fighter, has a weight that fluctuates between the mid-130s and 150s. It would be tough to find someone in better physical condition. There should be more of an emphasis on simply getting stronger rather than just losing weight. Cardio is often used to achieve this even though studies have shown that it is not the most effective way to get into the best shape. Danielle Kochka ‘19 said, “Lifting weights is much more effective at forming tone, lean muscles.” Lifting does not create bulkiness, even though that myth has stayed around in health culture for a long time, according to Kochka. While weight loss might occur in the process of getting its shape, it should not be the ultimate goal in a person's attempt to becoming healthier.