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 M a rc h 2 9 , 2 0 1 9
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “This means that people outside of the big city are still able to use Doordash, whereas Grubhub only delivers to the more popular areas around towns and cities.” -P.6
CULTURE
“His work is provocative and intense, and he did not shy away from creating pieces that were startling and full of suffering.” -P.11
OPINIONS “Not everyone has mastered the art of the perfect lie, but sugarcoating or completely hiding the truth can often shelter a friend from a truth that will hurt them.” -P.14
W&J Students Demonstrate Kindness SPORTS
“The baseball team started their first Presidents Athletic Conference game with three wins versus Thiel College.” -P.18
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WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy washjeff flickr
2 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
29 march 2019
Club Spotlight: Men’s Volleyball Team Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
The men’s volleyball team is a club at Washington & Jefferson College that has joined together many different types of athletes for the enjoyment of the game. Some of the team’s members have been playing for years and are quite skilled in their abilities on the court, while others with little experience have become important contributors to the team. Paul Mokrzan ’19 is one of those surprising additions to the team. He
only started playing the game about a month ago. Mokrzan has always been a dedicated soccer player by contributing to the men’s varsity team for the past four years. His switch to volleyball is bit of a change. “I joined the volleyball club to find a new way to funnel my competitive nature,” said Mokrzan. He plays the position of the libero, which means he is always in a defensive position, and he does not sub off the court when the other positions normally would. You can spot him in a jersey the opposite color of the rest of his team. Chris Fiorina ‘19 started the team in the 2015-2016 academic school year and has been building it to the competitive stance it holds today. Jordon Har-
ris ‘20 says it was Fiorina who got him interested in the club. “I am friends with some of the girls on the volleyball team and they encouraged me to join along with Chris,” said Harris. “They hold practice two days a week and the sessions last for about 90-105 minutes, so the club is not a huge time commitment.” The W&J team plays against teams from schools involved in the Presidents Athletic Conference even if they compete in a bracket outside that official tournament. They also travel to play schools like IUP that are not involved with W&J for collegiate sports, but travel is always planned to be about equal for all the teams. The volleyball club has been especially successfully this year be-
cause the team made the playoffs and will be competing on April 6 at Grove City College for the title. Grove City presents a tough challenge for the men’s team, but hopefully with the veteran skills of Fiorina and the new energy of Mokrzan and Harris, they will be able to pull an upset. In addition to the matches at Grove City, they will also be traveling to Denver, Colo. from April 17-20. The men’s club volleyball team will have the opportunity to play teams that are known nationally like USC, UCLA and Duke. It sounds like an amazing year for this group of students, and there is certainly more to look out for in the next year for non-graduating students interested in joining the club.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
The men’s club volleyball team has joined non-athletes and athletes together to form one competitive team.
29 March 2019
Red & Black
3 CAMPUS NEWS
CPS’s Weekly Security Logs DATE: 03/01/19 INCIDENT #: 2579 LOCATION: New Res Hall – third floor CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 / Underage Drinking Police were contacted for a noise complaint. Upon arrival, officers allegedly heard loud music coming from one of the rooms. Upon making contact with the occupants, officers report detecting an odor of marijuana. Several students who were said to be under the age of 21 exhibited signs of intoxication. CPS reports seizing drug paraphernalia from the room. Investigation continues—charges pending. DATE: 03/02/19 INCIDENT #: 2584 LOCATION: New Res Hall – first floor CLASSIFICATION: Criminal Trespass / Public Drunkenness / Disorderly Conduct Police report that they were contacted to respond to an intoxicated male who entered a student’s room and identified himself as an RA. Officers say the suspect was located and found to be a student who was visibly intoxicated and belligerent. Charges pending. DATE: 03/09/19 INCIDENT #: 2601 LOCATION: E. Wheeling @ S. Lincoln CLASSIFICATION: Warrant Service / Act 64 CPS reports observing a vehicle stopped at the library near the construction site. Upon making contact with the occupants, officers say they found that one of the passengers, a non-student, had an active warrant out of Washington County. The person was allegedly taken into custody. Upon searching the suspect, he was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics. According to CPS, he was lodged in the Washington County Jail on the warrant and will be charged criminally for the drug possession. DATE: 03/10/19 INCIDENT #: 2603 LOCATION: Ross Park Field CLASSIFICATION: Attempted Burglary While patrolling the Ross Park Field area, officers report observing a vehicle fleeing the parking lot. Upon checking the area, the vehicle was not found. Upon returning to the field, officers reportedly found that unknown actors tried to gain access to the structure. Investigation continuing. DATE: 03/10/19 INCIDENT #: 2604 LOCATION: Bica Ross Hall – fourth floor CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 / Underage Drinking While walking through the residence hall, campus police reportedly detected marijuana in the hallway of the fourth floor. Officers note that the hallway was actually filled with smoke. Police determined which room the smoke was coming from and made contact with the occupants. Inside the room, officers allegedly seized alcohol and drug paraphernalia. All occupants will be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and / or will criminally charged.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
29 March 2019
CPS’s Weekly Security Logs DATE: 03/15/19 INCIDENT #: 2606 LOCATION: N. Lincoln St. CLASSIFICATION: DUI While on patrol, campus police report observing a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on N. Lincoln St. A traffic stop was conducted and the operator of the vehicle was allegedly found to be impaired. The actor was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed. CPS notes that he was then placed under arrest and transported to the Washington Hospital to obtain a blood sample. Charges pending lab results.
DATE: 03/16/19 INCIDENT #: 2609 LOCATION: Penn Ave. at E. Chestnut St. CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 Police report stopping a vehicle with an equipment violation, and the vehicle also failed to stop for a posted stop sign. Upon making contact with the occupants, an odor of marijuana was detected. After a probable cause search was conducted, CPS allegedly seized marijuana and related paraphernalia. Investigation continues. DATE: 03/23/19 INCIDENT #: 2621 LOCATION: 325 E. Chestnut. CLASSIFICATION: Underage Drinking CPS officers report that a student under the age of 21 was found to be in possession of an alcoholic beverage in the foyer of the above building. They will be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and / or will be criminally charged.
DATE: 03/24/19 INCIDENT #: 2623 LOCATION: 325 E. Chestnut. CLASSIFICATION: Underage Drinking Police report that a student under the age of 21 was found to be in possession of an alcoholic beverage on the front porch of the building. The student will be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and / or criminally charged.
DATE: 03/23/19 INCIDENT #: 2618 LOCATION: Chestnut St. Parking Lot CLASSIFICATION: Hit and Run Accident According to officers, a vehicle collided with the privacy fence at the Chestnut St. parking lot. Upon reviewing surveillance, a suspect vehicle was identified. Investigation continues.
29 march 2019
CAMPUS NEWS 5
Red & Black
Speak Out:
What was the funniest April Fools’ Day prank you ever pulled? “One time I put a rubber band around the sink sprayer handle and when my mom turned on the sink it sprayed all over her.” -Brianna McGowan ’21 Courtesy Brianna McGowan
Courtesy Grace Rangel
“My friend’s grandma gave her a fake Kim K wig, but it looked more like Kris Jenner. So I FaceTimed my sister fake crying that this lady botched my hair. My sister’s husband said you need to talk to the manager and my sister goes, “Ohhh, Gracie...’” -Grace Rangel ’21
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Publication Manager Managing Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Kayla Marasia Holly Sauer Hannah Kail Brie Sutherland Brianna Floryshak Brie Sutherland Christian Buckley Sydney Kightlinger Marcy Saldivar Hannah Kail Joe Reedy John Santa
life
Life 6
Red & Black
29 March 2019
Food Delivery Services : Grubhub Vs. Doordash Marygrace Depp Red & Black Staff
There has been a new trend recently skyrocketing, especially around college campuses and major cities. Grubhub and Doordash have both seen a lot of fame recently as a way to order food and have it delivered to companies, homes, apartments and dorms. The one that has been receiving the most fame is Doordash. One major reason is because Doordash has more restaurant options from which to choose. Another reason is because Doordash does not have a specific amount you have to spend in order to use their service. In contrast, Grubhub makes customers order a certain amount before they will even let the person use their service. Also, Doordash has a wider range of where they will deliver. This means that people outside of the big city are still able to use Doordash, whereas Grubhub only delivers to the more popular areas around towns and cities. Grubhub makes the restaurants pay them in order to show up on their sites. For Doordash, it is free for the
Courtesy waspbarcode
Grubhub and Doordash are mobile app delivery services growing in popularity.
restaurants to be on their site. One downside to both of these apps is the idea that a random person is picking up your order. This means that they do not always check your order before they deliver it to you. You do not have as much say if the order is wrong, either. If something happens to your order, it is harder to
get it sorted out because there is now a third party, the delivery person, which means that it is difficult to figure out where everything went wrong. Some restaurants are not big of fans of these apps and therefore are less likely to help out if your order went wrong. Additionally, because the person is not a worker at the restaurant you are ordering, it could take them lon-
ger to get your food and deliver it to you. For both of these apps there are good things and bad things, but it does make staying in a lot easier, and makes for an easier meal. Although the delivery fees and tips can make the food more expensive, there are also frequent deals and promotions to make the fees more affordable.
29 March 2019
Red & Black
7 Life
How to Be Healthy for the Summer Months
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Marcy Saldivar ‘21 relaxes in Miami during spring break. Feeling comfortable in your body and choosing what you want to do is the best way to enjoy vacation time.
Marygrace Depp Red & Black Staff
As we all know, getting that “summer bod” before summer is a big priority right around this time of the year. Here are a few tips to make it a bit easier. One tip that is completely necessary is drinking water. A person should be drinking around half a gallon a day of wa-
ter, which equals out to about eight 8-ounce waters. This sounds hard, but if you start at the beginning of your day and drink throughout the day, you will drink more than you realize. Another tip is to get some light exercise during the day. Whether this entails actually going to the gym or even something as little as going for walks throughout your day, any movement is good. Walking is an easy way to see new places, to catch up with friends and to get fit while doing so. What you put
into your body is also a big part of getting fit. Make sure that what you put into your body is something that your body actually needs. This means no junk food or fast food. Make sure you have the right amount of greens, and proteins in your diet. While it is important to watch your health, it is also important for you to feel comfortable in your own body. If you are happy with your body, that should be the only thing that counts. Being comfortable in your own
skin is very important. You should do whatever makes you happy. If that involves getting fit and following these steps and others, then that is amazing. If it consists of staying inside and doing hobbies that have nothing to do with getting fit, then that is amazing, too. The important thing is to have fun in the summer; you should not have to worry about whether you are “summer bod” ready. This is the time to relax, so take advantage of it.
8 LIFE
Red & Black
29 March 2019
Five Ways To Organize Your Closet Marygrace Depp Red & Black Staff
to better utilize your space. Tip number three is to put objects or clothes that you do not use or wear very often on the top shelves of your closet so that you do not have to constantly be reaching up in order to get clothes. Tip number four is to organize your clothes in each drawer. Something that can be very difficult, For instance, try designating one especially around this time of year, is part for T-shirts, another for pants and cleaning your closet. another for workout clothes or pajaHowever, if you approach it with a mas. This way you know exactly what plan and follow some is in each place which simple tips, the task of makes it easier for you organizing your closet There are many to find exactly what you becomes much more want. Tip number five benefits to is to fold your clothes manageable. There are five simple cleaning out your neatly. ways to help declutter When clothes are your closet and oth- closet. It makes folded and put into er areas in your living right spot, it your room a their space. takes up less space, and The first step is to get more positive makes it easier to see rid of anything that you what you actually have. do not actually need in environment . . . When you simply your closet. This means throw your clothes into getting rid of clothes [and] makes you the drawer in a tangled that you have not worn feel like you are mess, it makes it hardthis year. er to see what shirt you If you have clothes organized and in are actually looking at that you have outgrown and makes it harder for control. or that are out of style, you to find something consider donating to wear. There are many them. Also, another benefits to cleaning idea is switching out your clothes for out your closet. It makes your room a the upcoming seasons. For instance, if more positive environment. it is getting warm, you can take your It also makes you feel like you are winter clothes home to save space and organized and in control, even when make room for warm-weather cloth- you may be stressed. ing. If you have some extra time in your Another tip is to get a hanging shoe day maybe it is time to start to orgarack for your shoes. nize your closet. This saves space and protects your If you feel overwhelmed, try sortshoes from damage. If you do not put ing one part of your closet or dresser your shoes in your closet, you can put and slowly finish each section until evitems like scarves and socks in the rack erything is organized and decluttered.
Courtesy Brie Sutherland
Section editor Brie Sutherland’s closet is meticulously organized. Organization, including stacking and labeling, reduces closest clutter and allows a person to easily identify where everything is located.
29 March 2019
Red & Black
9 Life
Staff Spotlight: Marcy Saldivar '21 Position: Sports Section Editor Major: Neuroscience and Gender & Women's Studies Involvement: She is the team captain of the W&J women’s soccer team. Marcy is also on the sustainability committee and a Washington Fellow. She is a member of Delta Gamma and serves as the Scholarship Chair. Off campus, she has completed an internship at the University of Sydney doing neurocience research with Alzheimer’s disease. International Experiences: Marcy has gone abroad on an Intersession trip to Greece volunteering at a refugee center. She traveled to Senegal and the Gambia during JayTerm 2019 to learn about their governments. Marcy recently received Magellan funding to volunteer this summer at Riding for the Disabled in Portugal. Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
10 Culture
culture Red & Black
29 March 2019
What is the Meaning of this Manet Painting? Holly Sauer Red & Black Staff
Édouard Manet’s “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe,” known in English as “The Luncheon on the Grass,” was first shown at the historic 1863 Parisian biannual Salon. This show hosted the day’s most important painting and sculpture from the Academie des Beaux-Arts. Artists from around the European continent submitted their works, but the jury who chose which art would be accepted to the Salon rejected canvases by influential artists like Paul Cezanne, Édouard Manet and Camille Pissarro. Emperor Napoleon III tried to appease the rejected artists by creating the Salon des Refusés. Instead of being a show only for outcasts, it would be remembered as a place where avant-garde pioneers showed their work. Manet’s “Le Déjeuner su l’herbe” was first shown at this exhibition. Although this piece stirred controversy among attendees, it would also help to inaugurate a new kind of painting. This painting portrays two clothed men and two women; one woman is half-dressed and the other one is nude. They are picnicking in a grove, and it
has inspired many different interpretations. Ever since this piece was first shown, artists and critics have tried to decipher the meaning of it. Scholars and critics have thought and written about this piece in feminist, formalist and Marxist lenses by looking at the work’s treatment of women position in the larger history of painting and socioeconomic and political framework. Manet left very little indication of his own motives for creating this piece, and this is why there are so many diverse ideas. He left very few letters so his feelings are difficult to know or imagine. One art critic, Nancy Locke, has argued that this painting is rooted in his family life. Manet is said to have modeled one of the men in the piece as a composite of his two brothers, Eugene and Gustav. The nude woman was inspired by his favorite model, Victorine Meurent, who posed for many of his other pieces, including his 1863 “Olympia.” Historians do know for certain that Manet intended the piece to be in the Salon and not for private ownership. This was a large change because up through the previous generation, artists worked almost exclusively on commissions from the church, state or wealthy patrons. Manet’s work shows that artists were becoming increas-
ingly independent because they could choose what they created. Audiences were scandalized by this image. There are some clear sexual undertones, but they are amplified to scandalous levels. These clothed men are associating with women who may be sex workers. Manet used influences from past masterpieces that span centuries and nationalities. The artist changed the way people saw painting in an era
where many people thought painting was becoming stale. Contemporary artists like Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso would also remake aspects of past paintings in their own works. This provocative piece leaves viewers asking questions. Manet caught these four people in a quiet moment before they had to return to society, propriety and class. And these unanswered questions do not seem to matter.
Critics have interpreted this painting in many different ways.
Courtesy Wikimedia
29 march 2019
Red & Black
Culture 11
HOLLY’S HOT TAKE:
artist of the week
French Painter Eugène Delacroix Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix embraced vivid colors, furious brushstrokes and figures filled with expression and life. Conservative individuals were shocked by his works, yet the growing Parisian avant-garde celebrated his innovative ideas in traditional painting genres. According to Artsy, poet Charles Baudelaire called Delacroix “a volcanic crater artistically concealed beneath bouquets of flowers” and a painter “passionately in love with passion, but coldly determined to express passion as clearly as possible.” These quotes get to the heart of Delacroix’s work. There is so much more to be found in his artwork than what can be seen on the surface. He transformed artistic tradition by using a radiant palette, sensitivity to light and unconventional treatment of classical and historical subjects. Delacroix’s work paved the way for artists like Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. His most famous painting is “Liberty Leading the People.” This piece recounts the 1830 revolt the people of Paris held against their country’s oppressive monarch, Bourbon King Charles X. Delacroix created this work in the same year, and he added his Romantic approach to this contemporary
event. He wrote to his brother about this event, and how his work contributed to the revolt. “I have undertaken a modern subject, a barricade, and although I may not have fought for my country, at least I have painted for her,” wrote Delacroix. This is a monumental work, and the artist fused classical allegory with the brutality found in the intense battle that raged around him. This hybrid approach would linger in his art for years. At the center of this canvas, the figure of Liberty is represented as a young woman leading soldiers into battle. Unlike popular myths at the time, Delacroix’s Liberty is in the middle of the action. Her face is flushed as she looks over the carnage of the battle. Other depictions of this mythic figure show her as immortal and untouchable. This intensity is also highlighted by the powerful pyramidal composition. Liberty is standing on top of dying, injured and suffocating bodies. Although the artist rarely left France in his lifetime, Delacroix joined the French government’s convoy to Morocco in 1832. This trip would greatly influence his art, and he created almost 80 genre paintings relating to his time in Africa. “I am like a man in a dream, seeing things he fears will vanish from him,” Delacroix wrote in his journals. He was inspired by this trip to paint “Women of Algiers in their Apartment.” This painting was completed soon after the artist re-
turned to France, and it is the most influential piece he created from his inspiration in Morocco. It is based on a tour he took of a harem, and it shows four women surrounded by intensely colored carpets and shimmering objects. This piece is important because it cemented a new practice for Delacroix. He would treat a genre scene of everyday life in the same way he would create one of his large history paintings. Of course this piece added to the spread of Orientalism in the 1800s, which occurred as more European countries came into contact with North Africa and the Middle East due to their colonialism. Many artists
during this time romanticized and even eroticized the Eastern world. In many cases, works that fell into this category would serve as propaganda for European colonial agendas. Even though there is a problematic history to this piece, it still influenced painters like Picasso and Henri Matisse to create their own versions of this subject. Delacroix’s technique would influence many future artists. His work is provocative and intense, and he did not shy away from creating pieces that were startling and full of suffering. In some paintings it is easy to see what Baudelaire meant when he wrote that Delacroix was a volcanic crater and a bouquet of flowers at the same time.
Courtesy Wikimedia
Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People” portrays the Parisian revolt in 1830.
12 Culture
Red & Black
Poetry Corner My Lifeblood
Maggie Smith Red & Black Staff
The burn in my mouth is wonderful. I look forward to the stunning taste and the lofty smell of warm cheese and bread. Even the name, pizza, brings pleasure to my mind. As I chew the warm cheese I taste the Z’s on my tounge. Pizza. Pizza. The bliss I feel as it fills my stomach leaves me knowing, I will be ready for the day tomorrow. Pizza is cleansing. Pizza is life.
29 march 2019
29 march 2019
Red & Black
Culture 13
Culture Spotlight: Sarah Janczewski’19 “I was excited when [Dean Lewis’s] new album was released last week because I really liked a few of his singles that were released like ‘be alright’ and ‘waves.’ When I listened to the full album, I loved almost every song, which is pretty rare. My favorite songs are ‘hold of me,’ ‘7 minutes,’ and ‘for the last time.’ It is definitely hard to pick a favorite. I enjoy listening to his music because his lyrics are meaningful and some of the songs have a really catchy beat. 10/10 recommend.”
Major: Neuroscience Minors: Chemistry and French
14 Opinions
29 March 2019
opinions Red & Black
Honesty: A Simple and Easy Way to Change Your Life Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
“Honesty is the best policy” is an old adage we often hear when considering conflict, whether it be between friends, family or anyone else. While we all lie from time to time to protect ourselves or one another from the consequences of the truth, the idea of replacing those little lies with brutal honesty may not be the best solution. Not everyone has mastered the art of the perfect lie, but sugarcoating or completely hiding the truth can often shelter a friend from a truth that will hurt them. Kim Oberbach, a Washington & Jefferson College Fulbright Scholar, endorses the benefits of twisting the truth a bit to protect friends from
harmful information. “I think in some ways you have to consider how your answer will affect those around you and in turn yourself,” said Oberbach. “But you should always be honest with yourself.” On the other hand, Dylan Bertovich ’21 believes fully in the hon-
truth to myself, siding with the sugar-coating approach, knowing that if said aloud, the truth would reopen old wounds and result in more hurt for everyone involved. In this case, I had only good intentions, but I hurt a close friend by not
If you can get past the uneasiness of being completely open and are able to not only give but also receive criticism, honesty can be the solution to any problem. est approach. “I believe in honesty. Tell your friends how you feel,” said Bertovich. “Make them uncomfortable in your truth if need be. Pain can only lead to happiness.” I have recently found myself on both sides of the coin. In one particular instance, I chose to keep the
divulging the truth as soon as I heard it. However, I have recently found it best to share everything—taking off the rose-colored glasses and being completely honest about my problems. Through this, I have realized brutal honesty is scary; you never know what being completely honest could do to a
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.
relationship or how your words could affect someone. Nevertheless, being honest is refreshing and it offers the opportunity to heal grievances that have been weighing on your mind—honesty allows for growth. While I now strongly feel that being honest is better, I am still unsure whether it is necessarily the best policy. When it comes to maintaining and mending friendships, I do believe in it. If you can get past the uneasiness of being completely open and are able to not only give but also receive criticism, honesty can be the solution to any problem. It is important to realize that honesty may not always lead to an expected or desirable response, and because of this, we must all take time to consider the particular situation before deciding which approach we will take.
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29 March 2019
Red & Black
15 Opinions
Students Pick W&J for Opportunities
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Something unique to W&J is the quality time with faculty which allows student to comfortably ask questions and seek advice.
Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
Choosing which college to attend is an important decision that shapes a critical part of our lives and in many ways helps to decide our future. As a transfer student, I have made this decision more than once, and consequently put significantly more consideration into what I wanted in a school the second time. I had to consider my majors. As someone majoring in biology and psychology, I wanted to attend a school where I could complete both majors in four years, while also having the flexibility to switch my psychology major
to a minor if necessary. Additionally, as I was involved in many extracurricular activities in high school, I looked for a small school that would allow me similar opportunities. W&J’s Wind Ensemble offered me the opportunity to play bassoon again in a fun, pressure-free environment. Brendan Troesch ’21 is a double major, and he also took the opportunity to take double majoring into consideration while selecting which college to attend. His reason for attending Washington & Jefferson College was largely tied to the liberal arts opportunities. “I knew I could pursue both majors, German and chemistry, without being in separate colleges like at a larger university,” said Troesch. “However, I do wish we offered more languages, such as Portuguese and Japanese, and had
better dorms.” Kim Oberbach, a W&J Fulbright Scholar, considered her field of study and overall education when selecting her school. “I chose W&J for the mentoring opportunity to work closely with teachers,” said Oberbach. “But I do wish there were sports courses other than yoga to take because that is something I miss doing.” For me, the most important factors in my choice to attend W&J were the research and study-abroad opportunities. Thanks to the College’s connections with the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership, I now have the ability to travel outside of the United States for the first time this summer and study in Rome, Italy. Dylan Bertovich ’21 also considered W&J’s research opportunities and their importance on future appli-
cations and career opportunities. “I choose this school as I, at that time, believed that it would give me the best chance at entering medical school,” said Bertovich. “I now know that the idea of guaranteed acceptance is not true. I also chose this school as it offers many great opportunities to research, giving me the laboratory experience needed to get an REU this summer. Nevertheless, I, as a science student, wish that our laboratory hours counted as credit given the amount of time every week we put into this part of class in addition to lecture.” Ultimately, while each of us wish for better conditions, whether through courses offered, improvements to housing or course accreditation, we all chose to attend W&J for a variety of reasons that could not be fulfilled at any other college.
16 opinions
Red & Black
29 March 2019
W&J Students Demonstrate Kindness
Courtesy washjeff flickr
The Knit Wits, pictured above, often knit for charity purposes. Emphasizing kindness and compassion within society should become a top priority for everyone.
Edith Bear Red & Black Staff
As a fourth grader, my dance instructor told me in a moment of stretching, “If you can be anything, be kind.” I am not sure why she felt the need to tell us this. Maybe some girls behind me were gossiping, but at ten years old I had no idea that her words would eventually guide me through life. Kindness is the most undervalued “soft skill” in modern society. We do not teach empathy, sympathy or compassion in classrooms, but we should. Genuine human connection will get you more places than you might
imagine. “Kindness is important for inclusivity and for allowing people to feel accepted,” said Meghan Gonzalez ’21. Furthermore, the current political atmosphere truly needs more empa-
ther marginalizing groups that have historically been diminished. I have always been fascinated by the idea of benevolent societies. Benevolent societies are charity groups organized to serve a community through
Kindness is the most undervalued “soft skill” in modern society. We do not teach empathy, sympathy, or compassion in classrooms, but we should. thy, sympathy and compassion. Sure, there has always been political discord in the United States. This is an inherent problem when you have party politics, but it seems that modern policy and projects are geared towards fur-
programs, sponsorships and donations. They focus on taking care of the entire community through projects like food banks, shelters and educational endeavors. They want everyone in the society to thrive and develop
into the best version of themselves; however, these societies struggle to come to fruition because they require everyone to be community-minded. It may be a radical and idealistic version of the world that is impossible to achieve, but we can start by being kind to one another. “Kindness goes full circle,” said Sam Gooch ‘22. “One might not realize just how much one small kind act changes another’s life.” I hope that other people have had moments like mine that shaped their lives. If I had not internalized my dance instructor’s words, I would not be the same person I am today. The opportunities granted to me and the gambles people took on me would also not have happened without the conscious decision on the part of others to to be kind.
sports
29 March 2019
Red & Black
Sports 17
Student Athlete Spotlight: Jacob Darr ’20 Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
Jacob Darr ‘20 is preparing to begin his third spring season for the Washington & Jefferson College men’s golf team. Darr is from Frederick, Md. where he has been golfing since he was about seven years old. He has not always been an avid golfer, because he played football and baseball before he decided to concentrate solely on golfing. Before his time as a President, Darr racked up an impressive resume by winning four junior golf tours. He decided to bring his talents to the W&J, where he is currently majoring in business administration. He chose W&J because it offered a major he was interested in and gave him the opportunity to play for the golf team. “I loved the reputation of good academics and to play under Coach Matt Kluck,” said Darr. Darr gave great praise to Coach Kluck and his impressive golfing background. “Coach Kluck is great because he is a PGA master professional and has the experience,” said Darr. “He has been teaching and coaching for
35 years and is great at what he does.” Darr and the Presidents golf team have seen great success in the past couple of years. Last year the Presidents were able to win the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) led by Darr, who won the individual division of the PAC and demonstrated his impressive abilities. This performance lives on as one of Darr’s proudest accomplishments as a President, as it gave the team a birth in Nationals. Darr will start this season as the team captain where he fulfills his role by helping his teammates stay motivated and encouraging them to practice more so they can develop their skills and strengths and soon compete in the national tournaments. Although his task is challenging, Darr claims to enjoy it. “People are able to look to me for help as if I am somewhat of a second coach,” said Darr. Darr had an impressive fall season, and he hopes to repeat this success during this spring season. He has high hopes for next season, and he feels confident in his team’s abilities. “I am hoping to win the PAC overall and help to move our team to compete in nationals again this spring,” said Darr. Darr and the team will start their spring campaign on March 30 at the Mary Washington Tournament.
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
Jacob Darr will serve as the men’s golf team’s team captain next season.
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Red & Black
29 March 2019
Baseball Finds Success but Softball Struggles
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Griffin earns PAC hitter of the week due to his performance this weekend.
Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
The weekend of March 24 was a busy few days for the Washington & Jefferson College men’s baseball and women’s softball teams, as they both played a series of important games. The baseball team started their first Presidents Athletic Conference game with three wins versus Thiel College. They capped off their weekend on Saturday with a 17-5 win. James Artale ‘19 scored a two-run home run to begin the game. Josh Crummer ‘19 led the team during this game with four at bats, two runs, four hits and two runs batted in. The team continued their rally on Sunday by earning two wins during a
double header. The team won the first game 16-5. They finished their weekend off with another 8-2 win. Justin Griffin ‘19 led the team in points on Sunday with three at bats, two runs, two hits and six runs batted in. Throughout these games, the Presidents had multiple home runs from Artale, Griffin, Crummer and Michael Zito ‘21. “We were all excited and eager to get off to a hot start in conference play, and we were able to do just that,” said Zito. “We put together three great efforts and are happy the results dictated that.” Zito was also excited to hit his first home run of his college career, and he was happy to share this experience with his teammates. This weekend proved to be a threegame sweep for the Presidents and a perfect start to the beginning of con-
Courtesy gopresidents.com
The W&J softball team comes up short in a double header against Carlow.
ference play. The Presidents play another double header away on Tuesday against Waynesburg. The W&J softball team also had multiple games this weekend with a pair of double headers. Unfortunately, the Presidents softball team did not have as successful of a weekend as the baseball team. They dropped their first double header against Carlow on Saturday and lost twice to Franciscan University on Sunday. On Saturday, the Presidents lost the first game against Carlow 12-1 and the second in a close 6-7 loss. Laura Ryder ‘20 led the team in points during their first game against Carlow. Ryder had three at bats, one run and two hits. Rachel Johnson ‘19 led the team during their second game that day with five at bats, one run and
two hits. On Sunday, the team fell short to Franciscan 3-2 in an extra eighth inning. Despite the upsetting loss, Brooke Lapia ‘20 led the team with three at bats and three hits. The Presidents lost the second game 7-3. Brooke Shuck ‘20 scored the most points this game with three at bats, one hit and one run batted in. “We are upset by this weekend’s result, but we are expecting big things for the PAC,” said Addy Helffrich ‘21. “We hope to come together as a team.” After the series of games this weekend, the W&J baseball team plans to keep their momentum going throughout the season. The softball team will make adjustments to turn their season around. The next double header for the softball team is against La Roche College on Tuesday.
29 March 2019
Red & Black
19 sports
Men’s Tennis Dominates Penn State Altoona Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
On March 23, the Washington & Jefferson College’s men’s tennis team travelled to Penn State University at Altoona to earn an 8-1 victory. Coming into Saturday, the team held a 4-1 record by winning against Muskingum University, Marietta College, Waynesburg University and the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg They lost only to Baldwin Wallace College. The W&J men’s team got a quick head start after winning all of the doubles matches. Sam Bellini ‘21 and Nate Wang ‘21 won their match 8-1, Steve Mehlbaum ‘20 and Max Perilstein ‘19 won their game 8-5 and Josh Hnat ‘19 and Ruchir Gupta ‘20 finished the sweep with a 8-4 win. The team also dominated in single matches. They won five of the six to-
tal matches. Wang won his first singles matches 6-3 and 6-4. During the 2018 season, Wang won PAC player of the week three times and PAC rookie of the week twice. He is looking to win similar awards this season. Bellini won two matches, 6-1 and 6-3 at second singles. “I am very happy with how the team performed as a whole and how I played individually on Saturday,” said Bellini. “I hope that we can keep our momentum moving forward and into PAC matches.” Mehlbaum played third singles and won 6-1 and 6-4. Perilstein continued the streak by winning fourth singles 6-1 for both of his two matches. Hnat finished off the streak with two wins at fifth singles winning 6-0 and 6-2. Unfortunately, Gupta came up short in his two sixth singles by losing 6-0 and 6-1. This win extends the Presidents’ record to 5-1. The men’s tennis team continues their season on March 26 against West Liberty University. Bellini believes a
lot of work will need to be put in outside of matches in order to qualify for PAC semifinals and finals. “We need to put in a lot of effort during practice in the next few weeks,” said Bellini. “I be-
lieve the guys have it in them to make the season a success story.” This match is at home and kicks off the beginning of Presidents Athletic Conference play.
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
Robby Heberle ‘21 trains for the upcoming tennis matches.
Last Week’s Scores for the W&J Presidents Mar. 20 Softball double header vs Marietta College: 5-2 and 7-6 losses Women’s lacrosse vs Marietta College: 17-3 win Baseball vs Muskingum University: 15-5 win Mar. 22 Women’s water polo vs Grove City College: 18-10 loss Women’s water polo vs Connecticut College: 11-6 loss
Mar. 23 Women’s water polo vs Uitca College: 14-4 win Women’s water polo vs Penn State Behrend: 14-10 loss Men’s tennis vs Penn State Altoona: 8-1 win Softball double header vs Carlow University: 12-1 and 7-6 losses Baseball vs Thiel College: 17-5 win Women’s lacross vs Marymount University: 16-7 loss Mar. 24 Baseball double header vs Thiel: 6-5 and 8-2 wins Softball double header vs Franciscan University: 3-2 and 7-3 losses
20 sports
Red & Black
29 March 2019
Fitness Trends on the Rise Next Week’s Games Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
Health and fitness can be an integral part of any person’s life. However, sometimes it can be hard to start getting into a routine and regime to increase one’s fitness. Despite this trouble, there are many easy trends to help make the process easier. 2019 is bringing a bunch of popular trends that any person can pick up no matter age or level of physical strength. One popular trend is 30-minute workouts. These are beneficial to anyone who is crunched for time and space. These workouts are popular because they do not require equipment and can be done almost anywhere. Quick workouts like these focus on cardio and strength. A simple Google search can lead to many different kinds of workouts. Some are easy for beginners and some are intense for those who want a challenge. Another popular trend is strengthening one’s mind. Now, more than ever before people are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health when it comes to fitness. Mental fitness is another goal that can be easily attained by any individual. An easy way to implement mental fitness is through simple, daily meditation. Meditation allows the mind to escape from the daily stress of life. It has been proven to increase levels of attention and energy in those who practice it regularly. Meditations can be easily found by searching YouTube, Google or any other library source. Some good
videos for beginners include those made by Deepak Chopra and the YouTube channel Pick Up Limes. It can be difficult at first to calm the mind and block out all the distractions, but with regular practice, it becomes easier to accomplish. Mental fitness should be a goal of anyone who wants to improve their overall health and fitness and, it is another popular trend that is easy to find time for in one’s schedule. Another trend in 2019 is more initiative towards youth fitness. Health and fitness is not only for fully grown adults but for all people. Local gyms have fitness programs geared towards people of all ages including college aged students. These programs can help people of any age or gender stick to a schedule and routine that suits one’s needs. This trend is usually paired with another popular trend, which is working out with a certified trainer. If one is able to afford it, certified trainers are an excellent way to maintain a level of fitness one wants to achieve. Students on campus have found themselves partaking in these trends this year and have had a lot of success completing their personal goals. Jared Heller ‘21 speaks highly of 30-minute workouts. “These workouts are great for me,” said Heller. “I am able to get a quick workout while I balance school work and social events.” Joey Tristler ‘19 is also finding benefits this year through improving his mental fitness. “As a student athlete I am able to prepare myself and my mind through simple meditation and focusing on myself,” said Tristler. These popular fitness trends are helping people maintain health and wellness in easy, attainable and even fun ways.
Mar. 26 Baseball double header at Waynesburg University (A)-2pm Softball double header vs La Roche College (H)-3pm Men’s tennis vs West Liberty University (H)-5:30pm Mar. 27 Men’s lacrosse vs Kalamazoo College (H)-5pm Women’s lacrosse at Frostburg State University (A)-5pm Mar. 28 Men’s tennis at Thiel College (A)-4pm Mar. 30 Track & field at Bethany Invitational-10am Men’s and women’s golf at Spring Eagle Invitational Women’s water polo vs Penn State Club (exhibition)(A)-11:10am Men’s lacrosse vs Chatham University (H)-12pm Baseball double header vs Chatham University (H)-1pm Softball double header at Grove City College (A)-1pm Women’s lacrosse vs Chatham University (H)-3pm Women’s water polo vs McKendree University (A)-3:10pm Mar. 31 Men’s and women’s golf at Spring Eagle Invitational Baseball vs Chatham University (A)-1pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com