Red & Black
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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 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 November 9, 2018
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “According to U.S. News, November is the best time for electronic and travel purchases, and December is the best time to purchase toys and holiday decor for the following year.” -P.6
Camerata Singers Perform at the Frick Art and Historical Center PAGE 10
CULTURE
“Van Gogh may have failed in his dream to host an artist’s retreat in Arles, but the friendship and support he found in Gauguin helped him to grow into the artist we know him as today.” -P.13
OPINIONS “Art allows students to step back from stress and obligation and let their minds relax while engaging in creative processes.” -P.15
SPORTS
“Overall, essential oils have different effects on every person, and with proper research it can be very useful to someone looking to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.” -P.19
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy Susan Medley
2 CAMPUS NEWS
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Red & Black
Student Spotlight: Ben Priolo Student Leader Spotlight Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Ben Priolo ‘20 grew up in Delmont with his parents, younger sister and two black labrador retrievers. He attended Greensburg-Salem High School and was introduced to Washington & Jefferson College early in high school. When talking about how he learned about W&J, Priolo said, “I actually went to high school with a couple of current W&J seniors, and after their freshman year, they knew I was undecided about where I wanted to go.” These seniors told him to come to campus for a visit, knowing he would love it. The moment Priolo walked on campus, he knew W&J was where he wanted to attend college after his high school graduation. Growing up, Priolo was involved in many academic subjects, so he kept an open mind when it came to potential careers. He matriculated his freshman year with the intentions of studying science. After realizing it was not worth dedicating his time to a subject about which he was not passionate, he reconsidered his major. He took an economics class on a whim and ended up excelling in it. He has since declared economics as his major, and he has added a minor in English as well. After attaining his undergraduate degree, Priolo is thinking about pursuing commercial real estate or hospital administration. “I would like to go down these career paths because I want to combine my dreams of helping people with making a lot of money in my life,” said Priolo. “Economics combines those
two dreams with my natural skill sets.” Outside of the classroom, Priolo is involved with the Wooden Tooth Review, the campus literary magazine. Priolo was published in the issue his freshman year and has been involved ever since. He is also Chaplain of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. He balances school and his fraternity with being a parttime server at Angelo’s Italian restaurant. Priolo also enjoys traveling. He recently accompanied his family to North Myrtle Beach, N.C. and Seattle, Wa. to explore the west coast. He will be traveling to Italy for JayTerm in January. Professor Manzari will take the students to multiple cities to study the culture and food of Italy. Priolo is thankful for the academic opportunities W&J has given him, especially ones that allow him to travel.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Priolo is a junior who has been published in the Wooden Tooth Review.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
Chandler Marteeny ’20 is a student leader on campus. Student leaders are special individuals who sets themselves apart from an average student. This is someone who holds themself to an even higher standard than the one set by their educational institution. This person can fill many positions on campus, from being an ambassador to a lab assistant or a captain on a sports team. Marteeny exemplifies all of these roles. She is a captain on the women’s soccer team for the 2018-2019 season. She played an important role for the team as they welcomed in a new coach, and she was vital to the team’s good attitude. Marteeny is a junior and will be returning to the soccer team next year to have another shot at the PAC title. She is a psychology major with a minor in French. Marteeny maintains a busy academic calendar while soccer is in season during the fall. In the spring, the team lifts weights and strategizes for the the upcoming season in the spring. Being a leader on and off the field is no small feat, and Marteeny has worked long and hard to become one. She has played many sports along the way, but soccer has always been one that allows her the show her leadership skills. One of her favorite memories from this season was when she helped her team beat Westminster, and she said, “This was one of my favorite memories
because I really saw this team push themselves past their limits on the field. Everyone was giving 110 percent, and it was a collaborative effort to send us home with the win on the road”. Marteeny plays midfield, which is a very selfless position on the soccer field. She has to make quick decisions with the ball and serve it back out to a forward who has the best chance of scoring. Marteeny remains a great leader for her team and finds the right words of encouragement. “You have to be able to find the little victories so that the team can grow with the experience,” said Marteeny. “Our team fought many tough battles, and losing was part of it, but each loss was the chance to get better for the next fight.” Chandler will be one of the very important players leading the women’s team as they play in the ECAC tournament on Nov. 9.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Marteeny was voted to be a captain for the women’s soccer team as a junior.
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Study Abroad Spotlight: Chase Weiland Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Chase Weiland ’21 studied abroad this semester at Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia. Weiland is a double major in environmental studies and history at Washington & Jefferson College. She plans on becoming an environmental lawyer because of her passion for preserving the environment. Environmental policy will allow her to make a difference in protecting the planet. Weiland chose to study abroad to gain exposure to a new part of the world and learn about other cultures. Southern Cross was a clear choice for her because the university focused on educating their students in environmental studies. Australia is also very focused on encouraging green sustainability practices. While in Australia, Weiland was
able to go beyond the Lismore area and visit many cities including Sydney, Cairns, the Gold Coast, Frazier Island and Whitsundays. Weiland loved her visit to Frazier Island. “The night sky on the beach was one of the prettiest sites I saw,” she said. “I could see all the stars in the sky and all the constellations. I could even see shooting stars while [lying] on a beach.” She also enjoyed the typical tourist sightseeing available in Sydney and at the Great Barrier Reef. Throughout her travels, Weiland had the opportunity to try classic Australian dishes. Weiland remarked that Australians seem to be extremely healthy, as the food was usually organic at local markets and grocery stores. Being away from home, Weiland faced challenges adjusting to the new lifestyle. The biggest cultural difference Weiland encountered was the way that Australians abbreviate their words. At times it was hard to keep up with what Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Weiland studied at Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Weiland will continue to pursue her double major at W&J in the spring.
the natives were saying. However, Australia shares many siliarities with the United States, and this allowed Weiland to quickly acclimate to Australian lifestyle. One of Weiland’s favorite aspects of studying abroad was meeting so many great people. She lived and studied with students from all over the United States. She also made amazing friends who enhanced her experience. Overall, Weiland is appreciative of her time spent abroad. It taught her many life lessons and exposed her to a foreign culture she never thought she would have the chance to experience. Weiland recommends Australia
as a travel destination. “It is a beautiful country with perfect temperatures,” Weiland said. “The school was also very inviting, and everyone was pleasant.” In general, Weiland recommends that students travel abroad if they are given the opportunity and to find a place that best suits their interests and major. Studying abroad is a great way for students to branch out of their comfort zone and explore a foreign country. JayTerm offers the perfect opportunity for a chance to study and travel throughout a foreign country, but only studying abroad will give students a truly immersive experience.
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9 november 2018
Senior Student Spotlight: Taylor Martucci Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Taylor Martucci ‘19 is an English major. She is also completing minors in professional writing and French along with concentrations in African Amer-
ships when you least expect them, and I have loved every second of it.” With DG, Martucci has participated in many charity events, both in support of her sorority and other sororities and fraternities on campus. She is also a frequent volunteer at the Washington County Blind Association. She enjoys the service aspect of Greek life and is always eager to help people who need it. Martucci is excited to step out of her comfort zone
me busy for years.” Martucci is excited to experience her final semesters at W&J because she will be traveling to new places and seizing every valuable
opportunity. Martucci plans to enjoy spending quality time with her friends while she is still an undergradate student before immersing herself in law.
“Being in a sorority gives you the chance to make friendships when you least expect them, and I have loved every second of it.” -Taylor Martucci ’19 ican studies and American studies at Washington & Jefferson College. Martucci is in the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, the National Society of Leadership and Success and Delta Gamma (DG). She is the publicity chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success. Martucci runs the organization’s social media pages and reaches out to professors and clubs to recruit volunteers for their events. Martucci also serves as the current president of DG. She is appreciative of all that DG has taught her and the people it has brought into her life. “Being the president of DG has taught me valuable communication skills and shown me a sense of responsibility that I do not think I would have learned elsewhere on campus,” said Martucci. “Being in a sorority gives you the chance to make friend-
and travel to Italy for JayTerm with Dr. Manzari. She has been to the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana, Aruba, Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, but she has never travelled outside of the United States with W&J. Martucci is excited to experience a different culture and learn more about her Italian heritage. She will be visiting some cities that her family has lived in. Upon graduation in May, Martucci plans on attending law school in the Pittsburgh area. She would like to be an attorney, but she is still deciding which specific field she would like to enter. “I want to be able to provide assistance and fight for those who are in unfortunate circumstances that they cannot face alone,” Martucci said. “Law has been something that has been of interest to me, and I think it provides an intellectual challenge that will keep
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Taylor Martucci is currently serving as Delta Gamma’s president.
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CAMPUS NEWS 5
Red & Black
Speak Out:
What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? “All of my family being together and having a good meal.” -Rachel Fromm ’20
Courtesy gopresidents.com
“Eating and watching football all day with my family.” -Mullen Socha ’19 Courtesy gopresidents.com
“I love getting up early to watch the Macy’s Parade with my siblings.” -Erin Herock ’21 Courtesy gopresidents.com
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Publication Manager Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Kayla Marasia Hannah Kail Holly Sauer Brie Sutherland Brianna Floryshak Brie Sutherland Christian Buckley Sydney Kightlinger Karli-Ann Sanders Hannah Kail Joe Reedy John Santa
life
Life 6
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Red & Black
The Best Time of the Year for Online Shopping Brooke Beck Red & Black Contributor
For students on a college budget, now is the perfect time to begin surfing the web for the best deals. According to U.S. News, November is the best time for electronic and travel purchases, and December is the best time to purchase toys and holiday decor for the following year. In an article discussing holiday shopping, U.S. News wrote, “Thanks to the holiday-shopping season (namely, Black Friday and Cyber Monday), prices will be slashed on 4K TVs, smart-home gadgets and gaming systems. In fact, these are the lowest prices you’re likely to find all year.” A simple way for college students to save time and money on holiday shopping is to begin shopping before the semester has ended. Students can start with Amazon, which has already released early Black Friday deals. With a click of the button, they will ship presents wherever needed. Books, appliances, electronics, apparel, accessories and home décor are just a few of
Plenty of websites have great deals during this time of the year, especially on Black Friday.
the discounted categories, with deals ranging from 25 to 75 percent off the original price. If students already have a list of required textbooks for next semester, they can add those to the holiday shopping list and save even more money. For other convenient deals, students should consider the website Black Friday. From spending statistics to store-opening predictions, leaked holiday ads and specific product deals, this website has it all. So far, the website has leaked upcoming online and
in-store deals for Kohl’s, Target, Dell and more. It also has a list of the most popular products of the season with release dates, where to buy them and how to get the best deal. The site’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday statistics reveal that the average consumer will spend just under $500 on 2018 deals, about $60 more this year compared to last year. It also predicts that Amazon will be the most visited retailer. Two good holiday shopping rules are to set a realistic budget and not to wait until the last moment to shop. By creating a gift list early and surfing the
Courtesy Naningas
web to compare deals, shoppers will get the most value out of their money. Shoppers should not forget about Oprah’s Favorite Things list that will be released later this month. Speaking in regard to her famous Favorite Things list, Oprah said, “Whether it’s the holidays, birthdays or special occasions, this is the gift guide for the people you care about in your life.” If shoppers follow these tips this holiday season, they can get everything at a great price and celebrate an affordable holiday season.
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7 Life
Turn Your Dorm Room Into a Living Space
Courtesy Hannah Kail
There are many great ways to decorate your dorm room. Sometimes adding string lights can brighten up your room and make it feel more like a living space.
Hannah Kail Red & Black Editor
Moving away from home and living at college is exciting, but the drab dorm rooms that come along with the college experience are definitely not. Decorating a dorm room can seem daunting at first. There is very little space and the walls and floors are usually a boring shade of white. However, there are many easy, inexpensive ways to deco-
rate your room and make it the envy of everyone on campus. An important tip to remember is to always choose a color scheme before decorating your room and try to follow it as closely as possible. This will prevent the room from seeming fragmented or disorganized. For example, if you choose a gray bedspread, try to choose colors like blue or purple that complement the gray. After you choose a color scheme, focus on finding accessories that accentuate it. Fairy lights are cheap and can light up your room. The original dorm light can be harsh and too bright, but add-
ing fairy lights will create a soft, relaxing atmosphere in your room. These lights can be strung on the ceiling, from your window or even around your bed frame. Another way to upgrade your dorm room is adding a tapestry to your walls or ceiling. Tapestries are a great way to cover up some of the white space on the walls, and it will make your room seem more comfortable. Society6 has many great, high-quality options, but if you have a tighter budget, Amazon also offers cheaper ones. Mirrors and shelves are also great ways to break up the monotonous white walls. Small circle mirrors
and hanging shelves can be decorative and useful. Plants are another great way to make your room seem more vibrant. Orchids, cacti and aloe plants are just a few ideas. If you do not have the time to take care of a plant, TJMaxx and Marshall’s have plenty of cute artificial plants. There are so many ways to brighten up your dorm room and these are just a few of them. If you need inspiration, Pinterest offers endless amounts of ideas. Even if you do not have the time or money to make a lot of changes, a simple tapestry or string of fairy lights have the power to transform your room.
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Red & Black
2018 Boot Trends for Everyone This Winter Brooke Beck Red & Black Staff
Winter is the most difficult season to keep the shoe game fashionable without letting toes become icicles. Luckily, this winter’s trends include some of those popular shoes that are both functional and fashionable. A common staple is a pair of “bean” boots. For both men and women, L. L. Bean’s authentic duck boots are a top-seller and have been a hit since Leon Leonwood Bean invented the leather and rubber combination in 1912. Over 100 years later, these boots now come in a variety of colors and styles. From short to tall, fur-lined to flannel-lined and brown to blue, these fashionable boots provide an outdoors style while keeping feet warm and dry. Combat boot styles are also trending this winter. Although they usually do not keep feet as warm as L. L. Bean’s boots do, buying the boots one size up is an option that allows for a layer of warm socks. For women, the combat boot style currently resembles the trends of 1970s combat boots with chunky heels and prominent soles. These can be paired with skinny jeans as well as suede skirts and dresses. As for men, a simple leather or suede combat boot pairs nicely with straight-leg jeans, khakis or even corduroys to create a classic style. On the more professional side of footwear, slipper styles are currently
Courtesy What Is Fashion
Women’s mules are a very popular fall shoe because of their comfort and versatility.
trendy. Unfortunately, there are few office-appropriate slipper shoes that actually shield feet from the winter cold, so wearing boots on the commute is a good option. Women’s mules are currently flying off the shelves. Whether they are fluffy and comfortable or leather with gold accents, it is hard to go wrong with a pair of mules this winter. Black with a golden bar across the front seems to be the 2018 look, but metallics are also pop-
ular. The gold and silver touches give work apparel a nice pop and will fit right in at a holiday party. For men’s styles this season, dress shoes are remaining simply classic and Oxfords continue to be very popular as a comfortable, professional shoe. However, Oxfords are straying a bit from the typical shiny leather with a modern matte finish that pairs beautifully with professional and casual apparel. With the holiday season right around the corner, online and in-store
deals are beginning on all of these trendy winter styles. The best deals today are coming from Amazon, with its early Black Friday deals on men’s shoes, and ShoeDazzle, with its first pair of women’s boots for only ten dollars. Sacrificing fashion during the winter months is no longer necessary when there are great deals for warm shoes. With these fashionable and practical options, everyone can feel confident while staying warm.
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9 Life
Red&Black Staff Spotlight “I am an English and business administration double major, and I am the Managing Editor and the Business Manager for the Red&Black. In my free time, I love spending time with my crazy toy poodle and waiting for the Pirates to win a World Series.” - Hannah Kail ‘19
Courtesy Kayla Marasia
“I am an English major and a computing and information studies minor. I am the Life Editor and Social Media Manager for the paper. I participate in cross country and track. I am also a member of Pi Beta Phi. My favorite type of literature is poetry.” -Brie Sutherland
Courtesy Kayla Marasia
10 Culture
Red & Black
9 November 2018
culture Camerata Singers Perform at the Frick Kayla Marasia Red&Black Editor-in-chief
The Washington & Jefferson College Camerata Singers, under the direction of Dr. Susan Medley, performed at the Frick Art and Historical Center in Pittsburgh on Nov. 4 to celebrate a fascinating art exhibit at the museum. In early October, the Frick debuted a new exhibition titled “Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper,” created by the title artist. To create her pieces, de Borchgrave folded, glued and pleated pieces of paper in order to create splendid royal gowns and elegant ballerina tutus, among other articles of clothing inspired by history. “This immersive exhibition celebrates the breadth of de Borchgrave’s work with costume and fashion history and is designed to introduce her work to a wider audience,” a representative for the Frick said. “De Borchgrave’s paper sculptures are masterpieces of trompe l’oeil— even upon close inspection it is often difficult to discern that the costumes are made of paper.” One of the series of pieces de Borchgrave decided to display at the Frick is called “Splendors of the Medici,” inspired by the ornate clothing depicted in Italian Renaissance paintings by the Old Masters. In support of this exhibition, the W&J
Camerata Singers prepared a repertoire of Italian Renaissance songs, both sacred and secular, that would have been popular at the time of the Medici family’s prominence. Songs included the lighthearted “El Grillo,” translated as “the cricket,” “All Ye Who Music Love,” “Cantate Domino” and several other period pieces. The intimate, lush venue of the Frick auditorium provided the perfect setting for the Camerata Singers’ a cappella performance. “Performing at the Frick was an amazing experience because it helped us as musicians to realize the connection that music has to other parts of culture,” said Kris Amundson ’19, a bass for the Camerata Singers. “We were able to learn how the Medici family’s role in both the religious and political world was reflected in fashion, art and music. It was very interesting to see how these cultural elements of antiquity were represented in modernity.” Dr. Medley’s hand-picked Italian Renaissance repertoire of chamber music perfectly accompanied the beautiful, intricate Renaissance-inspired pieces of de Borchgrave’s collection. The performance was an excellent opportunity for W&J musicians to expand their artistic community beyond campus boundaries, and there was no better place for this than at the historic and beautiful Frick Art and Historical Center.
Courtesy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Isabelle de Borchgrave’s pieces from her series titled “Splendors of the Medici” display the artist’s attention to color and detail.
Courtesy Susan Medley
Dr. Susan Medley conducts the W&J Camerata Singers at the Frick Art and Historical Center in Pittsburgh.
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Red & Black
Culture 11
Netflix Review: ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ Lauren Phillips Red & Black staff
Halloween may be over, but that is not stopping the growing success of Netflix’s recent show titled “The Haunting of Hill House.” First released on Oct. 12, the show follows the paths of five siblings who are brought together due to their traumatic and horrific past, all linked to their stay at Hill House. The show is directed by Mike Flanagan, a filmmaker noted for other popular horror movies such as “Oculus” and “Gerald’s
Game”. The show itself stands at a solid 93 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has generally been received well by the audience thus far. For the five siblings in the show, Hill House stands as a place of great terror and pain, with a wide variety of scary events occurring there. The siblings, Steven, Shirley, Theo, Luke and Nell must quickly learn to function as a family and face their fears if they wish to escape the dangers associated with living in the house. The show explores their childhood and also the present time, frequently blurring the line between these two time periods. The show is loosely based on Shirley Jackson’s novel, which bears the same name as the show. While the two
stories differ greatly, Flanagan drew some of the characters and overarching themes from the novel and incorporated them into his adaptation. The available ten episodes average at about 50 minutes each, with some episodes solely focusing on following a particular character. There are also plenty of different “Easter eggs” incorporated into the show, referencing the cast and crew’s past work. Along with these hidden treats, viewers should also look out for countless ghosts hidden in the background of shots. These subtle details certainly execute Flanagan’s goal of intensifying the show and add a level of creepiness. When discussing her opinion on
the show, Jadyn Lawrence ’22 said, “I think the show was well-done, but I don’t think it’s as scary as people have been saying it is. The plot was interesting, and there may be things you miss on your first [watch], but I would definitely recommend it to everyone.” The show is perfect for those with a love for horror films and series. However, it is also great for those who are only looking for a new show to binge watch, as the level of gore and horror balances well with the other plot elements of the series. The talented cast and crew crafted the show to be incredibly engaging in order to reach a diverse audience, so “The Haunting of Hill House” is the perfect recommendation. It is currently available to watch on Netflix.
Courtesy The Mighty
“The Haunting of the Hill House” is great not only for horror lovers but also binge-watchers looking for a good thriller.
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Red & Black
9 November 2018
Sony’s Comic-Based ‘Venom’ Fails to Deliver
Courtesy Nerdist
Despite negatvie reviews from critics, “Venom” set multiple records at the box office for the month of October.
Genea Richardson Red & Black Staff
Action-thriller cinema is commonly known for its iconography and cinematic techniques of violence, destruction, heavy camera movement and fast-cutting edits. Although Ruben Fleischer’s comic-based film “Venom” contains all of the visuals and techniques to righteously justify its listing as an action-thriller film, there seemed to be a lack of true passion in the movie production. The lack of creativity shown by production staff and the abrupt ed-
iting stifled the potential the storyline possessed. Well-known star Tom Hardy starred as Eddie Brock, a smart aleck journalist who loses his job and fiancé due to his inability to separate work and personal life. Although he has done villainous damage to his own life, Brock soon stumbles upon an even greater evil: Carlton Drake, played by Riz Ahmed. Drake is an influential, visionary businessman with corrupt morals and malicious motives. While poking around in Drake’s shady business, Brock becomes contaminated with an extraterrestrial being that later develops a personality and comes to be known as Venom, also voiced by Hardy. This twist creates a struggle for the journalist to manage
his newfound powers and persona with his personal life. Although the storyline of “Venom” is enough to grab viewers’ attention, Fleischer’s film falls short in aspects of action portrayal and character development. The chaotic mess of jarring cuts when learning the motives and personalities of characters led to an inability for the audience to sympathize with the film on a personal level. An audience typically thrives on the emotional response and connection that media creates, but without it, a film loses its purpose, as seen in “Venom.” From the brief romance to the short and static action scenes, the film showed a lack of effort in develop-
ment, focusing on the comedic aspects of the film rather than the actual thrill and content. “Venom” is a fast-paced superhero movie that feels out of place in the current landscape of comic book adaptations. Considering that the narrative of “Venom” was a sort of homage to Marvel comics, the movie failed to make good use of its talent and preexisting comic foundation. It was a wise choice to cast Tom Hardy in order to establish the snarky dynamics of having two personas in one body, but the film would have benefited from some rearranging. “Venom” may not be the greatest film to go and see in theatres, but it may be a good choice for a night at home.
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Culture 13
The Relationship Between Van Gogh and Gauguin Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
Post-Impressionist painters Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin spent 63 days in 1888 living together in a house in the southern French town of Arles. Van Gogh wanted to create a “studio of the south” for artists to collaborate and study the countryside. Gauguin was the only artist to respond to van Gogh’s idea, but Gauguin was also influenced to agree because of the impending financial support from van Gogh’s older brother, Theo. Theo was an art dealer, so he could supply the necessary financial help for the artists. Art historian Hollis Clayson called this collaboration “a fraught teaming up that from Gauguin’s perspective was more of a shotgun marriage than a romance.” Problems were continuous in this relationship, and it culminated in fight between the two. After the fight, Van Gogh mutilated part of his ear and gave it to a prostitute, who fainted when he handed it to her. This incident caused Gauguin to leave Arles, and the artists never saw each other again. This story began with Gauguin’s paintings he made in Martinique. Van Gogh and Theo saw Gauguin’s works on display at a friend of Gauguin’s apartment. They were so moved by the paintings that they purchased “The Mango Trees.” The brothers paid 400 francs,
and it became the most expensive work in their contemporary art collection. Van Gogh would also go on to trade two of his sunflower paintings for another of Gauguin’s Martinique paintings. Theo purchased another Martinique drawing, and he had tremendous respect for Gauguin’s ability to leave France in order to create art. Gauguin also allowed Theo to introduce a new type of art into the Paris art market. This left Gauguin and Theo with a professional relationship from which they both benefited. After meeting
Gauguin, van Gogh felt that it was time to leave Paris for Arles because he wanted the southern town to provide inspiration that he could no longer find in Paris. The time van Gogh and Gauguin spent together in Arles was productive for both of them. Van Gogh created an astonishing 36 canvases, and Gauguin made 21. This collaboration was intense, and viewers can see this relationship in the portraits they painted of each other. However, the two artists also had some philosophical differences. Van Gogh wanted to create images from the nature he experienced around
him, and Gauguin wanted to portray the world from his imagination. After Gauguin left Arles, the relationships he formed with the van Gogh brothers remained nearly intact. Theo still represented him and sold his paintings, and van Gogh wrote letters to Gauguin until he died. The relationship these two men shared was violent and problematic, but it also helped further the ideas and careers of both men. Van Gogh may have failed in his dream to host an artist’s retreat in Arles, but the friendship and support he found in Gauguin helped him to grow into the artist we know him as today.
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Van Gogh and Gauguin’s infamous relationship provides an almost unbelievable story, but in reality, the two men influenced and learned from each other despite their differences.
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Red & Black
Poetry Corner The GameCube
Anonymous Red & Black Contributor
Oh how I adore your cube-like design and your purple tint that lights up my room that’s filled with your games; it’s like a goldmine. When I’m not playing you I’m filled with gloom, and often I feel my day’s not complete when I don’t watch you roll around my screen or hear your classic intro with a beat like metallic rain hitting a ravine. Your controllers are great, a work of art. Your knack to make me smile whenever makes me know you’ll always be in my heart and my love for you will last forever. GameCube, of all the game systems on Earth, you’re the only one with any real worth
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opinions
15 Opinions
Society Should Support Artistic Expression Julia Adams Red & Black Contributor
From a young age, we are told that if we are not the best at a particular artistic trade, we should not pursue it. Trades such as painting, acting or sculpting are not practical in the real world, so why should schools care about teaching it? We are told that it is risky to pursue arts and that there is no money in the artistic fields. This is an interesting concept because the people going into the sciences are never told that there is too much competition or that they will have to know more material than everyone. However, those students who want to go into the arts must show extreme tal-
ent in the beginning of their lives for their career choice to be considered valid. Those who want to become engineers are not born masters of calculus; they have to go to school and study. They are not deterred from their degree because they do not show great
other subject; it helped me get through high school when I was stressed.” Art is just as valuable as other major subjects and teaches in a way that core subjects cannot. Art education is extremely important to any and every student. Art allows students who like fluidity the
Art can become a vessel for mindfulness, as it takes the focus off of life and onto something else: the artist’s creative process. potential at first. Art is not taken as seriously in school as math and the sciences are. However, there needs to be a change in opinion about the lack of validity in artistic pursuits. When discussing her appreciation for art in school, Lindsey Koziel ’22 said, “Art is just as important as any
freedom to create while also allowing students who like rigidity to create within structured guidelines. Art is applicable to everyone because it allows for interpretation, so instead of creating for a specific purpose, students can simply create for the purpose of creation and explora-
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.
tion. Art allows students to step back from stress and obligation and let their minds relax while engaging in creative processes. Mindfulness is a process which has the purpose of calming the mind; it takes focus from life to something simpler. Art can become a vessel for mindfulness, as it takes the focus off of life and places it onto something else: the artist’s creative process. Art is an invaluable part of education because it teaches students to deal with stress. Another student, Brayden Marra ’22, also discussed his views on art in education when he said, “Art is an important part of success and is helpful for the mind.” When students become overwhelmed with the drag of schoolwork, they need only turn to a pen and paper, clay, paint or whatever medium they choose to relieve themselves of their educational stress.
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16 opinions
Red & Black
9 November 2018
How Caffeine Completely Controls My Life
Courtesy Orlando Weekly
“Gilmore Girls” character Lorelei Gilmore is addicted to coffee, but in real life, there is nothing funny about caffeine addiction.
Edith Bear Red & Black Contributor
Recently, I discovered though a DNA test that I am genetically predisposed to consume more caffeine than others, and I was not surprised. I drink approximately thirty-six ounces of coffee per day. That is a cup walking into my 9 a.m. class, another around noon, and a cup after my last class at 4:30 p.m.
Sometimes I grab a “shot in the dark” at around 9 p.m. if I know I will have a particularly rough night ahead. I started drinking coffee my freshman year of high school because I hated waking up at 6 a.m. to get ready for school. At the time, I hated the taste of black coffee, but now that is the only way I take my coffee. I am probably a coffee fiend, but I wish I could quit drinking it. On average, I consume 426 milligrams of caffeine per day, and it affects every aspect of my life. My sleep schedule is dictated by caffeine, my skin breaks out with acne when I drink too much,
and my diet is terrible because I only eat once per day. Caffeine is an appetite suppressant. A couple of days ago, as I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I saw a meme that said, “I feel that substituting sleep with caffeine is a lot like drinking unicorn blood to stay immortal. You will have but a half life, a cursed life, from the moment it touches your lips.” I smirked at the post because I could not agree more. I know at one point I did not have a caffeine addiction, but I cannot remember that time. I used to love coffee, but now I detest it because I am
reliant on it. I have a relationship to coffee similar to Gilmore Girls charactor Lorelei Gilmore does when she says, “This is a jumbo coffee morning. I need coffee in an I.V.” Unfortunately, it is always a jumbo coffee morning for me. Julia Adams ’22, who also drinks a lot of coffee, does not have the same sentiment about coffee as I do. “I like coffee because you can have it in a variety of ways and it still has the same effect,” said Adams. She drinks coffee for pleasure, but I drink it as a necessity to get through my day, my week and, I guess, my life.
9 November 2018
Red & Black
Opinions 17
Creating Art Reduces Anxiety and Tension
Courtesy Kayla Marasia
Editor Sydney Kightlinger ‘21 takes a break creating layouts to review notes for an upcoming exam. She doodles in the margins of her notebook during lectures to help with anxiety.
Julia Adams Red & Black Contributor
I spent a lot of time in the hospital when I was young, while I was there I was given a handmade crocheted blanket. During a particularly stressful time, I was given a beautiful piece of art that helped my family and me to pull through. I was inspired, intrigued and in love. At the age of twelve years old, I began to crochet blankets to hopefully one day be able to reciprocate the
kindness. During this process, the crocheting began to help me reduce my own stress. As nerdy as it sounds for a young kid to crochet like an old grandmother, I found myself reaching for the soft yarn and needle whenever I had the chance. As a child, I loved the idea of art. I had very low confidence in myself, as I was completely convinced I could not be artistic. I was obsessed with the fact that my art would not be as good as others’, so I never tried. Comparing the little designs on my paper to the spectacular intricate drawings created by my friends was detrimental to my own confidence. However, I failed to understand that
each person is different. I did not understand that I was not simply drawing on my paper to create something. I was drawing on my paper because it helped me to focus. The tiny flowers and lines in the margins of every sheet of homework, every class paper and every test had a deeper meaning. I believe in doodling on paper. During a test, in a lecture hall, on a train or on any paper placed in front of me, a drawing appears. Generally, this is not because of boredom, but rather because of stress. When there are too many ideas in my brain, I find my fingers twitching for a pen or pencil, whichever is within my grasp. The ideas flow from the neu-
rons to each nerve and muscle. They flow through my body, my arm, my hand and my fingers, moving the pen on my paper. The messages transform stressful situations into pieces of art. “I find that when I cannot focus during classmates’ presenations, or I am worrying about a question on an exam, doodling in the margin helps,” said Sydney Kightlinger ‘21. “Sometimes that is all I can do to manage my anxiety.” When I have had a long day or when I have heard one too many sad stories, creativity becomes an outlet to sanity. I believe in small drawings to relieve stress. I believe that creativity can be used to cope.
18 Sports
sports Red & Black
9 November 2018
Student Athlete Spotlight: Brianna Floryshak ’19 Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Brianna Floryshak ‘19 is from Berwick and attended Berwick Senior High School. She has been playing soccer for as long as she can remember. She signed up for AYSO, Berwick’s youth league, and her area’s local travel soccer team as soon as she was old enough to play. She is a psychology major and a biology minor. Floryshak plans to pursue physical therapy school upon graduation at Washington & Jefferson College. She chose W&J because a family friend had a great experience. She looked into different schools’ science programs and the women’s soccer teams. After an overnight visit and meeting the coach, she decided that W&J was a perfect fit. In high school, Floryshak played attacking midfield, but she has always been a versatile player willing to give her full effort in every position. This quality helped her excel on the W&J women’s soccer team as well. While she predominantly played forward her senior year, Floryshak has played almost every position on the soccer field for W&J, including outside defense, center defense and both offensive and defensive midfield. Floryshak enjoyed playing forward this year because it challenged her with the responsibility of scoring
goals. She believes that playing forward kept her engaged and aware on the field. Although she was not facing the goal most of the time, she still had to know what was going on behind her and see the runs that her teammates were making. Her favorite part of being a forward is being able to make goals happen, whether by assisting other players or scoring directly. When talking about the position, Floryshak said, “The best aspect of being a forward is the feeling you get after you take a good shot and you know it’s going to be a goal.” The team was taken over by head coach Scott Gerseny this past season. Floryshak appreciated how much he challenged the team to improve every day at practice. The team finished in second place in regular Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) play and proceeded to PAC playoffs. Unfortunately, they lost in the semi-finals. “This team went through so much adversity and overcame everything that was thrown our way,” Floryshak said. “Every single one of my teammates left everything on the field and I’m so incredibly proud of them for the heart they showed.” Floryshak’s favorite memory this year was when she assisted Julie Halula ‘19 for the winning goal against Westminster College in the regular season. She is appreciative for the opportunity W&J has given her to play soccer and all of the friends she made along the way.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Floryshak led the team this season with a total of ten goals.
9 November 2018
Red & Black
19 sports
Health and Fitness: Are Essential Oils Really Helpful?
Courtesy Pixabay
Courtesy Kangen Water Wellness
Essential oils come in various different scents that claim to do things such as reduce stress levels and relieve anxiety.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
It is known that essential oils are supposed to be relaxing and relieve anxiety, but according to recent studies, they may not actually have a significant effect on humans. A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggests that linalool in lavender can act on the same parts of the brain that antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs do. In addition, essential oils do not have the side effects, like impairing movement, that many medicines do because. The issue with the study is that it was done on mice and does not completely translate to human biology.
Other studies done on humans contradict the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience study. They reveal that while lavender does typically reduce stress levels, many other essential oils act as stimulants. It also depends on the type of
professor of family medicine at Loyola University Medical Center. “If you have a negative or traumatic experience with lavender somewhere in your past, it’s probably not going to be a nice and relaxing smell for you.” These studies also reported that essential oils
“Part of what makes aromatherapy effective is how our brains and our central nervous systems respond to this olfaction stimulus.” - Amanda Lattin anxiety for which a person is seeking relief. Because it is a stimulant, rosemary can make some people more anxious. In other people, it can clear their mind, which helps relieve anxiety. “Your memories have a lot to do with it,” explained Eugene Lee, MD, assistant
may not be strong enough to be considered sufficient treatment for anxiety for many people. Overall, essential oils have different effects on every person, and with proper research it can be very useful to someone looking to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. “Part of what makes aromatherapy effective
is how our brains and our central nervous systems respond to this olfaction stimulus,” said Amanda Lattin, chair of aromatherapy at the American College of Healthcare Sciences. “It’s absolutely true that what works for one person may not work for another, or could even have the opposite effect.” Other essential oils that Lattin’s clients have found success with are bergamot, sandalwood, and sweet orange oils, as well. “I do not think that essential oils are meant to replace conventional medicine,” said Kayla Marasia ‘19. “I think they can be a great supplement.” Aromatherapists also stress that essential oils are not a replacement for prescribed drugs. While they can be a pleasant temporary aid, aromatherapists urge people to take care of their mental health in a serious manner by seeking a doctor or therapist.
20 sports
9 November 2018
Red & Black
Last Week’s Scores Oct. 30
Men’s Soccer v. Grove City 1-3 Loss
Oct. 31
Women’s Soccer v. Westminster 2-3 Loss Women’s Basketball v. Youngstown State 48-93 Loss
Nov. 2
Field Hockey v. Hartwick 1-0 Win Volleyball v. Bethany 1-3 Loss
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Nov. 3
Men’s Water Polo v. McKendree 8-18 Loss Wrestling at King’s College Invitational 9th of 16 Football v. Saint Vincent 33-9 Win Field Hockey v. St. John Fisher 1-0 Win Men’s Water Polo v. Monmouth 21-9 Win
Nov. 4
Men’s Water Polo v. Connecticut College 13-14 Loss Courtesy gopresidents.com
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Next Week’s Games Nov. 9
Men’s Basketball v. Franciscan (H)- 7pm
Nov. 10
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Swimming v. Chatham (A)- 1pm XC v. NCAA Division III Mideast Regional (A) Wrestling v. W&J Invitational (H)- 9:45am Women’s Basketball v. La Roche (A)-1pm Football v. Waynesburg (A)- 1:30pm Women’s Soccer v. Pfeiffer (A)- 2pm
Nov. 13
Men’s Basketball v. Pitt-Greensburg (A)- 7pm Women’s Basketball v. Carnegie Mellon (H)- 7pm
Nov. 14 Courtesy gopresidents.com
Swimming v. Westminster (A)- 6pm