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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 10, 2017
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE
“On October 29, actor Kevin Spacey was accused by child star Anthony Rapp of sexually assaulting him 30 years ago at a party held by Spacey. In the midst of the scandal, Spacey’s hit Netflix series ‘House of Cards’ has suspended its production.” -P. 8
Field Hockey Becomes Empire 8 Conference Champions PAGE 17
CULTURE
“In addition to tackling social issues, ‘The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ makes an effort to stay relevant and to make connections that the audience would understand.” -P.11
OPINIONS
“A BuzzFeed poll found that 7% of people think that there is never a good time to listen to Christmas music. On the other end of the spectrum, 16% of people think that one should listen to Christmas music for the entire year.” -P.13
SPORTS
“The Astros were truly the better team and were deserving of the World Series Championship in what will be remembered as one of the best Championship series ever played.” -P.19
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2 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
10 November 2017
Student Spotlight: Jorden Messmer Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Jorden Messmer ’19 attended Westerville North High School in Columbus, Ohio. Messmer is a political science major and also plans to minor in history. Having played lacrosse for his whole life, Messmer came in to Washington & Jefferson College with the intentions to play the sport. After a serious injury to his jaw in the spring of his freshman year, he was unable to continue to take part in any competitive sports. Now Messmer is involved with the College Republicans, a group of W&J students who debate, volunteer and
travel abroad. Traveling abroad has allowed me learn about foreign cultures and to grow as an individual,” said Messmer. He is eager to see Italy as he is a history minor and will get a firsthand look at the foundation of Roman culture and government.
get involved with local government. Until recently, he was the corresponding secretary of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, where he was in charge of communication with alumni, running the fraternity’s social media and any other communications. Messmer has seized many opportunities to travel abroad. During Interesession of his freshman year, he traveled on a cruise to Mexico, Honduras and Belize. The group of students who attended this trip studied the ancient government systems of the Incans and Mayans and compared them to modern day government systems. Messmer’s favorite part of the trip was visiting the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico. “We were able to see how religion was able to play a role in government processes because there was an altar
in the court house,” said Messmer. Last year, Messmer traveled to Africa during Intersession. In Africa, he studied the modern political system of Senegal and other neighboring West African countries. Messmer and his fellow students attended a nature safari where they saw and walked with lions. They visited local market places and saw how local entrepreneurs made money. They observed religious services and saw the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Senegalese society. Next semester, Messmer will be studying abroad in Italy. He is choosing to study in another country to enhance his global perspective. In Rome, he will be studying the Amanda Knox case for his capstone presentation. “W&J has given me the opportunity to
Jorden Messmer ’19 has taken on many travel opportunities at W&J.
security programs, economic stability initiatives and non-governmental organization aid projects. He felt inspired to do this project after spending time in the Philippines during his second Magellan studying spiritual medicine. The volunteers that he worked with in the Philippines encouraged him to gain experience in Africa if he ever had the chance and, luckily enough, he did through the Magellan Project. Approaching a country like Africa, however, did present some obstacles for the well-cultured student. “I lost a total of 16 pounds in my 22 days [of] travel,” Henricks said. This was a difficult obstacle to cope with because he felt he was starving every day. Other than the basic language and culture barriers, he also was challenged with some local government corrup-
tion. On his return trip, his plane ticket was sold for cash to someone else, so he was forced to find another way back to the United States. Thankfully, Henrichs was savvy enough to figure out another way. “After many hours of searching and corresponding with airline companies, I was able to assemble a return trip itinerary last-minute that got me back to the US,” Henrichs said. Above all, Henrichs says he learned from the obstacles. His favorite part of this Magellan, he said, was “riding motorcycles every day and meeting new people.” “Only on a Magellan project can you find yourself drinking a cool soda at a West African village café with a former US astronaut’s son,” Henrichs said. Henrichs would not change his Magellan experiences for the world.
Ben Henrichs ’18 neuroscience at W&J.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Magellan Spotlight: Ben Henrichs Completes Three Magellans Ashton Grimm Red & Black Contributor
Ben Henrichs ’18, a neuroscience major, decided to go off the grid for his summer Magellan Project. This was his third Magellan that he has completed during his time here at Washington & Jefferson College. “All three of my Magellans pushed me outside my comfort zone further and further, but I never was faced with a situation I could not overcome,” said Henrichs. On this excursion, he designed his project to study forms of rural medicine across Benin in West Africa. His main objective was to study proactive approaches to treating malaria. Other than the healthcare system, Henrichs learned about the food
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
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CAMPUS NEWS 3
Professor Spotlight: Dr. Vdovichenko Student Spotlight: Grace Abror Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Originally from Lincoln, KS, Dr. Susan Vdovichenko is now a professor at Washington & Jefferson College. Dr. Vdovichenko graduated from Dartmouth College with a major in linguistics and a minor in Russian. She furthered her education by attending graduate school at Ohio State University. There she earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures. Dr. Vdovichenko likes to explore many topics, including sociolinguistics, second language acquisition and linguistic policy with an individual focus on Ukraine. Dr. Vdovichenko is fluent in Russian. At W&J she teaches Russian language, Russian literature, human trafficking courses and a First Year Seminar course focused on Russian history and the mafia. Prior to working at W&J, Dr. Vdovichenko taught middle school math, copy edited a newspaper for two years and served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine for two years. It was her time in Ukraine that solidified her understanding of the Russian language. Dr. Vdovichenko studied Russian before living in Ukraine. She took a little bit of Russian in high school and a lot more in college, but it was not until she was engulfed in this culture that she became fluent in Russian. “I love teaching,” Dr. Vdovichenko said in a summary of her passion for her job. She chose to teach because she enjoys interacting with students.
She taught middle school right after she graduated and decided that she definitely wanted to teach but did not know to what capacity or at what level. Now at W&J, Dr. Vdovichenko serves a special role as an FYS advisor. As an FYS advisor, she is an available resource to freshmen who need help with classes, planning their schedules and any other issues they may have during the transition to college. “As an FYS advisor, you get to know the students better. You get to see them at the very beginning and develop throughout,” said Dr. Vdovichenko. In addition, Dr. Vdovichenko is very active as a Fulbright advisor. Fulbright is a federal grant that gives college graduates an opportunity to teach or do research abroad. “Go abroad. If that means Magellan or if that means an internship in London, I think it is foolish to not take advantage of the chances presented,” said Dr. Vdovichenko. Dr. Vdovichenko’s advice for all students is to seize their opportunities to go abroad.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Dr. Vdovichenko teaches classes at W&J that explore Russian culture.
Genea Richardson Red & Black Contributor
Grace Abror ’20 a sociable and active student here at Washington & Jefferson College. Abror is from York, Pennsylvania. She just declared a major in biology and plans to pursue the pre-health track. Recently, she has been thinking about adding on a minor in chemistry since it would only require her to take a few more courses. Even with her rigorous course schedule, Abror still is very active in the community and on campus. In her free time, Abror enjoys relaxing and watching “Grey’s Anatomy” or “just exploring around. Like, traveling off campus to the outlets or trying a local restaurant for the first time,” said Abror. Abror is also a member of the cheerleading team during football and basketball seasons, is a Community Outreach team leader and works at the Lemoyne Center near the new tennis courts. Abror is also currently in the pledging process to be a member of the coed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and she held a Global Ambassador position over the summer. Although Global Ambassadors have a “beginning” and “end” date on paper, the job continues throughout the year. Being an ambassador has allowed Abror to develop a strong relationship with the international student community and taught her a lot about the different cultures. “Being a part of the campus community is important to me. There are so many things in this world I am passionate about and I’d like to be of service in any way that I can,” Abror
said. Abror plans to be a pediatrician and to eventually do mission work for children across the world. When declaring her major this year, Abror accredits W&J for why she was so sure she could achieve her goals. “Ever since my Senior Overnight [at W&J], I knew that with such an awesome pre-med program here and its smart and challenging department of professors, I wouldn’t be able to accept anything other than success,” said Abror. She then continued about how having a strong support system in school and from her family back home is an advantage for her. Her support systems allow her to branch out on campus and volunteer in different programs. They motivate her to soon look outside of campus for future or even current opportunities. Abror is not only open to new opportunities but would love to develop more friendships. If you see her grabbing her routine salad or deli combo at George & Tom’s, don’t be afraid to say hello.
Courtesy Genea Richardson
Grace Abror ’20 is a member of the cheerleading team.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
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10 november 2017
SECURITY LOGS Incident report number: 2408 Date of report: Oct. 29 Date Occurred: Oct. 29 Classification: Theft Location:Grant II parking lot Narrative: W&J CPS reported a theft from a motor vehicle while it was parked in the Grant II parking lot. According to officers, wallet and identification along with currency was stolen. Please lock your vehicles and keep all important items out of sight.
Location: Wade Lot Narrative: W&J CPS responded to Wade Lot on a report of theft from a motor vehicle. The student complainant reported that an unknown actor removed an ID and credit cards from the vehicle. Please lock your vehicles after parking. Incident report number: 2411 Date of report: Nov. 4 Date Occurred: Nov. 4 Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: Upper Class Hall Narrative: W&J CPS responded to Upper Class Hall on a report of an odor of marijuana. According to officers, investigation uncovered a general room location. CPS is still investigating.
Incident report number: 2403 Date of report: Nov. 1 Date Occurred: Nov. 1 Classification: Harassment Location: Ross Recreational Center Narrative: W&J CPS is investigating allegation of harassment by a student which occurred at the Ross Recreational Center. Incident report number: 2413 Date of report: Nov. 5 Date Occurred: Nov. 5 Incident report number: 2404 Classification: Illegal Drugs Date of report: Nov. 1 Date Occurred: Nov. 1 Location: Alexander Hall Classification: Illegal Drugs Narrative: W&J CPS is investigating possession of illegal drugs in Location: Theme House Alexander Hall. CPS is investigating. Narrative: While making routine patrols/fire checks of one of the theme houses on Chestnut Street, CPS officer detected the smell Incident report number: 2415 of marijuana in one of the theme houses. According to officers, the Date of report: Nov. 5 Date Occurred: Nov. 5 students were identified. CPS will list the location on the report. Classification: Illegal Drugs Location: Bica Ross Incident report number: 2405 Narrative: W&J CPS is investigating an odor of marijuana inside Date of report: Nov. 3 Date Occurred: Nov. 3 Bica Ross. According to officers, a floor and room has been idenClassification: Illegal Drugs tified. CPS is investigating. Location: Theme House Narrative: W&J CPS officer was making a walk through of one of the theme houses on Chestnut Street when he detected an odor of Incident report number: 2419 Date Occurred: Nov. 6 marijuana emanating in the house. According to officers, a loca- Date of report: Nov. 6 Classification: Illegal Drugs tion was identified. Investigation continuing. Location: Theme House Narrative: W&J CPS investigating an odor of illegal drugs in a Incident report number: 2416 theme house on Chestnut Street. According to officers, a location Date of report: Nov. 3 Date Occurred: Nov. 3 has been identified. CPS is investigating. Classification: Theft
10 november 2017
CAMPUS NEWS 5
Red & Black
Speak Out: What is your favorite thing about Commonsgiving Dinner? “Getting to eat food other than salad and cereal for dinner.” - Hannah Dailey ’19
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Courtesy Hannah Dailey
“My favorite part is the line.” -Kraig King ’18
Established 1909
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“It’s a toss up between the stuffing and seeing how many rolls I can eat in one sitting.” -Tatiana Ruzzini ’18 Courtesy gopresidents.com
F I ND U S ON L I N E
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Production Manager Copy Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Katherine Campbell Christopher Frydryck Kayla Marasia Macie Sowers Lauren Markish Brianna Floryshak Hannah Kail Holly Sauer Ricky Delprato Karli-Ann Sanders Hannah Kail Taylor Martucci John Santa
life
6 LIFE
Red & Black
10 november 2017
Planet and Star Break Record for Size Difference
Courtesy News Nation
A planet found by an international collaboration of astronomers with the University of Warwick is about the size of Jupiter and its star is an extremely small M-dwarf.
Erin Herock Red & Black Staff
A large planet has been found orbiting a small star. This is no ordinary occurrence. However, “the largest planet compared to its star ever found,” according to astronomy enthusiasts. This large planet is called planet NGTS-1b and is 600 light years away from our solar system. This planet was found by an international collaboration of astronomers with the University of Warwick. This
planet orbits its star in only 2.6 Earth days, is roughly the size of Jupiter and is said to be as hot as Jupiter. “This is the first exoplanet we have found with our new NGTS facility, and we are already challenging the received wisdom of how planets form,” said Daniel Bayliss, lead author on the new work and a researcher at University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he said that the discovery of the new planet was surprising and never thought to be possible until now. The star is classified as a small, dim M-dwarf with a radius half the size of the sun. M-dwarfs are quite common
to find in the sky. This has been the third time a gas giant has been seen orbiting an M-dwarf with the exception this time being that this gas giant has been the largest planet seen orbiting. “NGTS-1b was difficult to find, despite being a monster of a planet, because its parent star is small and faint,” said the University of Warwick’s Peter Wheatley. To discover this planet, the Next-Generation Transit Survey monitored certain spots in sky for months with red-sensitive cameras to try to catch any changes in brightness to stars. This particular M-dwarf changes
in brightness every 2.6 days. The size was determined by its radial velocity. How much the star “wobbles” during its orbit ultimately determined its size. According to the current theories of planet formation, such large planets should not be there due to its relative relationship to the nearest star. Normally, larger stars harbor larger planets, and the same relationship applies to smaller stars. This new discovery is changing the way scientists are forming their theories surrounding how planets are formed.
10 november 2017
Life 7
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Study Suggests Alzheimer’s Disease Might Start in the Body
Courtesy Pixabay
A new study suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may start in the body and not in the brain as originally believed by scientists.
Cassandra Muhr Red & Black Contributor Affecting 5.5 million Americans, Alzheimer’s disease is typically described as a neurogenerative disease where the buildup of amyloid-beta proteins in the brain disrupts the connections between nerve cells, causing them to die, which results in severe memory loss and confusion. Up until this point, it was believed that the deposits of amyloid-beta proteins found in the brain originate in the brain, but recent research published in Modern Psychiatry has proven that this is not the case. The proteins are produced when a precursor protein found in the membranes of peripheral tissues is clipped in two, meaning that they can be produced by blood platelets, vessels and muscles. In a year-long study conducted by a team of Canadian and Chinese scientists, healthy mice were surgically
joined with mice that had been genetically modified with high concentrations of amyloid-beta proteins. The proteins were able to flow between the mice through their shared blood supply. The team then monitored the mice’s brains for signs of the proteins. Within one year, the healthy mice had an influx of the amyloid-beta proteins flooding into their bodies, causing a buildup in their brains. The authors of the study theorize that this is possible due to the weakened cell walls that separate blood vessels and the brain’s gray matter. “The blood-brain barrier weakens as we age,” said Dr. Weihong Song, a University of British Columbia psychiatry professor and co-author of the study. “That might allow more amyloid-beta to infiltrate the brain, supplementing what is produced by the brain itself and accelerating the deterioration,” said Dr. Song. This leads
researchers to the conclusion that Alzheimer’s, in fact, is a “whole body problem,” as the amyloid-beta production throughout the body is causing the disease to manifest itself in the brain, meaning that it can start anywhere in the body. With the release of this information, researchers can now extend their search for ways of earlier detection and possible treatments to other areas of the body. By testing for high concentrations of amyloid-beta in the bloodstream, researchers might be able to find a way to catch the disease before it reaches the brain. “Human study is tough, but we can examine people with peripheral disorders, who are being treated for their kidney or their liver, looking at those symptoms. I can’t say it’s in two or it’s in three years there will be a treatment, but in the future there could be drugs designed to attack the peripheral side,” said Dr. Song.
8 LIFE
Red & Black
10 november 2017
Netflix Suspends ‘House of Cards’ after Kevin Spacey Scandal
Courtesy Newsweek
Netflix suspends its production of the hit Neflix show House of Cards as its star, Kevin Spacey, faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment from men in his past.
Tyler Phillips Red & Black Contributor
On October 29, actor Kevin Spacey was accused by child star Anthony Rapp of sexually assaulting him 30 years ago at a party held by Spacey. In the midst of the scandal, Spacey’s hit Netflix series “House of Cards” has suspended its production. Rapp is famous for his lead role in the production of rock musical “Rent.” He claimed that at a party he was invited to at the age of 14, Spacey, who was 26 at the time, picked him up and pushed him onto a bed, making a sexual advance. In the day following Rapp’s accusation, Spacey took to
Twitter to issue an apology. In it, he stated that he was “beyond horrified to hear his story” and had no recollection of it, although he apologized for what acts he may have committed while intoxicated. In the next paragraph of the apology, Spacey deflected the accusations and began discussing his personal life, coming out as a gay man. Spacey has been known professionally for rarely disclosing details about his personal life in order to create more believable characters, which makes this reveal even more shocking. However, Twitter users immediately attacked Spacey’s attempt at an apology. Enraged users said that the actor “has set gay rights back fifty years”
by using his sexual orientation as a form of justification for his alleged advance. They also criticized how Spacey “choose[s] now to live as a gay man,” as he enforces the false idea that sexual orientation is a choice. More men have come forward with stories of sexual assault from Spacey, particularly when he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theater in London. Actor George Takei, a gay rights advocate who came out in 2005, attacked Spacey’s “deflection,” as he put it, of the assault allegations. On Oct. 31, Netflix announced that it has indefinitely suspended production of its original series “House of Cards,” in which Spacey stars as Frank Underwood. This will be the sixth, and now final, season. Crew members are
now adding to the fire by stating that Spacey made the work environment difficult with his mannerisms. Spacey’s co-star Robin Wright plays his wife Claire Underwood became a symbol for survivors of sexual assault in the second season of the show. Wright has not commented on the scandal. Spacey’s scandal comes less than a month after Harvey Weinstein was fired by his own film company's board of directors for mounting allegations of rape and sexual harassment by prominent actresses. Although it has been not been long since Rapp’s accusation, it seems possible that more people will come forward to continue allegations of Spacey’s behavior.
10 November 2017
Red & Black
Culture 9
culture Literary-Based Posters Feature Author Quotes Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
Obvious State, a creative studio based in New York City, has started production on their literary-based posters that feature minimalistic designs and quotes from famous authors. With pieces inspired by authors like Kate Chopin, Oscar Wilde and William Shakespeare, there is a piece that speaks to everyone. Under the title “Bibliophilia,” this collection of 12 pieces currently relies on Kickstarter to help the company share the designs with the world. Each piece features a comprehensive design. “[They incorporate] clever composites, combining pairs of pertinent yet inherently dissimilar subjects into cohesive and clever scenes. While the idea behind the work is thought-provoking, the aesthetic is minimalist,” said critics of the posters. The designs themselves have been in existence for a while, as the company has been printing similar style posters since 2011. However, the switch to using the letterpress has propelled their newfound popularity on social media. The amount of work and skill put into cre-
ating a print with a letterpress was previously unthinkable, as the negatives highly outweighed the positives. “For the past few years, we’ve been trying to find a way to produce them on letterpress, which turned out to be a real challenge, but last month we finally found a partner in upstate [New York] that helped us crack the code and come up with a specialized approach that creates stunning results,” said co-founder of Obvious State Evan Robertson. With the help of experienced workers and innovators, the prints are closer to being in every bibliophile’s home. Of the twelve designs so far, the content and art range from a black and white contrasting image of a man’s silhouette with connecting cogs and gears, meant to represent Oscar Wilde, to a seductive photo of black corset featuring a hidden wine glass, meant to represent F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” The minimalist design calls greater attention to the quotes, and the artwork highlights the work on the whole. Each of the prints fits flawlessly with one another and would make a great gift set for the avid reader. Obvious State’s introduction letterpress is the beginning of a journey into connecting the written word with art. While the company is currently only offering twelve different prints, Obvious State plans to expand and eventually offer customizable pieces.
Courtesy Obvious State
Obvious State is combining beloved literary quotes with minimalistic posters.
10 Culture
10 november 2017
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Poetry Corner “Little Brown Girl(s)” Genea Richardson Red & Black Contributor Little brown girl Whose hair spirals naturally in little brown curls Oh little brown girl Afraid of the world little brown girl You deserve diamonds and pearls With roots of enslavery Your blood runs heavy with courage and bravery Oh little brown girl, Not sassy or loud Just trying to make your parents proud You will not be average, dear little brown girl. You give value to the diamonds and pearls Sassy and loud is now equivalent to black and proud Ma and Pa believe in you You cannot be average, there’s more to C in you Oh little brown girl, Please realize the strength in your curls Yes, it’s true we live in a man’s world-but it would be boring without a woman or girl
“Namesakes” Petunia Bitter Red & Black Contributor I cannot find true identity in my last name, When it is a hard word used as a name and adjective. Meaning anger in another tongue that is not my own. It is filled with generations of hatred and judgement. And plenty of anger. My first name is a soft word. Used as a name and a term. But my namesakes, my mother and her aunt, Certainly carried kindness with them as they walked this life before me. I am caught between anger And kindness. And I find that I am ususally angry, and rarely ever kind.
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Red & Black
Culture 11
‘The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ Review Erin Herock Red & Black Staff
“The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is a Netflix sitcom series written by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. The two worked on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” together. The story follows a woman named Kimmy Schmidt, played by Ellie Kemper, who was trapped in an underground bunker for the 15 years when she was held in a doomsday cult in Indiana. This show is one of Netflix’s first comedies. The plot shows her story as she moves to New York City to move on with her life. Kimmy experiences her new life with unparalleled enthusiasm because she worries about the time she lost. She makes friends with her roommate Titus, an aspiring actor, and gets a job as a babysitter for Jacqueline Voorhees, a wife of a billionaire with many problems in her marriage. Titus and Kimmy are an unlikely pair; however, they find ways to help each other. Titus helps Kimmy readjust to modern life and she gives him inspiration to not give up on his dreams. However, despite the bunker being a thing of the past, Kimmy still is greatly affected by the stigma around her as well as by the years she lost while she was trapped. During Season One, Kimmy falls in love with a Vietnamese man from her G.E.D. class. “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is a fairly light-hearted and comedic drama that still manages to
tackle many different social issues. The show was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmys. Kemper has found much praise for her quirky and original portrayal of Kimmy. The show has had success in being nominated for and winning other awards, including those given by Black Reel Awards for Television and the Gold Derby Awards. Despite the producers’ intentions of creating a socially-conscious show, a Huffington Post critic said, “The first two seasons of the Netflix original series were marred by unforced errors in its portrayals of race and social issues.” The show’s newest season will allegedly focus on critical complaints and will feature a better depiction of social awareness. In addition to tackling social issues, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” makes an effort to stay relevant and to make connections that the audience would understand. For instance, Titus spoofs Beyonce’s famous album “Lemonade” in an attempt to reconnect with his ex-boyfriend Mikey. Interestingly, there are some facts about this Netflix series that most people do not know. The first episodes were initially to be aired on NBC. However, moving the show to Netflix allowed the creators to have more freedom in knowing that their jokes would not be heavily edited or include commercial breaks. The roles of two of the main characters were also written especially for the actors Ellie Kemper and Tituss Burgess. Although Season 3 was just released in 2017, Netflix has announced that “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” will be renewed for Season 4.
Courtesy Wikimedia
Ellie Kemper stars as the positive and enthusiastic Kimmy Schmidt.
12 Culture
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10 November 2017
Marvel Universe Grows in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Alex Benner Red & Black Contributor
“Thor: Ragnarok,” the seventeenth Marvel Cinematic Universe film, rocked the box office when it earned 121 million dollars last weekend. It also earned a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” from CinemaScore. The only recent film that factored into Thor was “Doctor Strange,” so we know that the film takes place after Strange receives his powers. Despite this, there is no real timeline to knowing when the new film fits into the universe other than knowing that the Infinity Wars have yet to occur. Viewers see the return of old friends and foes in the film. We finally see the return of Loki and the Hulk, as viewers have not seen the Hulk since he flew away in the Quinn Jet at the end of “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” The Marvel Cinematic Universe continued to grow as it added the Valkyrie, a rag-tag group of gladiator aliens that include Hela, the Goddess of Death, the Grandmaster and Skurge, an Asgardian anti-hero. Despite how forgettable the first two Thor films are often considered by many viewers, “Thor: Ragnarok” took a new approach to the character by making him much less boring. Rather than occasionally delivering one-liners, he is presented as a very humorous character and is no longer overtaken by the antics of his brother or his seemingly out-of-place romance with Natalie Portman. Thor becomes the center of the film, and it is a refreshing change. This
makes the film more exciting and entertaining to watch. The screenwriting, particularly of Thor and Hulk’s relationship, gave the audience the feeling of a “Guardians of the Galaxy” film. This choice most likely came due to the fact that Star-lord and Thor are meant by producers to be the funny characters in Infinity Wars. They needed to see if audiences liked the new characterizations before moving forward. All signs point to that being a great choice, but only for now. “Thor: Ragnarok” also offered some of
the most interesting fight sequences in the Marvel film franchise so far. It also cleared up some blurred lines pertaining to where Thor and Hulk have been since Age of Ultron. This was helpful because, since their battle with Ultron, Marvel has released “Ant-Man,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Doctor Strange,” “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” and “Spiderman: Homecoming” with no sign of the two strongest Avengers. As with every Marvel film, stay for the after-credit scenes. They were clearly designed for
fans of the comics, but you can look up their meanings once you return from the theatre. There are clear connections between the characters and the other movies. The next Marvel film is “Black Panther,” slated for a February release. The first trailer premiered during “Thor: Ragnarok,” so make sure you get there early enough to see the previews. If you cannot wait for your superhero fix to be fulfilled in February, fear no more: on Nov. 16, “Justice League” will arrive in theatres.
Courtesy vimeo
“Thor: Ragnarok” has received glowing reviews from critics.
10 November 2017
Opinions 13
Red & Black
opinions When Should You Start Listening to Christmas Music?
Courtesy Flickr.com
Listening to Christmas music from carolers is a way to get into the holiday spirit.
Marcy Salvidar Red & Black Staff
While most people selectively listen to Christmas music throughout the year, everyone has a different opinion about the timeless debate of the best time to start listening to Christmas music. A BuzzFeed poll found that 7% of people
think that there is never a good time to listen to Christmas music. On the other end of the spectrum, 16% of people think that one should listen to Christmas music for the entire year. “It’s never too early for Christmas music,” said Anthony Frost ’21 when asked about what time of the year it is acceptable to start listening to Christmas music. Some students on campus believe that the temperature dictates
when Christmas music is socially acceptable. Some associate snow with Christmas music, while others believe that cold weather in general indicates a good time to start listening. Most people prefer to listen to Christmas music in the last two months of the year. The Buzzfeed poll found that 15% of people think that the day after Halloween is appropriate for beginning the holiday spirit. 22% of people think that it is permissible to turn on Christmas radio stations on Dec. 1. “To listen to Christmas music you have to at least wait until December hits. You still have Thanksgiving in November. Christmas music gets overplayed way too quickly,” said Adam Jaworski ’20. The most popular time to start listening to Christmas music is after Thanksgiving. 40% of people think that waiting until after Thanksgiving is the most
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
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socially acceptable. This statistic is consistent with the student body here at Washington & Jefferson College. Most students say that we should focus on the turkey in the days leading up to Thanksgiving; however, as soon as Black Friday hits, most students believe that life can switch to Christmas mode. “You should start listening to Christmas music closer to Thanksgiving. People play Christmas music at Halloween parties, and that is not okay. [When] the second Thanksgiving dinner is over, it is okay to listen to it,” said Stephon Burton ’19. “Thanksgiving would be good to start listening to Christmas music. My sister had her Christmas tree up three weeks ago . Too soon,” said W&J psychology professor Dr. Klitz. While we may never come to a conclusion about this debate, it is clear that most students at W&J agree that the day after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start listening to Christmas music.
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14 Opinions
Red & Black
10 November 2017
Is “Commonsgiving” Worth All of The Hype Surrounding It?
Courtesy Flickr.com
Commonsgiving is held every year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving break.
Erin Herock Red & Black Staff
As we approach Thanksgiving break, students are excited to spend their time at home with family and to eating a Thanksgiving meal. However, at Washington & Jefferson College, students get to have their fix of turkey and mashed potatoes before the day of Thanksgiving. Every year, the Commons serves a Thanksgiving meal on the Thursday prior to
break, and this special event is called Commonsgiving. The dining hall provides turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, corn, rolls and pumpkin pie in unlimited amounts to hundreds of hungry students. Despite the massive amounts of delicious food, there is a cost to this festive tradition. During Commonsgiving, students often find themselves waiting in a line all the way back to Beau Street to get a plate of the food inside the Commons. The dinner starts at 5:00p.m., but many students begin lining up hours before the event. Some students agree that it is worth the wait. “Last year, I got in line at 3:30p.m. and I was the first person in line. I love Commonsgiving so much. It’s unreal,”
said Kayla Marasia ’19. “Commonsgiving is the best day on campus because the turkey and stuffing are the best food Coms serves all year,” said Brianna Floryshak ‘19 when she was asked about her opinion of why Commonsgiving is worth the hectic wait. Floryshak is excited to attend this year’s dinner and is making an effort to get there earlier than she has in past years. Similarly, Karli-Ann Sanders ’19 agreed that the wait time is worth it for Commonsgiving. “[It’s my] favorite meal of the year and it’s always fun that they dress up the Commons and make it a big event for us all to look forward to,” said Sanders. She will be joining Floryshak in the long line for the excellent food inside.
Caden Meier ’19 also agreed that the wait was worth it. However Stephon Burton ’19 disagrees. “Waiting that long for Commonsgiving isn’t really worth it,” said Burton. Despite disagreements about whether or not Commonsgiving is worth the wait time, students generally seem excited for the event every year. Curious freshmen are excited to see what it will be like, as they have never experienced it before. “I’m eager to taste the food and finally get to experience the hype that everyone has talked about. I’m willing to camp out if that is what it takes to avoid the line,” said Marcy Saldivar ’21. As Commonsgiving approaches, students are looking forward to enjoying a nice meal to take a break from their busy schedules.
10 November 2017
Red & Black
opinions 15
When is The Right Time to Start Christmas Shopping?
Courtesy Flickr.com
Black Friday is usually the time when most shoppers go out to complete all of their Christmas shopping before the normal hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
Every year it seems that the holiday season arrives earlier, encouraging many people to begin stocking up for Christmas as soon as Halloween costumes are put away. While I am a huge fan of Christmas, Hanukkah and all of the other winter holidays, I find this mass exodus to shopping malls across America a bit disheartening. Nevertheless, such a rush raises the question of when is the best time to buy presents. With the recent trends, it seems the answer is the earlier, the better. Walking into any chain store on Nov. 1, you
will receive whiplash from the speed with which a Halloween haven turns into a winter wonderland. All signs of Jack-O-Lanterns and spooky decorations have disappeared and have been replaced with plastic Santas and cheery tree displays. However, along with the arrival of wintery knick-knacks, shoppers can find the beginning of holiday sales. Endless e-mails and mailboxes stuffed with promotions are the reasons why the best time to buy Christmas presents is as soon as possible. While some may argue such a consumeristic mindset destroys the sanctity of Thanksgiving, which is a complaint that carries value, I believe that it eases shoppers’ minds; the rush to holiday shop on Dec. 1 is gone, which gives everyone more time to prepare and save money on presents for their loved ones. For example, I was quite
unsure about what to buy my mother for Christmas this year, and the thought of a meaningless, last-minute present gave me anxiety. However, I received a promotional e-mail advertising the extremely discounted cost of a 23&me DNA kit. I happily took advantage of the discount, and I now have peace of mind in knowing that I purchased a quality gift for my mom at a great price. Such incredible deals are the catalysts for early Christmas shopping, as consumers eagerly play the “game� that corporations set out for them. Nevertheless, such schemes are highly lucrative and produce real-time trends, allowing everyone to see that the right time to buy presents is now. Instead of waiting for unknown deals that may or may not materialize later in the holiday season, the comfort that an early November commer-
cial brings cannot be matched. After all, buying presents early eradicates nearly all holiday stress and gives a person more time to embrace Christmas for what it truly represents: family and love. Finally, holiday shopping in November is the perfect time, as it allows for a longer Christmas season. While some may argue that it overshadows Thanksgiving, buying presents early also elongates the feel-good vibes and jolly nature of Christmas. In a world filled with horrors and violence, this is a welcome change of pace. Overall, those who start to break out their wallets and wrapping paper in November are truly savvy shoppers. With a head start on savings and holiday cheer, these unorthodox shoppers have become our Christmas Warriors.
16 Sports
sports Red & Black
10 November 2017
Field Hockey Wins Empire 8 Championship over Utica
Courtesy gopresidents.com
On Nov. 4th, the W&J women’s field hockey team won the Empire 8 Championship game with a 3-1 victory over Utica, earning a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Alexander Benner Red & Black Contributor
The Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team became the 2017 Empire 8 Champions on Nov. 4, and Rachel Buyan ’19 earned Tournament Most Valuable Player. After starting the season at 1-3, the Presidents bounced back to win 10 of 11 to finish out the regular season. This stretch also gave them a perfect 7-0 record in the Empire 8 to clinch the first seed and hosting rights for the 2017 Empire 8 Championship Tournament. The tournament was composed of four teams including Utica, St. John Fisher, Houghton and W&J. The first
two games took place on Nov. 3, the first being Houghton vs W&J at 12:00 p.m. The Presidents were “Buyan” a win as Rachel Buyan scored two of the team’s three goals, and assisted on the third to give the Presidents a 3-0 win
minutes to defeat the Cardinal’s, 2-0, and advance Utica to the championship game at 1:00 p.m. against host W&J. On Nov. 4th, Cameron Stadium hosted its first Empire 8 Championship game since 2007. Ironically, the 2007 game was also Utica vs W&J,
Buyan added the finishing blow in the sixty-first minute for her third goal and seventh point of the tournament, making her the undisputed MVP. and eliminate Houghton from postseason play. The second game took place at 2:30 p.m. and pitted St. John Fisher, the 2016 Empire 8 Champion, against Utica. After a scoreless first half, Utica’s leading scorer Rylee Meelan tallied goals in the fourty-first and fifty-first
with Utica coming out on top. In 2016, the Presidents reached the championship game as well, but fell to St. John Fisher despite a penalty stroke score from Buyan. In the twelfth minute, Sofiya Bobrovnikova ’21 tallied her first collegiate goal, as Ashley Overton ’21
collected a long pass from Buyan and passed the ball through the goalie’s legs to Bobrovnikova for the shot. Utica’s Meelan tied the game with an unassisted goal in the thirty-third minute, which put the score at 1-1 heading into halftime. 15 minutes into the second half, Jenna Jaworski ’18 gave the Presidents the lead once again as Overton split two defenders with a pass across the cage to find Jaworski. Buyan added the finishing blow in the sixty-first minute for her third goal and seventh point of the tournament, making her the undisputed MVP. The goal came as Buyan delivered a penalty corner to Claire Shaak ’19 at the top of the circle, who passed to Jaworski for a connection with a sprinting Buyan on a one-timer to the goalie’s right. With the win, the Presidents earned an automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Tournament.
10 November 2017
Red & Black
Opinions 17
Student Athlete Spotlight: Gabby Karr Ashton Grimm Red & Black Contributor
A native of North Harford High School in Harford County, Md., Gabby Karr ’19 chose Washington & Jefferson College to continue her academic and field hockey careers. Karr first heard of the school when she received an email from an assistant coach to visit campus for a junior day. When visiting, she was able to get a tour of campus, meet the coaches and meet some of her future teammates. Karr fell in love with the school and could see herself making it her new home. She is now a psychology major with high aspirations after college as
well. Karr has played field hockey for a total of nine years including seven years on her club team, H20. A love of field hockey was instilled in her at a very young age, and she looked for future colleges that would be able to balance her passion for the sport and future career goals. “I chose to come to W&J because the team chemistry is really great,” Karr said. As a center back for the presidents, she has made quite an impact for the squad. This season alone, she totaled two goals and made three defensive saves for her team, leading them to host the Empire 8 tournament on their home field. The team has made it into the
Empire 8 tournament every season of the three that she has played. This is the first year that the team went on to win the title at Cameron field. “No one expected us to win, but we ended up hosting [the tournament] and winning, which was especially amazing because everyone doubted us, but as a team we worked hard and earned our title,” said Karr. Some of her favorite memories from this season include beating St. John Fisher to host the tournament, and to then going on to win the title. Off the field, she appreciates how close of a team they have become. “This is the closest we’ve ever been, and this team has become my best
friends,” Karr said. After securing the title, the field hockey team is off to compete in the NCAA tournament.
Courtesy Ashton Grimm
Gabby Karr ‘19 plays as a center back.
Steelers Player Spotlight: JuJu Smith No. 19 Ashton Grimm Red & Black Contributor
Courtesy wikipedia
Smith wears no. 19 for the Steelers.
Juju Smith-Schuster, a second-round draft pick from the University of Southern California and the youngest player in the National Football League, is taking the city of Pittsburgh and the NFL by storm. Playing in only eight games and mostly second-fiddle to Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, Smith-Schuster finally got his chance to shine against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 29. This start came after Bryant made consistent comments on social media about how he believed that he was a better player than Smith-Schuster, and that if Bryant was not given more targets and playing time, he felt he deserved to be traded. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization have never tolerated offfield distractions factoring into their
gameplay, so Bryant was sat, putting Smith-Schuster as Ben Roethlisberger’s number-two target. He capitalized on the opportunity, hauling in seven passes for 193 yards, including a team-record 97-yard touchdown catch, to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week laurels. With the score, he also became the first player in NFL history to score four touchdowns before turning 21, passing Bears legends Andy Livingston and Rashaan Salaam with three. Off the field, Smith-Schuster has nine siblings and is very much a kid at heart. He rides a bike to practice every day, which created quite the story in the week leading up to his breakout game against the Lions. On Oct. 24, Smith-Schuster released a video saying that his bike had been stolen. The entire city of Pittsburgh saw this story. as it landed on every news station. For the rest of the day, teammates took to social media, begging fans to return the bike. This included fellow wide-out Antonio Brown, who
promised free tickets to whoever returned the bike, “No questions asked.” #TeamFindJuJu’sBike went viral, and the next morning, KDKA released breaking news that Juju’s bike had been found by police in Mt. Oliver and provided photo-evidence. This entire event gave Smith-Schuster an idea for a touchdown celebration, as he is already considered the best in football pertaining to celebrations with his Dragon Ball Z and hideand-seek displays in previous weeks. The Detroit game was a night game, and so Smith-Schuster said he used his free time during the day to go to Home Depot and buy a chain. After his 97-yard touchdown reception, he grabbed the chain and locked up the team’s exercise bike; much to the delight of fans and his teammates, he moved his arms to indicate that no one could take that bike. A character both on and off the field, Smith-Schuster is becoming a household name in Pittsburgh and looks for continued success after the Steelers’ bye week.
18 Sports
Red & Black
10 November 2017
What You Do Not Know About Protein and Peanut Butter
Courtesy flickr
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Peanut butter is a great and accessible source of protein for people looking to get an extra boost.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
Every student has his or her own ways of trying to be a little healthier upon coming to college. Yet, for most students, it is really easy to slip up and start to fuel our bodies with junk that may satisfy us in the moment but will leave us hungry and tired soon after we have finished eating. One of the best ways to stay fueled, which aids in a student’s ability to keep powering through a long night of studying and homework, is by eating enough protein in each meal. Some students use granola or protein bars to consume large amounts of protein in a short amount of time. These bars can have anywhere from four to fifteen
grams of protein in them. The only bad thing about this is that the more protein they have in them, the more expensive they can be. Another way that students find a shortcut to eating
ing protein, you would think you were eating healthily enough. However, there is a tricky question: how do you know that what you are eating is the best kind of protein, and does it come
“I really like the sweeter peanut butters, so Smuckers natural is my favorite, but Trader Joe’s organic peanut butter was also really good.” - Maddie Walbrown ’19 protein, especially right after working out when feeding your tired muscles is a very crucial detail of your workout, is to eat a spoonful or two of peanut butter or even take that peanut butter and smear it on an apple or banana. With the added benefits of the fruit, you will be doing your body an even greater favor. With all of these shortcuts to eat-
hidden among tons of added sugars and fats? Growing up, I was raised on Jif, and I had never looked for another source of peanut butter, as it was delicious and therefore I had no reason to change. Upon taking a health and nutrition class with Ellen Franty, I was introduced to the many alternatives that are
just as good if not better than Jif. Early last year I was introduced to cashew ice cream, and so I was not surprised that cashew butter was my favorite alternative to peanut butter. Maddie Walbrown ’19 admitted to liking an alternative. “I really like the sweeter peanut butters, so Smuckers natural is my favorite, but Trader Joe’s organic peanut butter was also really good,” said Walbrown. Matt Kotkiewicz ’19 also liked the cashew butter. “I had never had it before, but the cashew butter was my favorite; I was shocked,” said Kotkiewicz. These more natural nut butters pack a stronger protein punch by giving you the energy you need and none of the sugars you do not. It is the perfect deal and it is such an easy change to make to your daily schedule; just buy an alternative nut butter to your normal sugared version, and you’ll be able to see the changes in your daily life.
10 November 2017
sports 19
Astros Claim 2017 World Series Championship Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
On Nov. 1, the Houston Astros officially won their first ever World Series in franchise history. They played the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game series. It was one of the statistically best world series that have ever been played. It was a back and forth matchup that went on to be decided in game seven, where Houston pulled out a five to one triumph over the Dodgers. Over the course of the series, the Houston Astros displayed great hit-
Red & Black
ting through scoring an unbelievable 13 runs in game five. The Astros had three games in a row where they had more than ten hits in each game. Along with the great hitting, they also exhibited great pitching in game seven. The combined five pitchers gave
This is what you dream,” said George Springer, an outfielder for the Houston Astros. Springer was also the recipient of the World Series MVP award, which is given to the best player in the series. Springer batted .379 with five home runs and seven RBIs and also had the
“Unbelievable, this is what you work for. This is what you dream.” -George Springer up only six hits and one run to help claim the World Series Championship. It was an amazing accomplishment for the team and for the city of Houston as well. “Unbelievable, this is what you work for. This is what you hope for.
Houston Astros win 2017 World Series in seven games.
most extra base hits in the World Series. He is the only player to ever hit home runs in four straight World Series games. “I told them how much there is to be proud of, we fell short, but we ac-
complished a lot this season. It was great to see our guys come together, as a special group of men,” said the Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts. The Dodgers started off the series by winning game one by a narrow score of 3 to 1. The Dodgers struggled to maintain their leads in most games of the series. The Dodgers lost two extra-inning games where they had the lead early, including their 13 to 12 loss in game five. The Dodgers pitchers struggled most of the series, giving up 34 runs in seven games. The Astros were truly the better team and were deserving of the World Series Championship in what will be remembered as one of the best Championship series ever played.
Courtesy ew.com
20 sports
10 November 2017
Red & Black
This One Time...
Courtesy Brianna Floryshak
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
“This one time, we were practicing after a rainy day. The turf was really wet and I slipped while trying to cover a receiver. I was hoping no one would really notice, but my friends saw. When I got back to the sideline, my teammates just looked at me and started laughing. Even Coach Sirianni looked at me and started laughing. Apparently, I had turf literally covering my face. It was awful.” -Shareef Salvi ’21 Football
“This one time, we were in the middle of playing one of our matches when everything turned to chaos. Out of nowhere, one of the foreign kids on our team, Christian, who is from the Netherlands, went and received a serve with his head. He literally headed the ball like a soccer player instead of using his hands. At the same time, the ref was blowing his whistle and another kid on our team, from Ecuador, was yelling at the official in Spanish for not blowing his whistle loud enough. It was a jumbled mess and also one of the funniest moments we have had as a team!” -Joe Dreher ’18 Club Volleyball
Next Week’s Games Last Week’s Scores Nov. 1
Nov. 11
Men’s Soccer v. Thomas More 2-0 Loss Swimming v. Chatham (M) 73-53 Win, (W) 115-115 Tie
Wrestling at W&J Invitational (H)- 9:45am Cross Country at NCAA Regionals (A)- 11am Swimming v. York (A)- 1pm Football v. Waynesburg (H)- 1pm
Nov. 3
Field Hockey v. Houghton 3-0 Win
Nov. 4
Field Hockey v. Utica 3-1 Win Swimming v. West Virginia Wesleyan (M) 22-166 Loss, (W) 65-138 Loss Men’s Water Polo v. Gannon 2-17 Loss Men’s Water Polo v. Connecticut College 10-19 Loss Football v. Geneva 31-17 Win Wrestling at Adrian Invitational 5 of 9
Nov. 15
Swimming v. Westminster (A)- 6pm
Nov. 17
Women’s Basketball v. Hiram (H)-8pm Men’s Basketball v. Stevenson (H)- 3pm
Nov. 5 Courtesy gopresidents.com
Men’s Water Polo v. Monmouth 12-14 Loss