The Invisible Man

Students play video games to raise money to help end cancer

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate Students play games during one of the on-campus Relay for Life fundraisers.

Morgan Barr Guest Contributor

Just one person can make a difference in the fight to end cancer. Or in this case, one controller.

Students gathered Feb. 27 from 8–10 p.m. to compete in a Mario Kart tournament at the Red Zone to fundraise for Colleges Against Cancer’s Relay for Life event.

The idea for a Mario Kart tournament came from club president Jessica Munoz.

“Originally, it was going to be a Marvel tournament, but then I said ‘How about this idea?’ And we voted, and Mario Kart won,” Munoz said. “I was really excited, because I grew up playing it and it’s my senior year and my idea and my theme won.”

Each participant in the tournament received a Relay T-shirt from the club. The winner of the tournament received a tee, a $25 Giant gift card and a voucher for a free meal at Relay for Life. Second and third place winners also received vouchers for a free meal at Relay for Life.

Relay for Life first began in

1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt raised money for the American Cancer Society by walking for 24 hours at a track in Tacoma, Washington.

Relay has since become a global charity, with more than four million people in 26 countries participating.

Shippensburg’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer is the host of Relay for Life on campus.

Over 16 on-campus organizations come together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. In the months leading up to Relay for Life, these organizations host multiple fundraisers such as canning sessions on the corner of King Street, restaurant fundraisers and tabling in the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) to compete and see who can raise the most money for Relay for Life. Last year’s winning team raised $4,446.

Overall, Shippensburg raised $26,000 in 2019 for the American Cancer Society.

Read the full story at theslateonline.com.

Question of the Week: What are your plans for spring break?

Kiley Buser, freshman

“I’ll be going home to spend time with family and visiting some of my high school friends.”

Event spreads awareness about mental health

Jenna Holtzman Guest Contributor

Students who wish to de-stress from a difficult semester may be interested in attending one of the many wellness events that occur on campus.

Students filled the Harley multi-purpose room Feb. 25 from 6:30-8 p.m. for a night of tarot card readings, music, rock painting and more hosted by Shippensburg University’s National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).

Those who attended used the time to relieve anxiety they may have gained during the day. The executive board members wanted to provide a sense of relaxation for the students who attended.

“I needed to create Instagram posts and stories for people to remember we were having it and to tell their friends,” Dana Hoke, the public relations officer for NAMI said.

Hoke had high hopes for the event.

“The people who attend will get to have a fun, relaxing night. Classes, work, internships, etc. can be so tiring and stressful and sometimes you need a night to just relax,” Hoke said.

The executive board of NAMI said they planned this event with passion, care and hard work. The attending students smiled because of the calming air that filled the room.

“Before I came to this event, I was having tons of anxiety and after the event, I was distracted and happy. I went to this event hoping to get relaxation out of this event and I got just that,” student Abigail Heister said.

The event focused on having a calm, serene atmosphere so students could take a moment to take care of themselves after having a hard, anxiety-filled day.

Some of the attendees of

NAMI’s wellness event mentioned there is stigma on mental health and they felt it is good to surround themselves with people who truly understand what it is like to have a mental illness.

The wellness event helped spread awareness about mental health and allowed students to find those whom they can relate to.

“I attended this event because I wanted to be a part of it [NAMI]. The stigma of mental illness really bothers me, so it’s nice to be in a room full of people who understand me,” student Lizzie Ritter said.

Brianna Armour, president of NAMI, believes mental health is just as important as physical health.

“I believe that we should all support each other in ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues,” Armour said.

Jenna Holtzman/The Slate Students paint rocks to relieve anxiety and enjoy a night of tarot cards and music at the wellness event. Cassandra Aloisi, senior

“I am going to Disney World during spring break.”

Gunny Miller, senior

“For the fourth year in a row I’ll stay in Shippensburg because I don’t have any money to go anywhere and I work at the bookstore.”

ShipTALKS: What should

students do if they are sick?

Most students question if they should risk not going to class or skip it to rest. The answer to the question: Stay home.

Going to class sick will only get other students sick.

You should stay in bed and allow yourself to rest to get better. The lack of rest can make the illness worse and it will take you longer to get better.

If you decide to stay home, you should email a fellow student from the class and ask what you missed before emailing the professor. Professors prefer students stay on top of their work regardless of their illness.

Most classes only allow so many absences before it is dropped a letter grade. Therefore, if you are constantly missing class without an excuse, be aware your professor may ask for proof you were sick.

Sickness sometimes falls on the worst times. If you are sick on an exam day or during a presentation, you should use your best judgment or contact your professor for options.

A lot of professors do not allow make-up exams or quizzes, but some will when not going to class.

Professors know students are only human and get sick. They themselves have to take off time-to-time because of getting an illness, too.

Make sure you check your syllabus for the attendance policy if you plan on taking a day off. Only take a day off if absolutely necessary.

Do not overwork yourself. Make sure you wash your hands often, eat well and get plenty of sleep.

For resource purposes, visit Etter Health Center on the bottom floor of Naugle Hall if you feel medical help is necessary.