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Volume 64 No. 19

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April 10, 2012

What would SU do?

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Shoot-off: Is buying back guns a good idea?

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NEWS

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What’s Inside...

The Slate Celebrating 55 years as Shippensburg University’s student-run campus newspaper.

News

Second Kony awareness video released, A3

LIVE NEWS BROADCASTS THURSDAYS AT 7 P.M.

Live Sports Broadcasts during home Football and Basketball games For more information contact

Opinion

Gun buyback program approved in Harrisburg, B1 ShipLife

What would SU do in case of a school shooting, C1 Sports

Chelsea Wehking / Editor-in-Chief Cara Shumaker / Managing Editor

A&E Laura Hoffstetter / Editor Sarah Eyd / Asst. Editor

Easter Egg Hunt - 1st place : $20 - 2nd place : $15 - 3rd place : $10

All applicants will be randomly drawn and notified next Tuesday. Please include name and e-mail address on front page with all eggs circled.

Newspapers can be dropped off outside the office, CUB 250, in the designated box.

Contest ends Friday, April 13.

Four eggs in each section!

(The eggs in this box don’t count!)

TODAY IN HISTORY

SU seniors sent off in a grand way with weekend victories, E5

1866: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in New York City.

A&E

1930: The first synthetic rubber was produced.

Lord of the Dance impresses SU, D1

1953: House of Wax, the first color 3-D movie,was released.

1970: Paul McCartney announced the breakup of the Beatles.

Front cover by Leslie Douglas

Opinion Katrina Panasiuk / Editor Samantha Noviello / Asst. Editor Ship Life Danielle Halteman / Editor Natalie Schwind / Asst. Editor Anna Seils / Asst. Editor

SUTV@ship.edu

1790: The U.S. patent system was established.

News Jessica Acheson / Editor Colleen Bauer / Asst. Editor

Sports Nick Sentman / Sports Editor Samuel Stewart / Asst. Editor Photography Leslie Douglas / Editor Jenn Shimandle / Asst. Editor

PR & Circulation Ashley Jones / Director Christina Pooler / Asst. Director Meaghan Ellis / Asst. Director Copy Lauren Cappuccio / Editor Lauren Miscavage / Asst. Editor Advertising Colleen Mee / Director

Web Kevin Battersby / Director Simon Neubauer / Asst. Director Adviser Dr. Michael W. Drager Contact Us

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Freelance photographer displays exhibit in SU library BEVERLY PONTERIO Staff Writer

Students at Shippensburg University do not often think of the library as a place to find art, but from April 2-27, “Haiti — A Nation’s Persistence,” is being displayed in the Main Gallery. Keely Kernan, the artist, gave a talk on the exhibition on Monday, April 9.

Kernan is a nationally and internationally recognized, award-winning freelance photographer. She has been to many nations and has spent the past seven years of her life traveling.

She has worked alongside nongovernmental organizations on public health issues and runs educational programs for those living in tent communities in Leogane, Haiti.

Often, working with NGOs and other programs helps to fund her art so that she can maintain her projects while working with other needs as well.

Kernan has also worked outside of Haiti in many Central and South American countries as well as South Korea.

Her heart for her subjects is evident in her art.

She captures their entire story in one still moment, and does so beautifully.

The library display alternates between color and black-and-white photos.

They show the harsh conditions under which the Haitian people live.

It has always been a poor country, but since the earthquake in 2010, its living situations are even worse.

Reconstruction is slow and there have been many

roadblocks. Now, two years later, thousands of victims are still living in crude camps with barely enough to live. It is a country with hurricanes, health crises, political instability, economic crises, etc.

“Haiti is a place of extremes. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and it is a place where people struggle to survive. But it is also a place where the human spirit is deeply felt and life is celebrated,” said Kernan.

The celebration of art and healing are important to Kernan. Being both a photographer and a painter, she believes in its power to heal.

In Jacmel, she has been working with a group of Haitian artists to help with art therapy with children and exhibitions for the adults.

The group is called Kolektif Atis Jakmel (KOLAJ).

The exhibit also features photos of some of the children’s paintings.

Hope is the main goal in having the children paint.

There is hope in art and life in color, and much of that seems to be missing from Haiti’s situation.

When asked what her next project would be, Kernan said she would be staying in the United States for a while.

She freelances, doing commercial photography, and works on her own projects when she is not traveling.

Freelancing is how she funds her trips, and she will save while she is here so that she can go back to her work in the countries she loves.

Photo by Leslie Douglas

Keely Kernan’s exhibit is being displayed in the Main Gallery of the library.

Invisible Children puts out second Kony awareness video COLLEEN BAUER

Asst. News Editor “KONY 2012: Part II – Beyond Famous” was released on April 4 by the Invisible Children (IC) campaign organization.

The 20-minute video was made as a follow-up to the first Kony 2012 awareness mini-film that came out a month prior.

The first KONY 2012 video, which was produced and directed by one of IC’s founders, Jason Russell, became viral on YouTube with more than 87 million views, and was trending over all social media sites.

This was Russell’s ultimate goal — to make Joseph Kony, the head of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), famous.

Kony has been leader of the LRA since 1987 and has been the “world’s worst war criminal” ever

since, according to www. kony2012.com.

Since 2008, the LRA has killed more than 2,400 people. They abduct children to become soldiers and sex slaves, and force them to “rape, mutilate and kill civilians,” according to www. kony2012.com.

The entire campaign that the Invisible Children organization created has a goal to end Kony’s unjust actions that have been ongoing for 26 years.

The reason for making a second video was “to explain the creation of the campaign, the progress that’s already been made, and what we can all do now to support the ongoing efforts to stop the violence of the LRA,” the video said, which is narrated by Ben Keesey, CEO of IC. A major criticism of the first video was that there was a misconception of Kony committing this vio-

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

“Cover the Night” will take place on April 20 to spread awareness and to stop Kony. lence in northern Uganda, when really the LRA has been out of that country since 2006. However, the second video makes

it clearer that the LRA is dominant in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The video also makes it clear that progress has been made due to IC’s efforts, and efforts of other organizations.

Ever since “KONY 2012” was made, people have been nothing but supportive of the campaign and eager to help.

“Two weeks after ‘KONY 2012’ launched, two bipartisan resolutions, supporting the effort to disarm the LRA, were introduced to the House and Senate and have been signed by nearly 100 members of Congress,” the video said.

The African Union has also agreed to step up its efforts in the cause to track down Kony.

FM Radio communication, such as “Radio Zereda,” has also been set up as “early warning networks” to attempt to warn African civilians if the LRA is coming their way. The video encourages its audience to

create even more awareness that Kony needs to be stopped and that by getting leaders’ support from all over the world will make it more possible.

It leaves us with a message that says, “We believe that the human connection extends across the world but starts across the street.

We will earn the right to be heard globally by serving locally.”

The plan that the video introduces is for supporters everywhere to contact their policymakers for them to support the cause as well, and to promote justice for the civilians in Africa.

The organization would like us all to take part in Cover the Night, which will take place April 20.

The idea is to post media about Kony all over and do everything possible to stop the injustice Joseph Kony is serving.

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Protecting permanent records SU College Democrats named chapter of the year Series Note: This is a part of a series of legal information that college students can use. For more information, please visit www.pabar.org/thelawandu.asp.

Did your high school principal ever threaten to put something on your “permanent record?”

In reality, school records typically are not permanent. Universities maintain education records, which contain general information (directory information, applications) and academic records (transcripts, course grades).

The privacy of these records is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Most college students qualify as “eligible,” which means you are over 18 or attending a school beyond the high school level.

Once eligible, you have certain FERPA rights previously accorded to parents.

You have the right to review education records, the right to request that a college correct inaccurate or misleading records, and the right to a formal hearing if the college declines.

If the school still declines to amend information after a hearing, you have the right to place a statement in your record detailing your view of the contested information.

While FERPA grants the right to challenge inaccurate information, it does not grant the right to overturn grades. It is intended for fair record keeping only.

Generally, colleges require written permission to release your record, but FERPA provisionally allows universities to dis-

close records to appropriate parties without consent.

Valid educational interests, financial aid matters, health / safety emergencies, and judicial orders / subpoenas are considered reasonable grounds for releasing information.

Directory information may also be disclosed, provided colleges keep students informed and allow them a fair timeline to request non-disclosure.

For frequently asked questions and FERPA details, visit: http://www2. ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/ fpco/ferpa/students.html Disclaimer: This information was compiled and written by Shippensburg University graduate students in the Communication Studies program and is intended for general use and not as a substitute for legal advice.

New program to begin at SU On April 5, the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education approved a new software engineering degree program at Shippensburg University.

The program, resulting in a bachelor of science in software engineering degree, will begin with the upcoming fall semester using existing faculty and facility resources.

“Our ever-changing world continues to rely on computers and the software that drives them,” said President William Ruud. “This program will allow our students to become even more familiar with those changes and to respond with the technical skills they need to meet the challenges. It is also another opportunity for Shippensburg to meet a growing demand by employers for these highly-trained individuals.”

A study shows a 30.3 percent growth nationwide in

software positions with 823 of those positions being in Pennsylvania annually.

The program is designed to prepare students for careers developing largescale software systems while working in highly effective development teams.

Graduates will have the skills necessary to design and construct these systems. They will understand the tools and techniques used by software development teams to plan and manage such projects and will be ready to help meet the large and growing demand for trained software developers in the Commonwealth and surrounding region.

The software engineering program also supports the Commonwealth’s goals of continuing to develop high tech industries and the department’s faculty stands ready to assist public policy initiatives that will leverage the skills of SU graduates to support economic improvement.

The program will also use the university’s Business Relations On Advanced Designs for Software Innovation Development and Engineering (BROADSIDE) Center, where faculty and students work on projects in collaboration with local industrial partners. The program will provide students with a high-quality, low-cost software engineering program.

Students who choose to study an engineering discipline must possess above average skills in a wide array of fields, including the ability to think abstractly and solve complex problems.

Students who have those skills will now have a path to more affordable software engineering careers from which the Commonwealth will benefit.

-Courtesy of Shippensburg University

Photo by Luis Fernando Rodriguez

SU students, Charles Black and Yvonne Page, center, were elected to the Pa. Executive Board of College Democrats.

JESSICA ACHESON News Editor

Shippensburg University College Democrats were named Chapter of the Year at the Pennsylvania College Democrats State Convention, hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Chapter. It was held March 30 to April 3.

Being awarded Chapter of the Year is the highest

honor a club can attain at the state level.

Other universities competing against Shippensburg University for the honor included Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh.

SU was named Chapter of the Year for its work in relocating the Shippensburg Township voting precinct, bringing together numerous candidates by hosting a successful fundraiser, and for all the hard

work they have done for Democratic candidates.

In addition to receiving the honor of Chapter of the Year, two SU students were elected to the Pennsylvania Executive Board of College Democrats.

Charles Black, a senior political science major, was elected as central vice president and Yvonne Page, a senior psychology major, was elected as communications director.

Interested in writing for the News section?

All majors are welcome!

You can write as much as you would like!

Great opportunity to expand your portfolio, boost your resume and gain experience!

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PASSHE provides scholarship opportunities — available to all SU sophomores, juniors and seniors Through various scholarship programs, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) supports all 14 of its universities by providing scholarships to their students.

To learn more about these scholarship opportunities which may be available to you as a Shippensburg University student,

please visit the PASSHE Foundation Scholarship page at www.thepafoundation.org/scholarships/ index.asp.

You will find detailed information about eligibility requirements and award amounts.

Please carefully review the posting for application instructions and deadlines.

Are you majoring in political science, journalism or communications?

If so, you will want to check out the William D. Greenlee Scholarship which is new for the 201213 academic year.

Applicants must have earned 60-plus credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For 2012-13 there are

four $2,500 scholarships available. Deadline for application is June 1.

Have you ever been involved in a community service project? Or completed volunteer work in either your home community or here on campus?

If so, you may be eligible to apply for the FitzDixon Memorial Scholar-

ship award. This award is available to both graduate and undergraduate degree students attending a PASSHE school.

See detailed application requirements at the above website.

Deadline for application is May 31.

Are you a junior or senior pursuing an undergraduate degree that

leads to a career in law, social services or art therapy?

You will want to apply for the Stephen and Sandy Sheller Scholarship. Applicants must have earned 60-plus credits with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Four $1,000 scholarships are available for the 2012-13 academic year. Deadline for application is June 1.

Council of Trustees holds meeting SU to hold Earth Day Celebration MEGAN MOWEN Guest Writer

Shippensburg University’s Council of Trustees received an update at its March 30 meeting regarding the completion of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail in Shippensburg.

Tim Ebersole, executive director of SU’s Office of Alumni Affairs and Government Relations; Jim Smedley, a representative from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Municipal Services; and Garrett Stahlman, vice president of the Cumberland Valley Railsto-Trails Council (CVRTC), spoke to trustees, explaining the final step in completing Shippensburg’s end of the trail into the downtown area.

PennDOT and CVRTC have received $800,000 in federal funding to complete the project by June 2013, Ebersole said.

With no cost to the university, PennDOT will complete the last mile of the trail into Shippensburg, ending on North Earl Street.

To accomplish this, PennDOT will also be building a bridge across

Fogelsonger Road, where a former railroad bridge once stood, to connect to the parking access to the trail and protect the safety of the trail’s users.

Smedley said the bridge will be built with an innovative construction process called GRS that is fairly new to Pennsylvania.

According to the Federal Highway administration, GRS stands for geosynthetic reinforced soil, a bridge construction that decreases the cost and construction time, but creates a flexible design that is easy to maintain.

The only shortcoming of a GRS-based bridge is flooding, but Smedley said that this is not a problem in the area where the bridge will be built.

Student trustee Neely Spence, a senior at SU, said, “The bridge is something that will be very beneficial.”

Stahlman reviewed CVRTC’s plans about adding another 10 miles to the trail, connecting Shippensburg to Carlisle. Currently, the trail begins a mile outside Shippensburg and ends in Newville.

Spence has run on the trail from Shippensburg to Newville and then from

Newville to Carlisle on Route 11.

“The first part of the leg (of the journey) was much nicer,” she said. “That would really be exciting to make this connection.”

Stahlman said, “The longer the trail, the more outside people come in.”

The result will be more tourists visiting Shippensburg and Carlisle, boosting the local economies of both communities.

In other business, the trustees: Approved a resolution to demolish McCune, Lackhove and Kieffer halls and Seavers Apartments to make way for new student housing Approved replacing the coal-powered steam plant next year with a distributed gas heating system and a centralized chilled-water air conditioning system to save $20 million in heating and cooling costs over 30 years Approved contract bids for campus improvements and services for 2011-2012 Approved the naming of Room 213 in Huber Art Center as the Brindle Gallery in memory of Ernest and Mary Brindle, who contributed $250,000 to SU art students.

TYLER DAVIS

Staff Writer It may be too early to tell, but Mother Earth may be giving us one of the warmest springs ever this year.

Next week, Shippensburg University will host its annual Earth Day Celebration April 19 from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. on the library lawn.

The SU Environmental Club is sponsoring the celebration with donations and profits made from the event to benefit King’s Gap State Park.

This year’s celebration will include a variety of games, prizes and refreshments. There will be 12

booths with a variety of different activities or crafts for sale.

Recycled crafts, record bowl, Capri Sun pencil cases and juice carton wallets are just some of the eco friendly hand made crafts that will be available for purchase.

There will also be a variety of information booths on how to be environmentally conscious, the Earth Day celebration and other environmental issues.

Free tie-dying will return this year, since it was a big hit at last year’s celebration. T-shirts will be available for purchase for $10 on site.

Students can then custom dye their shirts in

whatever fashion they like.

Students may also bring their own T-shirts to dye.

In addition, other booths will have hand-made pottery, edible insects, win-agoldfish games and giveaway baskets with gift cards and eco-friendly reusable water bottles.

Last year, the Environmental Club raised $225 through the Earth Day Celebration activities that benefited a local park.

If you are interested in joining the SU Environmental Club, you can attend the next meeting on April 26 in Franklin Science Center 248, at 3:30 p.m., or you can contact the club’s officers at enviro@ ship.edu.

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shipspeaks@gmail.com April 10, 2012

Can buying back guns eliminate city violence?

KATRINA PANASIUK Opinion Editor

Harrisburg officials recently implemented a “gun buyback program.” The program will offer those who turn in a person carrying an illegal weapon with a sum of money.

The city Mayor Linda Thompson has long been under scrutiny for controversial decisions, specifically regarding financial plans.

This is due in large part to the current economic crisis facing the city, seemingly ever since she defeated longtime Mayor Stephen Reed in the 2009 election.

With the recent homicides occurring in the city, her recent proposal of a gun buyback program is a step in the right direction.

The program will give monetary rewards in increments of $50, $100 and $200 for insightful tips on illegal gun usage. Fifty dollars will be given for information that leads to a recovery of an illegal gun, $100 for one which leads to an arrest and a sum of $200 for a tip to police leading to

“However, if ‘bribing’ one with a monetary reward can motivate even one individual to remove a single weapon from the street, perhaps that is the start the city needs to advance the effort in becoming a safer place.”

multiple guns and multiple arrests.

One of the components of the program is to turn in a family member.

Although this may seem harsh or irrational, it evidently settles down to a way to keep that person safe as well as simultaneously being concerned for the safety of others.

As of late, the Harrisburg nightly news is seemingly flooded with adolescents shooting and killing innocent victims. Certainly having access to guns and weapons can run deeper than this program may allow.

We must ultimately admit that although one may be handling a gun, it does not necessarily have to belong to him or her.

However, if “bribing” one with a monetary reward can motivate even one individual to remove a single weapon from the street, perhaps that is the start the city needs to advance the effort in becoming a safer place.

Money truly makes the world go round, and in today’s society, specifically in the city of Harrisburg, this program has what it needs to facilitate the seemingly newfound dangers on the streets.

Though crime is not a newly recognized concept and has been around since the beginning of human existance, the accessibility to these weapons has recently increased and is thus a newly recognized sense of availability.

A closer look at the streets of the city so close to ours reveals solid proof that officials are putting a stop to the madness.

The profitable restau-

rant row on Second Street shows that officials are fed up with that madness.

The closing down of Club Dragonfly, a popular, multicultural, urban hot-spot is just one indication of their push to make the city a safer environment. Recent fatal shootings just outside of the club, coupled with all of the fights and trouble it brings on a weekly basis has prompted city officials to close the club.

Perhaps the club closing and the newly implemented buyback program will instill much needed reality checks to some of the punks in the area. These are the steps that are vital in helping wipe the city clean of crime and violence and help restore it to a sense of dignity and prominence.

The city that holds our state’s capital is bankrupt and has advancing crime rates, higher than surrounding cities.

Is this the reputation we want our state to have?

Needless to say, the buyback program can have a tremendous impact on the overall safety of the city.

With a recent report placing Harrisburg as the 20th most dangerous city in the U.S, the city of Philadelphia, more commonly associated with crime was ranked 52.

Undoubtedly, the buyback program will successfully eliminate some of the violence in the area.

It is a win-win situation for the city.

Despite the financial position of Harrisburg and its bankruptcy, the payment for people turning illegal carriers in is a small price to pay to help keep its residents safe.

SAMANTHA NOVIELLO

ASST. Opinion Editor In a world as populated and violent as ours, it is hard to organize and try to make a change.

Although many people in big cities own weapons in their homes for protection, how many of those weapons are really legally owned?

We could never get a real number of exactly how many are illegal, but with Harrisburg’s new “gun buyback program,” it is becoming simpler to locate that number.

Due to Harrisburg’s violence worsening Mayor, Linda Thompson established a program to get illegal, working guns off of Harrisburg’s streets.

Though this program sounds tactful, I do believe there are flaws in the plan that we are not coming to terms with.

This “gun buyback program” is offering money to people who turn in guns, turn others in for having illegal guns and if the gun recovery deals with an arrest of the person.

Past attempts at this process were not successful according to Chief of Police Pierre Ritter.

But now Harrisburg is beginning to actually bribe people with money; what more could the people of Harrisburg want?

The amount of money given out will be, $50 for a phone call tip that leads to the weapon, $100 for the gun and an arrest and $200 for multiple guns and arrests.

To some people, that amount of money is enough to turn someone

in that they know. But is this process really working for this specific cause?

Not only can people steal guns just to turn it in and receive money, but they could even plant a gun in someone’s house to receive money.

I think the thought of the mayor on this program is a good one.

With fewer weapons there will be less crime, deaths and violence.

But they need to think this through.

Not only will people turn in old guns that are lying around to receive payment, but also people will be in danger for turning in others.

In this world, relying on others is hard.

If you do not change something in your own way and own time, many things will not get done.

Relying on the people of Harrisburg to “rat out” their neighbors, friends and family for money, may not go in the right direction we want it to.

How do we figure that by bribing people with money to turn in illegal guns, that it is actually going to help the violence in the city of Harrisburg?

And should a city that is bankrupt be handing out money to people like it is nothing?

I am sure that money could be spent on something much more suitable and more practical for the city.

An anonymous donor has contributed $10,000 to start off the program, but that money will quickly run out, and then Harrisburg is faced with spending money it obviously does not have it.

“How do we figure that by bribing people with money to turn in illegal guns, that it is actually going to help the violence in the city of Harrisburg?”

The program’s cash rewards will also only continue if City Council does not cut the police chief’s 2012 budget.

So what happens if cash is not being offered anymore? Does the mayor really believe people are going to turn their guns, friends, family members and strangers in for free?

I just cannot force myself to believe that confiscating weapons that are illegal is going to halt violence.

Many people, who have licensed guns, can just as easily commit murder or cause destruction in a city as a person with an illegal weapon.

In a city as large and diverse as Harrisburg, bad things are going to happen.

Violent crime is a part of our world, and as horrible as that is, we need to justify it.

Telling people to essentially “tattle” on others for money is not a way crime is going stop.

The next day, that same person can go out and get another gun illegally and commit a crime, when we all least expect it.

Things do not change in this world that fast.

shipspeaks@gmail.com April 10, 2012

In My Opinion: The Price of Faith ASHLEY PRICE

Staff Columnist In today’s society, it is all too common for parents to use their children for publicity and financial gain.

The number of reality shows surrounding what are considered interesting and extraordinary families is disturbing.

Children are paraded in front of cameras encouraging them to smile and play nice as a way to make their parents rich off their innocence.

The use of religion as an excuse for wrongdoing is also too common in our world.

To make money off a belief in God is just as disgusting as the concept of profiting from one’s children.

A recent news story from “Nightline” uncovered a situation in which a parent is combining the aforementioned actions with his teenage daughter and her two friends.

“The use of religion as an excuse for wrong doing is also too common in our world.”

This parent is the Reverend, Bob Larson from Phoenix, Ariz. His 17-yearold daughter, Brynne, and her two friends, Tess and Savannah, are being sought after by producers and directors for an exclusive reality show surrounding their unique extra-curricular activities.

The girls look like they just stepped out of a movie.

They look perfect from their flawless curly hair,

to their pearl necklaces and pastel - colored sweaters. These teenagers are avid church goers as well as holders of black belts in karate.

The unique aspect of their lives is not their strong religious beliefs or their kick-boxing abilities, but instead their assistance with Larson’s profitable business.

Larson is not just a minister, he performs exorcisms too.

In a year, Larson and his three young assistants perform exorcisms on “possessed” men and women from all around the country.

Not only are these teenage girls working to protect people from demons, but they even have nicknames for each other.

Known as “the enforcer,” “the middle man,” and “the compassionate one,” these girls appear to be a mix between “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the girls from “Charmed.”

Unfortunately though, these girls are not television characters.

They are not super heroes that have been dreamed about by a writer or producer.

Brynne, Tess and Savannah are real teenage girls who have been taught how to properly take advantage of others.

Larson insists the exorcisms he and the girls per-

OPINION

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Our pandas need love too NICK SENTMAN

Asst. Sports Editor

form are real. He claims those who come to him for help are interviewed before the ritual is performed.

“Those that he agrees to assist or save are those that claim to have had therapy but a demon is blocking the help they are trying to receive. ”

Those whom he agrees to assist or save are those who claim to have had therapy but a demon is blocking the help they are trying to receive.

The girls follow Larson’s lead. They tell others about their beliefs and how they help others through their work. They truly believe they are making a difference in the lives of others, and they believe they are saving people from evil beings.

This is not a case, however, of belief. Their beliefs are theirs alone and should be respected. The issue here is Larson is capitalizing on “helping” others who truly believe they have been possessed by a demon.

He makes a profit from the exorcisms he practices and is now attempting to capitalize on his daughter and her friends.

The big question is, if this man truly believed he and the girls were doing good for God, why is he discussing reality television deals and promotions?

The answer?

This man is a disgrace to both parents and religious figures.

You know what does not grind my gears? Panda bears.

I have to say that out of all the animals in the world, the panda bear is my favorite. They literally are the biggest stereotype of an animal that you can get, and I would love one for a pet if it would not eat my face off.

So, when I was looking around for stories, I stumbled on this CNN article on panda bears and their sex drives.

I know this sounds a little weird, but hear me out on this one because we have no room to talk.

Researchers have come to the conclusion and found the reason panda bears, which are endangered, are having such a hard time reproducing.

First thought that comes to mind has to be that it is their habitat, but actually, panda bears are just as shallow as humans.

Yes, panda bears that are forced to mate in captivity are not hitting it off well.

You would think that being locked up in a cell together would make them get jiggy with it, but they just are not sexually attracted to one another.

Sunshine and Sweetie are

two pandas in a Scotland zoo where researchers have found this pickiness about the giant bear.

No matter what “Barry White” songs they put on, they just cannot set the mood for these two.

Many of the people working with the pandas feel that it is the job of the people to force these animals to perform coitus with one another. Yet, others believe that this is ridiculous.

We should not be wasting time and money on these creatures when they are only hurting their species because they have high standards.

News flash, people.

Humans are just as shallow.

We know exactly what it is like to have high standards, so who are they to know what the pandas see in each other?

I am sure that the people who disagree with aiding the panda bears are still living in their parents’ basements and going to Star Trek conventions. Back off the pandas, Trekkies.

I know you would not mind being locked in a room with someone and having someone say, “O.K. you two have to procreate to save the earth.”

Yet, how many times have we heard the line, “I would not sleep with you if you were the last man or woman on Earth?”

This is exactly what these pandas feel when they see what they are stuck with.

It makes them a sad panda.

Yes, a reader might miss the big picture of this issue because it is panda bears.

I want you to use your feelings deep down and visualize what it would be like for the pandas.

Think of what it would be like to be stuck in a room with someone you might not be into, and be expected to make sweet love to them down by the fire.

Now, imagine that, but being in a zoo cell and having people staring at you trying to coax you along as if you were 16 all over again.

These pandas just want to be treated fairly. They want to find love just like you and me.

They want their gene pool to look as good as we want our children to look.

It is perfectly natural.

I think of myself as someone who has high standards and I do not think the pandas are in the wrong.

Why should they settle if other species do not?

I want to find a girl who meets all of my standards, so the panda bear should be allowed to find his or her ideal mate too.

Get on with your bad self giant panda, you deserve the best.

OPINION

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shipspeaks@gmail.com April 10, 2012

theslateonline.com/opinion

Media’s heavy influence A controversial hiring on presidential campaigns process requires set BMI WINTER TRABEX Staff Writer

These days, the mainstream media have taken a very strange direction.

In years past, telling the truth was the driving force behind all good journalism.

In today’s increasingly corporate-controlled society, it seems that the pursuit of truth has taken a backseat to the pursuit of fairness.

The concepts of truth and fairness are sometimes mutually exclusive.

“In today’s increasingly corporate-controlled society, it seems that the pursuit of truth has taken a backseat to the pursuit of fairness.”

If in the process of preparing a story, a journalist tries to get the perspective of only two or three opposing sides, the truth is likely lost.

The most recent example of this has been the media’s overall treatment of Ron Paul, a presidential candidate of the Republican Party.

Currently, Ron Paul is the choice of every voter

who has come to realize that the corporations have gone out of control with the government helping them along.

Paul wants to do away with government interference in private enterprise, which is not something that many corporations favor.

After all, if you can lobby the government to create laws which stop your competitors from competing against you, why would you not?

However, the media itself is owned and operated by large corporate interests and have yet to realize this fact.

Paul’s presidential campaign is a challenge to the way things have been done at the highest levels of power. The mainstream media still acts as though it is 1950 and every candidate deserves the benefit of the doubt.

The unfortunate truth is that Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich do not deserve anything. No one among them deserves to be in the Oval Office. An approach of fairness — covering each candidate equally in an attempt to be unbiased — actually gives away a bias.

Refusing to tell the truth of Santorum’s discrimination, Romney’s indecisiveness or Gingrich’s plan to make school children into janitors is something akin to moral cowardice.

Headlines which read “Where is Ron Paul?” after Paul has addressed crowds of thousands show an even further bias.

What can be deduced by all this?

The media control which messages the public receive and do not receive.

If the media does not report about a man robbing a bank, most people will

CHELSEA WEHKING Editor-in Chief

not know about it. Likewise, if the media choose not to report about the dangerous viewpoints already espoused by three out of the four Republican candidates for president, many people will not know about it. American citizens were granted freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the Constitution.

Sadly, as the politicians in Washington pass blatantly unconstitutional laws, it seems that fewer journalists are willing to step up and tell the truth about what is going on.

“Paul wants to do away with government interference in private enterprise, which is not something that many corporations favor.”

Is keeping a job in the media more important than doing the job properly?

If the media censors itself to allow only certain types of messages to get through, newspapers, writers and television anchors only have themselves to blame when they wake up one morning and they find that a tyrant is in the White House.

According to CNN.com, Citizens Medical Center, located in Victoria, Texas, has implemented a new hiring policy, which the policy requires employees to have a BMI of less than 35, according to the Texas Tribune newspaper.

According to experts, this policy is legal, however, it certainly is not right.

During an interview with the Texas Tribune, Citizens Medical Center CEO David Brown said, “We have the ability as an employer to characterize our process and to have a policy that says what is best for our business and for our patients.”

What is best for your patients is to hire the most qualified and hard-working employees, who will properly care for their patients to their fullest extent.

The doctor may appear to be a hypocrite when he tells a patient to lose weight, but does not make him or her any less of a good doctor.

Quite frankly, I really would not care how fit or overweight my doctor is if he saved my life.

As long as his health does not physically affect

his ability to be a doctor, I see no reason why you have to be fit to work at the hospital.

Overweight people are stigmatized enough in society. Now they are being stigmatized in the work force as well?

It is wrong.

“The doctor may appear to be a hypocrite when he tells a patient to lose weight, but that does not make him or her any less of a good doctor.”

And what happens after the applicants are hired?

If the pressure was high on applicants before they were hired, what will the pressure be like after they become an employee?

Several critics and myself believe this could lead to a very unhealthy work environment.

Instead of focusing on their jobs and their patient’s health, the employees will be paranoid about gaining any weight and the threat that they could lose their job because of it. This

could only lead to eating disorders, bullying and an overwhelming amount of stress in an already stressful environment.

Other critics have argued that this is a sneaky way to keep the hospital’s healthcare costs down.

I hope this is just a paranoid scheme, but I am pretty confident that they may be on to something.

The healthcare bill requiring all employers to provide healthcare to their full-time employees, is not a cheap request.

Obesity and the health problem as a consequence of that can cause a higher health insurance cost, which most employers will not be happy to cover — this is especially true for something that can be avoided, like obesity.

However, narrowing your employment field to only those who are within a certain BMI, is not worth saving those extra dollars.

In the long run, if you consistently turn away highly qualified applicants because they are too overweight, you may eventually lead to a lower quality hospital.

And lower quality could lead to less funding, less patients, and to put it simply, less money.

OPINION

B4

Letter to the Editor:

theslateonline.com/opinion

As a college student, I am horrified at the proposed budget cuts that once again face higher education.

As a student at Shippensburg University, I have already seen higher tuition rates because of last year’s budget proposal

by Gov. Corbett.

Once again, the governor has targeted higher education in the 20122013 state budget, decreasing it by 30 percent.

Coupled with the previous cuts, it will almost amount to a 50 percent cut in state funding. Pennsyl-

vanians need an advocate in Harrisburg who will stand up for what is truly in the best interests of all.

Governor Corbett has shown through his budget cuts that he does not value the futures of younger Pennsylvanians.

Patrick Murphy, Democratic candidate for state attorney general believes that Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget fails to provide the proper support to public education and continues to ignore the growing link between struggling public education and crime, which makes it a crime bill.

Murphy supports affordable education for all, and recognizes education as a chief tool in fighting crime. We need to send

Murphy to Harrisburg to take on Gov. Corbett and his radical Republican friends.

Because I value my future, and the future of all younger Pennsylvanians, I am voting for Democrat Patrick Murphy for state attorney general in the April 24 primary.

-Chuck Black, P r e s i d e n t , Shippensburg College Democrats

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DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed within these pages are those of the writers.

They are not directly the opinions of The Slate, its staff members, or Shippensburg University as a whole.

Concerns or letters to the editor can be emailed to

shipspeaks@gmail.com

SHIPLIFE

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slate.shiplife@gmail.com April 10, 2012

What would SU do in case of a school shooting? theslateonline.com/shiplife

CLARK BARLOW Staff Writer

School shootings are scary to think about, but you still have to be prepared for one.

With schools like Columbine and Virginia Tech, no one ever knows who could be next.

Although Shippensburg University has never had a school shooting, it never hurts to be ready.

Luckily, SU has a contingency plan in case of a

gliotti, executive director school shooting.

The first action for the for university communipolice after confirming the cations and marketing at report would be to notify the campus community of the emergency and provide it with basic instructions.

The university’s actions would be similar to the police.

“The first thing my office would do is communicate with the campus community.

Ship“In such a case, the very p e n s first thing is police would b u r g respond,” said Peter GiUniver-

sity.The University has a dents that are signed up.

Any student can sign up number of ways it communicates emergencies with for free. They also have a twitter account and tweet when emergencies are going on (@shippensburgU).

The university would use a PA system on campus to alert everyone about the students. shooting.

University officials After the police were send out emails to ev- called and students were ery student when emer- notified is when the police gencies happen. would step into action.

“The police department There is a text messaging system that sends out a has specific protocols for remass text to all of the stu- sponding to active shooter

situations. Those protocols would be implemented and followed,” said SU Police Chief Cyntha Grissom.

Campus police do not see much action on campus, but they are still well equipped for an attack.

“The officers of this department participate in active shooter training on a regular basis,” said Grissom.

No one knows when a shooter could let loose, but the university is prepared for such a situation.

Wake up and smell the options: Best breakfast places in Shippensburg CAROLYN BLASEK Staff Writer

Many doctors say that breakfast is the most important meal and should not be skipped, although many people choose to.

In Shippensburg, skipping breakfast is not an option.

You can get a hearty home-cooked breakfast for a cheap price.

There are a variety of satisfying dishes that will make lunch look like last week’s leftovers.

Keep in mind that all of these places are within walking distance of campus, so do not panic if you do not have transportation.

Shippensburg is a small, quaint place and the cafés reflect the town’s whimsical and historic setting.

Do not be bashful with Biscotti Café: Biscotti is a small coffee bar, which is appealing to Shippensburg students to come in, grab a bite and do their homework because it offers free Wi-Fi. This breakfast café is new to the area and has mouth-watering platters.

When you enter Biscotti, you are met with an aroma of coffee grounds and sweet morsels.

As your eyes scan the peach-colored walls, you will see pictures of student

athletes and feel pride for college students and people pleasing as the first floor. with biscuits, covered with the university as well. in the town.

Many students choose scrambled eggs, dripping The café has an assortB&A’s atmosphere is B&A as a weekend break- with their famous sausage ment of omelets such as family-oriented and laid- fast favorite. gravy, all smothered with a veggie omelet, Western back. The walls are covered You can build your own shredded cheddar cheese. omelet and a New England with pictures of Shippens- breakfast from two eggs, Most of the food served at omelet that includes bacon, burg through the years, two pieces of french toast, B&A is made with fresh insausage, ham, onion, black and you can sit comfortably two pancakes, hash browns, gredients that will keep you beans and cheddar cheese, in a booth, at the bar or at sausage, biscuits and much coming back for more. for less than $8. more.

Check out their Facea table.

They are known for their To accommodate college B&A has a breakfast that book page for more inforbreads and pastries that students, the second floor accommodates all palettes mation at www.facebook. many people enjoy with a has televisions in three of taste. Currently, B&A c o m / p a g e s / B e f o r e - a n d coffee or a latte, according corners of the room and is has a new breakfast spe- After/76209579944 or call to server Jessica Culligan. more relaxed with tables cial called “The B&A Farm (717) 477-8088. B&A is Biscotti has a family-ori- large enough to fit a crowd, Breakfast” that includes closed only on Tuesdays. ented feel because it is not but upstairs is not as eye- crispy hash browns topped Rise for Reisner: a large chain If you are café. a student at The people Shippensburg serving are University and very generous you want a if there is a well-rounded special request. breakfast withLook for out having to Biscotti coupay, then Reispons in Shipner is the perpensburg’s lofect place. cal paper, The You can use Sentinel or your student check out www. identification thebiscotticafe. card to enter com. Biscotti is Reisner Dinlocated at 300 ing Hall by eiN. Earl St. ther using your Start off meal or flex your day with dollars.

B&A: This dining The Before hall offers a and After Café, plethora of food which is nickthat will satisfy named B&A, your cravings. got its name For breakfast, Photo by Danielle Halteman a bagel bar is a by being a café that is focused popular choice.

Before and After Café is located at 334 E. King St., less than a toward both You can

mile from Shippensburg University’s campus.

toast your bagel or English muffin and choose from a variety of spreads.

If eggs are what you are craving, you can order your eggs to your liking or get a cheese omelet, but be prepared to wait in line.

Do not worry, the eggs are worth the wait. If you are craving meat, Reisner offers regular or turkey bacon, sausage and pork rolls.

Reisner also has a waffle maker and pancakes with an endless amount of syrup that you can drench your entire platter in if you desire.

There is also a cereal bar where you can select from at least seven different kinds of cereal.

Reisner is a self-service dining hall that allows you to go up for seconds and thirds. The atmosphere is very busy and spacious.

If you are looking for a quiet place, this is not the place for you.

There are many of people bustling around, and at times, it can get loud, but it is a perfect place to socialize and share a few laughs with friends.

For more information on Reisner Dining Hall, visit www.dineoncampus.com/ ship.

SHIPLIFE

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The Geography and Earth Science Organization cleans up SU WALESKA MARTINEZ Guest Writer

If you have an interest in the environment and you like earth science, then Shippensburg University has the club for you.

Shippensburg’s Geography and Earth Science Organization (GESO) is looking for members to join. GESO is looking for volunteers who have the time and dedication in improving the community.

The club meets once a week on Monday at 8 p.m. at McFeely’s Coffeehouse in the Ceddia Union Building (CUB).

They also got to see many seminars and built up a series of contacts through networking.

For the past few years the members of the GESO have also been traveling to Wallops Island, Virginia for their event called “alternative s p r i n g break.”

The free trip is during the university’s spring break, and it allows members from the GESO and other students from all over Penn-

During each meeting, the club discusses upcoming events and tosses around ideas that could improve the campus and the rest of the Shippensburg community.

The club participates in many activities outside of campus.

Most of the time, the activities are weather permitting, but so far, this year the club has been lucky.

The nice weather has allowed club members to engage in trips like hiking the Appalachian Trail, going camping and doing a scavenger hunt-like activity called geocaching.

Each year the club plans

one major trip and the possibilities are endless.

This year, there have been two.

Last semester, the students got to witness a professional experience.

They drove north to Minneapolis, Minn. for a Geological Society of America (GSA) event where students were able to further educate themselves about the environment.

Franklin and Fulton counties since 1976.

The organization serves approximately 1,500 victims per year. The mission of WIN is to help, educate, support and empower victims of abuse.

Services provided by WIN range from counseling, legal advice, education, shelter and much more.

The services provided by WIN are designed to help victims of abuse and their

families. All services are free and confidential.

The cost to enter the pancake breakfast is $5 or you can bring an item from the laundry basket list.

The baskets will be distributed to families leaving the shelter and entering a new home or apartment.

For more information about the Women in Need Shelter, visit www.winservices.org.

sylvania to get together and conduct volunteer work for the Marine Science Contortion (MSC).

In the midst of painting, constructing and beach clean-up, it is also a great way to network.

Although the alternative spring break has already passed, there are many upcoming events that GESO is planning and would like to get people involved.

April 19, Earth Day, GESO is planning an event to save the earth.

The members are making and selling flowers made out of recycled magazines.

They are also trying to

organize an obstacle course that will educate students on recycling and how much of an environmental burden bottled water has on the environment.

The purpose of the GESO is to get the community involved and to educate people about the environment in a fun way.

The club is open to any major and is always accepting members.

If one is interested in joining or want more information on upcoming events, contact Sabrina Woodlief, the club president, at sw8023@ship.edu or Sean Cornell at srcor-

nell@ship.edu .

Oasis of Love Church to host pancake breakfast ASHLEY JONES PR Director

On Saturday, April 14, the Oasis of Love Church will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m.

The breakfast will benefit women and children at the Women in Need Shelter located in Chambersburg, Pa. The Women in Need (WIN) shelter has been providing help to victims of abuse in

Photo courtesy of Ashley Jones

Interested in writing for Ship Life? Contact Danielle at slate.shiplife@gmail.com.

SHIPLIFE

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slate.shiplife@gmail.com April 10, 2012

King’s Kettle supplies food to local residents in need theslateonline.com/shiplife

CARA SHUMAKER

Managing Editor People line up for at least half a block on the sidewalk of North Fayette Street.

Why are people lining the sidewalks? Why are they waiting?

They are waiting for The King’s Kettle Food Pantry to open its doors. The King’s Kettle Food Pantry distributes various food items to hundreds of Shippensburg residents on the first three Tuesdays of every month.

Pastor J.R. Wells began the outreach 17 years ago with his wife with only one cupboard full of cereal.

Four, maybe five families used the food pantry at first. But after about six months, Wells said it increased to about 50 families. The pantry took off from there.

The King’s Kettle now serves about 350 families from the Shippensburg Area School District per month.

In order to meet the demands of the food bank, The King’s Kettle relies on donations as well as sponsors, partners and funding agencies. Local companies and national agencies aid The King’s Kettle.

Stores such as Weis, Giant and Walmart donate to the food bank. The local Lions and Kiwanis clubs also help The King’s Kettle.

Everybody who works at the food pantry is a volunteer.

The volunteers do everything from bag food, run carts out to cars, find out how many people need what and get food out of the freezer.

Wells said he does not know how it happens, but every Tuesday, there are

people there to help.

“Everybody here is from different walks of life. We have people from every area. They’re here for one common goal — to help those that are in need here in Shippensburg,” Wells said.

Shippensburg University students volunteer at The King’s Kettle, along with SU’s alumni who come once a year, too.

The alumni come on a Friday and help stock shelves.

At the end of last year, SU President William Ruud, heard that The King’s Kettle was in need, so he sent out

an email asking for help.

Wells said the next thing he knew, people were showing up with all kinds of food. Wells, who worked at the university for 25 years, spoke to vice president for Student Affairs, Roger Serr, who explained Ruud’s email. The donations got the food bank through the winter.

Not only did the donations get The King’s Kettle through the winter, but also those who use the services.

One patron who has been using The King’s Kettle for a little over a year said, “It helps put food on the shelves and in the refrigerator and into the children’s

stomachs. Without it, I don’t know how I’d make it through the month.”

Another patron said, “If you run out of food, there’s usually something there you can make.”

Somebody standing in line chimed in and said, “I was making pumpkin pies on Saturday because I wanted some desserts.”

When it comes to the holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, The King’s Kettle provides holiday baskets.

Volunteers give out a complete turkey dinner, including a turkey, sweet potatoes, peas, corn and more.

Wells said they gave out 325 turkey baskets last Thanksgiving. They are anticipating 350 or more for this Thanksgiving.

Last year, The King’s Kettle served about 42,500 individuals and went

Pet of the Week Hi guys, our names our Steve and George, we are Pekin ducklings. We were an Easter present from the Easter bunny this year. We miss all of our brothers and sisters but we love our new home in Shippensburg.

We are inseparable and do everything together. “I am the more outgoing and dangerous one” Steve, and “I am the more relaxed, laid back one” George. Our favorite thing to do is go swimming in the bathtub just like humans. We love relaxing in the warm water and cleaning our fuzzy feathers, it is so refreshing. We also love to ride in the car and listen to music. Our favorite genre is country. We hate the commercials on the radio though, and we will let you know it. We love spending time with our mommy and snuggling up in her arms because she keeps us so warm. Our favorite thing to eat is duck food. We do not really like worms that much and have yet to try any bugs, I think Mommy is too afraid of bugs. We love our new home and hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

If you are interested in nominating your pet for Pet of the Week, contact Danielle at slate.shiplife@gmail.com.

through about 660,000 pounds of food last year.

“I know the numbers because nobody believes me. I don’t believe it either, but I added it up three times and said ‘Man, this can’t be,’ but it was,” Wells said.

The food comes from all over the state and even parts of Maryland. Wells drives to get it. He said wherever he needs to go, he will go.

“In a way, I’m encouraged, but in a way, it breaks my heart,” Wells said. “You see what you’re doing. When you look back tonight and see how many families you went through, you think, ‘How did we do that?’”

Food donations can be made at 30 N. Fayette St. and monetary donations can be sent to P.O. Box 575 Shippensburg, Pa. 17257.

Donations are tax deductible.

A&E

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Martinez inspires audience at SU SARAH EYD

Asst. A&E Editor At age 20, J.R. Martinez was in a San Antonio hospital, learning how to walk with third-degree burns on 34 percent of his body.

At age 28, he was learning how to ballroom dance on Season 13 of “Danc-

Photos by Grimaldo Berrios

theslateonline.com/ae

ing With the Stars,” which shaped him through more experiences.

Martinez shared his remarkable journey and optimistic attitude with Shippensburg at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center Tuesday, April 3.

Martinez’s personable nature was evident when he put on a red Shippensburg University hoodie and talked about the culture shock he experienced in Shippensburg.

“I finally understand the purpose of a one-stop shop.

Pizza, gas, water and apparently live bait,” Martinez said.

The first half of his speech was filled with happy-golucky anecdotes from his childhood, including moving from Louisiana to Arkansas, growing up with the middle name Rene, and using his tongue to play Nintendo while his hand was in a cast.

Not long into his speech, the audience learned

his original ambition was to become a professional football player.

At age 18, Martinez realized his dream of going to

J.R. Martinez, wearing a “SHIP HAPPENS” hoodie, speaks to hundreds of people in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, April 30.

He left people feeling very inspired.

college was threatened by his high school career and finances. He learned to adapt and overcome these circumstances by joining the Army, which led to him being quickly deployed to Iraq.

The happy-go-lucky feel of his speech soon came to a halt when he vividly retold the experience that turned his life upside down.

The Humvee he had been driving in Iraq had hit a landmine.

The Humvee was flipped over and Martinez was trapped inside the flaming vehicle for almost five minutes.

After being in a medically induced coma, he was rushed to a San Antonio hospital where he spent three years in recovery.

While in recovery, Martinez learned to use humor as a coping method.

His use of humor to cope with his circumstances was evident while he was telling the audience a story about a

really successful time that he was speaking.

“The audience was really into me, I was on fire... no pun intended,” Martinez said.

Martinez’s humor and high spirits did not go unnoticed by hospital staff, who asked him to speak to another burn victim.

After that his dreams shifted from professional football player to professional motivational speaker.

After his recovery, Martinez starting speaking about his experiences and later found work as an actor.

For three years, Martinez played Brot Monroe, a war veteran, on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children.”

In the summer of 2011, Martinez agreed to compete in Season 13 of “Dancing With The Stars,” and ended up winning.

Martinez elaborated on this success on “All My Children” and “Dancing With the Stars” and the string of

events that led up to that time in his life.

“I’m a firm believer everything happens for a reason.

Sometimes we spend time trying to open the wrong doors, we miss the open ones,” Martinez said.

His speech at Shippensburg was inspiring, funny, touching and real.

“I want to be one of those speakers who keeps it real.

I don’t want to be the speaker I fell asleep on in high school,” Martinez said.

His speech was followed by a lively and warm Q&A session, in which one woman asked for and got a hug.

During the Q&A, Martinez explained the meaning behind the tattoo of a watch on his wrist.

“I could never tell military time. I ended up buying a cheap military watch and was wearing it when the Humvee exploded. My wrist wasn’t burned because of that watch,” Martinez said.

“There really is a purpose for everything we do in life.”

Lord of the Dance evokes fear, passion and much more SARAH EYD

Asst. A&E Editor Award-winning Celtic dance group “Lord of the Dance” performed at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center Wednesday, April 4.

Dreamy, celestial-themed backgrounds and mystical costumes gave the performance an out-of-this-world feel.

LOTD is a Celtic dance production started by

world-renowned choreographer and dancer Michael Flatley in the ’90s.

LOTD uses dance and music to tell the story of an ancient dark power that emerges to challenge the Lord of the Dance.

The lord transcends time and space to protect his people from the evil force, the Warriors.

The first sight the audience saw was robed figures first act, “Cry of the Cults.” carrying torches against a The spooky act was folmoonlit sky backdrop in the lowed by Erin the Goddess, a traditional Irish singer.

Her performance was moving and was a nice transition into the lighter mood that the following act brought.

Next, the audience was introduced to “The Girls,” a group of petite women wearing feminine pastel costumes against a Milky Way backdrop.

Their fast footwork and charming persona created a pleasant mood.

The pleasant mood was abruptly interrupted when Photos by Grimaldo Berrios the Dark Lord, Don Dorcha,

and his evil warriors took the stage.

In unison, the warriors marched like army men in front of a black and red background projecting fanged skulls.

The music was upbeat and heavy giving the act a sense of heightened danger and intensity.

The dark and heavy mood slowly turned sultry and heated when Temptress Morringham enters.

Scantily clad in red, Morringham danced seductively against a red backdrop with flames.

Her provocative act was followed by two blond violinists, whose peppy songs led to the audience joining in with a rhythmic clap.

The upbeat music and dancing was complemented by a scenic backdrop of rural Ireland, creating a happy, country setting.

Then the audience had its first encounter with the Lord of the Dance’s army, the Warlords.

After another moving per-

formance by Erin the Goddess, the Warlords finally came face-to-face with the warriors.

Their dance-off ended when sultry Morringham

Lord of the Dance brought Celtic Dance to SU on Wednesday, April 4. All of the viewers of the performance seemed pleased with the production. This form of dance certainly enlivened SU.

entered, and distracted the warriors.

After a romantic performance by the violinists, the Lord was captured by Don Dorcha and his dark warriors.

Finally, Don Dorcha and the Lord of the Dance dueled it out one-on-one to see who will be the ultimate Lord of the Dance.

After a grueling dancing duel, the Lord proves victorious and celebrates his victory with his clan in one final dance.

The Lord of the Dance’s ability to evoke fear, passion, humor and happiness in the audience by just using dance and music has been internationally recognized and appreciated.

Michael Flatley has been named one of the “Greatest Irish-Americans of the Century” by Irish America magazine.

In 1991, Flatley was dubbed to be a “Living Treasure” by the National Geographic Society.

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Haggard anticipates show at SU The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University presents Merle Haggard, Tuesday, April 17 at 8 p.m.

Reserved tickets are $57, $52, $47 and $42 and are now on sale.

If the question were asked, “Who forged the genre that is known today as ‘modern country music’?,” only a few could step forward to share the spotlight.

One, out of that select handful, would be Merle Haggard.

Haggard was not in the delivery room on the morning country music was born; it simply seems like he was.

And you will not hear anybody refer to him as the father of country music. But many will swear he’s at least its godfather.

Haggard chose to expand and hone his talents in many dimensions simultaneously, developing his name as the quintessential country artist, rural America’s Renaissance man, whose caliber will long provide a standard for all country artists who follow.

Unfocused, unruly and unsettled, Haggard learned early to walk the mean streets.

He saw the insides of various penal institutions for crimes ranging from burglary to auto theft and even to escape.

Haggard’s life took a major turnaround when he was signed by Tally Records, owned by close friend Lewis Tally, and began cutting singles in a garage behind Tally’s house.

His first single was “Singing My Heart Out,” which received some regional airplay on the West Coast, but it was in 1963 that he eventually broke into the Top 20 of Billboard’s country charts with his first national hit, “Sing a Sad Song.”

Since then, the country charts have been his second home. His next few singles “(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” “Swinging Doors” and “The Bottle Let Me Down” — all landed within the Top 10.

He entered the No. 1 spot for the first time with “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive,” and he won his first

Top Male Vocalist of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music.

With a perfectionist’s attention to detail, he pieced together his new band, The Strangers.

His diligence in that area, as in many others, has not gone unrewarded.

The Strangers since have become known as one of country music’s finest road bands, and they themselves have been the recipients of a number of industry accolades, including being eight-time winners of the Academy of Country Music’s Touring Band of the Year Award, as well as, a pair of Music City News awards for Band of the Year.

They have also recorded several albums of their own.

In 1968, the label released “The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde,” which,, soared to No. 1 on all the trade charts.

What was unexpected however, was the audience reaction to the “B” side.

With no promotion or marketing, the side entered both the Cash Box and Record World charts and climbed to No. 23 (Cash Box). That song, “Today I Started Loving You Again,” went on to become one of the most important and lucrative songs of his career.

And, in 1969, with an assist from then band member Eddie Burris, he ventured into the arena of social commentary, voicing his feelings in “Okie From Muskogee,” the song that had the most dramatic impact on his career.

Released during the height of national conflict over Vietnam, it was also to be his most controversial.

At the end of the 70’s, after over a decade with Capitol Records came to an end.

In 1977, Haggard signed with MCA Records and continued his long term lease on the No. 1 position with a string of charttopping singles, including “Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” and “Rainbow Stew.” Haggard eventually, Merle departed his longtime home area of Bakersfield.

He relocated to his current home, a 150-acre spread on Lake Shasta.

In 1981, he signed

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It’s not all black or white

with Epic Records, adding more No. 1 plaques to his wall, including “Yesterday’s Wine,” the title single from his powerful album duet with country music titan, George Jones.

That same year he released another landmark album with another legendary country singersongwriter (and a longtime friend), Willie Nelson.

As a singer, Haggard openly admits to “borrowing” the styling of his idols, Lefty Frizzell, Bob Wills and Jimmie Rodgers, in his early years, and speaks of such beyond-the-genre influences upon his music as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.

Still, it’s his own charismatic individuality, along with those rich vocal textures that so well express the heart and soul of Haggard, which has always come shining through.

His early years of pain and tribulation provided him with infinite raw material to be spun into the rich imagery that is now indelibly imprinted on the idiom.

His days outside the law were woven into “Lonesome Fugitive,” “Sing Me Back Home” and “Branded Man,” his understanding of his mother’s torment led to “Mama Tried” and “Hungry Eyes” while his affinity for the hourly laborer produced such hits as “Workin’ Man Blues” and “5:01 Blues.”

Ultimately, he has had scores of charted singles, and his list of credits has continued to grow.

Haggard has released over 65 albums, most of which have charted with the major trades and have included over 40 singles which have attained the No. 1 position.

Four of his albums have been certified gold and he has been nominated 42 times for CMA awards, which is more than any other male country entertainer.

For additional information about Merle Haggard, visit www. merlehaggard.com.

-Courtesy the H. Performing

Ric Arts

slateae@gmail.com April 10, 2012

JESSICA HEINY Guest Writer

You walk into a room with dimmed lights and a small crowd. A diverse crowd of black and white illuminates the theme of color in August Wilson’s play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Ma Rainey became a character in the play after a woman by the name of Gertrude Pridgett, a colored blues singer in the 19th century. She struggled as a professional singer but gained fame by touring minstrel shows.

A minstrel show became the new vision for white America‘s perception of black America — they mocked the image of what black America looked like through white America’s eyes, portraying the black actors as buffoonish and lazy. Blues music took over the hearts of America and brought two divided pieces together — Ma Rainey says, “You sing because that’s a way of understanding life.”

Don Alsedek, the director of the stage production at Harrisburg’s Open Stage theater, set the stage for a mind-blowing performance.

We become part of Chicago in the month of March in the year 1927. Blues music soothes your soul, the words speak to your heart, and the performance makes you melt. Alsedek’s vision brings history to stage and marks stories of the past as a present reality.

For the opening act, a white man enters to fix the props on stage. There are echoes through the auditorium as another man’s voice begins to play through a loudspeaker. The two men converse and the ideas of white America are introduced — a white owner and a white manager argue about the contract of a black woman, Ma Rainey. The voice on the loudspeaker yells at the man on stage to make sure he has everything ready for a studio recording. The plot of is revealed — Ma Rainey Luhrs and her band, folks of black Center America, are given a chance to shine through the ownership of white America. The plot begins to unfold and

America’s history surfaces — black America is owned, managed, and organized by white America.

As the lights are turned off, a spotlight begins to brighten the right stage area. One piano and four men are present on the stage. The four black men are Ma Rainey’s band members — Levee, Toledo, Slow Drag and Cutler. The sound of their voices is distant at first as they hang their jackets and remove band instruments from cases. All of a sudden, the voices grow louder and Toledo, the “educated black man” begins to discuss the philosophy of segregation in America. Levee, the determined juvenile, bickers with Toledo and the rest of the men about black entertainment and education.

Cutler, a middle-aged man, sits in silence as Slow Drag, the wise, old band member, begins to sing.

The smell of a lit match fills the theater as the band members share a smoke and philosophize about different views of life. Music plays in the background quietly through the speakers, band members pickup the instruments to use as props, and the sound of Slow Drag’s voice begins to fill your ears. A melody of blues eases the tension between the band members.

As the lights are lowered on the right stage, Ma Rainey makes her way to the left stage, which is now illuminated with bright lights and new props. A bright gold microphone is in place of the music stand, and two new actors are present. Ma Rainey’s nephew, Sylvester, is carrying the dazzling fashion accessories that belong to his auntie — a fur coat, feathered headdress and a bag with her slippers. Another actor, a young Dussie Mae, is dressed to impress the male members of the band. The lights begin to brighten on both stages as the action of the left stage (studio) and the right stage (warm-up room) collide.

The theme of veterans versus the young arises in Ma Rainey’s favorite song titled, “Ma Rainey’s Black

Bottom.” Levee added spice to the original version to please the owner of the recording studio; we see an aspiring band member of black America yearning to break free from the standards of the white America.

Ma Rainey and Levee fight over tradition of blues versus modernized dance music — it demonstrates the conflict of identity for black and white and the fight for change in the styles of music or entertainment. Levee seeks an opportunity for something more, something that does not make him feel as if he is owned by white America.

Lights brighten on the studio side of the stage and you see the band, instruments and the star of the show ready to record a song.

Although the instruments are only props, the voices — the powerful voices — are real.

Voices in song and script reveal the devastating history of black and white America. The songs touch the hearts of the audience and the script tells the past of a divided country. The blues music keeps your heart uplifted even in tragic moments and lets you understand a life different from your own. Conflicts lead to complications, and complications lead to the final denouement — Levee turns to violence and one of the actors breathes his last breath in the closing act.

Any hopes for a successful black America is destroyed by the frustration of living in a white America.

The onstage performance does not portray a written script — it is as if the actors’ life experiences were being revealed to a strange audience, and a story needed to be told. A piece of history is brought into the spotlight through talent and passion — the music, acting and language expresses experiences of the past for the hope of the future. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is not just a history lesson; it is a life lesson. Black and white should not be divided because when black America and white America decide to come together, we see a world full of color and hope.

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/ Who’s Not!

April 9, 2012

King Features Weekly Service

KATRINA PANASIUK Opinion Editor

Who’s Hot? The newest New York Jet, Tim Tebow, has blessed more than 15,000 people during an exclusive Easter Sunday service.

Georgetown, Texas, the church-goers gathered as “Pastor Tebow” opened up about the importance of religion, faith and prayer.

Photo courtesy of salon. com

Who’s Not! Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC News chief medical editor calls a pregnant Jessica Simpson “fat” during an interview on “The Today Show.” As a mother, a leader and a person with knowledge in the medical field, Snyderman should be setting a more positive example.

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April 10, 2012

Sam Stewart, Sports Editor Nick Sentman, Asst. Sports Editor Contact: slatesports@gmail.com

SU softball has outstanding week against PSAC foes, E4-E5

SU lacrosse loses tough battle against West Chester on Saturday, E3

SU baseball goes 3-1 in weekend series against West Chester, E6-E7

Sports

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The Hot Corner

Is intelligience that important?

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The two talk about the Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy drama Sam Stewart Sports Editor and

Nick Sentman

Dana Rothermel Special Contributor

Asst. Sports Editor

The NBA is a league that is drenched in drama. From LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Metta World Peace to Mark Cuban, Blake Griffin and finally Dwight Howard the NBA has its hands full. The big man in Orlando just happens to be making some huge news for himself recently. Howard and his Orlando Magic seem to make the NBA playoffs each year. Under Coach Stan Van Gundy, the Magic have a pedigree for winning. Yet without a key piece to help superstar Howard, the Magic just cannot win it all. Then the media leaked out a report that Dwight went to upper management trying to get them to fire Van Gundy.

Fighting among your star player and coach is normal in sports, but not to this degree. So, for this edition of The Hot Corner, we will debate on who is more important to the Magic franchise, Dwight Howard or Stan Van Gundy.

Nick:

I think that this whole Magic situation is a mess.

You cannot expect to win when your coach knows that his star player wants him fired. I think Dwight Howard is an excellent player and he really deserves a championship.

Yet, I feel that the more important person in all of this is Stan Van Gundy. He is the reason that a woeful Magic team can con-

Morris Claiborne scored a 4 on the Wonderlic Test

tinue to make it to the playoffs with just Dwight Howard. If Howard had another superstar like when Kobe had Shaq, then we would not be discussing this issue.

So, let Dwight Howard go somewhere else, or bring in a player. Van Gundy knows the game, and he can relate to his players. He cannot play with Howard, so how is it his fault that the Magic only have one big threat. If he would just get through to management that they need to find a way to go after someone or at least draft better, then we might see the Magic building a good team down in Orlando. Stan needs to stay, even though Dwight Howard is one of the best in the game. In the long run, a great coach is more important than a whiney player who is pretty shady at the same time.

Sam:

I for one could care less about what happens to both Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy. I agree with Nick on the basis of the coaching credentials that Van Gundy possesses; however, the elite coaches have been able to rein in their players when it came time to win.

Phil Jackson not only had to coincide with Shaquille O’Neil and Kobe Bryant, but he also had to get those two to play togeth-

er. Jackson also had to deal with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman all on the same team.

Cooler heads prevail in situations where a superstar or more become disgruntled.

The whole premise of Howard demanding management fire Van Gundy is ludicrous. Howard should be benched, fined and banned. You name it, Howard needs it. Van Gundy needs to show that Howard is not the entire team, just a piece of it.

Granted, the Magic are a one-dimensional team with Howard on the floor, and have no real talent outside Howard; however, making this statement can inspire the team to come together.

Bench Howard and maybe a resurgence will come about similar to the Denver Nuggets after the trading of Carmelo Anthony.

If the drama continues, management needs to step in and get rid of both of them. If Howard wants to complain about his coach and his team then he can be shown the door. If Van Gundy cannot handle one player, how in the world can he handle a group of them?

Let the drama continue to unfold because by the end of this big mess, both of these goons will be gone.

Good riddance to the circus act in Orlando.

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The Wonderlic test is similar to an S.A.T. It helps to determine the aptitude of an individual.

The test is comprised of 50 questions which must be answered in 12 minutes.

Your score is quite simply the number of questions you answered correctly. An average score is around 20. Here are 2 sample questions: A) A box of staples has a length of 6 centimeter, a width of 7 centimeter, and a volume of 378 centimeter cubed. What is the height of the box?

B) What is the average of all of the integers from 13 to 37?

The fact that Morris Claiborne, a very highly regarded defensive back from LSU, scored a 4 on the test has reporters in a frenzy. To some, this is big news. But is it?

Claiborne has been projected as possibly as high as the fifth pick in the entire college draft, beginning on April 26. So, the question is: Should Claiborne’s unusually low score be a red flag to NFL teams, that he possibly may not warrant being picked too high in the draft? The obvious concern would be that he may not be intelligent enough to learn the relatively sophisticated NFL defensive schemes.

I feel that above average intelligence is helpful at several positions. These would include quarterback, where the player must know the job of every offensive player on every play, plus be able to read defenses in a couple of seconds. The center is in charge of making the blocking calls for the entire offensive line, so he must also be

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Baseball April 10 at Lock Haven 3 p.m. able to read defenses almost April 7 instantly. Finally, the middle linebacker is often the signal caller for the defense.

High intelligence would be helpful for him as well.

This being said, it is this reporter’s opinion that Claiborne’s low score is being blown way out of proportion. The guy is a standout football player.

He played tremendously well in the best conference in the country, the Southeastern Conference.

He has been as productive as a player. I wonder if his low score may mean that he has a learning disability. Is he illiterate? If so, the fact that he made it this long at LSU would be a topic for another time.If an NFL team is interested in drafting Claiborne, but has concerns about his ability to learn a system, I’d recommend that the team get in touch with his college coaches. They would be the best sources of information for Claiborne’s ability and desire to learn.

If he has the right attitude, he’ll learn. It just may be a slower process than normal.

Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw only scored a 15 on the test, considered quite low for his position. His career began slowly, but he was the proud owner of four Super Bowl championship rings upon his retirement.

I believe that Claiborne will have an excellent NFL career and he does warrant a first-round pick.

Incidentally, the answers to the two questions are: 9 (6 * 7 * 9 =378) and 25 (the average of 13 & 37 is 25, 14 & 36 is 25, 15 & 35 is 25, etc...) I see no need whatsoever for an NFL defensive back to be a whiz at algebra.

Softball April 10 EAST STROUDSBURG (DH) 2:30 p.m. , 4:30 p.m April 14 at West Chester (DH) 1 p.m, 3 p.m.

April 15 at Lock Haven (DH) 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

Outdoor Track and Field April 14-15 at Bucknell Distance Carnival Lewisburg, Pa.

Lacrosse April 11 at Bloomsburg 4 p.m.

April 14 EAST STROUDSBURG 1 p.m.

Football April 14 SPRING GAME 1 p.m.

Seth Grove Stadium

Sports

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Two SU students added Strong effort not enough to PSAC Winter Top 10 SU scores highest goal total against theslateonline.com/sports

SU’s Stephen Schelander and John Corrigan were honored on Thursday Two Shippensburg University students were added to the 20112012 PSAC Winter Top 10 squad on Thursday.

Senior indoor track middistance and distance runner Stephen Schelander a sociology major with a 3.80 cumulative GPA, was one of two Shippensburg honorees along with senior men’s basketball player John Corrigan.

Thursday’s award is the third of Schelander’s career. He is now one of just five student-athletes in school history to receive three or more PSAC Top 10 awards, having previously been honored with a 2010-11 PSAC Spring Top 10 award for men’s outdoor track & field and a 2011-12 PSAC Fall Top 10 award for men’s cross-country.

In February, Schelander was named the overall MVP of the 2012 PSAC Indoor Championships after finishing with a PSAC title in the mile, a second-place finish in the 3K and a championship in the distance medley relay (DMR) as its anchor leg.

Schelander’s win in the mile was his first individual conference championship, he was a 12-time PSAC placewinner throughout indoor and outdoor competition entering this year’s meet.

During the regular season, Schelander ran the opening leg of the DMR that broke the all-time PSAC record at the Penn State National Invitational (9:47.57).

At the 2012 NCAA Division

II Indoor Championships, he ran the anchor leg of the DMR that earned AllAmerica honors with a third-place finish (9:56.36).

Following the regular season, Schelander was cited by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for AllRegion performances in the mile and 5K in addition to his work with the DMR. Corrigan, a history major with a 3.97 cumulative GPA, was the other honoree added to the squad.

It is the first PSAC Top 10 award for Corrigan, who becomes the 28th different individual from Shippensburg to receive such an honor.

He is just the second men’s basketball player to receive a PSAC Top 10 award, Nebosja Bogdanovic was honored for Winter 2003-04.

Corrigan, who became SU’s men’s basketball program’s first Academic All-American in 30 years in February, has been an impactful bench player for the Raiders. He played in all but two of the team’s games in 2011-12, scoring 98 total points and averaging 14 minutes per game.

One of his best features was the ability to step out and hit a key shot. This season, Corrigan shot 42 percent from the field and hit 13 3-pointers. He earned his first career start on Senior Day and scored 11 points on 4-of5 shooting in 29 minutes.

Overall, Corrigan has

shown the ability to come off the bench and hit 3-point shot, going 40 percent from long distance in his career.

He appeared in 48 of the team’s 54 games over the last two years, shooting 45 percent from the field and totaling 193 points.

His career high for points in a game is 13, set last season versus Kutztown.

Corrigan is in his fourth and final semester at SU after spending two years at the United States Naval Academy. He is prepared to graduate in May and plans to attend law school.

With its two honorees, SU maintains the lead among league institutions with 48 career PSAC Top 10 awards. Clarion University has 42 all-time awards while Slippery Rock University, Edinboro University, East Stroudsburg University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania have all totaled 39 awards.

It is also the 10th consecutive competitive season that SU has had a PSAC Top 10 award winner — the longest active streak among league institutions. The PSAC record for consecutive semesters with a PSAC Top 10 award winner is 14, set by Lock Haven University from Winter 1998-99 through Spring 2002-03.

The PSAC Top 10 awards were first granted in the fall of 1997.

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

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WCU in six years but falls, 19-10 Shippensburg 10 The Shippensburg University women’s lacrosse team tallied 10 goals against No. 9-ranked West Chester on Friday afternoon, its highest total against the Golden Rams in almost six years, but it was not enough as the homestanding WCU squad came away with a 19-10 victory from Vonnie Gros Field.

SU played to within a twogoal margin of the Golden Rams after the first 13-plus minutes of play in Friday’s contest before West Chester connected for seven of the final nine tallies before the intermission. SU was limited to just five shots in

West Chester 19

the first half but all of those chances resulted in goals.

Lindsey Kennedy notched her fourth hat trick of the season while senior Lauren Hauck finished with two goals and four assists.

Hauck, who leads the team with 18 assists this season, has already established a new career high for the category and her production already ranks sixth in SU single-season history.

Kayla Dalzell scored twice and has now contributed multiple goals in six of the last eight games. Bennett Widlake, Courtney Kennedy and Garrie Grenfell also scored for the Raiders.

Sarah Chrencik collected an impressive five draw controls in Friday’s game. SU lost the draw control battle by just five to the Golden Rams, 18-13.

Despite allowing 19 goals, Ali Cross was steady in front of the cage in making a career-high 14 saves. Cross has recorded 10 or more saves in four of the last five games.

Shippensburg returns to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday with an all-important PSAC clash from Bloomsburg.

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

Sports

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Sweeping away the Golden Rams theslateonline.com/sports

Game 1

Shippensburg 2

West Chester 1

SU wins thanks to Estep’s performance The Shippensburg University softball team used a dominant pitching performance to secure the win in Game 1 against West Chester University Tuesday afternoon from Robb Field.

The Golden Rams got their only run of the game in the first inning, as designated player Kelly Anderson tomahawked a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence.

Estep soon got in the zone, however, retiring 12 of the next 14 batters she faced.

Maddie Justice provided the first of her two hits in the opening game by lacing a double into the left-center

field gap to start the second inning. Justice eventually scored via station-to-station softball, advancing one base on consecutive groundouts by Rachel Shumway and Jessie Trammell.

Justice and Trammell each went 2-for-3 at the plate in the opening game.

The Raiders got the eventual winning run in the fourth inning. Catcher Meg Lehman led off with a single and was on second base with two outs before Shumway singled through the left side to bring her home.

Trammell and Thompson each followed

with singles to load the bases, but a lineout ended the inning with SU up 2-1.

Estep had to work out of a jam in the top of the seventh to get her teamleading fourth victory of the season. After allowing a leadoff double to cleanup hitter Nicole Cruts, Estep hunkered down and struck out the side, all swinging, to end the game. She allowed just one walk and three hits in her fifth complete game of the season.

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

Photo by Sam Stewart

SU pitcher Liz Parkins deals in the first inning against the Golden Rams.

Game 2

Shippensburg 2

West Chester 1

SU walks off against Golden Rams Bryan Obarowski Staff Writer

SU shortshop Taylor Weisman makes a diving catch in

In the second game of a double header, the Shippensburg University softball team walked off with a victory against the Golden Rams of West Chester, 2-1, from Robb Field on Tuesday.

In the first inning, WCU started the game with two singles, but starting pitcher Liz Parkins, bounced back by striking out two batters and getting a groundout. In the bottom half of the inning, SU led off with a single and a stolen base, but the early offense halted after a great diving catch

by WCU’s Megan Kelly.

WCU scored a run on Photo by Sam Stewart two hits in the second inning. SU was unable to the second inning. answer in the bottom half

of the inning, grounding out for all three outs.

The SU offense surged in the bottom half of the third inning. After a leadoff popup, SU hit three straight singles, but was unable to capitalize. Another popup and a groundout to end the inning got WCU pitcher Devon Utterback and the defense out of trouble.

SU shut down the WCU offense in the top half of the fifth inning, giving the offense a chance to come back. A lead off single, followed by a bunt single put the Raiders in a great situation to even the score.

The chances became even greater after a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third base with only one out. However, WCU got out of trouble when a strikeout and a groundout

ended the inning with two runners in scoring position.

Once again Parkins shut down the WCU offense, and once again SU started its half of the inning with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Meg Lehman put a runner in scoring position with less than two outs. Taylor Weisman capitalized with an RBI single to tie the game.

After a scoreless sixth, SU lead off the bottom of the seventh with a single

by Tyler Thompson. Runners advanced following a sacrifice bunt and another single. With runners on first and third, Taylor Weisman crushed a double to the fence, driving in the winning run for SU. SU won 2-1.

SU will face off against a number of tough matchups in the coming weeks against PSAC foes.

Sports

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E5

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SU splits doubleheader against visiting Millersville University on Friday

The Shippensburg University softball team received solid performances from the circle from Emily Estep and Makenzie Lynn on Friday afternoon in a doubleheader split with Millersville University from Robb Field. The Raiders lost 3-2 in the opener before winning 3-1 in the nightcap.

With one out in the sixth inning of the Raiders’ Game 2 triumph, shortstop Taylor Weisman followed up a triple from sophomore left fielder Hilary Lyons with an eventual gamewinning two-run home run over the left field fence.

The blast gave Lynn her fourth victory of the season, as the right-hander gave up four hits and no earned runs in a five-strikeout complete game effort. The five strikeouts are tied for the most she has thrown in a game this season.

Estep, meanwhile, had a no-hitter entering the seventh inning of Game 1

before giving up four hits and two earned runs in the final frame. She recorded 12 strikeouts, her most since fanning 13 at Catawba on Feb. 25.

Weisman went 3-for-6 on the day with a home run, a double, two runs and two RBIs. Center fielder Tyler Thompson went 2-for3 in Game 1 and flashed her speed along the base paths in the fifth inning with an RBI-triple down the right field line before scoring on a throwing error from the right fielder.

In Game 1 MU generated the first run of the game in the top of the third inning after capitalizing on a walk and two SU fielding errors.

The Marauders threatened to add more two innings later, but Estep made her way out of a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander walked the second batter of the inning, the next batter reached on an SU fielding error and Estep hit

the next batter to load the bases with one out. That would be as close as Millersville would get to scoring, however, as Estep struck out the next two batters swinging to end the scare.

In the bottom of the fifth, right fielder Kiersten Darhower reached first on an MU throwing error, advanced to second on a wild pitch and made her way to third on an Estep groundout. That set the stage for Thompson, who ripped the first pitch she saw down the right field line to plate Darhower and eventually herself for a 2-1 SU lead.

Estep gave up her first hit of the game with the first pitch she threw in the top of the seventh inning, as MU’s Taylor Odell-Smith hit a solo home run to left center field. Estep gave up three more singles in the inning as the Marauders added one more run for a 3-2 victory.

In Game 2, the Raiders jumped out to a 1-0

lead in the bottom of the first inning when Weisman doubled to center field with two outs before first baseman Maddie Justice drove her home with an RBI-double to left field.

The Marauders used a hit, an SU throwing error and a wild pitch in the fourth inning to knot the game at 1. However, with the bases loaded and one out, Lynn forced a pop-up and a fly out to end the MU rally and escape the jam.

The Raiders mustered one hit in the bottom of both the fourth and fifth inning before finally breaking through to score in the sixth. With the second pitch of her leadoff at-bat, Lyons stroked the ball to right field and cruised into third base with a stand-up triple.

After an SU groundout, Weisman sent a 1-1 pitch out of the park for a 3-2 lead.

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

Photo by Grimaldo Barrios

A Raider batter waits for her turn on deck.

SU powers through Edinboro in senior night sweep Nick Sentman Asst. Sports Editor

Pitcher Emily Estep

The Shippensburg University’s softball team celebrated its seniors the best way it knew how; by winning a doubleheader against PSAC foe Edinboro University on Saturday from Robb field.

SU’s four seniors made their presence known as they edged EU by one run in each game. They also went extra innings in Game 2 as it took nine to finish off the Fighting Scots.

In Game 1, SU relied on senior Emily Parkins, Photo by Grimaldo Barrios who was looking to lock up delivers early on Saturday. her first win on the season. Parkins pitched seven

strong innings allowing two earned runs and seven hits.

Senior catcher Meg Lehman had two key hits in the first game. It was senior Chelsea Kendall that stepped up big, hitting a key sacrifice fly in the game and also having a big single. She would also factor in Game 2. Freshman first baseman Maddie Justice proved to be the most valuable player though collecting two hits in four at bats, driving in a run, and making six put outs.

With SU trailing 2-1 entering its final at-bat, singles by sophomore Hilary Lyons and Lehman lead to freshman Taylor Weisman. Weisman came to the plate and sent a hard grounder to third base that

went through the legs of the Fighting Scot fielder. Lyons rounded third on the play and ended up scoring safely after the throw from left field sailed over the catcher’s head and hit the backstop.

Junior Kiersten Darhower who was pinch running for Lehman, reached third.

One batter later, Justice singled home Darhower to end the game.

In Game 2, both SU and EU squared off in a pitching duel as SU freshman Liz Parkins, younger sister of Game 1 starter Emily Parkins, took the hill.

The younger Parkins sister dominated EU. She allowed four singles over nine innings of work while striking out eight.

Parkins outdueled EU’s Kari Fulk who managed to stay on until the end when outfielder Rochelle Troise hit a game winning double in the ninth to bring home Chelsea Kendall.

Troise had been hitless in the doubleheader going 0-6 entering her final at bat.

The sweep helped propel SU to an overall 14-18 record heading into its next game.

SU will conclude its stretch of four home doubleheaders in eight days when it plays host to East Stroudsburg at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in a twin-bill from Robb Field.

SU’s Liz Parkins who pitched so well in Game 2 was named PSAC Eastern Division Pitcher of the week for her performance.

Raider baseball runs E6

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Photos by Grimaldo Barrios, Sam Stewart and Hannah Brant

The Raiders had an up-and-down week, but pulled out of it with a 3-1 record against the Golden Rams of West Chester University.

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in circles against WCU

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Game 1

Shippensburg 3 The Shippensburg University baseball team put forth a strong effort in its opening game against perennial region frontrunner West Chester on Friday afternoon from Serpico Stadium but the Raiders could not come away with a victory, dropping the Game 1 of the double header, 4-3.

Friday’s opener was played at the pace of a businessman’s special, as the two teams worked diligently and finished in just 1 hour and 45 minutes.

West Chester got on the board in the bottom of the first after Jack Provine tripled home Mike Raimo just two batters into the game.

SU answered in the top

West Chester 4

of the second, however, as Pat Kregeloh singled home sophomore designated hitter Kyle Hollingsworth with two outs. The Raiders loaded the bases in the inning but could not plate any additional runs.

Trailing 4-1 through three innings, SU got two back in the fourth when Eric Herman doubled home Hollingsworth and junior Tyler Basso. SU plated all three of its runs in the game with two outs in the respective inning.

Joe Gunkel, however, retired 10 of the final 11 batters that he faced to record the victory. The only blemish was a one-out single in the seventh inning by Herman.

The Raiders received a steady pitching effort in the opener from junior Tom Bush, who threw a complete game but fell to 3-3 for the season. He allowed four earned runs, walking one and striking out two.

The Golden Rams, ranked No. 1 in the Collegiate Baseball poll and No. 5 in the NCBWA Division II poll, extended its PSACrecord winning streak to 20 games by pounding out nine hits in Game 1.

Game 2

Shippensburg 2

Shippensburg 7

Game 2 spelled major trouble for the Shippensburg University baseball team, as the Raiders were not able to overcome a barrage of West Chester hits, falling 16-2.

Simon Beloff was the lone Raider with multiple hits in the nightcap. His 2-for-3 performance included a double down the right-field line in the fourth inning and a

run scored. Eric Herman was 1-for-4 and scored the game’s first run after doubling to lead off the contest.

SU employed four pitchers in the contest: senior Jimmy Miller, Josh Scott, R.J. Grant and Ted Williams. Miller was credited with the loss; he lasted just 2.2 innings. Grant threw two shutout innings of relief, striking out two.

The Golden Rams started the offensive barrage early

and often. The team tallied 19 hits in the game, pushing its doubleheader total to 28.

The Raiders play host to Lock Haven today at 3 p.m. SU will be off for a week before continuing play against non-league opponent Wilmington University at 3 p.m., March 17, from Fairchild Field.

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

Game 1

West Chester 3

SU scores often to finish off WCU runners with a two-RBI double down the left field line for his first extra-base hit and RBI of the season.

WCU answered in the top of the third, tying the game at 3 with an RBI single, and later nearly took the lead in the top of the fifth.

With a man on first and two outs, West Chester’s Joe Wendle hit a double to right field. Basso’s relay throw from right field found cutoff man Wimer who then gunned down the base runner at home plate with Shover laying the tag.

The Raiders carried over the momentum into the bottom of the fifth, beginning with an Eric Herman

West Chester 16

SU embarrassed in Friday’s Game 2

Game 2

In Game 2, the Shippensburg University baseball team picked up where it left off and defeated the Golden Rams of West Chester 7-3 in the nightcap of a doubleheader from Fairchild Field on Saturday.

The Golden Rams briefly got to Kregeloh early, with clean-up hitter Chris Pula launching a two-run home run to left field in the first inning. The Raiders earned a run back in the bottom half of the first, however, with Kulp’s home run, and took the lead in the second.

After a Kregeloh walk and a Jimmy Miller single up the middle, Dan Wimer plated the two

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leadoff single through the right side. Kulp ripped a double into the left field corner to plate Herman and later advanced to third on a Simon Beloff groundout before scoring on a wild pitch for a 5-2 SU lead.

The two additional runs that came in the bottom of the sixth proved to be more than enough for Bartley in his stellar relief appearance.

Basso singled home a run before, with runners at the corners and one out.

-Courtesy of SU Sports Information

Shippensburg 3

West Chester 1

Kulp and Beloff headline SU victory Michael Shipman Staff Writer The Shippensburg University baseball team’s performance in Game 1 resembled the weather at Fairchild Field as the Raiders edged the Golden Rams of West Chester, 3-1, Saturday afternoon.

Things were quiet offensively for the first three innings. Nick Umberger provided another stellar outing for the Raiders, striking out five players through the

third inning, and then three more throughout the game.

SU’s bats came alive in the fourth, when Simon Beloff and Cody Kulp both scored to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead. Cody Kulp doubled down the infield line and a Simon Beloff walk. Pat Kregeloh drove in both runs after an error by the Rams shortstop allowed Kregeloh to advance to second.

The Golden Rams cut the lead in half in the next inning. Matt Baer singled, Josh Heyne drove a single in through the left side, and Reid Pulford hit one to

center field. Baer singled in the sole run for the Rams.

SU scored one more run in the sixth. Matt Shover was walked, stole second and ran home when Kregeloh singled to center. SU then extended its lead, 3-1.

The Golden Rams tried one more time to get within range in the seventh.

Justin Lamborn hit a double to right field, but it would not help the Rams.

The Raiders defense finished them off, taking the first game in the doubleheader by the final tally of, 3-1.

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