New guidelines hurt restaurants, B1
SU holds suicide awareness vigil, C1
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Balint ready to lead Raiders, E1
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Volume 64 No. 5
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
AOD provides Narcan training Blake Garlock Staff Writer
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
Shippensburg University community members participated in the ROTC-led event Friday morning.
Campus remembers 9/11 Noel Miller News Editor
The Shippensburg University ROTC and members of the SU community commemorated the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with the annual ceremony outside of the Erza Lehman Memorial Library. With nearly 40 people in attendance, Junior, Cadet Gavin Bupp, opened the ceremony by welcoming the students, faculty, staff and administrations. “The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon as well as the solemn and humbling story of Flight 93 are etched into our country’s spirit and history.” Bupp said. “The results of 9/11 were both immediately felt and have resonated to this day.” After 9/11 many U.S. citizens answered the call to action and joined the armed forces, Bupp said. One of these people was Nathan DeTample, a SU ROTC program graduate.
DeTample died during Operation Enduring Freedom alongside many others, according to Bupp. ROTC members placed flags were planted along the sidewalks in the academic quad to honor the lives lost in the terrorist attack. The sacrifice of Flight 93, which is important to many Pennsylvania residents, was honored with flags in the formation of 93 in the quad. “9/11 directly affected the state of Pennsylvania. And I know that it means a lot to the community, it means a lot to the university and especially to this program to be able to honor the fallen in a very dignified manner,” said Lt. Col. Michael Firman. Bupp read the names of the Flight 93 victims before concluding the ceremony with a moment of silence followed by the playing of taps.
The Shippensburg University Connection Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Program hosted a free Narcan training event Wednesday evening in the hockey rink. The Connection AOD Program partnered with the Recovery, Advocacy, Service and Empowerment (RASE) Project to hold the event. RASE, is a nonprofit that serves as a resource for those struggling with substance abuse. Mike Boyer, the education and advocacy coordinator for RASE, led the event. “All the employees at RASE have some type of addiction story,” Boyer said. “Those experiences allow us to help others who are struggling effectively.” For most of the presentation, Boyer focused on Naloxone, commonly called Narcan, which is a medication designed to treat victims of an opioid overdose. When administered properly, Narcan has an 85% success rate
for reversing overdoses in Cumberland County, according to RASE. Boyer gave a demonstration on how to properly administer Narcan, and all who attended the event received two free doses of Narcan in case they encountered someone who overdosed. As of Sept. 3, there have been 45 overdose deaths in Cumberland County this year, according to the Cumberland County Coroner. That is the same number of overdose deaths that occurred in the county in all of 2019. “I honestly think that’s because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Boyer said. “Isolation is addiction’s counterpart.” Boyer said the pandemic’s many effects contributed to the rise in opioid use. “People losing jobs, having too much time on their hands and the pandemic’s uncertainty causing stress are all reasons we’ve seen a rise in opioid use this year,” Boyer said. See “NARCAN,” A2
Experts talk race, policing
Blake Garlock Staff Writer
Shippensburg University’s Center for Social Research held a seminar on policing and racial justice via Zoom Sept. 9. The Center for Social Research hosts seminars on the second Wednesday of every month at noon. SU sociology professor David Monaghan hosted the seminar. “Our goal is to make the social sciences of greater use to the university and the community outside of it,” Monaghan said. “And I don’t believe there is any more pressing issue in our country
right now than policing and its relationship with racial injustice.” Criminal justice department professor, Arelys Madero, opened the seminar by speaking about racial profiling in police work and the statistics on the subject. “It’s natural to focus on the evidence proving or disproving racial disparities in police work,” Madero said. “But I want to present the theoretical backdrop so we can better understand police behavior.” Madero cited a justice department study regarding racial discrimination. From 2012 to 2014, African Amer-
icans in Ferguson, Missouri, accounted for 85% of traffic stops, while they made up 67% of the total population, according to the justice department. Madero offered a counter to the study’s findings by discussing another variable that could affect those numbers. “These studies can’t solely establish racial profiling in policing, because they do not consider other explanatory factors that affect police officers’ decisions,” Madero said. Madero added that the lack of a reliable benchmark to base the studies off prevents reaching a definitive
answer in finding racial profiling in police work. Madero said that the percentage of whites vs. non-whites who drive could affect the study, as could the percentage of people who can drive. Carlos Rojas, who also is a SU criminal justice department professor, focused his presentation on the use of force by police. “Police use of force is not that common,” Rojas said. “There’s an estimated 40 million citizen and police encounters annually, and only 1.5% of those require the use of force.” See “POLICING,” A2
Carmine Scicchitano/ The Slate
Attendees received two doses of Narcan to use.
COVID-19 presents new challenges for RAs Noel Miller News Editor
The COVID-19 coronavirus has affected every level of the Shippensburg University campus community. The lives of resident assistants, known as RAs, have not escaped this change. RAs are full-time students who commit to living and working in a residence hall. They are responsible for the residents on their floor and contributing to a healthy social community. On top of this they also have to balance their academic careers, personal and social lives. With the coronavirus forcing people to live and work in new ways, RAs now face many challenges that go unseen by others. Officials have posted signs and stickers across campus to remind students to wear a mask and practice social distancing. However, not all campus community members follow these guidelines. Individuals sometimes choose not to follow the guidelines, and
someone has to take responsibility to confront them. The coronavirus has added this duty to the busy lives of RAs. Tyler Olsen, a sophomore and first-time RA, said that these confrontations can be tough. “We’re just trying to do our jobs and keep everyone safe,” Olsen said. “We’re not coming after them when we’re asking them to put on their mask.” RAs also have to be conscious of their own actions to make sure they are distancing as many are watching them, said junior and returning RA Ebony Jeter. Often these confrontations go well Olsen said. Many are friendly reminders to wear masks above the nose or that students cannot have visitors in the dorms. The most backlash students give is over masks. “We get a lot of attitude from students sometimes, but I can understand it’s a frustrating situation,” Olsen said. See “RESIDENCE HALL,” A2
File Photo/ The Slate
Resident assistants live and work in all of the resident halls on campus.
NEWS
A2
September 15, 2020
From “RESIDENCE HALL,” A1
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate Students listen to RASE’s Mike Boyer’s instructions on how to use Narcan. From “NARCAN,” A1
One of the more common overdose drugs in the Shippensburg area is heroin. Although on its own heroin is highly addictive and dangerous, Boyer said pure heroin is rarely found anymore. Today, heroin is commonly mixed with fentanyl, another powerful opioid. Fentanyl can be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the National Institute From “POLICING,” A1
Similarly to Madero’s lecture on traffic stop statistics, Rojas said that the universal standards regarding force creates problems. “Departments need to clearly define what force is,” Rojas said. “There are no national standards so it would be better if we knew how and when force should be used.” Psychology professor Jamonn Campbell, closed the seminar, and spoke about how racism is still a problem today. “Racism is absolutely still a problem in our society,” Campbell said. “Racism is becoming a part of our national consciousness, but people of color have always known that there is a whole other area of racism that isn’t visible.” What Campbell called invisible racism
on Drug Abuse. “Fentanyl is everywhere,” Boyer said. “The fentanyl dosage in opioids in this area is very inconsistent.” With all the factors in the Shippensburg area and what the current death rate is for overdoses, RASE estimates that Cumberland County is on track for more than 60 overdose deaths in 2020. are the implicit biases people have. “Implicit biases are attitudes, thoughts and beliefs that we have about social groups that are activated in an unconscious way,” Campbell said. “These biases cause us to judge people based on what those unconscious thoughts are.” Campbell used a honeybee analogy to simplify his point. He said he knows honeybees are important, and that they bring value to the world. However, if one flies by him, he swats it or reacts like it is a threat. This is Campbell’s implicit bias against honeybees, and he said that is how implicit racism works. “People may say they aren’t prejudice,” Campbell said. “However, they unconsciously may hold prejudices against others, and that’s a problem.
In addition to these new duties, RAs also must stay on top of their traditional roles. Checking in with the residents on their floor is expected, but this year they must do it while social distancing. “It’s definitely a lot tougher because I am extremely extroverted,” said Olsen. While he still knocks on doors just to check in, he and residents have to find a private place to talk or meet on Zoom instead. Even something like a casual conversation needs to be approached differently. Instead of being able to stop by a room or chat in the hallway when they run into a resident, they have to go to a lounge to maintain distance, Jeter said. The mental health of residents and RAs is another aspect of resident life that the coronavirus affected. According to the Resident Life webpage they are supposed to “Encourage residents to discuss their concerns and counsels and advises students within their limits.” This also includes staying aware of serious physical or psychological problems that students may have the webpage said. Olsen said reaching out to students and ensuring students know they can reach out to RAs is even more important this year because it is a situation that
they have not been in before. RAs cannot interact with their residents as easily as they have in the past. “You don’t realize it but a lot of students are not OK and they are afraid to admit it,” Olsen said. RAs are normally required to come back to campus a week before the semester for training. However, this year RAs came back two weeks early to master all the new implemented policies and procedures for the coronavirus. While RA training did include mental health, Jeter feels they should have spent more time on it. Jeter said RAs completed an eight-hour mental-health crisis traning last winter. With many first year RAs in her hall, Jeter said she thinks it would benefit many of them to have this additional training given the conditions this semester. While making sure their residents are managing their mental health with academics and personal lives is important, but RAs also have to balance those things. Jeter said mental health is the hardest part about being an RA during the pandemic. While most professors are understanding, some are operating as normal which makes it hard to balance, she said. Making sure her residents are OK and regularly checking in can be a lot to take in and process. Olsen agreed, “It’s defi-
nitely overwhelming, I know a lot of returning RAs that are just as overwhelmed as the new RAs.” The coronavirus has created an environment where people are constantly learning new ways of doing things and having to adapt weekly. Typically, resident directors, also known as RDs, reach out to their RAs to check in and make sure they are handling their responsibilities. While this communication has always been offered, RDs have made sure RAs know that open communication is available if and when they need it, according to Jeter. Jeter’s RD has showed support and understanding this semester and made sure RAs do not feel left behind. She also said RDs have made efforts to assure coverage if an RA needs time off to decompress. In addition to RD support, Jeter said RAs have been taking advantage of other resources on campus like the counseling center or the spiritual center. No one has escaped the effects of the coronavirus. Sometimes these effects are more visible than others, however everyone has had to adapt to a different routine for the fall semester. “Be compassionate, be courteous because you don’t know what people are going through, I might be your RA but I’m still a person too,” Jeter said.
Wolf to veto school sports bill Marc Levy
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Tom Wolf will veto another coronavirus-related bill, this time one that would give a school district or private school sole authority to decide whether and how to conduct sports during the 2020-21 school year, his office said Wednesday. The bill passed the state Senate on Wednesday, 3911, a week after it passed the House, the latest way that the Republican-controlled Legislature has tried to limit powers Wolf has used under health and emergency disaster laws during the pandemic to limit crowds and activities. The bill gives a school district or private school sole authority to decide whether to conduct sports during the 2020-21 school year, includ-
ing games, scrimmages and other in-person extracurricular activities. It also gives them the power to determine safety protocol and crowd limits. Both chambers approved it by veto-proof two-thirds majorities. But Wolf’s office said it was unnecessary since “school districts already have local control on decisions on school sports” and suggested that it was irresponsible because it would allow districts to green-light big crowds at sporting events that help spread the virus. “This bill would allow for the potential gathering of thousands in close proximity, a widely-reported, wellknown public health risk,” Wolf’s office said. “We should focus on preventing the spread and creating a safe environment for children
students back to learning and, if possible, in the classroom. Minimizing exposure to COVID-19 is paramount.’’ Wolf has ordered crowds at school sports kept to statewide gathering limits of 25 people indoors and 250 people outdoors. Majority Republicans introduced the legislation last month after Wolf issued a “strong recommendation” that all youth athletics be canceled until 2021 to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Some districts and leagues have already canceled fall sports, saying the risk of spreading the virus is too great, while others are still planning to play. A number of Pennsylvania high schools have already reported virus cases among athletes, prompting temporary shutdowns of sports programs.
Noel Miller/ The Slate Resident hall assistants live alongside their peers in the dorms and help to create a safe, welcoming enviroment.
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SU announces increased enrollment, retention Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief
Shippensburg University officials are celebrating increased enrollment and retention rates, as well as U.S. News & World Report recognition. In a Friday press release, SU announced increased enrollment numbers including a 0.6 % increase from fall 2019 with a 0.8 % increase reported for undergraduate students. Officials also said SU has demonstrated a 2.3 % increase in retention over the previous year and a 6 % increase in retention over the previous three years. The university’s fall 2020 enrollment is 6,130 students, 804 graduate and 5,326 undergraduate students, according to the release. Officials attribute retention-targeted initiatives such as the First-Year Experience, Student Success Center, First-Generation college student programs and communication campaigns with aiding in students’ achievements. Amid the pandemic, SU implemented an “Early Alert System,” which allows coaching staff to work one-on-one with students with unique challenges, the release said. SU President Laurie Carter said officials worked hard during the spring 2020 closure to ensure a feasible, safe reopening for students. “I am grateful to the faculty and staff who
have not wavered in their commitment to student success. I am humbled by the students and families who have maintained their studies or may have joined us this year as new members of the Raider family,” Carter said. “Our increases in enrollment and retention are a rewarding affirmation of the high-quality Ship experience and education and speaks to our ability to work together during this challenging time. We may be teaching and learning differently, but student success, health and well-being remains our priority.” During the closure, the university planned for a HyFlex learning model which allows students to learn both in-person and remotely. SU also purchased OWL cameras to stream classes, moved furniture and installed plexiglass to create a social-distance friendly campus. On Monday, SU announced it moved up 12 spots on the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings. According to the report, SU ranks 25th among top public schools on the list for regional universities (north). In 2020, the university ranked 27th. The university ranked 88th on the best colleges list for regional universities (north), moving up 12 spots from 2020. Carter said the climb in rankings, “is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff.” SU Provost Tom Ormond said, “It is deeply
Hannah Pollock/The Slate
Shippensburg University’s fall enrollment includes 804 graduate and 5,326 undergraduate students. Students are learning both on campus and remotely. rewarding to be recognized with this noteworthy climb in rankings on the nationally-recognized Best Colleges list. This achievement is reflective of our renowned faculty,
our diverse array of accredited programs, and our ever-expanding commitment to student learning and success.”
NEWS
September 15, 2020
Campus Police Briefs Possession of Marijuana and Paraphernalia Officers responded to a call about the odor of marijuana in Room 331 Naugle Hall on Sept. 9. When they arrived, police said they spoke with the resident of the room, Jacob Ditolio, 19. Ditolio allowed officers to search his room where they found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
A3
Your World Today
Commentary: 19 years and beyond, Americans must remember, not politicize 9/11
Possession of Marijuana
9.
Police responded to a call about the smell of marijuana in Room 307 Naugle Hall on Sept.
Officers spoke with 20-year-old resident Illyas Abdus-Saboor. Abdus-Saboor consented to a room search and officers found a small amount of marijuana. Abdus-Saboor was charged with the possession of marijuana. Individual reports car stolen, police find car, suspect on campus Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on Sept. 11. The owner, Ishmael Kirkwood, told police he last saw his 2008 gray Nissan Altima on Sept. 7 parked in the L-2 lot. Police helped Kirkwood check all the lots on campus for the vehicle and were unable to locate the car. Police said they entered the car as stolen through the Cumberland County Emergency Notifications. Later that day, officers were on patrol and saw the vehicle in the Shippen Hall parking lot. Officers say a witness reported and identified the individual who had just gotten out of the car. Police later identified the individual as 18-year-old Jacob Wise, who fled from police. According to police, Wise ran through several academic buildings and was caught in the basement area of the Heiges Field House. After further investigation, Wise was charged with theft by unlawful taking (motor vehicle), unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving without a license. Wise was transported to the Cumberland County Prison.
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
Police found and arrested Jacob Wise near Heiges Field House Friday night.
Political Commentary Message from State Senate District 33 candidate Rich Sterner Candidate
My name is Rich Sterner, and I am running for State Senate District 33 in the Pennsylvania Senate which includes all of Adams County, the eastern half of Franklin County, Cumberland County around Shippensburg, and York County around Hanover. I am the Democratic Party candidate for State Senate District 33. However, I consider myself a moderate Democrat. In fact, for much of my voting life, I was a registered Republican — a “Reagan Republican.” I learned to work with others to achieve something that I could never achieve on my own. I learned that everyone has something to contribute to the process, and everyone’s input needs to be valued. I spent 25 years in public education, as a social studies teacher, and as a middle school and high school principal. I coached football, and in retirement, I am a member of the school board at Bermudian Springs School District. My experiences as a coach, a teacher, a principal, and a school board member taught me
solutions require discussion, understanding and ultimately compromise. A valuable lesson is to always look to the furthest point down the road. Visionary leadership requires the ability to see the long-term consequences of current actions. The ability to “see the furthest point down the road” makes it easier to determine the best course of action to achieve long-term benefits. I decided to run for Pennsylvania Senate because I believe this type of visionary, results-oriented leadership is sorely lacking in Harrisburg. There are too many problems not being resolved due to partisan, political posturing and an unwillingness to compromise. I am interested in working to find long-term solutions to difficult issues. Those issues include: Providing affordable health insurance for everyone, which is not dependent on job security; securing fair and equitable funding for K-12 schools; enacting property tax reform preserving a high standard of local control; maintaining clean air and clean waterways without job losses due to environmental restrictions; putting an end to gerrymandering and voter dis-
enfranchisement; finding solutions to gun violence that don’t impinge on Second Amendment rights; promoting social justice and law enforcement reforms; and supporting volunteer emergency services and responders. Achieving solutions requires leadership and vision — leadership that listens to all sides of an issue and consults with recognized experts; and vision that is focused on achieving a long-term goal. As an example, throughout the current pandemic crisis, I have consistently advocated for consulting with and following the guidance offered by medical experts, while keeping an eye on “the furthest point down the road” to ensure the health and safety for everyone. As principal at Biglerville High School, I had the privilege of greeting each graduating senior. When I looked in their eyes, I saw the potential each one had to become a productive, contributing member of society. Ultimately, my decision to be your state senator is motivated by my desire to help these young people fulfill that potential. It is in that spirit that I ask for your vote.
Editor’s note: The Slate is an independent newspaper and does not support or oppose any candidate.
Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief Amid the 2020 presidential campaign and global pandemic, Americans remembered the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks this past week. It is a grim reminder every year of a day that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and changed the course of American history. At Shippensburg University, this day is remembered by the ROTC and campus community members during a ceremony outside of the library. Each year, the ceremony becomes more and more important on this campus. It becomes easier for my peers to forget, as we were toddlers or not even born in 2001. We do not have our own natural memories — only memories forged through the stories and recollections of others. Outside of Shippensburg, officials, volunteers and family members held ceremonies at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. However, in the days leading up to the ceremonies the focus was not on remembering those lost and honoring those who are still with us. The focus was on the presidential race — what and where the presidential candidates would be on 9/11. Both candidates announced they would visit
the field in Shanksville, where Flight 93 crashed when passengers fought back against hijackers. Media members speculated during the days leading up to the 11th as to whether or not Trump and Biden would cross paths while attending services. The attention was not on remembering, but rather setting up the 2020 candidates for a duel on sacred ground. We live in a hyperpolarized society. This is not something that happened in the last four or eight years. The conditions we live in today have been brewing since before the attacks. All moves made by politicians are political — outright or otherwise. Add in the media and we have the politicization of memorials. Maybe you did not notice, but the majority of TV political ads ceased on Friday. It has become a norm for candidates to halt ads for the anniversary. However, sources are reporting that both Trump and Biden campaigns ran ads. This is how it should be — we must set aside the issues we face today and remember 9/11. Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden shared an elbow bump in New York, a glimpse of civility amid a contested and hyper-politicized campaign. While this was only a moment, I commend both men for this action and for moving on. The focus must remain on the day and not the actions of our political leaders. But we should not passionately remember only one out of 365 days. Should we let the events of 9/11 dictate every second of every day? No. But we must do what we can to help those who selflessly ran toward the carnage 19
years ago. In early August officials announced the 9/11 “Tribute in Light,” two columns of light projecting into the sky, would be canceled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. CBS News reported there were concerns surrounding the health risks of gathering a large crew to install the lights during a pandemic. While I understand the sentiment, I believe these lights are one of the simplest acts by which we can remember. After public disappointment and outcry, officials later changed the decision and continued the display. Despite any conditions — pandemic or otherwise — we must continue to carry on the memorial ceremonies, provide avenues of assistance for survivors and first responders and educate the next generations. It is through this advocacy that Congress finally extended the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund in July 2019. This fund provides financial assistance to those who were injured in the attacks and became sick in the years following from removing debris in hazardous conditions. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the Trump administration has “secretly” taken nearly $4 million away from the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program. We must hold our government officials accountable and demand transparency in these and all actions. We must “never forget” by supporting the mission of the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum to educate the next generation. We do this so that they too will understand the gravity of that day and will continue to “never forget.”
State Police Briefs Woman reports trespassing at vacant address Unidentified individuals trespassed on a vacant residence at 160 Rustic Drive in Southampton Township between 5 p.m. Sept. 1. and 9:30 a.m. Sept. 2. The investigation is ongoing. Police investigating trespassing incident Troopers responded to a report of criminal trespassing at 272 Pin Oak Lane in Shippensburg Township that occurred between 3 p.m. Sept. 6. and 9 a.m. Sept. 7. State police are investigating. Police investigating drug possession State police responded to a location on North Queen Street in Shippensburg Township just after 1 a.m. Sept. 12. When they arrived, officers said they saw an 18-year-old Shippensburg man removing plastic bags of marijuana from his pocket and throwing them on the ground. The investigation is ongoing.
Read more at theslateonline.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
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Opinion
The Slate Speaks
New guidelines hurt restaurants, encourage house parties
Bar, restaurant and business owners continue to grapple with the economic problems that stem from COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. After dining-in at restaurants was permitted again, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf created restrictions on restaurants, bars and other businesses by only seating people indoors at up to 25% of its capacity. However, Wolf announced that beginning Sept. 21 restaurants may increase indoor capacity to 50%, a
25% increase. According to Wolf, restaurants must complete the online self-certification process by Oct. 5 to increase their capacity. “Social distancing, masking and other mitigation measures must be employed to protect workers and patrons. Further, starting Sept. 21 restaurants that have alcohol sales will close alcohol sales at 10 p.m.,” the press release said. Many college students believe the ceasing of the alcohol sales at 10 p.m. is a loss of what little remains
of an average student experience. It is important to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. We do not want to see our community members sick, but is closing bar sales at a relatively early time restricting the college student experience? In a college town, such as Shippensburg, students will go out to bars like Wibs, and restaurants like University Grille and Arooga’s to unwind. An average college student go-
Give it a thought: SU’s return is about students
Chase Slenker Staff Columnist
The COVID-19 coronavirus has ravaged all over the world, leaving companies, governments and institutions with many challenging decisions to make including balancing financial vitality, health and continuing to deliver their mission. Shippensburg University was not immune to these challenging decisions. The university needed to balance best serving students, its fiscal constraints and the health of students, faculty and staff. Many students and staff have claimed that the “only reason we are back on campus is to save the university’s bottom line,” but their efforts lead me to believe otherwise. The university has made the hard decision to reopen safely and their decision truly puts students first. The amount of time, effort and money they have sunk into bringing us back was not for their bottom line, but to benefit students. Their efforts may not have been noticeable before arriving to campus, but their efforts are inescapable both on-campus and in-town. Considering students have been back for over a month and there have only been four cases, shows how the policies, barriers and efforts have all paid off. With over 6,000 faculty, students and staff and the coronavirus having a natural reproductive value of 1.01, this data is surprisingly supportive of how
politicized COVID-19 pandemic
well our university has done to mitigate the coronavirus while providing a decent array of in-person classes and extra-curricular activities when compared with other schools. The students are the reason for coming back, according to university officials. “We worked to bring students back because we overwhelmingly heard from students that they wanted to be here,” said Chief External Relations Officer Kim Garris. The policies, protocols, contact tracing and barriers (although not perfect) are paying off; and we are still here despite many people’s bets. This is thanks to the hard work of our university administration, faculty and staff. Student affairs has tried their absolute best to ensure that life is as close to “normal” as possible. The university decreased housing density, created new classrooms, moved thousands of tables and other furniture, completely revised the academic schedule, hired dozens of extra cleaning personnel and purchased tons of personal protective equipment. They rented tents and handwashing stations, put up thousands of stickers and signage, added an entire office and completed so many other action items to address the coronavirus. SU did not “cop out,” they went all out for their students. How could they afford all of these changes, especially with patterns of low enrollment, fewer people living on campus and more students taking classes remotely and not paying fees? Much of the funding to bring us back came from state funding. SU received $1,908,937 in state-appropriated Title V coronavirus relief funds, according to Garris. Those funds were used to directly cover the costs associated with the items mentioned above. Of the $1,908,937 SU received, Garris said the university has spent approximately $1.7 million to date. Next time you think about why we are here, look at the facts. You will see that it is for us, and I applaud them in that decision.
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The unsigned staff editorial, “The Slate Speaks,” represents the views and opinions of The Slate as an organization. Participating editors help shape the staff editorial.
These decisions are detrimental to local economies. Downtown Shippensburg businesses rely on the money students and their families bring to the area. Without football games, H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center shows or any major events, these businesses must make up lost income somehow. As long as the capacity rate for the indoor businesses stands and the proper social distancing is maintained, exposure will be mitigated.
Take five minutes: Officials
Maria Maresca Staff Columnist
Worldwide, we are undergoing unprecedented times as a pandemic sweeps the globe, economic hardships proliferate, riots and protests unfold in the streets and political polarization intensifies as the election nears. Although the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic may seem like an anomaly in a few ways as normalcy slips farther and farther away, but history has proven that past pandemics, namely in 1968 and 2009, have also caused concern. However, there are key differences that set these pandemics apart from the coronavirus. Very few schools across the U.S. closed in both ’68 and ’09 and churches and businesses nationwide were not mandated to shut down until the point of religious, economic and psychological downfall. These pandemics clearly did not define history in the same way as the coronavirus has thus far. Why? The answer is sim-
Where’s your voice? •
ing out for drinks and hanging out off-campus is inevitable. Wouldn’t it be better to do so in a restaurant where they are monitored and guidelines are enforced? By forcing local restaurants to stop selling alcohol after 10 p.m., officials cannot be surprised when there are more parties in the homes and rentals of college students. Restricting alcohol sales only impacts the businesses — it will simply drive students seeking somewhere to unwind to unmonitored homes.
ple when looking at the big picture: The coronavirus has been politicized beyond recognition and was carefully orchestrated to tear down all that America has come to represent and instead situate a new culture wave. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data sets as of Sept. 9 showed the total number of deaths in the zero to four age group is 33 in the U.S. In the 19-44 age group, a total of 5,202 individuals have died from the coronavirus. Finally, the over 75 age range has a total of 101,509 deaths. These statistics have clearly had a minimal effect on the U.S.’s population when comparing them to the total U.S. population which is 331,388,690 million as of Sept. 12, according to WorldOMeter. Instilling fear in a world where power reigns is a dangerous game to play and causes all good sense to be completely abandoned. The mania surrounding the pandemic was meant to instill the want for a drastic change in administration by obliterating people’s livelihoods, mental health, sowing unrest in our streets and watching as our historic monuments and former way of life disappears into oblivion. Pitting Americans against Americans through the protests on racism is yet another tactic of division. The ideals that our country — the land of the free — was founded on were based on life, liber-
Management slate.ship@gmail.com Hannah Pollock...................Editor-in-Chief ........................................Managing Editor News slatenews@gmail.com Noel Miller....................................... Editor
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ty and the pursuit of happiness but some have deduced that only racist ideologies and bigotry are at the core of America. Inevitably, the coronavirus has forced individuals to rely solely on the government and this idea will continue in the new world order laid out by elite figures including Bill Gates, George Soros and Antonio Guterres. There is a catastrophic plan that is being deputed on the world stage and comes in the form of a platform called the World Economic Forum, which is a non-government organization based in Switzerland that aims to “…shape global, regional, and industry agendas.” For the U.S., this means an extreme shift from what defines America, which will only spell disaster in the long-term. This is the very narrative that the Biden-Harris administration seeks to promote by leaning toward policies that would take decisions out of the hands of constituents and into the hands of a bigger, power-hungry government officials. The former prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Guterres, put it clearly, “It is imperative that we reimagine, rebuild, redesign, and rebalance our world.” But rebalancing comes at a cost that does not justify the means. This will only dismantle morality in order for a select few political elite to reign at the top.
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Tuesday, September 15, 2020
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Ship Life
SU hosts vigil to educate students on suicide awareness Chaela Williams
Asst. Ship Life Editor
Carmine Scicchitano/ The Slate
Christopher Carlton, SU Counseling Center director, speaks on the importance of being kind to one another and noticing the signs of depression.
Question of the Week: What is your favorite novel?
Lance Hines-Butts, senior
“My favorite [novel] is ‘The Compound Effect,’ it is a step-by-step help improvement book to structure my day.”
Students gathered at the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) amphitheater to learn how to help others in need at Shippensburg University’s Suicide Awareness Vigil Sept. 10. SU’s Housing and Residence Life, Counseling Center and the Spiritual Center collaborated on the event to break down the stigmatization of suicide and to spread the importance of caring for one another. Alexandria Karlheim, assistant director of residential education, helped coordinate the event, hoping that students go to residential assistants (RAs) for help and support. “Suicide touches everyone’s life and I think it is the No. 1 preventable death. I wish we lived in a world
where everyone took their time and felt like it matters,” Karlheim said. Guest speakers spoke of their experiences with suicide and how it affected their lives. During the middle of the ceremony the Rev. Jan Bye spoke about positivity, encouraging others to value their lives. “It is hard sometimes to remember that things won’t always be the same, that tomorrow won’t hurt as bad as today,” Bye said. Bye shared stories of helping students who were suicidal and how she dealt with the guilt and pain of families affected by suicide. “But with all those experiences of sadness and tragedy I also know there is hope, things can get better,” Bye said. The vigil had a brief moment of silence to honor those who had taken their
lives and to people who struggle with depression and suicidal ideations. Dr. Chris Carlton, director of the Counseling Center, spoke about the importance of not judging people by their appearance without knowing their struggles and feelings. The Counseling Center sees three to four students each week who are dealing with suicidal thoughts and since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic counselors are dealing with more anxious and depressed students. “I think the whole idea of creating a sense of connection [and] community is very important [because] it can address many issues,” Carlton said. Karlheim also encourages students to be nicer. Read the full story at theslateonline.com.
Recipe of the Week: Easy Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients: -1 can 100% Pure Pumpkin -1 box Super Moist Spice cake mix -1 cup of water -1/2 cup of vegetable oil -3 eggs
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Mix together pumpkin and cake mix 3. Add a teaspoon of water if batter is too thick 4. Prep muffin tin by spraying with cooking spray or adding muffin liners. 5. Scoop batter into muffin tin, filling halfway 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes 7. Top with powdered sugar, let cool and serve. Recipe and photo by Morgan Barr/The Slate
APB hosts semester’s first Laser Tag
Abigail Schneider, freshman
“I like ‘The Outsiders’ because it was the most intersting [book] I read in middle school. It had an interesting setting.”
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
The Activities Program Board (APB) held the first laser tag event of the semester inside the Ceddia Union Building (CUB). Students competed against each other, running throughout the building trying to tag each other to win prizes.
Looking for more Ship Life? Cheyanne Saez, junior
“The only book I read completly all the way through was ‘Lord of the Files.’ I really enjoyed reading it back in high school.”
Read more at theslateonline.com
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Tuesday, September 15, 2020
A&E
Review: Local artist releases new album during COVID-19 pandemic Robyn Klawitter Staff Writer
Local musician Austin Brown released his first solo album on Sept. 4 under the pseudonym Ollie Kitsch. The album, “Empty Spaces, Empty Places,” consists of 15 songs that range anywhere from indie/alternative to pop/punk. Within the first week of its release, the album gained more than 300 listens, and the number is continuing to grow every day. This passion project took Brown a total of three years to perfect from start to finish. One song on the album, “Up In Heights,” was written with fellow musician Liam Shatzer back in 2018. Brown chose the name Ollie Kitsch because the name Ollie is a tribute to a former band that he was a member of, known as The Sleepless Oliver’s, and the word Kitsch means “art that is appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.” Brown first got into music when he was around 8 years old by taking guitar lessons and doing impersonations of one of his musical inspirations, Elvis Presley. Some of Brown’s current musical influences are The
1975 and Harry Styles, as well as The Beatles and Bob Dylan. When asked if there was any interesting stories behind any of the songs on the album, Brown chose not to share by saying, “everyone else is going to have their own interpretation, I don’t want to ruin that for them.” Brown strongly believes that all art is up to the interpretation of the listener and wants everyone who hears the album to figure out what these songs mean to them. Brown said that if there is anything he wants the listener(s) to take away from the album is that whatever they are feeling or whatever the music makes them think, they are not alone. Music is a way everyone can relate to each other and that is what Brown hopes his listeners can do with his music. Within the next year, Brown plans to release more solo music under the name Ollie Kitsch, as well as making more music with his bandmates, currently known as Kids Get Scared, in 2021. Students can listen to Kitsch’s new album on Apple Music, Spotify and Souncloud for listeners to stream. Apple music is only $5.99 when students present their academic email to Apple.
Photo courtesy of Ollie Kitsch
Austin Brown, also known as Ollie Kitsch, released his first solo album “Empty Spaces, Empty Places” on Sept. 4, which is available on Apple Music.
Leah’s Music Prediction: Alt-Rock band The Wallows Leah Fuoco
Guest Contributor
The Wallows are the fun, spunky group you did not know you were missing. The American alternative rock band based in LA, is made up of three musicians: Dylan Minnette (vocals and rhythm guitar), Braeden Lemasters (vocals and lead guitar/ ass) and Cole Preston (drums and guitar). Yes, you read that correctly. Dylan Minnette, actor and star of the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why” is the band’s vocalist. While a successful actor, Minnette is also a successful singer. The group started creating and releasing songs in 2017 but have slowly started to become popular the past few years. The band members have a great vibe to them. Their songs have an interesting beat, impressive vocals and a unique spunk to them that is hard to explain. I feel like if you combined The Killers and Walk the Moon, you would get the Wallows. In my opinion, they give off “angsty teenage rocker” vibes. I would also say the band has a similar sound to groups like The Kooks or Hippo Campus. It is just a different, great sound. In 2017, they released the song, “Pleaser” but it was not until 2018 when their popularity skyrocketed with their song “Pictures of Girls” off their 2018 EP, “Spring.” “Pictures of Girls,” is actually a catchy song, even though the lyrics are a bit odd, is what made me get into the band. I heard it and immediately knew they were a group that
I needed to know. Some of the Wallows songs I enjoy the most are “Scrawny,” “Are You Bored Yet?” “With A Little Help From My Friends (cover of the original made famous by The Beatles), and “OK.” Other honorable mentions include: “1980s Horror Film II” and “Just Like A Movie.” The band has been working on new music while in quarantine, just like many other bands. The band just released a song this past week called, “Nobody Gets Me (Like You)” I believe that the Wallows are slowly going to get more mainstream and popular. In addition, with Dylan Minnette’s big role ending, I think he might have more time to make music and possibly tour in the future. I guess we will just have to wait and see what the future holds for the Wallows. Interested in listening to my music predictions? Follow me on Spotify (@leah_f17) and listen to my music predictions playlist.
Billboard Top 10 1. Dynamite -BTS
6. Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles
2. WAP - Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
7. Whats Poppin - Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby
3. Laugh Now Cry Later - Drake feat. Lil Durk
8. Mood - 24kGoldn feat. iann dior
4. Rockstar - DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
9. Savage Love (Laxed- Siren Beat) - Jawsh 685
5. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
10. Before You Go - Lewis Capaldi
The Music Corner What has the A&E Editor Ryan been listening to this past week?
Songs
Artists Nikko Ielasi
1. A Quest 4 Pocket feat. The Pocket Queen 2. April In Paris (Instrumental)
Count Baise & Quincy Jones
3. Digital Love 4. Hammer to Fall
Photo courtesy of Instagram.com @wallowsmusic
Daft Punk Queen
5. Lean On Me
Bill Withers
6. Pitch Dark
Chon
The band members pose to promote their upcoming song on Instagram.
SUTV Preview
Follow SUTV on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all segments throughout the semester and check out their website at SUTVNews.org.
SUTV records on:
Monday: Sports Wednesday: World News
Thursday: Ship News Friday: Weather and Entertainment
September 15, 2020
Independent developer creates new content for the GameBoy system Austin Trevino Staff Writer
An independent developer is releasing its fifth new Gameboy game since late 2018, bringing a physical cartridge to the now 31-year-old handheld gaming system. I, like many other people, grew up playing one of the many Nintendo handhelds. I recently found excessive time due to the coronavirus, and at this time, I discovered nostalgia for retro games. I was surprised when I heard that a small studio is developing a new game for the original GameBoy. This specific console had its production halted in 2003. However, 17 years later, there are still people willing to make fresh content for it. The founder and lead developer at Greenboy Games, Dana Puch, has been making new titles for the original GameBoy since 2016 and releasing them since 2018. Puch claims her passion for making these games comes from the limitation. A GameBoy game cannot be more than one megabite of memory, can only hold four music channels and has a limited color pal-
A&E
let. Puch calls this the “art from restriction.” Embracing the difficulties that come with this gray brick is what lead her to make these games. The first game published by Greenboy Games was “Leo Legend” in 2018. The game challenges players to take penalty shots in a soccer game, scoring five points to win. According to Puch, this was the first game she was comfortable putting her name on. Their most recent title, “Where’s my body?” is a point-and-click adventure where you play as a severed hand trying to escape a mad scientist’s lab. This type of game is typically suitable for those who enjoy puzzles and nonlinear thinking. The game was successfully crowdfunded in August of this year on Kickstarter and is supposed to ship in November. Physical copies can still be pre-ordered via greenboygames. com as of this writing. Puch plans to release the second editions of her previous games as well in the next few months. The GameBoy has sold more than 118.69 million units worldwide. The majority of the units being sold in both North and South America.
Commentary: ‘After We Collided’ will now premiere after original opening date
Andrea Kitner Guest Contibutor
Over the past decade, I have been apart of a group of people who have fantasized over the most popular boyband known as One Direction. Yep, that was me. I was one of those girls who had J-14 posters of the Jonas Brothers, One Direction and Justin Bieber plastered all over my bedroom wall. I even went as far as reading fanfiction, which is where I stumbled upon my favorite book series that is now a major hit today. The “After” series by Anna Todd, is not only a book series that follows the lives of two college students, Tessa Young and Hardin Scott, but it also came to life to the big screens last year. The first movie “After,” was released last April, had girls all over the world wanting more of the main character Hardin Scott, who was originally portrayed by the infamous Harry Styles in the fanfiction. Todd’s “After We Collided,” which is the sequel to the enticing drama, is now coming to the big screens later than originally antici-
pated. While some fans across the world have had the chance to watch the next chapter in the lives of Tessa and Hardin, the United States will have to wait another three weeks. Todd has been referred to as “the biggest literary phenomenon of her generation.” The “After” series follows the love story between two young adults Tessa and Hardin. Tessa, just moving into college with hopes of having no distractions, meets Hardin Scott. The books and film delve into numerous problems that young adults and teens face, such as partying, sex, alcoholism, betrayal and emotional abuse. In my opinion, the books do a much better job at portraying just how emotionally abusive and toxic Tessa and Hardin’s relationship truly is. There were times I had to put the book down because just reading their arguments would leave me emotionally drained and infuriated. The movie is set to be released on Oct. 23. The premier of the first movie “After” produced $69.7 million dollars from worldwide distribution. Of that amount, $12.2 million dollars was from the United States and $57.6 million was fromthe rest of the world.
What Actor/Actress would The Slate Staff meet?
Public Relations Director Olivia Faenza would meet Will Ferrell.
Editor-In-Chief Hannah Pollock would meet Tina Fey.
Staff Writer Bailey Cassada would meet Helena Bonham Carter.
Asst. Public Relations Director Paige Shope would meet Melissa McCarthy.
Copy Editor Jacqui Cavalere would meet Millie Bobby Brown.
Asst. Ship Life Editor Chaela Williams would meet Timothee Chalamet.
Asst. Sports Editor Christan Eby would meet Guy Feri.
Staff Writer Robyn Klawitter would meet Anne Hathaway and Blake Lively.
News Editor Noel Miller would meet Amy Poehler.
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Review: ‘Come From Away’ tells a story of kindness in a time of crisis Bailey Cassada Staff Writer
The 2017 Broadway musical “Come From Away,” tells the true story of how Newfoundland, Canada, welcomed nearly 7,000 airplane passengers whose flights were in the air during 9/11. Thirty-eight planes landed in the town of Gander, which almost doubled its population for five days. The feel-good story shows how community and caring for one another is crucial in times of crisis. I was fortunate enough to see the show with my high school drama club in December 2017. This is one of my favorite productions I have ever seen because of its uniqueness and it excellent storytelling. This is executed wonderfully by having a small cast and a minimal set of just two tables and 12 chairs. I also love how the show is based on true events and real people, which in my opinion, makes it more meaningful. The real “Come From Away,” which is what the passengers were called, have seen the show and met the cast numerous times. While the show premise may sound depressing, it is actually incredibly hopeful and heartwarming. It reminds us how important it is to take care of each other in times of need. The 9/11 terror attacks were a tragic event that affected everyone, but the kindness of the communities in Newfoundland impacted so many passengers in a positive way. It is told entirely through song; however, the entire show is not entirely sung. Many of the songs are storytelling over music. There is no intermission, and it is a relatively short show. The musical consists of a small cast of 12, where each cast member plays multiple characters. In other words, the cast members will have one or two primary roles in which they represent hundreds of different people. This is fascinating because in the playbill, the name of their primary role is listed and then followed by “and others.” For example, one of the actors plays the Mayor of Gander in his primary role. Later in the play, he appears in another scene as a man who is yelling at a passenger speaking in
Bailey Cassada/The Slate
“Come From Away” is currently the 11th most popular Broadway show, according to Broadway.com. Arabic on the phone. Even though it is one actor playing two different roles, the audience is able to distinguish the difference between the two characters. Some of the characters include a mother of a New York City firefighter, a gay couple, a news reporter, a pilot who was flying that day and Captain Beverly Bass. Bass was the first female American captain. In her solo “Me and The Sky,” she sings about her journey to becoming a pilot. She was told that “girls shouldn’t be in the cockpit,” and that World War II pilots told her to get them drinks, indicating that she should just be a flight attendant. This song is empowering and ends with her coming to the realization that what happened on 9/11 is the first thing to stand in her way. One of my favorite things about this show is that there is no single “main” character. There are characters that have more lines, but there is not one character in which the show circulates around. The show allows the audience to learn something about all of the characters, and it makes us realize that we are not so different after all.
Review: Amazon’s ‘The Boys’ are back in town bloodier, raunchier and more relevant than ever Adam Beam Staff Writer
Nobody knew what to expect from Amazon’s “The Boys” in 2019, especially in a market oversaturated with comic book content, many wondering if the Prime Original could stand out from a year already packed with superhero media. However, upon its release, “The Boys” proved itself to be a giant breath of fresh air. The show quickly rose to be one of Amazon’s top rated/streamed shows, making a Season 2 almost guaranteed. Instead of dropping the entire season in one bingeable dose, Amazon decided to release the first three episodes together and each subsequent episode one week apart. Season 2 picks up a little bit after last season’s bombastic ending. The titular boys Hughie (Jack Quaid), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomer Capon), and Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) are now all wanted criminals. If that wasn’t bad enough, their leader, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) is missing after his attempt to takedown Homelander (Toni Starr). However, to no one’s surprise, it does not take long for Butcher’s return, as they continue their quest to take down The Seven and their villainous corporate backers, Vought Industries, now run by the stern Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito). While the boys still have the secret aid of Starlight (Erin Moriarty) on their side, their plates will be full this season as they face off against the newest member of The Seven.
Needless to say, all eyes were on “The Boys” this season, seeing how the last season ended with a lot of loose ends, as well as the fact that the show has already been greenlighted for a third season before these three episodes were even dropped. Thankfully, just from these three episodes, this season not only delivers many of the promises from the last season, but it’s already on its way to surpass its predecessor. Right from the getgo, Season 2 ups the ante in every way. From the production value, to the performances, to the story, and especially in the visual effects, which already had a high bar set up from Season 1. While it’s a tad cliché, and often the fault of many second seasons to try and one up the previous season by doing the same thing but bigger, these three episodes are a good example of bigger being better. The standout here is the performances, with these talented actors being able to play the most despicable of characters, but still giving us reasons to like them. The boys all continue to have great chemistry and their interactions here really sell that they’re growing closer as comrades, even though they may have to be ready to bail on each other if the situation ever goes wrong. Karl Urban continues to be the bearer of obscenity as Butcher and really works off the more quiet and meek Hughie, who is being set up to slowly be breaking down from everything he’s been put through up to this point. Toni Starr’s Homelander is still the scene stealer, owning every single second he’s on screen. Like last season,
Starr perfectly juggles being a friendly public icon and a vicious, blood hungry sociopath who is ready to laser vision anyone who dares to stand in his way. While the returning cast is one thing, the new cast also shines and promises to take this season in some remarkably interesting directions. Aya Cash absolutely crushes it as a gender bent Stormfront from the comics. Similar to Homelander, even though we know they are the villains, they play the character so likeable that their turn is genuinely shocking. By Episode 3, Stormfront cements herself as a terrifying new villain. Esposito also delivers a great, demanding villain role like always, and can still manage to be the most intimidating guy in the room despite standing toe to toe with a homicidal superman. Another element that continues to succeed is the social commentary. In the first three episodes, the season tackles issues like: feminism, cults, LGBTQ+ and body image Overall, despite only being three episodes in, “The Boys” Season 2 delivers everything the previous season has promised and is set to soar past the already high standard set before it. This season delivers character growth with plenty of brand-new additions to an already stacked cast, an engaging overarching story filled with its fair share of violent twist and turns, and social commentary more relevant than ever.
Read the full story at theslateonline.com.
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Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Sports
Womens’s Soccer, E1
Football, E1
Balint ready to step into leadership role for Raiders
Photos courtesy of Bill Smith/ SU Sports Info.
Balint catches one of his 64 receptions from starting quarterback Brycen Mussina last season. He led the Shippensburg offense in receptions this past season. Christian Eby
Asst. Sports Editor
Shippensburg University tight end David Balint III, is coming off one of the best seasons one could ask for out of the tight end position. His 64 receptions ranked first on the team and fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Additionally, his 755 receiving yards was second amongst the SU offense, only behind former Raiders’ wideout Winston Eubanks. The redshirt-junior showed major progress from the season before. He caught 49 more passes and totaled 538 more receiving yards, making him a key target for starting quarterback Brycen Mussina. Balint credits the uptick in his stat-line to one major component: Confidence. “Confidence is everything for me. If I play with confidence, believe in myself and play with a chip on my shoulder, that’s when I play my best,” Balint said. “I was nervous in my freshman season, a bit undersized, and didn’t know what to expect. But once year two came, I was more comfortable with the guys and believed in myself, and that really elevated my game.” After earning 2019 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region 1 First Team and 2019 D2CCA
All-America Football Second Team honors, Balint is making strides to become a more well-rounded tight end. With the postponement of fall sports, Balint is taking the opportunity to add some new elements to his repertoire. He said that he set three goals for himself this off-season: Put on more weight, get stronger and work on his blocking. “I feel better and stronger than ever going into this season,” Balint said. “I can’t wait to put the pads back on because I think my accomplished goals are going to be big assets in my game this year.” Balint will not only be a crucial factor for the Raiders on the field come spring, but will also play a vital role off the field and in the locker room. Back in April, Balint was one of four players selected as a team captain by his Balint enters his junior campaign with 79 career receptions, 972 receiving yards fellow peers. and three touchdowns. He was named one of the team’s four captains. Balint recalls having upperclassmen take Balint has already stepped into his new po- try.” him under their wing during his freshman Without a schedule set in place, and the season. As a captain, he hopes to provide that sition as captain, by keeping a positive attito his new teammates as well as push them to tude. He realizes the postponement of the fall transition to the spring still up in the air, season is tough to swallow, but he knows the Balint said he is going to continue to prepare their full potential. as if there was a start date to the season al“It’s quite the honor to be named captain, Raiders will use this extra time wisely. “The biggest positive to come out of this is ready scheduled. and after being a captain in high school, I “I’m going to continue to work on evknow how important my role is, and I’m how we have been able to build up our family ready for the challenge,” he said. “Since this atmosphere,” Balint said. “Most seasons, the erything, even the little stuff,” he added. will be my third season on the field, I know freshmen have to just jump right in, but now “Whether it be footwork, route running or what our team needs in order to win, and I it’s given us the opportunity to get to know speed drills, I’m crisping everything up so I’m one another and grow strong team chemis- ready to go whenever we take the field again.” feel that will really help us.”
O’Donnell finds silver lining amid fall sports suspension Christian Eby
Asst. Sports Editor
After three varsity letters in high school, the transition to collegiate soccer was a breeze for Shippensburg University junior midfield/forward, K.K. O’Donnell. Since joining the Raiders back in 2018, O’Donnell has established herself as one of the key players on the women’s soccer team. In her freshman season, she appeared in all 18 games, making 16 starts. Her sophomore campaign was no different, as she started in all 18 matches. Her play over her SU career thus far is nothing short of spectacular. Last season, O’Donnell notched three goals, with four assists and 10 total points. Her tremendous play on the field was recognized as she earned 2019 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Second Team honors. O’Donnell credits her excellent play to her teammates. She said the soccer team at SU has fantastic team chemistry and allows each player to perform to the best of their ability. “When I’m out there with my teammates, we all just click,” O’Donnell said. “We don’t even have to think about it, and we flow really nicely together as a team.” After her noteworthy 2019 campaign, O’Donnell was looking forward to getting back out on the field this fall. But the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic stripped that opportunity from her. However, she is finding the positives out of the negative situation. According to O’Donnell, she has used the past few months to focus on smaller workouts to help prepare her for in-game situations. She said that is the main part of her game in which she has looked to improve. “While I was devastated to have our season postponed, the best way to get through is move forward and not dwell on it,” she said. “I think everyone on the team, including myself, has found a silver lining in this whole situation.” With the Limerick, Pennsylavania, native now in her junior year, O’Donnell will look to slide into more of a leadership role this upcoming season. In her high school career, she found
Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/ SU Sports Info.
Junior K.K. O’Donnell is coming off a spectacular season as one of the key members of the SU women’s soccer team. Her stellar season was rewarded with All-PSAC Second Team honors in 2019. herself in a similar position and felt comfortable in the role. O’Donnell said she is always one to try and lead by example. “I have always felt I’m more of a team player than an individual player, so I think that’s how I became more of a team leader in high school,” she noted. “I’m not one to focus on my play when I’m on the field, I just try and help the team get a
win in any way I can.” With fall sports shifting to the spring, O’Donnell and the Raiders plan to capitalize on the extra time. When sports are given the green light, O’Donnell will be ready.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Gallery
Though it may have happened 19 years ago, the lives lost in the September 11th attacks will never be forgotton. Among the 2,977 victims were 343 firefighters and 60 police officers who all bravely ran into the burning towers in order to save complete strangers.
Photos by Carmine Scichitano/The Slate
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THE SLATE
September 15, 2020