The Merciad September 28 Issue

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3rd annual Mercy March focused on mental health awareness

By Scout Najpaver Contributing Writer

Sept. 19th, 2022 marked the date of the 3rd annual Mercy March.

Hosted by the Mercyhurst University Black Students for Unity (BSU), students gathered in front of Old Main’s Mary Garden before marching across campus in support of the cause.

Many stops were made in notable places such as Trinity Green, where leadership talked about the lives lost due to black mental health and engaged in prayer for those affected.

The Mercy March first began in 2020 after the cruel and un justified death of George Floyd due to police brutality triggered many vigorous protests across the nation, all in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, while media atten tion around the cause seemed to dwindle after the initial shock wave, the Mercy March became an annual event at Mercyhurst to retain the conversations regard ing the importance of speaking out against systemic racism.

This year the Black Students for Unity put an emphasis on Black Mental Health during the Mercy March and brought to light many of the issues that black students come across in a college setting.

These can include a lack of black leadership in positions of power or being the only black student in a classroom.

Instances like these can often

times create a feeling of isola tion or exclusion–a feeling that no college student should have to go through.

BSU’s president, Vydalia Weatherly, made a statement on the deeper meaning eloquently.

“This year’s March focused on the importance of protecting the mental health of minority students, a group that is current ly at the greatest risk of dying by suicide. In general, the main message of the Mercy March each year is that everyone de serves to be treated with human

dignity and decency and live without fear of discrimination or fear simply due to the color of their skin,” said Weatherly.

The Mercy March is an inte gral part of raising awareness because of the support it shows for the black community.

According to the Department of Justice, approximately 61.8% of all single biased crimes com mitted in 2020 were based on racial, ancestral and ethnic bias, compared to 57.6% seen in 2019.

This 4.2% increase of ra

cially motivated transgressions highlights specifically why it is important that we, as a soci ety, come together to uplift the black community.

While showing support for the black community, these marches also show support for black students attending Mercy hurst University.

“It can be hard to be a black student at a predominantly white institution, because many times it feels like you are shouting for help, but nobody is listening,” said senior Lily Smith.

“The March gives black stu dents a platform to be heard and to tell their stories, which are of ten hushed or swept under the carpet because they are uncom fortable to listen to” said Smith.

When asked how we as a Mer cyhurst community could fur ther support the cause outside of the Mercy March, Weatherly makes a noteworthy point.

“People need to get out of their comfort zones and talk to one another, so they can better understand one another” said Weatherly.

This includes being proactive when fellow Lakers, staff mem bers, professors or other people on campus say things that are offensive, even if it does not personally oneself.

Speaking out against discrim ination and helping to report it can help to create a safer envi ronment for minority groups.

Additionally, resources and events on campus are available to those wanting to learn more about how to become better al lies.

Groups like BSU and Mul ticultural & Student Activi ties Council (MAC/SAC) host events that are great for those who are interested in a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

BSU meets on Mondays at 4 p.m. in the Multicultural Student Lounge in the Student Union.

Learn CPR, learn to save lives

By Nadine Fox Staff Writer

Mercyhurst is partnering with the American Heart Association and offering the opportunity for students and staff to become certified in CPR or Cardiopulmo nary Resuscitation. This is an emergency procedure used to help reverse cardiac arrest.

According to the Critical Care Training Center, “88% of cardiac arrests happen at home and only 6.4% of cardiac arrest victims survive because the people wit nessing did not know CPR. Over two hundred thou sand people die each year due to sudden cardiac arrest, and of the two hundred thousand deaths fifty thousand could have been prevented if CPR was administered.”

All it takes is one person taking the time to learn this simple procedure to help potentially save a life during a crucial time when paramedics are on their way.

This process involves the combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions.

CPR classes usually only last one day and you can learn all the steps so you can potentially save a life.

Contrary to popular belief, CPR isn’t likely to restart the heart. However, it can help buy time until help can arrive and reduce the likelihood of brain damage and death.

The purpose of CPR is to generate oxygenated blood to vital organs and give temporary relief to vital organs

and body parts.

CPR is only effective if it is administered within six to seven minutes after stopping blood flow through the body. It can take paramedics longer than six to seven minutes to arrive on scene, so it is important that some one starts CPR while they wait for them to arrive.

Once the paramedics arrive, they can perform elec tric shock defibrillation on the heart, which can hope fully restart the heart.

If CPR is performed properly while paramedics are

on the way, the victim may survive and is likely to return to his or her original lifestyle.

CPR is a very simple procedure and is important for everyone to learn, not just for doctors and health care professionals.

Performing CPR is as crucial as calling 911 imme diately.

The more people who learn CPR the better, with a higher probability lives can be saved each year.

It is important to consider the fact that there is not always going to be a healthcare professional around during an emergency and if just one person knows CPR it can be the difference between saving someone’s life or watching them die.

Consider taking part in this opportunity to prepare for a worst-case scenario. Learning CPR can make a significant impact on someone’s life, because knowing how to act in an emergency is a crucial part of adult hood.

If interested, reach out to Nicole Moore (nmoore@ mercyhurst.edu) and Christina Gluvna (cgluvna@mer cyhurst.edu) for more information.

Our Mercyhurst mission emphasizes the importance of helping those in need even through simple acts such as educating yourself on safety procedures and emer gency solutions.

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American Heart Association’s official logo for CPR and

Victoria G. Photography photo

Students and faculty members march to combat racism and to promote mental health awareness.

The life and legacy of thelate Queen Elizabeth II

By Bella Lee Staff writer

Queen Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with. She ruled over the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, including 32 sovereign states over the course of her lifetime for an astonishing 70 years.

She was married to her beloved Prince Philip for 74 years and was the mother to four children, including the current British monarch, King Charles III.

It is no wonder that the world stopped when it was announced on Sept. 8 that Her Majesty, Elizabeth II, had passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at the age of 96.

Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York, and his wife Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Since Prince Albert was the younger son of King George V, there was very little chance that Elizabeth would receive the throne.

However, after her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne, her father became King George VI and she became heir presumptive. Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten of the Royal Navy, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, in 1947, and the couple remained happily married until Philip’s death in 2021.

Their oldest child, Prince Charles (now King Charles III), was born in 1948, followed by Anne, Princess Royal in 1950, Prince Andrew, Duke of York in 1960 and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex in 1964.

Elizabeth became Queen following the death of her father in 1952, with her coronation occurring in 1953. She was the doting grandmother to eight grandchildren: Peter Philips and Zara Tindall (Princess Anne), Prince William (now heir apparent) and Prince Harry (King Charles III), Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (Prince Andrew) and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn (Prince Edward).

Additionally, she was the loving great-grandmother to 12 greatgrandchildren, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, all direct heirs to the throne through their father, Prince William.

Following the news of the Queen’s death, tributes poured from everywhere, including the Royal Family.

“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of great sadness for me and all members

of my family,” said King Charles III in a statement through Buckingham Palace. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt through the country, the Realms, and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”

Prince William, the heir apparent, released a statement. “I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.

My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.

I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all.

My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can,” said Prince William.

Prince Harry, the younger son of the King, released a tender statement. He said, “Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.

I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between.

You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III.

Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank

you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”

Tributes also poured in from world leaders. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era,” said President Joe Biden in an official statement. “In the years ahead, we look forward to continuing a close friendship with The King and The Queen Consort. Today, the thoughts and prayers of people all across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy

will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world,” said Biden.

Barack and Michelle Obama said Elizabeth made “the role of queen her own — with a reign defined by grace, elegance, and a tireless work ethic.”

George W. Bush called her “a woman of great intellect, charm, and wit,” and Jimmy Carter said Elizabeth’s “dignity, graciousness and sense of duty” were inspiring.

Leaders from around the world mourned her death.

“For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage. I wish you courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“To you, she was your Queen.

To us, she was THE Queen, to all of us,” said French President Emmanuel Macron.

Queen Elizabeth II's reign will likely be the longest in the monarch's history and she accomplished what people can only dream of. Her legacy will be long lived and as could be seen from the messages made by the world leaders, she will be deeply missed.

From a classy queen with her beloved corgis to “bungee jumping” with James Bond for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Queen Elizabeth’s presence will always be felt, and she will be sorely missed.

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A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken in 2021

Merciad IN A MINUTE

Homecoming Weekend

Students are encouraged to stay on campus this weekend. Many families and visitors will be attending homecoming and family weekend, where there are many sports events and activities scheduled.

Check the Mercyhurst website for more details and for a full schedule of events. Hope to see a crowd of Lakers at the games!

Grief Group

Students who are dealing with grief and coping with a loved one’s loss are encouraged to consider joining a new grief support group on campus.

For more information or to request entrance into the group, contact mbailey@mercyhurst.edu

Groups can cause some people stress, so feel free to discuss your concerns before committing.

Study Abroad

Save The Date: STUDY

ABROAD FAIR - Wed., Oct. 19

- Student Union Great Room

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Spring 2023 Dungarvan, Ireland & FSAT short term programs in FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN

ADVISING FOR Spring 2023 SEMESTER & SUMMER STUDY ABROAD

Email: studyabroad@ mercyhurst.edu for more information or visit the STUDENT HUB - ACADEMICS - STUDY ABROAD

Safety in Apartments

There has been an increasing issue recently of residents on Briggs and Lewis propping open the front doors with rocks and other materials.

Please refrain from doing this and instead make sure you always have your key on you.

Mercyhurst is committed to safety and wants to ensure as much privacy as possible.

Have a tip for Merciad in a Minute? Want to tell others about your club’s events?

Email us at merciad@ mercyhurst.edu

Mercyhurst ranked 29 in Best Value Ranking by US News

By Eva Philips Staff writer

For those trying to choose a college, high school students and nontraditional students alike, on line rankings are a useful tool for weighing different options. One of the top sites for col lege rankings is the US News and World Report, which an nounced its official 2023 college ranking lists in mid-September.

Mercyhurst University placed among the top institutions in three different categories: Regional Uni versities North, Best Colleges for Veterans, and Best Value Schools.

US News and World Report divides the United States into four regions: North, South, Mid west, and West. Mercyhurst falls in the North region, which in cludes Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and the states of New England.

Topping this list were Provi dence College in Rhode Island,

Bentley University in Massachu setts, and Loyola University in Maryland. Mercyhurst ranked 70 out of all universities in the North region. It placed above numerous other liberal arts in stitutions, as well as much larg er state and public colleges.

The Best Value ranking is also divided by regions. In this list, Mercyhurst placed even higher. It achieved a ranking of 29 out of all universities in the North region in terms of the value students receive from a Mercyhurst education.

The Best Value ranking reveals which institutions give the great est return on investment, sug gesting that a Mercyhurst educa tion is a wise choice for students.

In terms of value, Mercyhurst outranks several of the SUNY sys tem universities, as well as Loyola University Maryland and other private and public universities.

US News and World Report also considers which institutions will best meet the needs of vet erans seeking a college degree.

On its Best Colleges for Veter ans list, Mercyhurst placed 26.

For consideration in this list, private institutions must have certification for the GI Bill and must take part in the Yel low Ribbon program. From there, the ranking is largely based on the institution’s place on the Best Colleges rankings.

In addition to these lists, Mercy hurst also placed on a new ranking category. This year, US News and World Report introduced a list to gauge colleges’ performance on facilitating upward mobility for students of economically disad vantaged backgrounds. Mercy hurst placed 158 on this list of Top Performers on Social Mobility.

The site uses a strict methodolo gy when formulating its rankings. Freshman retention rate is the most important factor, weighted at 22 percent of the calculation.

Other key factors include un dergraduate academics, faculty resources, graduation rates and financial resources per student.

US News and World report draws its data from sources like lists of class sizes, peer assessment sur veys, and standardized test scores.

To formulate its list of Top Performers on Social Mobili ty, US News and World Report examined the graduation rates of recipients of Pell Grants.

It compares the graduation rates of Pell recipients to the gradua tion rates of non-Pell recipients to analyze an institution’s support for Pell recipients. Additionally, insti tutions with a higher proportion of Pell recipients receive more credit for the ranking system.

While rankings may not capture the entirety of the college expe rience, they are a helpful starting tool for prospective students.

Mercyhurst’s rankings on the 2023 US News and World Re port lists are a significant indi cator of the institution’s con tinuing high performance as a liberal arts institution that sets its students up for success.

Cardi B gives back to her community

By Megan McKay Contributing writer

Cardi B is one of the most fa mous American rappers of this generation. She is a Grammy Award-winning artist known for her very candid personality.

Prior to becoming Cardi B, she grew up as Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. She was raised in a primarily Latina neighborhood in the Bronx. Her mother came from Trinidad and her father came from the Dominican Re public. They both worked in the community.

Today, she actively shares how grateful she is that she grew up in the South Bronx because she was surrounded by many mul ticultural influences. She raps about many of her experiences growing up in New York.

Specifically in her teenage years, she had a difficult up bringing and was approached to join a notorious street gang. In her popular single, “Bodak Yel low,” that hit number 1 on mu sic charts, fans were intrigued by the lyric, “These are bloody shoes.”

Eventually, she hit more chal lenges in her life. She struggled to stay in her musical theater high school after working at an Amish market as a cashier. Not only was she struggling with school, but she was also in an abusive relationship and living in poverty.

She eventually was on track at a community college to become a history teacher, but dropped out officially because she was

failing. The money she gained from working at the market, however, allowed her to leave her abusive boyfriend and invest in her rap career and her first mixtape.

A couple of years later she be came a reality television star on Love & Hip Hop.

After her time on reality T.V. Cardi released her first mixtape in 2016. In her transition to a music career, she changed her stage name to Cardi B. A year after her second mixtape was re leased, she signed her first major record label recording contract with Atlantic records.

In 2017, she was nominat ed for Best Female Artist and Best Hip Hop Artist at the BET awards. In June of 2017, she re leased her debut single “Bodak Yellow.” The hit became the rap per’s breakout major label debut single.

The single was an instant suc cess and soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Cardi has dethroned Beyoncé twice—first for being the record holder for most hits by a woman on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100 and second for having the most Bill board R&B/Hip-Hop Hot 10 entries according to Billboard.

Cardi also set the record for most first-week plays for a fe male artist on Apple Music, sur passing Taylor Swift with 100 million streams. Celebrity Net Worth estimates her total net worth to be $24 million.

Cardi is not just making music history, but she is also doing her part to help her community. Her resume highlights her massive

success and the impact she has had on the world. Recently, Car di made a huge donation to the Bronx. On Sept. 15, Cardi sur prised her former middle school in the Bronx with a $100,000 donation. The students at Alex ander Macomb School in Mor ris Heights were surprised by the generosity and were in awe of seeing a celebrity idol. In a clip by Vanity Fair, she gave a speech.

Cardi said, “This school means a lot to me, more than any school I’ve ever been to. The decisions you make now are very pivotal.”

Cardi also thanked the school for making her who she is today. Her generous donation to their arts program, she hopes, will help kids stay off the streets and learn something to take through

life.

As someone who was in a per forming arts school but got too caught up in street life, this do nation is Cardi’s way of helping those who are at risk of going down the same path she did.

The star has also donated in the past over $1 million to peo ple affected by COVID-19, in cluding donating 20,000 meal supplements to NYC hospitals, and giving away $1 million to fans.

By giving back, Cardi is not only making a positive impact on her community, but she is also inspiring many other influ encers to do the same.

ABC News photo

Cardi B posing with students and staff at her alma mater.

Department of World Languages to host international film festival

By Samantha Weber Editor in chief

On Oct. 7 and 8, the Depart ment of World Languages is host ing an international film festival.

These films feature several lan guages that are offered in the de partment. This is a great way for students who are studying lan guages to be able to put their skills to practical use by watching a film in their secondary language.

Professors in the department each picked a film that showcased their language of study and they will all introduce their selected film. “The international film fes tival is a chance to celebrate the variety of world languages and cultures represented in our de partment (Spanish, French, Ar abic, Mandarin, Russian) and to experience some of the creative and thought-provoking cinema produced in countries that speak these languages,” said Alice Ed wards, Ph.D. chair of the depart ment and professor of Spanish.

The professors who selected films are Edwards, professor of Spanish, Katie Duda, Ph.D., as sistant professor of Russian Stud ies, Seyma Akyol, Ph.D., assistant professor of Political Science, Douglass Boudreau, Ph.D., asso ciate professor of French, Meng Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor of Mandarin, and Kris Gossett, Ph.D., associate dean of the Walk er College of Business.

The festival starts on Friday Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m. with the show ing of “Hacia el Sol - Towards the sun,” which is a movie in Spanish and English with English subtitles so everyone will be able to un derstand what is going on in the movie.

Up next that night will be “The Earth is as Blue as an Orange.” It is a short film that takes place in Ukraine and is in Russian and Ukrainian with English subtitles. This will conclude the first night of the festival.

On Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.., the final day of the festival will commence with a film entitled “Theeb” which takes place in Jordan/UK/UAE/Qatar and is in Arabic with English subtitles. This film will be introduced by Akyol.

The other film is a feature-length film with some of Spain’s most fa mous actors (Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, for example). It is a 2022 release and it is very funny.”

The hope from this event is that students will be able to learn more about cultures different from their own and the one they are studying.

Students are not required to stay for all the movies, howev er it would be great if students could attend as many as possible. The films are not more than two hours long and there is a break in between each one so students can attend the ones they want. The festival will be held in the Taylor Little Theater.

This event was made possi ble by the Department of World Languages and Cultures, the Hafenmaier College of Arts, Hu manities and Social Sciences and alumna Sara Jaecks.

To conclude, Edwards said, “We have a documentary from Ukraine, ‘The Earth is as Blue as an Orange’; a 2022 French film that focuses on mothers and daughters; a Chinese comedy-dra ma ‘Dying to Survive’ and ‘Th eeb’, a film about a Bedouin boy who helps a British soldier during WWI. There is something for ev eryone!”

The language department hopes you will stop by to enjoy an amazing film or two. If you can not attend however, there will be more events hosted by the depart ment in the future.

Be sure to stop by next week end and learn more about oth er cultures that you might not have explored otherwise.

At 5 p.m., there is a short film that takes place in China named “Dying to Survive.” Wang will be introducing this film. The final short film that will be screened is called “Official Competition” and it is based in Spain so it is in Span

Up next at 3 p.m. is “Petite Maman” which is set in France and is in French with English sub titles.

LAKER MOMENT

ish with English subtitles. Gossett will be introducing this film.

When asked about how she picked the short film she will be introducing, Edwards said, “We have two films in Spanish - one from the U.S. “Hacia el sol” that explores a young girl’s experience crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

For more information on the event be sure to ask any staff member in the Language de partment.

To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, a variety of artistic and literary works were on display in the Grotto Commons hallway from Sept. 19 to Sept. 23. The Arte Hispano display included photographs and short biographies of well-known Hispanic artists, authors, and singers, such as Gloria Estefan, Camila Cabello, and Bad Bunny. Additionally, the display fea tured poetry by Pablo Neruda, cultural objects from Colombia and Peru, a traditional mola pattern from Panama, and a photograph capturing a picturesque Cuban street. Arte Hispano is an annual display set up by Multicultural Student Services which promotes cultural engagement and appreciation.

Eva Philips photo

Two pieces of artwork that were on display in the Grotto Commons Hallway. The one on the right is from Peru.

Contributed photo

The advertisement flyer for the upcoming international film festival.

RSCO FEATURE SOCCER CLUB

By Ryan Davey Staff writer

If you love the sport of soccer and want to share that passion with other like-minded students on campus, look no further than the newly established Soccer Club advised by Matthew Weaver, Ph.D. of the Psychology Department.

Soccer is a fun sport that allows students a break from the constant stress of classes and schoolwork. It promotes healthy habits by encouraging exercise.

Most people have played soccer at one point or another in their lifetime and now might be the perfect time to get back into the game.

The club has multiple practices on a weekly basis and scrimmages depending on the number of students who attend. Overall, the soccer club is composed of members from all majors, backgrounds and skill levels.

The club started out with twenty-five members but is growing rapidly and has a member base of more than forty students and is becoming popular among the student body on campus. Meetings for the club vary on a weekly basis depending on field availability and weather, but usually take place on Mondays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. at one of the three turf fields on campus.

The idea for soccer club came to fruition one night when two junior interior and architecture students, Julia Kearns and Kira Lewis, were working on one of their department projects and began to discuss their love for the game of soccer.

They decided to take their passion to establish the soccer club with their other friend, junior interior and architecture student, Michael Favazzo. As of right now, the board for the club consists of three presidents, Julia Kearns, Kira Lewis and Michael Favazzo, who are splitting the duties. They are working towards setting more distinct roles and having more members be a part of the board.

“I started the club because I wanted to play soccer and scrimmage with other students who had the same interest for the game as I,” said Kearns, Soccer Club president.

So far, the club only hosts practices and scrimmages, but are looking to get funds, in order to get new equipment for the club such as pinnies and soccer balls.

The outlook of the soccer club is to continue to play outdoors on campus until the weather forbids and then the club will look into playing indoor soccer at a local facility in Erie, PA. The goal in the near future is to scrimmage other schools such as Gannon, Edinboro, or Penn State Behrend.

All students are welcome to the club no matter what skill level you are at. If you are a new member or showing interest in the club it is asked of you to bring a water source, cleats and both a black and white shirt to all meetings. “Being a part of the soccer club on campus is a great way to exercise, have fun, make memories, and build friendships that will last a lifetime,” said Kearns.

If interested in joining the Soccer Club or if you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Dr. Weaver at mweaver@ mercyhurst.edu. You can also reach out to Julia Kearns at jkearn08@lakers.mercyhurst.edu. For more updates on what the Soccer Club is doing throughout the week, you can find them on Laker Launchpad and follow them on Instagram @musoccerclub.

FEATURES

R.K. Russell reinvents the stereotype of NFL players

By Christina Judy Contributing writer

On Sept. 26, MSG hosted its first speaker series of the year. MSG usually brings in two speakers throughout the year, but this year, they are bringing three guests to talk about their life experiences.

The first one was R.K. Russell. Russell is the first openly LGBTQ person to play in the NFL. Russell was born in Buffalo, New York, but grew up in Texas.

He started playing football in his teens, which is pretty late for someone who made it to the NFL. He played in college at Purdue University and later played profession ally for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Buffalo Bills.

Russell came to talk about his experiences in life and the NFL as someone who was not sure who they truly were. He talked about how people have labels placed on themselves from a young age based on random things that should have no impact on their image such as race, socioeconomic class, and the type of household they came from.

He then moved on to talk about how college was the first time he could truly re start with a clean slate be cause no one knew him as this small-town boy, he could define himself for the first time.

Russell talked about how

he was so focused on ac complishing what he always thought would make him happy in life: going to col lege, getting an education, and then making it to the NFL.

Along his journey, he was unable to truly find himself because he did not make the time for it. It took a traumatic experience for him to realize that he needed to put him self first and discover who he really was. He encouraged the audience to take the time to engage with their whole identity.

Russell said, “There is a power in accepting your identity and truth that is con tagious.”

MSG’s events coordinator, Cooper Hicks, is the master mind behind getting these wonderful speakers to come to Mercyhurst. Hicks wanted to bring more diverse speak ers to campus this year.

He started with Russell in September. In November the speaker will be Feminista Jones and in the spring will be Terrence Floyd. These speakers hope to reach a wid er audience of people due to their diverse backgrounds.

Hicks said, “I was pleased with how the event turned out and wish more people could have attended to hear R.K.’s talk. He did a great job highlighting the struggles of life that college-age people face.”

“R.K. has a great person ality and it was very easy to

get along with him. He really is an inspiration to so many people,” said Hicks.

To conclude his speech, Russell talked about how he wishes there could be less of a stigma from a young age about people in sports. He mentioned that criticism starts at a young age with say ings like “you run like a girl” or “you throw like a sissy.”

He mentioned that some of the worst discrimination he faced was in high school and college and not in the NFL. He said that is why there is not a lot of diversity among the current profes sional players because they were not given the opportu nities from a young age.

Russell hopes that one day people will be able to play sports and not be discrimi nated against for simply be ing who they are.

“You deserve to love you. You deserve to be here. Ex tend that to everyone you meet. We don’t need to do anything to deserve happi ness,” said Russell.

He ended the night with advice to students on be ing the ones to make a dif ference and work toward a more inclusive environment, “The whole world isn’t go ing to hear this conversation. But we can share it with the whole world.”

Russell was a great start to the 2022-2023 MSG Speaker Series.

Contributed photo

The logo for the newly formed RSCO Soccer Club

Contributed photo

Mercyhurst Student Government Executive Board poses with R.K. Russell. From left to right, Steph Przepiora, Lily Smith, Cooper Hicks, R.K. Russell, Samantha Weber, Tessa Korchak, Mik Sciortino and Evan Medvec.

FEATURES

On Sept. 14, students awoke to the sound of bagpipes and the notification that it was Hurst Day. As per usual there was the scavenger hunt and lots of fun games and foods for students to enjoy. The costumes for the scavenger hunt somehow managed to become more niche and extravagant, and this year “The Hurst Heros” took home the scavenger hunt trophy. Parkhurst had tents near Munson Plaza with decade-themed foods such as sloppy joes, mac and cheese and much more! The games were just as enjoyable and students were able to get character drawings done by local artists. The fun ended with the long-awaited steak dinner at the 501 Grille and the Grotto Commons with a brownie dessert to compliment the meal. The sunny day was also the perfect way to kick off this beloved Mercyhurst tradition. Hurst Day 2022 was a huge success and we cannot wait to see what next year has to offer!

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Students Kylie Schnars, Emma Edwards, Emma Silverburg and Zach Heberlein in their Buffalo Billsthemed outfits.

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Students dressed up as monkeys for the scavenger hunt.

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“The Hurst Heros” and winners of the scavenger hunt: Joey Franz, Mason McCaslin, Kailey Pisani and Esteban Waldmann pictured with President Getz.

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Luke the Laker and the bagpipes in front of Warde Hall.

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Students were able to enjoy the afternoon in Trinity green on various attractions such as the surfer game and many others.

FEATURES

Experience the world beyond the classroom—study abroad in 2023

By Samantha Weber Editor in chief

Studying abroad is a wonder ful opportunity for students to take advantage of while they are still in school. It allows students to explore other countries and cultures they might not have visited otherwise.

Mercyhurst offers a variety of options for students who wish to study abroad. The first option is for the student who does not want to miss out on being phys ically present for the school year or the who may be nervous to be so far away from home for a long time.

This type of study abroad is known as Faculty-Student Ac ademic Travel (FSAT).Students take courses throughout the spring semester and then travel after the semester ends for 1014 days.

This past year, there were two short-term FSAT trips, one to Greece and the other to Costa Rica.

Professor of Criminal Justice Emmaleigh Kirchner, Ph.D., and Professor of Philosophy James Snyder, Ph.D. accom panied 17 students abroad in Greece.

Graphic Design Professor Pete Stadtmueller, Associate Profes sor of Physics Joseph Johnson and Biology Professor Katie Kilmer accompanied 10 stu dents to Costa Rica.

The biggest study abroad op portunity that Mercyhurst offers its students is to Dungarvan, Ireland. Mercyhurst has a sister campus there and it is a wonder ful opportunity for students to see where the Sisters of Mercy originated from.

Students who study abroad in Ireland stay for eight weeks in the second half of the spring semester.

Due to the COVID-19 pan demic, this past spring was the first time students were able to

return to Ireland for the annual study abroad trip.

The Dungarvan trip was made up of eight students: Mi kal Abraham, Madison Bottch er, Delaney Cranston, Emma Kuchinski, Eva Philips, Kasey Short, Lily Smith and Jameson Stoner.

“I would recommend the Ire land program to anyone who is interested,” Philips said. “Even if you think your major might not let you go to Ireland for eight weeks, you might be surprised by how flexible professors can be to make it possible for you to travel,” said Philips.

The students were able to trav el all over Europe on their long weekends to explore more places abroad.

“My favorite part of the trip was traveling throughout Ire land on our week-long group excursion,” Philips said. “We saw so much incredible natural beauty, and the cities we stayed in each had unique character. I also loved settling in to Dungar van—visiting different shops, going on walks along the beach and noticing the seals that would sun themselves in the bay.”

For those who are intimidated by the idea of studying abroad, Philips assures that the process to get started is simple and she felt well-prepared to travel, de spite it being her first time.

“I had never traveled outside the country before, but we re ceived lots of guidance, so I nev er felt unprepared or uncom fortable,” she said.

The Study Abroad Office of fers plenty of guidance when it comes to traveling abroad to help with an easy transition.

“Before we left, we were in troduced to the professors who were traveling with us, and the study abroad department pro vided information on our itin erary and what we should pack and expect from the trip,” said Philips.

The Study Abroad Office is still accepting applications for Spring 2023 trips.

Mercyhurst offers multiple scholarships for students who want to study abroad and the application to apply for those is also relatively simple.

If you are interested in study ing abroad, be sure to reach out to the Study Abroad Office or attend the Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from noon to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Great Room to learn more.

“If given the choice to go back and do it again, I absolutely would,” Philips said. “The whole trip gave me more confidence and independence, and it was an incredible experience.”

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

By Christina Judy Contributing writer

Historical Event: Sept. 25, 1957

Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus and President Dwight D. Eisen hower had a tense standoff which resulted in 1,000 army para troopers being sent to Little Rock to enforce the federal court-or dered racial integration. 517 Black students expressed interest in attending Central High School, and the Little Rock School Board narrowed it down to 17 candidates and then eight of those students decided to stay at their current high school. This is how they got their name, Little Rock Nine. Ernest Green, Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls changed history.

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Contributed photo

Students studying abroad in Ireland in Spring of 2022 along with President Getz (center) who visited the stu dents across the pond.

Eva Philips photo

Students exploring Ireland’s natural beauty on one of their many excursions.

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Some students walking into class on the first day of having an integrated school.

Nostalgia Nook: Snacks that Smack

By Megan McKay Contributing writer

For most Mercyhurst students born in the late 90s to early 2000s, the nostalgic snacks of our childhoods still hold great memories.

While munching during snack time, many of us sought comfort in the cheesy treats.

The popular red and orange boxed cracker brand of CHEEZITs came out with GRIPZ.

The GRIPZ were a tiny version of famous CHEEZ-ITs but de signed for kids on the go.

The snack came out in 2005 and included cheesy, chocolate chip cookies and graham crack ers.

Cheese snacks, as they remain today, were a huge hit back in the 2000s, including Planter’s Cheez Balls.

Planter’s expanded beyond peanuts in 1990 with the debut

of many flavored cheese balls that unfortunately been discontinued.

Arguably one of the most missed snacks of the past two decades are the original Scoo by-Doo fruit snacks.

They have been prestigious ly pronounced the greatest fruit snacks of all time.

I can attest to the tastiness and uniqueness of the snack.

The fruit snack aisle in grocery stores today is now much more generic.

However, back when we could hardly reach the middle shelf, there were fruit snacks for every kid’s show and movie as a target ed marketing technique.

Nowadays, there are many ‘healthy’ all-fruit options like Welch’s, a candy Gushers op tion and then the iconic albeit changed version of Scooby-Doo gummies.

For reasons nobody can ex plain, they were different and the new ones do not compare.

They were never too fruity or too sugary, but the world will never be reminded of this perfec tion.

Many attribute the iconic fruit snack to being the foundation of making snack time fun.

In 2015, General Mills the producers of the fruit snacks, committed to removing all arti ficial flavors.

This occurred after a survey found that participants would be more likely to buy fruit snacks if they did not contain artificial coloring.

In essence, the fruit snacks would never be the same and all original recipes were abandoned.

This combined with the recent knowledge of their discontinua tion has left many devastated.

There have been many peti tions created to try to bring them back, but unfortunately there has been no change.

The closest snack to replicat ing the Scooby-Doo snacks was

called Shark Bites.

Shark Bites are also another nostalgic snack that have been discontinued.

The issue with many snacks to day is all of their colors, textures and flavors have been modified.

This is clear as we used to eat straight sugar, like in Baby Bottle Pops.

Some can still hear the com mercial being played on repeat (go ahead, start singing).

This sugary snack was one of the silliest of them all, as kids dunked their bottle-shape lolli pop into flavored sugar.

It is interesting to note how much snacks have changed, and so have students’ diets as they grow up.

Back before I would go out to play when I was in elementary school, I vividly remember hav ing the most sugary cereal and odd snacks.

Yoplait Trix Yogurt was always a staple.

The cotton candy flavor still reminds me of coming home from school.

As adults, it’s not nearly as much fun snacking as it was when one could count on find ing a toy within the package or mazing through the back of sug ary cereal boxes.

Times have significantly changed, and now I find myself reading the amount of protein on a yogurt cup rather than being amused by the enthusiastic Trix rabbit that ended its reign on yo gurt back in 2016.

Not only are we growing out of our younger selves as time passes, but the environment we live in is also growing at the same time.

Just as our cars, phones and clothes changed since child hood—our snacks have too.

Are celebrity relationships too public?

By Scout Najpaver Contributing writer

Why is the public so fascinat ed with celebrity relationships?

For many years, celebrity re lationships have been the topic of many conversations revolving around themes of scandal, infi delity and claims of PR stunts used to promote media.

But where do we draw the line? What is healthy and what is not–or rather, how do we know what relationships are real, or too good to be true?

Looking at shows such as “The Bachelor,” an unhealthy concept of what a relationship should look like is romanticized in the name of ratings.

Oftentimes, drama is perpet uated on an insanely high level in order to create suspense, draw up viewership and create waves on social media in order to cre ate a bigger following.

This phenomenon, in partic ular, is created by pitting the

women against one another in order to win the affection of one man.

However, the psychological effect that this can have for the women or “contestants’’ on these shows may very well end up car rying on into their lives after the series, and the same can be said for the demographic of people watching these shows.

These idealizations or false per ceptions can lead to detrimental mental impacts; for example, in “The Bachelor” many of the women are subjected to carefully crafted jealousy if one gets more attention from the bachelor than the other, reinforcing the idea to the audience that women should view each other as threats to each other’s goals or happiness.

Though, it is not just reality television shows that can give a wrong impression of what a healthy relationship should look like; it can also be seen in many celebrity relationships in the media and online.

If there are two things the in ternet is good at, it is lying and making the grass look much greener than it is in reality.

Many celebrity relationships are notorious for putting on a facade for the cameras for differ ent reasons.

In many cases, celebrities may even be participating in a fake relationship for public relations.

This is usually because the two people in question have a shared project that, with the attention that a relationship can stir up in the media, can have more ratings using the garnered attention to their advantage.

It is rumored that Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde have engaged in a relationship to promote their new movie “Don’t Wor ry Darling” (2022), which is a common example of this stereo type.

The buzz generated around the pair’s relationship undeniably boosted ticket sales as everyone seemed to be talking about the

effect of their relationship on the project.

Another example of a PR rela tionship is one where a less pop ular celebrity with fading fame will get in a relationship with a more popular celebrity in order to garner more media attention.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Da vidson are rumored to be a part of this category due to their short-lived relationship.

Though their relationship was mostly over before it began, it helped take attention off of Kar dashian during the divorce with Kanye West while also giving at tention to Davidson’s career.

At the same time, these rela tionships often tend to give off the impression that all relation ships are for social gain, which can harm celebrities in genuine relationships.

Of course, this is not to say that all relationships are inher ently fake or for notoriety; there are a variety of healthy celebrity relationships that have stood the

tests of fame and time as a truly perfect match.

One example that immediate ly comes to mind is Beyonce and Jay-Z, who have been together for over 20 years and have led successful careers with three children. Another example of a healthy celebrity couple is Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds who are expecting their fourth child together.

Relationships like this help re affirm the point that not all rela tionships are fake in the media.

Celebrities are also people with the ability to form mean ingful connections.

On the opposite end, however, every relationship we see on tele vision and online should not be taken as a genuine connection.

Sometimes what we see is fake, which serves to explain that rela tionships are better off personal ly experienced than understood through a screen.

Contributed photo

Left to right: GRIPZ, Scooby Doo snacks and a Baby Bottle Pop.

Hurst Hot Take: ‘Pearl’ slashes expectations of horror genre

By Scout Najpaver Contributing writer

What better way to kick off the start of Halloween month with a beautifully scary story?

Look no further than the re cently released “Pearl,” a psycho logical slasher film about a lone ly farm girl in 1918 and her rise to stardom.

Coming from director Ti West, this A24 film co-written by and starring Mia Goth takes elements from movies in the ear ly 1900s. Saturated hues and a dusted film overlay may remind viewers of “The Wizard of Oz,” for example.

These elements are crafted into a modern-day masterpiece with wickedly twisted themes contrasting the overly peppy surface gracefully.

The story begins with a shot of Pearl admiring herself in her bedroom mirror donning one of her mother’s dresses, basking in her self-proclaimed glory as the lights around her illuminate her figure like a marble statue.

This is a glimpse into her mind, allowing us as an audi ence to see how highly she views her future and believes that she is meant for a greater life than what she is living in currently.

The scene is soon interrupted by her mother Ruth barging in and scolding Pearl for wearing

her dress, acting rather bitter to wards her daughter for seeming ly no reason.

This tension between mother and daughter tightens through out the film, serving as a pres sure point for Pearl’s underlying temper and superiority complex to bubble over.

The picture does a wonderful job of accompanying Pearl’s op timistic and rose-tinted vision of her future with the unsettling reality of her situation.

She is stuck on a farm during World War I caring for her ful ly disabled father while also helping her mother with chores

around the farm.

Pearl is perpetually stagnant in the middle of nowhere with civ ilization far away, and with her husband, Howard, not returning her letters as he is off at war, the circumstances create a perfect storm for Pearl to begin to lose her grip on reality.

As the movie progresses, we see Pearl having intense mal adaptive daydreams about be coming a dancing star and tour ing the world.

However, those visualizations develop portions where intru sive thoughts give a glimpse into how twisted her mind truly is.

For example, in one portion of the film, there are two scenes that interchange—one where Pearl holds an egg in her hand and another depicts her husband returning from war.

As she squeezes the egg, it bursts, alternatively showing her husband exploding into gory fragments in the other frame.

These two scenes that go hand in hand allow us to understand further that Pearl is already un well, and certainly she is too far gone to be helped.

This film perfectly combined everything that would make an old-fashioned horror flick near

ly perfect, and Mia Goth’s un hinged portrayal of Pearl truly adds a new level of barbarity to the piece.

From Pearl’s terrifying verbal outbursts to her violent impuls es, the added mannerisms create an atmosphere that is unpredict able to not only the audience but the characters, as well.

To add, nearing the end of the film, Mia Goth performs a monologue that perfectly por trays a girl who feels alone after everyone around her becomes afraid of who she really is.

She feels remorse towards her impulsive actions, which then forces her to come to reality and realize the damage she caused around her due to her reaching for a dream that never existed.

I recommend “Pearl” for those who are alright with some forms of gore and otherwise heavy top ics being presented, but I believe that this movie would be great in tandem with the sequel “X,” also created by Ti West in collabora tion with Mia Goth.

Likewise, there is also an other film to be released soon, “MaXXXine,” which will be the final film in the trilogy.

If you enjoy slasher films with strong female leads, then “Pearl” would be a flawless movie to kick off the Halloween season.

Buckley hosts week-long workshop

By Bella Lee Staff writer

This past week, students had the opportunity to partake in a workshop hosted by the one and only Betty Buckley.

The workshop took place nightly from Sept. 19-23 and culminated in a special concert that took place in Walker Recital Hall on Saturday, Sept. 24.

“Ms. Buckley’s residency is a testament to how MIAC fur thers the educational mission of Mercyhurst by providing oppor tunities for students to watch, learn from and even perform alongside world-class artists,” said Brett Johnson, Ph.D., di rector of the Mercyhurst Theatre Program and artistic director of the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture (MIAC).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ms. Buckley back to campus and provide this invaluable ex perience for our emerging art ists.”

Buckley made her first appear ance on campus last summer as part of MIAC’s 501 Summer Soirée.

“I am thrilled to be return

ing to the gorgeous Mercyhurst University and the wonderful town of Erie,” said Buckley.

“I am so looking forward to working with the talented students and presenting some beautiful music with my collab orator, Christian Jacob.”

Buckley’s career has spanned decades in theatre, film and TV.

Her Broadway debut was in the musical “1776,” but her most notable role was as Griza bella in “Cats,” which she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Her notable movie roles in clude Miss Collins in the 1976 film “Carrie” and Dr. Karen Fletcher in the 2016 film “Split.”

She has earned honorary doc torates from the Boston Conser vatory of Music and Marymount Manhattan College and was in ducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2012.

Buckley’s concert in Walker Recital Hall consisted of a lively performance of songs both from theatre and mainstream music.

Her concert was topped with a jaw dropping rendition of “Cor ner of the Sky” from “Pippin”, one of her first Broadway hits

that she will reprise for the 50th year reunion.

She dedicated the song to one of the students in her workshop, joking that he did not have the correct lyrics when he performed the song for her.

Students in Buckley’s work shop had a deep and rewarding experience working with the Broadway giant.

Rondale Smith, a senior Psy chology and Criminal Justice major, was thankful for the op

portunity to work with such a legendary star.

“I’m happy that I could partic ipate in this workshop because it was something that I did for my self. We learned a lot about how to value our minds as both our greatest gift and problem, and we learned how to reprogram how we think about ourselves,” Smith said. “We gained insight on how to connect with the au dience, whether through song or monologue, and how the role

of an actor is to be of service in bringing the audience on a jour ney.”

The next MIAC performances are “An Evening with Fran Leb owitz” on Thursday, Oct. 6, and “Michael Feinstein Celebrating the Judy Garland Centennial” on Monday, Oct. 26.

Be sure to get your tickets at the PAC box office so you do not miss out on these amazing op portunities!

Contributed photo

“Pearl” is a psychological slasher film about a lonely farm girl in 1918 and her rise to stardom.

Contributed photo

Betty Buckley (standing at far left) provided an intensive acting and singing workshop for 22 Theatre students.

OPINION

Hurst Day was a Hurst Slay this year!

Cuba just legalized same-sex marriage!

It has been raining all week and its chilly outside.

GOOD BAD HOPEFUL

Hopefully we win the homecoming game this weekend!

By Bella Lee Staff writer

Like every year, I was greeted with the arrival of Hurst Day not by the bagpipes, but by email. On that fateful Wednesday, I instinctively woke up at around 6 a.m. when my alarm generally does not go off until 8 a.m. for my classes; it was almost like I knew that it was Hurst Day. Once I opened my email, all my suspicions were confirmed.

Sadly, I was never able to hear the bagpipes in person. Besides Hurst Day not happening during my sophomore year due to COVID, the first three years of my time here were spent in the Mercy Apartments, where the bagpipes never played due to sensitivities among the residents.

This year, I am living in Ryan Hall, so I was excited to be able to finally hear them, only to learn that they only went to the freshman residence halls, so I

was pretty disappointed about that.

After eagerly getting dressed, I met up with my friends and we went down to the Mary Garden to check out all of the costumes.

There were plenty of amazing costumes, from the two different Wizard of Oz groups, a team of three guys all dressed as Saul Goodman, a group dressed as traffic cones to a group wearing bedsheet togas.

I was somewhat sad because my friends and I had plans on being a team for the scavenger hunt with all of us in our fast food uniforms (I worked at McDonald’s over the summer while one friend worked at Arby’s and the other at Sara’s), but we could never find a fourth person. Despite this, it was a lot of fun seeing everyone dressed up.

Additionally, I feel like the activities they had available were a lot more fun than in previous years.

In the past, I would only ever watch others attempt the obstacle courses and other

games because I did not have anyone to do them with. This time I had a lot of friends to hang out with, so I played the obstacle course, the wrecking ball game and the meltdown game.

I also thought that the theme for the food this year was really interesting, and the lunch and dinner were both amazing as always.

Seriously, I do not think I can ever get enough of that brownie sundae and this Marylander hopes that they bring back the ravioli with crab sauce sometime soon.

This year’s Hurst Day was both nostalgic and sad for me as it was my last Hurst Day because I am a senior.

However, I do plan on remaining in the Erie area while I finish my advanced degrees after graduation, so who knows: maybe I’ll wander onto campus during a future Hurst Day and take in the fun all over again.

The Merciad

STUDENT

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year. Our office is in Hirt, Room 110.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor.

All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit.

Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters via email at merciad@ mercyhurst.edu.

Campus housing is not always perfect

By Frankie Divincenzo Staff writer

One of the many trials and tribulations of entering college can be sharing a room with someone for the first time or sharing an apartment with someone who you do not know. It is hard to complain about the housing we live in because nobody goes to school for the housing or the food.

I have lived in Mercy Apartments for three years now and I am not really satisfied. For example, during my freshman year all the dormitories would have events.

However, during COVID things were a little different. They had less events, and there was a restriction on going to other peoples dorms which was difficult. Also, the Mercy Apartments seem to be separate from the rest of the campus almost like the three buildings are on another island.

The housing situation can get very lonely, and in the past our resident advisors were not exactly helping the problem.

Your RA is supposed to help you during tough times and make you feel less lonely in the dorms. But sadly not every RA seemed to get that memo.

Even though living in an apartment is great and having a full kitchen is nice, this does not mean the place is perfect. Last year during the fall semester our apartment was infested with mold. No one remedied the situation until our parents got involved, so my roommate and I were living in mold for a very long time.

It is very hard living in a different housing location than my friends because I am on the other side of campus. That being said, there are some benefits to living in certain dorms. My benefit is being right next door to the gym and the Student Union. But with good things come bad, as the Anchor Express inside of Ryan Hall is across campus, and it is not always easy trudging through snow to get milk for the week.

Students have reported other problems about the housing on campus as well. Some common issues are having no air conditioning during the hot months and not having a full

kitchen and refrigerator.

Cost is another factor that comes into play. Would you rather pay the physical price of luxury or would you rather pay the mental price of having your apartment be rundown and not working properly?

There is also the case of living with your best friend, which can alter or damage your friendship. Let’s be honest, the relationship can become strained if you do not know each others’ habits. Especially if they have the habit of never cleaning, or worse, not knowing how to clean.

I think the decision you make when it comes to housing is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

Don’t get me wrong, it is exciting living on your own and not living with your parents but it can also be extremely frightening as well.

Do your best to mentally prepare yourself for the challenges that can come with on campus housing.

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are welcome and can be emailed to merciad@mercyhurst.edu

OPINION

September is suicide awareness month

By Megan McKay Staff writer

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness month; it’s time to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health. It’s often a taboo topic to speak about not being okay and dealing with mental health issues. However, ending the stigma is a crucial step to preventing suicides.

This month is dedicated to changing the community’s perception on mental health. It’s important to raise awareness to share crucial information on the matter.

Suicide Prevention should not just be recognized one month out of the year; we must address the issue year-round to ensure people have the resources they need to get help.

Many people are unaware of the fact that 79% of those who die by suicide are men. For this group specifically, it is due to stereotypes associated with masculinity. Men are far less likely to ask for help.

90% of people who commit suicide were experiencing symptoms of poor mental health. There are no exceptions for not speaking up about the importance of mental health because raising awareness can save lives.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 45% of suicide comes from LGBTQ+ youth. Often these specific groups can feel targeted, left out and excluded because of society’s

judgments.

The hate many people in the LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups face is saddening.

Next time you judge a person by their sexual orientation or the way they look just know everyone is facing their own battle. Sometimes people are just waiting for the last straw to push them to decide to take their own life.

In order to prevent future deaths and raise awareness we must as a community create protective environments. People who are having suicidal thoughts physically experience brain functions that effect decision making and behavioral control. This effect makes it difficult to find a positive outlook. If friends, families, and classmates can recognize these negative thoughts then they can act accordingly to find help for themselves and others.

Nobody takes their life for a single reason, there are multitudes of factors that influence the life breaking decision.

The first step in encouraging a person with thoughts of suicide to live comes from talking about those feelings. A simple inquiry about whether or not the person is intending to end their life can start the conversation. However, talking about suicide should be done carefully, which is why awareness is crucial.

Each year, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide, and 1,100 students succeed in their attempt, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among U.S. college students.

At Mercyhurst, staff have done a

great job promoting events where students can go to talk about their struggles. Just last week there was an event held by the Office of Residential life called, “You Don’t Have to Carry it All.” RAs discussed coping mechanisms while dealing with stress at this event.

The community at Mercyhurst understands how important mental health is and should continue to show its support to those struggling.

Anxiety can also have a strong correlation, especially for athletes. On many sports teams here, coaches are constantly looking out for the well being of their players. Head Coach Mike Sisti of the women’s hockey team knows how important being mentally in the right mindset is, and how it impacts a person’s physical abilities.

Students on campus have great support systems and I believe mental health is finally being taken seriously.

For anyone struggling, Mercyhurst offers discreet ways to get support and have someone to talk to.

If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. If you know anyone who is struggling, speak up, you could save a life.

On campus, help is not far away, anyone can email or call the counseling center to set up a time to meet with a professional. Students are also encouraged to call Police and Safety for emergency help.

Another resource is the 24 hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

HURST STUDENTS SPEAK UP

We asked: What was your favor ite food on Hurst Day?

AJ Jameson, freshman biology Major: “My favorite food from Hurst Day was the nachos!”

Whitley Easton, freshman cyber security Major: “My favorite food from Hurst Day was the brownies!”

Lauren Cain, senior international business Major: “My favorite was the chicken and rice dish!”

Lilly English, junior criminal justice Major: “My favorite food from Hurst Day was the Mac and Cheese”

You are warned- Mercury is in retrograde

By Mackenzie Zent Opinion editor

If life has felt a little off lately, it is likely due to the fact that Mercury is in retrograde. This means that the planet Mercury appears to be traveling backwards through the sky. While it is not actually moving the opposite way, from Earth it looks like it is due to the position of the planets aligned with the sun. The current cycle started on Sept. 9 and ends on Oct. 1, which is three long weeks of bad vibes.

Every astrological sign is impacted by Mercury in retrograde, but the current cycle is impacting Geminis, Libras and Virgos the most. During this time, there are more miscommunications, imbalance and frustration with others and close relationships. Along with

this, it is also not a good idea to start any confrontation with anyone, as it could end badly for everyone involved.

Since I am a Gemini, I was very concerned when I found out Mercury would be going into retrograde. Right away, I could tell something was off. There were things happening in my personal life that I knew could only be contributed to Mercury.

From my perspective, maybe these things would have happened either way, but it was just really coincidental that they started happening all at once. I do not want to go into too much detail, but the energy was definitely off.

At first, I was warning other people about Mercury retrograde because I wanted to look out for them, but a lot of them did not seem to believe in it. When I told one of my friends about it, I was explaining how past

relationships can sometimes come back up during this time. As I was in the process of saying that, his ex-girlfriend walked by. Of course, that could be coincidental, but I believe it was because of Mercury.

Mercury went into retrograde on a Friday, and that first weekend some other interesting things happened. My friend from home had just started going out with a guy she liked on that Friday. The next day, she went to pick up a glass and it completely shattered

just from touching it. While it sounds like these two incidents have nothing to do with each other, the glass was bought while on a trip with her ex, and it shattered the same weekend that she went on a date with someone else.

In my opinion, too many of these ‘coincidences’ have happened to not contribute them to Mercury being in retrograde.

Although this only happens three times every year, each time it lasts for three weeks.

That is 21 days where our lives can be filled with imbalance.

Thankfully, we only have a few more days of this cycle, and then things will hopefully calm down.

Stay safe out there Lakers, the chaos is almost over.

Compiled by Christina Judy

Men’s soccer keeps undefeated record

By Sydney Dietz Sports editor

On Saturday, Sept. 24 the men’s soccer team continued their win ning streak and defeated the Uni versity of Pitt Johnstown.

The Lakers have been undefeat ed all season. They have played ten games with nine games resulting in a win and one game resulting in a draw.

The team hit the road this week end and headed to Johnstown to play their tenth game of the sea son against the Mountain Cats.

Mercyhurst took home a victo ry with a final score of 4-0. The Lakers took the lead during the opening minute in the second half of the game.

Sophomore midfielder Lock ie Fey scored the first goal of the game just 39 seconds into the sec ond half. This goal brought the Lakers up a point with a score of 1-0.

Sophomore defenseman Nic Munch assisted the goal by drib bling the ball down the field and then crossing it across the field to Fey.

Just moments later, sophomore midfielder Sean Kerrigan pres sured the Mountain Cats defense into a foul in the box which re sulted in a penalty kick. Kerrigan

was able to kick the ball into the right corner of the net, which got the Lakers another goal.

This goal marks Kerrigan’s ninth goal of the season with his nine goals in the first 10 games.

The last time a Laker soccer player accomplished this scoring was in

2014 when Jack Watson scored 11.

The Lakers now had the advan tage over the Mountain Cats with a score of 2-0. Mercyhurst scored once again in the 65th minute of the game. Junior, Germany na tive midfielder, Julius Becker got

the ball past the Mountain Cat’s goaltender and drove the ball into the net.

Sophomore midfielder Dylan Sumner helped drive the ball down the field before kicking it to Becker. This would mark the third goal of the game making the score

Volleyball falls to the Golden

By Christina Judy Staff writer

The Women’s Volleyball team participated in turf war against their Erie rival, Gannon Universi ty on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The Lakers gave it their all in a battle to defend their home court, but despite these efforts, they fell short to the Golden Knights with an ending of 3-1 sets in favor of Gannon.

Gannon came out strong by putting up six points early in the opening set before the Lakers scored one.

The Golden Knights built on this lead throughout the set, rely ing on their outside hitter, Mad die Blake’s seven kills and their libero Emma Hall’s eight digs to help them win the set 25-10.

The Lakers fought back and responded with a sturdy lead to start the second set. Finding their groove, Mercyhurst was leading 11-5 before Gannon called a tim eout.

The break gave the Golden Knights time to reset their efforts and they came out scoring six straight points to tie the set at 11.

After much back-and forth play, the Golden Knights came out in front to take the second set 25-21.

The Lakers found their grit and kept battling through the third set. The score reflected much back-and-forth action with nei

ther team pulling away with a big lead.

At one point, the Lakers found themselves down with a score of 20-16 which fueled them to press forward. They went on a 7-2 run to take the lead at 23-22 and stop the momentum of the Golden Knights.

Mercyhurst ultimately pulled away with a 25-23 win in the third set because of a Gannon ser vice error and a kill by sophomore Paige Miller.

The fight continued in the be ginning of the fourth set. Miller put another kill on the stat sheet

to leave the Lakers behind by a single point at 7-6.

However, Gannon fought back with a 10-4 run that gave them a strong lead which carried them into winning the set. Even though the Lakers gave their best effort, they fell to the Golden Knights in four sets.

The Lakers traveled to Edin boro University on Friday, Sept. 23 for a tough match against the Fighting Scots to which they fell in three straight sets.

The first set consisted of trading points which presented a tie at six points. Edinboro got away with a

small lead after this point, which motivated the Lakers to fight back.

Both teams went on runs and found themselves tied at 15-15, 16-16, 17-17, and 18-18, before Edinboro pulled off a run that gave them the lead.

The Fighting Scots took the first set at 25-21.

The Lakers brought the fight to the second set with lots of backand forth play and a Laker run to tie the set at 12. Each team took turns going on runs not exceeding more than three points in a run.

Despite their valiant effort though, Mercyhurst fell short at 25-21 in the second set. Follow ing the pattern of the previous two sets, the third was filled with small runs from both teams, but Edinboro brought the Lakers to a halt at 19 points and finished the set at 25-19.

Senior, Kate Hennessy noted nine kills to lead the Laker stat sheet with Miller to follow with eight kills. Miller also had four aces while Zoe Gadomski had two of her own and 12 digs. Alexa Mitchell and Miller had 10 digs that contributed to the Lakers ef forts that night.

The Laker’s look forward to Sept. 30 as they take on Califor nia University of Pennsylvania at 6:00 P.M.

3-0 in favor of the Lakers. Howev er, the scoring was not over.

The fourth goal for the Lakers came into play during the 77th minute of the game. Sophomore midfielder from Sweden, Erik Cederberg acquired his first goal of 2022. Cederberg’s goal put the Lakers up by 4 and was assisted by sophomore forward Jorge Tallada Torres after he stopped a run by the Mountain Cats.

The Lakers shut out the Univer sity of Pitt Johnstown with a final score of 4-0.

This will be the seventh shutout for the Lakers this season. In the past three years the Lakers have scored more than four goals in their first 10 games and this sea son is no exception.

The Lakers keep winning every game and have kept this pace for three years. Both the teams de fense and offense have been show ing off their talent and they do not appear to be stopping anytime soon. The team is tied for third in the NCAA II.

The Lakers will compete against Slippery Rock next in a match on Sept. 30 at Saxon Stadium. Be there at 6:00 P.M. to cheer on the men’s soccer team to continue their undefeated season.

Hurst Athletics photo

Senior, Kate Hennessy cheers on her team in a match against rivals the Gannon Golden Nights.

Turf Show Times

Junior midfielder Julius Becker kicks the ball down the field to help the Lakers win in a game against the University of Pitt Johnstown.

SPORTS

Two world-famous tennis stars retire

By Megan McKay Staff writer

Two of the biggest names in tennis history have recently an nounced they are stepping away from the game.

Serena Williams 40, and Roger Federer 41, are two of the most record breaking competitors in tennis. Without a doubt, Federer is the greatest male tennis player of all time while Williams is the greatest female player.

Williams made her profession al debut in 1995 and Federer in 1998. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim described the impor tance of the recent news saying, “This is like the Sears Tower and the Empire State Building are both scheduled for demolition within a few weeks of each other.”

In short succession the news of the tennis legends retirements shocked the world. Both Wil liams and Federer have 23 and 20 Grand Slam titles respectively.

Williams holds the record for female tennis history with the most tournament titles. She is one of only two female players in the Open Era to have won each of the major tournaments three times or more. Federer holds the record for most Wimbledon titles with eight.

Williams is one of the most fa mous players tennis has ever wit

nessed. She revolutionized tennis with her strength and finesse. She did not only just dominate on the court, but she also paved the way for black women in a historically white sport.

Williams grew up in Compton, CA. Both parents encouraged her to play tennis. She became pro at only age 14 and has been ranked number one for over 319 weeks in her career.

After announcing her retire ment in the previous month, she recently just played in her last match at the U.S. Open. She was greeted by emotional scenes and messages of farewell in New York. Williams told Vogue, “It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads.”

Williams described how she was not ready to win Wimbledon or play at her best in the coming tournaments.

After taking a whole year off due to COVID and having a child, she has taken a step away from the game that has helped her make the decision to retire.

Williams has claimed multi ple times it is not fair she has to choose between her family and tennis, but has recently decided to prioritize being a mom and work ing on future endeavors.

Federer is simultaneously one

of the most famous players in the world. Federer is a Swiss icon and has been dominating the tennis game for the past 20 years simi lar to Williams. Federer became Switzerland’s junior champion when he was just 14. He is known as the face of Swiss tourism and is the highest paid tennis player ac cording to Forbes due to his en dorsements.

Federer in his career has been ranked world number one for over 310 weeks and holds the re cord for most consecutive weeks. Federer sits number third for most major titles in history behind Na dal and Djokovic who are known as the Big Three after their promi nent impact as the three most suc cessful players of all time.

A versatile all-court player, Fed erer’s perceived effortlessness has made him highly popular among tennis fans.

Last week, Federer announced his decision to retire from tennis, after confirming that his recovery from right knee surgery, in 2021, had not been as good as he had hoped.

It brings an end to the career of one of the all-time greats of men’s tennis according to ESPN.

In addition to tennis, Federer has been involved in various phil anthropic causes, with a particular interest in South Africa, his moth

er’s home country.

Federer described his and Wil liams’ retirement by saying, “Dif ferent things for sure, but in the end, we both did it as moms and dads you know. Funny to think of that because both when we were young made it on the tour and never thought we were probably gonna end up like that in the end.”

Both tennis stars also shared very meaningful messages to each other, Federer sent a video mes sage to Williams, congratulating her for having an amazing career.

As for Williams, she posted a heartfelt message on her social media, calling the Swiss Maestro

an inspiration. Both Williams and Federer faced an outcry of support from fans at their final matches. For Federer the scenes in London at the Laver Cup last weekend were emotional. He played in a historic doubles match with Nad al as a farewell to his chapter on tennis.

Williams and Federer are unbe lievable tennis players who have given so much to the world, they will be deeply missed on the court but know their impacts off the court will not be going anywhere.

Erie SeaWolves clinch a playoff spot in the Double-A

By Sydney Dietz Sports editor

The Erie SeaWolves had one of their best seasons in years that led them to a first place spot in the Double-A Eastern League.

The SeaWolves controlled their own destiny early afternoon on Sunday, Sept. 18 and needed a win during the final game of the season against the Richmond Fly ing Squirrels.

The SeaWolves were unable to pull out a win and lost to Rich mond with a final score of 3-1. However, with the Akron Rub ber Ducks win over the Bowie Baysox, the SeaWolves acquired their playoff spot allowing them to progress to their first playoff game since 2013.

The SeaWolves played against the Richmond Flying Squirrels once again on Tuesday, Sept. 20 for the first game for the best out of three series. There were many fans in attendance that were ready to cheer on the local minor league baseball team. This game brought in the most fans almost all season leaving UPMC Park electrified. The final score of the game was 9-3 resulting in a victory for the SeaWolves.

The majority of the scoring oc curred in the fifth inning where the SeaWolves scored four runs and in the eighth inning where they scored three runs.

They also scored in the second

and third inning.

Game two was played away from home in Richmond Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 22. The final score of the game was 6-2 with the SeaWolves carrying out another win.

Although the game was played in Richmond, Erie fans were still cheering for the SeaWolves at a watch party located at the club at UPMC Park. Many fans were in attendance and got to enjoy food, buy merchandise, and enjoy an exciting atmosphere.

The scoring for the SeaWolves started in the first inning where they put two runs on the board. However, the majority of the scor ing for Erie happened during the fifth inning where the SeaWolves obtained three runs. The addi tional run took place during the eighth inning. Because the Sea Wolves won the first two games of the series, there was no game three.

Erie then moved on to the East ern League Championship for the first time in franchise history where they faced the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Somerset Patriots, for which Lak er alumni Matt Minnick pitches.

This series would also be a best out of three series, with game one being played in Erie and the other two games being played in Somerset. Game one was played at UPMC Park on Saturday, Sept. 15. There were 5,040 fans in atten

dance ready to cheer on the Erie SeaWolves. The game included fan activities and entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, and food. The first run was scored in the bottom of the fourth inning when outfielder Parker Meadows hit a homerun on a fly ball to right field.

In the bottom of the fifth, in fielder Gage Workman scored a homerun on a flyball to the left

center field. Catcher Michael De La Cruz scored in the fifth inning as well.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Workman singled on a ground ball to Patriot’s center fielder Jasson Dominguez, who is one of the Yankees top minor league prospects. Outfielder Park er Meadows scored along with in fielder Danny Serretti.

The last run of the game for the SeaWolves was scored by catcher Jon Rosoff in the bottom of the seventh inning. The final score of the game was 6-5 with a Sea Wolves victory.

The SeaWolves will now have a chance to win the Double-A East ern League Championship when they play game two in Somerset PA.

tennis365 photo

Tennis star Serena Williams welcomes Roger Federer to the retirement club.

Yahoo Sports photo

Infielder Gage Workman and catcher Michael De La Cruz celebrate after scoring a point during game one of the Erie SeaWoves playoff series at UPMC park.

LAKER LIVING

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your ability to maintain your bal ance in confusing situations continues to work for you. Stay on the steady course, one step at a time. The week end shows improvement.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might not like the sudden setback in your plans. But keep that headstrong Arian temperament in check and wait for explanations. Things will begin to clear up by week’s end.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Enjoy the respite from your recent hectic schedule, but be ready to plunge into a new round of social activities. A new contact holds much potential for the future.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A trusted colleague has news that could change your perception of a cur rent workplace situation. What had seemed unfair might prove to be high ly favorable after all.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You still need to watch what you say and how you say it. What you assert as honesty, others might perceive as Crabbiness. Be patient. This difficult period clears up by the weekend.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your Royalness needs some time away from the limelight to catch up on things, whether it’s tidying up your desk or making those calls you’ve put off. You’re back in the center of things by the weekend.

VIRGO (August 23 to Septem ber 22) Honesty is the best policy, of course. But, you’ll do better at achieving your goals if you can be less aggressive and more circumspect in how you phrase your comments.

SCORPIO (October 23 to Novem ber 21) Your indecisiveness could simply be your keen Scorpian sense warning you to be wary of making a commitment. Take this time to do a more thorough investigation.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Good news: New infor mation comes your way to help you make a more informed decision on how to deal with the opportunity that has opened up for you.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) This is a good time to reinforce your self-confidence by acknowledging your own good qual ities. A lull in your social life ends by the weekend. Have fun.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to Feb ruary 18) It’s a good time to let those recently pent-up emotions flow more freely. Why not start by letting the people you care for know how you really feel about them?

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Resist offers, no matter how wellintentioned, to help with a personal decision. Only you know what must be done, and you have the emotional strength to follow through.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a talent for getting things done. You also have a gift for bringing people togeth er in both personal and professional relationships.

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