VOL. 100 – ISSUE 13
THE TRUMPET
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
WLU’s Student News Source
Spring Convocation provides University updates - pg. 3 West Liberty faculty and staff continue to receive COVID-19 vaccine - pg. 4 Hilltop wrestlers continue to succeed - pg. 13
Photo Credits: Sami Snyder @WLTrumpetOnline @thetrumpetwestliberty @thetrumpetwlu
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THE TRUMPET
NEWS
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
COVER BY: SAMI SNYDER
CULTURE SPORTS
Photo Credits: West Liberty University
Spring Convocation provides University updates - pg. 3
Photo Credits: Emma Beatty
Week 2 Topper Idol Recap pg. 9
Photo Credits: Jack Allison
WVU Transfer Jack Allison pg. 14
THE TRUMPET
The Student Voice of the Hilltop
The Trumpet’s mission is to provide WLU students of all majors an opportunity to learn how to gather and present news information to the campus community, and to serve the WLU community with fair and accurate reporting on matters of significance and interest.
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NEWS
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
NEWS
News/Copy Editor Intern: Lizzy Griffith
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- elgriffith@westliberty.edu
Spring Convocation provides University updates started a few weeks ago, sharing words of success and hope.
On Feb. 2, the 2021 Spring Convocation occurred at West Liberty. Spring Convocation occurs each year, providing updates from West Liberty University’s president and the cabinet. The meeting is a time to recognize faculty and staff accomplishments and to present awards. It was recorded and uploaded to Topper Station with some portions in person and others virtual. The recording can be accessed here. The event opened with President Dr. W. Franklin Evans, who had only
The first announcement came from Vice President of Enrollment Scott Cook. Cook reported a three percent increase in student enrollment despite the challenges the COVID-19 has posed to the university. Next, Vice President of Finance and Administration Roberta Linger presented that the past year was another success in terms of the audit and budgeting. There were three employees that received awards at this Spring Convocation. The first was Dr. Deanna Schmitt who was awarded with the Professional Activity Award. She is a friendly face around campus and hosts labs where students can
Photo Credits: West Liberty University get hands-on research for their field or major. The second award went to Dr. Vishakha Maskey which was the Service Award. She earned this award due to her work getting grants and her help creating the Energy Management major, a 2 plus 2 program with Belmont College. She is also associated with several committees on and around campus such as Wheeling’s Young Women’s Christian Association. The third and final award went to Dr. William “Scott” Hanna who received the Teaching Award. In order to get this award, a professor must have a great reputation among students, colleagues, and faculty as well as present an incomparable commitment to teaching. Hanna, associate professor of English, has been a professor at West Liberty University since 2008.
Next, Chief Human Resources Officer Diana Harto announced thirteen hires since Aug. 2019 and three promotions. Several Years of Service Awards were given out. Dr. Sylvia Hawranick Senften and Allen Ramsey received the 30 Years of Service award. Stacy Page and Herb Minch were given the 25 Years of Service award. The Spring Convocation ended with statements from Student Records Assistant Enrollment Services Tasha Taylor, Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Special Projects Ron Witt, and Faculty Senate chairman Dr. Jon Serra. For more information, please contact Emma Beatty at ejbeatty@westliberty.edu or Director of Media Relations Maureen Zambito at maureen. zambito@westliberty.edu.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2021
NEWS
COVID-19 Campus and W. Va. Updates Tuesday; students being tested will need to refrain from eating and drinking for thirty minutes prior to their test administration. Beginning on the week of Feb. 2, the Hilltop continued their efforts to maximize campus health and safety by instituting weekly surveillance testing. These saliva-based tests, once again done through Vault Laboratories, are mandatory and will survey 10 present of the student population every week. The tests will be administered, once again, in Blatnik Hall gym from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every
Students will report on specific dates throughout the semester, with the order being assigned alphabetically; students will be notified and reminded in advance to the approach of their testing date. Students will be required to bring their phone for test registration purposes and their student ID in order to receive the test. Any student who did not test on the mass testing initiative done by West Liberty from Jan. 19 to the
22 will be required to attend surveillance testing as soon as possible, whie students attending virtually or completely remote this semester will not be required to be tested. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days will also not be required for testing but will need to follow additional and separate guidelines laid out by the university and state of West Virginia. Cases continue to decline here on the Hilltop and greater West Liberty community, as well as the state of West Virginia. Hopefully, in companionship with some form of renewed vigor to fight off
this disease once and for all, COVID-19 will soon be under control and we can all return to some form of normalcy. A college student can only dream of such lofty aspirations, but as long as we continue to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and safety procedures, and West Liberty University and her home state of West Virginia keep striving to make our population safer, healthier, and more secure the dream doesn’t seem so fantastical after all. For more information about COVID-19 at West Liberty please email covid19@westliberty.edu.
West Liberty faculty and staff continue to receive COVID-19 vaccine As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, individuals throughout W. Va are getting eager to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. W. Va Governor Jim Justice announced on Dec. 11, 2020 the “Vaccine Program Timeline”, explaining supplies of the vaccine are going to be limited and will increase overtime. According to the CDC, two shots of the vaccine are required in order for them to work -- which is partially the reason supplies are limited. Therefore, two phases of vaccine allocation were created for the state of W. Va known as Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 began in early Jan. and included frontline health care workers, first responders, and education workers starting with those at Higher Ed institutions. Phase 1 vaccinations are set to conclude by the end of Feb. and early March. Phase two will include the general population, and according to Gov. Justice’s timeline,
set to begin in early March. More information about Vaccine rollout throughout the state can be found by visiting West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) website. With West Liberty personnel falling within Phase 1 requirements, vaccinations have been received and administered by the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department to faculty and staff as early as Jan. 6, according to Director of Media Relations, Maureen Zambito. Since Jan. 6, more West Liberty staff and faculty have received at least one of their two vaccination shots. Two Hilltopper faculty and staff members willing to share their COVID-19 vaccine experiences with The Trumpet include Zambito and Assistant Provost and English Professor Dr. Jeremy Larance.
Zambito received her first dose on Jan. 19, 2021 with the only noticeable side effect being a sore arm at the site of injection. According to Zambito, the process of receiving the vaccine through the Wheeling-Ohio Health Department was “very organized”.
With the biggest deterrent to getting the vaccine being fear, Zambito encourages everyone to be confident the vaccine is safe. Making the decision to get the vaccine was an easy one for Zambito as it was mandated by the state of W. Va., and she felt it was her “duty as a good citizen”. Larance received his first dose on Jan. 15, 2021 with an experience similar to Zambito stating after his first shot, he “only experienced a little soreness in my arm the next day”. Larance got his shot sooner than expected due to some people not showing up for their appointment.
“Once the vials are taken out of storage, they must be used in a certain amount of time or they can’t be used. I was on their list of people to contact, and I just happened to be nearby, so I was able to get my shot a week or so before. I would say--on the whole--that W. Va. is doing a better job than most,” Larance shared. Larance received his second shot on Feb. 12 and Zambito was scheduled to receive her second shot on Feb. 15; however, the appointment was canceled due to
a snow storm hitting the Ohio Valley area. “I would like to congratulate every employee and student at West Liberty University for doing so well with the unbelievable changes brought on by the pandemic. We are living, working and learning through a national crisis but WLU is doing great! We follow CDC protocols and take care of our campus community daily by wearing masks, social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene. I’m proud to say that it is working,” Zambito said. For more information regarding COVID-19 questions or how to pre-register for the vaccine, please visit wesliberty. edu/coronavirus. Pre-registration is open to all West Virginians who are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the W. Va DHHR, all West Virginia’s over the age of 16 are encouraged to pre-register through the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System. Again, vaccine supplies are limited, so pre-registration does not mean immediate access to a vaccine.
NEWS
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
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Softball Coach Herb Minch celebrates 25th year as a Hilltopper Contributing Writer: Mark Donnely Herb Minch is the current Head Softball Coach and former Head Athletic Trainer at West Liberty who is coming into his 25th year of coaching at the university. Minch was hired as the first full-time Athletic Trainer in August 1994 before stepping in as a volunteer Softball Coach the following spring for former Head Coach, Jane Sackett. Minch graduated from West Liberty in 1989 with an undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education before completing a master’s degree in Athletic Training at West Virginia University. Now well into his second decade at the helm of WLU Softball, he has almost 500 total
wins with an extremely impressive 285-193 record in conference play. Minch has played a huge part in the development of both the Softball and Athletic Training programs at the university across his years of service. There was some anxiety on Minch’s behalf when he was first offered a coaching role admitting that he “had no intention of a coaching career at that time.” He said “I took the role on with some volunteer student help and a father volunteering as assistant coach. We won 18 games that spring, that was the start of a pretty good run for the next few years.” Minch led the Softball program to 16 consecutive WVIAC Tournament bids and a trio of 30-win seasons between 1995 and 2011, which saw a school record 42-16 season in 2004. He also guided the Lady Toppers to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championship game in 2018, during a season that saw them receive a no.1 ranking for the first time in program history.
mately 325 students, confessing that he worked 12-14 hour days during the academic year for his first eight years. “Athletic Training was my passion and I would do it all over again. It was a demanding job at the time and is even more demanding today due to the culture changes with sports.”
As he approaches his third decade at West Liberty, Minch admitted that he is unlikely to go back into Athletic Training as he would like to follow his children, Zach and Alivia, and their endeavors. Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports His wife, Ashlea This year’s Softball squad Bland-Minch, is also a key figure in will be looking to recreate their Hilltopper sports as she is a former championship push of 2018 and All-American for Women’s BasketMinch believes they have what it ball. takes to do so. There have been plenty of “I think we are as talenthighs and lows during his 25 years ed and as physical as any team During his of Topper Softball. When asked we have ever had at WLU. We time at WLU, about his favorite memories at return seven of ten starters from Minch has WLU, Minch said, “of course the the 2019 team and we are ready coached 28 greatest memories of the athletic to get out there and see what first-team training profession would be seehappens, ” Minch said. All-Confering the student athletes compete ence players successfully in their sport. I had the The Lady Toppers will and a number pleasure of working with a huge begin their season on March 1 of All-Region number of successful programs and with a home opener against Saperformers. some legendary coaches.” lem University before travelling When he first to Columbus, Ohio to take on took on the Even twenty plus years of Ohio Dominican University four role of Head coaching may not be able to predays later. Athletic Trainer, pare him for this upcoming season Minch was in what is set to be an unusual To keep up to date with responsible for one for all sports. However, Minch the WLU Softball team be sure the healthcare admits that he is just excited for to follow @WLAthletics on Twitand well-being competition to return after a very ter and look at Hilltoppersports. of approxichallenging and tedious year. com.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2021
NEWS
Student Learning and Development Center Update regardless of age or where they are in their academic career.
The West Liberty Student Learning and Development Centre is one of the universities many resources available to students to aid them with academic related problems. The SLDC is located on the first floor of main though virtual appointments are currently preferential due to COVID-19. Peer Tutoring and Academic Coaching are still being offered virtually for the time being but the SLDC is “beginning to explore and may begin to offer traditional, in person appointments in the coming weeks in accordance with campus COVID guidelines,” said Chris McPherson, the SLDC director. Appointments can be made easily online via TutorTrac. Peer tutoring is one of the most successful academic support programs at West Liberty with tutors available in around 20% of the courses offered each semester. The goal of peer tutoring is to provide content specific help to students from other students who have found success previously in that course. This year, Bill Carney, a new addition to the LSDC, is overseeing the program in addition to helping students connect to support services across campus. Academic coaching is another hidden gem service provided by LSDC. “Academic coaching is offered to further develop and/or learn new strategies/methods that could be helpful in the classroom for any course or discipline,” said McPherson. Graduate assistants take on the role of academic coach helping students to work on their strengths and weaknesses and pulling down any barriers in the way of their success. Academic coaching can be beneficial for all students. Underclassmen, upperclassmen and graduate students can all make use of the service
The SLDC also offers academic and career development workshops throughout the semester. “Our first Academic Workshop occurred last Wednesday (February 10) and the topic was Stress/ Time Management. We have virtual Academic Workshops planned for the following dates/times: March 11 at noon (topic TBD) and April 14 (Finals Preparation) at 1 p.m.. Additionally, we have two Career Development Workshops planned for this semester on the following dates/times: February 24 at 4.30 p.m. (Utilizing Handshake) and March 31 (Interview Preparation),” said McPherson. This year the workshops are partnered by Handshake, a career platform designed to help students with job prospects and internship opportunities both domestically and abroad. “We are also offering Math and Science Study Labs Monday-Thursday evenings virtually that students can visit during the scheduled times,” said McPherson. TopperStation is also being utilized by the LSDC. The LSDC have their own channel filled with tutorials and helpful videos for students regarding how to use the available services. “Our Academic Coaches have also been working on shorter, instructional video recordings for academic topics that can be reviewed here,” said McPherson. For more information contact McPherson (christopher. mcpherson@westliberty.edu) or Carney (William.carney@westliberty.edu) by email. “In summary, our office continues to offer student support services, including Peer Tutoring, Academic Coaching, Accessibility Services, Academic Advising, and Career Development. The Learning & Student Development Center is available for in-person, virtual, or walk-in appointments… We encourage students to visit us if they are feeling challenged academically and aren’t sure exactly where to begin or to help further develop their academic skills,” said McPherson.
CULTURE
CULTURE FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Culture Editor: Morgan Kafana
- mkafana@westliberty.edu
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RECAP competition will be virtual this year performance, presentation, and creative works. Students can enter as many of the categories as they wish.
The RECAP program at West Liberty University will be completely virtual this year. RECAP is a competition and symposium that hosts West Liberty University students, both undergraduate and graduate, to recognize incredible accomplishments in research, performance, and creative activity. The different categories include paper, poster,
The faculty contacts for these topics are Dr. Melinda Kreisberg (Creative Work & Performance Presentations), Danielle Mehlman-Brightwell (Oral Presentation), Dr. Drew Banghart (Research Paper), and Dr. Gayle Jesse (Poster: Display & Presentation). Projects that were submitted to other WLU competitions and events, such as Ampersand, are allowed to
be used here. An example of a winning project from 2019 was Dylan Parsons with his paper on “Practice and Religious Tolerance of Homosexuality in Medieval Europe.” RECAP is usually hosted in-person on campus, but as previously stated, has taken a virtual approach for the 2021 year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Dr. Robert Kreisberg commented, “The biggest change is that students, except written entries, will be required to upload a video of their entry. The entries will then be judged. For students entering research posters, it is going to be a little different in that judges will evaluate the entries and the top two to four poster entries will then meet with judges, remotely, who will decide on the top entries.” The RECAP board has worked hard to make sure that the competition can continue as
planned with little interference. The winning students will each receive a Kindle Fire. The top three in each category will receive certificates that indicate as such. Perhaps the most important thing is that the winning students can also put on their resumes that they placed in the top three of a campus wide competition. Dr. Kreisberg wanted to emphasize that “…everyone who submits to RECAP is a winner.” The submission deadline for RECAP is Friday, Mar. 5 at 5 p.m. The actual event will take place on Apr. 14. The rubrics for each category can be found on the RECAP page on West Liberty’s website. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Kreisberg at rkreisberg@westliberty.edu.
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
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CULTURE
February is National Heart Month — Keep Your Heart Healthy February is generally recognized as the month of love because of Valentine’s day; however, February is also American Heart Month and it serves as a reminder for us to take care of ourselves and the organ that makes loving one another possible — our hearts. The first American Heart Month was declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 and has been celebrated since then. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and more concern for protecting our hearts arises during the increased risk of illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC reports that nearly 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year (one in every four deaths) and it costs the nation nearly $219 billion each year in health care services and medicine costs.
President Biden breifed America on Feb. 3, 2021 about the continuing affects heart diseases have on Americans and how his administration is committed to fight the disease by “promoting better health, wellness, and prevention awareness in our communites” and “supporting American’s in their efforts to achieve heart health.” According to this same breifing, many insuracne plans cover preventative heart disease services under the Affordable Care Act.
Photo Credits: Sami Snider
West Liberty Univeristy’s Assistant Professor of Nursing Barbara Kulpa and Instuctor of Nursing, Kelsay Garvin explain the importance of keeping a healthy heart, causes of heart dieseases, and a few ways a person can help prevent heart diesease. According to Kulpa, keeping a healthy heart is important because heart disease affects people of all ages and genders. Kulpa shared some unhealthy lifestyles contributing to heart disease including: our diets (eating too much processed food and fast food), smoking (causes lung damage and contricts blood vessels) and lack of exercise. “Changes in diet, activity can address several contributing factors to heart disease as well as stopping smoking and limiting alcohol intake. Stress has also been found to be a contributing factor and things such as yoga, editation, reading or even running has been shown to help. Being compliant with medications also helps,” explained Kulpa.
Photo Credits: Google Creative Commons
Garvin is a cardiac nurse and feels being aware of heart health is important at all times, espeically when making lifestyle choices. “ A lot of times making big lifestyle changes like this can seem overwhelming. It’s important to get it done, but you can start in small
steps. Cut out fast food, which is high in salt and fat. Start taking a daily walk for 30 minutes during your lunch or before/after work 5 days a week. Smoking, however, has got to go,” said Garvin. Garvin also shared some of the discomforts of heart disease saying, “I’ve been a cardiac nurse for the past eight years. I have seen people come in time and again with heart-related illnesses. It is ugly and unforgiving. The sad part is that it is often avoidable.” For more information about American Heart Month, heart diseases, and ways to avoid them, please visit the American Heart Association website.
CULTURE
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Topper Idol Week 2 Recap
Week 2 of Topper Idol took place on Feb. 10. Contestants were tasked with singing songs from the ‘80s. The judges were switched this week with sophomore Madison Linzy, Housing Area Manager Camille Irvin, and Residence Life Area Coordinator Yodev Ocasio taking on the role. Ocasio took on the role of host as well. A socially distanced audience was excited to see each singer give it their all.The show started with Autumn Duckworth and her rendition of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics. Autumn, once again, accompanied herself on the guitar as she did in the first round. The next performance was Sarah Booth powerfully singing “Open Arms” by Journey which left the entire room stunned with her voice control.Third on the lineup was Charli McConnell and her version of “Lay All Your Love on Me” by ABBA. Charli was not the only one to prepare an ABBA song as Alexia Schmader followed Photo Credits: Emma Beatty
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with a cover of “The Winner Take It All.” Just like last week, there were some technical difficulties. Three-fourths of the way through Alexia’s turn, the song stopped playing. She took time to recover while Emily Rudy sang “Faithfully” by Journey, and returned shortly after, stronger than before. The last performance of the night was Dominic Smith who sang “Mountain Music” by Alabama while also accompanying himself on guitar. Dominic had to send in a recording of himself due to the weather making it too dangerous for him to come in person, but he still did an incredible job. After each contestant sang their heart out, the judges took about ten minutes to deliberate who would be moving on to the next round. When they returned, they announced that Autumn, Sarah, Charli, Alexia, and Emily would be moving on to Round 3. The next round’s theme is Broadway songs. The recording of the competition can be found on the West Liberty Residence Life Twitter page (@WLUResLife). If the weather and COVID permits it, the next round will take place on Feb. 17.
Mardi Gras c elebrated differently this year due to COVID-19 With the legendary religious holiday, and iconic New Orleans celebration and event extravaganza, Mardi Gras being “canceled,” many were left even more disheartened and apathetic about the world inside a global pandemic that grows increasingly more and more glum each day. While it technically can’t be cancelled, Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans announced in mid November that the holiday simply wouldn’t be featuring the fantastical floats and mass gatherings of people that usually fill the streets of the magical city each year on Feb. 16. This was done in an effort to keep the citizens of, not only New Orleans, but the greater nation of North America as well as the world safe from the ongoing spread of COVID-19; being wellknown and starstruck as it is, people from all over the globe often come to the Louisiana city to partake in all the grand festivities and revelry.
In order to make up for it, of course, residents of New Orleans instead opted to decorate their street-lined homes in the traditional, flamboyant style of a Mardi Gras day parade float; kind of like Christmas decorations. The range of “floats” was respective once again to Christmas Decorations; some stuck to the simple adorning of purple, green, and gold, on themselves and all over their homes, while other had large animatronics and streamers; lights even, in some cases, could be seen commemorating the odd day in New Orleans history.
Regardless, even in a worldwide pandemic, Mardi Gras will never be canceled; not just because it’s a religious holiday held deeply dear and sacred to many New Orleans citizens, and even that of the greater globe, but because the people who have called New Orleans home for so long, and seen so many Mardi Gras day parades and festivities pass them by, simply won’t let the day go un-commemorated. For as long as COVID-19 can’t reach the spirits of people, we will always find a way to make the best of things.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2021
OPINION
OPINION
Feeling Blue this Winter? Take care of your mental health with these tips! College can cause a lot of unwanted stress to our bodies and can even lead to developing various mental illnesses. Knowing the red flags and where to go to seek help is an important part of taking care of yourself. At West Liberty University, mental health matters, and there are plenty of counseling services offered to all students. The counseling office is located in the student union on the second floor in room S14. The two counselors are Lisa Witzberger and Dr. Susan Ridley. Their office hours are 8 a.m – 4 p.m Monday through Friday. If you are wanting to make an appointment, you can search “Counseling Services” on the WLU website and request a counseling session, call (304) 336-8215, or you can email Witzberger at lwitzberger@westliberty.edu. Walkin appointments may be allowed, depending on availability. You can also refer a frienda referral box is located outside of the office- if you think they may need help or would benefit from a session. Appointments may be held via zoom or in-person following the CDC guidelines. Mental health is a serious issue for college students everywhere. It can be easy to overlook the red flags for yourself or your friends. According to a study by the APA, “Anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students (41.6 percent), followed by depression (36.4 percent) and relationship problems (35.8 percent).” These numbers are only
increasing, and students aren’t getting the help they need because they don’t realize they have these issues. Bringing awareness to these issues and being educated on the red flags will help you and your friends. Witzberger said that during the 2019-2020 academic counseling, 187 students received counseling services. Witzberger also mentioned a few behavior changes to watch out for that may be a sign of mental illness: Unusually emotional, sad, tearful, irritable for more than 2 weeks, complaining of physical distress such as a loss of appetite or excessive eating, insomnia or excessive sleeping, stomach (gastrointestinal) distress, headaches, inability to concentrate, etc, missing more than an acceptable number of classes, a dramatic drop in academic performance, and more. The way the world has been the past year has been hard on everyone, but it also caused an alarming amount of stress and depression for college students.
Interested in the trumpet? For more information about joining our team, please email Danielle Mehlman-Brightwell, adviser or Annalise Murphy, Editor-in-Chief
According to The Brink, a study showed that over 18,000 college students- among only 14 campuses – reported an increase of depression as a result of the pandemic. Even though we’ve come closer to being back to what used to be our normal, our mental health is still fragile and needs to be taken care of. Healthline revealed some tips on how to help your mental health and avoid depression and
anxiety. A few of these tips include getting a good night’s sleep, keeping up with routines, and seeking social help. All of these methods are useful at any point in your life when you are struggling with mental health, but these are especially important while you are in college. Taking care of yourself during stressful and unknowing times can be extremely difficult for college students. Making sure you are informed of the resources your college offers and how to seek help outside of campus is a good first step. Practicing good habits can also decrease your likelihood of developing anxiety or depression or both. Take care of yourself and remember that it’s always okay to ask for help.
Photo Credits: Google Creative Commons
For more information about this article, please email Lizzy Griffth at elgriffth@westliberty. edu.
OPINION
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
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Former President Trump acquitted, ending his second impeachment trial
Trump’s opening statement argues that statements said in the speech on Jan. 6 before the riot are protected by the first amendment. However, his argument is not sufficient. His lawyers are giving parttruths about the constitution. 144 constitutional scholars agree with this letter: “The First Amendment does not apply in impeachment proceedings, so it cannot provide a defense for President Trump,” wrote Charles Fried, a jurist and lawyer, as well as, the former United States Solicitor General. There were also angry outbursts during a question and answer session. Trump was pressured to say whether or not he lost the
election. Michael Van der Veen, an attorney who is part of Trump’s defense team, replied, “irrelevant”. At this point in the game, I would say this reply is childish.
said, “Fight like hell,” was taken literally by rioters. He has said many things in the past that were not to take literally and sometimes vulgar language was involved.
The main issue is whether or not Trump knew that what he said would inflict future violence. This is the same issue that overturned the 1969 decision in Brandenburg v. Ohio. This is a standard that may never stand again.
This could have been avoided if it was understood that presenting yourself to the nation is important and should be taken se-
Former President Donald Trump was acquitted Saturday, Feb. 13, ending his second impeachment trial. The final vote was 57-43. This trail is a first in the history books for the first-ever conviction of a president.This result just shows how much we are divided as a country. This calls attention to the divided opinion on how the former president addresses the public. The way Trump
riously. The presidency is a place to, at least, act like a professional. It leaves us wondering: He was not held responsible, but was he morally guilty? It’s not about the alleged ‘democrats hatred of Trump’, it is about morality. It has nothing to do with others political opinions, and everything to do with his intentions.
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Movie Review of Hate: surprisingly involves much love despite the name Hate by Dani Rovira is a new stand-up comedian movie that came out on Netflix this year on Feb. 13. Rovira is a comedian and actor born in Malaga, Spain, which is the same place he performed in this movie.
He was funny and enjoyable to watch. There are some adult language and adult jokes, so I don’t recommend watching with kids.
The movie starts with him and his dogs. He has adorable golden receivers. Later, he makes some ironic jokes about dogs. Then, ironically, shows his pug. He also talks about cats and parents.
When Rovira is shown on stage he starts with making light of his cancer. He goes from talking about some serious issues to some funny stories of his life. He is good at impressions of other people’s contagious laughter. Rovira likes sports and dedicates the show to his sports friend Maddi. I can tell that he took being home as a reason to make his act more personal. If you didn’t know this guy before you know him now. We get a sense of why the movie is called “Hate” near the middle. Rovira said, “Let’s take a step back and think about society as a whole, about where the hate comes from.”
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons
He says that hate comes from many things such as gotcha culture, getting bombarded with inflammatory journalism, and social media. Rovira suggests that we repress our stress. After this, he goes back to funny stories.
In the end, Rovira says he “hates” a bunch of celebrities, but it is because of jealousy. It’s all in good fun. He says that comparison breeds hate. Even though this stand-up was all about what he hates, Rovira said, “Hate gets you nowhere...Do you really think, all the people I spoke about on this stage...Do you think that I hate...Do you really? I need 100 theaters like this one to contain all the admiration I have for them.”
He made this list of people that he admired before the show and called it, ‘My List of Halley’s Comets. Rovira says, “... Because, ultimately, their existence makes our lives better… they help us to be better. That’s why I feel really bad for people that grab stones and throw them at Halley’s Comets.” For a movie named “Hate,” there is a lot of love for these people.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2021
OPINION
Looking for new music? Stream Dopamine, a local Pittsburgh band
Have you been looking for some new music and some COVID friendly shows? Dopamine is the right band for you! Dopamine is a Pittsburgh made band that is blowing up. The band consists of one member who makes all the music himself. Dopamine also has a ten person live band to perform shows. The live shows are always hyped up, and are always a wonderful time. Even if you can’t make it to a show, you can support Dopamine on all music streaming services! There are no words to describe the wonderful music made by Dopamine. The music has its own sound, like it’s never been done before. Some of the hits are songs like, “Ashley Left Last Night” and “The Patriot”. I have recently had a new friend, Brooke McMillan, start going to the shows and listening to the music. “The atmosphere is definitely welcoming for any-
body and everyone. The shows give you a rush of excitement and they really do produce dopamine,” she says to me. The whole band really welcomes newcomers with open arms and makes you feel like you’ve known them for years. I met Dopamine in 2018, and ever since then he has been nothing but sweet to me and has always supported all of my decisions. On Feb. 14, 2021, Dopamine was able to do a show. Masks were required, and there were a limited amount of people able to come. The show was in Pittsburgh, and you had to RSVP to attend. This show was filled with artists and was fun from the beginning to end. Not only does Dopamine sing their own songs, but also covers of artists such as “The Beach Boys” and “The Mamas And The Papas.” Dopamine’s take on these artists are phenomenal, and sometimes I wish I could just listen to Dopamine versions of the songs they cover instead of the originals. The show also had an opener of “Noah Nolastname” a band from Columbus, Ohio. The show started around 9pm and consisted
of about an hour and a half long set. Everyone there was completely pumped up and jumping around the whole time. All music was played wonderfully and was the absolute best time. There was not a dull moment the entire set. Dopamine’s set consisted of “These Boots are Made For Walking” and “Please Let Me Wonder” along with a few more covers and three originals. The band is beautifully played with no
mess ups and constant fun. A live performance from Dopamine is worth the drive, and something you do not want to miss. To listen to Dopamine you can look them up on Spotify or Apple Music or any other streaming service. To get updates about music follow dopamine.m4a on Instagram. For more information about this article, please email Kate Roberts at kmroberts@westliberty.edu.
Follow Dopamine on Instagram to recieve updates! @dopamine.m4a STREAM DOPAMINE ON:
Spotify Apple Music
Photo Credits: Katlyn Roberts
& other streaming services!
SPORTS FEBRUARY 18, 2021
SPORTS
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Hilltop wrestlers continue to succeed West Liberty’s Wrestling Team has seen a very successful season so far. With several key members ranked nationally, as well as an overall national ranking consistently in the top ten, the Hilltoppers have continuously proved themselves worthy of such awards. In early February, WLU performed excellently in the MEC Championship which took place on the Hilltop.
West Liberty senior and All-American, Connor Craig, was awarded the MEC Most Outstanding Wrestling Award following his win against Kyle Wojtaszek from Davis and Elkins College. The No.2 ranked wrestler at 184 pounds lived up to his title able to withstand the pressure of the competition. “Connor is such a good counter wrestler to begin with,” Head Coach Danny Irwin said, “and now that he’s starting to look
more to his offense first, he’s taking that next step. That was a really good wrestler he was up against and he was in total control.” The Toppers’ success did not end with the MEC Championship tournament. Last week No. 6 ranked WLU hosted the second West Liberty Open event of the season. Fairmont State University and Davis and Elkins travelled up the hill to compete in the ASRC on Saturday. The event provided an opportunity for Irwin’s wrestler’s to Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Six of the Toppers won individual titles and nine winning All-MEC laurels. Collectively the team earned 152 points, beating second place, and previous champions, UNC Pembroke by 32.5 points. Eight wrestlers made their way to the Championship finals having already opened up a significant lead.
keep in high form in preparation for the NCAA Division II Regional Qualifiers. “It was another fun day of wrestling on the hilltop,” Irwin said. “We had 27 student-athletes compete today, which is a testament to their perseverance and the hard work of our athletic training staff.” WLU won 31 of the 50 matches played. With nationally ranked wrestlers in eight of the ten weight classes, the Black and Gold Success was hardly surprising but left Iriwin pleased nonetheless. “They have been extremely consistent day in and day out and really have pushed us to greater heights than any other group I’ve ever had,” he said. The 2021 NCAA Division II Super Region 3 championship is set to take place at Tiffin University in Ohio on Feb. 27. Stay up to date with the Toppers competitions by checking in with Hilltoppersports.com.
Women and Men’s cross country season opener review The West Liberty University Cross Country team is off to a brilliant start to the season following their first place victory at the North Carolina Wesleyan Invitational. If a team were to make a trip to Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, they would most definitely need to bring their best efforts, and the Hilltoppers did just that. The running conditions in North Carolina were far from ideal, but that did not stop West Liberty from performing at an elite
level, specifically seen through the individual efforts of Hannah Kemp and Phil White who both finished in first place. Kemp also earned the MEC Runner of the Week Award. In the men’s event, Danah Phillips and Michael Harriman finished in second and third place respectively allowing the Hilltoppers to dominate the top five spots. Although none of the teams competing were familiar faces the Hilltoppers normally see in the Mountain East Conference, WLU still reigned supreme, beating University of North Carolina-Wilmington (Division 1), Methodist, William Peace, and North Carolina Wesleyan rather easily.Although this early success is
great for the Hilltoppers, they need to put it behind them rather quickly, as the remainder of the season could be here and gone before they even realize. With only two meets remaining until the MEC Championships on March 20, the Toppers have to perform at the highest caliber they can in preparation. The Hilltoppers will be back in action as they travel to Charleston, West Virginia, on Feb. 26. Following Charleston, a week’s turnaround is needed until they travel to Toledo, Ohio, to compete in the University of Toledo “Last Chance Meet” on March 5. Once the Mountain East Conference Championships begin, West Liberty looks forward to repeating
their success they saw during the 2019 season.
While many Toppers saw individual honors in 2019, perhaps the most impressive feat during the 2019 MEC Championships was the performance the women’s team displayed, in which they earned a runner-up trophy. It has been a year that has seen unprecedented delays within the sports world, however, the Hilltoppers are no stranger to battling through adversity. It will be exciting to see what the West Liberty University Cross Country team has in store for the rest of this upcoming season.
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
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SPORTS
Meet West Liberty’s Transfer QB: Jack Allison
While growing up in Palmetto, Florida, Jack Allison knew from a young age that he wanted to play football at the collegiate level. While attending Palmetto High School, Allison became a prominent name within the state of Florida, being selected for the Under Armour All-American game, as well as being a semifinalist for the Elite11 quarterback competition in Los Angeles, California.
Hilltoppers call home: West Liberty University. Perhaps the most exciting part about Allison enrolling at the Hilltop is that he not only joins a tight knit community, but also has a chance to provide an incredibly special season for the Hilltoppers.
cannot even put into words how excited I am for next year. It is going to be a lot of fun, and I cannot wait to ball again.” Going from the University of Miami, to West Virginia University, and now West Liberty University has undoubt-
Photo Credits: Jack Allison
After about a year at Miami and receiving a redshirt, Allison transferred to West Virginia University, where he appeared as the starter for the Mountaineers in the 2018 Camping World Bowl against Syracuse, throwing for 277 yards in the process. Time soon passed and Allison was back in the transfer portal, but this time he had decided to transfer to a small town in West Virginia. That small town is what many of us fellow
Practices have understandably been difficult regarding the times the world is currently in. When asked about how practices have differed, Allison said, “practices have been limited. We have to wear masks while practicing and lifting. Our coaches expect us to show up and work, forget about everything that is going on throughout the country, and focus on our craft.” In regards to the team’s performance during this time, “I thought we had a great few months of practice and preparation, and I am sure it will carry over into the spring season.
It was through not only these honors, but also completing upwards of 62% of his passes while throwing only five interceptions during his senior year, that Allison earned the position of the eighth best pro-style QB in the 2016 NCAA recruiting class. Allison’s naturally gifted athletic ability at the high school level put him above quarterbacks such as future WVU teammate Austin Kendall, former Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book, and former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. Allison’s continual dedication to the sport soon paid off, as the four star recruit earned a full scholarship to the University of Miami.
want here in WV, as nothing given to us is free.”
Finally, when asked about what he is looking forward to the most this upcoming season, Allison said, “I am looking forward to competing with everyone and going out and winning some games. It has been too long since we have been able to strap up and play so we could not be more excited.”
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an unprecedented halt in sporting activities nationwide, however as Division II conferences begin to resume, specifically the Mountain East Conference, the Hilltoppers and Allison look forward to making a deep run in this year’s postseason. When asked about why he chose the Hilltop, Allison said, “I chose West Liberty because of the opportunity here. We have a lot of talent all over the field. The coaches have been real with me from the jump on what the expectations are for their quarterback.” Allison continued about his excitement, “I
edly put Allison through a lot of change throughout the past few years. When asked about the biggest adjustment he has had to make, Allison said that, “the biggest adjustment has to be the weather, but after my first winter here, I have grown to like the cold months.” Allison also emphasized that moving to West Virginia has exposed him to the state’s unique culture, stating that, “when it comes to the culture in West Virginia, I love it. The blue collar attitude is something I can relate with. We work hard for what we
As a new team leader, Allison understands expectations need to be established. Regarding this, Allison emphasized, “my expectations as a team leader is the continual growth as a unit. We have a great group of guys on this team, and we are looking forward to a successful season in the spring and fall.” With the spring season beginning in just over a month, WLU and Allison look to make noise throughout the Mountain East Conference. However this season plays out, the Hilltoppers have a brilliant quarterback at the helm, one that is respectful, makes his teammates around him better, and is a model to those wanting to follow in his footsteps.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2021
SPORTS
Senior Soccer player Cate Calissie prepares for her final season
West Liberty soccer player Cate Calissie is preparing for her senior season here on the Hilltop. Originally from Wheeling, W. Va., Calissie moved to areas like Washington and Canonsburg, Pa. for some of her childhood. However, she ended up moving back to Wheeling where she graduated from Wheeling Central in 2016. During her high school years, Calissie played soccer, basketball, and was the first female to play football in Wheeling Central history! Right after high school, Calissie attended Wheeling University where she played soccer; however, she transferred to West Liberty after her freshman year concluded. “I transferred to West
Liberty from Wheeling after my freshmen year and I think West Lib ultimately was the place that could push me to be the best version of me. Having a coach like a Barry and professors that helped me grow as an athlete, student, and person is what made me want to make the hilltop home,” said Calissie. Continuing on, she shared that some of her best memories have been made right here on the Hilltop and she wouldn’t trade them for anything! Calissie shared her biggest inspiration in life has been her parents. “They both sacrificed so much for me to have the opportunity to find soccer and eventually play in college. They’re my biggest supporters and coaches on and off the field,” Calissie said. In her free time, Calissie enjoys reading and working out, so she is “never really that far away from school or soccer.”
Photo Credits: Cate Calissie Something Calissie wants people to know about her is her competitiveness “to a fault” and being on the soccer team around women she calls family has helped her grow as a person more than any previous experience. Calissie will be graduating from West Liberty with a bachelors in Secondary English Education and a minor in writing this spring. “I’ll miss the girls on the soccer team the most. They’ve been like family to me and have been the people I try to always make proud. They’re a great group of hardworking girls and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this program,” Calissie shared.
Photo Credits: Cate Calissie
For more information about this article, please email Annalise Murphy at anmurphy@ westiberty.edu. If you would like to be featured in The Trumpet’s
Sports section, please reach out to editor, Anna Johnston, at acjohnston@westliberty.edu. Be sure to read The Trumpet on ISSUU and check our online site for all sports updates!
“I’ll miss the girls on the soccer team the most. They’ve been like family to me and have been the people I try to always make proud. They’re a great group of hardworking girls and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this program.” - Cate Calissie