VOL. 100 – ISSUE 14
THE TRUMPET
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
WLU’s Student News Source
Faculty Art Show celebrates centennial anniversary of ‘The Trumpet’ - pg. 3 Who is WLU’s Maddie Clayton? MEC volleyball player of the week - pg. 15 @WLTrumpetOnline @thetrumpetwestliberty @thetrumpetwlu
@TheTrumpetWestLiberty
@thetrumpetwlu
@WLTrumpetOnline
thetrumpetwlu.org
westliberty.edu/thetrumpet
THE TRUMPET
NEWS
Art Work by Juliana Haug; “Woman in Rings”
CAT Students display artwork in Wheeling Towngate Exhibition - pg.
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
COVER PHOTO ARTWORK BY: MOONJUNG KANG
CULTURE SPORTS Photo Credits: Emma Beatty
Topper Idol Week 3 Updates pg. 7
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Men’s and Women’s Soccer Previews - 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.
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Annalise Murphy Online Editor Creed Kidney News/Copy Editor Intern Lizzy Griffith Culture Editor Morgan Kafana Opinion Editor Haley Blakemore Sports Editor Intern Anna Johnston Graphic Designer Intern Kate Roberts Sports Writer Maxwell Fiedorczyk News/Culture Writer Emma Beatty Faculty Adviser Danielle Mehlman-Brightwell
Letters to the Editor
To submit a letter to the editor, please email anmurphy@westliberty.edu. Please put your name, address, phone number, email address. If the editor decides to publish it, she will contact you to conform your identity.
Contact Us
Wltrumpet@westliberty.edu (304) 336-8873
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
NEWS
NEWS
News/Copy Editor Intern: Lizzy Griffith
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- elgriffith@westliberty.edu
Faculty Art Show celebrates centennial anniversary of ‘The Trumpet’ Among many other new beginnings and refreshers, celebrations and commemorations, and community involvement to celebrate the centennial anniversary of our paper’s publication, the student voice of the hilltop is once again being celebrated by our wonderful campus community. Every year, the faculty of the Fine Arts Department prepares a prompt of sorts for a spring showcase held in our university’s Nutting Art Gallery, put on entirely by themselves and made up of their own work. This year, in collaboration with the Trumpet, and simply out of inspiration for such a landmark of the longest running student newspaper in all of W. Va., the prompt was, “Trumpet.” Obviously the centennial anniversary was an unspoken piece of the prompt, as seen in Professor Aaron Anslow’s ceramic piece, ”100 Trumpet Vase,” covered from top to bottom with 100 trumpet seals, or Professor Moonjung Kang’s ”Trumpet 100” digital composition; but this was also something dear to our faculty, so of course they wanted to celebrate the achievements of our University. Professor Anslow, a member of the 3-D Design, Sculpting, and Ceramics department of West Liberty’s creative arts program, said he really wasn’t a big fan of thematic shows, as it kept him and his colleagues to a specific area of creativity and inspiration; “Students don’t get to see enough of our personal work as it is, because we’re all so busy all the time, with our personal lives, university and personal responsibilities, and making sure our students and their art is being taken care of; I feel like themes push this narrative further. We all already take the prompt in our own way, through our own creative process, but this year we all had the connection of being proud of what
prompt meant a celebration of legacy, of tradition, and of culture for our school. We have a paper, a radio, and a music station, all student run; we are a cultural hub, pocketed away in the hills. Even if the Trumpet is changing, in regards to becoming a digital publication, the voice of our students, our faculty and our community will always remain the same, and will always be heard.”
Artworks by Professor Aaron Anslow; “Trumpet Forms 1-4” our campus community and students had accomplished. 100 years is pretty special, and celebrating that creatively, even with a prompt, felt very free.” Professor Anslow, for example, respective to his roots in 3-D Design, found the majority of his inspiration in the physical form of the trumpet as an instrument; “Working with ceramics is very literal, even if my works might enter the metaphorical territory of the trumpet ‘shouting out the news,’ it works for both. Our newspaper is our voice, a trumpet can make that noise heard.” Professor Brian Fencl, a member of the Drawing, Illustration, Painting, and Art Appreciation departtment, relayed this same idea when communicating how
his process began when planning for his work on the centennial celebration, but rather spoke of just how big a topic like the Trumpet can be, especially for someone with access to the sometimes metaphorical nature of illustration; ”Trumpet as a word represents everything from our student newspaper, media in general, the symbolism of the trumpet in art and an object that is carried into specific situations. It is a big topic.” Professor Martyna Matusiak, a member of the screen printing, monotyping, woodcuts, and printmaking department, took a much more abstract approach to the seemingly boundless prompt, and aimed to capture that nature in her piece, ”Tongues;” “For me, this
Artworks by Professor Brian Fencl; (from left to right)“Bury the Trumpet Player,” “The Censors,” and “Remove the Noisemaker”
While Professor Anslow’s work took a more literal approach, even figurative in some ways (the figure of a trumpet.. delivering news through the power of voice), Professor Matusiak cited the ideas of freedom of speech and the actual art of printmaking in connection with the newspaper as her point of creative departure. “I wanted to include things from our, or the Trumpet’s, past, to further show how far we’ve come; in some of my monotypes, there are Trumpet issues from the 1950s and 40s, one even featuring the first logo ever used in 1921. Through this all though, I wanted to communicate clearly the power of culture and the power of voice, and how that comes together in companionship with the addition of new media, like going online and digital, to survive for this long.” When asked what celebrating the centennial meant to her, Professor Sarah Davis elaborated on the pride she felt in our Hilltop home, perfectly summing up this legendary art show for such a landmark occassion; ”I’m proud to teach at a University with such a long and rich history. It’s enriching to think about what WLU students, faculty, administrators, and guests may have seen, experienced, or endured over the last one hundred years. As a collective community, it brings us together.” Students spoken to all echo the same sentiment; this year’s exhibition shows our strength and our focus as a University and community, it shows our individual attitudes while feeding a holistic whole of who we are.
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
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NEWS
Haug and other WLU creative art therapy students showcase work at Wheeling Towngate exhibition and I just needed to get it all out of my head and onto a canvas and just let it go.”
Junior West Liberty Student, Juliana Haug, is one of several creative art therapy (CAT) students to have their artwork displayed in the Wheeling Towngate Theatre Exhibition. WLU CAT students are invited to showcase their work at the exhibition each year to bring attention to the discipline and increase awareness of its many benefits. Haug currently has four pieces up on display, all of which have unique inspirations and a different style of artwork. “The first piece is giant lips with this green goo dripping off of them on a black and white background - it’s kinda chaotic,” said Haug. “Basically, I did this as a little art therapy project for myself. It was during a time where toxic words were starting to get to me
This piece exemplifies what the discipline of creative art therapy is all about - expressing yourself through the creative process. The second piece Haug hanging up is based on the Shakespearean tale of Ophelia. It depicts the character of Ophelia drowning like she does in the play but with Haug’s own twist to it. “The prompt itself was to take an old art history painting and recreate it in a lino cut, in my own storyline. I had Ophelia still drowning but in the play it was like an accident - in this it’s almost intentional or suicidal.” The process of creating the “Ophelia” piece took hours of work and concentration with the medium being relatively new to Haug. The outcome was worth the patience as the final product is very impressive and succeeds in
Artwork by Juliana Haug; “Toxic Words” portraying Haug’s interpretation of the story. Haug’s last two works on display are part of a series she calls “Woman in Rings”. The two pieces are side-byside one another, one in pink, and one in indigo. Each is layered with a variety of textures demonstrating different layers of commitments and allowing the audience to create their own interpretation.
Artwork by Juliana Haug; “Woman in Rings”
Haug discussed how various women in her life were getting engaged or married so the woman in the centre of the piece is surrounded by different commitments. The circles also have a second significance. “Circles, in art therapy, represent infinity or a journey… so that adds another element to it,” Haug said. After completing her undergraduate degree, Haug hopes
to complete a Master’s in art therapy at West Liberty which will become available from next semester. After being inspired by her youngest brother, who deals with ADHD and sensory processing disorder, Haug aspires to work with children in a clinic or children’s hospital. “Growing up, he and I had a different connection. We would work through art pieces to express ourselves and it would help him throughout the day to cope,” she said. The WLU art therapy student’s work is still on display at the Towngate Theatre for public viewing. If you are interested in art therapy, contact Susan Ridley by email at susan.ridley@ westliberty.edu.
NEWS
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
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Professor Scott Hanna wins university’s 2021 Spring Convocation Teaching Award At this year’s Spring Convocation, English Professor Scott Hanna won the Teaching Award. In order to win this, one must be elected by colleagues and hold a high reputation across campus and present a passion and excellence for teaching. Hanna graduated from WLU in 1996 and started teaching here in 2008. His father also was a professor at WLU for over 30 years. Hanna said, “Teaching here was like coming home.” Hanna
agrees there is a homey-feel to West Liberty and the small college allows professors and students to form better connections with each other. Hanna said, “Student-teacher ratio is very important. Smaller class sizes enable us to work very closely with students and to offer individual help a lot easier.” Hanna teaches several English and writing classes: American Literature, creative writing, composition, and Appalachian Literature. He has several goals to achieve with all his classes. “I teach a wide variety of courses with different kinds of goals. But one common goal across all of those classes is for students to learn
Photo Credits: College of Liberal Arts
the cultural value of literature and writing and to connect that to their own experience and understanding of what it means to be human.” It is fair to say that his students feel that he meets his goals. Isaac Basinger, junior at WLU, took an English class with Hanna. Bassinger says, “He [teaches] in a way that is simple and natural.” When asked if Bassinger would take another class taught by Hanna if he had the opportunity, he replied, “I definitely would. He is a great man before he is an educator. Plus, he makes his classes interesting.” Another student, Kenley George, junior at WLU, had similar opinions about Hanna. She said she
was able to write about her past experiences and traveling in his class. “I think he’s a great professor and always made class fun. If I got the chance to take a class with him again, I definitely would.” Hanna holds a great reputation among students and leaves a lasting impression on them. Congratulations to Professor Hanna on winning the Teaching Award at this year’s Spring Convocation. For more information about this article, email Lizzy Griffith at elgriffith@ westliberty.edu.
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FEBRUARY 25, 2021
NEWS
Dental Hygiene senior students seeking patients to finish graduation requirements Senior students in West Liberty’s Dental Hygiene program need help from the hilltop community to meet their graduation requirements. Simply setting up an appointment for a teeth cleaning in Campbell Hall could help a senior in the program meet their responsibilities to graduate in May. Dental Hygiene senior, Autumn Allman, explained certain requirements must be met by students within the program each semester to be considered “competent”. Clinic four is the last of the requirements senior students must achieve before they can graduate. “In Clinic four, we have to complete a total of 32 patients consisting of children under 11, adolescents 12 to 17, adults 18 and older and geriatrics 60 and older,” said Allman.
dents, faculty, staff, and children under 11 are $5. For adults (individuals older than 18), the appointment cost is $15. (No insurance required.) Allman offered words of encouragement saying, “you are receiving quality care for a low price. We [all] feel incredibly grateful anytime someone takes the time out of their day to show up for us.” The dental hygiene clinic at West Liberty has been doing everything possible to ensure COVID-19 guidelines are followed to keep students, staff, and patients safe. While
infection control is nothing new in the dental world, the clinic has implemented new protocols since the pandemic has started. Students must wear a KN95 mask with a level one mask overtop, a face shield, scrubs, a gown, easy to clean closed-toe shoes and protective eyewear, according to Allman.
requirements and graduate on time. For example, I might not need a child credit so instead I’ll give my patient to another student who needs that patient in order to graduate. The instructors are also very fair and give everyone equal opportunity to meet requirements,” Allman shared.
The pandemic has also put the dental hygiene students and clinics at a disadvantage because the number of people making appointments have decreased significantly. “We work with each other to ensure [everyone] will meet their
If you or someone you know is interested in setting up a dental cleaning appointment to help the seniors in the program get closer to reaching their graduation requirements, you can call the dental hygiene department in Campbell Hall at 304-336-8633 or go to the clinic directly. Prior to your appointment, patients will complete a “pre-screening health and COVID questionnaire and a temperature check,” according to Meredith. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you have a specific student you would like to request for your appointment , let clinic receptionist Kelly Baker know.
Generally, appointments include “intra/extra oral exam, oral cancer screening, full dental and periodontal charting, x-rays, polishing, flossing and fluoride,” according to Allman. Professor Stephanie Meredith, dental hygiene program director, says patients should expect their appointments to last at least three hours due to required screenings, assessments, and clinical instructor evaluations. Allman added patients can refuse any of the services and the clinic’s main goal is to keep the patients’ best interest in mind at all times. Appointments range in price depending on the individual. For example, the cost for West Liberty stu-
Junior dental hygiene students will also be seeking patients in March according to Meredith. Please note the following: no personal belongings are permitted in the clinic during your appointment. Items not allowed include bookbags, purses, and coats; however, they can be left in the waiting room.
Pictured from left to right: Seniors Savanna Hibbits and Eliza Haynes. Photo Credits: Stephanie Meredith
For more information about the dental hygiene program and clinics, please email Professor Meredith at smeredith@westliberty. edu. Questions regarding the information in this article should be directed to Annalise Murphy at anmurphy@ westliberty.edu.
CULTURE
CULTURE FEBRUARY 25, 2021
Culture Editor: Morgan Kafana
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- mkafana@westliberty.edu
Historically Black colleges and universities receive grants amid pandemic The National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHA), founded in 2017, has released a statement announcing they will be giving over $650,000 in grants to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities including: Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina; Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi; Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee; Morgan State University in Baltimore; Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas; Spelman College in Atlanta; Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama.
The grant was created to restore and preserve these historically Black campuses after the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an even bigger threat to those schools lacking necessary funding.
Additionally, the grant aims to educate these campuses on the history that they are sitting on. As the Intelligencer reported, many of the buildings included in the restoration project were constructed by Black architects.
These buildings would usually go unnoticed. AACHA believes that the protection of the architecture will continue to inspire many generations of students to come. The underfunding to these colleges and universities come from their student body being composed of low-income first-generation students who rely on financial aid and scholarships to attend. The Hechinger Report has stated that there have been fifteen HBCU to
Philander Smith College. The image depicts U.M. Rose School, an old schoolhouse on the grounds. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
close since 1997. There have been attempts by recent presidential administrations to increase funding, but the attempts have fallen on closed ears. It appears that a new attempt may be in the works in addition to this grant by President Biden due to his Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female Asian American and African American, being elected. Biden has promised to invest $70 billion in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to make it more affordable for students and to provide new resources such as labs and technology. All of the funding and restoration will help protect these Historically Black Colleges and Universities which are so crucial to the continuation of the education of minorities in the United States.
Topper Idol Week 3 Updates Residence Life Area Coordinator Yodev Ocasio returned once again as host. Feb. 17, 2021, marked the third week of Topper Idol here on the icy Hilltop. This week had the category of Broadway which excited many of the candidates. At this point of the competition, there will only be three remaining for next week of the five. The judges for the night were Maddie Linzy, Creative Video Director Jared Thompson, and Director of Center for Student Success Christopher McPherson.
The first performance was by Sarah Booth who sang “Part of Your World” from the Broadway rendition of “The Little Mermaid.” The audience mused as if Ariel herself was actually in the room. Sarah was followed by Autumn Duckworth with her cover of “All That Jazz” from Chicago: The Musical. The judges commented on how well she did, and Autumn told them that she was not very familiar with Broadway. An unbelievable statement considering she sounded as if she was the original singer.
Next on the lineup was Charli McConnell with her rendition of “Satisfied” from Hamilton: An American Musical. The backing track included the Original Broadway Cast. During the song, the judges’ microphone fell, and Christopher McPherson saved it. This is one of the only technical difficulties of Topper Idol that has been avoided. After Charli, Alexia Schmader sang “Someone Like You” from Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical. Jared Thompson told Alexia that she sounded like she could be an actual Broadway performer. Finally, was Emily Rudy who also sang a song from Hamilton called “Burn.” When asked
what emotions she felt while singing, Emily said, “I was scared and nervous, but like a strong woman like Eliza.” After a very long period of deliberation, the judges decided that Alexia, Emily, and Charli would continue to the final round of the competition. Next week the contestants will be allowed to sing whatever song they choose. Max Fiedorczyk, an audience member, commented, “We have an incredible talent pool here at West Liberty University!” To watch past episodes and next week’s, tune into West Liberty Residence Life Twitter page (@WLUResLife).
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FEBRUARY 25, 2021
CULTURE
CJ Society continues running clothing fundraiser to benefit Ohio Valley K-9 Units item purchased and are as follows: t-shirts ($12), long sleeve shirts ($15), crewnecks ($20), and hoodies( $25). Did you know you could spruce up your closet and help your community at the same time? Well, you can! West Liberty’s Criminal Justice Society — also known as CJ Society — is currently running a clothing fundraiser for the Ohio Valley K-9 Units. According to club president, Brittany Smith, 50% of proceeds will go to the K-9 units and be distributed to the following: Marshall and Brooke County Sheriff Offices, and the Wheeling and Martins Ferry Police Departments. Remaining proceeds will replenish the CJ Society’s account so the club is able to provide resources for future fundraisers and aid them in their annual donation to victims of domestic violence at the Wheeling Young Women’s Christian Associates (YWCA).
All orders and money are due by March 5. If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser, please contact the following members of the CJ Society: Bethany Morrison (bmmorrison@ westliberty.edu), Austin Gray (ajgray@westliberty.edu), Katelyn Carnot (kmcarnot@westliberty. edu), Ryan Kozik (rjkozik@westliberty.edu) or Smith at (btsmith@ westliberty.edu). Due to COVID-19, members would like to limit the number of people receiving orders at one given time. Please allow two to four weeks for the orders to be processed, organized and distributed by members of the society. “It is the responsibility of the club member who sold the shirt(s) to deliver or make arrangements to distribute the items they sold,” Smith explains.
“This fundraiser will greatly help the community by providing additional funds to local police departments’ K-9 units to better equip them for the work that they do. In addition, this fundraiser will be beneficial to the WLU CJ society because it allows our members the opportunity to make connections within the community and better our community outreach efforts,” explained Smith.
The criminal justice society is an academic and professional club stirving to educate members and get involved in community service projects. If you are interested in joining the society, please email Smith [email listed above] and she will send you all information about the club. Currently, the society is meeting via Zoom. Any major is welcome to join according to Smith who says, “We are happy to broaden our horizons and welcome all majors!”
The clothing being sold includes a variety of military green t-shirts, crewnecks, long sleeve shirts and hoodies with “WL Criminal Justice” printed on the front and “honor the paws that defend the laws” printed on the back. Pricing varies depending on
For updates about future CJ Society events and fundraisers, please follow their instagram page at cj_society_wlu. If you have any questions regarding this article, please contact Annalise Murphy at anmurphy@westliberty.edu.
Graphic Provided by: CJ Society
CULTURE
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
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International Polar Bear day brings awareness to global warming and environmental problems 426-mile swim over nine days without finding a resting place.
International Polar Bear Day is on Saturday, Feb. 27 this year. This day is supposed to bring awareness to global warming, environmental problems, and other issues causing polar bears harm. Polar bears are facing endangerment and are considered a vulnerable species in most countries. Because of climate change and human activity, polar bears’ habitats and food sources are being compromised and destroyed, causing disease and death among the species. On their website, Polar Bear International shows the changes of the Arctic sea ice from 1984 to 2016. This video clearly shows an extensive and devastating loss of habitat. Factors causing the increased risk of survival of the polar bears include hunting, commercial activity, and disease. Because of the loss of Arctic ice, polar bears are having to swim longer and are having a more difficult time hunting and retrieving food. The website says, “In one study, a collared female polar bear embarked on a marathon,
Somewhere along the way, she lost her cub and 22% of her body weight.” Without proper rest and forcing their bodies to swim for days on end, polar bears lose their body mass and, a lot of times, moms lose their cubs due to their harsh environment. The reason polar bears are losing so much Arctic ice is because of human activity. This includes the oil and gas sites, commercial shipping, tourism, mining, and pollution. Because of the ice melting, there is better access for shipping routes to open up, causing even more human activity and pollutants to take over their habitat. According to the same website, scientists have been able to study a certain number of these pollutants and have discovered that they can be genetically altering. It goes on to say, “Pollutants can affect the bears’ hormonal system, including hormones essential to their growth, reproduction, and metabolism.” Pollutants are also often absorbed through mother bears’ milk for the cubs which causes diseases and death in both the mother and cub. Scientists have also found that vitamin levels can be compromised and cause the skull
bone structure to change. “Contaminants have been shown to cause shrinking genitalia in polar bears and weakened bones. Overall, this could affect their reproduction and general health.” It is clear that polar bears are not only dying because they cannot survive their harsh habitats, but because of human activity and pollution, they are evolving for the worse. The good news, though, is that everyone has the power to help. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or community member, no matter who you are, there are plenty of ways to help. The first step to understanding climate change and learning more about polar bears is
Photo Credits: Marko Dimitrijevic to educate yourself on the matter. Diana Barber, biology professor at WLU, says, “The choices we make everyday impact polar bears.” It is important that we act now so we can have a better future. Barber added, “The longer we delay dealing with the negative impacts of our land use practices and fossil fuel use the worse our situation will be.” There are unlimited sources such as https://polarbearsinternational.org/ and https://www.wwf.org. uk/learn/fascinating-facts/polar-bears to learn about climate change, polar bears, and other species and ecosystems at risk.
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FEBRUARY 25, 2021
FACULTY ART SHOW
Artworks by Doctor Susan Ridley; (from left to right) “Melting Ice,” ”Oil on Water,” “Drought,” “Earthquake”
Artwork by Professor Moonjung Kang: “Trumpet 100”
Artwork by Doctor Jeffrey Grubbs: “Activist Journalism is an Oxymoron”
Artwork by Professor Aaron Anslow: “100 Trumpet Vase”
“... a meditation on 100 years of news stories published since the beginning of WLU’s Trumpet newspaper in 1921.” Professor Sarah Davis
Artwork by Professor Brian Fencl: “Bury the Trumpet Player”
Artwork by Professor Sarah Davis: “Channel Surfing” Artwork by Professor Martyna Matusiak: “Tongues”
Photo Credits: Creed Kidney
OPINION
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
OPINION
PAGE 11
Should West Virginia Charter schools be allowed to operate? On Feb. 16, 2021, bill HB-2012 passed the House of Delegates (66-32) and will move on to the senate making charter schools in W. Va. a possibitliy. This bill would initiate the making of ten new charter schools per year. Online-schooling would be included. Gov. Justice would appoint a new board and the County Board of Education would be removed, meaning board leaders would be parents and community leaders. Charter Schools can be started by any group, and most commonly led by former teachers. Charter schools may not be for everyone, but I fully support future
This is a type of school that can try new things, unlike public school’s one-size-fits-all education. Charter schools are mostly nonprofit. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter School, only 12% are for-profit. So, more fundraising may be initiated, depending on where you go.
Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore involvement. Charter schools are controversial for a reason, which is why all of my descriptions of charter schools are general because not every charter school is the same. When trying to get into
one of these schools, it is important to know what you are getting into. One charter school may be excellent for your child, while others may disappoint. To put the diversity of these schools in a better light, the National Alliance for Public Charter School FAQ website says, “some may focus on college prep, some follow a Montessori curriculum, and others integrate the arts into each subject… some charter schools require uniforms, others have longer school days, and some teach their entire curriculum in two languages. The possibilities are endless, but charter schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the school that best fits their child.” After asking a couple of teachers in my hometown for interviews on the matter, it has come to my attention that charter schools need to be explained further. Charter schools are free public schools that let students have a different way of learning. They reach a certain type of student by picking a specific teaching method.
Charter schools are smaller, leading to smaller classrooms. Especially during a pandemic, a smaller class size is the way to go. There aren’t any administration requirements but after they exceed the student limit a random lottery will take place or students will be taken in by preference. Preferences are determined by location or students’ specific needs. Parental involvement is required by some, causing a decrease in disciplinary problems. This may cause the need for transportation depending if your child or children can or want to get into the closest charter school. I used to think charters were a bad idea because I thought that they employed uneducated “teachers”; however, I was victim to false information. Charter schools are required to hire qualified teachers. I’ve been trying to find more cons for this subject, but honestly, there isn’t much to say. After about ten years of seeing where charter schools will take us, charters have been a success for many students whose minds don’t align with the one-for-all take on education. For more information on charter schools, go to publiccharters.org.
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FEBRUARY 25, 2021
OPINION
Is the COVID-19 vaccine worth the risk? Essential worker and university student says ‘I believe getting the vaccine is a good idea’
We are just a few days away from March 2021 which means the COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for almost a year. Simply put, some people are ready to do anything to get this over with and return back to normal everyday life prior to the pandemic. While it is important to continue taking the recommended precautions, now we have a new way to get to brighter days quicker. With the COVID-19 vaccine now being distributed, there are many questions raising concern amongst Americans. Is it worth it and what are the side effects? Is this going to protect me and my loved ones from catching this virus? Since the first vaccine was given in Dec. 2020, hundreds of thousands of people are getting access to it. In W. Va. alone, there have been about 500,000 vaccines given. These vaccines are widely available. In Weirton, W. Va., you can now sign up to get tested and it goes by a first come first serve list.
Personally, as someone who is around people who have gotten both rounds of the vaccine, I believe getting the vaccine is a good idea. Especially if you are working in healthcare, education, or anything where you could be around people who are at risk, I believe this vaccine is a great way to make sure yourself and others are staying safe. I, myself, work in a restaurant and feel like I would feel more safe as an essential worker going to work knowing I was vaccinated and was not putting others around me at risk of contracting the virus. That has been one of my biggest fears working in a public place. Most of our customers are relatively older people, and I hate thinking that I could be putting these people at risk without realizing it. Of course, there are other ways to keep others safe which have been outlined by the CDC nuermous times — such as wearing your mask, social distancing, and washing your hands. There are, of course, some difficulties in getting this vaccine. For example, we currently do not know the long-term effects of it. Since the vaccine has only been out for a few months, we do not
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
know what could happen a few years down the line. These questions about the long term effects are on everyone’s mind as they ponder to get this vaccine or not. It is equally as important to note the short-term effects of the vaccine such as having symptoms of COVID-19 after getting your vaccine. Some people’s bodies may not be able to handle these shortterm symptoms, and they have to consider that when going to get the vaccine. I have witnessed some people get these short-term effects, and some people go through it like
a breeze. I feel as if this vaccine could be a step forward to getting back to a normal life. 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 immedi-
OPINION
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
Spoiler-free review of Netflix’s new film, “I Care a Lot” as these people’s wards, their guardian, if you will, and upon their arrival into the nursing home Marla assigns them to -- their entire life is in her hands. Released in Sept. 2020, Netflix’s “I Care a Lot” is not a movie to pass up when scrolling mindlessly through your seemingly endless Netflix library. Having sat at the number #1 film spot since it’s digital release on Feb. 19, earning rave reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (4 stars and 81% ‘Tomatometer score), and Metacritic (4 stars and a 66% rating), “I Care a Lot” most definitely deserves its quickly found acclaim.
From the very beginning of the film, you’re not sure whether to be on Marla’s side or not, or if you even like her; but the real fun begins when Marla and her swindling sidekicks seemingly bit off much more than they can chew. Viewed by some as a simple thriller, crime drama for the home theater’s of the ongoing pandemic, “I Care a Lot” can easily be seen as much, much more than that.
Sitting at a run-time of about two hours and labelling itself an R-rated comedy-drama, this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the full 120 minutes you’re exposed to the life of guardian service mogul Marla Grayson and her multi-million dollar corporation.
It is an artistic commentary on the disgusting nature of capitalism, how everything around all of us is out to milk every ounce of advantage they can get.
Her enterprise is based around the service of providing care for the elderly and ill who are deemed by their respective doctors and the state in which they reside in as unable to take care of themselves; this is where Ms. Grayson steps in. She is assigned
For more information about this article, please email Creed Kidney at ctkidney@westliberty.edu. Or, if you’re interested in writing opinion pieces to possibly be featured in The Trumpet, please email Haley Blakemore at hrblakemore@westliberty.edu
Don’t worry though, the old adage still stands until the bitter, mind-boggling end — what goes around, comes around [eventually].
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons
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SPORTS
- acjohnston@westliberty.edu
Sports Editor: Anna Johnston
Men’s and Women’s soccer hilltoppers preparing for late season after months of no games Contributing Writer: Mark Donnelly Men’s Soccer (Johnston) WLU Men’s soccer take to the field for the first time in over 400 days this Sunday. Head Coach Sean Regan’s team will travel down to play against last year’s NCAA Division II Champions, University of Charleston in their season opener in what is set to be a tough challenge for the Toppers. In a shortened version of a regular season, the Hilltoppers will play eight games against fellow Mountain East Conference (MEC) teams in an attempt to qualify for the post-season MEC tournament. Regan’s side have not seen competitive action since Fall 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic so the anticipation of playing again is high. “I can’t wait! It’s been such a long time, I’m ready and so are the lads,” said Regan. On top of COVID restrictions making things more difficult than usual, soccer usually primarily takes place in the fall semester so the weather has made accessing facilities a challenge. The squad have only been able to set foot on the field a handful of times since the beginning of January making preparation difficult. However, the team has been working hard to get ready for games regardless of the adverse conditions. “It’s been very difficult but nearly every team is in the same boat. We are lucky that we have the highlands as a backup option. We have been very lucky that we haven’t had any COVID related issues,” said Regan.
This is Regan’s second season at the helm of West Liberty’s Men’s Soccer program, and the first year that his recruits will see action. Regan said, “We have a very talented freshman class backed by a solid group of returning players. Our goal for this season is to build on what we did in 2019. We finished above wheeling and Concord and if we can finish one place higher or get one more win then we have taken steps forward.”
WLU have two challenging fixtures to start off their season. This Sunday, (Feb. 28) the team will travel down to Charleston to take on reigning MEC and Division II Champions, the Golden Eagles of UC, who are coming off the back of an 8-0 win in their season opener against Frostburg State University last weekend. March 5 sees the Toppers compete against Notre Dame College (Ohio) in their first home game of the season. The Falcons finished second in the MEC last season. Regan said, “We know that we play the two best teams right away. That’s not great! We are not looking at the end result but the little goals in each game that we want to achieve… [We want] to be competitive in every match and to be better every game.” Although in-person spectators are restricted for safety reasons at the moment, this weekend’s game is available to view online on UC’s website. Keep up to date with Hilltoppersports.
com and the Trumpet Sports for updates on the Topper’s season.
Women’s Soccer
(Donnely) West Liberty’s Women’s Soccer team will play in a condensed eight game season where they will play in the MEC North Division. The Lady Toppers will kick off their season on Feb. 28 with a home opener against Notre Dame College (Ohio). Having spent the last number of months planning and preparing for the season, The Hilltoppers are extremely keen to return to competitive action for the first time in over 400 days. In an unusual season for all sports, WLU will play in a group of four which sees the top two teams progress to the postseason. They were recently ranked third in the division in the annual pre-season coaches poll, with Fairmont State and Notre Dame College taking the top two spots and Wheeling University placing below the Toppers at number four. With a reduced amount of playing time, every game counts and they will need to make a strong start if they hope to progress to the MEC Tournament. Head Coach, Barry Christmas will be hoping that his team can recreate their 2018 play-off run which saw them reach the MEC conference semi-finals after finishing the regular season
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
with a 6-9-1 record. The 2019 season was one of tight margins as WLU tied four games and narrowly lost five times by one goal deficits. They finished the season strongly however, winning three of their last four games and finishing the year with back-to-back road shutouts. The Lady Toppers will be hoping that they can turn ties into wins this year and progress to the postseason once again. “My expectations for the season are to make playoffs. I feel like the girls have put in a lot of work over the last four or five weeks,” said Graduate Assistant Coach, Gavin Shiels. “We can tell that they are hungry to improve and be the best they can be.”
Despite the adverse weather conditions over the last few weeks, the squad have been hard at work preparing for the season. “We are fortunate enough to have the bubble and be able to trai at the Highlands where will do our technical/shape work. We have been using Blatnik to do our fitness and stay as fit as possible in these challenging times,” said Shiels. They have added nine freshmen to an already talented squad and they will be hoping that this youth mixed with the experience of returning players will produce a winning formula this Spring. “I feel like the team is shaping up pretty well as we head into our first game… I feel like this game will be on their minds all week and they will be up for the battle that Notre Dame wil give us,” said Shiels. Last season saw Sophomore Alyssa Rhinaman earn a spot on the MEC All-Freshman team and is sure to play an important role for the team again. In the next 8 weeks, Lady Toppers play home and away against Notre Dame College, Wheeling University and Fairmont State University with one-off games against both University of Charleston and West Virginia State University.
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FEBRUARY 25, 2021
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Who is WLU’s Maddie Clayton? MEC volleyball player of the week
While growing up in Roseville, Ohio, Maddie Clayton’s passion for the sport of volleyball grew alongside her. Clayton began gaining significant recognition within her sport while she attended Philo High School. At Philo, Clayton earned the honor of being named a three-time Ohio Division II All-District and All-Muskingum Valley selection. Pairing these accolades was an MVL Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. It is no secret that Clayton possesses skills that make collegiate volleyball coaches swoon. Her six foot five build, along with her speed, agility, and floor awareness has made her a valuable asset for the Hilltoppers squad year in and year out. The senior has seen even more accomplishments come her way throughout her career than any other athlete in years past. Clayton once again earned the honor of being named a twotime Mountain East Conference All-MEC selection, along with a Mountain East Conference Academic Honor Roll accolade.
Clayton, who has lettered each year she has played thus far, has seen incredible single game career highs in kills (16), and blocks (8). However, although Clayton has the ability to single-handedly take control of matches, perhaps what is most impressive about her is the consistency she brings. Prior to this season, Clayton is responsible for upwards of 229 kills, 80 blocks, and 25 aces.
The ability to dominate the floor paired with her consistency has certainly carried over to the beginnings of the 2020-21 campaign, earning an MEC Offensive Player of the Week award. Clayton was responsible for 10 kills and 5 blocks during WLU’s victory against Fairmont State, and also 11 kills in 19 attacks while facing Frostburg State. These numbers have propelled the Hilltoppers to an early 4-2 record, with the only losses coming against Wheeling University (ranked #21 nationally), and Notre Dame College of Ohio. The road ahead for the Hilltoppers will not be an easy one. With four games remaining until the MEC Tournament, including a rematch against the Wheeling Cardinals on March 5, WLU hopes to continue their hot hand. With Clayton as an anchor at middle blocker, the Lady Hilltoppers have a very strong chance of capturing a MEC championship title. Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
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FEBRUARY 25, 2021
WLU Men’s and Women’s Golf Season Preview
SPORTS
The Hilltop’s Athlete of the Week
Nyla Setla
om, senior Austin Lis, junior Caleb Moore, and junior Howard Peterson.
West Liberty University Men and Women’s 2020-21 Golf campaign is set to kick off in a little less than a month. With the release of preseason Mountain East Conference polls, the Hilltoppers know where they stand in the eyes of the voters. For the men’s team, WLU saw a fourth place ranking, trailing the likes of teams such as Concord, Charleston, and Davis & Elkins. Along with this fourth place overall MEC ranking is a singular first place vote, something of which the Hilltoppers hope to see more as the season progresses. For the women’s team, West Liberty was ranked ninth. Although this is not a position the Lady Hilltoppers would like to be in, they could use it to their advantage, as an increase in such rankings throughout the season could open the eyes of many around them. However, what is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this season is how new Hilltoppers Head Coach, Thadd Obecny, will perform. With the retirement of longtime WLU head coach Mike Ricci, Obency looks to bring a MEC Championship to the Black and Gold. Obency will have a strong veteran talent pool around him which includes W. Va. Amateur Champion Alex Easth-
Women’s golf head coach Shane Rice’s position is the complete opposite of Coach Obecny. Rice is at the luxury of coaching an incredibly young team, and one in which he hopes to develop for years to come. The Lady Hilltoppers squad features a total of six players, who include: senior Dezirae Middleton, junior Kailey Pettit, sophomore Cheyenne Morris, freshman Clarissa Edgar, freshman Anna Griffith, and freshman Alexis Ramby. Both WLU Men’s and Women’s golf teams will have quick turnarounds this season. For the men, the season will begin March 12 at the Brown Invitational, followed by a meet against the University of Charleston, the Malone University Spring Invitational, Barry University Battle at the Shores, Mister Bee Collegiate at OVU, and finally, the MEC Championships. For the women’s team, the season schedule is even shorter, featuring a meet against the University of Charleston on March 28th, followed by a meet against Glenville State College and Ohio Valley University, and concluded with the MEC Championships. Although the coronavirus-shortened season is most definitely a hindrance, the Hilltoppers will continue to compete at any opportunity given. If WLU has shown anything in years past, it is the resilience and tenacity the team possesses that will ultimately prove the outcome of the upcoming season. Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Volleyball - Libero Year: True Freshman Hometown: Northville, Mich. About Setla:
Set a new WLU record of 48 digs in her
first ever home match for the black and gold (the most of any NCAA player this season) in 5-set win against Fairmont state.