SPRING 2019 ISSUE 23
Olivia Morrison is
Bulletproof.
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BUSINESS DIVISION BUSINESS DIRECTOR RYAN SALAMO ADVERTISING DIRECTOR CASSANDRA DELACRUZ BRANDED CONTENT DIRECTOR ZOEY GOTTLIEB EVENTS DIRECTOR JORDAN ALBRIGHT PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORS
EDITORIAL DIVISION
BRITTANY ACOSTA, CAMILA BERTAGNI FINANCE DIRECTORS CASSANDRA KEARNS, MADELEINE ALDRICH, JACKIE TUCKER ADVERTISING
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TESS PETAK MANAGING EDITOR SHANNON KAVANAGH CREATIVE DIRECTORS ELEANOR WING, NICK WILSON DESIGN DIRECTORS COLLEEN WADE, ALEXIS STERN PRINT PHOTO DIRECTOR EMILY ADAR WEB PHOTO DIRECTOR EMILY ADAR ASSISTANT PHOTO DIRECTORS BEN PIETRUSINSKI,
GRACE SOUTHERN WEB DIRECTOR RYAN SALAMO VIDEO DIRECTOR GRANT DONGHIA
BEAUTY & HEALTH EDITOR CARMEN DIPIPPO SELF-IMPROVEMENT EDITOR KATHERINE GOULDIN CAMPUS CULTURE EDITOR EMMA CREAMER FASHION EDITOR ABBY FORTIN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR DEVON MACDOUGALL COPY EDITOR MAGGIE KREIENBERG PRINT WRITERS
ABBY FORTIN, ABBY LUKE, ABIGAIL ROE, CARLIE FOX, CARMEN DIPIPPO, CAROLYN SISTRAND, CHRISTY MCDERMOTT, DEVON MACDOUGALL, EMILY HAYES, EMMA CREAMER, GABBY SOLON, HANNAH BINGHAM, HANNAH FERENCI, JACQUELINE NAPOLITANO, JESSICA MARTINO, KYLEE MCGUIGAN, RYAN SALAMO
ADRIANA GUIDI, ALEXIS DUDAS, CHRISTINA DROFICH, JESSICA MILLER, JILLIAN SAMPERI, JULIA ROESSLER, KARLY KNEIDINGER, KATIE PAV, KYLEIGH GRAHAM, PHOEBE SEBRING, SOPHIE SMITH, SYDNEY MCCORMACK EVENTS
ABBY JOHNSON, ALEXA SHARPE, ALYSSA BOTBYL, ALYSSA LAMPROS, AMANDA ZANGARI, ANNALISE GUTENBERGER, CAROL ANN URREA, CAROLINE ROBINSON, EMILY HALSCH, EMMA SCALORA, JESSICA YOO, LANDON PICA, MONICA POWELL, TAYLOR RODRIGUES,YAMIYA FOWLKES FINANCE
CASEY FERN, DANIELLA SIRIANNI, ELIZABETH SCHRANGHAMER, HADDIYAE NOOR PUBLIC RELATIONS
BELLA SPADAFORA, CHRISTIE REDINGER, COLE MAJERNIK, ELISE PERZ, ELLIE DEARDORFF, EMILY LEVITT, ISABELLA FERRARO, JORDAN MILLS, JORDAN PIETRAFITTA, KYLIE WEISSENBURGER, LAUREN STACK, VICTORIA GAFFNEY BOARD OF ADVISORS
MARIE HARDIN
WEB WRITERS
CATIE GORE, ELISE TECCO, EMILY HAYES, KAYLA RAMIREZ, KERRY BRENNAN, LAUREN EDWARDS, MADDIE WINTER, MICHAEL HENDRICKS, MJ BERGIN, NICOLE ROGOSKY WEB TEAM
NICK ARNDT, TAYLOR KOST DESIGNERS
BASTRID NAVAS, BEN PIETRUSINSKI, EMILY WATKINS, JESSIE MAYER, KYLIE RADICK, RACHAEL MUIR PHOTOGRAPHERS
ALEA TOBIN, CASSIDY DAVIDSON, DANA WELTMAN, JOSIE CHEN, MERRITT SHELTON, MITCHELL VALENTIN, OSCAR CHEN, SHANNON SOBOSLAY VIDEO
ALLISON ROBINSON, ALLYSON LIPPOCK, BRAEDEN BOYLE, DEJANAE GIBSON, DESMOND TAYLOR, JACKIE KURTZ, JOHN OSTROWSKY, MARYKATE SANTALUCIA, MATT CACCAVONE, MATTHEW DELANUEZ, NICOLE SCELTA, PAUL TRONGONE, RACHEL REHMEYER, REBECCA BALOUGH, RHEA JHA, VINCE FIORE
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BEAUTY AND HEALTH
10-13 Art-ificial 14 A Global Beauty 16 Not Just a Trend 17 Polution and Pores 18- 19 The Tea on Caffiene 20 Life in Plastic
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SELF IMPROVEMENT
22-23 How Were Raised 24 Intuition 25 Flying Solo 26- 27 5 Things I Wish I Knew 28 Men and Mental Health
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CAMPUS CULTURE
30- 35 36 37 38 39 40- 41
Bulletproof Ten Years Time The Girl Behind the Lense Inside Editon from the Interns The First Dance to Now Queens of the Valley
42 ENTERTAINMENT
Penn State’s only student-run life and style magazine. VALLEY Magazine is published once per semester and distributed for free on Penn State’s main campus in University Park, Pa. Our mission is to recognize Penn State students for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments and to feature local style, entertainment and lifestyle trends. VALLEY Magazine is named after Happy Valley and was founded in September 2007 by former Penn State students Nicole Gallo, Meredith Ryan, Katie Zuccolo and Kathryn Tomaselli. The Fall 2018 magazine is VALLEY’s twenty-third issue.
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Watch and Learn How a $600 Loan Led to a $30 Million Endowment Why Call When You Can Chat? Not All Fun and Games Music Through the Decades Going Digital
52 FASHION 53 54 55- 57 58 59-63
High Fashion High Reward Threading Lightly For Sport Breaking the Mold 2x4
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LETTER FROM T H E E D I TO R From a young age, I have loved magazines. I’d flip through the pages in awe of the fashion, the photographs and the stories. I had a hunger to learn about the individuals who were leaving their mark on this world. As I got older, I realized I wanted to become the storyteller. I wanted to meet these people and share their stories. During my first visit at Penn State, I was introduced to VALLEY Magazine. Impressed by the professionalism, aesthetic and beauty that was found between the two covers, I knew I had to get involved with VALLEY when I became a student. Since then, I’ve gotten the chance to write and share inspiring and important stories, all leading up to my final and favorite piece. Olivia Morrison embodies a strength and light that radiates from within her. As soon as I met her, I knew her story needed to be heard. Olivia is an inspiration to all of us. We are all facing something that affects our lives and the way we carry ourselves. Olivia is a reminder that no matter how big or how small that something is, you will overcome it, and you will be OK. She truly is truly defiant, brave and bulletproof. I simply cannot take credit for this work of art. I have an amazing staff of people who have collectively made this happen. Thank you to my creative directors, Nick and Eleanor, and design directors, Colleen and Alexis. Your talent and vision have taken VALLEY to new heights. I continue to be awestruck by each of the masterpieces you create. To my über talented photo directors, Emily and Matt, thank you for bringing our stories to life. Your photos are worth more than a thousand words. To my incredibly intelligent managing editor, Shannon, words really cannot express my gratitude. Thank you for always helping me with whatever I ask. Thank you for editing all those articles with me, even when we both had the flu. And thank you for being my brain at times. I truly couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to my dear friend, copy editor and former editor-in-chief, Maggie. Thank you for contributing your mad editing skills, sharing a love of AP style with me, and being the best mentor. To my fabulous web director, Christy, thank you for continuing to expand VALLEY’s web presence. Thank you for always going along with my ideas, even when I’m a bit of a spaz. To my video director Grant, under your direction, this video staff has reached new limits and soared. Thank you for finding a new way to tell these stories through cinematic art. Finally, thank you to Ryan, my business director. You have strategically restructured how the business division runs and used your creative background to think outside the box. Thanks to you, we have reached a whole new level of communication across staffs. It has been amazing to watch you bloom in this new role. Now to you, the readers. Thank you for picking up this copy. Thank you for letting us share these stories with you. I hope even just one resonates with you, and I hope it inspires you to share another story close to your heart. In a world where headlines read hatred, darkness, despair, prejudice and sadness, it is vital to talk about the people that inspire, ignite hope and battle on. We cannot only tell the sad stories. We must share the good, as well. When you are facing something so much bigger than yourself, remember that you will get through it. Because you are strong. You are brave. You are bulletproof. Best,
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YOUR NEXT
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STARTS HERE
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Career Services is a department within Student Affairs U.Ed. STA 18-22. This publication is available in the alternative media upon request. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
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playabowlspennstate Playa Bowls Penn State
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Photo By Ben Pietrusinski
& HEALTH
BEAUTY
Catrina Carlton, Freshman, Biobehavioral Health Catrina Carlton is only 18 years old, but in her life thus far, she’s encountered cancer twice. She had to muster up the strength to fight her way to good health. “People don’t talk about what cancer does to your mental health and your perception of beauty,” Catrina says. “They assume that we’re all so strong, but I really let it get the best of me sometimes. It takes such a toll on you, but now that I’m in remission, I don’t take my health for granted.” Now that she’s at Penn State, THON has become her mission and her everything, and she hopes to continue sharing her story to motivate and inspire others.
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A R T
I F I C A L
Photos By Emily Adar, Ben Pietrusinski, and Grace Southern
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A G B
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By: Carlie Fox
Across cultures, certain beauty trends are tossed around and molded to fit in with society’s standards. From facial symmetry to bold eyeliner, beauty trends vary globally, with women and men alike modeling these trends on the runway and on the streets. VALLEY looked into the diversity behind beauty trends internationally and how people express themselves through these trends.
The word “beauty” has a different connotation for each person. With current beauty trends flooding the runways and street corners, women express themselves through these trends in order to feel more confident, beautiful and strong. While these trends exist globally, they vary in expression and have become widely diverse.
Facial Symmetry Starting in the early 1800s, women in Western cultures were idolized for their face and bone structures. What made a woman powerful and desirable was the shape of her face and body. However, as time went on, other cultures began to rate a woman’s attractiveness based on facial symmetry, as well. In a study conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Western Australia, researchers found that both Chinese and Japanese women were also seen as more beautiful depending on their face shapes.
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Today, unique face shapes that are not the most symmetrical are adored by many. Expressing diversity and quirks has become a current beauty trend globally, with models showcasing makeup trends with and without high cheekbones, acne scarring and scattered freckles.
Skincare
Makeup
Even something that seems as universal as skincare can vary across cultures. In Western societies, glowing, tan skin is often coveted, with self-tanners sold nationwide to help give women a natural sun-kissed glow.
Cultures all around the world value the use of makeup to accentuate features or express themselves. While some like to keep it natural, others prefer a smokey eye and a bold lip.
On the other hand, having a doll-like, youthful and blushing appearance is wildly popular in Japan. According to Samantha Ann, the beauty editor at OPENLETR, Japanese skincare is so sought after that it has actually made its way to the United States – brands such as Canmake and Shiseido being two of many.
“Applying mascara and even false eyelashes to widen the eyes adds a bit of child-like curiosity to the look,” says Ann in regards to Japanese beauty trends.
Youthful appearances are valued in regions all over the world, with people utilizing a wide array of remedies to achieve this. “In South America, drinking tea is a common way to reveal younger looking skin,” writes Ann in a recent article. “From plumpness to preventing wrinkles, women rely on ingredients in tea to achieve results more so than expensive creams, as we often do in the U.S.”
In an interview with Byrdie, beauty mogul and Bioderma brand manager, Emilie Roberson, spoke about French beauty trends. French girls typically prefer minimalistic makeup, however, red lips are still a favorite. No matter where you are in the world — State College, Tokyo, or Paris, perhaps — there is always an opportunity to try out different trends in the beauty world. ▪
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Photo By Cassidy Davidson
NOT JUST A DIET TREND: CELIAC
“It was sort of a dramatic change when I was first diagnosed with celiac disease,” Sarah says. “Although I was able to eliminate gluten from my diet somewhat gradually, it was a drastic transition from how I lived prior to my diagnosis.”
DISEASE AND GOING
For many people who find out they have celiac disease, it can be difficult to adapt to a diet with new restrictions, since many foods contain gluten.
GLUTEN-FREE
“I had to educate myself on exactly what gluten was, what places were safe to eat at, and I had to get into the routine of checking the labels on all food I consumed to be safe,” Sarah says.
By Abby Fortin
Emily Brownlow, a Penn State sophomore who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 8th grade, says it can be difficult to know if a food is safe for her to eat. “The most challenging part about having celiac is that sometimes there’s no way to know if certain foods have gluten in them unless the ingredient list is available,” Emily says. “In the case that I don’t have its original container to check the ingredients, I have to decide whether I want to play it safe or take a risk and hope it’s gluten-free.”
In recent years, specialized diets have gained popularity among those who want to lose weight or just want to be healthier. In an effort to accomplish these goals, some have chosen a gluten-free diet. While more gluten-free options are being offered at restaurants and grocery stores, going gluten free can be more harmful than good for those who do not have Celiac disease or a sensitivity.
Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and many other grains. The disease causes the bodies of those who have it to be unable to process the protein, and as a result, experience damage to their intestine, according to Penn State’s Katelyn Quick, a clinical dietitian in the department of Health Promotion and Wellness at Penn State
If you don’t have celiac or a gluten sensitivity, Katelyn recommends keeping gluten a part of your diet. “When you go gluten-free, it cuts out a lot of really important grains and carbohydrate foods,” Katelyn says. According to Katelyn, cutting out common foods that contain grains can lead to lack of fiber, which can result in a person gaining weight, having bowel issues, or not feeling full after eating. Just because a food contains gluten, doesn’t make it unhealthy. If you don’t have celiac or a gluten sensitivity, keeping gluten in your diet is actually the healthiest option. ▪
“Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder,” says Katelyn. “If someone with celiac disease eats the gluten that is found in certain foods, it’s this autoimmune reaction that the intestines get inflamed.”
“The intestines have finger-like projections, and there’s hills and valleys. But whenever the intestines get inflamed, everything really flattens out, and it makes it difficult for you to be able to absorb the nutrients that you would normally absorb from food,” Katelyn says. According to Katelyn, when people who have celiac disease consume gluten, oftentimes they have nutrient deficiencies.
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Sarah Baker, a sophomore at Penn State, found out she had celiac disease when she was 14 years old.
Photo By Dana Weltman
The intestines serve many functions, such as absorbing nutrients from food, according to the Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny.
POLLUTION AND PORES: D O E S A I R Q U A L I T Y A C T U A L LY A F F EC T YO U R S K I N ?
By Jacqueline Napolitano With the cold weather finally breaking away and the sunshine coming back to Happy Valley, students everywhere want clear and radiant skin. However, how does the warm, “fresh” air we crave affect our skin? Have you ever looked in the mirror in the morning just to see irritated skin? Perhaps the quality of the air surrounding you could be responsible. “The most famous pollutant is ozone,” says Dr. Amy Huff, an assistant research professor in the Penn State Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. “That is a photochemical pollutant that needs sunlight. That’s the biggest air quality issue in the United States.” While air quality issues in the United States aren’t nearly as problematic as in other countries, it is possible that if levels get high enough, it could affect your skin. “In the United States, pollution in the sense of air quality isn’t high enough that it affects your skin, which is good news,” says Huff. “Pollution is getting lower in the United States, especially in the mid-Atlantic region.” Whether you reside in a city or a more rural area can also determine the amount of pollution you are exposed to. “Pollution tends to be highest in cities,” says Huff. “Ozone is not emitted directly into the atmosphere. It is formed in the atmosphere from different chemical reactions. In cities, you’ll find the highest emission of those chemicals that combine together with the sunlight to make ozone.” Air quality can also be worse on certain days, depending on the time of year and other factors. Huff recommends checking the air quality forecast ahead of time. If the air quality is extremely bad, it is important to limit time outside.
According to David Shupp from the Penn State Department of Dermatology, there are several ways in which your skin can be affected by the chemicals in the air. “There is not a lot of research on it. The single biggest thing is the ultraviolet radiation and the ozone layer that is affected,” says Shupp. “Ultraviolet intensity is damaging to the ozone layer, which leads to sun damage on the skin.” Protecting your skin from the sun and while in polluted areas is important. Shupp recommends wearing sunscreen and appropriate clothing.You should also limit your time spent outside when ultraviolet radiation is most intense. Moisturize daily and protect your skin by focusing on products with topical antioxidants, including Vitamin C and E. Vitamin C can be acquired by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. Vitamin E can be found in cereals, meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables. These are all readily available foods that can improve dry skin. Have you ever heard the myth that pollution can breakdown the collagen in your skin causing dirt particles to accumulate on the skin’s surface and clog your pores? Shupp says this simply isn’t true. Air pollution can affect the ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin irritation and eczema, but pollution isn’t directly responsible for breakouts. While pollution isn’t always the culprit, it is still important to take initiatives to protect your skin from potentially harmful agents found in the air. Or better yet, save your skin by saving the environment first. ▪
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THE TEA ON CAFFEINE By Carmen DiPippo
There’s a reason that the HUB Starbucks line is a mile long, and the downtown Dunkin’ is constantly packed: a large population of college students are addicted to caffeine. Grabbing coffee is often a social activity or part of one’s daily morning routine, but is this behavior healthy?
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Coffee is not for everyone. A good substitution for that cup o’ joe is hot lemon water. It gives that comforting feeling without the side effects of caffeine. Lemon water has many benefits. It can boost your metabolism, provide energy and promote oral hygiene, according to Edison Institute of Nutrition. Consuming lemon water is also a gradual way to decrease your caffeine intake, while still getting you out of bed. When life gives you lemons, make lemon water! What you’ll need: • ½ of a lemon • 1 cup of water • Any additional flavors like ginger, turmeric, cayenne or honey for extra zest to wake you up What you’ll do: • Heat water through a Keurig, in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you prefer a cold beverage, add ice. • Squeeze lemon into water • Put the rind of the lemon in the water for extra nutrients and flavor • Add ginger, turmeric, cayenne or honey • Stir and enjoy!
Caffeine is often considered to be some kind of magic chemical that wakes you up instantly, but it is actually derived from a variety of natural sources. It can come from coffee beans, cocoa beans and even certain kinds of nuts and leaves. Black coffee itself is simply just ground beans mixed with hot water, which is by no means the worst drink you could put in your body. Caffeine is not harmful for most healthy individuals, when consumed in moderation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends limiting your intake to 300 milligrams per day, although consuming 400 milligrams every once in a while won’t typically cause major health problems. To put it in perspective, you could drink a venti black coffee from Starbucks and reach your recommended caffeine intake for the day. VALLEY suggests consulting the nutritional information of your favorite caffeinated beverage to make sure you are not exceeding the recommended limit, as well as speaking to a doctor if you are concerned about your caffeine intake. It’s no wonder that caffeinated drinks are so popular, considering they do have many benefits. Amanda Budzowski, senior clinical trainer and health coach, wrote in an article for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center that coffee and tea can increase overall alertness and mental functioning and even reduce risks of certain life-threatening conditions, such as heart disease and liver disease. With any food or drink, there is always a mix of pros and cons. Caffeine is no exception. According to Budzowski, It can lead to quick dehydration because it increases urination rates. If you plan on drinking coffee or another caffeinated beverage, be sure to stay hydrated, as well. Caffeine is an addictive substance. If you typically consume a large amount of coffee each day, gradually reducing consumption over a period of time is the best way to reduce caffeine levels in your body. However, it is safe to say that a cup or two a day won’t have many negative health effects, so no fear, you can still frequent your local coffee shop without too much worry. No matter how much caffeine you consume per day, like most things, it is best to do so in moderation.
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LIFE IN PLASTIC — I S I T FA N TA S T I C ? By: Jess Martino In the current society, beauty is plastered all over the internet, and it seems that cosmetic surgery is becoming a trend among younger age groups. We are seeing everything from Botox to total changes in body types and facial features, in hopes to attain “perfection.” VALLEY spoke with Dr. Scott J. Trimas of Beaches Facial Plastic & Nasal Surgery Center in Jacksonville Beach, Florida to learn more about just how many young people are participating in these procedures.
“Photos that have obviously been so filtered can send a damaging message to people that that’s what you have to look like or that’s what you have to be,” says Pencek. “In reality, it’s more about embracing who everyone is.”
“Teenagers account for about 5 percent of all cosmetic procedures,” says Dr. Trimas, noting that from 2015 to 2018, the number of total plastic and cosmetic procedures has increased in patients aged 13 to 19 from about 160,000 to 220,000 procedures.
Pencek says that social media users must recognize what they are really taking away from these posts. What is posted on social media could potentially create a negative body image for users.
According to Dr. Trimas, the top three procedures that young women receive are breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and liposuction. With social media becoming more popular over the last few years, there is evidence to believe that it is partially responsible for younger individuals becoming more and more interested in cosmetic procedures. Jennifer Pencek, programming coordinator of Penn State’s Gender Equity Center, discussed the likely contribution social media made to the recent spike in procedures. Pencek pointed out that social media can be both a positive and negative force for young people, and with this, comes a responsibility to be conscious of how you’re using it.
Pencek also noted that when cosmetic procedures come from a place of self-love, it could be something positive for those who receive them. But, when the desire for enhancement comes from an envious viewpoint of that “perfect” image, problems arise. Dr. Trimas also spoke about the damaging effects of social media and why these negative factors are driving younger crowds to have these surgeries. There has been a rise in procedures among patients aged 19 to 25 due to selfies and social media sites. Dr. Trimas says that self-consciousness is the key to the trend of plastic and cosmetic surgeries in younger generations. It is important to understand that there is not one definition of perfection. There are also plenty of resources that offer support to those who struggle with their body image, such as Penn State’s Gender Equity Center. Before you commit to a cosmetic procedure, ask yourself, “Am I doing this for me or to meet somebody else’s standards?” ▪
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Photo By Ben Pietrusinski
IMPROVEMENT
SELF
Andrew Storck, Undergraduate degree, Began in 2017 after serving in the military for 7 years, from 2005 to 2013 Andrew, an Air Force veteran and Penn State student, has a talent and deep passion for ceramics that he uses as an outlet for self-help, and as a meditative and therapeutic process for reflecting on his time in service. “The big thing for self-help is realizing you need help,” Andrew says. “You have to be able to say I need help and be willing and open to critique, and that’s one of the biggest things with art. You have to be open to realizing that there are flaws and room for improvement. Once you realize that there is room for improvement, then you can take the steps to make it better.”
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22 Photo By Grace Southern
HOW WE’RE RAISED By Shannon Kavanagh
Males and females are raised based on their presumed gender, which is given to them because of their sex. From gender reveal parties to doctors exclaiming the gender of a child after it’s born, gender is a fixed part of our identities from very early on. The stark contrast of raising a boy versus raising a girl creates a society in which men and women are viewed as completely different entities.
The powerful construct of masculinity within our society forces boys into molds in which they cannot share emotions or form deep connections. A huge part of their identities is whether or not they fit into this fixed idea of what it’s like to be a man. Penn State philosophy professor Désirée Lim, says that her biggest worry with boys and girls being raised completely differently is gender policing. This is the inability of children to express who they are because of their parents’ disapproval or punishment. Parents have such a huge effect on the way their children think and act. Telling boys “don’t cry,” or to “man up,” creates an idea that boys cannot share their emotions with others. On the contrary, girls are told to be polite and have good manners. They are supposed to take care of people and are “trained” to be empathetic. They are expected to take the middle ground and be able to diffuse conflict. “It contributes to a system where women are assumed to perform the bulk of domestic and emotional labor and are condemned if they refuse to play this role,” says Professor Lim. “It also makes it harder for them to assert boundaries in coercive situations.” Some things that boys are taught at a very young age feed into the rape culture that is seen on many college campuses. For example, men are expected to pay for things in heterosexual relationships, and this can create the idea that women then owe men something. In addi-
tion to learning negative behaviors from their parents, Professor Lim says boys can also be influenced by their peers’ dangerous behaviors. “This might include ‘bonding’ through acts of cruelty and humiliation targeted at those regarded as weaker and more vulnerable, especially ‘locker room talk,’” Professor Lim says. This same thing is seen when parents teach young girls to cross their legs or dress more conservatively. This way of teaching girls how to act so that they do not get attention from the other gender enhances the phrase, “boys will be boys.” In order to stop this, parents have to stop putting so much pressure on their children to conform to their assigned gender. Although this may be a little ahead of the times, gender creative parenting has recently gained traction on social media. Gender creative parents raise their children without regards to their gender. The reasoning behind this is that gender doesn’t always match up to sex. Many gender creative parents also think that kids should just be raised as kids. “This seems like a step in the right direction, but the established system of gender norms and expectations is not going to go away,” Professor Lim says. Basing how to raise a child off their sex can also be extremely detrimental to those who feel that their gender doesn’t match their sex. Being told how to act like a boy or a girl can make it very difficult to find one’s identity later on in life, especially for those who do not identify with their assigned gender. Instead of raising children based off their presumed gender, kids should be raised to be good people. After all, every child is a human that shouldn’t be treated differently based on their gender given at birth.
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INTUITION IS IT SOMETHING MORE? By Christy McDermott Many of us have been trained by society to be rational. If there’s a problem, you usually sit back and think about all of the ways to go about fixing it. Rarely do people rely solely on their inner voice to make decisions. But why not? Having a gut feeling about something isn’t always seen as a reliable reason to do something. Yet there are many reasons to pay attention to your intuition.
Have you ever had a That’s-So-Raven moments, where you just knew something was going to happen? This could be your intuition trying to tell you something. The Association for Psychological Science describes intuition as, “the idea that individuals can make successful decisions without deliberate, analytical thought.” Some are really in touch with their intuition, but is there something more to it than just having a gut feeling? The Science Side While it may seem like intuition is just a funny feeling, science proves that it’s deeper than that. “One viewpoint on intuition, which has been pretty popular, especially in social psychology, is that the mind is actually made up of two systems,” says Richard Carlson, the associate head professor of psychology at Penn State. “One is actually a fast, intuitive, nonreflective system, where you make various kinds of judgements and decisions. And the other is a slower, more deliberate, more logical system. The idea is that this fast system, which you might call the intuition system, is the default, but it can be overruled by this second, slower system.” The human brain takes all of the information it holds and uses it to guess what will happen next, sometimes without you realizing it. “We have multiple ways of accessing our information and our knowledge,” Carlson says. “A way to think about that is that the mind is basically an association machine. Everybody’s sort of familiar with the idea that one
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thing queues another. I say ‘dog,’ and you think ‘cat’ or you think ‘pet.’ Just because of how our knowledge is linked.” It’s not all mystic and psychic — intuition is just another function of the brain to draw conclusions and fill in the blanks. The Psychic Side Some people believe that intuition is just one side of our psychic abilities. Psychic medium, Matt Fraser, claims that whether you know it or not, you posses some level of intuition. “Not everyone may have a full-blown psychic ability or be able to see the spirits of those who are no longer with us, but everybody does have intuition, which is the building block of psychic ability,” Fraser writers on his blog. “Intuition is that inner voice or feeling deep inside of you that is present anytime you have to make a decision or need guidance.” Intuition is the unconscious side of our thinking, and it can be accessed by trying to “re-awaken” this part of the mind. One of the most common ways this is practiced is through meditation. According to Andye Murphy, a medium, intuitive and blogger, a core part of meditation is focusing on your body and channeling your mind to a state of unconsciousness, which is where these abilities can be found. “Any head filled with negativity, doubts, judgements and fears will have a hard time finding the still voice within,” Murphy writes on her blog. “A chakra balancing may be
a good idea to help you clear and restore vitality to your energy. But more importantly, a third eye flush will be the most beneficial to clear out any psychic clutter.” According to Murphy, your “third eye” is located in the middle of your eyebrows, and in the psychic world, it is seen as the gateway to a higher consciousness. She suggests visualizing an indigo beam of color radiating from this spot during mediation as the best way to open up your third eye and strengthen your connection to the unconscious mind. Using Intuition Whether you prefer the scientific explanation, or you’re ready to unlock psychic abilities, using your intuition can improve many aspects of your life. Intuition can help you with day-to-day tasks, like making decisions and becoming more open to new ideas or paths. “Artists use their intuition all the time when they’re being creative,” says Roger Beaty, an assistant professor of psychology at Penn State. “They rely on their gut feelings about the right way to go with a certain decision they make when making art. That’s just one example, but we use these kind of modes of thinking all the time in our everyday lives.” Connecting with your intuition skills can also improve your spirituality and allow you to discover new things about yourself. Fraser suggests this skill can also boost self-esteem and confidence because of the empowerment that comes with making the right choice. So the next time you get that gut feeling, listen to it. It may be trying to tell you something.
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By Carmen DiPippo Humans, especially college students, spend countless hours around others. From roommates to large lectures, it is rare that a college student gets much alone time. Being around others can motivate and challenge us to be the best version of ourselves. However, it is important to take a break and spend time with the most important person in your life: you.
In today’s society, people who frequently do things by themselves are often seen as outcasts or lonely. Those who spend quality time alone, however, may actually have a better understanding of themselves. Dr. Laura Ann Briscoe, psychologist for Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), says people can be hesitant to spend time alone because of what others may think. “There are some negative connotations associated with being alone,” Dr. Briscoe says. “For example, being perceived as a loner or antisocial can make it hard for people to see it as OK or even beneficial.” However, being alone is actually more rewarding than you may think. Making time for yourself can make your relationships with others stronger. When you spend time alone, you are given an opportunity to look inside yourself and discover who you are as an individual. “One of the most important relationships that we have is our relationship with ourselves,” Dr. Briscoe says. “Alone time can provide important opportunities to engage in self-reflection in order to build a sense of self and awareness. When we know ourselves well, we can engage in relationships with others more effectively.” Being alone can often seem like a bad thing. From an early age, there is a pressure to fit in socially. This creates the need to constantly be accepted by others. It can be difficult to perform simple tasks alone, such as eating or shopping. While it can feel strange to do these things alone, Dr. Briscoe says there is a difference between being alone and being lonely.
“I would describe being alone as simply a state of being by yourself, whereas being lonely denotes isolating and disparaging feelings. It is possible to be alone and not lonely. They are not synonymous,” Dr. Briscoe says. Regardless of whether you’re introverted or extroverted, alone time is necessary to reflect and spend time with your thoughts. If you consider yourself to be extremely extroverted, it may be strange to spend time alone. A great way to create more you-time is to do things you would normally do in a big group with just one to two other people. For example, if you typically study with a large group, try heading to the library with only a friend or two. It is very normal to have anxiety about being alone, but making gradual changes over time will likely help to ease or prevent this feeling. Even if you’re comfortable being by yourself, it can be hard to figure out what tasks are best done alone. Simple everyday things can be a good place to start. Grocery shopping, eating and studying can be therapeutic when done alone. When studying alone, there are less distractions, and you may find your levels of productivity increasing. If you feel as though you can’t escape being around others, waking up twenty to thirty minutes before your roommates, can create that space. The morning is a great time to sip your coffee and plan your day. In today’s world, it is so easy to spend every second with other people, but spending time alone can improve your overall quality of life. In order to create positive relationships with others, you must start with the relationship you have with yourself. ▪
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26 Photo By Shannon Soboslay
5 Things I Wish I Knew 5 Years Ago
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Practice Meditation
Throughout college, everyone is practically guaranteed to face hardship, and lose touch with their best self. Situations can seem catastrophic in your head, when in reality, the severity is simply a figment of your imagination. Meditation can be your first tool in stepping out from a dark place. Sam Harris, neuroscientist, public intellectual and creator of the podcast, “Making Sense with Sam Harris,” says that humans can create a dialogue in their mind that can cause unnecessary distress. “We are culturally blind to real meditation, but there is something to be discovered, and most people don’t know they are missing it,” Harris says on his podcast. “All of the world’s chaos is from our lack of insight mentally. Pointless suffering is a symptom of the mind being out of control.” Meditation can allow you to escape chaotic, illogical thoughts and gain control of your mind. Headspace and Calm are apps that offer guided meditations right from your smartphone.
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By Katherine Gouldin People often fear the future. They find the unknown to be scary. Humans tend to yearn for certainty in every aspect of life. But when you gain a new perspective, you realize the infinite number of opportunities that lie ahead. Use these five tools to guide you on your journey through life.
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Take Action
Sometimes you might feel that you are limited to a certain capacity because of the cards you are dealt in life. But the truth is that you can almost always change your circumstances through persistent action.You can’t expect a different outcome until you take the steps to make a change. One way to add structure to your everyday life is by implementing a morning routine. Waking up at the same time every day, staying hydrated and eating healthy foods will keep you feeling physically and mentally equipped to tackle life’s challenges. Journaling is another practice that can create a positive change. Getting pent-up thoughts and feelings out of your mind and onto paper can clear your head and provide relief. It can also act as out outlet to decompress at the end of a long day. Taking small actions can lead to big changes in your overall well-being.
Talk it Out
It’s much simpler to keep things inside than to show your emotions to people. But talking about your feelings to people you trust can provide relief from internal suffering. No matter how big or small something might seem, keeping your thoughts inside inhibits you from seeing that you are not alone, and that there are others that most likely feel the same way. Even your wildest thought has probably been thought of before.
Let Go of Perfection
Everyone gets caught up in the idea of who they are supposed to be. But in order to live a fulfilled life, you need to let go of people’s idea of you. Perfectionism is a common characteristic among those who try to control what they can’t. Exploring your fears and changing the way you talk to yourself are some ways to overcome the unrealistic need to be perfect. Try to mimic the type of person you wish to surround yourself with. This will bring out the best version of yourself.
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Examine Your Life
Instead of falling into a routine of work, study and play, find what your passions are. Search for the people that push you forward, challenge you and support you. The future in front of you is unlimited and the opportunities ahead of you are confined to nothing. Contemplating purpose and the unknown might by scary, but it’s what will make you feel alive. Challenge yourself to examine your life, take what you learn, and pass it on. ▪
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LET’S END THE STIGMA: MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH By Carolyn Sistrand
Many people think that mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, only happen to female minds. However, these issues do not discriminate — men commonly suffer more than most people realize.
Men who experience feelings like these are often told that they must “deal with it.” Mental health is not just dealt with, it must be acknowledged and treated. According to Jordan Barnard, staff psychologist for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Penn State, 64 percent of those diagnosed with mental health issues are women and about 36 percent of men. It seems like men come in for help less than women do, but the help they seek isn’t much different. “Mental health situations that men in college are dealing with are pretty similar to what women are dealing with,” Barnard says. “They are coming in with anxiety, stress, depression, relationship concerns and concerns around sexual identity.” Environmental factors can affect one’s mental health, such as school, friends, family and work. In the college environment, the pressures to succeed and attain a great career can negatively impact men. Any misstep, big or small, can bring feelings of failure or worries that things will not work out. “One of the unique things that are happening now is this overwhelming pressure to succeed,” Barnard says. “This is one of the first generations where they are now expected to outperform their parents and that can create a lot of stress for young men when thinking about traditional gender roles.” The idea of toxic masculinity heightens the pressure on men. Toxic masculinity is an expectation that has either been placed on men by others or by themselves. “Toxic masculinity is like showing no pain, manning up, being tough all the time, showing no vulnerability,” Barnard says. It can cause men to feel trapped, thinking that they must deal with thoughts, feelings and worries on their own. Many men find that they are not living up to these extremely high and often unrealistic expectations that
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have been put into place. According to Barnard, this feeling of being alone and solely self-reliant has led to dire circumstances, as men have a higher rate of completed suicide attempts related to a mental health issue. Barnard also says that anxiety or anxious feelings are very common among young men. “If you are a young man experiencing anxiety, and you know five men, chances are they have experienced anxiety,” Barnard says Men show their depression, anxiety or other mental health issues in a variety of ways. The most common way is through anger. Anger is typically a “manly” attribute, but most people don’t realize the other meaning behind that frustration. “There is a common saying that anger is really depression turned outward,” Barnard says. “Sometimes men can lash out with anger when in reality, it is really depression.” Sexual identity is also another mental health concern. College men are unsure of themselves and their wants, and sharing these concerns with someone else is frightening. Barnard says that finding an ally is key to overcoming feelings that perpetuate mental distress. An ally can be anyone that you can talk to about your feelings or things going on in your life. “Help can come in a variety of forms, it doesn’t necessarily have to be formal treatment,” Barnard says. “It could be making strong connections, taking risks and saying I think something is wrong, and finding a way to connect.” Through CAPS, Barnard and other psychologists run groups that help with overcoming these feelings. This
outlet is a place in which men can freely express what they experience and seek advice from those who are experiencing the same things. Barnard says that he hopes these groups will help students develop a sense of commonality and community allowing them to walk away with a new perspective on their situation. “Our hope is that men are not embarrassed by their mental health issues, that they are not alone, that this is a part of the development and a part of life, and that they can get the help they need,” Barnard says. Barnard encourages men to take time out of their school work to focus on their mental health. When things keep getting tougher, he wants men to examine their state of mind and what it is that seems to be weighing them down emotionally. Doing research can help you in finding answers. Trusted websites, such as Man Therapy, which was set up by medical professionals and institutions, can offer helpful information and answers. CAPS also offers screenings to students. Coming forward and admitting your mental health concerns is scary, but it can open up an avenue of healing and a life that seemed so far out of reach. “Take that first step,” Barnard said. “Once you start that dialogue, it can begin your release.” If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health concern, there are plenty of resources available to you, including: Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 1-877-229-6400 Centre Helps Hotline in State College at 814-237-5855 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 ▪
Photo By Ben Pietrusinski
CULTURE
CAMPUS
Shumaila Fatima, 5th year & Master’s program, International affairs Shumaila has three focuses for her work: education, gender equality and youth involvement. “My goal is to utilize my academic knowledge and personal and professional experiences to harness the power of education to promote peace and sustainably improve the livelihood of marginalized and less-privileged populations.” She also developed and created an organization called Share Khayr, which works to provide better education for underprivileged children in the Hyderabad region of India.
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Olivia wears top by H&M, dress by FREE PEOPLE.
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Photos By Emily Adar Styling By Emily Adar, Eleanor Wing and Callahan Miller Makeup by Jenna Maida
Bulletproof By Tess Petlak
Olivia Morrison grew up not knowing what a normal childhood was. From frequent trips to the doctor’s office and incessant testing, there wasn’t a lot she could relate to with her peers.
Stumped, doctors settled on IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), even though Olivia knew this wasn’t what was causing her to be sick. So she was forced to live with a never-ending illness and zero answers.
From a young age, Olivia has battled an ongoing illness. Stomach pains and fainting spells were the hands she had been dealt, and no matter how many times she was poked and prodded, not one doctor could tell her why she was sick.
In 2014, she was finally diagnosed with gastroparesis, which simply put, is paralysis of the digestive organs. Her body was unable to digest food, so her body was essentially starving itself. After receiving this diagnosis, doctors told her there was no cure, and she wouldn’t live past 45 years old.
The Search Doctors blew off her pains and concerns. Because they weren’t finding concrete answers, they assumed she was a kid who just didn’t want to go to school. Even though it was frustrating to have doctors and even her parents think she was making it up, Olivia could understand their disbelief.
She decided she would just have to pack a lifetime of memories into the short sentence the doctors had given her. From a young age she dreamed of attending Penn State University, and no illness was going to stop her. She packed her belongings and moved to State College in the pursuit of living a somewhat normal life.
“I feel like that was reasonable, because I was 8 years old,” she says.
At Penn State, she found friends, hobbies and her passion when she picked her major of international studies. She’s always wanted to travel the world and has hopes to create positive communication across countries.
Despite the doctors’ predictions, she did not grow out of it. It only got worse. In high school, the illness continued, causing Olivia to weigh a mere 78 pounds at one point. “I was horrifyingly skinny. I remember if I lied on my back, I could count my ribs.” Olivia had every test done in the book. They checked her for cancer and spina bifida, and everything had come back negative. They even removed her gallbladder and her appendix. “I was glad about it because it was two less things for me to worry about,” she recalls. “Everything was shutting down, so I was like if I don’t have to worry about these organs shutting down then at least I know they’re not the problem.”
Although she was trying to have a normal college experience, Olivia’s illness was still affecting her in many ways. People still didn’t believe she was sick. She says people thought she was crazy or just ditching plans when her illness kept her from attending parties and hangouts. No one seemed to believe that her illness was a substantial excuse. No one believed that she was truly sick. “For all my friends to not get it, it was a very isolating,” Olivia says. “So I feel like that led to a lot of depression.” Olivia was further isolated by her anxiety and fear of what her illness was capable of. She says she never knew
what was going to happen in public. Would she pass out? Would her legs give out on her? Would something entirely new happen? “That led to really crazy crowd anxiety that I still really struggle with to this day,” she says. “I have to kind of be like, ‘Oh wait. We don’t have to worry about that anymore.’ I have to talk myself out of it.”
Answers During her junior year at Penn State, Olivia had a seizure that saved her life. In the middle of an art class, Olivia was rushed to Mount Nittany Medical Center where an MRI scan revealed the answer Olivia had been searching for her whole life. There was a tumor in her brain. A tumor that had caused a lifetime of illness, worrying, pain, anxiety and depression. To most people, a brain tumor would shake their world. To Olivia, she found what she had always been looking for. Olivia felt that her diagnosis finally gave her a valid excuse. It excused her from everything she had missed out on over the years: parties, hangouts, sporting events. She could finally stop feeling crazy and finally show people the evidence of her lifelong illness. “It was very validating to not only have someone tell me that I had an illness, but that I had what doctors call a sexy illness, an illness that people pay attention to,” Olivia says. “An illness that gets you out of stuff. Because my whole life, I had all the symptoms, but I didn’t have the diagnosis, so nobody would take it easy on me.”
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“My whole life, I had all the symptoms, but I didn’t have the diagnosis, so nobody would take it easy on me.”
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At first, doctors refused to operate on her, knowing the risk of surgery. Instead, they wanted to treat her using medication. They prescribed Keppra, a medication used to treat epilepsy. Olivia hated the way it made her feel. “At this point, my quality of life was so low that I would’ve rather died than keep living like that.” Olivia decided she had enough. She went to her surgeon and insisted he operate. When he refused, Olivia didn’t take no for an answer. “He was not going to do it, and I had to cry in his office. I had to bring out the waterworks.” Finally, he surrendered. Olivia was ecstatic, but she couldn’t say the same for her parents. They tried to talk her out of the surgery, as they knew the risk she faced. But she had the papers in her hand, ready to sign. A week later, she would go into the operating room. In December of 2017, Olivia went to battle. With a bravery unmatched, she underwent surgery. She woke up a tumor-free person. In order to remove the tumor, the doctors had to remove four square centimeters of brain matter. But she has never felt more “whole” in her life. When operating, they had to remove a good chunk of her skull that was too fractured to put back into place. They created a titanium plate that would replace the piece of her skull. Olivia wasn’t just a hero, she was a bionic woman. “That was kind of one of those details I overlooked ‘cause I was just excited to not have a brain tumor anymore. But I woke up, and they were like, ‘Yeah there’s chainmail in your skull.’”
Life After After her surgeries, Olivia finally took the reigns of her life. The summer after, she bought a plane ticket and traveled to Greece, Turkey and Germany. She had a lot of adventuring to make up for. She packed years of memories into a three weeklong trip. Once Olivia came down from her high, she realized she wanted to give back. While she was struggling with both her physical and mental health, Olivia talked to someone through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) here at Penn State. The help she received led her to an idea. Olivia wanted to be a light to others who were faced with similar circumstances. Her cousin and inspiration, Abbie, has cerebral palsy but has never let it stop her from living. The two of them teamed up and are in the process of creating a foundation called Rita’s Angels, named in honor of their late grandmother, that will pair a physically ill patient with a therapist to guide them mentally while they fight their battle. This cause is so important to Olivia because when she was sick, no one asked her about her mental health, and she wants to end the stigma that physical health trumps mental health. “Not everybody’s insurance even covers that kind of thing. And that’s crazy to me because people die from mental illness, just like they die from any other illness,” she says. Olivia wants those struggling to know that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel.
The piece of titanium runs from the top of her skull to the back of her neck and is her shield in battle. She’s bulletproof.
“I just really wanted to give everybody an ‘It’s going to be OK’ from somebody who really knows that it’s going to be okay.”
Olivia recalls asking, “‘Doc, hypothetically, if I got shot in the side of my head would it bounce off?’”
To Olivia, “healing isn’t linear,” because she says there are still days when she faces struggles and leftover symptoms. She stresses that people facing mental and physical illnesses must show themselves patience in their process of healing.
“Yeah, just lead with your head,” the doctor replied. Olivia had also been seeing a doctor here in State College, and one day, her gastroparesis came up. He was shocked to hear that doctors told her she would die from this disease. He just happened to know a guy who created and performs a corrective surgery. In February of 2018, Olivia had her gastroparesis corrected, and it will no longer threaten her life span. These few months made Olivia grateful for the people in her life who had stuck by her during her darkest times. “I’m most grateful for my family. I don’t think this was easy for them either,” she says. “My parents were taking me to multiple doctors appointments a week, sometimes in more than one state, and my little sisters were so brave and cheerful for me.” During her time of healing, Olivia turned to artwork as an escape. She digitally reworked a photograph taken of her eyes in the days leading up to her surgery. These eyes are scared and tumultuous but glisten with
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a glimmer of hope. The “after” photograph features defiant, brave and adventure-seeking eyes. Windows to Olivia’s view of the world.
One remarkable thing about Olivia is how graceful she handles her illness. She exudes hope, positivity and liveliness, though her life has been far from unblemished. Olivia isn’t perfectly healthy or healed, and she isn’t asking to be. She embraces every trip to the doctor, every surgery, and every “brain damage quirk,” as she puts it. She has seen the world for what it is through unclouded eyes. But the hardships she has seen haven’t stopped her from living a full life. The world was dark and scary at times, but it never kept her from living. She takes risks because she is fearless. She adventures because she had always longed to see the world. She lives fully because to Olivia, life isn’t worth living if you aren’t really living. All the worries, fear, illnesses and pain just ricochet, because Olivia is made of titanium. She’s bulletproof. ▪
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TEN YEARS TIME
With every new edition of VALLEY, a fresh face adorns the cover, and a different story is shared. Over the years, VALLEY has featured student artists, philanthropists, even drag queens. Have you ever wondered what these students have gone on to do after their time at Penn State? Did they live out their dreams? The promises they made? Well, we sat down with P.J. Burkin, our fall 2009 cover star, to ask her just that.
The final words of the fall 2009 cover story read: “I think that at some point in life, everyone deserves to go on an adventure,” [P.J.] said.You’ve always got something special about you that makes you who you are, and the person you’re going to become. I’m excited to see what I do next.” So are we, P.J. So are we. Reading those words out loud to P.J., 10 years after they were written, gave her the chills.You see, before she graduated in May 2010, P.J. spent five years as the feature twirler of the Penn State Blue Band, affectionately known as the Blue Sapphire, capturing the attention of Beaver Stadium one twist and twirl at a time. And while her role as Blue Sapphire made her wellknown on campus during her time at Penn State, it is her life after she passed down the baton that still makes her an icon. “It has been such an adventure since I left Penn State,” she says. Shortly after graduation, she gave up her title as College Miss Majorette of America at the National Championships. A few weeks after that, she packed her belongings and moved to Arlington, Virginia to start work at a government contracting agency. “I moved there and knew no one,” she says. “And when I say no one, I mean a big fat zero. It was definitely a scary thing to do, but I felt like, ‘What better way to get to know yourself?’” She chose Virginia because she craved a work-life balance, something that nearly didn’t exist during her time as Blue Sapphire. Virginia was also the perfect place for her to do some soul searching, asking herself, “Who are you P.J.? Who are you without a baton in your hand?” After a few years of rotating jobs and receiving a master’s degree in corporate communication from Georgetown University, she discovered a burning desire to help others be the most prepared as possible on their roads to success.
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“I really had an interest in helping high-profile individuals be prepared for all that is expected of them,” P.J. says. So, her and her husband, Jon, who was also a collegiate baton twirler, moved back home to Altoona, Pennsylvania where she now serves as an Executive Communications Specialist at Sheetz. In this role, she prepares all communications for the Sheetz family, assisting them with interviews, presentations and more. And while her experiences as Blue Sapphire will always remain with her, P.J.’s connection with the University comes in more ways than one. Like most alumni, P.J. is passionate about helping and supporting young Penn Staters. She even hopes to serve on the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications Alumni Board in the future.
Between her career and raising her daughter, Ava, who was just born in October, P.J. still puts a baton in her hand at least three to four days a week. Both she and her husband coach at her mom’s baton studio. She compares her passion for baton twirling to others’ love of cycling, swimming or tennis saying, “If you’re lucky enough, you really don’t ever let it leave you, and you find a way to continue.” Ten years ago, it was as if P.J. lost a part of her identity when she twirled on the football field one final time. Come May, this is also a harsh reality that many graduating seniors will soon face — leaving legacies behind in Happy Valley. But, if there is one lesson to learn from P.J., it is that no one should be afraid to take chances. “In taking chances and doing things that are out of your comfort zone, you start to realize that the only thing comfortable about life is that you’re uncomfortable,” she claims. “In doing that, you kind of eventually evolve yourself into who you were meant to be.”
In 2009, P.J. said she was excited to see what she would do next. Well, P.J., we hope it was everything you dreamed of and more.
THE GIRL BEHIND THE LENSE By: Abby Luke When you look through the lens of a camera, you get to showcase your perspective of the world in a single work of art. When you look at someone else’s photos and videos, you get a look into the world as they view it. Claire Schmitt, a senior majoring in film, has a creative eye that can capture a vision of the world like no other. During the school year, you can often find her running around State College making videos as a THON production captain, working on personal projects with fellow content creators, designing her own clothes or journaling. Otherwise, she’s working around the clock with Visionary Music Group, an independent record label notable for producing musical talents such as Logic, Jon Bellion, Quinn XCII and on-the-rise singer-songwriter, Chelsea Cutler. Though initially a pre-med major, Claire’s creative side kept calling out to her. She grew up in a very creative environment — her mother does needlework and embroidery, her sister is a printmaker, and her brother works for a creative campaign media company. Working for VaynerMedia in the summer of 2017 as a production intern, Claire was running an errand when she stumbled into the office of Harrison Remler, the COO of Visionary Music Group. Claire and Remler got to talking when he asked her to send him some of her work and asked her to do some videography and photography for the upcoming Logic concert. Little did Claire know that this would end up becoming a regular gig for her. Even as she studied abroad in Denmark, Claire got word that Logic was touring there and wound up shooting for them again nearly halfway around the world. Since then, she has worked with Visionary at Governors Ball Music Festival, the 2018 VMAs, and on tour with Quinn XCII and Chelsea Cutler. Claire was hesitant to start in film because she knew so little about it. But, she soon discovered it’s all about learning as you go. She knew the basic skills, but found that confidence, passion and patience are key in learning the craft.
“My sophomore year, I didn’t have any clue about what I was doing with film,” Claire says. “I was a [THON] PR captain for social media, and [the production captains] took me under their wing and instilled this confidence in me that I can do anything I want to do.” Claire released her very first music video on Feb. 15, 2019, which was composed of 2,112 individually hand-drawn, digital animations. “I made doodles on Instagram and [Quinn XCII] saw it. He loved it and asked me to make a music video for one of his songs,” Claire says. “Animation is crucial to my career — like make or break. Animation is not something that’s being used in music videos, so it’s important to capitalize on that. It’s worth it to see the end product.” Claire shares a special bond with one Visionary performer in particular, Chelsea Cutler. She often finds herself in awe of Cutler and how vulnerable she can be through her music. “She is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met,” Claire says. “She’s constantly working, constantly writing. She produces all her own work. She’s very true to herself. She’s very open about her own mental state. I am lucky to call her my best friend. She has taught me so much just about believing in myself.” Claire also carries her art from the camera to the sewing machine, and she simply does it for fun. She is working on putting together a clothing line of her own. “I want most of [my pieces] to be a collaboration with someone to show my relationship with that person and to elicit a collaboration of creativity from different fields, so I see different expressions from each piece of clothing I produce.” In all that she does, whether it be creating art through filmmaking, animating or designing, she hopes to inspire people to follow their dreams. She is creative. She is innovative. She is: claire.
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By Emma Creamer
Inside Edition from the Interns Come May, students trade their time spent in classrooms for a 9 to 5 work day during the summer months. Whether you’re working for a large corporation in a big city or a smaller business in your hometown, internship experience is invaluable and different for everyone. VALLEY sat down with a few Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications students to learn the ins and outs of their time as interns. Emily Engle Emily Engle, a public relations student, has had three internships during the past few summers. She worked at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital as the Children’s Miracle Network intern, PSECU as a digital marketing intern and at Submarine Broadcast Corporation. “I would try to look presentable and not be on my phone a lot or social media on the company computers,” says Emily when asked about her biggest piece of advice. Emily says she felt like part of the team and was always treated as an equal during her internships. “I never did a single coffee run in any of my internships,” Emily says. “I sat in on morning meetings, worked on projects with staff, and I never felt like I was treated less than.” Emily is also the president of Penn State’s editorial club, Ed2010. Her vast experience on campus has helped her land these coveted internships.
Kara Riehl Kara Riehl, a recent Penn State graduate, has held several internship positions, with her most recent one being an NBC internship for the entertainment publicity team. When Kara enters the office every morning, she usually scans the news to see who is talking about NBC’s shows. “I come in and start clipping the newspapers, which just means looking for mentions of my department’s shows. Then I work with the NBCUniversal Page to clip online sources for the show and this usually takes all morning,” Kara says. Kara hopes her experience at NBC will open doors to new opportunities in the future. “Internships are definitely beneficial for finding jobs after college,” Kara says. “Employers like to see that you have experience in the field you want to work in. Another way internships are beneficial is that it helps you identify what you would like to do after college.”
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But how can you land that first internship? Kara claims being “passionate about the internship you are applying for” is key. One of the ways you can portray this passion is through your cover letter. She suggests making your cover letter really stand out. Kara says that the cover letter is where you get to show the recruiters and interviewers why you want to work at the company you are applying for, who you are as a person, and what you love about the industry.
Chloe Cullen Chloe Cullen is a broadcast journalism student who is also working toward a master’s in English. Chloe has had internship experiences in both Los Angeles and New York City, two of the main hubs for entertainment. In Los Angeles, Chloe worked as a television development intern at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater as an intern at Myriad Pictures. In New York, she worked as a talent and development intern at Comedy Central. “I was working at Upright Citizens Brigade, and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I would be doing stuff on the computer in the office, working on different projects,” Chloe says. “At night, I would be going to a lot of different shows. I think like six to eight comedy shows a week. It was my introduction to comedy development.” Chloe also attended Amy Poehler’s comedy club to watch three to four shows a week, as a part of her Comedy Central internship. Script coverage was also part of Chloe’s responsibilities.
Alaina Yorey Alaina Yorey is a senior majoring in public relations. As a part of the Penn State Hollywood Program, Alaina got the opportunity to intern for “The Ellen Show”. Among the many opportunities the internship gave Alaina, she says one of the coolest experiences was getting to be there for Ellen’s 60th birthday show. “Being on set for that show was probably the most exciting day of my life,” Alaina says. “She had more than 10 celebrity guests like Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Hart and Channing Tatum on the show that day, and many other surprises. It was so cool to be a part of, especially being there to see the audience and Ellen’s reactions throughout the show.” During her time in Los Angeles, Alaina had many hands-on experiences that she would not have had in a classroom setting. “Throughout all internships I really learned the value of hard work and consistency, and the importance of being on your game, as you are always a part of a team.” ▪
T H E F I R ST DA N C E TO N OW By Abigail Roe
Thi s i s a sto r y a b o ut t hre e wom e n . Th re e Pe n n St ate rs . Two ge n e rat ion s co n n e cte d by o n e ex p e ri e n ce t h at im pacte d t h e ir l ive s foreve r — T HON . It a l l st a rte d w it h V i cki G re e n e, t h e m ot h e r of C h e l s e a G ood m a n a n d Mol l y Fu r l on g.
Vicki’s story began in 1973: the year of the very first THON, Penn State’s student-run charitable dance marathon. The first THON benefitted Arc, an organization for handicapped people in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Vicki danced as a representative for Chi Omega sorority alongside her friend Joe Novello. “Joe and I only took one break in 30 hours,” Vicki says. THON began at 6 p.m. on a Friday and after the first 12 hours of dancing, all Vicki remembers is being in a daze. “We were in the HUB ballroom. The front end was roped off, so we were in a rectangular area. But after the first night, the organizers decided to redesign our dance area so that more people could see us,” Vicki says. When the reconstructing of that area happened, Vicki remembers feeling two things — disoriented and vulnerable. Today, there are many activities for dancers to participate in and keep them energized at THON. However, at the first THON, Vicki said there were no activities. “We were just on our own to figure it out. Just swaying and staying upright,” Vicki says. The event concluded at midnight on Saturday. When leaving the HUB, Vicki says that if she didn’t have her roommate help her get back to Haller Hall, she wouldn’t have been able to find her way. “I slept most of the next day,” Vicki says. “My feet were so sore. I don’t think I felt normal again for several days.”
Almost 30 years later, Vicki’s daughter Chelsea danced in THON, which was held at Rec Hall. When Vicki arrived to support Chelsea, she was blown away at how well the event was run. “I would go to our room at the [Nittany Lion] Inn to sleep, jerking awake at 4:30 a.m. to get back to Rec Hall. I became a devoted supporter, telling everyone, anyone about the wonders of THON over the next couple months,” Vicki says. Between 1973 and 2002, THON had made great strides. For starters, THON was now 48 hours and dedicated to its sole beneficiary, the Four Diamonds. Chelsea always had a drive to dance in THON because of her mom’s experience. Chelsea danced for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, her senior year. Leading up to THON, Chelsea remembers canning and standing on street corners in the cold, asking people to donate. During THON Weekend, she recalls being surrounded by the colorful and active atmosphere. THON resonates with all of us here at Penn State. For Chelsea, she is proud that it is all student-run. “The scale of it has grown to such an extent. I think being there is such a powerful, uplifting experience to see all these college kids working toward something much bigger than themselves,” Chelsea says.
“While there, I met a little 8-year-old boy named Joey. We became friends through the door of his hospital room,” Molly says. “He was receiving such intense radiation that no one was allowed in his room. I gave him toys and coloring books people sent me to help him pass the time. Joey passed away a few months later.” After receiving treatment, Molly returned to Penn State and was determined to dance in THON for Joey. Three years later, Molly followed in her mom and sister’s footsteps and danced in THON. Molly danced for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and throughout the weekend, she recalls having compassion for the kids who were having the time of their lives at THON, despite the awful disease they were battling. “I am so proud of how much money each of my daughters raised by writing letters to many of our friends to ask for donations. I am proud that I danced in the first THON,” Vicki says. Just like Vicki, Chelsea and Molly, students at Penn State, now and in the future, will also continue to fight for the kids. THON is a part of the Penn State tradition that will continue to live on for generations to come. One day we will dance in celebration, but until then we will continue to dance For The Kids™. ■
In January 2001, Vicki’s younger daughter Molly was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Molly, a Penn State student at the time, had to withdraw from school to undergo two months of treatments in Michigan.
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QUEENS By Gabby Solon
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OF
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VALLEY
Drag has been a part of our culture for centuries, but it wasn’t until the past decade that drag queen culture gained popularity and more acceptance. The drag scene is growing in State College with the formation of its first drag ambassador club.
and primadonnas. While one queen could truly have those personality traits, many times it is the complete opposite. In fact, some performers may be shy before stepping into their drag persona.
Luke Nosal, known as Laurel Charleston in drag, is a member of Opulence and a drag queen icon on campus.
“Drag personally helped me break out of my shell and become less shy,” Christopher says.
“I think Opulence is a critical network for queer students who want to express themselves through gender,” Luke says. “Whether or not you are an actual performer or just someone who has in interest in drag, this organization is definitely the place to be, and I truly think that it is being run by the best people.”
Opulence has provided a platform for queens to express themselves and their art form. It has created a foundation of inclusivity, encouragement and acceptance.
The organization has seen a lot of success in sharing drag with the Penn State community over the past two years. October 2018 marked Opulence’s first show, which was held in Heritage Hall in the HUB and was sold out. Opulence has since held events at many State College establishments including The Hush Room, Cafe 210 West, Doggie’s Pub, Webster’s Bookstore Cafe and Chronic Town.
Photo By Grace Southern
Founded in 2017, Opulence formed at Penn State to create an open space for aspiring drag queens, kings and enthusiasts while also spreading awareness and challenging the gender binary.
“Finding your support system is very important,” Christopher says. “My drag family is enough and all that I could ask for.” This organization has brought together many individuals dedicated to the art of drag. Will you be in attendance at the next Opulence soirée?
In preparation for these shows, some queens can get dressed in less than an hour while others need nearly six hours. Typical routines include products like moisturizer, foundation, eyeshadow, bronzer, highlighter, fake eyelashes — the list goes on. Their commitment to their characters even makes them go as far as gluing down their real eyebrows so they can redraw new ones. “A queen’s best friend is an Elmer’s glue stick,” says Opulence’s secretary, Ben Nasal, whose drag persona is known as Paris. Once the makeup is complete, the queens move on to styling, dressing and accessorizing. The clothing worn by many queens is often designed and created by them. Wigs, nails and jewelry are adorned to complete the final look. The foundation of the overall performance is the choreography and lyrics executed in every queen’s routine. Christopher Castro, also known as Hexxa in drag, was the first president and a co-founder of Opulence. She is one of the top performers at their shows and understands the value of a killer routine. “The most important thing is to know your lyrics,” Christopher says. “It is more important to know what you are singing than what you are wearing.” People commonly associate the drag community with only cisgender, gay men — gay men whose gender matches his sex. However, this is an over-generalized belief that is far from reality. “Drag is for anyone regardless of gender or sexuality,” Luke says. With blowout hair styles and intense makeup, drag queens are also sometimes stereotyped as rude, prissy
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Bobby Santoni is a talented, self-taught DJ looking to break into the music industry. He looks up to and models his work after artists like Martin Garrix and Avicii. Having played gigs at both Penn State and Towson University, he hopes to turn his hobby from part-time to full-time one day. “Watching people dance to tracks that I’ve made is one of the craziest feelings ever,” Bobby says. “I really take it upon myself to give my all and then some every time I step up on stage.”
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Photo By Ben Pietrusinski
ENTERTAINMENT Bobby Santoni, Junior, Telecommunications
WATCH AND LEARN By Hannah Ferenci Watching a documentary used to sound like a snooze fest with a droning narrator talking over slow, fuzzy footage. But with the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, documentaries have become pop culture sensations. However, is the popularity of documentaries a fad or a new cultural precedent?
Streaming services have been more frequently producing documentaries that quickly become all the rage. Because documentaries are inexpensive to make, streaming services have produced a large quantity of these types of films. “A lot of documentaries are made for the small screen. They always have been,” says Boaz Dvir, a Penn State film professor and documentary filmmaker. “They are cheaper to manufacture. It’s easier to create multidimensional elements to these projects right away, which lends itself to binging.You might go find other documentaries about the topic.” Even though documentaries are nonfiction, they still manage to provide entertainment through a factual narrative. As a documentary filmmaker, Dvir says, “It’s a matter of prioritizing. Accuracy has to come first. I cannot put anything in my film unless it’s truthful, accurate and fits. When you nail that, hopefully it will be entertaining. If you stick with telling one accurate story and telling it well, then you can be entertaining.” The hit documentaries of the past few years drew in viewers by incorporating their truth into exciting, colorful narratives. “The thing that drives documentaries is the understanding that I eventually need to impact my audience emotionally,” Dvir says. “It’s not enough that I impact them intellectually.”
Today’s documentaries are edgy, in-depth looks on both familiar topics and fresh concepts. Any historical event, public figure or human interest story can be captivating when portrayed in a documentary. Dvir believes that the current explosion in production of documentaries could last, since at their core, they aren’t much different from any other movies that viewers stream. “Character driven storytelling revolved around conflict seems to be the bread and butter of storytelling in various forms, whether it’s a reality TV show, a Hollywood action movie or a documentary,” says Dvir. Therefore, the boom of documentaries is likely to continue, but its trajectory is hard to predict. “Life is constant change, so of course our viewing habits are going to change with it. My guess is that things are going to change, but not in the way we think,” says Dvir. The only thing that’s for sure is that we’re in the golden age of documentaries. “It’s fun to see the popularity of streaming,” says Dvir. “ It’s a fun time to be a documentary maker.” Broaden your knowledge by exploring a new topic and experiencing a new genre of film through the entertainment industry’s new craze. ■
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On a day-to-day basis, students often lose sight of the opportunities afforded to them with a college degree. For Penn Staters, their degrees grant them membership to the largest alumni network in the country, along with unmatched career opportunities. In turn, some of the most notable alumni have gone the extra mile in giving back to their alma mater.
How a $600 Loan Led to a $30 Million Endowment
How a $600 Loan Led to a $30 Million Endowment
How a $600 Loan Led to a $30 Million Endowment
By: Abby Luke
Donald Bellisario is the renowned director of hit shows like “Magnum P.I.,” “Quantum Leap” and “JAG.” This 1961 Penn State graduate recently gave one of the largest gifts in the school’s history, a $30 million endowment to the College of Communications. Renamed in recognition of this incredible contribution, the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications will continue to deliver impressive students to the working world through the construction of new facilities, creation of new scholarships, and hiring of additional faculty. In light of his generosity, VALLEY reached out to Bellisario to learn more about his time at Penn State and his road to success. What first drew you to advertising and journalism? VALLEY:
Donald Bellisario: I always liked to write stories.
And, people liked the stories that I wrote growing up. One day, I was walking past the HUB, which was brand new at the time, and they were having a career day. There was a fella sitting there who looked like he was right out of central casting. He was there for the school of journalism. I spoke to him and told him how I liked to write and he said, “Why don’t you take a 100-level course that gives you journalism and advertising so that you can kind of get a taste of both?” So, I did. I majored in advertising with a minor in journalism. V: How did your experience at Penn State influence
your career path?
DB: I mean, I wouldn’t have started on my career if I
hadn’t been at Penn State. I majored in advertising, and that gave me an opportunity to get my first position, which was on the Centre Daily Times, of all places. I was able to move onto an agency and from that agency to the Bloom Agency, and I got into television. It was all because of my background and what I learned at Penn State, in advertising and journalism, particularly. V: When you look back at your time at Penn State, are there any particular memories that stand out to you? DB: Yes, but it’s not with education. It was with having
fun. A couple of us discovered when it was snowing that the sidewalks were always dry so we knew there was a heated tunnel underneath the sidewalk. We snuck down in the tunnel and were able to move all over campus through the tunnel system.
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V: What was one single thing that has influenced you
most throughout your career?
DB: I had a professor at Penn State who influenced
me a lot, Roland Hicks. He had probably the most impactful impression on me. He gave me a lot of encouragement, and I spent a lot of time with him. V: What made you shift from advertising to producing? DB: Well it was a natural shift. I always wanted to do
film. I got a camera from WGAL-TV in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and I went out and started shooting my own commercials. I was cameraman and director and writer. I shot a lot of commercials, and when I went onto the Bloom Agency in Dallas, Texas. I was a copy group head. I went out to California as a producer, went to New York as a producer, and then I began to direct commercials for that agency also. V: How did your military service influence the
production of your shows later on?
DB: Well, the military is always involved in all of my
shows. My military service, four years in the Marine Corps, was a strong influence on the kind of shows I did and the kind of people I put in them. They were populated with military people, either ex-military or in the military at the time. “JAG,” for example, was active military service. “Magnum P.I.” was former military service. I knew the language. I knew the mission, so it was easy for me to write. V: What drove you to give back to Penn State in such
a great way?
DB: Penn State gave me a loan at a time when I really
needed a loan. They loaned me $600. I never paid back that $600, so I paid it back with $30 million. A lot of interest, I guess. I just wanted to be able to give the school of communications a real leg up and be able to split the money three ways — to put in some new physical plant, give scholarships to students, and hire professors that maybe otherwise couldn’t be hired. I wanted to put the College of Communications on the map. V: What do you hope students will gain from this gift? DB: The students will be able to do things they
couldn’t have done. I get letters from students all the time who say that if it wasn’t for their scholarship, they wouldn’t have been able to continue at Penn State. That’s really a good feeling to know that you’ve helped somebody get a leg up like that. I hope to see the College of Communications become number one in the country and under Dean Hardin, I think it will. V: Do you have any final remarks? DB: Well like I said, part of it was that they loaned
me money when I really needed it. It doesn’t sound like much now, but at the time, it was enough to keep me going. So, I wanted to be able to do that for other students. I would just like to see [the college] become a moving force as a school of communications. ▪
WHY CALL WHEN YO U C A N C H AT ? By: Kylee McGuigan Communication has gone digital. It seems like younger generations, in particular, choose to communicate over digital platforms, such as Snapchat, instead of picking up the phone, or better yet, having a face-to-face conversation. Now we can barely separate ourselves from our screens. Communication over time has certainly evolved, and it’s important to see how it will continue to change over the years. Dating back to the early 1800s, people had to rely on telegrams and newspapers to receive any type of communication. The late 1800s saw the invention of the telephone, which greatly increased the speed of communication.
Social media began to develop as a new platform for users to stay up to date with friends and acquaintances. In 2004, Facebook was introduced to the world by Mark Zuckerberg, which would go on to be one of the most popular social media platforms. This was the start of making connections with others on the internet, as users could see each other’s pictures, posts and life updates all at the click of button. In 2006, Twitter made its debut as another popular form of social media, allowing people to share short life updates or repost things from other users. This started a domino effect in the creation of more social media platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat and LinkedIn, to name a few. For those who grew up without access to internet or social media, their methods of communication differ from what the norm is today. Rose Lepo, a woman in her early 70s, did not grow up with internet or social media, so the ways in which she communicated with others were much different.
After computers were invented in the 1950s, communication began its uphill journey of transformation, introducing people to new ways of getting in touch with one another, according to Richard Munoz, a contributor to the online blog MobileCon, which is a platform for people to share all news and information related to the growth of technology.
“When I was young, writing letters to friends who lived away from your area was the way to go,” Lepo says. “Phone [calls] were the number one way to communicate to those close by. ‘Long distance’ calls were expensive, and there was only one phone per household, so all members had to watch the time they were on each call.”
In the early 1990s, the World Wide Web was brought to life, giving people access to websites and search domains where they could retrieve information. Shortly after, came the invention of email, and digital communication was brought to a head.
She says that today, she texts more than she talks on the phone, just considering that it’s more efficient.
After the rise in popularity of email, digital messaging became the new way of communication. Text messaging was introduced in the 1990s. Since then, it has been used so frequently that nearly nine trillion messages are sent each year, according to Munoz.
Millennials nowadays have become adept to using their phones as primary sources of communication. More often than not, social media has contributed to the development of relationships between people. Where does this place us for the future of technology? Will we continue to use our phones and social media to connect with others, or will we revert to face-toface conversations to further develop more meaningful relationships? ■
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NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES: By: Abby Luke
From Stephen Colbert to Trevor Noah, late night hosts remain some of the most visible personalities on television. While nighttime talk shows are traditionally characterized by celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and live bands, their hosts play a major role in bringing politics to the mainstream. Late night shows strip away the uptight, formal manner of political conversation in exchange for easily digestible, political one-liners. So, the question remains, how does late night make this hard-todigest subject palatable to the general public? Despite politics’ reputation as a socially distasteful topic, American audiences are increasingly receptive to individuals like John Oliver, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah, whose programs present political news in nontraditional formats. Late night television has utilized politics for decades, whether it be Chevy Chase’s impersonations of Gerald Ford on Saturday Night Live or Johnny Carson’s critiques of President Richard Nixon. Today’s late night programs maintain the political commentary of their predecessors. However, their role has shifted from sources of entertainment to sources of information. Dr. Sophia McClennen, Penn State professor of comparative literature and international affairs, and author of “Is Satire Saving America?”, explains how for the first time in U.S. history, people are getting their news from comedians. This transition has been primarily driven by growing distrust and increased partisanship within network
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news. Over the past decade, networks like CNN and Fox News have adopted a sensationalist, tabloid-like approach to news coverage, which has furthered this lack of public trust. One of the main distinctions between network news and late night television that McClennen underscores is, while networks are focused on profit, satirists aim to create a loyal following and do so through better informing the public and stepping outside of the status quo. This trend towards late night television has continued to grow during the Trump era. Mainstream media criticizes President Trump, but it does so in a way that the public doesn’t like. For example, McClennen points out how CNN will direct its focus towards Trump’s tweets, which, in turn, does not help inform the public. Satirists, in contrast, are focused on calling out “BS” and attacking bad logic — whether taking aim at liberals or conservatives. Although they call out politicians from both major parties, late night hosts are undoubtedly democratic-leaning. When asked if late night shows can adequately inform the public, despite their liberal biases, former Penn State professor of political science, Dr. Mark Major, explained how some hosts have taken extra precautions to ensure that they provide factual information. John Oliver, for example, experienced a rise in viewership after investing money into fact checkers and researchers for his show, “Last Week Tonight.” Some research also points to the fact that individuals with liberal views are more receptive to comedy and satire than their conservative counterparts. In terms of demographics, late night TV has been especially effective in appealing to younger viewers. Coming of age in the time of smartphones, millennials rarely engage with traditional forms of news. Late night is particularly appealing to young people because of
its entertainment factor.Young people are more likely to watch clips on their phone of Trevor Noah running through the news than TV news anchor Wolf Blitzer. Although it seems like this reliance on late night may lead to a less informed public, McClennen asserts that her research says otherwise. People tend to watch late night for an initial overview of the news cycle, and follow up on stories of interest through reading print pieces. “Of course, satire is more entertaining than the cable news fear stuff. But the other side is that when you teach someone a piece of information through comedy, they actually remember it better,” says McClennon when asked about further benefits to late night TV. So, how do these programs influence politics itself? Dr. Major explains how late night audiences represent a larger cross section of the American public than CNN, for example. Therefore, politicians making appearances on these shows have access to a more diverse audience and can better spread their messages. Other research has focused on how late night influences public opinion on political topics. A prime example is Saturday Night Live’s impersonations of different politicians. Some argue that Melissa McCarthy’s impersonation of Sean Spicer led to his firing from the White House. There’s also proof that Tina Fey’s impersonation of Sarah Palin did significant damage to her public image. Late night TV and politics tend to go hand-in-hand, and satirists have proven themselves to be some of the best political critics. While these programs are sure to make you laugh, research has shown that they provide a beneficial public service that is not all “fun and games.” ■
LATE NIGHT TELEVISION’S POLITICAL INFLUENCE
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MUSIC THROUGH THE DECADES By Shannon Kavanagh
1950S The 1950s saw the birth of rock and roll in America, and its rapid gain in popularity allowed it to quickly move to other parts of the world. Rock and roll was mainly influenced by music like rhythm and blues, gospel music and jazz. These genres were mixed with pop and country to create the new genre of rock and roll. Penn State music theory professor, Dr. Vincent Benitez, says, “Rock and roll was considered music for delinquents.” It was extremely different from pop music, which was upbeat and clean. Rock and roll was more sexual and had a darker tone.
Since the 1950s, popular music has seen many different genres, venues and performers. These attributes have transformed and shaped the music industry to what we know today.
Known as the pioneer of rock and roll music, Chuck Berry began his career playing primarily to black audiences in St. Louis. He started by playing mostly blues, but soon became interested in country music. Berry broke down racial barriers and began playing to white audiences, introducing them to a new genre of music. Elvis Presley came into the picture when he signed with RCA Records in 1955. Shortly after, Presley started releasing singles that would all hit the top of the charts. Referring to Elvis, Dr. Benitez says, “He knocked down the doors and opened up opportunities for both black and white artists.”
1967 - “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is released.
1956 - Elvis Presley plays on the Dorsey Brothers Show 1959 - A plane crash killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.
1950
1960
1955 - Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene” is released.
1974 - Bob Marley and The Wailers release “No Woman, No Cry.”
1970
1964 - The Beatles travel to New York to play on the Ed Sullivan Show
1972 - David Bowie releases “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.”
1969 - Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, New York.
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1960S
1970S
1990S
The 1960s marked the British Invasion, a movement in which British bands were influencing American culture. British bands were grazing the top of the charts alongside American artists. Not only were Americans listening to these British bands, but the American artists were also adopting their styles.
A new type of music emerged in the 1970s — funk. Inspired by rhythm and blues, soul and jazz, funk became a new type of dance music. Bands like Earth, Wind and Fire and Sly and the Family Stone, as well as artists like Stevie Wonder, dominated the funk realm at the time.
The music of the 1990s can be described as a mix of rock, pop and hip-hop. There was alternative rock with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam that soon turned into grunge — a less clean-cut version of rock.
Dr. Benitez explained that the British Invasion bands had a huge influence on music and pop culture.
David Bowie made his mark on the 1970s with his glam rock style and his androgynous look. He dressed in crazy costumes, had long, dyed hair and wore makeup.
“Whatever they did, everyone would do,” Dr. Benitez says. The music surrounding the counterculture movement had psychedelic tones and lyrics of political activism. Artists and bands that were popular during this movement included Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix. This political activism garnered the support of teens across the United States. It sparked the rise in the hippie subculture. In the summer of 1969, over 400,000 people traveled to upstate New York to attend what turned out to be the biggest music festival ever — Woodstock Music Festival. The 1960s was an extremely successful decade for The Beatles as they had six of the top 10 albums, but in the early 1970s, they split up. However, each of the four Beatles took on successful solo careers after the break up.
Bob Marley also played a very important role in music in the 1970s. He is the only reggae artist to reach iconic status. In the second half of the 1970s, disco became extremely popular. Along with disco music, came clubbing, bright lights and lots of dancing. Disco heavily influenced the creation of pop music in the 1980s.
The late 1990s was a time of transition from rock to pop. Bands like Green Day and Blink-182 played punk rock music and made it mainstream.
2000S The turn of the century brought about some of the artists that many of us still listen to today. Hip-hop became extremely popular in the early 2000s with artists like Eminem, Kanye West, Missy Elliot, Nelly and many others.
1980s
Teen pop was a huge mainstream genre in the early 2000s, with singers like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Pink playing through Walkmans on repeat.
The 1980s saw the rise of pop while country rock also started gaining popularity. At this time, pop had electric, upbeat tones. Michael Jackson came back into the picture in the 1980s along with Whitney Houston, Madonna and Prince.
From the birth of rock and roll in the 1950s to the evolution of hip-hop in the 2000s, we have witnessed music and pop culture transform before our eyes. Music brings us together, defines the times we live in and shapes what’s next to come.
“Thriller is one of the most important albums in popular music,” says Dr. Benitez. “Michael Jackson is the king of pop.” In 1981, MTV launched and aired The Buggles clip, “Video Killed the Radio Star.” This was a turning point in music history, as music videos were about to become all the rage. Artists were paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to create some of the most iconic videos of all time.
1981 - MTV is launched, marking the beginning of music videos.
1980
Napster, the music downloading service, was launched, allowing users to share music files and download them for their own use.
1990
1991 - Nirvana releases “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. 1982 - Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is released.
2000 2003 - The Billboard American Top 10 was made up of non-white artists for the first time in history.
2000 - Britney Spears releases “Oops … I did it again.”
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G D
O I G
I I
N T
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By: Hannah Bingham
Getting the news has never been easier. For the majority, it arrives in the form of alerts and notifications instead of being delivered to their doorstep. News is now distributed and consumed as soon as it breaks. With this accelerated speed of news, it’s no surprise that digital is beating out print.
Many major publications have accepted the fact that the print industry is changing. With the digitalization of many publications, the need for print media is dwindling. However, to some, the tradition of a print publication is valuable, and these loyal readers are the reason for the demand of print publications. Meredith Corporation is the largest publishing company and media conglomerate in the world and continues to sell both print and digital media. They own well-known brands, such as People, Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle and Time. “Meredith sells a subscription every second of the year. People sells a copy on newsstands every six seconds,” says Michael Brownstein, Meredith Corporation’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer and a Penn State alumnus. “However, we do have an advertising problem. Publishers used to compete with each other. Now we compete with Facebook and other digital and social platforms, which are sexier.” For this reason, several publications are ceasing their regular print issues. As reported in the New York Times, Condé Nast lost approximately $120 million, prompting the company to cut the production of print issues for major brands, such as Glamour. Samantha Barry, the editor-in-chief of the Glamour, was quoted in the New York Times saying, “It’s where the audiences are and it’s where our growth is.” Social media and digitalization have forever changed the way we consume news. Brands use digital platforms to increase engagement among readers. “You must be relevant to their lives,” Brownstein says. “Pinterest’s number one source is Better Homes & Gardens, which in turn, leads consumers back to the brand. We sell the brand, not just the magazine.” The age of the smartphone has changed how news is consumed, especially on college campuses. A Penn State adjunct lecturer and editor at Fantasy Guru, Joseph Dolan, has seen the effects of digitalization on campus.
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“When I was here at Penn State, it was pre-smartphone. You would go into Forum Building and see hundreds of people reading The Daily Collegian. Now looking at these classrooms, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone read a physical newspaper,” Dolan says.
“There have been a lot of cut downs. There is no doubt about that,” Martin says.
The newspaper industry suffered from major layoffs during the influx of digital media. As the leader of the Office of Internships and Career Placement in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Bob Martin helps students make smart internship and career decisions during this time of change in the media industry.
“There is more demand for media consumption than ever before because there are more choices,” Martin says. “There is a niche medium for everything. The print industry isn’t dying, but morphing into another medium.”
However, he remains optimistic about the amount of jobs in the industry.
VALLEY ASKED PENN STATE STUDENTS HOW THEY RECEIVE THEIR NEWS ON A DAILY BASIS.
76.5% SAID THEY GOT THEIR NEWS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
5.9% SAID THEY READ A NEWSPAPER EVERY DAY
12.9% READ THEIR NEWS ONLINE
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Bre Boeh is creative, individualistic and enchanted by the world of art. She pulls inspiration from her mother, her Aunt Nan and Syd, the owner of a “sweet little flower shop” in her hometown. Her jean jacket business, “Frida Jean,” is named after Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, because of the role Kahlo plays in Boeh’s life and what she communicates in our culture today. “I entered Penn State as a biology major. After a freshman year of strenuous soul searching, I realized I could not deny my desire to pursue art as a career,” Bre says. “My jean jacket business is called “Frida Jean” — upcycled and customized jean jackets by yours truly. [Frida Kahlo] exemplifies self-determination, as she paved her own path in the art world. I hope to be half as courageous as her in my life endeavors.”
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Photos By Ben Pietrusinski & Oscar Chen
FASHION Bre Boeh, Junior, Visual Arts and Advertising
HIGH FASHION Many young fashionistas dream of the day they’ll own their first luxury piece, like a classic Chanel handbag or a pair of Christian Louboutin red bottoms. However, high quality designer clothing and accessories come at a steep price. The same is true for modern street style. Supreme, Yeezy and Off-White are all in high demand and low supply, which leads to their increased value in both original retail and in resale. Rather than thinking of purchasing luxury items as simply throwing away money on a piece that may not get very much wear, smart buyers and collectors see it as a way to invest in the future of both their lives and the lives of the pieces they acquire. Jeff Glauser, Penn State alumnus and owner and CEO of Glausangeles, collects and sells the hottest pieces in modern streetwear online and at pop-up shops. “Streetwear is unique in that almost every item is purposely produced in quantities to create a supply and demand inefficiency,” Glauser says. “Due to this supply and demand inefficiency, there is a huge secondary market for used items, to which the value is generally similar to the original cost.” Glauser contrasts this process of buying and selling to purchasing a new car. After a few weeks, a new car may only be worth half its original price tag. On the other hand, these streetwear items gain value over time. “One common misconception about streetwear is that people only want the newest, hottest item, which would cause the value of last season’s items to decrease,” Glauser says. “This is generally false, as the older items become more rare and coveted, which causes the prices to increase even higher and continues to pay back on your investment.” Susan Purdum, a supply chain professor at Penn State, acknowledges that fashion can be a valuable investment, but only under specific terms.
“Items only grow in value if there’s a market for them over time,” Purdum says. “It may not be designer and luxury lines as much as it is a classic piece — it never goes out of style.” Classic items may never go out of style, but what adds most to a piece’s value is its physical state. Most items of clothing and accessories experience wear and tear throughout their life. A reality of investing in designer items is that the closer an item is to mint condition, the higher resale value it holds. However, it isn’t always easy keeping items fresh. People typically purchase clothes and accessories with the intent of wearing them — so how can they maintain their value despite being worn? “For clothing my best recommendation would be to buy darker colors,” Glauser says. “This may seem like common sense, but if you are spending hundreds of dollars on a T-shirt or hoodie, it is a better investment in a color that won’t show dirt or stains as easily.” In general, Glauser encourages people to “just be mindful of where you are wearing your item based on the color, style and material.” When buying an expensive piece, it’s important to think ahead about whether it is a staple that will become a part of your everyday wardrobe, or if it’s a true investment piece that will remain in a box for most of its life. Once you decide whether or not you want to buy an item to love or to preserve, your next move is to decide which piece is best for you. Choosing your first designer piece can be stressful, but at the end of the day, it’s most important to follow your heart and your personal style. While this item is a future investment, it’s also a form of self-expression, so pick something that best suits you and your taste. After all, it’ll probably be in your wardrobe for a while. ▪
HIGH REWARD By: Abby Fortin
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THREADING LIGHTLY: HOW NOT TO LEAVE A FASHION FOOTPRINT By Devon MacDougall Going to the mall and aimlessly shopping around is a pastime that we all know, but how often do we pause to think about the items we are purchasing? Where did your favorite shirt come from? Who made those new jeans? What are your go-to boots made of? It turns out that some of your apparel could have ugly backstories.
It’s important to make conscious decisions when rifling through the rack or filling up your online cart. There are many actions you can take to become an ethical consumer. From shopping locally to purchasing cruelty-free products, here are some ways to be more aware of your shopping habits.
SHOP LOCAL Instead of buying all your products from a large company, consider supporting small businesses where the revenue goes directly to the creator. When large companies receive all of your business, small shops suffer. To prevent this, try shopping at local boutiques instead of corporate brands. In doing so, you are supporting your local community and may just find a one-of-a-kind piece.
ELIMINATE PLASTIC According to National Geographic, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. The plastic that actually makes it into the landfill can take up to 400 years to degrade. Countries part of the European Union have tried to combat this by charging a quarter per plastic bag, which then motivates people to bring their own bags when shopping. This keeps a large amount of plastic bags out of landfills. In America, some may take single-use plastic for granted. But buying and using a reusable bag can limit the plastic in your local landfill.
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BUY FAIR TRADE In short, Fair Trade guarantees that whoever made, grew and manufactured the item that you are purchasing has been paid a fair, sustainable living wage. Fair Trade is a “global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, shoppers, advocates and organizations putting people and planet first.” It ensures individual and community well-being, as well as sustainability — so not only are you supporting workers in a developing country, but you’re helping the planet, too. Look for the Fair Trade Certified seal on products from brands like Patagonia, Athleta, J.Crew, Madewell, Obey and more.
GO FUR FREE Fortunately, the use of real animal fur in the fashion industry has been steadily declining over the past few decades. However, there are still hundreds of companies that use fur in their clothing products. Companies like Canada Goose and UGG use brutal killing techniques to retrieve fur for the lining of their products. Other companies like Fjallraven, Marmot, Save The Duck, Columbia and The North Face have pledged to use only faux fur. Making conscious, ethical decisions is the first step in ensuring a safe and healthy future not only for ourselves, but for generations to come.
FOR SPORT Photography by Matt Brownlow, Ben Pietrusinski, and Kylie Radick Styling by Nick Wilson, Christian Claudio, and Matt Brownlow
Kyle wears hoodie by NOAH, pants by ZARA, belt by Y-3, and sneakers by CONVERSE. 55
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B R E A K I N G T H E
M O L D By Ryan Salamo
A model is an idealized version of how someone or something should look or act, and to achieve this “look,” it has been suggested over time that people must change who they are to become that person or thing they are not. The word ‘model,’ in and of itself, is flawed at its very definition.
Each model on the runway used to be a carbon copy of the last. Every fashion week seemed to feature all the same faces, all the same bodies and all the same definitions of beauty. In recent years, however, these standards have been challenged. Bill Wackermann, the CEO of Wilhelmina Models, says, “Modeling is the creation of fantasy. If you can capture a moment, create inspiration or desire through an image or person, [then] you are a model.” Aerie has created a new meaning of what a model looks like through their campaign, #AerieREAL. By showcasing women of different sizes, colors and abilities, the brand is able to promote body positivity and display relatable models. Nicole Dylinski, a junior marketing major and Aerie employee, says, “Aerie has created a work environment where I feel I can be myself and feel empowered by the women I work with.” Dylinski has met and spoken with the face of the brand, Iskra Lawrence, who embodies the brand’s image and message. “I think people really appreciate that they can see themselves in the models Aerie chooses,” Dylinski says. “As a marketing major, I understand the need for a brand to connect with their customers and that’s what Aerie does.”
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The fashion industry has recently taken strides toward bringing in a more representative sample of the population on the runway. Diversity and inclusion are on the rise, with Marco Marco using transgender models, Fenty showcasing a range of skin colors and body types, and Claudia Li celebrating Asian cultures by sending only Asian models down the runway. Spring/Summer 2019 New York Fashion Week saw the highest rate of diversity on record with nearly 45 percent of the models being of color, according to The Fashion Spot, an online publication that reports diversity in the fashion industry. Wilhelmina Models is a leader of diversity in the modeling industry and is at the forefront of this movement toward inclusivity. “Wilhelmina Cooper, our founder, believed strongly in ‘flawed beauty,’ and that came in all shapes, sizes and colors,” Wackermann says. “That’s why we were the first agency to put an African American model on the cover of Vogue and develop a curve division for girls sized bigger than a 0 or 2.” The world is beginning to realize that beauty comes in many different shades and many different forms. Wackermann has his eyes set on the future, saying, “It’s about time the industry is embracing how the world really is. I’m excited for a world that celebrates all types of beauty.”
Photography by Emily Adar and Ben Pietrusinski Styling by Nick Wilson and Eleanor Wing
India wears jacket by URBAN OUTFITERS, bralette by TARGET, pants by SAINT MANSHION, and sandals by DOC MARTENS. 59
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