03.31.11

51 W. College St. Waynesburg, PA 15370

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Vol. 88 No. 20

CHI SIGMA IOTA

Graduate students form counseling honorary chapter

By Alex Hinton Editorial Assistant Waynesburg University’s Counseling program has been welcomed into Chi Sigma Iota, a counseling academic and professional honor society.

Chi Sigma Iota’s mission is “to promote

scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership, advocacy and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.”

Dr. Elizabeth Ventura, assistant professor

“...I

would love to see... a sense of cohesion of the different locations for the students to learn from one another and support one another.”

Stephanie Helsel Assistant Professor of Counseling

of Counseling, applied

for

the

University’s

Counseling department to have its own chapter in the honor society Chi Nu Sigma.

Ventura will be serving as a faculty advisor to the chapter along with Dr. Stephanie Helsel, assistant professor of Counseling.

“It [Chi Sigma Iota] enhances learning and

the Counseling program for students who apply,” Ventura said.

Ventura and Helsel are both former members of Chi Sigma Iota.

The experience they gained will be passed on to 15 Waynesburg graduate Counseling See STUDENTS on A3

Health Fair to be S S Students campus-centered experience TOVER CHOLARS

By Brandon Reed

Editorial Assistant On April 7, Student Health Services will showcase their biggest project of the year, the Health Fair, in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center.

The event will be taking place on Thursday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The theme this year is “S.E.E. you at the Health Fair:” Sleep, eat right and exercise.

Carol Young, nurse director of Student Health Services, is in charge of the event and wanted to make the fair smaller and more campus-centered.

“We want to use resources that are mainly on campus and make sure the focus is on the students,” she said.

According to Young,

there will be a local sleep clinic giving information about sleep health.

There will also be athletic trainers to help with exercise, and the food bank will show students how to eat right.

Other tests and screenings will be going on as well.

They will provide information about substance abuse, safety issues, bone density tests and blood sugar tests.

The fair is not entirely about getting a check-up. Prizes for a raffle will include a Wii donated by Wal-Mart and tickets for white water rafting.

Young said that the fair always gets big prizes donated from local businesses, which

nation’s capitol

By Rachel Brown Executive Editor When Missy Fox saw Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito walk into the same room, she knew she was having a once-ina-lifetime experience.

“I was in awe and felt like a part of history,” Fox said of the experience. “It will be a memory I will cherish and remember forever.”

Fox was one of 15 Stover Scholars who traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to meet with several high-ranking politicians and government officials. Visiting Director of the Stover

See HEALTH on A4

See SCHOLARS on A2

Photo courtesy of Daniel Czajkowski

Waynesburg University Stover Scholars met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak at the Russian Embassy on Tuesday as part of a trip to Washington, D.C.

‘Eggscellent’ opportunity: Students fill Riot charges dropped baskets for children in West Waynesburg against Bethany students involved in Oct. 24 fight

By Carrie Maier Staff Writer

On the first floor of the Stover Campus Center the Easter baskets sat, piled next to the steps around a group of students giving them away, slowly but surely.

Some students walked over, inquiring and eventually signing up to take one, lessening the pile.

Other students passed by, staring at the large accumulation of colorful baskets, containing only fake grass - all 144 of them.

This was the “Easter

By Kaitlin Edwards Managing Editor Prosecutors withdrew felony charges against seven Bethany College were who students allegedly involved in an off-campus fight in October.

The students were Photo by Amanda Rice scheduled to have a preAs part of the Easter Buddies program, students try to recruit other students to fill liminary hearing on Wednesday but decided to baskets for children in West Waynesburg. waive their rights to a Buddies” kickoff on effort to fill up to 144 and toys for local children hearing once the charges March 28, an event that Easter baskets with were dropped. launched a campus-wide candy, school supplies See PROGRAMS on A4 Initially, Waynesburg

SPORTS

REGION

ARTS & LIFE

Men’s tennis handled rival W&J for their first conference win Tuesday.

See Page C1

The building housing the Colonial Bar, Hudson’s Jewelers and Lam’s Chinese Garden was torn down Monday.

New musicians must fill the shoes of senior Upper Room worship leaders.

INSIDE Copyright © 2010 by Waynesburg University

Borough Police charged the students with a felony charge of riot and a misdemeanor of conspiracy to commit simple assault, misdemeanor of disorderly conduct and a misdemeanor of unsworn falsification to authorities. students Bethany charged in the incident include: Matthew S. Grimard, 19, of Lowell, Mass.; Eric J. Walker, 20, of New Brighton; Jorge Laboy, 22, of New York

Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A1-A4 Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1, B4 Editorial/Op-Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2, B3

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1-C4 Arts & Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D1-D3 Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D4

See Page B1

See RIOT on A3

See Page D1

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Campus

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Nurses Society wins Commendable Chapter Award need more education, study says

By Sandor Mecs Staff Writer

There would be very few Waynesburg students who wouldn’t leap at the chance for a scholarly trip to southern California, especially to substitute a mundane school week.

Students from the Waynesburg chapter of the American Chemical Society traveled to Anaheim, Calif. last week to participate in the 241st National American

Chemical Society Conference.

At the conference, Waynesburg received the Commendable Chapter Award, which is given to the 80 most active chapters out of the thousand scattered across the country.

“The judging is subjective. One year they win the Outstanding Chapter Award, given to the top 30, then the next they win the Commendable Chapter Award,” Assistant Professor of

Chemistry Evonne Baldauff said. “But every year they do more and more, and I would say we are at least one of the 50 best university chapters.”

Senior Miranda Thornton and junior Tim Van Riper are two of the students who will attend the national conference.

Both have helped with the community outreach aspect of the society, including the labs for homeschooled students.

“[The labs are] all over the place a little bit.

We just try to cover all the major basics of chemistry, and they always have a real good time,” Thornton said.

“They enjoy coming and are asking for more.”

The young children who come are not the only ones who learn lessons in the end, said Thornton.

“It’s really a good experience and it kind of makes you realize how much you really know.

It reinforces everything,” she said.

It’s because of these activities that caused the society to receive the Commendable Chapter Award, Baldauff said.

“They do a phenomenal amount of activities all year long,” she said.

“Every month they have local homeschool students come in; they put on programs for Girl Scouts. We work with admissions to host Science Day every year.”

Student Senate unveils organization Facebook page • Student Senate Secretary Chelsea Cummins is encouraging students to “like” their newly created Facebook page for the organization.

Cummins plans to use the page to interact with students, answering questions about the campus and posting upcoming events and news.

Students can find the page by searching for “Waynesburg University Student Senate” on Facebook.

• Students can cast their vote for next year’s Student Senate Executive Board until 9 p.m. April 1.

To view the poll, log on to MyConnect and click on the Student Senate tab. Each student is running unop-

Photo by Gregory Reinhart

Student Senate Secretary Chelsea Cummins introduces the new Senate Facebook page at Tuesday’s meeting. posed.

• Student Senate gave $600 for three members from the Student Nursing Associa-

tion of Pennsylvania to travel to the National Nursing Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The money will cover travel and the cost to get into the convention.

Each member

attending the conference will receive $200 to supplement the fundraising. ~ Brandon Reed

Scholars meet officials Continued from A1 Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Lawrence Stratton led the trip.

“My charge was to introduce students to high-level officials,” said Stratton. “Part of what Waynesburg offers its students is inspiring them to meet people who dedicate their lives to public service and hope they are inspired to do the same.”

The Stover Scholars met with former Attorney General Edwin Meese III to discuss how the Constitution is interpreted.

“He described his own view of original intent that he espoused as Attorney General,” Stratton said. After Stratton and the group met with Meese, they traveled to the U.S. Supreme Court to meet with Alito.

Senior Maddie Snyder loved meeting Alito.

“Having the opportunity to discuss court cases with an influential member of the Supreme Court was fascinating and inspiring,” she said.

The group spent an hour with Alito, talking about various court cases.

The Stover Scholars then walked to the Dirksen Senate Office Building to meet Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey.

The last components of the trip involved foreign policy, Stratton said.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Czajkowski

During the trip, students met with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito (center).

Students attended the World Russia Forum, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first cosmonaut in space. They then attended a dinner at the Russian Embassy, where they met Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and were exposed to various ethnic foods such as caviar.

“I enjoyed the conversation with students and hearing what was most interesting to them,”

Stratton said. “Some were intrigued by the legal conversation with Justice Alito or by the political discussion with Senator Toomey.”

Despite the wide-range of interests, students agreed the trip was beneficial.

“Being able to represent Waynesburg University in such an influential and professional setting was an honor,” Jacob Waltemeyer said. “Seeing a

more in depth picture of the political world in Washington, D.C. allowed me to gain a stronger sense of respect and admiration for those who have served and are serving in our government.”

Stratton said he hopes to make the trip an annual one, as students enjoyed the trip so much, and he’s eager to see how the trip will shape their views.

“I look forward to see-

ing in years ahead how this day will affect students in their career paths,” he said. “I hope they positively change the direction of American politics and law.”

By Brandon Reed Editorial Assistant A recent release from the Institute of Medicine states that current changes in the field of nursing will require more education, which in turn will affect the Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University.

The Feb. 3 release said that nurturing clinical data as a resource for continuous learning can allow patients and professionals to have access to the best information, so that those in the field can make the best decision possible.

According to Dr. Lynette Jack, director of accelerated Health Programs, a new course, Nursing Informatics, will be added at the graduate level next semester as a result of the recent release.

“We will be adding one course,” said Jack.

“Nursing Informatics will be added to the nursing program for next semester.”

Jack said that this class will give her students a more advanced specialty working with mechanics.

She said that cardiac monitors and IV pumps are used so often and the mechanics are only becoming more complex that nurses need a better education to keep up.

“We hope to pair nurses with masters with leadership to work with mechanics,” said Jack.

These changes in the nursing field are stemming from the advancements in technology that make it more difficult for nurses to acquire jobs with only a baccalaureate degree.

Most nurses are finding that they need to go back to school.

Jack said that she wants to offer education for busy nurses so that they can complete the program. She said that the program can be too complicated and too time consuming for See MORE on A3

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Page A3

Campus

Loud music causes hearing loss for one in four college students

By Amanda Wishner Editorial Assistant College students should be more careful when listening to their mp3 players.

A recent study reports that one in four college students is already experiencing significant hearing loss, and devices like iPods may be the culprit.

The International Journal of Audiology conducted a study at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

The study’s goal was to determine whether the use of personal music players can damage hearing.

Fifty-six students

were surveyed; the average age of those participating was 21.

All of the students reported normal hearing in order to qualify for the study.

However, researchers revealed that this was not the case.

Participants in the study were asked to complete a questionnaire, identifying their exposure to noise and use of mp3 players.

They were also administered a traditional full-hearing test that analyzed their levels of hearing ability according to various frequencies.

The study revealed that one quarter of the

56 students measured 15 decibels of hearing loss.

The majority of students’ hearing loss was found throughout the range of frequencies vital in speech discrimination.

The maximum level of damage was reported in male students who reported frequently using mp3 players.

“I’m not surprised [with the results],” said Carol Young, nurse director of Student Health Services.

“That’s the problem with a lot of audio devices; with mp3 players and car radios, students always tend to play their music too loud. Even the exposure

of one concert can permanently damage hearing at a certain decibel.”

Colleen Le Prell, lead researcher and associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Florida, said these levels of hearing loss can disrupt learning.

A person with high frequency hearing loss “can miss a lot of subtle speech sounds, making it harder to discriminate different vowels or phonemes,” she said in a university news release.

Despite the statistics discovered by researchers, the study is not conclusive.

A larger number of

test subjects must be studied in order to determine how much of an impact mp3 players can have on hearing loss.

For students and faculty at Waynesburg University, the study raises the question of how to handle this alarming trend. “[This study] suggests that we need to be careful about classroom acoustics and that students with this degree of hearing loss should sit up close; and we should take steps to reduce background noise in classrooms,” Le Prell said in a university news release.

Students are advised to reduce the volume of

their mp3 players as a precaution against hearing loss.

Excessive exposure to loud sounds can damage the small hairs inside of the ear, Young said.

These hairs are responsible for picking up vibrations in the ear and sending them to the brain.

According to Young, if they are damaged, they may never grow back.

“It’s hard because students don’t think of how it will affect them 20 or 30 years down the road,” she said.

“Turn [your music] down a notch, whether it will help or not. Be preventative, rather than reactive.”

Riot charges dropped Continued from A1

‘Snow’ good Brandon Grainy serves snow cones during the World Fair, held March 25 in the Benedum Dining Hall. The fair, which was sponsored by Student Senate, included food, games and prizes and concluded Spring Week.

Photo by Gregory Reinhart

Students inducted Continued from A1 program students who will be inducted into the honor society in May. “The school has to

have a commitment to excellence, and students have to work at a professional capacity,” Ventura said. “When they do internships for the department, they have to act professional and ethical.”

As a chapter faculty advisor, Ventura said

City, N.Y.; Kevin M. Covert, 19, of Jacksonville, Fla; Robert T. Baker, 21, of Colquitt, Ga.; Lafayette Grady III, 19, of South Euclid, Ohio; and Kasib N. Taalib-Din, 23, of New York City.

Waynesburg University students charged include: Zachary Fatigante, 21, and Tyler Fatigante, 19, of Avonworth and Gino Scampone, 22, of Verona.

Zachary Fatigante is charged with a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct, and Scampone is charged with a summary count of disorderly conduct.

Tyler Fatigante is charged with a summary liquor law violation.

she will plan fundraising and service work that apply to the university’s mission statement.

“We’ll branch out and do work in the community,” she said.

First year students will run for office, but the advisors will elect officers for the chapter this year.

Waynesburg’s Graduate and Professional Studies Counseling program has four separate locations, so this

could pose a challenge for Chi Nu Sigma, Helsel said. Because Helsel believes the chapter should be student-driven, students will have the opportunity to discuss how to deal with combining members of the honor society from the University’s four locations.

“Our program is unique because we have so many locations,” Helsel said.

“It gets kind of interesting to see how we’ll

combine students living in very different places.”

Helsel and Ventura will plan the first event for new student inductees to have social time that will possibly include a speaker that will interest them professionally.

“The main thing I would love to see is a sense of cohesion of the different locations for the students to learn from one another

and support one another,” Helsel said.

“So, I really hope it helps everyone come together more.”

Because the Counseling program is quickly growing, the new permanent faculty members can really focus on the program, Helsel said.

“The program is solidifying,” she said.

“It’s more organized, precise and in line with other accredited programs in the country.”

More school needed

Jack said that if this type of education continues, the quality of care for everyone will increase and the country will only be better off.

Furthermore, if a quality education is

more accessible, then more nurses will go back to school and will end up playing a key role in healthcare in this country, said Jack.

“We are working to turn them into leaders,”

she said.

At the baccalaureate level, Director and Chair of the BSN program, Nancy Mosser said that the nursing department has been upgrading their BSN, MSN and DNP curricula according to the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses.

These changes include patient-centered care, evidence based practice, safety, teamwork and collaboration.

“We believe we are in a wonderful position to help nurses achieve higher levels of education and training through an educational system that promotes seamless academic progression,” said Mosser.

Continued from A2

most busy nurses.

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Campus

Public Relations students travel to Penn State for seminar

By Rachel Davis Staff Writer On Friday, March 25, five members of the Waynesburg University PRSSA chapter traveled to Penn State University for the 2011 PRSSA Regional Activ-

ity.

Those representatives who attended the seminar were freshman James Little, senior Victoria Kamicker, juniors Samantha Scribner and Chelsea Cummins and sophomore Mitch Graham.

Scribner felt it was a good experience for the chapter to network with others.

“The sessions help us see what we can do in the future and we can bond as a new chapter,” she said.

That night the group

enjoyed dinner, listened to a lecture from Steve Manuel, senior lecturer in public relations, and played Public Relations Jeopardy.

Saturday started with a welcome presentation from members of Penn State Uni-

Everyone at risk for skin cancer, nurse says

By Marisa van der Eijk Staff Writer Spring time brings warm weather, flowers and sunshine. But, being exposed to an excessive amount of sun can contribute to skin cancer.

It is vital to be protected from the sun during the warm months in order to avoid cancer of the skin said Carol Young, nurse director of Student Health Services.

“It’s important to wear sunscreen because everyone is at risk for skin cancer,” she said.

In addition, Young said that protecting skin at a young age will decrease the chances of developing skin cancer in the future.

“You want to get into good habits early,” she said.

It’s important for the general public is to wear sun tan lotion daily during the warm months.

Fair skinned individuals are advised to use SPF 30, as opposed to SPF 15 recommended for everyone else.

Young said that certain parts of the body are more sensitive than others, pointing out that the ears, nose and hands are most

Program helps others Continued from A1 who are not fortunate enough to have presents on Easter.

Heads of the event

versity’s PRSSA chapter. Michael Hinman gave the keynote presentation, while Ben Bronstein presented a lecture on ethics.

Other events included three break-out sessions featuring different areas of public rela-

tions an etiquette luncheon and a networking reception.

Cummins was also excited for the sessions.

Scribner said that the sessions offered an opportunity to learn more about the field.

Health fair planned help bring in a lot of people.

The Department of Nursing is working in collaboration with Student Health Services.

Dr. Kathy Stolfer, assistant professor in nursing, will be organizing sophomore nursing students to help at the various stations.

Stolfer is very passionate about keeping the health fair on campus and using campus resources.

“The focus this year is on providing health awareness on campus,” said Stolfer. “We want to bring the health fair back to its roots.”

According to Stolfer, the fair will count as clinical time for students in NUR 419, Clinical Prevention and Population Health.

Stolfer said that during the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to the fair, activities in the Johnson Commons will promote and provide awareness about the annual health fair.

They are planning to

have a bed in the Johnson Commons to promote sleep, and “Walk the Parks” will promote the exercise portion of the fair.

“It’s all about various screenings and health info for students,” said Stolfer.

Professor Melany Chrash, assistant director of nursing, will be in charge of recruiting the upperclassmen in NUR 419 that want to help with the fair.

According to Chrash, Student Health Services is in charge of arranging the building and donations.

The Department of Nursing is working under them and planning the events they think will get their point across.

“Seniors are in charge of planning, and they are going to learn how to plan a health program,” said Chrash.

According to Chrash, their goal is to make a lasting impression that will possibly change the lifestyles that make students have bad hygiene.

“Students will learn about the consequences and privileges of having good health hygiene,” said Chrash.

Ellis agreed, adding that it was simple task to improve the Easter experience for many.

“All you have to do to fill a basket is tell Pat [Bristor] how many you’re taking and bring them back to Student Services April 15,” said Ellis.

“It’s easy.”

The baskets were made possible through a recently received $700 Community Impact Grant to the Waynesburg University Student Organization Leadership Group.

The group decided to team with St. Ann’s Catholic Church and Sister Audrey of the Salvation Army Greene County Service Center in the creation and pending delivery on April 18 of the baskets to special needs children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Bristor said the project received a lot of help from the community.

“Someone in the community donated books that were age-specific,” said Bristor.

“Sarris Candies donated chocolate crosses that we will put in every basket after they’re returned, along with a Bible book.”

Seventy-two kids from East Franklin School will receive these finished baskets along with a high number from the West Waynesburg Program, according to Bristor.

“The rest of the baskets will go to the Salvation Army for needy families to pick up for their children,” said Ellis.

Though the kickoff is over, students can still sign up to fill baskets in the Student Services office.

Continued from A1

Infographic by Rachel Brown

susceptible to burning.

It is essential for people to note any that any area exposed to the sun is at risk for a sun burn.

Jennifer Teagarden, a PA-C at Student Health Services, says that along with SPF, staying in the shade and wearing a hat and special UV clothing can help to protect the skin. Even though it’s key to wear sunscreen, Teagarden said that it is also necessary to go out into the sun for 15 minutes each day to get a daily dose of vitamin D. Individuals should not bake in the sun but they should be aware that the sun provides a natural source of vitamin D for the body.

An alternative to the daily 15 minute exposure is taking a vitamin D3 supplement. Teagarden said that vitamin D3 is the top kind of vitamin D to take because the body absorbs it the best.

In addition, Young said that food is another great way to gain the vitamin D your body needs to function. Young says that it’s recommended to avoid tanning, especially in dangerous tanning beds.

A great alternative to tanning during the warm months is spray tans.

“I’m really excited that spray tans are getting big,” Young says.

It’s important to wear sunscreen during the spring and summer

months, but Teagarden said that it is not required during the winter time.

“Sunscreen is not needed in the winter because the ultraviolet rays are not as intense,” Teagarden said.

In addition, Teagarden says that environment plays a major factor when deciding whether to apply sunscreen. People who live in tropical climates should apply more sunscreen than others who live in cooler climates.

Overall, wearing sunscreen can prevent sun burns which can lead to future skin damage.

“Skin can look wrinkly and leathery if it is exposed to too much sun,” Teagarden said.

Halie Theriault, senior psychology major, and Emily Ellis, senior electronic media major, were there for the kickoff yelling, “Want to take a basket?” at passing students.

Pat Bristor, associate dean of students and director of Student Activ-

ities, joined them as well, giving the details of “Easter Buddies” to those who looked even slightly curious, glancing at the stacks of baskets.

“It’s similar to Operation Christmas Child in that we’re trying to give back,” said Bristor. “This is our spring event.”

Freshman Anastasia Barr, sports broadcasting and sports information major, also tried actively to recruit fellow students to take baskets.

“We’re helping needy children,” said Barr.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a leader by giving back.”

Guest columnist Sarah Spicuzza reminds us of the importance of asking good questions.

Read more on B2

Thursday, March 31, 2011 CARMICHAELS AREA, MAPLETOWN HIGH SCHOOLS

New scholarship fund created for graduates

By Kaitlin Edwards Managing Editor High school students graduating from Carmichaels Area and Mapletown High Schools have the opportunity to receive scholarship money for college beginning this spring.

The Community Foundation of Greene County recently established a new scholarship fund in honor of William and Shirley Hanley.

“Dorothy Hanley set up this project because she saw a need in the community and wanted to help out,” said Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Greene County Community Foundation. “I think this is a great opportunity to help out children in the community for their

first year of college.”

The William and Shirley Hanley Memorial Scholarship will give two graduating seniors planning to attend a four-year university or college a $1,000 scholarship to assist with the purchase of supplies and textbooks and to help pay off student loans for one year. Dorothy Hanley started the scholarship in memory of her parents.

“She wanted to set up this scholarship in memory of her parents because she knew how much of an impact they had upon her and the community,” said Stammerjohn.

“She also mentioned that she struggled paying for college, and she wanted to See SCHOLARSHIPS on B4

Forum to focus on West Virginia’s Civil War roots

By Kyle Edwards Region Editor The Civil War Symposium will return to West Virginia University’s Erickson Alumni Center on April 9.

The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Mason-Dixon Civil War Round Table.

“This is the 150th anniversary of the start of the war. We normally do it yearly,

but it turns out that we couldn’t have one last year,” said George Trapp, director of the symposium.

“Basically the organization tries to do one every year. We bring in, in this case, five guest speakers who talk on different topics related to the civil war.”

Trapp said that the purpose of the sympoSee STATE’S on B4

Photos by Stephanie Laing

The building that held Lam’s Chinese Garden, Hudson’s Jewlers and the Colonial Inn was deemed unsafe by the Waynesburg Borough. The building was torn down on March 24 by Thralls Contracting Company.

‘Damaged, unsafe’ building demolished

By Stephanie Laing Editorial Assistant The sound of falling bricks and breaking boards could be heard throughout Waynesburg last week, as a building once occupied by a restaurant, jewelry store and a bar was demolished.

Last Thursday, Thralls Contracting stopped High Street traffic to pull down the faces of the building.

The company had worked the previous weeks to remove the rest of the building.

“It was in bad shape, very bad shape. Structurally wise, the mortar between the concrete and the brick was deteriorating,” said Rick Keller, a laborer with

Laborers from Thralls Contracting Company stopped High Street traffic March 24 to demolish the building.

Thralls Contracting.

According to Keller, the building had experienced so much damage that the mortar, the substance that holds the building together, turns into dust at the slightest touch.

“It had turned to powder,” he said.

“And I guess years ago there was a fire at the

top of the building. The whole building was structurally in bad shape.”

Because the buildings adjacent to the building being demolished were not connected, they were not destroyed in the process. The University bought the building last year. Out of the previous occupants, only

Hudson’s Jewelers remains in Waynesburg, moving across the street.

“The floors were all rotted away in there. It was pretty rough,” said Jim Gillin, an operator and laborer with Thralls Contracting. The building has held other restaurants and a hotel.

Because of its history, the Greene County Historical Society was upset at first that the University was tearing the building down.

“It was pretty poor. It was all burned up inside and falling down. It wasn’t livable. I have no idea,” said Gillin.

“I am not sure why there was a restaurant in there or anything else in See BUILDING on B4

Illegal waste dumps cause negative environmental effects

By Natalie Bruzda Social Media Manager A Greene County waste hauler has potentially caused negative environmental and ecological effects in Greene County and in the surrounding region.

Robert Allan Shipman and his corporation were charged Thursday, March 17 with allegedly dumping millions of gallons of wastewater from natural gas drilling, sewage sludge and grease into streams and mine shafts in a six-county area.

According to Janet Paladino, assistant professor of Biology at Photo by Amanda Rice Waynesburg UniversiShipman is accused of illegally dumping millions of gallons of wastewater into sev- ty, his alleged actions eral Greene County streams and mine shafts from 2003-2009. could most seriously

affect drinking water.

“In this case, because treatment was [allegedly] completely bypassed, contaminants from heavy metals, uranium and methane could be linked to waterways that are used for drinking water,” she said.

“All these contaminants are not normally tested in river water; they aren’t testing for all these potential contaminants.”

Shipman is accused of alleged illegal activities across Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties, spanning a six-year period, from 2003 to 2009. Several former employees testified that Shipman

instructed them to mix various wastewater products together in what they referred to as a “cocktail” and then dump that mixture at various locations throughout the region.

According to Paladino, Shipman’s reported actions could also cause “severe ecological effects,” and that long-term effects could be possible as well.

“Anything that has the potential to bioaccumulate, like fish and microorganisms, has the potential to experience long term effects,” she said.

“Any organic compound that has the potential to disrupt See POLLUTION on B4

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Editorial

Clean up your act Dishonest disposal of waste harmful A Greene County businessman, Robert Allen Shipman, allegedly dumped “millions of gallons of gas drilling wastewater and sewage sludge across six Western Pennsylvania counties for more than six years, putting profit before pollution.”

That’s not exactly eco-friendly.

Shipman allegedly even ordered his truck drivers to dump water in the floor drains and leave the water valves open at gas wells to be drained into the ground.

That’s not environmentally conscious either.

Although Shipman seemed to have an issue with morals and environmental-protection, several Waynesburg students are working to fight these issues.

Last Saturday, several biology and science university students traveled to ten-mile creek to examine the effects this pollution was having on water sources.

The Eco-Stewards club also works with eco-issues and plans events to keep our town and campus beautiful.

Next Saturday, the group plans to host a Campus Clean-Up day at the University.

This small, but dedicated group, makes a big impact on the campus and should not be taken for granted.

Take initiative More students should be leaders Every year, the seniors begin to transition to life-after-college, and the underclassmen enter life-after-seniors.

Many times, these college seniors hold leadership positions in one or multiple organizations and must be replaced before either era can start.

That’s when problems arise. When the period to accept application for the Student Senate Executive Board ended, only one student applied for each position.

Some students applying for positions on the Publication Board had no competition either.

Let’s face it: Student interest in leadership positions is almost nonexistent.

Student Senate should be one of the largest organizations on campus if each dorm and club sends a representative each week. Yet this group could only muster six applicants. Six. Muse & Stone, the University’s literary journal, only had one applicant this year, as did the Mad Anthony. The low number of students applying for leadership positions isn’t a new problem; it’s a disturbing trend on this campus.

Last year, Student Senate continually extended the application deadline just to find an applicant for each position. At least this year, Senate has enough applicants.But it shouldn’t come to this. Students come to college to learn about a potential career that interests them and to grow in character.

They join clubs and organizations based on their interests and career goals. If students truly want to succeed in their chosen career, they should be more than willing to take a leadership role within that organization.rganizations shouldn’t struggle year after year to find enough applicants to fill positions.

Step up.

Life lessons from little brothers My seventeen-yearold brother is nothing like me. Sure, we’re both obnoxiously closing in on 7 feet tall, but he has brown hair, green eyes and the kids is mellow.

My junior year of high school I spent racing around joining every club, playing every sport, applying to ever college, planning out every minute detail of my life post-high school. My brother iss different.

He’s calm, collected, cool. I was a frantic, frazzled teenage girl on a mission to color-code, alphabetized and all around organize every-

SIERRA SHAFER Columnist

one and everything in my life. I had plans.

In retrospect, most of the plans didn’t play out.

But I loved to make them. I’m a control freak. I have to be in charge. My brother would just call me bossy.

It’s true, I’m sure.

But like they say, if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I fully subscribe to that ideal. My brother, he’s content to

Take action against state budget cuts Governor Corbett’s recent budget proposal has left college students statewide reeling. The budget calls for a 54 percent cut in higher education funding, leaving many students scrambling to find the money elsewhere.

But not all of them are taking the budget cuts lying down.

After recovering from the

let others lead. Make no mistake, he is not apathetic. The kid is passionate and involved and admirably focused for an adolescent male.

But unlike me he isn’t on a mission to plan everything, to control everything, to have to know what is coming next. And I admire him for it. I am jealous of his ability to sit back and just be.

He is a master of being satisfied, of patience, of waiting-and-seeing.

At his age, I had a timeline of my life mapped out. Literally, I made an Excel timeline

KYLE EDWARDS Columnist

intial shock, a group of studentathletes at Lock Haven University decided to get back on their feet and hit the ground running.

Literally.

The group, which consisted of mostly cross-country and track team members, organized a 100 mile march on the capitol to give Governor Corbett a piece of their mind.

Well...maybe “march” isn’t the best word to use.

(suffice to say that aside from being a busy social butterfly, I was also a raging nerd).

I knew where I wanted to go to school, who I was going to date, when I was going to graduate and where exactly I wanted to start my career.

I sure could go for one of those spreadsheets now. Graduation is inching closer and closer and I am sure of very little.

But for some reason, I’m not freaking out. I am not in control and it is OK. For once.

See LEARN on B3

More like “organized stampede.”

The athletes ran the 100 miles to the capitol. That’s right. You heard me correctly. I said ran.

From 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., they took to the back roads and hills of central Pennsylvania, criss-crossing their way to the capitol and arriving an hour early.

The runners alternated resting and running a five to 11 mile leg of the journey, flanked by Lock Haven University vans and layered in reflective clothing.

See VOICE on B3

Questions are the fabric of life, ask them Question: The five W’s and an H. Yes or no.

The way to succeed in Jeopardy.

Answer: What is a question?

From how are you? to can we fix poverty? to how much does this cost? Embedded in everyday communication, questions are integral to human interactions.

Every aspect of my semester encourages me to continue to engage in this interactive learning process.

For example, I am

SARAH SPICUZZA Guest Columnist

required to attend class armed with a thoughtprovoking question to explore the current topics and class discussions.

Well-framed and probing questions drive topic exploration and the learning process. While the answers or solutions are not always found, we certainly have responses as we work toward an

answer.

Each day of my internship encourages taking the time to ask those specific questions whether to better understand an assignment or to learn more about the industry.

Just last week, I found myself engaged in a long drawn out analysis of the current task at hand.

Imagine an impromptu game of twenty questions to fully understand the assignment.

Fifteen minutes later, full of understanding, I apologized for drawing

out what really was a simple task.

My coworker immediately responded, “No such thing as a stupid question. I’d rather you ask me a ton of questions so you do it right rather than waste hours doing it wrong and having to start over.”

My internship site works heavily in social media; therefore, Twitter and Facebook play a large role in my everyday work. I ran across a recent tweet from See ASKING on B3

YELLOW JACKET

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Page B3

Op-Ed

Learn to be content Continued from B2

Mercury emissions to be regulated The damage caused by mercury in our air and water is no secret.

The neurotoxin is especially dangerous to young children and developing fetuses, and is so pervasive that pregnant women are warned to limit the amount of swordfish and albacore tuna they eat. (The mercury levels in these and certain other fish are particularly high.)

It's also no secret where most of the mercury released into the environment comes from: coal-fired power plants. Yet this country has been waiting nearly two decades for the Environmental Protection Agency to propose regulations for reducing mercury emissions.

Last week, under deadline from the courts, it finally did so. Expect

the usual complaints from industry that the regulations, which would reduce mercury emissions by 91 percent, will be expensive, will raise power rates and will accomplish too little.

The first two complaints are true; the third is not. The EPA estimates that it would cost about $10 billion a year to fit power plants with the necessary technology; household electric bills might rise by up to $4 a month for several years.

But consider how much would be prevented each year by the regulations, according to the EPA: 17,000 premature deaths, 120,000 asthma attacks and 850,000 missed days of work because of illness.

In dollar figures, the

reduced hospital visits and sick days, as well as reduced damage to the environment, would save the country an estimated $100 billion a year. The EPA began drawing up these standards when Bill Clinton was president, but the work was derailed during the George W. Bush administration, which ran roughshod over environmental science.

During those years, the agency ignored scientific facts in order to produce softer rules on mercury that were in large part written by the energy industry, and it withheld a report on mercury levels in women until the report was leaked nine months later.

A lawsuit by a coalition of health and environmental groups finally

forced the agency's hand.

Congressional Republicans are stalled in their most recent legislative effort to cripple the EPA and keep it from regulating a range of toxic substances, including mercury.

But they are expected to keep trying. The EPA should not back down, and Americans should not tolerate this attack on their health.

Hundreds of thousands of unnecessary illnesses and premature deaths could have been prevented had these regulations been imposed more than a decade ago.

The nation can't go back in time to fix those, but it can refuse to repeat the pattern.

This editorial originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

Reject AT&T purchase of T-Mobile You have seen the ad. The TMobile woman is young, and wearing a red-and-white striped dress that recalls summer and the American flag. The iPhone man is also young, but he is swathed in dark clothes, and he has a bald middle-age man riding on his back.

"Who's your friend?" the woman asks.

"It's the old AT&T network," the young man replies.

"That'll slow you down," she says.

The consumer choice that ad represents will go away if AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile is approved by the Federal Communications Commission. We think

Asking right questions Continued from B2 @motivationlive that read, “There are no stupid questions. Just stupid people.”

This unforgiving statement may not be entirely true, but consider the other side of asking the stupid questions. The reality is that “asking dumb questions is easier than correcting dumb mistakes…”

While my fifteen minute Q&A session definitely seemed trivial to the other intern, I was simply trying to under-

the deal should not be approved, for several reasons.

One is customer service. As the ad implies, AT&T is not known for its good service.

AT&T is rolling out new technology, so its service will probably improve, but still this is a case of the acquiring company being the one with the most problems.

Another reason is price. Wall Street sees the gobbling up of TMobile "as the elimination of a pesky low-priced rival," says Eric Savitz of Forbes. Customers need to have companies like that.

Both of these reasons are part of a larger concern about market power. This transaction combines the No. 2 and No. 4 in the

stand to correctly complete the task at hand. (I was following the advice from a recent @journalistics blog post that explores answering the question why to improve your communication which can be found here).

My direct supervisor has given me a few pieces of advice related to the idea of asking questions.

During the midterm evaluation meeting with her, she encouraged me by saying, “Asking a million questions because it is the best way to learn.” In a separate “level-up” meeting, she provided a valuable

market, creating a new No. 1.

With flavored water, that does not matter much., but with phone service - and mobile service is clearly the 21st-century choice - a two-provider America is a bad idea.

We also have a parochial reason. T-Mobile was founded here and is based here. Ownership is German, because the company was sold a decade ago to Deutsche Telekom, but the Germans have let T-Mobile stay here.

AT&T is much more likely to consolidate functions. For those reasons, our thought on this merger is "no."

This editorial orginally appeared in the Seattle Times.

suggestion applicable to anyone. She explained that I can improve my success for the rest of the semester (and in any job for the rest of my life) by trying to think of what my boss is going to ask before he or she asks it.

This concept is thinking on the other side of the question, one step ahead of your boss. It requires anticipation, preparation and initiative.

While questions throughout life are guaranteed, answers are not.

The best way to learn is by exploring these questions. I am being encouraged in all facets of my

life. From my professor who requires me to attend class armed with a well-framed question to my direct supervisor who encourages me to continue my learning through asking questions, because asking these questions are the fabric of life.

Asking these questions is increasingly important because in most cases, people don’t just offer what they know. This gap in communication requires us to ask questions.

Spicuzza is a senior public relations major studying in Washington D.C. through BestSemester.

I’ll be honest, I don’t have a plan. Well, that’s not true. It’s more that I have a hundred different plans. One day I’m sure it’s graduate school in Washington D.C. Then I know that I’m just meant to move to Mexico with my best friend Annika and work with missionary surfers.

Tomorrow, I’ll be making plans to join the clichéd masses and backpack Europe. Next week I’ll be writing thirty different cover letters on a mission to nail my first job.

I am all over the board with plans. But sweet Jesus, I love every second of finally having the chance to let my free bird fly. I am young. I have so much to learn.

The world is my oyster.

College has taught me well, but the most recent lesson I have learned was

Voice your objections Continued from B2 Oh, and did I mention how fast they were going?

Even with a break on the way, the runners averaged splits of about seven minutes and 30 seconds per mile.

Not record-breaking speeds by any means, but to keep up that pace for 100 miles, even with a break, shows a level of dedication that not many of us can claim to own.

And they definitely have the right idea.

Now, I’m not saying we should all go out and run 100 miles to show our disapproval of Gov. Corbett’s budget.

All I’m saying is that you don’t have to be a psuedo-athlete to stand up and let your voice be heard.

We’ve all been there.

Sitting around the lunch table with your friends, or in your dormroom, or sitting in the parks.

We all know how hard the budget cuts are going to hit us.

We’ve all complained about how someone should do something about it.

Myself included.

But that’s just it.We are the people who will see the most problems from this new budget.

So we are the ones who should get up, go out

from my kid brother. I know I said we were opposites. We are. I’m the writer, he’s the… well everything else. But last week my brother wrote a letter to the editor of our hometown newspaper.

His letter was headlined: Rushed. And here’s where our contrasting personalities show up. It was about not having a plan, about his belief that it was OK to be a high school junior and not know what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He encouraged readers to slow down and stop stressing about having all the answers.

My brother reminded us that life isn’t always urgent and that it’s OK to just be in the moment, instead of planning for the future.

Touché little brother.

You got me on this one.

And sorry for always being so bossy, and I hope you’re proud I have no idea – or too many ideas – about what I’m doing with my life.

and do something about it.

You don’t have to do something incredibly drastic, like run 100 miles to make your opinon heard.

Quite the contrary.

All you have to do is try.

Write a letter to Gov. Corbett. Let him know what you think about his budget cuts.

He may send you a form letter in response.

He may ignore you.

He might not even read your letter. But he could.

E-mail him.

Call his office.

Leave messages with his secretary detailing your thoughts about his new policies.

He may call you back. He may not. And even if he doesn’t, at least you’re attempting to let him know how much you oppose his budget.

You’re doing something about it. That’s what matters. Hold rallies, protests, sit-ins, practice passive resistance...whatever.

Do anything.

But do something.

You can’t just sit there and complain about something you disagree with.

Nothing will ever get accomplished that way.

History was made through action and reaction, not by griping and groaning.

As the old saying goes: if you want something done right, do it yourself.

YELLOW JACKET

Page B4

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Region

Increased demand brings Zumba classes back to Greene County

By Sierra Shafer Op/Ed Editor To help combat a state overweight rate of 64 percent, the Greene County Department of Recreation is offering a second round of Zumba classes.

After the first round of classes concluded last week, the Department of Recreation responded to the increased demand by making the classes available for another six weeks.

“We decided to offer the classes again just by the response we had after the first classes,” said Pam Blaker, Parks and Recreation manager for Greene County.

“We had an overwhelming response where nearly 30 people showed up to the first class.”

A majority of class participants age between 30 and 50

Scholarships offered Continued from B1 help others overcome these obstacles.”

All applications are due no later than April 20 to the Community Foundation of Greene County. Eligible students will be interviewed as part of the

Building demolished Continued from B1 there to be honest with

Photo by Amanda Wishner

The hour-long Zumba classes are held every Thursday in the 4-H building at the Greene County Fairgrounds. The classes cost $8 per session and run until April 28. years old, though the class is open to all ages and ability levels.

Hour-long Thursday night classes are now available through April 28 at 6 p.m. on the top floor of the 4-H building at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg.

“I think it is great that the county is taking a lead role in help-

ing to combat this issue,” said Holli Senior, deputy press secretary for health press and communications at the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

“The obesity epidemic is something that needs to be addressed from all angles. Working together as a community is a key ingredient in the

recipe for addressing most health care needs.”

Zumba is high-energy excise program that combines Latin dance with an easy-to-follow cardio routine.

“People really seem to enjoy this,” said Blaker. “It’s a lot of fun and everyone can do it at their own pace. [The instructor] will do dif-

application process.

“Dorothy wanted to provide two students with the funding from two different schools, and the Community Foundation of Greene County made this possible,” said Stammerjohn.

“We are just glad we could help make this a reality.”

According to Stammerjohn, the Community Foundation of Greene County is a non-profit

organization established approximately 10 years ago.

The organization helps provide funds to various service opportunities and organizations across Greene County.

The foundation also provides grant writing classes to individuals as well as work with the summer food program.

These funds are provided by individual donors and grants. So

far, this organization has donated over $1 million to groups across the area.

“With everything that Dorothy hopes to accomplish through this scholarship, we are glad she decided to help out this way,” said Stammerjohn.

“What she is doing will really benefit the community and the students in Greene County for many years to come.”

you.“ A total of eight or nine workers from Thralls Contracting worked up to 12 hours each to demolish the building.

The University has

not officially released its plans with the lot.

However, Keller said he and the other workers are under the impression that the drivethrough for First National Bank will be moved

there.

According to Keller, the University plans to use the lot where the current First National Bank’s drivethrough resides for additional parking or another building.

ferent moves for different people.

If you can’t do all of it, you can just do what you can, in small amounts.”

By involving fun and music, Zumba motivates the body to burn calories more efficiently than traditional exercise, tones all muscle groups and improves the cardiovascular system, according to the website.

“I think a lot of people are getting into the mood to exercise to get ready for the warm weather,” said Blaker.

“Zumba helps them get ready to get outside and enjoy hiking trails and being active, doing exercise.”

According to Senior, exercises like Zumba are going to be beneficial in helping to stave off obesity and the associated problems like diabetes, heart diseases and stroke.

The CDC reports that medical expenses attributed to obesity exceed $4 billion in Pennsylvania.

“There are many reasons that we may have become a more overweight or obese society over the last decade but perhaps the two most important and most obvious are poor nutrition and lack of physical activity,” she said.

Senior said that by eating right and remaining active for at least 30 minutes each day, through programs like Zumba, Greene County residents can work to lower their health risks and increase their life span.

To register for Zumba classes at $8 per session, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.

Walk-ins are also welcome to attend and will be charged at the door.

Pollution levels rise

to protects the country’s natural heritage.

According to Paladino, the Greene County Chapter’s initiative is to perform water quality monitoring by setting up strategic sites around the county.

“It’s monitoring done on a weekly basis so that waste water violators can be found,” she said.

“There are not enough people to monitor where this could be happening.”

Continued from B1 hormone function in living organisms also experiences long-term effects.”

In January, Waynesburg University became involved in the Izaak Walton League of America, the Greene County Chapter, which works

State’s roots discussed Continued from B1 sium is to educate the public about the Civil War and West Virginia’s connection to the historical period.

“We’re called the Mason-Dixon Civil War Round Table and a lot of people around here are interested in the Civil War, Trapp said.

“This is because West Virginia was formed during that time period.

With the exception of last year’s event, which had to be cancelled, Trapp said that this is the fifteenth year that the symposium has been held.

He expects the attendance to be around the same

amount as it has been in previous years’.

“We normally have sixty people; that’s an average attendance size, and that’s what we’re shooting for this year,” he said.

“Although the topics are pretty interesting this year, so we’re hoping to get more people.”

Trapp said that this year’s symposium will feature the usual exhibits.

“We’ve had some civil war weapons and books in the past,” he said.

“We’ve even had a battlefield [reenactment group] in West Virginia called Rich Mountain come, and they brought a display to set up showing information about the battle. It all really depends on which exhibitors want to come.”

Softball split a doubleheader Saturday at Carlow.

Read more on C3

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Looking J - 8, W&J - 1 Men’s tennis handles rival for first PAC win back at Team rebounds PAC-opening another from loss Saturday early exit ACKETS

By Dave Floyd Sports Editor

Dave Floyd Sports Editor

As Pitt basketball fans continue to reflect on another NCAA tournament disappointment, it’s difficult not to ask what went wrong this time around. For me, the answer’s simple. Pitt never had the true makeup of a Final Four team in the first place.

Let’s assess the situation.

Head coach Jamie Dixon is constantly lauded for “making something out of nothing,” especially last season, leading that Panther team into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed. This year, Dixon returned nearly everybody from that team.

Problem was, remember, that team was made something out of nothing.

Yes, they had another year of experience under their belts, but they were still the same players.

Gary McGhee’s developed so much during his time at Pitt that it’s almost incredible, but he’s still the same guy who’s solid on defense but clumsy and a subpar finisher on the other end. Ashton Gibbs is tremendous to watch when he’s on from the outside, yet until Gibbs develops the ability to drive to the basket, he will remain a one-dimensional scorer. And that list goes on.

It’s no coincidence that the Pitt team in recent memory with the most talent came the closest to reaching the Final Four (2009’s Elite Eight appearance). In the end, it’s players like DeJuan Blair and Sam Young who often times make all the difference.

Furthermore, if Dixon’s so good at making something out of nothing, why does he seem to struggle making something out of something? He finally brought in the program’s first ever McDonald’s High School All-American last season in Dante Taylor. Taylor, despite becoming more of a factor in 2010-11, has been largely disappointing. Look at it this way, if you would have told me McGhee and Nasir Robinson could hold onto starting spots with a high school AllAmerican coming in, I would have called you crazy.

Stay tuned, though.

Dixon unveils his newest

After dropping their Presidents’ Athletic Conference opener Saturday to Westminster, the Waynesburg University men’s tennis team rebounded quickly against their archrival.

The Yellow Jackets traveled to Washington and Jefferson Tuesday and handled the Presidents in the teams’ second league match, 8-1. “[It was] a very solid

Photo by Andrew Buda

Sophomore Jason Logan hits a forehand in the Jackets’ most recent home match last week. Against W&J, Logan and classmate Jon Anderson won at second doubles. effort all the way up and down,” head coach Ron Christman said. “It’s been

awhile since we beat [W&J] worse than 6-3, so this was nice to put it on

GAME 1: JACKETS 5-4; GAME 2: WESTMINSTER 5-4

them.”

As they often do, the Jackets started fast, win-

ning all three doubles matches.

According to Christman, Waynesburg’s first doubles team of junior Peter Mally and senior Emile Khoury “crushed” John Piccinini and Christopher Fadil, 8-0.

“Pete and I are starting to click every time we get on the court in doubles,” Khoury said. “I expected us to do well this year; it’s our third year playing together.

“I wanted to start off strong in the conference.

We had a little bit of a shaky start against Westminster then pulled out a win, and then W&J today See MEN’S on C2

JACKETS - 13, WILSON - 8

Lacrosse wins first game of season

By Jon Ledyard Assignments Editor

wins, but in the second game we didn’t have the timely hitting that we had in the first game. Plus there were a lot of errors that led to them getting two runs late in the game, and we just didn’t get it done.”

In the first contest the Jackets fell behind 3-1 after three innings before rallying with three runs in the fourth. The teams each notched a run in the

A fast start and suffocating second-half defense gave the Waynesburg University women’s lacrosse team their first win of the season, 13-8, over Wilson College this past Thursday.

Waynesburg opened the game with three goals in the first seven minutes before Wilson rallied to knot the score at five at halftime. Over the final 30 minutes the Jackets dominated the field both offensively and defensively, burying eight goals while holding the Phoenix to just three.

The victory broke an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season and was only the program’s fourth win in their four-year history.

“We had only beaten three different teams before this and Wilson was one of those teams,” said first-year head coach Tom Zacoi. “These women are so persistent and perseverant and never give up. We were missing a couple girls, but they stepped up their game, and they were just in the zone out there.”

Sophomore midfielder Molly Kramer had a career day, tying a career high with a team-high five goals on nine shots. Junior Erin Burry made her second consecutive start in goal and stopped 10 out of the 24 shots she faced.

“Erin has stepped in and done an admirable job and worked well with the coaches,” said Zacoi. “She’s really been a godsend that has stepped up her game and done very well with her quick hands in goal.”

Defensively, senior Miranda Thornton led the way with a team-high four groundballs and four forced

See JACKETS on C3

See WU on C2

Photo by Andrew Buda

Junior catcher Brendan Scioscia swings at a pitch in the Jackets’ most recent home game. Scioscia had a big day in the doubleheader at Westminster, going 5-for-7.

Baseball splits PAC twinbill Jackets edge Titans in first game, lose second in extras

By Jon Ledyard Assignments Editor Behind strong pitching from senior starter Tim Knight and opportunistic hitting from the Jackets lineup, Waynesburg dropped Westminster 5-4 in the first game of the teams’ doubleheader Tuesday.

Unfortunately the Jackets success could not be reciprocated in the second contest, as Waynesburg found themselves on the short end of another 5-4 score, despite battling the Titans for two extra innings.

“In the first game we had good pitching out of our starter Tim Knight and some timely hitting that got us the win,” said head coach Mike Humiston. “We should have come away with two

Jackets compete in first outdoor meet of season Two field athletes qualify for ECACs Saturday in W.Va.

By Nate Regotti Staff Writer

The Waynesburg University track and field teams finally got back to action this past Saturday.

The teams participated in their first outdoor meet of the season at the Bill Van Horne Invitational at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia under See PITT on C4 cold conditions.

The women tied for 12th on the day in a field that included several Division II schools.

Two-time All-American javelin thrower Elisha Jones led the way for the women in the field events. She finished first out of 41 competitors with a throw of 37.17 meters (121’ 11”).

Just one meet into the season, Jones has qualified for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships at the conclusion of the regular season.

Jones was also named

Presidents’ Athletic Conference Women’s Field Athlete of the Week for the throw.

In the shot put, junior Carly Schubert and freshman Angele Hagy posted top-10 performances.

Schubert finished in seventh place with a throw of 10.87 meters (35’ 8”).

Hagy placed closed behind in eighth place with a toss of 10.70 meters (35’ 1.25”).

Hagy was happy with the throw.

“For the first meet of See TWO on C2

Photo by Dave Miller, ADM Photography

Junior Carly Schubert placed seventh in the shot put Saturday with a throw of 10.87 meters.

YELLOW JACKET

Page C2

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sports

COMMENTARY

Batters, not bats, make the difference in collegiate softball Katie Rihn Staff Writer

Softball season is in full swing now, and with another season there are pressing issues that the National Collegiate Athletic Association tossed back and forth in the offseason.

More and more lately, the safety of athletes has become a hot topic for discussion in sports, as it should. Softball is no exception. The NCAA is considering eliminating composite bats from competition and going back to

strictly aluminum bats.

Composite bats did not begin catching popularity until this decade when it became apparent of their durability and boost in performance. These bats can be made from a wide range and combination of many types of materials such as carbon, steel alloy and graphite-fiber material.

The safety risks come from the increase in the technology of these bats which allow hitters to strike the ball with a higher amount of velocity and power. In Division III the average fastball can be clocked around 55 miles per hour. Put that on a bat that provides more pop off

contact, with a pitcher standing 43 feet away, and the reaction time slowly dwindles for a ball rocketed back up the middle. It’s not much better for players at third base.

It is typical in softball for the third baseman to play about halfway up the line, putting them about 30 feet from the batter.

However, I’m not convinced that changing the type of bats will solve this safety issue. It all depends on the person standing in that batter’s box.

There are power hitters in every lineup. Once they get a hold of one, it’s going to rocket off of their bat no matter what they are using. You may

decrease the risk slightly with the less powerful batters, but the risk is still always going to be there.

Of course there are positives and negatives with each. Composite bats tend to hold their form longer, as aluminum bats tend to dent and lose their touch at a faster rate.

Along with that, composite bats are known for not performing well in colder temperatures.

Cost can also be a factor, especially for schools like Waynesburg that hold a tighter budget than say a softball powerhouse like the University of Arizona.

Composite bats range in price from $200-$400, whereas a solid alu-

minum bat can be found for around $100.

In terms of shown performance, the Arizona Wildcats broke the single season home run record in 2009 with 134, only to have that same record shattered the very next year by the University of Hawaii. Hawaii, who only hit 110 home runs in their previous two seasons combined, finished 2010 with an astounding 158.

The bats may have had some responsibility in producing that number, but in my opinion it depends on how that bat is used. By making poor contact, a team will never reach that high of a home run total.

Along with the enhanced technology, the skill level of athletes is also improving. They are training more than they ever have in order to get the absolute most out of their abilities.

Personally, I don’t like to see as many fly out of the yard as there have been, but most fans are drawn to the home run.

Perhaps this could draw a big crowd of loyal baseball followers to the game of softball.

There is no clear winner in this debate. It would be interesting, though, to see how higher level athletic programs would perform if composite bats were eliminated.

Men’s tennis wins at W&J Continued from C1

Waynesburg’s 4x100 relay team, being a great student, being part of the football conditioning team or being a leader on this team.

She is going to be something very special and unique in life, and for this team she is our energizer bunny. She runs so fast and is so athletic; I’ve never seen that kind of endurance in my coaching career.”

The eight Wilson goals were the least the team has given up this season and the only time they have kept an opponent in single digits since their last win almost exactly a year ago.

“Our defense is phenomenal, and the women have picked it up very quickly,” said Zacoi.

“They are very sharp, well-educated women and have taken to this defense and done a phenomenal job.”

The victory improves Waynesburg to 1-4 on the season with five games left on the schedule.

As far as the stat sheet goes, Shepas leads the team in both points (12) and goals (12).

Kramer sits in second in both categories with seven points and six goals.

The sophomore is also tied with two others for first in assists with one.

The Jackets Saturday matchup against Oberlin College was postponed.

Waynesburg was slated to take on Saint Vincent at home on Wednesday.

Results were unavailable at press time.

When the two teams met last season, the Bearcats dismantled the Jackets 26-2.

Waynesburg moves on to play Tiffin University next Friday. The 6 p.m. matchup will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.

we just cruised to an 8-0 win. I think that we can do some damage at the [PAC Championships] as a number-one doubles team.”

At second doubles, the Jackets’ sophomore duo of Jason Logan and Jon Anderson scored an 8-5 victory over David Dubois and Justin Mondok. At third doubles, Waynesburg freshman Nate Huffman and sophomore Joe Kromer defeated Adam Braithwaite and Brian Felker, 8-4.

In singles action, the Jackets continued their strong play, winning five of the six matches.

Waynesburg’s only loss came at third singles, where Logan dropped a 61, 6-2 decision to Braithwaite.

“Jason’s going to be fine; he’s just struggling a little bit mentally right now,” Christman said.

“He’s got the strokes, he’s got the movement. In doubles, he’s one of our better net players, so he’s contributing in doubles; he’s just struggling a little bit from the baseline in singles.”

Mally and Kromer scored tough three-set victories at number-one and number-six, respectively.

Khoury, Anderson and Huffman each tallied straight-set triumphs at second, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Khoury kept up his impressive play as of late with his 6-1, 6-0 victory over Piccinini. The senior has won six matches in a row, including both singles and doubles, dating

said. “She’s extremely good.”

Hagy’s goal for the season is to throw a personalbest 12 meters.

Other Jacket women were successful in the field events, as well.

Freshman Bre Paul leaped 3.05 meters (10’) in the pole vault for a ninthplace finish. Sophomore Jaimee Post placed twelfth in the long jump competition with a jump

of 4.57 meters (15’).

In the track events, freshman Kayla Shacklock carried her strong indoor performances into the outdoor season by leading all Waynesburg in women in the track events. Shacklock placed eighth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:11.02.

Senior Mikey Macosko followed closely behind Shacklock, finishing 10th

in the 400-meter hurdles event in 1:11.24.

On the men’s side, Waynesburg finished 18th as a team in a field of 23 schools.

Sophomore Kurt Bonnet returned to competition Saturday. After suffering an ankle injury during the basketball season, Bonnet proved that he is healthy with an outstanding discus throw. Bonnet finished first in a field of

Photo by Dave Miller ADM, Photography

Sophomore midfielder Molly Kramer tied a career high with five goals Saturday. The Jackets notched their first win of the season in that against Wilson, 13-8.

WU notches win No. 1 Continued from C1 turnovers. The defender added a goal as well – her first of the season.

“Miranda Thornton is a great leader on this team and an even better person,” said Zacoi. “The Lord has blessed her with ball-hawking skills, and it is such a pleasure to see someone so gifted play this game.”

Leading scorer senior Maria Shepas notched three goals to give her a team-leading 12 this season. The two-sport athlete also scooped up two groundballs and forced a turnover.

“I’ve never coached anyone quite like her,” said Zacoi. “She is so focused and driven, whether it is in anchoring

Two qualify for ECACs Continued from C1

the season it was OK, but there is definitely room for improvement,” Hagy said.

She hopes to beat Schubert during the season.

“I have to throw my best to top her,” Hagy

Photo by Andrew Buda

Freshman Nate Huffman leaps to hit a backhand during the Jackets’ most recent home match last week. back to last week.

“He’s just playing solid, solid tennis,” Christman said. “He’s playing smart tennis. He sets up the points, and he doesn’t give the other guy a break by making stupid mistakes.

He sets it up to where he can step in and hit a winner or finish it.

“He doesn’t double fault much, he doesn’t give anything away; he just keeps the pressure on them.”

For his efforts, Khoury was named last week’s PAC Player of the Week.

“PAC Player of the Week is an awesome accomplishment,” Khoury said. “I’m happy to have been chosen so early in the season. It was my goal to try to get it sometime this season, but to have gotten it already is a nice accomplishment.”

Tuesday’s win at W&J was the first conference win for Waynesburg in 2011. Their league record now stands at 1-1. Over-

all, the team is 2-2.

W&J fell to 0-3 (0-2).

On Saturday, the Jackets will clash with league foe Saint Vincent, a squad that edged the Waynesburg in its opening match a year ago, 5-4. However, before that contest, the Jackets will step out of conference and take on Penn State-Altoona on the road this afternoon.

“They’re always strong, and we’re going to be playing indoors, most likely, which will put us at a disadvantage,” Christman said. “We’ll just go in there and work on our game. If we take a few lumps, we take a few lumps. I just want to come out of there with some kind of confidence in what we’re doing.

“I think [at doubles], we’re playing solid enough that we might be able to take a few doubles from them.”

That match is slated to get underway at 3 p.m. in Altoona.

nearly 50 competitors.

With a throw of 44.92 meters (147’ 4”), Bonnet not only won the event, but he qualified for the ECAC Championships, as well.

In the track events, the 4x400 team picked up right where they left off from the indoor season.

Sophomore Casey Kaiser, freshman Ethan Smith, freshman Alan Jaeger and senior Trale Merz com-

bined for a 10th-place finish with a time of 3:37.23 Freshman Justin Angotti placed a very respectable seventh in a 58-man field with a time of 2:01.50 in the 800meter run.

Both the men’s and women’s teams will return to action Saturday.

They will travel just up Interstate 79 to take part in the Washington and Jefferson Invitational.

YELLOW JACKET

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Page C3

Sports

Athlete of the Week awards again go to two seniors After garnering honors from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference earlier in the week, a pair of Jacket seniors has added another weekly award to its collection. Men’s tennis player Emile Khoury and women’s field athlete Elisha Jones have been named the Yellow Jacket Athletes of the Week. It is the second straight week that two seniors were lauded.

By Jon Ledyard Assignments Editor Senior Emile Khoury was awarded the Yellow Jacket Men’s Athlete of the Week after going 6-0 this past week in three matches.

The number-two singles player defeated Washington and Jefferson’s Jon Piccinini 6-1, 6-0 Tuesday to lead the Jackets to victory in their first conference game of the season.

Khoury also teamed with junior Peter Mally to shut out the President’s top doubles team 8-0.

Khoury has not lost since Waynesburg’s season-opening loss against Penn State-Behrend back in February.

Khoury also garnered Presidents’ Athletic Con-

Above photo by Andrew Buda, photo at right courtesy of Waynesburg University Sports Info.

(Above) Senior Emile Khoury went 3-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles this past week.

(Right) Senior Elisha Jones qualified for the ECAC Championships in the javelin with her throw Saturday. ference laurels this week, winning the conference’s Men’s Tennis Player of the Week award.

Khoury and the rest of

the Jackets are back in action today when they travel to Altoona to face Penn State-Altoona in a non-conference show-

down. Start time is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The women’s Yellow Jacket Athlete of the Week award was collected

GAME 1: JACKETS 14-5; GAME 2: CARLOW 10-2

Softball splits doubleheader at Carlow Offense strong in first game, defense struggles in second

By Aaron Thompson Assistant Sports Editor For the Waynesburg University softball team, its doubleheader at Carlow University was a tale of two games.

The Yellow Jackets (75) won game one 14-5 in five innings but dropped game two 10-2 to the host Celtics (7-10) in an errorfilled five-inning contest.

“I think it was a combination of both [physical and mental mistakes],” said Waynesburg head coach Lou Giachetti.

“Sometimes after an easy victory in game one you can go out there in game two and mentally think you are automatically going to win. We had both physical and mental errors. I think we just lost focus.”

The Jackets stormed out in front early in the opening game, as they took a 6-0 lead in the first inning by bashing seven hits. Senior Amanda Baughman delivered the most consequential runproducing hit of the inning. Baughman, the Washington, Pa., native, launched a three-run homer to put Waynesburg on the board. Just two batters later, sophomore catcher Liz Bombara smacked a solo home run to make it 4-0 Jackets.

Giachetti praised Baughman’s approach at the plate.

“Amanda does what she does,” he said. “She is just a great hitter – probably one of the best hitters I’ve ever been around. She struggled a little in Florida

“Sometimes after an easy victory in game one you go out there in game two and ... think you are ... going to win. We had both mental and physical errors.

I think we just lost focus.”

Lou Giachetti Head softball coach

during Spring Break, but I knew that would be short lived.”

Junior third baseman Sam Volponi and senior first baseman Kristen Lautenschlager then both reached base by singles before senior outfielder Nicole Forte drove in another run with a single to make it 5-0. The remaining run of the inning scored on a Carlow error.

Carlow answered back by scoring four runs in the home half of the second inning before the two teams traded solo home runs to make it 7-5 Jackets. Freshman outfielder Jasmine Blackwell hit Waynesburg’s solo shot.

Waynesburg senior centerfielder Amber Pivik singled in a run before Volponi knocked home two with a triple to extend the Jackets’ lead.

Lautenschlager then laced a triple of her own to score Volponi to make it 11-5 Jackets. A passed ball allowed Lautenschlager to score to make it 12-5.

Waynesburg then held down the Celtics in the bottom of the fourth inning before Baughman connected on a two-run home run to finish out the scoring for game one.

Baughman also got the victory for Waynesburg after tossing five innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits and striking out four. She found her rhythm late as she retired the last nine batters she faced.

With the win, she evened her record in the circle at 2-2.

“It was just a matter of her getting warmed up in the cold,” Giachetti said.

“She was pretty much in control. As the game wore on, she got a lot stronger.

We lost a couple balls in the sun on defense, too.”

The wheels fell off for Waynesburg in game two, as Carlow scored seven runs in the first inning after the Jackets committed two of their five errors in the second game.

Waynesburg struggled at the plate as well; one of the lone offensive bright spots was a home run by sophomore shortstop Rachael Moon. Senior backup catcher Tonya Tanner got the start in game two behind the plate and went two-fortwo for the Jackets offensively.

Freshman Carrie Maier got the start for Waynesburg and suffered the loss, as she gave up seven runs,

two of which were earned.

Junior Lauren Minor finished out the game, giving up three runs (one earned) and striking out two Celtics.

Kasyie Young led the Celtics in game two by going 2-for-3 and scoring two runs and adding three RBI. Giachetti discussed the amount of games being postponed as of late and how it is affecting the consistency of the defense.

“I think it has a little bit,” he said. “In Florida we had very few errors, but up here we have played our games a week apart. I feel comfortable that we have a lot of kids that can play good defense. I’m hoping we can tighten that up a little bit.”

The Jackets are back in action this afternoon as they travel to Uniontown to take on Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus.

The doubleheader against the Roaring Lions starts at 4:30 p.m.

Waynesburg is set to get the home portion of their schedule underway when they host Mount Aloysius Friday.

That contest will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Team Leaders: Average Volponi (.417) Home runs Baughman (3) RBIs Baughman (16) ERA Baughman (2.35) Wins Minor (3) Innings pitched Baughman (30.2) Strikeouts Baughman (35)

by senior Elisha Jones, who showed no signs of rust in her transition from basketball to track and field on Saturday at the

Jackets split PAC twinbill Continued from C1

sixth before junior closer Rob Baumgartel struck out the Titans last batter in the seventh to give Waynesburg the win.

Knight allowed four runs, all earned, on 11 hits and struck out two batters, while walking none.

The senior went 5.1 innings before Baumgartel, who picked up his first save of the season, replaced him.

“I always just try and go out and do what I can to help the team,” said Knight.

“Considering they only had one loss coming into the game, it was great we stuck right with them and kept it close.”

Junior catcher Brendan Scioscia led the way for the Jackets at the plate, getting three hits in four at bats with a run and an RBI. Junior center fielder Brandon Myers batted in runners on both of his hits in three at bats.

“We are still looking for more consistency in our hitting,” said Humiston.

“We are missing people like [2010 graduate and former All-American] Wes White, and his position isn’t just one you fill overnight. We’ve got plenty of young guys vying for positions and playing time and learning what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level.”

The second contest was deadlocked at four after both teams scored twice in the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

After a scoreless eighth inning, Westminster scored the final run in the bottom of the ninth on freshman second baseman Andrew Rose’s error.

Freshman starter Zach Kreke was steady on the mound, working six innings and giving up two runs on five hits and two walks. Fellow freshman Drew Heinle took the loss after giving up the gamewinning unearned run in 1.1 innings of work.

“We’ve had better

Bill Van Horne Invitational. The two-time AllAmerican won the javelin event on the strength of 37.17 meter toss, good enough for first among the 42-woman field.

The heave qualified Jones for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships that will be held at Moravian College on May 19 and 20.

Like Khoury, her performance was also strong enough to earn her PAC honors, as she took home Women’s Field Athlete of the Week accolades, as well.

The Yellow Jacket track teams return to action on Saturday, April 2 when they head to the Washington & Jefferson Invitational.

pitching this season because we had a lot of freshman who were kind of thrown into the fire in a lot of big games last season,” said Humiston. “All we ask is that our pitchers give us a chance, and they have gone above and beyond that call this year and have kept us in a lot of close games.”

The Jacket hitters struggled in the second game, only getting six hits in 30 at bats. Again it was Scioscia leading the way with two hits and a run.

Junior Noah Pust made the most of his three at bats, knocking in two runs and scoring once himself.

Waynesburg’s split of the series is perhaps most impressive because Westminster entered the game with a record of 12-1, while Waynesburg posted a 4-11 record. Both teams now have conference records of 3-2.

“I think their record coming in was a little misleading just like ours,” said Humiston. “If teams just look at that and our batting average, they don’t think we will be a challenge, but I think teams that have played us have changed their minds.

“We come to play every inning, and if you aren’t playing your best baseball, there is a good chance we are going to beat you.”

The Jackets host conference opponent Thomas More College in their next game, a nine-inning contest Friday. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.

They then return to the diamond the following day for a doubleheader against the Saints. That twinbill starts at 1 p.m.

Team Leaders: Average Defilippo (.379) Home runs Defilippo (4) RBIs Pust (11) ERA Gonzalez (4.01) Wins Five tied with 1 Innings pitched Longo (29.0) Strikeouts Baumgartel (21)

YELLOW JACKET

Page C4

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sports

Golf teams prepare for spring season

PAC awards

Second-year head coach Scott Venick seeing progress

By Brandon Reed Editorial Assistant As the 2011 golf season starts, more participation is expected this year at Waynesburg University.

Scott Venick has slowly been progressing the team and hopes to see more success this season.

With five players returning from last season and the addition of three newcomers, the future looks bright for the men’s team this spring.

Back in September, sophomore Colin Wilson placed a team-best 18th place at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Fall Golf Invitational. Wilson hopes to carry that same kind of game into the spring season.

Seniors Mike Quinn and Kevin McIlwain also return, and the two are looking to hold onto their starting positions in 2011.

One new addition to the team this season is first-year senior Brent Heckel, who joins the squad after four years on the Yellow Jacket football team. Freshmen Ben Schlotter and Ryan Srnik will also join the team

Pitt exits early again Continued from C1 All-American recruit next season when the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect, Khem Birch, makes his Panther debut.

Lastly, Dixon’s coaching decisions late in contests and his ability to

Jones

-Two-time All-American senior Elisha Jones picked up her first individual accolade of the 2011 outdoor season Monday.

The Russell, Pa. native was named the this year’s first Presidents’ Athletic Conference Women’s Field Athlete of the Week after competing in the javelin at Saturday’s Bill Van Horne

Invitational.

The senior standout won the event after besting the 42-woman field with a heave of 37.17 meters (121’ 11”). That distance also qualified her for this year’s Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships on May 19 and 20 at Moravian College.

Jones’ performance Saturday helped her Yellow Jacket women’s track and field team finish in a tie for 12th place.

The Jacket track teams return to action on Saturday, April 2 when they head to the Washington & Jefferson Invitational.

this spring.

Due to weather issues, the men’s team was unable to start their season March 28 as scheduled. They were set to participate in the Westminster Titan Invitational at the New Castle Country Club.

Now, the Jackets will most likely begin their 2011 campaign April 14 at the Saint Vincent College Invitational. That invitational will be played at Latrobe Country Club.

The women’s team is bringing back senior Katie Rihn, who took 10th at the PAC fall invitational.

Rihn said she is hoping to begin the season right and as soon as possible.

“I am excited to get out there on the course and compete with the rest of the PAC,” said Rihn.

The women’s team is also bringing in experienced freshman Madison Presto out of Center High School. Presto was a prep school standout during

her time at Center.

Freshman Alissa McQuillan out of Fort Cherry High School will also join the squad this spring.

The women will begin their season this week at Westminster’s Mary Cleland Eckles Invitational.

That competition will be held at New Castle Country Club.

Sports Editor Dave Floyd contributed to this article.

-After going a perfect 4-0 this past week for the 1-1 Waynesburg University men’s tennis team, senior Emile Khoury was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week.

In two matches at second singles, Khoury took down Pitt-Greensburg’s Khoury Navid Pourarian 6-0, 6-0 on March 24, and followed that victory by coming out on top of a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 battle with Westminster’s Derek Fredrickson on March 26. The DuBois native teamed up with junior Peter Mally to pick up a pair of wins at first doubles. The pair won by the final score of 83 against UPG and added a thrilling 9-8 triumph against Westminster.

Khoury’s performances helped his Jacket men’s tennis team win those matches against both UPG and W&J. Khoury and the rest of the Jackets are back in action today when they travel to Altoona to face Penn State-Altoona in a nonconference showdown. Start time is scheduled for 3 p.m.

make in-game adjustments have certainly been in question as of late. I could point out multiple examples, but I’ll stick with a single comparison.

Down against Pitt in the second half of the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, UConn head coach Jim Calhoun made an adjustment. He went zone. He admits that’s not the way he’d like to play, but the situation called

for it. It worked, and Calhoun’s team had the opportunity to win it late.

With the score tied and just 18 ticks left, Calhoun used Dixon’s predictability against him. Because Dixon always switches on ball screens in those situations, Calhoun knew a solid pick at the top of the key would leave star guard Kemba Walker oneon-one with McGhee.

Again, Calhoun was right,

and we all know what happened next (sorry, Gary).

Fast forward to Pitt’s loss to Butler in the third round of the NCAA tournament. The Panthers had a one-point lead, the ball and at least one timeout with approximately 40 seconds remaining.

Instead of calling a timeout and drawing something up for his team, Dixon let his players play,

only to see the shot clock expire and his team turn the ball over. You know the rest of the story.

Now granted, I still believe Dixon can eventually get the Panthers over that NCAA tourney hump, but he still has work to do. And that could start with polishing his ability to manage ingame situations.

Look at Calhoun. In a tournament that’s been as

Photo courtesy Waynesburg University Sports Information

Sophomore Colin Wilson returns in 2011 for his second season on the Jacket men’s golf team. Wilson finished a team-best 18th at the PAC Fall Golf Invitational.

unpredictable as ever, he has his team in the Final Four for the second time in three years. That after finishing in the bottom half of his conference’s regular season standings.

Talk about adjustments.

And that all-important talent I mentioned may have something to do with it, too. Walker’s been on a postseason tear unlike almost anyone who’s come before him.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Shoe day to raise poverty awareness

Upper and coming

Chinua Hawk set to perform

By Matt Giardina

By Sarah Bell

Staff Writer

Editorial Assistant The campus Beehive is often transformed into a Coffeehouse featuring that create a relaxing atmosphere with their music.

A musician by the name of Chinua Hawk will be performing at the next coffeehouse on Wednesday, April 6.

Katie Smith, a junior computer science and mathematics major and member of the Student Activities Board discussed the reason that the group went to the conference in Michigan.

Photos by Gregory Reinhart “We go to a conference every semester called the (Above) From left to right, K Scarry, Bethany Taylor, Samantha Civitate and Kimber Blair are the newest memNational Association of bers of the Upper Room team. (Below) Civitate is the new guitarist for the band.

Campus Activities (NACA). The Student Activities Board only went during the fall semester,”

By Jason Logan said Smith. “We actually Taylor, sophomore early Staff Writer went to the central NACA childhood education Conference in Michigan major, will be the new Upper Room is seeing a pianist. Kimber Blair will because our regional conchange in leadership, a be working with the ference was held at the change that will be differ- sound system and K Scarsame time of homecoming.” ent but positive to the ry will be singing and Smith continued campus ministry. organizing. explaining the events that Upper Room is a week“You just have to trust take place at the conferly student-led worship that it’s God’s ministry ence. service held on campus in and He will sustain,” said “At the session we the Alumni Hall that David Myers, senior enviwatch performers and offers a contemporary ronmental science major. visit their booths afterworship experience to stuMyers, who is graduatwards to talk to their mandents through a student ing this year, has been the agers in order to listen to band, scripture and testi- Upper Room’s worship more of their music or to monies. band guitarist and vocalist get a better feel for them,” Three of the worship since his sophomore year.

Smith said. “We actually team’s members are gradIn regards to the transiheard Chinua Hawk in uating seniors, causing tion, Myers said, “I’m person. He came off as the need for new musi- replaceable, my desire is more soulful, more than cians to step into worship that Upper Room will go just a performer with an and leadership roles. and do great things.”

Samantha Civitate, Myers is excited to see tion, rather than its the time he has been a acoustic guitar. He is a litjunior biblical and min- a different leader for the leader. Upper Room, as a part of Upper Room, it has tle more southern sound, istry studies major was group and to observe the band and service, is grow- gone from having an aver- friendly and welcoming.” chosen to be the band’s Upper Room band as a ing.

See CHANGES on D3 See DAY on D2 new guitarist and Bethany member of the congregaSee HAWK on D3 Myers said that over

Students and faculty are invited to walk around barefoot on April 5. The goal is to raise awareness for those who cannot afford shoes in developing countries; “One Day Without Shoes.”

The annual event is hosted by TOMS shoes.

TOMS shoes recognizes that children have to walk without shoes for miles for medical attention, schooling or a clean supply of water, their website said.

Waynesburg students expressed different opinions on the topic.

Although he has not participated before, Anthony Jarrell, junior psychology major, thinks that One Day Without Shoes is a great way to raise awareness.

“It is important for Waynesburg University students to be involved with this, because they need to understand that they can make a difference,” Jarrell said. “There are so many people in the world that go without basic needs, and have never had a pair of shoes.”

However, Alana Marts, junior forensic accounting major, does not think that awareness is enough.

“I think it has good intentions, but it doesn’t really do anything. It lets people know that there is a problem, but it doesn’t really let people know how to fix the problem,” Marts said. “I think that if

New leadership chosen for Upper Room

Senior artwork on display in Benedum Teaching with Primary Sources hosts history forum

By Rob Griffith Staff Writer

By Megan Campbell Staff Writer The University will host another segment of Teaching with Primary Sources on Thursday, March 31. The topic being discussed is “Women and Media: A History through Primary Sources”.

Dr. Elesha Coffman, assistant professor of history at Waynesburg University, will present during the session.

Her presentation will focus on women in the media and the different representations of women in the media.

She has previously worked as a magazine editor and her research deals with the role of print media in creating social networks and community identity in the early twentieth century.

This event is offered in celebration of Women’s History Month, and the entire Waynesburg University community is invited to attend.

See PROFESSOR on D2

Each year the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery displays a series of senior art exhibitions encompassing four years of a student’s artistic development.

This year’s series concludes with an exhibition of work by senior art major Laura Policz, running from March 21 to April 8.

Susan Phillips, professor of art and chair of the department of fine arts, said the process allows students some insight into the life of a professional artist.

“It’s done in a very professional way,” Phillips said.

“The same way that an artist would have an exhi-

Photo by Amanda Rice

Senior arts administration major Laura Policz will be displaying her artwork from March 21 to April 8 in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery. bition in a commercial gallery.”

For most Waynesburg Arts Administration

majors, this is their first opportunity to display their work in a one-person show.

Phillips said that choosing a sample of four See SENIOR on D2

YELLOW JACKET

Page D2

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Arts & Life

Dueling Pianos International perform as part of spring week

By Hope Frick

students were picked by the pianists to sing and dance in front of the crowd to Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and The Village People’s “YMCA.” Candice Caddies, a freshman nursing major, was one audience mem-

ber selected to sing along to “Proud Mary.”

“I was a little embarrassed to be in front of everyone,” Caddies said.

“But I was with my friends, so I had a lot of fun.”

Freshman Madelyne Pieringer, an English sec-

ondary education major, also joined Caddies on the stage.

“It was really funny,” She said. “I had a good time.”

Throughout the show, the musicians kept the energy level up by showcasing their musical tal-

ent.

Each pianist has a background in music.

Leaman grew up in a musical family and began playing piano at age three.

After playing in bands throughout high school, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. In

addition to performing with Dueling Pianos International, Leaman is also a talented composer and recording engineer.

Turner took piano lessons for 12 years before breaking into the entertainment industry as a stand-up comedian. He has been performing fulltime as both a musician and comedian since 2001.

The two, both Michigan natives, met through a talent agency.

“There was a circuit of guys who used to play together back in Michigan,” Leaman said. “We were partnered up to play shows together but we ended up clicking.”

The piano playing duo is currently on a selfdescribed “mini-tour” that includes stops at two colleges and two military bases.

“It’s always great to perform on the bases,” Turner said. “We really enjoy performing for the troops.”

More information about Turner and Leaman and Dueling Piano’s International can be found at www.duelingpianoshows.com

get their hands dirty with the raw materials of history and develop understandings and personal connections with people, places and events that have gone before,” Wise said.

“Additionally, by utilizing a variety of sources, teachers are able to customize learning activities to fit the needs and strengths of their students, thus providing individualized instruction.”

Coffman will discuss media representations and messages related to the evolution of feminism through the years.

Students who attend this event can also expect to be provided with a forum for discussion about how these media representations and messages inform teaching and learning.

Wise believes in supporting the use of primary sources in education and engaging in discussions with professional educators with regard to both the benefits and flexibility of utilizing primary source learning is exciting.

Everyone who attends can benefit from interacting with primary sources if given the proper tools and techniques, as well as understand the connection between women in history and their roles in media.

Senior art on display

comes, they get all of that work out and we look at it together and decide which pieces should be in the show.”

Students must also promote their exhibition to the campus and community.

“They also take photographs for some of the best pieces, and they choose one of those for the postcard invitation,” Phillips said.

Finally, on the first day of the exhibition, the students hold an opening-day event.

“And then we have an opening, where the public will come to see the work and meet the artist,” Phillips said.

“The artist gives interviews, and some pieces are sold.”

The process can be so involved that students begin planning their own

shows years in advance.

“I’m already talking to students who people who will be doing their senior show the year after next,” Phillips said.

Policz’s show displays a wide variety of work including watercolor paintings, ceramics, quilt work and fiber arts.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by appointment.

participating would be like walking a mile in their shoes, figuratively speaking. Students could have a small taste of what it’s like,” Jarrell said. “I am considering participating because I really respect the cause.”

Marts will not be participating in the day’s events, but does agree that the campus community should take action for the families who cannot afford shoes.

“It raises awareness, but what happens after students are aware?”

Marts said. “I think we should have a shoe drive

instead. Everyone could bring as many shoes as they want; I know everyone has an old pair of shoes, so let’s donate some of them.”

Students could also just buy a pair of TOMS because the shoe company has a project called ‘one for one.’ This means that every time a pair of TOMS is bought another pair is donated to a child in need.

Their approach is to ‘give sustainability, give responsibility.’ According to their website, they identify the need for shoes, make a partnership

with that country and set up a schedule for when shoes will need to be donated.

Marts agrees with the donation, but thinks the effects of One Day Without Shoes are not going to help developing countries.

“Just because I know what it feels like to walk around without shoes for a day doesn’t really do anything because they walk around without shoes forever. They never have shoes,” Marts said.

“The end result is nothing. It is still not going to put a shoe on someone else.”

Staff Writer The Student Activities Board hosted pianists Frank Turner and Noeal Leaman of Dueling Pianos International last Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Alumni Hall.

Dueling pianos, also known simply as “singalong,” is a unique and interactive form of entertainment that features two professional pianists who play songs of all genres, entirely based on audience requests.

During their two-hour performance, Turner and Leaman performed over 20 songs suggested by the audience throughout the show.

The pianists performed songs of all genres, ranging from classic 80s hits to the “Tiger Song” from the movie “The Hangover.” The two also covered music from popular artists including Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Elton John and Bon Jovi.

Turner and Leaman also included audience members in acts during the performance. Several

Professor to present Continued from D1 ”Dr. Coffman previously led a professional development workshop by the same title for teachers,” said Sue Wise, associate director of TPS Eastern Region, “That workshop was designed to introduce K-12 educators to the online resources available online at the Library of Congress and provide historical and content knowledge to support teaching about women’s history.”

TPS is the educational outreach program of the Library of Congress, and it builds partnerships with the educational organizations to support effective instruction using primary sources; mainly those through the Library of Congress.

This event will also cover women’s suffrage, women war correspondents and the feminine movement. Women in the twentieth century are objects, consumers or producers in media.

The presentation uses the Library of Congress resources for the study of women’s history.

“Media can be a powerful way women are seen,” Coffman said. “The media puts pressure on women and it is important for women to challenge those constraints.”

Participants can gather information about the three main waves of feminism in the U.S., which is demonstrated through various media productions. The presentations will include photos from the Library of Congress archives that directly relate to these waves.

“When used effectively, primary sources provide learners the opportunity

Photo by Amanda Rice

Frank Turner and Noeal Leaman of Dueling Pianos International performed at 8 p.m. on March 24 in Alumni Hall.

The duo played a variety of songs requested by the audience including works from The Beatles.

Continued from D1 years of artistic output can be a challenge.

“Each student saves all of the work that they did during their four years, so they have a lot to choose from,” Phillips said.

“When the time

Day to raise awareness Continued from D1 there were a better option, say for someone to donate shoes instead of walking around without shoes; I just think it would have more of a purpose than [One Day Without Shoes] does.”

Marts also addresses the fact that it is unsanitary to walk around the buildings on campus without shoes because of germs and different diseases.

In developing countries millions of children are at risk of infection, injury and disease that many families cannot afford to prevent, the TOMS website said. “[To convince students to join] I would say that

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Page D3

Arts & Life

Northwestern Univ. professor to start new Innocence Project

By Dan Hinkel Chicago Tribune CHICAGO — After months of sour relations between embattled Northwestern University journalism professor David Protess and school administrators, the crusading teacher has announced he is forming a new non-profit project on wrongful convictions independent of any university.

Protess, whose students made national news with more than 10 exonerations before a recent case stirred a continuing controversy, said Monday night he will be on leave from the university for the spring quarter, which started Monday. .

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Protess said that next month he will hold an event to launch The Chicago Innocence Project, a non-profit organization that will continue with the type of investigative work done by the Northwestern project.

The work of the new project will be done by college journalists from Chicago-area universities, he said. Protess said he has enough funding to launch the program, though he plans to seek more money for full-time staff and other expenses.

“This is a unique organization, one that is not affiliated with any university or law school or public defender’s office,” he said.

Asked whether he thinks he will ever teach at Northwestern again, he said, “I would leave the door open to that if North-

western is open to having me continue to teach there.” He declined to comment on his current relationship with the university.

Cubbage said university officials would not comment beyond the written statement on Protess’ leave. The Medill Innocence Project drew fame to Northwestern and made Protess one of Chicago’s most celebrated journalists as his students’ investigations led to the release of inmates from death row and helped end executions in Illinois.

But the project has become the focus of controversy in the nearly two years since Cook County prosecutors subpoenaed notes, recordings and grades of Northwestern student journalists who believed Anthony McKinney was wrongly convicted of a 1978 shotgun murder in Harvey, Ill. Northwestern officials have questioned whether Protess was forthcoming about what information he had turned over to McKinney’s lawyers, which is relevant because it would determine what materials also should have been shared with prosecutors.

The university also hired former U.S. Attorney Anton Valukas of the Chicago law firm of Jenner & Block several months ago to lead an inquiry into Protess and the Innocence Project over possible ethical breaches.

Protess has denied misleading the university or his lawyer, saying confusion between McKinney’s legal team and himself led to the dispute.

Hawk to perform Continued from D3 The SAB organized for Chinua Hawk to perform on campus for various reasons.

“Hawk is not similar to any performance we have had on campus so far. We try to find people who are

interesting and do not resemble others,” said Smith. “One Coffeehouse performer, Jared Mahone, could beat box. Our main objective is to choose performers who are different than all the rest.”

Smith said, “Having Hawk come to Waynesburg University is supposed to reach out to more of a variety of student. Hopefully it will influence people who usu-

ally do not come to the Coffeehouses to attend.”

Smith continued by addressing the SAB’s goals when bringing different acts to campus.

“We also enjoy bringing in diverse talent and styles. The main purpose of inviting Hawk to preform is for students to have fun,” Smith said.

“Our purpose as the SAB is to provide fun events and activities for the stu-

dents so they have something to do.”’

Chinua Hawk’s talent is demonstrated through his work with other artists.

“He is a singer/songwriter who as performed with famous performers such as Celine Dion in Madison Square Garden,” Smith said.

“He also has worked in the studio with Kanye West.”

Photo by Lisa Jaeger

B-I-N-G-O During Bingo on March 30, a fundraiser was held to collect cans for the Salvation Army through Lambda Pi Eta.

Changes for Upper Room Continued from D1 age of 60-70 students attending to about 200 students a week.

“The band will be transforming,” Myers said. “The transition has actually already occurred.”

The Upper Room worship band had its first practice and service with-

out their senior leadership.

“I am excited with the new band, it will be going in a new and different direction, bringing a positive change,” Matthew McNeil, sophomore premed Chemistry major said.

McNeil, who plays bass guitar for the group, will be sharing the leadership position in the band with the group’s drummer, Evan Kephart, sophomore biblical administrations major.

McNeil will be targeting more of the musical aspect, running practices and leading worship.

“I love it…it is crazy how God can use your small talents in a huge way,” McNeil said.

Kephart will be attending to the business and devotion side of the Upper Room band.

“It’s not going to be an easy transition; it will have to be a process,” said Pamela Engelmann, senior environmental science major. Engelmann, who is also graduating after this semester, played the piano in the band for two years.

“Being involved in this kind of band is different,” Engelmann said. “As a band, we’re constantly supporting and encouraging each other while we all go through tough times.”

Although Engelmann values her experience in the band, she said the change is necessary.

“What I will miss the most is that very valuable

sense of community that’s my family,” Engelmann said.

The decision of the band’s future was not an easy one, said Engelmann.

“As a band, it took a lot of group and individual prayer,” said Engelmann.

It’s a very long process of exploring options through tryouts, said Myers.

The decision is “based on more than talent and character,” said Myers.

“It is a balance between the two.”

In regards to the decision, Engelmann said, “It is mostly based on where the heart is and where they are in their walk with God.” Since the members have been focusing their thoughts and prayers towards this transition since November, they all seem quite positive and confident in their choice.

“We must move aside and let God make the best decision [and] trust that God’s going to do work,” Engelmann said.

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Page D4

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Arts & Life

Analysts link Arab technology changes to social media

By Anita Poehlig dpa (MCT) BRAUNSCHWEIG, Germany — The winds of change sweeping the Arab world have got as much to do with school textbooks as with Facebook and Twitter, two Germanybased analysts say.

Tunisian philosophy teacher Sarhan Dhouib and German sociologist Susanne Kroehnert-Othman have been studying what appears in Arabic textbooks.

The books give children a positive attitude to human rights, which the political reality in their nations does not match.

The academics spoke as the popular uprisings, which have already swept away authoritarian rulers in Egypt and Tunisia, were continuing.

“Many nations in the Middle East and North Africa see themselves as modern and international and do include topics related to human rights in their school textbooks,” Kroehnert-Othman said in her office in Braunschweig.

She works for the Georg Eckert Institute, a think tank that studies school textbooks round the world.

She and Dhouib combed through Arabiclanguage textbooks to assess how they have changed in recent decades and taken up such human-rights issues as political liberty or the rights of the individual.

“One reads a great many ideals in the books, though the reality on the

ground is quite different,” said Kroehnert-Othman.

Schools in Tunisia did encourage pupils to think about democracy. The dictatorship that was toppled in the protests may have underestimated the farreaching effects of education on ordinary Tunisians.

Dhouib, who was formerly a schoolteacher in Tunisia, said, “The curriculum there covers both Arab philosophers and western ones like JeanJacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.”

Children in Tunisia had already been conscious that neither their parents nor their imams were very well informed about rights, said Dhouib, who is now on the philosophy department staff at Germany’s University of Kassel.

“The hopes that such classroom texts arouse were getting less and less likely to come true,” explained Kroehnert-Othman.

“As long as people who have an education have a chance to get a job, repressive states can function, despite this disconnect.

“That’s because the states themselves are the principal employer,” she said. But when a gap springs up between people’s expectations and reality, educated people lose patience with empty promises of freedoms and political participation, she explained.

“That’s when they go out and join a mass protest.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

1

3

New bill will focus on renewable energy

Polls show Mexicans worried about cartels

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California would vastly increase its commitment to wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable energy under legislation that cleared the Legislature on Tuesday and was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown.

The measure would require public and private utilities to obtain 33 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020, a sizable increase over the 20 percent required now.

The Senate approved the measure last month, 26-11, with a similar party-line split. Opponents contend the measure will hurt California's economy and residents' pocketbooks by increasing future electricity prices.

The state Public Utilities Commission estimated in 2009 that adoption of such a standard would require tens of billions of dollars to implement and hike electricity expenditures by 7.1 percent, although those figures may now be too high because of lower projections of energy demand in 2020.

Last year's attempt, Senate Bill 722, died in the Senate on the final day of the two-year session.

MEXICO CITY – Mexicans are in a funk over their president, and a majority of them think that he's losing control of the country, an opinion poll released Tuesday found.

Six out of 10 Mexicans think that organized crime gangs are getting the upper hand in the war that President Felipe Calderon launched against drug trafficking when he came to office in late 2006, the poll by Demotecnia found.

The poll may augur a change in the country's approach to its huge drug-trafficking problem when a new administration takes over after elections next year. Calderon, 48, is in the fifth and defining year of a six-year presidential term.

2 Dozens killed in government office attack BAGHDAD – At least 55 people were killed Tuesday and 95 injured when gunmen posing as Iraqi security troops stormed the Salahuddin provincial council building in the city of Tikrit and took dozens of people hostage, including members of the council.

The gunmen executed at least three members of the council and set their bodies on fire, before detonating the explosive belts they were wearing, killing the remaining hostages and all of the hostage takers.

No group took responsibility for the attack, though suspicion immediately fell on the Sunni Muslim insurgent group al-Qaida in Iraq.

No U.S. casualties were reported, and it wasn't clear how many of the dead were hostages, gunmen or members of the Iraqi security forces.

4 Smart phone app accesses police scanners SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Police launched a cell phone application Tuesday that compiles crime maps, news and alerts and lets users listen to the Santa Cruz police radio online.

The application warns residents of closed roads, missing people, police activity and natural disasters with the ability to upload crime information to police.

The free application is available as an iPhone application on iTunes and the Apple store.

5 Plant reports dangerous radiation levels TOKYO – Officials at Japan's stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant late Sunday retracted their announcement that they had found puddles at the facility's No. 2 reactor containing 10 million times more radioactivity than would be found normally.

The initial announcement of the extremely high levels of radioactivity in the turbine building of the No. 2 reactor was made by Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

The alarming announcement raised questions about the source of the radioactivity and the extent of damage to the plant.

In Japan, residents still sifting through the piles of rubble

By John M. Glionna Los Angeles Times KAMIHACHI, Japan — Megumi Sasaki was looking for the white bicycle helmet. Working patiently, a flock of seabirds nagging incessantly overhead, the 36-year-old mother of two sifted through the rubble of the only home she had ever known _ taken from her by the devastating wave that swallowed this seaside community of Kamihachi, Japan, on March 11.

She had bought the helmet for her daughter Sara’s 7th birthday. But she had hidden it inside a family car swept away by the tsunami that rolled across northeast Japan on the heels of a killer magnitude 9 earthquake.

Now both the helmet and the car were missing, like so many other possessions. Only two weeks ago, her quaint two-story home was a repository of precious moments, Sasaki’s personal refuge from any storm, the place that housed four generations of her family: her grandparents, parents, herself and

Photo by Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/MCT

Meguni Sasaki, left, and her husband, Satoru Sasaki, search where the second floor of their house landed, about a quarter a mile away from the original location. her husband and their two young daughters.

Now it was gone, reduced to a concrete and wood foundation and a few daily items from a past life: a mangled sink lying in the mud, a dismembered toilet seat and several scattered chopsticks. Megumi Sasaki and her husband, Satoru, had returned to a place that no longer existed as before, an experience shared by seemingly countless families here.

Some homes were demolished by the mammoth wave; others contorted into grotesque, cartoonish shapes, never again to be inhabited.

Wearing white cotton gloves with green plastic fingertips, her long brown hair tied up in a flowered bow, the hospital nurse said she had returned home for the first time just days after the disaster.

For Megumi, it was a homecoming from hell.

That day, from a rise in

the road, she looked down at her once tight-knit community of 20 homes, and she gasped.

“It was mayhem,” she said. “I cried when I saw it.”

But she and her family counted their blessings: All eight household members survived.

The children, Sara and 9-year-old Yua, along with Megumi’s parents and her grandparents, both in their 90s, were now safe at a relative’s house, leaving

Megumi and Satoru to return to their old neighborhood to search for tiny pieces of their past.

Megumi has returned nearly every day. “I’m looking for something I can recognize,” she said Thursday, “something I can pick up and say ‘This is mine.’ “ On a gray afternoon, the couple spread out across a vast landscape of destruction, going about their search with a calm resolve.

Wearing a white towel as a bandana, Satoru, on a hunch, walked down a makeshift lane carved through waist-high piles of twisted detritus, all the time watching closely.

Within minutes, he saw it: the second story of their home, ripped off and dropped nearly a quartermile away.

He called to his wife, smiling in amazement.

Megumi said finding the second floor had special meaning.

“My father and grandfather were carpenters,” she said. “Together, they built this addition with their own hands 10 years ago so we had a place to

live when we got married.”

They made another find: a color photograph of Yua on a class field trip with a clutch of other youngsters. In the photo Yua is smiling. That made her father smile, too.

“Photos of my children, that’s all I’m looking for,” said the 36-year-old construction worker, his voice trailing off. “Just some memories.”

Neither Megumi nor Satoru was at home when the tsunami rushed in; only the girls and their older relatives, who hurried to a mountainside temple. But Satoru’s mother, who lived nearby, was taken by the wave.

Her body lay in a makeshift mortuary.

She said the tsunami taught her a hard lesson: that a house is more than a place to sleep and cook; it’s a psychological roof that helps to maintain a family’s unique blood bond.

They planned to return to their neighborhood the next morning. Megumi still wanted to find that white bicycle helmet.