3.29.12 Yellow Jacket

51 W. College St. Waynesburg, PA 15370

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Vol. 89 No. 19

PRESIDENT THYREEN:

‘We wish we just had him longer’ Peers, faculty recall student’s fun-loving, energetic demeanor

By Sarah Bell and Kaitlin Edwards Yellow Jacket Staff He had a mischievous smile that was unforgettable to classmates and professors.

His sense of adventure and his “love of life” were widely known across the Waynesburg University campus.

Joseph Paul “Joey” Schneider, 21, accidently drowned last week in the Canonsburg Lake in Peters Township.

Schneider was a junior at Waynesburg University, and although he officially was an exploring

major, he was in the process of becoming a business management major.

“He just had this infectious smile; it was very mischievous, but just a smile that no one could get mad at,” said Christian Ola, assistant professor of Business Administration. “He had a great personality and was very well liked by his classmates.”

‘Truly incredible’ “I met Joe this past year. He was in one of my classes and the kind of person he was…he was just real chill. He always had a smile on his face,”

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Joseph Schneider died last week in Peters Township.

He is remembered for his infectious smile, enthusiasm and “love of life.” said Rico Borz Ramirez, senior accounting major.

“He was humble, and a good friend. He was always there for me and everyone else that ever needed him.”

After having one class

with Schneider, Ramirez considered him to be one of his best friends.

According to Ramirez, Schneider’s smile was infectious.

“I’m the type of person who doesn’t laugh a lot,

Staff Writer With the support of numerous donations to the Fund for Waynesburg, Waynesburg University students’ tuition only covers 75 percent of the total cost of attendance, making Waynesburg University the second least expensive private school tuition in all of Pennsylvania.

Alumni donations pay the remaining 25 percent.

Every year, University alumni make generous donations to support Waynesburg University and its students.

“The Fund for Waynesburg is a fund that supports educational programs and operational needs, as well as financial aid for students,” said Victoria Kamicker, alumni relations representative.

“Annual funds are needed each year to supplement costs of the university and costs of the students.”

This year, Kevin Lee and the Lee Supply Company donated to the Fund for Waynesburg.

Graduating with the class of 1988, Kevin Lee earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. After graduation, Lee began working at Lee Supply Company, a

third generation familyowned business.

“Lee Supply Company is a distributor for diversified engineered products for mining and environmental and construction markets. The company takes pride in quality people, quality products, and quality services,” said Lee. After some research and contacting Waynesburg University in effort

By Stephanie Laing Assignments Editor

to discover the best option, Lee decided to make a donation in support of the Fund for Waynesburg.

“The Fund of Waynesburg appeared as the best option because the university could decide how the money could best be used,” said Lee. “We decided to make donation because we had a record

Discussing the future for student financial aid at the President’s news conference this past Monday, President Timothy R. Thyreen predicted that Waynesburg University students will each have approximately $200 to $300 less financial aid next year.

“We’re looking at almost half a million dollars less next year,” Thyreen said. “Support to higher education in the future, I predict, will continue to drop.”

Thyreen was recently re-nominated and confirmed by the state Senate to fulfill a six-year term on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency board. He said that Gov. Tom Corbett asked PHEAA to initiate a 5 percent mid-year adjustment, so students would not be affected by the $486 million that the state

See COMPANY on A2

See PRESIDENT on A2

but he made me laugh all the time. I can’t say that for everyone,” he said.

“Even though I only knew him for a year, he was one of my only true friends – See SCHNEIDER on A2

Lee Supply Company donates funds to University

By Sara Faiad

School prepared for state aid cuts

Stafford loan rates WU receives service award for fifth time set to double within next school year

By Steve Hullings

Staff Writer

By Nate Regotti Staff Writer Over 8 million college students will be affected across the nation for the 20122013 school year if Congress doesn’t act.

In July, Stafford loan rates will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

According to its website, the Stafford loan is a fixed-rate student loan for undergraduate and graduate students attending college at least part-time. Stafford loans are the most common and one of the most cost-effective ways to pay for school.

The federal loan is granted to low-class and middle-class students.

Students who qualify for the loans must

demonstrate financial need and meet income restrictions to receive them. The government pays the interest on the loans while recipients are in school.

The rate hike is part of Congress’ Budget Control Act of 2011, after the debt ceiling was raised last year.

President Obama has been lobbying for the Republican Congress to not raise rates.

“At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July,” said President Obama in the annual State of the Union Address in January.

Service learning is a tremendous aspect of Waynesburg University’s mission statement.

As a university, Waynesburg strives to serve others in the community around them, as well as internationally, while we learn and study.

Now, for the fifth straight year, Waynesburg University has been listed See WU on A3

Photo courtesy of Brittany Nard

Students work on a house for Habitat for Humanity. Due to the university’s commitment, they have been recognized for the fifth straight year for service.

Spring class registration set to begin

By Ana Barr Staff writer

With the end of the semester approaching rapidly, students are gearing up for the next semester’s scheduling.

Students are now See LOANS on A2 reviewing their past

semesters in preparation to make their new schedules.

For some students, scheduling is an easy task.

However, scheduling can also be tiresome.

Education majors seem to always have a hard time figuring their sched-

tives,” said Watson. “Our education classes are only offered during certain times so we have to take them when we can.”

Watson transferred to Waynesburg from West Virginia University in the See REGISTRATION on A4

ARTS & LIFE

REGION

SPORTS

Colleges Against Cancer hosted the annual Ovarian Egg Hunt Wednesday.

See Page D1

West Greene School District plans to build a consolidated elementary school, vacating both the Graysville and Springhill-Freeport elementary schools.

The softball team split its final twinbill before PAC play begins on Saturday.

INSIDE Copyright © 2012 by Waynesburg University

ules out. For Chelsea Watson, a sophomore education major, the story is no different.

“Since the education majors have a very strict schedule of at least 17 to 18 credits a semester, it is always nerve racking when it comes to elec-

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

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1-C4 Arts & Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D1-D2 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . .D3-D4

See Page B1

See Page C1

YELLOW JACKET

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Campus

Bonner Scholar program founder addresses University students

By Rusty Fleming Staff Writer This past Tuesday, 27 Rev. Wayne Meisel talked to students at the University’s weekly chapel service.

Chapel opened with Waynesburg University’s brass ensemble playing so that those in attendance can reflect and get ready to worship during the service.

“He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want.

What do you want?”

At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him.

He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.

He got up from prayer, went back to the disciples and found them asleep, drugged by grief.

He said, “What busi-

President discusses aid Continued from A1 anticipated but did not receive last year.

The PHEAA board elected to cut 30 percent of the money allotted for Institutional Assistance Grants, Thyreen said.

IAGs are money awarded to private colleges and universities for the number of students receiving PHEAA financial aid that attend those institutions. “[Waynesburg Univer-

Schneider remembered Continued from A1 he was just truly incredible.”

Although Schneider intimidated Ramirez when he first met him, they ended up becoming friends, because they both frequented the gym. Eventually they started going together and their friendship molded into one of the closest Ramirez has experienced.

“Once he came to my house without telling me.

I was still asleep when he got there, and he dragged my bed out of my room, but I wasn’t mad. You can’t be mad at him. Once he smiled, everything was all right,” Ramirez said.

“That guy was just an amazing guy all around.

He made an impact on my

Company donates Continued from A1 year for sales.”

“Personally, we have always given a smaller amount, but along with a successful year, we recognized the company has quite a stake in the area

Photo by Mariah Beauregard

Bonner program founder Rev. Wayne Meisel spoke to students during Chapel about the importance of being proactive and take notice of the everything that is happening in the world. His speech was titled, “Wake Up.” ness do you have sleeping? Get up. Pray so you won’t give in to temptation.”

The first reading was

from Luke 22: 41-46.

Meisel then came up to give his high tempo message titled Wake Up ,which was based around

Luke 22: 39-46.

Meisel said his wife would tell him “don’t wait, don’t wait, don’t wait” he then went on

and said she meant that “if you were to wait you would miss out on doing something.”

Meisel then told the

sity] is looking at almost half a million dollars less,” Thyreen said.

However, according to Thyreen, the University expected the state cuts at least 10 years ago and has prepared for the imminent financial aid reductions. “What we attempted to do was make our decisions based on that, but I thought it was going to happen 10 years from now,” said Thyreen. “The future is really a decade ahead. At least we were moving towards that.

Most schools did not see this as a problem. We did, and we continue to work

on it.”

Thyreen wants strong, intelligent students to attend the university, get a great education and live a significant life after.

To do that, Thyreen said the University will maintain its beautiful campus, keep good faculty, keep up on technology and create international opportunities. But these all cost money.

“What we will continue to do is have very small increases in tuition,” Thyreen said. “We need to continue to work at keeping the tuition down. We want to make this educa-

tion available to all high quality students, and we don’t want them graduating with huge loan debt.”

Thyreen said he will continue to work as much as possible on the problems. “There are also other things in the future that may reduce PHEAA, not in terms of [current students’] time frame, but 10 years from now,” said Thyreen. “Fortunately, I think we’ve been very intelligent with it in the past. I think Waynesburg University probably does better than most schools in running a very efficient operation.”

Loan rates set to rise

life, and he really is such a great person.”

Larger-than-life “A death has a tremendous impact on a such a small campus,” said Dave Calvario, dean of students. “While I didn’t know him, he had his friends and professors in the business department that he knew well.

There’s a loss; there’s a hole.”

Melissa Shoaf, junior middle level education major, feels that students will not forget the memories they shared with Schneider. “Joe made an impact on everyone who met him. He lived his life to the fullest and taught me to not be afraid and live a little,” Shoaf said.

“Every time I saw him he was smiling. He’ll always be a part of us.”

For those people who worked closely with Schneider, everyone remembered something

that made him unique.

“I will never forget how Joe would Schneider always pull up to class on a motorcycle, but that honestly described him perfectly,” said Jane Owen, director of the Counseling Center. “He was adventuresome and loved life and was always energetic.”

Ola recalled Schneider’s larger-than-life attitude and the impact he had on his classmates.

“He enjoyed living life and being a part of everything,” said Ola. “That’s why we will miss him so much. It’s clear that even though we don’t know why, he was here for a purpose. He has impacted all of us, and we just wish we had him longer.”

Ola taught Schneider in three different classes, including one class taking place this semester.

“He knew when he graduated that everything would work out; he was going to make something of himself,” said Ola. “ That’s what’s so tragic about the whole thing, he was really going places with his positive, teamplayer attitude.”

‘Never forget’ Schneider was the son of Jeffrey Paul and Susan Ann Brannon Schneider; brother of Heather (Dave) Ciabattoni and Lisa Frank; grandson of the late Edward and JoAnne Brannon and Mary Jane (the late Joseph) Schneider; and uncle of Kaliegh, Madison and Dominic.

Schneider graduated from Chartiers-Houston High School in 2009, and lived in Houston.

“It’s just a huge loss that will only be healed

and a lot of strong ties in the community, like Console Energy.”

Recently, Lee visited and toured the campus with his daughter, a prospective student.

“I was very impressed, and the people are still so nice,” Lee said.

“It’s the same place, yet it changed so much. Waynesburg still has a lot to offer and a good reputa-

tion in the area. Lee also said the University provides a unique learning environment and establishes lifelong relationships.”

During his time at Waynesburg, Lee created personal memories through the basketball team. “I achieved my academic and athletic aspirations,” said Lee. “Waynesburg University is impor-

tant in molding lives.”

Reiterating on the importance of alumni donations, all donations support Waynesburg University, as well as its students. “The Fund for Waynesburg improves and enhances educational opportunities, while continuing the university’s mission of faith, serving, and learning,” Kamicker said.

audience about how sleep is sacred and people that don’t get enough aren’t healthy and people who get to much aren’t healthy either.

He also talked about how 25 percent of people in their 20’s don’t have any religion that they call their own.

Heisel tied this in by saying how that we are probably about to approach the next great awaking by university’s like Waynesburg leading the way with the service that we do in and out of the area of Waynesburg.

To end chapel Tom Ribar, the university chaplain, asked us all to stand and take each other’s hands so we could pry for the friends and family of Joseph Schneider, a junior Waynesburg student who died over the weekend.

This time of prayer touched those in attendance as the group sang a last song and exited.

The situation could mean more debt for students who use the subsidized loans to pay for the spiking costs of tuition and fees that other federal aid, such as Pell grants, can no longer cover.

In a study done by College Board, the average student debt the day after graduation is $25,250.

If the legislation takes effect in July, the loan borrower would owe an additional $2,800 on average.

“It’s already hard enough to pay off the students loans,” junior biology pre-med major Matt McNeil said.

“With an economy that is already struggling, I don’t know how they expect us to pay them off. We’ll be in debt forever.”

If the student loan rate does not increase, it would cost the taxpayers an estimated 6 billion dollars.

through time. It will take students a while to understand what happened and some of the kids, they just look lost right now,” said McClung.

“It’s a struggle to understand God’s plan, and even though its unfortunate and tragic, all we can do is pray for his friends and family.”

A candlelight memorial service was held in honor of Schneider at 8:30 p.m. on Monday at the Canonsburg Lake.

Viewings were held for Schneider on Tuesday at the William Slater II Funeral Service in Scott Township.

The funeral service was held this past Wednesday, at Hilltop Baptist Church in Pittsburgh.

A memorial service will be held on campus next week. The date was not set as of presstime.

“I am devastated because he was a really, really good kid,” said Owen.

“I will never forget the way he smiled and just loved life. I will never forget him.”

Schneider’s personality will leave a lasting impact upon the Waynesburg University campus community.

“My heart breaks when I think about him because he was so young and had so much potential,” said Owen.

“This is tragic, absolutely tragic, and I can only pray for peace for his friends and family.”

Continued from A1

YELLOW JACKET

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Page A3

Campus

Community Impact Grants continue to support projects Each semester, during Who’s Your Neighbor Week, Waynesburg University awards three student groups with Community Impact Grants.

In order to exemplify the mission statement of faith, learning, and service, Waynesburg University awards the three grants to students needing aid to fulfill their desires to impact the local community.

Each Community Impact Grant totals $1,000.

Once the grants have been awarded, recipients are required to complete their project within the awarded semester.

During the spring 2012 semester, the organizations receiving Community Impact Grants are the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Freshman Bonner scholars and the 2011 Vira Heinz recipients.

Each awarded organization plans a different event.

The events, in order of the listed recipients, are All for One Activity Day, Distractions While Driving Project and Mondo Giusto and Gar-

den: Ethical Consumerism and Sustainable Living Project.

President of the CEC, Shannon Bartley, a junior early childhood education major, leads the All For One Activity Day. “Many minds went into writing the grant including Vice President Julie Warzinski, our senate representative, Austi Dunlap, and members Lucas McCall and Linzy Smith,” said Bartley.

Activities Day is an event specifically focused to entertain community children with and without special needs.

“Children with disabilities often don’t have the opportunity to engage with non-disabled peers and to participate in events such as these. We also hope to show people that students with disabilities deserve to be treated like everybody else,” said Bartley.

“We want to give them that opportunity.”

Scheduled for April 21, the event will feature snacks, games and crafts sponsored by a variety

WU receives service award

Service Honor Roll.

“That just speaks volumes about our institution, our student body and our faculty,” said Dave Calvario, dean of Student Services and director of the Center for Service Leadership.

Continued from A1 on the President’s Higher Education Community

File Photo

Last year, the Easter Buddies program received a Grant for their Easter basket program. The program will continue this year, even though they do not have a grant.

Waynesburg organizations and athletic teams.

“The nursing group is creating healthy snacks, and Peer Education has volunteered to talk to children about healthy relationships and friendships and make friendship bracelets,” said Bartley.

To prepare for the major event, CEC created a committee headed

by Brianna Watt.

“She along with various members have con-

tacted local schools and IU as well as the local Greene County Special Olympics,” Watt said.

Informing and encouraging Waynesburg students to participate, multiple flyers have been posted throughout the town and campus.

“Sign-ups are also located in the service office in Stover.”

All clubs, organizations, teams, students and community members are welcomed.

Also receiving a Community Impact Grant, the freshman Bonner scholars continue work involved with their Distractions While Driving project., “As the freshman Bonners we decided a rising problem in the community today is teens and distracted driving. Not only texting but eating, doing make up, or changing the iPod,” freshman psychology major, Kyle Digiandomenico said.

Of more than 3,000 institutions of higher learning in the United States, only about 50 schools were selected for this prestigious honor roll.

“It shows on a national level where we stand up with the number of school that apply for it annually,” Calvario said.

“And it shows the commitment we have to service learning, community service and civic engagement.”

Not only does the selection committee take into consideration how much community service the students of Waynesburg University participate in, they also take into consideration the amount of time the staff puts into community service.

Calvario said that this speaks volumes to not

only the students of Waynesburg, but also to the staff and the Waynesburg campus community as a whole.

Making the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll once is tough, but for five straight years, Waynesburg has appeared on the list.

“It shows that this commitment is ongoing,” Calvario said.

“It’s not just a haphazard, once or twice a year type of thing, but that our commitment is to service learning and our civic engagement is ongoing.”

Service learning is exposed to students at Waynesburg very early.

Every freshman is required to take Fiat Lux, where each student and faculty mentor is required

to do a three hour community service project.

“Right away, we as a university are setting that expectation that this is who we are, this is what’s going to be required of you, not just in this class, but at least in one other class, service learning,” said Calvario.

“We hope and pray that you get involved beyond those class requirements.”

Calvario said that he likes to think of it as a “wholistic education.”

Many students do go above and beyond what is required of them in class.

Several have gone on mission service trips overseas, across the nation or even in their own community.

They have shown true commitment to the Uni-

“People do it, people agree that it’s wrong, people continue to do it.”

To tackle the major problem of distractive driving, the scholars decided to participate in the Arrive Alive Tour.

“The primary goal of the Arrive Alive Tour is to educate high school students, grades 9-12, on the consequences and severity level of distracted driving,” said Digiandomenico.

The Arrive Alive Tour impacts students when they “are placed in an actual car with a headpiece that simulates the driving experience,” and “then presented with a variety of tasks to complete while maintaining a safe drive,” according to Digiandomenico.

“After the simulation is over, the particular student is presented with a “ticket” on their performance.”

Deciding that Waynesburg Central was the best option, the scholars booked the high school.

Although, Digiandomenico said, “future See GRANTS on A4

versity’s mission statement.

“There really is a need to serve,” said sophomore Karl Weber.

“I was doing what God put me on this earth to do,” said senior Jessica Sarnoskie.

Calvario said that he is excited about being named on the honor roll yet again, but he’d like to see Waynesburg step it up again in the future years and receive a more distinguished award.

“College education is not only supposed to benefit the individual, but it is also supposed to benefit the community,” Calvario said.

“Service is not just for a small group of people.

Service is for each and every one of our students.”

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Campus

Pre-professional group hosts local doctor

By Samantha Fitzharris Staff Writer Waynesburg University is known for its excellence in the medical field.

On Tuesday, March 20th the AMSA pre-medical chapter held a meeting which featured Dr. Jami Boris. AMSA is part of a national organization run by medical students.

The goal is to promote service through health care and allow students to become familiar with medicine. AMSA is a group that is open to all pre-professional students not just the ones who hope to go on to medical school.

The discussion included what it takes to get into medical school. The fact that having a 4.0 GPA does not guarantee medical school admittance.

Undergraduates must be well rounded to earn acceptance into medical school. Playing a sport and being an officer of an organization are just some examples that employers want it all. “This is a way

Registration set to begin Continued from A1 spring of last year.

The problem for Watson and other education majors is finding space in

Grants help students Continued from A3

Photo by Mariah Beauregard

The AMSA pre-professional society recently hosted Dr. Jami Boris, who is a local doctor from Waynesburg about the procedure to get into medical school. to understand medicine.

The main goal of the chapter at Waynesburg University is to get more students into medical and graduate school,” said Cochran.

Cochran believes that all of the officers are equal and they are all important. “My job is to be a supporter and an innovator,” Cochran said. “I really try to stay in contact with AMSA to make sure

we are good and to insure that next spring at least myself and one other member will be going to the National Convention.

I would like to say that I am the one who has to make sure all the loose ends are tied before we go and do something.”

During the meeting Boris, who is a former Waynesburg University student, talked about how at West Virginia Universi-

ty Medical School she studied alongside students who had attended MIT, Yale and Carnegie Melon.

When she reached her third year of medical school, she came to work with patients that fell by the way side. “ Humanity needs assistants of God that truly can speak with others, not just geniuses that have nothing else to offer,” said Cochran.

their already hectic schedules for electives.

Not only do these students need to make room for their electives, but also for observing.

“We have to worry about the electives not fitting in our schedule,” said Watson. “We also have to make sure within our

schedule that we have enough space to be able to do our field work because sometimes we have to travel further away.”

But for the freshmen, scheduling is still a new process. However, most are easing into the system.

“Being at the bottom

isn’t the best, but I haven’t had much trouble getting into my classes,” said Mara Comport, who is exploring.

Juniors will start claiming classes today. Sophomores will schedule next week with the freshman scheduling the week after Easter break.

plans are in a working progress to reach multiple schools in the county, and hopefully every school.”

“If we can reach freshman or sophomores that can’t drive yet and instill in them the responsibilities of safe driving and consequences of distracted driving our program will be successful.”

Digiandomenico said, “If we can reach just one student our program will be a successful one.”

On campus, Waynesburg University students can join the freshman Bonner scholars in the fight against distractive driving.

To learn more information, as well as sign pledges, students should visit the table set up in the beehive.

Finally, the third Community Impact Grant was awarded to the four 2011 Vira I. Heinz recipients: Lynae Byler, Natalie George, Megan Peebles and Heidi Weaver.

In order to educate the community, the four girls received the grant for the Mondo Giusto & Garden: Ethical Consumerism & Sustainable Living Project.

“Our main goal is to educate the campus and community about practices of fair trade, buying local, and living sustain-

ably,” said junior nursing major Lynae Byler.

Scheduled for March 31, the event preparation involves “a lot of contact work with different local businesses and fair trade organizations and advertising.”

On the day of the event, “all the different organizations and businesses will be showcasing and selling their products,” said Byler.

“Along with that we will have live music, different speakers, food and drinks, and an abundance of resources for people to learn more about buying local and fair trade.”

Natalie George, senior creative writing and arts major said, “Two bands will be performing throughout the day as well as several speakers, including Waynesburg’s own Evan Kephart as a representative from Ten Thousand Villages.”

Hoping everyone will consider participating in the event, the four girls continue planning and advertising Mondo Giusto.

Community Impact Grants allow students to create and participate in projects that benefit the local community and campus.

Both students and community members become involved in a valuable learning experience.

Waynesburg University looks forward to the upcoming events made possible by the Community Impact Grants.

Jacket columnist Kyle Edwards talks about Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed cuts to higher education.

Read more on B2

Thursday, March 29, 2012

West Greene district to build new elementary school

By Aaron Thompson Assistant Sports Editor The West Greene School District held an Act 34 hearing Monday regarding the planned construction of a new elementary school building.

The school board is planning to build a three-story addition to the middle-senior high school that currently exists at 1367 Hargus Creek Road.

After serious consideration over the past few years to upgrade its facilities, the board supported a proposal on August 25, 2011 to proceed with the project.

The project was proposed for several reasons that are expected to help the school on a long-term basis.

Graysville Elementary and SpringhillFreeport Elementary, both West Greene elementary schools, are suffering from physical facility deficiencies.

Both of those facilities will be closed and put up for sale once the project is complete.

“We took a look at our needs and academics,” said Thelma Szarell, school district superintendant.

“Through the facility needs assessment, it was determined that

we needed to make costly renovations for the best of our school district, students and community.”

The board previously set the maximum cost of the addition to $15,398,000.

Kevin Hayes of The Hayes Design Group – Architects, was hired by the district to create project options and they came up with three options for a new facility.

Option 1 proposed renovations to the existing elementary schools. Under such plan, Graysville and Springhill-Freeport Elementary would both

Photo courtesy of Graysville Elementary

Graysville Elementary School, along with Springhill-Freeport Elementary, will be vacated as part of the school district’s plan to construct a new, consolidated school. need significant renovations and total cost would be $12 million dollars. The descrip-

tion booklet lists the re-use of an existing district facility and would not require

many structural changes to the site and See DISTRICT on B4

Carmichaels local new emerging country star Waynesburg borough Local country singer releases debut EP

council drops annual playground program

By Angela Wadding Staff Writer Brynn Marie is a Carmichaels native who just completed her debut EP, “Things Change,” but what is next for this rising star?

As a 2003 graduate of Carmichaels High School, Marie has made it a long way in nine short years.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Brynn,” said John Menhart, principal of Carmichaels High School.

“Brynn is a testament of hard work. She is making this all happen.”

Marie moved to Nashville, Tenn. to follow her dreams of being a country star after graduating. Traveling to

By Sarah Bell Arts & Life Editor

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Brynn Marie, a Carmichaels graduate, recently released her debut EP. The country singer has plans for a multitude of shows across the country this summer.

Nashville from Greene County was something she “had to do.”

“Moving to Nashville was a big move. I was leaving my comfort zone and mov-

ing to follow my dream,” said Marie. “It was a huge eye opener to see the world and make all of these connections. You just have to be here to understand

what the industry is like.”

Marie described Nashville as a small town in a big city, See LOCAL on B4

Borough Police to add new K-9 unit

By Stephanie Laing Assignments Editor A new addition is expected at the Waynesburg Borough Police Department, but instead of a gun and handcuffs, this officer has a collar and leash.

The 1-year-old German shepherd, Dagen, is expected to join the police force within the next few months, helping the police department fight the ever-present drug problem in Greene County.

“A dog helps us find drugs more readily,” said Waynesburg Chief of Police Timothy Hawfield. “He will have a positive effect on the drugs in the area.”

Local officials and authorities hope Dagen’s presence will discourage people from dealing with drugs and associating with those who do.

“A dog helps us find drugs more readily... he will have a positive effect on the drugs in the area.”

Timothy Hawfield Chief, Waynesburg Borough Police Department

“If there is an opportunity to avoid having to take excessive force to take control of someone or a situation where drugs are present, the dog will find it much easier than we would,” said Hawfield. “The dog has a highly sensitive sense of smell.”

With a rising drug problem across the county, local authorities are excited for another way to combat the issue.

“As a county commissioner, one of my biggest concerns is to do everything we can to protect our young people from ever going down that

path,” said Greene County Commissioner Pam Snyder.

“I was very happy when [we were] approached about this opportunity. Any tool we can get to fight drugs in Greene County is something we need to embrace and work towards.”

In a collaborative decision among the Waynesburg Borough, Green County commissioners, Waynesburg Borough Police Department and the district attorney’s office, it was decided a K9 was an essential addition to the police force.

“It was not within our reach or even open for consideration before some surprise donations,” said Hawfield.

“We needed an officer dedicated to be the master of the dog, which is a full-time effort.”

But Brian Tennant, borough patrolman, took the responsibility.

While on medical leave, he found an anonymous donor to pay for Dagen, his training and veterinary care.

After Dagen starts work with the Waynesburg Borough Police Department, Tennant will take the dog home and treat him as part of the family.

Dagen is still considered a police officer, said Hawfield, and his services are available at any moment.

“Dagen will be on call, essentially, as he is See POLICE on B4

Jessica Cole is walking on a desolate playground.

The swings sway slightly with the wind.

There is broken glass on the ground.

This playground was once bustling with children and adults alike.

It was a part of her childhood, and with the removal of the annual summer playground program, she feels that those memories are coming to an end.

“I went there too when I was little and I loved it and so did my kids,” Cole, a Greene County resident said.

“The program, as a mom, meant a lot to me.”

In addition to numerous other tasks, children participated in arts and crafts, sports and games during the summer program.

At their last meeting, the Waynesburg Borough Council decided to cut the program for a number of reasons, Bruce Wermlinger, borough manager said.

“Well, there were three basic reasons [that they decided to cut the program],” Wermlinger said.

“One, the numbers were dwindling. Two, they’re doing some cost-cutting measures, and three, the duplication of services.”

Because the county offers a similar program about two miles down the road, Wermlinger feels that children who previously participated in the program will be able to attend the other program and gain a

similar experience to the one they had at the summer playground program.

“Because the county duplicates the service during the same time and the same hours in the summer, they’ll hopefully have the opportunity to go there instead,” he said.

Cole disagrees. She feels that the programs are not the same, and is discouraged by setting of the other program that the county offers.

“I know the county has a program out at the pool; however, I don’t feel safe letting someone else watch my kids at a swimming pool,” she said.

The six-week program, held in June, allowed children ages five to 12 to participate in numerous activities.

The program also costs the borough $10,000 a year, Wermlinger said.

The playground program was cut in anticipation of a major sewage project.

The borough’s engineer is now designing plans for the sewage project that is expected to cost around $4 million.

As a lifelong participant in the program, Cole is disappointed with the decision that the Waynesburg Borough Council made.

“Both of my kids have been going since they were little. I wish they would give us a chance to raise the money to keep it open,” she said.

“They spent all of this money to rebuild this park, and now they’re just stopping See COUNCIL on B4

Page B2

YELLOW JACKET

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Editorial

Alumnus gives back Gas prices may ruin your summer plans Lee Supply Company donates to University College is often viewed as a time to develop lasting relationships. Countless friendships are made in these four short years, and many will continue to develop long after graduation.The same can be said for the relationship between a university and its alumni.

Recently, the Charleroi-based Lee Supply Company presented the Fund for Waynesburg with a generous donation.

Kevin Lee, a graduate of Waynesburg University’s class of 1988 and owner of the company, wanted to give back to the school that he said has shaped his life. It was the intimate nature of the University and unique learning environment that made his experience so worthwhile.

This praise, from Lee and countless others, continues to show how rewarding the relationship between the University and its alumni truly is.

The Fund for Waynesburg provides funding for the educational, operational and financial needs of everyone at the University. Without the dedication from alumni, as well as from the community, Waynesburg University would not be able to continue to provide the outstanding education and environment that present and past students value so much. Some colleges and universities are not fortunate enough to have the support of such loyal and devoted alumni.

One of Waynesburg University’s goals is to teach its student to enrich the community and give back, and this mission is clearly being accomplished.

These views and beliefs instilled in the University’s students will undoubtedly carry on throughout the rest of their lives.

Spring into support WU raises funds and awareness for cancer As spring weather arrived in Waynesburg this month, so did numerous ways to help raise money and awareness for cancer.

Student clubs and organizations are busy planning Relay for Life for this April. Daffodils are on sale for the American Cancer Society in Greene County for the annual Daffodil Days throughout this month and Colleges Against Cancer held the Ovarian Egg Hunt on Wednesday to provide information and prevention tips for ovarian cancer.

This year is not the first that students, faculty and staff at Waynesburg University have played a large role in the fight against cancer.

Relay for Life is an annual part of campus life, and students help raise thousands of dollars for relay events yearly.

Aside from the many student groups planning activities to raise funds and cancer awareness, Chris Hardie, head cross country coach, will also help the cause by attempting to throw the javelin ten miles in one day next month. He will raise money for the American Cancer Society through sponsors and donations.

It’s great that so many people connected to Waynesburg University are very willing to put their money, time and efforts into helping those who are battling cancer.

Those who plan, donate and take part in these events continue to follow the University’s mission statement by helping members of the campus to serve and “faithfully transform their communities and the world.”

Step one.

To put it simply: I am freaking out.

As a junior, I am required to complete an internship either this summer or during the fall semester next year.

Because I already have a part time job, and I’m a full-time student, completing the internship during the summer is the most ideal.

I had big goals when I first heard about the internship.

I started applying everywhere.

At first, I was going to travel far, far away.

I didn’t know to

SARAH BELL Columnist

where. I didn’t have a specific place that I wanted to go.

The problem with going too far is that I am attached to my family, and they are here.

So, step two.

I was thinking that doing my internship in Pittsburgh would be perfect.

Not only would I get a little bit of traveling experience, but I would

April 1 is not a laughing matter, fool “I did a theatrical performance about puns. It really was just a play on words.”

Few things are as satisfactory as hearing a really good pun joke.

Every day in the news, you hear stories about fires, murders, kidnappings and meetings.

I’m personally fond of the stories about police chases and robberies for their potential punny headlines.

Just so you know, “A prisoner’s

also be able to be close enough to still live at home if I wanted to.

Plus, I would get to work in a completely new environment, because I have never lived or worked in the city before.

I applied at newspapers.

I applied at magazines.

I applied at publishing companies.

I thought that all of these internships sounded great. They offered independence and experience.

When I applied for those internships in February gas was $3.69 per

KAITLIN EDWARDS Columnist

favorite punctuation mark is the period. It marks the end of his sentence.”

Every day, we are swamped with depressing news that changes people’s lives and impacts the world we live in.

It is how we handle this news that makes the difference.

Sometimes you feel as if you completely lost all your strength (I never do this).

“I relish the fact that you’ve mustard the strength to ketchup to me.”

Sometimes you feel too tired

gallon.

Not the best price ever, but okay.

But then gas prices just kept going up, and up, and up.

When I got gas last week, I paid $3.95 per gallon.

That is a pretty big jump in prices for such a short amount of time.

And, it is precisely that jump that made me reconsider completing my internship in Pittsburgh.

It made me want to be even closer to home, but for different reasons.

See GAS on B3

(sometimes I am guilty of this).

“A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.”

Sometimes you overeat (I can’t lie – I have done this. Frequently).

“I get my large circumference from too much pi.”

Although we face these issues on a daily basis, we have reasons to celebrate.

“I couldn’t quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.”

Sometimes it’s hard to remember why there’s hope, but then it comes back to you.

First thing that comes to mind is that April Fools’ Day is on Sunday.

What better way is there to celebrate April Fools’ Day than with See APRIL on B3

Gov. Corbett needs a ‘Plan B’ for education “No cuts!”

This chant could be heard all over the campus of Shippensburg University last Wednesday.

Students, faculty and community members protested Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget cuts to higher education as part of the “SAVE OUR SYSTEM!” rally organized by members of the university’s Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties.

Protesters could be seen across the campus

KYLE EDWARDS Columnist

holding signs that read “Corbett needs a plan B,” and “No more cuts.”

The governor’s proposed cuts include a possible five percent cut to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, a program that funds and administers student financial aid programs in the state.

On top of this loss of

financial aid, some students are facing the possibility of not being able to graduate because of higher tuition rates due to a decrease in state funding.

Shippensburg wasn’t the only one protesting.

Students and faculty of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania also gathered to protest the cuts.

This is starting to become an annual event – students were in the exact same position last year.

The University saw funding cuts of 18 per-

cent under the state budget passed earlier in the current fiscal year. A huge step down from the 54 percent Corbett had initially proposed, but a huge cut nonetheless, and with even more cuts on the way. Under his proposed plan for the upcoming fiscal year, Corbett is proposing another 20 percent cut in funding for the 14 stateowned Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Universities, which includes EdinSee EDUCATION on B3

YELLOW JACKET

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Page B3

Op-Ed

Gas prices interfere Continued from B2

Memo to Congress: Renew domestic violence law Opposition is forming in Congress to the renewal of a landmark 1994 law against, of all things, domestic violence. It is inconceivable that lawmakers could erode progress made in this area for the sake of partisan election-year politics - or, for that matter, what constituency they're hoping to attract.

Do batterers vote Republican?

Failure to renew the law would derail important protections for battered partners of both genders. Almost 18 years ago, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act to provide funding for law enforcement and community organizations to help

victims of domestic violence and bring their attackers to justice. The latest reauthorization was introduced by a bipartisan group of cosponsors late last year, but it failed to get a single Republican vote in the Senate judiciary committee last month.

Twice before, the U.S. Senate has renewed this law - in 2000 and, during Republican George W. Bush's presidency, in 2005. The votes were not just bipartisan but unanimous. This time it's facing a buzz saw of criticism from socialconservative Republicans.

Men and women are victims of domestic violence, but women are

most often the victims.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has urged her colleagues to get on the right side of this measure or risk losing women's votes in the fall elections. Most seem unmoved.

Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley said he objects to provisions that would broaden protection to same-sex couples and to illegal immigrants who are victims of domestic violence. Other Republicans say that expansion would dilute the focus that should remain on helping domestic-violence victims. In fact most of the bill's proposed changes are modest tweaks of programs and policies already in

place.

Another update would make it clear the law applies equally to men and women who are battered and does not discriminate based on sexual orientation.

While it's tempting to frame this as a women's issue, it's really about human decency. As we sadly have seen over the past year, domestic violence crosses lines of income and ethnicity. It is a growing social problem. Democrats and Republicans once agreed on this. They must renew the domestic violence law. ___ This editorial originally appeared in the San Jose Mercury News.

This week in history...

By Nick Farrell Editorial Assistant March 26, 1920 Then 23 year old F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise” was published on this day 92 years ago. Fitzgerald, named after his ancestor Francis Scott Key, became the youngest author ever published by Scriber’s.

This publication catapulted Fitzgerald into the fame and fortune of the Roaring ‘20s. He married his love, Zelda Sayre, the daughter of a State Supreme Court justice. The two lived a life of extravagance that eventually led to disaster.

In an attempt to cut back on spending, the couple moved to France where Fitzgerald published another novel, “The Great Gatsby;” however, this new novel didn’t provide the funding to bring the couple out of debt.

Education plan needed Continued from B2 boro.

If the proposed budget passes, the state’s total cut to higher education would amount to a twoyear grand total of 43 percent. That’s almost $175 million.

Crazy right? But wait, there’s more!

Other effects from the decrease in state support would likely be larger class sizes and program and faculty cuts.

What a mess. It’s completely unacceptable.

Every bit of it.

The governor is

Sometime during the 1930s, Sayre was institutionalized and forced to live the remainder of her life in a sanitarium. Fitzgerald died of a heart attack in 1940 at the age of 44.

March 30, 1981 John Hinckley, Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan with a .22 revolver outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Hinckley used exploding bullets and was only 10 feet away from Reagan when he opened fire.

Allegedly, Hinckley planned to stalk and assassinate a president in 1976 after viewing the movie “Taxi Driver.” He became obsessed with assassinations and Jodie Foster, who played the role of a young prostitute in the movie. He dedicated his attempted murder to Jodie Foster, believing that his actions would woo her and reflect the storyline of

attempting to lighten the burden of the state deficit, I get it. But these cuts are ruining the futures of students statewide. Sure, some of us may not be affected as much – private schools don’t rely on state funding as much as state schools do.

But even the private school students rely on PHEAA, and that hasn’t escaped the cuts either.

The fact of the matter is that the governor needs to find a different method to bring money into the state’s coffers.

It all comes down to one simple idea. Tax. Marcellus. Drilling. Period.

A new poll by the Center for Politics and

I work at Dairy Queen.

Dairy Queen does not supply a never-ending flow of cash.

I can dream.

Finally, step three.

I started applying at internships much closer to home.

Primarily local newspapers; I can still gain a lot from these internships, but I will spend a lot less too.

I realized that the truth of the matter is that traveling to an internship is not worth it when opportunities are available much closer to home.

But I am not the only one who was affected by the growing gas prices.

It is projected that by summer gas will range from $4.25 to $5 per gallon.

Numerous Americans are taking a variety of cost-cutting measures.

According to CBS New York, one-third of adults say that they will have to give something up to keep driving.

Their findings show that drivers plan to eat out less. In fact, 70 percent of people plan to eat out less frequently.

April fools’ not a joke Continued from B2

“Taxi Driver.”

Hinckley was later found not guilty by reason of insanity.

March 29, 2009 On this day three years ago, General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner resigned at the request of the Obama administration. One year prior, GM was surpassed by Japanese company Toyota as the world’s top selling maker of cars and trucks.

One day after Wagoner stepped down, President Barack Obama stated that the American car company would have to undergo a restructuring in order to receive more funding from the U.S. government. On June 1 of that same year, GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Information courtesy of history.com

Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College found that Pennsylvanians support a drilling tax. Residents polled after the governor unveiled his first state budget overwhelmingly favor taxing Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction and sharply oppose reduced funding for public schools, state universities and Medicaid as ways of balancing the state budget, according to the poll.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Pennsylvania is a hot spot for the Marcellus Shale industry. We have an INFINITE amount of natural gas beneath our feet, just waiting to be extracted. Some of it

extends more than a mile, if not more, below the surface. The money from an implemented tax on shale drilling could very easily balance out the state budget and maybe even push the state’s revenue into the green.

All it would take is for the governor to open his eyes, quit being stubborn and relent to the voice of his constituents: less cuts to education, more taxes on drilling.

It’s not a hard concept to understand.

Marcellus Shale is here and bountiful, and the governor better get his head out of the clouds and start doing something to take advantage of it.

a column riddled with puns?

No one is 100 percent sure how April Fools’ Day originated, but we have some pretty good guesses. Before the Gregorian calendar was put into place, the new year began on April 1.

Well, after they decided to change to the Gregorian calendar, some people may have gotten a little confused and forgot which day started the new year.

Thus, these poor, confused people became known as the April Fools.

Despite the fact that parties would be scheduled, and people would have plans, there truly was no reason to celebrate.

Like all things, religion came into play, and honestly they only seemed to encourage these jokes to be played.

I know this information can be perplexing for some who were looking for solid answers, but don’t worry, there’s hope.

According to their reports, 62 percent of the American adult population is planning to cut back by spending less money on the entertainment industry.

There are several other plans as well: cancelling television service, cancelling Internet service or, simply, driving less all made the list with numerous others.

I’ll stop boring you with statistics.

The cold hard facts are simple.

People are giving up vacations, luxury and, perhaps, their ideal internship location just to save some money.

I don’t regret the decision, because I feel that it’s the intelligent thing to do.

That money that I would be spending on gas, I can now spend on going to the movies, eating out or purchasing the Harry Potter series for my eReader (because the eBooks are finally available!).

These are luxuries that other families will have to give up to pay their bills.

So, I consider myself lucky.

Either way, the rising prices are bound to affect all of our lives in some way.

What will you have to sacrifice to make it work?

After time, and a little bit of faith, you will be alright.

“Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He’s all right now.”

You may have fears, but you will get over them.

“I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.”

Make time for the important things, because time is very precious.

“I was going to look for my missing watch, but I could never find the time.”

This past week hasn’t been easy, but everything will eventually get better.

Look forward to the future, the celebrations, the jokes.

“I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.”

Then it hit me: we should celebrate life.

Celebrate the life that we have here and now.

Cause you never know when you’ll figure out why the baseball was getting bigger.

How does a crazy person travel through the forest? They take a psycho path. All these puns came from Pun of the Day. Just so you know.

YELLOW JACKET

Page B4

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Region

Cake decorating the focus of classes at County fairgrounds With spring in bloom, the Greene County Department of Recreation will next month offer classes in the art of cake decorating.

The class take place on the lower level of the 4-H Building at the Greene County Fairgrounds, and are sponsored by the Greene County Commissioners and Department of Recreation.

On Tuesday, April 3, Yvonne Lee of Carmichaels will lead a

District to build school Continued from B1 general structure of the building. This that would translate into less costs for that aspect of the project, while also maintaining a presence in that community.

Option 2 proposed a new elementary center located across Hargus Creek on District property. Although there would be some major advantages to a new facility across Hargus Creek, it was just too much of a financial burden, coming in at a projected cost of $23 million dollars.

The district ultimately chose Option 3C, which calls for the

Police add new K-9 unit Continued from B1 needed for drug detection, public relations, search and rescue and whatever other duties he is trained for,” said Hawfield.

“Also, his mere presence will be a calming factor for a volatile scene.”

Dagen will join the

character cake decorating class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $25, and the pre-registration deadline is Monday, April 2.

Participants in the hands-on class will learn basic and more advanced decorating techniques in order to create kidfriendly cakes and cupcakes.

Lee will return Wednesday, April 18, to instruct a buttercream piping class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The cost to attend is $25, and the pre-registration deadline is Tuesday, April 17.

The class will focus on several buttercream piping techniques, from borders to roses.

Attendees of both classes will decorate a dozen cupcakes to take home each night, so attendees should bring a container.

Supplies will be provided for both classes, although bringing an apron is optional.

construction of an elementary school addition at the far right side of the current middlesenior high school, on the south end of the district’s property.

“The lack of educational space was a concern [with the old buildings],” Szarell said. “Technology is the utmost importance and we wanted to make improvements [in that area too].”

Hayes said that having all of the school district’s facilities at one location would be beneficial financially as well.

“With a centralized campus the district will also achieve a less costly transportation scheme.”

The report also states that shared resource opportunities are a vital benefit of the

consolidated campus plan.

As an example, instrumental music and chorus could be offered to grades kindergarten through 12, and foreign languages could be taught at the elementary level.

On the administrative side, staff that currently share time at the different facilities, including principals, nurses and the school psychologist, would be available at any point during the day.

The board also stated that it is important to note that the buildings will be considered two separate buildings and want the elementary school to be known as its own building. The West Greene School District currently has $9.5 million in its savings account, and plans

only other police dog in the area on the Greene County Drug Task Force, both available for Waynesburg Borough Police Department, Cumberland Township and the state police, said Hawfield.

“If one dog doesn’t work or isn’t available, we’ll have the other dog,” Hawfield said.

Dagen is currently completing his training with the North American Police Work Dog Association.

Council stops program Continued from B1

the program.”

Cole’s son, Ryan “Bubba” Cole, not only attended the event, but was also a counselor there for the past three years.

“It was a great program. I loved working with all of the kids,” Bubba Cole said.

The department will also host one more class focusing on the art of creating jewelry out of everyday items.

“Trash to Treasure” will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, on the upper level of the 4-H Building.

Debbie Kembro of Mather will lead the class, which costs $20 per person.

The class will focus on making jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets and rings from ordinary

household items or even broken jewelry. Anyone with jewelry-making tools may bring them, but prior experience is not necessary.

Every participant who brings simple, small items will leave the class with a unique piece of jewelry.

The department is also currently offering Zumba fitness classes on Thursdays through April 5. Classes will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the 4H Building and will be

led by instructor Shastina Maraney.

The cost is $8 per class.

Attendees should wear sweat-absorbing clothes and good support shoes, such as crosstraining or dance shoes, and bring water and towels.

For more information, or to pre-register for any of the classes, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323, or v i s i t www.co.greene.pa.us.

Photo by Aaron Thompson

John McShane of Boenning and Scattergood and Kevin Hayes of Hayes Design Group attended Monday’s hearing to provide the school board with project options. to use $7.5 million of that to contribute to this project.

Written comments regarding the project can be forwarded to the Superintendent at the District Administration Office until noon on April 26.

“Also, a lot of parents have been asking me if I was going to come back this summer. I feel like I really learned a lot there and so did the kids.”

In the end, Jessica Cole will miss the program being a part of her life during each summer.

“It just helped that the kids didn’t have to stay in the house all day. They met new kids. It was great for them,” she said.

Comments regarding the project, including those who wish to identify problems, express concerns and recommend viable alternative solutions are urged to write the office.

The project is

expected to start after bids are taken.

The work could start as early as September or, in the worst case, by January 2013.

The entire project could be complete by December 2013 or, at the latest by May 2014.

Photo by Aaron Thompson

Brynn Marie poses with Leann Rimes at a concert where she opened for the country star.

Local singer releases EP Continued from B1 something she is very familiar with.

“I love it so much because it’s what I’m used to,” said Marie.

Her first single, “Bandaid on a Bullet Hole,” aired on CMT earlier this month. For Marie, the praise was amazing.

“It was great to be recognized as an artist and a person. It was a great intro for who I am as an artist,” said Marie.

Her inspiration for her music was a collaboration with producer Jeff Johnson.

“He really wanted to take all of the elements of this song – the pop, rock and country – and put it all together,” said Marie. “It was bold, and I thought it was great.”

Menhart, who says

he is not a country kind of guy, says that he loves her single.

“It sounds like a hit,” he said.

Marie said she prepared herself for the country industry by playing a lot of shows, three to four a week, “I definitely paid my dues,” said Brynn Marie.

Even with recent success, Menhart said Marie’s personality has not been affected.

“There is nothing fake about her,” said Menhart.

“She is a good-hearted, good kid.”

She has radio tours planned for this summer as well as a lot of concerts. Right now she is not looking at her next album but focusing on her single and promoting her EP. “With patience and hard work anything is possible,” said Marie.

“This is just another beginning for me.”

Lacrosse suffers a rough home loss.

Read more on C4

Thursday, March 29, 2012 G : J 3-1, G T : C 2-1 Panther hoops Softball gains confidence as PAC play nears Jackets split doubleheader; league games begin Saturday not a reprieve AME ONE

ACKETS

By Aaron Thompson

Assistant Sports Editor

Kathryn Ghion Guest Columnist

“Well there’s always basketball season right?”

For 11 years I’ve sat with my dad at most Pitt football home games. The majority of those years he’d turn to me at the end of the season, with a sad look on his face, and say those words.

Of course, there were a few bright spots that made Pitt fans keep their minds on football season, rather than just jumping directly to basketball. Those included the Fiesta Bowl appearance, the infamous 13-9 defeat of West Virginia and a few bowl wins.

But the majority of the times, fans’ minds turned directly to basketball as soon as the final whistle blew on the gridiron. For the most part, Pitt hoops didn’t disappoint.

The Panthers were always good for thrilling Big East matchups and taking a run at postseason play, regardless of the reputation that they’d be eliminated early. But not this year.

No Pitt fan, player or coach can say they’re happy with making it to the finals of the CBI when they could have been playing in the NCAA tournament.

After years of performing well under head coach Jamie Dixon, this season’s 20-17 record (as of press time) and 5-13 finish in the Big East becomes all the more disappointing when looking at the facts.

Last year, they were regular season Big East Champions and a top seed in the NCAA tournament.

This was the first season in 10 years that the Panthers did not make the NCAA tournament. It’s also the first year that Dixon failed to lead the team into the Big Dance.

After being eliminated in the second round of the Big East tournament, the Panthers were expecting a bid to the NIT. They would have been the first Pitt team to go to the NIT since 2001. The only positive back then was that it served as the springboard for the Panthers to begin their 10-year streak of NCAA tournament bids.

Sadly, Pitt didn’t even make it there.

It’s so easy for people to point the finger at everyone and demand an explanation. They’re so quick

Confidence can go a long way in life, especially for a young team just about to enter Presidents’ Athletics Conference play. Such is life for the Waynesburg softball program.

The Yellow Jackets (11-7) took on Carlow University (17-6) Tuesday. Despite the Jackets seeing their six-game winning streak ending with a loss in game two, the growing sentiment among head coach Lou Giachetti and players is that the youthful Jackets’ confidence is growing as each game passes.

“It should give us confidence that no matter who we play and where we play them that we can play with teams,” Giachetti said. “This team just doesn’t give up. The younger kids believe in each other, and the older players are providing good leadership.”

Waynesburg has already had 11 of its 18

G AME

ONE :

AME

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ARLOW

games decided by three runs or less, and that should prove valuable when conference play starts Saturday at Geneva.

In game one against Carlow, the Jackets jumped out to an early lead in the bottom half of the first inning. Freshman first baseman Haley Payne, the PAC leader in RBI, knocked home freshman third baseman Ashley Clark for the game’s first run.

Both teams were held down until Carlow tied the game up in the sixth inning. Jackets sophomore pitcher Carrie Maier bared downed, though, and got out of a bases loaded jam.

Then in the bottom of the sixth, the Jackets responded when some of that youth came through again. After it looked like the Jackets would go quietly in the sixth, sophomore Jenna Dorazio got a rally started with a single.

See JACKETS on C3

S T . V INCENT 9-8, G AME T WO : S T . V INCENT 6-5 (9

Photo by Andrew Buda

Sophomore Madison Presto snags a ball in Tuesday’s twinbill against Carlow.

INNINGS )

Suffering a setback Jackets drop two heartbreakers after pair of statement victories

By Jon Ledyard Staff Writer After one of the best weekends of baseball in recent team history, the Yellow Jackets hit a wall Tuesday, dropping a pair of road games to conference foe Saint Vincent.

Coming off of a series victory over previously nationally ranked Thomas More, the Jackets nearly managed to overcome two substantial Bearcat leads, but could not emerge victorious, falling in the first game 98 and the second game 65.

“We preach to our guys early and often about finishing what they started, and we did a good job trying to finish and coming back in both these games,” said head coach Mike Humiston. “We are still learning that we have

to play every inning like it is our last.”

In game one, the Bearcats used a seven-run explosion to take an 8-0 lead into the fifth inning.

Waynesburg responded, though, by plating two runs when junior first baseman Bobby Hartman smacked a two-out hit through the right side to score two.

“Bobby has been a great addition to our program,” said Humiston. “He’s a powerful, left-handed stick in the lineup that puts the ball in play more often than not and creates offense for us, while not striking out very often either.”

After a scoreless bottom of the fifth by the Bearcats, it was the Jackets turn for some offensive fireworks. They used five hits, an error and a wild pitch to score six

Presto turns in fifth-place finish for women’s team

By Lucas Diethorn Editorial Assistant

Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships in her event. She hurled the javelin 37.46 meters, which proved to be third in the event.

Falvo was excited to see Sowers’s accomplishment.

“Megan has been working very hard this season,” said Falvo. “It was great to see her rewarded for her hard work by qualifying.”

Rebecca Rapp turned in an exciting, yet surprising performance. Rapp, a sophomore out of North Hills High School, posted a personal record heave in the discus event. Her

The Waynesburg men’s and women’s golf teams opened up their 2012 campaigns in the past week.

Sophomore Madison Presto turned in a solid opening performance at the Grove City Invitational this past Saturday at the Grove City Country Club.

Presto placed fifth out of 35 players in the outing.

She shot an 18-hole score of 88, shooting 44 on the front nine and 44 on the back. Her fifth-place 88 was only five strokes behind the lead for the event as Samantha Veights of Clarion, a Division II team, won the event with an 83.

Presto was pleased with her score but has her eyes on the Presidents’ Athletic Conference tournament at the end of the season.

“My main goal for the season is to finally finish strong in the PAC tournament at the end of the year,” Presto said. “I personally believe I can win the tournament this year with the experience I have gained from last year.”

Presto got off to a strong start in pursuit of her goal in the Invitational this past Saturday and now sets her sights on the Mary Cleland Eckles Invitational, which will be held at the New Castle Country Club. The event will be

See TRACK on C2

See GOLF on C3

Photo by Dave Miller, ADM Photography

Junior transfer Kyle Sasala loses his bat while swinging at a pitch in Waynesburg’s most recent home game. runs and knot the game up 8-8.

However, with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Bearcat junior Andrew Kozusko drilled a solo shot over the fence in left center to score the

eventual game-winning run.

“He (freshman pitcher Sean Boyle) left a ball out there to a guy that was a dead fastball hitter,” said See BASEBALL on C3

Track & field impresses despite fatigue Sowers qualifies for ECACs with javelin toss

“Whatever fatigue they may be enduring surely did not impact their performances this past weekend.”

By Cam Posney Staff Writer

On a summer-like day this past Saturday, the Waynesburg track and field squads traveled to Wheeling Jesuit to compete in the Bill Van Horne Invitational.

Despite fatigue, both the Yellow Jacket men and women posted impressive performances.

Head coach Jason Falvo See PITT on C4 was quite complementary

Jason Falvo Head track and field coach

of his teams, which are both dealing with fatigue from a stretch of meets every week and the amount of training that they are putting in.

“With the vigorous training in the weight room, I was very impressed with their performance,” said Falvo.

Jacket golfers open season

“Whatever fatigue they may be enduring surely did not impact on their performances this past weekend.”

Sophomore javelin thrower Megan Sowers led the way for the Jacket women. Sowers, a graduate of Beth-Center High School, qualified for the

YELLOW JACKET

Page C2

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Sports FROSTBURG STATE - 9, JACKETS - 0

Men’s tennis remains winless in 2012 Waynesburg unable to take any sets from host Bobcats

Phillip Littlejohn fell at first, second and third singles, respectively. Senior Jason Logan and freshman Alex Tenenbaum lost at fifth and sixth singles, respectively.

Mally and Logan each took three games in their matches, while the trio of freshman won a combined five games.

In the doubles portion of the match, the duo of

Littlejohn and Anderson put up the best fight, losing 8-3 at second doubles.

Cochran and Mally fell 8-1 at first doubles, while Logan and Tenenbaum dropped an 8-2 decision at third doubles.

Anderson cited differences in the Frostburg State courts as a possible reason for the Jackets poor performance “Their courts were

really strange,” he said.

“The balls were moving in a different way because of the elevation.”

The elevation of Frostburg State University is 2,075 feet, compared to Waynesburg University where the elevation is only 1,034 feet above sea level.

Waynesburg will look to snap their winless streak to begin the year, as they take on Grove City this Monday in their first home match of the year.

The match will begin at 4 p.m.

Grove City was projected to finish first in Presidents’ Athletic Conference this season and has won 21 straight conference championships.

“We didn’t play Frostburg as well as we could have and they played us pretty well,” Anderson said. “However, we really aren’t worried about the nonconference matches.

“All of our focus is on the conference matches.”

more of her this season.”

Moving to the track events for the women, sophomore Bre Paul posted another impressive performance in the 800meter with a time of 2:27:91. Megan Donovan, a junior, finished closely behind her teammate with a time of 2:29:26 in the same event.

Two field participants highlighted the men’s day.

Junior Kurt Bonnet, a

week removed from qualifying for ECACs, impressed again with a discus heave of 45.32 meters, which puts him in the top 10 of Division III throwers. Junior Doogie Sanner also impressed, posting a 50.17 in the javelin event.

On the track, David Cobb posted a time of 52.15 seconds in the 400meter event. His time was good enough for eighth in

the meet, but more impressive was that he was the top performer from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and ranked second in all of Division III sprinters.

The men and women will next be in action Saturday when they head to PAC rival and close neighbor Washington and Jefferson to compete in the Washington and Jefferson Invitational.

By Rob Longo Editorial Assistant Waynesburg looked to snap its four-match losing skid Tuesday as it traveled to Maryland to take on Frostburg State.

Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, the result was an all too familiar one. They dropped the contest 9-0 to fall to 0-4 overall on the season.

The Jackets failed to win a set throughout the entire singles portion of the match.

Junior Jon Anderson took the most games of any Waynesburg player, winning four at fourth singles but ultimately dropping the match 6-2, 62.

Freshman Isaiah Cochran, senior Peter Mally and freshman

Track runs in Wheeling Continued from C1 throw went 35.60 meters, which caught the eye of Falvo.

“Rebecca had a huge performance today,” Falvo said. “I consider it a breakout performance for her and am excited to see

File Photo

Senior Peter Mally played second doubles and first singles in Tuesday’s 9-0 loss at Frostburg State.

C

OMMENTARY

Baseball notches statement victory

Dave Floyd Senior Sports Editor

If you’ve seen the movie Miracle—the epic tale of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team—you know the scene.

The squad lays an egg in an exhibition game in Norway, tying the average-at-best Norwegian national team, 3-3. Head coach Herb Brooks forces them to remain on the ice after the game, skating from line to line AGAIN and AGAIN (and AGAIN).

While it wasn’t nearly to that extent, Thomas More head baseball coach Jeff Hetzer made a similar move Sunday afternoon. He had his players stay on the field and take batting practice well after they had already played a doubleheader.

Why, you may ask?

Well, Waynesburg had just stunned Thomas More, drubbing the nationally ranked Saints 12-0 in game one and 9-2 in game two.

I wrote just last week about how the Yellow Jackets hot start was key, but that they had yet to accomplish anything really in the grand scheme of things.

And while they still have a long way to go, what a statement the Jackets made with Sunday’s doubleheader sweep at Thomas More.

No, they didn’t go 3-for-3 on the weekend, as they lost to the Saints on Saturday. However, a pair of victories against a team of that caliber says a great deal about where the team is at.

Waynesburg scored 28 runs in the three games, and the pitching on day two was masterful, especially Ben Oviatt’s. The senior southpaw pitched his fifth complete game in as many tries (he’s 5-0, too), blanking a Saints team that can rake as good as any in the conference.

As I said, there are still plenty of games to be played, but these were two big victories for the Jackets. Now, they need to repeat those results again and again (and again).

Right on cue, of course, the Jackets went on to lose a heartbreaking doubleheader at Saint Vincent Tuesday afternoon. Waynesburg lost 9-8 in game one and 6-5 in game two. In the second contest, the Bearcats, who are now 13-4 overall on the season, stole the win in their final at bat.

YELLOW JACKET

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Page C3

Sports

Athlete of the Week

Softball team gets boost from youth 23-player roster features just five juniors and seniors

Two-sport athlete has big week on course, diamond

By Nick Farrell Editorial Assistant

By Aaron Thompson

Presto

Assistant Sports Editor Two-sport athlete Madison Presto had quite a successful week this past week as she earned The Yellow Jacket Athlete of the Week.

The junior plays both golf and softball at Waynesburg.

Presto was an All-PAC performer in golf last year and picked right up where she left off. The Center Township native finished in fifth place at the Grove City Invitational on Saturday. She fired an 18-hole score of 88 (44-44) to finish in fifth place in the 35woman field, just five strokes off the pace of the winner. Presto’s score was third best of participants from PAC schools, placing two strokes behind both Esther Durling of Grove City and Pam Bonneau of Westminster.

A year ago, at the PAC Championships, Presto carded the best score for Waynesburg at 176 (85-91), finishing eight strokes out of first. Presto’s first-team All-PAC performance was the best finish by a women’s golfer at Waynesburg since Stephanie Basey earned first team honors in 2003.

Presto certainly seems to be in contention again as one of the best in the PAC. On the diamond, Presto helped the Jackets to a doubleheader sweep of Penn State-Fayette.

In game one, the sophomore second baseman went 1-for-2 at the plate with a team-high three RBI in an 8-1 victory. Then she followed that up with a 2-for-4 offensive performance in an 11-4 game two victory, chipping in a double, two runs and an RBI. In game one of Tuesday’s home doubleheader against Carlow, Presto went a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish.

Presto had appeared in 12 games as of Monday, starting eight. She holds a .385 batting average and owns a team-best .485 on-base percentage, serving as a utility infielder and backup catcher.

The Waynesburg softball team is off to a solid 11-7 start, due in part to a group of talented young athletes that have stepped up in the first half of the season.

In head softball coach Lou Giachetti’s opinion, things can only get better from here. Giachetti has asked a lot of his freshmen and sophomores this season, and so far, each of them has answered the call.

“We’re such a young team to begin with,” said Giachetti. “The other day we started five freshmen and started three sophomores and won the game, so I think the contribution of all the underclassmen has been phenomenal.”

Of the 23 players listed on the roster this spring, 10 of them are freshmen and eight are sophomores.

“You can name any freshman on this team, and they’ve made a contribution in some way or shape,” said Giachetti.

Among that young talent, freshman Haley Payne has experienced considerable success at

Baseball loses two

Golf team opens season Continued from C1 held on April 9 and is being hosted by Westminster College.

The men’s golf team was in action on Monday at the 10-team Westminster Invitational in New Wilmington, Pa. The Yellow Jackets placed 10th in the invitational with a team score of 397, while

Freshman Haley Payne, shown here in Tuesday’s doubleheader, leads the team in RBI. the plate. Prior to Tuesday’s home doubleheader against Carlow, she was batting .382 with a team leading 17 RBI. Giachetti also noted the freshmen outfielders that have contributed to the squad’s success, like Shelby Tabrosky. The freshman tied the score with a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh on the Yellow Jackets’ way to an extra-inning victory against Mount Aloysius on March 17.

The Jackets still aren’t at full strength, however.

They have been on a roll even without sophomores Shannon Falleroni and Jasmine Blackwell, last season’s 1-2 hitters in the lineup.

Falleroni was diagnosed with a concussion last week. Blackwell has been out of the lineup with a sprained ankle and should return to the field within the next couple of weeks.

Blackwell is looking

Jackets gain confidence

thing is sometimes you have good pitching and sometimes you don’t,” said Humiston.

It was a similar story in the nightcap, with the Jackets down 3-0 going into the sixth inning.

They rallied once again, scoring two runs in the sixth and getting solo home runs from juniors Adam Horning and Kyle Sasala in the seventh to take a 4-3 lead, Waynesburg’s first of the day.

But again the Bearcats showed off their own resiliency, driving in a run

in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and force extra innings.

After a scoreless eighth, Jackets senior Mike Neckerman scored on Horning’s sacrifice fly to put the Jackets up 5-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

But the Bearcats refused to succumb to the Jackets comebacks, loading the bases twice and scoring a run each time to earn the 5-4 victory.

“We had opportunities to score runs and just didn’t do it in both games,”

said Humiston. “Our pitching wasn’t very good, our hitting wasn’t very good and our fielding wasn’t very good either.”

Neckerman garnered two hits and a run, while Hartman’s stellar day continued with two hits and another RBI, pushing his conference-leading total to 25.

On the mound the Jackets used three pitchers, starting with junior Anthony Longo, who hurled 3.1 innings, giving up four hits, four walks and three runs. Freshman Mike Pavlic stepped in for three innings, facing 11 batters and allowing only a single hit before giving way to Chilcote, who saw his first ever collegiate action on the mound. The infielder took the loss, allowing four hits in two innings.

The doubleheader loss dropped Waynesburg to 23 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and 11-5 overall.

The Jackets return to action Friday for a nineinning game at PAC foe Bethany.

Carnegie Mellon took the team title with a score of 313.

Par for the course was 72.

Junior Colin Wilson finished first on the team and 45th overall in the tournament. He posted a 17-over par 89 for the day, 49 on the front and a 40 on the back.

Wilson will continue to try to improve as he eyes another strong finish at PACs. He was a first-team All-PAC performer last spring.

First-year senior Justin Falcon finished second on the Jackets. Falcon wound up 62nd out of the possible 67 slots with an overall score of 101. Falcon shot a 49 on the front nine of the course but struggled on the back with a 52.

Sophomore Ryan Srnik placed third on the team by finishing 63rd overall.

Srnik shot a 103 on the day with a 53 on the front and an improved backnine score of 50. Srnik’s classmate Thomas Paulone placed 65th in

the 67-man field with a score of 104. He shot a 51 on the front nine, followed by a 53 on the back.

Carnegie Mellon’s Ian Bangor finished in first place at the Invitational with a one-over par 73 on the day.

The Jacket men’s team will have time off to practice before they take to the course again on April 19 at the Saint Vincent Invitational. Two days later, the squad will travel to Greenville, Pa., for the Thiel Invitational.

Continued from C1 Humiston. “We wanted it low and away and he got it up high, and the batter made him pay for it.”

There were no problems at the plate for the Jackets, as they outhit the Bearcats 14-11.

Five Jackets had at least two hits, with senior Tim Chilcote tying a seasonhigh with three as the designated hitter. Hartman’s day at the plate was superb, as well, racking up four RBI on two hits.

The contest was more trying at the mound for Waynesburg, where senior Rob Baumgartel allowed nine hits over 3.2 innings in just his second start of the season. Boyle picked up the loss, despite allowing just two hits in 2.1 innings of work.

“I think sometimes the offense feels like they need to carry the team if we are going to be successful, but the main

Photo by Andrew Buda

Photo by Dave Miller, ADM Photography

Junior Bobby Hartman (left), shown here in WU’s most recent home game, had five RBI in Tuesday’s twinbill.

Continued from C1 Sophomore infielder Jenny Feightner then pinch-hit and drew a walk to put two runners on base for freshman outfielder Shelby Tabrosky.

Giachetti credited Feightner as just another player that could come off the bench and be important for the Jackets.

“We talk about that as a team,” Giachetti said. “I thought that was a great at bat from her. That was crucial. We have been preaching how important everyone on the team is.”

Tabrosky then came through with the clutch two-run single back up the box to give the Jackets a 3-1 lead heading to the seventh. It was the second time in as many weeks Tabrosky came through with a big hit late in the game for Waynesburg.

“Both times I had two strikes on me,” Tabrosky said. “I like to be under pressure. I pray every time I get in the box. It is more a confidence in God than myself.”

Maier shut down the Celtics in the seventh to move her record to 6-2 on the season. She scattered nine hits, giving up just one run and striking out six while issuing no walks.

“She does a great job bearing down in tough situations,” Giachetti said.

“She is just a really good pitcher. When she is on and hits spots, she is tough.”

Sophomore Madison Presto highlighted the

forward to returning to the game and has been trying to help her team in any way possible while recovering from that ankle injury.

“I’m excited to come back and do something I love, but I can still be excited and pump my teammates up even though I’m not out there on the field,” Blackwell said.

With the young roster, Blackwell has noticed that the team has stepped up this season.

“We lost six or seven seniors from last season, and as young, fresh players you have to put forth all your talent and effort to balance off what we lost,” she said.

Blackwell has noticed that, even during the offseason, her teammates have been very committed and hard working.

Another bright spot on the team, according to Giachetti, has been the young pitching staff that includes freshman Jenn Lingg and sophomore Carrie Maier. Maier was recently lauded as the waynesburgsports.com Athlete of the Week and Presidents’ Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week for her 2-0 record and team-best 1.87 ERA last week. In 15 innings of work, she See YOUTH on C4

Jackets offensive output.

Presto went 3-for-3 filling in for regular second baseman Shannon Falleroni.

Falleroni has missed the past few games with a concussion but is expected back Saturday against Geneva.

Things didn’t go as well in game two in another low scoring contest. Waynesburg jumped out to an early lead when Clark knocked in senior third baseman Sam Volponi in the second inning. Carlow tied it in the sixth inning before plating the go ahead run in the top of the seventh.

Melissa Costantini tossed seven innings for Carlow to earn the victory.

Freshman Jenn Lingg got the start and went four scoreless innings before giving way to fellow freshman Lindsay Palarino.

Palarino started off well but took the loss, giving up two runs in three innings and striking out three.

Waynesburg looks to start a new winning streak when they travel to Geneva on Saturday to open PAC action before hosting Thomas More and Westminster for a pair of conference doubleheaders next week.

Out of those three teams, Thomas More sports the best record at 12-6 overall.

Geneva has an overall mark of 11-9, while Westminster sits at 6-10 on the year. The conference race could prove to be a wide open one this season, for the Bethany Bison, who were picked to finish in the top spot in the league, are just 3-10 after its first 13 contests.

YELLOW JACKET

Page C4

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Sports ALLEGHENY - 19, JACKETS - 2

Lacrosse drops fifth straight contest Jackets fall behind early in Tuesday’s loss to Allegheny

By Kyle Oland Editorial Assistant The Waynesburg women’s lacrosse team has had a busy week, playing two games in a span of four days.

On Tuesday, the Yellow Jackets hosted Allegheny. The score looked similar to many of the Jackets’ recent games, as Waynesburg fell to the Gators 19-2.

Allegheny scored early and often, taking a 13-1 lead into halftime. The only goal in the first half came from senior midfielder Maria Shepas—her team leading 16th goal of the season.

In the second half, the more athletic Gators continued to have their way with the Jackets, scoring six more goals. The only bright spot for Waynesburg came when junior attacker Mandy Ormsby netted a goal—her 13th on the year.

The loss to Allegheny was the Jackets’ fifth straight and dropped them to 1-6 on the season.

Despite the recent loss-

Photo by Andrew Buda

Junior attacker Mandy Ormsby (14) tries to elude Allegheny defenders in Tuesday’s 19-2 home loss. es, head coach Tom Zacoi has tried to remain positive.

“Every game teaches you something about yourself and the team,” he said. “Our practices have been extraordinary, and we just need to find a way to translate our good practice habits to the game field. We may have let the game get away from us, but the players stuck together and even in defeat they never gave up.

“There’s a difference between losing and getting beat by a better team,” Zacoi added.

“Waynesburg players have fortitude, class, char-

acter and pride. They never give up, and of even greater importance, they never quit.”

Three days earlier on Saturday, the Jackets hosted their first home game in over a month, as the they took on Oberlin.

Through the first 13 minutes of play, the score was tied 1-1. Waynesburg’s goal came from Ormsby.

The Yeowomen chose to open the game with a very conservative game plan, holding onto the ball at the top of the crease for nearly four minutes before even attempting a shot. However, the conservative play did not last

Wrestling honored for academics

Youth boosts softball team

The Waynesburg wrestling team was recently honored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association for its academic success following the 2012 season.

The Yellow Jackets were honored as one of only 25 teams in all of NCAA Division III to earn a 2011-12 NWCA Division III Scholar Team Award. To qualify for the award, a team’s top 10 students’ GPA’s are averaged together. At least six of the 10 athletes chosen must have competed in the NCAA qualifying tournament, and the other athletes must have competed in at least 50 percent of the team’s scheduled contests. Waynesburg checked in with the 15th highest GPA in Division III (3.32).

Four different Jackets were also honored as NWCA Division III Schol-

ar All-Americans. Junior 125-pounder Alex Crown, senior 157-pounder Garett Johnston, junior 184pounder Cody Catalina and sophomore Anthony Bonaventura all snagged the award. Crown, Johnston and Catalina were also mentioned in the D3wrestle.com national rankings at multiple times this year, while Crown and Johnston scored their third and second Presidents Athletic Conference individual titles, respectively.

Along with their academic accolades, the Jackets also enjoyed another successful year on the mats. They posted their third winning record (108) in four years under head coach Ron Headlee, placed third at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional tournament and picked up four individual PAC titles.

allowed just four earned runs while mowing down nine batters.

“Carrie has been getting comfortable,” said Giachetti. “As a freshman last year, she had a lot of nerves even though she had been a really good high school pitcher who faced a lot of good competition. This year, I think she’s maturing; she understands what needs to be done to be a college pitcher, and she’s also bought into the leadership role.

“She’s the leader on the pitching staff and the other girls look up to her.”

The mindset of the team is what Giachetti is most concerned with. He believes that his team’s attitude and will to win has aided their success immensely.

“Something that these kids have brought is a great attitude. A lot of times when a team has

Pitt hoops disappoints

Conference game ended in a 72-59 loss at Notre Dame, the media was already questioning the players.

I was in an interview days after that game in late December, and there were several comments made about the possibility that this season could be a low point in the program’s recent history.

Every player available to the media commented that they didn’t want to be the team that fans would remember as the ones who dropped the ball

and let the team slip from its previous reputation.

Dixon knew that there could be problems, but he remained hopeful because he had no other choice.

He had to persevere through the season and do the best he could with the team in the state that it was. That’s his job as a coach, and he did it.

To be fair, though, the season wasn’t all negative.

Pitt did manage to pull off some major upsets that kept fans interest just a little longer into the season.

Continued from C1

to blame Dixon and the players or injuries or a tough conference or any other reason they can think of.

Do fans really think that Dixon and the players weren’t aware of the disappointing road that the season was heading down?

After their first Big East

for long, as Oberlin began to find its groove and rattled off 10 straight goals en route to a 13-3 handling of the Jackets.

While the loss was disheartening, Zacoi was pleased with his team’s attitude and believes the future is looking up for his team.

“In the Oberlin game, the team never gave up…and they didn’t lose hope,” said Zacoi.

“Although [Oberlin] was far more experienced, we kept up, and the girls played their hearts out.

There is no shame getting beat by a better opponent, and I hope our supporters stick with us because all of the teams we’ll be competitive with are coming to Wiley Stadium next month.”

Ormsby led the Jackets with two goals, and junior midfielder Carly Smithyman chipped in a goal of her own.

Without regular goalie senior Erin Burry (out because of a red card in the previous game), Zacoi inserted freshman Bre Tyler in net. Tyler made her collegiate debut in goal, making five saves.

Waynesburg returns to action tonight on the road at Wooster. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m.

PAC awards - For the second time this season, Waynesburg senior pitcher Ben Oviatt was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Oviatt earned his second PAC weekly honor this season after posting a 2-0 record with a 1.93 ERA in two starts.

After turning in a complete-game victory with no walks and four strikeOviatt outs in a 5-3 win over Penn StateBehrend on Monday, Oviatt came back with a complete game, four-hit (all singles) shutout.

He walked just one hitter and struck out five in a 120 blanking of two-time defending PAC champion Thomas More. The Saints came into Sunday’s doubleheader as the No. 18 team in the country.

Oviatt is now 5-0 on the year for the Yellow Jackets, with complete games in all five starts.

Waynesburg returns to action Friday when the Jackets travel to Bethany W.Va., to tangle with conference foe Bethany. The first pitch of that contest is scheduled for 3 p.m.

- Freshman hurdler Bryum Louco took home the first Presidents’ Athletic Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week Award of the season for the Yellow Jackets after stellar performances at both the Muskie Duals at Muskingum University and at the Bill Van Horne Invitational at Wheeling Jesuit this past Saturday.

Louco The Wexford, Pa., native posted a pair of wins in the 400 hurdles (58.05) and the 4x800-meter relay, while placing second in the 100-meter dash (11.29 seconds) at Muskingum on March 17. Louco followed up that performance by finishing fourth in the 400 hurdles (57.16) and eighth in the 100-meter dash (tops among Division III runners) with an 11.51 at the Bill Van Horne Invitational at Wheeling Jesuit.

Louco and his Waynesburg teammates are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Washington, Pa., for the Washington and Jefferson Invitational.

The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Continued from C3

Photo by Kimber Blair

Freshman Ashley Clark (6), sophomore Carrie Maier (second from left), freshman Haley Payne (13) and sophomore Shannon Falleroni (far right) have all made key contributions for the softball team, which features 18 freshmen and sophomores.

[23] players on it, playing time gets to be a little difficult, but everybody has accepted the fact that when playing time is available they’ll get it and if it’s their time to shine, that’s what they have to do,” Giachetti said. “I’ve been proud of everybody and the way they’re handling the situation.”

Giachetti said that no matter what the score is, this team will continue to play hard because the squad is filled with a lot of hungry young players that want to prove themselves, and because of that attitude, Giachetti knows that the team can make a playoff run.

“We can be as good as

we want to be,” said Giachetti. “My goal is always to make the PAC playoffs and make the NCAA tournament, and I don’t think the goal of this team is any different.

“I really think they want to win a conference championship, and I think that they believe that they can win.”

In late January, Pitt defeated then nationally ranked Georgetown, who was No. 10 at the time.

That same week brought the much-anticipated Backyard Brawl.

Every Pitt fan knows that when you play WVU, whatever happened earlier in the season doesn’t mater. Pitt pulled off the upset in the teams first meeting in late January.

For me, all that mattered was beating WVU, so the season wasn’t all bad.

So what happens next year? Can not only this

team, but also the program recover from this season?

The burden now falls on Dixon and the players that will return. Dixon must try to maintain the image of the program as it has always been and motivate his players to work even harder than ever.

Not to put too much anticipation on what will happen next year since this season has yet to close, but next year will be critical.

For a program that has had as much success as

Pitt in the last decade, one bad year can be overcome, but two will cause some serious problems.

Not to mention the upcoming move to the ACC conference. Pitt’s reputation as a powerful program precedes it, regardless of the damage it suffered this season.

Hopefully, if nothing else, the Panthers will be able to call themselves CBI Champions this season.

If that doesn’t happen, there’s always football season right?

Thursday, March 29, 2012 SPRING WEEK

Weather benefits successful week

By Jordan Svonavec Staff Writer Spring week is a special week-long event held every year at Waynesburg University, coordinated

by Student Activities Board and Student Senate.

It is, as Pat Bristor said, a chance for students to relieve stress through fun activities held all week.

There were events held each night that featured game show, this year’s Spring Week theme.

The events included a Penguins vs. Flyers party Sunday night, but due to a

change in face-off time was unfortunately cancelled. Monday featured Noon Tunes with Nick Motil, at which students were invited to make their own potted plants.

Then on Tuesday, there was a pig roast picnic dinner in Johnson Commons where students were treated to a feast and enjoyed music by the Totally 80’s Band.

Wednesday featured a Bisque and Brew in the Beehive. Bisque and Brew, a fairly common event that usually takes place on Saturdays, is a craft

Photo by Amanda Rice

On Wednesday, Colleges Against Cancer hosted the annual Ovarian Egg Hunt around campus. The eggs contained numerous facts about ovarian cancer and several of the eggs contained prizes.

Egg hunt raises awareness, offers prizes ‘Unique’ musical

brings fairy tale characters to life

By Alex Hinton Op/Ed Editor Colleges Against Cancer held an Ovarian Egg Hunt on Wednesday. The egg hunt was a cancer awareness activity and took place from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. All students were welcome to join in the egg hunt.

Ryan Smith, freshman international studies major, was one student that took part in the egg hunt.

“It was really fun,” Smith said. “It reminded me of when I was younger.”

Like a traditional Easter egg hunt, plastic eggs were filled and hidden outside around campus.

However, unlike typical Easter eggs, these eggs contained ovarian cancer awareness facts and prevention tips.

The ovarian cancer fact in Smith’s winning egg said, “Many times women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms, or just mild symptoms, until the disease is in an

By Ben Carpenter Staff Writer

Photo by Amanda Rice

Eggs could be found everywhere from the library to Johnson Commons. Junior Noel Carmona was one of the students that participated in the event. advanced stage.”

Prizes were also included in some of the eggs. Students could claim any prizes in the Student Services office until 3 p.m. There was a one prize per student limit.

Smith won an American Cancer Society pen.

“I found the egg in Johnson Commons,” Smith said.

Other eggs hidden on campus contained facts such as “the main treatments for ovarian cancer are surgery, chemo and radiation or a combination of the three,” and “Stage II ovarian cancer involves one or both ovaries with extension into the pelvic region, e.g., it is found in the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, sigmoid

colon or rectum. Few women are diagnosed at this stage.”

The Waynesburg University chapter of Community Action Southwest plans the Ovarian Egg Hunt annually around the time of Easter. The event’s purpose is to help raise awareness about ovarian canSee EGG on D2

Fairy tales are part of everyone’s childhood.

By the time college rolls around, the stories are distant memories but are still engrained into the memory and are easily recognizable.

But what happens when all of those fairy tales melt into one another and intertwine?

The outcome is the play “Into the Woods,” which the Waynesburg University Players will be presenting nightly from yesterday through Saturday, March 31. The performances will take place in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center.

Shows will begin at 7:30 pm. Each show will be free of charge and the public is cordially invited to attend.

“This is a really unique story,” said

Derek Platt, who will be playing the role of the Wolf. “It should be a really enjoyable show.

It’s a different twist on some common fairy tales that we’ve all heard before.”

Platt, who is a senior youth ministry and music ministry double major, said that the shows will start out with some common fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, but things will soon begin to weave together.

“The first act starts out with those usual fairy tales, but as the story lines play out, they start to intertwine and their stories collide,” said Platt. “By the time the second act rolls around, everything See MUSICAL on D2

Hardie utilizes passion to raise cancer awareness, funds

By Molly Winters Staff Writer Yellow Daffodils signify spring’s arrival.

They are also sold to help fund the American Cancer Society search for a cure for cancer.

Relay for Life, which has been around for 26 years, is a prime example of efforts to fight the disease. Although Relay and numerous other events are held annually, many people decide to take the challenge upon themselves to come up with a new event to raise money.

Chris Hardie, head

cross country and assistant track coach, plans to utilize his passion to make a difference.

“I had always wanted to mix my passion of running with my need to give back to the community,” said Hardie. “I thought if I could run a long way for a good cause, it would set my fundraiser apart from the others.”

Six years ago, Hardie coined the name Chris Cross the County since then the event has raised over $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.

This year Hardie has decided start a new

fundraising event.

On Sunday, April 29, Hardie will attempt to throw the javelin ten miles in one day, and it will take close to 1,000 throws to accomplish this task.

In order to raise funding for the American Cancer Society, the money has to come from sponsors or donors.

“We rely solely on a strong donor base of local residents, businesses and our friends and family. I send a mailer out each year stating the challenge See CHARITY on D2

Photo by Allyson Wernert

Chris Hardie, head cross country coach, will attempt to throw the javelin ten miles in one day. It will take close to 1,000 throws to accomplish the task.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Arts & Life

Students solve double homicide case at mock crime scene

By Rob Longo Editorial Assistant This past weekend, Waynesburg University was involved as in crime scene investigation for an alleged murder. However; this was only part of the criminal justice and forensic sciences departments’ annual mock crime scene.

Beginning at 9 a.m., close to 60 high school students took on the challenge of learning the

basics of crime scene processing Saturday morning, and then applied what they learned in the afternoon at the mock crime scene.

The crime scene was set up to look like a double homicide with three possible suspects in the case.

In the morning, students went from classroom to classroom in Buhl Hall for 45 minutes at a time learning the proper steps to process a

crime scene. After a break for lunch, the students spent nearly two hours all over campus compiling evidence and clues.

“We use the mock crime scene for a few different things,” said Mike Cipoletti, assistant professor of chemistry and forensic science. “It allows the University to showcase our criminal justice and forensic science programs as well as allowing high school stu-

dents to see if they really want to pursue a career in either of these fields.

It also shows if the students are willing to put the work in that it takes.”

Three experts were brought in to help students sharpen their skills.

Rich Hunter, who is a general crime scene processor in Greene County, helped students at the mock crime scene.

Jason Clark was brought

in to help students dust for fingerprints. Sarah Bittner who specializes in forensic biology was brought in as well. Bittner and Clark were both brought in from Allegheny County.

Kacey Bence, a freshman criminal justice major, volunteered to help out with the mock crime scene.

“I was a team leader, which basically means I led the students around and helped them out if

they had any questions,” Bence said.

Not only did the high school students learn a thing or two, but so did the team leaders.

“I took a class in high school that covered the basic essentials of crime scene processing, so Saturday was more or less a review for me,” said Bence. “However, if I would have never taken that class, I would have really learned a lot from the mock crime scene.”

Charity event held

country athletes will also volunteer at the event.

“Their conference championship is the day before the event, so hopefully we will have something more to celebrate that Sunday afternoon too,” said Hardie.

Hardie will be the only one who is attempting the throwing challenge.

Every year, a friend or colleague will join him for a few miles, but because of the toll that this event takes on the body, he will be doing it.

Hardie will be throwing the javelin for cancer, no matter what the weather holds on that Sunday.

Hardie will not cancel or reschedule his event.

He has never canceled an event that is planned for charity.

“Those battling cancer do not get to choose the good days or the bad days; in order to honor their battle and to honor those who have lost the fight, I will never cancel the event after it is planned,” said Hardie.

Continued from D1

Photo by Michelle Daino

Deal or No Deal Nick Farrell, freshman communication major (left), hosted Waynesburg’s first “Deal or No Deal” event on March 22 in Alumni Hall. Freshman sociology major Brittany Orndoff was one of several contestants.

Spring week ends Continued from D1 making session in which bisque is made into objects. There is normally coffee, hence the brew portion of the name; however none was provided this week, but there will definitely be some provided on Saturdays,î said Kelley Hardie.Thursday featured Deal or No Deal,î hosted by freshman com-

Musical set to open Continued from D1 is twisted together and things start to get really exciting and intense.”

“Into the Woods” will be Platt’s first performance with the Waynesburg University Players, and he is very much looking forward to it.

“I’m really excited,” said Platt. “Part of me wishes that I wouldn’t have been so busy throughout my other years here so that I could have done more productions, but I’m very thankful for the opportunity to perform this one. It should be a

munications major Nick Farrell, where students were given a chance to win up to $200.

The Pittsburgh Power arena football team played on Friday, March 23, and tickets to the event were available to students for $8. To conclude the week, the traditional Spring Formal was held at 7:00pm on Saturday at the Lakeside Party Center. Each event had games to play to keep with the game theme; for example Tuesday night featured Minute to Win It

games, which challenged participants to complete a task in 1 minute or less.

T-shirts were awarded to the winners.

Bristor and Hardie both agreed that there is not a single group of people who attended all the events, but rather a wide variety of students, which continues to make Spring Week a success.

The two attributed this to the wide variety of events. Spring week is not about guest speakers, it is about fun activities, Bristor said. April is too busy

blast.”

This isn’t Platt’s first time playing a role in “Into the Woods,” however.

“I actually did perform in this play while in high school, but I’m really looking forward to my second experience with it,” said Platt.

While Platt has prior experience with the play, this will be Director of Theatre Program Edward L. Powers’ first time directing the show.

Powers came to Waynesburg University in 2000 and has directed 34 productions since arriving on campus.

He is most looking forward to seeing the culmination of hours of practice put in by the actors and their overall development of the

characters.

“Our actors have put in hours upon hours of practice for this production,” said Powers.

“I can’t wait to see the them make the characters come alive, and to see the audience’s response to that.”

Audience participation is a big part of the production for both Powers and Platt.

“We channel the audience’s energy into our performance,” said Platt. “We use that to motivate ourselves, and we also do our best to motivate each other.”

“Everyone wants to tell stories, or to have someone tell them a story,” said Powers.

“There’s nothing better than being in the presence of the person

because of finals, but March is a good time for students to enjoy themselves.

Bristor also commented on the fantastic weather this year.

It is not often to have beautiful sunny days in March, as we have already had spring weeks with snow remaining on the ground, she said.

Ultimately it comes down to student participation, and thankfully we had nice weather, and the week was a success, Hardie said.

I will be attempting and asking for a few dollars to help us fundraise. It’s actually pretty simple, but effective,” said Hardie.

Hardie’s main supporter and volunteer is his wife, Kelley Hardie, Director of Housing and assistant director of student activities.

“I am very supportive of my husband’s continued efforts in raising money for The American Cancer Society,” said Hardie. “It is truly amazing to see Chris utilize his gifts in such an inspirational manner.”

They have discussed the possibility of growing the organization in the coming years, but right now they are satisfied with the event.

Kelly Hardie has volunteered to help again this year. The track and cross

Egg Hunt takes place Continued from D1

cer. The on-campus organization meets twice a month and plans events throughout the school year to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Colleges Against Cancer’s goals are to “promote cancer awareness and help raise money for the American Cancer Society through advocacy, education, survivorship and Relay telling you the story. for Life.”

The energy of being in the same space as that person is unmatchable.”

Something else that Powers and Platt agree on is the fact that this performance will be different than many other Waynesburg University Players productions.

“This production is much different than things we have performed before,” said Powers. “It has a very serious message. There are definitely parts of the play that are comedy-based, but the overall message is much different than the typical girl meets boy, they fall in love story line.”

“This play really has a great, powerful message,” said Platt.

The group will be taking part in the planning of Waynesburg’s mini Relay for Life, which will take place on April 15.

Colleges Against Cancer is a nationwide group made up of students, faculty and staff and is a part of hundreds of colleges and universities. Colleges Against Cancer raises money to help others fight the battle of cancer, remembers those whose lives were taken by cancer, and raises awareness by planning events and spreading the word to thousands of college students everywhere.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

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Entertainment

The Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Across 1 Professional org.

6 Like bachelor parties 10 Something is slightly open 14 Gift from an oyster 15 Old El Paso product 16 General principle 17 Motto of 50-Across 19 Whodunit hint 20 Org. for mature audiences only?

21 “Small” allegations 23 Climbs 27 Common takeout cuisine 28 Seats at the bar 29 Hot-platter stand 30 State flower of Indiana 31 Argentina neighbor 32 Sunbather’s goal 35 Invisible or indelible fluids 36 Practiced, as a trade 37 Video game giant 38 Show with regional spinoffs 39 Epic 40 Pastrami peddlers 41 Donkey of kiddie lit 43 Giant among Giants 44 Actor Armand

46 Clean up, as one’s toys 47 Pure as the driven snow 48 Capitol topper 49 Easter bloom 50 Organization that held its first troop meeting 3/12/1912 56 Vicinity 57 Airline that serves only kosher meals 58 Patty Hearst’s nom de guerre 59 Pigsty, so to speak 60 Hardwood trees 61 Enjoyed Aspen

Down 1 Police dept.’s “Be on

the lookout!” alert 2 Observe 3 Sticky trunk stuff 4 Bobby of hockey 5 With no mistakes 6 Red carpet interviewees 7 Rain delay roll-out 8 Expert 9 Baby sponsored at a baptism 10 Mysterious 11 Founder of 50Across 12 Reunion attendees, for short 13 Witherspoon of “Sweet Home Alabama” 18 Walks on little cat feet 22 In real time

23 Fancy-shmancy jelly 24 British submachine guns 25 Popular funding source for 50-Across 26 Eternities, seemingly 27 Shed some tears 29 Yours of yore 31 Saint of Assisi 33 High anxiety

34 Objectionable, as a habit 36 Eliza Doolittle, to Henry Higgins 37 “The Fugitive” actress Ward 39 Ibsen’s “Peer __” 40 Picks up on 42 Courses taken to boost one’s GPA 43 Many-petaled flowers, familiarly

44 Happy as __ 45 British county 46 Surveys 48 Wee bit o’ Scotch, say 51 Being under the weather 52 Tree on the Connecticut quarter 53 Prefix with verse 54 Deadlock 55 Unhappy

Last Issue’s Answers:

Crossword by MCT Campus

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Thursday, March 29, 2012